30 years old. James Potter would have been 30 years old today, Remus Lupin thought bitterly. Remus stood before the familiar headstone, unvisited for almost a decade. Remus had been living a lonely, itinerant life, drifting from one job to the next, never staying in the same place for more than a few months, lest others learned of his lycanthropy. It was his own recent 30th birthday that drew him back to Godric's Hollow, feeling the weight of his age more painfully than previous years, having been so lonely and melancholy. Remus traced the names on the headstone, Lily and James, the last bit of evidence that his friends had lived and died.
Well, no, Remus pondered. They had a son.
Remus sat on the cold, muddy grass in front of the Potters' headstone. They'd had a son, Harry. A little boy whose godfather had betrayed him. A boy who was separated from his parents by a cruel wizard. A boy Remus hadn't seen since his first birthday.
He felt guilty about that. Harry hadn't been a son to Remus in any capacity; he was neither his father nor his godfather. He had no legal or paternal claim to the boy, but he should have grown up at least knowing Remus as an uncle. Remus could have been another loyal uncle to Harry, but instead was an outcast werewolf, belonging to no one.
Perhaps he could change that. Remus had met Lily's sister Petunia once, at the Potters' wedding. Petunia and her husband, Vernon, were unpleasant people, keeping their distance from anyone deemed suspicious. That meant nearly everyone but those belonging to Lily's family. Maybe, thought Remus, he could see Harry briefly, if only to say hello and wish the boy well.
"It's the least I can do for you, James. I'll make sure your son is all right," Remus said to the headstone, hanging his head. "I'll be better for Harry."
Remus dimly recalled the Dursleys' former neighborhood, somewhere near a street called Magnolia Crescent. He hoped that if he Apparated there, he could walk around the neighborhood until he spotted Petunia or Vernon.
With a turn on his heel, Remus Apparated to Magnolia Crescent, and began his walk. It was a dreary March afternoon, overcast and drizzly. He cast a charm on himself to stay dry, and looked up to the street names. Wisteria Walk became Holly Lane, followed by Privet Drive. The street called Privet Drive jarred something in Remus' memory, and he sat on a garden bench, trying to recall the number.
A batty old woman emerged from number 13 Privet Drive, looking suspiciously at Remus.
"Young man, what are you doing on my bench?" the woman accused.
"I'm sorry ma'am," Remus apologized, standing quickly. "I'm looking for the Dursleys. I'm afraid I forgot which home was theirs."
"The Dursleys? Petunia and Vernon?" the woman asked, furrowing her brow. "What are they to you?"
"Petunia's nephew, Harry…I knew his parents and wanted to see him," Remus said, realizing how awkward he sounded.
"They're not there anymore. Died."
"What? Harry's dead?" Remus said, anguished. "How?"
"Kids aren't dead, just not here anymore," the woman grumbled. "Petunia and Vernon died in a car crash a little while back. Vernon's sister Marge took the boys. Lives up in Bedfordshire and breeds bulldogs."
Remus gasped, wondering what had become of Harry. "You don't know where in Bedfordshire?"
"It's all I know," the woman snapped. "Now, off with you. You've no business here anymore."
Remus opened and closed his mouth, worried. Where was Harry Potter?
"Thank you for your time, ma'am," Remus finally said, turning back towards Magnolia Crescent. He was determined to find the bulldog breeder, Marge Dursley.
….
It took the better part of a week, but after endless confusing, Muggle phone calls and searching, Remus finally found Margie's Majesties, a purebred bulldog breeder in Bedfordshire. Certain that there could be no other bulldog breeder belonging to a Marge in the area, Remus Apparated to Bedfordshire, near the address he found. After walking half a mile, a spacious farm, complete with a picturesque cottage, greeted Remus. A rather large, blond boy was fiddling with a loud electronic device on the front steps.
"Hello," Remus said. "Is this where Marge Dursley lives?"
"Yeah, that's my aunt. You here for puppies? Lady's litter won't be ready for another two weeks."
"Are you Harry?"
The boy scoffed. "That runt? He's long gone."
