Chapter 2: Flying Again
"We'll be there in a couple hours Harry," Remus said as he and Harry settled into the backseat and Moody and Tonks sat in front of the car. "I hope you're not too squished back here, but it beats riding on a broomstick I'll tell admit that." Remus then looked at Harry seriously, "Tell me if you feel uncomfortable in any way." Remus hoped Harry caught what he wasn't saying: "Tell me if you feel sick". Harry met the man's eyes and nodded. Remus only hoped he got the message. Remus was relieved the car had been arranged. He didn't want to think of monitoring Harry on a broom; Harry was ill and the trip was long, which only increased the chances of something going wrong.
The trip was largely uneventful, thankfully. Harry had taken to having conversations with Remus about his mother and father and he was intrigued with Tonks's Metamorphmagus abilities. He probably wishes to hide his scar.
"How do you become a Metamorphmagus?" Harry inquired.
Tonks sighed, knowing that he wouldn't like the answer, "Unfortunately, Harry, one cannot become a Metamorphmagus; one's naturally born with the ability."
"Oh" was all Harry could say.
"There are more ways than one to alter appearance, Harry," Remus said before the boy could get too down, "Animagi, for example, acquire their ability. Mind you, the process is quite arduous."
Harry immediately turned to Remus, his face alight with longing and glee. It seemed Remus could not have said anything more right at that moment, "Can I become an Animagus, Remus?"
"We will see," Remus chuckled at Harry's sudden excitement, "I'm sure Sirius would more than approve. He would be crestfallen if his godson did not follow the Marauders."
Harry nodded and leaned in to the cushions, seemingly content. The trip was starting to bore him and it did nothing to take his mind off of his unwavering nausea. So Harry closed his eyes, trying to think of what his Animagus form would be. As long as I'm not a cat...Sirius would never leave me alone.
Moody, Tonks, and Remus were fully alert for the whole trip, with their wands at the ready and defensive curses on the brink of their lips. Even with Dumbledore's heavy protective enchantments surrounding the small car, this was an important and potentially dangerous mission. It would be folly to forget that.
Remus had just finished running over all the defensive curses in his head when Moody finally pulled the car into a steady descent. Harry had woken up, looking sweatier and pallid and stayed quiet until he and Remus got out of the car. They were in a dimly lit street with some shoddy looking houses. There were doors that needed a good paint job. Some houses even had broken windows.
"Remus, I...I..." Harry said, his voice strained and he was unbalanced on his feet. Remus firmly grabbed him by the shoulders to steady him and didn't let go even as Harry threw up all over the front of his robes.
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered when he had emptied his stomach.
"Don't worry about it," Remus insisted, not bothered in the least, "You couldn't help it."
Harry took deep breaths still in the Marauder's grasp, willingly the last of his nausea away while Moody cleared up the mess and Tonks cast freshening charms on both Harry and Remus. Remus was kicking himself inside for not monitoring Harry's condition better. He could have conjured water for him or a cold compress. He should have kept a better eye on him.
Well, I guess there is only so much staring you can do in a small car until it starts looking ridiculous.
When Harry's breathing returned to normal, Remus asked "How are you feeling? Better? Good. Can you walk on your own?"
Harry nodded, almost defiantly. Remus let go of him cautiously, but didn't dare move from his side. When Moody and Tonks had retrieved Harry's things, they walked up to houses numbers 11 and 13. Harry looked expectantly for number 12, but it could not be seen. Harry looked at the adults around him and they didn't seem bothered by this; they merely looked on.
"Are we in the right place?" Harry asked skeptically.
"Yes, we are. Just be patient, Mr. Potter." Moody said gruffly.
Just then a door emerged between the houses 11 and 13. And then windows and walls appeared, out of nowhere, emitting pops and creaks as they came. The rest of the house followed suit and the two other houses had to move in opposite directions to make room for the new addition. In moments Harry and the aurors were looking at Number 12 Grimmauld Place where only seconds ago, there had been only air and grass.
"How?" Harry asked, stunned.
"Questions later, Harry. Right now, we need to get you inside where it's safe." Tonks answered.
The group walked up the black door of Number 12 and Harry tried to hide his disappointment in the shabby house. It was rather small and had definitely seen better days. It was not what he was expecting, but he supposed it was better than nothing.
"Harry," Remus chuckled, realizing what Harry was thinking, "It looks better inside."
Remus was right. When the door opened, a long narrow hallway was revealed. It was not shabby; in fact it was quite grand and ornately decorated. It was rather somber and dark, though, making Harry feel he had to keep his voice down to a whisper.
"Get inside quickly, Harry." Remus advised, pushing the boy in front of him.
