52Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Harry's Pov
Harry's skin felt too tight like it had been stretched too thin in order to find over his body and it made him feel more frustrated than he already had been. Which meant he shrugged Draco off, a little rougher then he had meant, the second they entered the school. He saw the hurt look in the blonde's face and had been about to apologize when Draco turned his back to him and stormed off.
He wanted to shout out and tell the Slytherin that he wasn't mad at him. That the fight wasn't the reason he was pulling away, but Draco was already gone. He kicked the closest wall, cursing when pain ran along his foot. He let out a frustrated groan and turned towards the tower, and stomped along the empty hallways. Not caring if he was caught out after curfew.
He felt so overwhelmed. His fear, anxiety, regret, and anger grew every day he was stuck here and now he had guilt to add to his list. He sighed, feeling like an utter arse for not realizing how hard this had to be on his new friend. He had been so consumed with his own worry and fear that he forgot Draco was trapped here too. Yet, the annoyingly proud Slytherin never complained about it. He'd been by Harry side and tried to help with everything he was capable and Harry hadn't done the same. He felt bad about it and vowed to do better.
With his emotions all over the place he was on the brink of tears when he walked into the common room. He stopped short when he found his dad and Sirius hanging out in the otherwise empty common room. His dad was sitting cross legged on the floor a book in his lap. While his godfather was sprawled out on the couch behind him. He let out a relieved breath, if they were here then Remus was okay. They wouldn't have come back here if Remus was hurt. They must have heard him because both of the other teens looked up at him. Sirius had a goofy grin on his face and James gave him a happy grin, both fell away as they took him in.
He watched as his father looked over his shoulder at Sirius. The two held a silent conversation that Harry didn't understand before James jumped to his feet and rushed towards him. Harry tried to hold it back. He told himself to wait it out, wait until he was alone and in his bed with curtains closed, but the second his father wrapped his arms around him he broke.
Crying into James chest felt cathartic. He was able to let it all out and his father never said a word just held him. A comfort Harry had never gotten to experience before. It was strange to never want it to end. After all he was 16 and crying, but the hug and comfort felt incredible. Slowly he got himself back under control, though he didn't pull away until he was sure his eyes were dry.
When he pulled away he gave a grateful smile to James. Who gave him a smile and took his arm and pulled him towards the couch. James took his spot on the floor again and Siri went to sit up so Harry could join him on the couch, but he shook his head at his godfather and sat on the floor next to his dad.
"You okay?" Siri asked him after he sat down.
Harry nodded. "Just feeling overwhelmed."
"I know something that will help" his godfather said, causing both Harry and James to look at him in question. The black haired teen just rolled his eyes and pointed for Harry to look forward. Trusting his godfather he did. Then he felt a warm hand settle on the back of his neck, fingers gently massaging, he suddenly felt boneless. He slumped back against the couch letting out a ridiculously happy sound. James chuckled next to him.
"Thought that might help," Sirius chuckled lightly. "My cousin Andromeda is a submissive, on her mother's side of the family, and whenever she was feeling overwhelmed or upset her mother would do this. She called it grounding. I think it releases some kind of chemical that helps submissives relax and balance out."
Harry remembered Sirius, his Sirius, mentioning his favorite cousin before. Maybe when he made it home he could ask his godfather more about her. If she was still around maybe she could give him some advice.
"Thank you," he muttered.
"Anytime," Sirius replied.
After that they fell silent. Every once in a while he could hear his father turning the page of the book he was reading, all the while Sirius's hand stayed on his neck. He felt content in a way he hadn't before and he slowly started to drift off.
Remus's Pov
It took him awhile to figure out what he was going to do. He desperately wanted to help James. To save him from whatever happens, but Malfoy had been right. If he tried to change things, it could mean that Harry would never be born and how could he deny James his son. It broke his heart but he wouldn't say anything. Though he still hopped to talk to Harry. Maybe if he had all the facts it would be easier. He doubted it but it gave him something to hold on to.
