Disclaimer: Year two of Big Sister Tonks, Odd Ideas 107.
I like it here, I love it here, I finally found a home
"Bloody hell, he can't be." Amelia's jaw dropped.
"Madame Bones," Tonks began nervously, "meet my cousin, Harry Potter. I rescued him from his muggle relatives earlier today."
"This changes things a bit," Amelia sighed.
"I won't have to go back, will I?" Harry squeaked.
"Not while I'm still alive," Tonks growled, tightening her grip on the boy.
"Nor I," Amelia agreed, pasting a smile on her face. "Why don't you have a seat in my chair, Harry? Trainee Tonks and I need to do something outside for a bit. Just knock on the door if you need either of us, alright?" Harry nodded. "Good. Come along, Trainee Tonks."
"Yes, Madame Bones." She leaned down to ruffle the boy's hair. "I promised I'd look after you, didn't I?"
Amelia waited until the door was closed and the charms were up before springing into action. "Shack!"
"Boss?"
"Tell the Commandant that I've decided to commandeer one of his trainees and that I want him ready for a meeting later."
"Yes, Boss."
"Henderson!" Amelia barked.
"Madame?"
"Get Healer Rage up here yesterday," she ordered. "Tell her I need the works done on a juvenile male."
"Will comply, Madame."
"Sandhurst." She turned to a large woman in muggle attire. "Pass on to our counterparts in the muggle world that I may have a case for them, be some crossover in any case."
"Got it, boss."
"Trainee Tonks."
"Yes, Madame Bones?"
"Do you know where the break room is?"
"I think so, Madame Bones," Tonks replied cautiously.
"It's out the door, to the left, on the right, red door," Amelia recited. "Go in and get something for your cousin to eat. Don't bother knocking on my door when you return, just come in."
"Yes, Madame Bones. Thank you, Madame Bones."
Amelia watched the girl scurry off before stepping back into her office. 'What a mess, what a pure bloody mess,' she thought to herself as she looked at the miserable child in her seat.
"Do you want your chair back, Madame Bones?" Harry asked.
"You can keep it for now," Amelia replied. "I've sent your cousin off to get you something to eat, she should be back in a couple minutes."
"Thank you," Harry said softly. "She's not . . . she's not in any trouble for helping me, is she?"
"No, the only way this mess could get her on my bad side is if she hadn't helped you and we'll see." She remembered to smile.
"What's going to happen now?" Harry asked.
"What do you want to happen?" Amelia replied, curious to hear the answer.
"I want to stay with Tonks," Harry said, "can I?"
"I'll see what I can arrange," Amelia promised. "You know my niece, Susan, don't you?"
"Yes, Madame Bones," Harry agreed.
"Why don't you call me Amelia?" she suggested, hoping to put the child at ease. "I've got to be strict with your cousin because she's one of my new recruits, you're not."
"Okay, Amelia," Harry agreed.
"I've got a healer coming up here to take a look at you." Amelia sat on her desk. "I'm also going to want you to answer a few questions about what happened."
"Do I have to?" Harry looked stricken.
"I need to know what happened so I can figure out what to do next," Amelia said gently. "Always try to have as much information available as you can."
"Could I write it down instead?" Harry asked hopefully.
"You can do that too," Amelia agreed. "I still might have a few questions, but you can certainly write it down if that's what you want."
The door burst open and Tonks stumbled in juggling three wrapped sandwiches, two cups of tea, and a box of doughnuts.
"Steady," Amelia said, reliving the girl of her burden.
"One in the white mug is yours, Madame Bones," Tonks reported. "No sugar, finger of milk like they said you like it." She grabbed one of the sandwiches and gave it to Harry. "Bacon and cheddar for you. No sugar in the tea."
"Didn't get yourself anything?" Amelia asked.
"No, Madame Bones."
"Next time, do so, even if it means you need to ask for help to carry it all back."
"I will, Madame Bones."
"Good. Now stick your head out and tell them you need a form ten twenty-five, a form ID ten T and a form fifteen sixty-one."
Tonks returned a moment later with both forms.
"The ten twenty-five is for your cousin and the form fifteen sixty-one is for you. Fill them out."
Amelia gave the matter a bit of thought as she watched the two fill out the paperwork. On the subject of what to do with the boy over the summer, several solutions presented themselves. One had the dual advantages of building a nice bit of political capital and making her niece deliriously happy.
She put that one at the top of the list.
"Finished?"
Someone knocked on the door.
"Come!"
"You called for me, Boss?" a voluptuous brunette in a tight fitting white robe asked politely.
"I want you to document and treat every injury you find on our young friend," Amelia ordered, waving at Harry. "By the book, if you please."
"Yes, boss." The woman turned to Harry with a smile. "Hello, I'm . . ." Her eyes flicked back to Amelia, getting a curt nod in reply. "I'm Healer Rage, I'm not going to tell you my first name because it's horrid. What's your name?"
"Harry," the boy replied.
"Now just sit still and tell me if you feel any discomfort," the healer said with a smile. "This shouldn't hurt a bit."
Amelia read the reports as the Healer checked over the boy. She chuckled as she went through Tonks' report, crossing out a few things and making a few corrections.
"Trainee Tonks."
"Yes, Madame Bones?"
"Find a way to rephrase the parts I crossed out so it doesn't sound incriminating and fix the spelling errors I marked," Amelia said, handing back the report. "Other than that, good work. I know twenty year Aurors that hand in worse."
"Thank you, Madame Bones." The girl smiled at the praise.
"Let me see it first," Healer Rage interjected. She glanced over it. "Consistent with what I found, boss."
"Anything that needs to be taken care of now?" Amelia demanded.
"Already took care of everything, boss."
"Good, write it up and get it back to me."
"Will do, boss."
There was another knock on the door. "Commandant here to see you, Madame Bones," the muffled voice of one of her aids reported.
"Send him in," Amelia ordered.
Healer Rage walked out as the Commandant walked in.
The Auror Academy Commandant's eyes flicked at Tonks and a frown appeared on his face. "What did she do?"
"Earned herself a commendation," Amelia replied. "Wanted to know if you wanted to sign it or if I should."
"Oh." The man's entire demeanor changed. "Probably be better for her career if you did. What happened?"
"The child next to her is her cousin, she rescued him from durance vile."
"Any reason you didn't bring this to me first, Trainee Tonks?" the Commandant asked with a raised eyebrow. "You know our opinions on breaking the chain of command."
"Wouldn't have done it if were just me, Commandant," Tonks said respectfully. "But I needed to go straight to the top to make sure my cousin was going to be protected."
"Why did you . . . bloody hell, it can't be," his voice squeaked.
"That's what I said," Amelia laughed. "Meet Harry Potter."
"A pleasure to meet you, young Mister Potter," the Commandant said with a smile. "I'd hoped our meeting would have taken place on your first day of training."
"Pleased to meet you too, sir," Harry said quietly, tightening his grip on Tonks' hand.
"How bout you sign the commendation and I'll countersign," the Commandant suggested.
"Works for me," Amelia agreed.
"Trainee Tonks!" he barked.
"Sir?"
"I must congratulate you on finding a better use of your pass than Fortescue's and the Cauldron. Most of your fellow trainees are feeling rather miserable at the moment."
"The surprise run you made them do might have something to do with that," Amelia laughed.
"It might," he agreed. "How long do you need her?"
"I'll try to have her back later today, should be no later than tomorrow afternoon."
"Was there anything else you needed?" he asked with a grin. "I'm afraid all this talking has put me in the mood for another run."
"Sadist," Amelia giggled. "Off with you."
"A pleasure as always," he said as he walked out of the room.
"Trainee Tonks," Amelia said as the door closed.
"Yes, Madame Bones?"
"If you ever tell anyone I giggled, I will make your life a living hell."
"Understood, Madame Bones."
"Wonderful." The smile reappeared on her face. "As to the matter of what to do with your cousin while you're in the Academy..."
"Yes, Madame Bones?"
"What do you say to the idea of leaving him with me over the summer until after you're out of the Academy?" Amelia suggested. "We can find a more permanent solution next year."
"I'd say that sounds good, Madame Bones," Tonks replied. "Harry and Susan get along quite well and I'd feel better if he was behind a good set of wards what with the . . . ah . . . security concerns." She looked down at the boy. "What do you think, Harry?"
"I don't mind living with Madame Bones for the summer until I go back to Hogwarts if I can't stay with you," Harry agreed.
"You can stay with me next year," Tonks promised, "after I'm out of training and have my own place."
"Wonderful." Amelia stood up and walked to the door. "Come along, children."
Hand in hand, the two cousins fell into step behind the Director.
"I'm heading out early today," Amelia announced as she locked the door to her office.
"Got your portkeys, boss,'" her aide reported, holding up a box. "Pick a portkey, any portkey."
"Why so many?" Harry asked.
