Chapter 3
If three sheets to the wind was an axiom relegated for celebrations, then tag on another for the celebration that Tonks participated in last night. How could a Witch not celebrate with her fellow Aurors when she was the one to close a cold case that had vexed her senior teammates? Given that even Kingsley was in a joyous mood paying her way to overindulgence it was inevitable in hindsight that Tonks would overdue it. You couldn’t very well blame her for the third shot of Fire Whiskey following their team leader’s proclamation that Tonks was a once in the generation talent.
But, as all good things had to come to an end, and that the teeter totter of pleasure inevitably had to fall back to pain to maintain a semblance of an equilibrium Tonks was sure Morgana herself was exacting vengeance for Tonks having busted her in a past life. Tonks sat outside of the Burrow against a small oak tree shading her from the bloody enemy that was the sun for the day. Even the dark shades that Tonks had borrowed from Sirius, and casting an obscuring charm above the tree didn’t save her retinas from the sun’s annoying attempt to rouse her into a higher state of liveliness. Tonks had only been here a few times. Here being any sound set her mind on edge, and her stomach felt more turbulent than the English channel in December. The last time had been her graduation part at home following Hogwarts, and at least she’d had Andromedas motherly energy and care to guide her through that ordeal.
No Tonks was apathetically on her own for this one. With both Molly and Author out of the house, the Twins off on a weekend at Bills, and Ron and Ginny visiting the Lovegood’s for the day it was just Tonks to keep a tab on the only other inhabitant of the Burrow. And, after her brunt reprisal for Harry having dared utter words in her direction, she was sure that he got the memo to steer clear. It was for his best anyways, because Tonks could admit that when she was hungover, she gave a Cave Troll a run for its money in agitation. Maybe it was because she was so used to having solid control over her body, and state of being that the disorientation of a hangover set her on edge.
The careful footsteps of Harry across the yellowed summer grass immediately perked Tonks ears up. Tonks spoke with a low and slightly threatening tone, “Harry I swear if you don’t…”
Tonks nose perked up at the smell of a simple warmed sandwich, chips, and what was most definitely a drink that was spike with a bit of alcohol.
Harry replied with mirth apparently unphased by her gruff response to his presence, “I come in peace, and besides you need to eat something.”
Tonks swallowed dryly as Harry used his wand to float the meal to beside Tonks, and she opened her eyes under the shade visibly uncomfortable with the bright light. Tonks watched as Harry was about to turn around when she sighed to herself. Here Harry was being nothing more than a sweetheart bringing her a meal, and she was acting like a troll.
Tonks, “Harry I’m only kidding… sort of. And thank you for the meal.”
Harry turned back and nodded as Tonks patted the grass next to her. Harry slowly made his way to sit beside her stretching his legs out as Tonks folded herself into a crass cross sitting position and put the plate on her lap. Tonks grasped the sandwich and took a bite as her taste buds exploded with pleasure.
Tonks, “Mm… this is amazing!” Tonks said between bites.
Harry could only look on with a raised eyebrow as Tonks took another large bite, and washed it down with the Pumpkin Juice, “Err… Mr. Weasley said sometimes that to get over a hangover you need a bit of…”
Tonks, “Hair of the dog? Is it healthy? No, and is it based on science? Oh, most definitely not. But remember Harry the mind is a powerful tool.”
Harry shook his head, “I can’t get why drinking is so much fun if this is the end result.”
Harry motioned to Tonks disheveled state, and she had to admit that from the outside she probably was a bit of a mess. Her hair was a close-cropped mass of green and dark brown hair, her features were a bit washed out as her skin was closer to her usual pale self, and she was dressed in an old Weird Sisters t-shirt, ripped blue jeans, and scuffed up black boots.
Tonks, “You sure know how to make a Witch feel pretty there Harry.”
