Note: Perhaps a slightly odd wrap-up to a rather intense story but it is what it is. Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Chapter 56: Third Year and Beyond
Harry spent the last few weeks of summer holidays learning to swim from Professor Snape and actually speaking with Jeff openly about his childhood. He kept his drawing pad nearby during all of their sessions; he found the mindless movements helped distract him from the painful memories. Jeff never specifically said anything but seemed pleased with Harry's progress. Harry was relieved to only see Jeff once a week. He spoke with Professor Snape as the man taught him the different swimming strokes and worked on his endurance in the pool. Harry didn't even realize how easily Professor Snape could draw out details of his childhood until Jeff congratulated him on opening up to someone.
Term started and the Headmaster announced the new pool hours. Harry freaked out after his second Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The professor, Remus Lupin, excused him from class and suggested he go to the hospital wing. Harry sought out Professor Snape in the staff room, knowing the man had a free period.
"You have class, Mr. Potter," said the potion's master when he opened the staff room door.
"Yes Professor, but Professor Lupin sent me out because I freaked out," said Harry, face tense.
Motioning the boy inside, Professor Snape asked, "And what seems to be the problem?"
"Professor Lupin is the same Remus Lupin that you and Sirius both told me about and he's a werewolf."
"Yes. One night per month, Remus Lupin turns into a monster. You are safe. The other students are safe. He curls up on his sitting room rug and sleeps the night away. I make a potion called Wolfsbane, which renders him harmless."
"Oh. So I freaked out for no reason?"
"Yes. Mr. Potter. Please come with me. As class is now over, we will speak to Professor Lupin," said Professor Snape, motioning for Harry to follow.
Harry bashfully apologized to Professor Lupin who accepted it without protest and gave Harry the homework assignment.
Harry met with his friends to do homework in the evenings and they always took breaks to attend the swimming hours. He found that between the swimming, the yoga, and drawing, he was a lot more even-tempered. He didn't really notice when Jeff reduced their sessions to as needed right around the winter holidays. He finally understood he had people to talk to and ways to cope. Every so often, he caught sight of his scars and thought about those feelings but realized the thought of slicing open his skin no longer sounded soothing.
Sirius Black joined him and Albus for a quiet Christmas. Sirius cleaned out and sold his depressing family townhouse in London, settling instead in a medium-sized cottage in Hogsmeade. Harry loved the property. The house was cozy and the garden was large enough for flying. He kept in mind Professor Snape's words from the summer and had not made any decisions about whether or not to move in with his godfather but the prospect of living in a real home with the person his parents wanted to raise him if they died, was appealing. He worried about Professor Snape's reaction but the man was quick to point out that he was not going anywhere and would not suddenly start treating Harry poorly just because he decided to live with his godfather.
Easter holidays saw Harry standing tentatively in the room that his godfather announced was his own to decorate. He was not sure what he wanted but asked Albus to charm the ceiling to reflect a bright blue sky with puffy clouds during the day and a sky filled with stars at night. Albus smiled at him and asked about wall color. Harry settled on a blue so pale it looked white but insisted that he and Sirius paint it the muggle way. Both ended up coated in paint but had a blast.
Harry woke from a nightmare towards the end of the week cuddled in the arms of his godfather. The man rubbed his back soothingly as Harry cried and told him about his dream. Sirius ended up calling Professor Snape who came immediately and spoke quietly with Harry before convincing him to drink a half-dose of a calming draught and return to bed.
Harry was not fully healed but he was getting better. He moved in with Sirius permanently at the end of June. He still loved Albus but having his godfather was like the parent he'd never before experienced. Harry and Sirius met with Jeff one time per month as they learned to live with each other and Harry continued speaking with Professor Snape whenever he needed a little more support.
