Searching for a Savior

Harry and Hermione

Harry and Hermione travelled with us for several days. I enjoyed having them around. They were lively and told wonderful tall tales of dragons and witches and wizards. They did it so seriously that I ached for the stories they told to be true. I knew that they were both authors in the making.

"Hermione, my friend, do you remember the time we confronted the escaped criminal? And were rescued by a werewolf?"

Remus glanced in the mirror, his eyes twinkling. "A werewolf?"

Harry grinned at Remus. "Yes, indeed. He's become a great friend of mine, that werewolf."

I shivered. "Aren't werewolves...well...evil?"

All three of them turned to me. I blinked at the sudden ferocity on Harry's normally smiling face.

"No," he said insistently. "The stories make werewolves evil. I believe, if werewolves actually did exist, they would be just like us. Normal persons. Dangerous once a month and harassed their whole life for something they can't control."

I glanced at Remus. He had a soft smile on his lips. I wondered why Harry was so...passionate in his belief that werewolves weren't evil, scary, fictional monsters. But passionate he was. And he made me angry on behalf of the fictional werewolves.

"That's true," I said.

Harry smiled at me and Remus leaned over and gave my hand a squeeze. Had I looked in the back at that point, I would have seen the happy, knowing smile pass between the two younger passengers.

"Harry, my friend, do you remember the three-headed dog?"

Remus and Harry both laughed.

"Ah, yes," Harry said. "The three headed dog named Fluffy."

"Fluffy?" I asked, my eyes wide. "A three-headed dog named Fluffy?"

"Ah, well, his owner was a bit-" Hermione started.

"Nuts," Harry finished, chuckling. He sighed and looked out the window. Hermione took his hand and gave it a squeeze, but didn't say anything.

"I read about a three headed dog once," I said, trying to add to the conversation. "A three-headed dog from Greek mythology. His name was Cerberus."

Hermione grinned at me. "He guarded Hades and the underworld," she said.

"You know Greek mythology?" I asked her, happy to find a fellow enthusiast.

Harry looked away from the mirror and regarded Hermione fondly. "Hermione knows everything," he said with a laugh. "She read the entire library at our school in our first year."

Hermione flushed and playfully shoved Harry. "I did not!"

"No, it probably took two years, Harry," Remus said, grinning in the mirror. "It's a big library."

I laughed and looked back at Hermione. "You like to read?"

"I love reading," she said, her eyes sparkling. "And not just novels, but anything I can get my hands on, I like to read it."

"Hermione likes to learn," Remus commented. "She's always trying to further her education." He smiled at Hermione over his shoulder. "She's one of the most brilliant students I've ever seen."

"Well, mine is all book talent," Hermione said modestly. "I don't have natural learning and natural abilities like Sirius or Mr Potter did. Or you, for that matter."

"James," Harry corrected her. "Call him James."

"Sorry. James."

"Ah, smart is smart, regardless of how it's come by."

Hermione looked down at her hands, her face a deep shade of red. I couldn't help but smile. Both of them were exceptionally smart from what I could tell, but both were modest about it. Neither flaunted it, really. They both had wonderful imaginations.

"What day do you two figure to go back?" Remus was asking them, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Well," Harry began. "School starts on the first. We've got our school supplies and everything, so really we don't need to go back until the day before."

"Harry," Hermione said, staring at him. "No, we can't do that. Don't you want to go visit Sirius before we go back? Plus Ron and Ginny would want to spend some time with us. Plus we promised Fred and George we'd come back and visit before we go to school. Plus-"

"Alright, alright!" Harry interrupted. "How about Thursday, the twenty-eighth then?"

Hermione nodded. "That sounds good."

*

I woke up early on the morning of the twenty-eighth. I knew it was Harry and Hermione's last day with us and that made me sad. I'd really enjoyed having them around. Remus was very relaxed around them; he joked and poked fun at them. It was obvious that he enjoyed being around them.

I showered quickly and put on the coffee. When I went back out into the main room, I found that Harry was up and dressed.

