Thansk to all those who have read and reviewed! :)

Actually forgot the disclaimer last chapter (again), so here it is: None of the characters or the world are mine, everything belongs to Rowling. Except the title, which I stole from Neil Young's Down By The River.

Enjoy the next chapter :)


Old Friends and New Plans

„You want what?"

Lupin didn't flinch at Uncle Vernon's outburst despite the spit droplets hitting his face, but his smile grew a bit strained. "I have offered Harry to stay with me during the holidays," he repeated, still unfailingly polite as if there wasn't a 16-stone-man shouting at him. "I went to school with his father, and Harry liked the idea."

Harry immediately realized that Lupin had made a mistake in mentioning James Potter, for his uncle's face contorted into another grimace of disgust. Harry swallowed, his hopes falling. "And who exactly are you?" Uncle Vernon asked, presumably to buy himself time.

"Remus Lupin, as I said," Lupin answered, patience finally wearing thin. "I was a teacher at Harry's school until this summer." Harry winced at his words, and Uncle Vernon's face grew even redder.

Why couldn't Lupin just lie? Sirius wasn't a great help either, curiously trotting around the room, obviously enjoying Petunia's alarmed looks as he carelessly brushed past breakable vases and treaded dirt into her perfect carpet.

He decided to ignore the former professor's warnings and took a step forward. "He resigned 'cos people found out he's a werewolf." Harry ignored Lupins grip on his arm.

"Harry"

"But he's got a house I can live in. Sirius will be there, too. You know, my godfather. He says he can't wait to see me, says he might even come himself to fetch me if I don't show up soon."

The dog gave a loud bark from the other side of the room, wagging his tail. Lupin said nothing, a look of absolute horror on his face. Petunia let out a shriek of alarm, Dudley ran out of the room immediately, and Uncle Vernon…


Ron,

You'll never guess what happened. Lupin and Padfoot showed up, and offered me to live with them! Lupin has a cottage somewhere in Devonshire, and I can move in there tonight! The Dursleys almost didn't allow it, but when I told them he was a werewolf and friends with Padfoot they couldn't get rid of me soon enough. I'm packing my trunk now and Lupin will pick me up after dinner.

He says it would be best if the ministry didn't know too much about it, so maybe tell your dad not to talk about it at work. I'll write again when I'm there.

Harry

Harrry was still grinning as he handed the letter to Hedwig, who had been waiting for Harry with a pack of snacks from Hermoine when he had come back into his room, positively jumping with joy. Lupin might have disapproved of Harry's scare tactics, but he had to admit they worked. And it wasn't like the Dursleys would contact the aurors.

"I'll be moving tonight, so don't come back here, okay?" Harry told the owl as he opened the window to let her out. "I'll be at Lupin's cottage. You'll find that, won't you?" Hedwig shot him an undignified look, obviously insulted by the notion she might not find her way, and leapt out into the midday sun.

Harry watched her go, beaming with the knowledge that he, too, would soon be leaving Privet Drive for good.

Well, not quite. Lupin says you'll still have to go back next summer for a week.

But what was a week compared to two months? Harry opened the bag of snacks – sugar-free and not exactly his favourites, but it wasn't like he was gonna get lunch from the Dursleys – and surveyed his room. It was astonishing, really, just how messy it had gotten over just four short days.

Would he have his own room in Lupin's house?

He didn't care, really. For the chance to move away from his aunt and uncle he'd gladly sleep in a broom cupboard if he had to (and it wasn't like he didn't have any experience with that), and the prospect of living with his godfather was just…

Strange, if Harry was honest with himself.

He had only really met Sirius once before today, and despite everything his godfather was still a complete stranger. A stranger who loved and cared for him, who was his father's best friend, but a stranger nonetheless. He knew more about Lupin, but the werewolf was his teacher, and the idea of living with him was possibly even stranger.

And yet Harry knew that it would be worth it, no matter how awkward it might start out as. After all, technically Lupin wasn't his teacher anymore. And he had all the time in the world to get to know Sirius.

Yes, Harry thought as he slowly set about collecting his scattered belongings, this summer would certainly be the best one yet.


