Ginny Weasley (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} toomanybrothers) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} resurrectio_rpg,@ 2008-05-12 00:32:00 |
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WHO: Ginny Weasley and Nymphadora Tonks
WHAT: Nail painting and talking
WHERE: Gryffie Tower
WHEN: Sunday afternoon
WHY: Because Tonks wanted girly bonding time with her honorary lil sis
RATING: G
STATUS: Started but incomplete
No one could say Nymphadora Tonks was a boring professor. She loved her students something fierce and it showed in each and every activity she planned. She was much like Hagrid in her 'hands on approach' but, luckily, didn't think putting her students in danger wise. Instead, she planned fun lessons that got the pupils interacting and truly interested in the subject matter.
Tonks knew Transfiguration was easy for her, but truly believed anyone capable of learning it if he or she put mind to it. As such, her classroom was relaxed, warm, and full of the slightly mischievous attitude that Tonks could not help radiating. Some might have said that Tonks, in her late 20s, needed to 'grow up,' but those would be looking at the surface. They'd fail to see how forgiving and understanding she was, and, perhaps more importantly, how much of herself she put into everything she did.
Considering her 'black sheep' status among her mother's family, the loss of those she loved to war, and the incessant rebuking of Remus Lupin not that long ago, it was almost a wonder she could smile at all. It took courage to plaster a smile on her face and keep hoping for the best, but she did it as best she could. More importantly, she wanted to share that love of life with those around her, especially those she adored. And, naturally, one of those she adored most was a certain Ginny Weasley.
Tonks had always wanted siblings and felt the Weasleys very lucky to have each other. As such, she latched on to them, loving them as her own. However, when it came to the youngest Weasley, Tonks also felt a fierce protection. Thus, feeling that Ginny might not have been her usual self, Tonks decided they needed girl time. Of course, in pure Tonks fashion, she didn't tell Ginny ahead of time. Instead, she chose to barge into Gryffindor Sunday afternoon. "Ginny! Ginny, love? Where are you? I think I need someone to paint my toe nails. You know, the muggle way!"
Ginny really hadn’t been herself lately and even she couldn’t quite figure out why. This entire year seemed to be a bit wonky and while she was trying her best to keep things as normal as she could, the fact was, they weren’t normal. The war had left a lot holes that everyone seemed content to ignore for the most part and while Ginny wasn’t one to leave her emotions too much on her sleeve, the fact that everyone would rather pretend to be alright just made her feel a bit uncomfortable.
She’d been spending a lot of her free time out on the pitch. It helped to clear her mind and relaxed her a lot, plus it was good practice for Quidditch. Most days after classes so long as the weather wasn’t completely wretched for flying conditions, she found herself running drills or simply doing laps on her broom. She also found she was sleeping better when her body was exhausted from exercise and she had fewer nightmares.
Today, however found her inside re-reading one of her books in the common room. She was curled up in one of the chairs on the far side of the room. She didn’t really want to be disturbed by obnoxious first years, plus it was relatively quieter over there. She’d gotten fairly decent at ignoring the general chaos that could become the common room on a day-to-day basis (she figured it was the growing up with Fred and George) and so when the portrait hole opened, it wasn’t until she heard her name specifically that she even glanced up.
Spotting her Transfiguration professor, the redhead couldn’t help but give a grin. Tonks had always been like a big sister to her, and even though she was technically a professor now, it didn’t really change the fact that the pair had a strong bond.
“Hiya, Tonks.” Ginny said as she pulled herself out of her chair, not remembering the polite moniker for the older girl. “What’s this about painting toes?” She gave a stretch to ease her muscles and set her book down as she crossed the room.
Like Ginny needed to address Tonks with any fancy title. Hell, the Auror hated when her students deemed her 'Professor' never mind the girl she loved like a baby sister.
She was pleased to find Ginny sitting there. It would have been dreadfully embarrassing had Tonks just bellowed into an empty room, after all. She beamed at the girl, rushing over to hug her about the shoulders, but tripped on a hitch in the rug. Stumbling, she managed to avoid a total wipe-out by hoisting her body on its hands. "Oy!" She shook her head, laughing to herself. She blew some red hair out of her face, pausing herself up. "As I was doing…" She threw herself at Ginny. "I feel like we never spend proper time together anymore." She held on for a moment longer before pulling away to wave a bottle of bright pink nail polish. "I need to. Badly. And it's fun to do it like the muggles. Bonding and all."
