The Dark Lioness

Chapter 12 - Part 2

Diagonally alley was bustling with last-minute shoppers dashing about to purchase their loved ones gifts. It was why no one noticed the tall thin boy stood looking inside a shop window watching a group of laughing teens and a tall regal woman all pointing out different items and clothes. A small pang in the boy's chest caused a wave of melancholy and happy memories flood through his head and heart. A small sigh rocked his small thin chest as the boy walked away from the window and towards the ice cream parlour. How could he even think about trying to reach out to Hermione when she was so happy with others? She looked happier and healthier while her head was thrown back laughing at whatever Luna and Draco had said. What right did he have to try and stop that happiness?

"Ah Mister Potter," a jovial accented voice called out to him as he went to enter the parlour where his favourite ice cream resided. Turning his eyes landed on someone he simultaneously recognised yet had never seen before. "Hello?" His voice was hesitant but still remained polite as he looked at the stranger. The stranger cocked their head to the side and brown eyes looked at him in question before recognition flashed through the deep brown irises. "Ah, I guess you don't recognise me eh? Well, I guess I'll reintroduce myself. I'm Tonks at your service," Tonks gave a dramatic bow and chuckled as Harry gave a smile and sheepish look at them. "Sorry, Tonks I just didn't recognise you. But now that you say it I can't believe I didn't recognise you. You look a little different tho... Hair cut maybe?" A loud chuckle sounded as Tonks clothes their stomach. "Ya could say that, yeah." As Tonks' deeper voice said that their hair changed from a chocolate brown to a bubblegum pink, their signature colour. The pair stood talking for a while before Tonks offered to walk with him. "I take it you're doing some Christmas shopping ay? I need to get my Mum and Day something so mind keeping this clutz company?" Harry laughed as Tonks walked backwards looking at him with very effective puppy eyes. Sighing dramatically Harry's chuckled "fine" turned into deep laughter as Tonks tripped over air itself in response to Harry. Harry's laughter only doubled as Tonks normally light skin turned into a deep red in their embarrassment.

The rather jovial pair walked into all kinds of shops. The pair obviously took a trip to quality quidditch supplies as well as the pet shop. Harry wouldn't forget to get Hedwig her treats not after last year. Harry shuddered at the memory of a very angry puffed up owl flapping in his face. Although comical Harry still could feel the normally soft and gentle feathers slapping him in the face like a cats claw.

Harry was pleased to get all of his presents for the Weasleys. He had got some kind of disappearing ink for the twins(he might end up regretting that choice), for funny harry decided on a new pair of gloves for Quidditch. Ron would get his own set of chudley cannon Quidditch robes(the robes adjusted to the wearer when worn). Bill a new wand holster, Charlie a bizarre book on a cartoon dragon that couldn't breathe fire(Harry still wondered why a clearly muggle child's book was in a completely wizard store but he wouldn't tell anyone it was muggle) and for Percy different laws from around the magical world and how they impact Britain. He obviously couldn't leave Mr and Mrs Weasleg out so he got Mrs Weasley a wonderful book on muggle cooking and a book on knitting patterns. Harry was more proud of Mr Weasley's present though because he had found the best gift he could ever hope to find. The history of the muggle world but with all the pictures in rubber duck form.

Harry had got his friends at Hogwarts gifts too(Nevile a muggle gardening book, dean a football calendar for next year, Seamus a book on fireproof spells against explosions). He also got his partner a jumper with a large badger and a little stag laid curled together. The two animals would change positions every now again and should one of the persons patrons change the respective animal would change too.

Tonks had a field day teasing harry about his 'special love puff' so much so that Harry had to resist the urge to stomp his foot and shout 'he's not my love puff he's my badgerfloof'. Seeing the alarmingly think boy carrying all of the bags from the shopping trip Tonks spelt the bags to be feather-light and small so that Harry could fight them all in his ridiculously big jeans pocket. Tonks sighed a little at Barry's grateful smile. He was always thin but this was a whole different kind. Tonks would never understand how in a magical school a child was allowed to be this thin and unhealthy. Tonks knew that dumbledore wasn't the best headteacher considering his lack of care for students safety. Her own time at the castle proved this especially after the whole cursed vaults fiasco and the past few years of Harry's schooling.