Disclaimer: I own a cardboard box. I do not own Harry Potter. Cricket owns you.
Harry Potter and the Strength of Three
Chapter 6: Reunion
"Have you heard from our mole?"
"No m'Lord. I fear his cover may have been compromised."
"Or he has turned traitor. What of the search?"
"The boy's location has been revealed, Lord. He travels well beyond his wards each morning. Your forces are ready to mobilize at a moment's notice."
"Excellent."
"Shall we converge?"
"No...not yet. Have patience, my servant."
"Yes, m'Lord."
"Has your deception been revealed?"
"My double was buried one night past, m'Lord. I am beyond discovery."
"What of my remaining incarcerated? News?"
"The creatures have agreed to serve you. The island will be emptied on your command, My Lord."
"Liberate them."
"As you wish. Wh...w-what of the boy, m'Lord? Shall I give the order?"
"No, watch him. Betrayal makes revenge much sweeter. Leave me, report after tonight's activities."
"Of course. I will return upon our success, Lord."
"Oh, and Lucious?"
"My Lord?"
"Do not question me. Crucio!"
Harry returned to consciousness slowly. His head lay on something soft, and someone ran fingers through his hair softly. Sounds came to him muffled, running together and incomprehensible, as though he heard them from underwater. His hand was picked up and held, squeezed. He felt....great. A warm...pleasentness rippled through his body from his stomach. As the sounds he was hearing began to make sense, he opened his eyes a crack, squinting.
A blur hovered above his face, and as he blinked his glasses were set upon his nose. Tonks smiled warmly at him from above, a glazed look to her electrical pink eyes, equally pink hair framing her petite face. "Tonks?" She didn't seem to notice him, her hand continuing its gentle carress of his hair. Harry blushed. "Tonks!" Her hand jerked away from his hair, eyes widening. Harry heard a tinkle of breaking glass, and her face reddened. "Why am I in your lap?" She reddened more, and he chuckled.
"I nurse you to health after a near death experience, and that's all you can ask?" She pushed him up from her lap, his eyes bulging at the word 'death.'
"Near death!? What the hell happened?" Harry swung his head around groggily. The world tilted alarmingly in front of him, and he grabbed his head in both hands, moaning under his breath. "And why do I feel like I just got brained by a bludger?"
"Hermione tried to kill you." Hermione? He heard an angry huff across from him.
Bushy hair. Falling. Cricket screeching.
"I did not try to kill him! All I did was give him a hug!" Harry jerked his head up at this, amazed. Hermione Granger sat in a plush armchair across from him, appearing tiny in the enormous confines. She looked exactly the same as she had on the train ride home from Hogwarts. Bushy, curly golden brown hair framed a grimacing face, eyes red and puffy. Tension crackled in the air between her and Tonks as they glared daggers at each other.
"Oh...so that's what you call it." Tonks was snarling now. "Looked to me like you were trying to tackle him!" Hermione jumped from her seat, pointing a finger at Tonks, one of her hands balled into a small fist at her side. Harry had never seen her so mad. It's cute. He felt his cheeks warming again.
"I was happy to see him!" She almost screamed. "Where were you? I didn't see you anywhere! Some bodyguard." Here she smirked, her glare no less piercing. "What if I had been a Dea-hmmph!" She didn't get to finish as Tonks jumped from her seat, clamping a hand over her mouth. Hermione's eyes bulged in outrage, but Tonks looked furious.
"Silence! Stupid girl, we're surrounded by muggles." The last word came out as a hiss. Hermione's nostrils flared as she breathed beneath the hand. "If you hadn't tried to jump his bones, he would be fine!" Hermione's eyes narrowed, and Harry had a bad feeling that he knew what was coming.
Crack!
Tonks stumbled back from the slap, her eyes showing her surprise. Hermione's breath came in labored pants, her face flushed. Harry saw a red imprint begin to form on Tonks' pretty face. Snarling, she pushed Hermione down into her chair with such force it slid a few inches from the impact. Shaking himself from his stupor, Harry stood to stop them from killing each other. They're cute when they're angry. He tried to take a step towards the two, but the floor seemed to be pulsing in time with the music. He stumbled and fell to the floor with a groan. Instantly the two girls were at his side, looking fearful.
"You ok, Harry?" Hermione exclaimed, grabbing his arm. Tonks took the other, and together they lifted Harry to his feet.
"Maybe he has a concussion?" Tonks questioned. "Harry, does your head hurt?" Hermione huffed.
