"Young Mr. Malfoy, I must say that for having a talented father and mother I am most disappointed in the way that you have turned out." Voldemort hissed. "Were it not for the fact that, in lieu of your father's imprisonment, that you are the only way I can continue with my source of income I assure you that you would be dead. I have no place for worthless wizards in my ranks. Now, what is it that you have come to tell your lord?"
"My lord. After Aunt Bella killed the blood traitor Black, I am set to inherit the Black fortune soon."
"And how is that? I seriously doubt that he would have left everything to you."
"He left everything to Potter, my lord. But mother and I were able to contest the will due to 'The Purity Laws'. He cannot inherit the money so Black's will is forfeit and I will be named the next head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black."
"You may prove useful yet. I do not wish to see you in my presence anymore than is necessary. Come to me once the inheritance is complete and you have the money." Voldemort smile cruelly. "And just in case you have lied to me today I wish you to see what your future entails. Crucio."
Harry and Tonks had just finished breakfast the next morning. It was Saturday and thus it was time to start Harry's dance lessons. It was the twentieth of July and he had ten days to learn.
"I'm not going to go all out on these lessons. There will be plenty of time to go over specifics later on. For now we will concentrate on simple slow dancing. That will be enough to get you through the wedding."
"Let's just get this over with."
"First put your hands on my waist." He tentatively complied and she wrapped her hand around his shoulders.
"That wasn't so hard now was it?" She teased. "Now just simply take small steps to left and go in small circles with me. I know that this is really cheating and a lame form of dancing but we don't have- OWWWW!"
"Sorry. I need to watch my feet more carefully." He said with a sheepish grin. He didn't dare tell her that he was too distracted be how close his hands were to her arse.
"'s all right. As is was saying, we don't have enough time to teach you to truly dance and even then I am not the greatest at it either. So this will do for now. Watch the hands Harry. Just because you can grab there when we snog doesn't mean that you can all of the time." She mock glared at him. "It's hardly fair unless I can return the favor." She finished with a grin and moved her hands from around his neck and well……returned the favor.
The dance lessons were largely ineffective that day considering it turned into mostly mild groping and kissing. Sunday was more productive and Harry was able to finally go for an hour or so without stepping on her feet. Tonks decided she wanted a real life test instead of just dancing around his old bedroom the whole day. She told him that she knew a place in London that had a dance floor and that it could be their second date. She made the reservations for Monday evening and figured that before they went they could get her wedding ring resized so it stopped sliding around on her finger.
Ron was sitting in his room trying to figure out how he would apologize to Tonks. Harry said in his letter that he would accept his apology if, and only if, he genuinely apologized to her. He knew that he would have to do it but he wasn't sure how to. He was never that great at apologizing. He was also amazed at how protective Harry was of Tonks now. He figured that he would think better if he had a full stomach and headed downstairs.
He walked into the kitchen to see the twins sitting at the table going over a piece of parchment.
"What are you guys up to now? And why aren't you at work?"
Sliding the parchment under his plate, Fred replied. "Well little bro, It seems that our generous benefactor has a small side job that he needs done. He is compensating us for time away from the store. As to what we are doing, well…..good luck finding out." Fred and George stood up and took their plates to the sink and Fred then hid the parchment in his pocket and they floo'd away.
"I guess I should be used to them by now. MUM! Where's the food?"
Monday rolled around with Harry and Tonks are drilling over Harry's defense books.
"All we ever did in her class was read from this book. I think I memorized the whole thing."
"Well we have already gone over all of the material in years 1-5 of DADA. What do you want to work on next? We can do Charms, Transfiguration, or Advanced DADA."
"I'd like to go through Charms next and then Transfiguration. After all of that then we can work on the advanced material."
"Sounds like a plan, Hon."
He pretended to not notice the use of the nickname she chose for him. She had a much harder time trying to find a real nickname and not just a cliché one since you can't really shorten Harry to anything.
"Are you sure you don't mind tutoring me Nym? There must be other things you want to do with your time."
"Harry for the last time I DO NOT mind helping you. I have sort of a vested interest in keeping you alive." She smirked. "Besides, the whole idea of me moving in here for the month was to get to know you better. This is time that we are spending together and I am getting to know more about you and your study habits."
"I know Nym. It's just that I feel guilty that all we seem to do when we get bored, other than snog, is reviewing my schoolwork."
"Then make it up to me tonight."
"Sure thing."
