"No matter what happens, you fight to stay alive. We are at war. You know this better than anyone else and you have to stay alive. If you kill some Death Eater to stay alive, then you did the right thing. Never doubt that fact because they won't. You can do whatever you need to do to stay alive if your life is threatened. I am proud of you for the fact that you survive when others want you dead not because you can kill someone. Now, calm down and let's go back to the group."
Tonks dropped the dome and pulled Harry over the group. They were talking amongst themselves until Harry and Tonks rejoined them. Marcus was at the back of the rows and nodded to Horace. Horace nodded in return and walked over to Harry.
"Rules of engagement and the Unspeakables, Ceps. Number one; you go home at the end of the day. Whatever you need to do to get there, you do it. Rule number two; your team goes home at the end of the day. They are second only to yourself. The mission is third in priority. Rule number three; if they use the Killing Curse, you use the Killing Curse. Do not hesitate. Make the bastards die for their own cause and you live for yours. Rule number four; always win. However you need to do that, find a way. As a team leader, you will need to figure out a way to win. Sometimes, winning is retreating. Rule one is staying alive. Being alive means you are still on the winning side. Dying means you lost. We don't lose."
Horace drew his wand and found himself staring down the shaft of Harry's instantly. "Easy there, Ceps. We are on the same side even though I don't act like it. Just an adjustment to your badge."
Harry lowered his wand but kept the tip pointed at Horace. Horace tapped the badge and mumbled the words allowing him to change it. He worked a bit and stepped back. "Team three remains out of rotation until they are cleared by us. Begin working together next week, Three, I want you ready to go in less than a month." Horace nodded to Harry, Tonks, and Cal before heading for the door.
Harry looked down and saw changes had been made to his badge. The top still had one pip, but there were two additional pips that were ghost images. He had the Roman numeral three in the black square marking him as a member of Tonks' team. His bars had changed as well. He had six red instead of five. He gained one blue to reach five. His green and yellow remained at six and zero respectively, but purple gained one to stand at three. The black field had the largest increase. He had six bars were he had four previously.
Harry looked into Tonks' face and shrugged his shoulders. She placed a hand on him and directed him to their team room which was in room number twelve. Once Cal entered the room, the door closed and Tonks pulled off her hood. "Cal knows who I really am, Ceps. I trust him with my life and have done so for two years. You can make your own choice on whether or not you wish to tell him who you really are. Now, what questions do you have?"
"Tonks, what just happened out there?"
"Ceps, you showed Horace that you can do what needs done and you aren't going to get hung up by the rules. I knew you were going to do it sooner or later but you proved to him you can do it now. You fought off not only one Imperius Curse, but three of them from three of the best operatives we have. That alone got you one bar. If you can cast the spell, I am sure you will get the last one.
"You need to work on your speed with the Killing Curse too. You took too long getting to the point where you would use it. In our line of work if someone tries to kill you, you do not hesitate in killing them. We play for keeps and our lives are the main prize. You master those two spells, and you will be a seven. Just so you know, no one messes with a seven-black operative during a real mission.
"You used a wider variety of offensive and defensive spells. I doubt you realized that many of them were wandless too." Harry shook his head. "I figured as much. All of your shields were wandless and you were firing spells at the same time. That is the reason you got another red and blue bar. You are within reach of three sevens and you are only in your third day. I knew you could do all this, but you just needed the proper motivation."
"Motivation?"
"If they hadn't attacked you, would you have been able to fight like that? You train fine, but you excel when you are fighting for real or at least when you think it is real. Like I have said before, you don't think, you just do. You are going to be our team leader once we figure out how to work together."
"What? I am the new guy. One of you should lead."
"Nope," Cal interjected. "I am support, plain and simple. I can't lead a team. Chamel is not a leader either. She works better from the sidelines. You, my boy, are the real deal. You jump up and charge ahead. We can hold you back when we need to, but we can't force you to the front. You have the ability and drive to lead. That is why you are the soon-to-be three-pip."
"But I don't know anything."
"Maybe not," Cal said smiling, "But you sure fake it well. Well enough that I will follow you. Now if you don't mind, I am looking forward to the rest of my Friday off. Cheers, teammates." Cal turned and left the room closing the door behind him.
"He is an idiot to follow me anywhere," Harry said out loud.
"Then I am an idiot as well," Tonks said jokingly. "I will follow you, Harry, because that is what you bring out of people. You are a natural leader. People listen to you."
"No one has ever listened to me. The Dursley's, Dumbledore, hell most of the school didn't believe me. Only Hermione believed that didn't enter myself into the Tri-wizard tournament just to name one time someone listened to me."
"I didn't know you then, but I would have believed you." Tonks leaned forward and kissed Harry on the lips forcefully. She let the kiss progress until she started getting too warm. "Now, I think we should enjoy our day and get you some clothes. I am not going to keep you locked up in the Dursleys' on the weekends. We are going to have fun like a teenager should."