"Good morning," he said softly so he didn't wake the other two.

"Morning," I replied.

"I'm going for a walk. Would you care to join me?"

"Sure," I replied, tying my hair back from my face. I left the room with Harry.

It was a cool day. The sky was overcast and it felt like it might rain. I smiled and lifted my face into the breeze. I opened my eyes and found Harry watching me.

"What's up?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Nothing, really."

We walked for a bit longer, not talking much. Harry wasn't a big talker, I'd noticed. He was usually content to allow Hermione do the talking.

"It's nice here," he said after a bit. "Canada, I mean. You feel safe."

I nodded. "Usually, anyway."

He glanced my way. "Who hit you?"

His question caught me completely off guard. My bruises hadn't even been mentioned since Remus had told Hermione where I'd gotten the black eye from. I stopped and stared up at him.

"Why?"

I could see him grit his teeth. The muscle in his jaw clenched.

"Because it has made me angry ever since we met you. And I can't look at you without wondering."

"Maybe I was in a car accident," I told him shortly.

He shook his head. "You weren't. I'm not saying that it couldn't be that way, but I can tell that you weren't."

"How?"

"Because you are nervous around me. You're not around Remus, I've noticed, but most people aren't. He has an air around him. But I don't have that air, and I scare you."

He was very perceptive. I wasn't really scared of him. I was nervous about his temper. I could tell just by looking at him that he had a quick temper.

"I'm not afraid of you, Harry," I said quickly.

"I know. But I still make you nervous. I think you can tell that I have a bit of a quick temper."

Again, I stared at him.

"However, I would never hit a woman. I hope you realise that." He looked down at me, his eyes serious. "Will you please tell me who hit you?"

"Why do you want to know, Harry?"

He smirked. "So Remus and I can go hit him."

I didn't know what to think of that comment. He didn't really appear to be joking.

"Don't do that," I said quickly. "You don't even know me, why would you care about who hits me?"

He laughed at that. "I'm sure you've noticed the way Remus looks at you. He's known you a little more than a week, and he's dreading the time when he won't get to see you everyday. I can tell that by looking at him. Remus cares for you. A great deal. And I care, because you mean a great deal to Remus, and because I know that you are a good, kind person.

"I also care because I don't think that a man should ever hit a woman. For any reason."

I shivered at the intensity in his voice. Harry was one of those people that exuded power. I didn't know how. He was only average height, he was skinny and pale, but he still had this aura of power that wrapped around him. I knew already that Harry Potter made an excellent friend. I also knew that I never wanted him as my enemy.

We returned to the room not long after. Hermione was still asleep, but Remus was at the table, his hands wrapped around a cup of coffee. He nodded to us as we entered.

Remus, I had discovered, wasn't really a morning person. He enjoyed being up late and sleeping late. This trip didn't really allow him to do that as much as he liked.

"Where did you two go so early?" he asked as we both sat down at the table with him.

"For a walk," Harry answered. "I'm a bit restless, and Julianne was up, so I asked her to join me."

I slipped my hands in the pockets of the sweats that I was wearing every single day. I was starting to get tired of them. However, a lack of money made it necessary. I didn't want to ask Remus for more clothes.

Remus looked at me. He looked a bit concerned.

"Are you cold?"

Not with you looking at me like that, I'm not

. I wanted to say it. However, with Harry sitting there, I didn't dare. Instead, I shook my head. He turned back to Harry.

"Are you anxious at all?"

Harry shook his head. "Not at all. I was before we left to come here, but this time it will be easy. It will be nice to get back, actually. I am anxious to see Sirius, see how he is. We've been here for a week now. I hope he hasn't forgotten."

Remus reached out his hand and gave Harry's a quick squeeze.

"He won't have. I know Sirius, Harry. He won't forget a thing. Once he's healed, he's healed. He's too stubborn not to be."

I smiled, even though I didn't know Sirius personally.

"I bet you two are like that as well," I said, still smiling.

