A/N- I AM BACK. I'm sure many of you never thought this would update, and I don't blame you. But editing is almost done, and I am posting this before minijaxter gets to edit it... But moving on!

Life has gone a bit nuts for me, so don't expect fast updates, but this story will be back on my regular roster. Ignoring some one-shots I have planned or have already posted, and some original work… I am focused on the Voltron fic, It's OK. That story is on its final chapter, and after it's completed HPMOP will be number 1 again! And my number 2 spot will be filled with a Merlin fic I have been cooking up. I am jumping fandoms again!

These chapters will be a bit shorter, more like the early chapters. Things were getting a bit outta hand… 30 page chapters are a bit much at the moment… *ignores 40+ page Voltron chapter I recently posted*.

Life update: No roofs have collapsed this year, but I will likely be moving again. Although this time into a house… hopefully.

Disclaimer- I own nothing in this story that is from the Harry Potter Universe. It is all owned by J.K. Rowling. Anything original in this story that may be similar to another work is coincidence and not intentional.

Harry Potter and the Magic of Perspective

Or (A.K.A)

Verum Inhereditas

Chapter 29

Last one Down

oOoOo

Heat. It pressed against Harry's skin and excited the air. Remus' magic was an open flame, and smelled like a burning forest. Harry's hand hovered over Remus' sternum, with his gem ready, waiting for Ron's cue.

He tried to ignore Severus' eyes on his back, and the damp smell of his magic as it clashed with Remus'.

The rune array on the floor shined bright, almost blinding. Ron stood at the very edge of the glowing circle, with his blue eyes locked on Harry's green ones. Then the moment arrived, and Ron nodded.

Harry touched the gem to Remus, and magic unfurled in a rush. It was familiar at this point, but also different. It was easier. Hermione's magic held the door open and escorted Harry to Remus' core. When Ron indicated it was time to touch the curse, it wasn't as overwhelming as before. Hermione's runes weaken the curse magic, and helped pry it from the core, shuffling it along into Harry's crystal.

It was all rather simple compared to previous attempts.

Harry was about to break contact with Remus and pull the gem from his skin, but something fierce brushed his magic. He would have been scared, but it was almost comforting instead, it recognized him. The feral magic was twisted, and in pain. It wasn't Remus, but it was permanently affixed to his magic, not just attached to his core, but a part of it. Harry couldn't take it away, but he wanted to calm it, and take it's pain.

The tangled magic didn't pull away when Harry reached out, it actually seemed to reach back. When Harry plunged deeper he knew what it was. The wolf.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Ron hissed, but it was almost resigned. They couldn't seem to get through one of these rituals without Harry doing something crazy.

"What is he doing this time?" Severus asked, also with a resigned sigh.

"He's going back in, but I'm not sure…." Ron's response faded away.

Harry felt like he had gone into a closet and slowly closed the door. He was in a dark room. For a moment he thought he might be alone, and trapped, but a low growl echoed. It vibrated, and pressed against Harry's skin, and he could feel it's suffering. It was warped, this wasn't what it was supposed to be. It was a mistake, but it didn't want to die.

Harry put his hand out into the blackness, bravely offering it to the unknown. At first there was nothing, and then it was cold, and wet, followed by soft and warm. Harry reached with his other hand, and trapped the large furry object between them. He ran his fingers up and discovered pointed ears, then ran them down a long snout and over damp, hard fangs.

The wolf cried. It begged, and Harry answered. He poured magic into the darkness, filling it, opening it to the light. Hermione's runes formed on the black floor and he could see.

It was terrible. A perverted and distorted mockery of a noble wolf. Its eyes were milky and blind from the dark, its fur, patchy and dull, its legs, so deformed it could hardly stand, but it still whined for affection.

Harry could fix this. It's what his power was meant to do. It pushed at his skin from the inside, begging to do its job. Harry knew that this was him reacting, it wasn't a part of the plan, but maybe that was OK. Maybe, instead of always trying to plan ahead, he just needed to make better judgment calls, and to learn from his mistakes. This wouldn't be one of those mistakes.

Harry's magic surged forward, and he let it.

oOoOo

Harry blinked, and was in his tree. A white blanket of fresh snow, and the soft hooves of his thestral's was comforting, but it didn't help him remember how he had arrived here. He rolled his crystal between his fingers, and was relieved to see there was a new thread, it felt like Remus, and wasn't distressed in anyway. Maybe Hermione's circle didn't compensate enough, and he was just recovering?… Milky eyes flickered in front of him, and he remembered.

