Chapter 5 – The other half, the truth is revealed.
"SIRIUS ORIN BLACK WHERE IS HE? I WANT TO SEE MY GODSON" Bella pounded on the door of number 12 Grimand place.
The door swung open, and Remus stood in the door way.
She didn't wait for an invitation but let herself in.
Sirius appeared at the end of the hallway. Both had murderous expressions on their face for the other.
"What are you doing her Bella and take off those ridiculous decisions."
"Reveala. Better?" A beautiful young women stood in front of them with long blonde hear and bring blue eyes, in crushed blue velvet wizarding robes, which clung to her in all the right places.
"NO BELLA THIS IS NOT BETTER, YOU CANT SEE HIM, YOU DON'T DESERVE TO SEE HIM, YOU LET THIS HAPPEN." Sirius yelled.
Remus and Bella stood shocked at what Sirius had said; Arabella on the verge of tears.
"Your right of course, I should have seen something it is my fault and I have to live with it just like you do with the deaths of Lilly and James."
"SHUT UP YOU TWO, there is no point to this. Are you two just going to continue blows until wands are taken out?"
Both withdrew their wands as the thought appealed to them.
"That's not what I mean, put them away so we can talk about this rationally." He withdrew his own wand now; if he couldn't get them to do it willingly he would have to force their hands.
"I was the defence against the darks arts teacher at Hogwarts and a Auror and I will curse both of you, now put them away and we shall sit and talk. NOW!"
Both parties glanced at Remus and then again at each other, slowly placing both their wand back within their robes.
"Good now to the couch children." Remus's voice was stern and anger at his old friends for there childish behaviour at this point in time.
Arabella and Sirius took seats, Sirius the greatest distance away from Bella possible; while Remus was situated in the middle ready to take the position of mediator if needed.
"Ok spill it Bella, what the hell happened, how could you let this happen?" Sirius was anger and he had not problem blaming Bella for what had happened.
"Sirius, you know it wasn't Bella's fault." Remus scolded.
"Humph." Was his only replied.
"Don't you dare fight my battles for me! Now I had no idea what was happening, I only found out this morning what had happened."
"Why didn't you notice anything?" Sirius questioned.
"Oh yeah, you think I didn't try to get him out of the that house every chance I got, the number of times I pleaded with Dumbledore to let me take him. I even went to the ministry but no joy. So I waited and watched him. A week ago I went over there to see if Petunia would let me borrow him for the day to help me with my shopping, but she said that Harry was busy with his homework and couldn't come out right now." She signed it really was her fault. "Monday I called Dumbledore, I hadn't seen Harry yet, and I was getting worried Dumbledore said that Harry was probably busy with his work like his Aunt had said. So I waited. Then I got a fire call today from Dumbledore telling me what happened. I can't believe one of you didn't tell me yesterday I expected this from Sirius, but Remus I would of thought you would have told me.' Her eyes were filling with tears, but never shed any.
"You should have known something, its Lilly and James son."
"And you think I don't know that, I do blame myself Lilly was my best friend and look what's happened." She said quietly.
"Bella don't blame yourself, Padfoot you should be ashamed of yourself, you had no idea either, and it was Ron who found out. Remember you have had it easier then her, you have spent time with Harry while she had been forced to watch him from a distant."
"Thankyou Remus but please don't help me, what Sirius had said is true, I should have done something, known something; or at least fought harder to keep him."
They all sat in silence; the reality was that what was past was past and nothing they could do would change it.
"What about Harry, how is he?"
"Not well. Madam Pomfrey healed most of his injuries, but he hasn't spoken since we bought him home, rather just lay in his room doing nothing." Remus replied.
A tear shed itself from the bright blue eyes of the witch.
"I want to know what happened."
Sirius was the only one that surely knew the story of the events of the beginning of the summer. Harry had retold them the night of the rescue, and the events leading up the present times.
Bella begun to cry, Harry's life had always been so full of pain and difficulties, but no more she vowed to herself after hearing the recount of what had happened.
Remus placed a comforting arm around his friends. "Shh, Bella it will be alright."
"I want to see him I have to tell him everything who I am and why I couldn't take him and how sorry I am for it all."
