Chapter 47: Chapter 47:
Harry felt for the man; that night, not only did he lose his only friends, but he thought he had been betrayed - and he had, just not by Sirius.
Harry gently led the shocked man to a chair and, flicking his wand against the sign on the door, asked for tea to be brought up.
"Remus, I would like you to listen to me while I talk," Harry explained, going into detail about finding Peter and how he 'remembered that night'.
"So he was innocent?" Remus asked in an anguished voice, thinking about how Sirius had been forced to suffer for ten years as an innocent.
"Yes, Remus. Sirius is innocent," Harry said.
"Oh, God," Remus said, literally collapsing into himself. "I just abandoned him, how could I just abandon him? And you, Harry, I let you be taken, my cub, I just left," Remus said, mumbling as he spilled his guilt.
As he spoke, Harry felt something in him click. The situation had always made him feel off in his past life, yet it took Remus' words to actually shift something in Harry, making it easy for him to connect the dots. Making sure to keep his voice even, Harry asked, "Remus, after that night, did you try to find me or talk to Sirius?"
Harry watched as Remus shook his head. "No, I-I don't know. Why, Harry? I have no excuses," he said. "I would have never abandoned you, you were my cub. But I did and I don't know why!" he practically wailed.
Harry felt his anger build as his suspicions mounted. "Remus, I think it would be really beneficial for you to see a healer," Harry said slowly.
Remus cringed. "Harry, most healers won't even look at me—"
"This healer will not care you're a werewolf, Moony," Harry interrupted.
"Ho-how did you know?" Remus asked.
"My memory is amazing, remember?" Harry lied, using that excuse. Knocking interrupted them. Before the door opened and a server brought in the tea Harry had ordered, reaching into his pocket, Harry gave the young man a few sickles before pouring himself and Remus a cup each.
"Oh, yes, I had forgotten. But, either way Harry, I don't see why I need to see a healer," Remus said, cradling the tea cup.
Harry sighed. "I know this will be hard to hear, but I think it will be beneficial for you to listen to me before you speak," Harry said.
Remus looked at the small boy. The ominous words had been spoken so softly and with such a serious tone that he felt like crying again. He wondered at the life the boy had that made his emerald eyes look so old.
"Okay, Harry," he said.
Harry considered his words before he spoke; he had prepared a speech of sorts to give to people if and when they wondered about his life.
"Everything started the night my parents died. As you know, that's when Sirius found out Peter had betrayed them and he went after him, leaving me with Hagrid who took me to Dumbledore. When Dumbledore had me, he placed on me a series of magical blocks. These blocks were removed last summer when I found out about the magical world," Harry said, stopping when he saw Moony's eyes flash at the mention of magical blocks. Placing such blocks on children in particular can cause serious problems to both their physical and magic growth; to place them on a baby is not only cruel but dangerous.
After a few second, Remus seemed to calm down and Harry continued. "I don't know why he placed these block on me or what his purpose was, but afterwards Dumbledore placed me with my mother's sister and her husband. I grew up with my muggle aunt and uncle despising anything different, abnormal. I was a freak to them and they begrudged being forced to take me in," Harry explained softly.
Remus watched as Harry spoke, his feelings of guilt, anger, and sadness all threatening to overwhelm him. He felt awful about abandoning his cub and he easily picked up on what Harry was not saying about his relatives' treatment of him, which made Moony want to rip free of his control and find the muggles who would dare to harm his cub.
"I grew up unloved, but it could have been worse. When I re-entered this world, I had no idea magic was real. I replied to my Hogwarts letter, but I honestly wasn't sure if it was real or just a joke. The first thing I did was go to Gringotts as I had overheard people talking about me and my parents and I wondered if they had left me anything. When I was there they performed a blood inheritance ritual and they found the blocks and compulsions Dumbledore had placed on me; my Hogwarts letter was doused with them. I paid to have them lifted and claimed my heirships. I also found out that Dumbledore had been taking money from the Potter family vault as he named himself my magical guardian," Harry finished.
Remus sat stone still as he fought control - never before had Moony felt so close to ripping free. With shaky hands, he placed his cup down and breathed deeply. "...And you think he's placed me under some of these compulsions?" he asked.
Harry nodded slightly. "Yes, the out of character actions after that night make me think that it's possible. Like you said, you wouldn't have abandoned me or Sirius normally."
Remus exhaled loudly. "Merlin! I just-I can't-why?"
"I have no clue. Dumbledore seems to like games - this year he tried to draw me in for something. What his goals are and why, I couldn't guess to, but I do know this he is a master manipulator and he's got the whole world fooled," Harry said.
"I can't believe this," Remus said, causing Harry to stiffen as he thought the man was doubting him.
Seeing this reaction, Remus went on to explain, "No, I believe you. I just can't wrap my head around how that man's fooled the world. Why would he do this?"
"I don't know and I doubt we will ever truly find out - but I will try anyway," Harry said.
"Merlin, Harry, I don't even know what to say," Remus said, running his hand through his hair shakily.
"It's okay, Remmy," Harry said, walking closer to the man and resting his hand on his knee, offering comfort.
"Of course I will go to the goblins and look for compulsions," Remus said after a few moments of collecting himself.