I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Ruthless Devotion

Chapter 11 – Ever After

"That went well," Sirius said breezily. He flinched from the smack Andromeda gave him. "Hey! I'm injured here!"

She rolled her eyes. "I did not strike your leg."

"Be nice to physically hurt people dear," Ted said wryly as he checked over Sirius' leg.

"Yes, Teddy bear," she said sweetly.

Sirius, Andromeda, Ted, Harry, Dora, Croaker, Amelia, and Croaker were in Amelia's office. Aurors and Unspeakables were repairing the Ministry and processing the captured Death Eaters while sequestering the fallen on both sides. Everyone inside the office had been injured in some way save for Ted and he hurriedly checked on everyone as they spoke.

Dumbledore glared at everyone. "I cannot believe you did this. At the very least you should have consulted me."

"In terms of what: as Chief Warlock or Albus Dumbledore?" Andromeda replied frostily. "Neither of which we wished to speak to."

"You did this without the sanction of the Wizengamot or the Minister!"

"No we didn't," Amelia agreed. "We did it voluntarily as concerned citizens. Something you claim as your prerogative when you formed the Order."

He looked sour. "I could have assisted you," he said.

"You were more likely to try and dissuade us at best, hinder at worst," Andromeda replied. "Or did you not think we would find out about your latest instance of not sharing information."

"Really Albus," Croaker said condescendingly, "Horcruxes are not exactly unknown information, clearly."

Dumbledore sighed. "So you know now?"

"Even before they explained what they done, I guessed," Croaker said. "I told you this before: your inability to trust others gets you into the trouble you are constantly in. And spare us the faff of you wanting to be careful, you like knowing things others do not. You enjoy your secrets but in this, your secrets could have ruined everything."

"Fine," Dumbledore said shortly. "Then you should be aware that there are multiple. I have been able to obtain a memory that showed a young Tom intending on making seven Horcruxes."

"What a mad bastard," Croaker swore.

"We broke three," Sirius said to Dumbledore's surprise. "With the diary, that's four."

"I suspect the snake was another," Dumbledore said. "I found one and broke it before arriving at the Ministry to join the fight." He looked uncomfortable. "I have an idea of the last one."

"It was me," Harry said softly.

"WHAT?!" Andromeda, Sirius, Ted, and Dora cried. Amelia stared at him and Croaker's eyes widened. Dumbledore said nothing.

"That's why I saw the snake vision," Harry said. "It's why I was so sensitive to the other Horcruxes and why diary Tom said I was so similar, why I'm a parselmouth."

"You said was," Dora's voice shook as she clutched him, "but not anymore?"

Harry shook his head. "When I got hit by the second killing curse," Andromeda and Dora whimpered, "I…went somewhere." His smile was soft and pure, an expression no one had seen him make before. "I saw Mum and Dad. I talked to them."

"Extraordinary." Croaker leaned in, eyes bright. "You must have met them in a state of life and death, in between."

"It was King's Cross," Harry said.

"That is a little lackluster," Croaker said with a slight frown.

"There was a…thing there. It was really gross and felt wrong. Mum said it was a piece of Tom that got attached to me the night he attacked. Her protection spell made the curse rebound and it killed him. A piece of his soul latched onto me because I was the only magical thing there."

"His curse tonight killed it," Dumbledore said softly.

"Yeah. And that was his last one so when Dora killed him, he's dead. For good now."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"It is finally over," Dumbledore said. He looked old and weary, as if a great weight was taken off his shoulders and his manic energy depleted.

"Not completely," Amelia said. "Sure, Tom's dead and good riddance. None of the Death Eaters that came with him tonight made it away but I'm sure there are still some idiots running around. That being said, we're on the mend and things will be easier."

"How will you explain this to the Minister?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well when we show him and the Wizengamot all the bodies and the memories of Tom's remains being carved like a chicken and set on fire," Amelia gave Dora a look who blushed, "I don't think he'll have a leg to stand on."

"How many did we lose?" Ted asked softly.

Amelia sighed. "Three Aurors died, Five Hit Wizards died, and four Unspeakables. A lot are wounded and some will have persistent injuries."

"So much loss," Dumbledore murmured.

Croaker turned to him. "Unless you could state without a shadow of a doubt that you could have done this with less casualties, then I do not want to hear it, Albus. I warned you during the first war that your lust for secrecy would cause more harm than good. I agreed to this plan when I weighed all the available options. Your inability to come forward limited what we could have done. If you wish to decry the results then I want you to know that you had a hand in this. Your lack of aid drove us to this. If you had come forward and provided actual assistance, then we could have been better prepared."

"You…cannot prove that," Dumbledore said faintly.

"You cannot disprove that either," Croaker said firmly. "What is done, is done. Let it be that."

Silence filled the room.

"I will not take responsibility for this," Dumbledore said as he rose. "That being said, you are correct. What is done, is done and at least things are finally over." He nodded at everyone and turned to leave.

"Professor," Harry said. "My parents wanted me to tell you something."

He turned back, eager. "Yes?"

"They said that your choices have proven to be not as good as your abilities and if they could, they would have chosen differently."

Dumbledore's face drained of blood and he looked at Harry in horror. The others looked at Harry, confused.

Harry's smile was bitter. "Mum said at least you still have time to make the right choices."

"I see," Dumbledore said softly. With a shaky nod and a sad look he left, looking haunted.

"What was that about?" Sirius asked.

