Final Curtain

Author: Mysterious Phantom Shyraz

Disclaimer: HP not mine end of conversation

Act IV scene i

One Month Ago

Harry knocked on the familiar door; he had been visiting often, when he has the time that is. Hearing no sound coming from the other side, maybe it has something to do with its now being afternoon and the resident of the apartment is not yet awake, he let himself it using the spare key. It's not exactly polite to go into an apartment that is not his own, although he did pay for some of the rent, without invitation. Inside was a mess; papers were thrown everywhere and there were some dishes left unwashed on the dinning table.

'One would have thought that a Malfoy would be always clean and slick…' Harry started to clean up the mess in the lounge before settling himself for a long wait.

Harry had fallen asleep when the door creaked open nearing sunset, Malfoy walked inside to see his most frequent guest asleep on the worn out couch. Shaking Harry slightly, Malfoy hoped that he would wake with the sudden movement. But there was no response. It was then he noticed the dark bangs under Harry's eyes. He turned away in search for a blanket in the studio flat and saw Hedwig struggling with the said item. Deciding to give a helping hand to the snowy owl, he grabbed the blanket and placed on Harry's shoulders.

"I'd never have thought I'd even do something like this…" Malfoy said out loud, which Hedwig hooted in reply. "You didn't either as well?"

"Draco?" Harry said, blinking the sleep out of his eyes, "You know how long I waited for you?"

"Thought you were going to come at night, that's why I was out all day. You should have sent an owl before coming next time." Then, all of a sudden, came a knock on the door.

"Were you expecting anyone?" Harry asked. He knew that Draco still has contacts within the wizarding world. Draco shook his head. Harry then checked his disguise, just in case. 'I'm becoming more paranoid…' Harry thought then sighed out loud.

"Coming." Draco called out as he headed over to the door. Harry positioned himself out of the way but not quickly noticeable at first glance by the newcomer. Opening the door revealed someone that both didn't expected.

"Requiem," As Draco was called by his contacts after his change of looks. The newcomer's voice sounded familiar in Harry's ears but he cannot place it with a name. It was until the door was opened when it revealed a shabbily clothed Remus. He seemed to have changed from the time Harry last saw him all those months ago.

"Remus, what are you doing here all of a sudden?" Draco asked, blocking most of the inside view out from Remus, just in case should Remus recognise Harry in disguise.

"I need to ask you something…privately. Can I come in?"

Draco looked inside for any signals from Harry, who just nodded in reply. Remus had not noticed anyone inside the apartment at first as Harry hid himself neatly in the kitchen area.

"Draco," Remus began once inside, he knew the name behind the changed hair and eyes, "have you seen Harry lately?"

"What gave you the idea that I'm in contact with him?" Draco was surprised at Remus suspecting so. To the outside world, that is anyone within the walls of Hogwarts, Harry and Draco were arch nemesis and worst enemies. What gave Remus the idea that both of them were in good terms was beyond Draco's comprehension.

"There aren't that many snowy owls in the wizarding world and the pile of white feathers by the window is quite noticeable…" Remus pointed at a certain bird that is absentmindedly sitting on the windowsill. Startled, Hedwig looked at their direction then flew towards the kitchen, where Harry is currently hiding, as though to avoid being cornered. Harry listened into the conversation.

"Still…" Draco was trying to find a way out of this. Who knew that having Hedwig here from time to time could lead to such pointed question, and from a former werewolf none the less. He could hear the slight snickering from Harry, hiding behind the counter.

"So, how's he doing?"

"Well…" Remus was looking at him expectantly and his eyes seemed to bore into his sole, as if trying to determine if what Draco said was the truth. Draco fidgeted a bit, looking away from Remus' eyes. Deciding Harry had too much fun for the day, Draco indicated that there was someone else in the house. He stared at the point behind the counter and Remus went silent. This time, it was Draco's turn to watch the show.

Remus walked slowly and silently towards the counter, pretending to fetch a drink. Harry, hearing no conversation going on, decided that he should pretend to be picking or finding something. But there was nothing at hand. He could slightly hear Remus' footsteps on the wooden floor and the clattering of cups just on the counter above. He looked up from his sitting spot below the counter.

"Hi!" Harry said, pretending nothing had happened, in a cheerful tone. He absentmindedly stroke Hedwig, who is sitting comfortably in his laps.

"And you are?" Remus cocked his eyebrows. He could see that it was a disguise that this person is wearing but could not seem to recognise who it is. It is at times like this that he missed being a werewolf. With the disappearance of his curse also meant that the abilities have also vanished.

"Pharo Rettry" Harry stretched out his hand as he stood up. Draco looked in surprise that the former werewolf could not recognise his best friend's son, the one who cured him of lycanthropy.

Remus shook the hand, and then he noticed the faint scars on the back of the hand. The scars resembled claw marks made by a large animal and were suspiciously familiar. Remus distinctly remembered that Harry had the very same scars on his right hands. How could he forget?

