Chapter 6

'Looks like we won't be back in Ron's good books for a while' Harry mused.

'If ever. Did you see the look he gave you when you asked me to the ball? It's almost as if he wanted us to be dateless' Hermione replied.

Harry nodded as they walked along the lakeside and round the side of the school.

'I knew he could get jealous at times, but this is ridiculous. You'd think after everything we've been through that he'd believe me when I said I didn't put my name into the goblet and stand by me when I ask my other friend out. He was my first friend besides Hagrid' he said quietly.

Hermione took his hand for comfort. If Ron tried to open his big mouth at the ball she'd give him a tongue lashing he'd never forget.

'Hey look' Harry suddenly said.

She followed his gaze. There stood Julian by the school entrance. He was talking to a pretty looking girl with bright pink hair.

'You think that's his date to the ball?' Harry asked.

The girl let out a squeal and knocked Julian to the ground with a hug.

'I'd say so' Hermione replied with amusement.

They headed over as Julian helped the girl up.

'Harry, Hermione. Good to see you. I'd like to introduce you to my Yule ball date. This is Miss Nymphadora Tonks'.

Julian ducked as the girl aimed a punch at him.

'But you'd best call her Tonks'.

'Damn straight!' the girl huffed.

'And Nymph, this is Miss Hermione Granger and Mr Harry Potter' Julian finished.

'Wotcha Harry, Hermione!' Tonks greeted.

Harry and Hermione watched in fascination as her hair turned a bright yellow before settling back to pink.

'How…' Harry started.

Tonks sniggered.

'I'm a Metamorphmagus. Been able to change shape and colour since I was a kid'.

'I've heard of them. Harry they're a kind of shape shifter. The ability's really rare. Almost as rare as being an Elemental' Hermione explained.

Tonks grinned.

'Yep. Jewel and I are going to be quite a sight at this ball. Of course that's after he tells me how he got into this tournament in the first place' she said, giving him a look.

'Yes ma'am' he laughed and offered his arm.

She fanned herself mockingly and slipped her hand round it. The image was broken when she tripped over her feet after just a few steps. Laughing Julian helped her up.

'Why don't you two come with us? After all you're the reason I'm competing' Julian asked the students.

'Of course, Jewel' Harry replied with a grin.

Julian stuck his tongue out at him as they headed to his private quarters.

'So, Harry Potter huh? I've heard a lot about you from Sirius' Tonks spoke.

'How do you know Sirius?' Harry asked warily.

She waved her hand dismissively.

'He's my cousin, although he acted like a favourite uncle when I was younger, I used to love having him over, even if he did drive my mum mad. I got a letter from him not long ago stating that he was innocent and in a safe place, we've been keeping in touch since. I never believed he was guilty in the first place but I had no proof and even if I did very few people would listen to me at the time' she said.

'I did though, so no worries there' Julian quickly added.

'His cousin?' Hermione asked.

Tonks nodded.

'Yep. See before mum married into the Tonks family she used to be called Andromeda Black. I'm also related to the Malfoys because of her. And Bellatrix. Lady Malfoy, Bellatrix the bitch, and my mum are sisters' she explained a little gloomily.

'Yikes. That must be tough' Harry said.

'I'll say' Tonks huffed.

'So how old are you? I'm only asking because I haven't seen you in Hogwarts before' Hermione asked.

Tonks brightened.

'I'm twenty one. Jewel was in third year when I started Hogwarts. He was my knight in shining armor' she sighed.

Julian shook his head in amusement.

'And she's yet to let go of me since' he moaned.

She gave him a playful swipe. Harry and Hermione shared an amused look. With these two at the ball, any hopes of it being formal were going to be thrown out the window.

OOO

They were right in their assumptions. While it was true that Tonks' attire made her look simply stunning, her ability to trip over air made for an amusing show. Julian wasn't helping any, winding up spending most of the ball on the floor as he fell with her. But even though they were receiving a lot of glares and amused looks, the two were laughing and looked like they were having the time of their lives. When Tonks eventually broke free of her date and approached Harry for a dance, he didn't know whether to accept or run for the hills.

