Emerged From Sorrow

by yitaply

Abused, Harry is saved from Privet Drive to be placed in the magical world. Lupin,coaxed by Dumbledore, must confront his own demons in order to help Harry. Weasleys help. No bashings. rated M for language/later chap. AU plot, Canon pairin

10. Hidden Truths

Chapter: Hidden Truths

Summary: Lupin takes in an abused Harry from Privet Drive and the nine-year-old finds his first friends with the Weasleys. He is plunged into a world where he must recover and deal with the evil that Voldemort unleashed. Will love be enough? Canon pairings, added OC's, powerful Harry, age 9 trough seventh year

Summary of Edge of Darkness Series: For his entire life, Harry James Potter has been bombarded with unwavering evils...Will he succumb to the dark? or Will those who love him be the last chance to save the Boy-Who-Lived? Voldemort increases his ambitions and sets his sights on the entire world... How will Harry handle the weight of the world on his shoulders? This is a tale of a boy's struggle against all odds; while facing more danger, handling mysterious powers, and being faced with his romantic feelings for a certain beautiful girl...

A/N: Finally! Another chapter. I wish I could say that it was writer's block, mostly because that would mean that I didn't miss countless of hours of sleep, but alas no. These last couple of months I have been pretty productive in writing. I've written bits of other chapter s that will happen in the near future, researched endlessly, and spent a lot of time on getting this together, while balancing university in the process. I mean, I have a hundred and something pages written out of things to come. Thanks to everyone who takes the time out to read and review, I promise it won't take another few months to post the next chapter, please read and review and enjoy!

Disclaimer: look at first page.

The moon was slowly ascending into the horizon, the clouds' silver linings glowing as the hues darkened with grays and midnight-blues. The sun was setting, a large orb seemingly made up of a surge of rich colors hiding beneath the fields at the distance. It basked them in an orange glow that seemed to mimic their contentment. Their grins could be seen from afar, and if that wasn't enough proof of the level of enjoyment they had received from their excursion into the lake, then their sing-song voices could be seen as a tell-tale sign. All of them walked contently towards The Burrow, still giddy from their swimming day of fun.

Harry kept thinking back to what a wonderful day it had been. He was still so excited, pure contentment pumping through his veins and making it nearly impossible to stop smiling. His skin burned a bit from exposure to the sun and the others hadn't fared so well either. Mrs. Weasley had come down to bring them their lunches and she had nearly cried when she realized it had slipped her mind before letting them go; she or her husband usually placed Anti-UV Charms on them before they let their children go. Harry was walking alongside Ginny and Ron and he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude towards his youngest friend.

Ginny had held his hand, leading him in the water. Her small hand had been inside his, guiding him on where to step so that he could avoid the large craters at the bottom. Just having someone support him so much filled him with a wonderful feeling. If the Weasley boys had suspected anything Harry wasn't sure. But the boys had stayed an unusual amount time treading near the water's edge. That had lasted until Harry had gotten the hang of it and had plunged into deeper waters.

They had played for hours after that, Percy watching them until the heat had become unbearable, and to avoid severe stroke, he had grudgingly conceded to play in the water. He had been a pain in the beginning, ignoring them completely or mumbling about how they were going to fail in life by avoiding their studies. However, as soon as the twins had splashed him with a tidal wave of water, Percy had thrown a clump of mud at both of them (to their immense surprise) and had begun to laugh heartily for the first time. It was strangely bizarre that it was all it had taken to loosen Percy up, but Harry had a feeling that it wouldn't last too long.

Harry was snapped back from his thoughts by squeal from Ginny, causing the boys' attention to redirect towards The Burrow, where there was a figure outside shaking his fist and yelling at a Garden Gnome. The muscled person was pulling some sort of medallion from the creature's hands, struggling to take back his possession. The man said a string of curses before winning the struggle and swinging the creature out into a field in the distance with only one arm.

Ginny sprinted towards who Harry discovered was her older brother, screaming with glee as she leapt into his arms. "Charlie!"

"Happy to see me, Ginny?" asked a smiling Charlie Weasley, bemused at his little sister's enthusiasm.

Grinning, Ginny jumped down from his arms. "Mum told me you were coming down during breakfast this morning; she thought I'd cheer me up." she admitted as she looked up at her freckled favorite brother.

The boys greeted their brother with a half hug, half-pat on the back. Percy and Harry merely shook his rough and ashen hand. Charlie had taken Ron's advice from Christmas and was wearing a smart long-sleeve shirt that hid his tattoo. To everyone's disappointment, Mrs. Weasley had been so distracted over Harry's presence that she had yet to notice her son's form of 'artistic expression', as Charlie so nicely put it.

Harry was shaken from his observations by a collective gasp from the crowd of redheads next to him. The door was wide open, leaving only an old and battered screen door, which allowed Harry to be able to sneak a peek at what had caused such a reaction–there he spotted Dumbledore and the Weasleys, completely oblivious to their presence. Bits of Dumbledore's sentences drifted through the open door and into their awaiting ears.

"Has Harry been eating well?"

"Oh yes, I make sure of that, just ask my sons." Mrs. Weasley responded.

"Ah, I've heard all about the young Weasleys..." Dumbledore said in an amused tone, referring to the twins specifically. .

Misunderstanding, Mrs. Weasley laughed and said, "Well, our Percy he is quite a cat--"

"Oh, yes, him as well, but I was referring to the current youngest Weasleys at Hogwarts. Those boys have character indeed." Dumbledore chuckled and the twins snorted with mirth, glad that the Headmaster already knew who they were.

Mrs. Weasley sounded mortified when she fumbled over her words, "F-Fred and George! They haven't…they haven't….caused any trouble that I've yet to hear about have they?" Her voice showed her usual disapproving stance towards her sons' playful activities.

Dumbledore chuckled pleasantly again. "Molly, they aren't in any real trouble, I assure you. I am merely interested in their antics-- clever boys to the core, aren't they?"

Harry was still confused about what had caused the Weasley children to gasp, so he turned around and observed them, watching for any clues as to what they were thinking.

Percy looked faint, speaking in a whisper, "You are on first name bases with the Albus Dumbledore?!" The curly-haired redhead had grabbed Harry's shoulders and had started to shake him as if to rattle out any hidden secrets he had.

Fred and George grinned, the former motioning for his twin to creep up behind Percy.

Ginny stood, wide-eyed as she stared through the screen door with a dismayed Ron. They looked like they were afraid to breath; the mere thought of ever meeting the headmaster of one of the best schools of witchcraft and wizardry in the world was almost beyond comprehension. Harry looked around, nonplussed and wondering why meeting Dumbledore was such a big deal. He knew, all too well, how powerful Dumbledore was but he hadn't known he was that famous and revered. Truth be told, he had never given it much thought. Dumbledore was Dumbledore, a jolly older figure that packed quite a bulk of power. He seemed almost harmless on the surface--at least towards him.

"He's been here for about twenty minutes, saying he didn't want to disturb your play, Harry." Charlie said as he pulled Ginny from her supposed hiding place and tried to push her through the door while she panicked about meeting her future headmaster.

"Crack!" They all jumped at the sound of Apparation, or so they thought until they found George with two pieces of wood in his hands. The twins were on the floor, beyond themselves with laughter. Percy was a pale-white, sputtering, and sweating profusely. "It's not polite to imitate someone like the great Dumbledore you know!!!!" Percy yelled indignantly after regaining his bearings.

"We must have skipped that lesson. What do you think, George?"

"Why, brother of mine, I thoroughly agree." George said with a snicker.

Percy got off his bottom, brushing himself off and muttering about 'delinquents' under his breath.

"Come on, Ginny." Charlie grabbed Ginny and tossed her onto his shoulder.

"Wait, Charlie! I want to hear what Dumbledore's saying."

"No snooping for you, spud. We're going to take a walk and you're going to talk with your favorite brother." Charlie grinned at Ginny's scowl.

"Who said you were my favorite?" she asked, wearing a mischievous expression.

"Ah, I did!" Charlie flipped her from his shoulder, grabbing her around the waist so that they were face to face.

"Fine, Charlie. I wouldn't want to ruin your delusions." She declared with her arms crossed as he held her up.

"Ha, ha…very funny. He let her fall to her ground. "Off we go! No, ifs, ands, or buts from you."

The remaining boys watched as Ginny and Charlie made their way into the paddock, Charlie letting Ginny climb onto his shoulders. When they looked back into the common area, they realized that Dumbledore had moved to the kitchen so that he could take his tea.

"This way!" directed Fred. The boys minus Percy–he had refused to eavesdrop and had settled on the porch, knowing better than to snitch on the twins–all followed them, creeping behind the twins to arrive under an open window. Harry settled on the outer right, Ron beside him, and the twins next to him. They pressed themselves against the side of the Burrow, slowing their breathing so that they wouldn't be heard.

"Did he tell you where he was going?" they heard Dumbledore ask Mr. Weasley.

Mr. Weasley hesitated, obviously not comfortable with the question. "Not a word."

"Did Harry tell you anything?"

