Chapter 10
Christmas Without Remus; Incident
When Harry woke up on Christmas morning, he wasn't exactly jumping out of bed and running down the stairs, like most children would be. Of course, he was really happy that it was Christmas, but he would have been happier if Remus would be there with him and Sirius. Harry stood up and, still in his pajamas, walked downstairs to the living room.
"Morning, Sirius. Happy Christmas," Harry smiled, walking towards Sirius on the couch.
"Morning. You all right? You're not exactly as happy as most kids are on Christmas morning," Sirius stated as Harry sat down.
"Yeah, well most kids also have all of their family with them on Christmas," Harry said curling up beside his godfather.
"You have a point and I know you're upset because Remus isn't here, but can you try to have fun? Please, and remember, I always had to spend Christmas at Hogwarts because my hated me and I hated them," Sirius looked at Harry with his usual puppy dog eyes.
"Yeah, but my dad and Remus and people at Hogwarts were your family. So you weren't really missing much. It was all there with you," Harry grinned as Sirius nodded in agreement. "Also, you need a new way to convince people, but I'll try. Before we do anything though, can I do something first?" Harry asked.
"Sure. I don't know if this matters or has anything to do with what you're doing, but Remus is asleep still," Sirius replied, knowing Harry was going to Remus' room for a bit.
"Thanks. I'll be back in a minute," Harry got up and went to his room. He quickly grabbed a wrapped box out of his room and quietly went across the hall to Remus' bedroom. He quietly opened the door to see Remus facing the other way. Harry walked over to the end table and placed the box on it with a card then he slightly hugged his second godfather.
"Happy Christmas, Remus. Love you." Reluctantly, Harry released Remus, went out the door, and took one last look at the older man as he stirred, then closed the door. "Back. Let's go," Harry sat on the couch again, smiling at Sirius. For about an hour, the two handed gifts to each other, all from different people.
"This was amazing. I never realized how many people we know," Harry grinned as he heard a noise upstairs. "Sounds like Remus is awake," he added and Sirius nodded. Harry stayed silent but kept his eyes on Sirius.
"Go ahead. You know you can," Sirius grinned, knowing Harry wanted to go up and see Remus. Harry smiled and jumped up, running up the stairs. Sirius shook his head and followed the teen up the stairs and to the attic.
Harry saw Remus levitating furniture out of the attic, his back to the staircase. Harry, as silently as he could, walked up behind Remus, but with Remus' sensitive hearing, he heard his adopted nephew coming up behind him.
"Hi, Harry," Remus turned around, smiling as Harry groaned.
"That's not fair," Harry crossed his arms.
"Well, it wouldn't be fun if it was fair, would it?" Remus grinned as Harry rolled his eyes, keeping his arms crossed. Remus laughed and wrapped his arms around the frustrated teen.
"Harry, you really are as stubborn as your mother," Sirius grinned as he watched Harry and Remus.
"Ha ha. You both are bloody annoying," Harry sighed as Remus and Sirius laughed.
"I opened your gift. Thanks," Remus replied releasing Harry who finally uncrossed his arms.
"Welcome. Are you almost done cleaning out the attic?" Harry asked looking at the old pieces of furniture.
"Almost, but I can't do much. I mostly have to stay in bed. Sorry, Harry," Remus reluctantly answered as a sad look took over Harry's facial expression.
"It's all right, I guess. I'll see you tomorrow," Harry gave Remus one last hug then went downstairs.
"Happy Christmas, Moony. He'll be fine, don't worry. See you later," Sirius smiled reassuringly at Remus who nodded, then also went downstairs. Remus sighed and went back to clearing out the attic.
Downstairs, Sirius found Harry in the kitchen drinking butterbeer.
"Hey, kid," Sirius sat beside him.
"Are you always going to say 'kid?" Harry stated grinning at his godfather.
"I've been saying it since we got you and it's never going to change," Sirius said, summoning himself a butterbeer.
