Title: In The Hands Of The Law
Character Pairing: Bill Weasley/Nymphadora Tonks
Prompts: Trick: Puking Pastilles, Treat: Crisp autumn air, Location: Knockturn Alley
Rating: R
Word Count: ~2025
Summary: It was only supposed to be a quick trip to Knockturn Alley in order to do a favour for the twins. Bill never reckoned his actions would attract the attention of Magical Law Enforcement.
Author's Notes: Thanks to my dearest
sdkshelly for beta and hand-holding. I couldn't have done it without her. It was also her astute suggestion that Aurors should have some kind of hand-held communication device, hence the mobile fire call.
I cannot explain why Tonks sounds like a 1970s British tv copper. I can only assume she's channelling Gene Hunt from Life On Mars/Ashes to Ashes.
Bill took in a deep lungful of crisp autumn air as he headed out of Donovan's Esoteric Emporium, his purchases safely stowed in his rucksack. He hoped Fred and George appreciated the lengths he was going to for them, although somehow he doubted it. The shops on Knockturn Alley were not places he preferred to frequent as a matter of habit, but the twins had begged him to pick up some items they needed to tweak their Skiving Snackboxes, and Bill had obliged them.
He knew his mother would murder him if she had any clue that he was indulging the twins in their endeavours, let alone purchasing Class C Non-Tradeable substances for them. However, Bill thought his brothers' ideas were clever, and he liked the notion of helping them to perfect things like their Puking Pastilles and Nosebleed Nougats. It was a shame there had been nothing of the kind back when he'd been in school. Even a model student like Bill had needed to skive off every once in a while, and the twins' innovations would have been extremely useful.
Being in Knockturn Alley hardly unnerved him. It wasn't his first trip there, and given his line of work, he supposed it wouldn't be his last. Still, he would be happy to back into the familiar territory of Diagon Alley before anyone caught sight of him. He promised himself an ice cream at Fortescue's on the way back as a treat for his hard work and troubles. It was a bright, warm October day, and there was nothing he wanted more than to sit outside, bask in the autumn sun, and indulge himself in a scoop of pumpkin chocolate chip ice cream.
As much as he'd enjoyed his time in Egypt, Bill had missed England terribly. He loved the cool, damp air, experiencing actual seasons, and even - or perhaps especially - the weather. There was no snow in Egypt, and barely any rain, and life without either seemed terribly wrong. It felt good to be back home.
"Now then, now then, what's all this, then?" Bill was shaken out of his reverie by the sound of an unfamiliar voice behind him, the tip of a wand pressing into the small of his back. "Shopping on Knockturn Alley, were we, sunshine? Ministry might be interested in what you've got in that bag of yours."
"Who the hell are-?" he started.
"Magical Law Enforcement. Auror's Department." There was a brief flash as a shining badge appeared under his nose. It looked legitimate.
As he started to turn to face his assailant, the wand dug in deeper. "Oi, stay right where you are. Drop your bag on the floor slowly, then hands up against the wall, and spread your legs."
Bill bit back an objection, his heart pounding, and did what he was told. Swallowing hard, he pressed his already damp against the cold brick of the alleyway. His wand was in his boot, no entirely out of reach, but he convinced himself to leave it there. A brave Gryffindor he might be, but he was hardly suicidal.
"Now, what's a nice bloke like you doing in a place like this?"
"I work at Gringotts," he said. "I was just having an artefact assessed at Donovan's." Bill sincerely hoped that if asked, Doyle Donovan would cover for him. He didn't reckon the purveyor of the Esoteric Emporium was going to admit to selling contraband if he could help it. "A lot of dodgy items are brought to us, and it's best to have them checked by an expert in the field."
"Hmm." The Auror's tone was sceptical at best. "I don't see any artefacts here. Unless you're concealing one somewhere upon your person?"
"Of course not. I left it at the shop."
"Best I take a butcher's and make sure you're not carrying anything illegal, mate. If you cooperate, it'll take a lot less time."
Bill bit at his lower lip, forcing himself not to answer back. Soft, feminine hands began sliding up the length of his legs from ankle to thigh, then paused to pat his buttocks. Her - the Auror was definitely a woman - fingers lingered on his bottom longer than Bill would have liked. His heart was pounding, his pulse racing, a heady mixture of adrenaline and unexpected arousal rushing through him. His jeans suddenly felt uncomfortably tight. "Look, you don't have to-"
"Sorry, old son, but I do. I'd be hardly doing my job properly if I just let you off without a thorough search. I've got to make sure you're not hiding anything here." She worked her hands between his legs, cupping his crotch and giving him a gentle squeeze through the thick fabric of his jeans.
That caused him to let out a small noise of protest as he jerked in her grip."Oi!"
"Now, now, temper, temper, Weasley."
Bill had never been so relieved to hear those words. He felt like a fool - of course he should've known it was her.
"We can do this here, or we can take it down to the Ministry..." She pressed herself up against his back, pushing his heavy ponytail aside with her free hand, and nuzzled the nape of his neck, her teeth grazing the exposed skin.
He'd have known the feel of those lips on the back of his neck anywhere. "Dora-" Bill groaned, trying his best not to squirm too much. "Are you deliberately trying to kill me?"
"I'm only doing m'job, Weasley," Tonks replied with a giggle. "Here I am, on patrol and minding m'own business when you come sauntering along looking all suspicious-like. I had to check you out, didn't I?"
