They arrived back at Privet Drive that night and unloaded all of the purchases into Harry's wardrobe and threw all of his old clothes into a garbage bag and left them in front of Dudley's door. That took most of the early evening to complete. They were quite hungry after the full day of shopping and only having lunch so Tonks transfigured a small table and then apparated to Grimmauld Place to snag some food that Molly cooked.
She arrived back 10 minutes later with Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, and some pie for dessert. "Molly wasn't very happy about parting with some of this food either." Tonks told him after spreading out the meal on the table. "In the end I played on the fact that she wouldn't dare deny you enough food to eat after seeing how skinny you are when returning from the Dursley's. Guilt trips always work on mother figures." She finished with a grin which Harry retuned. He knew that despite Mrs. Weasley being mad right now it did not interfere with her maternal instincts.
"What's the plan for tomorrow Tonks?"
"Not much planned actually. I was kind of hoping to start off using the pensieve for a little bit. I don't want to try to go through all of the memories in one day. I think it would be easier on both of us if we did this a little at a time." She was trying to get a feel for how Harry would act when sharing his memories.
Harry was silent for a few minutes. He did not enjoy the thought of sharing his memories of growing up in Surrey nor his adventures at Hogwarts. He knew that she was just curious and was trying to get to know him better before the wedding, but that did not make the thought of sharing his worst memories any easier.
"Are you going to show me any of your memories too?" He asked.
"Of course I am. I'm not doing this to pry into your life. We don't have a lot of time before the wedding and it will make it easier on both of us to share some of the key points in our pasts to let each other know more about our character."
"You do realize that you probably won't want to see most of my memories, don't you?"
"I think I will be willing to see anything you are willing to share. Your worst memories shape you into the person you are more than the good memories do. I understand that you may not want to show me everything but I am more than willing to see everything that you wish me to see."
"How about tomorrow we start off with everything leading up to Hogwarts for you and up to the beginning of my seventh year for me? That will put us up to the same year and then we can go from there."
"That should be ok Tonks. I think I should also make a trip back to London tomorrow. Now that I have all of the clothes I will ever need it is about time to replace my glasses. I haven't had a new pair since I was 8."
"Sounds good to me. I'm going to go get changed for bed. You probably should too while I am gone."
Harry finished getting out of his clothes and ready for bed. He almost wished that Tonks would climb into bed with him again. Its not that he was in a hurry to test out the information Remus gave him but he felt comfortable sleeping next to Tonks. Despite the fact that she told him he had a nightmare the night before he never recalled sleeping better nor did he recall the nightmare.
He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't notice Tonks come back into the room. He also did not see her grab her wand and vanish her bed. The only reason he realized that she was back in the room is that his bed seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. It was about the size of a queen sized bed and took up most of the room where Tonks bed had been before. Only then did Tonks put her wand away and walked towards the bed.
"I figured that it worked out ok last night so we might as well give it a try again. This time with both of us being aware of the situation. It should also be a bit better since we will both fit in the bed now. It was a bit cramped in their last night."
Harry didn't say anything in response instead he just moved over to one side of the bed and allowed Tonks to crawl into the other. He had been wanting her to sleep with him anyways.
Tonks crawled into the bed glad that he had not objected. She was trying to take small steps in bringing them together. Sure they had talked and they were going to start sharing memories with each other the following day but that wasn't everything in a relationship. There was also the physical part.
She wasn't trying to be forward, just moving that aspect along a little bit as they go. She was nervous about pushing too hard too fast and in turn pushing him away. She decided to try one more thing before going to sleep that night.
She rolled over so that she was facing him in bed and leaned in close and gave him a tiny and chaste kiss on the lips. "Goodnight Harry."
Snapping out of the trance the kiss had temporarily left him in he responded in kind and turned to go to sleep.
Tonks woke up first the next morning and noticed that they had shifted positions during the night. Harry was spooning her from behind and had his arm draped over her. The arm was not what caught her attention. It was where his hand was. She knew that he was asleep and probably had not idea that he had a firm grip on her left breast but she smiled despite herself. She knew that he would be beyond embarrassed when he woke up.