"But you aren't a teenager, Nymphadora."
"True, but I act like one often enough that I still count as one." She stuck her tongue out as she sprung up from her position and pulled Harry to his feet. She looked at him and removed her cloak. Harry's eyes widened as he saw that she was wearing a very tight, pink tank top and nicely fitting muggle pants. "We will Apparate from here to the Apparition spot in Diagon Alley. You know where that is, right?"
Harry forced himself to concentrate on the question and not on Tonks. "I know where the spot is, but I don't know if I can Apparate there."
"Sure you can, Harry. Just do it and join me." She watched the doubt on Harry's face. "If you get there in one piece, I promise you a long kiss later."
Harry managed to regain some control of his mind. "Only one kiss?"
"Considering how every other kiss between us turns into a soft-core porno, I am sure you will get more than just one kiss out of the arrangement. Now dump the cloak and let's go."
Harry followed Tonks lead and put his Unspeakable cloak in the trunk, reshrunk it, and placed it in his pocket. Tonks looked him up and down with an exacting eye. "You need clothes desperately. It is about time you leave the rest of the Dursley era behind you."
"Whatever. I have no clue what to do about clothes. I will just have to follow your advice, but before you go all crazy I am not into wild colors for myself. They work for you, but I stand out enough as is without showing off."
"Spoil-sport," Tonks chided and stuck her tongue out at him. "To Diagon Alley for money, clothes, and a little bit of trouble if we are lucky." She disappeared with a softer crack.
'Here we go.' Harry said and willed himself to the Apparition point. After a few seconds of trying he felt the pressing sensation and saw that he had, indeed, appeared in Diagon Alley. A warm hand briefly rubbed the back of his neck as he saw Tonks behind him.
"Good job appearing quietly and facing away from the alley. I don't think anyone noticed you arrive. Now, we should go to Gringotts so I can get some money to pay for your clothes."
"I have money, Nymphadora. You don't have to pay for me."
"Well, I don't know how much you have so we will go to yours first and then I can take out however much more I think we will need. This is a treat of mine so don't you ruin it, young man." Tonks was trying to be serious but the smirk gave her away. "I am in a playful mood right now so you will just have to pretend that I was being stern with you."
"Whatever you say, Nymphadora," Harry said softly earning a smile and puckered lips.
"I will keep my promise, but not here. We are a little too public even for my tastes. Now let's get moving before the shops start closing."
"Ah, the shops don't close until at least five o'clock, right?" Harry asked.
"Correct," Tonks said pulling Harry down the mostly empty street.
"It is around noon, right?"
"Right again, Harry. Do you need a watch too?"
"Actually, I do, but why would we need to be concerned about the shops closing when we have at least five hours before we need to start worrying?"
"Oh, it will take us at least that long to get our shopping done, Harry. You need a full wardrobe." Harry swallowed nervously and looked for an escape route. The effort caught Tonks eye. "Oh no you don't. No running away from me. You are in this until the end. It is only shopping. You like shopping."
"I think you have me confused with a girl, Nymphadora," Harry said in a deadpanned tone. "I get what I need then leave. I have never been shopping for myself outside of when Hagrid took me before my first year and Molly for my second."
"Well, then it is about time you bought yourself something nice isn't it?" Tonks replied undaunted. Harry had kept his eyes fixed on his minder as she drug him through the alley to the bank. Only when she started up the steps did Harry realize they were at the bank already. A quick look behind him showed the mostly empty alley had missed the fact that Harry Potter had come to visit.
The doors opened and they entered the lobby. More people were in the bank than walking around the alley. A few lines had formed and Tonks went to stand in the shortest one. Harry followed her and stood next to her for a few minutes trying to be as inconspicuous as possible while standing next to a person wearing a bright pink shirt.
Harry heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind him so he turned to look in that direction. He saw a familiar goblin, Griphook, carrying an official letter in his long fingers. When Harry decided Griphook was walking towards him, Harry nudged Tonks in the side.
"Hello, Griphook," Harry said to the shocked goblin.
"You remember me, Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, you were really the first goblin that I had ever met. Why wouldn't I remember you?"
"You are a human, Mr. Potter," Griphook said as if everything was explained. "Doesn't that answer your question?"
"Not really, but I am used to that by now." Harry did his best to restrain his displeasure from showing itself.
"Mr. Potter, I have a letter for you from Director Ragnok. If you have any business to conduct, please approach the head teller station for service." Griphook bowed his head slightly and walked to the rear of the bank disappearing behind a gilded door.
Harry looked at the envelope before breaking the Gringotts' seal and opening it. He pulled the letter out and read the formal and fancy writing. Harry's mood dropped instantly and Tonks took notice of it. She leaned over his shoulder and saw enough to understand what the letter was about.
Harry finished reading and folded up the note. He returned it to the envelope and sighed. "I don't want any of it. I just want him back."