"May I ask who you are?"
"Dudley Dursley."
"Dudley, can I speak with your aunt, please?"
"Ugh, fine," Dudley said, scowling. Rather than going inside, Dudley hollered. "AUNT MARGE! SOMEONE'S HERE TO SEE YOU!"
Remus blinked, startled, as a heavyset woman came wheezing from behind the front door.
"What is it, Dudders?" Marge demanded. "You, boy? You here for a pup? Won't be ready for two weeks. Still got two available. Female's half off, male's full price."
"Err, no. I was wondering if you know where Harry Potter is?"
Marge began laughing hysterically, and Dudley joined in. It was several moments before Marge collected herself, still wheezing from the laughter.
"That runt? Long gone. Gave him up when I took Dudders in after my poor brother died," Marge said. "Don't know why Vernon ever took that freak in when his bastard parents died. Shows up on my doorstep with ickle Diddykins and I turned him right out. None of that nonsense in this house!"
Remus gaped at Marge. "You gave him up? Where is he?"
"Hell if I care. Dropped him off at the orphanage – St. Christopher's. He's their problem now!" Marge cackled.
Remus was horrified by Marge Dursley's apparent disregard for her nephew's cousin.
"Can you tell me where St. Christopher's is?" Remus asked, now panicking in earnest over Harry's well-being.
Marge gave him an address in Kent, and Remus ran off her property to find a place to Apparate from. As soon as it was safe, he turned on the spot and appeared before a narrow building. No markers indicated he was at an orphanage, but he went in, hoping for help.
Remus entered to find a stout man filing paperwork into a file cabinet.
"G'morning, how can I help you, sir?"
"Hello, I'm Remus Lupin. I'm looking for St. Christopher's? It's an orphanage. I must've gotten the wrong address."
"You've got the right address, but this isn't an orphanage. We're a children's service," the man replied. "I'm Roy. Are you here for the posting?"
"No, no. I'm here to find out what happened to my friend's son, Harry. Can you help me?"
"I'm afraid I can't give much information, unless you're a family member or guardian," Roy said, sighing. "But I'll see what I can do. What's the surname?"
"Potter. Harry James Potter. His date of birth is 31st July 1980. His parents were Lily and James Potter, of Godric's Hollow. His last known guardians were Vernon and Petunia Dursley."
"Potter," Roy murmured, flipping through his files. "Yes, rather peculiar case, that Harry Potter." Roy hummed to himself as he glanced through the paperwork.
"There's little I can say, seeing as I have no identification for you. Unless you're the boy's family or guardian, I can't do much for you."
"Is anyone caring for him? Is he safe? I just need to know he's alive and well."
"He's in the care of children's services, so he's fine, sir. Anything else I can help you with?"
Remus struggled with himself. Harry was in the care of children's services, but it hardly meant he was fine. Remus felt the pull to investigate for himself to see how Harry was faring in the care of children's services.
"Just one more question, please," Remus said. "If Harry's in the care of children's services, does he have a guardian or parent now?"
Roy stared at Remus quizzically. "No, children who are with us have lost their parents or guardians. They're wards. Orphans, abandoned children, children whose parents have lost custody, that sort of situation."
"They're no one's children?" Remus asked sadly. "Abandoned?"
"Unless they're adopted or fostered, they're in our care. We try to place them, if we can, but it's rare for older children, like your friend's son."
Remus ran a hand through his hair, mulling over the possibilities. "So you're saying that if someone adopted or fostered Harry…he would go in their care instead of children's services?"
"Yes, sir…that's how it works," Roy said slowly, as if Remus were impaired.
"Can just anyone adopt him? Or foster him?"
Roy frowned. "Well, no, not anyone. A prospective adoptive parent should meet some requirements." He rifled through another stack of paperwork, until he pulled out a brochure and gave it to Remus.
"Changing a Child's Life," Remus read aloud. "A Guide for Prospective Parents."