"No…listen Headmaster…We just don't feel that comforta--" Mrs. Weasley was interrupted by Dumbledore.

"It's alright," they could still hear the pleasant tone in the old wizard's voice. "Just curious is all!"

Harry felt proud of his friends' parents. He tuned in again to listen to them speak after hearing his name mentioned.

"Has Harry done anything peculiar?" Dumbledore inquired

"No, actually he seems great. Nice kid…it seems almost a miracle that he recovered so fast. I swear, I see those lacerations as they were when I came upon him and that flesh encrusted chain and…it's a nightmare. I can't even imagine what that could have been like." Mr. Weasley's voice had gotten shaky at the end; they could practically picture him cupping his face with his hands at some point

"I completely understand …" They heard Dumbledore say in a soothing voice. Harry stared straight ahead, wishing he could send the boys away; wanting to prevent his friends from hearing the conversation without looking like he had spun his very own web of lies.

"However, I must know, has he hurt anyone or gotten…out of control?" Dumbledore inquired carefully.

Harry sucked in his breath, his eyes growing wide. Was he really that dangerous? He stared down at his hands, wondering for the hundredth time what his mysterious power was. He started to sweat, his pulse quickening with fear. He could feel the other boys tossing glances in his direction, watching for his reaction.

All the feelings of anger rose up in Harry at once, filling him up in a tidal wave of fury. He clenched his fist, seething as even more people spoke about him as if he was just a test subject. He knew they cared for him; but there was a line to the amount of information that could be withheld from him–and they all had crossed it far too many times. He tuned in to the conversation again, wanting to hear how Mr. Weasley would respond. Hopefully the response would appease his anger a bit.

Mr. Weasley must have been taken back by the question because he didn't speak for quite some time. "Why, I couldn't even picture Harry hurting a fly! Albus--"

"No need to get riled up, Arthur. I just have well-placed concerns that are best kept secret for now. I just need you to trust me and inform me if Harry does do magic in any form. It is crucial you watch out for anything, just be sure he doesn't learn of this arrangement. We need plenty of ears with friendly faces; all we have to do is stay alert in case Harry…in case of any occurrences of the unwanted kind transpires."

Harry unclenched his fists, still quite angry, but taking comfort in the fact that he still had an ally. An ally…Well, maybe not that far, Harry thought. Dumbledore and Remus needed to learn a lesson, but they were just misguided in their attempts to protect him. They weren't enemies. Harry took a deep breath, exhaling and cooling his anger.

"Of course, I'll inform you of anything I see…shall it come to light of course…" Arthur informed the headmaster.

"Do you believe the children have finished their lovely play day yet?" Dumbledore asked.

"I suppose. It is getting fairly late. Shall we go retrieve them?" said a recovering Arthur Weasley, trying to formulate a reason as to why Dumbledore would need to know so much about Harry.

"Certainly," Dumbledore replied.

Harry got up from his place in the ground, the other boys waiting to follow his lead. He needed a place to cool his anger towards Dumbledore. He wasn't going to show him his anger just yet; he wanted to wait until he was sure that he could handle whatever truths the adults in his life were safeguarding. With that resolution in mind, Harry stomped towards the trees to his right, thinking that getting lost in the forest for just a bit wouldn't be too bad.

"We'll hold them off!" announced George when he realized what Harry's intentions were. His twin stood solidly beside him, crossing his arms and already working on a plan. They were none too happy about the Headmaster's sneaky explorations into Harry's life. And frankly, they didn't understand any of it; they didn't give a rat's arse about Harry's powers. They were interested, but not to the point that they would grill Harry for his secrets. Sure the green flames from Christmas were wicked in a brilliant way, but the Harry they had gotten to know was a friend in their book, and that was all that mattered.

Ron looked back at the twins, nodding at them before charging towards Harry and grabbing his wrist. "C'mon, Harry, this way! I know a place we can go not too far from here!!!!"

Harry looked on, perplexed as he was pulled into the forests. Large canopies were blocking out the light, allowing the trees to make intimidating shadows in the fading beams coming off from the falling sun. Ron held on tightly to his arm and ran as if escaping a flood. He then stopped so abruptly that Harry flew into his back and sent both of them crashing to the ground.

"Merlin, Harry, you didn't have to bludgeon me with your body. I was just trying to help!" Ron said, barely containing his laughter.

"Shut it, you're the one that ran me in here. I barely dodged four trees from knocking me out while you led the way!" Harry complained as he looked around and couldn't find a single reason as to why it had become the one spot Ron would stop at.

"Sorry?" Ron said in a tone that wasn't convincing at all, the corners of his mouth curving upwards. "Anyways, look over here."

Harry turned around and dusted his clothes off, watching Ron as he felt a tree trunk in front of him.

"Here it is!" Ron said happily, locating a rung of a camouflaged wooden ladder. Harry looked up and found a makeshift tree house situated on the oak's strong branches. "A tree house?" Harry gasped, never having found anything so fascinating in such boring place like Privet Drive.

"Let's go up!" Ron said excitedly. They both began to climb and landed on the wooden boards of the dirty tree house floor.

"What is this place?" Harry asked, taking a look around and finding it unbelievably spacious. "This is impossible; it didn't look that big from below." The tree house was one large fun room, ten feet long from all sides, creating a box that looked twice as big on the inside then it should have been. In a corner there was a small cot, next to that was a stack of books and magazines with figures and people on brooms sweeping around the covers. The walls were adorned with posters of moving figures, there was even a few of some women wearing swimming costumes and riding a broom. Harry passed by those quickly, blushing and making his way towards a big chest full of all sorts of things–Harry swore there were several jars of preserved toad's eyes and newts inside.

"Over here, Harry." Ron waved him over, wearing a grin. "Bill and Charlie's old stash of sweets. There are hundreds of Chocolate Frog Cards in here!"

Harry strode over, wearing a wide smile and forgetting all about the reason as to why he had escaped the grasp of the Headmaster. Ron stuffed his mouth with chocolate and picked up a nearby magazine. Harry put something called a Sugar Quill into his mouth, sifting through a bin of coins, some cards with moving pictures that Harry had first learned about at the Burrow, and some other miscellaneous objects and strange instruments.

Ron had dropped the magazine and had stuffed his mouth with some red worms that appeared to be squirming in his mouth. He bit into them, causing juice to squirt all over his face.

They both laughed, Ron's teeth covered in a layer of the neon-purple goo. Ron reached across the bed and turned on the Wizard Wireless, tuning it onto some song about a smelly wizard named Joe. They stayed for about twenty minutes, not caring for anyone to find them. The sun had set and the two young boys sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning up against the old cot and depleting their supply of candy. They found a pair of lanterns and lit them with some matches that Harry had found in the corner, next to some used up candles that he had spotted beside the bed.

Harry finally remembered to ask Ron about their current play site. "Who owns this place anyway? Seems like quite a nice hide out."

Ron chewed a Shocking Berry Nougat, causing his red hair to stand for a brief second. "Well…it was originally built for Bill. He said it was hard to live with six very young siblings and still have a social life."

Harry laughed. "I've yet to see a problem in your living situation, Ron. It's kinda fun to have someone around all the time."

"Ugghh! Are you kidding me?" Ron threw him a disgusted look, crinkling his long, freckled nose.

"What? It really isn't as bad as you make it out to be." Harry frowned and rolled his eyes, not believing that Ron could take all that he had for granted.

"Hmm…let me think…" Ron tapped his chin exaggeratedly. "The twins are usually on their own planet--"

"That's not true; they play with us all the time!" Harry stated, deepening his frown.

Raising an eyebrow, Ron continued with his explanation. "First of all, they've only been playing with us because you're here; second, I usually would be playing with Ginny…" --Ron wrinkled his nose to show his distaste to the idea of playing with his little sister--"; third, Percy is very annoying; and fourth, well… Charlie and Bill are leaving for their jobs; they'll be nothing to do if you weren't here."

"Oh, Ronald Weasley, I'm touched." Harry put his arms to his chest as if he was enamored and fluttered his eyelashes. He then burst into laughter at the glare Ron sent his way for the jest.

"Shut it, Potter!" Ron jumped him and sent both of them rolling around the tree house, delivering punches and kicks that weren't meant to do any serious damage. Harry clipped Ron in the eye (half accidental and dumb luck), while Ron kneed him in the stomach. The roughhousing ended when Ron sat on top of Harry, making it difficult for him to breathe, and the red-head declared himself the victor.

"Yah, yah, yah…I get it, you won." Cough "Cheater!" another cough "Giant cheater!" Harry laughed as Ron stopped bouncing around in his nondescript victory dance and frowned back at him.

"And how exactly did I supposedly cheat?!" Ron inquired with a cocked eyebrow.

"Your size was too big of an advantage; I should definitely get a freebie." Harry crossed his arms haughtily, intending to look genuinely unhappy about his treatment as the smaller boy.

"Hey! Maybe I'm not tall; maybe you're just too small?" Ron suggested.

Tapping his chin in mock concentration, Harry shook his head. "No, Ron, I really...I just really don't think that's it. You probably just have some weird sickness that makes you grow incredibly tall way too fast. It might be a serious danger for me." Harry said in a serious tone.

