Chapter Four—Of Old Wizards and Ginger Girls

They arrived back at Remus's cottage. Remus, as the personal aide of Mr. Hardin, lived in the caretakers house at the edge of the estate.

Harry put the sleeping owl in his room, taking out some of the supplies Remus had gotten to take care of the pet and using them as the directions said to.

He put his other new things in his room also, not really put away as he had too much on his mind, but in the corner just sitting under the windowsill.

Remus was waiting for him at the little table in kitchen nook, sipping a glass of water.

Harry sat across from him in the only other chair at the table.

"So—"

"I—"

They both started at the same time. Harry blushing and fell silent, but Remus urged him on. "Continue, what were you going to say?" He asked kindly.

Harry was quiet another moment. "I heard some...I heard some things today after I got my wand."

Remus immediately looked worried.

"What exactly did you hear?" He asked cautiously.

"There were two women talking and...well they said someone named Albus was looking for me. And they also said—" He broke off uncomfortably, his eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape.

"What did they say Harry?" Remus prompted gently, bringing him back to look at Remus face to face.

"They said they hoped he didn't find me," the emotion he was trying to hide leaked through his voice as that one statement said it all.

There was a long moment where they just stared at each other, before with a gentle shake of his head, Remus seemed to regain his bearings.

"Ah," he sighed, sitting further back in his chair.

"I should have told you Harry...but I was really hoping that maybe some perceptions had changed in the past few years and I didn't want to make you upset about it." He ran a hand through his hair looking exceptionally stressed.

Harry waited for him to continue.

"The wizarding world can be very judgmental about certain things. We did just fight a war over it after all." He added bitterly. "The sad part is that both sides are just as judge-mental as the other, just in different ways. Looking for different traits I guess. Sometimes I wonder what it was we were even fighting for. We won...and yet, nothing changed."

"But I thought you said that Voldemort was the wrong side and that—" Harry started, alarmed had the implication.

"I did Harry. And that is still very true. But the world is not black and white. And while Voldemort and his followers are certainly wrong, the other side...well they have their flaws too."

"They don't kill people too do they?" Harry asked, wondering what kind of world this was exactly.

"No—they aren't like Voldemort." Remus paused, trying to determine how to explain.

"The other side, well most of the wizarding world really, fear things they don't understand. I suppose that statement can actually go for the entire human race." He said with a small chuckle.

Regaining a somber expression he continued, "If there's one thing no one understood, it was how you survived."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "And that makes many people afraid of what power they think you might have," he continued gently.

Harry looked up, a hope lighting his face, "But I don't have any power. I'm just me. Just Harry! If I can show them that, then they'll understand and—"

Remus laid a hand on his arm, quieting him with one sympathetic glance, "I'm sorry Harry. But I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. This is a burden you'll probably have to carry your whole life in the wizarding world. You aren't just Harry, your special—powers aside you are, and I know you're going to do great things, just from knowing you this short amount of time...and I do hope with all my heart, that the wizarding world changes, maybe you'll be the one to finally do it."

Harry smiled at him shyly, amazed by the confidence this man showed in him that no one had ever expressed before.

"Who's looking for me?" Harry asked after a moment, surprised by the truth that there was indeed a search party for him.

"Many I suppose, but at the head of it—Albus Dumbledore."

"Albus Dumbledore?" Harry repeated, his eyebrows raising as he looked at Remus worriedly.

"He's the headmaster at Hogwarts, has been since—oh well since before even your parents and I went there. I need to write to him today to tell him you're with me," Remus added, looking slightly guilty. A look that did not go un-noticed by Harry who with a slightly raised eyebrow prompted him to go on.

"I've..well I've been stalling telling him. I was worried they'd take you away." Remus said softly, as if afraid speaking any louder would make it true.

"But why would—" Harry's question was interrupted by a knock from the door, one that seemed to echo in the quiet cottage.

Remus looked curiously, if a bit alarmed at the entrance. "Hardins away today on business...I sent him those files..." He muttered to himself as he rose to answer it, the puzzled expression still on his face.

When he opened it, he was facing away from Harry, so that Harry could not see Remus's face or the person at the door.

"H-Headmaster, what—what brings you here?" He asked, his tone polite after his initial shock.

