Chapter 05 – Conspiracy

Harry had never known how comforting it could be to wake up and realize that he was not alone. Of course at Hogwarts he was sharing a room with four of his friends, but still their presence was something completely different from waking up to find somebody sitting up with him, somebody who had stayed because he cared about him. Because he was worried about him. Truth be told, Harry had had to forcefully bite back the tears upon waking up to find Remus sitting at the small table that stood in his room, smiling up at him as he noticed that Harry was awake, because his first thought had been that Sirius would never be there again. Harry was sure that if Sirius was still alive he would have been the one sitting here in the hospital with him if he had been able to, but Sirius would never get the chance. He had promised Harry's father to be the one to take care of Harry when he was sick, it had been his blasted job to be there for Harry, but he had to fall through that archway and get himself killed, and now he would never be there again.

But as Remus looked up at him, his smile wavering slightly upon seeing the expression on the teenager's face, Harry quickly cast those thoughts aside. Blaming Sirius for daring to die like that was something he had tried without very much success over the past two weeks, it didn't bring Sirius back to him, either. It only made others worry about him even more. Merlin knew he was already enough of a burden for everybody, he would not start bawling his eyes out now to top it all.

"Good morning, Harry. How are you feeling?"

Harry sat up in his bed and shrugged. "All right, thanks. Hungry, if I'm honest."

Remus smiled and closed the newspaper he had been reading. He could very well imagine that Harry was hungry, too vividly did he still remember the strict face of the nurse who had declared in no uncertain terms that no, Harry would not get something to eat at half past eight in the evening, no matter how hungry he was. It had reminded both of the wizards frighteningly of Madam Pomfrey. Truth be told the nurse had probably been angry because she had walked past Harry's room four times before she had noticed the door, something she for the life of her could not explain.

But Remus' Privacy Charm had prevented them from any prying eyes during the night, so Harry could not complain. It would surely have been quite a feast to explain to a suddenly appearing night-shift nurse where the table in the room had gone to, where the second bed had appeared from and why Remus was sleeping in it, a piece of wood which no muggle-nurse would recognize as a wand firmly in his hand even in sleep. So Remus had not taken down the charm until he had gotten up in the morning, then he had showed himself in the entrance hall to check with Dung and Arthur and also to pretend that he had just arrived and wanted to visit Harry again. No need to let the nurses and doctors know that he had spent the entire night in the hospital without permission for it.

"Your breakfast should come any minute now, actually I was already wondering what could be keeping the nurse. I have taken down the charms, so she should have no problems finding the room this time."

"Yeah, it definitely would not happen with Madam Pomfrey that a patient could sleep in longer than until seven in the morning."

Remus laughed. "No, that's true indeed. But it's only half past seven, and I don't think that muggle nurses are any better, I have to tell you. And once you're fed, we'll have a talk with your doctor about when you can be released from here."

Harry nodded, his mood immediately worsening. Getting released from the hospital was nothing he was very keen on if he was honest with himself. From what Dumbledore had said yesterday evening, getting released would mean going back to the Dursleys, and he could only imagine too well what kind of echo would await him there. After all, they had been forced to bring him to the hospital, to openly admit that they had something to do with him. Maybe the neighbours had even seen them drag his unconscious form into the car. That meant they would not be very pleased with him and do their best to make his holidays even more miserable. But Harry simply could not allow himself to believe in the possibility that Professor Lupin would take him out of here, he simply could not.

But if there was one thing Harry still had to learn about Remus Lupin, and that was that he was a very perceptive man. Seven years of being close friends with James 'No, I'm not in love with Lily Evans' Potter and Sirius 'No, I don't have a problem and now bugger off' Black had taught him to read people if they didn't speak out loud what was bothering them. He got up and pulled his chair over to Harry's bed and sat down next to the teenager who was once more not looking at him.

"All right, what's wrong Harry?"

Harry shrugged and looked around the room for a moment before he hesitantly set his eyes on Remus.

"If they release me…I – I will have to go back to the Dursleys, won't I?"

Remus nodded. "Yes, that's right. Why, is something wrong with that?"

Harry only shrugged again. "No, I was just wondering, you know? The Weasleys said that I could spend some time with them, and I thought…well, that maybe now would be as good a time as any. I haven't been able to write to Ron yet, but I just thought it would be a good idea, you know?"

One of the things that had made Remus such an excellent teacher was that he could detect very easily if somebody was lying to him. And Harry was one of the worst liars he had ever seen.

"All right Harry, how about you tell me again why you asked me if you have to go back to the Dursleys? Only this time you tell me the truth."

Harry looked at Remus like a child caught with his hands in the cookie-jar. Remus did his best to look reassuring, but Harry did not answer. Finally, Remus was fed up with the silence.

"Look Harry, I know that the Dursleys are not the world's nicest people, I've met them here yesterday for about twenty minutes, and that has been enough for me again already. But if something is seriously wrong then I need to know what it is, otherwise I can't help you."

Still he only met silence.

"Why don't you want to go back to the Dursleys?"

Harry shrugged another of those teenage-shrugs. "I don't know. I just don't want to."