"This bites. I wish Remus could be down here too," Harry responded sadly.
"I know, I do too. Probably not as much as you but you know what I mean. He'll be up either tomorrow or the next day. You did have fun though, didn't you?" Sirius stated, knowing the answer.
"Yep, but I always have fun no matter what. You know that," Harry nodded, smirking.
For the majority of the day, Sirius and Harry talked, played chess, and once went out to play Quidditch, while Remus slept and cleared out the attic. When Harry and Sirius came in from their Quidditch match, it was getting dark and the moon was going to come out soon.
"Hurry. He needs to go to the attic at anytime. I'll be in bed. Good night, Harry," Sirius stated quickly and Harry ran upstairs to see Remus one last time before his transformation. He opened the door to see Remus sitting on his bed.
"Remus, what are you doing? You need to get to the attic soon," Harry walked over to him.
"I know, what are you doing here?" Remus looked up at the teen he practically called his son.
"I came to see you one last time before your transformation," Harry answered quietly. There was a silence and Harry hugged Remus tightly. "Good night, Remus. Love you."
"G'night. Love you too," Remus and Harry parted and Remus stood. "You should get to bed. I need to go to the attic," they both walked out of Remus' room. Harry crossed the hall to his room but stopped as he watched Remus climb the stairs to the attic. When Remus shut and locked the door, Harry sighed and went into his room not knowing the attic door wasn't fully shut. He changes into his pajamas and just as he lay down, he heard a cry of pain come from above him.
After a few more minutes, Remus' yells died down and Harry finally got to sleep.
Up until two in the morning everything was fine, but then the door to the attic was pushed open and Remus, still in werewolf form, walked down the stairs. He pushed open the door to Sirius' room with his nose but then moved on down the hallway. Remus pushed open another and very slowly and quietly, walked into the room and to Harry's bed.
Harry rolled over and opened his eyes when he felt warm breath on the back of his neck. When his eyes were open, he saw he looking right into the grey eyes of Remus in his werewolf form. His eyes grew wide.
"Remus," he breathed to himself, slowly sitting up. The creature growled as he stared at the thirteen year old. "Oh no. Remus, please. Remus," Harry gasped. He moved back and fell out of his bed, onto the floor. Remus walked around the bed and followed Harry with his eyes, who was backing up slowly. Harry backed up into a corner of his room and stared at Remus with wide and scared eyes. Remus bared his teeth and growled again. Harry was going to scream but couldn't find his voice. Remus howled and Harry jumped.
Harry, still scared to death about what was happening, finally got his voice again and screamed.
"SIRIUS! SIRIUS, HELP!" Harry screamed for his godfather.
Harry watched in horror as Remus raised a paw over his head. Harry shut his eyes and covered himself with his arms. Remus' paw came down and cut Harry's cheek, and left three cuts on his arm. Harry screamed in pain as he felt blood flow out of his deep cuts.
"SIRIUS!" Harry cried again. A few seconds later, Sirius appeared in the doorway. When Sirius saw what was happening, he quickly changed into a dog and lunged himself at Remus, who was close to biting Harry's arm.
As Sirius and Remus were fighting, Harry pushed himself as far into the corner as he could. Sirius ran out of Harry's room and down the stairs, Remus chasing him. Since he was far enough ahead, Sirius very quickly changed back to a human and opened the door, then changed back and ran outside. Sirius ran into the forest with Remus behind him. Sirius hid behind a tree and when Remus disappeared, Sirius raced back to the house, locking the door when he got in and changed back to a human.
When Sirius got in the house, he raced up the stairs and burst into Harry's room and fell in front of Harry. Harry didn't seem to have noticed that Sirius was with him. Harry, in pain, terrified, and covered in blood, had curled up in the corner of his room.
Sirius slowly and gently placed a hand on Harry's knee. Harry jumped and slowly looked up, afraid of what he might see. When Harry saw it was Sirius, he leaned into his godfather and sobbed.
