The last day of the school year had finally arrived and Harry didn't know where he was going to sleep the following night. All of his friends had offered their homes to him for the summer but he could bring himself to accept. He'd spent his entire life confined to one place or another and he felt like he'd get restless if he was stuck in someone else's home.

He thought about traveling around Europe but quickly discarded the idea. He thought he'd be overwhelmed and could see himself getting lost easily.

The more he thought about it the more he felt like staying in London was going to be the best option for him. He'd asked some of the others if there were areas in the city he could possibly stay in but they were either really expensive or in Diagon Alley and he didn't want to be gawked at everytime he walked outside.

He was packing his room and weighing his options when he heard a knock on his door.

"Professor McGonagall wants to see you," Neville said, poking his head in the door.

"Do you know what for?"

"Not a clue but you'd better head that way. I'm sure she's not in the mood to muck about after the aftermath of yesterday."

Harry winced. The students had come together in a valiant effort to clean the first year common room. When their two hours were up the deputy headmistress had inspected everything without a word. When she was done she made sure every student felt her glare before huffing and walking out of the room.

"You're probably right," Harry said with a sigh. He finished folding his last shirt and made his way through the castle to the deputy headmistress' office. Knocking once, he heard her call for him to enter. He was surprised to find another student in the office as well.

"Mr. Potter, thank you for coming on such short notice." Professor McGonagall waved for him to take the seat next to the other student who had bubblegum pink hair.

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said, taking the seat. He shot a glance at the girl next to him and she winked at him.

"Mr. Potter, this is Nyphadora Tonks-"

"Just Tonks is fine," the girl said, interrupting the professor. McGonagall sighed before continuing.

"Yes. Just Tonks. Moving on, she has just finished her masteries in both Defense and Transfiguration."

Harry nodded. He could tell she was a student but he figured she'd been working on her masteries as he hadn't seen her around the castle.

"She has decided to pursue a career as an Auror and as such will be living in London during the duration of her training."

Harry nodded, not actually understanding.

"I'm not sure you know this," she continued, "but you are distantly related to Miss Tonks. In fact, most of the magical world is related through one way or another."

Harry was struggling to keep up with everything, still not sure why he was here. It was then that Tonks burst out laughing.

"Is something I said funny, Miss Tonks?" McGonagall had a suspicious look in her eyes.

"No, professor," Tonks said. "I think we should explain why he's here before he gets even more confused, yeah?" She winked at him again, deepening his confusion.

"I believe I was in the process of explaining but I will cut to the chase, as it were." She looked at Harry.

"Miss Tonks is in need of a roommate over the summer. The next Auror training program doesn't begin until the middle of August. She came to me asking if anyone else needed lodging in the muggle world. I suggested you."

Harry hesitated, still not sure if this was elaborate payback for sneaking out of the hospital wing and taking part in a somewhat destructive party.

Tonks laughed again, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Come on Potter, it's not like I'll bite… hard."

"Uh… I'm not sure, professor," Harry said, somewhat wary. Sharing a flat with someone sounded fine but he wasn't sure. Tonks seemed comfortable with the situation but he still wasn't sure.

Sensing his hesitation Tonks calmed down a bit and spoke.

"I know what you're thinking," she said. "You don't know me from Morgana and the fact that I'm a lot prettier than you makes you nervous. Let me remind you that you just finished your first year at Hogwarts, in fact, your first year in the magical world at all, and I just finished my Masteries in Transfiguration AND Defense. I can take care of myself just fine."

Harry finally let out a chuckle. He could tell she had a serious side hidden behind all the winking.

"Alright then," he said, "do you have an area in mind? I haven't been able to plan anything."

Tonks smiled and stood. "I've already got a place picked out in Camberwell. Rent is £1450 a month. We'll split it down the middle."

Harry was surprised she had already done all the hard work. He was about to ask about furniture when she spoke again.

"Don't worry about furnishings, my parents are paying for that and said they wanted to help out whoever was brave enough to live with me."

Harry stood, the worries of the day floating away in the wake of this new development.

"You had me at 'free furniture'." He offered his hand and she took it.

"Good! I'm going to head back and finish packing. Meet me just inside the barrier at King's Cross and we'll get a cab over together."

Harry agreed and gestured for her to go ahead of him.

"Mr. Potter, please stay a moment."

"Don't worry, Harry," Tonks said, making her way toward the door. "Her bark is much worse than her bite."

"Miss Tonks!"

Harry held back a grin as he heard Tonks laugh all the way down the hallway. When he turned back to the professor she had a small smile on her face as well. Shaking her head she walked around the front of her desk.

"Professor Dumbledore told me about how you would like to learn more about your family, especially your parents."

Harry nodded, immediately interested.

"Miss Tonks knew your parents when she was a little girl. She might not know the specifics but I'm sure she can tell you a story or two."

Harry felt a surge of appreciation for the deputy headmistress.

"Thank you, Professor," he said. "I really appreciate it."

She smiled at him. "It's my pleasure, Mr. Potter. I know you haven't had the best upbringing and I take some of that responsibility on myself. Your parents were two of my favorite students. If you would like, I can share a few of the stories I know as well."

