Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Beta: MetalCloud

Chapter 2: Memories Revealed

Late at night, Harry slipped into the common room. He saw an older student in the corner asleep with an essay resting on their lap, but apart from that, the common room was deserted. He slunk past the student and made his way into the dormitory.

Truly, it hadn't been that late when Professor Lupin let him go, but he had walked around for a bit, lost in thought. A man who knew his parents, a man who had known him as a baby; it seemed impossible. Harry had thought he had lost all his relations in the wizarding world the night his parents died. No, this man wasn't family, but he was clearly trying to make an effort. Harry quickly changed into his pajamas before plopping on his four-poster bed. He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, still thinking of what had happened.

He wanted to be normal, and he did truly want to know about his parents, so he accepted the invitation to talk with Lupin. Something about him made Harry uneasy. It was as though at times, Professor Lupin could see into his soul, and yet seemed utterly lost as to what he was feeling at others…

All in all, it was a very confusing feeling. And he just couldn't understand Professor Lupin's intentions. What did he want in return?

Harry gave a frustrated sigh before turning to his side and drifting off to sleep.

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Harry awoke to mumbling as Seamus began to drag Ron out of bed. "Gah, it's enough you have to torture Ron by waking him up! Why me too?" he moaned, stuffing his head under his pillow.

Ron came at him with a laugh and a bucket of water. Where Ron got said bucket of water, Harry figured only Merlin would know.

After a considerable water fight and a few drying charms, they all ran into the common room. Hermione took one look at them with their matted hair and messed up clothes and rolled her eyes.

"Again?"

"Nooo…" Ron said with an innocent whistle.

Hermione lead them off to breakfast, as she muttered under her breath something that sounded distinctly like "Boys".

On the way down to the Great Hall, Harry told Ron and Hermione what Professor Lupin had said. Hermione gave a squeal of delight, and Ron slapped him on the back. Harry winced slightly, but he accepted their excitement.

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The days moved slowly with reviews of previous years' work being the primary focus of their lessons. Potions was business as usual, what with Snape hating them. Herbology, Transfiguration, none of it mattered. Although, their new classes certainly were strange. Divination was one that brought a shuttered look to Harry's face. Ron laughed at him, and yet, it brought a look of closed off pain to Harry's face. Why did he always have to be different?

Care of Magical Creatures was interesting, but with all that had been happening, it hadn't occurred to Harry how odd it would be to have a friend teaching. Sure, Hagrid was an adult, but he was Harry's first friend. To be taught by a friend was interesting, but left an odd feeling with Harry in the pit of his stomach.

Finally, came the day for Professor Lupin's class. It was an interesting class all in all, though, so far, it focused on theory and introduction. Professor Lupin had a bit of a disgusted look on his face when he realized how little they had learned last year. He explained that this year would focus on Dark Creatures.

Hermione raised her hand and asked, "Why are we learning about creatures here and not in Care of Magical Creatures?"

Professor Lupin gave a small sigh. "The wizarding world is an old one, and it has many prejudices, Hermione. Many dark creatures are not cared for or considered worth caring for. We defend ourselves against the creatures, but we do not understand them. Maybe I can help to change that. I certainly hope so."

Some students appeared interested, while a few purebloods gave looks of disgust.

Professor Lupin cut himself off from what would clearly have become a long-winded speech, and began another topic.

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Leaving Defense against the Dark Arts, there were smiles on everyone's faces for the first time in many years. Between Professor Lockhart's dangerous vanity and the unfortunate trait of Professor Quirrell having Lord Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head, Professor Lupin was like the light at the end of the tunnel. Possessions and Obliviates. Oh yes, Professor Lupin was a much better professor indeed.

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The weeks passed, slowly but surely. Ron complained about homework. Hermione did homework for fun. Everything was as everything always was. Harry practiced Quidditch, and he even won the first game. It wasn't until the third week of October that anything out of the ordinary happened.

Harry entered the Great Hall for breakfast that morning to see a gaggle of whispering girls. People were talking excitedly to their friends, and some older girls were giggling like mad, blushing and waving to their classmates. "What happened to you? Where were you?" he muttered to Ron, as he slipped into the open seat next to him on the bench.

"Sorry, had to get down here, couldn't wait for you," Ron explained.

"Why'd you have to get down here?"

"It's the Hogsmeade trip!" Ron said with a shout of excitement. "I'm making plans. We're going to go to all the great shops, trust me. We can go to the Three Broomsticks and even the Shrieking Shack. It's going to be – OW! Hermione!"

Ron was cut off by an elbow in the ribs from Hermione. Ron stopped and took a look at Harry's dejected face. Ron gave them both a look of complete confusion before it seemed to dawn on him what had happened.

"NO!"

Harry nodded.

"NO! THEY CAN'T!"

Harry nodded once more, glum. Students began to point and stare at the disturbance.

"BUT THAT'S SO UNFAI – HERMIONIE!"

Hermione had elbowed him once more. Suddenly Ron flushed, showing his Weasley heritage, from head to toe. The entire Great Hall was staring at him.

"Don't make him feel worse about it, Ron," Hermione hissed venomously.

Ron quieted as he continued, "But…you couldn't convince them?"

"No," Harry muttered. It was true, even had he tried, he knew it would have been futile.

"But – why?"

