When we went up we could see that the place was full, all the seats taken and more people standing at the end.
In the front row were Tonks' parents along with other important people from the ministry and the wizarding world. In addition to them there were several others in a neat row with different Orders of Merlin placed on their chest, I don't think they are all, since some recognized ones like Lockhart and Scamander are missing.
After being introduced and saying a few words of the speech that was prepared, perched on the lectern, we settled into a couple of chairs to one side onstage while Fudge gave a speech that seemed endless. That man knows how to stretch three sentences into a chat of hours.
They pretty much apologized to the German ministry and everyone who was misled, put all the blame on Garrick without accepting that it's because of them that it's possible, told the real story and kept putting the British ministry as the clear reason for that the truth came to light and that all this was possible thanks to them.
Sitting, already bored of the half hour we already lost in Fudge's speech, I started talking to Nymphadora in whispers.
"I had an interesting talk with your father..."
"I don't want to talk about my parents, my mother has the idea that we have something and that it is possible that you are the only man who can love me. That if I lose you I will be a bitter single for the rest of my life" she started to complain and tell me their problems.
"Possibly there would be others... and since we don't have something, What about that kiss?" I said smiling as I ran my tongue over my lips "Hum... peach"
"Don't bother, it was the emotion of the moment and a thank you for all this... it was also because of my lipstick, that day I wore a peach one, since I thought it would be our last day and I wanted to show off"
"Oh..." I didn't bother her anymore with the subject of her parents, since I didn't want to cause problems in the middle of the ceremony, although I was very tempted, but even so I asked her another thing that interested me "If with a third class you gave me such a 'loving' kiss. If it had been a first class medal what would you have done for me?"
"Possibly the kiss would have been lower" she gave me a mischievous look.
"With Dumbledore present?" I asked surprised.
"For a first class order even with my parents by my side"
"...um...do you think if I asked them they could change who they give each medal to?"
"It's late, it was that time, now you have to win me another one if you want a chance" she teased me.
I had some regrets, but it shouldn't be that hard to get her another one, I mean, this one came almost for free. We continued for a while until we were called again, we both stood at the front of the stage, where Dumbledore waited for us along with two people who were holding a couple of boxes with medals inside them.
"To Tenebrius Akaichi for his bravery, perseverance, selflessness, kindness and his great talent in magic I present this first class 'Order of Merlin'" Dumbledore said as he raised a medal with a green ribbon and approached me.
He placed the medal, but when no one saw him he gave me a look of dissatisfaction, but also pride for a brief moment. Applause filled the room and the camera flashes did not stop.
"To Nymphadora Tonks for her bravery, selflessness and loyalty I present this 'Order of Merlin' third class" he said and placed a medal with a white ribbon.
Tonks was very nervous as it was put on, but at the same time very excited. The applause rang out again and the reporters did not stop taking photos either. Someone more excited than Tonks was her father, who stood clapping while he cried.
Tonks and I took a picture with Dumbledore, Muller and Fudge, just for politics. After that we said goodbye to the German emissaries who were leaving, Muller again suggested that we go visit him before taking the key from the door and disappearing.
Before we had a chance to leave, the reporters caught up to us, but Fudge saved us and shooed them away as he led us into a room. I thought it was a really good deed, but then we realized it was for us to do interviews with reporters in a private place, and I cursed inside.
We received interviews from almost a dozen reporters, including Rita Skeeter, her appearance made her look truly striking. I hardly said a word, although Tonks nudged me all the time, she had to do most of the work and after an hour and a half we were finally free.
"Let's see what awaits us tomorrow" I sighed after all the reporters left
"What are you talking about?" She ask tired.
"They will write many wrong things"
"If you had talked more, maybe you could have avoided it" she complained, almost without the strength to speak.
"If I had spoken it would have been worse, you'll see tomorrow"
"What do you think of the life of fame" we heard someone enter after the reporters left.
It was Dumbledore who had a bag of sweets. He seemed to enjoy seeing us so exhausted.
"What do you want, old man? We're tired" I asked.
"I've come to tell you to go out with me, you still need to be received by the other winners of Merlin's Orders" he laughed.
"Let's get this over with, I want to go home and take a bath" Tonks complained.
After that we went out accompanying the director, the crowd had already dispersed enough. Andromeda and Edward were still waiting until now, but they weren't as tired as we were, although I seemed to see people stopping to talk to them. After letting them know that it would take a little more time, we accompanied the director to another group of people.
They were all winners of orders of Merlin, they greeted us with kindness and we chatted with them about the achievements of each one. This time I did participate actively, since it was not a conversation based solely on demonstrating your achievements to others, although there were some who did, it was more of an exchange of knowledge or of elders telling stories to minors. It was fun, but everyone used things to do, so they spread out and we were able to get this all over with.
When we got back we went to Tonks's parents.
"We're finally done" Tonks said as she spread out in her mother's arms "I'm hungry..."
"Let's go home, let's prepare something delicious to celebrate" said Andromeda "Do you want to join us Tenebrius?"
