Tonks smiled and greeted them all as she walked across the room to the small group. She tripped over the throw rug and landed on Harry knocking him to the floor. In the confusion, Harry whispered that she had to refuse to answer their questions.
Tonks slid off of Harry and settled into a sitting position between Harry and Fred. She wasn't sure what Harry meant, but she quickly found out.
"So, Tonks," George asked, "who is it?"
"Who is who," Tonks played dumb.
"You know,' Fred continued. "Who is Harry's girlfriend?"
"What girlfriend, twin number one?"
"The one who sucked all over Harry's body," George finished.
"Harry has some nice marks on him from someone and we want to know who it is?" Ginny asked the real question.
"Harry," Tonks took up her teacher impression. "Have you been naughty with some innocent girl?"
Harry held his composure and replied, "I don't think she is all that innocent, Tonks. I am sure she got what she deserved in the end."
"Oh, you think so, do you?" Tonks queried with a smirk.
"Who is it dear Tonks," Fred asked.
"We must know," George added.
"I can't say," Tonks shook her head. "I have given my word to Harry not to reveal her identity. Think of the scandal that would fall on her head if the press found out. Scary thoughts I tell you."
"So you aren't going to tell?" Ginny asked outright.
"Nope," Tonks replied. "I will not say who she is. I can say that she is a sweet girl and much too good for Harry, but she likes a project."
"Project?" Harry shouted. "What kind of project?"
"Now, Harry, be good," Tonks chided. "I can't say anymore at this time. Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies."
"No fun, Tonks," Fred quipped.
"But this is, brother," George said right before he pulled out a balloon and launched it at Tonks.
Not thinking, Harry reached out and grabbed the balloon with his hand stopping it from hitting Tonks in the face. The problem was, the balloon exploded in Harry's hand turning it green and purple as a liquid showered over him and the floor.
"Bollocks, Harry," Fred yelled.
"That was going to be really funny," George said.
"Until you show off and grab it," Fred uttered.
"Poor sport, Harry," George said while shaking his head.
"How long does this last?" Harry asked.
"Not really sure, Fred answered.
"Had it last up to four hours before, but it varies depending on cooking time," George explained.
"Tonks, could you clean this stuff off me?" Harry asked.
"I wouldn't do that, Tonks," Fred said quickly.
"Gets worse," George said before Harry could ask.
"Guys, I need this cleaned off before the meeting tonight," Harry spoke clearly to both of them. "No messing about on this one. I need to be normal for this thing or I am wasting my time."
The twins looked at each other and nodded at the same time. "Okay, Harry, we will help you out." Fred drew his wand and started mumbling and waved it all around Harry countering the new colors. After a few minutes, Fred put his wand away and looked at his work.
"It isn't perfect, but it should be cleared up within the hour," George said.
"Thank you for helping me out here," Harry said quietly. "This is my only shot at getting control of my own life this summer."
"I think we should go down stairs now," Tonks interjected. "I think Snape was going to be here about now."
The room cleared out but Tonks held Harry back and closed the door. "Everyone here is an ally, Harry. Please remember that and do not use any magic in front of anyone. Now, let's go see what is going on."
"Thank you for helping me out, Nymph. I really appreciate it." Harry leaned forward and gave Tonks a solid kiss on the lips.
They snogged for a few minutes before breaking away. "I will keep my temper, Nymph, but I will not lay down. I will fight for what is mine."
"I never expected you to lie down, Harry. Now, let's go out there and see what they have in mind for you, sexy."
Harry opened the door and walked out into the hallway with Tonks following him. He heard movement behind them and turned to find Ginny standing in the hallway. She looked surprised but there was something else, Harry figured.
"Ginny," Harry said. "Everything alright?"
"Everything is fine, Harry," she answered. "How about you?"
"I am about to find out, actually."
Harry turned and continued down the stairs. Tonks watched him go before turning to look at Ginny. She raised her eyebrows at the young woman to find Ginny doing the same thing to her.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing much, Nymph," Ginny said with a smirk.
Tonks' smile dropped as she walked right up to Ginny. Tonks looked at her severely. "You are never to utter what you think you heard to anyone until he says it is okay. Do you understand?"
Ginny dropped her joking mood. "I was only having a little fun at you, Tonks. I would never hurt Harry, never."
"I just want to be sure, Ginny," Tonks explained. "Harry is in a very tedious position. He has the ability to become the Harry we know he can become or the Harry we fear he could end up as. I gather that you used some of the twin's products to listen in?" In answer, Ginny pulled out an Extendable Ear. "A Weasley through and through. This will be our little secret then. Tell no one."
"Can I ask one question?" Ginny posed getting a hesitant nod in reply. "Is he a good kisser?"
Tonks face relaxed and she seemed to drift off for a minute before giving a whimsical reply. "You have no idea. It is worth the risk and then some. And the rest is just…Oh I should stop, considering the meeting and all."
"Is it really that good?" Ginny asked acting more like the fourteen-year-old that she was.
"Yep, and don't you dare say a word of it to anyone. Don't even think about it. People can read minds here you know."
"I will do my best, Tonks." Ginny looked very serious when she answered Tonks' request.
"Well, I better get down there before Harry hurts someone like a certain Potions teacher." Tonks walked ahead of Ginny and saw Harry as she descended the stairs. He was leaning up against the door frame and looking into the living room. "You can go in, Harry," Tonks said. "It is yours after all."
"I am not sure I really want to, Tonks. Am I ready to be the Harry I have to be? Will these people accept that person? They are used to controlling my life not letting me live it."
