6. Back To The Dursleys
The Hogwarts Express was passing through the green countryside. It was beautiful, yet monotonous. Of course, when you get almost killed by your parents' murderer, aided by your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, or encounter with a three-headed dog, lethal plants, a mountain troll, a horde of centaurs, or maybe export baby dragons and come across a stone that can bring you infinite gold and life, pretty much everything seems monotonous. That was the case with Harry Potter.
Of course, Tonks was almost always with him, except for the confrontation with Quirrell and Voldemort. Hermione was there sometimes (like handing Norbert to a couple of dragon handlers Hagrid knew, one of them being the brother of the Weasleys) but she was more often so stuck up with 'maintaining the school rules' and trying to set up study schedules for Harry and Neville, that Harry stopped trying to bring her to any of their adventures. Surprisingly, Neville volunteered to come with Harry and Tonks through Fluffy's trapdoor, and was of immense help when he almost singlehandedly won them the chess match that guarded the stone. Tonks wanted to call Susan and Hannah too, but Harry had insisted that there was little time to spare and tracking down the two girls could take up a lot of their time. Tonks became rather attached to the two girls as Edward and Hestia started going out right after Christmas. They didn't abandon Tonks, but as they spent more time around each other, Tonks tried to give them some space and privacy and spent more time with Harry or Susan and Hannah and the girls accompanied them to some adventures, too.
"Whatchya thinking, Harry?"
He shook out of his musings and looked around the compartment. Tonks was lying down with her head on his lap and her feet in front of Susan, who was dozing off. Hermione, Neville and Hannah were sitting on the opposite end, where Hannah was asleep with her head on Neville's shoulder who looked a bit uncomfortable, but not unhappy. Hermione was reading a book near the window, seemingly oblivious of the world around her. Harry was sitting in a compartment full of people who were his friends.
"Just thinking about the year, you know. Looks like I don't do normal." he added with a grin. Tonks chuckled.
"You definitely don't do normal. To think of a Hogwarts without you-" she sighed dramatically.
"Painfully boring, I'm sure" he laughed.
She observed him carefully. He was laughing alright. But there was something hidden in his eyes. He was tensed. Or worried. Or both.
"You worried about the Dursleys?" she asked softly. He gave her a startled look. Was he that transparent? Sighing, he nodded. "A bit."
Tonks gave her a wide smile. "Don't worry, mum will talk with them. They won't give you a hard time. And I'll see you within three weeks."
Before the term ended, Andromeda Tonks came to Dumbledore to let him know that Harry will be spending his summers with them from now on. Unfortunately, the old man had other plans. He explained the blood wards that protected Harry in Privet Drive and said that he had to stay at least three weeks for the wards to be fully charged for a year. Andromeda didn't give up without a fight, but her arguments fell to deaf ears. Harry was a bit upset that he had to return to the Dursleys, but he was immensely grateful to Mrs. Tonks for her invitation and her concern for him. When he went to thank her, however, she just waved a hand and said, "Don't mention dear, I always felt guilty that we couldn't take you in instead of those muggles, but Dumbledore wouldn't even tell me where you lived. It's the least I could do for Lily and James." She then left, reminding him that she would have a talk with his relatives at platform nine and three-quarters.
"I know. And I'm afraid that they might insult Mrs. Tonks or something." He said in a concerned voice. Tonks laughed it off. "Believe me, I actually want them to insult mum. Ooh it'll be fun to watch." She said almost longingly. Harry stared at her. Insanity was one of her most notable characteristics.
Malfoy decided to pay a visit after a while. He strutted in with Crabbe and Goyle following behind.
"Look it's Potty and his sidekicks." he drawled. Tonks looked up and asked no one in particular, "Who invited these gaylords here?"
Draco turned red and shouted, "No one asked your opinion you cheap-"
WHAM!
Everyone stared at Susan. The redhead had stood up, punched Malfoy and then went back to her seat all within four seconds.
"How dare you-"
WHAM!
This time it was Harry. He got up and kicked the door shut right in Draco's face, possibly breaking the ponce's nose.
They looked at each other and burst into laughter. Even Hermione, who they feared would go on about reporting to a prefect than taking matters in their own hands, joined in the laughter. Looked like she was finally loosening up a bit.