"If you…or someone else…is interested in adopting or fostering a child in our care, that's where to start," Roy said. "And, if you're interested in a particular child, you may need to meet additional requirements. If the child is old enough, he or she will have to agree to the adoption as well."
Remus felt a sense of foreboding; Roy had said Harry was a 'rather peculiar' case.
"If you're serious about adopting or fostering, you'll need your, err…wife's agreement as well."
"I'm single, so that won't be a problem," Remus said hastily. "Even if I were thinking of adopting Harry."
Roy looked back through Harry's file, and sighed. He rifled through more paperwork, and pulled out another brochure. "Before you go through the trouble of the paperwork required for a…typical…child, it may be helpful to read this, too."
"Requirements for Special Needs Children," Remus read aloud again, frowning. He read through the papers, finding anything from behavioral disorders to mental health disorders. "Harry is a special needs child?"
"I really couldn't say," Roy said awkwardly. "Just think on it."
Remus was growing ever more worried with Harry's situation, despite the terror he felt at the idea of adopting the child. Rather than burst his anxieties on the children's services worker, Remus simply said, "Thank you for your help," and walked out of the once-orphanage.
….
Two weeks later, Remus was visiting his father, feeling burdened by the weight of the favor he was readying himself to ask the older man. A quick rap on the front door, and Remus saw his father for the first time in three years.
"Son, it's good to see you," Lyall Lupin welcomed Remus into his cottage, which sat just outside Cardiff. "What brings you here? Not that I'm unhappy to have you, I'm just surprised. It's…been a while."
"I've been here and there," Remus said lightly. "Jobs taking me around."
"You have a job here now?"
"Yes, and I'd like your help."
Lyall looked warily at Remus, but welcomed him into the familiar cottage, and the two sat in awkward silence in the sitting room.
"Is it money? You need gold?"
Remus shook his head. "No, this is an entirely different problem."
"Well?" Lyall clasped his hands, gazing at Remus.
"I'd like to adopt a child, and I need stable housing in order to do it," Remus said, feeling himself grow hot as he realized the ludicrousness of his statement.
"Adopt…a child? You're taking the mickey. What is it, really?"
"I'm not, dad," Remus said, running his fingers through his hair, and sighing deeply. "You remember my friend, James?" Lyall nodded, and Remus continued. "You know he and his wife, Lily, were killed by Voldemort, but their son lived." He let the silence fall, hoping his father would pick up on his train of thought.
"…and you want to adopt their son? Doesn't he already have living arrangements? He must be several years old by now!"
"He'll be ten in July. He did have living arrangements. He was sent to live with Lily's sister and her family, but the sister and her husband died two years ago, leaving behind their son Dudley and Harry. Dudley went to his dad's sister, Marge, and that beast of a woman turned Harry over to children's services."
Lyall furrowed his brow in confusion. "Children's services?"
"It's what Muggles have now instead of orphanages. They put orphans and endangered children in smaller homes for group care or fostering, to make it more like a family," Remus said. "Harry's been put in a residential center for troubled children, likely due to his accidental magic. At least, that's what I hope. I just don't feel right leaving him there, dad."
"He's not your responsibility, Remus. He was your friend's son, not yours. They didn't make you godfather, did they?"
"No, that was Sirius." Remus grimaced, remembering Sirius' betrayal. "I know I'm not really anything to Harry, but I just have this instinct. They won't even let me see him without getting all this bloody paperwork done."
Lyall sat back in the chair, and unclasped his hands. He ran his fingers through his white hair, in the same way Remus had just done. "Is this why you have a job here now, son?"
"Yes," Remus admitted. "I could really use your help."
"You've got a good heart, son, but see reason," Lyall said gently. "I'm a 60 year old man, and you're a 30 year old werewolf. Even with your job, how long do you expect it to last? How will we keep a child safe here from you? Have you given this any thought?"
Remus winced, his shoulders slumping forward in shame. "This is why I thought we could live here. I could use the cellar for my transformations, and you could keep an eye on Harry for the full moon. I'll do everything else."
"This isn't like getting a pet cat," Lyall retorted. "Children are complicated. How will you educate him? How will you prepare for an almost ten year old boy?"
