KFC, Charring Cross, London, 2/16/1996, 20:49
Harry sat in a booth at the KFC near the Leaky Cauldron waiting while Tonks placed their order. The movie had been pretty cool and Harry wouldn't be surprised if there really was a board game like that in the magical world, though the spiders in the movie couldn't compare to an acromantula.
"Alright, I got you a three-piece meal," Tonks said as she slid into the booth across from him and handed him his drink.
"Thanks," Harry said as he slid his straw into the slot on the lid.
"I got you fries as a side, " Tonks added as she glanced up at the counter impatiently.
"That's fine, what did you get?" Harry asked shrewdly.
"An eight-piece family meal with a large side of fries and coleslaw," Tonks grinned.
"I wish I could eat that much," Harry chuckled as their order number was called and he got up to go collect their food.
"I'll burn it off," Tonks called to his back.
Harry picked up the loaded tray, smiling at the teenage girl who was working the counter before making his way back to the booth where Tonks was waiting on him.
Harry could smell the food as he carried the tray over to the table, his stomach growling in anticipation of the meal he was about to eat.
"Took you long enough, now give me my chicken," Tonks exclaimed as soon as he sat down.
"Jeez, you would think you hadn't eaten in a month," Harry snorted as she took a drumstick out of the bucket and took a big bite out of it.
"Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've had some fried chicken?" Tonks said after she had swallowed her mouthful of chicken.
"Not as long as it's been for me," Harry shrugged before taking a bite out of his own chicken leg.
"I wish the Hogwarts menu wasn't on constant rotation," Tonks sighed after eating a big spoonful of coleslaw.
"So do you know anything about the attack on the prison?" Harry asked deciding to ask a question that had been on his mind for a while now.
"Way to kill the mood, Potter," Tonks snorted as she grabbed another drumstick.
"Sorry, but it's all people are talking about lately," Harry shrugged.
"I know and I haven't heard anything new but I have an order meeting tonight," Tonks admitted.
"The order never really does anything but discuss what's going on" Harry scowled.
"Well, we don't have much choice in the matter. Only four members are aurors, the rest have no authority to arrest or detain people. And unlike the death eaters, we don't run around in masks. So if we were to do something illegal we would go to prison... well we would if there was a prison to go to," Tonks corrected.
Harry couldn't really deny her logic, the order was comprised of law-abiding citizens who couldn't legally go out and attack the death eaters. As cool as that would be, the order served mainly to protect others. They couldn't impose their own justice, which could explain why they only ever captured death eaters. If they were to fight to kill, they could be prosecuted, especially if they were to kill somebody influential like Lucius Malfoy.
"Fair enough," Harry conceded as he finished his chicken leg.
"You are right though, I thought joining the order would be exciting but most of the time it's bloody dull. They sit around discussing current events like a fucking knitting circle, it's maddening," Tonks sighed as she started on her third piece of chicken.
"I guess you're not getting to fight crime either way," Harry pointed out.
"Tell me about it," Tonks scowled.
"Sorry, I guess that would frustrate me too," Harry said softly.
"You have no idea. I joined the Auror Corps to fight crime not sit through my fifth year again," Tonks sighed.
"I'm glad you're at Hogwarts, you've taught me loads this year," Harry admitted.
"Thanks. Are prepping for your O.W.Ls yet?" Tonks asked in an obvious attempt to steer the subject away from the war.
"Yeah as much as I can. I'm pretty sure I've got the wanded subjects covered," Harry said, deciding to take the hint and talk about something else.
"Well herbology is pretty straightforward just like creatures so most of the test is determined by the practical," Tonks said, giving him a grateful smile.
"I bet the potions exam is a bloody nightmare," Harry sighed.
"It is, the theory part of the exam is very technical with a bunch of essay questions. Then they pick the most complicated potion that can be prepared in three hours for the practical," Tonks said between munching on her french fries.
"What about Astronomy and history of magic?" Harry asked as he finished his own fries and started on his second piece of chicken.
"I crammed for history the night before and took the test in a daze but it is just a bunch of essay questions if I remember correctly," Tonks said thoughtfully as she tore a piece of chicken breast off with her fingers and popped it into her mouth.
"That's probably what I'll do," Harry shrugged.
"Astronomy is a two-part test, they ask you a bunch of multiple choice questions on the theory part. Then you have to go to the astronomy tower at midnight and fill out a star chart for the practical," Tonks continued.
