POTTER RESURGENCE

Chapter 20

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to their respective owners.

AN: Please hold up your wands for the amazing Helen McCrory, the woman who played Narcissa Malfoy in the movies, she succumbed to cancer at the age of 52. May her soul rest in enternal peace.

-PRPRPRPRPR-

Hogwarts Grounds

The first task

1994 Tri-Wizard tournament

Hardwin was grinning from ear to ear from his seat, barely containing his excitement. For once in his life, Hardwin was wishing that he was in Harry's place, just for the next minutes of course. No way was he going to be stuck as a Slytherin for more that ten minutes. No thank you.

But Merlin, was Harry so lucky! Standing there in the arena, staring down a bloody dragon, even though in this case it was the dragon staring down at Harry, but Hardwin would kill to be in Harry's place right now. Well, not literally kill_kill, that was Harry's thing and he would only get himself thrown in Azkaban, something only Harry could avoid even if he slit Fudge's throat in front of everyone.

The crowd quieted down as the staring contest continued. Both Harry and the dragon waiting to see what the other would do. The dragon got impatient and let out a challenging shriek before letting loose a stream of fire straight towards Harry.

The dragon was far enough that the flames couldn't reach Harry. Not the most of them at least as he didn't even twitch as a shield appeared and what little of the fire that reached him splashed harmlessly on the shield. It took a few steps forward towards Harry and let loose another stream of fire and just like the first one, Harry blocked it.

"He is drawing it away from the eggs!" Hardwin exclaimed.

"He is going to get himself killed." Hermione whispered, not looking away from the dragon that was slowly advancing on Harry.

By this point, it was close enough that any normal shield wouldn't be able to block the fire. Everyone in the stands seemed to hold their breath as it took more steps forward and now it was only a few meters away from Harry who was still holding his position.

Suddenly a large stone fist erupted from the ground and slammed into the dragon's jaw. The fist shattered while the dragon's head snapped to the side from the force. It staggered back a few steps before looking back down at Harry, yellow eyes smoldering in anger. Through his omnioculars, Hardwin could see Harry quirking an eyebrow as if daring it to do something.

Now, dragons were not known for their tolerance for things they considered insignificant or dangerous. Hatching dragons could attack anything that even so much as looked at them the wrong way. Punching one in the face was certainly a sure way to be bit in half and as expected, the horntail was pissed.

It spread its and wings and leaped at Harry. But it seemed that's exactly what he had been hoping for, as the moment it left the ground, another stone fist, one twice as big as the first one erupted from the ground and punched it in the side sending it falling in a tumble of limbs and wings. It probably didn't do much damage but the blow combined with its weight had it falling with a loud thud that had the whole arena gasping.

Before it could even pick itself up, a large bolt of lightning fell from the clear sky and hit the dragon. It let out a loud shriek of pain as its nerves were set on fire and electricity ran through its whole body. When the lightning let up, the dragon staggered around in a drunken gaze before falling on its face, its limbs clearly having trouble keeping up all six tons of flesh and muscle.

Even as the dragon struggled to get up, Harry flicked his wrist and silver chains with glowing runes shot from the ground and slithered around its mouth and legs, binding it to the arena floor. It tried to open its jaws but the runes on the chains glowed and they grew tighter, when it tried to free its legs the same thing happened. And just like that, Harry had effectively subdued the dragon.

"Morgan's chains!"

"Hermione!" Hardwin exclaimed. "Watch your language!"

"What?! I wasn't swearing, you moron!" Hermione cuffed him on the head and when he looked at her in confusion, she explained. "They were used by Morgana to hold Merlin while her army swarmed Camelot. Not even Merlin could dispell them and can only be broken by Dragonfire as it burns out the magic in them."

Before she could go any further, the arena started shaking as Harry picked up the golden egg. Every single person was cheering, even the students from the other schools, the people who had come to watch and the tournament officials. Everyone was on their feet shouting and clapping for him.

