I don't own Harry Potter
Chapter 12- A father worries
Remus didn't even take time to change out of his pajamas when the owl came. He flooed strait to the Hogwarts hospital wing, giving Madame Pomfrey quite a scare.
"Remus! You shouldn't be here. The patients need quiet. And what are you doing dressed like that?"
The wizard hadn't even realized how he was dressed, and transfigured his clothes as he answered.
"I have to see Harry. Dumbledore owled me that he was hurt."
"Yes, he is. But you can't see him now. That boy needs his rest."
"But I'm his father."
"And I'm his healer." Then she softened a bit, giving Remus a rare smile. Remus had probably spent more time in the hospital wing than any other student before the other Marauders became animagi and were able to stop him from biting and scratching himself every full moon. And even after that the transformations still left him exhausted, so he always spent at least a couple days in the Hospital wing every month. The healer had taken almost a motherly attitude toward him during those times.
"I'm sorry Remus, but Harry will be sleeping for quite some time. You wouldn't be able to help him by seeing him anyway. He'll recover, don't worry. You can come by tomorrow. If he wakes up before then, I'll let you know."
Remus wasn't giving up though, although he kept his voice quiet.
"There's no way I'm going anywhere until I see my son."
Madame Pomfrey finally gave in, and said "All right. But only for a minute, and be careful not to wake him."
Pushing aside the bed curtains, Remus saw his son looking so weak and helpless, he almost wished he'd done as the healer asked. It was like seeing James after the killing curse, no visible wound on him, but so still and pale. He shook his head to be rid of the awful vision of his best friend dead, but he couldn't erase the image of Harry in front of him. He could see Harry was breathing steadily, and tried to use that to reassure himself that Harry would be fine soon. As hard as it was to see Harry like that, he wanted to be there for him. He smoothed his son's hair, but Harry didn't move.
Pomfrey came up beside him, and quietly said. "You'll have to leave now."
She shooed him out of the hospital wing, almost having to physically throw him out. She was absolutely determined that Harry be left absolutely alone to rest, and said "Why don't you go see Dumbledore? He'll be able to tell you just what happened. He gave me the impression he wanted to be the one to tell you."
Remus decided that if he couldn't see Harry, finding out just what happened to him from Dumbledore would probably be best, although he was almost afraid to know. But now that he'd seen how bad Harry looked, he felt he had to, for some reason. The letter had simply said that Harry had been injured, and hadn't gone into any details. He headed to the headmaster's office. Not knowing the password he knocked and waited for Dumbledore to let him in. As soon as the gargoyle swung aside Remus stormed into the room without even waiting to be invited in.
"What happened? How did Harry get hurt?"
Dumbledore's normally twinkling eyes were downcast.
"It was Quirrell. He was allowing Voldemort to use his body. He went after the stone, and Harry and his friends went after him. It took an incredible effort on Harry's part to hold him off. That's what took it's toll on him and put him in the hospital wing. I feared I would be too late to save him, but Voldemort's gone now, and when he fled it killed Quirrell."
Remus felt his knees grow weak and he started to tremble. Voldemort himself had been inside Hogwarts all this time. He could have killed Harry at any time he wanted, and if he hadn't needed Quirrell to seem trustworthy he would have.
"When Harry recovers, I'm taking him away from Hogwarts and I'll teach him at home myself. Something like this can never happen again."
Shaking his head, Dumbledore answered. "Voldemort wouldn't try to take over the school just yet. In his present state, being less than the weakest ghost, he wouldn't be able to. Hogwarts is still safer than the outside world."
The younger wizard almost lost it at that statement. He had incredible respect for Dumbledore after everything the headmaster had done for him, but he wasn't going to risk his son over that respect.
"Safer! How can you say that? Voldemort was inside the school for an entire year. Inside the school! Nobody even knew about it. He was almost able to get Harry thrown off his broom, and let a troll in that Harry ended up having to fight. That's not what I would call safe. What's to prevent something like that from happening again?"
"Without Quirrell, Voldemort wouldn't have been able to do any of those things. He may have threatened Quirrell, but without a body there isn't anything he could have done. It isn't likely he'll find someone willing to be used that way anytime in the near future. Almost all the teachers here except for Quirrell were in the Order of the Phoenix, and have proven themselves trustworthy. Even the few here who weren't in the order helped us. Do not think you are the only person who cares about Harry's welfare. Professor Snape is to thank for Harry not being thrown from his broom. He was muttering the counter-jinx the whole time."
Remus didn't think he'd ever been more surprised at anything.
