Remus had been relieved that Harry had held it together while he was in the hospital. He had asked Severus and the others to keep n eye on his cub for he had been sure it would hit Harry bad. Harry was always so good at hiding away his emotions, why so few had known about the abuse, but there had been so much on him. He had lost his beloved godfather and had the rest of his life turned upside down on him and Remus knew Harry needed to talk about it, but he refused to do so. He had been hearing stories about Sirius and his friends had been helping him deal with the rest but he was bottling everything up. Remus was seriously worried that if Harry did not deal with it soon he would have even more trouble with it at school. Remus knew the headmaster would be keeping a close eye on Harry and trying to get him back on his side and help with the school and Wizengamot, and Harry would have to be on guard. Albus was a dangerous man when he did not get what he wanted.
Remus had help from Lucius to have adoption papers drawn up. It was within the will to allow for the adoption, all it required was the signature of Harry on the papers now. Remus had known without a doubt even without the wills, that both James and Lily as well as Sirius would have wanted him to do this for their cub. Harry deserved a family and though he had been slow before, he had every intention of offering Harry it. He and Tonks were talking about having kids when they married, having decided to marry at Christmas. Tonks had more then supported her fiancé's choice, reminding him Harry was her cousin, and would be happy to have Harry living with them when she moved to school after they wed. Remus had the papers since the hospital but he had been reluctant to give them to Harry because of Sirius.
But it seemed that the memories and the pain Harry had been running away from had suddenly caught up with him just over a week after his birthday party. Harry had been asleep for a few hours when suddenly memories of the night in the ministry and losing Sirius came flooding back to him. He watched as his beloved godfather went falling through the veil and the pain he had felt when he was in Remus' arms struggling to go to the veil and save his godfather, ripped through him. He woke up crying in bed, clutching at his chest as the pain seemed as fresh as if it had happened the night before.
Desperate to calm down Harry grabbed his robe from the end of the bed and fled out of the room. He was just in the hallway when he ran into a strong chest and when the arms went around him to steady him he knew it was Remus without looking up to see his godfather.
Remus knew his godson had a bad dream and he had a feeling why. "Come on cub, you're okay, you're okay."
Harry pulled away from him shaking. "I need to get out of here. I need air. I just need some air."
Though he knew his dad wanted to help him he could not look at him right now. Remus was in the dream; he was holding him, keeping him from the veil. He knew deep down that Remus had saved his life for he would have died as well but right now he needed to get away from him. Right now Remus was too painful a link to his beloved godfather and he just could not handle it right now. He loved Remus, he loved him and considered him a dad, but he just needed to be away from him.
He was out into the gardens before he knew where he was going and sunk down onto a fountain base crying and shaking, trying to control his emotions. He heard footsteps coming up behind him and was sure that Remus had followed him out there.
He did not turn to look at the person. "Please leave me alone Moony. I know you love me but I need to be alone, please."
It was Severus who responded. "It's not Remus."
He expected the man who he was shocked was out there to leave him but instead Severus sunk down onto the bench with him. Lucius had been right when he had accused his brother of a deeper feeling then concern for Harry. Right now though it was concern and he coaxed Harry into telling him about the dream, which he knew was basically the night in the ministry just the way it happened, but having those memories brought back up when he had not dealt with them, was a painful blow. He could understand why Harry had run from the comfort of Remus when he had seen him.
Severus drew away from Harry and looked into his eyes. "Just because you have to pretend you don't know the truth, doesn't men you don't get to be upset."
Harry was trying to calm his tears. "I know I have Moony and I have you guys, but I miss him so much. I miss him."
Taking the boy back into his arms he held Harry as he finally broke down completely and they sat there for some time as Harry just cried it out. Severus realized eventually Harry was asleep in his arms and moved to carry him back to bed. He knew Harry had a long road of healing ahead of him and this would not be the last time he had cried, but it would do him some good. He saw Remus in the doorway when he put Harry down into the bed.
He went to his old friend. "Show him the papers in the morning and talk to him. He needs a dad now more then ever. You both need each other right now."
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Harry was a bit surprised to wake in bed in the morning for he had no idea how he had got there. The last thing he could remember was being in the garden. He remembered with embarrassment he had been crying in Severus' arms, the man must have thought him some kind of baby. He had become closer to the man and the Malfoys that summer but he still should not have been crying on him like that.
He was surprised when he saw his dad in the doorway with breakfast and he suddenly felt such guilt. This was a man who was also mourning Sirius and he had run off on him. He considered him his dad; he used the name in his head though no to his face. He wanted Remus to be his dad but he wasn't sure the man felt the same way.
Remus sat down knowing his thoughts. "Don't feel guilty about last night cub; I know how bad it hurts. But I want to be here to help you mourn him as I am."
Harry accepted a kiss from Remus. "I'm sorry Moony. I didn't mean to upset you last night. I just needed to be alone. I don't know why it suddenly hit me."
Collecting his cub into his arms Remus reminded Harry he had been fighting so hard all summer to pretend he did not know the truth. But he had to remember around them they knew the truth and even in front of the Weasleys, they knew he was morning Sirius. It was okay to cry and scream, and need to be held. He was a child who had lost one of the closest things to a parent he had ever known. He had every right to need that comfort.
Harry clung to him. "I'm just glad you'll be at school and I can live with you. I miss him so much and after everything I just need you da....."
Remus noticed Harry cut off the word, uncertain he could use it. "I love you as my own son. If you want to call me dad, you can. I love you cub, I love you."
Shock ran through Harry as Remus brought out the papers and explained he wanted to adopt Harry. He offered to keep Harry as a Potter, the name did not matter, but he wanted Harry to know he was his son if he wanted it. Harry asked in a tiny voice if he could be a Lupin, after all Potter and Black would continue as his titles. Remus kissed his son's head again taking that as confirmation he could adopt him and assured his son he would be honoured. Harry was a bit shaky but he signed.
Remus had the papers sent with an elf off and held his son. "You don't need to hide any more cub. We're both mourning. You need to cry, you cry. I'm here."
