Chapter 20

Harry walked into his Defense Against the Dark Arts class with 2 minutes to spare. He quickly told Ron and Hermione what happened in Snape's class.

Hermione gaped at Harry. "Harry! You shouldn't talk like that to a teacher! I know he doesn't like you all that much, but he is still a part of this staff, and he should be treated-"

"Oh come off it Hermione! He's a great git, and you know it!" Ron interrupted

Hermione muttered something incoherent and opened her book. Harry and Ron continued talking about what a prat Snape was until Tonks walked in. The class immediately stopped talking and turned their attention to the new teacher. Tonks looked around, and seemed puzzled, as though she didn't know why all these school children were paying attention to her.

"Is there something on my face?" she asked, still thoroughly puzzled.

The truth was everyone was staring at her because currently her hair was short, spiked, and bright blue. Tonks still was looking around for someone to answer her question, but no one did.

"And I thought they were supposed to be smart at this school," she commented wryly.

Someone spoke up in the front, "Your hair ma'am?"

Realization dawned on her face, and then she screwed up her face. A few seconds later, her curly, long hair was back, but this time it was brown. The class just gaped more openly at her.

Tonks chuckled. "I can change my appearance at will. Suppose I forgot to mention that did I? Well, let's get started rather than you all gaping at me all day, you're starting to make me blush you know."

The class chuckled and loosened up a bit, now that they saw that their female Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would obviously not be like their last one. The class proceeded with Tonks explaining what they would be doing this semester. As she finished outlining the course, she began the real lesson.

"Now, I know this is advanced, but this is an important piece of magic, that you should all know, due to current events," she began. "We will work for however long as necessary for you all to work out this bit of magic, as this is incredibly advanced for your grade. We will start work on Patronus'."

Harry, Ron, Hermione and a few others in the room smiled.

"For those of you who do not know, a Patronus is basically a way to ward off Dementors. Again, it's very difficult, and I don't expect you to get it right away, although I know some of you have practiced," she continued, her eyes twinkling in Harry's direction.

The rest of the class was teaching everyone how to correctly say the incantation, and what to think of while saying it, and demonstrations from Tonks, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Everyone groaned when class was over and they filed out of the class, but they all started talking excitedly with their friends. Harry once again was almost out the door when Tonks called him back.

"Harry, can you stay for a moment?"

Harry told Ron and Hermione to go on, and went to Tonks. She waited for the last student to leave and turned to Harry.

"How are you Harry, alright there?" she asked, a look that was desperately trying to be nonchalant, but Harry could tell she was very concerned for his well being.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I really am," Harry replied, giving a smile to convince her.

"Well, now isn't the best time to discuss it, but I do have to discuss something with you, so do you think you could come by the office after dinner?"

"Of course Professor."

"Excellent, thank you Harry. Here's a late slip, sorry to tie you up."

Harry walked to his next class, wondering what Tonks could possibly want to tell him.

The day flew by, and soon it was dinner. Harry quickly scarfed down his food, and went to Tonks' office. He knocked on the door and heard her voice, "Come in."

Harry pushed open the door and entered the office, which currently had a few pictures and books, but several unpacked boxes in it. One big surprise was the fact that Lupin was there with Tonks. He nodded at Harry as he entered.

"Hello Professors."

"Sorry for the mess," she said, with a sheepish smile.

"No problem at all," Harry replied, smiling back. "So what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Well, Harry, it's about," Tonks' smile slid off his face and he took a deep breath. "Sirius."

Harry felt his stomach give a great lurch, and he felt as he was going to be sick. He cleared his throat and asked in a deep voice, quite unlike his own, "What about Siri-him?"

She sighed and began to talk again. "Well, as you know, he owned Grimmauld Place, but as you may not know, he had a will. It just so happens that he left everything to you. You now own the estate, and the order would like your permission to continue to stay there, seeing how it's yours now."

Harry was still stupefied by the fact that Sirius had left everything to him. Somehow, he found his voice to reply. "Of course you can!"

She looked very relieved. "Thanks Harry." Harry nodded, still processing his newly aquired house. Lupin cleared his throat and waited as Tonks left the office, patting Harry on the back as she left.

"Harry, just so you know, Sirius also passed on Godfathership to me in his will. That is, if you'll accept me."

Harry mulled this fact over. "I'd be glad to have you as a Godfather, but everyone I care about gets hurt," Harry confessed his worries.

Lupin's face softened. "Harry I would die for you. You know that."

"That's what I'm concerned about," he stated truthfully.

"I'm not going anywhere Harry. I promise."

Harry emerged from the office a few minutes later, and started heading towards the common room. The small ray of hope that had appeared when Mrs. Black said it wasn't his fault, got bigger as he realized that he now had a guardian besides the horrible Dursleys. It dampened slightly as Harry thought about how everyone he cared about always got killed or hurt. He thought about what he would do if Ginny, Ron, Hermione, or Lupin was ever killed. He didn't think he could handle anything happen to them.

'Then I'll just never let anything happen to them' he thought to himself fiercely as he climbed through the portrait hole.