"There are Muggle state schools around," Remus said feebly. "Harry could go to one of them until he's ready for Hogwarts."
"His other expenses? Clothing, food, books?"
"We'll find a way. We managed alright with me, didn't we?"
Lyall frowned, leaving Remus with a pit in his stomach.
"Just come with me, dad, to see him," Remus finally said. "Even if we get all the paperwork done, children's services might not approve me. If they do, Harry has to agree to come here. There's a probationary period before I can adopt him. I need your help, dad. Please?"
"I'll help you with the paperwork," Lyall reluctantly agreed. "I'll meet him with you, but you should prepare yourself for the worst. Harry might be perfectly happy where he is."
"Thank you," Remus exhaled, relieved. "A few more things you might need to know now…I've concocted a bit of a backstory, involving a Muggle disease called lupus, of all things…"
Lyall stared back at Remus, eyes half closed, and sighed once more in defeat.
….
Several more weeks passed between Lyall's agreement and their first meeting with Harry Potter. As Lyall was "living with" Remus (rather than the other way around, as Remus guiltily knew), he too had to pass Muggle background checks to prove that neither he nor Remus were any danger to children. This included obtaining Muggle paperwork and identification, which had been hastily arranged through a channel in Knockturn Alley.
Remus had persuaded a Muggle healer to provide documentation of an illness called lupus, allowing him to gain and keep Muggle employment without being fired for his illness. Remus had arrived to the Muggle healer just two days after a full moon, explaining his pre-and-post-moon symptoms.
Barring any other illnesses, the healer had declared Remus suffered from lupus, causing him to burst into laughter in the healer's office. With documentation to prove his "illness," Remus found a job at a bookstore. The pay wasn't much, but given Remus' lack of Muggle education, he had little to recommend him to higher-paying work. It was enough to substantiate his paperwork for Harry, for which Remus was grateful.
The cottage outside Cardiff had three furnished bedrooms, one of which held a single bed for Harry. It was plain and small, but Remus hoped it would be good enough for Harry. He wasn't certain what accommodations had been like for the boy at the Dursleys' or with children's services, and he hoped Harry would be accepting of the humble arrangement.
Remus and Lyall arrived to Harry's current children's home by Portkey. If all went well, they would take the Portkey back to Cardiff with Harry in tow, or with the promise of bringing him "home" soon.
"How much do you think he knows of our world, son?" Lyall asked, as soon as they landed on their feet.
"Petunia was Lily's sister, so I hope she told him about being a wizard, Hogwarts, and maybe needing a wand one day," Remus replied. "Petunia didn't care for magic, but I hope she told her nephew the basics."
Lyall put his hand on Remus' shoulder. "We'll find out soon enough, won't we?"
Remus nodded, and the two knocked on the door of the nondescript row home where Harry had been living for the better part of the last year.
The door opened and a stout, kind woman greeted them.
"Hallo, gentlemen. Are you the Misters Lupin?"
"We are," Remus replied. "Are you Mrs. Mason?"
"I am. Do you have your identification?"
Remus and Lyall pulled out their freshly obtained drivers' licenses from their billfolds, presenting them to Mrs. Mason. She was pleased with the identification, and permitted them entry.
The home was warm and pleasant enough. There were faint sounds of children's laughter from upstairs. Remus felt the anticipation building of finally seeing Harry Potter for himself, if only to ensure the boy was happy and well.
Mrs. Mason led them into a small dining room, where stacks of paperwork awaited them.
"It's wonderful, what you two are doing," Mrs. Mason said cheerily. "Older children are so hard to place, especially those with behavioral problems."
"Behavioral problems?" asked Lyall. "What kind of problems?"
"We've had doctors try to figure it out, but Harry doesn't seem to fit into any of the usual psychopathological categories. Our best guess is schizophrenia, a serious condition that can be managed well enough for now."
"Might I ask why he's been given this…diagnosis?" Remus said carefully.
