Warrior Mage – Chapter 5
Points of View
Ok people, by now you should know the drill: none of this belongs to me…unfortunately. Oh well.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to review.
Tonks sat around Grimmauld Place, doing nothing and generally being bored. She hadn't realised just how much time she had spent over at Privet Drive, and had forgotten just how much she enjoyed Harry's company – when he wasn't scaring her witless, of course. Not to mention the fact that she hadn't had any of Harry's delicious cooking in two days now. It seemed so much longer than that. It had been 48 days since he left – at least, in his time. She wondered if he was too busy to miss them. Then she berated herself for being so selfish – Harry deserved time to sort his head out, without having to worry about them. She sighed and apparated to Harry's room, feeling that it might at least kill some time.
Remus sat on Harry's bed, contemplating the events of the past few days. It seemed like forever since Harry had left; yet it had only been two days. Only another twelve or so to go, he thought morosely. He was shocked out of his thoughts when someone apparated right next to him. "Tonks! You scared me!"
"Not going to ask me to prove my identity?"
"Ok, do what you did last night at dinner." Tonks grinned and morphed her face into a caricature version of Dumbledore himself.
"Nice." Remus laughed.
"My turn – where has Harry disappeared to?"
"Lesea." Remus answered immediately.
"Ok. So, what are you doing here?"
"Same as you, I guess. You miss him too?"
"Hmm. It's odd, I've never really thought about it before, but he's become my friend, rather than my charge, you know?"
"That's just Harry's personality. His father was the same."
"Yeah, I'll bet. He's cute." Tonks said absently, freezing when she realised what she had said.
"Nymphadora Tonks! Do you have a crush on him?"
"No!" Tonks denied hotly, a blush rising rapidly. "He's just cute – oh come on, he is!"
"Ever heard of too much protest?"
"Remus! He's so much
younger than me!"
"Not really. He's only seven years younger than you – besides, he's not your average fifteen year-old, is he?"
"Not really." Tonks admitted grudgingly.
"So, do you fancy him?"
"I don't know. It's just like a game between us – see who blushes hardest."
"Yeah, I noticed that you two flirt a lot. Who usually wins?"
"Him – it's not fair, even under the invisibility cloak he can see me blush."
"He can see through invisibility cloaks?"
"Apparently."
"So you do fancy him?"
Maybe just a little." Tonks said with a small grin.
"Hmm, what to do with that little piece of information."
"What about you?"
"What about me? I do not fancy Harry, thank you very much."
"What about that trainer of his? Leona?" Tonks was rewarded by a blush. "Woo hoo! Moony's gone and got himself a girlfriend!"
"No I haven't!" Remus protested weakly.
"Sure. Right, we're even now. One smart comment will lead to another, got it?"
"Got it." Remus and Tonks lapsed into silence, mulling over their own thoughts. All of which primarily concerned Harry.
"Has he mentioned anything about last term to you?"
"You mean this thing that Dumbledore told him? Not a thing – you?"
"Nope."
"Damn. I know it's bothering him."
"Yeah – it takes a lot for Harry to lose it now, and he's been on the verge of it for most of the summer."
"Yeah. I think this training is helping, though. He seemed a little more confident at times."
"Let's hope so. If anyone deserves a little peace of mind, it's him."
"Oh yeah."
***
Ron and Hermione sat morosely in the Burrow, wondering how Harry was. They had both felt immensely guilty after he had left, and so they threw themselves into whatever they could. Currently, Hermione was sat with her nose buried in a huge tomb entitled: Warriors and their Culture. Apparently she was trying to find out exactly what Harry's being a Warrior entailed. Ron, meanwhile, was playing a half-hearted game of chess with Ginny.
"Here it is!" Hermione suddenly said loudly, making both Ron and Ginny look up from their game.
"What? What've you found?" Ron asked, looking interested for once.
"Why Warriors, anyway? Aren't they supposed to be extinct?"
"Apparently they aren't extinct. Listen to this: 'one particularly intriguing aspect of the Warrior species is that despite their reputation as killing machines, they do in fact have incredibly complex emotions, much like humans. For instance, it has been recorded that if a Warrior feels responsible for the death of an innocent, he or she may inadvertently cause harm to himself or herself as these feelings become pronounced. This is rare, but is most often seen as injuries on the palms, causing blood on the hands, such as they see fit.'" Hermione looked nervously as Ron, who looked alarmed.
"Oh. Umm..…well….."
"I think we screwed up royally this time." Hermione said shortly.
