"Albus Dumbledore's Office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" Harry said as he threw the powder.
At first, he was worried that nothing had happened. But then, thankfully, the face of the headmaster appeared in the flames. "...Harry?"
"Professor, there are dementors here! I think they've gotten Dudley! We need some help!" Harry said, trying to get his breathing under control.
"Dementors? Are you sure?" Asked Dumbledore, looking worried.
"We saw them. We heard Dudley scream just as we were about to enter the house!"
"Stand back." Said Dumbledore.
A few moments later, the headmaster appeared properly through the flames. He paused as he started to look at Harry. "...Where did you hear your cousin's scream coming from?"
"Down the road. We took the back yards through this street's neighborhood and the last. We didn't see him down this set. He must still be back there somewhere!" Harry exclaimed.
"I will find him and deal with anything that may be roaming. Stay inside and lock the door behind me. I would also recommend locking any other entrances to the house. I can get back in on my own when I return." Said Dumbledore as he strode towards the front door.
Harry did as Dumbledore asked, locking the front door as he left and running upstairs and locking the bedroom windows. When he came back down, Tonks lobbed a can of soda his way, which he gratefully took, taking a long drink.
"I'm glad he didn't dismiss me." Harry said after swallowing. "He can handle anything that's out there..."
Tonks shivered as she walked up, hugging at herself. "I hope so. ...I'm gonna go get ahold of mum and tell her she needs to come home."
"Good idea. I wish I could be out there with Dumbledore, but..."
"Yeah. Not a good plan." Tonks said. "You gonna go watch for him?"
"I think I will, yeah." Harry said.
The two entered the living room, Tonks heading for the fireplace and Harry for the window. Pulling the curtains back slightly he peered out, watching. Moments later, he heard Tonks call out the name of her mother's office. Andromeda's head appeared in the fire shortly after.
"Nymmy? Is something wrong?" Asked Andromeda.
"Well, if you consider dementors being on the loose around these parts..." Tonks started.
"Dementors?! Nymmy, what...?"
"Someone wrote a letter, warning Harry. He's here, by the way. So is Dumbledore. He's out looking around. We think the dementors might have found Harry's cousin, who was following us. We saw one of them, mum. It was only briefly, but we saw one. We felt them, too. We've got the house locked down like Dumbledore told us to, but..."
"I'll be there in a minute. I need to grab some things and tell my boss you're not feeling good." Said Andromeda. "Stay put, do you hear me?"
"Yes, mum." Tonks said, walking over to the window as the flames died down. Wrapping her arms around him from behind, she whispered, "Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Think we can get someone to apparate us to Hawaii?"
"Hawaii?"
"Anywhere's better than here. Wanna go to the beach. Wanna relax."
"So do I." Harry sighed. "So do I, Nymmy."
Andromeda stepped out of the fireplace some five minutes later, rushing over and hugging the teens. "Is Albus still out?" She asked.
"Yeah. Haven't seen or heard anything in awhile." Harry said, glancing back to the window. "I hate this. I hate waiting and not knowing what's happening!"
"It'll be alright. Albus knows what he's doing." Andromeda said.
"Yes, so it would seem." Harry said darkly.
"He knows?" Asked Andromeda, looking at her daughter, who nodded. "Yes, I'm not very happy with it either, Harry. But he must have his reasons."
"Aside from making me miserable?" Asked Harry, peering back out the window.
"Aside from that, yes." Andromeda said. "I should probably go out and look around, too."
"No!" Tonks cried. "You aren't going anywhere! He can handle it!"
"I am capable of conjuring a Patronus, Nymmy." Andromeda said.
"Not the point!" Tonks argued.
Suddenly, Harry sucked in a sharp breath, his body tensing up. It caused both Tonks women to turn and look at him.
"What is it?" Asked Andromeda.
"No." Harry whispered. "...Damn it!"
Harry ran from the living room, unlocking the front door and throwing it open. He met the headmaster halfway across the front lawn. "What the hell happened?!"
Dumbledore looked down at Harry sadly. Behind him floated Dudley's body, his eyes glazed over. "I was too late." He said. "Come. Let's not stand out here."
