Disclaimer: Still don't own anything...

Randver – Things are never simple for the poor bloke. Thanks a lot; I'll try to post new chapters as often as possible.

Gruffard – Thanks a lot! I'm glad you like it. And I agree – it certainly won't be boring for Harry with Tonks around.

AlexandraPotter1196 – Thanks! I'll try to update regularly.

Warning: SOME CHARACTERS WILL BE SORTED IN DIFFERENT HOUSES. FROM THIS POINT ON, THE STORY MAY BECOME VERY AU.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Chapter II

The next morning, Andromeda was sitting by the fireplace, frowning slightly. "Ted, love, can you take a break from work today? I need you to take Harry to Diagon Alley; I've been called to St Mungo's for an urgent case. I don't know what could be so hard that they have to call me now, but my Healer's Oath prevents me from declining."

Ted Tonks, a tall, firmly built, slightly overweight man with somewhat messy brown hair and a childlike grin peered over his wife's shoulder to look at the letter in her hands.

"It should be interesting," he said with a smile. "The lad seemed quite nervous around me last night."

Andromeda smirked slightly. It was usually her people were wary of. Everyone loved Ted; he was funny, kind and gentle, despite his unusual size. A bit like Hagrid, really. Wizards in Britain weren't as fond of Andromeda as they were of Ted. Most of them couldn't see past her aristocratic look and steely eyes, or her surname. All they saw was Black. And Black was darkness. Black was evilness, cruelty, ruthlessness, lust, ambition and bias.

"I can take him," Dora offered, coming down the stairs. "Charlie and I are meeting at Fortescue's; I'm sure Harry would get along famously with the Weasleys. Maybe meeting new people will take his mind off what we told him yesterday..."

Ted's dark eyes sparkled. He knew Dora was trying to avoid the inevitable – Andy buying history and etiquette books for Harry.

Sadly, Andromeda seemed to notice it to. "I'll give you a list of books you need. I trust you know how to perform Feather-light Charms."

Dora grunted. "Mum, why do you do this to the poor boy? Charlie knows nothing about etiquette and he's perfectly fine. Merlin, even I don't know anything about the Blacks. Imagine your dear mother's shame..."

Andromeda rolled her eyes. "That's quite enough, Dora. I have two months to teach him the basics; I want him to be prepared."

"Fine," Dora said with an exaggerated huff. "But you can't say I didn't try. He was a good bloke, Harry was. I'll miss him –,"

"Dora!"

"Right. I'm going..."

Tonks ascended the stairs and barged into Harry's room. Remembering how distressed he had been when they had told him about Voldemort the previous night, she gave him a gentle shake, not wanting to startle him even more.

"Harry," she muttered, "come on, mate. Wake up."

Harry opened his eyes, blinking a couple of times. He reached for his glasses and shoved them upon his nose. Tonks noticed he had a couple of faded tear streaks on his face.

"Dora?" he said blearily.

Tonks rolled her eyes. "No, it's that other teenage girl with the neon hair. Come on, get dressed. We're going to Diagon Alley today and mum won't let you leave unless you've eaten a year's worth of breakfast and you're dressed like the Prince of Wales."

Harry chuckled slightly and sat up in his bed. Then his good mood vanished, immediately being replaced by panic.

"Dora, you've got to help me. Your mum said my clothes weren't appropriate so I didn't take them and she won't like it if I go down with Dudley's old clothes I wore yesterday."

Seeing his distress, Tonks sat beside him and began stroking his hair. "We can always Transfigure your clothes into something better. Or, even better – my cousin Draco was here for his monthly visit about a week ago and I think he forgot a couple of his clothes here."

Tonks summoned Draco's robes and grinned. "I'm afraid he's a bit larger than you. I suppose he has to fit that ego of his somewhere..."

Harry managed a smile. "Thanks," he said sincerely, taking the robes from her.

