Summary: Remus has his first class of the year, Harry breaks down again only to be redeemed, and Snape feels hints of jealousy. It's a short chapter about Harry finding answers from those he loves, and is a makeup for the angst filled one last time. After this, no more Sirius grief and stuff. One more chapter, then the matchmaking fun begins…(rubs hands together excitedly).

Disclaimer: Don't own anything here except the plot, Ackley, and Diego…I think that's it…

A/N: I'm SOOOOOO sorry for not updating sooner. I've had a hectic weekend, plus severe writer's block. But I'm back on track now! The writing in this chapter is really bad, so I'm sorry, but I had to get this finished so I could move on faster to the fun stuff. I have chapters 11, 12, 13 and 14 planned out and their titles done already, so It shouldn't be too much longer until Remus and Severus get together…finally. Just three more chapters, then 14 is going to be THE BIG ONE. LOL.

Thanks to…

amura, lol, thanks. Welcome back, and here's your chapter. Sorry for it's bad writing. (grind sheepishly).

cdkobasiuk, Glad you liked that as well! Thanks!

MajinSakukoI am a person with a short patience span, therefore, I am giving up on arguing with you about the Albania thing. Don't worry though, I'm not mad, and I hope I don't sound snotty, but I don't really see the point anymore. It won't really come in much in the story any more, anyways, so let's just leave it be, okay? Think of it as a bad dream, a nightmare…Wait a minute…that's my writing I'm talking about! LOL. I have also noticed that most slash writers a female. What gives? I mean, they still write good ones, but…well…I don't know. Actually, come to think of it, all the slash fics I've read were written by females…Weird. Oh…and….umm….I felt kind of guilty about the whole betaed chapters in my e-mail thing…I proofread this one to make sure it was good, but I'm hungry, tired, and cranky so I can't guarantee I did I good job. I just don't really like the whole idea of beta readers…

Lord Localfreak, yeah, when I was writing it, I kept writing Remus' name, as that's what I'm used to, and had to keep going back and writing "Harry" instead. It was really irritating. They'll be a bit more Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all together after this, then they'll fade a bit into the background. But after this, it'll all be about half and half regardless. Actually, I don't know yet, but I think there might not be any teenagers in the next chapter at all…maybe…Thanks for your review!

NOTE: I do not mean any offense to people who do not believe in God in this chapter by using the song "Let It Be" By John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles. It has a theme of 'Mother Mary' who is titled as the mother of Jesus Christ. I do not intend to be biased or anything like that, I simply like the song. I myself, am Christian (as in my religion, and my name, thank you) but I do not pray to the Virgin Mary, as Catholics do, so I can vouch for the unbelieving.

Chapter Ten: Ready to Accept.

When I find myself in times of trouble,

Mother Mary comes to me,

Speaking words of wisdom,

Let it Be.

And in my hour of darkness,

She is standing right in front of me,

Speaking words of wisdom,

Let it Be.

The next day, Harry woke up, and all the feeling of Peace faded. He still did not know why he felt so horribly grievous over a dead (literally) fact. He pushed it down as far as he could, and got ready along with Ron for the first day of the new Term. He didn't notice the odd looks Ginny was casting him, or the stares people were shooting in his direction towards his appearance; tired, dismantled, and with bags under his eyes.

It was with a heavy heart that he trudged down to breakfast. A heavy heart overlapped with thoughts and aches of Sirius.

He resolved to talk to Remus later, maybe he could help.

Remus rushed about, making sure everything was ready and prepared for when his first class of the day came, Third year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. He thanked Merlin he didn't have to deal with Slytherin and Gryffindor rivalry so early in the morning.

He checked his wand was in his pocket, and everything was in perfect, spaced, order. To say he was being overly meticulous was an understatement. He wanted everything to go perfectly, and if that was to happen, then everything else had to be perfect.

He hoped.

He had skipped breakfast that day so he could come down here as soon as possible and have more time to prepare everything he needed. Looking around, he smiled warmly at the classroom. It was set up almost exactly like it had been in Harry's third year, the year Sirius came back…

And that brought him to the changes. Several empty spaces had been filled in with various Wizard pictures of his best mate, Sirius. Some were from when they were just kids, in their second year at Hogwarts, others were graduation, some just before James and Lily died, when he had been a healthy, fit, fun loving (but arrogant), man. And some where taken right after Azkaban, all the way up to three days previous to his death, when he had begun to look a bit better then before, more healthy.