The headmaster set Dudley's body down on the couch, sighing quietly as he did so. "I went the way you suggested, Harry. The boy was curled in the corner of the yard. I did not see anything around him, though. Sadly, the dementors had already fed. There was no chance to reach him in time. I am sorry. I went to hunt the dementors down, took care of them, and returned to get your cousin."
"It isn't your fault." Harry said quietly, staring at his cousin. "...How many were there?"
"Two." Said Dumbledore.
"Just like the letter said." Tonks whispered.
"Letter?" Asked Dumbledore. "What letter might this be?"
"I got a letter the other day." Harry said. "It was... from a friend. He warned me someone in Voldemort's ranks would be sending dementors after me. I was hoping it was a fake or something. But he said there would probably be two, but that I should expect more."
"And who was his friend?" Asked Dumbledore.
"...He said he didn't want me to tell anyone, but he also said he would go over my head and speak to you directly if I wouldn't believe him." Harry said. "...Hey, Nymmy?"
"Yeah, yeah. I get the idea. We can leave the room if you want." Tonks said.
"Sorry. But his letter probably saved me. I should respect his wishes. And having the headmaster know will help me get it out of my system so I won't accidentally tell anyone else." Harry said.
"It's alright, Harry. We understand." Said Andromeda. Putting a hand on her daughter's shoulder, she continued, "Let's go get something to drink. Anyone think they'll feel up to a meal tonight?"
"I probably will later." Harry said, running a hand through his hair. "I'd like to say this has me upset, but... it's very hard to be that caring for someone who has spent most of his life trying to break your bones."
Andromeda nodded, escorting Tonks from the room. When they were in the kitchen, Harry collapsed down into one of the room's chairs, fishing in his pocket for the letter and handing it to Dumbledore, who straightened the crumpled parchment out before letting his eyes scan it. His eyebrows raised slightly when he reached the end. Once he finished, he balled up the letter and tossed it into the fireplace. Harry reached into his other pocket, drew out the envelope, and did the same.
"I am surprised you believed him." Said Dumbledore.
"He risked his life writing me, sir. It was the least I could do."
"You never cease to amaze me, Harry." Dumbledore said, smiling.
"Which brings up why you feel the need to have me cut off from my friends."
Dumbledore sighed then, walking over to Harry. "It is because too many harmful things could get through. We have been scanning the letters sent to you this year, ensuring that nothing unsavory is in them. I do apologize, though. I should have said something."
"So how did that letter get through?" Harry asked, nodding towards the fireplace.
"A very good question." Said Dumbledore. "I will have to ask the writer himself the first chance I get!"
"...Yeah, okay. I can see the need for keeping me safe. But yeah, it would've been nice had you send Fawkes or something with a letter explaining the situation at least. Or just have him bring the letters directly." Harry grumbled. "...What're we going to do about Dudley?"
"We will, of course, have to return him to his parents." Said Dumbledore. "And we will have to explain what has happened to him."
"I was afraid you were gonna say that. But... sir, shouldn't we get some more people here? There might be more dementors out there somewhere. Better to be safe than sorry." Harry said.
"I am sure I could arrange that, yes." Dumbledore said.
"Really?" Harry said, eyebrows raising. He hadn't expected Dumbledore to go along with the idea. "You... you'll really do that?"
Dumbledore smiled. "As you have said, there may be more lurking out there. And it would be a tragedy if more innocent lives were taken tonight. While I did not sense that there were, perhaps it is best to play it safe. Go into the kitchen and try to relax. I will call in some favors and be back as quickly as I can."
Harry nodded, slowly getting to his feet. "I... thank you, sir. And... sir?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"Do you think you could bring me some Dreamless Sleep for tonight? I'm not sure how well I'll be able to sleep after this..." Harry said, looking back at his cousin.
"I don't think it will be a problem. Now go - have something to drink, try to eat something. I will take care of the rest." Said Dumbledore kindly as he approached the fireplace.
Harry nodded again, turning to head into the kitchen. As he opened the door, the familiar sound of flames rising filled the air. The Tonks women were at the table, mugs of blue liquid in front of them. As Harry walked over, he told them what Dumbledore was going to do. As he sat, he then asked, "What're you drinking?"