"Mum said he would know what they meant," Harry said. He sighed and shook his head. "Apparently a last conversation they had before they died."

"You really met them?" Andromeda asked with wonder.

"Yeah," Harry said and his smile became sweet once more. "They wanted me to say a few things to you all as well." He looked at Sirius. "Dad said you shouldn't feel too guilty anymore but just guilty enough to remind you that you suck as much as your Quidditch team. And to finally stop being a slag."

Sirius howled with laughter and gripped his leg. "He sucks," he said, wiping tears away.

"Mum said Rubber Soul is still better than Abbey Road and that you can't argue with her anymore," he said to Ted.

Ted laughed. "She's got me there. I'll just have to convince you to agree with me."

"Mum said thank you for protecting me like you have," he said to a weeping Andromeda. "She always knew you'd keep Sirius and me in line. She said to say she never minded the stories that Dora read to me."

Andromeda hugged him, wiping her tears away.

Harry looked at Dora who suddenly felt nervous. "Mum said thank you for taking good care of me like you said you would. She rests easy knowing that." A glimmer of tears shone. "She also said I used to call you Tunk."

"You really did," Andromeda gasped.

He smiled as Dora hugged him hard. "Sorry, they didn't have much to say to you two though they do think you're good for Sirius," he said to a blushing Amelia.

Croaker smiled. "I never had the pleasure of knowing them sadly. In the future, if you ever would consider an interview with me, I would love to chat with you about your experience. I understand if you do not wish to. It was deeply personal."

"I might one day," Harry said. "Thank you for all your help. I'm sorry so many died for it."

"They died doing the right thing and we will take care of our own," Croaker said. "And it will be up to us to try and ensure that this never happens again."

-0-

"Do I have to go back to Hogwarts?" Harry asked.

The rest of the holiday had gone by in a blur. Ted worked overtime at St Mungo's to help people from the battle recover. Andromeda offered her services to the fallen and to ensure the families were treated well. Sirius was recovering from his injuries and also worked with Andromeda to aid the families of the fallen. Dora worked hard in doing extra shifts and participated in some actions against known Death Eaters that were not at the Ministry. Harry suffered numerous tests and diagnostic exams due to the second killing curse and helped Andromeda and Sirius when he could.

"Unfortunately yes," Andromeda said sadly. "I know it will be difficult but you must."

"I already feel pretty useless now," Harry said softly. "It'll be worse when I'm there."

"Harry, you helped us stop Tom and you've been huge in helping us get the program for the families arranged and going. You've also kept us fed and all." Sirius hugged him. "You've been the opposite of useless.

He smiled wanly. "Just, it doesn't seem as important right now."

"That's part of living through something traumatic," Ted said gently. "It's tough but you can do it. We have to. Try to live on. Besides, you have O.W.L.s." He felt all of them stare at him and he flushed. "What?"

"O.W.L.s?" Dora asked, incredulous. "That's what you're worried about?"

"They're important," Ted said weakly.

Harry snorted. He snorted again. Snorts became snickers. Snickers became chuckles that spread around to the others. Soon all but Ted was laughing hysterically and he stood there with his hands on his hips and his face red, but a wry smile cut through his indignation. "Well they are!" he said.

"I love you," Andromeda said, crying from laughter. She hugged him. "My sweet, grounded, Teddy bear."

"I do believe I'm being mocked!" he laughed.

"Thank you, Uncle Ted," Harry said as he hugged him. "I appreciate you reminding me."

"At least they won't be any worse than what you went through," Ted sighed.

-0-

"You're going to have to let me go eventually," Harry said, not wanting what he said to happen.

"I guess," Dora said reluctantly. She sighed heavily and released him, glaring at the Hogwarts Express.

"Don't curse the train," Harry grinned.

"If you say so," she replied, almost petulantly. She smiled. "At least you'll be a little safer now at Hogwarts, with the changes and all. Still, let me know if you need help?"

"You'll be the first I come running and screaming to," Harry said. He took a deep breath and leaned close and kissed her lightly on the lips.

Her smile went from ear to ear and she kissed him sweetly back. "Talk to you later?"

"Through the mirror or letter," Harry said with a goofy smile.

She waved as he got on the train and when she walked off, she had a spring in her step.

-0-

Hermione and Ron found Harry on the train and he told them what happened. How they learned about Horcruxes and that he was one. How they broke them and set the fight and the trap at the Ministry. How Harry had been hit by a second killing curse, how he met his parents in the time between, and what happened after.

Hermione had cried throughout and had clung onto him, demanding that he never do anything like that again. Ron had sat and stared unblinking the whole time. "Bloody hell," he whispered.

"That's why I didn't tell you before," Harry said, running his hand up and down Hermione's back. "Not that I didn't trust you two, but I didn't want you to get involved. If something happened to you, I'd never forgive myself. Something almost happened to the Tonkses and Sirius, something permanent. Something happened to me."

"Wow, uh, yeah." Ron rubbed his face with a shaky hand. "I get it. Thanks for looking out for us. That night, there was an emergency call from the Order but Mum and Dad ignored it. Dad said he didn't want him or Mum to go in after what happened to him and that he never got an answer from Dumbledore. He felt a little guilty but hearing what happened from you and what was in the Prophet after, I'm glad they didn't go."

"What else did the Prophet say?" Hermione asked wetly.

