Chapter 2
Tonks stifled a yawn as she sat in the den of the Burrow. It had been nearly midnight when she’d come to relieve Remus for the weekend ahead. Would Tonks have liked more time to speak to Remus? Of course, and it totally wasn’t because she was crushing harder than Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were on each other. No, it was simply a professional smitten tinted respect that she held for the older Wizard. But, like a Chaser suddenly forced to play as a Seeker Tonks had a feeling that Remus was either too stuck in his own self-doubt and melancholy to deem himself an appropriate partner. But if Tonks had nothing else it was time right now.
Tonks had kicked off her black combat boots while exiting the fireplace, and waved her wand at them lazily as they flew to the entry way. Tonks knew that she should probably get some sleep already, but a late day expresso to push through the mountain of paperwork Kingsley had sent her way meant that her adrenal system had other ideas. Thank Merlin she had Saturday and Sunday to rest and recuperate. The past two weeks had been something of an adjustment. It had been a few years since Tonks had been around people somewhat her age. With the average Auror a bit older than 26 she was used to bringing the youthful energy to the spaces that she cohabitated in. But, with the Burrow bursting at the seams with teenage angst, laughter, and energy she could appreciate the change of pace. There was an air of optimism, humor, and even a bit of deranged joy in it all. Juxtaposed with Sirius and Remus groaning and moaning about the unfairness of it all (which was fair given their circumstances, and Tonks was maybe just a bit playing up the hyperbole), and Tonks had to admit that plan, ‘Make Sure Harry Doesn’t Get Himself Killed’ had its upsides.
Tonks had a solid reputation to getting an early and solid read on other people. Inherently she chalked it up to the fact that in embodying the physical form of another it was easier to build up a sense of empathy actively walking a mile in their shoes. Harry was an interesting person even considering the Magical world in which they inhabited. Harry was much more mature than she’d have pegged a fourth year to be. Maybe having already faced multiple life-threatening events, saving the lives of others so many times, and having to shoulder the burden of being the Boy-Who-Lived, but where Tonks at his age had been running and gunning with mischief and fun as the most important aspects of life Harry appeared more subdued. Though could Tonks really fault Harrys serious outlook on the world?
Add in the sort of turmoil and hardship imposed on him through the bits she was able to surmise from coaxing Sirius and Remus to spill the horrors of that bland Muggle abode she also could see that Harry was wary of putting all of his trust in authority figures. And, Tonks could definitely empathize with that basic fact. Between her youthful age in both entering and graduating from Hogwarts and entering the Auror core she’d had her own run ins with authority figures that left a negative taste in her mouth. How many times had older men throughout her life made the comment with a leering gaze, ‘So can you transform ANY part of your body?’. No Tonks learned from a young age that an elder age doesn’t equate to maturity, knowledge, or righteousness.
But, finally there was something sorrowful lurking behind those green eyes of his. Tonks had only ever seen the depths of sadness within the eyes of Remus, Sirius, and others who survived the War with the Dark Lord. The melancholic tint of believing that the dark things in the world were not only real, but it was only a matter of time until they faced them again.
Tonks was shaken from her thoughts as a fall of footsteps made there way to the den. Tonks ears perked up as she heard what was becoming a pleasant voice to hear, “Tonks what are you doing up so late?”
Tonks followed Harrys sleepy form as he made his way around the couch and sat on the opposite end collapsing into the couch and slouching, “I’d say something really smart and humorful if the boring truth was that I had too much caffeine earlier… bloody hell yesterday I reckon now that it’s past midnight.”
Harry shook his head, “Ahh that makes sense. I still don’t get why people drink coffee? I accidently had some of my Uncles a few years ago and I swear it felt as though my heart was going to pound out of my chest.”
Tonks released a dry chuckle, “Trust me when you’re in the deep study sessions of your O.W.L.S you’ll come to the dark side, and besides if you end up being one of those weirdos like Remus who doesn’t touch the stuff then it will be a different conversation.”
Harry now laughed as he put his hands up, “Touche, how was work then?”
Tonks smile fell as she sank into the couch tilting her head against the head rest, “Ehh we closed a case which is a great feeling, but they’re never tell you about the paperwork at the academy Harry.”
Harry raised an eyebrow, “That bad then?”
Tonks gave Harry a curt nod, “Every piece of property damage, Muggle witnesses, and spell cast is a form in and of itself.”
Harry grimaced, “Merlin I already hate taking notes.”