Ron would have been thrown off had it not been the smirk that had crept onto his friend's face. "Why you little…I'll show you dange--"

"KA-BLAM! SZHOOM!"

Harry and Ron ducked as the blinding light flashed through the forests. It was gone in an instant and an almost eerie silence followed. Both boys stared at each other wide-eyed, looking to see if either one of them had any clue about what had just occurred.

Ron looked at him again, his face a stark white. "Harry…that was the alarm for the wards, somebody who isn't supposed to be here just got through!"

"Come on!" Harry jumped into action, knowing it would not bode well if no one knew where he was at the time that an alarm (that had been placed solely for him) had been set off. He and Ron practically jumped down from the tree house, panic creeping into their chests like feral beasts. They both had taken the lanterns with them to light their path.

Ron took charge, seeing Harry's lost expression. "This way, opposite from the moss on the trees is The Burrow." They both began to sprint towards the house, their clothing getting torn as they brushed against sharp branches and stretched their limbs away from their bodies to avoid the lantern from getting too near.

"There's something wrong. They're never this loud when it's Bill and Dad that put them up." Ron kept running and tossed a panicked glance back at his worried green-eyed friend. "Unless…" Ron broke off.

"What?" Harry asked.

"I'm so daft! I mean we knew Dumbledore was going to get you, it all makes sense!" Ron smacked himself on the forehead.

"What makes sense?"

"Well, the night you were supposed to come to our house the first time, you never showed. Mum said that the preparations hadn't been ready in time. But that night, I thought I heard a strange male voice downstairs. And when I looked out the window, I saw four figures walking out into the forests. It had to have been him! Dumbledore, he probably came to strengthen the wards. He had to strengthen them for you... Harry, are you in danger or something?" Ron stopped and looked at him with wide blue eyes. Harry was taken aback at first.

"Harry, we mostly put wards up to keep the Muggles away, but this ward was made to seal the Burrow off almost completely."

"I don't know, Ron." Harry shifted and rubbed his neck uncomfortably, holding the lantern he had taken with him in his free hand.

Ron returned to running at a steady pace, the panic that had been caused by the alarm wearing off. "It's weird ya know…I mean sometimes I find myself thinking something like 'oh, I need to show Harry this' and then it hits me that you're Harry Potter--the Harry Potter. And it's strange because I never connect the two; it's still hard to believe that you're the same person. You know what I mean?"

Harry didn't know what to say so he stayed silent.

They had somehow lost their sense of direction because they had just suddenly reached the edge of the lake they had just swam at, near a rocky area blanketed in shadows. Suddenly, out of nowhere, they heard a rapid rustling of trees, as if someone was running. The sound seemed to be coming from all directions, bouncing off the darkness and enveloping the two boys. Harry and Ron didn't move, their fear returning at full blast.

Faster and louder, branches being turned and blasted out of the way, a faint sound that seemed to be emanating from some small approaching animal, beating footsteps echoing through the forest floor and attacking their listening ears. It kept coming and coming, faster and more desperate, the branches of the trees around them were beaten or slammed away, and finally…Harry and Ron found themselves completely surrounded. From the direction of The Burrow, stood Dumbledore and the rest of the Weasleys, all with their wands raised. In the opposite direction stood a small gray-eyed boy who had paused with terror in the middle of picking up his small dog–a yapping Pomeranian.

There was a pregnant pause in which everyone just observed the scene, and then the small seven-year-old boy ran up behind Harry and hid behind him. "Harold, what is this?" he asked in a terrified and shaky voice, directing his question towards Harry.

"Huh?" Harry did a double-take when he observed who was behind him. The boy had gray eyes and brown hair that was slicked back from his pale face. His outfit suggested a rich and wealthy income; neat trousers worn with a fancy polo and tucked in. The only thing that deterred him from that image was the fact that his clothes seemed to have been attacked by the forests itself. "Ervin?" Harry asked the small boy who had apparently recognized him.

"Obviously, now what's going on here, Harold? And what are you doing here anyway?" The small boy continued to hide behind Harry as if he was a shield, confusion evident on the features upon his face.

"That is an excellent question, my child." Dumbledore agreed, lowering his wand at last and walking towards them both. Ron had joined the twins in the corner (having found out that standing next to Dumbledore was a bit much for him) and they had been sent away along with Ginny and Percy by their parents, leaving only the Weasley adults with Dumbledore. Dumbledore crouched in front of Harry, keeping his wand behind his back in case the kid was a Muggle, and fixing his eyes on the small boy with a pleasant smile on his face. "Don't be afraid, we just need to know who you are."

Harry observed Dumbledore and scanned his face, watching with interest as he seemed to bore deeply into Ervin's eyes, and tilted his head so that his crooked nose was pointed towards the ground and his eyes peered over his half-moon spectacles.

Ervin gasped, extending a finger in accusation. "You're Albus Dumbledore!" He put his hands on the side of his head dramatically. "What on earth are you doing here? I thought Harold was a Muggle! And why is Harold here anyway?"

Dumbledore let out a sigh of relief to find out the young child wasn't a Muggle and took his wand out again, placing Harry behind him in a discreet manner–Harry was almost surprised to find himself looking at Dumbledore's back.

"I think the question that is most pertinent is who you are and how you got here." Dumbledore said gently.

Ervin picked up his pup, which had been circling his legs, and held him closely to his chest. "Well, the car stopped working right in the middle of the road, and then my pet here escaped so I ran in after it. There was this awful alarm when my father came in though."

Dumbledore's eyes darkened and the twinkling vanished, he looked closely at the pup and frowned, scanning the brush behind Ervin and muttering something under his breath. When Harry looked down at the Headmaster's hand, he saw it held two wands: a long black lacquered wand with a decorated handle, and his own familiar wand.

"Hello? Ervy, what is going on here? Where's my wand?" an upbeat male voice called from the location of the trees, where a person could be heard approaching.

"It isn't me father!" Ervin called, giving the Headmaster a frown that almost looked comical on his small, pale face.

The Weasleys kept silent in the background, watching the exchange with unbidden curiosity.

Dumbledore wasn't smiling anymore and had his eyes fixed in the direction of the intruder. A man shoved away a branch, detangling himself from on last tree that he pushed aside roughly. A lean man approached, with a long torso and a weak facial structure that gave him a ghostly presence. His son seemed to be giving off enough of an air of eminence for both of them combined. In fact, if they would have been standing next to each other, one would have assumed that Ervin's father was a poor servant. He had on an expensive dress shirt with brown trousers, torn and in a state of disarray. He had a long, thin face that held eyes as dark as coals. His features were kind and benevolent, making his eyes look almost alien upon his face, which was almost as pale as his son's. His fair, stringy hair was parted in the middle in a tidy fashion, and a goatee was groomed to perfection upon his chin.

Dumbledore gave him an unreadable look and bore deeply into the man's eyes. "Pardon me sir, but I do believe that your pup is really a rock."

Harry looked back and forth between the two, noticing how intimidating Dumbledore seemed to look by his own wand light, even though his expression was anything but hostile. Harry's lantern had been left on the floor and was illuminating the intruders in a bright glow.

Ervy let the pup fall to the ground, and Harry saw for the first time how strange and unnatural the pup really looked. Its eyes seemed unfocused, and its hair was almost too stiff and pristine. Ervy stuck out his lip and said rather rudely, "Well, I don't think it's up to you to say what my pup really is! Humph!" He crossed his arms and stomped his foot, clearly insulted with the Headmaster's assessment of his pet.

"Ervy!" his father reprimanded, "know who you're speaking to, you did trespass on this property! And I know you know what I told you: the rock is nothing but that. You know exactly why you can't have a pet, and I don't like it much either... But it was very rude of you to trespass on another wizard's property in the middle of the night, not to mention dangerous." Mr. Kippling's face showed true worry as he observed his son, passing his hands over Ervin's face to check for any abrasions.

The boy crossed his arms grumpily again, adopting a stubborn expression. "Father, I'm fine. But I've been telling you, it isn't a rock! It is a Rare Mineral Stone that just happens to be my most favorite in the entire collection!"

The man glanced at his son and smiled back at Dumbledore as if he had just remembered he was standing there, his kind face peering over at the older man as if it was a pleasant tea party affair. "Why of course we knew it was a roc-- stone! Didn't we, Ervy? I transfigured it myself!"

Ervy looked back at his father and nodded. "Yes, yes you did. You always do it when Mother is away because she doesn't like it when you do it in front of her and her friends."

"That's quite true, Ervy," noted his father.

Dumbledore broke in, "I apologize, I'd hate to interrupt, but can I receive an explanation on why you have broken through the wards. Oh, and of course, if you don't mind, tell me how you know Harold here." Harry seemed to have been placed on the spot as Dumbledore put a hand on his head and ruffled his hair.

The man had the audacity to grin at a not-very-happy Albus Dumbledore, his kind face lighting up as he put a hand on his small son's shoulder. "I sincerely apologize for my rudeness, oh where have my manners gone! The name is Robert Macbethar Kippling; this here is my son Ervin."

