Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters, places, etc. associated therein. Everything but the plot of this one story belongs to JK Rowling and publishers.
Author's Notes: Oh my goodness...how long has this taken me? I despise school, I simply despise it. I've had to do the Ontario literacy test, then work is crazy and, my own fault, I bought the Indiana Jones boxset and have been spoiling myself. So anyways, here we go. Its short, its sweet and its....OVER!
Chapter: 15/15
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Where you lead
I will follow
Any, anywhere
That you tell me to
If you need- you need me to be with you
I will follow, where you lead
Where You Lead, I Will Follow, by Carole King
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Chapter 15- Happy Again
Harry stood motionlessly, staring out of his bedroom window. A thin mist of fog clung to the earth, giving the backyard a very etheral look. The summer was over and today he would be going back to school. A part of him was looking forward to it, but another part ached to avoid returning to the castle he had once thought of as his real home. Here, at Black Manor he had as much of Sirius as he could ever hope to have again. Here, if he stood still long enough and kept quiet, he could almost hear Sirius' footsteps coming up behind him, could almost hear his loud laughter ringing through out the house. Harry sighed and wiped the fogged up window with his sleeve, giving him a clearer view of the house. Sirius' funeral should have given him closure, but it had done exactly the opposite. The funeral had forced him to let down his guard and truly grieve for Sirius again. He was beginning to wonder if he would ever be able to move on with his life.
What was Hogwarts to him anymore? With no more letters from Sirius and no way of having contact with the outside world, Hogwarts would just be as much of a prison as the Dursleys ever had been. He was his own person now. There wasn't anyone left to tell him what to do. If he chose, he could go and unpack his trunk and inform Dumbledore that he would not be returning to Hogwarts. He could stay here and do what really mattered- helping the Order. Hermione and Ron could visit on the holidays and life would be wonderful.
The door creaking open alerted Harry of someone joining his silent reviere, and he turned to face his unexpected guest. It was Remus Lupin. "Morning, Harry," Remus greeted softly. "Up a bit early, aren't you?"
"I still had to pack," Harry said, gesturing towards the half pack chest on his bed.
Remus smiled slightly and crossed to the bed, picking up a school tie. "Not making much progress, are you?" he inquired.
"No, not really," Harry admitted, moving to join the werewolf at the bed. "Can I ask your opinion on something, Moony?"
"Of course," Remus nodded. "I don't want you to ever think you can't approach me if you have a problem. What can I do for you?"
Harry sat down and Remus joined him shortly, regarding the teenager seriously. "I'm not sure if I want to go back to Hogwarts," Harry said in a rush.
He expected Remus to explode, yelling at him that he was throwing away an education or ask him bemusedly if he was mad. However the werewolf just smiled and nodded. "I thought you might be loathe to go back," he said, knowingly. "You know, Harry, staying here forever won't make your memories of Sirius any stronger."
"What?" frowned Harry. "That wasn't what I was thinking at all! I just think we should be doing something more important than wasting our time in school."
"I see," was all the werewolf said. Harry squirmed, uncomfortable in the silence.
"Well," stuttered Harry. "May-maybe I was a little worried about what you said. I mean, I'm already starting to forget. I can't always remember what his voice sounded like and sometimes I forget all of his advice or stories. Then, last night I was trying to remember his eyes, without a picture. I...I couldn't. There was nothing there! What happens if I forget everything about him? I promised myself I wouldn't, that he'd live on me! But what if when I'm twenty-five or something and I can't remember anything? What if he ends up being nothing but a memory? I can't forget him, Remus, I just can't!"
Remus sat in silence, allowing Harry to empty himself on a subject that had clearly been troubling him. When Harry was through, Remus paused, thinking out carefully what he was going to say before beginning. "Harry, you won't forget Sirius," he said calmly. "As time passes, yes, he will become more vague and perhaps some things will leave you forever. But I know for a fact, that you will never forget him entirely. You'll never forget what he did for you, or what you felt for him. Nothing can ever take that away from you, because its in your heart and your heart never forgets." Remus glanced at the boy. He was sitting with his head bowed, looking absolutely miserable.
"Stay here, Harry, I'll be right back," Remus said suddenly, getting to his feet.
Curious, Harry waited for Remus' return, interested to see what had called the werewolf away. His curiousity kept his thoughts off of Sirius for a time. By the time Remus had returned, Harry's tears had almost dried completely. "Here," Remus grinned, handing Harry a small, wrapped, rectagular package. "I was going to wait to give this to you until Christmas, but something tells me you'd like it now."
