Chapter Eight
Harry sat at the breakfast table feeling more rested than he had done in months. It was unusual that he went through an entire night with only one nightmare, but since Hermione had woken him up he'd slept soundly and he was in a good mood. He was laughing with Hermione, Ginny and Lavender at Ron's horrendous table manners when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see the Headmaster standing behind him. A quick glance at his eyes told Harry that this wasn't bad news, and he relaxed the shoulders he didn't remember tensing.
"Harry, Would you come by and see me after breakfast? You have permission to arrive late to your Transfiguration class. I believe you know the password." Harry nodded and Dumbledore's eyes twinkled briefly as he smiled at his students before leaving the Great Hall.
"What's that about?" Ron asked through a mouthful of pancakes. The girls shot him looks of disgust and Harry laughed at his best friend.
"No idea mate. I'll let you know later." Harry turned to Hermione sitting next to him and spoke so only she could hear.
"Why do I get the feeling you know what's going on?"
"Because I always know what's going on." She said teasingly before winking and standing to leave the table, ruffling his messy hair as she did so. Harry grinned at her before turning back to his breakfast, not noticing the fascinated glances of Ginny and Lavender who had been trying to overhear Harry and Hermione's exchange. Ron smiled to himself, having decided not to tell Ginny and Lavender about finding Harry and Hermione asleep together that morning, he'd just carry on helping them with the matchmaking, knowing it wouldn't be a difficult job.
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Harry headed up the spiral staircase into Dumbledore's office and was surprised to see someone already sitting talking with the Headmaster.
"Remus!" Harry exclaimed in delight, rushing forward to hug his honorary Godfather in greeting.
"Good to see you Harry."
"Is everything ok?" Harry asked concerned as he took a seat in the chair next to Remus, opposite the Headmaster.
"Yes, everything's fine." Remus replied.
Dumbledore stood.
"I believe Miss. Granger wanted to repay the favour." The Headmaster said with a smile. Harry grinned, realising Hermione had heard all his worrying about Remus, and realised how much Harry missed him.
"I'll leave you two to talk." Dumbledore said with a smile.
Harry stood as Dumbledore walked towards the door.
"Professor?"
"Yes Harry?"
"I promised Hermione I'd ask you…I know I can't take dreamless sleep potion, but is there anything else that wouldn't effect my Occlumency?" Harry asked quickly. Remus and Dumbledore both glanced at Harry worriedly.
"I'll look into it Harry and consult with Professor Snape. I'll let you know what I've discovered."
Harry nodded his thanks and Professor Dumbledore left the office.
Remus raised an eyebrow at Harry.
"I know. I should have told you about the nightmares. I thought I was coping ok with it, but I'm obviously not." Harry sighed.
"As long as Hermione's around to knock some sense into you I don't need to worry about you too much." Remus said with a smile.
"Albus tells me you've been worrying about me though."
Harry nodded.
"I know we send owls nearly every other day, but I do worry about you. You're my family." Harry said simply. Remus smiled at him, incredibly touched that Harry worried about him so much, and considered him family.
"I know Harry. I think of you as my own son sometimes, and other times it's like going back in time and talking to James." Remus chuckled.
"Any news on Voldemort?" Harry asked, knowing Remus was at the centre of the Order, and still living in Grimmauld Place.
"Nothing really, just whispers that the next attack wont be on Muggles, but prominent Muggle-borns. We're trying to protect everyone we can, and get warnings out, but it's hard when we're not sure who to trust."
Harry nodded.
They discussed Order business for a few minutes, and Harry asked how Tonks was doing with the Granger's.
"She's loving it. She was beginning to drive me mad complaining about not being useful. She broke four plates during one breakfast she was so stressed." Remus laughed.
"And have you been to visit her?" Harry asked teasingly.
Remus shot him an amused glance.
"What are you getting at Potter?" He asked warily.
"I know there's something going on between you two. You know you can't hide these things from me." Harry teased.
Remus laughed.
"I was wrong. You're channelling Sirius now, not your Father…alright, maybe I have been to visit her once or twice." Remus admitted.