"I could care less about history and astronomy, to be honest," Harry snorted as he started on his third piece of chicken while Tonks finished her fifth.
"Mum will, so you had better at least make an attempt to pass the O.W.L," Tonks warned.
"I know," Harry nodded, not wanting to think of how upset Andi would be if he didn't do his best on the exams.
"Oh yeah and then there is divination, they just have a practical for that exam," Tonks said thoughtfully.
"I wish I had never taken that class," Harry muttered as he tore off a piece of chicken breast.
"Yeah, that classroom always gave me a headache," Tonks agreed.
"At least Trelawney didn't predict your death in every lesson," Harry chuckled.
"No, Charlie always got her attention," Tonks said.
"Poor bastard, did she ever make any predictions about fire?" Harry asked in amusement.
"No, she predicted he would get married and his wife would murder him in his sleep," Tonks giggled.
"Why is that funny," Harry asked in confusion as he dug into his coleslaw.
"Charlie is gay, he'll never have a wife," Tonks explained.
"Like I said, divination is bollocks," Harry chuckled.
"He said the same thing," Tonks laughed.
"What time is that order meeting?" Harry asked as he finished his last piece of chicken and wiped his hands on a napkin.
"Eleven. Damn, we have to hurry," Tonks said after checking her watch and seeing that it was already half past nine
"I'm done but I am already dreading apparition on a full stomach," Harry said as he slurped from his drink.
"I'll be gentle," Tonks assured him as she finished the last chicken wing.
It didn't take long for Tonks to finish her sides much to Harry's amazement. Once they dumped their tray in the bin and topped off their fizzy drink, they left the restaurant.
"This was a really great day," Tonks exclaimed as she hooked her arm through his and led him down the pavement.
"Yeah, we will have to do this again," Harry agreed as they walked towards an alleyway that wasn't far from the restaurant so they could apparate back to the Shrieking Shack.
"Agreed, Are you ready to head back?" Tonks asked as they stepped into the dark alley.
"As ready as I'll ever be, I hate side-along apparition," Harry sighed trying to mentally prepare himself for the trip.
"I know but you're not ready to go solo on a trip this far just yet," Tonks soothed before she wrapped her arm around his waist.
Harry held his breath as she turned them on the spot, apparating them away much to his discomfort.
Room of Requirement, Hogwarts, 2/16/1996, 22:29
Harry and Tonks stepped into the room of requirement, Harry looking like his usual self while Tonks was in her Wendy disguise. The room had taken the form of the common room they usually spent the night in complete with a tapestry depicting the Quibbler's version of the origins of KFC and the pink plush carpet.
"That was fun", Tonks grinned as she took off her dragonhide jacket and tossed it on the back of the couch.
"Yeah, it was. I think next time we do this we should get a pizza," Harry suggested.
"Fine, I could do with a stuffed crust supreme myself," Tonks agreed.
Today Tonks had gone for artfully torn jeans and an AC/DC tee shirt. The pants were kind of baggie but the tee shirt was tight and only came down to just above her naval. Almost as if the shirt was made just for her, the lettering on the shirt was in bubblegum pink and instructed you to 'Blow up Your Video' under a picture of a pink electric guitar.
"You had better be reading my shirt," Tonks smirked as she propped her feet up on the coffee table.
"I was actually looking at the guitar," Harry defended, his cheeks flushing at being caught staring.
"As long as you weren't ogling my tits," Tonks said shooting him a knowing look.
"You do look good in that shirt," Harry said quietly though Tonks still heard him.
"Thanks, Hestia got it for me for Christmas," Tonks said her hair turning the slightest orange hue.
"How long do you got before you have the order meeting?" Harry asked, hoping to change the subject.
"Twenty minutes," Tonks answered as a clock appeared on the wall over the mantle.
"Damn, I guess I should head back to Gryffindor Tower," Harry said, feeling a bit put out that their time was almost up.
"You could stay here and wait for me to come back," Tonks suggested.
"Okay, if you want me to," Harry agreed without hesitation as a pair of her school robes appeared on the back of the couch.
"If you wouldn't mind," Tonks said giving him a warm smile.
"No problem," Harry said feeling his heart rate speeding up.
"Thanks," Tonks beamed as she wrapped her arms around him and snuggled up against him.
"Don't mention it," Harry mumbled as Tonks looked up at him.