"He does not have a concussion! He didn't hit his head hard enough for that!"
"And how would you know? You a medic during the summer?" Tonks snarled, dropping Harry's arm. He listed dangerously to the right at the loss of support.
"His head isn't even bleeding," Hermione let go of his other arm, letting Harry fall back onto the loveseat. "You weren't even there, he didn't hit his head that hard."
"I was too there, damnit! I thought you were gonna ram him through the wall you hit him so hard!" Tonks eyes flashed again, as the room began to slow it's spinning in Harry's vision. The two were almost touching noses.
"Well, you're his great bloody protector, why didn't you catch him then!" Hermione pushed Tonks. Harry moaned under his breath, eyeing the two nervously. Did Hermione just swear?
"You're supposed to be his friend! How was I supposed to know you were going to attack him!?" Tonks pushed Hermione. People were starting to give the three curious looks. Harry groaned again, but the two girls ignored him this time.
"Girls? Wh..." He started, but the two didn't even turn in his direction. They both breathed hard now, glaring icy-cold death at one another. Tonks wore a baby-t as pink as her hair, the Weird Sisters logo on the chest rising and falling in time with her furious breathing. She must really like that color. The muscles in her arms were finely toned, rippling slightly as she clenched and unclenched her fists. Harry saw her belly-button. It was pierced.
He blushed.
"I am his best friend!" Hermione spat pushing Tonks even harder, forcing the pink haired woman back a few steps. "Does the Order know what a sodding-good job your doing!?" Hermione just swore again! Harry looked at the two in awe.
"Girls?" He asked, head turning between the two in alarm.
Crack!
Tonks slapped Hermione across the face, sending the other girl plopping undignified into the armchair again. Hermione's eyes were wide, beginning to look crazed. She jumped from her chair and shoved Tonks wildly, sending her sprawling onto the floor as she tripped on a corner of the coffee table. She landed with a yelp. This is getting out of hand.
"GIRLS! Bloody hell!" He yelled...into a sudden silence as the music stopped. He flushed, horrified as the crown of people burst into uproarious laughter. He dropped his head into his hands again with an embarrassed moan. Standing, he glared at the two blushing girls. Tonks had stood up as he yelled, and both now looked back at him sheepishly, shuffling their feet. "When you two are finished," he snapped, "I'll be outside." With that he stormed through the crowd of people as the music started again. Someone shouted his name over the noise, but he didn't stop. Instead he walked out onto the porch again, down the steps and into the yard. Digging out his cigarettes, he popped one between his lips.
Cricket!
Cigarette forgotten, he ran back to the steps, calling out for his little friend as he went. "Cricket? Here buddy, c'mon Cricket." He called, looking about on the porch. He saw no sign of his companion. Suddenly frightened for the squirrel, he scanned the lawn in the dim lighting of the fire and yard-light.
Nothing.
"Harry?" He turned, Dudley stood at the door looking at him questioningly. "Something wrong?" He held out his hand, a glass of beer in his grasp. Harry grabbed it, quickly gulping down half its contents. "I saw you leave, looked like you wanted to rip somebody's head off. Figured that'd help." He smirked.
"Bah!" Harry growled. "I got brained, woke up and two of my friends are trying to kill each other. I yell at them to stop and the whole room laughed at me, and Cricket's gone! Can't find him anywhere!" Dudley's eyebrows rose more with each word, until finally Harry wondered if they would pop off his head.
"Wow," Dudley proclaimed, "and I was beginning to think this party was boring!" They both laughed at this, and Harry lit his forgotten cigarette. Taking a long drag, he revelled in the feeling of the rich smoke before speaking.
"Have you seen him anywhere? Cricket I mean." Harry inquired, frightened. Hearing the worry in his cousin's voice, Dudley looked about before he reached out a beefy hand and patted him on the shoulder.
"He'll be fine," Harry frowned. "Trust me, Harry. The little bugger's probably up in a tree or something. I'll help you look later. Lets get back inside." He started ushering Harry towards the door, who flicked his cigarette over the railing with a sigh. Poor little guy. He bumped into Dudley when his cousin came to a sudden stop, gasping.
"You!" He exclaimed, pointing at the figure of Tonks as she came out the door of the house. Hermione fallowed soon after, and Dudley's finger turned to her, it shook slightly. "And you!" His voice came out as a squeak at the end, and Harry snickered. Putting a firm hand on his cousin's bulking shoulder, Harry stepped forward to his side.
