Chapter 19
Susan said, "It's a set of exceptionally high quality, lightweight body armor. Harry was kind enough to get each of us a set. It will deflect most curses, and probably stop most small arms bullets."
Emma was stunned by the response. All she could reply was, "Oh. And why would you need such a thing?"
Hermione said, "Because there are killers out there who don't care whose lives that they ruin. Because I want to live to grow up to see this war over. Because Harry cared enough about us to want to keep us safe. Because I want to have a…" Ginny and Susan had given their brainy friend a hug. Hermione burst into tears.
Emma was embarrassed. "Hermione, I had no idea. I thought it was some kinky Goth thing that you'd gotten interested in. I'm sorry for having jumped to conclusions. Harry, we didn't mean to…"
Susan came back, "Mrs. Granger, Harry is an extremely wealthy person. He can afford body armor or cell phones or the new technology DVD players. I asked Auntie about them the other day. She said they were just invented last year. Only a few fancy stores like Harrods even have them. I'm grateful that he has taken such good care of us this summer."
Harry has getting embarrassed. "Please forget about it, Mrs. Granger, please. Breakfast is getting cold. Please sit down."
Emma set the dragon hide down and joined in. Dan asked, "What is it?"
Ginny answered, "Hungarian Horntail."
Dan didn't understand. "What's Hungarian Horntail?"
Harry answered "Dragonhide sir. Dragonhide is magical enough to stop most curses."
Dan said, "I had no idea."
"It works really well."
"No. I meant I had no idea about dragons."
Harry smiled, "I understand Sir. Hermione could find you a book on them in the library."
Dan was amazed. He asked, "When did they go extinct?"
Ginny replied, "They're not extinct, Mr. Granger. My brother Charlie works with them in Romania. Harry fought one two years ago. Our friend Hagrid…"
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After breakfast the teens got ready to go to Diagon Alley. Molly went with them to help with the shopping. They went to Madam Malkin's first. Harry had each of the women get four sets of gray robes, and another set for going out someplace. She had them select different fabrics, for warmer or colder days and had extra inside pockets put in them and a matching cloak to go with them. Harry quietly asked Susan to pick out some extra things as she didn't have anywhere near the wardrobes that the other women had acquired over the summer. Harry paid the bill and they went to Flourish & Blotts. Harry had quite a list that Dumbledore had given him, both for their own use but also for the first and second year students. Hermione outdid them all by selecting nearly a hundred books, as many as Susan and Ginny combined. Harry asked that the books be delivered to them at Hogwarts. There was no way that they could carry nearly three hundred books around for the day.
The women wanted to do some more shopping and Harry wanted to go visit Tonks. He asked Hermione and Ginny to please pick out another trunk for him, preferably one like Moody had with the different compartments. Molly worried about Harry going off by himself. Harry assured her that he could take care of himself.
Harry found the entrance to St. Mungo's and asked to see Auror Tonks. The attendant recognized him and a huge smile came to her face. " Hi Harry. It's me Jill Larson. I was in Hufflepuff. I graduated the year that you won the tri wizard tournament. I'll get the Head Healer."
The Head Healer came. Harry thought that it might have been years since the woman had smiled. "Good morning Mr. Potter. So you're the young man who kept the young Auror alive long enough to get some blood restorative potion poured into her?" Harry nodded, noting that her nametag read Crabtree.
"Mr. Potter as you probably know, she effectively lost all of her blood. Healer Pomfrey's report indicated that she was given seven pints of restorative potion. That means that should she live, at least for the time being, the young woman will have lost all of her magic. She's in a coma, but her heart hasn't stopped since…
"Two o'clock," said Harry. "I could tell when it happened. Tonk's is sort of my big sister."
The thinnest of smiles crept onto the old healer's face. "She's extremely lucky to have you in her life. Come this way. Director Bones left word that you could visit her anytime that you wanted to."
An attendant was in her room, as Tonks was on the critical care watch. An Auror that Harry had seen before was sitting outside the door. She nodded to Harry in recognition, but didn't say anything. Crabtree told the attendant to leave them be, that the young man was not to be disturbed or questioned, and that he could visit any time that he wished. They left and closed the door behind them.
