AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! This is the slash version of Chapter Five and Epilogue. I hope you like reading The Well-Tempered Piano!

Chapter Four and Epilogue

(Slash Version)

C Sharp Major

Harry slowly awoke, the smell of antiseptic filling his nose. A slow beep sounded to one side, but he couldn't tell which one.

"He's waking up, Lily," a male voice came from the foot of the bed.

The voice was familiar, but Harry couldn't quite place it, being half asleep as he still was. He barely opened his eyes, his eyelids feeling as if they had lead weights attached. Through blurry sight, he could just make out three figures near his feet.

Harry tried to make a sound, but only a grunt came out.

One of the figures came closer. "Here's some water, Harry." Something tube-like hit his lips. "Just a couple of sips for the moment, Harry."

The cool water felt almost like fire going down his throat. He almost choked as he swallowed, and he opened his eyes all the way. The blur holding the glass was topped with a mess of black hair.

"James?" he croaked out, the straw falling away.

"He needs his glasses, Sal." This time the voice was female.

The figure gently put Harry's glasses on his nose. Harry blinked as his vision cleared and the man's face sharpened to reveal a man that, incredibly, looked like Harry himself, except his eyes were a blue-green. His hair was a bit longer, but just as messy. The man's robes were heavily embroidered where Harry could see, a blend of silver and green thread on black.

"Hello, Harry," the man said, a smile crinkling across his face.

"Who?" Harry managed to get out. He coughed the tiniest bit and pain rippled down his throat and through his chest.

The man grabbed the water and put the straw back up to Harry's lips. "Sorry."

Harry closed his eyes as the water quelled the worst of the pain.

"Is there anything we can give him for the pain, Sal?" a different male voice asked.

He opened his eyes and looked to the foot of the bed, having forgotten the other two figures present. Harry chocked on the water when he saw Sirius standing there, looking much like he did in Lily and James' wedding picture. There was a big smile on his face, and his gray eyes were sparkling.

"Hey, kid!" he said in a breezy voice. "How are you?"

The woman next to him slapped him on the arm. Harry focused on her face and recognized the auburn hair from pictures. It was true, he saw, that Harry had indeed inherited his mother's green eyes. They held the same sorrow Harry wore, ever since meeting Quirrell in the chamber under the third floor.

"Hello, Harry," she said in a sad voice. "I was hoping that we could put this conversation off for another hundred years or so, but it wasn't meant to be."

"Wha...?" Harry croaked out.

Lily came forward and stood next to Sal. She tentatively touched Harry's face, her fingers trembling. "Oh, honey," she began. "We can only talk to you because you have a choice to make. You are on the edge between life and death."

Harry stared at her, but couldn't speak from both shock and his physical condition.

Sirius came up to his other side and squeezed his hand. "The choice you have is to either go with us or stay here."

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Lily laid a finger on his lips.

"Wait and think about it for a while."

Sal nodded. "If you go with us, you won't be able to talk to your friends for a long time. Your friend Ron is slated to live a long time, as is his brother Bill, and your friend Hermione."

"Res... Weas... leys...?" Harry managed.

"Ginny, Molly and George are here, and Arthur will soon be coming to join them," Sirius answered sadly. "Ron and Fred will need a friend to get them through the tough spots."

Lily sighed. "I'm sorry to have to make you choose, Harry. We'll give you time to think it over."

"...Petunia was always like that," Lily said.

Harry grinned. He now had enough fodder to blackmail Aunt Petunia into behaving. He paused, thinking that over. It looked like he had chosen to stay in the land of the living, he guessed, especially if he was thinking of ways to get revenge on the Dursleys.

"You've decided, haven't you, Harry?" Salazar intoned sadly.

He nodded jerkily. While the pain had gone away while he was thinking his decision over, his body was stiff and there was still a dull throb with movement. Now that he was sure of his decision, the pain was beginning to creep in again.

Tears dripped from Lily's eyes, as Salazar pulled her close. Sirius stepped forward and gave him a light hug, reaching and taking hold of Harry's hand once more.

