A few weeks into the summer, Phoenix had just returned to his cabin from a grounds keeping lesson with Hagrid. He learned about caring for Blast-Ended Skrewts. Despite the wounds he suffered on his hand and arms, he was grateful that Hagrid was teaching him how to do it. He figured it would look good on his resume in the event he decided to move on from being a watchman to something else. Care for Magical Creatures interested him the most at the time. He dressed the wound on his left hand and then grabbed a butter beer from his icebox. After he sat down, he looked at his hand and prayed he would not have to work with Blast-Ended Skrewts again anytime soon.
No sooner after he sat down, Demetrius began screeching at the owl that flew in through the window. Phoenix took the parchment wrapped around it's leg and smiled when he saw that it was from Tonks. The owl flew over to the Falcons cage and was allowed to share in some food and water before it flew off again. He read over the parchment carefully.
"Hey Phoenix. Haven't seen you since we set the Dursley's straight. Which is why I am writing to you now. Since it's the summer and I'm sure that, well at least, a part of you is going insane having only Hagrid and a select few from Hogsmeade for company. Any who, I have left at the bottom of this letter, the address to my flat. I would like for you to come over and have tea. Any time after you get this, just Apparate over. If it helps sway your decision any, Zandra wants to see you. She points at my picture of us with Violet and Darius and her eyes light up and she gives me a smile. It would mean more than you know. Not to mention, you did mention that we do need to talk and I would like to discuss with you what happened at St. Mungos.
See you soon,
Tonks."
He dropped his Butter Beer because he was so surprised. Despite how she seemed to not be bothered with what happened at St. Mungos when he saw her at Platform 9 ¾. Now she wanted to talk about it. Then he wondered if perhaps she had had time to think since Platform 9 ¾ and was actually wanting to let him down in person. He sighed and rolled up the parchment. He knew though that he had to take the chance because he really wanted to see her. He changed out of his work clothes and into a pair of black cargo pants, a black t-shirt and his black boots before he Disapparated to the address she left in the parchment. He appeared in front of her door.
Before he could knock, she opened the door, tripped over the thresh hold and knocked him over along with herself when she tried to hug him. They both were laying on the stoop, staring at one another laughing.
"How did you know I was here?" he asked while rolling over to look at her and her purple hair.
"I heard your Disapparation pop," she answered still looking upward.
"Really?" he asked while rising up to his knees.
"Yes. I am an Auror you know. I can hear a Disapparation pop from two miles away," she joked.
With a laugh, he stood up and then helped her up with smile. Her hair changed to a bubble-gum pink. She had him go inside first and followed him in. Once through the door he saw that Zandra was asleep in her crib, so he did not disturb her.
"She's grown at least a foot since I saw her last," he observed.
"No don't say that. She can't be growing that fast. Not yet," Tonks joked.
He chuckled and followed her out onto the balcony. There was a patio table and chairs with tea and food set out. He sat down across from her while she poured some tea and offered him a Cauldron Cake.
"How has the summer been?" she asked.
"It's been going well. Hagrid's been teaching me how to take care of several of his creatures," he replied and showed his bandaged hand.
"Thinking about abandoning the Watchmen for Care of Magical Creatures position, Phoenix?" she joked again.
"Thinking long term and what I enjoy doing. I like working with Hippogriff's, why not other creatures too?" he replied.
"Would that long term include a wife and children?" she asked with curiosity in her dark eyes.
A blush swam across his cheeks as he nearly choked on his tea. "Pardon?" he asked trying to catch his breath.
She just laughed and said, "I'm not talking right now, Phoenix. I mean down the road."
"Oh... Perhaps once Voldemort has been overthrown and I find the right person," he answered and saw a hopeful look in her eyes. "Settling down will be part of my plans."
"Oh come now. We both know the thought is closer in your mind than you claim," she said flirtatiously.
"Is that right?" he asked trying to play it off.
"You proved that at St. Mungo's," she answered and her hair turned blushing pink.
He looked around a moment and then back at her. "Yes, about that. I apologize if..." but was cut off when she leaned forward over the table.