Surprisingly she did not mind the fact that Harry's hand had ended up there. No other man had ever touched her there. A few had tried but never got anything more that a slap. She didn't know if it was Harry's innocence that caused her not to care or the fact that she knew that it was going to happen sooner or later anyways. Either way she found it didn't bother her and settled back in and fell back asleep.
Harry woke up about 45 minutes later. He remembered going to sleep next to Tonks the night before, but not in that position. He felt something soft yet firm in his hand and judging by the position he woke up in he had a pretty good idea of what it was and quickly removed his hand. He was glad Tonks was still asleep and had not noticed it. He wasn't sure he wanted to witness her reaction.
"Got enough of a feel then, Harry?" She asked sleepily causing Harry to freeze. She apparently hadn't been as asleep as she appeared to have been.
"I…I…uh….It was an accident Tonks. I didn't me-"
"It's alright Harry, relax. I know that you didn't do it on purpose. I was just joking with you. You need to loosen up a bit."
"I'm sure that it was the first time you have been in that position, but it was the first time I have as well. I knew there was a possibility of that happening when I got into this bed last night. I'm sure that it won't be the only time it happens either. We had this conversation yesterday if memory serves. If we want to have as normal a relationship as possible it will happen." She said all of this without turning over to face him. She knew that it would only embarrass him further. "Now go back to sleep. Its only 5:30 in the morning. I don't do early mornings."
She fell silent and went back to sleep leaving Harry to try and go back sleep by himself. He finally fell back asleep at 6:15. Neither of them woke up again before 10:00 that day and only then because they were interrupted.
The Dursley's were informed that their nephew had returned and that he had someone staying with him. They were visited by some man that almost looked ancient. It was a miracle he was still walking. He came to their house the day before and demanded that he be allowed in to speak with them. Petunia was the only one to recognize him. She knew that he was the one she had made deal with by taking in her nephew all those years ago. She also knew that she had never seen him as angry as he was at that point.
Once he was inside they proceeded to the kitchen to have their little talk. The old man never once gave his name and even Vernon held his tongue as he saw the old man draw his wand. He made some gestures with his wand and none of them were able to move or speak. He proceeded to berate them for how they had treated Harry and that if things did not change then he would ensure that the proper 'muggle' authorities were notified. Only after his rant did he release Petunia from the binds long enough to get her to agree to his demands.
He informed them that Harry was to not be mistreated in any way, verbal or physical. He was to be treated with the same respect as any other member of the family. And finally that Harry would have a guest staying with him to make sure that they were 'kept in line.' He told Petunia that she really had no choice in the matter and if she did not accept then the muggle police and social services would be notified and the proper evidence turned over to them. He also informed her that the binds holding her husband and son would wear off in 5 hours. He told her that their confinement was only fitting after stuffing Harry in a cupboard for all of those years and that they should count themselves lucky that he didn't stuff them in there and padlock the door until the charms wore off.
The Dursley's wanted to ignore this threat like the last but it hit way to close to home. They knew that if they ignored this one then all of the neighbors would find about how they treated their nephew. Not to mention what the neighbors would think about them with all of the cop cars coming there and more than likely a bunch of freaks too.
Just because they were forced to treat the 'freak' better didn't mean that they still couldn't force him to do chores. So that morning Petunia sent her Dudders up to wake up the freak regardless of what his guest might think.
Dudley was never one to miss out on taunting and tormenting his abnormal cousin. He thundered up the stairs and threw open his cousin's door and yelled for him to get his lazy arse out of bed.
Once he was inside of the room and took a look around he noticed all of the 'girly' stuff sitting in the open wardrobe next to his cousins'. The next thing he noticed was the huge bed in the middle of the room and the bright pink hair next to his cousin as both his cousin and the owner of the pink hair woke up and turned to face him.
Gaping like a fish he turned tail and ran out of the room and straight to the kitchen. "MUM! Mum Harry has a girl sleeping in his bed with him."
