Funerals and Weddings

For disclaimer, summary, story codes and other information, please see the prologue.

Chapter the Sixty-second: Remus’ News
30 January


The week started off smoothly. Both Harry and Draco were still getting some evil glares and sometimes heard dark muttering when walking past someone, but there hadn’t been any overt aggressiveness. The Slytherins seemed cowed, at least temporarily, and while not all of the Gryffindors were thrilled with the relationship, they had enough respect for Harry to keep their mouths shut in his presence. It was hard to Draco to admit that the glares and whispered comments bothered him; he just wasn’t used to that kind of treatment. When he mentioned it to Harry, Harry just rolled his eyes and told him, “Welcome to my world.”

But now there was yet another person to win over and this person made Draco a little nervous, because he mattered so much to Harry.

“Harry, can I, uh, have a word?” Draco asked, stopping Harry’s progress into the Great Hall for dinner.

Harry looked over his shoulder and frowned at Draco’s serious expression. He motioned for Katie and Blaise to go on into the Hall without them. He turned back to Draco. “Sure, what’s up?”

Draco took Harry’s hand and walked over to a far corner of the Entrance Hall where they wouldn’t be disturbed by the food-seeking masses.

“Harry, I’m a little, er, concerned about Lupin,” Draco started.

Harry looked surprised. “About Remus? What do you mean?”

“Well, I know he’s important to you…I guess I don’t want to be the cause of any problems between the two of you. I mean, I know you said that he wrote that he was fine with us being together, but what if he’s not? I don’t want your visit to be uncomfortable just because I’m hanging around, so, if you’d rather I not—”

Harry interrupted him. “Not what? Hang around? Don’t be ridiculous, Draco. Honestly, I don’t think it is going to be a problem with Remus. I know him pretty well and he’s not the type to say things he doesn’t mean. I think you’ll like him, once you get to know him better. And on the off chance that Remus does have a problem, I am certainly not going to send you away! Yes, Remus is important to me, but you are as well. I won’t put you aside to make anyone else ‘more comfortable.’ And, really, I don’t think it will be an issue. Just be your lovely, charming self and it will be fine.” Harry smiled to reassure Draco.

Draco smiled back, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He hoped the former professor didn’t still think of him as a 3rd year brat. He’d just have to show him otherwise if he did.

“All right. I trust you. So…let’s eat, shall we?” Draco motioned to the Hall.

Harry caught Draco by the front of his robes and pulled him close. “I think I’m in the mood for an entrée before the rest of my meal,” he said in a seductive whisper. He angled his head and kissed Draco lightly. He lifted his mouth briefly, then repeated the soft brush of lips.

Draco lifted his hands to Harry’s face and let himself sink into the soft, slow kiss. When Harry lifted his head, Draco sighed. He rested his forehead against Harry’s and just enjoyed being held.

The sound of someone clearing their throat behind him brought his head around.

“Remus!” Harry exclaimed. Harry broke their embrace, but when Draco would have stepped away, Harry caught his hand and shot him a look. He walked forward to greet the older man.

“Hello, Harry,” Remus said, smiling. “Sorry to interrupt.”

Harry grinned and dropped Draco’s hand long enough to give Remus a hug. Then he stepped back and placed his hand on the small of Draco’s back in a move that was both reassuring and proprietary.

“Remus, you remember Draco,” he said.

“Of course,” Remus replied, extending his hand. “Good to see you again, Draco.”

Draco shook the proffered hand and smiled. “And you. How have you been?”

“Good, good. Just had a nice visit with some old friends. And yourself? I was concerned when Harry told me about Bellatrix’s attack.”

“I’m fine now, thanks. I owe my life to Professor Snape and Harry, though. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them,” Draco replied, glancing at Harry.

Harry looked slightly surprised at the credit Draco was giving him, but Draco continued speaking before he could say anything.

“Have you eaten? We were just going in to dinner. You’re welcome to join us,” Draco gestured to the Great Hall.

“Thank you, Draco, but I already told the headmaster I’d join him at his table. Perhaps I can tomorrow,” Remus said.

Draco nodded. As the three of them moved into the Great Hall, Remus said to Harry, “Harry, if you aren’t busy, could I have a few minutes of your time after dinner? There are a few things I’d like to talk to you about.”

“Sure, Remus,” Harry replied. “What time?”

