AN: Thanks for reviewing! The next chapter will be up either Sunday or Monday, as I won't be near a computer this weekend.

Chapter Two

F Minor

Harry flew through the air, wishing that he could stay up here forever. He didn't wish to land, where he'd be tied to his obligations once more. He also didn't want to listen to James and Snape spit insults at one another for hours on end.

He was careful not to call James his father. Oh no, that would be wrong and Harry wasn't allowed to do anything wrong nowadays.

Sometimes he was relieved that James wasn't his father, but was actually his nephew. Harry laughed bitterly at the thought. After all, how incredibly more messed up could his family be? Then there were the days when he wished it was all as he'd known it before, when he would feel guilty for how his 'father' had treated Snape.

Or he could do as he preferred to think of it: it was all his stupid stepbrother's fault. At least Cariodic Potter, or Slytherin, or whatever his damn last name was, had written Harry a letter, explaining everything in case he died before Harry was old enough. Otherwise, Harry doubted he would have gotten the whole story.

He was actually on the pitch for another reason than that. Maybe. OWLs results had come in the day before, and the first letter he had opened after getting them was Hermione's. He loved her, really he did, but there were just some times when he couldn't stand her. Besides her OWL results - Outstandings across the board - she had been full of advice on how to treat the situation. Book learning did not cut it like instincts did in this case.

And Harry was quickly learning that instinct was sometimes everything to a Slytherin.

Who knew that Snape could turn his tune so quickly once the truth came out anyway?

So really it was two things as to why Harry was swooping about over the quidditch pitch. No, three: Sirius was gone. And this was the part that made him mad: that James could so quickly forget his best friend - not to mention the news that he'd lost his wife and his father - and go straight to insulting Snape. Sure, Sirius may have done it once in a while, but James was doing it constantly.

It was getting on Harry's last nerve regarding Snape. The bastard was now trying to - snidely, of course - make up for everything that had happened the past five years regarding his relationship with Harry, such as it was.

That was the reason why Harry was flying like there was no tomorrow.

At least Ron had commiserated with him about the entire thing. Mrs. Weasley had brought both him and Ginny to visit for the day yesterday. Ron had been there for Hermione's letter, and he'd been cheering when Harry had been given his precious Firebolt back. His best friend understood everything going on and had helped Harry accept the information. He couldn't change the past, but Ron would be there in the future for him.

Harry sped past the goals, rolling upside down as he passed through the center hoop back into the pitch. The wind flew through his hair, sweeping the tension away, leaving him more and more relaxed the more he flew. Above him, Hedwig and Fawkes swooped and dove, keeping him company as they had since he stormed from Dumbledore's office that first day.

The day was barely hanging on when Harry let himself fall from the heaven he'd found himself flying in. Looking over the pitch, he caught sight of graying, tawny hair atop drab brown robes. Wondering how long he'd been sitting there, Harry flew in and landed on the bench in front of Remus.

"Were you here long?" he asked as he sat down next to the man, carefully laying his Firebolt on the bench on his other side.

"Since supper," Remus answered, grabbing a small package and handing it to Harry. "This is for you."

Curious, he untied the string to find a couple of sandwiches and a small flask of pumpkin juice. His stomach growled in response and he dug right into one of the sandwiches. "Thanks," he said around a savory bit of ham and tomato. There was a hint of horseradish, making Harry think that Dobby must have personally made them.

When Harry finished, Remus nodded. "You have the weirdest taste in sandwiches I've ever seen outside of Lily when she was pregnant."

Harry shrugged, ignoring the last part of the sentence. "I learned long ago that I had to make do with whatever Dudley left. It was eat or go hungry."

Remus' face dropped. "I'm sorry I didn't come."

"When I was little?" Harry shrugged again. "I doubt it would have helped any. Besides, whatever I went through with Aunt Petunia kind of toughened me up."

"I still could have done something." Remus was looking down at his lap when Harry glanced at him.

"Is it that or something else?" Harry asked. "I would have like that, but I think that not knowing I was anything but what Uncle Vernon termed a 'freak' was better than knowing what I am and then having to suffer Uncle Vernon and Dudley's treatment."

"Harry..."

