Chapter 1
Nymphadora Tonks usually found humor in even the direst of situations. As a newly minted full-time Auror after graduating from the academy with honors one might think that the newly expanded scope of her duties would have left a bit of nervous in her actions. But, as Mad-Eye had taught her from day one; with constant vigilance the butterflies could be forced to fly in formation. And so, for Tonks humor was usually her go to outlet when the stress of raised stakes became too much for the ordinary person to cope. But, for a rare moment Tonks couldn’t find humor in the current situation at hand.
In the kitchen of Grimmauld place members of the Order were talking over one another as they vied for authority over the best way forward. Kingsley shouted at Remus to shut Sirius up, and Sirius simply quipped back, further agitating the Senior Auror. Remus stood with frustration evident in his exhausted brown eyes, and Tonks simply met his gaze with a small lopsided frown.
Kingsley, “We know that the Dark Lord is gathering his resources for something major. The safest place for Potter is Hogwarts…”
Sirius interjected with a shake of his head, “As thought the last three years have delivered any thrust of trust in Dumbledore’s ability to keep Harry safe?”
Kingsley, “You believe that you can keep Potter safe on the run? What kind of life is that for a young man?”
Sirius looked to Remus with frustration, “It’s better than leaving him as a sitting target at a school in which I was able to infiltrate!”
Remus looked between Kingsley and Sirius before interjecting with a calm voice, “Sirius I know that you think that whisking Harry away from Hogwarts, and going on the run is what’s best for him. But we both know that Harrys best chances for safety are within the walls of Hogwarts under the direction of Dumbledore.”
Sirius released a huff of frustration as he schooled his features before turning to Tonks, “Well you’ve been quiet for this whole conversation Tonks, what do you think?”
Tonks took a beat as her currently sky-blue eyes surveyed the Wizards around the table, “Sirius… look I know how much Harry means to you, but maybe you’re letting your emotions get the best of you on this one.”
Tonks watched as Sirius was about to retort, but she put her hand on her hip as she continued, “I get that the idea of breaking Harry out of those blasted Muggles home, and going on the run seems like a good idea. But he’s a teenager and even if he has all the potential that you lot deem that he does the safest place for him is at Hogwarts. There he has the wards, enchantments, and bloody Albus Dumbledore watching over him.”
Sirius’ chest now deflated as Tonks finished with a neutral tone, “As Mad-Eye always says…”
Sirius nodded with a small smirk of defeat, “Constant vigilance.”
Tonks now shot her cousin a lopsided grin as her one dimple shown on her cheek, “Exactly.”
Kingsley released a deep breath, “So it is settled then? Potter will return to Hogwarts?”
Everyone nodded, except for Sirius whose eyes now lit up with what Tonks could feel in her stomach was a good idea fairy.
Sirius, “On one condition.”
Kingsley dropped his shoulders, “What might that be Sirius?”
Sirius tilted his head as he stared directly at Tonks, “An Order member shadows Harry during the school year to ensure his safety.”
Both Kingsley and Remus peered to Sirius with frowns, and the room was silent for a moment before Remus spoke up, “Harry will never agree to this.”
Sirius now spoke with a serious expression, “He will if I’m the one to tell him.”
Kingsley, “There isn’t a way in Merlin’s name that you can leave Grimmauld place with the Ministry still on full alert for your capture.”
Sirius smirked, “Well it’s good that we have a certain Auror who can pass along a message without tipping the Ministry off to our plan now isn’t it?”
Tonks blinked a few times before she now cracked a grin, “It definitely is.”
Kingsley released another sigh in defeat as he spoke, “I believe that this is an agreeable compromise. I will head to the Ministry tomorrow to get the correct paperwork for reassignment for Tonks and myself to Hogwarts under the guise of Ministry presence.”
Remus now spoke with a tempered tone, “Dumbledore should be notified.”
Sirius rolled his eyes, “By the time that Tonks tells Harry I’m sure he’ll have found a way to know already.”
Tonks raised a thumb up as she spoke, “I’ve been meaning to stop by the Burrow anyways.”
The group parted leaving Tonks and Sirius alone at the table. Tonks gaze at Sirius as he sat back in his chair with a slight slump as the energy from before left him, “Galleon for your thoughts there cousin?”
