Chapter 39- Women trouble
Harry Potter's Sidekick by Rita Skeeter
Harry Potter's red haired friend has been forced to take a back seat while the boy- who-lived gets all the glory. Ronald Weatherby, a Gryffindor in Potter's year, has a thirst to prove himself and has been denied the chance because Potter refused to tell him the secret of how to get past the age restriction.
Albus Dumbledore, the obsolete dingbat who was supposed to be sure no underage students could enter still refuses to answer questions about how his prize student overcame the age line.
Perhaps young Weatherby's need for fame has to do with his family's poverty, or the fact that his parents simply don't have time for seven children who all still live at home.
"His family wanted to buy the Shrieking Shack last year," Draco Malfoy, another student at Hogwarts claimed. "But it was out of their price range. The all live in one room."
We can only hope that Weatherby's cry for attention does not become a psychotic death wish the way it has for the youngest Triwizard Champion, who enjoys having his sidekick constantly bail him out of trouble."
"She didn't get one fact strait! I've never bailed you out of trouble. Bill, Charlie, and Percy don't live at home anymore. And she actually believed what Malfoy told her and that you have a death wish? She couldn't even get my name right!"
"Welcome to being famous, Ron." Harry said with a bitter tone. "And she didn't get my name right either. Nobody ever remembers that I added Dad's last name to mine years ago. At least this article doesn't say Dad doesn't give me enough attention or that Sirius encouraged me to enter and he's plotting my death. They've been through enough." Skeeter's previous article had said those things and more.
"I suppose I can't say I don't deserve it," Ron said, and tossed the paper in the fire.
"I need help!"
Harry was facing a challenge far more frightening to him than any dragon.
"What's wrong? Is the second task going to be that dangerous?" Remus asked.
"I don't know. Haven't figured the egg out yet. But whatever the second task is, it can't be worse than this."
"Well then what's wrong?" Sirius had taken the mirror from Remus.
"I need to ask a girl out for the Yule Ball and actually dance with her in front of everyone!"
He hadn't expected the sound of his father and godfather trying unsuccessfully to muffle their laughter.
"This isn't funny!"
"Harry, asking a girl out is nothing to worry over."
"And you would know about that, Padfoot." Through the mirror Harry saw a sofa pillow land against his dad. "I can see why you'd be nervous asking someone out when you have to open the dance and are only fourteen, but I'm sure once you get the asking taken care of you'll have a good time."
Harry tried to think positive. "Hmm, maybe. The Weird Sisters will be playing part of the night."
Remus smiled and said "Dora will wish she could go. They're her favorite music group."
"Been spending much time with her?" Harry couldn't resist asking.
"Well I-" Remus had gone red. "I mean we talk about things. You know, just- like the students and the lesson plans and everyday things like that."
"So her favorite music was mentioned as part of the lesson plans?" Harry asked, trying to sound innocent but ending up covering a smirk.
"Well, we talk about other things beside work, of course," Remus said slowly, suddenly not able to look at Harry directly. Harry could hear Sirius trying to smother a chuckle. "But there's nothing going on between Dora and I."
Harry had to look away himself a moment to hide his laugh before asking "So who am I supposed to ask?"
"Anyone you've taken a fancy to?" Sirius asked.
"Yeah, but she's already going with Cedric."
"That's probably for the best anyway," Remus said. "You'll want to pick someone you're comfortable being around. What about Ginny?"
"Dad! Ginny's like my sister, just like Hermione is. " He sighed, then added. "Besides, she's already going with Neville."
Remus sometimes got a feeling Ginny didn't see Harry in a brotherly way, but didn't say anything. Instead he asked "Is there maybe a friend of Ginny's you could ask?"
Harry thought a moment, then answered "There is Luna Lovegood. She's nice enough. I could ask her to go with me just as a friend."
With that problem settled, Harry might have been able to relax a little. When he asked Luna later that day, she said yes without giggling or making him feel silly, which he was grateful for. But that still didn't change the fact that he had absolutely no idea how to dance, especially formal ball type dancing. He decided his best bet was to practice at home over Christmas. He would have to be back at Hogwarts at Christmas for the Yule Ball of course, but as long as he was back for that he was free to spend the rest of the holiday at home.