He shook his head. "No. I doubt I would have survived all the persecution I've been through without having suffered at the hands of my own family. At this point, as long as I have friends who believe me, I can get through anything."

"And what about family?"

He shook his head. "I've come to learn I can't depend on family."

Remus seemed to droop in his seat, and Harry suddenly understood what Remus had been asking.

"Pro - Remus," Harry began. "You are my friend, first and foremost. I've never had a real, true family. But since finding out who I am, I've made some fantastic friends, and you are one of them."

Remus gave a wan smile. "Really?" he asked in a shaky voice.

Harry nodded. "Right up there with Ron."

"Not Hermione?"

He shook his head. "Not at the moment. She's being a little pushier than normal, so Ron and I are ignoring her at the moment. Once she comes down from her OWL high, we'll be able to tolerate her." He gave a little grin.

They were both silent, enjoying the warm summer evening. There was a balmy breeze that was rare for this part of the country. The stars were beginning to blink when Hedwig and Fawkes joined them.

The wind finally cooled and Harry scooted just a little closer to Remus, the older man giving off an incredible amount of heat. He settled against Remus' shoulder and they continued to watch the stars.

Remus blinked at the sudden appearance of light into his sleep-darkened world. His neck felt stiff and there was an odd weight against his right shoulder. Once his vision cleared, he was greeted by the first rays of light creeping over the horizon.

He looked around and found he was still in the Quidditch stands, a mop of messy black hair nestled into his right shoulder. To the left of him, he heard a hoot, and he looked to find Hedwig watching him. Or actually looking behind him. Remus turned to find Professor Dumbledore sitting on the bench behind he and Harry. The venerable wizard was contentedly munching on some candies.

Dumbledore smiled when he noticed Remus was awake. "Good morning!" he greeted. "Would you care for some Skittles?"

"What are they?" Remus asked in a low voice, unwilling to wake Harry.

"They are Muggle fruit candies. The purple ones are a delicious grape flavor."

Remus shook his head, both turning down the offer and in exasperation that anyone could handle any kind of sugar this early in the morning. Even he couldn't handle chocolate first thing after waking. And he was almost a certified chocolate addict.

"When the Fat Lady said that you had never returned to Gryffindor tower yester eve, when asked, James came to find me. I was about to arrange a search when Fawkes entered my office. The silly bird - " said phoenix squawked in indignation to Remus' left, surprising him with the presence - "proceeded to act as if he knew something we didn't."

Remus looked at Fawkes, who was nonchalantly looking into the east, as if fascinated by the colors in the sky that echoed his own feathers.

"Fawkes led us out here," Dumbledore continued. "I sent James and Severus back, volunteering myself to watch over you."

It looked as if he had more to say, but Harry stirred at that moment. The green-eyed young man gave a yawn and slowly sat up.

"Hi," Harry mumbled as he stretched, yawning once more. "Is it morning already?"

"It is indeed," Dumbledore said.

Harry whipped around, almost falling off the bench, in order to look at the headmaster. Remus caught him before he could fall and helped him right himself. Harry nodded his thanks to Remus.

Dumbledore stood and held out the small dish of candy. "Skittles, Harry?"

Harry shook his head.

"Ah well. That leaves more for me, then. I will leave you two to come into the castle at your own pace. Breakfast will be served until 8.30. I do suggest, however, that you find James first." The headmaster exited the stands and went down the stairs.

Remus watched as the old wizard seemed to glide across the grounds to the school. Once Dumbledore was inside, he turned to Harry.

"Feeling better this morning?"

Harry nodded. "I guess. I think I need some more sleep, though."

Remus smiled. "I'm not surprised. You flew for quite a few hours yesterday."

"It was nice, though, being out here with you." Harry grinned. "It's nice being friends, isn't it?"

He nodded. "Yes, it is." And it was. It had been like the nights Remus had spent with Lily, before seventh year. Even after the Charms accident that had resulted in Harry - and wasn't that strange in itself? - he had been able to have quiet conversations with his friend and not have to deal with James' fawning over Lily, Sirius alternatively sulking over his family or planning another prank on Snape, or even Peter's whining about not being the smart one, the brave one, or the handsome one of their group.

