Chapter 14: Tonksie Tantrums

"Dora?"

Andromeda looked up from watching her favorite soap as her daughter entered the living room. "How was your first patrol dear?"

"I'll tell you about it later mum." Tonks said softly. "I just need to freshen up."

"Okay... I saved a plate of spaghetti for you." Andromeda said. "Is Kit with you? I haven't seen him all day, and we were supposed to watch Return of the Jedi."

Tonks's eyes watered and she bit her lip at the mention of her familiar's name. "I don't think Kit's coming back mum."

"Oh." Andromeda's face fell. "Go on dear. I think a nice bath will help you."

Tonks nodded and headed up the stairs to her room. She threw herself towards her bed and she replayed the events that happened earlier. She was about to get killed when Kit arrived and saved her from certain death.

She hugged her pillow as her thoughts drifted to her masked savior who she knew to be her beloved Kit. He was an animagus... that she was certain. And judging by the sound of his voice, he was a young boy, from eleven to twelve years old.

He was a human after all, pretending to be a cat. Tonks finally realized why Kit liked to wander for hours at a time, sometimes not even returning causing her sleepless nights filled with worry. She was confused now, wondering what to do with this shocking revelation. One thing she was sure though, she missed Kit badly.

After she had taken a long bath, Tonks headed to the kitchen and found the plate of spaghetti waiting for her. She immediately dug in to the food, hungry from the ordeal she went through earlier.

"Dora?"

Tonks looked up and saw her mother enter the kitchen, carrying a strange book.

"What's that mum?" Tonks asked.

"It's just some photos I collected." Andromeda said. She sat down beside her daughter and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Open it... I think this will be a good time for closure."

"Mum?" Tonks asked.

"Did... did poor Kit got ran over by a car?" Andromeda's voice shook as her courage finally failed. She was fond of the young cat, and considered him to be a part of her small family.

"Kit got ran over by a car?" Tonks shrieked.

The Metamorphagus burst into tears, imagining a dozen horrible scenarios for her mysterious familiar as he tried to return to her.

"I don't know! How did Kit die?" Andromeda said in confusion. "I was just asking what caused his death. I got these photos of Kit with you, to help remember him."

"Don't say things like that mum! Kit isn't dead!" Tonks yelled. She wiped her tears with her sleeve and opened the album. She saw the picture of her lying in the couch reading the auror manual while Kit dozed beside her. New tears sprouted from her eyes as she looked at her familiar once more. "He... he ran away."

"Dora... Kit knows this is his home." Andromeda said, relieved to know that Kit was not dead like she feared. "He'll come back."

"I don't think he will." Tonks mumbled.

*************************

"Where is Mister Potter?" Minerva McGonagall frowned when she noticed the seat where Harry usually sat was vacant. She immediately turned to the two girls that usually sat beside the Boy-Who-Lived and raised one brow at them. "Ms. Granger?"

"I don't know professor. He was with us in breakfast..." Hermione replied. "I thought he forgot his book and went back to the dorms to get it..."

"Inform Mr. Potter that he will receive a detention tonight." McGonagall said.

"Yes Professor." Hermione said, relieved that her friend didn't cost her house points. She exchanged worried looks with Padma wondering why Harry had cut class. Their aloof friend had the unusual habit of stealing quick naps here and there, but he never failed to attend class.

After their Transfiguration class, Hermione and Padma immediately searched Harry's known sleeping spots, but the two were unable to find their missing friend.

"It's no use, when that boy doesn't want to be found, nobody can find him." Padma dropped her bag on the ground and sat under their favorite tree.

"Still, what if he got hurt? Or injured?" Hermione fretted. "This isn't like him."

"Hermione, he's the smartest student in charms and transfiguration." Padma said. "You may think he's harmless, but I've seen him in charms class."

"What are you saying? Yes, Harry is always the one to master the lesson..."

"You didn't see it did you?" Padma smiled. "You were too busy looking at his face."

"Padma!" Hermione scolded her friend as she felt her cheeks heat up. "I don't have a crush on Harry! Besides... he's betrothed to that French girl."

