Yay, an update, woop! So, I'm kind of feeling like this story is getting a bit slow and a bit stagnant, so I'm intending to really shake things up with the next chapters (and when I say shake things up I mean put the proverbial dog*cough*SIRIUS*cough* amongst the pigeons) as always reviews are very, very welcome, thank you to everyone who reads, reviews, favourites etc. - it makes writing about Mr Potter and Mr Lupin even more magical.
Chapter 13: Arrangements
As Remus approached the great hall he saw that all the students were now filing out, chattering happily as they made their way to their respective dormitories. He hoped he hadn't already missed Harry, and decided that if he had he wouldn't go to the Gryffindor Tower to bother him now, in fact he was even starting to consider turning on his heels and walking away, poor Harry deserved to just rest now. He was still toying with this idea, erring on the side of going back to Dumbledore alone when he heard Hermione's voice.
"Professor Lupin? Are you ok?" She asked politely.
"Oh, Good Evening Hermione, yes I'm very well, sorry, I was a little lost in my thoughts." He responded, and she smiled in turn, though she herself seemed a little distracted. "And how are you?" He asked, a little concerned.
"Well... I'm... to be honest, I'm a little worried about Harry. Ron and I hadn't seen him all weekend, he said he was with you on Saturday and today he was just wandering around. But... that's really not like him. I also don't think he's taking the fact that Sirius Black is on the loose very seriously, he isn't doing as well in his schoolwork, and he seems so distracted recently, and he's not eating as much as he should be and-" She had started rambling nonsensically, so Remus stopped her.
"Hermione," he began kindly. "Harry will be absolutely fine. I will have a word with him about Sirius Black. I have noticed that he has been a little bit cavalier about the whole thing too, but don't worry I'll speak to him. And I wouldn't concern yourself, Harry might, indeed, be a little distracted at present, but if there's anything bothering him I'm sure he'll come to you, it might just take some time." He felt bad pacifying her like that when she was obviously, rightly, concerned for her friend. But what else could he say?
"Actually, have you seen Harry?" he asked, remembering his initial reason for coming.
"Yes, he's still in there" she gestured behind her to the Great Hall "he and Ron got into a conversation about Quidditch, which I just couldn't even begin to understand so I left them in there."
Remus chuckled a little.
"So I'll just be off then, thanks Professor, Goodnight."
"Goodnight Hermione." She smiled and walked away.
Remus walked into the Great Hall to see that there were still a few students and Professors sitting at the tables conversing, some even still nibbling away at the long finished feast. Harry and Ron were sitting at the far end of the Gryffindor table, clearly still in the depths of a Quidditch based discussion. Remus could fully understand Hermione's desire to leave; he and Peter had often ditched James and Sirius when they had launched into one of their endless disputes over this player or that match. He smiled a little thinking about how animated and heated they used to get over the tiniest things. However his smile quickly faded - the memory that Sirius had betrayed them hitting him once more like a blast of ice cold water. James and Peter were gone, Sirius was a deplorable traitor, and Remus would be alone forever more... save for Harry.
As Remus approached the two boys Harry looked up and saw him, initially a flicker of dread, and sadness passed through his eyes before he smiled weakly and turned back to Ron to say something, and then stood up and walked towards Remus. Remus stopped, understanding that Harry didn't want to involve anyone else in their impending conversation.
"Long time no see." Harry joked half-heartedly when he reached Remus.
Remus in turn smiled and gestured for them to walk out of the room, as they did they were followed by many pairs of eyes, mostly from the Slytherin table.
Once they were out of the room Remus decided to explain his presence.
"I'm sorry to be bothering you again Harry. I know you're probably ready to go and relax in your common room-" before he could finish Harry cut him off.
"I'm really not. Hermione is hounding me with questions, she thinks I'm being evasive, which I suppose I am. And Ron has this constant look on his face, like I've betrayed him. I know they're my friends, but why can't they just trust me when I tell them I'm fine?" Harry huffed frustratedly.
"Because they know you better." Remus replied simply.
Harry scowled at the floor.
"Harry, they're just concerned, but you don't have to tell them anything you don't want to. If they're true friends, which I don't doubt that they are, they'll get the message that you don't want to talk about it eventually."
Harry nodded a little, but still seemed tense. "Why are you here anyway?"
"Well..." Remus began as he gestured for them to start walking. "I spoke to Dumbledore."
"Oh..." Harry said, his shoulders slouching a little.
"He um, he's eager to get to work sorting things out. As you know the Easter holidays are coming up and I think he wanted this all to be, legally speaking, over and done with by then."
"Really, that quickly?" Harry responded.
"Yes, and... that's why I'm here. He was wondering if he could speak to you this evening."