"A lot is changing. Half of the Wizengamot is pretty much empty so they're redoing a lot of procedures for it, new seats are opening up. Fudge got sacked after trying to get Bones sacked. They're trying to figure out who will be the next Minister now. The biggest thing too is that Dumbledore resigned as Chief Warlock, said it was time he focused on the school and school alone." Ron shook his head. "There hasn't been this much change in a short time in a long time so my parents say."

"Sounds necessary though," Hermione said. "Things didn't change for the better after the first war. Hopefully people learn their lesson after this one."

They nodded and sat in companionable silence.

"So uh, is it true by the way?" Ron asked Harry nervously.

"Is what true?" Hermione asked.

"That Dora…you know…"

Harry grinned. "What did the Prophet say?"

"That she cut Tom up into little pieces and set them on fire."

"She did what?!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Yup, she did. With the sword of Gryffindor no less," Harry said proudly.

"She did what with what?!" Hermione shrieked.

Ron looked awed. "Dad said there is a giant black mark in the middle of the atrium now. No one wants to walk near it and he heard they're making like a memorial burning fire thing there to fill the space."

"I'm sure she'll like that," Harry mused. "As long as they don't put her full name on it."

"Harry," Hermione said slowly, "Dora's rather…terrifying."

Harry's smile was fond and loving. "Yeah she is. Isn't she great?"

Hermione and Ron shared a look.

"I'm going to make sure Mum doesn't piss her or her mum off," Ron muttered. "Like ever."

"You know what the best part is?" Harry asked.

"The best part of chopping up Tom's body and setting it on fire?" Ron remarked.

"Yeah. Apparently, when I was a baby, Dora was reading a story to me and that was how her favorite one ended. And after the cemetery last year, she swore to do it to Tom."

"She also apparently swore to do that to anyone that would come after you, so says the Prophet," Ron said.

"She did."

Hermione shook her head. "That…is actually really sweet. The reading to you as a baby. I'd disagree with what she read to you. Not to her face though."

"You don't have to worry about that. She likes you," Harry said.

"That's a legitimate relief," Hermione sighed.

-0-

"Hey Jones."

Hestia smiled at Dora. "Hey Tonks."

"I like the new haircut," Dora said.

Hestia touched the side of her head, fingers drifting over the scars that cut their way through her hair. Her hair was shorn short on that side, leaving the other side longer. "Thanks. I uh, it itches less with shorter hair. I tried to grow it long to cover up the scars but it really bothered me."

Dora smiled softly. "Well, I think it looks pretty rad." Her hair shifted to match.

Hestia smiled. "Thanks. And uh, thanks for being my partner most days now."

"People giving you shit?"

"Yes and no. Some think I'm going to shift into a wolf at any moment. Fuck, I didn't even sprout any extra hair during the full moon. The only things that changed for me besides my new scars and hairdo is that I like beef more than fish now and I like moon jewelry more." She grimaced. "I don't know who I hate more: people who think I'm a tainted whatever or people who want to constantly talk to me about it. Like I'm some kind of conversation starter now."

Dora sighed and patted her arm. "I know what that's like."

Hestia's eyes softened. "Oh, yeah, I bet you do." She sniffled a little. "Does it get easier?"

"It can. Depends on if you ignore it or lean into it."

"Makes sense."

"Here, I got you this." Dora handed a box over.

Hestia opened it and pulled out a leather hat. "Oh, this is nice." She put it on. "Doesn't cover up the scars though."

"Wasn't supposed to. I got the idea from Daddy a bit ago. There's this Muggle fiction thing he likes. It's about an arkologowhasit, a cursebreaker type person. He runs around and fights bad guys and takes artifacts back to museums and stuff. His name is Indiana Jones."

"You bought me a hat because he and I share the same last name?" Hestia asked flatly.

"Pretty much yeah. And it'll be a different kind of conversation starter if you wear it."

Hestia laughed. "I'll have to check it out one day. Thanks Tonks. I actually kinda like it." She reached into her desk. "I actually have something for you too."

Dora unwrapped the slim bundle and hefted the carved wooden rod. "Hey, neat. What is it?"

"I've seen you bust your arse lately so figured you'd need a new stick to jam up there." Hestia laughed when Dora poked her with the rod. "It's a new thing that Scrimgeour wants us to have: warding rods. It's a way to stop people if they get too close and we don't want to sling spells around."

"We beat the shite out of them?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"That's so stupid and I love it." She clipped it to her belt. "Thanks."

Hestia settled the hat down. "Ready to go patrol?"

"Ready," Dora said, patting the rod.

-0-

Harry almost bumped into Draco, leaving the train compartment. "My apologies," Draco said.

Harry still had trouble with their new dynamic. After years of enmity and mutual disgust, their current state of polite existence still felt strange. Draco had been upset when he learned that his father had died during the battle, but he said he missed the man his father was, not who he had become. Ever since making the decision to help Harry, he had been cordial if not friendly, though that was a large improvement overall. "No problem."

"We might be seeing more of each other over the summer," Draco said.

"At one point in time, that would have really been upsetting," Harry said. "Now? I'm strangely okay with it."

"Same," Draco said. "I do want to be better acquainted with Uncle Sirius and Aunt Andromeda."

"You better be nice to Uncle Ted," Harry warned.

Draco shuddered and touched his throat. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten cousin Nymphadora's tender attention."

Harry grinned. "You don't want to call her that either, if you don't want more of her attention."

Draco smiled faintly. "Thank you for the warning." He nodded and continued on his way.

