Chapter 29

The Perfect Prefect

Nymphadora Tonks was sitting at her desk in the Ministry of Magic, drafting reports while humming absent-mindedly. Her quill moved swiftly across the parchment, and her good mood showed in the lightness of her voice.

However, a few desks away, John Dawlish, leaning over another Auror’s workstation, kept casting her disdainful looks whenever her humming grew too audible. Tonks pretended not to notice, enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done, the sun shining outside, and the foolish grin stretching across her face.

Firm knocks at the door of Alastor Moody’s office interrupted the rhythm of the room.

—Tonks, Shacklebolt, my office. Now — growled the veteran’s gravelly voice.

After exchanging a curious glance with Kingsley, Tonks rose at once and followed him into Moody’s office.

To her surprise, someone else was already there: Emmeline Vance.

Though they had never spoken much, Tonks knew who she was. Emmeline worked in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, holding a key position in negotiations with foreign governments.

She seemed made for the role. Her work required diplomacy, tact, political instinct, and an impeccable presence that inspired confidence. Moreover, her influence and network of contacts made her a valuable ally to the Order of the Phoenix.

Emmeline appeared to notice Tonks’s prolonged gaze and held it for a brief moment before turning her attention back to Moody. Tonks cleared her throat and looked away.

Moody wasted no time getting to the point.

—We’ve had word of suspicious activity in East London. Looks like a group of would-be Death Eaters is being recruited at a clandestine gathering.

Emmeline spoke next with her tone calm yet firm.

—The man behind the meeting is Alexei Mirov, a dark wizard of Russian origin. He has been wanted in his country for months, charged with multiple crimes, including the disappearance of several Muggle families in St Petersburg. It was believed he had fled to an unknown location, but we now have indications that he has been operating in the United Kingdom under a different identity.

Kingsley nodded thoughtfully.

—And now all signs suggest he’s in London.

Moody struck his staff against the floor with decisive force.

—Vance will join the mission. I want the three of you ready. We take him tonight.

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That evening, they met at the agreed location: an abandoned warehouse in East London.

From a darkened corner, they could see the interior lit by floating torches. A group of witches and wizards clustered around a broad-shouldered figure, his face partially concealed beneath a hood.

Mirov.

—We take him alive — Moody whispered — Shacklebolt, Vance, flank the entrance. Tonks, with me. We wait for him to drop his guard.

Tonks nodded, her wand already in hand. She cast one last quick glance at Kingsley and Emmeline as they moved to the entrance in accordance with Moody’s orders.

She couldn’t help wondering why Emmeline had accompanied them. This was the capture of a dark wizard — practically the definition of Auror work. And although she knew Emmeline was a capable witch, Tonks had no idea how much real combat experience she possessed.

She didn’t have time to dwell on it.

At Moody’s signal, the ambush began.

A Stunning Spell sliced through the air as Kingsley burst in from the side, scattering the recruits. Mirov drew his wand and unleashed a powerful curse that exploded one of the warehouse shelves, sending splinters and smoke into the air.

Tonks rolled across the floor to avoid a jet of red light that passed inches from her head.

—He’s not going to make it easy! — Emmeline called out, fluidly casting a “Protego” that deflected a spell aimed at Kingsley.

Tonks sprang to her feet and fired a Stunning Spell, but Mirov deflected it effortlessly, his wand carving a swift arc through the air as he countered towards Emmeline. Kingsley reacted instantly, raising a shield that crackled as it absorbed the curse.

Mirov moved with alarming speed, casting maledictions without hesitation — but Moody was faster.

—Incarcerous!

Magical cords shot from his wand, but Mirov severed them

—Diffindo!

—He’s well trained — Tonks muttered, launching an “Expelliarmus” that Mirov dodged with an agile twist.

The dark wizard moved relentlessly, curses flashing green and red through the warehouse gloom. Tonks felt adrenaline burn through her veins as she vaulted over fallen barrels, sending another spell towards him. This time, he staggered.

Emmeline wasted no time. Seizing the distraction, she flicked her wand and spoke in a clear, assured voice:

—Petrificus Totalus.

