Chapter 13: Chapter 13: A bit of Flour
"Monsieur Delacour"
Julian looked up from the stack of sheets of paper and smiled when he saw the head of Albus Dumbledore in the fireplace. He had been expecting the old man's floo call since he released to the press about his daughter's betrothal to Harry Potter.
"To what do I owe this pleasure Supreme Mugwump?" Julian asked.
"I thought we had an agreement about keeping secret regarding Harry Potter's betrothal." Dumbledore said. "Harry does not need more attention... he has trouble enough handling his fame."
"Our agreement is that I would withhold that information from the press until the need arose." Julian replied. "My daughter insisted that we announce her betrothal since she has been having problems with suitors in Beauxbatons."
Albus frowned. "That excuse does not warrant the release of Harry's betrothal to the press."
"Supreme Mugwump... I think I know why you called on me today. I ruined your plans to regain custody of my future son-in-law." Julian Delacour said.
"Excuse me?"
"Do not think for a moment that I am ignorant of what is taking place in the International Confederation of Wizards and Witches. You submitted a proposal to the Wizarding body to repeal the earlier treaty to regain control of my ward." Julian said his tone colder. "The release of my daughter's betrothal to Harry complicates things for you."
"You are well informed." Albus replied. "I have to ask that you allow Harry to stay in Hogwarts during the holidays."
"No." Julian said immediately. "As his guardian, I have full legal rights regarding where Harry chooses to stay for the holidays. My daughter insists that she needs more time to get to know her future husband."
"But the security..."
"... is sufficient in my home." Julian said. "We have discussed this before Supreme Mugwump."
"This is not the end of this matter." Albus Dumbledore replied as his head vanished from the flames.
*************************
"Look... I am your father."
"It can't be... it's not possible!"
Andromeda looked on with amusement while Kit watched the cartoons in the telly with excitement. The young cat's tail twitched with pleasure as explosions and lights flickered on the screen. Kit sat feet away from the screen, and his head moved up and down following the sudden movements in the movie.
The screen turned black and the young cat hissed in annoyance and looked back at Andromeda who was feet away from where the remote control for the VHS was supposed to be.
"Isn't anyone going to greet me?" Tonks asked. She tossed the remote down on the couch and jumped to the spot beside her mother.
"How was your day dear?" Andromeda asked.
"Moody's going to take me out for patrol next week!" Tonks said in excitement.
"It isn't dangerous now is it?" Andromeda asked.
"C'mon mom... this isn't like the day during the war. We won't be fighting death eaters, just catching some smugglers and illegal traders." Tonks said. She patted the space beside her, beckoning her familiar towards her.
Kit narrowed his eyes on his companion and moved towards the couch, and to Tonks' surprise he leapt into Andromeda's lap.
"Kit!" Tonks said, slightly amused at the cat's actions. He was obviously displeased with her earlier actions since he even refused to acknowledge her presence.
"I think the little guy's annoyed with you Dora." Andromeda said. She scratched the cat's nape like she had seen her daughter do so many times and smiled when she felt how soft his fur was under her fingers. "Turn on the player dear, it's nearly finished anyway."
Tonks pushed back the play button and smiled when Kit perked up and jumped off Andromeda's lap and ran to his previous spot in front of the telly.
"He's getting bigger." Andromeda said, observing the young cat who was again twitching his tail in excitement.
"He is... and I'm surprised at how fast he grows mum." Tonks said. "He doesn't even finish his meals."
"Maybe he's hunting small birds and rats?" Andromeda asked. "What else could he do for hours outside?"
"That could be it." Tonks agreed. "That goes to show no matter how cute Kit is, he's still a hunter by instinct."
Tonks stood up as the credits rolled past and scooped up her familiar from the floor. "C'mon big guy, it's time for another bath."
"Tonks... you know cats don't bathe that often." Andromeda said. "And you gave him a bath this morning."
"I know that... but thinking of all those little birds that Kit killed..." Tonks said. She raised Kit so that they were looking at each other eye to eye and asked. "Don't hunt those filthy rats okay?"
"Meow"
Tonks nodded and headed to the bathroom, turning on the faucet on the tub. Kit wondered why she did not stop after a few inches whenever she bathed him and he got his surprise a moment later.
The door sealed shut and Kit's eyes widened when he saw Tonks began to remove articles of clothing and dropped them to the floor. Tonks had just unclasped her bra when she noticed her familiar was hiding under the sink, with his eyes shut.
"Hey Kit, what are you doing hiding there?" Tonks asked. She leaned down to look at her familiar who opened his eyes and shut them immediately when he saw her state of undress.
