Chapter 11
A/N: Mild implied lemon.
–-
Arthur and Harry re-materialized in a quiet cul-de-sac Harry didn't recognise at all.
"What are we doing here? I thought we were going to Head –" he began to ask, but Arthur shushed him.
"Harry, think of the note you just read!" he insisted. Behind them, Tonks and Kingsley popped into being, with Harry's trunk.
Harry focused on the words, and before him the houses numbered eleven and thirteen seemed to move out of the way, with a third house appearing in the middle. Despite all the row houses being the same, something about number twelve made it look sinister. It wasn't just that there was no light behind the windows, but an overall feeling of unpleasantness hung about it.
"Quick Harry, get in," Arthur ushered him. Harry moved forward and made to ring the bell, but Arthur's hand stayed him. "Just go in, it's open," he said. Harry went inside, and found himself in a dark hallway with a large curtain hanging on one wall. He made to reach for it but again Arthur stopped him. "Just go past, down the stairs," he said in a whisper.
Harry made to step forward. Suddenly a loud clanging sound came from behind them, and Harry half turned just in time to see Nym trip over a troll's leg umbrella stand that Harry swore had been standing in the corner a second before, but was now straight in front of the door. Nym fell forward and he rushed to catch her, only for her to land on top of him and them both crashing to the ground.
The curtain rushed open, and Harry looked up to see a painting of a sour-faced woman glaring down at him. She took a deep breath – weird, Harry thought for a moment, that paintings seemed to need to breathe at all – and then let loose:
"Filth! Fornicating Mudbloods! KREACHER!"
"Mistress Walburga calls?" A nasty looking House Elf came skulking out the door across from the painting, and glared as it looked at Harry and Nymphadora. "Kreacher is takings out the trash," it muttered nastily.
"Oh Merlin who set her off this time?" Sirius' voice sounded as he came running up the stairs. "Oh, Nymphadora, I should've known." Sirius grinned as he saw the two of them on the floor. "Hey cousin, if you want to get busy with birthday boy there, save it for the bedroom all right?"
He barked a brief laugh, then glared at the Elf. "Kreacher, you good for nothing little shit, get lost," he bit to the creature. "As for you mother, SHUT UP!" he yelled at the painting.
Harry and Nym got to their feet, helped by Arthur and Kingsley. "Erm, well, just go downstairs Harry, Tonks, we'll be down in a bit," Arthur said.
"Is it always this... mental here?" Harry asked softly to Nym.
"Pretty much," his girlfriend said. "Sorry about just now, I swear that thing is cursed to hate me..."
"I don't mind you jumping me Nym," Harry stepped into the stairwell leading down, and Nym followed after him, a wide smile on her face.
The stairs exited in a small kitchen and dining room. The table was filled with Weasleys: Fred and George were eating some bread, Ginny was reading some book, and Ron was – no surprise there – bickering with Hermione.
Ginny was first to notice them: "Harry! Happy birthday!" she exclaimed, dropping her book and rushing to hug him.
"Hey Gin-Gin," Harry said with a smile on his face as he hugged the red-head.
"Been working out have we? Nice muscles there," Ginny said. "She's good on you it seems," she whispered before letting go and moving to say hello to Tonks.
Ron and Hermione stopped their fighting when Ginny rushed forward.
"Oi mate, good t'have you here," Ron said. Hermione looked at Harry and her jaw dropped open a bit... Harry had turned into a hunk! Gone was the scrawny kid, this Harry had some nice muscles, and was wearing well-fitting clothes. She was lost for words.
"Hello Ronald, Hermione," Harry cordially nodded. "It's nice to see you after all the letters we exchanged... oh wait."
Hermione winced as the message hit. "Harry, you have to understand, Headmaster Dumbledore said –" she began to explain herself, rushing to her feet.
"Save it Hermione, no need to explain yourself to me," Harry said. "You look well. Have you been here long then?"
"Harry, really, it's all because the Headmaster said –" Hermione began again. This time she was interrupted by several people coming down the stairs: Sirius, Arthur, Molly, and Remus.
"Harry dear! Happy birthday, it's so nice you're here!" Molly rushed past Tonks to crush Harry into her, as he experienced her hugs. Tonks let out a small grunt as the large woman pushed her against the wall accidentally.