Tonks, “Same here, but it’s all worth it knowing that you’ve helped folks. Besides the benefits of being partners with someone who is a bit more of a paper pusher means that it balances out in the end.”
Tonks now shook her hair that had fallen into her face as it grew to a spiky cut shorter than Harrys with golden blonde high lights amid the brown locks, “How’re you doing Harry? Remus told me that you haven’t been sleeping well lately. And, evidently midnight larks a norm for you?”
Harry looked away from Tonks to the low flames in the Weasleys fireplace, “So you all do talk about me then?”
Tonks reached over and poked his shoulder as Harry frowned returning her gaze, “Hey I know it feels like an invasion of privacy, and it completely is. But, Harry we all care about you, and you’re wellbeing is the top priority for us.”
Harry seemed to understand as he released a deep breath, “It’s mainly just been these glimpses while I sleep. They feel so real at times, but far away if that makes sense?” Tonks nodded with understanding in her light brown eyes, “I can’t really say where all of it is happening. But, it sometimes ends with a Muggle bloke getting killed…”
Tonks, “Merlin that’s brutal Harry, and are these dreams happening every night?”
Harry broke their gaze as he looked down to his hands in his lap, “Mostly later in the night, but yeah. It’s why I try to nap during the day. Something about the sun and daytime keeps them at bay.”
Tonks couldn’t imagine, and while she’d had her fair share of nightmares especially after becoming an Auror the frequency of these nightmares wasn’t a great sign. And, given that this was Harry that was confiding in her she felt a duty to probe a bit further for his own sake, “Harry have you told anyone about the specifics of these nightmares? Sirius, Remus, or even Dumbledore?”
Harry shook his head, “No, I don’t want to worry anyone. And, besides they’re just dreams right?”
Tonks, “If it were anyone one else, I might just label the hormones going right crazy in your nervous system right now, but…”
Harry peered over to her with a tired gaze, “Because it’s me you think I should let them know?”
Tonks replied with a slow nod, “I would advise it Harry. I won’t tell anyone about this, because there are aspects of your privacy, I still believe that you should have. But, given that you’ve had a link with You-Know-Who…”
Harry swallowed, “I’ll write Professor Dumbledore in the morning.”
Tonks didn’t smile, but gave Harry a grateful gaze, “Thank you Harry, and if it all ends up coming to nothing you can blame your Nutter of an Auror acquaintance.”
That won Tonks a small smile from Harry, and her lips widened as she celebrated internally her victory, “Tonks, how is it exactly Bill and you became friends? It seems like the Weasleys, and you go way back?”
Tonks hair shifted to a bright orange as she peered away as she thought back to just how she had met Bill. Tonks began regaling Harry with the simple tail. During her first years Tonks was the youngest admittance to Hogwarts given the unique nature that being a Metamorphagus instilled in a Witch or Wizard. Untrained Metamorphagus’ were known for their magic to spiral out of control as they aged without proper instruction. Following her sorting into Hufflepuff it had been the act of Bill stepping in following the Sorting Ceremony and first feast of the year as a group of fourth year Slytherins had surrounded Tonks slinging teasing and nasty comments towards her.
Though Tonks would swear that she could have taken them all on at once; it had been Bills quick thinking and reflexes that both defeated the Slytherins with a slough of hexes that sent them running from both Tonks and Bill. The rest was history really. That Tonks father Theodore worked with Author in the Ministry, and a year of detentions later Bill and Tonks had quickly become best friends.
Harry finally spoke up with a grin, “Bill sounds amazing! And, I get why everyone calls you such a talented Witch.”
Tonks scrunched her nose at the compliment, “We’re alright all things considered, and as you know the Weasleys are a special bunch.”
Harry nodded in agreement, “They are, and I’m grateful for them. Sometimes I feel like all that I do is bring them danger.”
Tonks watched in real time as Harrys self-doubt crept in, and instead of allowing him to wallow in it she sat back on the couch and adjusted her position so that her legs kicked up onto Harrys lap. Harrys green eyes went wide as he stared over at her with a perplexed expression, “What are you doing?”
Tonks shrugged with an innocent expression, “Oh if you’re just suddenly going to wallow in self-deprecating comments about yourself I might as well as get comfortable.”
