Dora's good mood evaporated.
She was still happy for Harry of course. Surviving an encounter with a dragon was no easy feat. The fact that he had done that was incredible. Now that they have come to terms with someone trying to hurt Harry via the tournament, it was easier to ignore the implications somewhat. She was enjoying being at the castle with him, replacing her poor memories as a student with better ones. She had been recalled from guard duty a few days a week for other tasks and duties, but she was still able to spend a lot of time with him.
After Draco's very public incident, most gave Harry and her a wide berth. No one wanted to be on her bad side and it seemed the majority of the school got over the fact that Harry was the fourth champion. More seemed to believe him that he did not put his name into the Goblet and a few had made sincere apologies. All in all, her good mood should have persisted.
Then the Yule Ball was announced.
Upon hearing about it, then hearing that Harry had to open the Ball with a date, Dora's mood had soured. She loved Christmas and the idea of working on it irritated her. Then she realized she would have to watch a school's worth of awkward hormonal teenagers navigate a night of dance and elegance with the usual fervor of finding a date amplified a thousand times. That made her hair literally and figuratively curl.
Then she had to imagine watching Harry dance with some girl and that thought filled her with dread and displeasure. The thought gnawed at her, like a dog on a bone. She found herself becoming more irritable. She even snapped at Harry a few times and felt terrible about it. Barely anyone would meet her gaze and she was glad that she was pulled out of the castle for a few days after the announcement.
"What's got your knickers in a twist?"
Dora looked up at the Auror she was working with. "What?" she finally replied.
Hestia Jones looked at her. "You look like you're pissed about something."
Dora tried to smooth her expression. "It's nothing."
"Don't seem like nothing. I thought you'd be happy since Potter did well on the task."
Dora smiled softly. "He did great."
"See? When you smile like that, that's nothing wrong. When you look like you're about to snap someone's neck, that's not nothing."
Dora scowled and shook her head. "It's stupid. We going to catch this guy or what?"
Hestia snorted. "Alright. I know when not to poke the dragon." She sat up, seeing a figure walk out of a building. "There he goes. Let's go."
Hestia and Dora stepped out on the sidewalk and the man took off running. "Stop! Aurors!" Hestia shouted as they sped up after him. "Shit!" Hestia dove underneath the spell the man shot at her.
"Throw your wand down!" Dora yelled as she sped up. She dodged another hastily aimed spell. "Last warning!"
"Fuck you!" the man said and shot a blast of fire at her.
"Aguamenti!" Hestia's spear of water struck the fire and put it out. Dora snarled and made a scooping motion with her wand and flicked the tip to one side. A hole appeared in the sidewalk in front of the man. Since he was not looking, one foot sank in. He tripped and fell, slamming face first into the hard concrete.
"That'll do it," Hestia remarked as they walked up to him. The man had knocked himself out, crushing his nose flat and breaking several teeth. "We're going to have to regrow those so he can talk, but not bad."
"Thanks," Dora said. "You still need me?"
"Nah, thanks for the backup though. I'll take him in for processing and questioning. Just do me a favor, next time you come out, get that stick out of your arse."
"Fuck you," Dora grumbled.
-0-
"Did I do something to upset her?" Harry asked worriedly.
"I don't think so, at least not when you and I were with her," Hermione said soothingly. "Do you think you did something?"
"I don't know honestly. She's been really irritable the last few days and haven't really been around." He rubbed his neck and sighed. "I hope I didn't do something without knowing it."
"Just ask her when you see her next," Hermione said logically. "Dora's always honest with you. Sometimes a little too honest but better that than the alternative I suppose."
"It's probably not you at all," Ron said, trying a bit too hard. He ignored Hermione's eyeroll.
Harry stifled a sigh. After the first task, Ron had approached and sheepishly apologized for his behavior to Harry. He admitted he let his jealousy get the best of him and should have realized that Harry would not lie to him about entering the tournament. Harry had accepted the apology but made it clear it would be a while before their friendship could be back to where it was, if it ever did.
Ron had accepted that reluctantly and had tried to be a better friend since.
"Well, I am a bit thick when it comes to feelings," Harry said morosely.
"You're not that bad," Hermione said. She smiled. "Not great either, but not that bad."
"Thanks," he chuckled. "Yeah I'll probably talk to her when I see her next."
"So uh, what do you two think about the Ball?" Ron asked.
"I have to go. Champions have to open it," Harry said. "Which means I have to find a date."
"Well you faced off against a dragon and survived. Getting a date can't be that hard," Ron grinned.
"I almost rather go against a dragon again. Asking a girl out is terrifying."
Hermione snorted. "You're being dramatic. Besides, girls can ask you out, you know. Isn't that what almost happened earlier?"
"Please don't remind me. That was so awkward, I didn't even know her name and she asked me." Harry shuddered at the memory.
"You better hurry and find someone," Ron said.
"It's not just about finding someone," Harry muttered. "I want to go with someone that wants to go with me. Not how they think I am, but someone who wants to go with who I really am."
"And who's that, Hermione?"
Harry rolled his eyes at Ron. "I want Hermione to go with someone that she wants to go with too. She deserves that instead of keeping me company. She already has a date as it is."
"You do?!" Ron gaped.