Harry needed to wake up. He needed to know what had happened after he'd encountered the wolf. He hoped this worked and he wasn't in a coma or something. He climbed to his feet, went into his cupboard, and closed the door.

Harry blinked, and this time he was looking at the ceiling of his room in the safe house. At first he thought he was alone, but someone shuffled at his bedside.

It was Remus.

Harry shot upright. "Are you OK?" he asked immediately, and then regretted his hasty movement when the room spun. He flopped back into his pillows and groaned.

"I think I should be asking if you're OK," Remus countered, and through wavy vision Harry saw his bright smile.

Something was different. Remus still looked tired, but it wasn't in his bones any longer. It was more like a late night than a plaguing disease. Harry sat up again, slower, and Remus adjusted his pillows for him. "What happened after…?" Harry waved his hand, gesturing at Remus in general.

Remus smiled, and in a flash he was gone. A huge, but otherwise completely normal, sandy brown wolf leapt onto the bed, and stood over Harry. It would have been intimidating if the wolf's tongue wasn't hanging out of his mouth and his tail wasn't wagging.

"Remus!?" Harry yelled, and his heart jumped.

In another flash Remus was back, sitting cross legged on the bed in front of Harry. "I'm an animagus now… well sort of, I guess I'm the first lycan." he shrugged, more relaxed than Harry had ever seen him.

"That's… Merlin that's great," Harry breathed, overwhelmed with relief. He took a calming breath and addressed the hanging question in Remus' answer. "What do you mean by lycan?"

Remus' seemingly permanent smile widened. "You know that werewolves were the product of a botched attempt to create an animagus potion, right? The potion trying to force a wolf transformation on people who might not be a wolf animagus caused a backfire."

Harry nodded, he kinda remembered that.

Remus continued to explain. "Well when an animagus spends too much time in their animal form, they can get stuck or take on more characteristics of the animal. Even when I was in human form, I was much closer to the wolf than an animagus is to their animal, so I'm likely to be more wolfish because of it." He didn't seem upset about it, it was better than being an actual werewolf.

"So, kinda like Sirius after he got out of Azkaban?" Harry remember how dog like his godfather could be.

Remus nodded. "Yeah, but even more so. I can feel the wolf like I did before, but it isn't angry. I do feel the desire to be the wolf more strongly than an animagus would, but it's not in control anymore. I feel like I'm something new." He seemed to bask in the idea of control, and after so many years it must have felt wonderful.

The impact this would have on the world was just starting to sink in for Harry. Remus was following his train of thought, and said out loud. "When the Method is fully established, we can offer a solution to all the werewolves, even the ones that have created an identity around it."

A sudden thought came to Harry. "Do you think it's still transmittable by bite, and if it is, will the person be like you are now?"

"I…" Remus started, but then stopped, and looked stumped. "Thats a good question."

They both knew Hermione would be on top of it, and Remus would help her figure it out. A silence fell, and they enjoyed it together for a few minutes. Harry didn't feel guilty, which was a new experience for him lately. He might have jumped head first into a dangerous situation, but it had worked, he made the right call. But he imagined Severus would still be angry with him…

"Harry," Remus called for his attention softly. "Since we're alone for the moment, I was hoping I could talk to you about something… delicate," he was beating around the bush, but Harry let him. He could see how nervous Remus was, and a blush was forming as he continued. "Severus and I… we… I care about Severus a lot," his explanation was garbled, and his face was red.

It only took a second for Harry to put it together, and he decided to let Remus off the hook. "I get it," he assured.

Remus' blush grew, "Are you sure, because I didn't really explain well, and-"

"Trust me, Moony," Harry interrupted. "I get it," he doubly assured, more firmly. He was happy for them, but he didn't want to hear about it, they were like his family.

Remus nodded. "Right," he squeezed the word out around his embarrassment. "But there's another reason I brought this up," he explained, and his blush drained away as he became serious. "The ropes binding Severus' mark aren't a permanent solution, it will kill him eventually." The topic took a grim turn.

"You mentioned I could help, whatever it is, I'll do it," Harry offered without hesitation.

"I know," Remus said. "But that isn't the problem," he sighed, as if this was some old argument he was recounting. "The problem is Severus. He doesn't want to put you at risk for himself, but I think that's as much your choice as it is his." guilt lined his voice, but he remained firm. "I don't want to risk you either, and maybe I'm being selfish, but after what you did with my wolf, and with Hermione and Ron's help, I think the danger is minimal. I just-"

"Moony," Harry interrupted before Remus devolved into rambling. "It's fine, I understand," he insisted.