Harry now shot her a smarting look, “I mean it’s true, isn’t it? Ever since I met the Weasleys Ron and Ginny have faced life threatening…”
Tonks cut Harry off with a look that had him quiet. It wasn’t anger; no it was a soft defiance, “Harry Ron and Ginny are lucky to have you as a friend just as much as you are them. And, given that Molley and Author speak about you with such care and adoration, I think that this family is glad that you came into their lives.”
Tonks watched as Harry’s gaze softened and he broke their staring as he now had a sad smile, “I’m just worried that someday I’m going to bring some sort of danger to them that I can’t save them from.”
Tonks tapped Harry’s thigh with her right foot as he looked back to her, “Harry you’re not alone in any of this, and besides you’ve got all of us to help. Remember that you’re not along, okay?”
Harry took a moment before nodding, “Thank you Tonks… really…”
Tonks nodded before turning to a more jubilant attitude, “Besides I bet that your life insurance policy is through the roof in case you actually kick the bucket.”
Harry waited a moment before pushing her legs off of his lap as Tonks snorted a laugh in surprise, and Harry now shot her a haughty smile, “That is so mean!”
Tonks shrugged, “It got you out of your self-imposed savior moment, and so I will call it a win.”
Harry shook his head, “How did you get sorted into Hufflepuff, and not Slytherin?”
Tonks brought a finger to her chin as her hair grew to down her back in a silky straight cascade with highlights of green and silver. Tonks twisted a lock in her finger as her now silver, blue eyes stared menacingly at Harry. Harry felt a chill roll down his spine as he both found her new look intimidating, and yet low-key enticing.
Tonks, “Dunno, can I pull of the Slytherin aura?”
Harry swallowed dryly as he nodded, “Um… I think you would have fit in just fine.”
Tonks raised an eyebrow, “It’s so easy to rile you up Harry.” Tonks hair reverted back to light brown spikes as she shared a laugh with Harry.
Harry, “Tonks?”
Tonks hummed a, “Hmm?”
Harry, “Do you think this year will be different? I mean… will I finally get a year where I’m not worried about the safety of my friends or myself?”
Tonks smile now fell as she grew serious, “I can’t tell you for sure Harry. But, what I can say is that I will be there for whatever it’s worth.”
Tonks felt Harry relax as he nodded and replied with a soft smile that made her chest warm knowing she had brought him to ease, “That definitely does.”
Tonks now shot Harry a wink, “Your own personal Auror bodyguard. All of the Witches will be green with envy.”
Harry now shrugged with a smile, “Tonks I think you have an over confidence in how I get along with other Witches in that way.”
Tonks narrowed her brown eyes, “You just wait Harry. Once you figure it out you’re going to have to escape your classes on that Firebolt of yours to escape the crowds of adoring fans.”
Harry shook his head in disbelief, “You’re on one Tonks.
Tonks, “We have to hype each other up Harry. It’s what friends are for.”
Harry now had a brilliant smile on his lips before yawning. Tonks looked over at the clock realizing it was nearly 2AM, “Harry you should probably try and go get some sleep even if it’s just a few hours.”
Harry nodded as he replied with a tired voice, “I’ll try, and you should too okay? Can’t have my bodyguard falling asleep on duty? How would that look to Kingsley?”
Tonks hair turned bright blonde and fell past her shoulders as her voice pitched higher as she replied with a sickly-sweet voice, “Rat on my taking a nap tomorrow Harry, and I’ll trap you in a closet on the first day the term, and spill to Myrtle you’re undying love for her.”
Harry paused before replying with a defeated voice, “You can be scary sometimes you know that right?”
Tonks voice fell to her usually raspy pitch as she grinned with her dimple apparent, “It’s always nice to be loved, but remember Harry that fear has its time and place aswell.”
Harry nodded as a grin spread across his face and he stood to make his leave to upstairs and his bed, “Noted, G’night Tonks. Sleep well.”
Tonks nodded after him with a smile, “You too Harry.”
After Harry had disappeared up the stairs Tonks finally felt the early hours catch up to her. Talking with Harry had left her with a warm feeling in her chest that rivaled a butterbeer on a cold day, and Tonks chalked it up to simply that Harry was a kind individual, and could hold a conversation very well for his age. Add in that he was a bloke who had yet to ask her to change her appearance, and she felt a kinship with the Wizard. Tonks summoned a blanket as she drifted off to sleep. Had she opened her eyes she would have realized that her hair had shortened to a simple raven colored bob. Tonks snuggled under the oversized blanket and let herself drift off into sleep. Maybe staying up so late wasn’t that bad after all?