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No Obvious Truths	By : Danyealle Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 64502 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 32
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this work of fiction.

Chapter List
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Chapter 21

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Thanks, woman! You're the BEST!

Tossing the potions book he had been looking some things up in onto his desk, Albus stroked his beard, shaking his head and looking crestfallen. Right now he was feeling extremely guilty over what Harry was suffering through. Severus had gotten in contact with him the night before and said he would be gone today as well since he had to brew up several different new potions for Harry as they had to change everything he was taking. Along with that, he had sent along a list of plants he needed. Of course, those had already been sent to the man. While talking to Severus, he had managed to get a list out of him of what he was brewing. He had said he would see what he could get some of the older students to cover for him, something that Severus seemed relieved about because he would have a stockpile that way and could concentrate on the more difficult potions. Already Albus had set the seventh years to brewing a couple of them, something they were more than willing to do when they learned who it was for. That was fine and Albus didn't mind helping with that end of things. As he hadn't heard of some of these potions, he had looked them up just to see what they were, that's what left him feeling sick with himself. They were powerful, on the higher end of the spectrum, which meant poor Harry was far sicker than he thought.
Shaking his head, he took his glasses off and put them on the desk then rubbed his eyes. What had he been thinking letting the young man suffer for so long? Now Harry was continuing to do so because he hadn't thought the whole situation through and just went by what he thought he knew about such diseases. Mentally kicking himself, repeatedly, Albus sighed. Realistically, he knew he had done what he had to further his plans because of what was starting to happen. He supposed that he had been so focused on that end of the nightmare that he hadn't focused much on the other. Now, well, it was bad.
Sighing, he looked down, clasping his hands, eyes sliding shut. He didn't know what to do at this point. Events he had been planning for, something he knew had been coming since that awful night in Godric's Hollow, were already starting to take place. Of course, he was working with it the best he could and protecting the stone so as not to give the maniac an advantage. That though—well, he wasn't sure what to do beyond that. This was all messed up, something he couldn't have planned for. Harry was with the Malfoys. Severus assured him repeatedly that Lucius and Narcissa cared for the boy and would let nothing happen to him. From what he, himself, had observed, that did appear to be the case. Lucius carried Harry all the time, something he had never seen the man do with his own son. Narcissa fussed over the young man just like she did Draco. Draco and Harry appeared to be very close. From what he knew, there was little he was going to be able to do to get Harry away from them when the time came that he had to do it. After all, Lucius would go right back to Voldemort when he finally fully showed himself. That he couldn't allow to happen because it meant that either Harry would join the person that killed his parents or would be in serious danger. Neither were good options.
Honestly? His first question here was just how in the world Harry ended up with the Malfoys anyway. That he still didn't understand. He had asked Severus, of course, but got no answer about that. He assumed that had to do with privacy spells on the records, something normal. Right now, he had several old Order members seeing if they couldn't track down Arabella Figg. Maybe, just maybe, they could get some answers from her. What he would do with those when he got them he didn't know. As Harry had been taken away from the Dursleys and the wards were gone, that left that option out as to just what to do with the young man. With as sick as Harry was, he didn't know many families that could take on the burden of caring for the young man, let alone do what was needed in other areas. That left him in a quandary of just what to do here if he did get the information.
Shaking his head, he rubbed his eyes again. There was also the fact that unless Lucius or Narcissa did something to raise the ire of the person, whoever it was, overseeing the case for the Ministry, there was no way he was going to come out on top in a fight with Lucius in court over custody of the boy. No, the man had too much power for him to win that battle. And there just wasn't a family out there on the light side with the clout it would take to win against Lucius in any kind of custody matter. Honestly, he didn't think there was a family that aligned themselves with the other side that could either. No, this wasn't one he could win. Which meant, he had to go about this a different way. How that was, he didn't know, but he would find it.
Hearing the alarm go off, signaling that he had another class to oversee, Albus sighed and rose. At least this was the sixth years, students he didn't have to keep as close of an eye on. That made it easier on him. Hopefully, Severus would be back the following day and things would return to normal. Then he could get to work on things he had to deal with and watch Quirrell closer. That was an issue, he knew, and one that needed his attention. For now, he was letting it play out to see where it led. He knew before the year was out that something drastic would happen. All he hoped was that he could put a stop to it before it got too far.

