Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any other books for that matter. This fanfiction was made strictly for your entertainment, and I would not appreciate flames, or insults in my reviews. I do support constructive criticism, and as long as it is CONSTRUCTIVE, I wouldn't be angered by it. Keep these thoughts in mind, and enjoy my story!

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Harry Potter sat under a large willow tree, in the backyard of Number Four, Privet Drive, while lazily picking on a stray hem from his aging shirt. Although it had been rather hot lately, it did not compare to the drought they had last year. There had been several thunderstorms, rainy days and even hailstorms lately, as though trying to make up for the lack of water nature had put Privet Drive through the year before. Petunia was currently at a Flea Market on the other side of town, leaving Harry alone with Vernon. (Not an arrangement that either were particularly fond of.)

Dudley was currently out with his friends for the night, smoking a cigarette or beating up little kids, as usual, and wanting to stay as far away from Harry as possible. Dudley still blamed Harry for the events that had happened last summer, when dementors had attacked Little Whining. Whenever Harry walked past him, Dudley would squeal remarkably like a pig and wobble away, matching his very porky-like appearance. He still fell for the fake curses Harry enjoyed mumbling as well.

"It's not magic, Dudley, it's a curse," Harry would say.

"Same thing," Dudley had grunted.

"Oh, no…" Harry said in a voice like Trelawny's, "A curse and magic are two different things, Dudders. You see, first you'll get all sweaty…"

Then Dudley would nervously glance down at his palms, and Harry would laugh like a maniac.

Usually when Vernon had people over, such as Aunt Marge, he would now send Harry over to Mrs. Figg's. Mrs. Figg had suggested that Harry looked like he had a miserable time, so that Harry would be allowed to come back—as the entire time he was there, she'd make cakes or invite Lupin over to have tea, and let Harry watch cartoons on TV. Mundugus Fletcher usually camped out there while doing what he thought was a good job of monitoring Harry.

Lately there had been many power surges, making lights flicker on and off continuously. Dudley later screamed at Petunia about missing all three of his favorite television shows when an extremely long power outage had occurred. He nearly broke every decorative glass object on display above the mantle-piece when he raged and stormed angrily up the stairs to sulk in his room. Harry briefly wondered if the power outages had anything to do with magic, but decided he was being paranoid. In fact, the power outages had been from hailstorms that had slightly damaged power-lines.

As Vernon bellowed at him to come inside, interrupting his train of thoughts Harry sighed in an annoyed fashion, slowly pushed himself of the ground, and calmly strode into the abnormally clean living room, to which he saw a very angry Uncle Vernon standing a good distance away from the door, and glaring obnoxiously at Harry.

"What do you want?" He asked irritably.

"Don't you take that tone with me, boy. It appears that one of your freakish friends has come over. What in the bloody blazes are they doing near my house? Have you sent them that letter every three days as you were told to?" Vernon asked, continuing to glare.

Harry was a wizard, fresh from his fifth year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Vernon hated 'his kind.' A few of Harry's friends had told Vernon to be nicer to Harry or they would curse him to oblivion the previous year.

"Don't worry, I've sent them every letter I was supposed to." Harry said monotonically, as if he were telling Vernon this everyday. (He was.)

"Good. That really ratty one—" Harry frowned. That was really rude and extremely uncalled for to call him ratty. "—Is standing outside our house. He claims it's urgent. Now I want to know what he's doing here and how soon he can leave." Harry clenched his teeth, holding back an inappropriate insult, and went to open the door. Harry saw a familiar wizard with gray etched through his light brown hair and wearing tattered wizard robes standing on the porch.

"Lupin!" Exclaimed Harry as he shut the door behind him and walked towards the werewolf to embrace him.

"Just came to check in," said Lupin.

Harry felt as though Lupin was the last father figure he had left. Dumbledore was more of a…grandfather figure for Harry.

He had also felt that Lupin was the only living being that could tell how Harry felt, considering Lupin was Sirius's best friend. Harry has had many tantalizing dreams involving Sirius, and the veil that he fell behind. Sirius was Harry's godfather and his own father's best friend. It was only the prior year that Harry's torturing dreams involved Cedric, but Sirius's death couldn't have stung Harry more than anything.

 "I was told to tell you that you're coming to Hogwarts in a few days. Dumbledore says that you can sleep there for the remainder of the summer holidays. Hermione isn't sure whether she can stay there or not, but Ron think he might be able to. Dumbledore also has a few surprises for you." Said Lupin.

"What—" Started Harry, wondering what Lupin had in store for him at Hogwarts.

"I'm not saying anything," Lupin smiled. "But undoubtedly, you'd be happy with the results. Now don't be mad with me that I didn't tell you because he wanted it to be a surprise as well. So blow up at Dumbledore if you're mad, not at me," Said Lupin, his grin widening. Harry nodded, unsure of what to say, and wondering curiously what 'surprises' awaited him at Hogwarts.

"Oh! Before I forget," added Lupin as he groped for something in his pocket. He pulled out what seemed to be a miniature broomstick, and when he proceeded to tap it with his wand, it grew into a fully sized shiny broom with the word 'Firebolt' engraved into the handle. "Dumbledore told me to give this back to you," Said Lupin.

"Great!" Exclaimed Harry, as he grabbed his Firebolt. Then as he touched it, a fresh wave of sadness overwhelmed him. It was Sirius who had given Harry this broom. And Harry's own stupidity got Sirius killed.

Upon seeing Harry's downcast face, Lupin grabbed his shoulder.

"Harry, Sirius would want you to be happy, not miserable." Said Lupin.

"I-I know, but it's my fault h-he's . . . gone. If I had just—"

"Don't say 'if,' that word is dangerous. If I had just killed Kreacher, if Sirius weren't in the Order, if Voldemort were allowed to stay at Hogwarts over the summer, if Dumbledore really were all-knowing . . . The fact of the matter is, is that we all have made mistakes. You can't avoid them, and there was nothing you could've done. I've known Sirius for a long time Harry, and he would have hated it if people pitied or grieved over him."

"I guess you're right…"

"Harry, I was wondering if I could…kind of pick up where Sirius left off. I can't legally be your guardian unless I sign a million papers, and the Dursley's sign a million papers, and I don't think they'd be willing. Would you mind if I could be your guardian…minus the legal papers?"

"I wouldn't mind." Harry smiled. "Just, don't you dare die on me, or I'll kill you."

"Agreed." Lupin shook Harry's hand. "Seeing as how Vernon loves wizards coming down his fireplace, and so lovingly blocked it, we're going to Hogwarts by portkey. I'll drop by in a few days to give it to you, since I can't send it by mail. Fudge is checking for messages from . . . Voldemort's followers. But I highly doubt he will be the minister for long. People have been protesting against him."

"I figured that," said Harry, then Lupin bid goodbye, waved to him, and disappeared on the spot with a loud 'crack!' Harry heard a clunk down the street, a muggle had dropped a grocery bag in surprise from the pop, and a few curious heads poked out the window, searching for the noise that sounded like a gunshot. Harry walked inside, and was suddenly confronted by Vernon.

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I have updated this chapter, since I have found many mistakes. Good luck with the rest of the story!