"Hey there pup," Remus said once Molly let go of Harry.
Sirius had a mischievous smirk on his face as he entered the room, standing next to Tonks. "Hey cuz, was getting Harry here easy? Or was he a pain in the bum?" He gave her a small spank on the rear, causing Tonks to let out a small shriek.
"Are you quite all right dear?" Molly asked concernedly.
"Y– Yes Molly... I just pulled a muscle during exercise," Tonks said through clipped teeth. Her eyes promised murder on Sirius.
"Well, now that we're all here..." Molly stepped over to the pantry, and took out a large cake: "Happy birthday Harry! We're so happy to have you here with us!"
"She's been working on it –"
"Ever since we heard you were in trouble again –"
"Harry," the twins spoke.
"Good you're here,"
"Gin-Gin was going crazy," they continued.
Harry laughed and took a seat next to Ginny, Tonks sitting down on his other side – with an extra pillow – and a small birthday celebration began. Throughout Harry noticed Hermione couldn't stop staring at him.
–-
Dumbledore and Dung appeared in the Ministry atrium. Dumbledore had Dung still by the arm as he stepped quickly to the security desk. The guard saw them approach, and rose from his seat.
"Erm, do you have an appointment Headmaster?" he asked.
"You're no longer in school Walton," Dumbledore said in a genial tone. "And no, I don't. I need to see Madam Bones or another high ranking DMLE Member ASAP though."
"Err... right, sir," Walton said. "Let me send a message now. Please wait here." He scribbled something on a note, and cast a spell that caused it to take the form of a paper aeroplane, and threw it in the direction of the lifts.
Dumbledore waited, outwardly calm, still holding onto the arm of Dung, until Amelia Bones herself came down, less than five minutes later, flanked by an Auror.
"Chief Warlock, what brings you here that is so urgent?" she asked.
"Amelia, there was a Dementor attack in a Muggle area not fifteen minutes ago. Mr Fletcher here with the assistance of another witch held them off until I could come for support. I need you to send an Auror to Azkaban straight away and find out if any are missing."
"Merlin..." Amelia paled a bit. "Were there any casualties?"
"Not that I could see, but we need to sweep the area and perhaps involve the Obliviators. The Dementors fled once they were repelled."
"Right," Amelia nodded. "Mr Fletcher, my Auror here will take you up to take your statement." To the Auror: "Hurry up Williger, and send a squad to Azkaban as well as an investigation crew and obliviators to – where are we going Mr Dumbledore?" she asked the Headmaster.
"Little Whinging, Surrey," Dumbledore said. "They can floo to 'Arabella Figg', she's a squib with an active floo living nearby."
"Got that?" Amelia barked at the Auror, then nodded at Dumbledore. "After you?" Dumbledore turned and moved for the floos, Amelia and her Auror in tow.
–-
In the meantime someone had come across Dudley. Finding the teen alive but unresponsive, they called 999 from a nearby home, and an ambulance was sent. Before Dumbledore even stepped out of Arabella Figg's floo, Dudley was loaded on a stretcher and was being rushed to the hospital as a suspected drug overdose victim.
–-
At Grimmauld Place the cake was eaten, and small gifts given – Hermione apologized, stammering a bit, that she hadn't counted on him arriving yet so hadn't had chance to shop. Molly decided it was time for the 'children' to retire to bed now.
"Where am I sleeping?" Harry asked.
"You're with me mate," Ron started.
Sirius overheard them, "Top floor Harry. Hope you don't mind taking my brother's old room."
"Sirius! I hardly think it's proper," Molly protested.
"Molly, it's my house, and you know the room is clean" Sirius said. "Besides, I've got the room next door. You wouldn't deny me a chance to chat a bit with my only godson in private?"
"I suppose not, but surely Harry, you want to stay with Ron? Have a chance to catch up?" Molly tried.
"I'll stay with Sirius," Harry said. "Ronald and I can talk enough during the school year as it is."
"Fine! That's settled then," Sirius said with a smile. "Tonksie, why don't you show him where it is? You've been there before. I'll be by in a bit."
"Stay quiet in the stairwell please," Molly pleaded.
Harry waved bye to the Weasleys and others, then followed Tonks up the stairs. "You okay love?" he asked in a soft voice.
