~o~

As the school welcomed November, the temperature dropped and turned nippy cold. A sheet of thin frost layered the grass early in the morning at the school grounds. This did not affect the educational institution and hamper its abilities to drown students waist deep in school work.

For Nymphadora, she had the entire week off due to being assigned self studies on advanced Defense Against Dark Arts and to prepare and review for an upcoming written exam for Magical Criminology. Something she was dreading and would probably need more than a week to study for than the amount of days she had. In short, she was still going to be busy with studying even with no classes.

Harry became the unavoidable center of attention for affection of a significant number of bachelorette witches. Those numbers dwindled once the rumor mill spread that he was currently involved with the seventh year Metamorphmagus. Compounded by the frequent sightings of both of them together at the great hall, library, corridors, and school grounds outside of classes.

The seventh year already knew her younger boyfriend didn't care for any of the unwarranted attention. Just like she did with her very own circle of fans. There remained a nagging concern on the back of her mind that Harry secretly loved being stared at whenever he walked the halls. Nymphadora's insecurity born from her own experience which she enjoyed at first but soon came to terms with, in that the limelight was nothing but surface value attention, only resulting in her feeling objectified.

She discreetly conversed with Ava one sleepover weekend about this. Ava answered that Harry was indeed starting to like all the attention brought forth by his popularity. However, the need to worry about increasing Potter's ego was not needed to be addressed since someone had already been dedicated to keep that in check. Someone who had an ego so massive it was only matched by her stature, none other than Aurumé. The dragon need not even remind him verbally, only her presence was required. He loved her truly and she was all the attention he both needed and wanted.

Nymphadora once asked Ava over cups of tea on the front courtyard of Ava's own castle if she would be alright in using her magical owl ability to spy on the denizens of Hogwarts. Ava scoffed saying she was already doing that and listed off a number of individuals whomst Harry should steer clear off. The reasons differed, the owl felt her master was above the need to interact with anyone not worth his time, or just some people that would have a negative impact on him. Ava listed off their names and Nymphadora, she mostly knew who she listed off and the reason why they were on that list. Nymphadora wondered if Ava could read everyone in Hogwarts. Ava answered with an eyebrow raised as she mentioned that certain individuals have, in fact, the immunity from the magical owls' empathic link. It was only a handful of people, mostly staff members, and Nymphadora had a decent guess as to who they were. The maid explained to her that 'mental reading' immunity varied in strength and described that it was similar or akin to a physical material; from the likes of a flimsy cardboard to a steel tempered vault door.

The owl described that she has encountered only three individuals with a mental block like tempered steel. It was the headmaster and a certain mean demeanored greasy-haired professor. The third was the red dragon/human Harry fancied calling the love of his life. Nymphadora recounted a lesson she once had under Defense Against the Dark Arts. She enthusiastically described the existence of two obscure branches of magic called 'Legilimency' and 'Occlumency'. Both were necessary in order to become an Auror, but only the level of intermediate mastery was required. Nymphadora had a basic grasp, meanwhile the Headmaster and the potion's professor were at a level of their own, a league above the staff of Hogwarts in terms of Occlumency, perhaps even Britain. Could be the entire wizarding world, Ava pondered.

Ava confirmed that most older wizards and witches exhibited some control over what could be read from their minds. Some more than others, but as an owl, it was their nature to read humans. Thus, it was child's play to her to any individual beneath the skill level of the two mentioned above. There was another surprise to Nymphadora however, one Ava didn't really consider worth mentioning at all. But since they were already on the topic, she disclosed that Harry would not be able to use another owl besides her while she remains in his service. She sipped her tea proudly and with eyes closed unable to contain a wry smile.

Nymphadora waited for an explanation but none came. After a moment, a figurative lightbulb turned on for her. Hedwig was the sole owl who could deliver his letters because she's the only owl who could read his mind. It wasn't just their familiar bond at work. Something did not add up for Nymphadora. She went back to sipping her tea in contemplation.

Ava chose the perfect moment to try and make the seventh year student spill her tea through her nostrils before she mentioned her failed attempt of rape as a clue to guide her onward. It succeeded only partially making Nymphadora sputter but not in the spectacular way Ava hoped. The maid was disappointed.

Then it made sense. Nymphadora pieced the puzzle together but Ava already read her mind and she just nodded her confirmation before she could ask her question. Another level to the absurdity Harry Potter was. They discussed the reason for this further, however they only arrived at theories and conjectures as to why it was.

~o~

The trio approached the small hut at the edge of the forbidden forest after classes. Hermione, Harry and Nymphadora walked towards Hagrid's home, answering his invitation for a cup of tea and rock cakes after Gryffindors' close quidditch match against the Slytherins.

Hagrid was a nice fellow, Harry even extended the invitation to Draco and Ron however they both politely declined. Prior to the visit, Nymphadora gave a warning about not bothering to try to eat Hagrid's rock cakes because they were as literal as it sounded but to try out his tea for it was all garden grown ingredients, which Nymphadora had from prior visits. Unexpected to Harry was Hagrid's skill with music, he fashioned from a branch of a fallen tree and sharpened crudely with a knife. Hagrid was playing a tune we all know and love.

The musical piece Hagrid was playing on a wooden flute as they approached his hut, amazed and entranced Harry. He was so curious as to what the name of the mystical song was, only for Hagrid to tell him it didn't have a name yet as he just made it. He told Harry with a hearty laugh that his inspiration for the piece was a certain beautiful spotted snowy owl. Harry knew Hagrid to be a good person because of their shared interest in dragons. When Hagrid said he'd named the tune 'Hedwig's Theme'. Harry realized his mistake. Hagrid was not a good person. He corrected that, as now to him, he was a great one.

The gentle half giant invited the trio in his hut, which they promptly entered, began offering tea served to each students' preference while asking the two firsties how their first few months were in Hogwarts. Hermione went off with her account of experiences rather enthusiastically. Harry enjoyed a sip of the jasmine tea he was served while listening, he tested Nymphadora's forewarning for curiosity's sake. Harry had an idea what rock cakes were supposed to be. Ideally, a variation of fruitcake, baked to have a 'hard' surface. He inspected one from the tray that Hagrid offered. Hagrid even proudly admitted those just came from the oven and are 'ter best of ter bunch'. His eyes gleaming with pride and happiness and the way he said it, voice laced with enthusiasm. His first thought when he noticed the weight whilst holding the 'cake' in one hand, was nobody told the bloke only the surface was supposed to be hard, not the entirety of the pastry. He understood the elephant in the room however. Nobody had the heart to tell the gamekeeper his rock cakes were actual rocks.

Hagrid conversed with Nymphadora and she told Hagrid that she was ready to graduate and get out of Hogwarts after seven long years of studying. She glanced at Harry over to her right side, as she was about to say, 'now she wishes she could stay seven more' but to her horror she did a double take as Harry was trying to bite into a rock cake with serious effort.

Harry gave up before his dentition received any permanent damage. He delivered his conclusion after setting down the geological pastry. He said that the tea was as pure, natural and serene as his talent was with music. Sadly the same could not be said with the cakes because they are not fit to be consumed however they could be used as a good weight for keeping papers on a desk or throwing at unruly students. Hermione had come to expect this from Harry over time. She tried to look at the suddenly very interesting windowsill of Hagrid's hut to calm herself and avoid expulsion of tea from her nasal cavity; she also did not want to laugh since Hagrid was quite the hospitable host. Nymphadora had a weird smile, looking to Harry then to Hagrid, trying to gauge the half giant's face which resembled a capital letter D followed by a colon.