Ginny managed to stifle a laugh as Tonks nearly wiped out, but caught herself at the last second. She welcomed the hug with a broad smile and gave her older friend a tight squeeze. “I know. It’s my fault and all, been training a bit hard this term.” She said a bit sheepishly. She didn’t add in the part where she didn’t feel like she’d be much fun to be around lately as that usually tended to cause worry.
At the sight of the bright colour of nail polish Ginny couldn’t help but let out a mildly relieved sigh that the stuff wasn’t going on her toes. It wasn’t exactly her shade, after all. In fact, Ginny could count on one hand the number of times she’d even had nail polish on her person at all. “Alright, alright.” She conceded with a laugh. “C’mon then.” She gestured over to where she’d been sitting and took a seat on the floor.
Tonks did as Ginny bid, but didn't remove her sandals straight off. Instead, she chose to study the girl's face for a few seconds. "Love, I hope you are not working too hard. Your mum will likely find a way to blame me for that, you know." She winked teasingly. "Not taking care of her baby girl and all." A tender expression crossed Tonks' face as she spoke of the Weasley matriarch. Other than Andromeda, Molly was the finest woman Tonks had the pleasure of knowing.
Still joking, Tonks nudged Ginny's knees with her feet. "Besides, it's your last year. Need to have some fun, you know." If anyone deserved it, Ginny sure did. Along with Harry and Ron and Hermione and…well, countless others who had suffered thanks to the blasted war.
Ginny gave a half-smile to Tonks at her concern but shook her head. “Promise I’m not working too hard.” She said as convincingly as she could. After all…what was too hard? When it came to Quidditch it was all the same after all. She’d rather improve her game than almost anything else. Deep down, she was still harboring absurd dreams of becoming a pro-Quidditch player. She knew it was a bit far-fetched and a girl of sixteen ought to get a more realistic goal in sight, but she couldn’t help it. Ever since she saw Charlie play all she wanted to do was play Quidditch for a living. Well that and be married to Harry Potter, the hero of her bedtime stories, but that was neither here nor there.
“Second to last year.” Ginny reminded her with a playful nudge back. “You get me for another year and all.” She assured her. “And Quidditch is fun.” She opened the bottle of pink liquid and scrunched her nose at the smell. “Let’s see those toes then.”
"Oh, brill! That means I'm not so old!" Tonks chuckled at her mistake. "You always seem older, Gin. I know Ron's still here, but considering how close you are to that lot…" She finally pulled off her sandals, wiggling her toes toward Ginny. "Clean feet. Cross my heart!" Pulling out her 'pig nose' she aimed to make the Gryffindor laugh. She had certainly enjoyed it at that Order meeting if Tonks remembered correctly. And Ginny deserved to laugh.
“Far from old, Tonks.” Ginny laughed, assuring her friend. “Mind you, once I start getting old, I’ll be sure to remind you that you’re ancient compared to me.” She gave a wink to show she was only kidding. Her smile faltered for a moment when Tonks mentioned her being close to “that lot”. She caught herself after a brief second and went right on back to grinning. She wasn’t sure Tonks came to hear about how things were still so odd and awkward between all of them. It was hard to explain anyhow, but Ginny felt like an outsider again, and it was certainly not a feeling she appreciated.
“Well good, otherwise, I’d be writing straight to your mother and telling her how you forgot to wash between your toes!” Ginny teased grabbing her friend’s foot, tickling the underside with a wicked grin. When Tonks pulled out her pig nose, Ginny broke out into a small fit of giggles. She didn’t know why that one seemed so ruddy amusing, but it looked particularly silly on Tonks.
"Ohhh!" Tonks shrieked as her toes were tickled. "You know how ticklish I am! Oh!" Dissolving into laugher, tears actually sprung to Tonks' eyes! "Oh!" She gasped, "My ribs! You, you…you silly thing!" She playfully slapped Ginny's arm. It felt good to just be friends again, rather than professor and student.
Ginny relented and released the foot, grinning wickedly at her mate. “Oh…are you a mite ticklish, Tonks?” the redhead asked with a sort of mock innocence.