"Security precaution, we have ten made by ten casters every day and then checked by ten other casters. Madame Bones picks one at random and that hopefully makes it difficult for anyone to mess with our beloved director," the aide explained.
"Oh."
"Why don't you come with me, Harry," Amelia suggested. "Your cousin can go with Merryweather."
"I'd really prefer to go with you, boss," the burly Auror said firmly.
"You're going to have to get over your fear of portkey travel some time," Amelia replied, ignoring the Auror's frown.
"Not so afraid of going without you as I am you going without me, boss," the Auror protested.
"I'll be perfectly fine with Harry along to protect me. He fought a mountain troll you know." Amelia held out the portkey for the boy. "Ready, Harry?"
"I guess so," Harry agreed.
"Then off we go," Amelia said, disappearing.
"Damn it, boss," the big Auror sighed. He grabbed a portkey and held it out to Tonks. "Touch it and we're off."
"Yes, Auror," Tonks agreed, touching the portkey.
The first thing they saw when they arrived was Amelia's smiling face.
"You see, all safe and sound," she said smugly. "They think I'm made of glass and will break without them to protect me," she confided to Harry.
"You're safe this time," one of her bodyguards conceded. "And she is made of glass, Harry. That's the reason we made her the Director, so we could keep her locked up in her office all day and out of the field."
"I knew it." Amelia sniffed. "Come on, Harry, I'll show you to your room," Amelia said. "Coming, Trainee Tonks?"
"Yes, Madame Bones," Tonks agreed, falling into step behind the older woman.
She took them up a large staircase and down a long hallway to a set of double doors. "This will be your room," Amelia said. "Susan is three doors up, the Aurors are three doors down, and I'm at the end of the hall."
"Any questions?"
"No, Amelia," Harry replied.
"Then I'll let you two get settled. Dinner will be in two or three hours, one of the house elves will come get you. Alright?"
"Alright, Madame Bones," Tonks agreed.
"Good."
"Come on, Harry." She squeezed the boy's shoulder. "Let's see if your new room is better than your old one."
Satisfying herself that the two would be fine without her, she set off to inform her niece of their new house guest.
"Susan," Amelia called out as she knocked on the frame of the girl's door.
"Yes, Aunty Amelia?"
"Do you remember how you told me you wanted Harry Potter for your birthday?" Amelia asked with a grin.
"I was . . . um . . ." The girl blushed a deep red.
"Well, it took some doing but he's in the bedroom down the hall and will be for the rest of the summer." Amelia smiled at the look of shock on her niece's face. "I know your birthday isn't for another week, but I didn't think he'd like it if I tried to hide him in my closet with your other presents."
Susan stood there gaping a good five minutes after her aunt had left, before she recovered and made a note to herself to be a bit more careful in her requests as apparently her aunt really could do anything!
IIIIIIIIII
Amelia was with her security detail when she noticed her Trainee trying to slink into the room.
"Everything alright with Harry?" Amelia asked.
"Fine, Madame Bones. The children are getting reacquainted and I wanted to give them a bit of privacy," Tonks explained.
"Oh?" The amount of meaning Amelia was able to inject into a single syllable was awe inspiring.
"Not like that, Madame Bones," Tonks giggled. "Not yet anyway."
"Oh," Amelia sighed. "Remind me to give the house elves a camera," she told one of the other Aurors.
"Will do, boss."
"Back to you, Trainee Tonks," Amelia said.
"Yes, Madame Bones?"
"Where were you planning to stay after you got out of the Academy?"
"Was going to get a cheap one room apartment if I could, Madame Bones," Tonks replied. "Going to have to find a larger one with good wards now that I have Harry."
"You're definitely planning to have him live with you?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, Madame Bones," Tonks agreed, "I promised him that I'd look after him so that's what I'm going to do."
"The Academy lets you out in October so you've got nearly a year to find a solution," Amelia mused. "Talk to me next April or May, I may have something for you if your performance is up to spec."
"Something, Madame Bones?"
"I might make you an aide or put you on my security detail," Amelia explained. "Give you a chance to keep your cousin under my wards again next summer."
"I understand, Madame Bones," Tonks said quickly, resolving to graduate at the top of her class and serve with distinction afterward.
"Good."
The rest of the night went rather quickly. They all sat down for a meal, the highlight of which was Tonks spooning another helping onto Harry's plate the second after he'd cleared it. After the meal, the children were packed off to bed while the adults retired to the smoking room for cigars and brandy until Tonks began to wilt, lack of sleep catching up with her.
"Put Trainee Tonks into the bedroom next to her cousin," Amelia ordered.
"Yes, boss," the Auror agreed.
"Wake her up when the children get up, feed her, and have her escorted back to the Academy," Amelia added after Tonks was out of the room.
"Got it, boss."
IIIIIIIIII
Tonks hadn't been back an hour when she was yanked out of class and escorted back to the Director's office.
"Trainee Tonks reporting as ordered, Madame Bones!" Tonks called out, back ramrod straight.
"Have a seat and relax," Amelia sighed.
"Did something happen to Harry?" Tonks blurted, unable to contain herself a second longer.
"Harry's fine. I wish I could say the same about us."
"What's wrong, Madame Bones?"
"The Chief Warlock has filed a complaint against you for excessive force," Amelia explained. "I'm afraid I have to ask you a few questions."
"Yes, Madame Bones." Tonks looked lost. "Why is he doing this, I thought Dumbledore was supposed to be good?"
"It's politics," Amelia replied. "He wants Harry back with the Dursley family for some reason. He's hoping to push me into withdrawing my objections to that course of action."
"How is this going to do that?"
"The easiest way to protect you is to give in to his demands," Amelia answered bluntly. "If I choose to throw you to the wolves, he sweeps in and makes the point that 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' can't be left in the care of a disbarred and dishonored Auror."
"I understand, Madame Bones," Tonks said glumly.
"Now then, what spell did you use to soften Harry's uncle up?" Amelia asked.
"Didn't use a spell, Madame Bones."
"Oh?" Amelia perked up. "What did you use then?"
Tonks reached into the left side of her robe and pulled out a long piece of leather. "Used a sap, Madame Bones."
"Is it enchanted in anyway?" Amelia asked intently.
"Not yet, Madame Bones."
"Then we can close the investigation right now," Amelia said happily.
"Huh?"
"You used no magic whatsoever," Amelia explained. "Our use of force procedures don't cover non-magical items and techniques."
"So, Harry's safe?"
"Harry's safe," Amelia confirmed. "And I didn't know they were still teaching you to use those things at the academy, thought they'd stopped after Moody retired."
"They aren't teaching it at the academy, my granddad taught me. He was a constable till he retired a few years ago."
"What are they teaching in the close combat class then?"
"Retreat to a safe distance and try to engage in a magical duel," Tonks said unhappily. "I got extra duty for asking how to keep from getting hexed in the back during the retreat part."
"I see." It was plain to see that the woman was not happy. "It looks as if I'm going to have to take a closer interest in our training curriculum." Amelia returned her attention to Tonks. "Anything you want me to tell Harry?"
"Just that I expect him to be on his best behavior and that I'll be cross with him if he doesn't add a bit of weight this summer, Madame Bones," Tonks replied.
"I can do that," Amelia agreed. "Dismissed."
"Yes, Madame Bones! Thank you for your time, Madame Bones!" A smile on her face, Tonks marched out of the Director's office.
IIIIIIIIII
Susan and Harry were camped out in front of the fireplace waiting for their guest to arrive.
"Hannah's usually here by now," Susan said with a frown.
"The Abbot wards aren't reporting anything unusual," one of the Aurors offered. "I'll have someone sent over to make sure everything is alright if she doesn't show up soon."
"Thank you," Susan replied. "I . . ."
She broke off when a disgruntled looking Hannah tumbled through the fireplace. The poor girl was dressed in an uncomfortable looking set of formal robes and it looked as if every inch of her hair was tied up in ribbon and lace.
"Why are you dressed like that?" Susan demanded.
"My mum heard Harry was staying with you," Hannah explained. "Help me get all this off."
"How did she hear that?" one of the Aurors demanded.
"She says it's all over the Ministry," Hannah replied. "She made me get all dressed up and didn't listen when I told her Harry saw me every day at Hogwarts and I wasn't wearing all this then."
"Allow me," one of the female Aurors said, pulling out her wand. A swish, a flick, and the ribbons untied themselves, another flick and Hannah's hair was back to it's usual pony tail.
"Thank you, Auror Ross," Hannah said gratefully. "That feels so much better."
"Happy to help, kid."
"You can borrow one of my robes while you're here," Susan announced. "Come on."
"We'll be back soon, Harry," Hannah told the boy as she followed her best friend out of the room.
IIIIIIIIII
The Trainees stiffened to attention as Madame Bones strolled into the gym with her entourage.
"Just here to observe," Amelia said as she walked into the room. "I'm given to understand that the close combat curriculum has changed a bit from my day and I wished to see how much."
