The Tonks' had been lovely up to now, being supportive and understanding of his reservations, and the occasions he did spend with them were nice, but they simply couldn't compare to what was to happen now. He would be living under their roof, being a burden on them. What if they started to resent him? What if they were like the Dursleys again? Harry shook that last thought away. He hoped that there wouldn't be anyone like the Dursleys, and no matter how good of an actor you were, you couldn't hide the level of hate that being like them would provide. It was of little comfort though, and Harry's stomach remained uneasy.
Hermione turned and looked at Harry. "You're awfully pale, are you feeling okay?" She asked, turning the whole car's attention to him.
"Yeah I guess. Just nervous really." Harry said, slumping his shoulders.
"Hey, it'll be okay. They're going to love you, just like we do. If there's anything wrong you can always let us know and we'll handle it." Padma said, taking a moment to rub Harry's back. Her delicate hand felt good, and Harry relaxed into her touch a bit. Harry had of course shared his worries with the Sphinx Club, they were his closest friends and confidants, and they had all agreed to be available if they were needed. Harry had everyone's Floo addresses, with the exception of Susan,Daphne, and Hermione. Hermione simply didn't have a floo, but she did give him the phone number to both her home and her parents dental practice. Susan and Daphne were not allowed to give away their floo addresses, given that their parents were people of importance. Susan's aunt was the head of the DMLE, and therefore a high priority target if someone were to try to destabilize the government, and Daphne's father was a notable and active member of the Wizengamot. The pair were however, always reachable by way of owl mail, and would be requesting that the members of the Sphinx Club be allowed to at the very least Floo call them over the summer.
The call that they were pulling into Kings Cross Station rattled around inside Harry's head, as Hermione and Padma squeezed his hands. They must have started holding them at some point on the ride, and Harry had simply been too out of it to notice. The magical locomotive came to a stop, and the standard commotion of unpacking students eager to return home to their families began. Harry took his time, meticulously checking and rechecking everything, as Padma, Parvati, and Hermione watched on behind him. The others unfortunately had to move on, but these three had gotten prior permission to wait as long as was needed with Harry. Harry was truly grateful that he had such good friends.
Departing from the train was a simple endeavor, with a large ramp serving as a connection between the walkways between cars and the platform itself. Harry pushed his luggage cart, Hedwig's empty cage rattling in time with the wheels, as the three girls followed each with their own carts. Hedwig had taken a letter to the Tonks the previous night, and was instructed to stay and await Harry's arrival.
Harry scanned the crowd and saw Andromeda and Edward, no Ted. Ted Tonks is what he asked to be called. Harry reinforced the connection in his mind a few times, before continuing towards them.
"Hello Harry." Andromeda and Ted spoke in unison, before looking behind him. "Hello to you as well, Hermione, Padma and Parvati yes?" Andromeda continued, going over the three girls behind him. She had pointed to each in turn, but had mixed up the twins.
"I'm Padma actually." Padma spoke up, with no malice in her voice. This was the first time they had met after all, and without house robes to identify them, getting the twins right was a gamble, although Harry hadn't had trouble once they met.
"Oh, sorry dear. I'm sure I'll get it eventually. Hopefully we'll see plenty of each other since you and Harry are so close." Andromeda said, "Are your parents picking you up? I'd like to meet them."
"Unfortunately not, we actually have a handler from the ministry coming to pick us up to escort us to the International Floo office. Mother and Father are waiting for us at the Indian Ministry." Padma said, "Unfortunately Harry, we probably won't be able to see you at until it's time for school shopping. We'll write to you though! Father sends loads of Mail to England, so we'll send letters with his mail. We'll write at least once a week!"
"That'll be nice. I'll write too, once you tell me how I can. That can be your first letter." Harry said shyly.
"You bet we will Trollslayer. It was nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Tonks, but we have to go now." Parvati said, as she pointed out their ministry appointed guide.
"Oh, pleasure is all mine girls. Safe travels!" Andromeda said as Ted gave a friendly wave. The twins crushed Harry in a hug between before they stepped off, leaving Harry in a minor daze. "Seems someone is as popular with the girls as his father was." Andromeda said, chuckling behind her hand.
"Harry does have far more girl friends than guy friends. It's just Neville on that front isn't it?" Hermione asked, looking at Harry.
"Well, there's Stephen and the other guys from my dorm, but they're all far better friends with each other than me. Probably won't see much of them next year with Quidditch to be honest." Harry said, thinking for a moment.
"Quite the casanova we've invited to live with us. Guess we'll need to keep a close eye on you!" Andromeda said with a laugh, Ted's deep chuckle joining her. Harry's face flushed, he was embarrassed, but… this was nice.
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