Sirius signed he hated that he had yelled at her, for at one point in time he had been very much in love with her.
"You might want to wash your face first and then I will take you up to see him."
"Thanks, Remus will you show me where the bathroom is. I haven't been here in a while."
"Of course"
So the two left the room leaving behind a very confused Sirius he wanted to be mad at her, but couldn't find it in him.
Remus came back into the lounge room. "Padfoot how could you, you know it was not her fault no more then yours or mine."
"I know. I'm sorry I couldn't help it... I still can't believe that this happened to begin with."
"I know but, I am not the one you should be apologising to."
"Of course you are right, I will when she comes back."
"You look absolutely disgusting Ms I suggest you clean yourself up before you go out their again." The mirror offered her advice without hesitation.
'Well that's one thing I never did miss while living as a muggle, the blatant honestly of how awful I look.'
She washed her face and attempted to look half presentable for the first time she would see her Godson again, as her true self since he was but a child. Checking herself once more she left the sanctuary of the bathroom; entering the living room again to find her hosts in deep conversation.
"Come on Sirius, take me to my Godson."
"Before I do Arabella, I wanted to apologise for my actions I was out of line, I am sorry I don't blame you."
"There is no need to apologise, you had ever right to; enough with this, now where do I find Harry?"
So the three departed and went up to the second floor, to the end of the hallway where a boy lay sleeping in the dark. The two Godparents sat in two chairs next to the child's bed.
"I shall be back, in a little while, I'll fix us some lunch." And with that Remus left the three occupants of the room. Even now he could still see the spark that was still alive between two of his closest friends. Who once upon a time would have made a great family had not fate interfered at the present time. 'Well we will just have to see what happens shalt we.' He smiled to himself; 'it's only a matter of time.'
Madam Pomfrey had come and gone, saying that "Mr Potter is going quiet well physically he seems to be healing exceptionally, but emotionally is another matter; you must get him talking again and soon." She had not bothered to wake the boy but instead used magic to access his condition. "I shall see you again in two days. And see that he takes theses potions when he wakes."
After the Medi witch left they had a quick lunch in the kitchen before returning to their watchful position.
Remus had gone out for the afternoon saying that he needed to meet an old friend of his regarding some new research, and that he would be back within two hours at the most."
Arabella had opened the curtains, in the small boy's room to let the sun brighten the dark house. It was amazing how they were able to live here, very little nature light ever entered the house, most of the lighting was provided by high hanging chandeliers.
Harry felt the heat from the sun on his face and begun to stir, he opened his eyes to find two sleeping adults, both in chairs beside his bed. One was Sirius his Godfather and the other was a young woman that appeared to be the same age as his Godfather. She was quiet beautiful. But he had never met her or even seen her before how did she get into Black Manor. Only those who Dumbledore had told the location to could find the house. Maybe she was in the order.
Bella begun to wake and she found a pair of bright green eyes that were an exact copy of her best friends. 'Lilly? No she's dead....' "Harry your wake."
'Who is she?'
"Harry you do know me but I have a bit of explaining to do before you totally understand who I am and while I am here and we best get that out of the way while Sirius is out of the room so he wont interrupt me. My name is Arabella Figg and I have lived at 7 Private Drive for almost 16 years now. I know what you must be thinking a very old and crazy cat lady actually lives there. Yes in appearances you maybe right, but in fact no. I am that old lady well actually that old lady is me. Since your arrival in Private Drive, I was asked to watch you, to ensure you were safe, but I have failed you." She signed once again. "I appeared to be a muggle old lady to the outside world to ensure that I would be able to watch you and get you away from your relatives as much as possible. I knew your parents very well and they appointed me your Godmother, I was your mother's best friend. I am sorry I didn't tell you this earlier but Dumbledore mad me swear not to. I hope that one day you can forgive me. I should have taken your out of there a long time ago." She shed another tear.
"Please don't cry." Harry spoke for the first time in 18 hours.
Sirius came back in at hearing his Godsons voice. "Harry, Harry you're talking." Sirius said rushing over to his Godson.
Arabella moved back to allow the two men some room; moving closer to the door.
"Wait." Harry's voice was but a whisper.
