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Chapter seven - Small World.

Remus groaned, it was just as he had suspected. The full moon was two days away. Shit.

Remus held his head in his hands. He'd totally forgotten about the full moon. He sank to the ground in despair, he knew Hermione and Harry were already suspicious of him, he could only imagine their reaction if they found out what he was, they would kick him out of the house at the very least. But there was no way he could keep this from them. He would start getting ill very soon and it wasn't as if he had anywhere else to stay. His thoughts suddenly darted to Teddy and his heart seemed to stop. Teddy, his son, he was bound to be inflicted with lycanthropy wasn't he? Dread and guilt seeped into Remus. Had passed on his disease to his son? Had passed on his suffering to him? The thought of Teddy being an outcast forever was too much for him to take and he ran downstairs to catch a glimpse of him before he left. Remus found Teddy along with his grandmother and Harry and Hermione in the living room. There was no conversation, the only sound was Teddy clapping happily as he sat on his grandmother's lap.

"Hey John," Harry said quickly. He seemed relived to see Remus, "Andromeda this is John Hollow. John this is Teddy's Gran."

Remus nodded politely and Andromeda smiled. She was a young woman by grandmother standards and Remus noticed her face was familiar.

"Andromeda Black?" he said suddenly.

Andromeda looked up at him sharply and Teddy stopped clapping.

"Tonks," Hermione amended quickly.

"Oh but you're Sirius's cousin right?" Remus blurted out. He remembered meeting her couple of times and he suddenly recalled Sirius proudly telling anyone who'd listen that his cousin was married to a muggle born.

"Yes," she answered looking at Remus meticulously.

So this was his mother in law? Remus thought, surely she was too young. Did Andromeda even have a daughter? Wait…that little girl Sirius had brought by the Hollow one time. She was a metamorphagus! Nymphadora…that little girl was his wife? Remus struggled to believe it but there seemed no other explanation. He had married a child.

Harry watched John's face turn pale.

"John, are you ok?"

"Yeah…er…never better," Remus lied.

"John and his friend Peter will be staying with us for a while, they're friends of Sirius," Harry explained.

"Is that so?" Andromeda raised an eyebrow but said nothing more; she stood up with baby Teddy in her arms, "Well I better get going. Once again thank you Harry and Hermione," she added with a smile directed at the young woman, "I'll see about next week. I can't promise anything. You know how Teddy gets around the full moon. He can be cranky for days afterwards. I don't know whether you can handle it."

"Give me a chance at least Andromeda," Harry said trying be as polite as he could but his frustration was evident.

Andromeda smiled and made Teddy wave goodbye, "We'll see, perhaps. Nice meeting you John."

"Bye Mrs…Tonks..," Remus muttered trying urgently to get a closer look at Teddy before he disappeared out the door. The baby seemed normal and Andromeda hadn't specifically mentioned lycanthropy but he was still uneasy about the phrase how he gets around the full moon… what did that mean? It sounded like a polite substitute for furry little problem.

"You ok now John?" asked Harry.

Remus nodded quickly, he wanted so desperately to ask if Teddy was a werewolf but he couldn't risk exposing himself and truthfully he didn't think he could handle the answer. "We're having dinner in about twenty minutes," Hermione said breaking Remus's train of thought.

Remus looked up, after throwing up three pieces of cake he wasn't really in the mood to eat, "Thanks but I think I might just lie down for a few hours."

"It's only a quarter past six," Harry pointed out.

"Yeah and we haven't really had time to talk properly," Hermione added with a furtive glance at Harry.

That look spelt trouble so Remus quickly made his way to the door and mumbled something about being tired. Before he left he remembered his manners and said, "Thank you for everything by the way. I know most people wouldn't allow complete strangers to stay in their house but we're really grateful. I'm sure Sirius would appreciate everything you're doing for us."

