X-posted from nymphe at livejournal

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Weird "Tonks" and why Harry could not get into the ROR

JKR stated that Tonks was a red herring, but she never said how exactly. I think I have an idea how she was.

We learn in Chapter 3 that the Ministry of Magic issued the wizarding world a leaflet containing seven safety procedures. The fourth one is important since it requires one to read the next page:

4. Agree on security questions with close friends and family so as to detect Death Eaters masquerading as others by use of the Polyjuice Potion (see page 2).

I believe Rowling is giving us a strong hint here, saying we will see the Polyjuice Potion used in HBP as it was in CoS and GoF. If there is one thing I have learned from reading these books is that when Rowling states something twice, pay attention to it.

Harry has a habit of making note of a person's appearance when it is a bit off and he even remarks about Draco and Tonks' thinness being similar (Chapter 22). In Chapter 21, we learned that the Room of Requirements was being used by Draco, was Unplottable, the crying boy Myrtle met in a boys' bathroom was later confirmed to be Draco (Chapters 24), and Crabbe and Goyle have been Polyjuicing themselves into little girls to serve as lookouts (Chapters 14, 20, 21). Now let's skip ahead to the part after Harry's Invisibility Cloak slipped off of him while trying to get into the ROR:

Clue #1

"Harry?" He spun around, one-legged, and toppled over. There, to his utter astonishment, was Tonks, walking toward him as though she frequently strolled up this corridor.

Harry notices she is walking, without tripping, as if she had been there before.

Clue#2

"What’re you doing here?" he said, scrambling to his feet again; why did she always have to find him lying on the floor?

"I came to see Dumbledore," said Tonks. Harry thought she looked terrible: thinner than usual, her mouse-colored hair lank.

"His office isn't here," said Harry, "it's round the other side of the castle, behind the gargoyle —"

Tonks is only 22-23 years old and an Order member, so she knows full well where that office is. Harry gave her directions because she was in a seldom-used part of the castle. Since she and three other Aurors are stationed in Hogsmeade (Chapter 8), she is not supposed to be there.

Clue #3

"I know," said Tonks. "He's not there. Apparently he's gone away again."

"Has he?" said Harry, putting his bruised foot gingerly back on the floor. "Hey — you don't know where he goes, I suppose?"

"No," said Tonks.

"What did you want to see him about?"

"Nothing in particular," said Tonks, picking, apparently unconsciously, at the sleeve of her robe. "I just thought he might know what's going on. I've heard rumors...people getting hurt."

And Harry bought that lame excuse. Notice the nervous body language. Also, she is an Auror, so she should know about many investigations, since fellow Order member Shacklebolt works for the Muggle Prime Minister. Someone has to keep an eye on that branch of the Ministry. Might I also add that Draco has also been fidgety when it comes to the sleeves of his robe...

Clue #4

"Yeah, I know, it's all been in the papers," said Harry. "That little kid trying to kill his —"

"The Prophet's often behind the times," said Tonks, who didn't seem to be listening to him. "You haven't had any letters from anyone in the Order recently?"

She is an Auror, hello? Note Tonks is fishing for information; she never behaved like that in OotP. After the incident in the Ministry last year, Bellatrix could tell Draco who was there. After all, she taught him Occlumency (Chapter 15).

Clue #5

"No one from the Order writes to me anymore," said Harry, "not since Sirius —"

He saw that her eyes had filled with tears. "I'm sorry," he muttered awkwardly. "I mean...I miss him, as well."

"What?" said Tonks blankly, as though she had not heard him. "Well. I'll see you around, Harry."

Note the wording—"had filled" not "were filling." We assume "Tonks" is tearing up over Remus, but what if it is Draco had teared up in frustration over his assignment and not being able to get into the room? Tonks is an Auror and cannot afford to be that emotional on the job.

Clue#6

And she turned abruptly and walked back down the corridor, leaving Harry to stare after her.

And still no tripping? Does being lovesick improve her balance somehow?

Now we will skip ahead to Harry meeting his friends in the Great Hall.