"Don't worry Harry I will be back tomorrow I promises. Sleep now you need your rest." She came over and kissed the small boy on the head.
It felt warm and comforting to him just like when Molly Weasley hugged him.
"Hey kid, how are you feeling?"
"Better."
"You do know you had us all really worried there for a while when you weren't speaking."
"I'm sorry."
"Nah you got no reason to be sorry. I'm just saying don't pull another stunt like that again." He smiled at the teenager. "Do you want some dinner?"
"No I just wanna go back to sleep, but I have one question is Ms Figg really my Godmother."
"Yeah she is what ya thought your parents only choose me to look after ya alone. Nah Lilly would have had a fit she thought Bella would counter act my influence." He smiled at the thought.
Harry started to fade again into the land of dreams. "Hold on Harry before you fall asleep, you have to take these potions or Madam Pomfrey will have my head."
Harry laughed a little which caused a small pain to shoot thought his lungs, not as bad as it would have been a couple of days ago though which was something. So Harry drank the eight different potions each as disgusting as the next.
"Buddy gets some sleep; I'll see you in the morning." So Harry fell asleep and his dreams were not filled of Voldemort but rather his parents and the people that loved him.
Morning came far too quickly for the sleeping boy. When he woke he once again found his Godfather's arms laying across his chest, which comforted him but also made him extremely hot in its own right.
The door creaked open and a shadow appeared in the doorway. Harry began to shutter, the shadow began to creep in and grow. The light hit the owners face and Harry had never felt more relived it was just Remus.
Remus came in an opened the curtains in Harry's room to let some light filter in. Harry still wasn't able to see anything clearly because his glasses were out of his reach. He tried again to move his arm but he was still two weak.
Remus caught sight of this and went over and placed the glasses on the boys head, enabling him to see clearly now.
"You must be getting hot would you like me to move him again for you? He does seem to like sleeping like that." Remus smiled at the teenager. Who nodded in appreciation; slowly moving his friend back onto the chair, which had become like a second home to him, his attention then refocused on the teenager.
"Well Harry since you doesn't have anything pressing to do this morning how about a bath?"
Harry looked scared to voice his opinion, 'there is no way I can take a bath I cant even move really at the moment, and I like Remus but I really don't want him to help me.'
"Harry I know what you are thinking but I am going to help you and there is no need to be embarrassed." Remus tried to squash the child's fears. 'I must admit if I were him I would not be too thrilled about this arrangement either.'
Harry nodded in giving his consent.
"Ok well then I guess I will back in a minute, I'll just go and find you some cloths to wear and we haven't had a chance to go shopping for you yet." His favourite professor smiled at him. 'Lupin isn't so bad I guess this isn't a picnic for him either, well at least he is being really nice about it.'
Remus returned after finding some cloths of Sirius's that would fit the teenager of course everything was going to be big due to the fact that Harry was severely under weight.
"Ok Harry, this is how this is going to work I will carry you into the bathroom as I very much doubt your limbs are strong enough for that yet. Is that ok with you?" He didn't want to do anything that the boy was uncomfortable with, because despite everything he was still a teenager and was probably very apprehensive and embarrassed about the entire experience.
"Yep." His voice was back to a fairly audible level now unlike yesterday when it was extremely faint. Harry thought 'Remus is really trying the least I can do is to help make it less awkward.
So Remus lifted the boy into the bathroom where he rested him on the toilet seat. And begin to undress him with the help of Harry. The boy was covered in bruises and his skin looked very unhealthy, which reminded him that Harry still had to take his potions for the morning. Remus filled the tube with water and lifted Harry into the water.
"Ok I think you can take it from here, if you need anything just call out ok I wont be far." He smiled
"Thankyou Remus, for everything."
"It's alright Harry, ok I will leave you alone now." And so Remus left the room, shutting the door but leaving it ajar enough so that he would be able to hear Harry, if need be.
He was thankful to Remus for leaving him alone, despite the fact that he had excepted the help he wanted to do as much of it on his own as possible. The water comforted Harry it was warm and soothed his joints and muscles; Harry begun to become lost in his thoughts.
"AHHHH" A scream erupted waking Harry from his thoughts and Sirius from his sleep.