"You never wrote anything about having problems, so can I assume that there is nothing specifically wrong? Are the Dursleys treating you all right, or is there something else? Are they abusing you, mistreating you in any way?"

Concern had crept into Remus' voice as he contemplated that most probably Harry would not have told anybody if something like this had happened. Merlin, don't let it be anything like this, please not! He started rubbing the back of his right hand as he waited for Harry's answer, hoping that it wasn't as bad as he feared.

But Harry only shook his head. "No, it's nothing like that. They don't hit me or anything, it's not like that."

Remus got up from his chair and sat down on the mattress next to Harry, not wanting to let the teenager evade him now that he was so close to finally spilling out what was worrying him.

"What, Harry?", he asked softly.

"I don't know, Professor. They…I don't want to stay there anymore, that's all. They…they just don't care, you know? Before, it didn't really disturb me, I was glad if they left me alone. But now", he took a deep breath and worried his lip with his teeth before he continued, "now I just can't stand this anymore. I need somebody to talk to, I want to be with people who care. Maybe then the nightmares stop. I just don't want to go back there."

Remus' chest clenched painfully as he watched Harry. He should have known that the teenager was not dealing all that well with Sirius' death, he should have known it.

"Why didn't you write to anybody about it?"

"I didn't want to worry anybody. You all have enough to do, but I just thought that maybe if I ask the Weasleys they would allow me to come to the Burrow."

Remus reached out and put his hand against Harry's arm so that the teenager looked up into his eyes.

"You know why it is important that you stay with your relatives? You're safest there, Harry."

"If Voldemort is really as strong as I think he is, then there won't be any safe places left for me to hide from him."

Remus watched Harry for a long moment, saw the dark shadows underneath his eyes, the worried lines on his forehead and the numb and listless expression in his emerald eyes. It had taken Harry a lot to bring himself to telling Remus his worries, that much was obvious. Had there been the slightest chance for him to bear his worries any further, Harry would have continued to bottle everything up. Just like Remus would have done. At that moment, Remus Lupin for the first time decided to do something that went against direct orders from Albus Dumbledore. He squeezed Harry's arm once and got up from the bed.

"All right, you'll eat your breakfast as soon as the nurse comes and then you'll wait for the doctor. If he says you can be released today, we'll think of something. I'll go and have a talk with Dung, he seems about just the right person for this. Wouldn't want Arthur involved in it, though."

The last sentence was mumbled more for himself as Remus had already turned towards the door, but Harry had caught it.
"Professor?"

Remus turned around where he was standing with the doorknob in his hand already.

"Harry, why don't you finally stop calling me Professor? Call me Remus, all right?"

Harry nodded. " Remus, I can go back to the Dursleys, if I have to. I mean, I don't like the idea very much, but I don't want anybody to get into trouble just because I don't want to be stuck there."

Remus looked at him for a moment, then he grinned mischievously. "I'm a Marauder, Harry. I'm used to being in trouble. I actually kind of missed it over the past years. Besides, I'm just going to have a talk with Dung, whatever happens we won't involve anybody – and that includes you and me – in serious trouble. Promise."

As he closed the door behind himself, he was not all that sure that he had not lied to the teenager. But even if he got into trouble for it, Harry would not necessarily have to know about it. And it would certainly not be really bad trouble. A disapproving look from Dumbledore, some snappy comments from Severus – not that he didn't get those on any given opportunity anyway – but the most important thing was that Harry was taken out of there if he truly could not stand to live there any longer. Yesterday's events should be proof enough of that.

With that somewhat reassuring thought in mind he set out to search Dung. Whenever there was nothing to smuggle, the man was always grateful for something that could distract him. And though he was one of the more…shadowy figures Remus knew, he was also trustworthy. Remus was convinced that he could trust him with something important. Even something as important as Harry.

Dung was still loitering in the entrance hall of the hospital when Remus stepped out of the corridor. The nurse was not paying him any attention which of course had to do with the Obscuring Charm he had placed on himself. Knowing Dung, hardly any muggle would pay him more attention than just a small sideward glance after which they would immediately forget about him again. Many things could be said about Mundungus Fletcher, but carelessness was not one of his vices, at least not when his own safety was concerned. About anything else…well, you got used to him after a while.

Dung got up from his chair when Remus entered the room and gestured for him to follow outside with a nod of his head. Once they had left the hospital and had begun walking around the small path that led to the also quite small back garden through which the patients could take short walks during their recovery, Remus began to speak.

"Dung, I think I need your help."

Dung shrugged and kept on walking. It was nothing unusual that people said that sentence to him, he only wondered that this time he was hearing it from Remus.

"It is a bit complicated, though. And it goes against Albus' orders", Remus continued. That brought a slight frown on Dung's face.

"Doesn't sound like you at all, Remus."

"It's about Harry."

"What about him?"

"I don't think it will be wise to bring him to his muggle relatives again. Actually, I'm convinced that it would do him more harm than caring for his safety justifies."

Dung stopped and started to rummage around in his pockets. After a couple of moments, he produced a small, self-rolled cigarette which he put between his lips and lit with a match. After a couple of deep drags he blew some green smoke rings towards the cloudy sky and finally looked at Remus.