The judges didn't even wait for him to disappear in the med-tent before they all shot tens out of their wands, even Karkaroff. Bagman was singing praises for him the entire time. Hardwin excused himself and ran between the stands untill he met Harry just as he was about to enter the tent.

"Harry!" He called before he ran to him and hugged him, laughing the entire time. "You did it you sly son of a bitch."

"Excuse me?"

Hardwin froze, his eyes bulging in fear at the dangerous voice behind him. "See yah!"

And without any shame, he turned around and took off as fast as his legs could carry him. He could hear his mother's voice calling for him but there was no way in hell he was going to stop. Not if stopping meant certain death.

-PRPRPRPRPR-

That evening, just before supper, Harry was waiting inside Lily's office while Hardwin escorted Daphne's father to their meeting. When he heard the knock, he welcomed the man inside and gestured for him to seat.

"Harry Potter." The man shook Harry's hand as he took his seat in front of Harry. "That was quite the performance you put up back there."

"Thank you, Lord Greengrass." Harry replied. "That means a lot to me, especially coming from someone like you given your own experience with a dragon."

"Oh, not many people know about that." Than raised an eyebrow at him in surprise.

"I have done my research." Harry replied. "You're one of the few men to have singlehandedly faced down a dragon and come out of it unscathed after all."

The man smiled. Alfred Greengrass was a big man, tall and miscled with a broad chest. There were laughing lines which showed that he was generally a happy man. At sixty five, he didn't look much older than thirty which not only indicated magical power but also showed that he took great care of himself.

He was a great fighter and had a reputation even while he was still at Hogwarts. Which was no surprise to those who knew him when he became a hit-wizard two years after graduation and it was during one of his missions that he fought and beat a dragon by himself while his team had been incapacitated.

With his father in charge of the Greengrass estate, Alfred was free to roam the world and persue his dream of being a hit-wizard. That was until both his parents were killed in a Death Eater attack on Diagon Alley in the early stages of Voldemort's war.

Alfred had come back from Russia where he had been at the time, hunted down the Death Eater responsible, destroyed his wards, killed him and burned his body along with the house. He hadn't even gotten any kind of retaliation from Voldemort as the Death Eaters had been ordered to avoid any 'neutral' Lords.

Once his revenge had been completed, Alfred had settled down in England and taken over his father's place as Lord Greengrass, the leader of the 'Neutral' camp in the Wizengamot. He had soon after settled down and married Allison Whitefield, a pureblood witch from Scotland who had so far given him two daughters, Daphne and Astoria.

"Well, certainly not with as much ease as you did." Alfred replied. "I wasn't as proficient at elemental magic as you and as you're aware, dragons are highly magic resistant."

"Only to direct magic." Harry said. "Which is why I prefer elemental magic as it doesn't matter if something is magically resistant or not, it will always be affected by elemental magic." Harry replied and Alfred nodded.

"Indeed, however it's hard to find someone with an affinity for elemental magic who can use it with as such ease as you." The man said. "I once knew someone like that, he was actually the leader of my team when I had first became a hit-wizard and my mentor as well. He was one of the most dangerous wizards I've ever met."

"Sounds like my kind of guy." Harry smiled.

"He would be very interested to meet you, actually." Alfred said. "You certainly have a number of things in common, he wasn't hesitant to use the...less common magics either."

"You mean the chains?" Harry asked. "Those are my own creation really, and while they were inspired by Morgan's 'Hell chains', they are certainly not the same. For starters, while Morgan's were black with red hell runes, mine are silver with green protecting runes made specifically to protect me."

Alfred frowned in thought. "So what you're saying is that if the dragon had been trying to get out of the chains for another reason other than attacking you, it would have easily broken them?"

"Exactly." Harry replied. "It was why I had to piss it off so that its mind was fully focused on killing me rather than the eggs. Otherwise, the chains would have been useless."

"That was brilliant!" The man laughed. "And a very risky gamble too."

