Your Love Is All The Magic I Need
A/N: Don't own a thing, especially not HP. I hope you enjoy Chapter Seven. Italics denote thoughts. Bold is for spells.
Chapter Seven: Funny how things work out
The newly minted Head of House Potter found himself back at the piano in the Common Room. He needed to think and this was the best way he could do that. 'I Never Dreamt' by Earl Hines was the song he'd liked best for gathering his thoughts. It had always been, ever since Arabella Figg had begun teaching him piano.
Hermione is mad that I left Hogsmeade…apparently if I do anything, I have to clear it with her or I'm at risk of being captured by Death Eaters… It annoyed him, more than a little, that both of his supposed best friends had begun treating him so poorly. Ron he'd expected, as Harry had mused before, Ron got jealous if Harry had a slightly larger rasher of bacon.
Hermione though, that was the one that hurt. When he'd arrived back at Hogsmeade and left Narcissa behind, Hermione was on top of him within a matter of seconds.
"Harry James Potter! How could you be so stupid to leave Hogsmeade with Narcissa Malfoy?" Hermione all but snarled as she stepped up, matching his pace.
Harry moved faster slightly, "Hi, Hermione, I'm glad to see you too. Thanks for calling me stupid, I always appreciate your honesty." Harry said sarcastically, "For your information, Narcissa took me to deal with my parents Will. Did you know I was never supposed to go to the Dursleys? Satan followed by Satan in a funny hat was ahead of Vernon and Petunia."
"How do you know it was a real will?" Hermione said, struggling to keep up. She was a thinker, not a sprinter. Harry had spent most of his childhood running away from Dudley, so he was able to speed up enough that she was having trouble following.
Harry stopped when she asked that question, "Hermione, what do you know about Goblins?" Not waiting for an answer, Harry continued, "They hate wizards, but they hate being called liars more." He looked at her, "I can relate."
"Harry, I'm not calling you a liar…it's just…you know as well as I do that you always end up nearly dying. I'd like it if my best friend would take this seriously!" Hermione said, trying to sound reasonable and rational, "I'm more worried that someone confounded you."
"How would that even work? I'm still underage. I couldn't cross the age line…I. Didn't. Do. It." He looked at her and shook his head, "Why is this so difficult to believe?"
That was what brought Harry back to this moment. Playing the piano and trying to make sense of his life. He was a legal adult now. Thanks to Narcissa, he had options regarding where to live. He would never have to go back to Privet Drive.
Then there was Tonks. She'd introduced herself shortly after Hermione, unable to answer Harry's question, had walked off in a huff. Tonks was, surprising, to say the least. He'd never seen someone who could make their hair change color like she could.
She'd caught up with him, once Hermione had left in a huff. "Wotcher," She said, "My name is Tonks. I'm one of the Aurors assigned guard duty for the Tournament." She gave what she hoped Harry would consider a friendly smile.
"I'm Harry…" He began, only to smirk, "But then you knew that. No one has not known who I was since Hagrid took me to the Leaky Cauldron to get my supplies." He took her hand when she offered it and shook it, a strange niggling detail whispered in his mind, She looks so familiar..but why? Harry didn't know the answer to that question. But he wanted to.
Up close, Tonks could finally take in every detail of his face. It's him alright. Every dream, every nightmare…in those visions, I loved him so much…and I hurt him…I hurt myself… Tonks had a reputation among her friends as a sharp witch. Rowan Khanna, one of her closest friends at the Ministry, had said it herself. 'Nymphadora Tonks has a knack for getting into and out of predicaments that would terrify a more sensible person.'
She was a brave Hufflepuff, something normally seen as a bit of a contradiction. But she did not back down. No matter what those stupid daydreams showed. I'm better than that…right? She drew in a breath, "So, I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here. It's not for an autograph, or to embroil you in some kind of fantastical deadly adventure, you've got enough of that already…"
"So why are you talking to me? Not to be rude but I'm sort of on my way to the Common Room…" Harry said, while in his head he was trying to figure out her angle. Everyone wants something: Ron wants me to admit I cheated to get in, Hermione wants me to admit that I'm wrong or lying, Narcissa wants me to help her become a Black again…what's next?
"I just wanted to talk to you. Besides being in the running for biggest celebrity in the Tournament, you are the youngest and the most at risk. I'm not a teacher, but if you wanted some pointers on defensive charms, I could give you a few." She offered. That would be the best way to get him to trust her. Be helpful, get his trust and prove that you deserve to keep it. That was the Hufflepuff way.
"And what would that kind of assistance cost me? Again, not to be rude, but no one has ever just wanted to help me with the exception of maybe three people." Harry asked her. Those being Hagrid, Sirius, okay maybe four if I count the twins separately instead of the bizarre hive-mind they usually act like. He smirked internally at that, but did his best to listen as she spoke.
Tonks wondered how a fourteen-year-old had gotten so jaded so early in life, "I don't want anything Harry. I just want to help you not die. We are kind of family…I mean my cousin was your Godfather...or is I should say." That got a reaction, she noted with some pleasure.