Eying the man on her stoop warily, Arabella finally said, “Hello, Remus. What brings you here?”
Smiling at the woman, Remus told her, “I was wondering if I could come in and talk to you a little about Harry.”
Now tense, the woman gave a stiff nod then stepped aside, ushering him in. Oh no, she was not going to give up any kind of information to the man if he was just going to run to Albus with it. That wasn't going to happen. Knowing the kind man the way she did, she thought she might be able to work with it.
Leading him into the parlor, she had him sit down then served up some tea, shooing her cats out so they wouldn't bother him, or trying to anyway. Taking a seat, she looked at him then asked, “What do you want to know, Remus? And why?”
Petting the large cat that seemed to have taken a liking to him and was curled up in his lap, Remus set his tea aside then said, “Albus is trying to find out just what's going on and how Harry ended up with the Malfoys. It's nothing more than that. We're all concerned, of course, because of past history.”

And that's what Arabella feared. Shaking her head, she tried to decide what to do. After a couple minutes, she thought she had something. “Let me ask this,” she said, looking at him. “Who comes first here, Remus? Harry or what Albus wants?”
Brow furrowed, the werewolf looked at her then said matter of factly, “Harry, of course. You should know that Arabella.”
Nodding slowly, looking at the man, she said, “You are of the opinion that Albus would put him first as well, aren't you?”
“Of course,” Remus told her, confused. He didn't understand where this was coming from.
Standing, she said, “I want you to wait right here.” Seeing him nod, she went to get some of the copies of her correspondence with Albus.
When she came back in, she flipped through the mass of parchments then began to pull out the ones more relevant to what was going on. Handing them over, she said, “I want you to read those. When you're done, we'll talk.”
Taking the letters, Remus was now very curious and began to wonder what was going on. Reading them quickly, he began to shake his head, not sure what to think. This didn't sound good, not at all. When he finished, he looked at her, brow furrowed, not sure what to say.
“That went on from the time Harry was diagnosed with cancer until it got to the point that the Muggles were saying there was nothing left they could do. When it got to the point that they were just buying him time, nothing more, Albus hadn't even answered me. I don't know why he did what he did, Remus, I really don't. I keep thinking he just didn't know enough about Muggle medicine, and what they can do, that he didn't realize how grave it was. Maybe it was he thought I was overreacting. I don't know. Either way, he let Harry suffer plenty.” Stopping, she stared, hard, at him and said, “Harry was dying. He knew he was dying and said that. All they could do for him was help prolong his life a little more. That's what Albus left him to. Is that what James and Lily would have wanted for their son, Remus? You knew them, better than I did. Would they have chosen that for Harry?”
Rubbing a hand over his mouth, looking down at the letters, Remus shook his head, feeling sick. Right now, all most of them knew was that Harry was really ill. From his end, all he had was information from Albus about that, not having seen the boy to judge for himself. Quietly, he asked, “How bad is he now? Do you know?”
“If what I say is going to get back to Albus, I'm not going to talk,” she told the werewolf firmly, crossing her arms over her chest. “I moved and did everything I could to ensure I wasn't found by Albus. I don't want to deal with him right now. I would prefer it to stay that way.”
Looking at her, Remus didn't know what to say. He knew why Albus was doing what he was and what they all feared was coming, but he also wanted information. One of the things he had promised his friends was to help protect Harry if something happened to them. There wasn't a lot he could do, even they knew that, because of his 'problem', but he had promised. This—he wanted to know. He thought he had to know. “If I promise to say nothing and pretend I didn't find you, will you tell me?”
“If you give me your word I will,” Arabella told him firmly.
“I will,” the man told her with a nod.
“He's still in bad shape, but improving. The Malfoys are taking very good care of him, Remus, and doing all they can for Harry. It's certainly a far sight better than what those damned Dursleys did, that's for sure! I know what people think when it comes to them, I've heard it all. What I can tell you is this; I have Lucius and Severus' Unbreakable Vow that they will protect him. They Vowed that to me. I will trust in those. I've also seen them and Narcissa with Harry. They are wonderful with him and he adores it there. What they are doing goes above and beyond what anyone would require.” Stopping, she shook her head then said, softly, “Lucius and Severus took Harry to his parent's graves for the first time on his birthday. They stayed with him the whole time. Remus, they aren't using him or planning anything. He's a sick young man that was at death's door when I went to Severus to get help. Since then he's improved, vastly. He's still sick, no doubt, but he's better. Every time I go over there to see him, he looks better. I think that's all that matters.”
