Harry's hands gripped Tonks' hips, fingers digging into her soft flesh as he thrust into her, the rhythm steady but hungry. The cramped backseat of Vernon's car creaked under their weight, the air thick with the scent of sweat and sex. Tonks' moans filled the space, low and throaty, her body rocking back to meet each of Harry's firm thrusts. Her hair, now a wild shade of bubblegum pink, spilled over her shoulders, swaying with every push.
"Fuck, Nym," Harry panted, his voice rough. "You feel so bloody good." He slid one hand up her spine, tracing the curve of her back, slick with sweat. Her skin was warm under his palm, and he couldn't get enough of the way she arched into his touch, her body begging for more.
Tonks glanced back at him, her eyes half-lidded and gleaming with mischief. "Keep going, Harry," she teased, her voice breathy but laced with that familiar cheeky edge. "Don't you dare slow down now." She pushed her hips back harder, urging him deeper, and Harry groaned at the tight, wet heat of her pussy as it hugged his cock greedily.
He didn't slow down. If anything, he picked up the pace, his thrusts growing more forceful, the sound of skin slapping against skin echoing in the confined space. The car's windows were fogged up now, the outside world completely shut out. It was just them, lost in each other, the rest of the world be damned. Harry's fingers tightened on her hips, pulling her back to meet each thrust, and Tonks let out a sharp gasp, her hands bracing against the seat to steady herself.
"Fuck, Harry," she moaned, her voice breaking as he hit just the right spot. Her head dropped forward, strands of pink hair sticking to her damp forehead. "Right there, yeah, just like that."
Harry grinned, even through the haze of pleasure clouding his mind. He loved seeing her like this—undone, raw, completely herself. No Auror toughness, no Metamorphmagus tricks, just Nym, giving herself over to him. He leaned forward, pressing his chest against her back, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "You're so fucking perfect," he murmured, his breath hot against her skin.
Tonks shivered under him, a soft whimper escaping her lips. "Flatterer," she managed, but the word was cut off by another moan as Harry thrust deeper, his cock filling her completely. He could feel her tightening around him, her body trembling with every movement, and it drove him wild. His hands roamed her body, one sliding around to cup her breast, thumb brushing over her hardened nipple. She arched into his touch, her breath hitching.
The car rocked slightly with their movements, the suspension groaning in protest, but neither of them cared. Harry's other hand slipped between her thighs, fingers finding her clit, slick and swollen. He circled it slowly at first, teasing, then faster, matching the rhythm of his thrusts. Tonks' moans grew louder, more desperate, her body shaking as she pushed back against him.
"Harry—oh, fuck," she gasped, her voice raw. "Don't stop, please, don't stop." Her words were a jumbled mess, spilling out between breaths, and Harry could tell she was close. He wasn't far behind, the heat building low in his gut, his cock throbbing inside her.
"Not stopping," he promised, his voice strained. He kept his fingers working her clit, his thrusts relentless, driving into her with everything he had. The sight of her—arse in the air, back arched, moaning his name—was almost too much. He wanted to make this last, to keep her trembling beneath him for as long as he could, but the pressure was building, and he knew he wouldn't hold out much longer.
Tonks' hands scrabbled at the seat, fingers digging into the worn fabric as her moans turned into cries. "Harry, I'm—fuck, I'm gonna—" Her words cut off as her body tensed, her walls clenching tight around him. She came hard, her whole body shuddering, a loud, broken moan tearing from her throat. Harry groaned, feeling her pulse around him, the sensation pushing him closer to the edge.
He kept moving, thrusting through her orgasm, his fingers still circling her clit to draw out every last shiver. Tonks' head dropped forward, her breaths ragged, but she was still pushing back against him, still wanting more. "Fuck, Harry," she panted, her voice hoarse. "You're gonna ruin me."
"That's the plan," he teased, squeezing her tits hard, pinching her nipples. His voice was tight, his control slipping as the pleasure coiled tighter inside him. He straightened up, hands back on her hips, and thrust harder, chasing his own release. Tonks moaned softly, still sensitive but urging him on, her body rocking with his.