"Maybe a bit," Harry said sheepishly, grinning at me. "Ron and Hermione and I both drive the school...um...nurse, Madam Pomfrey, crazy. We're all accident prone, so we're in there constantly."

"I was too. I drove Madam Pomfrey crazy, too."

I looked at Remus. "How old is this woman, that she was the nurse when you were there?"

Remus stared at me, his eyes full of mock indignation.

"A better question would be, how old do you think I am?" he demanded.

I shrugged. "Um...younger than forty?"

He glared at me through narrowed eyes. I glanced at Harry and found that he was grinning into his coffee cup.

"I'll have you know, Miss Jules, that I am thirty seven."

"So, younger than forty," I replied, sticking my tongue out at him. He chuckled.

"To answer your question, I have no idea how old Madam Pomfrey is. She may have just been out of school when I went to school. So let's say she's been there for roughly thirty-five years."

"Wow," I said.

I was about to ask Remus how long he'd been a teacher, when Hermione sat up, her curly brown hair wild around her shoulders.

"What time is it?" she asked groggily.

"Early, yet," Harry answered her. "Coffee?"

Hermione covered her mouth as she yawned. "Okay, yes please."

Harry went to pour her a cup as she gathered her clothes and headed for the washroom.

"Are you anxious at all, Hermione?" Remus asked when she reappeared, her hair tied in a low ponytail. She shook her head.

"No, Remus. I trust Harry to get us there."

Remus nodded. We all finished our coffee and went down for breakfast.

*

Harry and Remus were the type of men who carried things for women. It was nice to meet a man like that, really.

Hermione and I followed behind as Remus and Harry carried the luggage out to the car. Harry had said that he phoned a taxi and he and Hermione were taking a flight from the nearest airport. I wondered how long a flight it was from here to England.

Remus closed the trunk of the car and turned to Harry. Harry held out his hand. Remus took it and pulled Harry into a bone crushing hug. I glanced at Hermione. She was smiling sadly at Harry.

"He's not a big hugger," she whispered to me. "He needs a hug once in a while."

I smiled at the younger woman. She was only sixteen, but she had a head on her shoulders. She was probably more mature than I.

"It was nice meeting you, Hermione," I said softly. She turned to me and smiled again.

"It was nice meeting you too, Jules. I hope that we will see you again." She leaned in conspiratorially. "Remus adores you, I can tell."

I flushed slightly. Hermione gave me a quick hug and went to say good bye to Remus. Harry walked over to me.

"I hope we see you again," he said, echoing Hermione without realizing. "Who knows, maybe you'll join Remus when he comes home."

I smiled, but shook my head. I didn't want to be a burden to Remus.

"It was an extreme pleasure meeting you, Harry. Remus is right. You are truly a remarkable person."

I smiled at the flush that spread across Harry's cheeks. He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I said good bye to both of them again and climbed into the car. Remus climbed in beside me. He waved as we pulled out of the parking lot. I glanced in the mirror in time to see Harry wrap Hermione tight in his arms. When I looked back, they were gone.

*

Remus barely said two words to me after we left. I wondered what I'd done to make him angry. I didn't want to ask, just in case I upset him even more. However, it made travelling boring.

We were going south that day. We'd been going north for a while, slightly west, but today we were going south east.

After several hours of failed attempts at conversation, I sighed and flipped the radio on. I knew that Remus didn't enjoy country, so I found a station that played old time rock and roll. I glanced at Remus to find him looking at me.

"What?"

"Am I boring you?"

I laughed sardonically. "It's quite easy to be bored, Remus, when the only other person in the car isn't saying a word. If you were actually talking to me, I would have left the radio off, but I can't stand listening to myself breath."

Remus threw a look at me, but turned his attention back to the road. I turned to the window, tears threatening at the corners of my eyes. I wasn't usually a crier, but it really bothered me that Remus was upset with me. I hadn't done anything, as far as I knew.