Her face was at least three inches from his. She was smirking while inching closer. He then took notice for the first time since he arrived, that she was wearing a low cut, spaghetti strapped shirt and was showing off her assets. He stared her over for a little bit longer as his heart skipped so much that it felt as if it had stopped. While he was distracted she dropped what appeared to be a blue marble into his tea. He did not see her do it as he was distracted by the view she currently presented.
She leaned her lips closer to his and said, "Apologize?... You shouldn't," and sat back down in her chair with her chest puffed out. The smirk still on her face.
He sat still in disbelief that that had just happened. She giggled and leaned forward again.
"You can close your mouth you know," she said and smiled.
He winced and looked back at her, "Apologies again," he said.
He picked up and drank his tea in one gulp to hide his embarrassment. Once he composed himself, he began to eat his Cauldron Cake. He suddenly felt a feeling he had felt before but couldn't remember from when. As Tonks spoke he felt himself drift off and his eyes roll into the back of his head. A flash came across the darkness of his vision and he saw himself standing in a dark room he did not recognize.
He looked over and Demetrius flew in and perched on the sill while he ruffled his feathers and screeched. Phoenix stiffened his posture and tapped his his wand. Someone hollered, "Do it to it my Phoenix!" He gripped his wand and the lights came on. Two life like mannequins popped up and were swiftly destroyed by the spells he cast at them, two stunners. Three more came up in different positions. One of them dropped from the ceiling. He dived sideways and rolled as he hit the ground and destroyed all three of them with the multiple spells he cast. Stunner, Petrifier and Incindio. Another mannequin dressed as a Death Eater, pointing a wand that started to glow. With a wave of his wand he shouted, "reversusque ignis." The wand backfired with an explosion into the mannequins face.
The instructor came up behind and Phoenix took him down with an armbar and stuck his wand in his face. After a glare he helped him up. "Apologies, Instructor Hunnam."
The blond haired instructor raised his clipboard and quill. "You used a spell that was not on the list of authorized spells to use. However effective it may be, you were not approved to use that. Eighty five out of one hundred and ten. You passed," he said and looked up. "Despite that, exemplary marks." Instructor Hunnam then held out his hand. "Welcome to the Department of Aurors!"
Everyone cheered and then he was woken up. He looked around disoriented when he saw Tonks looking at him with her hands cupping his face.
"Phoenix! Phoenix! Are you alright?" She asked concerned.
"I need to leave," he said hurriedly.
"What?" she asked shocked.
"I'm sorry. Thanks for having me come by but I need to leave. I feel as if I have a migraine setting in and it is going to have me out of commission. It's best I do that at home," he said again and headed for the door.
"Will you be alright?" she asked worriedly.
"I will be. I just need to sleep it off," he answered barely coherent.
On his way out he stopped and stared at the still sleeping child in the crib. He gave a smile to the sleeping girl and continued to the door. He gave Tonks a hug and thanked her again. She grabbed his arm and had him turn around. He looked back at her in a rush.
"I hope this will make you feel better," she said and then kissed him passionately on the lips.
She slowly pulled away, biting her bottom lip and then closed the door.
She turned around and leaned against the door and let out a sigh. She then said aloud, "This has to work. Those Death Eater we took down said they were the most important ones. Please let this one be important enough!"
At that moment Phoenix forgot what he was doing. He stood as if time and his heart stood still. Then the apparent dream he just had, played through his head again. He thought about knocking on her door and kissing her again. Then pain seared through his head. He Apparated to the front gates of Hogwarts and went back to his cabin. He thought again about what he saw. The fact that he saw Demetrius in what he swore was a dream, in a place he didn't recognize, did not settle well with him. There was no way it was a dream for it was too vivid. He could feel it was a returning memory. A part of him really hoped it was a dream. He passed out from the pain mid thought.
When he woke up several hours later, he got up and rummaged through his closet and found the box of memorabilia. He began looking at every picture, every newspaper article and every scrap that was in it. Nothing in there indicated that he ever owned Demetrius, had special training or was married with children. Frustrated, he threw the box and the scrap book at the wall when he found nothing to explain it. He then looked over the items sent to him by his close mystery friend. He still could not make a connection.