Sirius replied with a tired smile, “Thank you for backing me up.”
Tonks shrugged, “S’nothing really. Besides, as woe as I am to admit it keeping our eyes on Harry is the right call. Given the last few years we both know that the nose less maniac isn’t going to just let Harry go.”
Sirius replied with a shake of his head, “I surmise not. I only wish…”
Tonks eyes softened as she nodded, “I know Sirius, but you’re doing what you can now, and that is all that you can do. Besides who’s better to stealthily keep Harry out of trouble than…”
Tonks scrunched her face as soon it shifted to reflect Sirius’s as she spoke with his voice, “Sirius Black himself?”
Sirius now broke into laughter as Tonks joined him, “Merlin you’ve gotten better!”
Tonks smirked as she morphed her face back to her own, “I’ve had good practice given all of the stakeouts Mad-Eye put me through.”
Sirius nodded, “18 years old, and the youngest Auror to pass all parts of their training… you’ve gone and done our family proud.”
Tonks shrugged, “Someone had to.”
Sirius released a chuckle before he spoke with a quieter tone, “Tonks there’s something I need you to do for me when you see Harry.”
Tonks nodded with a solemn expression, “Just name it.”
The next day at the Burrow…
Harry lay under a large oak tree on the outskirts of the Weasleys property. The summer sun shown through the trees as the tendrils of light lulled Harry into a soft airy nap. Since the end of the school year, all of June Harry had faced nightmares of the oddest sense. Images of creaking floorboards, a cemetery, and the same man echoed through the deeper recesses of his sleep. It seemed to abate the moment that he had stepped foot into the wards of the Burrow, but still he felt at ease while sleeping. Add in the fact that as much as he appreciated Ron, and the Weasleys hospitality for hosting him during the summer… sharing a room with Ron sans the silencing tapestry that usually surrounded his dorm bed meant that Harry was privy to all Rons snoring.
Harry wasn’t going to complain though. The liveliness of the Burrow, getting to spend the days flying and practicing magic without worrying about tripping up and being found out by the Ministry, and just laughing and getting spend normal days with Ron, Fred and George, and Ginny meant that this Summer far outpaced any Harry had spent before locked underneath the stairs of the Dursleys.
And, add in that Harry had found that a midday nap was the best option for catching up on sleep as the sun overhead dampened whatever was causing his nightmares this was shaping up to be the best summer of Harrys young life. Harry and Sirius had exchanged letters nearly daily, and since the Weasleys were able to connect to Grimmauld Place via floo communication they’d been able to have regular conversations. Sirius was a connection not only to his past, but had Harry thinking about his future.
Sirius had been mentoring Harry on all forms of magic and spell craft that he didn’t even know were possible. And maybe it was selfishly because his Godfather knew his parents’ temperaments like Remus Harry soaked up the lessons like a sponge. It hadn’t been an easy go of course, but as Harry grew frustrated Sirius’s tutelage was as patient as Harry had ever found an instructor could be. Finally, just getting to learn more about his parents beyond just that he reminded people of them was a gift that Harry knew was invaluable beyond measure.
Harrys eyes stirred as a shadow obscured the suns rays that had been warming his face. Upon opening them he was at first greeted by a blurry figure standing before him. Usually, Harry would’ve been wearied and had his wand drawn when a new individual made themselves known, but something about the stance and visage of the blurry individual put him at ease.
Harry groped for his glasses as he sat up with his legs laid out reaching for them, but to no avail. The figure crouched down to his level as his blurry vision came into focus. The strangers’ long slender fingers placed the glass on his face as their soft touch grazed his cheek. Harry swallowed his as his vision came into view. The figure was now crystal clear. Wild shoulder length wavey pink hair struck out against the backdrop of her dark robes and lightning blue jumper. Pink hair framed her heart-shaped face as Harry was struck by the fact that her eyes mirrored his emerald green ones. But underneath her button nose was a lopsided grin and a single dimple that adorned her rosy cheeks.
Harry spoke with a tentative tone, “Err, thank you?”
Tonks replied with her raspy voice as she shrugged, “Don’t mention it, but you should probably use a sticking charm for those.” She gestured to Harrys glasses, “Someone more nefarious could have taken advantage of your poor defenseless soul.”
