A few minutes later Harry's group reached the Leaky Cauldron. It was still quiet, despite being early afternoon. There were a couple more patrons, but everything was still subdued. Those eating were hunched over their food, as if afraid to be recognised.
After a few words with Tom they were sat in one of the booths along the side, Butterbeers before them - except for Daphne, who'd chosen Gillywater. Harry had originally been going to ask for a private room, but Daphne had suggested that they use his fame for good for a change. At their perplexed expressions, she explained that if Harry Potter was seen eating in the Leaky Cauldron as if nothing was wrong, then it might help with the sense of fear running rampant. After a moments thought, Harry had agreed.
Daphne smiled nervously at him across the table. "Sorry about putting you on the spot like this Harry..."
Harry however waved her off. "Daphne, it's okay. You explained why you thought we should do this." After a mouthful of Butterbeer, he continued. "You also didn't say I had to do this either. You gave me the option, not tried to force it on me."
Smiling happily now, Daphne reached across and squeezed his hand affectionately. Besides him Hermione was also pleased. Harry had shown that he would listen to ideas from them, but more importantly, accepted Daphne. Her background, a Pure-blood sorted initially into Slytherin, could have counted against her. She hailed from a background more in keeping with Malfoy, and while she understood that he had no love for the politics of the Old Families, from what she'd learned, it was something he was going to have to deal with somehow; ignoring them would be inviting disaster.
Looking at Susan, she gestured to the red-heads handbag. "So, find anything of interest?"
Susan nodded. "Quite a bit, actually. The potions shop was mostly empty of useful, premade mixes..."
We think others have been panic buying." Daphne put in. Hermione nodded slowly. She'd half expected that.
"...But we did get a lot of basic and semi-rare ingredients quite cheaply." Susan finished. She then frowned as she took another mouthful. "In fact... everywhere we went, we were getting things cheaper than I thought."
Daphne was frowning as well. "Now you mention it, you're right. I distinctly recall that book on warding in Florish & Blots being at least half again must last year..."
At a subdued sound all three of them turned to look at Hermione. The brunette witch blushed a little.
"We can visit again after lunch Hermione." Harry said softly, correctly interpreting the mixed expression on her face. Smiling broadly, she leaned over and kissed his cheek for being such a thoughtful boyfriend.
"Have to make time for Madam Malkins as well though." Daphne said through her smile. At the other two's looks, she elaborated. "We stopping in earlier to sort out our robes for Hogwarts." All four thought back to what McGonagall had told them after Malfoy's last attack. Daphne then looked at Hermione with a apprehensive expression, but before she could speak Tom came over levitating four plates expertly.
"Sheppard's Pie and chips?"
"Here." Harry and Hermione said together. Ever since the cure, they had all had stronger, larger appetites. Madam Pomfrey had explained that they had all burned up a lot of energy in curing Harry. While Susan and Daphne's had returned to normal, Hermione and Harry were still eating heartily; she to help her body recover from the curse that had struck her down, and Harry not only as he had expended more than the others, but also to help him make up for his years of malnourishment and neglect at the Dursleys.
Once the other two had their orders, Hermione looked back at Daphne. "You were about to say?"
"We uh... told her about our... changed attributes." All four blushed at her admission, Harry the worst. "Including yours. She's doing our new school robes now." Daphne paused, before continuing. "I also think we should all get some formal wizard attire, especially you two. For the actual will reading next Friday. And, like it or not, once you gain your inheritance, you are going to have to deal with the other Noble Houses. Proper dress for that is... expected."
Harry was silent for a long moment, slowly chewing, mulling over Daphne's words. He understood what she was saying, but the distaste for the Pureblood elite of the magical world lingered. Could he really work with such... people?
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Susan share an anxious look with Daphne... and he regretted his thoughts. Both of them came from such backgrounds, as did Sirius. So did his father, from what he'd been told. And he looked up to Amelia Bones, while Eleanor Greengrass had been very pleasant. And then there was Neville. Could he really take Malfoy Senior as the normal? Maybe, considering the mood he got from the Wizengamot last year, but even so there were good families...
