"You look absolutely stunning in that dress," Harry remarked hoarsely as he and his companion walked through the empty corridors towards the room Slughorn arranged for his holiday celebration. She was wearing a short, close-fitted dress which hugged every curve and revealed far more skin than the magical world deemed acceptable. She had picked her attire to see him flustered and that plan was working flawlessly.

"Tell me, why am I doing this again?"

"Because you are the only one I trust with this. I have no one else," Harry replied and flinched at how desperate that had sounded. He needed an adult to confide in and with Sirius dead, Hermione throwing a fit over the Prince's book and Katie in St. Mungo's, the list of alternatives was bleak.

"What about Remus?"

"Besides the fact that I won't turn up with a guy twice my age as my plus one? Lupin completely ignores me. The supposed best friend of my parents did never contact me. I have not spoken to him more than ten words after he resigned as Defence teacher. When I was forced into the tournament Sirius helped me despite being a wanted man. Sure, it wasn't much but he did as much as he could short of sneaking into Hogwarts. But Remus did nothing. Same story last year. For a supposed honorary uncle he sure treats me nearly as bad as my real uncle," he spat, slightly surprised at the bitterness in his voice.

"And to think I wasted half a year pining over him - Sorry I couldn't do more about your relatives. I tried, but by the time the Department of Inheritances acknowledged your emancipation you were already at the Burrow."

"Don't be, you tried at least. It's not your fault Dumbledore left me there and stalled the Ministry."

"I know. Still, I feel like I should have done more. I mean, the Order spent two summers watching you waste away there and nobody did anything to help you. And when you get the shit end of the stick, no one even told you that the Malfoys were trying to steal Sirius' estate."

"The Order doesn't give a fuck about me, but you did. You did more than anyone else, more than my friends - although to be fair to Hermione, she at least remembered that phones exist. But you, you talked to me when everyone else was ignoring me again when my friends left me to rot at that hellhole. You thought me Occlumency. You decided to waste an evening by coming to this party. And did I mention that you look lovely tonight?" Harry said as he once more tried not to stare at the woman next to him. They had helped each other dealing with the Battle of the Ministry during the summer and became friends through that, but that didn't mean that he was blind.

"Only three times so far," came the smug reply.

"You know Nym - "

"Don't call me Nymphadora," Tonks threw in, her hair switching from electric blue to a fiery red before both started laughing. At some point during the last summer, they reached an agreement that Harry was allowed to call her Nym in private and her usual reaction became a silly inside joke that made no sense whatsoever, yet made both of them smile like loons.

"You are far less intimidating in a dress that switches its colour to match your hair."

"I could be naked and you'd be trembling with fear. Alright, maybe not fear - But that's not the point, I can't even stay mad in this dress. It ruins my terrifying reputation."

"Definitely not out of fear," Harry mumbled under his breath before dropping down in a theatrical bow. "You know, she-who-must-not-be-named, that I never imagined you wearing a dress and matching heels?"

"I like that name. And the heels are not the only matching thing I'm wearing," she whispered and laughed when he became even redder in response. "So what exactly are we doing here?"

"It's rather complicated, but I really need someone to talk to," Harry admitted. He had stopped in front of a shortcut but made no move to open it.

"To talk?"

"Look, I - there is a lot going on and I need to get some of it off my chest. And I could use some womanly insight."

"So, besides the usual stuff, what got your knickers in a twist?" Tonks wanted to know. Catching the hidden meaning in his words, she quickly erected a privacy ward around them.

"Well, I'm feeling odd whenever I'm around Hermione or Ginny - "

"Is that oddity located in your pants?"

"Not like that - at least not when it comes to Hermione."

"But?"

"She - I - It's just - " Harry trailed off and ran his hand through his hair, trying to find some words for his thoughts. "Ever since the Battle in the Ministry, I feel weird around her. A part of me just wants to wrap her in plates of armour and send her to Australia, even though she would flay me for even suggesting that."

"That almost sounds like you're describing a family member - "

"But she can be so frustrating - "

"Correction, that sounds exactly like family."

"You know, that kinda makes sense. She used to mother me a lot - " Harry trailed off and thought back to his first few years in Hogwarts. "The funny thing is that she had pretty much always been right and it would have been better if we had simply listened to her. But where's the fun in doing homework as soon as it was assigned, or preparing months in advance for some stupid test?"

"Please don't remind me of the NEWTs, living through those once was more than enough!"

"You got top marks - "

"Yes, but unlike you I actually put some work into getting good grades. You know being a Badger and all that."

