Harry laid lazily across the large, comfy leather armchair in the corner of his uncle's office, eyes closed, head still hurting from the fall he'd suffered in yesterday's quidditch game. He could hear the gentle scribbling of Remus' quill as he corrected his first year classes' essays. Then, Remus cleared his throat. "So, I'm waiting..." He said, tone expectant.
"Waiting for what?" Harry ask, confused.
"For you to tell me what really happened." Remus explained.
"W-" Harry winced, sitting up, "What?"
"Harry James," Remus shifted his tone, capping his ink and putting his quill back on the stand, "I have seen you fly since you were a year old. You could fly better than you could walk. You expect me to believe the weather caused you to slip up? You could have easily flown away from the dementors on the field. Something stalled you." He shook his head.
"Er-" Harry wrinkled his forehead, visibly frustrated. "Are dementors not reason enough? I mean, they're terrifying."
"You could easily outfly them." Remus concluded. "What happened?"
Harry's face paled as Remus crossed the office and squatted in front of his chair. He looked hard at the floor before him. "No. It was a stupid mistake. I know better."
"Harry, look at me," Remus gently turned his face up and then let go of Harry's chin. Remus' dark green eyes searched Harry's bright green ones. "You have been keeping things from me since you started Hogwarts. Historically, it hasn't gone super well for you." Harry snorted a small laugh, but Remus kept his face stern. "You have got to tell me the truth."
"I was flying up. Trying to keep ahead of Diggory. Lightening flashed right next to me, and I swear it was like... It was this huge, black dog. Like. Like from Divination class." He squinted, shaking his head. "I told you it was stupid. I heard myself say that, and still can't even believe it."
Remus felt dumbfounded. He was angry with Sybil for even starting such thoughts in the poor boy's head about the grim at all, but now he could see just how much it was effecting the child. "No, Harry. That is very much not stupid."
"Why am I different?" Harry ask, or rather, blurted in Remus' face.
"Different?" Remus raised an eyebrow. It seemed like an odd question, considering all Harry had gone through his first thirteen years of life.
"To the Dementors. They seek me out, I swear they do." Harry explained, fear coming off the boy so strongly the smell overpowered Remus' nose. Yet at the same time, he was relieved. This was a smaller problem compared to some, and Remus had actually been thinking on possible solutions.
"You have been through... True horrors. Things the other children, your classmates, could scarcely imagine. I have done everything I could to protect you from most of it, but between the loss of your parents, the abuse you had to suffer at the hands of your aunt, and then the things here at school with Voldemort. I was a bit worried, honestly, that your boggart would turn into Voldemort, honestly..."
"I'm not scared of Voldemort. I don't mean to sound cocky, but I have bested him each time I've met him... But those things... They're so foul." He shivered. "And they seek me out because I'm a good target for them to feed on?"
"I know, it isn't fair." Remus sighed. "I wanted so much to give you a happy, normal childhood. And things keep happening..."
"I have had a wonderful childhood!" Harry protested sharply, "I just wish that everyone else would get over it and let me be." He laughed at this, and Remus joined in.
"So, listen." Remus said, raising from his position in front of the chair. "I have an idea. Its a spell I won't even begin teaching the seventh years until after the break... But I think, considering the magic I know you're capable of. I think you can do it."
"And it'll help with the dementors?" Harry's eyes gleamed excitedly.
"Oh, yes." Remus nodded. "But it won't be easy to learn. I don't want you to be discouraged."
"I won't!" Harry promised. He gathered his things up and shoved them back into his bag. "When can we start?"
"When all those quidditch injuries are healed properly." Remus scolded. "And you rest enough." Harry rolled his eyes, but agreed and took leave out of the portrait hole which lead back out into the Defense classroom. Remus chuckled to himself, shaking his head at the younger wizard. Remus settled back into grading papers. He was almost spooked at how quickly the doorway reopened and Harry's head popped around the corner.