'Ah come on Harry! You're Sirius' godson and that makes you family. Now come and dance with your cousin!' she laughed and dragged him onto the floor.

He looked to Hermione, but she was too busy giggling at him to be of any help. Grumbling at his girlfriend Harry tried to remain upright as Tonks spun him round.

'Aren't I supposed to be leading?' he asked.

'You wanna led, try to keep up' she replied with a grin.

Harry looked for Julian for help, but found the man sharing a dance with Fleur. The French girl was too busy giggling at his predicament to show him any pity. Cedric, who was Fleur's date, was currently dancing with Hermione, and also looking very much amused at Tonks' antics. So was Viktor, who had brought a little blonde girl from Ravenclaw as his date. If Harry remembered correctly, her name was Luna Lovegood.

Eventually the song ended and Harry was able to relax. Tonks had only stumbled three times and thankfully hadn't fallen once.

'Sorry about that Harry. You'd never believe I'm an Auror' Tonks said.

'Really? I wouldn't of thought they'd let you be an Auror' Harry replied, then realised he'd just insulted her.

'I'm sorry! I spoke without thinking! It's great that you're an Auror!' he stammered.

She laughed and waved him off.

'No worries Harry. Not many people see me as Auror material, that's why I'm so good at it. They think I'm just a clumsy girl then bam! I have them stunned and bound before they know what happened. I was actually training under your defense professor'.

Harry glanced towards Professor Moody.

'He's an Auror? That would explain a lot of things'.

'Yeah, he's a bit mad isn't he? He's a retired Auror, but he's still got some fight in him' Tonks said.

The conversation came to a close as the champions came over with Hermione and Luna.

'Wotcha Jewel. Getting all cozy with Miss Delacour are we?' Tonks asked teasingly.

Julian scoffed and turned to the part Veela. He took her hand and kissed the back of it.

'I have enjoyed our dance. I'll let you get back to your date, while I take mine off poor Harry's hands'.

He ducked with laughter as Tonks swiped at him.

'Poor Harry indeed!'

The males began to chuckle, only to pale when she glanced at them with an evil look.

'Just for that comment I'll be dancing with someone else for a while'.

Cedric tried to scramble out the way but Viktor was faster. Laughing Tonks grabbed the poor blonde and away they went.

Harry chuckled as he took Hermione's hand.

'Care for another dance?'

'Actually Harry, if you don't mind, Viktor has asked to dance with me' she replied sheepishly, glancing to the relived Bulgarian.

Harry shrugged with a smile and instead turned to Luna.

'Then perhaps in return I could have a dance with yourself?'

She giggled and took his hand.

'That would be nice Harry Potter. Try to stay clear of the Nargles though. They like to infest mistletoe'.

Harry tilted his head in bewilderment, leading to Luna explaining all about the little creatures. By the end of the dance he was just as baffled. But Luna just gave him a dreamy smile and kissed his cheek.

'Thank you for the dance Harry. Sorry the Whoffleburghs made you keep loosing your place'.

'The wha…?' Harry started but she was already wandering away to find Viktor.

Shaking his head Harry hunted down Hermione. As he did he spotted Julian and Tonks back together and talking with Professor Snape. Cedric had found his way back to Fleur and the girl was helping her poor exhausted date fill a glass of punch, giggling all the while.

The potions professor had really changed since Julian arrived at Hogwarts. Sure he was still a snarky git, and he still seemed to hate Harry, but he wasn't snapping at students for breathing too loudly any more. Neville was actually doing well in potions. That is to say he hadn't melted or blown up a cauldron in ages.

As he found Hermione and started up another dance with her, Harry clocked Tonks moving over to greet Professor Moody. However she didn't appear to get a warm reception, and with a frown returned to Julian and started whispering in his ear. Julian seemed to reassure her though and they headed back onto the dance floor, where Tonks quickly snatched a panicking Viktor from Luna, allowing Julian to step in and ask the little blonde for a dance. Harry wondered why Professor Moody was giving his apprentice the cold shoulder.