Chapter Text
Nymphadora Tonks twirled in front of the mirror, frowning in concentration as she fussed with her hair, which obstinately refused to lie the way she wanted.
Today was an important day. Her very first day at Hogwarts, and she was determined to look nothing short of spectacular. After all, not every eleven-year-old witch could change her appearance with a snap of her fingers. (According to her mum, you could count the number of Metamorphmagi in the whole of wizarding Britain on one hand.) And although her gift for metamorphosis still twisted and turned like a wilful cat, that wasn’t going to stop her from trying to make an impression.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A wave of magic rippled from the back of her head to her temples. Her skin tingled slightly, and her hair began to shift as if moving on its own. When she opened her eyes, the girl in the mirror was staring back with flaming red hair, vivid and spiky, sticking out in every direction as if she’d been caught in a gale. To match her freshly changed eyes, now green like leaves in the rain, the look felt bold and full of energy.
Tonks (as she liked to call herself) snorted and spun before the mirror, tilting her head first to one side, then the other. Her face was heart-shaped, with strong cheekbones, and her freckles were scattered across her cheeks and nose like stars. Her emerald eyes sparkled with eagerness, catching the morning light that slipped through the curtains.
"Dora, get up! You’ll be late for school!" came her father’s warm voice from the other side of the door.
"I’m coming!" she shouted back, casting one last look at the mirror. A wide, mischievous grin spread across her face and she darted for the door.
Ted Tonks was standing in the hallway, looking both smart and slightly rumpled, as always. Medium height, solid build, and with a permanent twinkle in the corners of his eyes. His chestnut hair stuck out despite his best attempts to tame it. But most important of all were his eyes: blue, clear, always warm. They held everything. Care, affection, and a readiness to catch her if ever she stumbled.
"Dad!" she breathed, her excitement impossible to hide or contain.
She bounced on the spot, then flung herself into his arms, hugging him so tightly he nearly lost his balance. But he only laughed, wrapping his arms around her and running a hand through her fiery — no, now teal — hair with delight.
"It’s Hogwarts today! You really thought I’d oversleep?" Tonks blurted triumphantly, her words tumbling out in one breath, as though afraid she wouldn't get them all out in time.
She let go and dashed back to the mirror by the window. Her reflection stared back at her with the same wild excitement bubbling inside.
"I’ve been trying to figure out what hairstyle to go with all morning!" she chattered, changing her hair now to a daring violet, streaked with shimmering strands near the roots. "It’s the first day, and Mum says first impressions really matter. I don’t always listen to her, but she might be right about that. Will you help me choose? Honestly?"
Ted Tonks leaned against the doorframe, a smile tugging at his lips. He stepped into the room and quietly closed the door behind him.
"You know," he said, glancing around at the chaos with a touch of dry humour, "your mother would go completely grey if she saw this mess."
Tonks stopped, glanced over her shoulder, then looked around the room and gave a slightly sheepish snort. The place looked like a battlefield. Her things were strewn about as though she had tried to get dressed, pack, read every book and memorise a few spells, all within the last twenty minutes.
Boxes filled with parchment and old school clutter poked out from under the bed. The desk was buried under a chaotic pile of books, quills, ink bottles and bits of jewellery, with a comb stuck among them and clearly forgotten. Her trunk stood in the middle of the room, practically bursting at the seams, and a couple of books lay on top, refusing to fit inside. She had never managed to convince her parents to let her use an Undetectable Extension Charm, because Mum had said that "the Ministry keeps track of those sorts of things". (Though Tonks doubted very much that the Ministry cared about school trunks.)
At one point she had even planned a silent protest: no talking at all until they reached King’s Cross. But she had given up when her mother said firmly, "No pudding. At all." Since then she had come up with a backup plan, to give the extra books to her dad and ask him to send them by owl later.
Suddenly she pictured her mum walking into the room, raising an eyebrow and folding her arms with that look which usually meant a half-hour lecture about discipline and keeping things in order.
"Don’t tell her, all right?" Tonks whispered, glancing at her father with a guilty expression. "I’ll tidy it up before we leave."
A mischievous light appeared in Ted’s eyes. He nodded with mock seriousness and, carefully stepping over a stray shoe, came closer to the mirror.
