Of Deer and Flowers

Chapter Twenty Seven

The Missing Person

September 1,

Dear Ann,

The train ride was uneventful for once. Unless you count Sirius Black's panic over the sudden disappearance of his cozen.

Apparently she's only a first year and he was supposed to be watching out for her. There was a big row between Black and Bellitrix; each was accusing the other of hiding her. Of course if I were related to either one, I'd hide too . . .

Peter sat down in the seat across from James, huffing slightly from the effort involved in heaving his trunk into the overhead luggage rack.

"So what're we planning this time?" asked Sirius sitting down as the train started to move.

"Well whatever it is," Remus muttered leaning his head against the cold window, "just leave the first years alone."

"First years?" Sirius muttered, "now what am I forgetting?"

"Don't worry Remus we won't touch your precious First years."

"Moony, you ok?" Peter asked.

"Fine, I just need a bit of sleep."

"First Years . . ."

"What are you on about, Padfoot?" James asked.

"I've got this terrible feeling in my gut, like I've forgotten something."

"Naa," Peter replied. "You're just hungry. You forgot to eat breakfast."

"Shut up, Wormtail. You're not helping." Peter sat back feeling a bit hurt. He hated it when Sirius snapped at him. He'd only tried to be helpful.

"Think back," Remus suggested. "Were you supposed to talk to someone?"

"Did you forget to pack something?"

"Did you leave . . ." Peter cut himself off realizing James had just said that."

"Leave . . ." Sirius muttered head in hands. "OH NO! Nymphadora!"

"Who?"

"My cozen. You know her Prongs, you met her at Stanton's funeral!"

"The metemorphagus?"

"See, Moony remembers. She's a first year. Andromeda was going to drop her off on the platform and I was supposed to make sure she made the train all right?"

"Uh oh," Peter muttered. If Sirius had forgotten his cozen did that mean they weren't going to pull the prank? He was about to open his mouth and ask when James answered the unasked question.

"Well, then we have to look for her."

"Moony, I know you're not feeling well. . ."

"I'm well enough to help you look Padfoot."

"No, the other Prefects let you off duty so you could sleep," James reasoned, "so you do that."

"But . . ."

"That way there's some one here in case Ny . . . what's her name again . . .Sirius's cozen comes looking for him."

Sirius nodded. "Makes sense. That way if one of us finds her we can bring her back here then go find the others. We'll be splitting up to look of course."

"S . .sp . . .splitting up?" Peter squeaked not entirely happy about the prospect. "B . . .Bu . . .Bu . . .But . . ."

"Oh honestly Wormtail, it's not like someone's going to hex you on the train." Sirius grumbled.

"Alright. I'll stay," Remus agreed finally settling back into his seat.

"Ok, remember everyone that Nymphadora's a metemorphagus, so she can look like anyone."

"Anyone?" Peter asked imagining two Snapes.

"Well, anyone female." Sirius corrected stepping out of the compartment.

Sometime later it became apparent that they were not the only ones looking for Sirius's cozen. Various Slytherins, known friends of Bellatrix Black, were searching the compartments for the missing first year as well. Peter agrees wholeheartedly when James said they had to find her before Bellatrix did. He knew full well what it was like to have a group of Slytherins angry with him.

Peter had successfully avoided all of the Slytherins until about noon, when a girl with blue hair told him to try looking in the front of the train. He had just stepped out of the compartment, when Bellatrix herself strode around the corner.

"And what are you doing here Mudblood."

"N . . .N . . .Nothing." Peter squeaked backing away.

"Then perhaps you wouldn't mind telling me what Sirius and Potter are doing?"

"I .. .I don . . .don't . . ."

"Don't tell me you don't know, Mudblod!" Peter took a few steps backwards ready to run any second. True he was older, but Bellatrix was meaner and stronger. "Well have they found her yet!"

"F . . .found wh . . .who . . .Bell . . .Bellatrix."

"Nymphadora Tonks, you twit! The little metemorphagus brat!"

"And what exactly would you want with her Balla?" Sirius had his wand out aimed at Bellatrix as he advanced down the corridor. Peter shrank back even further against the wall.

~*~*~*~*~*~

It was about mid-afternoon when Remus woke up to the sound of the compartment door opening. He was about to ask Sirius if he'd found his cozen when he realized it wasn't him at all. Rather it was a short skinny girl with bright blue hair.

Pretending to lay there still asleep he watched her and was soon rewarded with a confirmation of his suspicions. The girl, began to change. Her hair went from a brilliant blue to a dark brown almost black, cropped short around her face. Her nose grew longer, her cheekbones higher, and her mouth a tiny bit wider. Quite honestly she looked a bit like a female Sirius, though much prettier. Not like he could say that aloud though. Sirius would probably kill him for it. Instead Remus rolled over onto his back and pillowed his head on his arms.

"Hello." The girl jumped.

"I . . .uh . . .well . . .I'm sorry did I wake you?"

Remus grinned, "you did actually, but that doesn't matter. May I ask who you're hiding from?"

"Hiding from?" she asked innocently, sitting down on the other seat across from him.

"Well aren't you Nymphadora . . ."

"It's Tonks!" she cut him off. "Just Tonks, nothing else."

"Ok, but who're you hiding from? Sirius? Or Bellatrix?"

"Well both I guess. Bellatrix for sure. Sirius mainly because if he finds me she probably will too."

"Ahhhh . .I . ." Just then the door opened and Sirius stuck is head in.

"There you are! Budge up Moony." Sirius said coming in and nearly sitting on Remus's feet. "Dora, I've been looking nearly every where for you."

"It's Tonks," she corrected, "and what do you mean by nearly every where?"

"Well I can't exactly go into the girl's privy, although I was beginning to think it'd be a good idea to send Peter in to look."

"Ewwww"

"Honestly Dora why . . ."

"It's Tonks!" she snapped. "Not Nymphadora, not Nypmi, not Dora, just plain TONKS!"

"Alright, alright Dora, don't get your panties in a bunch." Tonks leapt at him as the train began slowing down.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Peter sat down next to Remus and looked at the front of the great hall where the first years were lining up. He could feel the tension from Sirius beside him, who was chanting under his breath, "Let it be Gryffindor, let it be Gryffindor." Geese, Peter thought, the hat isn't even out yet. Personally Peter didn't see why Sirius wanted to share his house with the girl, Peter though she was kind of a brat. He could see her standing up there chatting idly to a red haird boy. Come to think of it, the boy looked kind of familiar too . . .

Just then the Sorting hat was brought out and placed on the stool.

From the Four Corners of the earth they came

Determined to build a school

Working in the sun and rain

Though several called them fool

In time this great place was built

Where children came to learn

Eager to achieve their goals

The younger waiting for their turn

There was Gryffindor brave and strong

Chivalrous to an end

Dressed in royal scarlet and gold

Students most like him were called friend

And the lady Ravenclaw

Her wisdom and cleverness praised

Robed in blue and bronze

Those tricky problems, her students, never phased

Not to mention sly Slytherin

Ambition never tries

Wearing silver and emerald

His students always reach their prize

Never forget gentle Hufflepuff

As loyal as she's kind

Clothed in black and yellow

Hard work her students never mind

The song went on through its normal course and Peter stopped listening. He had no wish to hear more warnings about standing together.

"Tonks, Nymphadora!" McGonagall said. Peter looked up. It only took a second for the hat to shout, "Gryffindor," and Tonks immediately jumped down and started running towards the table.

"Sirius, Sirius, I made it!"

Peter sighed and rolled his eyes, turning back to the sorting.

"Weasley, William!"

"Gryffindor!"