The giant slowly looked at his rock cakes and said that was nonsense. That he had been cooking them like that for years and that students and staff loved it. He sadly recalled the time even 'great-man-Dumbledore' thanked him for baking them. Harry inquired if Dumbledore ate them. Hagrid had to stop for a moment as he recalled all those he had served. Not even Dumbledore. Actually tried eating them. The half giant looked even more sadder than he already was. This was not what Harry wanted to inflict after being subjected to Hagrid's kindness, looking at his melancholic reaction. Harry promptly apologized for his harsh words and offered other pastries he himself had brought. The two girls gave him a strange look. Nymphadora had the nagging feeling this was all planned somehow. Harry tried to say that he always carries cupcakes with him as he brought a carton of cupcakes from his trusty space bending box. Hagrid fell for it. The girls. Not so much. As they knew Harry was shovelling Hagrid a large pile of dragonshit. Hagrid, on the other hand, weirdly nodded in agreement as if that was a normal thing to always have around.

The cupcakes were good. Soft, not too sweet and garnished well. Originally coming from the Hogwarts kitchen's, requested by Harry prior to this encounter. Hagrid was offered one which he took. He then claimed that it was the same with his rock cakes. His confidence was shaken as the trio just stared at him. Harry shook his head while staring straight at him. This prompted Hagrid to try his own cooking. Grabbing one rock cake from his platter and hearing an ominous sounding crack from one of his molars as he tried to chew on one.

Hagrid slumped back to search his coat, said apparel seemed to be made of nothing but pockets. He started taking out stuff, from slug pellets, sausages, a kettlepot, a few bottles, balls of string, some tea bags, (Hermione looked at her tea with alarm), mint humbugs and finally found what he was looking for. An old small wrinkled parchment containing his recipe for the disaster dessert. He exclaimed that he knew the ingredients got blurred out over the years. It wasn't supposed to be floor but flour. Clapping his hands once together, he sincerely apologized for his mistake. Happens to the best of us.

The conversation grew lighter as Hagrid tried to apologize to Harry. They continued sharing stories, the passage of time almost forgotten. Harry shared that they stumbled upon an interesting and large three headed dog at a certain corridor as Hagrid was proudly presenting them a supposed secret. Namely, a dragon egg he proudly won from a bet at Hogsmeade a few nights ago. The first problem was that, to Harry, this was a very small egg to be a dragon's. Granted it was the size of a large ostrich egg, but his familiarity with dragons knew something was off. He also knew it was illegal to keep dragon eggs (specifically to non dragon trainers), but that wasn't the second problem. The second problem was Hagrid's story in which this was really an unverified dragon's egg, only confirmed through promise. Hagrid assured Harry that it was really a dragon after doing much research. When Harry suggested it could be an egg of the creature guarding the third floor corridor. Hagrid said Fluffy doesn't lay eggs. His eyes shifted from jovial to serious in a split second realization. Hermione inquired about the creature having a name. Hagrid ignored her and asked how they knew about Fluffy. Nymphadora immediately answered that that was irrelevant. Hermione snorted, something related to nighttime encounters then, she thought to herself. Hagrid started to mutter to himself repeatedly saying 'I should not have said that' and warned them to stay away from the third floor corridor as he proudly stated nothing and no one is going to get past Fluffy. Harry agreed. Anything that can lay fraudulent dragon eggs are not to be fucked with.

Afterwards, Hagrid diverted the topic to Harry's recent match with Slytherin while refilling their tea and admiring his illegal egg. The key moment of that game was not the win, but was when Harry's broom violently tried to buck him off. Hermione intervened just in time, casting a small flame spell, placing her suspicion on Professor Snape, as he was mumbling something and maintaining eye contact with Harry. Ron, sitting close to her at the time while perusing old binoculars, was the one to call it out. Nymphadora voiced that Snape wouldn't dare attempt to murder Harry in front of the entire school but something was definitely amiss. Hagrid sided with the seventh year. Didn't make sense to Harry why Snape would choose a public event to murder him. Nor the fact, as far as he knows, the professor had nothing to gain off of his death.

The tea party soon ended as Hagrid bade them farewell, Hermione who used to avoid Harry if he was with his girlfriend was not the case any longer. After the couple saved her from the troll on Halloween, she intended to remain and become a better friend to Harry, present company included. Nymphadora didn't care about her presence, she was only mildly annoyed since Harry was not as physically affectionate when Hermione was around. She found her to be a brilliant individual when she presented to them a catalog of notes on various clues. Harry's previous task upon her to figure out what was going on in Hogwarts, she took the task and put in great effort.

The presence of a giant three headed dog, a fully grown mountain troll during Halloween, the shadiness of select members of the staff, and the attempted murder during a quidditch match. The clues were like ingredients, how to combine them into a flavorful and explosive dish to make sense of was a different story. For now the trio were satisfied by discussing the meaning of Hagrid's involvement in the clues. They vowed to squeeze more information out of the poor half giant next time around, knowing Hagrid knew something and that he was also part of this.

~o~

Nymphadora's best friend, Jason, saw Harry Potter as a weird kid. He was good looking, nice, well dressed but his humor was quirky and odd. Harry was also polite, friendly and funny, however, something told Jason that underneath the surface there was much more to it than that. He would usually prompt Harry to tell stories of random stuff about himself just to get to know him better when he was around and found the young 'celebrity' had a down-to-earth personality. If anything, he loved talking about his mothers, Harry put them on a pedestal and he loved them to no end. Jason picked on Harry for being a "momma's boy" which Nymphadora instantaneously ended by a sharp jab of her elbow that caused Jason to wince and complain. Nymphadora was going to remind him later that he had no parents prior to adoption and that was uncalled for but got distracted as Harry just shrugged it off and admitted that he is proud to be one.

Jason also teased the couple of their height difference, Harry needing to be on the tip of his toes if ever he wanted a kiss and so on. Harry rebutted with mock hurt that he was the perfect height, confidently describing that he could motorboat the older student without any need for adjustment. Jason was left speechless as Nymphadora let him demonstrate the act.

She was already emotionally prepared for that. If anything, Hedwig, when human, was taller than her. Even without her trademark black stilettos. Aurumé when she's a dragon. Even more so. It was still a mystery to Nymphadora how the fuck Harry manage to make a dragon the size of a building fall for him and on the road to complete domestication even with Harry retelling their story. To people that cared about the superficiality of height in a relationship, Harry did not understand them and Nymphadora didn't bother to care.

Jason then tested them both by teasing that Nymphadora could be facing Azkaban time if she continued to date Harry after she turned seventeen. Undertaking Magical Criminology as one of her prerequisites to becoming an Auror proved to be useful as she simply retorted that their relationship started with both of them being minors and that the law exemplifies in that scenario. She gave Harry who was at her side, a high five which Harry met with a down low, meeting in the middle, without even looking. Jason was impressed at how close the two have gotten in such a short time.

He did note that they actually were fairly quiet when it comes to their sleepovers so he went with that underhanded tactic. Harry assured him that he satisfies her completely and that he has to choke her or shove her undergarments in her mouth, for her not to wake the entire Hufflepuff dormitory. Harry received a quick smack of Nymphadora's palm to the back of his head as the two seventh years got flustered.

Jason had good fun with that. Harry also met some of the seventh year Hufflepuffs Nymphadora liked and were friends with, given that there were very few of them remaining already as it was optional to study one more year. Some seventh year students are already in their apprenticeships or being interned in their line of future work. They were mostly girls with just a handful of guys. None of them were remarkable, still Harry didn't find it difficult to at least remember their names and some of their stories from Nymphadora's account.

The only one who Harry met that he would regret speaking with, was a fifth year Slytherin cousin of Jason. Jason introducing Harry to her boyfriend was the original plan, but it turned out to be quite opposite to his expectation.

~o~

"So your cousin.. Why would you like me to meet her boyfriend and not her?"

"Mmm.. Yeah no. Margie's a bitch. She wasn't always. She used to come around and play during the summer but not anymore. Used to like eating her boogers and what not, yeah? Good times. Good times. I remember eating a booger flavored bean once. Nasty stuff. Have you ever eaten a booger flavored bean Harry.. So this one time…."

Nymphadora warned him of this. When Jason gets excited, he would go off the rails so fast and so hard it was both captivating and fascinating. He just remained silent not wanting to interrupt but it was proving to be Harry's downfall with this guy.

