Omnia Mors Perimit

She finds this kind of spooky. This house - this house belongs to Sirius Black, her cousin once - or is it twice? - removed, and not four weeks ago, she's still been assigned to hunt him down as a dangerous fugitive. Now she knows that this was absolute rubbish. He's offered his family's house to the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore's gang that this one's summoned to fight against You Know Who.

You Know Who - she smirks wryly. Even among Aurors, who are after all the spearhead in the fight against Dark wizards, some don't dare to speak his name, and she has accustomed to avoid speaking it, too, simply to spare her colleagues' nerves. This is stupid, of course, she isn't superstitious, but what the heck.

However - this house - oh Merlin. How could someone actually live in such a place?! Who the hell would decorate their hallway with a dozen servants' heads? Seriously! There are house-elves hanging on the wall! She would never have believed this if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes. Her mum sometimes mentioned that her aunt and uncle have been totally off the rocker, but Tonks has always assumed that she'd exaggerate, simply because she openly despises the rest of her family. Nope - no exaggeration here. Whoever furnished this house must have been a complete weirdo.

It rarely happens that Nymphadora Tonks is punctual, and today has been one of the rare occasions, because she has come here together with her colleague Kingsley, who's the epitome of reliability, punctuality and every other responsible quality. If only she had been late as usual, for waiting here for the others to arrive is bordering on torture. Can she truly be related to those people?!

Sirius seems all right; right now he's bustling about in the kitchen, which isn't quite as horrid as the rest of the house. Because in the hallway aren't only dead servants, there are also portraits of former owners, one uglier and viler than the other, and all of them screaming and screeching on top of their voices. Kingsley cast a charm on the door to make it soundproof, but had to undo it again because otherwise they wouldn't hear the others ringing. The screams are unnerving, and impatiently, she's sipping her tea.

To make it all worse, there is this ghastly house-elf, scurrying in and out and muttering curses under his breath. She has only little experience with house-elves; as an Auror, one sometimes comes across one of these odd creatures, but this one here is decidedly the strangest so far. He clearly hates his new master, and Sirius does nothing to lower the tension.

"Ungrateful brat," the elf murmurs, his little fists clenching and unclenching. "My poor, poor mistress, Kreacher cannot stand to hear her complaints -"

"Then go and console her!"

"Kreacher's poor mistress cannot be consoled, having a son like this!"

"Oh, I think a brown-nose like you as her servant may have made up for that."

Before the elf could give a snide retort, Sirius has grabbed him and rudely conveyed him out of the door. Tonks tries a smile. "Welcome home, eh?"

"Azkaban is the most terrible place in the world, but this house is a solid number two," he replies darkly. "I bet your mother's told you how my parents were like."

"She's said that it's a hard one to call who was worse, your parents or hers."

"I guess everyone hates their own parents worst - at least when they're parents like such - but your grandparents weren't half as mad as my dear old mum, mark my words."

"And your dad?"

He smirks, inclines his head and gnarls, "Not as bad as her, but - let me put it like this - both of them would never have admitted you to enter this house, or your father."

In this second the doorbell is ringing and the tremendous noise in the hallway reaches another peak. Sirius hurries away and returns with an illustrious group. A tall, balding man and a small, chubby witch that anxiously clings to his arm, another witch with black hair and an enviably rosy complexion, a greyish wizard in worn-down robes and -

"Bill?" She jumps up and hurries over, stormily embracing her old school mate.

"Tonks! What are you doing here, kiddo?"

"I could ask you the same, sweetie!"

"I'm here because I want to join the Order."

"I meant - since when are you back in England?"

They easily fall into conversation; Bill is two years her senior and was in Gryffindor, too. She has been a substitute for the House Team and they often practised together, but haven't seen each other for four or five years now. She's had a short fling with his younger brother Charlie, who's been in her year and in the team as well. Now Tonks is rather amazed to find out that the frightened lady and her husband are Mr and Mrs Weasley, Bill's and Charlie's parents. Next she's introduced to the others, a witch called Hestia Jones and a wizard called Remus Lupin.

The latter is terribly nice and sympathetic, and before long, she's talking mainly to him while they are still waiting. All the while she tries to figure out his age. His hair and the deep lines in his face suggest a man in his late forties, and there's something in his eyes that makes him appear haunted. On the other hand, the same eyes can sparkle so mischievously as if they belonged to a much younger man. He has interesting eyes, thinking about it, gentle and knowing and kind.

"I guess I ought to tell you beforehand - before you hear it from someone else," he begins quietly, apprehensively glancing around. Oh, there we go, she thinks, he's married. She peeks at his hands, but no ring to be seen. "I - you must know about my condition... Dumbledore will address this point anyway, so I can just tell you straightaway. I'm - I'm a werewolf."

She is puzzled. "A werewolf?"

"Yes. A werewolf."

"Oh! So you're - you're the one that's been Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, right?"

"I can well understand if you feel like sitting elsewhere."

"Elsewhere? Oh! Oh, I see! No, I'm very comfortable." He looks doubtful, and she repeats with more vigour, "I'm really comfortable! Really!"