"Enough of this drivel, Harry," Tonks scolded. "Get your sweet arse out there and be who you want to be," Tonks whispered in Harry's ear. "Oh, and Ginny figured it out. More like she eavesdropped and heard, but she knows all the same. Now, go." Tonks gave Harry a nudge in the back and he stepped forward from the doorway.
With the step, Harry calmed his mind and his emotions. It wasn't enough to fight off a Legilimency attack, but it was enough to convince a spectator that he was there with a purpose. Harry walked slowly into the living room looking at every person waiting for the meeting to be called.
Most of them smiled or waved at Harry as he walked into the room. A few watched him with the same level of intent that Harry was giving them. He took up a position near the fireplace and waited for Dumbledore to arrive and call the meeting. He managed to create a preoccupied air about him causing most of the Order members to give him room and not approach him.
Tonks joined him along the wall and kept up a conversation with Ginny who was not looking in Harry's direction. Most of the conversation was kept at a low volume out of fear of waking Mrs. Black even with the sound reducing spells on the room.
Harry ran through his mental preparations as he waited. He had built up a wall around his thoughts concerning Tonks when the doorbell rang. His resolve was tested immediately as the vile portrait started screeching.
"Mudbloods, scourge of the earth, lesser beings, should all be put to sleep!" Called the horrible woman.
The front door opened and two figures entered the entryway. One cloaked all in black and the other dressed in dark blue. Albus and Snape were the last two members to arrive for the meeting. Molly moved to cover the painting with the drapes, but the screaming woman put up a determined fight.
"Vermin, wretched creatures, out of my house, you are soiling this fine home!" Harry turned to listen to the words being yelled. "Kreacher, remove these evil things from my home! Out, bitch!"
Harry felt his anger escape his tight control for a second. 'How dare that woman call Mrs. Weasley that. I should…No, remember what Nymph said.' The screaming continued as Albus drew even with the painting.
"My apologies," Albus called over the shouts. "I must have forgotten not to ring the bell." He smiled lightly trying to diffuse the mood as the horrid canvas continued.
Harry couldn't take the way Albus had seemingly apologized. 'He meant to do that. There is no way he could have forgotten about the bell. He is trying to throw me off my target here. I will show him.'
Harry stepped away from the fireplace and strode towards the still spouting image. Tonks watched the poker fly from its holder and into Harry's hand, but fortunately everyone's attention was directed at the painting.
Harry brought the poker up to a resting position on his shoulder and walked past Remus and Moody who stood near the doorway. "Molly, move!" Harry called out.
Molly stepped sideways and saw Harry looming over her with the poker moving backwards. Albus turned to see Harry standing next to him with the poker already swinging forward.
With a loud scream, Mrs. Black was impaled with the poker wielded by Harry. The wrought iron instrument went through the canvas and into the plaster wall behind it. The tearing sound nearly drowned out the dying noise escaping from the mouth of the painting.
Albus had jumped back when the poker swung in front of his face. He watched the scene with a sad look on his face. "That wasn't necessary, Harry. She was old and set in her ways. This outburst would have passed."
"If it was that easy to shut her up, you should have done it last year, old man," Harry said evenly as he watched the image become less animated. Harry pulled on the poker and drug the hook down the wall until it caught on the frame. Harry gave a tug and the painting ripped from the wall and clattered to the floor as plaster dust gently followed.
With a smirk, Harry stepped forward and picked up the portrait. He turned and walked to the empty fireplace tossing the dying painting into it. He turned to Tonks and nodded authoritatively to her.
A flash of a flame spell erupted from the auror's wand and ignited the fireplace. Harry watched the flames devour Mrs. Black with a slight smile. "That was for you, Sirius. You always wanted to do that and now it is done."
The whole room had fallen silent when Harry had plunged the poker into the painting. Everyone watched and listened to the Boy-Who-Lived as he removed the constant annoyance in the House of Black.
"Harry, why did you do that?" Albus had joined Harry in front of the hearth.
"It needed done and you wouldn't have done it," Harry answered clearly. "You don't seem to be able to make things happen, Professor. Why is that? Are you too careful? Afraid you will let yet another detail slip through."
"I am not sure what you mean, Harry." Albus was looking right into Harry's eyes.
"Voldemort of course," Harry spoke while holding the aged wizard's eyes as well. "You know you should have stopped him before he graduated, right? Inaction seems to be your biggest failing in life. You aren't willing to take the risk. Well, considering my options, I am going to take the risk. I have nothing to lose but my life and that isn't worth very much right now."
"Harry, you know that isn't true," Albus argued.
"I am what you made me, Albus," Harry said quietly. "Remember that when you fall asleep at night. I know I do. I wondered why I was being punished every day since I could remember. I thought I had wronged someone in a past life or something to deserve the Dursleys. Funny thing is you were responsible for it the whole time. Even still I am being punished for having lived that night. You have no idea how many times I wished I had died with my parents.
"Anyway, you could have removed that painting at any time, but you left it for what purpose?" He received no answer from his Headmaster. "As I thought. Now, why am I here?"
Scanning the room and seeing a sea of shocked, surprised, and confused faces; Albus urged everyone into the kitchen who was a member of the Order. Ron and Ginny wore dejected and angry looks when Molly blocked their entrance into the kitchen. The twins just moved to either side and pushed past her. Arthur stopped the outburst before Molly could object vocally.
A quiet conversation led to a sniffling mother being directed into the kitchen by her husband. Harry was pushed into the kitchen by Tonks and he stood next to the door as the members took their places. Soft murmurs sounded a few times as Harry made eye contact with more than half of the attendees.
"Let us bring this meeting to order," Albus announced, ending most of the conversations.
"If Potter could refrain from another childish outburst," began Snape in a very acidic tone. "We might be able to start our meeting. Who knows who could die next time he loses control of his impulses."
