AN: For the original version I listened to Cornershop's When I was Born For The Seventh Time.. and for this new version, Green Day's Nimrod and American Idiot.. I also listened to my screaminshout yahoo launchcast station.
Part 13-Clearly this is the way to go. Post-HBP version. Unbetaed.
Two weeks later, both Hermione Granger and Harry Potter are well again. Ron Weasley is on a tropical island, vacationing with his girlfriend, Juliana, before heading to Sweden to meet her family.
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A graying sandy haired man in tattered clothes entered the bookshop, Harry Potter is employed at, he calmly walked to the register, set before the door to the backroom.
The sickly man with his scratched face asked the cashier, "Hello, may I see Harry Potter?"
"Uh, yes sir, just a minute sir."
And the young man, filled with trepidation entered the backroom to retrieve Harry, his co-worker, from his task of sorting and pricing books.
"Harry."
"What Adam?"
"There's a man to see you."
"Who?"
"I don't know, didn't ask... He's mighty beat up he is."
"Okay, I'm coming."
"Thanks, I'll.. um.. go stock these on the shelves, yeah.. I'll do that," Adam told Harry.
"Only these piles," Harry gestured to a few piles, "These are all set to go out."
"Okay, Harry."
Harry walked to the front exit of the back room He emerged behind the counter.
"Professor Lupin, what are you doing here?"
"Coming to see how your faring, Harry. Do you perhaps have a break at all?"
"Yes. I can take my lunch."
"Good, please do so, if you don't mind."
"Not at all. Adam," Harry called.
"Yeah Harry?"
"I'm taking my lunch."
"Gotcha. I'll man the fort."
"Thanks."
Adam nodded and went back to shelving books.
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Harry and Lupin exited. "Are there any good places to eat around here, Harry?"
"The cafe across the street is nice. Ron and Hermione have always enjoyed it."
"Ron seems to love all food," Lupin smiled.
Harry shrugged.
They ordered and Harry insisted on paying for both meals. Lupin led him to a corner table and sat down. Harry sat across from his former Professor.
"How are you, Harry?"
"Why do you visit me so often, Professor? You visit me at work a few times a year, but never at my home."
"I visit you for Sirius, Albus and Minerva and myself. Your parents were great friends of mine, Harry. Why shouldn't I want to know about your well being?"
"Okay, Professor."
A waitress brought out their food and drinks.
"Call me, Remus, Harry."
"Why, Remus?"
"Harry, you have not been my pupil for ten years. There is no reason for you to call me Professor, any longer."
"How are you, Harry?" Lupin again asked how his former pupil was.
"I'm very well, happy. Almost content with my life now."
"Almost? Why almost?"
"I don't want to admit this to you, Remus," Harry said, adverting his eyes.
"Look at me, Harry, look at me."
"But."
"Let me help you. I maybe able to help."
"But it's personal, Remus!"
"Do you not trust me? Have I ever shown you any reason to not trust me?"
"No, you haven't.. you've only ever helped me."
"I know, I've never wanted to hurt you or see you hurt, Harry. Will you tell me what's troubling you?"
Harry took a deep breath, "I'm in love, Remus."
"That's wonderful news, Harry! Who with?"
Harry sighed, "My best friend."
"Which?" Remus asked straight-faced.
"Adam."
"Who?"
"I'm kidding, Remus." Harry closed his eyes and breathed deeply, "I'm in love with Hermione, I think.. I think.. I am in love with Hermione."
"Tell her then."
"But.. but."
"But, what if she doesn't return your feelings?
Don't worry, Harry. The first step is telling someone you love them, if they don't love you back, it's a terrible blow, but if they do, what could be better?"
"I.. I don't know. I never thought of it in those terms before Remus. I've always thought of the worst, never the best."
"Harry, your upbringing is the reason for that. You had few truly free happy times at Hogwarts. You always had something important to do, never a dull moment."
"Well, there was sixth year, that was pretty dull, unless you count the daftness of Ron, the lunacy of Hermione and the insanity of myself."
"True, and the not admitting true feelings of myself. You saw the effect of my rejection on Tonks, is that part of your problem, your fear?"
"Yes, of course."
"Well, rejection is painful, but the happiness that the opposite has is too much to lose to not even try to admit your true feelings. It is worse to hide them and bury them then it is to say them out loud. Then you risk the loss of possibility of a loving relationship."
"But."
"Hermione loves you, Harry. I can see it, I could see it ten years ago. Yes, it went into remission for the more obvious, petty attractions, but you saw how well relationships based on petty arguing and abuse or lust go, did you not?"
"I did, and all too well.. Sixth year was a ridiculous charge of hormones!"
Remus laughed.
"Remus, thank you.. but I have to go back to work now."
"But, you'll tell her, will you not?"
"I will."
"Good," and he hugged his former pupil, before Harry left to go back to work.