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Harry flopped onto his bed, thoroughly exhausted from recounting his whirlwind adventures in France to his adoptive family over dinner. Just as he was about to close his eyes, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," he called, sitting up.
A familiar head of bubblegum-pink hair poked into the room. "Wotcher, Harry!" Tonks greeted with a grin. "Hope you're not too tired for a little catch-up with your favorite almost-sister."
Harry chuckled. "For you, Dora? Never."
Tonks made a face as she plopped down next to him on the bed. "Ugh, you know I hate that name."
"Would you prefer Nymphadora?" Harry teased, dodging the pillow she swung at his head.
"Call me that again and I'll hex your bits off," she threatened, but there was laughter in her eyes. "Now, spill! I want to hear all about your grand adventures across the Channel."
So Harry found himself reliving the past month, from his awe at the magical wonders of Paris to his nerve-wracking dance with Fleur at the Ministry ball. Tonks was an avid audience, gasping and laughing in all the right places.
"Blimey, Harry," she said when he got to the part about diving into the underwater city of Abyssantica. "Only you would manage to befriend an entire kingdom of fish people."
"Royal Sea Horses," Harry corrected with a grin. "And they're not just any fish people. Their magic is incredible, Nym. The things they can do with water and currents...it's like nothing I've ever seen."
Tonks waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "And I bet the princess was pretty incredible too, eh? Crystal-Harmony, was it? Sounds like a real catch."
Harry felt his face heat up. "It wasn't like that," he mumbled, suddenly very interested in a loose thread on his pillowcase. "We just...got along well. She's a good friend."
"Uh-huh. A good friend who gave you a farewell kiss and called you her 'surface knight.'" Tonks looked like the kneazle who got the cream. "Honestly, Harry, do you have some sort of magnetism for exotic magical women? First the French Minister's daughter, now a bloody mermaid princess..."
"Royal Sea Horse," Harry corrected again, chucking the pillow back at her. "And you're one to talk! I seem to recall Newt mentioning something about you getting cozy with a certain Hufflepuff at the end-of-term party last year..."
It was Tonks' turn to blush, her hair turning a vivid shade of magenta. "That was just a bit of fun," she said airily. "Hufflepuffs know how to let loose, you know. We're not all tea and sunshine."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "I thought Hufflepuffs were supposed to be the nice ones. The loyal, hardworking type."
Tonks smirked. "Oh, we are. Loyal to our friends, hardworking in our studies...and in our partying." She winked. "Never underestimate a Badger, Potter. We'll surprise you every time."
They dissolved into laughter. As their giggles subsided, Tonks' gaze fell on the glimmering crystal hanging around Harry's neck.
"So what's the deal with your new flashy magical rock?" she asked nonchalantly. "Something about it being the most valuable magical material from Atlantis? Or was it Aquatica?"
"Abyssantica. And it's called a Pure Aqualis Crystal." Harry fingers grazed the smooth surface almost reverently. "Princess Crystal-Harmony gave it to me as a token of friendship before I left."
"Yeah, that's some 'friendship' token alright." Tonks rolled her eyes but gestured for Harry to continue.
"According to King Anden and the books Newt lent me, Aqualis is incredibly powerful. In its purest form, like this, it's supposed to be able to amplify underwater magic in extraordinary ways." He hesitated. "But there's not a lot known about what else it can do."
Tonks' eyes gleamed with mischief. "Maybe it can give you the power to talk to fish? Ooh, or maybe sprout gills and swim super fast like those Royal Seahorses!"
"Sea Horses," Harry corrected for what felt like the hundredth time, but he couldn't help laughing at her enthusiasm.
"Or," Tonks continued, undeterred, "maybe it'll let you shoot magical laser beams from your fingertips like 'pew pew pew!'" She mimed zapping invisible targets with her hands.
"You, Nymphadora Tonks, have been reading way too many Muggle comic books," Harry declared, shaking his head.
"First of all, rude. Muggle comics are brilliant. Second..." Her expression turned sly. "You just called me Nymphadora."
Harry's eyes widened. "Ah. Would you look at the time? I should really be getting to bed..."
"Oh no you don't, Potter!" Tonks lunged, pinning him to the bed and digging her fingers into his sides. "You'll pay for that!"