"You are a mean, mean girl, Ginny Weasley." Tonks held a hand to her forehead in pure thespian fashion. "Why do I keep you again?"
“Because I’m ruddy adorable for starters.” Ginny said with a toothy grin. “And then there’s the fact that you positively adore me.” She added with a solemn nod.
Tonks pretended to think that over for a moment. Faking a sigh, she leaned back on her elbows, smirking. "More like I'm using you to get to Charlie. Don't tell Remus." Unable to keep a straight face at that, Tonks buried her face into her chest, giggling. "Oy, like we wouldn't wind up killing each other, yeah?" Besides, if anyone knew how dedicated Tonks was toward Remus it was Ginny.
Ginny laughed and gave a roll of her eyes. “The pair of you would have a house burned down within the week.” She grinned. “You make a great pair of best mates, but as far as y’know, that stuff goes, I think you’d drive each other mad or something.” Ginny laughed again. When she was younger she was convinced the pair would get married and then she and Tonks would be sisters for real. That dream however, was short lived, and eventually the younger girl accepted the fact that Tonks would simply be honorary family, and that was just as good anyhow.
More than 'just good' as far as the new Transfiguration professor was concerned. For someone with so little family to acknowledge her, Tonks relished those who loved and accepted her, faults and all. "Stop stalling. My nails are hideous!" Still teasing and smiling, Tonks added, "And you need to tell me about you. I've missed you, Gin." Her tone became more serious as she uttered that confession
Though Ginny was a far cry away from having a “little bit of family”, she knew just how important family was and she knew how much Tonks valued it as well. “Alright, alright!” Ginny laughed, grabbing her friend’s ankle again and carefully taking the pink brush to the nail.
“I’ve missed you too, Tonks.” Ginny said in a moment of rare sentimentality. “But really, there’s nothing much to tell at all. M’very boring y’know.” She gave an innocent smile, raising her eyebrows a bit.
"Hardly." Tonks scoffed at Ginny's modesty. "Come on now, love…when was the last time we chatted? I mean really?" Tonks didn't want to push and so she didn't make her tone serious; instead choosing to remain flippant.
Merlin, it really had been ages since they’d talked properly like. “I dunno…I’ve been training loads and trying to keep up in my classes. Mind you, Potions is probably the worst about it what with essays being due every ten minutes, but other than that, I’ve not been up to much. S’been a rather wonky term and all.” The redhead shrugged and turned her attention to making sure she wasn’t getting nail polish all over Tonks’s foot.
At the mention of Potions class, Tonks giggled. "Helga, don't I remember that. I used to think he just didn't have better things to do other than read our wretched essays, but, honestly, if they are as terrible as he claims…" She whistled. "Never will understand that man, Merlin help me."
“Really now. He’s always complaining about how bleeding awful they are, why does he keep assigning them then?” Ginny sighed and shook her head. “’Course, it likely as something to do with learning a lesson properly or something of the sort. Probably something all to close to what Mum would say…” Ginny grimaced at the thought. “Your class is brill though.” She added with a smile.
That gave Tonks pause. She really worried about her students enjoying learning. Tonks had hated academics when she was younger even if she had she excelled in nearly all her subjects. Studying had been a boring chore which she didn't agree with in the least. The mind was something to be sharpened not stifled. "I try…I want…" She shrugged, allowing her self-doubt to crease her facial features. She didn't like most seeing her like that, but Ginny was safe.
Ginny gave a reassuring smile and gave Tonks’s knee a gentle squeeze. “Really, your lessons are a right sight better than most. Though, Professor Lupin does give you a run for you gold and all.” She teased lightly. Truth be told, even if she wasn’t close to both of them on a personal level, they’d be her two favorite classes without a question.
At that, Tonks blushed. Not just at the admiration, but at being compared to her boyfriend. Tonks admired Remus not only for his adorable smile, but his brilliant mind. It was what had originally attracted her to an 'older' man and, honestly, that was the best feeling Tonks had ever had. Though she had done well in lessons, feeling as if she could match Remus on an intellectual level…it let her confidence soar.