"I am going to kill your godfather, just so you know," Tonks grumbled. "No idea how he sniffed it out that fast, but I really am a little sore down there..."
She pointed out who was staying on the various floors as they went up, then they came to the fourth floor. "Second door is Sirius', I guess you'll be staying here," she said as she opened the door.
Harry looked in, and found a room that seemed to be frozen in the 70s somehow, all in green and silver.
"Slytherin eh?" he asked.
"All Blacks except for that scoundrel were," Tonks said. She went in with him, and pushed the door closed.
Harry looked around a bit more. "Not really my style, but better than bunking with Ronald the snore machine. Did you notice he didn't even wish me happy birthday? And what was up with Hermione's weird glances all the time?"
Tonks let out a giggle, "isn't it obvious hero? Seems like Little Miss Bookworm has a crush on you... too bad for her you're taken."
Harry blinked twice, then let out a laugh himself. "Oh man, just what I need... well tough, for her. I have exactly who I want, my little Nymmie..." He moved closer to her, and snaked his hands around her and hugged her close. Tonks lowered her head and kissed him deeply.
"Oh Merlin it's going to be so lonely without you," she mumbled as she just held him. "Not how I planned your birthday to end hero, I was foreseeing a sappy film on the couch and maybe a massage later..." She let out a giggle as she felt something familiar press against her leg.
"Oh my poor hero, need me to take care of that?"
"Think you could? Won't we get in trouble?" Harry asked her, looking at the door.
"I'll just have to be quick then won't I?" Tonks knelt down, and began undoing Harry's pants.
"Love, I'm not sure about this... oooh." Harry's protest ended as she licked across his tip, and sucked his head inside. She hummed around him as her tongue went to work, and her skilled technique quickly brought Harry to the edge. With a loud cry of "Nym!" he erupted in her mouth.
Tonks had only just swallowed when someone knocked on the door. Harry fumbled with his pants to get dressed again as Nym stood up and used her metamorphmagus skill to fight her blush. Just in time, as the door opened and Sirius stepped through carrying Harry's bag.
"Merlin you two, at least use a silencing charm, I heard you from the next floor down pup," Sirius barked a laugh as he saw Tonks standing there, her hair turning as red as the blush that crept back.
"You... you're dead!" Tonks glared, fumbling for her wand.
"Easy there cousin!" Sirius raised his hands in surrender. "Before you kill me, let me show you a little something..." he stepped past them into the room, and pressed a knot on the far wall. A small passage opened.
"Where does that lead?" Harry looked in, intrigued.
"Up to the attic... and a place where someone could apparate in or out unnoticed," Sirius said with a grin. "Just remember to use silencing charms and a locking spell on your door pup... and your little girlfriend here can, well, 'cum' and go as you like, without anyone knowing..."
Harry and Tonks shared a meaningful glance, then Tonks spoke up. "Okay, you can live for now."
"I'll let you get to it then," Sirius shot them a wink. "I'll tell the others you left, Tonks, and that Harry is tired and went to bed. Gnite!" He closed the door behind him.
"Well, looks like you're not rid of me just yet," Tonks smiled.
"I believe you promised me a massage?" Harry waggled his eyebrows.
"Let's break in that bed then hero..." Tonks started stripping, Harry quick to follow.
Outside the door, Sirius shook his head and cast a silencing and locking charm for them. As he turned to go back down, he saw Kreacher glaring at him.
"No Good Master is letting them use Master Regulus room?" the House Elf actually growled.
"Yes Kreacher, I am," Sirius said. "I haven't told him yet, but I've made Harry my heir in everything, understood?"
"Nasty Half-blood Potter is the Black heir?" Kreacher sounded surprised. He looked conflicted for a moment, then let out a sigh. "Kreacher will allow the Black Heir to make little Wizards with the outcast's child then. The Family must survive. Kreacher hopes No Good Master has the courtesy to die soon so he has a better Master to serve."
"Whatever Kreacher. Get out of my sight before I kick you," Sirius countered, and the Elf skulked away.
A/N 2: This story won best Harry/Tonks in the Non-Canon awards! Thanks to anyone who voted for me :)
Next chapter some time skips to take us through the summer, following the fallout of the Dementor attack of course.