Obliviate

A few minutes after Professor Lupin left the compartment, Dora fled across the corridor to gather her things. Once in there she leaned against the closed door, taking slow deep breaths to steady herself.

"D'you think she's okay?" Harry asked, nodding to the girl. Ron and Hermione shrugged, not really knowing what to say.

"Are you sure you're okay Harry? You look a bit pale," Hermione said, beginning to fuss with his hair to check his forehead.

"Hermione, I'm fine!" Harry said, pushing her hand away. Hermione backed off and scowled at him. "Let's get our things ready, shall we?" They all quickly pulled on their robes as the train groaned to life again. Hermione packed up her cat, and Harry his owl, and met Dora in the corridor upon reaching Hogsmeade Station.

"We'll show you around the castle in the morning, Hermione can show you to your dorm after the feast," Ron said as they walked. Tonks grinned broadly at them, knowing fully well that she had inherited a few infamous Black Family traits, namely her mother's jaw-dropping and yet girlish smile, by the way Ron's eyebrows rose slightly and a blush tinged his face. Tonks couldn't help but feel slightly proud of herself. She still had it.

Tonks was finally feeling back in the game when she turned around and nearly passed out in surprise. She had forgotten all about the Thestrals until right now. The pale white eyes met hers, and she felt a shiver sweep down her spine. A hand touched the small of her back, and she whipped around to face the person behind her. It was Remus again, and he looked concerned.

"Are you alright...Miss Drom?" he asked, putting sarcastic emphasis on her alias. He then looked up at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Would you three mind going ahead? I'll show your new friend here to the Great Hall after a quick private word." The trio nodded somewhat confusedly and headed for a carriage. Remus then drew Tonks off to the side gently.

"So...it's Professor Lupin now? No Mr. Remus or Moony?" she asked slyly, completely dropping her innocent German-girl act. Remus smiled warmly.

"Professor Dumbledore told me there would be an undercover here, and I was hoping it would be you when there was a mysteriously new third year student from Germany," he said, his eyes shining. Tonks looked around to make sure no one was looking their way, and quickly flung her arms around the man.

"I've missed you," she said as he pulled a tight grip around her waist.

"I've missed you too. I'm sorry I never got in touch like I promised last time I saw you," Remus said, looking quite guilty. Tonks still felt the twist of dejection in her gut at the mere mention of it.

"It's alright, I don't mind," said the suddenly timid disguised Auror. "I suppose you know why I'm here?" she added. The smile on Remus's face faded into shadowed lines of remorse.

"Yes, I know why you're here," he said with sadness now creeping into his voice. He looked suddenly deflated, beaten. Tonks wanted to hug him again, but wasn't sure if he wanted to be hugged by the cousin of the man who drove his life down the tubes. "I'm glad they chose you for this, I think you have the talent to really be Harry's friend and guardian angel all in one." Tonks blushed; did he really just call her an angel?

"I don't know what you mean by angel, I'm really quite far from it," she said quietly, staring down at her shoes.

"I could argue against that. Thoughts of you, the only branch of the House of Black that didn't wilt..." He reached up and brushed a strand of her black hair behind her ear, making her blush from the closeness. "...let's just say, that thoughts of you kept me sane."

"Sane?" Remus's eyebrows knit together a bit more closely.

"Well, losing all of one's friends in the time-span of a day is a bit taxing on one's health, if you didn't know," Remus explained.

"I do know. You, James, Sirius, Peter, and my parents were my only friends, and I lost them the same way," Tonks said, looking at all of the milling students and carriages with vacant eyes. She felt Remus's arm wind its way around her shoulders and squeeze. "We should get going to the castle, the kids will be wondering where I am and I still have to get used to this bad accent of mine." Remus smiled.

"Feel free to visit my office whenever you wish. I'd really like to see how you truly look after twelve years, instead of merely five," he said with a smirk. Tonks was unsure if he had meant to sound so suggestive, but it made her face heat up.

"I'll be sure to do that then," she said as a carriage stopped in front of them.

"You see the Thestrals, don't you?" Remus asked quietly as he helped her into the carriage. Tonks nodded. "Yeah...me too." Tonks sighed quietly and sat far back in the seat as they passed the Dementors again. She relaxed slightly upon feeling Remus gently squeeze her hand. She felt a blush creep up her face again.

Upon arrival at the castle she and Remus parted ways when she caught sight of Harry, Ron, and Hermione again. She quickly explained that the Professor knew her parents and wanted to see how her grandparents were doing as of late. Remus smiled at her before quickly disappearing into the Great Hall. They were about to follow when McGonagall swooped down upon them.

"Excuse me, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Miss...?"

"Drom, Professor, Dora Drom," Tonks said with a smile. Against all odds, she and McGonagall had actually gotten along smashingly in her school days.

