CHAPTER 14: INFINITE HORIZONS
As the days stretched on, Hermione found herself growing increasingly restless with the enforced idleness. Denied the opportunity to engage in any meaningful activity, she delved into the special subject books they would have studied at Hogwarts that year, devouring their contents with a voracious appetite for knowledge. Ron jokingly remarked to Harry that by the time they returned to school, Hermione would likely have memorized every book cover to cover.
In between her studies, Hermione took the time to write a letter to her parents, detailing the events that had transpired and assuring them that she was safe and well. She emphasized that despite the frightening ordeal, it had ultimately ended without any lasting harm.
To her relief, her parents replied promptly, expressing their intention to travel to London as soon as possible to see for themselves that their daughter was indeed unharmed. Their arrival at the Burrow, accompanied by Arabella Figg and Hestia Jones, marked a turning point in Hermione's recovery process.
Concerned for her safety, Hermione's parents expressed their desire to take her away from the dangers of the magical world. However, Hermione staunchly defended her decision to remain, asserting that she was safer among wizards and witches than she would be in the Muggle world.
"Mom, believe me, I'm safer in the magical world than in the normal one," Hermione insisted, her voice filled with conviction. "My obligation is to do everything possible so that no one suffers."
Her mother shook her head, her worry etched into every line of her face. "Hermione, you're just a child. You can't do anything to protect yourself."
But Hermione refused to back down. "If I go with you, what will prevent them from coming after us? I'm a witch, I can't change that, and all the Death Eaters know me. I'd say they hate those of us who are children of Muggles more than anything," she argued, her determination unwavering.
"We'll leave the country, we'll be safe elsewhere," Hermione's father proposed, his voice tinged with desperation.
But Hermione shook her head, and Mr. Weasley interjected solemnly, "If the Dark Lord manages to take over the country, how long do you think it'll take for him to try the same with the rest of the world? That being knows no limits."
"It's true, Dad. Sooner or later, they'll hunt us down, and it'll be too late to do anything," Hermione affirmed, her gaze unwavering as she turned to Ron, her voice filled with determination. "It's time to act; there's no second chance."
The Grangers exchanged a meaningful glance, their daughter's words resonating deeply within them. Despite their initial reluctance, they knew that Hermione's insight held weight, and they made the difficult decision to heed her advice.
"Fine, but you'll spend the rest of your vacation with us. When you go back to your school, we'll leave the country for a while," Mr. Granger relented, his voice tinged with resignation.
Hugging her parents tightly, Hermione felt a mixture of relief and sadness wash over her. That same afternoon, she left the Burrow with her family, leaving behind a heartbroken Ron who would be without her until they returned to Hogwarts.
As Hermione drove away in her parents' car, Harry approached her, offering a comforting embrace. "Cheer up, we'll see her in two days. She'll be waiting for us at the station to catch the train," he reassured her, his voice filled with quiet optimism.
"You're right, but I can't help but worry," Harry admitted, his concern evident in his eyes as he glanced towards the disappearing vehicle. "I care for her more than I realized. You can't imagine what I felt when I saw her on that stretcher."
Harry nodded in understanding, his expression mirroring Ron's concern. "Believe me, I know. I felt the same when Tonks was hurt, and it's a feeling I don't want to experience again," he admitted, his voice tinged with empathy.
As they watched the Grangers' car disappear into the distance, leaving behind only a trail of dust, Harry and Ron were left standing alone at the Burrow. They exchanged a somber glance before turning to re-enter the house, the weight of their friends' departure hanging heavy in the air.
The rest of the day passed with a subdued atmosphere, especially for Ron, who found himself feeling increasingly despondent as the hours wore on. After dinner, Harry and Tonks announced their intention to return to Grimmauld Place that night, further adding to Ron's sense of loneliness.
"Harry, Hermione is leaving, and now you're going to leave me alone?" Ron's voice was tinged with a hint of desperation as he approached his friend, his words a plea for companionship.
Harry placed a comforting hand on Ron's shoulder, his gaze gentle as he spoke softly. "You're like a brother to me, but if I have to choose between spending two nights with you snoring or with Tonks, believe me, there's no choice!" he joked, a flicker of joy dancing in his eyes.
Ron's confusion quickly turned to understanding as he realized the implication of Harry's words. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he pointed accusingly at Harry, only to be silenced with a quick shush from his friend.
"Do you mean you and her...?" Ron's voice trailed off, his expression a mixture of surprise and amusement as he processed the revelation.