"We've dropped some of the more vulgar aspects that contaminated it in your day and made it a purely magical course," the instructor agreed proudly.
"Wonderful," Amelia said with a grin. "You don't know how happy I am to hear that the course has become more effective. How about we give the trainees a little demonstration?"
"What would you have me do, Madame Bones?"
"You be the Auror and I'll be the muggle," Amelia replied softly, so that none of the trainees could hear. "We'll show the students that magic wins over muggle methods every time."
"Uh . . ." the instructor paled, not wanting to get into a match with the Director even without magic as when he won he'd really be in for it and throwing the match would probably be even worse. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Director?"
"We've got a Healer on standby, do we not?"
"Over here, boss," Healer Rage called out.
"Then I don't see a problem," Amelia said with a smile. "Take your corner."
"Yes, boss," the instructor agreed glumly.
"Trainee Tonks, front and center!" Amelia bellowed.
"Yes, Madame Bones!" Tonks called back, double timing to the Director.
"Hold my wand," Amelia ordered. "And be good enough to let me borrow your grandfather's gift."
"Yes, Madame Bones," Tonks agreed, handing the woman her sap.
"Why don't you start us off, Rage," Amelia ordered.
"No problem, boss." Healer Rage took a deep breath. "On three. One . . . two . . . three."
Amelia darted across the room and slapped the man's wand hand, sending his stunner off in a random direction. Then, she grabbed his wrist to get more control and proceeded to beat him to a bloody pulp with Tonks' sap.
"I think it would be best to start instructing the trainees in the vulgar methods again," Amelia whispered to the instructor. "Don't you agree?"
"Yebth, Mdm Bonths," the Instructor agreed, cursing mentally how effective crass muggle methods appeared to be and glad he'd gotten off so lightly.
"Good," Amelia whispered back. "I want everyone to applaud your instructor for agreeing to give such a realistic demonstration," she said loudly as the Healer rushed over. "Can anyone tell me why we set this up?" She looked around. "Trainee Flint."
"To show how dangerous muggles can be?" the black haired woman suggested.
"One of the reasons, but not the answer I'm looking for," Amelia replied. "Anyone else? How about . . . Trainee Harper?"
"To show that we don't need our wands to be dangerous?" the man offered.
"Yes. Your wand is not what makes you dangerous, your brain and the skills we teach you here is. Never forget that when you leave here, you will be Aurors, the best the Department has to offer. Never allow yourselves to fall into the trap of thinking that because you've lost your wand you're beaten." Her voice hardened, "The bastards know that the only way to beat an Auror is to kill them, kill an Auror an they've got the entire department gunning for them. They might beat one of us, but hell will freeze before they can take us all. Understood?"
"Understood, Madame Bones!" the class called back pride in their voices.
"Good." She glanced over at the instructor. "All patched up?"
"All patched up, Madame Bones," the man agreed.
"I'll drop in later to see how far the trainees have come. I'm sure I won't be disappointed."
"You'd better not be," he agreed, shooting a glare at the suddenly nervous trainees to cover his own worry, while mentally searching for who he knew that was trained in the old ways and could give him a hand so he could keep ahead of the recruits as he relearned it himself and not go shooting their mouth off.
"Good." She glanced back to the class. "Trainee Tonks, my wand."
"Yes, Madame Bones!" Tonks double timed to the Director and exchanged the Director's wand for her sap.
"Do me a favor and ask your grandfather if he can get a few more of these the next time you speak with him, Trainee Tonks," Amelia ordered.
"Yes, Madame Bones! I'll send him a letter today, Madame Bones!"
"Good, carry on." Amelia spun on her heel and strolled forcefully out of the room.
"Have a good time, boss?" Her aide fell into step behind her as she strode out of the room.
"Transfer the bastard they have teaching it and see if you can get Lovegood to come back," Amelia ordered as she walked down the hall.
"Uh . . . the deal Mr. Lovegood has with the Malfoy family might make that a bit tricky," the aide pointed out.
"Bring him in as a contractor and send a note to Narcissa telling her that I'd take it as a favor if Lucius didn't cause a fuss."
"Yes, boss."
"Also, slip the the Commandant that I'm going to be inviting Trainee Tonks to dine at my residence the next time he decides to let them have a pass. Stress that it is a private family matter and that I don't want her treatment to change because of it."
"Understood, boss."
"Do it myself but it might not come out right if I did it," Amelia added.
"Happy to do it for you, boss."
"Good." She continued down the hall towards the office area.
IIIIIIIIII
Susan and a much happier looking Hannah reappeared a few minutes later to rejoin Harry.
"Mum heard that you'd been kidnapped and Tonks rescued you," Hannah told Harry as she walked into the room. "And that there were ten of them and Tonks used some sort of blood magic to find you. Is any of that true?"
"I wasn't kidnapped and I gave Tonks my address before we left school," Harry said softly.
"Oh." The girl seemed to mull it over for a few moments. "Why didn't you answer any of my letters?"
"I didn't get any," Harry replied. "No one got any of mine either. It's how Tonks knew to rescue me."
"We'd better tell Hermione," Susan decided. "She's been going mad trying to figure out why you won't write to her."
"Bet Ron's frantic too," Harry agreed, receiving two disinterested shrugs in return.
IIIIIIIIII
"I'm demoting your close combat instructor to precision spell casting and bringing Lovegood back," Amelia announced as she stepped into the Commandant's office.
"Means I don't have to deal with the flak of cutting an incompetent pureblood loose, thank you," the Commandant replied. "Also means the field training Aurors have one less thing to worry about as he was actually skilled at that."
"Next time, tell me about these things and let me deal with it."
"Will do," he agreed.
"Speaking of that, who do you have that's competent and can be missed for a year?" Amelia asked hopefully.
"I'd rather not lose any of my competent instructors, not when I have so few of them."
"Then do your best to find a replacement for Lovegood, I'm going to do my best to get him to Hogwarts this year," she continued.
"Oh?"
"Do you remember me bragging about my Niece's ability at defense?"
"I might remember you saying a thing or two about how she was going to be the best Auror since Moody if she was able to maintain her scores," he allowed.
"All the thanks go to Trainee Tonks, none go to the Professor that was supposed to be doing the job." She'd also heard a few disturbing things regarding the man that she was going to have to look into later.
"Set up a study group?"
"Set up a detention for Harry Potter after the boy attacked a mountain troll," she replied with a grin. "He says she told him that if he was dim enough not to run, then she'd make sure he was mean enough he didn't have to. Trainee Tonks was kind enough to open that up for some of the other students."
"Including Susan."
"Including Susan," Amelia agreed. "S'why I told Dumbledore that I was going to find someone for him this year. Can't expect another student to be as diligent as our Trainee."
"Pity she doesn't have a few years under her belt, we know she's good with children and seems to be a competent teacher."
"Remind me to rotate her through here in a few years," Amelia suggested.
"Will do," he agreed, "Hogwarts after that?"
"That's the plan," Amelia replied, "subject to change."
"As always."
IIIIIIIIII
Hermione looked up from her book as Susan's familiar owl flew into the room and offered up her leg. After taking the letter, Hermione handed the owl a treat she'd acquired for just such occasions and then settled down to read.
"Do you mind waiting for a bit? I'd really like to send a reply back with you."
"Hoot."
"Thank you."
"Hoot."
IIIIIIIIII
Dobby was a frustrated house elf. Here he was, defying his bad master to protect Harry Potter and Harry Potter had disappeared. If he couldn't keep Harry from going to Hogwarts, he'd have to keep Hogwarts from taking Harry.
IIIIIIIIII
Harry and the girls were having lunch when a large official Ministry owl swooped in and landed on the back of Harry's chair.
"What does he want?" Hannah asked. Without saying a word, Harry handed her the letter and she in turn handed it to Susan.
"Rose," Susan called out.
"What do you need, kid?" the extremely curvy Auror Rose asked.
"Harry just got a warning for the use of underaged magic," Susan said, brandishing the letter. "But he didn't, he was with us the whole time."
"Hand it over," the woman demanded. She glanced down at the letter. "I'll take care of this."
"Thank you, Rose," Susan said, her cheeks dimpling.
"Yeah, thanks, Auror Rose," Harry agreed.
IIIIIIIIII
Arthur did his best to cover up his nervousness as he walked into the Auror department. It was never a good thing for your boss to call you in for a surprise meeting. It was an especially bad thing when your boss had never shown the slightest interest in your department before.
"Go right in," one of Madame Bones' aides said. "The Director is expecting you."
Arthur pasted a grin on his face and stepped unto the breach.
"Arthur," Amelia said with a smile. "Glad you could make it."
"When your boss calls, you come running," Arthur replied.
"Not when you're a department head, then you take a nice leisurely stroll to show everyone how important you are,"
"I must have missed that memo," Arthur laughed.
"Glad someone did," Amelia snorted. "Have a seat."
"What can my department do for you, Amelia?"
