Chapter 13
Tonks stood in the shadow of the court as the Wizengamot went back and forth with Professor Dumbledore. Tonks charcoal grey eyes flitted back from Fudge’s flustered cheeks to Dumbledore’s careful, calm, and cool tone as he schooled the Minister of Magic and his acolytes. As much as Tonks enjoyed the little detour of a show her eyes once again fell onto the Wizard who sat upright taking the entire experience with a tight expression is disbelief and frustration.
Harry was too young to be going through all of this, and Tonks felt another mark on her desire to continue service for a Ministry that would subject an obviously innocent Wizard to this amount of legalistic charade. Clearly after the investigation was done the sightings of the two Dementors was proven, and if it had been any other underage Witch or Wizard this case would have stopped there. But, as much as Tonks knew that Harry wished to just be another face in the crowd he was more, at least Wizarding Britain deemed him more.
Tonks hadn’t any time in the last few days between her cases to get one on one time with Harry albeit it for just a few moments before Mr. Weasley and he had stepped out to begin their trek to the Ministry.
Tonks stepped out from the kitchen as she grasped Harry’s hand as he nearly yelped in surprise. Tonks ushered him into the sitting room as he turned towards her with a small frown. Neither said a word as Tonks sized him up. Clad in a sports jacket, blue jeans, and a nicer pair of trainers in any other circumstance, Tonks would have made a cheeky remark about how well Harry could clean up.
Yet, Tonks couldn’t begin to fathom the stress and anxiety that Harry must have been feeling. So, Tonks did the first think that came to her mind. Tonks wrapped her arms around Harrys torso as she brought him in for a tight hug. Harry reciprocated quickly as his arms wrapped around her middle. Harry buried his nose and face into the crook of Tonks neck as she nuzzled his raven locks with the side of her face. Tonks stroked the back of Harrys neck as she spoke with a gentle tone.
Tonks spoke with a serious tone, “Don’t say anything until your Solicitor arrives, and don’t give them in an inch. You’ll be alright.”
Harry nodded into the crook of her neck as Tonks felt her stomach clench. Stepping back as Mr. Weasley called for Harry Tonks held his gaze. Raising a hand she smoothed the fringe of his shorter locks and gave him a lopsided smile. Harry steeled his gaze as he nodded and left wordlessly.
Tonks had to pull a few strings to be allowed access into the chamber, and it was taking everything in her willpower not to hex the whole lot of them and rescue Harry back to Grimmauld Place. With Dumbledore’s arrival though the trial was short lived, and Tonks could breathe a bit easier knowing that Harry was found innocent. Still as Tonks shrank back into the shadows and went about her day she counted down the hours until she was back at Grimmauld Place that night.
Later that Evening.
Harry sat muted in his room as he tried to no avail to calm his mind. It was as though every time he might feel himself nod off a sudden shock of micro stress would jolt him awake. Even with his verdict of innocence it did little to appease his downturned view of the Ministry for the very fact that he’d even been brought up on an inquiry in the first place. If this treatment is what Harry got in defending himself and others; what would happen once it happened again in the future? For Merlin’s sake what did they expect Harry to do when Voldemort and the Death Eaters finally decided to show their murky faces and go on the offensive against Wizarding Britain? Was Harry expected to simply sit back and take the violence and threats to his friends and self with his wand tied behind his back?
Harry finally stood as he threw over the bed covers with a small grunt of frustration. Harry found himself moments later at Tonks door as he hesitated to knock. She was probably sound asleep, and Harry now felt a frown grow on his lips as he nearly slunk back to his room chiding himself for dragging Tonks into his funk of a mood. But, call it serendipity because the door to Tonks room opened quietly as she came into view.
Harry didn’t exactly know why at this very moment, but it finally registered in his mind; Tonks was absolutely beautiful. Tonks wavy and full dark brown hair held streaks of turqiose and was pulled into a loose bun. Her heart shaped face stared at Harry with curiosity, worry, and relief. Tonks charcoal brown eyes met his green irises, and a small grin grew on her full pink lips.
Tonks spoke with her hip calked to the side, “Are you just going to stand there, or do you want to come in?”
Harry rolled his eyes but fought the dumb smile sporting on his lips as his mood was lifted just the bit. Harry brushed past Tonks shoulder as he made his way past her, but Tonks apparently found this graze as a challenge. Tonks whirled Harry around by his arm as he found himself pinned against the door. Tonks had a hand pressed beside Harry’s head, and her other came to run through Harrys hair. Harrys eyes fluttered close as she continued her ministrations and he felt a shiver run down his spine. Harry opened his eyes just a bit as Tonks leaned her forehead against his own, and Tonks spoke with a low tone, “Can’t sleep then?”
Harry shook his head not really trusting his voice at the moment, and Tonks nodded slightly. Tonks searched his gaze for a moment before she stepped back and dropped her hand to grasp Harrys. Harry followed as Tonks brought him to her bed, and she pulled him to join her. In a few more moments Harry’s head was resting on Tonks chest as their legs were intertwined. Tonks kissed the top of Harrys head as they both drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow they could deal with the fallout of it all, for right now they would rest.
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Author: Still working on this! Life's gotten wild like many people, but still committed to finishing this! Thank you for your continued support.