Ron had stood at the door, watching the exchange. "That's still the weirdest thing," Ron said.

"You're telling me. Still, better than before."

-0-

Barely a few steps off the train, Harry found himself tackled once more. "Hi!" he greeted and kissed Dora on the lips.

She kissed him back, hugging him tighter. The pair were lost in their own world, not noticing the shocked looks from Hermione and the Weasleys. "Hey you," Dora said to him happily. "Welcome home!" She turned to look at the other shocked teenagers. "Wotcher you lot, welcome back."

Hermione got over her surprise and smiled. "Hello Dora, good to see you."

"Hi there," Ron said shyly. He gave the twins and Ginny the smallest shake of his head when he noticed that they looked like they were about to comment.

Dora linked her arm through Harry's and led them to their waiting parents. Harry grinned at Sirius who leaned on a cane but looked well otherwise. "Nice cane," he remarked.

Sirius smiled and flourished the brass dog head. "Thanks! Never thought I'd ever need a cane but if I have to, might as well be ostentatious with it."

"Atrocious you mean," Andromeda smiled.

"That's what I said," Sirius laughed.

The families made small talk and plans for the summer before scattering for their respective homes. That night found Amelia and Sirius joining the Tonkses and Harry for dinner and relaxing in the small combined yard.

"So, how'd your O.W.L.s go?" Sirius sniggered.

"Sounds like you want extra physical therapy sessions without pain relief potions," Ted remarked, scribbling in his notebook.

"Andi!" Sirius whined.

"Better double them," Andromeda said to her husband. "Anything to wear him out so he cannot talk."

"Amy!" Sirius whined.

"Listen to your healer," Amelia said, patting his arm.

Harry laughed. "I think they went really well honestly. Potions even. Snape became a better teacher towards the end, actually helped us review."

"About damn time," Dora muttered.

"Perhaps with Tom's death, he grew a spine," Andromeda muttered.

"Well, he's leaving the post," Ted said. "We already put out a notice for replacement professors. He probably wanted to leave on a good note."

"Has Dumbledore been better since leaving his other posts?" Amelia asked.

"Surprisingly, yes. He's been more involved with the day-to-day stuff and attends meetings and actually seems like he wants to do things better. I'll enjoy it while it lasts."

"Say, what do you want to do after school?" Sirius asked Harry. "Should've asked you this before but with all that happened, well you know."

"It'll depend on my O.W.L.s results, won't it?" Harry asked.

"For some things sure, but even if you don't hit your exact marks, we can figure out other things to make up for them."

Amelia smiled. "You'd make a good Auror."

"I'll fight you," Dora said flatly. "Don't care that you can sack me. Harry isn't doing that."

"That was a joke," Amelia said as she shifted to hide behind Sirius, avoiding Dora and Andromeda's looks.

"Don't you like Quidditch? How about going pro?" Sirius asked.

"I thought about that but there's actually something I was thinking about." He looked at Andromeda. "I kinda want to be a solicitor, like you. Well, I don't think I could be as brilliant as you but if it wasn't for you doing all that investigating and knowing laws, I'd probably be still stuck at the Dursleys. I want to do that for people that need help. I want to help people that don't know the law and help give them hope like you did me."

Andromeda teared up. "Oh, my boy, I would be honored to help you with that! You'll be my apprentice and we will be a legal force to be reckoned with!"

"I think that's a great idea," Dora praised, hugging him from behind. "You aren't as bloodthirsty as Mum but you're really good at helping people and stuff like that."

"I can teach ruthlessness," Andromeda said, waving a hand. "Right, your first lesson. You wear your emotions on your sleeve a bit too much love. That's fine for friends and family but for work, you need to have a practiced, cool, collected smile. Like this." She smiled, the edges corners of her mouth barely lifting, her lips just shy of opening to reveal teeth.

Harry tried to mimic the smile.

"A little less compressed," Dora said. "Relax your jaw."

"You need this smile to disarm your opponents and to appear that you are placid, but internally, you are already thinking of avenues of attack," Andromeda said. "A careless foe is an easy foe."

"What are you teaching him?!" Amelia exclaimed and Sirius and Ted laughed. "Harry, you should come work for the DMLE's legal division."

"I will fight you Amelia and unlike Dora, I am not worried about my employment," Andromeda warned.

"Not even out of school yet and being fought over," Ted laughed.

"It's good to be wanted," Harry agreed, smiling.

-0-

"Hey Mum?"

"On the veranda!" Andromeda called out.

They were in France, Niçe specifically. It was the end of the summer and they took the trip to celebrate Harry's good O.W.L.s scores and to give the Tonkses, Harry, Sirius, and Amelia time to enjoy a trip together.

Dora walked out, admiring the waterside view and the bright sunshine. "Thanks again, this is amazing."

"Of course, love," Andromeda said. "I'm very happy we could go on a trip together like this."

"Just one thing, there's only one more room in the cottage."

"And?"

"There's only one bed."

"You and Harry sleep in the same bed together more often than not."

Dora blushed a little. "And you all are okay with that?"

Andromeda frowned. "Well, obviously since we do not say anything about it while at home. Besides, you two are together are you not?"

Dora opened her mouth and closed it. "I…never thought about it like that." She flushed at Andromeda's look and laugh. "What?!"

"Normally it is the male that is so obtuse," Andromeda said as she leaned back in her chair. "Then again, Harry is delightfully oblivious so in this case it is the blind leading the blind, Merlin help you both."