“How about I stop by your table after we’ve eaten?” Remus suggested. Harry agreed.

Remus was greeted enthusiastically by many of his former students as he moved across the Hall to the head table. Harry and Draco sat down at the Gryffindor table with Katie, Blaise, Hermione and Ron.

“See, Draco, you had nothing to worry about,” Harry whispered to Draco once they were settled and everyone was engaged in other conversations.

“Yes, you’re right,” Draco smiled. “He was very nice.”

Harry patted Draco’s thigh under the table and the rest of the meal passed pleasantly in light conversation.

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“So, Remus, what’s up? How’ve you been?” Harry asked as he dropped down into a comfortable armchair and swung one leg over the arm. They were in the sitting area of the suite of rooms Remus was using during his stay at Hogwarts.

“I’m well, Harry,” Remus replied, handing Harry a cup of coffee. He settled himself in an armchair opposite Harry and stirred sugar into his tea. “And yourself? Things seem to be going well with you and Draco.”

Harry grinned. “Yeah. Things are great. I’m great. This has probably been the best month of my life, actually.”

Remus lifted his brows. “Even with Bellatrix’s visit?”

Harry scowled. “Well, excepting that. If she hadn’t showed up…well, everything would have been perfect. But even with her attack, these past few weeks have been some of the best I’ve ever had. I’m just so…”

Remus smiled. “Happy?”

“Yeah. I’m happy. Happy in a way that I have never been before. That I wasn’t sure I ever would be. All my life, it’s all I’ve ever wanted—to be normal, to be happy. With everything that’s happened the past few years, I was starting to think I never would get the chance. But now…well, even if I were to die tomorrow, at least I’d die knowing what happiness really means.”

Remus cocked his head. “I’m glad. I’m happy for you, Harry. It’s all that anyone who cares about you has ever wanted for you. But, Harry, surely you don’t think you’re going to be dying tomorrow, do you? Or any other time soon?”

Harry waved away Remus’ concern. “No, no. I didn’t mean that. I certainly don’t want to die—especially not now that I am happy! I just meant…well, you know.”

Remus studied him over the rim of his teacup. “No, I’m not sure I do.”

Harry sighed. This was starting to remind him of his conversation with Snape. “I just…well, you never know what can happen in the future, can you? Especially if you’ve got some power-hungry nutter trying to do you in every year! So I just meant that…well, no matter what my future holds, at least I’ve gotten to have some of the happiness I’ve always wanted. That’s all.” He shrugged.

“Harry, you’re not even seventeen years old. You’re still very young. Surely you didn’t think that in all the years ahead that you would never find happiness, or love, or joy. Did you?”

“I dunno. I mean, I always hoped I would. But sometimes, after sixteen years of not having something, you start to think that maybe you never will. So I’m grateful for what I have now,” Harry said.

It made Remus sad to think that Harry had spent so much of his life unhappy and to know that Harry experienced times when he felt no hope for anything as simple as happiness in his future. But he could tell Harry wasn’t keen on this topic of conversation, so he let it drop and changed the subject.

“And what you have now, with Draco…you think you might love him?” he asked, smiling gently.

Harry flushed a little, but nodded. “Yeah, I do. What you said in your letter, it made sense. You said you couldn’t give me an exact answer, but you were wrong; you gave me exactly the answer I was looking for.”

“Really? What answer did I give you?” Remus asked, curious.

“What you told me about what my dad said when you asked him how he knew he loved my mum—he said he knew because of the funny feeling he got in his chest when he was with her. You’re right, it’s hard to put into words, but…I know exactly what he was talking about. It’s an ache…not an unpleasant one, but…it almost takes my breath away. It makes me want—and I don’t mean sexually, like lust, or anything—it’s a different kind of wanting. Of needing…argh! I don’t have the words. Do you understand?” Harry looked earnestly at Remus, hoping he’d conveyed his meaning somehow.

“Yes, I think I do. It’s a yearning, somewhere deep inside you, to be with that person, take care of that person, make that person happy and safe. Nothing is more important than them. Does that sound familiar?” Remus smiled knowingly at his adopted godson.

“Yes! That’s it, exactly. That’s how I feel about Draco, how I feel when I’m with him. So…if that’s love…then…wow. I guess I love him. I love Draco. That’s a little bit…” Harry trailed off, a bit overwhelmed by his newly validated feelings.

