"Do you think I should ask him about this?" said Remus, flipping through Harry's records once more. At the psychiatrist's, he'd surreptitiously duplicated Harry's paperwork, including a litany of 'delusions' and 'hallucinations' the boy had claimed in the last year, most of which were deeply disturbing.

Lyall frowned as he looked over the records. "What are the chances he's telling the truth, do you think?"

"He has yet to lie to me, that I'm aware of. But I hope these are either lies or 'delusions' because if this is true, I'm glad the Dursleys are dead," Remus said darkly. "And I'm going to do my damndest to keep Harry, even if I need to Obliviate or Confundo everyone in my way."

"Son, you're doing a fine job managing without magic on them. Keep it that way, or you might risk losing him."

"I know, I know." Remus sighed. "But reading his experiences at that woman's home – sleeping in a bloody doghouse – if anyone deserves a good Cruc—"

"—Remus," Lyall said sharply. "Control your temper. It doesn't do you or Harry any good to torture her, even if what she did was wrong."

"More than wrong, this is abuse!" Remus pounded his fist on the kitchen table, making the tea slosh over the rim of their mugs.

"Calm down, or you'll wake him," Lyall said. "He needs his sleep. He stayed up with you while you healed, not keeping his eyes off you. Let him rest."

"He did?" Remus asked, in disbelief. "He stayed the whole time?"

"Wouldn't let you out of his sight." Lyall put his glasses down and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "He cares for you deeply already. Poor kid's been starved for affection for too long. I would bet these reports are true, based on his behavior."

"How am I supposed to ask him about this? 'Hey Harry, tell me about your horrific neglect and abuse?'"

"Ask him about his life before here, and be honest with him if he asks you questions," Lyall said, before taking a sip of his tea. "It's easier for him to be honest if you're honest with him in return."

"Like how you were honest with me?" Remus said, rolling his eyes. "Forgetting to mention to me that it was Fenrir Greyback who bit me until I walked into a werewolf camp and almost died?"

"How were we supposed to know you'd do that to yourself?" Lyall snapped. "We never wanted you to go looking for your attacker, and you found him anyway."

"And almost died," Remus added icily. His time at the werewolf encampments before the Potters' death had been some of the cruelest, loneliest years of his young life. It had all been in the name of winning werewolves away from Voldemort, but Remus had failed to win anyone over and instead had been accused of being a spy one too many times.

"You're not dead now, and that's what matters. Learn from my mistakes, son. Be honest with him," Lyall said, exhaling forcefully. The two sat in uneasy silence, sipping their tea in contemplation.

"I am proud of you," Lyall said quietly. "For taking him on. You ought to know that."

Remus looked up, startled at his father's admission. Without saying any more, Lyall stood and cleaned his mug, and left Remus in the kitchen alone, to decide how to ask Harry about his previous life.

….

Harry's tenth birthday was fast approaching, and Remus had still not spoken with the boy about his life before arriving in Cardiff, or before the children's homes with the various Dursleys. Remus had a difficult time deciding when it was best to ask about Harry's likely past trauma, not wanting to disturb him. Harry was finally beginning to relax in the Lupin home, and had been bold enough to ask for specific foods for breakfast or dinner, which Remus had gladly provided. These little changes gave Remus hope that Harry was slowly healing from whatever he'd come from. Perhaps, Remus thought, after his birthday, he could ask Harry about his past.

But first, he had to get Harry's preferences for a birthday cake, and what he'd like to do to celebrate.

Remus strode towards Harry's room, which was now cheerfully decorated in crimson and gold. Since Harry had learned that his parents, Remus, and Lyall had all been Gryffindors, he had chosen to decorate his room in the same colors. Remus was only too happy to oblige to the request.

He knocked softly on the door, finding Harry with his nose in a book, a favorite pastime of the boy. As soon as Harry saw Remus, he stood abruptly and closed the book, placing it on one side.

"You need me?" asked Harry.

"Just to chat with you, Harry. As usual, don't feel the need to stand when I come in. I'm not that important, I assure you."

Harry relaxed slightly and sat back on his bed, while Remus took the desk chair.

"Am I in trouble?"

"Not at all!" Remus smiled, trying to reassure Harry. "I was wondering…your tenth birthday is in a few days' time, and I was hoping to learn what you'd like to do for it, and what kind of cake you like best."

Harry blinked several times at Remus, evidently at a loss for words.

"We don't have to have cake, if you don't like it," added Remus. "I know you like treacle tart and Welsh cakes too. I wanted to make sure you had something special. You only turn ten once, right?"