The car was a mess now—windows steamed, seats creaking, and the air heavy with their mingled breaths that the lewd scent of their mixed arousal. Harry's eyes traced the curve of Tonks' back, the way her arse bounced with each thrust, and it was enough to tip him over. "Nym," he groaned, his voice rough with need. "I'm close."
"Do it," she urged, glancing back at him, her eyes dark and wild. "Come on, Harry, let go." Her voice was low, almost a growl, and it sent a jolt straight through him. He thrust once, twice, then buried himself deep inside her, his cock pulsing as he came. The pleasure hit him like a wave, white-hot and overwhelming, and he groaned her name, his hands gripping her hips hard enough to leave marks.
For a moment, they stayed like that, both of them breathless, bodies pressed together. Harry's chest heaved, his heart pounding as he leaned forward, resting his forehead against her back. Tonks was trembling beneath him, her own breaths uneven, but she let out a soft, satisfied laugh.
"Bloody hell," she murmured, her voice warm with amusement. "We're gonna break this car."
Harry chuckled, still catching his breath. "Vernon'd lose his mind." He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, tasting the salt of her skin, and slowly pulled out, both of them wincing at the sensitivity. Tonks shifted, turning to sit on the seat beside him, her legs tucked under her as their combined juices trickled out of her onto the leather. Her hair was a mess, her face flushed, but she looked utterly content, a lazy smile curling her lips.
"Worth every second," she said, leaning over to kiss him softly. Her lips were warm, lingering, and Harry felt a fresh spark of heat despite the exhaustion settling into his bones. He kissed her back, one hand cupping her cheek, thumb brushing over her skin, while the other stroked her thigh.
They sat there for a moment, tangled together in the cramped backseat, the world outside forgotten. The car smelled of them, the windows still fogged, and Harry couldn't help but grin at the absurdity of it all. "Never thought I'd be shagging in Vernon's car," he said, shaking his head.
Tonks laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Life's full of surprises, Potter." She reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together, and gave him a playful nudge. "You're not done yet, are you?"
Harry raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're insatiable."
"You love it," she shot back, her grin wicked. She leaned in, kissing him again, deeper this time, her tongue teasing his. Harry groaned into her mouth, his body already stirring despite the ache in his muscles. She was right—he did love it. Every second of it.
They shifted again, Tonks climbing back onto his lap, her thighs straddling his. She was still slick, still warm, and Harry's hands found her hips automatically, pulling her closer. "Another round?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
"Only if you can keep up," she challenged, her lips brushing his as she spoke. She rocked her hips, grinding against him, and Harry felt himself starting to harden again, the heat between them reigniting like it had never faded.
"Try me," he murmured, and then they were kissing again, hands roaming, bodies pressed tight. The car creaked under them, the night stretching on, and Harry knew they weren't leaving anytime soon. Not when it felt this good, this right.
XXXXX
It was way past midnight that found Harry and Tonks lay entangled on the reclined backseat, catching their breath after what had been a repeat of the previous night and more. Two nights of nothing but pleasure, and Harry couldn't help but feel a profound sense of contentment. Despite everything – Voldemort's return, the Ministry's denial, the Dursleys' hostility – in this moment, he was truly happy.
"What are you thinking about?" Tonks asked softly, her head resting on his chest.
"Just how strange life is," he replied thoughtfully. "A month ago, I was miserable here. Now, I'm..."
"Now you're what?" she prompted when he trailed off.
"Now I'm not," he finished simply. "And it's because of you."
Tonks was quiet for a moment. "I'm glad," she said finally. "You deserve to be happy, Harry. Even if it's just in stolen moments like this."
Harry tightened his arms around her, wishing they could stay like this forever. But reality intruded in the form of the car's clock, which showed it was nearly three in the morning.
"We should probably head back," he said reluctantly. "Dudley usually gets back from his gallivanting after three, and I don't want to risk him seeing us."
Tonks nodded, sitting up and beginning to gather her clothes. "You're right. Though I'm tempted to leave something embarrassing for your uncle to find."