He then went to the front room of his cabin, lit the fire and poured himself a glass of Fire Whiskey. He took a drink and remembered why you sip Fire Whiskey after it go caught in and burned in the inside of his chest. He lifted his arm with his fist balled up and pounded his chest. Suddenly Demetrius perched on his arm. Phoenix looked at him taken aback. Birds like Demetrius only did that with when trained by someone they trust. Yet as far as he knew, he had only had him since after Christmas.
"You seem to trust me an awful lot for only having you five months and minimal interactions," Phoenix said playfully.
Demetrius started bobbing his head up and down. "Wait a minute! You understand me?"
Demetrius bobbed his head up and down again. "Have you known me all along?"
Demetrius bobbed his head again. "How so?"
This time Demetrius fluffed his feathers and squawked before he flew off of Phoenix's arm and onto his perch. He looked at the massive bird half expecting an answer he realized he would not get. He threw him a dead rat and sat back down. He continued to sip his Fire Whiskey while trying to make sense of the newest discovery. To no avail. The next several days were spent thinking about all of it.
He remembered that in the supposed dream, he obviously owned Demetrius and was some type of a recruit. He still couldn't shake the feeling that it was real and wondered if perhaps it was right. Same as the two with the baby. He wondered how though. He couldn't recall any of those events ever happening.
He picked up and began to look through the memorabilia again and began to question the legitimacy of what he had been looking at for over a year now. He noticed that it was more reference than actual memory. One such thing was that the stuff said he went to Durmstrang. Yet he really had no memory, not one at all, of ever actually being there. He knew there should have been a hint of at least one or some kind of indication of being there. Before he could think again he heard a voice coming to him from his fireplace. He looked over to see Tonks's face in the embers.
"Hello Tonks," he greeted.
"Are you feeling better?" she asked.
"Yes I am thank you. What can I do you for?" he asked.
"Remember when I asked you to accompany me to the Quidditch World Cup this year?" she asked.
"Yes."
"We leave tomorrow. This year it's being held in Germany."
"That's rather sudden."
"I know. I'm sorry. It's okay though, Hagrid knows. I already talked to him. I have everything taken care of. Just Apparate here tomorrow after sun up and I'll take care of the rest."
"Very well then."
The fire popped and disappeared. He went to bed to sleep as long as he could. As he fell asleep, he made sure to relax so that he would not dream so that he could have fun at the Quidditch World Cup and have nothing further to worry about. Unfortunately he instead had the nightmare of Rose McGonagall's death for the first time in a while. He heard, "He shall have a fate worse than death!" He shot up in his bed, covered in sweat and breathing heavily. He got up and was relieved to see the sun was up.
After breakfast, he packed his bag and then Disapparated to Tonks's flat. She was waiting for him. Without a word she grabbed his hand and they went to the port key. The port key was an old tea kettle. They both touched it and traveled to the Colosseum. She looked at him and asked, "Are you ready?"
He put his arm around her waist and replied, "You know it."
They proceeded into the arena to watch the World Cup match, Ireland vs Scotland. When they got to their seats, Tonks rested her head on his shoulder.
"You aren't going to freak out and leave on me again are you?" she asked playfully.
"No, no. I have no intentions of doing so," he reassured her.
"Good to know," she said and got more comfortable against him.
The match began and the teams were off. After Scotland scored their third goal to Ireland's seven, Phoenix began to unexpectedly feel very uncomfortable. He kept feeling as if something awful was going to happen. His heart began racing. This time anxiously. He gripped and dug his nails into the arm rests of his seat. For the next two and half hours he grew even more uncomfortable and agitated as the game continued. He tried his best to stay focused on and enjoy the game but could not shake the feeling of something bad was going to happen. He didn't know what but it would be terrible.
Tonks noticed with a look of nervousness and hope. She started to rub his shoulders to calm him down and held him closer to herself. When Ireland's chaser caught the Snitch, Phoenix was filled with relief. As the crowd was dwindled, she Apparated them from their seats to the outside of the Colosseum. He squatted down with his hands on the back of his neck while he took a couple of deep breaths to calm down.
"Are you alright?" she asked concerned.
"I'm sorry. I just... I got this feeling that something awful was going to happen. I can't explain it. It was beyond overwhelming," he answered.
"Well," she began uneasy, "We're going to head home now if that helps," she said with a forced smile.