"Look at Miss Model Student over here - "

"Oi, I said that I put some work in, but that didn't stop me from smuggling in booze, or seducing some young and innocent soul."

"You were young and inno- you were young as well."

"You're the one to talk. I bet you could talk at least half of the girls out of their knickers if you tried. Being the Chosen One comes with its perks, you know?"

"If only. Last year with Cho - She just wanted to talk about Cedric and cried a lot. I mean, I understand where she was coming from - "

"But crying ruins the mood?"

"Pretty much," Harry replied and ran a hand through his hair. "With the others gone, Katie and I got along nicely, but then Malfoy got her into St Mungos and - well - "

"So what's that about Ginny?"

"Well, she is - pretty I guess. Nice hair, cute eyes, pert arse - But it feels different than my other crushes," Harry admitted and his face became even redder.

"More serious?"

"Yes - No - I don't know. With Ginny, I feel like I should scare off her boyfriend, or look at her, but - well I don't want to ravish her or anything."

"That's a love potion alright, or maybe a jealousy one - "

"Love potion? I know Mrs Weasley used them, but Ginny? That doesn't sound like her at all," the Gryffindor pointed out. Ginny had grown into a good friend over the years, and while she used to have a crush on him, she also had been as subtle as a tank crashing through Privet Drive.

"It doesn't have to be her. Someone could try to frame her, or it could be a Death Eater plot - "

"A love potion is a Death Eater plot?"

"They could make you fall for Ginny only to kill her in the most gruesome fashion, together with her family, only to fuck with your head."

"They'd do that?"

"The Death Eaters - they are really vile. Not just maim and kill bad, but really the worst humanity has to offer. Moody told me about the atrocities censored out of the official reports, and let's just say that making a father rape his daughter after they took turns was some of the tamer shite they did. There was a reason why Mad-Eye killed every single one he could get his hand on," Tonks spat, her hair now pitch-black with blood-red streaks.

"I thought he had a reputation for bringing them back alive."

"Yeah, the inner circle since those actually knew stuff and could be interrogated. But the idiots who were just in for their sick, sadistic wish-fulfilment? He buried a hundred of those fucks."

"Good riddance to bad rubbish."

"I'd drink to that, but we haven't found the bar yet."

"Patience is a virtue - "

"Yes Mum. Anything else on your mind or can we work on getting hammered?"

"Well - Dumbledore wants to keep this secret, but I know when I need help - Do you know what a Horcrux is?"

"Eh, should I?"

"Not really. The question was rhetorical," Harry explained lamely. "Uhm, anyway, a Horcrux is something that anchors part of your soul in this world. As long as you have one you turn into a fancy ghost when you die and can be brought back. That's what Voldemort did. Apparently, Slughorn told him something about them and now Dumbledore wants me to get that memory."

"And how should you do that? I swear that curse is turning him senile."

"Apparently Slughorn liked my Mum. So now I have to suck up to him to get him talking," Harry said, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice. He didn't like using his parents for anything and yet, Dumbledore had left no room for debate.

"Yeah, that's not going to happen. If one of the most powerful wizards since Merlin and second best Legilimens in Britain can't get that memory, you don't even have to try. And especially not by sucking up. Better not waste your time on that."

"But -"

"No buts Harry. Well, maybe I'll let you touch mine later but that's not the point now. You need to take a break. If you need to talk about serious stuff, I'll still be around tomorrow and we can deal with your problems then. Tonight, 's just me and you. Slughorn paid for food and booze so let's have some fun," Tonks suggested to a red-faced Harry. Apparently thinking of her butt had that kind of effect on him. Frankly speaking, he didn't catch much of what she said after touching her backside.

"Somehow I doubt Slughorn will allow me to have fun," Harry mumbled darkly as they entered the room. Sure, the ceiling was covered in magical ice that somehow had snowflakes falling out of it and the large Christmas tree in the corner was delightfully decorated, but he still felt like he had just walked into a trap.

"Harry my boy, splendid to see you. And who is your lovely companion?" the Potions professor asked from right next to them before they could even attempt to disappear into the crowd.

"Good evening Professor Slughorn, meet Dora Tonks," Harry said and awaited his friend to complain about her name. She looked rather pensive for a moment but snapped back to reality before he could ask what she had been thinking about.

"Good evening Professor."

"My, my, I certainly don't remember you from any class. In which year are you dear?"

"Hufflepuff class of '92. I would be surprised if you knew me."