He shut the door behind him and immediately heard the muffled tones of Hermione. He wasn't sure what she was saying but her suspicion was obvious and Remus made a mental note to try and stay out of her way as much as he could. He went back to his room and found that James, obviously feeling the effects of time travel, was asleep on the bed. Remus toyed with the idea of waking him but instead he trudged into the adjacent room and was asleep himself before his head had even hit the pillow.

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"Lily?" James woke up with a start. Lily was not beside him and he started to panic. He looked around into the semi darkness, searched for his wand and hissed "Lumos!"

He was in a room he did not recognise and he scrambled to stand up. Opposite him was a mirror and he stared his reflection. He wasn't James, he was someone else. He didn't have black unruly hair, he had long silky brown hair, his nose was different and suddenly he remembered where he was. He was in the future, in the house of his dead best friend living with his orphaned son. Lily wasn't here because like him, she was dead. James continued to look at his reflection; everything was so bizarre and messed up but he couldn't allow himself to dwell on it. He went to Remus's room and nudged his friend, gently at first then almost viciously so Remus woke up with a groan.

"Time?"

James searched for a clock, "Just gone six,"

"Six?" muttered Remus rolling over with a moan, "Too early Prongs, too early…"

"I can't sleep," James said then added in a near whisper, "not without Lily."

Remus sat up and patted his friend's shoulder, "I'm sorry, but it'll be ok, Dumbledore will fix everything and then you'll be back beside her."

"Yeah," agreed James although he looked less than convinced. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Remus's brain started to function properly and he remembered the discovery he'd made last night.

"Prongs, I need to get out of here."

James looked up at him sharply, "What? Why?"

Remus stared down at the ground, "The full moon's tomorrow."

James sighed and slumped onto Remus's bed, "It would be wouldn't it?" he moaned.

"Don't worry you can stay here with Harry, I'll go back to the shrieking shack and hide out there until Dumbledore sends word and-"

"Whoa Moony, why do you have leave?"

A flash of annoyance swept Remus's face, "Because I prefer leaving of my own accord more than being kicked out."

"Who says they'll kick you out?" James argued, "You and Harry must have been close, you made him your son's godfather after all. He won't care if you're a werewolf."

"He might not have known about my condition," Remus reasoned, "I certainly wouldn't have told him."

"Then Sirius would."

"You think so?"

"Definitely," said James with a smile, "Moony, he'll understand, we should just tell him."

"No!" Remus said fiercely, "I don't want anybody to know. Even if he does understand, I don't want to be…I don't want to be… "the werewolf," Remus shifted uncomfortably on his bed.

"Is that how you think we see you?" James asked quietly. He got no response so continued, "Fine. We don't tell anyone. But that still doesn't mean you have to leave. We'll just go away tomorrow night. We'll say we're visiting friends and then we'll come back and it'll be ok."

"James, I'll need medical care after the transformation," Remus stated.

"I'll care for you."

Remus snorted and James frowned, "Well if you don't want anyone to know, it's the best I can do ok?"

Remus reddened and he mumbled thanks. James stood up, "I'm going to have a shower," he said walking through the doorway to his room, he turned round suddenly and looked at his friend, "And just for the record Moony, you're not "the werewolf". Not to me at least. To me, you're just Remus, ok?"

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"Peter! John!"

Harry smiled at the two young men who had just come into the kitchen. They smiled politely back at him and the other three people in the kitchen. One of them was Hermione who was sitting at the table with a mug in her hand and the other two people were teenage boys neither Peter nor John had ever laid eyes on before.

"Guys, this is Peter Evans and John Hollow, the friends of Sirius I was telling you about," Harry said addressing the two boys, he then turned to James and Remus and nodded towards the two youths, "Peter, John, these are my friends Ron Weasley and Dean Thomas." Dean waved with a smile but Ron who sat closest to Hermione merely nodded politely, "Dean lives close by and well Ron practically lives here so you better get used to seeing him," Harry added cheekily.