"I do have to get going," Tonks sighed, making no move to get up.
"I wish you didn't have to -
Harry never finished his sentence as Tonks pulled his head down to hers and captured his lips in a gentle kiss, pressing her body tighter against his as she carded her fingers through his hair.
Harry was in shock at first but he started kissing her back without conscious thought, his hands coming to her waist and pulling her tightly against him as he deepened the kiss.
Much sooner than he would have liked, Tonks broke the kiss looking horrified.
"I'm s-sorry I-I shouldn't have done that," Tonks muttered not meeting his eyes.
"Don't be," Harry mumbled, still feeling a bit dazed.
"You don't understand, nothing can happen between us," Tonks said in a panicked tone, finally looking up at him.
"W-why?" Harry asked as he started to shake the cobwebs away.
"Because I am seven years older than you and I'm an auror," Tonks exclaimed as if it were obvious.
"No, I meant why did you kiss me?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"I don't k-know. The way you looked at me... the way you're looking at me n-now," Tonks said breathily as Harry leaned his head down and kissed her this time.
Tonks half-heartedly tried to push him away before her arms came around his neck pulling him to her. The kiss quickly escalated to become very heated almost desperate as Tonks moaned into his mouth.
A loud buzzing filled the room and Tonks pulled back from the kiss as she pulled her wand from her holster.
"I h-have to get going, we'll talk about this when I get back," Tonks said as she stood up and pulled on her school robes.
"Alright," Harry nodded as he watched her change her features to that of her alter ego.
"I'll be back in an hour don't go anywhere," Tonks said before she darted out of the room.
Harry sat there for a moment just staring at the door she had just slammed shut.
She had kissed him! Harry couldn't believe Tonks had kissed him! A thousand different thoughts were running through his mind right now but there was only one he really registered.
'I kissed Tonks!'
He ran over what led up to the kiss in his mind but he honestly had no idea what had brought it on. All he knew was that it was amazing! He had never felt that way even when he had kissed Hannah.
At the thought of Hannah, a wave of guilt washed over him. A part of him felt like he was betraying Hannah's memory.
Harry knew that wasn't true in his head but a part of him felt guilty over the feelings he was having about Tonks right now.
He hadn't really that things had changed between him and Tonks. It had happened s gradually over the last few months but he hadn't thought much about it.
He had noticed that Tonks had gotten much closer to him and their interactions had become much more...intimate. Not in a sexual way or anything but they had definitely become much more affectionate than friends.
The way Tonks had started to snuggle with him whenever they sat together and their increasingly frequent sleepovers was a prime example of how much closer they had become since they had returned from winter hols.
In the last month, they had gotten so much closer, he had told himself that she was just trying to comfort him, that there was nothing more to it. He had revelled in the affection Tonks was showing him and he hadn't really thought about it too much.
Being so close with Tonks had just felt... natural.
Kissing her had been incredible and a traitorous part of him wanted to do it again. He had acted on instinct and kissed her back earlier. The second kiss had been even better and he really wished she hadn't had to leave for the damn order meeting.
Harry felt another wave of regret, knowing that he shouldn't be wanting what he wanted. He shouldn't be moving on, not this quickly.
"Why do things have to be so complicated?" Harry asked the empty room and wasn't surprised when he didn't get an answer.
He was so conflicted right now that he was half tempted to go back to the Gryffindor common room and pretend that none of this had ever happened.
"Damn it!' Harry thought as he took a seat on the couch and tried to clear his thoughts with occlumency though he had his doubts that it would help very much.
Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, London, 2/16/1996, 22:58
Tonks entered the kitchen of Grimmauld Place, in her mind, she was still going over what had just happened in the room of requirements.
Tonks had no idea what had possessed her to kiss him but part of her was ecstatic that she had finally made a move.
Tonks took a seat beside Sirius, realising that she was the last member to arrive though no one commented.
Tonks noticed that Mad-Eye seemed to be in a very good mood, she had hardly ever seen him grinning like that before. That was a sign that there might be good news for once.
"Good evening," Dumbledore said cutting into her thoughts and getting the attention of the room at large
"I suppose that the first order of business is the attack on Azkaban prison last Monday," Dumbledore continued as he looked toward Moody expectantly.
"It was a slaughter, Albus. They came in overwhelming numbers and tore the auror team on the island to pieces," Moody grunted
"Yes, the attack was much more brutal than we've seen in a while," Kingsley cut in, a dark look coming over his features.
