beta'd by Alix33

Chapter 7 Healing

Harry was relaxing in the orchard at The Burrow looking over at the pond. He loved the Weasleys and The Burrow but for someone who had spent so much of his childhood alone sometimes the hustle and bustle was just too much. Knowing that quiet contemplation was likely to be hard to obtain once back at Hogwarts Harry had taken to wandering around The Burrow's land whenever the opportunity presented itself, which hadn't been frequent. Fortunately when he had managed to find some alone time The Burrow's other inhabitants seemed to sense Harry's desire for solitude and rarely disturbed him.

Despite the recency of Sirius's death and being overwhelmed at points, the last 3 weeks had been some of the best Harry had spent at The Burrow. They had been filled with quidditch, daydreaming and food. Molly seemed to be on a mission to fatten Harry up, she kept commenting that he needed 'more meat on his bones.' it almost reminded Harry of the witches in some of the muggle fairy-tales read to him at primary school although he was certain there was no malicious intent in Molly's actions.

Harry ruminated on why this summer had been better than the last, part of it had been getting to know Ginny better. She was no longer the blushing and stuttering kid sister of his best friend but was well on her way to becoming a good friend in her own right. Harry had found himself often sat next to the petite redhead at meals. Although his blossoming friendship with Ginny added to the Burrow's charms, the predominant reason for Harry's enjoyable summer lay squarely at the feet of a certain metamorph.

They hadn't really had much alone time since her flat, and when they were alone on a couple of occasions there had been an air of awkwardness about it, but Tonks's energy was infectious and her presence seemed to result in fun for all, except the gnomes.

Somehow, since Harry's arrival, Tonks had managed to visit the Burrow every couple of days, for a few hours and normally including one of Molly's amazing meals. Molly seemed a bit perplexed by Tonks' frequent visits but she was never one to turn away a mouth to feed. It escaped no one's attention that Molly was using Tonks's presence as an opportunity to get her eldest son away from Fleur. There were numerous scenarios constructed by Molly that required Tonks and Bill. As the weeks had gone on the set-ups had got more ridiculous. Last night Molly wanted an auror's opinion on Bill's most recently constructed wards and despite Tonks' protests that she wasn't qualified, Molly was having none of it and ordered the pair outside.

While annoyed at Molly's blatant attempts at manipulation, Tonks had quickly established with Bill that she was not interested in him, which relaxed them both, allowing everyone to enjoy the humour of the situation. Although Harry couldn't help the pangs of jealousy that seemed to appear from nowhere and congregate in his chest whenever he saw Bill with Tonks.

At least Fleur could publicly stake her claim to Bill, as much as part of Harry seemed to want to stake his claim to the pink-haired witch had enough sense to know any attempts by him to do so would not go down well with anyone including his intended. Anyway the desire to stake his claim on Tonks, itself confusing him slightly it's not like they'd spent much time together, loved each other or got very far with their 'relationship' Harry put his reaction down to the contract under the 'Merlin knows what stipulations Sirius might have put in the contract for a laugh' possibility.

However overall Harry loved having Tonks around and getting to know her better even if it was mainly in group situations. He was beginning to realize just how lucky he was to be her betrothed and the more time went on the less he was resenting Sirius' actions although he couldn't help but wish he could attract someone as brilliant as Dora without it being through force.

'Dora' that was what he'd started his future wife in his head; Merlin knows what Tonks would say if she knew, but thankfully she didn't and he remained un-hexed. He just couldn't keep calling her Tonks. It seemed detached and impersonal now, for some reason, maybe it was the daydreams he'd been having since that night at her flat.

He was beginning to wonder, though, if she had somehow rescued a time-turner from the department of mysteries as there was no way she could be spending so much time at the Burrow and working full-time as an auror. Harry was pulled out of his contemplation by the sound of footsteps approaching. Turning quickly, wand in hand, he saw the subject of his thoughts approaching tentatively.

'Wotcher Harry' Tonks stated softly, drawing closer to him. 'I wasn't sure if I was intruding on something but I when I saw you out here I thought I better take the opportunity before Molly spots me.'

'It's okay, Dora,' both blushed at Harry's address but neither commented and Harry continued 'I was just thinking and enjoying the quiet.'

'Oh, okay sorry for disturbing you, I was just thinking we haven't had much time alone together since you got here and you're off to Hogwarts in a few days and I don't know when we'll get another opportunity like this to talk.'