"Pleasure," Harry heard Dumbledore say. A pleasant smile had made a brief appearance but the twinkling in his eyes was far off from returning. I'm sure you already know who I am, but to exchange pleasantries, I go by Albus Dumbledore, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"It's an honor, Mr. Dumbledore." He extended a thin hand that Dumbledore left empty, pretending he hadn't noticed. Robert let his hand drop with only a barely visible frown, his kind and good-natured face still beaming considerably. "Funny situation really, we were just into town and had decided on a ride into the countryside when our car broke down--Muggle devices cannot be too trustworthy I'm afraid."

Harry heard Arthur release a throaty sound of adamant disagreement which was muffled by a cough made by Mrs. Weasley, meant to mask her husband's interruption. Charlie held in a laugh, his face going red as he tried to hold it in. Ervy didn't seem very happy as his eyes kept darting from everyone in the clearing, resting on Harry most of the time as if somehow it was his entire fault.

Robert sent another pleasant smile at his audience and continued. "Then, as my son explained, just as I was about to produce water and cool down the car, the 'pup' escaped into the forest here and my son goes in after it. Naturally, I followed, setting off the wards. And I think my son can explain why he knows Harold."

Ervy looked at Harry for help.

"I met Ervin at a Muggle toy store on Christmas. He was with his mother then." Harry explained hastily as all eyes turned on him.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore declared, looking pleased with the explanations.

Finally the Weasleys felt it was time for them to show themselves, Mrs. Weasley approaching with her usual motherly concern directed towards Ervy and his destroyed clothing. "Dear, would you and your father liked to come inside with us and get cleaned up?"

Ervy looked her up and down and smiled at her, his father, however, shook his head immediately. "I sincerely regret that we must decline your invitation, we must be getting home."

Mrs. Weasley nodded her head politely and Dumbledore didn't say a word, which Harry suspected was because he wouldn't have allowed them to stay anyway, although he still wore a kind smile that imitated Mr. Kippling's.

"It was a great coincidence to meet you again, Harold. Say hello to your father for me." Ervy came up in front of Harry and shook his hand; his small hand had such a weak grip that Harry almost chuckled, especially because of how distinguished he seemed in the way he carried himself and in the manner in which he spoke.

"Great coincidence it was." Harry agreed. Ervy seemed to be waiting for something so Harry added, "By the way, Remus Lupin isn't my father," in order to break the awkward silence.

Ervy smiled a toothy smile and looked back at his father, who moved his head in the supposed direction of their vehicle.

"It was nice to meet you, mam." Ervy said to Mrs. Weasley, causing her to beam back at him in adoration. The boy gave a polite nod towards everyone else as his father went up to Dumbledore and collected his wand. There seemed to be a silent exchange between the two men as Dumbledore handed over the confiscated wand, the lighted wand tip causing Mr. Kippling's eyes to look even darker. Mr. Kippling turned mechanically and followed his son out of the property, disappearing into the dark, uninviting trees.

When Dumbledore was pleased with the amount of distance between Harry and the intruders, he turned back towards the green-eyed boy and asked in a serious voice, "Are you ready to go? It's a very pleasant evening and I wish to enjoy it in the familiarity of the castle. There are many marvelous constellations out on this night; I have many a plans to take advantage of them." Harry immediately felt uneasy with the imploring look he was receiving from the old wizard.

"Molly, Arthur, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore nodded at each of them in farewell and continued to keep Harry behind him, making it impossible for the young boy to wear off the feeling that he was in major trouble.

"Well…have a good night, Harry, Albus." Arthur looked at Harry and back at Dumbledore with a mild curiosity before he turned away.

"Goodnight, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Charlie." Harry heard himself say. His voice felt strange and foreign to his ears because he kept hearing his pulse beat at an unbelievably quick pace; a familiar fear creeping into his system.

Charlie nodded at Dumbledore and gave Harry a reassuring smile that truly revealed why he was Ginny's favorite. Charlie seemed to be able to connect with younger people on their levels without even speaking a word, a gift that he might have gotten from his mum.
"Be sure to eat again, Harry dear, those sandwiches I brought out this afternoon could hardly be enough."

"I will, Mrs. Weasley, thanks for having me these last couple of days."

"Oh, dear, you're no trouble at all! If you ask me, Ronald, Fred, and George are going to be in big trouble when I get back to them. The twins told us you boys were playing hide-and-seek and prevented us from locating you immediately!"

"Please don't blame them, it's my fault! I went into the forest and I would have gotten lost had Ron not followed me." Harry chanced a glance back at Dumbledore, who was off to the side and waiting for Harry to be ready to go.

"And what made you feel you had to run from us, dear?"

Harry blanched and didn't answer, not wanting her to know they had all been eavesdropping.

At his silence, Mrs. Weasley frowned briefly and patted his shoulder in an affectionate manner. "We're always here for you if you ever need to talk, Harry."

"I know…thanks." Harry watched her go and reluctantly turned to face a patiently awaiting Albus Dumbledore, who handed him a Portkey without a word and held onto it as they were transported to the Headmaster's office. As Harry was considering what to say to Dumbledore about why he had ran away, the very man in question broke through his thoughts in his usual kind voice.

"Do you care for a sherbet lemon, Harry?" The Headmaster held out a tin of the sweets at him.

Harry nicked one near the top, dropping it into his mouth. "Thank you, sir."

"You are quite welcome, Harry. These are certainly delightful, aren't they?"

Harry sucked on his drop, enjoying the sugar. He never did have many sweets growing up. "I like it." Harry decided as he bit into the candy and it shattered in his mouth, effervescent sherbet powder bursting out and mixing with the lemon flavor. When Harry had relaxed enough, he looked over at the Headmaster.

Dumbledore looked calm and collected as he watched Harry from over his half-moon spectacles. "Let's go for a stroll, Harry." Dumbledore stood and was half way to the door when Harry finally caught up with what he had said.

I'm not in trouble? How is that possible? Shouldn't he be yelling? Is Dumbledore even capable of yelling? Harry followed a humming Dumbledore in a daze, too surprised to even be aware of his surroundings. Several scenarios were playing themselves out inside his head: he was being lead to the dungeons to be locked up; he was being abandoned in the Forbidden Forests Hagrid had once told him about to get eaten by beasts; he was being shipped back to the Dursleys and kicked out of the wizarding world. As the ideas popped into his head, they were discarded by a simple benign glance from the old wizard as they glided towards their destination.

For the second time in his life, Harry completely forgot to actually get a good look at the castle. So when he ended up in the Dining Hall, Harry's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. The sight of the constellations above the dining tables shed artificial beams of glowing light towards the majestic scene below; making the room appear like it was floating. Large oak tables were lined in four long, tidy rows atop a spotlessly polished marble floor. At the head of the hall, past the pristine tapestries that lined the stone walls, was a long head table that faced the rest of the hall; a large chair that closely resembled a throne was centered right in the middle. "Amazing!" was all Harry got out as Dumbledore grinned back at him.

"Splendid isn't it?" Dumbledore walked forward towards the head table and motioned for Harry to sit next to him.

Harry did as he was told and felt strange as he sat in such a large chair that overlooked the entire hall; it gave him a certain feel of power.

"Tuck in, Harry." Dumbledore waved his hand over the top of the table and many food laden dishes magically appeared.

Harry looked down at the top of the oak table and saw steaming pork pies, overstuffed Cornish pasties, finely cooked roast lamb, mash, and baked beans. The aroma wafted through his nostrils and sent his taste buds into overdrive, causing his mouth to water immediately with anticipation.

The Headmaster was already done loading his plate before Harry even realized he had been invited to do the same. Harry mimicked the Headmaster, loading his plate with a generous helping of everything. Dumbledore swung his very long beard over his shoulder and waited for Harry before he indulged in the excellent supper.

After taking a bite, Harry exclaimed, "This is delicious!" He shoveled more food into his mouth, suddenly feeling very hungry.

"I'm glad you find it as delightful as I do." Dumbledore beamed and returned to eating, his eyes twinkling.

They finished their meals in relative silence, the only light coming from the sparkling ceiling above. After they were both satisfied with their portions, they leaned back in their seats, watching the plates disappear into thin air.

Harry was about to ask about Hagrid when Dumbledore broke through the comfortable silence first.

"The staff of this castle sits at this very same oak table for every meal, watching over the students that usually file into this dinning hall. Their plates are filled and their bellies fed. I must say, however, that the most interesting part of the meal is to simply watch feuds be sprung, friendships developed, and lifetime bonds sparked. We watch endless droves of children enter the school through those iron gates outside and it becomes our sole responsibility to care for their safety. Sometimes they peer over at this table and think that we are unseeing, but we see everything, take count of their presence, and prepare perfectly constructed systems built to ensure that every person feels as safe as possible within these warded walls of the castle. Our system relies on the simple fact that our charges trust us and believe in the plans we have created that may ensure their ongoing survival. I don't intend to assume the post of one who will make the most appealing choice for all involved, but in the long run, I need the students' trust as much as they need my protection. Do you understand why I need the students' trust, Harry?"

