"Ask The Readers" (lol)

[shimotsuki]

LJ seems to be working now. ...Mostly. So I thought I'd stretch it a little and post a poll, heh.

Seriously, there's something that's been a sticking point for me in working out Kaleidoscope (my Remus/Tonks fic series), and that is how to incorporate Tonks's "tea and sympathy" scene with Molly at the Burrow. The Tonks in my head isn't the type to mope or pine just because she can't have the man she wants, so I think there's more than that going on (frustration, anger, worry). But then for this reason, I feel like the beginning of HBP is too early in the timeline for Tonks to have given up on her chances with Remus -- not to mention that there need to be that "million times" when they argue.

So I've written a piece for day_by_drabble where I try to flesh out what is going on with Tonks in that scene from HBP, and I would love some feedback on whether it works for (a) canon Tonks and (b) Kaleidoscope Tonks (if you've been reading the series).

The drabble: Invitation (326 words | PG, mild profanity)

[Poll #1765853]
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Comments

[hrymfaxe.livejournal.com]

I need an option that is more positive of your take on this. ♥

Just because we see Tonks only being sad and moping around, doesn't mean that she isn't also very angry. ;)

[merryb87.livejournal.com]

It really is the most frustrating thing about Tonks I think. In OoTP we see this a take action, take no bullshit kind of girl. Then in HBP we see her completely defeated, depressed and all because of Remus?

Personally I always thought that more had to be playing into her emotions, other than the fact that Remus is rejecting her. Fear, anger and sadness about the war and the deaths, the fact that she is overworked and perhaps under appreciated.

I think you have a great start, as to why she was feeling what she was feeling. Go with what you think, what you wanted to have happen and how you think it could fit into Tonks' character and the canon.

You won't be able to please everyone, but if you write it so it's believable and your heart is it, then it will come off.

I hope I was helpful, and I can't wait until to see the finished project!

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

I'm with hrymfaxe: you need another poll choice that says 'Yes!' :D

As for canon Tonks, JKR kept it apparently simple - Tonks looks down and mousey, Molly's worried, Hermione has a valid but something of a red herring theory why - so even Harry would notice and we would as readers in turn think, ooh, mystery! But I think there are plenty of hints that this was far from a simple case of girl losing boy and girl is upset.

I've always interpreted the tea and sympathy line as Molly having heard Tonks out with her fears regarding the mission facing Remus, and the frustration of their personal situation with his "We can't be together but I look and sound really miserable throughout HBP as well" stance (oddly, he doesn't get the stick for this that Tonks does!). I certainly think she doesn't want to look at Dumbledore because she's angry.

Order members are dying now, not simply having near misses like Arthur, and Fudge makes a point of saying how low morale is at the Ministry after the death of Amelia Bones while the Aurors are out each day trying to run down Voldie and his followers. No wonder Tonks looks "drawn" when Harry sees her here with all this going on - she'd be a fool not to. So, yes, I'm all in favour of your Tonks having and showing complex emotions at this point; it's something I believe she must have.

[sspring92.livejournal.com]

OOH, an in depth R/T analysis! I love it!

I have been thinking about this way too much since I first read your post!

I agree that there had to be more than abject depression over her love life causing all her issues in HBP. I'm sure the war, basically being a double agent, working constantly and having the man you love bail on her was all too much.

It must have been infuriating for her as well to have Remus decide what was best for her, for them, with out really taking her feelings into account. Especially when she knew that he really did love her, and that all this was completely unnecessary. She had no way to comfort him and she needed comforting too. It would make her feel helpless.

I think that, as fic has taught us, Tonks' romantic history would probably be filled with men who wanted her to be someone else for them. I'm sure it would also not be easy to be a young woman in a man's job. Remus is someone who didn't judge her wild hair or clumsiness, respected her job and didn't look at her with suspicion as some in her colleges in both the Auror dept and maybe even the Order might, because of her heritage and abilities. I think Remus is probably the one person who she really did care what they thought of her (except maybe for Moody). When he didn't trust her enough to be able to handle their relationship, that would certainly knock her for a loop.

And on a side note, I have never liked the tendency for fic to turn her into an utter klutz! She knocked a plate off a wall and tripped on an umbrella stand in the book. But that tends to get taken to extremes sometimes. I really don't think she could have been an Auror if she couldn't walk through a room without falling down or pick up a plate without dropping it!

[mrstater.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you definitely need more poll options. ;)

I think your characterization is dead-on, and I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to review your drabble properly! There must be a lot at play for Tonks--and I think at this stage she'd still be vulnerable from her injuries at the DoM--and I think not really grasping the enormity of Remus' mission at this point--i.e., not seeing exactly the toll it will take on him or knowing the full danger at this point--would have her too angry to see him at that point (or afraid she'll make a scene in front of others). So your take totally makes sense to me without Tonks coming off as being all wibbly over a boy.

I liked what sspring92 said about Tonks resenting Remus making the decision for her. That'd be a hard pill to swallow for a girl who went into a largely non-girl profession! She probably feels at this point that if anybody neesd protection, it's Remus, and that Dumbledore is doing this all wrong sending him out into danger.

Excited to see where you go with this. :)