"Bella what the hell, you'll wake Harry."
"SIRIUS HARRY IS GONE; HE'S NOT HERE, WHERE THE HELL IS HE?" She was so scared she had just gotten her Godson back and something like this has happened, she never should have left him here.
Harry couldn't help but laugh lightly at what was happening in the other room, he was in the bathroom and they were totally over reacting. 'So this is what it feels like to have people care where you are and what you are doing.'
Remus ran down the hallway back to Harry's room, Sirius and Arabella where yelling at each other, panicking because neither could find Harry. 'I can't believe they were once together you never would have guess with the way they carry on.' "Shhh..."
"Remus you have to help, Harry is gone, where could he be he wasn't..."
"Padfoot shut up, Harry is fine he is taking a bath, I put him in there myself."
"MOONY, what the hell why didn't you tell me you were moving him you should have woken me instead I think something else has happened to him...."
"Sirius shut up... he is perfectly fine, he is taken a bath and should be out soon, now Bella you like some coffee or tea?"
Arabella had just watched the exchange, "umm yes thank you."
"Sirius why don't you go down to the kitchen and fix Arabella a drink; while I go and check on Harry."
"What why cant I go I'm his Godfather." Sirius would never new how much that phrase always cut Remus deep.
"Yes but think about it would you, he's a teenager and now needs to rely on other people much more then he ever has, he was highly embarrassed when I took him in there and now, I don't think he really wants anyone else to see him like this, go down and fix our guest something to drink and I will get Harry and we can all have breakfast in his room." Remus attempted to apply to Sirius sense, but despite anything anyone could say, Padfoot loved his Godson and would do anything for him. Sirius and Remus argued for the next few minutes about who would go and get Harry, in the end Sirius conceded and left for the kitchen with Arabella; leaving Remus to fetch the boy from the bathroom.
Harry had heard the entire conversation of the three people in the other room it was strange he had hardly know these people but now they were fighting about who would retrieve him from the bath. 'I guess these Remus and my Godparents really do care about me, its weird I hardly know them and now they are fighting over me. Maybe this is what its like to be loved. Strange not what I thought it would be like.'
Knock knock...
"Harry are you ready to come out yet? I think your Godparents are going to have a fit if they don't see that you are alright soon."
"Yeah come in Remus."
"Thanks Moony, I appreciate what you did with Sirius."
"That's ok Harry, now are you ready to get out of the water."
"Yeah I guess." The next few minutes were spent helping get Harry out of the bath and getting him dressed. Harry was less embarrassed this time, so things went a lot quicker. Once Harry was dressed Remus carried Harry back into his bedroom, where the curtains had been opened and the bed made again. Harry was met with the sight of his Godparents sitting in the sun light talking softly together.
"Harry, how are you doing this morning?" Bella asked her Godson.
"Better Ms Figg... thank you."
"Harry please call me Bella or at the very least Arabella." Bella smiled.
"You know Harry you could always call her ra'la like you did when you were little." Sirius smirked.
"And Harry if you don't feel like calling your godfather by his name you could always call him...iris like you did. It suits him don't you think kinda girly but you must have saw it in him when you were little to come up with that."
"Now you two stop it do you want me to get the hose on you?" Remus suppressed a laugh.
Harry opened him mouth to say iris. "Harry James Potter don't you dare... call me that I hated it when you were one and still do. I know your Godmother here kept you saying it just to annoy me." Harry laughed for the first time in many weeks he was truly happy, he began to forget everything that had happened.
The day was spent in Harry's room playing different games and talking about the Maunders and his parents. It had to be one of the best days of his life despite the fact that he was stuck in bed.
For the next week this is what happened Arabella would come over in the mornings and leave sometime after dinner. The four of them were happy, Remus, Sirius, Bella and Harry. This is what a family was meant to fill like.
TBC
An: Kyntor: thanks for the review. In answer to your question, if you read my disclaimer I am only changing two events within book five otherwise everything else is the same. That is the inclusion of the phoenix child within the prophecy and the death of Sirius Black. You are probably right however about me putting more detail into that passage, and I hope it doesn't affect the story to much, but if it does I will be happy to answer any and all question – well the ones that don't give away the plot. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
"SIRIUS ORIN BLACK WHERE IS HE? I WANT TO SEE MY GODSON" Bella pounded on the door of number 12 Grimand place.
