CW: school, life-threatening situations, confrontation, hospitals, manipulation

:TWENTY-EIGHT:

The years passed quickly after that first tumultuous one. Petunia eventually found herself a job as a secretary, making some nice work friends that she could gossip with. She had almost completely stopped her compulsions, which she credited entirely to her counselor. Sirius, on the other hand, stayed at home. He spent his time with the children when they got off school and gave Remus grief while he did his freelance writing.

Dudley and Harry behaved much as brothers do, fighting and loving each other in turn. Harry was better in his classes, but Dudley was better in the athletics department. They were extremely competitive, so it was lucky that Natalie stayed around to balance them out. She was over constantly, bossing the two boys around in all their games.

Before Remus and Sirius knew it, Harry's Hogwarts letter had arrived. It was hard, saying goodbye to his childhood friend and to Dudley, but they both promised to write to him and play together during the summers. Dudley had gotten a sports scholarship at a posh boarding school, while Natalie had chosen to attend the local public school. They couldn't go with him to say goodbye at the train station though, because Petunia had to drive Dudley to his school the same day.

So it was just Sirius and Remus who went to see Harry off. They stood with the Weasleys, who were more than happy to see Harry again. It had been incredibly difficult to schedule time with each other, given their schedules, but now Harry would have loads of time to catch up. The children all waved as the train took off, grinning widely before they turned the corner.

"How many rules do you reckon he's gonna break?" Sirius smirked, lowering his hand to hold Remus'.

"He's not," Remus chided him. "We've made an agreement, he and I. No rule-breaking and lots of letters home. Hagrid did get him that lovely snowy owl."

Sirius snorted. "Yeah, keep dreaming. He's James' son - there's no way we're not going to get at least one letter from McGonagall this year."

And they did get letters from McGonagall. Followed by hastily-written explanations by Harry.

"He made seeker!" Sirius guffawed loudly when McGonagall's first letter arrived. "We have to go get him a broom, Remus. McGonagall says she'd do it, but it would be seen as favoritism."

"Never mind that!" Remus yelled back. "Harry says he ran into a three-headed dog - I can't believe he went wandering about the castle at midnight like that."

Then there were the letters right after Halloween.

"I just don't understand," Sirius stormed. "How exactly did a troll get inside in the first place?"

Remus shrugged. "No idea, but at least they weren't too hard on them. And I like the sound of this Hermione."

They both went off to Hogwarts to watch Harry's first match, sporting all of their Gryffindor clothing and yelling so loudly that they lost their voices. It was an absolutely brilliant game, though Sirius teased Harry about almost swallowing the bloody thing instead of catching it. The pair invited Hermione by for Christmas, then left Harry to his dorm party with the team.

Christmas came and went, with the Weasleys promising to have a party round their place the next year. They went to Romania to visit Charlie, but left presents for everyone. Hermione came by though with her parents, who Remus got along with very well. There was only one odd moment, when Harry asked to talk to Remus and Sirius privately.

"Don't get mad," He started, which was not at all a good beginning. "But Professor Dumbledore showed me something before we all went on break."

"Oh?" Remus asked, while Sirius attempted not to show his distaste.

"Yeah," Harry said, looking vulnerable. "It was this mirror, only it showed more than my reflection. Professor Dumbledore said it showed us what we wanted most…"

"You saw Lily and James?" Sirius asked, sadness flitting across his face as he looked at Harry.

"Not exactly," Harry replied, looking at his shoes. "I saw them and my other family members, but I also saw you both. I saw all of my family together."

A wave of bittersweet sadness enveloped them all, Remus and Sirius holding Harry close. They were a family of broken misfits, but being reminded that they were still a family meant the world to each of them in its own way. It made saying goodbye at the end of the break even harder.

"If he even looks at Harry wrong, Remus," Sirius growled as the train left the station. "I'm pulling him out of school. We can move to America if that's what it takes."

"No way," Remus laughed. "You'd hate America. And he won't do anything to Harry - the wizarding world would have a fit if the boy got hurt."

So they returned home, with only nice quiet letters to entertain them over the weeks. Harry's quidditch matches were going well, so the two were looking forward to coming back for his final match. But, as Sirius expected, another letter did come from McGonagall. Followed by a rather long letter from Harry.