"Blue Stuff." Tonks replied.
"Well... yeah, but what is it?" Asked Harry.
"Blue Stuff." Said Andromeda.
"...Yes, I believe I can see that it's blue stuff. But what IS it?"
"No no no." Andromeda said, aiming her wand across the room and floating over a large, plastic bottle. Inside was a blue-colored liquid that was, apparently, some sort of berry flavored soda. The name was, of course, 'Blue Stuff.'
"Oh. Well pour me some, would you? I've got an awful headache at the moment." Harry said, slumping down in his chair.
"A third cup of Blue Stuff coming up." Said Andromeda, smiling slightly as she summoned another glass to the table. "Here you go, dear. Are you feeling alright?"
"As well as I can be, I suppose, given the situation. Kind of unnerved that I'm not more upset still." Harry said, taking the glass and trying a sip of the liquid within. His face immediately screwed up. "Eeyagh, this stuff is bitter!"
"Good wake-up juice." Andromeda said.
"You shouldn't worry too much about how you feel." Tonks said. "He's still alive, after all. Just not all there."
"Yeah. But 'not all there' isn't going to be good enough for the Dursleys. Frankly, I dunno if it's good enough for me, either. I think I'd rather he had been killed than to have him reduced to being soulless." Harry said, nursing his glass of Blue Stuff. "I'm not going to enjoy heading back to Number Four with Dumbledore."
"I assume you'll be heading back later tonight?" Asked Andromeda.
"Probably." Harry said. "Ugh... man, couldn't this stuff happen after the holiday is over?"
"Like I said, stuff's off to an early start this time." Tonks said, taking a long drink of her soda.
"Speaking of things off to an early start..." Began Andromeda, fixing a look on Harry.
"Uh-oh." He said. "You... noticed?"
"Oh yeah. I think we need to have a little talk."
Harry let out a groan.
"Nymmy seems to be very quiet on the matter when I asked her about it." Said Andromeda.
"And I'm supposed to be more vocal?" Asked Harry. "You already know!"
"Yes, but I'd like to hear it from one of you." Andromeda said.
"Was a late Christmas present." Harry said, staring down at his blue soda. "Sirius and Moony brought it."
"Oh? And just how much did you spend?"
"Mum!" Tonks exclaimed, glaring at her mother.
"Simply hoping he didn't spend too much of his money, that's all." Andromeda said, holding up her hands.
"I've got more than I could ever spend." Harry said. "Wanted to get her something special."
"So it would seem. But you're skirting the issue."
"...Do I have to say?" Asked Harry, glancing up through his eyelashes at Andromeda.
"You don't have to, no. But I'd prefer if you did."
Harry groaned. "...You're gonna be mad."
"I promise I won't." Andromeda said. "...It was a lot, wasn't it?"
"Oh yeah." Tonks said quietly, gazing down at her left hand. The ammolite gemstone in the ring seemed to shine for a moment.
"...Fifteen thousand." Harry whispered eventually.
"Fifteen THOUSAND?" Andromeda repeated, eyes wide. "Good lord!"
"Toldja." Harry mumbled.
"I'm not mad, it's just... that's..." Andromeda sputtered.
"It's spelled." Harry explained, looking up.
"It is?" Said Andromeda.
"It is?" Said Tonks.
The two women looked at one another before turning back to Harry.
"Erk. Um... yeah. It is." He said. "It... yeah, there's a good dozen heavy protection charms on that thing."
"Cool." Tonks said, staring at her ring again.
"I think I'm going to need to corner Sirius and talk to him about this." Andromeda said a few minutes later. Drawing in a deep breath, she continued, "Still, I know full well what this all means. I just wanted you to know I'm perfectly fine with it. Both of you."
"You are?" Asked Harry and Tonks in unison.
"I am." Andromeda said, smiling at Harry now. "Surprised by how early it happened, but fine with it nonetheless. I kind of figured it might some day."
"Does that mean I can curl up next to him tonight?" Asked Tonks. "Tired of hugging that dumb pillow."
"Is that what that was about?" Andromeda asked, tilting her head as she looked at her daughter again. "Was wondering why you were so insistent on a body pillow..."
