Updated faster than the last one, proud of myself! But I also really wanted this out today because... I mean come on we all know what today is right?
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Carmilla but buckle up Creampuffs because season 2 begins tonight! :D
Tonks found herself beginning to like this kid, it made her wonder how they hadn't actually had a conversation before. Sure she had been in her fourth year at Hogwarts when he arrived at the magic school and they weren't in the same house, having been in Hufflepuff house while Harry was sorted into Gryffindor, but they seemed to a few things in common. They both loved Quidditch, Tonks had played as a beater for two of her school years before stopping due to the amount of accidents she got into, and Defence Against the Dark Arts was both of their favourite subjects.
Of course now probably wasn't the best time to get to know someone, she was heading up the formation as they flew through London on their way back to Grimmauld Place. Madeye scolded her for shouting back to where Harry flew just behind her surrounded on each side by Kingsley, Remus and Madeye himself. She apologised quickly telling Harry they'd talk later, as they began their approach on Grimmauld place.
"Fly around, we should double back to be sure" Madeye called.
"I think we'll be safe enough Madeye" Tonks called back to her mentor "will we bring it down in the middle?"
"Alright then" Madeye relented deeming the girls observation trustworthy, "down in the park."
The word 'park' was a bit of a stretch, there was a small fenced off area of greenery in the centre of the cul-de-sac which acted much the same was as a roundabout would, only this one contained a small duck pond and a couple of benches which apparently made it a park to the muggles in the area.
When they touched down Tonks instinctively pulled her wand out and checked the bushes in front of her before turning back to the others. Remus already taking Harry's trunk from where it had been attached to the back of Madeye's broom, began to make his way over the road the dark haired boy in tow carrying his owl. Tonks followed along with Kingsley and Madeye, keeping an eye out for movement in the shadows or stray muggles wandering around. They stopped in front of twelve Grimmauld place as the building appeared from the space between eleven and thirteen, Harry's eyes wide as he experienced this for the first time. The boy began to ask questions, obviously curious to the new magic he'd just witnessed but was cut off by Madeye quickly ushering them all inside, keen not to be sitting targets on their own doorstep.
Harry was a little confused about why they took him here instead of the Burrow but was less so when Hermione crashed into him and hugged him tightly. Ron wasn't far behind also moving to give his best friend a hug, they began to apologise for not mentioning anything about this in their letters but he stopped paying attention when he spotted his godfather at the end of the hall.
"Sirius" the boy ran forward and hugged his godfather "what are you doing here?"
Sirius chuckled, "this is my house" he told Harry simply "I've given it as quarters to the Order of the Phoenix."
"The Order of the Phoenix, what's that?" Harry asked.
"No" Mrs Weasley interjected before Sirius could open his mouth, "he's too young, he can know the basics like the others but no more Sirius… am I understood."
"Of course Molly" Sirius replied politely.
Molly nodded before turning to Harry "now dear, you must be starving, come along and we'll get breakfast served" she told the boy as she ushered him into the kitchen followed by the rest of the halls occupants apart from Hermione and Tonks.
Hermione looked at the Auror who smiled brightly at her and inclined her head towards the kitchen "not wanting to join them?"
"I don't know…" the brunette answered a little unsure "I mean I suppose I should, I have missed Harry but…" her eyes caught Tonks' head and on and she knew the pink haired witch understood.
"Later" she told her "right now you're best friend is probably getting smothered by Molly so we should head in there."
Hermione agreed and entered the kitchen with the taller girl right behind her thinking to herself that this would be one of the better days she'd had since Summer began.
"Hey Harry, it's good to see you" Laura said cheerily as she sat down opposite the younger boy "how are you?"
"Much better now that I'm here, thanks Laura" Harry answered his old Gryffindor teammate "what are you doing here? I thought you'd be at home with your dad."
"I was, I got here yesterday" she answered as Carmilla sat down next to her and pressed a kiss to the side of her head.
Harry looked away and turned his attention to Ron, he had always been suspicious of Carmilla. He wasn't entirely sure if it was because of who she was related to or the snarky attitude she usually managed to keep but it made him uneasy. It had lessened over the years having seen how happy she made Laura, he knew the blonde girl wasn't the type to keep someone untrustworthy around. Still old habits die hard, especially after seeing her mother and uncle in that graveyard, Lilita Karnstein and Lucius Malfoy were two people he couldn't imagine being related to.
He turned back not wanting to seem overly rude, not to mention he was eager to find out what had been going on in his absence. He locked eyes with Carmilla across the table, she nodded at him before returning her full attention to Laura.
She knew Harry wasn't her biggest fan, he didn't hate her or anything he was just always a little suspicious of her presence. Carmilla knew why of course and didn't really blame him if she was honest, he'd lost his chance of a regular and happy childhood because of the Dark Lord and his followers and she had grown up amongst them. She had become accustomed to reactions like this during her school years anyway, it wasn't as if he was the only one to ever act this way.
