December 31st 1998
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. He awoke with a start. The fact that Aunt Petunia had not rapped loudly on his cupboard door sunk in when he saw the blurry outline of the face of one of his House Elves, peering back at him.
"You asked Bobi to wakes you up at this time, Master Harry." The elf might have whispered to him, but he needn't have bothered. Tonks was a deep sleeper, woken only by the monitoring Charms that were tied to Teddy.
"Thanks Bobi." He replied groggily. Just as he reached for his glasses, he caught sight of the elf tip-toeing out of the room rather than disappearing with a crack. As elves usually tended to do.
The reason for his earlier than normal wake-up, was also the very reason excitement coursed through his veins. Or tried to, as the feeling was hampered by the sluggishness of his body, due to the earliness of the morning. Or more accurately, how early HIS version of the morning was. After shaking his head, he finally staggered out of bed and towards the ensuite, there was a plan to enact after all.
During his trek downstairs, he'd stopped in to check on his godson and found everything in order. It seemed as if she would not be woken by the charms and thus; he could implement his plan at his leisure. Which to start with, would include asking Mipsy to wake his... Lover? Girlfriend? Neither of those titles he felt, suited her. He hoped that after tonight, he would be able to give her a new title. One that would signify just how close they had become since they had walked into Gringotts together all those months ago. While it might add to her current title, the one he himself had felt she deserved far more than he.
When his Godfather had made him the heir of House Black, it had come with the knowledge that it would be combined with the title bequeathed by his father. And yes, he may have been distantly related through his great-or something grandmother. But it just didn't feel right. With Andromeda Tonks 'nee Black being Dora's mother, it felt more right to him to give the title to her daughter and mother of his godson.
It didn't really mean much now, especially if his intentions would come true. But at the time, it felt right. His godson would rebuild the Black family while being protected by it, and by himself and all his power through House Potter. It was a gift, a token of his penance as he still felt a tremendous guilt for her loss. A guilt he suspected he would always bear the burden of, no matter what anyone else said.
That event had bonded them.
When a frantic Floo call in the small hours of the morning by Ginny had brought his de-factor mother and Tonks to Grimmauld Place. (The latter who had fallen asleep on the couch while visiting and receiving parenthood pointers from Molly). She had not coddled him, instead, merely treating him and inquiring about the truth of the matter. She'd also offered a place to stay, offering her company and assistance freely to him. It had struck a chord within him; it was a side of Tonks he'd never seen before. She also treated him as an equal, lending her experience and advice, not-to-mention a path forward: Through Teddy.
She'd seen the worst of him, and not recoiled in fear, but defended him. Even publicly.
She'd refused to let him wallow in guilt and provided a distraction. Not-to-mention an ear for his troubles, a courtesy he extended in return. There wasn't much he wouldn't do for someone who had done for him what she did.
There had to be SOME reason he had started on making breakfast under the warming sun, in the spacious kitchens of the Manor. (and more than likely under the disapproving gaze of his elves). He supposed that, said reasons could well be thought of as reasons to make breakfast for her, not to mention what else he had planned.
As all plans need some sort of information gathering he'd asked those he could. With Arthur not at the Ministry when he wanted to ask him, he braved the trip to the Burrow in the end. As he could hardly ask her husband for a private word without her interference, he tabled his idea with both. At first Molly resisted the idea, until he asked them how Arthur proposed to her, and why. He actually hadn't seen her as happy as she became when they recounted their story. When she realised that how he felt wasn't far removed from how her husband had felt, something seemed to click and she gave her blessing:
She'd given him her customary hug. "I'm sorry Harry, sometimes I forget just how grown up you are."
It had been enough for him.
A certain period of adjustment for his elves was the fact that neither himself, nor Tonks enjoyed eating in the Dining Hall. While it was certainly spectacular with its dark wooden floors, intricate wall panelling, huge windows and chandeliers aplenty. The Kitchens were far homelier, the wood was lighter and made up most of the room. The table was just as wooden with innumerable amounts of stretches and dents along its surface. The more modest windows caught most of the early morning warmth, when such warmth was already being provided by a series of old fashioned stoves. The pleasant smell of toast hung in the room perpetually.
