Remus Re-erected

Chapter 1. Remus Recruited: The Inability to Say No.

"Maturity is behaviour determined by the plans other people have in mind."

- David Mercer

***

"No. Things can't be the same between us," Sirius asserted, looking directly at Remus, his gaze never faltering. "I can't do it, not after what happened."

And with that final proclamation, Remus felt something crumble inside. It was over, and it was his fault. He couldn't remember anything hurting as much as this. Not even when Sirius had been taken away to Azkaban Prison, when Remus had assumed him guilty of betrayal. At least there had been a reason then, one in which Remus could find some sense of understanding. He had been able to believe that there wasn't anything he could have done: Sirius had been the one who had led a double life. But this time round, there was no one else for Remus to blame.

***

The material under his face felt wet, and he was shivering. Opening his eyes, Remus was momentarily disorientated by the grey shapes and the silence that surrounded him. Then he remembered where he was: Grimmauld Place. He was alone and in bed, the blankets hanging off and draping over the floor. Remus didn't often wake up like this, and for this he was very thankful. Just over a month ago, there had been a tinge of hope that he clung onto--that he could somehow be what Sirius wanted, or that Sirius would change his mind--but now this hope had been completely erased. Sirius was dead, and these dreams, these... memories only served to drive the point home in a most unpleasant way.

Sitting up, Remus rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The clock on the bedside table showed that it was only half past five, but he knew there was no point in staying in bed now: he would only lie there thinking and analysing that particular conversation. What was the point? Instead, he would shower, dress, and find some way to occupy himself until the others turned up. He was good at keeping himself busy. At least he was guaranteed plenty of company today; that always helped to keep him from descending into depressing thoughts of the past.

After eating, he started repairing the wall where the portrait of Mrs Black had been forcibly removed only a few days earlier. It had been a huge relief to no longer hear her raving on about mutants and freaks befouling the house. Although her ranting was vague enough for no one else to realise exactly what she had been getting at, Remus had been very aware of her meaning, and it had been another unwelcome reminder of the past. Mrs Black had been one of the few people who had ever found out about his relationship with Sirius. At least she had been so disgusted by the idea of him and Sirius together that she could never bring herself to explicitly state just how close they were.

The task of repairing the wall was a long-winded one. All residue of the magic used to remove the portrait had to be completely cleared before he could begin re-plastering, and he had only finished half the task when the others started to arrive.

First to turn up were the Weasleys: Molly, Arthur, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George. Hermione, who was staying with them until the beginning of term, came as well. Remus cleaned himself off before helping Molly get drinks for everyone, welcoming the opportunity to be distracted by some friendly conversation. Ginny, Ron, and Hermione soon made themselves scarce upstairs, while everyone else sat in the kitchen talking, waiting for the other members of the Order to arrive.

Once the others had assembled, the meeting began with the usual updates from each member present. Remus sat there listening, with nothing of importance to report after having spent the past week indoors. He wished he could be of more use, but as a well-known werewolf, there were only so many things he could actively participate in. As much as he liked living in Grimmauld Place, he knew it wasn't healthy to spend so much time here; it certainly hadn't been healthy for Sirius. But without a practical reason for going out, Remus couldn't bring himself to leave the house. To leave this connection to Sirius.

Remus forced his attention back to the meeting. Kingsley was now informing everyone present of the latest attacks, and more importantly, the attitude of the Ministry in each case.

"Yes, the Ministry is finally accepting that Voldemort is back, but they are still far too willing to dismiss many of the attacks as mere coincidence. We all know about the attack on Ollivander's last week and the chaos that caused. Well, Fudge is implying that Ollivander is losing his touch after all these years and triggered the cascade of exploding wands himself!" Kingsley turned to George and Fred. "How is the repair work going?"

Remus had been watching them out of the corner of his eye for most of the meeting. They had spent the time fidgeting in their seats, desperately trying to behave themselves and resist the temptation to add the occasional flippant comment.