"So, what colours is Miss Tonks favouring today?"
"I was thinking green," she said, scrunching up her nose. Her hair darkened and turned thick and emerald, falling in a cascade almost to her shoulders. "Or maybe blue. Something deep, like the night sky."
Her hair changed again, now a rich royal blue that reached to her shoulder blades. The light from the window caught the glossy strands, and for a moment she seemed to glow.
Tonks began to spin slowly, squinting at herself from different angles. Her expression grew serious, her chin tilted slightly forward as she tried to imagine how others might see her. The blue shifted to a bright red, then to a shimmering silvery pink. She added a braid, then removed it again. Each colour brought a new feeling. Green felt mysterious. Blue was calm but strong. Red was cheerful, like her father’s jokes. Ginger felt like fire, the kind that made her restless and unable to sit still.
Every colour felt like part of her, but none of them felt like all of her.
"Oh, this is so hard," she sighed, letting her shoulders drop. "I don’t want the Sorting Hat to choose my house by the colour of my hair! That would be... well... silly." Her voice trembled slightly. "I want it to look at me, to understand who I really am. To send me where I’m needed. Where I can be useful. Where..." She hesitated. "Where I’ll have friends. Real ones. The kind who’ll laugh with me, not at me."
She fell silent, staring at the floor. Only after a moment did she lift her eyes slightly, just as Ted crouched down beside her so they were at the same level. He spoke quietly, almost in a whisper.
"Of course I understand, Dora," Ted said gently, leaning in so he could look her in the eye. "I was eleven once too, and I was just as nervous about my first day at school. The Hat will hear you. It’ll look right into your heart and understand. Because you’re real. You’re unique. And you’re already brilliant, no matter what colour your hair is."
He ran his hand over her head, and her hair changed suddenly to a deep coal black, soft and wavy like still water.
"Although I have to say, I really liked the blue. I think it suits your eyes."
"Oh, of course you did!" Dora huffed, folding her arms, and her hair flared into a brilliant red, clearly echoing her mood. "That’s Ravenclaw’s colour, isn’t it? Your house!" She narrowed her eyes, as though she had just uncovered the greatest secret in the world. "Don’t think I didn’t hear you all making bets about which house I’d be in."
Ted put on an innocent face, raising his eyebrows.
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"Oh, come on!" Nymphadora rolled her eyes, though there was a playful lilt in her voice. "You were all putting down ten Galleons each last night, you, Mum and Al! Mum swore I’d follow in her footsteps and end up in Slytherin, Al’s convinced I’ll be in Gryffindor, and you, of course, bet on Ravenclaw!"
Ted couldn’t help himself. He laughed, throwing his hands up in mock surrender.
"Oh, sweetheart! It’s nothing serious, just a friendly wager. All parents do it!" He looked at her with a mischievous grin, clearly enjoying himself. "Besides, weren’t you supposed to be asleep by then?"
Dora ignored the question entirely.
"What if I end up in Hufflepuff?" she asked suddenly, placing a hand over her heart as if about to make a solemn vow. "What if I’m loyal, and faithful, and hard-working?" Her expression grew dramatic, like an actress delivering a tragic monologue. "Who wins then? Or do I just get to keep the prize myself?"
Ted couldn’t stop laughing.
"I suppose in that case we really would have to give all the winnings to you, wouldn’t we?" he chuckled, the corners of his eyes crinkling with warmth. "Now come on, time for breakfast. Your mum won’t be in the best mood if we’re not in the kitchen within five minutes."
Nymphadora nodded, her appearance shifting instantly as bright yellow streaks appeared in her black hair, in the colours of Hufflepuff. She gave her father a conspiratorial grin, then dashed from the room, laughing.
"I’ve got a feeling your mum might win this one after all," Ted’s voice called after her, full of cheerful resignation.
Soon they reached King's Cross Station. The air was filled with noise and bustle, with mixed crowds of muggles and wizards going back and forward, bumping into each other in chaotic motion.
Muggles looked around with surprise and slight concern at the strange people in brightly coloured robes who were leisurely pulling carts loaded with suitcases, cages of owls, and all sorts of outlandish objects that took longer than usual for uninformed eyes to stop.