"Well, now, that's high praise." She admired her toes. "Brilliant job. You seem right girly now. Where's my mate, hm?" She leaned in, kissing Ginny's cheek in a very sisterly way.
Ginny smirked when she made Tonks blush. She knew her friend was modest and a little on the self-conscious side when it came to her teaching abilities, but Ginny certainly thought she was doing a bang up job, and she hadn’t heard any complaints from her classmates at any rate.
“S’deserved praise.” Ginny rephrased with a grin. When Tonks mentioned her being girly Ginny rolled her eyes. “Just because I’ve acquired a skill over the years in no way constitutes me as girly.” She laughed. “Though, admittedly, I think this is the best it’s ever come out when I was the one holding the brush.”
Tonks could only hope Ginny was correct in that assertion. Changing the subject, she peered closed to her nails. "You charmed it didn't you? That's how this beautiful accident happened?"
Ginny laughed, shaking her head. “Please, I’m not that good at Charms.”
Tonks shoved Ginny's shoulder. "Alright, I suppose I can trust you. This one time."
“I’ll be sure to go ahead and botch it something fierce next time then.” Ginny teased, sticking her tongue out in a childish manner.
Tonks was pleased to have Ginny teasing her back. It felt like old times, before the war soiled everything. She hoped it could continue and didn't dare bring up the things she really wanted to ask. Mostly concerning Harry and Ginny's own feelings in the aftermath. "How sad. What will Remus say if I have botched toes?"
“Well, of course he’ll be completely appalled and he’ll have to go and find a serious bird with reasonably unbotched toes.” Ginny said a bit sarcastically before laughing. “Either that or he’ll love you a bit more for your individuality and wonderful choice in non-girly mates.”
"Aw, blimey, and here I thought my endless array of hair colours were enough!" To illustrate her point, Tonks allowed her hair to shine in a bright pink shade.
“Well, y’know, Professor Lupin is a complicated bloke. It takes more than a bit of hair colours to win his heart like.” Ginny teased. “Botched toe nails, an array of funny noses, your bubbly personality. All of those things together like.”
"Yes, well, I'm lucky." Letting her voice lower, she added gently, "Just like you'll be with some bloke one day. The best one out there."
Ginny’s grin faltered again and she looked away with a small sigh. “Yeah.” She said vaguely. It was just a shame that the best one out there was a bit preoccupied with being all sorts of wonky after the war and hadn’t really talked to her since they’d come back to school.
Still refusing to push, Tonks simply rested a hand on Ginny's arm, smiling gently. "Yeah."
Ginny was grateful when Tonks didn’t push. It was something she loved about the older girl. She knew when and when not to press subjects. Ginny turned back to her friend and gave a small tightlipped smile. “Right, well, are we doing your fingernails to match then?” Ginny asked in an attempt to change the subject.
"Actually..." Tonks nodded toward Ginny's.
It took Ginny a moment to realize what Tonks was suggesting. But when she did she gave her friend and incredulous look. “You can’t be serious.” Was all she said.
"Pleasssse? It'll make me happppppy." Tonks gave her best puppy face, sticking her lower lip all the way out.
“But…But it’s pink! And sparkly like! And…and PINK!” Ginny said as if that were plenty reason enough for her to keep the offending liquid far away from her toenails.
"Well, we can change the color," Tonks pointed out. "Um...red?"
Ginny was frantically searching for another reason she could possibly give, but after seeing the look in Tonks’s eye, she knew she was done for. “There’s absolutely no way I’m getting out of this, is there?” She asked with a defeated sigh.
"Just the toes! No one will see!”
“You realize that’s what you said the last time and then Fred and George teased me for a week?” Ginny laughed, though she was already taking off her sock.
Smirking, Tonks waved the polish with a flourish. Muttering a charm to make it a nice mauve rather than some bright color Ginny would want to puke at, she replied, "This is why you brush up on your spells. So you can sock them without getting dirty!"
Ginny studied the colour carefully before letting out a quiet sigh. It could be much worse. At least it was better than that pink. Not that it looked bad on Tonks. Looked brilliant on the Transfiguration professor. Problem was every color looked brilliant on Tonks. Ginny didn’t have that luxury.
“Yes, well problem with that is, now that they’ve got the shop, you never know if they’re going to try and get you back for socking them.” Ginny pointed out sensibly. ‘Course, there is always blaming it on Ron…” She mused with a grin.
