The morning dawned and the sun from the previous day was no where to be seen. Clouds had formed overnight and the day looked to be dreary and very London-like. Moody eyed the blur as he picked up movement. Tonks left the room first and went to the loo. Moody averted his eye back to the blur knowing that if Harry was to sneak out, it would be when others were occupied elsewhere.
He watched and waited and saw nothing. Tonks returned to the room and shortly afterwards, Harry left for the loo. Moody was becoming confused as he witnessed normal activities for people getting ready for a normal day. He knew that Harry was supposed to stay in the house unless Dumbledore expressly authorized otherwise. "Pretty much guarantees that the boy will be out and about all day just to spite Albus. It has been too long since he was young to understand the mind of a teenager. And this one is far from being just a teenager."
Shortly after Harry returned to the room, both left the room and made their way down to the kitchen. The only unusual thing Moody could see was that they were both wearing cloaks. He knew from overhearing past discussions that the Dursleys would not approve of that clothing choice. He watched the muggles take notice of the wizards and refuse to speak to them. He watched Harry serve Tonks and himself food from the cooker.
At ten of the hour, Moody moved to the back garden of the property while keeping his eye firmly on Harry and Tonks. He stood, covered by his invisibility cloak, and waited. They cleared away their plates and exited the house through the back door. Moody was about to remove the cloak when Harry shouted 'danger' causing Tonks to dive for cover and draw her wand.
Moody pulled the cloak off trying to avoid a mess of magic in a muggle neighborhood while raising his wand just in case spells flew. He turned to Tonks who had crouched in a defensive position and was about to cast a spell at him when a wand point stabbed him in the neck.
"Drop it or you lose your head!" Growled a fierce voice.
"Potter?" Moody queried not liking a wand planted firmly in his carotid artery.
"Moody," Harry replied not lowering his wand. "Drop it or you will lose your head."
Moody's magical eye turned and fixated on Harry. Moody was surprised to see grim determination on the face of the teenager who was ready to kill him. "I am on your side, Potter."
"Excuse me if I don't blindly believe that," Harry spoke evenly not budging an inch. "Drop your wand. I will not ask you again."
"Alastor, please drop your wand," Tonks requested. "Harry is not joking around here."
"As if one could mistake the wand in my neck as a joke," Moody commented gruffly. "Fine." Moody dropped his wand and kept his eye on Harry.
"Tonks, pick it up and move away," Harry spoke like he had been in this situation before. Tonks carried out his request and stood near the house with her wand held at her side. "Prove you are you."
Moody's mouth curled into a smile. "Now you are talking my language, Potter. Never trust anyone until you know who they are. Even then, don't trust them much."
"Prove you are you," Harry said increasing the pressure on Moody's neck.
Moody saw the intent in Harry's eyes. The young man was serious and he was preparing to cast a spell. Any doubt in his mind was wiped away as Harry's wand started to glow with a faint pinkish hue. "Crouch Junior had me locked up in my own bloody trunk for an entire year. Most embarrassed I have ever been in my life."
The hue remained, but Moody saw Harry's mood shift slightly. The wand was pulled away slowly and Harry took a few steps back to join Tonks at a safe distance. Only then did Harry lower his wand to a safe but ready position.
"You use those kinds of instincts and you will make it out of this war, Potter."
"Do that again and you won't, Moody." Harry had maintained eye contact from the beginning of the exchange until after his warning to Moody.
"That was an impressive display, Potter," Moody complimented. "Where did you learn all that?"
Harry seemed to think something over before answering. "Not from Dumbledore or the Order. After awhile, you pick up a few things. Now, why are you here? Checking up on me?"
Moody eyed Harry closely and read the body language. 'Ready for a fight and willing to get into one, I like it.'
"He is checking up on me I believe," Tonks said. "You are aren't you?"
"Yes, Tonks, I am," Moody admitted. "I have a few questions and I need them answered to my satisfaction or I will have to go back to Albus with my concerns."
"I won't promise answers, but I will try to give them," Tonks relented.
"What is that Obscuring spell?" Alastor began. "Where are you going when you shouldn't be? What are you doing in his room?"