"Don't worry. Harry, it's all right. You're all right. Harry, don't worry," Sirius hugged Harry who kept crying. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up," Sirius helped Harry to stand and they went down to the kitchen.
Sirius sat Harry at the table while he got a damp cloth and some bandages. Sirius sat in front of Harry and gently cleaned Harry's cuts, apologizing when he gasped in pain. Sirius wrapped Harry's arm in the bandages then started to clean the cut of Harry's cheek.
"Harry, you know he didn't mean to. You're going to be fine," Sirius said softly, putting some bandages on the cut on Harry's cheek. Harry sniffed and nodded, looking at the table only. "Harry," Sirius turned Harry's head to face him and saw there were tears filling up his eyes.
"Sirius, that was so scary. He almost bit me!" Harry cried and Sirius hugged him again as Harry began to sob.
"Harry, don't worry. You know he didn't mean to. He would never hurt you on purpose," Sirius told Harry.
"I know. Can't you heal my cuts with magic?" Harry sighed.
"They're bad. They're too deep and big. We'll have to get a healing potion from Madam Pomfrey. Come on, we should get to bed. We'll get some dreamless sleep potion also," Sirius put an arm around Harry as they climbed the staircase. "Go to sleep and we'll talk tomorrow. Again, don't worry," Sirius kissed his forehead then turned to leave.
"Sirius, can I ask something?" Harry wondered, sitting up in bed as Sirius turned around. "Where is Remus?"
"He's in the forest behind the house," Sirius stated.
"Can you sleep here tonight?" Harry added. Sirius smiled softly.
"Of course I will," Sirius got in the bed beside Harry and put a comforting arm around him.
"Night, Sirius. Thanks," Harry whispered and they both fell asleep.
Remus woke up and looked around to see he wasn't in the attic or in the house at all. He tried to think back to the night's events but was only getting vague moments.
What happened? Remus wondered to himself. Remus shut his eyes and dug into his thoughts. Just then his eyes snapped open as he remembered the night. Going down the stairs, going in Harry's room, attacking Harry. He could still hear Harry scream for help and in pain as Remus scratched him."Oh no. Harry," Remus said to himself.
He quickly walked through the forest and up to the house. He quietly opened and shut the door, unlocking it with magic. Remus silently walked up to his room and got dressed. He stopped in the hall and looked at the attic, to see the door wide open. He glanced forward and saw both Harry and Sirius sleeping.
Remus walked into the room and went around the bed to Harry's side. He sighed as he saw the blood soaked cloth on Harry's cheek. He moved the blankets and saw Harry's bandaged arm. He sighed again and glanced around the room. Remus' gaze fell to a large blood stain on the floor in the corner.
Remus took one last glance at the two sleeping wizards then walked downstairs to the kitchen.
"How could I do that? He's probably going to hate me forever," Remus said himself, putting his face in his hands.
"He's shocked and scared, but he doesn't hate you," a voice said and Remus turned around to see Sirius standing on the stairs. "I was awake when you came in the room," Sirius answered before Remus could ask.
"Hi. Is he all right?" Remus asked as Sirius sat beside him.
"He'll be fine. What happened, Remus?" Sirius asked and Remus switched his gaze to the table.
"I didn't get the last dose. I ran out for some reason. I guess I was so wrapped up in everything, I didn't make enough and I forgot to get more ingredients," Remus explained and Sirius sighed.
"Why didn't you say anything? I would have helped you," Sirius wondered calmly.
"I didn't want to ruin Harry's holidays more than the full moon on Christmas Day already had," Remus shrugged.
"Remus, I think not saying anything did more damage than actually mentioning it ever would have. He would have gotten over the full moon, but now he's always going to remember this and he's going to be terrified," Sirius frowned. Remus was going to answer when a cry came from upstairs. "Nightmare. He's been having them all night," Sirius stated quickly and they ran up to Harry's room. Sirius crossed over to Harry's bed where he was sweating and crying.
