Chapter 9
Regaining the ability to move, Harry silently crouched on the floor, his eyes wide. They must have
thought I left, he thought to himself. What was he going to do now? He didn't want to interrupt
anything, especially since it had taken this long to happen. Pulling himself under the bed, he 
rested his forehead on the cold floor, hoping that Ron and Hermione wouldn't see him. 

"Ron!" He heard Hermione whisper, a sense of urgency in her voice, but no anger. "Harry's not still
in here, is he?"

"No, 'Mione, I think he left a while ago," Ron replied softly. 

"Okay," she whispered back. They were quiet for a moment, Harry knew it was one of those awkward
silences. He could just imagine Ron's face turning bright red. 

"Hermione, I'm really sorry -"

"Why are you sorry, Ron... don't be..." There was another silence but Harry didn't think this was 
because they weren't talking. He couldn't believe he was in the same room with his best friends while
they were snogging! He felt just like he had fourth year when he and Ron had been forced to hide outside
the dance in the rosebushes and they accidentally overheard Hagrid and Madame Maxime's conversation.
Like then, he was trying to take his mind off of the conversation, intensely studying a crack in the 
old floor. Of course he had known they had liked each other, but... this seemed so odd. Glancing across
the room, he noticed that the door was slightly open; he might be able to get out without making any
noise. Stealthily, he crept across the floor and managed to squeeze out of the door. He gave a huge
sigh of relief. Finally,he thought to himself. That situation was definitely too uncomfortable.
After taking a 15 minute tour of the house, Harry walked back downstairs. The meeting had let out, he 
noticed; witches and wizards were milling around in the kitchen, and a few were walking out of the
front door. Mrs. Weasley came up to him.

"Harry, dear, we're about to eat. Do you know where Ron and Hermione are?"

"Uh, yeah, I'll go get them," he said hurriedly.

"Oh thank you dear. I was just about to do that myself!" Harry had to hold back laughter. Lucky
she didn't, he thought to himself. He quickly climbed the stairs and knocked loudly on the door
to his room. 

"RON! HERMIONE! We're going to eat supper!" he yelled. Ron hurriedly pulled the door open.

"Er, hi, Harry," he said, blushing a bit. Harry gave him a knowing smile. Hermione appeared, looking
surprisingly cool and collected.

"Is the meeting over already?" she asked. Harry nodded; he noticed that, as natural as she was trying
to act, she was avoiding making eye contact with him. The three friends headed downstairs and into
the kitchen. As they entered, Harry suddenly halted, shocked at the sight before him.

Remus Lupin sat at the table, tears streaming down his face. The other members were glancing at him
anxiously, and Professor Dumbledore was sitting by his side, having a quiet conversation with him
that could not be overheard. Ignoring his instincts to stay out of the situation, Harry rushed up to
Remus.

"Remus - er - Professor Lupin, are you okay?" he asked. Remus looked up at him, smiling through his
tears. 

"Wonderful, Harry. Never better," he replied hoarsely, laughing a bit. Harry was utterly confused, 
but just then Mrs. Weasley announced that dinner was ready. Mr. Weasley sat across from Harry, 
occasionally questioning him about microwaves, his newest passion. Harry spent the entire meal
glancing questioningly at Remus, who had managed to stop crying and was eating joyfully and laughing
at every joke that was told. After dinner, Harry attempted to talk to Remus, but Dumbledore held
him back, leading him into an adjacent room.

"Harry, as much as I know you want to talk to Professor Lupin, I must ask you to refrain from doing
so for the time being," he said, looking at Harry and holding up his hand, seeing that he was about
to object. "Remus has just found out something that will change his life; he is trying to deal with
the situation right now. Even he cannot understand everything that is going on right now. I promise
that I will tell you soon, Harry," he said with an understanding smile. "I wish that I could do it
now."

"But remember what happened last time you didn't tell me something?" Harry asked defensively.
Dumbledore sighed to himself.

"I know, Harry, but this is much different. This is important, secret information that not even
the Order knows yet. I will tell you when the time is right." Harry nodded. He had no other choice.
Leaving Dumbledore, he walked slowly up the stairs. Remus was acting crazy, Ron and Hermione were
all over each other, and Dumbledore wouldn't tell him what was going on. He reached the top of the
stairs and moodily threw the door open. Thankfully, it was empty; if Ron and Hermione had been
inside, he probably would have gotten angry.

He sighed to himself. Just hours before, he had been happier than he had been all summer; now, he
felt the old feelings of misery and loneliness creeping upon him again. He laid down on his bed
and took his glasses off, hoping that September 1st would come quickly.

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