Harry Potter and the Time of Learning

Tonks watched as Harry read the letter from Ginny and saw his expression turn to outright anger. Not knowing what happened, she asked what was wrong. Harry didn't bother to reply; he thrust the letter into her hands and went outside. He took off running around the field as fast as he could.

He had suspected for a while that Ron had liked Hermione, since his over-reactions and jealously of Hermione going out with Victor Krum. Harry hadn't any clue that Hermione liked Ron in that way though; he thought their arguments drove her nuts, 'Shows me how much I know about girls.' Normally, he would have been happy for his two best friends, but why had they not told him? He let his anger boil up into him and used it to push himself faster and farther around the field. All he could do was think about that letter and ask himself the same questions... Why hadn't they told him? Why hadn't they even written to him? At King's Cross, they said they would see him soon - what had happened? Did they blame him for getting hurt at the Ministry of Magic? How long had they been lying to him? Had they been betraying him all along? Harry had just started his second lap around when Tonks caught him and asked him to duel instead. "That way, I can see what you know and see what I should to teach you," she explained.

The duel between Tonks and Harry lasted for nearly an hour; it was clear that Tonks was not doing her best, but Harry was still impressed by how he was managing against her, an Auror. He used his reflexes and agility to avoid most of the spells and had only been hit once so far. He could do nothing but respond, though; she was too quick and always had a curse or hex on the way no matter where he went. It didn't give him time to think - he just did what came naturally. Tonks was also very impressed by how Harry had dueled. Although he would need a lot of work, he had nearly hit her quite a few times. What he lacked in knowledge, he made up for in instinct, reflexes, and sheer determination. He had been worn out from the run, but still, he fought. Some of those dodges and dives had to have hurt him, but he never gave up the fight. Tonks saw he was becoming exhausted but knew he wouldn't quit; she was trying to decide if she should call off the duel when he Disapparated mid dive and Apparated just to her right. She turned just in time to see the stunning spell hit her in the chest. A moment later, Harry un-stunned Tonks and helped her up. She congratulated him and could see from the smile on his face that he was pleased with himself. After seeing him in action, she decided that he was already above the average Death Eater and was sure that with some hard work, he would make one of the best Aurors the Ministry of Magic had seen. She told him so, and his face lit up, emerald eyes were ablaze with life - she had only seen that a few times, and only when he was with Sirius. Tonks decided right then that she would try and make it happen a lot more often.

Once back inside, they finished the dinner that had been interrupted and talked about the duel. Tonks gave him pointers about what he could have done to improve, but said most of what he needed was just learning more spells and practice. She gave him a lot of compliments on his skill, saying that several of the spells he used were beyond N.E.W.T. level; he had not only performed them perfectly, but also in a duel, which is much harder.

Unfortunately, Tonks had left the letter on the table. Harry saw it and his mood switched from happiness to anger in a matter of moments. Seeing the change, Tonks asked him if it was because Ron and Hermione were going on vacation together without him.

Harry's eyes blazed with fury when she said that, "Because they are going on vacation together? NO! It's because they haven't said a single word to me since King's Cross! They haven't sent me a letter! They didn't tell me they were a couple, and they didn't tell me they were going together on vacation! Pig's been busy carrying letters all day for Ron and Hermione and neither one of my two best friends have even tried to send one to me!" He got up and started pacing around the floor, and she swore she could feel the anger emanating from him. "They make such a huge deal if I even try to keep a secret to myself. They make me feel horrible about it and badger me until I tell them! And then they go and keep secrets like this from me! Bloody hell, I've been waiting for over a year for them to get together! I would have been thrilled but they decided to betray me instead! They know that the one of the things I hate most is secrets, and then they go and do something like this!"

Trying to call him down, Tonks calmly said, "Harry, maybe they didn't do it on purpose, I know it seems like it, but maybe they..."

Harry turned and interrupted her by roaring "TAKING THEIR SIDE NOW? LET ME GUESS NYMPHADORA, THIS IS FOR MY OWN GOOD, RIGHT? I SHOULD JUST SIT HERE AND BE A GOOD LITTLE BOY WHILE THEY DECIDED WHAT I SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT KNOW!" A look of pure anger flashed across Tonk's face as he yelled at her. She stood up swiftly and walked over to him, her carefree and clumsy nature gone, slapped Harry hard across the face.

"Don't you dare yell at me! I am here trying to help you, remember that, Harry. I was the one that broke the rules so that I could talk to you. I am the one spending my free time here with you trying to train you, trying to be your friend. If you ever want my help again you will keep your sodding mouth shut and listen to me when I talk! If you yell at me again I will show just what a trained Auror can really do in a fight! Now sit down, shut up and let me finish what I saying."