After a few minutes, Harry finally woke up. He spotted Sirius and leaned into his arms like he had in the night.
"Don't worry, Harry. You're fine. It's all right," Sirius stated quietly to Harry. Remus stood in the doorway and leaned against the frame. Harry opened his eyes and saw Remus, and immediately tensed up. Sirius felt him tense and released him.
Remus watched as Sirius whispered something to Harry, who nodded slightly. Sirius stood up and walked to Remus who looked at him questioningly.
"I need to get a Healing Potion and Dreamless Sleep Potion from Madam Pomfrey. I'll be back in a bit," Sirius left the house.
Remus stayed leaning against the door frame, watched as Harry slowly got out of bed, and got dressed. He saw Harry was having trouble getting his shirt on, so Remus went and helped, being careful around Harry's arm.
"Thanks," Harry said barely above a whisper. They stayed silent and Remus sat on the bed.
"Harry, I am so, so sorry. I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me," Remus finally spoke and Harry looked into his eyes.
"I don't hate you. I'm just really freaked out still. Who wouldn't be? I know you didn't mean to, but I'm still terrified. Remember when I was five, I got lost in the forest and got attacked by Greyback? I had nightmares about that for like a week and yet I survived, and I was only five. I'm thirteen. I can live through cuts, another attack, and nightmares. I've been through worse, like in second year. I had to battle a Basilisk and got a fang in my arm, and I almost died from the venom. Don't forget about me being the Boy Who Lived. It's not every day a one year old defeats a powerful dark wizard," Harry answered, sitting beside Remus on the bed.
"I'm so sorry, Harry," Remus repeated.
"I know. Remus, no matter what, I'm still going to be scared for a little bit. I don't blame you at all because you couldn't control it. I'm sure you were scared when you got bit. This is like that, except I didn't get bit. I don't hate you, I never will. I can't hate you for something you had no control over," Harry explained and Remus stared at the floor when he felt tears coming.
"Well, there's something we have in common at the moment. No matter what, you'll be scared and no matter what, I'll keep feeling guilty," Remus replied and Harry smiled.
"Besides, they're just cuts. Even if they are deep," Harry shrugged.
"Harry, have you looked at your bandages lately?" Remus asked and Harry looked at the blood soaked bandages.
"Did Sirius say how much blood I've lost?" Harry wondered aloud.
"No, but by the looks of the floor and the bandages, you've lost a lot of blood," Remus answered and Harry sighed.
"Oh well. I'll survive. So anyways, Remus, I don't hate you for what happened. I'm just terrified of going to sleep," Harry smiled softly at Remus. They hugged each other tightly.
"In advance, nothing you say is going to make me stop feeling guilty," Remus stated when they parted. "Love you," he added.
"Love you," Harry grinned.
"Come on, let's get some clean bandages on your cuts," they walked to the kitchen.
"I'm guessing you can't heal them with magic either?" Harry pointed out.
"Let's see exactly how deep and big they are," Harry sat down. Remus sat in front of him and unwrapped Harry's arm, who slightly winced in pain. "Nope. Either take a Healing Potion or go to St. Mungo's," Remus smiled taking the bandages off his arm and cheek.
"I think I'll go with the Healing Potion," Harry grinned as Remus got more bandages and wrapped Harry's arm.
"You do know you'll probably have to use the potion for at least one or two weeks?" Remus informed and Harry rolled his eyes.
"Figures. There's always a catch," Harry winced slightly as Remus bandaged his cheek.
"It's going to sting a little bit also," they turned around when they heard Sirius speak. "Madam Pomfrey told me. You need to use it for two and a half weeks," Sirius finished and Harry groaned.
"How many times a day?" Remus asked putting the bandages away.