"Take care, Harry," Sirius said. He gave a light squeeze. "You take care of Remus, and make sure James stays out of trouble."

Harry laughed slightly, trying not to move too much. "I will, Sirius."

Sirius let go of Harry's hand and moved towards the door, which had begun to glow with a golden light. "By the way, Harry," he said as he paused and turned around to look at him. "Thanks for getting rid of my mother's portrait. I wished I had been able to see it first hand."

Harry blinked rapidly, refusing to let his tears fall. He hadn't cried when Sirius fell through the veil, and he wouldn't ruin this short reunion with them. He gave a short nod. "No problem, Sirius."

Sirius waved. "See you later, Harry," he said. He stepped through the door and disappeared.

Salazar stepped even closer to Harry's bed, his hands moving to rest on Harry, one on his head, the other taking hold of his hand. "I'm glad that I finally got to talk to you, Harry. Even if it was only for a short while."

He gave a weak smile as a wave of pain swept over him.

"Sal, he's waking up," Lily said, laying a hand on top of Salazar's, where it lay on top of Harry's.

The tall man nodded. "I'll make this fast then." He took a calming breath as a tear fell. "I love you, Harry, and I'm so proud of you. When you get the chance, please visit my chamber. Behind where the basilisk was there is a library. Take all of the books and burn them. Just make sure you save a book called the 'Slytherin Grimoire.' In it, there's all of my notes on a cure for lycanthropy that I started because of Lily."

Another wave of pain washed over him, more intense than the last one. Harry gritted his teeth against it. A cool hand covered his forehead with a soothing touch as he closed his eyes.

"Harry..." Lily began.

He opened his eyes to meet ones just like them.

"I love you, son. I have from the moment I knew I would have you." She gave a wobbly smile as tears dripped down her face. "Please tell James that I did love him, even if he wasn't my true love. And tell Remus that I will always hold a place in my heart for him, because he loves you, Harry." She gave a sob and turned away, her cooling hand falling off Harry's now burning forehead.

Salazar squeezed his hand. "We will see you again, son. I promise it won't take forever."

Harry moaned, unable to voice anything through the pain. The tears he had held back when Sirius left spilled forth. He wanted to say half a dozen things at once, but nothing would come out of his throat, the pain burning a line down the core of his body.

He nodded and closed his eyes, knowing that this would be the last time he saw his parents for a long while. He couldn't keep them open, though. Not with the pain racking his body. Harry gave a silent goodbye as the pain overwhelmed him and he fell into darkness.

Bill Weasley walked towards Remus, holding a tray with three mugs of coffee and several sandwiches. He had paused at Harry's room for a brief moment, as it lay between the stairs he had taken from the cafeteria and the waiting room where Remus sat. Remus hadn't dared to move from the waiting room, even if it had been so long since they'd first arrived. He wanted to make sure that Harry was all right.

"He's waking up, Remus."

He stood. "Can I see him?"

Bill shook his head. "I asked the healer, but he said we couldn't see him until after they give him a checkup."

Remus sat back down and stared across the room to where James was sleeping. The other man's injuries still bothered him a month after the battle. Remus himself had healed quickly, but he had suffered a terrible time during the full moon two weeks ago. The moon had been the closest one of the year, making the pull that much stronger. It had been the only time he'd left the hospital, because there was no one who could make the Wolfsbane potion for him. So, he had suffered through those three days with the help of what painkillers he could take.

Bill handed him a coffee mug and set the tray floating between them, taking the time to set a warming charm on the third as he took one for himself.

"When is Ron getting here?" Remus asked after taking a sip of coffee.

Billing finished chewing a bite. "He was coming once Minerva finished speaking at the Ministry. Then both of them were going to floo in."

Remus nodded. As the new Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva was required to be present at the Wizengamot trial of Draco Malfoy. The Slytherin prefect had been one of the few survivors of the Death Eaters of the battle. He had also been the one to kidnap Severus Snape in the incident that had eventually led to his death.