"I know, Harry, but we both know that isn't going to happen. Take whatever he wanted to give you and enjoy it. Spend the money on stupid things and wreak havoc with the other things. That is what Sirius would have wanted. Now, on with our day. We might as well take advantage of the perks of you being you and get helped right now."
Tonks directed Harry to the head teller station drawing the attention of a few people in the other lines. Harry stowed his letter and looked up at the goblin staring down at him. The goblin looked older than Griphook and he had white hair protruding from his ears. His expression never changed as he kept his eyes on Harry and Harry alone.
"I would like to go to my vault, sir," Harry said handing the goblin his key.
The goblin looked the key over with an exacting eye. "Of course, Mr. Potter. Does your lady friend have any business with us today?"
"I may, but it depends on how much Harry has in his vault. He is going shopping and he is doing it right this time." Tonks kept the smile on her face as the goblin checked a ledger.
"Unless Mr. Potter is shopping for a moderately-sized estate, I am sure you will not need to assist him with your own money." The goblin pressed a button and the rear doors opened and Griphook returned to the lobby. "Griphook will assist you in your business today, Mr. Potter. Good day to you."
Harry followed Griphook into the rear of the bank and to an awaiting cart. Tonks joined them on the neck-breaking ride into the bowels on the bank. Harry sat quietly as Tonks whooped beside him. On one sharp turn, Tonks leaned over and gave Harry a very tongue-filled kiss trying to break his dismal mood. For the first time since he received the letter, Harry smiled.
"That one doesn't count, does it?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Nah, that one was a freebie, Harry."
They arrived at vault number 687. Harry handed his key over to Griphook and the goblin opened the vault. When the door swung open, Harry entered and started throwing galleons into his money pouch. Tonks stayed out of the vault but looked inside.
"No shit I don't need to use my own money. You are loaded Harry. Not even out of school and you have more money than most of the Wizarding populous. If you want to buy me a Christmas present, I like Witch's Wear Unmentionables. A gift certificate is more than fine for me."
"I will remember that, Nymphadora." Once Harry had filled his bag with numerous coins, he left the vault and got back into the cart. With the vault sealed and secured, the goblin directed the cart to the surface. Harry joined Tonks in expressing his enjoyment on the return trip.
Once the cart had stopped at the return point, Harry offered Tonks his hand helping her out of the cart. When they neared the door, Harry counted out ten galleons and handed them to Griphook.
"Thank you, Griphook, and whatever happened down there never really happened, right?"
"Mr. Potter," Griphook stated offering the coins back. "All business inside the walls of Gringotts is kept in the strictest of confidence. Anything else occurred while business was in-process."
Harry merely smiled and said, "All the same, thank you." Harry turned and walked through the opening door accompanied by a confused Tonks.
"Harry, why did you give him money?"
"If I have so much of it, then I plan on keeping my dealings as secret as possible. It was only ten galleons and if that keeps certain people from finding out we were here together then it is more than worth it."
"We aren't exactly being secret walking around Diagon Alley like this. Certain people are bound to find out sooner or later." They walked down the steps and Tonks led them to Madam Malkin's.
"True, but I am sure Dumbledore has some leverage with the goblins. This way, at least the finer points are kept hidden from others."
"Look at you," Tonks said giving Harry a fake admiring gaze. "You get a taste of cloak and dagger, literally, and you get all Slytherin on me. My little boy is growing up so fast." Tonks wiped away a fake tear with her hand. Harry grimaced for the first time in what would be his most common expression for the next four hours.
The hours rolled by very slowly for Harry. Once Tonks grabbed Madam Malkin, herself, she had them all sequestered in a side room. Tonks brought outfits by the armload for Harry to try on. He kept is humor about him for about forty-five minutes, then he became agitated. Tonks was unabashed in her efforts to clothe him. The agitation gave way to apathy at the hour-and-a-half mark. The remainder of the time Harry put on what he was told to and didn't say one word.
He turned when asked, he stretched when ordered, he even put on the same things multiple times when begged to by a very pathetic-looking metamorph. On Harry's hundredth or so vocal sigh, Tonks finally relented.
"Fine, Harry, you are done. You hung in there while I played dress-up with you. You might as well put on a new outfit for the rest of the day so we can burn those rags you are wearing." Harry grabbed a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt and entered the changing room which had become a new home for him in the last few hours.
"Are you sure you don't want to wear a pair of new slacks and a dress shirt?" Tonks asked receiving a snort in return. "Hey, you look sexy in them." Another snort could be heard from the isolated room. "Fine, look like a normal teenager then. See if I care."
Harry dressed and sat down to slip on his new trainers. The boots he had worn had been put in his work trunk along with all of the other clothes he had purchased. The tags had been removed by Madam Malkin as he, or rather Tonks, had decided they were good. Shoe strings tied, Harry relaxed for a second and assessed the day.
'I learn to Apparate, I try to kill someone, I get in another fight that ends up being another test, I am the next leader of team three, I have new clothes, and I have to be at Gringotts tomorrow to hear Sirius's will; not terrible, but not the best day I have ever had.' Harry left his sanctuary and returned to the madness of the small room they had been using.
