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Title: School Plans

Contributors: bloodyboypotter, min_mcg, _weasleyking_, nymph__tonks, deflagratio

Edited by: Carla Lute

Posted: 2005-10-14 to 17

Game Date: August 19th

Disclaimer: No one at Levicorpus owns Harry Potter, the world or its characters. We just like to play in J.K. Rowling’s world.

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Dora Tonks apparated just down the road from the Weasley's house and began the short walk to their back door. She was caring a small back pack filled with four items. Three packed lunches, one for her, one for Harry, and one for Minerva, and the Port Key she had made the night before that would take herself and Harry to Hogwarts so that Minerva could talk to Harry about thing that we’re unknown to herself. But knowing Minerva it would be important.

She reached the door and knocked on it, announcing her arrival, hoping that someone was up.

Ron, who was sitting in the kitchen by himself, heard the knock at the door. Getting up, he walked over, opening the door. Smiling, he stepped aside, letting Tonks in. "Hey, Tonks."

"Hey Ron!" Tonks greeted cheerfully. A huge smile spread to her face as she walked into the Burrow kitchen. It was littered with every wedding magazine and book that ever existed.

"Somehow I thought you were exaggerating about this whole mess. I'm sorry you've been cooped up in all this," she said affectionately hitting Ron in the arm. "How have you been Ron? You know outside of going insane over all of this." Tonks sat down at the well-worn table setting her pack on the table, accidentally knocking over some of the books in the process.

"I'm sorry about that." she began to pick up the books.

"Yeah? No, this is very real. And I thank Merlin everyday that it will all be over soon." Offering Tonks a cup of tea, Ron sat down. "I've been good. A lot of things have changed. And some of those things have changed for the better," he said, a small smirk on his face. "Don't worry about the books," he said, picking them up and piling them on the table. "How have you been? Ready for Hogwarts?"

Tonks sat back down, taking the cup of tea from Ron.

"Thanks. I'm doing all right. Things have been even crazier since I left the Ministry, if you can believe that." Tonks leaned back in her chair slightly, running her hand though her short blue hair. "I think everything should be ready for Hogwarts. I've gotten though at least the first month and a half of lesson plans. It'd be easier if I knew how many student's I'm going to have this year. But you know...." Tonks looked at her watch.

"I guess that leads to why I'm here. I'm picking up Harry, and going on over to Hogwarts. Minerv--I mean Headmistress McGonagall wants to talk to Harry for a bit. So I'm going to set up my class room a bit."

She finished her tea and set the cup on the table.

"Can I ask you something, I've always wondered about this. Is Fleur really as psycho as everyone says she is? I ran into her and Bill once, and I think she said two words to me. So, is she on the level? Or are we talking full blown, crazy-ness here?" Tonks smiled widely, feeling very relaxed in the Weasleys’ kitchen. The past year, it had been almost a safe haven for her. She was glad to finally be back there.

"It's weird. I'll actually be looking forward to Defense this year. And, I never thought I would say that. Yeah, Defense with Lupin was great, but I wasn't looking forward to it because I had no idea who was teaching it until we got there." Ron looked down at his half empty cup. "Yeah, I know. Although I don't see how Hogwarts is any less safe than people's houses."

Ron looked towards the stairs. "I think Harry's up, but he's still in the room. And, Merlin. It's weird to think that McGonagall isn't our Head of House anymore. And that she's Headmistress. Bloody mad," Ron said.

Ron smiled. "She's not completely mad most of the time. It's just right now with the wedding and everything, she's a bit unstable. She probably didn't talk to you because some people in this house made it rather well known that they thought you were better for Bill than she was. Although, now we know, you wouldn't have even attempted a relationship with Bill. Well not until he was bitten, right? You have a little thing for werewolves, don't you?" Ron asked, grinning.

Tonks' face turned bright red, she laughed out loud and covered her face with her hand.

"Very funny, Ron. To tell the truth, I was never into Bill like that, back in the day. He was always too...I don't know, for lack of a better word, nice for me. Actually now that I think about it, one of my friends tried to hook me up with Charlie...wait a minute." Tonks then realized what she was saying and to who she was saying it to. "As your Head of House, I shouldn't be having this conversation with you." But then she laughed.