"It's taking more time than expected," George promptly replied, "but it should be done in a couple of weeks."

"We're helping whenever we can," Fred added. "The first years won't have to wait long for their wands."

Albus smiled at this. "That's good to hear. When it's done, I'll arrange for Ollivander to come to the school, as term will have already started by then."

"Do be careful, boys," Molly added, her face full of worry.

"Mum!" George and Fred protested. They hated the way she still insisted on fussing over them in public. She had already made it clear to everyone that she wasn't at all happy that they were now included in the Order meetings.

"Well, I don't like you being involved. It's not safe."

"Would it be safer if they were unaware of everything that was going on, Molly?" Albus asked. "Their store is in Diagon Alley, which has been the focus of several incidents recently. Because they are included in what we know, we were able to warn them that an attack had been planned. Had they not been a part of the Order, they would not have been forewarned."

Molly nodded, but also pursed her lips to make it clear that, although she understood, she still didn't have to like it.

"How did it go with Harry last week?" Albus asked Tonks.

"Fine," Tonks said, and Remus noticed how she had flushed slightly as she answered. "We didn't have any problems getting to Diagon Alley, and it was quiet while we were there. He's got everything he needs for the start of term. Do you need someone to take him from his house to the station on Monday?"

"That won't be necessary," Albus told her. "I have been keeping an eye on the wards put up around Privet Drive, and yesterday, somebody had placed what I can only assume to be a Monitoring Charm on the area. As soon as it was detected, I had it deactivated, but it is still a worry. I believe that it will not be safe for Harry to travel straight from the Dursleys' to the station on Monday morning. I had thought of arranging to Portkey him to Hogwarts, but I would rather not get the Ministry involved. Instead, we shall send someone to collect him Sunday afternoon. I have made arrangements with Giles Thickey to set a room aside at the Green Dragon. That way, Harry's journey to King's Cross won't be anticipated."

"Would you like me to collect him?" Tonks asked, a little too eagerly for Remus's liking. Surely she wasn't developing a crush on Harry? After all, Harry had only just turned sixteen.

Kingsley shook his head. "I need you with me over the weekend. We've got to set up some wards that have been disabled along the train line. They've been tampered with on the part of the track that runs through Scrimgeour's land." He turned to give Remus an apologetic look. "Sorry, Remus, but you know how Scrimgeour is about werewolves. You'll have to be Harry's escort."

Remus nodded, letting the prejudice just wash over him. He was used to it, and it had ceased to be a surprise to him a long time ago. Now, he just expected that sort of attitude; surprise was only a factor when someone wasn't biased against him.

"It's about time you got out of this place, Remus," Molly said. "Surely it isn't necessary for you to live here all the time. Don't you want to go back to your own house?"

"I don't mind, really. It makes sense to have someone here: we often need to have messages passed on," Remus replied, glossing over his reasoning and ignoring the fact that he wasn't prepared to let go of this part of Sirius just yet. Remus subtly re-directed the conversation back to the issue at hand. "Do you want Harry to be informed the same way as before, a phone call and a message via one of Arabella's cats?"

"Yes," Albus confirmed, "that seemed to work quite well last time. But I'm afraid you'll have to take some Polyjuice. Apparently, Martha Edgecombe will be staying at the Green Dragon that night. Giles is worried she'll see you, and he doesn't want to risk losing her custom."

Yet again, it seemed that business to be carried out for the Order had been dictated by his status as a werewolf.

One by one, the members of the Order dispersed. Molly and her brood were staying there for a few hours while Arthur was at work; Tonks also chose to hang around, going upstairs to speak with Hermione. Molly insisted that Remus sit down for a while, since he always seemed to be doing something when she turned up. She would get Fred and George to help her finish repairing the wall.

After spending fifteen minutes sitting at the kitchen table with his head in a book, Remus was distracted by Hermione and Tonks coming into the kitchen.