Tonks wasn't there. Madam Malkin wasn't there. The door to the small room had been closed and he was all alone. Harry figured something wasn't right. He drew his wand from the hidden pocket in the side of his jeans that Madam Malkin had added for free because of the large purchase. Harry lowered himself into a defensive position and scanned the room which had a few rows of clothes that had yet to be altered or finished.
Harry waited for something to happen. He heard a very soft sound from the other changing room next to the one he had just left. He slid to the side of the door, against the wall, and took a deep breath. He prepared to open the door and stun the occupant if needed. In one swift motion, he pulled the door open, crouched, and moved to get a good shot off. What he saw stopped him as dead as the Killing Curse could.
Tonks turned away from the mirror she was posing in front of and looked Harry in the eyes. "Did I miss something, Harry? Did you get in another fight and I missed it?" Tonks was smiling widely as she watched Harry's reaction to the view. She saw the blush rise from his neck and reach his cheeks. Once his ears turned red, she broke the silence. "Do you like it? I was thinking of getting it for a special occasion."
Harry could only stare at the woman in front of him. Tonks was her normal self; brown hair, shapely legs, and large breasts. Her clothing wasn't the sexy little tank top and pants she had worn to the alley, but a short, very silky, light blue nightie that was form fitting in all the right places. Harry managed to keep a hold of his wand, but he failed at controlling other things.
Tonks playful smile shifted to a sultrier smirk, and she reached out her arm to lightly touch Harry's chest. "Do you like it, Harry?" Tonks asked in a low seductive voice. She watched Harry fighting to form the words he wished to say. After a few moments, he spoke slowly.
"It is a bit of alright, Nymphadora. What, ah, special occasion were you thinking of?" Harry swallowed and tried to move his eyes up to look Tonks in the face.
"You know, just a special occasion. They happen all the time." Tonks waited to see if Harry was going to do anything else. Surprised by his restraint, Tonks continued with her tease. "So, it is just a bit of alright? Damn, I was hoping for more than that like a 'very pretty' or 'sexy' or maybe even a 'damn hot'."
"I think it is safe to say you achieved all of those and then some, Nymphadora." Harry took a deep breath and managed to get his brain working again. He figured out her trick. "You are just teasing me, aren't you?"
"As you have seen for yourself, Harry, I tease at the beginning but then I fall apart. Normally, this would be the one and only time I would let a guy see this, but I just have a feeling that you will see again and probably quite a bit more. I still owe you a kiss for today and I think I will give you another for how good you were for letting me pick out your clothes. Now, if you can let me change I think you will need a few minutes to compose yourself."
Harry nodded slowly and closed the door to the dressing room. He sat in a chair just outside the room and put his head in hands. He used what little Occlumency he had to regain control over his body and mind.
Leaning back, Harry said aloud, "Sorry about that, Nymphadora. I just came out of the room and everyone was gone so I kind of overreacted. I thought something had happened to you and Madam Malkin."
"No worries, Harry," Tonks answered. "It was fun all the same. You have seen me in my underwear and a t-shirt so this wasn't much different. Besides, I am glad that you approved of it so much." Tonks giggled when she heard Harry groan in embarrassment.
The door opened again and a fully clothed Tonks emerged. She had the nightie in one hand and the tag in her other. She held it out to Harry, and after a few unspoken head nods, he put it in trunk with the rest of his new clothes.
Once they emerged from the back room, they went to the counter where the rest of Harry's tags had been tallied up. He grabbed the tag out of Tonks' hand and dropped it onto the pile. Tonks tried to complain, but Harry raised his hand forestalling her objection. "A Christmas present."
"But Christmas isn't for months."
"Then a birthday present." Harry didn't know why she was being such a pain about this. It wasn't like the few extra galleons were going to matter when he had a full wardrobe to pay for.
"My birthday was a couple months ago, Harry. I can pay for this myself."
"A belated birthday present then. Merlin, you just can't smile and accept the gift can you."
"Alright, Harry, I will accept the gift from you on one condition, you let me buy dinner."
Harry thought it over and decided that he won out either way. "I accept your terms, Tonks. Where are we going to go then?"
"How about a restaurant here? Have you ever been to one before?"
"If you don't count Florean's, then no."
Tonks smiled and listed a place Harry had never heard of. With a shrug of his shoulders, Harry agreed to where ever she wanted. The whole time Madam Malkin had rechecked the total and was waiting for Harry to pay. A glance at the till and Harry opened his money bag. He poured out a pile of coins and quickly counted out the required amount and threw in a few more. With an off-handed comment that he hadn't been there at all, Harry turned to leave the store with Tonks following in his wake.