"Severus," warned Albus, "Please control your normal tendencies."
"Yes, Snivellus," Harry called softly, "Do choose your words carefully. I might mistake you for another portrait and the fireplace might not be big enough for you. That would be a shame wouldn't it?"
Everyone in the room turned to see Harry staring down the hateful man. A few had to look away when they caught sight of the intensity in Harry's eyes. Even Snape couldn't prevent his right eyebrow from arching at the challenge. His lip curled as he prepared to insult Harry in kind.
"Severus," Albus snapped. "You may be under a lot of pressure as of late, but that does not excuse your behavior. Harry, Professor Snape is still your teacher and you will show him the respect he is due."
"Then he deserves none since he has done nothing to earn my respect in any way, shape, or form," Harry spoke evenly never removing his eyes from the spy. "He isn't my teacher either. Never really was much of a teacher to be honest. I know I didn't get an O in Potions so he won't be my teacher moving forward. Besides, this is summer break in case you forgot. That makes Snivellus just another bastard in a black cloak and a white mask. Isn't that right, Snivellus?"
"Why you little, shite," Snape snapped pulling his wand. "I should have let the Dark Lord…" Snape stopped himself as he caught sight of a few people leaning back in their chairs as Harry drew his wand in a blur of movement besting the speed of Snape's draw. The tip started glowing red as Harry lowered himself into a fighting stance.
"Yes?" Harry said. "You were saying something about the Dark Tosser? Something like you should have let him, what, kill me? He has tried a few times and he has yet to succeed. What makes you think you could help him get me? Maybe you aren't so much of a spy after all. Maybe you are more of a double agent. You may have Dumbledore fooled, but I think you are evil through and through. People never really change."
"Enough!" Albus yelled. "I will not have this, Harry. Severus has my trust. Severus, you will let go of your animosity towards James Potter. Harry is not him. Now both of you put your wands away or I will take them from you for the duration of the meeting."
"Your's is the only trust Snape has, Professor," Harry said. "He will never have mine."
"Spoken like a true idiot, Potter," Snape retorted.
"You would know, Snivellus," Harry answered finally looking away from the greasy-haired man.
"Harry," Albus said with some level of pleading to his voice. "We are not here for you to challenge Severus's loyalty."
"Then why am I here? You always seem to forget to tell people why they are where they are and for how long. Is that by design or is it a failing of your overburdened mind?"
"You are here so I can ask you if the Order may continue to use Grimmauld Place as our headquarters."
Harry thought through the request. "You may, but on one condition."
Snape snorted but was silenced by a hand wave from Albus. "What is the condition, Harry?"
"I be allowed to join." Harry watched a few members visibly object including Molly and Snape. Most of the others seemed to contemplate the proposal seriously.
"Absolutely not, Harry," yelled Molly through her hand as it covered her mouth in shock.
"For once, I agree with a Weasley," seconded Snape.
"Harry, you are still not of-age," Albus said diplomatically. "I could not in good conscious, allow you to join."
"Lucky for you, it is not up to you to worry about my status," Harry said forcefully halting all side conversations. "I will be able to make my own decisions on my sixteenth birthday. Until then, Tonks gets to worry about me as she is my guardian. You didn't forget what happened yesterday, did you? Your manipulations of my life are coming to an end one way or another, Professor."
All eyes in the room turned to Tonks who had been standing next to Harry the whole time. "I will permit Harry to join if that is what he wants to do."
Albus sighed in defeat. "Be that as it may, you are unable to use magic outside of school until you turn seventeen, Harry. You would not be able to go on missions or really help the Order do much of anything."
"Who said that I wanted to go on missions for the Order?" Harry asked. "From what I know so far, all the Order does is watch the Death Eaters get stronger and kill people, have meetings like this one, and watch me sit at the Dursleys'. I only want to know what is going on. I have no interest in going on your missions. They are a waste of time if you ask me."
The room went mostly quiet at that admittance. Many of the members thought Harry wanted to participate in their missions. No one really expected he would be willing much less wanting to sit on the sidelines and watch. People were looking at each other having conversations with head nods.
Albus watched the tenor of the room and asked the big question, "And if I refuse your terms?"
"The Order will not be welcome in Grimmauld Place," was the simple reply.
"Delusions of grandeur," Snape said.
"Better than the reality of being pathetic like you, git," Harry retorted. "You are trapped in your own hate for someone who has been dead for nearly fourteen years."
"I believe," Albus interrupted the brewing argument. "The terms are acceptable, Harry. We only need to vote on it as a group. All those in favor…"
Harry looked around the room and saw that Tonks was the first with her hand up quickly followed by the twins. Everyone slowly agreed except for Snape and Molly. Molly was prodded in the back by Arthur until she noticed she was the lone hold out aside from Snape. In the end, she too voted for Harry.
"You are admitted into the Order in a non-active role only, Harry," Albus announced. "You may not participate in missions or actively fight the dark forces unless your life is in danger. Is that understood?"
"I agree with the terms, Professor," Harry accepted. "The Order may continue to use Grimmauld Place for whatever purposes they may need it for as long as I am kept informed of those purposes among other things. You know what I am referring to."
"I believe I do, Harry," Albus admitted. "Thank you for the continued use of this house and welcome to the Order of the Phoenix."
"Yippie," was Harry's bland response.
"Just can't get enough of yourself can you, Potter?" Snape asked.
"I had enough of you after the first class you bastard," Harry replied with a dismissing hand wave.
"Fame going to your head, Potter?" Snape retorted. "You should watch yourself. There are a lot of Death Eaters that are mad at you right now for what happened at the Ministry."
