I don't own Harry Potter.

This work is purely for my enjoyment and no money is being made or will be made with this. It all belongs to JKR.

This is a new story that I've been working on for months. This story is the sole reason why my other stories have been on the backburner. Well, this and writers block. It's one of those things that you get inside your head and can't get it out until you started writing and working on it.

WARNING READ THIS FIRST!

This story is linked to the poll on my profile so be sure to check it out before reading. It will give a spoiler but at least you'll know what to expect later on in the story. Don't blame me if you don't and later find out you hate this kind of story

Now, first of all this is a Harry/ Tonks pairing. No harem, although I do like those stories. Check out Radaslab's stories as they are awesome. I could only hope to have 10% of this writer's talent. . Also the story is a rather slow starting one.

Anyway enjoy the first chapter and let me know what you think of it.

Chapter One: The disappearance of Harry Potter

Hermione Granger was lying in her bed deep in thought and almost sick with worry. She hardly ate and slept and was constantly looking outside for some reason. She had even lost several pounds and she was hardly overweight as it was. Even her parents had started to worry about their daughter but she refused to say anything about the reason why she was so worried. So she kept quiet and continued to worry and stress.

The reason why she was worrying was because her best friend in the whole world, one Harry James Potter, had vanished. It was the only word that could express what had happened to him. You see, Hermione and her friends had just finished their fifth year at the magical school called Hogwarts. It had been a disastrous year for them as at the end of the year Voldemort had tricked Harry into going to the Ministry of Magic to save Sirius. Harry had been in a right state once he received the vision of Sirius being tortured by Voldemort and several Death Eaters. She had tried to warn him that it might be a trap to lure him away from Hogwarts but Harry still went. She had to admit that he had tried everything he could to find out if it was indeed a trap or not.

Together with Ron, Ginny, Luna and Neville, she and Harry had ridden Thestrals and went to the rescue of Sirius. Of course, when they arrived there they only found Lucius Malfoy and several other Death Eaters waiting for them. It had all gone downhill from there but the worst was the fact that Sirius got blasted into the Veil of Death by his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange. The Veil of Death was exactly that, a veil that once someone touched it, even a little bit, caused instant death. Even though she herself had been wounded badly, it was Harry who was hurt the most.

Once they got back to Hogwarts Harry was somewhat distant and seemed very hesitant to talk to any of them. She had tried to talk to him but he was being stubborn. When Harry Potter didn't want to talk about something, well he just didn't talk about it. She had persisted until she noticed that he was getting angry so she backed off immediately. She didn't want to endanger her friendship with him by nagging too much. They had said their goodbye's at King's Cross once the Hogwarts Express had arrived but that was the last time she had seen or heard anything from Harry. She wasn't the only one.

It was now close to half of August and only a few more weeks until the new school year started. Harry had been missing for almost two months. She still remembered the night when Prof. Dumbledore came to her at home telling her that Harry had simply vanished from Privet Drive. No note or anything. The room destroyed beyond repairs and everything that even suggested that Harry Potter had been back at his relative's home was simply gone. Not a trace could be found. Harry wasn't the only one to have disappeared. Nymphadora Tonks, an Auror and member of the Order of the Phoenix had disappeared the same night as Harry. That made sense as she was the one to guard him that night.

Hermione had asked Dumbledore if he was sure that nobody had seen Harry or even heard from him but Dumbledore even admitted that his monitoring devices keyed to Harry had gone silent. Why the man had such devices keyed to Harry, Hermione didn't know but she didn't like it one bit. Still she kept quiet about her feelings. According to Dumbledore this could only mean one thing and that was that Harry had been captured and killed by Voldemort or one of his followers.

She simply refused to believe this. She knew in her heart and mind that Harry was still alive somewhere. There was no way that Harry would get caught by Voldemort. He was too smart and strong for this. She knew that Harry was not always truthful about his intelligence; she had seen it sometimes. A look of knowledge or understanding when he thought nobody was looking but he almost never showed it. She didn't know why he did this but she didn't question him about it. Everyone had a right to a few secrets and she knew a lot more about Harry than anyone else even Ron. One only had to look at Harry's achievements to see that he was different from any other wizard. He was capable of producing a Patronus that could scare away over a hundred Dementors, he had competed in a tournament designed for seventh years students and won, he had faced Voldemort time and time again and lived to tell the tale. No ordinary wizard could do such things. No, there was something special about Harry Potter all right.

