Chapter 24
Tonks was surprised at not finding Hermione in her quarters when she and Harry returned there, but not too worried. Even though she knew stripping and spanking the peeping Tom no doubt crossed a line, it was very unlikely Hermione would talk to Dumbledore. Even without her oath.
As they sat there writing a note for Nym's parents, someone knocked on the classroom door, which caused a soft alarm charm to go off. Tonks went into the classroom to see who was calling on her while Harry remained hidden in her own quarters, at least until she called him over.
Standing there facing them in the doorway was a flush-faced Hermione with Luna waiting further down the corridor.
"P – Professor, may I please enter?" Hermione asked, then looked over her shoulder to Luna, who nodded, Tonks saw.
"Come on in, and you as well if you like, Miss Lovegood," Tonks said. Hermione took a few awkward steps inside while Luna simply darted inside. The lithe blonde leant against the wall whereas Hermione stood directly in front of Tonks, her hands folded behind her back.
"H– Harry? Please, come," Hermione pleaded. Harry looked at her questioningly but walked up and took Tonks' hand, figuring Luna could be trusted with their secret.
"Luna... Luna said, I should apologize," Hermione started. Luna coughed softly, and Hermione grimaced. "I mean, I should apologize. To you both. Harry... I have been acting horribly, and it wasn't all because of Dumbledore's spell, I stole your clothes, and used your cloak to spy on you both."
Harry started to say something, but Hermione silenced him with pleading eyes. "Please, let me continue. Professor Tonks... I was wrong to spy on you both and to make you worry about telling anyone else, like Dumbledore. Please, can you two forgive me?" She looked back again at Luna, who was smiling.
Harry and Tonks looked at each other, then Harry nodded. Tonks spoke first: "Okay, Hermione. I will forgive you... but this was the last time, understood?"
"Same for me. You're still my friend, and I would hate to have to lose you over this," Harry confirmed.
"Oh Harry!" Hermione rushed forward to hug her friend but literally ran into Tonks' arm.
"I don't trust you enough, yet," Tonks glared at her.
Hermione started to splutter, "But... but... but I will be good! I just wanted to hug Harry, you can't just –"
"Hermi – o – neee, you're nagging," Luna said, drawing out the brunette's name. "What did I say about that?"
Hermione flushed again. Looking down, she muttered, "Sorry, Luna."
"Professor, if you'll excuse us both? My girlfriend and I need to have another talk, one that will probably end with both of us undressed," Luna said to Tonks. "Bye, Harry. Don't worry about Mr. and Mrs. Tonks, just be yourself," she added. Luna took Hermione's hand and pulled her out of the classroom.
"Did... did she just say what I think she said?" Harry asked Tonks.
Tonks stared at the now closed door, then began to laugh. Infected by her amusement, Harry joined her.
–-
"Minerva, I'll need to borrow Mr. Potter for the day," Tonks spoke up at the breakfast table. It being Sunday, many of the faculty were taking the chance to sleep in, the Headmaster among them.
"Oh? May I ask what for, Tonks?" Professor McGonagall asked her.
"Gringotts business, Minerva. They asked for Harry specifically, and I thought it was best if he was protected out there... things being what they are," Tonks said conspiringly.
"I see. Has this been cleared with the Headmaster?"
"Everyone who needs to know does, Minerva," Tonks answered her. Technically true... they felt Dumbledore didn't need to know, after all, and he didn't.
"I see no problems with that, then," said McGonagall. "Will you be back before the end of the day?"
"I'll try, if we run late for some reason, I'll make sure Harry is kept safe. We should be back in time for Monday classes."
"Very well then. Simply tell Mr. Filch you two are allowed to leave. Please tell Mr. Potter that this does not mean he gets a pass from his homework, though!"
"I'll make sure to tell him," Tonks said, smiling at her former teacher and current colleague.
She made her excuses to the rest of the assembled staff, happy that both Dumbledore and that foul Umbridge woman were not there, and walked over the Gryffindor table.
Harry was sitting there eating alone, both Ron and Hermione being absent, and many of the other Gryffindors were still keeping their distance from him.
"Ready, Harry?" Tonks asked. Harry nodded, wiped his mouth, and got up. Tonks looked him over approvingly, he had skipped his school robes for today – all students were allowed to, during the weekend – and was wearing some of the better clothes she had picked out for him over the summer.
Tonks walked to the school front gates, Harry following. Bypassing Argus Filch was no problem with a teacher present and once they made it to the gates and in apparition range, Tonks hugged Harry close. With the usual crack of apparition, they disappeared from Hogwarts grounds.
–-
Harry and Tonks re-materialized in the beautiful foyer of the Tonks house by tripping over each other's and their own feet and made an immense ruckus as they collapsed over each other and on the ground.