He left the empty classroom with a strong urge to see James. He needed to see him. Make sure he was okay. Logically he knew his friend was fine and that whatever would happen wouldn't happen for a while yet. After all he hadn't gotten with Lily yet, so no little Harry on his way, but just the knowledge that something was going to happen made him desperate to see his friend.
He was not expecting when he walked into the common room to see James reading with Harry… no Evan, he had to be Evan in here, tucked against his side sound asleep. Sirius half awake laying on the couch running his fingers though Evan's hair.
James looked up when he walked in and he could actually feel his friends eyes roaming over him. Taking him in making sure he was okay. Remus stuck his tongue out playfully and quietly walked towards them.
"How long has he been asleep?" he whispered.
"Half an hour," Siri mumbled opening his eyes and smiling at him. He smiled back.
"Maybe a little less," James added. He looked down at his friend and sighed. James eyes were red and he could smell the exhaustion on him. He loved his best friend but he was a bit of a mother hen. He reached down and ruffled James's hair, earning him an annoyed huff.
"You two need to go to bed," he said in what he hoped was a confident don't question me tone. From the dramatic eye roll Sirius gave him he succeeded. James reached over to shake Evan awake but Remus quickly caught his wrist.
"Leave him," he whispered. "I'm not tired," he lied. "Plus I have a charms essay to finish," not a lie, "he can use me as a pillow." James gave him a questioning look but did as he was told.
It took all three of them to shift Evan and move him enough that James and Remus could switch places, and the second Evan's head landed on his shoulder Moony let out a happy yip in his mind at having his cub resting against him. It was strange but Remus liked it.
It was about an hour later, he had finished his essay and he knew he couldn't do this anymore. His legs were asleep and Evan deserved a couple hours of sleep in an actually bed. He sighed, putting his book and parchment off to the side., he reached down and shook the other boys shoulder.
"Evan," he whispered. Nothing happened. He sighed again, it seemed the boy would inherited his father's sleeping skills.
He shook him again. "Harry," he tried this time, hoping the use of his real name would jar him awake, but again nothing happened. He debated just moving and letting Evan fall, he had done it to James and Sirius enough times he wouldn't even feel bad about it, but instead he tried shaking him again.
He wasn't sure what possessed him, but the words just came out, "Come on, cub, gotta get up."
"Don't wanna Moony," Evan mumbled against his shoulder, and Remus' heart skipped. How close were they in the future that Harry reacted more to cub then his name? And that he called him Moony so easily? The thoughts brought back the knowledge of James's death. He shoved it down.
"You at least have to climb into bed," he whispered.
"M-Remus?" Evan asked sounding confused as he started to actually wake up. Remus gave him a smile. Evan's eyes shot open and he jerked up. "Are you-" the smaller boy started and then slammed his mouth shut. Remus got the impression he had been about to ask if he was okay, only to remember he shouldn't.
"What happened to James?" Evan asked instead.
"He and Sirius went to bed a little bit ago. We didn't want to wake you up. I hope that's okay."
Evan nodded as he spoke. "Yeah, of course."
He had to fight a smile as he watched Evan looking him over in almost the exact same way his father had an hour before. When Evan seemed satisifted he was okay he relaxed and Remus felt his heart warm at the love he felt from the other boy.
"We should get to bed," he said standing and pulling Evan up with him. The boy just sighed and followed him up the stairs to their room. Remus watch as Evan did a silent headcount of the room before he crawled into his bed and closed the curtains.
He shook his head and wondered if Evan did that every night. Counting and making sure they were all there before he relaxed and went to bed himself. He also wondered what else Evan did to comfort himself, while he was stuck in the bizarre situation. Remus would have to keep an eye out, hopefully he would find something he could do to help. He wasn't sure he could tell Harry that he knew the truth, but maybe he could still find a way to make things a little easier on him.