After a moment longer he nodded in acquiescence. "Maybe you're right." He said slowly, before fixing Daphne with a stern look. "But don't expect me to play nice with Lucius if I meet him at some function."
"We wouldn't expect you too." She replied quietly, hoping her voice didn't reveal the mixture of fear and excitement that pulsed through her under his intent look.
Soon after they were once more walking down the Alley, Harry setting an example by boldly striding down the centre. He ignored them, but the others noted the way that the other people on the street noticed and stared at him as he walked openly by them. Hermione saw that many straightened up and stopped cowering.
On entering Madam Malkin's the older witch looked up from her counter. "Ah, perfect timing. I just finished your new robes." She stood up and walked towards the rear, the four teens following in her wake. "Most unusual, I must say..." She half muttered to herself. Pausing by the fitting area, she indicated a pair of boxes sat on a low table. "Please try them on dears. Want to make sure they fit."
Nodding in understanding, Daphne and Susan walked over to the table. After a moment they picked up a box each and moving into the changing rooms. As the curtains closed with a squeak madam Malkin turned to Hermione.
"Now then... Miss Granger? I barely recognised you!" As Hermione looked back with a confused expression, Madam Malkin looked her up and down. "Goodness, you've grown into a lovely young woman!" Hermione's expression faded into an embarrassed blush. "Your friends said that you're robes were damaged too?"
Hermione nodded. "Torn jumper and skirt. Professor McGonagall fixed them..." She trailed off however as Madam Malkin shook her head.
"Never the same again dear. No one knows why, but clothing doesn't hold magic very well. Now, hop up onto the stool, and we'll soon have you with new robes." She looked towards Harry, standing quietly to one side. "Mister Potter?"
Harry shifted on his feet. "They suggested I acquire some formal wear..."
The elder witch just smiled. "Why don't you have a look at the racks, to see if something springs out at you, while I tend to Miss Granger here?" As he nodded she turned back to Hermione, measuring tape already emerging from a pocket.
To take her mind off what Madam Malkin was doing, Hermione watched Harry as he walked along the racks, though she was unable to not react to the older witch reading out her measurements, every one of which was being recorded by a hovering dicta-quill. "Hips thirty-three and a half... thirty-two waist... Thirty-three and five eighth's under-bust, over-bust thirty-eight and seven eighth's... very impressive Miss Granger. Though not as impressive as Miss Bones... forty-one and an eighth..." The last she muttered to herself in an incredulous tone, shaking her head as she did.
The good thing about Madam Malkin, Hermione thought, was that she could take such precise measurements without having her stripped naked!
"Now Miss Granger, do you want the standard cut, or would you prefer something a little different?"
"Huh?"
"Oh, the robes for the first five years are all standard." Madam Malkin said as she measured Hermione's arm. "But the upper two years are allowed fitted robes, and to change some elements. After all, they can now legally leave school and get a job. So the uniform rules are relaxed a little."
Hermione's eyes widened at this titbit. Now that she thought about, the upper two years had had slightly varied robes and the like. "What do you recommend?" The older witch stepped back, one eyebrow raised as she looked Hermione over once more.
"Depends on how much you want to flaunt what you have. I expect you're more comfortable in muggle clothing? In that case, how about lighter weight open robes, worn from the shoulders?" At Hermione's nod, she stepped back before returning with several fabrics.
From across the shop Harry watched as the two went through the fabrics, madam Malkin making notes on a sheet of parchment as they did. He couldn't see any difference from where he stood, but he guessed that he'd need to be closer to tell. The clinking of a curtain being pulled back drew his attention, and he turned to look.
He had to take a deep breath at what he saw.
Daphne had finishing changing, and now stepped out in her new school robes. The outer robes fastened at her waist, drawing the eye to how slim she was. Below her skirt ended just over her knees. Above that narrow waist the robes framed her new jumper with its red and gold piping... a jumper that had a much lower neckline than her one last year. Her shirt however had a high collar, from under which a double tailed, ladies tie emerged. It took him a moment to remember seeing a similar style before: her mother had worn something similar to their barbeque. As she turned to step onto a free stool, Harry saw that the robes just ran over the swell of her breasts, rather than to the side.