"I can't believe he'd just…" Remus was still not quite over Harry's sudden exclamation at the Dursleys as he apparated himself and Sirius back to the rundown cottage at the edge of a forest. "What was he thinking? If Dursley reports this-"

He was interrupted by the sound of laughter as Sirius changed back into human form, roaring with amusement. "He'll come and get me himself...Prongs would be so proud!"

Remus shot him a sour look and hastily ushered his friend through the door. The area was completely deserted, the next house a mile away and the village five, but he still didn't want to risk anything.

They still weren't done setting up all the wards, and despite Dumbledore's intervention the ministry might come after him looking for Sirius.

Seeing Remus' frown Sirius finally stopped laughing. "Come on Moony, don't be such a buzzkill. They're muggles, they won't tell anyone. And even if they do, Harry can just say he was bluffing. Cheer up. And maybe go get some groceries, we got a teenager to feed soon." With that he waltzed off towards the stairs, eager to prepare the bedroom for Harry's arrival.

Remus let out a long sigh. Sirius was right, of course. They were safe, otherwise Dumbledore would never have allowed them to bring Harry here. But he still wasn't quite over the shock of returning to his home only to find a large black dog sitting on his doorstep, informing him they were about to take in a fourteen year old boy.


It was June, but the wind was uncharacteristically cold as Remus walked up the narrow path, pulling his cloak firmer around his shoulders. The sun was already vanishing behind the trees, yet air was still full with birdsong. On another day he might have enjoyed the idyllic scenery, but today he had no eye for it.

One month. Only one month had he managed to keep his parents' house. It had taken him almost a year and pretty much all of his Hogwarts wages to pay off the debt on the property, and yet he had made it his absolute priority. It had felt wrong, terribly wrong to garnish his childhood home when it was left to him by his father, but years of poverty and unemployment had left him with very little choice.

And now, just when he thought he might live there again, everything shattered again. How long could he afford to live with just one month's wages? How long before he'd have to go into debt again? Maybe he should just sell the house for good this time, save himself the horrendous goblin interest.

The thatched roof appeared between the trees, battered and covered in dirt.

Clean it up first, maybe. No-one's going to pay for a derelict ruin.

The forest fell away, and Remus came to an abrupt halt. On his doorstep, beneath the weather-beaten sign that once read Birch Cottage sat a black, bear-sized dog.

For a moment he hesitated.

That could be any dog. Who knows what kind of animals live in the forest these days.

Then he shook himself, and briskly bridged the last few steps. Of course it wasn't just any black dog.

He hastily waved his wand, opening the door, and ushered the dog inside without a word. Only when he had firmly closed the door behind him, muttering a spell to keep in the sound, did he turn around. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here? Do you realize half the ministry is still after you?"

"Only half? How disappointing." The black-haired man answered almost bored, curiously looking around. "Gee, this place's certainly gone a bit bottom side up since your mum left. Ever heard of cleaning spells?"

"I haven't lived here in sixteen years. If you had called, I'd have made sure to get the spring cleaning done first."

For a moment they were silent. Then, simultaneously, they started to laugh.

"Merlin. If I end up in Azkaban, I'm blaming you. Tea?"

Sirius nodded, and followed him into the kitchen. "Sounds good. Haven't had tea since '81."

Remus looked up from where he was filling the kettle, and for the first time realized that his friend was still wearing the rags he had escaped Azkaban in. "Right…how are you? Physically, I mean?"

Sirius shrugged. "Been better, to be honest. Do you have food?" Wordlessly Remus summoned a bar of chocolate from his abandoned cloak.

"What are you looking for here?" he asked, levitating two cups onto the table and taking a seat next to his old friend.

"Something to eat, for starters," Sirius muttered between hungry bites of chocolate, "I've lived off rats for most of the last year. Not that there isn't some degree of satisfaction to it, mind you, but the taste isn't exactly gourmet."

Remus winced, thinking about himself stuffing his face with the finest produce of the Hogwarts kitchen while Sirius was sleeping in the forbidden forest, living off whatever he could find. "Why didn't you try to contact me sooner? I could have helped you."

Sirius met his gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Would you have believed me? If I had just showed up in your office, without warning, without proof?"

Remus lowered his head. "No, I think not," he admitted, and sighed. "I'd have probably thought you were trying to kill me. I was wondering, actually. When you broke out. Whether you would come after me if you had the chance. I was hoping for it, really."

