A/N: It's finally up! Sorry, bu my mom disconnected the internet for ages, and I've finally been able to get back on. I hope y'all like it! It's not beta-ed, same as the other chapters.
Chapter 4
Where had the time gone?
Remus had asked himself that question perhaps every day of his life. Sometimes the feeling was morbid, remembering James, Lily, Sirius – even Peter. Sometimes he reflected on the speed of his life and was grateful that it seemed to be zooming by faster with every passing day. But now he was looking back at happy memories again, and for once in the past seventeen years he felt like he was back among his friends. He tried to pinpoint when this feeling had shown up in his life.
When Harry came to Godric's Hollow, came the immediate answer.
It was true. Ever since Harry had once again wheedled his way into Remus' heart, Remus had felt his life start to feel… well, worth living. He glanced at his bookshelf full of pictures and saw the most recent one, of him and Harry standing in front of a Christmas tree.
Why, the last Christmas was perhaps the happiest he'd had in years.
Remus rapped sharply on the door of 401 Thames Plaza, kicking his feet together against the bitter cold. He'd never cared for London with weather like this, but he had promised Harry he'd be here.
Suddenly, the door opened, and warmth flooded from inside the small flat.
"Uncle Moony!" Harry said excitedly. "I'm so glad you could make it!" He quickly ushered Remus inside and took his cloak. Remus smiled gratefully and looked around Harry's flat for the first time.
He was standing in a nice little entry way with tile flooring. A couple feet in it became carpeted with a soft blue and stretched across to the living room. The living room had a comfortable looking sofa facing the fireplace, as well as a coffee table that must have been an antique. A hallway branched off from the right of the sitting area and no doubt led to the bedroom and lavatory. To Remus' left was the kitchen, which also had tile flooring. The cupboards were made of a modest cedar and the small dining table appeared to be solid oak. A few dishes were drying themselves near the sink and a broom was trying to inconspicuously push itself into its cupboard near the far wall.
"This place is positively charming, Harry," Remus said with a smile, and watched Harry visibly relax upon hearing his approval. "And something smells quite good."
Harry grinned embarrassedly. "Thanks, it's not much. Dinner's in the oven. I'm just waiting for Ron and Hermione to show up."
"Oh dear," Remus said dramatically. "Am I to be the only adult here?"
Harry looked at him reproachfully. "Hey! We're all of age!"
"Not by my standards," Remus replied. To stave off a retort, he handed Harry a stack of neatly wrapped presents. "Happy Christmas," he grinned.
Harry's eyes widened as he took the pile. There was one each for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry grinned and ushered Remus into the living room, holding the presents close as they entered before setting them gently under his small Christmas tree. They both stood back for a moment, admiring it, before nearly jumping out of their skins as the doorbell rang.
Remus heart skipped a beat at the smile the spread across Harry's face. He loved seeing Harry so happy. It was so rare these days.
Harry rushed to the door and opened it, ushering his quests inside.
"Hey mate," Ron said excitedly, shoving gifts into Harry's arms. "Wow, you cleaned up the place." Ron gazed around approvingly.
Hermione smiled, he cheeks slightly flushed from the cold outside. "Hello, Harry." She hugged him in a loving way that reminded Remus of a sort of sister. Hermione looked past Harry. "Hi, Remus!" she ran up and gave her old professor a hug as well, and Remus laughed merrily at her excitement.
Ron grinned and held out his hand, which Remus shook warmly. "Good to see you, Remus," he said warmly. Remus was awestruck with how much he had matured since he'd last been around him.
"Hello Ron, Hermione," Remus nodded.
"So, er… would you like dinner?" Harry asked awkwardly.
"Honestly, Harry, you act like you've invited a bunch of strangers!" Hermione exclaimed. "Here, let's go into the kitchen before Harry stutters us to death."
Remus and Ron laughed while Harry blushed furiously, shuffling into the kitchen.
"Right, well I'll just get the roast out of the oven, and Hermione, can you grab the vegetables on the stove?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded and in only a few moments they had a delicious meal before them of pot roast, homemade bread (Hermione had brought it), steamed carrots and potatoes in gravy, and a generous amount of butterbeer.
They all dug in, chattering happily amongst each other and complements the various items on the menu. They laughed and joked until their sides ached and finally the meal was done. Remus gladly helped Hermione with the dishes while Harry and Ron settled into the living room.
"Finally!" Ron exclaimed dramatically when Hermione and Remus emerged from the kitchen. "Now let's open presents!"
Presents were handed all around and a flurry of paper and exclamations ensued.
"Thanks so much, Ron!" Harry grinned, holding up a package of decoy detonators, specially made by Weasley Wizard Wheezes for their benefactor upon a familial request. "These will come in handy."
"Ooo, Remus, you shouldn't have!" Hermione exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. She held up a string of beautiful pearls that had been in Remus' family for generations.
"Yes I should have," Remus confirmed. "I'm certainly not going to wear them!"
They all laughed and Ron opened his next present, from Hermione.
"Wow, Hermione!" Ron nearly shouted. "How'd you get a hold of this?"
"I'm not a liberty to say…" Hermione said with a smirk.
"Is that… mint condition wizard cards?" Remus asked in astonishment.
"Not only mint condition, but all of the ones I was missing!" Ron's eyes were bugging out. "This makes my collection worth thousands of galleons!" Ron turned in surprise as Harry snorted. "What?"
"Sorry," Harry said, not looking sorry at all, "but I'm still trying to grasp that fact that you are still collecting wizard cards."
"Why you…" Ron chucked a pillow at Harry's head, which Harry quickly banished into a nearby wall, laughing.
Hermione spoke up. "Harry, looks like you have the last gift to open," she said.
Harry pushed all the wrapping away and lifted up his last gift. From Remus. Remus' heart started beating faster, hoping against hope that Harry would like it.
It seemed to take an eternity for the wrapping to come off. Remus suspected Harry was savoring it. When Harry finally got full view of the gift, he gasped.
It was a picture of the Potter family from sixteen and a half years before. James had his arm slung around Lily's shoulder, grinning from ear to ear. Lily held little Harry in her arms, bouncing him up and down on occasion. They were standing in front of a Christmas tree, all looking happier than humanly possible. The frame was of a deep cherry wood and it was engraved, "To our darling Harry on his seventeenth Christmas. Love, Mum and Dad."
Harry's eyes were shining and his hands trembled slightly as he clutched the frame. He stared at it for a whole minute before finally looking up at Remus. His facing was glowing with gratitude and a tear rolled down his cheek as he gasped, "Thank you, Uncle Moony. Thank you."
Remus sighed as he pulled out of his reverie. He wished things could have gone back to that moment and stayed that way forever. But Harry had a duty to save the world and Remus had a duty to stay by his side and watch over him.
The war had taken a turn for the worse of late. Things were getting more intense. Battles were ensuing. Harry reported back to Remus on the progress of the Horcruxes, sometimes more than a little physically harmed. His throat hitched as he recalled the time when he had found Harry on his doorstep, unconscious and covered in blood. Things were getting worse; there was no doubt about it.
Remus' ears perked as he heard a loud knock on the door. He sighed and slowly started to get up when there was another loud knock. What's so urgent? Remus thought idly as he hurried to the door and flung it open.
"Remus," Ron wheezed, bent double and gasping for breath. "Come quickly! I think it's happening."
Remus didn't need telling twice. He ran into the house, snatched his healing kit and a cloak before rushing back to meet Ron. His heart filled with dread as he apparated away.
This is it, he thought. The final battle.