Children were running everywhere, shouting goodbye to each other or excitedly sharing their last guesses as to which house the Sorting Hat would assign them to. Parents bustled about, surrounding their children with care and giving final instructions, as if they were afraid to let them go for the whole school year. The station was buzzing with life, overflowing with a mixture of excitement, joy and slight anxiety at the impending separation.
"Nymphadora, do hurry up if you don’t want to be late," said Andromeda Tonks in a mock-stern tone, walking arm-in-arm with her husband. Her tall, slender figure stood out in the busy crowd, wrapped in a light-coloured coat, her hair styled to perfection.
"If only it were that easy..." Tonks muttered under her breath, puffing as she struggled to manage the rattling trolley, which was piled far too high. The suitcase kept trying to fall off, the owl cage swung like a pendulum, and the black travel bag on top slid steadily downward, threatening to finish her off emotionally.
Hearing her grumbling, Andromeda glanced over her shoulder and immediately bit her lip to stop herself laughing. Tonks rolled her eyes with a theatrical look of suffering.
She knew exactly how ridiculous she must look. A girl with bright yellow, spiky hair, sweating, red-faced, trying to wrestle with a trolley that looked heavier than she was. Her cheeks were burning from the effort, her forehead was shiny, and her short, windblown hair made it look as if she’d run headfirst through a hurricane. If nothing else, it certainly emphasised her utter determination to manage without help.
Earlier, on the way to the station, both Mum and Dad had offered to help — taking turns, surprisingly patiently. But she had refused. She’d said, "I’m not a little kid anymore. I’ve got this," with all the defiant confidence of someone preparing to take on a dragon.
There was no backing out now. Even if the dragon turned out to have four wheels and a truly inconvenient design.
"And that's Tonks, please," she added a little louder, clearly annoyed. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she continued to push her trolley forward, ignoring the crowd.
"I will not call my own daughter by her last name! You have a beautiful name that means..."
"I know. I know. It means ‘Gift of the Nymphs.’ I've heard it a million times, and it doesn't make it any better!" Dora finished irritably as if she were reciting a phrase she had learnt by heart. "It's still just as pompous, weird, dorky and..."
"Nymphadora, language!" Andromeda said sternly, though her stern tone could not conceal her tenderness.
Tonks rolled her eyes and nearly slammed into her father's back as her parents stopped in front of Platform 9 ¾. The crowd around them kept moving, making it seem like an unending sea of commuters, but on that tiny island of time, before the invisible boundary between the wizard and muggle worlds, everything seemed to freeze.
"Dora, sweetheart, now you just have to run through that column and you'll be there. Do you want Mum and me to come with you?" her father asked softly. His warm, confident voice was the same one he always used to cheer her up in difficult moments.
"No, thank you. I'm a grown-up and I can handle myself," she blew a wet strand from her forehead as if to say that she was ready for any hardship. Her hair changed colour again, becoming even brighter as if to emphasise her determination.
With a deep self-confidence that was inextricably linked to her desire to prove her independence, Dora pushed the cart forward. For a moment she thought she was going to hit a wall and her heart shook, but she didn't let herself slow down. In an instant, the stone walls of Platform 9 ¾ disappeared, and she was in another world - a magical one, filled with smoke and the sounds of a train about to depart.
Tonks looked around at the world around her with delight. Every detail around her - the bright robes, the colourful bags, the joyful faces - seemed new and amazing to her. Her hair shone bright yellow again, and for a moment, as if catching the light of the sun, changed to bright orange. She couldn't stop turning her head around, trying to absorb every moment. Dora blinked a couple of times to get a good look and pushed the cart forward with renewed vigour, almost bouncing with excitement.
"Wow!" she exclaimed, eyes glistening with delight. "I need to find the best carriage on the train! Al said that choosing a carriage is one of the first important decisions on the first day! After all, usually, the people you go with on the first day become your best friends! After all, isn't that how you met him, Daddy? Dad?"
But when there was no answer, Nymphadora stopped and turned around, looking back at her parents. For a moment she was surprised to see them standing still and petrified.