"Ah yes, of course, well I would like to see the three of you in my office, if you'd please come with me?" McGonagall recovered easily. Harry, Tonks, and Hermione sent a small parting wave to Ron before he went into the Hall and the three followed the Professor.

"What's this all about, Professor?" Harry asked politely.

"Well, I have a problem with Miss Granger's schedule, Miss Drom needs to be sorted, and I need a private word with you, Potter," McGonagall said as they entered the office. "We'll start with Miss Drom, shall we?" The Professor brought out an old battered stool and an even older, more battered hat. Tonks was about to stride forward and put it on, but then remembered that she wasn't supposed to know what to do. "Mister Potter, Miss Granger, if we could have a moment?" Harry and Hermione promptly stepped out, and Tonks and her ex-Professor hugged one another.

"How are you Nymphadora? I haven't seen you in three years!" the older woman said with a rare and lovely smile.

"I'd be much better if you didn't call me Nymphadora, Professor," Tonks said with a smile of good humor on her face.

"Of course, you know how an old bag like me forgets things." The woman actually sighed slightly, moving Tonks's hair out of her face. "Without the usual neon hair...you look so much like your mother."

"I know Professor McGonagall," Tonks said quietly.

"Now, no more of that, we are both adults here. In private company you will call me Minerva," McGonagall said hastily. She then softened again. "It still makes me proud to know that I'm partially responsible for the way you turned out. Your parents would be proud of you if they could see you now, too. The only Auror to be taken in for the last five years, that's quite an accomplishment."

"Thanks P--Minerva," Tonks said, correcting herself mid-word.

"It's no trouble dear. Now, let's take a proper look at you, shall we?" Tonks then obediently stepped back and aged seven years in two seconds. Her uniform was now ill-fitting and most likely enough to make a randy middle-aged man's wildest fantasies come true. She looked like she would be a graceful woman, though she tripped over things like herself and the air. Her limbs were long, she was bony and thin (Illness and Auror training had been hard on her, no wonder she was the first in five years), and her black hair reached her lower back in very slight waves. In simplicity, she was a jaw-dropper when she didn't have orange spiky hair and chipped purple fingernails (and sometimes toenails).

"Well, Potter and Granger will be wondering what happened to you. Sorting Hat, if you could please shout out Gryffindor loud enough for someone out in the hall to hear?" McGonagall requested. "Nymphadora, if you would plug your ears." Tonks and McGonagall both covered their ears and the Sorting Hat drew in a deep breath and screamed out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Tonks then thanked her old Professor, transformed back into Dora Drom, and joined Harry and Hermione in the hall. Harry was called in next. There wasn't much for the girls to talk about, so they simply enjoyed the companionable silence between them. Tonks had a feeling she would like Hermione very much. When Harry came out again he looked slightly uncomfortable and flustered, his face red. Hermione went in next, but this time there was no companionable silence. Harry simply turned to her with a curious gleam in his eyes.

"Was did you talk about?" Tonks asked, knowing he wanted to talk.

"How a madman's after my blood, and about how I passed out on the train. Apparently Professor Lupin wrote ahead about it." Tonks saw Harry fight a roll of the eyes.

"I don't think he tried to single you out, Harry. He's a gut man, he was only concerned about du," Tonks quickly amended.

"If he was so concerned, why didn't he tell McGonagall about you nearly passing out too?" Harry countered. Tonks felt herself tense up immediately, and Harry blushed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude about that.... Dora, you knew what those things were, didn't you?"

"Ja, I did," Tonks said apprehensively. She had a vague idea of what was coming. Harry was suddenly fascinated by his trainers.

"Well...can I ask you...what you heard when the Dementor...?" he asked quietly. Tonks was silent for a moment, trying to think of something besides what she heard. Well, she supposed she didn't have to blatantly lie.

"Mutti und Vati took me on a trip here when I was a kleines Madchen. I do not know how I remember this, but...we were there the night...the day Sirius Black was arrested..." Harry suddenly snapped to attention. "...most of what I remember is the screaming.... It was horrible. I have no idea how I remember it at all, I was only eins Jahre alt, but I somehow remember." Harry's eyes looked distant and concerned.

"I heard things I shouldn't remember too. I heard...I heard my mother...being killed by Voldemort." Tonks flinched so violently she fell down from where she'd been leaning against the wall. "Oh jeez, I'm sorry, I forget sometimes..." Harry quickly helped her up just before Hermione and Professor McGonagall left the office.

"Danke Harry," Tonks whispered as they made their way down the corridor to the Great Hall. Harry sent her a swift smile before the doors opened. "Du bist a gut Freund." The three seated themselves near Ron while McGonagall brought up the Sorting Hat. He opened his mouth and burst into song.