"Er, Remus," Hermione tentatively began. "I was going to give Harry a call, to let him know what's happening at the end of the holidays. Is it okay if I do that now?"

"Yes, of course."

She picked up the phone and moved it to end of the table, glancing nervously in Remus's direction as she and Tonks sat down. A phone line had been set up at the beginning of the summer specifically to make it easier to contact Harry; he had mentioned to Hermione that it was nice to be able to hear a friendly voice every now and then.

"Just get on with it, girl," Tonks prompted when Hermione hesitated at dialling the number. "I'm itching to find out if he's still winding Dudley up. Don't worry about Remus."

As Hermione finished punching the numbers into the phone, Tonks pressed closer in an effort to hear Harry's voice through the other side of the receiver.

"Hello, can I talk to Harry please?"

Both girls sniggered at whatever had been said the other end.

"Dudley sounds bitter, doesn't he?" Tonks commented.

"Hello, Harry."

As fascinating as his book was, Remus couldn't resist peeking over the top at the expressions on their faces. Almost immediately, Hermione had started to blush, and Tonks' eyebrows had risen in astonishment at something that Harry had said.

"I take it you're still playing with Dudley's head," Hermione said, clearly amused about something.

Remus went back to his book, trying to ignore his curiosity. But his determination to keep his nose out of it didn't last after the next outburst from Hermione.

"Harry Potter! I'm shocked," she suddenly exclaimed, her voice breaking into an embarrassed giggle. "Where do you get all these ideas from? This is what I'd imagine it'd be like to call one of those sex lines!"

Remus instantly looked up at Hermione, who was wide-eyed but laughing. Her complexion was becoming redder by the second, and she was beginning to shift uncomfortably in her seat.

Tonks caught Remus's eye and smiled slyly, and he gave her a questioning look. In response, she yanked the receiver out of Hermione's hand and passed it across the table, prompting a startled gasp from Hermione. Intrigued, Remus tentatively brought it to his ear.

"...then I'm going to trace my fingers along the insides of your thighs, gently and softly, teasing you like never before. Then I'm going to follow the same trail with my tongue, lapping at your soft sweet skin, kissing my way upwards as I hold you still, wrapping my hands firmly around your hips..."

Oh, my God! Remus thought, feeling his jaw drop as he listened. I can't believe little innocent Harry has a mouth like that. The last time I heard anyone talk this way was... too long ago.

Hermione had initially looked horrified when Tonks had handed the phone over. But when she saw Tonks giggle at Remus's stunned expression, Hermione began to relax and soon couldn't help herself from sniggering as well.

"...and when I get closer, I won't touch you. Not yet. I'm going to inhale you, breathe in your heady scent, and then blow gently over the parts of you which are begging for my attention..."

Remus stubbornly ignored the sensation of not having quite as much room in his trousers as he did earlier. I really don't think it's appropriate for me to continue listening to this, he told himself firmly before taking a deep breath and then clearing his throat to make sure his words didn't come out as a squeak.

"I never realised you thought about me that way, Harry."

Hermione and Tonks both collapsed with laughter. On Harry's end of the line there was silence.

"This is Remus, by the way. And, please, do carry on," Remus continued, trying to sound sarcastic and not in the least bit bothered by the subject of Harry's phone call. "I wouldn't want Dudley to suspect anything on my account."

"I think I'm going to wet myself..." Hermione gasped before staggering out of the kitchen in a hurry. Tonks was still doubled up.

"Dudley's gone now," Harry said in a croak.

Harry sounded highly embarrassed at what Remus had heard, and he grinned, imagining the blush and matching sheepish expression that would be on Harry's face right now.

"Oh, has he?" Remus asked. "Not because of me, I hope. Hermione was supposed to be passing on a message to you, but she's had to run off in fits of laughter. So you'll have to make do with me instead."

"Is this about getting back to Hogwarts?"

