Remus sometimes wondered why he had decided to work for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures department. He was in charge of the werewolf department, and his work involved organising the registration of all werewolves, capturing those who were dangerous, and providing support for those who were in need and wanted to prove themselves worthy to the community. Some days the department could be very hectic; on others, it could become dull and he had nothing to do. There was nothing much going on that day so he left his cubicle at mid-morning and had an early lunch. He liked to go early because he could avoid bumping into Harry. He had not heard from Harry for six weeks and was becoming worried, but he respected the young man's wishes and had kept his distance.
He went into the canteen and saw several workers from Harry's department, but no Harry. He went to buy some food and tried to find a place to sit. Surprisingly, he was called over by Harry's co-workers. In politeness, he accepted the invitation and sat at their table.
He had barely sat down when one of the workers said, "Hi. Remus. You know Harry Potter, don't you?"
Remus smiled. "I think everyone knows Harry Potter."
"No, I mean on a more personal level."
I used to. "Yes, he's a friend. Why?"
Another worker spoke. "Well, we just want to know if he's all right."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"It's just that he's not been to work for three days…and, well, we think there's something wrong with him."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, for one thing, we've been hearing rumours that Draco has left Harry for someone else."
Remus was shocked. "What?"
The first worker spoke. "Aye, it's true. I saw Draco with another guy the other day. They were all lovey-dovey with each other; the only thing they weren't doing was having sex in public."
The second worker continued, "Also, we found a positive pregnancy test in Harry's bin and it seems coincidental that all this has happened and Harry doesn't show up for work. He doesn't usually take time off and we wanted to know if he was okay."
Remus said honestly, "I'm sorry, I can't help you. He's probably ill or something."
Oh, come on, Remus. You know that's not the case. Take the time off work and go and see him.
No! He told me to stay away and so that's what I'm doing.
After finishing his lunch, he made his way to the department and saw that, as before, his desk was empty.
Look! You'll be doing nothing for the whole afternoon. You know that. Just take the rest of the day off and find out how he is.
"Remus?"
Hearing his name brought him out of his thoughts and he looked up to see Hermione Granger in front of him, looking deeply worried.
Remus smiled. "Oh, hello, Hermione. What's the Junior Assistant to the Minister doing on this level? Another inspection?"
Hermione said, "I'm glad you're here. I need to talk to you. It's about Harry."
Remus smile vanished. "Why, what's wrong?"
"You mean, you don't know?"
"All I know is that he's not been to work for a few days…"
Hermione nodded her head, "I know. He's at our house. He's been there for the last three days."
Remus blinked in shock. "Any idea why?"
Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "Don't know. He just turned up one night and said he needed somewhere to stay. Ron and I showed him the spare room and I don't think he's been out of there since. The only sounds we hear are crying. I was just hoping that you would know something I don't."
Remus shook his head. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Ah! So you do know something!"
"Answer my question, Hermione. Please."
She sighed. "I couldn't tell you anything because Harry made us swear not to. When we suggested it to him, he was hysterical. But with these rumours going around about Draco cheating on him and the rumour that Harry is pregnant, I didn't know who else to turn to."
"So what do you want me to do?"
"Go round to our house and try to talk to him."
"Look, Hermione…"
She got on her knees. "He needs help, Remus. He won't talk to me or Ron, and I don't know anyone who knows him like you do. Please try."
Seeing the desperation on her face, he sighed. "All right. I'll go to your place now."
Hermione smiled. "Thanks, Remus. I really appreciate this." She stood up and handed him the house keys. "Here are the keys. He's probably still in the spare room. That's the door with the big scratch mark on it." She giggled when Remus raised an eyebrow. "Don't ask, Remus. Just don't. All I can say is good luck."
Remus smiled. "I feel I am going to need it."
The two parted company and Remus made his way to Hermione and Ron's house. Twenty minutes later, he was outside the front door.
He knocked on the door and called out, "Harry! I know you're in there, Harry. Listen, mate. I'm worried. Are you all right?"
After he had knocked several times, he put his hand in his pocket and felt the bunch of keys that Hermione had given to him. He lifted his hand and stared at the glint of metal in his palm.
He told me to leave him alone. What if he won't talk?
Come, on Remus! He needs you. You said you would always be there for him. Be here for him now!
Feeling a spurt of courage, he unlocked the front door and went inside. He walked into the house and searched for Harry. When he did not find him in the kitchen or living room, he walked upstairs and saw Crookshanks sprawled on the banister. He instantly knew which room was the spare room for there were several deep scratches on the door.
He turned back to the cat and whispered, "Was this your doing?"
All that Remus received as a response was a glare from the aging cat. Remus smiled weakly and turned back to the scratched door. When he opened the door, he saw Harry curled up on the bed, his face towards the window. Remus shut the door quietly and sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at the curled-up form beside him.
After a few moments, Remus whispered, "Harry?"
Harry curled up tighter and mumbled, "Come to gloat, have you?"
Remus shook his head. "No, I've come to see how you are."
"I'm feeling great."
Remus taunted sarcastically, "Yeah, and you look great. I mean, you've not been out of this room for three days, Hermione and Ron are worried about you and I'm told that you've been crying on and off. Well, if that's great, then I must be feeling on top of the world."
