Majo Kon-ki The Marriage of Tanya the Witch
(The marriage chronicles of a witch)
Arc 3 - Prisoner of Azkaban – part 1
August, AD1993, the Dursley's residence in Little Whinging, Surrey.
"… no…! … stop…!"
Harry Potter was having a horrible nightmare. That afternoon, as part of his summer homework, he read about the few cases of witches being caught and burned during the middle ages.
He went to sleep recalling those scary stories while still worried about his girlfriend's whereabouts and this all mixed in the worst dream imaginable: Tanya was recognized as a witch and sentenced to death in a pyre.
"This is just a dream! Tanya would know the flame-freezing charm!" He knew this wasn't real…
"Please! Let me wake up now!"
And yet, he couldn't look away from her anguished face as she was burned alive.
"PLEASE, STOP-"
"Harry?"
Harry opened his eyes hearing his name and feeling a soft hand caressing his face.
"What- TANYA?!"
"Are you okay? You were having a bad dream- Ah! Why are you crying?"
"Sob! I am so glad to see you again! I found your bed empty in Hogwarts and no one knew where you were!"
"Harry, everything is fine!" She gave him a warm smile.
"Was our love so fickle that you thought I was abandoning you?"
"No! I was afraid you would go and die just like my parents! I can't lose you too!"
"Shhh! I am here now and am never leaving your side again."
"Tanya, about what you said to Dumbledore last year, I made up my mind. I want to live with you!"
"I have been wanting to hear those words. Tomorrow morning we are going to OUR home. But tonight…"
"Tonight?"
"… may I sleep with you?"
Harry couldn't help swallowing dry. Ever since her disappearance, every night has been freezing cold. He really wished to feel her warmth not just in his hands but all over his body.
"You don't want to?"
"I DO! MORE THAN ANYTHING!"
"Then…" She opened her arms in a clear invitation.
Harry couldn't hold himself anymore. He jumped on her.
"TANYA! I LOVE YOU SO- Ouch!"
Harry raised his head to see that he fell from the bed. Tanya wasn't anywhere near. It was all a dream.
"Again?"
He was starting to get used to it. He either had a nightmare where she was in danger or a nice dream where she asked for him to snog her. Only this time, he had one inside the other.
"Ugh! Just a year ago I couldn't even think about snogging without turning her into aunt Petunia! Now, I can't stop dreaming that we k-kiss and even s-s-sleep together!"
Those ideas so abhorrent to him before now just won't leave his mind! This happened in good part, thanks to the Weasleys showing that not all couples were like his relatives.
It still took him half a year to be fully open to the idea. And now, she only appears in his dreams.
"It's been so long! Professor Dumbledore should have found out something by now!"
Originally, Harry thought of looking for her himself. The headmaster convinced him against this idea, claiming he wouldn't know where to look.
Harry sighed hard.
"Tanya, where are you?"
In another place, Tanya Degurechaff was having a complicated time sleeping as well.
"Tanya, get up."
"No."
"Come on! You've been in bed too long."
"Shut up!"
"You have work to do. Aren't you still missing a hallow?"
"So what?"
"Tanya! You are acting like a spoiled little girl!"
"Leave me alone!"
"I am sorry, but I can't! Nothing can take me away from you. Not even if you personally KILL me."
"Ah!" Tanya opened her eyes.
"Again?" Once more, Tanya dreamed of her former subordinate. Just like every time she fell asleep. Ever since she found the stone.
"I had dreams about her in the past, but now I can't close my eyes without seeing that stupid face!" She should be happy with the finding of another hallow! Not outright miserable!
"Is this regret? After so long? Why?! The only thing she was good at was making coffee. And I don't drink it anymore."
In her rational mind, Tanya knew that what happened with Serebryakov wasn't her fault. They were at war and there was a unique chance of killing a powerful enemy!
"There wasn't a single way to save her!"
"Are you sure?" A voice in the back of her mind asked.
"I couldn't hesitate! That woman would have escaped!"
"There is always another option.Visha could have helped."
"Impossible! Being X himself told me that his apostle could only be defeated by something of equal power."
"And you believed? HIM of all people?!"
"It was for the best! She was getting too clingy! Eventually she would get bored with me and throw me away like an old overused doll!"
"Eh? This was all fear of being abandoned?"
"Not the slightest! She was the one who was all love-love about me! I didn't care about her!"
"Oh, yeah? Then what the heck are you doing all the way here?!"
Tanya was left speechless. She didn't have an answer to this question.
Whatever was the reason, Tanya didn't feel like herself. She couldn't allow anyone to see her in this confused and vulnerable state.
"How long have I been here? Two weeks? Maybe less?" Whatever time she spent, Tanya took refuge in the only isolated place close by that she could think of: The derelict Riddle manor.
The idea was to rest a bit and then leave. However, since Visha kept popping up in her mind all the time, she couldn't help the great wave of depression that followed.
Tanya would convince herself she needed more time to calm down. Only before she knew it, time flew by.