"You two!" Harry proclaimed, pointing his finger and waving it between the two girls. He burst out laughing, and Dudley glared at him, punching him lightly in the shoulder. (For someone his size anyway.) Harry winced, rubbing his shoulder while he tried to muffle his sniggering. Tonks and Hermione looked at him oddly, then seemed to notice they were both doing the same thing and turned glares on each other. Harry sobered.
"You guys done fighting then?" He asked, "Or do I have to give you both a spanking?" He meant it as a joke, but silence followed his statement. Hermione blushed. Tonks licked her lips, smirking at Harry in a disconcerting manner. He cleared his throat nervously and Dudley snickered at his side. Throwing a glare at his cousin, he turned back to the girls. "Erm...so..yea." He stuttered, "all better then? Friends and all that?" Both girls sniffed, then glared at each other suspiciously. Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. He tapped his foot.
"Yea," Tonks mumbled, "we're just fine." She looked at the bushy haired girl by her side, arching one pink eyebrow. "Right, Hermione?"
"Just peachy," she snarled back, smiling. Harry sighed, he could hear her teeth grinding from four feet away. Dudley sounded like he was choking as he tried to stifle his laughter. Harry turned and pounded him on the back, hard.
"You alright there, cus?" He asked loudly, feigning concern. "Go down the wrong tube?" Dudley glared at him, coughing. Harry laughed, turning back to Tonks. "Have you seen Cricket? I can't find him."
"It's a her," Tonks smirked, "And I'm sure she'll be fine. What kind of name is 'Cricket' anyways?" Harry looked at her oddly, and scratched his head.
"Who's Cricket?" Hermione asked, clearly confused. She glared at Tonks before stepping up to Harry, laying a small warm hand on his arm. "And I think Cricket is a good name." She smiled warmly at Harry, blinking. He stared, taken aback. Did she just...flutter her eyelashes? Dudley snickered again. What the hell is going on?
"Cricket," Tonks began, a victorious smirk on her face, "is the beautiful little squirrel that you probably killed when you tried to murder Harry." Hermione whipped around, her face flushing. Sensing another argument, Harry groaned and rolled his eyes at his cousin. Dudley guffawed loudly this time, causing both Hermione and Tonks to level evil glares at him.
He choked mid-laugh. Harry sniggered, before turning his head his head around to stare at Tonks, suddenly alarmed. "Tonks!" He whispered furiously, looking around wildly. "What happened to your cloak!? Should you be out here? You'll be seen!" She raised one neon eyebrow at him before replying.
"Harry," she said in a patient tone, "there are over one-hundred and fifty people here, every last one drunk. I doubt I could blow my cover if I wanted to." Hermione sniffed. Harry looked at the pink haired girl dubiously, before shaking his head.
"Cover?" Dudley asked, "Cloak?" He looked between Harry and the two girls in confusion. "What are you two doing here anyways? You," he pointed at Tonks, "were at the park, when Harry got beat up." Hermione jerked her gaze to Harry in concern, before turning her head and glaring at Tonks. Harry heard her mutter what sounded like 'protector, hummph!' He caught her eye and smiled to show he was alright. "And you!" Dudley exclaimed, pointing at Hermione again. "I've never seen you here before, only at the station. Why would you two be at a...erm..munkle party?" Harry snickered, turned to Dudley and whispered "muggle" from the corner of his mouth. Dudley blushed, but gazed at the two girls expectantly.
Harry looked around for eavesdroppers before grinning. "Dudley," he stated while holding his hand out to his bushy haired friend, "Hermione Granger, smartest witch Hogwarts has ever seen and one of my best friends." Hermione blushed under the praise, looking at her feet. Harry swept his hand around and rested it on Tonks' shoulder. "And this is Nymphadora Tonks, ministry Auror, friend, and my bodyguard." Dudley did a double take at the name, repeating it under his breath with an incredulous look. Tonks elbowed Harry in the side, and he grunted, smirking. "Tonks, Hermione," he continued, taking his hand from his friend's shoulder and holding it out to Dudley, "Dudley Dursley, my cousin." Hermione sucked in her breath, and Harry winced. "Erm...the new and improved Dudley, that is." He made eyes at Hermione, mouthing 'tell you later,' before stepping back to Dudley's side.
"Nice to meet you, Dudley," Tonks said, nodding at Harry's cousin. "Nice job at the park, by the way." Dudley smiled warmly at her. He did not just wink. What a sod. Harry frowned, before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his smokes again. He held the pack out to Dudley, who nodded, taking one. Harry looked at the girls inquireingly, holding the pack out to them as well. Tonks shook her head, smiling. Hermione just stared. Lighting it up, he took a long drag. He turned to Hermione again.