"Do not speak of me in the third person while I am standing here," Harry stated forcefully earning him a look from both of Moody's eyes.
"First off, it is an Obscuring spell that has been tweaked a little. Secondly, we are going where Harry wants to go and that is not for you to concern yourself with as I am the one guarding him. Lastly, none of your business."
"You know that isn't good enough, Tonks," Moody chastised the young woman. "You know Dumbledore's standing orders in regards to Harry's movements and it is my business. What is going on?"
"If Dumbledore has a problem with 'my' movements, then he can come down here and talk to 'me' about it." Harry took a breath and calmed himself before continuing. "And it isn't your business. I am safe, aren't I? That is the scope of your business, period."
"It doesn't work like that and you know it, Potter," Moody said slowly in a teacher-like way. "If you won't tell me, then I will have to speak to Albus about this. He needs to know when things out of the ordinary happen."
Harry sighed and forced more calm through his body. "Tonks stays in my room during the night. She has since nearly the start of summer. It is the only way to protect me from the Dursleys and the Death Eaters."
Moody watched both Tonks and Harry and neither moved nor spoke. "Getting a little too close, Tonks?"
"Like I said, it is none of your business, Alastor," Tonks said.
Moody wasn't positive about his theories, but he had a good idea what was going on. "And if I mention this to Albus…?"
"Nothing good would come from it," Harry answered the open statement with firm resolve keeping his wand in a ready position.
Moody looked at both of them again and nodded curtly knowing this wasn't the place to press for answers. "I believe that to be true, Potter. Off the record, I think Albus needs to reassess his stance on your protection for everyone's sake. If Sunday was any indication of the future, I hope he learns quickly."
"Then you are more optimistic than I," Harry replied.
"Alastor," Tonks spoke up. "We are going where we are going and that is that. If you are going to tell Albus, then tell him. Harry is going to live his life on his own terms."
"I can see that," Moody said while looking at Harry who still remained prepared for a fight. "If you will?" Moody held his hand out for his wand.
Tonks returned the wand and waited for Alastor to leave. With a curt nod, a smirk, and a swirl of his invisibility cloak, Alastor Disapparated with a soft pop.
"Well, that went smashingly," Harry said dryly. "Now if Voldemort stops by the day will be complete."
"Re-center yourself then we can leave. Do not let this bother you today. It is minor and nothing concrete was said or done."
Harry did as Tonks asked. He spent a few minutes working through the frustration of having Moody hint at certain things. His anger at Dumbledore was more generalized in reference to his situation than anything specific. Once Harry was done, they Apparated to the team room and prepared for another day.
Thursday was more intensive teamwork training and Harry's new found confidence had made improvements in every attempt he made on each mission. Gone was the confusion and worry of the previous days of training. Harry took things as they came and did his best. Sometimes he failed and his team was killed off in a flurry of spells, but more often than not Team 3 held their own and accomplished the mission.
A few times, Horace had to add new challenges to the preset missions to increase the risks and dangers. Harry's mood seemed lighter and more stable to everyone who dealt with him that day.
When a mission could be thought out, Harry tried to do it. He would ask for advice and suggestions, but ultimately he made a decision and the team worked it out. A few times Harry changed his plan when things didn't work out. Of those times, only one failed in defeat.
"What in the bloody hell happened to you, Ceps?" Horace growled.
"What do you mean?" Harry returned in kind.
"I mean," Horace began an animated reply, "what happened? You aren't the same person who was here yesterday. Something big changed. You are making tough choices and getting the job done. You are looking like you do when you are fighting alone. Right now, you aren't looking like a big waste of my time. Imagine my surprise."
"An important question was answered yesterday," Harry said. "That is all."
"Any more important questions needing answered?" Horace asked hopefully.
"Not right now."
"If there are any," Horace offered, "let me know. This kind of improvement is impressive, especially at this level."
"If I didn't know any better, I would say that you just complimented me," Harry spoke evenly.
"Ha, you know me better than that, Ceps," Horace said while walking away.
"Yes, I do."
