Harry Potter and the Day it All Changed

by GGUC

When Harry leaves the Burrow in DH Ron doesn't wake up to stop him?What if Harry left a note for the others?It's a twist to the story where Harry has been up to some things no one guessed.Takes place in DH.Warning Ron&Ginny bashing

5. Chapter 5

AN:/ Hello avid readers and newer, less avid readers of Harry Potter and the Day it All Changed! So, now that the ridiculously cheery greeting is out of the way, I'll get on to the usual explaining my prolonged time between posting chapters, and then a lead in to the chapter: aren't you glad you bother to take the time to read it (I know I am, and because I'm writing this my vote counts for more in this one case).

Anyway, I forget if I've mentioned it to you guys before, but I will be slower getting updates out this year due to my enrollment in the IB program. For any of you who have been/are in it, I'd love to here from you; for those of you with no idea what the hell IB is, feel free to Google it or send me random questions on it. Anyway, this entry is hopefully of apt length with minimal spelling/grammar errors( knowing me there are definitely some and I take full responsibility for all of them).

So, I hope you enjoy this instalment of my cheesily romantic version of the Deathly Hallows cause, in my opinion, the actual version didn't end that great. (For those of you that agree that Harry/Ginny was a stupid idea or Ron/Hermione for that matter feel free to PM me, I will gladly rant with you. And for those of you going, hold the phone, in your first damn chapter you put "That goes for Ron to when he realizes he's in love with Hermione" all I will say is wait and see, but trust me, I refuse to write a Ron/Hermione fic. To those who like them, I have nothing against you or your love of them or Harry/Ginny, or whatever; this is MY OPINION ONLY, so a refraining from flaming on that matter would be appreciated, but if you must rant, I get that). So, enough of this shit, on with the chapter!

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Harry Potter or its characters, settings, creatures, etc, etc; if I did things would have gone differently and I'd be far richer than I am now.

(Inside Harry's Mind)

Harry was in his fourth year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and currently the second Hogwarts champion in the Triwizard Tournament, along with being the-Boy-Who-Lived. Needless to say, he was a well known young man amongst the many students from the various schools currently gathered at Hogwarts.

It was a cold February morning, the snow piled up high, and the frigid Scotland winds blowing gently over the grounds. The Beauxbatons students could constantly be found shivering somewhere or another, whilst the Durmstrang students seemed to be enjoying the 'warmth' in comparison to the even more ice-age-like temperatures of their own school...wherever that was.

Harry happened to be out sitting in 'his spot' underneath a lone tree on the edge of the Black Lake. Only a few weeks earlier the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament had occurred in the very lake that he was gazing out over. Harry internally shuddered at the memories of seeing the hostages just floating there, unmoving, unbreathing, seemingly lifeless.

That was what was troubling Harry at the moment– the hostages. He knew in his mind, now, that there hadn't been any danger for the hostages... But somehow he still felt rather disgusted at the use of real people, for the sake of a tournament that they weren't even bloody registered to participate in! Not to mention that they had opted to use Gabrielle– Fleur's younger sister– who was maybe 9, at most! This was NOT something Harry thought that children too young to even attend Hogwarts should be made to participate in or view in any capacity.

Another thing that troubled him though, was that Ron had been his hostage and Hermione had been Viktor's. Harry had been thinking about it for a while the night after the task and had quickly realized something rather crucial, he would miss Hermione more than he would miss Ron. End of story. There just wasn't any comparison; Hermione was, and had been since first year, the one person he trusted and relied on above all others. He did care a great deal about Ron, however; it wasn't the same with his 'best mate'...Harry still questioned whether forgiving Ron so quickly was the best thing to have done.

Harry gazed out over the unmoving waters before him, and suddenly came to a decision, he was going to go find Hermione and tell her about this. Tell her how he was sorry for having been a prat for a while before the First Task. Tell her he was sorry for the strain his and Ron's fighting must have been putting on her. Tell her how much he appreciated all the stuff she helped him with. Tell her he was sorry for being too stupid to figure this out sooner and ask her to the Yule Ball.

Harry froze with that thought, and then groaned. Before finding Hermione, there were two other girls he needed to apologize to– Pavarti and Padma Patil. They had graciously agreed to go to the ball with he and Ron despite how last minute the request was, and then Ron and Harry, himself, had been complete gits all night by brooding over the fact they weren't with their ideal dates, instead of looking after making sure their actual dates had a good time.

Groaning, Harry realized that there was no way around it, he was going to have to grovel some to try and earn their forgiveness. Perhaps buy some flowers or something, and have Hedwig deliver them? Harry was very new at this, and quite frankly, had no bloody idea what the bloody hell he was going to do.

Thinking of the Yule Ball caused Harry to shudder. For a night that was supposed to have been for fun and enjoyment it had certainly taken a turn for the worse. Seriously, Pavarti had looked beautiful but instead of focussing on that, Harry had focussed on the fact that Cho wasn't with him. 'Merlin, I am such a git!' he mentally berated himself, before setting off to find Professor Sprout.