At the sound of the other curtain being opened, Harry took another deep breath to steal himself. There was just no polite way to say it: it was impossible to hide the fact that Susan had large breasts. It had been the start of Third year when people began to notice how the lines of her shirts and robes fell. Harry had a few times wondered how she could be comfortable over the last year; her jumpers always seemed strained, taut, and she hardly ever wore her robes closed, as it was obviously too small for her. And the couple of times when she finally relented and removed her jumper during the DA sessions - it was easy to work up a sweat - he'd tried very hard not to notice that her shirt gaped, revealing tantalising glimpses of what lay beneath.
The Susan Bones that emerged from the changing room looked far more comfortable than she had back at Hogwarts. While she still had her impressive chest, the jumper was not stretched taut like before. Her shoulders were not pulled forwards but back in a natural pose. The outer robes were worn loose except at the collar, billowing slightly as she stepped out. The neckline of her jumper was more in line with the old robes, and she wore what looked like a normal school tie.
As she too stepped up onto a fitting stool, Susan saw Daphne running a finger over the trim on her jumper. "Feels odd to be wearing Gryffindor colours, doesn't it?" She asked.
Daphne nodded. "Very. Down in the dungeons, the only things red and gold were used as target practice." Her eyes moved, and a satisfied smile formed on her lips. "Harry's watching us."
Susan looked back into the mirror in front of her... and had to stifle a girlish giggle when she saw Harry's reflection. The boy was standing there with his jaw hanging low. It wasn't as low as he'd been at the Ball fourth year when he realised it was Hermione alongside Victor Krum, but it still warmed her.
Madam Malkin came over, inspecting the fit of their robes. "How's the fit?" She asked aloud.
Susan's smile grew as she rolled her shoulders before drawing them back... and pushing her chest out. She'd never dared do so with her old shirts: She'd had visions of all the buttons bursting off. "Excellent." She replied.
Daphne however had a small frown. "Seems a little loose over the bust..." She trailed off at the satisfied look on the elder witches face.
"That's good. Since you had no explanation for your sudden growth spurt, we can't rule out it happening again." She carried on even as the young witches blushed. "So I've made your new uniforms with some extra room up top, just in case." Ignoring the bright red flushes on the two girls, she turned to face Harry, who was standing there slack jawed. "See anything you like dear?"
It was with hurried steps that the four of them left the shop a short while later. Harry led, trying to hide his reaction to what he'd heard inside... and to the figures his three - girlfriends? Companions? - cut in their new robes. They weren't revealing or anything like that, but he still reacted.
It was halfway down the Alley before anyone spoke again. "Harry?" Hermione asked, drawing level with him. There was a troubled frown on his face. He sighed before answering her unspoken query.
"We're going to have a problem when we get back to Hogwarts." He looked across at her. "You all looked good in your robes." He hesitated, then pressed on. "Surely Malfoy's not going to be coming back?"
Daphne sighed. She hated having to be the one to tell him, but he and Hermione were simply unaware of the answers. "Harry, I've heard it said that the Magical world is a hundred years behind the muggle one. Well... in some case's that true, but social-politically... it's closer to four hundred."
Harry sighed again, while Hermione's mouthed in an 'Oh' of understanding. With that fact, it was much easier to understand how Dumbledore was unassailable, how Draco could get away with what he'd done. Everything expected of teachers in the Muggle world had been crafted within the last hundred years, if not less. Add in the effects of Voldemort and his Death Eaters, and it was no wonder those two were untouchable. At least for the moment.
Putting aside that troubling thought, Hermione led the group back towards Charring Cross station. As they made their way down to the underground, her attention was caught on the letters that were sitting in her handbag as she reached in for their tickets. She knew that Harry would put off opening any of them indefinitely if he could.
It was not until they were on the platform waiting for the train that she had a chance to raise the issue.
