Thank you once again to everyone who reviewed. The 150th reviewer will get a whole chapter dedicated them :) Just so you guys don't get confused, the start of this chapter is Harry dreaming of his Mum and Dad. They visit him in his dreams to tell him everything is going to be alright.
Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderful world of Harry Potter. It still belongs to the lovely J.K. Rowling.
Harry was in a big airy forest. How he got there he had no idea. He stood up from where he had been laying on the floor and looked around. The trees were tall and beautiful and numerous flowers grew at the foot of them.
"Where am I?" Harry whispered to himself feeling utterly perplexe, staring around in confusion.
He suddenly had the strangest feeling that he was being watched. Whirling around to face the direction in which he felt the stares radiating from he pulled out his wand.
"Hello? Whose there?" said Harry cautiously, raising his wand even higher.
Two people stepped into the clearing, one was a woman who was extremely beautiful, she had waist length red hair that shone in the sun and brilliant emerald eyes 'just like mine' thought Harry heart hammering. The other was a tall man who looked the spitting image of Harry except taller and older.
"Mum? Dad?" whispered Harry hoarsely.
"Yes sweetheart," said Lily drawing closer to Harry and looking tenderly at him. James drew closer too and wrapped an arm round Lily's shoulder, smiling down at Harry.
"Where am I?" Harry breathed "Am I dead?"
James shook his head looking sad.
"No son you are not dead, but we do need to talk to you,"
Harry nodded and felt tears well up in his eyes. Lily gently hugged Harry and he breathed in the scent of roses and fresh linen. James joined in on the hug too.
"We need you to stay strong sweetheart. We know you can beat this thing. Me and your Dad have every faith in you. I love you Harry," said Lily softly
"Your mum's right son, you will get through this. You just need to be positive and stay strong. Don't forget were always with you, in here," said James, placing his hand gently on Harry's chest.
"Okay I will," said Harry shakily looking up at his Mum and Dad.
The trio then hugged as if they never wanted to let each other go but eventually they pulled apart.
"We have to go now sweetheart," said Lily kissing Harry on the cheek.
"Say hello to Moony for me son. I love you and we will meet again one day," said James softly enveloping Harry in a warm hug.
They both stepped back and took one last look at Harry. Harry reached out a hand to touch them but they were suddenly engulfed by a white light and then they were gone.
Harry slowly opened his eyes with tears falling down his cheeks. He quickly wiped them away and sat up in bed. He reached to his left and then his right for his glasses before slipping them back onto his face. Taking a good look around the room he was in Harry assumed he must be in Hogwarts, but other than that he had no clue.
Just then the door opened and in came a tired looking Professor Lupin. He smiled when he saw Harry and sat down on the bed.
"How are you feeling?" he said softly looking into Harry's eyes.
"Sore," admitted Harry wincing slightly as he sat further up in the bed.
"That's to be expected," said Professor Lupin smiling wanly at him.
"I dreamt about Mum and Dad, they told me that I've got to be strong," said Harry suddenly remembering his dream.
Professor Lupin seemed taken aback for a moment but he pushed the shock away.
"Oh really? That's great Harry," he exclaimed truly happy for Harry.
"It is isn't it? Oh Mum and Dad said hi," Harry added.
Remus smiled and a warm feeling developed in his chest at the thought of his best friends. He had to look away as at that moment a tear escaped his eye and dripped down his face. He wiped it with the corner of his robes.
"Uncle Remus, are you ok?" said Harry concerned, shuffling over to sit next to him on the bed.
"Yeah I'm fine Harry don't you worry," Remus reassured him.
"That's a lie," muttered Harry softly and before he could say anything, Harry had wrapped his arms round his neck.
Remus patted Harry's back gently and brought his arms protectively around to young boy, comforted by his presence.
Finally they both broke apart smiling softly at each other.
"Now I expect you're hungry after being asleep for 12 hours?" said Remus just as Harry's stomach gave a loud rumble.
"Ill take that as a yes then," chuckled Remus.
"Erm yeah I could eat a scabby hippogriff," joked Harry.
Remus chuckled softly and left the room reappearing moments later with a tray laden with sandwiches and pumpkin juice.
"That was bloody quick!" exclaimed Harry without thinking.
"Language Harry," Remus admonished gently, he then added "I can do magic you know,"
Harry blushed bright red and grinned guiltily up at Remus.
"I forgot," he admitted.
"I kind of guessed," chuckled Remus handing Harry a plate of sandwiches.
They both ate in a comfortable silence, the only sound being made was of chewing and the glasses clattering as they were placed back on the tray.
"Thanks Uncle Remus that was great," Harry said rubbing his full belly and sighing contentedly.
"You're welcome Harry," said Remus kindly "Now I'm sure you'll want to go and see two certain people who are desperate to see you," he added eyes twinkling mischievously.
"I can leave?" Harry exclaimed eyes lighting up.
"Of course you can Harry but I'd recommend you get dressed first," he chuckled as Harry jumped out of bed, wearing nothing but boxer shorts.
Harry blushed red with embarrassment and dived back under the covers. Remus chuckled and left the room so Harry could get dressed in private.
Harry bit his lip nervously as he made his way to Gryffindor tower, for some strange reason he was nervous about seeing his best friends again. Stopping outside of the portrait hole, he suddenly realised that he didn't know the password.
"Erm," said Harry by way of answer when the fat lady asked him for the password.
"No password no entrance," said the fat lady sternly.
"Oh come on," shouted Harry angrily.
She just looked at him raising her eyebrows slightly. Groaning Harry slid down the wall.
"Harry! There you are," Hermione came running towards him and dropped to her knees in front of him.
"You alright mate?" said Ron who was grinning like a loon.
"Not too bad yourself?" said Harry, heart lightening considerably at the sight of his two best friends.
