Pairings in this chapter: Tom/Harry, slight Ron/Harry, slight Snape/Lupin
Disclaimer: Not mine. Not getting money. I wish.
Chapter 9 : Hide My Head I Want To Drown My Sorrow
"He's scared."
Remus looked over at his young companion. The boy had slipped into his room immediately after Severus left and settled himself into a plush chair next to the window. Ron had said nothing until then, content to stare out at the rainy countryside.
"Terrified," murmured the redhead. "He's scared… of me."
Remus got up and strode to the boy's side, setting his hand upon his shoulder.
"He needs time," he murmured comfortingly. "Right now, he doesn't know anyone around him, so he's bound to be frightened."
"He's my best friend," Ron whispered, dropping his head and shutting his eyes tight. "He's my best friend and he doesn't even remember me…"
Remus moved around to the front of the chair and brought the boy to him, hugging him tightly. Ron's shoulder shook as he fought his tears valiantly. The boy had had far too much heaped onto his shoulders in the last months. Charley and Bill's deaths. Hermione's capture and torture. Her subsequent breaking up with him…and going to his sister. Ron didn't know who hurt him more: his girlfriend, or Ginny.
Harry not remembering him was just icing on the cake.
Later, after the house had calmed down, Harry followed Draco into the den. The two men from before were there, looking tired and sad. Harry sat down with Draco and watched them closely. The redhead obviously knew him, what with how he'd practically thrown himself onto him. Harry felt a little sorry for him, knowing he inadvertently gave the other boy pain.
"Harry, this is Remus Lupin and Ron Weasley," Snape muttered, choosing to stand with his arms crossed. Harry wondered absently if he practiced intimidating poses in a mirror, or that cool cloak swishing thing…
"It's nice to meet you both," Harry replied, smiling his warmest smile for the two, but it only made the redhead look away with sorrow. Harry frowned worriedly, almost feeling for himself the hopelessness that plagued the other boy.
"We knew you before," Lupin murmured gently, a soft, sad smile on his face. "But it is still good to see you again."
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I don't remember."
"I know," Lupin comforted. "That doesn't matter. Now that we're all free, you have all the time in the world to remember…And if you don't, then we'll just have to make new, happy memories."
Harry nodded, sitting back as he thought on those words. They made him feel that he'd have very few happy memories before losing everything. He wondered if he really wanted those memories at all. The short flashbacks he'd been having were none too pretty. Still, the unadulterated pain these two were feeling because of his loss made him wish reverently that he could remember something…anything…Just…
Wind through his hair…Other kids, cheering and shouting as he flew through the air on his broom. He looked out over the Pitch, shoving his glasses tight to his face as he searched for the illusive Snitch. Suddenly, light glinted off a form near a goal post. He shot out after it, arm reaching out the grab the little ball from the air. He reached.. Stretching…he almost had it-
"Damn it, Potter! Pay attention!"
Harry jerked upright, his startled green eyes resting on Draco's annoyed face. "Sorry, what is it?"
"You get worse every day," Draco sneered, holding out a cup. Harry took it with a flush of embarrassment. Most of the little 'vision' he'd seen was gone now, except…
"Where are my glasses?"
The room went silent. Snape was staring at him with a particular expression.
"You don't have any. Why do you ask?" he muttered. Harry frowned and set his cup down on the table.
"But I did." Harry tilted his head. "I see fine now…What happened to them?"
"Your eyes were badly damaged by the spell that took your memories," Lupin replied with another of his sad smiles. "Extensive spells were used to restore them, and your eyesight was found to be perfect afterward."
"Oh."
For some reason, Harry missed the glasses. He couldn't think of why, but he did.
Cold pricked his neck. Harry blinked and glanced back over his shoulder to see Tom's smiling face.
"Tom! Where have you been?"
"Oh, here and there," the ghost replied, draping his arms about the boy's shoulders. The next second, Ron was up on his feet, face turned with anger and fists shaking at his sides. Harry stared in horror as the other face reddened madly.
"GET YOUR SLIMY HANDS OFF HIM!" he howled. Harry shrunk back into the couch, alarmed eyes wide as he threw his hands over his head. Ron was too angry to notice and Tom's smirk wasn't helping.
"What are you going to do about it, boy?" Tom purred. Ron's eyes burned with furious flames.
"You don't deserve to be NEAR him!" the redhead yelled, nostrils flared. "You evil son of a-"
"ENOUGH!"