Harry slowly unwrapped the parcel. It was a picture frame. He turned it over and gasped. It was a picture of Sirius. The artist had captured everything about him, from the crooked grin to the sparkle so often caught in his blue eyes. "Hello, Harry," the picture smiled.
Harry almost dropped the parcel in shock. "S-sirius?" he gasped. "H-how is this possible?"
"Its not really Sirius," Remus explained. "Just a potrait that has a part of Sirius in it. It was the potrait of Mrs. Black that gave me the idea. As it turns out, Minerva McGonagall is quite the artist. She painted the potrait, and Snape made the animation potion."
"Remus thinks of everything," Sirius grinned, winking at his best friend. "So, how is my godson?"
Harry smiled brightly at the painting, fighting back the tears pricking at his eyes. "I'm great, Sirius, just great."
Hermione pushed open the car door and stepped out into the train station. She swung her book bag over her shoulder and smiled brightly. The bustling King's Cross Station never failed to get her stomach jumping. The anticipation she always felt on 1 September was one of the biggest perks of the first day of the new term. "Ready to go, Hermione?" Remus asked, wheeling a cart over. It already had her trunk on it, as well as a briefcase and suitcase she didn't recognize.
"Yes, I'm ready," she nodded, taking over the cart. "Whose suitcase is that, Dad?" She smiled to herself. That name felt deliciously good coming off of her tongue
"Oh, mine," Remus answered. "I have a business trip I'm making for Dumbledore. The location is in a location that doesn't allow Apparation, so I'm taking the train."
"The Hogwarts Express?" Hermione asked eagerly. She was looking forward to school, but she certainly wasn't looking forward to being seperated from the father she had just gained.
"No, unfortunately not," Remus shrugged. "I take the train from Platform 6 and 2/3. Sorry, sweetie."
"I didn't really think you would be," Hermione said, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice. "Just wishful thinking, I suppose. You can make it up to me though."
"Really?" Remus raised an eyebrow. "I'm intriguied."
"Tell me where you'll..."
"Hermione!" cried a female voice.
Hermine swung around, looking around for someone she knew. Harry and Ron were slowly wheeling their carts towards the boundrary between Platforms 9 and 10. The rest of the Weasley clan had already swung though, as well as all those involved in the werewolf rescue. Finally, her eyes fell on Cho Chang, one of the people she least wanted to see. She noted quickly that the Headgirl's badge was pinned to Cho's chest."Oh, hi, Cho," she said, hoping she didn't sound to chilly.
"Hey, Hermione!Oh, hello, Professor Lupin," Cho greeted. "Listen, Hermione, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am."
"Sorry, for what?" Hermione frowned.
Cho looked at her as though she had just said the most heartless thing she had ever heard. "For your parents," Cho said. "It was in the Daily Prophet. They...they did pass on, didn't they?"
Hermione felt a heavy weight on her shoulders and she couldn't help but picturing her hands around Cho's neck. She knew the girl meant well, but she had desperately hoped to avoid thinking of her mum and dad for the day. She felt Remus' hand on her shoulder and managed to smile sadly at Cho. "Yes, they did. In July."
"Oh, Merlin," sighed Cho. "I'm so sorry." She bit her lip and then impulsively threw her arms around Hermione. "My aunt and uncle were killed this summer as well. So many..." Her voice trailed off. "If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me."
"Cho!" snapped Marisa, standing impatiently outside the boundary. "Hurry up! I want to get good seats!"
Cho glanced back. "'Kay, I'll be there in a moment!" She turned back to Hermione. "Sorry, I've got to go. I'll...I'll see you around!" She turned and dashed over to Marisa, waving and blowing a kiss to her boyfriend, Michael. Hermione and Remus followed slowly.
"I thought you didn't like Cho after what she did to Harry," Remus inquired.
"So did I," Hermione frowned. "She was really friendly to me last year, but I thought she was just using me to get to Harry. I think we may all have been wrong about Cho. She didn't ask me once about Harry right then."
They came to a halt at the boundary betwee platforms nine and ten. They pretended to lean against the wall, casually letting themselves fall through once they were sure no one was looking.
