Nymphadora Tonks, who preferred to be known simply as Tonks, was a half-blood witch, an Auror, and a member of the reinstated Order of the Phoenix during the Second Wizarding War. As a gifted Metamorphmagus, she could alter her physical appearance at will, a skill that served her well in her work. Known for her bravery, vibrant personality, and occasional clumsiness, Tonks played a vital role in protecting Harry Potter and fighting against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Her relationship with Remus Lupin and her tragic death at the Battle of Hogwarts mark her as one of the war's most notable heroes.
Nymphadora was born to the witch Andromeda Tonks (née Black) and the Muggle-born wizard Ted Tonks. Her mother, Andromeda, was cast out of the noble Black family for marrying a Muggle-born, making Tonks a relative of the Malfoy and Lestrange families, as well as Sirius Black. Tonks attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from approximately 1984 to 1991, where she was sorted into Hufflepuff house. She notes that she did not become a Prefect because, in her own words, she lacked the ability to behave herself. After graduating from Hogwarts, she began three years of Auror training under the tutelage of Alastor Moody, qualifying as an Auror in 1994, about a year before she met Harry Potter. She found that the Stealth and Invisibility portion of the training was her weakest area.
Tonks joined the new Order of the Phoenix in 1995 and was part of the Advance Guard sent to retrieve Harry Potter from Number Four, Privet Drive. She quickly befriended Harry and the Weasley family, often providing a source of levity with her shapeshifting abilities and cheerful demeanor. She served the Order in various capacities, including guarding the Department of Mysteries and acting as a protector for Hogwarts. She fought bravely in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in 1996, where she duelled her aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange, and was injured by a spell, requiring her to be treated at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Following Sirius Black's death in the battle, Tonks fell into a state of depression, which was exacerbated by her unrequited love for Remus Lupin. Her emotional turmoil affected her Metamorphmagus abilities, leaving her with mousy brown hair, and changed her Patronus form. Lupin initially rejected her affections, believing he was too old, too poor, and too dangerous for her due to his lycanthropy. However, after witnessing the love between Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour following Bill's attack by Fenrir Greyback, Lupin's resolve crumbled. Tonks and Lupin married in a quiet ceremony in the summer of 1997. During the Battle of the Seven Potters, Tonks flew with the “fake Harry” portrayed by Ron Weasley and was pursued by Bellatrix Lestrange. Shortly after, she announced she was pregnant. She gave birth to a son, Teddy Remus Lupin, in the spring of 1998, and Harry Potter was named his godfather. Teddy inherited his mother's Metamorphmagus abilities. Despite having a newborn son, Tonks could not bear to be away from the final conflict. She left Teddy in the care of her mother and joined the fighting at the Battle of Hogwarts on 2 May 1998. She was killed in the battle, as was her husband, Remus Lupin. Her body was laid out in the Great Hall next to his, a symbol of the immense sacrifice made to secure a future free from Voldemort.
As a Metamorphmagus, Tonks's appearance was fluid and often reflected her mood. Her favorite look included spiky, bubble-gum pink hair and a punk rock style of dress. She could change her hair color, eye color, and nose shape instantly, often for comic effect. When she was deeply unhappy over her feelings for Lupin, her powers weakened, and her hair remained a mousy brown color, which was likely its natural state. Tonks had a bright, bubbly, and often rebellious personality. She was notoriously clumsy, frequently tripping over objects or breaking things, a trait she found ironic for someone who passed the Stealth portions of Auror training. She despised her first name, “Nymphadora,” and insisted on being called “Tonks.” She was fiercely loyal to her friends and the Order of the Phoenix, demonstrating immense bravery and a strong sense of justice.