"Well Harry, I never knew you were hunting for older women. Quite a catch you have there. She looks like a keeper. Enjoy the evening," the old teacher stage whispered and winked, unaware how close he just avoided being cursed. Had Tonks been a Veela, the teacher would be dodging fireballs by now.

"Nym, forget that idiot," Harry attempted to calm his friend. Since she was not at all relaxing he figured that more words were needed. "You are a precious friend who helped me when I was in a bad spot. You are anything but a trophy to me, no matter what the others say. And you are not old."

"I know Harry, I hoped that I could go an evening without that shit but it was not meant to be. I really should be used to it by now," she huffed.

"You shouldn't have to get used to this."

"Yeah, tell that to the idiots. I - I just didn't expect that from a teacher. Well, other than Snape of course. He's just an arsehole."

"Come on, let's get something to drink instead of thinking about Snape. After all, Slughorn is paying the bill," Harry suggested, repeating her previous sentiment.

"Hmm, get insulted to get free drinks. Doesn't sound that bad, to be honest. Let's get Caipis?"

"What's that?"

"A cocktail. It's basically limes, sugar and Brazilian rum on ice. One of the few Muggle drinks you'll get in the magical world. Trust me, you will like it."

"Should I be drinking that?"

"Merlin kiddo I never thought a teenager would care about that. Are you telling me that you never had a drink?" Tonks asked in disbelief, even stopping on her way to the drink table. "Surely the Twin menace smuggled some Firewhiskey in once or twice."

"Nothing besides butterbeer."

She stared at Harry for ten seconds before rapidly blinking several times and mumbling a curse at the Dursleys.

"Helga's saggy tits. Harry you are supposed to have some fun in your life. Between the Dark Lord and what you have been through I sometimes forget that you are just sixteen. Slughorn didn't put all that booze here just to decorate the table over there. At least half of the students are underage and no one cares - Next thing you tell me that you have never been inside a broom closet with a pretty girl."

"Ehm, about that - "

"Fuck me sideways," Tonks groaned before pressing herself to Harry's side and leaning in so that her mouth was less than an inch from his ear. "Are you playing for the other team?"

"What? No! But - it's complicated. Well, not the boy thing, I like girls. But no one wants to date me. Everyone wants the bloody boy-who-lived. They want the bragging rights of being with THE Harry Potter. Two years ago they hated me before loving me. Last year it was hate again. And now I am drowning in candy laced with love potions and apparently, someone managed to slip me some. I only ever had one date and that ended disastrously. At least last year most people hated me," Harry defended himself, distracted by the rather sudden contact which left his arm between her breasts. Somehow during their time spent together the topic of relationships had never been mentioned outside of a few jokes.

"I've met a few of those. Not everyone, mind you, but you'd be surprised what some people blurt out when their blood is elsewhere. This has been one of the better dates so far, even though you're allowed to look if she's hanging on you like this," Tonks whispered in a husky voice and Harry shivered when he felt her breath on his left ear. She pressed herself a little further against his left and the Gryffindor couldn't stop himself from looking down the low cut dress, seeing black lace between the red fabric and her pale skin.

Harry was about to point out that this was not a date when he realised the implications of her teasing tone. Tonks had been a good friend and they spent a lot of time together during the last summer. She had been a ray of hope in his holiday prison. At some point, the platonic affection developed into something different, into a rather long-lived crush. And now she gave him an opening. Therefore it was time to do what he was best at, improvisation.

"Nym, you are one of the most amazing women I know. You are kind, funny and loyal to a fault. You tried to get me away from the Dursleys. You really care. Anyone who doesn't see that but only a pretty face is a fool. Besides, your usual looks are far more interesting than the twentieth girl trying to copy the Witch Weekly cover model."

"You sure know how to make a girl feel special," Tonks remarked only half sarcastically as she grabbed two orange glasses filled with a clear liquid and lots of ice.

"Cheers!"

The beverage tasted strange but good, was sweet for a moment before the alcohol kicked in. Then sweet again, when he got to the sugar at the bottom of the glass. But overall it was pleasant and not painful.

"That's some good stuff," Harry admitted, having neither experience nor knowledge when it came to drinking. But his cocktail was tasty after all.

"Not bad, but I make a better one."

"You can fix cocktails?"

"At least the basic ones. I've been told that my Sex on the Beach is to die for," Tonks purred and he was quite sure that it was impossible to get any redder. "'S certainly easier than Snape's NEWT class."

"I'm still surprised that you managed that without blowing up the classroom."

