What the two women found after breaking in wasn't expected in the least. Harry and a very large woman were in the living room. The other woman was rapidly expanding and blood was starting to leak from anywhere it could escape. Harry was standing, hunched over with one hand clasping his own bloody face, glaring at the woman. It was all too apparent to Andromeda what was going on here. Since Harry didn't have his wand, and this was a truly odd use of magic, anyway, it seemed that wild magic was in effect and Harry only barely was able to focus it.
He didn't seem to notice that his burst of wild magic was shooting out at other things in the room. Most of the liquor bottles that didn't seem to have been thrown had shattered. There was a huge tear in the fabric of the couch, too. Andromeda was quick to draw her wand and stun Harry. It was the only way to stop the wild magic from getting worse. Harry collapsed to the ground and Tonks ran over to him, tears in the corners of her eyes, as Andromeda rushed to the fireplace and called some co-workers of hers at the Ministry.
After that, it was a simple matter of giving Harry the once-over. Andromeda floated Harry into the Dursleys' kitchen, where she set him down on the table. Shooing her daughter off so she could make sure Harry hadn't suffered any serious injuries, Andromeda was more than a little shocked at the condition of Harry's body. It had even more small scars since the last time she had unfortunately had to make sure that he wasn't on the verge of death.
Thankfully, some small cuts aside, the worst of the damage was kept to his nose. It was a pretty bad break, too. Even with magical healing, Harry was going to be feeling that one for awhile. Andromeda was good enough with healing spells that she could at least stop the blood flow and clean him up. From there, it was a simple matter of transporting Harry back to her house. By the time she and Tonks left Number Four, a number of people from various divisions had invaded the house to fix Marge up and wipe her memory.
All the while, Tonks remained as close to Harry as she could, seemingly afraid that if he left her sight again, he would vanish. Or worse.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
"Guh... what the hell hit me? I don't--GAK!"
"You're awake!"
"Let go of him long enough for him to come to his senses, Nymmy."
Harry groaned as Tonks was tugged off of him by her mother. He winced at the sudden intake of light, hissing quietly. "Oh, damn... middle of the day, huh?
Uh... sorry..."
"Oh, don't worry about censoring yourself just now." Andromeda said. "All things considered, I'd be expecting you to say worse. And I'm afraid I'm the one that hit you."
"You? Why?" Harry asked, cracking one eye open again long enough to glance over at the woman. ...Or at least where the blur shaped like Andromeda was. Harry scowled and asked, "And where are my glasses?"
"Here." Andromeda said, handing them to him. As he slipped them on, she explained, "You were in the process of killing that rather large woman. If I hadn't stopped you, she probably would have exploded. Don't think even Dumbledore could help you out if something like that should happen."
"Aunt Marge." Harry said, sounding livid. "It was as much as she deserved."
"Now now, don't be saying things like that." Andromeda said. "Anyway, you're safe again. Your nose is fixed and Dumbledore paid a little visit to your relatives this morning. I hear it was quite the interesting trip."
Harry brought a hand up and rubbed at his nose, frowning. "Stupid, drunken... what happened to Aunt Marge, anyway? Please say she was pushed outside and floated off to parts unknown."
"Sorry. I called some friends at the Ministry to give me a hand after I knocked you out... I'm sorry about that, by the way." Said Andromeda.
"S'alright." Harry said, shaking his head. "M'just glad to be out..."
"I've been holding onto your birthday presents for you, if you hadn't guessed already." Andromeda said, heading for the door. "And now I'd better get some breakfast ready. I'm willing to bet you're hungry."
"...Now that you mention it..." Harry began, frowning as the feeling really caught his attention.
After Andromeda left, Tonks crawled back onto the bed. Harry opened an eye and the two gazed at each other for the longest time. Finally, Harry smiled wanly, holding his arms open. Tonks let out a whimper and threw herself at him, embracing him once again.
"Sorry, Tonks... I don't mean for this stuff to happen." Harry said, sighing.
