I do not own Harry Potter and please read the note from Chapter 1
PadyandMoony...- Thoughtful expression...hun I think you got your reviews mixed up.
Chapter 46
Starting anew?
Harry smiled softly as he looked at his fiancée of a week now. She, Fleur, and Tonks were observing, alongside the only two wolf women. The male shifters who were busy working out some of the excess energy they were developing.
They were holding a wrestling contest... or as Tonks liked to put it, it was an excuse to help them keep in battle ready form. Just that this way it didn't feel like they were at war. But at play instead...
And as a bonus, much to the irritation of Harry and Remus, the women got to look at some handsome men while they wrestled. Their reasoning was the same most women gave all over the world, muggle and Wizarding a like. What's good for the goose...is good for the gander.
Essentially for her own safety, since she could not have one, Tonks called it an early bachelorette party for Gabrielle. Considering she was marrying Harry Potter, the others did not want the young woman going out unless necessary...much to her annoyance. Even though news of the forthcoming marriage to the hero of the Wizarding world had not spread...
They did not want to risk it. And since the wolves happily adored Harry and the two Veela sisters, they were pleased to entertain the ladies in the wrestling contest. Despite knowing it was more or less a chance for the youngest of the five to ogle them before she and Harry were finally loyal to only each other as mates should be.
They were mostly human after all.
So as this was going on, Remus had decided now was the time to approach Harry about his past friends. Sitting the youth down, he told of that discussion from the Order meeting a week ago. The one that he, Remus, and Fleur had with Ron, Hermione, and Bill...
Not wanting to listen at first, Harry found himself giving a small hint of a smile at Ron's words. Although it did not meet his eyes all the way as of yet, Remus could see the thoughts spinning and the almost hopeful look stretching across his features.
Silent though is what he remains. The thought stretching across his features, Harry is suddenly thankful for the bar, which was placed in the entertainment area. Its stock composed of muggle and Wizarding drinks alike, he picks a scotch and pours into a glass before he downs it in one gulp. The alcohol burning his throat at first, Remus is prepared for the outburst that he thinks is to follow, for that hopeful look has vanished and a pained one has taken its place..
So he is not really surprised at what is said instead.
"It doesn't matter...I don't want to see him."
"Why not?"
This time, Harry was startled as the older man asks a question that for once he can not answer. Taking this as an excuse to speak to this young man whom he loves with all his heart, Remus continues to speak.
"Harry, you can't hold on to that anger forever."
"Why not?!" Harry whirled as he started to shout. Neither man seeing the sudden whirl of the wolves, they give a small sigh and watch as Tonks halts everything for a moment to cast a silencing charm on the room the two men were in. Fleur comforting her sister along with the two female wolves, they as well as the young woman knew that this was long overdue.
They sensed their younger of the two designated leaders, has been holding back some emotional issues still. It is only because of this young woman, who had gotten him to speak and to love her that he has not burst all ready.
Hopefully she has spoken to him enough...
Now this is something that only Remus can address for unlike the others, he knows these people causing the conflict in Harry's heart almost as much as Harry does.
"Why not Remus, they abandoned me! They left me in that hell! Why should I not abandon them?"
"I don't blame you for feeling that Harry, but then I must ask you, why did you save them?" Remus asked softly. His voice never rising as much as he wishes to, he knows that this will not help the volatile young man in calming down. "You told me and Gabrielle, that you had saved Ron and Hermione that day, because of the past you shared. So if that wasn't the case...why did you save them?"
Unable to answer as he finds Remus using his own words against him, Harry narrows his eyes and says nothing. The wolf though was unaffected by that singular emerald glare and looked at the one who has become his son in all ways but blood. "Harry you have to let go of this hate. It isn't healthy..."
"I don't hate them! I just wish..." He immediately responded. The words flowing from his mouth before he could stop himself, Harry immediately slammed his lips shut. Stalking away to get himself another stiff drink, he finds himself stopped this time by Remus. The wolf having emerged, the amber speckled brown gaze studies him with gentle warmth and understanding...
"Wish what cubling?" The mixed gruff voice of both Moony and Remus spoke. The voice wanting to know, knowing that his cub won't get better until he lets it out. Lets it go and forgets...
After all that is the Way...