Harry couldn't help himself. He stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug.

"Oh!"

"I would love that, Professor."

She relaxed and gave him a slight hug back before he released her. He stepped back, embarrassed for his emotions overwhelming him. She had a soft smile on her face before she stood straight, her "Deputy Headmistress" persona reappearing.

"Come to my office at the beginning of next school year and we will set up a time for tea."

"I look forward to it."

"As do I. Now, run along," she said, walking back behind her desk. "I have work to do before my holiday begins as well."

Harry smiled and thanked her again before leaving her office.

Harry and his friends were gathered at the first year table in the great hall for the end of year feast. They'd all promised to, at the very least, write to each other. Some of the group had proposed a summer meetup or two.

After informing the group of his summer living plans, he said he'd ask Tonks if he could host such a get together. After brushing off the teasing about moving in with a girl he just met, he promised that whatever happened, he looked forward to hanging out with his friends outside of school.

"I've really wanted to get out into muggle London," Parvati said. The Patil twins had received permission to stay in London over the summer instead of joining their parents on their trip to India.

"We've been able to do a little exploring but we'll have free reign for two months!"

The others were just as excited. The muggleborn and raised were delighted to have some freedom but the Purebloods had grown up fairly sheltered. This was the first time they were going to be able to really let loose and be on their own.

Well… at least a few of them would have that freedom.

"You guys have to stop by the Burrow at some point," Ron said, pouting. "I'll be bored out of my mind and my Mum won't let me out to London for more than a few hours."

"I'm sure you'll be fine," Blaise said. "Your brothers will be there and I'm sure they can keep you entertained."

Ron snorted. "I think you mean they'll keep me on edge. Their antics here are wild but they have to be extra sneaky around Mum. The punishment is much worse at home but they take it as a challenge to not get caught."

Harry was about to chime in when the chatter around the room died down. Dumbledore had stepped up to the lectern.

"I'm sure I speak for the entire staff when I say this has been another wonderful year at Hogwarts University. We've seen a fantastic group of students graduate with their O.W.L.s, not to mention the N.E.W.T. students who gained their masteries."

The students clapped and cheered for their friends.

"To those of you who are leaving us for the final time, let me be the first to say congratulations and that you will be sorely missed. The staff at this school have seen generations of students pass through these halls and we miss all of them.

"In the coming years you will be challenged by obstacles that might seem insurmountable. I say you should welcome the challenge! Take the task head on and show the world what a Hogwarts University alumnus can accomplish!"

The crowd cheered again, the graduates visibly swelling with pride. When the cheering abated, Dumbledore continued.

"None of us can know what tomorrow may bring-"

A cough rang out and everyone looked at the Divination professor. Uncomfortable with the scrutiny she began to study her tea cup intently.

"Most of us can't know what tomorrow brings," Dumbledore continued, the crowd chuckling. "But what I do know is this school will continue to be a bastion of learning in the tumultuous times we live in."

He hesitated, his gaze settling on Harry.

"We don't know what kind of days lay ahead or where the dice may fall, but I believe there are people in this room that will make a difference far beyond anything we can imagine."

The room had gone quiet, the headmaster's words seeming heavier than just a moment ago. The tension passed as he raised his hands over the students and smiled.

"And to the students who are coming back next year… enjoy your summer holidays. I sure know we will!" He gestured at the staff table drawing laughs from everyone.

"Now then, let the feast begin!

The room cheered as the students celebrated the end of term.

The following day was bittersweet for Harry. He was excited for the holiday but couldn't help but want to stay. He knew it would be just an empty castle with all his friends gone but it still felt like home.

Finally boarding the train back to London it really hit him that he was going to be somewhat alone for the next few months. He decided to redouble his efforts to organize a meetup with his friends.

"Alright there, Harry?" Susan asked. "You look like you just made up your mind about something."

Harry was surprised she noticed but nodded.

"Yeah, I was just thinking about all the down time I'm going to have this summer now that I won't have Ron trying to force me into a chess match every five minutes."

"Oi! I thought you liked chess?!"

The group laughed as they stored their trunks in the overhead. Unlike the trip to the school where the first years had all shared a single, enlarged car, they were able to join their friends in individual compartments. Susan, Hannah, Neville, Ron, and Hermione were all riding together on the way home.

The next few hours were filled with laughter and games. Hermione had told him he had to get a phone so she could call and text him over the summer. He agreed and soon the conversation had turned to them trying to convince the others to get phones as well.

A few hours later the train pulled into King's Cross station. The boys helped carry the girls' trunks off the train. Harry watched as the pureblood students greeted their parents right there on the platform and felt a pang of jealousy before dismissing it. His parents may not have been there but he knew they were watching.

"Wotcher Harry!"

Harry looked up and saw Tonks standing next to the barrier waving like a lunatic.

He waved back and motioned for her to give him a second before turning and wishing his friends a good summer. Hermione said she would follow him through the barrier as her parents were most likely on the other side. When they approached Tonks she smiled and gave Hermione a very exaggerated once over before winking at Harry.

