Chapter 2: Return, Accept and Plans.

Albus Dumbledore let out a weary sigh. Three days and nights had passed since Nethan Lysandiran told them about the impending war between the werewolves and vampires, and Remus had yet to return.

Dumbledore remembered all too well the last between the werewolf clans and vampire covens, The Red Moon War. A war that started in the early 1900's and ended in 1981. For almost eight decades the wizards in England had followed the bloodsheds in the papers, living in the fear that their homes would become part of the battlefield; and with good reason. As more and more werewolves and vampires were slain in battle, they bit more and more people to reinforce their ranks, wizards and muggles alike.

They had hoped the war had come to an end in the early 40's, but around 1945-1946, the embers were rekindled. Dumbledore suspected Voldemort might have had something to do with it, but he had never found anything that connected it with Voldemort.

And when the war ended, many wizards and witches believed it was due to the defeat of Voldemort. But Dumbledore knew better. Both sides were exhausted from the fighting and had come to an agreement; an agreement that had, from the sounds of it, lasted to this day.

The Ministry didn't know what the agreement entailed. Nor did Dumbledore and it was nagging him to no end. Most wizards didn't care, as long the fighting stopped. But even now, fourteen years later, Dumbledore still wanted to know. And let's face it; Albus Dumbledore was not like most wizards.

Glancing at his watch, he let out another tired sigh. "6 a.m. Fawkes, and still no sign of Remus. I wonder what is holding him up. He… hm? Enter."

The door to his office opened and a man walked in, carrying a small bag on his back, supporting his weight on a cane. Dumbledore smiled. "Ah, good morning Remus. Had a pleasant trip? Oh where are my manners. Would you like something? Tea, coffee?"

Remus gave a tired smile, putting down his bag. "Good morning Professor Dumbledore. And the trip was as pleasant as travelling with Portkey from Alaska to Greenland, and from there to Iceland and on to London can be I suppose. And coffee would be great, thank you."

Dumbledore nodded and seconds later a mug of black coffee appeared. "Remus, I haven't been your teacher for years. Please, call me Albus."

Remus took a swig of his coffee and gave a sheepish grin at the gentle chastisement. "Sorry sir. Old habits die hard I guess." Another swig. "I suppose you want a report sir?"

Dumbledore frowned at the younger man. "Remus, you need rest. Your journey must have tired you."

Remus had to admit he had been better looking. He had received an urgent call, stating he was needed back home, so he hadn't had time shaving. And the weather in Alaska, despite being summer, had taken its toll on him. And if to add insult to injury, his left leg was acting up again, hence the cane.

"No thank you sir. I would like report now while I still have it in fresh memory. After that, I would like to go home and get some sleep." Remus took another swig, emptying the mug. "I found them Albus. They had relocated a bit since last time, but I found the Alaskan werewolves."

Dumbledore nodded. He hadn't expected anything less. "That is good to hear Remus. I trust you didn't run into any troubles?"

Remus shook his head. "Not really. I had to shake off a couple of Aurors shadowing me, Fudge's orders no doubt. Unfortunately for them, they don't know the wilderness of Alaska like I do."

The corner of Albus' lips turned upside, eyes twinkling "Ah yes. I remember Madam Rosmerta telling about two very disgruntled Aurors visiting her a week ago, muttering about savage wild. Messrs. Jeremy Brown and Benjamin Robertson if I remember correctly. Other than Cornelius wasting resources that could be spend better fighting Voldemort, did you run into other problems?"

A frown of distaste crept over Lupin's face. "Not aside from having to endure the company of Lucius Malfoy. He clearly wanted to curse me. But even trying to do so would be suicide. The werewolves in Alaska are more civilized than wizards in England. No offence sir."

Dumbledore just smiled pleasantly. "None taken my dear boy." Then he frowned. "I assume Lucius was there for the same reason as you?"

Remus nodded. "He was. He tried recruiting them for Voldemort."