"Yes. You're not going straight to the station this year. Instead, I'll be taking some Polyjuice and coming to collect you a day early. We're going to stay overnight in London, nearer the station. That way, no one will be able to predict your journey."

"Oh, okay."

"You should be getting the details via Mr. Tibbles this evening, so you'll know what time to expect me." Remus fiddled with the cord of the phone, feeling strangely reluctant to end the conversation. "Has everything been okay, over the summer? You haven't been getting bored, by any chance?"

"A little bit."

"Poor Dudley, I bet he was having kittens listening to you."

"It was retaliation; he's been giving me grief."

Remus chuckled. "Do you realise that Tonks has also been listening to the phone call? Is she in on the joke as well?"

"Er, yes. Yes, she has been."

As Harry confirmed this, the door to the kitchen opened with a bang, and Hermione walked in, still grinning inanely.

"Have you told him the message?" she asked.

Remus nodded.

"Ask him..." Tonks began with a suppressed snort and an evil glint in her eye, "ask him, does he need another display for Dudley when he's collected, like last time. And if so, does he have a preference for anyone in particular?"

Remus frowned at the odd request, but relayed it back to Harry anyway, receiving an instantaneous reply.

"Yes. Tonks, please."

"Tonks?" Remus confirmed. What is this about? he wondered. What exactly have these three been up to this summer?

Once more, Hermione was looking at Tonks in shock. She had a hand over her mouth, but Remus could see a huge grin peeping out from underneath it.

"Er, Remus, Dudley's coming back now. Can you put Hermione back on?"

"No. Sorry, Harry," Remus said with a smirk, not sounding at all sorry. He couldn't resist the opportunity to wind Harry up. Neither Sirius nor James would have been able to let something like this pass them by, and they certainly would have been disappointed with Remus for doing so. He continued with his sarcastic refusal. "I can't have you corrupting Hermione with that type of filthy talk. You'll either have to make do with corrupting me instead or end the phone call. Is there anything you wanted to know, any messages to pass on?"

"No, no messages. I... I... Piss off, Dudley!" There was a brief pause, before Harry whispered, "You know you've asked for it," then he continued brazenly, "I miss you. I wish you were here tonight so I could do all those things to you. Sleeping in my bed without you is unbearable. We'll do it soon, though, won't we? I can't wait. Bye, gorgeous!"

The phone line went dead, and Remus placed the receiver back into its cradle, noticing that his palm was now damp with sweat due to the way Harry had been talking.

Tonks and Hermione both rolled up in another burst of laughter.

"I can't believe you suggested that, Tonks!" Hermione said, in between chuckles.

"I can't believe Harry went for it! I guess he really is getting lonely there."

"Are you two going to tell me what this is all about?" Remus asked, but he didn't receive an answer to his question. Instead everyone's attention turned to the kitchen door as George Weasley walked in, looking bemused.

"Mum wants to know what all the noise is for," George announced. "She says that if Tonks and Hermione have nothing better to do than sit around giggling, then they can make everyone a cuppa."

"I'm not entirely sure myself, George," Remus admitted. "Except that these two are causing trouble."

George grinned at this and immediately pulled up a chair.

"Spill all, ladies."

"Harry's been winding Dudley up," Tonks explained, "trying to make Dudley jealous at Harry's supposedly frequent and varied sexual forays. And Remus has just volunteered to put on a bit of a display for Dudley's sake, when he picks Harry up on Friday."

"I... what?" Remus's jaw dropped, wondering just how he had managed to become involved with their little scam.

"You said it on the phone, Remus," Tonks pointed out with a grin. "He's going to be expecting 'me' to turn up. You can't let him down now."

Remus screwed up his face as he thought hard about the previous conversation with Harry, trying to remember the details of what had been said.

"What exactly do you mean by a 'display'?" he asked, starting to feel a bit paranoid about what they were expecting him to do.