"I'm still sorry I got the way I did," he apologized again.
"It's alright Phoenix. After what happened last year, it would make anyone uneasy. Even if they weren't there," she replied calmly.
They went to the port key and went back to London. Once they walked away from the tea kettle, they hugged each other again for a long moment. When they let go, she looked at him while biting her lower lip and raising her eyebrows. He closer and took her right hand in both of his.
"Lets stop flying separate brooms in the same circle Tonks, and ride as one," he said with a smile.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her with the fiery passion he had been longing to show her since laying eyes on her on his birthday. They got lost in their snogging. The sensation she had longed for for over a year. The passion and feelings she had missed and desired all came back. Then a familiar voice came from behind and ended the reverie.
"Honestly, you two enforce rules against public snogging at the school yet here you are where everyone can see you," Fred shouted and caused Luna to giggle. "Charge a couple of Galleon's at least if you're gonna put on a show for everyone."
They turned around and laughed. Tonks gave Fred a hug and Phoenix shook his hand. Then Luna walked up and gave a small wave. She was also greeted with hugs that she apparently wasn't expecting. She seemed unusually level headed.
"So you two attend the World Cup with George?" Phoenix asked Fred.
"Yea. He's back in Germany at the tent with Dad. Dad is having a bloody good time too. The joke shop is doing really well. So we were able to purchase the best tickets this time. You should come check out the shop some time. It's the only business in Diagon Alley right now," Fred gloated and then informed them of the other shops closing in Diagon Alley. "Today is the first time we've been away from it since we live just upstairs."
"That's terrible that the others businesses closed up like that," Tonks said.
"Are all of your brothers here too? Or did you leave one of them at the joke shop," Phoenix asked to keep the conversation pleasant.
Fred chuckled, "Oh yea. Well, usually. We left Verity in charge for the weekend. It was good to take a break with them. Ronnikins would have been here too but he is grounded until school begins. Little git has had quite the attitude lately. He even go caught trying to use the Floo late at night. One night, he even got caught trying to sneak out through the Floo. Kept trying to say it was one of his friends from Sytherin even though he was lying. The best one though," Fred said with a chuckle, "He... he..." Fred had to keep himself from getting lost in laughter, "He used the silence charm on mum during one of her tangents," he said and burst out laughing. Causing Phoenix and Tonks to break out laughing as well.
Fred composed himself again and wrapped his arms around Luna. "At least my Mystic, was able to come," Fred gloated and gave her a kiss.
Luna smiled, grabbed held his hands and leaned against him. "It was quite fun to be here with Freddy. It made me remember seeing him play at Hogwarts."
"Did Ginny not go with you?" Tonks asked.
"Mum wouldn't let her go either because she didn't right away remove the silencing charm," Fred answered and kissed Luna on top of the head."
"So what are doing after this?" Phoenix asked.
"Gonna take Luna home. Then I'll go back to the shop to pack my bags and leave George a list of stuff to do there," Fred answered.
"So much for looking for the Snorkacks huh?" Phoenix joked.
"We're doing that next week. It's best when it's mating season," Luna answered.
"I'm rather looking forward to it. Hence why I'm leaving George a list of stuff to do at work. I'm still on vacation. Best way to spend it is with my Mystic," Fred mentioned.
Phoenix grinned and looked Fred in the eye. "Glad to see you found that special someone Fred."
Fred chuckled, "I got some really good advice from a wise man," he replied with a wink.
Tonks looked at them in awe. "You two really compliment each other. It's sweet."
Fred blushed and Luna smiled. With that, Fred and Luna bid farewell and walked away.
Tonks looked at her now boyfriend. "Would you like to come over?" Without hesitation he accepted.
They Apparated back to her flat. This time he sat down in the front room and she brought two drinks.
"Is your daughter not here?" he asked.
"Not at the moment. She's at my mothers until tomorrow," she answered and sat down next to him.
He put his arm around her and sipped his drink. "I must confess, I am glad we no longer have to be so awkward around one another because we're trying to hide our feelings," he admitted.
"Hopefully Dumbledore approves," she said with a laugh.
"I don't imagine there will be any issues," he replied confidently. "Nor do I care honestly."