"Shut up! Do you want everyone to find out?" Harry whispered urgently, casting a wary glance around the room to ensure their conversation remained private. Thankfully, the other occupants seemed preoccupied with their own discussions, sparing them from unwanted attention. "It's personal, and I don't like it being known. They already know, but I don't like showing off."
Ron raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Since when?" he inquired, his tone laced with genuine interest.
"I'll tell you and Hermione at Hogwarts, but first, I need to talk to her. Understand, it's not just about me; I can't say whatever I want without her opinion," Harry explained, his voice tinged with seriousness.
The mischievous glint returned to Ron's eyes as he teased, "Now I understand why you wanted to go home on your birthday. You rogue!" His words stung Harry, a reminder of the sacrifices he was making for the sake of his relationship with Tonks. "Alright, at least one of us will have fun for the rest of the vacation."
"Understand, I would stay here, but I won't be able to be with her until Christmas break. I don't want to be away from her for that long," Harry confessed, his tone tinged with longing.
"You'll see each other daily at Hogwarts," Ron pointed out, trying to inject some levity into the conversation.
"Ron, cut the jokes. You know what I mean. Plus, I'm sure we'll come here for lunch or dinner," Harry retorted, his frustration evident.
"Of course, to replenish our energy. Ouch!" Ron winced as Harry playfully swatted him. "Okay, but you hit softer than Hermione."
With their banter lightening the mood, Harry and Tonks bid farewell to the Burrow, heading back to Grimmauld Place. As they arrived, they found the house sparsely populated; it was a full moon night, and Lupin was locked in the basement dungeon for his transformation, a reminder of the ongoing challenges they faced in their fight against the dark forces that threatened their world.
As soon as they entered the room, Harry and Tonks let go of all inhibitions, surrendering to the passion that had been building between them since their last encounter. With urgency and desire driving their movements, they shed their outer garments in a frenzy, revealing the tantalizing glimpses of skin beneath.
Lying on the bed with some of their clothes still clinging to their bodies, they exchanged heated kisses and fervent caresses. Harry's admiring gaze lingered on Tonks, his words of adoration punctuated by the press of his lips against her skin. She responded with fervent passion, her own hands exploring every inch of his body with a hunger born of longing.
As they continued to shed their inhibitions, their bodies intertwined in a symphony of desire and pleasure. With each touch and caress, they surrendered themselves completely to the intoxicating ecstasy of their union. They moved together with a seamless rhythm, their desires perfectly aligned as they reached the pinnacle of their passion.
With Harry on top, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of love and desire, they gave themselves fully to each other, their bodies merging in a fervent embrace. Their movements were synchronized, each action met with an equal and reciprocal response from the other, amplifying the pleasure and intensity of their connection.
In that moment, there was no past or future, only the overwhelming sensation of their love and desire. They lost themselves in the ecstasy of their union, their bodies moving in perfect harmony as they reached the peak of their passion. It was a moment of pure bliss, where nothing else mattered except the love they shared in that intimate embrace.
As the first rays of sunlight gently kissed their entwined forms, Harry held Tonks close, her head resting against his chest, their faces adorned with radiant smiles. Opening his eyes, Harry gazed at Tonks, feeling a surge of contentment and joy wash over him as he beheld her serene expression. With her still sleeping peacefully, her long hair cascading over her back, he couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the moment.
Suddenly, Tonks stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she greeted him with a bright smile. "Good morning!" she chirped, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
Returning her smile, Harry leaned in to kiss her forehead tenderly before inquiring, "How are you? How did you sleep?"
"Like a dream," Tonks replied, her smile widening. "I don't know any better way to wake up than in your arms." With a gentle motion, she sat up, leaning in to capture his lips in a sweet morning kiss.
Harry's expression softened with sadness as he contemplated the looming separation. "It's a pity it's ending. Tomorrow, you'll be the teacher, and I'll be the student," he lamented.
Tonks chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I don't know if I can bear not being with you until Christmas. I've become addicted to you," she teased affectionately.
"You're silly," Harry protested, though his eyes reflected the sincerity of her sentiment.
"It's the truth, I assure you," Tonks insisted, her gaze unwavering.
Before they could dwell further on their impending parting, a knock sounded at the door, interrupting their conversation. "Sorry, lovebirds, but it's time. The Weasleys have arrived to go to the station," Arabella's voice called from outside.
"We'll be right there, Arabella!" Harry responded, a wistful smile tugging at his lips.
As they prepared to depart, Harry couldn't help but remark, "Have you noticed they always send Arabella to wake us?"