Clue #7

"And what about you?" asked Hermione, ignoring Ron. "Have you been up at the Room of Requirement all this time?"

"Yep," said Harry. "And guess who I ran into up there? Tonks!"

"Tonks?" repeated Ron and Hermione together, looking surprised.

Harry's friends both know Tonks should not be there.

Clue #8

"Yeah, she said she'd come to visit Dumbledore."

"If you ask me," said Ron once Harry had finished describing his conversation with Tonks, "she's cracking up a bit. Losing her nerve after what happened at the Ministry."

"It’s a bit odd," said Hermione, who for some reason looked very concerned. "She's supposed to be guarding the school, why is she suddenly abandoning her post to come and see Dumbledore when he's not even here?"

Hermione was right to be concerned. Also, how hard could it be to Accio some hair strands from a posted guard?

Clue #9

"I had a thought," said Harry tentatively. He felt strange about voicing it; this was much more Hermione’s territory than his. "You don't think she can have been...you know...in love with Sirius?"

Hermione stared at him. "What on earth makes you say that?"

"I dunno," said Harry, shrugging, "but she was nearly crying when I mentioned his name, and her Patronus is a big four-legged thing now. I wondered whether it hadn't become...you know... him."

"It's a thought," said Hermione slowly. "But I still don't know why she'd be bursting into the castle to see Dumbledore, if that's really why she was here."

"Goes back to what I said, doesn't it?" said Ron, who was now shoveling mashed potato into his mouth. "She's gone a bit funny. Lost her nerve. Women," he said wisely to Harry, "they're easily upset."

Note the comments by Harry and Ron—I believe they are both misdirections. I am quite sure the other Aurors would have noticed her odd behavior, that she left her post, and then done something about it...like reassignment to a desk job for safety reasons. Also, I believe Tonks!Draco also had something to do with the Katie Bell incident (Chapter 12). No matter how depressed one can get, there is no reason "her" hair would have been "…soaked with sleet…" unless "she" was busy controlling Rosmerta and could not cast drying spells.

Now, why did Harry have so much trouble entering the ROR? At first, I thought Draco set it to allow only witches to pass, since all three Slytherins were Polyjuicing themselves into females and Trelawney was able to enter (Chapter 25). The simple answer would have been Draco asked it not to let Harry inside, but Harry was able to in Chapter 24. Could the Invisibility Cloak have interfered with the Room's magic? Doubtful, since he is still solid and alive. Could Draco have set it to register his blood, since Harry was running around the school covered with it (Chapter 24)? That would be too contrived an answer to be reasonable. Could the Room only read people who wish to hide something? That answer would satisfy the reason for all of its appearances in OotP and HBP, but not Dumbledore's discovery of it (GoF, Chapter 23). The Headmaster's need for a toilet narrows the answer down to one thing: desperation.

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I noticed something weird with Tonks in the very first couple of chapters... When Dumbledore takes Harry to the Burrow Tonks wont look in DD's eyes. Dumbledore also says something along the lines of "Dont leave because of me" but she leaves anyway, and they are described as apparating on the exact same spot... as in pursuit. Before the second of August I had always thought of this as evidence to my theory that members of the order were portraying Dumbledore in order to protect him... at that moment it could have been Lupin under polyjuice potion and that is why she acted so weird.... but now I think it could be something else....

great post though Silverness...


my original thoughts pre_August 2nd

Theory 1: Polyjuice Potion




but that has nothing to do with your theory except for the Polyjuice connections!

Hmmm ... typically I'd be inclined to shout RAZORO OCCUMO! and be done with the idea, but it is intriguing. The only thing I'd question is why Malfoy would disguise himself as an auror -- an auror whom, if he encountered, would likely blow him to smithereens? Wouldn't it have been easier for him to masquerade as say, Filch?