A long breath calmed Remus, and he nodded. "If it goes well, then maybe we can help others," he suggested.

"Like Draco, and maybe the other Slytherins if we find them," Harry agreed. He didn't want Remus to feel bad, this was what Harry wanted to do, help people, and create a world where he could rest after he was done. He didn't want to be a hero, but ever since his curse was removed, he felt like his magic drove him in the direction of peace at any cost. "We can't tell Severus until we're ready," Harry assumed with a sly smile. Just because he wanted peace, didn't mean he couldn't have some fun.

Remus smiled back, like a mischievous wolf. "Of course not. Can you imagine the fit he'd throw?"

Harry shivered. "I can." And together they formed a plan.

oOoOo

Harry was left alone to sleep. Not that people didn't try and disturb him. As soon as Remus had walked out the door, Harry could hear him shooing an indignant Hermione away. He tried to drift back to his dogwood tree, but he couldn't seem to make it there. He lay on his back, staring up at nothing, and cleared his mind for a long time.

Harry didn't flinch when a ball of flames flashed above him, and Fawkes appeared from it. The bird landed on Harry's chest, a warm and comforting weight.

"Is it time already?" Harry asked.

Fawkes blinked down at him, locking eyes. The image of a long table, set for tea at every place blinked into Harry's mind. Each setting was different, representing a member of the Method, except one spot which was empty.

Harry sighed. "All right." He sat up and grabbed his fake glasses. "I guess Mrs. Malfoy still won't join us," Harry muttered and looked down at the bird now in his lap. "It's still weird when you communicate like that," he told Fawkes, and got a calming note in return.

oOoOo

It was a full house. The newly mended kitchen was clean, but emptier. Many of the shelves were bare, their delicate china had been pulverized into dust beyond repair. Each member of the order sat and chatted, their mismatched tea cups filled and steaming. All of them were bright after the success yesterday, especially the unexpected one of turning Remus from a Werewolf to something resembling the mythical lycan, with the ability to control his transformations.

Harry sat at the head of the table, quietly, just watching the Method members interact for a calming moment, and surveyed how Dudley was coping. His cousin smiled at him and then returned to his conversation with Neville. Reassured that everything was well, Harry stood, and silence fell. It still astounded him that this was his reality, and he wasn't sure if he liked it. People look to him, and silenced themselves at the very idea that me might speak. But he accepted it for what it was, at least for now, and he would use it to his advantage.

"I'm sure you all heard by now that we had a smooth curse removal, and about the unexpected turn of events that lead to Remus, more or less, being cured of his werewolf curse." Harry waited for the cheers to die down, and continued. "We do plan to find a way to bring this cure to more werewolves, and although we haven't had much time to talk about how we can do that yet, I'm sure Hermione's already all over it." Everyone laughed and Harry smiled at Hermione on his right, who was holding up a new and fairly thick binder labeled 'Lycan', and smiling back.

Harry waved at the binder. "But that folder isn't the topic of this meeting. I wanted to put into action something that we have been putting off." This was a bit of a lie, but Harry knew he could smooth it over. "I want to hammer down the plan to go into the chamber of secrets, and execute it," he announced, fibbing about needing a plan. They had a plan, it was devised by Hermione and the inner circle, with minimal information being leaked to everyone else.

Harry looked at Severus, and got a sullen eye in return, but also a small nod. Without meaning to, Harry glimpsed a moment of Severus' emotions, and they were as sullen as his look. Not irritated with Harry, as expected. He had been that way since resurfacing yesterday in the Blue room after almost a week of being MIA.

Harry glanced at every member, but shared a knowing look with the inner circle. Back when the idea of going into the chamber had been brought to the Method in general, Draco had asked to be a part of the team, and people had been skeptical. Now, he was more accepted, so the inner circle came up with a new plan of cutting Ron out of the mission, allowing Harry and Draco to thoroughly check the Chambers wards. There was a possibility that it might be a way into the school undetected, but Ron needed to be kept in the dark for security reasons. But that was before Ron had proved himself level headed... and some other facts had came to light...

Harry looked at Remus, and when their eyes met, Remus winked. Harry was hit with how complicated his web had become. He had a plan he built with the Method, and a plan made with the Inner Circle, and now he had a plan with only Remus. And his plan with Remus was the opposite of the one with the Inner Circle. Harry pulled his shoulders back, and buckled down.