Harry swirled his finger on the fabric of his quilt. Remus sat quietly, waiting for Harry to decide what he wanted.

"I had a cake last year, but I didn't like it," Harry finally said. "Miss Eleanor made it. Michael and Nina told her I liked carrot cake, but I don't." He kept tracing a pattern in his quilt with his finger, not looking up at Remus. "I don't know what cake I like. I never had much cake before."

Remus sat still, patient for Harry to continue. He was finally opening up about his past, and Remus was loath to prevent it, letting Harry set the pace.

"Aunt Petunia sometimes made cake, but it was only for good boys. For her, or Uncle Vernon, or Dudley. Or their friends. I never got any, unless it was burnt."

Remus bit back the bile that had come up at the back of his throat. He felt rage swelling up in his chest at the thought that Harry had been denied cake of all things, and been given burnt pieces instead.

"I don't know if I even like cake," Harry said, his head still bent down. "I don't want to disappoint you if I don't like it."

"Oh, Harry," Remus said softly. "You couldn't disappoint me over something like cake." Harry's head snapped up, now looking deep into Remus' eyes with his own emerald green ones.

"How about this…I'll go to the bakery and get one of each cupcake they have, and you can try each flavor on your birthday. Then we'll know what you do and don't like. What do you say?"

Harry's shy smile was all Remus needed to see to know it was a good idea, and Remus grinned in return.

"Good. Now, what would you like to do on your birthday? I took the day off so we could spend it together, if you'd like," Remus said, feeling grateful that Harry had accepted the cupcake idea. "Or we can stay here. It's your day."

Harry, once more, sat in quiet disbelief upon hearing Remus speak. It was a look he was becoming familiar with – a look that appeared whenever Harry was offered something he was surprised by.

"Would you like ideas, Harry?" The boy nodded, and Remus continued. "We can go into London. They have museums and the zoo there. I'm afraid we still can't do much with the wizarding world just yet, but there lots of Muggle things to do in London. We could go to any of the National Parks, and go walking or hiking. We could go to one of the coasts, by the sea. Or, we could stay here. Whatever you'd like to do."

After a moment's hesitation, Harry spoke. "Which one is the cheapest?"

Remus frowned. "I don't want you to worry about that. We've set some money aside for your birthday. While it's not as much as I'd like, it's plenty for us to enjoy a day out in London, or at the beach."

"Can we go to the zoo?" Harry said, a hopeful edge to his voice. "Dudley got to go on a school trip but I didn't. Aunt Petunia said they couldn't afford for both of us to go so I stayed home and cleaned."

Remus, once more, set aside his temporary rage at Petunia Dursley to force a smile onto his face. "If that's what you want, Harry, we will spend the day at the zoo."

"Really?" Harry was now smiling, looking eager. "You'll take me?"

"Of course. It's your birthday, Harry. We'll go to the zoo and then try all the cupcakes I can get my hands on. I want you to enjoy your special day."

Harry nodded slowly, his smile stuck on his face. Remus couldn't help but smile too, despite his anger at the Dursleys. He would address that another day. For now, he had a birthday to plan.

….

Harry's birthday was an unmitigated success. Lyall, Remus, and Harry had spent the entirety of the day at the zoo. They spent almost an hour in the reptile room alone, as Harry curiously chatted with the snakes. Remus had cast a Muffliato around them as they went from exhibit to exhibit to ensure Muggles wouldn't overhear the strange hissing and rasping sounds from the boy's mouth, or the snakes' snouts. Remus and Lyall were both uneasy with the display of Parseltongue, but said nothing, as Harry was delighted that his ability to talk to snakes was not, in fact, a delusion. Remus had confirmed it, upon asking Harry to ask the snakes to move their heads left and right, or up and down. The snakes had all cooperated, and Harry had grinned from ear to ear as a result.

The day at the zoo was followed by a buffet of ten cupcakes to celebrate Harry's tenth birthday. It resulted that he liked almost all kinds of cake, unless they had vegetables or poppyseeds. The boy had never truly had cake before – at least not edible cake. Now that he knew what it was, he was looking forward to every birthday or holiday for more. Remus was tempted to make a cake daily to make up for Harry's lack of it in his childhood, but Lyall had talked him out of it.

Days after Harry's birthday, Remus decided to talk to him. After his revelation just before his birthday – that of having no proper birthdays or cake from the Dursleys – Remus wanted to learn more. Thus, that sunny August afternoon, he made a double chocolate cake and called Harry to see him in the kitchen.