WHAT: Nail painting and talking
WHERE: Gryffie Tower
WHEN: Sunday afternoon
WHY: Because Tonks wanted girly bonding time with her honorary lil sis
RATING: G
STATUS: Started but incomplete
No one could say Nymphadora Tonks was a boring professor. She loved her students something fierce and it showed in each and every activity she planned. She was much like Hagrid in her 'hands on approach' but, luckily, didn't think putting her students in danger wise. Instead, she planned fun lessons that got the pupils interacting and truly interested in the subject matter.
Tonks knew Transfiguration was easy for her, but truly believed anyone capable of learning it if he or she put mind to it. As such, her classroom was relaxed, warm, and full of the slightly mischievous attitude that Tonks could not help radiating. Some might have said that Tonks, in her late 20s, needed to 'grow up,' but those would be looking at the surface. They'd fail to see how forgiving and understanding she was, and, perhaps more importantly, how much of herself she put into everything she did.
Considering her 'black sheep' status among her mother's family, the loss of those she loved to war, and the incessant rebuking of Remus Lupin not that long ago, it was almost a wonder she could smile at all. It took courage to plaster a smile on her face and keep hoping for the best, but she did it as best she could. More importantly, she wanted to share that love of life with those around her, especially those she adored. And, naturally, one of those she adored most was a certain Ginny Weasley.
Tonks had always wanted siblings and felt the Weasleys very lucky to have each other. As such, she latched on to them, loving them as her own. However, when it came to the youngest Weasley, Tonks also felt a fierce protection. Thus, feeling that Ginny might not have been her usual self, Tonks decided they needed girl time. Of course, in pure Tonks fashion, she didn't tell Ginny ahead of time. Instead, she chose to barge into Gryffindor Sunday afternoon. "Ginny! Ginny, love? Where are you? I think I need someone to paint my toe nails. You know, the muggle way!"
Ginny really hadn’t been herself lately and even she couldn’t quite figure out why. This entire year seemed to be a bit wonky and while she was trying her best to keep things as normal as she could, the fact was, they weren’t normal. The war had left a lot holes that everyone seemed content to ignore for the most part and while Ginny wasn’t one to leave her emotions too much on her sleeve, the fact that everyone would rather pretend to be alright just made her feel a bit uncomfortable.
She’d been spending a lot of her free time out on the pitch. It helped to clear her mind and relaxed her a lot, plus it was good practice for Quidditch. Most days after classes so long as the weather wasn’t completely wretched for flying conditions, she found herself running drills or simply doing laps on her broom. She also found she was sleeping better when her body was exhausted from exercise and she had fewer nightmares.
Today, however found her inside re-reading one of her books in the common room. She was curled up in one of the chairs on the far side of the room. She didn’t really want to be disturbed by obnoxious first years, plus it was relatively quieter over there. She’d gotten fairly decent at ignoring the general chaos that could become the common room on a day-to-day basis (she figured it was the growing up with Fred and George) and so when the portrait hole opened, it wasn’t until she heard her name specifically that she even glanced up.
Spotting her Transfiguration professor, the redhead couldn’t help but give a grin. Tonks had always been like a big sister to her, and even though she was technically a professor now, it didn’t really change the fact that the pair had a strong bond.
“Hiya, Tonks.” Ginny said as she pulled herself out of her chair, not remembering the polite moniker for the older girl. “What’s this about painting toes?” She gave a stretch to ease her muscles and set her book down as she crossed the room.
Like Ginny needed to address Tonks with any fancy title. Hell, the Auror hated when her students deemed her 'Professor' never mind the girl she loved like a baby sister.
She was pleased to find Ginny sitting there. It would have been dreadfully embarrassing had Tonks just bellowed into an empty room, after all. She beamed at the girl, rushing over to hug her about the shoulders, but tripped on a hitch in the rug. Stumbling, she managed to avoid a total wipe-out by hoisting her body on its hands. "Oy!" She shook her head, laughing to herself. She blew some red hair out of her face, pausing herself up. "As I was doing…" She threw herself at Ginny. "I feel like we never spend proper time together anymore." She held on for a moment longer before pulling away to wave a bottle of bright pink nail polish. "I need to. Badly. And it's fun to do it like the muggles. Bonding and all."
