"Come on! We don't have much time! We're going to be late!"

"Gah, come on, Harry!"

"Well, where'd you lot put my good socks!"

"Your good socks!"

"They're probably under the bed, Harry. If they aren't, I'll send them to you once you're at Hogwarts - we need to get going!"

"Alright, alright, I found them! Coming!"

Harry grabbed Hedwig's cage in one hand, his trunk in the other, and dashed from his bedroom at Number Nine. His trunk thumping as he took the stairs two at a time, Harry headed out the open front door right behind Tonks. Andromeda closed the door behind the two, then proceeded to usher them into the car.

"Hang on, mate." Tonks said in a stage whisper. "This is gonna be a bumpy ride..."

"Quiet, you." Andromeda said, rolling her eyes.

The trip was, in fact, almost as bad as Tonks made it out to be. When Andromeda needed to get somewhere quick, she knew exactly how to do it. And she wasn't afraid of taking the corners faster than sanity would allow.

They got to King's Cross ten minutes before the Hogwarts Express was set to depart. After hustling the kids down onto the platform, they saw that a few stragglers had yet to cross through the barrier. A few girls that Harry recognized as fifth-year (now sixth year) Hufflepuffs were talking to a man who looked at least ten years their senior. Harry only knew who the girls were because they seemed to be a part of the fan club Harry had seemed to gather. Terry Boot was conversing with a Gryffindor girl that Harry didn't know. And a few younger children, who looked to be first years, were torn between hugging their parents and taking off for the train.

And, leaning back against the side of the column that held the barrier, looking far more haggard that Harry remembered him being, was Solieyu. Almost as if sensing that he was being watched, the boy looked up and over, a faint smile forming on his face as he spotted his friends.

"Leon!" Tonks cried, almost bouncing with her cart over to the long-haired boy. "How've you been? You look like you've been in a fight or somethin'!"

"Hey." Harry said in greeting as he and Andromeda caught up with Tonks. "She's right, you look a mess, mate. Anything happen?"

Shaking his head, Solieyu replied, "No, we were just in a rush to get here. Mother insisted on taking the Knight Bus."

"Bumpy ride, then?" Harry asked.

"Quite."

"Leon, this is my mum. Mum, this is Solieyu Reinhardt... he doesn't like his first name, either." Tonks said, giving Andromeda the evil eye.

"Ma'am." Solieyu murmured, lowering his head slightly.

Stepping aside to let other wizarding folk pass by, Andromeda looked at the wristwatch she was wearing. "Oh! You three can talk on the train. If you don't get through now..." Grabbing her daughter's hand, Andromeda headed for the barrier. "Come on, you lot! Nymmy, grab your cart!"

"Don't call me Nymmy!" Tonks said, twisting her hand away from her mother's. "We can get through the barrier, mum, we don't need you holding our hands!"

"Fine." Andromeda said, sounding exasperated. "I'll give you one minute to follow me through. No dawdling, understand? If you aren't back by then, I'm coming back and hauling you through myself."

"Yes, mum." Tonks droned.

Once Andromeda had passed through, Tonks sighed. "She's going to drive me completely loony some day."

"Not far to go." Harry said to Solieyu, loud enough for Tonks to hear. It earned him a slug on the arm.

"Well, if that's the way you feel, I'll just head on through, too!" Sniffed the girl. Grabbing her cart, she turned and, once making sure no Muggles were watching, rushed the column and vanished through it.

"I see where she gets her energy from." Solieyu commented, rounding about to grab his own cart. "Have you two had a good summer?"

"Um... well, best as can be expected, I suppose." Harry said, sighing. "I'll tell you about it once we get inside. I'm sure Tonks wouldn't want me to give the whole story when she wasn't present."

"Shall we both go at once, then? I don't think we'll be spotted with so few Muggles about..." Solieyu said, looking around and seeing that the station was remarkably empty of people.

"Sure." Harry said. "Hang on, Hedwig."