"Harry has unusual behavior," Mrs. Mason replied. "Delusions and hallucinations are common." She pulled out a file, and flipped through several pages until she reached the desired one.
"He often discusses a flying motorbike, and a flash of green light," Mrs. Mason read. "A large giant, sometimes a woman's scream. Harry appears to have come from an unstable home, or he's a pathological liar, as he told us upon arrival that he used to sleep in a cupboard, and his loo privileges were dependent upon his behavior."
Lyall and Remus were both aghast at what they were hearing.
"Is that true, or is it the, err, illness?" Lyall asked, looking somber.
"We're unsure," Mrs. Mason said. "This is why his mental state has been so difficult to diagnose. He also says he can talk to snakes, and the snakes reply. That's not normal. Very clearly a delusion of grandeur."
Remus looked worriedly at Lyall; either Harry was truly delusional, or he was a Parselmouth. Both seemed as likely as the other, given the rarity of Parselmouths.
"He's still available for adoption," Mrs. Mason continued. "Other than his mental state, he can be a sweet, if timid boy. Sometimes strange things happen around him, but we think it's the schizophrenia manifesting itself. He's medicated for it. The medication dulls him slightly, but since taking it, his nightmares seem to have disappeared."
Remus gulped. "Can we see him?"
"Of course," Mrs. Mason smiled. "He never gets visitors. You say you knew his parents?"
"I went to school with his mother and father," Remus said. "In Scotland."
"We haven't any records of his parents' education. Harry's records indicate his father was unemployed and uneducated. His mother has no educational records to speak of."
"We went to an alternative school," Remus said uncomfortable. "Sort of a cooperative."
"An experimental school, perhaps?" Mrs. Mason asked uneasily.
"Something like that," Lyall interjected. "My son and his friends all knew how to read, write, and do arithmetic."
"Mr. Lupin has a stable job, and that's all that matters to us," Mrs. Mason said. "There is no level of education needed to love a child. Shall I get Harry?"
"Please," Remus said. "I would really like to see him."
Mrs. Mason stood and left the dining room, returning only moments later with a small, bespectacled boy with brilliant emerald eyes and messy, jet-black hair.
Remus' heart almost leapt out of his chest upon seeing Harry Potter for the first time in almost a decade. He was James' miniature, with Lily's eyes.
"Hi, Harry," Remus said warmly. "You look just like your dad."
"I do?" Harry asked. His green eyes widened, and a small smile played at his lips. "I don't have any pictures of my parents."
"I brought some," Remus said. "Would you like to see them?"
Harry nodded enthusiastically, but stood where he was, clearly wary of the two new strangers.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself," Remus said hastily. "I'm Remus Lupin, and this is my father, Lyall Lupin. I went to an alternative school with your mum and dad, Lily and James. I was at their wedding, too."
Harry's eyes grew even wider than before, and they remained transfixed on Remus, as if he was an illusion or hallucination.
Remus pulled out five photographs from his briefcase, having charmed them to stay still, in case the Muggles came across them. "Would you like me to explain the photographs, Harry, or would you like to see them first on your own?"
"Can I see them, please?" Harry asked, his gaze unwavering from Remus. It was slightly uncomfortable to be stared at so intently, but Remus figured that if the boy really did have mental health problems, he was coping to the best of his ability.
"Here you are, Harry," Remus said, offering the photographs to him. Harry snatched them and retreated back to his corner, engrossed in the images.
"Who are these people?" asked Harry, holding a picture of the four Marauders.
"Your dad's on the left. I'm on the other end. In between us are two of our old friends, Peter and Sirius. They're not around anymore, either," Remus said bitterly. It wasn't yet time to share the news of Peter's death and Sirius' betrayal, thought Remus.
"Did they die too?"
"One of them did, and the other one isn't around. It doesn't matter, though. I'm here for you, if you'd like."
"You want me?"
"I wanted to see how you were, Harry," Remus said kindly. "I visited the neighborhood where your aunt and uncle lived and I learned you weren't there anymore. As your other guardian…didn't have you either, I looked for you, and here you are."