"Originally we had decided that a small three person team would work best, and settled on Ron, Draco, and myself." Harry gestured at Ron and Draco. "But, I would like to take a larger party, for safety," he announced, and saw Hermione's smile wilt. He was going off script for both plans, and she didn't know why. Harry tried to smile at her reassuringly. "I would like to include Hermione and Severus on this mission."

Hermione's eyes widened, and Severus stood up. "What brought about this change?" he asked sharply.

Harry let his magic settle over the room, and Severus glared at him, rebuffing most of the calming effect with his own abilities. Harry sighed. "I realized that we don't know what's down there now, and I thought Hermione's knowledge and your dueling skills could come in handy," he shrugged.

Everyone quickly agreed with Harry, except Severus and Hermione, who remained silent, but didn't argue. And Pansy, she didn't seem suspicious, or upset, but she was looking around at the group as if cataloging the responses. It was something Harry wouldn't have noticed before his time spent training with Severus.

Harry nodded to thank them for trusting him, and went on. "I want to set this plan into motion tomorrow." He knew it was short notice, but that was a part of the plan with Remus. This idea was full Gryffindor, half gathered information, and half on the fly planning. Severus was going to blow his stack.

"When tomorrow?" Draco asked, oddly calm. He didn't seem to care about the changes as long as he was still included.

"Very early, before sunrise. Even on break the school is watched, But I know for a fact that the four AM shift belongs to Severus." Harry smirked, and Severus scowled at him.

Without much effort the conversation shifted back to Remus' new non-werewolf status, and everyone celebrated.

oOoOo

The sun was only a faint idea on the horizon when Harry woke up to his alarm. A small glowing bell floated above his head, ringing incessantly. He reached for his wand blindly with his eyes closed, and cringed when he nudged it with his fingertips and heard it fall off the bedside table and roll on the floor.

He heaved himself up with a groan, and threw his feet over the side of the bed, bending over to grope around for his wand. He snatched it up, and dismissed his bell with a little to much force, sending it across the room where it bounced off the wall.

In the blissful silence Harry regretted agreeing to Remus's plan, because waking up this early was inhumane. With a heave he managed to roll out of bed, and began preparing. He didn't need much for himself, but very quietly, he gathered some things he knew Hermione would need. With a leather messenger bag, and a whole lot of anxiety, Harry made his way down to the kitchen.

He wasn't the first one there. Draco waited at the table, hands folded, smirk on display. "So, what have you got planned?" he asked, completely casual.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry bluffed, but his hand went for his bag nervously

Draco, ever observant, didn't miss the tell. "Don't treat me like I'm stupid Potter. If you won't tell me what's going on, then tell me what's in the bag," he bargained.

Harry may have embraced his Slytherin side, but he was nowhere near as practiced as Draco. He sighed and gave in. Draco would find out soon enough anyway. "I have some supplies for Hermione," he revealed carefully.

Draco glanced at the bag skeptically. "Why doesn't Hermione have her own supplies?" He questioned. It didn't sound like he thought Harry was lying, he seemed was more intrigued about the situation that led to Harry having Hermione's supplies.

Before Harry could come up with an excuse, he was saved by footsteps coming down the stairs. Hermione came around the corner with messy hair and sleepy eyes, followed by an even sleepier looking Ron. She went right to the tea pot without offering a morning greeting, and Ron sat down and rested his head on his folded arms.

Harry glanced at Draco, giving him a significant look, trying to convey silence. Draco nodded, and Harry hoped his curiosity was enough to keep him quiet. He began helping Hermione, putting out cups for the three of them and for Severus when he arrived.

Just as the tea whistled, Severus floo'ed in, looking awake as always despite the hour. He sat at the table and accepted the offered tea. He didn't look directly at Harry, but instead he met Draco's eyes, and received a shrug. Harry was shocked that Draco continued to play along. But decided not to question his good luck.

"So," Severus broke the silence, and took a sip of tea. "What is this all really about?" he asked in a smooth, deep voice. His tone didn't betray any emotion, but Harry would bet he was very irritated.

"Yeah!" Ron agreed, muffled by his face being nestled in the crook of his elbow.

"Just like I said yesterday, we are going to the chamber to get the fangs, that's all." Harry lied, focusing on his tea and hoping Severus would just go along.

With a thick layer of skepticism, he did go along. Severus finished his tea, stood up and announced. "Let's get this over with."

Harry was so surprised by his lack of argument that he looked directly at Severus. It would have been a grave mistake any other time, leaving himself open to a mental search… But Severus avoided eye contact completely, which only worried Harry further. But he didn't have time to figure out what was going on right now.