"I never suspected Severus of trying to hurt Harry, but I didn't think he'd go out of his way to actually save him."
"Yes, he doesn't like to show people the best of himself, does he? But as I was saying, Hogwarts is still safer then the outside world. Besides the people here, there are more charms protecting it than could ever be used on a private home. And Harry still has the protection of Lily's sacrifice. It wouldn't be any help to Harry to not allow him to come back."
The werewolf looked the floor, knowing Dumbledore was right but still afraid for his son.
"Harry's only eleven," he said quietly. "He should be able to have a normal life. I'll let him come back to school, but he shouldn't have to be worrying about things like this."
"At least he won't have to worry about the stone from now on. Nicholas and I had a little chat, and decided it would be best if the stone were destroyed."
Remus knew what that meant. Flamel and his wife would die.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I know he was a good friend of yours."
"Please, it's Albus. You're not in school anymore. Yes, he will be missed, but he has had an extremely long life, and is ready for it to end. And now I imagine you'll need help convincing Madame Pomfrey to let you back in the Hospital wing."
Nodding, the younger wizard headed to the door. He wanted to be there for his son every second he could be, even if there was nothing he could do for him. He would be there when Harry finally woke up. After the healer was convinced to let him stay, he took a chair beside Harry's bed and did something he hadn't done in years. He started to cry.
It was two days later when Harry finally woke up. His vision was blurry, and it took a moment to realize someone had taken off his glasses. He was still feeling lightheaded and tired, but he felt around for his glasses and when he found them and had them on he looked around. He wasn't sure exactly where he was at first, but by the white walls and bed linen he guessed it must be the hospital wing. Then he looked to his left and saw the last person he'd expected to see there.
"Dad? What are you doing here?"
Remus nearly jumped hearing Harry talk for the first time in days, yet no sound had ever seemed half so wonderful to him. When Harry sat up Remus pulled him into a tight hug before saying. "Don't you ever give me a heart attack like that again. Do you have any idea how worried I've been? We nearly lost you."
"But I had to, Dad. I tried going to the teachers, but they didn't believe me. Quirrell was after-" Harry suddenly had a terrible thought. "Quirrell must have the stone! We have to stop him. He's going to give it to-"
"Harry, calm down. Quirrell doesn't have the stone. Dumbledore got there in time, and Quirrell's dead. Allowing Voldemort to use him killed him."
Harry relaxed just slightly at that, knowing if Quirrell had gotten the stone Voldemort would be back at full power now. "I was sure Quirrell had it."
Remus shook his head and placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"It's not worth anything happening to you, Harry. I've told you that before." His tone was a mix of sadness, fear, and love. Harry gave a half smile
"I don' go looking for trouble, Dad. Trouble always seems to find me. I try to be careful, but somehow that never seems to work out."
Remus had to smile at that himself. "Just don't give trouble any more chances to find you. My hair's already graying without extra help from worrying about you."
Harry gave a weak laugh at that. "I'll try not to."
It was a few more days before Madame Pomfrey would let Harry leave the hospital wing. Harry hated having to stay in bed, but his dad stayed with him and Ron, Hermione, and Neville came by as often as Madame Pomfrey would let them. Still, it seemed to Harry like he would be in bed forever, but the healer agreed to let him go to the end of the year feast. Remus was even allowed to stay for it.
They left the hospital wing together and as they headed for the Great Hall Harry saw someone walking ahead of them he wasn't exactly looking forward to seeing, but knew he had to say something to. It wouldn't be easy, but he'd seen how painful being misjudged could be, and didn't want that on his conscience. He looked at his dad, who nodded encouragingly, guessing what Harry was going to do.
"Professor Snape!" Harry called. "Professor."
Snape stopped and turned. "What is it?"
"I- er- I just wanted to say I suspected you of trying to steal the stone, and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that."
The potions master raised an eyebrow, and Harry wasn't sure if the look was one of surprise or disbelief. He walked away without speaking to either Harry or Remus, but Harry thought he heard him say something about maybe the new generation of Potters wasn't as headstrong or arrogant as the last. Not exactly a compliment, and Harry knew that he and Snape would most likely never get along, but at least he didn't have to feel guilty now.
Author's note: The pajama idea comes from my publisher, beta reader, and idea provider, PadyandMoony, aka just to tell you. I also wanted to ask that if you're going to flame, at least sign it so I can respond. You may not like changes I make, but isn't the whole point of fan fiction to put our own spin on the story? My thanks to those of you who have continued reading my story and to everyone who reviewed with either compliments or constructive criticism and have given ideas.