Author's Notes: I hate school...taking time away from my writing. Second to last chapter...here we go. Prepare to cry. Oh yes, the choir's song is 'My Last Breath' by Evanescence.
Chapter: 14/15
And I believe
That angels breath
And that love will live on
And never leave
~To Where You Are by Josh Groban
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 14-Closing Doors and Open Windows
Remus stared around at the people gathered in the small wizard church set aside for funerals. So many people he recognised, but so many were missing. Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Ron were there, of course, squeezed together on the front pew, clinging tightly to one another, tears streaming unchecked down their pale faces. Behind them others he knew blended into a sea of faces- Tonks, Moody, Fletcher, Figg, Snape, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Flitwick and Vector. There was the Weasley clan all crowded into one bench, looking particularly grim. There was one face missing. Showna Applegate should have sat in those pews, perhaps conspiciously drying her eyes. Her funeral had been earlier that day. So many losses.
Sirius' funeral was actually quite well attended. Every single werewolf rescued from Azkaban was in attendance, all wearing black robes in memory of the man who had given so much to their cause. Remus breathed deeply and glanced quickly down at the speech he had thrown together to speak in Sirius' memory. He found himself speaking freely, not needing the notes. He had never been good at speeches, but on this one occasion, the words seemed to flow freely.
"I stand here at the funeral of one of the greatest wizards of our time," he began haltingly. "I met Sirius on my first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Truth be told, I wanted nothing to do with the almost annoyingly charming boy and his best friend. However, those of you who knew Sirius will know how he hated be tolding 'no.' Within the first hour of my trip on the Hogwarts Express I had made three brilliant friends, friends I thought would be with me throughout my entire life.
At that point of my life, my condition was not well known. I was instructed to keep it a secret from the students, and it suited my purposes all too well. For seven years I was to be normal, to have no one shun me. My father made sure I knew exactly what was waiting for me out in the wizarding world, and I was eager to delay that as long as possible. Unfortunately, Sirius couldn't help sticking his nose into everything, and it didn't take him too long to figure out something was up with his friend.
We were in our second year when Sirius finally confronted me, in front of James and Peter Pettigrew, might I add. I was terrified. I could see fear in the faces of James and Peter and I knew my beloved friends were about to abandon me. However, when I admitted to it, Sirius guffawed and slapped my back, declaring that he always knew I had no luck.
Sirius also lead my friends to become Angimagus, something extremely foolish but courageous. These two words seem to have accompanied Sirius throughout life. He was determined to be able to accompany me during my transformation and the only way he could do that was by becoming an animal- so he did just that.
Sirius frequently abused the advantage he gained in becoming an Animagus, something that was to be expected with my old friend. He sometimes used his powers to the ill of others, but I truly believe he never meant any true harm to fall to the individual I am speaking of.
When we graduated after our seventh year, the Mauraders, as we had begun styling ourselves, stayed as close as ever. Sirius and James, particularly were always together. They were both Aurors and both active members of the Order of the Phoenix. Sirius was James' best man at his wedding to Lily Evans, something that I think gave him more joy than he had ever known. Unless, of course, you included being named godfather to James's son a year later.
Life was bliss in those days. I had steady work, but more importantly, good friends- no, brothers. However, it was not to last. In late October, the Potters discovered they were being sought by Voldemort, who was still at full power in those days. They went into hiding, naming Sirius Black their Secret-Keeper. Two weeks later, Voldemort discovered them, and killed them both. I hardly need to relate the story to you.
However, there is something you have all remained ignorant of. Three days before the Potters were killed, Sirius came up with an idea. He thought he was too obvious a choice and that Voldemort might capture him for torture. If he didn't know the Secret, than he couldn't betray Lily and James. The Secret was passed to Peter Pettigrew. Pettigrew betrayed the Potters three days later, leading to their deaths, and consequently the downfall of Voldemort.
Sirius was enraged, not to mention grieved. He hunted Peter down, determined to spill the traitor's blood. But Peter was surprisingly cunning. At the last moment, he openly accused Sirius' of Lily and James' death, before blowing up the street. Peter transformed into a rat and cut off his own finger, faking his death. The rest as they say, is history. Sirius was thrown into Azkaban and largely forgotten by the wizarding population.