"You're not funny."

"Teddy! Am I funny?"

"Hysterical!" Ted yelled from inside the house.

"That doesn't count," Dora countered. She sighed at Andromeda's smug smile.

"Dora, you two are besotted with one another, anyone can see it. He will have no other but you and we all know how devoted you are. Enjoy it. Love is precious after all."

"Thanks, Mum." Dora walked indoors, deep in thought. She opened the door to the room and closed it behind her, watching Harry put his clothes into a dresser drawer. "Hey Harry, it doesn't bother you that we're sharing a room and a bed right?"

"No? I mean we sleep in the same bed at home all the time."

"Right." She took a deep breath. "Are we dating?"

Harry stopped and turned to look at her. "I…uh…gosh I never thought about it." He suddenly looked panicked.

"Don't worry, Mum just kind of said it to me and I didn't think about it either." She giggled at his look of relief. She sat down on the bed. "Actually, it sounds like they assumed we were and never mentioned it."

"Oh? That's…either really nice of them or really concerning of them." He sat beside her.

"Is it okay that I'm older than you?" she asked.

"That's never bothered me, like at all. It doesn't bother you, does it?"

"Well, when you asked me to the Yule Ball, I did think about it, the age difference. But ever since, no, I don't think about it ever."

"That's good," he said with relief.

They sat in silence.

"I kind of feel bad," Harry said. "I haven't really taken you out on any like…good dates or anything. I'm really sorry, I'm rubbish at this sort of thing."

Dora laughed. "I'm terrible at it too. Gosh my dating history at Hogwarts is tragic, like hilariously awful."

"I've never even been on one if you don't count the Yule Ball," Harry confessed.

"Oh, well, at least you won't have any bad habits." Dora turned bright red and it had nothing to do with her metamorph abilities.

"I know you know I love you," he stammered, "but, I think, I uh, fancy you too."

She smiled. "You think?"

"No, I mean," he rolled his eyes as she started laughing hard, "you're so mean laughing at me like this." He pushed her off the bed. "I know that I like you like that too and well," he turned scarlet, "I'd really like to date you, if you want to of course."

Dora's hair was soft and curly, her eyes blue. "I'd like that a lot. I think I fancy you too." Her eyes danced with mischief. She sat on the bed and hugged him tightly. He sighed happily at her embrace, hugging her back as well. He saw her eyes twinkle as she broke the embrace and he found himself falling to the ground, propelled by her kick.

"This won't ever get old," he said, face down into the floor.

"Probably not," she agreed, looking down at him lovingly.

That night, she snuggled him from behind like she normally did. There was something there however, a tiny bit of tension and unease that resided in her. Her mind clicked and whirred and she could not help but worry.

He felt it in her touch and he cuddled back into her. "Dora?" he whispered.

"Yeah?"

"You still feel the same to me," he whispered softly. "I really like how you feel."

She relaxed and pulled him closer. "Yeah?"

He nodded. "Warm and kind."

"That's good," she murmured, utterly content, without reservation.

-0-

One year later

"You know, there are a lot of boys who wished they were you," Hermione smiled.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

She laughed. "Maybe not."

He shook his head ruefully. "Why won't everyone just accept that I'm happily in a relationship and just leave me alone?"

"Because she isn't here with you." She frowned lightly at a few girls that were giving Harry less than wholesome looks. Even out in Hogsmeade, Harry could not completely avoid hungry eyes and lascivious expressions.

"That's just not fair," Harry complained.

"You're right, it's not. I suppose a large gesture will be necessary," Hermione said and took a very large step back.

"What do you mean-"

Hands grabbed him and spun him in place. He opened his mouth to say something but then something was pressed against his lips. He sighed, recognizing the person's touch and smell. He melted into her, hands going around her shoulders. One of her hands held the back of his head and the other snaked around his lower back, dipping him slightly while holding him protectively and possessively.

Dora's smile was equal parts hungry and happy when she finally broke the kiss, smiling down at a dazed and goofy Harry. "Hey you," she said huskily.

"H-Hi," he said back, a dreamy expression on his face.

She snickered and pulled him upright, keeping one arm around his waist. "Wotcher Hermione," Dora greeted.

Hermione's face was scarlet and she looked over their heads. "Hello Dora," she said. "When I said you should make an exuberant gesture, I didn't mean make an indecent one!"

"Whoops, must've mis-read your message," Dora said without shame.

"I spoke with you in the mirror!"

"Whoops, must've mis-heard your message," Dora grinned. Her eyes shifted in hue and her hair became long and black. "So, who's been making eyes at my Harry and been bothering him?" she asked loudly.

Hermione smiled at the suddenly empty street. "Well I was going to point them out but it seems like they had better things to do."

"You asked Dora to come?" Harry asked, touched.

Hermione nodded. "I figured it would be the most expedient way and if we nip it in the bud, Dora won't indiscriminately hex people."

"I'm very discriminate with my spells," Dora smiled. "I appreciate you watching out for us. You're good people." She nuzzled Harry. "I'm free for the day anyways so we can have a date."

Hermione smirked. "Oh sure, I invite you over and I'm tossed aside. I see how it is."

"I mean, I planned on taking Harry to a somewhat private place and do things to him but you're more than welcome to come along. I don't mind if you watch. Might be more fun that way."