"The school should have informed the sisters that I was expelled. It's possible they contacted the police and are looking for me." Tanya thought while walking to the garden of the house. It was the first time she ever saw it.
"Aff… being alone is not helping anyway.Better go back to show that I am still alive." She was about to activate her flying skill when the old gardener of the Riddle house saw her.
"Hey! Who are you? I already told you kids to not come here!" This was the first time they saw each other. In the few times she would come from her room to, either use the toilet, have a bath or 'borrow' some food from the neighbors, he would be already sleeping.
Tanya paid him no mind and just walked far enough to fly without being seen. She only had a few hours before sunrise.
She managed to reach the orphanage the moment the first rays of day appeared and immediately took a long shower.
She felt refreshed with the warm water and by finally changing her school uniform. Next she wished to go under the covers of her bed, only to find it crammed with paper.
"Why is there this much newspaper?"
Professor Snape gave to her a subscription of the Daily Prophet, lasting only the summer recess. Of course, it arrived on her doorstep disguised as a muggle newspaper.
"How weird, recess started last week, there should be only seven." She picked a random one and dispersed the disguise.
"Ehhhh?" She gaped at the headline:
'RON WEASLEY THE ARACHNOPACIFIER.'
And with it, there was a picture of Ron holding his rat Scabers, posing with the minister of magic, Aragog and Hagrid.
Now, with her attention fully drawn, she read the full article.
It seemed that after her disappearance, the acromantulas refused to accept a stranger as a negotiator. Since Ron was once in their nest with her, this made him the only available choice to mediate the 'peace treaty'.
"Pffff! 'Peace to all no matter how many legs'?! The minister really said this bullshit?!" It was amusing to see Ron shaking like a leaf in the moving picture.
"How unexpected for this to happen so quickly, I thought it would take at least a month-" She widened her eyes looking at the date: July 1993.
In a hurry, she searched all the other newspapers looking for the latest.
"Shit!" She cursed, realizing it was already august. Instead of two weeks, she was out for more than two months!
"Talk about losing track of the time!"
Then, this latest issue's headline caught her eye.
'BLACK STILL AT LARGE.'
"I remember this name…" She saw it, one year ago when researching the night the Potters died. If she wasn't mistaken, this man was an accomplice of-
"DAMMIT!" Tanya immediately ran out of her room, finding some surprised nuns on the way out.
"Little Tanya?! Where have you been- Where are you going now?!"
"Sorry sister! I have no time to explain!"
"Because Harry Potter is probably in danger again!"
"As if I am not miserable enough!" Harry thought, feeling his stomach growl.
That same morning he got the 'happy' news that his uncle's sister, Marge, was on her way to spend an entire week with them.
So, when his aunt ordered to get the door, he instead took refuge in his room.
Hedwig was sent to be with Ron, mostly, because Harry didn't trust his own humor. His nerves were by a thread and anytime, he felt like exploding! Or maybe, he would explode someone!
He managed to avoid seeing that unpleasant woman all morning. Now, his stomach reminded him it was time to eat.
"She will surely try to provoke me! I will get angry, yell at her(maybe use some bit of magic)andthen, usethis as an excuse to go look for Tanya!" Harry decided as he made his way to the dining table.
"… that was brilliant! The best idea I ever had!"
Harry could hear his uncle loud talking as he took his seat. He kept his head low, to delay as much as possible looking at that nasty woman.
"And all I had to do was- Boy! Where are your manners? Greet our guest!"
"Couldn't he just pretend I wasn't here?"
"H-hello aunt-" Harry blinked once and then twice. Just across from him was Tanya Degurechaff.
"Long time no see, Harry. How are you doing?"
"T-T-T-TANYA?!" He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
"Why are you here?! Where is aunt Marge?!"
"Oh! You mean Vernon's sister? I confunded her and sent her back home. Sorry, but I wanted to have a talk with your uncle."
As if possible, Harry's shock was greater by hearing Tanya call his uncle by his first name. She sounded like they were longtime friends!
"Did I fall asleep and am nowdreaming?" If before Harry had any doubt…
"… and since I became its director, Grunnings has tripled the annual profits!"
"Like I said, human resources are fundamental, especially in the choosing of managerial positions in a company. Frankly, I believe that a company is not that different from the army."
… now he was certain! There is no way Tanya would be merrily chatting with his uncle about his work stuff!
"Vernon, have you forgotten how this girl broke your arms?! TWO times?!" His aunt finally asked what was in his mind as well.
"Oh! That is all in the past. You see, little Tanya here already apologized. She also made me see that I was being unreasonable!" It was like that for the next ten minutes or more. With Tanya making nice remarks about the fast development of Grunnings.
"As long as it keeps this business model, the company will keep growing. I will go as far to predict that it will set an example of how business will be handled in the 21st century."
Needless to say that this last comment made uncle Vernon's head swell with pride.
"Argh! When is this dream ending?! Can't stand any more of thisrubbish!"
