A/N: Aww, sweet reviewers – you do care! And I'm glad you responded well to the lighter tone at the end of my last chapter – I felt it needed a bit of a fluffy moment. Poor Harry and Remus are gonna need some serious group therapy by the time I'm done with them if I don't lighten up :)

Chapter Thirteen

"You don't suppose he's going to jump, do you?"

"I dunno, mate, he does look a bit grim, doesn't he?"

"Yeah, and his legs are hanging quite a ways off there."

"I bet he's just waiting 'til he gets the right leverage, and the wind is just perfect. All the Quidditch training, it really goes to your head."

"Come off it, you two...he wouldn't really do anything like that."

"I wouldn't be so sure, myself. The bloke's been through a lot."

"Yeah, and I mean, think of the headlines! 'Month after presumed dead, Harry Potter actualizes Prophet Headlines.' Bet nobody saw that coming!"

"Honestly, you two. Of all the things to joke about, I'd think Harry's hardships would be the last thing you'd pick. Especially after all that garbage in the Prophet last year. And besides, you're going to frighten your sister."

"Relax, Hermione! She's a tough little shi- uh, she's tough."

"He really has been through an awful lot, hasn't he?"

"He's made out of stronger stuff than you think, Gin. He'll pull through."

"Especially with all us here to help him through it."

"Except for the fact that he's doing his very best to avoid us..."

"Bloody hell and bugger it all," Ron muttered under his breath, still looking up at the Astronomy Tower.

Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George were sitting together in one of Hogwarts many courtyards, enjoying the sweet air and sunshine of late August. Harry had been "alive" for nearly two days, and school was starting up in less than a week. While the group of Gryffindors (or former Gryffindors, in the twins' case) had hoped their not-so-dead friend would join them, they had been unable to find him. When they got outside, Ginny had been the first to notice the lone figure perched atop the Astronomy Tower, legs dangling over the side.

None of them knew what had happened the night of Harry's return, when Dumbledore had whisked him and Remus Lupin away to his office. All they knew was that Harry was always lost in thought, always giving excuse to be somewhere else, and Lupin was still looking nearly as grim as he had when they'd presumed Harry to be dead. The group had thought they would've seen the most dramatic change in Lupin, of all people, after Harry's return, but he seemed just as distant as before. The only times when either Remus or Harry were ever remotely coherent was when the two were together, whispering in a corner, discussing who-knew-what.

Of the five of them, Ron was showing the most concern for his best friend. He would spend long hours searching the castle for Harry, only for Harry to find a fast excuse to be off elsewhere. He'd stay up the nights in the Gryffindor common room, staring at the fire, waiting for Harry to return. Ron knew – as did most everyone else – that he wasn't good with the emotional, touch-feely side of things. However, he was concerned for his friend, and he didn't know what to do about it. Which upset him.

"Y'know", George whispered conspiratorially to his twin, "we should just sneak up there, come up behind him, and give him a big, loud, 'HEY HARRY!' and see what happens."

A resounding smack echoed about the courtyard as Ginny's open palm made contact with the side of George's head.

Harry stared down the length of the castles at his friends in the courtyard, wishing that he wasn't so wrapped up in his own world. He longed to go talk with them, laugh with them, and enjoy the lovely summer day. But he couldn't. There was far too much on his mind, and he knew that he had to take advantage of what little time he'd been given to contemplate his decision.

He and Professor Lupin – Remus, he reminded himself – had been discussing the situation on and off over the past two days, but Harry had taken much more solace in wandering around the castle aimlessly, lost in his own thoughts. He was almost bitter at Them (as he had dubbed those-who-had-given-him-this-choice) for putting the extra pressure on him, as though he didn't have enough. He knew that They had, in fact, given him a wonderful gift, but at what cost?

He couldn't imagine bringing back one of his parents and not the other. What sort of guilt would that put him under? Besides the fact that they'd been dead for fifteen years. Where were they now? Perhaps they didn't want to be snatched from the comfort of heaven, or the presence of their spouse, or both.

On the flip side, Sirius had only been dead a few months. And Harry knew, he knew in his heart, that Sirius had to miss him and Remus as much as they missed him. But could Harry really justify bringing back his godfather than one of his actual parents?

It was far too much for one sixteen year old to have to deal with. Harry sighed and closed his eyes, massaging his temples.

"Harry?" a soft voice came from behind him. It was a voice he'd grown accustomed to hearing over the past two days. He turned around and gave Remus Lupin a small smile.

"Hey, Moony," he said, sliding over on the edge of the tower. Remus smiled and sat down next to him. They sat in comfortable silence for a long while, both of their gazes remaining on the group in the courtyard.

"Your friends are worried about you, you know," Remus said at last. He turned his head towards Harry. "Particularly Ron."

"Why, Moony, you haven't been spying and eaves dropping, have you?" Harry said, trying to keep thing light-hearted. Remus chuckled.

"All part of being a Professor, Harry." His smile faded slightly. "You really should be spending more time with them.

Harry sighed. "I know, I just...I feel like there's so much riding on this decision. I've only got five days – five days! Time seems to be slipping through my fingers."

"I know," Remus whispered. He let out a weary sigh. "Harry, I just want you to know that whatever choice you make, I support it whole-heartedly. There is no wrong choice. There is only what is best for you."

"And you," Harry said immediately, not even thinking.

"I appreciate your concern, Harry," was all Remus said.

There was silence again, for a time.

"Did you tell Dumbledore?" Harry asked, still staring at his friends.

"No, I didn't."

This surprised Harry. "But, I thought...I mean, didn't Dumbledore send you after me that night? I figured you would've spoken to him as soon as-"

"I had intended to," Remus said wearily, "but I realized something, Harry. This decision doesn't affect Dumbledore. It has nothing to do with him. It is primarily about you."

"And you," Harry said once again, more firmly. Remus didn't disagree.

"The point is that no-one can make this decision for you. I want as few outside opinions as possible to sway your decision," Remus said seriously. "This choice must come from within your heart – no-one else's."

Harry nodded his understanding. In light of what his former Professor had just told him, Harry felt a little foolish asking his next question. However, he had a need for it to be said.

"Remus, what would you do?"

Nothing was said for a few moments.

"Harry, in all honesty, I would most likely weep."

A/N: HOLY POOP. That was hard. Someone knocked on my door just as I went to write this, and when I opened it, they said, "Hello, my name is Writers Block, and I HAVE COME TO HAUNT YOU FOREVER! MWAHAHAHA!" So I was a little distraught, to say the least. Please review – third update in the past week! After months of nothing! You should be kissing the hem of my robes, you junkies you :)