"When do you want to look at those letters Harry?" She could see the nervous, worried look in his eyes, but pressed on. "I ask because some time next week would be ideal for you to check out Potter Manor." At his confused look, she continued. "My parents are taking the next month off, like they do most years. They don't have any plans this year, so they can drive us around."
Harry seemed to be warring with himself, before sighing and letting his shoulders slump. "Alright. It's just..."
Hermione smiled and rested a hand on his shoulder. "I understand Harry." Both Susan and Daphne mirrored her actions, prompting a small smile from him. At that moment the tube emerged from it's tunnel and rumbled into the station, turning their attention to boarding and finding space.
It was too noisy on the tube to do anything about the letters, so it was not until they found seating on the train to Brentwood that they had a chance to do so. Hermione led them to a corner of the carriage, where two sets of seats were facing each other. As it was a local, slow train, there were very few other rail users in their carriage. 'All to the good,' she thought to herself. 'Less chance of us inadvertently revealing the magical world.' Although there were times when she felt the secrecy culture in the magical world was the root of many of it flaws, she also was aware of the likely reaction by some of the more radical sections of society.
As the doors slid closed with the hiss of air rams, Hermione was already reaching into her handbag to retrieve the letters. After a look to Harry, she opened the first letter. Inside was only a few sheets, a set of handwritten directions and a couple of hand drawn maps. Spreading the maps on the small table between the seats, the four of them looked each over. Quickly she worked out the general location.
"Harry, Potter Manor's in the northern regions of Epping Forest!" She smiled. "That's not far at all from us!"
Harry smiled with relief. "So not somewhere like Wales?" He gestured to the maps and the directions. "Can you follow those?"
Hermione nodded. "Sure. It's quite easy to follow actually." Then her eyes narrowed slightly. "Whoever wrote this must have been muggleborn..." Shaking her head slightly to rid herself of the slightly paranoid thought, Hermione reached for the second letter, the one containing details of Sirius' final wishes. Withdrawing a thick bundle of parchments, Daphne's eyebrows rose when she saw the top sheet: It was a Marriage Contract.
"I hope that's not one for me." Harry said with a gulp.
Hermione shot him a cheeky smile. "No... unless you want to marry Bellatrix Black."
"Urgh! Hermione! She's like what? Fifty?"
Hermione looked at the contract before her. "Forty-five." She answered, skimming over the details. She was amazed at the convoluted clauses and terms used. This thing read like it was written three hundred years ago!
Then her eyes reached a section that someone, likely Sirius, had marked with an arrow and a very large exclamation mark. Her eyes widened at first, but then her expression changed to one that the other three had never seen before.
It was an evil grin. Which got even widen when she looked at the second contract that had been underneath.
"Oh... Malfoy's going to totally flip when he finds out about this!"
When the others saw what she'd seen, they too shared the same dark smile. Some evil sounding chuckles escaped when they saw the full ramifications of what Sirius had discovered.
Draco Malfoy was in for a very, very, very bad shock and reality adjustment come the will reading.
Most of the rest of the documents did not contain surprises, but then they reached the penultimate parchment.
"Wait a minute here: Auror Tonks is closely related to Malfoy?" Daphne asked, one eyebrow arched in confusion.
"Yes. Her mother is Andromeda Black, elder sister to both Bellatrix and Narcissa. They're Tonk's aunts."
"Ouch." Susan winced. "Guess she wanted to redeem the family huh?"
Harry shrugged. "In comparison, aunt Petunia's not that bad..."
Hermione whirled to cut him off. "No, she's worse! Bellatrix is a murdering psycho, but your aunt inflicted torture of the worst kind on you! LeStrange can inflict physical pain or death. Your aunt, however... What she did was emotional and mental abuse! In the long term, that's far, far worse!"
Harry shrunk back from her, seeing both Daphne and Susan nodding with her. "Point taken." He waved a hand towards the parchment in Hermione's hand. "About Tonks?"
Pushing her fury at the Durlseys back down, Hermione looked once more at the parchment that would reinstate Andromeda Black into the Black family, along with giving the Family Blessing to her marriage to Theodore Tonks. "About the only thing I can think of is that they may not want it." She shrugged. "Let's give them the option. I think she might have already gotten something about this during the meeting."