"Just because I'm a clutz does not mean that I can't brew a potion."

"You nearly burned down your kitchen while making noodles!"

"That only happened three times - And I really shouldn't have told you about that," Tonks pouted, adorably pushing out her lower lip. Harry retaliated by poking her side. This resulted in a tickling war certainly neither befitting their age nor their location.

"Let's dance," Tonks suggested breathlessly after dodging Harry's finger for the twentieth time. Using his forward momentum and the alcohol's slight buzz she manoeuvred him into the base position for a waltz.

"I can't dance!"

"Neither can I. But it will be fun, you'll see."

Harry's groan of protest was ignored as Tonks dragged him to the dancefloor. Placing one of his hands back on her hip she started leading him across the floor.

It was nothing like the Yule Ball. Dancing there had been stiff and formal while here he was just randomly swaying with the music and simply avoiding stepping on her feet. Less than a dozen couples were dancing, everyone else just sat back, busy stuffing their faces. There were quite a few guests old enough to have children or even grandchildren, who, save one pair, preferred to mingle. A lot of people were staring at them, some even shamelessly pointing their fingers. For Harry, that was just an average day in Hogwarts.

"Thanks for coming with me here. Without you Slughorn would probably parade me around like a trophy and insist on introducing me to everyone," he said quietly as the song ended. It had been far better than he expected, relaxing and not at all awkward or embarrassing. Apparently dancing was more enjoyable if you focused on your partner instead of staring at the girlfriend of the guy next to you. Also, the booze helped to take away some of the inevitable tension.

"Just so you know, I'm taking you to the next stupid Ministry function I have to attend."

"As long as we actually get to dance and I don't have to deal with three hundred fans who want to have an autograph. I would never have thought that dancing could be fun," Harry admitted. He was sure that they were missing the tact and were not even aware of the proper steps but that was half the fun. Not caring about anything else, forgetting the war and the expectations for a moment.

"Yes, especially when your partner is not groping you. Although that can be quite enjoyable in a more private setting," Tonks huskily whispered into his ear and Harry could feel his face heating up. He needed a comeback, quickly.

"I might take you up on that."

"Promises, promises," she replied and Harry was not sure who won that exchange but he had a feeling that it was not him.

The next song was a slower number and Tonks pulled him closer, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Nym, when I called you Dora earlier you kinda froze. Is there a story behind that?" Harry asked softly.

"You - You used to call me that."

"I can't remember that," he admitted. They talked a lot during the last summer, trying to cope with the debacle at the Ministry but not once did he use that nickname.

"Of course not, you were bloody one. Actually, it was more Doaaa than Dora but still. That brought back a couple memories."

"You knew me before?"

"It never came up? Guess I was too busy poking around in your head then. Mum used to babysit you once or twice. I don't remember a lot, but I think we are the only ones who have a nude picture of the chosen one."

"Nude picture?" Harry stuttered.

"It was after your first birthday, dad bought an inflatable pool and since no one of us had any swimwear nearby we simply went naked. Of course, there were only three inches of water inside since neither of us could swim back then."

"So you have baby pictures of me?" he groaned.

"Mum has three albums full. She always liked you. Even tried to gain custody of you a couple of times."

"We could have grown up together?"

"Maybe. Dumbledore could have placed you with my mum since we are actually your closest living relatives. Well, we and the Malfoys."

"Another thing to add to the long list of Dumbledore's failings," Harry bitterly spat, missing the fact that most, if not all magical courts would have decided in Malfoy's favour.

"But if we would have grown up as siblings we couldn't be dancing like this. And at least he's giving you private lessons," Dora pointed out when the next song began, trying to calm him down and pressing even more into Harry, long past the limits of decency.

"Where I don't learn a single thing. He just shows me a couple of memories of Voldemort's past."

"That's all? Dumbledore's fabled lessons are the reason for dozens of rumours down in Hogsmeade. Everyone thinks you are being trained in advanced battle magic or that you are his apprentice. But the old fucker only shows you a Dark Lord home movie? Doesn't he care about the prophecy at all? You need a way to kill him, not a sob story."

"He still thinks that the power is love. Because I'm sure that snogging Voldemort is the way to defeat him," Harry replied, immensely glad for the privacy charms still surrounding them. "Not like I know the first thing about it."

"I'm sure that there's more than one witch who could help you learn."

"A quick shag between Defence and Charms is not love. That's pretty much all I know," Harry replied, missing the obvious invitation.

"What about Hermione? Surely she could be persuaded for some learning experiences."

