Chapter Ten

A Heroic Dilemma

By: Empathicallychosen

"The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins."- Bob Moawad

(o)(o)(o)

Aidan and Remus went to see Dumbledore the next morning and the three men began working to ensure that Harry, Ron and Hermione's conditions remained secret. There must have been a good deal to do because Harry's uncle and grandfather left the house at dawn and said they would not return until late evening. Harry enjoyed spending time with Remus, but the separation from him wasn't all bad. He appreciated having some time with his grandmother without feeling compelled to be with Remus. Even though he would never admit it, Harry was actually having a good time finding ways of amusing himself without his uncle. Especially since, largely because of threats made by The Magical Law Enforcement Squad, reporters were no longer following Harry, Ron and Hermione.

It wasn't all fun and games, however. Mrs. Weasley seemed to be relishing Remus's absence at the Manor and brought Ron over telling Accalia, in her own roundabout way, that she intended to make full use of Remus's new hobby and use Accalia as her own personal babysitting service. This made Ron feel very nervous because, unlike his mother, he cared about the Potters and didn't want to wear out his welcome there.

"Nonsense," Accalia told Ron when he mentioned this. "I love to have you here, both of you (she added for Hermione's benefit), and I don't want to hear any more talk of imposing is that clear?"

Ron and Hermione both nodded.

"Good, now, why don't you three please go set the table for me? Dinner is just about ready."

Ron seemed very relieved by what Accalia had told him so the four of them were able to enjoy a nice quiet dinner and some pleasant conversation. After dinner Harry cleared the table while his grandmother stared wistfully into the garden. Harry followed her gaze just in time to see Crookshanks darting past them in a blur of color, chasing after what looked like a muddy potato with legs. The strange creature was laughing maniacally at the cat. Harry was getting used to life back in the Wizarding world, nevertheless, Crookshanks and the gnome still made a rather odd pair.

"When your uncle gets back, I'll need him to de-gnome the garden for me. It's like a blasted gnome convention out there," she sighed, more to herself than to Harry or anyone else in the room.

"We can do it for you, Cali," said Ron at once. "Fred and George showed me how to do it. It's easy enough. I can show Hermione and Harry how to do it, no problem."

"Sure, I mean if Fred and George can do it then we certainly can," Harry agreed.

"That's very sweet of you dears, but I couldn't ask you to do that," Accalia began.

"You're not asking we're offering. We want to help," said Hermione quickly.

Harry nodded his agreement.

"Oh all right," she had given in at the look of anticipation on their faces. "But be careful."

However Accalia may as well have been talking to the kitchen table for all the good it did because Harry, Ron and Hermione had bolted out the door as soon as she had given her ascent. Harry and his friends were all having a great time. While chasing the gnomes around the yard was entertaining in its own right, Harry had to say that by far the best part of helping out his grandmother was that it was just the three of them again. It had been so long since the threesome was allowed any alone time that the three of them out running around like this reminded Harry fondly of the way spending time with Hermione and Ron used to feel before the Dursleys had allowed it. Sadly, it wasn't long before something happened that ruined the whole experience.

"Timeout, I have to-have to catch my breath," Ron panted, falling flat on his back with exhaustion.

Hermione and Harry collapsed onto the lush green grass without a word and landed on either side of their friend. The sun was setting now, so Harry, Ron and Hermione decided to call a halt to the gnome triathlon and relax by watching the pink cotton candy clouds dance across the light orange sky. Suddenly, his uncle's pleasant attitude after spending so many years in prison didn't seem so strange to Harry anymore. There was something very rejuvenating about this place.

"My, my, isn't this adorable? I want you to get a shot of this Bozo. That way we can show our readers the cute and cuddly side of the Wizarding world's greatest heroes before we get down to the nitty-gritty stuff," said a silky female voice Harry had never heard before.

Instinctively, Harry shot up from his position on the lawn hoping to see who had spoken. Unfortunately, before he even focused his eyes in the direction that the voice had come from, a flash of white light and a fog of thick purple smoke blinded Harry. He coughed and wheezed, his eyes and throat stinging because of the smog. Once it had cleared and Harry was able to see again, he saw a pencil thin, rather heavily made-up woman and a heavyset man with abnormally broad shoulders hovering above them.

