A/N
This will be a Remus Guardianship story taking place in Harry Potter's third year of Hogwarts. This story is unlike to follow canon at all times so please don't message me when something doesn't match the original story line! This one is a short one but I promise the next few chapters will be much longer, this is just an introduction to my story.
Another warning: this story will contain CP and perhaps mild cussing at times.
Harry Potter was absolutely fuming.
Not only had he managed to blow up his own aunt after only a year of receiving a warning from the Ministry, but he had also been kicked out by the Dursleys and told not to return. So now, there he was, stranded in Surrey without any muggle money or food and just his white Snowy Owl, Hedwig, for company.
After walking, for what felt like well over an hour, Harry decided to take refuge near a small children's play area. Sitting on the bench, he happened to notice the wind picking up and clouds loamed over as though it was about to pour down with rain. Rain was just what Harry needed, another inconvenience to a day that had been cursed from the start.
He instantly decided that he was to spend the night here and then formulate a plan on how to get to Diagon Alley tomorrow. There, he would be able to draw some more wizard money from Gringotts and everything would be back to normal.
Rummaging around in his trunk, he remembered his father's invisibility cloak and decided that that would have to do for a blanket. It also served as a disguise so that if anyone were to walk by, they won't see him and wake him up.
He had just placed his trunk and Hedwigs cage in a near bush when his owl began squawking uncontrollably. Harry felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as shivers flowed through his body. Turning slowly, he saw a large black dog slowly making his way towards him. Harry whipped his wand out of his coat pocket and gripped it hard. He had already had a warning and was likely about to be expelled for blowing up his aunt; casting a defensive spell was unlikely to change any outcome he thought to himself.
The rain began to pour as there was a rumble of thunder overhead. The black dog was continuing to walk towards him and was now responding to Hedwig's racket by barking back. Harry began to slowly walk back to the pavement when he tripped and fell hard on his backside.
It was in this moment that the secluded park was lit up by two headlights with its tires screeching to an abrupt halt.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, my name is Stanley and I will be your conductor for this evening."
"The, the what?" Harry managed to stutter in reply, as he began to stand up. One of his hands was grazed and his lower back was aching from his fall. He suddenly remembered what had caused his fall and looked round the back of the bus, over to where the black dog had once stood.
"The Knight Bus" Stanley repeated, "free transportation for stranded witches and wizards. Just say your destination and we'll take you there – Now," Stanley paused as he looked down at the child who was clear pre-occupied, "wha choo looking at then?"
"There was a dog, a really big one. - It was barking at me, before you came."
Stanley gave him a look of disbelief, "Well, lets get choo out of the rain before you are soaked to the core. No luggage?" the man questioned…
Harry looked down at the ground before he realised, "oh - yeah, sorry."
Harry rushed to the bush where he had hidden his things, before picking up his trunk, he undid Hedwig's cage and let her out, instructing her to meet at Diagon Alley.
"Hurry up lad," Stanley called as Harry rushed back to the bus.
"Sorry," Harry replied as he followed the conductor onto the bus and found a vacant bed.
"Now then, where do you want to go?"
"Diagon Alley please, it's in London,"
"Choo hear that Ernie, it's in London" Stanley laughed as Harry felt his cheeks grow warm.
Often Harry forgot just how disconnected from the Wizarding World, especially while he lived with muggles all summer. Usually is trunk with all his school stuff had to be locked away in his old 'bedroom' under the stairs but this summer, since being allowed to move to Dudley's second bedroom, Harry had managed to keep hold of this trunk and along with it, his wand, school books and some snacks he had stashed up. His Uncle Dursley had been insistent on one thing however, and that was that Harry's owl, Hedwig had to be kept locked away, through fear that their neighbours might suspect something freaky going on.
Because of Hedwig being stored away, Harry wasn't able to communicate with his best mates Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Ron was a pure-blood wizard from a large family and so muggle technologies were not something he was used to. Harry cringed at the memory of when Ron tried to use the muggle telephone to speak to Harry a few weeks ago. Hermione on the other hand, was a muggle born and was often, for good reason, described as the brightest witch of her age. Hermione had suggested that they try and communicate through muggle post this summer but Harry hadn't received any such letter; he suspected that the Dursleys had been confiscating the letters before they reached him, like Dobby the house elf had done so last summer.
"what did you say your name was then son," Stanley questioned.
"I didn't, but its – Seamus." Harry replied shortly, quick to hide his real identity.
"Well, Seamus, what brought you to be wandering the streets this late."
"Why all the questions?" Harry shot back. His temper was nearing its end and he just wanted to forget this day ever happened.
"Just trying to ease the tension," the conductor replied as he began to walk to the other end of the bus, away from the short-tempered teen.
Harry decided that it was best to try and catch a little bit of sleep before arriving at Diagon Alley where he was also almost positive that aurors were on their way to tell him he had been expelled and his wand snapped. Maybe Dumbledore would let him stay at Hogwarts like Hagrid, Harry thought to himself, as thought to try and look for the positives in a bad situation.
He lay down on his assigned bed and slowly closed his eyes, his breath evening out as his dreams took over.
"The Aurors have taken care of the situation, the Dursleys memories have been modified and the boys Aunt has been taken back to her home."
"Thank you Severus, it is very much appreciated." Dumbledore replied as he moved around to sit at his desk.
"However, the Dursleys have refused to accept the boy back, even for next summer. Potter also left the house and is currently being tracked by the aurors on the Knight Bus, headed for Diagon Alley." Snape explained.
"I'm sure Harry's aunt and uncle will change their minds by next summer Severus, there is no need to panic."
"Professor, they made it explicitly clear that they wanted no more to do with the boy,"
"Harry cannot live with any other relative, Petunia made a promise to look after him. The wards are the only thing keeping the boy safe. You and I both know, if Voldemort returns, Harry will not be safe living anywhere else but the house where a blood relative resides."
"Professor, the boy his out of control living with his muggle relatives. Not only has he managed to blow up his aunt, but he was also ran away and put himself in harms way, especially with the outbreak of Sirius Black. He needs a parental figure, now more than ever."
"And who exactly do you suggest?" Dumbledore questioned. "McGonagall is much too old for such an active young child, myself likewise; you are already managing Slytherin house and if he returns, it would be almost impossible to keep up your double role. It would not be safe."
"He could be a ward of the ministry," Snape suggested,
"You and I both know that that would be in Harry's worst interest to be looked after by Fudge."
"Yes, I suppose you are correct." Snape replied, "and I am sure the Weasley family already have far too much on their hands without another child."
"Not to mention that they are currently out of the country Severus." Dumbledore thought for a moment before a lightbulb went off in his head "I know you are not found of him, but Remus Lupin may be an option in this situation. He is due to start as professor here in September Severus."
"Lupin would only let the child run riot, more than he already does. Besides, the two have never even met, such an idea is preposterous Albus." Snape attempted to argue back.
"Remus knew James and Lily well and also knew Harry as a young child. I hardly think that such an idea would be inappropriate. Of course, I would like them to get to know one another first before an rash decisions are made but, Remus may just be our only choice Severus."
"Talk to Potter first, explain the situation and then suggest the idea of Lupin. However, do not come back to me when the boy remains just as out of control as he is currently."
"I will not Severus, thank you for your help this evening; it is, as always, much appreciated" Dumbledore commented as he stood from his desk and walked over to the fireplace. "I must go and meet Harry at the Leaky Cauldron so we will speak more in the morning, - goodnight Severus."
"Goodnight Albus," Snape nodded as he headed for the door and with a 'whoosh' Dumbledore had disappeared through some green smoke…
TBC…