Chapter 3 – Tales of things to come.
"Don't go," he said in barely a whisper. Harry took both her hands in his and their heads moved closer together. After what seemed like a life time their lips met and for both of them it was moment of pure ecstasy. Their kiss was soft and gentle but fuelled by passion, their bodies pressed together as one. They didn't hear the door to the room open as Ron and Hermione walked in holding Harry's glass of water.
Hermione and Ron stood their completely aghast. The glass Hermione was holding fell from her hands and shattered on the floor. Harry and Tonks broke apart and spun around a look of horror on both their faces.
"OH…My…God" Hermione said. Ron was still unable to say anything but Hermione continued while Harry and Tonks went bright red. "Since when did you two…? How long have you been...? I don't believe this!" she went from shocked to angry in no time at all.
"It's not what it looks like!" Tonks blurted out. "Well it is but there's no need to get angry." I wish Harry would say something Tonks thought, don't leave me to explain by myself. As if reading her thoughts Harry said "Hermione, why are you so angry?"
"Why am I angry!" she shouted. "I'm angry because you were supposed to be watching and looking after Harry!" she yelled at Tonks. "Not seducing and corrupting him!"
"Hermione, Tonks has been looking after me! And how has she been corrupting me!"
"Harry, she's 22! You're not even sixteen yet!" When you said it like that it didn't sound appropriate but Tonks and Harry looked at each other and knew that their ages didn't matter. "Hermione please, this is new for us too, you just have to trust our judgement, in the end it's our choice anyway."
Hermione was temporarily stunned into silence at being told it was effectively none of her business. "Ron back me up here, don't you think this is inappropriate?" Ron, after being quiet for so long added his contribution to the mix. "Harry…I'm impressed." Harry couldn't help but laugh and Hermione was stunned into silence and now it was Ron's turn to take control. "Come on Hermione, lets leave these two alone." He dragged her out of the room and winked at Harry before closing the door behind him.
"Not exactly how I imagined our first kiss," Harry said trying to come to terms with Hermione's reaction.
Tonks smiled, "so you did imagine it then?" he was too overwhelmed to blush and just fell back on his bed.
"What are we gonna do Tonks? What if Hermione tells everyone? What's even going on between us?"
"Harry don't worry about it, Hermione won't tell anyone yet. As for us, that's up to you." She quietened as she said the last bit and just looked at Harry. Harry's stomach was in knots. He knew they had just kissed and he knew he defiantly felt something strong for Tonks, but he was afraid of her reaction. As if to reaffirm his confidence she lay down on the bed next to him and took his hand in hers. "I want to be with you Harry. I know some people won't approve but that doesn't bother me."
"I want to be with you too Tonks. I'm just afraid you'll lose interest in me or decide that you've made a mistake." She leant in and kissed him hard on the lips. "I'm not going anywhere Harry." She wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him closer. That was all the confirmation Harry needed and for the first time he initiated the kiss. This time their passion took control and they were engulfed in a sense of rightness as their hands caressed each others bodies and their lips pressed together. They stayed like this until Ron walked into the room making them sit up quickly. He smiled at them and just said, "Tea's ready," then walked out.
Tonks and Harry got off Harry's bed and fixed their clothes before heading downstairs, hand in hand. As they reached the door to the kitchen Harry dropped Tonks hand making her frown. "Not yet," he told her and she nodded. Opening the door they were greeted by Remus, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Moody and Dumbledore. Ron and Hermione just sat there quietly.
"Good to see you Harry!" Remus said happily, pulling Harry into a hug.
"Harry you look so thin!" Mrs. Weasley said pulling him into an even tighter embrace than Remus had. "We'll have to fatten you up before you go back to school!" Harry edged away and just waved hellos to Mr. Weasley and Moody.
"Good to see you lad. Kept safe I presume?" Moody growled. Harry nodded.
Mr. Weasley turned his attention to Tonks. "You've done a good job keeping him safe Tonks. Well done."
"Tonks, Harry, glad you could join us" Dumbledore said. "Now that you are safe Harry, we have one less thing to worry about." The twinkle was back in his eye and Harry felt bad about shouting at Dumbledore for jumping to the wrong conclusion then proving him right by kissing Tonks. This could get awkward Harry thought as he sat down next to Tonks who gave his leg a reassuring squeeze under the table.
Mrs. Weasley had once again surpassed herself in the kitchen producing a lovely meal which everyone was quiet throughout.