The door swung open, and Remus stood in the door way.
She didn't wait for an invitation but let herself in.
Sirius appeared at the end of the hallway. Both had murderous expressions on their face for the other.
"What are you doing her Bella and take off those ridiculous decisions."
"Reveala. Better?" A beautiful young women stood in front of them with long blonde hear and bring blue eyes, in crushed blue velvet wizarding robes, which clung to her in all the right places.
"NO BELLA THIS IS NOT BETTER, YOU CANT SEE HIM, YOU DON'T DESERVE TO SEE HIM, YOU LET THIS HAPPEN." Sirius yelled.
Remus and Bella stood shocked at what Sirius had said; Arabella on the verge of tears.
"Your right of course, I should have seen something it is my fault and I have to live with it just like you do with the deaths of Lilly and James."
"SHUT UP YOU TWO, there is no point to this. Are you two just going to continue blows until wands are taken out?"
Both withdrew their wands as the thought appealed to them.
"That's not what I mean, put them away so we can talk about this rationally." He withdrew his own wand now; if he couldn't get them to do it willingly he would have to force their hands.
"I was the defence against the darks arts teacher at Hogwarts and a Auror and I will curse both of you, now put them away and we shall sit and talk. NOW!"
Both parties glanced at Remus and then again at each other, slowly placing both their wand back within their robes.
"Good now to the couch children." Remus's voice was stern and anger at his old friends for there childish behaviour at this point in time.
Arabella and Sirius took seats, Sirius the greatest distance away from Bella possible; while Remus was situated in the middle ready to take the position of mediator if needed.
"Ok spill it Bella, what the hell happened, how could you let this happen?" Sirius was anger and he had not problem blaming Bella for what had happened.
"Sirius, you know it wasn't Bella's fault." Remus scolded.
"Humph." Was his only replied.
"Don't you dare fight my battles for me! Now I had no idea what was happening, I only found out this morning what had happened."
"Why didn't you notice anything?" Sirius questioned.
"Oh yeah, you think I didn't try to get him out of the that house every chance I got, the number of times I pleaded with Dumbledore to let me take him. I even went to the ministry but no joy. So I waited and watched him. A week ago I went over there to see if Petunia would let me borrow him for the day to help me with my shopping, but she said that Harry was busy with his homework and couldn't come out right now." She signed it really was her fault. "Monday I called Dumbledore, I hadn't seen Harry yet, and I was getting worried Dumbledore said that Harry was probably busy with his work like his Aunt had said. So I waited. Then I got a fire call today from Dumbledore telling me what happened. I can't believe one of you didn't tell me yesterday I expected this from Sirius, but Remus I would of thought you would have told me.' Her eyes were filling with tears, but never shed any.
"You should have known something, its Lilly and James son."
"And you think I don't know that, I do blame myself Lilly was my best friend and look what's happened." She said quietly.
"Bella don't blame yourself, Padfoot you should be ashamed of yourself, you had no idea either, and it was Ron who found out. Remember you have had it easier then her, you have spent time with Harry while she had been forced to watch him from a distant."
"Thankyou Remus but please don't help me, what Sirius had said is true, I should have done something, known something; or at least fought harder to keep him."
They all sat in silence; the reality was that what was past was past and nothing they could do would change it.
"What about Harry, how is he?"
"Not well. Madam Pomfrey healed most of his injuries, but he hasn't spoken since we bought him home, rather just lay in his room doing nothing." Remus replied.
A tear shed itself from the bright blue eyes of the witch.
"I want to know what happened."
Sirius was the only one that surely knew the story of the events of the beginning of the summer. Harry had retold them the night of the rescue, and the events leading up the present times.
Bella begun to cry, Harry's life had always been so full of pain and difficulties, but no more she vowed to herself after hearing the recount of what had happened.
Remus placed a comforting arm around his friends. "Shh, Bella it will be alright."
"I want to see him I have to tell him everything who I am and why I couldn't take him and how sorry I am for it all."
Sirius signed he hated that he had yelled at her, for at one point in time he had been very much in love with her.