"Why are you here, Hermione?" He asked, finishing the last drink in his cup and setting it down on the bench behind him. "How did you even know about this party?" He puffed on his cigarette for a few moments before Hermione shook herself from her stupor.
"I...erm..have a friend in the area." She explained nervously. Harry looked at her oddly, running a hand through his hair in confusion. Tonks smirked at her again, and Hermione reddened. "A girl. Not a boyfriend." She looked at Harry, blushing brighter. Harry elbowed Dudley in the ribs when his cousin snickered again. "You're smoking Harry. Why are you smoking? Its bad for your health!" Harry's face darkened slightly at this. So is Voldemort. Then he snickered, as an irrational thought fluttered its way into his consciousness. Surgeon Generals Warning: Voldemort is known to cause various health complications, curse scars, and death.
"He can smoke if he wants to," Tonks proclaimed, latching onto his arm and smirking at Hermione. "What are you, anyways? His mum?" Dudley burst out into loud guffaws at this, and Harry sent an apologetic look at Hermione. She didn't see it, being too busy glaring at Tonks. Here we go again. He flicked his cigarette over the railing.
"I'm just looking out for his health and safety!" She growled at Tonks, who released his arm and took a step towards Hermione. "Unlike some people! What's this about Harry getting beat up? Where were you then? I thought you were his bodyguard, for chris' sake!" On sudden inspiration, Harry stepped between the two and grabbed one of their hands each. They both looked up at him, surprised. Dudley sounded like he was choking again.
"Lets go get a drink, yea?" He said in a gentle voice, turning between the two. Nodding at Dudley, who was turning red from trying to swallow his laughter, he turned and walked into the house, leading the two girls behind him as he went. After they passed through the door, he heard the dam burst and Dudley's bellowing laugh followed them through the hall. Harry smirked.
When they reached the living room, several girls turned and looked at him curiously. Both Hermione and Tonks latched themselves onto Harry's sides, before glaring at each other and sniffing. He led them to the Loveseat again and released their arms. "Can you two wait here for a minute without killing each other off?" They both turned their glares on him, and he gulped. "I'll be right back." Muttering about crazy women under his breath, he beat a path to the mini-bar and grabbed three beers out of the fridge. He looked at them sideways before setting two on the bar. Twisting the cap off the third, he glanced around to see if anyone was looking and tipped it up, downing the contents in great gulps. Tossing it in the trashcan under the bar, he sighed in satisfaction. Pulling open the fridge, he grabbed one more before collecting the two off the bar and made his way back towards the corner where he had left the girls.
Dudley stood with Penny near the table in the middle of the room, and Harry nodded at his cousin, pointing to the corner where he was headed. Dudley smiled and took Penny's hand in his own. He leaned to her ear and said something, pointing at Harry. She grinned, and the two started making their way towards the corner as well.
When Harry got back, two blokes were sitting on the arms of the loveseat, facing Tonks and Hermione. Both girls were blushing. Harry walked to the middle of the couch, and looked back and forth between the two.
"You need something, mate?" The one on the left asked. He had wavy blonde hair that reached just past his ears, a white muscle shirt and black denim pants. Quirking an eyebrow, Harry handed a bottle to each of his friends.
"Ladies," he intoned, using the posh voice from earlier. They both giggled before accepting the drinks, thanking him with a nod. Hermione stared dubiously at her own, before opening it with a shrug and swigging back a few swallows. She wiped her mouth with her sleeve, before looking at Harry pointedly. She tipped her head towards the dark haired teen sitting on her side of the couch, grimacing. Who are these gits?
"I think you should move along, mate." Said the dark haired one. He had a scar along his left cheek, light pink against the white. Harry simply raised his eyebrow again, before smirking at them both and taking a swig. He felt his lack of muscles again. I should work out once in a while. Every sodding bloke here makes me look like a weakling.
"I think not." He stated, before turning his smile into a frown. "In fact, I think you two should move along. You're bothering my friends." Tonks blinked at him, before smiling and giving him a wink. Hermione stared, open mouthed. The two young men stood from the couch, turning to face him completely. Harry smirked again.
"Excuse me?" Said the blonde, a warning in his tone. Bloody git looks like Lockhart. Harry grimaced in his thoughts. He felt a heavy hand settle on his shoulder, and grinned.