"Fine... I'll drop it." Padma grinned knowingly. She knew Hermione still harbored some hope for Harry. "What I'm talking about is how he handles the spells in class. Harry looks... bored in the lesson. It's like he knows all about it."

"He is unusually gifted in charms. Even Professor Flitwick said so." Hermione mused. "I wonder if he's holding back on us?"

"That's exactly what he's doing." Padma nodded. "He can't be using all that free time just sleeping..."

WHOOOMP!

Hermione and Padma shrieked when a figure fell down on the mound of snow a few feet in front of them. The two girls immediately drew their wands, only to stop when the figure dusted the snow from his hair and clothes.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted.

"Huh?" Harry was still dizzy from the fall. One moment he was having a vivid dream and then the next moment he was buried under the snow.

"Are you alright?" Hermione hurried to check if Harry did not sustain any injuries.

"What are you doing up there?" Padma asked. "Wait... you were sleeping again, weren't you?"

"Yeah." Harry replied.

"How can you sleep in this weather?" Hermione asked. "We've been looking all over the place for you!"

"Warming charms." Harry replied. "Why were you looking for me?"

"You've missed Transfiguration!" Hermione said. "I can't believe you cut class just so you can sleep! That is so irresponsible of you!"

"I had a lot of things to think about alright?" Harry snapped back. Hermione immediately closed her mouth and stared at her friend with shock written on her face. Harry never got mad at anyone, and it was the first time she saw her friend display that kind of emotion.

"Harry? What's wrong?" Padma asked.

"Nothing." Harry mumbled. "I'm just in a mood today."

"Harry... Professor McGonagall told us to tell you that you have detention with her tonight." Hermione said softly, afraid that Harry was mad at her.

"Right. Thanks Hermione." Harry said. He looked at his wristwatch and sighed. About this time he would have been in Tonks' house for his 'lunch' of fresh tuna. "I better get back to the dorms. See you later."

Harry walked away from the two girls, not seeing the expressions of shock and worry in their faces.

"What's wrong with him?" Hermione whispered, afraid that Harry could still hear their conversation.

"I don't know... I've never seen him like that." Padma said.

************************

"I don't understand how I found her." Harry confessed. "I just felt that she was in danger, and she was."

"That was still reckless of you to do that." Penny admonished her 'grandson'. "What if you got hurt?"

"I had surprise on my side." Harry mumbled. For once he was not playing with the toys littered around the study, but was just sitting patiently at the chair in front of the desk.

"Is it because of the familiar bond?" Harry asked.

"That's what I was thinking." Nicholas mused. "There has never been a reported case of an animagus forming a familiar bond with a witch or wizard. I suspect this could be the answer."

"But how?" Harry asked.

"Have you ever wondered how Owls managed to deliver mails to their recipients?" Nicholas asked.

"I thought they are just really smart." Harry said.

"They're that, and they use a variation of the familiar bond to find the person they will deliver the mail to." Nicholas said. "It's not as strong as a familiar bond, but it gets the job done. That's why witches and wizards rely on owls for communication."

"You should try to talk to her Harry." Penny advised. "This isn't like you. Julian told me that you're not acting like yourself these past few weeks."

"I don't know." Harry said.

"You can't always run away from your troubles Harry. Sooner or later you have to face them, head on." Penny advised. "And we're always here to help you."

"I'll consider it." Harry replied. He stood up and kissed Penny in the cheek before vanishing.

***********************

"Look at the bookworms." Malfoy said. He spotted the group of second year Ravenclaws studying in the library and decided to pay them a visit. "Do you claws even have a social life?"

Michael Corner frowned at the Slytherin and his two bodyguards. "What do you want Malfoy?"

"I just want to say that you better prepare against us after we defeated those Gryffindor dunderheads this Saturday." Malfoy said. "I'm the new seeker of the Slytherin Quidditch Team."

"That's nice of you." Hermione said. "Now please leave, we are doing our revisions."

"I wasn't talking to you Mudblood." Draco said. He smiled in satisfaction as the three Ravens gasped in indignation while their fourth member ignored the conversation entirely.