He doesn't look too convinced. "I suppose for an Auror this must be an interesting experience. For once you're not hunting a werewolf down but drink tea with him?"

"Oh, come on! I'm not one of those prejudiced cows!"

"Excuse me. I didn't mean to imply you were."

She is spared an answer because Dumbledore and McGonagall arrive. She has lied to her new acquaintance - she is insecure with this revelation. She never talked to a werewolf before. She hasn't thought that she might ever want to have a private conversation with a werewolf. Though it isn't the poor man's fault, right? He has been bitten by a vile and dissolute beast - and turned into the same then...? No. This man certainly isn't vile, or dissolute, or any other bad thing. As far as Tonks can see, he's nothing but obliging and sweet.

"Miss Tonks, are you even listening," comes the crisp voice of her former Head of House. Some things never change, eh?

"Yes, Professor."

"Let me clarify some things, Miss Tonks," Dumbledore says with a twinkling smile. "This goes to you as well, Mr Weasley. We're not in Hogwarts. I cannot speak for my esteemed colleague here, but as far as I am concerned, I am Albus, or Dumbledore, or the old crackpot if you please. In return we will address you Nymphadora if you -"

"Gosh, no! Call me old tart if you've got to, but not Nymphadora! I'm Tonks. Just Tonks!"

"After getting the names right, I would like to continue," says McGonagall, half smirking, half frowning.

"Indeed, Minerva. As you just said, we need as many people as we can assemble. This morning, I talked to Dedalus Diggle. Arthur tells me that we can count on Sturgis Podmore, too. Both couldn't come today due to their jobs; we mustn't raise suspicion if we can avoid it. That means - you're more than welcome to attend the Order meetings, but make sure that this does not collide with other duties, or that outsiders notice your engagement."

"Within Hogwarts, we've got Rubeus Hagrid and Severus Snape," McGonagall continues, and Tonks suppresses a loud groan. Snape! How dearly she' hoped to never see that man again! She catches Remus Lupin's eye, who must have registered her discontent, giving her a little smile and mouthing something like, 'Don't worry!'

"Both are working on most secretive and dangerous assignments that I cannot comment upon. Furthermore there are Elphias Doge and my own brother, I suppose many of you remember them of old. Alastor Moody is still recovering from his imprisonment, but he will join us as soon as possible."

"What about poor Harry?" Mrs Weasley cries, clenching a handkerchief. "When I think of the poor boy I -"

Her husband pats her back and quietly talks to her. Dumbledore nods. "Harry is safe where he is now. Nothing can happen to him in his aunt's house. Nevertheless I think it's most important that we keep an eye on him to make sure nothing happens to him outside. I don't know if Voldemort -" Several people gasp with the name. " - has already found out about the protection that Mrs Petunia Dursley delivers. Anyway, he might give it a try, or he could attempt to assault Harry elsewhere -"

"Excuse me, Sir, but if I'm not mistaken, that Mrs Dursley is a muggle, isn't she?" Kingsley Shacklebolt asks in that deep pleasant voice of his. "How can she protect her nephew?"

"That woman!" Mrs Weasley snarls, unable to suspend a disdainful expression. "Protect Harry! She'd let him starve if she could!"

"Molly, you must understand that Mrs Dursley is a conscious mother like yourself. She cannot cope with her nephew's capabilities, that's true, and I don't mean to excuse her behaviour towards Harry either. Still, she wouldn't seriously harm him, and to answer your question, Kingsley - Mrs Dursley is the only living person except for Harry himself that is related by blood to Lily Potter. That relation is very powerful; Lily died to save her son. This is ancient magic, which I don't have to explain any further, do I?"

"And we have someone close to him."

"Thank you, Minerva, for bringing this up. Indeed, on one of our next meeting you will meet Arabella Figg -"

"Who?"

"Arabella Figg. She was the youngest daughter of the Norwich branch of the Cauldwells."

"Never heard of her. Arabella Cauldwell, you say?"

"Forget it, Molly. She is a Squib. She is a neighbour of the Dursleys and has kept an eye on the boy since his infancy. We've stayed in contact all these years and she indeed is a most valuable help."

Mrs Weasley isn't easily pacified. "Are you telling me that poor Harry's safety is based on the shoulders of a muggle and a Squib?!"

Dumbledore and her husband try to soothe her concerns; next thing is a schedule for extra-guarding Harry Potter - Tonks is dying to meet famous Harry Potter, but isn't offered the job - and they contemplate who else they could trust to support them. But right now, she is much more interested in her neighbour. For a werewolf, he is kind of cute, isn't he? She catches herself with that notion, appalled with herself. 'For a werewolf'?! She really is that sort of prejudiced cow!

"Would you care for a butterbeer after this?"

"I reckon I'm a little too old for butterbeer," he says with a smile.

That is her chance. "So how old are you?"

"What d'you think?"

"That's the point, isn't it? I really couldn't say."

"I'm thirty-six. And you? Old enough for Fire Whiskey?"

"What do you think?"

"I'd say I couldn't decide since you're an Metamorphmagus."

"How do you know?"