"You might want to wash your face first and then I will take you up to see him."
"Thanks, Remus will you show me where the bathroom is. I haven't been here in a while."
"Of course"
So the two left the room leaving behind a very confused Sirius he wanted to be mad at her, but couldn't find it in him.
Remus came back into the lounge room. "Padfoot how could you, you know it was not her fault no more then yours or mine."
"I know. I'm sorry I couldn't help it... I still can't believe that this happened to begin with."
"I know but, I am not the one you should be apologising to."
"Of course you are right, I will when she comes back."
"You look absolutely disgusting Ms I suggest you clean yourself up before you go out their again." The mirror offered her advice without hesitation.
'Well that's one thing I never did miss while living as a muggle, the blatant honestly of how awful I look.'
She washed her face and attempted to look half presentable for the first time she would see her Godson again, as her true self since he was but a child. Checking herself once more she left the sanctuary of the bathroom; entering the living room again to find her hosts in deep conversation.
"Come on Sirius, take me to my Godson."
"Before I do Arabella, I wanted to apologise for my actions I was out of line, I am sorry I don't blame you."
"There is no need to apologise, you had ever right to; enough with this, now where do I find Harry?"
So the three departed and went up to the second floor, to the end of the hallway where a boy lay sleeping in the dark. The two Godparents sat in two chairs next to the child's bed.
"I shall be back, in a little while, I'll fix us some lunch." And with that Remus left the three occupants of the room. Even now he could still see the spark that was still alive between two of his closest friends. Who once upon a time would have made a great family had not fate interfered at the present time. 'Well we will just have to see what happens shalt we.' He smiled to himself; 'it's only a matter of time.'
Madam Pomfrey had come and gone, saying that "Mr Potter is going quiet well physically he seems to be healing exceptionally, but emotionally is another matter; you must get him talking again and soon." She had not bothered to wake the boy but instead used magic to access his condition. "I shall see you again in two days. And see that he takes theses potions when he wakes."
After the Medi witch left they had a quick lunch in the kitchen before returning to their watchful position.
Remus had gone out for the afternoon saying that he needed to meet an old friend of his regarding some new research, and that he would be back within two hours at the most."
Arabella had opened the curtains, in the small boy's room to let the sun brighten the dark house. It was amazing how they were able to live here, very little nature light ever entered the house, most of the lighting was provided by high hanging chandeliers.
Harry felt the heat from the sun on his face and begun to stir, he opened his eyes to find two sleeping adults, both in chairs beside his bed. One was Sirius his Godfather and the other was a young woman that appeared to be the same age as his Godfather. She was quiet beautiful. But he had never met her or even seen her before how did she get into Black Manor. Only those who Dumbledore had told the location to could find the house. Maybe she was in the order.
Bella begun to wake and she found a pair of bright green eyes that were an exact copy of her best friends. 'Lilly? No she's dead....' "Harry your wake."
'Who is she?'
"Harry you do know me but I have a bit of explaining to do before you totally understand who I am and while I am here and we best get that out of the way while Sirius is out of the room so he wont interrupt me. My name is Arabella Figg and I have lived at 7 Private Drive for almost 16 years now. I know what you must be thinking a very old and crazy cat lady actually lives there. Yes in appearances you maybe right, but in fact no. I am that old lady well actually that old lady is me. Since your arrival in Private Drive, I was asked to watch you, to ensure you were safe, but I have failed you." She signed once again. "I appeared to be a muggle old lady to the outside world to ensure that I would be able to watch you and get you away from your relatives as much as possible. I knew your parents very well and they appointed me your Godmother, I was your mother's best friend. I am sorry I didn't tell you this earlier but Dumbledore mad me swear not to. I hope that one day you can forgive me. I should have taken your out of there a long time ago." She shed another tear.
"Please don't cry." Harry spoke for the first time in 18 hours.
Sirius came back in at hearing his Godsons voice. "Harry, Harry you're talking." Sirius said rushing over to his Godson.
Arabella moved back to allow the two men some room; moving closer to the door.
"Wait." Harry's voice was but a whisper.
