Chapter 12 Speculation and separation

Written by csunsure

Beta'd by alix33, Chaos2007 and Soul Of reficUL

It was three days after the wedding or more significantly the fall the Ministry of Magic and the disappearance of The-Chosen-One. Tonks found herself sat in the dining room of Longbottom Hall surrounded by Order members squabbling over where Harry was, whom he was contracted to and most importantly what he was doing.

Since Moody's death McGonagall had been appointed leader of The Order. Unfortunately she had yet to arrive so Tonks chose to amuse herself by listening to her fellow Order members' speculations over Harry's bride-to-be.

'Hermione Granger'

'You can't be serious Elphias no muggle in Britain would ever allow their daughter enter a marriage contract like that. It has to be a Pure-Blood or Half blood'

'Lavender Brown'

'No, there's no way Heath would keep quiet about it, you know what he's like'

'One of the Patils '

'Doubt it, didn't you see Skeeter's article on the Yule ball'

'What about Skeeter?'

'Be serious Harry would never agree to that'

' Ah … I've got it, the Bones girl'

'Possible but with Amelia gone who would sign it?'

'But it could have been done years ago'

'What about one of the MacDougal girls?'

'That's a real possibility, we know how private they are'

'What about across the pond I know the Blishwicks have a few daughters I think there youngest … is her name Madison? Well, I think she's only a couple of years older than Harry.'

'That would make sense as it would be a way to get him out of the country easily'

Molly voice bellowed over the masses 'While I can see why you are enjoying the guessing game has it occurred to any of you that it could be a plot by You-know-who's followers to control that dear boy.'

'Molly, just because you wanted Harry for young Virginia doesn't mean that it's a dark plot. I doubt either Lily, James or Sirius would agree to a contract with a dark family.'

Thankfully McGonagall entered and the speculation was brought to an end for now.

'Sorry I'm late, unfortunately I had an incident at Hogwarts. It seems the new régime has decided I am not a suitable Headmistress and Snape has been appointed the new Headmaster' at the statement there was a cacophony of objections.

'WE shall discuss this later in the meeting. Now our first order of business, has anybody heard from Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger or Mr. Potter? Molly? Arthur? Remus?'

'Nothing to me.' Remus stated dejectedly

'Well I sent them a Patronus telling them we were safe but not to contact us' said Arthur.

Tonks decided to put her head above the parapet and spoke to the group but focused her gaze on her parents 'Harry sent me a Patronus message yesterday to let me know they were safe and that we shouldn't expect to hear from them for a while.'

She finished speaking and you could hear a pin drop and many Order members looking confused. Whether it was that Harry could do a talking patronus or that Harry had chosen to contact her she didn't know or care. She looked around the room despairing that something so simple could render the group speechless. Chancing a glance at Remus she saw a particularly inquisitive look. She made a mental note to be careful around him in future.

'Thank you, Miss Tonks'

The Order moved on a pace but Dora wasn't really paying attention until they got to assignments.

'Charlie, would you be able to continue the information gathering and recruitment of the continent?'

'Of course but I think my absences are beginning to be noticed'

Suddenly Tonks heard her dad speak

'What about sending Nymphadora with Charlie? She speaks fluent German and Russian and would easily blend in.'

Tonks wanted to protest but Molly interjected too quickly.

'That's a good idea, she could stay with Charlie on the reserve'

'Okay, those in favor?' stated McGonagall

Everyone but herself, Charlie and Remus raised their hands.

'That's decided. When are you planning on returning to Romania, Charlie?'

'Day after Ginny's birthday'

'Do you think you can house Miss Tonks?' asked McGonagall

'Shouldn't be a problem, should it, Ny?' Charlie said with a wink.

Before Tonks could protest, McGonagall continued.

'Right, Miss Tonks, can you be ready by the 12th of August?'

Sparing a glare at her father and Charlie, she nodded. Tonks's sympathy for Harry was increasing by the minute as her frustration with the Order's decision-making process grew. However, she knew better than to make a fuss now and she supposed she should be grateful about being placed out of immediate danger but had anyone ever heard of free will?