Harry wasn't used to this placid, tentative version of Tonks. It was so at odds to her normal bold self - it made him a little nervous. Tonks looked like she was contemplating leaving and he realised he didn't want her to go.

'Please stay' he said quietly. Tonks plonked herself next to Harry and took in the view. Harry was very aware that she was only a few millimetres away and he hated how awkward he felt at the awareness of her closeness.

'We haven't had as much time together as I hoped this summer, Harry. I'm sorry. I'd forgotten how intense Molly can be.' Tonks started with a little humour.

'Yeah, who knows what situation Molly will construct today to put you and Bill together.' Was Harry's emotionless reply.

'You know there's no attraction between me and Bill, right?' Tonks asked nervously, why she was nervous Harry wasn't sure.

'Yeah, even Ron can see nothing's going to happen between you two and that's saying something. I think Molly's the only one who can't.'

'Glad it's that obvious, I wouldn't want you getting the wrong idea.' Neither followed up that statement, enjoying the companionable silence for a while.

'You know that night I spent at your flat was the best night's sleep I remember having' Harry was cursing himself internally, why did he say that, it was like his mouth ran away with him. During his self-chastisement he missed the contented look that passed over Tonks face at the memory.

One awkward sentence seemed to clear away the discomfort that they'd felt around one another since that night. With the awkwardness gone they started talking amicably to one another and Ginny found the pair playfully shoving each other while laughing away two hours later.

Bored, she was bored out of her mind and that made her feel agitated as boredom never sat well with her. Boredom was something that annoyed her about being an auror, nobody ever told you about the boredom before you became one. Being on duty in Hogsmeade was even worse than Diagon Alley. Nothing ever happened in this village, not even the odd shoplifter.

She'd been here 5 weeks and the most excitement and fear she'd felt was on her 2nd day. Yet again the focus of this activity had been her Harry but then again he was the whole reason she'd volunteered to be stationed in the village in the first place.

She had thoroughly enjoyed the time she'd spent with Harry even if little of it had been one on one. The time with Harry had allowed her an opportunity, she had a feeling few would ever get – the chance to get to know the real Harry Potter; not the hero of the wizarding world but the 16 year old guy who always put others first, who was so honourable it was painful, the relatively quiet guy who seemed to revel in just being included and the who guy who enjoyed nothing more than flying on lazy summer afternoon.

Without any more bombshells Harry had actually learnt to relax a bit over the summer despite the feeling of impending doom that was spreading across the wizarding world and she certainly liked what she saw of this Harry. Although she and Harry had only managed to overcome the awkwardness between them a couple days before, she hoped that with her being based near Hogwarts there would be more opportunities for them to see each other. Unfortunately Harry's arrival in Hogsmeade on the 1st showed that this year at Hogwarts was not going to be conducive to Harry or herself relaxing. She still vividly remembered fear that had gripped her when she'd noticed Harry wasn't with any of his friends exiting the express…

'Where are you, Harry?' Tonks thought while overseeing the students' transfer from the station to the carriages.

'Only one way to find out' she thought as she was trying to suppress the feeling of unease that was building inside her. "Wotcher, guys, how was your journey?" Tonks casually asked Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Dean, Neville and Luna as they boarded the carriages. The sextuplet were some of the last students to exit the train. 'Oh, it was okay nothing special,' supplied Ron, grumpily looking surprised at the auror's presence. 'Oh Ron, just because you didn't get an invite to The Slug Club, no need to take it out on Tonks.' Hermione exclaimed Before Hermione could rile up Ron more or question Tonks's presence, Tonks pressed on with her discrete questioning, not wanting to be sidetracked.

'What have you done with Harry? Did he go ahead of you?' She asked in a superficially light tone that was accepted by the group although Luna and Hermione looked slightly suspicious but thankfully chose not to mention it.

'Don't know, he said to me and Ginny he'd see us later after we left The Slug club that Professor Slughorn held on the train, that was about 30 minutes before we got here.' replied Neville.

'Okay, well say hi from me when you see him and let him know he might see me around as my team's been stationed here at Hogsmeade for the school year as a security measure now You-Know-Who has officially returned. Anyway, I'm on duty, so better get back to work. See ya' She didn't want to worry Harry's friends but she couldn't shake the feeling in her gut that something was wrong. She quickly moved back towards the train. As she went she noticed some Slytherin stragglers: first two gorilla sized boys, then a pug-faced girl and then a considerable distance behind, her smug-looking cousin Draco. When Draco saw who was passing him, Tonks couldn't help but notice his smug look slip a little.

