916"All Aboard! The train to chapter 25 is about to leave!" Lol
Happy September 1st!
Harry woke up after an uneventful night to his arm healed and Marigold placing a delicious smelling tray at the bottom of his bed.
"Good morning Marigold" he said as he stretched. She gave him a small, shy smile in return and hurried away.
"I want to check that arm before you freshen up and eat," Aurora's voice came from her desk in the corner.
After a clean bill of health, Harry freshened up, had his breakfast, and replied to Neville's letter. He let the quieter boy know that there were no hard feelings and that he would love to spend time at the manor this summer.
After that Tonks picked him up and escorted him back to The Cauldron so he could get ready for the day.
Entering the room he was greeted by Erowl having a stare off with Hedwig. His girl didn't seem to appreciate having to share her space with him.
"I assume this is from Ron", Harry said, detaching the letter.
Mate, Things have been mental over here! We had to come back from our trip early because Dad and Ginny were called into The Ministry. Somehow, they know about Ginny's involvement with the Chamber.
A couple of days ago, after we had just gotten back from seeing one of those pyramids - they were so cool, you have to go sometime - but an official owl came for Dad demanding that he and Ginny show up to The Ministry.
When mom found out she was in a right state. We had to immediately change plans and come home early.
Wait, I told you about this, right? That we won The Prophet Galleon Draw and went on a trip to Egypt to see my brother, Bill.
Mate, I've never seen my Dad look so angry. When Dad and Ginny got back yesterday, he called a family meeting and asked us all to tell them what happened during the school year from our perspective.
I feel really bad for Percy now. I didn't think about it at the time. But we only had to deal with Hermione petrified for a few weeks. Penelope was also petrified and Percy had threw it alone.
Anyway, once we were all done, it was Ginny's turn to tell us exactly what happened, and it was really sad, but also really annoying. She kept trying to explain why she hid it from everyone. Like I get it, she didn't want to get in trouble and it was embarrassing. But after being in the Chamber myself, she could have saved us all the trouble by just telling us something weird was going on with a book.
Dad said that they are going to be taking Ginny into St. Mungo's to have her checked to make sure He-who-must-not-be-named hasn't left anything behind. That's the craziest part! There could still be some of him left in my little sister.
And to top it off Scabbers has been acting really strange, I think he might be sick.
Since we are back early I will ask mom if you can stay with us the last week of August.
I hope you're doing alright with the muggles.
Cheers,
Folding the letter back up Harry was happy that Ginny was getting checked on. Especially after how concerned Aurora was about any lingering issues from the chamber.
Harry had only fought a basilisk while Ginny had been possessed by Voldemort. She definitely could use a trip to St. Mungo's.
Pulling out a new outfit and jumping to the shower, Harry got ready as quickly as possible. He was excited to meet Tonk's parents and his distant cousins.
HP-HP-HP
Andromeda swiped off the tower of icing she had just put onto the last cupcake and continued to even out the icing left behind.
"Did you start over again?" Ted's voice came from the corner table.
"This one is for Harry, I have to get the lilies right!" She ground out in frustration.
She had spent the last hour icing her cupcakes and drawing a number of flowers onto them. However she was struggling with this last cupcake covered in lilies. She was designing this one especially for Harry and the icing was not cooperating.
"Come now Andy, I'm sure your lilies are beautiful. You're just nervous to meet a new family member who isn't disapproving of you or crazy." He said with a chuckle.
Before Andromeda could respond the floo ignited and out stumbled the young man they were talking about.
Dora had tried to warn them but she was still surprised to see how petite he was. He had the famous Potter hair and striking green eyes. Striking not just because of their color but because of the sadness she recognized in them. A sadness she often saw on days she thought of her family.
The fire flashed again and her daughter fell out.
"Hi mom, dad! This is cousin Harry Potter. Harry, meet my parents Andromeda and Ted Tonks." Dora said, climbing to her feet.
"It's nice to meet you Mr and Mrs Tonks," the boy said with a wave.
