There had been rumors, more of a urban legend really, when Remus and his friends where in school- kids would tell stories of the 'Chamber of Secrets' and the horrid things that it could contain. James and Peter had both held a fascination for it, and even went looking for clues several times (their searching helped to later create the Marauder's map) but the boys never found anything other than poor Moaning Myrtle, who had the giggles around poor James. Remus laughed at the memory. But Remus was worried. Part of him wondered if he should pull Harry home for the year, home school him for safety's sake. After all, things were just a bit too strange.

First, there was the house elf who showed up in their home, warning Remus that he should not allow Harry to attend Hogwarts this year. But not being one to bend out of fear, especially from someone so unknown to him as Dobby the House Elf, he sent Harry to school just the same. But when the barrier closed off, keeping Harry and Ron from getting through to the train in time to ride to school, Remus felt something bigger was at play. Yet still, Dumbledore was there, he had the school so heavily warded and guarded; Remus was sure Harry was safe in the castle- but now? He wasn't so sure. The letter from the Deputy Headmistress lay on Remus' desk where he had read it, and he crossed the room to review the information she had sent. 'Enemies of the Heir, Beware' was the most sinister in his opinion, forget that they claim the chamber did in fact exist. Remus picked up a framed picture of he and Harry in the garden outside their home, taken by a neighbor when Harry was around eight years old. He thought back to the day- And something about memory jerked him to attention.

Harry had been out in the garden all morning, crawling under the shrubs and undergrowth- he had gotten himself filthy and had sticks in his hair. Remus couldn't help but laugh at the young boy, and sat him down to a picnic lunch. Harry told Remus that he had been off on several adventures that day, and had even made 'friends' with a grass snake which Harry claimed was named 'Piper'. Remus thought at the time that this was a young boy's imagination- though Harry's tale had been full of conversation with his 'friend'. He described her as very friendly, showing Harry good sunny spots and puddles, and because grass snakes were harmless, Remus let it slide.

There was nothing could be done about it until morning, however. Remus was thankful that the next day was a Quidditch Saturday, for a Gryffindor verses Ravenclaw scrimmage. Though these games were not real, regular season games, and did not could toward the cup, families were welcome to come and watch- and when he could help it Remus was there for all of them. It filled him with such joy to see Harry as he flies through the air after the snitch. He would simply pull his young nephew aside and sit down with him, and possibly Professor McGonagall, and see where the threat for Harry truly stood. Still, he was restless. It was early, and he was off for the weekend- but what to do? He had spent so much of his time for the past near decade caring for Harry that even now, over a year into Harry being away at school, he had still not found a way to fill the extra time. With an annoyed grunt, Remus hauled himself up the stairs and into his library, in search of a book to distract himself for the night.

Harry, Ron and Hermione sat around their favorite couch in the Common Room, slightly to the side of the main fireplace with a good view of the grounds through a large picture window. Harry was being unusually quiet, and it was starting to worry Hermione. Ron, however, figured he was still a bit put off from having detention with Professor Lockhart. But Hermione knew better of it. Harry was on edge, anxious over every little noise- and the voices he's told them about weren't the sort of thing that one can just write off, even with the things Harry had experienced in the past. "Harry-" She started quietly. Harry turned slightly to face her more.

"Hmm?" He answered, though he seemed to be in a half-dazed dreamstate, almost as if he were searching for her in a thick fog.

"Maybe you should tell your Uncle-" But she could not finish her thought before Ron bellowed over her.

"Oh would you let it go already, Mione?" He said, splattering a bit of his chocolate as he spoke with a full mouth. Hermione grimaced at the assault of sweets he showered down on her, but dusted the confection off and continued her thought.

"I just think that Harry should tell someone who knows more than us. Someone who can look at the whole situation better than we as students." Hermione stated in a very 'matter-of-fact' sort of tone.

"I can't" Harry replied, now seeming to leave his formerly sleepy seeming tone. "He'd take me out of school. I mean look at this year so far- We had a house elf show up in our parlor, I couldn't get through the platform to Nine and Three-Quarters, and now voices and notes in blood! And Filtch's cat!" He huffed. "Uncle Remus would pull me home and school me himself. I want to stay here, I want to stay with my friends and play Quidditch and have a normal year. I want to be a normal second year!" Hermione looked down and Ron swallowed the little bit of sweet he still had in his cheeks.

"But you're not nor-"

"Leave it, Ron." Hermione warned, knowing that Ron's statement, thought true, would upset Harry much more.

"No, Hermione. Ron's right. I'm not normal. I'll never be 'normal'. I didn't ask for any of this, but since I got my stupid letter my life has been dark magic and villains, one thing after another. Maybe I should study at home this year!" With that thought, Harry stormed off. Ron and Hermione both tried to call after him, but he disappeared around a corner on the fifth floor near the Charms practice room and they couldn't find where he went.