Tonks opted for stewing for the remainder of the meeting. As the meeting drew to a close Molly came and invited her to the Burrow, then her mother demanded that she spend a few days with her and her father before leaving the country. As she reached the apparation point a hand gripped her upper arm. Acting on instinct she went into combat mode and floored her would-be assailant. Threat contained she examined her attacker to discover much to her dismay it was one Remus Lupin.

Thinking her options through Tonks decided to side-apparate Remus to her flat so she could treat the injuries she'd inflicted on the werewolf and talk, as she guessed that was what he wanted.

Placing a levitation charm on Remus, she moved him to the apparation point. Seconds later she was in her flat. Placing Remus on the sofa, she fixed his visible injuries.

'Rennervate' Tonks intoned

'Sorry 'bout that, Remus, but did no-one ever tell you not to take an auror by surprise.'

Sitting up, Remus gave her a somewhat sheepish look 'Sorry, I wasn't really thinking, I just wanted to get to you before you left.'

'Well you succeeded in that you have my undivided attention, Moony, so what can I help you with?'

'I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on Harry.'

'Oh what makes you think I know anymore than I already shared with The Order?'

'Well, I've noticed over the last couple of years that you have displayed increasing level of interest in my cub. You spent most of the beginning of this summer with Harry and at Bill's wedding, you reeked of Harry's scent.

'What are you getting at, Remus?' Tonks stated testily.

'Well what I would like to know is what is going on with you and Harry?' Remus shot back in a harsh tone.

'We're friends Remus, we care about each other.'

Tonks said, deciding that she wouldn't lie to Remus about the contract but at the moment she wouldn't confirm her relationship unless asked directly. It wasn't that long ago that Remus had hit on her and she didn't want to damage Remus's relationship with Harry.

'Fine but why would Harry send you a message and not me?'

'Maybe because I taught him how to send a message and he knows I'm in The Order, maybe coz he trusts me or maybe because I listen to him and treat him like an adult.' she responded hotly. Was it so unbelievable that Harry would choose to communicate with her?

Remus looked slightly scared facing the worked up Metamorph and then it hit him.

'You're in love with Harry.' Remus exclaimed. It was a statement not a question. He didn't stop there, it was like all the pieces finally came together 'It's you, isn't it, you're his betrothed? It makes sense, Sirius trusted you, you're a Black by blood, you are young enough and it protects you as well.'

Tonks nodded, not knowing what else to do, cursing the quick wits of the marauder but knowing that there was no point in lying and that Harry wouldn't mind too much.

'Remus, please don't tell anyone. The only ones that know are my parents as they wrote the contract with Sirius and Poppy Pomfrey. Harry wants to keep it a secret: he's scared it will make me a target and turn his few friends against him.'

'Don't worry, I won't say a word, I'm happy for you both. I just wish you'd told me sooner. I could have helped, how long have you known?

'Nearly two years, my parents and Sirius arranged it without telling either of us shortly after the tri-wizard debacle. Harry only found out Christmas 1995.

Remus suddenly paled '… Oh Merlin, I hope Harry doesn't know I went after his woman.'

'He doesn't, but I'll be sure to tell him one day' Dora smirked

'Okay but I'll plead ignorance. Now we've cleared that up just what have you and my cub been up to?' Remus asked in an insinuating tone.

-o-o-

Tonks had been in the reserve near Roseni for 3 month now and she was a frustrating combination of bored and worried.

Last month she'd received a letter from her distraught mother that her father had been forced on the run because of his blood status. She really didn't know what to do, she wanted to go home but her mum had expressly forbid it and The Order still needed her here. On top of that no one had heard anything from Harry and she hadn't even had an opportunity to tell him she'd left the country. The only comfort she had was the enchantment she'd placed on Harry's helix bar before she inserted it was still heating her locket so he was definitely alive.

The Order had sent her and Charlie frequent updates on the state of the UK as well as orders. Most of the work they did, was surveillance and a little bit of recruitment. Tonks had also become Victor Krum's handler.

Charlie had managed to get Tonks a job in a local wizarding bar and in the last two months she'd gotten a lot better at Romanian. However it wasn't exciting work and she often felt guilty that she wasn't at the frontline taking Voldy down.