"Please call us cousins Andy and Ted. Although our relation is distant, you are family and welcome here."
From the moment Harry had met them he had felt welcomed by the Tonks. He had joined the father and daughter at the table while Cousin Andy finished decorating her cupcakes.
Tonks had updated her parents on what the Alley was like that morning. Quieter than it had been the past few days but it was still early.
Ted had left the kitchen shortly after to watch a game in the living room and had left an open invitation for Harry to join.
However, Harry wanted to stay with Tonks and her mother and learn about the Black family history and as much as they knew about the Potters.
The three spent the rest of the morning and afternoon sitting at the kitchen table sipping on tea and eating baked goods while discussing family history.
Harry appreciated how much knowledge Cousin Andy had about the Potter family. It was a strange experience to spend so much time with family members that wanted him around. It was even stranger to have somebody speak so highly of relatives he had never heard of.
As the history lesson wound down Tonks left to join her father to watch a movie and Harry stayed in the kitchen to help Cousin Andy cook.
He found the woman to be as warm as Mrs Weasley but much calmer and more reserved. He could also spend time around her without feeling guilty he was taking her time away from someone else. Nor was he worried about neglecting a friend while he spent time with her.
They spent the rest of the evening enjoying their dinner and telling tales of Tonks' adventurers at Hogwarts. They weren't nearly as dangerous as Harry's adventures but were much more funny.
When he left he had a full belly and an invitation to return the next day, which he accepted immediately.
HP-HP-HP
By the time Harry crawled into bed that night he felt calmer than he had in the last few days. With his renewed peace he felt strong enough to watch the first orb.
After setting up the orb at the table, Harry activated it and waited to see what would happen.
An image of his father appeared looking roughly the same age as the image from the will but much more unsure. This James was smiling awkwardly and scratching the back of his head.
"Hi Harry! Happy Birthday!", his father said with faked excitement. "I hope you are having lots of fun and cake.
Mommy and daddy wish we could be there with you but we have to stay where we are. Please just remember we miss you so, so much and love you to the moon and back!" he finished as his eyes started to glisten. The recording stopped on the image of James forcing a smile for his 3 year old son.
This was too much for Harry as his own tears began to fall. He restarted the short recording and watched it four more times as he cried the tears his father would not let fall.
HP-HP-HP
After taking a short break to wash his face and calm down Harry was prepared to watch his 4rd birthday orb.
Again James popped up but this time he was wearing a more genuine smile and a cupcake with four candles on top.
"Happy Birthday Prongslet! Look at you, four years old and already so big. No need to have an extra slice for your old man." he said with an exaggerated wink. "I'll just have this cupcake if you don't mind. I personally prefer cupcakes over cake. Your mom makes the best cupcakes. The edges are crunchy but the middle is soft, just the way I like it. What about you? Do you like cake or cupcakes better?" He took a long pause for four year old Harry to respond before continuing.
"I have to go now baby but remember Mommy and daddy miss you so, so much and we love you to the moon and back! Be good for Sirius." James said, ending this recording with a bigger smile than the last and less tears in his eyes.
This orb also brought tears to his eyes but the accompanying emotions were less intense. Harry watched the recording a few more times before crawling into bed and dreaming about birthdays that could have been.
Notes:
I know, I took a long break and then came back with a short chapter. But at least I got something out. I was really stuck on this chapter and Harry meeting the Tonks. I wanted them to bond but I also didn't want to write about Harry's day with them. Until I finally wrote it from Andy's perspective.
Also, sorry for ending on a melancholy note but I wanted to get the first 2 orbs in.
Story recommendation - Basilisk-born By: Ebenbild (FF) What if the Dementor attack in 5th year had ended with Harry losing? What if someone had stepped in to save him? And what if Harry ended up in the past with a chance to be more than he ever was before? A story about a forcibly time travelled Harry and its consequences... Manipulative Dumbledore, 'Slytherin!Harry', Time Travel!