Chapter Ten: Secrets

"Ron you do know that no one can know about this"

Harry paced the room gingerly, his hands clasped together behind his back, his head bowed.

"But why not? What's wrong with you and Remus being together?"

Harry stopped and turned, staring at Ron with squinted eyes.

"Why? Ron how many years is he my senior? It sounds so wrong! Your mum would have a fit that's for certain, what would people say? What would the fucking Daily Prophet say if they found out? It would just be another headache for me, another thing I have to put up with"

"Point taken"

Ron replied, as Harry sat down on the edge of his bed, head in hands. Ron looked upon him, his hair was a mess, (well more than usual) his glasses askew across his face, he had huge bags under his eyes for lack of sleep, and whenever he walked his back would arch terribly from his stiff joints.

Even Remus was beginning to worry.

"What am I going to do Ron? He seems so down, maybe I should have never encouraged and embraced his feelings, he's worse than ever"

"Don't say that!"

Ron would shout, and at this point Remus' eyes would tear, and he'd collapsed into Ron's arms crying heavily. Being in the middle of such a complicated relationship was hard work, he didn't know if he had the guts to do it anymore.

Though somehow he knew he had to go on, it seemed so complicated, but it was what Harry wanted, and though it seemed strange to him, it was what he wanted too…

"Hey there young Potter! What you been up to recently?"

Harry staggered under the many coats as the Weasley family piled into Number Twelve Grimmauld place. Fred ruffled his hair playfully before walking to stand in the entrance hall. George followed but he was not the last, even though Harry correctly counted nine red heads beaming at him from across the room. Hanging the many coats and hats upon the hooks by the door, he turned and George smiled moving sideways. Among the many blazing red heads a soft raven black flecked with red copper appeared, joined by a warm smile and a gentle pair of emerald eyes.

"Hi"

She stepped forward, her hand outstretched to shake his. Harry's mouth drooped open and hung there limply his hand failing to meet hers. She raised one eye brow, confused and looked back at the Weasley family, hoping for some help.

"Harry this is Eleanor"

Arthur smiled and Harry looked up, snapping his jaw shut, shook her hand gently before drawing away, smiling goofily.

"Nice to meet you"

She smiled back as George walked forward, draping his arm over her shoulders. Harry looked at him slightly confused, surely they weren't, maybe she was just, a family friend; yeah that was all, maybe even a cousin or niece…hopefully.

"Harry, Eleanor, Eleanor is my fiancée"

Harry fell silent; his eyes darting from George to Eleanor, then back to George again. The entire Weasley family were smiling, and out of his eye Harry could see Remus staring at him bemused.

"That, that's great, really, fantastic, yeah, congratulations"

George smiled and kissed Eleanor's cheek gently, before embracing Harry warmly. Remus beckoned them towards the living room, but closed the door as the last of the Weasley family entered.

"What was that all about?"

He said walking towards Harry, his voice was so bold and angry it made him seem ten years younger, his hair flared across his face and his anti fit jeans drooped around his ankles.

"What do you mean?"

He replied simply, and for once he actually had no idea what Remus was getting so flared up about.

"The looks, the glances, the goofy smile? Why were you acting so precautious around Ell? IS there something I should know about?"

"Remus calm down you're getting all worked up over nothing"

Harry protested, as his back hit the wall, Remus had been walking towards him slowly with every word said.

"I am not getting worked up! Is it so much that I think something's going on there? Is it really so much that I give a damn about you!"

Harry looked at his feet, before slipping his arms around Remus' neck and softly stroking his hair, curling the ends around his finger.

"No, its not. Nothings going on there Remi, plus she's already engaged, why would I possibly choose her over you anyway, I love you"

Remus looked up at him, they'd only been together for about two weeks, and he was already saying the golden words, the words that even though it sounded strange he'd always wanted to hear.

"What did you say?"

Harry smiled sweetly and stepped forward into Remus' body, resting his chin on his shoulders and whispered softly in his ear,

"I love you"

Facing him once more, Remus moved in to kiss him, but Harry leaned away, putting a finger to his lovers lips.

"I also kind of like it when you talk rough, very sexy"

Harry smiled again, planting his lips upon Remus' his own, as he felt the nimble fingers spread across the small of his back caressing him gently.

"We better join the others, wouldn't want them getting suspicious,"

Remus parted to leave but Harry pulled him back, his hand slapping not violently but somewhat pleasurably against his cheek, as he kissed him once more.

"Ron can cover for us"

Harry laughed, biting Remus' his bottom lip seductively he took his hand, and lead him up the winding staircase into the darkness.

Harry awoke the next morning, head pounding and his thighs aching slightly. Kissing his sleeping beauty's forehead lovingly he tumbled out of bed and headed across the hall to the bathroom. The door was unlocked, so naturally he pushed it open stepping inside.

His entrance was followed by a scream, and peering through the steam he saw Eleanor, grabbing a towel and wrapping it tightly around her, her face portrayed a mixed look of surprise and disgust.

"What are you doing in here!"

She shouted, her wet hair sticking to her face. Harry paused; he felt something, something strange. Beads of water dripped from her hair and body, her face patient, but fuming for his answer. The towel outlined her curves, and her hair shrouded her face, forcing it to portray a mysterious mask of beauty.

Her full red lips parted as she spoke once more,

"Enjoying the view are we? Go on get out of here!"

She pointed towards the door, Harry stood there, eyes wide and head swimming, trying to think of something to say. He took a small towel from the rack and handed it to her for her hair, 'twas terribly goofy, and he really had no idea why he did it.

"Harry!"

She exclaimed in a finalising tone, and he skidded across the room out of the door, hearing it slam behind him. Once outside, he leant against the wall, eyes closed. She couldn't of, had she? For as he left the bathroom he could've sworn she smiled at him, somewhat playfully, or in a joke-like manner.

He shook his head and walked back through to Remus, her image still in his mind.

The Weasley's all seemed to have vacated the house, Molly was in Diagon Alley buying the kids new school supplies for their sixth year, Arthur was at the Ministry, Fred and George where both out at work in their joke shop, Ginny was with Molly, Bill was meeting Fleur Delacour in Hogsmeade, and as for Charlie, well, he was…somewhere.

Remus was doing some research in the library for the Order, and wished not to be disturbed, not even by Harry. So awkwardly, that left Harry and Eleanor, together. Alone.

She sat curled up quietly in the armchair by the fire, her hair cascaded over her shoulders, now dry and soft. Her long dressing gown was draped around her body and a cup of tea was held in her shaking hands.

Harry sat on the sofa next to her chair, for him it seemed extremely, awkwardly close. His jeans were slipping at the waist and he was wearing on of Remus' old baggy jumpers.

"So, how are you?"

He asked, and was surprised when she laughed slightly, placing her mug down on the floor next to her chair before looking up. Her dark eyes were now placed on him and she smiled.

"Harry, you don't have to bring up conversation. I know It's extremely awkward after, our little, incident, this morning, but it's ok. Don't worry about it. I just hope we can well laugh it off. I don't want it getting in the way of our friendship"

He registered her words and nodded, smiling sweetly up at her. She rose from her seat and walked over to the sofa, sitting down next to him and squeezing his knee gently.

"So tell me more about you"

She said, crossing her legs and staring at him avidly waiting for him to open up and tell all. And surprisingly Harry did, and in his mind to be honest it had never been easier to tell anyone his life story. It was even easier than telling Remus everything. It was so strange that he felt such a bond with her, he barely even knew her, and somehow he felt like he'd known her all his life…