"So," Harry said. "What's going on with Voldemort? Now I'm here you can tell me right?" Mrs. Weasley stiffened at Harry's question but before he could ask why Dumbledore said, "We will talk later Harry, I'm afraid that we are unable to discuss these matters while Master Weasley and Miss Granger are present." He looked at them apologetically but they ignored him. This was obviously something that had come up before. He could tell they weren't happy about being left out but knew the futility of arguing.
After dinner the plates were cleared and everyone seemed content after such a hearty meal. "Thank you Molly that was delicious" Dumbledore said. "Now Harry, if you wish to talk we can adjourn to the study. If you'd like to come too Remus, I believe there are some things you may want to be present for?" Remus agreed and he and Dumbledore rose from the table. Harry started to rise as well as Tonks whispered in his ear, "I'll come to your room later," she said, as though she knew Harry may need someone after his talk with Dumbledore. "Thanks," he said and followed Remus and Dumbledore to the study.
Taking seats in the study the three of them sat in silence for a few moments before Harry spoke. "Tell me everything Riddle has done since I left Hogwarts."
Dumbledore composed himself before answering Harry.
"I hope you understand Harry that what I tell you, although some of it is common knowledge, should be kept to yourself. There are some pieces of information that are only known by the order but I believe it is best to keep you informed and not keep you in the dark about what is happening. I am well aware of the mistakes I need to correct to regain your trust."
"Thank you Dumbledore. I appreciate it." Dumbledore smiled at that and Harry sore the twinkle in his eyes.
"I also must ask you Harry, to not inform Ron or Hermione about our discussion. I think it is bet that they be kept ignorant of some of the happenings, especially the prophecy. For now anyway." Harry struggled internally thinking that he had always told Ron and Hermione everything and the one time in his life he would probably need to, he couldn't. In the end Harry consented to Dumbledore's wishes
"You need not suffer alone Harry, you can always confide in someone who is a member of the order, be it me, Remus or anyone else you feel comfortable with." Harry was sure Dumbledore gave him a wink as he said the last part but thought nothing of it as Dumbledore continued on more important matters.
"There has only been one offensive launched by Voldemort so far and that was the day after you returned home. A number of death eaters attacked Diagon Alley but didn't kill anyone, their intention, it seemed, was just to cause panic and show that Voldemort had truly returned. Although no one was killed they caused a lot of damage and more than a little panic. The wizarding community is on tenterhooks Harry. Things have calmed down slightly now but that is not my main worry at the moment. The ministry hasn't been reporting it but some of their key members have mysteriously disappeared. Voldemort is not stupid, even at Hogwarts he was a great tactician, and he will avoid a flat out war if he can. He is trying to collapse the ministry from the inside making it even easier for him to seize power. If the ministry starts to fall apart so will peoples hope."
"But if ministry workers are going missing then why doesn't Fudge sent Aurors out to look for them?" Harry asked.
"It is not that simple Harry. Voldemort has proved in the last war that he is not afraid to lose some death eaters to win a battle so it puts Fudge in a very complicated position. If he sends Aurors out to look for the people who are missing then we are virtually defenseless if Voldemort attacks. If he doesn't then the ministry may very well collapse from the inside." Harry was amazed that they had been backed into a wall so quickly after Voldemort had returned. Despite his loathing of the man Harry had to admit he was an amazing tactician.
"The Aurors will not be sent to look for the missing people Harry, and we cannot let the ministry collapse." He looked at Harry, an unreadable expression on his face. "When I say we Harry, I mean you and I." Harry thought it was a joke, he knew nothing about politics and he certainly had no desire to get involved with it.
"What do you mean professor?" he asked cautiously.
"What we need Harry, is for the people to have faith in their governing leaders. If they have faith then they have hope. Fudge has admitted he was wrong but he has a long way to go to regain the peoples trust. This is where we come in Harry. It is not my desire to get involved but it is necessary. You may not like the idea but we have to openly show that we support Cornelius being minister." Harry was shocked, after being called a liar and demented by Fudge for a whole year he was expected to forget it and support him as minister.
"You're kidding?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"I'm afraid not Harry. If we do not support Fudge, he may well lose power, temporarily throwing the ministry into chaos which will give Voldemort the opportunity to strike as we will be weak and un-united. If we support him then we can prevent this."