Harry stopped walking and Remus faced him.
"Obviously, you don't have to, we both appreciate that you've been through and awful lot today. To be honest, I had second thoughts about even asking."
"No... it's fine." Harry said quietly.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. It's got to happen at some point, and soon by the sounds of things, so I might as well get it over and done with."
Remus placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"This is the last real hurdle. I promise. Dumbledore is going to secure things so that you don't have to appear in court. After today we never have to talk about your Uncle ever again if you don't want to."
Harry nodded glumly and began walking again, Remus stayed by his side, eyeing him tentatively until they reached Dumbledore's office.
Remus spoke the password and they went to knock at the inner door.
"Come in." Dumbledore's soft voice sounded from the other side.
Harry shuddered slightly at Remus's side and Remus put his arm around his shoulders and gave him a gentle squeeze. "It'll be fine." he whispered before letting him go and pushing open the door for him.
Harry walked slowly into the room and Remus followed behind, closing the door quietly.
"Ah Harry." Dumbledore said with his usual mirth. "Please, come and sit down." He offered a very plush looking blue velvet upholstered chair.
Harry sat down shakily and Remus took a seat beside him.
"So..." Dumbledore began, sitting down himself, his elbows resting on the desk and his fingers coming up to knit together. "Professor Lupin has informed me that you've been having some trouble at home, this is correct?"
Harry looked down, still trembling slightly. He didn't particularly like Dumbledore's choice of words, unless Remus had been very lenient on the details 'some trouble' didn't exactly surmise the trauma of his childhood. That said, he supposed he wouldn't have preferred him to be too blunt about it. Somewhat unwillingly he glanced up at his head master and nodded meekly.
"I'm very sorry Harry. Truly, and I hope to do everything that I can to help." Dumbledore's tone was very gentle and sincere. Harry continued to stare at the desk, aware of both the adults were eyeing him with concern and sympathy. He felt light headed, suddenly tired and upset.
Remus seemed to somehow sense this and placed a hand on Harry's knee.
"There are a few things we need to discuss. Obviously you will not be going back to your Aunt and Uncle's house over the holidays anymore, so ulterior arrangements shall have to be made."
Harry nodded to show that he was listening.
"After some deliberation, I have deduced that the safest place for you to stay would be here, with a member of staff to make sure you don't run into any trouble. Now, Professor Lupin has made it clear that he would be happy to stay with you, however if that doesn't suit you we can arrange for someone else to stay."
"No." Harry responded abruptly. "No... I-I'd like Rem-Professor Lupin to stay with me... if thats alright." he finished, sheepishly. He glanced up at Remus who smiled broadly back at him and squeezed his knee slightly before removing his hand.
"Very good, well, you will obviously be allowed a little more freedom during the holidays than you are during term time. But I will have to ask you to consider your personal safety at all times. It has been brought to my attention that you can sometimes be a little cavalier about your own well being. Now this comes as no surprise to me - having taught your Father, however it is important, now more than ever, to remain vigilant."
"I will, Sir." Harry responded quietly.
"Very good." Dumbledore smiled warmly before reaching across his desk and picking up a large crystal ball and retrieving some parchments from beneath it. "Now, we come to the slightly more grave subject concerning your Uncle."
Harry shuddered again. It was only a small motion, but enough for Remus to notice and he reached down to grasp Harry's hand in his own and was rewarded by Harry clinging on tightly.
"It's important that he is reprimanded for what he did to you. So I'm going to arrange for his arrest and subsequent trial. Madam Pomfrey and Professor Lupin are to be called upon as witnesses, and with your permission, we can use your letter to Professor Lupin as your statement so that you don't have to appear in court." Dumbledore explained softly.
Remus felt harry's hand tighten around his. "But..." The boy stammered, stopping himself abruptly.
"What is it Harry?" Remus asked gently. "You can tell us."
"No, it's, it's fine... I just, I hate the thought of people knowing." Harry responded, almost a whisper.
"That's perfectly understandable. But these people are professionals, who will have been through this very process many times before. They will swear to an oath of complete secrecy, and it will never be discussed again after the trial." Remus explained, trying to make Harry feel better, trying to think of anything he could say that would make it easier.
Harry nodded, a few tears running silently down his face. Remus glanced to Dumbledore who got up and slowly made his way round to kneel in front of Harry, taking his free hand in his own and looking into his tearful eyes.
"Harry, my boy, I can understand your concerns, and I am so very sorry that this is happening, I wish more than anything that I could make things better for you. But this has to be done, it's the only way that we can keep you safe." His voice was incredibly gentle and he stroked the back of Harry's hand as he spoke.
"I know, Sir. I'm sorry, it's fine, really." he responded tearfully. "Thank you."