"Uncle Remus?" He ask, peeking in.
"Hmm." Remus hummed in reply.
"I love you." Harry said. Remus grinned.
"I love you, too, son. Go on back up to the tower now. Rest up." He said, smiling.
"So..." Tonks said, popping another stolen chip of Remus' plate into her mouth, "You really think he can do it? I mean. Thirteen. That's-" She paused, eyes widened. "That is seriously advanced magic. We had a couple people at the Auror academy who couldn't produce a Patronus." Remus sat on the opposite side of the booth, amused smile on his face as she talked with her mouth filled with chip mush.
"I'm sorry. I thought you were familiar with who Harry was..." He joked. Tonks rolled her eyes, but they were shining with amusement. She stole a few more and when she glanced away Remus gently slid his plate a little closer with his knuckle so she could reach easier. She turned back and blushed deeply.
"You're staring." She commented, eyes on the table, cheeks deep rose.
"Am I?" Remus ask, not breaking the stare at all. She looked up and met his eyes.
"I've noticed you have made it a habit." She fidgeted a bit with her fingernails.
"Would you rather I didn't?" Remus ask softly.
"I just don't know what there is to see..." She said, her voice so low Remus was actually thankful his hearing was enhanced. She still had blush gracing her cheeks, but she looked a bit embarrassed, and maybe even a touch sad.
"Tonks..." The air in their booth was thick, and although the small muggle diner they were in was a bit busy, he allowed all other noise and distraction to fade. He wasn't sure what to say. They were friends, and he greatly enjoyed her company. He was almost afraid to admit it even to himself, but he did harbor a fancy for the young witch. He loved her spark and enthusiasm, her colorful presence in his life. The way her hair was never the same twice but her eyes were always deep brown. He swallowed thickly. She abruptly shrugged and looked up.
"So. You're going to attempt to teach him how to do a patronus. How?" She said, changing the subject, tugging at her jacket to straighten it out.
"Oh. Er-" Remus paused, thrown off by how breakneck her change of subject was. "I thought I'd revisit the boggarts. His boggart is a dementor..." Remus explained, laying out his plan.
"Where have you been?" Harry ask, coming through the defense classroom doors as Remus was cleaning his chalkboards.
"I-" Remus paused and turned, upset with Harry's tone. "I am the parent, here, sir." He faced Harry, who was grinning and he realized it was a trap.
"You saw her again, didn't you?" Harry pressed, sitting on a desk.
"Get down." Remus scolded, turning back to the chalkboard.
"YOU DID!" Harry exclaimed, excitement showing all over his face.
"Just for lunch. Why?" Remus replied, annoyed.
"Just- You have needed this for so long." Harry replied.
"I have plenty of friends, Harry James." Remus said, keeping his back to the boy, continuing to clean. "And I don't want to get your hopes all up, but Tonks is another friend. That's all."
"Oh, is it?" Harry ask, head tilted, his voice skeptical.
"You're worse than your mother." Remus mumbled.
"Thank you." Harry beamed. Remus sighed heavily and turned around. He removed his wand from his lapel pocket and waved it over at the heavy, hardwood doors to the classroom and they slowly swung shut.
"Harry." He sighed, "I need you to not be offended by what I am about to say."
"I'll try..." He replied, arms crossed.
"There are very few twenty-two year old witches in the world who are really, truly interested in someone over a decade older than they are. Even fewer who are going to be interested in a werewolf. And even if we get past that... There is the matter of also raising a teenager."
Harry looked unimpressed. "She knows all of that." Harry reminded him. "She knew before she ever came by our house!"
"But she's just a friend. And you're looking for something where there is nothing." Remus replied, increasingly annoyed.
"I think you're ignoring it because you're afraid." Harry mumbled.
"I think you're about to be late for Divination." Remus replied, ending the conversation.
So, it was short. Sorta fluffy, sorta filler. Hope you liked it- Halloween is soon!
Please drop a review for me!