"It's a personal matter," Amelia replied.
"Oh?"
"Your youngest son is Harry Potter's friend and Harry is staying with me over the summer," she explained.
"I'd thought that was a rumor," he admitted. "You want to invite Ron over?"
"Or vice versa," Amelia agreed. "Just wanted to meet with you and find out what was convenient before I we set anything up."
"I'll talk to Molly."
"Good, now that business is out of the way. We can switch to pleasure. Brooks, tea!" she called out.
"Yes, boss," the aide replied.
"Any progress with your case against Malfoy?" Amelia asked, turning back to Arthur.
"All my files disappear every time I start to get anywhere," Arthur sighed. "Coincidentally, that tends to happen shortly after one of the Minister's surprise inspections."
"You didn't bring this to me why?"
"You've never shown much interest in my department before. Didn't want to put you in a position where you had to go against the Minister for us," Arthur admitted.
"The fact that you'd be the sacrificial lamb had nothing to do with it too I'd bet."
"The fact that my head would likely be on the chopping block had a lot to do with it," Arthur replied. "If it's any consolation, I was planning to dump the whole bloody mess in your lap the second I'd gotten something concrete." He paused. "The fact that I've got copies of everything that went missing and the evidence got misfiled so it never disappeared might have had something to do with it too."
"What do you mean, misfiled?" Amelia smiled.
"Tea, boss," the aide announced. The man walked in and set a cup in front of each of them and a plate of cookies in front of Arthur. "Healer Rage says you're not to have any, boss."
"Healer Rage works for me," Amelia pointed out.
"Healer Rage says it'd be better for you to cut down on your sugar, boss," the Auror replied. "Sorry, boss."
"Off with you!" Amelia barked.
"Yes, boss. Later, Arthur."
"If you ever get a chance to take the big chair, tell them no," Amelia advised. "Bastards have been treating me like I was a decrepit old crone since I took this bloody job."
"No one wants to see you go and one of the Ministers pets come in," Arthur explained.
"About the Malfoy evidence being misfiled?"
"Well, things from my department are supposed to go into evidence room 1A. Things relating to the Malfoy case tend to be misfiled somewhere a bit more secure," Arthur said slowly.
"Good work." Amelia's smile widened. "Any objections to showing me what you've got?"
"None, so long as you understand that I've only got enough to give him about three years if we're lucky. Don't want to waste Lucius' time with something like that. When I nail the bastard, I want him to have to drain his accounts to avoid the kiss. Then I want to slap him with another set of charges to get him
life at least."
"At least you have realistic goals," Amelia sighed. "It's too bad that . . ." her eyes widened. "You've only got a couple years."
"Yeah?"
"I wonder what the other departments can pin on the bastard?"
"I've got a friend in the tax office that can be trusted," Arthur volunteered.
"This is going to have to be black, we can't let anyone find out about this till we're ready to make an arrest. Hell, we build a big enough case and I think I can convince Narcissa to abandon the bastard to his fate."
"She always did have a knack for moving at just the right time to avoid being spattered in Potions class," Arthur laughed.
"Remember when Molly blew up that cauldron and turned everything in the room pink?" Amelia giggled. "That was one of the more amusing accidents I remember her making."
"Uh . . . promise to keep this between us?" Arthur asked.
"I promise," Amelia agreed.
"Molly didn't have any accidents in Potions, in fact she got an O in potions on her NEWTS."
"So she?"
"Whenever she got bored or had a score to settle," Arthur agreed.
"I never would have expected that from her. She always seemed so prim and proper."
"That's just what's on the surface. Do a bit of digging and you'll find the real Molly, the one that dosed me with a love potion to get me to notice her."
"She didn't," Amelia gasped.
"I spent a week fawning over the Headmaster's gargoyle before it wore off," Arthur confessed. "It was one of those first sight ones. I went down to the table and made myself a sandwich since I was running late to a Prefect meeting. Didn't enter my system till I was in the hall and the rest is history."
IIIIIIIIII
Susan took the envelope off the owl's leg and opened it with her index finger.
"What's it say?" Hannah demanded.
"Hermione says that the there are three letters in here, one for each of us." Susan handed the other two children their letters. "And asks that we not forget to study since OWLs are only a couple years away."
"She says she's glad I'm okay and understands about the letters," Harry volunteered.
"She wants me to make sure that Harry's eating enough," Hannah giggled.
"Mine's full of questions about Tonks," Susan finished things off. "And she also wants to know if it would be okay to visit."
IIIIIIIIII
Amelia glanced up as one of her aides slipped into the room.
"Visitor for you, boss."
"Who?"
"Andromeda Tonks," the Aide replied. "She's not looking very happy, boss."
"Send her in," Amelia ordered.
The former Auror stormed into the office. "Amelia," the woman said tightly.
"Andromeda. What seems to be the trouble?"
"I'd like your permission to go into the Academy and make my daughter's life a living hell," the woman replied.
"Have a seat." Amelia gestured towards the chair. "And tell me what prompted this desire of yours."
"Do you know why she didn't contact us after she took in Harry Potter?" Andromeda demanded. "I'm her mother for god's sake, she should have come to me."
"As I understand it, she would have, but she didn't have your contact information."
Tonks' mother sighed and most of the tension seemed to leave her frame. "That girl . . . do you know who's taking care of the boy right now?"
"He's staying with me at the moment."
"At least she did something right. Do you mind if I drop by and visit him some time?" Andromeda asked hopefully.
"Not at all."
"Thank you, Amelia. You've put my mind at ease. When I heard my daughter had taken in a child I was . . . I suppose it doesn't matter."
"She also told me you two had an argument," Amelia prompted.
"She's dead set on becoming an Auror, I'm dead set against it. It's natural that the two of us should butt heads over that."
"Any reason why you're so against her career choice? I'd think you of all people would understand it."
"You've seen what happened to her father, her godmother, her godmother's partner, to the Longbottoms, and what almost happened to me," Andromeda replied. "Why in the hell would you think I want my little girl to follow in our footsteps?"
"Point."
"How is she doing?" Andromeda asked, a hint of eagerness in her eyes.
"Top of her class by a considerable margin. Commandant says he's planning to make her the Trainee-Captain at the end of the rotation."
"It's to be expected from my daughter," Andromeda stated, unable to keep the pride out of her voice.
"It's also why I'm not going to let you go down to the Academy to cause trouble," Amelia continued. "I'd hate for her to lose a pass."
"Oh?"
"She spends every spare moment she can get with Harry, the two have grown quite attached to each other."
"I'd still like to get a look at my daughter now that I'm back," Andromeda said.
"I'd like you to give a couple talks at the Academy," Amelia countered. "I'm sure we could find a way for both of us to get what we want."
"Happy to help, Amelia. Any time, you know that."
"Mind if I open that up to my people and a few family members?"
"Anyone you want. Just let me have a bit of time with my little girl afterwards."
"So long as you promise not to cause any trouble," Amelia agreed.
"I'll wait till after she graduates before I try to push her into something Auror related but safer," Andromeda promised. "Forensics is usually pretty safe. When you said family members?"
"Some of the Aurors have children they'd like to bring along. I've got at least three that I'm going to bring with me."
"I see."
"How's your husband?"
"Better. We usually get a week or two between fits and he usually recovers in less than an hour."
"Healers still have no clue on how to repair the spell damage?" Amelia asked sympathetically.
"Healers still aren't sure what combination of spells were used," Andromeda replied, "good luck getting it out of the casters, they weren't in any shape to answer questions or do anything else after I was done with 'em."
IIIIIIIIII
The Grangers looked up as their receptionist stumbled into the room with a look of dumb shock on her face. The woman opened and closed her mouth a couple times, unable to think of how to begin the conversation.
"What is it?" Hermione's mother asked.
"Couple coppers here to see you," the woman stuttered. "They say they're from the special branch."
"Did they say what they wanted?"
"No," the trembling woman replied.
"Ask them if they want any tea and send them in," Hermione's father ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Two humorless looking men in dark suits tromped in and carefully closed the door behind them.
"What's this about?" Hermione's mother demanded.
"We're here regarding your daughter, Hermione, Mrs. Granger," the man on the left replied.
"What's happened to her?" she demanded.
"Nothing, Mrs. Granger. We're here on behalf of Madame Bones to take care of a personal matter."
"Madame Bones is the Director of Magical Law Enforcement," the man on the right explained. "Think of her as a combination of the Home Secretary and the Lord Chancellor."
"What's she want with our daughter?" Hermione's father asked.
"Your daughter is one of her niece Susan's friends," the man on the left replied. "Madame Bones would like to invite her to visit this summer."
"Oh . . . I don't think there will be any problem with that," Hermione's father agreed. "Any reason she didn't come herself?"
"Because she's currently in a surprise meeting the Minister called to show everyone how important he is," the man on the right said. "She sends her regrets and asked us to mention that there is going to be a lecture at the Auror Academy, you and your daughter are invited."