"Well, bully for them," Harry answered then lowered his voice. "Maybe they will do better than their leader. So far, he has been rather impotent in his attempts to kill me. Also, I would try to get control of your emotions. I think your true motives are starting to show."
"Enough!" Albus interrupted. "Gentlemen, we have important business here and trading insults is not on the agenda. Since you are warmed up, Severus, please tell me what is going on with Voldemort and the Inner Circle."
Snape shifted his cloak while he settled his mind. "The Dark Lord has been quiet since the battle at the Ministry. There were rumors that he was not well, but I have no proof of that being the case. The Inner Circle, what remains of it, has also been staying quiet. No meeting has been called and I know of no current plans."
"Interesting information, Severus," Albus commented. "Harry has your scar been active in the last week?"
"No," Harry replied.
"More good news for us," Albus said with a thoughtful look. "I hope that with his last attack on you, Harry, Voldemort has learned that you are not an easy target."
Snape snorted but was silenced with a cross look from Albus. Harry didn't move nor did he comment on the small bit of information supplied by Snape. 'I hope it hurt him as much or more than it did me. I hope he his head hurt for days after that.'
"Alastor, any news?" Albus asked Mad Eye.
"Nothing, Albus," the aged auror said. "Everything has been quiet."
Albus looked to Kingsley. "I have heard nothing through the auror department. Madam Bones is pushing us hard to find and arrest the Death Eaters. Interrogations of the captured Death Eaters have been on-going since the break-in. Next to nothing has been learned from them. I believe that Amelia is close to calling in the Unspeakables to assist with pressuring the prisoners to reveal what information they know."
"Let us hope that your colleagues are able to uncover the needed information before that is necessary," Albus added. "Times are such that I fear for the safety of anyone resisting the Ministry."
"Even the Death Eaters?" Harry asked as neutrally as he could.
"Yes, Harry, even the Death Eaters," the old wizard said. "The Unspeakables can be quite ruthless in gathering intel."
"You reap what you sow, Professor," Harry spoke with indifference.
Albus watched Harry carefully as some members murmured agreement with Harry's statement. "Even the guilty deserve justice, Harry."
Harry matched gazes with Albus. "While the innocent receive nothing. I guess I have a more direct view of the situation, Professor. I know what some of those people have done. I have no sympathy for them."
"As you get older, Harry," Albus spoke with sadness, "you will see that things aren't black and white. There are many different levels to every thing that happens. Motivations, circumstances, and details can make a simple event very complex."
Harry smirked at the man's words. "If that is how you rationalize your actions or inactions, then I leave you to it. Malfoy deserves nothing but a horrible existence right now. They are all killers. They kill innocent people for fun. I have no sympathy for them or what happens to them."
"In time, you may, Harry. Please keep an open-mind moving forward in life." Albus turned his attention to Hagrid who was standing in the far corner trying to fit as best as he could into the rather full room.
Hagrid was looking at Harry with a depressed look on his face. "I have 'eard nothin' Dumbledore. Tha forest has been quiet an' Grawp ain't 'eard nothin' neither."
"Thank you, Hagrid," Albus said.
Albus systematically went through the room asking others what they had heard. No new information was revealed. The meeting seemed to wind down as time drug on. Harry grew bored as person after person had nothing to say.
"I would like Tonks, Alastor, Mungdungus, and Severus to stay behind," Albus requested as the meeting was ended.
Harry turned and was the first person to leave the room. He nearly tripped over Ginny and Ron as they scattered away from the door gathering up their listening devices. He looked them in the eyes and found awe, surprise, and a little bit of fear. Harry pushed away his current emotions and continued into the living room taking up a place on the couch.
Ron and Ginny joined him before anyone else left the kitchen. "Bloody hell, Harry!" Ron exclaimed. "You really told off Snape and Dumbledore if you think about it."
"Shush, Ron," Ginny silenced her brother. "Harry, are you okay? That isn't like you."
Harry held Ginny's gaze with his own. He settled himself before speaking. "I am done with those people deciding what happens to me. I am making the decisions now and if they have a problem with that then too bad. Snape is irritating and not a concern of mine."
"Did you really pull your wand on him?" Ron asked with the beginnings of an evil smile on his face.
"He drew first," Harry answered idly. "Next time, I will curse him. I am through taking his shite sitting down. He has no right to do that to me. Git better watch it next time."
The trio continued to discuss the meeting and anything else that came up as the dismissed members left the house. Many came over to shake Harry's hand and congratulate him on his admittance. The remainder waved shyly as they exited.
In the kitchen, Tonks prepared for the real fight she knew was coming. The remaining members were chosen for a reason. Dung kept his place in the dark corner as Moody sat at the table across from Albus. Snape hovered around the room like the bat he resembled. "Get on with it, Professor."
"Nymphadora," Albus began.
Tonks bristled at the name. "I have asked you never to call me that, Professor. I wish you would respect me enough to refrain from using that blasted name."
"Tonks, then, I have a few questions concerning Harry," the wizard stated. "What happened to him since school let out? Why is he so hostile? Where is he getting his information about certain things? Where is the Harry we used to know?"
"Ha," Tonks started off. "I find it funny to hear you asking those questions. You know well enough the answer to a few of them, but I will humour you anyway. Since school let out, Harry has made some decisions concerning his life. You are beginning to see the results of those choices. Have a good time with that.
"He is hostile because he has been lied to by so many people and you are one of the worst," Tonks continued. "He knows so much right now and he is going to learn all of it soon enough. I suggest full disclosure right now if he will have it. He is getting his information from many places. If there is a place to learn things, Harry has access to those places. If he sets his mind to it, he can find out anything. You should know that considering the last five years of school and what he has figured out.