The pair reemerged into the alley and found more people moving about but most kept their heads down and their feet moving. Harry allowed Tonks to assume the lead and she aimed him back towards the bank. When they passed Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Fred was adjusting a multicolored sign announcing a new product for sale. Harry thought of hiding, but when he turned toward Tonks he knew that would be impossible. The pink shirt prevented her from hiding anywhere but Hogsmeade during Valentine's Day.
Harry counted the seconds until Fred turned around and saw them. He got to six before Fred saw the pair. He only held in his shout when Harry moved forward and shushed him. "Harry, Tonks, what are you doing here? Mum would go spare if she knew you weren't locked away, erm, protected at that prison, erm, house of your relatives."
"We are enjoying a day of shopping, Weasley twin number one," Tonks answered. "I am Harry's guard and I guard him where ever he happens to be. He just happens to be here right now so there you go."
"Twin number one, huh?" Fred asked.
"Well, there is only one of you here right now, so yeah, number one works just fine."
"Fred, please don't tell anyone I was here today. I really don't need the hassle you know," Harry begged.
"No worries, mate," Fred dismissed Harry's concerns. "I completely understand. Besides, would I be the type of person who would squeal on someone doing something they weren't supposed to? Honestly, I thought you knew me better than that." Fred hung his shaking head is shame. "You spend five years teaching these kids right from wrong and what do you get? I am disappointed, Harry. Ron I could understand not having much of a clue, but you were always the smart one of the group. I guess Ginny is the last hope for the Weasley family."
"Hermione is the smart one, I just get lucky," Harry replied.
"Books not make one smart, Harry. Hermione plays by the rules so much I swear if it wasn't for you she would already have a job with the Ministry oppressing everyone with more rules. Tonks, please save this lost soul from the straight and narrow." Fred dropped to his knees and clasped his hand together pleading with Tonks.
"You are making a scene you git," Harry snapped while scanning the street. "I do not want to be seen and you pull this in the middle of Diagon Alley."
Fred jumped up and smiled widely. "No worries, mate. After the first few days, most of the alley ignores what we do over here. Anyway, I have something for you that we were going to post." Fred dug into his vest pocket and pulled out a Gringotts' key. "Number 1969, and yes we asked for that number. This is where your share is being deposited."
"Share, what share?" Tonks asked becoming giddy again at the prospect of learning some secret.
"Harry's share of the profits, of course." Fred didn't hesitate in answering the question.
"I don't want a share. That money was a gift and if you want to give it away then give it to your family. I don't want it."
"Come now Harry," Fred explained. "We are already helping out the family, but your half is still your half."
"Half!" Harry yelled.
"Now who is making the scene?" Fred quipped putting his hand on Harry's shoulder. "We voted on it and you get half."
"I never voted," Harry said crossing his arms.
"Yes, well, you didn't make the owners meeting that day so you were a default 'yes' vote. Besides, it was a unanimous vote for you getting half."
"Bloody Weasleys," Harry mumbled under his breath.
"Not today, but yesterday for sure," countered Fred. "Finally figured out what was wrong with that candy. Nearly lost Lee in the testing phase. Anyway, you should stop by when you have time and can be seen by others, Harry. You kids have fun." Fred wiggled his eyebrows and Harry and Tonks as he ushered them away.
"Fred will keep his mouth shut and not say a word," Harry repeated to himself over and over.
"What is the big deal, Harry?" Tonks asked innocently. "Don't want to be seen with me?"
"No, it is the fact that if Dumbledore or even Molly hears about this they will lock me away for 'my own protection'."
"Think nothing of it, Harry, I will be the one getting yelled at for letting you out. I am the guard after all. Besides," Tonks said with a giggle. "Dung's shift started twenty minutes ago." Tonks proceeded to laugh at the situation.
Harry tried to stay worried, but with Tonks laughing the way she was he couldn't do it. Finally a smile broke out on his face and Harry couldn't keep the chuckle inside. They walked down the alley and turned the corner that Tonks pointed out. They continued past some clubs and other nightspots that Harry thought looked pretty interesting from the outside.
Tonks pulled his arm toward a darker lit building covered in old-looking wood. There was a name plate near the doorway, but you could only read the words from a certain angle and Harry only saw curly letters before he was pulled inside. The entrance way was adorned in the same wood as outside and had marble floors. Harry's only thought was that this was an expensive place.
A man met them right inside the door and he was already looking down his nose at them. "May I help you?"
Harry knew they weren't wanted judging by the man's reaction. Harry looked at his clothes and figured the t-shirt was definitely a reason for that. Harry saw the look the man was giving Tonks in her pink tank top and it wasn't pleasant.
"Yes, you can help us," Harry said directly to the man. "I would like a table, away from the crowd." The man shifted his disapproving glare from Tonks, who was looking around oblivious to the situation, to Harry.
He looked ready to make a comment, but paused as the dim light caught the scar on Harry's forehead. The man stepped back and seemed to change his demeanor instantly. "Right this way, sir."
"I thought so," Harry said exposing his contempt for the man. 'If Tonks wants to eat here, then we eat here and this guy isn't going to ruin it.'