Tonks pulled back, sitting up on the edge of the bed. She then proceeded to ball up a fist and crack Harry in the arm. As Harry cried out and jerked back, Tonks glared down at him. "I'm going to come over every damn day next summer if that old coot forces you back there! And I'm bringing mum and Leon with me! We aren't gonna let you be alone there anymore. I'm tired of you always arriving all... broken..."
Rubbing at his arm, Harry frowned up at the girl, who was currently hugging herself. Sighing again, Harry pushed himself into a sitting position, wrapping his arms around Tonks and pulling her back into him. "So am I... And I'd love to have people over. With your mother there, they wouldn't dare try anything... ...Hey, wait a minute... That gives me an idea!"
"Eh?"
"Dumbledore says I have to stay at Number Four like a month, right?"
"...Right."
"Did he ever say I can't have house guests? Or...guardians, shall we say?"
"...Ohhh, I see what you're getting at. You think we should demand that Dumbledore let us stay at Number Four next summer?" Tonks asked, turning enough to look into Harry's eyes.
"Exactly!" Harry said, eyes sparkling. "I'm sure they'll put up an almighty protest, but I don't really care. I'm sure Dumbledore would at least grant me some form of protection. And since I can't defend myself, having you and your mother around would definitely help out. We'd have to work out what to do during the day when she's at work, but..."
"You get good ideas in the worst of times, you know that? This one came about a month too late." Tonks said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Harry grumped. "So how long was I out this time?"
"Oh, just a day. Between the stunner and what the mediwitch who dropped by gave to you, it put you out for a bit. How're you feeling?" Tonks said.
"Better than I have in awhile. ...Really hungry, though. Dammit, I was doing fine until she mentioned it." Harry said, pouting.
"Aww, adorable pouting Harry! Oh! Hey, I almost forgot! Guess who sent me a letter the other day?" Tonks began, beaming brightly.
"President of Burundi? OW!" Harry said, dryly. His response was followed by a light swat on the head.
"Leon! He says we're invited over to his place later in the month! Said he really had to convince his mum to let him have friends over, but he managed it somehow. Wonder what kinda place he lives in..."
"I wonder if he has a bed. OW! Dammit, stop that! I'm damaged goods!" Harry said, rubbing at his arm after yet another smack. "You hit me in the same exact place!"
"Well stop being such a smartass!" Tonks said, glaring. "What's got you actin' so snarky, anyway?"
"Having a liquor bottle battle'll do that to a guy." Harry said, scowling.
"All I can imagine is you doing some kind of drunken wobble while trying to stun someone." Tonks said, shaking her head.
"So help me, if you start calling me Drunken Master or something..."
Tonks smirked. "You'll do what?" She hopped up from her spot on the bed and spun around, leaning over slightly. "Wobble after me? Hiccup me to death?"
"Recovering or not, I'm not gonna take this lying down!" Harry said, throwing back the covers and hopping out of bed. "Come here!"
Tonks let out a squawk and ran out the door, turning to grin over her shoulder at Harry, who was right behind her. "Can't catch me!" She called, letting out a giggle and zipping towards the nearby stairs. Harry glared, but took off in hot pursuit of his friend. He was glad he had, too, for a moment later and he was having to grab Tonks' arms, tugging sharply to keep her from falling down the stairs. She had tripped up a few steps away, tumbled forward, arms flailing. Harry had caught up in that moment and prevented what might have been a deadly moment.
Unfortunately, Harry had put far too much pull into his tug. The result of this, of course, was that Harry wound up laying flat on his back on the floor, acting as an airbag for a falling Tonks. His ribs didn't much appreciate getting landed on, but Harry didn't mind. Better falling on him than down the stairs.
"Sorry." Tonks mumbled as she scooted off of him. "You alright?"
Rubbing his chest as he sat up, Harry nodded. "Been through much worse. This is nothing. How about you? What tripped you up?"
Sighing, Tonks sat at the edge of the stairs, glaring down them. "Oh, it's just been happening a lot more lately. Used to, I was good at not being clumsy. Dunno what's wrong with me these days."
Moving next to her, Harry slipped an arm around her shoulders. "Well, I'd say something, but I've taken enough bodily harm for one week, thank you."
