A/N: Harry's a little crazy in this chapter. Dunno why, it just happened. Anyway, read away :)
Harry Potter was being escorted back to Grimmauld Place by Mad-Eye Moody, Arthur Weasley, Hestia Jones and Emmeline Vance. He had to admit that he was rather disappointed to find that Lupin wasn't with them. The car journey with Lupin and Tonks the year before had certainly been an interesting one. Banishing the thought of Tonks singing loudly to a frustrated Lupin, he climbed the steps to Grimmauld Place with a grin. His guards excused themselves and returned to their duties, leaving Harry alone with Mr Weasley.
"Ron and Ginny will be over tomorrow," the man said cheerfully as they dragged Harry's trunk away from the door. "Hermione's here, of course. And," he lowered his voice, "Perhaps you could have a word with Remus for us." The red-haired man gave a sad smile and clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Well, best be off," he said in his bright tone once more. He smiled at the boy once more and Disapperated with a pop.
Harry was left alone in the entrance hall. He considered taking his trunk up to his room, and then decided to go down to the kitchen instead. He stopped at the top of the stairs, seeing his friend Hermione Granger sat below. Her homework was spread all over the large wooden table, and a thick volume lay open in front of her. However, she didn't appear to be working. In fact, she was singing quietly as she bounced Lupin's Labrador puppy on her knee as if it was dancing. The dog's tongue lolled playfully. Harry gave a laugh and Hermione looked up, setting the dog down on her knee. It snuffled for attention.
"Harry!" she cried and rose from her chair, placing the puppy gently on the floor. Harry walked down the steps and gave his friend a hug at the bottom.
"Missed me?" he asked with a grin. Hermione pretended to consider this, then shook her head. Harry laughed indignantly. "Well I've miss you," he told the girl.
"You know I have, Harry," she smiled, sitting back down. The boy copied her. "I've been so bored here. I supposed I am allowed to leave, but I feel I have to stay inside…guess it's this place." She looked around the room dismally.
"Yeah, well you should come and stay at the Dursley's with me," Harry joked. He paused. "Aunt Petunia's been acting really weird recently."
Hermione wrinkled her nose. "How do you mean?"
"Well…she's been…nice." He gave a laugh. "Nicer than usual. Almost sympathetic," he decided. Hermione nodded but said nothing. Harry noticed the puppy sniffing around his legs and stroked her gently on the head.
"This little critter have a name?" he asked and Hermione shook her head.
"Lupin calls her Girl. He needs to choose a name soon or she'll start answering to it." They fell silent from the mention of the man. Harry took a deep breath.
"How's he doing?" he ventured quietly. Hermione shook her head but said nothing. "Is he in? I might go see him."
"He's in his room," the girl told him simply. Harry nodded and rose, squeezing Hermione on the arm affectionately before heading up the stairs.
After dragging his trunk and owl cage up to his room, Harry went in search of Remus. The boy stood outside of his former teacher's door. He took a deep breath. Was he nervous? Harry dismissed the silly thought and knocked with confidence.
"Come in," came the hoarse reply. Harry opened the door and peeped his head around to find Remus sat on his bed, a book in his hand.
"Did someone order a surly teenager?" he enquired with a grin. Remus looked up. His tired eyes brightened for a brief moment.
"Hello Harry."
The boy entered the room and crossed over to embrace his friend. They pulled apart quickly. Harry wrinkled his nose as he surveyed the man.
"Remus, you look like shit," he told him and the man gave a little laugh.
"I know Harry, I know."
Harry sat on the edge of the bed and swung his legs slightly.
"You sleeping ok?"
"No." His flat tone caused Harry to grimace.
"Right, well I'm gonna go downstairs and beg Hermione to make me some food. And you're gonna come down and eat with me because you look like you haven't had a meal since I left. Mrs Weasley's coming over tomorrow, and I don't want her shrieking at Hermione for not looking after you properly. So move." The boy took a deep breath after his rant and grabbed Remus' hand. He dragged the man half-willingly across the room by his wrist. Remus had to laugh.
"And for goodness sake name your dog," the boy said sternly as he opened the door. "You're going to give it an identity crisis!"