They walked deeper into the restaurant and turned a corner coming to a door marked 'VIP'. Harry noticed the stares they received when they walked past the occupied tables. He kept his eyes on Tonks hoping that she wouldn't notice how unwelcome they seemed to be. The man opened the door and led them into the even better furnished room.
Harry followed the man to the booth he had chosen and let Tonks take her seat first. Harry slid into the opposite side and waited to see what would happen. The man produced leather-bound menus and a wine list before bowing low and retreating from the room. Harry opened the menu and scanned the items available for selection. The one thing he noticed immediately was the lack of prices on the menus. In his time at the Dursleys, he knew what that meant, expensive.
Harry looked up and found Tonks gazing into his eyes wearing an excited expression. "Thank you for taking care of the idiot, Harry. I know he was about to chuck us out, but you came through like I knew you would."
"What?"
"Look at this place, Harry. Like they would let me in wearing this and in the VIP section no less. That was all you, baby."
"I didn't do anything, Nymphadora."
"You were there and knew we were about to be tossed. You flashed your scar and here we are. I know you hate to use it, but you have it so…"
"I might as well make you happy and show it off."
"Exactly, Harry. Who said you didn't know how to treat a lady?"
"Hermione, forth year. Parvati, forth year as well. I think Cho last year come to think of it."
"Well, you learn fast, Harry. Thank you. I have always wanted to eat here and you made the happen."
"This place is expensive isn't?" Harry asked knowing the answer.
"Yep, but it is worth it. It is my treat anyway so don't worry."
"I can help if you want. I still have some money left over after buying out Madam Malkin's."
"I got it, Harry. I am an auror you know." Tonks winked and picked up her menu.
Harry looked over the menu and decided he wanted a steak to eat. Without prices, he didn't know what was the cheapest. Many of the selections had foreign names so he had no idea what they were. He closed his menu and watched Tonks nibbling on her tongue as she decided what to order. Harry had to look away since he started getting ideas in his head.
"Know what you want, Harry?" Tonks asked gaining his attention again.
Harry took control of the dirty thoughts raging in his mind. "I was thinking of the steak since I can understand what that is. How about you?"
"Same. Want some wine with our meal?" Tonks didn't wait for his answer and opened the wine list and started listing off red wines. Harry watched the scene with an amused smile on his face. She was always ready to jump forward and enjoy her life. After a few minutes, Harry watched a waitress enter the room. She carried herself with poise and perfection on every step. She stood before their table and watch Tonks scanning the wine list.
"Do you wish to select a wine off the house list or do you want one from your collection here, Mr. Potter?"
"Excuse me?" Harry answered bluntly.
"Your family, I believe your grandfather, was a frequent guest here and he kept an assortment of his preferred wine in our cellars as best as I can recall. I can check with a house elf if you would like to confirm our current stock."
"Sure, that sounds fine," Harry answered but he was obviously confused.
The waitress disappeared through a rear door. Tonks looked at Harry and smiled happily. "You have your own wine here? How cool. I wonder what you have got to chose from."
"I have no idea, but considering my grandfather has been dead for at least sixteen years I guess they should be pretty old."
The idle banter continued until the waitress returned. She had a slip of paper in her hand and asked what they wanted to order. Harry ordered the steak, medium, as did Tonks.
"Very good, so that means you will want a red. I have a wide selection here so if I may make a suggestion, the 1956 Mouton Rothschild should do nicely. Does that meet with your expectations?"
Harry hesitated before agreeing with the choice. The waitress left the room quietly. Tonks watched Harry carefully. "You ordered a 1956 bottle of wine for our dinner. This is going to be an amazing dinner, Harry. Thank you."
"There is so much I don't know about my family. When I get time, I want to read those files about them. No one has ever mentioned my grandparents before."
Harry and Tonks talked about her family and what she did as a child. Harry learned that she had always been different while growing up. She learned of her abilities when she was six and from that point on she had worked to develop and control them. Harry felt sympathy for her when she described how the other kids at Hogwarts had treated her during her first three years of school.
They had always asked her to change her appearance or become someone else for a joke. She could only name two people who had wanted to know the real Nymphadora Tonks. Harry couldn't help but agree with her distain for everyone else. The wine and steak had arrived and after a glass and a half of the very old wine, Harry was feeling a little lightheaded. Tonks was altering her features every other minute trying to entertain him. When the bill arrived, Harry tried to pay it while Tonks was busy fixing her pointed ears.
"I said I would pay it, Harry. Put your money away this instant." Tonks grabbed the check and signed her name and vault number on the slip. "With you supplying the wine, the bill wasn't too bad. Thanks for that."
"I had no clue about the wine. So what do we do with the rest of it?"
"Bring it with. We can't let it go to waste. Maybe the Dursleys will be jealous when they see it. Considering how they are, I can almost guarantee they won't know what to do when they see that bottle. It probably costs as much as that great arse makes in a week. Well, almost maybe. Let's go."