She turned about to respond when Harry and Tonks arrived in the kitchen. Harry had thrown a shirt and a pair of shorts and Tonks had taken one of his pairs of shorts too. They were both still mostly asleep and couldn't care less about what the Dursley's thought of them, but they knew that Dumbledore had sent obliviators over to the house and therefore they needed to explain Tonks' presence.
"What is the meaning of this? The old man said that you had a guest that was staying with you but this is hardly what he led us to believe. He said that you were a fully trained you-know-what. What do you two think you were doing sleeping together under this roof? What would the neighbors think? Ungrateful little brat. Always out to ruin our good name."
"We may have to treat you nicer but that doesn't mean that you can go sleeping around with older women. If the neighbors found out about this we would never be able to look them in the eye again. Not to mention the pink hair. What in god's name made you come into our house with PINK hair?"
After her initial encounter with the Dursley's she was a bit more prepared for the way they acted. She was still a bit surprised at the fact that their attitude hadn't changed much after their encounter with the Headmaster but figured some people never learn.
"Would green be a better color." She responded and concentrated on turning her hair the same color as Harry's eyes. "Or maybe the same shade of purple I saw the fat man change to the other day." Again she concentrated on changing her hair. She knew she shouldn't goad them anymore than was necessary. At least not when Harry was around. She planned on hexing the pretty good when she had the chance.
Harry for his part was trying not to laugh at the disbelieving look on his aunt's face. He wished that Tonks wouldn't push them but he couldn't help but be amused as he watched his aunt's face while Tonks changed her hair color at will.
"I hadn't planned on telling you this yet but as whale boy over here" gesturing over his shoulder at Dudley, "doesn't know how to knock before entering a room I guess it is now necessary."
"This" Harry started as he put his arm around Tonks and giving her a quick kiss on the lips, "is my fiancé. Her name is Tonks. You do not need any more information than that. As I am sure Dumbledore told you people yesterday, she is a fully trained witch and can use magic at her discretion. Now what is it that was so important that you had to come barging in on us?"
"Just because we have to be nice to you doesn't mean that you won't still have to pull your weight around here. You will still be responsible for all of your chores. Don't think that you have heard the last about having this 'woman' staying here either."
Instead of his patented monotone 'Yes, Aunt Petunia.' Reply that she had expected he sneered at her. He actually sneered at her. Just more proof that he is completely ungrateful for the fact that they took him in instead of shipping him off to the orphanage like Vernon wanted her to.
"I will start doing my chores again when whale boy over there starts to pull his own weight. I have done everything for you people. For as long as I can remember, I have been your own personal slave. I have cooked every meal here since I was old enough to reach the counter; I have cleaned the house all day long during the summer to have you claim the credit for it whenever somebody comes over for a visit. I have painted the house and fence and taken care of the garden and mowed the lawn. I have done all of this why you and you fat arse son have sat inside watching T.V. and spying on the neighbors."
"I am not going to do one more chore around her until Dudley gets off his lazy arse and does his fair share around here."
"How dare you even talk to me that way, boy? We took you in as a baby and raised you. We fed and clothed you and gave you an education. The least you could do is help out around the house."
"Is that so Aunt Petunia? I seem to recall the meals as being whatever was left over after you, Uncle Vernon, and Dudley finished eating. My clothes that you 'bought' me were nothing more than what ever clothes Dudley could no longer wear after he moved up another size. I didn't have one nice set of clothes that actually fit me until yesterday. And as far as raising me is concerned, do you call it raising a child by forcing him to be a slave at home. A punching bag for Dudley and his gang at school and at the park. Something for Uncle Vernon to take his anger out on whenever he had a bad day. Never telling me anything about my parents except they died in a car crash and forbidding me to ask about them.
