Chapter Two:

Discovering

For the following few days Harry continued with his new daily routine. He would wake up from a night filled with horrible dreams that tore at him, and then set to the chores Aunt Petunia had assigned him. Then at one o'clock sharp he would hurry out the door and over to Finns home for an afternoon of stories and an escape from his mind, which tormented him every chance he got with memories and discouraging thoughts. He would then leave Finn's after a delicious meal – Finn was a retired chef, but still new his way around a kitchen- and return to the Dursley's.

He had found out quickly that it was never Finn's intention to have him work. Harry suspected that Finn was merely lonely; he had wanted someone to talk with, and share his stories, of which had plenty.

The day after his first visit to #6, Harry returned to find Finn seated just like before- in his armchair with a cup of tea and cracker in hand. The difference to the scene this time was the steaming cup of tea sitting on the coffee table next to an Eckel's Cake; for Harry.

Finn had asked Harry if he had any stories to share, seeing as he had taken up all their time yesterday with his own stories.

Harry at this point was in a bit of a tight spot. All his happy or adventure filled memories were those of magical people, places, and ideas. He could hardly share these with a muggle; Finn would think he was off his rocker not to mention what his punishment with the ministry would be for revealing their world to a muggle.

He had opted to try and change a few of his stories to fit a muggle scenario, it proved tougher than it might seem. And Harry finally began to realize just how different the two worlds he lived in were.

The wizarding world, was magical yes, but also wrapped with secrets. In this day and age, you couldn't even go out in a public place without watching your back for trouble or muggles.

Muggle borns had to hide so much and live with so many secrets; he wondered how Hermione dealt with living in two worlds. Harry was just now finding out how hard that was. It had never been a problem for him before since his uncle and aunt knew of his world and he knew no one else that would care, until now that is.

While the wizarding world was a web of secrets and full with untrustworthy groups of people, the muggle world was out there in the open for anyone to see. The muggles themselves had no idea of the likes of wizards, yet wizards had a plain view of them. They weren't hiding. While the muggles also had their fair share of suspicious and troublesome people, those people didn't have wands in their hands. Yes the wands upped the stakes, they could be deadly to anyone, all it took was one curse. Guns of course could to do the same, but you could survive. The killing curse on the other hand, was something that barring himself, no one would or had escaped.

Another thing Harry had noticed since he had arrived at Privet Drive was that The Order was still guarding him under their invisibility cloaks and disillusionment charms. Not that he was expecting much less from Dumbledore. He just wished that they would take a step back, and stop coddling him.

He had thought about writing a scathing letter to Dumbledore telling him to bugger off, but knew it would do little good. Trashing the headmaster's office last year had gotten him nothing, Sirius was still dead, and he was brought no relief from his hardships.

No, if he wanted to get respect and stop being used as a hock in this war of their world, then he was going to have to show he was serious and mature, and not just some silly schoolboy who was prone to getting mixed up in things.

Harry knew he was underestimated by many people, they thought of him as teenager who had been lucky a few times, he believed Snape was president of that club, but he knew Dumbledore knew better.

Dumbledore was just being protective, he was trying to shield him from the evil on their doorstep, but Harry knew that he couldn't do that.

No matter what anyone said on the matter, he was involved in this war more so than anyone barring Voldemort. Dumbledore could no longer protect him from his destiny; he had for too long already. Also the headmaster could no longer stand as the leader of the light side in this war.

This fight was Harry's whether he liked it or not. Harry needed to lead whatever army would follow him into battle; Dumbledore could no longer be the face of good. He needed to pass the torch on, and realize that Harry was in control of Harry's life, no one else.

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About a week after his initial arrival at Privet Drive, Harry woke up from a nightmare concerning the end of his fourth year, when Cedric had died and Voldemort was had been reborn, with his forced assistance.

Harry shook his head to clear out those horrifying red eyes, when he heard a tapping at the window, an owl.