They spent the rest of the journey chatting up and making plans for the summer.
"Harry will be staying at my place after I kidnap him from the muggles." Tonks announced.
"Can you guys spend a week at my place? Please?" Susan pleaded. Hannah agreed instantly. Tonks and Harry would have to confirm with Mrs. Tonks, but the metamorphmagus was certain that they would be able to make it.
"I don't think gran won't let me come. You guys enjoy." Neville said gloomily. Hannah looked at him sympathetically.
"What 'bout you Herm?" Tonks asked. Hermione frowned.
"Don't call me that, I like my name as it is." Tonks sighed wistfully, but Hermione continued in a lower voice, "I'm going to France with mum and dad in a vacation. I don't think I can come, sorry." She looked apologetic.
"Oh no problem, it'll be Hannah, Harry, Tonks and me then. We'll have so much fun!" Susan squealed in anticipation. Harry laughed at her enthusiasm. Hannah and Tonks shook their heads fondly.
Not after long, the train reached platform nine and three-quarters. Everyone hurried down to meet their family, and the air was thick with shouts of delight from various students or their family. Harry found himself in front of Ted and Andromeda Tonks. Ted Tonks was a pleasant-looking man with a balding head, round belly and a moustache. He was being hugged by Dora, whose hair was a soft red. He turned to look at Mrs. Tonks, who was looking back at him with a kind smile. "Hello Harry dear. Had an interesting year?"
Despite everything, he had to smile at that question. "You can say again." Andromeda laughed at this. She already knew about his adventures in school, and secretly thought James would be so proud of him…
"Harry?" a voice called.
It was Susan. Harry felt a great wave of affection for the girl. She had been there for him, whenever he needed her. She had been a little angry at him for not taking her down to save the stone, but she understood his reason and didn't push him. She was just there and Harry was immensely grateful to her for it. Susan was just the sister he never had.
"Hey Susan." He smiled at her. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. Harry hugged her back tightly.
"Take care Sue." He whispered.
"You too, Harry."
They released their holds and smiled at each other. Then Susan grabbed Harry's arm to pull him towards a couple who looked like Susan's parents. They were both smiling at the pair.
"Mum, dad, this is Harry Potter. Harry, these are my parents and that little devil over there is my younger brother Sam." A little boy of seven or eight, whom Harry didn't notice before, looked at him curiously.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Bones, Mrs. Bones. Hello Sam." He said politely.
"You too dear. Suzy writes a lot about you." Mrs. Bones said while Mr. Bones shook Harry's hand. Susan looked unabashed.
"Mum I invited Harry and some friends at our place later this summer." She informed her mother. Her father, however, asked a question that confused Harry.
"Our place? Which place are you talking about darling?"
They don't have a place or what? Harry thought and to his surprise, Susan seemed thinking hard. What was the matter? Do they have a problem-
"The summer one." Susan finally announced. Harry had no clue what she was talking about. The summer what, exactly?
Seeing his confused expression, Mrs. Bones explained to him. "We have a manor and a summer-house. Seems like you will be visiting the summer-house, but I hope Suzy will bring you to the manor some time."
After that, Susan introduced Hannah and Tonks to her parents and after a while Harry realized that his uncle and aunt must've been waiting for him outside the barrier. He reminded Tonks of this and after a quick goodbye with Hermione and Neville, Harry was steered out of the platform to the muggle world by Tonks, her parents following behind. Immediately, his uncle noticed him and was growling, "You are late boy! I have half a mind to leave you-"
"Shut up and listen Dursley." Andromeda Tonks stepped in front. Dora looked positively giddy.
"And who the ruddy- AAARRRGGHH!" Vernon Dursley yelped as he looked at the index finger of his right hand, only to find a shrimp in its place. Harry was worried that his uncle's voice might attract attention to them, but everyone mysteriously ignored the group.
"I demand you to fix th- AAAAARRRGH!" He was cut off again as his middle finger turned to a tiny snake that looked around in a bored fashion.
"I suggest you listen to the wife. She can get nasty, trust me." Ted Tonks offered the horrified man. Aunt Petunia looked like she was about to faint.