"Lastly, the Harry you used to know died with Sirius. He is not going to sit back and let others tell him where to go and what to do. He is calling his own shots now and the sooner you accept that, the sooner you might be clued in on what he has planned. I will tell you one thing though. Fudge should have learned his lesson at the reading. Now, I think you should seriously help who ever his replacement is going to be."
"What do you mean, Tonks?" Albus asked.
"Fudge is on his way out," Tonks said happily. "Harry told him and he ignored the opportunity to keep his job. Name me one person who has fought Harry and won. If you think of someone, let me know."
Albus looked to Alastor and Snape. "I fear that Cornelius has pushed young Harry too far. I understand that Harry has a kind of friendship with Ragnok?"
"I will not tell you anymore than I already have concerning Harry," Tonks refused.
"Ragnok and the goblins have stayed neutral with Cornelius at my request thus far," Albus said while in deep thought. "Taking into consideration the events of the reading, I would say that Ragnok has found a new ally in the Wizarding world. Am I correct in my assessment, Tonks?"
Tonks held her composure and said nothing. She looked at Alastor and saw a faint smirk on his lips. Dung was openly smiling and his dreadful teeth shone in the poor light like the yellowed bits they were.
"I have sympathy for poor Cornelius then," Albus commented. "I have angered Harry and been witness to the results. History tells us of the revenge goblins can exact. A merger of the two would be disastrous at this stage of the war. Would Harry listen to my suggestions on the matter?"
"I think you have a long way to go before Harry will even listen to what you have to say about the weather, Professor," Tonks revealed. "I do not know the whole story, but I know enough to understand his feelings are completely justified."
Albus's face fell instantly. "I have made many mistakes in life, and I am afraid most of them have involved Harry. He has confronted me on most of them, thus far, and I can only hope he has as big a heart as I think he does. Sadly, most of the burden lies with him since I can't make him forgive my wrongs. Please express my wishes to him if you will."
"Enough of this hand holding, Headmaster," Snape interrupted. "The boy needs to toughen up if he hopes to survive this conflict. There are only two sides in this for the living and we are one side. The other is clearly defined."
"You got lucky, Snape," Tonks warned. "Harry was about to curse you tonight. I would suggest you never pull your wand on him again. I doubt you will get a second chance."
"The boy is lucky, that is all," Snape defended. "His first spell would have been a stunner. Amateurs always use that one first and he is hardly anything more."
"One day, very soon, Severus," Tonks added smugly, "you might learn the truth to that scenario. For your sake, I hope you are near a healer when you do."
Snape paused as the normally juvenile auror spoke with such deliberate intent. He wasn't sure if it was a joke or if she was serious. His ponderings were cutoff by Albus.
"Tonks, is there something I should know about Harry?"
"I am sure there is," Tonks said. "But you will have to find them out on your own. Harry is his own person and his trust is a rare commodity lately. I will not jeopardize what I have for your benefit. You know the reality of being Harry Potter better than most. Do you blame him?"
With a sigh, Albus shook his head in a resigned way. "Being Harry Potter is probably one of the hardest things in our world right now. I know many of the challenges he is facing. I have been through many of them myself though I was much older at the time, and I had a support structure that was far more vast than his. Hearing me say those words, I am beginning to understand what Ragnok had meant. He is the future and to stand in his way is folly. My concern for him has blinded me. Much to his detriment."
"Ego-driven child is what he is," Snape snapped.
"Enough, Severus," Albus chided weakly. "I have dug my own hole and now I must try to get out of it without it collapsing in on me. I am at fault here and I know this now. Again, tell Harry if you will Tonks. Now, on to the real reason we are here. I believe your mission of helping Harry get over the recent death is concluded. I would like to utilize your abilities elsewhere."
Tonks knew something like this was coming. 'He was snooping in other people's heads. He knows something and he wants to know more.' "I believe Harry is at a point where he could get better or worse quickly. If you leave him to those muggles, I can promise you he will get worse. Maybe to bad to be saved. A person can only take so much."
"I am working on plans to have Harry moved to the Burrow or here by the end of the month," Albus admitted.
"That is too long," Tonks said. "The friction in the house has been increasing since the time I told you about. If it gets too bad, Harry will fight back and where will you be then? He could disappear on you and stay missing you know."
"Where would he go, Tonks?" Dung asked drunkenly.
"He has two families worth of property to choose from," Tonks said bluntly. "I think there are a few places he owns where he could go and remain out of your reach."
"This is the safest place we know of, Tonks," Albus said.
"Harry cares more about being somewhere he likes than some place safe," Tonks stated. "He is a Potter and his godfather was Sirius. You know safety isn't something he worries about in reference to himself."
"An understatement if ever there was one," Snape said under his breath.
"You have little room to talk, Severus," Albus said with a smirk. "You do spend time with a rough crowd, do you not?"
Snape's mouth drew into a tight line and he crossed his arms forcefully. Dung laughed at the dark man's actions.
"I know what I saw, Albus," Mad Eye spoke up. "Potter is not to be discounted. He is all action and he worries about the consequences later. I see a lot of myself in him and that is scary. We have a fine line to walk here and I for one want to be on the right side of that line. But, enough of this filler, Albus, get on with the real point here."
"Yes, always the direct one, Alastor," Albus offered. "I am concerned about how close Harry seems to be with you, Tonks. Yesterday and today, I noticed how Harry seems to depend on you or your counsel. I fear he has simply shifted his grief on to you. I think you should distance yourself from him moving forward."
"I disagree with your opinion, Albus," Tonks said evenly. "Harry may appear to depend on me because I will not lie to him. I will answer his questions honestly and without hesitation. He has earned that from all of us. He is handling his grief well because he isn't alone with those muggles all day. That alone would be enough to drive most people barmy."
