Chapter 4
Harry couldn’t very well tell you the exact moment that a Summer that he’d hoped would have been simply better than his usually turned out to easily become the best of his short life. Harry woke up each morning with a deeper feeling of happiness rather than his usual dread when housed at the Dursleys for the Summer. From the laughs that Ron and he shared as they tried to speak and laugh while brushing their teeth without making so of a mess that Ginny hexed them both (Harry didn’t have to see her grade in charms to know that she was definitely advanced for her age); to the flying sessions with the Twins, Ron, and Ginny that made the afternoons blur into a kaleidoscope of adrenaline, laughter, and the occasional crash and burn into bushes.
This summer was already shaping up to the best that Harry could remember. So why was he in such a subdued mood as he stepped from the fireplace leading to Tonks apartment? Shouldn’t he be smiling that he was getting a chance to explore the Wizarding World even further as he spent the weekend alone with without a doubt his favorite Auror (not that Harry knew many at this stage in his life)? What was wrong with him?
Harrys green eyes surveyed the comfortable living room as he dropped his bag on his shoulder beside him. A brown faux leather couch and loveseat that both appeared soft and relaxing filled the room sitting atop a shaggy pink and purple rug that hid the hardwood underneath. The low thrum of the base rang out from the hallway that led to a bedroom of punk rock was oddly comforting to Harry who could shudder at the sterile creeks of his Aunt and Uncles. Harry felt rooted to the spot as though he were invading a private space he didn’t belong to.
Soon lazy footsteps plodded down the hallway as Harry was greeted with Tonks cheery voice, “Harry! I wasn’t expecting you until 2, but I’m glad you made it. Welcome!”
Tonks was clad in a black tank top, acid wash jeans with the knees ripped out, and grey socks. Harry nodded as he now gave her an awkward smile, “Err it’s nice to be here, and thank you again.”
Tonks waved her hand, “It’s nothing, and besides with the Weasley teens off from the Burrow this weekend Arthur and Molly can finally have some alone time.”
Harry gave Tonks an incredulous look as Tonks now laughed, “Come on Harry. Even adults need time to themselves to take care of it.”
Harry now shouldered his bag as Tonks watched his flushed face move passed her as she spoke down the hallway, “Guest room on the left is set up for you Mr. Prude!”
Harry muttered thanks as Tonks cracked up. After the past two weeks Tonks had come to realize that Harry was definitely to high strung for a teen. Inherently Tonks knew why, and she couldn’t fault him for it, but still it was a travesty and he needed to blow off some steam. Even if just for a weekend he got to feel like an ordinary teen, watching a move or two and listening to music, or just waxing on about mundane trivialities that elicited laughter or faux outrage he needed to simply be given the right to just be Harry. So that is what this weekend was for him as Tonks had devised the chilliest experience that she could think of based upon her research from Ron and the others.
Harry returned from the guest room as he found Tonks lying on the loveseat as she stared at him upside down, “Harry why so glib? You’re entering Tonks rocking apartment, and the only frowns allowed are when the Pizza delivery person forgets the ranch.”
Harry sat on the other couch as Tonks turned to her side, and he watched as her spiky grey hair turned a shoulder length white, “S’orry, I don’t mean to bring down the mood or anything.”
Tonks, “Would you like to talk about it?”
Harry played with the hem of his shirt before he released a deep breath. Something about Tonks, even with the limited time that they’d gotten to know each other caused Harry to feel as though he could trust her with his feelings. Which for a Wizard who had felt the betrayal of the adult who were supposed to look out for his best interest was saying something. As Harry spoke Tonks nodded intently as she didn’t interject and allowed him to say his piece. Harry leaned his head back as he covered readjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
Harry, “It doesn’t really make sense why I’m feeling this way, does it?”
Tonks now sat up as she crossed a leg under her, “Harry I’m not a therapist or anything, but you know that everything can be going right, and you just feel sad or blah. It’s not unnormal.”
Harry side eye gazed at her, “Yeah?”
Tonks nodded with a supportive glance, “Yeah, and besides sometimes when everything’s going well is when we feel like the rug is going to be pulled out from under us. So, feel all of this as you need to, and there isn’t going to be a but, ‘look at the bright side.’. Just let me know what you need, ‘right?”
Harry now gave Tonks a small grin as he nodded, “Right. Thank you, Tonks, really.”
Tonks waved her hand with a scrunch of her nose, “No need to thank me, and besides when I eventually hex you for waking me up tomorrow morning too early, you’re going to take that thank you back.”
Harry now had a cheeky grin, “I don’t know. Someone’s been teaching me how to more effectively use the shielding charm.”
Tonks crossed her arms, “I reckon this teacher is probably one of the best.”
Harry, “Well she does have this annoying ability to simply dodge by shrinking, so there’s that.”
