Adrian really couldn't understand what on earth Tonks was thinking, what possible reasoning or impulse had possessed her to want to consciously taste a Chomping Cabbage of all things—a plant that literally had prominent teeth and was widely known throughout the wizarding world for aggressively biting people!
He stood there staring at her in complete bafflement, frozen in place, his mind racing frantically through possible explanations and finding absolutely none that made any logical sense whatsoever.
He had absolutely no idea what effect this impulsive, foolish action might have on her, what the potential consequences of directly ingesting even trace amounts of that depression-inducing blue dust might be through oral contact.
The Melancholy Chomping Cabbage had only recently completed its mutation, had never been tested on humans before in any capacity, and certainly not through direct licking!
This was completely unprecedented territory. Anything could happen.
Seeing Adrian continue to stare at her with that increasingly peculiar, deeply concerned look on his face, Tonks finally became somewhat embarrassed and self-conscious about her spontaneous and clearly foolhardy decision.
Her cheeks flushed pink, almost matching her bubblegum pink hair.
"I was just curious... you know, curious about the taste," She explained weakly, her voice small and defensive and somewhat sheepish, as if this somehow justified licking an unknown magical plant without asking about potential dangers first.
"It looked interesting and unusual, and I wondered if blue plants tasted different than green ones, and—"
She trailed off, realizing how ridiculous that sounded when spoken aloud.
"Any strange feelings?" Adrian asked, his expression growing even more peculiar and worried. "Dizziness? Nausea? Tingling sensations anywhere? Numbness?"
He moved closer, studying her face intently for signs of distress.
Tonks seemed to suddenly realize something alarming from his reaction, her eyes widened. She glanced down at the innocent-looking blue Chomping Cabbage still held in her hand with growing uneasiness. "Wait! This isn't poisonous, is it...? You would have warned me if it was actually dangerous, right? Right?"
Her words had barely left her lips, when her eyes suddenly became distant and unfocused, staring at nothing. The corners of her mouth began drooping downward, her whole face was transforming from cheerful curiosity to profound sadness in mere seconds.
It was like watching someone physically deflate.
Immediately after, her eyes rapidly reddened and became glassy, tears were welling up and then spilling over to run down her cheeks as she began sobbing quietly.
'Just as I thought,' Adrian thought with resignation and a touch of guilt.
He rubbed his forehead helplessly with one hand, feeling somewhat responsible for not warning her more explicitly, though how could he have anticipated someone would actually lick it?
"I... I don't know why..." Tonks choked out between increasingly desperate sobs, her voice was breaking as tears streamed down her face now. "I suddenly feel so incredibly sad... like everything is hopeless... like nothing will ever be right again..."
Her breathing became ragged and irregular.
Remus looked at her in complete surprise and alarm. He quickly stepped forward with concern. "Tonks? Are you alright? What's happening?"
Adrian gazed thoughtfully at the blue Chomping Cabbage still clutched in Tonks's hand—perhaps he could actually weaponize the Chomping Cabbage's depression-inducing dust more purposely for combat applications.
If it were used strategically in actual combat situations, this kind of sudden, completely unprovoked emotional depression and despair could instantly and devastatingly shatter an opponent's will to fight, destroy their morale, and create an excellent opening for a decisive attack while they were psychologically vulnerable.
It was remarkably effective, more so than he'd anticipated.
Tonks didn't respond at all to Remus's concerned question. She just continued crying.
Remus looked at her helplessly for a moment, clearly uncertain what to do or how to help, then turned desperately to Adrian. "What should we do? Is there something we can give her? A counterspell?"
"Don't worry too much," Adrian said as calmly. "The effect should only last about half an hour. She'll be fine. You'd better just let her rest and wait it out. There's nothing else to be done."
At that moment, before Remus could respond or ask follow-up questions, Tonks suddenly turned around abruptly and threw her arms around Remus in a desperate embrace, burying her tear-filled face deeply in his shoulder and burst into loud sobs.
Remus looked toward Adrian with an expression of complete panic and helplessness and became even more flustered. "Adrian, think of something! Quickly! You must have an antidote prepared, right?"
Adrian simply spread his hands in a helpless gesture, indicating he had nothing to offer.
This Melancholy Chomping Cabbage had only recently completed its mutation; he genuinely hadn't had any time to conduct proper research on it yet.
However, it was becoming rapidly apparent that this melancholy Chomping Cabbage's emotional effects were considerably much more intense and overwhelming than he had initially imagined.