Tonks watched with amusement as Harry backtracked, “I didn’t mean that you look…”
Tonks elbowed his side, “I’m just messing with you, and besides I feel way worse on the inside. But, in moderation drinking isn’t all that bad.”
Harry shrugged with a smirk now, “I’ll take your word for it. Is there anything I can do to help out?”
Tonks placed the plate down as she rested her head against the smooth bark of the tree, “If you promise to make dinner tonight then you’ll have truly been my savior for the day.”
Harry nodded with a simple smile, “Something like that can be arranged. I’m guessing just water or juice for drinks?”
Tonks narrowed her eyes, “Easy there Seeker. Any more cheek from you and I might have to pull out my wand.”
Harry rolled his eyes, “I don’t know if you could curse the broad side of a Quidditch pitch at the moment.”
Tonks now released a snort of a laugh, “Oh I see it now you only pounce when your enemies weak?”
Harry nodded, “You’re the one who keeps says, ‘Constant vigilance.’”
Tonks grimaced, “Merlin I’m becoming Mad-Eye…” Tonks shuddered as Harry now laughed.
Tonks, “S’orry about earlier. I was just in a bad state earlier, but I shouldn’t have been so short with you.”
Harry shook his head, “No need to apologize. You’re curtness was nothing compared to the Dursleys.”
Tonks tilted her head, “Sirius has told me some stories that you’ve shared with him. If you ever want to talk about its Harry…”
Harry peered away as his eyes moved about around the Burrow, “I’m alright, thank you.”
Tonks nodded not wanting to push him any further, “You are one of the few people not to completely run away from me when I’m on a rampage being hungover and such.”
Harry now looked to Tonks with an understanding expression, “I’ve been known to lose control of my temper at times, and besides the fact that your hair turned redder and thicker than the Weasleys kind of took my attention away from your yelling.”
Tonks smiled meekly, “Yeah… it has a habit of doing that when my emotions get a bit out of control.”
Harry now gave Tonks a curious gaze, “Do all of your emotions have a specific hair color or type?”
Tonks released a sigh, “’Fraid so. It’s not exactly a one to one based on the emotion. But I have a pattern of hair colors, types, and my features depending on a whole host of experiences, settings, and depending on who I’m with.”
Harry nodded as he replied, “I’m guessing when you were younger it was a lot harder to control?”
Tonks smoothed out her wrinkled jeans, “Something like that. It’s one of the main reasons that I started at Hogwarts so young. Unchecked Metamorphagus can hurt themselves if they don’t get a handle on their transformation. Contorted bones and such.”
Harry grimaced in imagining the outcomes of a tantrum with such an ability, “I once had all of the bones in my arm transfigured away… having it bend in such an unnatural way stills leaves me with a pit in my stomach.”
Tonks scrunched her nose in disgust imagining such a sight, “I read about that in a report from the Auror who booked that charlatan. I still can’t believe he made it passed the board for Hogwarts.”
Harry shrugged, “I’m beginning to suspect that not all of them are completely checked into what goes on at Hogwarts.”
Tonks snorted, “Tell me about it. So many so-called leaders in the Ministry are away from the bloody country half the time at the Villas or trapsing around. Try getting a form routed through main leadership in a timely fashion.”
Harry peered to Tonks now, “I’m guessing you’re bit of a rule breaker at work?”
Tonks now lifted her shades as Harry noted they were a bright silver blue, “Oh like you wouldn’t believe. But, always in support of the mission. And, besides as long as you closed the case usually you get away with only a slap on the wrist.”
Harry nodded as he had an appreciative smile on his lips. Tonks leaned over to bump her shoulder against Harrys as she felt her stomach finally settle, “I’m going to head in and shower and use the loo to freshen up. I have to push through some reports, and so I’ll see you in an hour or two?”
Harry gave Tonks a nod as he stood and reached out his hand to help Tonks up. Tonks grasped his calloused hand from years of broom riding as she got up and tripped over her untied lace. Bloody of course she thought.