"I do, yes," Hermione said coolly. "Neville asked me and I said yes. I think he will be a lovely date to the Ball." She turned away from Ron's gobsmacked expression. "That's a very mature thought process Harry but Ron's not wrong. Not many girls do know you like that. Then again, there is a difference between those enamored by your Boy-Who-Lived persona and Harry Potter."
"I already have an idea of who I would like to go with," he admitted, flushing lightly.
"Who? Cho?" Ron asked.
"No, not Cho." Harry squinted at Hermione's knowing look.
"You might want to check to make sure she can attend the Ball," Hermione said with a little smile. "Before you ask her."
Ron looked between them.
Harry nodded. "Not a bad idea. Let me go ask Professor McGonagall."
-0-
Dora walked down the stone corridor with heavy steps. The more she thought, the worse she felt. She knew she was being unfair to Harry, punishing him for something that was out of his control. She cursed herself silently. She knew she was the older one, which was its own problem if she was being honest, so she had to be more mature. She silently swore to apologize to Harry when she saw him next.
She stopped when she saw him sitting in front of the portrait door to her quarters. She cursed fate, expecting more time to come to terms with her feelings and prepare.
"Hi Dora!" he said when he caught sight of her. "Are you okay?"
Her hair shifted from long straight black hair to soft brown curls. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just got back from a capture mission. Come in." She let him into her quarters.
"You didn't get hurt, did you?"
She smiled softly. "Nah. Dodged a spell or two and a fellow Auror kept me from getting crispy. Nabbed our guy and all was good." She hesitated for a moment. "Hey, I want to apologize for my attitude lately. I've been in a mood and took it out on you and it's not fair."
He breathed a sigh of relief. "I didn't do anything did I?"
"No, not at all. I got in my head and you didn't do anything. I was being a jerk and yeah, sorry." She perked up at his sincere smile.
"Whew, I'm glad to hear it. I was wracking my brain trying to think if I did something. But you'd tell me if I did something wrong right?"
She smiled at his belief. "Yeah, totally would."
"Good, I'm glad." It was his turn to hesitate. "Now that I know I didn't do anything wrong, I'm going to ruin it by potentially doing something wrong." He took a deep breath and Dora realized he looked more nervous now than he did going against the dragon. "Will you go to the Ball with me?"
Dora blinked at him. "What?"
He blushed, turning bright red. "Would you like to go with me to the Yule Ball?"
She blinked again. "Like, as your date?"
"Yeah."
The silence turned painful for him.
"Why?" she asked with open astonishment. "I don't even know if I can go since I'm not a student anymore."
"Well I checked with Professor McGonagall and she said it was fine as long as you 'adhere to the rules' like the rest of us students. Though I should warn you I have to open the Ball so people will be watching us and we'll have to dance in front of them." He coughed awkwardly.
"As far as why, well, I feel safe with you Dora. Ever since you found me, you've done nothing but be there for me. You talk to me, teach me things, make me laugh. I really like how I feel around you and how you make me feel. I really like…" he gulped, "I really like…spending time with you and hope you feel the same."
Now she blushed. Her hair started turning bright pink. "You really feel that way? You like spending time with me and want me to go with you?"
"Yeah, totally do."
Her smile blossomed. "I'd really like that."
"You'll go with me?!"
"Yeah!"
Harry's smile was radiant. "Brilliant! I mean, thank you! I'm actually looking forward to the Ball now."
She laughed. "Me too."
He hugged her tight and she returned the gesture, squeezing him hard. "This might actually be fun now," he said enthusiastically. "Thank you so much."
"Thanks for asking me," she said warmly and ruffled his hair. "I guess I better pop home and look for some dress robes or something."
"I'm sure whatever you wear will be wonderful." He looked down at his watch, missing her flush. "I better go back before curfew or else I'll get in trouble. See you later?"
She hugged him again. "Yeah, see you later. Have a good night, Harry." She watched him leave and felt the churning emotions in her stomach and chest. "I might be in trouble," she whispered to herself.
-0-
"Mum? Are you home?"
Andromeda looked up and smiled at Dora. "Oh hello love, welcome home. A bit late to be coming home."
Dora nodded and slumped on the couch. "Yeah, but I wanted to come home and talk to you."
Ted looked between his wife and daughter and stood. "Let me scram. Sounds like it's going to be one of those private talks where fathers are nuisances."
"I will inform you later if I am able," Andromeda said lovingly, ignoring Dora's snort. She watched Ted leave fondly before turning to face Dora. "So, what is wrong? Is Harry okay?"
"He's fine. Everything's fine."
"Dora, you rarely come to simply talk to me. It is good that he is fine however." She patted Dora's knee. "Out with it love."
Dora sighed. "Harry asked me to be his date to the Yule Ball."
Andromeda looked at her. "Is that all?"
"What do you mean, 'is that all'?!"
"Well I imagine it is a simple matter. Do you want to go with him?"
"Yes."
"Did you say you will go with him?"
"Yes!"
"Then what do you want me to say?"
"Isn't it, weird? I'm older than him."
"Not incredibly so. You started Hogwarts right when you turned eleven. Six, just shy of seven, years is hardly any time when you consider our life spans. I have seen couples with an age gap of decades."
"That's really concerning actually."
"Which is why you and Harry are barely anything in comparison."
Dora sighed and buried her face into her hands. "It's not just that. It's, well, I realized I get a little unreasonable when it comes to Harry sometimes. A few weeks ago, Draco cast a Curse at his back."