When Harry got home that night, he had many owls waiting for him. Hedwig was not impressed with the situation at all. The four owls were jockeying for first position in line. Harry chose the smallest owl, Pig, who he had to grab out of the air.
"Pig, stop it," Harry yelled as he managed to grab the bird firmly but soft enough not to hurt it." Harry opened the attachment and found two letters inside.
Harry,
What is going on? Why is Loony asking me questions about last year?
You have got to tell me, mate.
Hope you are okay.
Ron
"Well, Ron is confused," Harry said tossing the letter to Tonks.
"You could have given him notice, you know."
"That wouldn't be as much fun, now would it?"
Harry,
I hope you are doing well. How is Tonks?
What have you gotten yourself into? Luna is asking us some pretty interesting questions. You wouldn't be behind them, would you?
I hope you know what you are doing. I can read between the lines unlike others.
Ginny
"Ginny has it figured out at least."
"She is a smart girl you know," Tonks replied.
"Ginny is a mix of the Twins, her mum, and Bill. She isn't someone I want on my bad side."
"Smart plan," Tonks added. "Who are the others from?"
"Dean, Neville, and another kid who had the some of the same problems I had with a certain person."
"What do they want from you?"
"To know whether or not this is for real," Harry said. "They want to know if it is okay to talk about these things. I just need to tell them it is fine."
Harry wrote responses for each letter giving them the okay and sent them out via the owls the originals were sent with. In the morning, the post had a letter from Hermione asking the same questions only much more detailed.
Harry picked up the telephone and dialed Hermione's number which she had included in her letter.
"Boy, what in the bloody hell do you think you are doing?" Yelled Vernon.
"Cursing you if you don't shut up," Harry replied calmly. "Hermione please."
The seconds ticked by as Vernon stilled when a wand was directed at him by Tonks. Harry eyed Tonks happily as he waited for Hermione to pick up the phone.
"Hello?" called a sleepy witch.
"Good morning, Hermione," Harry said.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed forcing Harry to hold the phone out at arm's length. "Harry, how are you? How has your summer been? Are you taking care of yourself? Are those people treating you better?" The questions continued as Harry slowly moved the phone back to his ear and waited for Hermione to take a breath.
"Hermione," Harry said forcefully causing the woman to stop questioning him. "There, now I can answer you. I am doing better every day. My summer has been busy, as you have probably figured out by now. Being the smartest witch has that perk. I am taking care of myself smashingly. They are treating me better one way or another."
"What do you mean by that, Harry?" Asked Hermione.
"Well, Vernon is quiet right now because Tonks has her wand pointed at him."
"Oh, Harry, she could get into trouble doing that."
"Not likely, Hermione," Harry replied. "I think she could use it and get away with it." Harry said the last while smirking at his uncle who had the decency to look worried.
"Oh, you are going to get into so much trouble," Hermione whined.
"Nothing new there, so at least I am familiar with that sort of thing."
"At least you are in good spirits, Harry. What is going on with Luna?"
"I asked her to help me out with a few things. She is asking some questions about certain things and I hope you will answer them."
"Do you really want me to answer them, Harry? These are serious questions that could cause some problems for a few people."
"I am not worried about those people, Hermione. I am worried about us and our friends. Those people aren't our friends."
"I know that, but they are our leaders…"
"Not for long, Hermione. Just answer what you will and leave it at that."
"Oh, Harry, are you sure this is a good thing to do right now? What does Dumbledore have to say about this?"
"Nothing, since he doesn't know and I want it kept that way, Hermione. Do you understand me?"
"Harry, this isn't a good idea. Dumbledore probably has things already worked out. Doing this could mess up his plans. You really should talk to him about this before you do this."
"It is happening, Hermione. You can help me and see that it happens right, or you can refuse and watch it spin out of control."
"That is not fair, Harry. This shouldn't all fall on my head."
"You were there for the big stuff. You know too much not to be a part of this. Are you going to help me?"
"Of course I am going to help you. What gave you the idea I wasn't?" Harry could picture Hermione's hand on her hip as she said the words.
