Authors Note (Please Read):

So while the vast majority of my Author Notes maybe nonsensical ramblings, this one is actually important. I would first like to thank everyone who has shown an interest in this story. At this point there has been approximately 1500 views with 121 followers, 62 favorites and 11 reviews. To anyone that reviewed who said they enjoyed the fiction or left constructive feedback I have endeavored to reply to you, if I missed anyone it was not intentional. Needless to say I am overjoyed at the interest that is being shown in this story so early on in its life.

There has been some concern over the length of my chapters and I have found that writing shorter chapters helps to stop me getting writers block or burning out. I can understand that it might be frustrating but in the long run it will help the story go the distance. The overall story is currently approaching 30,000 words and I have up to Chapter 8 being Beta'd by Lena as we speak, she really is amazing and without her this would not be possible.

I have also come to a decision on how I will be uploading the story's content. Essentially there will be a censored and uncensored version. The censored version is what I will be uploading here, so that I stay within this websites guidelines. Should anyone want the uncensored version please let me know by submitting a review and I will compile a list and ensure the relevant chapters get to you. I will not be uploading this story anywhere else, so please don't ask me to.

Now please enjoy this week's offering and I hope everyone has an enjoyable week and please from this chapter on the story will earn the rating, so keep that in mind.

Whistler91

Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Chapter Two:

Harry turned to see a women towering above him, standing in the weak sunlight. He took in the sight of her shapely figure from bottom to top with a keen eye. She was a woman of average height but clearly muscular and very fit. Her figure was a perfect hourglass that drew attention to both her hips and bust. And while most males his age would stare at her curves, Harry did move on after staring longer than he perhaps should have, given the situation.

Her face was heart shaped and her lips were full and rosy. But certainly what drew Harry's attention the most, was her vividly pink hair that was very short and spiked. However, it did nothing to detract from her obvious beauty. Her eyes were a shade of pink themselves, that Harry was sure could not be natural. Which was what caused Harry to check her over again. His eyes darted back down and he missed the small smile playing across the woman's lips.

This time, Harry focused his attention on what she was wearing trying to work out if she was a muggle or a witch. While she wasn't dressed like any muggle he had seen before, she certainly wasn't dressed like most witches he had met either. She seemed to be dressed in a tight-fitting purple top, apparently made from a leather-like material and looking very durable. Her leggings seemed to be made from the same material and over it all was a set of purple robes that almost looked like a leather trench coat, completing the look were a back pair of gloves and arm guards that would no doubt help in a fight.

What drew Harry's attention on the second glance over though, was the wand holster strapped to her leg, and the wand he could see up her sleeve. Harry could only see the one wand so assumed that she had both two holsters so she had options when it came to storing the wand. As soon as he saw that, he blurred into action going for his own wand in the back of his pants. He almost managed to get his wand cleared of his pants, but his opponent blurred into action herself. Before Harry could fully understand what happened, his world spun and he hit the ground hard; the impact drove the air out of his lungs in a ragged gasp, as the women used his arm for leverage and threw him into the dirt. Before he could recover, she was on top of him, with a boot pressed firmly on his wrist and her breath tickling his face.

"Good instincts there, Harry. But you were a little slow on the uptake," she said with a playful smirk, "Did you see something you liked?"

Harry made no comment as the reality that this woman was basically straddling him, caught up with him. And like most males in his situation, the blood-flow in his body immediately headed south. He blushed hoping to every god he had ever heard of, that this woman did not feel his reaction. As his face reddened, she giggled lightly.

"I will take that as a yes, then. Padfoot told me to tell you that I solemnly swear that I am up to no good and Remus told me to say that Prongs rides when Dementors are near. I have no idea what either of them meant, but personally I think Sirius is a bit cracked and Remus just needs a good lay."

Harry's eyes met and widened visibly as he realized that this woman, whoever she was, knew Sirius and Lupin.

"Ah okay, look, I'm not going to curse you but can you let me up?" Harry asked

"What's the matter Harry, not enjoying the way we are now?" she fired back with a sinful smile and a wink.

But nonetheless, she climbed off him and offered Harry a hand. He took the hand and the women hauled him to his feet.

"Don't take this the wrong way… but who the bloody hell are you? I don't get many visitors during the summer," Harry snorted, in derision.

"The name is Tonks."

"Just Tonks?"

"Yep, just Tonks. Well, that's assuming you like the way your bits are arranged."

Harry's face reddened further at this. However, he decided that, since he was very much in favor of the way his bits were arranged, he would never be calling her anything but Tonks.

"As for why I am here. Dumbledore sent me to check the wards and make sure they were still standing. What with the snake-faced git running around again… he thought it was prudent."

"Why didn't Moony come himself?" he enquired.

"Remus? He is off doing something or other for Dumbledore, but they won't tell me what it is. Apparently that is "need-to-know" information and I don't need to know."

At this, her hair turned a deep vibrant red and Harry let out a gasp, staring at her.

"What?" she snapped.

"Your hair," he breathed, in disbelief.

She reached into one of her jacket pockets and pulled out a handheld mirror, checking her reflection quickly.

"Oh bloody hell…" she groaned.