"That little shit," Andromeda growled.
"Right? But I, uh, basically choke slammed him into the wall and threatened to gut him in front of everyone."
Andromeda shrugged. "A reasonable response."
Dora rolled her eyes. "Is it? I know you say and do things differently and I follow your example but you have to know that we take things a little far sometimes. It's just, when it comes to Harry, I really do that. I would literally kill for him and it bothers me that it…doesn't bother me."
Andromeda rose from her chair and crossed to the liquor cabinet, retrieving a bottle and two glasses. "It seems it is time for the talk."
Dora groaned. "I know about sex and stuff Mum."
"Congratulations. And I did not mean the Talk, but a different kind of talk." She poured out healthy measures of alcohol into each glass. "Also do not tell your father you know about sex. It would break his heart."
Dora rolled her eyes and took a sip of firewhiskey.
Andromeda chuckled. "Anyways, this talk is about the blood that runs through your veins. You are a Tonks, obviously. However, you are also a Black. And I am sure you know a lot about the Blacks."
"From what you and Sirius tell me," Dora said.
"The Black Madness is actually a thing. Our family history is full of instances of it."
"Great, nothing like looking forward in going crazy," Dora sniped.
Andromeda snorted. "It is not literally going mad. Well, actually, a few did go quite insane but that is beside the point. The point is that an enemy of the Blacks tried to use our humors against us to slander us, and the family decided to embrace it instead. Our passions run deep and we call it our own form of madness. I believe one of our ancestors said something along the lines: if you own your flaws, none can use them against you."
She sipped her drink. "For some, it manifests as a form of extreme paranoia. Others are consumed by arrogance. However, the most common form of it is what can charitably be called intense devotion." She smiled wryly. "Or obsession. Same coin, different faces in my opinion."
Dora sat and processed the information. "Really?"
"Oh yes. You see, anything can be obsessed over. It is not just a person. Ideas and ideals just as easily. Usually most are overly obsessed with the family and its reputation. Others are far more personal and prideful in their focus. One member in our family was obsessed with hating Muggles, even farther than most."
"Oh, wasn't she the one that wanted to make Muggle hunting legal?"
"Exactly. Another was obsessed with gold. So obsessed, he died from drinking molten gold. I do believe he was dipped in it after he died and was turned into a statue and sold."
"Gross."
"Indeed." Andromeda looked off into the distance. "Narcissa was aptly named. She was always devoted to herself first and foremost. I have no doubt she loves her family to a degree, but only ever as it serves her. Bellatrix was devoted to, well you know. Sirius was obsessed with being the rebel, breaking free from the tyranny of his parents, being what they did not want him to be. Regulus was devoted to being his own Pureblooded ideal."
"And you're obsessed with Daddy," Dora smiled.
Andromeda smiled too. "Yes. From the moment we met, where he defended my honor against other Pureblooded bastards, I fell in love with him. I decided then and there he was worthy of my devotion and made it my purpose to stand by him and support him. It was difficult, I will not deny. Cast out, looked down upon by the others, lost so-called friends and family. Yet I do not regret a second of it and would do it again but faster. My life with him has been better than I dared dream and our little family is the sweetest reward I could hope for."
Dora drank more, thinking. With that context in mind, a lot of things made sense. Andromeda certainly was very devoted to Ted and to her, to their family. She always did the hard things with a smile, never wavering in her personal beliefs. She picked her battles carefully but whenever it involved her family, she went for the throat without reservation.
"I have found that once you find something you find worthy of your devotion, it makes things easier to accept and cope. Of course, objectively, there are good things to be devoted to and bad things to be devoted to. You are our daughter. You are intelligent and kind and I know that you do not make decisions lightly. You have good instincts and if you listen to them, you will be in the right more than in the wrong."
Dora smiled gratefully. "Thanks Mum."
"Of course, love. In a way, this really is not a surprise. Ever since we found Harry again, you have been much more at peace. I knew you took it very hard when he first disappeared, harder than Ted and I and we adored him and his parents very much."
Dora nodded slowly.
"I trust you, Dora. Follow your heart and your instincts, do right by yourself, your family, and Harry. And what comes will be handled and we will face it together."
Dora crossed over to Andromeda and hugged her solidly. Her hair became long and black, her eyes soft blue. "Thanks, Mum," she said softly.
"Anytime love."
Dora sighed. "Now that's out of the way, I have to do something I really don't want to do. I need your help finding dress robes."
"Oh lovely! It has been too long since you and I have gone clothes shopping."
"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"
"Not overmuch I do not think."
-0-
The day of the Yule Ball came and Dora woke up in her room. She had gone home to spend the morning with her family though she missed having Harry there. As she blinked slowly, waking up, she realized that she was not alone in her room. Hedwig sat on her headboard, looking down at her with large amber eyes.
"Hey girl," she said sleepily and reached up. Hedwig latched onto her wrist and rode her arm down. She hooted in greeting, lovingly nuzzling Dora's cheek and biting her nose playfully. "Hey careful," Dora laughed, poking Hedwig's belly. "I don't want a nose piercing." She found the letter on her nightstand and a small box attached to it.
Happy Christmas!
I technically woke up before you this time via Hedwig. It's not cheating, totally counts. Auntie Andi said this is a traditional Ball gift so I hope you like it. Can't wait to see you later!