Another reason he drew the ire of his elves; was that he truly didn't mind cooking, as long as he could cook what he wanted. Or, what was requested by someone who didn't treat him like grime on Aunt Petunia's floors. It was not often that he cooked in the Manor, what cooking WAS done, was at their house in London. Part of his plan included staying there tonight, so he hoped he would end up getting the chance to cook again. While that didn't account for Tonks's occasional unpredictability, one could hope.
Just as he started on the Hollandaise sauce he heard a patter of footsteps that he'd come to recognise purely by sound. Upon turning towards the door, he saw her enter, a bright and curious look upon her face. A look incidentally, he loved every time he saw it. That look couldn't be changed by her powers, and he was extremely glad for that. The same look usually drew a certain response from him, but that wasn't part of the plan.
"Are you regretting not telling me now?" She asked after taking in his presumably tired appearance.
"You look good too Dora." He replied slyly, pointing towards the pot of coffee on the table.
She didn't respond to his comment, instead plopping down in front of the pot to pour herself some. "Today I get to find out what you've been hiding for the last few weeks." She said brightly. "It's like one of those mystery TV shows dad would watch."
The infectiousness of her mood put a small smile on his face. They'd watched the same shows on the occasion's that they both been at their place in London. A town with a disturbing amount of murders, and two detectives who would piece everything together. Something akin to what the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol currently did now.
He snorted. "Here's hoping we don't find any dead bodies."
"I might eat one if you don't hurry up with breakfast." She deadpanned as she busied herself both pouring and enjoying the brew.
It wasn't long before her impatience struck again a few minutes later.
She threw her head back over the top of the chair so she was looking at him upside-down. "Are you going to be much longer? I'm hungry." The wink she gave him after, caused him to chuckle lowly instead of blushing or feeling awkward like he would have six months ago.
As the sauce still needed some time, he decided on joining her while he waited, as it would a far more enjoyable experience than cleaning up the mess he'd made while preparing what was in the pan now.
As he moved over, he took in the little of her he could see. Her hair was longer than her work-cut and settled down the left side of her neck, draped over her left breast. This arrangement left half of her neck bare, and he felt his gaze drawn to it. A small flame of courage flickered into life in his chest, it gave him the final impetus to move closer bend down a slowly kiss her exposed neck. Her reaction was a small gasp of shock, but before he could stop, a hand held his head in place.
"Good morning mister." He could hear the smile in her voice, one that matched his own. It had been truly a perfect start to the day.
...
They spent the day out in London, moving from one oasis of beverage to another. With Hogwarts taking much of his available time, it left far less time with to send in her company. But he was actually enjoying teaching more than he would have thought possible, even at eighteen. The result was his attention being divided between home life and work. While not an unheard of situation for normal Muggles and Magicals alike, he found it refreshing.
Tom Riddle had taken much from him, but in an odd way he'd also given Harry a life that he enjoyed. He'd wondered more than once if he would be in his current situation, without all the pain and bloodshed. He knew far more intimately than most that his past was irreversible, even with the help of a Time-Turner or two. Knowing what he did now, he had a fair idea of what his life would have been like without Voldemort. While he would grieve for a life lost on occasion, he wouldn't give up what he had now. Never.
This somewhat domesticated, sometimes childish normal was something he cherished. And it had all come to him through one person. Who was incidentally, giving him an odd look. "What did you say Dora?" He asked to cover his inattention.
"I was asking where to next, Mr. I've-planned-everything-in-advance." She bumped him.
He bumped her back. "I had no plan for this, I was just thinking we stick close to the Thames." Of course his traitor hand involuntarily twitched in his pocket, brushing the tiny box inside. In fact, he was surprised it hadn't ripped said pocket with it's weight. Or maybe that was just his nervousness talking, he couldn't really tell.
"Sounds fine, let's find a bar." And she took off, he nearly stumbled as she dragged him along with her..
The whole day had been incredibly fun, they hadn't had a chance to get out in the Muggle world for a while. It made for a far more pleasant time than being stopped in the street by those who recognised him every few minutes. This was his escape.
With the next couple of hours of eating and drinking, he felt his nerves lessen. Tonks seemed to have noticed something but didn't bring it up, as it didn't have a major impact upon their day. Apart from him losing himself in his thoughts every now and then, or staring at her.