He sighed, and as he took a couple steps to stand in front of his desk, the third years came in. Hufflepuffs to the left, Ravenclaws to the right. A good time for first impressions. And Remus was nervous as hell. They all looked up at him, some with disdain, some with disgust, and others with curiosity. How fun. He cleared his throat and had to refrain from gulping loudly and togging at the collar of his shirt in a nervous habit. He did, however, allow himself to bite his lip. Barely.

"Good Morning," He started off, loudly and clearly, as they quieted down, "I , as I'm sure all know by now, am your new teacher, Professor Lupin."

He got a general acknowledgement from the children, so he continued hesitantly. "I will be starting us off with dark creatures, so our first unit will be Hinkypunks. Do you all know what they are?"

There were a few nods and murmurs of agreement, but most seemed in the dark.

He nodded, "All right. Not many of you do, so that's why we're learning. Any questions?"

A small Hufflepuff with curly red hair raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"I-is I-it t-true that you're a-a-a….a Werewolf?"

Remus sighed and rubbed his face. He should have known that was coming. "Yes, it's true."

There were several gasps of astonishment, fright and flat out disgust.

He continued hastily, "But I can assure you that you're perfectly safe and I will never do anything to harm you. Just because I turn into a wolf once a month, does not mean that I am one every day of my life. Understood?"

There were mute nods of agreement, so Remus took that as a Good Sign, and began the lesson.

A short hour later, Remus had Slytherins and Gryffindors. Great. It wasn't much fun. Then, there was lunch, he didn't eat, two more periods, then, finally….Dinner. After that? No more lessons! All his enthusiasm had dispersed about teaching, and the only little amount of excitement left was knowing he'd be teaching Harry, Ron, and Hermione tomorrow. He just wasn't looking forward to the Seventh Year curriculum.

After he had finished his Dinner, he had begun walking down the halls, and was suddenly stopped by the one person he had been thinking of only seconds before. Severus Snape. He pulled him aside and made sure their were no 'little kiddies' around to overhear what it was he had to say.

"Lupin, we still need to work on the Potion, so, tonight at ten, come down and well get going, okay?"

Remus nodded and watched a little longer then he should have as Snape walked away, disappearing around a corner, the light to strong for any magnificent shadows to play with his robes. He turned and headed the rest of his way down to his office, needing to tidy up for tomorrows lessons.

"Harry, what's wrong?"

Hermione laid her hand down on her friend's shoulder, concerned by the fact that he had been looking on dismally at all lessons, and wasn't even all that perturbed by the fact that Hagrid had managed to get his hands on some other horrific beast from the Forbidden Forest.

"Nothing, nothing, I'm fine." He shook his head and pushed her hand a little more roughly than needed off of his shoulder.

Hermione looked miffed, and opened her mouth, probably to spit out some nasty lecture retort, but Harry quickly tried to save himself from further destruction.

"I'm just feeling a little ill, okay? If it makes you happy, and preferably me, then I'll go to the Infirmary." He mentally kicked himself. He didn't exactly feel up to a side trip to visit Madam Pompfrey, but it wasn't like there was much else for him to do…. Bells went off in his head as he realized that instead of going to the Infirmary like he said he would, he could…"How about I go now? Okay?"

Hermione sighed and waved her hand at him, indicating that he could go. "I'll tell your were you're off to."

Her words were lost to the walls as Harry had already set off, and rounded a corner out of sight. She sighed, shaking her head, and carried on to the Gryffindor Commonroom.

Harry turned past the Hospital Wing door and carried on down the corridor, eventually making a couple turns and side halls, until he reached his destination. He hesitantly knocked on the portrait of a man sitting beneath a large willow tree, seemingly writing on a notepad he had rested in his lap, and with a large, sky blue quill that blew in an invisible breeze.

The man looked up, his wizard's hat sliding slightly of his brow, to reveal dusty brown hair, "Oi! Password?"

Harry shook his head, "I don't know it, but I'd very much like to speak to the man inside, thank you."

The man frowned, but nodded, regardless. "Very well. I shall inform him of your arrival, sir…?"

"Harry Potter."