Her relationship with Charlie was weird to say the least, it was clear that even before they left the UK Molly was trying to push them together and awkwardly Charlie didn't seem to mind.

She lived with Charlie in a moderately sized 2-bedroom apartment about 30 minutes walk from the reserve.

She'd successfully avoided the elephant in the room since she arrived in Romania, until this morning.

She had just finished showering and was about to spell her hair dry when Charlie burst into the bathroom

'CHARLIE WEASLEY What in the name of Merlin's saggy balls do you think you're doing? You're lucky I'm dressed' Tonks shrieked.

'Its not like I haven't seen it before and I certainty wouldn't mind seeing it again.' He replied with a cheeky grin.

'You prat, that is not okay! We are not dating and we won't be either!'

'Ah, spoilsport' Charlie said in faux disappointment.

'I'm getting out of here, so you can do whatever it was that was so urgent that you had to disturb me.' with that Tonks went to the get her breakfast.

5 minutes later Charlie came into the kitchen and wrapped his arms round Tonks' waist. To start with it felt natural, after all, they'd dated for 3 years, then she remembered Harry and tired to wriggle out of Charlie's hold. Charlie however was having none of it and bent to whisper in her ear.

'Ny, over the last few weeks I've been struggling to explain how we ever broke up.' Somehow Charlie managed to twist Tonks round and had planted his lips on hers. She opened her mouth to protest but Charlie took that as an invitation to slide his tongue into her mouth. For a few seconds her body took over and followed the established routine before her brain kicked in and she did the only thing she could think of and kneed him in the crotch. It had the desired affect and Charlie stopped his ministrations and fell to the floor.

Leaning over her ex with her hand firmly on her hip Tonks began an overdue conversation.

'Charlie, I think we need to have a little talk considering I'm living here for the foreseeable future and I think you value your family jewels enough to not want a repeat of just now. However to answer your question of sorts we broke up coz you wanted dragons more than me.'

'But now I have both so what do you say?' Charlie said as smoothly as possible for someone kicked in the jewels.

Tonks chose to ignore the latest question.

'You know I trust you, C, but I need you to take an oath not to share what I'm about to tell you until I'm ready. So that I can answer that proposal honestly coz even though you are an annoying prat, I still want you as a mate.'

Breathlessly Charlie manages to get off the floor onto a nearby bench and proceeds to make an oath.

'C I need you to listen to what I'm about to tell you and don't interrupt.

'Nothing can or will ever happen romantically between us again, C, the kiss you just stole was the last taste of me like that you'll ever get. Charlie, I love you but not the way you want, need or deserve. I haven't loved you that way for a while. We had our chance at 19 and we blew it. You are one of my best friends and I hope it stays that way. I know you, Charlie, and right now you are concocting a plan to woo me but you're wasting your time. I know the only way to truly stop you from trying is to tell you why and plan will fail.

What I'm about to tell you is known by 6 living people and needs to stay that way. ... C, I'm betrothed to Harry Potter.'

Charlie's eyes almost popped out of his head and he looked like he may fall off the bench he was perched on.

'Bloody hell! Did you just say your betrothed to Harry Potter, my little brother's best friend and Ginny's lifelong crush?'

'Yep the one and the same.'

'How? When? Why? And shit my mother and sister are going to hit the roof when they find out.'

'We think a lot of people might hence the secrecy. As for how and why it was my parents and Sirius's idea so you'll have to ask them I had nothing to with it but the rules of the contract are pretty tight. As for the when, just before Harry's 15th birthday.'

'I really missed the boat then?'

'Yep, big style' Tonks smiled

'Ny, you and Harry don't ever do things the easy way, do you? Does Harry know you're the lucky lady he's stuck with?'

'Yeah, it scared the living daylights out of the both of us for a while but we're getting along better than I expected all things considered.'

'Well I'm happy for you, Ny, and I promise no more attempts at kissing or groping. Harry is a lucky bastard to get you, I hope you've let him know that and I'll make sure he knows if he doesn't treat you like you deserve I'll set dragons on him.'

