"And the knight came to save the prince from the evil Dark Wizard. She held up her sword and fought the big bad wizard and cut him to tiny little pieces and then set them on fire. She saved the beautiful prince and they kissed and lived happily ever after."
Five adults watched fondly at the little girl reading to the even littler boy sitting in her lap. She read slowly but clearly, only stumbling on her words every so often. She hugged the boy protectively while she read and the boy surprisingly sat still, leaning against her and gurgling softly as she read.
"This has to be the cutest thing," Lily Potter said softly.
"I agree entirely," Andromeda Tonks replied. "I can never get her to sit still and to read while at home. Your Harry is such a good influence on her."
"Not the best book to read to a baby though," Edward "Ted" Tonks said with a wry smile. "Sorry, should have double checked before she brought it. She only said she wanted to read her favorite story to Harry and I didn't think twice."
"No problem at all," James Potter said easily. "Not like he knows what she's saying anyways."
"Especially since he's your sprog," Sirius Black laughed. He winced when Lily punched him. "But he's your kiddo too Lily so that'll make up for what his dad didn't pass down."
"Not as good of a save as you think," Lily snorted. "But it's not a bad story at all really. We could do more with stories about love and devotion and a little violence I suppose."
"Bit of a flip on knight and princess," James observed.
"Any stories with princesses bores Dora," Andromeda sighed. "She has no patience for them."
"Takes after you," Ted praised his wife.
"I like princesses just fine," Andromeda sniffed. "Well, dressing like one I suppose. I have little use for simpering spoiled brats my own self."
"Don't think we need to worry about that," Sirius chuckled. "My niece is a little dragon. She scraps and fights dirty."
Eventually Andromeda and Lily approached the two children. "Dora dear, time to leave," Andromeda said.
Dora hugged Harry. "Can we take Harry with us?" Her short brown hair became even shorter and black. Her eyes shifted from blue to green.
Lilly laughed brightly. "I'm afraid Harry has to stay here but you are always welcome to visit." She cooed softly as she picked up Harry. The baby fussed as she did and Dora let go reluctantly. "Aww, someone got attached already," Lily said to her son.
"Tunk!" Harry protested.
"My son, already a heartbreaker," James praised to a snorting Ted and Sirius
"I wasn't prepared for this to happen so soon," Ted joked. "I feel bad trying to intimidate a baby." He flinched at the looks Andromeda and Dora gave him and James and Sirius howled with laughter. "Now I'm feeling intimidated."
Lily chuckled and knelt beside a sad Dora. "Say bye-bye to Tonks, Harry. We'll see them again soon okay?" She hugged and kissed Dora. "Thank you for taking good care of my son. I feel much better that he has someone looking out for him already."
"I'll always take good care of him!" Dora said stoutly.
Lily beamed at her. "Thank you. I can rest easy knowing that."
After saying their goodbyes, the Tonks family left the Potter residence. "Don't be too upset dear," Andromeda said lovingly to her daughter. "How about we go to Diagon soon and you can pick a toy out for Harry for when we visit next?" She and Ted laughed at her eager nods.
After setting aside the next book she wanted to take with her, and with a quick content check by Ted, Dora went to bed.
"So, is this story more appropriate?" Andromeda asked as she slid into bed. She rested her head on his chest, her face creased with a loving smile.
Ted nodded. "For the most part. It's that Healer story I got her when she asked what I did. I'll edit out some of the more gruesome bits before we head over." He gave his wife a look. "So, our precious daughter is reading stories about someone saving or protecting someone else to a boy. Should I be worried?"
Andromeda snorted and patted him on the stomach. "The boy in question is barely one year old. Give it at least another fourteen or so years before you act like the big scary father."
He grinned. "Excellent, that'll give me time to practice."
"Unless of course Dora finds someone appropriate before that but at least a good ten more years for her," Andromeda mused.
Ted groaned. "I'm not ready for that."
"You have around ten years or so to practice, Teddy," Andromeda said dryly. Her smile was soft. "Still, it was a delightful surprise to see her so sweet with Harry."
"Same, I honestly thought she'd ignore him but she was enthralled the moment they met."
"It'll be good for them to be friends as they grow," Andromeda said warmly.
-0-
Dora hummed happily as she helped clean. Today they were going over to the Potter's again and she was so excited. She loved to play with Harry and to read to him. She liked seeing Uncle James and Aunt Lily too. They even offered to let her spend the night soon and she could not wait. She hoped proving how good of a girl she was would convince her parents.
Andromeda looked up when Dora bounced into the living room. If Dora was not so excited, she would have noticed how pale Andromeda was, how upset she looked. "All done mummy," Dora declared proudly.
"That's my girl." Andromeda's voice hitched. "Dora, come here please."
"What's wrong?" Dora asked, noticing Andromeda's voice and expression. "Is everything okay?"
"No my dear," Andromeda said sadly, tears running down her face. "I have some dreadful news for you. We…we won't be able to see Uncle James, Aunt Lily, or little Harry."
"Why not?" Dora did her best not to have a tantrum. "I was good!"
"Yes you were, it is not your fault. They…they are gone and we cannot follow," Andromeda said.
"Where did they go?"
"Uncle James and Aunt Lily went to heaven," Andromeda said brokenly. "Harry is…somewhere else."