Harry now cocked an eyebrow, “I’m at the Burrow?”
Tonks shrugged, “And, I could be an acolyte of the Dark Lord hell bent on harming you?”
Harry now narrowed his gaze, “Are you?”
Tonks let a beat pass before she fell back onto her butt crossing her long legs before her, “No, actually I’m an Auror so you’re lucky, and one of the best at that.”
Harry nodded slowly as Tonks watched him slowly inch away before she put a hand up, “I come in peace, and to prove it a mutual friend made me bring this letter.”
Tonks pulled out a letter on the parchment that Sirius usually used as she handed it to Harry. Harry read the letter, and Tonks watched his fascination as his features held so many emotions so quickly. Harrys green eyes quickly scanned the letter as she watched Harry’s expressions shift from a quick happiness as he released a chuckle, to confusion over exactly why Tonks was there, and then finally a drop in his expression all together.
Harry set the letter beside him as she stared up to Tonks with a guarded expression, “So you all think I need a babysitter?”
Tonks put her hands up, “Take it up with the big wigs. I’m but the dashing deliverer of news. Whether its good or bad is dependent on if you have a desire to live or not.”
Harry was about to retort but held his tongue as he looked away from Tonks for a moment as she watched the wheels in his mind go to work. Tonks couldn’t fault him for feeling frustrated. Who at his age, or really any age would want someone watching their every move? Even if it was in the name of safety, it was still an invasion of privacy.
Harry looked to Tonks now with a raised eyebrow, “How’re you all going to watch me at Hogwarts? I thought Aurors had more jobs than just a protection detail.”
Tonks now leaned forward, “Oh didn’t anyone tell you Harry? We have an entire month of training called, ‘Protect the Bloke with a lightning scar on his forehead from running carelessly into danger.’ It’s one of the more fun courses I have to say.”
Harry now cracked a grin, “Fair enough.”
Tonks replied with a wink, “Don’t worry we won’t be cramping your style.”
Harry stared blankly at Tonks, “What style?”
Tonks blinked slowly, “You’re really as self-deprecating as they said you were.”
Harry shrugged, “I guess there’s a reason I wasn’t sorted into Slytherin.”
Tonks tilted her head, “Oh how very brave of you to accept my summation of your humility.”
Harry now countered with a mock glare, “We just met and you’re already attacking Gryffindor?”
Tonks shrugged, “As a Puff there’s this misnomer that we’re all just friendly little air heads, but we can stir the pot like the rest of them. You just end up loving us after though.”
Harry laughed again, and Tonks had to admit it was a nice sound. Tonks reached out her hand as Harry did the same as they shook, “Harry it’s nice to meet you. I’m Nymphadora Tonks, but I go exclusively by just Tonks. If you call me Nymphadora or in Merlin’s day Nymph, I’ll hex you arse into the next century.”
Harry gave her a full grin as he nodded, “It’s nice to meet you as well Tonks. I’m Harry Potter, but I prefer just Harry.”
Tonks pulled her hand back as she replied with a genuine grin, “It’s nice to officially meet you then just Harry.”
Tonks quickly surveyed Harrys sitting form. He was wirier than she’d expected, but his lithe torso denoted a recent growth spurt. His raven black hair was mussed from sleep, and his skin was just a tad tan from the sun. Harry looked away with a demure countenance, and Tonks had to appreciate that being stared at like some form of lab specimen wasn’t an act that she herself liked all that much.
Harry spoke with a curious tone, “So when did you attend Hogwarts?”
Tonks leaned back on her arms as she nodded with a wistful grin, “I did indeed.” Partially evading the time aspect of his question, but Harry pressed.
Harry, “When did you graduate?”
Tonks smirked, “Well that’s a bit of a long story that we can get into another time, but I was gone before you entered into school.”
Harry nodded, “I don’t mean to be rude…”
Tonks tilted her head, “Go ahead and ask.”
Harry rubbed the back of his head as he tried to find a polite way to phrase his question, “You don’t exactly seem old enough to be an Auror…”
Tonks raised a pink eyebrow, “What? Were you expecting someone more…” Tonks scrunched her nose as suddenly her face morphed into a knock off version of Mad-Eye with the addition of his missing eye. Harrys eyes widened as he now held an expression of wonderment.