The Russian’s body stiffened and hit the ground with a dull thud.

Yet with an almost superhuman effort, he broke free of the enchantment and struggled back to his feet, gasping. Before he could flee, Kingsley raised his wand with firm resolve.

—Impedimenta!

A beam of bluish light shot forward, enveloping Mirov in a field of energy that immobilised him completely. He collapsed once more — this time unable to move.

When they finally had him restrained, Mirov began spitting out a torrent of incomprehensible words. Tonks frowned, unable to understand a single syllable — until she saw Emmeline step forward without the slightest trace of fear and reply fluently in the same language.

Tonks couldn’t help staring.

She would never have imagined Emmeline confronting an enemy with such precision — not merely with the competence of a bureaucrat, but with real command. She smiled, incredulous, feeling a deep admiration rise within her.

As they led Mirov away in custody, Tonks approached Emmeline with open curiosity.

—I knew you were impressive, but this was something else.

Emmeline offered her a brief smile.

—Let’s just say Russian is a useful tool.

Tonks chuckled under her breath.

—If you ever give lessons, sign me up.

Emmeline held her gaze a moment longer before replying:

—Anytime, Tonks.

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Tonks burst into number 12, Grimmauld Place, shaking rain from her damp cloak, her hair tousled by the London drizzle.

She had arrived eager to spend the evening with Sirius and Remus… especially the latter.

She couldn’t help smiling at the thought of seeing him and, in fact, paused for a moment in the hallway to compose herself. She didn’t want her interest to be too obvious.

She headed for the kitchen, expecting to find them there — perhaps talking over a drink or sitting by the fire, reliving old anecdotes as they had on so many other nights. But no one was there. And in truth, the house was far too quiet.

She frowned slightly and decided to go upstairs to the drawing room.

There she found only Sirius, slumped in an armchair, his gaze lost in the flames. He looked up when she entered. The fire crackled in the hearth, filling the room with a faint warmth that failed to dispel the lingering sense of emptiness in the house.

—Beautiful night for rain — he murmured by way of greeting, raising his glass half-heartedly.

Tonks let out a small huff as her eyes scanned the room, searching for another silhouette. Sirius noticed at once.

—Remus isn’t here — he said before she could ask.

Tonks looked at her cousin.

—Have the incursions started already?

Sirius shifted slowly, turning the glass between his fingers.

—Yes — he confirmed, his voice low — He left this morning.

Tonks felt a sharp stab of unease. She had known the moment would come, yet that did nothing to make it easier.

—Oh… — she murmured.

She moved closer to the fire and sank into the armchair beside Sirius, hoping the heat from the flames might soothe the restlessness twisting in her stomach.

Silence settled between them.

—It’s dangerous — she said at last.

—I know — Sirius conceded, taking a sip from his glass — But Remus has always known how to look after himself. He moves among the werewolves better than anyone.

Sirius leaned back in his chair to study Tonks more closely. She was absently tugging at the sleeve of her jumper, biting the inside of her cheek.

—Are you worried about him? — he asked, a crooked smile tugging at his mouth.

Tonks snorted and looked away.

—Don’t be ridiculous.

—Oh, come on, Tonks — Sirius arched an eyebrow, amused — You’re not exactly subtle.

She shot him a murderous look before turning her gaze back to the fire with a sigh.

—It’s just that… I’ve been thinking — she murmured, almost as if speaking to herself — He cares so much about everyone else. He’s always attentive to what the Order needs, what Harry needs, the Weasleys, you… even me. But he never seems to…

—…care about himself — Sirius finished in the same gentle tone.

Tonks nodded slowly, certain that Sirius understood exactly what she meant.

—Yes. And not only that… He’s incredibly thoughtful, and he’s surrounded by people who care about him, yet at the same time it’s as if he’s…

—…alone — Sirius concluded, more firmly this time.

Tonks swallowed and looked away, feeling a strange weight settle in her chest.

—I don’t understand it, Sirius. How can someone like him not… have a family, or a partner… or someone?