Dora's formerly spiky black hair fell limp, turning dark blue. She blinked a few times. "Heaven? Isn't that where Grandma Tonks went?" She started to sniffle. "But-but…where's Harry going?"
"I don't know."
"Why can't he come with us? We like him! We can take care of him!"
Andromeda hugged her. "I wish we could, I begged and pleaded but he needs to go elsewhere to be safe. I'm so sorry my dear sweet girl. I'm so sorry."
Dora clutched her mother and sobbed and wailed, heart-broken.
-0-
Thirteen years later, Nymphadora Tonks woke with a start, heart pounding. She rubbed at her face, wiping away the tears. "Haven't dreamt about that in forever," she muttered. She shook her head angrily, trying to shake the memories and sadness away.
She rolled out of bed, yawning and scratching as she stumbled to the bathroom. Normally she would lie in bed for a while but after waking up early for months for the Auror Program curtailed that habit. That and she was worried what she would dream of if she fell back asleep.
Despite the years, she could still keenly feel the loss. When she realized that Aunt Lily and Uncle James had died and that she would not see Harry anymore, she had been despondent. She barely did things for a while, acted like a regular meek child instead of her, then usual, bubbly self. Her metamorphagus abilities had also stopped for a little bit, something that concerned her parents.
Eventually as time passed, she returned back to how she was before. To a degree anyways. She often felt a little ridiculous but when that dreadful Halloween happened, she always felt like something was missing. As a child she had problems understanding and explaining it. When she tried to tell her mother, Andromeda had smiled sadly and said she would explain one day.
After a while, Dora decided to just let the past remain where it was, buried where it could not hurt her.
However, it looks like it could still hurt her.
She looked into the mirror for a long time. Her hair shifted in color and length and texture for a while, before settling on her typical short spiky bright pink style. Her cheekbones rippled, flattening and giving her a round soft appearance. Her eyes became a light blue. With practiced ease she plastered a smile on her face, a wide one full of teeth that did not quite reach her eyes.
About an hour later she walked down Diagon Alley on patrol. As an Auror recruit, they had to do regular patrols to help keep the peace. Normally Aurors did not do that but a recent suggestion from the masses to the Ministry was that people would like there to be more of a presence in the more visited parts of Wizarding England. So Aurors now did patrols and it did seem to help with both public safety and morale.
Even if most of the Aurors disliked the duty.
She did not mind really. She liked the simple exercise and the opportunity to see new things while patrolling. Seeing all the different kinds of people helped her control her powers, giving her examples to use and mimic, expanding her repertoire. She was a familiar sight in Diagon and some shopkeepers waved and greeted her while some visitors leered at her.
Long flowing red hair and blood red eyes sent the latest idiots who dared hit on her scurrying, much to the amusement of others. She snorted, shaking her head as her hair shrank back to her spiky pink, her eyes becoming white and blue once more. Turning, she bumped into someone turning the corner.
"Sorry," the person said. They were much shorter than her and walked with hunched shoulders and bowed head, classic 'don't touch me' body language. They shook from the impact, cringing.
"No harm," Dora replied evenly, curious to see such a reaction.
The person bobbed their head and she caught the briefest glimmer of their eyes, a deep emerald green. She realized it was a boy in overlarge clothes and a ratty ball-cap and when with her lack of response, he walked past, keeping space between them.
She took two more steps then stopped cold. For years, every time she saw a boy with black hair and green eyes, she would ask her parents if it was Harry. She often begged them to find him, to send him a letter, something, anything. They really did try at first, but when their responses never came back, when they were even told to stop by someone high up on the Wizengamot, they stopped. When Dora saw how much her parents were hurting, and realized how much she was hurting, she finally stopped asking.
For a long time after, she never quite looked at anyone with green eyes directly in the face. It hurt too much.
For a moment, she thought she was dreaming again. She turned slowly and whispered, "Harry?"
-0-
Harry Potter was tired.
He was having a difficult day. To be fair, most of his days during the summer months were not good, but today was especially difficult. When he got back to Surrey from Hogwarts, it seemed his aunt and uncle were still very angry with how he left them last summer in the back of the Weasley's flying car.
The abuse had increased. He was beaten, starved, forced to work to earn his keep. He tried to endure it for as long as he could, counting down the days before he would be able to leave them for the rest of the year.
This time, he had enough. Vernon had punched him several times in the face. Before, the angry man had always struck below the neck, caused injuries not so easily seen or discovered. Harry did not even remember exactly how the incident started. Sharp words were said between him and Dudley, Vernon and Petunia got involved, and the next thing he knew he was lying on the ground while being hit directly in the face repeatedly.
Fearful for his life, his magic responded, knocking Vernon back into Dudley. For a moment, Vernon looked so angry Harry thought he was going to die. Then the Dursleys seemed to notice just how much damage he had done to Harry, the way his face looked, the amount of blood down his front and on the floor. They left him alone and went about the rest of their day, nervous.
What a way to celebrate a birthday.
Harry waited until they were all occupied before gathering his things and leaving. He could no longer endure staying there, no matter what Dumbledore said. He knew Ron was gone to Egypt and Hermione to France for extended family holidays. He also knew a message to Dumbledore would do nothing. If anything, it would make things worse for him if he was forced to stay.