The room fell silent. Rylia snarled at the lot of them and stalked over to the couch, her ebony eyes lightened to violet.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle, you stop causing trouble THIS INSTANT!" she screeched. The ghost looked at her in surprise. "I'm a Truth-Cat, you idiot! Now leave these gentlemen alone before I make you disappear, and don't you dare try me or so help me, I'll-"
"Alright, alright!" Tom scowled at her before vanishing. Rylia followed his invisible form until he finally left. Then she whipped around to lay it into the redhead.
"And YOU! You should know BETTER, Ron Weasley! I know your mother taught you better than this!" Rylia yelled. "Mercy, what's gotten into you, boy?! Gryffindors are brave, but they aren't stupid!"
Ron's cheeks burned with more than just embarrassment as he lowered his eyes. Her anger expelled, Rylia set her sights on the shivering form of Harry Potter, gently pulling him into her arms and murmuring gentle words. She couldn't help but feel motherly towards the boy. He screamed the need of a mother's touch. A quick glare at the other men gave them her want of their absence. Without words, all three exited, leaving the Verifel alone with her broken ward.
"It's all right now, Harry," she cooed, "They're gone now. It's just you and me."
Harry shiffed, and clutched to her, trying to block out his fears. "He looked like…like the purple-faced man…I was so scared, Rylia…"
The matron sighed softly and kissed the top of his head.
"Ron won't hurt you," she said quietly. "I promise you."
"How do you know?" the boy whispered. "He sounded just like the monster in my dreams…"
Rylia pulled away and waiting for Harry to look her in the eye.
"I am Verifel, Harry. A Truth-Cat," she said sternly. "We're called this because of our ability to see the truth in everything around us. It is this that allows me to know that he is a kind, if not sorrowful child, much like you."
Harry nodded and let himself be coddled again. He liked it when Rylia hugged him or stroked his hair. It made him feel warm inside; loved. She was the only one he didn't mind touching him. Draco did some without noticing, but he was careful never to linger. Harry was glad for that. He knew Draco meant him no ill will, but it still didn't sooth the unknown fear that rose up with each touch. With Rylia, he wasn't afraid.
He was safe.
"Something must be done about that ghost," Severus muttered to himself as he stared off into the fire. Remus sat in a matching hair beside him, reading quietly. The boys were all in bed and Rylia, loyal beast-maiden that she was, had retired with Harry.
"Did Dumbledore know why he was following Harry around?" the wolf asked quietly. Severus rubbed his temples.
"No. The old fool just said he was harmless. The Dark Lord, harmless?"
"He is dead, Severus. There's no way of him coming back."
"He's a poltergeist. He could kill the boy if he wanted," Severus retorted. Remus raised a brow.
"Then why hasn't he?"
"I don't know," the other man admitted, scowling. Leave it to Remus Lupin to draw such honesty from him. He was entirely too nice to the damned wolf. "Voldemort always has a plan, Remus. Always. I just hope I can unravel it before he does something, or the other Deatheaters find out he's here."
"What would it better if they found out?" the wolf murmured soothingly. "No one can raise the dead, Severus…And spirits can't repossess bodies."
"With dark magic, many impossible things come true," Severus warned. Remus sighed and fell back into the chair, dropping his book onto his lap. Inky eyes watched him, flowing over the closed eyelids to parted lips, lines of wariness etched cleanly about. Soft light brown and gray locks framed his face, much of it escaping the pony tail.
It was no surprise that Severus felt a stirring within himself caused by the wolf. He had always been fond of him, even in school, but never told. Severus was a Slytherin, through and through; he was much too tainted for a pure heart like Remus Lupin. More so, after the things he'd done in his life, Severus wondered if any one would ever find him worthy. He certainly didn't.
Snapping from his reverie, Severus got up. Hazel eyes opened and looked up at him, questioning.
"It's quite late enough," he muttered, turning away from the wolf. Actually, Severus knew he'd be up for another few hours, but being so near to Remus Lupin, alone no less, wasn't something he could stand in that frame of mind.
"Good night, Severus," said the wolf.
"Good night, Lupin," replied the man.
A/N: I have a question: ARE YOU ALL WOMEN?! Do I not have one male reader? *sighs heavily* Such is the fate of a male yaoi-lover...Sentanced to be alone forever in a cruel and unforgiving world...
Ah, fehck it.
Yes, there will be Snape/Lupin (unrequited) love here...It might turn requited if I feel like it...Dunno...Do a poll or something...
Baaaahhhhh.