Nymphadora Tonks

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.

• Metamorphmagus: This rare, innate ability to change one's physical appearance at will was Tonks's most defining magical skill. She used it for disguise, communication, and entertainment.
• Auror Skills: As a fully qualified Auror, Tonks was highly skilled in defensive and offensive magic, particularly Defence Against the Dark Arts. She was an accomplished duellist, capable of holding her own against powerful Death Eaters like Bellatrix Lestrange.
• Patronus Charm: Tonks's original Patronus is unknown. Due to her intense love for Remus Lupin, her Patronus changed into the form of a large, four-legged creature which Harry initially mistook for a dog, but was later revealed to be a wolf.
• Flying: She was a proficient broomstick flier, using a Cleansweep Five and participating in high-stakes aerial missions for the Order of the Phoenix.

• Wand: The wood, core, and length of her wand are unknown.
• Broomstick: Tonks owned a Cleansweep Five broomstick, which she used during her duties with the Order of the Phoenix.

• Remus Lupin: Tonks was the wife of Remus Lupin. She fell in love with him while working together in the Order. Her persistent love eventually broke through his self-doubt, and they married, representing a union of profound love in the face of prejudice and war.
• Teddy Lupin: Her only son. Her final act was fighting in the battle that would create a safer world for him to grow up in.
• Andromeda and Ted Tonks: Tonks was close to her parents. She was devastated by the murder of her father by Snatchers in 1998.
• Black Family: As the daughter of Andromeda, Tonks was the niece of Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy, and the first cousin once removed of Draco Malfoy and Sirius Black. She fought against her dark-magic-wielding relatives and was ultimately killed by her aunt, Bellatrix.
• Harry Potter: Tonks acted as a friend and protector to Harry. He felt a strong connection to her and Lupin's son, Teddy, and accepted the role of godfather, ensuring the orphan of his friends would be cared for.
• Order of the Phoenix: She was a respected and well-liked member, working closely with figures like Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and the Weasley family.

• Nymphadora: The name is of Greek origin, meaning “gift of the nymphs.” Nymphs were mythological female spirits of nature, often associated with transformation and beauty. This is a fitting name for a Metamorphmagus, though Tonks herself disliked its frilly, feminine sound.
• Tonks: This is a simple, working-class English surname. Its short, punchy sound provides a stark contrast to her elaborate first name and the aristocratic names of her maternal Black family ancestors, reflecting her down-to-earth and unpretentious personality.

• In the film adaptations of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Tonks is portrayed by Natalia Tena.
• J.K. Rowling confirmed that Tonks was a Hufflepuff, a fact not stated in the novels (J.K. Rowling interview).
• It is also revealed by the author that Tonks was killed by her aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange, during the Battle of Hogwarts (J.K. Rowling interview, 2007).
• Her original Patronus form, before it changed due to her love for Lupin, was a jackrabbit (Pottermore).
• The romance subplot between Tonks and Lupin is significantly reduced in the film series. Their relationship is not hinted at in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film), making their appearance as a couple in the final films more abrupt than in the novel.