"You're being silly again." Tonks grinned. She pulled him by his nape and dragged the young cat across the floor, his claws scratching the tiles in a desperate attempt to stay in his spot. She lifted Kit in one arms and secured him in her chest while she prepared the soaps for the tub.
Finished with her task, she looked down on Kit who was looking up at her with wide eyes, his head trapped between her breasts. "Relax Kit."
"Meooooooww"
"Are you scared of bathing with me?" Tonks asked. "Don't worry... I won't dunk your head in the water."
Tonks placed the cat on the ledge of the tub and removed her remaining article of clothing. She tested the water if it was hot enough. Satisfied, she submerged herself on the tub and stared at Kit who was looking at her with wide green eyes.
"Ohhh that feels so good!" Tonks moaned. She lifted her familiar and placed on her two knees that jutted out of the water. "See? There's nothing to be nervous about."
The young cat looked uncomfortable in his spot and Tonks lifted her cat and began to scrub his soaked body.
"Let's do this more often!" Tonks exclaimed as she rubbed soap on Kit's body. The young cat resigned himself to its current predicament and enjoyed the sensations on its body. Tonks always knew the right spot to scratch.
**********************
"Is it possible?" Harry asked.
"I don't know... I've never heard of a familiar bond forming between a witch and an animagus." Nicholas said. "Are you sure you both glowed similar colors?"
"We both glowed red." Harry said. "What happens now?"
"Familiar bonds are rare... It allows both animal and witch to feel each other's emotions to a certain degree... but that's it." Nicholas rubbed his chin. "You displayed the characteristics described in my research."
"So what, Tonks just knows how I feel? And I know what she feels?" Harry asked.
"That's about it..." Nicholas said. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you more, since I was not fortunate enough to meet my destined familiar. The only person I know that has knowledge regarding the relationship between familiar and master is of course Albus."
Nicholas laughed when he saw the boy's face at the thought of asking Albus Dumbledore for advice.
"No thanks, that old coot is too nosy for his own good." The young thief said. "I thought I just knew Tonks' personality so well and that's why I could predict what she was feeling. It turns out we feel each other's emotions."
"Nicky... can Tonks and I communicate through our minds?" Harry asked.
"Of course not." Nicholas scoffed at the idea. "There's no such thing... what gave you that idea?"
Harry removed the pocketbook he nicked from Hermione's bag and threw it on the old man's desk.
"What's this?" Nicholas eyed the pink covered book with disgust.
"Apparently... Hermione and Padma like to read those." Harry said. "It says in the back about something regarding soul bonds. Apparently people in love develop those, and as a result, they can talk with each other through their minds."
"That's... that's the most stupid idea I have ever heard!" Nicholas laughed. He wiped the tears of mirth from the corner of his eyes and looked at his young friend. "Harry... when I meant bond, it means you share closeness with the person you are close too."
"Everyone has a bond..." Nicholas continued. "But they just differ from one another. Your familiar bond with Tonks means that you both have the same personalities and line of thought, and that you can judge each other's emotions and feelings accurately. Magic just enhances that."
"What about this soul bond?" Harry asked.
"It's all in the imagination of these Witch authors." Nicholas said. "There is no such thing. Tell me Harry, when this Tonks met you, did you like her instantly?"
"She dunked my head on a bowl of milk." Harry said. "I wanted to scratch her."
"And then?" Nicholas smiled. "What happened when she adopted you as her pet?"
Memories of Kit's adventures in the Tonks residence flashed through his mind and Harry smiled. "I think I tolerated her at first... then she took good care of me... She has a good heart. After the first few weeks I began to like staying with her."
"And that proves the point I'm telling you." Nicholas said. "Bonds don't just form instantaneously... they form through experience... friendship and love. That's what makes a familiar bond so special, because magic itself recognizes that two magical beings are compatible."
Harry smiled. "Thanks Nicky."
***************************
"Your headmaster spoke with me this morning." Julian said. The Delacours and Harry were having a late dinner and Harry was busy making young Gabrielle laugh while Fleur discussed with her mother about the latest muggle fashion trends.
"He spoke to me during lunch." Harry said. "He was asking about my plans for the holidays."
"He insisted that you stay at the school?" Julian asked.
"No... He urged me to consider accepting the invitation from the Weasley's." Harry said.
"Them again?" Julian took a sip of wine. "Why does he keep insisting you stay with them?"
"Because he's senile that's what." Harry muttered. "I don't know the Weasley's that well... except for the twins."
"Ah yes... your two cohorts." Julian replied. "Has Nicholas managed to replicate the map?"