"I don't think it's necessary, I'm sure he has places to celebrate with family and friends" Edward said without thinking, not wanting me to go home with his daughter and he didn't realize his mistake again until it was late
"Okay, I'll just go home, or to a bar" I replied, not wanting to cause Tonks or his family too much trouble.
"Of course not, you will come with us. Something like this is not to celebrate alone, I already told you to consider us your family" she gave me a kind look to give her husband a killer, later she will have to teach him to control his big mouth.
"I guess it would be nice to see where Tonks grew up, I'll just go back to the apartment to take a shower and go to your house" I ended up accepting because he would be very bored alone and I didn't want to turn down his offer.
"No need, you will take a bath in our house" The 'kind' woman with bad intentions insisted.
"Dromeda!"
"It's not that much of a problem, I'd better use a cleaning spell and take a bath when I get back" I said, since magic exists for a reason.
"No, it's bad for long-term health, come take a bath at our house" Andromeda linked her arm in mine and was dragging me towards the chimneys.
"But I'm missing my clothes" I said, even though I actually had a few changes in inventory.
"Tonks will get you some"
So I was dragged by Andromeda under the confused look of Tonks and the angry one of Edward.
We arrived at the Tonks family home, it was a large two-story house with an attic, which if I remember correctly what Tonks said, is where her room is. Its entrance had a small flower garden on the sides, and behind the main door there was a living room with a fireplace, some armchairs and a few other pieces of furniture with some photos and so on... a very homey atmosphere.
Tonks quickly gave me a tour of the house, which despite not being a mansion, was still big, bigger than our apartment at least haha. After the tour I sat in one of the armchairs in the living room next to Tonks at Andromeda's request. There I kept having Edward's serious and furious gaze fixed on me while Andromeda was starting to cook.
"Can I go take a shower? If it's not too much trouble" I tried to get out of here, since it was too awkward with no one talking.
"Sure, the bathroom is upstairs, Tonks come with him" said Andromeda sticking her head out of the kitchen door frame
"I already showed him where it is, mom…" Tonks replied, feeling uncomfortable with her mom's actions.
"Go with him!" She gave her a commanding look before heading back into the kitchen.
Tonks had to accompany me while his father went out to talk to his wife. On the top floor, I stood in front of the bathroom door and looked at an upset Tonks.
"Here it is" she sulked, but not with me.
"Parents are like that…" I patted her on the shoulder and then leaves her as I walk into the bathroom.
I needed this shower and I would take my time. I don't want another moment like now with Tonks's father, if it's possible I can stay here until lunch, I hope they don't get mad.
...
In the kitchen after some time, Andromeda returned to the living room after reprimanding her husband. She went up to her room and took out some of her husband's clothes and then went down and gave them to her daughter.
"Go and take them to Tenebrius. Don't leave it outside the door, go in and give it to him. They've been living together for a while, so there shouldn't be a problem with something like that, right?" She said that, but without giving the feeling that she had a choice.
"Dromeda!"
"You shut up, if it were up to you, Tonks would stay single for the rest of her life" made Edward shut up, but soon his eyes widened as he had an idea.
"I'm sorry honey, but Nymphadora can't take it to him. We need a good wine to celebrate, so I'm going to go buy it and I need her with me to help me choose the tastes of Tenebrius"
Edward, quickly taking the clothes from Tonks, threw them in his wife's face to disorient her, then grabbed his daughter's wrist and without letting his wife stop him, he ran with her out of the house.
After running for a while they stopped in relief, Edward was pleased with her escape and Tonks was relieved. Although she does not have the slightest problem with the things that her mother asks of her, the fact that she asks her in such a way and with her dubious intentions makes her feel uncomfortable.
"And now that?" I ask her father.
"We'll have to buy wine" Tonks (father) sighed. He was already gone, so if he came back empty-handed, he would be reprimanded harshly when they got back.
...
Inside the living room, Andromeda's face turned red, she was angry at the two fugitives, but she couldn't do anything. She waited for a while cooked, but since they didn't show up, she gave up. She went upstairs with the clothes for Tenebrius, now she would have to deliver them herself, since her daughter ran away.
She positioned himself in front of the bathroom door, from where she heard how the shower was still running, so she decided to secretly enter and leave the clothes, but she didn't realize that the noise became weaker as she turned the handle. When she walked in, she was startled to find her daughter's roommate already out of the shower with his hand outstretched to grab a towel hanging on the wall.
She was a little surprised, she contemplated the naked body of the young man in front of her, but without any perversion in her eyes. It was slim, but it didn't take away from a certain natural beauty that her skin had, her eyes slowly lowered as she admired her pectorals, then his abdomen, stopping abruptly at the bottom, for what she saw it was...tiny.
Quickly, Tenebrius covered himself with the towel when he noticed the woman inside the bathroom, but he didn't know that she wasn't paying attention at this point, her head was elsewhere. She came to her senses and showing the clothes that she had in her hands she said slowly.
"I brought you clothes..."
"No need, I have" he brought up a set of clothes taken from his inventory.
After she nodded, she didn't leave immediately, making the young man covered with a towel around his waist somewhat nervous.
"You don't have to feel bad, you know?" She said with some sorrow.