That evening, Remus felt more light-hearted than he had been since Tonks had left the previous month. It was good to have Harry home. Hermione was thinking of genuine suggestions for the dog's name, all of which Harry dismissed in favour of his own comical proposals.
"How about Snuffles the Second," Harry suggested.
"No," Remus and Hermione cried together with a laugh. Harry looked crestfallen and then shrugged it off.
"Anyway, she would be Snuffles the Third," Remus reminded him.
"Oh yeah," Harry realised. Hermione frowned at them. "Tonks' cat was called Snuffles when she was a kid," Harry told his friend. "I'm guessing that's where Sirius got the name from."
Hours passed, unnoticed. Remus was finding some of Harry's ideas rather amusing. Hermione would purse her lips in disapproval and then suppress a giggle.
"Mrs Brown?"
"No."
"Mrs Maroon?"
"No 'Mrs' anything Harry."
"Ok…Maroon?"
"No."
"Maroon the Almighty?"
"No Maroon, Harry!"
And so it went on into the night, rejecting name after name. Hermione wanted something that would emphasise the fact that she was a Chocolate Labrador.
"How about something like Chocolate Drop?" she suggested. Harry and Lupin crinkled their nose in apparent dislike. "Ooh, or Honeyduke. That's a nice name."
Remus nodded, quite liking Honeyduke, but Harry scoffed.
"It's too pansy. All the other dogs would pick on her!"
Hermione gave an impatient sigh. "Fine, you think of a less-pansy name."
"Ok…Mrs Maroon the Almighty Chocolate Drop." There was a stunned silence.
"I'm going to bed," Hermione announced, rolling her eyes as Harry grinned at her. When the girl had vacated the room, Remus gave a laugh and ruffled Harry's messy hair.
"You're a crazy one at times Harry, in fact, all the time. Remind me not to let you name my child…or any of your own children for that matter."
At the mention of children, the room became suddenly tense. Harry licked his lips, and looked to the table.
"She'll be home soon, Remus."
"Yes… soon," the man echoed quietly. "If you'll excuse me Harry, I too should be getting off to bed."
Harry nodded and bade his guardian goodnight knowing that, as the man climbed the stairs, he was in for yet another night of unrest.
Remus decided as he awoke groggily the next morning, that he must have dozed off around four o'clock. He felt slightly disorientated as he sat up and rubbed a hand across his bleary eyes. He could make out faint voices from downstairs and realised that they had woken him. After showering and dressing, he made his way slowly downstairs to find the two youngest Weasley children sat at the table with Hermione and Harry. Mrs Weasley stood by the stove; breakfast was already on the go. Ron was sat next to his younger sister. He had lifted the puppy up from the floor and was attempting to balance it on his knees. The puppy was having none of it and squirmed to be let go.
"Ron, she doesn't like you," Ginny insisted, matter-of-factly.
"Yes she does," her brother replied heatedly. He attempted to hold the puppy to his chest, but she looked up to him with her big amber eyes before nipping him sharply on his freckled nose. Ron gave out a yelp. Ginny and Hermione giggled and Harry hid his laugh behind his mug of tea. The redheaded boy rubbed at his nose with a scowl before passing the dog hurriedly to his little sister.
"Make sure you wash your hands before eating," Mrs Weasley said over her shoulder. "Oh, good morning Remus," she added lightly, being the first to notice the man. He smiled as he descended the stairs, taking a seat next to Ginny. "Are you hungry dear?" Molly inquired but Remus shook his head.
"Yes he is," Harry answered for him and Remus squinted at the boy playfully.
"So, how's Mrs Maroon the Almighty Chocolate Drop doing this morning?" he asked as he reached for the teapot. Ginny and Ron looked to each other and then back to their former professor quizzically. Harry and Hermione laughed, however.
"She's fine, but we've chosen a better name for her, haven't we Ron." Harry looked to his best friend, who finally clicked what they were talking about.
"Oh yeah. It's so suited to her," Hermione said sarcastically and Remus was apprehensive.
"Well…go on."
"Monster," they said together. Remus blinked and then shrugged.
"I like it," he said. Hermione gawped at him, her mouth hung open.
