A/N: Okay, here's a nice long chapter for all my adoring fans. Ha. Ha. Ha. Seriously though, this one is twice as long as any of my others. Probably because it's about a date, and I'm supposed to be writing a romance. No journal entry in this one though.
Again, thank you guys so much for reviewing. You rock my socks.
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The weather was starting to turn colder. It was practically impossible to see the sun through the blanket of cloud. On the ground was a bit of mud and a few puddles, evidence that it had been drizzling that morning. If anyone had been able to see the sun, they would've seen it setting, earlier and earlier in the day as the summer marched on towards fall.
None of this concerned Harry. What worried him was that he hadn't been able to get flowers or anything for Tonks. He glanced at his watch as he jogged through the narrow Hogsmeade streets. Seven-oh-five. Oh well, no time to buy them now. It was his own fault that he'd taken so long in the shower. He'd just have to make it up to her.
His messenger bag bounced painfully against his side as he jogged. Along with his journal and money, his favorite sweatshirt was stowed away inside, another mark of the coming autumn. He was wearing slightly baggy jeans, a plain leather belt, and a t-shirt with a small picture of a snitch on it. He wasn't quite sure why he was going to the Shrieking Shack on foot. He could Apparate there, and probably should, seeing as he was running late. Remembering his lateness, he quit jogging and entered a full-out sprint. It just seemed right this way.
Tonks came into view a few moments later. Her hair was green, and up in a simple ponytail. She was gazing up at the Shrieking Shack, her back to him, seemingly oblivious to Harry having entered the other end of the clearing. He stopped quickly and tried to be quiet – Tonks seemed as if she was deep in thought, and he didn't want to disturb her. Instead, he just studied her. She could've passed for a Muggle high school student easily. She wore a black sweatshirt with a hood, her hands thrust deep into its pockets, and a short black and green skirt. The breeze blew it slightly to the side for a moment, and Tonks lowered her head, as if she were looking as the ground. Harry shifted slightly, and Tonks cocked her head to the side quickly, as if listening.
"Hey Tonks," said Harry quietly. He still felt as if he were intruding on something.
She turned around. For a moment, she looked infinitely sad and exhausted. Then he could've sworn it had only been his imagination as she grinned at him. He studied her for a moment before going over and putting an arm around her shoulders.
"You okay?" Harry asked her. "Because if you aren't, I want to work it out now, so we can have fun tonight."
"You're such a worrywart, Harry." Tonks made a face at him. "If I'm annoyed about anything, it's that you didn't bring me flowers."
Harry considered her again for a moment. She looked defiantly back. Finally he grinned. "Alright. Let's go, you can pick something out to make up for the flowers."
Tonks laughed happily. "Yay!" Harry shook his head, smiling. You'd think she was six, not twenty-two.
They walked down the main street chatting, Harry's arm around Tonks and her snuggled up against him. It was true that they'd gotten pretty close over the last month or so, just talking, but nothing other than that and Tonks' greeting kiss at his birthday party had happened since they were at Player's Mansion. Harry was pleasantly surprised that Tonks was so comfortable with him. 'As if this is our hundredth date, not our first,' thought Harry as he looked down at the woman next to him. At the moment she was gazing off at the shops they were passing, trying to decide which one she wanted to go to. Apparently deciding, she broke away from Harry, catching his hand as it fell from her shoulder and pulling him into Honeydukes.
Harry inhaled the sugary air deeply, not releasing Tonks' hand as they entered the store. He hadn't been here in a while, and looked around. It hadn't changed much, except that there were tons of new products. He smiled, looking at chocolate radios that would actually play 'Transfigure' by the Weird Sisters whenever you wanted until they were eaten, 'O.W.L. lollipops' which were shaped like owl heads and packed with caffeine (20% discount for fifth years! proclaimed a sign next to them) and gummy wands, which were like trick wands except you could eat them after they changed. He was looking for a Blasting Wands chocolate radio for Ron when Tonks found what she wanted – a bouquet of every-flavor lollipops made by Bertie Botts. Harry smiled and paid for it, giving Tonks the bag. She promptly took out a lollipop.
"Mmm, lemon meringue," she said happily. She offered it to Harry, who shook his head. There was something very sexy about watching her have a lollipop.
"Don't want to ruin my dinner. And I'm having too much fun watching you eat it." Tonks laughed and slapped his arm lightly. Harry grinned and put his arm around her waist, steering her towards the street again.
After a couple minutes of comfortable silence and walking, Tonks had finished her candy and snuggled in against Harry again. He looked down at her.
"Ready for some real food?" She nodded, and they slipped into the Three Broomsticks. Madame Rosmerta seated them in the small dining room off the main area, gave them menus, and said she'd be back in a few minutes.
"So what's 'Peter Pan'?" Asked Tonks as she scanned the menu. Harry laughed.
"You remembered! Well, Peter Pan is a guy from a Muggle fairy tale. He lived in this place called Neverland with his friends, where they did stuff like fight pirates, and stayed kids forever. He said he didn't want to grow up because then he wouldn't be able to have adventures any more."