So Harry sent Hedwig to fly, telling her he would try to find her later. He took his things and dragged them down the street, uncaring of who saw him in the broad daylight. Luckily no one was out on the streets or else they would have seen a beaten Harry dragging a trunk down the road. He tripped and fell, throwing his wand arm out and inadvertently summoning the Knight Bus.
Despite the nausea-inducing trip, Harry felt much better when he got off the Bus at the Leaky Cauldron. He ignored the recommendation to go to St Mungo's for his obvious injuries. The ballcap helped hide most of them if he looked down, he reasoned. Tom the bartender had been shocked to see Harry, his appearance really, but asked no questions beyond seeing if he was okay.
Harry lied and said he was fine. It was not a complete lie; he did feel fine having escaped. The pain from his injuries was minor in comparison to his relief.
Having spent his only Wizarding money on the bus fare, he had left his things at the Cauldron so he could go to Gringotts for more money. Tom was going to let him rent a room for the rest of the summer. Harry was reasonably sure he could afford it but was not against the idea of running odd errands and jobs to make some money. He was used to hard work, might as well get paid for it.
Bumping into the person was embarrassing. He should have paid more attention but looking down in his cap cut down on his peripheral vision. Luckily, she did not seem bothered by the accident, only nodding at him. His eyes lingered on her odd hair but he was grateful when she did not say anything more to him.
Until he heard her whisper his name.
-0-
Dora watched the boy turn slowly to her. She gasped when she had a good look at his deep green eyes, as well as the bruises on his face and his split lips. She dithered for a moment, shocked at both seeing a boy she dreamt of and the obvious injuries. "Is that you?" she whispered again.
He hesitated, suspicious. "Do I know you?" he asked.
She fought the rush of tears building. "I, we, last time I saw you, you were a baby. I don't know if you remember me, I mean, I'd be surprised if you did, but my parents were friends with yours." She was rambling and she knew it, but she was desperate to keep him there. "My mum's cousin is your godfather."
"I have a godfather?" Harry asked, heart thumping.
"Sort of?" Dora cursed herself. "Sorry, that has its own thing but I mean, I haven't seen you in forever. We've always hoped to see you. I'm Dora Tonks." Her hair became black and short and messy, her eyes green.
Harry gasped. "How? Wha-"
"I'm a metamorph," Dora said hurriedly. "My magic lets me change my appearance. The last time I did this was the last time I saw you."
Another lie. For months Dora changed her hair and her eyes to this and stared at herself in the mirror. She eventually stopped when she could not bear the pain anymore. When she lost hope.
"That's pretty cool," Harry said with wonder. He shook his head sadly. "I'm really sorry, I don't remember you. I really wish I did, you seem nice." He blushed a little when he said that.
She smiled sincerely for the first time that day. "I've been really hoping to see you for years now." Her smile died. "What happened to your face?"
He pulled his hat down more, hiding his face. "Nothing, it's nothing."
Warning alarms started to ring in her head. "Harry, what happened? Are you okay?"
He curled into himself. "I'm fine," he said quietly.
Warning alarms screamed in her head. She took several deep breaths. "Harry, do you need help?"
He shrugged, not looking at her.
"Harry, I'm going to ask you to trust me." She almost sobbed when she saw the look that he gave her, one full of suspicion and distrust. "I know we just met but please, I really want to help you. What can I do to prove it?"
Harry hesitated. All his life, he never had anyone say they wanted to help him aside from Ron and Hermione. And they did not even say it so plainly. No one had ever asked how to prove to earn his trust. "How do I know your parents were friends with mine?"
She wrung her hands together. "Uh…well…I used to call your parents Uncle James and Aunt Lily. They were always so nice to me. You wear glasses like your dad and you and your mum have the same color eyes. Oh! You used to live in a nice little cottage. You had a really big couch that was grey and it was bouncy. You had a pet cat! She was white."
Harry looked up at her fully. He would not remember those details of course but the pictures of his parents he got from Hagrid had some home photos. He did see a white cat running about in some, and a large grey couch where he would be with his parents. "You…you really do know me. Do you remember my parents?"
Dora almost wept from relief at Harry believing her, and at his raw hunger for more information. "I do, they were wonderful to me. And they loved you so much." She reached out but stopped at his flinch, breaking her heart. She brought her hand back despite wanting nothing more than to hug him. "Harry, I want to help you. Let me get my mum, she'll want to help too. We were friends with your family. Will you let me do that?"
"You're giving me a choice?" Harry asked with disbelief. He watched her nod. "What if I say no?"
She gulped. "I'd respect it but I really hope you won't."
He looked at her. "How is your mum going to help?"
"She's a solicitor, a damn good one. It's obvious you're in some kind of fix and she'll help us…fix it. She's super smart."
He took a deep breath.
"Please," Dora begged. "Please Harry."
He heard the desperation in her voice and was confused by it, comforted by it. "Okay. But I get to say stop whenever I want."
Dora extended her hand slowly. "Deal," she said with evident relief.
Harry shook her hand, noticing how she gave him a firm handshake but let go reluctantly.
"You like ice cream yeah? Let me get you one while you wait." She smiled when his stomach grumbled audibly, ignoring his bright red face. "Or something with more substance to it. Fish and chips at the Cauldron? That'll work 'cause I'll take their Floo to get mum. It's on me. Not literally, I mean, as in I'll pay for it." Her face was as red as his.
