A/N 2: Sorry about the double post!
A/N: This is a long one, since I have to cover 2 chapters' worth of notes. Just found out that didn't save the changes I made to my chapter 2 document, so the version you got wasn't as good as it should have been. Sorry about that. Anyway thanks for all the reviews! I really glad people are liking this. And speaking of reviews, while I won't usually do this, I want to address two that I got for "Five Years", because they affected the way this chapter turned out:
Dragen Rider- I glad you mentioned Dudley's comment about celebrities. I know what I meant in "Five Years", but I guess I didn't express it well enough. So, I explained it (hopefully) better in this chapter, and the credit for that goes to you.
Dlikee- Thanks, I didn't think about CoS when I wrote about his arm. So, I went back and explained (credit goes to you). It isn't brilliant but it fits. The official reason is that the broken bones tore up his muscles and veins beyond repair. The real reason is, I need his left arm gone.
Also, your comment about peace and love made me realize that I needn't to make an explanation about Dumbledore's views on love sooner rather than later, (again all credit goes to you).
I want to warn you that Harry already has decided what Dumbledore means and is going to act on that interpretation, which figures greatly into the next few chapters. After that, well, you'll have to wait and see.
If I didn't respond to your review, it doesn't mean I don't really appreciate it. I just needed to give credit where credits do.
Next, I think this will work best if it's not completely linear. So some chapters may jump forward or back. Don't worry, I'll warn you at the beginning of the chapter if you need to know about any jumping around.
WARNING: This is the prerequisite sappy love chapter, that allows me to categorize this story as a romance. Don't worry, this is the only chapter that focuses exclusively on love. Which means it is only chapter that really develops the relationships.
So, here we go.
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The Rise and Fall of Harry Potter and the Wizards From Mars
Chapter Two: Soul Love
Part I- Stone Love
Nymphadora Tonks, kneeled before the grave of her fallen lover. She's was alone. She ways always alone. No one else seemed to know that he was buried there. After the funeral, she never saw his friends or family visit. Never found any notes or flowers left there, save hers.
I wondered what his parents were like, she thought. I never met them, but he always talked about them. They should be proud of their brave son. Fighting and dying in the war. Oh God, miss!
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"Tonks?"
Tonks stood up and whirled around to see who was there. Or at least she tried, but ended up falling flat on her face. She looked up to see a hand reaching down to help her up. She took it.
"Harry? What are you doing here?"
"Visiting my parents. You?"
"Visiting Remus."
"Ah, so this is where the Old Wolf is buried. I wondered."
"Harry," she asked, staring at his left arm, "what happened to you?"
Seeing where staring, he answered, "This? Well, you know how all the Order members said to would give various limbs to defeat Voldemort? I actually did."
"Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry!"
"Nah, It's great. I have more control over this than the other one. I think it's connected to me psychically. It's hard to explain, but I can do things with it I can't with the other one. Just by thinking. Like with Dudley's video games. I don't have to practice at controlling the joystick just right like I have to with the other one. It just happens perfectly. Honestly, I've been cutting of the other one, too."
Tonks smiled and Harry thought she looked beautiful. Why didn't I ever notice before?
"You peckish, Tonks? 'Cause I could eat a hippogriff."
"Yeah, a bit."
"Come on, let's get something to eat."
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Part II- New Love
"So, Dudley lets you play with his video games. When did that happen," Tonks asked.
They were sitting in a muggle ice cream parlor, sipping vanilla milk floats.
"Recently. Dumbledore told me I had to make peace with them, what with the world ending. He basically said that world peace might be enough to save us."
Tonks her eyebrow so high that, somewhere, Roger Moore was crying with joy.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. But when has Dumbledore ever led us wrong? Besides, we don't have anything else to go on. So, I have to find a way to preach the hippy agenda to the world. Dudley thinks I should become a celebrity."
"You've defeat and/or escaped Voldemort...was four or five times?"
"Six."
"Oh. Six times, and saved the world twice, once when you were one. How much more of a celebrity do you need to be?"
"Yeah, but only wizards know about that, and I need to preach to muggles, too. But, I've got a plan."
"Well, come on, then. Don't leave me in suspense. Tell me!"
"Well..."
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People shuffled out of Jackie's flat after a long day of hanging in out, leaving Dudley and Jackie alone. They stood in awkward silence, before Dudley said, "I'd better get going. Don't want my parents to worry."
Jackie put her hands on her hips and glared.
"Damn it Dursley, are we going say it, or are we going to dance around it for a few more years?"
"Er..."
"Not going to. Ok, I will. I didn't start hanging around you in school, because it was cool to hang out younger kids, and I sure as hell didn't do it because of your championship title. I love you."
She out her arms around him and whispered, "And, judging by the way you always stare at me, I think you do, too."
"Don't you think you're moving things to fast?"
"Damn it Dursley, I want to die alone."