"The dark lord gave LeStrange specific orders to completely destroy the prison," Snape admitted.
Idly Tonks noticed that Snape looked to be in quite a bit of pain, it seemed as if he was struggling to sit up straight and kept clutching at his left side.
"What has he done with the prisoners that were recovered from the island?" Arthur asked with interest.
"They were taken to Riddle Manor to recover and were given a choice to either join the dark lord's cause, or die," Snape shrugged.
"Are any of the inmates dangerous?" Dedalus Diggle asked warily.
"A few were, most were fairly harmless thieves and the like," Kingsley admitted.
"Two of the escaped inmates were killed in the raid last night," Moody added.
"So now we can move on to the ministry's retaliation," Dumbledore sighed.
"What retaliation?" Sirius demanded.
"We hit Malfoy Manor last night and razed it to the ground," Moody answered with a vicious grin.
"Bloody hell!" Tonks exclaimed in surprise.
"Didn't amount to much really, we seized a lot of potions ingredients and contraband but the big fish got out before our people were in place," Kingsley admitted.
"The dark lord is furious about the attack, forty-seven recruits were killed in covering the inner circle members' escape," Snape sneered.
"Then it was still a victory," Sirius shrugged.
"I fear this will just make matters worse," Dumbledore sighed.
"We have to do something, this sit and wait approach will only work so long," Moody grunted.
"Yes, I understand that Alastor but Voldemort is going to see this as a challenge and he will up the ante," Dumbledore warned.
"We know, we already have teams hitting other key targets as we speak," Moody chuckled.
"Who?" Sirius asked eagerly.
"Avery and LeStrange Manors as well as a raid on the McNair property on the off chance the death eaters are using the property for illegal means," Moody answered, a smile twisting his gnarled face.
"Do you have any ideas as to what Voldemort's next course of action is, Severus?" Dumbledore asked as he glanced over at his spy.
"No, he is still in a towering rage over the siege of Malfoy manor. The first explosion showered him in glass and cut his face up which did not help his mood," Severus said through gritted teeth.
"I would give anything to have been a fly on the wall when he got a face full of glass," Sirius sniggered.
"I'll bet he threw quite the tantrum," Moody agreed.
"He tortured Lucius and then forced Narcissa to take the mark," Severus sneered.
"She was going to take the mark eventually," Sirius shrugged.
"She has always refused to join in the past but after the death of Draco... she's changed," Severus admitted.
"Just what we need another deranged Black sister," Kingsley muttered.
"I wouldn't worry too much about Narcissa, she was never much of a fighter," Sirius said unconcernedly.
"You really are an idiot, Black," Snape snorted only to hiss in pain from the movement.
"Looks like you got some much-deserved punishment, Snivellus," Sirius said with a vicious grin.
"The dark lord was displeased that I did not warn him of the ministry raid," Snape sneered, shooting Sirius a hate-filled glare.
"Well on some level, you know that you deserved it," Sirius pointed out, unfazed by Snape's glare.
"That is enough, Sirius. For the time being, we will have to keep a close watch on Diagon Alley. I believe Voldemort will set his sights there very soon," Dumbledore predicted.
"That would be a disaster, especially during the summer," Molly Weasley exclaimed, looking horrified at the thought.
"Voldemort's first large attack during the last war was on Diagon Alley in the summer of seventy-five," Moody said in a strained voice as if he was getting pulled into a horrible memory.
"I remember reading about that, it was a massacre," Sirius said, the taunting smile leaving his face.
"Aye, I was part of the team that responded to the attack, that was the worst I have ever seen. Over two hundred dead and just as many injured," Moody admitted.
"I would not put it past Lord Voldemort to attack the alley like that again to remind the wizarding world what he's capable of," Albus said gravely.
"He is also putting his family home in Little Hangleton under the fedelius," Snape added.
"I am surprised the Malfoy place wasn't warded better," Kingsley admitted.
"In his arrogance, he never expected the ministry would dare to attack his headquarters," Albus explained, his eyes twinkling for the first time since the meeting began.
"Well, that cost him," Sirius sniggered.
"Is there anything else to discuss before we adjourn for the evening?" Albus asked as he looked around the table.
"The full moon, I believe the werewolves are going to do something on the fifth of next month," Rems said softly.