Ginny managed to stifle a laugh as Tonks nearly wiped out, but caught herself at the last second. She welcomed the hug with a broad smile and gave her older friend a tight squeeze. “I know. It’s my fault and all, been training a bit hard this term.” She said a bit sheepishly. She didn’t add in the part where she didn’t feel like she’d be much fun to be around lately as that usually tended to cause worry.
At the sight of the bright colour of nail polish Ginny couldn’t help but let out a mildly relieved sigh that the stuff wasn’t going on her toes. It wasn’t exactly her shade, after all. In fact, Ginny could count on one hand the number of times she’d even had nail polish on her person at all. “Alright, alright.” She conceded with a laugh. “C’mon then.” She gestured over to where she’d been sitting and took a seat on the floor.
Tonks did as Ginny bid, but didn't remove her sandals straight off. Instead, she chose to study the girl's face for a few seconds. "Love, I hope you are not working too hard. Your mum will likely find a way to blame me for that, you know." She winked teasingly. "Not taking care of her baby girl and all." A tender expression crossed Tonks' face as she spoke of the Weasley matriarch. Other than Andromeda, Molly was the finest woman Tonks had the pleasure of knowing.
Still joking, Tonks nudged Ginny's knees with her feet. "Besides, it's your last year. Need to have some fun, you know." If anyone deserved it, Ginny sure did. Along with Harry and Ron and Hermione and…well, countless others who had suffered thanks to the blasted war.
Ginny gave a half-smile to Tonks at her concern but shook her head. “Promise I’m not working too hard.” She said as convincingly as she could. After all…what was too hard? When it came to Quidditch it was all the same after all. She’d rather improve her game than almost anything else. Deep down, she was still harboring absurd dreams of becoming a pro-Quidditch player. She knew it was a bit far-fetched and a girl of sixteen ought to get a more realistic goal in sight, but she couldn’t help it. Ever since she saw Charlie play all she wanted to do was play Quidditch for a living. Well that and be married to Harry Potter, the hero of her bedtime stories, but that was neither here nor there.
“Second to last year.” Ginny reminded her with a playful nudge back. “You get me for another year and all.” She assured her. “And Quidditch is fun.” She opened the bottle of pink liquid and scrunched her nose at the smell. “Let’s see those toes then.”
"Oh, brill! That means I'm not so old!" Tonks chuckled at her mistake. "You always seem older, Gin. I know Ron's still here, but considering how close you are to that lot…" She finally pulled off her sandals, wiggling her toes toward Ginny. "Clean feet. Cross my heart!" Pulling out her 'pig nose' she aimed to make the Gryffindor laugh. She had certainly enjoyed it at that Order meeting if Tonks remembered correctly. And Ginny deserved to laugh.
“Far from old, Tonks.” Ginny laughed, assuring her friend. “Mind you, once I start getting old, I’ll be sure to remind you that you’re ancient compared to me.” She gave a wink to show she was only kidding. Her smile faltered for a moment when Tonks mentioned her being close to “that lot”. She caught herself after a brief second and went right on back to grinning. She wasn’t sure Tonks came to hear about how things were still so odd and awkward between all of them. It was hard to explain anyhow, but Ginny felt like an outsider again, and it was certainly not a feeling she appreciated.
“Well good, otherwise, I’d be writing straight to your mother and telling her how you forgot to wash between your toes!” Ginny teased grabbing her friend’s foot, tickling the underside with a wicked grin. When Tonks pulled out her pig nose, Ginny broke out into a small fit of giggles. She didn’t know why that one seemed so ruddy amusing, but it looked particularly silly on Tonks.
"Ohhh!" Tonks shrieked as her toes were tickled. "You know how ticklish I am! Oh!" Dissolving into laugher, tears actually sprung to Tonks' eyes! "Oh!" She gasped, "My ribs! You, you…you silly thing!" She playfully slapped Ginny's arm. It felt good to just be friends again, rather than professor and student.
Ginny relented and released the foot, grinning wickedly at her mate. “Oh…are you a mite ticklish, Tonks?” the redhead asked with a sort of mock innocence.