"Problem, here, boys?" Asked Harry's cousin. Harry could hear the laughter in his voice.
"This skinny whelp needs a lesson in manners." Scarface snarled. Dudley took a lumbering step forward, resting his arms at his sides. Glancing between the two, he suddenly flexed his hands. Cracks and pops issued from his knuckles in protest.
The two teens looked nervously at each other, glanced at Dudley, and left. Harry guffawed loudly, slapping Dudley on the back. "Thanks Dud," before noticing the look of admiration on Tonks' and Hermione's faces. Harry grimaced. Why did I call him over again? Sighing, Harry plopped onto the chair directly across from the loveseat, taking a pull from his beer. Dudley introduced Penny to the girls, and they all exchanged greetings. Harry smiled to himself.
"What happened to Cricket, Harry?" Asked Penny. Harry shrugged.
"Little bloke ran off." He left it at that. Hermione was giving him an odd look again, and he sighed, running a hand through his hair. She opened her mouth as if to speak, then snapped it closed again. "Spit it out Hermione," he said gently. She blushed, looking at her knees before raising her head and speaking.
"I didn't want to say...erm..anything," she began, "but.....what in the world did you do to your hair?!" Tonks and Dudley burst out laughing and Hermione blushed. Penny looked at Harry curiously.
"Hmmph," he grumbled, glaring at Tonks and Dudley. "I don't know. It was like this when I woke up one morning." Tonks sobered, before standing and walking to his side. Leaning in, she pressed her cheek to Harry's and smiled sweetly at Hermione.
"I like it." She said simply. Hermione glared again, and Harry felt his cheeks redden. He could feel Tonks' breast pressing against his arm. Soft. She smelled like he remembered from that day in his room, peanut butter and flowers. He liked it. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheeck loudly, before turning to face the back of the chair and whispering in his ear. Hermione was murdering Tonks with her eyes.
"I have to go get the cloak again, ok?" She whispered, sending shivers down Harry's spine as her breath tickled his ear. "I'll be here, so don't worry." With that, Tonks stood and left the room without a backwards glance. Dudley snickered as Hermione turned her glare on Harry. He shrugged his shoulders at her, grinning.
The three sat and talked about little things back and forth, Harry and Dudley occasionally leaving and getting drinks for the group. Zack sat with them for a while before Steph stormed up and began screaming at him about something. Harry and Dudley broke into laughter as they left, Hermione looking on in confusion as Penny hid a small smile. After Harry caught his breath, he explained the situation to Hermione, who simply scowled at them.
"That isn't funny Harry," She intoned, "Its sad." Harry smiled at her warmly, and her frown turned into a small smile and a blush.
"Hey, Harry!" He turned his head to see Alicia and John walking to where the four sat. John looked as though he didn't want to be there, but Harry hardly noticed as he saw what Alicia was holding.
"Cricket!" He exclaimed, as he jumped from his seat and rushed forward, accepting the little squirrel as Alicia set him into Harry's hand. Its a her. He remembered Tonks odd proclamation from earlier. Cricket chattered madly at Harry, rubbing her head on his palm affectionately as Harry chuckled. "Where did you find her?" Alicia was making eyes at him again as John grumbled under his breath.
"Little thing came scampering through the door as we were going outside." She answered, grinning. "You been to the fire yet, Harry?" Harry jerked his head up, looking between the couple. John had his eyes narrowed. Harry gulped audibly.
"Harry, me and Penny are gonna walk around a bit." Dudley said, coming to his side. "You gonna be alright here for a while?" He winked at him. Harry nodded with a smile, and Dudley turned to his other friends as if seeing them for the first time. "John! Alicia! I was looking for you two earlier. Come with me, there's something I want to show you." Taking an elbow of each person, he bagan to lead the two through the crowd of people, a giggling Penny in their wake. Alicia sent a disapointed look over her shoulder at him. With a frown, Harry turned his attention back to Cricket.
"You alright, girl?" It felt odd to be calling his friend that, after calling it a boy for so long. "No-one stepped on you or anything, did they?" The squirrel chirped happily at him, and Harry set her up on his shoulder, turning back to Hermione. With a grin, he pointed at the furball. "Cricket," he said simply. Hermione giggled appreciatively, and Harry took a seat next to her on the small couch. He turned to face his friend, leaned over and caught her up in a tight hug. "Its good to see you, Hermione." He said softly, and Hermione squeezed him back.