"Suspicious? Me? Don't be daft, woman." It was difficult to sound miffed when she had him in such a vulnerable position, and his goolies in her grip. As much as he trusted his girlfriend, his bits were still a precious portion of his anatomy, and he didn't want them manhandled too much.
"Well, what are you doing here? It's not like you to be lurking in Knockturn Alley for a lark. And don't you dare give me any more porkies about some non-existent artefact, Bill Weasley. You're a bleedin' Cursebreaker. One of the best. You bloody well don't need any expert to verify cursed items for you." She bit down on his earlobe, her breath hot and moist as it ghosted against his skin. "You are an expert on cursed items."
Bill moaned again, before managing to get a coherent response out. "All right, all right. I ha-had to-had to pick up a parcel for the twins. Didn't ask what it was. Don't wanna know. Something for their experiments is all I know." When it came to Fred and George, plausible deniability was always the smartest and sanest option.
"Ah. You know, I think you might actually be telling me the truth." Tonks relaxed her hold on him.
Bill sighed in relief, and slumped against the wall, breathing hard. "Interesting interrogation technique, Auror Tonks. Do you always go straight for a bloke's knackers to get him to talk?"
"Nah, only with the really good-looking ones." She laughed, then pressed her lips to the crook of his neck.
"So, am I nicked or what?"
"Only if you want to be. Although I've left my handcuffs back in the office."
"Mmm, pity, that."
"Oh, you are a naughty boy, aren't you?" Tonks patted his arse again playfully.
Bill managed to twist around and finally face her. "Thought you'd sussed that out by now, woman," he said, before grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her in close to him. The hood of her Auror's robes fell back, revealing her hair. Today it was straight, falling onto her shoulders in a riot of Autumn colours: streaks of reds, golds, oranges and browns. She looked beautiful. Bill found himself staring at her, grinning like an idiot.
Scrunching up her nose, Tonks cast him a quizzical look. "What's the matter? You don't like it? Should I change it?"
"What? No - it's gorgeous. And so are you." Bending his head down, he kissed her full on the mouth, his arms going around her waist.
Giggling, Tonks kissed him back with enthusiasm, her lips tasting faintly like the cherry sweets Bill knew she adored. Her hands stroked down the line of his back, her fingers working their way into the pocket of his jeans to give his arse a gentle squeeze. Encouraged by her actions, he tightened his arms around her, his kisses growing increasingly harder as they continued.
Bill contemplated going further, not bothered by the fact that they were in the middle of Knockturn Alley. However, before he could do anything, he felt a strange vibrating sensation in his trousers. It took him several moments to realise that it was actually coming from somewhere in the vicinity of Tonks' robes rather than his own. She broke away abruptly, cursing under her breath, and fished something out of her pocket. It was a silver cylinder which fit in the palm of her hand, and resembled a Muggle cigarette lighter. It was shaking and buzzing loudly like an angry bee.
She flipped open the top and a small, bright flame appeared. Kingsley Shacklebolt's face shimmered within. "Tonks, you're needed back at the office," he intoned. "Scrimgeour's got an important case he needs us on."
Tonks pulled a face. "I'll be right there." With a sigh, she snapped the top shut and shoved the device back into her robes. "Bloody Rufus bloody Scrimgeour. Why's he got to interrupt me now? Doesn't he know I've got more important things to do - like snog my boyfriend?" she grumbled.
"Honestly," Bill replied with a shake of his head. He knew better than to argue with her.
Sighing, Tonks leant against him, resting her head against his shoulder. "I'm sorry, love. I really do need to take care of this." Her voice was tinged with regret. "Any chance of seeing you later tonight?"
"Of course. What time will you get off?"
She giggled. "Anytime you're ready to oblige me, darling."
Bill growled in feigned annoyance. He wanted more than anything to do something here and now, but that obviously wasn't going to happen. "I meant what time do you think you'll be able to come round? I'll make you a nice meal and everything if you think it'll be early enough."
"Hmm, dunno yet. I'll give you a fire call as soon as I can." Tonks gazed up at him, flashing him a winsome smile. "You know I'd much rather spend the evening with you than chasing after Dark Wizards, love."
He raised an eyebrow. "Even the good-looking ones?"
"C'mon, Weasley, you know you're the prettiest wizard of 'em all." Raising herself up on tiptoes, she planted a quick kiss on his lips. "I'm definitely in the mood for something hot and spicy tonight," she said with a suggestive smirk, her eyes dark and twinkling with mischief. "Reckon you can manage it?"
That elicited an amused snort from Bill. "I think that can be arranged, love."
The device in Tonks' pocket buzzed again. She frowned. "I really need to deal with that. Think you can stay out of trouble for a few hours?"
"I'll do my best." Bill reached for her and pulled her in for another lingering kiss. "Best bring those handcuffs with you to make sure, yeah?"
"Oh, you can count on it." She mussed up his hair before kissing him one last time. "See ya tonight, love." Laughing, she unwound herself from his embrace and smoothed out her robes before Apparating from the scene, leaving Bill all on his own.
With a knowing smile, he picked his rucksack up from the ground and slung it over his shoulder. He headed off in the direction of Diagon Alley and Fortescue's, savouring the warm Autumn sunshine. The next few hours would be shared with some pumpkin chocolate chip ice cream, his head filled with thoughts of a very willing and wicked young Auror. He couldn't think of a better way to spend the afternoon.