"It took a while but he finally figured it out. The old man was amazed at the charms in the map." Harry said. "It uses the ward matrix of Hogwarts to help update the map's database."
"That will help you in your latest mission." Julian said. "I'm surprised that you managed to stumble into a relic of the Marauders. Their exploits have even reached Beauxbatons when I was student here."
"The weird thing is I always appeared on the map as Prongs Junior." Harry said. "Do you think my father was Prongs?"
"It's possible." Julian said. "The personalities imbedded in the map must have recognized you as the son of James Potter."
"Who are these marauders papa?" Fleur asked.
"They were famous pranksters in my day, flower." Julian said. "I heard rumors that they were never caught, even once when setting up their pranks."
"Flour?" Harry grinned, looking at his future wife.
"It's Flower!" Fleur said. "Papa used to call me that when I was growing up."
"Julian called you Flour?" Harry teased. He cocked his head to one side and looked at the Delacour heiress. "Nice."
"Don't call me that!" Fleur snapped.
"What, Flour?" Harry asked innocently.
Fleur scowled and decided to use her weapon. She licked her lips to make sure they were wet with saliva and leaned down and kissed her betrothed's cheek.
"Oh gross!" Harry rubbed the spot where the quarter veela kissed him.
Fleur grinned. "Hah! You are powerless Harry. There is only one way to fight me back."
"What... Flour?" Harry asked, emphasizing the last word.
"Fight fire with fire. You must kiss me back." Fleur grinned.
Harry's eyes bugged out and he looked at Julian and Apolline who were hiding their smiles in their goblets. He gave Fleur a wounded look and returned to his dinner. "This sucks."
*********************
News of Harry Potter's betrothal to a Fleur Delacour was received with surprise from most students. The Slytherins took the news like it was an everyday affair, after all the tradition was still practiced widely in their house.
During the next edition of the Daily Prophet, the picture of Fleur Delacour in her Beauxbatons school uniform was splattered in the front page. Many boys whistled in appreciation when they saw her picture and gave Harry knowing looks and thumbs up signs, congratulating him for a fine catch.
Tales of Veela's sexual prowess sprouted from the boys' dormitories, and rumors circulated about how young Harry managed to tire out his betrothed while 'playing' in his bed. Older boys began to approach the quiet and aloof Boy-Who-Lived, asking him for tips on techniques to Harry's confusion. It did not help Harry when he was accosted by his roommate and the older Ravenclaws one morning, demanding that he gave details on his play dates with Fleur.
"C'mon Harry... give us details." Michael Corner asked one afternoon while Harry finished his Astronomy chart.
Harry looked back at his roommate and the other boys that suddenly surrounded his usual spot in the Ravenclaw common room.
"Why do you need details?" Harry asked, scratching the back of his head. "It's just playing."
"Harry... most of us never experienced 'playing' before." Michael said. "Please?"
Harry looked at the boys around him with sympathy. "You have such sad childhoods... you never even did it?"
"Don't stick in our faces." A seventh year scowled. "C'mon Potter... details."
"Fine... Fleur likes to cheat sometimes." Harry said as he continued mapping out his chart. "She likes to pretend that she's some Veela goddess."
"You... you role play?" A sixth year student asked.
"Of course..." Harry replied. "Otherwise we wouldn't enjoy playing with each other. Even though she cheats, I usually overwhelm her with superior strategy."
"Overwhelm?"
"Yup." Harry remembered the time where Fleur's dolls were massacred from a hidden battalion of Snake eyes. "She always gets beaten by my Snake eyes."
"Snake?" Michael asked.
"Yeah, that's what I call my toy. She always submits to that." Harry grinned. "Sometimes though, it gets too rough... but I think she enjoys it. She doesn't care if some of her Veela goddess gets hurt. We repair the damage after everything's finished."
The boys exchanged wide eyed looks with one another. As one, they moved closer around Harry, eager to hear more.
"But I think we're growing tired of it..." Harry mused. "Fleur said that she wants to do other things, explore new ways to have fun. I think we'll try the beach next. Playing in the sand is lots of fun."
"You're so lucky..." The seventh year said.
"And kinky." Another boy added.
Harry gave his poor depraved classmates another sympathetic look before returning to his star chart to finish his assignment.
*****************
"Greetings oh betrothed one!"
Harry swallowed the food he was chewing and wrapped the remains of his half eaten sandwich and placed it in his bag. It was prepared by Penny, and it would be a waste to throw a sandwich that good.
"Hello Gred, Forge." The young thief said. He sat down on the vacant chair and grinned at the twins. "Betrothed one?"
