Thank you so much! I knew I had to tread carefully for this one, but I had good guides (though they may not ever know it).I thought Dudley showed some promise the last time we saw him, and figured he, too, would have had some scars from both his upbringing and brushes with magic. And he certainly made a magnificent foil.Thank you for reading. I really appreciate the comment.

You're spot on that something happened between them, and now they have to navigate around that.  I'm glad you find the story intriguing!

I think they're both unsure what they should do in this situation, much less what they want to do, and there's been plenty of hurt to go around. At least they're talking! 

Actually, she isn't.  She knows what he's going through.  They were in St. Mungos together. She simply won't let him use it as an excuse to behave badly.  She also won't watch him hurt himself and others and say nothing for fear of offending him.  No one else will tell him to get help, and he probably would not listen to anyone else if they did.  She knows he will hear her, because of what they've already gone through, so she feels compelled to speak when everyone else would simply let him disappear so they don't have to be made uncomfortable by the fact that he is not well.  She knows from personal experience that ignoring mental illness does not make it go away.

I also know from personal experience that forcing someone to get treatment doesn't work.  So, I can't say I like her response, but I do understand it.  But the story is incredibly well-written and I find the responses REAL which is what makes me comment so intensely.  I apologize if you think I don't like the story, I DO.

Sorry if I sounded harsh.  Obviously, this is a hot-button issue for a lot of people.  I've had my share of experiences with this topic, and I would hate to think anyone thought I came to it callously.  I am relieved that you are enjoying the story and that you find the interactions believable. Also, I should know better than to respond to anything late at night.  Again, I apologize if I phrased things badly.

They are both complex and wounded people, and not too shabby in the magical ability department, so sparks are almost guaranteed.Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

Thank you!  I enjoy writing Molly, maybe because I, too, spend far too much time hollering at teenagers and giving life advice that is rarely taken.   LOL

JKR gave us a great moment there, and I believe Dudley saw enough to rethink his parents' mindset when it came to magic.  Glad you approve of Ginny/Luna!  I thought they'd make a cute pair. :)

Thank you!  Teddy has turned out to be enormous fun to write.  He is definitely a scamp of the first order.I'm glad you like the intrigue.  Tonks has always been fiesty and has not shied from confronting the men in her life when they are being fools.  I doubt that will change.New chapter on the way soon!

See, isn't it clever to wait until a couple are up, so you can read them at once?  At least, that's the excuse I use when I fall behind on a story. ;)Thanks for your comments.  I adore Molly.  She's fun to write.

Thanks!  I am glad you are enjoying it.  More to come (and some questions answered) soon!

For being afraid to see Tonks, or for being so damaged?  In either case, I agree.  He has a right to how he feels.  That doesn't stop it from affecting those around him.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

Somewhat treated, but they didn't really know what to do with him.  That's not uncommon.  At least he has somewhat of a sense of humor about it!

JKR gave us hope for Dudley, at the end, so I ran with that.  And I figure Harry needs folks around him who still treat him like a regular guy.New chapter is up, and it's all Tonks. :)

I am so glad you like it! You gave me a great prompt, and I am really enjoying writing this.  There is more on the way, shortly. 

Yeah, I thought they might get on as well, especially since Dudley really is the last family Harry has - not counting his aunt and uncle, because Harry certainly doesn't.  Thank you for reading and reviewing!

Thanks!  I really enjoy Harry this way, and I figure he and Dudley came to an understanding in DH, so that would likely have continued on some level.

Thank you so much.  I rare write Harry, but when I do, he's never stable.  I can't imagine he would be after the war.  I admit to needing Ginny out of the picture, and felt the least I could do was give her a chance at love, too. ;)

Thank you so much for reading and for your lovely reviews. I am so glad you enjoyed it, and that I was able to show you another side of the characters (as I imagine them, anyway). I am known for open-ended stories, but in this case, I think it's safe to imagine a happy ending for everyone. :)

Thank you! If not for the prompt, I never would have paired up Harry and Tonks, but it was certainly fun to explore what that might look like - even if they are both damaged emotionally.  And thank you especially for liking Dudley. He ought to have his own chance at redemption, so it's good to see I managed it.

Yes, I took a chance writing Harry with PTSD, but I always thought there must be some cost to such prolongued trauma, especially ending in a war where everyone lost so much. Still, the little glimpses of humor, combined with a great deal of patience and some love, show that he's not completely lost.

Better than he had any right to, really. Still, she must have seen something worth saving, or she wouldn't bother with him.

He needed fireworks (of one sort or another) to wake him up. Tonks was just the person to give them to him (in one way or another...).