"Help yourself to breakfast," Hermione said standing up and placing some cereal boxes in front of James and Remus who sat down and served themselves eagerly.

"So you're the home-schooled muggle born travellers who have come to live with Harry and Hermione," Ron said as he watched Remus and James stuff cornflakes into their mouths.

Remus nodded unable to speak.

"We don't mean to impose," James said after a pause, "We haven't really got anywhere to stay. We only came back to England to see Sirius and well…obviously that hasn't been possible."

"So you haven't got any parents?" asked Dean, Harry threw him a look, "sorry I didn't mean-"

"No, its ok." said Remus quickly, he had been thinking about the answer to this question during the night. He knew simply killing them off would be highly suspicious. "Our parents are alive but they disowned us when we chose to live as wizards. We're as good as dead to them."

"That's so harsh," Dean said sadly, "Well if you need anything while you're here, like Harry said, I'm not that far away."

"Thanks…Ron?" said James uncertainly.

"I'm Ron," Ron said in slight annoyance.

"Well you didn't actually make clear which was which," Remus put in which only caused Ron to appear more annoyed.

Harry laughed, "Don't worry you'll get to know everyone properly tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night?" repeated Remus sharply, "Why? What's going on?"

"Oh we're having a little belated new year's party," Hermione said with a smile, "All our friends will be here hopefully. Actually we can make it a debut for you two," she added with a laugh at the thought.

Remus didn't smile nor did James. They glanced at each nervously before Remus said, "We can't make it."

"Why?" replied Hermione immediately. Her tone had turned from casual to wary.

"We're er…visiting friends in…"

"Nottingham," finished Remus, "we'll be gone for a few days."

"So you do have friends you can stay with?" asked Ron.

"No, our friends are travellers too. They informed us that they'd be in Nottingham for a while and we've arranged to meet them. We haven't seen them in years."

"I see," said Harry after a pause, "Well if they're going to be in Nottingham for a while, I don't see why you can't just visit them after the party. I mean, you can apparate can't you? It wont take you long to get there."
Remus opened his mouth for a way out but none came. He turned to James who too looked flummoxed.

"I suppose so..."admitted James finally.

"Good then that's decided," Harry said with a smile but he shot an inscrutable glance at Ron and Hermione. Dean evidently confused by the sudden silence in the room stood up and looked at his watch, "I better get going. Will you send that report to me next week Hermione?"

"I'll have it done by tomorrow if you want," Hermione replied. Dean smiled.

"I should go too," Ron said standing up, "I kind of told mum I was popping out to buy milk. She'd have a fit if she knew I was in London." He swooped down and kissed Hermione lightly on lips an act which left Remus and James horrified.

"What the hell are you doing?" James yelled, his eyes flickering to Harry in shock. His son stared blankly at him but then suddenly realised what his visitors were thinking.

"Oh no," Harry said quickly, "Merlin no, Hermione and I aren't…" he laughed uncomfortably, "Of course not…I mean she's just living me. Ron's her boyfriend."

"Yeah I am," Ron confirmed.

"So you're living together, but you aren't together?" Remus asked for clarification.

Both Harry and Hermione nodded.

"That seems a bit strange," James said before he could stop himself, "You must be a very trusting person, Ron." Ron coloured significantly and Hermione too blushed but nothing more was said and Ron left the house shortly afterwards with Dean.

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Conscious of the embarrassment they had caused Remus and John left the house an hour later. They headed to the address of the potion maker Brian Bumblebee had suggested and by the end of the afternoon they had not only secured a job (working at below the minimum wage) but had also managed to buy new clothes and other essentials they needed from diagon alley. They returned to 12 Grimmauld place in the evening and the morning's awkwardness was almost forgotten. Although Hermione quickly excused herself as soon as she saw them come through the door.

"She's ok really," Harry said as they sat down for dinner a few hours later which, considering all three of them had help prepare it was very poor, "It's just Ron wasn't really happy about her moving in with me and now with you two are here as well, it just… complicates things."