Harry's stare was unnerving. His face was unreadable, a mixture of shock, awe, and incredulity. "But you want me?"
"If you'd like, then yes," Remus replied. "You can come with me soon, if you'd like. I believe you can stay with us a little while to see how it goes, and maybe stay with us forever?" Remus looked up to Mrs. Mason for confirmation, while Harry's jaw dropped.
"Yes, Harry," Mrs. Mason confirmed. "The Misters Lupin filled out all the paperwork for you. You can live with them for a few months, and if you like it, I believe Mr. Remus could adopt you."
"You want to adopt me?" Harry asked, his eyes shining now. "You actually want…me? You didn't make a mistake?"
"Unless there's another Harry James Potter whose parents I went to school with, no, I didn't make a mistake," Remus said, smiling. "I have no children, Harry, and no partner. It would be you, me, and my dad, if that's alright."
Harry's hands were trembling as he held the photographs. "You-you're sure?"
"Only if you are," Remus said. "If you're happy here, I wouldn't want to take you away. You can stay with me for a few months, and if you don't like it, you can come back. Right?" Remus looked back up to Mrs. Mason for confirmation once more.
"Yes," Mrs. Mason said, with a smile. "Mr. Remus can always bring you back if you don't like it."
"I want to go," Harry said suddenly. "Can I please go with you, Mr. Remus?"
"Call me Remus, Harry. You can call my dad…?"
"Lyall for now," Lyall said, never taking his eyes off Harry. Remus couldn't read Lyall's expression, either, but he hadn't opposed any decision thus far, encouraging Remus to continue.
"We can arrange for Harry to go tomorrow," Mrs. Mason said, clearly delighted that Harry would be leaving them. "How will he be getting to you?"
"By car," Remus lied. "We're staying nearby. We'll come back tomorrow for him. Is that still alright for you, Harry?" Harry nodded enthusiastically, still clutching the photographs.
"You can keep those for the night," Remus said, eyeing the way Harry was holding onto them. "I have more at home for you."
"Home," Harry said softly, a look of disbelief on his eyes.
"We live in Cardiff. Do you know where that is?"
"Wales."
"Correct. It's almost time for the summer holidays, but in the fall you'll go to school there, if you still want to stay with us."
"I'm not having a delusion, am I, Mrs. Mason?" Harry suddenly asked, turning to face the matronly woman. "Is this real?" Remus' heart broke slightly upon hearing Harry's words.
"No, Harry. This is all real. Mr. Remus has been waiting for you for several weeks."
"You have?" Harry asked, looking from the photographs to Remus.
"I have. I wish I had known where you were earlier. I'm sorry, Harry."
Harry continued trembling and looking around his body. Remus was unsure if the boy was experiencing a hallucination, per the matron's diagnosis, or if he was simply nervous. "We'll come back tomorrow, Harry," Remus promised. "We'll take you home."
"Home," Harry repeated, looking at the photographs. "Home."
"Till tomorrow?" Remus asked, looking back up to Mrs. Mason.
"We'll see you at nine o'clock," Mrs. Mason said brightly. "Isn't that wonderful, Harry?" Harry's eyes welled with tears, and he wiped them away with a long, ragged sleeve. He nodded, and then slipped out of the dining room, photographs still in hand.
"As I said, he's a sweet boy. A little inattentive, if you saw, but that'll be his condition. You'll be required to take him to the psychiatrist every few months. I'll include all of his medical records in his file tomorrow," Mrs. Mason said. "The children's services officer requires monthly check-ins. Although you're in Cardiff, you'll have to come back to Kent every month with Harry for the first six months. If all goes well, then it will be every other month until his adoption is complete, assuming you, your father, and Harry himself agree to the adoption."
With the last-minute information, and Remus' head spinning from the reality of seeing Harry, he and Lyall left the children's home in high spirits.
….
"Is that all you have, Harry?" asked Remus, looking down at the battered rucksack as they walked out of the children's home.
"This is everything I own," Harry said glumly. "Even my clothes weren't mine. They were Dudley's."