Ten minutes later found him outside of the staff room, gulping he knocked on the door. McGonagall answered. "Potter? What is it? Something to do with the tournament?" she asked rapidly. Harry shook his head, "No ma'am. I was, uh, wondering if Professor Sprout was here?" he questioned, looking nervously at the ground.

McGonagall blinked, "Professor Sprout," she repeated, lips thinning. "Whatever do you require Pomona for, ? I was under the impression you were doing perfectly fine in Herbology– much to and 's credit I'm sure." she added, a slight twinkle in her eye, though Harry– still looking at the ground– couldn't see it.

"I-it's not about Herbology per-say, professor." he stated. McGonagall raised a brow. "Then why, , would you require Professor Sprout's presence? She is not your Head of House, so any issues among the students may be reported to me, ."

Gulping, and face getting increasingly red, Harry stammered, "I-professor, it-it's about the Yule Ball," he began. McGonagall, confused, parroted, "The Yule Ball, ? What does Pomona have to do with a ball that occurred 2 months ago?"

"Professor, I, um well, I took Pavarti to the ball but...Well I was a bit-er-a lot of a git, and Ron wasn't any better to Padma, so I, uh, w-well I wanted to, wanted to apologize to them and kind of thought that I might, um, s-send them some flowers as an apology...I thought that Professor Sprout might be able to help..." he trailed off, face as red as a tomato, staring determinedly at the floor.

Minerva smiled at this. "My face, is up here ," she began. "Unless there is something particularly interesting about the floor that fascinates you?" she queried in her usual dry humour. Harry looked up hesitantly, still completely red in the face.

"Now, , perhaps we ought to take this conversation to my office?" Blinking, Harry just followed his Head of House, well and thoroughly confused. When they arrived, Minerva motioned him to sit as she closed and locked the door, before seating herself on the opposite side of the desk. Waving her wand, Minerva conjured two cups of tea, before motioning Harry to take one.

If Harry was confused before, he was down right lost now. What exactly had just happened he was completely unsure. Harry briefly realized that he had yet to arrive in McGonagall's office and not end up feeling wrong-footed and off balance. Slowly sipping the tea, he waited for McGonagall to speak.

After a moment Minerva began, "Harry," the use of his first name startled him even further. "You say that you were less than pleasant to your date at the Yule Ball, and while I am not pleased to here this, I am pleased that you are making the effort to apologize for your behaviour. Belated though that apology may be. Now, if I may, why exactly were you and , for that matter, less than pleasant towards and ?"

Swallowing hard, Harry mustered up all the courage he possessed and looked at his stern Transfiguration professor, "I had asked Cho Chang from Ravenclaw to the Ball," he began, not meeting Minerva's eyes. "But she was already going with Cedric. And you said that I had to have a date because I was a champion. Well Ron had asked, well more like shouted really, at Fleur Delacour to go to the Ball with him...but then he was too embarrassed to even stick around to be turned down...and Hermione had already turned him down too. Anyway, I needed a date, and Ron wanted one and I overheard Pavarti telling Lavender that she still didn't have a date, so I asked her to go with me. And she said that she'd ask her Padma to accompany Ron."

Pausing for breath, Harry continued, "So when it came to the night of the Ball...I guess Ron and I were too busy focussing on who we weren't with instead of who we were...And now I feel like a right arse– er, sorry professor– for how I behaved."

Shame was evident on Harry's face as he spoke, and in a way it warmed Minerva's heart, if only for the fact it proved that chivalry was not entirely dead. "5 points from Gryffindor for your behaviour, ." she began seeing him slump ever so slightly, but his face showed that he felt it was deserved.

"5 points to Gryffindor for admitting that you were wrong in your behaviour. And 10 points to Gryffindor for seeking aid to formally apologize to not only your date but 's as well." she finished. Harry's head snapped up, and he gaped at her.

"Y-You're not serious, professor?" he questioned. Smirking slightly she said, "No, that would be your godfather, ." she nearly laughed at the stunned expression on his face. "Joking aside, , I am not kidding in awarding points for chivalry. What you are attempting to do is not only pleasing, but noble. There are many males in this castle, Harry. Very few would even consider what you're intending to do, let alone actually attempt it."

Harry got red at the compliment on his character, but was still too stunned to try and hide it. "I, uh, th-thanks, professor." he managed to stammer out."So, does that mean that you know where I can find Professor Sprout?" he asked hopefully.

Lips twitching slightly, Minerva replied, "She has a class at the moment, but should be available to help you in 10 minutes. I believe that it's Greenhouse 3." Harry smiled, and rose from his seat heading to the door. But McGonagall's voice stopped him. "And, Harry?"she began. "Do try not to end up tongue tied in your apologies, won't you?"Harry blinked before grinning sheepishly, "Y-yes, ma'am." he replied before leaving.