Andromeda had a regal bearing, with a refined face, high cheekbones, and a thin, straight nose. Her long, brown hair, lustrous and thick, fell in soft waves over her shoulders. Her skin, always fair but with a slight blush on her cheeks that added liveliness and warmth, was now as pale as a sheet. Her usually soft but confident lips, which often curved into a half smile, were now curled into a thin tense line. Normally Andromeda's posture was regal, but now her whole body seemed tense and petrified, and her almond-shaped grey eyes were fixed on someone behind Tonks with a look of fear in them.
Nymphadora followed her gaze and saw a family standing nearby. A woman of about forty-five, whose features were as sharp and stern as Andromeda's, stood in front of the boy. Her dark hair was neatly gathered into a tight bun, without a single loose strand, and her robe of heavy dark cloth emphasised her aristocratic elegance. Her shrewd grey eyes were full of indignation, and she spoke with a cold, uncomplaining tone that made the air around her seem icy.
Next to her stood a boy with dark, slightly wavy shoulder-length hair. He nodded nervously, looking down at the floor, clearly not daring to look up at his mother, who continued to reprimand him.
Tonks felt a strange tension emanating from her parents. Her father, Ted, leaned gently towards her mother and whispered something in her ear. His hand gently guided her shoulder, as if he was trying to convey all his support and calmness to her. Andromeda blinked a few times, as if coming out of a daze, and took a deep breath, her shoulders slumping. Ted whispered something else, and Andromeda laughed softly a moment later, a slight blush returning to her cheeks. She slapped her husband lightly on the arm as if she approved of his attempts to calm her.
The familiar gleam was back in her eyes, and placing her hand in Ted's palm, she walked with him towards her daughter, regaining confidence in every step.
"I'm sorry we're delayed, sweetheart," Andromeda said softly, brushing a loose strand from her daughter's face. Her fingers lingered on Tonks' cheek for a moment, as if the gesture hid not only concern but worry. Nymphadora felt the tension in her mother's hands, though she tried to hide it.
"Was it someone from your family?" the girl asked, looking around for fear that someone else might hear their conversation. Her big green eyes sparkled with curiosity and concern.
"This is my aunt, Walburga Black. A very strict and unpleasant woman, to be honest. We often spent the winter holidays at her house, and I hated it," Andromeda replied, her voice low, but with a hint of bitterness in it.
Nymphadora glanced glumly in the direction where the Black family had just been standing.
"I think she was yelling at that boy," she remarked, tilting her head slightly.
Andromeda took a deep breath.
"It must have been her son. It was always her style to yell when things didn't go the way she wanted them to. Well, or just in case," she was silent for a moment, her lips tight, and a shadow of worry flashed in her grey eyes. She looked at her daughter, her voice trembling as she continued. "Dora, please take care of yourself. Don't mention to anyone that I was Black, and you better stay away from that boy, okay?"
Those words made a strong impression on Tonks. She had rarely heard her mother speak so openly about her family. All she knew was that Andromeda's kin were powerful and strict, known for their rigid views on blood purity. They despised her father simply because he was a muggle-born, and that had always lain like an invisible wall between Andromeda's world and the life she had chosen for her family.
Tonks bit her lip and nodded, sensing that there was something more behind those simple words. Her mother rarely asked her for something like this, and that meant it was serious.
The silence was broken by the soft voice of Ted, who stepped closer and put his hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"It's time, Dora," he said, nudging her gently forward as if to help her step into a new chapter of her life. His gaze was kind and reassuring, though a shadow of worry lurked in the corner of his eyes. "Go find yourself a good seat on the train."
Tonks nodded once more, hugged her parents goodbye, and with a renewed sense of determination took hold of the handle of her cart, heading for the train.
As Tonks walked along the narrow train corridor, she caught glimpses of other students—some already settling into their seats, others hurriedly waving goodbye to their parents through the windows, and a few laughing as they demonstrated new magic tricks. The lively atmosphere on the platform, buzzing with magic and excitement, thrilled her. However, her thoughts kept circling back to her recent encounter with Walburga Black, leaving her tense.
Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the uneven floor beneath her. Stumbling, she let out a loud "ouch!" and braced herself for a painful fall. Just as she was about to hit the ground, strong hands caught her, preventing the fall.
"Careful," came a calm voice.
Tonks lifted her head and met a pair of kind hazel eyes, looking at her with a slight, friendly smile that reassured her a little.
