"Hello," Tonks replied instinctively, sounding a bit surprised.
"What flavor's the ice cream?"
"…Strawberry vanilla, with crushed nuts."
"Excuse me, I'll have the same as hers," Hodge called out to the ice cream shop clerk. He turned back, extending a hand. "I just saw you chasing someone down the street. You're from the Ministry, right? Hit Wizard or Auror? Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet—Hodge Blackthorn."
"Trainee Auror," Tonks said, her face lighting up with realization. "You can call me Tonks."
She glanced at her hands, both occupied, so she stuck the spoon in her mouth to free one up and shook Hodge's hand. With the spoon still in her mouth, she mumbled, "You're a Hogwarts student, right? Shopping in Diagon Alley?"
"Yeah, starting my second year."
"No wonder. I'm seven years ahead of you," Tonks said with interest. "Which house are you in?"
"Ravenclaw."
"Cool." She pointed at herself. "Hufflepuff." Then, as if something occurred to her, she scooted her chair closer and lowered her voice. "Since you're at Hogwarts, you must know about Quirrell, right? I heard he was using his professor gig as a cover to steal stuff from the school."
"That rumor's already reached the Ministry?"
Tonks shook her head. "Alastor mentioned it in passing, but he was all cryptic and wouldn't spill more." She frowned, unable to help herself. "Word is, Quirrell got found out by a few students, caught red-handed, and they got into a fight. Now he's still out cold. Pretty wild, huh? …Though, one of those students was Harry Potter, so it kinda makes sense. And there was a Weasley—his dad works at the Ministry, Arthur. We haven't talked much… oh, hang on."
Her eyes widened suddenly, and her violet hair flickered through colors like a kaleidoscope.
"What's your last name again?" Tonks asked, now sporting light blue hair.
"Black—"
"Blackthorn!" she squeaked, glancing around before whispering, "I knew it! Were you one of the ones who fought Quirrell?"
Hodge shrugged.
Tonks sized him up, looking utterly shocked. "I can't believe it. The Ministry once invited Quirrell to join because he had so much experience dealing with dark creatures…"
"Maybe he's out of practice," Hodge said casually. It did remind him, though—he should swing by St. Mungo's before term starts to check on Quirrell. Plus, it'd been a while since he'd seen Evelina Selma.
"Does the Ministry really ask outsiders for help?" he asked.
Tonks mimicked his earlier shrug. "Aurors aren't all-knowing. We have to learn a ton, and sometimes we consult experts from different fields. Take me, for example—I'm always a bit off on stealth and tracking." Her face fell. "Guess you already saw that."
Hodge's mind flashed to the dragon liver vendor nimbly leaping into a fireplace. He figured this slip-up wasn't entirely Tonks' fault—that guy was too quick, too decisive, likely with plenty of experience dodging capture.
"What do you need to learn to become an Auror?"
"Stealth, disguise, tracking, combat, and independent investigation skills…" Tonks listed. "It's super tough. I haven't even qualified officially yet."
"But aren't you already out here on your own?" Hodge prompted gently.
"Chasing down illegal vendors… and botching it," Tonks groaned, slumping onto the table. Her hair turned a dull gray, as if all hope had drained from her.
"You were at St. Mungo's last year, though, during that magical accident, right?"
"Only because they were short-staffed, so they threw me in," Tonks said, then perked up slightly. "I'm pretty good at disguise, though—top tier in the department." She suddenly lifted her head, her eyes glinting as she stared at Hodge.
"What, you didn't know?" Hodge said, catching on. "I was at St. Mungo's too—the only Muggle admitted. Woke up one day and boom, magic."
Tonks burst out laughing, but her expression soon sobered.
"So, I still got made, huh?"
"Trust me, it's just a lack of experience," Hodge reassured her, nodding at her hair. "Or maybe a lack of… certain flair." She looked crestfallen. "But you're already on the right track. I bet in a few years, you'll be a full-fledged Auror. Speaking of which, what's Umbridge up to these days?"
Tonks' gaze sharpened instantly, wary. "I can't share Ministry intel."
"I've got a grudge against her," Hodge said bluntly. "I'd be thrilled to hear she's miserable."
"Well, in that case," Tonks hesitated, then grinned mischievously, "your wish is half-granted. She got sacked from her Senior Undersecretary post and kicked out by the Wizengamot. Rumor has it she's been shunted to some dead-end team, stuck dealing with old paperwork all day."
"Nice," Hodge said. "Who took over her job?"
"Kingsley Shacklebolt. He's a bit higher up than me. Kingsley's sharp—way better at handling that mess than I'd be. It's all dealing with Muggle officials, coordinating within the Ministry, you know—Misuse of Magic Office, Accidental Magic Reversal Squad, Muggle Liaison Office, Wizengamot, Ministry Public News… just thinking about it gives me a headache."
"Is the Ministry working on new laws?" Hodge asked sharply.
Tonks blinked, startled. "Did I say something?"
"Just a guess," Hodge pressed. "Related to the magical accident fallout? I met a magician once—knew nothing about magic but woke up with it during last July's incident. Just small tricks, but enough. Later, by some fluke, he got into Diagon Alley and smuggled out a few magical items."
"Gifted," Tonks said suddenly.
"Sorry, what?"
"That's what they call themselves—Gifted. Or Talented, or New Humans," Tonks explained.
Hodge's eyes widened, and he held his breath. "You're saying… there are others like that magician?"
Tonks clammed up.
"Come on, you know I'm deep in this," Hodge said, leaning in. "Umbridge, that toad, dragged me in for questioning over Christmas. I even talked to Dumbledore about it—he told me everything!"
Tonks turned her head, clearly skeptical.
"It's true. You know what Dumbledore's phoenix is called? Fawkes. Kinda like you."
"Not even close," Tonks said, rolling her eyes. "You really know Dumbledore? Like, personally?"
Hodge met her gaze, nodding slowly with a serious, almost solemn expression.
"I could introduce you two," he said. "But, you know, Dumbledore's a busy guy. He might not reply right away."
Tonks wavered, her expression uncertain.
"Alright, I'll trust you this once," she said finally. "Truth is, this whole thing's been making waves in the Ministry…"
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