As soon as Hermione's eyes cleared the noise of Platform 9 and 3/4 burst around her. Young witches and wizards were milling around everywhere, waving merrily to their parents and boarding the train. The clock read two to eleven. Everywhere clumps of first years were standing around, slackjawed, obviously more than a little frightened. Harry and Ron were already on the train and Ginny and Luna were getting on board, waving goodbye to their parents.
"Well, this is it," Remus said finally. "Its been quite a summer, Hermione."
"That it has," Hermione nodded. "I'll miss you."
"Oh, don't be silly," Remus laughed. "As soon as you get back at Hogwarts with your books and your mates, you'll barely spare a thought for your ol' dad."
"You know thats not true," Hermione admonished.
"Probably," agreed Remus, winking. "But ever since the adoption papers arrived this morning I've been wanting to say 'your ol' dad."
"You're crazy," Hermione laughed, throwing her arms around him. "I'll see you at Christmas, Dad."
"My, I like the sound of that," Remus marvelled. He hugged her tightly, then kissed her gently on the forehead. "Off you go now."
Hermione tore herself away, fighting back tears. She boarded the plane, quickly finding an empty window. She had planned to wave goodbye to Remus as the train pulled out of the station, but to her disappointment, he had already left to catch his own train. Sighing heavily and passing her hand over her eyes, she began lugging her trunk towards the prefects' compartments.
Twenty minutes later, she found herself with Ron standing outside the compartment Harry had told Ron he could find him in. Loud voices were echoing from inside. Clearly Harry's compartment was a good place to be after the summer events. Hermione was sure she heard the name 'Sirius Black' repeated a few times. "Ready?" Ron smiled.
"No, not really," Hermione said truthfully. "Can't we just go back up to the prefect compartments? I'm really not ready to face the masses just yet."
"And leave Harry alone with Ginny?" Ron said. Somehow he had found out about Harry and Ginny's kiss. Hermione wasn't exacty sure how, only that he wasn't as accepting as his comment on the train had lead her to believe he would be. "I think not. "Come on, I guarantee you'll have a good time as soon as you get in there."
"Fine," sighed Hermione. Ron slid the door open and a burst of loud noise hit Hermione. The compartment wasn't as crowded as she had expected- her friends were just noiser than she seemed to remember. Harry, Luna, Ginny, Neville, Seamus, Dean, Lavender and the Creevy brothers were all crowded into the compartment. Ron strolled in, his mouth tightening after seeing Harry sitting next to Ginny. Harry stood when they got in, a large grin on his face. Hermione noted an almost identical grin on the face of the painting of Sirius.
"Hermione, come and meet the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor," Harry beckoned.
"What is it with you and sharing compartments with professors?" Hermione asked through her teeth as she prepared a smile for her new professor.
The crowd of students spread to reveal Remus sitting on a bench, smiling. Hermione's eyes widened and a huge grin spread on to her face. "No!" she gasped in disbelief. "You're joking!"
"No, we're not," laughed Remus, standing to greet her. Unabashedly she threw her arms around him.
Laughter erupted from the students. "The look on your face!" grinned Lavender.
"Priceless," Seamus nodded.
"How long have you guys known about this?" Hermione demanded.
"Since this morning," Harry replied. "Sirius' potrait keeps secrets even worse that Sirius did."
"For the last time," Luna said angrily. "His name is not Sirius, but Stubby!"
Sirius cocked an eyebrow at her. "You are a very odd little girl," he declared. Luna's eyes widened and she flushed bright red.
"He actually talked to me," she hissed at Ginny.
Ginny rolled her eyes. Hermione didn't pay any more attention, curling up on the bench beside her father. "I cannot believe this," she shook her head. "I can't believe you kept it secret all summer."
"I almost slipped up a few times," Remus admitted. "I'm glad I kept it better than the werewolf issue."
Hermione smiled at the memory. "Well, I couldn't research on this one."
Remus kissed her forehead and watched as Harry and Sirius tried to give Ginny and Ron a play-by-play of a Mauraders story. "Are you happy, sweetie?" he asked. "Knowing that you're surrounded by people who love you and care for you, and that you're going back to Hogwarts?"
Hermione turned her gaze away from Remus and stared out the window where the sun was shining over the corn fields as they whipped past at a remarkable speed. "Yes," she smiled. "Yes, I am." She hugged Remus tighter, meaning every word.
Author's Notes
Well, there you have it. We're finally finished. Its been a long ride, but certainly an enjoyable one. I'll talk more about my next projects and plans in the official Author's Note that will follow this chapter.