Harry was starting to get confused. He knew that he really liked Tonks……a lot. What he didn't know is if it was just lust or perhaps something else. He had grown up only knowing hate and pain. Throughout his years at Hogwarts and during his time with Tonks he had learned more about happiness, sadness, anger, rage, and depression.
He felt happiness around Tonks but none of the other emotions yet there was also some feeling that he couldn't identify. He didn't think it was love since they had only known each other a short time. The best he could come up with is that it is somewhere past friendship but not yet love either.
Tonks was thinking along the same lines as Harry. She had grown up in a loving family and even though they were not many, she had friends too. Even though they had grown up in such opposite conditions, Tonks was unable to pinpoint the emotion she felt either. All she could do was hope that at some point it would become clear.
Tonks shifted into a younger version of her standard form for the night. She didn't want to get arrested in the muggle world for being with someone that is legally 'too young' for her. She chose to wear a red evening gown that flowed down to her ankles. It had a slit up the side to mid-thigh and was cut low in the back exposing a lot of her flesh and a simple pair of red high heels. She wore her hair in a violet color and her eyes were still pink. The hair and the dress clashed slightly but it would do. There was no 'cool' hair color that would go with a red dress and she didn't feel like being plain.
Harry was dressed in all black that night. He had chosen a simple pair of black slacks and a button up black dress shirt. He also wore some new black dress shoes. They weren't the most comfortable and he hoped they didn't make him lose his footing. He almost choked on his tongue when he saw his date for the evening.
"Ready to go Hon?"
"As ready as I can be."
They took a cab again once they were in London and went straight to small mall that he had bought her ring at. They had it resized and were back into the cab in twenty minutes but this time it was Tonks giving directions. Needless to say, Harry was a little surprised when they pulled up at a dock.
"What is this place Nym?"
"I never said the place was a real restaurant. You just took it upon yourself to assume so. This is a dinner cruise. Martha told me in seventh year about how one of her boyfriends over the summer took her on one of these cruises. The boat is perhaps the ugliest boat I have ever seen but they are supposed to have good food and the dance floor. The cruise goes up the Thames River and lasts for about two and a half hours. Come on. It should be fun."
"Whatever you say Nym."
After dinner they walked out to the open section of the boat where the dance floor was. There were two couples already dancing and looking very relaxed. Harry and Nym took their place on the floor with Harry settling his hands around her waist and Tonks with hers around his neck. Harry pulled her closer to him than he ever had before while they were dancing and Tonks responded by laying her head against his chest.
They had been dancing that way for over an hour with no mistakes on either one of their parts. It was approaching the time that the boat would return but they continued to dance anyways.
Harry's hands had started rubbing the bare skin that he found on Tonks back. He couldn't believe how soft her skin was. He had never gotten a chance to touch her bare skin before now and he couldn't get enough of the feeling. Tonks was trying to suppress a groan at the sensations running through her as his hands continued their exploration. During his ministrations Tonks had wrapped her arms around him under his arms with her hands curving up to rest on his shoulders.
As Harry continued to rub up and down her back he realized that he hadn't kissed her all evening. This was something new and yet he found he didn't mind. Just then, for the first time since the Department of Mysteries, his scar seared with pain and he let out a strangled gasp as he fell into Voldemort's mind.
"I am growing impatient Bella."
"I'm sorry my lord. I am trying to persuade the dementors but it is more difficult than I thought."
"You are not here to think, Bella. You are to do as you are told. I want to attack Potter before he leaves for that stupid school and I cannot do it with so few followers. Get the dem…….Enjoying the view Potter? I should congratulate you on entering my mind without my detecting it immediately but for now I have business to attend to. See you soon Harry."
"Harry wake up. Wake up please. Come on already."
"What's the rush Nym? I was never asleep."
"Then what the hell just happened?"
"Where am I?"
"You're still on the boat. I had to get somebody to help drag you off the floor and into this side room."
"Oh. In answer to your first question I was in Voldemort's mind. He didn't take to well to my snooping around and rather forcefully kicked me out."
"Are you alright? What did you see? Why is your scar bleeding? What…."
"NYM! Calm down. This isn't the first time this has happened. It has definitely been a while but it is not the first time. You saw in the pensieve that it has happened.
As for what I saw, I saw Voldemort. He was very angry at Bellatrix about not turning the dementors to his side yet."
"Is that it? Dumbledore knows they are trying to go after the dementors. It will be easier for him than storming the prison."
