Edward Tonks

> Knew they were coming for me. Heard Death Eaters were in the area last week and decided I’d better run for it. Refused to register as a Muggle-born on principle, see, so I knew it was a matter of time, knew I’d have to leave in the end.
>
> Ted regarding his standing under Voldemort's new regime

**Edward "Ted" Tonks** (9 January, 1952-8 March, 1998) was a Muggle-born wizard, husband of Andromeda Tonks (née Black), father of Nymphadora and grandfather of Teddy Lupin.

When Ted married Andromeda, who was born into a prejudiced pure-blood family, her family singled her out for scorn. The couple had one child, Nymphadora, who became a member of the Order of the Phoenix during the Second Wizarding War. Ted and Andromeda were not members of the Order but assisted them occasionally, allowing the Order to use their home as a safe-house during the Battle of the Seven Potters.

When Lord Voldemort succeeded in taking over the Ministry of Magic in 1997 and the Muggle-Born Registration Commission was established, Ted went on the run. He was eventually caught and murdered by a group of Snatchers in March of 1998.

## Biography

### Early life

> Andromeda married a Muggle-born unlike her sisters, and for that she was disowned.
>
> Sirius Black regarding Andromeda's marriage to Ted

Ted was born in 1952, he was the second son and youngest child to Muggles Richard Tonks and Victoria Roberts, and younger brother to Joseph Tonks. Unlike his Muggle relatives, he was a wizard. He married Andromeda Black, who he affectionately called "Dromeda", in spite of her family's belief in blood purity. She was disowned and burned off the family tree tapestry in the house of Black for not making a "*respectable pure-blood marriage*", unlike her sisters Narcissa and Bellatrix. Ted and his wife had one child, for whom Andromeda selected the name Nymphadora.

Ted and his daughter, whom he fondly called "Dora", lacked the talent for magical cleanliness that Andromeda had. He was aware of Arthur Weasley and his fascination with Muggle items.

### Second Wizarding War (1995-1998)

> Hagrid's fine, son. The wife's seeing to him now. How are you feeling? Anything else broken? I've fixed your ribs, your tooth, and your arm. I'm Ted, by the way, Ted Tonks — Dora's father.
>
> Ted meets Harry Potter after the Battle of the Seven Potters

When Lord Voldemort returned to power, Ted's daughter joined the second Order of the Phoenix to fight against the growing threat. Neither Ted nor Andromeda were official members, but nonetheless supported their daughter and allowed their home to be used as a safe-house. In 1997, Tonks married Remus Lupin, who suspected that Ted and Andromeda disapproved because of his werewolf status.

After the Battle of the Seven Potters, Harry Potter and Rubeus Hagrid crashed in the garden of the Tonks home and were both injured. Ted brought the two inside, where he proceeded to fix Harry's broken ribs, tooth and arm. He and Andromeda were very worried for their daughter's safety when Harry informed them that Death Eaters ambushed the group. Ted attempted to calm Andromeda down by pointing out that Dora had faced worse during the course of her career as an Auror. Sometime after Harry and Hagrid took the Portkey to the Burrow, Ted sent the pieces of Sirius Black's flying motorbike to Arthur Weasley, where they were kept in the Burrow's shed for the remainder of the war.

#### On the run and death

**Dirk Cresswell**: "*You believe that story, then, do you, Ted? You believe Snape killed Dumbledore?*"
**Ted**: "*Course I do. You're not going to sit there and tell me you think Potter had anything to do with it?*"
— A discussion of Dumbledore's death while on the run

When the Ministry of Magic fell under Lord Voldemort's control in August 1997, all known safe-houses of the Order lost their protective enchantments and were raided by mixtures of Ministry employees and Death Eaters. Ted and Andromeda were tortured for information about Harry, like many other families with connections to Order members; Remus later reported that they were "*shaken, obviously, but otherwise okay*". Some time after this, their daughter came to stay with them upon discovering that she was pregnant. Remus temporarily left her side, worried about passing on lycanthropy to their child.
When the Ministry began its persecution of Muggle-borns, Ted, on a matter of principle, refused to register with the Muggle-Born Registration Commission. He was forced to leave to avoid Death Eaters who were operating near his home. Andromeda did not accompany him, as her pure-blood status kept her safe and she had to care for their pregnant daughter.