"I pride myself in my ability to piss off others when I mean to, Lord Greengrass." Harry said. "In my eyes, it wasn't a gamble at all. I knew for a fact that I was capable of effectively annoying it to the extent that it will think of nothing else other than killing me."

"It was really brilliant." Lord Greengrass replied. "Though you'll have a hard time convincing the ministry that the chains weren't in fact Morgana's 'Hell chains."

"Oh but one of the perks of being a Lord to a Noble and Ancient house is that I can get away with almost anything." Harry replied and the older man looked at him in confusion. "I am the Lord Potter, Lord Greengrass."

"I_ I don't understand." The man frowned. "How is this possible? My ring recognizes you as another Lord, which should be impossible as not only are you underage but your father is technically still alive."

"My name coming out of the Goblet made me an adult but that is as much as I can tell you as the details are a Potter family secret." Harry answered. "As for my father, I guess magic didn't consider him as a potential Lord so the Lordship went to the next eligible 'adult'."

"But how have you managed to keep something like that secret for this long?" Alfred asked. "Surely Rita Skeeter has managed to catch wind of it somehow."

"Me and Rita have an understanding, she doesn't spread anything I want to keep secret and I don't toss her in Azkaban." The man opened his mouth to speak but Harry beat him to it. "And no, I can't tell you the details either."

Alfred Greengrass looked at him for a few seconds before he shook his head. "You are a very dangerous young man, Lord Potter."

"It comes with the title, I guess." Harry shrugged. "I'm sure you know the history of everyone who has held it before me."

"Indeed I do." The man said. "Which is why I'm glad we're on the same side."

"Are we, really?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow and they both knew the weight in that question.

"I would like to think that we are, after all, my family owes you four unconditional favors." The man answered. "You could ask to marry my wife and I would be in no position to refuse you."

"Somehow, I doubt I would live long enough to say my vows if I did." The smile he got in return was confirmation enough. "And speaking of favors, I would like to call in one."

Harry said seriously and the man straightened. "I'm listening."

"December 20th is the last Wizengamot seating of the year and it's the day I'll be taking my seat on the Wizengamot." Harry said and Alfred nodded. "I will also be petitioning for the ministry to hand over custody of my father back to house Potter."

The man was quiet for a few seconds. "You realize why the ministry took custody of him in the first place, right?"

"I do, and me and my mother have taken steps to ensure that no one's safety is compromised by his being at Potter Manor." Harry answered. "And so for my first favor, I require the support of the neutral faction of the Wizengamot in the petition."

"That can be arranged." Alfred said. "You should know however that the neutral faction is the smallest and even with all our votes, if the other factions are against it, then it will be denied."

"Don't worry about that, my Lord." Harry said standing up. "I'm sure I can convince the others. Thank you for your time, my Lord."

"No need to thank me, Lord Potter." Alfred said as he shook his hand. "I have to say that I'm looking forward to how you'll be affecting the Magical world."

"So do I." Harry answered. "I would really appreciate it if you kept the workings of my chains to yourself, Lord Greengrass. The fate of the Magical world may just depend on it."

The man laughed, before he realized Harry wasn't even smiling. "You're serious?"

"Very much so, I'm afraid." Harry said. "I feel like obliviating you wouldn't bode well for our developing relationship, so I'm simply going to trust you and take your word for it."

"Obliv_ do you seriously think you're capable of obliviating me?" Alfred scoffed.

Rather than answering him, Harry just reached in his pocket and handed him a wand. "You would have a hard time resisting me without your wand."

With just one look, Alfred recognized his wand. He didn't even need to check the wand holster on his left arm to know that it was no longer there. He silently took back the wand and slipped back into its holster, all the while staring at Harry.

Harry went and opened the door for the big man. "I'll be seeing you on the 20th, Lord Greengrass, and thank you for your time."

The man didn't reply as he walked out of the office. Hardwin who had been waiting outside gave him a nod which he silently returned before stalking his way down the hallway.

"So, I take it the meeting was a success?"