Harry, “Bloody hell! How did you do that?”
Tonks face returned to normal as she replied, “If I told you then I’d have to lock you up and throw away the key…”
Harry rolled his eyes, “You’ve already got me under lock and key, right?”
Tonks smirked, “Touche there Harry. I happen to be a Metamorphagus; meaning that I can change my physical appearance with my own magic. No need for Polyjuice.”
Tonks felt herself chuckle as Harrys eyes were still wide with wonder, “That’s brilliant!”
Tonks nodded with a sheepish and cocky expression, “It comes in handy. Especially when I’m doing a stakeout or tailing a perp.”
Harry nodded as he reached a hand up and absentmindedly rubbed his scar. Tonks now green eyes locked onto the infamous scarred flesh as her expression turned more somber, “I’m betting you wish you could hide your scar then?”
Harry dropped his hand as he let his hair fall to obscure his scar, “Sometimes, but I’m guessing it’s not exactly something you learn?”
Tonks returned Harrys solemn expression with a small grin and a sorry expression, “‘Fraid not Harry. Besides, in a couple of years that scar is going to cause some Witch to go crazy. Witches dig scars.”
Harry released a laugh, “Whatever you say.”
Tonks looked up through the leaves as a few clouds floated through the sky, “Sirius told me that Lupin and he have been giving you some lessons of the magical variety?”
Tonks gazed now at Harry as he nodded with a brighter grin, “They have, and it’s been brilliant. I feel like I’m progressing way faster than I did my first two years, and even with Potions.”
Tonks nodded, “I’m betting the latter due to not having Severus glare you down every minute of class?”
Harry, “You had him too?”
Tonks sighed as she gave Harry and understanding grimace, “Between Bill and I we wracked up our fair share of detentions.”
Harry now released a chuckle, “Well he hasn’t changed much. But I can see the applications of potions more now.”
Tonks, “Oh they definitely come in handy, and besides from what Sirius told me you partook in a little Polyjuice play your Second year?”
Harry shrugged, “It was all Hermione. Ron and I just drank it.”
Tonks tilted her head, “Giving credit where credit is due; you’re a decent bloke Harry.”
Harry now had a thin smile on his pink lips, “More like grateful that I have friends that are smarter than me.”
Tonks winked at Harry, “If you’re the dullest blade in the drawer it means you’re in the right place.”
Harry, “So how long are you here for Tonks?”
Tonks scrunched her nose, “Trying to get rid of me that quickly then? Usually, it takes a few more hours before my charms become grating.”
Harry shook his head, and gave Tonks a small grin, “No I don’t want you to go! It’s just I don’t want to be taking up your time if you have somewhere else that’s more important to be.”
Tonks drew in a deep breath, “Not to break the good mood and cheer that I’ve now coaxed out of you Harry, but you’re stuck with me for the rest of the summer.”
Harry now frowned, “I’m sorry…”
Tonks now leaned forward as she lightly pushed Harry’s shoulder making him now smile as she replied, “No need to get all mopey. Spending time at the Burrow beats being stuck in an office, and besides I’ll be coming and going given the Weasleys wards are strong. Think of it more as a new friend checking in on you.”
Tonks now leaned forward on all fours as Harry sucked in a breath. Her eyes which once were mirroring his own now held a dark blue, and Tonks crawled forward and stopped when she was a few inches from Harry’s face, “Besides, I’ll be back most nights… and that’s when I’m usually the most fun.”
Tonks reveled in the small blush that formed on Harry’s cheeks, but she wasn’t going to push the young Wizard too far lest she hear the wrath of Molly. Tonks poked Harry’s nose with her finger as she sent him sprawling onto his arms leaning backwards as she suddenly jumped up wiping off her black jeans.
Tonks with a smirk, “I’m only taking the mickey. I’ll see you soon Harry.”
Harry simply stared at her with a shocked smile, and before he could retort Tonks apparated away. Harry sat up as his mind raced for the moment. Nymphadora Tonks, huh? Harry stood and made his way back to the Burrow. He needed to talk to Sirius now. Harry couldn’t stop the small grin on his face all the way back to the Burrow.