CHAPTER 26 : SUN, SEA, AND FAMILY DYNAMICS
Harry lounged on the deck, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the ocean. Today, he was in high spirits, buoyed by the success of last night's mission with Bellatrix. Together, they had dealt a significant blow to Voldemort's dark ambitions, shattering a substantial fragment of his soul. Moreover, Bellatrix had managed to retain her position at Hardbrooms, a testament to her cunning and resilience.
As Harry savored a tranquil breakfast, the rhythmic melody of waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop. His attention shifted to the morning paper, where he stumbled upon an article detailing the mysterious disappearance of Randolph LeStrange. The Aurors were scrambling to piece together clues, yet their efforts had yet to yield any significant leads.
Despite his calm demeanor, Harry couldn't shake off a twinge of surprise. After all, he had recently conversed with the portrait of Letitia LeStrange, Randolph's ancestor, and gleaned vital information about the incident. However, Harry remained confident in his ability to evade detection; his encounter with Letitia had been conducted under the guise of an unrecognizable persona, leaving no tangible trail for the Aurors to follow.
Suddenly, the familiar sound of apparition jolted Harry from his reverie. With a composed stride, he made his way indoors, where Narcissa Malfoy stood, delicately dusting off her elegant attire.
"Good morning, Narcissa," Harry greeted with a nod, acknowledging her presence as she entered.
"Good morning, Harry. I've been well, thank you," Narcissa replied politely, her demeanor poised and composed. Adjusting her handbag on her shoulder, she continued, "I came by to bring Bellatrix some potions. Is she up yet?"
Before Harry could respond, Bellatrix's voice resonated from the staircase, drawing their attention. He turned to see Bellatrix descending, her complexion visibly pale and a hint of clamminess evident on her features.
"Hello, Cissa," Bellatrix greeted weakly as she reached the foot of the stairs.
"Sister, you look a bit pale," Narcissa observed, her concern evident in her voice as she approached Bellatrix.
"I'm feeling a bit sick this morning," Bellatrix admitted, her voice tinged with hoarseness, betraying her discomfort.
Concern etched Harry's features as he watched the exchange between the sisters. Bellatrix's sudden illness raised alarm bells in his mind.
"Come upstairs, I'll look you over," Narcissa offered, gently taking Bellatrix's hand and guiding her back up the stairs.
As the two women ascended, Harry's worry intensified. He hoped fervently that Bellatrix's condition wasn't serious, but her appearance left him uneasy. Grateful for Narcissa's presence and expertise, Harry silently hoped that she would be able to alleviate whatever ailment plagued Bellatrix. Though adept at treating combat-related injuries, Harry felt out of his depth when faced with the subtleties of healing.
Harry's anxiety ebbed slightly as he settled back onto the deck, awaiting the return of Bellatrix and Narcissa. The moments stretched into an hour before both women reappeared, their presence bringing a sense of relief to Harry's apprehensive mind. Bellatrix appeared visibly improved, her complexion once again vibrant, while Narcissa carried a delicate tea service, setting it down on the quaint table where Harry had enjoyed his breakfast earlier.
"All okay?" Harry inquired, his curiosity piqued by the sudden turn of events.
"Yes, Cissa gave me some potions that cleared it right up," Bellatrix replied, her tone laced with gratitude as she accepted a cup of tea and settled beside him on the couch.
Harry noticed a subtle difference in the aroma of the tea, but he opted not to dwell on it, focusing instead on their unexpected guest.
Turning to Narcissa, Harry inquired, "So, where is Draco today?"
"Roxanne is watching him," Narcissa answered, her expression softening with a hint of relief. "And, Harry, I needed to check on Bella. It's been a while since I've had a day off from chasing him around the manor."
Nodding understandingly, Harry appreciated Narcissa's dedication to both her family and her occasional respite from the demands of motherhood. As they settled into conversation, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that beneath the veneer of tranquility, a storm was brewing, one that threatened to unravel the fragile peace they had fought so hard to maintain.
"Speaking of dumping your offspring on someone else, have you heard from Andy lately?" Bellatrix inquired, her curiosity piqued as she leaned forward slightly.
Narcissa's eyes sparkled with amusement as she replied, "Yes, she visited the other day with little Nymphadora. She mentioned you might be angry with her."
A mischievous glint danced in Bellatrix's eyes as she declared, "Oh, I'm going to skin her alive when I see her again."
Chuckling at Bellatrix's dramatic response, Harry interjected, "We'll talk to her when we see her."
"She feels pretty bad about what happened," Narcissa added, her amusement evident in her tone.
Bellatrix's temper began to simmer as she recalled the incident, her voice tinged with frustration. "Did you know her sprog poured all of my perfumes on my bed?"