And now he was sitting with her son, who was far more mature than any of his peers, even of Hermione. He wasn't book smart like her or even Remus himself. But Harry had what Lily had called 'heart smarts.' He was intellectually smart, but was overshadowed by his friend. Even Ron overshadowed him when it came to strategy or Quidditch.

Remus looked at Harry, who had closed his eyes again.

"Harry?"

"Hm?"

"Are you hungry?"

A rumble from his midsection answered. Harry gave a sheepish smile and nodded. "Just a little."

Remus laughed. "Then let's go find James and the food." He stood and guided a yawning Harry to the stairs.

A panicked James met them at the door. "Where were you, Harry?" he engulfed Harry in a tight hug. Harry stiffened at the contact, considering the only people that had really touched him, as far as Remus knew, were Sirius, Hermione, and Mrs. Weasley. And Remus this morning, but Harry had been the one to initiate that, since Remus wasn't the type to touch anyone. Remus had seen Harry's reaction to those three, and he wasn't sure Harry even knew what to think of it.

"James?" Remus said behind Harry and James. "You can grill us later. I believe Harry needs some food."

Harry's stomach growled as if in agreement, and Remus hid a smile at the sound.

James looked reluctant as he let go of Harry. As the three made their way to breakfast, James said, "I made a promise to my dad and Lily that I would look after you, Harry. And when I first held you, I made that promise to you."

Harry stopped in front of the entrance to the Great Hall. "You've obviously done a great job this past week then, James," he said in a scathing tone. "You'd rather taunt Snape - and hell if I didn't think better I'd say you were practically fawning over him half the time. If you loved me half as much as you say you do - and care about my well-being - you would have spent some time with me.

"I was hoping we could have spent some time talking about or mum or Cariodic or even you, but you never asked. I wanted to talk about Sirius, and it looks to me as if you don't even care that he's dead! Sirius spent the last year of his life comparing me to you, he loved you so much."

Harry gave a choked sob. Remus put a hand on his shoulder, but he flinched at the touch.

"I thought that I finally found a family member who might actually love me, considering Aunt Petunia thinks I should have died with Mum, and Dudley thought I was there for him to use as his personal punching bag. My biological father thought enough of my mother to curse all Muggleborns, and now you say you care?" Harry gulped. "When you finally grow up, James, we can talk about that promise you made."

Remus watched as Harry proceeded into the Great Hall and the circular table that occupied the center of the vast hall. The young man grabbed some food and slammed his drink down, defying the lingering teachers to even speak to him.

"I've buggered it up, haven't I?" James asked beside Remus.

He looked at his friend. "Just a little." Remus gave an encouraging smile. "Let him cool down a bit and then make an effort to talk to him."

James sighed. "He's so much like Lily, it's unbelievable."

Remus smiled. Yes, Harry was like his mother, even if most people never got past how much he looked like James. Now that he thought about it, James could have passed for Cariodic if he didn't wear glasses. James' father had once said that he father had worn glasses, but had usually cast a temporary spell on his eyes. Remus had thought that strange, since any spell like that had been lost to the modern age.

"Let's go to the kitchens," James said, breaking into Remus' musing. "It's been an age since I've been there, and we can give Harry some cooling off time."

Remus nodded, looking back into the Great Hall. Harry seemed not to watch them, but Remus nodded in his direction before turning to follow James. He would help Harry in any way he could.

Harry smiled at Ron as his friend made his way to the Gryffindor table. For a while, it had seemed as if it would take forever for the rest of the students to arrive at Hogwarts. Harry hadn't been allowed to go back to London and ride the train when Dumbledore learned there was talk of abducting Harry at Platform 9 3/4.

"Hey, Harry!" Ron greeted as he sat down next to Harry.

"Ron Weasley!"

Harry smiled. "Hi. I think you're in trouble."

The red head shrugged. "She's been yelling since Kings Cross."

Hermione sat down across from Harry and glared at Ron. "I've been trying to keep up with you since we got off the Hogwarts Express. Why did you get in a carriage without me?"

Harry looked at Ron. "Who did you ride up with?"