They left through the floo one by one. Hermione passed Harry on her way to the fireplace, and shot him a confused look, but remained silent.

oOoOo

The school was dark and quiet. The marauders map provided Harry with the perfect path to their destination. Using Severus' patrol route as a hole in the system, they made it to the girls bathroom that hid the Chamber's entrance without issue.

"This is the entrance to the famed Chamber of Secrets?" Draco drawled disapprovingly. He stood next to Harry in front of the sink that Harry had indicated.

Ron shivered. "Yeah, I know it doesn't look like much, but trust me, this is it." He had shuffled away from the sink, still wary after all these years.

Harry on the other hand, the person with the most traumatic and personal experience, didn't really feel anything. The sink didn't cause any flashbacks, and if he was being honest, much of what had happened was a blur. He had been young, and there had been a lot of adrenalin involved… also powerful poisons.

Everyone watched silently as Harry crouched down to look at the small snake etched into the pipe. He heard Draco take a deep breath and hold it in anticipation.

Talking to the snake was easier than it had ever been. Harry hardly had to imagine it moving. "Open." The word was smooth and drawn out at the end.

Ron moved even farther away as the sink distorted and the pipes moved to form the entrance. Nobody tried to enter, not even Draco. "Come on Weasley, weren't you gloating yesterday that you've already been down there?" He mocked, but it was good natured.

"I don't see you moving to the front of the line, Malfoy," Ron countered with a smirk.

Draco sneered, but it was almost a smile. "Maybe I would if your fat head wasn't in my way!"

"My fat- you! I bet you're going to feel right at home in a dank hole!" Ron stood his ground, holding back a laugh.

Draco hesitated for a moment, searching for a come back. "Your face will feel right at home!" he shouted. It was very un-Malfoy like.

"That doesn't even make sense!" Ron threw back immediately.

Draco crossed his arms, and looked as smug as could be. "It's a muggle thing I learned from Dudley, you wouldn't understand."

Their strange banter continued, and Ron relaxed, but neither of them volunteered to jump in the hole. It was surreal to hear Draco try and act superior due to his muggle knowledge, but also oddly fitting because Draco acted superior about absolutely anything he could.

Hermione stepped between the arguing boys, fed up. "Oh, for goodness sake! I'll go first!" She snapped as she approached the hole. She looked over her shoulder. "Don't forget the cushioning charm," she warned, and then jumped in.

Severus' went next, silently, and it unnerved Harry.

Draco and Ron looked at Harry, and he shrugged. "got to make sure it closes behind us," he explained.

The remaining boys looked at each other for a tense and quiet moment. Then Ron suddenly made a move towards the entrance while yelling. "Last one down is a coward!"

"Damn it, Weasley!" Draco shouted and sprinted after Ron.

They practically fell in the hole while trying to shove each other out of the way, but in the end Ron got down first and Draco's cursing echoed after him.

Harry was still chuckling as he approached the entrance, but the reality of what he was about to do sank in, and he fell silent.

This was for Severus' own good, he reminded himself.

Harry took a deep breath and whispered to the snake carving. "Close behind me, and open for nobody else but me."

Harry jumped down into the Chamber of Secrets.

The last one down.

oOoOo

"Confused? At a loss for what to do? Wow, sounds like you're human. Good Luck."

~Nightvale

Lycan- Actually a subsection of werewolf that can control their transformations. The more you know!

A/N- YOOOOOOO its that white space again. Someplace comforting, and less confusing than real life. Lets all pretend to be something not human. I think I will be a dog, or maybe a fox. I just want to take a nap in a sunbeam. Or I can be a house, yup maybe a house.

There's a house down the road in a cul-de-sac I grew up near. Thats me. The one that is uninhabited, with the missing shutter, and the paint chipped door. The identical houses around it are well maintained, while the house that's me stands abandoned. My green door has a crack in the middle. A thin line that is only as long as both my hands put together, and it leaks. Clear, salty water flows from it and pools on my slanted porch. I saw that house every day as a child riding my bike, until we were indistinguishable. Now I think, and dream, and wonder if I'm still filled with the ocean.

I long to be free of the water. Drained because I'm tired of drowning. I would be lighter without it, and could walk without swimming, and breath without it burning. I imagine the house feels the same, if houses can feel at all. I dream that I go back to myself, and walk up the stoop where the air gets colder. I knock and wait, just like I did as a child. The door either opens and overwhelms me with its flood, or it doesn't and for some reason I'm disappointed.

Once I might have gone back to see if the I was still alone, maybe even knock like I do in my dream. But now I wouldn't dare, because I don't want to see what I've become.