Dear Charlie

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I just wish I did.

Author's Note: This fic is based on two premises: 1) that Tonks and Charlie were in the same year at school and good friends. 2) That they left the year before Harry joined Hogwarts and went straight to work.

I am a die hard Lupin/ Tonks fan so this is not a romance fic. It's about friendship.

Now some shameless plugging. Go read fics by Koonelli, or Elsha and Mira, Or FernWithy. They're all worth your time.

Review and enjoy

Chapter 1: Old Friends, New Beginnings

London, October 20th 1988

Dear Charlie

How could you! How could you ignore me for the last week of term and then just run off to Romania without a backwards glance? Dragons, a likely story! Call yourself a Gryffindor? Well, as you obviously had to run away to avoid talking about what happened at the Leavers' Ball, I'll have to write it down here. I'm sorry, that was really uncalled for and self absorbed; I know how much you wanted that job and how perfect you'll be for it, but this does need to be said, so here goes. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry that I don't feel the same way, really I am, and I wish I did. I have to admit I knew you were headed that way. I should have said something sooner, but I didn't want things to change between us, you've been my best friend for nearly seven years now. I didn't mean to lead you on or anything, I'm sorry if you got the wrong idea. I do really care about you, I hope you know that. Can't we just forget about it? I wish… oh never mind. I'll change the subject.

Well, I did it! That's right; the person addressing you is the Auror department's latest trainee. The interview was pretty terrifying I'll admit. I sat at a big wooden desk opposite this man Scrimgeour (head of the Auror office himself no less) while he glared at me in a penetrating fashion. I felt like he was looking was right through me. You should see him Charlie; he looks exactly like a lion, bushy mane and all. I kept expecting him to roar at me. I could tell I wasn't what he expected, what with my pink hair and dragon hide boots and everything; I was trembling all the way through. In the end all he asked me about were my NEWTS and being a Metamorphmagus. He seemed quite interested by that, asked for a demonstration. Anyway, he must have seen something he liked because next thing I know I get an owl telling me I've got a place on the training programme. There's a long way to go yet but it's a start. The only thing I regret is not having you to laugh about it with.

How's it going in Romania? Are you absolutely freezing? Do you have hypothermia? I can't say really know what caring for Dragons involves. I have this vivid image of you in a woolly hat and big fur coat shaking your finger at this huge black fire breathing monster with red eyes looking a lot like Professor McGonagall at her most annoyed. Are you making friends and settling in? It's strange to think of you so far away with a whole new life of your own. Tell me all about it when you write back, if you write I suppose.

Oh Charlie! Do you remember the first Transfiguration lesson we had back in first year? I didn't hear a word Professor McGonagall said because you kept pulling faces at me. Then of course I had to pull a few back. The look on your face! I nearly died laughing. Don't let this ruin that. It's my first day tomorrow. Please write back Charlie, I miss you.

Hugs, Tonks xxxxx

888

Breen Dragon Reserve, October 30th, 1988

Dear Tonks

Thanks for your letter. I haven't laughed so much for ages. Look, I wasn't sulking, at least only partly. I actually was really busy at the end of term; this job application lark's no piece of cake. About what happened at the Leavers' Ball: it's fine, really, not a big deal. I'm over it, but you can't blame a guy for trying right? I never thought you were "leading me on". I took a chance and it didn't work out. That's all. I'm sorry I made things all complicated, and I'm sorry I was so moody. Let's just forget I ever said anything about it alright. Friends?

Congratulations on the training placement! You really deserve it. You're by far the brightest witch in our year, everyone knows that. I could just see you in Scrimgeour's office: him looking down his nose at you and you quaking in your (inappropriately rebellious dragon hide) boots. I even drew a cartoon, which is enclosed for your enjoyment. I always you knew you'd get on the training programme. How often do they find Metamorphmagi who are also first rate potion makers and experts on hexes, jinxes, curses and all other forms of nastily enjoyable defensive spell work? I like to think I had something to do with the last one- where would you have learnt a great thing like the bat-bogey hex if you hadn't needed it to get you out of all the trouble I got you into? Charlie Weasley- prankster extraordinaire etc. Not that you weren't a fabulous partner in crime of course. You're going to be an amazing Auror, I hope you know that. Don't let scary superiors intimidate you- you always stood up to Snape.