"Like what?" Harry asked, curious despite himself.
Tonks grinned wickedly. "Oh, I don't know. Knickers in the glove compartment? A lipstick mark on the seat?"
"You are evil," Harry said with a grin. "I like it."
"I'm an Auror. I'm supposed to uphold the law, not encourage criminal behavior," she replied primly, but quickly ruined the effect by adding, "But in this case, I'll make an exception."
As they dressed and prepared to leave, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at having claimed a small victory over the Dursleys, even if they would never know about it. It was petty, perhaps, but after years of their mistreatment, he felt entitled to a bit of pettiness.
Once they were both decent, Tonks removed the charms from the car and they slipped out, closing the doors carefully behind them. The night air felt cool after the warmth of the car, and Harry shivered slightly.
"I'll walk you back to your window," Tonks said, taking his hand.
"You don't have to," Harry began, but she cut him off.
"I want to," she insisted. "Besides, I'm your escort, remember? It's my job to keep an eye on you."
"Is that what they're calling it these days?" Harry teased as they made their way around the side of the house to where Harry's bedroom window was located.
"Among other things," Tonks replied with a smirk.
At the window, Harry turned to face her. "I wish you could stay," he said quietly.
"Me too," she admitted. "But it's too risky. Your aunt and uncle would have a collective aneurysm if they found me in your room."
"That might not be the worst thing in the world," Harry mused.
Tonks laughed softly. "Behave, Potter. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Nine o'clock sharp, remember?"
"How could I forget?" Harry said, leaning in to kiss her one last time. "Goodnight, Nym."
"Goodnight, Harry," she replied, stepping back as he began to climb through the window. "Sweet dreams."
"They will be," he assured her with a wink before disappearing into his room.
As Harry changed for bed, he couldn't help but smile to himself. For once, life at Privet Drive wasn't a complete nightmare. In fact, parts of it were downright enjoyable. He fell asleep with thoughts of Tonks and their stolen moment in Vernon's car, his dreams for once free of Voldemort and graveyard horrors.
XXXXX
The next morning dawned bright and clear, promising another hot summer day. Harry was already awake and dressed by the time Vernon left for work, having spent the early hours reviewing the books Sirius had sent him. He'd had a good night's sleep two night in a row now, free of nightmares, and he felt refreshed and alert.
Tonks arrived promptly at nine, surprising Harry with her punctuality. She was wearing her "professional" outfit – dark slacks, a modest blouse, and her hair the usual midnight black that she kept when around him. She was the quintessential image of a government official.
"Good morning, Harry," she said formally as Petunia let her in. "Ready for today's session?"
"Yes, Officer," Harry replied, equally formal, though he couldn't help the slight quirk of his lips.
"We'll be going to the park today," Tonks informed Petunia. "I find that open spaces can be beneficial for therapeutic discussions."
Petunia sniffed disapprovingly but didn't object. "Just make sure he's back by dinner. We're having an early lie in tonight, and I want all the chores to be done in time."
Harry saw Tonks roll her eyes as Petunia turned her gaze on him, but she maintained her professional demeanor. "I'll have him back by six, Mrs. Dursley."
As they left the house, Harry could feel Tonks's anger radiating off her. He waited until they were well out of earshot before speaking.
"You okay?" he asked gently.
"No," she said tersely. "I'm not okay with how they treat you. Just the look on her face this morning– what are you, a servant?"
Harry shrugged. "Pretty much, yeah. But it's fine, really. I'm used to it."
"That's the problem, Harry," Tonks said, her hair darkening to a deep maroon. "You shouldn't be used to it. No one should treat you that way."
Harry didn't know what to say to that. He'd long since accepted the Dursleys' treatment as just the way things were, but seeing Tonks's outrage on his behalf made him realize how abnormal it really was.
"It's only for a few more weeks," he said after a moment. "Once I'm at Hogwarts, I'll be free of them."
Tonks's expression softened slightly. "I know. I just hate seeing it. You don't deserve this."