"Well, there was one other thing he mentioned. He seems to want to pay me a visit soon."
"WHAT?"
"It's not unexpected Nym. You said so yourself after seeing my memories. He will always be after me."
"Yeah but…Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure. We should probably tell Dumbledore about this. It has been a long time since he has been angry enough to open the connection between us. Sorry for ruing the evening."
"Stop it Harry." She said while grabbing him into a hug. She had tears lining her eyes but they didn't fall. She still couldn't understand why he blamed himself for everything. She resolved to work on that after the wedding. "Not everything that happens is your fault. I think it is late enough as it is and we should just head back to Privet Drive. I'll send a letter to the Headmaster once we get there and see when he wants to talk about it.
Dumbledore responded to Tonks' letter later that night. She had to wonder whether the man ever truly slept or not. Harry was fast asleep with a small bandage over his scar. He claimed that this was the first time that it had ever bled and it worried her as to why it would start now. Dumbledore seemed mildly concerned but didn't think it required immediate reaction unless it happened again. He told them to be present at Headquarters on Saturday afternoon for lunch and they would discuss it then.
She sighed and folded the letter and left it on the desk. There was hardly any empty space left on the desk after all of the wedding stuff was laid out. She didn't really care if Harry saw her change now or not. There weren't very many secrets between them anymore and they had already explored each other quite extensively, through clothing. So she didn't bother to go to the restroom to change. She got dressed for bed and climbed in. This time she was the one with her arm around him.
She didn't fall asleep for quite sometime and more or less just watched him sleep. Since he wasn't having nightmares anymore he looked very calm as he slept. He actually looked his age. She had plans to help him out a lot more once he was able to do magic and get away from these awful muggles.
She never told him but she had been in contact with her mum and was having her do some investigating for her. She wanted to help Harry with his training, magical and physical but his malnourishment growing up had stunted his growth. He was about four inches shorter than he should be. Fully grown he should have been around six feet. Her mother looked it up and almost all of the Potter males has similar builds and looks. With that knowledge in mind she sent her mother off to look for potions that would correct malnourishment.
Her mother had owled her just before they left and told her that there were potions that would correct it but it was a long process that involved eating correctly and physical exercise to make it work to its full potential.
Once he was able to get moved into Grimmauld Place she would make sure to help him in every way she could. Until then all she could do was help guide him along.
Harry didn't see much of Tonks the next two days. He spent the majority of his time at Grimmauld Place with Remus and the twins. Tonks was busy with her mother and the wedding planning. He hadn't seen Hermione and Ginny except at meal times and they were always whispering to each other. Ron made himself scarce after his first encounter with Harry in which Harry told him that he would accept his apology and talk to him again only after he apologized to Tonks.
He went with the twins and had a quick meal and a meeting with Angelina and Alicia, his former quidditch teammates, to discuss the execution of their plan against Sam. He was a tiny bit nervous that the twins seem to have left him to discuss the plans with their girlfriends while they were in their own corner looking at something written on a piece of parchment.
The meeting with the girls went well and Wednesday would be the day for the prank. He wanted to talk some more to Remus when they got back but the twins got to him first and monopolized his time. He only got to talk to him for ten minutes before he had to return to Privet Drive.
Wednesday morning Harry exited as Andromeda entered and was back at Grimmauld Place. He met the twins and the three of the floo'd to Angelina flat where they would meet up with the girls. None of them saw the person in the shadows watch them leave before apparating away.
The twins had been tailing Sam over the last week and noticed that he seemed to take his lunch break at 12:15 everyday. He seemed to alternate between eating at the Leaky Cauldron and The Black Cat, a small pub that was similar to the Leaky Cauldron just not as well known. Everyday he seemed to meet a different girl for lunch. Today he was supposed to be at the Leaky Cauldron. The five conspirators arrived fifteen minutes early and took a booth near a table for two that they were hoping would be chosen by the womanizer and his newest conquest.
At exactly 12:15 he walked in with a woman that looked to be in her mid twenties. She had shoulder length black hair and blue eyes. Sam looked around for a booth and noticed Harry sitting there with his friends. In an attempt to impress his date and hopefully get into her knickers he approached Harry and greeted him as if he had know him his whole life.
"Hi Mr. Potter. It's so good to see you again. How are the appliances doing?" Sam asked
"They're doing fine…um…Sam is it?" Harry was trying to be polite. He didn't want this to sound forced or the idea may not work.