The Headmaster nodded. "I expected that much. Did any of you succeed?"

The werewolf shook his head. "No. There was nothing we or Voldemort could offer them. Werewolves have more rights in Alaska compared to here. And as the leaders put it, it isn't their war. And they have much more space in the wilderness and forests than we could ever dream off. Add to that, but they aren't dependant on Wolfsbane Potion to be harmless. Also, aside from the great distances to human flesh, they seem to have evolved to the point that they can satisfy the wolf's hunger and blood thirst by feeding on the local wildlife."

Despite his best efforts, Lupin couldn't keep envy from entering his voice. Dumbledore noticed, but didn't comment on it. He knew that if Lupin could have fed on the animals in the forest, his full moons would have been a lot easier.

Albus frowned a bit. "You said it would be suicide for Lucius to attempt killing you? May I ask to why?"

Remus gave another weak smile. "Probably mostly because I was a werewolf. But also because a duel would endanger the werewolves, which the leader would not tolerate."

Albus nodded his understanding. "And Greyback?"

Remus shook his head. "Haven't seen him. From what I heard, Greyback killed one of the leaders when Voldemort first rose towards power, clearly under the assumption that werewolf societies over there work the same way as they do here; meaning kill the leader and you become the new leader. He was wrong. If the leader is killed in combat, his second in command will take over. And as it turned out, the second in command turned in that pack, or clan if you will, out to be stronger than Greyback. Fenrir fled from them, barely alive. He would be killed by merely approaching their territory. The Alaskan werewolves may be more civilized, but they are not above killing."

Dumbledore nodded again. But he still had more questions to ask. "Remus… did you fight during The Red Moon War?"

The change of topic caught Remus off guard… and having been best friend with James Potter and Sirius Black and being a veteran from the last Order of the Phoenix, surprising Remus Lupin was not something you did easily. Eyes widening in surprise for the fraction of a second, Remus reliving memories he would rather forget. He didn't speak for almost two minutes, too caught up in his own thoughts and memories. And when he spoke, he had a hard time recognizing his own voice.

"Yes. Yes, I did. You know I did. I had to keep my cover while I was infiltrating the Shadow Hunter Clan."

Oh yes, Dumbledore remembered now. From the moment he joined the Order fully after graduating and till Voldemort fell, Remus had been undercover in the Shadow Hunter Clan, one of the largest werewolf clans in Britain. His initial mission had to be discover whether Fenrir Greyback was the leader or held some influence there. As it turned out, Greyback was a member of the clan, but he didn't hold any power or an influential position.

But Albus would never forget the times when Remus would report in Order meetings, having just returned or participated in one of the violent clashes between vampires and werewolves.

He never really said it out loud, but those few who knew Lupin well, could see how it affected him in his eyes. Those who knew him well could see the changes, subtle as they were. The haunted eyes of the human who had seen too much death, mixing with the bloodthirsty ones of the wolf inside. One part would be happy to live the rest of his life without ever seeing a drop of blood again while the other part couldn't wait for the next bloodbath.

Albus and the other members hated that they had to send Remus to the Shadow Hunter Clan, essentially making him fight in two wars at the same time, but as Remus himself had pointed out, they needed to know the political climate in that clan, and for that matter the rest of the clans. It was bad enough that Voldemort had a few from that clan and others in his ranks alongside those who weren't a member of any clan, but a whole clan joining the Dark Lord would have been catastrophic.

Albus sighed as he steepled his fingers in front of him, looking Lupin squarely in the eyes. "Forgive an old man for his failing memories Remus, but I need to know. I know that the fact that you are sitting here is proof enough that you ended the lives of vampires during those horrible years. But I need to know what weapons you used."

Remus could only stare at the old wizard in front of him. The topic brought alone was enough to bring back more memories he had tried his best to forget, but this new inquiry made the hairs at the back of his head stand, a terrible feeling of where this was going settling in his gut.