Harry nodded, thinking back to the large envelope that Tonks had gotten. His amusement at recalling her face when she saw the contents was interrupted when Hermione all but screamed.
"WHAT THE FUCKING HELL!?!?!"
Her loud yell drew the attention of everyone in the carriage, and Harry looked up guiltily. Fortunately, there weren't any children in the carriage. "Sorry! Shocking discovery!" He then turned to Hermione. "Hermione!"
She looked at him, and Harry found himself inching backwards from the sheer fury in her expression. He'd seen her angry before, but this was a new level, one even greater than the one he'd seen her turn on Ron at the end of term.
Too furious for words, Hermione just held the bundle of parchment so that the other three could see the front sheet. The second he saw it, Harry understood her anger right off.
House Marriage Contract
It is agreed by thou signees below, as the Magical Guardians for the named pairing, that thou groom, Harry James Potter of House Potter, and thou Bride, Ginerva Molly Weasley of House Weasley, be wed on August 11th of the year 1997, in a life binding, exclusive marriage with no options for other Contract Marriages or Line Continuation Contracts, including Consort Contracts. Reasonable steps to engender mutual feelings between the Bride and Groom are permissible, up to and including mild love potions. Spells, Charms and strong Love Potions (such as Amortentia) are not permissible, and use of such will be a violation of thou contract.
It is also agreed by thou signees that, in lieu of a Bride Price, that House Potter will fund up to half the value of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry tuition fees for all Weasley offspring of this generation (list attached below)
This contract can not be voided unless either of the Guardians are unable to deliver on thou agreed terms (see attached terms) or thou Guardianship of either the Groom or Bride be altered before thou agreed date.
Guardian for the Bride: Molly Weasley
Guardian for the Groom: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Dated: February 22nd, 1982
Harry sat back slowly, his eyes hard. "They agreed this barely four months after I lost my parents?"
Hermione nodded. "Ginny wasn't even a year old, and already Molly was planning out her life..." The disgust in her tone was obvious. She looked once more at the repulsive contract in her hands. She wanted nothing more than to rip it apart, but she knew it would do no good. Clearly stamped on the front was 'COPY'. She knew that she'd have to go through the whole thing soon, but right now she couldn't. Sighing in resignation she tucked the various sheets back into the envelope.
She paused when she set it down. There was just one thing left: James Potter's letter. With a tiny tremble she picked it, staring at the name written on the front. James writing was much like Harry's actually, though quite a bit neater and less of a scribble, more refined. But the way he formed the letters was the same.
Turning her head, Hermione saw that Harry's eyes were locked onto the letter, a shadow of dread in them. "Harry... you really ought to read this." She said quietly. She desperately wanted to know what was contained within the letter, but knew that Harry was the only one with the right to know.
For a long moment he didn't move or say anything, but then slowly he raised a hand and took the letter. Hermione ignored the tremor in his hands as he slowly opened it and withdrew the parchment within. Unfolding it, he visibly steeled himself before starting to read.
It was spell binding to watch him slowly read. Hermione noted that Harry's face was displaying little emotion, but his eyes were dancing along each line, brightening and flaring at some points, turning dark at others.
Towards the end she was startled to see tears beginning to form in the corners of his eyes, and he seemed on the verge of another breakdown. As his eyes unfocused, she knew what he needed. Wordlessly she slipped her arm around him and pulled his head towards her shoulder.
Harry went willingly, tucking his head into her neck and hiding his tears in her hair. His own arm slid behind and around her, while his left hand, still holding the letter, was held before her loosely. With only a slight tug she was able to pull it from his fingers, and in response his left arm encircled her waist.
Feeling his arms around her Hermione was unable to prevent a blush from filling her face even as she turned her attention to the letter, while at the same time stroking the back of his head with her left hand.
21st October, 1981
'My dear Son,
If you are reading this, then both myself and your mother are dead. Of course, since you are reading this letter that means you are alive, so you know that already. Know that we would have died to save you. You are the most important thing in the world to us, never forget that. Harry, I hope that what memories you do have of us you keep close to your heart.