Still, that didn't make her feel any better about Harry disappearance earlier this summer. She had begged the Headmaster to inform her about any searches they did for Harry but he refused. He didn't want to give her false hope he said. It was the first time that she had been angry at the man. She was Harry's best friend so she deserved to know what they were doing to find him. She sighed loudly and got up out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She knew she needed to shower and get something to eat. Harry wouldn't be happy if he heard that she was making herself sick for his sake.

Hundreds of miles away Amelia Bones was having her morning tea when contemplating the recent events. A week before the end of the school year the Ministry of Magic had been forced to admit that the Dark Lord You-Know-Who had indeed been revived. Just like Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore had been saying all along. While she had nothing to do with the campaign the Ministry had run against both individuals she felt bad about what Harry Potter had been through. Her niece Susan had complained many times in her letters about Umbridge's treatment of Harry but unfortunately there was nothing she could do about it. Dolores Umbridge had friends in high places and one of them was the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, himself.

Amelia smirked as she knew all too well that the political career of Fudge was over. To have covered up the return of the strongest dark Wizard of the recent ages was not something the public would forgive easily. She thought it was poetic justice. She and several other had asked that Harry's claims would at least be investigated but Fudge refused any investigation of any kind. He made it quite clear that anyone going behind his back would not only lose their job but also spend some time in Azkaban. Still now that the cat was out of the Wizard's hat, Fudge wouldn't be Minister of Magic much longer.

"Good riddance." Amelia said putting her cup of tea down. She had never liked the incompetent man and she knew all too well that he had taken bribes from those who wanted some law or something in their favor. Sadly, while Fudge was an idiot, those paying him weren't and so she had never found any proof. She cursed under her breath as she thought about the year they had lost in preparing for a new war. Fudge had cut any and all funding for training new and existing Aurors, reducing the Magical police force drastically. If war broke out tomorrow, she and her Aurors would get slaughtered she was sure of that. Already one Auror had vanished. Nymphadora Tonks was one of the youngest Aurors under her command but also one of the more talented ones. She suspected that she was somehow involved with Dumbledore's group 'The order of the Phoenix' but she hadn't talked to the young woman about it yet. Now she had vanished a few weeks ago, no trace could be found of her and she feared the worst. If this new war became anything like the previous one, Nymphadora Tonks was only the first of many that would have the same fate.

"Toppy is sorry to be disturbing Mistress but Mistress has company." A voice said from next to Amelia, scaring her in the process.

"Company? I don't expect any company." Amelia said to Toppy, her loyal house-elf for many years. "Who is it?"

"Toppy cannot pronounce guest's name." Toppy said sadly. "Is too difficult for Toppy. But Misses has pink hair."

There was only person that Amelia knew that sported pink hair and that was her missing Auror. She quickly got up from her chair and bolted to the door, almost running over Toppy who squeaked and 'popped' away. Amelia apologized knowing that Toppy would be able to hear it but continued racing to the door. When she saw a young woman with pink hair she relaxed and smiled.

"Auror Tonks, you have some serious explaining to do." She said sternly before grabbing the young girl in a hug. "What happened to you? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Madam Bones." Tonks replied quickly. "I'm afraid we don't have much time. I need you to get Susan and follow me."

"What? Why?" Amelia said not understanding. "What are you on about?"

"Please Madam, I'll explain everything later but time is of the essence." Tonks pressed on. "If you want I'll take an oath vowing that no harm will come to you or Susan."

"That's not necessary Tonks but can you please enlighten me why we should leave everything behind?" Amelia said.

"He's coming." Tonks said with fear evident in her voice.

Amelia's eyes went wide as she needed no explanation as to who Tonks was talking about. 'He' could only mean You-Know-Who and if he was coming here, it could only be for one thing. To kill her and Susan. She wasted no time and called Toppy ordering her to start emptying the library and put everything in the Bones Family vault. The Bones' Library was an extensive library with thousands of books on magic and had been the envy of many other Magical families. Some books were priceless and if people like You-Know-Who got their hands on them there was no telling what could happen.

"Madam Bones, if you would give me permission I could call someone to help Toppy." Tonks said trying to help.

"Permission granted." Amelia quickly said.

"Dobby?" Tonks called out and instantly a house-elf appeared next to her.

"Harry Potter's Tonksie called for Dobby." The house-elf said excited. "What can Dobby do for Harry Potter's Tonksie?"

"Dobby, can you help Toppy with emptying the house and library?" Tonks said ignoring Amelia's look at how Dobby addressed her.

"Dobby will help." The house-elf said and 'popped' away.

"Please Ma'am, I know you have questions but we need to hurry." Tonks pleaded. "They could be here any minute. I promise you that everything will become clear once we're out of here."

