Comfort

For taradiane

The sky was impossibly clear, a sky the colour of innocence. The clanking of the wheels against the train tracks seemed to beat in time with his heartbeat. Harry's subconscious automatically remembered the sound as a reassuringly familiar one, a sound that belonged to a time when his worst fear was getting his homework done on time and everyone he loved was safe... and alive.

Neither he or Lupin said a word as they sat side by side. Lupin's arm was around him and Harry had burrowed his nose in his robes. The musty scent was what Harry considered comfort, Lupin's warmth curling around him like an old, much-loved blanket.

It was Harry who broke the silence. "Are you afraid? About what's going to happen?"

Lupin finally replied, "Terrified. I'm not sure I have that kind of fight in me anymore." His voice was a whisper; his arm tightened around Harry.

Harry closed his eyes eyes, cuddling closer to him. Lupin's very presence made him feel better, made the ache in his chest that Sirius had once banished lessen just a little. Lupin gave him hope.

"Oh, you do," he assured him with a soft, fragile laugh.

Lupin raised an eyebrow, chuckling despite himself. "And what gave you that idea?" he asked with a wry smile.

Harry raised his face and, after a moment's hesitation, beamed up at him. "Because I believe in you," he said simply.