A/N I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 8

When Tuesday morning dawned, Harry did his usual morning workout but skipped lunch in favor of his lunch meeting with Tonks and her parents. At 12:30, Tonks showed up in his bedroom. "Wotcher Harry."

"Hey Tonks. Time to go?"

"Yep. Ready?"

With a nervous look at Tonks. "I guess."

"Don't worry about it. They're nice people, they just want to meet you and find out what your like,." Tonks said trying to reassure him. "You don't want them to believe that you're like what the papers portray, do you?"

"NO!"

"Then come on we need to be there soon."

"Alright,." Harry said as he made a decision and extended his hand to Tonks. "Let's go."

Surprised at his initiative she took his hand and followed as he opened his bedroom door and stepped into the hall allowing Harry to close the door behind her. Walking down the stairs and passing the kitchen, she saw Harry's relatives as they were eating lunch. Pausing in the doorway as Harry told his relatives that he was going to be going out and that he would be back later. When he had finished they quickly turned and left the house she let out a small laugh at the reactions her presence caused among his relatives.

Looking at Tonks Harry asked, "What's so funny?"

"The faces of your relatives."

"Hmm?"

"They were sitting with their mouths open when they saw me,." Tonks explained.

With a small laugh Harry said, "Yeah, I think they were trying to find out how you got there and why you were with me."

With a confused look Tonks asked, "What do you mean why I am with you?"

"They have always seen me as a freak and they can't come to terms that a woman like you would be holding my hand." Harry said with a casual indifference.

"A woman like me?"

"Yeah, when you have a 'normal' hair color, you fit their idea of a very beautiful woman,." Harry said while fighting a blush.

"And what about you? Do I fit your idea of a very beautiful woman?" She asked with a teasing smile.

Blushing Harry simply nodded as they continued on to the restaurant while idly chatting still hand in hand.

When they had reached the restaurant they entered and were led to the table where Tonks parents were already seated and waiting for them. "Mum, Dad this is Harry. Harry, this is my dad Ted and this is my mum Andromeda,." Tonks said as she indicated each in turn.

"Mr. and Mrs. Tonks it's nice to meet you,." Harry greeted as he shook both their hands. Looking at them Harry saw that Ted was of average height, maybe six feet tall, he was in decent shape, had brown hair and eyes. Altogether, he was a fairly non-descript man. Andromeda on the other hand had inherited the beauty of her sisters Narcissa and Bellatrix. She had red hair that reached her mid back with chocolate brown eyes, her figure was also incredible;, she was about five foot eight and was full figured.

"Mr. Potter it's a pleasure to meet you." Andromeda said in greeting.

With a nervous smile Harry said, "Please call me Harry, I feel like I am in trouble when people call me Mr. Potter."

"Sure Harry, but you will have to call me Andy then, and my husband Ted." Andromeda said with an easy smile.

"Ok," Harry said as he sat down at the table feeling somewhat reassured after helping Tonks to her seat.

"So Harry tell us about yourself. We only know a little from what Nym told us and what the papers have said,." Andy said.

"Um sure ok, well I just finished my fifth year and will be turning 16 tomorrow. My favorite class is DADA and I play seeker for Gryffindor."

"Ok, that really isn't all that much. What else?" Ted asked.

"I'm not really sure what you mean?" Harry said a little nervous.

"What he means is there has to be other stuff about yourself that you can tell us,." Andromeda said.

"What would you like to know?"

"Well what do you want to do after school?" Andy asked.

"I'm thinking about being an Aauror, but last year I taught some defense stuff to other students and realized that I liked teaching so I might do that." Harry said.

"What classes do you think you'll take next year?"

"Probably Charms, Transfiguration, DADA and Potions if I can get in; but I am not sure that I will be continuing at Hogwarts,." Harry answered.

Looking startled Ted asked, "What do you mean? You aren't going to finish you're schooling?"

"No, no, no, I am going to finish my education," Harry said quickly. "I just might not finish it at Hogwarts. Dumbledore and I do not see eye-to-eye on a lot of things so I've looked into going to either Beauxbatons or beginning an apprenticeship."

"So you are going to complete your NEWTS?" Andromeda asked.

"Yes I am," answered Harry.

"Oh good," Andy said releasing a sigh. "So who have you applied to for apprenticeship?"

"Nicholas Flamel, I found his name on a list of masters accepting apprentices and figured that with as long as he has been alive he would be able to teach me what I would need to know,." Harry explained.

"Who?" Ted asked.

Turning to her father Tonks explained, "Dad, Nicholas Flamel is probably the oldest wizard in existence. He is a master of alchemy and created the Philosopher's Sstone. An object that is known to do two things: transmute metal into gold or create the Elixir of Life which gives the user extraordinary long life."

"Oh." Ted said after realizing the importance of this man. "So just how old is he?"

"I think he is just over six hundred years old," Harry replied causing Ted's jaw to drop.

Recovering a moment later Ted decided to change the subject and asked, "So Harry, what are your plans for my daughter?"