Sam beamed. "That's right Mr. Potter. And this is Hannah."
"Nice to meet you Hannah."
"Nice to meet you too Mr. Potter." She blushed.
"Do you mind if we take this seat?" Sam asked gesturing to the empty table next to where they were sitting.
"Go right ahead."
"I'm going to order lunch and then go to the restroom real quick. Do you want the usual, love?" Sam asked turning to Hannah.
"That would be great." He turned and went to the bar. As soon she looked back she saw Harry standing next to her and then he dropped something down on the table in front of her.
"What's this?"
"Open it and see." Was the response she got.
When she opened up the packet she saw it was full of Wizarding pictures. Fred and George had taken pictures of Sam and all of the girls he had been with and some of the things they did….to each other.
She gasped. "Where did you get these? Why did you give them to me?"
"Short answer, after I met Sam I found out that he has a history of being a womanizer and a complete arse to the women he dates. The reason I found out is because he dated one of my best friends for a period of time." He couldn't very well tell her that it was his fiancé. The last thing he needed was more publicity right not and he also didn't want to draw any unwanted attention from Voldemort or the Malfoys. "I am planning on showing women just what he is about in the hopes that it will shatter his reputation and stop him from hurting anybody else the way he hurt my friend. As far as where I got them, he is very predictable in his eating habits and these are the women he has been with in the last week."
"Why did you give them to me?" She didn't seem sad at all. She looked more pissed off than anything.
"I needed a woman that he was dating to see what he is doing and hopefully contact the other women we have pictures of and let them know. It will mean more if it is coming from someone who was used by him. The names and addresses of each woman are on the back of the pictures."
"Is that all or did you need something else?" She smiled at Harry flirtatiously. Had it been the Harry from a month ago he would have blushed and stammered. Now he just smiled at her and told her what he needed her to do.
"Where is Hannah?" Sam asked when he came back.
"She said that she received an emergency summons from Gringotts and wouldn't be back." Fred told him. Fred and George had set next to each other and Harry across from the two girls. They wanted to make it appear the two girls were single.
"What about Mr. Potter?" he asked eagerly. "I have so many questions to ask him."
"He had to leave too, unfortunately. You are more than welcome to join our table for lunch." George quipped in.
"I think I will. Thank you." He smiled and looked over at Angelina and Alicia who were giving him suggestive smiles. He decided to sit next to them.
"We will be right back. Fred and I have to have a word with Tom." George said as he and his twin exited the booth and walked over to the bar.
"How are you two fine young ladies doing today?
"Great now that you're here." Angelina purred.
"We have seen you around here and there and have always wanted to….talk…to you." Alicia added.
"And what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" He grinned lecherously at both ladies.
"I would rather show you. Don't you think that would be better? We have a room here at the pub. Why don't you come up after lunch and meet us in room three. We need to freshen up." They stood to leave just as Fred and George came back.
"Where are they going?" Fred asked
"They said something about wanting some time alone. No offence meant to the two of you or nothing but I don't want people to get the wrong idea by seeing three guys eating lunch together. I think I will head up and see if a friend of mine is in his room upstairs." Sam said getting up. He didn't make it very far. An invisible hand smacked him hard across the face. He looked up trying to see what hit him when the form of his date slowly materialized in front of him after removing the disillusionment charm.
"You are an absolute hippogriff's arse. I can't believe I even went on one date with you much less dated you for two years. I give you two years of my life and you go and sleep with anything that has two legs….."
Her rant went on for the better part of ten minutes and Sam just sat there stunned. He caught the last part though. "…The only reason I am not REALLY angry with you is because I have been cheating on you too. I always had my suspicions but now I know. Just wait till I tell all of your other 'woman friends' about this." She stormed out of the pub and Sam went slowly after her while massaging his cheek.
Harry appeared from under his invisibility cloak and grinned at the twins and thanked them for their support. He also told them to thank Angelina and Alicia since he had to return to Privet Drive and meet with Tonks. He was glad that the first part of the plan had worked. Now all they had to do was wait for Hannah to spread the news to the other girls and the twins were going to go set up all sorts of immature pranks at Sam's flat. After he walked in his hair would turn Pink and he would grow women's breasts. Basically he would turn into the women he wanted Tonks to change into and he wouldn't be able to change it back for at least a week.