"Of course, there was never any chance of it going any other way." Harry watched the man's back. "Though I think I spooked him, he might be a little bit afraid of me."

"Harry, I would be afraid of anyone who walks out of a one-on-one meeting with you without being even the least bit scared of you." Hardwin replied as he sat down in the same chair Alfred had just vacated. "So what should we expect."

"Well, with the neutrals on our side, it shouldn't be too hard. Apart from Sirius and probably Neville's dad, the others on the light side are going to side with Dumbledore and I don't see him supporting this." Harry said. "The Dark will probably support us out of principal just to oppose Dumbledore. Besides, most of these people have kids in Slytherin, all I have to do is say the word and the kids will beg their parents to support me."

"So we can safely say that we have the Neutral and Dark factions on our side, then?"

"Yes." Harry nodded. "We can also count on a few members among the light faction."

"Then this is going to be a piece of cake." Hardwin smiled. "I believe mom is putting the finishing touches on the room."

Everyday after Harry's name came out of the Goblet, the three had been working on James' room and with him having full control of the wards at Potter Manor, they would just port-key directly into the house. Harry had managed to get a basic understanding of how the room in the DOM worked and together with Lily they had not only been able to replicate it, they had also modified it a little.

Now the containment was reduced to just the bed, not the entire room. Anyone could be in the same room with James without being erased from existence. Once they had managed to figure that out, all three Potters had moved to drawing the runes in the room. Hardwin while not proficient in the subject as the others also took Ancient Runes and therefore had an understanding of how they worked so he had worked even most in the curving and painting process.

Since he hadn't contributed much in figuring out the room, he felt like he should compensate with the labor work. Neither Lily or Harry were complaining though, and they let him do the most work. Now, almost a month later, the room was almost ready.

Once finished, Lily was going to invite her former employers at the DOM to come and have a look at the room and make sure everything is in order, after which she would invite the minister, and a few 'upstanding' Lords and Ladies on the Wizengamot to have a look. The very next day, Harry would go before the Wizengamot, officially take his Lord's seat and present his petition.

"With this dealt with, I should have more time to concentrate on the 'Divine seal'." Harry rubbed his temples. "Hopefully, I should be able to work it out by Christmas, or rather Yule."

"But I thought you understood it from the start?"

"I did understand it, even though up to now I have no idea why, but the seal was made to be powered by a divine being, I just don't have that much power." Harry shook his head. "Or anything to maintain it after I've activated the seal like the seven knights powering Apep's tomb."

"But Voldemort doesn't require god-level power to seal him, right?"

"Yes but the seal in its original form can only activate from that much power, which is why I've been taking it apart to see if I can adjust it to take only the required power." Harry said. "However, I just can't seem to find how, no matter what I try."

"I'm sure it'll come to you in time."

"But we're running out of time, brother." Harry said seriously. "Every single day that passes, the Dark Lord comes closer to regaining his body and yet we aren't making any progress at all!"

"Hey calm down, Harry." Hardwin said. "We are really making progress. Voldemort is left with only two horcruxes, we are strong and skilled enough to take him and if he comes back we can kill him and buy us more time."

"I don't want us to buy time, living our lives while looking over our shoulders all the time." Harry shook his head. "What I want is to deal with him once and for all, to let him be just another chapter in our lives we leave behind."

"And we will, you don't have to stress yourself to death for it though." Hardwin replied. "You know what, if this means so much to you, why don't you concentrate on figuring out the seal and leave the rest to me."

"What do you mean by leaving the rest to you?"

"Give me the phone, I'll coordinate with Hermione's dad when required and keep in touch with Bill." He said. "I'll take over the daily lessons too, and even solve for you the clue in the golden egg. I want you to keep your mind on this seal since it seems to be the biggest issue right now."

"What about Luna?"

"Luna is your apprentice, and at this point I'm not sure if I can even teach her anything you haven't." He shook his head. "Just, take a few days off of your daily life, relax a bit and let your brain catch up with you, alright?"