Standing back a few yards so that they could get some speed going, Harry and Solieyu pushed their carts towards the barrier... and practically bounced right back off of it. Harry, jarred by the sudden impact, nearly fell over before Solieyu's cart rammed into his back. This, in turn, caused Harry to practically topple over sideways, grasping at his cart's handle as he went. And, of course, his trunk - and Hedwig's cage - crashed to the ground as the cart tipped onto its side. Solieyu, meanwhile, was dragging his cart backwards and apologizing to Harry at the same time.

"What the hell was that?" Harry asked, quickly straightening his things and making sure his owl was alright. "Stupid barrier isn't supposed to do that, is it?"

"Not to my knowledge." Solieyu said, walking up to the column and pressing against it. It was as if there had been no magical barrier to pass at all. His hand felt around the column for a moment before turning to Harry and asking, "Any ideas?"

Harry felt around the column for a moment as well before frowning. "None..."

"It seems to me that the barrier was closed off..." Solieyu offered, turning to Harry. "I can still sense magic coming off of it, but..."

"Yeah, it's like it was blocked or so" Harry began. In the middle of the sentence, something in his brain clicked into place. A scowl formed on his face and, in an angry hiss, he growled, "I'm going to kill that house elf!"

Solieyu blinked. "Beg pardon?"

Slumping back against the column, Harry sighed. "Long story. And it looks like I'm going to be telling you without Tonks around after all. Got any parchment and a quill handy?"

Opening his trunk and fishing around, Solieyu nodded. He handed a bit of paper and the quill over to Harry, who placed it on the ground and began writing.

"If anyone could break a house elf's magic, it's Dumbledore. Though I hate to bother him like this. It just seems so damn stupid, you know?" Harry asked as he wrote. "'Dear Professor, a house elf jinxed the barrier and I can't catch the train' ... Honestly, he's going to think I'm batty..."

"Oh, I don't know." Solieyu said, sitting next to Harry. "Dumbledore's a bit crazy himself... And he does seem to like you an awful lot."

"Yeah, I suppose so. We didn't even lose Ravenclaw any points for getting past Fluffy..." Harry said. "Shame we didn't win the House Cup, but..."

Finishing the note, Harry opened Hedwig's cage and smiled. "We're in a bit of a mess here, girl. Make sure Dumbledore gets this as fast as possible, alright? I really don't want to be loitering here all day."

Hedwig nipped at Harry's finger affectionately as he attached the message to her leg, then took off out of the station. Harry and Solieyu watched her fly off.

"How long do you figure it'll take her?" Harry asked.

"A few hours, if the wind's not against her." Solieyu said.

"So what do we do until then?"

"You can start by explaining why you want to murder a house elf."

"What time is it?"

"Five minutes since the last time you asked me."

"Sorry."

"Not a problem. I'm horribly bored, too."

"I'm just glad the personnel here aren't bothering us."

"As am I."

"Can't believe they bought that story about us waiting on someone, though."

"Well, it's true, isn't it?"

Harry chuckled. "Yeah, but even so. Dumbledore isn't exactly normal. Even if he were dressed properly as a Muggle, he'd stand out. I don't think I've ever seen anyone with a beard like his..."

"Indeed." Solieyu said, nodding slightly. "He...does stand out in a crowd, doesn't he?"

"Yup."

"Something, I assure you, I am quite proud of." Came a voice from somewhere behind the two boys.

Jumping slightly, Harry and Solieyu turned to see Albus Dumbledore leaning against the barrier column. He was smiling and had that seemingly ever-present twinkle in his eyes.

"Now how long have you been there?" Harry asked, getting to his feet. Both he and Solieyu had been sitting down and leaning back as they waited.

"I just arrived." Dumbledore said. "Now what is this about the barrier being jinxed?"

"Just that." Said Harry, pushing against the barrier. "I had a run-in with a vindictive little house elf this summer and I'm certain he's the reason me and Leon couldn't get through this thing. Take a look. Maybe it's just me, but it... it feels different. It's hard to explain."

Dumbledore - who looked quite odd in the black suit he was wearing - stepped about and glanced at the column slowly. "Mm... Yes, it has indeed been tampered with. Easily remedied, I assure you."