"What about you Potter?" Draco decided to taunt the famous Boy-Who-Lived. He had tried several times in the past but his fellow second year always refused to take the bait. "I must say it is fitting for you to get betrothed to a half blood freak like yourself... still it's a better choice than a mudblood."

Hermione was about to draw her wand from her robes but was stopped by Padma who grabbed her elbow.

"I really don't have the patience with you right now Malfoy." Harry looked up from his notes and stared at the annoying Slytherin. "Leave... now."

Malfoy looked taken aback at Harry Potter's statement. He looked at those green eyes that stared at him and despite his two bodyguards, he suddenly felt uncomfortable. "And if we don't?" Draco replied.

Harry Potter smiled, but it was not the usual friendly smile he wore after a satisfying meal, but one that meant a promise of something else, something sinister.

"Let's go." Draco said to his guards and walked away. He looked back at the Ravenclaws and noticed that those green eyes were still looking at him and he suddenly felt a cold chill up his spine.

"Whoa." Michael said. "I never thought you could pull off the intimidating card."

Harry smiled faintly at his friends and went back to his work.

******************

"You're late mate."

"I just finished detention with your head of house." Harry said.

"What did you do?" George Weasley asked.

"I skived from Transfiguration." Harry said.

"Like a true Marauder." Fred beamed at their new accomplice. "Now, are you ready?"

"Yep." Harry replied. "Let's get to it."

Harry followed the Weasley Twins through a series of secret passageways, and after making sure they were not followed, headed towards the secret tunnel to Hogsmeade.

"Where to first?" Harry whispered.

"The candy shop." Fred said. "I promised Alicia that I'll get her some chocolates."

"Fred here is trying to woo Alicia." George teased.

"At least I have a steady date for the Hogsmeade weekends." Fred argued. "It's only a matter of time before she becomes my girlfriend. What about you dear Twin, are you going to play tag along during my date?"

"I'm just smart enough not to commit myself too early." George said."Though if a hot Veela decided to sink her claws into me, who am I to say no?"

George winked at Harry and patted him in the shoulder. "You're my role model."

"Huh?" Harry asked.

"George here wants a Veela girl too." Fred sighed. "As if that's going to happen."

"You know, Fleur has many cousins your age." Harry grinned. "I could introduce a few to you George."

"You'd do that mate?" George asked, his eyes wide with hope.

"Of course... provided you help me in a project." Harry said. "It's going to be risky though."

"Say no more... I'm in!" George said eagerly. "Just leave my poor and uneducated twin with Alicia."

"Hey... can you introduce a girl for me too?" Fred whined.

"What about Alicia then?" George asked.

"Crap." Fred whispered. "Alicia really has a nice rack. Give it a few more years and she'll be the biggest in Gryffindor."

"Nah... Katie is bigger compared to Alicia at that age." George argued. "She also has a petite frame, and that makes her breasts bigger on her."

"Do all you think about is sex?" Harry asked.

"Yes!" the Weasley twins replied. "Now let's hurry up, we might get lucky and find Madam Rosmerta wearing that low cut dress again."

Harry laughed and followed the twins through the dark tunnel, his mood better after seeing the amusing antics of the Weasley Twins.

*****************

"Why don't you go out with your friends dear?" Andromeda asked. "You can't spend all your free time moping around the house."

"I don't feel like it mum." Tonks said. She continued to flip the channel, looking for a good movie to watch. After a few minutes she gave up. It wasn't the same without Kit curled up on her lap or right in front of the telly watching the screen with fascination.

"You have anything good to read mum?" Tonks said as she turned off the telly.

"Just the usual magazines." Andromeda pointed to the stack of magazines. "There's a good article about Harry Potter somewhere there. You met him personally, didn't you?"

"Yeah." Tonks said absently. She took the Witch Weekly from the stack and stared at the colored cover of the magazine where Harry Potter was featured prominently. The-Boy-Who-Lived was blinking his eyes as a flash from a camera surprised him and Tonks smiled when she remembered her meeting with him.

