Harry Potter and the Mind Mage

By James Milamber

A/N: Hey all. Well, the consensus was almost exclusively to keep the word count down, so looks like it'll still be a few updates a week. Cheers to everyone who bothered reviewing.

Also, Review Responses will now be at the end of the chapter, as they get longer and longer every time.

Please note that insulting, stupid, pointless reviews will be deleted.

The Weasley twins disappeared around midnight, funnily enough about the same time McGonagall barged into the common room and insisted everyone go to bed.

Isabelle's good mood lasted right up until lunch time the following day, when she entered the Great Hall in a huff, followed by a smirking Ginny.

'He took points from me!' she said in an outraged tone when she reached the Gryffindor table, dropping into a seat next to Alex. Ginny slipped more sedately into the seat next to Harry.

'Who?' Hermione asked curiously.

'Snape!' Isabelle burst out, glaring darkly at the Head Table.

Ron laughed. 'Yeah, you're a Gryff now,' he said.

'I've never lost points in Potions before!'

'Well, there isn't one Gryffindor here that has never lost points from that slimy git,' Ron said dismissively. 'Hermione is still the only one who can actually make him give us points instead of taking them.'

'Stupid git,' Isabelle muttered darkly under her breath.

'Now you're sounding like a Gryffindor,' Alex said with a chuckle. Isabelle flashed him a quick smile.

'Potter,' McGonagall caught Harry's attention. 'The Headmaster would like to see you this evening, in his office.'

'Of course,' Harry said immediately.

When she had gone, Ginny looked at him suspiciously. 'What have you done now?'

'Nice to see such confidence in me,' Harry laughed, and Ginny smiled apologetically.

'Sorry, that didn't come out quite right,' she said, blushing slightly.

'It's alright,' Harry assured her, standing and kissing the top of her head. 'Come on Ron, Hermione, we have Care of Magical Creatures.'

After dinner, Harry headed down through the castle to Dumbledore's office. Ginny was with him, as usual. He hadn't even thought to exclude her.

In their last meeting, Dumbledore had informed Harry that the gargoyle would respond automatically to the sound of his voice, making the Headmaster always accessible. This explained the ease with which he had been able to enter so far this year.

'Open,' he said distractedly as they reached the entrance to Dumbledore's office, and the gargoyle sprang aside to reveal the moving staircase. When they reached the top, Harry reached out to knock but Dumbledore's voice rang from within before he could. 'Come in Harry, Ginny.'

Harry opened the door and came face to face with Remus Lupin.

'Professor!' Harry stood shocked in the doorway, his eyes taking in Lupin's appearance. The werewolf looked shabbier than ever, his robes tattered and patched. There were huge circles under his eyes, and he had more gray hairs than Harry remembered. His face was lined and careworn, and he looked like he was in his sixties, not thirties.

'Just Remus is fine, Harry,' Lupin chuckled, placing one hand on Harry's shoulder. 'My, it is good to see you again. I could swear you weren't taller than me last time we met!' He smiled a little sadly.

'Remus is just here to give me his monthly report,' Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. 'I thought he might like to see you, Harry.'

'No, that's alright Headmaster,' Lupin shook his head. 'I'll be going now, if you don't mind.'

'Stay,' Harry said immediately, grabbing Lupin's free hand.

'Yeah, come on Moony,' Ginny grabbed his other hand.

Lupin looked a little startled, then laughed. 'Where on Earth did you learn that name, Miss Weasley?'

Ginny shrugged. 'Harry, of course. And if you call me that again, you'll regret it. Just Ginny, please.'

'I'd listen,' Harry warned. 'She's got a temper to match her mother's.'

'I'll be careful, Ginny,' Lupin smiled, and Harry was glad. It made him look much younger again.

'I'll leave you young people to it, then,' Dumbledore chuckled as Harry and Ginny hauled Lupin out of his office.

========

They headed straight for the Room of Requirement. Lupin looked surprised when Harry opened the door to reveal a room that looked like a smaller version of the common room.

'How did we never find this room?' he looked around in wonder.