"Remus, what the hell are you doing here?" Harry asked surprising the marauder, who was sitting on Harry's bed talking to Tonks. Tonks seemed to be trying to control her laughter about something and was sitting at the table next to her mum. Her mother just shook her head in an amused fashion.
"I was just here to pass on some information about a prank. I need to be back a headquarters now so I'll just be going." He disapparated on the spot.
"Harry dear. We have some work to do." Tonks said is a sugary voice to which Harry groaned in response. He spent the rest of the day going over the plans that required his input too.
The rest of the week was spent going over Harry's Charms and Transfiguration schoolwork. He had completely redone the first five years in those two and DADA. He figured that if they kept up at that pace he would master all of the coursework for the full seven years by the end of the summer.
It was now Saturday and they were preparing for the Order meeting. They had just arrived at Grimmauld Place and were in the sitting room waiting for everyone else to arrive. He saw a few people he knew but none of his friends. This didn't really bother him. He knew that they were not going to be allowed in the meeting and he figured that after he gave his information to Dumbledore that he would be sent to spend the afternoon with them.
At 12:30 everyone had finally arrived. They went into the kitchen and sat side by side. Dumbledore asked Harry to recount the events on the boat from his point of view and then had Tonks do the same. Then he surprised everyone including Harry with his next question.
"We will keep this in mind and I will try to find someway to teach you Occlumency. Now that that situation is out of the way I have a question to ask." He turned and looked directly at Harry. "Do you wish to join the Order of the Phoenix?"
Cries of outrage and shock were sent through the room and Harry sat there stunned.
"He's too young Albus."
"The war should be left to the adults."
"Another thing to inflate his ego." Were some of the comments he was able to hear around the room.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore shouted. "This is not open for debate. I have thought long and hard on this and have decided that he deserves this chance and he will get it if he so chooses." He finished a lot calmer than he had started. "Harry?"
"I honestly don't know professor. I would like some time to think about it if that is ok with you."
"Of course. You will be allowed to stay for this meeting and get an idea about what it is that we do. That may help you in your decision."
"Thank you."
"Now the first order of business for tonight is Harry and Nymphadora's wedding. We need to choose a location and guards for the event. I also think that the invitations that you have ready should not be sent until the night before. I realize that it is short notice for everyone but it will help with security. Have you decided on a location?"
Tonks looked at Harry and he nodded to her. "We have decided to take you up on your offer and use your manor if the offer still stands." Tonks told him
"Excellent that will definitely help out with security." The old headmaster beamed. Everyone else at the table bar Harry and Tonks were shocked. Not one of them had ever been to the headmasters house and now he was going to hold a wedding there. Most of them assume he lived at Hogwarts all year.
"Now, are there any volunteers for security? We need at least 4 guards."
"I will." Moody grumbled
"Me too." Bill Weasley
"Excellent. Now we need two more." Dumbledore said.
Charlie Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt both agreed.
"That is most pleasing to hear. Just so everyone is informed the top floor of this house will be sanctioned off for Harry and Nymphadora to use as their living quarters. It will be sectioned off from the rest of the house and to enter it you must have the password. Anti-apparition wards will also be put in place."
Harry was disappointed with the rest of the meeting. All that happened was that a few people gave reports on their assignments and Dumbledore gave out a few new assignments. It wasn't at all what he had expected. He would have to take that into account before he made his decision.
Just as they were exiting the kitchen they ran into Ron.
"Hi guys." He mumbled looking at his feet.
"Ron." Was the only response he got from Harry while Tonks stood by silently.
Ron looked up at both of them. Harry was holding Tonks' hand and he stood there expectantly. He knew what Harry wanted and he had planned out what to say a few times but now that he was in front of her he had nothing to say. He had plenty of free time to think it through. The only people that really conversed with him anymore were his parents and the twins. Hermione and Ginny would talk to him but it was obvious they wanted to be doing other things.
"I sort of…..owe you an apology." He mumbled.
"The floor doesn't need an apology, Ron." Harry deadpanned causing Ron to look up.
"Yeah. Tonks, I'm sorry. I was a prat and even though it isn't an excuse I wanted to say I was sorry for what I said about you. It was cruel and I shouldn't have said it."
"Thank you Ron." She looked over at Harry to see him looking a little bit happier than he had been in awhile. She knew that he missed Ron to some extent but he wasn't willing to make it work until Ron apologized to her. That was one of the things she adored about Har…Adored? Now that she thought about that would partially describe her feelings of Harry. She just wished she knew if his feelings were changing towards her as hers were towards him.