He smiled shyly. "That sounds great, thank you."
Her heart melted at his smile. It was clear he did not use it often. "Come on then! Let's get you fed and watered. Don't worry Harry, cavalry's coming." She walked back to the Cauldron swiftly but at his side, keeping him in her sight. After installing him at the back corner booth, she placed the order for an extra large fish and chips and butterbeer with Tom. She slapped some coins on the counter before running to the Floo. "I'll be right back!" she yelled before disappearing through the green flames.
Harry blinked. "Is she always like that?" he asked Tom.
Tom winked. "Tonks is a good lass and always happy to help. But no, I've never seen her quite like that. You must be awful special to her."
Harry shrugged sheepishly, cheeks pink. He put his hat on the bench beside him. "We just met," he said, "I think." He liked the idea of being special to someone though, if he were being honest.
-0-
Andromeda barely looked up when her door shook from repeated hammering. She knew who it was. She heard Dora come running through the outside Floo, swearing as she tripped but somehow not falling. Her daughter had charged past the receptionist and was pounding on her office door, screaming "Mum!" at the top of her lungs.
"Come in dear," Andromeda said calmly, still not looking up when the door opened with a crash. She was used to her daughter's antics. They used to annoy her, make her tell her daughter to act properly in public. Now it was just accepted to be a part of Dora, a loud and loving part. "How can I help you?"
Dora slammed the door shut and crossed swiftly to the desk. "Mum, I found him!"
"Your father skipped out of work today?" Andromeda asked, still looking down at the brief. "Where did you find him?"
"No, Mum, not Dad. I found him. Harry."
Andromeda finally heard Dora's tone, how breathless she was, how excited, how scared. She looked up with concern. "Harry? Harry who?"
"Harry Potter. Aunt Lily and Uncle James' son."
Andromeda's eyes widened. "You did? Where is he?! Did you bring him with you?" She looked around Dora, looking for someone else.
Dora shook her head. "No, he's at the Leaky." She sniffled, drawing her mother's attention immediately. "Mum, I think something's wrong with him. He looks hurt, he acts like he's been real hurt. He needs us."
Andromeda blinked once and rose swiftly. "Felicia," Andromeda called as she opened her office door, grabbing her bag and securing her wand. "Do I have any afternoon appointments left?"
"No ma'am," the receptionist replied. Felicia's eyes widened at seeing identical looks of elation and concern on her boss and boss' daughter's faces.
"Good. I am leaving for the rest of the day. As soon as you clear up you may leave as well." Without another word, she followed Dora to the Floo and stepped in after her. The rush of fire and sound seemed too slow to her this time and she stepped out into the Cauldron, impatient. She heard Dora sigh with relief at seeing someone in the back tucking into a gigantic plate of fish and chips.
Andromeda walked forward slowly, as if she were in a trance. The boy was thin, his face covered in injuries. He radiated an air of neglect and pain. But when he looked up, she recognized the messy nest of hair, the startling green eyes.
"Oh Gods above and below," she murmured. She rushed forward, arms outstretched.
Dora grabbed her arms and held her back slightly. At Andromeda's questioning look Dora shook her head, eyes glistening.
Andromeda looked at Harry and was shocked to see him looking wary, sliding back into the bench. It made her heart ache. She followed Dora's lead then, walking over calmly despite not wanting to, and sliding onto the bench opposite. "Hello Harry," she said as warmly as she could. Her eyes narrowed as she took a closer look at him, at how terrible he looked. "My, you've grown since I last saw you, but you were just a babe then."
Harry wiped the grease from his hands. "Hello," he said softly. "Are you Dora's mum?"
"I am. Andromeda Tonks, a pleasure to see you again at long last."
"Did you really know my parents?" he asked eagerly.
"I did. I count myself honored to have been a friend of theirs." Her smile was heavy with regret. "Ah, you do look like James when he was younger but your mother's beauty shines through. Your father had a bit of a cleft chin that he liked to wave about, thinking it one of his more attractive qualities. Though it seems he had the last laugh with your hair." Her smile brightened at his laugh. "You laugh like your mother."
"I do?"
"You do, sweet and light." Her smile faded a little. "Harry, what happened to your face?"
His laughter died. "It's nothing," he muttered.
"It's not nothing," Dora said fiercely. "Who did this to you so I know who to Curse?"
He looked astonished. "You'd do that for me?"
"She should not because then she would get into considerable trouble with her job," Andromeda said lightly. "She is a trainee Auror. Something like a Muggle police officer but more specialized," she explained seeing his confusion.
"I don't care about that," Dora said with some heat.
"I know, but I do. I will be more than happy to do the Cursing though. Unlike you, I am sure I can find some legal precedent that allows for it." Mother and daughter glowered at each other for a moment.
Harry looked at them. He could not believe two people he had just met would be willing to go so far for him in such a small amount of time. "Why would you do that for me? You just met me."
Andromeda looked sad. "We have met you before, long ago. You are almost family to us, and to us, family is everything. We truly want to help."
Harry looked away. "I've never really had a family," he said shortly.
Dora teared up while Andromeda frowned. She thought long and hard, searching her memories. She had several conversations with Albus Dumbledore a long time ago, voicing concerns that went unheeded and unanswered. "I thought you were raised somewhere safe."
