Disclaimer : bast4 does not own Harry or his world, they're JK Rowlings'.

A/N : Well, I didn't take as long to update as last time...

Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews.

This version is unbetaed.

Guardian

by bast4

Chapter 8 – Fight and Flight

"Reducto!"

"Protego."

"Thanks, Remus." Sirius quickly said between spells, his companion's shield charm protecting him and his precious burden from a rather nasty dark curse.

"Not for you, for Harry." The werewolf automatically replied, his amber eyes darting between the group of dark cloaked wizards following them and the road ahead. A corner of his mind not full of spells and fear and determination whispered a prayer in thanks that the streets they ran through were blissfully quiet of Muggles. If there were to be any casualties today, they would be of the hunting Death Eaters, not innocents. Spotting an alley entrance, he quickly muttered a spell and with a twist threw it back at the enemy. A small ball of blue light darted toward them before bursting into a sudden blinding flare of white, bringing curses of vulgarity as the hunters staggered half-blind.

Using the temporary advantage, Sirius threw a trio of quick-fire stunning spells before following his old friend into the alley. He focused on keeping his footing as they dashed around and over dumpsters and piles of debris. A fall would not be allowed; he wouldn't let Harry be hurt any further. The animagus could feel a few small patches of warm wetness seeping though his shirt, his godson's blood making him inwardly cringe. Oh Merlin, had he ever messed up as badly as this before? He didn't think so, not even when he hadn't been paying enough attention in that raid and turned to find James half-buried under rubble from the falling ceiling. Oh by the gods, he couldn't lose Harry too. Blue-gray eyes glanced down to the child in his arms, still far too light despite the food they're been eating. Harry was pale, his green eyes half closed as he panted softly for air, the little brow furrowed with pain as each step jarred him. The boy must have felt his guardian's worried gaze, for dazed emerald eyes met his and a little grin of attempted reassurance was given. Sirius held his godson a bit closer and increased his pace, determination filling him. This wonderful child whose love he didn't deserve but somehow had was depending on him, and by Merlin he wouldn't fail him again.

The pair of wizards and their living treasure swept out of the alley and into yet another street, thankfully free of moving vehicles and having only a few Muggles walking about. They dashed down the sidewalk, earning startled gazes and a few bits of thrown profanity as they almost collided with a pedestrian or three. A shout behind them made both glance back in time to cast a shield, the blood-letting curse bouncing off into a store wall. Emerald eyes squeezed shut as the fighting continued.

--- scene break ---

"Damnit!"

Albus spared a startled glance at his associate, one eyebrow twitching upward as he listened to a flow of muttered profanity. Well, she had good reason to be upset. The day was not going well.

First, he discovered that his favorite pair of wool socks, the ones with red and green stripes and little men made of marshmallow dancing about, were so worn that mending spells could no longer save them. Then an owl had arrived from that incompetent fool of a Minister, asking for advice. Honestly, he ran a school, plus his responsibilities as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and other concerns. Did the man really think he had nothing better to do with his time than answer his inane questions? Oh did he ever hope Fudge wasn't re-elected, he really hoped so. Then Severus had come up to rant about some prank that had been pulled, which turned into an age-old tirade about the Marauders. While he loved the boy like a son, couldn't he let go of that grudge? Then, as things finally started to calm down and he could actually work on some of the paperwork that seemed to grow every time he looked away (Albus suspected that some of the reports were mating like dust bunnies and seeking to bury him), Minerva had burst in with a lead on Potter and Black. And now here he was, on some quiet street in a Welsh town, trying to trace where the newly-returned Death Eaters and their prey had disappeared to. At least Remus's house had not been set ablaze as well.

Minerva ended her bout of profanity with a soft snort, tugging her cloak a bit closer to her. It was a rather chilly morning, and she was starting to miss her feline fur coat. Noting that Albus was still working on the tracer at the open back gate, she let her eyes cast over the small garden patch that one of her favorite students had made of his backyard. Some of the plants were trampled from their tender's sudden flight, and spell burns marked the sturdy fence walls. The back door was a pile of splinters and shards, which she chose to turn her attention to. A few flicks and murmurs later, a new door stood proudly in place. There was no need to Remus to be robbed of possessions as well as his peaceful little life here. Perhaps he would come back here once things had calmed.

"Found it." Albus stated in triumph, his deputy immediately at his side. "This way." The pair dashed off, following the magic trails of the ongoing battle.

--- scene break ---

"Moony - "

"I told you not to call me that, traitor."

"Okay, okay. Sorry. Forgot."

A moment's silence. Then Remus broke it. "What did you want to say?"

"Do you know any good healing spells? Just something to help stop the bleeding until we get to this healer friend of yours." Blue-gray eyes looked down at the boy in his lap, not liking the shivering and pallor. "And maybe something to help with the pain."

Amber eyes glanced to the man sitting next to him, then followed his gaze to the small boy curled in his protective grasp. Remus bit his bottom lip nervously, then looked toward the entrance of the half-built building there were in. They had taken refuge in this construction site, slipping into one of the structures for a few moments rest and regrouping. He could hear their hunters searching them somewhere to the south, but they weren't near enough to warrant ending their respite. With a sigh, the werewolf knelt down and leaned toward the injured boy in his once-friend's arms. "I know a few that can be used on a child. It will only buy us a bit of time, though. We need to get him safe."

A nod from Sirius came in return as he gently brushed black bangs from half-closed green eyes.