The man nodded and walked out of his frame. Harry was glad there was no hoopla about his name from this portrait, as he had received from others he had talked to. He only had to wait a minute before the man reappeared in the portrait, smiled, and opened it up. Remus Lupin, looking tired as ever, stood in the portrait hole and beckoned him inside. Having finished up in his office, he had gone back to his quarters in hopes of a spot of rest, bust was rudely woken up when his portrait guard, Jack, had slipped into his empty painting in his bedroom and announced that "One Harry Potter, is here to see you, Sir.". He led Harry into his living room, and invited him to sit down in one of the armchairs by the fire, before he sat down opposite, in his favourite, worn down, armchair.

"What is it, Harry?"

Harry looked up at him, fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve on his robe, and looking anywhere but at Remus. "I was wondering…hoping…if I could talk to you about…about Sirius?"

Remus paled slightly, but nodded anyway, "What about him Harry?"

Harry's mouth opened and closed a couple times, searching for where to start. He had planned to do this calmly, reserved, and talk in understandable, calming tones. He seemed to forget it all now, as another wave of grief washed over him, kept hidden since the night before, all clouded over by loneliness. He opened his mouth again, and just saved him self from wailing out his words…

"Why?"

And when the brokenhearted people,

Living in the world agree,

There will be an answer,

Let it Be.

For though they may be parted,

There is still a chance that they will see,

There will be an answer,

Let it Be.

Remus raised his eyebrows, but was cut short by Harry, "Why did he have to go? Why did he have to die? What the fuck was his problem?" His voice was raising an octave with every word. "Why'd he leave me? What did I ever do to him? Why?" He was shouting now, and Remus' eyes were wide open, feeling as though his limbs had seized up and even thought of moving was becoming something distance. This wasn't good…

"I tried my hardest," Harry continued, voice now lower, guiding a new emotion--anger. "to make sure that he wouldn't do anything stupid for me. I had felt sorry for him, yeah, being cooped up in that musty old jail of a home, and I wanted him out of it, to see some fresh air. But I would have preferred in he went for a walk in the park under some sort of glamourie, than have him go parading off to fight in the Department of Mysteries, one of the most dangerous places he could go to. I s'pose a lot of us wish that now…" The anger dissipated, and he buried his face in his hands, shaking it a little. When he raised his face to the petrified Remus again, there were faint sketches of tears washing down his cheeks and into the corners of his mouth.

"Everyone always says that it was Sirius' fault that he died, his fault for disobeying Dumbledore. I'm the only one that recognizes the truth, that it's my fault, not his. For once in my life, I think I might like it if someone shouted at me that it was all my fault that he died, my fault he went into the Department of Mysteries, my fault that Bellatrix was there and killed him. In some obscure way, I think I might laugh, and thank the person, and feel happy that they know I'm an ass. I hate myself for it. You know that I do. And I have every right to do so. I should have known it was a trap, I shouldn't have looked in Snape's pensieve," Remus' mouth dropped, he hadn't known this…"Maybe then I could still have gotten Occlumency, but nope. I had to be my usual, curious, reckless, Gryffindor self. It's that same Gryffindor nature that sent me after the nonexistent captured Sirius in the racks of prophecies in the Department of Mysteries."

He paused, and Remus kept his mouth shut, wanting to let him get it out of his system. "I guess, it all comes down to me. Everything, that is. If I hadn't been in that prophecy, then my parents would have never died, Sirius would have never died, and maybe I'd still be happy. But then again, I guess it all comes down to the prophecy, or maybe even the prophet or was stupid enough to speak the words. Some good came of it all, I s'pose though. If my parents hadn't died, Voldemort might have never of lost power, and none of would be here anymore, and if I wasn't tricked by Voldemort, I wouldn't have been able to save the Prophecy from the Death Eaters, and fine it's true meaning. I would have never known what I was supposed to do…"

He paused again, took in a long, shuddering breath, then burst into tears. "But it's not fair!" He sobbed, choking on his breath and his grief. He didn't want to go through this again, didn't want to have to relive the nightmare, "It's all my fault that he's gone, all my fault that he wont ever come back. How was I supposed to know it was a trap, after what happened with Ron's dad, I just…" He let out a frustrated huff and buried his face in his hands again. "Why?" He finished lamely.

Remus watched him for a few moments before he felt the feeling in his limbs again, and slowly got up, then kneeled down in front of Harry, taking his hands in his own, and forcing him to look back at his own face. "Harry, it's not your fault."

Harry opened his mouth to protest but Remus gave him a look, and he closed it back up again, breathing strangely through his nose. "It's not your fault that Sirius died. Things like this happen all the time. Especially now that Voldemort is back." He paused, thinking, "You know, Harry, there is only one person in this whole, fucked up world, that we can even consider placing the blame of all these things on. You know who it is?"