Harry gulped, knowing exactly what Dumbledore was referring to. He suddenly felt incredibly guilty for the worry he must have caused the adults when the wards at The Burrow had been penetrated. He still thought that he had a right to know why Dumbledore wanted to keep so much from him, but disappearing had been completely irrational on his part. "I understand completely, sir." Harry answered, his eyes looking into the old wizard's light-blues.

"I knew you would, Harry. Now follow me, there is the most perfect location in the castle in which to view the constellations and I wish to show them to you." Dumbledore stood from his chair, his eccentric royal blue robe adorned with yellow stars straightening out on his long torso. Harry stared off at the magical ceiling of the Great Hall as he followed Dumbledore, who was walking at quite an energetic pace and humming the same tune from before. Harry was left wondering how it would feel to return in a year and finally be a normal student as he followed the silvery-haired wizard, that he had yet to figure out fully.

It was a bright afternoon and Harry had woken up from his usual cot in the corner of Dumbledore's office, finding it odd that he had no idea where Dumbledore slept or where he was every morning before he appeared out of the blue from out of nowhere. And like usual, Harry had hoped that today would be his day to explore the castle properly. However, like every other time, Dumbledore had miraculously stopped him from the task without Harry realizing until later. And his current thoughts indicated that he was currently experiencing his 'later'.

Harry had been led to a huge lake surrounded by towering cliffs that displayed a breath-taking landscape. Yet, he had yet to see why the old eccentric wizard had led him there, while engaging him in conversation on the way. And still Harry hadn't gotten a good view of the castle and the grounds.

"This here is called the Black Lake." Dumbledore told Harry as they stood right on the edge.

"What are we doing here?" Harry asked, staring into the dark depths of the water and the tiny ripples that broke through the surface.

"You will find that there lies more than plant life in the depths of this body of water, Harry."
Suddenly, off a boulder that rested just on the shore, Dumbledore jumped into the Black Lake, robe and all, calling out to Harry. "Aren't you curious about it, my dear boy?"

Harry stood near the water's edge trying whether to discern if the Headmaster had gone crazy. "Curious of what exactly?"

Dumbledore beamed at him, his long silvery hair floating beside him. "I assure you, I'm not entirely an old coot. Approach a bit more and we might just see a most wondrous creature emerge. Don't be alarmed, its presence is far worse than its temperament."

"Err...closer?" Harry stared cautiously at the water, waiting for some kind of monster to emerge and swallow up the unprotected Headmaster before attacking him from his spot on the edge.

"I assure you, I can guarantee your safety." Dumbledore smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling. The old wizard reclined in the water, making a few deliberate back strokes with surprising agility. "Do you trust me?" he asked with his eyebrows raised, his eyes still twinkling.

Harry watched the water with apprehension, gulped, and climbed onto the same rock Dumbledore had jumped off, his trainers filling with water as he steadied himself on the top of the large rock.

"Watch closely, Harry." Dumbledore watched the young boy as the creature began to emerge.

Something poked through the surface, followed by what seemed like dozen other disruptions to the top of the lake, creating tiny ripples that grew wider and wider. Harry looked on as the breaks started to increase and a huge dark shadow approached the surface in a languid pulling motion. Getting to his knees, Harry reached a hand out to touch the surface of the water, just as the shadow continued to grow larger and take on a more defined shape.

The animal stopped its approach when a stern voice nearly made Harry lose his balance.

"Headmaster! What are you doing? With a child, no, Harry Potter in a very large lake in the middle of the summer afternoon."

Harry jumped off from the rock and practically ran to where he had first stood as if he had just been reprimanded. As he looked up at the pursed lips and piercing eyes of one Minerva McGonagall, he realized that he had done absolutely nothing wrong.

Dumbledore positively grinned. "Ah, Minerva, what are you doing here during your supposed holiday?" The Headmaster got out of the water, drying his clothes without even glancing down, and waving his wand at Harry's soaked trainers.

Harry's trainers steamed and warmed up so quickly that he almost kicked them right off. He would have made a scene had he not seen Dumbledore's robes do the same as soon as he had looked up.

McGonagall pursed he lips even more, intensifying her stern expression with a further raise of her eyebrows over her beady eyes. "I saw fit to return for some tomes I had forgotten in my haste."

"Splendid! And you decided to investigate the mysterious person wading through the lake, when we know very well that only six faculty members hold residential status here on the grounds during Holidays- - and that none of them seem the type at all to have a jolly old time with the terrestrial giant creature we have seemed fit to deem, oh so creatively, 'The Giant Squid'? "

"Yes, I suppose that evaluation is quite correct, Albus. Perhaps Mr. Potter can go inside and observe the exceptional armors in the entrance hall?" She pulled her wand out and waved it around without uttering a single word--which Harry found odd--and a paper plane materialized and hovered four feet above the ground as if waiting for something. "Mr. Potter, I trust you to follow this straight to where it leads."

"Excellent idea, my dear colleague." Dumbledore agreed, turning towards Harry, who had caught on and had already given a small bow to the Head of House before making it to the large doors that Dumbledore had swung open with his wand when they had exited.

"Was there anything else you wished to discuss, Minerva?" Dumbledore asked kindly, his eyes twinkling with his familiar spirit.

McGonagall arched an eyebrow at him, her lips tightly pruned. "Albus, I see fit to caution you over favoritism. Mr. Potter's social and school life will be difficult enough with his fame, let alone throwing in something else for the student population to badger him for."

"I apologize, Minerva. I don't intend to show any favoritism at all. I understand the pressures involved with adolescents. I was simply supervising him for a period of time whilst the Weasleys had a prior appointment that they saw wise to exclude Harry from."

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Exclude him?"

"A close neighbor, and a dear friend of the Weasley family, has lost their life in a most unfortunate potion accident. The young woman had her child in the room when it happened, and the child was a friend of the Weasley's youngest."

"That is most terrible news." McGonagall said, her set features wavering for a second. "Is it the Lovegoods, Albus?" she asked carefully and in a measured tone.

"I am most sorry to say that it was. Terrible tragedy, I'm afraid." Dumbledore bowed his head briefly to express that his condolences went out to the family.

Minerva McGonagall sternly observed the Headmaster, her eyes lowering off to the ground as she entertained a sad thought. "It is true; I doubt greatly that seeing another child lose a parent would be wise for young Harry Potter." She shuddered and a sad expression overcame her usually stern demeanor. "There are things, I myself, wish to never have seen." She turned and walked away, a somber expression that almost looked uncharacteristic had befallen her face.

I n the meantime…just outside Hogwarts' grounds.

Bruce downed a large flask of something from the inside pocket of his worn vest.

"What is that?"

Bruster looked away uncomfortably.

Fixing him with a hard look, Remus repeated himself more forcefully. "Bruce, what is that?"

Bruce tossed him the bottle, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

Remus sniffed the contents. "Cheering potion?"

"None of you concern, wolf. Leave it the feck alone, will ya?!"

Exhaling out of resignation, the younger man treaded on. "Certainly, rogue," Remus mumbled under his breath.

The rogue responded with a very rude hand gesture.

"How mature…" Remus scoffed, before side-stepping to avoid a curse Bruce had sent towards him from behind his back. "Hope you don't run out of those then… it might be the only thing making you decent company."

"Shove off, Remus. Change of pace is all."

Remus stopped, concern written on his face. "Bruce, if bringing you near Harry is a mistake, I need to know. Are you ready for it?"

Bruce turned around, leaning against a tree. He looked at Remus with a bit of doubt on his face. "It's taking a bit longer this time, Remus" Bruce admitted, deciding to be honest.

"Damn it, Bruce!" Remus said in an exasperated voice, running a hand through his hair. "We've done tutoring jobs before!"

"True…I don't know… this time took more out of me. Took me months to just get back to where I am now."

"Why is it harder this time?" questioned Remus, hoping it wasn't for the reason he thought.

"Ah, that's easy, Remus. Doesn't mean you'll get to know though, pity really. But then, in me ol' teaching days, I was quite addicted back then to Cheering and Calming draughts as well. I just did better to hide it from ya or at least to be a wee bit more discreet! My doses have had to increase recently, which makes this so much more difficult."

The werewolf sighed, looking at Bruce in the eye. "Do you think you can be…civil?"

Bruster laughed at the absurdity of the question had it been asked to any other 'normal' person, however, in his case it was quite necessary. "I'll manage, Remus. I give ya my word that I can stay in control.

Dumb ledore turned towards the gates, sensing two visitors approaching. He made his way to unlock them, pulling out the proper keys from the inside of his robes.

Just as Dumbledore was about to turn the key that would unlock the gates, Harry came running out of the front doors, his face flushed red, and a suit of armor running after him. He sprinted as fast as he could, making a zigzag pattern in the grass.

Chuckling at the young boy, Dumbledore shook his head and mumbled something about 'youth' while he unlocked the gates to let two men in.

"Uncle Moony, Help!!!!" Harry called in the distance, running at amazing speeds.

"Remus," Dumbledore greeted before he turned to the taller gruff-looking man and smiled warmly, "and who, may I ask, you are my dear fellow?"

