Black Heritage

He watched intently as she morphed into her true form. Violet hair darkened to raven black. Brown eyes changed to gray-blue. Her pixie-like features became heavier. Her nose sharpened, her eyes became hooded, her cheekbones rose.

He was looking at a younger version of the classic Black. Sirius's cheekbones, Andromeda's nose, Regulus's sharp chin, Narcissa's regal posture, Bellatrix's eyes.

But there was also so much original Nymphadora there. The mischievous sparkle, the glowing smile that reached her eyes, the clumsy lankiness. And the most important thing, her eyes were clear. There was no Black madness there.

He had seen the disarming gleam in Sirius's eyes when he was planning something, Andromeda's when she was angry, Regulus's when he was the center of attention, Narcissa's when she got what she wanted, Bellatrix's when she was torturing. The same madness that had taken over Mrs. Black's mind.

He shivered. Tonks would not succumb to that. There was too much of her father in her. Yes, it was very good that Tonks was not pure Black.

But it was there, her dark heritage, the good things too. The stubbornness, the charm, the brains. No matter how many times Sirius had called Regulus stupid, there was no denying that the Blacks' had brains. And charm.

The charm that had gotten Sirius his many girlfriends, Andromeda her job, Regulus his relatives affection, Narcissa her rich husband, Bellatrix her station.

The stubbornness that kept Sirius and Bellatrix sane in Azkaban, also kept Andromeda rebelling, Regulus unsure, Narcissa from accepting all her husband's decisions.

Yes, Tonks is a Black. But she is also Nymphadora Tonks. And she has love. Sirius's love. Andromeda's love. Ted's love. And that will keep her free. Free of the rules. Free of the madness.

But no matter what, she is one of them. She is the last of the Noble and Most Ancient Bloodline of Black. She will inherit the money, she will inherit the house, she will inherit the house elf.

But she will not inherit the rules.

She will not be expected to marry a pureblood. She will not be expected to hate Muggles.

She is the new generation.

And the Blacks' watch her to see what blood will win out.

Sirius goes to the Tonks's house to play with her every Saturday.

Andromeda prays and has her play with nice children, Bill and Charlie Weasley, Maria Johnson, Margaret and Andrew Wood.

Narcissa sends her expensive dolls.

Bellatrix tells her that Muggles are dirty and she will get sick if she touches them.

Regulus tries to hypnotize her, but she goes running to Sirius to tell him that Regulus is scaring her.

And she grows.

She cries and does not understand when Sirius is arrested.

She is less confused when Bellatrix is arrested.

She thinks she understands when Regulus dies.

She is disgusted when she is asked to baby-sit for her nephew, little Draco.

She is Maria Johnson's best friend.

She goes to a Yule Ball with Charlie Weasley.

She decides to go into Auror training.

She joins the Order.

She is happy.

She is free.

But she is still a Black.