"A Japanese katana, a gun, a couple of swords of my own design and, in rare cases, my wand. Though I never carried any of them on the same time. Professor Dumbledore, why are you asking me these questions?"

Dumbledore sighed and was about to tell Remus what had happened, but then his fireplace lit and Madam Pomfrey's frantic voice drifted out.

"Albus, come quickly!"

Remus gave the aged Headmaster a puzzled look, but apparently Albus Dumbledore didn't have time for explaining, for in the next moment he was halfway on his way to the fireplace and in the next he vanished. Lupin, tiredness completely forgotten, hurried after his old teacher.

When he existed the fireplace and walked into the Hospital Wing, Lupin was met with a somewhat bizarre sight. All four Heads were milling around a bed; well, Flitwick was more busy summoning different things from Madam Pomfrey's office while the others was trying holding down the thrashing patient. But the thing that really made the picture bizarre was Remus' friend, Sirius Black, standing pretty much face-to-face with Severus Snape as they stood near the bed's headboard. Both of them were clearly cursing, but not at each other.

The Hospital Wing was utter chaos with several teachers and a convict around a bed while the Headmaster of Hogwarts was casting diagnostic spells while the matron was filling up a syringe with what only could be a pain reducer.

Then the voice of Severus Snape cut through the air as hot knife through butter. "As happy you undoubtly are of being back, Lupin, a little help would be appreciated."

Remus gritted his teeth. He was tired, so the last thing he needed right now was Snape being his usual charming self. But when Pomona Sprout shifted on her feet as she held the patient's left leg, Remus spotted a mop of unruly black hair. Hair that seemed terrible familiar.

'Harry? What is going on here?'

Crossing the distance in swift strides, Remus let out a gasp as he got a look of Harry, and suddenly Severus Snape trying to pick a fight with him was the last of his concerns.

Harry's face was deadly pale and covered with sweat, head moving from side to side, his eyes scrunched tightly shut, entire body thrashing despite the effort of the teachers and Sirius trying to hold him, his breath erratic and hollow. But what Remus really took notice of was that Harry was clutching his chest where his heart with one hand, even with Sirius and Snape trying to keep them along his sides, so that Pomfrey could give him the injection.

Lupin pushed Snape aside, and ignored Severus' cursing as he took a firm hold on Harry's left arm, forcing it away from his heart. Then a smell bombarded his nose. A smell that took him back to the Red Moon War. The smell of blood. Harry's blood to be precise. And yet, the scent wasn't exactly the way he remembered after shortly visiting Harry on the night of Voldemort's return. And when his fingers brushed against Harry's side, he felt something that clearly wasn't skin.

Instincts taking over and paying no heed to Madam Pomfrey protests, Remus tore the pyjamas shirt apart, baring the boy's pale chest. The bandage was wrapped tightly around Harry's midriff and abdomen, the left part red with blood. Getting more and more worried by the second, Lupin succeeded in tearing off the bandages.

What he saw made all colour drain from his face and he was completely deft to Poppy Pomfrey's shout of "MR. LUPIN!"

"No… it can't be. Why? How? No, no, no… no it can't be."

But Remus didn't need the sad looks from the Professors Sprout, McGonagall, Flitwick, Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey, the sneer from Snape or the despaired look on Sirius' face, whose expression pretty much matched the one of Remus, to know that it was as he feared.

Lupin could recognize the bite of a werewolf even in his sleep. How often had he not seen one? He himself had two. One on his left leg, just below the knee, and one on his right upper arm. Greyback had attacked on a night Remus was playing in the woods of his ancestral home, his parents hosting a party. Adrenaline pumping, Remus had tried getting to safety by running to a tree. Unfortunately, Remus hadn't been fast enough, and Greyback was successful in grabbing him by the leg with his teeth and drag pull him down. Then the werewolf had then gone for Remus' neck, but the little boy's flailing limbs had gotten in the way, resulting in bite on his arm. Remus didn't remember anything more from the incident, but his father had told him Greyback had been about to bite him again, but had retreated after receiving a shot in the back from his shotgun, some of his fathers friends been ready to aid with spells and shotguns, having been alerted by Remus' cries and screams.