Her voice faded before she could finish the question, but Sirius didn’t need her to. He looked at her with a spark of interest and raised an eyebrow mischievously.

—Are you asking about Remus Lupin’s love life? — he asked, unable to suppress a crooked smile.

Tonks’s hair shifted abruptly from its usual bubblegum pink to a vivid red that rivalled the heat rising from her neck to her cheeks.

—No, of course not! — she said quickly, far too quickly to sound convincing.

Sirius let out a low laugh. For a second he was tempted to tease her further… but decided to spare her. He had had enough amusement for one evening.

Tonks clicked her tongue and fixed her eyes on the flames, cursing the poor control she had over her Metamorphmagus abilities when her emotions betrayed her. She took a moment to steady herself and coax her hair back to its usual colour.

When she finally spoke, her voice was lower, almost hesitant.

—I just wonder whether he’s ever allowed himself… to have something more.

Sirius exhaled softly, running a hand through his hair as he shifted in his chair.

—Well, there isn’t much to dig up — he said, this time with a more serious edge — Remus has always been like that. Ever since we were children, he was the one keeping an eye on us, the one trying to talk sense into us… Or at least he tried — he added with a crooked smile — But he was always there, looking after us. When it came to himself, though… that was another matter.

Tonks frowned slightly, turning a little more towards him.

—In what way?

Sirius looked at her thoughtfully, as though weighing how much he ought to say.

—Remus never believed he could have anything for himself — Sirius said at last, with complete frankness — He’s always been a spectator. He watches. He imagines. He longs. But he never allows himself to have.

Tonks felt a tight knot form in her throat.

—That’s…

—Bloody rubbish, I know — Sirius growled before she could find the exact word — James and I tried to knock that idea out of his head more times than I can count.

—And did you manage it?

Sirius rolled his eyes bitterly.

—What do you think?

Tonks sighed and let her head fall back against the armchair, closing her eyes for a moment.

—Has he always been like that?

Sirius took another sip and stared into the flames, a nostalgic look settling over his face.

—Well, there was once… — he began — in sixth year. He fell hopelessly in love with a girl.

Tonks turned to him sharply, surprised.

—Remus? — she asked, as if needing to make sure she’d heard correctly.

—Oh yes. And not just any girl — Sirius went on with a mischievous smile — She was the Ravenclaw prefect in our year. Very pretty, self-assured, one of those who always seemed to have everything under control. Though he tried to hide it from us, of course.

Tonks straightened, studying her cousin with growing interest.

—And how did you find out?

—Because we were geniuses, Tonks — Sirius replied smugly before laughing — Well, and because it was painfully obvious. He’d go rigid whenever she was near, as if he were about to faint. And when they spoke… Merlin, it was a disaster. Like watching someone walk a tightrope in a gale.

—And her? — she asked, aiming for a casual tone.

—Oh, Tonks, she was completely taken with him — Sirius pressed a hand to his chest theatrically before continuing — You know, smiling, twirling her hair, touching his elbow… As if he were the best thing that could possibly happen to her.

Tonks felt a strange pang in her stomach, a foolish sensation she chose to ignore.

—Peter, jealous as ever, wouldn’t stop saying they made the perfect pair — Sirius added — And honestly, Remus had her right where he wanted her. James and I teased him mercilessly, told him to make a move. All he had to do was flash that wounded-puppy look and she’d have fallen at his feet.

Tonks snorted, trying to push away the image of a young Remus Lupin mooning over a beautiful Ravenclaw girl who was utterly besotted with him. She felt absurdly jealous. Crossing her legs, she turned her gaze towards the fire as though the conversation meant nothing to her.

Sirius noticed and had to bite back a smile at his cousin’s failed attempt at indifference.

—So what happened? — she asked at last.

Sirius shrugged with resignation.

—Nothing. He never did anything.

—He didn’t? — she repeated, incredulous, turning back to him.

Her cousin shook his head.

—Every time we pushed him, he told us we were mad and that it didn’t make sense. So he let her slip away.

Sirius took another drink, giving Tonks time to process the story.