Hard pressed to answer, despite his will not to, Harry scowls and then looks away from the kind man, who was one of his father's closest friends before his death. "I wish it didn't still hurt so much." He murmured. It was so soft, that if it wasn't for the presence of Moony at that moment, Remus might never have heard those words.
"Harry, it will hurt, it will hurt for a long time. Do you remember back when I had thought Sirius had betrayed us all?"
"Yes..."
"I felt the same way as you do now, when I found out that wasn't the case. Even though I knew Sirius was innocent, and had forgiven him for thinking I was the traitor and not Peter. I still felt the pain...all those years. Because even though he never actually fired the spell, it was indirectly Sirius's fault for what happened..."
"You blamed him?!"
"Yes...for a little while I did." Remus said softly. "To a degree even to this day I still do, but you know something. That was the past Harry and it is what helped me to realize that I have changed. I was not the same person and neither was he."
"So what did you do?"
"I introduced myself again."
Confused, Harry looks at Remus with a puzzled expression. Amusement dancing in the eyes of the older man, the wolf tilts his head to look at Harry with a gentle gaze. "We were two different people Harry; we knew each other, but not the same way we used to. By re-introducing ourselves, we were telling the other that this is a new start." Remus stated. "And although we only had two years, we became friends once more. Not as close as we once were Harry, but given time."
"You might have developed it again..."
"Yes..."
Listening to his words Harry was contemplating many things. Mostly the fact that Remus was right...
The older wolf had shared some of those memories with Harry when they were France via the pictures from his Hogwarts days. It was obvious in those images compared to the memories he has, that Remus as well as Sirius were closer then than what they had been when the latter broke out of Azkaban.
There had been between the two men, and yet they had managed to form a tentative friendship once more in those two years. A friendship that never really had the chance to grow again...
Silent as he looked out the window in thought, he found Gabrielle looking at him. Her blonde hair flying to the side for a moment thanks to the wind, she tilts her head at him in that way that asks...
Are you all right? Do you need me?
No I'm fine...
You sure?
Yes...
Satisfied by his response, although she halfway wanted to come in anyway, the blonde looks at him as blows him a kiss which causes him to smile. It was that smile which made her heart sing with joy. For she knew that her show of affection had brought that light she adored into his eyes. A light that showed he was at peace...
Turning back but not before giving him a seductive look for later, she went back to watching as she turns back to her contest, the blonde as well as the other women let out whoops of delight as another shirt comes off.
Harry just shakes his head and laughs as does Remus.
After all one of the first things that they both had to do, concerning their ability to trust was know when and to whom to give it.
Gabrielle and Tonks had earned theirs and reaching for a letter. It was time for another to maybe start earning his. Sitting at a desk, Harry reaches for some parchment and a quill...
It was time to start writing a letter...
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
In the midst of doing his bills, Ron Weasely was startled as a very familiar looking owl flew into his window. One that most definitely belongs to his old friend... Giving a hoot of hello as she had recognized him, the snowy bird had approached and offered him her leg for which a letter was attached.
Frightened of that letter, scared of what it may hold for him. Ron was confused as he opened it and started to read. Within moments, the red head gave a sound of understanding and the first beginnings of a smile appeared on his face.
To Mr. Ronald Weasely,
I do not know if you know me, but I would like to introduce myself and start over in the Wizarding world. You see because of things far beyond my control, I haven't exactly had the best years of my life recently...
Recently I have learned that you and I attended Hogwarts at the same time together. Perhaps you can tell me some stories...
Stories that will make life seem good once more.
Sincerely
Harry Potter.
Having read the familiar writing, as he leans back in his chair, Ron looks up to find Hedwig staring at him with a curious and yet warm gaze.
"Starting over huh?" Ron replied softly. "I can do that..."
Saying nothing, the owl just fluffs and preens her feathers as she awaits response in such a way, which as Ron laughs. "Nice to meet you Hedwig..."
Hooting her response, she gives a sound of delight as Ron puts the letter down long enough to get her some treats and water. As she happily partakes of this delight, the red headed man reaches for his own parchment and quill and starts to pen his answer.
To Mr. Harry Potter,
If we were there at the same time together, did you hear about the incident in second year, the one with the car flying into the Whomping Willow?...
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
The ashes that were only smoldering embers of hope had now become a flickering flame...