But twelve years later, Sirius escaped. Escaped to save his godson. As soon as Harry realised he had been mistaken, it was easy to see the adoration in him for Sirius. Those two loved each other as the son and father they had never known. In the two years together, never once did they fight, never once did they feel anything but love for each other.
Last June, Harry was sent a telepathic vision of Sirius being tortured by Voldemort. Blinded by grief and rage, he ran away from school, into the Department of Mysteries to save his godfather. But it had all been a ruse, a trap to lure Harry there. Meanwhile, Sirius, learning his godson was now in danger, foolishly, but courageously rushed after him. He was reunited with his godson only once more, before his life was taken by his own cousin.
But Sirius was not completely forgotten. Only a week ago, he saved Harry once more from Voldemort, using his Animagus form. Once more, he died for Harry, proving beyond anyone's question, that Sirius loves that boy more than anyone in the world!" Remus didn't care that tears were streaming down his cheeks as he passionately spoke of his best friend.
"Sirius' death was not in vain, nor was it a waste. Nothing Sirius ever did was without reason. Foolish and courageous, he lived every day to the fullest, making sure it was filled with love and laughter. He will live on in my heart, and in the hearts of the others who knew him, forever. Thank you."
Remus stepped off of the small stage, and exchanged seats with Harry. Hermione squeezed his hand. "Are you all right?" she inquired, laying her head on his shoulder.
"Not right now," Remus admitted. "But I think I will be. It was good to get that off of my shoulders." Hermione nodded, but her attention was now caught by the young man standing on the podium.
Harry gripped the sides of the podium, staring into the nothingness behind the crowd. Finally, taking a deep breath, he began to speak. "In my third year at Hogwarts, I heard a story about a man. I heard many versions of it, told by many people. I was told that this man was a murderer, a monster, a dark weapon of Voldemort. They told me I should hate him, and I did. They told him that I should fear him, and I did. He was Voldemort's henchmen, they fed me, he deserved death.
But even with all of that, nothing hit me harder than when I discovered that this man had been the cause of my parents' death, or that he had been named my godfather. I was then consumed by hate so powerful that I thought of little else. When I came face to face with Sirius, I was ready to kill him. I can only thank the higher powers that cold logic held me back from rash actions.
I soon came to realise that this man, my godfather, was nothing like the stories made him out to be. He was loveable, caring and brave. I felt something for him, something I'd never felt for anyone before. A deep abiding love. I wanted to have a life with him, wanted to be his son. Even better, I could tell the feelings were returned. He wanted to be my father. I wanted it so bad.
I was always confused to why friends couldn't see the real Sirius Black. I would hate it when they would get started on the topic in the Common Room. What did they know? They didn't know the real Sirius! How could they possibly say a man was cruel, hateful, murderous when he was currently freezing in a cave in Hogsmeade and living on rats so he could be near to me? How could they say he was careless, foolish and largely useless when most of his life was devoted to keeping me safe, unharmed?
Then, in my fifth year, things between Sirius and I started changing. Sirius...wasn't used to having someone to look after. I think sometimes he was afraid of what he felt, of the fatherly affection he had always had of me. He was terrified in advising me he'd tell me to do the wrong thing. But he was possesive of me, fiercely possesive. I was his son, his alone. If anyone dared to say differently, it would take Remus or I to restrain him." Harry smiled softly to himself, perhaps hearing one of Sirius' rants. "I'll never forget the one night I spent in 12 Grimmauld Place at Christmas. Sirius had just gotten in another fight with Molly Weasley. He came up into my room and shook me awake, pulling me into a tight embrace. He told me...he said I was the most important thing to him and that I was his, and his alone. I never told anyone about that, but I think I have to tell you."
In her pew, Molly Weasley broke down, crying and whispering desperately to Arthur. 'How could I have been so wrong?'
"Maybe some of you are thinking that there is still some possibility Sirius might be guilty. You are wrong! No man who treated me like that could ever have killed my own parents. Unfortunately, in days like these, deep love is sometimes more of a curse than a blessing."
Harry hesitated, looking at his friends for strength. He felt hot tears trickle down his face, and his throat was constricting, making speaking difficult. He wanted nothing more than to get off the stage, begging on the excuse that he couldn't continue. He knew he couldn't do that. He breathed deeply, then continued.
