Remus felt sick to his stomach, even if this situation was oddly familiar. Here he sat, knowing that somewhere in the castle, unacceptable to him, Harry was facing off with all sorts of vile magic and no less a creature than a basilisk. He couldn't help but feel in his heart, aside from the terror and worry, that somewhere James and Lily were cursing him for allowing Harry near the school after last year, and especially for not pulling him out after he told Remus about the voice in the walls.
Most of all, Remus was angry with Dumbledore and his lack of precaution with the students. After all, there were four petrifications, five if you count that bloody cat of Filch's bloody cat, and yet the Headmaster had not sent the students home. For what? Remus wondered. To save appearances? He scoffed and blew a hot breath out as he rubbed his hands over his face. Next to him he could hear that Molly Weasley was still softly crying into Arthur's chest, and he had his face buried in her hair. He knew they too were afraid for their children, and that once again it was his nephew that had put them there. He wondered a bit if they'd resent Harry's friendship with Ron when they were thinking more clearly and free of worry.
It was this thought that made Remus realize he had so much faith in Harry coming back. He hadn't realized it yet, but he knew now it was why he was not falling apart in fear of the worst like Molly and Arthur. He knew that Harry would come through, and that Ron and little Ginny would be with him. He knew that. It wasn't hope. He expected it.
True, more had always been expected of Harry. His magic manifested early, and Remus had started training his control as son and the signs started. He was far more powerful than any young wizard Remus had encountered before. His skill was unrefined, sure, but he had strength and heart. The more he thought about it, the more things started to make sense to him.
He'd found Harry making friends with a garden snake, all those years ago. He heard a voice in the walls, loud he claimed. A basilisk. The heir of Slytherin. Harry living through Voldemort's attacks, twice now. It all made perfect sense. And it was how Remus knew that he'd see him soon enough. Remus kept making connections over the years- clues that added up to these situations now. He started to laugh and Molly turned around so quickly Remus was almost surprised that her neck didn't snap.
"How are you laughing!?" She screeched. Remus opened his mouth to explain, but the door burst open on Professor McGonagall's office door and Ron ran in.
"Mum! Dad!' He called as they ran to him, Molly gripping him so tightly that the poor boy was almost blue in the face.
"That's why!" Remus exclaimed. He joined the family and clapped Ron on the back.
"Harry is with your sister in the hospital wing, isn't she?" He ask. Ron shook his head.
"No sir. Ginny is with Madam Pomfrey, but Harry went straight to Dumbledore." Ron was dirty, but otherwise looked no worse for wear. Remus did not stay any longer, and left out though the Transfiguration classroom toward the headmaster's office. He was all but running through the halls of the old school, the corridors abandoned for class, the other students going on about their lives even though they were all very aware of what was happening- or not, the news that it was over had not had time to spread. He could hear someone shouting just around the corner.
"Avada-" Remus did not have time to think of the consequences as he drew his own wand, stunning the blond man who had his drawn on Harry, the curse only half fallen from his lips.
"Densaugeo!" Remus shouted, catching Lucius Malfoy between the shoulder blades and causing him to choke on his words because of the rapid growth of his teeth, effectively keeping him from finishing his killing curse. It was a simple school year hex, but it was all Remus could make his mind come up with to keep him from finishing speaking the incantation.
"How dare you!" Malfoy sputtered out, flipping his long, pale blond locks from his face, his teeth gritted into a nasty snarl. Remus kept his wand trained right at Lucius Malfoy's throat, but spoke over him to Harry.
"Back to the Headmaster's office, Harry." He said calmly. "Lucius was just leaving." Remus stood firm his ground. Lucius looked as though he had something else to say, but soon the bell for the lunch hour was sounding through the stone walls of the castle, and they both knew that students would be filling the halls soon. He sniffed, nose still held high in the air, and spun on his heels as he left for the front entrance. Remus watched him walking away for another moment before he too turned and made for Dumbledore's office.
Harry, as it turned out, had not gone back up to Dumbledore, but was waiting at the statue which guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office. When he saw Remus round the corner, he ran over and slammed full force into him, hugging the older wizard tightly. "I'm sorry." He said in a small, sheepish voice. Remus, however, whether from his nerves or from the relief, began to laugh. Harry pulled back just enough to look up at his uncle, obviously confused.
"Ah, Harry. While I never dreamed you'd get into the things you have- There is no need to apologize. You're an absolutely remarkable wizard, my boy. I wouldn't trade you for the world." Remus said, ruffling his hair. Harry smiled and hugged Remus again.
