"I see. And Minerva, she doesn't seem to like Harry very much. Considering when he was a baby she treated him like a grandson…"
"I think Minerva doesn't… isn't very comfortable with the person Harry is, and when she sees him as he is now she's reminded of her own failures. Last year she was merely uncomfortable but last summer's custody case has pushed her into active dislike."
"Last summer wasn't Harry's fault."
"Not directly perhaps. Don't make the mistake of underestimating the boy. There is a reason he is in my House. He definitely isn't the most ambitious member of my house, but he is certainly one of the craftiest and one of the most powerful if not the most powerful. He is my top second year for a reason, make no mistake. Lockhart made the mistake of underestimating him and now he's in Azkaban. Quirrell made that mistake and he's dead.
"Remus if you intend to pursue the relationship of a fond uncle with Harry, don't make the mistake of pushing him into doing things before he's ready and never ever be anything less than honest with him. My prefect who acts as Potter's mentor has passed that tidbit of advice to me after I asked. It's a bit late for me, but maybe it will be of use to you. Now that I have said all I will on the subject of Potter, I suggest you return to your den. I do not require the company of a wolf like yourself."
"Thank you, Severus." Remus headed back to his quarters contemplating everything he had just been told.
....
Three weeks later as DADA class for the second years came to an end, Remus gathered his Gryffindor courage and voiced the desire of his heart. "Mr. Potter, I would like to have a word if I may."
"Professor?"
"Don't worry you're not in trouble."
"Is this regarding the basilisk, sir?"
"No, this is about you and your parents."
Harry couldn't help it; he tensed. For weeks now he'd had a raging internal debate on speaking to Remus Lupin. Now it appeared that choice was being taken from him. Served him right for not making a decision. Harry sucked up his irrational desire to flee and stuffed it down. "Fine."
"You know you look amazingly like James, except you have Lily's eyes."
"So I've heard. "
"Okay, this is amazingly difficult."
Harry felt irritated, first the man ignored his existence then he expect Harry to carry the burden of conversation. "So, what shall we talk about: the state of things in the Wizengamot, or would you rather explain to me why if you were such a great friend of my father's this is the first time I've spoken with you since they died? Tell me Professor Lupin, do you have to be paid to be a part of my life?"
"Ouch, but I guess I deserved that. No Harry, I would like to be a part of your life."
"Why? You've ignored my existence this long. What has changed ? I think I'm still the same person I was a year ago. Heck,I think I'm still the same person I was when you first came to work here after Christmas. Given that we are approaching the Easter hols, I ask again: what has changed that you now are suddenly interested in knowing me?"
"I've always wanted to know you. I just…" Remus tried to see it from Harry's perspective. It looked really bad . Was there anything he could say that could possibly make this situation better? "I think discussing the Wizengamot would be easier," he muttered. He cast a spell to close the classroom door and to silence and lock it. "Bloody hell, shag it all," he burst out, "I'm a werewolf. I regarded Sirius, your father and Peter as my pack. That night I lost my pack. I was devastated. In my angst I turned to someone that I trusted and he advised it would be better not to be in contact with you, that I should just leave it to your aunt to raise you. That it would be less confusing for you that way. I believed him."
"Let me guess, Albus Dumbledore was who you talked to."
"Yes." Remus was surprised.
"Figures, I hate that man. I hate him as much as I hate Voldemort." Mentally he added to himself 'and from where I sit there isn't much difference.' Harry wanted to relieve his fury through shouting or pacing, but to do so would give too much away to someone who was in Dumbledore's camp.
Remus was shocked by Harry's declaration. To his knowledge no one who was light would express such an opinion. That Harry placed both men in the same category was far from reassuring as to what had happened to Bambi while he was growing up. He continued, " As a werewolf I am not well accepted by magical society as a whole, in fact most magical society regards me as a pariah. Sometimes I look at myself that way too."
....
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