"Me too."
"What are you two talking about?"
"Harry." They answered in unison.
"Huh? What have you screwed up?"
"Well….." Hermione and Ron exchanged looks before nodding. Ginny wouldn't tell anyone.
"Harry's a Warrior."
"You're kidding – then – oh. Tell me you two didn't say anything about Sirius?"
"No. We assumed that he was fine – well, he never mentioned him, and I thought that maybe – well – maybe he had accepted it."
"Hermione, you are supposed to be intelligent! How could you even imagine that he would be ok? Sirius was practically his only family!" Ginny exploded. Hermione hung her head, knowing that Ginny was right.
"Hey, we know we were wrong now." Ron said.
"That passage – the one you read out. That's something to do with Harry, isn't it?"
"Uh huh. That's what happened to him. He feels accountable for Sirius' death so he's taking it out on himself, unintentionally. He's done it twice, according to Tonks and Remus."
"Oh this is just great. Where is he, anyway?"
"He's spending a year in Lesea."
"WHAT?"
"It's the Warrior city. Very well protected, from what I've read. Time passes differently there – he'll spend a year in Lesea yet only fifteen days will have passed over here. He'll be almost seventeen when he gets back. And a lot different, I guess."
"A year passes in fifteen days? Weird. So he won't actually be gone a year then?"
"No. Thankfully."
"So, what does Harry being a Warrior mean?"
"Truthfully, I'm not sure. This book is one of the only ones I've found."
"So what else have you found out so far?"
"Well, the Warrior city is practically ruled over by the Warrior Mage when a Warrior Mage is alive – which is not very often, by the sounds of it. When no Mage is around, the Ministry of Warriors is in charge. There are a few notable differences in their education system – like they stay in school from when they are four until they are eighteen. They go into training when they are between twenty and twenty-two, depending on their potential."
"But Harry's only fifteen – almost sixteen."
"Exactly. Then Leona told us that there are different occupations in the Warrior city – a Soldier, a Healer, a Trainer or a Teacher. I guess that's just the forces that require a lot of training. Obviously they need shop assistants and so on."
"Who's Leona?"
"Harry's trainer."
"Oh. Is she nice?"
"Well, I think she was a little…..upset with us. I think she and Harry are pretty close."
"Right. So, when did Harry leave?"
"Three days ago." Ron said.
"So he's been gone for seventy-two days." Hermione mumbled, almost to herself. "I wonder what he's doing."
***
Remus and Tonks met up in Privet Drive every other day, just to check that everything was going smoothly in the Muggle house. It was their second visit when their chat and security checks were rudely interrupted. "Vernon, the Boy hasn't been doing his chores!" Came a high-pitched, whiny voice that induced cringes for several miles.
"That's it! I've had enough! That lazy, good-for-nothing parasite is going to get a lesson he'll never forget!" Boomed another voice. Tonks and Remus glanced at each other for a moment before pulling their wands. Just at that moment, a red-faced, angry and more than a little tipsy Vernon Dursley careered through the door, fist raised. "BOY!" He screamed, before realising that Harry wasn't in the room, and that there was a witch and a wizard with their wands trained on him.
"What lesson do you plan to teach Harry?" Remus asked, his eyes hard with disgust.
"That is none of your business!" Vernon slurred. Tonks shuddered inwardly, recoiling from the stench of alcohol on his breath.
"On the contrary, it is most definitely our business." She spat angrily.
"You – all of you – you can just go to hell. I don't owe you any explanations – this is all your fault anyway. If you lot hadn't left that freak here none of this would be happening!"
"Freak? How dare you!" Tonks screamed, ready to hex him into the next universe.
"Tonks, calm down. Dursley, I suggest you start talking and you'd better have a good reason for coming in here with your hand raised."
"I was planning on pounding the good-for-nothing brat into sausage meat, all right? Happy now? It wouldn't be the first time either! Didn't the little freak squeal to you? Pity. Then again, he must have told someone – otherwise he'd be dead. Where is he, anyway, what have you done with him?"
"He's not here – he hasn't been for four days." Remus spat. Tonks was too appalled for words, and just stood there gaping at the Muggle in disgust, her hair changing colours of it's own accord.
"And when he comes back, he won't be staying here, that's for sure."
"Good! The sooner he is out of here the better – good luck with the little brat. He'll just cause you grief, mark my words."
"Stupefy." Tonks croaked out of the blue, making the whale of a man fall back with a loud crash.