"You are a mean, mean girl, Ginny Weasley." Tonks held a hand to her forehead in pure thespian fashion. "Why do I keep you again?"
“Because I’m ruddy adorable for starters.” Ginny said with a toothy grin. “And then there’s the fact that you positively adore me.” She added with a solemn nod.
Tonks pretended to think that over for a moment. Faking a sigh, she leaned back on her elbows, smirking. "More like I'm using you to get to Charlie. Don't tell Remus." Unable to keep a straight face at that, Tonks buried her face into her chest, giggling. "Oy, like we wouldn't wind up killing each other, yeah?" Besides, if anyone knew how dedicated Tonks was toward Remus it was Ginny.
Ginny laughed and gave a roll of her eyes. “The pair of you would have a house burned down within the week.” She grinned. “You make a great pair of best mates, but as far as y’know, that stuff goes, I think you’d drive each other mad or something.” Ginny laughed again. When she was younger she was convinced the pair would get married and then she and Tonks would be sisters for real. That dream however, was short lived, and eventually the younger girl accepted the fact that Tonks would simply be honorary family, and that was just as good anyhow.
More than 'just good' as far as the new Transfiguration professor was concerned. For someone with so little family to acknowledge her, Tonks relished those who loved and accepted her, faults and all. "Stop stalling. My nails are hideous!" Still teasing and smiling, Tonks added, "And you need to tell me about you. I've missed you, Gin." Her tone became more serious as she uttered that confession
Though Ginny was a far cry away from having a “little bit of family”, she knew just how important family was and she knew how much Tonks valued it as well. “Alright, alright!” Ginny laughed, grabbing her friend’s ankle again and carefully taking the pink brush to the nail.
“I’ve missed you too, Tonks.” Ginny said in a moment of rare sentimentality. “But really, there’s nothing much to tell at all. M’very boring y’know.” She gave an innocent smile, raising her eyebrows a bit.
"Hardly." Tonks scoffed at Ginny's modesty. "Come on now, love…when was the last time we chatted? I mean really?" Tonks didn't want to push and so she didn't make her tone serious; instead choosing to remain flippant.
Merlin, it really had been ages since they’d talked properly like. “I dunno…I’ve been training loads and trying to keep up in my classes. Mind you, Potions is probably the worst about it what with essays being due every ten minutes, but other than that, I’ve not been up to much. S’been a rather wonky term and all.” The redhead shrugged and turned her attention to making sure she wasn’t getting nail polish all over Tonks’s foot.
At the mention of Potions class, Tonks giggled. "Helga, don't I remember that. I used to think he just didn't have better things to do other than read our wretched essays, but, honestly, if they are as terrible as he claims…" She whistled. "Never will understand that man, Merlin help me."
“Really now. He’s always complaining about how bleeding awful they are, why does he keep assigning them then?” Ginny sighed and shook her head. “’Course, it likely as something to do with learning a lesson properly or something of the sort. Probably something all to close to what Mum would say…” Ginny grimaced at the thought. “Your class is brill though.” She added with a smile.
That gave Tonks pause. She really worried about her students enjoying learning. Tonks had hated academics when she was younger even if she had she excelled in nearly all her subjects. Studying had been a boring chore which she didn't agree with in the least. The mind was something to be sharpened not stifled. "I try…I want…" She shrugged, allowing her self-doubt to crease her facial features. She didn't like most seeing her like that, but Ginny was safe.
Ginny gave a reassuring smile and gave Tonks’s knee a gentle squeeze. “Really, your lessons are a right sight better than most. Though, Professor Lupin does give you a run for you gold and all.” She teased lightly. Truth be told, even if she wasn’t close to both of them on a personal level, they’d be her two favorite classes without a question.
At that, Tonks blushed. Not just at the admiration, but at being compared to her boyfriend. Tonks admired Remus not only for his adorable smile, but his brilliant mind. It was what had originally attracted her to an 'older' man and, honestly, that was the best feeling Tonks had ever had. Though she had done well in lessons, feeling as if she could match Remus on an intellectual level…it let her confidence soar.
"Well, now, that's high praise." She admired her toes. "Brilliant job. You seem right girly now. Where's my mate, hm?" She leaned in, kissing Ginny's cheek in a very sisterly way.
