Tonks followed Remus and Kingsley back into Mrs. Figg's house, worried about Harry. Apparently, he had made quick amends with his only blood relatives, and yet his wishes to keep them safe were currently being debated over. When they arrived in the sitting room, Mrs. Figg was sitting in silence on the sofa, while Dobby was on the other side of the room, still eying a cat suspiciously.
"Where are the Dursley's?" she asked Mrs. Figg, who told Tonks that the two muggles were talking in the kitchen. She nodded and took a seat on a chair while Kingsley and Remus remained standing. They all stayed silent for a little while, the only sound being the muffled voices from Petunia and Dudley Dursely from the kitchen.
"So that was Potter," said Kingsley after a minute. "He's a lot scrawnier in person."
Remus smiled. "Don't let that fool you, Kingsley. Harry's one of the strongest wizards of his age. He was only thirteen when I taught him how to cast a patronus, and by the end of that year he could cast a corporeal one. Saved Sirius from about a hundred dementors then, is what I heard," the werewolf said proudly.
"A hundred?" Kingsley said in shock. "Some of the most powerful Wizards can barely take down a few. Pretty impressive."
Tonks chimed in. "You should hear the other things he's apparently done, Kingsley. The kid's been through more than a lot of us in the Order combined."
Harry came back into the house without Dumbledore. Tonks had tried to smile at him reassuringly but he seemed extremely introverted, only asking where his aunt and cousin were before leaving to find them in the kitchen. Dumbledore followed moments after Harry had left for the kitchen.
"What's the plan, Albus? Are we putting leaving the Dursleys here or is Harry still adamant about moving them?" asked Remus.
Dumbledore took a second to answer. "I don't know. What I do know is that Harry has far exceeded my expectations yet again. During our little disagreement, I attempted legilimency to find some way to satisfy him while still keeping him safe from Voldemort."
"Legilimency?" Remus's eyes narrowed. Tonks knew that he had taught Harry a few years ago, and that he was one of the Potters' closest friends before they died, so she expected this protectiveness from him. "Albus, you broke into Harry's mind?"
"I tried, Remus. And yet, it seems that our young Mr. Potter unwittingly employed occlumency. He shut his emotions down completely, and let me assure you that for Harry that is quite a feat, and as a result I was knocked out of his mind almost immediately. Mind you, I didn't put forth the biggest effort, but it came as quite a shock."
Tonks tried to look objective, but it sure was difficult. How dare he break into a person's mind like that, someone that's on their side and is looking like he'll be able to provide extremely substantial help to the Order in a few years? But she was also as impressed as Dumbledore was. From what she knew, the old man was one of the most accomplished legilimens in the world, so putting up a mental defense that could withstand Dumbledore was a huge feat, and according to the headmaster himself, it sounded like Harry wasn't even trying.
For a few seconds it was silent, as everyone in the room took into the shock, both of Dumbledore's nerve of intruding into Harry's mind and Harry's ability to block him.
"How many people have forced you out of legilimency, Albus?" asked Kingsley.
"Just a few. But only one as young as Harry is now." Tonks and the rest of the room waited for the identity of the person, though they all had an idea. "A sixteen year old Tom Riddle."
As Harry walked out of the kitchen, Dumbledore tried to get his attention, but to no avail. Harry left the room as quickly as he had arrived. Though there was a lot to be said between the Order members in the sitting room, a lot to be planned, they all resorted to silence for a few minutes. Dumbledore seemed exhausted, his many years showing themselves on his face.
