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“Potter?”
Silence.
“Is Harry in today?”
Ron perked his head up from his desk for a moment, “he must be running late again. Sir.”
A giggle fluttered around the classroom.
Remus tried to contain his smirk, of course Harry was. He was Prong’s son after all. What a disappointment he should be if he was early to his classes or ( heavens forbid ) getting up on time.
Although, even Remus had to admit, Harry had been running behind a lot lately. Remus knew why, and it was no sinister cause (which made a nice change from the usual school year). Quite the opposite.
Every time Harry eventually stumbled into his lesson, tie askew and hair ruffled, he would have this dopey grin on his face. He had an awful way of making it difficult to scold him, especially when it was the first time he actually looked happy in a year.
Remus supposed it was none of his business (nor was it anyone's business really), but it was endearing nevertheless. Reminded Remus of when he was in school and chasing after a (albeit a slightly younger) James Potter with that same crooked tie and huge smile.
And like his father, it was such a noticeable difference. Harry’s shoulders became lighter and relaxed, as if he didn’t have the weight of the world on them anymore. Grins were reaching his eyes. That hooded gaze, chin resting in his hand. His mind was dreaming miles and miles away.
So of course Remus knew why Harry was growing late to lessons.
Harry was sick. With puppy love.
Although it seemed no one could figure out who it was he was falling for .
It grew so large even the teachers had been gossiping about it over dinner at the staff table. He remembered the conversation, Minerva full of a frown at the time.
“It’s nice, of course it is, Lupin. The boy is happier, you can see that. I just wish he would continue to pay attention in lessons. Is he like this in Defence Against the Dark Arts?”
“He certainly is in Potions. That boy grows more lazy by the day.” Snape grumbled, examining the sleeves of his robes.
“I’m sure he’s just a little distracted. It will pass when Harry and whoever it is get used to one another. I’ll talk to him if this behaviour continues for too long.”
“Thank you, Remus.” Minerva sighed.
“At least he’s having fun. After the years he’s had, he deserves it.” Dumbledore smiled, surveying the Gryffindor table.
“Do you think it’s that Weasley girl?” Professor Trelawney whispered conspiratorially.
“No. I always thought he would end up with Miss Granger, but she seems quite taken with Ron Weasley, although I can’t imagine why .” Minerva sipped at her goblet.
Remus thought about it. He could imagine a few lucky candidates who would be very happy to be the object of Harry’s affection (as long as they had his best interests in mind, of course, that’s what Lily would want. And hopefully loved Quidditch just as much, Prongs would be keen to know).
Quite a mystery Harry found himself wrapped up in. It was sweet. If he bothered to show up to class, that is.
A loud bang made everyone jump in their seats.
“Sorry I’m late Professor!”
Harry came bursting into the room, just finishing pulling his robes over his shoulder. His hair was a mess (and if you just glanced you would think it was Prongs sitting in his chair again, ruffling his hair for Lily. It tightened Remus’ chest to be hit with the memory so vividly.)
Whispers and giggles erupted again throughout the classroom.
Remus gasped his breath back, “alright class. Alright. Settle down! Now we are all here, let’s get started shall we? What can you tell me about Vampires ?”
From there on out, nothing more of a fiasco. Just a normal Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson.
Ever so often through the lesson, Remus would find his thoughts drifting away for a moment. Every minute he had a quiet chance to sit and wait for the students to finish writing their notes.
Prongs would’ve loved this. Given Harry the worst advice. And Lily… Lily would be smiling so brightly at her son that the stars would be so dim in comparison.
That her son was a teenager again. Doing things a sixteen year old boy should be, not working against forces he couldn’t even fully comprehend. Not being the ‘boy who lived’.
Harry was…
Harry
. For the first time in a while.