Hermione's face somehow became redder and she waved her hand at Dora. "Oh, no, dear me no. That sounds…horrific," she retched.

"I don't know if I should be insulted or not," Dora teased. "But let me have the morning and we can all hang out at lunch and after. I'll treat you to lunch too."

"I don't think I have an appetite anymore," Hermione said weakly.

"Oh I have an early present for you," Harry piped up. He held out a card. "It's a voucher for Scrivenshafts and Bailey's Books and Ends. I think the new shipment of books comes in today any-" He laughed when Hermione eagerly took the card from him. "See you at lunch!" he called after her as she walked swiftly away.

The couple grinned at her wave as she took off. "She's so much fun," Dora said.

"You have too much fun teasing her," Harry said.

"That too." They started walking down the main Hogsmeade street. "So what do you want to do?"

"Oh I thought you already had the morning planned," Harry said, blushing.

Dora laughed.

-0-

Two years later

"I always knew this day would come and yet, I am still unprepared," Andromeda said tearily.

Dora rolled her eyes. "Mum, we are literally down the block."

"Are you sure you wish to move out, Harry?" Andromeda asked, ignoring Dora. "Dora can move out on her own. You will not abandon me, will you?"

Harry hugged her. "I have to or else Dora will starve. But we're only a little away and I'll see you at work every day too."

"Both of you are funny," Dora grumbled. "Really funny."

Ted hugged her. "Let them be dramatic Nymmie," he soothed.

Dora and Harry found a small townhome that really was very close to Andromeda and Ted and Sirius. The families gifted it to them as a graduation gift to Harry and were helping them move in. Just like the others, it would be covered in the best wards and protective spells possible and they would still be close while enjoying their privacy.

Despite the close proximity, Andromeda would still have her fun at Dora's expense of course.

Dora opened the door to the bedroom and sighed deeply. "Mum!"

"Yes?" Andromeda appeared. "Is something wrong?"

"Why are there two beds?"

"I remember you making a fuss of having to share a bed with Harry during our vacation so I thought you would appreciate having two."

Dora buried her face into her hands and muttered things under her breath.

"Language!" Andromeda scolded, pinching her ear.

Harry walked in and smothered a grin. "We can push them together."

"Do not bother, one is an illusion." Andromeda waved her wand and the illusion dissolved. The other bed grew into a very large bed.

"People always assumed Dora got her taste for pranks from me or Sirius," Ted chuckled. "As you can see, she shares more with her mother than most think."

"What would've happened if I tried to sit in the illusory bed?" Harry asked.

"You would fall onto your bum of course," Andromeda smiled.

"Oh is Andi doing the fake bed trick?" Sirius poked his head in. "She used to do that to me a lot. Way worse when you're drunk too, let me tell you."

"I remember when I did it to James and you took the blame," Andromeda said smugly.

"And you used to get mad at me when you got owls from school!" Dora protested. "Not fair!"

"I was never upset that you played pranks," Andromeda sniffed, "only that you got caught."

-0-

Two years later

Dora sighed as she walked into the home, throwing her cloak onto the hook haphazardly and kicking off her boots. "Harry?" she called.

"In the living room!"

She staggered into the living room and flopped onto him, pressing her face into him and hugging him to her.

"Oof!" he coughed. He rubbed her back. "Long day?"

"Yeah," she said, her voice muffled. "Three of my cases were all resolved today, one after the other. Caught Selwyn finally, had to chase him down and hex him but finally caught him. Figured out the Bronson case and got a confession out of him. And Langley capitulated after trying to hold out."

"Hey good work!" Harry praised. "That's incredible."

"I'm exhausted and need to recharge my Harry meter," she said and snuggled him, her hands wandering. Her hand found something and she stopped. "Uh…Harry?"

"Yes?" His voice was too innocent to be truly innocent.

"What's this?"

"I'm happy to see you?"

She snorted. "If you're this happy, we might need to go see a healer." She sat up, her hand still on the thing she found. Her eyes met his.

He smiled weakly. "Well, this is as good a time as any." He lifted her hand and reached into his pocket, taking out a small box. "I literally just got it today and was looking at it before you came in. I panicked and shoved it in my pocket."

"At least you didn't try to shove it in your mouth," she said softly, eyes glued to it.

"That was actually my first thought." He opened it and held it out to her. A slim silver ring sat on a bed of black velvet. A diamond sat in the middle and two tiny sword hilts with a ruby pommel poked out on either side, flat on the band.

"Oh, it's gorgeous," she breathed.

"I know I never really told you about my life before, you know, before you found me. At first it was because I was ashamed, I didn't want you or Auntie Andi or Uncle Ted to know. Then it was more that I didn't want to upset any of you." He smiled when she clutched his hands. "Before running into you, I could count out exactly the few times I was happy, like legitimately happy. There weren't many."

He smiled broadly when he looked at her. "Ever since you found me, saved me, I have had so many happy moments. I never thought I would ever be at a point in my life where I can't recount all of them. I used to hoard those moments in my mind, hold onto them so tightly. Since being found, I have too many to do that. It's amazing.

"I hope I do that for you too. And I want to keep making happy memories for us. I want to keep sneaking food onto your plate and see how long I can get away with it, I want to spend time with you doing everything and nothing. I want to be the one that congratulates you after every case, after every criminal you catch. I want to always feel you with me."

He knelt before her. "Forgive me for saying this but it is traditional. Nymphadora Vulpecula Tonks, will you please marry me?"