The next several minutes were a blur of shrieking laughter and flailing limbs as an all-out tickle war ensued. By the time they called a truce, they were both out of breath and grinning like loons.
"Merlin, I missed you, Harry," Tonks said, her hair settling back to her signature pink as she caught her breath. "This summer's been dead boring without you around to liven things up."
"Missed you too, Nym," Harry replied, the words light but the sentiment sincere. "Though I'm not sure my liver could handle too much of your idea of livening things up."
Tonks stuck her tongue out at him. "Prat. Shite. We should probably actually sleep at some point. Mum'll have my head if we're late for breakfast."
Harry nodded, stifling a yawn as the events of the day finally caught up with him. Tonks hopped off the bed and stretched, her back popping.
As she made her way to the door, she paused, then spun around and pulled Harry into a tight hug. "I really did miss you, you know," she mumbled into his shoulder. "Place wasn't the same without your specky mug around."
Harry returned the hug fiercely, a lump forming in his throat. "Missed you too, Dora. More than you know."
They stayed like that for a long moment, the easy affection and bone-deep comfort of family settling around them like a warm blanket. Then Tonks pulled back, socked him lightly on the arm, and grinned.
"Sleep tight, Water Boy," she said, winking. "Don't let the Nundus bite."
And with that, she slipped out of the room, leaving Harry shaking his head and chuckling at the whirlwind that was Nymphadora Tonks.
He settled back into bed, his mind still spinning with memories of underwater castles and moonlit balconies and fierce, joyful hugs. As he drifted off to sleep, one hand clasped around the Aqualis crystal, he thought that all things considered, it was good to be home.
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The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Harry's face. He groaned, burying his head under the pillow in a futile attempt to cling to the last vestiges of sleep. The enticing aroma of sizzling meat and freshly brewed tea wafted up from the kitchen, and his stomach rumbled in anticipation.
With a sigh, Harry rolled out of bed, fumbling for his glasses on the nightstand. He shuffled downstairs, stifling a yawn as he entered the kitchen. Mister Ted and Lady Andromeda were already seated at the table, sipping their tea and perusing the Daily Prophet.
"Morning, Harry!" Ted greeted cheerily, folding his newspaper. "Sleep well?"
"Like the dead," Harry mumbled, slumping into a chair. He reached for the teapot, pouring himself a steaming cup.
Andromeda eyed him over the rim of her own cup. "Excited for your second year at Hogwarts? It'll be here before you know it."
Harry nodded, a thrill of excitement chasing away the last of his drowsiness. "Yeah, I can't wait. Though I do wonder who the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor will be, now that Quirrell's gone."
As if summoned, Tonks stumbled into the kitchen, letting out a loud yawn and earning a look from her mother. "Dumbledore will sort it out," she said, plopping into the seat next to Harry and snagging a piece of bacon from his plate. "He always finds someone capable enough."
Harry snorted. "Like Quirrell was capable? The man had Voldemort sticking out the back of his head like a demented parasitic twin."
Andromeda shot him a sharp look. "Harry James Potter, mind your tongue at the breakfast table."
Harry ducked his head, hiding a smirk behind his teacup. "Yes, Lady Andromeda."
"Besides," Ted interjected, buttering his toast with methodical precision, "word in the Ministry is that Dumbledore's interviewing Gilderoy Lockhart for the position."
"Lockhart?" Tonks exclaimed, nearly choking on her purloined bacon. "That preening peacock couldn't defend himself against an aggressive flobberworm, let alone teach anyone else to do it."
"Nymphadora," Andromeda chided, emphasizing her daughter's full name with practiced skill designed to provoke maximum irritation, "Gilderoy Lockhart is a highly accomplished wizard with numerous published works detailing his heroic exploits."
Tonks' hair flashed a warning red. "Mum, I've told you a thousand times—"
"—not to call you by the perfectly lovely name we bestowed upon you at birth," Andromeda finished smoothly. "Yes, dear, I recall. And yet, here we are."
Ted winked at Harry behind his wife's back, mouthing 'every morning' with the resigned amusement of a man who had witnessed this particular exchange more times than he could count.
