Bittersweet Hope

Summary: Harry doesn't believe that life is worth everything his parents died for. Can Lupin change that by telling him the truth? (Lilly/James, Remus/Sirius)

A/N: I wrote this before the sixth book came out... so yeah...

Animosity Among Men

Harry looked out the attic window as rain beat down on No. 12 Grimmauld Place that dark night. A tear threatened to fall. Harry wiped it. It was not worth crying over now; two months had passed since Sirius's death, and he would have to get over it soon.

He turned over a picture of his parents in his hands and stared at their faces. He smiled and wondered what would have happened if he were not the chosen one, what if he would have had a normal life. He scoffed at himself. Harry was not normal, and he was content with that, but for the past few months, reality had been somewhat surreal. It was almost as if life had become a bad soap opera that would not end. He closed his eyes; he wanted all the pain to just fade away. He heard the creek of the attic door open.

"Seems nice outside, doesn't it?" Harry asked his intruder without turning around.

"Harry, come to dinner." Lupin said from the doorway. "Molly has made a delicious stew."

"I'll pass." He said; he was still facing the window.

"Are you sure, Molly does make a wonderful-"

"I said I'd pass."

"Is there something you want to talk about Harry?" he said as he walked toward him.

"No, nothing."

"…I know these past few months have been rough, what with Sirius…" he cringed as he said the name. "… passing… I understand."

"No you don't. I mean… no one can ever understand Remus, no one can."

"Harry… I…" he said as he put his hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry shrugged it off coldly. Lupin sighed. "You know what you have to do, you are destined to do great things, and I know you will prevail. You are Harry Potter!"
"What if I don't wanna be Harry Potter anymore! I mean… I was born to kill someone! It may be Voldemort, but I can't help thinking that maybe, just maybe if my life was somewhat normal I wouldn't be an orphan!"

"Harry, you're parents died… in honor, they're names are immortal."

"They're names may be immortal but they weren't! I don't have parents, or even a god parent now thanks to that bastard!" He shouted.

"Don't shout."

"I'm not shouting," he said as he ground his teeth. He became silent. His eyes were now glued to the floor. Anger and frustration surged through him. He raised his fist and hit the wall to pacify everything he felt inside. He swallowed as he slumped to the floor.

"Harry!" Lupin said as he went over to his aid.

"It's not fair… everything I have… it's never going to last. Everyone I love is in danger… because I exist! I… can't even… I'll never…" he sighed helplessly. "… Just go, I don't want you to end up like my parents… betrayed, hurt, and dead…"

"Harry, I want you to shut up and listen to me for once!" Lupin said; the acrimony was rising in his voice. Harry looked over at him for the first time. Lupin's face seemed livid, but he kept his cool. "I'm going to tell you a story… of everything that your parents went through, just to save you."

A/N: Short… but it's there…the real story comes next chapter… fun!