(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

It is a rather weary Nymphadora Tonks who walks into the flat, her skin a bit pale, her gait a bit slow.

Still, she's glad to be home.

"Bernard?"

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

The kitchen table is covered with unopened letters. Curled scrolls, carefully folded envelopes.

One exploded Howler.

That one was fun.

Bernard's out on the porch; he doesn't hear her come in.

[clumsy_auror]

Seeing the piles of letters, Nymphadora stops short, just staring for a few moments.

Then she drops her bag on the floor, shucks off her cloak, and goes to find her husband.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

The sunset over the lake is pretty, the breeze cool. Bernard's tempted to go inside to get a sweater.

He let Sunny sleep a little longer, for her nap. She kept trying to open and read the letters.

[clumsy_auror]

She finally finds him on the porch, and stands in the open doorway for a moment before ducking back inside to get jumpers for them both. Going back outside, she pulls the door shut behind her and walks over to where he sits.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He jumps, surprised.

"Didn't hear you come in." A wry, tired smile. "You've got mail."

[clumsy_auror]

A deep sigh. "I saw." Nymphadora sits beside him on the wooden planks, swinging her feet off the edge of the porch, and hands him his jumper before pulling on her cardigan.

The bottom three buttons are a lost cause, say sorry.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," he says quietly, pulling the sweater on. "One of them exploded. Scared Ellie shitless."

[clumsy_auror]

Her face falls in dismay. "Oh, fuck, I got a Howler? Is she okay? Is Sunny?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He nods.

"They're fine." He laughs. "Dunno about my ears. That hausfrau's kids must be totally cowed. Either that or serial killers."

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah, wonderful little invention, Howlers." She lets out a derisive snort. "Least it was just the one."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Yep."

There was another, but he threw it outside. The rhododendron is singed.

[clumsy_auror]

She's quiet for a moment.

Then, "People at work were pretty okay." A tiny grin. "Allbright actually brought me tea."

It's clear this is a rare ocurrence.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He grins over at her, forehead resting on the railing, and twines their fingers together.

"Lucky you."

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah."

She squeezes his hand.

"Reckon I should go start plowing through those."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"...Or we could make a fire in the living room fireplace."

[clumsy_auror]

A quiet laugh. "We'll read 'em, and then burn 'em, if we need to."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Good plan." He stands, offering her a hand, a stone settling in the pit of his stomach.

[clumsy_auror]

She takes his hand and allows him to help her up, going a little unsteady on her feet as she rises.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

An arm around her waist steadies her, and they walk slowly to the dining room.

The table really is covered.

[clumsy_auror]

Another few moments of staring, and then she taps her wand to the nearest one. It opens of its own accord, blessedly bubotuber-pus free, and Nymphadora picks it up.

"Miss Tonks," she reads. "If you're so keen on Muggles, then why don't you go live with them? While we're fighting a war, you're off living the high life with someone who can't even begin to understand what's happening to wizards and witches everywhere. I don't believe your heart's really in it. Edwin Diddle, Stoke-Upon-Trent."

Her hand falls listlessly to her side, the parchment crumpling.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard's cheeks redden, and he plucks a scroll out of the pile, opening it away from his face.

He clears his throat as he unrolls it.

"Miss Tonks,

I knew your mother at school. She was a year ahead of me. I always thought she was pretty, smart, and headed for great things. And she was.

I always thought any children she had would be special, and you certainly seemed to be--"

He breaks off, taking a deep breath.

"--until today.

Your family must be so proud.

For shame.

Disappointed,

Augusta Worthington, Chelsea."

Eyes blazing, he pitches the scroll across the room.

[clumsy_auror]

Biting her lip, she reaches for a new one. Her face lightens, somewhat, as she reads.

"Dear Miss Tonks,

Don't pay any mind to that nasty story I saw in yesterday's Prophet. They can't stand anyone finding a bit of happiness, these days, because that's not what sells. For my part, I'm glad you seem to be doing well for yourself, though I do think you should marry that man and give your child a proper family.

All the best to you,

Sarah Gabardine, Liverpool."

She grins crookedly at Bernard.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He grins back, still a little wan, and opens a flamboyantly-addressed envelope.

"Mrs. Tonks-Wrangle,

Or should I say 'Ms. Tonks'? I confess, I am not sure what you prefer; perhaps you might enlighten me at a future date.

At any rate, I opened my copy of The Daily Prophet yesterday morning to a rather charming photograph of you, coupled with what might well be the silliest article I have ever read, with the exception of that Skeeter woman's drivel about young Harry Potter and Hermione Granger a couple of years ago.

I am writing to reassure you that the large majority of Wizarding Britain is in possession of the good sense that the Prophet's staff lacks. All evidence points to this blowing over like so much smoke on the wind in no time, at least within the public consciousness.

I am concerned about your continued safety, however. But, we shall speak about that when we meet next.

All the support of Hogwarts and the Order is, as always, at your disposal.

Tell your husband (what a detail for Miss Smythe-Smith to overlook!) that I said "Boom!"

Yours,

Albus Dumbledore."

He snickers.

[clumsy_auror]

She laughs too, a relieved laugh, and leans her head briefly on his shoulder.

"Leave it to Dumbledore to make everything just that much more bearable."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Wish I knew him better." He turns his head to press a kiss to her hair, an arm slipping around her shoulders. "'Boom', indeed."