Tonks and Harry stood up to leave the restaurant after Harry had deposited the wine in his trunk. Tonks was walking very close to Harry as they passed the entryway. The man bowed deeply as Harry neared him. Tonks laughed, but Harry came to a stop in front of him.
"I suggest you treat people, especially friends of mine, better than you did today." Harry held the man's eyes for a few seconds before turning to leave. Harry placed his hand on Tonks' lower back and urged her on. She complied instantly and led the way out of the establishment.
"You didn't need to do that, Harry," Tonks said quietly but in an overly friendly way. "You always need to be the hero, don't you?"
"Nymphadora, he judged you because of what you were wearing. That isn't right and I should know considering what I wore until you made me buy new stuff. I am not interested in places that treat people like that. It is the same prejudice that Voldemort uses. Pureblood or you are worthless. Just because that guy isn't murdering people doesn't make his actions okay. You are my friend and I will do what I can to make you happy."
Tonks pulled Harry to a stop to the side of the alley amongst the shadows and moved into Harry. She gripped his head and kissed him firmly. Harry gave into the effort without a fight. As his head swirled a little from the wine, his mind went blank except for kissing the woman in front of him. They snogged for a few minutes until Tonks pulled away breathing heavily. "Make a portkey to your room. Apparating after drinking is not for novices."
Harry pulled out his wand and the metal ring he had used for training. He concentrated extra hard and tapped the ring. It reacted properly and Harry held it out for Tonks to grab onto. She grabbed the ring and kissed Harry firmly again. Harry felt the tug and once he pulled away for some air he saw that they were standing in his room.
Tonks opened her eyes and dropped the ring to the floor noisily and pushed Harry backwards on to the bed. She followed him down and pulled herself along his body up to his lips. She continued kissing him as she slowly pulled up on his shirt exposing his chest. She started kissing his newly revealed skin eliciting a pleasant sound from his throat. She thought she was in control for once until Harry's hands found their way to her butt and subsequently tugged her own shirt over her head. She was lying on top of Harry wearing her bra and pants as his hands started roaming around her soft skin.
She made a few sounds of her own as Harry moved her mouth back to his. They snogged for a while and Tonks managed to even the odds a little by removing Harry's shirt completely and getting his pants undone before there was a knock at the door. Harry growled as Tonks slid off of him and the bed. She gathered her clothes and quickly put on her shirt while Harry did the same and fastened his jeans.
Harry checked the room once before opening the door. He saw Dudley on the other side staring at him. "What do you want?" Harry asked slowly using everything he had to intimidate Dudley into leaving.
"I can hear you again," Dudley said quietly trying to steal a look into the room. "Mum and Dad will be up soon. You wouldn't want them to hear you shagging your girlfriend would you?"
"If you could keep your eyes to yourself for a second, I can tell you I couldn't care less whether they heard us doing anything. I have said it before and I will say it again; they have nothing to say about what I do. They never did, but I am taking control of my life now. I would hate to see Vernon bust in here and try something. He could get hurt, you know. Terrible shame that would be, wouldn't it?"
Tonks took this moment to swing around the door and step into the view of Dudley. She had messed up hair and her shirt was very rumpled. She slid her left hand onto Harry's shoulder and her right wound around his stomach caressing it softly. She put on her most sexy smile and spoke very enticingly.
"Harry, why don't you close the door so we can get back to what we were doing. I am a little cold and I think you should help me warm up a bit. You are good at that, remember?" Tonks looked away from Harry and wiggled her eyebrows at Dudley for a second before looking at Harry again.
Dudley stood dumfounded in the doorway as Tonks continued to rub her hand around Harry's body. Harry was beginning to respond to Tonks' touches and his focus was beginning to shift away from Dudley.
"Dud, why don't you go somewhere else. Somewhere that isn't in front of my door. I am rather busy right now." Harry had trouble forming sentences but he managed the best could. Dudley said nothing, so Harry absentmindedly pushed the door closed. Once it clicked closed, Tonks threw up a Silencing Charm and broke into laughter.
Harry took a moment to realize what had happened before he too started to laugh. "It may have been fun to get him like that, but I feel the price was a little too high for me." Harry looked like a wounded puppy and Tonks laughter broke instantly.
She watched him for a second then grabbed him and kissed him firmly on the lips again. Her hands worked his hair into sticking up even worse than normal. She moved him back to the bed and straddled him as he lay down. She started moving her lower torso around his getting the reaction she wanted.
"For once I know what I am doing," Tonks said between kisses.
"I am still clueless, but what are you going to do?" Harry asked.
"I am going to play for a while and then I am going to stop and drive you absolutely crazy." Tonks smiled widely as she continued her ministrations.
Harry let her continue for a few minutes before he stared into her dark eyes. "Nymphadora, I don't want to be driven crazy." Harry waited until she looked at him before willing his mind into hers. She responded with a moan and her eyes flittered shut.