"Please, my young lady! You are exaggerating!"
"By no means! I must say, you have a very enviable life! You hold a high ranking position in a successful company with a flawless business model. Oh! You have no idea how much I wish my life was like yours…"
"Tanya wishes to be UNCLE VERNON?!" Then a disturbing thought came to him…
"I-is this dream going to end with Tanya removing her face and revealing she was uncle Vernon all along?!" Now he was certain that this was a dream- no, a nightmare!
"… except that I would never ENVY Harry."
"What? But I don't-"
"Remember what we talked about earlier at the station. You owe Harry an explanation." Tanya was staring at him with a serious expression.
"… it's unfair."
"Huh?"
"It took me twenty years to get where I am. This house was finally paid off five years ago. I get fatter just by smelling food. Everyday is a struggle!" Harry was used to his uncle's constant verbal abuse, but this tone of envious bitterness was news to him.
"But that James Potter had everything! Good looks, lots of money- no, he said he got GOLD from his parents! Heck, he even married the pretty sister! And all he had to do was some hocus pocus! IT'S UNFAIR!"
"He envied dad?!"
"Then, one day, we had to shelter his son! Do you have any idea how BAD those days were? He would do his little tricks all over the house! Our neighbors keep talking behind our backs what a bunch of lunatics we were! We couldn't have guests here anymore! Not even my colleagues! This delayed my promotion for five whole years!"
"Yup! That is Harry alright. Even as an infant he was a troublemaker."
"H-hey! It's not because this is a dream that you can't hurt my feelings!"
"I can understand your side! We know each other for less time and he-"
"Cut the crap! Are you going to keep our agreement?"
"Exactly as I promised. I am taking Harry away from here. He is a very important person to me and I can't leave him with people who are clearly bothered with his presence alone."
"Y-you can't! The headmaster- That Dumbledore person said- he said…!" Aunt Petunia objected, tension and fear showing on her face.
"I will convince Dumbledore. Harry, gather all your belongings. Like I promised last term, you are coming to live with me."
Harry was about to recall that Dumbledore didn't reckon this was a good idea but… Why not? This was a dream after all!
"Exactly as planned!" Tanya happily thought, guiding Harry by the hand as the two walked down the street.
She was afraid Harry wouldn't agree to go with her after Dumblefore voiced his complaint last year.
"So far he has been so obedient! And quiet? Strange, he is not acting like this is a big deal.Could he be in shock? Or concerned about our future?"
"You need not worry, Harry. Remember how I was offered a job at the department of mysteries? I will provide for both of us."
"After all my trouble to be like a sister to him, it seems that I am going to actually become his mother! At least until he finishesoff Voldemort."
"Err, aren't we too young to marry? After only dating for a few months?"
"As long as money isn't a problem, even marriage can-" Tanya stopped in her tracks. Did she hear 'marry' and 'dating'?!
"What you just said?!"
"Wait! Our ceremony would take too long! By then I would be awake!"
"Huh?"
"Can't we- you know, go right to the honeymoon part?"
"Harry, what the heck you are talking about-"
"Ahhhh! Know what? This time I am getting a kiss!"
"H-hey what are you doing?!" Tanya exclaimed as Harry suddenly grabbed her.
He pulled her closer and held her in place as he slowly brought his face to hers. Somehow, she doubted he would kiss her forehead this time.
"S-S-S-S-S-S-STOOOOP!" Tanya screamed and punched him hard in the face. Since she was enhanced by mana, he was thrown a good distance.
"GAH! What have I done?! I still need him in one piece!"
"HARRY!" Tanya ran towards him.
"You okay?"
"OUCH! This hurts!"
Tanya let out a breath of relief. He had a big bruise on his face, but nothing seemed to be broken.
"Hang on, this hurts! This means this is not a dream!"
"Excuse me?"
"Y-you are really Tanya- YOU ARE BACK!" He hugged her.
"If he tries to kiss me again-" He was actually, sobbing in her arms.
"You… disappeared…"
Feeling she had to act her part as a caring person, Tanya returned the hug to reassure him.
"I made you worry. Sorry."
"Where were you? Everyone was so worried!"
"I was, hmmm… on a vacation?"
"Who goes on a vacation without even telling her own boyfriend?!"
"This talk again?! Why does he think we are in this sort of relationship?"
"You could've at least written to me! It didn't need to be another love letter like the one on valentine's day."
"Love letter?! He thinks I wrote that thing?" Tanya speculated someone saw her helping Hermione and told Harry that she was the author.
"Even so, why would he think that I am-"
'See? This is how you get a girlfriend.'
"ACK! I enabled him later! He thinks I was talking about myself!" Does this mean that last year, all the many times he asked to kiss her, he was actually aiming for her lips?!
"That was very dangerous! Stupid Hermione! Why didn't you sign your own damn love letter?!"
This was definitely bad! After two years training him into a platonic relationship, a small misunderstanding and he is now turning all his hormone-enhanced lust at her!
