Walk the Shadows

pillows, of all things, on the wide couch. The room was done in cream and brown and gray, sort of like Remus himself.

'Have a seat, Harry. Would you care for tea?'

'No, thanks. I just had dinner. Maybe some cocoa?'

'That I can do.' He summoned a House-elf and soon they had a pot of chocolate and small dainty cups. Remus poured out one serving and handed it to Harry, settling himself in an overstuffed chair next to the couch. 'Severus tells me you've been sparring with him.'

'Verbally? Or do you mean our dueling.'

Remus laughed. 'Well, I meant the dueling, but . . . have you been getting on all right?'

'Yeah, he's been great, honest.'

'Good. I . . .' He shook his head. 'Tell me about the dueling. Have you learned anything you might try with your Defense club?'

'Er, well . . . I'm not sure I'm going to run that this year.'

'Whyever not? I heard it was a huge success.'

'But . . . we only had it because Umbridge was a git.'

'Have to agree with you there, cub, about the git part, anyway.' He grinned and added, 'Though you never heard me say it. I think you should continue the club, though. From what I can tell, the fifth years in the DA scored far higher than any who weren't, on their Defense OWLs, and even the seventh years did better on their NEWTs. As your Defense teacher, I could act as your sponsor, if you like.'

Harry's mouth went dry. He wasn't sure he was up to attending class, never mind leading one, like he had done. He wasn't sure if he had that kind of courage anymore.

Remus' voice was softer as he continued, 'Just think about it, Harry. You don't have to decide anything now.'

'All right.' Harry took a sip of chocolate, amazed -- as he was every time he had some -- that it made him feel better. 'But yeah, I have learnt some new ones. Like Geminivisio. And Plures Proeliator.'

With a nod, Remus said, 'Both are good for confusing your enemies. Have you learned the counter . . . '

After a couple hours of visiting, with Remus giving him a few pointers for his essay, along with a tactic or three for his dueling and more hot chocolate than he could possibly metabolize before bedtime, Harry made his way back to the dungeons just before 11. He felt better than he had in a long time, almost like . . . almost like normal. Not scared or angry or like he wanted to curl up in a ball and die.

Maybe he could do this. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

He opened the door to the dungeon quarters and called out softly, 'Hi, I'm home.'

TBC . . . .

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A/N: Glorious readers and reviewers, one and all: Thank you, from the bottom of my chocolate pot! Next chapter out by the weekend. I think there will not be too many left of this story. I may write a sequel, though. Thoughts?

*Chapter 36*: Chapter 36

Walk the Shadows – Chapter 36