I fought the tears back, but refused to look at Remus, or say anything to him, for the rest of the day. By the time Remus pulled into a hotel, my neck was sore from not moving all day.

Remus got out of the car without saying a word, which was unusual. Usually he would ask if I wanted to wait or go in with him. Plus, he'd slammed the door.

Sighing softly, my eyes burning again, I opened my door and leaned against the car. As Remus didn't seem to want me to go with him, I decided to wait with the car. My legs were nearly dead from sitting all day.

I waited for nearly ten minutes for him to come back. Several people stared at me as I waited. I was just thinking about getting back into the car when he came storming back out.

"What are you doing?" he snarled. I stared at him with wide eyes. I unconsciously backed up a step.

"I-I was waiting for you," I answered. "I'm sorry."

He advanced on me. I backed up a couple more steps, but all he did was open the trunk and grab the two suitcases. He slammed the trunk and started to walk away. All I could do was stare at his retreating back. My eyes were burning again.

"Are you coming?" he yelled over his shoulder. He didn't bother to look.

Tears finally spilled down my cheeks. I stuck my hands in my pockets and followed slowly, watching the ground. No way was I going to let him see me cry!

I had no idea what I'd done to make him so angry with me. Hadn't both Harry and Hermione told me that it was obvious to them that he adored me? He wasn't angry that I'd gone walking with Harry was he?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I nearly crashed into the doors that Remus had gone through. I looked up to see where he was, just as he looked at me. He saw my tear stained cheeks and his face fell.

Damn.

I looked back at my feet as I entered the door. Remus was waiting by the elevators for me. I stopped a few feet away from him, waiting for the elevator. He didn't say anything.

I stood as far back from him as I could in the elevator. I could see him looking at me in the mirrored walls, but I refused to meet his eyes.

If he didn't want me around anymore, I would just leave, is all. While he slept. I could find another ride.

I went straight into the washroom when we got into the room. This room only had one bed as well, so I assumed that that was all they had left. I splashed my face with cold water, trying to make my eyes less puffy. I regarded my appearance in the mirror.

Despite the puffiness that still lingered around my eyes from the tears, I looked much better than I had. I still had faint scratches on my cheeks and my eye was still slightly black, but it wasn't so bad. All the rest of my aches had disappeared. I slipped out of the clothing Remus had given me and washed it in the sink as I had been doing for the last few days. I also rinsed my under things again. This time, I didn't care. I slung everything over the shower rod. This left only my night things that I'd worn when Remus had picked me up.

"Julianne?" Remus knocked at the door lightly. I didn't answer. "Are you hungry?"

I ignored him again. Let him see how it felt.

I opened the door and glared up at him. He drew a breath in at the sight of me.

"No."

I stalked past him and flipped back the cover on the bed. I didn't hear Remus come up behind me.

"Julianne."

He was right behind me. I whirled around, my hand up. It came into contact with his chest. I gave him a tiny shove.

"Stand back," I said. He looked at me with hurt eyes. "What?"

I looked at him closer. I realised with shock that he had tears in his eyes.

Oh, I didn't know what I would do if he cried.

"I'm so sorry," he said, his breath hitching. I said nothing, but looked down away from his face. "I didn't mean to treat you like that. I just get...like that sometimes."

I still said nothing, still refused to meet his eyes. I felt his hand on my shoulder. I moved away from him.

"I was upset about Harry leaving. I hated leaving him this summer, and I hated to see him leave."

I could understand that, but why was that my fault?

I turned my back on him and kept my gaze on the floor. My eyes had welled up again, and I didn't want to cry in front of him.

I heard him come up behind me this time. I stiffened. He didn't touch me.

"I'm sorry, Jules." I could hear the tears in his voice. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't mean to ignore you, or snap at you. I'm really sorry."

The tears that I was fighting spilled over. I nodded, still not looking at him. He slipped his arms around my middle and pulled me back against his chest.