Narcissa's surprise was palpable as she responded, "No, she just told me Nymphadora flew around your sitting room on Harry's broom."
Harry intervened, sensing Bellatrix's rising agitation. Placing a comforting hand on her thigh, he began to rub it softly, urging her to calm down.
With a huff, Bellatrix took a sip of her tea, attempting to quell her irritation. The conversation shifted, and Narcissa turned her attention to Harry, her inquiry casual yet laden with curiosity.
"So, Harry, Andy says you're great with her daughter. Have you ever thought of having children of your own?"
Harry paused, contemplating the question before responding honestly, "I haven't, to be honest, but I would like to have kids one day."
Unbeknownst to Harry, Bellatrix observed him intently, her thoughts veering into uncharted territory as she processed his answer.
Before Narcissa could reply, a familiar 'woosh' sounded from the sitting room fireplace, signaling the arrival of unexpected guests.
"Harry! Auntie Bellatrix!" Tonks's voice rang out loudly, her energy palpable even from the other room.
Bellatrix's agitation spiked at the interruption. "Good, she's here. Time to discipline the little snot," she muttered under her breath, her frustration evident.
Harry intervened, his tone calm yet firm as he addressed Bellatrix. "I'll deal with this. Just try and calm down; she's only nine," he urged before rising from his seat to greet their visitors.
Entering the sitting room, Harry witnessed the fireplace flare green once more as Andromeda gracefully stepped out.
"Hello, Harry. Nymphadora has something to say to you," Andromeda announced, her gaze directed pointedly at her daughter.
Tonks shifted uncomfortably, her gaze fixed on her trainers as she mumbled, "I'm sorry for making a mess and stealing your broom, Uncle Harry."
Harry's initial surprise quickly gave way to understanding. "I forgive you, but your aunt is still furious about you ransacking our bedroom," he replied, his tone gentle yet firm.
Andromeda's expression shifted to one of concern as she realized the extent of her daughter's actions. "Oh no," she murmured, her nerves palpable in the room.
"She's out on the deck with Narcissa," Harry informed Andromeda, silently hoping she would accompany Tonks to face Bellatrix's wrath.
"Very well. Come along, Nymphadora," Andromeda said, gently guiding her daughter towards the deck.
Harry trailed behind them, his apprehension mounting as they approached the scene unfolding outside. Tonks hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage to step in front of Bellatrix, her gaze downcast as she addressed her aunt.
"I'm sorry for making a mess in your room, Auntie Bellatrix," Tonks mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Bellatrix's curiosity piqued as she regarded her niece. "Did Andy punish you?" she inquired, her tone surprisingly mild.
Tonks nodded quietly. "Yes, she spanked me with her hairbrush," she admitted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"Good. Then I forgive you. But if I ever catch you in my room again, I'll conjure a paddle and spank you myself," Bellatrix warned sternly, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Tonks nodded fervently, eager to appease her aunt. "Yes, Auntie Bella. I promise I will never go in your room again," she pledged quickly.
Bellatrix turned to Harry, her demeanor suddenly sweet as she addressed him. "Harry, would you mind taking her down to the beach? I need to have a word with my sister," she requested, a chill running down Harry's spine as he realized her ire wasn't directed at him.
Relieved yet wary, Harry nodded, grateful to escape the impending confrontation as he led Tonks towards the beach, leaving Bellatrix and Andromeda to their private conversation.
"Alright, just promise not to start a duel," Harry pleaded, casting a cautious glance at Bellatrix.
"Fine, Bella promises to be good," Bellatrix retorted, her tone carrying a hint of mischief.
With a nod, Harry led Tonks away from the brewing tension, guiding her towards the stairs that descended to the beach.
"Okay, but I don't have a swimsuit," Tonks pointed out, quickening her pace to catch up with him.
Without hesitation, Harry flicked his wand, transfiguring her clothes into a simple one-piece swimsuit.
"Thanks," Tonks said gratefully, adjusting her new attire. "So, do you think Aunt Bella and Mum are going to fight?" she inquired, her curiosity evident in her voice as they descended the stairs.
"Probably. I'm hoping your Aunt Narcissa will keep the peace," Harry responded earnestly, his expression serious as they reached the water's edge.
"Good. I really am sorry about borrowing your broom and making a mess," Tonks confessed quietly, her sincerity touching Harry.
"Well, don't do it again," Harry advised sternly yet gently as they reached the shoreline.
"I won't, I promise," Tonks assured him earnestly, her eyes reflecting her determination to uphold her word.
"Good. Go on and play. I'll supervise," Harry instructed, gesturing towards the waves crashing onto the sand.