"About what?" He didn't understand what she meant.
"Size is not important, we all have some defect, we are not perfect beings..."
"Oh…" Tenebrius understood what she meant.
"There are spells to enlarge, don't worry" She try to encourage him.
"You don't have to comfort me, you know?"
"Tonks is capable of changing her body, so it won't be much of a problem either."
"Tonks doesn't know about this and doesn't need to know either, let's just put this aside, I don't want to…" he tried to stop this, since it would only bring discomfort when it wasn't even his real body.
"I don't think their relationship should start with lies... but considering how she is, maybe in this case it's for the best" she began to think out loud without paying attention to what they wanted to tell her.
"You are getting confused, I..."
"Don't worry, I'll talk to her, something like this isn't going to stop them" She said and then left the bathroom without the slightest consideration of what the young man wanted to tell her.
"What...?" He was left very confused by the very confusing interaction he had just had.
When Tenebrius was able to get dressed and go down to the dining room, he heard the front door open and the father-daughter duo entered with a couple of bottles of wine. They seemed a little tired, due to Edward, who didn't want to arrive so soon for Andromeda to force her daughter to interact with Tenebrius, so he thought they would walk despite being far away.
They all met in the dining room and at one point Andromeda took her daughter with her to the kitchen and there she gave her a long speech about not judging, accepting, supporting and many other things that left young Tonks completely confused. She had no idea what her mother was talking about, since she didn't specify what to be tolerant about.
...
It was already afternoon when the dishes were brought to the table, and it was a very uncomfortable lunch. Edward glared at me as he ate, Andromeda gave me a pitying expression and encouragement, while she gave Tonks a reproachful one every so often when she started eating vulgarly. She was used to eating like that, and I usually do the same when we're alone, but since she was at her parents' house now, I used the least amount of manners I thought was necessary. It was silent and with many different emotions on the table.
When we finally finished, we announced that it was time to leave, since I didn't know how this would continue, and Tonks, listening to me, quickly said that she would also go with me because we have work tomorrow. Andromeda resisted a bit, but we insisted enough for her to let us go, but not before giving us some gifts for our apartment, which she promised to visit.
We were walking out the door of the Tonks house, as we wanted to walk back to relieve some stress. Andromeda was saying goodbye to her daughter with a hug and then doing the same with me.
"Good luck on the road, enjoy your time alone... 'together'" she said with a friendly tone, but her expression revealed that she didn't speak of something very... innocent. Listening to her wife, her husband almost broke a tooth by squeezing them so hard, and he made a sign to me that he was watching me.
We walked out of there with a bag of presents, that I ended up putting in my inventory, and a bottle of wine left over from noon, which she 'gifted' us, not to mention pushed it into our hands. Tonks wasted no time, and after they were far enough away, he grabbed the bottle, opened it and took a deep drink.
"Tenebrius...?"
"Yes...?"
"Can you do me the favor of not going back to my parents' house so soon..."
"I totally agree...Pass me a little."
"God, I'm sure if we didn't leave now my mother would probably have us sleep here, and she would have put me in your bed" She complained as handed me the bottle "my mother never behaved so... like this... like today"
"You've never introduced them to a boyfriend?" I asked after taking a drink and returning the bottle to exchange it between us.
"I had a few at Hogwarts, but they were all very short relationships, I think they couldn't stand me...so I didn't say anything to my parents. I only brought a few female friends over to the house a couple of times, no boys so my dad wouldn't freak out.
"...It wouldn't be possible for your mother to believe that since you only brought girls, you had, you know, more... floral tastes... and that's why she's so into me. I don't know how the wizarding world takes that kind of thing, but maybe it would explain her enthusiasm a bit" I said so that Tonks stopped suddenly for a moment and slapped her face.
"Damn, I'm a fool… now I'll have another awkward thing to explain" she took a very big sip this time.
"Just the same, don't worry about me coming to make things difficult for you, I don't think I can continue to bear your mother's pitying looks and her words of encouragement and consolation"
"Right... why was that?" She asked, intrigued and already a little dizzy from the alcohol.
"Nothing, you don't need to know" I didn't want to tell her, since it was completely irrelevant.
"You know, I like it better when the two of us live alone in our apartment... N-I'm not saying I don't like spending t-t-time with my parents, but I feel like we're freer when we're alone" she said already quite drunk. I don't understand how, since this wine wasn't that strong, maybe she did something...
"I like it too. At Hogwarts I was happy when I finally had a room to myself, but being with you I realized that I like company, maybe my problem was Ron"
"Yes-i, it's fun, and you cook me yummy hee-hee-hee" she giggled "do you carry me the rest of the way? I feel my legs tre-tremble"
I looked at her for a moment and realized that it was true, I could almost say that she was swaying instead of walking. I grabbed her and lifted her in my arms to take her to our apartment, and not two seconds passed since I picked her up that she fell asleep with her mouth open towards the sky.
It was kind of tiring, but I was able to bring her back this way. When we arrived, I threw it on her bed, so she could continue sleeping while I tidied up the rest of the house, but in my mind I kept thinking 'I know it's not the real one, but it's not that small either'.