"I'm sorry I made you cry. I never want to make you cry." His hands pulled me closer. I felt his lips graze my temple. I leaned back into his chest, my head resting on his shoulder. I felt his lips trail from my temple to my ear. He nibbled my earlobe gently. I shivered.

"Are you still angry?" he asked softly. I shook my head, unable to speak. I then felt his lips on my neck. Finally, I turned in his arms and looked up at him. He brought his hands up to my face and kissed me softly. His hands found their way into my hair.

There was something about kissing Remus that made everything seem right.

I didn't protest when his hands slid down my arms and slipped under my shirt. I merely lifted my arms so he could remove it.

His mouth became a bit more demanding on mine. I parted my lips and again he took advantage of the invitation.

I gasped as I felt the world tilt. I realised in shock that Remus had lifted me off the floor. I hit the light switch as he carried me over to the bed.

*

I awoke slowly the next morning. Remus' arm was draped across my hip and my back was against his chest. I smiled. I liked waking up next to Remus.

"Morning," Remus said softly, not opening his eyes.

"Morning," I replied, turning to face him. I covered my mouth with the sheet so I didn't breathe on him. His eyes opened and he chuckled. He leaned in and kissed my mouth even though I had the sheet covering it.

We lay there for a while. Remus eventually went back to sleep. As soon as he did, I slipped out from under his arm and headed for the washroom. I wanted to stay in bed with him, but I needed to shower and brush my teeth.

I stood in the doorway of the washroom after I'd finished, just watching Remus sleep. This morning he was restless. There was a frown line creasing his forehead and his hands were clenched into fists. I frowned and started toward the bed.

"Sirius," he said, sitting up just as I reached the bed. His eyes were open, but he was obviously still asleep. "No, damn it, we just got him back."

"Remus," I said, grabbing his shoulder and shaking him gently. He closed his eyes. "Remus, wake up!"

He did. And he grabbed my arms and dragged me against him.

"Remus, what?"

"Jules? Oh, damn, I'm sorry." He released me and was out of bed in an instant. "Can you give me a moment? I need to...make a call."

I nodded, not really understanding. I grabbed Remus' jacket and left the room.

*

Remus

"Sirius Black."

There was no answer. I tried again. Still nothing. Sighing, I decided to try Harry.

"Harry Potter."

"Remus?"

Harry's face appeared in the mirror. His green eyes were anxious and his pale face was tight with worry.

"You had the same dream." It wasn't a question. He stared at me.

"Sirius?" I asked. He nodded. "When did you see him last?"

"Yesterday. Hermione and I met Ginny and Ron at St. Mungo's. He seemed to be getting better. Do you think it was Voldemort?"

"What's going on, Harry?" I heard Ron's voice in the background.

"Harry, you need to get to St. Mungo's as soon as you can. Call me back from there."

"Okay, Remus."

"Oh, Harry!" I said before he could end the connection. "If Arthur's there, take him with you. Or stop in Diagon Alley first and get Bill. I know you're of age, but I'd feel better knowing that you had someone with a bit more experience. Please."

He nodded at me.

"Finite," I said quickly, making the mirror go blank.

After we'd pulled Sirius from beyond the Veil, we'd used some more of those mirrors that Fred and George had brought for Harry. Harry, Sirius, Dumbledore, and I now had one. Once I got back, we were going to make a few more. They really did come in handy. They were like Muggle cellular phones.

I turned, making sure that Julianne hadn't come back while I'd been speaking with Harry. There was no sign of her. She knew nothing about my being a wizard and I wanted to keep it that way. For now.

"Albus Dumbledore," I said quickly, wanting to speak to the Headmaster before Julianne came back.

"What is it, Remus?" Dumbledore's face appeared in the mirror. His eyes looked a bit worried, but other than that he didn't appear to be troubled. "Have you found it?"

"No, sir. Harry and I both had a dream about Sirius last night. Harry is leaving for St. Mungo's as we speak to make sure Sirius is still alright."

Dumbledore nodded. "I know. I spoke with Harry just after he woke up. He was quite upset. I will meet him at St. Mungo's."