"What happened to not taking my place?"

"Hey, we're brother's alright?" Hardwin said with a smile. "Which kind of brother would I be if I'm not willing to risk insanity for you?"

"Thanks, I guess." Harry laughed. "And what do you expect to get in return for risking your sanity if you ever had that in the first place?"

"I really wasn't expecting anything really, I'm just looking out for my brother like he has all these years."

"Alright then_"

"But since you mentioned it." Hardwin interrupted. "I'll need you to do me a little favor."

"You were going to ask this from the start, weren't you?"

"Don't be absurd." He scoffed. "I just saw an opportunity and took advantage, embracing my inner snake... if you get what I mean."

"Oh, I get what you mean alright." Harry rolled his eyes before he stared at him in the eye. "Tell me then, what is it you desire?"

Hardwin shivered.

"It's so creepy and at the same time cool the way you say that." He said with a grin. "But since you asked so nicely, I desire for you to start teaching Hermione again."

"Oh, fallen in love, have we?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "What about Meredith? Are you going to just break that poor girl's_"

"Will you do it or not?"

"You know exactly why I stopped teaching her."

"Yes but that was only because she misunderstood what you were talking about." Hardwin argued. "Look, whatever your reasons were, I'm just asking you to give her another chance. If you don't find it satisfactory, then you can end it if you want, just give her another chance, alright?"

Harry was quiet for a couple of seconds before he sighed. "Very well. But it'll have to wait untill I've cracked this seal, at least not untill the next term."

Hardwin just nodded. "That's fine by me. And thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." Harry said as he stood up. "If your little girlfriend doesn't live up to the expected standards, then I'm never giving her another chance."

-PRPRPRPRPR-

December 11th 1994

Hogwarts Library

Hermione's eye was twitching in irritation and she was seconds away from drawing her wand and hexing someone. The only thing stopping her was the fact that she was in the library and not only would she be banned by Madam Pince but there was also the possibility that she could destroy some books in her anger. A cold shiver ran down her spine at the mere thought.

The girls who were the source of her irritation giggled again and this time she turned around in her seat and glared at them. However, her glare was wasted as they weren't even looking at her, their attention completely fixed on Viktor Krum who was a regular in the Hogwarts library. The famous boy, while he usually had attention wherever he went, the attention had doubled after the Yule ball was announced yesterday.

And now the girls were even following him into the library, batting their eyes whenever he so much as looked in their general direction. The giggling had been going on the whole time though and had been getting on Hermione's nerves as she couldn't concentrate on her homework.

"Hermiwinny Granger."

Hermione looked up at the voice that had just butchered her name and blinked in surprise to see Viktor Krum standing before her. She had run into him a few times, but only when she was with Hardwin as the two celebrities seemed to be friends and usually stopped to exchange a few greetings whenever they met.

She hadn't however spoken more with him other than greetings and a few polite words, which was why she was wondering what he could possibly want from her.

"Yes please." She replied. "How may I help you?"

"I...well I guess, I'm wondering something." The boy looked nervous as he spoke in his accented English. "Do you have a date for the ball yet?"

Hermione frowned, wondering how that could be any of his business. She was about to ask just that when another voice interrupted her.

"Hello, Viktor." Hardwin said, smiling brightly at the other boy. "Have you figured out the egg yet?"

"I'm afraid not." The boy replied, looking irritated at being interrupted. Hardwin didn't seem to notice.

"Too bad, I think I'm close at figuring out Harry's." He said before he turned. "Uh, Hermione I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure, what's up?"

"Will you go to the ball with me?"

"What?!" The two looked at Viktor who blushed. "Sorry."

"So Hermione, will you be my date?"

"Uh, sure." She replied, feeling a little overwhelmed. "If that's what you want."

"Of course it's what I want, why would have asked you." Hardwin rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I need to make plans for today's lesson. It was nice to see you Viktor."

And just as fast as he had disappeared, he left. Hermione, still not really understanding what had just happened turned to Krum. "You were saying something, Mr. Krum?"