"There is no need to thank me, Harry. It is my responsibility to care for you, and that is exactly what I, along with Professor Lupin, intend to do." Dumbledore replied, a sad smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Harry nodded again, and dried his eyes with the cuffs of his jumper. Remus pulled a handkerchief from his shirt pocket and handed it to Harry, who thanked him and proceeded to blow his nose.
Dumbledore, with some effort, stood up and went back to his seat.
"Are you sure it's ok to go through this tonight Harry? If you'd rather come back tomorrow that would be perfectly acceptable." Remus queried, stroking the back of Harry's hand with his thumb.
"No." Harry shook his head. "I'm fine, honestly."
"If at any point you want to stop, just let us know." Dumbledore interjected and Harry nodded for the conversation to continue. "So, are you comfortable with us using your letter as a statement?" he asked.
"Um... yes I suppose so."
"Is there anything you want to change or feel that you missed?" Remus asked.
"No. I, I think it's fine... but..." Harry stammered again, his eyes cast down.
"What is it?" Remus asked, placing a hand reassuringly on the back of his neck.
"He... took" Harry took a deep breath. "He took pictures of me."
Dumbledore cocked his head to the side sympathetically and Remus closed his eyes and sighed, horrified that there was yet more Harry hadn't already told him.
"And... I don't know if he still has them... but, well - they... they're... indecent." Harry's voice got quieter and quieter as he spoke, the last word little more than a trembling whisper.
Remus squeezed his hand a little tighter and stroked his hair comfortingly.
"Well... in that case, there will be a warrant drawn up to search the house. If he still has these pictures, they will be found. Don't worry." Dumbledore uttered, his voice sombre, his sadness beginning to wear through his calm exterior. "Is there anything you want to ask, anything you're not sure about?"
"Um... well, what if he's found innocent or he escapes or-"
"He won't." Remus interrupted, stroking circles on Harry's back now. "And even if he did, you're incredibly well protected. You're living in a magical castle full of heavily armed wizards and witches apart from anything else." At this Harry laughed slightly and nodded, and Remus was relieved to see it. "There's no need to worry, you are safe, I promise." he added gently.
"Professor Lupin is right, Harry. There really is no need to worry. And if you're comfortable with us taking the legal matters into our own hands then there's nothing else you need to do. However, we will keep you abreast of what's happening, and if there's anything you want to ask either of us then please do not hesitate to do so." Dumbledore said, and Remus was glad he was drawing things to a close. It really as time now that Harry was allowed to get some rest from all of this.
"Are you going to be ok to attend classes tomorrow? You have had rather a tough couple of days?" Remus asked.
"No, I'll be fine." Harry responded and Remus raised a skeptical eyebrow. "No really, I want to go to class, I promise." Remus replaced his look of disbelief with a kind smile, noting another way that Harry was more like Lily than James.
"Very well Harry. I think it'd be best that you get some rest now. Don't worry. We'll sort this out." Dumbledore smiled to the boy.
"Thank you Professor."
"No, thank you Harry. I know that confiding in anyone about something like this can't be easy, and I'm very proud of you for finding the courage to do such a thing." Dumbledore said kindly.
Harry nodded sheepishly and he and Remus got up to leave.
"Oh, Remus, if you could come and see me first thing tomorrow, I would be much obliged." Dumbledore added with a nod and Remus nodded back before guiding Harry out of the room.
...
Once outside Remus turned to Harry. "Shall I walk you to your common room?"
Harry nodded, and they set off. At first it was quiet, and there were a million things Remus wanted to say to the boy, but he wasn't sure Harry would want to hear any of them.
Eventually he cleared his throat. "Again, Harry, if there's anything you want to ask either of us, then please don't hesitate. This is about you, and I'm aware that we're sort of taking things out of your hands, and I know it might be a little daunting not to be in control, not to know exactly whats happening... but, to be honest... you've been through enough, more than enough - too much in fact. And we just want to make this as easy for you as it can be."
"I know." Harry replied quietly and came to a stop. Remus looked up and found that they were standing outside the portrait hole, they had reached their destination.
"Will you be ok?" Remus asked. "With Ron and Hermione?"
Harry sighed and rubbed his face with both hands. "I imagine so, I've got sort of good at changing conversations and avoiding questions." He said glumly, causing Remus to sigh sadly and pull him into a hug.
Though a little tense at first, Harry relaxed and Remus held him a little tighter, wishing that he could magic away the past.
"Thank you." Harry whispered against his chest, and Remus smoothed the hair on the back of his head.
"You're very welcome." He whispered back before placing a kiss on the top of Harry's head before he pulled away, said goodnight, and disappeared through the hole and out of sight.