"Don't fall asleep," Tonks warned playfully before darting off into the waves, her laughter mingling with the sounds of the sea.
As Harry conjured a lounge chair and settled into it, watching Tonks frolic in the water, his mind lingered on her earlier words. She had called him Uncle Harry—a title that resonated deeply within him, stirring emotions he hadn't fully explored.
As Harry observed Tonks playing in the waves, his mind couldn't help but wander to another pressing matter that had been weighing on him—the ring box nestled in his nightstand. Ever since Bellatrix had entered their lives, Harry had found himself increasingly drawn to the idea of proposing to her. However, tradition dictated that he first seek permission from her head of house.
Fortunately, Sirius had recently assumed the lordship of the Black family, placing him in a position to grant such permission. Their meeting was scheduled for tomorrow morning at the Shrieking Shack, and while asking Sirius for his blessing seemed relatively straightforward, the thought of proposing to Bellatrix still filled Harry with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
He couldn't deny that Bellatrix had dropped subtle hints about her desire for marriage, her gaze often lingering on him with a longing that mirrored his own. Yet, Harry's mind couldn't help but conjure up scenarios where she might reject his proposal, casting doubt on the strength of their bond.
Lost in his thoughts, Harry was abruptly jolted back to reality as a cascade of water drenched him, courtesy of Tonks wielding a bright pink plastic bucket. Sputtering indignantly, Harry shot a glare at the giggling girl standing before him.
"Why did you do that?" he asked calmly, his wand slipping into his hand instinctively.
Tonks, oblivious to his irritation, replied innocently, "You fell asleep. Mum said if you ever fell asleep while watching me, I was to pour water on you."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation, realizing that even in the midst of his own internal turmoil, Tonks had a knack for bringing levity to any moment. Setting aside his concerns momentarily, Harry allowed himself to enjoy the playful interaction, grateful for the distraction from his swirling thoughts.
"I see. And where did you get the bucket?" Harry inquired, his curiosity piqued as he transfigured his jeans into board shorts.
"I don't know, it was sitting beside your chair," Tonks replied thoughtfully, her gaze wandering around the deck.
Harry's suspicions were confirmed. "Just as I suspected, there was treachery afoot here," he mused to himself with a hint of amusement.
"I wasn't asleep, though," Harry argued, standing up and peeling his wet T-shirt off.
"Your eyes were closed, and you didn't answer when I asked where the bucket came from," Tonks pointed out matter-of-factly, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
With a mischievous grin, Harry exclaimed, "Aquament frigis!" A cold jet of water shot from the tip of his wand, causing Tonks to shriek and dart away towards the water.
As Tonks fled, Harry gave chase, reveling in the exhilarating chase. He used the opportunity for moving target practice, spraying Tonks with jets of water until she reached the safety of the waves.
"No fair, I can't go that far out!" Tonks protested as another wave of water sprayed her.
Harry raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Wait, you can't swim?" he asked, genuinely taken aback by her revelation.
"I can doggy paddle, but Mum told me not to go too far out," Tonks explained before a massive wave crashed into her, knocking her off her feet.
"Alright, I've got an idea," Harry declared, slipping his wand back into his arm holster before wading out further into the waves, his mind racing with plans for an exciting beach adventure.
Harry treaded water patiently, his gaze fixed on Tonks as she hesitated on the shore. With an encouraging smile, he called out to her, "Swim on out to me."
Tonks hesitated, her nervousness palpable in the air. "Are you sure?" she asked tentatively, her uncertainty evident in her voice.
Harry nodded reassuringly. "Yes, I'll watch you," he promised, his voice filled with encouragement.
Tonks's face scrunched up in worry as she weighed her options, but eventually, she mustered her courage and started wading out into the water. Harry observed her progress, his heart swelling with pride as she began to swim towards him, her vibrant pink hair bobbing up and down with each stroke.
As Tonks drew closer, Harry discreetly drew his wand, casting a charm on her swimsuit that imbued it with the properties of a life jacket, ensuring she couldn't sink.
After a few minutes of clumsy paddling, Tonks finally reached Harry's side, her breath coming in short gasps from the exertion of the swim.
"Let's go diving," Harry suggested, his excitement evident in his voice as he glanced at Tonks.
Tonks hesitated, her brows furrowing in uncertainty. "I can't swim that well underwater," she protested, her apprehension bubbling to the surface.
Harry grinned mischievously as he pointed his wand at Tonks once more, conjuring a large bubble around her head that made her appear as though she had an upside-down fishbowl over her head. He then cast the spell over himself, creating a similar bubble around his own head.
