Harry Potter and the Godric Parallax

Chapter 10

Return to the Burrow

Harry arrived to basement kitchen of Grimmauld via Portkey around noon, just as Dumbledore had arranged. Lupin sat at the overly large table, heartily eating a roast sandwich and drinking from a cold bottle of butterbeer.

“Master Harry Potter sir!” squealed Dobby, “Please sit down! I have made food for eating also for you!”

Dobby, with his crimson and gold pillowcase, and several knitted elf hats, pointed across from where Lupin sat, where an identically ready-made plate and open bottle of drink lay. He then wandered about, putting bags of groceries away into the large pantry that appeared to have been recently cleared.

It looked as if the house-elf had begun the extensive work of cleaning the kitchen, as the oven shone in its polished stainless-steel state, and the aged wooden countertops and sinks, and even the grand oak table Lupin was eating on, glistened with the orangey scents of some scouring solution. The house seemed slowly but surely to be returning to its ancient splendour.

“Thanks Dobby, this'll hit the spot. I finished the last of Hermione's yesterday night, so I haven't eaten anything since,” said Harry, taking his seat form across Lupin and acknowledging him. “Hey Remus, you look… good?”

Harry was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the lines that aged the face of his father's friend just last week had smoothed considerably. Though still in old and frayed robes, he seemed healthier and… happy. Not at all how Harry had expected. Perhaps a solid roof over his head and the regular meals Dobby surely provided were cause of such a drastic improvement. But in truth, Harry hadn't really seen much of the werewolf at all.

“Hello Harry,” said Lupin in-between mouthfuls of sandwich, and grinning wryly. “I'd say the same for you. In fact, I'd say you look great… well rested and well fed I see.”

Harry took a giant bite of his sandwich, swallowed, and then pensively replied, “Yeah… it's weird actually, the way the summer started… I would have never thought…”

“I know what you mean,” said Lupin solemnly, nodding his head in understanding.

They sat for a few moments in quiet introspection, both staring at their plates, until Lupin shook his head side to side as if trying to clear a particularly nasty image and broke the silence.

“So… I've been asked to asked to create a sort of support group for those like… well… like me I suppose,” said Lupin in an obvious attempt to draw their conversation back to the cheerfulness it had when it first began.

“Yeah…? That's great!” said Harry, looking back up from his plate and meeting Lupin's grey eyes, as he attempted to do the same

“Yeah… Arthur told me about a man who was bitten a few months ago. Apparently, he was getting quite suicidal, so when Tonks heard about him she suggested I go and pay the man a visit… You know that with all the advances in magical medicine, St. Mungos hasn't changed how they treat those afflicted with Lycanthropy in over two centuries? They're still quite barbaric,” said Lupin, shuddering at the thought.

“I'm… I'm sorry Remus, I had no idea,” said Harry apologetically.

“It's alright Harry; I would have been surprised if you had. Most of those who have always lived in the wizarding world have little or no idea. Worse still, they simply don't care, and that's why starting a support group seemed like such a good idea when Tonks suggested that also,” replied Lupin as he took another bite of his sandwich.

Harry gave a slight frown of confusion. On one hand, he felt terrible that the man he had come to care and learn so much about sitting across from him had lived such a harsh and unfair life - through no fault of his own he had grown ostracized, poor, and unable to hold employment. And if not for Sirius and his father, Lupin might have been friendless as well… But on the other hand, Harry felt more connected to Remus than ever. They had both suffered so similarly and unjustly, and they were now both relentlessly judged by people who did not know them, but had preconceived notions of who, or what they were. And it was in that feeling of connectedness, that Harry's heart grew warm, and he felt a bit stronger.

“We aren't so different are we Harry, you and I?” questioned Lupin, a smile creeping to his face once more. “Though I've heard from Hermione that you should be as studious…” he finished, grinning.

“Yeah, leave it to her to point that particular quality out to you about me,” said Harry, returning a grin and biting into his sandwich, his heart growing warmer still.

“So… umm… Harry… I've been meaning to tell you,” said Lupin, looking rather nervous and blushing slightly… blushing?

“Yes,” said Harry, eyebrows raised in curious anticipation.

“I've been, well… kind of dating someone that I had met during one of the support group meetings…” said Lupin, who looked like he'd rather of been in a potions lesson with Snape, “and well… if it's OK with you… I'd like to introduce her to everyone one tonight at Molly's… and I'd especially like to know what you think of her…” finished Lupin, half pleadingly.

“Why do want to know what I think?” said Harry in amazement. “I only dated one, and that was a complete disaster let me tell you! I don't understand them… heck, I don't know anything about them!”

Lupin smiled and said, “Welcome to manhood Harry, none of us truly understand them… But that's not what I'm saying at all. What I mean is… it's important to me that you like the person that I'm with… I plan on being around you for a long time, it would be nice if we all got along wouldn't it? I would be very uncomfortable bringing around someone who you didn't like… I'd like to be a surrogate Grandfather someday… What if you don't let me see your kids because of her?”

