[Kaleidoscope drabble] Unnamed fic, under construction

[shimotsuki]

As much fun as I've been having with Chalion and Vorkosigan fics and all lately, I really do think of my Remus/Tonks series Kaleidoscope as my main fic project -- and yet it's been ages since I've managed an update. This summer I've been poking away at a major expansion and rewrite of "Blindsided," which was one of the earliest R/T drabbles I'd written, but it's going horribly...I keep rewriting and rewriting and I just can't make it work. (I need to have Remus grieving for Sirius and worrying about Greyback and falling for Tonks all at the same time, and he will not cooperate, darn him.)

So, partly inspired by katyscarlett76's posting her bittersweet Tonks drabble today, I thought I would shake off the jinx by making myself sit down and get started on an entirely different piece of the series, and post the first scene as a drabble. This installment doesn't even have a title yet, but the idea has been in my head for a couple of years, and I've known all along it would be from Arthur's POV -- Molly's had her say, and now it's his turn!

In Which Tonks Has News For Arthur [a story in search of a title]
(500 words | PG)

Arthur knew something was going on when he heard the heavy boots come clomping his way.

“Weasley. I need a word.”

He looked up from the tottering pile of confiscated artifacts that threatened to spill over the edges of his desk and met the eyes of one haughty, scowling Auror Tonks.

“Yes?” He raised a cool eyebrow and turned back to the Runman—that was what it was called, wasn’t it?—anyway, the thing had been enchanted to hypnotise anyone who put its headtones on. Diabolical, really.

“I don’t think your department is being careful enough about those Metamorph medals.” She sauntered into his office, in that arrogant way Aurors have when they’re dealing with the rest of the Ministry, and pushed the door shut behind her.

And then her whole face lit up. “Arthur! You’ll never guess what’s happened!”

He sagged in relief—nothing was wrong, not this time. And he couldn’t help but smile at the sheer joy in her grin. “What is it, then?”

“Remus and I are getting married!”

“Really?” He jumped up and hurried around his desk to give her a hug. “Congratulations! That’s wonderful!”

“Yeah. Erm.” Tonks turned slightly pink under her ice-blue bob. “We’re doing it this afternoon, actually.”

Arthur blinked. “I see.” Well, things did happen quickly in wartime.

The pink went pinker. “And, erm, we were wondering—would you stand up for us, as a witness? Remus has gone to the Burrow, to ask Molly, too.”

“I—” Arthur shook his head. “I’d be delighted, Tonks, you know that, but—what about your parents?”

Tonks’s chin came up. “There’s no time. They’re away on holiday, and there’s no way to get a message to them fast enough. And if they Apparated back here and came straight into the Ministry, people would notice.”

Arthur thought about how he would feel if Bill ran off and married Fleur without waiting for his family. But then he looked at Tonks again, and saw the tears in the corners of her eyes.

“It’s Umbridge’s new legislation, isn’t it,” he said quietly.

Tonks nodded, and this time the scowl was real. “You’ve heard about it, too? I got the word straight from Runcorn. No Dark creature to be a legal party to any contract or license... It could go through any day. Tomorrow, even.”

“Of course I’ll do it.” Arthur squeezed her arm. “I’m honoured to be asked.”

Her smile returned. “We thought of you and Molly at once—you were cheering for the two of us all along.”

“And I’m already in the building,” said Arthur dryly, “and Molly stops in to collect me sometimes, so no one’s going to think anything of it if she appears this afternoon.”

“Yeah.” Tonks’s grin turned, well, Marauderish. Sirius would have been proud. “And so the Order will put one over on the Ministry, again.”

to be continued...

.

Comments

[mrstater.livejournal.com]

Now, how did I never think of Remus and Tonks eloping without her parents being present or privy? That could easily lead to a situation that Remus might interpret as them being disgusted.

This is really lovely. I love Arthur's thing about the Runman (well, people do listen to them while jogging!) and the headtones. And Tonks sauntering in like an arrogant Auror. And then her tears and Arthur's quick-thinking, and knowing this is really going to hurt Ted and Andromeda. So many details, such great characterization packed into this.

Really looking forward to seeing how you expand this!

[mrstater.livejournal.com]

Oh, just wondered about this:

“Really?” He jumped up and hurried around his desk to give her a hug. “Congratulations! That’s wonderful!”

“Erm.” Tonks turned slightly pink under her ice-blue bob. “This afternoon, actually.”

Should there be a "When?" in there from Arthur? I didn't really follow from one line to the other easily.

[shimotsuki.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I'll give this some thought -- Tonks is just fumbling toward trying to ask Arthur to stand up with them, but if you think the transition is hard to follow, it probably is! Thanks for catching it.

Anyway, thanks so much for the comments -- I'm glad you thought the overall premise looks like it could work! It was fun writing Arthur not quite getting the Muggle vocabulary right (hee). And actually, for some reason, I've always imagined Molly and Arthur as the only ones at the wedding, but it did take a while to figure out just why Ted and Andromeda wouldn't have been there.

(Very much looking forward to day_by_drabble for more writing inspiration, by the way!)

[mrstater.livejournal.com]

Maybe you don't need a prompting from Arthur...Maybe indicate that Tonks takes more of a pause before she says, "Erm..."? Because after I read through it twice, I realized what you were doing, but it did take twice. See if anyone else mentions it! I could always be tired. :)

The Tonkses being on holiday is perfect! I thought your explanations really worked.