"Oh shut up, Remus!"
"Not until you tell me what's going on! Have you had another row with Draco or something?"
"If you must know, he threw me out."
Remus put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Why?"
Harry was now shaking. "He found someone else. I came home one night, and he told me he'd found someone else, and he ripped off my wedding ring and threw into the fire. And then he threw me out. Satisfied, are you?" He was now crying uncontrollably.
"Oh, Harry!" Remus lay behind the young man and wrapped his arm around him, and Harry did not resist the gesture but in fact turned round, curled up to the werewolf and cried his heart out. Remus tenderly held him. "Shhhh, it's okay."
Through loud tears, Harry sobbed, "You know, Remus, I thought I could have withstood anything from him: his possessiveness, the way he's cold and distant with me…hell, I could even take more of his punches and kicks because I thought that deep down, I was the one for him and he loved me. But then I found he's not only cheated on me, but it's been going on for six months." He looked up at Remus through wet eyes, "SIX MONTHS!" The sobs became louder and more uncontrollable.
Remus whispered, "You should have come to me, Harry."
"I couldn't. I mean, after what I said to you the last time we met…"
"It doesn't matter now..."
"It does. You see, I found out something else that day when Draco threw me out and I was too ashamed to come to you."
"Tell me, Harry."
The young man said boldly, "I'm pregnant."
Remus held Harry tighter and closed his eyes so that the young man could not see how angry he was. Draco, you fucking bastard! he thought furiously. How could you, throwing out your husband and your own baby?
He stroked Harry's hair softly. "What are you going to do about the baby? Are you going to keep it?"
"What do you think I should do?"
Remus opened his eyes and looked down at Harry. "Well, it's not up to me, is it? It's not my child."
Harry shook his head. "That may not be true."
Remus' mouth fell open. "What?"
Harry released himself from Remus's grip and sat up with his back to the werewolf. "There's something I have to tell you. That night I came to see you, I had taken a potion that makes men fertile for thirty-six hours. Of course, you have to take it twelve hours before you want to conceive so that it can work its way round the body. I had taken it with the intention of getting pregnant by Draco that night." He looked down at his hands. "Of course, it never happened that way, did it? When I got home the next morning, I did make up with Draco…in more ways that one.
"I'm really sorry, Remus. I hope you don't think I entrapped you or anything. I never came over with the intention of having sex with you, I swear. It's just…you were being so good to me and so kind and before I knew what was going on, I knew that I needed your comfort that night and I wanted you."
Remus stared at Harry's back, almost numb with the shock. Harry was pregnant and the child could very well be his! He had no idea how he should feel over this.
Stop thinking about yourself, Remus. This isn't about you. It's about Harry. He needs you now more than ever.
Remus sat up and caressed Harry's hair again. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I should have known better, I'm supposed to be the responsible adult here."
Harry stared at Remus. "So you didn't want me that night?"
"Harry, if I hadn't wanted you, I would not have gone to bed with you. I don't regret what happened that night."
"So, what do you want me to do?"
Remus shrugged his shoulders, "To be honest, I don't know. I mean, I've only just found out. What do you want to do, Harry?"
"I don't know either."
"I don't know the right answer to this, Harry. I could give you a million lectures on what to do but in the end, it's you carrying the child, and deep down it's only you who knows what to do. And whatever you decide, I will support you all the way, I promise. And if you ever want to move out of here, well, I've got a spare bedroom. Okay?"
Harry nodded and smiled genuinely. It was probably the first time he had smiled since Draco had thrown him out. He felt safe with Remus and he was relieved that he was still able to talk to the werewolf despite what happened.
That night, Harry was sitting on the edge of his bed. Remus had left the house after Hermione and Ron returned from work, but the werewolf's presence was still imprinted on Harry's mind. They had not said much for most of the afternoon and when Ron and Hermione had returned home, they found Harry and Remus still in the spare room. All Harry remembered was feeling tired again before falling asleep on Remus's chest. Before Remus left, Harry was able to promise him that he would not wallow in self-pity in the spare room and that once the weekend was over, he would be back to work. He also promised that he would think about coming to Remus if he ever needed anything, even a place to live.
He was looking at himself in the mirror whilst caressing his bare belly. He still found it hard to believe that there was a life growing inside him. He replayed the werewolf's words in his head over and over again.
Whatever you decide, I will support you all the way… Whatever you decide, I will support you all the way…
But can I really give up this baby? I mean, I did want a child. That's why I took the potion.
A child with your husband, not as the result of an one night stand!
It's still my baby! It doesn't matter if Remus or Draco is the father, the child is still mine!
He lay down on his bed and pulled the covers over himself, and in next to no time he fell asleep. For the first time in three days, he was able to sleep peacefully.
The next day, Remus was making his morning cup of tea when he heard a knock on the door. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see Harry on his doorstep with a suitcase on either side of him.
Harry simply said, "I need you."
That was all that Remus needed to hear. He stood aside and Harry entered. As soon as the front door closed the young man threw his arms around Remus, and the werewolf could only smile and hug him back.
To be continued...