Stunned from the sudden change in her demeanor and the slap, Harry walked to the table and sat down quietly. Tonks face softened; she sat down next to him and picked up one of his hands with hers. She spoke softly, "I was not taking their side. What they did was wrong there is no argument for that, and I'm sorry that they didn't tell you about their relationship Harry, it's not right. But what I was going to say is that I doubt they meant to keep it from you on purpose." He was going to interrupt her again, but she held up her hand and told him to let her finish. "They may have just started their relationship Harry, sometimes when these things are new you forget about everything else in the world except the other person. They are your friends Harry; look at everything you've gone through together. They'd risk their lives for you in a second, but they are also still teenagers. If they just got together, they are probably living in a dream world of lust right now, not in the real world. What they did was wrong, but it's not unforgivable and it's probably not meant as a direct betrayal of you. It's just Ron and Hermione being kids." She saw that she was starting to really get through to him. "You can be mad at them Harry - I would be worried if you weren't after what they did. Send them a letter - a Howler, if you want - let them know you're mad at them. Get revenge. Play a prank. Do whatever you want, just don't end your friendship over something like this." Tonks hugged him and got up to put away dinner.

Harry nodded and walked over to the couch near the fireplace. He was thinking of what Tonks had said. It made since, really - he didn't think they would betray him like that, he just couldn't think of why they wouldn't tell him or even write to him. He knew a lot about betrayal. His parents and Sirius had taught him about that even before last summer. Thinking about this, Sirius and his father gave Harry and idea. Tonks had said to get even, and to let them know he was mad; this would be just the thing to do it!

Heading over to the study, he called to Tonks and asked if she would take a letter back to Ginny tomorrow. She saw that he wasn't to mad anymore and told him she'd always be willing to carry messages for him. He sat down at the table in the study, grabbed a piece of parchment and quill, and thought for a minute before writing his letter.

Dear Ginny,

Could you also share this letter with Fred and George?

Thank you for writing to me, it's nice to know at least not everyone has forgotten me. You are the first person to owl me this summer. Well, actually, the first was the Order informing I was not allowed to leave my house at all this summer. As you could guess, that letter was ripped to shreds within a few moments. But besides Dumbledore and the Order, you're the first person to owl me.

How is the twins' shop? Are they doing well? What's it like? It must be busy if they need another person during the summer.

As for the jealous git and the bossy bookworm... Let's just say your letter was very informative. Neither one of them have bothered to send a letter to me so far this summer. They also must have decided I wasn't worth informing of their relationship, nor that they were planning to go on vacation together. It's always nice to know I had such truthful friends, don't you think? It's not like my godfather just died and I could use their support... Not like Sirius was important to me or anything, just that he was my last chance of being part of a family.

Ginny, Fred and George, I have a summer mission for you three, if you're up to it. At first, I was furious at the two of them and just not going to speak to them ever again. However, Tonks talked some sense into me and I now believe revenge would be much more suiting. Who more suited for revenge than you three? Fred and George, you two are pranksters to the bone; Ginny, I learned last year you are much more like them than I originally thought - that is a compliment. I want you to start a prank war on Ron and Hermione. Anything and everything your brilliant and twisted minds can come up with, just do it. Also, this won't be hard, but make sure to embarrass them as much as you possibly can. I know you pick on Ron some over the summers, but I need you to increase it to a whole new level.

I guess I am starting to live up the expectations of being the only living relatives to the Marauders. Did Ron ever tell you who they were Ginny, Fred and George? If not, let me tell you a little story.

About twenty years ago, there were four close friends in their first year at Hogwarts. One of them would disappear once a month and they couldn't figure out why. He would tell them stories of why, but eventually they found out he was a werewolf. He expected them to be terrified and never talk to him again; instead, they chose to become Anamagi and transform with him to keep him company. They were a stag - Prongs, a dog - Padfoot, a rat - Wormtail, and the werewolf Mooney. Remember how my Patronus took on the form of a stag? It was my father's Animagus form. James Potter was Prongs, Sirius Black was Padfoot, Peter Petergrew - that betraying, Death-Eater scum - was Wormtail, and the werewolf is, of course, Remus Lupin. If you need any help with ideas for revenge, you can always ask Remus. Actually, you may want to hire him as part time help for your shop. I'm not sure if he has a full-time job, but you can check.

As you noticed Ginny, the Order no longer speaks about me, and none of my watchers should mention anything to anyone expect Dumbledore himself. The Order is not allowed to discuss me unless I am present. This next part I trust you with - not even the Order knows, only Dumbledore and Tonks do - so please don't tell anyone. As I mentioned before, I received a letter from the Order informing not to leave the house this summer. Since running had been my primary way of relieving my anger and allowing me to sleep, I was not happy about it. Well, that's a little bit of an understatement, but after a long letter to Dumbledore, some things are starting to change. The first is that I'm allowed to use magic this summer. I plan to learn a lot, and teach it to the DA next year. Tonks has also volunteered to teach me Occlumency, which will hopefully allow me to keep Voldemort out of my head. If you need to send a letter and not want to worry about it being intercepted, just give it to her, she's volunteered to deliver them to me.

Thanks guys,

Harry James Potter

He grinned evilly as he finished his first letter and thought that they would definitely have an interesting vacation. Now just a couple more letters and the first part of his plan would be done.