"But I'm not official until school starts. And I know what you mean about McGonagall taking over as Headmistress. I'm still getting over the fact that she put me in the Head of House department. Especially since I'm pretty sure she swore she'd never let me teach at Hogwarts as long as she had any say over it. I think that's why she put in all of those recommendations for me to go to Auror Training." Tonks laughed again, fondly remembering the day she went in for career advice with McGonagall.

Tonks reached into her backpack and pulled out some Droobles Best Blowing Gum. "Want some?" she said holding some out to Ron.

"I know I'm funny. No need to remind me. I've never heard anyone say that my brothers were too nice or that they didn't have feelings for someone because they were too nice. You're mad, Tonks!" Ron grinned at her. "Yeah, you're not my Head of House until September 1st. Which is still a little ways away."

Getting up, Ron took both cups and put them in the sink. "I don't know why McGonagall wouldn't want you to teach. You're a bloody good witch, Tonks. Oi. We're all going to have to get into the habit of calling you Professor Tonks. I don't know if I can do it!"

Sitting back down, Ron reached for the gum. "Thanks. I haven't had this stuff in forever."

"No problem." Tonks blew a small bubble, then popped it.

"I know I'm mad. After all, considering that I'm dating probably one of the nicest guys now. But hey, back in the day I wasn’t into the 'Hey, let's see if we can date the hot Headboy Thing. I was more like, hey let's be nice to the Headboy and see how much stuff I can get away with. By the time I realized what a great guy Bill was, he had graduated and moved away, and the only word I heard from him was though Charlie. And by the time fifth year hit, we both kinda stopped hanging around together." Tonks had never really talked to anyone about her relationships with the two Weasleys before.

Needing to stand up for a bit, Tonks started to mill about the kitchen. "I don't think McGonagall wanted me to teach because I caused way too much trouble back in school. Nothing compared to Fred and George though. I just broke a lot of curfews. And my talent was always masked by my clumsiness back in school. So I tried covering it up by being a goofball."

She tried to think of a story she could tell Ron. She loved telling stories. "Like in Transfiguration this one time, we were supposed to be turning book cases into a match box, and I stood up to do mine and I tripped, and my wand "backfired" and the book case somehow turned into purple goo, and it went all over McGonagall." Tonks blew a big bubble and popped it for effect. "She gave me a weeks worth of detention."

She once again looked at her watch. She really didn't want to go to Hogwarts. She was having a really nice time talking to Ron.

The windows rattled in their frames as Charlie apparated into the front yard. He smiled as he looked at his watch; the time was drawing near. Bill was still at work, and there was much to prepare.

Charlie hitched his duffle bag up on to his shoulder as he stepped towards his old home.

Tonks heard the door open and looked to see who it was. A familiar red head walked through the door and stood there with a large grin on his face, he was up to something.

"Hi Charlie, long time no see." Tonks hoped her face wasn't as red as she thought it was. "What's up?" Seemed like the logical thing to say at the time.

"Hey, looks like you're having ... fun." Charlie said, as he hung up his jacket on the hook next to the clock. "Did I interrupt something? --But more importantly, what's for dinner? I've had a long trip ... forgetting of course, that I apparated here."

He dropped his duffle bag by the stairs and walked into the kitchen. "Hey Ron! I didn't see you there." He winked at his brother as he past him.

"Yeah, ok Charlie," Ron said, walking to the other side of the kitchen, picking up the books that Tonks had somehow managed to knock on the floor again.

"Did Mum know you were getting in? Because Merlin knows she'll be down here fawning over you soon."

Tonks bent down to help Ron pick up the books. She was utterly-hopeless with her clumsy-ness.

"Sorry." she mumbled. "Ron, can I ask you a favor? Could you run upstairs and tell Harry to get a move on. We've got to get going." Tonks said uncomfortably standing up.

"Yeah, right away, Tonks," Ron said, taking two stairs at a time up to the attic.

She turned to Charlie. "We were talking about this coming school year, and some stuff that happened way back when. You look like you're on a mission." Tonks said watching Charlie search though the kitchen.

"You know, I'm pretty sure she does know." Charlie said as he looked for a clean glass. He found one, finally, and polished it on his shirt.

"At least, I think I told her." He paused and thought for a moment. "Ahh, well, you know mum. She'll know weather I say the words or not."