Placing a hand on the solid surface, the headmaster began murmuring softly under his breath. A few moments later, he frowned and tried again.

"Something wrong?" Asked Harry.

"It would seem so." Dumbledore said, tilting his head slightly. "I am not entirely sure what spell the elf used here. House elves have their own special brand of magic, you see, some of which is amazingly complex for such relatively simple beings."

Harry reached out to touch the barrier again, frowning as well. "I'll guess that it's not easy to work out at a glance, then."

"Correct." Said Dumbledore, smiling once more. "House elves are notorious for going over the top when it comes to using magic, as they so rarely get the opportunity to use it. Harry, did you sense that this house elf meant you any harm?"

"Not directly." Harry said, a shadow crossing his face for the briefest of moments. "But it's because of him that I had to escape that place."

"Yes, I got quite the earful from both Tonks women..." Dumbledore said, chuckling. "They both care for you a great deal..."

"Nice that someone does." Harry grumbled.

"Headmaster," Solieyu piped up. "I'll assume that we're going back to the school by means other than train?"

Glancing back to the barrier once, Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. I believe I'll let the Ministry handle this, as everyone but the two of you have boarded the Hogwarts Express for the year. We can take a Portkey to Hogsmeade and head up to the school from there. I'm afraid you may be bored, however. The train is not due to arrive for another three hours."

"Three hours? The ride never seems like it takes all day..." Harry commented as Dumbledore pulled out a galleon.

"This will be activating shortly. If you'd each please touch it – a finger will do. Your belongings shall be brought up to the school, so do not worry about leaving them here." Said Dumbledore, extending the coin. Harry and Solieyu both put a finger on it and waited.

"Three... two... one." Dumbledore said. And then, finally, Harry and Solieyu left King's Cross.

"I hate Portkeys." Harry said, rubbing his shoulder.

"You're just sour because you landed strangely." Said Solieyu.

"Yeah, well... I'm not good with magical transportation. Those things and Floo travel both. I'm not looking forward to learning how to apparate. I'll probably wind up splinching myself and leave something embarrassing behind."

"Don't say that around Tonks. You know what she'd say."

"Yes, I know what she'd say!" Harry said, lowering his head and blushing slightly. "Anyway, what're we going to do until everyone else gets here?"

"Might I suggest seeking out Professor Snape?"

Harry stopped, turned, and stared at his friend as if the boy had suddenly sprouted a few more eyes. "Now why would I want to go do that? It's pretty obvious we can't stand each other."

"You owe him an apology, Harry." Solieyu said. "You didn't take out Quirrell fast enough last year. Three Cruciatus Curses would affect anyone poorly."

"I'm not apologizing to him, Leon." Said Harry slowly. "The look he had on his face when Quirrell unwrapped his head... the way Voldemort spoke to him... I don't like thinking about what it could mean. I really don't like thinking that I know what it was all about. I trust Dumbledore, even if he does insist I go back to the Dursleys each summer..."

"You think Professor Snape could be a Death Eater?" Asked Solieyu.

"Maybe..." Harry said. "I dunno. I've never seen him expose his arms."

"I don't think you should assume anything about him, Harry. The last time you did, you almost died." Said Solieyu.

"Thanks for being so blunt." Harry griped.

"Someone has to let the air out of your tires." Commented Solieyu simply. "In any case, I think it would help if you apologized. What harm could it possibly do?"

"Yeah, I wonder..." Harry grumbled. But he followed his friend as he continued down the main stairway.

In the end, the two had chosen to go their separate ways. The school would be crowded and noisy in precious little time and each of them wanted to savor the peacefulness that the silence brought. Harry decided to head to a spot he had found late in his first year. A stairway hidden behind a fake wall lead up to a secluded little tower that overlooked the grounds. Harry had found it by accident, leaning against the fake wall to rest on his way to the library. At night, the grounds looked absolutely beautiful.