"..So you know, I went to this Art Gallery once. Huge paintings mate. Huge. I mean huge. Huuuuge. Saw this painting that reminded me of a banana being stepped on. Turns out it was a pop modern painting. I'm more of an impressionist guy myself.."

"Jason. Margaret Crawford." Harry interrupted. Nymphadora's tip to him was to keep him focused in intervals.

"Oh right. Well. Margie's not very nice. It's Dylan who you want to talk to. He can get you anything. Legal. Illegal. Mostly legal. He's like the guy in the prison you trade lunch tickets to mate. Have you ever watched a prison documentary? I have.. Some are really nasty. Really nasty! You think Azkaban is the worst prison? Mate, you clearly haven't been to Madagascar. Eugh. Did you know in the U.S. most of their penitentiary system is privatized?..."

Jason went on and on.

"Jason. Please. Focus." Harry hoped Nymphadora would finish her class soon. He had already stopped paying attention to 85% of what this guy was saying.

"... I get it. I get it.. All I'm saying is we should take Hogwarts and move it to Canada. Then all's well that ends well. You're going to like Dylan. He's a playboy. Like you."

"I'm sorry what?"

"Nothing. Yo. Yo. YOOOO. Dylan bruv. Ow you doin sweetcheeks?"

"Run. It's him! Save yourselves!" A girl cried out quickly dispersing the crowd. Harry had a change of heart and instantly wanted to keep Jason around more.

"Again? I don't have what you want. I can't get it. It doesn't exist. Please leave us alone." Dylan groaned. He was a good looking guy. Well dressed, looked snobby and carried himself like a preppy. His girlfriend, Margaret, Harry presumed, remained beside him. She was pretty. She wore glasses, a regular school uniform and wore her black hair in a ponytail. but her glare reflected utter contempt.

"Mate. I'll get it soon you know. With or without your help. Anyhoos. I bought you Harry fucking Potter."

"Yeah.. I see that. That's not going to solve your problems. Harry, mate. Do yourself a favor. Get away from this guy as fast as you can if you want to keep your sanity."

Luckily for Harry. His sanity was long gone. It took the midnight train. Going anyyyywheeeerre~.

Now the song was stuck in his mind.

"Dylan, nice to meet you. Heard a lot of great things about you."

"Hopefully, not from Jason."

"I told him you sold drugs, love potions and booze."

"Yep. That's me. I'm your guy." Dylan sighed. If he was going to be expelled soon. It was going to be a guarantee that Jason was going to be somehow involved.

'Born and raised from South Detroiiiit~' Harry mumbled the tune when the two started arguing. Harry caught the gaze of Margaret who made eye contact then looked at his shoe and then straight back at him in a quick motion. Harry felt he was being measured up and judging from Margaret's look of resting bitch face. She was livin' just to find emotion~

"Let's cut the crap. Or the shit. Or to the chase. Or whatever that needs cutting. Grass maybe. The outer lawn near the lake needs some looove. Saw two firsties chasing grasshoppers there the other day. Oh I wish to be a firstie again. You're not going to believe this but one time when I was still a wee firstie…"

"Margaret. I'd like to talk to you. In private. If you please." Harry spoke up.

Curious silence followed.

"I know everything." He added. Margaret didn't give any indication of reaction besides a slightly raised eyebrow.

"Potter. Mate. Aren't you with Tonks already?" An odd question from Dylan who was supposedly her boyfriend. It added up for Harry.

"It's not about that. Although.. You are quite pleasant to look at." Jason's scandalized face was priceless to both Harry and Dylan.

"Walk with me. Potter." Margaret stood up, and walked away not waiting for Harry to follow.

~o~

"Where'd they go?" I asked. Looking around the small courtyard a bunch of students were hanging out at. It was getting colder but these people didn't seem to mind. Beats staring at old castle bricks and nosy paintings.

"They went for a walk. About five minutes ago now. Give or takesies. Oh he's done with you? Knew Harry Fucking Potter was just afte-."

"Yeah? No. I was the one who told him to talk to her. Wotcher Dylan. Everything good?"

"Yea. Would be better if you leave-." Jason went on his tirade and got into an argument with Dylan while I got lost in my own thoughts.

Ava told me that Margaret was a person of interest. What an understatement. Who could've known it was her behind most of the illegal potions and items running around Hogwarts? Well. The owls do. Anyways. I still feel like we should turn her over to the Headmaster. If only Ava didn't give her a damned sob story.

I sighed.

Well. Might as well use her. And her talents.

"Hey, I'm going to go check up on Potter and Crawford." Not that they were listening to me but just to be polite. I started walking forward away from the courtyard. The view is calming, even in this gloomy weather, the lake's still glass-like surface, the looming mountains from afar, the abundance of drama.. Hogwarts. I'm going to miss you.

I see them from a distance. Looks like she's chasing after Harry? They're talking.. And then. Oh. He took out his hand to shake hers.. Hmmm.. She just tried to kiss him. He stopped her with his finger? Okay, fun's over.

I rushed as I saw signs of Margaret reaching for her wand.

"Wotcher, Potter. Crawford."

"There you are! I've been waiting for you. How was class? Margaret here.. Was just about to let me go." This guy. Smiling confidently as if he had everything under control.

Margaret let go without a word.

"It's getting cold out. Mind walking me back?" I turned just as he reached my side and started to walk back to the castle. I opened a gum given to me earlier from Honeydukes.

~o~

"Should've let her kiss you. Marge's a knockout. Drop dead gorgeous. Heads turn when she walks."

"No.. Ava would kill me. Aurumé will chew me slowly."

"I would too."

"Knew it was a trap." I giggled.

"Did it go as planned?"

"I think so. I might have screwed up a bit. A tiny bit."

"We're fucked?"

"No. Just me. Maybe. We'll see in a few days."

I chewed loudly. I blew and popped a pink bubble.

"Where'd you get that gum?"

"In class. From Speedy."

"You have one more?"

"No, this is the last." We continued our trek back into the confines of the castle.

"Where's Speedo?"

"Spee-Dee. Don't know."

"I want some gum."

"You want to share?"

"Eugh. No." Harry feigned disgust.

"Suit yourself." I blew another bubble and popped it again.

"That's like sharing a toothbrush. That's nasty."

"..I've done nastier things for you?"

"Well. I believe those were consented upon? No?! Damn it. Share me that gum then."

"Finally." I put the gum in between my front teeth.

I had to lean forward for Harry to reach but he managed to halve it without problems. I gave a quick kiss just as we parted lips.

"This is.. This gum? What flavor is this?" Harry looked to be enjoying the minty sensation.

"Nymphadora Tonks flavored."

"Not as sweet or as hot." The fruity strawberry sensation filled his sense of taste.

"Are you hitting on me?"

"No? You're waaaaay out of my league. Oh please. Loser like me hit on you?"

"Quit it. You're trying to make my day? Bet you say that to Ava and Aurumé too."

"Fuck."

"Ha! I knew it. Sleazy brat. You've got to be more creative… Hmmm. No pressure. Try again."

"You've got some burn cream with you?"

"Hmmm. Why would I? Do I look like I'm carrying burn cream with me?"

"Ladies usually carry everything around.. Well, shit."

"What? Why?"

"How do I treat all these burns caused by being around someone as hot as you?"

"Ooooooh. Good one, good one." I laughed more at the stupidity than the joke.

"You got one for me?" He tried.

"Wait. What? No. Why would I hit on a loser like you?"

"Ohhh. My feelings." Harry clutched his heart.

"Wait! I got one. Potter. You are the second most handsome guy I've ever dated."

"You haven't dated a lot of guys then."

"Wait! N-no. That's not how it's supposed to go!" I burst out laughing. I even slapped Harry's arm.

"Try again. No pressure."

"Potter. You are t-the second most handsome guy I've ever dated."

"It's the same thing?"

"You have to ask who's the first!"

"Fine. Who's the first?" Nymphadora stopped walking. She delivered the next sentence with as much seriousness as she could.