Tonks looked tiny curled up in the hospital bed. She was hooked up to a tube in her arm. A pinkish liquid was in a bag suspended from the stand. For a few minutes, Harry sat in the little chair where the attendant had been. He held Tonk's arm. She felt like she was freezing. After a minute, Harry walked around the bed and lay behind her like he did with Ginny on the sofa. He held her tight. After a few minutes, she felt a bit warmer to him.
Harry held her for a half hour before he felt her move. He continued to hold her for another hour like he'd held Ginny at night. She began to feel restless in the bed, gently thrashing like she was fighting to wake up. Harry nuzzled the back of her neck and a minute later, he heard her gasp for breath and jerk.
Harry got up and called the attendant. She took a look in the room and went running to find Crabtree. Harry felt strangely tired, and sat down in the attendant's chair. Crabtree looked over to Tonks, and asked Harry, "What did you do to her?"
Embarrassed at his behavior, Harry said, "She felt cold, I just held her for a bit. I didn't mean to…"
But at that moment they heard a whispered voice, "Harry?"
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It was Tonks!
She'd woken up!!! They scooted Harry out of the room while several Mediwitches were summoned to come in. The Auror sitting outside sadly asked Harry, "What happened in there?"
Harry replied, "She woke up."
The Auror was overjoyed. "I was here on death watch! She wasn't expected to live through the day. I'll be right back. Can you watch her for me? I need to go tell…" and she ran off.
Harry stuck his head back in the room. Tonks had thrown up, and the bed sheets were soaked. He sat back on the Auror chair while the attendants, put her in a different gown and changed the sheets.
Ten minutes later, they walked out of the room, and Healer Crabtree said, "Mr. Potter, Auror Tonks is asking for you. Please go see her."
Harry went back in. Tonks was awake, but looking very weak.
"Hi Sis."
Tonks turned her head to see him better. Her color was a bit warmer. Her crystal blue eyes met his emerald eyes, and they just looked at each other for a bit.
"Thanks Harry. Please hold me for a bit longer."
Harry held her arm. "Not like that. Like you did before. Please?"
The door was shut. Harry walked over to the other side of the bed, and held her. She melted into him, rocking back and forth. Fifteen minutes later there was a gentle knock in the door. Harry quickly got up and opened the door. It was Amelia, Hestia, Kingsley, Dumbledore, and the Auror who'd been sitting outside. Harry noticed that her name badge said, McKinney.
Amelia looked inside, Tonks was trying to sit up in the bed, but having a hard time.
"Well done Harry. Healer Crabtree had told us to expect to lose Tonks in the next few hours."
Dumbledore looked in and said, "You seemed to have encouraged her to do otherwise." His eyes twinkled and there was a great smile on his face.
Just then Hermione, Ginny, Susan, and Molly came by. "How is she doing?" asked Ginny.
"Let me guess, it's that saving people thing. He did it again, didn't he?" asked Hermione.
"It certainly seems that way. Miss Granger," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "Miss Tonks, doubtless need her rest. I will ask Mr. Potter to be home within the hour. I'm certain that you can visit her again in a day or two."
An hour later, Harry left. Tonks was sleeping and had normal color. Her prognosis was upgraded all the way up to excellent. Dumbledore had made him a portkey to use to get home. Harry went home and took a nap on the couch. The women all sat on the floor by his couch, each reading a book, listening to Bach CDs. softly playing on the player.
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Harry woke up at four that afternoon, feeling much better. Hermione found him and said that her parents had asked to take him and her out for dinner that evening. Dan and Emma had found an Asian restaurant not more than a few miles away that they wanted to try. After they parked and were seated, Hermione excused herself to use the loo. After she'd walked away, Emma said, "Harry, we'd like to ask you a question."
Harry, looked up from the menu and said, "Go ahead."
Dan asked, "Harry, have you been intimate with our daughter?"
Momentarily stunned Harry replied. "Of course not, she's my very best friend. I'd never."
Dan said, "Harry, think about what you just said. Emma's my very best friend. That's why I married her."