"You always gonna be there for me if I fall?" Tonks asked, tilting her head to smile at Harry.
"As long as I don't have to be a glorified airbag? Then yeah, you can count on it." Harry said, smiling back.
"Aw, no more Pillow-Harry? But you're all squishy." Tonks said, poking Harry in the stomach. She then took up a snobbish accent and continued, "And lo, our hero did get big and puffy and he ate many pies..."
"Hey, shut up! I'm not puffy. I just haven't gotten much exercise, that's all. And it isn't like I've been stuffing my face. I'll probably be a bit puffy once I head off for Hogwarts, though. Magic or not, your mum's a good cook." Harry said.
And, as if on cue, Andromeda walked out from the kitchen at that moment. Noticing the two sitting at the top of the stairs, she asked, "Are you two ready to eat?"
"Now there's a silly question." Harry said, grinning as he stood. "I could eat a bloody horse at this point."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
"Hey, Leon!"
"Hello. Where's Harry, then?"
Tonks dusted herself off and hopped out of the large fireplace, stepping to one side and grinning over at Solieyu. "He'll be crashing along shortly."
And crash Harry did. Moments later, he hurled out of the fireplace, landing face down with a groan. Sitting back up on his legs, he brushed soot away from his eyes and coughed out a small cloud of the stuff. "I HATE floo travel!" He declared.
It had been almost a week since Harry's escape from Number Four, and he was back to feeling like his normal self again. Tonks had written to Solieyu and they had set up a time for their visit, which Solieyu claimed could last until a week or so before they had to go back to school. Harry had protested the means of getting to his house, but it was too long a drive for Andromeda to reconsider.
Harry had been quite amused with his presents that year, once he actually remembered he hadn't yet opened them. The Weasleys had all chipped in to set him up with an utterly massive selection of candies. The twins had thrown in a few custom items, too, claiming that they had a special project in the works and they needed as many testers as they could get.
Tonks and Andromeda had given him a good half dozen books, covering everything from magical theory to spell creation to rare monsters and where to find them. Tonks had then complained that Harry wouldn't want to do anything but read for the rest of the break. Harry had to promise numerous times that the reading would wait until slow moments at school.
Solieyu had sent him something interesting - magical contacts. A small container with a dozen daily lenses in a variety of colors. Harry had tried out a pair right away and found them to be almost as good as his glasses. Things were a little blurry with them, though, which Harry figured was simply due to them being a generic brand. Tonks had laughed herself silly watching him trying to get them on and off his eyes, though, as he had a rather difficult time with it. He had decided to save the others for special occasions. One of the remaining pairs would be put to use during Quidditch practice, for instance. If he didn't have to have his glasses on while flying around, he wouldn't have to worry about them falling off... or getting knocked off by some underhanded Slytherins.
"Oh, dear, are you alright?" Asked Solieyu's mother, coming over and helping Harry to his feet. After checking him over, she spelled the remaining soot off of both of the new arrivals. "It's nice to finally meet the two of you. Solieyu has told me a lot of... interesting things about you two."
"Should we be worried, Leon?" Tonks asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, not too much. I'm sure she'll only try attacking you in your sleep once or twice." Solieyu replied, keeping his face straight until Tonks' jaw dropped.
"Harry, if I'm not mistaken, I think our Leon just made a joke." Tonks said, in a stage whisper, over to Harry.
"I hope it was a joke." Harry replied.
Maria cast a look at her son over her shoulder. "Pay no mind to him, you two. He's been cranky the last few days."
Harry shot Solieyu a look as well at that point. "Has he, now? Any particular reason for it?"
"Oh, just anxiety, I suppose." Maria said, turning to head off into the kitchen. "It's the first time he's had friends over in years. Now then, I should go get lunch started if it's going to be ready on time!"
Watching as his mother left, Solieyu smiled at Harry, leaned in, and whispered, "If you hadn't noticed, tonight's the first night of the full moon. I'll prove that your theory is wrong."
Harry blinked. "It can't be wrong." He grumbled. "Too many coincidences."
