Remus had enjoyed the company this past month, it was nice to have a new face about him, reminded him of old times. He knew if he went further abroad he could escape the war all together, for the UK was no longer his home, or the war his battle, but he remained. He worked with the underground from time to time, but he mainly tutored the kids of the estate, and he was happy here. The only comfort he longed for was his son, but Harry would not remain in one place, he knew the risk. Harry had lost too much, but for Remus he lost all, except his life, and he would not give that up.
Draco visited his father every day, having wished for the war to end, so they could finally have been a proper family. Now his father was gone, all he had was his godfather and former stepfather, never resenting Harry for his dad's death. He knew Lucius would be a target without Harry, he was too powerful for Albus to leave alive, and Harry had simply been a tool. His father had ordered them both to flee, he knew he would die, and could die in peace knowing they could move on.
Remus heard and saw nothing, but a flicker of light, but knew he was there. "You take a risk coming when he is here."
Harry's hollow voice met his ears."I yearned to see him. It may be foolish, he is older then I, but he is kin. He is Luc's."
Turning as he felt his son materializing, he wished he could reach out and comfort his son, but he couldn't. Harry loved him, he never doubted for a moment, but after such loss, he feared to let any too close. Thos he let in ended up dead, or like Fred, nearly dead, and he would not risk others.
Remus managed to lightly brush his son's face. "You know your husband would want you to be happy. This life of limbo serves no one, and doesn't honour him."
Harry looked to his hand where he still wore his ring. "You think I should return?"
No, as a father in all but blood, no. As a friend, as a mentor, as one who watched all he had suffered, no. But as one who had also suffered the war, and could not deny he sought revenge, yes. Albus had sacrificed many good people before Voldemort, he had known how to kill him, and prolonged the end. So much innocent blood.
Harry moved like a wraith across the room for water."I barely survived the first war, and we knew how to take down Voldemort. You think I have the power?"
Remus found himself laugh. "You have trained under the top powers, you have a magic unlike I have seen. And you have allies he will never expect from you."
Harry had not brooded in mourning, his husband had not simply told him to run, he made plans beyond saving Harry's fortune. Lucius was a gray mage, a wizard who was neither dark nor light, who found power in it. He sent Harry to Romania, to his master, where Harry after but a year became a gray mage. He had traveled the world, studying the magic of all creatures, gray mages welcome even among vampires. Harry could move in and out with light and shadow, no sound even for a wolf's ears, and he had become a shifter, even Remus unaware of all his forms. He was the first pure human adopted into a werewolf pack, the one not far from here.
Harry drank the water. "I will not return, even if I was convinced to go back and take the old man down. I will never look upon that land as home again."
Remus saw a flash of emotion in Harry's eyes, a very rare moment."You don't have to. Perhaps when you defeat him, you'll be free to move on."
Being a gray mage did not make him this way, Harry had not been back to the academy since he finished for he had been told he had one last step. He was a mage, but if he was to become a master, he needed to put his body, heart and soul into it. As long as he kept his heart locked away, he would never reach full potential, and he was told not to return till he did, so he traveled instead. Lucius ha been powerful because he had Draco, and later Harry, to fight for.
Harry knew where his mind was. "I will not love again, my soul mate is dead. I will study and live, and one day I will be reunited with him."
Remus sighed. "You know you can love again, if you would simply open your heart once again, to the chance of it. He would want you to."
Everyone who Harry allowed to see him, even his former master, had told him that, but Harry refused to listen. Perhaps if he brought Albus down, he would have closure, and he could consider love again. Remus wanted his cub to be happy, and Lucius would still wait in the after life, even if Harry wed again.
Harry looked at Draco again. "He is the reason you have brought up both subjects. Has your infatuation with my former stepson, made you an idealist again."
It had been many years since he had been an idealist, but he smiled a bit. "Perhaps I have enjoyed his company well enough. I have spoken of this before."
Harry was the one who eyed his dad this time, not as blind as the man thought, and he could see. Remus could have easily made Draco leave, but he was enjoying having him here, and not simply for company over a game of chess. Harry thought it odd, his dad and former stepson, but he could be happy for it, if it came to be.
Harry turned to leave, vanishing into the shadows, but called. "Perhaps I will meet with him tomorrow, and see if he can sweet talk me as he seems to have you."
Please R and R