"When is it?"
"This weekend. Madame Bones regrets that she gave you so little notice, but this was a last minute thing and she did not have any advanced notice herself."
"We'll go," Hermione's mother agreed, both parents were eager to get a look at the magical world that had so captivated their little girl. "How will we get there?"
"A car will be sent to pick you up, Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger.."
IIIIIIIIII
Tonks marched into the commandant's office, doing her best to hide her nervousness. It was never good for a cadet to attract the attention of any of their superiors, she'd risen to the notice of them all. It was an uncomfortable place to find herself.
"Trainee Tonks reporting as ordered, sir!" Tonks said; chin up, shoulders back, and chest out.
"Madame Bones has been kind enough to invite you to dine at her house," the Commandant informed the girl. "I am only going to tell you this once. I don't care about your personal relationship with the Director, if you do anything to shame the academy you will think that I raised hell from the depths of the earth just to punish you. Clear?"
"Clear, sir!"
"Good, conversely, if you make the academy look good, I'll be happy. If I'm happy, I'm not spending every spare moment thinking of ways to make you unhappy, which as the Commandant of the academy is not only my duty, but one of my fondest pastimes. Madame Bones is likely to ask you about the academy, you will answer her questions truthfully and completely. If Madame Bones asks your opinion of me, you will give your honest opinion of me. I don't care if you think I'm a bastard because it is my job to be a bastard, I do however care if you lie to the Director. Clear?"
"Clear, sir!"
"Good, give your cousin my best."
"I will, sir!"
"One of Madame Bones' aids is waiting outside with a portkey, dismissed."
Tonks did an about face and marched out of the Commandant's office. There were two of Madame Bones' aides waiting for her outside.
"The boss wanted us to tell you that you're meeting your mother after dinner," one of the aides said.
"We wanted to tell you how displeased she'll be if you cause a scene," the other aide finished.
"I'll stay professional, Auror."
"Never thought you wouldn't but it had to be said. Touch the rainbow," he instructed, holding out a cheap plastic toy.
"Tonks!" Immediately upon arrival she was attacked by three screaming children.
"I missed you guys too," Tonks laughed, pulling Harry into a hug. "Especially you, Harry. How do you like living with the Boneses?"
"It's great," Harry replied cheerfully. "How do you like the Academy?"
"Can't wait to get out and into the real world. Before I forget, the Commandant sends his best. I think he's trying to give you a positive image so you try out for Auror after you graduate," Tonks replied.
"Oh. Tell him thank you."
"Aunt Amelia says that there's always room for Aurors that are willing to attack a Troll without knowing any magic," Susan offered.
"Speaking of magic." Tonks smirked. "I hear you got dinged with an underage complaint?"
"They thought I was still at the Dursleys when I was here," Harry explained. "Auror Rose said not to worry about it."
"Even when I put you in the Director of Magical Law Enforcement's heavily warded house under twenty four hour guard, you still find a way to cause trouble." Tonks shook her head in mock exasperation.
"There's no hope for Harry," Susan agreed.
"That's why he needs you to look after him," Hannah added.
"Then I'm appointing the two of you to do it in my place when I'm not around," Tonks said with a smile.
"Only two?" Hannah gasped.
"I don't think we can handle it alone," Susan agreed.
"There's Hermione, she's always up for trying to keep Harry out of trouble."
"Why don't you three tell me about your day?" Tonks suggested, derailing the conversation before the boy had a chance to become annoyed as she gave Harry another affectionate squeeze. The boy had lived his entire life without love, she was determined that he'd never be without it again.
Tonks sat down and listened to the children talk about their day and all the adventures they'd had.
"Sounds like you had a lot of fun," Tonks said as the story wound down. "But I didn't hear anything about doing any homework."
"Now you sound just like Hermione," Hannah accused.
"Just be sure not to leave it till the last minute," Tonks advised.
"Indeed," Amelia said as she walked into the room.
"Director!" Tonks said, leaping to her feet.
"Sit," Amelia ordered. "And none of that while we're off duty."
"Yes, Madame Bones."
"Come along, children, it's time to eat."
The three children jumped up and dashed out of the room.
"Not you, Trainee Tonks," Amelia said, freezing the girl in her tracks.
"Yes, Madame Bones?"
"I invited your mother over for an after dinner chat," Amelia said neutrally.
"Your aide told me, Madame Bones."
"Is there going to be any trouble?"
"No, Madame Bones. Not from me anyway."
"Good." Amelia sighed. "Why do you think your mother objects to your career?"
"I don't know, Madame Bones," Tonks replied. "I know that she and da were Aurors. But mum says it was a war and times were different and that it's not an occupation for a proper young lady."
"Any idea of what she expects you to do?"
"I think she expects me to run off with some bloke she hates to have a barely legitimate daughter," Tonks replied sourly. "Judging from her example anyway."
"Barely legitimate?" Amelia asked dryly.
"Born a week and a half after the wedding," Tonks explained with a grin.
"I'd forgotten that," Amelia admitted. "Let's just say that your mother has shared your reasons with me and I understand them. She has also agreed to let the matter drop until after you leave the Academy."
"Understood, Madame Bones. Thank you, Madame Bones."
"Good. Now let's get to the table before the children starve to death."
"Yes, Madame Bones." Tonks followed her superior into the dining room
Amelia watched amused as Tonks took her place next to Harry and doubled the boy's portions.
"You need to eat more," Tonks admonished.
"What do you think of the new close combat instructor, Trainee Tonks?" Amelia asked, trying to hide her amusement.
"Mr. Lovegood is great!" Tonks enthused. "I never knew there were so many ways to injure a man's privates."
"He was an amazing Auror till he got hit by the wrong spell," Amelia agreed. "Did something to his mind, made him a bit . . . loopy, for lack of a better term." She turned to Harry. "He was also your mother's partner till she had to take leave to have you."
"Mum was an Auror?" Harry asked in surprise.
"One of the best, they called her The Bleeding Lily. You didn't know?" Amelia's eyebrows raised.
"No," Harry agreed.
"Be good enough to ask Mr. Lovegood to contact me when you see him tomorrow, Tonks," Amelia ordered.
"Yes, Madame Bones."
Amelia turned back to Harry. "We'll see if we can't get him over here to tell you about your mother, okay, Harry?"
"Thank you, Amelia," Harry said with a smile.
IIIIIIIIII
The cadets glanced up as the Trainee-Sergeant walked into the barracks.
"What's up?" one of them asked.
"One of the instructors just slipped me the word that we're going to get some big-wig visitor to give us a talk. Suggested that it might be a good idea to be ready for an inspection."
"Good to know," the other trainee agreed.
"Ipswitch," the Trainee-Sergeant said. "Take Smith and get everything polished."
"No problem."
"Cooper, I want you and Red to clean the latrine."
"It's Tonks' turn to clean the bloody thing, get her to do it," Cooper complained.
"Tonks is at the Director's house again," the Trainee-Sergeant replied. "That's why I'm telling you to clean it."
"What makes her so special, just because she rescued 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' shouldn't mean . . ." Cooper grumbled.
"Belay that!" the Trainee-Sergeant barked.
"Director is only inviting her over so she can spend time with Harry Potter," one of the other trainees interjected. "My younger sister's at Hogwarts and she tells me that Tonks really loves that kid."
"I heard they were cousins through the Blacks," another offered.
"There you have it," the Trainee-Sergeant agreed. "You rescue your cousin from a bunch of muggles and have them live at the Director's house, we'll see what happens, until then shut it or I'll shut it for you."
IIIIIIIIII
Andromeda and Tonks stared at each other for a few moments before one of them chose to break the silence.
"Nymphadora, I hear that you threw the contact information I gave you into a fire."
"I did, mum," Tonks agreed.
"Try to avoid that sort of behavior in the future," Andromeda advised. "A good Auror always knows how to get in touch with someone useful."
"Okay, mum," Tonks agreed with a happy smile.
"Now then." Andromeda looked around till her eyes settled on Harry. "Why don't you introduce me to your charge."
"Harry." Tonks took the boy's hand. "This is my mum, Andromeda. Mum, you've met Harry, haven't you?"
"Many years ago," she agreed. "Hello, Harry."
"Hello, Ms. Tonks," Harry replied.
"I'm very glad my daughter rescued you, Harry. And I am very sorry I didn't think to do it myself. We all believed Dumbledore when he told us you were safe." She turned back to her daughter. "That's another mistake I expect you to avoid, a good Auror always checks and double checks their information."
"Got it, mum." Tonks was glowing.
"Good. Amelia tells me you're at the top of your class, I expect you to stay there. Understood?"
"I'll do my best to be the best, mum."
"You'd better, I did not raise you to be average." The woman settled down. "Now why don't the two of you tell me exactly what happened? I've heard the rumors, I've seen the reports, now I want the truth."
IIIIIIIIII
Hermione was just revising her homework when she heard her parents get home.
