Hopes and Wishes

Chapter 9: The Decline into Sentimentality

Remus was still sitting and contemplating the huge and rapid change in his situation when he heard noises coming from Harry’s bedroom. There were high, childish whispers followed by a few seconds of silence and then more whispers. This pattern continued for several moments before Remus decided to go and investigate what was happening.

He stood, stretching the stiffness from his body and moved stealthily towards the door. Swishing his wand, he cast a revealing spell on the portal, which allowed him to see through it and therefore observe what was going on inside the room.

Harry was sitting up in bed, his hair sticking up like a dark mane around his elfin face. He had Teddy held out in front of him and was obviously having a deep conversation. Harry’s face was slightly creased, as if concentrating hard and his head tilted to the side as he waited for Teddy to answer.

Try as he might, Remus could not pick up the conversation Harry was having with Teddy. He decided, instead, to enter the room and talk to Harry himself. He pushed open the door slowly and crossed the threshold into the room. Harry looked up, his face uncertain. Remus smiled gently and Harry’s face broke into a shy grin.

“Did you have a nice nap?” Remus enquired, walking over to perch on the end of Harry’s bed.

“Teddy an’ me sleeped for ages! We no tired now. Get up Remy?” Harry asked; his little face tilted imploringly.

“Of course you can get up Harry. Let’s change your pyjamas into something better shall we? How about some trousers and a t-shirt?” He replied cheerfully, already starting to pull back the covers and flourish his wand. With a swish and a flick Harry’s pyjama bottoms became a pair of brown corduroy trousers and his top became a long-sleeved cream and red t-shirt with a large golden lion on the front. Smirking to himself he then conjured a pair of thick woolly socks, also red with lions, and a warm, fleecy maroon jumper complete with flying snitches. Finally he transfigured the bunny slippers into a pair of sturdy brown shoes. Remus scooped the newly attired Harry up and began to make his way out of the bedroom.

“Wot ‘bout Teddy jamies Remus? Teddy be cold!” Harry reminded. “Teddy wan’ clows like Harry.”

Remus smacked his palm against his head theatrically and quickly acquiesced, creating for Teddy a beautifully matched set of miniature clothes in place of his pyjamas. “Sorry Teddy, I forgot about your pyjamas; silly me!” he apologised.

“Silly Remy!” Harry giggled, smuggling closer to Remus’ body.

“So little man,” Remus began “do you want to stay inside or go exploring outside?”

Harry turned to Teddy “Teddy go ‘side?” he asked. Obviously receiving a satisfactory reply he turned back to Remus and affirmed “We go ‘side Remy.”

“Let’s wrap up warm then; it’s very cold outside. Then we can go and visit Pomona and Hagrid and explore the grounds.” Remus chattered merrily as he began to dress Harry, and Teddy, ready for the cold weather outside.


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Severus was brewing the bonus mores potion, a rather complicated brew which involved the precise adding of ingredients and correct stirring patterns but also long periods of inactivity in between.

Having just finished adding the powdered moonstone and stirring three times counter clockwise followed by five carefully formed infinity symbols, Severus was sitting at his desk, marking time until the appropriate moment for the next step.

Rapping lightly on the door, Remus entered, carrying Harry and Teddy. “Hey Sev! Harry, Teddy and I are on our way to explore outside. Any chance you’re free to come with us?” he enquired.

“Did you and Teddy have a nice sleep?” Severus asked Harry, a small smile gracing his thin lips.

“Yes t’ank you.” Harry replied quietly. His head half buried in Remus’ neck, Harry looked up at Sev with shy eyes; Teddy, as always, clutched carefully to his small body.

“I’m making a really tricky potion today; it’s a magic drink to make people kind and friendly. I can’t go exploring until it’s finished I’m afraid.” Severus said regretfully. “If I keep making it whilst you and Remy go exploring then I should be finished in time for us to have dinner together and then tomorrow I’ll have the whole day to go shopping and find you and Teddy some new things. Does that sound okay?”

“You gonna be drinking that potion yourself love?” Remus teased quietly, receiving a very dirty look from Sev in return.

Harry seemed to contemplate the question very seriously before nodding his head slightly and saying “M’kay’”

Severus moved forward to lightly kiss the top of Harry’s head before turning to Remus, muttering “Not that you deserve one” and smacking a firm kiss to the other man’s smiling mouth.

“I’ll see you all later then. Have a good time exploring.” Severus wished them, returning once more to check on the potion bubbling away in its cauldron.

Remus exited the room with his passengers securely attached to his hip. As Severus turned to watch them go, Harry peered over Remus’ shoulder and gave a hesitant wave. With no one but the small child as a witness, Severus smiled and waved back; his usually stern expression morphing into something almost tender.

Shaking his head Severus realised that his decline into sentimentality had begun. It wouldn’t be long before he was laughing heartily and smiling when people talked to him. He scowled harder than usual as if an extra vigorous show of malevolence would miraculously reverse the process. Harrumphing grumpily, he returned his full attention to the clear potion fizzing and steaming in front of him.


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Remus and Harry were exploring the grounds near the greenhouses. Harry and Teddy were tottering around happily as Remus talked to Pomona Sprout, the Herbology professor.