You should know about Lord Voldemort, also known, to his distaste, as Tom Marvolo Riddle. Shortly before you were born Harry, Sybil Trewley made a prophecy regarding him, and that there would be one born who could defeat him. I know how she must come across. I met her shortly afterwards. But Albus was there when she made it, and he fully, totally believes it to be true. He's the one whose pushed us into hiding away in a obscure location, away from our well known fortress that is Potter Manor. His reasons make sense... of a sort. But I don't fully trust him any more. He believes he is infallible, that he always has the right answer. No one is infallible. Mark my words, his pride will be his downfall. He's not an evil man, but he's allowed his own legend to blind him to reality, and he hasn't changed with the times. He still sees the world as it was pre-1900. All the muggle's advances over the last century he has missed, along with the social developments. It's a fault of his up-bringing Harry.
I hope you would already have him as a friend Harry, but if not, you must seek out the son of Frank and Alice Longbottom, Neville. Believe it or not, the prophecy could apply to him or you. Hopefully, by now it is known just who it pertains to. If it's him, then do everything you can to help him. If as I fear it's you, then gather his support, as well as others. If there is one truth in the world, then it is that there is nothing more important then having friends. And in a fight, having a friend at your side will save your life more than raw power or any number of spells. Well, actually there is something better. Having the one you love with all your heart by you is even more powerful. Voldemort does not believe this, which means that you will have an advantage over him. And trust me, you'll need every one you can get. We've faced him several times now, along with Frank and Alice. It was only because we worked together that we've survived. Of course, this has annoyed Voldie, but I find that amusing actually.
Now, if we have died while we were in hiding, then you need to know something. We let everyone think that Sirius Black, one of my two best friends, was the secret keeper for the house we're going to be staying at. But actually we have Peter Pettigrew in that role. Voldie knows how close I am to Sirius, and that sick bastard will use friends and family to attack his targets. But don't use that as an excuse to push people away Harry! Sure, let them know the risks, but don't you EVER think to decide for them if they are too much! Let your friends prove their worth by standing by you despite, or in spite of, the dangers.
By now I'm sure you want to know all kinds of things about us. Well, I think you should know that our family goes back a long way, and that when you are able to claim your inheritance you'll be one of the richest young men in England, maybe the world. I hope that all that wealth doesn't go to your head though. Money is not important. It's nice, but the really important things in life cannot be bought. Things like Friendship, and Love, and Respect.
My years at Hogwarts were filled with pranks on those 'pureblood' bigots and fools. It is hard to fear someone when they are neon green and have a banana for a nose! At that time the 'Blood Purity' movement of today was still in it's infancy, but even then I knew it was wrong, and I swore to fight it anyway I could. I only had to look back at our family's history to know I was following the Family Tradition, to fight Darkness wherever it may lurk. And the movement also offended our family as well with their beliefs.
You see, it has become almost a tradition for the Potter offspring to marry muggleborns, rather than get involved in all that 'pureblood' nonsense. Not to say we won't marry a pureblood, but it has to be for love, not for political or financial reasons. My mother Dorea was a pureblood, but it was love that brought my parents together, not some agreement between their families. In fact, I suspect she married my father to spite her family, The Blacks. Yes, Sirius's family, but he completely rejects everything the rest of them stand for, with only his cousin Andromeda breaking away. Fact is, quite often the muggleborns outperform their 'pureblood' counterparts. This has caused quite a bit of hatred and jealousy to make some use the term 'mudblood'. This term is intolerable, and I expect you to stand up to any who use it!
But I must confess, that for those first few years, I was almost as bad as them. I didn't go around promoting myself or slandering others, but I was arrogant and headstrong. It was your mother who showed me just what I was becoming. It shook me, deeply. I have spent the years since trying to repay her for what she did, which looking back now, I see as an act of kindness, though it didn't feel like it at the time. I was not a nice person to some of those bigots.