"Come down for a moment please, darling," her mother called out.
"Coming, mum," Hermione agreed. She carefully put down her quill and rushed down the stairs.
"Your friend Susan's Aunt has invited you to spend some time with them over the summer," she explained. "Is that something you'd like to do?"
"I'd love to visit Susan," Hermione agreed, looking delighted by the notion.
"Good, we're also going to be going to their Police Academy to hear someone speak. Susan should be there too."
"Really?" Hermione squeaked. "I wonder if Harry and Hannah will be there?"
IIIIIIIIII
Andromeda watched her daughter demonstrate the moves she'd learned in her unarmed combat classes for a few moments before she decided to act.
"You're putting too much weight on your back foot, Nymphadora," Andromeda chided. She walked up and adjusted her daughter's stance. "Do you see?"
"No, mum."
"Amelia tells me that they've brought in Lovegood to fix your previous instructor's mistakes. How many classes have you had with him?"
"Four, mum."
"I guess your stance is acceptable if you've only had four lessons," she allowed. "He still offer to take on all comers?"
"Yes, mum. But no one is daft enough to agree to be his training dummy. Not after the first day anyway."
"I see." Amelia's grin deepened. "I want you to volunteer tomorrow."
"Mum?"
"I am going to show you something. If you are a quick learner, it may surprise him enough that he doesn't stomp you into the ground." Andromeda smiled.
"Okay, mum," Tonks agreed happily. Tonks eyes widened. "Damn it."
"Language," Andromeda chided. "What is it?"
"I forgot to tell Madame Bones that grandpa replied to my letter. He knows a guy that can supply as many saps as I need."
"We'll tell her when we're done practicing here," Andromeda promised. "Now, the first thing I want you to do is . . ."
IIIIIIIIII
Everyone was at the table when Tonks and her mother returned and took their seats.
"Don't forget to tell her, Nymphadora," Andromeda prompted.
"Got a letter from my granda, Madame Bones, says he's got a guy who can get you as many saps as you want," Tonks reported.
"Know anything about this guy?" Amelia asked.
"S'one of my grandfather's friends, Madame Bones," Tonks replied. "Another retired copper, granda says his friend can make as many saps as you want."
"Can he also teach a couple of ours how to make them?"
"He could," Andromeda interjected. "He taught my husband before shaky hands made fine work impossible."
"Wonderful," Amelia replied with a grin. She turned towards the children. "You lot wanna learn something useful?" She grinned at the enthusiastic response.
IIIIIIIIII
Lovegood strutted into the gym for his morning class, every fiber of his being showing that he knew himself to be the most dangerous son of a bitch in the room.
"Anyone feel up for a bit of sport this morning?" the unarmed combat instructor asked. "Broken bone means a day off and a meal at St. Mungo's. Deal like that, I'd have given anything for when I was one of you."
"I'd like to challenge you, Mr. Lovegood," Tonks volunteered.
"Wonderful, good to see that one of our new Aurors has a bit of spirit. Take your place, Trainee Tonks."
"I'm to tell you that Madame Bones would like a word, Mr. Lovegood," Tonks said as she took her mark. "Thought it best to do that while I still had a working jaw."
"Thank you. Ready to begin?"
"Yes, Mr. Lovegood."
"Whenever you are ready." He decided to let the girl make her move, it'd be interesting to see what her plan was.
Tonks moved in close, drove the side of her shoe into the man's shin and scraped it down to stomp on the bridge of his foot.
"Hold up a second, Ms. Tonks," Lovegood ordered. He raised his voice, "Ms. Tonks has just demonstrated a rather dirty move. One I believe has broken my tarsea lateralis." He waved at Healer Rage to keep her seat.
"I'm sorry Mr. Lovegood, I . . ."
"Why?" he interrupted. "I was your opponent and you've made it difficult for me to continue. Learn that move from your mother or from your father?"
"From my mother, Mr. Lovegood."
"It was a favorite of your godmother's, too," he reminisced. "She used add an elbow to the face when she did it though."
"My godmother?"
"You didn't know?"
"I didn't know I had a godmother, Mr. Lovegood."
"Your godmother was Lily Potter, my partner." He sighed. "Shame what happened." Greater shame that the war had ended before he'd had a chance to get more than a bit of unofficial revenge. "Shall we continue?"
"Don't you want to get your foot taken care of first, Mr. Lovegood?"
"Would I be able to do that in an actual fight?"
"No, Mr. Lovegood."
"No point in doing it here, now is it?"
"I suppose not, Mr. Lovegood."
"Begin." He batted the girl's fist aside and twisted her arm behind her back until the joints began to separate. "Good punch, your follow up needs work. Try to avoid letting yourself get predictable in the future. Does anyone else wish to try their luck?" He looked around the room, there were no takers. "Not even with me having a broken bone in my foot? Pity," he sighed. "We're going to be working on joint locks today. Healer Rage, if you would be so good as to heal up my foot before we begin?"
IIIIIIIIII
The small Granger family was waiting when the Ministry car pulled up to the curb.
"Madame Bones' compliments," the dark suited driver announced as he opened the door. "Please feel free enjoy as many of the refreshments as you like."
"Thank you," Hermione's father said as he ushered his girls into the back.
None of them said much during the ride to the Auror Academy, they were all too busy staring out the windows at the world as it blurred by.
"We're here," the driver announced as the car pulled to a halt in a large parking garage. He got out of the car and opened the door for them. "I will be waiting for you at the end of the presentation."
"Hermione!" a girlish squeal echoed through the structure.
"Susan!" Hermione squealed back. The two girls embraced. "Hannah!"
"Hermione!" the girl cheered, turning the two way hug into a three way.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione demanded.
"With Tonks," Susan replied. "Commandant of the Academy is letting him spend the day with her."
"We'll be able to see them after the presentation," Hannah added. "Do you know who's doing it?"
"Tonks' mum," Susan answered.
"Will we get to meet her too?" Hermione asked.
"She was at the house last night, so probably," Susan agreed.
"We'd better hurry if we want to get there in time," Hermione's mother prompted.
"Right." Hermione blushed. "Mum, dad, this is Susan and Hannah, two of my best friends."
"A pleasure to meet you two," Hermione's mother replied. "Now let's be going."
The two girls led the way to a large auditorium and to their seats at the front of the room.
"This is my Aunt Amelia," Susan announced. "Aunty, this is Hermione and her mum and dad."
"Charmed," Amelia replied. "I . . . looks like we'll have to cut the introductions short, it's starting."
The lights in the auditorium darkened as the lights on the stage brightened. A serious looking woman walked up to the podium and tapped her wand.
"You know me, my name is Andromeda Black. I was an Auror during the first rise as was my husband. Since then I've devoted my life to the scientific study of crime solving and Auror methods. I'm here today to share some of my findings with you."
The woman tapped her wand again and the lights on the stage dimmed to be replaced by a large projected image.
"The first thing we're going to look at today is body language." Andromeda clicked her first slide which was of a young couple at a cafe. "What can we tell from this picture?" There were no replies. "We can tell that she is attracted to her date. Look at the way she keeps touching her mouth and her hair, the way she licks her lips, the way she arches her back and leans forward, the way she moves her feet apart. All signs that she finds him attractive. As Aurors, you can not just listen to a person's words. It's easy to lie with words, it's more difficult to change your unconscious actions." She clicked a slide, showing a man sitting in a chair. "Look at this picture, look at the way his eyes move, the way he can't stay still, the way his foot keeps tapping."
IIIIIIIIII
Tonks was waiting for her mother when the woman came down from the stage to interact with the crowd.
"What can I do for you, Nymphadora?" Andromeda asked upon seeing the hopeful look on her daughter's face.
"Could I get a copy of your book, mum?" Tonks asked hopefully.
"Of course," Andromeda agreed. "Will they let you keep it at the academy?"
"They're issuing one to each of us and we're being tested on it in a week. I suppose I've got an advantage since I helped you edit it," Tonks replied with a grin. "It's one of the things that made me want to be an Auror."
"Why do you need another?"
"For Hermione, uh, she's one of Harry's friends," Tonks replied. "She was also absolutely fascinated by your lecture."
"Glad to hear it, how did the other children take it?"
"They liked it too, but they're not quite so obsessed with books as Hermione is," Tonks replied.
"So she's a mini-Narcissa." Andromeda laughed.
"Aunt Narcissa likes books?"
"Adores them. Give her something rare if you ever need to get on her good side. Go to a muggle bookstore and get everything new they have if you can't find or afford something rare."
"Aunt Narcissa likes muggle books?" Tonks squeaked.
"She likes all books," Andromeda corrected. "Heaven to her would be the chance to become a librarian."
"Does she have a copy of your book?"
"Assuming she kept the one I sent her," Andromeda agreed. "Just because we ended up on different sides, doesn't mean we aren't still sisters. And yes, that applies to your Aunt Bellatrix also." The woman pursed her lips. "Enough of that, why don't you introduce me to the little bibliophile."
