From a random alley to Hogsmeade.
The alley was dark, dingy and smelt of something Tonks chose not to try to and identify. There was a scowl on her face and her driver was already half an hour late.
Just when Tonks started to consider leaving, a car screeched out of the shadows and skidded to a halt in front of her. Her wand was already up and pointed at the driver’s heart before the wheels stopped spinning.
The driver’s door swung open with a creak.
“Easy there, darlin’”, Mundungus Fletcher crooned at her. “It’s far too early for fun. Yet.”
He grinned as she continued to scowl. “You’re late.”
He laughed and reached out to take her bag. “Ahh, my fair lady, the night is young and it is never too late. Your transport has arrived.” He bowed with a flourish.
Tonks snorted but accepted the car door he held open for her. “You are lucky you got here when you did. Another couple of minutes and I would have left.”
“Yeah, sorry ‘bout that. No fault of my own, of course.”
“Of course.”
After stashing her bag on the back seat next to her, Mundungus climbed back into the front, revved the engine and took off down the alley back they way he had come.
“Nice car,” Tonks commented as she peeled off her beanie, letting her hair (dark red and shoulder length) out.
“Tis, isn’t it,” Mundungus agreed. “Got it off a friend of a friend.”
Privately, Tonks knew exactly what a friend of a friend implied but instead asked, “So what other information do you have for me?”
In response, Dung chucked a thick yellow envelope on the back seat. “That’s additional info from the Ministry about the inhabititants of Hogsmeade. Quite extensive actually. But Moody told me to tell that in addition to sussing out whose working for old Voldie, you are also to try and find out who is loyal to the Ministry and who ain’t. And, of course, watch out for Death Eaters, Dementors and what not while keeping yourself alive.”
Tonks glared at him, making sure he could see her in the rear vision mirror. “Thanks,” she said drily.
“Not a problem, sweetheart. In fact, it’s my pleasure. Now what’cha got for me?”
Tonks sighed and looked out the window. “First of all, I haven’t been the only person to be transferred out of the Ministry and into prolonged field work. Almost half the Aurors are out there on the streets or will be.”
“That doesn’t seem too bad to me.”
“Well no, it doesn’t except for the fact that the Auror numbers aren’t what they were during the last war. I think we have been spread out too thin across Britain, which means if there is an attack of any magnitude, other Aurors may not arrive in time to help.
“Also,” Tonks continued, “the Aurors that have been transferred out are the ones that Kingsley and I were considering trying to recruit for the Order.”
“And that means what?”
“It means, that I think our new Minister is purging the Ministry. He has rather effectively ejected the Aurors who might oppose him.”
Mundungus frowned. “That’s bad.”
“Exactly, Grévin knows that Voldemort is back. And unless he has an army up his sleeve I don’t see how this benefits him. He has even reduced the number of wardens on Azkaban.”
“So why did he send you to Hogsmeade? Where you are right next door to Dumbledore.”
Tonks shrugged. “Merlin knows. Amelia probably has something to do with it.”
“Old Bonesy?”
“Yeah, she and Grévin don’t exactly get on that well.”
“Well that’s some good news. Oh, bugger, there’s the turn off.” Mundungus pulled hard on the wheel so the car swerved widly across the road, slipping between two buses before Mundungous straightened up again. “So what else you got?”
Tonks relaxed the white knuckle grip she had on the door handle before replying slowly, “Nothing much. The increased Dementor sightings are a problem but there is nothing we can see that we can do about that. And there have been no sightings of any Death Eaters either or at least, none that have been reported.”
Mundungus nodded. “It’s the same at the Order. Moody thinks Voldie is just waiting before doing something big.”
Tonks nodded but remained silent. Preferring now to keep her own thoughts on the ride up to Hogsmeade. Mundungus for a change, shut up as well and the trip was relatively peaceful.
The glowing lights of Hogsmeade appeared in the front windscreen before Tonks realised it and Mundungus parked the car with a screech in front of a non-descript house. Slightly broken down but sturdy enough. She opened the door before Mundungus got the chance to play chaffeur again and gazed up at her new home.
“This is it?”
Mundungus brushed his jacket out before grabbing her bag. “Yeah, it’s not much but it’s well stocked. Though I think they forgot to supply the liquor.”
Tonks gave him a look. “Is that your way of not inviting yourself in?”
Mundungus grinned. “Maybe. Anyway, you’ll need to replenish the warding charms and such. Unfortunately the Fidelius Charm is out otherwise the good creatures of Hogsmeade will start to suspect something. Your alias is in the envelope the Ministry gave you. Otherwise that is all I have to say for now besides good luck and watch your back.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before she could protest. “You should also give a holler to one of the Order up at Hogwarts and clue them in on the situation here.”
“Yeah, of course.” Tonks picked up her bag and started walking towards her house. “See you round, Dung.”
“You too, babe.” He gave her a complicated wave good bye then disappeared behind the dark windows of the car and drove off.