Minerva smiled to herself once he was gone. "Well," she mused aloud. "It appears as though there are some young men still trying to do things right." she wondered whether it was more than Harry that had the right idea of how to impress a lady, or if he was simply that way inclined without knowing it.

Meanwhile, Harry arrived, panting, outside of Greenhouse 3 just as the class was leaving. Once the group of 2nd years had passed, Harry tentatively knocked on the door, to which Sprout looked up from whatever she'd been working on. "Ah, . What can I do for you?"

Flushing slightly, and staring resolutely at the floor, he sputtered out, "I, uh, I-I need some flowers." Pomona blinked. "What kind, and whatever for?" face getting redder by the second Harry stammered out his story of what had transpired on the night of the Yule Ball and his wish to right things with Padma and Pavarti. By the end of it, Pomona was smiling warmly.

"Very good, . I, for one, and impressed that you're actually going to go this far to apologize. 10 points to Gryffindor." Harry blinked. What was it with his professors and giving him points for being an arse today?

Sprout continued, "So, you're wanting flowers to apologize...let's see, I'd recommend a couple of yellow roses for each of them." Harry went scarlet, "I, uh, p-professor I'm not, I mean, I don't have any r-romantic interest in either of them...I just wanted to apologize."

Chuckling internally at her student's embarrassment, Pomona nodded. "Perhaps some daffodils then?" she had assumed that Harry would want plants available in both the muggle and magical world. Harry, still very red, nodded. "Th-that sounds good, professor." he conceded.

Sprout, shuffled about the greenhouse for a few moments before muttering a muted 'Aha!' and then turning to face Harry, two freshly clipped daffodils in hand. "There you are, . I trust that you are going to be apologizing with more than just handing them the flowers and bolting, yes?" Harry nodded slowly, "Yeah, I-uh-thought I might write an apology and have Hedwig deliver them..." he trailed off, really not knowing what he was doing.

Pomona smiled at his nervousness. The fact that he was so nervous just proved that he was sincere in his wishes to apologize. "Very good, . I wish you luck, and do try to at the very least make friends with and at a later date." Harry nodded deftly and was off again.

Groaning internally, Harry made his way to his dorms to begin writing his apologizes to the Patil twins. This was going to be harder than it sounded, he mused, and it sounded pretty bloody hard. Having finished his letters, Harry made his way to the Owlery. Unfortunately, for Harry at least, Lady Luck was not to be on his side today.

Upon entering the top of the Owlery, Hedwig hooted and swooped down to see him. She perched on his left shoulder and affectionately nipped his ear. He chuckled a bit, "Hullo, girl. How are you?" she shot him a look that said, 'As if Iwould be anything but well?' Harry grinned. "Well, at least owls don't have to worry about dating and apologizing for being arses..." he grumbled, half-heartedly.

"I have two letters for you today girl, and two...well not exactly packages, but flowers actually to go with them. Think you're up for delivering my begs and pleas for forgiveness?" Harry asked. Hedwig shot him what could only be a snooty gaze, that pronounced not only her annoyance at his lack of faith in her ability to deliver anything, but also in his need to send apologizes to anyone in the first place.

Tying the two letters to Hedwig's leg, and then letting her take the flowers in her beak, Harry smiled sadly at her, "Take these to Padma and Pavarti Patil, okay girl?" except, then– to Harry's horror– a familiar voice said from behind him, "No need, Harry. We're right here."

Turning around slowly, Harry saw Pavarti and Padma Patil standing in the doorway to the Owlery. Harry swallowed, hard. Hedwig, apparently, had decided to move things along for him; gliding across the open space she perched herself on an outstretched wooden perch, and extended her leg to Padma whilst dispensing the daffodils into Pavarti's outstretched hands.

Both girls eyed the flowers and letters curiously before glancing at Harry, who was still frozen in silent horror, before looking at each other, shrugging, and opening their respective letters. Padma's letter read:

Padma,

I, er, well I don't really know what to say here...I guess I should start with the obvious. I'm sorry. About the Yule Ball, and Ron being a right git to you. I'm sorry that he ignored you and that I didn't make him pay attention to you. We were both idiots. I mean there we were, two gorgeous twins on our arms and what do we do? We blow it, and get stuck thinking about who we'd originally wanted to go with. That wasn't fair to you, or Pavarti...it wasn't right.

It's kind of sad, I can take on Voldemort, or giant spiders, or three-headed dogs; women though, I've never been good with. I guess I just wanted to apologize for ruining yours and Pavarti's night. I know that I can't exactly do anything to make it right, but please accept the flower, and my poorly written apologies.

Yours,

Harry Potter.

Pavarti's read:

Pavarti,

I, um, well– Merlin where do I even start?! I'm sorry. There's really nothing more I can say than that. I'm sorry I was a prat to you at the Ball. I'm sorry Ron wasn't better to Padma. I'm sorry that you had to go find a dateless Durmstrang student because I wasn't being attentive. You and your sister looked beautiful, truly...I was just so focussed on who I'd originally been turned down by to notice, and I'm really sorry for that.

