Note: Please look to prologue for disclaimer and additional notes about the story.

A Dance With Fate

Canopus Carina

Chapter 3 of 20

They were back at his bedside for whichever time it was. It had come to hundreds, thousand. One could say it was bordering on the millions and no one would dare to argue. The days started to blend together where an actual value could not be determined. And even if one could be found, it would only increase the depression. For the saviors of the world just after their victory, there wasn't much celebrating.

They were back on the battlefield with only Ron's life on the line. Harry met Hermione's eyes from across the bed and out passed a silent promise. Some way, some how, they would get her back to the land of the living. It could take days, or weeks, or even years, but they wouldn't give up. He never stopped believing in them.

It was time to return the favor.

Thursday: 1 September 1977

After the morning rush of getting five sets of trunks in order, shrunk, and packed into the family car, and then arrange themselves so they could fit four Marauders, two adults, and one visitor, the train station seemed to laugh at and add to their discomfort. Instead of making it easy for them, the station was packed with muggles, witches, and wizards alike, each darting from platform to platform. James and Sirius for whatever reason decided it was perfectly funny to wander off when either of the elder Potter's backs was turned. It was harmless, but took up time to wrangle them back in line and continue on their way to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

"Why don't you hold hands with your parents, James," Remus taunted, "it'll be like it used to be when you were younger. Oh wait, you had to do that last month didn't you?" He didn't know what possessed him to say such, but the miffed glare and deep color on James' face made it worthwhile. Harry remained oblivious as he was not there one month ago, but the others clearly remembered when they shopped in Diagon Alley and Mrs. Potter had to physically keep her son from wandering back to the Quidditch shop. Sirius practically fell on the floor laughing, and would have done so if he was not clutching desperately to his trolley's handles. "And since there are two of them, I suggest Sirius do the same. We wouldn't want you to feel left out."

"Remus!" Sirius cried, surprised, "What has gotten into you? I remember little Remus who would never come up with something like that!"

Remus just chuckled and shrugged. "You guys have officially corrupted me."

"Obviously."

As soon as each member of their party was calmed enough to become mobile again, they walked the short distance to the magical platform's entrance. It was there that they ran into a problem: the Black family arrived the same time as them. The cheerful atmosphere dropped drastically as cold glares were exchanged to a point that their minds didn't even remember the playful banter from before. Before Sirius or James could get out of Remus' strong grasp on their wand arms and curse the other group, Mr. Black led his wife and younger son through the barrier.

Sirius continued to glare at the pillar long after his estranged family left. He did not turn to confront the sympathetic gazes of the rest of the group. Being in that position many times due to his lythcapy, Remus knew ht sympathy was not wanted, but he didn't know what Sirius needed then. If his own parents hated him, he wouldn't be able to survive the pain.

Harry – who Remus actually forgot was even there – on the other hand had approached the depressed Marauder and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You did good." From his new position, Remus could see his expression was not sympathetic for Sirius but comforting and, if looking carefully, proud. He could only imagine it was because he could sense Sirius' obvious hatred for his parents (who bore such a strong resemblance that it was the only conclusion of who they were) but didn't act on it. Come to think about it, Sirius could have fought harder to overpower Remus, or even use his other, unrestrained hand to get his wand. Remus started to get proud of his fellow Marauder as well. Harry continued with: "I won't even start on why you are more important than they are. But do you really think that poor pillar deserves to suffer for their misdeeds?"

The message hit well to the mischief maker and he eased his gaze off the innocent pillar marking the platform's entrance. A small chuckle, a mere ghost of the previous enjoyment, escaped his mouth. Remus wouldn't have thought the other boy would know how to calm the usually difficult Marauder.

But the surprising revelations didn't stop there. Once the Marauders and honorary addition parted ways from Mr. and Mrs. Potter, they hauled their trunks to find an empty room. They were happy to find one for themselves, but before they could fully relax, they heard a burst of sobbing coming from the corridor and decided to investigate. They found Lily Evans trying to comfort Janette Wilguard who was the one they heard. Through the bouts of tears they were able to understand that her uncle, who she was quite close with, was killed in battle against Death Eaters.