—It didn’t make sense? — she echoed, still trying to understand.

—At least not to him — Sirius said, lacing his fingers over his knee — It’s the way he sees his life. As if he’s doomed to be alone. And instead of allowing himself to live, to feel, to enjoy, to love… he withdraws and builds walls around himself.

Tonks lowered her eyes, pressing her lips together in quiet understanding.

—Yes… I’ve noticed.

Sirius glanced sideways at her and, catching the tone in her voice, his smile widened slightly. This time he didn’t crack a joke. Instead, he spoke calmly, almost as if thinking aloud.

—But you know — he said, shifting in his chair to look at her properly — I don’t think Remus’s problem is that he believes he can’t have someone, or that he must be alone. I think he’s simply never met anyone stubborn enough to tear those walls down.

Tonks looked away, unsure how to take that.

—Or foolish enough — she murmured, more to herself than to him.

Sirius laughed and shook his head.

—No. Brave and persistent enough. A fool wouldn’t even notice what’s behind those walls.

For a moment, it seemed she might reply, but she stayed silent. Sirius held her gaze, amused — though there was something more knowing in his eyes.

—Because I know him, Tonks — he said with the faintest hint of a smile — And I know Remus isn’t made of stone.

His grin deepened, mischief flickering through it.

—He’s human, in the end.

He paused, arching an eyebrow with mock solemnity.

—Well… half-human.

Tonks let out a quiet laugh and shook her head.

—Merlin, you’re an idiot.

—An idiot who happens to be right — he replied, shrugging with easy confidence — Trust me, I know what I’m talking about. We’ve been together since we were eleven.

His voice softened slightly, and though he was still smiling, something else lingered in his expression… an echo of better times.

—We were always together. Him, James, Peter and me — his smile grew warmer — At Hogwarts, during the holidays… and when we left, we stayed together. Until…

Silence settled between them. Tonks watched his expression change, as though the past had suddenly become too present.

Firelight cast long shadows across the walls, and the rain tapped softly against the windows. Sirius, elbows resting on his knees, gaze lost in the flames, looked more tired than Tonks had ever seen him.

It was then that she felt the urge to ask.

She had thought about it many times, but had never dared. Perhaps because no one spoke of it. Perhaps because, until now, it had never felt like the right moment.

She glanced at him sideways, testing the waters.

—How did you escape Azkaban?

Sirius let out a dry laugh, devoid of any real amusement.

—Straight to the point, are we?

Tonks arched an eyebrow.

—Were you expecting me to ease into it? I’m an Auror, cousin. Occupational hazard.

He huffed faintly, a flicker of humour passing over his face, though it did little to soften the hardness in his expression.

—The great escape from Azkaban… According to the Ministry, it’s still an unsolved mystery.

A small smile tugged at Tonks’ lips.

—If you don’t want to talk about it, I’ll understand.

Sirius studied her for a moment, weighing her reaction. At last, he set his glass down with a quiet clink.

—It’s not that I don’t want to — he said simply — It’s just that the answer isn’t nearly as impressive as people imagine. As an Auror, I assume you’ve heard a few theories.

He leaned forward slightly, fingers laced together.

Tonks nodded eagerly.

—Oh, yes. Some say you bribed the Dementors. Others that a guard helped you. There’s a rumour about a secret potion… My favourite is that you made a pact with the shadows and slipped through the bars like smoke.

Sirius snorted, briefly amused.

—And what do you believe?

She pretended to think, though she had turned it over in her mind for months.

—I think there was a trick. Something no one else could do.

He held her gaze, and for a fleeting second something like satisfaction flickered in his eyes. Then, without warning, his outline blurred. Where a man had been sitting a heartbeat before, there now stood a large black dog, shaggy-coated and sharp-eyed.

Understanding dawned on her at once.

The dog tilted its head playfully before shifting back into Sirius, who offered a faint smile.

—Dementors can’t see — he said quietly — They have no eyes. They sense… pain. Despair. Guilt. Those are their anchors to the world. They’re scavengers of emotion.

A chill ran down Tonks’ spine at the thought of those creatures.

