Author's Note: Time marches on, the Wizarding War waits in the wings. Anything you recognize does not belong to me.

The tea shop she sat in just off the main road leading into Hogsmeade was fussy as expected, though frankly Tonks was mostly relieved she wasn't meeting her aunt in Madame Puddifoot's. She drummed her fingers against the table, rattling her saucer and drawing haughty looks from the proprietor. Honestly, it was most unlike Narcissa to be late, and Tonks was starting to wonder if this had all been some sort of set-up.

Before Tonks had time to spiral into that train of thought, the door swung open and her aunt came sweeping through, looking entirely more harried than Tonks had ever seen her. Narcissa's normally impeccably coiffed hair was pulled up into a rough bun, her face was gaunt and mostly devoid of makeup, and she was wearing robes that looked distinctly rumpled. If Tonks hadn't known the woman on sight she would have had a difficult time believing that she was indeed Narcissa Malfoy.

Narcissa settled herself into the chair across from Tonks, looking around quickly as if making sure they weren't being watched, and filled her own teacup with shaking hands.

"Are you alright?"

Tonks surprised herself by speaking, and she apparently was not the only one. Her aunt's head snapped up abruptly and she spilled tea onto the tablecloth, quickly muttering a drying charm under her breath.

"I am... fine."

Tonks felt her eyebrow raise of its own accord.

"I need to speak to your mother."

Slowly sipping her tea, Tonks couldn't help feeling confused.

"Then why have you owled me to meet? Surely direct correspondence would have been easier."

"The outgoing mail is monitored. I can't be seen contacting my bloodtraitor sister. Letters to Hogwarts are far less unusual."

As much as she wanted to curse out her aunt for the 'bloodtraitor' remark, Tonks could see that the woman was genuinely distressed. Honestly it freaked her out just a bit.

"Alright. I can get my mother to owl you then?"

"No!"

Narcissa's outburst drew another haughty look from the woman who seemed to own the shop, and she quickly lowered her voice.

"No, nothing can be done by owl. Can you please get her to meet me at St. Mungo's? Which floor is she working on now?"

"Fourth floor, Spell Damage."

"Ask her for a convenient time and send me the reply."

Narcissa was gathering her things quickly to leave, and Tonks stood too after putting two galleons down on the table.

"I'm not a house-elf you know. If you want me to do this for you, you need to tell me why."

Shockingly, at that Narcissa's eyes flooded with tears. Tonks, deeply uncomfortable, almost wanted to take back the demand, but refused. She wouldn't play owl for her estranged aunt.

"Nymphadora..."

"No. Tell me or we don't have a deal."

Narcissa took a deep breath and swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.

"The rumours are true. The Dark Lord is rising, and I am in far over my head."

Stunned into silence by both her aunt's statement and its shaky delivery, Tonks dropped heavily back into her chair, barely noticing as Narcissa Malfoy made her hasty exit.