"Thank you, Uncle Remus." Harry said, s he finally let go.
"It was to be expected you'd be some trouble, you know-" Remus said as they walked toward the Hospital Wing together, "After all, you know some of the things your father got us into when we were your age." He reminded the young boy. "He'd be so proud, Harry. Never doubt that." Remus said, just before the doors.
"May I check on my friends now?" Harry ask. Remus shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded.
"You may. I'm going to back track and speak with Dumbledore. Do you want to stay for the rest of the year or come on home?" He ask. "Professor McGonagall said they've decided to cancel finals except for the NEWTS and OWLS, so you won't have any."
"I think I'll stay, if that's okay. It's just a couple of weeks." Harry said without any thought. Remus smiled. He missed when Harry was not home, but the boy was growing up whether he liked it or not.
"Very well. Please behave." He said, ruffling the boy's thick mess of black hair once more before walking away. Harry started inside but after a second stepped back out and called after the older man.
"Uncle Remus?" He almost had to shout, as Remus' long stride had him halfway down the corridor. He turned back to face his young nephew.
"Harry?" He questioned.
"I love you, Uncle Remus. You're the best." Harry was so thankful for Remus' patience and kind words. He was slow to anger and always understanding.
"I love you, too, Harry." He said with a wave. Harry ran back into the Hospital wing and Remus turned back to his own venture.
"Explain it to me." Remus said, his voice now solid and angry. He looked at the Headmaster with such hatred, such rage. He had once held so much respect for the man that he never would've questioned his judgement- but so much had happened to poor Harry that Remus could barely stand him. He had not even begun to get over the abuse he allowed Harry to endure before Remus was able to win custody, which was of course against Dumbledore's wishes. Then he'd hired a teacher who had none other than Voldemort living on the back of his very skull, followed by an absolute moron for Defense class. All this, plus a laps in security large enough that a possessed diary was able to penetrate the school and access a room that the school officially denied existed and release a monster. All of these things happened under Dumbledore's watch. Remus was disgusted.
"I told you, my boy, I cannot." He said calmly, looking at Remus over his half moon spectacles.
"You better try." Remus spat. "Give me one good reason I should continue his education here. Why I should allow him to be put in harms way time and again, under your 'Watchful Eye'."
"Remus, please, try to listen-" Dumbledore said. Remus stopped his pacing and waited. "There are things just now coming to light, and I do fear that this is just the beginning of dangers for our young Harry..."
"Our?" Remus scoffed. "Don't speak about my boy as if you ever have his best in mind." Dumbledore gave a half nod of apology and continued.
"Things, it seems, are coming into play together for something bigger. I fear there is a storm coming to our world, Remus." Dumbledore said. His voice had gone misty and weak.
"All the more reason for me to take him elsewhere. France, Germany, America. Anywhere far enough away." Remus spat. He had known for a long time Harry would never have a normal childhood, but it didn't keep him from trying to make one for him anyway.
"All the more reason to keep him here, Remus. He will need his friends, his schoolmates, as well as the staff here, which regardless of the state of Defense class you cannot deny are some of the best in the world." Remus snorted.
"Defense is what he needs the most!" Remus was all but shouting. "If you're right, and damn it aren't you always, it is what all these kids need the most!"
"You're right. We need a good, solid Defense teacher." Dumbledore said. Remus turned and pointed.
"Exactly. Someone unlike any of the arsehat's you've had through thus far for Harry." Remus added.
"Someone with extensive first hand experience."Dumbledore added.
"Someone who has seen how bad the world can be." Remus said, bouncing ideas off Dumbledore.
"Someone who knows the world isn't all black and white, cut and dry as textbooks can make it." Dumbledore added. "Someone who knows there is good in dark creatures and bad in the wizarding community."
"Exactly!" Remus said, pacing again. "Hire someone like that, and I'll let Harry stay at Hogwarts." Dumbledore smiled a small, knowing smile.
"Very good, My dear boy. You'll start next term!" Dumbledore said proudly.
Right! So there we have it, on to year three! I just want to thank all my readers for their time and support of this story. I hope everyone is enjoying it, as I am loving writing it. Please be sure to leave feedback, specifically ideas of things you might want to see in PoA, and maybe even some feelings about me having Tonks appear a bit more. I haven't decided yet when to bring her back through Remus and Harry's lives. Anyways, be sure to review and thanks again for reading!