TBAY: Nymphadora Tonks and the U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M.

[Becky M]

No: HPFGUIDX 137452

BeckyM runs down to the docks, waving a roll of parchment. "I've got 
it!" she cries. "The perfect theory! And I call it... 
U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M."

A passing house elf looks up at her and squeaks, "Ultimatum?"

BeckyM nods. "Unexplained Lovesickness! Tonks Is Made Amorous Through 
Unscrupulous Means. In it, I postulate that the reason that Tonks' 
character changes so much from OotP to HBP is that during the two 
weeks between the books someone must have slipped her a love potion 
to cause her to be obsessed with Lupin. We all saw how single minded 
it made Ron, didn't we?"

The elf wrinkles its nose. BeckyM coughs embarassedly. "Anyhow," she 
continues, "it's possible that if Draco got to Rosemerta early enough 
in the summer, he could very well have had her slip Tonks the potion. 
Having the Auror that was supposed to be in charge of taking care of 
Hogsmeade permanently distracted would have definitely made it easier 
for him to pull of his plots against Dumbledore--pity, of course, 
that they failed. Or one of the other Death Eaters might have 
administered it for very similar reasons. Heck, even Mundungus might 
have slipped her it--it would through her off balance enough that 
she'd have trouble catching him. Although..."

BeckyM purses her lips. "You know, if Lupin really IS Ever So Evil, 
he could have been the one that administered the potion. Not only 
would it distract a vital member of the Auror from her duties, but 
when he ended up returning her affections after Dumbledore's death, 
he got himself a woman who would do anything for him. Maybe even 
betray the order." She shrugs. "It's a theory, anyway."