The Traveler

Written by: HoshiHikari

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Summary: Having spent a decade of his life living in multiple alternate universes, Harry finally returns Home only to discover that Home isn't at all how he remembers it to be. Did he make the right decision to return to his friends who desperately needs him to end the war? Did he make the right decision to sacrifice the perfect life he had built with his family of another world? Harry ponders the answer to both these questions as he continues to search for a place call Home and people to call family.

Warning: This is slash! Set after HBP and will contain spoilers from all seven books.

Pairing: Harry/Remus Slash!

Prologue

His hands were trembling. The note that had been delicately held between his thumb and index finger had slipped onto his bed as though the parchment had been poison and thus had caused his fingers to recoil in pain. Staring unseeingly ahead, he let himself become bombarded with foreign yet all too familiar emotions.

Pain. Jealously. Loss. Betrayal. Abandonment…

He mentally smacked himself for having such thoughts. It wasn't as though someone had died. In fact said occasion would have been the most joyous of all during the times of war. He knew he should be happy and even thankful that true love had been bestowed upon the most deserving person he knew, yet he wondered why he felt so miserable.

Harry Potter, the 17 year old soon to be defeater of the Dark Lord Voldemort, could not answer this. Scratch that. Harry did know the reason and it was this reason among others that caused him to become both frighten and ashamed of himself. He was frighten of losing the only person that mattered most to him to another and at the same time ashamed for trying to prevent genuine happiness to occur to the most deserving person.

Torn between conflicting emotions, Harry picked up the unsigned letter from his—well he didn't know what the man was to him anymore—and reread the single question on it.

Will you be my best man?

Six simple words arranged systematically in the form of a question written by Remus Lupin had easily caused Harry's world to crumble and fall into turmoil, a state of mind in which not even Voldemort could place him in. The simple fact that Remus Lupin, best friend of his father and godfather, his guardian, uncle, professor and friend could influence his life in such a drastically negative way by participating in such a positive aspect of life—marriage—shocked Harry senseless. He knew that such a strong disapproval was wrong, yet at the same time Harry acknowledged that because of such a strong disapproval that perhaps Remus Lupin meant more then just a parental figure or even a friend to Harry.

Harry sighed deeply. Again he knew exactly why he was so distressed. The truth was that Harry Potter was in love. Simply put, somewhere, sometime, somehow Remus Lupin had become the center of Harry's universe. After Sirius had died, the two of them had become closer through letters and then through Harry's stay at Grimmuald Place. Remus had been the first he had been able to share the prophecy with and the only Harry felt comfortable enough to cry on with Dumbledore soon followed Sirius onto the next great adventure. Remus had been the rock in Harry's life, lifting him up from depression and supporting all his decisions. Of course his best friends Ron and Hermione were there as well, but Harry could feel the drift between them and he knew sooner or later all they would need is each other and he would once again be left alone. Prior to receiving this letter, Harry had thought of inviting Remus and only him to go Horcurx hunting since he really didn't want to drag Ron and Hermione deeper into the war then they should be, but now he wasn't sure. It would have been nice if it was just the two of them but two had somehow become three and Harry knew deep down that despite his jealousy, he would not be able to tear Remus away from Tonks, that is, if the man really loved her.

Tonks. It hurt him so bad to think of her. She was a nice witch, a bit clumsy but nice. Harry knew that he had no real reason to despise her, but he did. He really hated her for stealing Remus and he hated Remus for crumbling under pressure, but most of all he hated himself for not acting on his emotions and now it was too late. Harry had known all along that Tonks liked Remus, but he had ignored it because Remus had always pushed her away. She had persisted, but so had his stubbornness. He had thought Tonks would back off after realizing that she would never get Remus but he had been wrong. Harry had been wrong and because he was wrong, Harry was now the one injured the one who was going to pay the price.

One…two…three…He counted slowly as he tried to calm himself. Four…Five…Six…He could hear the stairs creaking, and he knew it was only a matter of time before he would have to face the man for the first time since receiving the letter. Seven…Eight…Nine…

A knock interrupted his counts. Harry stood from his bed and opened the door to greet his former Professor.