Ultimately, because Tonks' behavior in the scene doesn't deviate too far from her normal HBP personality, I'm disinclined to agree. But again, it is intriguing.

good one AD i was gonna say the same thing so i might aswell not put the qoute on cause you already did, i. i can say that there was something really wierd with tonks aswell but you have to consider that to take up the form the she had( by this i mean the new and shagy tonks) he still neaded hair from her in that state which means she was like that before malfoy polijuiced her this is of course if he ever did

that would be it

BLOODTRAITOR

Albus Dumbledore --

Yes, I do find Tonks very strange in HBP. That's an interesting theory you have there...I'll have to look into it some more...

chrth --

Well. If Draco had disguised as Filch, then he couldn't really expect to get much information from Harry or the others, could he? Tonks is Harry's friend. And plus, there would also be the risk of Draco getting caught if he were Filch...what if he accidently ran into the real one? With Tonks, it's a different kind of risk...but Tonks doesn't work at the school, so the chances of him getting caught are less likely.

And let's not forget -- Tonks is a female. This may be possible, but also unlikely -- but, Draco as a female may have been the way he had met Moaning Myrtle. Again, this is just another little guess that doesn't particularly relate to the theory.

bloodtraitor --

Also, I don't think Draco was disguised as Tonks in every scene in the book she was in. Just the ones I pointed out. I doubt he was Tonks back in Grimmauld Place

Wow, that was a good piece of writing, silverness. You had great evidence to back it up, and I agree with it all 100%, because I remember JKR saying Tonks was a red herring. And she had did have very strange behavior in the HBP compared to OotP. And you would think that if someone who looked like they were walking through Hogwarts nonchalantly would not have to ask where DD's office was. And the real Tonks would have to know, since she is an Auror and is part of the Order, and would have to send reports to DD personally, because you don't want something addressed to DD through owl post to get intercepted by the Death Eaters or anybody not on DD's side.

How would Malfoy know that Tonks was Harry's friend?

EDIT: More importantly, why would Malfoy had predicted that Harry would be looking for him? Shouldn't he have disguised himself as someone familiar to anyone, not just Harry?

SECOND EDIT: As for the 'have you heard anything from the Order' etc. exchange, I think Tonks is just concerned something may have happened to Lupin (because of his mission) and she's probably thinking Harry (or Dumbledore) would have heard before she or the prophet would.

Hello silverness,

I am trying to figure why you opened an identical topic in both Book 6 & Book 7 areas. You have been here long enough to know we do not permit duplicate threads, especially identical ones. Please PM me to explain what happened.

The other little problem is this thread has nothing to do with Book 7. The Book 6 thread is where everyone should be replying. However, I can not simply have this locked up and point to the Book 6 thread. Too many people have posted. I will have a Moderator review it to see what can be done.

k_weber08 --

Yup, my thoughts exactly. And thank nymphe for the writing


chrth --

I don't think Draco predicted that Harry was looking for him. I just think he was pretty much distracted in his mission...so he's trying hopelessly to fish for any information he could reach. And he thought Harry Potter would be a good source...with him being so close to Dumbledore and all. Draco does know Harry and Dumbledore are close, we know that much.

And again, Draco wasn't disguised as Tonks in every scene she was in. I doubt Draco was in love with Sirius. ^^'


gaburdette --

Actually, I haven't been here that long. I've only posted a few times. And I didn't think it would be such a problem...I would delete it if I had the option. And yes, I thought it would be revelant to both Book 6 and 7. I apologize for the trouble. >_<

did you write this.... or did someone else.... It is a great piece of writing as k_weber08 had stated before... but maybe you could give us the link to where you got it from so I can read some other things this person, whether it is you or not, has written

I don't have the link to nymphe's post...it's a messy arrangement of mems at livejournal, but I'll go take a look.

Hi there,

I've noticed that you've posted this in both the book 6 and book 7 area. Since it's more related to Book 6, however this thread has had more responses, I'm going to move this to the other area and close up the second thread. Please do not post a thread twice in the future, as one of them will get closed.

This is an interesting theory and I'm enjoying reading people's comments

I also like reading the responses here, its a really good and thought out theory. I can't really add anything, but I just want to get something cleared up...or ask something.