Tonks rolled her eyes with theatrical exaggeration, turning back to Harry. "Anyway, whoever it is, they can't be worse than Quirrell. And anyway, I'll be too busy with my own studies to worry much about ickle Harry's lessons. NEWT-level work is no joke, you know."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Ah yes, the ever-studious Nymphadora Tonks, braving the wilds of NEWT-level coursework. However shall you find time in your busy schedule of cauldron explosions and broom closet rendezvous to keep an eye on little old me?"
Tonks flicked a bit of egg at him, which he deftly dodged. "Prat. You should be grateful to have me around for two more years. Merlin knows what trouble you'll get into once I graduate."
Ted chuckled. "She's got you there, Harry. Hogwarts might not survive the combined force of an unsupervised Harry Potter and the Weasley twins."
Harry affected a look of wide-eyed innocence that had taken considerable practice to perfect. "Why, Mister Ted, I haven't the faintest idea what you mean. I am the very picture of a well-behaved student. Just ask Professor Snape—he'll tell you how much he adores having me in his classroom."
All three Tonkses fixed him with identical looks of profound skepticism.
Andromeda let out a snort. "I still remember the day I received the letter from Dumbledore that you with the Weasley Twins decided to prank the entire school and change everyone's robes."
"It was for educational purposes." Harry grinned, spearing a sausage with his fork. As he chewed, a thought occurred to him.
"Hey Nym, what does it take to become an Auror, anyway? Aren't you planning on joining up after Hogwarts?"
Tonks paused with her fork halfway to her mouth, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Why, planning a career change already, Boy Wonder? Decided chasing after magical beasties isn't thrilling enough for you?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Hardly. I just figured it might be good to know what my dear almost-sister is getting herself into. Wouldn't want you tripping over your own feet and accidentally arresting the Minister's prized pet kneazle or something. 'Sorry, Minister Fudge, but your kneazle looked at me suspiciously. Had to bring her in for questioning. Standard procedure, you understand.'"
Tonks stuck her tongue out at him, morphing it briefly into a forked serpentine appendage that had Ted choking on his tea. "I'll have you know I'm dead graceful when it counts. Just yesterday I went a full four hours without knocking anything over."
"A new personal record," Ted said proudly.
She ticked the requirements off on her fingers. "Top marks in Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defence. Spotless criminal record - so you're out, Mr. Nundu Owner. Character references from respected members of the community. Oh, and you have to pass a series of aptitude tests and a psychological evaluation. They only take the best."
Harry whistled, impressed despite himself. "Blimey. Sounds like a right slog."
Tonks shrugged, spearing another sausage. "It's worth it, though. Can you imagine anything more wicked than being a real-life dark wizard catcher? Running around, dueling evil, saving the day, looking dead sexy in those red robes..."
"Language, Nymphadora," Andromeda admonished automatically.
"Sorry, Mum. Looking dead attractive in those red robes," Tonks amended without missing a beat. "Besides, someone's got to make sure the next Dark Lord wannabe doesn't get further than blowing up their mum's garden shed."
Harry snorted into his tea. "You just like the idea of having a license to hex people."
"Damn right I do," Tonks said with a wink. "But seriously, it's important work. Making sure the bad guys don't win, you know? Somebody's got to do it." Her eyes took on a distant, determined glint.
Harry nodded, a flicker of understanding passing between them.
But as much as he respected her path, he knew it wasn't his own. "It's noble work," he said quietly. "But I don't think I'm cut out for it. Chasing dark wizards...it's not for me."
"Thank Merlin for small mercies," Andromeda murmured, though her eyes were kind as they rested on her adopted son. "One Auror in the family is quite enough, thank you."
Tonks cocked her head, studying him. "So what is for you then, Oh Chosen One? What great ambition drives the famous Harry Potter?"
Harry huffed a laugh, pushing his empty plate away. "Honestly? I'm not entirely sure yet. I love working with magical creatures, learning about them, helping protect them. And the stuff I've been doing with talismans and inventions...it's brilliant. Feels like I'm making a real difference, you know?"
A slow grin spread across his face. "Actually, that's not a bad idea...a Master Talisman Maker. Can you imagine the things I could create with more training, better materials?"