Harry snorted and looked down at the table.
Andromeda and Dora looked at each other.
"Harry," she said gently, waiting for the boy to look at her directly. "Did Dora tell you what I do for a living?" She took a deep breath when he nodded. "Is it safe to assume you were raised with Muggles?"
He nodded again.
"If you were raised with Muggles, you may not have a Magical Guardian, someone responsible for your well-being in the Wizarding World. That raises a few problems with how to go about taking care of certain things. However, in this case, it is actually a boon for us. I have a tenuous link to you through your godfather."
"He didn't know he had one," Dora said softly.
Andromeda frowned at that. "Well, we can address that later. In any case, your godfather is my cousin. He gave me power of attorney if he were unable to perform his duties. Which means I can assume his duties as mine if I so choose." She took a moment to marshal her thoughts. "There is also precedent that those underage without a proper guardian can have someone act in their best interests or be empowered to aid them legally."
"So, I could get someone to help me with these things," Harry said.
"Yes. Once you enter a contract with someone then you are essentially safe from being interfered with by the Ministry or other third parties. Until the partnership is dissolved by those that made it, no one can get between them legally speaking."
"How do I find someone to do that?" he asked.
"Typically, you hire someone to act for you if you have no family or anyone else to do it for you. Usually one would hire someone familiar with the law."
"Like a solicitor?" Harry asked, eyes widening.
"Precisely. If you will have me, I swear to do anything and everything to help you. I will discuss all your options with you before action is taken. I will take no liberties. I will do everything that is in your best interest."
"Mum is one of the best in the United Kingdom," Dora said eagerly. "I'm biased but it's still true."
Harry hesitated. "Why?" he asked finally. "Why are you so willing to help me?"
"Because we adored your family, we adored you," Andromeda said, her voice grave. "We would have taken you in but we were not allowed to. I see now that it was a grave mistake to have not fought harder. It is clear you have been…neglected in multiple ways." She closed her eyes for a long moment and when she reopened them, they glistened. "We have failed you, Harry. I wish to not fail you now."
"Please," Dora begged again. "Please Harry, let us help you."
Harry felt something deep inside his chest, something weak and fluttering. Something he had not felt in a long time. "You'll tell me everything and let me make the final decision?"
"I will. I will explain my reasoning and advice and let you make the final decision, I promise," Andromeda said.
"Me too," Dora said fervently.
"You promise to help me?" he asked.
"I swear," the witches said in unison.
Harry looked at them with eyes full of pain and hope, of distrust and the ache to trust. "Okay," he said finally. "Please, help me."
Dora practically wept from relief and Andromeda breathed out. "Thank you," she said sincerely.
"How much do you charge?" Harry asked after a moment. "I have gold in my vault."
Andromeda lips twitched. "You have my services for one chip."
Harry looked startled and smiled shyly. "Dora paid for them technically."
Dora laughed and Andromeda smiled broadly. "In that case, two chips," she said. At Harry's nod she took two from the plate and ate them delicately. "Well, since I have accepted payment, then our relationship is set. Where are you staying?"
"I was hoping to stay here," Harry said. "I can't stay where I was, because…" he waved limply at his face.
Dora growled, low and threatening. Her hair became long, turning grey. Her eyes looked like beaten iron, cold and unyielding.
Andromeda's face became a picture of edges and angles. "We will get to that eventually. First things first, I recommend you to accompany me to St Mungo's, the best Magical hospital. You need medical attention. Dora's father, and my husband, is a Healer there. He will take care of you."
"Do I have to?" Harry asked with trepidation.
"Yes. It is imperative for us to have proper medical documentation. I understand it will be uncomfortable and embarrassing but it will only aid you in the future."
Harry nodded heavily. "Will Dora be there?"
Dora looked torn. "I have to get back to work, I have to patrol the rest of the afternoon but I swear I'll come find you as soon as I finish. I'll try to find a cover but if I can't," she shrugged helplessly, "I won't lie to you Harry. I'll come as soon as I can."
"If he is not there then come home. You will be staying with us," Andromeda said.
"Really?" Harry could not believe the offer.
"Of course. And there will be no conflict of interest. You will be staying as my cousin's godson, which makes you part of our family anyways as godnephew. There will be no talk of payment either. Let us go, the sooner the better."
Harry followed them from the table but stopped to look at the food they were leaving behind.
Dora got a to-go box from Tom and sealed up the leftovers while Andromeda shrunk his trunk and gave it to him to put in his pocket. "Don't worry Harry, Dad will take good care of you. He's an amazing Healer and super nice."
Harry smiled. "Thank you. See you later?"
Dora nodded. "You can count on it."
-0-
St Mungo's was nothing like the Infirmary at Hogwarts. There was so much magic, the air was saturated with it. There was also a lot more sound and people. Harry had stared at the vast array of injuries on display. He wore his hat at Andromeda's suggestion and stuck close to her, eyes never still.
They went through the reception area swiftly. Many people knew that Andromeda Tonks was someone not to be trifled with and the expression she wore now made many scurry out of her way. After a word with the head of the Pediatrics Department, they waited briefly before being shown a room. It was not long after that a Healer walked in wearing long lime-green robes.