Ginny smirked when she made Tonks blush. She knew her friend was modest and a little on the self-conscious side when it came to her teaching abilities, but Ginny certainly thought she was doing a bang up job, and she hadn’t heard any complaints from her classmates at any rate.
“S’deserved praise.” Ginny rephrased with a grin. When Tonks mentioned her being girly Ginny rolled her eyes. “Just because I’ve acquired a skill over the years in no way constitutes me as girly.” She laughed. “Though, admittedly, I think this is the best it’s ever come out when I was the one holding the brush.”
Tonks could only hope Ginny was correct in that assertion. Changing the subject, she peered closed to her nails. "You charmed it didn't you? That's how this beautiful accident happened?"
Ginny laughed, shaking her head. “Please, I’m not that good at Charms.”
Tonks shoved Ginny's shoulder. "Alright, I suppose I can trust you. This one time."
“I’ll be sure to go ahead and botch it something fierce next time then.” Ginny teased, sticking her tongue out in a childish manner.
Tonks was pleased to have Ginny teasing her back. It felt like old times, before the war soiled everything. She hoped it could continue and didn't dare bring up the things she really wanted to ask. Mostly concerning Harry and Ginny's own feelings in the aftermath. "How sad. What will Remus say if I have botched toes?"
“Well, of course he’ll be completely appalled and he’ll have to go and find a serious bird with reasonably unbotched toes.” Ginny said a bit sarcastically before laughing. “Either that or he’ll love you a bit more for your individuality and wonderful choice in non-girly mates.”
"Aw, blimey, and here I thought my endless array of hair colours were enough!" To illustrate her point, Tonks allowed her hair to shine in a bright pink shade.
“Well, y’know, Professor Lupin is a complicated bloke. It takes more than a bit of hair colours to win his heart like.” Ginny teased. “Botched toe nails, an array of funny noses, your bubbly personality. All of those things together like.”
"Yes, well, I'm lucky." Letting her voice lower, she added gently, "Just like you'll be with some bloke one day. The best one out there."
Ginny’s grin faltered again and she looked away with a small sigh. “Yeah.” She said vaguely. It was just a shame that the best one out there was a bit preoccupied with being all sorts of wonky after the war and hadn’t really talked to her since they’d come back to school.
Still refusing to push, Tonks simply rested a hand on Ginny's arm, smiling gently. "Yeah."
Ginny was grateful when Tonks didn’t push. It was something she loved about the older girl. She knew when and when not to press subjects. Ginny turned back to her friend and gave a small tightlipped smile. “Right, well, are we doing your fingernails to match then?” Ginny asked in an attempt to change the subject.
"Actually..." Tonks nodded toward Ginny's.
It took Ginny a moment to realize what Tonks was suggesting. But when she did she gave her friend and incredulous look. “You can’t be serious.” Was all she said.
"Pleasssse? It'll make me happppppy." Tonks gave her best puppy face, sticking her lower lip all the way out.
“But…But it’s pink! And sparkly like! And…and PINK!” Ginny said as if that were plenty reason enough for her to keep the offending liquid far away from her toenails.
"Well, we can change the color," Tonks pointed out. "Um...red?"
Ginny was frantically searching for another reason she could possibly give, but after seeing the look in Tonks’s eye, she knew she was done for. “There’s absolutely no way I’m getting out of this, is there?” She asked with a defeated sigh.
"Just the toes! No one will see!”
“You realize that’s what you said the last time and then Fred and George teased me for a week?” Ginny laughed, though she was already taking off her sock.
Smirking, Tonks waved the polish with a flourish. Muttering a charm to make it a nice mauve rather than some bright color Ginny would want to puke at, she replied, "This is why you brush up on your spells. So you can sock them without getting dirty!"
Ginny studied the colour carefully before letting out a quiet sigh. It could be much worse. At least it was better than that pink. Not that it looked bad on Tonks. Looked brilliant on the Transfiguration professor. Problem was every color looked brilliant on Tonks. Ginny didn’t have that luxury.
“Yes, well problem with that is, now that they’ve got the shop, you never know if they’re going to try and get you back for socking them.” Ginny pointed out sensibly. ‘Course, there is always blaming it on Ron…” She mused with a grin.