Tonks grinned again. "By the way, I'll be the one taking you to Diagon Alley. Mum was called for an urgent case in the hospital. Mind you, Charlie Weasley will be with us, too. You'll love him – he knows everything about dragons and he was in Gryffindor, the house your parents were in."

Harry nodded. "What house were you in?"

"Hufflepuff, like my dad. Mum was a Slytherin."

Harry remembered everything he had learned about the four Hogwarts Houses.

"Oh," he said. "And what house am I supposed to be in?"

Tonks snorted. "Supposed to? You're not supposed to be in any house. You just get Sorted. I knew your parents, Harry, they wouldn't mind if you weren't in Gryffindor."

"A-And your parents...?"

"Mine wouldn't either," Tonks said confidently. "Mum's whole family was in Slytherin and she was ecstatic when I got into Hufflepuff."

Harry relaxed. He quickly changed into the slightly large robes and stood still as Dora tried to comb his hair. Of course, her attempts were mostly in vain. They were going downstairs when Tonks called out to her new brother.

"Harry," she said.

He turned around to look at her with a curious expression.

"You shouldn't be nervous around mum and dad. They're not like your Muggle relatives, I swear."

Harry smiled at her and continued. "I know," he said.

Aunt Andy looked rather impressed when they walked into the kitchen. "Good morning, dear." She smiled at Harry and motioned for him to sit.

"Did Draco forget his robes here again? Lucius won't like that."

Ted snorted. "He doesn't like anything much, apart from his hairstyle, that is."

A House Elf named Lottie placed a plate in front of Harry and disappeared with a pop. Harry idly toyed with his food until Aunt Andy said she'd spell it into him if he didn't eat. It confused him. At the Dursleys, he was scolded for eating too much. Now he was being told he ate too little.

Harry finished his breakfast and waited patiently for Dora to collect her things. Aunt Andy gave her a leather pouch of golden coins and a list of books. Just when they were about to leave, an owl flew through the open window and perched itself on the table.

Aunt Andy untied the letter from its foot and fed it a bit of biscuit. Her grey eyes lit up and she smiled brightly, handing the letter to Harry.

The parchment felt heavy in Harry's hand. It was addressed to him!

Mr H. Potter

The Fourth Bedroom

2. Abbey Road

Mansfield

Nottinghamshire

Harry carefully opened it and began reading. By the end of it, he was grinning from ear to ear. His Hogwarts letter had arrived!

Uncle Ted clapped him on the back. "You're going to love Hogwarts," he said. "I spent the best years of my life there."

Dora laughed mirthfully. "The way Aunt Narcissa tells it, your last two years were quite... eventful."

Andromeda smiled, remembering her secret meetings with Ted. Sneaking out to meet him, going to Muggle entertainment centres with him and his Muggleborn friends...

"Speaking of which, the Malfoys and Severus sent an invitation to tea," Andromeda said.

Ted made a face. "Merlin... Narcissa and Draco are great, but I can't stand that bloody ponce!"

Tonks sniggered at the thought of Professor Snape drinking tea from a flowered cup and gossiping.

"Who's the ponce?" she asked. "Snape or Uncle Lucius?"

Ted shrugged. "Haven't decided yet. I suppose, however, since Professor Snape still teaches you, I ought to show him courtesy. I wish I could say the same about Lucy..."

Andromeda sighed softly. "I know you don't like them, Ted, but I have to end this war between my sister and me. If that means enduring hours of her husband, –,"

Harry got the feeling Aunt Andy wanted to use a more offensive word than that.

"Then I will. It's best if I go alone anyhow."

"It's because I'm Muggleborn," Ted said challengingly.

"Teddy, you know it doesn't matter to me, but some people don't agree with me. Don't be like them; don't make me choose between you and them. I can't do this again."

"They left you. Why can't you do the same?"

"Because they're my relatives, Ted! I can't walk in and out whenever I please; I broke the ties and now I have to mend them."

"They certainly never tried to do so!"

Dora tugged on Harry's arm. "Come on. We're going," she muttered.