Putting his glasses on his face, Harry climbed out of the blankets he'd managed to entwine around himself in his efforts to escape his dreams last night, and headed over to the window to let in the owl.

As the bird flew in, Harry recognized it immediately. It was Pig, Ron's owl. He quickly ran after the small bird that was flying speedily around his small bedroom, in an effort to get the letter attached to its leg.

A few minutes later, Harry sat down on his bed, the letter in hand. He opened it, eager to see what it said, whether or not it would state that he could leave Privet Drive already.

It was from Ron.

Dear Harry,

How ya doing mate, you all right? Hopefully you're not too bad off stuck there with the muggles this year. We've been trying to persuade Dumbledore to let you leave already but so far he has remained adamant that you have to stay with your relatives. Don't worry though, we won't give up!

We're here at Headquarters for the summer; mum and dad said it would be easier for them to get to the meetings and all that way. Though by using Fred and George's extendable ears we were able to eavesdrop on their conversation and found out that Dumbledore suspects The Burrow might be attacked soon. He said it would be best to relocate to headquarters for now. But its not too bad this summer, Dumbledore was able to hire some new house elves to run the place, you'll never guess who, and the place is a right side better than it was last summer.

Hermione will be coming here as well soon can't wait for that. A summer just full of her asking: whether I've finished all my homework, and whether I have started studying for NEWTS. Honestly their two years away!

Well anyways, just wanted to ask how you where and tell you not to brood too much, it wasn't your fault you know Harry.

Well hopefully see you soon

Your mate,

Ron.

Harry shook his head as he finished reading the letter, typical Ron. Though he had to say his friend knew how to avoid what he really wanted to say. He could tell that Ron was dying to know how he was doing, but respected Harry enough not to push him, unlike what Hermione would have asked him. He didn't blame her for that though; it was in her nature to be consistently curious and pushy.

He was glad that Ron had respected his space; he was not ready to talk about what had happened last year. It was just too soon.

But honestly, Ron needed to wake up and realize his feelings for Hermione. That was if he hadn't already. The boy was so obvious to others, and yet so oblivious to his own feelings.

Harry felt bad that Ron, and Ginny were stuck at Grimmauld Place for the summer. Having been there last summer, he knew just how little there was to do there. He felt so very connected to the reason they had to stay there in the first place.

If he did not have such a strong connection with the Weasley family, the Weasley's themselves wouldn't be threatened like they were being, or forced to leave their home. He could tell that Ron was upset about having to leave The Burrow, even though he had not said anything. The Burrow was Ron's home, and now he might not ever see it again.

Harry shook his head of these guilty thoughts, he couldn't very well push Ron and them all away now, and they would hardly allow that. Besides the damage was already done, Voldemort would not stop hunting their trail now, just because Harry had tried to act like he didn't care. Because both he and Voldemort knew he did care, he cared a lot.

Harry quickly took out a piece of parchment and a quill and replied to Ron's letter. It was just a short note telling him and the rest of the Weasley's not to worry about him, he was coping just fine with everything. The Dursley's were not acting nearly as horrible as they had in the past, and he had met a new friend at Privet Drive whom he had been spending his afternoons with. Harry also told Ron that he was sorry that he was stuck at headquarters, and told him not to worry about getting him out of Privet Drive; he'd be out of there soon enough and if not, he would get out by his own means.

After writing it all out on his piece of parchment he signed it and sent it on its way with Pig, who had been flying around the room nonstop since he had entered it.

Harry sighed and headed out of his bedroom door to go and get ready for yet another day at Privet Drive.

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That afternoon, at one o'clock, Harry headed over to Finn's like he had been doing for the past week.

He loved it when he was able to come over here; it was an escape for him. It allowed him to forget that he was connected to whole other world, and that in that world he played a huge part in whether or not it was to survive in tact.

He left his shoes by the door as he had become customary to doing, and headed through to the lounge where he knew Finn would be seated, ready to start telling his stories.