"Harry!" Remus greeted, ever so politely with his hands open. Though Harry did return the hug, Remus felt that something was off, but before he could say anything, Harry had spoken.

"Come on Moony, lets get out of here. I can't wait to see everyone. The sooner I can, the sooner I can leave."

Remus took a step back and studied Harry. He noted that something was bothering the young man, even though he tried to hide it.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Remus spoke softly. "and what's the hurry? What do you mean the sooner you can see everyone, the sooner you can leave? Where are you going?"

"Nothing. I'm all packed." Harry continued, ignoring the questions. "I heard you speaking to Uncle Vernon so I got everything together. Well actually I got it together after your letter. I figured someone will come and get me soon. By the way, congratulations, I hope you're happy."

Remus stilled when he heard the last part of Harry's ramble. Although Harry had tried to hide it, Remus could tell the pain in the words.

"You're upset." Remus stated the obvious. He waited for a reply but it never came. "You disapprove."

At this Harry reflexively retorted with a No. Remus took in a deep breath before sitting onto the bed. He motioned to Harry and the younger man followed suit.

"You're a bad liar Harry. I know you better than that, you know I know you better than that." Gently Remus put a hand on Harry's lap. "Can you tell me cub, why is it that you disapprove? I really like to know because I don't think I can go through with it if…"

"I don't disapprove!" Harry semi-shouted, angry that he had to put up with this. "You love her, she loves you. I'm happy for you, really I am."

"Harry…" Remus said exasperated.

"Can't we just go and drop this? I really want to see my friends before I leave and I really need to leave as soon as I get there. I have much to do and too little time. Dumbledore wouldn't have liked it if I left his last wishes unattended."

"Harry."

"Boy! You're still here?" Uncle Vernon's voice interrupted them from the doorway. "I thought you and your boy toy…" Vernon was cut off when Remus jumped off the bed and launched himself at Vernon for making such accusations. However a hand snaked out from behind and grabbed one of his arms before he had the chance to do so. Remus noted a triumphant smirk spread across Vernon's features before he turned to look at Harry.

"What Remus and I share is none of your business." Harry snarled, his eyes burning with rage. "If it wasn't for the fact that we were in a hurry, I'll show you why homosexuality isn't a crime. I'll show you why loving a werewolf twice your age and was your deceased father's best friend more erotic then you'll ever be. I'll show you…" Harry never had a chance to finish. The arm in his hand had tensed which caused him to realize what he had just said. Both of Harry's hands reached up and covered his mouth. The one thing that he had promised himself never to reveal to Remus now that he was to be married had come out under a fit of rage. When that thought finally settled in his mind, he bolted from the room.

Oh my god! How could I have been so stupid! Now he knows, now he knows!

Suddenly a hand grabs his from behind. He looked up startled to see Remus standing next to him. The hand held him tight even though the man did not spare him a glance. Then without warning Harry heard a crack and both disappeared from Privit Drive.

Days and nights passed with intense tension between Harry and Remus. Every since they had arrived at Grimmuald Place, Remus and Harry kept away from each other's company as much as possible. Despite everyone trying to confront the two about the rift between them, no one was able to figure it out. Harry kept insisting on leaving to find the horcruxes with his best friends, but his friends refused to leave without first celebrating Harry's birthday with everyone and then celebrating both Bill and Fleur's and Remus and Tonks' wedding. The first two came to pass but as Remus and Tonks' wedding approached, Harry became increasingly impatient.

"What is with you Harry?" Hermione asked again. The three of them were in the living room decorating the fire mantle for tomorrow's wedding when Harry had brought the subject up again.

"Yeah mate," Ron agreed. "We can go the day after tomorrow. Harry, you're best man! You're father's best friend's getting married! Wouldn't you want to stay to see it? If I was…"

"Ron!" Harry cried, thinking hard to get what he wanted without giving his real intentions away. "That's just more reason to go now. I won't want Remus and his new family to suffer. The earlier we find these horcruxes the faster we can destroy Voldemort and end this war. Think about it Ron. That's the best thing I can give him. It could be like a wedding present."