"Well Dumbledore kinda screwed over my plans of having the real one there." Tonks said, making a face.
"I take it this means you've spent time curled up together in bed." Andromeda said.
"Um... yes?" Said Tonks. At the look on her mother's face, she waved her hands quickly. "It was just sleeping!"
"Just?"
"Just! I promise!" Tonks said.
"It was." Harry finally chimed in quietly. "It... she's the main reason I never wound up in the hospital - Hogwarts' or otherwise - after Voldemort was brought back. Having her there helped to keep the nightmares away..."
Andromeda sighed softly, getting up and walking around the table. "How have you been since?"
"Since summer started? ...About as well as can be expected. Slept bout three hours a night at best, been sleeping on my stomach so I could scream into the pillow if I had a nightmare." Harry said, shrugging. "I've had better days."
"See. He needs me." Tonks said, pouting.
"...So it would seem. I'll allow it, but only on the condition that you promise to keep the door open." Said Andromeda, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder and squeezing gently. "If it helps both of you sleep better, I don't see a reason why I should forbid it."
"Thanks..." Harry said. "...You know, I'd really be perfectly happy with going to bed right now. What's taking Dumbledore so long? Even if there were more dementors around before, they're probably long gone by now."
"Dunno." Andromeda said. "Want to head into the living room to wait? Or would you rather stay in here to avoid...?"
"I'll be alright." Harry said. "I've seen worse, unfortunately."
"Unfortunate isn't the right word." Andromeda said, squeezing Harry's shoulder again before stepping away so he could stand. "Let's bring the soda in. If we don't hear from Albus soon, I'll try getting ahold of him again."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
As it turned out, Dumbledore calling 'some' favors equated to amassing a task force nearly two dozen strong. The headmaster apologized for taking so long, as he didn't return until nearly a half hour later. After a bit of wand-waving, the people Dumbledore had called had all apparated in or around Number Nine's living room.
"Kingsley!" Tonks cried, recognizing one of the taller men in the crowd.
"Hey there, Pinwheel." Said Kingsley Shacklebolt, grinning as Tonks ran over and hugged him. "How're you holding up?"
"I've had better summers." Tonks said, stepping back and smiling tiredly at the man.
"So it would seem." Kingsley said, looking down at Dudley's body. "So this is Potter's cousin, huh?"
"Cousin, mutated rhino, whichever." Harry said dryly, stepping through the crowd with Andromeda to reach Tonks.
"I can see you aren't too upset at the loss." Kingsley said, eyebrow raising.
"The Dursleys aren't exactly a pleasant lot." Harry said, shrugging. "You and Nymmy know each other?"
"Kingsley and I have been friends for ages." Andromeda said, smiling at the man. "He used to babysit Nymmy when she was little."
"Oh. You have my sympath--OW!" Harry said, getting slugged in the arm by Tonks.
Kingsley laughed. "She hasn't changed much, I see. Pinwheel always was a handful."
"Pinwheel?" Harry asked, grinning aside at Tonks, who had developed a sudden interest in the carpet.
"Used to cartwheel everywhere when she was little. And when she wasn't doing that, she was spinning 'round in place." Explained Kingsley, chuckling at Tonks' embarrassment. "Has she grown out of it, Andi?"
"About six years back, yes." Andromeda said. "So what's your roll in tonight's little get-together?"
"Leading one of the two teams out on a search." Kingsley said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Albus explained the situation to us when he called. I gathered a few of the men on my squad to help out."
"Squad?" Asked Harry.
"Kingsley's an Auror." Tonks said.
"Ahh."
Minutes later, Dumbledore had quieted the crowd down and told them where they should try concentrating their searches. One team was to position half its members at Number Four while the rest searched outward from its location. The other would start there at the Tonks residence and work their way out. Once they were sure that no dementors were still lingering, they were to report in. Likewise, should any of them drive off a dementor, they were to report in once they were sure it wouldn't be coming back.
Kingsley gave the Tonks women a wave before he lead his team out. Dumbledore had gone out with the teams to help monitor their progress and to assist them if necessary. When they had all cleared out, Harry collapsed into one of the living room's chairs.