"Still, I think you should be removed from Harry's detail starting in," Albus paused appearing to be in deep thought. "Oh a week sounds good. That should give you enough time to get Harry on his own feet before you move on to other things."
"You are misjudging the situation, Albus," Tonks said sternly. "I would let Harry decide who he wants guarding him. It would be a good first step towards regaining his trust."
"I wish it was that easy, Tonks, but it is not. I have to do what is best for Harry."
"Isn't that what started everything in the first place?" Tonks asked irritably.
"His safety is paramount and that is what I am trying to ensure. Please, do as I have asked."
"Harry may not like your decision and I wouldn't disagree with him," Tonks replied before turning and leaving the room.
"You have concerns, Mungdungus?" Albus asked.
"Wha, no," the man replied. "No concerns, 'ere, Dumbledore."
"You know that few can lie to me," Albus challenged.
"It is just tha' Tonks been missin' a few changes," Dung seemed to force out while he looked at the floor.
"That is a funny accusation coming from an unreliable crook like you," Snape grated.
"Lik' I said, it just been a few," Dung restated. "I ain't lookin' to get 'er in trouble, but you made me say it Dumbledore."
"That I did, Mungdungus," Albus admitted. "We should be free to speak of our concerns. How many has she missed?"
'Jus' a few. I know I ain't one to talk, but everythin' seems fine. 'Arry is alive and well and tha' is wha' counts. We been doin' a good job."
"Thank you, Mungdungus," Albus dismissed. "Why don't you join the other stragglers in the living room." Dung left the room quickly and once the door closed, Albus looked to Mad Eye.
"Alastor, I want you to check up on Harry and Ms. Tonks from time to time. Things aren't adding up like they should. Mungdungus is hardly one you point out others mistakes considering his own faults, but this issue was weighing on him quite strongly. I never would have pressed him about it if it hadn't been."
"Do you think it wise to monitor them, Albus?" Mad Eye asked. "You saw the same thing I did tonight. Harry is not the same kid he was last year. That look in his eyes was not that of a child. He has seen so much and been through it as well. I am starting to lean in favour of Tonks' suggestion. Tell the boy what his options are and let him decide. The worst that could happen is he picks the least of the choices offered. All would be perfectly safe for him."
"We need him to work with us more closely not farther apart," Albus retorted. "The less control we have the worse his chances are."
"My opinion is known on this subject, Albus," the old auror said.
"As is mine, Headmaster," Snape added.
"I know and I respect both of your opinions, but I feel that giving him everything or nothing is not the best course of action. I will tell Harry what he must know and some of what he wants to know, but there are things that are best left untold at this time."
"I will do as ordered, Albus, but please note my objections to it. Good night." With that, Alastor left the kitchen with a steady thump from his leg.
"The Dark Lord has been too quiet, Headmaster," Snape said in a whisper. "I am starting to believe that the battle was harder on him than he is willing to admit. You must have fought him fiercely to hurt him as he must be."
"I would accept your praise, but I fear I had little to do with it, Severus," Albus confessed. "I believe it was the attempted possession of Harry that injured Tom so. The lack of pain in his scar lends more credibility to that assumption. Tom has always underestimated Harry's abilities. I fear that moving forward, Tom will give Harry his complete attention."
From the hallway outside the room, Tonks removed the Extendable Ear from her own and rolled it up. She adjusted her footing on the stairs as she thought over the implications of what she had overheard. She walked down the stairs and into the living room. 'Yet again, he is underestimated. Maybe you should listen to your own worries, Albus. Harry is going to be seething over this. Spy on us will you?'
Tonks turned to look at Harry sitting on the couch and saw him laughing half-heartedly with the Weasleys who had stayed to talk. The others were having a great time telling stories of past holidays and family trials. Tonks could tell Harry wanted to laugh with them, but he was thinking of what he missed out with his own family.
"Ready to go, Harry?" Tonks asked cheerfully.
"I guess so, Tonks," Harry answered. "Well, I should leave guys. Stay safe." Harry stood up and passed by Remus who had taken up a position right inside of the doorway.
"Harry," Remus prompted, "could we talk about things soon?"
Harry met his eyes. "Ask Albus what he did to both of us first. Then we can talk about it. I am not the only one he has wronged over the years."
"I will do that, Harry," Remus replied seriously. "It must be pretty serious if you are having this big of a problem with it."
"Once you find out," Harry started saying but couldn't finish as he felt his anger rising too much.
"It is bad, Remus," Tonks said. "Some things are just too much to discuss openly. Well, I need to get Harry home before he turns into a pumpkin. Night all, let's go Harry."
"Pumpkin?" Ron asked. "Why would Harry turn into a pumpkin? I think Tonks has finally morphed her brain."
The door closed and the sound was cut off. Harry took a calming breath as he walked over to the motorbike. He mounted it and reached for the ignition. Tonks joined him and put her head on his shoulder while wrapping her arms around him.
"Get us home quickly," Tonks said. "I need to tell you some things and you aren't going to like them."
"What did they say to you in there?"
"It wasn't what they said to me, really, it was what they said after I left."
Tonks felt Harry tense in her arms. She hugged him tightly as he started the engine and pulled away from the house quickly. Tonks knew that Harry was thinking the worst thoughts he could, but she hadn't figured out how to tell him exactly what was said.
With the hour being late, traffic was far less making the return trip shorter. Harry was letting his frustrations out through his turns and accelerations. When they pulled into the driveway, Harry turned off the engine and leapt off the motorbike.
"What did they say?" Harry demanded.