Remembering his manners, Remus cleared his throat. "This is an acquaintance of mine, Bruce Lorcan. He helped me out of a few rough patches years ago. We've been sort of business partners over the last few years when work is scarce."

"Ah, I see." Dumbledore extended his hand and Bruster shook it. "Pleasure."

"Oh, pleasures all mine. It's not everyday someone meets a great wizard like yourself." Bruster complimented.

"Flattery will get you no where, Mr. Lorcan." Dumbledore grinned and added, "Except for in my good graces."

"If you gentlemen excuse me, I have a bit of rescuing to do." Remus walked briskly over to Harry, his wand clutched and ready in his hand.

"Is that Harry Potter?" Bruce asked Dumbledore.

Eyes scanning Bruce's face, Dumbledore hid his surprise; instead he inconspicuously pushed at Bruce's enforced mental barriers.

Bruce's eyes darkened, but he kept a smile of a certain level of smugness as Dumbledore pretended that he hadn't just failed in his intrusion. "Well, Mr. Lorcan, I believe our security has been breached if you know about Harry. So I'm assuming Remus told you everything without my authorization."

Playing with his wand, Bruce twirled the instrument between his fingers and continued to smile back at Dumbledore. "You have hit the mark."

"Excellent." Dumbledore replied, his eyes twinkling as they continued to watch Remus banish the Chameleon Ghoul from the suit of armor. Creatures like that sometimes were able to breech the wards over the holidays because the magic wasn't reinforced so regularly for petty entities. "You have many willing to keep your secrets Mr. Lorcan; even I could not get to them."

Violet eyes seemed to sparkle in the sunlight, as Bruce let out a throaty chuckle, before he said pleasantly, "I value me friends, Mr. Dumbledore…and I like me secrets well-hidden, as ya yourself have discovered."

"You will find, Mr. Lorcan, that I not only guard…secrets, I have a few of my very own that I think rival yours in quality."

"That is most unfair, Mr. Dumbledore," scoffed Bruce with a smile. "Ya do have about a century on me, and please note that my age will make no difference in finding out my true identity."

"I knew that already." Dumbledore admitted with a benign smile. "According to all Muggle and wizarding records, you don't exist, except for the part that your last name appears to be well-known and revered in most texts." The older wizard seemed to collect his thoughts and consider Bruce for a second for his test. "I have also found some school records that spiked my interest in your name."

"I'm flattered, Mr. Dumbledore." Bruce said as his body stiffened and his eyes darkened even more.

Pleased with Bruce's response, the Headmaster continued. "Well…you must know that by all rights you do not exist in any world. In fact, when I came upon your last name, I found that the last person to carry the 'Lorcan' surname could have been your great-grandfather by what I've seen today. It is as if someone erased your identity and those of your relatives and made you…shall we say…Invisible." Dumbledore smiled as Bruster frowned at hearing the last word.

Bruce sighed. "I admit, good sir, ya have quite excellent methods at yer disposal. And since I value my friends, I assume we were spied on?" Bruce wasn't hostile, his question was said so matter-of-factly and well-oiled that it rivaled the headmaster's own smoothness.

Dumbledore patted the younger man on the shoulder to show that it was all in the best of interest of Harry. "Even you should understand what's at stake here. But my source was only able to hear up to the point where you placed the ward on the booth."

"So ya didn't indulge in our conversation?"

"Goodness, no! I would do no such thing, as I am not a spy! My situation just requires careful research before I decide to place my trust on anyone. I know your last name Mr. Lorcan, and I have taken a liking to you. Just know that I have available methods ready in case you cross my trust. You will also find, most unpleasantly I'm afraid, that my influence can reach quite far." Dumbledore was still smiling as he watched Remus levitate the empty suit of armor back into the Great Hall while Harry watched with curiosity.

"Most impressive ya are, Mr. Dumbledore. I do hope that we can continue with this most pleasant relation." Bruce grinned as he realized that Dumbledore had never intended to succeed in his metal attack, it has simply been a preview of power. Perhaps a warning of sorts, aimed to show just what type of flame Bruce would be playing with would he get out of line.

"That is all we can hope for, Mr. Lorcan." Dumbledore nodded at the younger man just as Remus approached with Harry at his side.

Harry had been told to wait outside Dumbledore's office while Remus, Dumbledore, and the stranger talked. He felt exceptionally grumpy with his current situation. Considering that he had just had the daylights scared out of him by a supposedly harmless Chameleon ghoul, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that he was not up for the continued secrets that a stranger was now being allowed to hear. Noting from the amount of protections placed on the door to keep him from listening, Harry assumed it was important, as he sat on the top step of the twirling staircase.

"Bruster? What kind of name is that anyway?" he mumbled to the walls as he dragged his finger across the stone in circular motion and spoke to himself. He had been briefly introduced to the tall man by Dumbledore, and he hadn't missed the surprise on Remus' face for the way Dumbledore had taken charge. It was almost as if Dumbledore was making a point out of introducing Remus' friend, and Harry didn't think it was a very friendly way of doing so either.

Bruce Lorcan had stiffened as he had observed him and had stared deeply into his eyes, as if he pictured someone else staring back at him. The man had frowned deeply as he looked up towards Harry's scar unseeingly. Wasn't it the most obvious scar in the world? And Remus had also briefly ruffled his hair before heading out to meet the other two, so his hair hadn't been covering the blemish that was for sure. But why did he not see it at first before he seemed to gaze right through it with his mysterious violet irises of his? Harry was so confused over those little actions that it just worsened his mood; only a miracle could lift his current spirits.

If it had been a good day, Harry would have almost liked Bruce. Bruster was tall, muscled, and spoke in an Irish accent that carried the air of a well-educated man. He did seem like a wild spirit that was not too different from Bill Weasley; only wilder in the way his violet eyes seemed to convey all of his emotions. Bruce seemed powerful in an obvious kind of way. The clothing Bruce had thrown on seemed so worn that Harry suspected he lived in the forest, and his well-toned body seemed to suggest the fact as well. Harry had to admit that the man was older than Remus only by the way his face seemed wiser and all-knowing, but he didn't see any obvious age lines. His hair rivaled Harry's own in its wildness but the shade was off and seemed less straight than his own.

What bothered Harry the most wasn't the way that Bruce had looked at him as if he saw another person standing there, it was the fact that Bruce's name was all he had been offered. He had no idea where Bruce had come from, why he was there, or who he really was. Yet, the man seemed to know a lot about him and had even addressed him like they were already friends. "And how are ya, Harry? I believe I have just been given clearance to see you." Dumbledore and Remus had frowned at the statement.

It was strange that Bruce had seemed to know what he had just been thinking, even while his violet eyes had been busy looking upwards as he poured a flask of something down his throat. Harry had been saved from answering when Remus coughed and Dumbledore suggested they talk in his office. To add to that, Bruce was the only one to say anything besides 'just wait outside'. The tall rough-looking man had given him a friendly smile that had been almost contagious before apologizing for leaving him out and promising he would be his confidant and try to convince his guardian to tell him what they would speak of.

Slumping where he was, Harry realized he was being a complete idiot in regards to the newcomer. In fact, Bruce seemed like the kindest person he had ever met, surprisingly astute with what Harry was feeling. He blew out a breath and resolved that he was being rather unfair in misplacing his frustrations on a stranger. He had to do better than that he decided as the adults exited the office and beamed back at him.

Remus watched as Bruce closed the door to the office and said something he couldn't hear to the young boy. Dumbledore smiled and his eyes twinkled as he observed the rogue and waited for the two men to be seated in front of him. His hand glided over the instruments on his desks and set them to one side. He grabbed the two parchments that held very important news.

"What is this about, Albus?" inquired Remus with his eyebrows raised as he observed the two parchments.

"I have found Potter Manor." Dumbledore announced bluntly. He waited patiently for it to sink in.

"Where is it?" It was Bruce who spoke for Remus, who was still in a mild state of blatant shock.

"The house and its wards have currently disguised itself as the mansion house of Carnell in Scotland. In the midst of failing wards, it has convinced a poor Muggle fellow that he owns it. However, the poor fellow currently believes that he is receiving Euros for the supposed rentals and is the victim of a Confundus Hex administered by the houses' ancient wards. Only the wards have administered the hex simply to mask the fact that it can no longer disappear from the map without a proper master. The poor Muggle hasn't received any proper currency in about a decade and he is convinced he has an incurable gambling problem. That said…the wards are still strong enough to be nearly impossible to be breeched by a wizard that may pose a threat."

"So, you think Carnell is really Potter Manor?" Remus said, excitement making its way into his chest. He would now be able to offer Harry a proper home where he would be protected.

"Oh, yes, I am positive of it." Dumbledore stated confidently.

Bruce frowned and decided to address what the Headmaster seemed to be making circles around. "If I know a thing or two about wards and ancient homes, it is that it is going to be very tricky to get near that place. Our best chance is to use Harry directly."

"Oh, yes, you are quite right. And there lies the complicated part. The house may have defenses that can be hazardous and the magic is getting so worn and erratic that it may confuse Harry for an intruder and do him harm." Dumbledore sighed and glanced back at Remus.

