"Alastor, Frank, Gideon," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes glinting sharply behind his half-moon spectacles, "later tonight, the three of you will head to the Tonks residence in London's East End. The Death Eaters are planning an attack on Ted and Andromeda Tonks and their family."
"Is Mundungus's information reliable?" Gideon Prewett asked, frowning.
Dumbledore inclined his head slightly, his long beard swaying with the motion. "While Mundungus may sometimes… prioritize certain entrepreneurial ventures, this time his sources are trustworthy."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over every member of the Order of the Phoenix in the room. "Andromeda is a Black, and she married Ted, a Muggle-born. To those obsessed with blood purity, this is an unforgivable betrayal."
"I suggested they relocate immediately," Dumbledore continued, "but Ted believes this could be an opportunity to capture a few Death Eaters. After all, passive defense is rarely the best strategy."
Snape looked up, a dangerous glint flashing in his dark eyes. He glanced at Dumbledore, silently questioning whether he could take out the Death Eaters directly. But Dumbledore caught his gaze and gave a subtle shake of his head, signaling him to remain silent.
Moody stood abruptly, his wooden leg thudding against the floor. "Then let's not waste time. We need a plan."
Dumbledore waved his wand, and a map materialized in the air, clearly displaying the neighborhood around the Tonks residence.
"Alastor, you'll lead the team," he said. "Arrive early and set up an ambush. Additionally… take Severus and Lily with you this time, but they're not to engage in combat. Let them observe and get a feel for real-world operations."
Alice gripped Frank Longbottom's hand tightly before letting go.
"Be careful," she said softly.
Ten minutes later, Moody, Frank, Gideon, Snape, and Lily stood before the fireplace, ready to travel via the Floo Network to the nearest Order safehouse fireplace.
"Remember," Dumbledore said in a final warning, his voice cutting through the crackle of the flames, "your primary mission is to protect the Tonks family, especially their four-year-old daughter. Avoid casualties if possible."
Green flames roared to life, and the five Order members vanished one by one into the fireplace.
When they stumbled out of the fireplace at the other end, a light rain was falling outside. Fine droplets formed silvery threads under the dim streetlights.
"I'll lead the way," Gideon said quietly. "I've been here once before, for their wedding. It's two blocks from here."
"Wait," Moody said, raising a hand to stop them before they left the safehouse. "We can't just walk out like this."
"Everyone except Gideon, cast Disillusionment Charms on each other," he ordered gruffly, his wand already in hand. "Marching out in plain sight as a group isn't exactly clever."
Snape and Lily faced each other, tapping their wands lightly on each other's heads.
The air shimmered with ripples, and their figures gradually faded, blending into the surroundings.
"Now we're good," Moody's rough voice echoed from the empty air. "Gideon, lead on."
"When we get there, crouch down and pretend to tie your shoelace. We'll go in first. You keep walking, find a quiet spot to cast the charm on yourself, then come back."
Following Gideon, they moved silently through the misty rain. The warm glow of lights from the houses along the street contrasted sharply with the tension in the air.
Near Bethnal Green, a two-story red-brick house came into view. Gideon crouched as planned, pretending to adjust his shoelace.
The front garden was filled with blooming geraniums and roses. Among the flowers, a heavyset man with golden hair was pruning branches in the rain, his movements leisurely, as if this were just another day tending to his garden.
As Moody passed invisibly, he brushed lightly against him.
Ted Tonks understood immediately. He set down his shears, climbed the steps, opened the front door, and called out loudly, "This rain's getting worse! Bloody weather!"
"Come in quick," Ted whispered from inside, his eyes scanning the street warily.
"Leave the door open for a bit," Moody murmured in Ted's ear, his voice barely audible. "Gideon's not in yet."
The Order members slipped inside, moving behind a screen in the entryway to lift their Disillusionment Charms. Four figures gradually materialized in the hall.
In the living room, a woman knelt on the carpet, watching over a little girl with pink hair. The girl turned, her heart-shaped face and bright black eyes studying the strangers with curiosity.
When the woman looked up, Snape's breath caught despite himself. For a moment, he thought he was seeing Bellatrix—same striking features, same high cheekbones, same aristocratic jawline.
But a closer look revealed the differences. Andromeda's hair was a soft, light brown, her eyes larger and gentler than her sister's, her lips curved with a natural, welcoming smile. She carried none of Bellatrix's menace.
"Thank you for coming," Andromeda said, her voice trembling slightly. "When we got Professor Dumbledore's message, we could hardly believe it…"
"You're brave," Moody said gruffly, his eyes still scanning the windows. "Don't worry, we'll protect you. And we'll teach them a lesson."
Little Tonks wobbled toward the strangers, gazing up at them with curiosity. Her hair suddenly shifted from pink to bright blue, then to purple.
"Wow!" Frank exclaimed. "Her hair!"
"From the day she was born, Nymphadora's hair has changed colors," Andromeda explained, a proud smile momentarily easing her worry. "She's a natural Metamorphmagus."
"Are you all Aurors?" Tonks asked, her dark eyes wide. "Like the ones in the papers? The best wizards?"
"We're the best wizards, alright," Moody said, a rare, softened smile breaking through his stern expression, though it looked slightly menacing on his scarred face. "Don't worry, little one. We'll keep you safe."
"I'm gonna be an Auror too," Tonks declared seriously. Then her nose suddenly doubled in size, and she giggled at her own trick.
"That's impressive," Snape said, crouching to meet her gaze, a smile tugging at his lips. "Tonks, with that talent, you're born to be an Auror!"
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