"Well, if you two are quite finished," a sarcastic voice sounded.
Harry looked past his girlfriend to see Andromeda Tonks standing there, a smirk on her face. "He... hello, Mrs. Tonks," he said. He scrambled to his feet and held his hand out for Nym to get up as well.
"Nymphadora dear, always nice to see you," Andromeda said. "Although I see you are still a klutz. And hello Harry, you are always welcome here," she gave Harry a smile.
"Muuuuum..." Nym whined. Harry sheepishly grinned. "Err... thanks. Is Mr. Tonks at home as well?"
"Yes, Ted is in the library, follow me," Andromeda said. "I must say, Nymphadora, I was quite surprised to get a note from you last night asking if you could visit with some important news. You haven't lost your job already, have you?"
"Muuum!" Nym looked annoyed, at least until Harry took her hand and squeezed it softly. Her expression softened. "No mother, it is nothing like that."
"Nymphadora dear! Harry! Good to see you both!" Ted stood up from his comfortable chair and greeted them both as they entered the room he was in.
"Hi daddy," Nym said, at the same time as Harry said, "Hi, Mr. Tonks."
"Well now, shall we adjourn for some tea before you tell us what this is all about?" Andromeda proposed.
A little later the four sat at a nicely set table, tea cups and biscuits in front of them. Harry noticed Nym was obviously struggling to find some way to open the conversation, so he decided to rescue her.
"Erm, Mr. Tonks, Mrs. Tonks," he started, only to be interrupted immediately.
"Droma and Ted, Harry," Andromeda broke in.
"Err.. right. Anyway, as I was saying, erm, you know, erm, Nym and I are... erm... dating?" Harry fidgeted with the collar of his shirt as he spoke, it suddenly seemed to be three sizes too small.
"I was aware, yes," Andromeda answered. Ted just nodded.
Harry took a deep breath and continued fighting to get the words out. "Okay. Good. Erm. Well... I... she... that is..."
"Oh for goodness' sake," Andromeda muttered, then rounded on her daughter: "Nymphadora, rescue your beau! What did you two come here for that required us both to be at home?"
Nym froze in her seat momentarily, before blurting out, "Mum, dad, Harry asked me marry him!"
"I see," Andromeda said in a neutral tone. "Well, that explains the ring – oh yes dear, your disillusionment skill always failed for me ever since you were a Hogwarts student – but aren't you very young? You, Harry, specifically?"
"I must agree with Droma," Ted spoke up for the first time. "I appreciate that you make our Nymphadora happy, Harry, but you're what, fourteen now?"
"Fifteen," Harry corrected him.
"Right, fifteen. Still, that is awfully young, even if you both were Pure-bloods, which you aren't. Wouldn't it be better to wait a few years?" Ted sounded friendly, but a little edge was in his voice.
"Mum... dad... I agree, we both agree, but..." Nym started saying, but was interrupted again.
"Oh dear. Ted, look at our little Nymphadora."
"What?" Ted raised an eyebrow, looking at his fidgeting daughter, holding her younger boyfriend's hand.
"You're pregnant, aren't you?" Andromeda blurted out.
"What!?" Ted started to rise from his seat, but his wife's hand on his shoulder kept him down.
"Answer me, dear," Andromeda demanded.
"Oh lord... yes... yes mum, I am pregnant," Nym admitted.
"Well now, that explains why you want to get married. Congratulations dear, but I think you and I need to talk in private while Ted takes Harry to meet Betsy."
"Betsy?" Harry spoke up.
"Betsy. Capital idea, Droma," Ted said. "Boy... up. Follow me," Ted said through clipped tones.
"Who is Betsy?" Harry asked, getting to his feet. Still seated, Nym was scrunching her face trying to remember, when she suddenly paled and called out, "Daddy, no!"
"Betsy is my shotgun, boy. Come along before I have to get angry," Ted grumbled. Harry gave Nym a partially panicked look, but followed the man outside.
Nym looked at her mother. "Mum! Dad isn't really going to –"
"Don't be silly dear, he's just going to scare Harry," Andromeda cut in. "Now, tell me how you got pregnant." She took her seat again directly across from her daughter.
"But... but Harry..." Nym looked a bit panicked outside, but at least she hadn't heard a gun shot... yet.
"I am waiting, Nymphadora," Andromeda reminded her.
"What the hell do you want me to say? Yes, I've been shagging Harry for a few months now, but I was on the Potion?" Nym glared at her mother.