I hope you'll forgive me in time, and at least accept the flower from Hedwig, cause she never did anything wrong, and don't let Lavender hex my bits for being an arse. There isn't a whole lot more to say, other than well thanks...for going to the Ball with me at all.

I know there are better guys, men, you could've gone with. Men who know how to treat ladies and how to dance, men who know how to talk to girls and all that other stuff... but you agreed to go with me. A scrawny git, with multi-times fixed glasses, a stupid scar on his forehead and the messy hair from hell; who can't dance, or talk to girls and wasn't fair to you as a lady.

Yours,

Harry Potter

Padma, having finished her letter moments sooner, glanced at Pavarti, who then met her eyes and an entire conversation seemed to pass between them. 'Do all twins have some type of communication-without-actually-saying-anything deal, or is it just wizard/witch twins?' Harry mused, trying-and failing to keep the blush on his face to a minimum at having to endure watching his letters of apology be read before him.

Finally, after what to Harry felt like eternity and a half, the twins turned to him and Pavarti began to speak, "Harry–" the male in question, cut in, "I know it's not going to make up for anything...but I really am sorry." he mumbled, looking defiantly at the floor, trying to keep his blush from rising further.

Harry was about to continue, when he felt two sets of arms wrap around him. Head snapping up, Harry gazed down at the set of twins currently holding him. "Um..." he said incoherently. He felt one of them, Padma, chuckle against him.

"Relax Harry," Pavarti began again. "We accept your apology, so stop worrying." Padma finished. 'Okay, it's official,' he mused. 'All magical twins have that whole non-verbal communication going for them.' still red in the face, and stiff as a board, Harry slowly, cautiously spoke with no small amount of awe in his voice.

"So, you two really are okay even though Ron and I buggered up your evening?" Padma replied, "Not exactly." Pavarti, seeing the look of defeat encroaching on Harry's face swiftly continued.

"We do forgive you, Harry. Don't worry about that; it's Ron that we don't forgive." while slightly relieved, Harry was also slightly confused. "Why forgive me and not Ron?" the question more-so directed at Padma as she'd been the date to the boy-in-question.

Padma snorted softly, "Harry, I know he's your best mate and all, but...well, he's a pig. You at least danced with Pavarti some, whereas he didn't dance with me, period. And while you may have left early and, yes, you did mess up a great deal in the whole 'ideal date' category, you are at least apologizing, and Pavarti was with another guy. I, however, was not; and Ronald has made no move to even attempt any type of reconciliation, let alone apology." she stated matter-o-factly.

Pavarti once more, continued her twin's thought process. "Not to mention, the flowers alone prove that this wasn't just some hastily scribbled apology to try to get another date. Plus, you just asked for forgiveness, not another chance– unlike most guys our age." she noted, a slight tint of annoyance to her voice. "Oh, and Harry?" Pavarti queried.

Emerald eyes blinked, as he said, "Yeah, Pavarti?" she finally pulled back from their embrace, Padma following suite– much to Harry's internal disappointment–"I'll make sure Lavender doesn't hex your bits, on one condition." gulping at the looks entering twin hazel eyes, Harry questioned, voice containing barely repressed fear, "A-and what's that?"

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Pavarti spoke, "You a)stop chastising yourself, b)explain what you meant by V-Vol– You-Know-Who, giant spiders and three headed dogs in your letter to Padma, and c)accept our forgiveness by sitting with us in the Great Hall for dinner tonight."

'I think that was more than one condition,' Harry remarked mentally. "I, er, alright..." he spoke almost questioningly. Padma snorted softly, "That wasn't a very reassuring answer, Harry." she remarked, eyes glittering with unrestrained mirth.

Harry opted to try again, "Yes, I agree to your terms. Better?" he queried. "Much." Padma replied. Looking at the pair, Harry let out a slow breath and proceeded to tell his tales of getting past Fluffy, running into Aragog, and all the times Mouldy-shorts had been a pain in his arse.

By the time he was done both girls were gripping onto him as though he were about to vanish, tears in their eyes, a few stray ones slipping past their eyes. Harry was, naturally, completely lost. He had no idea what to do about one girl crying, let alone a set of twins! Cautiously, Harry tried to reassure them.

"It's fine. Don't worry, we all made it out okay, Voldemort– they flinched– isn't in the castle right now, and he's not about to come flying through the wall. I promise, you're both safe nothing to worry about." "Nothing to worry about!?" Padma stated incredulously. "Harry! You've nearly been killed every year you've come to Hogwarts! I fail to see how that's nothing to worry about!"

Harry shrugged, "It's nothing I can't handle...I suppose..." he trailed off suddenly far less sure of how to continue this conversation. Thankfully for him at that moment a loud crash sounded from the bottom of the Owlery, causing the three of them to look down over the side to see what had occurred. Thankfully it was just a group of first or second years that had managed to run into each other and drop whatever it was they'd been holding.