Ron had been an earlier witness in the trial of Peter Pettigrew. Remus' old friend had been brought up on charges ranging from his original crime of selling the Potters to Voldemort and killing the Muggles in the street that he'd framed Sirius for, to charges stemming from the battle of Hogwarts. The rat animagus had given vital information about Hogwarts' infrastructure to Voldemort. That one, Remus and James had attended. Remus had been satisfied to see the gibbering wreck Wormtail had become as the Dementors - properly cowed by the Ministry, Fudge declared - took him away to Azkaban. His former friend would spend twelve years there before being given the kiss, a fitting retribution for what Sirius had had to suffer.

There was a bustle down the hallway. Remus stood once more, putting his coffee down, and moved towards the healer coming towards the waiting room.

The lime-green robed man smiled at Remus. "Mr. Lupin. Mr. Potter is awake and doing very well. He's still going to be in quite a bit of pain for a while, but he will recover from his injuries."

"May I see him now?"

The healer nodded. "Keep it short, though. Mr. Potter needs plenty of rest for the potions we've given him to work."

Remus was practically in Harry's room by the time the man finished. He slowed as he entered, giving a beaming smile to Harry. Harry looked to already be half-asleep, but seemed to fight his medicines.

His glasses were a bit crooked because of a bandage that covered the right side of his face and went down his cheek to his chin. There was another bandage covering his scar, a slight pink to it because it still bled sluggishly. Harry's right leg was in what Hermione had called traction to keep it immobilized. The bone had been shattered and, while it had been regrown with Skele-Gro, the tendons, muscles, and nerves had to regenerate on their own. He'd also had some internal injuries that had come from the explosion that had ended Harry's battle against Voldemort.

"How are you feeling?" Remus asked as he sat down.

"Could... better," Harry said in a rough voice. "You... okay?"

Remus nodded. "I'm doing good. James is sleeping in the waiting room, and he's doing good, as well."

Harry swallowed, and Remus winced at the pained look that crossed his face. He started coughing in a barking manner, from deep in his chest. Remus stood and held a cup of water to Harry's lips. The younger man's hands were shaking too badly to hold it.

"Better?" Remus asked as Harry turned from the cup.

"Thans..."

Remus sat back down and waited for Harry to settle back down. He was panting slightly from his coughing bout, and his face had gone pale.

"Ron?" Harry finally asked.

Remus sighed. He wasn't sure if he should just give the information he had or wait until the next time he spoke with Harry. Well, he may as well answer the question asked.

"He's fine, Harry. He's been helping Professor McGonagall at the Ministry this past week."

Harry nodded slowly and opened his mouth to speak when a young woman in healer's robes opened the door.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Lupin," she said. "Healer Marceaux said fifteen minutes. I gave you twenty." She gave a smile in apology. "Mr. Potter needs to get some rest. I promise to let you know the next time Mr. Potter wakes."

Remus looked at Harry, who was mid-yawn. He could see the signs he'd missed earlier that indicated Harry was really fighting the potions. He stood and picked up Harry's hand, giving a comforting squeeze.

"Get some rest, Harry. We can talk then." He smiled at the younger man, nodded at the healer, and went down to the waiting room to talk to Bill, a recently arrived Ron and Minerva, and a now awake James.

It seemed like all Harry would do all day was sleep. He would wake up for half an hour, talk to one of his friends, and then go to sleep again. Most of it was from the potions, he knew, but it was getting quite monotonous after an entire week. The good part of it, though, was that he didn't feel any pain when sleeping.

There were three healers assigned to him, making him wonder if they had any other patients besides him. Healer Marceaux reminded him of Professor McGonagall when she was trying to help him. As primary caregiver, he had tended to Harry for his most sever injuries. The healer had explained in plain terms what they were doing to correct them. The other two healers were new, having just completed their training, so his being their first patient was likely.

Remus and James had visited everyday since he'd woken, barring that first visit with only Remus. The older man had not exaggerated the extent of damage done to James, as the other man still had problems. James had been the one to take out Narcissa Malfoy totally, but she had gotten in a bloodletting curse to his leg. The leg had healed, but it was slow. He'd also had to replenish the blood lost, which wasn't the easiest thing to get him to do, as he tended to escape his healers.