"Having you here makes it better," Harry told her honestly. "It feels less like a prison sentence when I know I'll see you every day."
Her hair turned vibrant pink for a moment before it gradually returned to its usual midnight black, and she gave him a small smile. "Well, when you put it like that... I guess I can endure your horrible relatives if it means making your summer less miserable."
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, heading toward the park where they'd spent so many afternoons studying magic and just enjoying each other's company.
"So," Harry said eventually, "did anything interesting happen after you left last night? Any news from the Order?"
Tonks's expression changed almost imperceptibly, a flicker of frustration crossing her face before she schooled it back to neutrality. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Harry understood what it meant—Dumbledore's charm was once again preventing her from sharing information.
"Never mind," Harry said quickly, saving her the discomfort of fighting against the magical restriction. "Forget I asked."
Tonks sighed, looking genuinely apologetic. "I hate this, you know. Not being able to tell you things."
"It's not your fault," Harry assured her, though he couldn't keep the edge of bitterness from his voice. "Dumbledore has his reasons, I'm sure."
"That doesn't make it right," Tonks replied, her voice low. "You deserve to know what's happening."
Harry nodded, appreciating her support. It meant more than she probably realized. "Let's talk about something else. Like how Vernon's going to react when he notices the little surprise we left in his car."
Tonks's expression brightened immediately, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Oh, you mean the lipstick heart with his manager's initials I drew on the back of his driver's seat? The one that's charmed to only appear when the car reaches thirty miles per hour?"
Harry nearly choked. "You didn't!"
"I did," she confirmed proudly. "Don't worry, it'll fade after a few days. But not before he has a complete meltdown trying to figure out how it got there, or wondering if his manager's coming on to him. For his sake, I hope he doesn't do anything. I'd hate for him to lose his job over harassment."
"You're brilliant," Harry said, laughing at the images her words conjured in his mind. They'd truly hate for him to lose his job. Truly.
"I have my moments," she agreed with a wink.
They had reached the park by now, which was relatively empty given the hour. A few mothers with young children occupied the playground area, but their usual spot under the oak tree was vacant.
"Want to go through more ward variations today?" Tonks asked as they made their way to the tree.
"Actually, I was hoping we could work on offensive spells," Harry replied. "Shield charms and wards are great, but in a real fight, I'll need to do more than just defend."
Tonks considered this for a moment and nodded. "You're right. Though we'll have to be careful about practicing those in public. Offensive spells are more delicate."
"We could just go over the theory and wand movements with a stick then," Harry suggested. "Unlike how we did with the shields and wards. No risk of accidental spell fire in that case."
"Alright," Tonks agreed. "But first, how about we just enjoy the morning? We can sit and talk for a bit before diving into combat magic, which I'm sure you can help me out with as well."
"You mean it's gonna be my turn being the teacher?" He asked with a grin, making her roll her eyes.
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction as he pushed the thoughts of their training out of his mind. As much as he valued the training Tonks was providing, he also cherished these quieter moments with her – times when they could just be Harry and Nym, not the Boy Who Lived and his Auror protector, or teacher, or… whatever they were.
They settled beneath the tree, Tonks leaning back against the trunk while Harry stretched out on the grass beside her. For a while, they just sat in comfortable silence, watching the clouds drift across the sky.
"Do you ever wonder what it would be like?" Harry asked suddenly. "If things were different? If Voldemort had never returned, or if I was just a normal wizard?"
Tonks turned to look at him, her expression thoughtful. "Sometimes," she admitted. "But then I think – would we have met if things were different? Would we be here, now, like this?"
"Probably not," Harry conceded. "If Voldemort hadn't returned, Dumbledore wouldn't have reactivated the Order, and you wouldn't have been assigned to watch me."
"See? Silver lining," Tonks said with a small smile, though there was a seriousness in her eyes. "Not that I'm glad he's back – of course I'm not. But I am glad I met you, Harry."
"Me too," Harry replied softly. "I just wish it could be under better circumstances."
"Don't we all," Tonks sighed. "But we play the cards we're dealt, right?"