"You too Harry," she sighed in his ear. Harry shuddered slightly from the chills racing up and down his spine. Why do they always have to breath in my ear?
"Where have you been, Hermione? Why didn't you answer me or Ron's owls? We were worried." He admonished her gently. She blushed, fidgeting with a loose string on her jumper.
"I was...travelling. I got your owls, but didn't have time to write back, I'm sorry." Harry smiled, setting his hand on her knee.
"Don't worry about it, 'Mione. I'm glad you're here now." Then he chuckled, "your earlier greeting left a little to be desired, though." He rubbed the back of his head exaggeratedly, laughing as Hermione hit him in the arm softly. Catching her eye, Harry felt his breath hitch in his chest. She had very large eyes. Pretty eyes. Her face seemed very close, and Harry could smell her breath. Peppermint. He swallowed, leaning forward slowly. She licked her lips, raised a hand and ran it across his ear gently, letting it settle lightly behind his head.
"Ouch!" She shrieked, suddenly pulling back with a grimace on her face. She glared at his shoulder, sticking her finger in her mouth. Harry saw a drop of red on the side of it before it disappeared. "Your rodent just bit me!" Harry stared back, incredulous, before reaching up and lifting Cricket from his shoulder.
"Did you bite her finger, Cricket?" He asked. The squirrel chirped softly, an innocent look in his little beady eyes. If it looked any guiltier it would have been shuffling its feet. Harry raised a finger, waving it back and forth warningly in front of its face. "No biting! Bad!" He smiled as Hermione burst into laughter, and raised his little friend back to her perch. Did I almost kiss one of my best friends?
"Cute, Harry." She giggled, before turning and resting her head on his other shoulder. They settled back, watching the many people still partying wildly. Most stumbled about madly, friends catching them with laughter and smiles. Dudley and Penny sat together at the table with a few others, playing cards. Zack and Stephanie were snogging madly on one of the couches near the huge tv. They must fight just to make up. Harry chuckled. He glanced down at Hermione to point out the two to her, but she was fast asleep. Harry smiled sadly, looking down on her face. She almost died, that night. Ron too. He wondered how he could have continued if either of his friends had died. With tears in his eyes, he brought his arm around, resting it on her belly, reveling in the warmth of her body.
Thoughts of Voldemort and Death Eaters followed him into his dreams.
A/N Phew, this chapter took a little longer to write than the others, with all the dialogue. The fight scene between Tonks and Hermione was fun. Once again, I'll clean this chapter up after work tomorrow. I want to get it posted before I go to sleep. Hope you liked it! Was the Voldemort/Lucious scene in the beginning any good? I was trying to see how much information I could give you with just dialogue. I think it worked out pretty good:) If you didn't pick it up from the conversation, Lucious Malfoy escaped from Azkaban. More on that later, probably during term at Hogwarts sometime. If anyone is getting sick of the summer and want me to get on with it, just hold out for a bit. I'm building a lot of plot in the next few chapters that will play a large role later on in the fic. We'll probably be going somewhere else by chapter 12 or so. Remember, Ron might come to visit soon......
I put a picture in my profile, looks spanky. But if anyone is good at drawing, could you draw me Cricket? I want a picture of her there instead:)
EDIT 10/14/2004 I cleaned this chapter, changed around some sentences that sounded a little odd, but everything is the same. I seem to be misspelling stuff a lot less for some reason.
F Thanks for pointing that out, never realized the error.
Plague-darkholme We'll see:)
punkrocker14 Thanks for the comments! I looked at your profile, great taste in music:)
mjk306 Thanks!
redhermione lol, I figured most people should be able to guess who it was. D I ended it there simply because I was tired, and I didn't want to split it anywhere in this part. I could have combined them, but I wanted to give you people something to read. I love Cricket too. I was planning on a fight between Harry and John, actually, but Hermione and Tonks arrived before I got the chance, and I didn't want to make him look pathetic in front of them:P
wildkat We'll see. I've found that my characters seem to make up their own minds on some things. I didn't even plan on the fight between Tonks and Hermione in this chapter, but it sure was fun to write. Thanks for reviewing!
HeeroYuyZ Again, we'll have to wait and see. Thanks a lot for the compliments, it means a lot to me.
Nymph23 Thanks! I'm kinda leaning towards H/T myself right now, but only time will tell. I like the Tonks/Harry/Hermione idea, it definitly crossed my mind. Especially when they started fighting:)
Special thanks to everyone who added me to their favorites and alert lists, you guys rock!
Please review!