But Remus remembered all to well the following pain. And he also remembered the uncertainties. But the worst pain was the one that came from knowing that all of his dreams would most likely never come true. And when he finally had something close to happiness, it was taken from him again, both times by death. First his family, then his friends. And when he was denied custody of Harry, he no longer had any reason to stay in England and in his grief and rage, he left.

It wasn't fair. Harry had been through enough already. All Harry wanted was to be normal. And now… that dream was truly gone forever. Even if… no, after… he had defeated Voldemort, Harry would still carry the inhuman burden that was lycanthropy.

He shook his head. This was not the time to remember the past or worry about the future. He needed to focus on the present.

"Could you give me some room please?"

Pomfrey looked ready to fight, but McGonagall and Dumbledore a hand on her shoulders. Albus spoke for them both. "I'm afraid that Remus' expertise exceeds yours in this area, Poppy."

She nodded her understanding, thought it was evident she didn't like it. Poppy was not used to let another person treat the students of Hogwarts. But she was also proud of Remus. She had tended to his injuries for seven years, and here he was, tending to another with his infliction.

With great difficulty, Remus put his ear to Harry's chest, listening to his breathing and blood flow while placing two fingers on the boy's throat, taking his pulse.

"His breathing is too erratic. It constantly goes from high to low. His blood is flowing too fast and his pulse is thrice what it should be."

Remus took a quick look at the bite wounds on Harry's left side, right below his ribcage. They were clearly inflamed and a bluish colour was spreading from them. Sighing, he took a firm hold of Harry's hand as he forced the teenager's eyelids open, getting a good look at the green eyes behind. He saw how Harry wanted to focus on him, but simply couldn't due to the pain. Speaking softly, he started giving out instructions.

"Pomona, could you please bring me some Murtlap Essence? It will clean the wounds and dull the pain somewhat. I need cold water and towels. Poppy, please prepare some 50 ml syringes. Severus: Please bring me some venom. Preferably from a scorpion or elapid."

Severus cocked an eyebrow slightly, wondering if the lycanthrope in front of him had lost his mind. But a soft growl from Lupin and a slight nod from Dumbledore convinced the Potions Master he would do better in getting a move on.

As Severus strode out of the Hospital Wing, he wouldn't lose dignity by running, he saw Sirius walk around the bed and grab Lupin by the shoulders. He wondered briefly what Lupin would want with the venom from the family of snakes that consisted of cobras, among others. And from the sounds of it, Sirius Black was of the same thought.

"What the hell Moony? Are you trying to poison Harry or something? Why did you…"

Snape didn't hear the rest, nor did he hear Remus' reason. Then again, he could not be held responsible for Lupin's foolishness. But he would bring an antidote, just in case.

Remus held up a hand, silencing Sirius with the gesture. It did nothing to cease the hard glare though. Looking around, the Lupin saw that Dumbledore, McGonagall and Flitwick were giving him quizzical looks. Sprout had left the moment he had asked for Murtlap Essence. Sighing, he met Sirius' gaze.

"Let go off me Sirius, and I will explain. Thank you Poppy."

Madam Pomfrey gave a weak smile as she placed the wet bowel on Harry's forehead. Then she frowned. "I might have inkling to what theory you are going to use. But the questions are how it is going to work and why."

Knowing he would have to explain it simple turns, Remus let out a sigh, doing his best to ignore Harry's thrashing and whimpers of agony.

"The werewolf virus, also called 'Lycan', sort of acts like a poison. What Harry is undergoing right now is his entire DNA code being slowly torn apart and rewritten by the Lycan virus, the virus forcing Harry's own DNA to accept it in order for it to mend." He sighed as Professor Sprout returned and smeared some of the Murtlap Essence on Harry's wounds before she moved to stand alongside the other teachers.