They used the Floo to get to the Leaky Cauldron. Tonks noticed Harry looked highly uncomfortable from the scene he had witnessed. She cast a concealing charm on his scar and pulled him to an empty table.

"What did Aunt Andy mean?" Harry asked softly. "She said she couldn't choose between Uncle Ted and her family again."

Dora sighed. "You know mum's a Black. And you know what Blacks are described like in the books. Well, let's say she wasn't allowed to fall in love with Dad, him being a Muggleborn and everything... When they were younger, their relationship was a secret, but Mum eventually told her family. Her parents were really distant, so she didn't care for their approval, but her sisters got really angry and eventually fell apart... And then Mum was disowned."

Harry nodded, his mouth open. Dora gave his hand a small squeeze. Finally, after a long wait, the boy Harry supposed was Charlie Weasley appeared. He was tall and stocky with red hair and blue eyes.

Dora stood up and kissed him on the cheek. He returned the gesture and turned to Harry.

"Hey," he said brightly. "I'm Charlie Weasley."

"Harry Potter," Harry replied.

Charlie gaped. "No!" he said, laughing.

Dora cuffed him. "Quiet or someone else could hear."

"So... how did you kidnap Harry Potter?" Charlie joked.

Dora scowled at him. "Technically, it was my mum who kidnapped him. And he's my brother now."

Charlie grinned. "Wicked!"

"How are your brothers?" Dora asked.

Charlie laughed. "I was going to bring Fred and George along, but they're currently stuck de-gnoming the garden because Percy caught them turning Ron's hair green. Permanently."

Dora snickered, changing her hair to a neon green to match Charlie's tale. "Harry and I need to buy a couple of things for Hogwarts. Ron's starting this year too, right?"

"Yeah," Charlie said as they wandered into the bookstore.

"A couple of tips, Harry," he said as Dora recited the book titles to the salesman, "watch out for Professor Snape. He's a real bat. Don't believe anything Filch says. Impress McGonagall and make sure you're never caught."

Harry nodded in understanding. "What do they all teach?"

"Snape teaches Potions, McGonagall – Transfiguration and Filch is the caretaker. He's quite sadistic, that old arse. Oh, and I almost forgot – make Peeves the Poltergeist your friend. He's really wicked, but if you're all uptight like my brother Percy, he won't like you."

They stopped at several stores, but the one Harry was really curious about was Ollivander's Wand Store. He walked inside with Dora and Charlie, but there was already another customer – a woman with her son. Both of them had platinum blond hair and sharp features. Come to think of it, they looked a bit like Aunt Andy.

Dora chocked, which drew the attention of the two customers. The woman's icy blue eyes fixed on them.

"Nymphadora?" she said.

Dora winced slightly. "Hello, Aunt Narcissa. It's a pleasure as always. May I introduce to you my schoolmate Charlie Weasley and my adopted brother –,"

"Harry Potter," the woman cut in. "Of course..."

She tightened her grip on her son's shoulder. Aunt Narcissa, Harry thought. Aunt Andy's sister. Lucius Malfoy's wife.

"I am very honoured to meet you, Lady Malfoy," Charlie said, inclining his head.

Harry didn't know what to do, so he followed Charlie's example. Shockingly, Narcissa Malfoy inclined her head back at him.

"Lord Potter," she greeted.

Lord Potter?! Harry turned to Dora, who subtly shook her head.

"Nymphadora, I do hope your mother received my invitation."

"Of course, Aunt Narcissa," Dora said, wincing again. "Please do not call me that name. We are relatives; familiarity should not be a problem."

"Lovely," Narcissa Malfoy said tonelessly. "I certainly hope the two of you and Edward will manage to make it."

"We wouldn't miss it," Dora muttered sarcastically.

"Draco," Narcissa Malfoy turned to her son, "I will be at Knockturn Alley. Stay here until I come back. You may introduce yourself to Lord Potter if you wish."

