Harry woke early, just as the sun peeked over the horizon to chase away the heavy grey dimness of the fading night. He was still tired, but was too restless and uneasy to fall back asleep. With a sigh, he threw back the bedcovers and hurried to his bathroom, shivering in the chilly air. Perhaps a shower would make him feel better.

He shed his flannel pyjamas and underclothes, tossed them into the hamper, and stepped into the shower, turning the water on as hot as he could stand it. For a long time he luxuriated in the warmth, concentrating on washing and trying not to let himself think about seeing Remus in just a couple more hours.

But finally the water turned cool and Harry had to admit that he was as clean as it was possible to be. So he turned the shower off, snatched a fluffy towel from the rack on the wall, and stepped out, sinking his toes into the thick ivory rug that covered part of the marble floor. As he reached for his glasses on the counter, the thought struck him, just out of the blue, how different his life was now from what it had once been: his own bedroom and bath, the chance to take a long, hot shower whenever he wished, little luxuries like soft towels and rugs. Back when he had lived with the Dursleys, he had only dreamed of such things.

And now...now he had them, and so much more besides. He had Severus and his friends and a beautiful home. All of a sudden Harry felt a little better, stronger and more prepared to face the morning. It was a good thing too, for his clock chimed the half-hour, and he realized that he would need to hurry to make it to breakfast. There was no more time for lagging about.

Harry quickly selected some items from his wardrobe: underclothes, a pale yellow shirt, a dark green fleece pullover, and khaki trousers. He normally preferred his jeans, but since he would be studying at Hogwarts this morning he thought that perhaps he should wear something a little nicer. He pulled on tan socks and brown loafers, brushed his teeth and hair, and hurried downstairs to breakfast.

Severus was already there, as usual, reading the newspaper and frowning down at it.

"Morning, Dad," Harry slid into his chair beside his father. "Is something wrong?"

Severus laid the paper aside. "There has been another attack by Fenrir Greyback."

"Oh, no. What happened?" Harry asked.

Severus grimaced. "Do you wish to know right now? It's not pleasant breakfast conversation."

Harry shrugged. "Well, you don't have to be graphic or anything."

"He attacked and killed a small boy last night, in a village close to Dundee. The child's sisters attend Hogwarts, incidentally. Do you know Alice and Brianna Montgomery?"

Harry had vague images of two younger girls with curly blonde hair. "I think so. They're Ravenclaws, aren't they?"

"Yes," Severus sighed. "It will be a sad day for their family."

They were quiet for a moment and then Harry remarked, "But I thought werewolves only bit people and infected them. I mean, that's horrible and all, but I didn't think they actually killed people."

"Normally they do bite with the intention of passing on lycanthropy," Severus replied. "But werewolves are savage creatures, Harry. Without Wolfsbane, they do not retain human characteristics during the night of a full moon. Remember that. No matter how kind-hearted or mild-mannered the person is most of the time, once he or she has transformed into the wolf, it is a violent dangerous monster. And sometimes they are so carried away by bloodlust that they do murder their victim."

A grim memory flashed through Harry's mind: Remus changing into a werewolf that night at the end of third-year. He rarely remembered how frightening that had been because so much else had happened and besides, none of them had been hurt. When Harry thought of Remus he always saw the gentle teacher who had helped him learn the Patronus Charm and had shared stories of his parents.

But now he remembered, vividly, Remus' head and body lengthening into a monstrous form with matted fur and fangs, his blue eyes mutating into a blazing inhuman gold. For a moment Harry thought he could still hear anguished wails and then murderous howls lingering in the air. He couldn't help but shiver.

But recalling the transformation and the fact that last night had been a full moon brought another thought to mind.

"Dad? How is Remus going to be able to tutor us today?" Harry asked. "He's usually pretty ill the day after the full moon."

"For the past year Lupin has been receiving an improved version of Wolfsbane, one that eases the pain of the transformation and the recovery time. Albus assured me that Lupin would be in fit condition to work with you and Draco today," Severus replied.

"That's great." Harry eyed his father. "Did you invent it? You created the original Wolfsbane, didn't you?"

Severus nodded briefly, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Yes, to both questions."