"We should probably get going for now Harry. You have been out of the wards a lot lately."
"You're right Nym. We should head back. I'll talk to you later Ron." He gave Ron a smile and they were almost to the fireplace when Fred and George popped in.
"You need…." George started.
"…To be here…" Fred picked up.
"…after lunch…"
"On Tuesday." They both finished grinning at Harry.
"Mum said we are celebrating your birthday after the will reading on the first but Fred and I have some things we need to talk to you about."
"Sure thing guys. See you later."
Harry had a hard time believing it. It was Saturday night and he would be married in four days time. He had just gotten into bed and Tonks was changing. She didn't bother to go to the restroom to change anymore. Harry was going to see her body soon enough anyways. She didn't get completely naked just down to her knickers and bra before slipping her night shirt on. The first two days she did this Harry was hard as a rock by the time she got into bed. He was more accustomed to it now and was able to keep calm enough to be able to lie next to her at night.
They had not proceeded any farther in their physical relationship. Even though they had seen each other wearing practically nothing the physical contact was restrained for when they were clothed. With the exception of the awkward moments that seemed to happen occasionally.
He lay next to his fiancé trying to sort through his feelings. The longer he knew Tonks the more attached he became. He knew now that he would eventually come to love Tonks, or as close to love as someone like him could come. He couldn't really imagine life without Tonks right now. She had become a part of his everyday life. He was exceptionally glad that they would have the top floor of Grimmauld Place to themselves after the wedding. He enjoyed waking up next to her every morning and he wasn't sure what he would do when it came time to go back to Hogwarts.
Sunday and Monday passed with Tonks helping Harry to study all of the sixth and seventh year charms that were used. She had her mum bring over her old books. She was certain the curriculum hadn't changed enough that her books would make much of a difference.
They were going to go pick up wedding rings tomorrow morning and then head over to Grimmauld Place to see what the twins wanted.
Harry had not had any more visions from Voldemort after the boat incident and he wasn't sure whether or not that was a good thing. The only positive reason he had for the scar attacks was that it meant that Voldemort was usually very angry about something. If he was that angry it was generally because he failed in one of his plans. He sincerely hoped that he had not yet succeeded in allying with the dementors. The last thing the world needed was all of the Death Eaters released and the dementors with them.
Tomorrow was the day. He would turn 16 and he would be married. They would be leaving in five minutes to go pick wedding rings and go for lunch in Diagon Alley. They would leave as soon as Tonks was through getting ready. She seemed especially giddy this morning but Harry shrugged it off as being excited about choosing rings. She had become more and more excited about the wedding as the time passed.
They soon found themselves at the same jeweler that had sold Harry the engagement ring. The searched for two hours and finally found something that Tonks liked. It was a set of rings. They weren't nearly as nice or as expensive as her engagement ring. It seemed that wedding bands were not as gaudy or outgoing as engagement rings tended to be. The rings were two tone gold. The outer band was made of fourteen karat white gold and the inner band was made of fourteen karat yellow gold. The yellow gold was in three strands woven together in the same design as her engagement ring. They came in a set of two so that his ring matched her ring.
Nearly 3 hours, and one thousand and fifty-six pounds lighter in the pocketbook, after they had arrived they were ready to get some lunch. They took a cab to the Leaky Cauldron and decided to have some ice cream in lieu of lunch. They proceeded to Florean Fortesques Ice Cream and ordered sundaes.
Tonks needed to take a trip to the restroom and left Harry alone at the table. It was at this point that Snivellus decided to make his appearance. Harry saw him approaching and groaned to himself.
"Well, well, well. What do you think you are doing all alone in this alley with no guard, Mr. Potter? Surely you aren't as stupid as you mangy mutt of a godfather was."
"I'm touched that you're concerned for my safety Snivellus but I am not in the mood to deal with you right now. Go find some other student and try and suffocate them with your greasy hair. I am afraid that I cannot concern myself with you right now."
"You little shit. How dare you speak to me that way?" Snape said drawing his wand.
"Are you going to hex me, professor?"
"You would deserve it. You and your trollop of a fiancé." He sneered. Unfortunately he said the last part loud enough to draw the attention of a few people nearby including the managing editor of the Daily Prophet.
That comment had Harry seeing red and he stood and drew his wand too. He had it pointed straight at his professor.
"You wouldn't dare do magic outside of school Potter. You may be stupid but I seriously doubt you forgot what happened last year."