Tonks let out an uncharacteristic giggle at the image this statement created in her mind.

'You know what I said earlier about my mum and Ginny? I think when this comes out it/s going be unpleasant for a while. My mum's had her heart set on Harry as a son-in-law-since he was 12 and Ginny has been dreaming of marrying him since she was 5.

The women in my family are not accustomed to not getting what they want. I think Harry will need you and I doubt they'll think through their words for a while.

I'll support both of you no matter what, I hope you know that.'

'Thank for the support and heads up, Charlie. You really a great friend and if I have to be away from Harry I'm glad I'm stuck with you.'

-0-0-0-

With just herself and Harry in the tent now Hermione has taken to discreetly observing her best friend at every opportunity. There's one thing she's noticed a lot lately: he's always playing with his piercing, but why? She chalks it up to yet another Harry Potter mystery that she solve at some point.

Thinking about that piercing brought a smile to her face. She wasn't normally one for piercings or acts of rebellion but this one suited Harry. She had to hold back a giggle as she remembered Molly Weasley's reaction.

She was just at the top of the stairs heading down to breakfast at The Burrow when the bellow of Mrs. Weasley woke the house.

'HARRY JAMES POTTER, WHAT IS THAT?'

Running down the stairs to the source of the racket Hermione was quickly followed by Charlie, Arthur and the twins.

'It's a helix piercing Mrs. Weasley' Harry replied matter of factly.

'Why have you pierced your ear with that horrible thing?'

'Because I wanted to' said Harry, slightly confused at the slightly obvious question.

'Well I never, why must perfectly respectable young men insist on making themselves look like hoodlums?' Molly asked to herself 'well you're going to take it out young man, I'm not having my Bill's wedding destroyed by guests looking unseemly.'

'No I'm not Mrs. Weasley, I like it and I'm sure more people will be paying Bill's ears than mine.

Hermione could feel Charlie silently shaking with laugher behind her.

'HOW DARE YOU, NO SON' Molly started only to be cut off by a now irate Harry.

'But that it Mrs. Weasley I'M NOT YOUR SON and I'm NEVER going to be one no matter how much you might want it! I love your family and you have been the closest thing I've had to a family since I re-entered the wizarding world but as of yesterday I am an adult and I am the one in control of my life. I have Voldemort after me and I will be the one to take him down but whether I do it with or without this earring will be my decision.' Taking a breath and calming himself Harry continued.

'Sorry for the extra stress I've caused you this morning. I certainly didn't think such a small thing would cause such a problem. I understand if you want me to give back Fabian's watch I know it's important to you and you might want it to stay in the family and if don't want me at the wedding I can stay out the way.'

It was Bill, who had appeared mid argument, who answered ' Harry, I want you in my wedding. We probably wouldn't be having a wedding if it wasn't for your actions in the tournament. I don't care if you had tattooed your whole body and insisted on attending in the buff you are always welcome.'

'Thank Bill but I think I'll wear clothes.' Was Harry's response.

Harry went to leave but was stopped by Arthur 'Harry, while this argument may not have the best timing we all want you with us today and we certainly didn't mean to suggest otherwise'. Molly nodded at this but remained tight-lipped. '

Molly, do you want the watch back? The Weasley matriarch hesitated slightly at her husband's question before quietly 'No, I want Harry to have it.'

'Okay now that that's sorted, I vote we get some of Molly's amazing breakfast down us we've got a long day ahead of us.' Arthur says rubbing his hands together and heading to the table. The room's other occupants followed suit. 30 minutes later as Harry finished his light breakfast and started to exit the kitchen a half asleep Ron, who had somehow slept the earlier excitement, entered.

'Cool earring, Harry' said Ron utterly oblivious of the groans that statement elicited from the rest of the room.

AN / Massive thanks to my betas. Thank you for the reviews, yet again they've led me to alter the story's path yet again, which you will see in the next chapter. Thank you for all the favourites and alerts. see you next month (hopefully!) /AN thanks to the dork knight for highlighting something in their review -and here's the explanation I am aware that Virginia is not Ginny's name but I do not think many order members would know her real name and would assume it was something more common.