"Damn you, Harry," Tonks said so quietly Harry had to strain to hear it.
"Maybe, Nymph, maybe." Harry pulled her lips to his and kissed her until his lack of air forced him to break it. She panted along with him and shivered slightly. She opened her eyes and all Harry saw was hunger and desire in them. He started pulling her shirt off again, but she yanked it over her head and tossed it over her shoulder. She pulled on his shirt a bit roughly so he helped her remove it.
Harry made eye contact again and willed the connection to happen. He watched anxiously as Tonks tried to inhale his mouth with hers. She was kissing and probing his mouth with her tongue. She kept rubbing Harry with her body stimulating him with every movement. As they continued, Harry felt a tremor in Tonks body so he opened his eyes finding the real Tonks sitting on him. All alterations gone, Tonks kept running her hands over his body and head.
With a moan, she lowered herself to lie next to Harry. She kept her eyes closed but her mouth was open trying to breathe. "Harry, I have to stop before this goes too far. You have no idea how close I am to vanishing our clothes and fucking your brains out. I can't open my eyes or I will do just that. I am sorry, but you get me going too much and way too fast. Oh, what a talent."
"So, um, what now then?"
"Harry, I am supposed to be looking out for you. I feel like I am betraying some oath or something here. I know what is expected of me but I know what I want to do. Those things are at odds here. I can't do both."
"Everyone has expectations of me. Most of them involve me saving them from Voldemort. For the first time in my life, I am doing what I want to do. I am making decisions and dealing with the consequences. Right now, I couldn't care less about what others want from me."
Harry put his right hand under Tonks' chin and moved it up so he could kiss her. She didn't resist and gave in to his efforts quickly. They proceeded to kiss at Harry's pace until a hoot from Hedwig ruined the moment. Harry looked at the owl and saw that she had a letter for him. With a sigh, Harry extracted himself from Tonks warm partially clothed body and took the letter from Hedwig.
The letter was from Remus and Harry sat back on the bed. He slowly opened the letter and read what was written. Without turning around, Harry spoke to Tonks who was moving around behind him.
"Remus is wondering if he has to pick me up tomorrow so we can go to the will reading. Should I take him up on the offer? I just have to write him back and say yes."
"Nah, I can take you, Harry. When is it?"
"Ten o'clock is the reading. So, we should get there a little early. Remus says that Dumbledore will be there too since he got a letter from Gringotts. That is not what I want right now. I haven't worked on my Occlumency much. Just when it comes to…"
"Yes, Harry? You faded out there at the end. When it comes to what?"
Harry turned and saw Tonks standing on the other side of the bed wearing only her bra and panties. She gave him an impish smile and bounced on her feet a few times. Harry swallowed and took a breath.
"Exactly," Harry said unable to force his eyes away from Tonks mostly naked body which was bathed in the moon light from outside. Harry managed to make eye contact with Tonks and waited for her to say something in response. She continued to smile and put her pink shirt back on. Harry watched as she put her arms in the shirt and moved about inside of it.
When her arms emerged, Tonks had a hold of her bra strap and tossed it at Harry hitting him in the chest. Harry saw her nipples pushing on the fabric from underneath and she smiled even wider. "Just so you know, that always happens when I take off my bra."
"Are you trying to test my Occlumency skills here or just teasing again?"
"Which would you prefer, Harry?"
"I am not going to tell you which I would prefer, Nymphadora. I could get into trouble doing that."
"I doubt you would get into trouble, Harry. You might find that you get what you want and more."
Harry forced his eyes to her face and found humor, lust, and eagerness there. "Promises, promises," Harry said softly.
Tonks pulled up the sheet and slid into the bed leaving her leg hanging out from under the sheet. "Are you going to join me, Harry?"
Taking a deep breath, Harry removed his pants and joined her under the sheets. Harry moved close to her and lay down. Tonks moved close to him smiling. "We can work on your Occlumency tomorrow before we leave. Right now, we should get some rest." Tonks kissed him quickly on the nose and rolled over.
Harry couldn't think for a second before he grabbed her sides and tickled her. "You are the biggest flirt and tease I know, Nymph. I am going to tickle you until you apologize."
Tonks was laughing and writhing around on the bed violently. She kept fighting off Harry's hands but the effort wasn't much. Harry continued until he saw Tonks fighting to breathe. Once he stopped, Tonks started taking deep breaths between residual giggles.
When she had regained some composure, she turned over and enveloped Harry into a hug and gave him a deep searching kiss. "That is the playfulness I want to see more of from you, Harry. Just so you know, I am always in the mood to wrestle around and play touchy-feely." Tonks became serious and lowered her voice. "You are fun to be with and you always seem to know what to do at the right moment. Keep it up and you never know what you will get. Oh, and I apologize for my behavior earlier."
"Don't worry about it, Nymphadora." Harry leaned forward and kissed Tonks like he meant to. They continued until sleep took them.