Harry, meanwhile, stood frozen near the sofa, staring at the entire bizarre scene unfolding before him in stunned disbelief. His mouth hung slightly open, his eyes tracking between the crying Tonks, the panicking Remus, and the calm Adrian.
This was not how he'd expected the evening to go.
"This teaches us an important lesson," Adrian said casually to Harry beside him, his tone remarkably educational given the circumstances, as if they were still in a classroom rather than witnessing an absurd emotional breakdown.
"Never randomly taste things of unknown origin."
Harry nodded solemnly, his expression serious, mentally saving this away under 'things Professor Westeros has taught me that might save my life.'
He would definitely not be licking any magical plants.
Half an hour later, after what felt like an eternity of Tonks crying inconsolably while Remus awkwardly patted her back and made soothing noises, the effects finally wore off.
Tonks's eyes were still quite red and puffy from all the crying, but her gaze had regained its normal clarity and focus. The terrible sadness had lifted as quickly as it had fallen on her.
At this moment, she lay slumped at the table with her head buried in her arms, absolutely mortified—honestly, her behavior just now had been far too embarrassing and unprofessional for words. Crying like that, clinging to Remus like a child...
She wanted to disappear into the floor.
Adrian gently tapped the wooden tabletop to get her attention.
"Tonks," He asked in an even, non-judgmental tone, "do you remember what just happened??"
A muffled, miserable groan came from the table where her face remained hidden.
"Ah, roughly," Tonks replied without lifting her head, speaking in a dull, flat voice that came out muffled by her arms.
The tips of her ears visible above her arms were tinged bright red with embarrassment, clearly feeling immensely awkward about her earlier emotional breakdown and the long crying session in Remus's arms while he'd held her stiffly.
She'd never live this down.
Adrian nodded thoughtfully, then asked with interest, "Speaking of which... what exactly does the Chomping Cabbage taste like?"
"No particular taste at all, actually," Tonks finally raised her head slightly, her face full of regret and self-blame. "Completely bland. Slightly leafy. Not even interesting. Merlin's beard, what on earth possessed me to lick a Chomping Cabbage in the first place? I must have been completely mad...."
A glint of interest flashed in Adrian's eyes as he thoughtfully stroked his chin.
Just then, interrupting his thoughts—
"Pop!"
Dobby appeared suddenly in the hall, holding a small wrapped package in his hands.
"Mr. Lupin, sir!" Dobby announced in his high-pitched, eager voice, stepping forward respectfully to offer the package with a little bow.
"Dobby has prepared all the medicinal herbs you needed, just as you requested! All properly dried and measured according to your specific requirements!"
"Thank you so much, Dobby," Remus said with gratitude, stepping forward quickly to accept the prepared package. He handled it gently, knowing the contents were valuable.
As he took it, he glanced somewhat anxiously at the old clock on the wall, noting the late hour with concern.
"We really should be going now," He said with an apologetic look toward Adrian, pulling up the still somewhat flustered and embarrassed Tonks from her seat at the table. She moved reluctantly, like she'd rather stay hidden.
"Moody is still waiting for these herbs, and we absolutely need to get back to the safe house before full dark."
Tonks nodded silently, hastily tidying her somewhat disheveled robes with shaking hands and attempting to smooth down her hair, which kept shifting colors with her fluctuating emotions.
She deliberately avoided any direct eye contact with Remus, her cheeks still were burning with residual embarrassment from the whole crying incident.
"Thank you for all your help, Adrian," Tonks turned to Adrian and said softly in a sincere tone. "The herbs, the tour, everything. And... I'm genuinely sorry for causing you so much trouble with my stupidity."
"Think nothing of it," Adrian waved off her apology with a teasing smile. "Just don't lick any more unknown plants."
"Never again," Tonks promised enthusiastically.
Remus tossed Floo powder into the fireplace, and the flames immediately surged up green. As the fire ignited and blazed higher, their two figures stepped into it together and instantly vanished in the swirling green flames, disappearing back to wherever they'd come from.
The shop felt suddenly very quiet in their absence.
Harry gazed thoughtfully at the now-empty fireplace, watching the normal orange flames return. "They have such a good relationship, don't they?"
"Indeed, they do," Adrian agreed with a slight knowing smile.
He shrugged casually and then tossed the melancholy blue Chomping Cabbage that Tonks had abandoned on the table directly to Harry without warning. "Put it back in the greenhouse for me, would you? Carefully."
Harry fumbled desperately to catch the blue Chomping Cabbage, his fingers scrambling and trembling slightly as he secured it against his chest.