"Honestly…" Harry began, organizing his thoughts after the abrupt change in subject. "I've only known about the marriage for a few weeks and am still getting to know her. I mean I am only fifteen years old and despite the fact that I have done things most adults haven't I still have very little experience with having a family. My aunt and uncle don't qualify. So all I can say is that I plan to marry her, support her, help her in everything that she does and just make sure we are as happy as possible in our lives."

Giving Harry a genuine smile Ted replied, "Good answer," causing Harry to breathe a sigh of relief.

Seeing Harry relax after his comment Ted gave a short laugh, which was soon joined by Andromeda and Tonks.

"Stop worrying Harry we just want to get to know you,." Andromeda relied when she finished laughing. "However, before we continue I need to use the restroom," She said rising from the table. "Nymphadora, I'm sure you need to use it also."

Looking up at her mother Tonks started to reply "No not rea—…lly," stopping when she saw her mother's you're-coming-with-me-whether-you-want-to-or-not glares. Rising from her seat she said, "Actually I think I do need to use the loo, be right back," before following her mother.

Looking confused Harry turned his attention back to Ted who had a small smile on his face. "Um Ted, what was that?" Harry asked his confusion clear.

"That was something you'll probably never understand,." Ted said with a small laugh. "Don't worry after over twenty years of marriage I still don't understand."

"Okay…" Harry said not understanding but willing to let it go.

"So Harry how long have you known my daughter?" Ted asked making conversation.

After having entered the bathroom following her mother Tonks finally spoke,. "Ok Mum, so what did you want to say that Dad and Harry couldn't hear?"

"I don't know what you mean Nimmie.," Andromeda said with false innocence.

Rolling her eyes Tonks said, "Right Mum I believe you."

"Oh fine, just thought we'd have a little girl talk."

"Girl talk?" Tonks said looking at her mother with surprise.

"Yeah, even before you found out about the marriage you never had a serious boyfriend. And now you have a fiancé, so…" She finished looking at her daughter expectantly.

"So… what?" Tonks asked not understanding what her mother was trying to say.

"So, just how far have you gone with this boy?" Andromeda asked grinning at the groan Tonks let out.

"…"

"…"

"Oh fine, we haven't done anything, we've talked and he held my hand as we walked here today but that's it,." Tonks said in exasperation.

"Really?" Andromeda asked with surprise. Her daughter was usually fairly expressive about her feelings and from what she could tell, her daughter does like Harry.

"Yeah I mean I like him, and I know that he likes me as a friend and finds me attractive but he hasn't tried anything, not even a small kiss,." Tonks said confused by Harry's lack of affection.

"Well say that he never has had a real family, so it may just be that he doesn't know how to act,." Andromeda said thinking about what Tonks had told her.

Eyes widening in realization Tonks said, "You're right, I mean the only family he has known are his aunt and uncle and the Weasleys." Stopping to think about that information Tonks shoulders suddenly slumped. "So what do I do? I mean he doesn't know what to do and he is not the kind of person to talk to others about this."

"Nymphadora," Andromeda said quietly. "I think this is one time where you are going to have to take the first step. You will have to show him how you want him to act towards you. Just think of it this way, he has no expectations or beliefs about relationships, you will be able to make him into the perfect husband material,." She said the last part with a small laugh.

Smiling in agreement Tonks laughed as well. "Ok Mum enough girl talk, I think we should get back. Who knows what Dad is talking to Harry about?"

"Yeah, you're probably right. He always did like to joke about being able to tell your boyfriends embarrassing stories about your childhood,." Andromeda said laughing at the look of horror on Tonks face before she watched daughter turn and run out of the restroom.

Tonks ran back to the table was just in time to hear her father say "Yeah and then she morphed her waist smaller so her pants would fit better, she just didn't have as good of control as she thought and ended up morphing her waist to the point that her pants fell down, showing off her pink heart knickers." Tonks saw her father was just barely able to finish the story before she reached the table asnd he and Harry broke down laughing.

Blushing furiously Tonks simply dropped into her chair next to Harry covering her face with her hands. The laughing continued until Andromeda returned to the table a minute later asking what was so funny.

"I was just telling Harry about Tonks 15th birthday party,." Ted said when he finished laughing.

"I remember that, Nymphadora wouldn't come out of her room until almost twenty minutes later,." Andromeda said with a bright smile on her face.

"If you're done embarrassing me in front of my future husband, maybe we could talk about something else,." Tonks said in a huff, desperate to get the attention off her self.

"What do you want to talk about?" Ted asked his daughter. "Cause there are still several more stories I could tell Harry, I mean there was the time at the beach when you were twelve and then there was also the time-"

"Dad!" Tonks cried out trying to stop him before he could mention anything else. "Please."

Taking pity on his daughter Ted relented. "So what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Well since we are all here, I was thinking that we could discuss plans for the wedding,." Tonks said causing her mother to perk up at the topic.

"Okay…" Harry and Ted said at the same time, wary of the enthusiasm of the two women.

