In The Darkest Times
I don't own Harry Potter. I wish to the high heavens that I did, but I don't. So don't bother suing me because I'm not making any money off of this. Enjoy the story!
In The Darkest Times
Harry sat alone on his bed. Alone. He couldn't believe it. Was it only a fortnight ago that he had seen Sirius fall through the Veil? Was it only seven months ago that they were celebrating Christmas together happily? It felt like an eternity. No. More, much more. He hadn't had any communication with the wizarding world save one short note. "It is for the best." The note had appeared with a single feather, which Harry quickly noticed belonged to Fawkes. Now it was seven days until Harry's birthday. He sighed and prepared to get up for the day when a yell pierced the silence, "GET UP YOU PITIFUL EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN! YOU OVERSLEPT! DO YOUR CHORES AND THEN YOU WILL RECIEVE YOUR PUNISHMENT!!"
Harry sighed again. It couldn't get much worse could it? He dutifully began his chores. All the while Uncle Vernon was watching him with a small smirk on his face. It took him until around mid-day to finish his extensive list of chores. Once he was finished Uncle Vernon said, "Boy! Come Here!" Harry approached him terrified. Uncle Vernon smiled slowly and then began to beat Harry viciously. Harry screamed.
Twenty minutes later Harry found himself lying on his bed in terrible pain. He was almost sure that Uncle Vernon had broken his leg and several of his ribs. He moaned slightly just as Aunt Petunia was walking by. Bad timing. "Boy! Stop complaining at once! You are not severely injured! Begin your evening chores." She walked off.
"If only the order could help me," Harry thought aloud. He knew they couldn't though. Ever since Sirius they probably didn't think he deserved to be in the company of civil human beings. Sirius. His stomach clenched painfully at the thought. "Its all my fault," he whispered gently. His body was wracked with sobs until he couldn't cry any longer. Sometimes he hated his life so much. If it weren't for Ron, Hermione, and Remus he would probably kill himself. "I'd see Sirius again," he whispered. But no, he couldn't do that to people he cared about. "People cared about me," he whispered over and over again like a mantra as he got up slowly, painfully and began his evening chores.
Meanwhile in Diagon Alley Remus Lupin was receiving the best news he ever had received in his life. Dumbledore had convinced the ministry to allow him custody of Harry Potter! The only condition was that Harry was to stay at Hogwarts through his seventh year. That wasn't a problem because Remus wouldn't dream of keeping Harry away from the castle that was the first place he ever called home. He glanced at Dumbledore, "May I go pick him up from the Dursleys now?" Dumbledore nodded graciously, "Of course you may," He paused, "Might I suggest bringing him to your home first? Grimmauld Place might harbor unwelcome memories for him now." Remus acknowledged Dumbledore's idea with a small smile and quickly apparated directly to Number Four Privet Drive in Surrey.
Harry was half asleep when he heard a polite knock on the front door. He had been locked in his cupboard and left to deal with the pain of his injuries. As soon as the Dursley's had realized that he was seriously injured he was stuffed in a cupboard to prevent the neighbors from noticing anything strange in the windows. Uncle Vernon came barreling down the stairs. "WHAT DO YOU WANT?" He bellowed. Remus quickly drew his wand, "I am here for Harry Potter. I have been granted custody of him." Uncle Vernon snorted, "Do you really think that we'll just let you walk in and take him? Who are you anyway?" "I am Remus Lupin and I would really like to see Harry."
Harry heard Remus' voice. Uncle Vernon wasn't letting him in. "Remus," Harry called out, "Help…" His voice trailed off weakly.
Remus froze. He had just heard Harry yell out. He couldn't believe how weak his voice sounded. Anger pounded through his veins. "LET ME IN," he shouted at Harry's idiot uncle as he shoved his way inside. He called out "Where are you Harry?"
Harry was only half conscious but he managed to call out, "In the cupboard under the stairs."
Remus was seething. He ran to the cupboard and unlocked it quickly. "Alohamora." The sight shocked him. Harry was bruised badly with one leg bent horribly. Remus gasped in horror and then quickly conjured a stretcher. He gently levitated Harry onto it and turned his attention to Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, who had just come out of the kitchen to see what was wrong. "You will pay for this," he said angrily, "If it's the last thing I do you WILL PAY!" The last two words were shouted before Remus returned his attention to Harry. "Oh Harry," he muttered, "What are we going to do?" Remus realized that Harry couldn't go to St. Mungo's, the press would have a field day, and Hogwarts was closed completely for renovations this summer. He would have to call Dumbledore as soon as he got Harry home.
Harry woke up with a started gasp. He looked around frantically, "Where am I," he called out to absolutely no one. Or so he thought. A smiling voice answered, "You are at your guardian, Remus Lupin's house. It took a moment for Remus' word to sink in. "You said guardian," Harry whispered astonished. "Yes I did," Remus replied joyfully. I'm not really sure how… all I know is that I did and that's all that matters." Harry nodded. He agreed of course but he still had a lot of questions.
"Remus," He paused momentarily to get up his nerves, "Why can't I move my leg?" Remus sighed, "Well Harry I'm afraid there weren't numerous ways to treat you available considering how badly your Uncle hurt you so the Healer that came here had to resort to muggle methods in order to keep you alive." "So my legs in a cast?" asked Harry curiously. "Yea I think the healer called it that," Remus laughed, "He also said that it wasn't a big deal and that if you take your potions it will be off in a week and you'll be out of bed in three weeks."
Harry groaned, "Three weeks?!" "Remus smiled, "Think positive, at least you'll get birthday presents and get well presents." Harry's good mood evaporated. He turned way from the door. Remus immediately sensed that something was wrong. "Harry," he prodded gently, " I don't want to talk about it," said Harry slowly and clearly. Remus nodded. "Ok well if you ever need to you know where to find me ok?" Harry nodded and Remus quietly left the room.
Remus walked back downstairs to the people in the living room. Professors Dumbledore and Snape were standing there. "How is he Remus?" "Physically much better," Remus replied staring directly at Dumbledore, "Mentally…" He paused, "I just don't know." Dumbledore nodded accepting Remus' answer. Snape however said, "Potter will need to take these. I will have to give them to him myself and then observe the results.
Remus began to protest but Dumbledore silenced him with a mere look. Remus nodded and wishing he were doing anything else led Snape upstairs.
Order Headquarters was in an uproar. "Where's Harry?" voices shouted. Dumbledore could barely quiet them. "Harry is somewhere safe," was all he would say, "His Aunt and Uncle badly injured him and he is recuperating from his injuries and does not need distractions." "But where is he," Ron Weasley shouted. "Is he ok?" asked Hermione Granger slightly more calmly. "The answer to both of those questions is that he is safe at the moment," replied Dumbledore, "Now I believe it is time for the meeting to begin." His tone had such finality that no one bothered asking any more questions and all the still in school wizards retreated to their rooms as the meeting began.
A/N: I really hope you like the story so far. I'm not quite sure where this is going yet but I think it'll be good. Pease review and tell me what you think. I'd appreciate any suggestions.