"Two. Once when he gets up and once before bed," Sirius put two vials on the table. "Told you he doesn't hate you, Remus," Sirius added, sitting across from them. Remus looked at the floor and Sirius and Harry smiled. Harry put his uninjured arm around Remus' waist in a light hug and Remus put his arm around Harry.
"You didn't believe him?" Harry replied looking at Sirius who was smiling.
"Not really. Come on, I attacked you. I almost bit you. I scratched you and you don't want to sleep. Of course I didn't believe him," Remus stated in an it's-so-obvious voice.
"You know what? Whatever. I don't hate you, I never will, and I'm fine. Except being terrified of going to sleep," Harry got up and got some juice. His guardians raised their eyebrows. "What? I was up all night crying and screaming. I'm thirsty," he shrugged.
"We should put some of the potion on his cuts," Sirius looked at Remus who nodded. Harry sighed and put his glass down.
"Let's go in the living room," Harry and Sirius stood and Remus grabbed one of the vials. Harry sat down with Sirius beside him.
"It's going to sting but it's the only thing that will heal them," Remus opened the vial and poured a little bit on some cloth. Remus took the bandages off his cheek and dabbed the cut. Harry clenched his teeth together, shut his eyes tightly, and groaned.
Remus looked at Sirius and they both looked at Harry apologetically. After twenty minutes, they finished and had put Harry's bandages back on.
"You okay?" Sirius asked when they were done.
"Yeah, but that really hurt," Harry groaned. "I need to endure that two times a day for two and a half weeks? Brilliant," Harry complained.
"Don't worry. You'll probably get used to it," Sirius smiled.
"Thanks. That makes everything better," Harry said sarcastically, rolling his eyes and grinning. For the rest of the day, the three chatted and watched TV.
While they watched TV, Harry fell asleep on the couch so Remus and Sirius went into the kitchen.
"You know, I can't stop feeling guilty," Remus shook his head, looking at the sleeping thirteen year old.
"You'll stop eventually, Moony. Just give it time and just remember that he doesn't hate you. He still feels the same way about you. He still loves you," Sirius smiled softly and Remus nodded. They talked for another ten minutes but stopped when Harry screamed. They went and stayed beside Harry until he woke up a few seconds later.
"You okay, Harry?" Remus ran his hand through Harry's hair. Harry nodded and drank some of the water Sirius gave him.
"Well, that was terrifying. Thanks," Harry sighed, giving Sirius the half-empty glass.
"Harry, it's late. It's already ten. Maybe you should get to bed," Sirius suggested.
"Sirius, I just had a nightmare. I'm not in the mood to have another one," Harry remarked.
"Harry, we're going to give you the Dreamless Sleep Potion. You don't have to worry about nightmares," Remus put his hand through Harry's hair again.
"Okay, I'll go get changed," Harry walked up the stairs.
"You can go, I'll get the potion," Sirius told Remus who nodded and went to Harry's room.
"Hey. Need help?" Remus asked when he saw Harry struggling to get his shirt off. Harry grinned and nodded. Remus took of Harry's shirt and helped him put his pyjama shirt on.
"Thanks," Harry crawled under his blankets as Remus sat at the foot of his bed. "Don't feel guilty, Remus. I know you are right now," Harry smiled, crossing his legs under the blankets.
"I can't help it. Like Sirius said, I'll stop eventually," Remus shrugged.
"What else did he say?" Harry wondered, knowing that whatever Sirius said made Remus feel better.
"I just have to give it time and remember that you still feel the same way about me. And you still love me like you always have. That's all he said," Remus looked into Harry's eyes.
"Well, he better keep it up. He's making you feel better about the whole thing," Harry grinned as Remus smiled and rolled his eyes. Then Sirius walked in carrying a goblet.
"Here, with this you won't have nightmares tonight. Drink it all," Sirius handed the goblet to Harry who drank all of it. "Night, Harry."
"Night," Remus stated and stood up.