The familiar scene twisted something in the werewolf's heart and drew forth old memories. So many times Remus had witnessed this all those years ago in the nursery at the Potters' home. Little Harry falling asleep after a morning of fun or a day of exploration, and his dear godfather with a small caring smile on his face as he watched the baby slip into slumber. It hurt, for all that had been destroyed. Or had it? Pushing aside his wandering thoughts, Remus reached forward to move aside Harry's clothes, needing a better idea of what he was trying to heal.

Only quick reflexes and a little corner of his mind with clanging alarm bells allowed Remus to jerk his hand back in time. A snake clamped it's fangs down right where his fingers had been a second ago before drawing back, coiling up around the child's arm again. The red-dotted head bopped slightly, gold eyes staring into startled amber.

"Shit, I forgot about her." Sirius cursed, also startled by the sudden reappearance of the serpent. Noticing his friend's - well, ex-friend, he supposed - confused look, he explained, "This is Eveilyn, Harry's snake. He's a Parseltongue, among other things." Turning his attention back to the boy in his arms, Sirius quietly spoke, "Harry, you awake still?"

A weak nod came in response.

"Remus is a friend of your dad's and mine. He wants to cast a few spells that will help you feel better." The animagus watched green eyes drift from his to the man kneeling before them, focus struggling to the fore amidst the pain. "But Eveilyn doesn't know him. I promise you, he only wants to help you. He's safe."

Both men waited as emerald eyes studied the amber-eyed wizard. Then that intense gaze turned back to Sirius. A soft voice asked, "He's the wolf?"

Ignoring his companion's sharp intake of breath, Sirius nodded, "Yes, he can turn into a wolf. He can't control it like I can, though."

Harry nodded slightly, then hissed something to the protective serpent. The black head turned to her master's face, hissing something in reply. Another strain of Parseltongue later, the Algane curled back under her master's clothes, accepting his trust of the stranger. With a small apologetic smile, Harry started to reassure Remus that Eveilyn would behave herself when he stiffened, emerald eyes growing wide with fear.

Realizing that Harry was looking at something behind him, Remus whirled around, his wand shifting. Foolish Remus, there's still enemies about. How did he miss -

"Crucio!"

--- scene break ---

"Where are they?!"

"If you'll give me a moment, dear, I'll find out."

"Damnit, we're taking too long."

"Patience, Minerva. We'll find them." Albus's wand flicked and twirled, tracing the magical signatures left from the flurry of battle spells. He winced at a particularly nasty entrails-eating curse, hoping that the werewolf and fugitive had managed to avoid that one. Now, which way did this tangle lead? Was it down the street to the east or over -

A tortured pain-filed scream made him lose the delicate web of magic. But it was no longer needed. The sound of a person under the Cruciatus was unforgettable. With a glance, the pair sprinted into the construction site across the street. Shortly after setting foot on the dirt, the scream was cut short and a crash came from their left. A matter of seconds later, a pair of men burst out of a doorway, one carrying a child in one arm and shooting curses back as the other staggered forward, trying to recover from the most painful of Unforgivables.

As three other men in black robes and white masks leaped forward, the elders gathered their wits and started firing their own spells. While catching Black and retrieving Harry was important, they couldn't do that if there were Death Eaters in the way.

The battle swept over the construction site, other Death Eaters apparating in after receiving the summoning call from their comrades. Piles of lumber grew legs and started battering the black robed enemy. A stack of metal beams shot toward the Headmaster at the speed of the Hogwarts express, only to be turned into soap bubbles with a wave of the ex-Transfiguration professor's wand before a wave of stunners were shot back in turn. Partially built structures burned as a flame thrower spell half missed its mark, a pair of Death Eaters falling to the ground screaming while their associate leaped to the side. All sides were struggling to claim one small injured little boy held tight in his godfather's arm.

Coughing as he tried to clear away a lungful of smoke, Remus staggered a few steps to pause as the ground changed beneath him. He shared a startled hopeful look with an also coughing Sirius as they realized that they had stumbled out of the construction site. Making good of their fortune, the pair darted down the pavement, amber eyes looking for a street sign while blue-gray ones glanced behind where the enemy fought their old Headmaster and Transfiguration professors. While the help was appreciated, he wasn't going to give his pup up to them either.

A shout of realization and alarm called out as a lucky Death Eater who had found one of the site exits happened to spot the pair of wizards holding the prize. As a handful of the foul-minded magic users dashed out, Remus turned into an alley, hoping they could lose the hunters. The next several moments were a blur of running and shouting, of curses flying past and spells being shouted, dodging trash and hex alike. Then he staggered to a stop and stared in dismay at the looming stone wall before him. A bark of profanity told him that Sirius had also realized their predicament.

Harry suddenly found himself leaning against a wall, cold stone against his back. Blinking green eyes, he watched as Padfoot and Moony positioned themselves in front of him. Black Ones were at the entrance of the alley, shooting beams of light - magic! evil harmful magic! - at them while trying to dodge the spells thrown at their way by Harry's guardians. Padfoot yelped and staggered back a step, blood blooming like a red flower on his left sleeve. Moony grunted as he struggled to hold a wall of magic against the barrage of enemy fire. They couldn't do this! They'd be caught! If the Black Ones didn't get them, the Cat-lady he saw during the fight would instead. She'd take Padfoot away, and maybe make Moony leave too. He didn't want to be alone anymore; he wouldn't let anyone split them up. Staggering forward, he grabbed Padfoot's right arm then snagged a handful of Moony's robes. Green eyes narrowed in concentration as he reached for his power, looking for somewhere safe, take the three of them somewhere safe, pop them away just like Padfoot did them when they went to find Moony. Then the world shifted, and they were gone.

. . . to be continued . . .

I wrote this late at night, so forgive me for any mistakes in it. Let me know if any corrections need to be made.

Hope you enjoyed it.

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