It was done during his last transformation, when he accidentally, in his werewolf state, attacked Harry. Hedwig, who was with them at that time, prevented Harry from being bitten by placing herself between the two. The reason Harry was there at the time was to apply the charm on the werewolf itself. Remus had protested, saying that he was not worth Harry testing his fate. But Harry would not listen and told him not to worry, that if an Avada curse could not kill him then a werewolf would certainly not hurt him. It was a very close call and if Hedwig were not there at the time, Remus would most likely have bitten Harry. Remus apologised again and again afterwards to a point where Harry was so sick and tired of him apologising and threatened him instead.

Both Remus and Harry stood still. Remus held onto the hand as though Harry would disappear the moment he let go. Harry just remained were he is, happy to just be around the only link to his parents. Draco chuckled slightly at the awkward situation, which snapped Remus out of his pondering and shock.

"Harry?" Remus questioned. Harry glared back at Draco; he was hoping that he could have some fun before being found out.

"None other!" Harry smiled at Remus then glared at Draco.

"Why's everyone looking at me?" Draco said innocently, though he is far from innocent. Harry ignored him and walked over to the couch where Remus is currently resting.

"Looks like my question is answered." Remus turned to Harry, "At least I know you're safe…"

There was a long silent before anyone spoke a word. Harry looked down on the floor as though it was the most interesting thing in the world. Draco went away to prepare some sort of drinks for his company. It is something that a Malfoy wouldn't do but he wasn't a Malfoy anymore. Remus looked in Harry's direction, determining what should be said next. But before Draco could return with the drinks, which he is not intending to until those two had worked their awkward situation out, Remus spoke up. Of course, Draco being who he is, listened in.

"Why don't you come back?" Remus asked, with an expectant look on his face. Harry looked back at Remus in the eyes, not sure of how to reply.

"I wasn't ready then and am still no ready." Harry shook his head. If he returned now, there's still nothing to be gain. Although he is more learned now than before and isn't likely to rush into things without thinking through, it is best for the whole world if he remains disappeared for the time being.

"That's not the actual reason is it?" Remus, knowing who he was dealing with, asked again. Although Harry seemed to have changed on the outside and seemed to have learnt more, there are still traces of the old Harry Potter, the one who looked at Remus in the eyes before heading back to the Dursley and the one who made a request to see Padfoot.

"No," Harry looked at his hands. He had to admit it, he didn't feel like lying to Remus like he did to all those others. He was going to, at some point, tell Remus that he was alive and well. But he had never expected to see him and tell him in such circumstances.

Remus looked expectant then worried. This was like a Deja-Vu, the moment before he had to return Harry to the Dursley those months ago. He had regretted straight afterwards hearing that the Dursleys had been attacked. He felt guilty sending Harry back and being the cause of his so-called 'death'. But seeing Harry like this again made him think, would prying more information out of Harry cause the past to be repeated? Would Harry disappear once again? But he couldn't just sit by and feel useless. Then, in what seemed like an eternity, Harry finally spoke up.

"For once, I actually want to live." Harry stated plainly. Yes, this was the Harry Remus saw in the park with the swings near Privet Drive. It was the very same depressed Harry who sat on the swings and said that everything was his fault. The same one that had told Remus that it would have been better for the world if he were dead.

"Harry…" There was nothing Remus could say. He knew that he would never understand how Harry felt no matter how hard he tried. Instead, he did what a normal parent would do to their child. He hugged Harry, holding him in his arms as though he was still a child. Harry did not protest but held on fast.

Draco was just about to head out with the drinks when he heard that they were still talking, even though in low voice. He looked at Hedwig who seemed to want to fly towards his master, and had restrained her.

"Not now girl. You can have Harry later on today. For now leave them be." He whispered as he petted the white feathered owl. Hedwig just sat still on the counter, with Draco sitting on one of the stools. Cups of drinks were forgotten at that moment in time.

Back out in the lounge, they finally let go of their hug and are now face to face.

"Harry, if you don't want to go back, I'll stay." Remus told him after much thinking. If the Order thought Harry was dead, leave them be. He's better off staying with Harry anyways. At least here he could do what he promised James, to protect Harry.

"You can't," Draco could not stand any longer. If Remus were to stay here, it would only endanger Harry as the Order would suspect Harry is somewhere and would use any means to 'acquire' Harry back. "If you stay, the Order would suspect something."

"Draco's right." Harry agreed with him. "As much as I like you to stay, it is better, and safer, if you were with the Order. At least it's unlikely you would be suddenly attacked…"

"But Harry…" Remus could see the logic the reasoning but he just could not accept. It's like how the Order could write Harry off as dead, he could not accept the fact that he is once again helpless. Draco chuckled for the second time in the last hour.

"What's so funny?" Both of them asked.

"Nothing, its as if Harry here is the older one and Remus is the child or something…" Draco shook his head, trying to shake off the laughter as well.

"I don't think I'll ever understand you…" Harry said.