Ignoring the men Andy leaned forward closing the distance between her daughter and herself. "So have you decided on a date yet?"

"No, but I was thinking sometime around Christmas, when Harry is off school for the holidays. I mean I know that we can wait for an entire year if we want, but now that everyone knows that Voldemort is back, I would rather have the wedding sooner than later,." Tonks said fairly quickly, before turning to Harry with an obvious look of questioning.

Looking amused and thoughtful at the same time Harry simply smiled and agreed. Amused at Tonks enthusiasm and thoughtful because it finally started to become real that he would be married to Tonks within the next few months.

"Ok, so a winter wedding. Before we go any further, I think we should find out what the budget is,." Andy said turning to look at Harry.

Tonks and her father wanting to know the answer also, turned to face Harry.

"Well, um I don't really know how much a wedding costs so is 100,000 galleons enough?" Harry asked causing all three of the Tonks' family member's jaws to drop. Seeing their surprise he asked, "What?" nNot understanding what was wrong.

"Harry, you do know that most families don't make even 1/10th of that every year? Right?" Ted asked overcoming his shock first. "I mean can you even afford to spend that much money? I was hoping you had about one or two thousand, even that would allow for a nice wedding."

"Oh…" Harry said feeling foolish. "No I didn't know that. But I can afford that much, Sirius and my parents left me several million galleons each."

This statement caused both Ted and Andromeda's mouths to open in shock again, having had no idea that the man in front of them so wealthy.

A few moments later after they had recovered from their shock, the group continued discussing plans for the wedding for another hour before they paid for their meal and after some goodbyes left for their respective homes. Harry and Tonks walking back to Privet Drive hand in hand just as they did walking to the restaurant. Tonks wanting there to be more affection in their relationship hugged Harry goodbye as they reached the front door. Harry surprised at the sudden contact stiffened slightly before relaxing into the embrace. Happy that he hadn't pulled away Tonks decided to take it a bit further and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before pulling away and leaving Harry confused on the front porch.

The next morning Harry woke up still confused over the kiss Tonks had given him last night. He knew that as her fiancé that he was going to be intimate with her but he didn't know why she would kiss him.

Deciding that he really didn't care at the moment he decided to let her do what she wanted seeing he really didn't mind being kissed by her, as it wasn't the wet kiss he had experienced with Cho.

After packing his trunk for his trip to Grimmauld Place Harry went about his normal training routine one last time before paying the remainder of the money to his relatives he returned to his room to practice his occulemencyOcclumency knowing he would need the calm it brought when he was dealing with the consequences of his and Tonks' announcement tonight.

It wasn't until one o'clock that afternoon that Moony, Moody, and Tonks showed up in his bedroom.

"Ready Harry?" asked Moony as he walked over to Harry and enveloped him in a hug. "How've you been?"

"Fine."

Not believing Harry Remus stared at him taking in his appearance.

"Really Moony I'm fine. I'm just glad to be outta here,." Harry said giving a slight smile at Remus' probing look before turning to Tonks and Moody and saying hello, however with Tonks he gave a hug similar to the one she gave him last night drawing raised eyebrows from the other two.

"Potter," Moody greeted.

"Wotcher Harry,." Tonks greeted as she returned ther hug, pleased that he was more showing more affection of his emotions.

"All packed Potter?" Moody growled.

"Yeah, I was just waiting for you to get here,." Harry said as he pointed to his trunk and Hedwig's owl cage.

"Good, better let your owl go. We're going be using a portkey and yer owl ain't likely to appreciate that,." Moody explained.

"Okay," Harry said going over to Hedwig's cage and letting her out of her cage. "Hey girl, I'm gonna be leavin here so I want you to meet me at 12 Grimmauld Place." Nipping his finger gently Hedwig flew out the window.

Turning around Harry saw that Moody had already brought his trunk into the middle of the room and had an old book out that Remus and Tonks were holding onto as well.

Just as Harry was about to walk over and join them an owl flew in and landed next to Harry. Looking down Harry saw there was a letter attached to its leg, reaching down he took it off the owl's leg.

"What's that?" Moody growled suspicious.

"A letter,." Hary replied opening the letter, reading it quickly.

Dear Mr. Potter,

It is my pleasure to inform you that after reading your request I have granted you apprenticeship under me. This letter will turn into a portkey that will activate at noon August 25th, be ready.

Your Master,

Nicholas Flamel.

Finishing the letter Harry had a huge grin on his face he turned to Tonks and said, "He accepted."

After a moment of confusion, Tonks returned his smile and asked, "Are you going to accept?"

"Of course."

"It's an incredible opportunity," Tonks said happy for Harry. "Now we need to get going so get over here."

Walking over to the others Harry held onto his trunk as the portkey activated leaving the smallest bedroom of Number 4 Privet Drive empty.

A/N: I know I mentioned Harry buying another snowy owl and she will come into play later.

Also I want to apologize to everyone for taking so long for this chapter, school was taking more of my time than usual.