"You've got to be joking?" Sirius exclaimed.
"I wish I were but the word from my contacts in the Wales pack is something big will happen on the next full moon," Remus sighed.
"The spooks are already putting something together to deal with werewolves. They should be issued to the individual aurors within the next week," Mad-Eye spoke up.
"What is it?" Tonks asked curiously.
"A pistol loaded with silver bullets," Kingsley answered.
"Make sure they send me one," Tonks said and got a nod in the affirmative from Kingsley.
"Any word on when I can leave the school?" Tonks asked, looking over at Moody.
"You are going to stay undercover until the end of the school year. After the attack on Malfoy, Bones believes it crucial to have an auror on campus at all times," Moody shrugged.
"Right," Tonks sighed not sure if she was upset or relieved at this news.
"Bones is talking about sending you back next year as well," Kingsley added.
"Of course she is," Tonks muttered deciding she would worry about that later.
"I believe that will be all for the evening, I will have Minerva draw up a patrol rotation to watch over Diagon Alley in the coming weeks," Dumbledore said after no one had anything new to add.
Tonks was one of the first to leave the kitchen and had almost made it to the front door before someone called out her name.
"Tonks, can I have a quick word?" Remus asked looking very nervous.
"Yeah sure but I have to hurry," Tonks sighed as he allowed him to lead her into a small sitting room.
"I w-was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me sometime?" Remus asked in a rush.
"Oh, um no I don't really have that much free time at the moment," Tonks said somewhat awkwardly.
"How about over Easter?" Remus pressed.
"Remus you're a nice guy and all but you're... you're not really my type," Tonks said gently.
"Oh, is it because of the werewolf thing?" Remus asked, sounding devastated.
"No, you're just a bit old for my tastes," Tonks admitted, wanting nothing more than to end this awkward conversation.
"Oh, I'm sorry to um bother you, Tonks," Remis said before he left the room in a hurry.
Shaking her head at that uncomfortable exchange, Tonks followed him into the hallway before making her way out of the house into the dimly lit street. Tonks thought she saw movement across the street but when she turned to look there was nothing there.
Seeing that the street was deserted, Tonks turned on the spot intent on apparating back to Hogwarts so she could have an even more awkward conversation and if things went well... maybe a bit more.
Room of Requirements, Hogwarts, 2/17/1996, 00:18
Harry was going through some accuracy drills to try and clear his head after Tonks had left. Unfortunately, his mind was too far away to concentrate on the dummies popping out of the floor. He had just missed three dummies in a row when the door opened and Tonks in the guise of Wendy, stepped into the room.
"How did it go?" Harry asked as Tonks' features shifted back to normal.
"Malfoy Manor was destroyed last night," Tonks said as the room changed into their common room configuration complete with pink plush carpet.
"So Susan's letter actually worked," Harry snorted as Tonks took off her school robes and kicked off her boots.
"What do you mean?" Tonks asked in confusion.
Harry explained what Ron had told Susan at breakfast the morning of the Azkaban attack and how Susan had sent her aunt a letter.
"I would like to think the ministry already knew where the death eaters' headquarters was but I doubt that they did," Tonks admitted as she plopped down onto the couch and patted the seat beside her.
"I'm just glad the ministry is attacking them for a change instead of mopping up after an attack," Harry admitted as he sat down beside Tonks and let her cuddle into his side.
"Moody said something similar," Tonks mumbled as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Anything else?" Harry asked.
"Remus thinks there will be a werewolf attack next month," Tonks answered.
"Figures," Harry said, finding that news very troubling.
"So we should probably talk about what happened earlier," Tonks said hesitantly.
"Yeah, I know," Harry muttered, pushing the thought of werewolf attacks from his mind.
"So I'll start, I guess," Tonks said when Harry didn't say anything else.
"I have feelings for you Tonks, I have for a while," Harry said before she could go on.
"What?" Tonks asked sounding completely taken aback by the statement.
"You like me like that... well don't you?" Harry asked realizing he may have been a bit too forward.
"I-I do but nothing can happen between us," Tonks sighed regretfully.
"It's a bit late for that," Harry chuckled as he took her hand in his.
"Harry," Tonks mumbled as she entwined her fingers through his without thought.
"If you don't want whatever this is then I won't push anymore but I honestly don't care about what everyone else will say," Harry said flatly.