Narcissa handed Ollivander a couple of Galleons and stalked out. Harry walked up to the counter and began trying out wands, while Dora talked with Draco Malfoy.

Harry wasn't paying much attention to them, but as soon as he heard them raising their voices, he spun around.

"Is this what you want?" Dora demanded. "Do you want to turn into your father? To kill innocent people? To serve someone who will never repay you? Your life will be miserable! You won't even be able to choose your own wife or friends. I don't care what your father says, Draco, you have every right to have friends of your choice."

Draco bit his lip contemplatively. "So if I wanted to be friends with a blood traitor or a Mudblood –,"

Dora slapped him, hard. "Muggleborn," she corrected angrily. "You will never use that word in front of me again."

Draco rubbed his cheek.

"But yes – if you wanted to be friends with a blood traitor or a Muggleborn, then you'd have my full support and protection. And I know your mother, Draco. She'd love you for it. She'd be so proud of you..."

Draco considered it for a moment. "So I don't have to be friends with Crabbe and Goyle?"

Dora shook her head slowly. "I don't know who they are, but no. You by no means have to be friends with someone you don't like."

Harry finally chose a wand that fit him. Ollivander stared at it with wide, silver eyes that displayed terror, but curiosity too, but he didn't comment.

"Do you want us to stay until your mum comes back?" Harry asked Draco once he had paid for his wand.

Draco sneered. "Why would I –," Then he stopped himself, glancing at Dora. "I'd like that. Thank you, Lord Potter."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't sure he liked being called that. "You can call me Harry."

Harry pulled him to the side and leaned in close enough to whisper to Draco, "I know it's hard not to act like him, but I was the same with my Muggle uncle. He was biased and arrogant. I realised I didn't want to be like him. Do you want to be like your father, Draco?"

Draco didn't answer. "I'll get in trouble if I'm not," he said finally.

"But you'd have your friends to care for you and your mother to protect you. Otherwise you'll have people you don't care about flanking you at all times and your mother will give up hope. You've no reason to listen to me, but I think Dora's right. Do it for your mother."

Draco just stared at him. Harry smiled slightly.

"If you ever change your mind, we'll see each other on the train to Hogwarts... You can tell me then."

Draco nodded thankfully. "But you've got to promise one thing."

"What?"

The blond boy took a deep breath. "I – uh, never mind. It's nothing," he muttered.

He saw his mother reappearing and nodded his thanks one last time before the two Malfoys disappeared. But not before Narcissa gave Dora and Harry a knowing look.

"We should go too," Dora told Harry. "Where are you going, Charlie?"

The redhead shrugged. "I think I'll visit Uncle Bilius while Dad's still at work. Ginny's been feeling a bit under the weather lately and Mum's got no time for anything else but her..."

Dora kissed him goodbye and led Harry back to the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace. They Floo'd back home when Harry felt a jolt of fear. When they had left, Aunt Andy and Uncle Ted were furious with each other. What if they were still angry? Harry knew for a fact that when Uncle Vernon was angry, he became violent.

But Andromeda greeted them with a smile. "How was your trip?" she asked kindly.

Harry suddenly found himself very aware of how intense and heated the Tonkses' fight had been.

"Good, m-madam."

Andromeda frowned slightly. "Are you feeling alright, Harry? Is everything okay?"

Harry nodded silently. Andromeda peered into her daughter's bag, wondering if there was anything to calm Harry. Obviously, he wasn't going to tell her what was wrong, so she might as well distract him.

"Come," she said. "Get your books and we can start lessons today. I'll tell you everything there is to know about the Potters."

Harry smiled slightly and glanced at Dora before carefully pulling the books out of the bag and setting them on the table. He chose the ones he needed and obediently followed Aunt Andy into the study.

She taught him a great many things. Proper pure-blood manners, family ties, basic political alliances, which robes were suitable for what occasion and many other things. By the end, Harry felt much more relaxed. She answered his questions about the Potters. Until finally, it was time to head off to tea with the Malfoys.