"I knew I could count on you. Just answer the questions and let me do the rest."
"You know what this will look like, don't you?"
"Yes, and I hope it does," Harry smiled a rather evil smile at his own words. Tonks laughed as she saw the pure enjoyment Harry displayed at that moment. "I should go now, Vernon looks like he is about to burst and you wouldn't want that to happen. Bye, Hermione."
"Bye, Harry. Take care of yourself and visit if you get the chance."
"Hermione is in and that makes everyone. I need to make that appointment before things get going."
"I can set that up for you today around lunch time," Tonks offered receiving a nod in reply. "Good, then let's get going."
"Good morning, uncle," Harry said to a very angry Vernon as he passed him leaving the house.
Lunchtime came very soon for Harry. He was led, by Tonks, to the team room where he took off his cloak and they Apparated outside of the Ministry. Harry entered the Ministry like any visitor would and found himself being escorted by Tonks to the second floor, Magical Law Enforcement offices. When the doors opened, Harry exited the lift and followed Tonks to Madam Bones' office. The assistant outside the office door addressed Tonks warmly and eyed Harry carefully.
The assistant wore form fitting robes and had her hair up in a twist. Harry thought she was rather attractive in a formal looking sense. She had very light brown hair bordering on blonde. Her lips were pert and complimenting for her face.
"Harry Potter to meet with Madam Bones," Tonks announced ignoring the warmth from the slightly built woman behind the desk. "He has an appointment."
The woman stopped herself before asking the question that had already been answered and checked the schedule. Finding that an appointment was listed, the woman became all business. "Auror Tonks, you are correct that a meeting is scheduled. I will check with Madam Bones and see if she is able to keep the appointment."
With a curt head nod, the woman left the room through a rear door adorned with a plaque stating it was Amelia's office. Harry looked at Tonks and waited for her to look at him in return.
"Am I missing something, Tonks?"
"No, I dare say you picked up on it just fine, Harry."
"Um, could you make sure I got it right then?"
"She has expressed an interest in me from the first day I came here. She would like to be friends, and close ones at that."
"And you aren't interested?"
"Right now, I have someone I like and that is enough for now. Why?"
"As protective as I should be, I find the situation intriguing nonetheless."
"Merlin," Tonks said under her breath. "Wasn't last night enough for awhile?"
"That was yesterday, Tonks. Today is a whole different day."
"Teenagers, insatiable," Tonks muttered.
"Haven't complained yet."
"I wasn't complaining, Harry. Far from it."
The woman returning ended all teasing and flirting immediately. "Madam Bones will see you, Mr. Potter." She eyed Tonks in a hungry fashion ignoring Harry's perceptive eye.
Returning to the new and confident Harry, he thanked the woman and strode into Madam Bones' office with Tonks following him closely to avoid being left in the same room with the assistant. They entered a comfortable office. Harry thought it was a nice office with its whole purpose being functionality.
A couple pictures in the room were all that showed Amelia had a softer side. Everything else screamed of business and getting it done. The desk was organized and as orderly as possible. Papers and files were lined up and waiting to be reviewed. In the chair behind the desk sat an imposing witch. Her square jaw and monocle presented an impressive look to visitors.
Harry focused on his purpose and drove towards it. "Madam Bones, thank you for seeing me."
"Mr. Potter," said Madam Bones, "my pleasure. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I have a few questions and I would appreciate candor in your answers."
Amelia's monocle dropped into her lap as she listened to the direct answer she received. "I am impressed already, Mr. Potter. Please, you have my attention, do continue."
"It is just, Harry, if you will." Amelia nodded her understanding. "What is your opinion of Fudge?"
Amelia laughed forcefully. "I can understand your desire for candor prior to asking. That is a loaded question, you know. In government, you can rarely voice your true opinion without suffering for it."
"Nothing you say will leave this office, Madam Bones," Harry offered. "You have my word on that."
"I do not doubt your word, Harry. My niece has had good things to say about you and she is a good judge of character. Okay, I will answer your question. Fudge is the Minister of Magic and my boss. He is what we have."