“Scary?” Remus asked wryly. “I know what you mean.”

“Yeah,” Harry breathed a sigh of relief that Remus understood him so well. “But, Remus, if you say you know what I mean, does that mean that you…uh…”

“Are in love?” the werewolf grinned.

Harry looked a little flustered. “Yeah, but I mean, I don’t want to pry or anything so if—”

Remus laughed and shook his head. “No, it’s all right. It’s actually one of the reasons I planned to come to Hogwarts to see you. Yes, Harry, I am in love. And I’m going to be married.”

“Really? Remus, that’s great! Congratulations!” Harry sat up, excited for his friend. “But, er, well, I feel stupid having to ask, but who…?”

Remus laughed again. “Don’t worry, very few people knew we were even seeing each other. It’s Tonks, Harry. Nymphadora Tonks.”

“Tonks! Oh, Remus, that’s brilliant! She’s great! I can’t believe I didn’t know. But…come to think of it…I did notice she was around quite a bit at Christmas time. Guess I know why now!” Harry grinned.

“Ah, yes. Now you know. Actually, she was probably there even more than you knew—she often arrived late and left early, before you were awake.”

“Really? Why? I wouldn’t have minded. Did you think I would?” Harry asked, surprised.

“No, no, not you. We’ve had to keep our relationship very low key, you see. We really didn’t let anyone in on our secret, though I think a few people suspected. So we weren’t hiding from you, per se—there were just so many people in and out at Christmas time that it became a habit to be as discreet as possible,” Remus explained.

“But why? I don’t understand,” Harry said, confusion clear. “Did you think people wouldn’t approve or something?”

Remus smiled, albeit a tad bitterly. “Well, there are definitely some people who won’t approve. Tonks said she didn’t care, but I made her promise to keep quiet—I didn’t want her reputation soiled if what was between us fizzled and we split up. You see, Harry, there are a lot of people in the magical community that see werewolves simply as Dark creatures. And naturally, they don’t condone the idea of Dark creatures being involved with humans—especially not in any, er, romantic way. So in case things didn’t work out, I didn’t want Tonks to suffer any consequences of having been involved with me.”

Harry’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? What is wrong with people? Are we still living in the Dark Ages? I can’t believe that people think that way!”

Remus smiled sadly. “Well, they do. It doesn’t bother me as much as it used to—I’ve lived with it my entire life, after all. But you can see why I didn’t want Tonks to be hurt by malicious gossip or discrimination. That’s why we kept our relationship a secret.”

“But…you said you’re getting married,” Harry said. “Won’t everyone know then?”

“Yes…and it’s something that has kept me awake many long nights. For a long time, I refused to even consider marriage, but Tonks has finally convinced me. She says she doesn’t care what people say or what people think—that the people who matter will be happy for us. So, last week, I finally gave in and we agreed to marry. I’m still a little nervous, but, well, Tonks can be very persuasive when she wants to be,” Remus said, a telltale smile on his face.

Harry smirked. “Yeah, I’ll bet she was very…persuasive.”

Remus flushed a little, but laughed along with Harry. “Yes, well.” Clearing his throat, he sobered. “Getting back to the point, I wanted to come here and tell you in person, Harry. And I also wanted to ask if you’d do me the honour of being my best man.”

Harry’s jaw dropped again. “Remus, you want me to—are you serious?”

Remus chuckled. “Yes, Harry, I’m completely serious.”

“Wow. Well, yeah, of course I will! I’m honoured, truly. But I…I’ve never even been to a wedding before. I haven’t the slightest idea as to what the best man is meant to do, except stand up front.”

“Don’t worry. You don’t have to do much at all. We’re having a very small, private ceremony, with just our closest friends and family. Your biggest job will be to hold the ring until the appropriate part in the ceremony. Think you can handle it?” Remus grinned.

“Yeah, of course. So, when is it? Where is it?” Harry asked eagerly.

“Er…the 14th of February,” Remus replied, a bit wryly.

“Valentine’s Day?” Harry couldn’t help it—he laughed. Remus looked so…resigned. “You’re kidding! I take it this was Tonks’ decision?”