She tackled him to the floor and kissed him hard. Her kiss was hungry, needy, passionate. She melted when he kissed her back and she injected every emotion she had into it. When she finally broke it off, she stared down at him. Her hair was long and black, her eyes bright blue. "Yes!" she shouted. "Yes! Every day forever!"

He laughed, relieved and ecstatic. From his prone position he slipped the ring on her finger and she marveled at how it felt. It tingled with magic. It felt like him. "It shifts with me," she said happily.

"Of course it does. Your powers are a part of you and I want this ring to be a part of you too."

She kissed him again and again. "Thank you thank you thank you," she babbled. "Oh Harry, I love you so much."

"I love you too…" he whispered against her lips.

She laid on top of him, snuggling him tight. "My Harry," she murmured. "Also, never use my full name again."

"Well, after we get married, you'll be Dora Tonks Potter," he said.

"You're the best," she whispered as she stole his breath away.

-0-

Five years later

"Come in," Hermione said out loud, eyes not rising from her work.

The door cracked open and a nervous looking man poked his head in. "Excuse me…"

She finally looked up and frowned. "Yes?"

"I was told to come get you, we need your help."

"Who told you?" She noticed his robes. "Ah, the Auror department?" She sighed as he bobbed his head. "What is it?"

"It's, well, uhm, you should come see."

Intrigued, Hermione followed him. Her office was close to the Auror headquarters and as they got close, she knew why she was called. She sighed again. "Okay, what happened this time?"

Hestia, who was leaning against the wall outside of the department proper, smiled at her. "I wasn't here when it started but from what I gathered, Phillips and Crenshaw buggered things up royally. Screwed up the prepwork for the Thawley case and Phillips' team went in half-arsed and got the other half handed to them. No casualties thankfully but weeks of work up in smoke."

Hermione sighed and rubbed her eyes. "No wonder she's pissed. Why did they come for me if you're here?"

"I'm the one that sent for you. I'm not going in there with her like this." The two witches and the man and other horrified Aurors and aides winced at the loud expletive that made it through the silencing charm.

"We're going to need the last resort," Hermione said. "I'll go get it. It'll be a bit though."

"Take your time. Phillips and Crenshaw deserve it." Hestia stretched. "I'm going to start my afternoon training early."

"Coward," Hermione smiled.

"And proud of it," Hestia laughed.

-0-

"Excuse me, you can't come in," a junior Auror said with unearned authority.

"I was called for though," the messy-haired man said, bemused with full arms.

"No-one called for someone out of the department," the junior Auror said, staring suspiciously.

"Get out of our way," Hermione said as she walked up. "Unless you want me to inform Captain Potter that you accosted her husband and daughter?"

The junior Auror paled and fainted.

Harry looked down at the fallen Auror. He turned and smiled at Hermione. "Rough day then?"

"Apparently. Now give me my goddaughter." Hermione cooed as she lifted the small girl out of Harry's arms. "How's my little one?"

"Hermummy!" Valentina Iris Potter hugged Hermione, shifting her hair and eyes to match her godmother. "Are you having lunch with me and Daddy and Mummy?"

"I sure am. Your mummy is having a day and needs to see you and Daddy." Hermione cuddled the small girl happily.

Harry smiled and opened the door. The full blast of Dora's oral aural assault filled the corridor, no longer barely constrained by the silencing charm. Hermione cast a small silencing charm around Valentine as they walked into the department. Aurors and aides hid in cubicles and side rooms, all watching with horrid fascination at Captain Dora Potter verbally berating the unfortunate Phillips and Crenshaw.

"I swear! With you both being big-mouthed arseholes, I'm going to shove my hands down your throats and keep going until I can shake my own hands through both of you!" She turned and saw Harry, Hermione, and Valentina approaching. The change was immediate. Her bright red eyes turned soft blue, her spiky hair became long and wavy. "Baby!" she exclaimed and reached out for Valentina.

Hermione undid the silencing charm and handed her over. Harry kissed Dora's cheek. "Hey you. Noticed you didn't have breakfast this morning so thought Tina and I could have lunch with you. You can spare some time for us, right?"

Phillips and Crenshaw ran the second Dora's attention was taken off of them and everyone else nodded hurriedly at them. "Oh, I am pretty hungry," Dora said as she snuggled her daughter. "I guess I can take a short lunch-"

"Take as long as you need," her secretary said swiftly. "We'll take care of the afternoon tasks. You should enjoy your lunch."

"Well, alright then. We can use my office." She led Harry and Hermione to her office and when the door closed, a collective sigh of relief filled the department.

A while later the door opened and Hermione walked out carrying Valentina, closing the door behind her.

"How is she?" the secretary gulped.

"She's calmed down a bit. Harry is helping her relax some more. I would recommend that no one open the door before one of them does," Hermione said seriously. "Meanwhile, I'm spending some quality time with my goddaughter. What do you want to do little Tina?"

"Read!"

"Read! I love you so much," Hemione cooed as she bounced the small girl in her arms. "Let's go read together then. I have just the book to read with you." She left the department and everyone listened to her recommendation.

-0-

"Hey Mum, do you mind taking Tina with you tonight?"

Andromeda looked up at Dora, bouncing Valentina on her lap. "Really Dora. I know we live close by and always want our granddaughter with us but you can ask sooner. What if your father and I had plans?"