"It's not that simple Harry, I'm an auror, I can't exactly date a minor," Tonks pointed out.
"I'm pretty sure our dating wouldn't be an issue unless you got pregnant or something," Harry argued before he realised what he had said.
"If you me got pregnant, I would be arrested" Tonks snorted.
"Then I won't be doing that," Harry assured her.
"No shit, I'm still a virgin," Tonks muttered.
"What?!" Harry exclaimed in surprise.
"You heard me, I'm still a virgin," Tonks said, her hair turning a bright orange colour that Harty realised meant she was embarrassed.
"Huh, I guess that's something else we have in common then," Harry said not knowing what else to say to that.
"So you and Hannah never-
"No," Harry answered feeling another wave of guilt at the mention of Hannah.
"Sorry I didn't mean to pry," Tonks said looking slightly pleased with his answer.
"It's fine. If you want, we can just forget that kiss happened and we can go back to-
"I don't want to forget," Tonks whispered, cutting him off mid-sentence.
"But you said we can't-
"I know what I said," Tonks said before she pulled his head down to her and pressed her lips to his for the third time that day.
Harry lost himself in the kiss, pulling Tonks so she was sitting sideways in his lap as he deepened the kiss. Harry felt her tongue press against his lips begging for entrance and he eagerly parted his lips.
Harry stopped trying to think about what this all meant, he just focused on the here and now and the feeling of Tonks' lips on his and the cute moaning sounds she was making into his mouth as their tongues danced together.
Their moment was broken by the sound of the door opening as Luna wandered in. They hastily broke the kiss, both of them panting heavily and looking slightly dazed.
"You two finally figured it out, then?" Luna asked in a dreamy tone.
"Luna, what are you doing here?" Harry asked, noticing the thin nightgown she was wearing and her lack of shoes.
I must have been sleepwalking because I woke up outside of the Ravenclaw entrance and it wouldn't let me back in," Luna said unconcernedly.
"Alright, I am going to have to do something about those damn Ravenclaws," Harry muttered darkly.
Harry had a suspicion that those bitches in Ravenclaw had thrown her out into the Hallway while she was sleeping.
"Just please don't turn them into pink farting toads," Luna requested as an overstuffed armchair and a fluffy blanket appeared in front of the fire.
"No, I wouldn't want to do the same thing twice," Harry said thoughtfully as Luna curled up on the chair and covered herself in the blanket.
"The room will make you a bed," Tonks pointed out in amusement.
"If I sleep in another bed at Hogwarts my bed will get infested with narl-nops," Luna said as if it were obvious.
"Oh, then why not ask the room to bring your bed from Ravenclaw Tower here?" Harry suggested.
"Do you think it could do that?" Luna asked curiously.
"It can't hurt to try," Harry shrugged as Tonks snuggled against him.
Harry watched as Luna scrunched her face up cutely before the chair she was sitting on suddenly catapulted her high into the air.
"Weeeeeeee," Luna shrieked happily as she flew across the room.
Harry was starting to get worried she was going to get hurt upon landing and raised his wand preparing to cast a cushioning charm.
Just as she lost forward momentum and was nearing the floor, a four-poster bed with midnight blue hangings appeared underneath her. Luna giggled happily as she landed on the mattress and bounced a few times before coming to a stop.
"That looked like fun," Tonks muttered only to gasp as Luna pulled her nightgown over her head and crawled starkers under her covers.
"Goodnight," Luna said before she pulled her bed hangings shut.
"Good night Luna," Harry muttered feeling just as wrong as all the other times he had seen Luna naked.
"So what are you going to do about the Ravenclaws?" Tonks asked curiously.
"I don't know but I will definitely think up some punishment for them picking on Luna... again," Harry said thoughtfully.
"I've got an idea," Tonks said as the couch they were sitting on transformed into the bed they usually slept in so they were sitting on the side of the bed.
"I need to go get changed for bed but I'll tell you when I get back," Tonks said as she made her way over to a door that appeared in the wall.
Harry took the opportunity to strip out of his clothes, he was just stepping out of his jeans preparing to put on the pajama bottoms that had appeared on the end of the bed when a voice made him jump.
"You should try sleeping nude."
Looking up, Harry saw Luna peeking at him through a gap in her curtains.
"I don't think Tonks would appreciate that," Harry chuckled as he hastily put on his pajama bottoms.