"She's my friend; I guess they think it's less violent that way. I don't know," Tonks replied with a shrug, her expression reflecting a mix of amusement and affection.
The passage of the two days had felt swifter than they would have wished. In just a few short hours, they would be embarking on their journey to Hogwarts to commence their final year of schooling.
Despite their best efforts to maximize their time together, Harry and Tonks found themselves unable to spend as much time in each other's company as they desired. Amidst their moments of togetherness, they had also been diligently organizing themselves for the upcoming school year. While they had enjoyed the occasional lunch invitation at the Burrow, Ron's demeanor during these visits oscillated between envy and amusement, leaving Harry feeling increasingly frustrated, particularly as Tonks seemed oblivious to the underlying tensions.
Their agreement to travel together to King's Cross Station on the day of departure marked the arrival of that long-awaited day.
Observing Ron and Ginny's rushed preparations, Harry couldn't help but marvel at the contrast with his own experiences on departure days. The chaotic frenzy that typically ensued in the Weasley household on such occasions was a stark reminder of the differences in their upbringing.
Descending to the kitchen for breakfast, Harry noticed the weariness etched on Ron's face, his friend seemingly more detached than awake as he mechanically consumed his meal. Ginny, too, appeared similarly preoccupied, lost in her own thoughts.
"I had to wake them up at five in the morning to sort out their trunks. Ron's still half-asleep; I told him yesterday, but he ignored me," Mrs. Weasley remarked with a hint of exasperation as she gently nudged her son, prompting him to acknowledge the presence of Harry and Tonks standing before them.
"Harry, Tonks, aren't we going?" she inquired, her tone a blend of concern and urgency.
"We'd like to have breakfast, if you don't mind?" Harry responded, offering a polite smile as he sought to delay their departure for a few moments longer.
At the sudden commotion from the door, the atmosphere in the kitchen tensed, as shouts of hostility reverberated through the air. "Cursed bastards, blood traitors, out of my house!" The voice, filled with venom, sought to silence any intruders, finally achieving its goal as the cacophony subsided.
Through the kitchen doorway strode Mundungus Fletcher, accompanied by Hermione and her parents, who wore expressions of mild unease at the unexpected reception. Ron, upon catching sight of his girlfriend, snapped awake, his instincts urging him to approach her. However, with her parents present and the watchful gaze of his own mother, he restrained himself, settling for a gentle grasp of her hands.
"Sorry, I tripped over the trunk at the entrance, and that old hag woke up," Mundungus mumbled apologetically, attempting to diffuse the tension with an explanation for the disturbance.
"Don't worry, we're getting used to it," Lupin responded casually, his demeanor unperturbed by the interruption.
Seating themselves at the table, the Grangers joined the others for breakfast, the awkwardness of the moment soon dissipated by light conversation and shared laughter. As they enjoyed the meal together, Hermione's parents listened attentively as the others explained the curious presence of the portrait in the entrance and its penchant for loud outbursts.
In the midst of the pleasant chatter, Ron discreetly expressed his longing for Hermione during the two days they had spent apart, his affection conveyed through a subtle squeeze of her hand beneath the table.
With breakfast concluded, Lupin rose from his seat, addressing the group with a sense of purpose. "I think it's time we headed to the station. We'll make our way to the Leaky Cauldron and take some taxis to King's Cross," he announced, his excitement palpable.
However, the sudden disappearance of Fawkes drew the attention of everyone in the room, their gazes turning to Lupin in anticipation of an explanation.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he's gone back to Hogwarts. Think about it; it wouldn't be normal to have a phoenix in the Muggle world," Lupin reassured the group, his words prompting nods of agreement.
Traveling through the fireplace to the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione's parents marveled at the unconventional mode of transportation, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief as they stumbled upon arrival, much like Harry had on his first visit.
Greeting Tom the bartender, they quickly made their way outside, where four taxis awaited them. However, one driver, recognizing Mr. Weasley, hastily arranged for a colleague to take their fare, visibly relieved to avoid the potential scrutiny.
WELCOME TO LORDARESARCTURUSBLACK ON P.A.T.R.E.O.N
FOR EARLY ACCESS TO NEW CHAPTERS JOIN US ON P.A.T.R.E.O.N LORDARESARCTURUSBLACK YOU CAN JOIN US FREE TO READ A NEW CHAPTER ONE DAY EARLIER ON P.A.T.R.E.O.N BEFORE IT RELEASE ON FANFICTION.