Harry
She eagerly opened the box. A slim silver chain sat on a dark velvet cushion and she picked it up. The links were small but well-made, looking delicate but feeling sturdy like her bracelet. The necklace flowed over her fingers like moonlight and she carefully clasped it around her neck.
"Can't wait to see you too," she murmured, running a finger along the chain.
-0-
Harry felt incredibly self-conscious. He looked at himself in the mirror, pulling and adjusting his dress robes. He knew the fault was not due to them. They were incredibly well made from a very good tailor that Andromeda and Sirius went to. They were fitted to him, tight in places to emphasize his lean build, loose in others for comfort and flexibility. The outerrobe was jet black, his pants were a softer charcoal. His shirt was pale grey and his tie matched the pants in hue.
"Hey Harry!"
Harry turned and smiled at Neville Longbottom, his fellow fourth year. "Hey Neville. You sound excited."
The other boy laughed brightly. "I'm looking forward to it. I think it's going to be fun. But you should come down to the common room. Hermione sent me."
"Oh? Why's that?"
Neville gave him a look. "Your date's here and waiting."
Harry noticed the odd look Neville had and shrugged. "Yeah okay, gotta leave the dorm eventually I suppose." He scooped up a thin box off his bed and followed his friend down the steps. As he stepped into the common room and he looked and then stopped, his jaw dropping down.
Dora was standing beside Hermione, talking easily with her. Her dress was long and slinky, outlining her silhouette. They were midnight black and threads of silver were worked in so when she moved, small sparkles caught the line like stars in the night sky. Her hair was shoulder length and slightly curled, a soft black that looked dark brown in the right light. Her eyes were grey and they glittered when she saw him. She wore his bracelet and his necklace, adding more silver to her appearance.
Everyone in the common room kept shooting glances at her and while she was talking in a friendly way with Hermione, she had the air of someone closed off. Yet when she saw Harry, her smile became bright and warm, her posture relaxing. "Hey you," she said as she walked over. "You clean up good."
Harry stammered. "You look incredible!"
Her cheeks became light pink. "You like?" she asked cheekily and twirled. Her dress shimmered as she spun, the stars coming to life.
"I do…" he gasped softly. "I feel underdressed."
Dora shook her head and slightly adjusted his tie. "You look very elegant." She saw the box in his hand. "What's this? You already gave me something." She ran a finger along her necklace.
"Oh, just an idea Neville had and I asked if I could borrow." He opened the box and revealed a long stem dahlia blossom. The star-shaped flower was soft white, almost gleaming.
"Oh that's gorgeous." Dora looked at it carefully and summoned her wand from the holster that was invisible on her forearm. She tapped the flower, creating a duplicate. She took the original and tucked it behind her right ear. The duplicate flower was threaded through a button-hole on his outerrobe. "Now we match."
"Brilliant." Harry smiled goofily. He turned to a very amused looking Hermione and a smiling Neville. "You look great Hermione." He admired her light blue dress, the skirt flowed out at the waist and a soft shawl draped elegantly around her shoulders.
She smiled. "Thank you, Harry. So do you." She looped an arm through Neville. "Thank you for letting Harry copy you," she said to him, showing off the chrysanthemum and periwinkle tied around her wrist.
"No problem, it was fun picking out flowers and the like," Neville said, blushing lightly.
"Shall we go?" Harry asked them, looking at Dora.
Dora smiled and threaded her arm through his. "Yes, let's," she said in a very warm way. She held her head high as they walked out, wearing a smile that was just a hint possessive as well as incredibly happy. She pressed against him, maintaining a light but distinct contact between them.
As they left Harry felt something press against him and he turned bright red as he noticed what. He leaned his head closer to her. "Uh Dora?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you…uh…did you make your…"
Her eyes sparkled with mischief and her smile was far too innocent to be truthful. "Did I what?"
Harry turned redder. "Did you make your chest bigger?" he asked in a whisper.
"Harry!" she whispered back with false outrage. "Would I do that?!"
"Yes. I'm fairly sure you would."
"Oh then, yes, yes I did," she said smugly. "I thought I'd give people a real reason to be jealous of you and a bit of revenge in one."
He sighed but his lips curled in a rueful smile. "Thank you, I guess. As long as you want to do it too though. I'd hate it if you were doing something you didn't want to for me."
She patted his hand. "Don't worry, I'm having fun. Honestly I was going to go bigger to really make the others really drool but Mum told me to be delicate." She loved it when he laughed around her. It was always so free and it made her warm knowing she made him laugh like that. "I'm surprised you could tell. You're usually a bit oblivious."
"Well, uh, it felt a little different from when we normally hug and stuff," he stammered.
"Perv," she teased softly though her cheeks were pink.
"Gosh, I wonder where I learned that kind of behavior." He grinned when she pinched him.
"Sirius is a terrible influence on you," she sniffed.
"You're not wrong."
They eventually reached the foyer and Hermione and Neville waved as they moved into the great hall. Harry and Dora were waved into the side room to wait for their entrance. The other champions were waiting there already and they all looked at Harry and Dora with mixed expressions.
Harry nodded politely to them but made no overtures to talk to them directly. Dora gave as good as she got, looking back boldly at them until they averted their eyes first. Viktor Krum had given her an appraising look before he blanched when Dora let her hair shift into an angry red, her eyes turning slate grey.
