Remus watched from the door, the only room in the manor, that none of them ever dared enter; well attempt for it was warded. The room had been Lucius' private study, and in the days since Harry's return, he barely left the room. Remus knew Harry came here, when ever he was in the UK, unseen by those in the manor. He had come to find his son, for Alexander and his men were anxious for orders, and he knew Harry would want to go to then. Alexander was the patriarch of the werewolf packs both Harry and Remus were adopted into, where Remus learned to be a shifter, which few people knew. Born werewolves were peaceful unless attacked, except renegades like Fenrir, and though they were no danger for they kept their mind, Harry could talk to them. One of his many forms, a true shifter, was a full timber wolf.
Harry sat in a high backed chair, and was looking at something in his lap, and Remus knew it came in the package. Harry had not spoken much when he returned from his trip, telling them about Albus, but he refused to talk about Luna. Even among them, Remus was one of the few who knew she lived, and the body found, was a double with polyjuice, an already dying prisoner. The package was from Lucius, given to him by Severus, and Harry had finally opened it.
Harry did not look up. "I am needed."
It was not a question but a statement. He knew Remus would never come in other wise. "The pack would like to see you."
He was the only one who could come in, well him and Draco, but both swore only to come if asked, or if Harry was needed. Harry had his bedroom, and even an office area, but when he came to this room, he wanted to be left alone. Remus knew how many nights Harry and Lucius lay curled up in here, lying before the fire, talking of how they would change the world, and make it better for the kids they were dreaming of. This room was not only Lucius' sanctuary; it held a lot of memories.
He sat down on the hearth in front of Harry. "Harry you need to live for more then vengeance, there is so much more. You used to have such a love for life."
Harry looked up but he had the emotionless stare in his eyes. "And it died with him. The dementor may not have got Luc's soul, but I think perhaps it got mine."
Reaching out and running a hand down his son's face, he knew it was not true, but likely he and Draco were among the few who knew that. Luna and Severus did, but Remus could see Harry through different eyes, he could still see Lily and James' son. He could sill see the boy he loved as his own son.
Remus kissed his head. "The boy I met in third year, the man Lucius married, is still there. He is scared, and hiding, but I can see him there."
Harry smirked a bit. "You forget I am not scared of anything."
That actually made Remus laugh, for Harry had never been fearless as people believed, he simply faced his fears. Harry had long ago embraced the belief that courage was not the absence of fear; simply the belief there was something worth more then the fear. Harry had faced abuse, and ridicule, he had been tortured by relatives, treated like a freak by the school, and slandered in the papers, but h had remained a good person. It was something they had in common, they had both found little real kindness in the world, faced ridicule and intolerance, but they both saw the beauty even in the gloom.
Remus looked into his eyes. "The light has gone out from your eyes, something you and your mom shared. I hope to one day see that light back in them."
Harry shook his head. "Love is gone, I had my chance, and it is over now. I will see Albus brought down, and leave love and dreams to you and Draco."
Remus blushed when he said it, Harry had not been the only one to see how close Remus and Draco were, and hinted at it. Remus knew in better times there would have been many jokes, and people pushing or pulling, but those days were gone. Remus prayed with Harry back, the war would end, and those days would come.
Remus looked down at what was in Harry's lap. There were a few items but there was a journal. "Harry?"
Harry touched it. "Lucius sent the package to Severus the day before he was captured. He made him promise to give it to me."
There were things they had shared, like a book of sonnets Harry had given him long ago, and a beautiful medallion from the Malfoy family vaults. The journal Lucius wrote in sporadically over the years, but had everything from poems, to plans for the future, to normal journal entries. There was also a last note to his husband.
Before he closed the book to leave Harry read a part. "The night is always darkest before the dawn my love, but I promise the dawn will be oh so glorious."
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Harry was not surprised to find himself back at school, for the one apparition point into the school, was always at the heart of the woods. No humans used it, for they needed to travel through centaur land and the spiders, but the spiders were gone, and Harry had a truce with the centaurs. Harry had saved Ronan's life, a month before Lucius was killed, when Albus attempted to slaughter the herd, for they refused to fight. The woods now had wards stronger then the school, and Albus could not enter, but Ronan had been caught by some spelled nets, and if not for Harry, would die. The centaurs owed him a life debt, and by their custom, meant a truce for life. They had allowed the wolves to come, as long as they came in peace. Albus was their enemy, and though they usually did not interfere, they wanted him brought down.
Alex smiled when he saw Harry. "Ah Sable you have come finally. We have worried for you my cub, it has been too long."
Harry was oddly enough more human among wolves then people, he smiled a bit. "I have missed you as well. I am glad you were willing to come."
The true werewolves had soldiers, but only to protect their lands and young, not to make war, which seemed human past time. Like centaurs they preferred to be left alone, but were easier to convince to help, when they knew innocent lives were at risk. Alexander was like Remus, he was Harry's adoptive father of sorts. Though Remus was a werewolf, he was bitten and lived as a human, while Alex was Harry's family, in the pack.
Harry was surprised when Firenze appeared, new Lord, for while Ronan was saved, Magorian was killed and a few others. "Greeting of the moon and stars."
Firenze offered his own and then added."You have changed much since we last met. An adopted member of both centaurs and werewolves."
The mages gained him entrance into numerous groups like the vampires, but his adoption, was his own doing. Harry had not saved lives among the wolves, it was his respect for then, and his abilities, which earned him their respect, and a place among them as well. Harry had a number of races to call upon, the other mages were scholars, and would not fight, but he would start here, to strike at Albus. The wolves could apparate for they did have magic like wizards, but they also had incredible stealth and power, and would be used to make swift unseen attacks.
Harry explained. "Albus would expect a full on attack, but I will not make the same mistake Voldemort did. I will fight him, but this will be on our terms, not his."
please r and r