Disclaimer - All of these characters belong to the wonderful JK Rowling. I make no money from this. Promise.

A/N – This was written after OotP was released and before HBP. It does not take the facts of HBP in account. It is set during Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts.

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Chapter One – A New Role

Tonks stared at herself in the mirror. Even after twenty-four years, she still fascinated herself. She could remember when she first discovered that she was a metamorph. It started around puberty. She would change without even realizing it. She would change herself to match her varying emotions. It took time to learn how to control her power. She was the first metamorph born in a century. She had no one to learn from. Secretly, she hoped more would be born, so that she could become the teacher. Help others, like no one had been able to help her.

"Traitor to my blood! Filthy half breeds rue my house!"

Tonks sighed as she heard voices downstairs. The meeting would be starting soon. Once again, she would put on a show. "Always happy, that Tonks," people said. "She sure knows how to brighten a room."

She picked up her hairbrush and threw it across the room. "Why do I even own a hairbrush?" she muttered to herself. She tried to force herself to be happy. Going to an Order meeting upset was more trouble that it was worth. People would come up to her and say, "Tonks, why the gloomy face?" Molly Weasley would try to make her eat something. No, it was better to act as if all was well, then people asked no questions.

But all was not well, and she knew it. Tonks felt sick about all that had happened. First, Harry led all those kids to the ministry and then having to watch Sirius die. Granted, she didn't really know him all that well. Yes, they were cousins, but he was fifteen when she was born. Tonks had been eight when he was sentenced to Azkaban. But meeting a family member had been a joy last year. She didn't have any contact with her extended family, because her mum did the unthinkable, married a muggle born. It was wonderful knowing there was another family member who had the same beliefs about muggles that she did. And now he was gone.

Tonks took one last glance in the mirror. Her hair was long, straight and black, matching her mood. "Oh no," she said, "That will not do. Tonks only has fun hair." She scrunched up her nose, and her hair transformed to short bouncy sky blue curls. "There's the Tonks we know," she said bitterly.

As she gingerly walked down the stairs, she felt a pair of eyes staring at her. She noted that Severus Snape was staring at her again. She supposed he couldn't help it. Lots of people stared at her. Whether it was the hair, or another thrift store outfit, Tonks always attracted attention.

Severus was talking to Kingsley Shacklebolt and Arthur Weasley. The conservation seemed to falter as she came closer, "Odd," she thought to herself.

"Hello, Professor Snape, Arthur, Kingsley," she said was she walked past the group, intending to go straight into the study and then sitting down.

"Severus," she heard his silky voice call behind her.

Puzzled, Tonks turned, "Pardon?"

"You haven't been in Hogwarts in six years, Tonks. Please call me Severus," he said calmly.

"Oh. If that's what you want. Sure Pro…Severus," Tonks stuttered.

She turned and marched straight into the study, feeling his eyes on her the entire way.

A few minutes later, Tonks looked around the room, feeling more content. She preferred being in a larger group than being on her own lately. When she was on her own, she tended to reflect more. Think more of what her role was in the order.

"Weasley's Remembrance Reversals. Take one and you'll forget the last hour. Very good for bad dreams," Fred Weasley pitched proudly.

Tonks looked at the Weasley twins fondly. After what happened at the ministry, Molly Weasley finally relented and allowed them to join the Order. She liked watching them at meetings; they were still so excited over everything. To them, everything was still black and white, good verses evil. They were just like she was at this time last year.

Albus Dumbledore entered the room and a revered silence overcame the group.

"This meeting is now in session," Dumbledore's rich baritone filled the silence.

Tonks studied him carefully. The twinkle in his eye was still there, but there was a definite droop in his shoulders. Almost as if he had a heavy weight pressing down on him.

"As you all should know, there was a break out from Azkaban two days ago," the professor said. "All the people that were captured at the Ministry are now free again. I know the Aurors are looking for them as we speak." He nodded towards Tonks and Kingsley.

"I'm sure any help that we could provide the Aurors would be appreciated," he went on.

"Harry will be at Privet Drive for much of the summer," Dumbledore said, "Molly has come up with the watch schedule for the next month. If I'm correct, Harry knows he will be guarded, so secrecy is not as necessary. What is necessary," Dumbledore cast a long look at Mundungus Fletcher, "is that everyone stays at their post at all times. Molly, if you would?"

Molly Weasley stood up and started announcing the schedule. At this, Tonks allowed her mind to wander. All the Aurors had taken extra shifts lately. Molly knew not to schedule her or Kingsley.

Slowly, Tonks looked around the room. She saw Remus Lupin; she was pleased that he was wearing the jumper she gave him. Remus was so proud; he didn't want to accept it at first. Tonks had concocted a story about the jumper. She told him she had bought it for herself at a thrift store, but it was too big on her. When he still protested, she added that the thrift store wouldn't let her return it. But secretly, she had bought it at Majestic Max's Menwears and had cut the tag out.

