Behind the Mask Chapter 8
"Don't even try to run, Harry," warned Remus as they vacated the train.
Tonks smirked. "Or…do try. I might enjoy that!"
"Dora!" Remus said sharply. "Look, Harry, this is for your own good. You'll be safe at the Dursleys."
Harry, watching closely, saw the malice behind Tonks' smile. She had guarded him at the Dursleys and had a good idea of what his life there was like.
His resolve hardened.
Harry stepped outside the barrier, still flanked by his wardens.
Then it happened.
As Remus held out his arm to side-apparate Harry, Ron crashed into him from behind and the werewolf went sprawling. Before he could regain his feet, he was hit by stunners from Neville and Hannah, while Daphne and Susan took down Tonks.
"Good thing we caught them unaware, or we wouldn't have been able to take them down," remarked Susan, holstering her wand.
Hermione watched in disapproval. "I still think it would be best to simply report Tonks to your aunt," she told Susan.
"I intend to," Susan agreed. "But first we need to get Harry free and clear."
"Will you get into trouble for attacking an auror? With your Aunt Amelia, I mean?" Hannah was worried.
"Tonks isn't wearing her official robes," Daphne pointed out. "We can say we didn't recognize she was an auror; we thought she was a kidnapper!"
Hermione sighed but didn't argue.
Number 12 Grimmauld Place actually looked a bit more cheerful, thanks to hard work by the elves.
Harry enjoyed a restful night's sleep, but woke to see Daphne perched on his bed.
"What are you doing here?" he asked groggily. Somehow he was not truly surprised.
"It's Christmas Eve!" she announced. "Where else would I be?"
"Home with your family?"
"Greengrass Manor," she grimaced. "No, I only went there to gather some things and leave my presents. I'd much rather be here, at our house!"
"Oh," Harry managed.
"So, you ought to get up and eat breakfast, because we have so much to do!"
Harry blinked. "Like what?"
"Like putting up our tree!"
"Right," Harry nodded. "I guess that might be fun! We have to go buy one."
"No, Neville and Hannah are bringing one from the Longbottom greenhouses. They'll be here soon so better get up!"
"Yes, dear," said Harry mockingly. But he didn't really mind. It did sound fun, to trim the tree with his friends.
Neville showed up with a fir as large as any that had ever been in Hogwarts Great Hall, and he brought Hannah and Susan with him.
The five had a wonderful time munching biscuits and drinking hot chocolate while they decorated the entire house, refusing to allow Kreacher, Dilly, or Dobby to assist.
"The house looks incredible," announced Daphne happily.
"Nothing like as glum as it used to be," Harry agreed. "The elves did a great job cleaning up."
"How many elves do you have, Harry?" Susan asked curiously.
"Three for now," admitted Harry. "Kreacher came with the house, Dilly is Daphne's personal elf, and we discovered a few weeks ago that I'd somehow got into a bond with Dobby. But Dobby's friend Winky is suffering at Hogwarts, and asked if we'd take her on, so she'll arrive tomorrow. I hope Hermione won't object!"
"We decided to have a little party, on Boxing Day," Daphne informed them. "Just a few friends from school…we'll have a buffet, and people can come and go as they wish."
"You're opening your floo?" Neville raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Yes, but only temporarily. We'll close it again after."
"We don't want uninvited guests," Harry grinned. "I haven't left the house because I don't want to encounter Tonks and Remus."
"I told my Auntie Amelia about them, Harry," Susan said. "She's planning to transfer Tonks from Hogwarts, and tell her to choose between her job and the Order of the Phoenix. So hopefully, you won't have to put up with her for long."
Harry and Daphne had a quiet little Christmas morning with just the two of them. She gifted him a dragon-hide jacket that felt buttery soft, and he gave her a pair of earrings that made her squeal with delight.
They were graceful spirals set with tiny diamonds and amethysts from the Black vault, and she fastened them on immediately.
He delighted in her pleasure and only hoped it wasn't dimmed by seeing Hannah arrive sporting a ruby and diamond engagement ring.
"Way to make the rest of us look bad, Nev," Ron said reproachfully, watching all the girls clustering around the Hufflepuff.
Neville looked abashed. "I know, but Hannah was…sort of…hinting, and it's a relief to get everything settled."
Harry could understand that.
Just then, a diversion came in the arrival of Remus Lupin. Harry had felt obligated to invite the last of the Marauders; however he hadn't expected the werewolf to bring along Tonks.
"Wotcher, Harry!" The auror greeted, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Remus seemed curiously distracted. "A private word, Harry?"
Harry felt he had no choice but to agree.
"Don't mind me," Tonks said airily. "I'll just look around…at the home of my ancestors."
Remus wasted no time in getting to the point. "When are you going to bring the Tonks family into the House of Black?" he demanded. "You said you'd do it at Christmas!"
"No. I said I'd consider it at Christmas," Harry corrected. "I have considered…and decided against it."
"What!" Remus glared at him. "Harry! You know Padfoot would want you to do the right thing!"
Harry returned the glare. "I intend to! I made a promise to Sirius to restore the honor of the House of Black and that is what I will do."
"He'd want you to reinstate the Tonks family!"
'So why didn't he?" questioned Harry. "He could have done so himself, if he'd liked."
"He would have, given time!"
Harry doubted that. "I'm not going to do it."
The werewolf's eyes narrowed. "I believe you will regret this, Harry."
"Are you threatening me?" Harry felt his temper rise.
"I don't make threats," Remus snarled. "I make predictions."
"When I want a prediction, I'll ask Trelawney," Harry retorted. "Now leave my home and take your girlfriend with you!"