Never having any birthday or Christmas presents. Not even knowing when my birthday was until I was 7 years old. Shipping me off to Mrs. Figg's house whenever you went somewhere. Telling all of the neighbors that I am an incurable criminal that goes to Saint Brutus'. Not to mention never actually giving a damn about my health. What about the time that Dudley broke my arm with the fire poker? I seem to recall being locked in the cupboard after that incident for a full day before I was taken to the hospital. How about the bars on my window? How much more do you want me to point out here?"
Aunt Petunia was more than angry. He turned everything around to make it sound worse than it really was. No wonder that old man looked so mad yesterday. She looked at him coldly. "You wait until your Uncle gets home tonight. I guarantee you that he will sort you out. And as far as your 'marriage' is concerned, it will never happen. We will never sign the papers."
"Sorry to interrupt Mrs. Dursley." Tonks had stayed silent so far. She was too engrossed in the current situation to talk. Unknowingly Harry had pretty much just told her all about his childhood. It may not have been in the most 'ideal' situation but maybe it is better this way. He said it in a fit of anger directed at his aunt and now he won't have to go through that part of his life with her in the pensieve. That is unless there is more to the situation than she already found out. "But Harry will be getting married with or without your consent. I would think that you would be happy to sign the papers. Signing them would mean that he is out of your hair forever. Apparently you people are more despicable than I thought. You would not sign the papers just because it would make him happy. That's it isn't it? That's why you won't sign them?
I assure you that after he turns 16 in the Wizarding world he no longer needs your permission. I will also warn you that if you or anyone else in your family comes within 20 feet of Harry or myself while we are staying here; I will not hesitate to hex you. We will stay away from you. In fact you won't even know that we are here but you will keep your distance too if you know what is good for you. After his birthday we will be leaving this place and you will never see us again. However much I despise all of you right now, I feel it is also important to inform you that while you have been abusing your nephew he has been keeping you alive.
I'm sure by now you know that Voldemort has returned. I know the Headmaster informed you of the significance of this once before. While Harry stays in this house there are protective wards in place. Once he leaves the protection will fall. It will leave you open to attack by Voldemort and his followers. I for one would not be totally saddened by the thought that you will be left vulnerable. Had you treated Harry better he may have been willing to help protect you after he left. As it stands now, I would not object in the least to him just walking away and leaving you unprotected. We shall see what comes to pass in less than a month. Your behavior in this time may decide whether or not you all live to see another year." With that she put her arm around Harry's shoulder and led him out of the room.
"I guess now you know most of what I went through growing up. I'm sorry you had to see that, but thank you for standing up to her." Tonks was trying to think of someway to make the mood a bit brighter and get away from depressing talk but figured that it would be best to get this short discussion out of the way first.
"You have nothing to be sorry for Harry. It is your family that needs to be sorry. I think I understand a bit more about you now that I know what you have to go through being stuck here year after year."
"Yeah." He was thinking along the same lines as Tonks was earlier. He really had nothing else to show her from his early childhood years. He summarized his life with the Dursley's during that conversation downstairs. "I guess we can skip the pensieve session this morning. I have nothing to add about my pre-Hogwarts time to what you already know."
"Are you still wanting to go into London to get your eyes checked today?" Tonks asked.
Harry brightened up at the thought of getting out of the house for a while. "Yeah…..Tonks?"
"Yes, Harry."
"Do you mind if Remus comes with me today. I haven't had a chance to talk to him in a while. Its not that I don't enjoy your company but I probably won't be seeing much of him for a while and I will get to spend everyday with you."
"That's ok Harry. I understand. As soon as I finish getting ready I will go and get Remus at headquarters and bring him back here while you get ready. Ok?"
"That'd be great Tonks, thanks."
Tonks gathered up her clothes and headed to the bathroom. "You know that if you ever want to talk about what happened this morning, I'll be there to listen. Just so you know." Harry nodded in response and waited for his turn in the bathroom.
Harry did want to talk to Remus but not for the reasons he told Tonks. He saw the way Tonks reacted yesterday when the shop girl was eyeing him. He was able to tell what it was she was wanting. She wanted to be able to show people that she was his and vice versa. He had told his friends the night they all found out about this that he planned on getting her a ring and proposing to her in as romantic a way as possible given their current situation.