"He smuggled a bloody dragon out of the castle?" Remus choked out as Sirius danced around the living room.

"Bloody brilliant!" Sirius yelled joyfully. "Oh that brilliant boy - we have to keep that letter, Remus."

Remus made a disapproving noise, continuing to read the letter.

"He had detention with Hagrid, that's good." He murmured. "They had to go into the Forbidden Forest…"

He trailed off, reading through Harry's words with anxiety on his face.

"What is it, Remus?" Sirius asked, stopping his dance and reading over Remus' shoulder.

"Did you know the sorcerer's stone was in the castle this year?" Remus asked hollowly. "It seems like something the parents ought to have been told."

"Never mind the bloody stone!" Sirius pointed a finger at the letter. "Harry was almost attacked! If that centaur wasn't there in time…"

Sirius stood up, running his hands through his hair and pacing. "We should go there, Remus."

"No," Remus said, trying to think rationally. "Not tonight. No, listen."

Sirius had tried to cut him off, but stopped to let Remus finish.

"We're heading up there soon anyway for his match. We can check on Harry and speak with Dumbledore then. I'm sure there's a very good explanation for all of this."

Sirius wasn't thrilled about the idea, but he begrudgingly agreed. "It would probably embarrass Harry if we burst in, I suppose."

The pair of them were on edge the next few days, waiting for more letters or the quidditch match to come so they could see Harry in person. It was Sirius who intercepted the school letter from McGonagall, though after the first paragraph his hands were shaking so badly that Remus had to finish reading it.

"We have to go, Sirius." Remus said hurriedly, his face pale. "We have to go to him, now."

Sirius just nodded, not trusting himself to speak. They left a hurried note to Petunia, saying they'd be back and explain everything then. Remus apparated them both to Hogsmeade, where they broke into a run all the way up to the castle. It was Professor Dumbledore who met them at the entrance.

"Where's Harry?" Remus gasped, clutching a stitch in his side.

"He's in the Hospital Wing, asleep now." Dumbledore said calmly. "Madam Pomfrey gave him some dreamless sleep potion."

"Take us to him. Now." Sirius said, trying to take deep breaths to reign in his temper.

"I will, in a moment." Dumbledore replied, walking down the steps. "I think it might be best if we spoke first."

"We don't bloody care what you think is best right now!" Sirius yelled, baring his teeth.

"Sirius!" Remus stepped in front of him. "Please, let us see Harry."

Dumbledore looked at them both sadly. "I'm afraid I need to explain some things to you both. And to apologize."

"Unbelievable!" Sirius laughed hysterically. "What exactly are you going to apologize for, Dumbledore? Nearly getting Harry killed? Hiring bloody Voldemort into your staff? Or, or wait, are you going to apologize for leaving me to rot in Azkaban when you knew I was innocent?!"

He glared up at Dumbledore, his body shaking with rage. Remus, on the other hand, looked between Dumbledore and Sirius nervously. He was furious as well, but they needed to get to Harry. And the quickest way to get to Harry was to listen to whatever it was Dumbledore had to say.

"Yes, Sirius." Dumbledore murmured. "I have the most to apologize for, especially in your case. I am truly sorry. If you'll just let me explain what I know about Harry, I think you'll understand better."

Remus, sensing Sirius was again about to go off, placed one hand on his shoulder. He shared a look with Sirius, which made him clench his jaw, but nod. Dumbledore walked with them on the grounds, explaining why the sorcerer's stone was in the castle, along with why Harry and Voldemort would eventually need to face each other.

"So you see," Dumbledore said sadly. "It's inevitable. All we can do is help Harry be better prepared to meet his fate."

"He…" Sirius was so angry he was at a loss for words. "He's eleven years old!"

"I know that." Dumbledore murmured. "That's why I haven't told him. But we can't protect him - Voldemort is obsessed with this boy."

"We need to see Harry." Remus said quietly. "Can you take us to him now?"

Dumbledore nodded, leading them back into the castle and to the hospital wing.

"I will be available if you wish to discuss this further." He said quietly to Remus, as Sirius had immediately stalked into the hospital wing.

"Thank you." Remus said tensely.