"Right," Harry agreed, though he couldn't help adding, "Even if the dealer's clearly cheating."
Tonks laughed at that, her eyes shining with mirth as she nudged him playfully. "Especially then. That's when you need to be the most clever."
They fell into another comfortable silence, broken only by the distant sounds of children playing and birds singing. It was a perfectly ordinary summer day – a rarity in Harry's typically extraordinary life.
The peace didn't last long, however. As the day wore on, more and more people began to fill the park. However, it was the arrival of a familiar group of teenagers that Harry recognized with a sinking feeling that broke the peaceful atmosphere in its entirety.
"Damn," he muttered, sitting up straighter.
"What is it?" Tonks asked, following his gaze.
"Dudley's gang," Harry explained quietly. "They haven't spotted us yet, but they will."
Tonks's expression hardened slightly. "Your cousin and his charming friends? The ones you told me about – the ones who like to beat up ten-year-olds?"
"That's them," Harry confirmed grimly. "We should probably leave before they notice us. I'd rather avoid the headache of dealing with those thugs."
Alas, it was too late. One of the boys – Piers Polkiss, Harry recognized – had spotted them and was nudging Dudley, pointing in their direction.
"Too late," Harry sighed. "They're coming over."
Tonks straightened up, her posture shifting subtly into what Harry had come to recognize as her 'Auror stance'—alert, balanced, and ready for anything. "Let me handle this," she said quietly.
"Well, well, if it isn't Potter and his... babysitter," Piers called out as the group approached, his voice carrying across the park. "Heard you've gone properly mental, Potter. Need a full-time handler now, do you?"
Harry felt a flash of anger but kept his expression neutral, aware of Tonks beside him. Dudley, he noticed, was hanging back slightly, eyeing Tonks with obvious wariness. At least his cousin had enough sense to be cautious around someone he believed to be a government official.
"Mr. Polkiss, isn't it?" Tonks said coolly, standing up to face the group. "I don't believe we've been formally introduced. Officer Tonks, Department of Juvenile Psychiatric Evaluation."
Piers faltered slightly at her official tone but recovered quickly. "Whatever. We all know Potter's a freak. Always has been."
"Interesting choice of words," Tonks replied, her voice remaining professional but with an edge that made Dudley even more nervous, evidenced in the way he took a step back. "I've found that people who resort to name-calling are often projecting their own insecurities onto others."
One of the other boys – Malcolm, Harry thought his name was – snickered. "She's calling you a freak, Piers."
"Shut up," Piers snapped, his face reddening. He turned back to Harry. "So what happened, Potter? Finally snap after years of being a weirdo? Started seeing things that aren't there?"
Harry remained silent, knowing that anything he said would only escalate the situation. Dudley was still hanging back, looking increasingly uncomfortable.
"Actually," Tonks said before Harry could respond, "I find Harry to be remarkably well-adjusted considering his circumstances. Unlike some individuals who feel the need to harass others to compensate for their own inadequacies."
Piers's face darkened further. "Who do you think you're talking to, lady? You can't talk to us like that."
"I believe I just did," Tonks replied calmly. "Now, I suggest you boys move along before I decide to include this encounter in my official report. I'm sure your parents would be fascinated to read about your behavior."
This threat seemed to give most of the gang pause – all except Piers, who took a step closer, his posture aggressive.
"You don't scare me," he said, though Harry could detect a note of uncertainty in his voice. "You're just some freak babysitting another freak."
Harry saw Tonks's hair darken slightly, but her voice remained steady. He glanced at the others to see if they noticed, but in the relative darkness around them, they had not.
"Mr. Polkiss," Tonks began, her voice deceptively calm, "I would strongly advise you to reconsider your approach. I am a government official, and interference with my duties is a serious offense."
Dudley finally seemed to find his voice. "Come on, Piers," he said, tugging at his friend's arm. "Let's go. It's not worth it."
Piers shook him off. "What's wrong with you, Big D? Since when are you scared of Potter and some random woman?"
