Disclaimer: Nothing and noone belongs to me. I'm just borrowing them.

Chapter 1

Harry Potter, the boy who lived, hated his life with the Dursleys on Privet Drive. It was so predictable, get up, do chores, eat, do chores, sleep. It was the same thing every single day. Not that the sleeping part of his day came easy. All too often he fell asleep from exhaustion, only to wake up a few short hours later from the nightmares that seemed unrelenting. Every night he was forced to watch his Godfather struck down by the evil witch he had called his cousin. Every night he tried to save him. And every night he failed.

Harry lay in his bed in the early hours of the morning waiting for his aunt to unlock the door and release him from his prison. He had only been back from school for 5 days and already he was desperate to go back. Finally at 6am, he heard the turning of the locks and his aunt's voice demanding that he come downstairs and prepare breakfast.

Once his family were all eating, Harry took his own slightly burned slice of toast and sat on the back porch of the house. While the Dursley's back garden wasn't particularly interesting, anything was better than watching his uncle and cousin shovelling food into their mouths.

Two pops, which Harry recognised as the sound of apparition, made Harry look up. Albus Dumbledore and Nymphadora Tonks stood on the other side of the garden. Harry stood quickly, "What are you doing here sir? I thought…" Harry trailed off as he took in the sight of Tonks. Her face was tearstained and she looked like she had just lost her best friend. "Tonks, what's the matter?" asked Harry, desperate to know if he could help his late godfather's favourite cousin.

Tonks remained silent, her eyes fixed on the grass beneath her feet. Dumbledore intervened, "Perhaps this conversation should happen inside the house. Mr Potter, if you wouldn't mind?" he said, with a nod towards the back door. Harry took the hint and pushed open the door, gesturing for Dumbledore and Tonks to enter first.

Evidently the Dursleys had finished their breakfasts, but the dishes remained for Harry to clear away. "Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon," called Harry, "we have a couple of visitors"

"I didn't hear the doorbell," called the voice of Uncle Vernon, "what are you talking about boy?"

Harry led his headmaster and Tonks through to the living room where the Dursleys sat around the television. Seeing the people following Harry through the door, Vernon began turning purple. "What are they doing here?" he roared, "I already have to put up with you; I will not have any other freaks in this house!"

Harry turned to look at Dumbledore. His normally cheerful headmaster was now very angry, "Mr Dursley, I am aware that you and your family are not the greatest fans of magic, but you will not refer to anyone as a freak!" Uncle Vernon sat back down next to his wife and his face returned to its normal colour. "Thank you," said Dumbledore, "now, as to why we are here, it is a long story and I think we would all be more comfortable with a cup tea. By the way, this is Nymphadora Tonks; I don't believe you have met before."

Harry was now certain that something had happened to Tonks, as she didn't react to the use of her first name. Dumbledore waved his wand and tea with a selection of cakes appeared on the table. "Now," he started, looking at the seated Dursleys "are we all sitting comfortably?" Harry rolled his eyes, trust Dumbledore to be unaffected by the awkward tension that filled the room. Dumbledore conjured another sofa as the two male Dursleys filled the three-seater already in the room and Petunia occupied the remaining armchair.

He gestured for Harry and Tonks to join him, and a surprised Harry took his place in the middle of the sofa. Tonks' gaze had never left the floor, but as she sat, she leaned back and closed her eyes tightly as if wishing she were somewhere else. "As you will know by now," said Dumbledore, "Lord Voldemort has returned." Harry looked over at Aunt Petunia as she gasped, apparently for all her hatred of the wizarding world, she was well aware of who Lord Voldemort was.

"He and his death eaters," continued Dumbledore, "have been responsible for many deaths in the last few days. It seems he is attempting to get his hands on the Black family fortune, and is attacking anyone who may prevent Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange from inheriting." Harry glanced at Tonks as she let out a small sob. It was obvious to him that she was one of the targets Dumbledore was referring to.

"The most recent casualties were Andromeda and Ted Tonks," stated Dumbledore quietly, "Nymphadora's parents." Harry, who had still been half expecting this, was still surprised to hear it said out loud. Even though he had never met either of them, they had still been another link to Sirius, and now they too were gone.

Dumbledore then moved on quickly, knowing how painful this must be for Tonks. "The reason we are here, is that Nymphadora is now very much a target for Lord Voldemort and though she is a very capable witch, she does need whatever extra protection we can offer her. The strongest protections possible are the blood wards which surround this house."

It took mere seconds for the Dursleys to react. Vernon began turning purple again. Petunia kept shaking her head and muttering, "not another one, please not another one" and Dudley squealed and ran from the room and up the stairs. Uncle Vernon knew it would not help to get angry and attempted to talk to Dumbledore. "That would be impossible; we just don't have the space. My sister will be visiting from next week and she'll be staying in the spare room." This was news to Harry, although he wasn't entirely surprised.

Dumbledore though wasn't fazed. "No matter," he said, "Miss Tonks is a fully qualified witch, I'm sure she will be able to make Harry's room liveable for the both of them, won't you Nymphadora?" For the first time since she had arrived on Privet Drive, Tonks turned to look at Harry. "Come on then Harry," she muttered so that only he could hear her, adding in a louder voice "show me this room of yours." Dumbledore nodded his approval and Harry followed Tonks out of the room leaving his relatives to sort out all the details with his headmaster. "I think we'd better leave the room alterations to Dumbledore," added Tonks quietly as they ascended the stairs, "transfiguration has never been my strongpoint."