"She's right this way, mum." Tonks led her mother through the crowd to the bubble of peace around the Director. "She's the one with the brown hair," Tonks whispered.
"I'd assumed. She's also the only one of the children I haven't been introduced to. The muggle couple her parents?"
"Yes, mum."
"Wonderful, introduce us please, Nymphadora," Andromeda ordered.
"Yes, mum." Tonks took a couple steps forward and pasted a smile on her face. "Hermione, Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger. I'd like to introduce you to my mum."
"A pleasure to meet you," Mr. Granger said with a grin. "Fascinating topic."
"Have you given any thought to the study of forensic dentistry?" Mrs. Granger asked.
"I have, and would dearly love a chance to speak with you about it later," Andromeda replied. She produced a business card. "The number goes to my answering service, please tell me when you have the time for a long meeting."
"We will," Mrs. Granger agreed.
"Good, I'm afraid I've been looking for someone who would allow me to pick their brain on the subject," Andromeda continued.
"We don't mind so long as we can pick your brain about the magical world," Mr. Granger replied with a laugh.
"Deal," Andromeda said. "Hermione?"
"Yes, Mrs. Tonks?" Hermione asked.
"My daughter tells me that you would like a copy of my book." The woman reached into her pocket and pulled out a book. "Here you are, signed and everything."
"Thank you, Mrs. Tonks."
"I'll thank you to send me a list of any questions you have," Andromeda laughed. "I'm trying to write a set and that one is supposed to be the understandable one to someone without a background in Law Enforcement. I'll get more out of answering your questions than any other form of criticism I can think of."
"I will," Hermione promised, eyes gleaming at the thought of being part of the writing process.
"Amelia, Andromeda!" a masculine voice called out.
"Odd!" Andromeda called back with a grin. "How are you?"
Mr. Lovegood walked up with a small blonde girl in tow. "Wonderful, though I understand I have you to thank for a broken foot."
"Really?" Andromeda shot her daughter a proud look.
"And two more cracked," he agreed cheerfully. "Have you met my daughter, Luna?"
AN: Had intended to write more of this before posting it, but I ran out of time. Don't be surprised to see another part at some point.
Polish by dogbertcarroll
Ideas by: polychromeknight, Drake
Typos by: Tommy King, Dark King, NuitTombee
Omake: Meeting with the Dursleys
Tonks glared across the table at the Dursleys. "You ever lay a finger on Harry, you ever even come near him again and I'll beat you to death."
"You can't just . . ." the Solicitor blustered.
"Shut up," Tonks interrupted. She turned back to Vernon and fixed him with a glare that would have done her boss proud. "You hear me, you fat tub of lard?"
"I . . . we hear you," Vernon squeaked.
"Good." Tonks rose from her seat and stormed out of the room.
"Fair warning," Tonks' Solicitor leaned towards his colleague so he could whisper, "She's been recruited directly into the special branch. Her parents were in the special branch. Her father got a medical retirement from injuries received in the line of duty, her mother writes books about how to be a better copper. Her grandfather was a copper, her great-grandfather was a copper, her great-great-grandfather was a copper and the boy your client is accused of abusing is the son of another special branch copper. People worry about crossing organized crime, but crossing organized law is much worse."
"Shit." The other Solicitor turned deathly pale. "Thank you."
Omake: Luna's Sorting
'Hufflepuff, please,' Luna thought to the hat. "If I can't go there, I suppose Gryffindor would be okay too."
'Why those houses?'
'That's where my friends are,' Luna explained.
'Heh, I guess that's as good a reason as any to put you into,' the Sorting Hat's opened its mouth to say, "Hufflepuff!"
"We saved you a seat, Luna!" Susan called out.
Omake: The Shape of Things to Come?
"How's your Patronus?" Amelia asked as the young Auror walked into her office.
"Could be better," Tonks admitted. "What's up, boss?"
"Your cousin was attacked by Dementors," Amelia said gently.
"What . . . but . . . I just put him on the train," the Auror looked lost. "Is he?"
"He's fine," Amelia assured the younger woman. "Just a little shook up."
Tonks let out the breath she'd been holding. "Permission to get a few hours to visit him?"
"Denied," Amelia replied. "New assignment."
"Yes, boss," Tonks said with a look of disappointment on her face.
"Cheer up, you'll like this one." Amelia slid a file across her desk. "It is the position of the Minister that Dementors are the best and most cost effective way of securing Hogwarts from Sirius Black, it's my position that a team of Aurors would work better. We compromised by agreeing to send a liaison from my office to coordinate things."
"Yes, boss," Tonks agreed happily.
"Officially that's all you're going to do, unofficially I want you there to keep the children safe from Fudge's folly and to keep an eye on that cousin of yours."
"Sure, bet he's at the center of whatever's happening," Tonks agreed. "Happy to be of service, boss."
IIIIIIIIII
"You move, you die," Tonks growled at the escaped convict. She grunted in pain as someone hit her in the side with a piercing hex and suddenly the convict was a large dog bounding past her. The room seemed to spin as Tonks fell to the ground. She felt weak, barely able to lift her wand to deal with her attacker. She allowed her a brief moment of satisfaction at seeing the dog clamping down on her attacker's wand arm before ending the man with a spell.
"Tonks!" Harry cried, rushing to his cousin's side.
"Weasley, get McGonagall. Everyone else get out!" the Auror ordered. "Out and lock the door behind you." She shifted her attention back to the dog as it shifted back into a man. "My earlier threat stands," she choked. "Make one move and you die."
Harry was pressing his hands into her side, doing everything he could to stop the flow of blood.
"I told you to get out, Harry," Tonks coughed, her lips covered in pink froth.
"I'm not leaving you!" Harry sobbed. "Just stay awake, everything will be okay."
"Use a loose grip and make a small semi circle with the tip of your wand in the direction of the wound, the incantation is coagulare. It should stop the bleeding," the filthy man advised.
"If this hurts her . . ."
"It won't matter if you don't do it quickly," the man interrupted. "She's loosing a lot of blood."
"Damn it," Harry sobbed. "Coagulare." To the boy's relief, the spell seemed to work.
"Now, I want you to wave your wand over the wound from left to right slowly, try to move only the tip. The incantation is diagignoskein."
Harry followed the instructions and the wound turned a sickly black. "What did you make me do to her?" he accused.
"Damn it." In a flash the man was by his side and had taken possession of Harry's wand. "Try to make her comfortable," he ordered. "Put something under her head."
Harry watched in shock as Tonks' wounds began knitting themselves closed. "What are you doing?"
"Trying to save her life," the man replied.
The door burst open to reveal the Head of Gryffindor house, wand in hand. "Step away from her, Mr. Black!"
"She's been hit by a level three curse, I'm the only thing keeping her alive right now," the man replied. "I'll step back when a competent Healer gets here."
"I would advise you to avoid making any sudden moves," McGonagall said coldly. "Come to me, Mr. Potter and be careful not to get between me and our guest."
"Do what she says," Mr. Black advised. "Damn it. Send one of your students to get . . . never mind." The man sagged in relief. "I'm going to give Harry back his wand with the understanding that I can take it back if she starts to crash again."
"Slowly," Minerva ordered.
The man handed Harry his wand back and leaned in to take a deep whiff of the wound. "No smell of decay," he reported. "I think I've removed it, but that's for the professional Healers to decide."
"Poppy's right behind me," Flitwick announced. "Mr. Black, you're looking as well as to be expected. If you try anything, I will be forced to do something very uncomfortable to you."
"What's going on?" Poppy demanded.
"Level three necromatic with some sort of anti coagulation. I think I've broken the curse and stabilized her," Sirius reported. "I did what I could, Madame Pomfrey, I think it was enough."
"Move!" Poppy barked, she shoved the man out of the way and got to work. "I still want to see her in St. Mungos but I think you've saved her life. Good work, Mr. Black. The question I want to ask now is, why?"
"I've only wanted to hurt two people in my life; Snape and Peter. She took care of Peter and was guarding Harry, I owe her and even if I didn't, my oath says that I'm to save lives."
Poppy glanced at the corpse. "There's a story here, I look forward to hearing it."
"As do I," Amelia agreed as she swept into the room. "Secure the body and place Black under guard."
"Yes, Boss," one of her bodyguards agreed. "Give me no trouble, you'll get no trouble."
"I'll be good," Sirius agreed. "You're looking well, Amelia."
"You're looking like shit, Black," Amelia replied. "You saved my Auror's life, that gives you a certain amount of leeway."
"She was protecting Harry," Sirius replied. "Couldn't let her die, not after seeing how devoted she and the boy were to each other."
"They're cousins," Amelia explained, watching his face.
"Cousins?" Sirius frowned in confusion. "He doesn't . . . this can't be . . . Nymphadora? But she's just a . . ." the man looked lost. "What's my baby cousin doing as an Auror?"