"Very well but I expect a full report on where you have been and how you are aware that You-Know-Who is after my life." Amelia nodded with authority before she headed upstairs get her niece out of bed. She didn't bother to knock and stormed right into Susan' bedroom. The girl was still sleeping and Amelia felt kind of bad to wake her in such a way but she knew they didn't have any time to lose. She took Susan by the shoulder and started shaking her.

"Susan, wake up." Amelia all but shouted.

"A-Auntie? W-what's going on?" Susan said half awake.

"You need to get up. We're in danger, You-Know-Who is headed our way." Amelia said opening Susan's dresser and throwing her some clothes.

Susan didn't need to be told twice and jumped out of bed, already stripping down and grabbing the clothes her aunt gave her. In record time, Susan and Amelia were back downstairs where Tonks was waiting patiently. The room had already been stripped bare by Toppy and Dobby and all around them valuable items and memorabilia were disappearing into thin air. Amelia was grateful for this as those items were part of her ancestry and her life.

"Now what?" Amelia asked Tonks.

"Now we take this portkey and go pick up someone else." Tonks said holding out a battered baseball hat.

"Who are we getting?" Susan asked curiously.

"One of your classmates in Hogwarts." Tonks smiled. "Hermione Granger and her family."

"Granger?" Amelia asked surprised. She had heard a lot about this girl from Susan over the years. Apparently the girl was a Muggleborn Witch and was rumored to be the smartest Witch of her age. She was also one of Harry Potter's best friends and had joined him in the battle at the Ministry of Magic. The more she thought about it, the more she knew that Harry Potter was involved in this but for the life of her she couldn't understand why You-Know-Who was after her and Susan.

"This has to do with Harry Potter doesn't it?"Amelia questioned.

"Yes but for now let's go." Tonks urged. "I don't want to be here when Voldemort arrives."

The three women quickly grabbed hold of the portkey and Tonks muttered the password to activate it. Instantly they disappeared from the house only leaving the two house-elves to further empty the manor. They didn't take much longer and they both 'popped' away as soon as their job was finished.

Ten minutes later the sounds of people apparating could be heard around the manor. A dozen Death Eaters and Voldemort himself had just arrived but found nothing but an empty house. Voldemort was furious and ordered the manor to be burned down but not before showing his displeasure by torturing a few of his followers. He wanted Bones get rid off as his spies in the Ministry had picked up rumors that she was next in line for the position of Minister of Magic. That was something he wanted to avoid as all his contacts said that she was firmly light orientated and incorruptible. If someone like her managed to become the Minister, he wouldn't be able to overtake the Ministry as easily as he wanted. He wondered why the manor was empty but perhaps she had decided to flee. Once the burning manor collapsed he ordered his Death Eaters to disperse until he called for them again.

Susan, Amelia and Tonks arrived a few streets away from the Granger house. Tonks quickly led them towards the right house and promptly rang the bell. Along the way she had to dodge several questions from Amelia and Susan but she refused to tell them anything, saying that she rather explained it all once everyone was safe. Tonks heard someone opening the door and was greeted by Mrs. Granger.

"Yes, can I help you?" The woman said politely.

"Mrs. Granger, we've never met but I'm Nymphadora Tonks, a friend of Hermione." Tonks explained. "Is she home? I really need to speak with all of you."

"Tonks? You're the young woman that's gone missing together with Harry!" Mrs. Granger realized with a shock. "Quickly, get inside and I'll call Hermione."

"Thank you." Tonks and her two companions followed Mrs. Granger inside.

"Hermione has been worried sick about you and Harry." The woman said. "She hardly slept or ate these past few weeks. We were almost going to consult a doctor for her. I'll go get her."

Hermione was just done with her shower and had gotten dressed when her mother stormed into her room scaring her in the process.

"Mom, what happened?" Hermione asked frightened.

"There's a young woman who goes by the name of Nymphadora Tonks waiting for you downstairs. " Her mother said with a smile. Hermione stood there for a second before she raced downstairs in the search for Tonks. When she saw Tonks standing there with Susan Bones and another woman she just launched herself into Tonks, hugging her closely.

"Wotcher, Hermione, that's one powerful hug you've got there." Tonks chuckled while hugging the girl back.

"Where have you been? Where's Harry? Is he alright?" Hermione fired one question after another.

"Slow down." Tonks smiled. "Harry's fine. In fact, I'm here to take you to him. You're in danger and Harry wants to keep his best friend and her family safe."

"So he's fine?" Hermione said relieved. "He wasn't captured by Voldemort?"