"Well if she throws you out you can always come and snuggle with me. You can even check me for muffkiffles if you like," Luna offered as Tonks stepped out of the bathroom.
"She's a little minx, that one," Tonks snorted as she came out of the bathroom only wearing a long tee shirt for a nightgown.
"You have no idea," Harry muttered as Luna winked at him before she shut the gap in her curtains.
"Do I even want to know what muffkiffles are?" Tonks asked as she crawled under the covers, the lights in the room diming so the only light in the room was coming from the fireplace.
"Apparently they live in the ladyparts of women that don't trim the hedges," Harry shrugged as he climbed under the covers.
"Then that Brocklehurst girl must have a whole colony of them in her quim," Tonks giggled as she snuggled up to him, draping her leg over him and resting her head on his chest.
"From what Susan said, it looks like Hagrid's beard down there," Harry snorted.
"I would say it looked like she had Chewbacca in a headlock between her legs," Tonks snorted.
"Who's Chewbacca?" Harry said in confusion.
"You've never seen Star Wars?" Tonks asked in surprise.
"No, the Dursleys never let me watch the telly," Harry shrugged.
"Well when we get back to the house, we're watching Star Wars," Tonks said flatly.
"Alright, just don't tell your dad, he seems to really love Star Trek... a lot," Harry sniggered.
"You don't have to tell me," Tonks agreed before placing a soft kiss on his lips.
"Good night, Tonks," Harry whispered when she broke the kiss.
"Good night, Harry," Tonks said softly.
Harry lay there after he heard Tonks' soft snores trying his best to clear his thoughts with occlumency. He realised that he felt more content than he had in months. He still felt guilty for what he had done tonight but the comfort he felt outweighed any doubts he had about a relationship with Tonks.
'I guess tonight is going to change everything,' Harry thought to himself as he drifted into the most peaceful sleep he'd had n months.
Great Hall, Hogwarts, 2/18/1996, 12:29
Harry entered the hall followed closely by Hermione who had been pestering him all day about what she had walked in on earlier that morning.
Ron was being led towards the middle of the table by Lavender much to Harry's distress, he could really use his best mate to run some interference right about now.
"So are you going to tell me what's going on with you and McDonald or why I found you both in bed with Luna Lovegood?" Hermione demanded as soon as they had taken a seat at the Gryffindor table.
Last night after he and Tonks had gone to sleep, Luna had crawled under the covers with them. Hermione had been very surprised when she had woken him up and Luna had crawled out of the bed completely starkers. That was nothing compared to how Harry had felt when he had woken up to a naked Luna snuggled up to him.
Harry had been avoiding Hermione since then but that hadn't seemed to deter her from pressing the subject every chance she got.
"Why are you so interested, do you want in or something?" Harry asked as Hermione was taking a sip of her pumpkin juice.
Harry was rewarded when Hermione sputtered into her juice and shot a murderous glare in his direction.
"Absolutely not, I'm just a tad concerned that you are hosting orgies inside the castle," Hermione rebutted.
"Thank god and I am not hosting orgies, Luna crawled into bed after we went to sleep," Harry sighed.
"Fine but if I am a godmother before graduate there will be hell to pay," Hermione warned.
"It's not me you have to worry about, it's Romeo over there," Harry said as he gestured towards Ron.
"So how was the movie?" Hermione asked.
"Good, it was about a board game where the consequences were jungle animals," Harry answered, happy for the change of topic.
"You'll be pleased to know that the D.A ran smoothly yesterday," Hermione said, somewhat smugly.
"Now I know why Ron is avoiding us," Harry snorted.
"He's being dramatic," Hermione assured him.
"Right, oh I meant to tell you this morning but the ministry struck back Friday night," Harry whispered.
"You're kidding," Hermione exclaimed as her fork clattered to the table.
"I'm not, they destroyed Malfoy Manor," Harry beamed.
"That had to have made him mad," Hermione said after a moment.
"Yeah, I bet it did," Harry agreed.
"Did you hear anything else?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, there may be a werewolf attack on the next full moon," Harry said as he remembered that part of the conversation last night.
"That could be bad," Hermione muttered worriedly
"Are there any spells that work on werewolves?" Harry asked.
"Well, the killing curse works on almost anything but transfigured objects like swords, lances, and spears are the most effective. Then there is also the silver arrow spell but it is dreadfully difficult to cast effectively because you have to hit the werewolf in the heart with the spell," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"We should probably address how to deal with werewolves in the next D.A meeting though I doubt I will be holding a seminar on how to properly cast the killing curse," Harry snorted.
