After leaving the bank, Harry went to the Leaky Cauldron and asked to hire a room for the week. Harry had no desire to return to the Dursleys and he hoped that their elation at his not returning home would stop them from contacting Dumbledore or Hogwarts. Harry didn't want to be dragged back by the old coot before he had a chance to get Sirius freed and bring to light his treatment at the Dursleys.
Thinking about Sirius led Harry to thinking about Remus; he had always liked the werewolf but his relationship with him has never been as close as Harry's had been with Sirius. The werewolf had been too wary of letting him in and then he had been too caught up in his grief over Sirius and his relationship with Tonks.
Harry thought that Remus would probably benefit from a letter, warning him about what was to come. Harry also wondered what the wolf was up to now; as as far as Harry knew, he had been abandoned by the light and Dumbledore after the last war and left to flounder up until he had been hired in Harry's 3rd year. If Harry played it right, he had a theory about the wolf and how he could gain another potential ally.
Mr. Lupin,
I know you will probably be wondering why I am writing to you, but I would prefer not to talk about such matters through parchment.
I would very much like to meet you and, if you're agreeable, be at the Leaky Cauldron at noon tomorrow. I will know you.
Sincerely,
Harry J Potter.
Harry sat, waiting for the wolf to appear. He had asked for a table near the back, but he planned on taking Remus up to his room to ensure that they had privacy for their conversation.
Harry watched as people came in and out of the bar and at exactly noon, Remus walked in. The wolf looked tired, his robes patched and faded. Harry walked up to him slowly, making sure Remus saw his approach.
"Harry?" Remus asked, his voice full of shock and awe.
"Mr. Lupin," Harry greeted warmly. A beat of silence fell, then Harry said, "I'm staying upstairs. Please follow me so that we might talk in privacy."
Remus nodded mutely. He had been blown away by the boy's appearance: his emerald green eyes seemed to glow in his delicate face. He looked a lot like Lily, but he had traditional pureblood features mixed in.
Leading the way, Harry walked up the stairs and entered his temporary accommodation.
Remus followed him, looking around the room and taking in the mountain of books. "You like to read, then?" he asked awkwardly.
"Yes - it's sort of a requirement, being a Ravenclaw," Harry said.
Remus seemed to startle slightly. "You're a Ravenclaw?" he asked.
"Yes," Harry said.
Remus seemed to nod slightly. "I see. I did always think Lily would have done well as a 'Claw," Remus said.
Harry smiled, Remus always did try to see the best in everything. "I heard she was quite good at Charms."
"So Harry, not that I am not pleased - exceptionally so, at that - to see you, but your letter said you wanted to speak to me," Remus said. "I didn't even think you knew I existed, let alone have reason to speak to me."
"Mr. Lupin-"
"Please, call me Remus or Moony," Remus interrupted.
"Remus, then. I thought you should find out from me, rather than the papers or somebody else, that I have been working alongside a law wizard in order to have Sirius Black freed," Harry said
Remus seemed to startle at the name and his eyes flashed momentarily. "Why, Harry?" he asked, anguished.
Harry felt for the man; that night, not only did he lose his only friends, but he thought he had been betrayed - and he had, just not by Sirius.
Harry gently led the shocked man to a chair and, flicking his wand against the sign on the door, asked for tea to be brought up.
"Remus, I would like you to listen to me while I talk," Harry explained, going into detail about finding Peter and how he 'remembered that night'.
"So he was innocent?" Remus asked in an anguished voice, thinking about how Sirius had been forced to suffer for ten years as an innocent.
"Yes, Remus. Sirius is innocent," Harry said.
"Oh, God," Remus said, literally collapsing into himself. "I just abandoned him, how could I just abandon him? And you, Harry, I let you be taken, my cub, I just left," Remus said, mumbling as he spilled his guilt.
As he spoke, Harry felt something in him click. The situation had always made him feel off in his past life, yet it took Remus' words to actually shift something in Harry, making it easy for him to connect the dots. Making sure to keep his voice even, Harry asked, "Remus, after that night, did you try to find me or talk to Sirius?"
Harry watched as Remus shook his head. "No, I-I don't know. Why, Harry? I have no excuses," he said. "I would have never abandoned you, you were my cub. But I did and I don't know why!" he practically wailed.
Harry felt his anger build as his suspicions mounted. "Remus, I think it would be really beneficial for you to see a healer," Harry said slowly.
....
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