"You. When you smile."

"Oooooooh! Wow… Damn girl. So smooth! Where'd you get that from?"

"Secret."

"Keep your secrets then. I'm going to go ask Ava later."

"What! That's unfair!"

"Alright, alright. I won't. It's more fun teasing you, I'll figure it out. Sooner maybe later."

"...I love you Harry."

"That came out of nowhere?"

"Yeah. Well. You never say it back to me."

"I really don't want to say that if I don't really mean it."

"Oh.. Guess.. I'll just wait for you. When you're ready."

He turned, looked at me directly eye to eye. And in a voice just above a whisper, smiled and said "I love you too."

I couldn't stop smiling, took his hands and led the way, hand in hand.

"Wait."

"What?"

"I have a request for you." Harry didn't really request anything.

"What is it?" He doesn't know I'd do anything for him.

"Just this one time. Can you say that again? Only this time.." Harry started giggling and laughing, losing his coherence.

"What?!"

"U-use the manliest voice you've g-got."

I made a show of clearing my throat. With a deep, heavy and gruff voice I delivered. ".. I love you, man."

Harry howled with laughter. I couldn't contain it but only because Harry's glee became contagious.

"Hey w-what do you think about this?" With a helium inflated voice that sounded like some certain cartoon chipmunks, I said "I love you too."

Harry's sides got obliterated. I hunched over from laughing too.

"O-oh my god. Why is this so funny? Damn it. I might have peed my pants. Brilliant. Absolute brilliance.."

"D-did you actually?"

"No. Not yet. Don't make me laugh anymore. I might just actually do it."

"Ok."

"Right." Harry used the walls for support, exhaling deeply.

"Come on, give me a kiss bro." I used the same deep manly voice adding smooching sounds.

Harry swore he came close to dying with laughter at the hall of Hogwarts.

~o~

His laugh is contagious. I love it. I'm pretty sure that's part of why that dragon fell in love with him. It's so.. Dumb. But he's.. Pure? And sincere.. Well if he wasn't. I highly doubt that those two would like him. A lie detector and a mind reader. A troublesome combination.

He went to Quidditch practice now. Sitting here in the library kind of sucks. I can just take out all these books and study at the stands can I? Er, too many books. Maybe next time.

I returned to studying. Meredict's International Magical Jurisdictions and Laws. Fun. Reeeal fun. Changing my nails to a gray colour looks better while studying. Yes. Er. I'm getting distracted. Again.

Time passed.

Yeah. That's enough for me today. I'm toast. I'll go over these chapters again tomorrow. I put my quill down. I notice four girls approaching where I'm sitting. All lower years.

"Excuse me. Tonks?" Ah. Trouble.

"Yes. Can I… Help you girls?" Let's try being civil.

She cleared her throat. "Like, we want you to stay away from Harry." Talking to this girl is going to cost me brain cells. Her voice and that two-cent-bitch way of elongating her last syllable of the sentence. Do guys find this attractive? Seriously? Well, at least she's straight to the point.

"What if I.. Don't?"

"We. Are going to have. Problems." Their 'leader' put her hand on my table. This girl. How desperate can someone be? She's attractive. She can get anyone she wants. She'll move on from Harry.

"What? You're going to spill ink on my notes? Put frog spawn in my locker? Place sticking charms on my robes kind of troubles?" One of them smiled. The leader. Amanda. Looked serious.

"I know who you are. You really don't deserve to be her girlfriend." They're seriously going through this? Really? Unbelievable.

"Oh yeah? And who are you?" Of all the places to do this. The library. People were starting to look at the commotion.

"I'm Bernadette." The others looked at the girl on the right who answered the rhetorical question.

"..Let's put it this way. Harry won't find out exactly who you are if you stay away from him."

"How is this any of your business? And what do you exactly know about me?"

"You want to play dumb? Like, how many relationships had you been in? You're obviously.. Only playing Harry because he's rich." The group looked at me like I was a disgusting mimbulus mimbletonia.

She keeps doing it, I hate how she elongates the last syllable so much.

The audacity of these hags.

"Start walking." I sternly say. I'm adding these four to my shit list. Ava and I are going to have a field day with them.

"Or what?" One girl took one of my books before I could react.

"That's the library's." I say with a bored look. These people really aren't worth my time.

"Oh." The idiot put it back. I sighed. If only she realized that the books were checked out in my name.

"Listen here you cunt." I hate this girl. Shit list number one.

"No.. You listen. Who do you think you are telling me to stay away from anyone? Specifically someone I'm in a relationship with? I quite enjoy his company." They are getting on my nerves. I need to calm down.

"You don't like him though." The girl who talked the least spoke. I looked at her but she had more to say.

"How-" I got interrupted by the same girl.

"Whatever happened to you and Sean? Or Will? Or Sam? Or Maxwell? Or Raymond?"

"Get out of my sight. All of you." My tone changed. I didn't even notice.

"Make us." Their leader challenged..

"You know what. All of you can stay here, harass everyone you like. I'm just going to leave." I started to pick my stuff up. This is a really good time for Harry, Jason or even the librarian to walk into but I guess I'm not as lucky as Harry.

"Walk away then. School year's half way there. Then you're gone. I hope Harry realizes you're nothing but a third rate witch and a scumbag. Hope you have a good life." That one hurt. That actually hurt. I grabbed everything and I left. The silence as I was grabbing my things was awkward to say the least.

I was supposed to meet Harry. I'll just go back to my dorm for now. Or..

~o~

"You've been avoiding me for a week now. So are we fighting? Did I do something wrong?" Harry had a genuine look of concern.

"You're even trying to avoid Hedwig? She hasn't seen you anywhere? Are you breaking up with me?"

The questions and the manner Harry asked them sent a tight feeling to Nymphadora's chest. He was hurting. His eyebrows creased and met together slightly below the middle of his forehead.

"Look. I'm sorry. I just.. Needed to sort things out. I'm sorry Harry."

"Hey.. No.. Don't.. Don't be sorry. Sorry for all the questions too. I'm just.. I'm worried about you."

Nymphadora swallowed. "Yeah.. Err. Past couple of days were kind of rough.. I didn't want to bother you."

"Bother me? With what?"

"My problems."

"I'm completely lost. Why would you think I'd be bothered by you? By whatever you're going through?"

"I'm sorry Harry."

"I just wished you shared.. Whatever you're going through with me? One day we're laughing the next you just… Ignore me? Why?"

"I.. Yeah.. Maybe. How'd you know I was here? Hedwig?"

"No.. Jason. He told me to talk to you."

"Would you be okay if.. We took some.. Time off?" Harry looked physically hurt.

"Why?"

"I.. Just need some time."

"Can't we talk about this? I… I don't want a time off. Please."

"Harry. They're not wrong."

"Who's not wrong?"

"I don't deserve you."

"Yeah? …I agree. With whoever they are. I'm.. I'm just a loser who got lucky with someone like you."

"Stop. No. You know what I mean."

"Nymphadora? I love you. But I don't want a time off with you. You're breaking my heart." Tears started to flow for Harry.

"I'm so sorry H-Harry." She started sobbing.

"I've been advised that.. I can't be with you. And if you don't trust me enough with your problems. Also to not force things.. If things don't go my way."

"Aurumé?"

"N-No."

"Your p-parents. Emma?"

"Yeah."

"Are you going to b-break up with me?"

"I guess. That's where it's leading to now is it?" He swiped tears with his robe's left sleeve. Trying to fight the uncontrollable flow but ending up making his eyes swell red with irritation.

Nymphadora was fighting through the tears too as she kept trying to stem it's flow.

"For what it's worth.. I love you. Goodbye Nymphadora." Harry hung his head, shut his eyes and let the tears stream down his face.

~o~

"And cut!" Harry yelled.

"Good performance! Those tears! You're breaking my heart! How are you so good? You really got into character!" Nymphadora clapped and cheered. The stage curtains closed slowly right before the two stage clone participants held hands and took a bow.

