Recuperation

-

"We can prove it to you, if you like," said Remus.

"We can?" said Sirius blankly, "How?"

"You could summon James, or a reasonable facsimile there of."

Sirius went completely rigid. "Remus, I haven't cast a patronus charm in years."

"Then a bit of practice would do you good."

"Remus, it probably won't work."

"You won't know until you try."

"Remus," he pleaded.

"Unless you want to disappoint Harry."

Harry winced at the tortured glance Sirius shot him. "I could…" he started but was silenced by a fierce glare from the normally even-tempered Professor

"Alright," said Sirius climbing to his feet, reluctance in every line of him.

"You don't have to," said Harry.

"Remus stop glowering at Harry, I won't back out. Besides, you're right, I should find out if I can manage it or not before someone's life depends on it."

"It's not someone I'm worried about. The Dementors are after you."

"Right Moony, that cheerful thought will really help."

"Sorry," said Remus, not looking particularly apologetic.

Sirius huffed at him, glanced at Harry and then drew his wand.

"Expecto Patronum."

There was a soft puff of silver smoke and then nothing.

"Try again Padfoot, remember Harry."

"Expecto Patronum," he said again, more determined this time.

The sliver smoke hung heavily in the air, Sirius quickly cast the spell again and the smoke began to take shape. Suddenly the silvery form of James Potter stood there.

"James!" gasped Sirius. Harry couldn't decided if Sirius was relieved or terrified. James Potter's eyes narrowed and he brought one hand up, Sirius ducked and the ghostly hand brushed over the top of his head.

"What was that for?" he cried indignantly.

James Potter's face was so like his own that Harry had no trouble reading the glare that plainly said 'You Idiot.'

"So I was worried, I only went and got you killed."

The 'You Idiot' increased into 'You Moronic Idiot' and widened to include Remus as well.

"Hey," said Remus, "There was no doing anything with him. I'm only his boyfriend, why would he listen to me?"

The glaring contest was three-way now. It would have made Harry anxious but all three of them so resembled sulking first years that he giggled instead.

"Yes it is rather amusing," said Remus, "You'd never think they were adults, would you."

"Oh Moony, quit being a grownup," complained Sirius.

"Fine. Expecto Patronum."

A huge dog bounded out from the end of Remus' wand. A silver version of Sirius' Animagus form raced around the room barking silently and then spotted James Potter. Two seconds later the silver form of James Potter was on its back having his face ferociously licked.

"Your patronus changed back," said Sirius, he sank down onto the floor looking stunned.

"No Padfoot, it's always been the same." Remus crouched down beside him.

"It didn't change while I was in Azkaban?"

"No."

"Not even after Halloween?"

"No Padfoot."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"Perhaps because you never allowed me to get out two consecutive words about patroni without cutting me off. If you'd let me, I'd have told you what Harry's was. Go on Harry."

"Now you want me to cast it," said Harry, sulky about being glared at earlier.

"Sorry Harry, but the patronus charm is too important. And if Sirius had seen your patronus first, I'd never have got him to cast the charm again in his life."

"Sounds mysterious," said Sirius, "Go on Harry. I'm impressed you can manage a corporal patronus at all at your age."

Harry grinned. Drawing his wand with a flourish, he only had to think back five minutes for his happiest memory.

"Expecto Patronum."

"Prongs," cried Sirius, as he stared wide-eyed at the huge silver stag. Remus' patronus sat up and appeared to whine in confusion before padding over to lick the stag's nose.

"Like father, like son," said Remus. "I mean really, with you and Harry being menaced by the dementors, where else would you expect James to be?"

"That just proves James is your godfather," said Sirius happily. Then his eyes narrowed and he whipped round to face Remus. "Wait a minute, you knew what Harry's patronus was. You sneaky, manipulative wolf. That was almost Slytherin."

Remus' smile was smug.

The silvery form of James Potter rolled his eyes at Harry and moved away from the bickering couple. Harry followed him. There was so much he wanted to say to his godfather, so many questions he wanted to ask. Looking sad, the patronus reached out with one hand and Harry could feel ghostly fingers ruffling his hair.

James Potter's eyes looked longingly at the empty to space to Harry's right, then he smiled at Harry as he gradually melted away into mist. Remus' patronus raced after him dissolving rapidly. Harry's butted his shoulder with his enormous head. Harry patted him on the nose and felt him fading into the air.

"Oh," said Sirius blankly, "He's gone."

"Yes," said Remus.

"But there was so much I wanted to ask him."

"Don't you realise you already know what James would say?"

"I…"

"Think about it Sirius." Remus rose to his feet. "Come over here Harry and I'll explain how you go about transfiguring one bed into three."

Harry did his best to pay attention to the lesson but his heart wasn't in it.

Remus sighed, "Never mind. I'm sure all you need is a bit of practice. I'll speak to Sirius about putting up some child magic wards."

"Child magic?"

"Yes, so underage wizards and witches can practice in their homes."

"Don't tell Hermione," blurted Harry.

Remus laughed.

Thinking about Hermione reminded Harry of something she'd once said about patroni.

"I thought a patronus was supposed to be an animal."

"It is yes. But Sirius has always been very literally minded for a wizard, as well as an exception to the rules. He's quite possibly the only wizard in history whose boggart and patronus are the same."