"Who are you," asked Ron flatly.

"Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter," replied the woman, rifling through her purse for a neon green quill.

This took Harry by surprise. How had this reporter gotten past all the new wards? Under normal circumstances Harry would have politely introduced himself, but he didn't feel at ease with the idea of being around a reporter. Even if Remus did approve, which was something Harry doubted very much would ever happen, Harry's main instinct was to run. Glancing over at Hermione and Ron, he could tell that they too were trying to figure out how they were going to escape without offending the woman.

"May we help you, Ms. Skater," said Hermione suspiciously.

"It's Skeeter dear," corrected the woman with a trace of annoyance in her silky voice. "And I am here to help you."

"Well, we don't need any help thanks," said Ron, his eyes darting from Rita Skeeter to the back door of the Potter's Manor wondering if they could just make a break for it.

"Oh, but I think you do. I think you need my help getting a message out to your devoted public," replied Skeeter.

Caught off guard, Harry, Ron and Hermione stopped planning their escape and stared. Harry didn't know how to respond to this. This woman was unbelievable. Ron had been laughing his head off ever since Ms. Skeeter had the words 'devoted public'. Hermione just snorted and Harry could tell she was trying desperately not to follow his lead. Ms. Skeeter was not pleased. Her penciled in eyebrows were narrowed and her extraordinarily strong jaw-line was frighteningly prominent.

"I fail to see what is so funny," she said sharply.

Harry, Ron and Hermione automatically backed away from her. They were only a few yards away from the house now, but being with this woman made it feel like miles. Harry was beginning to wonder if they would ever be permitted to leave. Seeing that this tactic was not going to work, Rita quickly changed her strategy. Causing Harry, Ron and Hermione to wonder if this woman had actually escaped from Saint Mungo's hospital .

"The world wants to know what's become of the Golden Ones. So how about giving me a teeny-weeny little interview," she said sweetly, twirling her bleached blonde curls through her fingers.

"Look, the truth is we have nothing to say to you. We just want to be left alone," replied Harry firmly, heading back to the house.

Suddenly Harry heard Hermione say, "Get your hands off me you - you

hag!"

Dreading what he would find when he turned back to his friends, Harry whirled around. Rita had seized Hermione roughly by the forearm, digging her fuchsia fingernails into Hermione's skin, holding her to the spot. For a split second Harry froze, unsure what to do. This was all too familiar and he didn't like it. Once Harry had come to his senses, both he and Ron tried to come to Hermione's defense, but Bozo blocked every attempt without even trying.

"Listen you annoying little runts- I came here for an exclusive interview and I'm not leaving until I get one. I always get my story one way or another. So you may as well just get it over with now," Rita said fiercely.

Clearly, the only way to get out of this situation was to give her what she wanted, but Harry wasn't happy about it. He hated being intimidated, but they had no other choice. Then, from out of nowhere, he heard three sets of footsteps rushing toward them. Relieved, Harry and Ron scrambled away from Bozo as fast as they could, gasping for air. At once Remus, and Harry's grandparents came forward all looking ready to kill.

"Get your hands off my girl," Remus snarled, venom in every syllable.

"Oh, Mr. Lupin, how lovely to see you," said Skeeter in surprise, letting go of Hermione at once.

"Just what do you think you're doing? How did you get past my wards anyway," Aidan demanded.

"I - I was just -"

"Are you all right, sweetheart," Remus asked Hermione tenderly, purposefully ignoring the babbling woman to keep from hexing her into oblivion.

Harry was flabbergasted. He had never seen Remus as angry with anyone as he was with this pathetic reporter, still he was as gentle as ever with Hermione.

"Y- yeah, I think so," Hermione stammered, rubbing her arms where Skeeter's metallic nails had dug into her.

Harry saw the danger flash in Remus's eyes once more and was quite eager to watch him berate the wretched woman, but unfortunately his grandmother herded them inside the house, wrapping Hermione in a one-armed hug because she was still trembling. Before Accalia closed the back door, Harry looked back at Rita Skeeter and thought vaguely that he would not want to be in her shoes at that moment.