"Sirius is your cousin?" Harry asked, I know the big-name families are inbred to some degree, but just happening to run into two different cousins of Sirius seems bizarre… he didn't want to be so tired by all the things fate seemed to be throwing at him, but for some reason it just felt like recursion, like he was doing something over again. I hope this isn't like that movie I heard the Dursleys watching when I was in the cupboard…'Groundhogs Day' sounded like a nightmare for the person involved…
"He's technically my second cousin…he's my mother's cousin. Again, technically, she got kicked out for marrying a muggleborn instead of the guy they wanted. 'Course if I had to choose between freedom and Havard Nott, I would have picked getting out too." Tonks said, "You're just meeting all the former Blacks, aren't you? Well okay, not all of them, Auntie Bellatrix is still in lockup thank Merlin…but I know you were talking to Aunt Narcissa…saw the two of you in Hogsmeade."
"Yes, she was interested in telling me some stories about my parents. Apparently, she was friends with my mother and was nearly betrothed to my father…" Harry sighed then, "So, are you warning me off?"
"I should probably do that. The Malfoys are a shit family. Lucius has a permanent spot in Azkaban once we figure out something to stick him with. Cousin Draco is an obnoxious little bastard…Aunt Narcissa though…she's never been outright rude to me, so I'm going to do something dumb and not tell you to stay away. Just be cautious." Tonks said to him before gesturing towards the gates of the castle, "So, are you interested in those defensive spells? I can tell you know none of your competitors will know them..." She said that in a sing-songy voice, as if she was trying to tempt him.
"I'm not going to turn away help. Knowing my luck this stupid Tournament is going to have me arm wrestling the Giant Squid and then slap the backside of a centaur…" Harry said, "When do you want to do this?"
"You're a Champion, so you can ditch classes if it's for training purposes, right? Meet me tomorrow morning in the Courtyard at nine. Learning something that might actually save your life is better than dozing in Binn's class, right?" She asked him, when he nodded his assent she smiled, "Great, smiles all around. I'll see you then. Word of advice, wear padded trousers…you're going to be falling a lot." She gave him a little wave and turned, making her way back towards Hogsmeade. If this is going to work, I'll need to be relaxed. Best way I can think to do that is to get good and knackered tonight…
On her way into the village proper, she passed by a rail thin dog. It was huge, but looked like it hadn't eaten in weeks. The dog walked up to her, wagging its tail in a friendly manner. "Wotcher boy…" Tonks said, scratching the dog behind the ear, "Who do you belong to, and how badly do you want me to hex them for getting you skinny?" The dog chuffed in reply, sounding almost like a laugh. Tonks looked at him for a moment, "How about, let's get a sarnie for me, and I'll split it with you, you like that?" This time the dog barked loudly and began to prance around her feet happily.
Getting the promised sandwich at the Three Broomsticks, Tonks walked along the village's main road tossing the crust to the dog as she ate. She looked at him for a moment, "Seems like you're a safe enough one to talk to. You are after all a dog and can't talk back…and I need to get some thoughts out of my head anyway. I'm out of my depth here…Bones gave me the job of securing Hogwarts and coordinating with the other governments. That means everyone except for her, Kingsley, and Hestia hate my guts now…Harry Potter is being set up by someone and I promised I'd try to help him, but I have no idea what to do besides teaching him some Auror class defensive spells…" She scratched the dogs head for a moment, "And now I'm talking to a random stray because I'm isolated here in the ass end of Scotland instead of in my flat waiting on Hestia to show up with a large bottle of something potent…"
The dog looked appraisingly at her for a moment and then barked, leaping forward and walking a few paces before turning and staring at her as if to say Follow me, even if this is the most obvious set up ever…. Tonks knew it was most likely a bad idea, but she allowed herself to be lead away from the village and down to a small cave tucked in a hill. She kept her wand hand ready, One wrong move sparky and you are doxie chow…
Once they were at the cave the dog bounded inside. After a few seconds Tonks heard soft footsteps and out stepped the person she considered least likely to see today, "C-cousin Sirius?" She managed, to which the older wizard laughed softly.
"Hello 'Dora…" Sirius said, holding his hands up to show he had no weapons, "How's Andi?" This was a gamble on the part of Sirius, but he trusted her. From the year he'd spent in Azkaban and now as an escaped convict, he'd heard things. Amelia ran a tight department, which was expected. She'd always been a hard worker.
"You!" Tonks said holding her wand out at him, "Why are you here?" Please don't actually be a Death Eater…I don't want to have to tell Mum I killed her favorite cousin. It had nearly destroyed Andromeda Tonks when she'd heard that Sirius, the other black sheep of the family, had been sent to Azkaban for betraying the Potter family and getting them killed by Voldemort before murdering Peter Pettigrew and a group of muggles. Tonks remembered Sirius when she was a girl, he'd always brought her treats that she had to hide before her mother the Medi-Witch found them and threw them away for being bad for her.
