Remus was happy, his godson was eleven, and he would finally be able to see him all the time. He was invited over for Christmas, and one weekend a month, and a few days in the summer he had been allowed Harry. He and Sirius had never been the same since James died; their friendship had been on the rocks since Severus went to prison, but it got worse after. Likely the only reason he got Harry at all, was James and Lily put it in their will that Sirius could adopt him, but Remus was to be allowed visitation at least once a month and holidays.
Sirius seemed to be in a generous mood, and not only invited him to Harry's party, but to come school supply shopping with them as well. Remus made decent money, teaching, and added to it with writing texts, and since he paid no rent or food, he had a good savings. He hoped to buy a small home for summers one day, saving half of his salary for it, but he did save up a bit every month for his godson. He had promised Harry an owl for his birthday.
Harry beamed when he saw him."Uncle Moony, Uncle Moony."
Remus caught him up in his arms. "Hey cub, excited to go get your wand?"
He could see from some bags Sirius had, they had already done some shopping, and he felt a pang. He had been promised he could be here for shopping, and wondered if there was only the owl emporium left, for the gift he had promised Harry.
Sirius saw his look. "Robes and we hit the apothecary with Draco, and got his new broom. I thought you would want to help with texts and the rest."
Harry was bouncing up and down. "Dad says I need to get my books first. But Neville gave me a voucher, and I want one of those books you leant me."
Though Harry had been raised by Sirius, and did have a bit of the marauder side to him, he was a lot more like Remus. He loved to read, and he had a never ending curiosity about things, and Remus smiled as they headed for the book store. He had got Harry into muggle mystery novels, and when they saw there were some new ones, and the voucher was only enough for one, Remus bought the other. He had a few more coins then he needed for the owl, to take Harry for some ice cream, and for something like this. He did not have the money for a fancy broom like Sirius got Harry, but Harry was always happy with what he managed to get him.
Remus and Sirius managed peace for the day as they took Harry for his wand, and then for some ice cream, but Remus' mood changed. Draco and his parents were waiting at the owl emporium for them, having had some of their own to do. Remus knew Harry and Draco were best friends, but his mind went to Severus.
Lucius noticed him and nodded curtly. "Lupin. I was told about the suggestion you made for new texts for your class. I believe it has merit."
Remus had contract for charms and DADA but the school never had reliable texts for his class. "I could have one ready for publishing by Christmas."
His teaching was never full time, and since he only did NEWT level texts for the other two, texts for his own class could be a nice bonus. It might be the last bit of money he needed to buy the small cottage he manage to rent on the coast for a week, when he had Harry last summer The owner was willing to sell, and they had both liked the home, and he had even convinced Severus to come, but only for the two days, after Harry left.
Harry looked at his Uncle when Remus said he could have any owl he wanted."Are you sure Uncle Moony? You bought me the book too. I'd be happy with a....."
Remus kissed him on the head. "I promised you any owl you wanted, and I meant it. Now go with Draco and stop worrying."
In the end Harry did not choose an expensive eagle owl like Draco, which would have taken every knutt Remus had in his pouch, but he could have. Harry instead chose a less expensive but beautiful snowy owl, and Remus happily paid for the owl. He looked at the few knutts left, and reminded himself h would just have to remain at school till his next check, for this would maybe buy him a butterbeer and a chocolate frog.
Remus was surprised when Sirius tried to hand him some money. "I know you could not really afford such a gift. Harry will never know. Use it towards the home."
Shaking his head Remus refused."I can afford an owl for my godson. Thank you anyways."
As he watched the two boys in the joke shop, he thought of Severus, and wondered how his old friend would handle this. Severus had been fine if no one mentioned the Malfoys, but he was soon to come face to face with the Malfoy heir. It would be a painful reminder to Severus, of the man that he had been in love with.
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Severus sighed as he finished putting the potions in the cabinet, in the infirmary. Four years he had been a glorified lab assistant, for a man he could out brew when he had been a fifth year, in his class. Severus could not take his mastership, he did not qualify as a former convicted felon, and this was his life. He and Horace had become partners of sorts, brewing potions for the hospital, the old fool believing he did most of the work. Severus only got a tenth of the pay, but he would never have had any of it on his own, again his criminal record, and he had a small vault now. His salary, and free room and board, had never improved in four years.
He was surprised to run into Remus when he was heading back to his room."I thought you were in London."
Remus explained shopping and the offer from Sirius even. "It is the first time he has been more then civil to me. I am simply happy Harry will be here soon."
In four years Remus was really his only friend, he got along with Poppy and Horace who he worked for, but Filius was the only thing remotely as close. Remus did not have much of his own, he knew his friend was trying to buy a home, but Remus had always helped where he could. It was sad, a werewolf did better then he did.
Severus could see he was not saying something. "You saw them I assume? Its okay, you know I will have to face their son soon enough."
Remus put a hand on his arm. "Draco is a good kid, from what I have seen of him. I know it will be painful to see him, but I know you can do this."
He had no idea how his friend had kept such faith in him, and he knew he was his one saving grace. Severus rarely even went into town, he saw the looks he received, and he could understand why many people who spent years in prison, could not survive out. Remus had grounded him, when he nearly gave into the desperation.
Remus came into his room with him. "You know you really should move into my other room, now Harry lives here. You should not have to live like this."
Severus shook his head."I have had worse. I have told you for four years, I will never be a charity case. Besides, you could start dating."
His friend flushed a bit at that, and reminded Severus; even if he was bi he really had few options. There were not too many people who would look at a middle aged were wolf who needed to work two jobs to just try and buy a small home, as a great catch. Remus as usual made an excuse, and slipped away.
Severus watched him go. "Any man would be lucky to have you. I wish you could see that."
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Harry and Draco were so excited, though he was a bit worried about his dad, for they had been sorted into the same house. Sirius had wanted his son to be a Gryffindor like him, and Harry's birth parents, but Harry was reminded he was a Black. Sirius had been the odd ball in the family, one of the very few who had not been Slytherin, and Harry was happy to be with is cousin in the house. He knew his dad would be good, he wanted Harry happy, and that was with Draco.
Draco scanned the head table and he nodded towards a man up there."Do you know the man next to your Uncle? He has been watching me all night."
Harry turned to look and shrugged."He is not a professor. I think that must be Uncle Moony's friend, Severus. He never seems to be around when I come."
Harry and Draco both had never been told who the man was, not that he was sent to prison for supposively trying to kill Draco's mom. Harry had heard his dad and Uncle fighting over him for some reason, and the man was never around when Harry came to school, but didn't know why. Draco knew his parents were not bonded, and sometimes wondered why they never divorced, for he knew his mother had lovers, but he didn't know about Severus. His mother had never been a warm woman, and had been a mother for appearances like shopping, but Draco really had one parent, his dad.
Draco remembered something. "You know I swear there was a mention of a Severus in that two way journal dad gave me, in my copy. It was his dad's and his."
Harry had been given the other half. "It is not an uncommon name in our world. Besides what would a potion assistant have to do with your family?"
Their attention was soon back on the food, and talk with their new housemates, but Draco\s eyes went to the head table once and a while. Harry made sense, he could not think of what the connection would have been, but the man was watching him, which he found a bit creepy.
Harry knew his mind was still on it as they headed for bed. "We could ask my Uncle. Or he works for our head of house. I am sure one could solve the puzzle."