"News of your betrothal shattered many young hearts..." George Weasley said.
"...and the envy of most of the boys in Gryffindor house. That Veela chick is quite a catch." Fred added.
"I was lucky." Harry said. "I've got something for you."
"At last!" Fred said. "We couldn't do our Hogsmeade runs without the map. Did you manage to duplicate it?"
"It took some time." Harry pulled out to pieces of parchment, one was old and worn while the other was brand new. He handed it to Fred Weasley and showed off his own version of the map. He placed it in the table and tapped it with his wand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
"I didn't think it was possible..." George said as he observed the brand new version of the marauder's map.
"I also got these for you." Harry pulled out two packs of his favorite chocolate, gift wrapped in decorative gold and brown paper. "It's thanks, for allowing me to copy the map."
"How could we deny the son of a marauder?" George grinned. He accepted the gifts and handed the other box to his twin.
"Blimey... how did you get these?" Fred asked. He looked at his twin and said, "George, this came from France!"
"I have my ways." Harry grinned. "When will you do another Hogsmeade run? I'd like to see the place."
"After the Ravenclaw-Gryffindor Match." George said. "We'd be sure to win there, their new seeker's a newbie, and Katie should be able to catch the snitch before her."
"Oliver has already asked us for supplies of firewhiskey and butterbeer." Fred said. "We could take you along, and we'll be grateful for another set of hands."
"How can you buy those from the storeowners?" Harry asked. "Why don't they report you to the professors for being out of bounds?"
"We reached an agreement with the lovely Madam Rosmerta." Fred replied. "We use our considerable influence in school to spread the word about her tavern."
"And besides, business is low for her is it's not a Hogsmeade weekend... and Firewhiskey fetches a high price." George said.
"And she has a nice rack." Fred reminded his twin.
"That too." George agreed. He looked at their young cohort and smirked. "But young Harry here doesn't need to imagine now does he... he gets to see the real deal, from what I've heard."
"Huh?" Harry asked.
"Naked women..." George said. "You've seen one up close right Harry?"
"Oh..." Harry blushed at the memory of his bath with Tonks. "Yeah..."
"I'm so jealous..." Fred said. "So, you're coming with us for a Hogsmeade run?"
"Yup." Harry said eagerly.
"Meet us here at nine." George said. "I'm sure you'll have no problems with that cloak of yours."
"It is helpful" Harry agreed.
*****************
Hermione continued to express her views on the old tradition to anyone who cared to listen, and treated Harry as a victim. She continued giving Harry sad looks whenever they hang out together and Padma finally figured out why Hermione reacted so badly at the news.
"You have a crush on him." Padma said one afternoon while they studied under the tree.
"What?" Hermione squeaked.
"Admit it Hermione... I can see the looks you give him." Padma said.
"I do not!" Hermione said quickly. Her cheeks blushed and she hid her face in her book. "I don't have a crush on him!"
"Crush on whom?"
"EEEK!" Hermione and Padma shrieked when they heard Harry's voice. The two girls frantically looked around looking for their friend.
"Up here."
Padma and Hermione looked up and found Harry lying on a tree branch, his hands propped up behind his head to act as a pillow.
"Harry! How long have you been there?" Hermione squeaked.
"Since Lunch." Harry said. "I fell asleep and woke up when I heard your voices."
"How much did you hear?" Padma demanded.
"Just the end." Harry sat up and gracefully leapt down from the branch. "Did I hear it right? Hermione has a crush?"
"Yes!"
"No!"
Harry looked at the two girls and looked confused at their reply. "Uhuh."
Hermione frantically tried to tame her hair as Harry sat down beside her. She blushed as Padma gave her a knowing look and continued reading. The trio spent an entire hour lazing around watching the students playing with the snow.
Harry immediately tensed when he felt Tonks feeling distressed and he stood, removing dirt and snow from his pants.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I just remembered that I have a meeting with Michael." Harry said quickly. "See you at dinner."
Harry ran inside the castle, and when he found an unused classroom, he made sure that no one was looking and vanished from the spot.
"What is that boy up to?" Padma murmured.
*********************
"Tonks! Get back here!" Moody roared. He had taken his apprentice for a routine patrol along the seedier parts of Knockturn Alley. He ducked as another volley of bone shattering curses bombarded his position.
Moody scowled. He thought that it would be a good idea to patrol with his apprentice, and toughen her up by rounding up the usual offenders. He expected at the most a good duel or two, but even his paranoid mind didn't expect that they would stumble upon a dark artifacts and illegal potions smuggling ring.