Harry had found out from James how Remus had fared, as well as the damage from the full moon. It had brought back what his father had said about the Chamber of Secrets.

When Harry had woken up, he had remembered everything that had happened in that strange 'dream.' It really hadn't been that, but he didn't know how else to describe it. Opening his eyes, he had been able to smell the faint scent of magnolias, the scent that Lily had worn, that was totally out of place at St. Mungo's. If he could find someone that could finish what Salazar had started, Remus wouldn't have to go through all that agony. And he wanted his closest friend to be well, enough to do anything to make it happen.

"Harry?"

He brightened as Remus made his way into the room. The older man had visited just this morning, but Harry didn't mind. Anything was better than just sitting here and staring at nothing in particular.

"Remus! I didn't expect you back today."

He nodded. "I thought I would drop off this book," Remus said as he moved towards the bed and handed Harry and leather bound, medium-sized tome.

Harry smiled. "Thanks, Remus." He paused and his thoughts went back to Salazar's book. "When I get out of here, I have a book to give to you."

Remus looked surprised. "A book for me?"

He laughed at the astonishment on Remus' face. It wasn't very often that he surprised his friend, and he was going to savor it.

Remus gave him self-deprecating smile. "Laugh it up now, Mr. Potter," he said in a mock-stern voice. "I expect that it will be a good book?"

"The best," Harry said. And it would be.

Epilogue

"Remind me why we are heading into a girl's bathroom again, Harry?" Remus asked as he followed Harry into the bathroom haunted by Moaning Myrtle. Harry had finally come through on giving Remus the book that he'd said way back in August. Now it was December and the rest of Hogwarts were celebrating the Christmas holidays. Harry was the only student left, but only because he didn't have an actual place to go to.

When asked, Harry had said that his home was with Remus and James, a statement that had made Remus feel all fuzzy inside. James had promptly given a mocking swoon before razzing Harry that they should set up a bachelor pad together, after Harry's schooling was finished, and pretend "we're twins, and the birds'll think it's cool!"

Harry smiled back at him. "Because the place where the book is in begins here." He walked over to the second to last sink and knelt before it.

"What are you doing in here?" a shrill voice asked behind Remus.

He and Harry turned to find Myrtle hovering at the door of a stall. A purplish hue spread across her cheeks as Remus watched.

"Hi, Harry," she said in a shy voice.

Remus held back a grin. Only Harry would have a ghost pining after him. He paused when he felt a twinge, but decided to ignore it as Harry waved at the ghost and turned back to the sink.

Hissing fell from Harry's lips, and Remus took a step back in shock. He'd known that Harry could speak parseltongue, but he'd never heard it before. Harry gave him a hurt look, obviously misreading Remus' action.

"Harry..."

He shook his head at Remus. "No, it's okay."

Remus stepped up next to him as a gaping hole opened up in the floor and wall, the sink disappearing. "No, Harry. It's not what you were thinking." He took a breath. "I was just startled at the actual sound of it."

Harry raised an eyebrow in question, the hurt look leaving his face.

Remus smiled. "I just never heard it before, it being rare and all."

"I know it's rare," Harry said, forgiveness in his tone, as well as a little playfulness.

He squirmed a little at the response. Reining in his thoughts, Remus turned to the hole. "We go in there?"

Harry nodded. "Yep. Feet first!"

Remus turned to look at him, but Harry gave a little push and he fell into the hole, fumbling for a way to grab hold of something on the walls.

"Harry!!!" echoed in the tunnel as he slipped down pipes. Slime flew into his face even as his legs suddenly stopped. Remus flew forward, landing on something sharp yet it broke under his weight.

He sat up slightly, turning around, in time for something to land on him. The warm weight pressed into him as breath caressed his neck. He could feel Harry's lips curve into a smile, the younger man was pressed so close against him.

"Sorry 'bout that, Rem," he breathed against Remus' neck. Harry's body shifted slightly and he landed between Remus' legs, and the older man pleaded with anyone who was listening that he wouldn't get a reaction.