Glancing at the teenager, who was still moaning and whimpering in pain despite the Murtlap Essence dulling the pain from the wound, Remus continued his explanation.

"No pain relieving potion can dull the agony he is feeling right now. The virus would attack and nullify it. What I am about to show is an old trick I learned in the wild: You fight poison with poison. The magic resistance in the werewolf gene will negate any magical components in any poison we wizards brew, rendering them useless. It will attack the snake or scorpion venom, but the venom won't be negated completely. The venom will still target Harry's nerves, but it will only numb them. In other words, Harry won't be feeling the pain."

"And how exactly would you know the effects and know it will work, Lupin?"

Most in the room jumped at the voice of Snape, but Remus just turned to face him, having smelled him approach. "Because during my second week of the DNA rewrite, my parents gave me venom from a cobra. They took a gamble, acting only on the knowledge that werewolves are immune to most poisons. They were desperate to ease my pain, having already tried almost every known solution found in the Wizarding world. And seen in hindsight, chances I would have survived that dose was one-to-hundred. The dose was 100 ml. But I can thank that gamble that I can share this knowledge with you."

He was met with silence. Shaking the rueful thoughts from his head, Remus spoke again. "Poppy, if you would?"

The nurse nodded and filled the syringe with venom from the vial Snape held up, a label telling them it was from a scorpion, four X's out of five marking its concentration. With Sirius holding Harry's left arm, Poppy injected the venom. Harry continued thrashing for almost one minute, but then he stilled and his breathing became more regular. Soon after, his facial muscles relaxed and one minute later he was fast asleep, face peaceful.

Dumbledore took out his wand and with a nonchalant flick, conjured up armchairs for them to sit in, the chairs forming a circle. Remus looked ready to collapse any second, McGonagall, Sprout and Flitwick looked like they wanted to say something but didn't know if it was appropriate. Madam Pomfrey looked like she wanted to sleep then and there, Snape bore an expression of boredom and Dumbledore looked like age had finally caught up with him. And Sirius… he looked like he wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. Cry because of what happened to Harry, and laugh because that despite everything, Harry was still alive. He didn't know what he would have done had Harry died.

But regardless of how tired he was, Remus still wanted to know one thing. "How could this have happened in the first place?"

Dumbledore met the eyes of the tired younger man, recognizing the tone of his voice. It was the voice that spoke of dejection and acceptance. As devastated he must be to hear that Harry now would become a werewolf, Remus had accepted it, taking the important step towards moving on.

"I'm still looking into it, but I have a small theory." The old wizard hesitated upon seeing Remus' slight nod, pondering how to proceed. But he also knew that they needed answers to a few more questions. "Remus, I know this must be hard on you, but Harry was brought here by one who claims to be a friend of yours. A certain Nethan Lysandiran."

Remus' head snapped up. "Nethan? Nethan brought him here?"

Snape cocked an eyebrow in surprise, but otherwise his face remained the same. He had thought the vampire was pulling their legs. Sirius frowned. "So you really know the guy?" Remus just gave a nod, and Sirius grew a bit impatient, much like he did when they were students and Remus wouldn't give them the answer to their homework "So who is the guy? How do you know him?"

Remus sighed and rubbed his eyes. God, he really wished to go home and sleep, wake up and find out this was one heck of a bad nightmare.

"How I met Nethan is a long history, Padfoot. One I would rather tell another time. Who he is? Nethan is a very powerful vampire and heir to the Lysandiran Coven." He glanced at Dumbledore. "But I haven't seen or been in contact with Nethan since I left England thirteen years ago."

Snape furrowed his brow, but didn't comment on it. "So you have heard nothing about the impending war between vampires and your kin?"