"Nothing of the sort." Tonks said laughing. "I promise to tell you everything once we're safe. For now, we need to have a talk with your parents."

Mr. and Mrs. Granger had been standing there watching the spectacle and were relieved that their daughter could finally stop worrying a bit. Now that she knew that Harry was safe and sound she would bounce back to her usual self in no time. They wondered what was going on when the Tonks girl said that they were in danger.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on." Dan Granger said a bit angry.

"Mr. Granger, I apologize but it is necessary." Tonks said. "You and your family are in grave danger."

"What do you mean?" Emma Granger said fearing for her family. "Has this something to do with this Voldemort character?"

"It has everything to do with him, Mrs. Granger." Tonks nodded. "I don't know how much Hermione has told you but to simplify things, Voldemort is evil personified. He's killed dozens of people and will stop at nothing to get what he wants."

"But what does he wants with us?" Emma wanted to know. "What have we done to anger this man"

"Nothing mum." Hermione interjected. "He just hates everyone who isn't a Pureblood or who isn't on his side. He wants to rule Britain with him as the leader of the Purebloods."

"So just because we aren't Magical, he hates us?" Dan asked.

"It's more complicated than that but yes, that's the gist of it." Tonks nodded. "He's after one person in particular and your daughter is one of that person's best friends. I'm sure you are familiar with the story of the Boy Who Lived?"

"You mean Harry?" Emma nodded.

"That's right, I can't go in detail right now but keep that story in mind for later today." Tonks nodded. "A few weeks ago Voldemort and Harry fought again and he had to flee. He's been pissed off ever since and he's started to plan on attacking those who opposed him in any way."

"So he's after me and the others who joined Harry at the Ministry?" Hermione gasped. "What about the others?"

"Don't worry, as far as I know they are all safe." Tonks reassured her. "The Weasleys are with the Order of the Phoenix. Luna is away on holiday with her father and Neville's home is quite protected as well. You're the only one who's in danger at the moment. That's why I came to get you all. Harry want to keep you safe."

"Where is Harry anyway? What happened to him?" Hermione questioned Tonks.

"Sorry Hermione but now is not the time for answers about Harry." Tonks refused to budge. "I promise that you'll see Harry by the end of the day."

"So why should we leave with you?" Dan Granger said. "No offence but what could you do to protect us? I'm a fair shot and I'm sure I could take a few Wizards down if I wanted."

"Mr. Granger, I'm sure you can protect your family against most people." Tonks shook her head. "But not against these maniacs. While you could possibly take out one or two of them, you wouldn't stand a chance against the lot of them. I can promise you that those monsters wouldn't kill you outright. They would torture you and your family. They would force you to watch as they rape and beat your wife and daughter. They could even make you force yourself upon them."

"I would never hurt my daughter or Emma like that." Dan shouted outraged.

"I know that Dad." Hermione said hugging her father. "But there's magic that can do that. You wouldn't even consider it wrong. It wouldn't be you but in a way it would still be you."

"Hermione's right; Death Eaters are vicious in their torture and they love nothing more than to inflict pain. Be it psychically or mentally." Tonks agreed. "That's why I came to get you all to safety. Harry considers Hermione as one of the people he loves the most. But everyone is aware of how close they are and so it would only take so long before Voldemort finds a way to hurt you."

"Please Daddy, you have to listen." Hermione pleaded. "She's telling the truth."

"Mr. Granger, I know we haven't met before but my name is Amelia Bones." Amelia said stepping forward. "I'm Head of the Department of Law Enforcement. I can vouch for the things that Tonks has just told you. The first war was scene to many a cruel killings and those are only the things that we know of. Just a few minutes before we came here Tonks came to get me and my niece, Susan, warning us that You-Know-Who was coming for us. We had only left for a few minutes when I felt the wards on my home fall meaning that the house is destroyed. She's speaking the truth."

"Very well." Dan sighed knowing that he had no choice. He wouldn't be responsible for getting his wife and daughter hurt and killed by those monsters.

"Thank you Mr. Granger." Tonks said relieved. "Now don't bother packing, I have someone who will do that for us."

"Oh?" Emma wondered.

"Dobby?" Tonks called out once more. Dan and Emma gasped as the saw a small creature appearing out of nowhere but seeing as the others didn't react they kept their mouths shut. "Dobby, can you pack everything in the house and put it in the storage element we showed you?"

"Dobby can do so." Dobby nodded before 'popping' away again.

"Alright, everyone grab hold of this." Tonks said taking a long rope out of her back pocket. "It's a portkey. Mr. and Mrs. Granger, hold on tight and do not let go."