"Is this the only possible place that can be safe enough for him?" Remus asked with his spirits sunken as he wondered why everything had to be so complicated in his life.

"Harry needs the manor's protections. The basic protections were originally built-in the 16th century to protect its line. For centuries, the distinguished Potters have all added a bit of their own magic; essentially creating one of the most complex, impenetrable, and strongest wards of its time. Once Harry is in, the wards can be his best chance for survival."

"Why did James and Lily go to Godric's Hollow then?" Remus inquired with doubt etched in the lines on his face.

"Because a home that large is harder to protect and the location was too well known at the time to place a Fidelus on it. Voldemort could easily breech any home at the height of his powers and their best bet was a Fidelus Charm, which is much more efficient with a smaller living quarters. To add to that… it's difficult to keep a close eye on yer family if yer home is too large and spacious," supplied Bruce.

"Enough said…" Remus nodded his head and combed a hand through his gray-speckled hair. "Let's say we go through with this, what type of harm can come of it?"

"The house's wards will automatically close and get hostile if they sense magic being done in a certain parameter. On the positive side for us, it has only a brief scope at a time; a few miles around a space at a time before it shifts. Even a simple 'Lumos' can reactivate the masking charm and make the house impenetrable and impossible to see by our eyes. We could walk right through the house without feeling as if we had step foot in anything but grass or forest. Also, once we get near enough without being sensed, we need enough power to perform the necessary Claim spells. We must convince the wards that we are its master and that Harry is the rightful heir, which would be difficult because Harry is not of age and because the house's magical foundations might me so old and in need of renewal that it confuses Harry for an imposter and does him…harm." Dumbledore spoke carefully, wanting the two men to understand the peril Harry could be put in.

"And the trigger, what is it for the Potter line?" Bruce asked smartly, glancing at Remus because they already knew the answer.

Dumbledore peer

ed over at Bruce with new found doubt. "I haven't the slightest idea. It could be a certain type of mana it will look for in Harry, or it could simply test him for his endurance."

Bruce and Remus frowned at the same time, not exactly sure if to believe that Dumbledore knew nothing of the Elemental magic. "This has very risky scenarios that could be leading the lad into grave danger." Bruce voiced gently.

"I concur, but in a few days time, I think I will have the wards well-researched enough to approach the manor and reclaim it for our own use." Dumbledore stated with his kind face set in a serious expression, knowing that it was up to him to assure the safety of the entire group.

"Okay…What of the other news?" Remus almost regretted to ask, his knuckles going white from clutching the bottom of his chair.

The Headmaster took out the parchment and prepared his own mind for the bad news.

He read aloud:

Appeal Notice: Legal Document

Subject to receive document: Albus Dumbledore, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot…(He skipped the rest.)

"Sirius Black, convicted criminal for the death of thirteen Muggles on a crowded street and for the heinous murder of one Peter Pettigrew will be granted his Appeal on the 31st of October.

This grant is solely being accepted for the blatant disregard of the individual's legal rights in accordance to the Imprisonment without Trial Clause. The request, made by Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is hereby kept strictly silent from outside parties until the decision of the entire Wizengamot has reached an overwhelming majority in support of the Appeal being upheld.

New evidence must be submitted to the court by the given date, and no liabilities lie in the prisoner's untimely death before trial. No inquiries will be made, and all parties will be assumed innocent if such were to occur, due to the hazardous environment and questionable state of mind of one Sirius Black under the Decree number one-hundred and eighty-six of Azkaban Law, created and put into practice on August the second of this very year.

One, Sirius Black, shall be held responsible for all of his actions from this point forth, and any behaviors may be reported and be used in the court of law. Note: The prisoner must be under a reasonably fit state of mind under the same decree mentioned above. Mental state must be proven and all memories from convicted crime are subject to scrutiny in clarity. No time period will deter the governing party from such element of the Appeal."

"This is the best our government can do for an innocent man, Albus?!" Remus stood up from his chair and paced the office angrily, not wanting to believe that he had just made matters worst for his best friend. "Oh, Merlin, this is exactly what I didn't want!" He looked back at Dumbledore with saddened gray eyes filled with a fierce fury. "Who was behind that blasted decree? The hell the government won't be held liable if S-Sirius happens to die before the trial date, what kind of bloody shit is that?!" he spat, beyond himself with guilt and fear for his friend.

Dumbledore sat with his hands folded in front of him and his head bowed, waiting for the younger man to cool his temper.

"It's that miscreant Lucius isn't?" Bruce asked darkly, shadows creeping onto his face almost instantly.

Dumbledore considered the two men before answering. "Yes, and a few of his closest friends" he said simply.

Resisting the urge to throw one of Dumbledore's instruments, Remus looked over at Bruce… his only hope.

Bruce stood up and put a comforting hand on Remus' shoulder. "I won't let this injustice carry out. Listen, I can get my people to fix this. It's risky, but Sirius is an old friend of mine too, and it was why our order was created."

Dumbledore smiled, and lifted himself off his chair, striding over to the door with the intention of bidding Harry farewell. "Gentlemen, according to me, this conversation ended two minutes ago."

Remus nodded his head at Bruce, glad that Dumbledore wouldn't interfere if they were to break the law and break Sirius out.

Give me a month's time and a meeting with the ol' dog, and we'll have Sirius out in no time," the rogue assured him.

Remus stared off at the headmaster's back. "I'll see what I can do, Bruce. I am fairly certain I can make the lion pounce harder."

Bruce gave him a wide smile. "I much rather prefer it to crush upon impact, but we can't all have what we want. Now, let's get Harry back to the flat and discuss these new revelations, as well as something I need you to do."

Remus looked at the rogue suspiciously, knowing better than anyone that Bruce usually didn't have ideas that were in the best interest of all involved.

"So, Harry, how was your stay at The Burrow?" Remus asked as they stepped out of the Floo Network. Harry didn't look at him and started to pick out his nightclothes so that he could bathe.

"Fine," Harry muttered under his breath, clearly unhappy and worried out of his mind about his powers and the secrets the adults in his life were keeping from him. Even his friends were steered away from certain subjects. A few day ago at The Burrow, there had been a tense moment in which Ron had mentioned something about brooms and a pitch and everyone had frozen and had stared at him, as if he hadn't been supposed to know about whatever they had been talking about.

Bruce tilted his head in the direction of the green-eyed boy and looked over at Remus, who happened to be completely lost. 'Talk to him' he mouthed when Remus looked at him blankly.

The werewolf looked helplessly at Harry, who still had his back turned to them. He shrugged at Bruce to indicate he had no idea what to do, and Bruce frowned and nodded his head in the direction of the kitchen. Remus hesitated before saying, "Why don't you go ahead and claim the bath, Harry. You can wash up before we indulge in…" Remus looked around the pantry, and Bruce directed him towards the refrigerator where there were still leftovers from the night before. "In this lovely roast--" He turned to Bruce. "What is this?"

"Beef?" Bruce supplied with his eyebrows furrowed. He turned back to Harry and grinned.

"Roast Beef?" Remus' mouth went into an 'O' as he observed the mushy mess that was to be their dinner.

Harry smiled at their antics and suggested, "We can tuck in for a breakfast supper."

Bruster grinned and his face light up. "That's an excellent idea!" he exclaimed and patted Remus on the back. "Just what Remus here needed, didn't ya? He was telling me about his tragic separation anxiety, and it had me a wee bit concerned. He even called me 'Harry' a few times before he caught himself. Almost broke me poor ol' heart!" Bruce exclaimed dramatically, swinging his arms in the air.

Clasping a hand over Bruce's mouth, Remus looked back at Harry and twirled his finger beside his head to indicate that Bruster was crazy. Harry laughed and backed into the bathroom with a bundle of his clothes in his arms while Bruce made of show of having his feelings hurt.

Bruce grabbed at Remus' legs and threw on the ground just as Harry struggled to close door while using it as a balance to keep himself from rolling around the floor with mirth.

Evin as Bruce helped Remus up, they could still hear Harry's chuckles through the door. "See, you don't need much to make a lad happy. When he's feeling down, he might just need an assurance that yer still there for him and that ya care."

Remus stared at the door in awe, fascinated that Bruce had been able to give Harry's mood a complete turn around.

"Even that joke about you missing him; he laughed, but inside he was hanging on to every word as if it was a hidden treasure. A word of caution, they hate it went you get sappy, so keep it light and make him comfortable." Bruce smiled back at Remus and then turned his attention to the stove. He pulled his wand out and waved it towards the pantry, stove, and refrigerator, ending with a few good flicks towards a drawer full of utensils. "That should do dinner just fine." Bruce said heartily.

Observing Bruce's handy work, Remus was brought back from thinking about his new advice. His thoughts drifted towards sadder avenues. "Sirius…" he whispered. For years, he had been unable to think about his friend, and now the same government that had ignored his letters and pleas for his friend's freedom, had now practically sentenced him to die. The fact that Sirius was in Azkaban for those many years terrified him. Remus had heard about what happened to those that were sentenced there. Insanity spread through those cells like a virus, along with starvation, physical deprivation, and constant daily torture through the prison's wardens.

