It was a tremendous shame that Cho Chang possessed so little self-esteem. Not for the first time, Nymphadora Tonks, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts University of Witchcraft and Wizardry, considered the lovely Ravenclaw and all she had endured. The emotional wounds wrought by the Tri-Wizard Tournament five years ago seemed most reluctant to heal, and despite all her best efforts, she seemed haunted by her grief and self-loathing, by the weight of mistakes made whilst her life was falling apart around her. Tonks could certainly sympathize. Even with all her training and experience as an Auror, the loss of her cousin Sirius had hit her hard, and only with the greatest effort had she managed to pull herself back together again. Deep down, she was certain that, in time, Cho would do the same.

Until that day came, Tonks was more than happy to lend whatever assistance she could. Part of it was simply her own affable nature. Part of it was that for all she tried to have fun in her new role, she took the safety and well-being of her students very seriously. Those in her university-level class were all adults now, most of whom hardened by the war against Voldemort and his Death Eaters, but even adults needed a helping hand every now and then. And part of it was, for all she tried to remain professional, she’d become rather fascinated with Cho Chang. Certainly enough that, as night descended over the castle and all but the ghosts, portraits and house elves were fast asleep, she’d happily invited the twenty-year-old Ravenclaw to her quarters for some additional tutoring.

The first length of rope tightened around Cho’s wrists to secure them behind her back, and Tonks immediately halted at the small hiss that seeped from between soft pink lips. “You all right there, Cho? Want me to stop?”

“No, it’s fine,” Cho insisted in her soft Scottish brogue, taking a few deep breaths to steady herself, though the blush spreading over her fair, beautiful features did not subside. “Sorry, the feeling just takes some getting used to.”

“You’re doing great,” Tonks said encouragingly. Experienced hands quickly tied the knot, and the Metamorphmagus noted with no small satisfaction when the ropes held against Cho flexing her wrists. The older woman possessed more ropes which she now used to great effect, and within the space of minutes, Cho was thoroughly bound and helpless on the bed. Coils kept her arms locked behind her at her wrists and elbows, her long. shapely legs frogtied, while a final set formed a harness that secured her upper body above and below her breasts so that her upper arms were kept pinned to her sides. “Ready to give up yet?”

Stubborn pride flared in Cho’s chocolate-brown eyes. “Not on your life,” the Asian woman proclaimed, lithe figure straining against her bondage, and Tonks felt a sudden surge of delight at this display of resolve. Learning what to do if you were ever captured and bound was a key part of Tonks’ lessons, the cruelties perpetrated by the Snatchers during Voldemort’s rule over Wizarding Britain not so easily forgotten, and as with every other lesson, it was one Cho pushed herself to learn and excel at. Even now, squirming about in the embrace of the ropes like a worm on the hook, she possessed a rather elegant beauty, one accentuated by her school uniform; a white button-up shirt, black sweater, blue Ravenclaw-pattern tie, short pleated black skirt, dark nylon pantyhose tights and knee-high, stiletto-heeled black leather boots. That last article was something of a trademark for the Ravenclaw beauty, and one her teacher most certainly approved of, the squeak of the leather produced by her struggles sending a shiver of excitement along Tonks’ spine and reminding her why Cho so often haunted her dreams. “I’ll get out of this,” Cho insisted stubbornly, long raven-black hair streaming behind her in her struggles. “Just you wait!”

Well, she certainly possesses more determination than she gives herself credit for, Tonks mused privately, reaching into one of her bedside drawers and holding up a small object. “Is that so? In that case, would you care to make it even more of a challenge?”

Cho’s blush deepened at the sight of the blue rubber ball gag in her teacher’s hands. “Enchanted as normal, of course?” she asked.

“Of course.” All the bondage equipment Tonks employed had been ensorcelled to ensure the safety of her students, the ropes, leather cuffs and other restraints never cutting off circulation, while every gag was enchanted to both leave their breathing uninhibited and allow their safeword to be heard loud and clear. “Again, don’t feel like you have to push yourself, Cho. It’s not like you’re being judged for your performance here.”

“Except by myself,” the Chinese woman admitted. Lips parted to offer the gag entrance, and Cho moaned as the rubber ball fit snugly inside her open mouth. “Mmmm… mmmpppgghhh.” She did not resist as Tonks fastened the clasp behind her head and tightened the chinstrap, and only the slight tremble she offered betrayed her nervousness. “Mmmppgghhh…”

“You are so beautiful like this,” Tonks murmured, laughing when Cho turned away with a blush. “Seriously, Cho, there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging how lovely you are. Do I offend you by saying so?”

“Mmmppggghhh…” Cho gave a small shake of her head before lowering it down to stare at the bedsheets, too embarrassed to meet her teacher’s gaze.

“Cho, look at me.” After a moment’s hesitation, the Chinese beauty at last complied, and Tonks rewarded her with the warmest and most comforting smile she possessed. “I know things have been difficult for you, and sometimes it’s very hard to have faith in yourself. But it’s perfectly fine to recognize your virtues and all the good that you do. You’re a good person, Cho Chang. Love yourself for that, and I promise, those doubts that haunt you will fade in time. All right?”

The first tears sprung to life in Cho’s eyes, and gently, Tonks wiped them away before placing a kiss on her student’s forehead. “It’s quite all right, Cho, I’m here for you. Now then,” she remarked, offering a cheeky grin. “How about I give you twenty minutes to free yourself? If you can’t do it by then, well, I’m sure I possess the means to motivate you to do better…"