"It's nice that your bodyguard could attend," Cedric Diggory said in what he thought was a conversational tone.
"As your date no less," Cho Chang added.
"Who better?" Dora said smoothly as her eyes and hair changed back. "I have a vested interest in keeping Harry well in all ways possible."
"I trust Dora," Harry said simply. "I also care about her a lot. I didn't want to go with anyone else."
Dora felt warm at his words and she took even greater pleasure at how the other two Hogwarts students turned away, looking chagrined.
As they were announced and entered the great hall, Dora wore a faintly smug expression as she looked around. As she thought, more than a few looked at her with evident want and others looked at Harry jealously. A flash of her eyes shifting, a subtle change in her stance and posture made those that looked too closely avert their eyes, keeping the worst ones at bay.
She was well used to being stared at; others have always put her on some kind of pedestal due to her abilities. She felt the stirrings of resentment build deep within, long cultivated by her own years at Hogwarts. Then she felt Harry squeeze her hand and she looked down at him slightly, immediately relaxing a little. A part of her maintained some form of vigilance, also cultivated from Hogwarts as well as Moody's ministrations, but she soon found a balance of being wary while enjoying herself.
Dinner came and went. The House Elves below seemed to keep sending her food if she ordered it so she took advantage of it. She did not try to make small talk with the others, listening to them and conversing with Harry. She did talk to Percy some, the young man sitting in for Crouch. Despite her early reservations about him and his family, she found him normal enough. He was polite and kind to Harry so that was what she cared about.
Truth be told, the dancing part was something she worried about. Her natural clumsiness made ballroom dancing hazardous at best and she was worried she would make Harry a laughing stock. Yet somehow they managed to not trip or fall and she started enjoying herself.
"Mum would be proud of us," she murmured into his ear.
"Good thing we learned a little from her," he agreed with a smile. "This is kinda fun actually, dancing with you like this."
"I'm liking it too," she confessed. "It'll be better when the Weird Sisters play. You can really dance to their music."
"Like this?" he asked as he attempted to twirl her.
She spun on a foot, hanging onto his arms for balance. "Nah, much better dancing." She sighed when his hand rested on her hip again and she leaned closer. "This isn't too bad though."
Harry later admitted that dancing with Dora to the Weird Sisters was better. He did not have to worry about complicated movements or watching his step. He could jump about, be swung around while swinging her around, and just have fun. He liked how much Dora laughed when they danced, how her eyes relaxed and sparkled. She moved with an easy grace, occasionally punctuated by a stumble or a flail.
If he was told that he would enjoy his time at the Ball beforehand, he would have denied it. Yet as the hours waned and the last song was played, a slow one, he wished it would go on longer. He leaned forward and rested his cheek on her shoulder.
"Feeling tired?" she asked softly, pulling him closer.
"A bit, but I had so much fun with you."
She smiled and curved her body into his. "Good. Me too."
"You had fun with you?" he asked cheekily.
She laughed. "I always do and luckily you were along for the fun." She wrapped her arms firmly around his shoulders, pressing her cheek to his forehead. "This is nice."
"It is," he said softly. "I know I say this a lot, but thank you for everything."
She kissed his forehead. "Thank you for trusting me."
He grinned. "I'm really happy," he admitted softly.
"Me too," she admitted just as softly,
-0-
A few days later, Harry was let into Dora's quarters by the portrait guardian. He stopped short when he peered into the kitchenette. "What are you doing?"
Dora was standing and staring at a pot on the stove. "Watching a pot boil."
"Don't you know a watched pot doesn't boil?" he teased.
She snorted. "Daddy told me that too but they totally do. I actually proved him wrong once when I was little. Apparently I was able to focus my magic and force the water to boil faster."
"That sounds like you," he smiled. He looked at the very large stock pot on the stove. "What are you cooking by the way?" He frowned. "The stove isn't even on."
"Oh something," she said, waving her hand.
Harry blinked. "Is that my golden egg?!"
"It was pissing me off!" Dora said, glaring at the pot. "The screeching got on my nerves and I decided to huck it in some water and cook some sense into it. I wasn't really going to boil it," she added insincerely.
"Did you try to?" he asked.
She shrugged.
Harry snickered. "Well, let's hope it didn't get damaged." He reached in and accidentally undid the latch. The water bubbled and an eyebrow rose. "Huh, look, it's still making noise underwater."
"At least it sounds better than in the air," Dora grumbled.
Harry leaned close. "Wait. Do you think it sounds differently in the water?"
"Stranger shite has happened," Dora said slowly. She leaned close too and dipped her ear into the water. "Wait, I think you're right."
It took a while for them to write down the whole message, having to listen to it repeat many times. However they eventually completed writing it all down and then sat and stared at the words. "I'm going to have to go somewhere underwater to get something?" Harry whispered.
Dora hugged him. "At least we know the what. Now we can work on the how."
He hugged her back. "If you weren't here, I'd be really panicking right now."
She smiled. "I'm panicking right now, just doing it all subtle like."
He looked at her hair that stood on end and was constantly changing colors. "Yeah, real subtle," he laughed.
-0-
"As if I didn't have enough to worry about right now," Harry muttered. He looked at Dora, deeply embarrassed. "I'm so sorry."