"But I love Ginny."
Emma said, "Harry, it almost impossible to truly love someone at sixteen. I'm not saying that you don't have very strong feeling about Ginny, or Susan, or anyone else. We know that you have a lot on your plate right now. I'm observing that at the moment, at least three or more women are in love with you and would do absolutely anything that you asked them to. We simply know that you are too much of a gentleman to ever take advantage of anyone's feelings. I know that Dan and I love you Harry, and I'm absolutely certain that the Weasleys, that poor Auror, and your Instructors do too. It's an interesting gift Harry. Use it well."
Harry said, "I think I understand what you're saying, and I promise you, I'd never take advantage of Hermione, or any of the others."
Dan said. "We know that, and thank you Harry. You're a good man." Changing the subject he asked, "What looks good for dinner?"
Hermione came back. "Harry, did you see the paper today?"
Yorkshire Village DestroyedSeventeen people were killed or missing in a strange series of fires along Williston Road in Yorkshire County this morning. Officials say that seven homes were destroyed in what must have been a series of gas explosions. Utility workers are at a loss to explain how it could have happened. Officials say a car was blown a quarter mile by one of the blasts, killing the driver.
Emma, asked, "Harry was that the nightmare that you had this morning?"
Harry nodded, tears in his eyes. "I saw him do it. I called Director Bones. I'm not yet strong enough to stop him."
Emma replied, "Harry, that's what the Aurors are for. You don't need to worry about him."
Hermione was silent, aching for her friend.
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The next morning, Molly and Arthur asked to take Harry out for an early dinner. He was dreading hearing another with my daughter conversation. He spent much of the day packing and getting ready for school. Harry refilled the house money jar for Winky and asked that they split their time between the castle and Grimmauld place after the new term started. He gave them a list of things around the house that they could work on to keep busy with.
Harry and the teens went to visit Tonks at St. Mungo's. He invited her to stay at Grimmauld place after she got out of St. Mungo's, saying that the Weasleys and Winky would be happy to help her. She was looking much better, though Healer Crabtree said that it would be six to eight weeks before she could safely return to work.
They each hugged her and got ready to leave. As they were going, Tonks said, "Wait a second. I know that I owe you all my life. I can't possibly repay you, but I did want to tell you how much I appreciate it."
That reminded Harry. He took out the little box that he had in his pocket with the diamond earrings. Susan and Ginny helped her put them on. Tonks smiled, and noticed that the other witches each had them. Sure beats the Dark Mark. "Thank you all again." They each gave her a hug, and she gave Harry a kiss on the cheek.
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They got back at two. Harry felt a bit tired, and went to the entertainment room to sit for a few minutes. Hermione put his chamber trunk in his room for him. Ginny sat down by Harry asking, "What's wrong?"
Harry replied, "I don't know. I've been a bit tired the last few days." She got him a butterbeer. A few minutes later, Harry felt better.
Mrs. Weasley found them at three, asking where they wanted to go for dinner. Harry and Ginny looked at each other. Ginny said, "Anywhere is fine Mum. We just like to be with you and Dad."
Molly suggested, "How about the pub that's down four streets. The weather is nice, and we could have a nice walk."
At the pub, Mr. Weasley ordered them a beer. They had toad in the hole and mashed potatoes. It wasn't Harry's favorite, reminding him of his uncle, but he loved spending time with Ginny's parents. Ginny gave her Dad a hard time, telling him not to take Harry's house apart while they were gone.
Molly asked about the armor. Harry replied, "Remember the prophecy that the Order was guarding for most of last year?" Arthur nodded, not certain that he really wanted to hear more. Harry said, "Without getting into details, it concerned me. All I wanted to do was to provide the people around me with a little more protection if I could."
Molly said, "Harry that's very thoughtful, but you should leave it to the Aurors to handle. They've been quite effective this summer, capturing Pettigrew, Malfoy, that Edgecombe girl, and defeating those Aurors who attacked our home. Why they even got…"
"Molly dear," Arthur said warningly. "That's Order business that hasn't been announced."
