DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: I'd like to take a moment to say thanks for the reviews. There's nothing I hate more then to get a new chapter only to find half of it is acknowledging reviewers so I won't be doing that.
I started this story because my step-daughter asked if I could (Personally I think she was tired of hearing my speculations on book 6). I never dared hope that anyone else would actually take the time to read it. I would have been ecstatic to see any reviews but 4 the day after posting! Hooray! Ya know, I can't remember the author who said reviews act like cheering charms, but they were definitely right. Thanks again.
Chapter 8
Grieving and Enlightenment
Remus was sitting on the porch surveying the lake when Harry appeared outside. "Moony?"
"Yeah, Cub?"
"I'm sorry."
Remus turned around and stared incredulously at Harry. "What on earth for?"
"For being so much trouble."
"Harry James Potter ... you listen to me, and listen good! You are not trouble! You are the only son of a marauder! You are family!"
Harry's eyes filled with tears. "But if it weren't for me you wouldn't be the only marauder left ..."
Remus looked deep into Harry's eyes. "Harry, Sirius loved you; he would have done anything for you. Even knowing the consequences, he would have gone to you no matter where you were, if he even thought you were in danger ..."
Remus lifted his chin, so that they again met eye to eye. "As would have I. You, Cub, are what's important."
Remus grumbled, "and I don't mean because of that damn prophecy."
Louder he continued, "Don't dishonor Sirius' sacrifice by placing guilt on yourself."
Remus sighed. "I know you haven't had the best of role models but know this, Harry James Potter, even if I am not the best at showing it, I love you, Harry ... and so did Sirius."
They sat quietly a while both musing in their own thoughts, their own memories.
"Moony?"
"Yeah, Cub?"
"What are we gonna do?"
"I really don't know, Cub. Then only thing I am really sure of is that I refuse to fail you again. First things first ... tonight. Is it alright with you if I give Tonks some of the highlights of what we've talked about? We really kind of need her on our side."
"Do I need to talk to her?" Harry asked softly.
"No."
"Then okay."
It was about four o'clock when Tonks arrived. Harry heard her calling for Remus. Harry wondered why she was wandering about the field and did not appear to see them. Remus laughed and reminded him they were under the Fidelius. Remus stepped out side and snuck up behind Tonks. "Harry and Remus are staying at the Black Lineage Cabin on Lake Windermere."
Tonks gasped as a cabin suddenly appeared out of thin air, complete with Harry waving to her from the porch. Harry and Remus doubled up in laughter at her expression.
"Very funny, Boys. But remember, I am a woman ... I get mad and even."
At that, Remus and Harry did their best to hide their amusement.
Remus gave Tonks a meaningful look, asking her with his eyes to wait to talk and called. "Let's eat!"
The three of them ate supper while talking about nothing of consequence - the unusually hot weather and quidditch standings. They were also entertained by Tonks' noses and hair color changes. When they finished eating, Remus nodded to Harry to indicate he was ready to begin the discussion with Tonks.
Harry got up and gave them a half-smile. "I'm going down to the lake."
"'kay Cub. We'll be on the porch," as they followed him out.
When Harry was out of ear shot, Tonks turned to Remus, "Out with it."
Remus snorted. "Okay Tonks. But please be patient. This may not be as hard on me as Harry, but it is still difficult for me. Let's begin at the beginning ..."
He told her about the Potter's will, how Dumbledore spoke against him, and explained how the muggles were able keep him from Harry. He conveyed his concerns regarding the Dursleys – Petunia's feelings on magic, how Harry told Ron that they kept him in a cupboard, as well as how the Weasley boys rescued him from Privet Dr. and the bars Arthur discovered in his shed. Tonks had been one of the guards assigned to Harry last summer so she had some idea of how he was treated there.
She hesitated a moment then asked, "I know how he's treated there but I still don't understand all of this ..." as she gestured around.
Remus looked her in the eye. "Harry knows the prophecy, Tonks ... He didn't hear it in the Department of Mysteries. Albus was the one it was given to originally."
Tonks eyes widened and she gasped.
Remus continued growing angrier with every word. "I know. Basically it says that the one to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born at the end of July ... Harry's birthday is July 31 ... and that the one to defeat him would be marked by him. Albus knew that damn prophecy when he sent him to those damn muggles. Albus obviously believes that the one in this prophecy is Harry. He believes it so certainly, that he is willing to sacrifice the boy, for the protection of the weapon ... Bloody hell, he even referred to him as a weapon. We all just assumed that the weapon was what we were guarding in the Department of Mysteries, not Harry's guard ... Do you know he was planning on leaving Harry at Privet Drive the entire summer this year? The boy just lost the sliver of what he could call family. Yet, he's supposed to survive ... cut off from his friends, from everyone who loves him and stay with those ..." He growled out, "people!"
Tonks did not know what to say, so she just shook her head.
"Sorry." Remus muttered. "I know better then to get this worked up this close to my transformation ... Anyway, do you know he was so bad off, his Aunt, of all people, took him to a counselor? He was so anguished as soon as he started to talk, he blew up the office and forced apparition."
Tonks eyes lit up. "Oh, so that's what happened...You do know that no one can quite figure out how you knew ... Bloody hell, he's that powerful!"
Remus gave Tonks a glare.
"Sorry, I'll be calm."
Remus gave her a half-smile. "Tonks, I can't fail him again ... he's hurting so bad ... he can't talk ... but for the first time in the last three years or so he has had five nightmare free nights. I can't take him back, he's not ready. Albus might have his weapon, but the boy ... the boy would be destroyed. Please help him, Dora, help us."
She sighed resignedly. "Okay."
She muttered. "Damn puppy dog eyes."
He snickered.
"Cub" Remus called out.
"Cub?" asked Tonks.
"Coming."
Remus grinned. "I've got to go, Cub."
"Where will you go?" Harry asked.
"No need to worry. There's a reason this property was the one left to me. We used to come here when we were younger. There's a shelter for me a ways back in the woods."
Tonks raised an eyebrow.
"No need to worry. It's built to withstand the beast, it's warded and as various other safeguards. Not to mention I still have the Wolfsbane Severus gave me." Remus supplied.
Harry gave them a small grin. "Take care, Moony."
Tonks echoed the sentiment.