She was sure that Harry Potter found her name amusing, even though he denied it. When she met him at Diagon Alley, she was sure that she had met him before and his even his eyes were like Kit's...

"That idiot!" Tonks stood up as realization of the events dawned on her.

"Dora? What's wrong?" Andromeda asked.

"Nothing Mum." Tonks said. She had wondered how Kit... or Harry found her and she finally realized it was through the bond. She had half a mind to storm Hogwarts and confront Harry Potter but she decided against it after considering what it will do to him. One thing that puzzled her though, was how Harry Potter or Kit managed to travel from place to place so quickly?

If Harry could find her location through the bond, she decided to use it to locate him through it. She focused all her concentration on her familiar and she smiled when she realized his location. It seems that Harry decided to take on a late night romp well outside Hogwarts.

"I'm going out." Tonks said suddenly. She moved to the closet and took out a thick jacket and her gloves when she noticed the snow was falling heavily outside the yard. If it was cold here in London, then it would be colder up north.

"Where to dear?" Andromeda asked.

"The Three Broomsticks." Tonks grinned.

*******************

"Can't we go any faster?" Harry complained as the chill wind took the warmth from his body. "Warming charms don't work too well when you're mobile you know."

"It's not my fault that you didn't think ahead Harry." Fred said. "Besides, blame it on George here, he took a lot of time buying those old issues of Playwizard."

"It had an issue of a Veela centerfold!" George said. "I'm sure the boys back in the dorms will pay a handsome price for it."

"Not before you jerk the hell out of it." Fred muttered. "Did you see what Madam Rosmerta was wearing?"

"Yeah! It was almost scandalous!"George said happily. "It was so thin too! And against the cold, it was an amazing sight!"

"Harry, you should come with us more often." George turned to their young companion. "You're like our lucky charm! Rosmerta never wore clothes that revealing!"

Harry grinned and adjusted the crate of butterbeer he was tasked to carry. He was about to reply when he tensed when he spotted a familiar figure walking towards them. He tried to quicken his pace but the figure changed directions, intent on intercepting their path back to the candy store.

"Fred, George, why don't you go ahead?" Harry asked through the cold wind. "I have some other business to deal with."

"You sure Harry?" Fred asked. He looked at the approaching figure and patted the wand in his robes. "I don't like leaving you out here alone."

"Positive." Harry nodded. "Relax guys, I know this person."

"We'll wait for you at the hideout." George said. "You memorized the way back right?"

"I have the map." Harry said. "Go on you guys."

Fred and George nodded and headed back to the candy store where the entrance to the tunnel was located. Instead of heading in right away, they moved to the dark alley to keep an eye on the young raven. If there was any sign of trouble, they would be ready to step in and help their accomplice.

Harry stopped walking and shivered again against the cold wind as Tonks headed towards him. He felt nervous and anxious at what her reaction will be.

He almost dropped the crate on the soft snow as Tonks immediately hugged him. His face must have shown shock and surprise as Tonks smiled softly when she saw his face.

"Where have you been?" Tonks scolded her familiar. "Do you know how worried I am about you?"

"Uhhh..." Harry was unable to move from where he was standing. "You... you know about me?"

"Of course!" Tonks replied. She inspected Harry and smiled when she saw those green eyes. "I figured it out a while ago. You have some explaining to do... Kit."

"I don't know what to say." Harry confessed. He was still shocked at what was happening and at Tonks' reaction. He was sure she would be furious with him, but he knew she was feeling relived right at this moment.

"Let's go to the Three broomsticks, they have some private rooms in there." Tonks said. She hugged the young buy and tears of relief fell down her face. She thought she lost Kit forever, but here he was, standing in front of her. "You're shivering... what are you thinking walking around in the cold without proper clothing?"

"Come on... Harry. Let's get some tea in you to warm you up." Tonks dragged her young companion inside the three broomsticks as the cold wind howled against their bodies.

*************

"Bloody hell." George whispered. "I swear... Harry... he's like some sort of Sex God."