"Never better," grinned Ron.
"How about you 'Mione?" said Harry turning to Hermione who had been watching the exchange quietly.
"I'm good too Harry," said Hermione smiling weakly but there was something about the way her smile seemed forced and the bags under her eyes, not to mention the pale complexion that worried Harry. He exchanged a concerned glance with Ron.
" 'Mione are you sure you're alright?" said Harry standing up and helping Hermione to her feet.
"I'm fine Harry honestly," Hermione insisted but he could tell in her eyes that she wasn't being entirely truthful.
Harry looked at her for a second and then shook his head.
"C'mon I could do with some fresh air," muttered Harry and he led the way to the grounds, his friends close behind him.
When they got to their usual spot by the lake, Harry flopped down on the tree stump and sighed loudly.
"Oh hey Harry! Did you hear what Fred and George did to Malfoy while you were away?" said Ron suddenly.
"Nooo?" said Harry slowly knowing that he was going to like this.
"They sneaked into the Slytherin common room and put pink hair dye into his shampoo," said Ron spluttering with laughter.
"No way!" exclaimed Harry chuckling.
"Yes way!" said Ron nodding with a big grin on his face.
"Honestly Ronald it's not funny," snapped Hermione scowling.
"Relax 'Mione it's just a bit of harmless fun," said Ron patting her shoulder.
"Harmless fun or not, it's against the rules to sneak into another houses common room," snapped Hermione and she stood up, flung her bag over her shoulder and stalked off.
"I'll go after her," said Harry and scrambling off of the tree trunk and without a backwards glance he ran after Hermione who had gone in the direction of the forest.
" 'Mione wait up!" called Harry, hurrying after her.
Hermione slowed down and let Harry catch up with her, they walked in silence to a small clearing before Harry turned to Hermione.
"Hermione what's wrong?" he said gently reaching out and wiping a tear away.
"It's just...It's just," said Hermione unable to find the right words.
"You can tell me Hermione, I won't be mad with you," Harry assured her gently.
"I..i have a crush on someone okay?" said Hermione loudly causing several birds to fly away and something in the trees to shift slightly. Staring nervously over his shoulder, Harry turned back to Hermione.
"Who is it?" he said gently, stroking her face with his thumb.
Hermione looked down and bit her lip nervously.
"Promise you won't be mad, or laugh OR tell anyone," said Hermione with slightly wild eyes.
"Scouts honour, "said Harry gently.
Hermione smiled gently at this before continuing.
"I...it's professor Lupin. I just can't stop thinking about him and I know you probably won't want to be friends anymore after this but I have to tell you because you're my best friend and he's your guardian and..," Hermione was rambling by now with tears dripping down her face.
"Hey hey 'Mione calm down," said Harry slightly louder than he intended.
"I do not and never will hate you, I am not mad at you as you can't help who you have a crush on," said Harry kindly.
Hermione suddenly burst into loud and noisy tears much to the surprise of Harry. He slowly stepped forwards and hugged her gently. She tightened her grip on him almost painfully and laid her head on his shoulder.
After what seemed an age they broke apart, Hermione smiled gratefully at Harry and took his hand who in return squeezed Hermione's hand gently. As they left the clearing to go back to Ron they were unaware of Draco Malfoy hidden behind a tree and grinning wickedly.
"This is brilliant, now I can totally humiliate that little mudblood," he said gleefully to himself.
Dinner in the great hall was a noisy affair that night and Harry found he was enjoying himself immensely. He at that moment was having a heated discussion with Seamus Finnigan about the best Quidditch move.
Harry felt eyes on him coming from the direction of the staff table, turning his head Harry smiled when he saw Dumbledore trying to offer an exasperated Professor Snape a sherbet lemon while Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick looked on in amusement. His eyes travelled along the staff table and came to rest on Professor Lupin who had been staring right at him.
Harry waved and smiled slightly and Professor Lupin returned the gesture. Harry was snapped out of his thoughts by Malfoy whispering loudly
"Oi Mudblood,"
Hermione whipped around in her seat to face Malfoy and scowled at him.
"What do you want Malfoy?" she asked kindly.
"Ooh not very friendly," said Malfoy wickedly and grinning menacingly at Hermione he stood up on his seat, drawing the attention of the whole hall including the teachers.
"I have an announcement to make," said Malfoy who had his wand held to his throat with an obvious magnification charm "Granger here has a secret crush and I am about to reveal it,"
Malfoy smirked at the sniggering Slytherins and the disgusted Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors and Ravenclaws.
"You see she has a crush on a certain ahh person," said Malfoy grinning wickedly at Hermione, Ron and Harry who seemed frozen with shock. His eyes flitted maliciously to Professor Lupin who was sitting at the staff table and looking at Malfoy with great dislike.
"Granger here has a crush on Lupin," said Malfoy nastily glaring at said Professor who seemed shocked at this proclamation.
"I overheard her and the potty head talking," said Malfoy nastily and with that he lifted the spell and sat back down at the table giving Hermione a smug look.
The whole hall was quiet, just staring at Hermione.
Hermione stood up and ran out of the hall crying loudly while the whole school (including the teachers) stared at Malfoy with great dislike. Even some of the Slytherins looked slightly ashamed of what he had just done.
Harry and Ron gave one last dirty look at Malfoy and ran after their best friend but not before leaving with a parting sentence.
"You'll pay for that one Malfoy, you mark my words," snarled Harry and he and Ron ran out of the hall after Hermione.
Can anyone guess the song lyrics at the start of this chapter? I thought I might start putting song lyrics that are relevant to each chapter at the start of each chapter now. What do you guys think? Thanks for reading and please review :)
EDIT: I had to remove the song lyrics as someone told me my story could be removed.