So Harry found himself in a cleared room at Phoenix House. With his dad, Sirius, Tonks, and Ginny. The youngest Weasley was coming to Phoenix house for a day so Harry would have someone to practice with. Remus set up his phonograph and with only a few stepped on toes, Harry and Ginny started trying to dance. After a couple songs they were doing better. Well, to be honest, Harry had to admit he was the one that needed improvement. It turned out Ginny wasn't a bad dancer.
Remus was watching them when Tonks came up beside him.
"Shall we show them how it's done, Remus?" she asked.
"What? Oh, I don't know if-"
"Afraid of me stepping on your toes?"
"No, it's just-" The words seemed to stick in his throat.
Tonks smiled warmly. "Well then, come on."
So Remus found himself dancing with her, and it seemed that as clumsy as Tonks was the rest of the time, somehow when they were together she seemed almost graceful. It must have been the music, Remus thought. Why would them being together have any effect on Tonks? And when had dancing been so enjoyable? OK, they weren't Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, but they were enjoying themselves. For a moment it seemed like it was only the two of them, and then suddenly it seemed like everything had stopped. It took a moment to realize the music had stopped. Remus looked questioningly at the audience lined up watching him and Tonks, all with grins on their faces.
'Who stopped the music?" Remus asked.
"The music stopped almost a minuet ago," Sirius answered. Remus doubted the smirk on Sirius's face could be and bigger. "You two seemed to be having too much fun to notice."
It was hard to tell whether Remus or Tonks was blushing worse. Finally Remus said "Yes, well, er- that should give you an idea of how to dance. I think that's enough for today." He didn't quite meet any of their eyes.
"I have to be leaving anyway," Tonks said, but smiled and gave Remus' hand a squeeze before she left.
"I don't know how I could have been so stupid. I should never have let anything like this get started. I knew I should have kept my distance from her."
Remus was pacing back and forth talking to Sirius. Harry had gone to bed. Only Milla and one other student were spending Christmas at Phoenix House and they were both asleep, so the two Marauders could talk privately.
"Moony, I don't see what you're so upset about. You know you're attracted to her, and it's fairly obvious she feels the same way. What's the problem?"
"Padfoot you know what the problem is!"
Sirius rolled his eyes. "You'd better not mean the fact that you're a werewolf. I told you that wouldn't bother her."
"If it doesn't, it should. And even without that problem, I'm still far too old for her."
"Actually you're a little younger than I am, and I'm nowhere near ready to be called old yet. You and Tonks are both young adults."
Remus groaned. "I'm twelve years older than her."
"And you both still have a lot of years ahead of you, especially when you remember how long wizards and witches live."
"Well for another thing, I'm too poor."
Sirius shook his head. "That excuse isn't going to work. You've always managed to take care of Harry and yourself. And Tonks has her job. Besides, look at the Weasleys. They're poor and they're one of the happiest families I've ever known. And don't even go trying to say that you're dangerous. You've never hurt anyone and you've had Harry with you all this time without anything happening. It's pretty clear you're not dangerous."
Remus paced back and forth a few times before he spoke again.
"You know how people shun werewolves. It's bad enough that I had to risk that with Harry. I can't risk people shunning Dora too."
Sirius was running out of patience.
"Moony! She helps teach at a school for werewolves. I know nobody but us knows about Phoenix House yet, but if that's ever found out it's already a little late to worry hat people will think of her. And besides us and our friends the only people who know about your problem work in the Ministry and aren't allowed to tell anyone else."
'It's still useless. She deserves someone young and whole"
"But shouldn't that be her choice?" Sirius asked after a pause. Remus didn't have an answer to that. "If you care about her the way I know you do-"
"I care about her far too much to ask her to be with someone like me."
"If you care about her, and don't even try to deny that you do, you'll want this to be her choice."
Remus was quiet for what seemed like a long time. He knew what he had to do if Tonks was going to make her choice fairly. "I have to tell her the truth about my condition, don't I? She has to know before this goes any further."
"If you don't tell her soon, she'll figure it out before long anyway," Sirius agreed. "And you've seen her help the other werewolves. I'm telling you it doesn't bother her."
Remus still had his doubts. Teaching a werewolf was a lot different than being in a romantic relationship with one. What woman wanted that? But he had to be honest with her, and promised himself that the next day he would tell her.