He closed his eyes, guilt flooding over him. "I should have known. It just…it's so obvious it was Peter, I don't know why I never…"

"Don't." Sirius interrupted him, placing a hand on his shoulders. "Trust me, just don't go there. I've had twelve years of it, and it doesn't do any good. I thought you were the spy, you thought it was me. We both made mistakes, and we both paid for it. I'm not here to open old wounds."

Remus looked up. "What are you here for, exactly?"

Immediately the solemn expression was replaced by a broad grin. "I'm here because of Harry. I said he could move in with me. But he can't now, can he, 'cos I'm in hiding and the ministry won't let him live on his own with a dog."

Remus nodded. "So?"

"So I'm moving in with you! That way Harry will officially live with you – and your dog – and nobody can say a thing. It'll be just like the old days!"

Remus stared at him blankly. He blinked. Sirius grin was still there. He wasn't dreaming. He blinked again. "You want me," he said finally, "a recently exposed werewolf who is currently on every front page, having endangered hundreds of schoolchildren, to take in a fourteen year old boy, the most famous boy in the wizarding world no less? To secretly live with a convicted mass murderer?"

Sirius grin broadened. "I knew you'd like the idea, Moony!"


No. He hadn't bloody liked the idea one bit. For starters, he had about enough funds to buy himself three more hot meals. He was soon going to be homeless, and with his name in every paper unlikely to ever get a job again. Really, when it came to living comfort Sirius would soon be above him. At least his friend could turn into a dog to hunt.

Sirius had been quick to wave away that objection. "I got tons of gold. I just can't use it 'cos I'm a wanted criminal. That's why I need you. I own the gold, you spend it for me. Deal?"

Remus hadn't liked that idea either. He had little enough in life, but he at least had his pride. And he certainly wasn't going to live off his friend's funds, no matter how desperate.

Sirius had of course known that, and come up with another, much harder to brush off argument. "Think about Harry. He hates his aunt and uncle. They're horrible to him. I promised him he could move in with me, and he was so happy – do you really want to take that away from him? From Prongs' son?"

Desperate, Remus had drawn up one last defence. "Dumbledore would never allow it. There's a reason Harry is living with them, he's safe there. He won't be safe here. Not to mention what the ministry will say."

Sadly, Dumbledore was all-too easily convinced. And as for the ministry of magic, Sirius had a very simple answer.

"Piss on Fudge."

And so here he was, pacing in the kitchen wondering how on earth it had come to this. Not that he didn't want Harry – or Sirius – living with him. Quite frankly, having expected to spent the summer in depression and increasing poverty this situation was really quite wonderful. But that didn't help the slightest with being nervous.

What would Harry think of him? Of him living here? Sure, he had seemed to like Remus at Hogwarts, and even told him he was the best Defence teacher they ever had, but back then Remus had been a professor. Surely no boy would want to live with his professor, former or not? Would Harry be happier if he could live with Sirius on his own? Sirius was hid godfather, his father's best friend. Remus was…

"You'll be the sensible uncle. The one who helps him with his homework and keeps him from killing himself," James grinned. "And trust me, he'll need you. 'Cos I'm not gonna be the sensible parent, Sirius certainly won't be, and Lily will be too busy shouting at the two of us for letting him have his own broomstick. That kid's gonna be hopeless without you."

Remus didn't answer, staring instead in wonder at the tiny infant in his hands. Uncle….Harry started to cry, and he hastily handed him back to his father.

Uncle…some uncle he was, not even once bothering to go see him in all this time.

I thought he was safe. Well. I thought Petunia had at least some heart in her.

But he had been wrong, and Harry had lived through a childhood of suffering.

"Stop pouting and get the shopping done!" Sirius voice drifted from somewhere upstairs, tearing him from his dark musings. Remus couldn't help but smile as he gathered up the list and picked up his coat from the mantle stand. As annoying as Sirius might be sometimes, he was glad to have his friend back. And who knew – if Sirius managed to make up for twelve years of missed godfather-duties, maybe Remus could yet get into the role of uncle. Or at least family friend. Favourite teacher was probably a decent starting point.


I know it's a bit slow right now, but Tonks will show up soon, promise!

Meanwhile, why don't you tell me what you think about this so far? :)