He wanted to get out and get a ring for her but he really couldn't do that with her right there. He hoped he hadn't hurt her feelings by asking to go with Remus but he really didn't have a choice. He knew that getting his eyes checked would not take long but getting the glasses made would take a bit of time. He planned on making the most of it and getting Remus' help to choose a ring and some other things.
Tonks finished in the shower and it was Harry's turn. He got in and cleaned up and by the time he returned to their room Remus' was already there. He caught himself already considering it 'their' room and not 'his' room.
"Hey Remus. Where's Tonks?"
"She said that you wanted my help to go into London today for glasses and that you wanted to talk to me. She figured she may as well hang around HQ while we were gone since she would be all alone here. I can't say that I blame her."
"Are you ready to go then? I do want to get my eyes checked but I also wanted to do a few other things while I was out today. Things that I couldn't do if Tonks were there."
"Sure thing Harry." Both of them set off to Mrs. Figg's and floo'd to London.
They decided to start the trip in muggle London getting Harry's eyes checked. They hailed a cab and asked them to take them to the nearest eye doctor. It was in a muggle mall. It was a place called "Lens Crafters." They promised to have the glasses ready in an hour. While Harry did not need them that fast it was good to know that they would be finished that day.
After the eye appointment which proved that Harry's eyesight had indeed worsened a lot and he needed new glasses they proceeded to choose out the frames. They searched for about 10 minutes before coming across a set of gold colored wire frames. They were round like his old glasses but did not stand out nearly as much as the thick black plastic frames did. He chose those frames and said they would be back in a couple of hours to pick them up. He paid for them before they left and caught a cab back to the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry was extremely glad that he and Tonks had purchased the money bags from the day before. It had cost an extra 50 galleons a piece but they had them designed to also allow for muggle money to be pulled from the bags. The bags would also allow for currency changes depending on where they were at the time. Harry decided to get the ring last and asked Remus to help him get one other thing before they returned to the muggle world.
He had yet to tell Remus that he wanted to buy a ring. He told Remus that he wanted a few things but never elaborated. He briefly informed Remus of the fight that morning, what had caused it, and Tonks' threat. He failed to see the amusement in the older man's eyes as he registered why there was only one bed in the room he had apparated to that morning.
Harry told him that because of Tonks' threat and the promise that they would stay away from the Dursley's that they needed a way to get food without going out to eat for every meal or stealing leftovers from the Order.
"There is a place that sales Wizarding appliances farther down the alley. I think they have some pantries and refrigerators that provide ready cooked meals instead of just the stuff to make them. They are a bit more expensive but they cut down on cooking time and dishes."
They proceeded to the Wizard Warehouse. The clerk that came over to help them was named Sam. He appeared to be a new hire. He was about Tonks' age and seemed a bit arrogant. Regardless of that he turned out to be a great help once he realized who his customer was. He lost his arrogance and became one of the star struck followers. This annoyed Harry to no end and even got on Remus nerves a bit.
Sam was able to get him special express service as he called it. Basically it meant that they could shrink down the fridge and pantry and take it with them then instead of waiting for delivery. The fridge and pantry set him back 4,000 galleons. Not that he cared about the price he was just happy to leave the store and Sam behind.
They proceeded back into the muggle world and picked up his glasses. He decided it was time to come clean as to why he wanted Remus to come with him.
"Remus? I need your help picking up something for Tonks."
"What do you wish to get?"
"I want to get her an engagement ring. Yesterday while we were shopping some girls were eyeing me while we picked out clothes. Even though Tonks was with me they didn't think we were 'together'. I could tell by the look on Tonks' face that she wants some way to say that both of us are taken. I know that it isn't typical for guys to wear anything during an engagement but that shouldn't stop me from getting Tonks a ring.