The Room of Requirement is on the 7th floor if I'm not mistaken. What floor is Dumbledore's office on? Tonks, or Draco disguised as Tonks, could have bumped into someone - anyone - along the way all the way up to the 7th floor that could have told her the same information. And then she walks back the way she came...instead of continuing her search on the 7th floor. Kind of makes you think

Still don't buy it, after re-listening. Tonks told Harry she'd already been to see Dumbledore, so she was on her way back from his office. It seems more likely to me (Razoro Occuma!) that Tonks was just wandering disconsolately. She's worried about Lupin, hasn't heard a word, knows he with the werewolves, etc. etc. Everything in her behavior is consistent with that--yes, even her walking normally instead of stumbling. Her stumbling seemed part of her bubbly nature ... with the bubbles evaporated, she can get along just fine.

As for her leaving her post, well, if Dawlish left his post to tail Dumbledore, why wouldn't Tonks leave hers?

Also, several people have mentioned that Tonks is a red herring. If that is the case, then that means Tonks' appearance is UNIMPORTANT, because that is what a 'red herring' means.



Just confirmed this isn't true (I know you're claiming it unlikely so this isn't designed as a counterargument) -- Ron/Harry first run into Myrtle in a boy's bathroom, and Myrtle gives every indication she's waiting for Draco there.

EDIT: Aha! p624, US TPB edition:
"And the meaning of Tonks' patronus and her mouse-colored hair, and the reason she had come running to find Dumbledore when she had heard a rumor someone had been attacked by Greyback, all suddenly became clear to Harry" [Emphasis mine]

While I'm sure this passage won't kill the topic, it seems to me that JKR, in writing it this way, is drawing specific reference to Harry meeting with Tonks and confirming its importance.

Pixymajik --

It's all worked out now.

El Barto --

Good point. And if I'm not mistaken, I do believe Dumbledore's office is on the third floor. Well, let's not forget that Crabbe and Goyle were in this too. They were also disguised as girls. And I'm assuming they were Draco's 'look outs'...so they would keep a look out to see if anyone was coming. I'm sure it's not that hard to find a hiding place in such a big castle.

Also, the Room of Requirement is on the 7th floor -- where Draco spends most of his time at...or otherwise, the bathroom. So it's likely you'd see Tonks!Draco up on the 7th floor.

chrth --

'Tonks' told Harry that 'she' was on her way to see Dumbledore. If 'she' was really Draco, then it's clear that he lied to Harry. Or, if she really was Tonks, I stilll don't see why she would be wondering aimlessly up on the 7th floor -- out of all places. It's too much of a coincidence. And I think there have been far too many little stumblings and 'picking at sleeves of robes' -- even for her bubbly nature.

As for the red herring, I don't think Jo would randomly throw Tonks in her odd behavior without it being important.

Why would Tonks be at school looking for Remus, when he's with the Order? Wouldn't it be easier to just check on him herself at the headquarters? I don't think she would go bother Dumbledore for something like this...she knows Dumbledore is busy, and she knows that it's her responsibility to keep her emotions in check. I can see her worried about Remus, but I can also see her as understanding that there are other important manners to deal with as well.

And to your recent discovery -- unfortunantly, I don't have the book with me at this time, so I can't go back and check to see the time events. The only attack I remember by Fenrir was the one Bill had to face. But that was much later on in the book. And Tonks has been acting odd throughout the entire book.

She's not looking for Remus, she's looking for Dumbledore. Lupin tells Harry at Christmas that he's underground with the Werewolves, not at the headquarters. She's heard word that Greyback attacked someone (turns out to be a 5-year old who dies), and she's concerned it's Remus that's been attacked.

And if it's her responsibility to keep her emotions in check, she's doing an awfully lousy job of it, as Snape notes.

chrth -- (how do you quote someone by the way?)

All right, I can see where you'd think Tonks would be in search of Dumbledore as a result of the attack. But still...why would she be all the way in th 7th floor when his office is on the 3rd? As I've said, it's too much of a coincidence. But...you may be right though...what you said could very well lessen the chances that Draco had been Tonks at the time.