"You should see him when he begs me for things. I think that's why he got good at acting. Dumbass has tons of practice." A lazy grumbling voice causing the ground to hum in reverberation. Harry was flanked by Ava and Nymphadora on both sides while the three of them rested against Aurumé's neck.

Ava was still busy finishing her popcorn served on a white paper bag. She loved those but Harry did not and kept telling her it was bad for her. Ava's persuasive arguments and pleading eyes won without contest. The latter doing the majority of the work.

"So this is what theater is? This is mildly entertaining." Aurumé groaned while getting brushed by numerous attendants. She watched the entirety with one golden eye open while getting pampered by servant clones.

"What did you guys think about the script?" Harry asked, ignoring her insults.

"It's cheap. My love." Aurumé always refused to be ignored.

"How is it cheap?" He mockingly gasped.

"Using breakups to induce drama for entertainment? You're joking? Use something more.. Dramatic. That's more entertaining. And more unique."

"Hmmm.. Right. I just wrote what I feel like it would have gone with if that ever happened. Must have not felt.. Realistic enough?"

I shrugged. I did not agree with Aurumé. I thought it was good.

"Yeah... No. You wouldn't have cried breaking up with Nymphadora. Probably would have made fun of her in the process too."

"No?! What? I know I'm a jerk but.. I'm not an asshole… Am I?" He looked around for confirmation, finding none.

"Sometimes you are, Master.. What could be more dramatic than a breakup, my lady?" Ava spoke after swallowing.

"...Oh? What about an accident? Or a.. Disease.. Or sickness? Always entertaining drama for those?" I suggested.

"Hmm. Those sound good.. But! I'm not writing a script for that. Since mine was sooo cheap. How about we let the ultra smart dragon do it instead?" He said in a chippy voice.

"No." She closed her one open eye.

"Huh. Wrap it up then people. Seems like Aurumé's scared that my script will always be better."

"I said no." She wasn't falling for it. Yet.

"Ha. And people think dragons are invincible. Can't be beaten. Yet here I am. What can't I do?"

"No."

"The weak human race wins against the almighty dragons once again. Courtesy of yours truly. Me!"

"You're not going to shut up about this aren't you? Fine! Make me human! Damn you! And your play! I'll show you a better fucking drama! Clone Harry and Fake Nymphadora! Come with me!" She was abandoned by her attendants when she turned, her small human form marched away with the stage actors.

"Ava? Tomorrow's mission? Please cancel it?" Harry tried pushing his luck.

"No. Master. And unlike my lady. You will not change my mind." She happily munched down on her caramelized popcorn. Stretching her arms as they stood up. They were in the middle of a forest clearing. An impromptu idea for tonight's events. The stage was wooden but it had props and even a Hogwarts backdrop from the earlier scene.

"Watch me change your mind. Have you ever been curious as to what gum is? And how is bubblegum eaten?"

"Master please. You don't eat gum. You just chew it for flavor."

"And you were never curious? As to why we don't swallow gum? You are missing out on life! This will change you! An experience of a lifetime! All your owl friends will envy you!" Harry sounded like a salesman selling cars.

Ava's eyebrows scrunched in concentration. She attempted reading Harry's mind. To no avail. Harry was spamming the word gum again and again in his head. He did it enough times the word lost its meaning for him. Semantic satiation at its finest.

"Master please. You have succeeded. Let me please have gum and I will consider not having Nymphadora blackmail four certain individuals."

"May's right. You are cheap." I rolled my eyes. Harry recreated a gumball machine on the side.

"Hey. Nymphadora. Thanks for.. Bringing this up to me."

"If I didn't? Us ending up like the play we just watched? You're not going to get rid of me that easily."

"I appreciate you all the more. You want the truth, darling? The more I learn about you? The more I fall in love with you." Harry smiled. He got hit with a red gumball to the side of his head. He rushed back to Ava advising her not to chew too many at once since it will just make her jaw sore.

I smiled. He didn't know that it was the same for me as well, if not more. One day, I watched him help out a guy who was getting laughed at for dropping his belongings in the corridors. He was there to instantly help. Others helped out, spurned on by Harry's immediate course to assist was my theory. I watched all that from a distance and knew that I was falling for him faster than I could imagine. It probably helped that my expectations were low to non-existent when they started. Same expectations were blown sky high out of the water. Our relationship was slowly turning serious. Yet we were still having tons of fun. It wasn't a single instance of an example like that with him. There were more. And sure, he displayed willingness to help and being selfless but he wasn't a saint, he was sassy, sarcastic and perverted when given the right opportunity. He completely denies this. Me and the two knew his denial is complete shit.

~o~

Unbeknownst to the original Harry, currently busy flirting and dating his two other girlfriends, Aurumé took his challenge seriously. The neon red hair golden eyed average looking girl was on a mission, making her dumbass of a soulmate see an extremely well written story. Her plan was to write the story first, make Harry read it, then have him turn it into a play. It will take time, but she had all the time she would ever need. The two clones she took with her, already busy with fulfilling commands, adding desks, building a stationery, and adding lots of writing implements she would ever need. They did this at a newly added wing of her castle, which the other clone was responsible for renovation and decor. One clone expressed his enthusiasm to see what she was going to come up with. Aurumé declared that she wasn't going to tell him anything until it was finished and if he dared peek at the manuscript, his next blowjob would have his genitals studded with bite marks. The two clones were 90% afraid and 10% aroused, they understood the message. Completing everything as per request. Aurumé and her escorts returned to the main group to continue their nightly adventures.

The collection seldom ran out of things to request when they were with Harry in the dream world. If they ever left the decision to Harry, he would come up with absurd ideas like enacting and roleplaying a pirates vs navy, ninjas vs samurais, vampires vs werewolves, empire vs rebels, aliens vs predators and a mixup of that selection. Needless to say, they only resorted to his events if nobody else had a better suggestion. Ava actually found all of those fun. She never said it out loud. Either to avoid teasing or embarrassment, maybe both. Nymphadora found it childish yet endearing since Harry always went all out. Aurumé, well, she was always along for the ride, even if she did complain a lot.

Right now, they were enjoying a fake night with the four of them huddled together in a comforter blanketing over them while listening to the crackling of a small bonfire near their feet. This was Nymphadora's request. Harry turned it night time, the sky adorned with stars and the moon. He adjusted the temperature and made it chilly. He added the chirping sounds of crickets, the occasional hoot of an owl, and rarely the distant howl of a wolf. The aforementioned all requested by Ava. They all shared the common ground that none of them had ever gone camping thus Nymphadora's suggestion worked out.

Nymphadora shared horror and scary stories to spook them. Aurumé was clearly unaffected, the feeling of fear alien to her. Harry cloned himself and gave her a stick and a bag of marshmallows to roast while he listened intently. She was in total concentration when she found out toasted marshmallows were amazing but burnt ones were disgusting. She never knew when the marshmallows were burnt, 9 times out of 10, her mallows were on fire. Her attempts were adorable, hearing her complain incessantly while wagging the smoldering treat from her stick prompted Nymphadora to help her out with it. Harry secretly admired Nymphadora for helping out Aurume's plight. All three of the girls shared more stories and flirting while Harry remained reactive. Nymphadora gave suggestions for other future activities such as a beach picnic, a fishing competition, a dinner party and a small theatrical play again. Something that Harry noticed she was quite keen on doing. There were far too many activities for one night so they saved some for the next weekend together. The three girls' relationships deepened with Harry but also with each other. Ava and Aurumé both had the same problems being a human which they related to and with each other most of the time. Ava brought up the suggestion to let Nymphadora teach her and Aurumé on how to become more suited and comfortable as humans in that world. Harry was doing alright in that aspect. However, Harry was eluded by the feminine side of things. Subjects that Harry had difficulties with including feminine outfits, getups and underwear, feminine self care and grooming, and other feminine talks. He was mostly excluded from such. He kept himself busy with other activities, namely his hobbies; cooking, gardening, hunting, fishing, baking or others in those scenarios.