"I may still be able to salvage this! Yeah! Harry is a smart boy, he will see reason if I properly explain to him."
"Harry, there is something I need to tell you…"
Tanya explained all the misunderstandings to Harry, fully confident he would understand!
"I-it was a mistake? Y-you don't love me?" Harry seemed shocked beyond words.
"Sorry, but I thought-"
"Mwahahaha! Finally your time has come, Harry Potter!"
Suddenly, the specter Voldemort appeared, with the obvious intention of killing Harry!
"Hurry! Use the spell I taught you- Harry?"
The boy just fell to his knees, a devastated look on his face.
"You lied to me… I thought you loved me… but you don't… no one does. I wanna die!"
"Then, DIE POTTER!"
"HARRY NO!" Tanya screamed as the boy was hit be the killing curse-
"Tanya?"
"Hum?" Tanya was brought back from her daydream by Harry calling her name.
"You wanted to tell me something?"
"Yeah."
Tanya explained all the misunderstandings to Harry, a little confident he would understand.
"You don't love me? You've never been?"
"Well, I see you as a little brother-"
"That's a lie!"
"Eh?"
"I've been suspicious for a while. You have been manipulating me. Because there is something you want from me!" The shock in Tanya's face was the confirmation he needed.
"Meaning, you can't dump me! I will force you to love me! You are staying with me forever! Mwahahaha!"
"Tanya?"
"Hum?" Once again, Tanya was brought back from her daydream by Harry calling her name.
"You wanted to tell me something?"
"Y-yeah."
Tanya explained all the misunderstandings to Harry, not that confident he would understand.
"It was all a misunderstanding?"
"Yes, sorry, I thought you were talking about Hermione and- Huh?" Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind.
"Hey, cutie! Wanna hang out with me?" An older fat boy asked her without any intention of hearing a no.
"I have no time for this!" Tanya gave him an even stronger punch than the one she gave Harry.
"What?" Nothing happened, the punch wasn't powered by mana like the last one.
Tanya realized her magic was blocked just like the time with Lockhart and the reason was because this boy seemed like a younger version of Loria.
"You didn't punch him seriously?! Oh, I see! He is your actual boyfriend."
"Harry?!"
"I wish you two all the best!" The boy ran, leaving her all alone.
"Mwahahaha! Now girly, let's have some fun!"
"Tanya?"
"Hum?" And once more, Tanya was brought back from her daydream by Harry calling her name.
"You wanted to tell me something?"
Tanya really didn't believe Harry would be so miserable to let himself be killed, or clever enough to perceive her true intentions or even plain stupid to abandon her to a pervert only because she didn't love him… right? RIGHT?!
"M-maybe it's best to not risk. I just realized how much I have to lose!" Besides, Harry is the current owner of the invisibility cloak. She has to keep in his good graces or he will never hand it over by his own free will.
"Maybe there is a way I can turn this to my advantage. Let's see… We will be apart almost an entire year since he attends Hogwarts. Yes!This will be the bond that keeps us together! And he is very innocent, so avoiding any TOUCHING may be possible."
"We need to set a few rules for our relationship. Starting with no kissing!"
"You mean, no kissing in public?"
"I will take that excuse- I mean, that's right! It's too embarrassing for me."
"So, if we are alone, it's okay?"
"I didn't say-"
"Tanya, there is no one around right now!"
"Now, which is the right way?" Somewhere in Magnolia Crescent street, a lone black dog was looking for someone.
He longed more than anything to catch just a small glimpse of this person, to see with his own eyes that he was alright. There was no way to know how long it would take, but Sirius Black was willing to wait an entire month if necessary just to meet him.
"Eventually, he will leave for Hogwarts- Ah!" Breath was caught in his throat. On the other side of the street was a boy with a girl. And he knew right away this boy was Harry Potter, because he was an exact copy of his late father.
Oh! How much Sirius wanted to regain his human form to be able to smile!
"Look how big he is! He is what? Thirteen?" Thirteen years old. This made Sirius bitter by reminding him he had spent about twelve years in Azkaban. He was aware that if his godson knew about him, he felt hatred towards the traitor who killed his parents.
"No! Don't think like that! I am not- Hum? Who is the girl? His cousin? Wasn't the Dursleys' kid a boy?"
Slowly, he got close enough for his enhanced hearing to work.
"… dating-" Sirius heard a wonderful word. He almost caught himself about to howl!
"Oh Prongs, our boy has a girlfriend! He beat both of us to a pulp! Not even I had a sweetheart at thirteen!"
He wondered what sort of girl stole his heart. Looking at her, she was definitely cute. Her height made her seem younger than Harry, yet, her eyes spoke of a maturity beyond her age.
"Do I know her from somewhere? Her eyes in particular. They look so familiar-" He forgot his line of thought seeing the two embrace, the intention was clear.
"WHOA! Am I going to witness them snogging? Should I look away- Eh?" The girl punched Harry in the face, HARD.
"Is their relationship always like this?!" If positive, this was somewhat worrying and, to be blunt, quite scary.