"Don't worry Harry I will be back tomorrow I promises. Sleep now you need your rest." She came over and kissed the small boy on the head.
It felt warm and comforting to him just like when Molly Weasley hugged him.
"Hey kid, how are you feeling?"
"Better."
"You do know you had us all really worried there for a while when you weren't speaking."
"I'm sorry."
"Nah you got no reason to be sorry. I'm just saying don't pull another stunt like that again." He smiled at the teenager. "Do you want some dinner?"
"No I just wanna go back to sleep, but I have one question is Ms Figg really my Godmother."
"Yeah she is what ya thought your parents only choose me to look after ya alone. Nah Lilly would have had a fit she thought Bella would counter act my influence." He smiled at the thought.
Harry started to fade again into the land of dreams. "Hold on Harry before you fall asleep, you have to take these potions or Madam Pomfrey will have my head."
Harry laughed a little which caused a small pain to shoot thought his lungs, not as bad as it would have been a couple of days ago though which was something. So Harry drank the eight different potions each as disgusting as the next.
"Buddy gets some sleep; I'll see you in the morning." So Harry fell asleep and his dreams were not filled of Voldemort but rather his parents and the people that loved him.
Morning came far too quickly for the sleeping boy. When he woke he once again found his Godfather's arms laying across his chest, which comforted him but also made him extremely hot in its own right.
The door creaked open and a shadow appeared in the doorway. Harry began to shutter, the shadow began to creep in and grow. The light hit the owners face and Harry had never felt more relived it was just Remus.
Remus came in an opened the curtains in Harry's room to let some light filter in. Harry still wasn't able to see anything clearly because his glasses were out of his reach. He tried again to move his arm but he was still two weak.
Remus caught sight of this and went over and placed the glasses on the boys head, enabling him to see clearly now.
"You must be getting hot would you like me to move him again for you? He does seem to like sleeping like that." Remus smiled at the teenager. Who nodded in appreciation; slowly moving his friend back onto the chair, which had become like a second home to him, his attention then refocused on the teenager.
"Well Harry since you doesn't have anything pressing to do this morning how about a bath?"
Harry looked scared to voice his opinion, 'there is no way I can take a bath I cant even move really at the moment, and I like Remus but I really don't want him to help me.'
"Harry I know what you are thinking but I am going to help you and there is no need to be embarrassed." Remus tried to squash the child's fears. 'I must admit if I were him I would not be too thrilled about this arrangement either.'
Harry nodded in giving his consent.
"Ok well then I guess I will back in a minute, I'll just go and find you some cloths to wear and we haven't had a chance to go shopping for you yet." His favourite professor smiled at him. 'Lupin isn't so bad I guess this isn't a picnic for him either, well at least he is being really nice about it.'
Remus returned after finding some cloths of Sirius's that would fit the teenager of course everything was going to be big due to the fact that Harry was severely under weight.
"Ok Harry, this is how this is going to work I will carry you into the bathroom as I very much doubt your limbs are strong enough for that yet. Is that ok with you?" He didn't want to do anything that the boy was uncomfortable with, because despite everything he was still a teenager and was probably very apprehensive and embarrassed about the entire experience.
"Yep." His voice was back to a fairly audible level now unlike yesterday when it was extremely faint. Harry thought 'Remus is really trying the least I can do is to help make it less awkward.
So Remus lifted the boy into the bathroom where he rested him on the toilet seat. And begin to undress him with the help of Harry. The boy was covered in bruises and his skin looked very unhealthy, which reminded him that Harry still had to take his potions for the morning. Remus filled the tube with water and lifted Harry into the water.
"Ok I think you can take it from here, if you need anything just call out ok I wont be far." He smiled
"Thankyou Remus, for everything."
"It's alright Harry, ok I will leave you alone now." And so Remus left the room, shutting the door but leaving it ajar enough so that he would be able to hear Harry, if need be.
He was thankful to Remus for leaving him alone, despite the fact that he had excepted the help he wanted to do as much of it on his own as possible. The water comforted Harry it was warm and soothed his joints and muscles; Harry begun to become lost in his thoughts.
"AHHHH" A scream erupted waking Harry from his thoughts and Sirius from his sleep.
"Bella what the hell, you'll wake Harry."