Dad's gonna kill me if I'm late, he thought as their lips met.
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Harry lit a cigarette, and offered one to Tonks, who didn't want one.
"Do you think he really did it, Harry?"
"Kill the world? He was certainly mad enough to do it, if he could. On the other hand, he's been known to lie. But why five years?"
Tonks shrugged and said, "It's a nice, middle number. Far enough away to make sure we really suffer, soon enough to make sure we don't forget. What time is it?"
"About nine, why?"
"Bloody hell, I've got run! I've got duty!"
I jumped up and started to leave, and Harry found that he didn't her to.
"Wait."
He hadn't meant to say it out loud, but now that he had, he had to say something to her.
"Do you want to go out dinner sometime?"
"Ok, sure, When?"
"Saturday?"
"Sure. How about at eight?"
"Ok, see you then."
"See you then. And thanks for the milk float!"
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It was late when Harry got back to the Dursley's. He had spent most of the last few hours walking and berating himself. It didn't work with Cho. It didn't work with Ginny. Why did I think it would work with Tonks. Have I gone mad?
Harry was just thinking that suicide was beginning to look really good, when he heard the front door open behind him.
"Dudley! What are you doing coming in so late?"
"Me? What about you?"
"I'm not coming in late! I'm just..."
"Randomly standing in a dark room, carrying your shoes?"
"Oh all right, I asked a girl out and now I want to kill myself."
"That ugly, huh?"
"No, actually she's a stunner."
"Then what's the problem?"
"You'll laugh."
"Probably, but that's nothing compared to how annoying I'll be 'til you tell."
"Ok. Let's just say I'm very good relationships."
"Why?"
"I dunno. They just fall apart."
"Maybe the problem is you're too uptight. Just relax. Ok?"
"Ok. Good night, Dud."
"Good night."
They walked up the stairs, and headed towards their respective rooms.
"By the way, Dudley, where were you?"
"Where was I? I was...er... with my friends."
"You and Jackie get together finally?"
"Were we really that obvious?"
"More so than The Doctor and Sarah Jane. Goodnight."
Maybe this time, it'll work, Harry thought, as laid down on his bed. I had really good time today.
By the time he drifted of to sleep, his thoughts filled with the lovely witch, he had convinced himself that things would work out.
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Tonks apparated to the Auror headquarters, and was halfway to her desk before she realized that everyone was staring at her.
"What?"
"Your hair is pink again, Tonks," Kingsley answered.
"Really?" She looked at her hair and smiled. "It's good to be back!"
"What happened, Tonks," asked one the redheaded twins that had apparated into the office a moment before.
"What happened to the girl..." started the other.
"Who used to cry..."
"All the time?"
"She knew it was time to move on. What are you two here?"
"We're trying to sell..."
"Defense items to Kingsley. And don't change..."
"The subject."
"Fred? George? Go away. I reports to file."
"Come on, now..."
"Spill. What's put the twinkle..."
"Back in your eyes? Was it...
"A man?"
"You two have to 'til the count of three. One..."
"Don't be like that..."
"Two..."
"Nymphadora."
Tonks, who hated her first name, drew her wand and hexed Fred and George Weasley's tongues to their chins. Wisely, the twins made a hasty retreat.
"So, Tonks," Kingsley asked, "what did happen?"
"Like I said, I moved on."
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As eight o'clock on Saturday approached, Harry found himself a bundle of nerves. Earlier in the week, he had owled Tonks, and she agreed to meet him at the Dursleys. Then they would floo to Stardust, one of the nicer restaurants in wizarding London.
"How do you look," Harry asked, fumbling with his tie.
"You looked very handsome," Petunia said, helping him with his tie. "I'm so happy for. My nephew's growing up."
"Don't fuss, Aunt Petunia. It's not like I'm not already an adult."
"Your aunt is right, Harry. This is a special day for us. It's not every day our nephew bring a girl home. In fact, get the scotch and some glasses. We need to celebrate."
Harry wanted to make a sarcastic comment about what would have happened if he had brought a girl home before, but stopped himself. They had an unspoken agreement to put the past behind. Better to have an annoying family than no family at all, I guess.
Dudley came back carrying a tray with four glasses and a bottle of scotch on it. After he p had passed the glasses out and Uncle Vernon had made a toast that no one really listened to, Harry gulped down the scotch and choked.
"This tastes awful, you know that Uncle Vernon?"
"Drink it, Harry. It's good for the nerves."
"Pass that bottle here, Dudley..."
"Now, Harry," Uncle Vernon said very seriously, as he said down on the couch. "I think it's time, now that you're dating, that we a little chat."
"You know, I'm not interested in having 'the talk" right now, Uncle Vernon. We got that at Hogwarts. Thanks, though."
"Oh, very well, but take this," he said resignedly, as he handed Harry a small, plastic package.
"It's the first date, Uncle Vernon"
"You're taking it."
