Title: Grasping the Nettle – Chapter Three
Category: Books - Harry Potter
Challenge(s): Shower challenge and the Scrabble challenge!
Prompt(s): Write 500+ words and use the word Preach!
Length: WIP Chapter Three – 1,528 Words!
Rating: M
Pairing or Characters: Harry Potter, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black.
Thanks: To my amazing betas who always remind me to paint a picture with my words, not just tell a story. Thank you girls!
Disclaimer: Though it pains me to say so, I do not own the rights to anything that belongs to the Harry Potter universe, nor do I make any money from writing about them. The only thing(s) that I can claim as mine own are the ideas and/or characters that may be woven into the wonderful world of all that is Harry Potter. Everything else is used in the spirit of good-natured fun or naughty shenanigans. What can I say? I just like to play!
Author's Notes: Hey guys, I just wanted to write and let you know that this story is based mostly off of head-canon. In my mind Tonks and Remus survived but they aren't together anymore and they share custody of their son. Sirius never died and he is still very much a part of Harry's life.
Written For: My good friend Jess! Because she is such an amazing person I wanted to do something special. Well...a oneshot turned into a WIP! Hope you like it Jess! Also, for all of the reviewers who took time to reach chapter one and leave a review!
Chapter Three
Remus tossed a handful of silvery Floo Powder into the crackling fireplace of the downstairs sitting room. Golden saffron flames swelled into a blazing emerald green so bright that it hurt his eyes, signaling that Remus could make his Floo call safely. He leaned forward on his knees so that his face was in the verdant fire before clearly speaking the words, "Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place!"
Though the warm breath of the tickling flames made his eyes water, Remus didn't close his eyes. Instead he watched the grates swarm by. One blur after another passed his vision, giving him momentary snippets of other people's homes. The visions spun and swirled around him for a handful of minutes, then stopped abruptly. Through the grate he could see the old sitting room where Sirius took most of his meals when he was alone. Remus could see that Sirius was sitting in his favorite chair beside the hearth, reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet and sipping a cup of tea.
"Sirius," Remus called out gently, not wanting to startle the other man. His efforts were wasted, however, because Sirius gave a noticeable jump, sloshing his tea, before whipping his head around to find the owner of the voice.
"Who is it? Show yourself!" Sirius' eyes were mere slits as he glared at the face peering from the grate.
Remus realized that his face must not have been far enough into the flames if his good friend couldn't even recognize him. Shifting his body forward so that he was shoulders deep into his own fireplace, he said, "Is this better?"
A smile split Sirius' scowling features when he realized who it was. "Remus, old friend! It's been too long."
"Indeed it has," Remus agreed with a regretful tone, wincing internally at the bad news he had to give Sirius.
"I suppose it's to be expected, though, what with the separation and all," Sirius said as he folded the newspaper and tossed it aside. When he turned back he saw the forlorn expression that had taken over Remus' face. With a grimace he set down his tea and said, "I'm sorry, Moony. I shouldn't have brought it up."
Remus' thoughts turned to his son and the limited amount of time he actually got to see Teddy, making a stabbing pain shoot through his chest. He would give anything to see his little boy more often. Tonks, however, didn't feel the same. With a heavy sigh, Remus said, "It's all right. I know you didn't mean to come across as insensitive."
"Of course I didn't! We've just been worried about you, is all. Molly told me to keep out of it. She said that you'd need time to 'heal emotionally' and that I needed to leave you be. She's always been a bit of a worrier that one."
"Yes, well, I would say it's her maternal nature that makes her fret." A ghost of a smile played on Remus' face as he thought about the kind woman. More than once she had tried to take him under her wing like a mother hen, not even considering that he was a fully capable adult of nearly the same age as her.
"Yes, well, you know how she is–" Sirius trailed off. Then he continued with a smile, "You know, Remus, you should join us for supper this evening."
"Actually, I don't think I'll be able to–" Remus started, only to be cut off mid-sentence.
"Oh, come on, I'm sure Harry would enjoy seeing you, and I'd like to catch up," Sirius stated in a tone that told Remus he wasn't going to take no for an answer.
With a gentle smile, he said, "I would love to, Sirius, honestly. But I can't– I've–"
Again his raven-haired friend cut him off, beginning to frown a bit impatiently. "Why not? What else could you have planned that can't wait until tomorrow? Come on, Moony!"