A pained expression crossed her face. It was similar to a look of someone who is trying really hard to remember something. Gradually her hair changed back to the pink spiky look it had sported a few minutes back.

"How did you do that?" Harry marveled at her uncanny transformation.

"I'm a Metamorphmagus, it's a witch or wizard -."

"Who have the ability to change their appearance at will without the need for a spell or potion." Harry completed for her with a small smile and a nod of recognition.

Tonks seemed taken aback by the knowledge Harry displayed.

"There's not much to do here during the holidays, aside from the chores and study." Harry shrugged, by way of explanation. "Would you like to come inside? Perhaps have a drink?"

"Thanks, Harry."

The pair made their way into the house and into the kitchen.

"Very clean these muggles, aren't they?" Tonks remarked, once they were inside.

Tonks saw Harry's features cloud in a look of anger and loathing, but didn't comment on it. Meanwhile Harry reached into the fridge, to retrieve the homemade lemonade he had made the day before. It was a personal favorite of Petunia's, and woe be unto Harry if there wasn't always a batch ready in the fridge.

Tonks watched Harry's movements very closely and noticed with narrow eyes, the stiffness he displayed. Her sharp gaze took in his tattered clothes and the bags under his eyes. As he reached up to get the cups from the cupboard above the fridge, Tonks briefly admired his rear (which in her opinion was far firmer and shapely than anyone his age had a right to have). She smiled amusedly at the thought that he must have had the girls lining up at Hogwarts in the last couple of years, between his ass and eyes.

But then her eyes caught sight of his back, as his shirt rode up, and she let out a sharp gasp. Harry turned around suddenly as he heard her gasp. When he registered what had caused her reaction, his eyes clouded over with emotion.

"Harry… what is wrong with your back?" She breathed out, a hint of steel beneath her gentle tone.

"Nothing Tonks please just let it go." Harry went back to busying himself with the tea, only turning back to put the steaming cups on the table.

"Bollocks to that Harry, take off your shirt now!"

"Tonks, just leave it."

"Harry you have two choices: take it off or I will bind you and take it off myself." She intoned categorically, her wand appearing in her hand so fast it was almost like…well magic.

Harry's eyes cleared, only for anger to storm through him. Who the hell did she think she was? He had known her for all of five minutes, and here she was, holding him at wand point and demanding he show her something that would only prove what a freak he was. Harry had never felt more vulnerable or open to anyone, than he did in that moment.

Tonks gazed determinedly at Harry and saw the anger in his eyes. But she watched on as it quickly changed to fear. Her face softened, though no pity crossed her eyes or face, and Harry was glad for that.

"Harry, please." She pleaded, in a soft tone a person might use when speaking to a spooked unicorn.

Harry let out a deep sigh and pulled his shirt off painstakingly. Tonk's first reaction as his shirt came off, was to lick her lips at the v and abs she saw. However, as soon as she saw the wounds covering his arms and back, her expression hardened and her hair and eyes began to cycle through mercurial colors.

Harry watched silently as her hair cycled and felt like he should cover himself, to shield himself from her gaze. He felt the tension in the room and did not want to say or do anything, for fear of setting off her anger.

"Harry… turn around." She ordered, with a tremor in her voice.

He turned slowly and Tonks' eyes and hair stop cycling colors at the sight of the patchwork of scars on his back, still covered in dried blood. She inhaled deeply.

"Those bloody, buggering, shite-eating chavs!" She roared.

Harry's eyes widened at hearing such language coming from Tonks and swiftly moved out of her way as she swept from the kitchen. He followed her into the lounge, putting on his shirt as he went. She entered the lounge and pointed her wand at the chimney; it erupted in flames and without breaking stride, Tonks removed a bag and threw some powder into the fireplace. The roaring fire turned an emerald green and she stuck her head in the flames.

With her on all four and her head in the flames, Harry couldn't help but admire Tonks' ass, or the way that her curves enhanced what was already an amazing figure. Once again, Harry found himself hardening as he tried desperately to think of anything, other of what she would look like, in the same position with less clothing on.

After a few minutes, Tonks removed her head from the fireplace and she still looked absolutely murderous. Some moments later, the fireplace flashed green and, standing on the hearth, was Albus Dumbledore. But this was not the Dumbledore that the students of Hogwarts knew. The jovial headmaster with an every present twinkle in his eyes, who was forever offering lemon drops to the students. No, this was the Dumbledore whose eyes were cold and crystal blue, whose power rolled off him in waves. This was the Dumbledore that Harry had only seen once before, in the fake Moody's office. This was the Dumbledore that had defeated Grindelwald, and was one of the most powerful wizards on the planet.

"Harry, my boy." He greeted Harry with a gentle incline of his head

"Hello professor." Harry replied in kind.

"I see you have met Nymphadora." The old man nodded towards the woman.

Harry just tilted his head to the side, in confusion.

"I really do wish you wouldn't call me that, professor." Tonks sighed, sounding like she was repeating an age old argument.

"Who, you now know, prefers to be referred to as Tonks." The headmaster continued as if uninterrupted, some of the ice in his gaze melting a little.

"So would you, if your fool mother named you Nymphadora." She sniped back at him.