'Dobby told us about it,' Harry informed him, leading him over to the roaring fireplace and taking a seat on one of the couches. Ginny had disappeared to get Ron and Hermione. 'It changes depending on what you want to use it for. Fred and George said they found it once when they were trying to escape Filch, and then it was only a broom closet.'

'What a cooperative room,' Lupin murmured. 'I'm sure James and Sirius would have loved it.' Harry didn't miss the catch in his voice as he mentioned his best friends.

'Yeah, Sirius thought it was pretty cool,' Harry said casually, watching his ex-Professor's reaction carefully.

Lupin looked at him strangely, then laughed softly. 'I think all this is starting to get to you, Harry,' he said.

'We'll see,' Harry shrugged, settling himself more comfortably on the lounge.

The door opened then, and Ginny entered. 'I couldn't find them,' she reported. 'Probably off snogging somewhere.'

Lupin smiled slightly. 'Those two finally got together?'

'Yep,' Harry confirmed.

'I did find someone to bring, however,' Ginny said with a grin, and opened the door wide. Sirius bounded in, his tail wagging madly as he headed for Harry. Halfway across the room he caught sight of Lupin. He stopped so quickly that he almost toppled over. Lupin's face registered shock, and he sat rigidly in place.

'Padfoot?' he whispered finally, almost inaudibly.

With a loud bark Sirius leapt at Lupin, tackling him off the lounge and onto the floor, and proceeded to lick his face furiously. Lupin quite obviously didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and settled on an odd mixture of both.

Harry put his arm around Ginny's waist and pulled her close as they watched two old friends reunited again. Finally Lupin managed to roll Sirius off him and stand again. Sirius sat back on his haunches, his tongue lolling out in a canine grin. Lupin looked down at the huge dog in wonder, his mouth moving as it tried to form words.

'How?' he finally managed to say.

'I'm not entirely sure,' Harry admitted, guiding Ginny to a couch. Lupin followed, trailed himself by Sirius. When Lupin sat Sirius jumped onto the couch beside him, laying half in his lap. Lupin absently scratched his ears. 'Something about the Powers That Be, or something along those lines.'

'Incredible,' Lupin shook his head, looking down at the dog in his lap. 'I've only ever heard of this happening a few times through history. He must have a very powerful bond to you, Harry.'

Harry nodded. 'The Prophecy,' was all he said.

Lupin's eyes narrowed shrewdly. 'Dumbledore told you the whole Prophecy, then?' When Harry nodded again, Lupin let out a heavy sigh. 'That's a heavy burden for one so young, Harry. Are you sure you're coping alright alone?'

'He's not alone,' Ginny said firmly.

'So I can see,' Lupin said with a faint smile, and Ginny blushed.

'I'm fine, Pro – Remus, really,' Harry assured him. 'I mean, there's not much I can do about it, is there?'

'No, I suppose not,' Lupin agreed, his brow creased in thought. 'Even so, Harry, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here.'

Harry nodded, not trusting himself to speak. As she usually did Ginny picked up on his uncertainty and gave him a light squeeze.

Lupin caught the gesture, and his eyes brightened. 'I really can't wait to tell Molly about this, you know,' he said with a smile. Ginny looked at him a little apprehensively.

'She doesn't know?' she asked, tensing slightly.

'What, you don't think she'd approve?' Lupin looked startled. 'I can assure you –'

'Oh no,' Ginny shook her head. 'I know she'll approve. She's probably already got the wedding planned out. But she's going to be absolutely unbearable when we tell her we're going out.'

Lupin chuckled. 'On second thought, I think I'll leave that honour to you,' he said with a smile. 'Having Molly Weasley screaming joyfully in my ear is not an experience I'd care to endure again.'

'When was the first?' Harry asked curiously.

'When Ron told her he was going out with Hermione.' Lupin winced slightly at the memory. 'My ears are still ringing.'

'That's Mum, all right,' Ginny smirked.

Suddenly the door cracked open. Harry motioned Lupin and Ginny to silence, and all three listened intently as a voice came through the door.

'Come on, there can't be anyone here,' a very familiar female voice said in a low whisper. 'Harry and Ginny are with Dumbledore, remember? And no-one else knows how to…'

Hermione's voice trailed off as she opened the door fully and saw the three now very amused people sitting in front of the fireplace. Her face took on an expression of horror as Ron walked in behind her. Harry was trying very hard not to laugh.