"She's not just some woman," Dudley muttered, glancing at Tonks nervously. "She's... official."
"Listen to your cousin, Mr. Polkiss," Tonks advised. "He's showing remarkable good sense."
Piers looked like he wanted to say more, but Dudley's obvious discomfort and the authoritative presence of Tonks seemed to finally penetrate his bravado. With a final sneer at Harry, he backed away.
"Whatever. This park's boring anyway. Let's go, guys."
The gang retreated, with Dudley throwing one last uncertain look over his shoulder before following his friends. Harry watched them go with a mixture of relief and surprise.
"That was... interesting," he said finally, turning to Tonks. "I've never seen Dudley back down like that before."
"Fear of authority," Tonks replied, her hair briefly turning pink before gradually returning to black as she relaxed. "Your uncle's influence, I'd wager. Dudley's been taught to respect – or at least fear – official positions."
"I guess that makes sense," Harry agreed. "Though I'm surprised Piers was so confrontational. He's usually more of a follower than a leader."
"He was showing off," Tonks said with a slight shrug. "Trying to demonstrate his dominance in front of his friends. Pretty standard behavior for youthful males."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Should I be offended?"
Tonks grinned. "You're an exception, of course. You've got nothing to prove."
They settled back down under the tree, but the peaceful atmosphere had been disturbed by the encounter. Harry found himself scanning the park periodically, half-expecting Dudley's gang to return.
"We can leave if you want," Tonks offered, noticing his unease.
Harry shook his head. "No, it's fine. I'm not going to let them drive us away. Besides, we still need to go over those offensive spells, and I'm rather looking forward to being the teacher for a change."
Tonks pushed him away playfully, but there was an approving smile on her face. "Don't let it get to your head, Potter."
"Wouldn't dream of it, Tonks."
Tonks did her best to guide Harry, though it quickly became clear he didn't need much help. She wasn't all that surprised—Sirius had told her before that Harry had a natural instinct for magic, especially when it came to offense. Still, seeing it firsthand was something else.
The book Sirius had sent him was no basic material either—it was advanced, even by her standards. She ended up learning a fair bit from it herself. What really stood out, though, was how easily Harry took to it. He wasn't just picking things up quickly; he was helping her with parts she hadn't fully grasped, clarifying things in a way that didn't even feel like he was teaching.
It was a pretty big shift from their usual setup, where she was the one leading the charge. Oddly enough, she didn't mind it. Letting go of control for once and just learning alongside him—it was a nice change. Refreshing, even.
"You're a natural, Harry," Tonks said as they packed up their books. "You've got good instincts for this stuff."
"I've had a lot of practice," Harry replied dryly. "Seems like every year at Hogwarts involves fighting for my life at some point."
Tonks's expression sobered. "That's going to change. We're going to make sure you're prepared next time."
"We?" Harry repeated, looking at her curiously.
"Of course, we," she confirmed firmly. "You don't think I'm going to just leave you to face things alone, do you?"
The simple declaration warmed Harry more than he could express. Most of his life, he'd felt fundamentally alone – even with Ron and Hermione's steadfast friendship. To hear Tonks so casually include herself in his future, in his struggles, meant more than she probably realized.
"Thanks, Nym," he said quietly. "That... means a lot."
She seemed to understand the depth of feeling behind his simple words, leaning in to give him a soft kiss. "Always, Harry."
The moment was interrupted by a rumble of thunder in the distance. They both looked up to see dark clouds gathering on the horizon, a stark contrast to the clear blue sky that had dominated the morning and afternoon.
"Weather's turning," Tonks observed. "We should probably head back soon."
Harry nodded, though the thought of returning to Privet Drive was less than appealing. "Can we stop to grab something first? I'm starving after all that magical theory."
"Sure," Tonks agreed easily. "There's that café near the edge of the park. We can get sandwiches or something."
As they walked toward the café, Harry couldn't help but notice how the atmosphere had changed. The park was emptying quickly as people noticed the approaching storm, and the air had taken on that strange, heavy quality that often preceded summer thunderstorms.
