IWSC Summer Camp Round

Cabin: Weasley

WC:1129

Task: The Arts - Dancing

Harry sat in his small room at 4 Privet Drive. He only had a few more weeks until his seventeenth birthday, and he would finally put an end to this part of his life. The Dursleys were busy packing their belongings because Remus had told them the Order was taking them into hiding when Harry was of age to protect them from Voldemort. It had not been taken well by his aunt and uncle. Dudley was an enigma, however. Harry had been sure Dudley would have thrown a temper tantrum, but Dudley had stood there and asked about electronics. Remus had told him Magic interfered with most Muggle technology. His cousin had nodded at Remus before calling some of his friends. Dudley offered to sell many of his video games to his friends for barely half of what their price was. That still confused Harry.

As the sounds of packing could be heard through his thin walls, Harry's thoughts turned to his redheaded girlfriend, Ginny Weasley. He would be seeing her again soon, in secret, before he left this house for the last time. Then Harry thought of her oldest brother's wedding that was scheduled for just after his birthday. More apt, Harry thought of the reception and the dancing that would be a part of that night. He cringed as he remembered the Yule Ball debacle in his fourth year at Hogwarts. Harry didn't want Ginny to feel put out because he couldn't dance, and he sure didn't want her to dance with anyone else, except maybe her brothers, father, and maybe Remus. He had to do something. He glanced at his watch, with a nod.

Harry snuck down the stairs, unfortunately, his Aunt Petunia was just about to make her way up the stairs.

"Where are you off to?" she asked with a scowl.

"To the park, so I'm not in your way," Harry answered. "Yes, all of the things are already packed."

"Fine," Petunia grunted, waving him out of her way. "Go. Be gone with you."

Harry didn't think twice as he bolted out the front door. He looked at the spot he knew Tonks was standing guard outside, jerking his head slightly. He led her to the secluded picnic bench they had agreed to meet to talk. Harry sat, waiting patiently for Tonks to reveal herself from under her cloak.

"Wotcher, Harry," Tonks greeted as she appeared.

"I need a favor," Harry stated sheepishly.

"Okay," she nodded.

"Do you know…uh…anyone that could…um…teach me to…er…" Harry paused to take a deep breath. "To…erm…dance?"

"Why, Harry, are you trying to impress a certain redhead?" Tonks teased.

"More like trying not to embarrass her or me at the reception," he grumbled. "I don't need a repeat of the Yule Ball."

"I heard about that," snickered Tonks. Harry frowned at her. She cleared her throat before giving him a small smile and a nod. "I'll teach you."

"You?" Harry looked at her with wide eyes. "But you trip…"

"I'm actually quite graceful on the dancefloor," Tonks frowned at him. "There's an old saying 'Don't judge a book'…"

"… 'By its cover'…" Harry nodded. He rolled his eyes slightly as he wrung his hands. "Alright. Where and when?"

"Remus or I'll pick you up after I'm off duty here and make a few arrangements," Tonks stated as she patted his hands. Harry nodded.

Three hours later, Tonks had picked Harry up, making the excuse to his aunt that it was better she didn't know so Tonks wouldn't have to use Magic on her. Aunt Petunia had squeaked then waved Harry out of the house like she was shooing a fly. Harry and Tonks walked to a covered walkway not far from the house. Tonks took Harry's arm, apparating them to a place Harry had never been to before. There was a house that appeared to be made of at least three different buildings. Tonks waved at a shadow in the window of the odd-looking house.

"Come on, Harry," Tonks tugged on his arm, moving toward a gap to the left.

"Where are we? And who was that?" he asked unsure about this as they entered a courtyard garden. Harry could see another building on the far side.

"That was my mum," Tonks chuckled as she led him around one of the four buildings. "This was where I grew up."

"Oh," Harry blinked.

"That building is my mum's office. She's a Healer," Tonks pointed to the left. She turned and pointed to the other side. "That one is my dad's workshop. He fixes all types of stuff, Muggle and Magical."

"Is the big one the house?" asked Harry.

"Very good," Tonks smiled. She hit her shin on a garden gnome with a fishing pole. "Ow!"

Harry tried not to snicker but failed. Tonks frowned at him. "We are going back there. It's part of my mum's clinic but it has the room we need."

They entered the building at the back of the square. Harry looked around seeing all the waiting room chairs pushed along the walls. Remus stood at the counter with a wireless, smiling at his wife as she limped slightly.

"Hit the gnome again, I see," he chuckled.

"Oi! You shut it," Tonks pointed at him.

Tonks turned to Harry and started explaining the different types of dances. With each dance, she would start moving her feet in different patterns across the smooth floor. After ten minutes of this, Tonks nodded to Remus to turn on some music. She stepped up to Harry, placing his hand on her hip and holding the other one.

Remus tried to hide his amusement at the look of terror and uncertainty on Harry's face as the started to move. He lost his battle with his laughter as for once it was not Tonks that tripped but Harry. As Harry tripped, he pulled Tonks down with him to land on top of him. The mortified look on Harry's face was just too much to hold back the laughter.

"Alright, Harry," Tonks sighed as she helped him up. "This isn't working."

"Maybe if you had red hair," Harry mumbled as he looked away to hide his embarrassment.

"Red hair?" Tonks asked, confused. Her eyes grew big as she realized. "I can do that."

Harry looked up to see Tonks standing there with Weasley red hair, grinning like a madwoman. "This better?"

"Yeah, I think so," Harry nodded. "Reminds me of who I'm doing this for."

Tonks smiled, then nodded to Remus again. "Come on then. Let's get you learned up."