Stand By

    Consciousness came to Harry in gradual steps. Cautiously, he opened his eyes, trying to ignore the horrible pounding in his head. The first thing he realized was that he wasn’t in the infirmary. The ceiling above him was a deep red color, a far cry from the crisp, sterile white of the infirmary.

    “Hello?” Harry croaked, his throat dry.

    “Harry? Merlin!” There was a relieved sigh from somewhere to his left and then a warm presence beside him. The edges of Harry’s vision was blurry and he couldn’t make out the face.

    “Who?”

    “Does he not recognize you?” Another voice asked, female.

    “Harry, it’s Remus Lupin. Do you understand?” Remus leaned closer and his face came into focus.

    “Where?”

    “You’re at a friend’s house, Harry. You’re safe. What do you remember?” Remus’s tone was soft, but intense.

    A thousand memories suddenly assaulted Harry’s mind. His meeting with Voldemort, Snape’s unconscious body, and the pain filled minutes under Crucio blended with memories from the previous meeting. He could practically feel the death eaters on him again.

    “No!” he whimpered, shying away from Remus.

    “Oh gods. He doesn’t know you!” the female figure cried.

    Remus’s tone suddenly became desperate, “Harry, please, just look at me. It’s Remus Lupin. Harry, please.” Moments of tense silence passed as Harry fought to control the memories.

    “Voldemort…” Harry managed to cry.

    “Harry, Voldemort escaped.”

    “Snape…”

    “Professor Snape is back at school, safe and unharmed,” Remus sighed with relief at Harry‘s apparent lucidness, “Are you alright?”

    “Hurts,” Harry moaned.

    “Where, love?” the woman asked, stepping up beside Remus. Her blue eyes were dark with concern as she watched him.

    Ignoring the question, Harry made a move to sit up. He wasn’t sure if it was Remus or the wave of dizziness that hit him that caused him to fall back. “I’m okay. Wanna sit up.” He struggled against Remus’s hand.

    “Sorry love. You’ve had one hell of a night. You need rest,” the witch smiled at him as she tucked the covers around him. “Remus, dear, now that this little one’s up, I think I had better Floo over to Hogwarts. I’m sure Sev is not following my orders. That man,” she sighed over a laugh.

    “Don’t let him get to you Arabella,” Remus said, gently touching her arm.

    “Yeah, I know,” Arabella smiled before leaning in to press and gentle kiss on first Remus’s cheek, and then Harry’s. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Until then, you stay in bed, understand love?” Her blue eyes fixed on Harry’s.

    “Yes ma’am.” There was something oddly familiar about the woman, but Harry couldn’t place it.

    “Call if you need me,” Arabella called over her shoulder as she rushed from the room.

    “Harry, are you alright?” Remus asked after a moment.

    “You already asked,” Harry managed with a weary smile. The pain that had earlier racked his body seemed to have subside, leaving instead a deep tiredness.

    Remus smiled gently, running a hand through Harry’s already mussed hair. “That’s right, I did. You had us all worried, you know.” There was a deep sadness in his eyes as he gazed down at Harry. “We almost lost you.”

    “I’m fine,” Harry tried to reassure him.

    “No your not,” Remus laughed softly, “But you will be. I promise.”

    “Where is Sirius? Is he coming?” Harry asked.

    “No. Dumbledore, well, all of us really, thought it best if Sirius didn’t know. He’s doing something very important right now and if he even thought you were in trouble…” Remus trailed off with a shrug.

    “I know,” Harry smiled thinking of his godfather. The man would no doubt abandon anything he was doing just to check on Harry.

    “Why don’t you get some sleep? Arabella will have my hide if I keep you awake.”

    Harry, who was rather tired, nodded as he nestled further into bed. “Arabella? Sounds familiar. I got a neighbor named Arabella,” Harry murmured sleepily, “Except, she’s old.”

    “Really?” Harry’s eyes had already drifted shut so he missed the grin that spread across Remus’s face.

    “Mmhmm. Mrs. Figg. Lot of cats. Gave my cake once. Nice. Arabella reminds me of her, sort of. But like I said, she’s really, really, really old.”

    “You’d be surprised,” Remus laughed as Harry finally drifted to sleep. He watched the boy for a moment before turning and quietly exiting, leaving the door open slightly, just in case.