—When I transformed — Sirius went on — my mind went quiet. Dogs don’t think like humans, Tonks. They don’t feel the same way. They don’t drown in regret or choke on the past. They don’t fear the future. They’re instinct. Hunger. The present moment.

He paused, voice lower, rougher.

—And then the Dementors… found nothing in me.

Tonks opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words.

—There was more than enough misery in the other cells. A feast for them. So when I changed… they ignored me.

The weight of that settled heavily between them. Tonks swallowed.

—That’s brilliant.

Sirius gave a bitter half-smile.

—I’d call it desperate.

He shook his head slightly, a ghost of a smile returning though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

—I knew I was innocent — he continued — And that thought, however small, kept me sane. Just enough not to lose myself entirely.

He fell silent for a moment, as if the memories had wrapped themselves around him again.

—And then one day…

His eyes darkened.

—Fudge came to inspect the prison. He left his newspaper within reach of my cell.

Tonks frowned.

—And what—

—On the front page was a photograph of the Weasley family. In Egypt.

Sirius looked up, his gaze turning to steel.

—And there he was. Peter.

—Peter — Tonks echoed.

The name hung in the air like a verdict.

Sirius nodded slowly.

—I knew I had to get out. I couldn’t stay another day. So I stopped eating. I needed to be thin enough… I transformed, slipped between the bars… and swam to shore.

Tonks stared at him.

—You swam the North Sea?

A crooked, almost defiant smile tugged at his mouth.

—In winter. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant outing.

The silence that followed was heavy and full of meaning. Tonks looked at him with a mixture of disbelief, respect, and something deeper she couldn’t quite name.

—You’re extraordinary — she murmured at last.

Sirius barked out a short, rough laugh.

—No. Just a lucky stray dog.

Yet Azkaban still lingered in his eyes — that place where days and nights blurred together, where hope withered beneath the icy breath of creatures that knew no mercy.

Tonks shook herself slightly, trying to rid her skin of the cold his story had left behind.

—The Ministry still believes it was an impossible escape.

Sirius lifted his glass with dry irony, as though toasting the absurdity of it.

—Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one.

Tonks let out a breath and sank further into the sofa.

—Well, that calls for another cup of tea… or something stronger.

He shot her a knowing look, a hint of his old grin returning, though something sombre still lingered beneath it.

—Definitely something stronger.

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When Tonks finally took her leave — not without casting one last glance around, searching instinctively for Remus — Sirius shook his head with a faint, knowing smile and set about dealing with the next of “his problems.”

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HP5 – 17. Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four
Final section: when Sirius appears in the fire

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Sirius collapsed backwards, gasping, his heart hammering violently against his ribs. For several seconds he lay sprawled on the wooden floor in front of the Grimmauld Place fireplace, staring at the embers as he struggled to steady his breathing.

He had disconnected just in time.

He had seen that hand groping blindly through the flames in the Gryffindor fireplace, searching. The memory sent a cold sheen of sweat across his back, his robes clinging to his skin.

Too close. Far too close.

He dragged a hand down his face, trying to regain control of his breath. Then he pushed himself upright and settled in front of the fire. His dark, hollowed eyes followed the flicker of the flames as a tired, crooked smile tugged at his mouth.

—Definitely… — he muttered under his breath, exhaling something between resignation and dry amusement — just a lucky stray dog.

And he remained there in silence, the firelight brushing over his face while the night pressed in around the house, as though the small miracle of not having been discovered weighed just as heavily as all the years he had lost.

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The following afternoon, Tonks strode down the corridor of the Order’s headquarters with determined steps. The night had been long; between missions and meetings she had barely slept.

When she reached the half-open kitchen door, she slowed.

A familiar voice drifted through the air. Deep, calm, with that low, enveloping timbre she had learned to recognise even beneath the murmur of a crowded meeting.

Remus.

A smile curved her lips before she could stop it. She hadn’t seen him in days and, without meaning to, she felt some of the exhaustion lift from her shoulders. She smoothed her robes with sudden purpose, as though she wished to look presentable, adjusted her hair in the warped reflection of a cracked cabinet door, and moved forward with the intention of stepping inside.