"Since I've come, you've changed your nose three times."

She hasn't even noticed this and blushes. Accidental transformation only ever happens to her when she is extremely worn out - or nervous. How could this guy make her so nervous? He is cute, werewolf or not, who cares? They've agreed to go to the Leaky Cauldron, when Sirius suggests that they could stay and have a drink with him instead. As much as she is curious for her long-lost cousin, she would prefer to be alone with the intriguing Mr Lupin - she can talk to Bill, and Sirius, and the rest another time.

"That screeching in the hallway is so annoying, Sirius -"

"I can join you in the Leaky Cauldron then!"

Remus Lupin bursts out with laughter. "I hate reminding you, pal, but you're a wanted criminal! And dogs aren't served drinks!"

"Dogs?"

"He's an Animagus."

"I can use an Invisibility Cloak!"

"Don't be silly, Padfoot. What if someone accidentally stepped on it and exposed you?"

"Remus is right, Sirius," Dumbledore joins in the conversation. "You mustn't leave the house, it's too dangerous."

"But -"

"As things are now, none of us could help you, Sirius. If you were caught, you'd be on your own and lost to the Dementors."

"He's right, Padfoot," Remus Lupin says sympathetically. "But if you want, we'll stay. We can hex the door soundproof."

"Excuse my bluntness, but this place is - it's awful," Tonks sighs, looking as apologetically as she can.

Miraculously enough, it is Dumbledore who answers, "True. That's another point - we should try to make this house more fit for - well, visitors. If this is going to be our Headquarters -"

"I can do that!" Sirius exclaims. "I've got to stay in this wretched house anyway, right, I can just as well spend my time renovating."

"If it's all right for you, I'd suggest that Molly, Arthur and their children move in with you and help," Dumbledore says calmly. "Voldemort cannot attack Harry in his aunt's house, but he's a capable strategist, and it isn't unlikely that he might want to lure Harry into a trap by attacking his best friend Ron."

Molly Weasley turns paper-white and gasps for breath. Her husband keeps his composure better, he merely swabs his forehead with his handkerchief and squeezes his wife's hand. "You think that could happen?"

"Yes. For that reason I will pay a visit to Miss Granger's parents, too, and ask them for the permission to bring their daughter here. Of course only if you agree, Sirius."

"Sure. You reckon I appreciate being stuck in this cave all by myself?!"

"Who is Miss Granger?" Tonks asks curiously.

"One of Harry's closest friends," Remus Lupin replies. "Her parents are muggles, they cannot protect her."

A loud wail comes from the kitchen sink and everyone swirls around. The weird house-elf has thrown himself on the floor, crying and whimpering. "No! No, no, no! Master mustn't invite a dirty mudblood! What would Kreacher's mistress say - no mudblood ever entered her house!"

"Shut up, maggot!"

"Kreacher has endured all this in silence, but no more! A werewolf in Mylady's house! And those ruddy bloodtraitors, and master also wants to invite a Squib! And now he even means to bring a mudblood -"

Once again, Sirius grabs him and hurls him into the hallway, muttering all sorts of rude curses under his breath. He is reprimanded by Dumbledore, but he just shrugs. "You try living with this brickhead under a roof! He and my mother's portrait, they -"

In the end, Sirius, Bill, Remus Lupin and Tonks sit down in the kitchen of that terrible house. With the door soundproof and the ghastly elf whining about in his former mistress' bedroom, it isn't quite as horrid as Tonks had foreseen, and most of all, it gives her the opportunity to deepen her new acquaintance. Naturally, Sirius and Bill do most of the talking, the former relating further details of his erratic imprisonment, his escape and what has happened in the aftermath, and the latter mainly gushing about his new girlfriend.

"And you?" asks Tonks at the first possibility. "What are you doing?"

"This and that, after I had to leave Hogwarts. Presently Dumbledore has given me the order to try and make contacts to other werewolves. He believes that Voldemort will form an alliance with them."

Tonks shuffles on her seat. "Oh... Is that - is that possible? I thought... I thought they detest anyone who tried to live among hum- forgive me - among pure - oh damn it!"

"I'm used to it, Nymphadora, don't worry. And I fathom I know what you meant to ask. Yes, they are very suspicious about someone like me, but for the first time I can consider myself lucky for all the strict anti-werewolf regulations, and that I had to leave Hogwarts then. My bitterness is credible, so to speak -"

"That's awful!"

"No, it's helpful. I already encountered one or two fellow sufferers in a similar situation like myself."

"And how's your mother, Nymphadora?" Sirius butts in with a slightly annoyed expression.

"Please, I cannot stand that name! It's Tonks, simply Tonks."

"So how is my favourite cousin?"

"She's doing fine, as usually. Not even You Know Who's return seems to dampen her spirits."

"You call him like this, too? I hadn't meant that you'd be so superstitious!"

"I'm not superstitious, just a creature of habit. Most people flinch when you say Voldemort, so I got used not to mention his real name."

"That's thoughtful of you," Remus Lupin says with that sweet smile of his, and Tonks' heart takes a leap. Blimey, who would have thought... That man is interesting!