Throughout all the time Harry spent with the girls that loved him. His will to resist temptation pushed to breaking point often but it did not give. And when it came close, he vocally said so and drew the line immediately. His will held the line whilst battered and weakened. It was difficult yet he didn't give in.

~o~

"Get up, my darling. It's Sunday. You have an early session with your team." My eyes were still closed. I rubbed his back and put one leg over his hip. I had my face as close as possible to his. What a night again. I heard a small struggle of feathers, a hoot, and a quick goodbye. Harry groggily got up to open a window to let Hedwig leave. He went immediately back to my embrace.

"It's still 6. Give me 5." He gave me a quick kiss on my cheeks and ducked to avoid any immediate retaliation.

"Only 5. Then you're going."

About 15 minutes later. Harry's one hand on my face, his thumb gently caressing my cheeks.

"Mmmm."

"What time is it Ms. Tonks?"

"Not 7 yet. Still more time." I kissed his head while running my hand through the back of it.

"Ms. Tonks. Being in your embrace is.. I won't be able to leave if you keep this up."

"Ms. Edelweiss and Ms. Dragonus will not stand for this.. Well then Mr. Potter. If you don't leave within.. 5 minutes. Let's have sex." I whispered.

"Fine. 5 minutes. Then I'm gone." Harry sighed defeatedly.

He went on with his routine. He said he'll just take a shower after training, like usual, after I tried inviting him to take it with me. It doesn't take me much time to get ready because, well, I just am. I finished dressing up in a casual outfit after drying from the shower I took. He just finished putting on his contacts when he saw a newspaper on my bedside table that caught his attention.

We kissed. Went on with our morning routine, sent him off to training with a promise of meeting up at breakfast. And now I'm off. As if on cue, a white bird landed on my shoulder almost making me jump. I held back on cursing the silent flight of this owl because she did that on purpose. Now. On to petty vengeance.

~o~

A month passed.

Christmas decor garnished the Great Hall in colors of red, green, white and gold. Professor Flitwick took great pride in his work with the festive furnishings and it showed. The holidays have come and so was the long awaited Holiday break for the school.

I was busy packing my things. This is the last time I'm seeing Hogwarts like this. It gets old after a while. So why am I feeling.. Melancholic.

Still. So many things to look forward to.

Have to make sure I don't forget anything. Yeah. I'm good to go. Hmm. Might be good to pull a prank just before I go. Oh. Yeah. This might be a good one. I turned into someone very familiar to my three timing boyfriend.

~o~

Playing a game of wizard chess with Ron was the chosen activity right before leaving. A few sickles were on the line. Ron beat Harry 6 out of 10 tries but Harry was having fun. He found out through idle chatter that the Weasley's were visiting his brother, Charlie, who was on some sort of internship in Romania for Dragonology.

Hermione already left for the Holidays an hour ago. Harry was just waiting on his girlfriend. He was secretly losing to Ron who Ava revealed was missing a bit of money to afford better clothes. Ava also revealed that said redhead despised charity so Harry made this his approach to give back to Ron for indirectly saving his life on the Slytherin quidditch match.

"I can't believe I just lost 2 galleons on this. Well played. My openings and mid game strategies need some work." The black king bowed and dropped his crown in front of the white queen.

"I have no idea what you're on about. That was a hard game!"

"It was. Is that-?" Every time.. Every time he saw her he felt like his heart skipped a beat or two. He's been with her for longer than the 6-month honeymoon phase as he had learned from reading. So it was quite the puzzle why she still had that butterfly in his stomach effect when he saw the neon red colored hair and those warm golden irises.

'Aurumé' giggled and smiled at him as she approached the Gryffindor table. She was wearing school robes with Hufflepuff colored scarves completed with the insignia. She was dragging her trunk with her.

"Fancy a game of chess, my love?" She arrived next to Harry and extended her hand to him.

"Ah.. Was wondering when you'd come. Here I was, thinking you eloped with someone who caught your eye down the Hall already." The girl replied with humor and teased him back. He took her hand as she sat down next to him. His hand was already at her waist. Ron looked at the proceeding display of affection and closeness. They hugged, exchanged greetings and Harry kissed her hand. The girl then excused herself to go to the washroom while leaving Harry with her trunk.

"Potter. Mate? Another one? Aren't you with Tonks already? You're cheating on her?" Ron whispered closely.

"Oh no. There's a lot of mistakes in that question. I'm not two-timing Nymphadora." He was technically three timing her. Accurate phrase.

"That is her. She's just.. Pretending to be.. Someone."

"Oh. Err."

"Yeah. Well listen, good game. Good luck and enjoy your trip to Romania. I hope I can meet Charlie in the future. Dragonology internship sounds fun. Happy Christmas to you and your family Ron. See you next year."

"Thanks. You too. Happy Christmas." Ronald Weasley made his exit. Leaving Harry to clean up the board and the responsibility to return it to the library as per agreed for the loser.

"Hey you want to try your luck with me instead?" Nymphadora returned but sat across from him. She was back in her regular bubble gum pink short haired look.

"Chess? I didn't know you played?"

"I don't. Looks complicated. So…" Nymphadora played with her hair. Twirling a lock on her index finger.

"Sooooo."

"No. I understand.. If you don't think it's a good idea to meet Emma and Lana. It's okay. Might even be too early. And things might become.. Very awkward."

"That wasn't what I was going to say."

"I need to hang out with Ava more."

"You owe me."

"I.. Do? Of course. I do.."

"You forgot."

"Nonsense. I remember. As clear as a summer sky."

"Shut up. Are you pretending to forget? Just to tease me?"

"Of course I'm pretending!"

"Uh-huh."

"Just so we're on the same page. It's about THAT isn't it?"

"Oh. I don't know? What?"

"Yoou know." Harry laughed weakly. "THAT you know?"

"Stop jerking me around. I'm.. Disappointed you actually forgot."

"Besides my promise of future dates with you during the Holidays and spending time with your family as well. Yeaaah. I may have forgotten what I owe you. Is it about the 1 galleon bet if I could weaponize farting spells if I double casted it?"

"You owe me a galleon." Nymphadora beamed at him.

"Fiiiiine. Poor Bernadette though. They said she sounded like a.." Harry slid a galleon to her from his pocket.

"A whoopie cushion. With two legs." She happily took the coin and pocketed it.

"A walking whoopie cushion."

"Yes. Ava told me that traumatized her. Said she wasn't in class for a week."

"You might've gone a bit too far with that."

Harry sighed. "Does she know?"

"That it was you? No. Does she suspect me? Oh absolutely. She's out for blood, Harry. I'm scared."

"You.. Damn it Nymphadora... I say you deserve it."

"How could you? Would you say the same thing to me." She morphed her face into Aurumé's again. It felt out of place for Harry.

"Aurumé.. Did you guys vote on this?"

"We did."

"Oh.. Well. Bernadette had it coming. I still feel bad for her."

"Such a pretty face. Priceless. Walking around.. Tooting and pooting."

Harry snorted. "Aurumé's a bad influence on you. How are you supposed to uphold the law like this?"

"Let me remind you that you were the one who casted that hex. Your hands are not as clean as you make them to be."

"I'm a perpetrator of the crime. Arrest me then miss Auror."

"I'm not an Auror yet, mister."

"When you are.. Do I have to commit crimes to get your attention?"

"Hmm? I'll throw you in Azkaban. We'll have sex before.. Then I'll make sure you rot in prison."

"Oooh.. That a threat or a promise?"

~o~

"I missed you Harry." Lana smiled as she gave her son a one armed hug to her right as they were sitting on a bench at the University grounds. They were waiting for one particular biologist who did not want to drive earlier this morning and now had to be picked up from work.

"I missed you too, ma. Sometimes. I wish.. I hadn't become a wizard instead. So I could study somewhere closer. Like here? For example?"

"Mhhm. Yeah, me too. Help me understand this Harry. Is studying in Hogwarts really that underwhelming as you put it?"