Harrys quick reflexes caught Tonks off guard as he steadied her. Harrys hands gripped her slim shoulders as she released a sigh, “Thanks Harry. I’d have biffed it if it weren’t for you.”
Harry released her with a shrug, “It’s alright. Besides Sirius told me you have a habit of tripping over yourself and inanimate objects at times.”
Tonks narrowed her eyes as her hair shown tendrils of red, “Oh he did, huh?”
Where most others would have backtracked immediately Harry simply found Tonks change of hair as a warning as oddly endearing, “You don’t have to worry though. Outside of flying I trip quite frequently as well. I toss it up to we’re so on our toes when the broom actually meets the sky that when we’re relaxed our body takes a break with the whole coordination situation.”
Tonks stared blankly before a brilliant smile crossed her face. Harry was rewarded with receding red and now bubble-gum pink as Tonks replied, “I never thought about it that way Harry, and I’m completely stealing that from you now.”
Harry, “Go ahead. I’ll see you in a bit Tonks.”
Tonks nodded as she shot Harry a wink and went inside. Tonks was in the middle of her shower as she sighed once she rinsed out her bubble gum pink close-cropped hair. Finally, she was feeling like a functional adult again, and if she were to be honest as far as days with hangovers went this one turned out to be the most pleasant. Outside of preconceived notions Tonks wasn’t one who much cared about being in crowds or the center of attention. Tonks by the nature of her ability could simultaneously stand out, and just moments later blend into the background. Though she was boisterous as a front, and she admitted that she let her emotions show freely; spending time alone was something that Tonks craved. Especially since becoming an Auror having to share bunks with her fellow teammates meant that her time in private spaces, and even bathrooms were limited.
Harry was really a sweetheart to have brough her lunch. Tonks was telling Harry the truth when she said that most people who got to see hungover Tonks ran for the hills. And, if they knew anything about her when her hair turned red, they usually knew to back off. But Harry didn’t seem at all phased regarding a traditional fear response. No, he met her brief bristling of non-delight with a cool headedness that she had to give him credit for. Tonks stepped out of the shower and wrapped the beige towel around her torso. Tonks stepped in front of the mirror as she cast a drying spell on her hair.
Tonks, now dark brown eyes studied her form in the slightly foggy mirror. Tonks relaxed her muscles as her pixie cut pink hair shifted towards a dark hombre of black and brown strands that fell just past her shoulders. She grew an inch in height as her hips trimmed down to a slenderer size. Tonks shoulders narrowed as well, and her chest expanded just the bit. Tonks skin muted to a lighter shade of white as finally she smiled to herself lazily as her noticeable one dimple displayed on her angular cheek. Tonks knew that the Black genes ran strong in her family. As denoted by her thicker than she’d like to admit brown hair and angular cheeks she could see the resemblance with her Mum and Sirius clearly. But Tonks smile faltered as she shut down that train of thought as a darker tinge to the family connection with the Blacks began to stir stories of branches of the family better pruned.
Tonks ran her slender fingers through her hair as it shortened to ear length and turned a silvery blue. Tonks shrank two inches as she put on her Hufflepuff jumper that fell off her right shoulder revealing her color bone and alabaster skin. Tonks pulled on her black leggings, and fuzzy black socks. Tonks stepped out of the bathroom as the delicious scent of beef stew wafted into her nostrils. Tonks stomached growled, and she knew that she was feeling better to say the least. Tonks trapsed into the kitchen as she saw Harry standing at the stove stirring what she surmised was the stew that he was crafting for dinner. Tonks studied his lithe form clad in a red t-shirt and grey sweats to see if he had noticed her entrance into the kitchen.
Tonks felt like the cat was stalking its helpless bunny friend as she tiptoed silently just behind Harry. Tonks stopped behind Harry as she plopped her chin onto Harrys right shoulder as she peered down at the brown broth and ingredients simmering as he stirred. Tonks spoke with her raspy voice as she marveled at the scrumptious looking liquid and meat, “Smells wonderful.”