Andromeda's face transformed. To Harry, her face had been kind but cool. She did not wear any kind of mask of pity or smiled insincerely to him. She had been fond with Dora and professional with him. To the Healer however, the change was startling. She smiled widely and fully and wore an expression of almost cartoonish affection. "Teddy," she greeted happily, kissing him on the lips.
Ted kissed her back eagerly. "Hello Andi," he said. "What brings my lovely wife to visit today?" At her nod he turned to a blushing Harry. "Sorry about that young man….Harry?" His jaw dropped. "Harry, is that really you?"
"Last I checked," Harry joked weakly.
"It's good to see you lad!" His smile died as he looked closely at Harry's face. "Good Lord, what happened to you?"
"Injured obviously," Andromeda said, professional once more. "I want a full work-up Healer Tonks, an official one please."
He caught her tone. "Of course. Let me get a colleague to verify things as we go along." He took out a slip of parchment and scribbled a note on it. When he finished it folded itself into an airplane and flew through the door when he opened it.
"Also, please explain as you go along," Andromeda said to him, winking at Harry's thankful look.
"Will do." Ted turned to the boy. "An official work up is a full health check. We do them to document everything and we catalog every injury and anything out of the norm. It has to be done by two Healers so they corroborate their findings together. Have you ever had a medical check before?" He looked aghast at Harry's head shake. "Not even a non-magical one?"
"No Sir," Harry said shamefully.
"Nothing to be ashamed of," Ted said firmly. "Not your fault remotely. You attend Hogwarts now, don't you?" Madam Pomfrey never performed one?" He frowned as he shook his head again. "Well, let's do an in-depth one then. Ah, this is Healer Patil."
A dark-skinned woman also wearing Healer robes walked in. She nodded companionably to Andromeda and Ted before smiling softly at Harry. "How do you do, I'm Lakshmi Patil," she said warmly.
Harry waved. "Hello. Are you related to Parvati and Padma?" he asked. He flushed, "I'm sorry, is that a rude thing to ask?"
The woman laughed heartily. "Some might think so but I don't. I'm their aunt. You must be in one of their Houses." Her eyes flicked to his forehead. "Oh! Well, I know which one then. Parvati mentioned you were a Housemate of hers." Her eyes narrowed as she looked at his face. "Goodness. A full work-up then?"
Ted nodded. "We best get started. Anytime you have any questions Harry, just ask."
It took a long time to complete. Andromeda had been in rooms where they did full checks before, or waiting outside. She sat in the corner, outside of the privacy curtain, chewing her lip. In her head she ran through the myriad of memories she had of what happened shortly after the death of the Potters and Sirius' arrest and incarceration. She thought of the incredibly unsatisfying conversations with Dumbledore and the longer she thought, the more disturbed she felt. Snapping open her bag, she removed a notebook and quill and started writing a list of things to do.
Eventually the curtain opened and Andromeda stood up, not liking the looks on Ted or Lakshmi's faces. After a kind word to Harry, they closed the curtain and sighed in tandem. "Tell me," Andromeda said harshly.
"It's bad," Ted said rubbing his face. "He's been abused, no way he hasn't."
"I concur," Lakshmi said heavily. "Multiple scarring on his back, burns on his back and limbs. Malformed bones from breaks improperly healed and set. Malnutrition. And those are his oldest ones. His more recent ones are just as concerning."
"A recently replaced shoulder and arm, not broken and healed but fully regrown. A large puncture wound on his arm. Some concerning traces of some kind of venom and other substance in his blood. Multiple contusions and injuries to his face that are consistent with blunt force trauma. Not to mention whatever a Mind Healer would diagnose." Ted shook his head. "The boy's been through a lot and I don't like a bit of it."
"Someone will suffer for this," Andromeda swore. "Oh someone is going to cry blood for this."
"Let me know when you find out who and I will help you," Lakshmi growled. "This is criminal."
"Oh I know and believe me, I will eviscerate them for this," Andromeda said ferally. She took a deep shuddering breath. "Will he recover?"
"Thankfully, most of the injuries can be fixed," Ted said. "Simple healing for his face, potions to fix the bones. Potions and food for malnutrition. Regular visits with a Mind Healer if he's amenable." He waved his wand over a stack of parchment, adding his signature and seal to the findings. Lakshmi did the same. Andromeda then duplicated the documents and packed them into her bag.
"Thank you," the Tonks said to Lakshmi.
"Of course. Let me know if I can do anything else. And I was serious when I said tell me how to help punish whoever caused this." The Healer nodded to them and opened the curtain to bid Harry farewell before leaving.
Ted opened the curtain fully and Andromeda cast a privacy charm over the room. She sat on the examination bed beside Harry, giving him space between them. "That was not so bad, was it?" she asked gently.
Harry was tired from the experience and all the questions. He was deeply ashamed over having his scars revealed, the ones not on his head at least. It was especially embarrassing to see all his injuries tabulated like that. However, the experience had been as pleasant as it could have been with how kind Ted and Lakshmi had been. "No, not too bad. Dora was right, you are really nice."
"Oh you met already?" Ted said, preening just a little.
"I bumped into her first, literally." Harry sighed. "Was that really necessary?"
"It was," Andromeda said softly. "This will go a long way to protect you and your future interests. This will also give me what I need to do some digging and learn why this was allowed to happen to you. Also, this provides us with ample evidence to punish those that wronged you."
"You can do all that?" Harry asked, astounded.