There was Bill Weasley with his hand in Fleur Delacour's. This was the third meeting Fleur had been to, so Tonks assumed she officially had joined. Fleur still took Tonk's breath away; she was so beautiful. Once or twice, in private, Tonks had morphed into Fleur just to see what it was like. Tonks marveled at what a powerful feeling it must be to go through the day knowing people would be pleased with how you looked.

As she continued her inventory of the Order, her eyes locked with Severus'. He stared at her with an intensity she was unused to, but she decided to look right back. To her satisfaction, he looked away first.

Molly finished talking. "We need to decide if the Order should expand further," Albus said, "I know we need all the help we can get, but I fear if the meetings grow much larger, we might be compromised. Any thoughts?"

Kingsley stood up first. "Perhaps we could divide into two groups. We could have an inner circle for communication between the groups."

"I almost think we should stop accepting official members," Charlie Weasley said. Tonks hadn't realized that he was back from Romania. "We could still have contacts, who we could ask for help, they just wouldn't come to the meetings."

"Interesting ideas. Let us think on them and a decision will be made at the next meeting. Severus, your report please."

At the mention of Snape's name, almost every head turned around at once to look at him.

"The Dark Lord is frustrated. There has been very little activity as of late. I believe he is trying to find who his real loyal subjects are," Severus said, "I'm afraid that's all I have tonight."

"Thank you, Severus. Unless anyone has anything to add, this meeting is over. Our next meeting is one week from tonight."

Molly Weasley piped up immediately. "There's plenty of dinner in the kitchen everyone!"

Tonks stood up quickly; she wanted to get a plate of food and go back up to her room. "Severus, Tonks, if I may have a word," she heard Albus say.

She stopped in her tracks and almost collided into Mundungus. Tonks was alarmed, she had never been asked to stay after a meeting before. A dozen different scenarios flashed through her head, none of them good ones. She turned and went to sit in a chair across from Albus. They sat there for a few moments until everyone left the room. Severus said a simple spell and the doors closed. He then sat down in a chair next to Tonks.

Albus nodded at Severus, "Go ahead," he said.

"Headmaster, I'm not quite sure what to say," Severus sighed. Tonks looked at him sharply. She had never seen him like that before. Suddenly, without a doubt, she knew something was wrong.

"Alright, I shall begin," Albus said quietly. "For some time, Severus has believed that Voldemort might know that Severus is not loyal to him. This cannot happen. We need someone on the inside."

"Well, what does that have to do with me?" Tonks asked. But as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she knew. "You want me to become a Death Eater."

"For many reasons, you are the obvious choice. I'm sure you could make an excellent spy," Albus said confidently.

"I know I can't get in as me, so what kind of person are you thinking of?" she asked. Tonks knew it was going to be bad as she saw the look pass between Albus and Severus.

"Ideally, we need someone who could move thru the ranks fairly quickly. Someone to whom secrets could be told."

One of Tonks biggest pet peeves was not being told an answer to a direct question. Exasperated, Tonks said, "Then I couldn't go in as a disgruntled man, those are a dime a dozen."

Severus cut her off. "Lucius Malfoy likes young women, Tonks. I've seen it, he'll find a favorite and then he'll tell her many things. It could be just what the Order needs if I fall out of favor."

Tonks asked sharply, "You're asking me to become Lucius Malfoy's plaything?"

"Yes," Dumbledore said quietly, not willing to look at her.

"You do realize that he's my uncle, don't you?" she said.

"That's only by marriage though, right Tonks?" Severus asked.

"Yeah, Narcissa's my mum's sister. My family doesn't have any contact with our wizarding family, so I didn't grow up calling him my uncle or anything," Tonks said, shuddering.

She stood up from her chair and starting pacing. "Wouldn't he be suspicious if a woman just threw herself on him and started asking questions?" she asked.

Severus cleared his throat, "Not if she doesn't ask questions for a while, Tonks."

"So this would be an on-going role?" she asked.

Professor Dumbledore nodded, "Until you feel your life is in danger. I will not ask you to sacrifice your life to be a spy." Tonks noticed that Severus sharply turned his head and stared at the professor when that statement was said.

Tonks, you need to realize," Severus started, "if you become a Death Eater, that's a commitment you can't just break."

"But the professor just said-"

"He's wrong," Severus said simply, "I'm sorry Headmaster. But she needs to know that if she accepts the mark there is no turning back."

Professor Dumbledore shook his head, "I know, Severus, I know," he said softly.

Tonks finally stopped her pacing. Looking from Severus to Professor Dumbledore, she said, "I'll do it."

Professor Dumbledore let out a sigh, "Thank you, Nymphadora."

"How will I even meet him?" Tonks asked.

"Leave that to me," Severus said.