Harry didn't know quite what that meant, but he found it discouraging, all the same. Weren't his eyes ever going to stabilise? He didn't want to whinge about it though, not with Draco in the other bed. No telling if the other boy was really asleep, after all.
Remus smiled at him, apparently misunderstanding his wan expression. "It's all right, Harry, what you did back in France."
Harry glanced left and right, a little bit startled.
"Poppy's out for the moment and the room is warded," added Remus, that time figuring out just what Harry was thinking. "We can speak freely. And truly, Harry, it is all right. You shouldn't be feeling guilty."
Harry wasn't, actually, but something struck him then. "You didn't seem very surprised to see what I'd done to Lucius Malfoy," he said, a thread of suspicion running through his voice. "I didn't think you knew . . . er, just how unusual my magic can get these days."
"Oh, I didn't know," Remus admitted, smiling still. "Not until Severus mentioned it just prior to the three of us Apparating to rescue you. He didn't say much, of course. Just enough to make me aware of a few things."
"What, exactly?"
Remus chuckled softly. "I believe his exact words were to keep out of your way if you were casting, as one could never quite be sure what might come out of your wand. Also, he said not to stand in front of him at any time, as you might need to see his Dark Mark. I'll admit I was puzzled by that until you mentioned Serpensortia having been so crucial. And of course, seeing the state Lucius Malfoy was in helped me understand the other comment."
Harry nodded. "Huh. If that's all the warning you had, you took it pretty well. I mean, it's not every day you see . . . yeah."
"Well . . ." Remus' brown eyes began twinkling with humour. "Perhaps I ought to mention that you were in no position to notice that my jaw had hit the floor. At the time, you were busy being smothered by your father."
Harry couldn't help but laugh, though he said. "Bit embarrassing, really. At my age?"
"No," said Remus, all at once serious. "Don't think that. It's good that you have someone."
Harry thought so too, but he still felt a little embarrassed, so he covered it by asking, "Anyway, where's my dad now?"
"Making Eyesight Elixir." Remus started smiling again, the expression tolerant and amused all at once. "Poppy informed him she still plenty in her stores, but Severus absolutely insisted you have fresh."
That didn't embarrass Harry the way remembering the hug had. A warm feeling stole over him, like a blanket made of soft fuzzy wool had just been draped over bare skin.
"And before you ask," added Remus, "the headmaster is talking with Professor Aran."
Harry hadn't been going to ask, but instead of saying that, he sat up a little in excitement. "That stupid git is sacked, right?"
"I don't think so," said Remus, shaking his head. "I've no idea what's to be done. Severus and Albus were speaking in rather cryptic terms. It seems there's a plan. I don't think Albus liked it, but Severus was applying a fair measure of guilt to get his way."
Harry sighed. "All right. Well, it's so close to summer I don't suppose it matters, really. I just wondered what was going to happen." He scowled thinking about what Aran had put him and Draco through. "Lucius cast something at Aran. Some kind of horrible hex, right?"
Remus shook his head. "It was a forgetfulness spell, Harry. Aran's lost about the last three or four weeks. But it's only recently we learned that much. When you and Draco first disappeared, Aran was out cold and of no use at all. Severus and Albus traced the Floo to Malfoy Manor, though of course that was a false lead, as we know now."
A knock on the closed door interrupted them. And voices. Ones Harry would have known anywhere. "Harry!"
After Remus unwarded the doors and allowed them to open, Harry smiled to greet his friends. "Wow, seems like forever since I saw you. Um . . . I've been asleep a while. What time is it, anyway? Heck, what day is it?"
Hermione's eyes filled with concern. "It's Saturday before breakfast, Harry. Just what happened to you? All anybody here was told was that you'd gone missing. And it obviously has something to do with Professor Aran. When his class arrived on Thursday, your father and the headmaster were in with him. They wouldn't say what was wrong, but they told the students to go have a free period."
"Yeah." Ron stepped closer to the bed. "I don't suppose you got even with him once and for all, like with a certain dung beetle, something like that?"
Harry had no idea what to say. He didn't mind his friends knowing everything, but they wouldn't have been included in the wards Remus had mentioned a few minutes ago. Harry gave his old professor a pleading look, but Remus shook his head slightly and began to speak. Apparently, the adults had anticipated that a cover story would be needed.
Eventually, anyway.
"Actually, we've asked the boys not to discuss the matter," said Remus. "There was apparently some sort of altercation and it's under investigation. Until we know more, I'd ask you both to avoid speculation."
Hermione frowned, her eyes glittering with suspicion.
"I'll tell you the whole thing when I can," Harry said, hoping to mollify her.
"We've heard that one before, mate." Ron held up his hands when Harry shot him a scowl. "Not to worry! I didn't mean I didn't believe you."
"What are we supposed to tell Gryffindor, though?" pressed Hermione. "Some other students wanted to skip breakfast to come see you. They know you went missing, Harry. And now you're back but in hospital . . . they're going to want to know what we found out, since we were the only ones allowed to come here."
"Who stopped the others?"
"McGonagall said that you needed rest and you were limited to two visitors only."
"Tell the others," said Remus in a slightly impatient voice, "that there was apparently some sort of altercation and it's under investigation."
Hermione sniffed, but finally nodded.
She and Ron pulled up chairs and settled in for a chat. As Harry talked, he was careful not to explain any details of what he'd been through. However, once Remus went to Pomfrey's office to ask about getting breakfast for the three of them, Harry made sure to tell his friends that Draco had done him a really, really good turn and he'd personally punch anybody who doubted his brother's loyalty ever again.
Ron paled a little, hearing that.
"Out loud, I meant," Harry generously added.
Proving that he'd been eavesdropping all along, or at least for a while, Draco chose that moment to sit up in his bed. "I'm as committed as you lot to keeping Harry safe, and if I hear you say otherwise, you'll get a good deal more than a Mugglish sort of trouncing!"
"Yeah, that's the way to win over my friends," said Harry, glaring a little at Draco. "Threaten to hex them."
"Did I say hex?" Draco raised an eyebrow in a bad imitation of innocence.
Remus came back then, three trays floating behind him.
"Left out as usual." Draco sniffed. Loudly.
"Oh, do stop being so silly, Mr Snape," said Pomfrey as she bustled over. "Mr Potter, you tuck in. You need to keep your strength up." She cast a spell over Draco, clucking like a hen all the while. At least, it sounded that way to Harry. "All right, your system seems clear. . . Mr Lupin, if you could fetch another tray?"
Remus nodded and went back toward Pomfrey's office.
"His system's clear of what?" pressed Hermione as soon as Remus was gone again. "Just what happened to the two of you?"
"Merlin's head, you're dense," said Draco. "Like a crazed kappa, you just won't let go, will you? There was apparently some sort of altercation and the matter is under investigation."
"It's not nice to eavesdrop," retorted Hermione, going a little red in the face. She did stop her questions after that, though.
Harry was about to tell Draco not to talk to his friends so scathingly, but when Goyle walked in the moment was lost. Just as well, really. Harry was tired of playing referee. Why couldn't they all just get on? Or at least pretend to?