Tonks had stopped scanning her menu, and was listening interestedly to Harry as he talked. Harry hoped that it was a good interest.
"One day he left Neverland because his shadow ran away from him-"
"His shadow ran away from him?" asked Tonks, arching an eyebrow.
"I told you, it's a Muggle fairy tale. They think stuff like that happens to people who have magic. Anyway, his shadow ran away, and it was at the house of this girl called Wendy. He accidentally woke her up when he was trying to get his shadow to obey him again. Wendy helped him out by sewing the shadow to his shoes, and as a reward Peter brought her and her little brothers to Neverland for a while."
"As a reward?"
Madame Rosmerta came back and took their orders and their menus, interrupting them for a minute.
"Yeah. Kids loved it because it was full of adventures and fun stuff to do. So he brought Wendy and her brothers with him, and they had a big adventure. At the end of it, Peter had fallen in love with Wendy – except that he was like 11 and didn't really understand it – and all his friends liked her a lot too. They all decided to go back to the real world with her and grow up, but Peter wouldn't do it." Harry paused and looked at Tonks to make sure she was still listening. She was. "That's what I'm talking about when I say you have a Peter Pan complex. Peter wouldn't grow up, even though all his friends were, and his girl was. He just wanted to have fun, but he was going to end up hurt in the end."
"You think I'm like Peter Pan?" Tonks looked genuinely surprised. "Because I'd rather be a kid than an adult?"
"Yes, I do. Look," he said quickly, noticing that Tonks looked a bit hurt, "I'm not saying it's a bad thing. In fact, I like it a lot. I'm just saying be careful, because it could have bad consequences." She still looked a little upset. Harry sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
Tonks looked up at him, and their eyes locked. Harry was amazed at how beautiful they were...blue today, but they had flecks of silver in them, and looked like water. And there was something in there...she didn't look like she was mad at Harry, or even hurt, but she obviously wasn't happy. Harry shook himself mentally as Tonks looked away again. This was not the time to be obsessing over her eyes.
"You didn't offend me. In fact, it explains a lot...thank you." Harry was still skeptical, but Madame Rosmerta brought in their food just then, and it seemed that the conversation was over.
After dinner, which had gone very well after the food came, Harry and Tonks walked out of the Three Broomsticks holding hands. They walked around for a while, digesting, and Harry bought them a bar of Honeydukes chocolate to share for dessert. After a while they found themselves back at the clearing in front of the Shrieking Shack. Harry stopped walking and pulled Tonks into him, locking his hands behind her back. Tonks smiled, snuggling up against Harry's chest, delighted at the feel of the muscles there. She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of warmth, strength, and peace Harry was radiating. Harry bent his head forward, kissing the top of her head lightly, and closed his eyes as well. It was amazing, he reflected – here they were, first date, embracing as if they'd been together forever. He would've expected them to be doing just about anything else right now; just talking, or maybe kissing, but not this. It was a very pleasant surprise.
After a while, he asked "Do you want to go to Leviose?"
Tonks laughed lightly. So much for peace. Leviose was one of the most popular, and definitely the hippest, nightclubs in London. It was run by one of the Weird Sisters, Lindsay Vachel, and was notoriously hard to get into. "Sounds great."
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Three hours later, Harry and Tonks could be found making their way off the dance floor in the main room of Leviose, covered in sweat. They had each requested their favorite music, and as the manager was eager to please her best customer and his date, they didn't hear a single song they didn't like. Best of all, they were all great songs to dance to.
Tonks led the way to the bar, which was nearly full. She pushed Harry into the one seat that was open and hopped onto his lap sideways, slinging her arms around his neck. Harry raised an eyebrow as Tonks giggled.
"What's so funny?" He was scanning the room, looking for someone. Finally spotting a man in black robes and shades standing against the wall, Harry gestured for him to come over.
"Well, I can sure tell you enjoyed the dancing." Tonks laughed again. Harry forced himself to scowl at her, but then smiled.
"You're the one who jumped into my lap." The bartender nodded at them, silently greeting Harry and asking what they wanted. "The usual for me, and...Tonks, what would you like?"
"Just a butterbeer, please." She turned back to Harry and started to say something, then glanced behind him and scowled. "Something we can do for you?"
Harry looked over his shoulder just in time to catch the man in black robes raising his eyebrows. He laughed. "Tonks, it's okay. Meet Vince. He's my bodyguard. I thought it'd be a good idea to introduce you, before you noticed him and thought we were being stalked."
Tonks just stared at Harry, wide-eyed. "You have a bodyguard? I would think you could take care of yourself." She shook her head slightly, and then held a hand up over Harry's shoulder. "Hey Vince, I'm Tonks."
"Very pleased to meet you, Miss Tonks," said Vince, shaking her hand. His voice was deep and didn't sound especially pleased. He bent down and whispered something in Harry's ear.