"Madam Bones, I wanted your true opinion of him not some political response. If you are going to answer that way, then I will leave now and save us both our time." Harry let his frustration show earning him exactly what he wanted to hear.
"Fudge was barely acceptable during peacetime," Amelia admitted. "Now, he is buggering up everything he touches. Is that more what you were looking for, Harry?"
"Yes, that is exactly what I was looking for. Who would you like to see replace him?"
"On the off chance that he resigns or becomes 'unable to lead,' I would hope that someone like your grandfather could be found to replace him."
"My grandfather?" Harry asked completely thrown from his plans. "What does he have to do with this?"
"Your grandfather was an active member of the magical community. He wasn't in the Ministry, per se, but he carried a lot of sway among the favourable purebloods and the general populous. He guided many Ministers and others into the positions they held or hold now. I, myself, am one of them. He said he liked my attitude."
"And," Harry paused trying to think of why he didn't read more of his grandfather's file while knowing it was because his father's was right there as well. "What attitude is that exactly?"
"Oh, this is the good part, Harry," Amelia said while her face softened. "I would tell him off when he needed it. He always liked strong women. I think that is why he welcomed your mum into the family so fast. She had spirit, she did"
Harry took the information in stride as best as he could. He wanted to follow that vain of discovery until it gave out, but he couldn't. He forced, with all his might, to continue on with the plan. "Who would you like to see replace him?"
"I can't really think of anyone offhand, Harry. Too many of them have been tainted by Fudge or are puppets of either You-Know-Who or Dumbledore."
"Voldemort," Harry corrected simply. "Not a fan of Dumbledore?"
"You wanted honest answers, right?" Getting a nod, she continued. "Dumbledore is a great man and a wonderful teacher. He is involved in everything in the Wizarding world. Some of it he can handle well, others he doesn't seem up to the task. I dare say, you were one of the things he didn't handle well. Wouldn't you agree?"
"With all due respect, what do you know about it?"
"I was not a really close friend of your family, but I knew that you shouldn't have been placed under your relatives care. From what my niece has told me, I am confident that you would agree. Am I wrong?"
"No, you aren't wrong," Harry paused again thinking how to proceed. "So you can't think of anyone you would like to see replace Fudge?"
"Since this is purely an academic exercise, I could name a few people who could be at that point in five to ten years but not right now. It would take too much political maneuvering to get a vote of no confidence on Fudge even with his shaky position. Afterwards, the person who got him out would have nothing left to ensure the right person replaced him. That is the risk of getting rid of Fudge. He has friends and allies all over the Ministry. Removing him would make a lot of enemies and to get your enemies to support you would be very costly both financially and politically."
"I see," Harry said barely following the conversation. "So you couldn't think of anyone then?"
"Not really, Harry. Sorry I can't be of more help there. Now, our time is coming to a close. Do you have anything else to ask before my very efficient assistant comes in and hurries you off?"
"If Dumbledore told you to do something and he asked you to trust him on it, what would you say?"
"Explain it to me or I can't help you, Albus."
"Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, asked you to bend a few laws so he could do what he wanted without worrying about them getting in the way. What would you say?"
"If I have to follow the rules, then so do you," answered Amelia with a surprised look on her face.
"Thank you very much, Madam Bones. You answered my questions honestly and in a way that I respect. Thank you, again." Harry turned and started walking towards the door and reached it the moment that the assistant opened it. Harry strode out the door with Tonks following him closely again.
On the lift ride to the atrium, Tonks asked Harry what he was planning. He responded with a smirk and a squeeze of her shoulder. They left the Ministry and Apparated back into the Department of Mysteries. They ate a little from the kitchen and continued with the remainder of their training for the day. Harry was upbeat and his confidence levels kept Horace on his toes when running the training mission scenarios.
After the training, Harry took Tonks back to Diagon Alley and to the offices of The Quibbler. Harry spoke with Odd, alone, and when he finished he led Tonks out of the business and to the Apparition point. When they arrived at Number Four, Harry led Tonks to his room and closed the door.
"Tonks, how much stuff do you have at your place?"
"Um, why do you ask, Harry?"