"She can," Ted said warmly. "I'm a pretty good Healer if I say so myself. Andi is an amazing solicitor. There are those that forfeit the case and go straight for negotiations the second they see her name."
"Oh stop," Andromeda said with a slight blush, slapping Ted's shoulder gently. "That being said, I am very good at my job."
Harry smiled. "Guess I finally got some good luck for once. What now?"
"I would like to run back to my office first to check on a few things, perhaps a run to the Ministry. Teddy, Harry will be staying with us for the foreseeable future."
Ted smiled. "Hey that's great, it'll be nice to have another bloke around to help me against Dora and Andi." He winked at Harry. "They gang up on me a lot."
"Only when you deserve it," Andromeda sniffed. "Would you be okay going with Teddy back to our home? You can decide dinner and pick it up and Teddy will help you get your room in order."
"I'll have a room?" Harry asked.
"You will," Ted said with a pang of disquiet at his look. "We have a guest room that never really gets used so it'll be yours. There's a good pizza place on the way home. How does pizza sound?"
"Sounds nice, thank you," Harry said quietly, still in disbelief.
"Excellent. Dora should be home soon as well. See you soon Harry dear." She refrained from touching Harry, remembering Dora's warning. She whispered softly into Ted's ear and at his nod, kissed him and left.
"Right. Let me grab my things and we'll head home. What kind of toppings do you like?"
"I haven't really had much so I'll try anything," Harry said.
Another pang went through him. "Let's order a bunch of different ones then. I'm feeling pretty peckish."
-0-
Dora could not find someone to cover for her, so she finished her shift unwillingly. She wanted nothing more than to skive off but that would have gotten her in considerable trouble. So she bit her lip and made sure to finish the task well, if impatiently.
She still could not believe that she found him. Her dream must have been a sign of sorts, preparing her for this. Though, nothing would have adequately prepared her for seeing him like how he was. She did not know how he would have looked grown up. Every so often through the years she imagined how he would look grown up.
He was painfully thin, even with his clothes hanging off of him like a circus tent over a pole. He did not look remotely healthy in any sense of the word. Seeing him cower from her the first time she tried to touch him had broken her heart and she seethed at the implications.
As soon as her shift was done, she practically ran to the apparition point, disappearing and reappearing outside her home. The Tonks residence was surrounded by some of the best wards in existence, a necessary precaution from the War. Her father was Muggleborn and her mother had spent considerable time, energy, and even money ensuring that their home was supremely well protected. She felt the wards tingle over her skin, giving way when they recognized her.
She dashed up the steps and practically kicked the door open. "Harry? Mum? Dad?" she called out, kicking off her shoes.
"In the kitchen!" Ted called. He smiled when Dora ran in, bumping into corners and edges in her haste. "Slow down," he chuckled, catching her as she slid into the room. "There's plenty of pizza."
Dora felt much better seeing Harry sitting at the table. He looked better; his injuries long gone. He looked more relaxed but not completely. Yet his smile was sincere and he waved happily enough at her, a gesture she returned in kind. "Whoa yeah, there really is plenty of pizza," she said as she looked at all the boxes.
"Harry hadn't had a lot of pizza before," Ted said calmly, his eyes glinting a little. "So we wanted to get a lot for him to eat." He winked at Harry. "Dora is basically a food vacuum so we always order a lot anyways."
Dora blushed. "My powers burns calories like crazy," she said. "Which one is your favorite so far?"
"We were waiting for you," Ted said. "Your mother will be back a little late so she said for us to start without her."
"I'm sorry, you didn't have to wait for me," Dora said.
"I wanted to," Harry said.
Dora smiled brightly and flopped down beside him. "Well I'm here and lets dig in. Here, this is one of my favorites. It's a tomato pie: lots of chunky tomato sauce and basil and blobs of mozzarella." Her smile grew at Harry gobbling the pizza down.
Ted and Dora kept giving him more slices to try. As he got full and felt bad about eating too much, Dora would let him try a few bites of each kind before devouring the rest of the slice. He had never had a meal quite like this before. Even at Hogwarts, eating with his friends, it was not this warm. Ted and Dora have him plenty of attention and did not pry, telling him stories and teasing each other in front of him without reservation.
It was very nice.
Andromeda showed up after some time, face pinched and muttering darkly. Her face changed when she saw the trio, a smile blossoming at the happy scene. She sat down besides Ted and grabbed a slice, biting it nearly in half. "Isn't their pizza good?" she asked Harry.
"Really good! Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome!" The more he smiled, the more he seemed at ease to. She was starting to see that happy baby boy again and seeing how he was when they first met only fueled her ire. She ate and joked with her family for a while longer before she cleared her throat. "Harry, I have discovered a few things for you."
She waited for him to focus on her. "It appears that you were never properly represented, legally, ever since…it was necessary. Your parents' will was never read nor executed and it seemed someone took some liberties as your Magical Guardian. Meaning you were not represented correctly. They illegally took up the mantle despite it being clear that you should have had one designated."
Harry gaped at her. "Who did that?" he asked.
She frowned. "It appears that Albus Dumbledore was responsible."
"Professor Dumbledore? Why did he do that?" Harry could not believe his ears.
"I do not know any trust me, I intend to find out. He has flouted several laws in doing so and I will demand satisfaction."