Harry shook his head.

"Voldemort, Harry. There wouldn't have been a prophecy to begin with if it wasn't for Voldemort. If he had stayed Tom Riddle, then none of this would have happened. Your parents would be alive, Sirius would be alive, Peter would have never of turned to the Dark, and Death Eaters would be nothing more then a distant, dark scar of our nightmares that we know nothing about. None of this is your fault. Voldemort is the one that caused it all, don't you see? Hell, we could even go as far to say it was Tom's parents' fault for fucking him up as a kid, or maybe it's Salazar Slytherin's fault for having an heir. Who the fuck knows whose fault anything is anymore, if any one here is at fault at all other then bad karma and fate. But there is one thing I do know, Harry, and so should you. Its not your fault.

"No matter what you go through, remember Harry, that others have, are, and will go through worse. Your not the only one that looks upon himself as a pain in the ass, and has a sad, fucked up life. Got it?"

Harry nodded mutely, wide eyed, and taking in every last syllable and tone change in Remus' voice, each change of pitch seemingly wiping away another part of grime form his heart.

"If you don't stop wallowing in your self-proclaimed guilt, and imaginary faults, you'll just cause even more things in your life to grieve about, and maybe even cause something that is real, and is your fault. Don't push yourself too far over the edge."

He released Harry's hands, and stood up, allowing Harry to take it all in. He stood there, watching the dark haired, emerald eyed boy soak in this new perspective, and felt a wave of relief wash over him as a small smile found it's way onto the boy's features. Harry looked up at the tall, graying man in front of him and felt a wave of gratitude wash throughout him. He was right. Standing up, he abruptly wrapped Remus in a hug, and crushed himself to the Werewolf. "Thanks. I needed that. A lot."

Remus smiled, then gently pushed Harry off of him and led him to the door. Before Harry could go, though, he spoke up. "You know, Harry, there is someone else you should have gone to talk to, instead of an old, beaten down Wolf." Harry looked at him reproachfully, about to say that he didn't think that of him, but Remus never gave him the chance, "In times of trouble, there are a few other things that you can do. First, talk to your loved ones, then, talk to those who love you, unconditionally."

Harry frowned, "Like who?"

Remus smiled. "Like Ginny. Or whoever you feel lights up the world around you. People like that always provide more then one shoulder to cry on, and a little bit of themselves to gain strength. Even if you don't feel up to it, I think you should go and find Ginny, talk to her, tell her everything that was said. Just remember that it's not your fault, and that no matter where Sirius is, he'll always love you, and will always watch over you. Even when people die, they are never truly gone, so long as there are people left to remember them."

Harry smiled sadly, and left through the portrait hole.

Remus smiled back at the closed back of the 'door', then turned and headed over to the window in his bedroom. He looked up at the star that shone brightest in his viewpoint of the sky, and reached out, hoping to brush his fingers against it. He fancied he felt it's warmth as he lowered his hand and a tear slipped down his cheek, part of him scolding himself for missing Sirius to this point again, two years later. He silently prayed to that star, the Dog Star, to watch over Harry, and protect him from whatever he might need to be protected from. Sometimes, the power of life is not enough to preserve itself. Sometimes, the power of death can go against it's founding and protect it's opposite.

"Miss you, Sirius."

Harry, taking Remus' advice, made his way to the Gryffindor commonroom. He stopped in front of the Fat Lady and spoke the password, "United." The Fat Lady opened up, and he stepped inside, his eyes immediately searching out Ginny sitting on the couch by the fire and talking in depth to Hermione. Walking over, he didn't even wait for the two girls to look at him completely before he blurted out, "Ginny, I need to talk to you, alone."

The girls looked at each other uneasily, before Ginny got up and allowed Harry to lead her up to the Seventh Year boys dorm. Sitting down with her on his four-poster bed, and pulling the curtains shut, while placing a silencing charm on them, he decided it was time to tell her everything. Quick and Easy.

What had happened last night, everything he felt from it, and his talk with Remus rushed out of him so fast the Ginny had to tell him to stop a couple times to allow her brain to process what it was he had last said. When he finished, he took a deep, shuddering breath (he noticed later that he had been taking a lot of those) and looked at her, eyes slightly red.