Ginny was about to launch into a tirade, but Harry squeezed her knee under the table and said, "You're right Mrs. Weasley. I just wanted to keep Ginny safe."
"That's very kind of you Harry. We hope that you have a great year at school. You four are so fortunate to have been selected for an Apprentice program like this. Please take good care of Ginny, and don't go wandering off."
"I will, Mrs. Weasley." He wasn't sure what he's agreed to.
"And you," she said turning to Ginny. "I expect you to study hard, and be on your best behavior."
"I will, Mum."
"Did you both get everything that you need for the year?"
"We think so. We'll owl you if we need anything. Thanks for dinner. We really enjoyed it."
On the way back they talked about the summer, and some of the lessons that they'd learned. Harry pleaded with Mrs. Weasley to let Winky do the cooking and the housework.
Halfway home Harry had an idea. He told Ginny's parents that they would meet them back at the house in a half hour. Molly and Arthur continued walking home.
Harry held Ginny tightly and they apparated to the park behind Grimmauld place. Ginny asked, "What was that all about?"
Harry replied, "I dunno. I just wanted to be alone with you." He leaned Ginny up against a large tree and began gently kissing her. Seconds later, she drew him closer feeling each other's passion.
A minute later, all Ginny could say was "Wow." Her legs felt like mush.
Harry smiled at her. Walking her to one of the benches, Harry thanked her for a great day. Ginny replied, "It was weird shopping and not going into any of the second hand shops. Thanks"
Harry felt like a worm. He'd never meant to embarrass her. He said, " I always thought you looked great, in everything that you wore. I was no fashion mannequin either with all of Dudley's cast offs."
Ginny lied, "I never noticed Harry, but you look great in everything that you have now." The truth was, she'd been continually shocked that a famous wizard like Harry would be dressed in rags. She'd never known the extent of his abuse and neglect at the hands of his relatives until this summer.
They went back and Harry finished his packing. He'd loaded about half of his clothing and quite a few books out of his library into the multi-chambered trunk. Dobby or Winky could bring him anything that he needed within a minute if he asked them.
They stayed up late listening to CDs, playing Hearts and enjoying each other's company. Everyone found a minute to privately thank Harry for letting them stay for the summer. Finally it was time to say goodnight. Hermione's parents went up first followed by the girls.
Harry was about to get up himself, when he noticed that Molly was crying. "What's wrong Mrs. Weasley? She replied, "Seeing you four get ready to go off to school got me thinking about Ron. I miss him so much." She buried her face in Harry's shoulder. Harry could feel her pain. She was so sad.
Harry held her. "I miss him too, Mrs. Weasley. I miss him too."
Arthur came back from the kitchen, and said, "Come on, Molly. We need to get to bed. Good night Harry." They left to go to their room.
Harry dragged himself up the stairs.
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Harry woke up at three. Covering the others up with their blankets, he went upstairs to the weight room, and lifted weights for an hour. After that, he went outside and jogged around the park several times, picking up speed as he went. After three laps he stopped and rested for a moment then walked for a bit to cool down. The sun was almost up and it looked like it would be another great day.
Harry went back into the house and sat in the entertainment room, staring at the fireplace. He thought of Sirius, and remembered Dumbledore's words from long ago. Those that we love and remember, never really leave us. Harry now knew them to be true. He'd never forget Sirius and his wicked sense of humor. He'd never forget an eleven-year-old redhead asking him if the seat adjacent to him was taken. He'd never forget Luna reading the Quibbler upside down asking about Stubby Boardman."
Soon the others joined him. First the teens started giggling that he really needed a shower, than the parents. Harry went up and showered. He got dressed wearing his Dragonhide vest, jeans Dr. Martins and a blue oxford shirt. After breakfast he closed his trunk and shrunk it like Hermione had shown him. He gave each of them a hug, shook Dan and Arthur's hand, then got a kiss from each of the women, noticing that they each were wearing their diamond studs. He gave Dobby and Winky a hug each, and it was time to go. Harry walked out to the car park and waved before he apparated to Hogsmede station.
It had been a summer that none of them would ever forget.
End.
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A/N
If you'd be interested in having their adventure continue into the school year, please let me know.