Noting the sun's position Harry spoke, "I, er, as much as I hate to do this, I really have to get going, I'm supposed to meet Neville to help him with his Defence Against the Dark Arts homework." Which was true, he'd promised Neville that he'd help him about two days before and was only now finally having enough breathing room to do so.

The twins sighed but consented, "But remember Harry," Pavarti began as he made his way to the door. "You promised to sit with us at dinner in the Great Hall– we'll be at the Ravenclaw table I expect." Padma finished. Deftly Harry nodded, before leaving the grinning sisters in the Owlery, silently contemplating if all girls were this strange other than Hermione.

(With Fleur)

Fleur gazed across her tea at her current company, namely one Don't-Call-Me-Nymphadora, Tonks. The young auror had baby Teddy laying in her arms, gently rocking him as her grey eyes lifted to meet Fleur's blue ones. "So, Fleur...what did you want to talk about?" she finally questioned, breaking the silence.

Fleur had flued Tonks the day before, her memories over the last weeks of times spent with Harry had made her curious about something, and given her reason to call the slightly older witch, seeing as Teddy had been born two weeks ago and things were finally settling down slightly in that regard.

"Yes, I waz...I've been zinking about 'Arry a lot recently..." she began and immediately saw Tonks stiffen, and her face sadden. Wincing, Fleur murmured, "Zorry, I don't mean to bring up painful memoriez." Tonks shook her head, "I'm sure your's are just as painful as mine...So what about Harry?" the Metamorph questioned cautiously.

Fleur looked down for a second before allowing her eyes to meet Tonks'. "Tonks, did 'Arry...did 'Arry ever tell you 'ow much 'e loved you?" she questioned carefully. Tonks eyes widened as she stared at Fleur for a moment, not entirely sure what to say. "I'm not sure what you're insinuating Fleur, but I assure you I belong to Remus now, and have for a while now. I didn't cheat on anyone if that's what you're thinking." she said sharply. Fleur was taken aback by Tonks' answer.

"Non! Bon Dieu, non! Ça ce n'est pas de tout qu'est-ce que je voulais dire!" Tonks blinked, "Er, Fleur...um, English please?" she asked sheepishly. Fleur blushed, "Zorry, I 'ave a 'abit of zpeaking French when I 'ave a large amount of emotion in wat I am zaying." clearing her throat she continued, "Wat I zaid, waz zat I never zought anyzing like zat Tonks! Good God, I waz only talking about when you and 'e were zeeing each ozer!"

Tonks coloured slightly, but quickly used her metamorph capabilities to fight down the blush. "Oh, well um, in that case no. I mean, he told me I was beautiful and everything like most blokes who want to keep their girlfriends do, but um specifically explaining that he was head-over-heels-over-brokeback for me or something, no."

Fleur wasn't entirely sure what Tonks meant by "brokeback" but decided it wasn't overly important. "I zought zo," she began. Tonks looked at her quizzically so Fleur quickly continued, "'E, 'Arry, told me once 'e loved you very much...but 'e also said your 'eart didn't belong to 'im. 'E said 'e couldn't tell you 'ow much 'e wished 'e could be ze one for you because 'e juste wanted whatever you wanted for you. I zought you might like to know 'e loved you more zan 'e let on, I zink."

Tonks couldn't help it when her eyes glazed over and she fell back into her memories. First was one from almost 2 years ago, when Harry had first asked her to date him.

They were at Grimmauld Place, the Order meeting had ended half an hour before, but Tonks had opted to hang around as she didn't have to be at work again until Monday. Harry had been glancing around nervously for a while, and it was starting to bug her– a lot. Something about a 15 year old being almost as twitchy as Mad-Eye just didn't sit right with Tonks, but– seeing as Sirius and Molly were having yet another row over something with Remus playing mediator, and Hermione had gone to visit her parents for a while– it appeared as though she was the only one who was picking up on Harry's nervousness.

Thus, Tonks tapped him on the shoulder, to which he jumped whirled and had his wand drawn faster than most aurors Tonks knew, quickly raising her hands in defence she said, "Hey, hey. It's just me. Bloody hell, Harry. You're in a house guarded by the Fidelius Charm! You're almost as bad as Mad-Eye, and he's the most paranoid person this side of the Atlantic!" Harry turned bright red, but did swiftly lower his wand some before saying quietly, "What is it that you told me your mother can do but you could never get right?"

Tonks sighed muttering, "On second thought, you might just take the title from Mad-Eye." before continuing louder, "I told you that she could get the socks all neat and folded and crap. And I still can't." Harry nodded, and put his wand away. "So, uh, was there something you needed, Tonks?" he asked after several seconds of silence.

Tonks thought for a second before saying, "Come with me." he looked confused but when she started walking he just followed. Tonks internally smiled at that, most guys didn't let a girl lead them anywhere, let alone when they didn't know the final destination. Tonks guided them to her temporary room at Grimmauld, which happened to be down the hall from both Remus' and Sirius'.