"That's awesome, Dad. Aren't you proud? You should be," Harry told him.

"There's always a sense of satisfaction when an experiment works correctly," Severus answered rather stiffly. A faint tinge of pink stained his cheeks and he kept his eyes downcast on his plate.

Harry studied him, wondering why Severus seemed so unsettled by praise.

"I think it's really wonderful that you created something that can make so much of a difference in people's lives," he said softly. "And not just for werewolves, but for people who may be spared being attacked. And if the new Wolfsbane can make transformations easier, then maybe werewolves could start leading more normal lives and there wouldn't be so much prejudice against them. It's a really great thing, Dad. You're very gifted at potions and I'm proud of you."

Harry reached over and clasped his father's hand in comfort and support, as Severus had done for him so many times before.

Severus had to clear his throat before he could answer, his voice rough with emotion. "Harry, thank you."

He took a deep breath before continuing awkwardly, hesitantly. "That means a great deal to me, more than you can know. When I was growing up, I always longed for approval, to make my family proud of me. At least to find a friend or a mentor who...,"

Severus' voice trailed off and he shrugged. "Well, I accepted that it was a lost cause and I told myself that I didn't need anyone's support, that craving such things was a sign of weakness. I am still...unaccustomed to praise. But I will not deny that your opinion is very important to me."

Harry squeezed his hand tightly. Through Severus' sparse words he could imagine his father as a lonely little boy and a young man desperate to know that someone cared for him, always striving to please people who could not be satisfied and blaming himself when he inevitably fell short. He could hear the years of hurt and loneliness that had scarred Severus.

He had known that Severus had had an unhappy childhood, of course. His father had already confided as much, though he had never gone into much detail. And Harry knew that he had been affected by it. But Severus always seemed so self-assured now, so strong and confident, that Harry had not thought much about whether he was still hurt over it.

Which was pretty stupid of him, actually, Harry realized, because he of all people should know exactly what it was like to have a so-called family who didn't give a damn about you, and to pretend that it didn't really matter.

But Severus had him now, and Harry vowed that he would do everything that he could to help his father heal, just like Severus did for him.

"Well, my opinion is that you're really wonderful. Yes, you are," he said firmly when Severus started to object. "I know you've made mistakes in the past, but you know what, Dad? When you've done something wrong, you try to fix it and make it right again, even when it's really hard or scary or means that you have to make sacrifices. A lot of people won't do that, not when it's really hard for them."

"And you've changed so much. Everyone talks about changing and trying to become better, but you really do it. You're so much nicer to people now and more fair. When you care about someone or something, you're totally committed. You don't back off or give up when things are tough."

"Like with me," Harry went on. "We both know that I've been in pretty bad shape, off and on, since summer. And I guess I'm still not over it. But it has helped me to know that you really mean all the things that you've said and done. It helps me to know that I can always go to you for help and that you really want to be my dad. And I want you to know that I'm proud to be your son, too."

There was a long silence before Severus replied in a husky voice. "I only wish I deserved your praise, Harry, but it does mean more to me than you will ever know."

"But you do deserve it, Dad," Harry told him. "Do you remember one time you were talking with me, and I said that it was easier to believe in the bad stuff, and you said that the good things were true and for me to try harder to believe in that? Well, I think you need to do that, too."

Severus smiled and gently squeezed Harry's fingers in return before letting go. "Perhaps we can both work on that."

He cleared his throat again and said more briskly, "Finish your breakfast, Harry. It's almost time to leave."

Harry swallowed hard, his nerves suddenly returning full force as he realized that he would be seeing Remus again for the first time since the battle at the Department of Mysteries. He'd gotten so involved in talking with his father that for a few minutes he'd actually forgotten.

He wondered what he would do if Remus did accuse him of Sirius' death. Well, no, Severus was going to be there and Remus probably wouldn't say anything to blame Harry with his father there. But he might well be thinking it and it would hurt more than Harry could bear to see the condemnation in Remus' eyes.

But he couldn't blame Remus for being upset with him. He deserved it after all, so he would just have to bear it as well as he could.

"Harry?" Severus questioned softly.