"Werewolves aren't the only things capable of transforming." Solieyu said, cryptically. And then, in a louder voice, he continued, "Anyway, it's good to see you both again. How was your summer, Harry? Better than the last, I hope."
Harry and Tonks exchanged a look. "Well... not really. I kind of nearly killed my psychotic, alcoholic Aunt Marge after she tried clubbing me to death with liquor."
"...Beg pardon?"
As Solieyu led the two to the nearby couch, Harry and Tonks went about filling their friend in on what had been happening. He seemed rather shocked, shaking his head as they finished their tale. "It seems that in addition to something odd happening to you in school every year, something odd happens to you at home, as well." He said.
"Odd doesn't even begin to describe it." Harry said, shaking his head as well. "It was completely insane. I don't really have any memory of the minutes before I was stunned, though. I think my magic kicked in by itself to keep me alive. I don't want anything like that to happen again, though..."
"I can imagine. Wild magic can be quite dangerous." Solieyu said, nodding. "You're lucky Tonks and her mother arrived when they did."
"He's always lucky when I show up, though. Right, Harry?" Tonks said, growing her eyelashes out to ridiculous proportions and batting them at Harry, who laughed. Solieyu rolled his eyes.
"Oh, and before I forget," He added. "There's a repelling charm around the house. Keeps the Muggles away and tends to distract the odd squib or two, as well. Just for the record."
Harry scowled. "Repelling charms. I assume the reason you have one up is because of this mystery non-werewolf condition of yours?"
"Well, that and we like enjoying peaceful summers. There are a disturbing amount of door-to-door salesmen around this area." Solieyu said.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
"I notice you've been keeping us from the windows." Harry commented a few hours later, after the sun had set. "Any particular reason for that?"
Rolling his eyes, Solieyu replied, "I suppose you won't stop fidgetting until after I show you why?"
"Mmhmm."
"Right, then. Mother, we're going on out." Solieyu said, looking across the room to Maria, who nodded in reply, her nose in a book.
"We need to stick close to the house due to the charms, but there's a fair amount of room to move, so it shouldn't be a problem." Solieyu said, leading Harry and Tonks toward and out the front door. Taking them around to the back of the house, Solieyu pointed up. Harry and Tonks looked to the skies and were greeted with the sight of a meteor shower, backlit by the full moon.
While Tonks oohed at the lightshow, Harry jerked his gaze from the moon to Solieyu, who smiled in silent reply. A muscle in Harry's neck began to twitch. Unless they somehow charmed a barrier over their house to trick them, Harry's brilliant theory had been firmly shot down. And Harry didn't think Solieyu and his mother were the type to go that far just to trick someone.
"Remember what you said." Harry scowled, leaning against the house. "Halloween."
"I'm aware of what I promised." Solieyu said. "I keep my word. I just figured you'd rather work this out on your own rather than get told outright."
"Well, you're right. I hate not being able to solve a problem." Harry said.
"Problem, hm?"
"You know what I meant."
"I'm sure I did." Solieyu said, leaning back against the house as well and turning his gaze skyward. "Evening entertainment plus an easy way to prove you wrong all in one."
"Oh, shut up."
Tonks bounded over, leaning in close and peering at Harry. "Oi, now don't you go brooding on me, Harry Potter! Or else!"
"Or else?" Harry repeated, blandly. "Or else what?"
"Um... I dunno. Haven't thought that far ahead. But I'll consult Fred and George if I have to!"
"You wouldn't dare." Harry said, narrowing his eyes.
"I'd listen to her." Solieyu commented. "She'll do it."
"Hey, stop ganging up against me." Harry said, crossing his arms. "It's not fair."
"You started it, Emo McPoutypants." Tonks said.
"Hmph."
"I do believe you've insulted him." Solieyu chimed in.
"I do believe I have. Oh well. I know how to cheer him up again!" Tonks said, smiling sweetly.
"Would I need to vacate the area for it?" Solieyu asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Leon!" Tonks and Harry cried at the same time, both blushing.