Tonks had to bet that Harry either had the greatest poker face known to all humankind, or he’d heard her leave the bathroom as he replied with a shrug that lifted her chin with its rise and fall, “It’s just stew, and besides it’s nowhere near as good as Mrs. Weasleys.”
Tonks rolled her eyes as she replied, “I’d doubt that, Harry. If the great sandwich that you made is any indication, I’m sure it’s up to snuff of giving Mrs. Weasleys cooking a run for her money.”
Tonks tried to move her head under Harry’s arm from behind as she muscled her way for a taste which elicited a surprised chuckle from Harry as he simply stepped aside, and Tonks lifted the lade to her pink lips. As the rich flavor of the broth trickled down her taste buds, and warmed her throat she released a contented sigh.
Tonks, “Harry that tastes brilliant. You have to stop being so modest.”
Harry, “I’m glad that it’s edible. Now don’t you have some reports too get to?”
Tonks handed Harry the ladle as she bumped his shoulder with a side eye, “Spoil sport.”
Harry now raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you the one who’s supposed to be keeping an eye on me to make sure that I’m not getting up to trouble?”
Tonks scrunched her nose, “Such a goodie goodie Harry.”
Harry rolled his eyes, “I’ll let you know once it’s ready.”
Tonks shot Harry a small grin and nod as she sat down at the table and summoned her bag and worked through the reports. There wasn’t anything major in the reports, but just some administrative loose ends. Half an hour later Tonks was through her papers as she stowed them in her bag. Harry must have had a solid sixth sense because his calm voice rang out from the kitchen, “Is now a good time?”
Tonks, “It’s perfect! I’m all done.”
Tonks watched as two bowls of stew and a plate of warm buns floated to the table. Tonks grasped her bowl as she eyed the food hungrily. Harry joined, sitting across the table as they both took their spoons. Tonks, “Harry this looks wonderful, thank you.”
Harry nodded, “It’s nothing really.”
Tonks sipped at the stew as she sighed as she had her fill. Harry could only look on as Tonks enjoyed the fruits of his labor. Harry found that before leaving the Dursleys cooking was nothing more than a means to remain out of reach of their snide remarks and negative actions. But, getting to cook for his friends meant that cooking held a warmer meeting than he thought it could.
Tonks spoke between bites of her bun, “What’s got you so deep in thought over there?”
Harry, “I’m just glad that you like it.”
Tonks eyes widened, “Like it? Harry, if it were up to me, I’d pack you up, and have you as my live in chef. What I couldn’t pay monetarily I would more than make up in good cheer and moral support.”
Harry spoke without thinking, “Maybe at some point this Summer I could come over then?”
Tonks wiggled her blue eyebrows, “Trying to see where the magic happens then?”
Harry didn’t take the bait, “I think more worried that if you think my cooking is so great, you’re surviving off of takeout.”
Tonks snorted into her bite, “Touche Harry, and I can fend for myself you know? I know how to make Chinese takeout last for a few days.”
Harry nodded with a grin, “I bet.”
Tonks sat back with a full stomach as she studied Harry, “Even if the Burrow is loads better than your usual Summer it’s still a bit stir crazy being stuck in one place, huh?”
Harry now had a frown as Tonks continued, “It’s okay Harry I’m not going to rat you out to Molly or anything, and besides a little change of scenery would be nice for the both of us.”
Tonks noticed that his eyes lit up, and Tonks reciprocated his grin, “Really Tonks? I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
Tonks waved her hand, “I think it should be fine, and besides rules are meant to be broken for the greater good right?”
Harry now had a brilliant smile on his face, and Tonks inwardly high fived herself that she was the cause. As they finished their dinner Harry had to admit that having dinner with Tonks wasn’t just fun; it felt comfortable.