Severus was met with disapproving looks from the rest of the gathered, well more like a menacing glare from Sirius, but he only focused on Lupin, gauging his reaction. He too was frowning, but his frown clearly was one of deep contemplation. Then the werewolf shook his head, a tired sigh escaping his lips.

"I have heard nothing about that, Severus. Who should I have heard it from? It is too soon for them to be thinking along those lines."

He was met with frowns by the rest of the wizards and witches. Dumbledore spoke. "Too soon?"

Remus nodded. "The agreement made in 1981 was not a peace agreement. It was more like a truce. Till the autumn of 1996, there was not to be any fighting. During that time, the Clan Leaders and Coven Heads were to negotiate a permanent peace agreement." He locked eyes with Dumbledore and spoke with a voice that belied his exhaustion. "Professor Dumbledore, what about Harry? Where will he go for the rest of the summer? Will he stay here at Hogwarts?"

Dumbledore let out a weary breath. He knew this would come up sooner or later. Exchanging looks with the other staff and Sirius, he knew he had to be the one telling Remus.

"No, he will not. No student has ever stayed during the summer, and I don't think it would be wise. There is no telling how much Cornelius could complicate things should he or one of his employees spot Harry."

Snape snorted and McGonagall's nostrils flared dangerously. They had heard about the latest stunt Fudge was trying to pull, and unfortunately, close to getting through, Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two, stating that if the headmaster of Hogwarts was unable to find a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry had power to appoint one, without the headmaster's consent. Rumour had it that the candidate Fudge would appoint was his own Senior Undersecretary, Dolores Jane Umbridge. It was a known fact she hated half-breeds. Having her and a werewolf on Hogwarts grounds was the same as begging for trouble. Well, that was the reason for McGonagall's reaction.

Snape's was one of disdain and disgust of Fudge's idea of what a spy was. A spy had to be cunning in order to keep his cover, convincing whoever he was spying on that he was loyal to him and not the one he was working for. One that had officially appointed by a top figure and could openly spy with a safety net should he or she screw up, was not a spy. In short, Severus considered Fudge's idea of a spy a joke. And a bad one at that.

Remus gave the Headmaster a small frown. "I take it you aren't Harry sending back to the Dursley's? It wouldn't be safe for either of them."

Albus nodded. "No, not the Dursley's. Yesterday, Minerva and Severus visited the Dursley's to explain the situation. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley signed the papers for a guardianship transfer of young Harry. Too willingly, I must say."

Remus almost snorted. He had met Lily's sister and her husband once and so he knew of their hatred of magic. Not that he hadn't heard his share from Lily and later on Harry. And after hearing a story about Dudley and a pig's tail from Hagrid, he could easily imagine the expression of the Dursley's finding Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape on their doorstep. Combine that with their hatred of magic, Remus was sure it hadn't taken too much convincing. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair, ready to get some shut-eye right there.

"I guess Arthur and Molly are his news guardians then?" No one answered right away. Opening an eye slightly, he looked at Dumbledore. "Why do I get the feeling I'm missing something here?"

Dumbledore remained silent, but Professor McGonagall knew that Remus needed to hear the truth as it was, and he needed to hear it now.

"Remus, Arthur and Molly can't become the guardians of Mr. Potter. They would love it and he would love it, but where would he go when he transforms? He can't go to the Shrieking Shack, seeing how the Minister has ordered an investigation of it for Merlin knows what reason. And he can't spend the summer here either. And none in the Order can look after a child, much less a werewolf… except for one: You."

Eyes flowing wide open, Lupin met the gaze of his former Head of House. "M- Me? But I can't raise a child, nor can I raise a teenager. "

Sirius smiled weakly. "Prongs and Lily-Flower believed you could. And let's face it Moony, the only reason Lily agreed to me becoming Harry's godfather as easily as she did was because she knew you couldn't be the official one, but that you would be there to correct my mistakes. Also, we both know that I would be more of the fun-uncle-friend type of guardian. I wouldn't be able to tell Harry off when he gets too cheeky or screw up."