"In my fourth year, I participated in a Tri-Wizard's Tournament. One of my tasks was to swim to the bottom of the Lake and rescue the person I hold dearest to me. I was sent to retrieve Ron Weasley. However, only yesterday Professor Dumbledore took me aside and explained something to me. Ron was my second choice. At that moment, Sirius Black was a fugitive and there might have been some questions and perhaps mass panic if Harry Potter burst from the surface of the lake, carrying a 'murderer'.
Sirius never kept me waiting, I began to realise. He was always there whenever I wanted him. No matter what he was doing, or where he was, the moment I was in trouble, he would be there. He risked being sent back to Azkaban countless times just to make sure I was all right. In fact, the only time he ever kept me waiting, was the day that he...the day that he died." Harry's voice broke and he was afraid for a moment he might not be able to go on. Somehow he found the strength and continued. "And if any of you, still think my godfather was capable of murdering his best friend and wife, then I don't want to know what kind of people you are." Harry turned his back on the audience and walked to his godfather's open casket.
Sirius had been dressed in his best green robes, his hair was neatly combed away from his white face. His hands were folded across his breast, and there was a small smile on his pale lips. Harry placed a hand over his godfather's cold one. He gathered himself and then turned to face the audience again. "He loved my father just as much as he loved me. He could never have harmed me, and he sure as hell could never have killed my dad. I'll never forget Sirius Black, and I'll never stop loving him. Thank you."
Harry rejoined his friends as the clergy stepped onto the podium. Finally losing his grip on his emotions, Harry laid his head down on Ginny's shoulders and cried. She wrapped her arms around him and allowed him to weep himself dry. Ron laid a comforting hand on his shaking shoulder. Hermione, now busy consoling an equally distraught Remus felt tears pricking at her own eyes again. It was all so damned unfair! Why did Sirius have to die? Why did he leave them in such grief? By now, half of the church was in tears. Tonks and Vector had abandoned all dignity and were sobbing loudly. McGonagall was dabbing furiously at her eyes and Hermione thought that Dumbledore's eyes were unnaturally bright, luminous with unshed tears.
The choir began to sing and the words pierced Hermione's heart. The tear gates reopened and she prayed that her pain would leave her soon.
"Hold on to me, son
You know I can't stay long
All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid
Can you hear me?
Can you feel me in your arms?
Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured light?
It ends here tonight
I'll miss the winter
A world of fragile things
Look for me in the white forest
Hiding in a hollow tree
Come find me
I know you hear me
I can taste it in your tears
Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured light?
It ends here tonight
Closing your eyes to disappear
You pray your dreams will leave you here
But still you wake and know the truth
No one's there
Say goodbye
Don't be afraid
Calling me, calling you as you fade to black.
~*~
Hermione pushed her hair back from her face and took her seat, trying to quell her nerves. Only two days ago they had attended a funeral, now they were attending an execution. The prisoners Dumbledore's Army had captured had all been questioned. Narcissa, Avery, Crabbe and Goyle were all being sent to the temporary prison that the Ministry had set up until, or if, the Ministry gained control of Azkaban again.
However, Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew and admitted to far too many murders under the Truth Potion. The headlines of the Daily Prophet had caused a lot of up roar and speculation in the wizarding world. Only yesterday evening, had the full report came out. Rita Skeeter, now restored to her position as a reporter, albeit, a monitored one, had been the one to pen it.
The wizarding community is in an uproar today. Late last week, a group of students ranging from the fourth year to post-graduation at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry broke into what has quickly been established as You-Know-Who's Headquarters, the wizarding prison, Azkaban. Their intentions were to free an old professor, a Remus J. Lupin. Although a werewolf, Lupin was a favourite professor of the students, and they were determined to free not only their professor, but all of the other werewolves.
Dean Thomas, in his sixth year at Hogwarts and room mate to Harry Potter, the leader of this escapade was quoted saying; 'It was nothing, really. There was something that had to be done, and no one else was doing it, so we took matters into our own hands.' Lee Jordan, who graduated from Hogwarts just last year, agreed and went on to say; 'Potter and Granger were really keen to get Lupin out, and I didn't have anything better to do.' Its easy to see the young heroes are making light of their dangerous expedition that very well could have lost them their lives.