Harry felt a brief but almost overwhelming desire to beg his father to forget the whole thing, to just run up to his room and hide there forever. But of course he knew he couldn't do that, not when he was already being such a huge coward about facing people, not when Severus had already given up his position at Hogwarts and had taken on so much extra work to tutor him and Draco privately.

In some ways perhaps, Severus was making a concession in working with Remus, but it would undeniably be helpful to him to have someone else share the burden. He would have more time to himself, to relax, to brew his potions, and to spend with his son, which was his primary motivation, Harry knew.

There was just no way that he could back out of seeing Remus now, even if he did feel up to explaining his guilt over Sirius' death...which he didn't.

So Harry pushed his breakfast plate away, lifted his chin, and said resolutely, "I'm ready now. I just need to get my school bag from the library."

A few moments later they were stepping from the fireplace into the headmaster's private sitting room at Hogwarts. Once Harry and Severus were safely out of the grate, the emerald Floo flames returned to the normal fire that warmed the small room. Dumbledore and Remus Lupin had been sitting in armchairs, apparently chatting and sipping cups of coffee. But now they set their drinks aside and stood to greet the newcomers.

Dumbledore looked the same as always, in silver robes and with his long white hair and beard neatly combed. Harry scarcely registered him; his attention was transfixed on Remus.

The last Marauder looked better than Harry had ever seen him. Usually Remus looked tired and haggard, no matter the time of month. As long as Harry had known him, he had been thin to the point of gauntness and his face lined and unhappy, making him seem older than his thirty-seven years.

Now, though Remus' light brown hair was streaked with grey, he looked younger and more relaxed than Harry had expected. He was still lean, but had filled out somewhat. Gone were the shabby threadbare suits that he often wore. Today he was dressed neatly in a blue shirt and grey trousers with a grey robe over them. When he stood, his movements were easy and graceful. No one would ever guess that he had undergone the werewolf transformation only the night before.

The thought flickered through Harry's mind that the new Wolfsbane must be one heck of a potion.

"Harry!" Remus exclaimed, stepping forward and holding out his hand. "It's good to see you again." He studied Harry carefully. "How are you?"

After all the scenarios he had imagined and halfway dreaded, this seemed rather anti-climatic. And confusing. Remus certainly did not seem to be angry, and for a second, Harry almost felt upset with him. Shouldn't Remus be grieving for Sirius? And if he wasn't angry with Harry, why had he let months go by with no contact?

But then, it wouldn't be the first time he had disappeared without a trace, would it?

And how was he supposed to answer Remus' greeting? Surely Remus knew about the slavery spell. Surely Dumbledore had told him how Severus and Harry had reconciled and had become a family. Surely Remus understood the circumstances that had resulted in him tutoring Harry and Draco.

There had been so many drastic changes in Harry's life since the last time he and Remus had seen one another that it was impossible to reply casually now.

But after a second he found himself shaking hands with Remus and answering, "Um, fine, I guess. How are you?"

"I'm doing better now. I'm not sure why Dora ever thought that I was worthwhile, but she's been very good for me," Remus smiled, though his blue eyes were serious as they appraised Harry.

But the only reference he made to the upheaval that Harry had gone through the past months was to say questioningly, "You look well."

Severus was standing close beside his son and Harry could sense him bristling indignantly at that remark. He expected his father to make some scathing comment in return, but Severus remained silent, perhaps waiting to see how Harry responded.

But Harry wasn't sure how to respond.

He just looked at Remus for a few seconds, wondering whether he should try to explain how painful the slavery spell was for him, how deep a depression he had been in the past summer months, and how devastated he had been when the Daily Prophet had proclaimed the news to everyone.

And yet how his most cherished dreams of a home and a family had come true also during those difficult months, how much he and Severus loved one another, and how much joy that brought him.

And Sirius. For the past five months Harry had done his best not to think of Sirius, which was probably really horrible of him. It had been shamefully easy to push his godfather's death to the back of his mind. The slavery spell and all the changes it had wrought in his life had been so consuming.

But now Remus' presence was summoning all of those repressed memories back to the forefront of his mind.

Or trying to, anyway. But Harry just couldn't think about Sirius now. He couldn't, because if he did, the grief and pain would overwhelm him and now was not a good time to deal with it.