"Is it Lyall's birthday?" Harry asked, upon seeing the two-layer cake on the table.

"No, I just felt like making it," Remus said lightly. "I thought you would enjoy it."

"You made it for me?"

"I like chocolate too," Remus said wryly. "So it's for us. Would you like milk with it?"

Harry nodded enthusiastically, and Remus cut a generous slice of cake for each of them, and two glasses of milk. After a few bites each of cake, Remus decided to ask the question that had been at the tip of his tongue for weeks.

"Harry, what was it like for you before you were here?"

Harry looked up, his mouth halfway filled with chocolate cake, and chewed it slowly before swallowing. "You mean…at Mrs. Mason's?"

"Mrs. Mason's, the homes before then, and your relatives," Remus clarified. "I want to know everything about your life, if you're willing to share with me."

Harry's eyes darted back and forth and he bit his lower lip. He blinked rapidly, and then scrunched his eyes together before speaking. "Am I going to the doctor again?"

"No."

"Am I going to get into trouble?"

"No."

"Are they going to get into trouble?"

Remus hesitated before answering, and by now Harry had opened his eyes to meet Remus'. "If they did something wrong, maybe. I don't know. You can tell me what you'd like me to do."

Harry was pushing around crumbs on his plate, seemingly deep in thought. "I don't want to get in trouble."

"Why would you get in trouble for telling the…" Remus stopped mid-sentence, realizing that the truth had led Harry to be given fistfuls of pills that weren't necessary. He cleared his throat. "Harry, I want you to know you can be honest with me. If you'd like, we can make a sort of game of it. If you tell me something about your life before you came here, I'll tell you something about my life before you were here."

"Can I ask anything?" Harry's eyes were still wide with concern.

"Yes, and I'll answer as best as I can," Remus promised. "I'll go first. Before you came here, I didn't have a steady job because I was a werewolf. I tried finding jobs in the magical world but they never lasted very long. It wasn't until I tried looking for you that I worked harder to get a job that I could keep for longer."

Harry was rapt with attention. Remus sat still and placed his hands on the table, hoping Harry would speak.

"Maybe you can tell me one of your earliest memories?" Remus suggested.

Harry bit his lip. "Err, I didn't like the Dursleys. I slept in the cupboard under the stairs."

Remus closed his eyes and exhaled forcefully. "That doesn't seem very nice."

"It was okay." Harry looked out into the distance. "At least I didn't have to share it like my rooms at the homes. It was my cupboard." Harry fell silent again, and Remus decided it was his turn to speak.

"When I was your age, I didn't have any friends. My parents had to move around a lot because of my condition. I didn't make any real friends until I went to school and met your dad."

"Really?"

"Really. Whenever we stayed in one spot for more than a few months, others would get suspicious of us, and we would have to go. When I started at school, I met your dad and a few other friends and it changed my life."

Harry chewed on his bottom lip, and opened his mouth to speak again. "Dudley always got new stuff. I got all his hand me downs and broken stuff. He was always bigger so I never got clothes that fit."

"Now you do," Remus said gently. "Your clothes fit and your things aren't broken. They might be a little worn, but they aren't broken." Remus made it a point to remind himself to buy something new and special for Harry soon, just to surprise the boy and give him something all his own.

Without noticing the time, the afternoon flew by. Remus listened carefully as he and Harry exchanged stories from their past. Remus chose the more personal, embarrassing stories of his childhood and adolescence, while Harry shared the darker, more somber memories of his short life.

The cupboard. The doghouse. The neglect. The hunger.

Remus' blood was boiling by the time Harry finished his tales. It took all his effort to stay rooted to his seat, in order to prevent himself from Apparating to torture Marge Dursley for her horrific abuse and neglect of Harry. Remus wanted nothing more than to wrap Harry in his arms and assure him that no further pain would come his way, but until he could be adopted, Remus was reluctant to promise anything.

Harry was sniffling by the time he was done sharing his childhood with Remus, and he in turn was holding back the urge to take vengeance upon the people who had caused James and Lily's son to suffer so much.

"Harry?"

The boy looked up, eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"You're safe here. You will never sleep anywhere but your bed. You will always have enough to eat. You will always have clothes that fit. You will always have your own toys and books. I can't promise I'll have all the latest Muggle devices, but you will always have everything you need, so long as you live under this roof. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded weakly, still staring down at the table. Remus stood from his place and knelt before him. He reached out a hand, and placed it on Harry's knee. He looked up, surprised at the affection, as he nearly always was.