"You look weird," Tonks giggled, her voice echoing strangely inside the bubble.
"So do you, but this will let us breathe underwater," Harry explained before canceling the flotation charm on her swimsuit.
With a sense of adventure coursing through them, Harry dove underwater, followed closely by Tonks. They descended about ten feet, and soon Tonks appeared at Harry's side, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the breathtaking underwater world around them. The bubble acted like a diver's lens, providing them with a clear view through the bluish-green water.
Excitement bubbled within them as they explored the underwater shelf, illuminated by the gentle sunlight filtering through the water above. They marveled at the sights before them: a mesmerizing school of fish gliding past them, their silvery sides shimmering in the light; delicate seaweed swaying gently with the current; and a small coral reef adorned with vibrant pink and green anemones that danced in the water.
As they swam, Harry noticed Tonks becoming more relaxed, her movements fluid and confident as she navigated the underwater world with ease. They continued their exploration for over an hour, encountering tiny sharks, colorful fish darting in and out of their path, and mesmerizing underwater landscapes.
Reluctantly, Harry led them back towards the shore before their bubblehead charms depleted the oxygen supply. Swimming towards the shallows, they surfaced just in time, their lungs filled with fresh air once more.
Tonks's eyes sparkled with excitement as they surfaced. "That was so cool! Can we do that again?" she asked eagerly, her enthusiasm infectious.
"No, I am starving, and your mother is probably waiting for us," Harry replied as they began swimming back towards the beach.
Their conversation was cut short as a powerful wave caught them both, propelling them towards the shore with exhilarating speed. Tonks squealed in surprise, her laughter mingling with the crashing waves.
"Whoa, that was fun!" Tonks exclaimed as they emerged from the water, their clothes clinging to their bodies as they walked up the beach to find the three Black sisters sunbathing.
"Where have you two been?" Andromeda asked curiously, her brow furrowing with concern.
"Uncle Harry put this spell on our heads so we could breathe underwater, and we saw so many fish!" Tonks exclaimed excitedly, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.
"Is lunch ready yet?" Harry interjected, his stomach growling in agreement with his sentiment.
"We packed some sandwiches and some of those Muggle drinks of yours," Bellatrix replied from her spot on her lounge chair, her voice tinged with amusement.
Harry's gaze lingered on Bellatrix for a moment, taking in her modest purple two-piece bathing suit and sleek black sunglasses. He couldn't help but admire her shapely legs and toned stomach.
Conjuring a lounger, Harry settled down, allowing the warmth of the sun to dry his skin. Andromeda approached, handing Tonks a sandwich and a juice box before passing Harry a larger sandwich and a Coke.
Glancing at Andromeda, Harry noticed her elegant figure showcased in a dark brown one-piece swimsuit. Quickly diverting his attention to his sandwich, he had no desire to incur Bellatrix's wrath by ogling her sister.
"So, is everything sorted out with you two?" Harry inquired, turning his attention back to Bellatrix.
"Yes, but Andromeda has something to say," Bellatrix replied, lifting her sunglasses to fix a pointed gaze on her sister.
"I'm sorry for sending Nymphadora over so much without asking," Andromeda apologized sincerely.
"She really wasn't much trouble most of the time, but I accept your apology," Harry replied, adding the last part after receiving a pointed look from Bellatrix.
Narcissa, chiming in from the other side of Andromeda, asked curiously, "So, why did you take her diving?"
"Somebody supplied her with a bucket, and she saw fit to douse me when I closed my eyes," Harry explained, shooting a meaningful glance at Andromeda.
"Don't blame her, Harry. I conjured the bucket," Narcissa admitted with a smirk.
"Why?" Harry inquired after swallowing a bite of his sandwich.
"You looked like you were falling asleep," Narcissa replied with a shrug, her smirk widening.
As Harry reclined back lazily, he couldn't help but notice that Narcissa's bikini was the same bright pink color as the bucket Tonks had used to drench him earlier. He made a mental note to tease her about it later.
"Can we go diving tomorrow?" Tonks asked hopefully, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"No, I have to meet with Sirius. We need to take care of something," Harry replied, oblivious to the subtle exchange of glances between the Black sisters.
"Are you meeting with Sirius or Sirius in his position as Lord Black?" Andromeda asked casually, her tone betraying a hint of curiosity.
"Both," Harry answered simply before popping open his Coke.
"What's the difference?" Tonks chimed in, her mouth full of sandwich.
"I'll tell you later, Nymphadora. And don't talk with your mouth full," Andromeda scolded gently.
As Harry finished his lunch and reclined back, he drew his wand and conjured a set of sunglasses, slipping them over his nose with a satisfied sigh.
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