Again, Remus didn't know what to do to comfort the girl, and even Lily – who always knew what to do for the most part – was struggling to calm Janette. Instead of holding back, Harry separated from the rest of the group and rubbed a hand against her back saying, "He died honorably and would not want you to suffer on account of him."

Instead of calm down, Janette spun around quickly to slap Harry across the face. "Who are you? And what gives you any right to say something like that? He didn't deserve to die at all!"

Harry remained calm and spoke slowly, as to make sure she heard each word. "My name is Harry Potter, and I am a visitor this year. And I understand perfectly what you are feeling."

"You don't understand at all!"

"I have seen many people murdered by-" he paused as if wanting to choose the right words "-an evil wizard that my parents had been fighting at my home. Many people who didn't deserve to die either, but did because they were caught in the wrong place. I was there for a lot of them." Those that had gathered due to the noise, and even those who were just passing by, quieted to a record breaking level. Even Janette's crying seized to sound as she gazed wide-eyed at Harry. "And now I'm here to somehow find a potion to help a friend of mine who could be dying at this very moment… I believe I understand much more than you would think."

"Oh, you poor dear!" Lily exclaimed, placing a hand on his shoulder in sympathy.

"It's okay, really," Harry knew he needed to get out of the situation quickly by the way James was looking at them with murder in his eyes. "You just have to get over it."

"Oh Harold," a girl he didn't recognize sighed, using the proper name for Harry even when he didn't use it to introduce himself, "how brave of you to bear with all that pain."

"Harry," he corrected, "just Harry, please."

"Harry Potter!"

The group couldn't turn around fast enough to see the squeaky voiced house elf rush passed them and attach himself to Harry, bursting into tears.

"Dobby?"

"Harry Potter, how could you leave me? How could you leave poor Dobby behind?"

"Dobby! Calm down! I'm sorry, but I needed to go, bad things are still happening."

The house elf, Dobby, stopped bawling and gazed up at the boy with wide eyes. "I understand now, Harry Potter, sir, understanding really well."

"You have a house elf follow you around? You know that is slavery."

Curiously, Remus thought he heard Harry murder something close to "Hermione…" before Dobby turned his attention towards her and said accusingly. "You don't know anything about Harry Potter then. Harry Potter freed me, miss! Gave me my sock! Harry Potter teaches me better English, miss, because he is my friend! He chased away the dark wizards!"

"Okay, Dobby," Harry drastically interrupted, crouching low next to the elf. He lowered his voice but Remus could hear due to his werewolf senses, "they can't know of that, okay Dobby? Can I trust you?"

"Of course, Harry Potter!"

"Could you please wait in there?" he asked, pointing back to the cabin the Marauders and he was occupying for the trip. "I'll be right there, I promise."

Janette sat back sheepishly. "I'm sorry Harold, I didn't know he was set free. It just infuriates me when I see something so defenseless being forced into something they don't want to do. I mean-"

"Miss…?" Harry paused to get a name, but when it was obvious she wasn't going to provide one he continued with: "One, remember, I'm just Harry. I'm your age, maybe only a year older. Two, do not think they are defenseless. Underestimating something will get you killed. And three," here his face softened considerably, "there is nothing to apologize for. I understand it is cruel. You reminded me of a very close friend of mine who in our fourth year tried to get all the house elves of our school freed. But before you do anything," he warned as, sure enough, she was developing strategies on how to free the Hogwarts house elves, "you should understand that she gave up on our school, because they are happy. And if you mess with their happiness, they won't do you any favors. Let it be. I'm sure the Headmaster treats them well here. Let them be."

Even Remus, who had spoken with him before, was surprised by Harry's speech. It reminded him not to underestimate anything that appeared weak. He was a prime example of the warning, he was stronger physically then any of the other humans but it appeared he had no muscle in his small body. It made him want to watch Harry more closely. Was the warning made in memory of his own mistakes, or the mistakes about him? The surrounding silence was oppressive. Each student continued standing in the crowded train corridor probably still considering what Remus had just finished considering. Janette seemed to be in the deepest thought, eyebrows nearly touching due to her tense forehead. It probably hit her hardest as it was mainly directed towards her and it shifted her position of the cuddly looking house elves she had just started advocating for.

End of Chapter 3 – 1,645 of words

Posted: 25 May 2007