Dora put down the Daily Prophet. "You got nothing to be sorry over." She glared at the article from Rita Skeeter. "The only one I blame is this bitch."
Boy-Who-Lived under Auror Assault?!
It has come to my attention that the Boy-Who-Lived, the fourth Tri-Wizard Champion is in a dire predicament!
The poor boy was seen accompanied to the Yule Ball by none other than his so-called Auror escort who seemed to have taken her job description too far! Instead of being an appropriate bodyguard, she was inappropriately guarding his body too closely.
Nymphadora Tonks is several years his senior and has been seen taking liberties far beyond what an Auror should be allowed to do. There are rumors that she obtained the post through illicit means, all a way to get into the good graces of our poor hero.
"She has her claws sunk into him," Draco Malfoy, a concerned classmate of Harry's said. "She's unhinged. She even threatened me once for interacting with him. It's something that's really worrying."
Instead of allowing him to find a partner that was better suited to him, the ever-shifty woman preferred to monopolize him in every sense of the word. I hope the Director of the DMLE reins her in before she hurts the poor damaged boy.
"I asked you to the Ball," Harry sighed. "And I had an amazing time. This woman is seriously the worst."
Dora's smile was cold. "Mind if I handle this with Mum?"
"If you want. I'm really sorry. They make you sound evil."
"I mean, I am evil but not when it comes to you. Don't worry Harry. I'll make her regret this."
"Can I write a statement? I want to refute what she said and refute that Draco is a 'concerned classmate'. The only thing he's concerned over is torturing me."
"That's a good idea. Don't worry Harry. This bitch has no idea what she's done and Mum and I are going to absolutely destroy her."
Harry grinned. "Can't wait."
-0-
As it turned out, he did not have to wait long.
The Daily Prophet Extends Apology
I, Barnabus Cuffe, would like to extend an apology and a retraction of our article published a few days prior involving Auror Nymphadora Tonks and Harry Potter.
A writer for the paper made observations that were not up to our journalistic standards. We have the privilege to post a letter written by Harry Potter as follows:
What Miss Skeeter got wrong, frankly everything she 'reported' was wrong, was that I asked Nymphadora Tonks as a date to the Yule Ball but not as a bodyguard, escort, or as an Auror. I genuinely enjoy her company and how she treats me as a human being and not as a symbol. Quite frankly, her skills as an Auror were an additional benefit because I do not feel safe at Hogwarts currently. I was entered into the Tournament against my will and I can count on the fingers of one hand the people who genuinely care for my well-being and she is one of them.
Draco Malfoy is not one of those people and his concerns are usually limited to his appearance and what his father knows, allegedly.
I am very disappointed in the Daily Prophet. It is sad that they are so willing to report incorrect information without actually speaking to the subjects of the article. A simple question to either of us would have proven all allegations to be false.
Nymphadora Tonks has also released a statement, as follows:
Rita Skeeter is skilled when it comes to writing fabrications and I will admit my skills there are lacking. Therefore, I believe it is only fair that I get to show where my skills lie. By the Gallows Law, I offer Rita Skeeter a chance to back up her allegations and face me in a Formal Duel. I would be more than happy to show that I obtained no post illicitly and that my skills are up to the challenge.
Once again, we here at the Daily Prophet would like to apologize to Auror Tonks, Mister Potter, and the DMLE for our lapse in standards and will endeavor to do better in the future.
"Well that was fast," Harry observed.
"They almost did a special edition the night after Mum visited them," Dora said gleefully. "She told me she made their security faint, the one that didn't run that is, and Cuffe wet his pants."
Hermione giggled as she read. "I like what you said about Draco."
"Thanks! I thought that was a nice touch."
"Did Skeeter respond to your challenge?" Ron asked Dora eagerly.
"I'm still waiting. I know she won't but it's nice to think about," Dora grumbled.
"How much did Auntie Andi edit your statement?" Harry asked.
"She had to rewrite it. Apparently printing swears is 'plebian'. As well as threatening to make her eat her quills so she could crap out her articles which is what she does anyways." Dora smirked when Hermione choked on her juice. "Sorry Hermione," she said, sounding anything but.
"Too bad they didn't print that," Ron said admiringly. "Would've been an improvement."
"That's what I said," Dora laughed.
"Well now that's out of the way, we can focus on me getting through the next task," Harry said. "Still not loving the idea of spending an hour underwater. It has to be the lake, it's the only body of water big enough nearby."
"Well let's go practice in it then," Dora said. "You'll get through it, no doubt."
-0-
The night before the task found Harry and Dora in her quarters once more. Harry was feeling jittery despite the weeks of practice he had done.
Dora hugged him with one arm. "Hey, you got this. Sirius said he's pretty sure the voice from the egg is a mermaid though I don't believe him on how he says he knows. So you dive into the Lake, head for the deepest part, grab the thing you miss most, then come back up. Now, what's your primary spell to get down there?"
"Bubblehead Charm," he replied swiftly. "I also have my elemental flask to change water to air inside of it and can breathe in the air, gotta thank Uncle Ted for that again. And I have that bit of gilly weed for a last resort."
"Good. Remember you can use the propulsion spell again for a quick boost in speed, same with an aguamenti. What spells can you use underwater?"
"Stingers still work. Cutting spell only works if it's really close range. Bludgeoners are slow and not as effective. Shocking Jinx will probably hurt me too so only use it if I have to. No fire spells obviously."