"We're sorry," Remus and James said automatically.

"No don't be," Harry said firmly, "Like you said before you have no where to stay and you're Sirius friends and this is his house really…" he trailed off and started playing with his food. James and Remus exchanged glances but continued to eat their food in silence. When they were finished and had cleared their plates Harry stood up and stretched.

"So, do you play Quidditch?" he asked abruptly.

The broadest smile imaginable spread onto James's face but Remus simply rolled his eyes.

"Quidditch is my life," James said earnestly as Harry too grinned and brought out three brooms from the cupboard.

"I've had no one to play with for ages, Ron's too busy with Hermione nowadays," Harry said as he watched James stroke one of the brooms in awe.

"These brooms are amazing," murmured James, "M-John, look at the paintwork on this one, simply sublime."

Remus merely nodded.

"Don't you like Quidditch?" asked Harry.

Remus smiled wryly, "I did until I met Peter."

"What position do you play?" asked James as Harry led them outside into the garden. The sun was almost set but there were plenty of lamps and the temperature was cool with no wind.

"Seeker," answered Harry. He added shyly, "I was captain actually, for a year at school,"

James beamed in delight, "So was I!"

"What?"

James realised his error, "No I meant I was a seeker too but I play chaser better," he said hurriedly, "Yeah played seeker for a bit but found my form as a chaser. Yeah...obviously not at school because I was home schooled."

"We brought brooms and taught ourselves how to play," Remus put in before Harry could ask any more questions, "Obviously we couldn't do it properly with only two people so we've only really started playing since we started travelling. Peter plays chaser in tournaments all over the world."

"Wow," Harry said, "I didn't know there were tournaments where you can enter as an individual."

"Well now you do," James said with slight smile, "obviously there not official or anything and you play in a team made of strangers but the prize money is good."

Remus raised an eyebrow but Harry didn't say anything more and they spent the next hour flying around the garden. It mostly consisted of Harry and James trying to out do each other with dangerous stunts and a fair amount of diving and weaving around trees whilst Remus flew a safe distance away. As Harry challenged James to race around the garden, James realised that if could choose only one hour of his life to relive again, it would be this one. Here he was, flying with his son Harry, who could fly as well, if not better than he could. He had never felt so proud in all his life.

Remus saw the emotion on James's face and suddenly felt like he was intruding on what should be a family moment. He flew down to the ground and excused himself leaving James to enjoy his sweetest moment.

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Hermione sat in the library. She wasn't annoyed. She wasn't annoyed at all. She shut her book fiercely. Ok, she was slightly annoyed and she didn't know why. It had something to do with what had happened at breakfast but she couldn't pinpoint what. Was it the fact the guests in her house was so obviously liars? Was it the fact that they had dared to question her relationships with her friend and her boyfriend? Or was it because they had brought up a subject she didn't want to have discussed with Ron again?

It was probably all of those, Hermione decided on balance. She sighed. She knew Ron would try, again, to convince her to move out tomorrow night. He didn't understand why she had to stay with Harry and not with him at the burrow or simply at home with her parents.

She couldn't explain it well either but basically, Harry needed her. He would never say it but she knew the emotional scars of the war were still raw his mind. He rarely talked about it, about Voldemort, about the deaths or anything but Hermione could see in his face that he thought about them all the time. She couldn't leave him alone right now. She just wished Ron would understand that. He could be so unreasonable sometimes and the fact she was now living with three men would only make matters worse. She groaned and held her head in her hands for several minutes. When she sat up again she found John Hollow staring down at her.

"John!" she said breathlessly, "How long have you been standing there?"

"Sorry," said Remus automatically, "Harry and Peter are playing Quidditch. I was just looking around and the door was open. I thought you were crying, sorry I'll go."

"No don't be silly," Hermione said quickly, flicking her hair out of her face. "I was just taking a break from reading."

