Chapter 10
Home for the mystery's

Remus walked towards Lily. She smiled at him. "Last year Remus," she said as they moved slowly to the horseless Carriages. "Can you believe I actually made it to Head Girl? I was so excited when I got my letter. As always my sister was less impressed. She's seeing a man at work. He's working at that Drilling's company she's a part-time receptionist there. Petunia brought him over for dinner once. What a horrible character."

Remus frowned. "What is the company for? I don't think I've ever heard of Drilling's?"

Lily smiled at him. "I guess you wouldn't. It's a muggle company. Not really interesting. I just don't know what to make of him." But before she could say anything else, someone called her name.

"Lily, I've got something for you!"

As she turned, Remus kept the door open of the carriage. A girl in Ravenclaw robes was half-running towards them. She was smiling brightly, her blue eyes nearly sparkling in the starlight. Her short brown hair bounced with every step she took. She looked their age, but Remus wasn't sure he had ever noticed her before.

"Thanks for waiting," she said. Her voice was familiar, as was her scent. She smelled of flowers and parchment, ink and potions. Remus couldn't place her though. Maybe because she was a Ravenclaw. He wasn´t sure if they ever had any classes together.

They climbed into the carriage and the girl gave Lily something who held it to the light of the flickering stars and lights of the upcoming castle. It was a necklace with a small potion flask to it. Inside there was what looked like a plant? It had a soft pink glow. "Thanks Nathalie," Lily said smiling brightly and she hung it around her neck.

"Be careful with it though," Nathalie said, as her chest seemed to swell with proud. "I only found two. One I gave to my best friend back home." Something flickered across her eyes, but her smile lingered. She let out a small breath as Lily hung the gift around her neck.

Lily frowned slightly. "Are you sure you want to give it to me then? It´s very valuable."

But Nathalie shook her head. "Don´t worry about it." And she extended her hand to Remus. "Sorry," she said. "I do believe we haven´t formally met. Nathalie Angel. You must be Remus Lupin. I´ve seen you in classes of course. Bet you never noticed me though." She ended with a laugh. "Sirius has noticed though." And she rolled her eyes.

Remus smiled. "He notices every pretty girl," it was out of his mouth before he thought about it. He was glad the carriage stopped at that very moment. He stepped out first, composed himself and kept the door open for the two girls.

Lily came out first, hiding her smile as quickly as she could. Nathalie took his hand as she stepped out. Her smile dazzled him nearly and he smiled back nervously. "Hey Remy!" The shout came as a welcome excuse to turn away from her. Sirius and James were waving at him as they stepped out the next carriage.

"See you later Remus," Nathalie said smiling. She and Lily made their way into the castle, talking in hushed tones, giggling every now and then.

When Sirius and James reached him they were out of sight. "Who was that with Lily," James said staring after the two girls. His voice, as always when he talked about Lily, turned slightly more in love. Peter, Harry and Ginny were walking behind them listening in while pretending to talk about their holiday.

"I can´t believe you don´t know who that is," Sirius said, clearly amazed. "That was Nathalie Angel. Her last name doesn´t do her justice. Out of every girl at Hogwarts, none is as resistant as her. This only makes me want her more. The only flaw she has is her strange behaviour at time. You must have noticed her. Smells like haven, nose always in a book, ink spots over her fingers and that accent of hers drives me insane. And a 'V' if I ever saw one."

Remus rolled his eyes. Sirius´ description for Virgins was getting old. You would think age had finally reached that brain of his. "And how would you know that? Just because she won´t let you touch her?"

Sirius came to a halt, but they had already reached the Great Hall, so they did not continue their conversation.

…

As they were one of the last to arrive they didn´t have to wait to long before the first years arrived together with professor McGonagall. Harry glanced again at the girl that had been the topic of conversation as they entered Hogwarts. He could not notice anything about the girl, apart from the fact that she seemed to be the only one carrying a bag and was now bending her head to look at her legs, a small frown on her face.

She looked up quickly and locked eyes with Harry before he looked away. Something about her blue eyes reminded him of something, but he couldn't figure it out. He must have imagined it. Harry slipped his hand in Ginny´s and squeezed it lightly. She looked up and smiled at him. `You okay?´ she mouthed. He nodded and smiled at her. He focused his gaze on the first years of this time.

McGonagall had started reading out the names. At the moment a small girl with large green eyes made her way towards the stool with the Sorting Hat on it. A quiet moment and then it shouted: "HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hufflepuff table clapped and the girl made her way to her new home.

"Hector Dagworth-Granger!"

Harry masked his shock intake of breath with a cough. He looked at Ginny quickly, but she just smiled. "Could it be?" Harry whispered.

Ginny shrugged. "Don´t know," she whispered back. "I can´t remember her ever telling us, do you?"

