:ONE:
Remus Lupin left Harry Potter at Privet 4 drive for the first years of his life. Consumed by grief and trying to collect funds, Lupin was unable to purchase a house until Harry was almost four years old. Due to his condition, Remus had taken on a writing job, which allowed him to work from home and take breaks around the time of his transformations. And, because it was within the muggle world, Remus didn't have to answer any awkward questions. All of his coworkers just assumed he had a chronic illness and asked no further questions.
Trembling with uncertainty and fear, Remus carried a small box up to the front door of the Dursley home. He knew very little about the family - Lily had never spoken about her sister - but he was used to being treated poorly. If Lily's sister knew anything about werewolves, Remus would be hard pressed to convince her to allow him visits with Harry.
Adjusting his cardigan carefully, Remus rang the doorbell. He stood there for only a moment before a tall, thin woman opened the door. She looked at him with disdain, her long neck making her eye level with him. Her large eyes roamed his shabby clothes, though he had been sure to wear some of his best for this visit, and Remus decided it'd be best to distract her quickly.
"Hullo," He said, holding out his hand to shake. "My name is Remus Lupin."
Mrs. Dursley pursed her lips, but shook his hand very slightly. "Mrs. Dursley."
Remus attempted a small smile. "May I come in? There is a personal matter I wish to discuss with you. It's about Harry Potter."
Mrs. Dursley's face had appeared confused and curious until the final sentence. After that, her eyes narrowed and she scowled.
"Are you...one of those...people?" She whispered dangerously.
Remus looked up and down the street. "I'm not entirely sure what you mean." He admitted. "But I really would prefer to discuss this in a more private setting, please?"
At the word 'please', Mrs. Dursley softened infinitesimally. He didn't look at all dangerous or magical, so she allowed him entry to the living room. He waited for her to take a seat, then sat down carefully on the couch across from her. His transformation had only been a week previously and he was still rather sore.
Once they were both comfortable, or as close to comfortable as they could be given the circumstances, Remus held out the box he'd brought with him.
"I wanted to give this to you and Mr. Dursley," He explained as she took the box. "Is he at work currently?"
"Yes," She said suspiciously, opening the box to reveal a perfectly ordinary crystal vase. Against her better judgement, she relaxed a little more. "What was it you wanted to discuss?"
Remus paused, searching for the best way to explain. He didn't really like talking about the past few years, it was still very painful, but he knew he'd need to at least vaguely describe the situation.
"I am, as you say, one of those people." He began. "I was given the privilege of being Harry's godparent if Sirius…"
He choked on the name, feeling a painful surge of grief. He took a deep breath, refusing to let himself get emotional now. Remus wasn't here to cry about the past, he was here for Harry.
"But the circumstances make it so I cannot take him outright."
He took the chance and looked back at Mrs. Dursley. She sat poker-stiff straight in her chair, a flurry of negative emotions flitting across her face. Emotions Remus understood only too well, and did not fault her for. Grief and resentment were powerful things, after all.
"I was hoping," He said after another long pause. "To at least help you with Harry as much as I can. I've taken up residence a couple streets away, so if you ever need someone to watch him, he could easily walk over."
"Who are you?" Mrs. Dursley cut him off, staring at him unblinkingly.
Remus looked back at her carefully. "I would be happy to explain my relationship to your sister, but I do not wish to upset you any further than I know I already have."
Mrs. Dursley nodded very slowly. She didn't know what to make of this man in front of her. He didn't act strange at all, showed no signs of magic, and had not insulted her once. After being informed of her sister's death and being made responsible for her nephew via letter a few years earlier, Mrs. Dursley had several qualms with the wizarding world.
On the other hand, this man seemed perfectly respectable. And he wanted to take Harry away from her Dudley, so they wouldn't have to send him to Miss Figg anymore…
"Well," She said. "I don't know...I'd have to discuss it with my husband."
"Certainly." Remus said quickly. He reached into the pocket of his cardigan, taking out a small card. "This is my telephone number and address. Please feel free to contact me once you've spoken with him. I would be happy to have you both over as well, anything you need."
Not wanting to intrude any longer, Remus quietly stood up and shook Mrs. Dursley's hand again. She walked him to the door, seeming to be struggling with what to say. Only when they got to the threshold did she finally speak.
"We haven't told Harry anything." She said, unable to hide the bitterness in her voice. "We don't want him to be... magical."
Remus felt startled by this admission. Harry was definitely too young to be told about his history, but he wouldn't have a choice regarding his magic. His brow furrowed, considering how to go about explaining it to her.
"Mrs. Dursley," He said quietly. "I would be happy to discuss this further with you both. But Harry, really anyone magical, cannot repress their magic entirely."
"However," Remus continued quickly, seeing her pinched and angry face. "He can learn to control it - I can help with that. If we don't acknowledge it at all, his magic could manifest in potentially dangerous ways."
Her face showed the battle between anger and fear that Remus knew would take time to smooth over.
"Please call me later, or come by the house." He said, opening the door. "I look forward to hearing from you."
And he left the house, feeling like he'd moved mountains in such a short amount of time. Maybe, if he continued to play his cards right, he'd be able to take part in Harry's life.