"What a day..."
Tonks sat on the chair's arm. "Hopefully nothing's still out there."
"Yeah. Hopefully." Harry said, closing his eyes. "I'm more worried about dealing with the rest of the Dursleys."
"Why do you have to go? Can't Dumbledore go on his own?" Asked Tonks.
"I need to get my things, Nymmy. Even if I didn't want to return, it would be safest with the headmaster there, despite the reactions that will probably occur." Harry said.
"Oh. Damn. I forgot about your stuff..."
"I'm gonna be ready to sleep for a week when I get back." Harry muttered.
"I'll make sure your bed's ready." Andromeda said. "Don't worry about sleeping too long. I think it's justified in this case."
"Just hope I can stay asleep." Harry said, opening his eyes again. "I really don't need to have nightmares the one time I really need a good night's rest. Hopefully Dumbledore's brought some Dreamless Sleep for me."
"Well, whatever happens, I'll be there. No worries." Tonks said.
"Thanks, Nymmy." Harry said, smiling wanly.
"Just wish th--" Tonks began. But she was interrupted as the front door opened. The two Tonks women and Harry got to their feet as Dumbledore entered.
"We have had to run off three more so far." Said Dumbledore. "Though something is troubling about the situation."
"Oh great. What?" Harry asked.
"None of us felt the typical chills until they were very near." Said Dumbledore. "Whether this is something they were doing on their own or whether the operative of Voldemort's had spelled them is currently unknown."
"Great. So how the heck are we supposed to know when they're gone?" Harry asked.
"The people I have gathered have agreed to remain on patrol until morning. The dementors won't stay in the light if it can be helped." Said Dumbledore. "It should be safe after that. I feel they will flee before dawn approaches."
"So we're going to take Dudley's body back over to Number Four knowing full well more dementors could be out there?" Asked Harry.
"That is what it boils down to, yes." Said Dumbledore. "I have informed the team leaders of this, and there is a safe route that has been set up. We may go any time you'd like, Harry."
"...Let's get it over with." Harry said. "The sooner, the better. I just want to go to sleep."
"Very well." Dumbledore said. He walked over to the couch and, with the flick of his wand, had Dudley levitating again. "Then let us go."
"Sir? Did you do anything to Dudley when you got him? He's been very quiet. That doesn't seem to mesh with what I've read on dementors..." Harry said.
"The results vary from victim to victim. There is currently no way to tell how a person will end up after having his or her soul removed." Said Dumbledore. "I am sure he will 'wake up' so to speak, but I highly doubt he will be very vocal or mobile from this point on."
"He wasn't very mobile to begin with." Harry muttered. "Okay, well... let's go."
"Good luck." Tonks whispered, kissing Harry on the cheek.
"Thanks." Harry said, sounding very tired.
Tonks sighed as Harry and Dumbledore left, Dudley's body bobbing unnaturally behind them. "Why does everything have to happen to Harry, mum?"
"I wish I knew, sweetie. I wish I knew."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Author's Notes: Originally, I pondered age-regressing Kingsley as well. I eventually decided against it, though. It was more fun to have him be Tonks' one time babysitter. Gave me an excuse to think up another embarrassing nickname for poor Tonks.
And so we see the aftermath of the attack. The next chapter will end day 1 of year 5. I can't believe I'm devoting three chapters to -a- day. But them's the breaks. It's a very important day.
Something interested was pointed out in a review - how Hedwig could understand Boris. The way I see it, animals can just understand one another. That and I'm covering a very minor plothole:D Anyway, yes - part 3 is going to be fun. Poor Harry. Poor, poor, exhausted Harry.
May take awhile to write it, as writing the Dursleys always DOES. I'm gonna give myself a two week window on this one, just because I know I'll have to break a FEW writer's blocks to get through it. I'm finding it a bit difficult to write long chapters, too. I try to write so that each is at or around 30kb. Chapter 1 passed the 25kb minimum I like to keep, but this one's a ways under even THAT. So apologies for that. I danced around the idea of adding the confrontation and just having this be a LONG chapter, but the lengths will wind up being the same either way. So meh. I'll see you in under a fortnight, kids.