The students were successful, although eventually they in turn were rescued by a group of wizards lead by the fully exhonerated, Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster at Hogwarts. The entire group escaped with only one loss- Showna Applegate, 27. Showna was an Auror who had been working with Dumbledore for two years.
The students managed to bring in many Death Eater prisoners. All prisoners are now being detained in a prison set up by the Ministry until Azkaban can be restored to the Minister's control. However, Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew have been sentenced to receiving the Dementor's Kiss by one of the few Dementors still under Fudge's control. Bellatrix is being charged for numerous uses of the Unforgivable Curses. Peter Pettigrew, long thought dead by the wizarding world is being Kissed for the murders of Lily and James Potter, numerous uses of the Unforgivable Curses and the framing of Sirius Black.
Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, issued a public apology to Sirius Black, and granted him his freedom. However, Sirius Black will never be a free man. He died earlier this summer, protecting his godson from You-Know-Who. Many witches and wizards are furious over the long false accusation of the once popular bachelor and Auror, Sirius Black. Upon learning that Black was never given a trial, even more anger has been stirred up. This reporter wonders how the badly mangled trial and sentence of Sirius Black will affect Fudge in his next campaign.
Although she had rejoiced upon reading the article, Hermione was now deeply regretting agreeing in that moment of celebration to come along to the Kissing of Bellatrix and Pettigrew. She had half thought of changing her mind at the last minute, but Harry's face, so alight with his rapture at revenge, was hard to disappoint.
Remus, Dumbledore and Tonks had accompanied them to the Ministry of Magic where Cornelius Fudge himself was waiting for them. He had invited them to sit in his top box to view the proceedings. The Kiss always took place in an underground stadium- far bigger than a normal courtroom, but no where near as large at the Quidditch Stadium. She, Harry, Ron and Ginny had been sitting in a grim silence, waiting for it to begin. Tonks and Remus were still not talking. Hermione had half-hoped that finding out Remus was in danger might have encouraged Tonks to sort things out with him, but she had been sorely mistaken. Dumbledore sat beside the Minister, talking a mile a minute, no doubt giving him advice that was more along the lines of orders. Hermione suspected Dumbledore was considering running for Minister in the next term- held that November. He was practically Minister of Magic as it was.
A wizard entered the Top Box. "Minister, sir," he announced. "The prisoners are ready, as are the Dementors."
"Good, good," Fudge smiled jovially. He turned to Harry. "Lets get on with our revenge, shall we, son?"
"Don't call me son," Harry said tightly. "And its mine and Sirius's revenge, not yours." Fudge, taken back, turned his back on Harry and withdrew his wand. The tension in the top box mounted. Hermione could hardly blame Harry for his harsh words. If Fudge had only listened to him not only in the third year, but the fourth, then Sirius would be here to watch the murderer of Lily and James get his just desserts. Even Dumbledore seemed to have approved, hiding a small smile in his long white beard.
Two wizards lead the prisoners into the stadium. Wizards were lining the seats, all booing and hissing as Bellatrix Lestrange was lead in by two large wizards who had their wands trained on her. They needn't have bothered. Bellatrix swept in, looking as though they were the prisoners. Her darkly beautiful face was proud and fierce, looking around arrogantly at the wizards and witches gathered to watch her demise. She had obviously seen similar proceedures before this. She turned to face the Minister.
He glared down at her and began to speak. "Bellatrix Lestrange, you stand accused of numerous uses of the Unforgivable Curses, of breaking out of Azkaban after being sentenced to life for the use of the Crustacius Curse on Frank and Alice Longbottom. Furthermore, you are now accused of the murder of Sirius Black, you're own cousin. How do you plead to these charges?"
"Guilty," she said coldly.
"The jury has agreed with you, and has sentenced you to receiving the Dementor's Kiss," Fudge droned on. "Have you any last words?"