"I…thought he was…I thought he cared." Harry sounded a little lost. "I don't understand."
Dora whimpered slightly and she offered her open hand to Harry. After a moment of hesitation, he took it and squeezed it gently, relishing her warmth and touch.
Andromeda sighed softly seeing her daughter do that. "Dumbledore is a very old and wise wizard, but that does not mean he does everything well. Even the best of us will make the worst mistakes. If what he did was an honest mistake," her tone of voice showed that she did not believe that, "then we can make amends. If what he did was done poorly however," she smiled much like a hungry predator would, "we will take restitution."
Harry shivered lightly at her expression and was glad that he was not the target of it. "What do we do?"
"You will rest and recover," Andromeda said firmly. "I will get you when your presence is needed. Teddy will help you heal. Dora will watch over you and take care of you. I will continue to act in your best interest. I aim to speak to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the morning and will continue to find who wronged you. Then I will go confront them. How does that sound?"
"I don't want to inconvenience anyone," Harry said softly.
"You're not," Ted said soothingly. "Not in the slightest. We can easily do our regular jobs and help you. It's only right."
"We've been wanting to do this for years," Dora said, squeezing his hand. "Now we finally can. You have no idea how much we wanted to."
"Really?" His voice was small.
"Really," Andromeda replied firmly. "We looked for you for years. We wanted to help and were denied. We will not be denied now."
Harry rubbed his eyes to dash the tears away. "Thank you," he sniffled. "I'll do my best to help too."
"I know you will. Dora, take him to his room please."
"Yes Mum. Come on Harry. How does bed sound?"
Harry nodded and yawned, feeling incredibly tired. He waved to Ted and Andromeda and followed Dora, still holding her hand.
"What else did you find out?" Ted asked softly as he watched them leave.
Andromeda growled. "There's a chance that Sirius never got a trial."
"What?!"
"I tried looking for records, something I can claim as legal reasoning for me assuming his legal rights. However, there was none."
"That's…holy hell," Ted cursed. "That's a whole other mess."
"Quite."
Ted knew that look. People suffered when Andromeda looked like that. Thankfully, he rarely did. It was usually reserved for people who have truly done wrong or really deserved it. His usual flaws were forgetting to pick something up at the market or eating the last piece of something, inconsequential in her eyes save for the opportunity to harass him lovingly.
Ted also knew that he could only hold her back so much before it was inevitable and at that point, the best thing to do was duck and cover. If she was right though, if Sirius had not gotten a proper trial and if Harry had suffered because of it, he would not hold her back at all. "Does that make things more difficult for us and Harry?"
"Actually, no. I can claim a void in negligence and it will be easier to assume Guardianship of Harry, providing he wants to of course. Dora warned me that he will want to make the final decision himself. Something tells me he has had little agency in his own life, shame and pity of it."
"That's a relief." Ted shook his head. "Seeing him like this, knowing what his exam said without him saying it, I hate it. I wouldn't be able to face Lily or James if we don't do something."
Andromeda wrapped her arms around her husband, kissing him warmly and thoroughly. "That's my beautiful big-hearted husband," she praised. "So we are in agreement then? Help Harry at all possible and take care of him?"
"You don't even have to ask. I know if the situation was reversed, Lily and James would have taken Nymmie in a heartbeat."
Andromeda's face glowed with affection and pride. "Wonderful, not that I thought anything else from you."
Ted chuckled and kissed her. "What's that face now?"
"The more I think of it, the worse I think it is. I am rather…vexed."
Ted shivered. "Hey, leave it at the door," he reminded her gently. "You're home and you deserve to relax."
Her smile blossomed. "Thank you for reminding me. Yes, there will be plenty of time to slake my hunger for justice later." Her voice descended into a throaty purr. "Now, about my other hunger however…"
-0-
"I hope this room is okay," Dora said worriedly. She looked around what used to be the guest room of their home. It was small but comfortable. The décor fairly neutral. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Harry's trunk. He had taken a few things out of it but aside from books and school things, it held precious little else. All his clothes except for his school robes were worn and much too large for him. He had no possessions of sentiment or care really. It bothered her.
"It's amazing," he said sincerely. "It's way bigger than where I used to sleep and a lot nicer. Your parents are really nice." He was having trouble staying awake. He changed into a giant t-shirt, Dora had stepped outside while he changed, and was sitting in bed, head nodding.
"Yeah they're pretty great," Dora agreed. She stepped past what he said first but cataloged it to tell her mother. "I'm just next door. If you need anything, just knock on this wall and I'll come over, okay?"
He nodded as he laid back. He blushed when she tucked him in, but he could not remember the last time he felt this cared for. If he ever was this cared for. He reached out with his hand. "Dora?"
She took it eagerly. "Yeah?"
"Thanks for everything," he murmured sleepily. "I'm really glad I listened to you."
She blinked away a tear. "You're welcome, Harry. Welcome home."
"I've never had a home before," he whispered, half-asleep.
She squeezed his hand tightly. "Well, this one's yours now."
"Thank you," he said almost inaudibly and fell asleep, still holding her hand.
She sat by his bed, holding his hand for a long time. She looked at his face, seeing the lines of worry disappear. "No one is taking you away from me ever again," she whispered. "You're not alone anymore."
His hand clutched hers just a little bit tighter.