Harry shook his head as the Sorting Hat shouted: "RAVENCLAW!" Maybe it was just a coincidence. You had a lot of people with the same surname, but they weren´t always family. This could be the same. I mean, Hermione was sure she didn´t have any magical blood in her family.

The list of new students went on till the last child was finally sorted into Gryffindor. Harry smiled, he couldn´t help himself. Hermione would love this. Dumbledore stood and the quiet conversations dissolved. "I will not spoil your appetite with warning so for now enjoy!"

Harry smiled. The house elves had outdone themselves again. He remembered Dobby fondly as he ate and wondered if Kreacher had made it trough the battle. It was the first time he had thought of the house elf and hoped when he got back to his own time that Kreacher would help him reorganize Grimmauld Place. Harry didn´t know yet what he wanted to do with the place. It could offer him a home until he was able to afford his own place.

Lily, who was sitting next to Harry, was talking to her friend about her summer. "Anyway, can´t believe she loves him. I guess it isn´t really my place, but she is my sister and I don´t want her to get hurt."

"I´m sure she´ll be okay," the girl next to her said, patting her hand lightly. "It´s not like she agreed to marry him yet or anything. If it´s just a fling, I´m sure she´ll get over it."

Lily frowned. "I don´t know Kathy. I´m worried about her." She started fumbling with her necklace and smiled. "But what about your summer? Did you see Danny at all?"

Harry tuned out on his mother. He smiled slightly. Soon all that innocence would be gone, but he was happy that they still had it. Ginny was talking with Remus about their upcoming classes. "I'm taking Ancient Runes though. I seemed to have a gift for the old languages. Harry though is more gifted in Defence than anything."

Harry pouted. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ginny patted his hand and smiled. "That you're a very sweet and caring man, who is more concerned about others than himself. But don't worry Harry," she continued, pinning a few vegetables on her fork. "You know I love you just the same."

"Doesn't mean you have to rub it in," Harry muttered under his breath, knowing she was right. He tried to focus on his food, but he had eating his fill. "Can't belief you did it again," he said a little louder. "I'm not that bad."

"Stop being so modest Harry," Ginny said, laying down her fork. "Besides you're great at what you do. Better then most Auror's we know." She added in a whisper.

"Experience," Harry said and his eyes lingered on Remus. In a flash he remembered the man lying in the Great Hall, dead. But he blinked and smiled. "So what is your expertise?"

Remus blushed slightly and coughed. "Care of Magical Creatures. Sure I'm very good at Defence to and Astrology. Not that it matters much," he whispered at the end. Remus stared at his dessert, picking at it with his fork without real interest.

"My brother is really good in Care of Magical Creatures," Ginny said brightly. "He works in Romania with Dragons. My brother Bill is a Curse Breaker in Egypt. Got scratched by a werewolf." The truth in her voice made Remus stiffen for a while, but he didn't comment. "Still the best Curse Breaker they ever had and he got married didn't he."

She grinned and Harry grabbed her hand, smiling. Remus seemed to relax slightly. "Amazing," Harry said, staring at Ginny with open admiration. "A half Veela married to a scratched Curse Breaker. If I ever saw a pair."

Ginny smiled at him and she ran her fingers through his hair. Harry leaned into the touch. "My brother found his other half, and so have I. And what a pair we make. The poorest loving the richest."

But Harry shook his head. "You are the rich one here Ginny." A silence settled that was quickly interrupted by Dumbledore who was ready to make his announcement.

…

"Nothing ever changes around here," Remus muttered as he entered the Gryffindor common room. Only Harry heard and smiled. He was right, nothing ever changes around here. Only we are. "You two still remember where you're going?" Remus said, grinning at Harry and Ginny.

"Oh I'm sorry," Ginny said with a smile. "Were we supposed to remember?"

Sirius gave a howl of laugher. "I almost forgot how much I loved this girl."

Harry coughed and raised an eyebrow. "I'll pretend that it's all about brotherly affection." Sirius gave him a playful shove. "Don't even try to say all fair in love and war, because it's not."

Sirius ruffled through his hair. "We all know that Harry. We all know that."

…

Harry lay in bed staring at the canopy. He wasn't sure if he could trust his own feelings at the moment. Every now and then he felt like hugging Remus or Sirius or James and just not letting go. With Lily he just wanted her to love him like a son. To see that affection in her eyes. Harry's heart ached and he blinked back the tears. Who was he kidding anyway? He was a hero in another world and he wasn't even understood. He had no home, no family to turn to. All he had was the Weasley's and the way he had put them in danger every time he had been there, he wasn't sure if he was ready to accept their help again. Harry squeezed his eyes shut and tried to let sleep claim him.