"It's fine." He shook his head. "I was going to ask you to the ball but it seems Hardwin beat me to it."

"Oh." She said. "I'm sorry, Mr. Krum."

"No, it's fine." Krum shook his head. "It's only my stupidity to blame. But please, call me Viktor."

"Uhm, sure." Hermione replied. "But only if you call me, Hermione."

"Of course." He smiled. "It was nice talking to you, Hermiwinny."

Hermione winced at her name but smiled at him no less. "You too, Viktor."

The Durmstrang champion nodded and left. He had barely left the library before someone else deposited herself in the seat opposite Hermione. "Well look at that, our resident bookworm is being persued by two of the most famous boys in the Magical world."

"Hello Daphne." Hermione sighed. The girl in front of her was very hard to understand. Sometimes she bahaved like she was on top of the world, looking down at anything she didn't consider important and then at times she was just a normal girl who treated everything with curiosity. Right now, Hermione couldn't figure out which one she was dealing with.

"Tell me something, Granger." She peered at her. "How does a lowly muggleborn like you always manage to capture the attention of people that normally wouldn't have spared you a second glance?"

Hermione just shrugged, not sure what to say.

"I mean you may be pretty but certainly not breathtakingly so, so what's so special about you Hermione Granger." Daphne asked. "Any other muggleborn wouldn't get the attention you seem to get without even trying. That's just how the Magical world works, by all intents and purposes, you should be just another student at Hogwarts and yet here you are, friends to the most famous boy in the school and a love interest to an international Quidditch star."

"I don't know what you want me to say."

"You don't have to say anything, I'll find out by myself." Daphne said. "And to do that, I'll need be your friend. Will you be my friend, Hermione Granger?"

"Uhm, sure."

"Alright then." Daphne said as she stood up. "I'll see you around, pal."

And with that, she stood up and left. Hermione stared at her retreating back in bewilderment and shook her head at what was turning out to be the most bizarre day of her life. As if to drive the point home, her breath hitched when she saw who had just appeared in the doorway of the library. She had been trying to gather her courage to speak to the wizard for weeks and she still hadn't collected enough. So much for being a Gryffindor.

The wizard walked into the library, immediately catching everyone's attention. For once, he didn't seem to notice and just started walking towards her after he had greeted Madam Pince. Hermione's heart kept pumping faster as he came nearer and she started shivering slightly in nervousness when he took the seat Daphne had just vacated.

"Please tell me you're not here to ask for a date." She blurted and covered her mouth in embarrassment. Growing even more embarrassed from the look she received in return.

The wizard's lips twiched as if he was fighting a sneer, or maybe a smile but Hermione was inclined to go with the former.

"Now why would I do something like that, Ms. Granger?" He asked, looking genuinely curious, even going ahead to lean his head to the side in a way reminiscent of Luna.

"Nevermind that." She shook her head. "How can I help you, Harry?"

The Slytherin boy leaned forward with his arms crossed on the table and stared at her.

"I spoke to my brother and he asked me to give you another chance." Harry started in that careful way of his where it seemed he was considering the weight of every word he said before it leaves his mouth. "He said that what happened the other day was a momentary lapse and that you will not allow your stupidity to take over your mind in my presence again."

"He said that?" That doesn't don't sound like Hardwin at all.

"No, but that is how I interpreted his words and it was why I decided to take you back." Harry said. "If you're still interested, that is."

"I...of course, yes I'm interested." After what she had seen him do at the first task of the tournament and the articles that had been printed in the Daily Prophet praising him, there was no way she was not taking this chance. One she had been sure she would never get again.

"Very well, then." Harry stood up. "We will be having our Friday meetings starting next year. Do not disappoint me."

Without waiting for a reply, Harry turned around and stalked his way out of the library, once again ignoring everyone else. The girls who had been giggling because of Krum were now staring at Harry and giggling even louder than before. Hermione just shook her head and went back to trying to do her homework.

