AN. I just realised that I didn't put a Disclaimer in the last chapter. So here it is: I don't own any of the characters or themes in this story. This Disclaimer is for the whole story and I won't bother putting any more in the story.

Thanx to all the people who reviewed. It's nice to know that people read this stuff. I would!

Runaway

Chapter 2

Remus looked at the dark windows as they passed them and tried to remember why he was walking down Knockturn Alley. Oh, that's right; Sirius had convinced him to come, saying he needed something to take his mind off Harry. t wasn't helping. It was four days since the 15-year-old had run away, and, looking at all the dark alleys and syringes lying around, he was getting more worried by the second.

Sirius had asked him to come and help him find an unsticking charm for his mother portrait. They walked past dingy bars, tattoo parlours and dark arts shops. Remus felt sick when he saw a werewolf hide in a shop window. He wanted to get out of here. Soon.

'Sirius, how much further is it?' Lupin muttered.

'Oh, not too far, in fact it's just over …' but he trailed off, eyes wide.

 Remus followed his gaze and gasped at what he saw.

'HARRY!?' he yelped.

Harry was slumped against the narrow alley wall. His body was bent over like it was too painful to sit up. His clothes were ripped and his body was covered in bruises and dry blood. As he turned to face them they saw his face was layered in ash and dirt. His eyes were red and bleary from drinking. When he saw them his face filled with fear.

'Oh. My. God.' said Sirius.

Harry suddenly flashed them a dazzling grin before apparating away with a slight 'pop'.

Sirius stood for a moment before saying (rather stupidly), 'I didn't know Harry could apparate.'

Lupin just started, dumbfounded.

~~~~~~

The living room at number twelve, Grimmauld Place was busy as usual. Everyone was sitting around the large dining table when Sirius and Lupin appeared in the middle of the table. The conversation stopped abruptly.

'Oh, you're back so soon!' said Mrs Weasley, and then, after a moments thought added,' You didn't find Harry did you?'

Sirius shuffled his feet slightly and muttered,

'Well…yeah...sort of…' before going back to staring at the floor.

'What do you mean, 'sort of'?' said Ron angrily, 'Did you or not?'

'Yes, we did.' said Remus and proceeded to tell them about the brief meeting.

By the end Mrs Weasley and Hermione were crying. Arthur went over to comfort his wife by saying,

'Don't worry Molly, Harry will be back soon.'

But Harry didn't come back, till two years later.