Everyone gathered around Tonks and grabbed the rope, holding on tightly. Tonks muttered a password, activating the portkey and together they disappeared from the Granger house. Seconds later they appeared in a dark alley with Dan and Emma slightly ill from the sensation of using a portkey. Hermione helped her parents get up and looked around.

"Where are we?" Hermione asked the question they all were thinking.

"We're in Muggle London." Tonks stated. "Don't worry, the area is warded not to let anyone notice us. Here, I need you all to read this." Tonks then passed a small piece of paper around. "Remember the address."

Everyone looked at the address written on the paper and committed it to memory. Susan, Emma and Dan didn't know what was going on but the rest quickly figured it out.

"You used the Fidelius?" Amelia said shocked. The Fidelius Charm was a very difficult and taxing charm to use even though it was well worth the protection it gave. Nobody but the Secret Keeper could give away the secret they Charm helped to keep hidden.

"So what happens next?" Susan asked not understanding the fuss about some charm.

"Look that way and focus on the address you just read." Tonks said pointing between two large apartment buildings.

Everyone did what they were told and focused on the address. To their shock and surprise a huge building appeared between the two others and now they realized what had happened.

"You used the Fidelius to steal a whole apartment building?" Amelia shouted at Tonks. "Do you have any idea what kind of trouble this could cause?"

"We didn't steal it." Tonks protested. "I mean, not really. We're going to give it back afterwards….probably."

"A building just appeared between two others." Emma deadpanned to her husband who nodded in shock. "Dan, a whole building appeared out of nowhere." She elbowed him again.

"I know." Dan said out loud. "Stop elbowing me."

"Alright let's stop wasting time." Tonks said before guiding everyone inside the building. Tonks led everyone into the foyer while Hermione was busy explaining how the Fidelius Charm worked to her parents and Susan. Needless to say the three of them were very impressed with the possibilities of such magic. Tonks told them to get into the elevator and together they went to top floor of the building.

"What is on the other floors?" Emma wanted to know.

"Oh they're mostly unused but we used a few floors as a training room and such." Tonks shrugged. "There about 10 floors with each 5 apartments on each floor so we had more than enough room."

"So why put the whole building under the Fidelius?" Amelia questioned.

"It was easier this way." Tonks answered. "We wanted to make sure we had enough room just in case."

"In case of what?" Susan asked.

"In case the worst happened and we need to get some more friends relocated." Tonks said simply. "This is war and people will lose their homes and families. Harry wanted to give those people some place to stay if necessary."

"That sounds like Harry alright." Hermione smiled softly. "He hates to see others suffer."

"And yet he refuses to see that he suffers as well." Tonks agreed sadly.

When the elevator finally stopped moving and the doors opened Tonks let the others into what seemed to be the most luxurious loft they had ever seen. There were large windows letting in sunlight, making it just the right temperature. A large living room with several couches made out of the finest materials. A large kitchen with a cooking island in the middle was just next to the living room and joined together by a bar with several beautiful barstools. On the other side was a large dining table with eight to ten chairs. In the corner of the room was set of stairs that led to the second part of the loft where the bathroom and the bedrooms were located.

"Wow, this place is beautiful." Emma said softly.

"Harry thinks it's a bit much but I like it." Tonks agreed with woman. "I feel at peace here and the view is great."

Susan and Amelia where impressed and had to give Tonks credit for choosing a place like this to live in. Like the Auror had said, the place had a homely feeling and indeed the view was magnificent. They could only imagine what it would be like to watch the sunrise or sunset from here.

"Why don't you make yourself comfortable? I'll be right back." Tonks said moving towards the stairs. "I'll go check on Harry for a moment.

"Wait, I want to see Harry too." Hermione said walking up to Tonks.

"Sorry Hermione but not yet." Tonks stopped her in her tracks. "I ask for a bit more patience. Please?"

"Urgh, fine but you'd better have a very good explanation for all of this." Hermione said after a few moments.

"I promise you'll understand everything by tonight." Tonks nodded happily. "I won't be long so why don't you get comfortable and I'll be right back."

Hermione nodded and sat down next to her parents in the couches. Susan and Amelia were still gazing at the view before they too went and sat down. Suddenly Dobby appeared next to them and told the Grangers that their house was emptied and everything had been stored safely. The Grangers were happy to hear that as there were a lot of precious memories and souvenirs amongst their possessions. Dobby then served them some refreshments while they were waiting for Tonks to return. All of them had only one thought in mind and that was there had better be one hell of a story behind all of this.