Well, it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to realize that this took me forever to get out. I had a few 'things' to deal with, and they took me a while to get resolved. There are several other good reasons for the delay too, I just can't think of any right now.

Also, I apologize now for the short chapter that follows, but it is, in a sense, a transitional chapter (I use that term loosely, owing to the fact I have no idea what it means). Anyway, I will be updating more regularly from now on, I was told about every week and a half to two…

Enjoy! And please, be gentle.

Spinning around just in time to see a streak of red flying towards her, Tonks quickly ducked and moved to her left, then fired off a spell of her own, only hoping to give her enough time to prepare for the attack that had already begun. As she shot off her spell, she moved back to her right and took her stance between her attacker and Harry. Not the she was afraid for Harry at the moment, but with Death Eaters, and her cousin at that, you never know.

Glaring hatefully at Bellatrix, Tonks shot off a few quick curses, which Bellatrix successfully blocked or dodged. "Is that the best you can do little Tonksie?" Bellatrix taunted as she began to circle; Tonks following her lead and doing the same.

As soon and Tonks could see Harry visibly, she stopped circling, "What are you doing here Bellatrix," she spat as coldly as she could muster at the moment. 'Just a few more minutes' she thought, hoping that Harry would be able to break out of the stunner that was cast upon him. As she was glancing towards Harry, Bellatrix quietly sent a spell her way, causing her to lift off the ground and be thrown several yards back, landing painfully on the ground.

As Bellatrix let out a shrill laugh, Tonks did her best to get back on her feet, and while doing so, noticed that Harry had started to break through the stunning spell – as his hands were giving slight movement now. As soon as Tonks saw this, she doubled her efforts to get up, and as soon as she did, remarked to Bellatrix, "I'm still here Bellatrix."

Bellatrix, now furious that her cousin refused to give up, jabbed her wand violently in Tonks' direction and screeched Crucio. A huge burst of red streaked towards, and struck Tonks, forcing her to collapse to the ground screaming, while Bellatrix laughed maniacally. As she held the curse, she failed to notice Harry slowly making his way to a standing position.

Once standing, he summoned all the energy he could and shouted, at the top of his lungs, lacerate. Caught unaware, Bellatrix was struck with a powerful laceration curse, allowing plenty of time for Tonks to regain her wits and stand again, where she quickly moved towards Harry.. As soon as Bellatrix fought off the effects of the curse and turned to face where Tonks stood, the look of hatred was clearly visible in her eyes.

In the moment she looked towards the two, one thing was obvious to Harry – Bellatrix was out to kill. Somewhat frightened of what would come next, Harry subconsciously moved back a step; and not a moment too soon.

As Harry stepped back, Bellatrix and Tonks both began to shout out spells, either one dodging or deflecting the others. Harry watched in morbid fascination as Tonks landed a curse on Bellatrix that caused the bones in her forearm to slightly splinter – several shards poking through the skin. Bellatrix, unfazed, shot a spell at Tonks, creating several gashes along her chest and stomach – only noticeable due to the red stains seeping through her shirt.

As the duel went on, and each opponent slowly became more fatigued and battered, Harry finally came to his senses and once again summoned all his energy and shot the blasting curse at Bellatrix, successfully vaulting her nearly ten feet from where she stood previously. Harry, fearful for Tonks' life, as he didn't know the extent of her injuries, quickly ran to her and told her to apparate back to the house and he would meet her there shortly. After a very brief argument, Tonks obliged and closed her eyes briefly before she disappeared with a crack. Once she was gone, Harry took off running, and didn't stop or look back until he was in the safety of the house he was staying at.

Upon arriving, he noticed Tonks lying on the couch in the living room barely awake amd bloody. Rushing to her side, he gently rocked her shoulder, successfully rousing her from her semi-sleep. "Tonks," he said softly, yet with a sense of urgency, "you need to clean yourself up and mend your wounds."

Tonks, in no state for a conversation now that the adrenaline left her, merely looked at him sadly and began to close her eyes, waiting for sleep to overtake her from exhaustion. With no other choice, Harry quickly went to the kitchen and found a large mixing bowl, which he filled with lukewarm water, returning it to the living room and setting it on the coffee table, then running upstairs for a washrag.

When he returned to the living room for a second time, he dipped the rag in the water, and slowly began cleaning her face and arms. Once finished, he realized that the cuts on her chest on stomach would not clean themselves. Hoping that Tonks would not be angry with him, he used his wand, making the tip of them scissors, and removed the blood-stained shirt her. Carefully, he cleaned the cuts, periodically rinsing the rag off in the bowl of water until he was done. As soon as he cleaned the front of her body, her began to search frantically for something to cover them with, finally finding some gauze in the hall bathroom upstairs.

After he covered the cuts, he gently rocked her onto her side and repeated the same procedure until she was cleaned and 'patched up' to the best of his ability. Laying a blanket over her and turning out the lights, he sat himself in the chair opposite her and kept vigil over his protector.

The next morning came slowly, too slowly, to an exhausted Harry. As Tonks finally woke near 10, Harry was intermittently falling in and out of sleep. "Harry," Harry heard a shaky and scratchy voice call softly. Immediately he was at Tonks' side.

"Are you ok, Tonks?" He asked, fearing the worst.

"Thirsty," she replied in the same voice, "could I have a little water."

………….

The next few days were spent in much the same manner; Harry spending nearly all his time at Tonks side helping her to regain her strength. Most of this time was filled with him getting her food and drinks. Not even two days after the attack, Tonks' wounds, mostly bruises and minor cuts were healed, and she threw both herself and Harry back into training – this time at full force.

The next few weeks passed in much the same manner as the first day back training; Tonks drove him hard, and for long hours. He had drastically improved in his skill and knowledge of curses, charms, and jinxes – his skill in dueling also improving greatly. Not only could he last much longer than when he first arrived, over 30 minutes, but he had actually won about 1 out of every 4 or 5 duels with Tonks, something he was quite content with.

Tonks had taught him several shield and blocking techniques, and had even mentioned that when she was on guard duty at Hogwarts (if she ever was), she could train him a little more, something which he quickly agreed to.

Before he knew it, it was August 28th and they were making their plans on when and where to return to in Britain.

"Where do you want to go to in Britain?" Tonks asked Harry as they were having dinner that evening. "I think we should leave tomorrow, just to be on the safe side."

Harry, having not really thought that much about it, replied with a slight trace of guilt, "I don't know." He offered – it was more of a question than a statement. "I just know I am not going to stay at Number 12 or Privet Drive," he added defiantly.

Tonks expected as much, so was not surprised. "What about Ron's house?" she ventured, though felt she already knew the answer.

"No, I am not going to put them in more danger than they already are."

"Well, there is always the Leaky Cauldron, but that could be a little dangerous." She added the last bit softly, knowing full well that Harry did not like people worrying about him. When he didn't reply or acknowledge her statement, she went on. "Let me think about it and see what I can come up with – but we are leaving tomorrow night, agreed?"

Harry nodded, and shortly after went to bed early, shortly followed by Tonks going to her room; both knowing that they would be flying all the following night.

Thank you for the reviews, I appreciate them! New, longer chapter coming soon! Honest…