"Okay, so now I have your attention, I advise you to keep quiet and listen to me very carefully." Andromeda paused for a second. When Vernon showed no sign of interrupting immediately, she continued, "This is about Harry. From what I understand, you have not treated him nicely. If it wasn't for Harry's own protection, believe me, you lot would just wish you were never born. Now, I'm not here to confront you about the past. I'll deal with it later. I'm here to say that you will not mistreat Harry in any way while he is staying with you. Is that clear?"
Vernon spluttered, "Excuse me, but I fail to see how it is any of your business how I treat this ungrateful little- AAAAARRRGGHHH!" he yelled as his ring finger sprouted wings and turned to a dragonfly.
Petunia fainted.
Andromeda continued as if nothing has happened.
"As I was saying, you will not mistreat Harry in any possible way. And don't think for a moment that you will get away with it. I'll be coming to take him after three weeks. If I hear a word from him against you, these fingers will seem cheap parlor tricks."
"Why didn't you take that brat in if you care so much?" Petunia, who was revived by Ted, asked shrilly. Andromeda sighed.
"Trust me, I wanted to and I would too if I had an idea where you lived. Dumbledore wouldn't tell me and insist it was for the greater sodding good. But how could you do this to Lily? She loved you till the day she died. She often told me how she wished you would put your prejudices aside and finally talk to her. I always told her you weren't worth it. And I was right. You don't deserve to be related to someone as good as Lily." She finished with undisguised disgust.
"Lily was a freak!" Petunia shrieked. "She was a freak who could turn frogstools into pincushions and she and her loser husband got what was coming-"
"SHUT UP!"
Everyone turned to stare at Harry. He radiated so much fury that even Andromeda backed away a bit.
"Don't talk about my parents like that ever again." He told, breathing heavily.
There was a moment's silence and then Vernon roared, "How dare you nasty little AAAAAGGGHHH!"
His pinky finger was now transfigured to a nasty caterpillar.
Andromeda looked at her watch and said, "I don't have all day, so I'm saying it again, while he is there, you people will not mistreat Harry in any physical or mental way. And he better gain some pounds when I come to pick him up. And if you decide to be brave and ignore my warnings, just send your owl with a word, Harry. Did I make myself painfully clear?"
"Quite painful, dear." Ted murmured. Tonks snickered.
"Hush, you. I'll be seeing you in three weeks then. For your sake, I hope it's not sooner." With that, she waved her wand and everything seemed noisier. Harry realized she must have put on some sort of privacy charm.
"What about my hand?" Vernon asked in a low but furious voice, pointing at his fingers, four of which were now transfigured.
"It will serve as a reminder for a while. Don't worry. It'll be gone before tomorrow morning. At least I think so." She added with a smirk.
Tonks came up to hug Harry tightly. "Don't let them take you down. Just send Hedwig if they give you trouble." She said as they broke apart. Harry smiled and nodded.
"Boy I'm waiting!" Vernon barked. Not wanting to further test his luck, Harry waved at the three Tonks and got in the car. When he turned back to look at them from the car, they were gone. He sighed quietly. He hoped this wouldn't blow up in his face.
The trip was unnaturally quiet. If Vernon had any problems driving with four different creatures in place of his fingers, he didn't voice them. Aunt Petunia sat with a stony face and didn't show any signs of movement, and if it weren't for her eyes glancing at Harry through the mirror, he would've thought she was cursed by Andromeda.
When they reached number four, Privet Drive, Harry had a feeling that something was going to be wrong, and he wasn't disappointed.
"Now you listen to me boy." Vernon grabbed Harry's shirt when they were out of sight from the neighborhood. "You are going to lock that ruddy owl in the cupboard and you are going to say we treated you fine to that… that woman when she comes, if you want to be alive when she comes. Or else-"
"Or else what?"
Vernon's head turned so quickly that it creaked audibly. Andromeda Tonks was leaning on a wall, twirling her wand in her fingers.
"You see, I thought you might be having second thoughts about our agreement. You would require another reminder, then?"
With a wave of her wand, Uncle Vernon's thumb became a slug.
Petunia fainted again.
A/N: Did you like it? Please review!
mcwebe0: since I can't PM you, I'm answering here. Hermione is a Gryffindors and Tonks usually pulls pranks and roam around the castle after curfew, alone, so they aren't necessarily TUF's all the time. But you've to understand that both of them had a terrible day in Halloween, so when they saw the troll, their brain went to sleep mode.