Harry pushed off Remus' body in one swift movement, leaving Remus there on the sharp floor thanking someone for their divine intervention. He didn't know what was wrong with him all of a sudden. Jealous of a ghost? Feeling something....

Wait a minute. Jealous of Moaning Myrtle?

"Ready, Remus?" Harry asked.

Remus shook his head clear of thoughts and looked at Harry, who had lit his wand. The younger man was smiling at him in an eager way. He took a deep breath before answering.

"After you, Harry."

Remus stared at the books as Harry piled them on the floor. He had been amazed at the chamber as they entered it, taking a moment to think about Harry-at-twelve battling the basilisk. The giant snake's remains still littered the floor, the cool chamber having slowed decomposition despite the water flowing through it. The cool air had actually preserved most of the scales, and all but one of the teeth were still intact. Harry had shuddered when Remus had pointed that out.

They had slid through a mid-sized hole in the mouth of Salazar Slytherin's statue into a large room. One entire wall had been covered by books so Dark that Remus had blanched at the thought of even being in the same room.

Harry had explained earlier in the year that he had actually talked to Salazar about this. Remus had been skeptical about it, thinking that Harry had most likely thought he had under influence of various potions, but now he was sure that Harry actually had talked to the man. Salazar had indicated that there was a book that should be kept, but the others were to be burnt, so Harry had pulled one off the shelf and handed it to Remus before tipping over shelves here and there.

Remus thumbed through the huge tome, the parchment just as fresh as if it had first been written on yesterday. The 'Slytherin Grimoire' was a huge compilation of various potions, many of which were still in use today. Slytherin had been considered a potions genius in his day, working on many cures for magical illnesses before he had turned Dark. This must be what he had worked on while at Hogwarts.

He turned a page and read for a brief moment, intrigued by the penciled in drawing of the full moon. His eye was caught be the mention of wolfs bane and he began reading in earnest.

A fire crackling was the first thing he heard when he finished reading. Remus looked up to find Harry smiling at him, a huge bonfire behind him, warming up the cool chamber.

"Is this for real?" Remus asked shakily.

Harry tilted his head to the side. "What were you reading?"

Remus thrust the book at him, standing beside him and pointing to the section of notes he'd just read. "About a cure..."

Harry smiled at him again. "Yes, it's for real?"

Remus almost dropped the book in his shock. He almost didn't dare to hope that it really was true, that he could be cured of the curse that had haunted him since he was eight.

Harry took the book from him and set it a safe distance from the fire. "Happy?" he asked.

Remus felt a huge smile break out on his face. Happy? He was ecstatic! He pulled Harry into his arms, intending on giving a hug and kissing his cheek.

He kissed Harry, all right, but fully on the lips.

The two of them froze in that pose, soft lips against soft lips, neither one of them daring to breathe.

Remus began to pull away, that feeling he'd been having rising up once more. As he did, Harry's arms pulled tight around his neck and pulled him closer, brushing his lips against Remus'. Remus let himself sink into the kiss. Damn the consequences in this euphoric moment.

They finally pulled apart, faces flush and breathless.

"If this doesn't work," Remus finally said into the silence. "Nobody will want this to be."

Harry tilted his head forward and leaned his forehead against Remus' own. "It will work, Rem. And if it doesn't, I don't care about the rest of the world."

Remus wasn't so sure about that. "What about James? And Ron? Hermione?"

Green eyes looked deep into his own. "That doesn't matter. Sirius said that I should take care of you, and this is how I'd like to do it."

He pulled back. "Is this what it's all about?" he asked, hurt flowing through him.

Harry shook his head. "I wanted this long before Sirius ever said that. I was only going to wait until I finished school to say anything." He gave a sheepish grin. "I just couldn't resist you."

Remus looked at him a little knowingly. "Couldn't resist me?"

Harry laughed and pulled him close once more. "Yep. Now, enough talking. We can do that in the morning." He leaned forward and kissed Remus again.

Fin.