"Mind your language, you are not too old to go over my lap," Andromeda glared back. "And of course I know you two have been having sex. I nearly walked in on you both in your little studio over the summer, remember? No, what I mean is, how could you be so irresponsible? I love you Nymphadora dearest, and I always hoped you'd give me beautiful grandchildren to dote on one day, but couldn't you at least have waited until he got his O.W.L.s?"
"Muuum... I swear, I was on the Potion. I do not understand why it failed. It's not supposed to," Nym protested. "And yes... I know we're too young. But... but I'm going to be a mother... and Mrs. Potter... Merlin, why must you be so difficult? I was hoping for some support!" Her eyes started to become filled with tears.
"Oh, Nymmie," Andromeda said soothingly. She stood up and walked around the table to hug her daughter from behind. "Of course your father and I will support you. We love you very much," she said.
"Thanks mum," Nym said in a smallish voice. "So... I guess I need to get married soon, right?"
"How far along are you, dear?" Andromeda asked. Nym was showing a tiny bump, but only someone who really paid close attention to her would notice.
"Merlin... I have no idea. The school Healer said about two months, which means I should be due around May or so..." Tonks trailed off.
Andromeda did a mental calculation. "Okay. That means you, dear, are going to marry your husband this Yule holiday. Any later, and you will be too obviously pregnant to fit in a wedding dress. We'll have to deal with wagging tongues as they come... am I correct in assuming your Harry has the means to support you both?"
"Mum! Of course he does... he is the last Potter, and even if he weren't, I have a steady job."
"Well, not for much longer I think, you will need to find a replacement teacher for your last few months at Hogwarts. And no more Dark Wizard catching either, you have a new life to think of now," Andromeda said. "First things first. I am setting up an appointment with a proper obstetrician at St. Mungo's for you for as soon as is possible, and I expect you both here again next weekend so we can begin to plan your wedding."
"Mum... you're taking this awfully calm," Nym carefully said.
"Oh don't worry dear. I will 'freak out' later, when have the time for it. And don't think you're out of trouble either, if you were still living here, I would ground you until you are due," her mother answered her.
Nym was about to say something in reply, when a loud gunshot came from outside.
–-
Back at Hogwarts, Dumbledore decided to spend the day in his office. He didn't want to risk running into Professor Umbridge until he knew exactly how to handle her, and he trusted in McGonagall to run the school for him. She usually did anyway.
Professor Umbridge was fuming in her personal quarters. Minister Fudge might have rescued her from persecution, she knew the real reason she was not in Azkaban right now was that the blood quill had not been found. And since she hadn't had the chance to hide it before that Potter boy called the Aurors on her, someone else must have found it. Her mind was going overtime trying to figure out who might have taken it, and why. None of the conclusions she came to were good in the long run.
In the Gryffindor dorms, Ron was wondering where Harry and Hermione were. Sure, they had drifted apart following the summer and he had a new circle of friends with Dean, Seamus, and some of the other Gryffs, but usually he at least saw them throughout the day. His thoughts were interrupted somewhat when he caught Lavender watching him curiously, and both teens blushed as they looked away.
Ginny was wondering the same, but she was a little smarter than her brother and remembered the Marauder's Map. A quick glance in Harry's dorm had told her that Harry and Tonks were nowhere to be found and she smiled as she assumed they had a pleasant day elsewhere. As for Hermione, her dot was overlapping with that of Luna Lovegood's in an out of the way corridor near the Ravenclaw dorms where no classrooms were in use. For a moment Ginny wondered if that was worth investigating, but then Victoria, one of her friends, called from downstairs to see if she wanted to have some fun. Ginny paid it no further mind.
–-
Luna was finding that she enjoyed the thought of having a girlfriend who was a closet submissive. Hermione had her hands tied behind her back with her own school tie as she stood in the middle of the room, her legs slightly parted and her face flushed. Luna thought Hermione was beautiful, standing there naked and trembling, as she directed a feather with a levitating charm as it brushed past Hermione's erogenous zones. Soon, she knew, Hermione would no longer be able to keep silent and would call out and she would have to 'punish her'.
One look at the brunette was enough to tell an onlooker, if there was any, that Hermione definitely did not object and in fact was only prolonging the 'torture' because it felt so good... she was looking forward to see how Luna would punish her this time. Even though she could honestly say she had had no interest in girls before, something about the inventive and really odd younger girl drove her mad and she couldn't, wouldn't, let the small voice that objected drive her away.
An "Ahn," escaped from her lips as the feather tickled her extended clit once again. Luna's eyes widened and a huge smile appeared on her face as she heard Hermione give in. It was playtime again.
A/N: Spelling and grammar corrections courtesy of my beta, firefly81. Thanks everyone who checked her story out!
You can also blame her for the cliffhanger with Harry... she convinced me to end the chapter there ^_^