"SIRIUS HARRY IS GONE; HE'S NOT HERE, WHERE THE HELL IS HE?" She was so scared she had just gotten her Godson back and something like this has happened, she never should have left him here.
Harry couldn't help but laugh lightly at what was happening in the other room, he was in the bathroom and they were totally over reacting. 'So this is what it feels like to have people care where you are and what you are doing.'
Remus ran down the hallway back to Harry's room, Sirius and Arabella where yelling at each other, panicking because neither could find Harry. 'I can't believe they were once together you never would have guess with the way they carry on.' "Shhh..."
"Remus you have to help, Harry is gone, where could he be he wasn't..."
"Padfoot shut up, Harry is fine he is taking a bath, I put him in there myself."
"MOONY, what the hell why didn't you tell me you were moving him you should have woken me instead I think something else has happened to him...."
"Sirius shut up... he is perfectly fine, he is taken a bath and should be out soon, now Bella you like some coffee or tea?"
Arabella had just watched the exchange, "umm yes thank you."
"Sirius why don't you go down to the kitchen and fix Arabella a drink; while I go and check on Harry."
"What why cant I go I'm his Godfather." Sirius would never new how much that phrase always cut Remus deep.
"Yes but think about it would you, he's a teenager and now needs to rely on other people much more then he ever has, he was highly embarrassed when I took him in there and now, I don't think he really wants anyone else to see him like this, go down and fix our guest something to drink and I will get Harry and we can all have breakfast in his room." Remus attempted to apply to Sirius sense, but despite anything anyone could say, Padfoot loved his Godson and would do anything for him. Sirius and Remus argued for the next few minutes about who would go and get Harry, in the end Sirius conceded and left for the kitchen with Arabella; leaving Remus to fetch the boy from the bathroom.
Harry had heard the entire conversation of the three people in the other room it was strange he had hardly know these people but now they were fighting about who would retrieve him from the bath. 'I guess these Remus and my Godparents really do care about me, its weird I hardly know them and now they are fighting over me. Maybe this is what its like to be loved. Strange not what I thought it would be like.'
Knock knock...
"Harry are you ready to come out yet? I think your Godparents are going to have a fit if they don't see that you are alright soon."
"Yeah come in Remus."
"Thanks Moony, I appreciate what you did with Sirius."
"That's ok Harry, now are you ready to get out of the water."
"Yeah I guess." The next few minutes were spent helping get Harry out of the bath and getting him dressed. Harry was less embarrassed this time, so things went a lot quicker. Once Harry was dressed Remus carried Harry back into his bedroom, where the curtains had been opened and the bed made again. Harry was met with the sight of his Godparents sitting in the sun light talking softly together.
"Harry, how are you doing this morning?" Bella asked her Godson.
"Better Ms Figg... thank you."
"Harry please call me Bella or at the very least Arabella." Bella smiled.
"You know Harry you could always call her ra'la like you did when you were little." Sirius smirked.
"And Harry if you don't feel like calling your godfather by his name you could always call him...iris like you did. It suits him don't you think kinda girly but you must have saw it in him when you were little to come up with that."
"Now you two stop it do you want me to get the hose on you?" Remus suppressed a laugh.
Harry opened him mouth to say iris. "Harry James Potter don't you dare... call me that I hated it when you were one and still do. I know your Godmother here kept you saying it just to annoy me." Harry laughed for the first time in many weeks he was truly happy, he began to forget everything that had happened.
The day was spent in Harry's room playing different games and talking about the Maunders and his parents. It had to be one of the best days of his life despite the fact that he was stuck in bed.
For the next week this is what happened Arabella would come over in the mornings and leave sometime after dinner. The four of them were happy, Remus, Sirius, Bella and Harry. This is what a family was meant to fill like.
TBC
An: Kyntor: thanks for the review. In answer to your question, if you read my disclaimer I am only changing two events within book five otherwise everything else is the same. That is the inclusion of the phoenix child within the prophecy and the death of Sirius Black. You are probably right however about me putting more detail into that passage, and I hope it doesn't affect the story to much, but if it does I will be happy to answer any and all question – well the ones that don't give away the plot. Hope you enjoy this chapter.