"Where's Harry going to stay, then?" Remus asked worriedly.
"He can live in my flat. Lucky I have a spare room." Tonks said decisively.
"Hmm. I suppose it's the best option – that or the Burrow, but as the Weasley's spend most of their time in London, I guess that your place is best."
"Plus the fact that no one knows where I live, let alone how to get there."
"So Deatheater threats are minimal."
"Not that it matters – give Harry a sword and he'd likely win with ease."
"You've seen him fighting?"
"After what Hermione did – he conjured up a dummy and proceeded to cut it to shreds."
"Good. He'll probably need it."
"Unfortunately. Anyway, what do we do with this Muggle git?"
"Best just wake him and leave it – Harry probably wouldn't appreciate us interfering."
"Hmm. What about just a little payback? Say a warning never to mess with us?"
"I know, but still….."
"Come on – we'd better go and tell Albus about the change of plans. I wish there was a way to contact Harry."
"Yeah – a year is a long time to be away from your friends, even if he did need the space."
"I know, but Leona will take care of him – besides, it'll be interesting to see how much he's changed."
"Hmm." Tonks said, replaying Harry's words in her head about some changes not being visible. A smirk grew on her face as an idea began to take root in her mind.
"We're going to have to plan a killer welcome back party." She said.
"Uh oh. You have that scary look in your eyes that generally means someone's in trouble." Remus said.
"Trouble? Not at all." Tonks replied innocently.
***
The days dragged by at the Burrow, seeming to take forever as Ron, Hermione and Ginny researched everything about Warriors. On the fifth day of Harry's absence, Hermione found a self-updating book in the Wizarding library, old and dusty, and containing vast amounts of information on Warriors. She excitedly showed Ron and Ginny, who urged her to ask the clerk how much it would be purchase the book.
"Excuse me?"
"Yes Miss?"
"Could you tell me how much it would cost to buy this book?"
"Nine Galleons, Miss."
"Nine? Oh…..umm…..could you give me a minute, please?"
"Certainly."
"Nine Galleons." Hermione sighed. "It's expensive, but really, I wouldn't have been surprised if it was nineteen. Harry had better appreciate this."
"Harry Potter?" The clerk interrupted.
"Yeah." Ron said.
"You're friends of his then?"
"Yeah. Look, I have one Galleon." Ron sighed.
"Me too." Ginny said,
"Three." Hermione muttered.
"Well, as you're friends with Mr Potter, I'll do you a deal – I'll give you the book for five Galleons."
"Would you? Oh thank you!" Hermione grinned and pulled out her money, watching as Ron and Ginny did the same.
"No problem. I hope you enjoy the book."
The rest of the day was spent looking through the book, reading up on the customs of Warriors and the city of Warriors. There were also a few family trees, as well as the history of the Mages.
"Oh my goodness! Look, there's a new Warrior Mage!" Hermione shrieked.
"There is? I thought they only appeared every few millennia?" Ginny responded.
"They do – apparently it's time for the new one though. Simba Tide – hey, wasn't Harry's friend called Leona Tide?"
"Yeah. I wonder if they're related?" Ron chipped in.
"Well, it should be interesting to see what Harry makes of him. I wonder if they've met."
"Probably. I'll bet this Simba is really stuck up though – imagine having all that power – he's practically in charge of the entire Warrior world."
"Ron, you can't judge people like that – did you think that Harry would be stuck up before you met him?"
"Actually…..yeah, I did."
"Me too, but Harry is the furthest thing from stuck up that you could get. Maybe Simba's like Harry. I mean, it's an awful lot of responsibility for a twenty-three year old."
"Maybe."
"Hey, look, there's a picture of him – he's gorgeous." Ginny grinned.
"Not bad at all." Hermione agreed with a smile.
***
Remus sat in the living room of Grimmauld Place, bored out of his mind.
"Hey Moony. What are you up to?" Tonks asked as she came in.
"Not a lot. It's weird not having to go and guard Harry."
"How long until Harry's back?"
"Seven and a half days." Remus replied gloomily.
"That long? Can we please go and strangle those god-awful Muggles?" Tonks pleaded.
"No, Tonks. Just stay here. The Order will be here soon."
"Is today the meeting that Professor Dumbledore's going to tell everyone where Harry went?"
"Apparently so."
"Right. Well this is going to be interesting."
"Yeah – maybe I should bring a camera."
"Good idea – I'm sure Harry would appreciate seeing the reactions to his news."