"Night, guys," Harry lay down fully and drifted off the sleep.
"Come on. We should get to bed too. Night, Moony," Sirius and Remus walked out of Harry's room, shutting the door.
"Night, Padfoot," they walked to their rooms and they all went to sleep, Harry without nightmares.
"Morning," Harry yawned sitting at the table the next morning. "I have a really bad headache," he added.
"Maybe you're getting sick," Sirius suggested. Remus felt Harry's forehead and nodded.
"You've got a fever. You're sick, Harry. You need to go back to bed," Harry sighed and walked up the stairs to his room. "Sirius will be up in a minute," Remus called.
"Why am I going?" Sirius frowned.
"Because he's your godson slash nephew, and I need to find a potion that will bring his fever down," Remus grinned as Sirius scowled.
"He's your nephew too, even if it is only by adoption," Sirius replied and Remus looked at him with a just-go-and-stop-arguing-because-you-won't-win look. "Fine, I'm going."
"Hey," Sirius sat at the foot of Harry's bed.
"Hi," Harry mumbled then coughed, groaning afterwards.
"Remus is getting a potion that will bring your fever down," Sirius informed. He, too, felt Harry's forehead. "You're really burning up," Sirius frowned and Harry groaned again. Then, thankfully for Harry, Remus came in with a goblet.
"Here, drink all of it. You probably won't like the taste," Remus gave Harry the cup and sat beside him. Harry took a drink then spit it out.
"That is so disgusting," Harry frowned.
"I told you it wouldn't taste good, but you need to drink all of it," Remus smiled and tilted the cup to Harry's mouth, who sighed and drank it, making faces like Sirius and James always would when they were in the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey made them take potions. "Your fever should go down now. You should sleep. Call if you need anything," Remus added and Harry nodded, lying down. Sirius and Remus left the room, closing the door.
"Is he going to be all right?" Sirius wondered getting some coffee.
"Yeah, it's just the common cold. It'll be gone in a couple days," Remus nodded taking the cup Sirius was offering him. "I know you said it was nothing, but what are we going to do about Skeeter?"
"Honestly, I don't know. There's not much she can report on except things that happen at school. Otherwise she basically has nothing," Sirius replied, shrugging.
"Believe me, she'll find something," Remus sighed. They talked for another hour before they made Harry a small lunch, and brought it up to him.
"Harry, we brought you some lunch," Sirius walked over to Harry's bed. Harry only moaned in reply. Sirius felt his godson's forehead. "Well, you fever has gone down a lot. You need to eat," he added and Harry slowly sat up to eat.
"You don't have to eat it all but eat some," Remus and Sirius sat on the bed. Harry ate some of toast.
"Why does everything taste funny?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, we found a potion and put it in the food. It'll make you better in a few hours," Sirius answered. "So what's happening when school starts again?" Sirius added.
"Wood is gonna make us start training for our next match," Harry groaned.
"It's against Ravenclaw right?" Remus asked.
"Yep. Wood's going mental about Quidditch because it's his last year and his last chance to win. It's getting annoying. The whole team is annoyed at all the training we have to do," Harry finished, finishing off the tray of food.
"Who's the Seeker for Ravenclaw?" Remus wondered.
"Cho Chang. She's a fourth year, I think," Harry replied.
"I've seen her. She's like Chinese or Japanese or something. She's pretty," Sirius smiled.
"Yeah, she's apparently good too, and I guess she is sort of pretty," Harry shrugged and his godfathers glanced at each other grinning, both thinking the same thing then turned back to Harry. He had seen the look and immediately knew what they were thinking. "I know what you're thinking and it's not true so bugger off," Harry warned.
"Don't worry, we'll still bug you about it," Remus grinned and laughed as he ruffled Harry's hair and Harry pushed his hand away.
"You both are bloody ridiculous," Harry smiled, shaking his head as Remus and Sirius laughed.