"Yes," Bellatrix said icily. She lifted her gaze to fix upon Harry Potter. "Potter, Lord Voldemort killed your parents first, and then your godfather. There's no one left to protect you anymore. My cousin has saved you twice now, but he can't die forever, and nor can you live forever. The sands of your life are running short." She turned to face the wizarding population. "Lord Voldemort's armies will spread and he will cover all of your homes and families in darkness and death! There can be no victory against my Lord. He will be victorious!" Bellatrix threw her hands in the air and tossed her head back in a shrill, taunting laughter, sending chills down the spines of those gathered.
She was still laughing when the Dementor swooped in. Her laughter cut off abruptly. She had to know by now her Master wasn't coming to save her, but she still appeared collected, if a bit mad. "Come and get me," she challenged. The Dementor, not to be confused by a human who did not run, screaming or whimper in fear, cupped her face in his hands and lowered his hood. The crowd watched, morbidly transfixed as the Dementor sucked the soul from Bellatrix Lestrange. He released her when his hunger was sated and she slumped to the ground, her eyes glossy. Bellatrix, was as good as dead.
The Dementor was lead away, and Bellatrix was collected by wizards from St. Mungo's Hospital. She was fated to spend the rest of her life in the same ward as the witch and wizard she had tortured into insanity.
The crowd was strangely silent, Hermione was sure you could have heard a pin drop. Even Fudge was not untouched by the gruesomeness of what they had just witnessed. He shouted harshly. "Bring in Pettigrew!" Hermione glanced around at her companions.
Harry was leaning forward, an eager expression on his face. Ron's face was blank, while Tonks was nervously licking her lips and breathing heavily. Ginny's eyes were extraordinarily wide. Dumbledore's face was a mask, but his blue eyes glittered coldly, void of pity. Remus was staring straight a head, his eyes narrowed and his hands gripping the handles of his chair. Hermione unpried one of his hands and clasped it within hers. "It'll be all right," she promised, patting his arm. He nodded, but she was not entirely sure he had heard her. Pettigrew had just been lead into the stadium and the crowds had erupted in boos and hisses.
Pettigrew was being carried by his wizard guards, obviously struggling terribly. He would not go out with the dignity Bellatrix had mustered. "No!" he wailed. "I'd never kill anybody! I loved James like a brother!" The wizards had to literally unpry him from themselves before leaving him alone in the rink. The crowds roared in anger, in pain, in self-disgust at having believed Sirius could have killed his best friend while there was this snivelling rat around.
Fudge allowed the crowd to continue their taunting for quite sometime, his own face twisted in hate. Pettigrew would likely be his downfall. He had bragged many times of being the one to lead Sirius Black away. No real Minister of Magic would have got the wrong man, the public would think. Finally though, he raised his hand for silence, and fixed his piercing eye on the rat.
"Peter Pettigrew," he began. "You stand accused of numerous uses of the Unforgivable Curses, of the murder of Lily and James Potter, and the framing of Sirius Black. Furthermore, you are held accountable for the return of He Who Must Not Be Named. How do you plead to these charges?"
"Innocent!" wailed Pettigrew, in what he no doubt thought was a tone to inspire pity. Hermione merely found it annoying.
"The jury has heard your case and disagrees with you on the claim that if you were not guilty, why you felt the cause to fake your death and to the fact that you admitted your guilt when under the influence of Truth Serum. They have sentenced you to receiving the Dementor's Kiss. Have you any last words?"
Pettigrew nodded fervently, before turning to Harry. "Harry, you told me once that your father wouldn't want anyone to become murders over me," he said quickly. "Is this not essentially the same thing? Don't you think your father would have stopped them?"
Remus surged forward. "How dare you talk to him?" he roared. "You are below the dirt on this boy's feet. You will never speak to him again!"
"Its all right, Moony," Harry said, patting the werewolf's arm. "I'll handle this." He raised his voice to make sure everyone could hear him. "I don't know what my father would have done, Wormtail. Thanks to you, he's not here. In my third year, I was only guessing. Unfortunately, I've been living under the influence of Sirius. I think you know him well enough to guess what he would have done. Goodbye, Wormtail." Harry returned to his seat, refusing to meet anyone's eye.