"Well, you can't tell Kingsley any of this," Tonks began, looking far too smug for Remus's liking. "But when I collected him last week, Hermione and I arranged to give Dudley an eyeful. Hermione had me dolled up something stupid, which left Dudley positively drooling. And to top it off, I gave Harry a very warm welcome in front of Dudley."

By now, George had a huge smirk plastered across his face, and his shoulders began to shake as he started chuckling silently in his seat. Remus had the uncomfortable feeling that George had already worked out what was coming next.

"So," Tonks continued in a matter-of-fact way, "Harry's now expecting you to do the same."

"You've got to be joking!" Remus spluttered.

"I have to be joking?" Tonks asked. "Harry was the one who agreed to it!"

"But I used to be his teacher, for crying out loud!" Remus protested. He was beginning to feel a bit hemmed in by the way the other three were looking at him. They clearly expected him to go through with it.

"You're not his teacher any longer," Tonks countered.

"I used to go to school with his father, and I'm over twice his age!"

"It's only a performance for Dudley," George pointed out. "The way you're going on, it sounds as if you've been asked to start dating him."

"Are you actually going to tell me what this 'performance' entails?" Remus asked Tonks in resignation.

"You turn up looking like me--don't forget to give Dudley a disarming smile. Just say 'Wotcher, Harry', followed by a hug and a quick snog in front of Dudley. It'll be painless!"

"I know I said that I'd be collecting him, and I did mention the Polyjuice..." Remus was having trouble getting his head around what Tonks was suggesting. "But perhaps he was still shocked at what I had overheard and wasn't paying attention. I'll change the letter and tell him to expect someone else."

"Remus!" Tonks chastised. "I'm sure Harry is well aware that it's you who's going to be picking him up. Evidently, he doesn't think it's an issue because of the Polyjuice. I bet he's already bragged about it to Dudley."

It was like being a student back at Hogwarts, Remus realised, on those occasions when Sirius and James would pester him into doing something he knew full well he shouldn't. They had always managed to back him into a corner and persuade him to go against his better judgement. Inside, he could hear his conscience screaming at him to just say no and walk away. But he couldn't do it: he didn't want to run the risk of upsetting them by being rude. In the end, he figured if he couldn't come up with a good enough argument that they agreed with, then perhaps they were right, it wasn't such a big deal. Sirius and James certainly would've thought it was funny. He looked up to find Tonks studying him.

"Look, if you turn up and his aunt and uncle are there, then our little plan won't go ahead, anyway," she reasoned. "And it's not as if you're taking advantage of him: Harry has agreed to it. He doesn't mind the situation."

"And if I mind?"

"You're a big boy, Remus," Tonks assured him. "I'm sure you can cope with a bit of acting on Harry's behalf."

Remus thought about continuing to argue, but he felt it was pointless.

"I'm still going to change the letter," he insisted. "I want to make sure he knows it's going to be me using Polyjuice, and that he can change his mind if he wants to."

"Tell him to send Hedwig if there's a problem," George suggested. "Then if he didn't realise, he can let you know, and you can change who you're impersonating."

"Okay," Remus said, trying not to acknowledge what he had been talked into.

"I'll go and tell Mum that you've started on the tea, then," George said to Tonks and Hermione, and he grinned at Remus as he stood up from the table. "Don't worry, I won't tell her what we've been talking about. I'll make out Hermione and Tonks were getting giggly over private girly things."

While Hermione and Tonks busied themselves getting out mugs and boiling the kettle, Remus just sat there, stunned. What had he got himself into? He was going to collect a sixteen year-old boy and kiss him. The image of what Harry looked like when Remus had been teaching at Hogwarts flashed across his mind. No, it's not that bad, he tried to console himself. He's grown up a lot since then. He's filled out more; he's not a kid anymore. Remus sighed and lifted a hand to rub at his tense brow, with one thought in particular jumping out from amongst the rest: I hope Hedwig turns up.