Alastor Moody's vaunted skills in defensive and offensive magic proved true, as he was able to protect himself and his apprentice from any serious harm. He did not expect however that additional reinforcements from these smugglers would arrive, and this new force separated him from his apprentice.
Alastor spotted the young trainee auror duck and dive as her cover was shattered from a powerful Reducto curse. The young woman ran towards a side alley to evade her opponents and Alastor frowned with worry when he realized the danger the young woman is in. She should be beside him, not alone in the dark narrow alleys being chased by dark wizards. They were caught bu surprise and Tonks and Moody found themselves trapped with anti apparation wards to prevent their escape.
A series of curses caught his attention and the veteran auror focused on his enemies. He saw a few of his opponents had dug in under an old store and he noticed that large sign on top of their position.
"Constant Vigilance!"
An overpowered cutting curse later, Moody smiled when he heard the sound of horrified screams and crushed bodies. He looked at the side alley where his apprentice had ran into and hoped that she was more than capable to handle her opponents.
"Come here pretty missy."
"We won't hurt you... I promise."
Tonks remained quiet as she pressed her body to the brick wall, hoping her pursuers would miss her among the shadows. A series of blasting curses destroyed the stacks of boxes she was hiding in and returned fire. She counted three opponents. If only she could reach the apparition point at the main alley, but these three wizards were determined to stop her.
"Sorry missy, but we can't have you reporting our business to the ministry." The middle aged man that wore a brown hat and dark blue robes said.
"You're trapped." Another thug said. "There's no escape from us."
"My friends will arrive soon!" Tonks panted. She continued the running battle on the narrow alley, weaving in and out of debris.
"I doubt that!" The leader said. He fired a blasting curse that hit the auror trainee in the leg, and it sent crashing through the windows of an abandoned store."
Tonks hissed when she felt a sharp pain in her thigh and saw pieces of glass imbedded in her leg. She raised his wand again to return fire but it flew out of her grip as a disarming curse hit her.
"Good bye missy." The leader pointed his wand. "Avada..."
Tonks refused to close her eyes and she stared furiously at her opponents. Her eyes widened in shock when the leader crumpled to the grown when a stunning curse hit him in the side of the head.
"MOODY!" Tonks breathed a sigh of relief. Her auror trainer had come to her aid and she dragged herself to her wand had fallen, eager to join the fight. She noticed that the two remaining thugs were still fighting an unknown opponent and she limped to the doorway to help out against the fight.
She was surprised when she saw a small figure wearing a mask fighting the two adult wizards. Her mysterious new ally was doing fine in the battle. He was able to match his opponents by firing powerful spells at the two thugs and Tonks noticed that he had an impressive repertoire of offensive spells.
Not wasting anytime, Tonks fired spells from her position and the two thugs were caught in the crossfire and they fell down amidst the storm of curses coming from two directions.
Tonks grinned in satisfaction before she realized the pain in her left leg and crumpled down on the floor.
"Tonks!"
The Metamorphagus auror looked up, surprised to hear a youthful voice from her savior. The masked figure kneeled down beside her and examined the leg, analyzing her injuries.
"I have to remove the glass imbedded in your thigh... this is going to hurt." The masked figure with the youthful voice said. "After that I know of a small healing charm that seals up open wounds. Hopefully that's enough until we get you to the healers."
Tonks nodded. For some reason, this person was familiar to her, and she could feel that he was genuinely worries about her. "Do it."
Tonks screamed in pain as the piece of glass imbedded in her thigh flew out. "Damn that stings."
"You're lucky, no veins were punctured or cut." The masked figure said. He waved his wand on the leg and muttered. "Episkey."
Tonks sighed in relief as the pain in her leg subsided to a dull throb and her skin began to repair itself. Now that the pain was gone, she looked at her savior, puzzled at the strange familiar feelings with this person. She swore she had met him before, but for some reason she couldn't place it.
It was the eyes that gave him away, as Tonks peered closer to the figure, seeing green eyes through the eye slits. The familiar feeling and the vibrant green eyes, exactly in the same shade as...
"Kit?" Tonks asked. Her mind reeled at the possibility that her beloved familiar kit was actually an animagus.
Harry's eyes widened in surprise and he immediately stood up.
"Uhh... I've got to go." Harry said, backing away from the older witch.
"No! Wait! Kit!" Tonks shouted but her savior had already disappeared around the corner. She quickly stood up, and despite the protest of her newly healed leg, she ran after him, only to stop when she saw that the alley was empty. She fell to the ground as feelings of loss and confusion welled up deep within her.
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Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
-- Power
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