"I know I'm not your father, Harry, but I want you to know you'll always have me."

It was then that Harry surprised Remus by wrapping his arms around Remus' chest, snuggling his head against the crook of Remus' neck. It was the first time Harry had shown physical affection in almost two months. It was the first time Harry had shown physical affection at all towards Remus or Lyall, and the feeling was so overwhelmingly good that Remus fought back tears that threatened to overtake him.

"Don't worry, Harry. I'll always take care of you," Remus murmured, holding Harry close to his chest. "I'll always be here."

They remained like that, Harry hugging Remus tightly, for a while. Remus' joints were aching and his knees were screaming in protest, but he ignored the physical discomfort. Harry was opening up to him, and trusting him. That feeling overcame any physical pain.

….

Another doctor's visit had come and gone, as well as another inspection upon the Lupin home to ensure Harry was happy and well-adjusted before enrolling in the local primary school for year six. They'd come home with several more unnecessary pills, which Remus vanished with magic. Harry was opening up, and his accidental magic was becoming more predictable as his fears were assuaged.

It was now the beginning of September, which meant it was the first day of school for Harry. Having never been to a Muggle school before, both Remus and Lyall were visibly nervous on the first day, as they were unsure of what to expect. Lyall had wanted to homeschool Harry, but Remus knew that anything out of the ordinary would be frowned upon by children's services. Until Harry was legally his through adoption, Remus had to comply with all of children's services demands, requests, or expectations.

Thus, on that first day of school in September, Remus walked Harry to the local primary school. Harry was outfitted in the school's uniform, and Remus walked alongside him to ensure the boy found his way safely.

"Do you like school, Harry?" asked Remus, on their walk.

"It's okay." He shrugged, holding his new rucksack tighter in his hands. "Last year I was at three different schools and before that I was at school with Dudley. I never made any friends."

"You'll only be at this school for the term. If I can get it all sorted and you're adopted, you'll go to the special magic school, Hogwarts, next term."

"I wish I could go now. I want to learn magic."

"I know, but it'll be good for you to go to a school close by and make a few friends before you go off to Hogwarts next year. I'm sure it will be all right."

Harry stopped in his tracks on the way to the school and looked up. "Did you ever go to Muggle school, Remus?"

"No, I didn't. We moved around too much. With my condition, I was homeschooled."

"You wouldn't understand, then," Harry said sadly. "No one has ever wanted to be my friend."

"I'm sure that's not true," Remus said, watching Harry grimace. "This time, you're not in a home of total strangers, nor do you have foster siblings or a cousin to tell others lies about you. No one knows you here, Harry."

"I still don't belong anywhere. You're not my real dad or even my real uncle." Harry slumped forward as he said this, and Remus felt the pang in his heart at the boy's words. Every word was true – Remus was neither Harry's true father or uncle. But, by Merlin, he was trying, and the words stung all the same.

"I know I'm not," Remus said quietly. "I'm trying to be something I'm not, and I know that. But, if you let me try, I want to be at least like an uncle to you. I would never try to replace your father, you know. You should've grown up calling me Uncle Moony."

Harry stopped in his tracks again. "Moony?"

Remus chuckled. "Sometimes I forget how little I've told you. For every one piece of information I give you, there are at least ten more I've forgotten. When you come home from school today, I'll tell you all about our nicknames. Moony was mine."

Harry was mollified with the answer, seemingly content to have something to look forward to. They walked a short distance further, arriving just beyond the gate of the school.

"Do you want me to walk in with you to the classroom?" asked Remus. "It's my first time here, too."

Harry shook his head. "No, everyone will think I'm a loser if I have to be walked in." Remus clenched his jaw, deciding against offering another piece of unwanted advice or counsel.

"All right, Harry. If that's what you'd like. My dad will be here at the end of the day to come get you. Is that okay, or should I have him stay home?"

Harry looked uncertain. Remus saw his eyes darting around to the other children and their parents, dropping them off with hugs and kisses on their first day of school. Remus could see the longing in Harry's eyes, and he suddenly felt woefully inadequate as a guardian to James and Lily's son.

"I'll have my dad come. You deserve to have someone walk you home." Harry nodded feebly, still looking wistfully at the other families. He began to turn away, and Remus felt the breath hitch in his throat.

"Harry?" Harry turned back and Remus opened his arms, hoping the boy wouldn't reject him. To Remus' immense relief, Harry hugged Remus tightly, as Remus placed his hand on Harry's head, holding him closer.

