Title: Rain

Author: Jillian Knight (The Wolf of Were)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: After Harry's fifth year, he's just spiraling downwards. He needs help, but where does one "mother-hen" owl turn to? No slash.

It was the sound of quite crying that woke Remus up from his sleep, and it was the sound of the bed moving that caught his attention. The rain had not drowned out this sound. He realized what it was quickly, and he turned towards the noise. In the dark room, he barely saw Harry sitting on the floor crying.

The werewolf threw off his blankets and stood, he made his way quickly towards the child. Remus gently knelt down by the boy and stroked the top of his head while he whispered soft words in to Harry's ear. Harry did not move, save the quick contractions that the sobs induced. The boy sat still as Remus wrapped his arms around him and carried him back to the bed.

Stroking the long fringe and whispering pleasantly, Remus flanked the bed beside the child. The large tears that fell on Harry's face reminded Remus of the rain that fell outside. The werewolf gently wiped them away and kiss the boy's head again. Harry blinked and scrunched his nose.

"Moony?" The child-like voice rang through the quiet room. The werewolf heard Harry sniffle a few times. Though it was still dark, the night could never hide the brightness of Harry's glowing, emerald eyes.

"Yes, Harry?" Remus asked, tilting his head and placing it on Harry's. Remus, by now, was not expecting an answer. Harry buried his nose into the side of the pillow and with his hand touched Remus' hand skittishly. One sensitive green eye blinked innocently at the older man.

"The dark," Harry answered quietly. Remus blinked, and then his mouth let out a small, relieved smile. Maybe Harry was getting more comfortable around

With one hand Remus maneuvered the wand to light a blue flame into a empty glass, and with the other he quietly rubbed Harry's back to get him to fall back to sleep. This had been the second time that Harry had awoken that evening, and the second time Harry had crawled out of bed. They sat in silence until Harry began trembling.

Remus pulled the boy into his lap and sat up against the head board. Instinctively, Harry hid himself into the folds of the werewolf's shirt. It was at that moment Remus realized that Harry was crying again.

The dark room echoed the sounds of the sprinkling rain and the soft sobs made by Harry. Remus was tired, and the hour was very late. Tucking the blanket tightly around Harry, Remus began consoling the crying boy by rubbing his back again. The blue light that the flames emitted casted a eerie, ghostly glow around the room. Remus kissed the top of Harry's blue-tinted black hair and shifted to a more comfortable position in the bed.

Harry curled closer to the warmth and let Remus hold him. The boy sniffed pathetically and buried his nose deeper into the adult's chest. His eyes shot open when he heard a noise. To the boy's amazement, the sound came from the warmth, from Remus. The repetitive thumps sent a warm, safe sensation through the child. It was last thing Harry could remember before falling asleep to the thumps was the steady feeling of completion that the sound gave him.

Remus stretched as he woke from his sleep. Outside, the rain was pouring down heavily now. Heavy beats danced upon the windows and the roof made the sound as if the rain wanted to collapse Headquarters. The wizard was not sure when he fell asleep last night, nor why there was a strong pain in his neck and back.

"The answer of that question is that you let Mr. Potter sleep on you last night, and it, consequently, brings me to my next important question as well."

Remus almost jumped out of his skin. He winced as he jerked his neck around to see the person sitting in his desk chair, twiddling his thumbs impatiently.

"Dumbledore," the werewolf rasped surprised. Remus had just pieced together what had happened last night, and how he had fallen asleep pressed up against the headboard. But Harry was not in his lap sleeping. Looking wildly around the room, Remus saw Harry standing in front of a window in his threadbare nightclothes, staring out the window and watching the black morning.

"Remus, I was quite flummoxed this morning when Poppy came up to my office to speak with me about Harry. I was even more shocked when I found out that Harry was not at his usual summer retreat as well. Can you answer me why Harry is here, while he is meant to be at the Durselys?"

The werewolf growled unconsciously as he bit back the answer. "My concern of Harry's well being weighed more than your concern of him, that's why. Poppy's already told you the reason why he's here."

The old wizard did not look amused. The usual twinkle in his eye was gone completely, replaced by something else. Remus knew the Headmaster wanted to say something. The werewolf could almost smell it reeking off him.

Remus' thoughts were cut off by a little sneeze in Harry's direction. "Harry, come back to bed. You'll catch your death of something standing around this drafty room."

For once, the boy did exactly what was told. When he reached the bed, Remus pulled back the comforter, letting Harry slip in bed beside him. The boy quickly curled up by Remus. The werewolf smiled down as the child grasped onto his robe tightly and buried his nose into his shoulder.