"I may not be that pretty
I may not be that kind
But if you put me on your head
You'll find where you'll reside
It may be in Gryffindor
Where all are brave and bold
Or, perhaps, in Hufflepuff
Their hearts gilt with loyal gold
You may be turned to Ravenclaw
Where the intelligent call home
Or maybe in Slytherin
Their cunning gilt with chrome
A thousand years or so ago
There were the founders four
Who all built these very halls
With love and nothing more
But one cold rainy summer's day
Sly Slytherin departed
Leaving the remaining founders
Feeling broken-hearted
Only after seven years
Did Slytherin return
'Twas not a happy reunion
The founders lives were spurned
For Slytherin loved Ravenclaw
Whom was claimed by Gryffindor
Then turned to lovely Hufflepuff
Who loved him nevermore
Slytherin feeling betrayed
First slain the two of fair
And met his end by Gryffindor
Who died after the battle there
So love within,
Do not lose hope
Try your hardest,
To help us cope
For losses build over the years
Building sadness, building tears
Love within
Join as friends
Before we all
Meet our ends."

"Wow," Tonks said quietly. She had never heard the Sorting Hat go into the founders' tale with such detail. Apparently no one else had either, they were whispering excitedly behind their hands. The first years then lined up and were sorted into their appropriate houses. Tonks was far too happy to be responsible when the feast came. It had been far too long since she'd eaten so well as this. She would surely need a bigger skirt by the end of term, if she made it that far.

"Welcome students, young and old!" Dumbledore greeted the room, his arms spread wide. "Now that we are all fed and watered, there are a few announcements to make. First and foremost, I hope you will all welcome Professor Remus Lupin, who has taken over the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts." Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Tonks all applauded enthusiastically, and Remus smiled at them.

"Yes, welcome Professor, I'm sure the students will do a smashing job of making you feel welcome. Second of all, I would like us all to welcome Professor Rubeus Hagrid, who will cover Care of Magical Creatures." Harry, Ron, and Hermione all exchanged an astonished look before cheering loudly for Hagrid. Tonks fought the urge to shriek for joy, and instead looked puzzled. "Was ist the deal with im?" Harry quickly leaned over to explain to her the importance of Hagrid's promotion.

"Hagrid was the gamekeeper, because he'd been expelled when he was in his third year but Dumbledore allowed him to stay. He's always wanted to teach, and everyone but the Slytherins love him. He's great; I think you'll like him a lot." Tonks looked up at the massive man and smiled.

"Ja, I think I will too," she said, leaning toward Harry as she spoke.

"Also, I would like to remind our older students, and let our first years know, that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students unless supervised by a teacher." Dumbledore eyed Fred and George Weasley for a moment before speaking again. "Also, my students, I want you to know that we have a foreign exchange student among our ranks this year."

For a moment Tonks looked around thinking, "Oh crap, I'm busted," before realizing what had happened. Remus must have told Dumbledore about her cover.

"Please make our new German student, Dora Drom, feel welcome among you as a friend, for it is always important to make international bonds." Tonks blushed, not from embarrassment but amusement. Dumbledore knew very well that there was not a single German bone in her body, so it was a little funny when though about in excess.

"Any student below third year is not allowed to visit the village of Hogsmeade, and any older than third year is not allowed without permission. There is also a Whomping Willow on the grounds that I hope all students will avoid, because it is a particularly violent tree."

Tonks knew that all too well. A Slytherin had once told her if she could climb the tree they'd give her ten Galleons, and seeing as she'd never seen the thing move before, being a first year, she went ahead and tried to climb it. Needless to say, she nearly died. She was actually in a coma for a few days, and her grandfather had even begun making arrangements it was so bad. The Slytherin wasn't expelled because all of his housemates vouched for him and Tonks had suffered such a terrible head injury she couldn't remember which one it had been.

"Now, one last thing before we go to bed. I am sure you all have heard of Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban Prison over the summer." Several people whispered to their friends for a moment. "I would like to inform you that Hogwarts will be playing host to several of Azkaban's Dementors. I must warn you, do not cross the Dementors. They do not listen to begging, and can see through Invisibility Cloaks, and take no mercy on anyone trying to get in or out of the castle entrances. Give them no reason to harm you, and you will be fine.

"Now, enough of my obscenely old and morbid thoughts! Off to bed with you all, to prepare for lessons first thing tomorrow! Goodnight!" With a deafening scraping sound everyone in the Hall stood up, making their way for the doors. Hermione reached around Harry and took Tonks's hand to make sure Dora wouldn't get lost.

"I'll show you how to get to the dorms, Dora," Hermione said kindly, pulling Tonks along the corridors. Perhaps it was a good thing, seeing as Tonks had no idea where Gryffindor Tower was, being a Hufflepuff.

"Danke Hermione," Tonks said, glad to see a welcoming bed instead of the cold lonely one in her flat that was big enough for two, but depressing because only one slept in it. She settled beneath the covers of the fifth bed in the room that had just appeared, and fell into a restless sleep. She dreamt of the Dementors and Sirius Black coming after Harry while she just lay there asleep.

Helpless.