"Thank you," she murmured, straightening up and shyly fixing her hair, which immediately turned a light pink from embarrassment. "I’m so clumsy."
She was about to say more, but a loud laugh from a nearby compartment drew her attention. Turning around, she saw two older boys, clearly enjoying themselves, joking around and ignoring everyone else. One of them was demonstrating a magic trick—a small object floated in the air, surrounded by a faint glow. After a few moments, the spell broke, and the object fell noisily to the floor, releasing a mist that caused another wave of laughter.
Tonks coughed as the mist spread, and her vision momentarily blurred.
"Anyway, I’m Tonks," she said, glancing back up once she could see and breathe properly again—but her saviour had already disappeared.
Nymphadora sighed in slight disappointment and shook her head. The children in the open compartment briefly paused their fun to give her strange glances. Feeling a bit confused, Tonks tried to ignore their reactions and continued down the corridor, determined not to get distracted again.
At last, she found an empty compartment, and to her delight, it was completely unoccupied. Relieved, Nymphadora slid her bag inside and sat down by the window. She looked around and sighed deeply, watching as the train gradually filled with more students.
When the train finally started moving and picked up speed, Tonks waved one last time to her parents through the window. Her mother and father, standing in the distance, waved back, their figures growing smaller and smaller until the platform disappeared from view.
After some time, the compartment door slid open, revealing a girl with bright, mischievous blue eyes and slightly dishevelled blonde hair, as if she had just run halfway across the train. Tonks gave her a friendly nod, and the girl quickly entered, her lively and open manner unashamed.
"Hi! I’m Alice Miller," she said cheerfully, sitting down across from Nymphadora, clearly eager to strike up a conversation.
Alice immediately started asking questions, her eyes burning with excitement. She was a Muggleborn, and though her blonde hair and friendly face were trustworthy, it was obvious that she was a little nervous about starting the school year. She knew absolutely nothing about the faculties, and so every new mention of Hogwarts made her genuinely excited. Her smile was wide and infectious, and her movements were energetic as if she was constantly in a state of slight exhilaration. The atmosphere in the compartment became lively at once, and Nymphadora felt her excitement recede a little.
A few minutes later, the compartment door opened again, and a tall boy with short brown hair and a confident posture appeared in the doorway. He looked calm, but the glint in his eyes betrayed an inner enthusiasm.
"Hi, I’m Thadeus MacMillan," he introduced himself with a slight half-smile, stepping inside with an almost aristocratic grace. He sat down next to Alice and effortlessly joined the conversation, listening and nodding as the girls discussed the different departments and their expectations for the coming year.
Thadeus appeared to be a Quidditch fan, and his confidence was almost palpable, especially when it came to his dream of becoming a Seeker. He explained how he had been training to be a catcher since he was a child, though he never said it outright - his tone was calm and confident, as if whatever he wanted was only a matter of time. His dark eyes sparkled when he mentioned Quidditch, and it was obvious that he was truly passionate about the sport. He was hoping to get into Ravenclaw, though he said he would be happy with any House where he could fulfil his potential.
Tonks, sensing the general wave of interest, shared that she wanted to study transfiguration and spells more than anything else, dreaming of one day mastering them so that their power would go hand in hand with her abilities as a metamorphmagus. Her words sparked a lively discussion about future lessons, and everyone fantasised in their way about how the classes would go.
Despite their different backgrounds and interests, the group quickly found common ground. Alice was an avid reader of books about animals, especially magical creatures, and her eyes lit up every time she mentioned some magical beasts she hoped to see at Hogwarts. She spoke passionately about how she dreamed of having a hippogriff one day and perhaps even working with magical creatures in the future. Her enthusiastic stories immediately contrasted with Thadeus's more calm and rational manner, but it only made their conversations more lively and intense.
The train began to slow down smoothly, and the excitement in the compartment was replaced by anticipation. Hogwarts was already visible through the window, lit by the soft light of the setting sun. The castle loomed on the horizon, its towers and walls reflecting the warm golden light. Alice was wide-eyed, her excitement was infectious, and Tonks and Thadeus smiled involuntarily as they watched her reaction.