Remus always sat to the side of the pitch that represented neither Gryffindor nor the team being played by Gryffindor, which this Saturday put him in the Hufflepuff stands, mostly because very few people, parents or otherwise bothered to sit in those sections. He always wanted to support Harry, but at the same time he sat alone and had a collar turned up to cover all the scars he could manage. It had long been a fear of his that Harry would be ashamed to be seen with him because of the scars, though Harry had never given any reason for him to believe as such. It was just one of those things, he knew, that teenagers tend to get sensitive about as they age- Appearances. None of these things ever kept him from cheering his heart out though.

Except this Saturday, because Remus had company. Hermione had somehow came over and settled down beside him before he ever noticed she was near, and he jumped when she spoke. "Mr. Lupin." She greeted kindly. Remus regained his posture and returned the pleasantry, never breaking his focus on the game overhead. "I was hoping I could maybe talk to you about Harry?" Remus stiffened slightly. After all, he barely knew this girl- and sure she was sweet and seemed very bright and a good friend to his young nephew- Remus was very wary of strangers.

"Er- Alright?" He replied, scooting ever so slowly away, making more distance between them so he could build a better defense.

"It's just- I know Professor McGonagall sent out letters to the parents about the writing on the wall, so you already know all that. But there was more- and Harry hasn't been right since it happened, but he feels that you might pull him-" But Remus held up a hand to cut her off mid-ramble.

"Hasn't been right since... What, Hermione?" He ask, finally turning away from the match to face her.

"Well, sir," Hermione started, carefully plotting her words. Truly, she only wanted Harry to be safe, not for him to be in trouble. "Harry had detention the night that the words appeared on the wall. You see, Ron and I found him right at the writing, and he said he was following a voice. He said that surely Ron and I heard it, that it was loud. But there was nothing, sir." Hermione concluded. "We didn't hear anything at all."

"Ah." Remus said, and turned away from the girl, trying to hide how concerned this truly made him. "Thank you Hermione. I will speak to him after the match. I suggest you go back and enjoy the game with your housemates." He said in a soft, calm voice- staring once more back into the sky above. Hermione nodded, even though he was not looking, and hurried off. It was not long after their conversation that the final whistle of the match sounded, marking Gryffindor's mock-victory.

Professor McGonagall poured tea for Remus, who was mostly thankful to just be out of the wind. The duo sat quietly and waited for Harry to get done in the Quidditch lockers and come to the office where he had been summoned. She didn't say much, nor did she have too. The old witch knew Remus well- she had sheltered him in her office many times over the years, as a student and beyond. He'd lost his mother at a young age and she had never had children, and though she loved all her students- some, like Remus, were special. His body language told her more than his words ever did, as Remus was never one to spill his problems. She knew something was troubling him. A knock at the door drew both of their attentions from their thoughts. "Come in, Potter." She said, suddenly back in what Remus referred to as her 'authority mode'. Her posture stiffened, lips pursed.

"Professor." He greeted with a small grin, knowing the Head of House was pleased with his athletics of the day.

"I will leave the tea tray, take all the time you need. I'll be on patrols in the gardens if you need me." She said, taking her leave. Remus smiled as she left with a pat to his shoulder. For a moment, the two sipped at their peppermint tea quietly.

"Hermione tells me that something happened." Remus said finally. Harry went rigged. "Is there something you wish to tell me?"

"Professor Dumbledore ask me that as well, actually." Harry grumbled. Remus knew his temper was burning behind his emerald eyes. "I assume there is something that you both want to hear. I don't know what it is." He grumbled.

"I'm not Dumbledore, Harry." Remus replied quietly. "I just remember a time, not so very long ago- when you trusted me. You came to me with your problems." His voice sounded sad, and Harry didn't miss this fact. "All part of growing up, I suppose. I just- I want to make sure you're okay. Things have been sort of strange for you from day one here." He chuckled, and Harry couldn't help but join in.

"That is understatement of the century." Harry agreed. "Uncle Remus, I don't mean to count you out- it's just- I know I'm different, and things happen to me; but not every little thing is as big as Hermione makes it into." Remus raised an eyebrow at the younger wizard.

"Do you- want to stay here?" Remus ask, his voice going firm, serious. Harry considered this.

"Actually- I do." Harry nodded.

"Do you feel safe?" Remus asked. Again, Harry nodded. "Alright," Remus nodded too, "Then for now, you can stay. But I need to know what happened. From you." Remus said. Harry nodded and sighed.

"Yes, sir." He said, and began into the full story.

Hello Everyone, I am super glad to bring you this chapter. It's one I'm pretty excited about, and I hope everyone enjoyed reading it. Be sure to review and show your love for the story- it brings such a smile to my face and brightens my day when I get the notifications at work. Thank you all!

Much love!