Tonks swept forward and grabbed his arm directing him to the front door. "Not here, Harry. We are being watched by Dung and most likely another by now." Tonks kept her voice low but loud enough for Harry to hear her.
They entered the house and were met by Vernon before the door had even latched closed. "What in the bloody hell do you think you are doing, Boy?"
Harry wasn't in the mood to deal with his uncle when an unknown problem was waiting for him once he got to his room. "I am not in the mood, Vernon. Get out of the way and let us pass."
"Listen here you ungrateful bastard," Vernon yelled, his veins popping out on his head. "I have had just about enough of you…"
"Well, I have had enough of you," Harry said evenly as he drew his wand and dropped Vernon with a stunner.
The large man crumpled to the floor instantly. A screech from the other room alerted Harry to the fact that his aunt had witnessed Vernon fall. As expected, Petunia ran into the hallway and covered Vernon with her own body.
"What have you done to him?" She screamed.
"Stunned him," Harry said distractedly. "He will wake up in a couple hours. He is still breathing so he is fine. Now leave us be."
Harry pulled on Tonks' hand and led her up the stairs to his room. Once inside, Harry asked what was said.
Tonks stilled him with a hand as she pulled her wand and starting mumbling a spell Harry wasn't familiar with. Once she had walked around the whole room twice, she stopped in front of Harry stowing her wand again. She looked at him in an odd way that Harry had never seen before on her face. It was something he had gotten used to from Hermione though.
"When I was in there, Albus wanted me to distance myself from you. He wants me moved to another Order assignment by the end of next week." Tonks watched as Harry grew calm physically but his eyes told a different story.
"He can't leave well enough alone, can he? Why must I fight for everything in my life? Can't it just be easy for once?"
"Now comes the bad part."
"There is a bad part? Bloody hell this just gets worse." Harry's eyes continued their fury but it wasn't close to what they were going to achieve.
"He asked Moody to watch us. He is going to check in on us now and then. To his credit, he wants Albus to tell you everything. Albus isn't going to, but it seemed like Moody tried to talk some reason into him. At this point, it seems like Moody is just following orders."
Harry's stare became lethal after those words. If a sleeping dragon was scary and dangerous, Harry was a whole brood of them in one small package. "I need to get out of here and away from him. There is no other option at this point. He is going too far, again."
"The spell I just did was an obscuring spell. It is designed to block the monitoring devices we use and what Moody's eye does. All he will see is a blurry square where the room should be. We are safe while in this room at least. Dung ratted me out, but Albus pressed him on it before he told."
Harry started to pace the room. He only got a few steps in before he had to turn around and retrace his path. "I will not sit by and let this happen. I must stop this, now."
"Harry, I said it before, but Albus is not your enemy. He is just a pain in the arse that thinks he is doing the right thing. Fudge is a little worse since he is doing what is best for himself. Keep your focus on this, please."
"I am tired of people fucking with my life, Nymph. I want it to be my life. Why can't I get that? Other people have that. Why not me? Am I really that different from everyone else?"
"You are who you are, Harry. You have me as long as you want me. I am not going anywhere. No matter what he says or does, I will be here for you."
"I am afraid you will die just like the rest of them. Anyone who gets close to me, dies. Why is that? Am I cursed to lose everyone I care about?"
"I am here now. I have no intention of leaving. You need to enjoy what you have right now and worry about the rest later. You are young so worry about the big stuff when you get older."
"Aren't I old enough to worry about things now?"
"You are old enough to worry about which girl you take to a dance, where you go to eat for a date, and whether or not you got her preggers the night before." Seeing the shocked look on his face, Tonks smiled seductively. "I see I have your attention."
"You seem to know how to get it, Nymphadora." Harry felt very confused, overwhelmed, and excited all at the same time.
"Enough of the gloom and doom, Harry," Tonks said while stepping forward to wrap her arms around Harry. "Nothing is changing now and I took care of Moody watching us. Let's have a little fun while we can. I would hate to miss out."
Tonks planted a firm kiss on Harry's lips and began the simple process of making him forget all his troubles. She moved him to the bed and followed him down onto the mattress. She wiggled her way up his body slowly as her hands ventured to various places. As the minutes ticked by, Harry found himself in only his underwear and Tonks in her knickers.
"That happened much faster than the last time. Still, I hope we work on our disrobing speed. We are taking much too long for my tastes. Speaking of…" Tonks forced her tongue into Harry's mouth and proceeded to wrestle him for control.
Her breasts were moving over his chest stimulating Harry even more. He needed some way to at least even the odds a little. His hand moved from her hair, down her back, to her bum. Harry grabbed hold of a cheek and moved her to the side quickly earning him the top position.
Tonks didn't fight and let Harry proceed with every bit of support. She found Harry kissing her mouth, face, neck, and chest. She sighed as she reveled in the attention.
"What are you planning to do, Harry?" Tonks asked during a break in their fun. She arched her eyebrows before looking down at him. Harry followed her eyes and saw exactly what she was looking at.
He became self-conscious and started pulling away from her. Two hands grabbed his shoulders and pulled him down to a waiting mouth and warm body. Harry felt Tonks shift under him and he realized that she was wrapping her legs around his back forcing him closer to her.
With another sigh, Tonks moved again putting Harry right into position to carry out the one thing Tonks had said to get his full attention earlier. Harry stilled as he caught on to what she was offering.
"Nymph, what are you doing?"
"I am doing what I want to do, but you get to make the last decision on this one. I am ready when you are. When ever you want to, just let me know. If you are ready now, then get rid of these clothes so we can continue. I am rather worked up here." Tonks breasts moved in time with her deep breaths.