Remus acted as though the incident with Rita Skeeter never happened. For the next several weeks, Remus dealt with his feelings of malice toward the obnoxious reporter by neglecting them. He refused to discuss the subject with anyone. If anyone brought up her name, no matter who it was, Remus would simply grunt and walk out of the room. Harry only wished he could forget about it as easily as his uncle, but unfortunately it was becoming a reoccurring theme in the back of Harry's mind. All he could think about was what the reporter had said and about the mob at Diagon Alley.

"You have to talk to him," said Hermione the night before they were due to leave for Hogwarts.

"Why me," asked Harry.

"Because he's your uncle," Ron replied, looking quite relieved that he was not going to have to do the talking.

"So what," Harry protested. "He's your godfather."

As much as Harry didn't want to do it, he knew that his friends were right. Eventually Remus was going to wonder why they hadn't packed. So reluctantly, he made his way through the house to find Remus with Ron and Hermione following closely behind. They went from room to room and they finally found him in the library poring over several thick leather bound books. Harry reached up to knock on the door, but he lost his nerve. Remus was so excited that they were going to Hogwarts. Harry just couldn't bring himself to tell him that they didn't want to go. Harry looked over at his friends and silently they turned to leave.

"You can come in here. You know I don't bite - well not very often anyway," Remus said without looking up from his book.

Harry chuckled nervously as he entered the room, "Er . . . can we talk?"

At once, Remus spun in his chair to look at his nephew. Remus took off his reading glasses and considered Harry for a moment. Harry felt like he was being x-rayed. Finally Remus sighed. He knew that something was wrong. Remus knew that the conversation they were about to have intimidated the children to no end. Immediately, Harry saw Remus straightening up and focusing all his attention on the three of them.

"We can talk about anything, you should know that by now," said Remus gently. "All of you."

"We know," said Ron, almost inaudibly.

There was a long and painful silence in which no one breathed a word. In fact it was hard for Remus to tell if Harry, Ron and Hermione were breathing at all. He waited patiently for a while and was alarmed when Hermione burst into tears. Now certain that something was drastically wrong Remus cursed the heavens for forcing him into this life alone. Lily and James should've been the ones to have to deal with such serious matters. Moony was just the uncle. His responsibility was to spoil the children.

"Hey, hey, Ladybug, come over here and talk to me. What's wrong," Remus asked, feeling his parental instincts taking over. He gently wrapped an arm around her and handed her one of his silk handkerchiefs to wipe away the tears.

"There now. Tell me what the problem is."

Between incoherent words, smothered by sobs and accompanied by shuddering breaths, Remus could just make out the words, "WE'RE FREAKS!"

Remus's soft amber eyes flashed dangerously.

"We've been through this a dozen times before, you're not freaks and I don't ever want to hear those words pass from any of your lips ever again, is that understood," said Remus, becoming suddenly stern and reproachful.

There was an indistinct murmur Remus took as compliance.

"Good." Remus squeezed Hermione's shoulders one last time. "Now would somebody like to explain to me how you came to this revelation?"

Once again, the only response Remus received was silence.

"I want to help, but I can't understand unless you explain it to me," sighed Remus.

"We don't belong anywhere, Moony," said Harry firmly.

Remus said nothing. His response was incoherent, simply a combination of a chuckle and a sigh. Wordlessly he led the children to the sofa where they would be more comfortable, seating himself underneath the portrait of a slender woman in a row boat, holding a parasol. Harry waited anxiously for Remus's reply. He knew that Remus would be enraged. He had sensed Remus's frustration when Hermione had told him they were freaks, surely this would send him over the edge. But much to his relief, Harry found that he was wrong. Rather than shouting, Remus simply asked calmly that they elaborate.

"We didn't belong in Privet Drive -"

"Well, no one with any sense at all belongs there. That whole place is not natural," said Remus logically.

"That's what we used to think, but now it turns out we don't belong here either," said Hermione, ringing Remus's handkerchief in her hands.

Remus laughed out loud that time, "Don't be ridiculous, where else would you belong?"

"That's the point. We don't belong anywhere," replied Ron.

"Just wait, when you get to Hogwarts you'll see. Things aren't as bad as they seem," stated Remus confidently.