Pettigrew turned to Remus. "Moony, Moony, old pal," he begged. "You don't really want to see me sucked dry by...by this thing. I know you, Moony. You don't want to be alone, do you? We could go back to the way things were! The last two Mauraders together, remembering Padfoot and Prongs in peace. Why do we need them anyways? It was always Padfoot and Prongs, wasn't it? Always James and Sirius, and Remus as an afterthought. They never cared for you, as long as they could go around looking popular, what did it matter who with?"
"I am the last of the Mauraders," Remus said, his eyes glittering coldly. "You are just a piece of scum we somehow mistook for a brother. You don't think I want to see you sucked dry by a Dementor? Obviously you don't know me. Nothing could make me happier."
Remus returned to his seat, grabbing Hermione's hand and holding it tightly, drawing strength from her. "May the gods of magic have mercy on your soul," Fudge spoke the customary words, although it was obvious they were the last ones he wanted to say. "And may Merlin gather you into his arms. Bring in the Dementor!"
Pettigrew stood frozen in fear as the sinister figure glided towards him. "No!" he shrieked, willing his limbs to move unsuccessfully. "No! I'm inn-!" His last words fell off into a whimper as the Dementor's mouth made contact with his own. Hermione ashamed herself by not being able to watch. She buried her face into Remus' arm. A few minutes later, Remus tapped her arm.
"Its all right," he said hoarsely. "Its...its over."
It was done. Medi-witches came and collected the soulless form of Pettigrew and took him away. Hermione glanced back at Harry. He was wearing a victorious, if grim smile. She shuddered, for the second time that summer afraid of her best friend.
The remainder of the summer passed quickly. The OWLS marks arrived late that year. There really was no surprise to their results. Hermione, of course, pulled in a total of fourteen OWLS, beating both Bill and Percy Weasley, prior to the witch the highest scoring wizards at Hogwarts. Harry surprised even himself by raking in ten OWLS, only missing those in Astronomy and History of Magic. He was shocked to see that somehow he had even acheived an OWL in Potions. Ron did a fine showing as well with nine OWLs, missing both Astronomy and History of Magic, as well as one Potions. Ron was completely aghast with his results as it meant he would have to study Potions throughout his schooling.
Remus took Harry, Ron and Hermione shopping in Diagon Alley on their second last day of vacation and helped them buy all of their things. Hermione was surprised to travel to Remus' vault and find it fairly well stocked. It was nothing compared to the vast amounts of money Harry was unhappily overseeing being transfered from Sirius' vault to his own, but still, it was enough for any wizard to live happily on. For the first time all summer, Hermione began to wonder exactly what this new position of Remus' was. "What's your new job?" Hermione inquired as he helped her to pack her trunk for her return to Hogwarts.
Remus' face became strangely grim. "I'm afraid I can't tell you that, 'Mione," he admitted. "However, when the time comes, you'll know."
"Oh," Hermione said, a little confused. She finished folding her robes and turned to stare at Remus. She had to ask him something, she couldn't keep living in this uncertainty any longer. "Remus, are you and I-"
"Remus," said Tonks, popping into the door. She was in her natural form, her black hair brushing her shoulders and her blue eyes grim. "Remus, I need to talk to you right away."
"Can it wait a minute?" Remus asked, a little confused to why she had decided to be abrupt now when it looked as though Hermione had something important to discuss. "I was just having a conv-"
"No," Hermione interrupted, smiling brightly at him. "No, its quite all right. You two go along."
"Are you sure?" Remus frowned.
"Yes, quite sure," Hermione assured him. "We can talk later."
Remus nodded, and squeezed her arm fondly before following Tonks out into the hall. "Is...is there somewhere private we can go?" Tonks asked.
"My room, I suppose," Remus shrugged. "Why all the secrecy?" He opened the door and motioned that Tonks should make herself at home.
She took the same seat she had taken over a month ago, on his bed. He joined her, offering her an encouraging smile. "Remus...we need to talk, about us," she began, before dissolving into laughter.
"Is our situation that ridiculous?" inquired Remus, a little bemused.
"No, no," Tonks smiled. "Its just, that sounded so dreadfully adolescent." She smoothed over her features and took a deep breath.
Remus sensing, this would be hard for her to do, decided to speak what he was sure she was thinking. "I don't think we should see each other anymore." However, at the same time, Tonks had said those exact same words, causing them both to laugh.