"See? You're going to do great."
A knock was heard from the door and Dora looked at it. "Who's calling now?" She rose and walked over to the entryway, opening it.
McGonagall stood there and she raised an eyebrow seeing Harry there. "Auror Tonks, the Headmaster has requested your presence."
"Good for him," Dora said back.
McGonagall's nostrils flared slightly before she sighed. "I am afraid he insists."
Dora rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll go see what the old coot wants." She ignored the look of indignation on McGonagall's face and turned to Harry. "You should head back to your dorm. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Get a good night's sleep."
"Okay, be careful," he said and hugged her.
"I can handle myself against Dumbledore," she said before squeezing him. "Good night, Harry."
-0-
"Hey Harry!" Sirius hugged his godson. "How're you feeling?"
"Nervous but okay. Glad you came," he replied.
"Dumbledore dares not keep us away," Andromeda said and hugged him. "It was part of our agreement for the tournament."
Ted hugged him too. "I'm kind of glad I missed the first task, it sounded terrifying but I'm so proud of you. Where's Dora?"
Harry looked a little worried. "I don't know. I went to her quarters but the portrait guardian said she wasn't there. She went to see Professor Dumbledore yesterday…"
"Hmm, curious." Andromeda tried to smile. "Well, I am sure it is nothing. Amelia did not send me a letter or message so I am sure it was nothing to do with her job. She is probably doing something last minute and will find us in the stands."
Harry did not look convinced. He noticed Cedric looking equally unsettled. "I wonder what he's bothered about," he said softly.
"I heard him looking for Cho earlier," Ron said. "Asking her friends where she was. Apparently promised to see him at breakfast today to wish him luck."
"He must have missed her," Hermione mused.
Something clicked in Harry's brain and his face must have shown his horror. The adults looked at him sharply. "What's wrong?" Sirius asked hurriedly.
"The clue…it said something was taken that we'd sorely miss." What if it was someone, he thought with dread. Hermione was sitting beside him, looking at him with concern and Ron looked at him with confusion. That only left one other…
He jumped from the table. "I have to go!" he said. "I'll see you after." He hugged Andromeda and Ted tightly. "I'm so sorry," he said in a rush. "I'll save her, don't worry!" He ran away, his feet pounding the stone beneath him.
"Harry! What's wrong?!" Hermione yelled after him.
"What did he mean by that?" Ted asked, worried.
"I do not know but I do have a sudden urge to make Dumbledore suffer," Andromeda growled. "This cannot be good."
-0-
Harry stared down at the cold waters. Any nervousness he felt before had been replaced with fear for Dora, anger over the situation. Ludo had announced to the watchers that the champions had to go rescue their hostages and Harry was livid. It was not enough that he was roped into the mess, they had to involve Dora, someone he cared deeply about.
Threatening his life was one thing. Threatening the life of one of the few people he cared about and that cared about him? That was something else entirely.
As soon as the starting horn was sounded, he cast the Bubblehead charm and leapt into the water, all in one motion. He angled his wand behind him and cast the Water Summoning Spell, and used the sudden momentum to give him a head start towards the depths of the Lake. He did not use the spell the entire time, knowing he would exhaust himself in doing that. Instead, he used it when he was near patches of long underwater grass and plants, where he felt something lurking there. He paced himself as best as he could but he still swam hard, going deeper into the waters.
Dumbledore shivered slightly. Right before he jumped in, Harry had given him a look that he had never seen on the boy. It was an expression of sheer anger, deep resentment. He was used to seeing those kinds of looks from others, but never from Harry.
In fact, if he dared turn, he would see three identical looks. He could feel them boring into his back and he sweated slightly despite the chill February air. He thought that he might need to reassess the impact the Tonkses and Sirius was having on Harry's temperament.
When they were all very far from him and he was safe in his office.
"If something happens to Dora," Ted growled, "I'm going to kill him."
"Only if you beat me to him," Sirius snarled. "For her and Harry."
"Settle down boys. Ladies first," Andromeda said in a very dangerous tone. "I might leave something left of him after I am through. I swear, he is especially moronic if he has yet to learn his lesson."
Sirius sighed deeply. "Harry's been training hard. He'll get to her and as soon as he does, she'll be in the fight. She's tough. I'd put money on those two against anyone else any day."
"Please be safe Harry," Hermione begged softly.
-0-
After a while Harry heard singing. He homed in on the sound, swimming towards it with renewed vigor. The singing grew louder and he recognized the song that was the clue. Emboldened, he swam faster. He broke through a thick patch of dense plant life and swam into the Merfolk village. He spent a few moments looking at the homes carved from stone, decorated with coral and driftwood, before focusing.
He swam past Merfolk who watched him with large dark eyes, floating in place. Some held weapons: spears and tridents. Others just drifted, watching him carefully. He swam towards the center and stopped, heart in his throat.
Dora was tied to a large statue of a Mermaid alongside Cho, a girl wearing Durmstrang robes, and a small girl who had hair like Fleur's. She looked especially small, floating in the water, and the sight made Harry even angrier. As he swam to them, one of the larger Merfolk jabbed at him with a trident. "Only one!" he hissed. "Yours only!"