Tonks now replied with a shrug, “Some talent just can’t be taught I’m afraid there Harry.”
Harry now laughed he replied, “So what about you? How’re things going in the world of Tonks?”
Tonks threw her head back as she slouched onto the couch, “Honestly things are fine overall at work. Been getting ahead of my reporting thanks to Kingsley’s pestering.”
Harry chuckled as Tonks rolled her eyes, “But, there’s been eerie things happening in the shadows of the Ministry.”
Harry raised an eyebrow, “I’m guessing related to…”
Tonks nodded, “‘Fraid so, but it’s been like trying to catch smoke with a net. So I’m working my leads, and doing my best to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”
Harry gave Tonks an appreciative smile, “You’re doing the best you can Tonks.”
Tonks now shot Harry a wink, “It’s all I can do. So, are you hungry?”
Harry looked at the clock, “But it’s not dinner…”
Tonks leapt to her feet as she pointed at Harry with narrowed eyes, but a devilish smile, “First rule of my home Harry. We eat when we feel like it.”
Harry raised an eyebrow, “That’s really the first rule?”
Tonks, “Second rule is that the rules are made up and the points don’t matter.”
Harry now laughed as he gave in, “So what are we having then?”
Tonks dropped her hand, “Oh only the best for my special guest. Chinese take out.”
Harry now tilted his head, “I’ve never actually had takeout before.”
Tonks replied with a chagrined voice, “My sweet and innocent Wizard, well tonight… we’re going to rectify this travesty.”
Harry shot Tonks a cheeky grin, “Count me in.”
An hour later and with a spread that Harry had to imagine rivaled Hogwarts across Tonks kitchen counter the two were sitting on the main couch digging into the food as Tonks eyes followed the action on the screen.
Harry, “So this Muggle bloke really just beats them with his whip?”
Tonks nodded in between a bite of lo-mein, “I reckon if he had magic he would have ended this movie simply by a simple disarming spell, but still you have to agree it’s pretty cool.”
Harry nodded with wide eyes, “Oh it definitely takes skill. Besides could you imagine attacking a Wizard with a whip like that? They’d be so confused you’d probably take them by surprise.”
Tonks grunted in agreement and the two finished the movie in a companionable silent appreciation of Harrison Ford, “I didn’t even know movies like this existed.”
Tonks turned off the TV as she swished her wand putting on background music, “Oh Harry we have a ton to catch you up on then.”
Harry turned to Tonks with a raised eyebrow, “Have you always been into Muggle movies and music then?”
Tonks curled her legs underneath her as her hair shortened to a bright teal, “I guess so. My mums a pureblood, but my father’s a Muggle born. So, time spent with his side of the family was always full of Muggle media.”
Harry nodded, “Does his side of the family know about magic then?”
Tonks nodded slightly, “He’s got a small family and just one brother, so they know, and it’s actually nice. Every time I show up it’s like I can do nothing wrong. Especially cleaning up after holiday dinners with a swish of my wand.”
Harry released a sigh, “I’m glad to hear that they get along with that aspect of you.”
Tonks could sense the tension, “Harry I’m sorry that your Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin are such tosser. But most Muggles that know about magic are fine people. If anything, your Aunt and Uncle are the exception with the few Muggles I’ve run into.”
Harry nodded slightly, “That does make me feel better.”
Tonks now smirked, “So if you want to go find yourself a Muggle girlfriend go ahead there Boy-Who-Lived.”
Harry rolled his eyes, “What’s with you and my love life?”
Tonks tilted her head, “Harry you’re a teenager about to enter one of the best years of your life. It’s okay to let loose a bit.”
Harry shrugged, “It’s not as though I don’t think certain Witches are nice to look at. It’s just that there’s usually something more important that comes up during the school year.”
Tonks, “I’m guessing that fighting a bloody Basilisk or Dementor can put a damper on the whole asking a Witch to Hogsmeade, huh?”
Harry now smirked, “Something like that… besides, what about you?”
Tonks raised a blue eyebrow, “What about me?”
Harry now narrowed his eyes, “Are you dating anyone? I’ve never heard you bring up a Witch or a Wizard before.”
Tonks now gave Harry a softer glance, “Don’t care if I preferred either then?”
Harry shrugged, “As long as your happy that’s all that matters, right?”
Tonks shook her head in appreciation for Harry’s honesty, “You’re a good bloke Harry. Anyways between being so much younger than most of my classmates at Hogwarts, and the work life balance of being the newbie on the team or lack thereof; dating has never really been in the cards for me.”
Harry, “I guess that makes sense on your end. Besides between Quidditch this next year and getting ready for classes I think I’ve more than got my hands full.”
Tonks couldn’t help herself, “Well don’t discount another type of getting your hands full.”
Harry shook his head, “You’re crass sometimes, you know that?”
Tonks snorted a laugh, “It’s part of the Hufflepuff charm.”