They shared another snog and then he sat with his arm around her, enjoying their drinks while talking about the game they just saw. Then things got quiet. He sat and admired her while she stared at her picture of the Hogwarts Watchmen. She admired how her and Phoenix stood next to each other and when they moved, they playfully nudged and then flirtatiously smiled at each other. She looked back to him and grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes.
"So, I'm sorry to ask, but, what was the horrible thing you were feeling might have happened at the World Cup?" she asked.
He sighed and set down his drink. "I'm not sure honestly. I guess it may have been kind of like the events that surrounded last years yet at the same time, more so like it was going to happen to us. I tried but could not shake the feeling. I'm sorry if it ruined the day for you sweetheart," he explained and apologized.
"It didn't. You still had fun. I'm sorry you felt that though. I guess after the attack on last years, it's unnerving for many," she said.
"I guess so. Myself more than others it seems," he replied and then asked, "Were you there last year love?" he asked.
She tensed for a moment and set her drink down with her hand nearly shaking.
"Ye...yes. Yes I was,"she stammered before letting out a sigh, "It was... one of the worst days of my life."
"If I may ask, what happened?" he asked curious and concerned.
She shifted uncomfortably. "Last years World Cup... was... the last time I... I... saw my husband," she said and nearly choked up.
He pulled her close to him.."I'm so sorry. Knowing that now, I am surprised you went today," he confessed as her hair turned blue.
"Well, I had to know I could still go. I adore Quidditch. I still enjoyed myself while we were there. Even though I couldn't stop thinking about what happened last year," she admitted.
He wanted to ask what happened to her husband but decided against it. She was upset enough and he didn't want to make it worse. He leaned his cheek against her head and rubbed the side of her shoulder.
"I appreciate that you are being open and honest with me," he said.
Her hair turned a darker blue when he said that. She curled up closer so that he could not see the guilty look in her eyes. Or the pain of wanting to tell him that it was him she was talking about. No further questions were asked. He stayed at her place talking to her until it was late in the night. Lots of kissing was also involved.
When it came time for him to leave they were both reluctant. They kissed once more. She started to get lost in his kiss but then turned him to the door. As his hands slid from her waist and upward, she gently grabbed his wrists. With a grin she pushed him out the door and said, "You really need to be going." She gave him one more kiss and wink before closing the door and hearing him Disapparate. She sat on her sofa and looked back at the door longingly. Wishing she could have justified letting him stay.
When he got back to his cabin, he was greeted by Demetrius when he perched on his shoulder. He sat in his favorite chair and smiled about how the day went a lot better than expected. Despite the unexplainable feeling he had during the World Cup match, he now was in a relationship with Tonks. He looked forward to the future that could come with the new relationship and went to bed with a smile. He did not dream. He just slept.
The next month and a half went by in a blur. They saw each other several more times. He continued to sleep well on the nights he saw her. During that time, Tonks still kept Zandra at her mums when Phoenix would come over. Even though he had met her, Tonks didn't want them to get attached just yet. It pained her to do. She had to keep reminding herself though, he didn't know that she was really his daughter.
After a meeting at the Auror's Department, they weren't going to be able to see each other until school started. Phoenix stayed in his cabin after that. One morning, three weeks before school was to begin, Phoenix was woken up by a pounding on his door. Startled, he got up and groggily answered it. Hagrid was on the other side. He looked at him in surprise and rubbed his eyes.
"Hagrid? What are you doing here so early?" Phoenix asked.
"Sorry ter disturb ya Phoenix. I jus' come fr'm tha' castle. Dumbledore needs ter see you with tha other watchmen in his office. Minerva 'll be lettin' ya in," Hagrid told him.
"Um, thank you Hagrid. Tell him I'll be right there," Phoenix replied.
Hagrid just nodded and happily walked away. Phoenix got dressed in his usual black attire and his black robes with red lining. When he got to the hallway to the Headmaster's office, he was greeted half way by Tonks. He took her hand and they walked the rest of the way to the gargoyle. Once there, Professor McGonagall looked at them and took a deep breath as if holding back.
"The others just arrived. Follow me," she said.