The vivid scene of Tonks's sudden emotional breakdown was still playing repeatedly in his mind like a traumatic memory.
He held the plant cautiously, treating it as if it were a bomb that might explode violently at any moment, keeping it at arm's length.
"Don't be so nervous about it," Adrian said, finding Harry's exaggerated caution rather amusing despite everything. "As long as you don't lick it, or put it directly near your nose and inhale deeply, you should be basically fine."
"Basically?" Harry repeated with alarm.
That didn't sound reassuring at all.
He became even more cautious, practically tiptoeing toward the greenhouse portal as if sudden movements might trigger something, holding the Chomping Cabbage at full arm's length away from his face.
Three tense minutes later, after successfully depositing the dangerous plant back in its proper location in the greenhouse and ensuring it was secure, Harry returned to the living room.
He had a single light blue leaf in his hand, held carefully between two fingers.
"It fell off the Chomping Cabbage while I was putting it away," Harry explained, holding it up. "Should I throw it away, or...?"
"Keep it," Adrian said immediately, looking at the fallen leaf with interest. "Wrap it carefully and store it somewhere safe. It might come in genuinely handy someday. You never know when you might need to incapacitate someone non-lethally."
Hearing this practical advice, Harry very carefully wrapped the potentially useful leaf in a clean handkerchief and tucked it securely in his pocket, making sure it wouldn't fall out or get crushed.
Harry spent a very peaceful, relaxing evening at Adrian's place after all the earlier excitement. They had a quiet dinner prepared by Dobby—roast chicken with herbs, mashed potatoes, fresh bread.
At lunch the next day, a pleasant meal of sandwiches and soup, Adrian casually told Harry some unexpectedly good news that made his face light up with joy.
"You can spend the remaining half month of summer vacation here with me if you'd like," Adrian said casually, cutting into a fried egg with his fork.
"Really? Truly?" Harry's face immediately lit up with delight and almost disbelieving hope. But then reality set in and he hesitated. "But what about the magical protection?"
Adrian took a sip of his hot coffee and explained calmly, setting down his cup with a soft clink,
"The protective magic's energy has been sufficiently replenished already. I believe you've spent more than enough time at the Dursleys' house this summer to maintain the wards for another year. Here, at least you can be considerably happier and learn some actually useful things rather than being miserable and isolated."
"That's wonderful! Absolutely brilliant!"
Harry nearly knocked over the glass of orange juice sitting in front of him in his excitement. He caught it just in time and stood up quickly from his chair, nearly tripping.
"Then I need to go to the Dursleys' right away and bring back Hedwig and all my summer homework! Oh, and Guru—I absolutely can't leave him there unsupervised; he'll definitely cause some kind of trouble or eat something he shouldn't!"
Adrian nodded his approval. "Do you need me to come with you for support? Or should I have Dobby help you pack and transport everything?"
"The family will be returning home early this morning from Aunt Marge's party," Harry shook his head. "Having Dobby go is obviously not a good idea at all—Vernon would probably have an actual heart attack if a house-elf appeared. I'll go by myself and tell them the news personally. They'll definitely be... very happy."
His tone when saying "very happy" was distinctly peculiar and somewhat sarcastic.
After finishing lunch, Harry left by himself for Privet Drive.
The afternoon sunlight was unusually glaring and intense, beating down from a cloudless sky. Harry squinted against the brightness as he walked along the familiar sidewalk of Privet Drive.
In this oppressive weather, with temperatures well over thirty degrees, hardly anyone would sensibly choose to go outside. The street was almost deserted.
Most residents were hiding indoors with their air conditioning on, curtains drawn against the heat.
Passing by the small community park with its playground and benches, Harry unexpectedly spotted a familiar and annoying figure—it was Dudley, his cousin.
He was sitting with his gang of friends on a wooden bench under the shade of a large oak tree, all of them were laughing loudly and obnoxiously about something.
Incidentally, both Harry and Dudley had undergone quite significant physical changes over this summer, growing and developing rapidly.
Dudley's shoulders had broadened considerably with muscle and fat, and his height had shot up to well over six feet tall. He was still somewhat overweight, carrying excess weight around his middle, but he was no longer the grotesquely obese child he'd been.
Now he just looked like a very large, somewhat fat teenage boxer.
Harry had also grown considerably taller over the summer, finally hitting a growth spurt, but was still much smaller and slighter than Dudley's intimidating figure. He probably always would be.
However, Harry now possessed an unmistakable aura of confidence and danger about him.
At a glance, even to someone who knew nothing about magic, he seemed formidable in a way that was hard to articulate or define.
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