Ted then went on the run, eventually meeting up with fellow fugitives Dirk Cresswell and Dean Thomas, as well as goblins Griphook and Gornuk, and they proceeded to stay on the move throughout the countryside. At one point, the group discussed Harry Potter — unaware that Harry was listening in, along with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Ted dismissed the *Daily Prophet*'s claims that Harry was involved in Albus Dumbledore's death and stated his belief that *The Quibbler* was the only place left to get reliable news. Eventually, the group was caught by a gang of Snatchers led by Fenrir Greyback. Ted, Dirk, and Gornuk were murdered resisting capture.

### Post-mortem

> Let's take a moment to report those deaths that the *Wizarding Wireless Network News* and *Daily Prophet* don't think important enough to mention. It is with great regret that we inform our listeners of the murders of Ted Tonks and Dirk Cresswell.
>
> Lee Jordan announcing the deaths on *Potterwatch*

The death of Ted Tonks and his comrades was announced on *Potterwatch*, as the Daily Prophet had ceased reporting deaths caused by Voldemort's regime. When Nymphadora gave birth to her son, she and Remus decided to name him Edward, or "Teddy", in her father's memory.

## Physical appearance

Ted was a "*dark-haired*" man, with a mellow and pleasant voice.

## Magical abilities and skills

* Healing magic: Ted was shown to be proficient in the magical art of healing, as he was able to repair Harry Potter's broken tooth after the Battle of the Seven Potters, showing he was skilful with the casting of Healing spells.

* Charms: Ted was shown to be competent with charm-work, as shown when he swiftly and successfully used the Summoning Charm to summon some salmon out of water to eat whilst living as an outlaw in the English countryside.

## Relationships

### Family

#### Andromeda Black

Andromeda married Ted (a Muggle-born) in secret, before telling her family; she was disowned from her family and burned off the Black Family Tree. Considering that Andromeda gave up her entire family for Ted, they definitely had a strong and affectionate relationship. Ted called his wife by the nickname "Dromeda".

In 1973, the couple's only child was born and Andromeda named her Nymphadora, but Ted regularly called her "Dora" a name that, unlike Nymphadora, she did not seem to mind.

Andromeda was devastated when her husband was murdered by Snatchers.

#### Nymphadora Tonks

Ted and Andromeda's only daughter, who was born in early 1973. Her name was Nymphadora, but she was nicknamed "Dora" by her father. Ted and his daughter had a close relationship. Nymphadora even named her son after him. Both Ted and his daughter had a tendency to be untidy and disorganised. Tonks was devastated by her father's death.

#### Remus Lupin

Remus married Ted's daughter, Nymphadora; neither Ted nor Andromeda attended the wedding, but only because they did not know about it. Remus's werewolf status was never a problem for Ted, given the open-minded nature of his few recorded statements.

However, Ted was disappointed when he found out about their wedding, as he was not aware of it. The age difference between Remus and Nymphadora caused Ted to be a little distant with Remus. However, he warmed up to Remus when he realised Remus made his daughter happy.

#### Teddy Lupin

Teddy is Ted's grandson, son of his daughter. Ted was killed before his grandson was born, but was aware of the pregnancy. Teddy's parents named him after his grandfather.

## Etymology

Edward is derived from the Old English words *ead*, meaning "blessed", and *weard*, meaning "guard", and has been the name of many members of the English nobility and royalty.

## Trivia

* Ted is a Metamorphmagus, as an ancestor of his was as well. It is not mentioned that he is one in the books nor the movies, but it was a possibility.
	+ This would explain why Tonks was a Metamorphmagus.
	+ Although this is not stated anywhere, the idea of Ted being one and using his abilities in his Hogwarts years is adorable.
* Ted is played by Scottish actor James McAvoy.

## Credits

I do not own this character. All rights to this character belong to JK Rowling (or Dobby, whomever you give credit to for the Harry Potter Universe). However, I (MidgardianofAsgard) created much of the information on this page myself.

## Notes and references

1. ↑ "I grew up in an estate in Eastbourne, England."
2. ↑ "The Evergreen Estate is located in Downside, not far from here."