Sure enough Finn was sitting prepared to start chatting away.

'Hey Finn, how're you?' Harry greeted his newfound friend.

'Just fine me boy, just fine,' Finn replied with a grin on his face.

Harry sat down in the same seat he had sat in since he had first visited, right across from Finn.

The yellow budgie, which he had since found out was named Loba- which was an African name which meant 'to talk'- was squawking in the corner of the room. Finn had yet to teach it how to speak as it took them a long time to be able to say something and he hadn't yet found the time to teach it.

'So how have ya been, you alright, Harry?' Finn asked. He had noticed the circles that were continuously darkening under Harry's brilliantly green eyes, and was worried for his young friend.

'Fine, thanks,' Harry said, he hated lying to Finn but once again couldn't very well tell him what was bothering him.

'No your not, Harry. I can see it in your eyes. Come on now tell an old man what's wrong.'

Harry panicked, what was he going to tell him? He couldn't tell him the truth; he would just have to make something up.

'I – I just – miss my friends that's all, I haven't seen them in a while, and well I usually see them quite often, stupid really,' Harry lied, his panic ceased somewhat and he now just hoped that Finn would believe him.

'I see, well I'm sure that you will be able to see them soon,' Finn replied, he could tell that that wasn't what was bothering Harry but knew that whatever was he was probably- as a muggle- not allowed to know.

Harry almost sighed with relief; he didn't know if he would be able to hold this secret for the rest of his time here at Privet Drive, he could only hope that he could avoid these tough spots from now on.

'So what stories are you going to tell today?' Harry asked.

He loved hearing about Finns adventures with his siblings, his younger sister sounded like just as big of a character as Finn himself.

'Well today I thought that we'd take our chat outside on a walk. It's a fine day, and you could use some sun, you're far too pale,' Finn said as he stood up from his chair and started walking towards the front door.

'Okay then,' Harry agreed, blushing slightly, it was a nice day after all.

Once Finn had found his walking stick, and both he and Harry had their shoes on, they head out into Little Whinging for a walk and talk.

They had been walking for not even five minutes, and Harry was becoming increasingly aware that somebody was watching them.

As Finn yapped on, Harry looked around trying to spot someone anyone. There! Standing across the street a man dressed as a muggle garden keeper was standing watching him. Squinting in the sunlight Harry was able to tell just who it was. Remus Lupin.

Damn the bloody Order! Harry thought, they had better keep their distance or Finn was sure to notice their presence. And then, well, everyone would have some explaining to do.

Remus seemed to realize this as well, and quickly abandoned his post and hid himself under the disillusionment charm, making sure that nobody watched him do so.

Remus then proceeded to follow Harry and the man whom he had yet to know the name of, at a closer distance.

The order was aware that Harry had been visiting the neighbors daily, but they were not aware of whom this guy was, or what he was doing with Harry. Their orders were to watch the house from the outside and wait for the opportunity when they could possibly receive more information.

Nobody had thought to just ask Harry, whom he was visiting. Remus had thought, but he followed his orders and stuck close to Harry.

He followed the two all the way along Privet Drive and further, listening closely to make sure that this man was not a Deatheater of Voldemort's and trying to lure him into a trap.

He was careful of his footing, making sure not to alert anyone to his presence. Though he knew Harry had seen him already, and was none to happy about him following them.

He took the chance to take a look at Harry and see how he seemed to be dealing with everything. It seemed that he was holding up okay, though his eyes still held considerable amounts of pain and even a little fear.

He too had noticed that Harry didn't seem to be sleeping too well, and wasn't getting out as much as he should be. He was worried about him.

Sirius had been his best friend for years; he knew what kind of pain Harry must be in, for he himself was in it as well.

