SANCTUARY

Chapter 16: Gifts from Remus

Hermione had been surprised by Harry the past few days. He was attentive and quiet, almost contemplative as he and Remus got better acquainted over long talks and endless cups of tea. When not in the parlor hearing the odd mans stories, he was up in Hermione's room, making sure she drank the right potions at the right time, or was comfortable in bed with a good book.

"I'm feeling better, Harry. Really," Hermione insisted that night, waving Harry's fiddling hands away from the sheets as she looked over the top of her book questioningly, "is there something bothering you?"

It was a question which had been on Hermione's tongue since their visit to Godrics Hollow a few days before. Harry, who had been folding the sheet over and over again, stiffened. A frown pulled at his lips as Hermione blinked and slowly set her book to one side. Something is definitely bothering him. Hermione thought, reaching out to take Harry's hand as he turned to look at her. His normally playful green eyes were dark and sad, though there were no tears; just a fading mistiness. "You know you can tell me anything," Hermione said, tugging at the boys fingers as he moved to sit on the edge of the bed with her. Harry smiled weakly and nodded his head,

"I know that," he stated, though his voice wavered , "it's just some of the things Remus told me. About...well, about everything. About my parents, my godfather...about Voldemort,"

"You can't possibly think any of this is your fault," Hermione gawked, immediately catching on to Harry's train of thought as she winced, "Harry, you didn't even know the wizarding world existed till just last year,"

"But all those deaths, and him, were because of me!" the boy exclaimed, "all because I survived some stupid curse. The Lovegoods could be dead because I led those Death Eaters to them. And you..." Harry made a wild pointing motion with his hand as Hermione shook her head, eyebrows set sternly,

"I can take perfect care of myself, Mr. Potter," Hermione snipped harshly, holding Harry's hands just a bit tighter in her own, "Harry James, look at me,"

There was a moment before green eyes met brown and Hermione stared into the very soul of the Boy-Who-Lived, "you aren't some savior. You're just a boy. Those people who died or almost died - me included - knew what they were getting themselves into. It had nothing to do with you,"

"But-"

"There are no but's about it," Hermione insisted firmly, "you are just Harry, not some god who can defeat the Dark Lord. If all the Wizarding World chooses to place their faith in you, I pity them. As for us," Hermione smiled brightly at her best friend and released his hands, "we are going to find the ocean, just like we decided. We'll build a little house on the rocks overlooking the shore. Snuffles will be there, and Crookshanks, and Hedwig. Maybe Luna can come visit too. It'll be perfect,"

"That definitely sounds perfect, Hermione," Harry mumbled aloud, running a hand across her scar out of habit as he brushed away his deep black bangs, "you're probably right,"

"I'm always right, Harry," Hermione giggled happily, turning rapidly as there was a tapping at the bedroom window. Whipping out his wand, Harry stalked closer, only to sigh in relief. Hedwig was standing just beyond the window pane, a letter attached to her leg. Stroking her head and removing the letter cautiously, Harry sat back down with Hermione as he opened the flap and removed the letter. His face brightened significantly,

"It's from Luna. They got away alright," Harry recited, causing Hermione to exhale deeply. The both of them had been waiting for news about their home away from home for days, and finally it was here, and brought good news, "Luna says that Mr. Lovegood is fine, just recovering from a brush with an incendo charm,"

"Thank goodness. Is Luna alright?"

"I think so. She says that she felt able to knock the Nargles away from her plums yesterday. She says its not smart to return to their house since Death Eaters might be patrolling it now. I wonder what their deal with me is, anyway? I mean, all the books said I killed Lord Voldemort that night. Shouldn't that mean all of his followers are dead, too?"

"Evil never rests,"

Harry and Hermione glanced up, spotting Remus leaning casually in the doorway. Hermione, being her usual perceptive self, didn't fail to notice how sickly and frail he looked, or how dark his eyes had become, "my apologies, I didn't mean to scare you,"

"It's alright, Mr. Remus," Harry said, "we were just reading a letter from the Lovegoods,"

"Ah good, they are well I hope?"

"Yes sir."

Remus made a sort of grunting noise before he slowly caressed the length of the room with his long strides and sank down into an armchair. His movements were stiff, nearly pained as he let out a long breath once his backside hit the seat, "I'm afraid, Harry, I have some bad news,"

"Bad news?"

Hermione gauged her best friends face for a moment, taking in how his eyebrows pulled together then released, and how his eyes brightened and darkened like a cloud blocking out the sun. How could one boys face be so extraordinarily expressive? "it's not about you, is it? Or-or Hermione?"

"No, Harry. But I'm afraid its time for you and Hermione to leave here. She is well now, and I have done all I can for you both. But no doubt Dumbledore will come sniffing about any day now, as he is still a close ally of mine,"

Harry said something in reply, but Hermione was more focused on how Remus sat. Compared to when they'd arrived, the lanky man had an air of grace and elegance to him, like a willow branch in the breeze. But now he was stiff, twitchy in his seat, leaning his chin against the insides of his hands as his heel bounced up and down off the floor. His shadowy eyes looked to Harry, but always moved to look out at the window at the nearly full moon. Biting her lip and cocking her head to one side, Hermione didn't notice at first that Harry had asked her a question. Snapping back into focus, Hermione blinked,

"I'm sorry, did you ask me something?"