McGonagall then said the password to the gargoyle and the stairway opened. They went up to the Headmaster's Office. It's the first time Phoenix had been there since middle of the prior school year. Violet and Darius were sitting in front of Dumbledore's desk. Fawkes glanced over and nodded in greeting. They were also greeted by Dumbledore before they sat down.
"Thank you all for coming," Dumbledore began, "As you know, I brought you all in at the beginning of last school year. Initially just for the duration of the year. However, you all proved yourselves during that time and showed us that your presence here is further necessary. One of you more than the others. It is that reason that I have decided to make your positions a permanent part of Hogwarts," he informed them. Much to everyone's delight.
"Your duties and responsibilities shall remain the same. Your privileges as well. However, we are to face another difficulty. I must inform you, that due to the return of Voldemort, this year, by no choice of our own, we are to be sharing our school with the Aurors. They will be stationed here at Hogwarts and in Hogsmeade Village this school year. They have a job to do as well. So I ask that you please not interfere with their duties as they have agreed not to interfere in yours. I can also assure you, they will not be as big an interference like Delores Umbridge was last year."
"Headmaster, it has been arranged for me to perform both my duties as a watchman and an Auror," Tonks informed him.
"Correct you are, Tonks. The Auror Department has been gracious enough to allow you to divide your time between Hogwarts and your duties as an Auror. You will still be the Hufflepuff Watchwoman during school and patrol hours. However during the rest of the time, you will be stationed in Hogsmeade. The Aurors are to be your priority. That is the deal reached," Dumbledore answered.
"So Florence won't be returning this year?" Violet asked.
"No. Florence will not be returning I'm afraid. Tonks has officially replaced Florence Madera," Dumbledore answered to Phoenix's delight while Violet looked down at the floor with a sad expression.
"Also, if the Aurors request or require your assistance with anything, you will do so. As always, be vigil and keep a watchful eye out. We can not have Death Eaters or Voldemort himself coming into the school and harming the students," Dumbledore finished.
He dismissed the meeting. However, Phoenix and Tonks stayed without being asked. Once the others left, Dumbledore turned to them.
"Oh," he said surprised. "Thank you for staying as I do need to speak with you both about a rather important matter. In light of the fact that Voldemort is indeed back, I need you both to please see to it today that both of you pick up Miss Hermione Granger and take her to the Burrow. She will be at her home in Australia. She has been notified that she is being moved and will be waiting for you. I will be bringing Harry Potter there myself in two days time. Thank you both very much. You may go," Dumbledore finished.
After they left Dumbledore's office with the information he gave them, they first went to Phoenix's cabin to get his broom and then to then Inn Tonks was staying at to get her broom. After that, they mapped out their route to the address. They went over by the fence for the Shrieking shack and mounted their brooms.
"You think you can do this?" Tonks teased.
"Just give me a few tics in the air and it'll come back to me," he answered.
They kicked off the ground and after a little bit of turbulence, they were flying together at high speeds on their brooms and enjoying the moment. Even held hands at one point. Within two hours they landed at an empty park. They looked the road and saw the house from the picture they were given. When Phoenix lowered the picture, a figure was running to the. Within seconds, he realized it was Hermione. She hugged them in greeting.
"Wotcher Hermione," Tonks said with a smile.
"You know, if I didn't know better, I'd think she knew we were coming," Phoenix joked.
"I made sure that my parents wouldn't be home when you came. They don't like saying goodbye," Hermione answered.
"Well, if you're stuff is ready then lets summon it and get to the Burrow," Phoenix said.
"Is Harry going to be there?" she asked.
"Dumbledore said he'll be bringing him there the day after next," Tonks answered.
Hermione looked back at the house disappointed and then back at the pair.
"If it's alright, could we go to my house and perhaps have some tea first? I'm not quite ready to deal with the craziness that is at the Burrow just yet," Hermione pleaded.
They looked at each other a moment. Tonks motioned with her eyes to oblige the request. He just shrugged. After he shrunk the brooms and put them in his pack, they all three turned on heel and went into the house. Tonks sat down on the couch while Hermione made tea. Phoenix looked at some plaques Hermione's father had earned. She came back with a tray and set it on the coffee table as she sat down next to Tonks.
