Chapter Four
Irresistible Charms

As the next couple months dragged by, Harry began to realize just exactly how much work being an auror was, and exactly how difficult and sometimes dull it could get. For not only did they have to study out of books, but they also had to be able to do complicated spells and potions in front of the entire group of trainees, which seemed to grow immensely when more than one group of 'students' trained together, which was happening more and more frequently as the weeks rolled on by. And also, to Harry and Ron's and everyone else's dismay, there was plenty of paperwork for all of the trainees to be done in their free time.

There had been a great fuss for some time in the Ministry of Magic after Harry had found the lost book of Godric Gryffindor, as it was now called. But it was now settling down for the holidays, as Christmas was quickly approaching.

"Now it seems as if I cannot do anything useful," Harry muttered to himself as he paused in writing on his weekly paper.

This time he was writing about how, with any charm or spell, if applied incorrectly, could go terribly wrong. Harry and Ron had found, soon after the lessons had begun, that these teachers, who were really aurors, held no whim against giving long and difficult assignments, many of which were a nuisance at times because of the ridiculous amounts of work which they required.

"I just wish that I could be doing something useful, for once. Yes, I know they say that if I know the basics, then soon I will know the difficult things as well. But I thought that what we had learned at Hogwarts would be basics enough, but apparently that is less than basic. And I have just three years to learn all this, while at Hogwarts, we went for seven."

"If only I had been allowed to look at the book I had found," Harry snorted disgustedly. "Then maybe it would be a bit more interesting around here."

"Is everything alright Harry?" he looked up, and groaned inwardly to himself. "How much of his opinions had she overheard? Was she going to get mad at him for saying all of that?" Suddenly a new thought popped into his mind. A totally foreign one, a thought that was still his very own thought, no matter how much it seemed otherwise. "Would she consider going out with me?"

Harry gave a double take at that last thought, wondering where it had come from. He really needed to go over his priorities, if it was truly possible that he had just realized that he fancied someone.

Suddenly he realized that she was standing there in front of him, waiting patiently for his answer.

"Oh, yes, yes, I am just fine," Harry heard himself stammer, all the while bemoaning the fact that he was blushing a bright rosy red…

"Are you sure Harry? You looked a bit peaked. Is there anything that I could do for you?"

Numbly, Harry shook his head negatively.

"No-o I am fine." He stammered out, flushing even more to his embarrassment.

"Ok then Harry." She started to walk off again, before pausing and turning around. "And Harry? You will be allowed to seethe book really soon. After Christmas in fact."

"Hey Tonks… would you want to…"

"Yes Harry? Is there anything that I could do for you?"

Harry took a deep breath before willing himself to continue.

"It's now or never." He thought franticly to himself before continuing with his request.

"Tonks? Would you want to go out with me? Anywhere you want…"

She looked startled at first. And then she looked a bit sad.

Quietly, she spoke.

The one word that he had been secretly dreading.

"No. I'm sorry Harry. I just can not."

"Maybe another time?" Harry practically begged.

"I'm sorry Harry, I just cannot do it… ever."

Without another word, Nymphadora Tonks left, leaving behind a much-disheartened Harry Potter.

And without another word, Harry turned back to his paper. Although he only had another five inches to write, he suddenly found that he did not have the heart to finish it… at least not that day.

"Besides," Harry silently told himself, "There is always the weekend. I can finish it then."

Although it was only six thirty in the evening, Harry decided that he could not stand being awake any longer. A hot shower and then his bed were just what he needed right now, he decided to himself as he slowly cleaned up his parchment, quills and books and apparated back to the flat he shared with Ron. Yes, that was exactly what he needed.