Esprit de Corps

Chapter 7

Remus looked up at the three teenagers who appeared in his living room.

"Hello, Harry. How are you?"

"Fine, Remus. How are you?"

"Okay."

Harry looked at the werewolf carefully. He looked very ill and exhausted. There were dark bags under his eyes and his skin had a sickly pallor.

"I'm sorry I didn't come when it happened, Harry."

"You felt it, too?" asked an awed Ron.

Remus nodded.

"Why didn't you go?" asked Hermione.

"Full moon," said Remus simply.

"Oh," said the three of them simultaneously. Remus stood up unsteadily and advanced towards them, holding out the car keys. Harry caught him as he staggered.

"You're ill," he said, leading him to a chair.

"I'm a bit exhausted. I'm not at my full strength immediately after full moon, and I Apparated and Flooed a lot today."

Harry felt a little angry at Dumbledore.

"Why didn't he send someone else?"

"They're busy, Harry," said Remus quietly, "I'll be all right."

Harry put his hands on the werewolf's shoulders.

"You'd better be. I don't want to lose you, too, Moony," he said hoarsely.

There was a flash of light again and Harry and Remus glowed. The mark appeared on his wrist. It was red, gold and blue.

Remus stared at Harry, his mouth slightly open.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"Thank you, too," said Harry, "it means a lot to me to know that people really care for me..."

Remus threw his arms around his late friend's son and pulled him into a very tight, paternal hug. Harry felt his eyes brimming. Remus let go.

"You ought to be leaving now; Hermione's parents will worry if you're too late," he said. Harry and his friends nodded.

"Thank you, Remus," said Hermione and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Ron shook hands with him and they said good-bye.

As they stepped out of the house, Ron turned to Hermione and said, "Can you teach me how to drive that thing?"

"Sure. Would you like to learn, too, Harry? Your cousin got one, too, didn't he?"

Harry nodded shyly, staring at the ground. Hermione swore at the Dursleys mentally.

"Let's get in," she said briskly, opening the front door and pushing Harry in. Ron took the backseat. Hermione took the driver's seat and put her foot down.

"You drive well, Hermione," said Harry.

"I bet you find this slow," said Hermione, smiling, "you should have seen me this morning - it was a miracle I didn't get any speeding tickets."

Harry laughed. Hermione started explaining the basics of driving to him and Ron. Both the boys listened eagerly. When she was sure they had it right, Hermione pulled up and surrendered her seat to Harry. As she'd expected, he was exceptionally well coordinated and fast.

"Whoa, Harry...you could go in for Formula One racing..." said Hermione in an awed voice.

"What's that?" asked Ron. Harry grinned and drove on as Hermione explained it to the red-head.

A few minutes later, Ron was in Harry's place, taking instructions from Hermione while Harry was slouching in the back. Ron was a fast learner as well. Hermione deduced that it was their abilities with broomsticks that made them natural drivers. She taught Ron how to read a Muggle map and it was he who drove up to the gate of her house.

"Nice place, 'Mione," said Harry, stepping out of the car. It was a magnificent country house, complete with woods and a small pond.

Ron's mouth dropped open at the sight.

"It's a very old house. It was built by one of my great-grandfathers, several times removed."

"Wow," was all Ron could say.

"Get in, Harry. Ron, you'd better let me drive in. It's a bit tricky in there," said Hermione. The boys obeyed wordlessly.