An elderly, grandfatherly if patronizing voice sounded back in a soft tone, "Nothing pleasant I'm afraid Remus. And call me Albus dear boy, you are after all not in school anymore," he added with a soft chuckle. Gracefully stepping past Remus as if the former had warmly invited him inside.

Remus turned, still looking stunned by the event of the past minute. He began to open his mouth to speak but was beaten to it by the old man, "You see Remus, we have a great problem on our hands I'm afraid. Harry Potter has gone missing you see. It seems the boy had a...misunderstanding with his caretakers.

"You understand I'm sure how important it is we find him?" Albus said, peering at Remus intently over his half moon spectacles, blue eyes shimmering.

"Of course. In fact Albus I—"

Albus placed a hand on his shoulder, "I knew I would be able to count on you Remus. That is why I came to you. You are after-all the best person to aide me in a search for Lily and James's son." He said, in a voice just a little too sincere to be so.

Remus who had looked down at the floor looked up then, some anger in his brown eyes making them look a little harder then their soft tones normally lent.

"I'm guessing it is because I was the best choice that you are just now coming to me after he has been missing for months?" He asked, a bit of an edge in his voice.

Albus looked slightly surprised, but recovered quickly although some of his grandfatherly aura had left to take on a sharper edge as well.

"I wasn't aware you still kept up with the wizarding world my friend," he replied lightly, just a little too lightly.

"I have my contacts." Remus said, his tone guarded.

They stood in the foyer, facing each other a moment but saying nothing.

Dumbledore turned slightly then, his eyes straying to the hall that showed a straight view into the kitchen and breakfast nook.

His eyes landed directly on Harry and he gave Remus an unamused smile, "Well now Remus, it seems you have been busy, haven't you?"

Remus followed his gaze, balking and looking uncomfortable. "I have been meaning to write you, in fact I was just about to—" He began his tone much meeker than the edge it had had before.

Albus however had already began to make his way into the nook.

"Why you have caused quite a search Mr. Potter," he said.

"Sorry sir," Harry replied, unsure of how to respond. He looked to Remus for guidance but his face was completely blank, giving away nothing.

Dumbledore took a seat across from him, conjuring a chair so Remus could sit in the other.

"That's alright my dear boy. All that matter is that you are here now." He said, the grandfatherly smile re-appearing. "And at least now that we have found you, we can call of the search." At that he sent a glance at Remus who didn't meet his eyes, before smiling at Harry again.

Harry smiled back meekly, the act appearing very forced and fooling no one. Dumbledore however, if he sensed Harry's discomfort, gave no outward implication of it.

He pulled a small, purple, velvet bag out of his rich blue cloak that was covered in detailed goal embroidery. Dumbledore's eccentric but luxurious wardrobe was even more highlighted in comparison by Remus's shaggy, plain, field mouse brown muggle attire, that had several layers of patchers where the material had worn thin.

He reached into the little bag pulling out yellow candies. "Lemon Pop?" He asked, kindly enough.

Harry looked at the candy, remembering all the times Dudley had gotten them and he never had. He had always wanted to try them.

But something, some instinct deep down inside him was alarmed by them. And so, looking the headmaster in the eye, he replied politely, "No thank you, sir."

Something seemed to flicker in those blue eyes as he put the candy away then, taking one for himself that seemed, only to the most perceptive eye, slightly smaller than some of the others.

He put the bag back into his cloak, his lips forming a thin line.

"Are you excited about Hogwarts Harry? I can call you Harry can't I?" He asked, seeming genuinely interested.

"Yes, sir." Harry replied truthfully. He was excited, perhaps also scared, and already missing Remus, but certainly excited.

Dumbledore nodded, still not acknowledging Remus at all, but Remus seemed content, for the moment, to let that be as he sat silently watching the exchange.

"I'm sure I speak for all the staff when I say we are all excited at Hogwarts to have Lily and James's son enter our doors." He said jovially, neither he nor Remus missing the way Harry's face lit up and his demeanor warmed towards the old man the minute he mentioned his parents.

Harry was too overjoyed to find someone who not only knew his parents, but apparently liked them, to even consider any ulterior motives anymore.