"Oh no. Not at all. It's just.. I wish to spend more time with you and mom is all. Now.. Most of the year, I'm away.."

Lana smiled and flicked her hair without looking at Harry. "I would believe that. Truly. Don't you find the time away from your parents not a good thing? I hear it usually is.." Lana cleared her throat daintily. "Given that you have three.. Relationships you need to attend to."

"They give me entertainment from time to time."

"Is that really all? I wonder." A blatant lie, Lana wanted to press for Harry on but relented. "Well. Seems that they haven't overstepped boundaries at all. Some of your Professors wrote to us during the school year, did you know that?"

Harry swallowed a little bit, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was about. "Ah? Really? Whatever may it be about? I haven't the faintest clue." They caught on to his pranks Harry panicked.

"Really? Harry.. You make me proud. You make us proud."

"That. Means.. More than you can imagine to me, ma. That's.. That's all I've ever wanted."

"How do you do it? Finding time to be entertained with, not just one, but three girls. And yet, still keeping up with your academic performance? Ms. McGonagall, did you know she even recommended you skip the rest of the first year?"

"She.. Has? She hasn't told me?"

"A very recent letter of hers said she noticed you were getting rather bored in class."

"I do not know where she would get that idea, ma. I always give my full attention in class I swear."

"Give some credit to your Head of House. Still, you're avoiding my question."

"It could be the amount of time I've spent on the library or on studying. Added to.. Being inspired by.. The ones I love."

"Nymphadora. Hedwig. Aurumé."

"Them too."

"Oh you are so cheeky."

"Ma.. Serious question. Why did you ever agree to.. Me.. Dating three different girls?"

"I'm… Hardly the best example to follow society's expectations with love. I expected that would have been a bit.. Obvious? Was it not? Still.. Expect me to tear apart any of these girls if they cross the line with you. Or hurt you. For that matter."

"Thank you ma.. Your words.. It means everything."

"Your mom. On the other hand, she's.. Unsure. The reason she agreed to this? You're going to have to treat both of us to a nice dinner to get that out of her. I expect you know a thing or two about dinners that would please women at this point."

"Oh no."

"What does Aurumé like? To eat?"

"Hmmm. Anything sweet. She likes meat, especially lamb. She loves spicy things too. The heat doesn't faze her at all. She's not very picky. As long as it tastes good. Because if it doesn't, she always let's me know."

"No surprises there, what about Hedwig? Or is it Ava now?"

"Mice and bacon tidbits for Hedwig. For Ava? She likes.. Things she can't have as an owl. She's curious. She really likes cakes. I've been practicing baking cakes for her."

"I'll show you my strawberry shortcake special later. She's a messy eater, that owl. What about Nymphadora?" Harry couldn't agree more. Hedwig's place of eating was usually splattered with guts and blood when she was eating. Harry hoped she had not picked up that it was a little off putting to see mice getting killed like that. Then again. He had seen Aurumé's merciless behavior toward the sheep he made for her.

"She thinks, I don't know. But she likes sweet and sour chicken sandwiches. It's weird, I know. Confirmed this with Ava. It reminds her of her dad's quirky cooking. Other than that she doesn't complain. At all.."

"And me? What do I like?"

"Dark roasted belgian beer. With fish chips. Or tacos. Beef tacos. Crêpes. Vanilla cannolis. Hmmm. Chocolates. Not store bought. The chef made gourmet chocolate. But only in small amounts."

"I've become way too predictable. Your mom?"

"Literally, anything you cook. Oh and caramelized butter popcorn."

"Has she been secretly buying those again?" Harry shook his head. "Well, well. Have a look at that. No hesitation for any of the answers."

"Errr.. Ma, are you guys free tonight?"

"Oh?"

"There's.. A place. Bacchanalia. A restaurant."

"I'm quite familiar. Yes, why?"

"I made reservations earlier today."

"Impossible. They have a.."

"Two month reservation waitlist."

"No.. How?"

"I had.. Hedwig, scout the restaurant. They happened to have a cancellation tonight. I picked up the spot and now.. We got a table for two."

"You made her watch the place until a spot was open? Harry, I'd love to go with you. Since.. That place is.."

"Your favorite. Also where you and mom went for somewhat.. Memorable occasions?"

"Yeah our anniversary. Did you ask this from Ava? It's where we had one of our first dates.. But Harry.. I-I can't go."

"No. From Hermione. She says you talk a lot while working. Why not?"

Lana slightly blushed at this. "My dear. Oh little Mynee. But what about Emma? It's only a table for two?"

"Ah yes? Are we expecting anyone else?" Harry blinked three times, he wasn't expecting any oversight.

"It's a table for me and Emma? What about you? You! What about you?!" Lana laughed.

"I'm going somewhere more fancy."

"Oh?"

"Your dining room."

"Alright hold on a moment. You think you're so smooth with all this news and fine dining and whatever." She pinched his cheeks.

Harry felt a chill down his spine. He's been made. "I have no clue what you're on about, ma. I thought you'd be happy."

"I would be. If today wasn't the day a Nymphadora Tonks was going to be introduced to us."

"Oh no."

"Ahh. So that was what you were after. A shame it almost worked. And no. I'm not leaving you two alone in my household! Don't even get me started with closed doors during this visit. Am I clear? Oooh I want to see you try locking your door alone with her. I swear I am going to replace your door with the brightest pink curtain that ever existed if you did."

"Ma. Pleaaaase." Harry tried stifling his laughter.

"My dear! I am serious."

"She.. Actually she had some school stuff to sort. I just got her letter about it when Hedwig dropped by. She said next week might be a better time."

"Oh."

"I wanted to do this. For you. For you two. Is it becoming weird that I say 'I love you' to you a lot? I still don't know if I say it enough. I love you ma."

"Harry…"

"You're back from Hogwarts and one of the first things on your list is an attempt to steal my wife?" The smiling lady that approached them made Harry rush to embrace her.

"Mom!"

"Well. He's really great at stealing ladies' hearts. That I can tell. Is that what they teach in wizarding boarding schools?" Lana stood up. The two mothers gave each other a quick kiss.

"Yes. We have that as extra curricular. Before Herbology." Harry addressed Lana before releasing the embrace Emma returned.

"You need to pay more attention in that class then. You see, Lana is impossible to be picked up by anyone who's not me." Emma beamed at both of them.

"Or so you think." Lana teased.

"Harry, were you bribing her?"

"Err.. No."

"Yes he was. But we'll talk more about that when we get home. Harry, you owe us a very detailed explanation as to what on earth happened in your first few months at Hogwarts."

"Oh no. I wrote to you everyday?" The unusual cold look Emma gave as a reply made Harry grimace. "Anyways. How was your day mom?"

"Good. Mostly boring. But it will be interesting since we're going to grill you like pancakes after we get home."

"Mom, you don't grill pancakes."

"That conversation change tactic is not going to work on me."

"Emma, he's right you don't grill pancakes."

"Yes you can. You don't put it directly on the grates obviously.

"Of course." Lana and Harry replied but both of them had the image of the pancake oozing down the grates of a grill.

~o~

"Now. Harry James Potter."

"Yes. Mom? Ma?" His voice was as small as it could have been. He wished he would sink and disappear in the bed he was sitting on to avoid this conversation. Unluckily, they don't teach that at Hogwarts.

"Ohh. This is hard. I'll be downstairs. If you need me." Lana excused herself leaving Emma slightly disappointed.

"Mom. I'm sorry. If you're angry. I understand why. I.. I'm.. No.. It's all my fault. I hope you can forgive me."

Her facial expression softened but she refused to say anything yet. She made her way right next to his bed to sit right beside him.

"..I'm.. Not angry." She looked at Hedwig's silver cage atop the desk table in Harry's room. His personal belongings not yet unpacked from the inconspicuous shrunken box right next to the empty cage. She put her arm around Harry's shoulder in a one arm embrace.