Ginny gaped at him, unsure of what to say. She searched for words and tried her best, knowing that nothing she could say would be knowledgeable, or philosophical like what Remus had given in need. She used what she knew. "Harry…I know you miss him. We all miss him. But, I suppose, he must miss us back. Remus was right. Things happen, good and bad, that we have no control over, and we just need to cope and move on. I'm sure he's up there, watching you, protecting you. But don't forget about us, Harry. Those who are still here, need you as much as you need them. I need you. Even though Sirius is gone, we're still here, and whenever you need us, we'll make time to offer what it is you need. We care a lot about you, Harry, you know we do." She paused, ,feeling her heart leap in her throat as she decided to admit something she had been carrying for day and night. More then that, she realized. "Harry, I saw you, last night. In the commonroom."

Harry's mouth dropped open, and a thunderstruck expression floated over his features. He couldn't find any words to say, but was saved the trouble when Ginny continued.

"Watching you, I felt as if it was me that was down there. I've never felt so horrible, good, and sad at the same time before. I know it sounds stupid, but I realized something then, as I knew I had been taking your emotions into myself. I…I love you Harry. More then anything. And I don't know if you love me too, but I sure as hell hope you do. I never want to be with anyone else."

She took a deep breath, and held it.

Harry's eyes widened like saucers. They hadn't gotten very far in their relationship. Just kissing, holding, and having fun. But he knew. He knew that he loved this girl, this beautiful, fiery girl. To have her tell him that she loved him, meant everything to him. Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming wave of gratitude for his dead godfather. If it wasn't for his death, maybe he wouldn't have known this. Or had a chance with Ginny at all, as with grief, he had tried to turn to someone he knew would be there, when he wouldn't normally.

Happiness comes from the strangest places, and seems almost unreal when it is born form the ashes of despair. Grief dies funny.

"I love you too."

Hermione lay snuggled close to Ron, in his Head Boy bedroom, and sighed. They had been talking about what Harry had said, and how he had dragged Ginny away, without any explanation. They had decided that it should be left between them, and is they felt up o telling them, they would do it of their own volition.

Hermione smiled to the dark ceiling and pressed herself closer to Ron, breathing in his scent. "I'm glad they found each other."

Ron nodded, "Me too." He smiled and felt himself drifting to sleep, "It's just what the other needed."

Severus sighed and put up the wards on his doors so no one could enter his chambers without him allowing it.

Remus never showed up. It was now midnight, and all hope of his daydream (he shuddered at the thought of the word) appearing in person dissipated. He hoped that Remus had merely forgotten, but still felt a strange pang of jealousy somewhere in his subconscious. He changed into his nightclothes and crawled beneath the covers of his bed. It was mere moments before he drifted to sleep, uneasy and feeling betrayed even if there was no really reason to feel so.

Merlin, he wanted that Wolf.

Remus, still forgetting his work time with Snape, crawled under his blankets and turned his head so he could see the reflection of the Dog Star, Sirius, in the pane of his window. He couldn't say he felt peaceful, if that was ever possible, but he felt…comfortable. The strange, constant ache in his abdomen that he rarely noticed anymore when he thought of Sirius, was no longer there as he remembered times they had shared in school. Instead, he felt safe, and happy. Glad that Sirius was happy, wherever he was. Or, at least he assumed he was happy. Why shouldn't such a boisterous, unselfish, loving man in life, not be treated the same in death?

He thought only of Sirius and their Marauding days as he fell asleep that night, but his dreams were, as usual, plagued by the dark, mysterious, sardonic Potions Master.

Even shadows come from light.

And when the night is cloudy,

There is still a light that shines on me,

Shine until tomorrow,

Let it Be.

I wake up to the sound of music,

Mother Mary comes to me,

Speaking words of wisdom,

Let it be.

As Harry drifted to sleep, knowing that Sirius was out there still, and would always love him, he hugged Ginny tighter and realized something. Remus was right. No matter what he went through, others still went through worse, and if he didn't clear his act up and stop revisiting old turmoil, there would be much more to revisit. And not just that of old.

For once in his life, he was ready.

A/N: Okay, now that you've read it, i'm sorry, and expect better writing from me in the furture. I guess, some parts of it were good. I like some of my lines. When i said "Even shadows come from light" i was referring to Severus, dark and mysterious, disappearing into the shadows, but somewhere inside of him, he was good to the core, and a tired, hurt man that harboured no real ill feelings to others. REVIEW, please, and keep me writing, but NO FLAMES! Thanks!