"Just how much stuff do you have and how long would it take for you to pack it?"
"I have clothes, some pictures, and a few other things. I could pack it all in about thirty minutes, fifteen if I had to move quickly. Why?"
"I just wanted to know. Things are going to happen fast and I need to know you aren't going to lose anything important when it does."
"Harry, I think I know what you have planned so why would I be caught off guard on this? I am helping you do this, aren't I?"
"You are, but there are a few extra things I have going. I don't want to be caught off guard is all."
Tonks responded to his worries by kissing him and more. They kept each other busy for hours by repeating what they did the night before with a few extra things added in. Tonks collapsed into Harry and fell asleep without a second thought. Harry remained awake for a little while longer creating a portkey he intended to use soon enough.
Friday dawned too early for Harry's tastes. He was very comfortable holding Tonks while wrapped in the blankets. He sighed and held Tonks close thinking about the last many days. 'So much has changed. I actually have a chance, I think.'
Tonks shifted into Harry more and her hair fell into her face which was resting on Harry's shoulder. He smiled and carefully moved the hair away revealing Tonks' real face. She responded in a positive fashion to the attention so Harry lightly touched her face smiling at how smooth her skin felt. He was completely captivated by the action and how Tonks moved in response to it. His smile grew when Tonks' eyes opened and focused on him.
"Morning, Harry," Tonks yawned then smiled. She curled into him even more while taking a deep breath. "Is it time to get up already?"
"I am afraid so, Nymph. We can't skip today, can we?"
"Not the wisest suggestion, Harry. Horace would make us suffer for it."
Under his breath, Harry said, "Yeah, not like that would be a change."
"Soon enough, you will understand what he is doing and why he is doing it. You will thank him when that time comes. We all have."
"Maybe so, but that time isn't right now." Harry slid away from Tonks and made to get ready for the day.
When they arrived in the training room, Harry saw many new cloaked people. They were grouped into three-person teams just like Harry, Tonks, and Cal. Horace appeared and Marcus was with him wearing a serious look on his face.
"Good morning everyone," Marcus announced. "Team two, you have a briefing in ten minutes in the conference room. Team three, you are still with Horace today. The rest of you will carry out your usual efforts when you are here." Marcus left the room and any who saw him noticed his clouded mood.
"Chamel, what is wrong with Marcus?" Harry asked.
"Team two is the interrogation team, Praeceps," Tonks answered. "I guess the Ministry finally gave up on getting information out of the Death Eaters the nice way. Marcus hates using them for that purpose, but he will when it is necessary. I will tell you they aren't nice about it. Robeen, Joslin, and Thor are very efficient at getting information. You do not want to know how they do it."
Very softly, Harry whispered into Tonks' ear, "I will not pity the people who tried to kill my friends. They are getting what they deserve. They could tell the Ministry what they wanted to know, but they chose not to say."
"That is true, but I wouldn't wish it on them. Team two is very good at their job." Tonks shook her head slowly as she thought of stories she had heard about past interrogations.
"Team three, on me," Horace barked. The team grouped around him and he gave them their mission for the day. "I am trying a loose mission here. No preset goal or objective. You are supposed to get from your starting point to the other side of the valley. What you meet, what you see, should be treated as hostile. Begin!"
The room faded and a forest appeared around them. The old looking trees and leaf-covered ground replaced the familiar room. Once the image stopped changing, a slight shimmer appeared in a rectangular shape.
Tonks looked to Cal who did the same to Tonks. Harry watched Tonks' face harden and the emotion fade. "What, Chamel?"
"Ceps," Tonks hesitated from continuing. "No matter what happens, remember your training. Stick to the mission and accomplish it. Do NOT worry about us."
"What in the bloody hell is going on, Chamel?"
"Keep your head about you, okay?"
"What is going on?" Harry never got an answer as spells erupted from the trees. Light flashed as bark was torn from the majestic trees. All Harry thought was that things couldn't get any worse. As they moved forward, Harry realized that he was wrong.
Team three fought as they retreated to a safer location. Harry tried to make a portkey to get his team out but every time he tried they were attacked. Left with little choice, Harry directed the team onward in the direction a stream flowed.