Professor Sprout nodded. "You were the most popular teacher among my Hufflepuffs. You have no idea how many of younger ones wished their parents was like you."

Minerva nodded too. "That goes for mine Gryffindors too. And Harry looks up to you, Remus."

Professor Flitwick smiled. "And the Rawenclaws back you up as well. You will make a good guardian for young Mr. Potter, Remus. And I must disagree with you when you say you can't look after and raise a teenager. You raised yourself when you were around the same age as Mr. Potter."

Remus felt the pang of grief, but he ignored it. He needed to keep his mind on the here and now. And he could see two things the others had overlooked.

"Am I at least correct in assuming that we want to keep Harry's lycanthropy a secret for now?" They nodded. "Then you seem to be forgetting something: A werewolf can't become a guardian of a none-werewolf. Also, we have to take this to a court. And the laws clearly states that…"

Dumbledore thought he better interrupt. "It says that no werewolf is allowed to adopt a child. However, it also says that a werewolf can become a guardian of a child that is fourteen years or older. The only requirement is twenty recommendations by wizards who have come of age and a monthly check-up by an authorized healer. Remus, the rest of us has already thought long and hard about this. The entire staff on Hogwarts and all Order members has already signed the recommendations." Albus raised his hand to stop Remus from interrupting him. "And I have just come up with a solution to his transformations. As we mentioned earlier, he can't go to the Shrieking Shack. Harry will go to your home under the alibi of tending to you after your transformation. According to the rules of this school, a student can go home for a couple of days helping a family member, should said member request it. It was rules made when Hogwarts was founded which makes them older than the Ministry. And as such, the Ministry can't change it."

Remus nodded absently. He remembered that rule considering it was what he had based his excuses on when he was a student. There was still one major problem though.

"You all know I would love to be Harry's guardian. But I can't provide a home for him. My cottage barely have the space for the cage I lock myself in. And that cage is barely big enough to my wolf form. Having two werewolves transform there… it's impossible. And I only have one 'escape route' for Harry; a fire place that is too close to the basement where I transform. I could find another place for my transformations, but that would lead to questions none of us want to answer."

There was a silence as they let Remus' words sink in. Then, a pained look crossed Sirius' face anew. He knew his idea was not going to be well received by Remus, but it was their only choice. And from the looks of it, Albus was having the same thoughts. Sighing, Sirius spoke up.

"Lupin Hall. Lupin Hall is big enough."

Lupin turned his head so fast he heard his neck give a crack, eyes wide. "What? What did you say Sirius?"

Albus smiled, twinkle absent. "I believe Sirius meant is that you can move into Lupin Hall with Harry. And he is right… with its grounds, it certainly is big enough." Dumbledore hesitated, seeing the warring emotions on the younger man's face. Emotions that he couldn't quite suppress and conceal like he done for so many years. Grief, anger, betrayal. "Remus, I know you don't like it. None of us do. And we wouldn't ask you to move back into Lupin Hall with Harry under other circumstances. But you must realize it's the best choice we have."

Remus couldn't believe it was happening. His ancestral home held some of the best and worst of his memories. He didn't like having to move in, but for Harry, he would do it. There was just one little thing.

"What about safety measures? We can't put my ancestral home under the Fidelius Charm. My ancestors and the Ministry's laws concerning werewolves and other dark creatures prevent that. And I have no blood wards. Lupin Hall can't provide the protection Harry needs. And I can't be there all the time."

A grim look passed over Sirius face. "You are right. Harry won't be having the same kind of protection he once had. But I all too clearly remember the five guard dogs of Lupin Hall. They are more than enough to ensure Harry can escape should need be. Remus, you are Harry's best hope for surviving this mess."

Remus was silent. He already knew that. And it was not that he didn't want to be the guardian of Harry. It was more that…

His musings was cut short by the sneer of Severus Snape. "It would seem Lupin is still unwilling. I can only conclude that he doesn't care as much for Potter that he claims."