His mind raced with ideas, fingers itching for his sketchbook. The Gilded Fang talismans had only been the beginning; he was sure of it. With more knowledge and more skill...who knew what wonders he could bring into the world?
"Talisman crafting is an ancient and respected art," Andromeda said thoughtfully, her expression softening with approval. "It would suit your particular gifts admirably."
"And it's certainly less likely to get you killed before you're twenty," Ted added with the forced lightness of a parent who had already endured more than his fair share of worry.
Tonks' face softened, a glimmer of pride in her eyes. "Figures. Trust you to pick the most obscure, barmy career path imaginable. Master Talisman Maker...it's got a nice ring to it, though, I'll give you that."
"Harry Potter, Protecter of Wizardkind and Magical Creatures alike," Ted intoned in a passable imitation of a wireless announcer. "For all your talisman needs, from repelling garden gnomes to warding off Dark Lords!"
Harry flashed her a grin. "Well, one of us has to keep things interesting around here. Can't all be respectable Ministry stooges like you, Auror Tonks."
Tonks' shriek of outrage was muffled by the scone she threw at his head with surprising accuracy for someone who regularly tripped over smooth surfaces. "Stooge, am I? We'll see who's laughing when I'm hauling your sorry behind in for illegal possession of Class XXXXXXX magical creatures!"
Harry ducked, laughing, and retaliated with a well-aimed blueberry that caught her square between the eyes, leaving a purple smear across the bridge of her nose.
"Children!" Andromeda exclaimed.
Tonks ignored her mother entirely, grabbing a jar of strawberry preserves and flinging a glob that missed Harry by inches and landed with a satisfying splat against the pristine white wall—a tactical error, as the look on Andromeda's face immediately indicated.
Soon the kitchen was a whirl of airborne pastries and merry shrieking, Ted bellowing with laughter as he ducked beneath the table for cover, Andromeda's increasingly shrill admonitions going totally ignored as Harry and Tonks engaged in culinary warfare with the single-minded determination of siblings everywhere.
"Not the good china!" Andromeda yelped as a particularly enthusiastic throw from Tonks sent a teacup sailing dangerously close to a cabinet of Black family heirlooms.
Harry, capitalizing on the momentary distraction, levitated the entire bowl of cream with a wandless charm that surprised even himself, hovering it threateningly over Tonks' vibrant hair.
"You wouldn't dare," she gasped, her eyes widening.
"Oh, I absolutely would," Harry replied, grinning with the confidence of someone who had already calculated all possible outcomes and found them all delightful.
Tonks lunged for the last jelly doughnut, clearly intending it as a nuclear option. "Mutually assured destruction, Potter!"
As Harry dived behind the table to avoid the impending sugary doom, joining Ted in his makeshift bunker, he couldn't quite suppress his grin. This was what family meant—not the cold, sterile perfection of Privet Drive, but the chaotic, messy, wonderful reality of people who chose each other, day after day.
Their little game came to an abrupt end when Lady Andromeda, her patience finally exhausted, drew her wand. With a single elegant flourish, she cast a freezing charm that stopped both combatants mid-throw.
"Enough," she said, her voice dangerously soft. "I believe the two of you have sufficiently demonstrated your immaturity for one morning."
With another flick of her wand, she released them from the charm and cast a series of rapid Repairing and Cleaning spells that erased all evidence of their food fight. The kitchen gleamed once more, spotless and orderly—a stark contrast to the chastened expressions on Harry and Tonks' faces.
"Now," Andromeda continued, smoothing her already-immaculate robes, "I believe you both have a considerable amount of time on your hands today. Time that would be better spent considering the consequences of your actions. You are both grounded until further notice."
Ted's cough from beneath the table sounded suspiciously like muffled laughter.
"Theodore," Andromeda added without looking down, "if you find this situation amusing, perhaps you would care to join them?"
The coughing stopped immediately.
Harry and Tonks exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them that promised this was merely a temporary ceasefire in an ongoing campaign. After all, there was still dinner to look forward to—and Andromeda had mentioned something about pudding.
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Harry stepped out into the warm afternoon sunlight, breathing in the fresh air. The Tonks' garden was in full bloom. He could hear certain plants moving, and he was sure one of them was trying to run away with his branch-like legs, but the magic that surrounded the place made it impossible for them to go far away.