Remus had a deep and abiding love of nature. Having been bitten at such a young age, Remus was never sure if this stemmed from his werewolf affinity for it or whether he was naturally a naturalist. It was this love, however, that had caused him to begin a mastery in Herbology with Pomona two years ago. It was an opportunity that he had embraced as it also allowed him to move his relationship with Sev to the next level.

Remus and Severus had been involved since their last year at school. It had taken some time for Remus to realise, following Sirius’ ill thought out prank, that actually his obsession with the dark haired boy was not hatred but attraction. It had taken even longer for Remus to form a tentative friendship with Severus but his persistence had paid off in the end.

With Severus training so hard for his potions mastery and Remus wrapped up with the war effort, they had dated for years after school but, while being in a secure, long-term relationship, they had never got around to taking the next step; cohabiting.

It had taken Remus several months to regain any sort of equilibrium following the dreadful events of that Halloween. Meanwhile Severus had been offered, and accepted, a job as Hogwarts Potions Master. Their relationship had faltered somewhat then. Severus was occupied with his new job and Remus was lost to self-recrimination; it could all have ended so badly.

Fate, however, had taken pity on Remus finally and an opportunity had presented itself…

“Dumbledore is a bit concerned at the moment actually,” Severus tried again to make conversation “Pomona Sprout’s daughter has just got engaged and Pomona has realised that a few years down the line there will be grandchildren. She’s told Dumbledore that she won’t be able to keep a full-time position once the grandbabies get here. Dumbledore is worried that there are so few qualified masters around these days what with the toll the war took. He’s on the lookout for a candidate to apprentice under Pomona for the next few years. Train them in Herbology and the like.”

Remus’ face turned towards Severus and his eyes briefly lit with a spark of interest. “Apprenticeship in Herbology?” he queried.

“Yes. They need someone who is dedicated and caring and who has a love of nature and growing. Know anyone like that?” Sev replied.

“Sometimes you don’t even realise how cruel you are do you?” questioned Remus bitterly.

“It is only cruel if I offer something you cannot have,” countered Severus.

“I’m a werewolf!” Remus spat “Even if Pomona didn’t mind teaching me, I’d never be allowed to teach other people’s children! What about the full moon? You can’t have a teacher who is out of action for several days each month let alone one who is a danger to the children he is expected to teach!”

“I’ve not mentioned it before because I didn’t want to get your hopes up but I’ve been working on a potion,”

Remus snorted.

“I’ve been working on a potion which will allow you to keep your mind during the transformation. You will still become a werewolf but you will keep your human mind and control over your other form. Almost like the animagus transformation. It will need testing but I’m almost positive I’ve cracked it… Remus?” Severus almost pleaded.

Remus had his head bowed now; he was taking long deep breaths. Finally he straightened and looked at Sev “I won’t be dangerous?” he asked tremulously.

“No” Severus stated, “Not unless you want to be.”

Remus just stared at him for several moments, eyes glassy with unshed tears, before he stood and swept Severus into a crushing embrace.

“However much you still try to hide it you are a good man Sev and I love you. Thank you.” He broke down then and cried, clutched tight in the arms of the man he loved. Overcome with emotion he didn’t notice the usually dour Potions Master kiss him lightly on the head and whisper “And I love you” for the first time.


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It had finally been settled that once Remus had finished his training, he and Pomona would job share both the Herbology professorship and the duties as Head of Hufflepuff. Their duties could be arranged to fit in with Remus’ other ‘commitments’ and, if it seemed to be working well, it could be an arrangement that lasted for years.

These first two years had gone so smoothly than no one could see there would be any difficulty once the Mastery was complete and the job-share began. Remus and Pomona had become close, with Pomona taking almost maternal care of Remus’ health and well-being.

Remus was dragged from his reminiscence by a high and childish scream of terror. Harry!


AN

Sorry it’s been longer than usual. Work has been MANIC this week! Don’t you just hate going back after a couple of weeks off?

Anyway, people have been asking why Remus was at Hogwarts and why Remus and Severus were together. I hope that this answers your questions. I also hope that the flashback scene makes sense. I didn’t want to write ‘flashback’ at the start because I wanted to see if I could write one that flowed and made sense in the context of the story without having to state what it was? (If that convoluted sentence made sense to you, then well done!)

Anyway I hope to get at least one, if not two, chapters completed over the weekend so watch this space! Oh and anyone who correctly guesses what has made Harry scream will get extra milk and cookies.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed.


Review Replies

Ladyedgecombe: Thank you! It did have a certain sense of poetic justice I thought.

Kurai: Thank you. I’ve read so many stories that it was really difficult coming up with something different. I’m glad you liked it!

Jay: *bows* Thanks!

Bones: I’m glad you like it. I think the punishment will be in a few chapters time. It depends on what my muse decides.

Arcee1000: Extra large bottle of milk, plate of cookies and tub of Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream is on its way towards you. The MOM is run by idiots; stupid bureaucrats! You were lucky! Thanks for the review. You always make me smile (and want to write more!)

Bibliophile: Thank you. I’m glad it’s coming across okay. Hope you like the latest chapter!

GeminiCancer: I know what you mean. It’s very important that Sev not get blood on his hands so to speak but I’ll try and see if I can work something in.

Chloeknz: Thank you!

DTDY: Thanks, revenge is coming but it may be a few chapters yet!