The Life that Never Lived ? (Philosopher's Stone)

DIAGON ALLEY

"Harry, I don't know what all you remember so far-" Remus began.

"Basically what you've read is all." Harry said sadly, eyeing Remus curiously. He looked like he was about to vomit, but at his words the man relaxed slightly.

"Well the nicknames and the sneaking off at school, it relates to me." He said slowly watching him very carefully.

"And the werewolf thing?" Harry interrupted again. He wasn't sure why, but he had a feeling this was a very heavy matter to Remus, and he'd decided to put up right now he had no concern with it.

"Wha-how," he tried, not even to protest as his instincts wanted, but unable to grasp how Harry had so easily said this more than anything.

"You mentioned it a little earlier," Harry said, looking about the room to the others who all looked just as stunned. "I didn't think much of it at the time. Why would I?"

Remus blinked spastically for several moments before shaking his head and finally letting out a weak chuckle and saying, "Yes well, I guess I never had bothered to censor myself around my friends."

Harry grinned at him and then prompted, "So the nicknames? What does that have to do with sneaking off?"

"How about this," Lily said when it was clear Remus was still shifting uncomfortably even if he was going to answer. She wanted to give him a moment, or more, to collect his thoughts so she offered, "It really is a rather long story. How about we read two more chapters then stop for the night?" She looked around at all of the boys in the room in a rather maternal way. "It's been a long, exhausting day for all of us. Hopefully by then we'll be at a good stopping place. We can get some rest, and then before we continue Remus can tell you the whole story."

Harry nodded, accepting this rather glumly as yet another feeling swept through him. He felt he knew this story, had heard it once before. But like everything else when he tried to dig for the memory a sharp pain was all he got.

The people on the couch were suddenly startled as Sirius called from the fireplace, "Heads up you two." He said as he chucked the books their way.

Harry instinctively ducked, while James reacted by catching it, then snapped. "What the hell was that for?"

"Well it's one of you two's turn," Sirius said brightly. "I figured who ever got hold of it would have to read next."

"That's absurd," Lily glared at him. "What if you'd hit one of us?"

"Come on Lily," Sirius sighed, "I was a beater; I do have better aim than that."

"It's my turn anyways you nitwit," Remus rolled his eyes, assuming they were going in the order they'd first started.

"It's fine," James chuckled, flipping to the correct chapter, "I've already got it, so I'll read."

"Harry, really?" Remus chuckled, "I don't think anyone has that kind of imagination, even as a dream."

"I once had a dream that I was abducted by mermaids," Lily told them with a shrug. "Surely you've had strange dreams."

"What's this have to do with mermaids?" Sirius frowned.

"I think we're getting just a bit off topic huh?" Then he kept going to ignore the glare.

"Who can blame you," James agreed. "I'd dream about escaping that place as well."

"The best morning of my life really," Harry smiled at now having such a good memory to look on.

The others all grimaced slightly at that, finding this more than depressing. Harry on the other hand seemed in such a good mood that none of them wished to ruin it.