Chapter 2

Harry lay on his bed, staring at his ceiling, and feeling horrible for having forgotten what tomorrow was for Remus. Remus had defended Harry against Sirius since he's come to live with them both.

And he'd been a git, without thinking about the werewolf.

Harry wanted to go and apologize, but he didn't want to face his Godfather.

He rubbed his temples and stood. He would apologize anyway.

xXx

The climb down the circular stairs seemed far longer than possible. Harry tried the used the time to come up with something to say, but the portraits that lined the staircase kept him from concentrating. Most of them were of people about to die. Not exactly mood-setting decor. But Sirius's relatives weren't exactly "happy people."

Harry stopped at the door of the kitchen, breathing steadily and working himself up to open the door. This would be his first actual contact with his guardians since Christmas holidays, and even then it was only pleasantries.

Harry reached out and grabbed the doorknob, slowly turning it and pushing.

"Harry?"

Harry jumped slightly, but hid his surprise as he turned to see Remus behind him, "Um…hello, Remus."

"Hello. Is there something I can do for you? Are you hungry?"

"No…um…Ijustwantedtoapologizefordisturbingyou," he slipped around Remus and flew up the stairs, red with embarrassment.

Remus stared after him, "Apology excepted," he said quietly to the empty hallway.

xXx

"I don't know what to do about him, Minerva," Remus admitted, staring at his cup of tea. They were sitting at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. An Order meeting had just concluded.

"Who do you mean, Remus; Harry or Sirius?"

Remus smiled tiredly, "Both."

McGonnagall thought a moment, "I don't believe there is anything to do with Sirius; he is a grown man, and set in his ways."

Remus gave an affirming nod.

"And Harry is a teenager. If you try to do anything about him, he will dig in his heels and fight. He is far more like his parents than he would believe. I suggest telling him so immediately."

"We've tried that, but it just sends him into a rage and we're lucky if nothing explodes."

McGonnagall looked her old pupil in the eye, "Harry Potter was not raised in a caring environment. It is unlikely that he had tantrums of any sort with those," she sniffed, "relatives of his. He is merely trying to work out what is and isn't allowed. Start by giving him physical contact. He'll pull away at first, but he may soon begin to calm down if he knows how much he matters to you. He may even benefit from spending time here."

Remus nearly choked on his tea, "Here? Why?"

McGonnagall smiled thinly, "I was not a Slytherin, Remus, but I believe that they are only slightly less hostile to their own as they are to the other Houses. Spending time in a friendly environment with other teenagers may let him open up and talk to you… Or Sirius."

xXx

Several floors above them, the teenagers in question were trying to hear something of interest.

"We can't have that bloody Slytherin hanging around here!"

"Ron! Shut up! You'll wake the portraits," Hermione scolded him.

"We agree," the twins said in unison.

"A Slytherin around here…" Fred began.

"…would make this place even worse," George finished.

"He's got more right to be here than any of us," Ginny said fiercely, "Sirius is his guardian."

"Oh, I forgot," Ron said dreamily, "You've got a crush on him," he spat on the floor, "Horrid little son of a…"

"Watch it Ron," a voice said from behind him, "Lily Potter was my friend."

Ron turned red, "Sirius…I…I'm sorry."

"Hmm. I would thank you to keep your poor opinion of my Godson to yourself while you reside within my house," he turned and walked down the hall, disappearing into Buckbeak's old room.

"Way to go Ron," Ginny said.

"Yes. Really smooth," Hermione mocked.

"Shut up," Ron said, irritated.

xXx

The next day was the full moon.

Sirius knocked on Harry's door, "Could I talk to you a minute, Harry?"

Harry opened the door and leaned on the frame, "Yes?"

Sirius sighed, running his fingers through his hair, "We've got a problem with Remus's transformation."

Harry stood a little straighter, "Is there something I can do to help?"

"Well…not as such, but…"

"Spit it out Sirius. I'm sure it can't be that bad. It's not as if I have to stay at Grimmauld… Oh God, I have to stay at Grimmauld Place, don't I?"

"Um, well…yeah."

Harry nodded, "Greeeeaaaaatttt. As long as it's important… It is important, right?"

"Yes. We haven't gotten the wards on the house werewolf-proof yet."

Harry sighed, "I'll start packing."

xXx

What do you guys think? Are they acting the way they should? HC