'Hi guys!' Ginny said brightly.

That was all Harry could take. He burst out laughing as both Hermione and Ron turned an almost matching shade of bright red. Lupin and Ginny exchanged a look and also started laughing, while Ron and Hermione stood stunned near the door. Eventually they both smiled hesitantly, and after a moment they started to laugh as well.

'Come in, take a seat,' Harry said when he had calmed enough to talk, gesturing to the empty couch. 'It may not be as good as a snog, but at least it's not breaking any school rules.'

'Trust you to turn up where you're not wanted,' Ron grumbled good-naturedly as he and Hermione sat on the couch.

'We needed somewhere private to talk to Remus,' Harry told them, gesturing to the older man, who smiled and waved slightly.

'There's a secret room on the third floor, near the Charms corridor,' Lupin informed them. 'It usually serves as a place for what you two obviously had in mind. At least, it used to.'

'Why didn't you think to use the Map?' Harry asked curiously.

'This room isn't on the Map,' Hermione reminded him.

'I knew that,' Harry said with a grin.

'Well, that explains why I couldn't find you earlier,' Ginny smirked. 'Out looking for a place to snog, were you?'

'Now, now, children, play nice,' Lupin said with a sly look. 'I'm sure you've had your own little escapades in various broom closets, hmm?' Both Harry and Ginny turned bright red, getting laughs from everyone again.

They talked a while longer, but finally Lupin had to leave. As they were walking towards the door, he stopped suddenly.

'Oh, Harry,' he said, rummaging through his pockets. 'I have something for you.'

From an inside pocket he drew a small silver statue, about three inches high. Harry took it carefully, and it wasn't until he held it in his hands that he realised it was Hedwig. Her wings were spread wide as if in flight, and her beak was open in a silent scream of defiance. She looked exactly as she had all those months ago when she had taken the Killing Curse for him, and Harry felt his eyes well with tears.

'I thought you might like to have it,' Lupin said quietly.

Harry tried to speak but his throat constricted. He took a deep, shuddering breath to steady himself and clutched the statue tightly.

'Thanks,' he finally managed to say, giving Lupin a one armed hug.

'Any time, Harry,' Lupin said with a sad smile. 'Any time.'

A/N: Review Responses!

Lourdes: Umm…hate to break this to you, but I'm a guy! I think I should feel insulted…but I'll try to keep the quick updates coming regardless…

Melindaleo: Sirius has his part to play in the Prophecy, the same as everyone else. Still, I don't think JK will just let Sirius go. She was very careful to "kill" him in a non-fatal way, did you notice? A Stunner to the chest and falling through the veil…

actionmaster: As to your question about chapter ten, Grindelwald was the Dark Wizard working with the Nazis during WW2. He was defeated by Dumbledore in 1945, which is what it says on the back of the Chocolate Frog card way back in Book 1, on the Hogwart's Express (sounding familiar yet?).

Lady of the Dragons2: Actually, Remus is one of my favorite characters, but plot has interfered every time I wanted to write him in. Keep reading though, there's some Remus coming up.

Elise: The way I see it, Hogwarts robes are black with trim, a tie and a crest that matches the students house. That's one thing I think they did well in the movies, actually.

sunni07: If you came out of Rugby without a bruise or two, then you were most definitely playing it wrong. And isn't Soccer more or less non-contact?

CreativeQuill: Possibly Isabelle would have been effective staying in Slytherin, but if it were you, would you want to be constantly looking over your shoulder in the common room for Malfoy to hex you?

Mistress-Genari: Sure you can use Isabelle, but can you send me the chapter before you post it? Just to make sure she's in character. My e-mail address is in my Profile.

Mr. Spock: If you can be bothered counting up the days, although I never mentioned it, I did actually put Hermione's birthday on September 19. Cheers for the info, though.

Alima: Lots of people have asked me why Ron isn't part of the new Marauders, but in all honesty, I just can't see him as Marauder material. He's not really the type to play pranks, you know? Maybe it's just me.