"I would like too, but I think we should wait a little while longer. I am not sure why, but it just doesn't seem like the right time now."
"That is a first, Harry. I never heard of guy turning down an offer like this. It isn't me, is it?" Tonks put on a mock-worried look.
Harry realized for the first time since they got back that Tonks was her real self again. 'I guess I am getting used to her different looks.' "I like it when you are the real you."
"Thank you, but stop changing the subject."
"It just doesn't feel right. Not right now. I want to, but something isn't right." When he saw the saddened look move across Tonks' face, Harry forced his mind into hers. He showed her what he was feeling and a soft moan escaped her mouth before his lips covered it again.
Harry snogged Tonks until late in the night. They had played and teased each other until the limits had been broken a few times. Tonks marveled at how talented Harry's fingers and tongue had become in the short time they had been involved. She said as much a few times.
"I have a good teacher and she knows how to motivate me to do my best," Harry said from his position behind Tonks as they were curled up together. "It isn't every day that I enjoy my life and you have made that happen quite a few times lately."
"I aim to please and thank you so much, Harry."
"For what?"
"For doing the same for me in exchange. I haven't had the best luck with men in the past. You are proving that you are better than all the rest. Besides, you are so damn cute I just can't enough of you." Tonks turned over and smiled impishly as she kissed Harry hungrily.
"You are incorrigible, you know that?" Harry loved every minute he spent with Tonks doing what he was doing at that moment.
"I am what I am, Harry. I can't be any other way than like this. You bring out the real me even when I don't want it out."
"I like the real you more than the rest. I can't seem to get enough of you actually."
"Well, here I am nearly starkers and most definitely ready for more."
Harry smiled and began to run his hand down her front once more in an attempt to repeat his earlier actions. He was confident that he could drive her insane within a few minutes as he had done so a few times already that night. He felt very confident until Tonks latched on and returned the favour.
After Harry had left Vernon in a pile on the floor and went upstairs, Petunia called Dudley to help her. She directed her son to heft the limp body of her husband onto the couch. After the shock had left, Dudley did as requested. The grunts and pains from moving such a large person left Dudley very tired and exhausted.
"Mum, what happened to dad?"
"Oh, Dudders," Petunia started to tell him a lie, but realized that it wouldn't work anymore. "Your father thought he could stop Harry from doing what he was doing. As you can see, it didn't work. I have seen magic done, Dudley. I used to watch my sister practice her magic before her last year of school. She was always so intent when she would do a spell. Harry didn't do that. He just kind of distractedly made it happen. At first, I thought he had killed your father, but he didn't. The scary thing is, I think he could have very easily."
"Mum, Harry can't do that. He couldn't even kill the worms we studied in school. How could he hurt anyone? He is Harry after all."
"Did you read that book?"
"No."
"You should, Diddykins."
"Will dad be okay?"
"Harry said he would wake up in a few hours so I plan to wait until that happens just to be sure."
"I am going to go to my room then, mum."
"Good night, Dudley. Thank you for helping with your father."
Harry awoke to a knock on the door. He turned over and touched his wand saying, "Time." He was given the time and it was half three. Harry grumbled and slowly extracted himself from Tonks soft and warm body. He covered her with the sheet and grabbed his cloak to cover his own body. He moved to the door, but Summoned his wand before opening it. He saw his aunt looking very worried and slightly scared.
"What, aunt Petunia?"
"It has been more than a few hours, Harry. It is many hours more than that. He hasn't woken up yet."
"Really? I wonder if it has something to do with him being a muggle."
"It is because of you Harry," called the muffled voice of Tonks. "You are more powerful than normal wizards. Go bring him back or he might be like that for hours more."
"Fine, fine. Where is he?"
"He is on the couch," Petunia said. "We couldn't get him upstairs."
"Alright, I will levitate him into your room and Ennervate him. He may think it was a bad dream or something then. Does that sound good?"
"What ever you will do, Harry." Petunia tried to steal a look into Harry's room, but he closed the door when he saw her craning her neck.
"Let's go." Harry went down the stairs and into the living room. He saw the lump of human that was his uncle. He levitated the man into the air and directed him up the stairs past his aunt. She gaped at him as he moved up the stairs towards the bedroom. Harry used the levitating body to open the door by pushing it through the opening. Harry moved him over the bed on the sunken side of the mattress and released the spell. His uncle dropped the two inches onto the surface and sunk down into it.
Petunia entered the room and stood by the door. "How did you do that?"
"What, Levitation? It is one of the first spell we are taught."
"Not the spell. You did it without your wand."
"Oh," Harry looked at his hand and saw that his wand wasn't there. "Yeah, that happens now and then. I seem to have the aptitude for it. So, do you want me to wake him now?" Petunia paused before nodding.
Harry moved to the doorway and got ready to close the door when he revived Vernon. A flash of a spell left his hand and the door closed immediately after. Vernon grunted and snorted a few times before he came to.
"What in the hell happened, Petunia?"
Thinking fast, she asked innocently, "What do you last remember?"
"Bloody boy is the last thing I remember."
"Then please leave him alone next time. I don't think he will be this nice next time. He could have hurt you if he wanted to."
"Harry, what happened?"
Harry slid into the bed and wrapped his arms around the sexy creature sharing it with him. "He didn't wake up so I put him in his bed and Ennervated him. She can deal with him now."
"Hmm," Tonks mumbled as she ground her face into the pillow. "Sleep time now. Talk tomorrow."
"Yes, Nymph," Harry whispered in her ear earning and bum wiggle for the trouble.
Two contented people drifted off to sleep while two others seemed to realize the truth of their own situation.
Props to cjcold for the idea with Dung during the meeting. It led nicely into another situation I was going to do