Wrong, All Wrong

Quick Wandwork and Swift Inference

Through Saphyr's serpentine gaze Harry almost missed the way Sirius' eyes glistened with unshed tears. He eagerly watched Remus and Severus' battling eyes, however, how Remus eyed Severus' hand on Sirius' waist and how Severus smirked when he noticed. These were new interactions he had not seen between people before. Were the orphanage children too young? Or were they all too emotionally strained and this was simply normal? Harry's thoughts leaned toward the former theory.

Suddenly Remus coughed, turning away from the two men across the room. "Dumbledore has made it clear that I am no longer welcome at Godric's Hollow, and it's all for 'the greater good of Aster's future' whatever that means..." the man weakly chuckled at his words, fidgeted during the following silence, and then hurriedly said, "I'll just go check in with Lily." As Harry's mind processed the revealed information Remus fled the room.

This was certainly an interesting development. "Saphyr, follow Remus."

Dutifully she slithered after the new arrival, moving swiftly to get into the kitchen as Remus walked over and opened the door. These situations made Harry glad for Saphyr's short length as it kept her easily out of sight. She wound around the leg of one of the bar stools, able to see both Remus and Lily's faces from the side.

Lily had her gems, wand, and research notes out in front of her on the table, the gems placed where the most sunlight hit the table. Looking at the gems through Saphyr's eyes, Harry catalogued the image of them in his mind to ask Lily about later. The transportation gem –was it Potkey? Portley?– currently hanging around his neck was fascinating magic and it would be useful to understand it from a fundamental level.

"What happened, Remus?" the red-haired woman put her wand aside.

Remus tugged at the collar of his shirt, looking away from Lily. "I'm guessing you heard that in there?"

"Sirius crashing around his own house caught my attention."

"Well you heard the most important bit, then. I can't stay at Godric's Hollow anymore." With a sigh he took one of Lily's gems in hand, focusing his attention on turning it between his fingers.

"Then you thought Severus and Sirius would let you come here?"

The gem stilled in his hand and Remus' eyes shot up to meet Lily's. "Where else am I supposed to go, Lily? Someone like me..." Harry took note of this exchange, wondering exactly happened between the three men that Severus displayed such hostility and Sirius was so flustered. What was so significant about Remus that he could go nowhere else except the home of enemies, excepting Lily?

"Tell me, Remus, what happened?" She gently placed her hand over his. "My mind was at peace knowing you were there with James to watch over Aster and now you say Dumbledore won't let you be by his side? How am I supposed to accept that without reason, Remus?"

Remus took his hand away from Lily's, placing her gem down on the table. "I'm not welcome there anymore. It's that simple."

"You..." Lily shook her head and moved her hands in an erratic fashion. One of her gems was smacked off the table and quick wandwork saved it from hitting Saphyr in the face. Luckily neither adult appeared to have noticed the small snake. The two adults sat in silence, Remus looking down at the gems as Lily stared him down. With a huff Lily crossed her arms. "Fine; keep secrets. Go talk to Sev and Sirius if you can stay. I can't talk to you right now."

As Remus stepped out of the kitchen, Lily called out to him, "I'll want answers eventually, Remus."

Harry cut the connection to Saphyr, trusting her to stay safe and out of sight. That old man, Dumbledore, continually wielded an increasing amount of power concerning others' lives each time Harry saw or heard of him. To be able to banish someone from another's presence despite want, care, or resistance from either person was fascinating and yet... unsurprising to Harry. A part of him expected this outcome: that Remus only had a limited time at Aster's side after showing more loyalty to Lily and James themselves rather than to whatever reason sent Harry away.