But Remus knew that it wasn't just the pain of losing a loved one that Harry was dealing with. For not only was there pain and fear in his eyes but also large amounts of guilt. He hated that Harry was blaming himself; Remus had done the same when Lily and James had died, and he had been left alone. Now looking back it had made no sense for him to have done so, but he had nonetheless.

He hoped that Harry would bounce back from this eventually, he hoped that Harry would realize that Sirius wouldn't want him to live an unhappy, miserable life he would want him to be happy.

He broke away from his thoughts as he heard Harry laughing at what the elderly man had been saying.

He turned his head to take a closer look at the man and try and see if he could recognize his identity, or at the very least get his description to give back to The Order for further investigation.

He looked at the elderly man thoughtfully for a moment, he knew that face, but from where?

Suddenly it clicked, and Remus almost gasped. Wide eyed he stopped in his spot, letting Harry and the man walk on. He waited until they were a good distance away, before hurrying back down the street and over to Tonks -who he knew was hiding in the trees just outside #4.

He quickly told her to cover his shift before he apparated back to headquarters, to tell Dumbledore that he had identified the mystery man of #6.

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Remus arrived at Grimmauld place, and after quickly saying hi to those in the kitchen, hurried through the floo to Hogwarts.

He arrived in a blast of green flame, and stepped out, dusting himself off as he did so.

Dumbledore was stationed in his chair behind his desk, petting his beloved phoenix, Fawkes, on the head. He looked up when he saw Remus enter.

'Hello Remus, what can I do for you?' Dumbledore asked, he was smiling brightly and his eyes held their familiar twinkle.

'Professor Dumbledore, sir. I've discovered who is living at #6, and came to inform you.'

'Ah, yes. I too have found out who this mystery fellow is. It took me a little longer but finally the brain and the face clicked. And my dear boy, you no longer are a student here, call me Albus,' Dumbledore said, still smiling.

Remus nodded in agreement.

'Well should we tell-,' Remus began, but Albus cut him off.

'No, I believe Mr. Finn will need to do that himself'

'What about Harry shouldn't he know that-,' Remus started again but once more Albus stopped him.

'I believe that once again, Mr. Finn shall need to decide whether or not to tell him. Though I will not stop you from requesting Finn to tell Harry the truth,' Dumbledore spoke.

Remus knew the unasked favor that was hinted at by Dumbledore, and would readily agree, Harry needed to be told. And it didn't look as if Finn would be telling him any time soon.

'Well then, if that's all Remus I believe your shift just ended and you have other things to attend to, as do I'

'Yes of course profe- I mean Albus. Good afternoon sir,' Remus said before he headed back through the floo to Grimmauld Place.

Tonight he would be having a talk with Julius Finn.

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That night Harry left Finns after dinner, like always, and returned to the Dursley's home.

Luckily enough, Finn had not caught on to the Order following them, even though Tonks had once again managed to trip over her own two feet just meters away from where they were standing.

Harry lay down on his bed, after getting his pajama's on, absolutely knackered. These nightmares weren't letting up any, and it was really starting to annoy him.

Every night, he would settle down to sleep and then wake after hearing and seeing haunting and horrifying memories, and images. Anything from re-witnessing Sirius' and Cedric's deaths to making up vicious imaginary futures for his friends should he fail, was what he dreamt every night.

He was surprised that he had yet to scream out in fear and horror.

Harry wondered what was going on with Voldemort lately; he hadn't received any visions since the fake one he had sent him during his O.W.L.S.

Harry had yet to hear of anything of great enormity occurring. Harry suspected that Voldemort was just biding his time, and that when he did hit he would hit big.

He sighed, and rolled over on his side. He took his glasses off and set them on the cabinet next to his bed. Shut his eyes and condemned himself to yet another night of haunted sleep.

That night, everything he was seeing had become too much for even Harry to handle, and he screamed, a painful, tortured scream for help…

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Finn shut the door after walking Harry out, and sighed. It had been yet another day that he had been in that boy's presence and kept his secret.