Remus scowled at Sirius' tone. Although he knew Sirius did not realise the underlying meaning of his words, still the irritation grated on his nerves as his old pal thought that his life was too pathetic to have any plans. Granted, Remus didn't have social plans, but he did have plans. His plans consisted of taking care of Harry, who happened to be the reason behind this social call. Scowling partly in annoyance that the conversation got sidetracked by Sirius' oblivious nature when things didn't go his way, Remus was finally able to start giving the bad news. "Padfoot! Just listen,will you? It's about Harry, and it is not good news. He..."
"What do you mean? What about Harry? What happened? What did you hear, Remus?" Sirius asked, furrowing his brow. His gaze was controlled, but a well-known spark seemed to swim in his irises, as if any confirmation on the matter would light the spark aflame.
"Can't you just let me finish first? You are not making this any easier jumping in! He's been attacked, Padfoot." Seeing that Sirius had opened his mouth in horror, Remus shot him a look to stop him from interrupting again. "He arrived sometime last night. I found him in my front garden when I was coming back very early this morning. He's all right, so don't do anything irrational."
Sirius was quiet for so long that Remus thought that perhaps he hadn't heard him properly. Then, like a switch being thrown, Sirius shot to his feet and demanded, "Are you at St. Mungo's with Harry? What did the Healer say about his injuries? I . . . I need to be there for him!"
Had the matter not been so grave, Remus might've smirked at his incorrect prediction. It was not the time, however. "No, Harry is here with me at Solus End. His wounds weren't so bad that he needed a hospital. I patched him up this morning myself. He's . . . erm . . . resting at the moment."
"Who attacked him, Remus? Did he recognize them?" Sirius paced before the hearth impatiently.
"I don't know who attacked him," Remus assured quickly, knowing Sirius probably was concorting a plan for revenge. "Your guess would be as good as mine. But there's something else you must know."
"What? What else is there?" Sirius was still deeply in thought, mentally going through a list of enemies whom Harry had made in his career and which of them could have managed to harm his godson, therefore he wasn't aware of the look that Remus was giving him, indicating that the worse was not over yet.
"He was attacked by a werewolf." Remus watched as Sirius stopped pacing to stare at him in disbelief. The color drained from his face until he was as white as a sheet, and Remus feared he might pass out.
"Merlin . . . how?!" Sirius croaked.
"I'm not sure," Remus said softly. He watched the flood of emotions cross Sirius' face. It made his heart heavy. To see his own friend realising with great horror that Harry might be a monster just like him served to remind Remus that even people he was close to thought less of him just because he turned furry once a month. Anger and sorrow filled his heart, but he pushed it down enough to say, "He'll be all right, Sirius."
Sirius turned angry eyes on him. "No! You can't say that! Isn't it a hard enough life for Harry already but to add being a werewolf on top of that?!" Sirius was nearly foaming at the mouth that he didn't realise the next bit of information he blurted out would get him in even hotter water. "I remember what it was like for you at Hogwarts. How much it took out of you. I know how much you hated it, how much you still hate it. I had my suspicion that Tonks left you for that, but... No, Harry's life is going to be changed forever. His life will never be the same again–" Sirius trailed off at the fury on Remus' face. In his anger, he had not only revealed his misgiving of the situation, but also his guess towards his only remaining best friend's broken marriage.
"Don't preach to me about it, Sirius," Remus lashed out as his anger came to a head after the long agonising night, not wanting to think too much on his broke marriage. "I know better than anyone else what it's like to be what I am. Yes, Harry will be okay. I know because when you have the support of those around you, it's easier to see past the negative things. I'll be there to help him through this, and I know you will be too, even if the thought horrifies you. Now, I should really get back to Harry. I know you'll be along shortly, so will you please bring Harry some clothes? I don't have anything that'll fit him." With that Remus pulled his head out of the emerald flames to disconnect the Floo call.
A/N: I really appreciate all of the people who take the time to read and review. I respect positive comments and constructive criticism. Both help to make me a better author which in turn makes my writing style improve for the better. On top of that I truly enjoy responding to all of your reviews. Also, thanks to those of you who have favorited and/or followed this story. That means so much!:) So, thank you all so much!. You're all wee gems!