"HARRY!" He was a little relieved seeing the girl run to her fallen boyfriend with an upset look on her face.
"Hum, Prongs, your boy beat you to a pulp in another aspect. He got a girlfriend even more temperamental than Lily ever was!" It seemed like it had hurt a lot as Harry began to sob in her arms. Again Sirius was concerned.
"… sorry." He heard her say and after a few exchanges of words, she gazed at him with a long and thoughtful look.
It was obvious she was reflecting on her actions. This gesture cleared any doubt from his mind.
"He already has someone caring and loving him. He will certainly find happiness at her side. I have no more regrets!Should he never find the truth, should he hate me foreveror should I die!" It was time to leave. There was a rat needing some punishment!
Once his 'owner' takes him to Hogwarts, it will be the end! Even without the map, Sirius knew the place like the back of his hand.
"W-WAIT! NOT NOW!" He heard the girl yell.
Turning back, he realized Harry was trying to snog again the reluctant girl.
"Hum? Can't he see that she is uncomfortable? She is probably shy." Harry seemed unaware of this fact and was forcefully pulling herself to him.
"This is bad! Has no one ever taught him how to treat a girl?"
"N-no! Harry, please!"
"Trust me, I won't miss this time!"
"Don't you know you need to take those matters slowly? You are going to scare her, she may even end up loathing you!" Sirius felt the need to help him and acted on impulse. He began to bark aloud at the young couple.
He was both surprised and scared again. In merely two moves, the girl pushed Harry behind her and pointed her wand right at him.
Whining, he tried to take a step back under her gaze. It was so cold, Sirius felt himself frozen in place! His dog survival instincts warned him she would kill any potential threat to her beloved one.
"I-I need to run! Legs, please, obey!" She took a step in his direction, her red wand had an ominous light. It looked like his life at large was already over! A few more steps and she would get him!
He was saved by a triple-decker bus stopping between them. Realizing he could move again, Sirius ran. Looking one last time in their direction, he felt pleased knowing Harry was in capable hands (even if a bit scary).
"I was careless! Of course someone must be always watching Harry!"
Tanya and Harry arrived at Diagon Alley after a bump ride on the knight bus. Her head was still spinning when someone offered a helping hand. Cornelius Fudge, the minister for magic, aka her future new boss!
Before they could make any excuse, they were taken to a small parlor in the Leaky Cauldron. Tanya could only hope that her little 'vacation' didn't cost her dearly.
One thing is to fight some incompetent hit wizards, but the minister could call the entire of the wizards in the united kingdom! And if Sirius Black manhunt was an example, he could even send the muggle authorities after her!
"I'd rather fight them all on than hear I am fired even before starting on the job!"
"I am Cornelius Fudge, Harry. The minister for magic. And who would your lady friend be?"
"Eh? He doesn't know who I am?"
"This is my girlfriend, Tanya Degurechaff."
"I-Imbecile!"
"It's a pleasure to meet you minister!"
"Oh! I see. Fancy meeting you little Tanya. Now, Harry, you must comprehend that it is too early to leave your uncle's house…"
Tanya let out a mental breath of relief. Apparently, Fudge didn't know she was a run-away, he was here solely for Harry Potter, concerned by the chance of the boy running into Sirius Black.
"Knowing his tendencies, he could literally stumble on him."
Their talk didn't last long, after making sure Harry would stay put the next month, the minister lent them a room, and left without giving a single glance in Tanya's way.
She felt this was a wasted opportunity. Being acquainted with the minister for magic could greatly improve her career. However, her situation as an expelled and runaway was against her. Not to say that she knew he didn't appreciate her published ideas.
"Phew! I was afraid he would expel you!"
"Have you forgotten? I was already expelled."
"Ah! You don't know yet! Professor McGonagall changed her mind, you can go back!" This had been surprisingly news indeed, recalling how furious the acting headmistress was that day.
"Just be prepared for some harsh detention!" Tanya could care less, she was done with that school anyway.
They would spend the rest of the afternoon like this, with Harry updating her of the events during her absence.
Some she paid no mind, like how Gryffindor won the house cup and there was no victor in quidditch. Others she already knew, like Dobby's freedom and that Lucius Malfoy was the true mastermind behind Riddle's diary.
Nonetheless, the strange explanation given by Dumbledore of how Harry somehow got certain abilities of Voldemort, was noteworthy. And finally, the best news ever: the dark lord was hiding in the far away Albanya!
"Let's hope he stays there. Harry still has too much to learn."
It was finally time to sleep when Harry ran out of anything to tell and Tanya learned of an interesting fact.
"Why is there only one bed?"
"I asked Tom to give us a double bed." A long silence was issued.
"And why?"
"Huh? How else would we sleep together?"
"SLEEP TOGETHER?!" The words echoed in Tanya's head.
"W-why would we do that?!"
"You don't know? Couples do this when they spend the night under the same roof."