"I'm not sure. I mean, from what we've established before I basically see her as mother substitute - "

"That just makes it kinky."

"I mean, she is pretty, but I've never felt like shoving her against the nearest wall and snogging her senseless."

"Ah, a true romantic," Tonks sniggered but Harry didn't feel like joking.

"You know, I would have loved to just do that. But no, a normal girlfriend is too much to ask for. Last year my only date ever was cut short because I had to give that interview to the Quibbler and Cho only wanted to talk about the boyfriend Voldemort murdered right in front of me. Then Malfoy nearly kills the girl I wanted to ask out and now the Ginny thing is just someone fucking with my head."

"And I thought my dating experiences were a nightmare. Seriously, how aren't you insane already?"

"I ask the same question every day."

"Then let's deal with that tomorrow," Tonks threw in with an unexpected, upbeat tone. "You need a break from the war and others fucking you over or you'll end like Frank Jenkins. Poor bloke tried to win the war on his own and pulled more overtime than the rest of the department. He snapped after three months and ended up in St. Mungos. We want to keep you out of there, right?"

"But how can I take a break when people are dying?" Harry asked hesitantly. A day off sure sounded nice but everyone waited for him to kill Voldemort, who would not wait to consider the Gryffindor's feelings.

"Ask yourself, what would you achieve if you were not here tonight."

"Harry my boy, are you enjoying yourself," an unwelcome voice interrupted them once more.

"Yes Professor, we are having a great time," Harry replied truthfully. He invited Tonks because he needed someone to confide in but her idea of a carefree evening has been great so far. And holding her close while slowly swaying across the dancefloor made him feel strangely invincible.

"You never mentioned that you had connections with the Aurors."

"Well, Tonks is an old friend. We are actually fourth cousins through House Black," Harry explained.

"Ah, so you are trying to strengthen the house. Well, if you need any potion to help with that feel free to ask me," Slughorn said happily before he wandered off towards Neville Longbottom and his date. When he was out of earshot Tonks burst out laughing.

"What?" Harry wanted to know, obviously missing the joke.

"Well, your teacher basically congratulated you for getting some with your cousin and offered you potions that improve your endurance and virility."

"Dora, I don't want to shag you because you are my cousin," Harry immediately replied before he realised how wrong that sounded. "And I don't need that kind of potions."

"But you want to shag me?" Tonks teased, barely suppressing her laughter.

"Well, yes - no," he stuttered while turning redder than the Hogwarts Express.

"So I am not shaggable?"

"No, I mean yes, ehm - Look, any bloke would be lucky to go out with you. Hell, I'm still surprised to be on a date with you. A bunch of Veela courtesans could walk in and you'd still be the most attractive person here," the Gryffindor said and felt like he was digging his hole deeper and deeper.

"More attractive than a troop of Veela whores? I think that you finally lost it," Dora laughed. Harry surely had a way with words. The thought was nice but he certainly had to work on the delivery. And yet it was strangely endearing, reminding her of her Hogwarts days, of easier times. It was a paradox really, whatever happened between Harry, his mother and Voldemort, gave the magical society peace for more than a decade and at the same time, he was a symbol of the fight against the pureblood fanatics under Voldemort's banner and yet to her he was the exact opposite.

"Well, to me at last. I mean sure, twenty half nude blondes are certainly attractive, I'm not denying that. But I don't know any of them and I know you. Like I said earlier, you are the quintessential Hufflepuff. You are kind, loyal and hardworking. You are funny and honest. If a pepper-up potion had a sound it would be your laughter. And your hair can lighten up even the darkest clouds," Harry stated passionately although he wondered where exactly that came from. Sure, he had always liked Tonks but usually, his thoughts were far from that level of sappiness.

The metamorph looked at him strangely for a moment, like he was an especially difficult riddle. They locked eyes and Harry could see that she was furiously thinking before shrugging.

"Fuck it."

In one fluid motion, she grabbed him by the neck, took one step forward and slammed her lips onto his. Harry was stunned for a moment before his instincts took over. The same instincts that preserved mankind for thousands of years. As far as kisses went, this was new to him. Cho had been insecure and hesitant, not to mention crying. The Gryffindor chasers had always been friendly and chaste, a playful peck on the lips after winning a game. Tonks, on the other hand, was aggressive, if not outright domineering. A bright fire was burning in her purple eyes and held him captive as they slowly became brighter and the pleasant warmth which spread through his body was entirely unrelated to the drink he has had.