Fred nodded dumbly at his twin's statement. "Do you think he'll tell us his secrets? That witch was good looking, and she has a nice butt too."

"He sure has good taste in women." George said. "Let's get back to the hideout. I think Harry will spend quite a few hours 'talking' with that witch in the private rooms."

"Lucky bugger, that girl was hot." Fred said. He looked at the two figures huddled together before heading back into the candy store.

"Too bad we can't tell this news to the guys." George said. "They'll eat up this latest erotic adventure of Harry Potter."

"Who says we can't?" Fred grinned.

***************

Harry followed his 'owner' with his head ducked down. Thankfully Rosmerta's assistant was the one manning the bar and did not bother giving the two new arrivals a second glance. Harry felt nervous and had wondered if this was such a good idea. He looked back at the door and wondered if he could make a run for it, but Tonks' grip on his hand tightened, as if sensing his intentions.

"Some hot chocolate please... and some sandwiches." Tonks said to the barman. "Just send it to the private room."

The barman nodded and Tonks headed down the corridor, dragging a nervous Harry with him. Both witch and wizard did not speak as they entered the room, and Harry sat on the couch while Tonks sat on the other end.

The young thief looked up to see if Tonks was mad, but he immediately lowered his head when he saw Tonks was observing him. After what seems like a long time for Harry, the barman finally arrived with two mugs of steaming hot chocolate and a plate of sandwiches.

Tonks cast a privacy charm on the room as the barman closed the door behind him and immediately looked at a nervous looking Harry.

"I have a hundred different questions to ask you" Tonks began. "But I want to ask this first... why did you run away from me? And you didn't try to come back and explain yourself?"

"I thought you were mad at me." Harry mumbled.

"Don't you know how worried I was?" Tonks asked. She moved closer to Harry and hugged him again. The young Raven stiffened at this, since he was never hugged by Tonks in his human form before.

"You're really Kit aren't you?" Tonks said after she let go of Harry.

"Yeah..." Harry said. He smiled when he realized Tonks was not mad like he feared.

"How'd you do it?" Tonks asked. "I know for a fact that the animagus transformation is quite hard to accomplish."

"I've had some help." Harry said. He stared at Tonks' eyes and asked again. "How come you're not mad at me?"

"I was mad when you didn't return right away and explain what happened." Tonks said. "Right now, I'm just happy to have you back."

"Thanks for not freaking out on me." Harry said. "How did you find me?"

"The same way you found me in Knockturn alley." Tonks said. "I figured if you could use the familiar bond between us to find my location, maybe I could use it the other way around."

"Ermm yeah." Harry scratched the back of his head. "I didn't think it would work both ways."

"And what are you doing here in Hogsmeade?" Tonks asked.

"I'm just doing some errands?" Harry said.

"That won't work on me." Tonks said. "I know you are not telling the whole truth."

"Oh right... familiar bond." Harry muttered.

Tonks laughed and ruffled Harry's hair. "Why don't you explain how you manage to become an animagus in the first place?"

"It's a long story." Harry said.

"I've got time." Tonks smiled. "And I know you stay up late watching movies with my mum."

"You won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you?" Harry asked. "I can't have my secret let out to the public."

"I promise." Tonks said. She took the two steaming cups of chocolate and handed one to Harry. "Now why don't you begin from the very start?"

Harry took a sip of the hot chocolate and relished its taste and warmth. He began at to tell his tale and Tonks listened eagerly for more than an hour.

The two realized that it was well past midnight when the barman knocked on their door asking if they would like to rent a room for the night. Harry and Tonks hastily headed out of the pub and walked slowly through the snow covered path, enjoying the gentle cool wind on their faces.

Their conversation was enlightening, and Harry realized that it was the first time a person knew all his secrets, all his ambitions and fears. No even Nicky or Penny knew about how he yearned for a normal, simple family like the Tonks, even though he was happy staying at the Delacour's. It was Tonks and Andromeda's simple yet fun lifestyle that convinced him to use their residence at his headquarters. It was there that he can relax, and not think about the problems of school.