It's like I told Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. I know that this may not be the dream marriage that Tonks was hoping for but I am willing to try and make her as happy as possible. It's not hard to tell that most women want to be proposed to romantically and have a nice ring to show off before the wedding. I want to make sure she has most of the things that make women happy. I need help picking out a ring for her and setting up dinner arrangements."
Harry said all of this as fast as he could as if it would make the situation easier. Remus was a bit shocked at the thought Harry had put into this but he was glad to see that he wanted to make Tonks happy. In the end if both of them are happy then that is all that matters.
"I know a good restaurant you can take her too. I will need to call ahead and make reservations ahead of time. I will let you know when you can get in. I am assuming that you wish to do this as soon as possible?" Harry nodded affirmative. "Then let's go choose a ring and then I will make the dinner arrangements and let you know when they are for."
"Thanks Remus."
"No problem cub."
They didn't need to get another cab since they were still at the mall. There were a few jewelers in the mall that they could start with. They searched through all of the engagement rings in three different stores before coming across one that he liked.
The ring was made of white gold with a three thread weave pattern going through the band. At the top of the ring the weave formed a small circle and encased a solid three quarter karat diamond. It was shaped in a pattern called a 'princess cut'. Harry didn't care about the details of what it was called. He knew this was the perfect engagement ring. He went ahead and purchased it. The ring totaled 690.00?.
He didn't know the size but when he told the jeweler he informed Harry that any jeweler could resize it to fit. Harry only hoped that Wizarding jewelers could too.
Remus and Harry headed back to Grimmauld Place for Harry to pick up Tonks before heading back. Remus offered to hold onto the ring for him.
"I will be sure to get it to you when I tell you about the dinner reservations. It will be easier this way without having to try and hide it from her." He said in a whisper. Harry handed over the box with the ring in it and Remus gave Harry the shrunken fridge and pantry. They found Tonks waiting in the study with Professor Dumbledore.
Dumbledore did not have the usual twinkle in his eyes but he did his best to smile as the two new arrivals entered the room. They made small talk for a few minutes and the Tonks and Harry took their leave.
"I like the new glasses."
"Me too. Not only do they look better but I can see better with them too. The doctor said I was long overdue for a new pair."
"I told Dumbledore about this morning." Tonks said quietly.
"I figured you probably would." Harry sighed. "It's fine really. It was only a matter of time before the whole truth came out anyways." He added seeing how nervous she looked. He understood that she was just trying to help.
"What'd you buy, other than the glasses?" Tonks steered the conversation away from the more depressing matters.
"Food." Was the simple answer.
"Food? Where is it then?"
"In my pocket of course. I'll show you back at Privet Drive."
He emptied the fridge and pantry from his pockets once they were in his room again. He had Tonks add a little bit more area to the room and then had her expand the two new items.
"Wow. I've heard about these but I've never seen one. The ones that make the meals for you are really expensive."
"Yes well after listening to this guy go on and on about how great it was that Harry Potter was his customer I just wanted out of there. I didn't even think twice before handing over the money. Its better this way anyways. It keeps us away from the Dursleys and you won't have to go raid the dinners at headquarters."
"What do you want to eat tonight then?"
"I think spaghetti and meat balls would be good, don't you?"
"Why not." She thought about spaghetti and meatballs with some bread and tapped the pantry twice with her wand. After opening up the door she pulled out the ready made meal. She did the same to the fridge and pulled out two butterbeers. To the muggles that would look just like an ordinary fridge and pantry only it would appear empty if one of them tried to use it.
Tonks kept trying to get more information out of Harry about his trip. She knew that it didn't take nearly that long to go shopping for what he brought back, but he would not budge. He just kept saying that he and Remus took the opportunity to talk about Sirius and a few other things and nothing more.
She finally gave up and they decided to get ready for bed. "Tomorrow I will show you my memories up until my seventh year, How's that?"
"That should be fun Tonks." He replied. Feeling a bit daring after her kiss last night and not getting any argument about the quick kiss that morning he turned to her a gave her another kiss. This one was slightly longer than the previous two but it was still short.
"Goodnight Tonks."
"Night Harry."