A familiar rustle of feathers made him look up. Hedwig swooped down from the sky, landing on a nearby fence post. Her amber eyes fixed on him, head cocked in that uncannily intelligent way of hers.
"Morning, girl," Harry murmured, reaching out to stroke her soft feathers. "Keeping an eye on things as usual?"
Hedwig let out a soft hoot, leaning into his touch.
A low rumble alerted him to Itisa's approach. The disguised Nundu padded over to him. She wound around his legs, purring, and Harry felt a rush of affection for his loyal companion.
His hand drifted to the Aqualis crystal that hung around his neck. The blue gem seemed to pulse with an inner light. Harry frowned, considering.
Harmony had told him the crystal possessed great power, that it could amplify magic in extraordinary ways. But so far, it had remained inert, a beautiful but seemingly useless trinket. Harry's fingers closed around it, feeling the smooth, cool surface.
On a whim, he focused his magic, reaching out with his voice in the way Loretta had taught him. He pictured the crystal glowing, resonating with his power, unlocking whatever secrets it held. For a long moment, he poured his will into the gem, waiting for some sign, some flicker of response.
But there was nothing. The crystal remained as it was, lovely but inscrutable. Harry sighed, letting it fall back against his chest. He wasn't sure what he'd expected, really. It wasn't like he had any idea how to use the thing.
Newt's words echoed in his mind. One of the most powerful magical materials in the world, he'd said. But what good was power if you didn't know how to wield it? Harry thought of ways he might be able to use it.
Maybe he could use it to craft a new talisman, something even stronger than the Gilded Fang pieces he'd made before. With Aqualis at its core, who knew what sort of protections and enhancements it could provide?
Or perhaps it could be worked into a wand. Harry had read about legendary wand makers who'd used all sorts of rare and potent cores - phoenix feathers, dragon heartstrings, even fragments of magical crystals. An Aqualis wand...he couldn't begin to imagine what it might be capable of.
But even as these grand ideas swirled in his head, a smaller, more immediate thought niggled at him. Anna Sallow. Sebastian's twin sister. The girl who'd been fighting a losing battle with a mysterious illness for years now.
Harry's heart clenched. Even Itisa's healing blood had only bought her a temporary reprieve. Sooner or later, the sickness always came creeping back.
But Aqualis...Harmony had said it had remarkable healing properties. The Royal Sea Horses had used it for centuries to cure all manner of ailments and injuries. What if...what if it could help Anna?
Harry's grip tightened on the crystal. It was a crazy idea. He had no proof it would work, no real understanding of how Aqualis healing magic functioned. And the crystal had been a gift, a token of friendship and trust from the Princess. Would it be wrong to just...give it away?
He shook his head, dismissing the thought. If there was even a chance the crystal could ease Anna's suffering and help her get well again...then it was no choice at all. Harmony had given him the Aqualis to use as he saw fit to make the world a little bit brighter. And what could be brighter than restoring a young girl's health, her chance at a future?
Harry didn't need some fancy crystal to make powerful talismans or wands. His magic, his ingenuity...those were his true strengths. And they would be more than enough to craft wonders, with or without rare materials.
But Anna...she needed a miracle. And if this blue gem could be that miracle, then Harry would happily place it in her hands and never look back.
He looked down at Itisa, who was watching him with those knowing yellow eyes. "What do you think, girl?" he asked softly. "Reckon we could spare a bit of sparkle for a good cause?"
Itisa let out a rumbling purr, butting her head against his leg. Harry chose to take that as agreement. Hedwig, too, gave a bob of her head before taking off in a flurry of white wings, as if endorsing his decision.
Harry smiled. With his familiars' approval and the warmth of purpose kindling in his chest, he felt lighter than he had in weeks. He had a plan now, a way forward.
He'd write to Sebastian today, explain his idea. If the Sallows were willing, he'd make arrangements to visit, to see if the Aqualis could succeed where other cures had failed. It was a slim hope, he knew, but it was more than they'd had yesterday.
And in the meantime...he had a whole summer stretching before him. Time to spend with his family and his friends. Time to tinker and invent, to learn and grow. Time to just...be Harry.