"You knew my parents?" He asked, his previous distrust he had felt edging over him towards the headmaster, completely forgotten upon the discovery that this man had been in league somehow with his mother and father.

"Knew them? Well of course Harry, they came to Hogwarts just like you will! Fine students both of them." Dumbledore went on, something like triumph gleaming in his eyes.

With only the eagerness an orphan could possess, he pressed for details. "Really? What subjects did they like?" He asked.

Dumbledore faltered there, hesitating ever so slightly as he seemed to try to think of an explanation.

Remus cut in, quietly, finally looking up from the table to meet Harry's eyes a little sadly.

"James loved transfiguration, it always came easily to him. Lily on the other hand, was tremendously gifted in charms, but a good hand at potions too. Then again they were both good students all around." He said, his voice low and soft compared to the dramatic flares in Dumbledore's speech.

"Yes, why I remember Horace, the potion's master back in those days, telling me that your mother..." Dumbledore started quickly, trying to bring Harry's attention back to him.

But unfortunately for Albus the spell had ended as quickly as it had come, and the automatic euphoria Harry had always felt upon hearing about his parents, had begun to evaporate until he was calm enough to remember where he was, who's side he was on, and that he could sense that were indeed sides.

He looked across the table, meeting Remus's eyes, and felt an understanding. This man hadn't really cared about his parents, and Harry suspected he didn't care about him—Remus though, Remus did.

Dumbledore finally noticed he had lost his audience and he cleared his throat, letting them sit in silence for a few moments.

"With the term starting so soon, we can wait to sort out this...complication...with your guardians next year." He said causally, as if they had already discussed it and the matter was finalized.

"What?" Harry asked, his head snapping back from where he had been looking out of the window.

"Your aunt and uncle—next summer of course you'll be returning." Dumbledore stated.

Remus looked between the two of them a little worriedly, "Albus, actually from what Harry's told me, I think it would be best—"

"I'm staying with Remus." Harry interrupted, as if he hadn't even heard the aforementioned speak.

He was looking straight at Dumbledore and both men stared at him a little stunned by his forcefulness when he was usually so timid and respectful.

Remus however hid his prideful smile while Albus froze, clearly unhappy with the display of rebellion.

Harry, realizing what he had done blushed and looked down, his shoulders slumping slightly as if he was trying to decompress inwards and disappear.

"I mean...that is if he'll take me..." Harry looked nervously and uncertainly at Remus, who nodded, letting some of his smile leak through.

Albus however didn't seem as pleased.

"I'm afraid that won't do Harry. You see there is powerful magic involved with your residence with your aunt and uncle. A protection of sorts." He explained, the grandfatherly, patient tone seeming more strained.

Harry, finding another spurt of boldness from Remus's acceptance, objected, "What does their protection matter if they're..." he trailed off, not yet bold enough to disclose what had happened at his aunt and uncles even though he had said enough over the weeks that Remus had guessed most of it.

And Albus, peeking through Petunia and Vernon's memory, knew all of it.

Harry regained his composure. "I like it much better here sir," he said stiffly. "And I think, that I'm safer with a fully grown wizard here that can take care of me then them anyway. We can always put some wards up..." Harry suggested hopefully, drawing from the little he had read in some of Remus's spare books.

"Actually," Remus began, "I was thinking we could spend summers and holidays in Potter Manor, it is Harry's after all and it's wards are equal to Hogwarts. Maybe even better—if I may be so bold." He added, watching the displeasure grow on Albus's face.

Harry turned to Remus, curiously but Remus just gave him a look that promised to explain later.

"I don't think that would be a wise arrangement..." Albus began.

"I think it would be great sir!" Harry added, enthusiastically, the wild hope he had been building of getting to stay with Remus growing even more.

"I was named second to...him...in their will after all, as a guardian for Harry. Petunia and Vernon weren't even on the list," Remus said, a little accusingly.

Albus sighed, not used to working this hard when persuading others to follow his plan.

He looked at the two intently before turning solely to Harry.

"The...you see Harry—" Albus started hesitantly, ready to play his final hand. "—Remus isn't fit I'm afraid to be your caretaker." The blood seemed to drain from Remus's face, he looked at Albus with a mixture of shock and betrayal.

He watched Harry's guarded expression, looking for any change. "You see Harry, Remus is a werewolf." He let the statement hang, waiting for the fear.