"We can't do it Moony, we just can't," said Harry shaking his head. "We don't want to go to Hogwarts."

Remus stiffened up again. Harry flinched. Clearly, they had touched a nerve. Poor Remus looked like they had struck him across the head with a broomstick when his back was turned. Harry's heart was breaking, but he just couldn't put himself through being something that people gaped at, not again. Once again, Harry expected for Remus to lose his temper and, yet again, he was mistaken . . .

Remus couldn't believe what he was hearing. Harry was trying to convince Remus that he didn't want to go to Hogwarts because they didn't belong there. But Remus knew better, he knew the only reason they didn't want to go was because they would be uncomfortable living like they were in a fish bowl. Remus could understand their discomfort, but he could not excuse Harry allowing himself to be deprived of something he wanted because it would inconvenience him. Remus could only imagine how strange it was to have people falling all over themselves to meet you, but he knew that by allowing Harry, Ron and Hermione to barricade themselves in the manor things would only get worse.

"Well, I can't say I'm not disappointed," he said finally. "I never figured you for the type of people who would cower in the corner while life passed you by."

Hermione was still sobbing quietly into Remus's handkerchief, completely unfazed by his stern demeanor. On the other hand, Ron looked as though he had been hit in the stomach with a heavy brick. Scabbers crawled around his shoulders and was digging his claws painfully into the boy's shoulder, but Ron took no notice. Curiously, Remus turned his attention to Harry, who seemed more baffled than any of his friends.

"But Moony, everyone's going to look at us differently," said Harry after another very uncomfortable silence.

"Yes Harry, I reckon they will," Remus replied speculatively.

Harry, Ron and Hermione stared at him. This was clearly not the response they had expected him to give. Remus chuckled and stretched out on the sofa. He could only imagine what they were thinking when they saw Remus acting this way, but he wasn't going to lie or sugar coat it for them. Remus loved them all far too much to let them make such a big mistake. He just hoped that one day they would understand how hard this was for him. Ever since picking the children up from Little Whinging Remus was constantly trying to explain to Harry, Ron and Hermione just how precious they really were. The more he tried however the more frustrated Remus became.

He would have to call Victoria tonight. In his opinion Victoria made a far better godmother then Remus did a godfather. She would know just how to help him get the kids through this. Maybe if Remus stressed just how much he needed help, his old friend might come down to Hogwarts for a couple of weeks to help him strategize. The idea of seeing Victoria again made Remus's heart flutter. Not now, he told himself impatiently. Right now I need to deal with the children. Turninghis attention back to Harry, Ron and Hermione, Remus realized they were staring.

"When you get to Hogwarts, people are going to stare at you, they are going to whisper about you and I dare say, several of them are going to ask you illogical questions," said Remus casually.

"Is this supposed to make us feel better," Ron asked, obviously stunned by his guardian's behavior.

"Yeah it is, Ron," said Remus. "Because, even though you're going to be subjected to all this, eventually the novelty will wear off and you can get on with your lives. On the other hand, if you don't go to school altogether, if you stay here and hide, then it will be something that you'll regret for the rest of your lives."

Remus watched as Harry, Ron and Hermione shared guilty glances with one another. He knew that they knew he was right.

"I think it's time you face it. Whether you want to or not, you are destined to take Hogwarts by storm. The only question is, are you getting on that train by yourselves or do I have to drag you?"

Authors note: a whole lot of second guessing in that chapter anyway moving on. First I would like to address JMMN: thank you for your review. I have no intention of abandoning anything so you don't need to worry even though it might take me longer than I would like to update sometimes. I'm glad you find it suspenseful but overwhelming? Was that meant as constructive criticism?

Paradise: as you can probably see by now your assumption about Rita Skeeter was correct. I quite agree she is an awful, awful woman. The attic scene in the last chapter was a lot of fun to write. How about that picture of baby Ron and the pieces? I'm glad you enjoyed the bit about James being an over achiever. I wasn't sure how people were going to react.

Next chapter Harry, Ron and Hermione go off to Hogwarts. But are they happy about it? See I didn't write a cliffhanger I just told you what happens. Nevertheless, I will be adding a cliffhanger in one of the upcoming chapters just giving you fair warning

please read and review

TTFN

E.C.