"It's fine, Vince. She's twenty-two. Now, please go ask Lindsay to hold a fireplace for us." Vince nodded quickly and walked off.
"What's fine, and who's Lindsay?" demanded Tonks as the bartender gave them their drinks. Harry threw back a shot of something green and fizzy, and followed it quickly with a sip from a mug full of clear red stuff.
"Vince thought you were underage, and Lindsay is the manager." He closed his eyes and let a breath out slowly. Tonks felt his grip on her waist loosen slightly and wondered what he was drinking, surprised that she had never seen it before. She shook her head and took a swig of her butterbeer.
"You're talking about Lindsay Vachel? From the Weird Sisters? And you're making requests of her? Geez. You're such a star."
"Well, I should be able to make requests of her, seeing as I pay this place enough to buy myself a new broom on a monthly basis." He opened his eyes and took another sip from his mug. When he put it down, he found Tonks gazing at him seriously. They locked eyes, and Harry felt himself amazed at her eyes for a second time. He told her so, and she smiled.
Harry wanted badly to lean forward and kiss her, but he had the feeling that the crowded bar was not the best place for romance. Instead, he closed his eyes as Tonks put her head on his shoulder, reminded again of how quickly they had become comfortable with each other.
"I'm tired," said Tonks quietly into his neck. Harry nodded.
"Me too." He picked her up and set her on her feet gently. Taking her hand, he led Tonks towards a small staircase at the back of the room, looking around for Vince. The man appeared beside him almost instantly.
"There is a fireplace waiting in the Blue room. Lindsay sends her compliments, and a copy of the CD they're releasing next month." Vince handed him the slim plastic case. Harry grinned. Lindsay had told him they were going to try and break the Muggle market, and here was the proof.
Vince cast a calculating look at Tonks, who was looking at someone behind them and obviously not paying any attention. "Should I go ahead of you and tell Dobby to get your room ready for two?"
Harry shook his head. "No, no. None of that. Do go ahead though. Take this," he handed Vince the CD, "and ask Dobby to put it with the others in the study."
Vince nodded and hurried off ahead. Harry looked back at Tonks as they made it to the stairs. She looked exhausted and a bit sad again. He frowned, and pulled her into a hug.
"Are you sure you're doing alright?" He nuzzled her neck, but kept himself from kissing it.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm very happy, actually. Just tired." Tonks rested her head on his shoulder again, then pulled away and looked up the staircase. "What's up there?"
"A bunch of rooms for VIPs who decide they want to spend the night, or who need a fireplace."
Tonks grinned as they started up the stairs. "We're VIPs. Sweet." Harry laughed and pointed to the right as they got to the top of the stairs. The hallway was black, with about twenty different colored doors, all with black doorknobs, going off of it. They walked down to the right for a while, until they got to the blue door, which Harry opened with a bow for Tonks.
"Wow," she said, looking around. "We have got to come back here sometime." Everything in the room was either blue or black. There was a canopy bed with a bright blue comforter, and a gauzy black curtain surrounded it. The carpet was zig-zagged blue and black, and the bright blue walls were covered in artful photographs of castles at night.
"You should see the Red room." Harry grabbed Tonks and brought her over to the huge obsidian fireplace. He picked up two small packets from a basket next to it, one black, one blue, and held the blue one up in front of Tonks. She recognized it as a floo powder packet.
Tonks took the sachet from Harry and put her arms around his neck. He pulled her in the rest of the way, locking his hands around her waist. Looking down at her, Harry was amazed at how connected and protective he already felt. He gave her a soft, chaste kiss on the forehead, and then moved southward, finding her lips.
As far as Harry was concerned, it was their first kiss – what happened at the Player's Mansion, stayed there. Although he didn't ask Tonks, he had the feeling that she thought the same thing. So he took his time, pressing his lips to hers briefly and gently at first, but soon becoming more passionate and deepening the kiss. Tonks responded quickly, pushing herself against him, playing with the hair at the back of his neck with one hand while the other felt for his shoulder blades. Harry ran his hands up and down her back, putting one under her shirt a bit and stroking the small of her back lightly with his thumb. Tonks shivered at his touch, and Harry smiled slightly to himself.
Finally Harry broke away. "Tonks...it was great. I hope you had as much fun tonight as I did. I think we should go now, though, or we're going to end up spending the night here."
Tonks laughed quietly, taking her arms off of Harry's shoulders. "I had just as much fun as you tonight, if not more." She smiled at him. "It was wonderful." She put her hands on his face and pulled him in for one last, lingering kiss, then turned towards the fireplace and opened the floo powder.
"Bye Harry," she said, looking at him over her shoulder and winking. Then she threw the powder on the fire, shouted her address, and was gone.
Harry touched his lips, trying to remember the last time they had felt like that when he kissed a girl. He could still feel his pulse in them. He smiled, savoring the lingering taste of sugar and mint that Tonks had left him with, and then threw his own powder onto the fire and went home.