"But-"
"You're taking it,"
"Fine."
Harry looked at the clock. 7:30. He sat down and poured himself another glass of scotch. Here's to being a nervous wreck.
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Tonks apparated into the living room of Number Four, Privet Drive just as the clock struck eight. By 8:01, four jaws had dropped. Tonks was clad in a dress, which was novelty in it self. But it wasn't the dress; it was the fact that revealed more of Tonks, than Harry had ever seen before, while still managing to maintain an air of class. And gone were her pink spikes, replaced with long mousey brown hair.
"Hello, Harry."
"H-hello, Tonks. This is Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley."
"Hello. It's nice to meet you. Ready?"
"Whenever you are."
Flooing was not Harry's favorite way to travel, but Stardust policy allowed no one to apparated onto restaurant grounds, so it was the quickest way to get there. So, after stumbling out of a fire place, they were shown to their table and handed a menu. Expecting to see of a list of things they served for dinner, Harry's heart dropped into his stomach when saw the heading "House Wines" on the top of the menu. Harry knew enough about wine to know that different kinds went with different dinners, but had no idea how to choose.
There's was no help for it. He'd have to ask Tonks.
"Er...Tonks? Do you know anything about wine?"
"A little, why?"
"They gave a list and..."
"You want to know which one to choose?"
"Yes, please."
Tonks smiled, as Harry handed her the wine list.
"The important thing, Harry, is to pick a wine that tastes good, not one that goes with meal."
When the waiter came, Tonks ordered a white wine, and two set about choosing their dinners. Tonks decided that she wanted to know what crab tasted like. Harry, felt that it wasn't a good idea to throw something knew on his already queasy stomach, ordered steak.
But the familiar taste of steak didn't help Harry's nerves. Like everything else that evening, Harry fumbled over the conversation. Finally, Tonks took matters into her own hand.
"Relax, Harry."
"What," said Harry who had been staring intently at his plate.
"I said relax. I promise I won't bite until after dinner."
"I'm sorry, Tonks. I'm not good at this."
"It's ok. Everyone gets nervous. Especially around beauties like me," she said with a wink. "Just take a deep breath and tell me how your plan is coming."
"As good as can be expected. Ron's on board. I still need to hear back from Neville and Seamus."
After that, things went more smoothly. He was still nervous, but he was able to hide and with Tonks like they had in the ice cream parlor.
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"I had really good time tonight, Tonks."
Harry and Tonks were standing in front of one Stardust's many fireplaces.
"Oh, it's not quite over Harry," Tonks said with an evil glint in her eye. "I've seen where you live. Now, I want you to see my flat."
Without another word, she grabbed Harry's arm and apparated them both to her flat in London.
Her appartment was average-sized and just untidy enough to look lived in.
"Nice place."
But that comment was all he got before Tonks pulled him to one of the rooms; the bedroom.
"Tonks, what are you doing," he asked, as she looked.
She pressed him against the wall and answered, "Keeping my promise. I told you I wouldn't bite until after dinner..."
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Part III- Soul Love
Hermione Granger, as usual, was pouring an old tome. This time, however she was in the Room of Requirement with the portrait of Albus Dumbledore. The Room of Requirement had made itself into a sort of apartment, so Hermione and Dumbledore had holed themselves up there for weeks, trying to find to stop Voldemort's curse.
"Professor, how can if Voldemort even had access to the books."
"I'm afraid we can't, but even if he didn't, one of these books may still have the answer. It's a shame Mr. Weasley couldn't join us. What is he doing now, by the way?"
"Ron? He's training to be an Auror."
"You are engaged to be married, aren't you?"
"Yes, this fall. What about Harry? Couldn't he be helping us?"
"Harry has his own part to play in this. He's out there doing just that. And I think it will help him heal, as well as help save us."
"And what's that?"
"He's creating love."
Hermione, who had down the old wizard for several years and had heard talk about love before, scoffed. She had never quite believed that love was as powerful as Dumbledore said.
"If love is so powerful, why do people hurt each other? Why do people stop loving each other?"
Dumbledore chuckled knowingly.
"Whenever I talk about love, why do people assume I'm talking romantic love. You need to understand this, Ms. Granger. There are many different kinds of love. Love magic exists, and it is powerful. It kept Harry form death. But Love isn't limited to magic. It can influence everything we do. If a person carries enoughlove in them, it can help them do what they must, even when they don't want to."
But Hermione wasn't listening anymore. She's was starring at a book, eyes wide.
"I've found it, professor!"
She held the book up for Dumbledore to see.
"Yes, Ms. Granger, that seems to be what we need."
TO BE CONTINUED...
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Please review! That are my wine, bread and thou! Flames are accepted ONLY if the flamer provides marshmallows for me to roast.
Note: Since I have college orientation for the next two days, this is probably the last chapter I'll churn out before Deathly Hallows.