Taking that in, looking at her as he did, Remus didn't know what to say. What he just heard warred with what he knew from the first war. He couldn't quite meld the images of the two together. Shaking his head, he told her, “I don't know what to say here.”
“Trust me, Remus,” Arabella told him firmly. “I went to Severus to get help. He's done that and more. Well beyond what most would. As have Lucius and Narcissa. I go over there once a week to spend time with Harry. They come and get me to take me there. If anything was off, I would see it. What I see is a young man that is happy and well cared for. He doesn't feel good, you can tell that, but he's getting better. They watch over him and are protective, especially Narcissa. Draco and Harry are best friends. Draco is the first true friend Harry has ever had. Even I can tell you that the two are good for each other. When Harry is better, those two are going to get into all kinds of mischief and have fun. I promise, nothing is off here, Remus. He has a family, finally. One that cares for him.”
Looking down at the parchments he was holding, Remus tried to think of what to do. He didn't know in this case, he really didn't. He understood Albus' end, that's for sure. However, what he was hearing was different than what they all thought about the matter. “You get to see him?” He asked quietly after a few moments.
“Once a week,” she told him. “It's not much, really, just a couple hours unless something special is going on, but I spend time with him. We talk or play a game. Nothing strenuous, of course. I've seen them with him, Remus, and what Harry is now like. He's happy, very happy. I've seen him laugh and smile more times since being with the Malfoys then I ever did when he was with the Dursleys. And that's even factoring in how sick he is still. They treat him like their own son. Harry has everything he could ever want and then some. None of it is second hand either. He's not forced to wear used clothes that are miles too big for him like he was at the Dursleys. He's not forced to go out and work in the yard all day despite the fact that he is sick. He doesn't have to clean the house while Draco goes and plays like he did with his family. He's treated right and cared for.” Stopping, she looked at the man then asked, quietly, “Do you know what his favorite thing in the world to do is?”
Looking at her, Remus asked, “What?”
“Fly on this huge stuffed dragon he has with Draco. It doesn't go but a foot or so off the ground and certainly not very fast, but he adores it. He and Draco spend hours out in the garden when he was feeling up to it flying on it and playing some kind of game they made up. They call themselves Sir Harry and Sir Draco, Knights of the Fuzzy Dragons.” Smiling, she shook her head, “They are typical little boys, nothing more. Does that sound to you like someone that is being used?”
“No,” Remus said, smiling a little, trying to envision what she was talking about.
“Remus, don't let Albus ruin this for Harry. He's had a hard life and suffered plenty. He still is, what with the treatments. Let him enjoy himself for once in his life. He's cared for and adored, just like Draco is. There is nothing to worry about here from that end of things, I give you my word. Those Vows I received covered everything, I promise. Let Albus stew. I don't care about that. All that matters is the sick young man that I was watching die is getting better and is in a place that's good for him. I think that Lily and James would approve.” Lowering her voice, she added, “Think about it, Remus; who in their right mind is going to try to take on Lucius or Severus? No one if they have more brains than a flobberworm. Those two would defend Harry to the death, just like they would Draco. And Merlin help the person foolish enough to try anything with Harry. Severus and Lucius would have to run to catch up with Narcissa to get revenge. She is rabid about protecting Harry.”
Smiling a little at the images that part gave him, Remus nodded. “I understand. If you can, will you ask if I can write to him? I promise I won't say a word to Albus. In fact, I never found you. I would just like to write to him for now and see where it leads.”
“I'll say something to them and get their opinion,” Arabella promised. “Give me a few days and I'll let you know. In the mean time, go talk to Molly and Arthur. From what I heard from Harry, their youngest son, Ron, is good friends with Draco. They wiggled around so that Ron would go into Slytherin with him and Harry. See what they have to say. That should ease your mind.”
“I heard Harry went into Slytherin. That rather shocked me,” Remus admitted.
