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"You're doing what?"

"Sending a letter to Dora. I've written out in detail of every bit of crap Mad-Eye's pulled since our arrival."

Within the circular stone room of the owlery, I lift the first school owl in arm's reach. The tawny stares at me with large eyes as I fasten the note to her outstretched leg.

"Tell her it's urgent. Squawk at her, if you must."

Then she spreads her wings and takes off into the sunrise.

Charlie clasps a hand overtop my own, squeezing it ever so gently. "It'll be alright, Della. Everything will work out in the end."

"How can you be so sure?" I embrace his touch.

"I just am." His cheek grazes the side of my head. "Come. We should be on our way to breakfast."

Breakfast runs smoothly, with no sign of transfigured students or crude headlines from the Daily Prophet. Charlie retreats to Hagrid's quarters to prepare their lesson, whilst I quicken my pace towards the D.A.D.A. classroom.

Mad-Eye sits with his legs thrown over the long fixture in front of him, his hands fiddling with the top of a flask.

Fourth-year students slowly pour inside, each taking their claimed seat hesitantly as Mad-Eye peers at every single one of them. I keep a kind smile over my cheeks to mitigate their apprehensions, though my own brews at the pit of my stomach.

Hermione, having moved a few rows from her choice of the front-row seat during the first lesson, catches my gaze and gulps lightly.

I follow her side glances to Ron and Harry, the latter of whom looks more pasty than at breakfast.

And those who happen to always be sneering for one reason or another — the Slytherins — sit straight in their seats without so much as a twitch of their lips.

"Ms. Tonks."

I snap out of my bucket of thoughts. "Yes?"

"Have you heard a single word I've uttered?"

Familiar with the man before me, I can't help but stare at his remaining eye with a hint of skepticism but brush it off.

"My apologies, I have not."

"I suppose you may be the first example."

Silent gasps and fallen jaws fill both houses, which provide me with no comfort.

"For what?"

"I have announced to the class that each one will be put under the Imperius Curse so as to demonstrate its power. And to see if anyone is able to resist its effects."

My lips tighten thinly. "Right."

"And though you and I are aware that it's illegal for one human to use an unforgivable curse against another, you are willing, aren't you?"

"Of course."

And so the demonstration begins.

Mad-Eye twists me to his beck and call, his voice echoing miniscule commands. But with the knowledge of his teachings, I resist every single one.

Finally, he lowers his wand and lifts the curse from me, though a sinister smirk slips out and disappears altogether.

"Well done, Ms. Tonks." He bows. "I have no doubt not a single one of you lot will come damn near close to resisting it, let alone throwing off the curse."

Dark dots rapidly flood my vision, and I grasp the edges of the chalkboard until my knuckles gleam white.

"I believe she's earned herself a round of applause?"

Awe-stricken claps sound within the confined room.

"Now. . .who dare go first?"

––––––––––

Three sets of footsteps patter against the cobblestone behind me as I trek towards Hagrid's hut — one shared by the only other teaching assistant.

"Ms. Tonks! Ms. Tonks, please!"

I whip around at the mention of my name and spot Hermione, Ron, and Harry speeding their pace towards me.

"No need to be so formal outside of the classroom." My lips flash a quick grin. "How can I be of help?"

"Has he always been this paranoid about unsuspecting attacks?" Ron spits out in one breath, only for Hermione to smack the nape of his neck. "Bloody hell!"

"His behavior is nothing new, unfortunately. Though, he seems more finicky than normal." I clutch a set of books tighter to my chest.

Hermione voices her concern. "Are you well, Della? I can assure no one at Hogwarts has ever witnessed such valor under a curse."

"All part of his training. He may be formidable, but his efforts are nothing short of fruitful."

A creaking door hinge sounds loudly as it swings open, and Charlie appears from the depths of the smaller hut.

"Della — oh!" His eyes grow at the sight of the three. "Well, hello. How are we this fine morning?"

"It's nearly seven in the evening, Charlie."

"Right. Will you all be coming inside?"

Hermione manages to catch on before dragging both boys by their arms and shouting a hasty "goodbye".

"There was no need to rid of them with a snap." I push past him into the hut and towards the burning fireplace. "They were sharing their thoughts about D.A.D.A., particularly Mad-Eye."

"And if I want you all to myself?"

His hand clasps my own and whips me around to face him. My eyes roll at the familiar antics, of which he has yet to grow out.

"Are we not alone at this very moment?"

I lift my brows innocently, and the burly form of the Weasley nearly crumbles at the sight. The faint tune and soothing voices of Elton John and Kiki Dee make themselves known in the form of "True Love".

"May I have this dance?"

". . .of course."

And he glides our bodies into a swaying waltz, spinning me out of and back into his embrace every so often.

"How were your classes?"

"Malfoy nearly threw a hissy fit when Hagrid suggested the students come down to his hut on alternate evenings to observe the skrewts."

"What I would have given to see a Malfoy not have his way."

"Only reason he didn't complain thereafter was since Hagrid offered to turn him back into a ferret."

"Of course he did." A chuckle bubbles from my lips.

His brows pinch in the center of his forehead. "How I have yearned to hear your laugh the last few years."

"I think it may be time that I play matchmaker and find a lovely dame for the most eligible bachelor of the Hogwarts staff."

"Do you not believe Flitwick could give me a sprint for my money?"

"Haven't you heard? He has been romancing Sprout."