Asking Sirius to be of the right state of mind to be fit enough to look competent for a trial was unthinkably cruel. Not too long ago, the werewolf within had taken him prisoner and had killed off his hope, and by a rare miracle, Harry Potter had entered his life at just the right time. The Remus Lupin that had once died in that house a Godric's Hollow was revived by a boy with Lily's beautiful eyes. Now that the pieces of his past were being rounded up together, the sharp edges of his life no longer bothered him as much. That assessment came with some exceptions: Harry's abusive childhood, and the fact that he hadn't vouched for Sirius when he should have had. It was the guilt that brought his hopelessness and darkest fears back, the guilt that almost crippled him on a daily basis.

"Remus, are you aw'right?" Bruce asked with concern.

"I'm fine…" Remus sighed as he glanced over at his friend.

"Good. Now, listen carefully, I need ya to push on Harry and take him to the edge. In order to bring out his Elemental powers he needs to be emotionally challenged as that seems to be the only way to bring forth his defenses."

Remus gaped at Bruster in disbelief. "You want me to pull away the only stability out from under a child who has been emotionally abused since the age of two! Do you have any idea the type of damage that could cause him?"

"What I ask of ya is going to be very hard, but yer not aiming to hurt him. Now I'm not saying that this won't create friction in your relationship, but ya must keep him frustrated to the point that his anger unleashes what he can do."

"I won't do it, Bruce!" The younger man put his hands up and shook his head adamantly.

Bruce set him with a fierce stare, his eyes darkening. "Do you want him to die, Remus?! If you care about this boy, you suck up whatever personal issues ya have and ya do as I say!"

Remus fisted his hands, not wanting to admit that this was the only way. "He's a child; I couldn't possibly act that way towards him!"

"Way to step up to the plate, Remus. You know what, when you're attending his funeral you can at least properly blame yourself for something." Bruster pointed at him furiously, angry that Remus would even think of refusing his help and giving up on his own charge.

Remus lifted his head, instantly furious; his eyes gleamed with near rage. "What in the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?!"

Bruce shot him another menacing look. "What I'm trying to say is that ya don't take action towards anything, ya don't help yourself, and yer cowardice to do so affects all those around ya…For once in yer life take the prerogative and suck it up and do what you have to do! Do ya care about him? Right now, yer are all that lad has got, and ya would do well to not let him down!"

"Making him hate me just to get a rise out of him is not what I believe to be the wisest choice! It will break him more than it will help. Goodness, he would start to rethink our entire relationship, or worse, blame himself!"

Bruce ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Listen, Remus, whether ya like it or not, a tough hand is what he needs, so ya do what ya have to do to save him. This is yer time to act. Stop being selfish and wallowing in nothing, and put yourself on the line so that you can help him! Sometimes you have to do everything you can to protect your children, and if you f-fail…well…let's just say that failure isn't an option when you love someone, and neither is giving up on the lad." Liam Lorcan was visibly shaking, his eyes were unfocused and the shadows in them had grown marginally.

Still steaming, the werewolf's jaw stiffened and his anger was starting to get the best of him as he stared down the rogue. Remus' head was swimming with the accusations of cowardice against him, so when he blurted out the first thing to pop into his head, he knew it had been a mistake. "I guess you're right, you know all about that type of failure don't you?!!!!" As soon as the words had left his mouth, he froze; knowing that the rogue was going to understand it differently then he had meant it. It was supposed to have been sarcastic but he had picked the wrong person to say it to.

In one swift movement, Bruster shot his hand out, a thin blade popping out of his right wrist cuff. He turned around and pinned Remus to the wall with his arms, pressing the sharp blade against his throat. His eyes were wild and his body was shaking violently, as if he was restraining a monster within him. The rogue's jaw was fixed in a bestial snarl. The air cracked with power and Remus felt like he was paralyzed under his companion's malevolent gaze.

Remus had his hands up, a panicked expression making its way onto his face. "Bruce, please…I didn't mean to imply that. I don't know what I meant, but it was foolish and wrong of me to say. Please, put the blade down. Harry can come in here any second and he won't know what to think."

Bruce blinked, retracting his blade and breathing hard. He let go of Remus and decided it would be best not to look at him until he cooled down. The werewolf watched as Bruce paced the room like a vicious panther, his eyes flashing and his hands fisted at his sides.

Just then Harry exited the loo, confused as to why their new company looked so agitated. "Is something wrong?" Harry asked to no one in particular, glancing at both older men who had frozen in their places as if they had been caught in the middle of something disagreeable.

Remus observed Bruce, trying to see how he would act towards Harry while he was still rather angry. He was ready to sprint into action, thinking of a way that he could clear a clean path to shield his charge would anything happen. To his grand surprise, Bruce smiled at the boy and ruffled his hair, only small traces of his anger or madness shinning through the intensity of his eyes or the set of his jaw.

"It's nothing to worry about, lad. We we're just having a chat, your uncle and I-- weren't we, Remus? And we're going outside to finish our chat and catch a bit of fresh air. Why don't ya eat yer meal in relative peace without us to bother ya!" he said in a mock cheerful voice.

Remus nodded, he was too shocked to articulate words. One minute ago, he had had a dagger pressed against his throat; a second later, the rogue was acting amiable with a child.

Sending a look at Remus that indicated that he was to follow him, Bruce walked out to the balcony.

Harry shrugged and entered the kitchen, wondering why his guardian had such a strange expression on his face.

Remus gave Harry an empty smile and followed Bruce out to the balcony. "I need to apologize; my temper got the best of me." Remus turned to the older man after he had closed the sliding glass door behind him. He fixed his eyes on the floor dejectedly, knowing his words had cut Bruce deeply. He was truly ashamed of himself.

Bruce was shaking even worse and his back was turned to the werewolf. "I HATE HIM!" the voice attacked him so savagely that he was having trouble not turning his own wand against himself. He shut his eyes, whimpering when two small violet eyes stared so cold and dead back at him. He leaned over the railing, clutching the metal tightly, resisting the urge to purge his body of all the pain that was ripping his very soul apart.

"Bruce? I–d-do you need help?" Remus asked tentatively.

"Give me a minute, Remus. Just…don't say another word!" Bruce snapped, exhaling gustily, and trying to reinforce his mental barriers. He needed to keep his memories back…far back…where they belonged. He had few precious minutes left to seal his memories away before he lost it. He clutched the side of his head as screams echoed through his memories like lethal secrets and delivered an ear-splitting headache to his temple. His knees buckled as he struggled with the barriers, and his eyes had turned black, his pupils growing so large that any light became excruciatingly cruel.

For a few bone-chilling minutes, neither man spoke. Remus just watched the rogue carefully; honestly regretting what he had said. He was ashamed that he had let the hurtful words leave his lips. The rogue reached into the moleskin pouch on his belt with shaking hands and pulled out a small flask of Calming Draught. After downing an entire bottle, Bruce let it drop to the ground, not caring as it shattered into hundreds of little glass shards, and reached for another bottle, pouring the contents into his mouth desperately.

Moonlight danced on their skins, making them appear as if they were glowing. As Bruce turned to look at him, Remus was horrified to see the rogue's violet eyes glistening with unshed tears. Bruce looked away quickly. "This flat is too cramped for all of us. I'll be back in the morning and expect my breakfast served." Bruce said in what he hoped was his normal, amused filled voice, and not grief stricken like he now felt.

Chuckling, more out of relief that the older man was now joking more than anything, Remus said in a playful tone, "We'll have the spears out and the game hunted in no time."

"Sure," the rogue said gruffly. "Listen, Remus, I hope ya can understand why I can't be the hand I'm forcing ya to be. But it's hard enough to b' around him, I really can't afford to….do that right now." He said the last with his eyes closed, a hand cupping the runes on his left cheek and his breathing coming out in unsteady huffs.

"I understand, Bruce. And really, I feel terrible for what I said." Remus tried to convey how terribly sorry he was.

Bruce just smiled wanly, before pausing and boring into his eyes. "Ye know…" Bruce bore deeply into his eyes but his irises started to darken so quickly that he stopped just as Remus begun to feel the prickles that indicated an intrusion. "Never mind, wolf…another time I suppose." Bruce Disapparated to his usual haunts without another word.

Remus resisted the urge to hurl in order to alleviate the sickening pain in the pit if his stomach that bled into his heart. He was feeling horrible about what he had just said. Bruster was probably not going to sleep a wink, terrorizing the criminals of some small village that would awake to unhappy scenes of hog-tied and brutally beaten law breakers–Bruce never left them for dead, no matter how heinous their crime had been. The petty thieves were also left bounded but mercifully untouched. Remus leaned over the railing, releasing an anguished breath–he couldn't believe how docile Bruce had been with Harry, especially considering how painful it all probably was for him…

A/N: Please read and review, the button is right down there. lol I really appreciate the fact that people do take the time out to review and reveal what they thought. Even if its just a word, add it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them and I'll get back to you inside a review.