"Yes, well my mother did see fit to give me an extraordinary number of middle names, my dear."

Harry grinned at their banter, until Dumbledore turned his gaze on him, causing his smile to falter, as he felt like he was being x-rayed under the headmaster's scrutiny.

"Harry, Nymphadora was rather insistent that I come and meet with you today," he said. "She said that there were some things, you needed to share with me."

Harry gritted his teeth and glared at Tonks, who glared right back at him. The pair continued to glare, until Dumbledore laid his hand on Harry's shoulder.

Through gritted teeth, Harry began to tell Dumbledore all he had suffered at the hands of the Dursleys. All the beatings, all the times he had been starved, all the times he had been locked in his cupboard, all the neglect, which cut Harry far deeper than the beatings ever did. By the time he was finished recounting his tale, Harry had tears streaming down his face and the silence was deafening.

Dumbledore stared long and hard at him, before crossing the room in long strides and wrapping the boy in a hug.

"Harry my dear, dear boy, please forgive an old man and his mistakes."

As he was being embraced, he realized that Dumbledore was crying, his own tears mixing with Harry's. They broke apart as a haunting and uplifting melody filled the room. Neither was surprised, when a ball of flames erupted and gave way to Fawkes; who landed on Harry's shoulder and continued to sing softly, while nuzzling his cheek.

"Harry, I will assure you that nothing like this will ever befall you again. When I placed you here, I did so in good faith, thinking that Petunia would welcome you as one of her own, being that you were the last link to her sister."

"She always hated her sister…"

"The hatred may have come later, Harry. But certainly, they were close once upon a time. And I had no reason to think otherwise, when I left you here."

"You might have had someone check on him, from time to time professor." Tonks rebuked the older wizard.

Dumbledore inclined his head to her.

"And indeed I did, Nymphadora. Arabella lives only a few houses down, and Harry spent more than a few afternoons with her, growing up. She always told me that he was a quiet, well-mannered boy and I saw no reason mistrust her."

Seeing the look of incomprehension on Harry's face, Dumbledore smiled softly.

"Perhaps you remember her as overly fond of cats, Harry?" The headmaster asked, amusedly.

Harry's eyes widened. "Mrs. Figg is a witch?" He exclaimed.

"A squib, actually. She was the ideal choice, I thought, to watch you. Not being magical, she knew how to blend in with your society. And she would no draw any undue or unwanted attention to your location. It now appears I was mistaken."

His eyes darkened briefly. Fawkes let out a soft coo and he smiled at his familiar.

"But come Harry, I am sure there is a matron that would be rather anxious if she knew you were in this condition, and did not let her administer her tender mercies on you. I, for one, am not willing to risk her wrath. And I would warrant neither are you? So go and pack your belongings. We shall leave immediately."

Harry could barely believe what he was hearing. Not only was he getting away from the Durselys after only a few weeks, but he was returning to Hogwarts nearly a full three months early. His face brightened immediately, and he headed for the door.

"I'll come help you pack, Harry." Tonks announced, following him.

The pair left the room and made their way up the stairs. Unfortunately, Tonks tripped on the final step and pulled Harry down with her. The two looked into each other's eyes for a long moment, until Harry, reddened, climbed off her and helped her to her feet. He then resumed his walk and entered his room. Once inside his small room, Harry heard the door close and the lock click softly. He turned, only to find his vision full of pink hair and his nose smelling nothing but bubblegum.

When he realized that Tonks had him in a tight embrace, he returned it to the best of his ability, trying not focus on the feel of his body against hers. In the end though, the peace and comfort he felt in her embrace stole through him, his hormones calmed and he was able to lose himself in the comfort she was offering him. He had no idea how long he stayed wrapped in her embrace, but eventually pulled away from her. She regarded him briefly before placing a kiss on his cheek. The softness of her lips on his cheek made Harry redden again and he cursed himself internally. Meanwhile Tonks smiled softly, thinking to herself how much she enjoyed turning him such a color.

"Come on Harry! Let's get you packed up." She smiled, taking out her wand

With a simple jab, his trunk opened and with a waving gesture, all of Harry's belonging flew towards his trunk, in a messed up jumble.

"You have no idea how many years my mum spent, trying to teach me household spells." She confided to Harry. "She could even get the socks to fold themselves."

She waved her wand hopefully and the socks flopped over. Harry grinned and his smile only widened as she growled softly at him. With another wave of her wand, Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage floated in front of them. Harry thought Hedwig was probably already on her way to Hogwarts, knowing his owl and how much she hated travelling by floo.

The pair made their way back down to the lounge, to find Dumbledore inspecting a family photo of the Dursleys and humming softly to himself. Fawkes was perched on his shoulder, having moved there when Harry made to pack.

"Ah Harry! Good." The old man smiled genially "It's almost time for us to leave, there is just one more matter of business for us to attend to."

As he spoke, he moved to look out into the yard and Harry followed his gaze, just in time to see the Dursley's silver sedan pull into the drive.

Note from Len: Again, constructive criticisms and reviews always welcome by both Whistler and I. Don't hesitate to point out if we've missed something while ironing out the kinks. : )