Chapter 3 – Getting to Know You
The next morning Harry knocked quietly on the guest room door.
"John? Are you awake?"
"You can come in Harry, I've been up for a while." said the older man. Harry smiled when he found the man propped up in bed and reading Harry's discarded quidditch magazine.
"I guess you're feeling a bit better. Are you hungry? Hermione said you shouldn't have much. How about some plain porridge?" Harry said. "I'm sure I can find you something more interesting to read."
"Porridge would be fine, thank you. I would appreciate something to read after I finish this. It doesn't look like I'm going anywhere anytime soon. The quidditch is fine though, I had a friend who was an excellent player, but I have been rather out of touch as of late." Remus said with a smile.
"I'm the seeker for the Arrows, although I think next season will be my last. Playing a game for a living is starting to get old. " Harry said with a shrug. "I'll go get you some breakfast and then I can catch you up."
While Harry prepared the porridge he couldn't keep his thoughts from wandering back to John. He was certainly physically attracted to the man, but he had given up on lust alone early on. As he put the porridge and some dry toast on a tray he decided he would try to be patient and take things one day at a time.
"Okay, breakfast is served, " Harry said placing the tray in the other man's lap and plopping down on the edge of the bed, "exactly how out of touch are you?"
Remus was trying to decide how to answer so that Harry didn't immediately see him for the outcast that he was. He was pleasantly surprised that Harry had sat so close but he quickly clamped down on his reaction.
"Well, many years ago dark wizards destroyed everything I had and I've just kind of wandered around cut off from most of the wizarding world ever since. Mostly, I do odd jobs; magical pest control and that sort of thing."
Harry nodded, he could tell the other man had trouble talking about the past. It wasn't surprising. Voldemort had a way of leaving a lasting impact.
Harry reached out and covered the older man's hand with his, "I understand. I've had a few Voldemort related issues of my own."
Harry was glad when his guest didn't pull his hand away. It felt like the warmth had spread from his hand into his entire body.
"You say his name?" said Remus, one eyebrow raised in disbelief.
Harry shrugged and smiled. "Dumbledore says fear of the name only increases fear of the thing."
Remus nodded, "I suppose he's right." There was however, one other question he wanted cleared up quickly.
"Now this Hermione, is that your girlfriend?" He was more relieved than he was comfortable with at this point to hear the younger man laugh.
"Merlin no!" Harry said. "She's one of my best friends, but she's really not my type if you know what I mean."
"I think I know exactly what you mean." Remus said with a smile turning his attention to his breakfast.
Remus was embarrassed to find he was having a bit of trouble keeping his hand steady and had to allow Harry to hold the bowl up so he didn't have very far to move the porridge.
After breakfast the two men passed the morning in conversation until Harry left the guestroom to fix lunch. His meal preparations were interrupted by Hermione who had come to check on the patient before starting her shift at the hospital.
"What's going on?" she asked. "Did you have any problems? Has he woken up yet? Did you find out who he is?"
Harry blinked his eyes a few times and tried to follow his friend's rapid-fire questions. Finally he just raised his hands in defeat and waited for her to take a breath.
"He's fine. He had a fever but I put him in cold bath and he was okay. He woke up late yesterday afternoon and his name is John Moon. He's a wizard, and he's spent most of his life traveling. He doesn't seem to have any clue who I am and I like knowing he likes just Harry. He's quite interesting."
"Oh god, you like him! Harry Potter I can't believe you. Leave it to you to mix the saving people thing with the man-crazy thing."
Harry could feel his cheeks going red. "Hermione! It's just nice to have someone new to talk to, that's all."
"Uh-huh. Whatever you say Harry, " she said with a smirk that meant she didn't believe him at all.
"Just go see to your patient Mione, and keep your mouth shut!"
"Okay, okay. I'm going, " she muttered as they went down the hall and entered the guest room.
"John, this is Hermione. She's a healer and she is going to check you over. She fixed you up the other night." Harry said as Hermione set her bag down on the chair and took out her wand. "I can leave if you want."
John smiled "No, stay. Hermione, I owe you quite a debt. Thank you."
Hermione shook her head as she scanned the older man with her wand. "I was just doing my job, Mr. Moon. Although maybe you won't mind telling me how you came to be in that condition in the first place?"
Remus ran a hand through his hair. He had a feeling she would be able to tell if he outright lied. She seemed suspicious of him already.
"I had a run-in with some people who had a problem with my blood. It happens from time to time."
Remus watched as anger flashed in her eyes. He supposed that she was a muggleborn. From that point on he noticed she was a great deal warmer towards him.
"Well, you don't have to worry about that. We don't judge people on things they have no control over around here." She said with a smile, continuing to take readings from her wand.
"So what's the diagnosis? " Harry asked.
"Bed rest and more plain food today. If you feel like it you can get out of bed for short periods starting tomorrow but nothing too strenuous. You should probably take it easy for a few more days at least. Will he be staying here?"
"If he wants to. I have the house to myself for a few more days anyhow." Harry replied, "What do you think, John?"
The hopeful look on the young man's face made Remus's heart leap.
"I would like that. Thank you," he said. "Now if you don't mind I would like to have some lunch and get some rest."
"That's the right attitude," Hermione said cheerfully. "No need to over do it."
Harry left the room to see Hermione to the floo and returned with a tray of soup for Remus, helping him keep it steady as he had with the porridge. Soon the bowl was empty and Harry banished the dishes back to the kitchen.
"I'm going to go answer some mail. You get some sleep and just yell if you need anything." Harry said, and seeing Remus nod closed the door softly and left his guest alone.
Harry was at his desk in the living room answering one of his teammate's letters when the cottage was filled with the sound of his guest's screams. Dropping his quill and drawing his wand Harry ran through the kitchen and down the hall to the guestroom. He entered to find the injured man in the throws of what must have been a terrible nightmare. The man's bare chest was covered in sweat and every muscle in his body was tense.
Harry grabbed the man by the shoulders and tried to wake him.
"John! John! Wake up mate! It's just a dream." Harry watched as the older man's eyes flew open and looked around as if trying to figure out where he was.
"John, its Harry, remember? You were hurt and you've been staying with me. You're safe." He seemed to be getting through so he relaxed his grip and dropped one hand to the other man's back, rubbing circles and repeating reassuring words. When the other man calmed Harry conjured a glass of water and pressed it to the man's lips.
"Feeling better?" Harry said softly, his hand still resting on the other man's back.
"Memories that are better off forgotten," Remus said weakly, "but I'm much better now that you're here. Stay for a while, I don't want to be alone just now. I'm pretty sick of being alone." Remus said, leaning closer to the dark-haired man.
"Move over," said Harry sliding up to lay next to his guest, "I know a thing or two about nightmares."
Harry smiled as the other man pulled him close and let out a contented sigh when a soft kiss was pressed to his temple.
"Sweet dreams, Harry."
"Sweet dreams, John."