When she turned around she noticed Harry looking very apprehensive as he stood in the doorway. Rolling her eyes Tonks said, "You can come in you know." blushing lightly, Harry slowly came in and sat, stiff as a board, on a chair across from her. Tonks had to cover a laugh at his obvious discomfort with being in a girl's room. "Harry, why are you so tense all the time? I mean you're not still at the Dursleys, your not even at Hogwarts surrounded by hundreds of annoying twerps. You're at your godfathers house, with your friends, and the Order all of whom are bound and determined to keep you alive."

Harry avoided looking at her, and gazed pointedly at the floor. "It's not because of Voldemort..." he muttered, but Tonks caught it. "So what is it because of then?" Harry was silent, huffing Tonks said, "Merlin's beard, Harry! It can't be that bad! Is it Ginny or Hermione? Or is it being in this building in general? Did the twins do something? Or Ron? Is Molly coddling you enough that it feels like an attack?Is–"

"NO." he snapped abruptly, cutting her off. Before turning bright red and apologizing. "Sorry, Tonks. I, uh, didn't mean to snap...I just, I can't..." he sighed before trying again. "It isn't something anyone can help me with." he said finally. Tonks was having none of that though. "You can't know that until you tell someone Harry." she pointed out, Tonks could see his suppressed temper agitating him and was hoping that if she pushed enough he'd just say it.

Tonks was not disappointed. Harry's head snapped up, Avada Kedavra-green eyes locked on her currently blue eyes as he finally all but seethed out, "Fine! You want to know why I'm so bloody tense all the time?! Because I can't be around you, Tonks!" she winced thinking he meant he was disgusted by her metamorph powers, but seeing that Harry quickly put his temper on ice, and quickly moved to sooth her.

"Tonks, I'm sorry! It's not what you think, I swear! And I didn't mean to yell." he tacked the last bit on the end as an afterthought. Tonks however, displayed her anger now at what was not an uncommon phenomena for her to have to endure. "Oh really, Harry?" she asked scathingly. "So you didn't just say that you can't be around me?! Do I horrify you Harry? Well? Does it disgust you to think that I can be male or female depending on my mood? Or that my hair and eye colour can change at will or even when I'm not thinking about it?!" she all but hissed at him. Harry would later wonder if she had actually hissed would he have been able to understand it because of Parseltongue?

Completely thrown, Harry's rapidly moving jaw finally formed words. "Tonks wait!" he said, seeing her getting up to leave. "I didn't mean anything like that! I couldn't care less if you're a metamorphmagus, bloody hell! I have house elves, half giants and hippogriffs as friends! And so what if you can change your appearance? So can any other witch or wizard given the right spell or potion! Tonks, I don't mean I can't be around me because you disgust me, I can't be around you becauseI'mattractedtoyouandIknowthaty ouhavenointerestinmethatways oit'shardtocontrol"

Tonks blinked several times, her brain trying to unscramble the words. Finally the ever intelligent "Huh?" left her vocal cords, and Harry's pink face began to redden. "I-I, uh...I h-have to go!" he stuttered out. Tonks' auror reflexes, however, were milliseconds to quick for the swift boy. "Hold it, Potter!" she said, grabbing his arm, noting a flinch but not commenting based on her need to focus on the topic at hand.

Taking a breath, Tonks queried, "You're interested in me?" Harry, looking resolutely at the floor, said nothing. Huffing Tonks continued, "There's nothing wrong with that Harry, I'm flattered really..." she paused before continuing, "But if you're only interested in me cause I can change into anyone you can dream of, I have no interest." she stated venomously. Harry's head snapped up, and his jaw slackened.

"You-you..." he trailed off and tried again, "Do you really think so little of me Tonks? To believe that I would ever ask you to change who you are and how you look for my own desires? What kind of sick pervert do you think I am?!" he asked, a distinct hint of anger in his voice. Tonks met him half way and countered, "Harry, rarely have I ever met a man who doesn't want me to change; it tends to put your gender in a bad light to start with." this caused Harry to frown, before he said flatly, "Well their bloody morons. If they can't appreciate how beautiful you are, than they ought to sod off."

Tonks smirked at that, "Well said." she muttered, looking at the boy-young man, she mentally corrected- in front of her, Tonks couldn't help but feel an attraction to him, with his lithe but muscled body, raven locks that swept gently at the top of his forehead, barely covering his scar, and those brilliant green eyes behind the spectacles that seemed to do almost nothing to lessen their intensity. Tonks smiled softly and said, "I think I may like you too, Harry."

Tonks smiled to herself as she recalled Harry's apprehension around her when they started dating, and the sheer amount of shock that had been written in all capitals, bold print and underlined across his face when she'd admitted to liking him back. She had begun to worry she'd broken him, until he suddenly lunged forward and kissed her in one of the most fiercely passionate kisses of her life. And there had been some passionate kisses.

Before she could get back to the conversation at hand a second memory welled up inside Tonks' mind. This one, the one of when Harry had let her go.