Harry nodded with satisfaction, knowing those were all the details he'd be getting for the moment.
"I'm glad. Tonks is great." He told Remus who nodded in agreement, his blue eyes sparkling slightly.
"Anyway, speaking of women, how's Hermione? I hear she's the reason I'm here for a visit."
"She's good. Working too hard as usual, and organising my life as well." Harry said with a grin.
"Actually…maybe you can help with something we've been trying to research in the library but haven't had any luck with." Harry pondered.
Remus looked curious.
"What? It isn't often that Hermione can't find the answers to a problem." He commented.
"Remus…is it…normal for Wizards to hear someone else's thoughts?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Who's thoughts can you hear? Voldemort's?" Remus asked anxiously.
Harry shook his head.
"No, um…I can hear Hermione's thoughts." Harry said, blushing a little though he wasn't sure why.
"And she can hear your thoughts as well?" Remus asked.
Harry nodded.
"Ah, well, this is rather complicated…it's not a common gift among wizards, unless, your last name is Potter." Remus said with a grin.
"My Dad could hear peoples thoughts too?" Harry asked.
"Just one persons. And it wasn't just your Dad, all the Potter family can hear one persons thoughts. I'm afraid I don't know all the history behind it, but I'm sure James placed all the old family records in the family vault for you. They may explain a little more, but it's nothing to worry about." Remus said reassuringly.
"But why Hermione's thoughts? Who's thoughts did my Dad hear" Harry asked.
Remus simply looked him steadily in the eye.
"I know you can answer your own question Harry. I'm not going to do it for you."
Harry gulped and looked down at his hands for a moment.
"Because I love her." He said very quietly. When he looked up he saw Remus was smiling at him.
"Feel good to finally say it out loud?" He teased Harry.
"You knew." Harry sighed.
"Of course I knew, Harry. Have you heard the way you talk about her, the way you write about her in your letters? You two are perfect for each other." Remus told him gently.
"So, Mum and Dad could hear each other's thoughts too?" Harry asked.
Remus nodded with a wistful smile.
"I'm going to guess that you two have been searching through the restricted section under the old cloak just like they did, though I'd guess there was much less bickering with you and Hermione. Your Dad just couldn't resist annoying Lily at every possible opportunity, and the ability to say things no one could hear just proved irresistible apparently." Remus chuckled.
"They eventually talked to Sirius and I about it in despair, as they were driving each other mad, but we had no idea what was going on. Eventually James got his Dad to meet him in Hogsmeade on one of the Hogsmeade weekends and it seems Mr. Potter began explaining things to him."
"So why wasn't he told about it before…why wasn't I?" Harry asked.
"Well, if you'd known from a young age that you'd hear the thoughts of the woman you love, you'd wander around looking for that, rather than really getting to know women. You'd never make any mistakes, and you have to make mistakes so you can learn from them. I know it seems a little harsh now, but it's best not to know, or you might never find her." Remus explained. Harry thought for a minute and smiled.
"I'm glad I didn't know." He admitted.
Remus smiled.
"I thought you would be. James was quite the opposite for a while though. He was quite furious, but then, we all knew that it was because he didn't want to admit he loved Lily, and even worse, he didn't want to have to explain to her why they could hear each other's thoughts…she told me later that when he sat her down to try and explain it was the first time he ever called her Lily rather than `Evans'." Harry laughed, and then stopped abruptly as he realised that he'd have to tell Hermione.
"Good luck with that." Remus said with a grin, knowing exactly what had stopped Harry's laughter.
Harry shot Remus an evil look, making Remus laugh.
"Anyway Harry, I'd better get back to Headquarters, and you should be in classes. But it's only a few weeks to Christmas, and as the Weasley's are off to visit Charlie I thought maybe you'd want to come to Number 12." Harry grinned and nodded.
"I'm looking forward to it. Look after yourself Remus." Harry said, standing and hugging him.
"I will Harry. You too. And don't wait too long before you tell her. She'll be able to tell you're keeping something from her and I'm guessing she wont be impressed." Harry smiled.
"I know. See you soon Remus."