"Ah! Fuck! It totally slipped my mind! I am supposed to be dating this moron! Okay, no matter. I only need to explain that we are too young for these things."
"This is not- AHHH?!" Harry didn't give her a chance to refuse. She was picked up and unceremoniously dropped on the bed.
"J-j-just hang on a sec- Harry!"
"Don't be shy. Percy said that sleeping together is a very nice experience."
"EHHHHH?!"
He switched off the lights and Tanya felt a blanket covering her followed by Harry pulling her into a hug.
"I-is this actually happening?! Where did I go wrong?!" Only a few months ago he only demanded to hold her hand!
And there was no way she could just brush him off! In these dangerous times, it is essential to have someone watch over him. Fudge made it very clear that he may be Black's target. Although that wouldn't mean Tanya was going to stand by and let a pubescent boy ravish the body she was 'wearing'!
"H-Harry! W-we are too young-" A low snore came from him.
"Are you sleeping?" Tanya felt like a complete idiot.
"Of course he is sleeping! This innocent oaf wouldn't just demand sex out of nowhere! He probably doesn't even know how to do it!" Tanya tried to free herself from his embrace but he had an iron grip.
"Oh well! So long as he doesn't try to kiss me in my sleep."
"This is too awkward!" Tanya thought, taking the scene she was part of.
Both she and Harry were having breakfast in bed!
"It looks like we are lovers!" Harry himself would take a bite of his food, look at her, smile tenderly, then look away embarrassed and repeat the same pattern over and over again.
"STOP DOING THAT! IT MAKES LOOK LIKE SOMETHING HAPPENED LAST NIGHT!" And for the record, it didn't!
She didn't need this sort of nuisance so early in the morning. It was bad enough that Tanya woke up in a boy's arms after once again dreaming about HER.
"I can't eat like this!" She pushed away her plate.
"What are we gonna do today? Fancy buying our school stuff now?"
"You mean your school stuff. I am not going back."
"Why? I already told you, you weren't expelled!"
"Sorry Harry. There is no way I will end the year fighting for my life in a hospital bed for the third time in a row!"
"Nothing of the sort will happen again (I reckon)! I really want to go to school with you!"
"We will meet during the recesses-?" Their conversation was interrupted by Hedwig entering the room through the open window. She immediately showed her paw with a message for her owner.
It seemed to be something serious as Harry read it with eyes widened.
"Err, Tanya, you see-" There was a knock on the door.
"Are you expecting someone?"
"S-sorry!" He opened the door to let the visitors inside.
"You little traitor!" Tanya grimaced as professors Snape and McGonagall plus Molly Weasley entered the room.
"Please! Don't fight with her."
"I guarantee you there won't be any fighting. We merely want to hear an explanation." Professor McGonagall declared.
"Harry, Ron is downstairs. Please stay with him for a while." Harry gave her one last guilty glance before doing what Molly Weasley instructed.
There was silence for a full minute. The discontent looks on the three adults promised a severe retribution for her transgression.
"G-good morning-"
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, LITTLE LADY?! DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED WE WERE?!" Mrs Weasley started, cutting off the pleasantness.
"You better have a good explanation, miss Degurechaff! You were still recovering from basilisk poisoning! What if it had any after-effects and no one was around to treat you?!" Like always, professor McGonagall was composed but also stern.
"…" And professor Snape was still quiet.
"This is the worst part of being a child! Adults never miss an opportunity to chew you up, dammit!"
"… after what my poor Ginny had to suffer the entire year, you disappear and she would say it was her fault! I lost count of how many nights she went to sleep crying!" The Weasley matriarch proved to be the most verbal of the three. She would explain in detail all the suffering Tanya caused her 'friends' for pulling this stunt.
"… all the dangers a pretty young girl like you could be exposed to! Going to- Speaking of that, where were you?"
"I need an excuse and fast! They are going to be too freaked out if they know where I was!" The problem is, she doesn't even know what to say. The original idea was to find the resurrection stone and go back immediately to her orphanage.
But the stone brought Visha back and the few seconds they caught sight of each other were enough to greatly disturb Tanya. Fortunately, she dropped the hallow, so much was her startle, making the older girl vanish. For a long time, she stood there, staring at the place her former adjutant was. And then, she finally decided to rest someplace nearby until she was recomposed. That was the Riddle manor.
"And don't try to deceive us! Or I swear I am going to use Veritaserum!"
"Hey! What about my rights? You can't do that!"
"Try me!" By the tone of the professor's voice, Tanya fully believed her.
She let out a breath of defeat.
"I was in Little Hangleton, in the old Riddle manor."
Both professors lost the color of their faces, only Molly Weasley was confused.
"Riddle manor?"
"Didn't miss Weasley tell you? Tom Riddle is the original name of you-know-who!"
"WHAT?! My dear girl, what possessed you to go to such a place?!"
"It was the closest place and it was empty."
"I know what you were trying to do." Professor Snape finally talked.
"Together with Potter, you were practicing a spell to vanquish ghosts to eventually use against the dark lord."