"The same as you 'Dora. I want to keep Harry safe. Pettigrew escaped us and I know he's bound to have found his master again." Sirius kept his hands up, "I met Harry last year, he saved me from the Kiss and Buckbeak from Macnair's axe." Sirius chuckled soft and sad before speaking again, "The lad has too much of his father in him, James wouldn't have let Remus and I kill Peter either."
"Peter Pettigrew is alive? But how?" Tonks had so many questions about this. Questions that Sirius could see in her eyes, "Assuming I believe you, why haven't you tried to contact Mum?"
Sirius sighed, "'Dora, I'm an escaped convict. An escaped convict who still has a 'Kiss-on-sight' order on his name. Writing to Andi was too risky, if someone figured out that I'd sent a letter to the only family I claimed, she would have been in danger." He was right, Tonks knew that Owl tracking had always been a serious issue in the last war. You could have a fantastically warded hiding place and still be found if the wrong person found your letter.
She nodded, "Fine. D'you have a wand? Give me an Oath that you are innocent and I'll believe you." She watched as Sirius reached into his robes and pulled out a wand. As he gave his Oath she wondered how she would explain this to her mother when she saw her next. Or Bones…'Oh hey boss, I found your ex-fiancé…he's been hiding in Hogsmeade as a stray dog…' She did not relish the idea of telling anyone about this. Of course, Hestia would know. She'd see it in the cards, or the tea leaves, or in some chicken bones or some nonsense…
The Oath given, Sirius pocketed his wand again, "Now that you know I didn't betray my best friends or my Godson, we can figure out what to do to help him." He said to her, sitting down on a large rock, "You said defensive spells…so you handle those and I'll give him some Black family spells for offense."
The pair would make their plans as they sat in the cave. Keeping Harry safe was a priority for both of them. For Sirius, it was keeping his Godson safe and fulfilling his oath as Godfather. This was James' son. He had loved the boy from the first time a chubby dark-haired baby had grabbed a fistful of his beard and tugged it down.
For Tonks, it was her duty as an Auror to protect those who needed it. But there was also a baby in her mind. Teddy… The one from her dreams, the one that she'd had with Harry in her visions. For Teddy to be born, Harry had to survive. If Harry was to survive, she had to be ready to help, however she could.
Scene Break
Fleur heard the piano playing as she made her way to the Gryffindor Common Room. She found two red-haired brothers, twins, standing by the door. "Pardon, may I go inside, I wish to speak with Harry Potter…" She asked them.
Fred and George looked at each other, and then turned back to her, "One moment, Madame." One of them said, before the two went into a huddle, whispering furiously. After what seemed like a full minute of conversation then straightened, "We will allow you entrance into our most sacred place…" The first twin said with a bow.
Despite herself, Fleur giggled. The twins gave the password and allowed her into the Common Room, "Strictly speaking this is against the rules…" The second twin said to her, "So if someone with a badge shows up, glamour your hair red and say you're cousin Eunice from Swansea…"
"I could just hit them with the Allure and leave them dazed long enough to run away…" She said with a smirk as the twins laughed. She liked these two wizards, she'd decided. Beyond not treating her differently for being French, or a Veela, they seemed to have a good humor about them.
Finally, she was face to face with Harry once more. Well, face to back. He was still playing the piano, his eyes closed and his expression a million miles away. She wanted to touch his shoulder, to speak to him, but she couldn't. Instead, she sat down on the couch to wait. The music was beautiful and she found herself drawn into it. She saw an image of her, dressed in the wedding gown she'd seen in one of her dreams. This wasn't the sad vision she'd had before. In this one, she had embraced her feelings and the two were dancing at their own wedding.
Fleur Potter spun with her husband of two hours on the floor of the ballroom at Delacour Manor. She smiled and drew up against him.
The Champion of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and the love of her life. It had been the happiest moment of her life when he'd kissed her before she was due to return to France.
They'd corresponded while he finished his school years. He'd visited her on every Yule break and she'd came to London to be with him every summer.
Now they were married. She'd never dreamed she would find a man like him. Someone who saw her the way her father saw her mother. As a person, not a pretty face.
Fleur was unsure how long she'd been day dreaming when she noticed the music stop. She blinked the thoughts away and found that Harry had turned on the bench and was looking at her. "Bonjour...," She managed after a moment, "I am sorry for the intrusion, but I wanted to speak with you..." Fleur drew in a breath, "I'm sorry…I thought I had something prepared in my mind when I finally had the chance to speak to you again." She said as she rose, preparing to leave.
A hand on her arm stopped her, "Do you play?" Harry asked her, sliding over and offering Fleur a spot beside him. She nodded and sank into the seat beside him. The two began to play together, Harry on the right and Fleur beside him on the left. At first there was no tune, but as they continued they began to play together as if they had sheet music in front of them. 'Claire du Lune' was a well-known piece, one that they could both work with. Fleur was grateful for it. She might not be able to explain to him how her body reacted to him, but she could play.
They could play.
