Chapter Text
Harry was running through the forest, panting heavily. He could hear the elephant steps of his cousin stepping on branches, producing loud cracks that reminded Harry of bones breaking. He couldn’t stop running now, if Dudley catches him he’ll become his living, breathing punching bag. He could barely see a thing. The myriad of greens and browns spinning around him like a kaleidoscope. His vision was starting to blur.
Harry hasn’t eaten much ever since the Dursleys reluctantly dragged him with them to a summer lodge in Hope Valley, in the North of England. The only reason he was there was because Mrs. Figg had to go to the hospital after falling down the stairs. At first he was happy, he has never been this far from Little Whinging in his life. But right now, he was beginning to long for Mrs. Figg’s smelly house. At least there he would be somewhat safe, she’d only give him a light smack on the wrist if he missbehaved…
Lost in thought, Harry didn’t notice that he was getting further and further into the forest, until the canopy of leaves above his head was so thick, that barely any light bled through. He stopped running, listening for his cousin, breathing in gulps of air. His lungs stung. He looked around, the small rays of sunshine shone on the mossy ground, like puddles of warmth. Harry would have taken the time to sit down, if he wasn’t afraid that Dudley would catch up to him.
His mind made up, Harry started walking. His shoes sunk into the soft earth beneath his feet as a gentle breeze brushed through his hair, drying the sweat that managed to pile up. He could hear birds flying through the thick canopy. He thought he might have even seen a hare, before it hopped away into the underbrush further away. Is this what peace felt like?
Eventually he made it to a steep incline. Harry hesitated, but thought 'what the hell', and started climbing up. It was a hard climb, there weren't many roots to catch onto, and the moss was particularly slippery as the incline was westward of the hill, the sun just barely started shining on it.
Once he managed to claw himself up onto an alcove, Harry rolled onto his back. Staring at the branches above him. The afternoon sun shone into his eyes. To his left, he saw a cave. From what he saw, it was pretty deep.
In the entrance, he saw a pile of stuff. He got up to get a closer look. A mangled old backpack, a small suitcase that has probably seen better days and a beat up metal kettle. The sunlight shone into the entrance of the cave, but Harry knew that a lot more was hidden in the shadows. He was unsure whether whoever was in there would be angry at him that he stumbled upon their hiding spot.
"Are you lost, young man?" a tired voice of a man called out, sounding worried.
Harry watched a shape move out of the shadows, it was a man. The man looked at him, eyes squinting at the sunlight. Harry had to admit that he matched the appearance of his belongings quite well. He wore tired clothes, that maybe once were his size. But right now, they hung slightly on his lean frame and his trouser legs didn’t make it more than halfway down his calves. A mangled old coat that looked to have been repaired at least 100 times before hung over his forearm. Soft green eyes, resembling a field on a sunny day, shone under a short curtain of shaggy brown hair which, although he was clearly sleeping in a cave, looked very soft and even freshly washed. Despite the fact that he was tall, so tall that he had to arch his back to stand in the cave, he looked quite small. Concern washed over his features. 'What could a small boy be doing this deep in the forest?'.
"No," Harry answered, unsure of what to tell the stranger. "Just hiding from my cousin."
"You're quite far away from civilization," the man said, concerned about the boy.
Harry just shrugged. He didn't really know how far he ran.
"What are you doing here?" the boy asked.
"I'm... Travelling?"
"Me too," Harry smiled. "I'm here with my aunt, uncle and cousin. In Hope Valley."
"Really?" Remus smiled warmly as Harry sat down. He still couldn't see much of the boy. He was just a dark silhouette due to the sun shining behind him.
"Yeah! We're here on holiday for a week."
Harry watched the man pull some dried leaves out of his coat pocket.
"Would you like some tea?"
Harry nodded, as the man hunched over a pile of sticks, his back to Harry. He rustled a little through his pockets, muttering to himself. When he got up, Harry saw a bright fire blazing where the pile of wood was, the kettle hanging from a metal stand above.
"What's your name, young man?" the man asked, rubbing at his neck slightly embarrassed that he just now asked. "My name is Remus Lupin."
"I'm Harry," Harry answered with a smile as he walked over to the fire. "Harry Potter."
Remus suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. Could it really be? He looked back at the young boy, who started poking the fire with a stick. Now that he looked at him in the sun, he really did look like James. Could he allow himself to hope? That the son of his dead friend is here?
"Harry..." he started, unsure.
Harry looked at Remus. He felt his heart drop. From under the messy mop of black hair, piercing green eyes stared into his. Lily's eyes.
“Mister Remus?” Harry spoke up innocently, unaware of the barrage of emotions that just flooded Remus’ mind.
“You have your mother’s eyes…” Remus muttered.
Harry gasped excitedly. “You knew my mum?!!”
He stared up at Remus with a newfound wonder in his eyes. The man laughed at his antics as he shook his head.
“Yes, your dad too,” he sat down beside Harry. “Dare I say we were great friends back in the day.”
Remus smiled sadly, gazing into the flames.
“I like to think that I was one of James’ best friends,” his gaze darkened. “I’m not sure he feels the same anymore from up there.”
They both remained silent for a while, watching the flames lick at the bottom of the kettle. They found it relaxing, listening to the crackling of the fire as the wind blew through their hair. They could hear a songbird twittering in the distance. The heat of the fire enveloped them in a comfortably peaceful bubble. Harry has never felt like this before. Remus hasn’t felt like this ever since Hogwarts.
“Could you tell me about my parents, Mister Remus?” Harry asked shyly once Remus poured him a cup of green tea.
Remus smiled. “I’d love to.”
They talked for hours on end, Remus telling Harry how patient and caring Lily was, and how brash and quite frankly stupid James was. Harry laughed as Remus told him of the shenanigans they’d get up to in school. He mainly listened to what Remus had to say, subconsciously knowing that he needed this, needed to talk to somebody about the people he lost. Harry would sometimes ask questions, and Remus would happily answer.
After a while, Harry noticed that it was getting late. It was five o’clock already. He had to get back to the lodge to cook dinner. He finished drinking his tea which, despite the fact that it was in his cup for the last hour, was still surprisingly warm.
“Thank you, Mister Remus,” he smiled brightly at the man. “I have to go now, it’s almost time for dinner.”
“No, thank you, Harry,” Remus smiled softly back as he took Harry’s empty cup. “It was nice to talk to you. Your parents would be proud.”
This caused a strangely bubbly feeling to well up in Harry’s heart. His parents. Proud of him. Despite being a freak.
“You know,” Harry started, uncertain. “I may not be my dad, but seeing how nice you have been to me, there’s no reason why he wouldn’t see you as a friend. And- and if he doesn’t then I’ll be your friend instead!”
This warmed Remus’ heart, yet it was bitter sweet. If only Harry knew how Remus failed his parents.
“I promise to come back tomorrow. So don’t leave, okay?” Harry said as he started walking away.
Remus leaned on a tree, a warm smile on his face. He reminded him so much of James and Lily.
“I solemnly swear I will remain here for as long as you want.”
With that, Harry ran off.
Remus was planning to leave tonight. Oh well, he could afford to spend some time here. It has been a while since he looked forward to tomorrow.