Once again he wondered why he was doing this, why he was taking the risk. After all they had only been together about four or five months, but he was set. He'd found what he'd craved since he was young, and selfishly, he wanted it forever. Of course, it all came down to her.
And where they got to watch the fireworks from, felt like a big part of that. As celebrating the Muggle new year was also something new to him, the customary nerves of the unknowing remained a part of his aspect for the whole time. His only research came from the Grangers, who themselves had not attended the city's celebrations for years due to the million or so people that took over the streets each year.
And so it proved to be when they decided to forgo another drink in favour of finding a good spot. They could barely fit on the footpath as they pushed their way through the heaving crowds towards the Thames. While the crowds made him nervous, she revelled in the carnival atmosphere. The drinks she'd consumed, lead to her changing appearance randomly through the night to make it look as if he was with a different woman each time. He did have to admit, some of the looks he'd received were hilarious.
The closer to the river they got, the more the crowd thickened. But they kept trying until they simply could not get any closer. It led to a near-panic until Tonks flicked him on the ear with only a minute or two left until midnight.
"You're a wizard Harry."
He looked at her in confusion first, then laughed at the thought of Hagrid taking him away from the Dursley's. Of course, you dolt.
He gave her a peck on the cheek to show he understood and he caught sight of the discreet Notice-Me-Not charm that she cast on them both. His gaze flittered over the skyline, looking for somewhere Ideal. Destination found, he apparated them as quietly as he could to the roof he'd chosen.
The roof may have been incredibly unremarkable, but the view wasn't. The city light spread out like a spiders web, and the people below looked like ants. Music and shouts drifted up to them, but it was muffled, placing them in their own little world.
Here we go.
"You know I had question to ask you." He blurted out. Well, can't stop now.
"Oh? One that you've forgotten the whole night?" She had the same curious bright look on her face that drove him crazy.
He tried to ignore his roiling gut. "Well we're kind of busy, I couldn't very well propose to you while you looked like someone else." As soon as those last words left his lips, shock flooded through him. His carefully prepared speech was now useless. Well... I fucked that up. Good job Potter.
He was suddenly at a loss at how to continue, or even if he should.
The entire city seemed to start the countdown to midnight below them.
"TEN!"
Tonks got over the shock of his traitorous mouth first, smirking at him. "Well, I'm me now." In fact, she had been her 'normal self' the whole day. As the day was spent in the Muggle world, she had no need to hide her family resemblance. Not that he thought she ever needed to.
He could hardly believe his ears. He numbly got down on one knee. (or fell, he wasn't one hundred percent sure). "I had a nice speech prepared you know. But I know that you're the only girl I'd do this for, even if I fuck it up."
"FIVE!"
He took out the heaviest-most-miniscule box in the world and opened it before her excited eyes. "Dora, will you marry me?"
"TWO!"
Her eyes shone, seemingly diming the lights of the city. "Yes."
"ONE!"
He wobbled to his feet and slid the ring on her finger with trembling hands. When done, she threw herself onto his lips as fireworks erupted around them. Almost quite literally as some of them were being launched from the same rooftop they were currently intertwined on. An errant rocket narrowly missed them, whizzing over the edge of the building and exploding just above the street below.
Not the he paid much attention to the fact, because he was going to be married, and he had other things to worry about.
Like her body against his.
And the fact that he finally had his dream.
...
A/N: So there it is! Thank you to everyone that read, reviewed and took time out of their day to discuss the fic with me. Anyone that liked this one and decided to read my first one: I'm sorry for your eyes, my first one is terrible and I'm thinking about taking it down. XD
The idea about expanding this story is intruiguing to say the least. I can honestly see Harry becoming what Dumbledore was when he taught himself, something brushed upon in 'The Crimes of Grindelwald'. If there's a market for it I'll write it, though I'd rather it be something nearing 200k words. It would be planned somewhat properly and would be a sequal to 'Family Matters'.
If anyone wants to beta for me (and explain how it works to me) or wants to discuss ideas for it. PM me.
That said. I did love writing this and how it turned out. (except for the errors the riddled most of the early chapters *groans*)
Thanks everyone!