Chuckling, Solieyu glanced at the sky briefly before smiling. "It's almost over. I'm heading back in. If you two are out here for longer than half an hour, I'm sending mother out to tote you inside."
"Eww, no one wants to be found snogging by their friend's mum." Tonks said.
"I agree. Alright, we'll all go in, then. And then I'll stay awake all night, trying to figure out what the hell you are, Leon." Harry said, swatting Solieyu in the arm as the three took off walking again.
"And good luck to you." Said Solieyu, smirking. "...Be glad I'm too tired to think of a way to infer that your staying up all night would be due to Tonks' assistance."
"LEON!" Cried Harry and Tonks again. And, after getting over the initial shock, (not to mention the blushing and embarassment) Harry and Tonks eyeballed Solieyu, who backed up nervously.
"Uh-oh." He said, looking from Harry to Tonks and back again. "What do you two have planned?"
"Oh, nothing..." Harry said, grinning as he stalked closer.
Next to him, Tonks added, "Just remember - we started The List. Fred and George aren't the only ones at Hogwarts to be afraid of."
"...I'll just be heading back in now, if you two don't mind!" Said Solieyu, quickly as he could get it out. He then whirled around and took off running. Harry and Tonks bolted after him.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Author's Notes: Yeah, I know this is late. Kinda. But I also said I wasn't gonna start book 3 until October started, so you can't complain. Nyeh. o.-
My birthday was on the second. It had to've been the single worst day I've had in the whole of 2005. I'm totally not stretching the truth there. I had an absolutely nightmarish day. Screaming and fighting was involved, I ran my dad (who was up visiting from Texas for the weekend) off less than a half hour after he arrived again (he's at a motel for the nights for some reason. Normally he sleeps out on the couch while he's visiting). Mainly because I claimed he was siding with my annoying mother. I swear, if I don't get outta this house soon, I'm going to lose what's left of my sanity. If that happens, Emo McPoutypants will become permanent for books 6 and 7. x.x I'm seriously not in any kinda good mood right now. It's a miracle I'm updating. You can thank Initial D's Eurobeat music (4th Stage, Selection 2) for making me feel a little better.
Chapter 4 might not be out for awhile. Just giving y'all the heads up. I'll try and write 5kb every few days or so, though. Rarely do I ever sit down and power out entire chapters in a single sitting. Got two games right now - both fun, even if Advance Wars Dual Strike is frustratingly hard. I'll be getting two more on the 4th and then a fifth will arrive whenever the place I'm ordering from gets it in. S'an import.
Anyway! Enough boring crap about me that doesn't matter - Now you know what happened with poor Harry and the space cow. Er... Aunt Marge. More Toppling Tonks and Harry's seemingly-airtight theory broken right in front of him!
I know not a whole lot happened in this chapter, but that's fine. Early chapters are rarely action-packed. Besides, it's all building to Chapter 5, anyways. And I do apologize for the weak ending to the chapter. I'm actually feeling kinda bleh as I write this (the last little section of the chapter, which was all I needed TO write to put it up... I'm writing this at 2:50AM on October 2nd, by the way) due to lack of sleep lately.
Post-edit update: Actually, I changed the second part of my notes to reflect how my birthday went. Originally I finished the chapter on the 1st and intended to update that night, so it looked a bit differently then. Anyway... I don't have chapter 4 started yet, and I think I'm gonna combine my ideas for chapters 4 and 5 into one because I don't think I can stretch them both out to average chapter length. I'm wanting to get the Halloween chapter for book 3 up before the REAL Halloween rolls around, but... I'd really have to struggle for that.
I'm sorry to say that due to what happened on the 2nd, I'm feeling more than a little bleh and uninspired. I don't want any sympathy - just normal reviews. I just felt I should explain why the next chapter might not be out for a bit. Here's to hoping I don't find a way to move out before the next chapter's done. Unlikely, but still... You never know. Again, I'm sorry for the lateness of this chapter and the next one in advance. Writer's block combined with having NO regularly-updating over-60,000-word Potterfics to read to get MY creative juices flowing's just... hell. Bleh. I'm gonna go to bed now...