"Oh. My godfather?"

Remus nodded.

"Is Sirius all right?"

"He will be. Now do you want to borrow a night-shirt or anything?"

Harry shook his head.

"Okay then." Remus muttered a spell and tapped his hand three times. A towel, toothbrush and toothpaste appeared. "Here you are, these will do for tonight. If you and Ron don't sort things out tomorrow, we'll clean out another room for you. There's one down the end of the corridor that's pretty safe, it shouldn't take long to clear out the last of the Dark Magic."

"Do you think Ron will still be mad tomorrow?" Harry really wasn't sure how he should feel about Ron.

"I don't know Harry. It's a very difficult situation all round. But try and remember Ron's just found out the people he thinks of as family aren't his blood family. And of course there is the whole Boy-Who-Lived thing."

"So you think Ron was right to be mad at me?"

"No Harry, he isn't right and I didn't say that. All I am saying is that Ron has had a nasty shock, just as you have. You've been best friends for a long time and it would be a shame to loose that over something neither you or he had any control over."

"Humfph," said Harry.

"Just think about it. You don't have to make any decisions right now and whatever you chose to do, Sirius and I will support you. So go and clean your teeth and get ready for bed."

He wanted to protest about being sent away like a little kid but he'd seen Remus casting anxious glances at Sirius and figured he wanted to talk to him without Harry in the room. He was tempted to use one of his Extendable Ears but it seemed to dishonourable to listen in on what he was sure was a very private conversation. To remove all risk of giving in, he decided to have a shower.

The reward for his virtue was that he felt much better afterwards. It was as if he'd washed the whole stressful day down the plughole with the soapy water. Tomorrow was going to be new and exciting and almost scary. He wasn't Harry Potter the Boy-Who-Lived any longer, he was just Harry, godson of James and Lily Potter and son, he could only whisper it even in the safety of his own mind, of Sirius Black.

He was surprised to find he actually felt rather sorry for Ron.

-

Poking his head around the bathroom door, he found Remus and Sirius were already in their beds.

"You all right there kiddo?" asked Sirius quietly.

"Fine."

"Is that a Remus 'fine' or are you actually okay?"

"I'm okay honestly."

"Good."

Harry slipped into his bed and snuggled down. He was tired but he couldn't seem to settle down to sleep. Sirius was tossing and turning and his restlessness communicated itself to Harry. Eventually Sirius rolled right out of bed and hit the floor with a thump. Harry squinted through slitted eyes as he tried to work out if Sirius had hurt himself. Instead he saw the dark form of Padfoot shuffle over to Remus' bed. Padfoot whined softly.

"Oh all right," said Remus without moving, "Otherwise you'll keep me awake all night fidgeting."

Padfoot gave a happy little yip and sprang up onto the end of the bed. He turned around three times and then collapsed with a grunt on Remus' feet. Within minutes the room was filled with soft doggy snores. Harry relaxed at the soothing sound and his eyelids drifted shut.

-

The thunderous knocking on the door woke Harry with start. Jerking up in bed, he blinked rapidly as he tried to take in and make sense of his surroundings.

The knocking continued.

Padfoot, barking furiously, leapt from Remus' bed to stand guard against the offensive door. The door opened and Bill Weasley stuck his head around it.

"You're up."

"We are now," said Remus, sitting up in bed and straightening his pyjama cuffs. Padfoot growled.

"Good. Dumbledore just flooed to let us know he'd be coming to discuss matters with us in about half an hour. Mum's making breakfast."

"Thank you for letting us know."

"No problem Remus. We'll see you downstairs shortly then?"

"Yes."

Bill began to close the door, then leaned forward again, "Oh Charlie came in at about seven. He begged emergency leave from the Reserve and took an International Portkey from Bratislava."

"He didn't tell them..?"

"No, no. I didn't tell him anything to begin with. Told him to come home for Dad. Gringotts floos aren't that secure, the Goblins monitor them as a matter of course."

"Good thinking."

"Yeah. It scared the life out of him but when I told him the truth he was too relieved to punch me."

"And your father?"

"We'll worry about what to tell Dad after we've met with Dumbledore. Dad should be here, but in his condition we can't risk agitating him. You won't..?"

"Absolutely not. We may not agree with your mother on much at present but in this we will gladly follow her lead."

"Okay then, I'll leave you to get dressed."

"Are you okay, Bill?"

"I'm fine." Bill withdrew, shutting the door with a firm click.

"That," said Sirius, abruptly appearing in place of Padfoot, "Was definitely a Remus 'fine'."

"Yes poor boy. I'm pleased Charlie's arrived to share the responsibility. Hopefully it will make things easier on him."

"Nothing about this is going to be easy. And with that cheerful thought I'll go and clean my teeth. My mouth always tastes dreadful after a night as Padfoot."

"It's because you drool."

"I do not drool."

Sirius flounced off to the bathroom, slamming the door with vigour.

"Oh dear," said Remus, "I think I've offended him. Apologies are obviously in order." Throwing back his bedcovers he chased after Sirius although he shut the bathroom door much more sedately.

Harry decided if that was the best Remus could do as an excuse for snogging, it was absolutely essential he moved into a new room today or he would end up scarred for life.

-

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Next Chapter: The Explanation (the one you've all been waiting for)