Who: Draco & Tonks When: evening, 13 January Where: Kew Garden Rating: G What: the passing of information
Tonks could not sit, pacing, instead, the frost beaten grass at the pagoda in Kew Garden as she waited for Draco to arrive. Though hesitant to use the same meeting place as their last, it was hardly a locale where they would be noticed. She took a deep breath, thinking over how close they seemed in these past few weeks, close and closer to confrontation.
Draco strided lazily over the grass, warm breath misting into a thick woolen scarf. Hands thrust deep into his pockets, he greeted Tonks with a nod and clicked his heels. "You called?"
He did not surprise her, though she could not disguise her relief in his greeting, his presence a small loyalty. "Remus isn't.... well enough to be here. But we needed to talk." Her eyes darted to the shadows, the wind that kicked and lifted evergreen branches. Her questions were too many, and so she held her tongue, waiting to see what he would offer, first.
"Tell him that I extend my regrets." Pause. "However, being that I have a greater amount of trust in you this will be much easier."
Tonks nodded. "Remus trusts where I trust." Her eyes were narrow, though not in judgment. "How goes your mission?"
"It is your burden, then. Not mine." Blink. "Slowly. My aunt is delayed, or is not happy to be working with me." He exhaled, watching the steam curl like smoke from his nostrils. "I will give you Antonio Zabini."
The name was one of vague familiarty, for the moment trumping her interest in Bellatrix. "And how shall you do that?"
The simplicity of his smile was something gentle working at all of the angles in his face, seeking to round them out. "A Gringotts' vault number with, I am sure, documentation of activities and monies, as well as an address."
Brows raised, impressed and pleased, Tonks relaxed considerably. "When?" A moment, her mind turning over and again. One enemy less was a celebration, indeed.
"Now?" was his single query.
Tonks could not escape a gasp and a laugh, the two mixed, choking in her throat. "You are a happy ally, indeed, Draco." Her wand was clutched in a deep robe pocket, her face lighting in excitement and determination. "And how shall we proceed, a fugitive and an auror?"
"In all carefuless and quietude, I am sure. I cannot risk being seen outside of these gates with you so here -- " A hand rose from his pocket to press a scrap of parchment in her hand. "Vault 562, and 24 Hyde Park Gate."
Pocketing the slip of paper with a glance spared to affirm his words, Tonks eyes returned to a study of his face. "Thankyou, Draco." She was not sure if the gesture was warranted, but she offered her gratitude all the same, because it was natural to her, because it seemed right. "Do you think Bellatrix suspects you?"
"You are welcome," he said, grateful for her own gratitute. The idea of doing something well; creating a right seemed advantageous and satisfying to him. " ... Bellatrix suspects everyone. She and I don't get along because she already thinks that my alleigance with Voldemort is not too high."
"She is too secure." Tonks did not, or could not, hide her disgust for the woman. "She'll falter in that, when the time comes."
"I would that you could take her down. Now."
Again Tonks' face betrayed her youth, her relief at recent fortune. "You're not the only one." Fists pocketed for warmth, now, as opposed to anxiety. "If you move ahead in your search, you must contact me. I hope, also, that you and Remus can meet soon, though I suspect Kingsley was sugar enough for a little while." Her grin was a wry one, and for a moment she could have been speaking idly, a woman outside of the war.
" ... I could not, not now. Too much suspicion is already cast about myself," he reasoned, raking a lock of hair from his eyes as he observed the thoughts that flickered over her countenance. "They would go after me. I will tell you that our first move, however, will be to Budapest. Shall I contact you there?"
The slip of paper near to burning against her thigh, Tonks nodded. "Yes. Though, if there is any suspicion on her part, leave off contacting me until you can be certain that you are free from her."
"You don't have to worry about that," he said with a tinge of laughter. Survival was, after all, the purpose of his game.