Yet, I'm still nearly 100 % percent sure of this theory (including all the other things mentioned in the theory that doesn't relate to the scene in the corridor)...I really wish someone would ask Jo if Draco had been polyjuiced as anyone in Book 6 (even though we know she probably won't answer that directly). But the question would stump her, if the theory was true. If it wasn't true, then she would just shake her head and say 'no'. Really though...clever questions would be better than those annoying stupid questions out there little kids ask like, 'Are you going to write anything after Harry Potter?" or, "Are Ron and Hermione going to get together?"

Hmm well Ive been reading pretty good arguments. Its definite that Draco was Tonks at the time if that makes sense. Why would she be on the 7th floor? For What? Why? How? Why would she get off her post? Shes supposed to protect the school.

On the 7th Floor:

Ok, some people seem hung up on this. First, the easy part: Tonks is supposed to be protecting the school...so how is she unable to protect it if she's in it? I would think the easiest place to protect the school would be from inside it -- but that's just me. In addition, I'm sure the aurors take breaks now and again, right? Or are they expected to be standing rock-solid 24 hours a day 7 days a week staring at the school from outdoors?

Now, the question everyone seems to be falling apart over: why is Tonks on the 7th floor? Hasn't it occured to anybody else that the reason she's on the 7th Floor is (Razoro Occuma!) she's looking for the Room of Requirement? I'm sure everyone in the Order is aware of it because of the DA's activities last year. Tonks, having graduated about 4-5 years earlier probably stil remembers the painting of Trolls in Tutus.

So, we're going to use Tonks' perspective: she hears about a Greyback attack, but no word on the victim who she fears is Lupin (because of his mission). She takes a break (or just leaves her post like Dawlish did) and goes to see Dumbledore. Dumbledore isn't there ... frustrated, Tonks remembers the Room of Requirement. She goes up to the 7th floor, and she's walking past the wall, concentrating in order to get the room she needs--hence why she's walking normally. She doesn't get a room though, either because her encounter with Harry occurs before she walks past it three times, or because Malfoy is still in there and the Room of Requirement can only be one room at a time, and she's not looking to hide something.

Ok guys, here's my thoughts on this theory:

Silverness great theory! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one... I've been thinking about this each time I re-read HBP...

Something isn't *right* with Tonks in book 6.

First, I haven't seen anyone cite OotP yet, so here are some quotes that I think are important.

1.p. 803 OotP, US edition:
Bellatrix hits Tonks with an unnamed spell.
There is no description of the colour or sound the spell makes. It is a non-verbal spell. It is likely very powerful, and it was cast by Bellatrix to harm or kill Tonks.

2. p. 822 OotP, US edition:


Am I the only one who gets a funny feeling on reading this? Have I been reading too many threads about the Longbottoms and what might be happening in St. Mugo's?
I don't think so... I think that when Tonks was in St. Mugo's she may have had her memory, thoughts or mind tampered with by some of the "healers".

Also, why would Tonks need to *go to* Hogwarts in the first place? I mean, it has been stressed over and OVER again that the Order has many means of communicating with its members... only a person who can't conjure a fully corporeal Patronus would need to *go to Hogwarts to contact DD*!!!
(Can Malfoy conjure a Patronus? I wonder what his MOM'S (Narcissa) Patronus looks like?)

This might be important when you consider:


Now why would Tonks be surprised at Snape's observation if changing your Patronus' shape was normal? Why would she be angry at Snape for noticing it and mentioning it?
Most curious.

Also, as chrth points out, why would *Tonks* need to go to the room of requirement?

Why wouldn't she know where DD's office was - from her time in school and in the Order?

Why in book six is she suddenly more graceful and able to do things she couldn't before (like jumping off of moving trains with perfect landings, walking along without stumbling, not tripping over her own feet)? I dunno, but when I am really occupied about something or really bummed out, I am *more likely* to run into stuff, bump into things or trip over my own feet... her gracefullness doesn't sound like someone who is worried about someone they love or sad about the loss of a family member.