"The Order knows, I informed them when I flooed in."

Remus' nose wrinkled. "Even the Weasleys?"

"Molly and Ronald were quite displeased and have requested a visit tonight."

Harry gave an involuntary shudder, strong enough to catch Remus' attention.

"What are you playing at? Do you think that Harry wants to be seen right now in front of his friends in this kind of shape!" Remus whispered abrasively.

"Well, Remus, you should have thought about that when you brought him here."

"So did you wish me to take him to St. Mungo's then?" He knew the last place Dumbledore would want was for him to take Harry to St. Mungo's--Dumbledore had no foothold to rule over. To Dumbledore and his 'cause,' St. Mungo's was always a last resort.

"Now, Remus, be sensible. The Medi-witches would not even let you into Harry's room if you committed him there." The werewolf winced, that was a low blow.

"Albus Dumbledore, what in the name of Merlin are you thinking!" Remus recognized this voice right away. Madame Pomfrey to the rescue. Well, he hoped anyway. "The poor dear's as sick as a dragon with a head cold! Oh, and thank you, Albus, for setting Molly and Alastor on me! I had to stun Molly and threaten Alastor to let me in this accursed door!" Madame Pomfrey shared a few pointed comments before Dumbledore asked the first question.

"Is Harry ill to your knowledge?" Dumbledore asked. Poppy sighed expressively and placed her wand at Harry's temple. She pulled it away after a few short moments.

"His temperature's normal and I can't find anything wrong with the dear, but Albus, the poor boy's exhausted from something! Look at him, Albus, and don't you dare tell me something not wrong with him or I'll commit you!" She cried indignantly, shaking her wand at him.

"Poppy, what he needs to see are his friends. Mrs. Granger and young Mr. Weasley will certainly raise the boy out of this slump. Ah, I have an absolutely splendid idea. How about I come to dinner tonight, and have a little sit down with everyone at the table?"

"Albus... Do not make me hurt you. Harry might not be ready to eat with so many people tonight; he might become ill again and relapse. Think about Harry!"

"Well, Poppy, in that case, Severus must come along as well. I'll tell Molly what time we'll be stopping by for dinner."

After Dumbledore had left, Poppy turned to Remus and they both visibly sighed.

"Remus, dear, why do I feel like I've just hexed myself in the foot?"

The werewolf just shook his head, smiling grimly. The rain had increased in power now, if possible. Remus had a funny feeling that even a mermaid could drown outside if it looked up.

"Have you eaten yet, Remus?"

"No, just I'll summon some kind of broth in a few minutes."

"How did Harry sleep last night after I left?"

"Very well, he only woke up twice, but he fell off to sleep quickly."

The medi-witch nodded and stood. "Well, I best be off. I have to update a few wards and ponder over what I have to wear for tonight's dinner."

Remus smiled and patted her arm. "Then I'll see you later, I have to give this little rascal a bath and myself one too."

They said their goodbyes and Poppy was off.

Remus groaned as he stretched his back. He heard a giggled and turned to Harry.

"Quiet you," he said in good nature, "I was woken up too early for my enjoyment." Remus gently patted the top of the raven hair and pulled the child into a one-armed hug.

Tonight was going to be a very hectic night.

Author's Note: Well, I sure you're all probably thinking that I'll write in this author's note about how disappointed I am, and how this thing doesn't sound right, blah blah bla... Finally, after discussing it with a friend, I realized that I picture this in my brain, but I can't seem to write what I see on paper... So, my readers, I'm reevaluating my usage of adjectives, phrases and clauses...

This week in the author's world has been, as always, hectic... There's a writing contest at my school right now for poems, short stories, and essays. First place I think is $150 bucks. I have some ideas, but I don't know if they'll work. I've got till the end of February, and all I've written is a couple stores about the water and ocean... and one about cutting... hehe... Couldn't get ride of my angst, I'm sorry, I'm addicted to it... I'm thinking about posting them on fictionpress... My screen name on that is the same on this site too. I'm not that good at writing essays or poems, so the best way to go is short stories. I can do this... I can write this... I know I can. But some support would be wonderful also... lol.

Well, I'm sure you all want to know what's going to happen next chapter, so I'm not going to be mean and leave you hanging. Next chapter, the dinner with Snape, Dumbledore, Weasleys, and everybody else... And the exposing of Harry's illness. But, don't worry folks, next chapter is not going to be last. Hm... I'm thinking about instituting the first poll question: What do you want to see for dinner?

Love,

Jilly (Wolfy)

P.S.: Please Review!