"Erasing the stain you left on the family. Though, from the sound of things, she may have to find a new reason."
"There's always Bellatrix and my brother," Sirius suggested, his eyes fixed on the fallen Auror. "No shortage of Blacks to choose from."
"True."
IIIIIIIIII
"Almost everyone was getting involved in the war in some way after we graduated," Sirius replied. "Your mum became an Auror fer example. I couldn't stomach the idea of having to hex a relative no matter what they'd done so I joined one of the fire brigades doing search and rescue. We'd arrive, rip down the wards, and rescue as many people as we could. Things got so bad they gave us a crash course in combat medicine and it's lucky they did or I'd have never been able to save Nymphy's life."
"She hates it when you call her that, you know," Harry stated.
"She owes me for all the diapers I changed," Sirius retorted. "She changes a few of mine and we can talk about it."
IIIIIIIIII
"What do I think about Black being found innocent?" the old wizard repeated. "I think it's about bloody time."
"So you never thought he was guilty?" the reporter persisted.
"I should have never thought it," the old man corrected. "Let me tell you how I met Sirius Black. My house was under attack by Death Eaters and we were lucky enough to have the Aurors arrive before the wards shattered. That's when a crazy bastard ran through the spellfire and into my house. Soon as he arrives, the guy turns to me and tells me that I may not have noticed but the house was on fire, throws up a quick ward to keep us from burning, suffocating, or being crushed to death. And then he asks me if anyone was hurt. My youngest and my wife had both been hit." The old man closed his eyes. "He was able to save my wife. It's cause of that I should have realized about his confession."
"Because he was able to save your wife?"
"Because he couldn't stop apologizing about my youngest. Said if he'd been a bit faster, maybe. Healers tell me Black did everything possible and that a couple minutes either way wouldn't have mattered a bit. Told him that too but it didn't stop him from tearing himself apart over it. Same thing musta happened with the Potters, Black thinks that if he'd ha' been a bit faster, they'd be alive."
"He's blaming himself for not being Dumbledore?" the reporter suggested, eyes lighting in understanding.
"Dumbledore? Ha!. He's blaming himself for not being bloody, Merlin!"
IIIIIIIIII
Sirius gave the old CB750 an affectionate caress.
"Had Dumbledore put up a couple stasis charms to keep 'er pretty," Hagrid said. "Figgered the bike 'adent done no wrong even if you did. Was plannin to give 'er to Harry aftr 'e got outta Hogwarts."
"Thank you, Hagrid," Sirius said thickly.
AN: Seen a lot of fics where Sirius was an Auror, don't believe I've seen any that had him as a member of a Fire Brigade.
Polish by dogbertcarroll
Typo by: Dark King
Idea by: Wolfman
Omake by: polychromeknight
Harry was sitting on his new bed, wondering how many chores he'd have to do to in a big, old house like this, when a blonde missile ran in the door and pounced on his bed, sending him sailing six inches into the air before he found himself wrapped in Hufflepuff.
"Huh?" he managed intelligently.
"Well, my breasts aren't any bigger," Susan answered, hugging him energetically, "and I couldn't find the pony. But when Aunty said that she'd gotten me Harry Potter for my birthday I knew that I had to be dreaming. So I figured I'd enjoy it while it lasted. Now, are you going to read me poetry, or should we go straight to the kissing?"
"I don't know any poetry," Harry said, wondering if he was still asleep.
"I was hoping you'd say that," she said with a grin.
'Thank Merlin for evidence cameras' Amelia thought to herself, snapping her second shot, standing disillusioned in the doorway so as not to disturb the cuteness going on inside the room.
IIIIIIIIII
For the second time in as many days Harry found himself bounced six inches into the air as a blonde missile pounced on the center of his bed.
Odd. Susan hadn't stopped turning red since the *last* time.
"Su... you're not Susan!" he declared in shock.
"I know. But why should she get to have all of the fun?" The blonde witch cuddling into the center of his chest was undisturbed by his revelation.
AN: Sorry. Just had a thought about Lovegood visiting... and bringing his daughter along.
Beta by dogbertcarroll
Omake by Alex Mcpherson
omake: a mouthful of Malfoy.
Dobby went to Great Harry Potters house. Dobby not find him only rude dursleys. Dobby Must Find Harry Potter, Dobby must Protect Harry Potter, greatest of wizardses. Dobby listened for next few days. Dobby hears Harry Potter sir in Boneses House. Dobby goes to boneses House and finds Harry Potter.
"Harry Potter must not go to Hogwarts! Terrible thingses are going to happen!"
"Oh?" Came the voice of old lady. Dobby not know who she was. Master didn't let dobby know much about who's who. Other elveses tell Dobby about Great Harry Potter sir, though.
"Yes, Terrible things."
"And what are these, terrible things?"
"Dobby cannot say, mistress. Dobby shouldn't be here, Dobby's master not know."
Suddenly, another house elf arrived. Dobby recognized from the House Elf Underground Fighting club. "Peachy?"
Pechy looked at dobby. Peachy then looked at Mistress, and told Mistress, "This is Dobby, he's one of Mister Malfoy's house elves."
Dobby didn't know what happened. things went fast. Master was arrested, Dobby freed, by what dobby not understand. special sock, lots magic on it. Sock belongs to ministry. Dobby askeded to be Great Harry Potter's house elf.
Days later, Dobby hearded from other elveses that former bad master in azaban, for owning a whorey-crutch. Ministry started search for shade. Dobby dont' know why they look for cover from sun.
Beta by dogbertcarroll
Omake by Silas Dunsmore
Trainee... Tonks! Front and Center!
Sir?
Trainee Tonks! It appears you are in a spot of trouble! The Chief Warlock of the Wizemgamot himself has laid a formal complaint against you! You are ordered to immediately report to the Commandant's office, trainee Tonks!
What am I hearing, trainee Tonks? I am _not_ hearing a response! You have just been given an order, trainee Tonks! What do you say?
Sir, yes sir!
Off with you, then!
{Tonks moves toward the nearest floo point, etc.}
Trainee Tonks! Halt, about face! Atten-hut!
Take note, trainee Tonks! The Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot cannot decide your fate! Nor can the Supreme Mugwump! Nor even the Headmaster of the school of Hogwarts!
Only Commandant Madam Bones will decide your fate! And I do believe she likes you. So... chin up and face your fate bravely, trainee Tonks! Trainee... Tonks, carry out your orders!
Now, you lot have grown fat and slovenly! I can see those chocolate stains! A little light exercise should do the trick. Platoon... left.. turn! Your other left, Robard! Now advance! Advance! And... qui...ck march! Double... march! What a wonderful day this is. No clouds at all. Aren't you enjoying the sunshine, trainee Cutler? Move it, Jenkins!
Omake by Tumshie1960
"Harry, I've noticed you're having trouble aiming some of your spells, I think you need an eye-test," Tonks noted as she watched the friends shoot water at each other in a mock duel.
Harry quickly agreed, and a few days later was the proud owner of a new pair of glasses, and with some upgrades. If he touched the left leg once they turned into a pair of mirror lensed aviator style shades, the girls all agreed they were very cool.
Over the Summer what had started as bored Aurors on guard duty at the Bones' home teaching the friends some dueling and fighting techniques, had rapidly descended into a competition to see who could outdo the others in what they could teach. The upshot was one Auror teaching the group basic Occlumency, enough for them to know when someone was attacking them.
On the 31st August Dumbledore drew his Potion Master aside. "Severus, my dear boy," he said in his most grandfatherly tone, "Mr. Potter has been outside my control all Summer, he doesn't trust me, can you see if you can find out what he's been up to?"
Snape grimaced at being called 'dear boy' by the man he knew to have been Grindlewald's lover and then grinned, he'd been given permission to use Legilimency on the Potter B... Brat.
It was the first Gryffindor Potions Lesson of the year that presented him with the opportunity, Potter had refused to rise to Malfoy's baiting, and had this had meant that he'd had no chance of putting him in detention.
As he called the roll and took the time to insult Potter he finally had the chance to make eye-contact, and then fell to the floor, shaking like someone having a grand mal seizure.
Dean Thomas had a younger cousin who had epilepsy, so like all his family members had been taught what to do, he rapidly cleared any items that might injure the Greasy Git, and after the convulsions had stopped, got some of the others to help him put Snape into the recovery position.
Harry sat in his place shocked into immobility, he'd felt the aggressive probing from Snape and as his head began to ache had subconsciously touched the left leg of his glasses, the probing immediately stopped.
Later that day, Serverus Snape took up residency alongside the Longbottoms in St. Mungos, the Healers never managed to work out what had caused his mind to collapse.
Inside Snape's head all the times he'd betrayed his precious Lily played over and over in a never ending loop, in trying to get Potter's worst memories, he'd ended up accessing his own, and discovering why you didn't practice Legilimency in front of a mirror.
Beta by dogbertcarroll