Harry made a Herculean effort and shoved those thoughts away. He wouldn't be able to do that forever, he knew, but maybe he could for a while longer.

"Um, so do you," he finally said.

Remus nodded, but he didn't look completely satisfied with Harry's answer. "Thank you. Like I said, Dora gets a lot of credit...and so do you, Severus."

He turned his attention to the Potions master, still standing protectively at Harry's shoulder.

"The new Wolfsbane is like a miracle, Severus. I can never thank you enough."

Severus merely nodded. "I trust you've been keeping the journal on your reactions. I hope to submit the formula to the Ministry soon and they'll want your reports as well."

"Of course. And on a similar note, Albus said that you would like to go over my lesson plans this morning." Remus moved to a side table and reached for a briefcase that rested on it. He took out several sheets of parchment and handed them to Severus.

"Of course these are rudimentary. I read through your notes yesterday afternoon and came up with a very general outline for the rest of the term, plus more detailed plans for today and tomorrow. I'll write a more thorough overview this weekend, if you want to meet again on Monday."

Severus reached to take the parchment from him and looked at his son, as if gauging Harry's well-being before sinking into an armchair to read Remus' plans.

Remus motioned to the table. "Harry, why don't you come over here and we'll get started?"

So that was it then? After all this time and everything they had shared...and not shared...and it was all settled with a handshake and a few casual questions?

But Harry wasn't sure what else to say or do so he just followed Remus' directions and went to sit with him at the table.

Dumbledore had remained uncharacteristically silent and in the background but now he spoke up. "Well, it seems that Remus and Harry are ready to begin. Severus, when you've finished, could you come into my office? I'd like to talk with you about your new Wolfsbane potion. Remus and I were discussing the tragic news about the Montgomery boy and how it will likely fuel prejudice against werewolves, which in turn could drive some of them to Greyback's side. If your potion is ready for distribution soon, it might be a step towards healing the breech."

"Aside from the obvious fact that Greyback and his ilk are indeed monsters who prey on the innocent and will never willingly take a dose of Wolfsbane?" Severus asked dryly.

But then he nodded. "But yes, we must do what we can for the sake of the rest. Very well, Albus. I will join you soon."

Dumbledore nodded and swept into his adjoining office.

Remus' lips had tightened at the mention of Greyback and his eyes were shadowed. But then he turned back to Harry and he was focused on the task at hand again.

It occurred to Harry that perhaps he and Remus were more alike than he'd realized, both of them determined to hide from their own troubled thoughts. He almost wanted to talk with Remus about it all then, but he had no idea what to say.

Remus was already speaking, anyway. "So Harry, you've been studying Temperature Charms lately? Right then, mark off an area around us and set a Cooling Charm."

It was much easier to simply draw his wand and concentrate on the spell.

The morning passed quickly. Remus kept Harry so busy practicing Cooling and Warming Charms that he scarcely noticed when Severus stepped into the next room. After the practical demonstration of Charms, Remus asked Harry a series of questions based on the textbook and then they moved on to Transfiguration, a more difficult subject for Harry. He had shown no sign of success in being an Animagus, to his dismay, and Severus had begun teaching him to cast glamours instead.

"You must have a very clear image in your mind of how you wish to look before casting the spell," Remus said. "It takes a great deal of concentration."

Harry wanted to tell him that they might as well call it a day then; his concentration for this morning was pretty much shot. He was just too bemused by seeing Remus again. He had had such strong emotions about this reunion, both good and bad, and it had not been what he'd expected, at all. Remus didn't seem to be angry with him. He'd seemed pleased to see Harry again, but as always, there was an emotional chasm between them.

Harry couldn't decide whether he was relieved or disappointed when Remus said they'd done enough work for one day, that it was almost time for Draco's session.

As if on cue, the Floo sounded and Severus and Draco came through.

"But I can't. Severus!" the other boy was saying in a panic-stricken voice.

If Harry's feelings about Remus were confused, Draco's were perfectly clear. He took one look at Remus and all the colour drained from his face.

"Stay away from me," he whispered shakily, his skin grey and his eyes wide with terror.

"Draco, I promise..." Remus began in a gentle tone. He held out his hand.

But Draco spun on his heel and fled.