I think that whoever is pretending to be Tonks has fallen in love with Lupin (or is merely ACTING like she is in love with him) in order to provide cover for her changed appearance and mood. I think it is also a way that that person can get back at Lupin eventually and hurt him or kill him to further the cause of The Dark Lord and Fenrir Greyback.

I do NOT believe that the Tonks in book six is the same as the Tonks I loved in book five.

(My personal theory is that Narcissa and Draco Malfoy are Polyjuicing to impersonate Tonks.

I believe that they are holding Tonks captive in thier mansion. Remember how they had a large secret chamber that Lucius stored Dark Magical Items in? I think they have another such chamber/room and that chamber is where Tonks is being held against her will.

As for what Tonks is experiencing, I think that she is sad over Sirius' death, sad becasue she never got to tell Lupin she loved him and feels like she has let the order down be being captured and held hostage. This means that she is VERY VERY depressed and really down, so when they take her hair or whatever to make the potion, instead of appearing as the bright, happy, cool Tonks, the person taking the Polyjuice appears as the sad, depressed Captive Tonks.

One reason I came up with this idea is that I kept thinking of Sirius and how he looked after Azkaban and how Real Moody looked when they got him out of the trunk when I read about Tonks being thin and not able to Metamorph.)

Na ja,
skater314159

Hello all,

I definetly think Tonks was acting strange in book 6 and I agree with many points skater314159 makes.

I personally don’t think it is ever Draco polyjuicing, but Narcissa perhaps aiding Draco however she can. Perhaps it was a plan of her own outside of Lord V’s orders. We see how stressed she is because she knows what Draco must do. She obviously loves her son as a mother, and will try to help him whatever the costs. The impostor can’t metamorph, but blames it on the recent events from OotP… I believe that when she looks thin and out of it, it is because the potion is wearing off. Perhaps we see her near the room of requirement because she needs to get back to wherever the death eater’s headquarters is and get more polyjuice potion? What I find interesting, and could add a good twist to the book, is if whomever is impersonating Tonks falls for Lupin without meaning to.

Either that or she is simply under the imperius curse… perhaps the unnamed spell Bellatrix hits Tonks with is the imperius curse?? Although would they have noticed that at St. Mungos??

Great theory
But i think alot of it dose have to do with the fact that tonks is in love with lupin. and you also have to realize the the stress on the order and the MoM is immense, and since tonks belongs to both the order and the MoM she has double the stress and pressure plus if the theory that albus posted is right then she is also helping with the switching of body doubles for DD. Also i am wondering when she said she was looking for DD maybe was she actualy looking for lupin. with lupin acting as DD.

Its a good thought. But if Draco really hated Harry (which we all know he does) why would he pretend to be someone ekse and come back to rescue him. Its not as though harry would tell her something important he had anything to say. he may as well do it as Hermione or Ron. And in the second Movie (i'm not sure abuot the book becasue it's a whil;e since i read it) but Ron and Harry (and Hermione) had their voices and had to put on different voices. So how would Draco get Tonks voice seeing as he's a guy and it would have to be perfect to pass Harry as Harry knows Tonks fairly well?

Alot of thought has been put into alot of these theories however i dont buy em.

The fact that draco is using the polyjuice potion to transform into tonks is a bit far fetched, How would he possible manage to get the hair? And even if he did how would he know it would be of any use to him. She is an auror and random appearences of her inside hogwarts would not go un noticed, someone would surely notice her and mention it to the real tonks( if malfoy was using it)

Also when snape refers to tonks new patronus as weak i think he is aware that it has takin the form of a werewolf, and claims it is weak to insult lupin.

Furthermore when tonks refuses to meet dumbledores eyes at the burrow i beleive she is upset with him for askin lupin to lead a dangerous mission with his kind.

She is always very studdery and acting very strange all the time because the man she loves is probably doing the most dangerous thing out of anyone else in the order, she visits dumbledore so she can find out any information on lupin, even though some of u have mentioned she could send a patronus or use other methods, her last attempt of sending a patronus was intercepted by snape so it does not always work.

I simply beleive she is heart broken throughout the majority of the book, and who can blame her? weve all been in love it can greatly effect a person.