"Have either of you heard from Harry?" Hermione asked.
"No I have not. I'm sorry," he answered.
"I haven't hear from anyone," Tonks answered.
"Oh," Hermione said disappointed.
"You miss him a lot don't you," Phoenix asked with a grin.
"Well... he is my best friend. Of course I miss him. Things are also a lot better when he's around. Especially when having to deal with Ron when he gets into his fits," Hermione answered.
Tonks' eyes went wide and a smile came across her face. Her hair turned a bright purple when she looked at Hermione,
"Oh! You fancy him don't you?" she asked excitedly.
Phoenix spit out his tea and began coughing on the other side of the room. Hermione looked at Tonks with her eyes wide in surprise. A blush swam over her cheeks. She did not look away. Phoenix sat back and watched after he settled.
"What? No. Not at all. He's my best friend and I care about him as such. Doesn't mean I fancy him."
Tonks tilted her head with her smile broadening. "Then tell me about that mistletoe kiss during Christmas?:
Hermione looked at the floor and scoffed. "Who am I fooling. Yes I fancy him! I have since third year. I have not been able to stop thinking about him since Phoenix's birthday party," Hermione admitted.
Tonks shot him an amused look and he looked away. Hermione's focus stayed on Tonks.
"Ever since that birthday party I have given Harry so many clues that I want to be with him. Just when he seems like he gets it, he doesn't seem to get it. It's so frustrating! I just don't know what to do or how to tell him. I'm afraid of how he'll take it or that he won't feel the same," she confided.
Tonks put her arm around Hermione. "He'll never know unless you tell him. It's easy. You just pull him aside and tell him."
At that point, Phoenix felt left out of the conversation. Yet he was oddly comfortable with it.
"You think I should just tell him? As simple as that?" she asked.
"Yes," Tonks answered bluntly.
Hermione gave Tonks a hug and then went to finish packing. When she got back, she had her trunk, bags and Crookshanks.
"We'll Apparate from here," Phoenix advised.
Phoenix and Tonks instructed Hermione to take one of their arms. She held Crookshanks in one arm and grabbed onto Tonks' arm. With a flick of their wands, they disappeared and reappeared outside of the Burrow. Hermione dropped Crookshanks and took a couple of deep breaths.
"You did a lot better than last time" Phoenix told her.
Hermione looked up at him, "I hope it gets easier."
He nodded his head and helped her up. When they knocked on the door they were greeted by Molly Weasley. As always, she was happy to see them. She made all three of them come in and sit down at the table for breakfast. Hesitantly Phoenix ate six of the pancakes and three biscuits that were on his plate. Molly caught up with Hermione and filled all three of them in on the recent gossip. Hermione looked anxious and uncomfortable.
Mrs. Weasley then hollered for Ginny. Ginny came down and greeted everyone. Hermione greeted her curtly. Only Phoenix and Tonks seemed to notice and they both regrettably chuckled.
"Ginny, before you sit down and eat, take that plate up to your brother. Remember, set it inside his door. He can not come out of his room with the barrier I put up," Mrs. Weasley reminded Ginny.
"He's still in trouble for the stunt he pulled?" Tonks asked.
"How'd you find out?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"We saw Fred at the Quidditch World Cup with Luna Lovegood," Phoenix answered.
"Oh yes. I heard you were there. Fred and his charming girlfriend. And yes, Ron is grounded until it's time to take the train to school," Mrs. Weasley rambled.
"I see you've come around about Fed and Luna," Phoenix observed.
"Oh of course. Especially since she is far more charming than Bill's squeeze," Molly answered.
Just then Fred and George appeared in the room. They excitedly greeted everyone and grabbed Phoenix.
"Come with us Phoenix. We got something for you for all the help you gave us," Fred told him.
"Alright I'll go see it," he said with a hint of annoyance. "Tonks, I'll be upstairs if you need me love. Hermione, don't be afraid to holler if you need anything either."
Tonks looked into his eyes with a smile and gave him a kiss. The twins looked out the kitchen door and Fred said, "Blast, she's on the stairs." George grabbed Phoenix and they Apparated upstairs just as Ginny was walking back into the dinning room. Mrs. Weasley was staring at Tonks with her mouth agape.