"Remus! It's vulgar… and she's so cute. It doesn't suit her at all," the witch protested. Remus smiled apologetically at her. "Besides, I thought we decided on Honeyduke."
"Well then Hermione, we shall call her Honeyduke, and Ron and Harry can call her Monster and we will see which name she warms to the most," Lupin reasoned. Hermione nodded.
"No, her name is Monster!" Harry stressed. "Honeyduke is too much of a mouthful anyway. Let's not confuse her by giving her two names."
"Fine! Monster it is," Hermione caved sulkily. Harry and Ron beamed at her.
The last week of August went rather quickly, Harry thought. He had to admit that it was probably because he was waiting for Tonks to arrive at any second. She would be likely to strut in as if she hadn't been away at all, trip over some random (or none-existent) object and sit down beside them, demanding a cup of 'British' tea. Harry smiled at the very thought of it. Remus was also eagerly awaiting the witch's return. His eyes would look up whenever he heard the front door close, only to lower and close them in disappointment. He would muster a fake smile and carry on with whatever conversation he was holding, but they all knew he missed her; he wanted her home.
It was the night before Harry was due to catch the Hogwarts Express, and Grimmauld Place was filled with an unspoken unease. Harry found himself biting his lip nervously. Remus had hidden away in his room, seeking solitude. Harry, however, chose to ignore this and went to find him.
"Remus," he called quietly from the door. The man was lying on his bed, blinking at the grey ceiling. Harry crossed over to the bed and looked down at the man. Curiosity got the better of him and he snuck a glance up at the ceiling, just to see if Remus was actually staring at something. There was nothing there.
"She should be home by now," Remus croaked from the bed, breaking Harry's gaze. The boy nodded, not knowing what to say. "Why isn't she back yet?" he asked. Harry gave a shrug.
"I don't know Remus," he replied quietly. "Maybe she'll be back tomorrow."
"Or the next day, or the day after that," Remus said bitterly. Harry winced uncomfortably. The pair fell silent. Remus continued to study the ceiling intently.
"I don't think she's coming back," the man said suddenly, his voice cracking with emotion. Harry gave a sigh and sat on the bed beside him.
"Remus, don't say that. Of course she's coming back. Why wouldn't she?"
"Why would she?" he responded with a like question.
"For you, and the baby. For Hermione and me. Her family is here Remus. She belongs here. I know that, you know that and she knows it too. She's coming back Remus," he said firmly and hoped to Merlin that it was true. Lupin squeezed his eyes tightly together. They stung and he opened them, causing them to water. He gave a little cough.
"We'll see," he said quietly.
The next morning, the troupe hustled belatedly to King's Cross Station. Remus accompanied them, though he wished he could have stayed in his room and moped. It took less energy than to pretend he was ok. It was bad enough remembering his late friend's memorial service the year before, without having to be reminded that, as of today, he would be living in Grimmauld Place alone once more. Hermione seemed most aware of this and linked her arm through the man's as they travelled. She had lived with him now for quite some time, over the summer and before; when her parents had died. He had been a rock to her and she to him. To leave him now, with no one, was difficult.
They made their way busily through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾. The scarlet steam engine came into view and Harry had to admit that he did not want to board it. Of course he wanted to return to Hogwarts, on the contrary he was quite looking forward to his final year, but he would have much preferred for Tonks to have returned home before he had to go.
The students said their hurried goodbyes as the clock neared 11. Remus smiled sadly at them. Harry threw his arms around the man.
"Please don't be sad," he said lamely. The man nodded, knowing that he still would be but not wanting to bother the boy. "Let me know the minute Tonks get home, ok?"
"I will," Lupin said.
"And kick her ass for me for making us worry like this," Harry added with a grin. Hermione moved to hug her old professor. Tears were shining in her eyes.
"Cheer up. I'll write, ok? You're not alone, Remus," she whispered and the man nodded onto he shoulder.
The kids boarded the train and waved out of their compartment window as they began to move. Remus waved back wondering if he would be here in 11 years time, to see his own child off to Hogwarts. With dull hope, he turned back to the station as the train disappeared from sight.