Chapter Two: Telling Harry
When Remus got to the hospital wing the next day, he found that Harry had visitors in the forms of Ron and Hermione.
'Hello, Professor Lupin,' said Hermione.
'I'm not your professor anymore, so you can call me Remus,' he said.
'Um, okay,' said Hermione.
Remus smiled at them before saying, 'Do you mind if I speak with Harry alone?'
'No, it's fine, come on, Ron,' said Hermione, before leaving with Ron.
'Hello, Harry,' said Remus.
'Hello, Remus, how's Snuffles?' said Harry in reply.
'He's well and sends you his best, Harry, but now you and I have some things to discuss, but I need you to read this first,' said Remus and he gave Harry a list of instructions.
As Harry read the list of instructions his eyebrows went further and further up his head before saying, 'Remus, this list is ridiculous, I can't do any of that!'
'If you are worried about what the Weasleys will say, I've already got them on board. Bill is speaking with Ginny and the twins as we speak. Molly is also privy to these plans,' said Remus.
'What about Sirius? What does he think?' asked Harry.
'He thinks I'm wrong, but I want you to survive, Harry, I want what's best for you and you can't pretend you aren't still hurt about what happened between you and Ron …' said Remus. 'We took a vote on it, Harry, I, Molly, Bill and Charlie Weasley are in agreement.'
'I see …' said Harry, 'but this thing with Neville and Hermione? She won't like being told who to date.'
'If your friendship is important enough to her …'
'Are you sure?' asked Harry.
'It has to be done, Harry, especially the bit where Ron is concerned, he is holding you back,' said Remus.
Harry looked Remus in the eye and nodded, Remus sat down on his bedside and shared his reasons for his plans while Harry asked why he had to go back to the Dursleys, and Remus told him why before leaving Harry alone.
Twenty minutes later, Ginny, Fred and George came into the hospital wing and sat by Harry's bedside.
'We just had an interesting talk with Bill, he said changes need to be made and we're in,' said Fred, as George and Ginny nodded.
'Bill's right, Ron is an immature idiot and can't be relied upon,' said Ginny.
'I'll go and get Neville, okay?' said George.
George went to get Neville and came back ten minutes later.
'George said you wanted to see me, Harry?' said Neville.
'Yeah, you see I'm severing ties with Ron and I need someone I can trust not to ditch me when the going gets tough, are you up for it? Can you handle it?' said Harry.
'Are you sure about this, Harry? It's just I'm not the bravest or the smartest person in the world …' said Neville.
'You are brave, Neville, you were put in Gryffindor for a reason, and you are smart, you are the best at Herbology in the whole year,' said Harry, and then Harry told Neville about the arrangements where Hermione was concerned.
'You do like her, don't you, Neville?' asked Harry.
Neville gave a shy nod.
'Don't be embarrassed, Neville, you're amongst friends here,' said Ginny.
'But will Hermione go for it, though?' asked Neville.
'Neville, she will if she still wants to be my friend,' said Harry.
'I would be happy to be your best friend, Harry, even if Hermione says no,' said Neville, offering his hand to Harry, which Harry took and they shook hands.