"Well, at least its unaminous," Tonks joked. She smiled, looking up at him. "I'm sorry, Remus. I don't think I'm quite the type of girl you need. I'm sure you'll find her someday."
"Its all right, Tonks," soothed Remus, patting her arm. "I'm sorry too. I think I knew from the start I wasn't your type, but I hoped."
They stood up, realising the conversation was quickly coming to an end. "Friends?" Tonks inquired, hopefully.
"Did you really have to ask?" smiled Remus. They embraced quickly, then Tonks left. Remus sighed heavily, watching her go. It really was a weight off of his shoulders. He loved Tonks, he really did, but he had known for quite sometime it wasn't the way they had both been mistaken over.
Sometimes he still longed for the touch of a woman, to feel her sweet kisses, but he had begun to accept that perhaps a wife would never come along for him. He had learned to accept being an outcast from society, he could learn to accept this. He was really a lot luckier that most werewolves, he may not have a wife, but he certainly had a family. He grinned happily at thoughts of Hermione.
With a spring in his steps, he returned to her bedroom, hoping to still have a chance to talk to her. He was more than a tad disappointed to find her gone. His ears easily picked her voice up, laughing with Molly and Ginny in the kitchen. He thought he still had a family with her at least.
Dinner that night was a very loud affair. Everyone involved in the werewolf rescue was present. The kitchen at 12 Grimmauld Place had never seen such a boisterous crowd. For a few rare hours the boundary between teachers and students, adults and children seemed to melt and they were just a large group of friends sitting down to dinner together. Dinner was served up by Dobby, Winky, and Harry's newest house elf, Mitsy. Mitsy turned out be an excellent cook who was giving Dobby and Winky some valuable tips. Harry was very proud of his first dinner party and was quite sure he had been a hit.
'Sirius would have liked this,' Harry thought as he watched Fred and George Weasley demonstrate some of their newest sweets on willing volunteers from Hogwarts. Vector and Remus were talking with their heads close together, while down the table, McGonagall and Snape were arguing bitterly. Dumbledore was holding a very serious discussion with Dennis Creevy who looked ready to pass out at the honour of it. Charlie, Tonks, Clay and Dawson were all getting very drunk very fast in memory of Showna. Ron and Hermione were sitting together across the table from him, teasing each other lightly. The only tension in the entire room, aside from McGonagall and Snape who didn't really count as they'd been fighting since they'd laid eyes on each other, was between Ginny and Dean. Ginny had broken up with Dean that morning, and it seemed to Harry as though he was flirting very boisterously with Hannah Abbot, causing Ernie to glare jeaously as him. Ginny, however, didn't seem to notice. She was in the middle of a conversation with Arabella Figg. Harry caught her eye over Arabella's shoulder and she waved merrily at him. Her red hair seemed a glow in the candle light and her green eyes were sparkling at him. He felt his heart flip over, a feeling he hadn't had since the beginning of fifth year with Cho.
'Perhaps I will learn to fall in love," he mused. 'Sirius would have liked that too. I wish you were here, Sirius. Can you see us? Can you see your home? Its a happy home, Sirius, the kind of home you always wanted.
"Hey," said a voice behind him, startling him. Ginny plopped down in the seat beside him, long ago deserted by Fleur, who had blatantly followed a beckoning Bill out of the kitchen and up to his bedroom.
"'Allo, Ginny," Harry greeted.
"You look kind of depressed," Ginny observed. "Do you want to head outside? We could just go for a walk or something."
"I think I'd like that," Harry nodded. Ginny smiled and lead him out of the kitchen. Both of them were completely oblivious to the knowing glances exchanged by Hermione and Ron, as well as Remus and Molly Weasley. They left out the back door and ended up sitting on a bench under the moonlight. Harry kept shooting glances at Ginny, marveling at her beauty. How had he missed her growing up? Had he been that distracted by Cho that he'd failed to see the little girl who'd been crushing on him grow into a young lady who had more eager suitors than she knew what to do with? Realising they'd been sitting in a comfortable silence for quite sometime, Harry tried to make conversation.
"Did you have a nice conversation with Mrs. Figg?"
"Yes, yes, I did," Ginny nodded. "She's quite a fascinating woman. She's been everywhere! There is so much knowledge locked up inside that brain of hers."