"I know I'm not perfect, but I'm trying," Remus said quietly. "I know I'm not your father, and I never will be, but I do love you, Harry."

Harry backed away, startled. Remus wondered if he had said too much, but Harry's shy smile gave him hope it had been all right. Harry gave Remus one more hug before he ran off into the building, and Remus let out a relieved sigh, glad for another positive interaction.

….

"Remus, could I get your help on my homework please?" asked Harry. He was clutching a large piece of paper in his hands, looking uncomfortable.

Remus had a moment of panic, wondering what the school had assigned now. In a matter of weeks, he had been forced to brush up on Muggle British history, mathematics, and science.

"Bring it here," Remus said kindly. "Let's see what Mrs. Hughes has assigned today."

Harry brought the paper forward, and Remus glanced at a relatively empty page with the outline of a tree.

"It's a family tree," Harry said. "It's for history, to know our own history, but I don't know mine. We're supposed to put pictures too. At least I have some now."

Remus looked at the boxes available for parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and more. He shuddered to think what this assignment might have been like if he had been with the other foster parents or with the Dursleys.

"I can help you with this," Remus said. "I didn't know much about your mum's family, but I certainly knew your dad's." Harry looked instantly relieved, and put the paper tree on the kitchen table, holding a Muggle pencil in hand.

Over the next hour, they filled out the tree with Harry's parents' names and pictures. Remus had charmed them to stay still. From the few wedding pictures Remus had, he was able to find images of Harry's four grandparents, and placed them on the tree as well. Next to Lily's name, Harry reluctantly put Petunia's name and face, with a drawn-in face for Vernon and Dudley.

Harry bit the end of the pencil, staring at the space next to James. He was humming lightly, a habit Remus noticed meant he was anxious.

"What's on your mind, Harry?"

"Can I put your name here?" Harry asked, pointing to the space next to James, where an aunt or uncle should be. Remus cleared his throat, feeling uneasy.

"I know you're not my, err, real uncle, but I told everyone you were," Harry mumbled. "I didn't want them to think I was a foster kid again. You're not mad, are you?"

"No, I'm not mad," Remus said slowly. "I don't mind, either. But I do hope that next term, when you're at Hogwarts, you don't feel the need to lie about your family."

Harry hesitated, hovering the pencil over the space next to James. Instead of writing Remus' name next to James, Harry drew another line from his own name to the space. He crossed out the title "aunt/uncle" and replaced it with "Remus Lupin." Harry then drew one more line beyond Remus, and drew a circle, labelling it "Lyall Lupin."

"I know you're not my real adoptive dad, either, but if Uncle Vernon gets to be on here, so do you," Harry said, tracing the lines around Remus' and Lyall's names.

Remus was genuinely moved by Harry's desire to include him and his father in the family tree, and struggled to find the right words to say.

"Your mum's name was Hope, wasn't it?" Harry asked, as Remus nodded. Harry drew a line next to Lyall's name and created another circle, putting Hope's name inside of it. "That's better," he said softly, as he traced the lines from his own name to his makeshift family.

"Is this what you'd like, Harry? To be adopted by me?" Remus asked, his chin quivering with emotion.

"Only if you still want me," Harry said, in a small voice. Remus couldn't help himself, and he wrapped his arms around Harry, holding him tightly.

"Of course I do, Harry," Remus said. "I am so sorry I didn't check on you sooner…if I had known then what I know now…"

Harry tensed for a moment, but let his shoulders relax, startling Remus. Before he could ask if the boy was all right, Harry was already packing his things for the next day.

Confused by the abrupt change in his behavior, Remus wished him a good night.

….

After the conversation on Harry's family tree, things went back to normal. Harry hadn't spoken of his sudden tenseness, and Remus hadn't mentioned it, either.

It was now approaching Halloween, one of Remus' least favorite occasions. As a child, he'd been rather fond of the chocolate he would get from the holiday, but after the Potters' deaths in 1981, he could hardly think of Halloween without outright fury over what had transpired. It was made worse this year, upon realizing what had become of Harry Potter since that fateful night.

Harry had been asking more questions about his parents. He had once mentioned in passing that he'd been told his parents had died in a car crash. Remus had told him it wasn't the truth, but had yet to tell Harry the awful tale that led to his parents' demise.

Deciding that it was now or never – especially once Harry was on his way to Hogwarts – Remus decided Halloween 1990 would be a good a time as any to take Harry to see his parents' graves, the remains of their home, and to tell him what really happened to them.