"Are you ok, Hermione?" Harry questioned, a look of alarm passing over his features as Hermione smiled and shook her hands at him,

"I'm fine, just...thinking. What did you ask me?"

"I asked if you were feeling ok to travel? Remus said he knows a place we can go before getting started again,"

"Yes," Hermione nodded her head firmly and pushed a loose brown curl back into her bun, "I'm fine. Where would we be going?"

"To a woman named Augusta Longbottom. A well placed letter from me and she may be able to lend you both a room for a night or so before you start off again. But then again, she might not."

"Why not?" Harry asked, ruffling his dark hair unconsciously as Remus chuckled,

"She's...well, Augusta Longbottom has standards. But, seeing as it is you who she is protecting for a night or so, I'm sure it'll be fine,"

"I...I guess, Remus. Will you be taking us?" Harry's eyes were filled with a dull sort of hope as Remus ruffled his hair and shook his head slightly from side to side,

"No, Harry, I..." Remus winced slightly, "I can't. I'll be sending you through the floo network. You do know what that is, don't you?"

"The apparition network which connects most wizarding estates...I think," Hermione recited, remembering reading about the Floo Network in Wizarding 101, "it's a favorite way to travel amongst witches and wizards, and was originally created for the use of...uhm..."

"Rowena Ravenclaw, my dear. A brilliant witch, a bit like you I believe," Remus complemented, causing Hermione's cheeks to flush ever so slightly, "you'll feel odd at first, but it should get you close enough to the Longbottom Estate to get there safely,"

"When are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow."

The suddenness startled Hermione for a moment as Remus once again glanced out the window towards the night sky. He's certainly doing that a lot. Hermione thought, pulling her brows together as Harry threw his arms about Remus and held him tight,

"I'm going to miss you, Mr. Remus," he croaked, "thank you for saving Hermione, and taking us to see my parents,"

"Ah, I've been waiting along tome to meet you, Harry. And I'm so glad I did. We'll meet again, I'm sure of it. Perhaps after you find the ocean,"

"The ocean," Harry breathed, wiping away his tears, "you can come live with us, Remus. It will be beautiful,"

Hermione thought she saw a sadness flicker across Remus's face as he patted Harry's shoulders with both hands,

"Maybe. Before I forget why I came in here, this is for you,"

Waving his wand in the air, a soft looking silver package appeared in the air, and plopped happily into Remus's hands. Passing it over to Harry, his eyes got large,

"I've never been given a gift before. Except from Hermione anyway,"

Harry beamed at his best friend as Hermione waved her hands slightly,

"Go on and open it, Harry,"

Nodding, and with a small piece of tongue hanging from his mouth, Harry ripped into the package. This revealed a beautifully made velvet cloak, which shimmered and swirled like the images of the galaxy Hermione had seen, "it's brilliant, Remus. Go on and wear it, Harry,"

Remus gave a slight nod as well as Harry smiled broadly and brought the cloak around himself, only for Hermione to physically jump against the headboard. Her best friend's lower half disappeared, or was camouflaged to reflect the room around him, "that's impossible..."

"It's an invisibility cloak, Harry. Very useful for sneaking around unseen. Your father, godfather and I used it all the time during our time at Hogwarts. It should help you on your journey."

"This is super cool, Remus. But...I think Hermione should get something too,"

"What?" Hermione smiled crookedly and lifted a brow, "why do you say that Harry? This is your special gift,"

"No, he's right. I cant leave out the brightest which I've ever met. And I think I have just the thing," Remus stated, thinking for a moment before waving his wand. Soon, a worn, leather bound book popped into his hands, "here you are, Hermione. Now, you must know this is a very special book to me. And I need you to promise you'll keep it safe,"

Blinking owl eyed, Hermione reached out and took the journal, flipping it open to reveal dozens of pages of handwritten notes and spells, scrawled over what looked to be an advanced school issued spell book,

"What are all of these?"

"Spells, potions, pranks and some...eh...other illegal practices. You can probably put more use to it then I can. You'll keep it safe for me, wont you?"

"I...I will, Mr. Remus. Thank you," holding the book to her chest, it suddenly became Hermione's most prized possession other then Crookshanks. Not only that, but she immediately felt guilty about making judgements about the kindly man. Smiling, nodding and running a weak hand over his face, Remus stood from his armchair,

"I best get to writing that letter tonight. You both should pack and get ready to leave first thing in the morning. There are some old sacks you can use in the cupboard there. Rest up, I'll see you both tomorrow,"

"Goodnight, Mr. Remus," harry chirped, holding his cloak tight against his chest. Nodding suit and saying her own goodnight, Hermione herself glanced to the moonlight, then back at the man who had done so much for them. He may have been lying to them about why they were leaving, but it had to be for a good reason. Remus wasn't a dangerous person, it was simply impossible.

A/N: Sorry about the wait on this chapter. So I know I jumped into chapter 15 (last chapter) pretty suddenly - I was having problems with my transitions. If you didn't understand, Harry asked Remus to take him and Hermione to Godric's Hollow to visit his parents grave. As for who saved Harry, it wasn't Remus ;) I also know I probably made a mistake on the ages, but its not really my main focus at this point, so I'm not particularly worried about it. All I know is that Hermione is older then Harry, and they are currently 14 and 13. If you have certain suggestions on who they should come across after meeting the Longbottoms, feel free to comment and like. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I love you all.

-Rose