Then she heard another voice.

Female. Soft and lilting. And laughing.

Tonks stilled. Not eavesdropping. Of course not. Just… pausing for a moment.

From where she stood in the doorway, she could see Remus seated at the table with a tall, dark-haired woman who was smiling at him warmly. She recognised Emmeline Vance.

Oh, she thought. I didn’t realise they were so close.

She edged a little nearer to the threshold. At that exact moment, Emmeline leaned subtly towards him, and Tonks felt a sharp flicker of discomfort.

Remus was smiling too. But not the tired, subdued smile he offered most people. A real one. The kind that seemed to carry distant memories with it.

The conversation continued. The woman tilted her head with interest as he spoke, then laughed again. Her laughter was soft, melodious—impossible not to be charmed by.

Then Emmeline touched his forearm with easy familiarity.

He didn’t pull away. He didn’t even seem to notice. He simply looked at her with that calm, nostalgic expression Tonks knew so well… and which now hurt.

A knot tightened in her stomach.

This was ridiculous.

Completely ridiculous. She only had to walk into the kitchen.

But she didn’t move. And of course she didn’t notice someone approaching from behind.

—Who are you spying on so intently?

Tonks nearly choked when Sirius appeared at her side with a conspiratorial little grin. He leaned casually against the wall beside her, folding his arms.

—I’m not spying — Tonks muttered, straightening with as much dignity as she could muster.

—Of course you’re not — he replied innocently. — You’re merely standing here in the corridor, communing with the shadows.

Tonks huffed.

—I’m not doing anything strange. I just came to report in.

—Naturally.

She shot him a glare, but he only smiled, as though the whole thing amused him deeply.

Sirius leaned just enough to peer into the kitchen.

—Who’s he with…?

He fell silent for a second, observing. Then his eyebrows lifted slightly.

—Well, well — he murmured. — Don’t tell me that isn’t curious.

—Curious?

—Yes… that after all these years, she still looks at him like that — Sirius said absently.

Tonks frowned.

—What?

He glanced sideways at her.

—Doesn’t it ring a bell?

When she failed to react, he rolled his eyes theatrically and gestured towards the kitchen.

—The Ravenclaw girl. The perfect prefect. The one who made Remus turn stupid and tongue-tied — he lowered his voice, almost confidentially — Emmeline Vance.

Tonks felt as though her soul had dropped to the floor with a hollow, devastating thud.

Emmeline.

Elegant, charming, accomplished Emmeline Vance.

Sirius still wore half a smile when he turned towards her.

But the moment he saw her expression, it vanished. He bit his lip, suddenly uncomfortable, regretting what he had just said.

He straightened and gave her shoulder a light pat.

—Come on. Let’s at least pretend we’re not hopeless busybodies. You owe me a coffee for covering for you.

Sirius stepped forward and pushed the kitchen door open a little wider.

—Or would you prefer to give your report out here?

She hesitated for a moment, then met her cousin’s eyes almost defiantly.

—No.

Tonks removed her hand from the doorframe and finished pushing the door open.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE:

Here comes another slice-of-life moment within the Order — a small window into Tonks’ work at the Ministry and, more importantly, into her inner world.

You already know I like to weave in scenes that don’t revolve solely around war, devastation, or the ever-present threat hanging over everyone. I suppose that’s one of the loveliest freedoms of fanfiction: the chance to pause in the spaces between battles.

In the books, characters like Emmeline Vance, Dedalus Diggle, or Hestia Jones are part of the Order, but almost always from the background. Important, yes — yet only lightly sketched. Almost like “friend B” figures orbiting the main story.

I’ve always wondered who they were beyond that.

So this is where that exploration begins.

And yes… we’re starting with Emmeline.

And who knows… perhaps I’ll manage to convince you of my personal theory that she was Remus’s first love.

You can see the illustration for the chapters on my social media, feel free to stop by Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr or TikTok.
You can find all my links here:
https://lagatakafka.com/links/