"And keep your voice down," Then he looked at both Tonks and Harry, "Don't touch anything."
Remus wanted to bring Harry upstairs quickly before the rest of the Order members arrived. There would be a full Order meeting soon and Remus knew there would be many eyes trying to get a look at the Boy-Who-Lived. He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, steering him to the grand staircase when they were intercepted by Mrs. Weasley as she exited the meeting room.
"Harry!" She exclaimed which earned the attention of some of the Order members that were entering the same room.
"Mrs. Weasley, it's great to see you!" Harry smiled before he was pulled into a fierce hug by the witch. She pulled back to have a look at him. Remus noticed Mrs. Weasley's eyes take in Harry's pallor and his heavy jacket. "Are you ill, Harry, dear? You don't look well." Mrs. Weasley said, making Harry uncomfortable. From the meeting room entrance, professors Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore looked concerned.
Remus spared Harry from answering by taking the boy by the shoulders again, "He'll be fine, Molly. I was just taking him upstairs. Rest is what he needs."
Mrs. Weasley nodded in approval, "Good idea, Remus. I'll call you down for dinner, Harry."
Remus and Harry nodded before they began climbing the stairs. Remus was unsure that Harry would be up to dinner, but Mrs. Weasley didn't have to know that. Remus led Harry into a large bedroom with silver and green wallpapering; incidentally, it was only a few feet from the bathroom.
Harry took in the wallpaper with neither disgust nor joy. The wallpaper supported Slytherin, Gryffindor's house rival. "I know it's not what you want. I'm afraid nearly all the bedrooms are like this. Did you know the entire Black family, except for Sirius, belonged to Slytherin House?"
Harry shook his head. It was quite a shock, actually.
The room was quite nice with the velvet bed coverings and the oak wadrobe and writing desk. The wallpaper was the only problem. But Harry had never had a better room to call his own; it felt silly to complain.
"We'll change it to red and gold before the summer's out," Remus said, squeezing Harry's shoulder.
Remus motioned for Harry to lie down on the bed so he could run a quick diagnostics spell.
"Fever, nausea, dizziness, upset stomach, and aches. Does that sound right?" Remus said after diagnosing.
"Yes." Inside, Harry was mortified that the spell could reveal everything that was wrong with him.
Remus summoned some colorful potions and instructed Harry to drink them. Harry complied, without complaint. He couldn't help grimacing at the horrible taste, though. Remus then conjured a glass of water so Harry could chase away the acrid after-taste.
"How long have you been feeling sick, Harry?"
"Since last night." Harry answered, tiredly.
Remus nodded. "Sounds like a stomach virus. You'll feel better in a few days, I think. I'm guessing you don't want dinner tonight, then?"
Harry shook his head, his stomach churning at the thought.
"In that case, you'll want to change and get ready for bed. A pair of pajamas is on that chair in the corner along with toiletries."
Harry nodded. Despite his mandatory attendance for the Order meeting, Remus waited for him while Harry got ready for bed, so he could tuck him in. Harry was surprised and happy that Remus wanted to tuck him in as he had never had someone treat him like that before. When Harry was under the covers, he thanked Remus. Remus could only smile and insist that it was no trouble and he was happy to do it.
"Are you warm enough? Good. I have to say, Harry that I am so proud of everything you've done at school these few years. Your mother and father would be so proud, so proud..." Remus trailed off, trapped in his memories. Then his expression changed and he renewed his gaze with Harry, "Actually, James would be the proud one and Lily would probably ground you for life with all the trouble you've gotten into." Remus laughed. "You know, your father was one of the most troublesome Marauders, just ask Padfoot. We tried to rein him in; of course Sirius was no help, so Peter and I were on our own. But then when your mother came into the picture, she could tame him. Yes, I don't know how she did it." Remus smiled. Harry loved it when Remus gave him this kind of information. It was better than a bed-time story.
Remus looked down at Harry with interest. The boy was already falling asleep. "Now get some rest, cub. Merlin knows you've earned it."
And Remus stood up and turned off the light. He made to exit, his robes billowing with his stride.
"Goodnight, Harry." Remus said at the doorway.
"'Night, Moony." Harry breathed, closing his eyes and Remus closed the door.
Outside the door, Remus was grinning. Harry had called him by his Marauding name, "Moony". As of now, the Marauder names were only used by Sirius and Remus between the two of them. But now, Prongslet was with them. Harry and Remus were gaining a closer bond.
Years ago, Remus had not been optimistic about the relationship he could have with Harry. He thought that Harry might hate him for allowing Harry to stay with the Dursleys or because of his werewolf condition. But now, there was no doubt that Remus and Harry would build more trust and become closer.
If James could see me now...