Charlie gathered his assorted snacks and sat down at the table; the invading wedding material having been 'moved' to the floor.

Tonks looked at the books on the floor that her and Ron had twice cleaned up, and decided that if Fleur didn't know what she wanted by now, Bill was in for a rough ride. She collapsed into a chair and watched as Charlie devoured the number of snacks he had pillaged from the cupboards.

"Rumor has it you're been transferred back over to this part of the world.” She tried to kill the time before Harry came downstairs and she could take him to Hogwarts, and get this increasingly awkward day over with.

"It's not a rumor. I've been working in Ireland for about 6 months now. It's really exciting! We're learning all kinds of things about dragons that we previously could only speculate on." The stupid grin on Charlie's face was proof positive that there was nothing he loved more than talking about his Dragons.

"I only wish I could tell you more, it's really interesting work."

"I bet. It seems like you've really been enjoying your work. And I guess being closer to home is a nice plus as well." Tonks then noticed something.

"Hey dude, you've got a piece of food on the side of your face." Tonks smiled and leaned back in her chair, making hair grow longer and she began to examine for split ends amongst her blue strands.

"Yeah, I was saving it for later." He picked it off. "You want it?"

Tonks reached into her bag and pulled out a sandwich.

"No thanks, I'm set." She put the sandwich into her bag. Shaking her head and cheerfully wondering if the Romanian sun did something to his brain.

"So...you still fly? I'm sure all that Quidditch you played back in school has got to come in handy nowadays." Tonks leaned father back in her chair than she meant to and fell backwards on to her back.

"This day just keeps getting better and better, eh?" she said trying to laugh it off, standing back up and sitting down.

"Sometimes. I usually just apparate if I need to go somewhere. Or walk, because I actually live really close to a town." Charlie stood up and gathered his things from the table and deposited them into the sink.

"Alright, I'm going to go find some spare room for my stuff and get ready for tonight." Charlie picked up his duffle bag and turned towards Tonks. "You gonna be around?"

"For a little bit. I'm taking Harry to Hogwarts. But I'll be back later." She smiled. "Speaking of which if you see either Ron or Harry, tell them to hurry, the Port Key isn't going to wait." She picked up one of the books that was helplessly tossed on the floor and began to thumb though it.

"Got ya. I'll let them know." Charlie smiled and then disappeared up the crooked stairs towards the bedrooms.

Somehow, time seemed to slip through his fingers once again. Before he could really begin to think about his latest dream, he heard footsteps quickly racing up the stairs.

With the announcement of Tonks’ arrival, Harry just then realized he was going to meet Headmistress McGonagall at noon. He checked his watch and, sure enough, depending on their mode of transportation, they might be late. "Oh! I forgot ... " He jumped into his trainers, grabbed his jacket and wand and followed Ron back down the stairs. Trying to stick one arm in through his jacket while juggling his wand into his pocket, Harry hit the bottom of the stairs at the same time he finished sliding both arms into his jacket sleeves. "Uhm, is there anything I need to bring, Tonks?" he spoke, absentmindedly messing with his hair, having forgotten to comb it yet that day.

"Nah. Just yourself." Tonks said cheerfully, as she pulled out an old pirate medallion necklace. "I’ve packed lunches for all of us. Ready to go Harry?” She held out the necklace for him to touch and with in a few seconds they we’re transported to Hogwarts.

Harry couldn't help but smile. Tonks' own was infectious, or so Harry told himself. He watched the medallion, spinning on its chain in midair. Before he knew it, the portkey had activated as he reached out and touched the hypnotic piece of gold. In no time, they were at Hogwarts.

Minerva made her way down to the main hallway and out the door onto the front steps of Hogwarts. Tonks and Harry were sure to be arriving at any moment. Minerva looked up as she heard a sharp CRACK!! from outside the gates of Hogwarts, and she knew Tonks' portkey had worked without fail. Raising herself from the front steps of the castle where she was sitting, she walked over to meet them.

She smiled as she saw Harry, happy, and yet partially relieved to see he was safe and sound. "Hello Harry. Dora. How are you?"