I don't think that Tonks was anyone but Tonks. Firstly a red herring means something that pulls your attention away from something else, something more important. Secondly, we find out why Tonks was thin and unable to change herself later in book 6... because of her unrequitted love for Lupin. I believe that both Hemione said something about that and Lupin.

I don't think Draco had changed into Tonks because we see them both in that book a fair amount of time, the idea of Draco changing to Tonks (considering all the clues silverness had set) is a bit far-fetched, firstly because most of the clues don't make much sense and secondly because Draco couldn't hurt Harry and then come after five minutes to rescue him, like what happened on the Hogwarts express, and don't you think that the only reason Tonks was upset is just becuse Lupin refused to marry her? That's a reasonable enough reason to be sad not to mention the scandal happening in the wizarding world, and her duties as an auror and as a member of the order.
All-in-all I think that this is not a very possible idea.

I dont beleive its draco impersonating tonks but maybe someone is - although surely the order would be able to tell if someone is polyjuicing (although considering AB is supposed to know EVERYTHING he missed that with moody)

Maybe the unknown spell has changed her or put her into some kind of trance - another version on the imperius curse thats undetectable.

i think that you did an absolute fabulous job, but I would be very surprised indeed if it was true. You are very smart, I can tell. But I just don't know. You see I am thinking that it was just because of the whole Lupin thing. But I don't really know becaus eI didn't write Harry Potter. Oh, well. Good Theory.

i guess tonks is weird

Mod Edit: One liners are not allowed, please re read the rules. Thanks

Silverness,

Brilliant theory! It is totally plausible but I really don't see JK Rowling doing something like that without telling us in the end that it was in fact Draco. She does tricky things a lot of the time but in the end you can usually figure it out.

Still, I'm going to pretend that your theory was JK's intention because I like it so much.

oh so thats why tonks acted wierd in the book

I agree it's a intriguing theory and I kinda like it, but I don't buy it. There's many good reasons though, but some of the responses to the topic is getting a bit far fetched. I highly doubt the Malfoys captured Tonks and all that. Snape insults her new patronus because it looks weak. But she is in a state where she is weak and it's new because of her growing feelings for Remus - who is a werewolf (hench the patronus).

Why is she on Hogwarts when she should be in Hogsmead? Well to find Dumbledore and ask him about the attack. I think it really is that simply. Tonks acts weird because her love for Remus. Why doesn't she stumble and trip? Well she's clumsy, but it doesn't mean she can't ever walk a single straight line without stumbling. The corridor is pretty much wide and "clean" right. I guess she can be a bit lucky.

And yeah she's an auror and should keep her emotions in check, but don't you forget something? She's young and in love. Although her job requiers her to be strong minded and tuff she's still just human... or metamorph/witch - but they got feelings too oviously lol.
And I do agree with one comment on here. About her job is to guard the school - from hogsmead, but what better place to check in on once in a while then ON the school. Maybe she was on 7th floor just patrolling. Or refreshing memories, thinking... just having a break from the work. It might be too much to be coincidence, but... I have NEVER ever heard a theory like this before now and I never even have thought anything like it. I never ever have heard Rowling even stating it. If the theory was true I would have thought we would hear it from her or more of it.

And at the end she confessed her love for Remus as well as starting their relationship. We also do get the reasons for her emotion changes. I don't think the real Tonks just suddenly pops in now. Maybe Draco disguised himself as her once or something, but nah.

A question. What does it actually mean Tonks being a red herring? I checked out wikipedia, but I couldn't really put my finger on it. What does it mean - in Tonks way? Why did Rowling say she was that?

All the clues make sense, and it's sort of hard to know, but I just have this feeling that it can't be right... She seems to know some things or act unlike Draco would, sometimes, and we never learnt from the book or from JKR herself that it was true. I don't see why JKR would put some intriguing detail like that and never mention it again, completely forget about it!

So really, I don't know. It makes sense, but I don't really think Draco was polyjuiced as Tonks. I don't know where he would have gotten the hair...? Either way. I can't really think right now, it's sort of late.

Smart thinking though!