"No, that could get the group in a bit of trouble," Hermione agreed.
"Well we have until Saturday to figure it out," Harry shrugged
"I think I may run up to the library and start researching the silver arrow spell," Hermione said as she pushed her half-eaten plate away from her.
Before Harry could reply, Hermione had already left and he could just make out her mane of bushy hair disappearing through the doorway leading out of the great hall.
Harry sat there in silence for a bit as he studied the Ravenclaw table pondering how to deal with another problem he had discovered last night. Tonks had never given him her idea but he had already thought of a fitting punishment he just had to start making arrangements.
'I suppose this revenge will be more what Khan had in mind," Harry thought as he watched a group of fourth-year girls.
Ravenclaw Fourth Year Girls Dorm, Hogwarts, 2/23/1996, 23:39
Luna was just getting comfortable in her bed when she heard four soft popping sounds in the dorm and looked out of her curtains. Luna was a bit surprised at what she saw looking around the dorm, her dormmates and their beds had just vanished from the dormitory leaving their trunks and nightstands behnd. Getting out of bed she looked around noticing a wand lying on the floor where Mary Jensen's beds had just vanished from.
"Oh goodie, the nargles are stealing people now!" Luna exclaimed dreamily as she crawled back in bed and got comfortable in her bed, hoping she didn't sleepwalk again tonight.
Island, Black Lake, Hogwarts, 2/23/1996, 23:40
'pop'
'pop'
'pop'
'pop'
Mary Jensen jerked awake when her bed was jarred around underneath her.
"What is happening?" Chloe Meyers squealed and quickly pulled open her bed hangings only to shriek in horror.
"Where are we?!" Ashley Ryan Shrieked when she saw they were about twenty feet away from the edge of the lake.
"We're on the island in the lake," Jane Laney muttered as she felt around in her bed.
"Do any of you have your wands?" Mary asked timidly.
"No, I always set mine on my night table before bed," Chloe answered.
"Same," Ashley said.
"Mine's in my schoolbag," Jane admitted.
"Damn it, my wand was under my pillow but it's gone now," Mary said in frustration.
"So we're stuck out here," Chloe exclaimed sounding terrified.
'Pop'
'Pop'
All four girls turned in time to see two more beds appear on the tiny island illuminated in bright moonlight.
Marietta Edgecombe and Mandy Brocklehurst soon poked their heads out of their hangings and gasped in horror.
"Something tells me this has something to do with that Lovegood weirdo," Marietta exclaimed as she stepped out of her bed, plunging her bare feet into ankle-deep snow as she searched for her wand.
"Why do you think this has something to do with her?" Mandy asked looking hesitant to step into the snow.
"The only one in our dorm who isn't here is that crazy bint," Chloe pointed out.
"I told you we should have just left her alone after what happened in the great hall," Ashley exclaimed angrily.
"Well it looks like we're spending the night here," Jane muttered only to groan when snowflakes started to fall from the sky.
"We could always swim to the shore, it can't be more than a hundred yards," Jane suggested.
"We'd be dead from hypothermia before we even made it to the castle," Mandy snorted.
"We'll freeze to death out here anyway," Ashley exclaimed sounding like she was starting to panic.
"No we won't, we will just have to combine our body heat," Mary said as if it were obvious.
"I told you already Jensen, I'm not into girls," Chloe exclaimed irritably.
"I told you I was only kidding about that!" Mary said, her face flushing crimson.
"Whatever I am not sharing a bed with you," Chloe said firmly.
"Will you two quit arguing Jensen's right, we'll have to share out body heat or we'll all freeze to death out here," Marietta said before Mary cold reply.
"This is going to be a very long night," Chloe muttered darkly.
High above the girls, Harry hovered on his broom listening to them start to bicker amongst themselves.
With Dobby's help, Harry had discovered the girls who had been locking Luna out of Ravenclaw Tower at night. Dobby had been more than happy to apparate Luna's tormentors out to this tiny island in the middle of the Hogwarts lake and give them a taste of their own medicine.
As the group of girls began combining their limited resources to survive the night, Harry began flying back towards the castle content with the knowledge that Luna was safe and warm in her own bed while these bitches were roughing it in a snowstorm.