"Are you interested in traveling?" he inquired.
"Oh, yes," nodded Ginny, raptly. "I've only ever been to Egypt, but I am really interested in seeing France, Germany and Switzerland."
"I've never been anywhere," Harry said. He quickly perked up. "Sorry, that sounded like I was looking for some pity."
"No, it didn't," Ginny disagreed. "Here's an idea for you, Harry. How about we agree that after I graduate we go on a tour of Europe? Would you like that?"
Harry smiled and surprised himself by clasping her hand gently in his own. He opened it and began tracing the lines of her palm. He looked up at her, surprised to see an open look of admiration and possibly love in those green eyes. He wondered if his own feelings were reflected in his eyes. "I'd like nothing more than to see the world with you, Ginny."
They shared a secret smile and Harry knew as soon as his lips touched hers that there was no going back. He was equally as certain that he had no longing to go back.
Remus assisted as much as he could in the kitchen, before Mitsy shooed him away. Harry was going to have a handful stopping those house elves from watching over him. Thoughts of Harry made Remus smile widely. He and Ginny had been in the backyard for quite sometime before returning red cheeked and bright-eyed. It was no secret to any present what they'd been up to. It was probably a good thing that Dean had stalked off long before they had returned. Remus supposed Harry would be all right. He remembered his uncle's rather vulgar saying. 'If a man can snog, then he'll pull through.'
Remus knew also that Hermione and Ron had left the table together. There would be no snogging there, though it was pretty obvious it was what they both secretly wanted. Remus thought that it would be quite a while before either one of them got up the courage to take the friendship to a different level. He knew Ron was a good lad and heartily approved of him for Hermione, but if the youngest Weasley boy ever hurt his Hermione, he'd be running quite quickly away from the end of Remus' wand.
Remus laughed at the fatherly comment as he climbed the stairs. He stopped at Hermione's door and almost passed by it, hoping to let her sleep. She had been so tired and grieved that summer she needed as much sleep as possible. However, the temptation to see her was too great and he ended up entering the room.
Hermione was not asleep as he had hoped. She was sitting at the window, staring at the half moon. The room was in darkness save for the moonlight. She turned when she heard the door open and shot him a sad smile. "Hello, Remus," she greeted.
Remus crossed to her and sat down on the window seat, pulling her into his lap. She sighed contentedly, easily slipping back into the familiar position. He clasped her hands with his and let out an exclamination. "Your hands are like ice!"
"I hadn't noticed," Hermione said vaguely. Puzzled, Remus let go of her hands and bodily turned her to face him.
"What's wrong, love?" he inquired.
"Nothing," she said quickly.
"Oh, nothing, is that it?" Remus frowned. "Do you really think I'm going to fall for that?"
"It was worth a try, wasn't it?" Hermione said weakly.
"Given," nodded Remus. Hermione made no move to explain though, so he continued speaking. "Mione...I...I heard what you said when Markle and Petersberg took me away."
"Oh," Hermione said in a very small voice. "What a coincidence. Thats whats got me so melancholy this evening."
Remus pulled her close, burying her into his chest. "Did you really mean it?" he inquired. "Did you even say it? Was I imagining things or...?"
"No," Hermione interrupted. "I did say it, and I meant it. I've never meant anything more heartily in my life. But, do...do you feel the same way?"
"Of course I do!" Remus cried. He loosened his grasp a little and smiled warmly at Hermione. "I would be honoured, Hermione Granger, if you would allow me to legally adopt you and become Hermione Lupin, my daughter."
Hermione's eyes bulged, as though she could barely believe what she was hearing. "Really?" she sqeaked.
"Really," nodded Remus.
"Of course!" cried Hermione, flinging her arms around him, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.
Remus pressed her into him and the thoughts echoed in his mind for the first time in his life. 'I'm home, finally, I'm home!'
Author's Notes
No author's notes today, mainly because I'm too lazy to be bothered...sorry. However, just a bit of advertising here. If you're one of those who disagrees with David Thewlis as Remus Lupin, there has been a message board set up for it. You can find it here;
I personally have no problem with David Thewlis, but Liz started it, and I figured she might find some supporters here.
Only one more chapter to go, mates!