Tonks turned on another movie as Harry tuned into the movie, and she took the time to watch his expressions. Where when they had first met, she’d seen the tell tail signs of stress around Harrys tense shoulders she felt a twinge of victory that Harry was sitting sunken into the couch, and his shoulders were relaxed. Add in that his emerald, green eyes appeared bright as he chuckled at the comedy that she’d put on Tonks could admit that she understood more of what Sirius meant when he said that Harry needed more from them than just the protection of his physical form. Right now, Tonks was sure if an outsider walked into her apartment and saw Harry on the couch they would just shrug their shoulders and tell you that Harry was a normal teen.
Tonks could empathize with Harry’s plight. Being singled out from your first day at Hogwarts for something that was outside of your control. Always in the spotlight whether you liked it or not, and for Harry she clearly could see that he didn’t enjoy the attention from the throngs of Witches and Wizards around Wizarding Britain. Tonks was just lucky that at the very least in the summers that she returned home to her parents that she could let her guard down. But, after Harry’s confession of this being the first summer that Harry felt like a normal bloke Tonks felt an ache in her chest for the Wizard.
Harry broke Tonks from her reverie with a curious tone, “You’re staring at me.”
Tonks replied with a jovial but neutral tone, “You’ve got an interesting nose.”
Harry rolled his eyes as he kept watching the movie, “Says you.”
Tonks nodded as she stretched her legs out and nudged Harry’s thigh as he moved his arms from his lap and she placed them on his thighs as he lowered his hands to rest on her shins. Tonks wondered if this is what having a younger sibling was like? The ease of just speaking about whatever came to mind without worrying about any undertones of tension.
Tonks spoke with a softer voice, “Do you ever get lonely?”
Harry looked in her direction as he paused the movie, “In general? Or specifically at a certain time?”
Tonks shrugged, “Whichever.”
Harry rested the back of his head against the couch, “Not so much at Hogwarts when I’m with Hermione and Ron. With those two I feel like I’ve always got someone to lean on. With the Weasleys also I feel like there’s a bigger lot of people I know that will have my back. And, with Sirius now there’s someone I feel like I can rely on to challenge others for what’s best for me.”
Tonks gave Harry a gentle grin as she rested the side of her face on the couch, “What about from me?”
Harry took a moment as he tapped his thumb on her shin, “I can say that with you Tonks… no you definitely are in the making me feel like I’m not alone camp.”
Tonks beamed, “Solid.”
Harry now shot a question back, “Are you lonely? Do I make you feel less alone?”
Tonks hair grew pinker as she replied with a quizzical voice, “I’d say I’m lonelier now given that I’m off on my own. But, most of the time I don’t feel lonely. And Harry I’m stealing yours. So, no you make me feel like I’m not in camp lonely.”
Harry replied with a grin, “Well I’m glad to hear that. Why do you ask?”
Tonks furrowed her brow before finding the right words, “I was just thinking that we had a few things in common that would lead me to assume that you might be lonelier than the average bear.”
Harry chuckled at her Muggle use of expression, “I reckon that sometimes people care more about what you are than who you are?”
Tonks tapped Harry’s thigh in agreement, “Exactly.”
Harry, “Well we’re just two lonely people then.”
Tonks now smiled at Harry, “Oh didn’t they tell you in Divination Harry? Lonely people with magic gravitate towards each other.”
Harry released a dry chuckle, “I must have missed that lesson.”
Tonks shrugged, “Ehh don’t worry your pretty little head too much Divination never really comes in handy in the real world.”
Harry, “Horoscopes for the Wizarding world?”
Tonks replied with a huff, “Worst because some crackpots think a tea leaf in the shape of an arse means they’re going to get lucky.”
Harry released a deeper laugh that warmed Tonks ears. So, the two continued to watch the movie and Harry had to admit that he was feeling loads better than when he had arrived at Tonks apartment. And it wasn’t because she went out of her way to try and cheer him up. No, it was because just let Harry be Harry, and he still didn’t know exactly what that meant, but somehow Tonks had gotten him one step closer.
Tonks was about to make a comment on the movie to goad Harry towards another fit of laughter when she looked over, and the sight of Harry before her turned up the warmth in her heart another degree. Harry’s head was rolled on the back of the couch as his lips were parted just the bit as he dozed. His raven hair fell just above his eyebrows as his chest gave a slow rise and fall. Tonks looked at the clock and realized it was close to 10PM. Tonks extracted her long legs quietly as she waved her wand and Harrys floating form followed behind her.
Tonks laid Harry on the bed as the blanket rose to cover his form, and his head lay gently against the pillow. Tonks knelt beside the bed as she smoothed the fringe from his forehead. Tonks, “G’night Harry, sleep well.”
Harry leaned into her touch for a moment before Tonks stood and left him to wander into dream land safe in the fact that he was right where he needed to be.