"Because they're the Dursleys, and I'm me, breathing their air from the cupboard under the bloody stairs!" Harry almost shouted. 'Jeez, does Ron have to be so… tactless about it?' He wallowed for a moment before seeing Hermione, Ron, Neville, and all the people next to him staring.

"Cupboard?" Ron mouthed.

"He's upset; he's not thinking," Hermione whispered in reply.

Harry looked at them in horror, realizing his slip. Then he let the subject drop. 'Let them think I was just hysterical.'

Ron and Hermione didn't speak of the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend for the rest of the meal. Harry didn't speak much at all.

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When Ron and Hermione left for Hogsmeade, it was at Harry's insistence. He didn't want them to miss out. They promised to bring back lots of sweets for him though.

Harry moped, wandering through the hallways, morose with self-pity. He considered stopping by Professor Lupin's room for that chat they had planned, but was hesitant. He didn't know what to say or how to act, or even if the offer was still open.

He ended up sinking up against a hallway wall, hugging his legs to his chest as he daydreamed. He winced slightly, and then he became frustrated. It wasn't fair! The healing spell had worked for years, but now it didn't! Sure, he had the glamour spell, and that was fine, but the healing charm had made it so much easier. A flick of the wrist, and it was as though he had no difficulties at home. As though he were completely normal.

Because the Dursleys; they were normal, and he wanted them to like him. He cursed himself for wanting it, but just once he wanted Aunt Petunia or Uncle Vernon to look at him with something other than contempt. His thoughts roamed for a while, recalling times when he had felt this way before.

Once, he had gotten all A's on his school report. It was a feat that had left him feeling accomplished and haughty. When he ran into the kitchen, he heard something along the lines of, "Those stupid teachers failing you, what were they thinking? It must be a mistake, my Duddy-kins."

He walked in to Dudley's fake distressed face. As he came into Petunia's range of vision she focused in on him. "Boy, give me your report!"

He handed it over, waiting for praise, when the inevitable came. "I told you it was a mistake Dudley! They mixed up your report with his! You got all A's."

His face closed off in pain. The simple denial of his achievement hurt more than any slap. And he knew that from experience from that very night. Uncle Vernon didn't like freaky people ruining his son's records. He thought of pain, and it was like he was there again; the memory was so distinct. Uncle Vernon came home. Harry heard whispering between them from the other room. Uncle Vernon lumbered in. Harry was shoved backwards into the cupboard. He stumbled slightly, and Uncle Vernon picked him up, only to slam him into the back wall, full force. The wall rattled, and the makeshift shelf's items tumbled down. Harry was left in the cupboard for two days.

Lost in memory, he started in shock when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Harry?"

And there was Professor Lupin looking over him. "I didn't mean to startle you. You just looked lost in thought."

"Sorry," Harry stammered, taken by surprise.

"It's alright. Happens to the best of us. I was wondering where you were though. You never came to my office."

"Oh." Harry blinked owlishly up at him. "I… forgot," he lied, feeling a bit silly.

"Okay, well, there's still a lot of the day left. Would you like to come now?" Professor Lupin replied with a hint of worry in his eyes.

"O…kay," Harry said hesitantly. Why on earth had Professor Lupin searched for him?

Professor Lupin guided Harry with a steady hand on his shoulder, until, before he knew it, they were each drinking a cup of tea. Harry looked down at the cup in weary shock before focusing on Professor Lupin's face.

Professor Lupin was looking at him with something akin to worry. "Harry?"

"Yes?"

"If hearing about your parents is too distressing, I don't need to tell you about them. We can talk about other things. I just thought you would like to hear -"

Professor Lupin stopped talking at the up and down bobbing of Harry's head. "Please tell me about them."

Lupin conceded and began to speak. He spoke of first meeting Harry's father. And then he began to tell the tale of his parents' first venture at dating. There were many references to pranks and dares (and a bit of ego-deflating also).

Harry was captivated by the tale. He hadn't known his parents didn't like each other at first. He hadn't known much at all really. Good at Charms. Good at Transfiguration. Red hair. Green eyes. A look-a-like of himself. Quidditch player. The technical things that any outside observer of his parents knew. Nothing much really. Barely anything at all.

But now he had stories of substance. Now, when he thought of his parents, he could picture not just their faces but their vibrant personalities.

So when the moonlight came through the windows of Professor Lupin's office, Harry took his leave rather reluctantly. Then, he gave a smile of pure joy to Professor Lupin, forgetting his pact at normality, forgetting his suspicion of the man's motives, forgetting everything except the stories and what they meant. They meant he had once been loved. He held onto that feeling with all he had.

Something must have shown on his face, because Professor Lupin gently said, "I have plenty more stories to tell. As I said, I spent years with your father. If you ever wish to speak with me, feel free to come. And we can speak of things other than your parents too. Don't forget, I knew you as a baby. I am equally interested in you, as I am in reminiscing," Professor Lupin said, sounding almost hopeful.

As Harry left the office, he knew that visit would remain in his mind forever. It was nice to know more. But, somehow, even more significant than his new knowledge, was the fact that someone was willing to share it with him. Someone cared.

As he wandered into the dorm room, everyone spoke with excitement of what they had seen in Hogsmeade. Ron and Hermione were hesitantly excited, as though they feared his feelings would be hurt. Harry, however, was content to listen.