'A smug looking Malfoy is never a good sign.' she thought to herself. The look on Draco's face was doing nothing to ease her concern over Harry. She knew all too well the antagonism that existed between her cousin and her fiancé from what Sirius, Harry and even some order members had told her.

Deciding the best course of action was to check the train, she quickened her pace and jumped on the express quickly. Making her way down the train, she checked each carriage with a series of spells including homo revlious. Only two coaches left and she wasn't sure whether to be relieved or concerned that so far she'd found nothing.

Entering the last passenger carriage, she immediately noticed the blinds were all closed, which was odd and set her on edge. She proceeded to cast her spells and swore under her breath, she crouched to the ground and began groping the ground in front of her. Feeling a silky substance she gently lifted it off.

The image before her elicited a sympathetic moan of 'oh Harry' from the young auror before she could stop herself. Tonks quickly followed it with a ridiculously upbeat 'Wotcher Harry'*.

Unfortunately the greeting also signalled the starting up of the empress's engine. Tonks quickly muttered the counter curses and dragged Harry to the end of the train. 'Come on, we'll jump'* Tonks said quickly.

Once they'd landed on the platform Tonks took the chance to look Harry over more thoroughly. At a minimum he definitely had a broken nose. She gently brought her hand up and stroked his face. If anyone asked she'd claim that she was checking his injuries but the shiver that touch sent through her suggested it was anything but medical in intent. Unfortunately Harry flinched at the touch.

'Sorry, did I accidentally hit a sore spot?' Harry nodded somewhat dumbly. 'Do I need to ask who did this to you?' Tonks asked. The dark look that crossed Harry's face said it all. 'The Ferret, of course,' Harry all but growled. Tonks could see he needed calming so tentatively she began to rub Harry's back, hoping nobody was watching. It seemed to have the desired effect as the next sentence from his lips was said in a much calmer tone 'There's no point complaining, even with Daddy in the company of dementors he will find a way to blame me.' Wanting to avoid a Malfoy based rant Tonks changed that subject.

'It's a good job Auror training includes basic healing training as I think with you as my husband I'm going to need it, let's get you fixed up. Are you hurt anywhere else apart from your face?' Harry shook his head 'Okay, this will hurt, I'm afraid, Episkey'

Tonks couldn't help herself, Her hand instinctively reached for his face again. It was like she was magnetically drawn to him.

She hated the thought that she was causing him pain, but he needed healing.

'There you go, Harry, good as new.' She said breezily while reluctantly moving her hand away.

Regaining her senses Tonks sent her Patronus off to the castle informing them of Harry's location and imminent arrival.

'What are you doing up here, anyway? Harry asked* "I asked to be stationed up here for the year,' replied Tonks, hoping Harry would realize the unspoken 'to be closer to you'.

'Is it just you who's stationed up here, or-?'*

'No, Proudfoot, Savage, and Dawlish are here too.'*

'Okay,' Harry said somewhat quietly as they proceeded towards the castle, it was a long walk without the carriages but both of them seemed to be enjoying the walk.

Out of nowhere Harry put a hand on Tonks to stop her and looked deep into her eyes as if studying her. Her brain was telling her he was going to kiss her and she leaned in only to be disappointed when there was no kiss.

'Why didn't you tell me, why didn't you tell me you got an assignment up here?' Harry said sounding a little hurt.

Brushing of her discombobulated feelings of wanting to be kissed by Harry and not being kissed, Tonks decided grumpiness was not permissible in Harry right now so she dealt with his impending mood the only way she knew how –humorous flirting.

'Oh, Harry, as much as I love that broody expression you're sporting right now, we don't have time for you to get in my knickers; you're meant to be at the feast already…but maybe this will take that look off your face. '

With that she placed a light kiss on his cheek and whispered in his ear 'I wanted to surprise you and this way will have more opportunities to get to know each other better.'

Mission complete, Tonks pushed forward up the hill with a smirk on her face, with Harry staring at her departing figure longingly. Before long, Harry's brain kicked in and he rushed to catch up with his escort.

Coming back to the present Tonks was reminded that she hasn't seen Harry since she delivered him to Hogwarts and that needed to change as a matter of urgency.

*Harry Potter and the half-blood prince (2005) p 149-153.