"We'll get you more clothes," Lyall said firmly. "Once we settle in, we'll get you what you need."
"You're going to get me clothes? My own?" asked Harry, his green eyes shining further with incredulity and excitement.
"Of course, Harry. Some of them will be secondhand, I'm afraid, but you can choose them yourself. We'll find you some new clothes and some secondhand clothes, but they'll all be yours," Remus said.
"We have some books for you, too," he added. "Now that I work at a bookshop, I have a good discount and can always get you more."
"I can get my own books, too?"
"You didn't have very much of your own at the children's home, did you, Harry?" Lyall asked, a pained look in his eyes.
"I've never had anything of my own," Harry said forcefully. "It was all Dudley's before it was mine. I got his broken or old stuff."
Remus' heart broke once more. Although the Lupins had never been well-off after receiving the bite that made him a werewolf, he always had his own clothes, books, and toys, even if they were sometimes secondhand. Remus promised himself that Harry would have his own things as soon as they could afford them.
"When we're home, we'll put away what you have and do a little shopping," Remus offered. "Would you like that?"
Remus was worried Harry's eyes would never go back to a normal size, as the boy nodded furiously without saying a word. He was in constant shock or awe at whatever Remus and Lyall suggested. Remus began wondering what the boy had been exposed to either with the Dursleys or the children's home that made him so hesitant.
They finally walked towards a small alley, from which they would take the Portkey back to Cardiff.
"We haven't said anything about magic," Lyall said, as if reading Remus' mind.
"Magic?" Harry asked. "Are you magicians?"
Remus blinked, startled. "Harry, did your Aunt Petunia tell you anything about your parents, and what they did?"
"They died in a car crash. Dad was a drunk and unemployed," Harry said miserably. "Mum wasn't much better."
"Sweet Merlin, no, Harry," Remus said, forcing himself to stay calm. "Did she tell you that they could do magic?"
"They were drunk magicians?" asked Harry, scratching his messy hair in confusion.
"This is worse than I thought," Lyall muttered. "Stun him and take him with us. We'll explain when we're home."
"S-stun me?" Harry asked, horrorstruck, as he began turning on his heel.
"Stupefy," Remus said quietly, as Lyall cast a Cushioning Charm on the ground. Harry fell over, unconscious, and Remus took the boy in his arms.
"This is going to be harder than I thought," Remus said grimly.
"Isn't it always?" Lyall replied. "But you were right to take the boy in, son."
"I can't tell you how good it is to hear you say that. Now, let's take the Portkey before people think we're kidnapping him."
Lyall nodded, and pulled out the rusty hammer. Moments later, the three were whisked off to Cardiff to begin their new life together.
….
Harry was slowly waking on his bed. Remus sat in the chair in Harry's room, a photo album waiting on the desk, and his wand in hand.
"Mrs. Mason?" Harry asked groggily.
"No, Harry, it's me, Remus. Remember? You're home now with us in Cardiff."
"Home," Harry said, smiling to himself. "It's real?"
"It is indeed. I believe we have some things to discuss."
"What did I do?" Harry asked, panicked. "Am I in trouble?"
"No, no, no. You're not in trouble. I realized you know nothing about your parents, and I want to discuss them with you."
"My parents?"
"You said earlier, before we left, that your Aunt Petunia told you that they were drunkards and unemployed. That is very wrong."
"It is?" Harry brightened, and began sitting up on the bed.
"Your father, James, was a wizard. Your mother, Lily, was a witch. That makes you a wizard, Harry," Remus said carefully. "Do you know what that means?"
"Like Merlin? I can do magic?"
"Yes, just like Merlin! You can do magic. So can I, and so can my dad, Lyall," Remus said, grinning. "Do you see this?" Remus held up his wand, and Harry nodded. "This is my wand. This is how I can do most of my magic."
"Wingardium leviosa," Remus said, pointing his wand at the photo album. The album levitated a few feet in the air, and Harry's face grew from curious to delighted instantly.
"Can I try?" asked Harry.