"And as such, he is no situation to handle a child. It is impossible for someone like him. I'm afraid it's just too dangerous." He continued, still waiting to see the reaction.

Harry however just kept looking at him, glancing at Remus to see his head ducked as he looked down ashamed.

"I—I don't know anything about werewolves sir." Harry began, and Dumbledore smiled ever so slightly, already anticipating his victory.

Remus looked even more dejected.

"But I do know Remus. And I don't really care what he is—I'd like to stay with him." He finished, resolutely and determined.

Dumbledore looked a little stunned for a split second before he regained his composure.

Remus too looked stunned, but a smile grew across his who face that made him look ten years younger, as if he was the age he actually was.

Albus rose then, vanishing the chair he had conjured.

"We will discuss this at a later time," he announced, a little abruptly before giving each of them a brief nod and leaving before anything else could be said.

Remus looked over at Harry seriously, "There's a lot we need to talk about. A lot I need to tell you. I was going to tell you about...my condition."

"Do you trust Headmaster Dumbledore?" Harry asked suddenly.

Remus looked surprised by the turn of the conversation. "Well...I mean...he is a great headmaster, and he...he changed my life by giving me a chance to go to school, no other headmaster would have..." Remus answered, looking very shaken by the question.

"He's—he's a good man," Remus added, as if trying to convince himself.

"Okay. But do you trust him?" Harry asked again.

Remus didn't say anything for a long time as he thought. When he finally answered it was in a quiet voice, "I—I used to."

OoOoOo

The air was crisp, as if autumn had already come as they walked towards the train station. Remus looked over at Harry, taking in his tight expression.

He laughed a little, "Relax Harry, you'll love Hogwarts...I know I did." He said trying to reassure the boy who had been shifting between anxiety and fear about the trip the entire morning.

Harry gave Remus a small and unconvincing smile.

They reached the platform soon enough, Harry still wearing some glamours that Remus had cast so that they would fade away in the next hour.

Remus just didn't want Harry's appearance causing a scene at the platform and giving Harry a rough start, he would look like himself again by the time they reached the school.

They ran through the barrier, having arrived far earlier than they needed to, the platform was empty, not yet filled with the families it would be in the next hour.

It had been best they got there early, enough knew about Remus's lycanthropy that it would cause a problem for him to be seen dropping a child off.

They got his trunk loaded and Harry looked at him uncertainly as he stepped onto the train.

"You'll be fine Harry," Remus repeated.

"I know...you'll write to me won't you?" He asked.

"Of course. And don't forget to take some pictures with that camera. It's a good time to make memories at Hogwarts, you'll want to remember that...when you're older." Remus added, a nostalgic look in his eye that for once, wasn't so overwhelmed with sadness.

Harry nodded looking down at his camera they had gotten in Diagon Alley, it was a magical one although it looked just like an old fashioned muggle camera.

"I will...and Remus—thanks, for everything." Harry said sincerely.

Remus pulled him into a brief hug, discretely wiping away from tears and chuckling a bit at the thought of what James would say if he knew what a softie he had become. The jokes he and Sirius...he shied away from that thought, his mind used to shunting ones like it away.

"It was no problem," he told Harry.

They shared one last smile and another round of goodbyes before Remus left as the first families started to arrive.

Harry finally went to sit down in a compartment. He chose one in the back even though they were all empty.

It was an hour later, when the last minute scramblers were climbing on as the train began to leave that he saw her.

She was the prettiest girl he thought he had ever seen, even though she must have been younger than him with her tiny stature. Her red hair was so bright, catching in the sunlight enough to light the whole station.

As he watched her run after the train as if doing so would make it stop, he wondered who it was that she cared so much about on the train that made her run after it like that.

He briefly let himself fantasize that it was him, he wished who wanted to stay with him that badly. But thinking of Remus he felt a bit better, remembering that at least now, he did have someone.

But quickly acting before she disappeared as the train began to speed up, he took Remus's advice and snapped a picture of her. Deciding he desperately wanted the image of her running after it to keep, frozen forever so that he would never forget it.

Reviews are like chocolate candies, each one is great but you always want more. Unlike Dumbledore's lemon pops, those things are just down right suspicious!