"It was she who was bullying Myrtle? And obliterated Peeves?!" Professor McGonagall was agape.
"You went there looking for clues of his whereabouts, admit it!"
Tanya blinked and nodded her head.
"Thanks for making up an excuse for me!"
"Good grief! Why go so far?"
"Because she is in love with Potter! They have been dating for a few months now!"
"Was I the last to know?!"
"There is something I don't get. If she stayed in the same place, why didn't the ministry find her?" Now, that was a good question. Tanya was in no right mind to consider she could be tracked and would use magic from time to time.
"Because the track doesn't work on her."
All the presents looked at him with puzzlement.
"It doesn't?!" Only Tanya didn't let her confusion show.
"Impossible! All underage wizards and witches can be tracked!"
"Miss Degurechaff has an impressively high amount of magic energy. An amount that is only found in the very old and powerful."
"Could it be, the tracking 'thinks' she is older?!"
"This is what professor Dumbledore also concluded."
"Miss Degurechaff, once you are back to Hogwarts, would you be willing to-"
"I am not going back!"
"Hm? I believe Mr Potter has informed you about your expulsion being revoked?"
"He did, but I am not eager to return to such a dangerous place!"
Professor Snape opened his mouth, probably to utter something in defense of the school.
"It hurts me I can't find anything to say."
Professor McGonagall didn't agree and neither would give up.
"Is this the only reason?"
"Does I need another one?"
"I recalled what you said, ahem, about professor Lockhart last year."
"FUCK!"
Tanya began to tremble hard. If there was any investigation about her allegations, this could lead to people finding out about her past traumas. Only Harry saw her reaction, but he has no knowledge of such issues.
"And I kind of killed that clown by giving him to the acromantulas!"
"At the time, I was distracted over miss Weasley's possible death. I completely disregarded your accusation. However, he has been missing ever since. Could any of what you said be-"
"NO!" This display alarmed the three adults.
"T-that was a lie, okay? I just didn't like his classes. He was someone too much in love with himself to ever hit on anyone."
Professor McGonagall was staring at her still with some disbelief but seemed to push it out her mind in trade for more urgent business.
"Anyway, you are still a minor, so you have no choice in the matter. By law you need to have a proper magical education."
"I will ask for emancipation." Even with this taking her off guard, professor McGonagall recovered fast.
"In magical Britain you can only emancipate at age fifteen, and only if a school is backing you off."
"What about my job offer? I don't need further of what you call education!"
"Miss Degurechaff listen here-"
"When have you begun to plan for emancipation?" Professor Snape asked out of turn.
"Since last year!" Her answer put an ugly frown in the professor's face.
"ARE YOU ACTUALLY PLANNING TO ELOPE WITH POTTER?!"
"Eh?"
"E-elope?! My young lady! You two are too young to do s-some stuff!" Mrs Weasley said horrified.
"No! Let me explain-"
"Then explain why there is only one bed in this room!"
Hearing the professor, the two women only now realized he was right.
Molly Weasley seemed about to pass out and professor McGonagall blushed furiously.
"W-we only sleep! I swear!"
"Potter looked too happy for someone who 'only slept'!"
"I-" Tanya's stomach chose this moment to remind her how she never got to eat breakfast.
"Maybe a little pause would do us good." Professor McGonagall suggested.
"Very well, I am in need of some coffee actually." Professor Snape said, pinching his nose.
"Oh! I will prepare some, then!"
It took only a few seconds for Molly Weasley to conjure the beans in thin air, mix with hot water and fill four cups.
"It's always breathtaking to see how magic is convenient in this world! If Visha ever had-"
Tanya shook her head. These days, any thought about her former adjutant was off limits.
"Here you go, professor McGonagall."
"Much appreciated, Molly."
Professor Snape took his cup in silence.
"Here is one for you too, little Tanya." Mrs Weasley offered her the last cup.
Tanya looked unsure. For the last decade, she refused to drink coffee ever again with the strong belief of never finding one better than Visha's. But after recent events, a thought came over her.
"Could all those dreams be just a way for my subconscious mind to tell me that I miss coffee? Some sort of withdrawn symptom?" This explanation was less ridiculous than the notion that she missed that woman.
"Only one way to find out!"
"Thank you." Tanya took a long sip.
"This is- this is SOOOOO GOOOOOD!" Tanya almost jumped from her seat feeling so fulfilled! Besides the efficiency and speed, magic must conserve the pureness of the beans, keeping a rich flavor and right balance of bitterness and sweetness! It has even the suitable temperature for consumption! This is THE PERFECT COFFEE!
"I was such a fool! All this time, I could be indulging myself! Serebryakov isn't needed anymore! Mrs Weasley will- Wait! This was done by magic! I can learn!I will be able tobrew a coffee of better quality than Visha ever could!" A victorious grin raised on Tanya's face. Now she won't be losing a wink of sleep over that girl ever again!
"Are you alright sweetheart?"