When the train stopped on the platform, the compartment doors swung open and the first-year students began to get out with noise and laughter. Tonks, Alice and Thadeus taking their belongings, followed the crowd to the exit. They were met on the platform by a tall and massive man with a thick beard, kind eyes and a smile that was almost hidden under his thick hair. He was Rubeus Hagrid, a giant, but so good-natured that his presence immediately put the most agitated students at ease.
"First years, to me!" Hagrid’s powerful yet warm voice boomed across the grounds. "Follow me, we're going to the boats!"
The crowd of first-years immediately gathered around Hagrid, their small feet scrambling toward the lake. The sky was darkening, and stars began to slowly light up overhead, their reflections shimmering in the black, calm water. Small wooden boats waited on the shore, bobbing gently on the waves as if inviting them to a magical crossing.
Tonks, Alice, and Thadeus quickly climbed into one of the boats. Alice, unable to hide her excitement, gripped the edges tightly, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the surroundings.
"It’s like something out of a book!" she exclaimed, her gaze fixed on the majestic castle rising ahead.
Tonks staggered slightly as the boat rocked suddenly on the water, and for a moment, she thought she might fall overboard. Her feet slipped, and she instinctively swung her arms to keep her balance, but at the last moment, Thadeus grabbed her arm, holding her firmly in place.
"Careful," he said with a chuckle, helping her regain her footing.
"Thank you," Tonks smiled up at him gratefully. Her hair briefly turned a light shade of pink.
The boats sailed slowly and gracefully toward Hogwarts, the silence of the night broken only by the soft splashing of water against the sides. The night sky, scattered with stars, seemed to merge with the magical journey, their reflections dancing on the lake’s surface. Soon, the majestic view of the castle came into sight—its tall towers illuminated by countless lights, casting a warm glow over every corner of the ancient structure. The first-years held their breath, awestruck by its grandeur and beauty.
When the boats reached the shore, Hagrid, cheerfully greeting the students, helped each of them out of the boat, his powerful arms lifting the first-years onto the shore with ease. As he escorted them to the huge oak doors, they slowly and majestically swung open on their own, revealing the entrance to the castle. The freshmen seemed to hold their breath for a moment, their eyes widening with admiration as they stepped inside. Ahead, lit by a multitude of torches, appeared the tall figure of a woman in an austere robe and pointed hat, whose sharp facial features immediately commanded respect. It was Minerva McGonagall.
Her shrewd green eyes quickly ran through the crowd of freshmen, assessing them. Her dark hair, gathered in a tight bun, and her stern expression left no doubt: she was a person of discipline and order.
"Now, for the important rules: you will each wear the Sorting Hat, which will determine the house to which you belong based on your qualities. There are four houses at Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each has its history and traditions, which you will learn more about in the days to come."
Tonks felt her heart begin to race. She had heard stories about the hat from her parents, but standing here now, it felt far more real—and even a little frightening. Alice stood beside her, nervously biting her lip, while Thadeus appeared calm, though his tightly pressed lips betrayed his inner tension.
"I’ll come back for you when we’re ready," McGonagall finished before turning swiftly and disappearing through the large doors.
As the first-years waited in the small hallway, they whispered among themselves, excitement and nerves building in anticipation of the sorting. Tonks overheard Alice whisper excitedly:
"Where do you think they'll send me? I'd like to go to Hufflepuff... or Gryffindor!"
"I'm sure the hat knows its business," Thadeus muttered, his calm demeanour masking any nerves.
Tonks, on the other hand, despite her calm exterior, felt her heart racing with uncertainty. Which house would the hat choose for her? And where would her new friends end up?
After a few minutes, McGonagall returned and instructed them to follow her. The group cautiously entered the massive hall, illuminated by thousands of floating candles. The ceiling above them was dark but glittering with stars, as though the open night sky had been brought into the hall itself. Long tables lined the room, filled with upperclassmen who watched the new students with curiosity.
All conversations came to an abrupt halt as the Sorting Hat stirred. Its deep, resonant voice echoed through the hall as it began to sing:
"I’m the Hat that sees it all,
Answering Hogwarts’ ancient call.
Brave in Gryffindor, you’ll stand tall,
In Slytherin, rise and never fall.