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Harry awoke to the insistent tapping of an owl at his window. Groggily, he fumbled for his glasses and stumbled over to let the bird in. To his surprise, it wasn't just Hedwig, but a whole parliament of owls, each bearing a letter.
"Popular today, aren't I?" he muttered, relieving the birds of their burdens. They hooted softly, some helping themselves to Hedwig's water dish before taking off again.
Harry settled back onto his bed, sorting through the small stack of parchment. The first one he opened was from Hermione, her neat script filling several pages.
"Dear Harry," it began. "I hope this letter finds you well. I've been having a marvelous time in the Alps with my parents - the hiking here is simply breathtaking, and I've been learning so much about the local magical history..."
Harry grinned, picturing Hermione's face alight with academic enthusiasm. Even on holiday, she couldn't resist a good educational opportunity.
But as he read on, her tone shifted to one of eager curiosity. "I've been hearing about the rumors of what you did in France. Did you really dance with the daughter of the French Minister of Magic? What was she like? And is it true that you helped negotiate a treaty with an underwater kingdom? You must tell me everything, Harry!"
Harry groaned, flopping back against his pillows. He should have known the gossip would spread like Fiendfyre. Knowing Hermione, she'd be expecting a full report, complete with footnotes and references.
The next letter was from Susan Bones, and it was even more blunt in its questioning. "Harry James Potter," it opened, "what's this I hear about you snogging a Veela at the French Ministry ball? Auntie's been in a right state, muttering about international incidents and the propriety of young wizards. You'd better have a good explanation, mister!"
"Merlin's beard," Harry muttered, feeling his cheeks heat. "I didn't snog anyone! It was just a dance!"
Though, as he recalled the moonlit balcony and Fleur's silvery hair, the word "just" felt a bit inadequate. He shook his head, moving on to the next letter.
To his relief, Neville's note was far more sedate. His friend asked after his well-being, expressed interest in his French adventures, and shared a few tidbits about his own summer in the Longbottom greenhouses. Harry smiled, appreciating Neville's steady, unassuming presence in his life.
But it was Sebastian's letter that really made him sit up and take notice. "Harry, you sly dog!" it crowed. "Bagging a girlfriend already? And a French one at that! I'm so proud I could burst."
Harry rolled his eyes heavenward, silently asking for patience. Sebastian was a good friend, but his penchant for dramatics could be a bit much sometimes.
Pulling out a fresh sheet of parchment, Harry began penning his replies. To Hermione, a promise to regale her with the full tale of his undersea adventures...once he figured out how to tell it without dying of embarrassment. To Susan, a fervent denial of any Veela-snogging and a plea for her to convince her aunt of his innocence in the matter.
To Neville, a warm thank-you and an invitation to meet up in Diagon Alley for school shopping. And to Sebastian, telling him that he did not have a girlfriend and he didn't snog anyone.
He signed and sealed each letter with care, then turned to Hedwig. She was practically vibrating with anticipation, her feathers taking on a strange, staticky quality. Harry had long since grown used to his owl's more...unusual attributes.
"All right, girl," he said, tying the letters to her leg. "Looks like you're playing courier today. Think you're up for it?"
Hedwig let out an indignant hoot, as if offended by the very question. Then, with a great crackle of electricity, she launched herself out the window. A massive bolt of lightning enveloped her, and then she was gone, streaking across the sky like a feathered piece of the storm.
Harry shook his head, watching her go. "Never a dull moment, is it, Hedwig?" he murmured.
A flicker of movement caught his eye. For a moment, he could have sworn he saw a pair of vivid purple eyes watching him from the garden hedge. But when he blinked, they were gone.
Frowning, Harry moved closer to the window, scanning the greenery. But there was nothing there, just the usual jumble of shrubs and flowers. He shrugged, chalking it up to a trick of the light.
He had more important things to worry about, after all. Friends to reassure, plans to make, a precious gift to send. The eyes in the hedge were probably just a garden gnome or something.
And if, as he went about his day, he felt the prickling sensation of being watched...well, he was used to that by now. Just another mystery to add to the ever-growing list.
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One Week Later
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Harry found himself drawn to the tranquil solitude of the Tonks' garden.
He wandered through the winding paths, as he walked, he began to hum softly under his breath.