Harry scowled back. He felt better having found the hostages but leaving them alone down here in the depths of the Lake did not sit right with him. He wanted to save Dora as fast as possible but he also hated the idea of everyone suffering for this damned tournament. He looked around for long moments, not seeing any of the other champions.
"Sod this," he muttered. He held his wand high. "Exardescere!" Normally, the Flare spell would summon a large burning ball of fire and light that could be applied to an object or sent flying. Underwater, it created a boiling pocket of water that sent off a cloud of bubbles. It still shone brightly, sending rays of light that penetrated the water. He dragged the ball up to the top of the statue and waited, peering into the depths.
Fleur showed up, drawn to the beacon. Her swimsuit was torn in a few places but she swam with manic energy, slowing when she saw Harry waiting with the flare. "You led me here," she said as she approached, her words just barely discernible through her own Bubblehead charm.
Harry nodded. "I don't care about winning, just about what's right." He pointed down at the hostages. "I'm not leaving them here alone."
She gave him a look. "I believe you," she said finally. She stifled a sob seeing her little sister floating there. "I would die if my little sister was left here alone."
Something died inside Harry. "Your little sister? How old is she?"
"Gabrielle is barely eight years old…"
Harry swore under his breath. He took his anger and channeled it into another Flare spell. He shot this one out into the water, high above them.
"There!" Fleur pointed and they saw two forms swimming towards them. One looked like a strange amalgamation of a fish and a human, the other also had their face obscured like Harry and Fleur with a Bubblehead.
Harry dove down to the statue's base and Fleur followed. With a short snap of his wand, he cut Dora free from the vines and did the same to the little girl. Fleur wrapped her sister to her with a length of vine, chest to chest. Taking her idea, he tied himself to Dora. He raised his wand. "Ascendio!" The spell kicked in and he felt himself dragged upwards, pulling Dora behind him. He kept his grip on the wand and the vine, gritting his teeth against the immense pressure dragging on him.
He felt himself getting weaker, tiring out. He poured as much of his energy into the spell, willing it to carry them to safety. His sole purpose was to save Dora and he felt the Bubblehead charm beginning to fade. With the last of his strength, he hugged Dora to him, his eyes closing.
They broke the surface of the Lake. He gasped and coughed, spitting out water. When Dora emerged, the sleep spell wore off and she coughed too, disoriented. "Why am I bloody soaking-Harry!" She grabbed him, trying to keep him afloat. "Harry! Are you okay?"
"I'm okay," he sputtered. "Tired. Are you okay?" He finally relaxed, seeing her beside him and awake. "I'm so sorry you got involved."
"I…at least they asked me." She inspected him carefully. "Breathe Harry, I'm okay. I'm here."
His face glistened and it was not just from the waters of the Lake. "I was so scared I lost you and couldn't save you."
She gulped. "You saved me. You got me. Here, let me help us get to shore." She flicked her wand out and cast Aguamentibehind them, propelling them to shore. "I won't leave you," she whispered to him. "Ever. It took me years to find you."
"Good," he said, shy but relieved.
They reached the shore and Dora half carried Harry out of the water. Sirius, Andromeda, and Ted rushed to the Lake's edge, relief evident on their faces.
"Harry, my boy," Dumbledore said as he approached. He suddenly stopped short, surprise on his face.
Harry pointed his wand at the headmaster and people around them gasped with wide eyes and shocked expressions. "How dare you," Harry snarled. "It's not enough that you endanger me? You're aiming for the people I care about?!"
"Mister Potter!" McGonagall gasped.
"No! I don't care if you try to get me killed," he spat to everyone's horror. "You don't mess with the only people that care about me! You stay away from my family!"
"She...we asked for her consent," Dumbledore said weakly. He had never thought he would see the day that Harry Potter threatened him. He was shocked beyond belief and deeply concerned. The look in Harry's eyes was startling. He remembered seeing a similar conviction in Lily, James. Even exhausted, Harry's presence did not speak, it demanded notice.
"You heavily implied if I didn't consent, you'd use someone else," Dora said bitterly. She nodded at Hermione and Ron who had followed after her parents and Sirius. "Figured a trained Auror could handle the situation better."
Fleur reached the shore, carrying a sniffling Gabrielle in her arms.
Harry pointed at her. "She's only eight! She's a child! What's your excuse there?! Didn't you do enough when you interfered with my life when I was a baby?! Do you enjoy endangering the lives of children?!"
All the blood drained from Dumbledore's face and he staggered as if physically struck. "I...Harry…"
Dora felt Harry stumbling, his anger no longer sustaining his energy. "Daddy!" she yelled, half carrying Harry to him.
Ted rushed forward and helped carry Harry the rest of the way to dry land. He murmured as he cast diagnostic spells and warming spells. "Nothing's wrong thankfully. Just some magical exhaustion and muscle strain. Easy to fix."
"You better leave them alone," Andromeda said severely to Dumbledore. "We will be having words about this. If you think I would be upset with any threats to Harry, who I consider practically a son, what do you think will happen when you threaten one that is my flesh and blood?"
Dumbledore heeded the warning and walked away, his face still pale.
Ted wrapped them in towels and blankets that Pomfrey brought over. "Let's get you both warmed up. Everything's alright. You did great, really."
Dora hugged Harry to her and his hand found hers, their fingers entwining. He breathed a deep sigh of relief and faded away, listening to the others fuss around him.