There is one such man, in particular that I fear I must warn you about. His name is Severus Snape. The 'man' is an oily, greasy git, but he does know his potions. I know he lusted after your mother for a long time, but I'm very happy to say she never returned his affections. They had been friends for a few years before they came to Hogwarts, but they drifted apart over the years at Hogwarts, finally splitting at the end of our Fifth Year.
Your mother, Lily, is the sweetest, gentlest, kindest woman I have ever know. Until she gets angry, then she's a tigress! She's a muggleborn, and for her first few years was considered a plain, bossy know-it-all. That's another thing that we Potters look for in our spouses. Intelligence.
I have to admit that I didn't really notice her until our third year, when her inner beauty began to surface. She may have been 'plain' in first and second year, but in her sixth that was not true by a mile. Photos, even wizarding ones, don't do her justice now. But she'd be the first to tell you that you cannot know a person just by their looks. What lies within is what really counts. We are all more than just a face or who our parents were.
Harry, our family has always had a closer bond with the muggle word than most, so we are more 'aware' of the muggles and the progress they've made. If it came down to war between wizards and muggles, they'd win hands down, despite the 'pureblood' believing otherwise. Never underestimate muggles Harry. They have come up with ways to do nearly everything we can, and many we can't, without the benefit of our 'gifts'. I suspect that by the time you are reading this, they could do anything. I have learned so much from your mother regarding the wider world, that sometimes I find myself looking at the Magical World and despairing. It's not that they are 'Better' Harry, but they are not 'Inferior' either. 'Different' is the best fit, yet they are also the same. In the end, we are all human.
There is not enough parchment in the word to tell you how much we both love you, and how we wish we were there to see you grow into the man I know you'll become. This is more Lilly's area than mine, but trust me when I tell you that wherever we are now we are watching over you and praying for you. I know that you must miss us terribly, but you have to keep on going. Keep your chin up, defeat that bloody bastard Voldemort, and live your life to the full. Find some smart, knowledgeable, beautiful young woman (muggle or witch, it doesn't matter), and never, ever, give in to despair.
With all our love,
Your father,
James 'Prongs' Potter.'
Hermione's eyes blurred as she felt tears form from reading the last paragraph, and wordlessly she leaned her head against Harry's, holding him tighter in her one armed embrace. Susan had already moved to kneel before him, hugging him, while Daphne had slipped between him and the carriage side, hugging him tightly from the other side. Gently the three young women held and comforted Harry, bathing him in their comfort, warmth and love.
Tonks shivered as she made her way down the steps from London Bridge to the riverbank. It was late, and while true darkness was still an hour or so away, the shadows were deepening. Once more she wondered why Remus had asked her to meet him under the north end of London Bridge. Thinking about his request brought her thoughts back to when he asked her. There had been another Order meeting, where once again Albus had droned on about ensuring Harry was protected and safe, while at the same time making sure to give him room to grieve and come to terms with his loss. Tonks had barely managed to contain her snort at that. He didn't care, not a jot. He just wanted Harry kept tucked away. Fortunately, both she and Remus had managed to wrangle being Harry's guards for the first couple of weeks, she took the nights, he the days. It worked out since most of the others had jobs that they had to attend to.
Of course Snape had been as horrid as ever. But she'd noticed the hostility that radiated off Minerva towards the greasy one. If looks could kill, the Potions Master would have been burnt to a crisp in an instant from her glare. From the way the Deputy Headmistress had looked at Albus every now and again, it appeared that she felt that he was preventing her attacking Snape then and there. Tonks hadn't a clue as what he had done to earn such ire, though there was a rumour floating around that Madam Bones had received several detailed letters regarding him from various sources shortly before her attack. Amelia had called all the Aurors who were part of the Order into a meeting the other day, and had told them that she would not stop them attending the meetings or even working with the Order, but they had to decide who they would follow in a crunch, her and the Law or Dumbledore. Tonks had wrestled with the question for a bit, but after some thought had gone with the others, and reinforced their oaths... to Amelia and the DMLE.