Romania is even more amazing than I thought it would be. Bloody freezing of course, but it's worth it. You have absolutely no idea how awe inspiring it is to be close to these creatures. The reserve is huge and up in the mountains away from the muggles. The scenery is absolutely stunning; great dramatic craggy snow covered mountains like something out of a gothic novel. I am out doors a lot ( so you were right about the hat and coat- there are also a scarf, gloves, woolly jumpers and many, many layers of socks) but what I mostly do is track the dragons movements, leave food piles, and occasionally bring individuals in to check up on their health. We monitor the general wellbeing of the animals at the reserve, and most of their activity by way of research. There's a lot of paperwork as well if I'm honest, record keeping and all that. The most exciting thing I've done so far is to visit a nesting sight. We had to go in the middle of the night, while the mother was out hunting, so as not to disturb her. It was right up on high on ledge, we had to use brooms to get there, and right in the middle of all this dark stone were three granite grey eggs, big as my head. It was, incredible. The people here seem really nice, though as they're mostly Romanian communication is difficult at times. Luckily, one of the only other British people here is my partner. Her name is Lucy Penhallow and she's a couple of years older than me, a Hufflepuff. We have passionate discussions about Quidditch and she shows me around. I think I'd be a bit lost without her to be honest. You'd like her.

There's so much I miss about home though, Quidditch, Mum and Dad, fish and chips, all that sort of thing. I wish it wasn't so far away. I hear that idiot Wood's been made captain of the Gryffindor team, he'll be just awful! It's odd think that tomorrow's Halloween and they'll be having the feast at Hogwarts without us. I can't get used to the idea of being and adult with a job. Anyway, I've rambled long enough Wish you were here. Hope it's all going well in training.

Best wishes, Charlie xxxxx

P.S I think I may have frostbite.

888

London, November 10th, 1988

Wotcher Charlie

Thanks so much for the letter and the cartoon. The latter is now in pride of place on my bedroom wall, I smile every time I look at it. You always were a brilliant artist. Thanks for being so sensible and understanding. I felt so much better reading what you said. Sorry it's taken me so long to reply

Romania sounds completely amazing, I'm so glad you're settling in and enjoying yourself. I vaguely remember Lucy Penhallow from school. Cornish accent, blonde, freckles, chaser on the Hufflepuff team- am I right? I know how much you must be enjoying yourself, it all sounds really interesting. I couldn't do it though- I'd run a mile at the merest hint of a dragon and the constant cold, ugh! I need my sunshine- even if it is only one day a year in Britain. How's the frostbite, clearing up? The research side of it sounds fascinating though, they're so rare that monitoring must be vitally important. It's naturally to feel a little disorientated at first, you'll fins your feet soon enough.

I'm unbelievably busy here at the moment. I thought nothing could be harder work than NEWTS, turns out I was wrong. Auror training is pretty damn stressful. At moment I'm taking an intensive course in dark art detection, without the use of magical equipment. It's tough both mentally and practically. I have a test next Friday, worst luck. I ought to be revising but whenever I try all I get is my professor (a mad bat of an ex-Auror called Alastor Moody) screaming "CONSTANT VIGILANCE". I'm feeling vaguely panicky about it now actually. I love my classes and Moody is a dear really, but I'm starting to doubt I'm up to the job. Ah well, all I can do is work insanely hard. Coffee is quite literally all that's keeping me going at the moment.

I definitely know what you mean about being an "adult". The worst part was moving out of the house. Mum cried and then I cried because she was crying. I love my flat though, even if it is tiny and a complete rubbish tip ( Remember my room at home? Multiply that mess by ten and you'll have some idea of the state my flat is in.) It's not perfect but it's mine. That means something. I guess we'll both have to get used to independent and out in the big wide world. I miss Hogwarts.

Cheers, Tonks xxxxx

P.S. It's raining here.

888

Breen Dragon Reserve, December 13th, 1988

Dear Tonks

Merry Christmas. Use the Holiday to relax a bit

Hope you like the present

Best wishes, Charlie xxxxx

P.S I have flu

888

London, December 20th, 1988

Dear Charlie

Have a very happy Christmas. At least you'll have snow.

Hugs Tonks xxxxx

P.S. I saw the present and thought of you

so that's the end of chapter 1. please review with your comments. I welcome constructive critiscism. Chapter 2 coming soon.