"That may be true professor but what do you think the Aurors would believe. There are witnesses here. You came up to me and started taunting me and then drew your wand on me. I simply drew my wand in self defense for all these people know. Not to mention the fact that when I kick your arse it will simply appear as though the boy who lived simply dueled and subdued another mindless idiot who bears the Dark Mark. I am quite sure that you would have a great time explaining that situation away." Harry said in a fierce whisper.
"You arrog-"
"Can I help you with something Severus?" Tonks asked just returning from the restroom to find this interesting scene.
"Nothing Nymphadora." He scowled and was gone in a twirl of his robes.
"I think it would be best if we left now Nym. I have a feeling that after one of his comments our wedding may not be so secret anymore." He whispered to Tonks. Tonks for her part acted as if she expected no less and the two of them left to floo to headquarters.
"Harry, mate, how are you doing?" Fred said or was it George. Tonks said she had to go floo Dumbledore and let him know of Snape's little stunt.
"George and I were wondering if you got sidetracked." 'Well that answers that question.' Harry thought.
"Yeah mate. What happened?"
"We thought…."
"…You and your fiancé…."
"…had decided…."
"…to have your own…."
"…private party."
"Private party? What are you two on about?"
"Come on Harry. Surely you have figured out why you are here now. Right?" Fred asked
"Not really, no."
"Must we spell everything out to you? You're here for your bachelor party."
"Oh Merlin, no. Tell me you two didn't plan it. Please tell me it wasn't you."
"We're hurt Harry. We didn't plan the whole thing of course but between the two of us and Remus we took care of everything. Remus had to make arrangements for the entertainment though."
"What kind of entertainment?"
"Wait and see Harry, my boy. The party starts in an hour in the drawing room."
Harry went and told Tonks that he had to be at his bachelor's party. She understood and told him that Molly had just informed her that the women would be having a small get together at her mother's house.
Harry was more than a little nervous about any kind of party the twins could come up with but he had no choice but to attend.
The party consisted of all the Weasley males, minus Percy. Also present were Remus, Mundungus, for the alcohol, and Dedalus Diggle. There was plenty of butterbeer to go around and even more firewhiskey. All in all it was a great party. He was given all sorts of embarrassing gifts, including women's lingerie, which he was forced to put on over his clothing.
It was nearing ten o'clock when the twins turned the wireless off and started playing some provocative music. They grinned at each other and walked towards Harry just as the doors opened. In walked one of the sexiest women he had ever seen. She was wearing short leather shorts and a leather bra and nothing else. This was apparently the entertainment they were talking about.
"So this is the lucky man?" She asked walking up to Harry.
"That he is ma'am." Fred quipped.
"Well isn't this just you're luck night. One last night of freedom and they hired you the best."
"Have at him miss. We will just step aside."
"Ma'am no offence to you or your job but I am not interested."
"Not interested?" She asked mock insulted. "Have you ever had a lap dance before?"
"I can't say that I have. The point is that I really am not interested."
"Harry, what the hell is wrong with you? This is your last night of freedom. Go for it." George said.
"I can't do it George. I just can't."
"Why on earth not?"
"Because I think I am starting to fall in love with Tonks and I am not going to screw it up by spending the night with a stripper."
"Good choice hon." The stripper said with tears in her eyes.
"Huh?" Harry asked. He was immediately floored when the stripper morphed into Tonks. "What the hell?"
"I think I am starting to fall for you too Harry." She latched herself onto him not in the least concerned that this is the least amount of clothing she has worn during any of their encounters.
"You wait here for just a second. I need to take care of something." She whispered into his ear. She stood and wiped the tears out of her eyes and rounded on the twins.
The twins for their part had never been more scared than they were at that moment. Tonks' hair changed to blood red and her eyes pitch black as she drew her wand and started hurling hexes at the twins and yelling at them for trying to corrupt her fiancé. Remus and Harry were in the background with Bill, Charlie, and Ron laughing their arses off at the scene in front of them. Harry sobered immediately upon realizing that could have been him had he said the wrong answer.
With both of the twins out of the picture for a while Tonks returned to Harry and pulled him into a passionate kiss. "Now I think it is time for the dance I owe you Mr. Potter." She said while pulling Harry out of the room and up the stairs to her old bedroom at Grimmauld Place.
Early that morning, around 1:00 a.m. a very satisfied Tonks left Grimmauld Place to spend the night at her parent's house.