I sighed with relief. "Thank you, Albus. I told him to take Arthur or Bill with him, just because they are more experienced, but it would be even better if you were there."

I paused. "Should I come home?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "No, Remus. The Order needs you there. I'm sure Sirius is all right."

Dumbledore ended the connection before I could respond. I stood up and paced around the room.

"Remus, what is it?"

Julianne had come back. I stood there and looked at her. Her face was nearly healed by now. Her eyes were just as haunted as they had been when she'd jumped in front of the car that I'd rented. She stood there holding a tray full of food. Her eyes were dark with worry.

I crossed to her and took the tray from her. She'd gotten breakfast for us.

I was glad that there would be no morning after awkwardness.

"Remus?" She had hold of my hands, trying to stop my pacing. "Remus, please, you're scaring me. What's wrong?"

"Remember my friend Sirius?"

She nodded, her face paling slightly.

"I had a dream. About him. That he was in danger. I just spoke with Harry and Harry had the same dream."

I had expected her face to fill with scepticism. It didn't. Instead she went even paler.

"Do you have visions?" she asked me.

I shook my head. "No. I have instincts. I just know when somebody's in danger. Someone I care about." I swallowed, hoping that made sense. "Harry seems to possess those same instincts."

She let go of my hands and started picking things up. I watched her for a moment.

"What are you doing, Jules?"

"You have to go to England, don't you?" There was no anger in her eyes as she said this. Just understanding.

I shook my head. "No. Harry's going to the hospital to make sure he's okay. He told me he'd call me when he found out."

She bit her lip. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. She came and put her arms around me.

"He'll be okay, Remus. I know it in my heart."

*

We decided to remain at the same hotel that day so Julianne could wash the clothes that I'd conjured for her. She had no idea I had done that, of course. She assumed they were mine. Plus I didn't want to be driving when Harry called back.

Julianne had just left to go start the laundry when I heard Harry's voice.

"Remus Lupin."

"I'm here, Harry," I said, snapping up the mirror. Harry's eyes were slightly red. "Oh no."

"No, no, Remus, he's alive. St. Mungo's has been destroyed."

I stared at Harry. Hermione appeared in the mirror beside him. She was crying.

"Nearly everybody was killed, Remus," she sobbed. "Only a couple Healers and a few patients survived. When we got here, Professor Dumbledore was already here. It was Voldemort, Remus. The Dark Mark was in the sky."

I cursed, wanting to throw something. All those people.

"How many in total survived?"

Hermione started to cry harder. "Twelve. Twelve people out of six hundred."

"Lockhart?"

"He's dead," Harry said dully. "We think Neville Longbottom's parents are too. We haven't found them yet."

I was going to be sick. "Let me see it."

"No, Remus-" Hermione began.

"You don't want to see it, Remus," Harry said.

"Let me see it!" I yelled. Harry stared at me for a moment and then turned the mirror. I gaped at the scene.

There was nothing there. Just a crater in the ground and some debris on the street. I looked closer at some rubbish on the street that turned out to be the remains of a person.

"Oh, God," I said. "Why?"

"Are you kidding? There were Ministry officials in there. Plus Sirius, who they all know is in the Order. They knew that if they took out the hospital, several important people would die." Harry's voice caught. Hermione was already clinging to him. I could see Ron and Ginny in the mirror. They appeared to be trying to help.

"Remus," Harry said softly, his voice catching. "Remus, Percy was here."

I dropped the mirror. No!

Harry's jaw clenched. "He was inside when Voldemort attacked. We haven't found him yet, Remus."

"Oh no, do Arthur and Molly know?"

Harry nodded. "Arthur came with us. Mrs Weasley came as soon as she'd heard that St. Mungo's had been demolished." Harry closed his eyes. "We had to tell her that Percy was here. One of the surviving Healers gave her a calming and sleeping draught."

I heard the door start to open.

"I have to go Harry. Jules is back. I'll phone you at Headquarters later. Finite."

The mirror went blank.