"YES! I am wonderful Mrs Weasley! This is the best coffee I ever drank!"
"Is it? Then why are you crying?"
"Ah?!" Tanya finally noticed the tears coming down her cheeks.
"W-what are those? This coffee is not only better, it's on a whole new level!Why-"
A day so long ago flashed before her eyes:
'Second lieutenant may seem cold, but I know you have peace in mind.'
"Wrong! I only cared about myself!"
Then another day.
'Please, you can have it all. Major is way more important than me!'
"You were starving! Why put me first?"
And many more days.
'If I am not around, who will awaken the major?'
"She was right…"
'I-I am so sorry! I hurt you!'
"You saved my life that day and yet you still apologized while crying."
'Look lieutenant colonel! I won these chocolate in cards! Let's eat together!'
"Now that I think back, it wasn't just coffee. Visha did so many things for me."
'When the war ends, err, can we keep in touch?'
"You were my trusty partner!"
'Not for my country, but if my life can save the lieutenant colonel…'
"When did I forget it?!"
'Lieutenant colonel is very dear to me…'
"Why couldn't I show any appreciation?"
'YOU ARE NOT HURTING TANYA AGAIN!'
"Why did you have to die?"
'It's okay!'
"W-why did I kill you?"
"Tanya, dear?" Mrs Weasley brought her back from her mental guilt trip.
The tears were still coming down. She felt a crushing pain in her heart and the nasty sensation of being a betrayer! Now she recognized those feelings as the very same she felt that day with the resurrection stone.
"Y-you see, I-" She had to come up with an excuse for such a display and fast! What they would think of her if-
"You can just let it go." The Weasley matriarch whispered to her after pulling her into an embrace.
"Shhh! It's okay!" To hear the old woman say Visha's final words was the last drop.
"I- I AM SORRY!" She collapsed weeping like an infant.
"I am so sorry Visha!"
The two professors were looking at her astonished. It was the first time they saw her not acting like a small adult.
"Miss Degurechaff?!"
"Was something we said?"
This was a disgrace for a proud rational person. To let oneself be completely overtaken by emotion. And yet, she couldn't help it.
"Sob! I am… so sorry… for being… so evil…!"
"I MURDERED you, even after you gave me so much!"
"That's not true sweet-" The front door was almost brought down. Harry entered with Ron, Hermione and Ginny.
"What is going on? Who is- Tanya?!"
"It hurts!I didn't know it could hurt this much- No! I didn't know anything at all!"
"YOU PROMISED TO NOT FIGHT WITH HER!"
"Mister Potter?! Calm down, we didn't do anything-"
Tanya couldn't care about what was happening around her. She felt for the first time what is the pain of a broken heart. She was crying over an important person, dead a long time ago in a distant world.
"I am so sorry Visha! Please, forgive me!" The tears just wouldn't stop.
AN: Guys… from now on, you ask a legitimate question, you will have a legitimate answer. You ask a stupid question, you will get a stupid answer. That's all. Your opinion is of highly value to me, but criticism has to be constructive or else, its just plain offensive.
The 'peace to all no matter how many legs' is a homage to an episode of Rick and Morty. I had been wishing to use this sentence ever since I first put an acromantula in this story!
Next chapter: Tanya gets over her broken heart, only to met dementors!
Reviews:
Ocansino: Harry is not a cheating type. Please, just wait to see what happens in the future. He sleep with Ginny because he has deep feelings for her, even in this divergent future. Tanya also manipulated him into doing it. Hell, even the destiny was against him as he was fated to have Albus with her.
Lubber; Can't answer something that I don't understand.
EricFreak: Tanya acted scummy most because she was trying to rationalize Visha's death. It's fair easier to convince yourself that someone who just died wasn't that (if any) important at all.
Tanya is not a nymphomaniac. For years she tried to go against the fact that she is now a woman and sex actually feel good. But at some point, she came to terms with that. It didn't help that Harry was a competent and caring lover.
Yes. That chapter was a b*Th to write. To make it all worse, I read some chapters of the manga later on and it gave some ideas that would have turned it better in my opinion.
Ginny is a favorite character of mine actually. When I first saw her, I kind of wanted her to marry Harry someday. So, I guess my wish was fulfilled (but not in this story)!
About the deathly hallows, I thought it was pretty clear by now that Tanya lost her opportunity to go home…
About the "cursed child" book, I agree, it's VERY irritating. I really hate Albus Potter! But I need him and Scorpius, because there is an important issue in the end of this fanfic and they are key to solve it.
As I said before, I have great plans for Sirius. And I think I finally decided if he lives or dies in this story. I also finally decided what I am doing with Dumbledore.
Hank22117: It seems that you are one of the only people… But thanks! I am very happy that someone appreciates my effort.
Kristoff Umber: This is called inexperience. I keep telling over and over again that this is my first story and I don't have a beta reader and neither an editor. I am doing it all alone.
Frau Kojiro: Thank you. And expect more misunderstandings in the future!