Remus surveyed the room with interest, "So this is a library?" he asked. He took a step towards one of the shelves, "May I?"

"Go ahead."

Remus browsed the books nearest to him, fingering one or two then moving on and to another shelf and so on. Hermione continued with her own book before turning round to watch him despite herself.

"What are you doing?" she asked after a few minutes.

"Just looking for one I haven't read," Remus replied standing on his tiptoes to read the title of one book.

"You've read all these books?" Hermione said pointing at the first three shelves. Her voice was tinged with disbelief.

Remus nodded grabbing the book he was examining superficially, "The mind behind the stone," he read, "The story of Nicholas Flamel. Cool. I haven't read this one."

"Really?" remarked Hermione, "It came out years ago. I read it when I was eleven."

"No, but I've read a similar one which was in French."

"You speak French?" Hermione said evidently impressed.

Remus smiled bashfully, "I know enough to get through most books."

"My parents have a house in the Loire valley."

"My mum grew up near there,"

"Really? small world," Hermione said quietly keeping her eyes on Remus.

"I know, so you like to read?" asked Remus sitting opposite her and flicking through his book.

"I love reading," Hermione replied earnestly.

"Me too, what are you favourites?"

"There's too many to count but mostly muggle ones, how about you?"

"Defence books rock, it's my favourite subject. But I love history books too. Peter thinks I'm such a bookworm because I've read Hogwarts: a history about a billion times."

"Me too," said Hermione passionately, "Ron is always teasing me. But I don't see how I could have survived a single year at school without it."

"Yeah same here," Remus agreed before quickly adding, "not that I went to Hogwarts but you know the sentiment is the same."

Hermione observed him carefully so he changed tracks rapidly, "You obviously read a lot; I bet you were top of the class at school."

Hermione blushed but mumbled, "I did ok."

"No way," insisted Remus, "bet you got straight O's."

Hermione smiled sheepishly, "well yes, apart from defence. But that O.W.L. was fixed, I swear."

"How about NEWTS?" asked Remus, "Seven O's? You did ancient runes right?"

"Yes of course I didn't do divination," Hermione said with a small smirk.

"Good for you, it's a quack subject even Dumbledore thinks so."

"Exactly, that's what I've been saying for years," Hermione replied with a surprised smile.

"So you did the proper subjects like ancient runes and arithmancy?" Remus asked. Hermione nodded with a proud grin.

"And got straight O's?"

"Well," Hermione began slowly, "I didn't get to actually complete my NEWT studies but we were awarded straight O's due to our contribution to the war."

"Really? That's so cool," Remus said trying to keep the jealously out of his voice.

"War isn't really cool," Hermione snapped, "A lot of people died as you well know."

"No, sorry I wasn't implying that," Remus stated quickly, "It's just cool you got straight O's. I didn't. But that wasn't even my fault. Two of my exams were straight after the f-" Remus caught himself in time.

"The?"

Remus stuttered. He had almost let slip his most personal secret. That had never happened before. He'd never let his guard down before. He stared at Hermione accusingly but she stared blankly back.

"The... John?" she repeated.

"The death of my uncle," finished Remus quickly opening his book and reading.

"Oh I'm so sorry," Hermione said politely but she stared at Remus intently, "NEWTS don't really mean a lot any way," she added suddenly, "You don't need a piece of paper to tell you how smart you are and you're obviously very smart John."

Remus would have said thank you but the way Hermione was looking at him he didn't think that was compliment.

"I think I'm going to go check on the guys," he said hastily standing up, "it's been nice talking to you."

"Ditto," replied Hermione her eyes focused on her book but as Remus walked out of the room they followed him. There was something about John, something cagey yet intriguing. She felt same about Peter too but somehow with John was different. There was something more to him which she couldn't quite put her finger on but what she did know for sure was that she would be watching him like a hawk until she found out.

Yay.

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