Smiling, Arabella chuckled, “He and Draco had it all planned out. The two of them spent most of the summer working on that part of things. They had all kinds of ways to ensure that they stayed together. That included everything they could think of all the way up to begging the Sorting Hat to put him there, by both of them. It was nothing nefarious at all, just two boys who are friends wanting to stay together, nothing more than that. I believe the fact that Severus is head of house factored in as well. He takes good care of both of them so it would be natural. Harry trusts Severus a great deal.”
Smiling again, Remus nodded. “James might have a small fit about that and grouse, but if it's as you say, he would be over it quickly.”
“He would,” she told him firmly with a nod. “Just seeing how his son is treated by Severus would be all it takes. The man, despite that veneer everyone sees, is good with both Harry and Draco. Those boys adore him. Severus is the one that made sure Harry got pictures of his parents from people. Until he met Severus, poor Harry didn't even know what they looked like. I think that is rather telling, don't you?”
“It is,” Remus admitted. Sighing, he said, “Let me know what they say. I'll take my leave and come up with something so Albus doesn't know I found you. He will eventually, we both know that, but it should hold him off for a while.” Stopping, he looked at her then added, quietly, “Thank you for getting Harry help.”
“There is nothing to thank me for,” she said firmly, shaking her head. “I did what most would.”
“And it's appreciated,” Remus told her. Moving the cat off his lap, he stood. “I'll let myself out. Thank you, Arabella.”
Standing, she nodded. Once he left and she heard the front door close then the crack of Apparation, she went into the other room and quickly began to pen a note to Lucius. She wasn't sure what would come of it, but she knew Remus well enough to know he would keep his word to her. Hopefully, Lucius and Tom would allow the man to see Harry.

Sitting in the homey kitchen at the Burrow, sipping tea, Remus was listening to Molly talk about her kids, especially Ron. What he was hearing just shored up what Arabella had told him and he liked it. When she paused, he asked, gently, “So, nothing seems off from what the boys said?”
“Nothing,” Molly told him with a smile and shake of her head. “We were dubious at first, as you would expect. After all, it came as quite a shock that Ron went into Slytherin. Since then, well, we like what we hear from all of them. Ron is happy. He said he likes Draco and Blaise a lot. They have all kinds of fun together. From what we've seen of his grades so far, he's doing quite well. He tells us they help him study and all that. Fred and George liked the other two from the start. Since then, they've had nothing but good things to say about Draco. Percy—well, he was quite upset over the sorting, wondering if something was wrong with it. Since then, he's lightened up a little on it. He said he's not seen them get up to anything bad. Just having fun.”
Taking that in, Remus liked what he was hearing. “Good. I'm glad he's happy. Sometimes change is needed for some. That might be the case with Ron.”
“I think so too,” Molly said, nodding. Smiling at him, she said, assuming it was part of the reason for his visit, “I don't think any of us need to worry about Harry either. Ron said he's being well taken care of. The three of them write to him every day and he answers. From what Ron told us, Harry seems very happy other than he's sick. He also told us Draco talks about him all the time. He's fine from what we can tell. I know there is some talk that there might be something off about this, but I don't think so. I've seen Harry with his guardians, as has Arthur. He's so small, that's for sure, and sick, something you can tell, but he's well cared for. Well, you know what the two used to be like,” seeing Remus nod, she pressed on. “What we saw tells us we don't need to worry. Draco's dad carries him around all the time because he's weak. He wouldn't do that if something was off, Remus.” She was trying to explain it the best she could knowing she couldn't say the names. She assumed, like they all did, that the spell would eventually wear off as more people learned about it. For now, the names just wouldn't come out. “Nothing in my instincts were telling me there is a problem with it. Minerva told me last time she wrote that the two genuinely care for Harry and look after him. So, unless I hear otherwise, I'm going to say nothing. It's strange, Arthur and I both admit that, but it isn't something to worry about.”
Liking that, Remus relaxed. “Good. I was concerned, of course, as anyone would expect. It was just a shock to find out that way.”
“It was for us as well,” Molly admitted. “We didn't know who Harry was on the platform. They hid the scar with a glamour. That I understand now, poor boy. It wasn't until the letters from the boys came that we found out.”
“At least he's being take care of and getting the help he needs,” Remus told her. Quietly, he directed the conversation to another area, though he continued to think about Harry, wondering just what might be going on with all kinds of issues there, including whatever Albus was doing.
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No Obvious Truths