Disclaimer: I Own Nothing. Well, a couple of things, I suppose. But the closest I come to owning Harry Potter is owning the books, so find somebody else to sue.
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Wow, you guys have no idea how happy you've made me, what with the great reviews and all! I love the feedback, so keep it coming. In response to some of your comments….
Shades: I don't know what site the poem was on, I looked at so many of them that I can't remember. But the rose translations were easy enough to find, I just looked in a search engine.
Nightshade: I haven't been writing Ron into the story much because, quite frankly, I don't like him. *L* But I'll try to write more of him in the future and see if things can be cleared up about him. Maybe I'll have him on his knees, begging for forgiveness and apologizing for being such a prat. Haha just kidding.
Everyone else who reviewed: Thank you!
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"Harry? Harry, wake up!"
He'd been having a fitful sleep the second night of his Easter holidays, when a frantic voice woke him. He opened his eyes slightly, feeling strong hands gripping his shoulders. Once he was slightly awake, he found that he was trembling, crying, and in a bit of pain. He was also finding it difficult to breathe properly. Looking up, he saw that Remus was the one yelling and holding onto his arms. Sirius stood at the foot of the bed, watching with a look of worry on his face.
"Finally!" Remus sighed with relief. "Are you all right, Harry? What were you dreaming about?" Harry took a breath before answering, but it got caught in his throat, causing him to gasp a little. "Harry, calm down and try to control your breathing." Harry took a couple of small breaths, then tried to speak.
"It hurts," he whispered. "All over." He grasped Remus's hand. "Daddy, please, make it stop hurting..."
"Siri, go get a Pain-Relieving Potion!" Remus requested.
Sirius left the room, then returned with a small vial of potion. Remus pulled Harry into a sitting position and poured the liquid into his mouth. Harry curled up against Remus's side, burying his face in his chest. Remus wrapped his arms around Harry, whispering comforting words into his ear.
"Calm down, Harry, everything will be fine. Just calm down and relax, and you'll feel a lot better." Within minutes, Harry's grip on Remus loosened, and his body relaxed considerably. "Are you all right? Do you want to talk about it?"
"Same as last vision," Harry sighed, laying his head on Remus's shoulder. Sirius sat on the other side of Harry, gently rubbing his back.
"Cruciatus?" Sirius asked, softly. Harry nodded. "Harry, you know we'll do our damndest to keep you safe."
"I know," Harry murmured, closing his eyes. Remus glanced at Sirius.
"Go on to bed," Remus said, quietly. "I'll stay in here for a while." The two exchanged a kiss over Harry's head, and Sirius squeezed Harry's shoulder before leaving the room.
"You don't have to stay up with me," Harry whispered. Remus sighed and stroked his son's hair.
"Do you really think I'll be able to sleep until you're asleep?"
"Then be prepared for a long night, because I rarely go back to sleep after nightmares." Suddenly, Peachy appeared in the doorway. She padded over to the bed, jumped up, and curled up to fall asleep on Harry's stomach.
"Tomorrow, I'll see if Severus can give us some Dreamless Sleep Potion." Harry shook his head. "Why not?"
"It doesn't always work. Besides, prolonged use is dangerous."
"Then we'll figure something out. Either way, I'm staying up with you." Harry leaned into Remus's embrace.
"Thank you, Daddy¼" The two were silent for a while, listening to the sound of the wind outside Harry's window. Then Remus spoke again.
"Are you still awake?" Harry nodded. "Have you thought about what you're going to do after you graduate from Hogwarts?" Harry sighed softly, gently stroking Peachy's fur. He then looked up at Remus with sad eyes.
"I'm still wondering if I'm going to make it to graduation." Remus frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but Harry cut him off. "Come on, Daddy, face it: Every year, it's either Voldemort or something else. First year, it was Voldemort in Quirrell. Second year, the Chamber of Secrets. Third year, well, that wasn't that bad, except I nearly got Kissed by a dementor. Fourth year¼" He swallowed hard and didn't finish his thought. "And this year¼I tried to kill myself. I was attacked and nearly dead. And I'm ninety-nine percent certain that Voldemort's coming after me again. At the rate I'm going, it will be a miracle if I graduate."
The vulnerable look on his son's face caused tears to well up in Remus's eyes, and he held Harry in a silent embrace. Harry didn't speak another word. He just laid his head on Remus's shoulder, staring across the room.
"Harry," Remus said, suddenly. His voice was quiet and shaky, as though he was trying not to cry. "Harry, Sirius and I love you. You know that. And we'll do anything and everything in our power to make sure that you're safe, and that you make it well-beyond graduation. We won't let you die until he and I have been gone for a long time."
Those were the last words that were spoken. Remus and Harry sat in a comfortable silence for the rest of the morning.