Disclaimer: lyrics belong to David Bowie and the characters to J.K. Rowling. The plot however is mine.
"Some editors are failed writers, but so are most writers."
- T. S. Eliot
A/N
Italics denote a quote from philosophers/sorcerer's stone (depending on which side of the pond you are from). The quote is from Dumbledore.
An occasional dream
As he walked to the leaky cauldron with the twins Harry pulled his cloak tight around him against the rain. All three were too lost in thought to pay much attention to each other.
It was late when the entered the pub. Most of its patrons had left or gone up to bed. The only person there was Lee. Lee appeared to be drowning his sorrows.
"Take it you saw her then?" Fred said as he sat down to the right of lee.
"-And she didn't want to talk." George added as he sat down to lee's left. Lee merely nodded.
"She is a busy witch, I expect she didn't have time." Fred said as he signalled Tom to bring a round of drinks.
"She managed to squeeze me in before." Lee commented bitterly.
"Its different this time. The rules have changed." Fred said patiently.
"She wouldn't even talk to me. She said she had to go. She could have spared me a few seconds." Lee grumbled.
"I think that you ought to cut her some slack. She has been pushed from pillar to post these past few days." George pointed out equally patiently.
"She probably thinks it is better to leave well alone mate. I mean you didn't part on the best of terms did you." Fred continued.
"You need to consult a girl on what her actions mean. I would try Hermione or Gin." Harry said.
"Gin is probably your best bet. Hermione barley gets chance to see Ron let alone any one else." Fred rationalised.
"Yeah, Gin will tell you how to interpret her actions. I think you have had enough for tonight though." George said. His tone implied that this was to be the last word on the subject.
Lee stared into his empty glass and remained silent. Fred and George took hold of his arms and walked to the fire. Harry drained the last of his drink and went home.
Harry's flat felt cold and unlived in. The cleaner Harry employed was excellent at her job, there was no dust any where but the flat still felt cold and unwelcoming.
Harry had bought the flat with the money his parents had left him. Similar to his Godfather, he had bought the first flat he could find and moved in as soon as possible. He could not bear to live with his aunt and uncle a second longer. Their attitude had changed. Once he had defeated Voldermort, Petunia said that he was of age and could leave. Although she had said could her tone had implied that he should leave.
Harry mused about his family, as he got ready for bed. While he was brushing his teeth, it occurred to him that he had no family. He was the last surviving Potter. With that thought, he crawled into his bed and prepared for a night of broken sleep.
Remus was having a bad night as well. His dreams had turned to nightmares.
Remus was leaning against the tree in Hogwarts, the tree that the Marauders always meet. He closed his eyes against the summer sun and thought about all the times he had been sitting under that tree. He opened his eyes when he realised a familiar figure was leaning over him. "Sirius?" Remus asked the figure.
"Why didn't you tell me Moony, I had a right to know" Sirius demanded.
"It was not my place to tell you. Cassandra made me swear on my honour not to." Remus countered.
"Marauders have no secretes from each other. Ever." Sirius barked.
"She was desperate Padfoot. She told me about the curse. She thought if you didn't know she might be able to see her daughter grow up." Remus said patiently.
"If she had told me I would have married her. I would not have left. I would.." Sirius started as he dropped down beside his friend.
"Hind sight is a wonderful thing Padfoot. Besides she wouldn't have married you." Remus placated.
"How do you know?" Sirius challenged.
"If she had married you it would be because of Alexandra, not because you loved her. Cassandra could never do that. She would have felt that she had trapped you into marriage." Remus explained.
"If only she had told me." Sirius sighed.
"She didn't and we have to carry on."
"You are right Moony, you are always right." Sirius stared into the river pensively. Remus took the time to enjoy simply being with his friend again.
"Tell me, how does she look? Moony, does she know? How is she? Does she resent me for not being there?" Sirius pleaded.
"Alexandra looks exactly like you did. She has your temper and her mother's sense of humour. She does know and no, she does not hate you." Remus answered.
"My daughter, Moony and she doesn't hate me for destroying her family." Sirius said. Remus was not sure if that was meant to be a statement or a question.
"Did Cassandra ever think I was.." Sirius began.
"No, Padfoot." Remus interrupted " She told me that she did not believe you would ever do such a thing. She said no true Marauder would. That night, we were in the leaky cauldron. She warned me to look out for the rat. She told me that a rat would destroy all that I held dear. When I asked her to clarify, she laughed and said it would all be clear to me very soon."
"Cassandra always had a knack of knowing what was about to happen. When we broke up, she told me that a traitor would destroy all I loved. I asked her what she meant and she smiled and walked away." Sirius stated to get up.
Remus smiled. "Be at peace my friend. Your daughter is well."
Sirius smiled back. "'Bye, Moony. I will see you soon." With that Remus awoke.
Meanwhile Harry was having his own strange dreams to contend with.
Harry was stood over Ginny, Hermione, and Alexandra. All three looked like the pantomime witches he had seen. They had the obligatory warts, green skin and were dressed exclusively in black. They stood over a large cauldron. The potion in it had a pale silver surface. Occasional bubbles disturbed it. The three women we talking but their voices were to quite for Harry to hear. The scene changed abruptly and he was sat with his parents.
Lilly and James were arguing. "You should have told him!" James snarled at his wife.
"Cassandra made me swear not to. You would not ask a Marauder to break their vow so why ask me" she retorted.
"You are no Marauder" James spat.
"Something you remind me of every day. Everyday I have to compete with your clique for your attention." Lilly said as she began to cry.
James sighed. "I am sorry Lilly flower. I just know how he feels. I would have felt the same if you had never told me about Harry."
Lilly sniffed. "You daft sod." She said through her tears. James pulled her into a hug.
Sirius appeared in the as scene. "Prongs put that girl down. You don't know where she has been!" he said laughing.
Lilly peered out from her husbands arms. "Sirius Black, how may times have I told you not to sneak up on us?" she said, her voice muffled by James' arms.
Sirius laughed. "I just though you might like to know that Harry is here."
"Oh my poor boy!" Lily exclaimed as she ran to Harry. "How did you die?" she said suffocating him in a hug.
"He didn't, Alexandra very kindly set this up so you could talk."
"Cassandra's daughter, Alexandra?" James asked while Lilly smothered Harry in kisses.
"My daughter Alexandra." Sirius said proudly.
"Padfoot, I have only just found.." James began.
"Moony explained it to me." Sirius said calmly. "I just want to know where Cassandra is."
"She refuses to leave the mortal world. She says here work is not yet done." Said Lilly finally letting Harry breathe.
"You wanted to talk to us Harry." James said beaming down at his son.
"No, I just wanted to, to see you." Harry said sadly. "But this is not real, it's just a dream."
Lilly smiled. "I see you have your fathers cymes."
"Hey." James protested.
"A very wise man once told me it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." Harry said sadly.
"At least you have my intelligence." Lilly said.
James looked at his wife in disbelief. "How come if he has something bad it comes from me and if it's something good it's from you?" he asked.
"The reason I feel in love with you is you were a bad boy, so any of his bad traits have to come from you." She giggled.
"Oh dear. I foresee a couple moment." Sirius said as he eyed the couple with suspicion. Harry smiled at his parent's antics.
"You will be back with us soon enough Harry. However, remember that you need to live first." Sirius said as he waved good-bye to Harry
A/N
Just thought you might appreciate a bit of background.