Why was everyone smiling? Harry thought to himself as his old Head of House walked out to meet them. He rarely saw McGonagall smile, so it was even more strange. "Hullo Headmistress ... " Even as he spoke her knew title, it sounded strange to his ears and he gave a quirky little grin.

Harry knew that Professor McGonagall was going to follow well in Dumbledore's footsteps.

"Well," Tonks began. "I'll leave you two to chat, here are the lunches I made for you guys." Tonks said handing over the lunches. "I'm going to go check out my new class room." Tonks walked away with a bounce in her step. "Just let me know when you guys are done!!" she yelled half way down the corridor.

Harry should've known that the moment that letter arrived from McGonagall that it was something that he probably didn't want to talk about. Why couldn't she have waited until term started? That became only too evident with her last comment.

"Well ... I ... to be truthful, Headmistress ... I thought about it. I don't know if there really is anything left for me here aside from painful memories." He seated himself across from his ex-Head of House, feeling his stomach twist as the site of McGonagall - not Dumbledore - in that wing backed chair. He hadn't been paying much attention, but realized that most of Dumbledore's things still remained, including to his surprise, Fawkes. He smiled at the gorgeous phoenix who let out a gentle cry upon recognizing Harry.

"But, then again, school is a wonderful distraction. Besides, I'm sure there will be a lot of fuss from Ron and Hermione if I do leave." He rubbed his hands against his thighs and sighed. "Uhm ... Headmistress ... what about Dumbledore's protection? Now that he's ... gone, will Hogwarts still be as safe?"

Minerva nodded in understanding as she listened to what Harry had to say. "It's understandable. I can tell right off that you've been battling with the decision from the beginning." She stopped a moment and tapped her chin. "Should you decide to leave, I do take it you would consider returning to Hogwarts upon the fall of..." She stopped short, and mustering up her patience and strength, she said the name, so not to appear weak in front of Harry. "Upon the fall of Voldemort."

"I have taken precautions against Dumbledore's absence and that is one of the reasons why I hired Nymphadora Tonks. She may have her clumsy moments, but when there's a fight she's ready and willing. A professional Auror on the staff is a big plus. I also have certain members of the Order popping in and out of the castle at times." She took her wand and conjured two cups of tea and passed one to Harry. She leaned back and took a sip, letting herself relax. "To tell the truth, and everyone is going to find this out as soon as term starts, the Minister of Magic has been around more often than I care to remember...But, with him come at least four Aurors, and they do sweeps of the castle for find out if different precautions are taken. They don't hang around long." She grinned in her tabby cat way. "Sometimes they rush out of here, as if the place were spooked beyond the likes of Peeves."

He had only heard McGonagall speak Voldemort's name once, and he could tell she had to be a very strong Headmistress to say it again.

"Once Voldemort is gone ..." Harry began, but a lump in his throat paused his words. Yeah, once he's gone. Well, what if you're gone first? Or you die when a last minute curse is thrown at you? " ...well, let's wait for that part first before deciding the rest ..." He rose his saddened eyes, yet smiled genuinely at her. He was almost already warming himself up to the notion that he possibly won't make it out of this alive.

"I trust you choice for new DADA teacher, Professor. I think ... with Lupin by her side, she's gotten better." Harry gave another smile, his eyes almost sinking deeper and deeper into sadness. As the cups of tea were conjured, Harry simply took one to give him something to do.

Minerva leaned back and sighed, trying to think of what else to talk to him about. But her mind was totally blanking. It was all bottled up with worry for him.

She leaned forward. "Harry, I'm going to be frank. It is dangerous out there. Voldemort has risen again, and you know this. I still think you have a lot to learn." She saw the pressure rise in Harry's face, so she continued quickly. "But, you are of age now. So I'm not going to stop you from doing what you think is right. Before Al...Dumbledore passed away, he confided in me something."

"He said that you were prepared, and that you were ready to take on everything you could. Sometimes, trouble finds you, but we expected that from the beginning Harry. But you've handled it...well, beautifully, more often than not."

She stopped and turned to him. "Harry, you are prepared and ready to do what you need to finish this war, and I believe you will come out victorious. You have your parents spirit in you, and that's one thing that counts so much." She took a breath and continued. "And when you need us, we'll be there for you. I, Hogwarts, the Order...you are not in this alone. Remember...this war did not start with you. We are all ready to fight."

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