4 Harry's hearing, and stuff

Today was the day. Harry's hearing at the Ministry of Magic, that would determine if he could return to Hogwarts or not. If I'm really truthful, I knew he'd walk it. Harry gets away with everything. But I don't voice this thought to anyone; I don't want to jinx it…why have I become so superstitious recently? I've taken to counting magpies, avoiding walking under ladders and I've stayed clear of black cats…not that there are any but still, you get my drift.

The magpie song is an interesting muggle invention. I enjoy counting the magpies whilst chanting it softly to myself:

1 for sorrow,
2 for joy,
3 for a girl and,
4 for a boy,
5 for silver,
6 for gold,
7 for a secret never to be told,
8's a wish and,
9's a kiss,
10 is a bird you must not miss,

Anyway, back to more serious matters, where was I? Oh yeah, the hearing. Well, the ministry, especially that bastard Fudge, won't be nice. Or fair. But life is a bitch and Harry knows this. But he's got Dumbledore as his defense and Dumbledore spots loopholes quicker than you can say "Harry James Potter, you are expelled from Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for the criminal offence of casting a spell in front of a muggle."

Sirius looked quite serious, brooding over a piece of parchment, scribbling frantically every now and then. He had gone a funny colour. Nervous about Harry's hearing I guess. Poor thing.

'You OK?' I asked him.

'Been better,' Sirius answered. He put his tatty quill down. 'How are you?'

'I'm fair' I said. There was an awkward silence. 'I'm not going to be around for a while.'

'How come?' Sirius demanded. He looked quite upset.

'Work, and I need to go home from time to time,' I said cheerfully. Then noticed the pissed off expression on his face. 'I mean it's a lovely place an' all but Y'know, home is where the heart is.'

'Yeah. That's why I'm thrilled I'm here,' Sirius said sarcastically.

I dithered nervously behind his shoulder, trying to make amends, Molly came over. 'Leave him be Tonks,' she said. 'He's just worried about Harry, we all are.'

I nodded my head, but I wasn't much reassured. 'Sirius?'

'Fuck off.'

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. 'What?'

'Fuck off back home Tonks. You don't want to be here so don't bother linger if it disgusts you so much.'

'Sirius, I didn't mean to offend you.'

'No one ever does,' Sirius spat. 'No one cares when they insult this house.'

'Well you insult it just as much Sirius,' I snapped.

He didn't respond to that. He just ignored me.

'Grr, Sirius you're such a, such a…'

'Such a what?'

'Piss head.'

'Thanks for that friend.'

'You just said fuck off to me!' I spluttered.

'You just said fuck off to me,' he mimicked cruelly.

I turned around and stamped off. I wished Harry good luck then slammed the door as I left the vacancy.

I was a bit harsh to Tonks I suppose, the house was deadly quiet after she slammed the door. Ah well, she'll come around.

'What's all that about?' Harry asked me as Molly fussed about his person and tried to flatten his messy hair. He swatted at her.

'Nothing Harry,' I lied.

Truth was, I didn't really know. Just one of those days I suppose. But then, she wasn't very nice to me, calling me a piss head. Humph

Harry and Arthur left. No one knew what to do as we all dithered around the house; conversation was short and tense. Ron and Hermione were on the two-seater settee. Romance is kindling there if you ask me. Mind you, Hermione was a bit all over Harry during the Triwizard Tournament. Stay away from him man-eater, I couldn't help thinking viciously as I toyed with the bacon set before my face.

Really mature Tonks, I thought as the slam reverberated throughout my head. Oh well, let's get to work, I thought. I checked my appearance. It was the same as yesterday, quite boring really. Yeah, I wanted to change it. I flicked my head and flame red ringlets cascaded to my shoulders, a few ringlets dripped over my delicate cheekbones. Bright green eyes glittered from behind elegant eyelashes and I donned a…what's the muggle word for it now? Ah yeah, hippie appearance. Grinning I danced to work, changing my appearance usually puts me in a good mood.

I must've missed Harry, because Arthur walked in after me. 'How did it go?' I asked.

'He's been cleared of all charges!' Arthur said. 'Unusual though, the whole Court was there, for a simple error.'

'Odd,' I said. They usually only have a few.'

'I know, most of them probably just wanted to see the famous Harry Potter,'

'Yeah, probably.'

'How's Sirius and people?'

'Meh.'

'That good?'

'Yes.'

'Ah well. Life's a bitch.'

'Yeah.'

'Have a good day at work.'

'And you.'