And we're all ready to go for Friday at DBD! I'm excited about it, too (though scrambling to get caught up on narnia_exchange, femgenficathon, xmenbigmang, and a Tangled Exchange before the drabbling commences. Nearly gave up on FemGen but then tonight a Downton Abbey piece (Cora and the girls) came together for me, so I can hopefully finish that up tomorrow or Thursday, and I'd like to write at least one more piece for FemGen, but I have yet to begin on that Big Bang...I'm overextended, LOL! But having so much fun. :D

[shimotsuki.livejournal.com]

.Maybe indicate that Tonks takes more of a pause

Great minds think alike? That's pretty much what I just tried, I think. ;)

Goodness, you've got lots of fic going -- that's fantastic. Especially if there's some Downton!

[mrstater.livejournal.com]

Goodness, you've got lots of fic going -- that's fantastic. Especially if there's some Downton!

I very nearly called it quits on the Cora fic, but made myself have another go tonight at Starbucks and it suddenly all slotted into place. I'm convinced it was the Toffee Nut Latte.

[bookish-brownie.livejournal.com]

Very nice. I like this manner of announcing their engagement, how it's hurried and joyful and bittersweet. It seems very appropriate for good old Remus and Tonks.

[shimotsuki.livejournal.com]

Thanks! "Hurried and joyful and bittersweet" really does pretty much sum it up for these two, I think.

[sspring92.livejournal.com]

Yay new fic! I agree with mrstater[Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]. I have always pictured Molly and Arthur and perhaps Madeye andKingsley as the only guests! I always fancied the idea of Madeye giving her away in Ted's absence.

[shimotsuki.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, having Mad-Eye give Tonks away would be a really sweet idea, too. There are so many interesting ways to play the "quiet wedding"! Thanks for reading. :)

[jobey-in-error.livejournal.com]

I loved the rushed, brisk sort of joy (and defiance?) of this drabble.

My favorite part by far was Tonks putting on the "imperious" thing so well (of course she would be able to! she's a Black!) and then immediately lighting up and being her real self, energetic and sincere, the second the coast is clear. *fangirls her so hard in this moment*

[shimotsuki.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks. I fell into this ship because I loved Remus, but writing Tonks and really thinking about her hard has made me love her too. Glad you thought she was worth fangirling here!

[zia-montrose.livejournal.com]

Delightful drabble. I loved the opening with Arthur's 'tottering pile of confiscated artifacts' and his interpretation of the Walkman, haha. (I've always had a soft spot for Arthur. Don't know if I've mentioned it.) I also liked Tonks' speedy change of façade and Umbridge being to blame for the hasty nuptials. Clever.

I do hope you get Remus straightened out for your longer piece. Given that you have the best interpretation I've run across of him in fandom, I trust you can do it.

And since I briefly caught your meet-up post the other day, I've been meaning to say that I'm not surprised you get carded at the liquor store occasionally. ; )

[shimotsuki.livejournal.com]

Hi! I hope things are going well with you! And I'm honored that you came by to read this little anti-writer's-block exercise. :)

Thanks so much for the comments, and for such kind words about my version of Remus (goodness!). I will be wrestling with that other piece again over the weekend (unless this one takes over my brain?).

I love Arthur, too. He just comes across to me as so fundamentally kind -- more so than Molly, who has her judgmental side.

I'm not surprised you get carded at the liquor store occasionally. ; )

Hee! I've been growing my hair longer this summer (it was pulled up that night for the heat), and the gray really shows now...

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

The very thought of Arthur using the hypnotic 'Runman' is worthy of a comic fic of its own! But I'm very glad it's an R/T one from you; I hope the one giving you fits decides to behave soon (especially as it sounds like one I want to read now).

I loved the contrast in Tonks' public treatment of Arthur and the difference when she can be her honest, engaging self. It's easy to imagine Aurors having a certain authorative swagger around the Ministry and poor Arthur does seem to be on a very lowly rung of the ladder. Which makes it all the nicer that he and Molly are the people Remus and Tonks want most as witnesses. (I'd love to know what Remus says to Molly - and how many words he gets out before she hugs him.:D)

I also like the way you've set up future friction with the Tonkses: as Tonks explains it, timing is urgent and essential here, but I can't help but think they're not going to see missing their only daughter's wedding quite like that.

I'll be looking eagerly forward to more! And I do like the reference to Marauderish Sirius and his relative invoking memories of him.

Do you need a 'he' in the opening line? :)

[shimotsuki.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked the Arthur/Muggle items moment. ;) And as always it's so reassuring to see you picking out things I had been wanting to do with this, like play off the tensions in the Ministry (I'm assuming Order members are still playing it cool, even though the higher-ups likely have dossiers on all of them by now), and set up future tensions in the Tonks family.

Do you need a 'he' in the opening line? :)

Just a BIT! Thank you for catching that!

[katyscarlett76.livejournal.com]

Yay to more fic!

I really liked the image of the imposing Auror Tonks, our girl's totally a badass when she wants to be! And then the change to her usual bubbly self as soon as the door closes is adorable :)

I liked how you mixed Arthur's happiness for them with acknowledgement of how he would feel if Bill did similar, that felt very natural. It also set up an interesting approach to the Tonkses reaction to their marriage which I don't think I've seen before.

Great stuff! Can't wait for more!

[shimotsuki.livejournal.com]

So glad you liked Tonks putting on her act here! :)

And thanks for your comments on Arthur and the parental perspective on the emergency elopement. I was thinking this whole situation might be interesting from the point of view of someone currently in the throes of planning for his own child's wedding.