They stayed with Harry for the next couple days, watching over him. Madam Pomfrey's ire was stoked, but she couldn't convince either of them to leave. They would take turns sleeping and sitting with him, but they were both awake when Harry woke up for the first time.

"Papa Lupin." Harry murmured, reaching out for Remus.

"I'm here, Harry." Remus held onto Harry's hand, stroking Harry's hair out of his face. "I'm right here."

"Good to see you awake, kiddo." Sirius chuckled on Harry's other side.

"Hullo, Sirius." Harry smiled weakly. "I may have done something reckless."

"You think?" Sirius barked out a laugh. "You gave us heart attacks, Harry."

"Where is the stone now?" Harry asked, attempting to sit up. "And Voldemort, what happened to him?"

"Now, now." Remus gently pushed Harry back down. "You can't save the world in this state. And you don't need to - Voldemort's gone and the stone is going to be destroyed. The Flamel family has decided it's too dangerous to keep."

"Won't that mean…" Harry murmured, not sure how to say it.

"Yes, Harry," Remus answered. "They will die. But really, living forever isn't all it's cracked up to be."

Harry still looked confused, but much more relaxed. "So, what happened? I don't remember much after Quirrell attacked me."

"Well," Sirius interjected. "After you collapsed, Dumbledore arrived and rescued you. He said Voldemort was gone when he got there, but you had the stone in your hands."

"At least we know my mother's charm works, huh?" Harry smiled weakly.

"Yes, well," Remus replied, still fussing with Harry's hair. "Let's not test it again for a very, very, long time."

They stayed together the rest of the afternoon, cheering Harry up and explaining the things he'd missed. Hermione and Ron stopped by later on to check on him, telling him how crazy everything had been in the rest of the school. The rumors had covered everything that happened, along with some wild things that definitely had not happened.

"You let them think I lost a leg?!" Harry groaned.

"I told you he wouldn't appreciate it!" Hermione said crossly. "I set them straight, Harry."

"I thought it'd be cool." Ron had shrugged unapologetically.

Harry had insisted on going to the end of term feast, so Remus and Sirius went into the Three Broomsticks to wait. They hadn't talked about Dumbledore or the prophecy, since they'd spent all of their time with Harry. But now, as they waited for their food and butterbeers, the tension from those conversations came back in full force.

"What are we going to do, Remus?" Sirius asked quietly.

"We're going to keep protecting Harry." Remus answered immediately. "He's still just a child, Sirius."

"A child who almost got himself killed." Sirius said firmly. "I know Dumbledore told us not to tell him, but isn't it his right to know?"

"I don't think that information will really help him, Sirius."

They stopped talking as their food was brought over, along with their drinks.

"Harry already knows," Remus continued once they had privacy again. "He doesn't need a prophecy to tell him that Voldemort is obsessed with killing him."

"But Remus -" Sirius began.

"No," Remus cut him off. "He's going to come home for the summer, and we're going to consider our options. I personally think we ought to consider homeschooling Harry."

"Homeschooling?" Sirius scoffed. "He'd die of boredom, and we don't know the first thing about teaching, Remus. He'd kill us if we took him away from his friends, and quidditch."

"He almost got killed, Sirius!" Remus hissed. "And it was your idea to take him out of Hogwarts in the first place!"

Sirius took a deep breath.

"Remus." He began calmly. "We aren't in the right mindset to talk about this. We need to get away from this place, maybe talk to Petunia, before we make a decision."

Remus took a shaky breath, letting it out and smiling wearily at Sirius.

"Since when are you the rational one?" He joked weakly.

"Don't worry," Sirius chuckled, tucking into his meal. "I'll let you get back to it after a long sleep."

So they took Harry home, then took over a week to recover. They had to explain things to Petunia, but after that they resolved to just not deal with it until later. It had been a very long year, one that they were all determined not to repeat.

Notes:
Oh boy that took ages. But we made it! Year one finished, and lots more to do. At this point, Dumbledore doesn't know about the Horcruxes, so that's why it's not been brought up yet. At the end of the second year, we start to work through that.

I tried to keep things cannon, but there were a few changes. Quirrell didn't jinx Harry's broom at the match for example. But I had to have Hedwig - she's just so great. Anyway, on to the next year we go!

Happy Reading!