-PRPRPRPRPR-

Leaving the library, Harry activated the ring's notice-me-not and pulled out his map. He looked for his target and found them on the ground floor just outside the double doors of the entrance Hall. Putting the map back into his pocket, Harry silenced himself and started walking.

He rarely concealed himself when in the castle as even with the added attention he had started receiving after the first task, Harry didn't mind at all. However, he needed to reach his target before he was distracted again as he had been for the last two weeks.

Using a hidden passageway that led from the second floor where the library was located straight to the ground floor, Harry emerged into the empty entrance Hall and headed for the doors which led outside. There weren't many students around the castle as most years had classes on Friday afternoon.

When he reached outside, he took in a deep breath as the cold wind hit him in the face. Looking at his left, he couldn't see anyone, not even the usual shimmer of a disillusionment charm. Had he not been capable of sensing the magic of the charm, he would never have known that someone was there.

"Hello, Tonks." Harry said with his hands on his pockets. "That's one hell of a disillusionment charm."

"Thanks_ oh bugger." Tonks swore. "You're not supposed to know I'm here!"

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Harry assured her. "So, are we going to talk about what happened before the first task?"

"No." Tonks didn't even miss a beat.

"No?"

"No."

"Okay." Harry said, amusement clear in his voice. "So we're just going to pretend it didn't happen?"

"No." Tonks said. "We shall acknowledge it and forget about it."

"That's asking asking alot from me, Nymphie." Harry said and she growled at him. He ignored her and went on. "I mean, ignoring the fact that it's almost impossible for me to forget at all, that was my first kiss, and you're asking me to forget it?"

"I thought I said we were not going to talk about this."

"It was quite nice too." Harry continued without acknowledging her. "Well, I don't have much experience. It probably was not as great as real kisses are supposed to be, but what do I know, I've only ever had one."

"How about this for comparison?" Tonks growled and Harry barely managed to smile a little in satisfaction before his lips were covered by Tonks soft ones.

With only a thought, he dispelled her disillusionment charm as his hands found her slim waist and pulled her closer. Tonks moaned softly as Harry returned the kiss, his tongue slipping into her inviting and warm mouth as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him even closer.

Harry didn't know how long they stayed there but when they pulled their mouths apart, they were both breathing heavily. Tonks was outright panting, her face and hair completely pink.

"You manipulative prick." She whispered, burying her face in his chest. "This is what you were after all along, weren't you?"

Harry chuckled. "Now that was definitely a real kiss."

"If you wanted to kiss me, all you had to do was ask."

"Now where would the fun be in that." Harry smiled. "Admit it, you enjoyed that just as much as I did."

She smiled and looked up at him, light brown eyes shining slightly even as she was still pressed on him. "Yeah, I most definitely did."

"I'm glad you did." Harry said. "Then you wouldn't object to escorting me to the Yule Ball, would you?"

"Are you asking me to the ball, Harry?"

"Seems that way, doesn't it?"

"Nothing is ever normal with you." She shook her head. "I'll go with you on one condition."

"Uh-huh"

"You'll go shopping with me for my outfit."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes." She said seriously, leaving no room for argument.

"I'll go on one condition_"

"Hey! I'm the one giving the conditions here!"

"_you get Hermione to get Hardwin to go with us."

"Alright." She grinned. "I'll be your date at the ball."

"Good." Harry smiled. "I'll leave you to your duties then, Auror Tonks."

"Hey Harry." She whispered, not making a move to get out of his embrace. "Can we stay like this for a few more minutes?"

"Of course." Harry whispered back. "If that's what you want."

-PRPRPRPRPR-

AN: If anything is not specifically mentioned, you assume that it happened the same as it did in Canon. For those who are not aware yet, I'm following the books, alot of what I feel was really important was kept out of the movies so my Canon is the books.

I've been reading through my other story and I was appalled at the grammar and spelling mistakes. Once I finish this one, I'll be taking it down and rewriting it with hopefully better English and longer chapters.