But the day was steadily turning down a dreary road, with storm clouds moving in all too quickly. As Harry climbed up through the trapdoor and closed it underneath him, he walked out from under the sheltered portion to lean against the stone railing. A cool wind sent shivers down his spine. With a crooked grin, Harry decided he would try to spot the Hogwarts Express as it rolled into Hogsmeade.

This, of course, made Harry frown. Tonks was probably tearing her hair out with worry. Harry felt bad for not having Hedwig first deliver a note to Tonks, telling her that he and Solieyu were alright. But it was only a few hours until the train arrived, and it would probably do little now. And, after all, Hedwig had probably pushed herself as hard as she could to arrive at Hogwarts as swiftly as she had.

With a sigh that was lost on the wind, Harry turned around and sat, leaning back against the cool stones. What a summer he had had. Things certainly hadn't started out very well. And, if he stopped to really think about it, the ending wasn't that thrilling, either. But the part in the middle - that was what he had enjoyed most. Being with Tonks at her house. Feeling like he actually belonged. Feeling loved. Harry blushed at that final thought.

Tonks and her mother must have had the patience of the Buddha to keep dealing with him and his insane problems. She was still his friend, even after the chaos surrounding the Stone. She was still his friend, even after all the times he ended up getting hurt and worrying her. Harry thought it might just be due to the fact that he had been unwanted for most of his life, but he couldn't help but feel close to Tonks. It just felt good to have someone who was there for you, no matter what.

Humming softly to himself, falling back into an old habit, Harry closed his eyes and listened to the wind whistle along with his tune. And, somewhere in the back of his mind, an event replayed. One that involved a midnight snack, a surprise guest, and the sudden realization that he was starting to have feelings for his best friend.

He knew, the moment that Tonks had let go of him in that kitchen, that he cared about her as more than simply just a friend. Again, he tried displacing the thought at first, telling himself that it WAS because he had been unwanted for most of his life. He certainly wasn't going to say anything, though. No need to make a fool of himself, after all. And he didn't want to come off as being needy. He liked how things were. Especially, he thought to himself as he slowly made his way down to the Entrance Hall, the times when he and Tonks stayed up late and she fell asleep. She would always end up leaning against him. Usually until Andromeda came to check on them. Then she would groggily get up, give Harry a peck on the cheek, along with a half-asleep hug and murmured 'goodnight,' and get toted off to her own room.

It was the one thing about Hogwarts that Harry didn't like. No more time alone with Tonks. This was something that bugged Harry, and he was officially planning on doing something about it. He had already gotten permission from Dumbledore to take Tonks aside and explain what had happened to her. This way, he wouldn't get into any trouble if he wasn't present at the Sorting. And, he thought, it was going to be a beautiful night, even with the rain.

Rain... Harry had never much liked it when he was little. It wasn't until he had entered school that he learned what storms really were. When he was very little, the Dursleys had instilled fear in him, saying all sorts of outlandish things of what thunder and lightning really were. It didn't help that he had a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, either.

But ever since he had met Tonks... The rain brought only good memories. He had met Tonks after a rainy night. The two had spent several rainy nights at Number Nine trying to out-scare one another. Once, Tonks had caught him simply gazing out the window at the rain. When asked what he was doing, Harry had simply replied, "Remembering." This made Tonks confused, but Harry refused to elaborate on his mysterious answer.

His Metamorphmagus abilities had apparently grown much stronger over the summer. When Tonks and Andromeda sat down with him at one point, he was able to change his hair and eye color on command. The length and style of his hair, however, was still a problem. Tonks assured him that it wasn't that tough to master and insisted that he would do fine once they resumed their regular training sessions.

"So what have you been busying yourself with?" Came a voice from further downstairs. Focusing his gaze, Harry looked to see Solieyu sitting on the second step from the bottom, apparently waiting for the carriages to bring the students up to the school.

"Collecting my thoughts. Would you mind terribly if I spirited Tonks off once she gets here and sees we're both alright? I have something I want to show her." Harry said, joining his friend in sitting.

Raising an eyebrow, Solieyu asked, "And what would that be?"

