Tonks stepped forward and looked Douglas over carefully.
"Good morning, Douglas. Nice outfit! This badge..."
Gasps immediately rose from the crowd. This was only the second person they had heard address their professor that way.
Douglas cleared his throat.
"Mr. Black, please take them over first. Percy, you and Penelope help Mr. Black."
With that, he dragged Tonks aside under the students' avidly curious gazes.
Without moving his lips, Harry quickly murmured to Ron and Hermione beside him, "She's Sirius's cousin..."
Hermione glanced quickly at Sirius and whispered back, "You can certainly tell they're cousins."
Percy gave his two restless younger brothers a tap on the head, then whispered to his girlfriend, "I'll tell you their story later."
Then he straightened his clothes and led the group toward the square with a serious expression.
Seeing Tonks staring at his badge, Douglas shrugged.
"Don't even think about it. Only current Hogwarts students are eligible for this medal... But how come you're on this operation? I thought you'd been assigned to..."
Tonks raised an eyebrow, and her hair instantly turned yellow.
She also cleared her throat, a proud expression appearing on her face.
"You know how busy things are at the Ministry right now. Lots of people have been transferred elsewhere. Naturally, someone as talented as me was sent to the front lines to capture Dark Wizards. As for Peter... Of course I hope he turns up. If I can score a major achievement while I'm here, all the better."
Douglas merely said quietly, "Blondes have always been the prickly, proud type."
Sunlight spilled over Godric's Hollow, bringing warmth and tranquility to this peaceful land.
The Ministry of Magic had requisitioned the pub in the center of the little village of Godric's Hollow without its Muggle owner's knowledge.
After the Hogwarts students