They had been dating for almost a year, 10 months-ish to be more precise. Harry had taken to visiting her during Hogsmead trips, as well as sneaking off the castle grounds occasionally when he could manage, telling everyone inside the castle that he had detention– which given the amount he actually had received that year was not at all unbelievable– and it was almost the end of the school year now. Harry had his OWL's in a few weeks as it was.

Harry had asked her to meet him inside the shrieking shack tonight, a location they'd frequented enough that it was easy for her to apparate in and out with ease. She heard footsteps approach and drawing her wand, waited to ensure it was indeed Harry. The second her raven haired boyfriend came in sight a grin came across her features, but– used to his paranoia by this point– she refrained from just going to him (that hadn't ended so well the one and only time she'd tried it). "Change." he said simply.

Nodding Tonks closed her eyes and shifted her hair through all the colours of the rainbow, and turned her nose into a duck bill for good measure. Harry lowered his wand and she asked, "What did you tell me the first time you saw me in my true form?" now it was Harry who smiled, "I told you that you were absolutely gorgeous, and if it weren't for the fact that you'd have guys and girls falling all over you from your beauty I'd ask you to stay that way always." smiling at the memory, Tonks nodded, and turned into her true form as she customarily did when they met in private.

Her pink hair turning midnight black, the soft curves of a heart shaped face becoming more angular and pronounced, her breasts going from a B to C cup size, her skin becoming a few shades paler, height increasing a few inches and finally she opened her now silvery-grey eyes. Before she could say anything, Harry kissed her. "Merlin woman you're beautiful!" he exclaimed after pulling back for air. Tonks felt herself flush, but quickly squashed it down with her abilities.

They talked and laughed together as they usually did for a few hours before Harry became strangely serious, although she'd noticed he'd seemed more reserved than usual in their banter. Harry spoke then, "Tonks," he began softly, looking up at her through his raven fringe, "I-I, I think that we need to stop seeing each other like this..." he trailed off and Tonks felt her heart crack, and her head spin. "What?" was all she could ask, voice cracking.

"I, uh, I've never actually had to do this before and I wish I didn't have to now...but, Tonks, I know that I'm not the only man you love." those words had caused her head to swim. Harry continued before she could speak though, "I'm not saying you ever cheated on me or anything, I know you didn't so don't ever try to think that." he paused again, and locked eyes with her, Tonks could feel herself drowning in those emerald pools she'd become accustomed to losing herself in, but not like this. Never before like this.

"I'm not mad Tonks. Professor Lupin is a great man, and you deserve that. A great man. Not some boy with a target the size of England on his back." she didn't realize she was crying until he raised his hand and gently wiped away her tears.

"Ton– Nymphadora," he stated softly, she couldn't even bring herself to be mad at him for using that name, "I will always care for you. And I will forever look back on the time I spent with you like this and smile. However, I know that you're heart isn't truly mine to have and to hold, as long as we both shall live. It belongs to Professor Lupin, and if I had to lose you to anyone, he would be one of my only picks. So, I'm letting you go Nymphadora Tonks, and I hope by Merlin that scruffy old wolf gets his head out of his arse in time to figure out that you do love him." with that Harry had leaned forward, placed one last chaste kiss on her lips, gone to the entrance to the shack, looked at her one last time and said gently, "Thank-you Tonks, and good luck." Then he was gone.

Tonks had remained there for some time before finally returning to her flat, and going to her room to cry. It took almost a month until Tonks finally completely acknowledged that Harry had been doing what they both knew would happen eventually, but even she hadn't wanted to think about. Despite that knowledge however, she was still unbelievably heartbroken in the following weeks.

The next time she'd seen Harry had been at the Department of Mysteries, and that hardly counted as actually seeing him, as they'd had no time to talk.And when they met briefly at the Burrow when Dumbledore brought him, Tonks had been rather distraught over yet another try at getting Remus to date her and yet another failure in doing so. When she got him off the Hogwarts Express she was still distraught, but Harry had just smiled that sad, gentle smile of his, pecked her cheek and said "Don't worry, he'll get his head out of his arse eventually." before going up to the castle. Christmas at the Burrow had been alright, Harry had sneakily kissed her under some mistletoe when no one was looking, but that was the only moment they'd been alone, so still there had been no time for talking. The attack on Hogwarts also hadn't leant them any reprieve, with Dumbledore's death and all. And of course the removal of Harry from the Dursleys was once again rather rushed.

Therefore Tonks had a great deal of things she still wanted to say to Harry. Looking at Fleur again, she finally said, "He never said anything..." she trailed off. Before questioning, "Why are you telling me this now?" Fleur looked thoughtful for a moment.

She replied slowly, "Zere waz...I mean, 'e sent me anozzer letter– not to everyone, juste to me...and it made me zink of ze time I zaw 'im before 'e went to 'Ogwarts last year...'E was very sad about 'aving broken up weeth you, but 'e 'id eet very well, non?" the blonde asked rhetorically. Tonks was surprised, she hadn't been expecting such a blunt response...maybe it was a French thing, she mused. Then her mind caught onto the first thing Fleur had said.