Harry knew he must have blushed briefly, but shrugged it off and replied, "Oh, just a secret passage I found. S'got a nice view from the top. Anyway, if she's going to go crazy and yell at me, I'd rather it not happen in front of the assembled student body."

"Fair enough. Want me to keep tabs on the Slytherins?" Solieyu asked.

"Sure. Couldn't hurt. We'll make a dramatic entrance after the Sorting is finished... Or something like that." Harry said, gesturing vaguely with one hand while resting his chin on the other.

The two were silent for a moment.

"And let us hope no more like Terry join our ranks." Solieyu said.

"Amen to that."

Naturally, things didn't go as planned. Fred and George had gotten to Tonks early on, apparently, and had filled her head with all sorts of nonsense. Tonks looked as if she hadn't slept in a week when she had made her way through the crowd of students. Throwing herself at Harry, who keeled over backwards and landed at a painful angle on the steps, she whimpered that she thought something horrible had happened to him.

Solieyu had been the one to point out how much pain Harry seemed to be in. Tonks then squeaked and dislodged herself from the boy, apologizing profusely. This seemed to amuse Solieyu, who was promptly smacked in the back of the head by Harry as he sat back up.

"Quiet, you." Harry muttered, rubbing his lower back. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Ah, yes. Spy duty." Solieyu said, getting to his feet and dusting his robes. "I'll see you two in the common room later."

"And, if you can," Harry called after his friend, "Drop some pies on those infernal twins!"

"Later?" Tonks asked, watching as Solieyu filed into the Great Hall with the rest of the students. "We aren't going?"

"I figured you'd want the whole story. And I'd rather not do it in front of the whole school. I'm sure others noticed our absence." Harry said, rubbing his neck.

"Oh, yeah." Tonks said, making a face. "Malfoy and his makeshift beefeaters dropped in for a visit. Thankfully, the twins had dropped by earlier and sent them running along."

"Oh? How so?" Harry asked.

"Best not to ask." Tonks said, making another face. "It wasn't pretty. Anyway, where should we go to talk?"

"I know just the place." Harry said, smiling. "And I have permission from the headmaster, so we can't get in trouble for being out during the Sorting."

"Wow, we're not sneaking off this time? Do miracles never cease?" Tonks said dryly as Harry began walking back up the steps.

"Oh, hush. Look, Tonks... I'm really sorry for worrying you. I should have sent Hedwig to you before sending her to Dumbledore, but I wasn't really thinking clearly..." Harry said, slipping his hands into his pockets.

Tonks caught up with him and linked her arm with his, tilting her head. "It's alright... so what did happen?"

"Well..." Harry began. And, as he led Tonks to his secret passage, he once more went into a long spiel about house elf woes.

Judging by the 'ooooh' Tonks had let out once she had caught sight of the view, Harry guessed that she liked his getaway. It was raining fairly heavily now, but the two would stay dry as long as they didn't go out from under the roof.

"Why didn't you tell me about this place last year?" Tonks asked, looking slightly put-out.

"Only found it at the end. Barely had any time to use it myself." Harry replied, sitting down and stretching out.

Sitting down next to him, Tonks nodded. "So you spent most of late afternoon and evening up here? What did Leon do?"

"Meandered about the dungeons, of all things. You know, he wanted me to go and apologize to that greasy git Snape? We had a little discussion on whether or not Snape could've been a Death Eater in the past... Not sure which of us won that one." Harry explained. "Anyway, enough about what I've been doing. What did you do on the trip?"

"Well, the twins certainly didn't help. Between making my earlobes the size of an elephant's ears and making me think that Quirrell had broken out of St. Mungo's to kill you..." Tonks said, bottom lip jutting out slightly.

Harry laughed. "How on earth could you believe that?"

"Well!" Tonks said, pouting even more. "I couldn't help it! After how you turned up at our house this summer, I guess I just let my imagination run away with me..."

Turning his head slightly, Harry smiled crookedly. "You shouldn't pout, you know."

"Why not?" Pouted Tonks.

"It'll give you wrinkles." Harry said.

"It will not!" Tonks exclaimed.