"Only if I can come with you." A voice by the door interrupted them. The three turned to see Lupin causally leaning there though his eyes betrayed his misery. "Would the two of you please leave us alone for a minute?"

Ron and Hermione looked uneasy as both could feel the tension between the other two build. The two friends stood their ground, not wanting to leave.

"It's best the two of you go. This conversation's long overdue." Harry said at last, suddenly sounding very tired. "Besides, I think its best if we resolved this problem before I leave." He spoke more to Lupin then to his friends. Ron and Hermione looked at each other before the latter pulled the former out of the living room.

"and Ron, Hermione. Don't bother with decorating. I'm calling off tomorrow's wedding." Remus said as Ron and Hermione passed him. The two stopped and stared up at him in horror. Hermione was going to speak but Remus had pushed the two out. "I appreciate it if the two of you can refrain from telling everyone. I still have to tell Tonks, but talking with Harry's more important right now." With that said, he cast a silencing charm and a barrier to block anyone from entering the living room.

"What?" Harry spoke, the minute the barriers were up.

"What Harry?" Remus asked, turning back to the younger man.

"The wedding! How dare you? How could you? What about…" Harry spluttered, unable to put his thoughts into words.

"Tonks? She'll understand."

"You can't do that! Remus, why?"

"Aren't you happy Harry? Isn't this what you wanted?" Remus slowly approached Harry. "I know why you disapprove." He continued ever so quietly.

"Ye—No! Remus! Yes--No! It doesn't matter what I think. How could you do this to her? She loves you!"

"and so do you." Remus stated quietly, effectively stopping Harry from continuing. "This is tearing you apart." Harry said nothing because he knew deep down that he could not argue with that.

"I'll be your best man." Harry suddenly said. "You can't take what I said at Vernon's to heart. That's just the only way to speak to him." Harry paused again. "I was upset because I wanted to invite you to go horcrux hunting, but you already had all these plans and I couldn't bring myself to ask."

"There is no wedding Harry. I will go with you."

"No! You'll stay and you're going to marry her, despite what I think or feel."

"You don't understand Harry! You gave me the opportunity to see the mistake I was going to make. I'm a werewolf. I can't marry, I can't breed."

"SO WHAT IF YOU ARE A WEREWOLF!" Harry screamed. "DOES BEING A WEREWOLF ALLOW YOU TO ABANDON THOSE WHO LOVE YOU? DOES BEING A WEREWOLF GIVE YOU SPECIAL PRIVIALGES TO DISH OUT PAIN ONTO OTHERS? DOES BEING A WEREWOLF MEAN BEING A COWARD?"

"HOW DARE YOU!" Remus roared, his face livid. Harry watched as the amber eyes turned feral. "HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST—" He took a few steps forward, noting that Harry backtracked.

"Yes, I dare suggest it." Harry said between gritted teeth. He backtracked again as Remus approached.

"You don't understand!"

"Then explain!"

Both held there ground as the minutes ticked by. At last when it was clear the Remus wasn't going to explain, Harry spoke again.

"Oh I understand perfectly. You and Sirius were an item. However when he died, you moved to the next best thing, Tonks. She's a metamorphose isn't she? I bet the two of you had a hell of a time. Still there are lots of precautions aren't there? Now I've come along and you think it's perfect. What does that make me? Hmm?"

"HOW DARE YOU!"

Before Harry knew it, a spell had hit him in the stomach. He flew backwards and banged his head on the wall. The last thing he saw was Remus' livid face turn into shock and then horror. Within a second the man was next to him, reaching out a hand while screaming his name. Harry tried to concentrate on the voice, but could not and in the end darkness won and he found himself consumed completely by it.

Hello everyone. This is the beginning of a new fic. I hope you all will enjoy it. Please Review and tell me what you think.