Once they had eaten, the task of informing the new arrival began, though Mrs Weasley seemed less than pleased at the fact. Sirius and Madeye took the lead, explaining how the original Order of the Phoenix had been founded by Dumbledore during Voldemort's last attempt at power.
"So you were in the original Order?" he asked.
Sirius nodded "yep, along with Remus, Madeye, your parents, Alice and Frank Longbottom, Sarah Hollis and others who I doubt you'd recognise. And now with You Know Who having another go at over throwing the Wizarding and Muggle worlds alike, we've reformed the Order… obviously with some fresh faces added to the remaining original members" he explained as he gestured towards Tonks, Laf, Laura and Carmilla.
"So what's he been doing? Do you know what he's planning?" Harry asked keen to start.
"We don't know for sure…" Sirius started "but we think he's looking for something… something he didn't have last time."
Harry pondered for a moment "…like a weapon?"
Sirius nodded but before he could elaborate Molly stepped in.
"That is enough Sirius, he's just a boy and you lot" she looked pointedly at her own children and Hermione "can all go upstairs while this carries on."
"But if you're working to bring him own then I want to help, I want to fight" Harry told the table at large.
"See, the boy wants to fight" Sirius chimed in.
"He's also not of age" Madeye chipped in "meaning he'd be better off out of it until he can legally use magic."
"We're of age" Fred and George said in unison "How come we've got to leave."
"Listen to your mother boys" Mr Weasley told them "at least finish your last year first."
Having seemingly accepted defeat at their fathers words the two left, shortly followed by all of the underage witches and wizards.
Laf shook their head before leaning to whisper in Carmilla's ear "how much do you want to bet they're getting the extendable ears out?"
Carmilla smirked at her best friend before replying "you know I don't take losing bets" making Laf chuckle before they turned to get back to today's business.
During the meeting Dumbledore had arrived briefly informing them that Harry needed to attend a trial at the Ministry for use of underage magic. Tonks couldn't believe hers ears when he told them, he'd been defending himself and his cousin from a bloody dementor. Dumbledore had left shortly after and the meeting ended leaving Tonks to head back to her room and the joys of paperwork.
Her boss hadn't been too happy that she'd asked to work from home for a few days but she managed to convince him that her father was ill and she wanted to help her mother. She had to be careful though if Scrimgeour knew she was still in contact with Madeye she'd probably be out of a job, and Tonks loved her job.
Entering her room she put her broom and cloak back in the places she'd collected them from earlier and kicked off her boots before flopping down onto her bed. Paperwork could probably wait for an hour or two, or at least that's what she told herself as she curled up in the mess of blankets that covered the simple double bed.
She was close to nodding off when she heard a soft knocking at her door. Tonks pulled herself out of bed, tripping over part of a blanket that had slipped onto the floor she grabbed the door for support as she fell against it.
"Shit" she sighed "that was close."
She wasn't sure who she was expecting to see when she opened the door but it certainly wasn't Hermione.
"Hey, what's up?" she asked, slightly more awake than before.
"I can come back if you're busy" Hermione told her.
"No it's alright, come in" Tonks stepped aside to let Hermione pass her.
Hermione realised she hadn't been in Tonks' room before as she took in her surroundings. The room was furnished much like the rest of Grimmauld Place with furniture made from a dark wood. A bed, bedside table, chest of drawers, wardrobe and a desk with a chair made up most of the room with Tonks' personal belongings in various places.
Tonks watched on as the shorter Witch looked around curiously, it made her wish she'd cleaned up a little. The desk was covered in files for work while the top of the chest of drawers was home to stacks of parchment full of information to do with the Order, something she probably should lock away when she leaves the room.
"Sorry about the mess" Tonks told the Gryffindor "I haven't really had time to clean up."
"I don't mind… what were you doing before?" she asked looking around.
"I was sort of falling asleep" Tonks told her.
"Sorry, I'll come back later then" Hermione went to leave but stopped when she felt a warm hand in her own.
"You don't have to go Hermione" the older witches voice spoke softly, throwing caution to the wind "you look a little tired yourself… why don't you stay."
"Are you sure?" the younger girl asked uncertainly. It was true that she was tired, she'd barely slept the previous night what with half of her worrying about Harry and the other half worrying about the girl in the room with her.
"Yeah, come on" she replied guiding the younger girl to the bed and getting in, taking the side against the wall to allow the other girl the freedom to leave whenever.
Hermione slowly got in, lying down on her side next to Tonks as the Auror pulled covers over the both of them. There was no doubting the bed was comfortable, but being this close to the pink haired girl, close enough to touch without touching, gave her more butterflies than she had previously though possible. As if reading her mind, Tonks wrapped her right arm loosely around her waist as she timidly held the Gryffindor, the brunette easily drifted into sleep closely followed by the other witch.
A little bit fluffy because quite frankly I've read too many heart destroying Skins fanfics to want to write super angsty stuff.
I hope you enjoyed!
Reviews are awesome!
And as always! Until next time, have a good one!