Harry saw the wisdom in his words but didn't see what they could do. Dumbledore sensed his apprehension and smiled, "you do not know the influence you have Harry, if you only choose to use it." Dumbledore grinned mischievously, "I think it's time that Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore put their fame to good use." Harry couldn't help but laugh at his headmaster. He really had thought this through. "I will speak to Fudge myself in a few days and arrange a press conference which we will both have to attend, but you need only stay for the photographs." Great Harry thought; a press conference. Remus who had been unusually quiet throughout the whole conversation started to laugh at Harry's obvious discomfort. "Don't look so worried Harry! Just think of all the girls who will be swooning over you when they see the famous Harry Potter make his presence known in the war against Voldemort." This was the exact reason he didn't want to have his photograph taken, he hated all the attention, and he didn't need girls 'swooning' over him, he had the one girl, or women, he wanted in this very house. He didn't say this to Remus of course and just nodded nonchalantly.
There was silence in the room for a few minutes which made Harry uncomfortable, "Is there anything else professor or can I go?" he was tired and it was almost eleven o'clock.
"Actually Harry, I had planned on talking to you about Sirius but it seems you've found someone to talk about that with which is good, you shouldn't have to keep things bottled up but I'm always here and so is Remus. There are a few things that we need to discuss which are far more personal to you. It concerns the prophecy." Harry stiffened at his words; he had tried not to think about the prophecy since he returned form Hogwarts but knew the time would come when he would have to.
"This is one instance," Dumbledore said. "In which I cannot protect you." Harry thought back to the night at the ministry when Dumbledore had shown up and saved Harry's life for he would surely have been killed had he not turned up. Now he knew he would one day have to face Voldemort alone. The headmaster clearly sensed Harry's thoughts.
"You will have to one day, fight him alone Harry, but until that time comes you have the help and support of everyone around you. We will do our best to prepare you for what lies ahead. We will fight his death eaters until you are ready both physically and mentally." Harry was moved by Dumbledore's words. He would risk his life again and again until Harry was ready to face his destiny. He knew that was a big sacrifice. "Thank you Dumbledore. I will do my best to make sure I am ready to face him. But when I do the outcome is not determined, anyone of us could be killed." Harry said now fully aware that his life was in the most peril.
"Harry," Remus said, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "There is no doubt in our minds that when you are ready you will be able to defeat Voldemort and it will not be by fluke. You do not realize it yet but, in time, you will be a powerful wizard, powerful enough to rival Professor Dumbledore. Your destiny is far greater than any ones in this world Harry. Your potential powers are limitless. We have all witnessed what you have done in your first five years at Hogwarts, the exceptional lengths you have gone to in order to protect your friends. I could see it in you when I first met you and so did Sirius. You truly are your parents' son." Harry didn't know what to say so settled for pulling Remus into a hug. "Thanks Moony," he said earning a chuckle from Dumbledore.
"In order to reach this potential," Dumbledore said bringing Harry back to reality, "you will have to train hard. I wish you to master occlumency and will take on the responsibility myself as your lessons with Snape weren't as productive as they could have been. Harry felt a surge of guilt wash over him but fought it back. "As well as this you will receive special dueling training, your teacher is still undecided but it will mean you do not have to take defense against the dark arts this year. You will only sit the exam at the end of your seventh year. Lastly I have decided that it is imperative that you learn how to apparate as soon as possible and are able to use magic whenever you need to."
"But how?" Harry asked, "The ministry would have to give you permission."
"When we ally with Fudge I'm sure he will be willing to grant us a few requests." Dumbledore's twinkle was definitely back in his eyes. "But for now, you will have to be patient and refrain from using magic before returning to Hogwarts." Harry was slightly disappointed but was too tired to care, so he got up form his chair and was about go to bed when Dumbledore's words halted him. "One last thing Harry; as you know Sirius was your legal guardian but prepared other arrangements should anything ever happen to him. It is stated in his will that Remus is to be your legal guardian until you are 17." Harry was shocked, he never thought about having another legal guardian but when he thought about it now it caused a smile to appear on his face.
"I hope you're ok with that," Remus asked nervously.
"Of course I'm ok with it Moony! It's only right that my legal guardian be a Marauder!" Remus was obviously as happy as Harry was and Harry couldn't wait to spend some time with his new guardian. He bid the two good night telling them he'd see them at breakfast and headed up to his room where he found Tonks waiting on his bed. "Hey," she said. "Everything go ok?" Harry explained to her what Dumbledore had told him about Fudge and their plan for supporting him. He also told her about his new training schedule at which point she perked up saying that she could be his dueling trainer as she was an Auror. He would have to speak to Dumbledore about it but was sure he'd give in the end. After re-telling her everything it was past one o'clock in the morning and they were both struggling to keep their eyes open. Harry pulled Tonks to him asking her not to go back to her room tonight, she didn't need much persuading and they both got into bed kissing each other good night and holding each other close as they fell asleep.