A/N: Look at me, being speedy. Though, frankly, I don't know why, it's not like I got more than five bloody reviews on my first update in months. I'm muttering under my breath, just so you know. Oh, this is my fault, is it? Tell it to the flobberworms!

Chapter Twelve

Remus Lupin stepped out of the Gargoyle-guarded staircase leading to the Headmaster's office and glanced around nervously. He was more than willing to talk to Harry, but he wasn't entirely sure how to go about finding the young man. He took several cautious steps forward, looking back and forth between the two possible directions Harry might've gone off in in his rage. He would've given his eye teeth to have the Marauder's Map in his hands at that moment. Giving the halls a self-conscious glance, Remus took a delicate sniff at the air. He smelt rage, robes, and hormones to the right. Agreeing with himself that this would probably be the best place to start, he headed down the corridor.

Remus had successfully followed Harry's angered scent down two flights of stairs when he heard a loud thwack down the hall to his left. Raising an eyebrow, he followed the noise. He found Harry pacing angrily in front of the kicked-in door of the Charm's classroom, muttering angrily to himself under his breath. Though his mumblings were barely more than a whisper, Lupin's werewolf hearing managed to pick out several words, including "completely justified", "doesn't trust you", and "frustrating old wanker." Slightly taken aback, Remus let out a cough.

Harry was startled out of his thoughts and stopped mid-step to look up at his ex-Professor. Harry felt rather stupid to be caught muttering curses under his breath and beating in doors, and had the good sense to look at his feet and blush. "Umm, hi," he said to the floor.

"Hello, Harry," said Remus in his usual soft-spoken voice. He took several steps towards Harry and pushed the Charms door fully open. "Would you care to join me in here?"

Nodding – again to the floor – Harry turned and entered the Charms classroom, sitting on one of the desktops. Remus turned around and gently closed the door. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face Harry.

Remus opened his mouth to say something, but Harry started before had a chance.

"Look, you don't have to...I mean, I know I..." Frustrated with himself, Harry stood up and started to pace once more. "I know I'm stupid, alright? I know...maybe he didn't deserve it, ok, and sure, I'm just some hormone-driven teenager, but, with the fate of the world resting on my shoulders!..." He sighed and sat back down on the desk. "I just...get fed up. Y'know?" he said quietly, looking at Remus with large, saucer-like eyes.

Remus smiled sympathetically and walked up to Harry, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Yes, I know," he said wearily, sitting in the chair in front of Harry. "I had much the same feelings the night – well, the night that Sirius died." The last two words came out somewhat strangled, and Lupin cleared his throat, looking at his knees. "But he really does just want what's best..." Lupin trailed off. Harry wasn't reacting to him in any way. Coughing awkwardly, Remus lifted his head to look Harry in the eye.

Silent tears were streaming down Harry's face, and he looked about as embarrassed as humanly possible. "I miss Sirius so much," he croaked. Remus felt as though a hand had grabbed his heart and was squeezing it for all its worth. "And I just felt so dreadful, worrying everyone, making them think I was dead..." He shook his head angrily and wiped at his tears with the sleeve of his robes. "Especially you," he whispered, looking Remus straight in the eye.

Remus Lupin was speechless. The only even remotely sensible thought that came to his head was to wipe away Harry's tears, which he did, delicately with the tips of his fingers. Harry looked even more miserable and dropped his own gaze to his knees. "And...I can't imagine making you any more weary than you already are," Harry said sadly.

"Harry," said Lupin gently, "I promise you that you can tell me anything at all that you feel you need to, and I should hope that you wouldn't worry about any pressure it puts me under." Harry lifted his head. "Right now," Lupin said, smiling, "my greatest concern is the pressure you are under, for it is far greater than most wizards ever experience in their entire lifetimes."

Harry nodded. "Good," said Remus, relaxing slightly. "Now, I know you're reluctant, and I know that I'm probably just going to sound like a repeat of Dumbledore – and, to be frank, Dumbledore did ask me to come and ask you...Harry, where were you?"

Harry looked at Remus, opened his mouth, then seemed to think better of it and shut it. He looked confused. "Harry, please-"

"It's not that I don't want to tell you, Prof-er, Remus," Harry said uncertainly, and Remus nodded for him to continue. "I do want to. And I trust you. It's just that..." He seemed to be looking for the right words. "I was there, and I saw it, and I know it happened, but...it even sounds stupid in my head."

Remus chuckled then, much to Harry's surprise. "You mean, like 'My best friend's rat is my Dad's old school chum'?" Remus asked. Harry laughed.

"Well, yeah, I guess when you put it like that, yeah." Harry took a deep breath.

"Where were you, Harry?" Remus asked. Not in an accusing way, or a need-to-know way. Simply out of curiosity.

"I was in the arctic with an angel," Harry said matter-of-factly, "and she told me that the powers that be will let me resurrect my mother, my father, or my godfather."

There was a very, very long and empty silence in the classroom.

Harry coughed.

"Told you it sounded stupid."

Remus shook his head several times, mouth open, trying to get words to come out. After several attempts of nothing, he closed his eyes and thought for a moment. Opening both his eyes and his mouth, he tried again.

"Right, well..."

"I told you it sounded stupid," Harry said again.

"No! It's just..." He looked Harry in the eyes. Harry looked back. "You were in the arctic."

"In the arctic."

"With...an angel?"

"With an angel."

"Who said-"

"Who said that I could resurrect Mum, Dad, or Sirius," Harry said, as though reciting potions ingredients.

There was another long, awkward silence.

"You're sure?" Remus asked curiously.

"I'm sure," Harry answered firmly.

More silence.

"Well, that clears that up, then," said Remus, completely baffled.

After even more bloody silence, much to Harry's concern, Remus stood up and smiled cheerfully.

"Shall we go tell the Headmaster, then?" he asked, sounding slightly mad. Harry stood up next to him and tugged at his sleeve.

"Um, Remus," he asked, extremely worried for the older man's mental well-being, "Are you alright?"

"No, Harry," Remus said faintly, "I don't suppose I am."

"Right," said Harry, grabbing Lupin by the arm and pulling him out the door and up the hallway, "To the Headmaster's office, then, was it?"

"No," said Remus, pulling his arm out of Harry's grip. "No, Harry, I have changed my mind. I believe a trip to Madame Pomphrey in the hospital wing is what I need right now. And a very strong dreamless sleep draught."

"Absolutely spiffing," said Harry, in his best Wesley Twins impression. "I could go for some of that as well, I think." He pulled Lupin in the opposite direction down the hall.