Chapter Two

Harry and Remus looked down at the man startled, they hadn't even noticed he was there and they hadn't even run into each other that hard. They glanced at each other, then bent down to examine the man. His injuries were extensive, he had a few broken ribs and were pressing against his lungs if the wheeze that accompanied hi breath was any indication, and his body was covered in blood and bruises.

Harry looked up at Remus, "We should get him to the castle. Dumbledore and Pomfrey will want to look at him."

Remus was checking his arms for the Dark Mark, "You sure? We can get him help elsewhere."

Harry gave Lupin a look, and Remus shrugged in supplication, taking out his wand. They turned toward the castle with the strange man floating along behind them, all of them silent except for the stranger's breathing.
Luckily it was late so all the students were in bed and the castle was deserted. Once inside Remus took the stranger up to the infirmary, while Harry went in search for Dumbledore. He didn't have to look for long, as soon as Harry turned the corner he saw the Headmaster, McGonagall, Snape, And Sirius rushing toward him.
"Harry what happened?" Dumbledore asked the moment he reached Harry.

"Remus and I bumped into this guy that passed out on us so we brought him here for help. What's going on" Harry explained in a rush.

"The wards were tripped." Snape said.

"Harry what were you thinking, bringing a stranger into the castle?" Sirius asked, his worry for Harry translating to anger.

Harry rolled his eyes and led the way towards the infirmary. Once there they were struck by the power rolling off the stranger in waves. Oddly enough the magic signature felt vaguely familiar.

"What's wrong with him Poppy?" Dumbledore asked, standing next to the bed and gazing down at the young man.

Madam Pomfrey clucked, " The question should be what isn't wrong with him. Someone or something has put this young man through the ringer."

"Something?" McGonagall questioned.

"You see this?" She pointed out several long deep gouges, "these are claw marks. What kind of claw or whose is still up for question."

"He woke up long enough to say a name." Remus stated walking over to stand next to Sirius in the group around the bed. Several eyebrows lifted in question before he finally answered it. "He said Rupert Giles."

Dumbledore nodded finally figuring out the reason why the boy's magical signature felt so familiar. "I will get a hold of him, see if he knows more about our mysterious young man."

"You know of him?" Sirius asked surprised.

"Yes, he is my son." Dumbledore replied, walking towards the door. His announcement was met with silence. They all followed him, interested to see this son he had never mentioned. All save Madam Pomfrey who stayed behind to look after her patient.