"Right – I'll go and find a camera then." Remus went off to find a camera, leaving Tonks to sit on her own, staring into space. She wondered how everyone would take the news that Harry was a Warrior. Whether he knew it or not, there was sometimes prejudice towards Warriors, many Wizards thinking of them as fighting and killing machines. But then again, this was Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. But they had been so quick to turn against him the previous year. Until he was proved right, she added. The argument went on and on in her mind, until she finally gave up trying to second-guess the reactions of Wizards.
***
When Remus returned with the camera, he found Tonks sleeping on the couch, frowning slightly.
"Tonks, hey Tonks." He said, nudging her.
"Huh? What's happening? What's going on?"
"Shush. Nothing's happening, nothing's going on. I got the camera."
"Oh good. Must've fallen asleep. How long until the Order arrive?"
"About ten, fifteen minutes, I'd guess." Remus said, glancing at a clock on the mantelpiece.
"Oh. Right." Tonks yawned and closed her eyes again, but was interrupted again by Remus, who nudged her again. "What? Leave me alone. You said I had ten minutes!"
"Yeah, but that ten minutes is going to be spent tidying up – this place is a tip."
"Can't we get Kreacher to do it?" Tonks asked, not thinking.
"Hardly. He's gone remember?"
"Oh. Sorry. Hey – what about Dobby? We'll never get this clean in time."
"Fine – you go and see if Dobby will help us. I'll make a start."
"Right."
***
Tonks knocked on the door to the Houston household. Daniella opened it, looking surprised to see her. "Tonks! What are you doing here? Is this something to do with Harry? I haven't seen him in ages – is he ok?"
"He's fine. Just gone away for a bit, that's all. I actually came to ask a favour."
"Oh?"
"Yeah – can we borrow Dobby please? The HQ is a right mess."
"Hey Dobby?" Daniella yelled.
"Yes Miss?"
"Tonks would like to know if you'll help clean up the HQ."
"Dobby would be honoured, Miss." Dobby said, disappearing on the spot.
"That house-elf is mad, honestly. Seems to worship Harry though."
"So I noticed – I think he thinks of Harry as his Master more than he thinks of Dumbledore as his Master."
"Probably."
"So, what's the big meeting all about? I hear that there's a big announcement being made?"
"Daniella! Where did you hear that?"
"I have my sources – so will you tell me?"
"I can't. You know I can't."
"Maybe I'll have to eavesdrop. Mum and Dad won't leave me here on my own tonight – they say that it's too dangerous."
"I think there will be extra-security tonight. You'll have a hard time listening in."
"I can try."
"Well, you'll get to meet Harry's other friends tonight then – Ron and Hermione. I think Ginny's coming too."
"Cool. We can all listen in then."
"I'm sure. Besides, they don't need to – they already know."
"Huh! That's not fair!" Daniella pouted. Tonks just laughed.
***
Every member of the Order of the Phoenix was crowded into the meeting room of Grimmauld Place. Many people looked worried, while the two eldest Weasley's, Tonks, Remus and Dumbledore were relaxed – well, a little apprehensive, but generally more relaxed than those who had no idea what the meeting was about.
"I have called a meeting tonight to discuss Harry Potter. As such, I think it only fair that the three young people trying to listen in should be here too." Dumbledore said. He waved his wand and the door opened to reveal Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Daniella. "Do come in." He said pleasantly.
"Sir, what's this about?" Hermione asked timidly.
"This meeting was called to discuss Harry's…..status."
"Status? What do you mean 'status'?" Snape asked cautiously. "What's Potter got himself into now?"
"I believe Harry had little to do with this, Severus." Dumbledore said.
"Where is he, anyway? You called us all off of guard duty."
"He's…..well, he's gone away for a while."
"What? With who? Those Muggles? They don't have the first idea how to protect him!" Someone asked in a panicky tone. Ron and Hermione exchanged looks. Harry would blow a fuse if he had heard that.
"I can see why Harry was so uptight last summer." He told Hermione.
"Hmm. Imagine it – it'd be like no one trusted you. Even then he had to look after himself."
"Indeed." Dumbledore put in. "As Mr Weasley and Miss Granger have pointed out, Harry did not take well to being kept in the dark last summer. And the guard he was given didn't seem to stop him having to look after himself." Everyone glared at Mundungus Fletcher at this point, who seemed happily oblivious, and was listening half-heartedly to what Dumbledore was saying.
"The circumstances have changed somewhat this summer. Harry lost his Godfather, Sirius Black, and that loss has hit him hard." There was a pause as everyone nodded. Hermione and Ron hung their heads shamefully under Ginny's glare.