"Weird weather," Harry commented as they reached the café. "It was perfectly clear just an hour ago."
"British summer," Tonks replied with a shrug. "You know how it is – four seasons in one day."
They ordered sandwiches and found a small table by the window where they could watch the approaching storm. The dark clouds were moving faster than seemed natural, and Harry felt an odd sense of unease creeping over him.
"Nym," he said slowly, "does that storm look... normal to you?"
Tonks followed his gaze, her expression becoming more serious as she studied the clouds. "Now that you mention it, no. It doesn't."
"Could it be..." Harry hesitated, not wanting to sound paranoid. "Could it be magical?"
Instead of dismissing his concern, Tonks considered it carefully. "It's possible. Weather manipulation is complex magic, but not unheard of. Why? What are you thinking?"
"I don't know," Harry admitted. "Just a feeling. Something doesn't seem right."
Tonks trusted Harry's instincts enough to take him seriously. "Let's finish quickly and head back to Privet Drive. If there is something magical about that storm, I'd rather we were somewhere even more secure."
They ate quickly, Harry keeping one eye on the rapidly darkening sky outside. The wind had picked up significantly, and the first few fat raindrops were beginning to hit the café windows by the time they finished.
"We're going to get soaked," Tonks said as they prepared to leave. "Ready to make a run for it?"
Harry nodded, and they burst out of the café, immediately buffeted by the strengthening wind. The rain was falling steadily now, cold despite the summer heat, and the sky had darkened to an ominous gray-green color that Harry had never seen before.
They had made it about halfway back to Privet Drive when Harry spotted a familiar figure ahead of them – Dudley, walking alone fast towards the tunnel, his shoulders hunched against the rain.
"Looks like your cousin got separated from his gang," Tonks observed, following Harry's gaze.
"Or they abandoned him when the weather turned," Harry suggested. Despite his dislike for Dudley, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity at the sight of his cousin trudging through the rain alone.
The storm was intensifying rapidly, the wind howling around them with unnatural force. Harry was about to suggest they catch up to Dudley when he felt it – a sudden, bone-deep cold that had nothing to do with the rain or wind. A cold he had experienced before.
Harry felt his breath catch in his throat. The rain seemed to freeze against his skin, and the sounds of the storm became muffled, as though they were suddenly underwater. A familiar heaviness settled in his chest, making each breath a struggle.
"Nym," he said urgently, taking her hand. "Dementors."
Tonks's eyes widened, her wand immediately in her hand though she kept it partially concealed. "Are you sure?"
"Positive," Harry replied grimly, already reaching for his own wand. "I know what they feel like."
The cold was deepening, seeping into Harry's very bones. The streetlights flickered and dimmed, and the rain seemed to freeze in mid-air, creating an eerie stillness despite the howling wind.
"Dudley," Harry said suddenly, realizing his cousin was heading straight toward the source of the cold at the end of the tunnel. "He can't see them, but he'll feel them."
Without waiting for Tonks's response, Harry broke into a run, chasing after his cousin. He could hear Tonks following close behind, her footsteps splashing through the puddles forming on the pavement.
"Dudley!" Harry shouted when he was close enough. "Dudley, wait!"
Dudley turned, his face already pale with fear though Harry knew he couldn't see what was causing it. "Potter? What's happening? What have you done?"
"It's not me," Harry said quickly, reaching his cousin's side. "We need to get out of here. Now."
"What's going on?" Dudley demanded, his voice shaking. "It's so cold, and I feel... I feel..."
"I know," Harry said grimly. "Just stay close to me."
Tonks caught up to them, her wand now fully visible as she scanned the darkening street. "Harry, we need to move. Get Dudley to shelter."
But it was too late. The lights above went out completely, plunging them into an unnatural darkness despite it being early evening. And then Harry saw them – two tall, hooded figures gliding toward them from either end of the tunnel, their rattling breath audible even over the wind.
The Dementors had indeed come to Little Whinging.
To be continued…
Check out patreon.com/Vedros to read chapters for all my fics in advance. Thanks for reading!