At first, Tonks didn't like Harry's habit of stealing, but when she asked for details about Harry's childhood, she realized that he learned to do it just to survive. She was especially excited about Harry's unique talent, and demanded that Harry teach her how to fade.

"So... do you want to sleep over tonight?" Tonks asked.

"Really?" Harry asked. He thought his days of sleeping over at Tonks' house were over.

"Mum misses you." Tonks said. "She doesn't have anyone to watch all those movies with."

"Will you tell her about me?" Harry asked.

"I don't think Mum's quite ready for that." Tonks said. She led Harry to a narrow alley between the candy store and Zonko's and rounded on her companion. "Now hurry and transform back to Kit."

Harry nodded and in a moment the young cat sat on the ground looking back at Tonks. The Metamorphagus auror grinned and scooped up her familiar cradled him to her chest. "Don't get any ideas mister, I just really miss you."

"Meow"

"Let's go home." Tonks smiled and vanished with Kit.

*************

"Kit!" Andromeda stood up from the couch and immediately took the young cat from her daughter's arms. "Thank goodness you're back!"

Tonks smiled as Kit struggled to escape her mother's hug. "Kit realized that he made a mistake running away... didn't you Kit?"

"Meoooow"

"That's good to hear." Andromeda lifted the young cat so that she was looking at him in the eye like how Tonks does when she needed to tell him something important. "You're a part of this family Kit. You should have seen how poor Dora was moping around when she's not training at the auror academy."

"Mum!" Tonks said. Her hair started to turn red in embarrassment.

"And she even refused to go out to the mall! That's how sad she was when you were gone." Andromeda continued speaking. "It's good to have you back Kit."

Kit leapt down from her and immediately headed towards the VHS player and pawed the controls, causing Tonks to laugh.

"That's right! I can't bring myself to watch the last of the trilogy alone." Andromeda said. "It reminded me of you gone... well now that you're back we can watch it!"

Kit's ears perked up and his tail twitched in excitement as Andromeda kneeled beside him and pushed a VHS tape into the mouth of the player.

Tonks smiled at the sight of her mother and animagus familiar's interactions and headed to the kitchen to prepare some late night snack for the three of them. As the sound effects of the movie blared out from the living room, Tonks, for the first time in weeks, felt complete.

************************

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"Mum thought it would help me get over you." Tonks lifted the stuffed toy cat from the bed. She vanished the toy with a flick of her wand and grinned at Harry. "It really doesn't feel right. It's like a cheap imitation of your animagus form."

"I don't understand what is it with my animagus form that girls like." Harry huffed. "Even Fleur asks me to transform once in a while just so that she can cuddle me."

"Oh?" Tonks raised an eyebrow. "That's right... I remember reading in the papers that you're betrothed to that French Girl. Does she treat you right?"

"Yeah." Harry yawned and stretched his arms. "She's an okay person. You'll like her I think."

"I'll be the judge of that." Tonks said. She gave Harry a look that Harry couldn't place but he could feel Tonks was slightly annoyed. "It's her perfume I've been smelling on you isn't it?"

Harry nodded wondering why Tonks was curious about Fleur of all people.

"I can't wait to meet her." Tonks said. She looked back at Harry and found Kit making himself comfortable on the carpeted floor.

"What do you think you're doing?" Tonks asked. "Haven't you learned anything in the months you've been staying here? Now come here this instant." Tonks patted the spot beside her, telling Kit that she wanted him to sleep on the bed.

Kit jumped at the bed and found himself hugged by a pair of arms. He closed his eyes in pleasure, sleeping with Tonks was really comfortable and relaxing. She also had great fingers that knew where to massage him.

"We'll talk about your punishment for taking baths with me." Tonks mumbled. She hugged her animagus familiar closer to her while a wide eyed cat looked at his companion and tried to get out of her grip.

"Mrooowrrr"

"Keep quiet." Tonks mumbled. "Do you want me to give you a bath in your human form, Harry?"

Kit immediately stopped struggling and submitted himself to Tonk's fingers rubbing his nape and slowly drifted to sleep.

****************