"Besides this, Harry has discovered that he is a Warrior." There were several gasps as this information sunk in.
"He can't be – Warriors are evil!"
"No they're not! They are no more evil than any of you are!" Tonks and Remus argued heatedly.
"The boy cannot be a Warrior." Snape said. "It's probably just another of his ploys to get more attention. He's just as arrogant as his father was." There were cries of outrage from almost everyone at this point, not least from Remus and Tonks.
"Severus, you will keep your opinions to yourself." Dumbledore said calmly.
"Harry is not arrogant." Hermione said angrily.
"Miss Granger." Dumbledore said soothingly. Hermione reluctantly stopped glaring at the Potions Professor.
"Harry was taken to Lesea by his trainer."
"Albus, would you like us to check whether he's ok?" Mr Houston suggested.
"You're Warriors?"
"Yes, and I can assure you that we are not evil – I do have one question though."
"Go ahead."
"Warriors usually start training when they're twenty or so. Harry's not even sixteen yet."
"Indeed. How odd." Dumbledore frowned a little before his face cleared.
"Another thing to inflate Potter's head even more." Snape grunted.
"Severus! That is enough."
"Yes headmaster." The Potions Master said sulkily.
"Rebecca, Phillip, if you would check in Lesea for Harry it would be much appreciated."
"Of course Sir. Shall we leave now?"
"How long do you think it will take?"
"A few minutes at most – time passes quicker in Lesea."
"Very well, we'll wait for you to return before continuing."
***
"You're a Warrior?" Ron asked Daniella.
"I'm not trained yet, but I am called a Warrior because my parents are." Daniella explained. "Do you know who Harry's trainer is?"
"Leona Tide – she's related to the new Mage, we think."
"Hold on – there's a new Mage? Incredible. Mum and dad are in for a bit of a shock when they reach Lesea – oh, they're even barging in on boxing day!"
"It's boxing day in Lesea?"
"Yeah. Oh, I wish I could have gone to the Ball."
"Ball?"
"It's a Christmas Tradition in Lesea – there's a massive Ball held on Christmas night. Everyone important is there, as well as all the normal people. It's a huge celebration. I'll bet the Mage was there too – what's their name?"
"Simba. He's cute as well." Ginny grinned.
"How old?"
"Twenty-three."
"Ooh, not bad."
"What are you lot talking about?" Tonks asked.
"The new Warrior Mage – apparently he's cute. And only twenty-three."
"Hmm. Sounds interesting."
"Well, Harry couldn't have a better trainer – the Tides are all very good at what they do."
"Do you know them well?"
"No, but they're quite an influential family in Lesea. Not corrupt or anything." She added quickly, seeing looks of suspicion crossing Ron and Ginny's face.
"We're back." Rebecca announced, appearing from nowhere again.
***
Their first stop had been to the Ministry records office, where they bumped into a rather intimidating young man, who seemed thoroughly immersed in a book, and was flicking pages at impossible speed.
"Er…..hello." Phillip said cautiously.
"Hello." The man said warmly putting the book to one side.
"I don't mean to be rude, but who are you? I don't seem to recall seeing you before."
"Simba Tide." The man smiled. "Pleased to meet you."
"You too." They were interrupted by a harassed looking Ministry employee bursting in.
"My Lord Mage, you are required in the Minister's office." He wheezed. Simba stood, looking slightly annoyed.
"I'll be there in a moment." He said pleasantly. "Is there something I can help you with?" Both Phillip and Rebecca were staring at him as if he had sprouted horns and a pointy tail, and was holding a pointy stick.
"My Lord Mage? Is it true?" Rebecca asked in a hushed voice.
"Ah yes, my title." The man scowled slightly. "Please, call me Simba."
"Well, we were wondering – Simba – if you knew whether Harry Potter was here or not?"
"Oh yes – he's staying with my family." Simba smiled.
"He is? Is he all right?"
"He's fine. I'm sure he would like you to tell his friends so."
"We will. Thank you, My Lord Mage."
"I swear, the next time someone calls me that I am going to stick that title so far up their – never mind, I have to go. It was nice meeting you. Duty calls." The man disappeared, leaving no trace that he had ever been there, with the exception of two very shocked Warriors.
***
"Albus, Harry's fine."
"Did you talk to him?"
"No, but we have a reliable source that tells us he's fine."
"Who?"
"It appears that a new Warrior Mage has come to Lesea. A rather charming young man."