Halloween that year was on a "school night," a new term Remus had learned since being introduced to the Muggle world of education. Remus had taken the day off to walk Harry both to and from school, with the intention of having Harry change out of his uniform and into casual clothes for their trip to Godric's Hollow.

"Can we go trick or treating later?" Harry asked. "I never got to go before."

"I think we can make that work," Remus said lightly. "I can transfigure your clothes for a costume later. There's somewhere I'd like to take you first, remember?"

Harry nodded solemnly. Remus had sat him down a few days before to tell him that on Halloween, they would be Apparating to the place his parents had died, so he could learn the truth.

"Change and eat, and then we'll go." Harry rushed off to his room to change, and Remus sat back in the kitchen, running his hands through his hair anxiously.

"You sure this is a good idea, son?" Lyall asked. "Not too young?"

"He'll be off at Hogwarts next year. It's better he learn from me than the other children."

Lyall sat down across from Remus. "You seem to know what you're doing with him."

"I'm bloody terrified most days that I'm doing something wrong," Remus confessed. "Is this how you and mum felt?"

"Most days, yes," Lyall said wryly. "But then your child does something wonderful and it makes it all worth it."

Remus felt a warmth in his chest, more grateful than ever that his parents had given him every opportunity to give him a better life. It was then that Harry appeared in the kitchen, looking for something to eat.

"Steak and kidney pie?" Remus offered. Harry nodded hungrily, and sat down at the table while waiting for Remus to provide an early supper. Harry ate quickly, as usual.

When he had finished eating, he asked, "Did my parents like steak and kidney pie?"

"Your dad liked almost everything," Remus chuckled. "Though I don't think he cared for tripe. Your mum…we didn't get to know her till we were a little older. She was good at cooking, though. Made the best pies, sweet or savory. Her mincemeat pies were my favorite."

Harry looked at the remains of his pie wistfully, and Remus felt a pang in his stomach. He was almost certain he knew what Harry was thinking – and he too wished that the pie he'd just eaten had been prepared by Lily Potter.

Remus cleared his throat, and gestured for Harry to get up; it would be a long afternoon, and Remus didn't want to stay out later than they needed to be. With a few minutes' preparation, they were soon on their way to Godric's Hollow.

Harry had, by now, preferred Apparating to other methods of wizarding travel. Remus was certain that once he learned of the Floo network, the Knight Bus, and broomsticks, Harry would prefer something else, but Apparating was easy enough for Remus to do with the two of them.

They appeared with a crack just outside Godric's Hollow. Remus led the way until they were at the kissing gate to the cemetery.

"Do you remember why we came here today, Harry?"

"My parents died on Halloween," Harry replied softly.

"Yes, they did. We're going to see their graves now. You've never been here before, have you?"

Harry shook his head. "Aunt Petunia said their bodies were blown up in the crash."

Remus steadied himself before his anger exploded. He began to wonder if he would ever uncover the entirety of the lies the Dursleys had fed Harry over the years.

"Your parents didn't die in a car crash, and they certainly weren't blown up," Remus said gently, struggling to keep his voice level. "I was at their funeral and burial. We're going to see their graves now."

Remus opened the gate and led Harry to the spot where Lily and James Potter were buried. Harry stood, transfixed, and traced his finger over his parents' names and dates of birth.

"I didn't even know their birthdays," Harry said quietly. "Aunt Petunia never told me."

"Well, now you know. Your mum's was in January, and your dad's was a few weeks after mine, in March. We often celebrated together when we were at school."

"What does this mean?" Harry asked, pointing to the inscription on their headstone. "'The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.'"

"It means that death won't be an enemy anymore," Remus explained. "Do you remember the Tale of the Three Brothers from The Tales of Beedle the Bard?"

"Yeah."

"The last brother welcomed death as a friend. That's what this inscription means. Instead of being afraid of death or hating it, we say it's not our enemy anymore. Death is a part of life."

"Oh."

"It's all right if you don't understand it fully. I don't either," Remus said, squeezing Harry's shoulder. "Is there anything you want to say while we're here?"

"Can they hear me?" Harry looked up at Remus, with his face full of hope.

"They might be able to," Remus said uneasily. "Sometimes people feel their loved ones will reply to them."

Harry traced his fingers over his parents' names once more, and sighed. "I don't think I have anything to say. I didn't really know them, anyway."

"They loved you so much, Harry. You were their whole world. I…I think it's time to tell you what happened to them. Are you ready?"

Harry looked back at Remus. "Yes."