“Whoa… Hang on a second! I don't like where this conversation's going,” said Harry, throwing up hands as if to stop an oncoming car. “Firstly, I'm sure that if you like this person, I will too. Secondly, I'm not even DATING anyone, let alone MARRYING anyone as of yet, so there's no sense in even talking about bushy-haired kids galloping about this house!” Harry finished, flustered and strangely red faced by the very idea.

“Yes… OK…” Lupin stated, throwing up his hands in surrender as well, “You're right of course, I just got a little carried away is all. See what I mean? She's already got me thinking more about the future I'd very much like to have… and not so much about the past that I didn't…” finished Lupin, dropping his hands looking down at his plate once more.

Harry's stomach tightened slightly as he watched Lupin bow his head. He knew it wasn't easy for Remus to talk so candidly about such things, he seemed to desperately be in need friendship and the understanding that follows… and Harry was struck once more by the thought that he was all that the werewolf had left - out of the only friends he had ever had in his entire life… He wanted to tell Remus how much he valued and respected and respected him and how he wanted him to be a large part of his life until he grew old and died… but deep down in the pit of his soul - Harry didn't believe he would live to have the family that both he and Lupin so desperately wanted for themselves.

So, instead he said as kindly as he could, “You said you met her at a werewolf support group. Is she a werewolf too?”

Lupin looked up at Harry once more and replied with another soft smile, “No. Actually, I met her just as I was leaving the meeting… She had knocked over a patient tray and one of the mediwitches was really laying into her about it. I went over to see if I could help and well… we got to talking, found we had a lot in common and so we sort of hit it off. She's a very open minded witch actually, fully supports what I'm trying to do. Said one of her best friends is a werewolf and doesn't mind me being one at all.”

“I'm really happy for you Remus, she obviously makes you happy. For that alone I'm convinced I'll like her. I'm actually looking forward to meeting her tonight. Does Mrs. Weasley know?” said Harry.

This mystery woman clearly had a positive effect on Lupin's well-being, and Harry was extremely happy for it… apparently it wasn't as simple a strong roof and a good meal after all…

“Oh yeah,” nodded Lupin, grinning once again. “She's quite excited actually, you'd think I was introducing her to a future sister in-law… which reminds me, we're a bit late. We were supposed to Floo over five minutes ago… They're probably worried. We'd better be going,” he finished, standing up and hurrying over to the giant fireplace.

Harry also stood quickly and followed as Lupin grabbed the jar of Floo powder and ignited a fire with his wand.

“I'd better go first Harry… just in case. Don't forget, your box of jelly beans will Portkey you back here straightaway if there is a problem at the other end,” said Lupin, looking extremely grim.

“I understand,” replied Harry, nodding.

“Good,” said Lupin, throwing a handful of powder into the fireplace, stepping into the green flames and yelling, “The Burrow!” and then disappearing with a flash.

“Wait Harry Potter sir!” yelled Dobby, running out of the pantry and stopping in a huff in front of Harry just as he too had grabbed a handful of Floo powder.

“What is it Dobby?” asked Harry, concerned by the house-elf's abrupt behaviour.

“Dobby just wants to let Harry Potter know that he has finished with his Wheezy's and his girlfriend's rooms so that you may bring them here if you wish!” exclaimed Dobby proudly.

Harry sighed, and then exasperatedly said, “Dobby, how many times do I have to tell you that Hermione is NOT my girlfriend, she's my BEST friend.”

“If Harry Potter's girl is his BEST friend, than what is Harry Potter's Wheezy?” demanded the house-elf as he crossed his arms, narrowed his left eye, raised the brow of the other, and tapped a foot impatiently.

Harry began vigorously scratching his head with his free hand and scrunched up his face in frustration as he wondered just how the house-elf could not see and/or understand something that was so blatantly right in front of his face.

Harry could only reason this house-elf's mind must simply work differently than his.

“Ok, Dobby… fine. Ron is my best friend and Hermione is my girl… err… best… friend,” said Harry - shaking his head in bewildered defeat, as he turned and hurriedly threw the powder into the fireplace and then backed inside to the bright green flames.

“Tell your Wheezy Dobby says hello!” called the house-elf.

Harry nodded, and then yelled, “The Burrow!”

He could have sworn that he saw that little elf grin just a bit too broadly for his own good as the flames burst around him, and then he too disappeared...

*****

When Harry arrived at the Burrow's fireplace, the first person he noticed was Ron, and to say that he was ecstatic to see Harry would have been like saying Hermione was only slightly upset to have failed a lesson.

A/N: Sorry, I know it's a bit short, but I didn't want to leave you waiting too long… I'll update the next soon, I promise!

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