Questionable Guardianship.
By Marauder-girl
A/N: Er….. This is probably kinda late, but I don't really care. I had this idea and thought why the hell not. This is my take on the summer hols after book five -Shudders- and for the first time in a LONG while NOT SLASH!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.K's fabulous little people, though maybe I could hypnotise her into giving me a share of the profits. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Ahem…. Anywho I don't own em!
Prologue: June 1995.
The summer sun was just dawning. Across the rolling English hills a fine mist had settled, slightly obscuring the nature beneath it. High in the sky birds flew, singing their early morning tunes. Rousing the occupants of the land from their peaceful slumber. Across the rising sun a solitary winged being flew. The bird although not usually of these hours carried its flight on regardless of its supposed nocturnal lifestyle. It had a special mission imparted upon it and could not fail.
The owl flew gracefully through the air, large yellow eyes scanning the terrain with an air of purposefulness. It circled lower and flew on. Finally a small cottage came into view and giving a quiet hoot f happiness soared toward it, letter clutched tightly in its talons. It landed on the windowsill of the small cottage. It cast a bleary eye over the tiny old cottage, which had most definitely seen better days. The white paint that covered the outside walls was chipped and peeling, the roof looked as if it was in desperate need of repair and window shutters were falling off their ancient hinges. The owl ruffled its feathers and took off again flying around, looking for some sort of entrance.
On the opposite side to where he landed the tawny bird found his quarry. Through a small uncurtained window he spotted a man sleeping. The owl tapped lightly on the window, and the man made no response. He simply turned over and continued sleeping. Slightly annoyed the owl tapped again, this time louder but yet again there was no response. Finally out of annoyance the tawny creature banged on the pane of glass with all its might, nearly to the point of shattering. This evoked a reaction. The man in the bed awoke very abruptly in surprise and tumbled out of bed, landing hard on the floor. Muttering mutinously he glanced about the room looking for the source of the disturbance. Upon spotting the owl he gave a deep sigh, rose gracefully to his feet and walked toward the window in order to let the creature in.
The window slid open and the bird flew in and landed upon the bed post, looking balefully at the man. The man stared back with scrutiny in his gaze as if wondering where the owl had come from and exactly who had sent it at this ungodly hour.
"Well I suppose you'd better hand it over then" Said the man in a sleep roughened voice. He raked a hand through his grey streaked honey brown hair and waited for the owl to comply.
The owl wasted no time and swept over and landed on his shoulder digging his talons in gently to gain some balance. Quickly the owl dropped the letter into the mans hand and flew off through the open window, leaving an extremely puzzled Remus Lupin in its wake.
Remus turned over the letter in his hands pondering whom it could be from, but upon seeing the Hogwarts crest on the back, his doubt vanished and he quickly tore open the letter. Quickly he crossed the room and grabbed a small pair of reading glasses before opening the folded paper inside. Curiously he stared at the contents, a wave of anxiety flooding over him. He red the note, for that was all it was once more:
' Dear Remus,
I urgently need to speak with you, Please come to Hogwarts as soon as you can.
Albus'
Hurriedly and with a great deal of confusion Remus dressed and apparated to the village of Hogsmeade, in order to find out what was so urgent.
End Prologue