"He sent you another letter?" Tonks asked sharply. Fleur nodded, producing a piece of parchment from her back pocket, "Eet does not zay much about were 'e is. But, 'e zaid 'e 'as found a 'orcrux, but 'e doesn't know 'ow to destroy eet." She said, not handing Tonks the letter, but Tonks didn't press for more details assuming the letter was personal.

The cogs in Tonks' mind were whirling, so Harry was still alive, and had found a horcrux te-boot. Although, they still had no bloody clue where in Merlin's name he was. Sighing softly Tonks looked at Fleur and noticed something in the Veela's look she hadn't before and as she replayed their topics of conversation in their head, realization suddenly came crashing down on the metamorph. "Merlin's beard..." she gasped, "He's in love with you, isn't he!"

(Inside Harry's Mind)

Harry had successfully gone to dinner with the Patil twins, and been congratulated privately by McGonagall and Sprout later that evening. Now came the part Harry was most nervous about; talking to Hermione. He had been plenty nervous all through dinner, as both twins had not only noted, but pointed out to him. Gathering up what was left of his courage, Harry walked through the portrait hole after muttering a quick "toujours prets" to the Fat Lady.

Gazing around the common room, he saw Hermione perched on a chair, a stack of books beside her. Smiling a little to himself at the image, Harry walked towards her. Stopping beside her, it took a moment or two before Hermione looked up at him, curiosity evident in her deep brown eyes as she queried, "Is something wrong, Harry?"

Harry cleared his throat and asked back, "No, I just...can you come with me for a bit?" Hermione's brow furrowed in a way that made Harry's heart twang. Finally the bushy haired girl nodded, putting her book down on the chair. She stood and as Harry turned he could sense her questioning eyes on his back as she followed him out of the common room.

Harry brought them to a spot that very much confused Hermione; he brought them to a Quidditch dressing room. He turned and held up his hand, "Wait here for a minute, please?" he half asked half told her. Hermione was beyond confused now, but deftly nodded anyway. Harry returned moments later carrying his Firebolt of all things.

Hermione began, "Harry what–" the raven haired young man cut in, "Do you trust me enough to get on this with me?" Hermione blinked, "Of course I trust you Harry!" she exclaimed. Harry grinned a little at that, before straddling the broom a bit further forward than he usually would, and motioned for Hermione to sit behind him. She did so, if only a little apprehensively, and wrapped her arms around his waist– unknowingly causing Harry to flush.

Harry took off, keeping in mind Hermione's dislike of going fast on brooms, he leisurely took them to the roof of the astronomy tower, and began to descend onto it. Hermione gaped at him from behind, "Harry! We can't land on the roof!" she exclaimed. He tried to calm her, "Relax Hermione, I've done this loads of times." this seemed to mollify her remarkably little.

Landing them anyway, Harry swiftly cast sticking charms on each of them, so their feet would stick to the roof. This seemed to help Hermione slightly more than his reassurances he noted, much to his chagrin. Hermione rounded on him by this point, "Harry Potter! What in God's name is going on?! First you disappear almost all day, then at dinner you sit with Pavarti and Padma, and when you show up in the common room you ask me to come with you to Lord-know's-where to do Merlin-know's-what...And now we're on the roof of the bloody astronomy tower! What is going on!?" she demanded, questions practically oozing out of her.

Harry held up his hands in defence and chose his words carefully, "Hermione..." he began. She looked at him expectantly. But when he looked at her, under the pale moonlight on the roof; the cool night breeze lightly blowing her hair; brown eyes glistening with a passion for knowledge and confusion; arms crossed in defiance and expectation...all the words suddenly left Harry's mind, so he did the only thing he could think of. He reached out, pulled her towards him, and kissed her.

AN:/ Yes, it's another cliff hanger– relax I'm thinking of giving them up for lent so in several months there may be a window I'll stop cliff-hanger-ing. So, was it worth the wait? I certainly hope so. All reviews, favourites, alerts, flames and what-have-you are much appreciated and considered despite the fact I will only reply to some of them( I really do read them all but typing, "I'm glad you like my story" in different variants to everyone who says anything seems a trifle redundant and like a waste of time, but any questions I will definitely reply to when I have time). Also, what did you think of the Patil twins involvement in this?

Next Time( or at least at some point in a relatively close chapter): What happened when Harry kissed Hermione? What will Tonks do with her knowledge of Harry's love for Fleur? What will Fleur do with that knowledge for that matter? When will Harry learn of Teddy? Will Tonks ever get to talk everything over with Harry before it's too late? Is this the last we'll hear of the Patil twins? Speaking of Hermione, where the devil are she, Ron, Luna, Neville, the twins and Ginny in all this?And most importantly, how will Harry get out of this one?!

All this and hopefully more at some point in the coming chapters(And no I am not going to one day randomly abandon this story).

Thanks for reading:

~GGUC