"Not yet. You'll need your own wand to do magic. Witches and wizards get their wands when they turn 11. Your parents and I all went to a special school called Hogwarts. It's a school of magic." Remus flicked his wand at the bookcase, and summoned an old copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1.
"I have some of my old schoolbooks here. You're welcome to read through them. You'll get your own copies when you start at Hogwarts next year."
"This is real?"
"Very much so. You're a wizard, Harry. I can't believe your aunt and uncle never told you any of this."
"Uncle Vernon hated magic. Magic shows, magicians, everything with magic he hated." Harry wrung his hands anxiously, and flipped through the spellbook. "Remus, am I crazy? Am I real? Are you real?"
Remus furrowed his brow and frowned. "Why would you ask that?"
"Mrs. Mason and the doctors said I had problems in my head, and sometimes I make things up."
"You might have some problems," Remus admitted. "But I don't think that Mrs. Mason and the doctors were always right. I'm beginning to think that you had accidental magic sometimes, and they didn't know how to explain it."
"Accidental magic?"
Remus smiled. "Did anything funny or unusual happen to you when you were scared or angry, Harry?"
"One time I turned a teacher's wig blue," Harry said quickly. "Another time I got stuck in a tree when Aunt Marge's dog Ripper went after me but I was really high and couldn't get out. I broke windows sometimes."
"Magic," Remus said softly. "Sometimes, before a wizard or witch learns to control their magic, they will have bursts of accidental magic like that. When I was a little boy, my mum wouldn't let me have an extra biscuit, and I lit the dresser on fire."
"Wow."
"My mum was a Muggle. That's what we call non-magic people. My dad is a wizard," Remus continued. "I'm a wizard too, and I went to school to be better at learning spells and magic. Your parents went there, and so will you."
Harry sat in stunned silence for several moments. "I'm not crazy?"
"If being a wizard makes you crazy, then all of us are." Remus reached out his hand to pat Harry on the shoulder, but he flinched and backed away instinctively, worrying Remus.
"I'm sorry about that, Harry. I wanted to pat your shoulder. Next time I'll let you know what I'm doing, okay?"
Harry nodded, clutching the spellbook against his thin chest, and drew a blanket around himself.
"Are you hungry? It's almost time for lunch. I can make you something."
Harry shook his head.
"You're sure?" Remus frowned. He was certain Harry would be hungry after the eventful morning. "I'll make cheese toasties and tomato soup. If you're hungry, come to the kitchen, and then I can give you a tour of the house. This is your room, by the way. I know it's a bit small and simple, but we can add to it as you like."
"I have my own room?" Harry squeaked. "This is my room?"
"Of course you have your own room. Mine is across the hall, and my dad's is on the other side of this room. The loo is on the other side of my room."
"This is my own room?" Harry repeated. "I don't have to share?"
"No, Harry. This is your very own room. That's your bed, desk, and I'm sitting in your chair. The bookcase is yours, as are all the books in it. You can spend time in here whenever you'd like, but you'll have to go to school when the term begins."
Harry's eyes remained wide as he took in every nook and cranny of the small bedroom. It wasn't grand, by any means, thought Remus, but Harry looked as if he'd won a prize by having the small room to himself.
"Well, I'll be in the kitchen fixing lunch," Remus said. "If you get hungry, please come. If there's something else you'd like, let me know."
"When will you need me for dishes?"
Remus furrowed his brow again. "Dishes?"
"You need me for washing dishes? Or cleaning?"
"No, Harry. You might have some chores later on, but for right now, let me take care of you. You're…mine now. I want to take care of you."
"You mean that? You really want me? I'm yours?"
"Only if you want to be," Remus said quietly. "If you like it here, you can stay. I can't promise it will always be easy or fun, but I want to take care of you, Harry."
Harry was trembling again under his blanket, and Remus resisted the urge to hug the boy. Harry needed time to adjust, and Remus was determined to help him.
"The offer for lunch stands. If you're hungry, you're welcome to join me and my dad." Remus smiled at Harry once more and left his room. One tough conversation down, too many more to go, thought Remus.