Remus rolled his eyes. “Yes. It seems she’s quite fond of the holiday. She and Molly Weasley have been making all sorts of plans. I’m almost afraid to go home—I’m not sure if I’m ready to see Grimmauld Place covered in red hearts and cupids.”

Harry snorted. “I can just see Sirius’ mum decked out with some cupid wings and a little bow-and-arrow, can’t you?”

Remus snickered. “Maybe that would finally shock her into silence.”

“If only!” Harry laughed.

“Anyway, the ceremony is going to be at the Weasleys’. One of Tonks’ Muggle cousins is licensed and he’ll be performing the ceremony. We’ll have a marquee in the backyard and warming spells in place, as it will likely be quite chilly out. And since the 14th falls on a Thursday, I’ve already secured permission for you to be excused from classes both Thursday and Friday. Several of you, actually—Albus gave permission for Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Draco to attend as well.”

“Draco too? Really? Thank you, Remus. I appreciate you thinking of him—of us,” Harry said sincerely.

“Of course he’s invited, don’t be silly. Besides, he’s Tonks’ cousin, you know. Wouldn’t do to exclude family, now would it?” Remus smirked mischievously.

“Blimey, I’d forgotten that! So now you’ll be related to Draco? Who’d have ever thought it?” Harry said, chuckling.

“Well, sort of. Yes, Tonks is Draco’s cousin, but wizards don’t have to acknowledge the marriage, since it will only be a Muggle wedding, of course,” Remus replied, looking a little sad.

“What? Why?” Harry asked, confused.

“Harry, I’m a werewolf. I’m not allowed to marry. I don’t have the same rights as full humans,” Remus explained gently. He knew Harry wasn’t going to react well to this bit of information.

“WHAT?!? Are you kidding? That’s ridiculous! It’s wrong! I swear, we are living in the Dark Ages! Why is our world so closed-minded and prejudiced sometimes? Doesn’t it make you angry?” Harry ranted.

“Yes, it does make me angry, Harry, but I’ve had years to get used to it. I don’t like it, but I have accepted it as part of my lot in life,” Remus explained, looking tired.

“Well, I don’t accept it! Remus, I swear, once I’ve gotten rid of Voldemort and out of school, I’m going to do something to change things. It’s just not right. It’s not fair!” Harry said, still quite pissed off.

Remus smiled. “I appreciate your sentiments, Harry. No, it’s not fair, but right now I feel too blessed to have found someone that loves me despite what I am. I just can’t work up too much righteous anger at the moment—I’m simply too happy.”

For his friend’s sake, Harry swallowed his anger and managed a smile. Mentally, however, he made a vow to himself that he would one day do everything in his power to change things for Remus and people like him.

“Of course. And I’m glad that you are happy. You deserve it. You and Tonks both. Please give her my congratulations when you see her.”

“You can tell her yourself tomorrow,” Remus replied. “She’s got the day off and is coming here to Hogwarts. Don’t say anything, but she’s coming to ask Ginny to be her maid of honour.”

“Really? Oh, Ginny will be thrilled. She loves Tonks. Don’t worry, I won’t say a thing,” Harry said.

They continued to discuss details of the wedding and other topics of conversation for another hour. Then Harry excused himself, saying he needed to get started on his homework. He headed to Gryffindor Tower, relaxed and happy after spending such a pleasant interlude with his dear friend.

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Draco left his Head of House’s office just before Harry wrapped up his visit with Remus. Snape had asked him to come by after dinner. He hadn’t had the foggiest idea as to why Snape wanted to see him at the time, but now that he did, he was filled with a mixture of anger, sadness, and determination. So, Harry was convinced he was going to die, was he? Well, Draco would just see about that! There was no way he was letting anything happen to Harry. There was no way he was going to let the man he loved go into battle without full confidence that he would come away alive and victorious. He would convince Harry that he would and could live, because he had too much of a future to do something stupid like die. For Merlin’s sake, Harry had him—Draco Malfoy! Draco had never dreamed that he’d find someone like Harry to love. There was no way in hell he was going to give Harry up without a fight. Draco snorted to himself. Subtly, Snape had said. Had he forgotten who he was talking to? The Prince of Slytherin? Harry would never have a clue. Smirking to himself as he began to plan the ways in which he would convince Harry that he would live a long, happy life, he let himself in to the Slytherin dormitory and gathered his books to begin his homework.

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A/N: At last! A wedding! *grin*
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