Mistri: Glad you liked it! I hadn't really thought about that, but I suppose you could say that the money being transfered from Sirius' vault into Harry's would include the compensation money.
Sayra Louise: Yes, I thought they would be very happy finally living as father and daughter. Thanks for the review!
cosmo-queen: Thanks! I am sad to see Wolf and Child come to an end, but another part of me is very happy. I am very proud of it, and you have been a great encouragement throughout it all. Thanks!
Jocelyn Padoga: Essentially that was the last chapter, this is the epilouge, which just leaves you to think about the future. I hope you weren't too depressed! Thanks for the review!
heart-on-her-sleeve: Well, you certainly had a loong time to wait, didn't you? Unfortunately, everything has to end sometime, and this was Wolf and Child's end. Thanks for your review!
MandaB: Sorry, no sequel. This was always meant to be a one shot story, and thats how its going to stay! Thanks for your review!
Kady Rilla Wholi: No, no sequel. I'm getting a lot of requests, but I am horrible with sequels that weren't planned out in the first place. I wouldn't be doing the story justice, which I could never live with. Thanks for your review!
padfoot1979: I have this sickening feeling that Sirius won't be given much of a tribute by JK Rowling, so I tried to do my part. :) Yes, this is the end of this universe, Remus and Hermione will probably never be daughter and father again by my pen.
michelline: Glad you liked it! Thanks for the review!
Courtknee: I've never actually seen David Thewlis in anything, so I'll be reserving judgement. I'm sure he'll do it wonderfully though. Glad you liked it!
Marina: Heh...you're going to hate me, but I don't think that will happen for a while. I really grew to dislike the Lord of the Rings fandom during the time I was there. I believe I'll be in the Harry Potter fandom for quite some time. So sorry!
QTpie-pippinsgurl: Yes, movie magic is a miracle. :) Glad you liked it!
Rayden Durdaenia: I did keep typing...eventually. Glad you liked it! Thanks for the review.
Sprky007: Yes, he could have and should have lived. ::Hugs:: Don't cry, he'll be around as long as we fanfiction writers remember him.
Bombshell: Wow! Thanks so much! Your compliments mean a lot to me. It such a wonderful feeling to be able to write something that people enjoy. Thanks for your review!
sunkyssed: Thanks! Yes, unfortunately this is the end of Wolf and Child. Yes, I too, am a huge fan of Josh Groban. I particularly like his duet with Charlotte Church and the one, that's name escapes me, about a woman who left him to travel.
coolchick207: You mean, you actually loved it? Wow! lol. Thanks for much!
HarryPotterFreak1234: heh...sneaking around computer time restrictions- love it! Glad you liked it!
Kerry: Wow! You are too nice! I am so glad you liked my work. As for getting my work to JK Rowling, I think I'd be too embarrassed to have such a splendid author see my little scribbles. Thanks so much for the review!
UnDeadGoat: Oh, yes I did make that typo. ::makes note to fix it:: No, I'd never change it to RL/HG. Although I am a fan of that ship, it would just be too wrong in this story, don't you think?
koolgirl1808: Heh...I'm Canadian and I had never heard of him either, so don't worry too much about it. lol. I actually have considered writing my own original work and have a few short stories as well as a very vague plot for a novel in the making. Thanks for the review!
Rowlingfan1: I will be writing another story, though not one connected to this one, I'm afraid. Thanks so much for your review!
Daughter of Black:. I do really think we have to trust the casting directors, as it is their job. My own fantasy Remus would have to be Sean Bean- loved him ever since he did Sharpe.
nastygurl: I am so dreadfully sorry this chapter took so bloody long to put up- and look how pathetically short it it. I just had no time!
Waterlili: Aw, I hate making people cry even though that is the point of some scenes. I'm so glad you liked it. I hoped you've managed to convince your roommate of your sanity. Thanks for the review!
tiffany2321: Thanks for much! I'm glad you liked it. Thats all I wanted to say. ;)
EllaWeasley: Although Ginny and Harry did get together, I chose to let Remus and Tonks fall out. I don't actually think a relationship involving them would be too successful. As for Ron and Hermione, I don't think they'll be getting together until the 7th book, so I decided to just give them romantic tension. Thanks for your review!
Manraviel: ::shrugs:: Ah, what can I say- I'm a sap. :D Glad you liked it though. Thanks for the review!
Roxie Black: Thanks so much. All of your wonderful compliments meant so much to me. I'm really glad you liked it!