"Just.. Sad. It feels like.. I don't know. I got everything I asked for.. And more. And still."

Harry chose to remain quiet and listen closely for the meantime.

"You.. You're like a. A light bulb.. You brighten up a room whenever you're in one. And.. And.. Me and Lana. We are so thankful that we have you.. We love you to bits and.. The thing is.. It's just that.." Harry knew that Emma was not one to not mix up her thoughts like she was showing right this moment. She was rubbing her thumb on his shoulder more for her own, to calm her nerves but it was only making Harry anxious as he took a deep breath. He paused. Exhaled.. And took another deep inhale.

"Do you want me to break up with Aurumé, Hedwig and Nymphadora?" Harry started.

Emma locked eyes with Harry. It was a rare moment for him to act with as much resolve as right now. Emma noticed both of his hands on his lap were balled in a tight fist.

"I.. I do."

"Then.. I need to tell them. We.. I mean. Nothing more than friends from now on." Harry looked at the floor. He knew that Aurumé probably already saw this. He wasn't looking forward to the reaction of his imprisoned girlfriend after this conversation. This was already devastating to him. To Hedwig. The magical owl would probably already know once she was back from hunting. Her reaction might not be on the same level as Aurumé's. It could be worse. And to Nymphadora. It would probably be best to do it in person instead of sending her a letter. The subject at hand ran through Harry's mind like a flying car into a whomping willow.

"No.. I mean. Not right now. I support you. I trust you. I meant what we wrote in that letter, you know?"

"What?"

"This is what.. Lana meant. This is hard."

"Mom."

"I.. I wanted to become a good parent. And I promised myself. That I would never be like mine. Are you alright if I share a bit of my story then?"

Emma inhaled and exhaled. "Where do I even begin? I think it was around your age? Maybe younger. I was taller than any of my classmates at the time. It was sort of a curse growing up. Being a little different. I was made fun of. And bullied. Just because of it. The boys were always very creative with nicknames."

Harry made no sound but his eyebrows furrowed while he listened in with all intent.

"It would get really bad sometimes. Someone once threw away my Science notes and I found it floating on the school pond. There was once that someone scratched and vandalized my violin when I brought it for a talent show. When it did get really bad, I would cry myself to sleep. The only person I could bring myself to talk to was my mom. She said God created me in his image and that God accepts me and I'm beautiful no matter what. I held on to that. And it kept me going. For the longest time. I just shifted my focus on studying and sometimes playing the violin. I haven't played in a long time. So don't get any request ideas." Harry tried to look disappointed.

"There was a boy that I did like. He was a football player. Good looking, smart, funny and kind. Always with his friends, you know the type." Harry felt sweat starting to form on the back of his neck. "One day, out of the blue, he invited me to prom. I thought, of all the possible people he could ask, he asked me! I was so happy. I barely talked to him and all. But if you know how girls could be, you don't get to have any secrets. I bet my friends told him. I was really happy."

"This is where you insert the tragic part." Harry exhaled and shut his eyes.

"Yes. Accurate. While dancing with him at prom. Having the 'best night of my life'. I didn't notice that he was fidgety the entire time. Didn't even compliment on how I looked when we met. I didn't notice that he would just stare away whenever I tried to talk to him. I thought he was just nervous. His friends kept smiling and laughing at the sidelines. He told me the truth while dancing. It was all just a bet he lost over something I don't even remember."

"That's fucked up."

"I'm going to make a swear jar. Instead of money. It's your 'free days' instead." Her reply was cold and sharp.

"That's… Messed up." Harry gulped.

"Much better. Anyways. It didn't stop there. He told me that.. That the name calling, the missing books, the one who wrote mean things on my stuff. I knew he was friends with those who did it. He said sorry because he was the one who threw my science notebook in the school pond years ago. I wanted to cry. But I kept smiling and danced until the song was over."

"I'm sorry mom. That must've been really difficult."

"It was. Luckily my best friend was there, she helped me cry my eyes out when we got to the washroom."

"I sense one more insert."

"Yeah. She had to go back to the dance because her partner was looking for her. I remember crying alone in the stall for what seemed like forever."

Harry gently reached for her free hand to hold.

"She came back after a while to check up on me. I think she had some trouble looking for her dance partner and they both ended up looking for each other or something. When she found him he was already dancing with somebody else. That would've been understandable if they weren't together. But they were. And the one he was dancing with was his ex. I think they were just good friends."

Here was when Harry realized no one was actually exempt from going through high school dramas and their complexities.

"We ended up comforting each other that night. We laughed since it's kind of an inappropriate joke that we'd lose our…"

"Don't say it mom. I already know. Just.. Go.. Ahead."

"Ahem. Yes. On prom night. She said that it was still too early to give up and that we could still do it. And.. We kissed. One thing lead to another. The next thing was we were dating each other."

"Please no more tragic inserts."

"Maybe we can continue this some other time then." The smile that was gradually appearing as the story unfolded was gone. It was replaced by a melancholic and a deeply regretful look. An unfamiliar expression of Emma's especially to Harry.

"We could continue this some other time. But you'll never get to the point of why you support me having three girlfriends simultaneously. Sorry, I'm still.. Struggling to see the relevance, mom."

"You're not wrong. Well then.. Things went well. Too well. We made plans. Dating her was like a dream. We had so much fun since we already spent so much time together and we knew each other in the first place. It was just like a dream."

Dreams.. Don't last forever. Harry sighed softly.

"I loved her and she loved me. She was always.. Headstrong and straightforward. I kissed her right before I was going to get picked up from her house. From a 'sleepover'. I think Dad pretended that he didn't see anything. He was quiet the entire ride home. I was hoping he didn't see anything. And it could be I was acting fishy that time. Come the morning, my parents.. My mom. Turns out she called around my friends. Friends of friends. Asking if we were together. She was furious. I panicked. I told them that we were just friends. That she kissed me. And that I had nothing to do with that. We were banned from seeing each other again."

"But you still did? You had to."

Emma shook her head. "No. I tried avoiding her as much as I could. Even if it was a small town. Mom and dad had a reputation or something with the church. A scandal like that and we'd have been forced to move."

Emma inhaled and exhaled deeply again. This time. Harry had the feeling this would be the last insert.

"One day. After my violin lessons. She cornered me. She asked if I was okay and why I was avoiding her. I got angry. I don't know why.. I shouldn't have. I asked her if she told mom about us. She said she had no idea what I was talking about. I should've known it was Dad.. Maybe.. I yelled at her. Told her to never talk to me ever again."

"A week after.. At the recital. A friend came up to me and said sorry about what happened. I was so confused. Just before I started my piece, an announcement for raising suicide awareness, a hotline to call and a moment of silence. For Toni. My best friend. I could not perform after that. I just stood up and walked away from the stage."

Harry did not expect that. He did not know how to react. Neither what to say. He just went for an embrace that Emma returned.

"I'm so sorry Mom."

"It's alright. I blame myself. For a long time. I have blamed myself over and over for what happened. It was Lana. If I hadn't met her. I'd still be in that loop."

"Lana told me, 'People believe that if they go back in time to change one small thing they'll change the future significantly yet no one believes changing one small thing in the present affects the future.'"

"I'm not a witch. I can't change the past. But what I can do is make sure that doesn't happen again on my account. Let me be clear to you about your girlfriends. My nature as your mom tells me that this is not right. Just like what my mom told me about me and Toni. I will not be like her. I'm sad and maybe I have not fully come to terms with it yet. But I support you. Because I trust you."

"Mom. You and ma. You two take 'make-Harry-cry' lessons while I'm at Hogwarts?"

"It's a show on the telly. Right after the shark documentaries. Watch it with us sometime." Emma smiled.

~o~

AN: If anyone can guess what tv series this last part of the chapter heavily references. I'll send you a shocked Pikachu face for free. That's right, absolutely free.

But wait. There's more! If you call now. I'll send you a second one. Absolutely free!

Dumbassery aside. If anyone is still reading this. Hope you have a good day or night.