"Then where do you want to take him?"

"Grimmauld Place", Remus only said. Dung didn't show any surprise, he merely squinted his eyes as if deep in thought.

"I guess you want me to organize how to get him there."

"Something like that, yes. Though it should be easier than last summer. Harry knows where it is now, so there is no need to make such a huge fuss with an escort. All we would need was a portkey for two, set for headquarters – which I could organize – and somebody who wipes our trace. Which is where you come into the equation."

Dung only nodded thoughtfully. "I'm good at wiping traces."

"That is why I asked you. I would not dare to bring Harry to headquarters if we left a trail for everyone to follow us. But I don't want you to do it if you're not sure about it. After all we could get into trouble because of it."

Dung looked at him with an expression that clearly told Remus what he thought about getting into trouble – it was never an issue he gave very much thought.

"You think it's really better for the kid?"

"Dung, he tried to brew a Sleeping potion and nearly killed himself, just because he didn't have anybody to turn to with his nightmares. His relatives noticed nothing until it was nearly too late. I think nearly anything would be better than that."

"Then count me in. Just tell me when you're going to set the portkey."

Remus nodded. "Thank you. I'll let you know as soon as Harry's doctor says something."

On his way back to Harry's room Remus let his thoughts wander across his conversation with Dung. He had actually expected nothing else than him saying yes, but still he did not feel all that well with involving somebody else in his plan. If he had not been that convinced that Harry needed to be taken away from his relatives he probably would not have done it, but the past two days had convinced him that whatever the consequences, he could no longer leave Harry in Privet Drive with a clear conscience.

As he was about to enter Harry's room, the door suddenly opened just as Remus was about to reach for the doorknob. The man Remus recognized as the doctor from the day before smiled in recognition and stepped aside so that Remus could enter Harry's room. Much to his surprise, the teenager was already dressed and a tray with the remains of breakfast was standing next to his bed. He had not realized that he had been gone this long.

"And, what did the doctor say?"

Harry grinned and sat down on his bed again.

"That he simply can't explain how my condition improved so quickly since yesterday. He said that he's still waiting for some test results, but that I can leave if they don't show anything either."

"Which they won't, knowing Severus' abilities. When will he get them?"

"In an hour or two, he said."

Remus nodded, thinking quickly for a moment. Dung was still around, so he needed to organize a portkey. But before, he had to make sure that Harry would agree with this plan.

"Harry, I've been thinking about what you said earlier, and I talked to some people. Sending you to the Weasleys won't work, not on such a short notice. But if you really don't want to go back to the Dursleys, then you have the chance to come to Grimmauld Place. I'm sure that Ron and Hermione will be there at some point later in the holidays as well."

Harry frowned. For one, he would have preferred to stay at the Burrow to staying at his godfather's house, but what confused him even more was that this sounded like the exact opposite of what Dumbledore had said.

"But Professor Dumbledore said that I should go back to my aunt and uncle. Does he know about that? I don't think he wants me at Grimmauld Place, otherwise he'd have made me come there already."

Remus leaned against the table and crossed his arms in front of his chest. That was what he had feared, Harry's hesitancy to do something against the rules could cause the biggest problem for his plan. But it was for Harry's own good, he just had to make the teenager see that.

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore said that I should bring you back to your relatives. He said that because he is concerned about your safety, mainly. Of course he also wants you to feel well, but you have to see that he is very occupied at the moment. He has much to think about, so his main concern is that you are physically safe. But you've said that you don't want to stay with your relatives any longer, and I can understand why that is so. And as I can manage to bring you safely to Grimmauld Place, I don't see where the problem is. As soon as you are there, I will inform Albus of it, then we will tell your relatives and there should be no further problems. After all, Grimmauld Place is one of the few very safe places, it's well warded and guarded. If you really don't want to stay at Privet Drive any longer, you don't need to worry about coming to London."

Harry thought for a moment and Remus could tell that he was not entirely convinced. But if he wanted Remus to pull his plan through, then he was the one who needed to say it. After a long moment, Harry finally spoke again.

"And you won't get into trouble if you take me to Grimmauld Place?"

Remus shook his head. "No. After all, you were there last summer as well, there are enough people around to guard you and once I explain Albus the reasons he will understand. Harry, he cares for you as well, he only does not have the time to do so thoroughly. That's why I try to do it."

Harry finally nodded.

"All right. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Harry. I need to talk to Dung again, and unfortunately we'll have to take a portkey. I know you don't like them, but that's the only possibility of getting to Grimmauld Place quickly and safely."

Again, Harry nodded.

"That's all right."

With another smile at the teenager, Remus turned around to leave the room. Once the doctor had given Harry a clean bill of health – something Remus did not doubt – then he needed to have a portkey organized and have Dung ready to wipe their trace. Portkeys left a magical signature that could be followed by a wizard if they knew what to search for, and Remus did not want to risk anything. And if there was somebody who knew how to vanish without a trace, then it was Mundungus Fletcher. Otherwise he would not have gotten through with the more illegal parts of his career without ever getting caught.