The temperature seemed to drop several degrees and if looks could kill, Remus would most likely win a staring contest with the Basilisk rotting in the Chamber of Secrets many feet below them. And his voice was completely devoid of its usual warmth and patience

"How dare you. I love that boy like if he was my own son. I would give up my life for him in a heartbeat." Still glaring daggers at Snape, Remus addressed the rest of the gathered. "Bring Harry's belongings to Lupin Hall. I will get a room ready for him."

Remus and started walking towards the door while Dumbledore quietly instructed a house-elf to fetch Remus' cane and bag. "Remus… thank you."

Remus nodded stiffly and thanked the Hogwarts house-elf seconds later when it handed him his cane and bag. "No need for thanking me, Professor Dumbledore. I have dreamed of getting custody of Harry for a long time. But I'm doing this for Harry, and Harry alone. Poppy, till you clear him, Harry is going to need a dose on 100 ml. of that venom every six hours. Now, I must go. I need to prepare for Harry moving in with me in Lupin Hall."

Dumbledore nodded. Still, there was one thing he needed to know. A thing of great importance. Not just for himself, but for the rest of the staff on Hogwarts and its students.

"Remus, I know you are tired and just want to go home and get some deserved rest. And I encourage it. But I… no, we need to know: If it comes to a war between vampires and werewolves, are the students of Hogwarts in any danger?"

Remus was silent as he surveyed the teachers, the Hogwarts nurse and his childhood friend. All of them were holding their breath, their faces grave. He pondered the question for almost one minute, wondering how to answer.

"No… not directly. The vampires and werewolves don't consider the students of Hogwarts a threat. Also, infiltrating or storming the castle will be too much of a headache to them." All of them gave relieved sighs and Remus hated ruining the moment, but they needed to know. "I must warn you, however. The Forbidden Forest has been a battlefield for vampires and werewolves in the past. It's very likely it will become one again. Goodbye Professors, Madam Pomfrey, Sirius. I will see you around."

With that he left, not stopping till he stepped out on the grounds. Glancing up, he felt the drizzle hitting his face, mixing with his tears. He felt like a complete arse. He didn't cry because he didn't want to be Harry's guardian. Hell no, having custody of Harry had been his dream for the last fourteen years. The dream that had kept him going all those years. He cried because his dream was becoming true at a too high of a cost. Way too high. In his dream, he got custody of a child Harry and would watch him grow up. He would watch him grow from a child that crawled into his bed because of a nightmare or come to him when he had scraped his knee, to a young teenager hitting puberty that would come to him concerning advices and such about his first crush.

His dream wasn't getting custody of a teenage Harry who had been bitten by a werewolf. He still loved him like a son and would give his life for him. And Remus would give up the custody and dream coming true in a heartbeat if it meant Harry wouldn't have to bear the burden that was lycanthropy.

The other reason to his tears was because he was scared. Not scared of dying or anything of that sort. No, he was scared for failing Harry. Failing him as a guardian. Despite the reassurances and votes of confidences from his former teachers and colleagues and his friend, he wasn't sure if he was fit to being Harry's guardian.

He looked up again as he stepped outside the gates of Hogwarts. The drizzle had turned into a steady rain, but when he looked at the horizon and smelled the air, he could tell that it would soon clear up. The weather matched his mood and thoughts quite well. Things seemed gloomy and impossible right now, but they would get better.

End chapter two.

AN:

Took some time to write, but I think it turned out quite well. To address two things that you might want to scold me for

1) Yes, Lupin will have an estate or manor in this story. But it won't be a big flashy one and he won't be rich like, say the Malfoy, Blacks or Potters. Making Remus rich would ruin him as a character.

2) Remus' reluctance to accept stems from his childhood insecurities and his self-doubt. Not because he didn't want to be Harry's guardian. Plus he doubted they had thought the plan through.

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