Ron grinned. "Susan Bones and Anthony Goldstein - they're dating by the way. And then Ernie McMillan. He was saying that Zacharias Smith will be coming to school in a couple of days. He caught the Muggle flu."

"Ron!"

Harry looked at Hermione as Ron turned to her.

"I rode up in the first carriage I saw because all you've done on the train is either wonder if Harry is all right or moan about how badly you did on your OWLS. Thirteen is good! Percy the Prat only got twelve!"

Hermione huffed and looked at Neville as he sat down.

"He's right, you know," Neville said. Ginny sat next to him, nodding her head.

The sixth year prefect huffed again. "If you're going to be that way..."

Harry sighed. It was like trying to deal with Aunt Petunia at certain times of the month. He decided it would just be better for everyone if he changed the subject.

"Did anyone hear who's teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year?"

Ron looked at him. "You've been here most of the summer and you don't know?"

Harry shook his head. "Whoever it is will be arriving tonight. I was hoping that they were on the train."

Dean Thomas slid in next to Ginny. "Who was on the train?"

"The next DADA teacher?"

Dean shook his head. He looked across the table as Seamus filled the last spot in their section of the table between Ron and Parvati.

"What about you, Seamus? Seen any sign of the new teacher?"

The blond boy shook his head. "As long as it's not Umbridge, I don't care."

Harry laughed with the others. It felt good to be with his friends. He could forget his cares for a brief while and pretend he was just another student.

"Remus?" Harry asked as he stood in the open doorway to the man's bedroom in Grimmauld Place.

The tawny haired man looked up from the present he was wrapping and gave a sheepish smile. "I thought, for a moment, that you were James. He's been trying to sneak a peak."

Harry smiled, knowing that James was the happiest person in the entire house about Christmas being tomorrow.

"What did you want, Harry?"

He looked at Remus. "I was wondering if we could talk tonight?" He asked awkwardly.

"What about?" Remus asked, his curiosity showing.

Harry wasn't sure how to put it. "Kingsley said something in class last week, and I was wondering what you think of it."

Remus put the wrapped present aside and patted the bed next to where he was seated. Harry stepped forward, making sure the door was closed behind him.

"Alright, Harry?" Remus asked. "How's Kingsley doing?"

Harry shrugged. "He's been great. It's too bad we won't have him in January. I do like that we've got Aurors this year." He sighed. "It does make me wonder at Fudge's decision to do this and not have them out looking for the Death Eaters."

Remus nodded. "Dumbledore agrees with you. Although he was rather relieved that the students are being taught the things they need to know."

"I know."

"What did you want to talk about, then?"

"Kingsley was talking about innate magic and how it was used before they used wands." Harry pulled a rolled up piece of parchment out of his back pocket, opening it up and pointing about three inches from the bottom. "He said that they used to use focus stones that they eventually used on top of staffs. But when they were beginning to be persecuted by the Muggles, they switched to wands because they were easier to hide."

Remus nodded. Binns usually covered this the last term of seventh year, but Harry had gotten a "Dreadful" on the exam - he had pointed out that falling asleep meant that he didn't exactly finish the test.

"What if I used a focus stone or something like it, in conjunction with my wand?" Harry asked. "My wand doesn't exactly work against Voldemort's, and that's a bad thing considering I'm the unlucky one to have to go up against the bastard."

"What does Dumbledore have to say about it?"

Harry shook his head. "I haven't talked to him about it. I wanted to talk to you first, because you'll give me a straight and honest answer."

He looked at the other man, whose face was frozen in a look of disbelief.

"Remus? You okay?"

Amber eyes blinked once in a slow fashion and then rapidly. "Why me? And why not James?"

Harry sighed. And he thought he had self-esteem issues at times. Damn Umbridge and her stupid laws anyway.

"Yes, you. You're level-headed and you've read most of the library here and I know that you got the highest OWL and NEWT scores of the four of you."

"Only Lily scored higher," Remus murmured, as if reminding himself.

"Then you are the perfect one to help me." Harry grinned. He really did respect and like Remus for who he was and his opinion was the deciding factor for Harry to tell anybody else about his plan.

Harry leaned over and looked into Remus' eyes, his nose an inch away from the other man's.

"So, what do you think?"