Amelia had smiled, and told them she was proud of them. But she warned them that some point soon she hoped to bring Snape to court for trial, on many, many counts. Given the way Dumbledore protected him, she needed to know that when she gave that order, they would follow it, and not allow Dumbledore to browbeat them into submission.
After some comments about the just announced reading of Sirius's Will - along with small diatribe from Snape directed at her cousin - Dumbledore had dismissed them all like school children. If as she was leaving that Remus had asked her to meet him. And while she'd really just wanted to go home and crash, Tonks was still hopeful of there being something more between her and the older werewolf.
Stepping into the foundations of the bridge, she heard the sounds of the river tides sloshing over the steps even further down. A quick right-left, and she saw the outline of a man leaning on the stone parapet ahead, looking over the water that flowed under the steel and concrete expanse overhead.
Approaching cautiously, she waited until she was sure it was him before speaking. "Charming place Remus."
For almost a minute he didn't speak. When he finally did, the raw emotion was clear. "I used to come here a lot, after... well, after."
Tonks nodded slowly, understanding what he was trying to say. She heard him sigh deeply.
"I was a wreck Tonks. One of my best friends was dead, along with his wife that we all loved in some way, betrayed by our other best friend. Or so I thought. I tried to find out what happened, but when Dumbledore told me what happened..." He hung his head.
"...I went home and crawled into a bottle."
Tonks, tears beginning to run from her eyes, laid a hand on his arm. After a few moments he continued.
"I became an alcoholic Tonks. For six years I just wanted to forget. And all that time Harry needed me." His hands clenched into fists.
"Dumbledore told me he was safe and looked after, and I believed him, trusted him. I abandoned my pledge to James and Lily to look after Harry if the worst should happen. I let that old bastard send me away!"
Tonks said nothing, thinking back to the previous summer. She'd been recruited by Moody to join the Order, on the belief that they were actually doing something about Voldemort... though she wouldn't deny that she had a secondary goal; getting to know her cousin, the truth, not the lies in the Prophet. And yet, since she'd joined, Dumbledore's directions and instructions had been... odd. They were playing defensive, not acting against the Death Eaters. Having a watcher at Privett Drive had made some sense, but the guarding of a corridor in the bowels of the Ministry? Dumbledore had never revealed why they had to be there, just that they had to. And like the rest, she'd followed his orders, despite her confusion, simply because he was Albus Dumbledore.
But now? Now she doubted. Now she wondered just what was going on in his head, what games he was playing. Ever since the barbeque at the Grangers Tonks had been thinking and looking once more at everything, bouncing ideas and thoughts off her mother. Andromeda Tonks did not have the same reverence to Dumbledore that others had, and her comments and thoughts had been insightful... if disturbing.
As she had told Sirius, the rampant corruption at the Ministry was dragging her down. More and more she felt that no matter what she did, the criminals went unpunished. Gold, not morals, controlled things now. The farce of Harry's trial highlighted just how bad things were. If Amelia had not returned a couple of days ago, Tonks likely would have thrown in her badge.
Now she was faced with another dilemma. Everything she'd seen and heard of late flew in the face of her upbringing. In their world, Albus Dumbledore was a revered, god-like figure. A Champion of the Light and the oppressed. But he was still human, and humans were flawed beings. She understood this, as her job was to deal with those who allowed their darker sides to reign. The question she now faced was simple: could she go against such a powerful and legendary figure? Would she do what she felt in her heart was right, or bow and follow him?
It only took her a second to decide. And when it cam down to it, was not that hard at all.
"Whatever you do Remus..." She laid a hand on his tightly clenched fist. "...I'm with you. And Harry of course."
Remus lifted his eyes to look at her. There was a yellow gleam to his warm brown eyes, and she felt his hand unclench beneath hers. He smiled tentatively, and she smiled shyly back, gently squeezing his hand. Wordlessly he slid his hand out from under hers before moving it behind her, across her shoulders and gently pulled her into his side, their eyes still on each other's. No words were spoken. None were needed.
Tonks rested her head against his collarbone as her arm went round him in return. There, under London Bridge with the sound of the Thames sloshing against the stonework below, they both vowed to support Harry... against any who threatened him.