"Will too. You watch. My cousin, Dudley, pouts more than any boy has any right to. He pouts when he's hungry and he can't have any food. He pouts when his favorite television show gets pre-empted. He pouts when he's told to shower. He"

"I get it, I get it." Tonks said, nudging Harry with her shoulder. "Get on with it already."

"Right, sorry. Anyway, I'll place a bet with you here and now. I bet you he'll look like a prune by the time we graduate." Harry said.

"No way! Alright, you've got yourself a bet! ...What're we betting?" Tonks asked.

Harry thought for a moment. As he sat and thought, the sounds of the heavily pounding rain and occasional thunder filled the air. It really was a nice night, if you liked the rain. And here Harry was, sitting next to his best friend, enjoying the peace as if they were the only two people in all of Hogwarts.

"A date." Harry finally murmured, turning to look Tonks in the eyes.

"A date?" Tonks repeated.

"A date. If I'm right, you have to go on a date with me." Harry said, hoping the darkness covered his blush.

"Hardly seems like punishment for losing, but alright. And if I'm right?" Tonks asked.

"Hmm... I dunno. You pick something." Harry said.

Tonks tilted her head back, drumming her fingers on the stone floor. "I... can't think of anything. Oh well, I'll work something out."

"Nothing weird. I don't want to have to drop my trousers in Diagon Alley and proclaim myself Master of Space and Time or anything." Harry said, giving Tonks the evil eye.

Tonks giggled, nudging Harry with her shoulder again. "Oh, fine. Take all the fun out of it. I won't ask Fred and George, then."

"Thank Merlin." Harry said.

The two sat in silence for awhile after that. Harry was finally unwinding. His muscles had been tense ever since that morning, which felt like days ago to him. Eventually, he closed his eyes, leaned his head back, and began humming softly.

A short time later, Tonks leaned her head over onto his shoulder and began humming with him. It was a slow tune that was easy to pick up. Something Harry used to hum to himself after particularly nasty beatings that helped to ease the pain and allow him to drift off to sleep.

After going through the tune a few times, Harry leaned his head over against Tonks' and murmured, "I really am sorry, Tonks. The last thing I'd want is to do anything to upset you..."

"I know." Tonks replied in an equally soft voice. "I'm just glad you're safe... Things would be mighty boring without you around, Harry..."

"Well, you'll be happy to know that I have no intention of escaping the planet's gravity and falling off the face of the earth." Harry said, chuckling quietly.

"Good." Tonks said simply. Then, as if to add emphasis, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. "...We should come here to train."

"Yeah... no worries about anyone wandering in." Harry agreed. "...Think we could come up and watch it rain again sometime?"

"Sure." Tonks said.

Harry could almost hear her smile.

Author's Notes: Holy crap, it's finally done! o.o Hopefully you won't have to wait over a month or so before the NEXT chapter, huh? I really, REALLY apologize for being so late with this. There's no real excuse. But between the mouse invasion keeping me awake at night and everything else that's been going on, I just haven't felt like writing at ALL.

But now that they're back at school, things should be much easier. Usually I like writing post-Hogwarts chapters, but, as I've said countless times now, I hate Chamber.

I'm pretty sure I didn't get any info on book 1 wrong, and I went back to scan through the chapters I needed to for reference, so if a tiny bit slipped, I apologize. Already I've gone a different path from the third version of the writer's guide I had jotted up. Originally, as Dumbledore arrived at King's Cross, a frustrated Harry would fracture the magic sealing the barrier. The whole of Chapter 5 was going to be Harry and Leon roaming. And THEN they would fill in Leon on what's been happening. I think Tonks was there in the original, too. But I wanted a cute moment between them when she arrived with the rest of the students. I hope everyone likes Harry's private little tower and the moment between the two.

Yes, Harry knows how he feels about Tonks. Or, at least, he's pretty sure he does. He has a bad tendency to overanalyze things, my version of Harry does.

So...yeah. Next time, a meeting with Malfoy, a class with Lockhart, and the introduction of ickle Luna the Firstie!