"There's a new Warrior Mage? What does that mean?"
"Mage's are incredibly rare in Lesea – Warrior Mages are basically in charge of…..well…..everything."
"Hey mum, is he cute?"
"He was rather charming. Certainly not stuck up."
"He seemed to rather dislike his title."
"Title?"
"My Lord Mage."
"Oh. So what did he say?"
"That Harry was living with his family and that he was fine."
"Very well."
***
By the time the meeting was over, several people were wearing incredibly shocked expressions, and many were hiding their surprise well. Fred and George looked as if all of their birthdays had come at once, while Snape looked as if he had just eaten something particularly nasty. It was late when people began trickling from the house, heading to their homes. Only Tonks, Remus, Dumbledore and Snape remained before long.
"I assume there is something you wish to discuss with me?" Dumbledore asked them.
"Yes." They answered simultaneously.
"Well you have my full attention – Tonks, why not you first?"
"Umm…..I'd really prefer to talk to you about this alone."
"Tonks, Severus is as much a part of this Order as you are. He has my complete trust."
"It's not that Sir, it's…..well…..it's kind of awkward. I don't think Harry would appreciate anyone knowing. We only found out by accident."
Severus' interest was piqued now, as he glanced from Remus to Tonks, both of whom looked unsure as whether to continue or not.
"I'm sure whatever is said in this room will stay in this room." Dumbledore said. Tonks sighed and slumped into a chair, staring at her feet.
"Do you know how those Muggles treat him?"
"I am aware of their dislike of magic, yes." Dumbledore frowned.
"Dislike?" Tonks snorted disparagingly.
"Nymphadora." Dumbledore tilted her chin up and saw tears brimming in her eyes.
"How could you do that to him? How could you leave him with that…..that…..thing?" Tears rolled down her cheeks as she recalled their meeting with Vernon Dursley.
"Tonks….." Dumbledore began.
"No! You left him there. You don't even know the half of it – you say they 'dislike' magic – Harry grew up with them calling him a freak, and a lazy, good-for-nothing parasite. He is their personal house-elf! They didn't even realise he was gone for four days!" Tonks broke off, swiping angrily at her tears. She turned to Snape, pinning him with a glare. "You say that he's arrogant and big-headed. How could he be? He has grown up with people telling him that he is worthless, that he doesn't matter. The first time you saw him, how did he look?"
"A little small and underweight. Shy and scared." Dumbledore answered.
"That's not even the lot of it. It wasn't just verbal abuse."
"They beat him?" Snape asked sceptically. Tonks nodded.
"That Vernon git said that he thought Harry had told someone – he said that if he didn't, he'd have been dead."
"Impossible." Snape said abruptly. "I never saw any abuse when I was going through his mind!"
"You think it would be fresh in his mind? He's probably buried it under everything else that's piling on top of him!" Tonks raged.
"He can't remain at the Dursleys. Not if what you say is true."
"We've already thought about that – he can stay in my flat. No one except for you and me know where it is. The threats are minimal to his safety, though if he has a sword with him, I doubt Voldemort himself could do anything."
"I take it you have seen Harry using a sword?"
"Yeah. So – would that be ok?"
"I think that it would be the best idea – I may have to arrange for some identity changing potion to be made for him."
"Ok." Tonks nodded, having calmed down a bit.
***
Thankfully the next few days passed quickly for everyone as they started to arrange Harry's welcome home party. Though for them he would have only been gone for just over two weeks, he would have felt like he had been gone for an entire year. Tonks and Molly agreed that the party should be held at the Burrow, and made up a guest list – everyone in the Order was invited, including Snape, who declined immediately.
***
The fifteenth day of Harry's absence arrived what seemed like an eternity later, and found both Remus and Tonks sitting in Harry's bedroom at 4 Privet Drive, anxiously and impatiently awaiting his arrival.
"Do you think he'll have changed a lot?" Tonks asked.
"Probably. Harry seems to change a lot from week to week – who knows how much he's changed in a year?"
"You're supposed to be reassuring me, not making matters worse." Tonks glared.
"Oh relax. He'll be fine, healthy and hopefully a lot more at ease with himself."
"Let's hope so."
"Hmm."
"What is taking so long?" Tonks got up from the chair she had been sitting on, and paced around the room restlessly.
"Tonks, sit down!" Remus said in exasperation, after ten minutes of watching her pace.
"Seriously, what's taking so long?"
"Give him some time, Tonks. He'll be here."