"What is going on?" Harry asked while he forced his way through a clearing populated with tall grass. "This is nothing like any of the other missions. Why is it so different?"
"No mission is going to be the same, Ceps," Cal answered. "They have to see if you can adapt to completely different situations."
"We need to make it to the end of the valley that we seem to be in right now," Tonks observed, pointing to the ground and how it sloped up on both sides of them.
"Makes a great funnel, don't you think, Chamel?" Cal commented as he swiveled on his heels when a noise sounded to their left.
Harry aimed his wand in the general location of the noise and waited for an attack. The team waited for a few seconds before advancing cautiously. Harry kept his eyes on the area where the noise most likely came from as he moved. A small jab in his back broke his concentration first. As he turned to look behind him, something hit him in the side of the head knocking him to the ground forcefully.
Completely dazed and confused, Harry rolled to the cover of a fallen tree as spells lit the underside of the overhanging trees above him. Shouts and yells echoed in the forest as Harry pulled himself into a crouch. With his left hand, he brushed the area where the jab had been and found a small trace of blood on his hand when he inspected it. The battle raged on in front of him, but Harry couldn't get his feet under him.
'I have to have a concussion. Why else would everything be so confusing.' The confusion subsided as Harry fired curses when he was sure he wouldn't hit his own team members. The fight slowed and Tonks found Harry secluded in his cover.
"Ceps, we need to keep moving. Can you walk?"
"I don't know. I can't get to my feet. I hit my head and everything is a little off now."
Tonks nodded and helped Harry to his feet. A few missteps later, Harry was walking on his own and leading his team deeper into the trees. They had been moving for nearly ten minutes when they walked into another fight. Harry threw up an Imprimis and an Absolvo Shield before driving off the path they had been on.
From his position on the ground, Harry watched Cal get hit in the chest by a dark green curse. He dropped to his knees and tried to fight on. A Severing Charm struck his left arm and it was separated from his body. A third jet of light tore a hole in his side exposing his ribs and muscle.
Harry yelled his name as Cal fell backwards. His eyes were completely devoid of life. Feeling his anger erupt, Harry jumped up and shot curses as fast as he could. He was trading off between wandlessly and wanded as he launched his attack at the area where the curses had come from. The forest suffered a terrible beating. Trees were knocked down in a way only seen by a tornado or hurricane.
Fire licked up the trees catching dead ones on fire and setting the ground cover ablaze. The yellow and orange glow gave Harry an ominous appearance as he battled the unseen adversaries. Tonks called to him from her position and told him to continue on.
"I am not going to leave you! We both go or we both stay!"
"Fine, you go first and I will follow," she answered.
The attack had ceased and Harry drove forward towards the objective. He was having problems focusing on anything but the immediate future. Everything seemed a little skewed from his point of view. As his steps took him deeper into the forest, Harry found he couldn't concentrate and it was getting worse.
"Chamel, I don't feel right. Something is wrong."
"Ceps, it is okay. Just keep going and don't worry about it. We have to keep going no matter what."
When they reached a stream that crossed their path, Tonks gave Harry a plan to make it to the other side. Harry recited the plan in his head so he could remember it and started crawling over a tree bridging the stream. A flash of light drew his attention to Tonks position on the original bank.
He saw Tonks get hit in the leg and fall to her side. She returned fire and leveled a small area of forest but the attack continued. Harry aimed his wand and fired a curse in the general direction of the attack. After his third spell, the tree he was on was hit by a forceful spell knocking him completely off his already very unstable center of balance. He grabbed onto the tree as tightly as possible, but he slid to the side. He found himself upside down hugging the tree with every ounce of strength. Another spell shook the tree violently causing Harry's grip to lessen and he fell into the stream.
Confused and disoriented, Harry resurfaced and watched the battle rage. Tonks was firing spell after spell so fast that her movements were nearly a blur. Harry aimed his wand and started firing spells to assist Tonks. He shouted at her to fall back, but she turned in Harry's direction and yelled for him to escape.