Itisa padded silently at his side, her presence a comforting constant. She had been his shadow all day.
Harry's humming grew louder. He could feel his magic responding, could sense the power in his voice intertwining with the energy that flowed through the garden. On a whim, he focused that power towards his hands, visualizing the vibrations coalescing into tangible form.
A flicker of flame burst to life in his palms, dancing and swaying in time with his song. The fire didn't burn him; instead, it felt like a warm caress, a manifestation of the magic that lived within him.
Emboldened, he changed his tune, letting his voice dip into a minor key. The flames sputtered out, but a new sensation took their place—a creeping, withering feeling that made his skin crawl. Harry's gaze fell on a nearby flower, a delicate thing of pale petals. As he watched, the bloom began to shrivel, its vibrant colors fading to brown, its leaves curling in on themselves as if no one had watered for weeks.
Itisa let out a low rumble, drawing his attention. Her yellow eyes seemed to bore into him. Then, to Harry's surprise, she opened her mouth and exhaled a plume of shimmering purple breath.
The anomalous mist wafted towards him, he held his ground, letting the breath wash over him, feeling it seep into his mouth and nose, suffusing his lungs with a strange, tingling sensation.
For a moment, he expected...something. A rush of power, a surge of insight, a sudden understanding. But there was nothing, just the fading tingle, and Itisa's inscrutable gaze.
"What was that?" he asked. "What did you do?"
But the Nundu merely blinked at him, inscrutable as ever. Not for the first time, Harry wished they could communicate more directly. There was so much he wanted to ask her, so much he felt she could teach him.
Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. The play of magic had left him feeling drained, his body heavy with the need for rest. Itisa seemed to sense his mood, butting her head against his leg in a clear signal that it was time to head back inside.
He turned to go, taking one last deep breath of the night-blooming flowers. And then he felt it again - that prickling sensation of eyes on his back. But this time, it was different. Stronger, more intense. Almost...hungry.
Heart pounding, he spun around, aiming his wand, but there was nothing there, just the garden and the forest beyond.
But Harry knew he could try one more thing; his eyes turned to slits, and the green of his eyes glittered like emeralds. Suddenly, he could hear everything again; he could hear Mister and Miss Tonks sleeping in their beds, and he could hear Nymphadora in her room; she wasn't sleeping, but he could not hear what she was doing; maybe she was muttering.
Harry focused back on what was in front of him. And there, right in front of him...a pair of eyes. They were enormous, each one bigger than the house behind Harry. Burnished gold, with slit pupils blacker than the depths of space, and there were black spots in those golden eyes; those eyes were twenty feet away from him. He couldn't make out the body they were attached to - it seemed to melt into the shadows. Those eyes were as bright as gold, yet there was no gold illumination of them in the ground as if they didn't exist.
For a moment, Harry was frozen, caught in that molten gaze. He felt stripped bare, every secret laid out for inspection. It was like standing before a creature, a creature not of this place. Those eyes felt like they could see right through him, as if he were an open book for them.
He blinked, and the eyes were gone. The garden was just a garden again, all silver-shadow and rustling leaves. Beside him, Itisa was calm, showing no sign that she'd seen anything amiss.
Harry let out a shaky breath, feeling the adrenaline drain from his body. Had he imagined it? Some trick of the light and his own exhausted mind? Or had there really been something there, watching him from the darkness?
He looked down at Itisa, taking comfort in her solid presence. She stared back, inscrutable as ever. If she had noticed anything strange, she gave no indication.
The feeling that someone was watching was no longer there; despite his exhaustion, he forced his eyes to turn snake-like again, and yet there were no signs of enormous golden eyes. Whatever that thing had been, it was gone.
Slowly, Harry turned back towards the house, suddenly feeling even more exhausted; he felt as if he had run for miles.
Crawling into bed, he pulled the covers up to his chin, taking solace in their warmth and weight. Itisa jumped up to join him, curling into a tight ball at his side.
As he drifted off to sleep, Harry couldn't help but wonder what those golden eyes were. Well, he knew who he would contact in the morning.
One thing was for sure - he had a feeling his second year at Hogwarts was going to be even more eventful than the first. And with his luck...that was really saying something.
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