Dear Hermione and Ron,

Thank you for all your warm letters, they really helped me out in my time of need. You know, just my godfather dying... It's not like he was important to me, or the last hope for a family I'll ever have (You've said this before. Maybe rephrase it?). It wasn't too bad of a time - I mean, I just thought of suicide frequently. Thankfully, I had at least one person who cared for me. Tonks actually helped me, and I'm sure I owe her my life. Of course Hedwig was here; she took good care of me also. It's funny when everyone who supposedly cares abandoned me, Hedwig was the one there last summer. At that time, you decided not to send me any word, even if I was begging for it, because you were told not to. This summer you decided not to send me a single letter even though you were allowed.

If the situation had been reversed, you both know I would have broken any rule last summer to make sure I was there for my friends. It wouldn't have mattered if I had to break out of the house, take the Knight Bus, fly, or run to get to you; I would do anything for my friends. I think you, Ron, probably would have broken any rules if it had been Hermione who was in my place. But of course neither one of you would bother to help me.

It was also so nice of you to inform me of your new relationship. Yes, I know my two best friends are dating. I would have been so happy it finally happened had you bothered to tell me. It was also so nice of you, Ron, to tell me that you had been planning on going with Hermione on vacation this summer. It's so wonderful that you tell me the truth all the time. Considering if I ever tried to keep a secret, you two would badger or guilt me into thinking I was being a bad friend so that I would tell you. It's nice to know my two best friends were being so truthful to me in return.

Congratulations on your relationship. You deserve each other. I hope you both enjoy your vacation. It looks like Gryffindor Tower will never be the same, first with Fred and George gone, and now with you two (hopefully) not bickering anymore.

Harry

P.S. I was absolutely furious with the two of you when I learned it. I thought you two had betrayed me, that you had purposely hid this from me, and lied to me. I had planned to never speak to you again, but thankfully Tonks was able to get through my thick skull. She told me to try and let you know how I feel, so that's why I wrote this letter. You really hurt me badly; on top of the loss of Sirius, I don't want to think how much I would be hurting right now had it not been for Tonks.

Harry duplicated the parchment and decided to send Hermione one with Hedwig. Now all he needed to write was a letter to Mrs. Weasley.

Dear Mrs. Weasley,

I think you would know I was lying if I said I was fine, so I won't bother. I'm not fine and I'm not good, but I am getting better, I think. Tonks has really helped me out a lot; she comes visits me and talks. Actually, it is her good sense that has me writing now. I was so angry when I learned about Ron and Hermione's relationship; they didn't bother to tell me themselves, I had to find out from Ginny. Actually, save the Order, Ginny had been the only one to write me this summer. I was furious at the thought of my best friends betraying and abandoning me, and I nearly let my temper get the best of me again. I'm working on that though. Running and exhausting myself really helps in getting rid of the anger. Hopefully when I see you this summer I won't be like I was last year. I should apologize to you for loosing my temper like that; it just wasn't a good time. Being left at the Muggles' in the dark was actually the absolute worse thing you could do to me. I think handing me over to Voldemort would have been a better choice than what was done to me last summer. Thankfully, this summer, I'm taking control a bit more and making sure that doesn't happen again. Tonks will be teaching me Occlumency, and has volunteered to carry any letters back and forth, so you all don't have to be careful about what you say. I understand that it's not my fault that Sirius died; I do of course take part of the blame. Many other people share the blame, mainly Voldemort, Bellatrix and Dumbledore. Dumbledore and I have exchanged a couple letters and I'm starting to get back on good terms with him. Though I still blame him a lot, he is only human and can make mistakes like everyone else.

I look forward to seeing you later this summer; I think you'll be surprised with how I'm actually eating.

Love,

Harry

P.S. Please take it easy on Fred, George and Ginny. I have sent a letter to them asking for their help in teaching Ron a lesson about what he did. I love Ron like my brother, Mrs. Weasley, and I don't want to see our friendship ruined; it nearly was because of jealously in our fourth year. I need a way to show them how much they hurt me and are still hurting me. Some pranks in revenge, I believe, will help make sure this type of thing doesn't happen again.

Harry felt a bit guilty about what he was about to do to Ron and Hermione. He normally was not the type of person to play pranks or get someone in trouble, but with this, he felt justified. He tied the last parchment together and set them aside.

Tonks had come into the study while he was writing and was searching through the books. She had already selected a few books when he finished, and told him to start reading them for tomorrow. She took the letters and told him she should get going now but that she'd deliver them before heading home and would be by for breakfast tomorrow. He told her goodbye, apologized for yelling at her and thanked her for all the help. Smiling at him, she hugged him, gave him a kiss on the cheek. "No problem, now go take a bath. You stink!" Laughing, she added with a wink, "I should get going or I'll be tempted to take one with you to see if what they say about big hands is true in your case." She Disapparated.

Harry stood there, gawking at where she had been a moment before.