Harry he had come to find was such a bright young man; he had many good qualities about him. He was brave- more so than Finn himself-, kind-hearted, and so selfless that it made Finn feel so ashamed for what he had done to his family.

Finn wondered how in the world, Harry had been able to turn out with such a strong character after growing up the way he had. His parents taken from him so early in life, before even knew them really. And then shipped off to live with an overweight Uncle and Snotty aunt, neither whom gave a rat's arse what happened to Harry. He admired Harry all the more for it.

Finn walked through to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of tea from the kettle. He then carried it through to the living room where he nearly had a heart attack.

There sitting on the sofa, waiting for his return was a man he had not seen for fifteen or so years, and back then he looked far younger. He recalled the face, and with that the name; Remus Lupin.

'Hello Finn,' Remus spoke first.

Finn sat down in his chair and set his tea down.

'Well I figured it would only be a matter of time before one of you popped round. Hello Remus,' Finn replied, his face showed a little fear.

The last time he was in the presence of capable Wizards, was a time he wished he could forget.

'Yes, well it took us a little longer than we would have hoped to identify you. You've changed Finn.'

'As have you'

They stared at each other for a little bit, before they both smiled.

'It's good to see you; it's been far too long'

'Yes it has me boy, yes it has. Well I 'spect that you didn't come all this way to say hello to an old man, so out with it then. What do you need, hmmh?' Finn Replied.

'Well, the reason is quite simple. I know you are aware that the young man whom you spend your afternoons with, is in fact Harry Potter'

Finn nodded, to show that Remus was right.

'Right, well I came to ask a favor. I don't know the reason as to why you have returned, and I am not in right of knowing first. But I think that Harry has the right to know. He's been through more than he should have been, and had far too many things kept from him. I doubt you would want to hurt him more by keeping this from him too,' Remus reasoned.

Finn sighed; he had a feeling that he might be asked to do that.

'Remus, you are right. Harry deserves to know who I really am, and he shall but – well I'm just not as courageous as are young mutual friend.'

'Not many are.'

'Not to worry Remus, I'll tell him the truth, he deserves the truth.'

'Good then, I knew I could count on you'

'So, what's been happening with you, eh?' Finn asked, curious as to what the young werewolf was up to nowadays.

'Too much, and nothing at all really,' Remus said, a sad look crossed over his face. It was one Finn had seen all too often on Harry's.

'You're as readable as young Harry, Remus. Tell an old man what's going on, I've seen Harry wear that same expression, but can't get a thing out of him. What's happened, eh?'

'Nothing gets by you, Finn. Its Sirius, he recently perished. And well it's been hard on us all,' Remus said a shake in his voice.

At this Finn was confused.

'But Remus, he deceived-,' Finn began.

'No he didn't. It was Peter, Finn. He betrayed us all, and Sirius paid his punishment,' Remus spoke sadly.

'Why I never… I'm deeply sorry Remus. Sirius was a good man, a great wizard. It is terrible to hear he has left us,' Finn claimed, shocked that yet another fine young man had been taken.

'Yes it is,' Remus agreed quietly, before he looked at his watch and continued, 'well there is an order meeting that is about to begin, and I must attend.'

'Oh yes certainly, do stop back sometime. It was nice to speak with you again Remus'

'You as well, Finn. And don't forget to tell Harry'

'Don't worry, I won't'

'Oh and Finn-'

'Yes'

'Harry's not the only one that deserves to know,' Remus finished, a meaningful look in his eye.

Finn thought of this for a moment before agreeing with a nod of his head. He was right, she deserved to know.

A.N. and so ends chapter two. Well thank you all so much so far for reading and reviewing. I was afraid no one would. So please tell me what you thought of this next bit, and what you think of Finn. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. And if you have the time please leave me a nice long bit of feedback, as it makes an authors day, and I really enjoy hearing what you have to say whether its to criticize or not! Thanks again,

Cheers

Petroleumjellydotone.