Dora sighed. "It's okay if you can't. I just had an idea and wanted to see if you could. If you can't, I can ask Sirius or Hermione. Or cancel the idea for another time."

"Your mummy has always been like this," Andromeda said to a giggling Valentina. "Terrible planner. Good thing you have your daddy and godmummy to teach you how to plan things." She snorted at Dora's look. "Merlin only knows how you planned for this one."

"And do you want another one to spoil and tell them terrible things about me?" Dora asked.

"Run along and say goodnight to your daddy," Andromeda said to Valentina. "You are spending the night with grandmum and grandpop. We are going to eat sweets and play with wisps in the backyard garden tonight."

After packing her small bag with her stuffed animal and pajamas, Harry waved and watched fondly as Valentina swung from Andromeda's and Ted's hands. "I didn't know we had plans tonight," he said. "What's up?" He turned and stopped at the sight of Dora. "Oh, I see," he smiled.

Later that night he kissed Dora on the forehead as they cuddled together. "I thought things were a little rough at work right now?"

Dora sighed. "I've been doing some thinking. I think I want to transition to heading the training program. The recruits lately just have been terrible and with you and Valentina and hopefully our next sprog, I don't want to run the risk. It's not fun anymore."

"You know I'll support whatever you want to do."

She smiled. "I do and thank you for it. I thought a while and this feels right to me. I still get to do what I love and make sure the coming crops of Aurors are up to snuff. I get to have my family. If I get bored here and there, I'll patrol and stuff still."

"As long as you're happy," he murmured.

She looked up at him. "As long as you're happy," she replied softly.

"I've been happy ever since the second day we met," he smiled. "Not when I was a baby, but on my birthday that year."

"Why the second day?" she asked indignantly.

"Because the first day felt like a dream that wasn't real. The second day it really sunk in that it was actually real."

She teared up a little. "Oh well, that's good," she said lamely. She bit him when he laughed. "I still can't believe we didn't know your birthday for a whole year."

"I still got the best present of my life that year. You."

She groaned but her face was bright red. "That was so cheesy."

"You like it."

"I like you, for some reason."

"You like me for many reasons."

"Yeah? Name 'em."

"I'm funny."

"Funny looking."

"I'm cute."

"It's cute that you think that."

"I keep you full."

"Yeah you do," she purred and waggled her eyebrows.

He laughed and flushed slightly. "You're a perv."

"And?"

He kissed her. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"You're mine," she whispered against his lips.

He hugged her close. "My Dora," he said.

She smiled. "My Harry."

Fin

-0-0-0-

Note: And here is the end of this fic. I had a different feeling ending this fic. A Dance of Dementors was the very first fanfic I finished from start to end. I was really happy with how that turned out, from a very silly prompt idea of all things, and it helped me believe I could finish stories and write beyond simple small one shot Reponses. I was happy when The Family that Chooses You ended because it was such a huge endeavor and I was satisfied with the ending, but also a little sad to let the setting go, hence the spin-off series. His Last Curse was the next one I finished and it was something very different from the others I did. It was much shorter, faster in pace, and I thought still a nice contained story. I liked where it went and how it ended and did not feel the need to continue.

Trouble is my Middle Name, Harry Bravo, and What are Words were only ever one shots and I liked how they came out. I didn't feel the need to continue them or prolong them. They also came from silly Reddit ideas, save for Words, and they were fun and I enjoyed writing them.

I am relieved to finish Ruthless Devotion. If I had not finished writing it in advance before the latter chapters being posted, I might have stopped. Halfway through the fic I was going through a lot personally and there was a lot of comments and messages that felt incredibly rude and personal regarding this fic, more so here than all the ones in the others combined. I have abandoned stories and projects in the past but I really wanted to stick through to the end for this one. I am satisfied with the end, but am glad to see the end.

I started my next fic idea and will probably post once or twice a week while continuing to post Extended Family along the same schedule. Thank you all for reading and sticking through with the story. I hope you enjoyed it in your own way and wish you the best.

-0-0-0-

LifeIsAGreatAdventure - Thank you. I'm glad it did not feel gratuitous or violent for no reason. I was pretty amazed at how it flowed. The HPAJ, assuming you mean Angelina, will be three chapters of an AU in Extended Family. I think the first chapter will go up this week or the next.

Shamgar777 - Thank you. He will in a way. Probably not as lasting as some people want but I thought it fit the tone I was going for in regards to him.

Meuryc - Thank you for reading.

jkarr - Hope you like this last one.

DeadDredd - Definitely more in this chapter so hopefully it satisfies.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - I thought you would like to see Andromeda and Dora be feral like that, fighting without holding back. I dunno, I just think corner mouth kisses are nice in a way. Thank you for the kind words as always.

Hericus C - Thank you, glad you liked it and thought so.

Otz - Hope today's chapter answers your lasts questions and satisfies you. The whole fic spawned from two moments in my mind: Andromeda and Mathilda, and Dora dissecting and torching Voldemort and am pretty happy with how both turned out. I tried my best to weave everything else together in a way that made sense to me and overall, I am satisfied with how the fic went. Take care.

bdwilliams3 - Thank you.

Earth Guardian 28 - Thank you for reading, glad you liked it.

Canuto-90 - Thank you. I thought Harry's sacrifice was poetic in this case and Dora being rage personified was fun to write.

Urgazhi - Thank you. Hope you like it.

guest - Nope, they are not to be trifled with. Thank you.

Ronin Kenshin - Thank you, glad you did.