Ravenclaw’s wisdom, sharp and bright,
Hufflepuff’s heart is kind and right.
Fear not, for I will know,
Which house will help you best to grow?
So sit right here, and do not fear,
Your future home will soon be clear!"
Minerva McGonagall continued reading out the names of the new students, and Tonks couldn’t take her eyes off the sorting process. A few students had already been assigned: Cedric Abbott went to Hufflepuff after a brief pause from the hat, while Marcus Avery was placed in Slytherin almost instantly—the hat barely touched his head before deciding.
Tonks, nervously biting her lip, watched each new student, trying to memorize their names and wondering which ones would end up in the same house as her.
"Sirius Black!" McGonagall called out loudly.
Tonks recognized the pale boy with long curly hair, the one she’d noticed at the train station, as he stepped forward. He looked a little nervous but determined. McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head, and after a few moments, the hat’s loud voice rang out across the hall:
"Gryffindor!"
The hall suddenly fell into a strange silence. The professors looked at each other with some surprise, and the senior students began to whisper. There was none of the usual raucous applause and shouts of joy that usually accompanied the distribution. Tonks noticed the tension, but couldn't figure out what it meant. She decided to make a mental note to be sure to ask her mother why everyone was so surprised. Andromeda must have known the reason for this reaction to the distribution of one of the Blacks.
Sirius, however, was delighted with the hat’s decision. His face lit up with a wide smile, and a mischievous glint flashed in his grey eyes. He jumped up from his chair, practically bouncing as he made his way to the Gryffindor table. The seniors, though slightly delayed, began to applaud, welcoming their newest housemate.
"Well, now I know exactly which house I don’t want to be in," Tonks muttered to herself, feigning indifference, though she felt a small stir of curiosity deep inside.
The rest of the Sorting process continued quietly. Remus Lupin, who, as it turned out, had been her saviour on the train, also ended up in Gryffindor alongside Sirius. This gave Tonks mixed feelings—on one hand, Remus seemed nice enough to share a house with, but on the other hand, she wasn’t sure if her first impression had been wrong. He didn't look like her cousin, but something about him seemed mysterious to her.
Much to Tonks’ delight, Thadeus MacMillan was assigned to Ravenclaw, just as he had hoped. His face lit up with a wide smile as he made his way to his new table, and Tonks and Alice cheered him on with thunderous applause.
Alice was called almost immediately after Thadeus and made her way to Hufflepuff. She looked slightly anxious, unsure of what this meant for her, but the warm, enthusiastic applause from the Hufflepuff table quickly melted her uncertainty. She smiled and headed toward her new house, waving to her friends with a playful, doomed expression.
Finally, it was Tonks’s turn.
"Nymphadora Tonks," McGonagall announced loudly.
Tonks winced slightly at the sound of her full name, but she pulled herself together and walked confidently to the chair, trying her best not to stumble in her excitement. The hat was placed on her head, and immediately a voice echoed in her mind:
"Well, well, well. Let’s see what we have here..." The hat spoke slowly and thoughtfully as if carefully weighing her every thought. "You certainly have the ambition and resourcefulness of a Slytherin, but I don’t think that’s quite the right fit for you... I see you have your father's intelligence and wisdom... Ravenclaw might be a suitable choice, but there’s something else... What about Gryffindor? You certainly possess courage and bravery. But that’s not what counts, is it? It’s not your strength, your intelligence, or even your thirst for power that defines you. It’s your heart. Loyalty, hard work, and a sense of justice. Yes, that’s right."
The hat paused briefly, and then proclaimed to the entire hall:
"Hufflepuff!"
Tonks’ eyes widened in surprise as the hat was lifted from her head. Slowly, she turned toward the Hufflepuff table, where Alice was waving frantically, her face beaming with joy. Tonks smiled back and wrinkled her nose as she stood up, her hair transforming into the colour she had practised at home—a smooth gradient from black at the roots to bright yellow at the tips.
Gasps of surprise filled the hall, and the Hufflepuff table erupted into loud applause and cheers of delight. Feeling her heart swell with joy and confidence, Tonks jumped down from the stage and walked briskly toward her new house, a wide, genuine smile spreading across her face. She knew now that something amazing lay ahead, and she was ready to embrace it with an open heart.