"Well done, Potter. I see I'll have to get used to having another woman around the flat, eh?"

"Tonks!"

Hermione had turned beet red and tried to laugh it off.

"I'm just teasing, you lot," Tonks said, stepping forward and offering her hand to Hermione.

"I'm Tonks," she said before adding, a little more intently, "Just. Tonks."

"Hermione Granger," the younger girl responded.

"Oh, I know," Tonks said with a smirk. "All the professors are taking bets on what subjects you'll take your masteries in."

Hermione's eyes widened. Her masteries were at least five years away.

"Don't act like that," Tonks said with a chuckle. "The whole school knows you'll be the next genius to come out of the school. We just don't know what you'll specialize in yet."

"She's right, Hermione," Harry said. "Everyone knows you're the smartest witch in the school. We're all excited for what you'll accomplish."

Hermione was blushing furiously. She was saved by Tonks.

"That's not to say the school isn't just as excited for you, Potter."

Surprised, Harry just stared at her.

"You can't be serious," She said, giving him an exasperated look. "You come out of nowhere and are suddenly the Quidditch prodigy who somehow was able to put together a friend group as diverse as it possibly gets. From what I've heard you're no slouch in the classroom either and it seems like you've had more adventures than Dumbledore himself and it's only your first year!"

Harry was blown away. "Uh…"

Hermione giggled as Tonks turned to her with an expression that said, 'get a load of this guy'.

Finally, Tonks waved her wand over her's and Harry's trunks, shrinking them to pocket size. Harry was still carrying Hermione's.

"Let's get going. I am ready for a proper night out and it's not going to happen if we stand around here stroking your ego."

She then turned and grabbed Hermione's arm, pulling her through the barrier behind her.

Harry stood there for a moment longer before following them. When he emerged on the muggle side, he saw Tonks whispering something in Hermione's ear while Hermione, still blushing, smiled at her.

"Now what are you saying?" Harry asked, coming up on his limit of nonsense.

"Shhh!" Tonks swatted him away. "Girl talk."

Rolling his eyes he backed off a bit letting them talk. He wasn't sure when it happened but he felt like Tonks had just slotted into his friend group as if she'd always been there.

Eventually, they exited into the open air and Hermione saw her parents waiting by the curb. She ran over to them, throwing her arms wide for a massive family hug.

Harry's jealousy reared its head again but he shoved it down once more.

He and Tonks approached the family and waited. After a happy reunion the three separated and Hermione turned back to her friends.

"Mom, Dad, this is Harry Potter and Tonks. Uh… Just Tonks."

Harry stepped forward and shook Hermione's Dad's hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," he said, not sure what to do in this situation. The older man grinned.

"I'm Jacob Granger and this is my wife, Jean-Maree."

"We've heard so much about you," Mrs. Granger said. "I don't think any of Hermione's letters have left you out since at least December."

Hermione looked like she might shrink away into nothingness. Again, she was saved by Tonks who had stepped forward to introduce herself when she suddenly face planted.

"Oh my God, Tonks, are you alright!"

"Ah, yes, just fine, thanks. Just had the sudden urge to kiss the pavement there. Lovely pavement it is, if I do say so myself."

She stood and brushed herself off before noticing the others staring at her as if she'd grown an extra head.

"Don't worry, I have a bit of a clumsy streak. I'm sure Harry will have plenty of stories about it in the coming weeks."

Harry had a sudden feeling that he wasn't prepared for what was to come but shrugged and turned back to Hermione and her parents.

"Well, I'm sure you have a long drive ahead of you and we need to get to our new flat as well."

Hermione's parents' eyebrows shot up at the implication.

"Don't worry," Hermione said. "It's not like that. Harry needed a place to stay and Tonks is technically a distant cousin so the school recommended they help each other out."

Tonks nodded before turning to Harry. "I'll hail a cab."

With that, she turned to the road and started waving. Jacob popped the boot of their car and Harry placed Hermione's trunk inside before shutting it. Hermione's parents climbed into the front seats before Hermione approached him at the back of the car.

Harry felt nervous for some reason but couldn't tell why.

"I know we already talked about it on the train but please don't forget to write or call me, okay?"

Hermione's voice sounded almost like she expected him to brush her off. She started a bit when he stepped forward and wrapped her in a tight hug. Recognizing what was happening she hugged him back, leaning into him and resting her head on his chest.

"Hermione, I don't think I could handle not talking to you at least three times a week. Probably more if Tonks' and her shenanigans turn out to be as chaotic as I expect."

He felt Hermione chuckle and nod into his chest. After a long moment she finally stepped back and wiped her eyes. He smiled at her and, taking a note from Tonk's book, winked at her. Her laugh made him feel better but she still surprised him when she stepped up on her toes and kissed his cheek.

"See you later, Harry."

Harry was having trouble thinking over the feelings rushing through him but he was able to respond.

"See you later, Hermione!"

She laughed again and waved after climbing into the back of her parents car.

He didn't know how long he would have stood there but Tonks' voice jarred him from his thoughts as she spoke directly in his ear.

"Oooh you've got it bad, Potter."