For My Loved Ones by Spelljammer
Disclaimers: Same as Chapter 1
CHAPTER 2: The Long Way Home
Remus Lupin had a guest at his house in the woods. Sirius Black, of the long hair, unshaven face and dusty robes was on his doorstep. Officially he was there to hide out until Dumbledore's faction "Order of the Phoenix" could be reestablished. In Remus Lupin's case though there were a lot of unspoken words that needed to be said to each other since the incident with Peter. There were more than thirteen years worth of words to tell his friend.
"Come in." Remus spoke gently
"We need to talk." Sirius said plainly as he crossed the threshold.
Remus nodded.
"Dumbledore sent word this morning about you."
"Short notice."
"I stocked up on food this morning too."
"Hope I'm not imposing."
"It'll just be like before." Remus said gently as the two walked into the kitchen.
"Right." Sirius just grunted. Nothing was like before.
Remus had some stew simmering on the stove and he was beginning to dish it up. Remus noticed the atmosphere was quite tense. A joyful reunion seemed to be out. He thought that Sirius being in the same room as someone who wouldn't believe that he was innocent almost fifteen years earlier must be hard. Wasn't all that behind them now? Two lifelong friends torn apart now brought together should be sweeter than honey. All Remus could taste was pain when he put the bowl and spoon on the table.
"Hey, thanks." Sirius said almost timidly.
He had a full wave of shame about him as was eating. Sirius looked and felt like a common beggar. This was a far cry from the tough guy of the Marauders, the one who could take on anyone who made fun of James and Peter and could grind anyone into dust if they even looked at Remus the wrong way.
This feels wrong. Sirius thought mournfully.
"How long will you stay?" Remus asked
"Until futher notice, I suppose. The old faction is coming together again and we'll be needed." Sirius said between bites.
"I didn't think it would come to this." Remus said darkly.
"War?"
"That, and the fact that we have nothing to say to each other."
"Please let me in again, Remus. We could start over again." Sirius said with more than a hint of desperation.
"You were never outside, mate. That was the problem." Remus said with a look that suggested that he was on the verge on breaking.
"I felt like I was far, far from home." Sirius blurted "You, James and Lily were home to me." "Even though I saw you at the shack, this past year I felt like..."
"You can't go home again."
Sirius nodded. Take a chance Padfoot he thought.
"I still love you...way too much actually." Sirius blurted almost miserably
"Again...you were never outside. You will NEVER be outside no matter how much I try to harden myself." This was slightly killing Remus.
Just then an owl swooped in from the open window with a letter.
"Hedwig?" Sirius said with all due shock.
It was addressed to Remus but when he opened the letter the parchment was for Sirius.
"It's Harry." Remus said quietly.
After snatching the letter from him, Sirius was in total disbelief as he read it:
DEAR SIRIUS
COMPLETELY LEFT HIGH AND DRY BY MY SO CALLED FAMILY. VERY LOST AND SCARED. NEED YOU DESPERATELY IF ONLY FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. IT'S OKAY TO SHOW UP AT THE HOUSE. YOU SHOULD KNOW THE WAY. DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN BRING BUCKBEAK THOUGH. YOU SAID I COULD SEE YOU SOON. WELL, HOW SOON IS NOW?
HARRY
P.S: ASK ME HOW I KNEW YOU WERE AT PROFESSOR LUPIN'S PLACE WHEN YOU GET HERE.
The last part seemed cheerful even though the first part was dire seeming. Sirius was immediately planning how to get to Privet Drive when Remus spoke.
"Where's Buckbeak anyway?" he asked.
"I let him go with a herd of wild Hippogriffs." He said distantly. It wasn't so bad since he put a tracking charm on the herd so he could find the creature at any time.
After few a minutes of silence Remus spoke again.
"Even there are anti-apparation wards around the house I could apparate a few streets down and you could piggyback on my energy trail so no one will notice."
"Let's go." Sirius said with a firm resolve.
It was almost nightfall back on Privet Drive and Harry left the door unlocked. He would not move from his spot in the middle of the bare floor until he got word from Sirius or if he showed up, which seemed to be the only thing Harry wanted right now. He was reading his fourth year divination book by the light of the fading sun because there were no light bulbs in the house. Harry could easily fix this with a charm or two but he wasn't allowed to perform spellcraft outside of Hogwarts.
Stars, sticks, stones...but nothing about visions and barely anything about dreams.
His dreams used to scare him, still do actually but this weird "waking dream" didn't scare him at all. It felt natural. Professor Dumbledore wasn't a real proponent of divination and most of the Hogwarts students disregarded it (including Harry) but Harry was slightly changing his mind about the subject. It wasn't the vision that was shifting his attitude since he had dreams before but it was his new feelings that were helping him. The door opened, but Harry didn't notice.
"Looks like someone abandoned a little pup here." came Sirius' voice from the front door trying to be comforting but realizing the gravity of the situation upon seeing the barren house, save for Harry's luggage.
Harry ran to the front door and nearly took down the larger man when he hugged him. Remus followed him in and was smiling serenely at the sight. Sirius was running his hands through Harry's brownish hair, inspecting him and even smelling him. This was an appraisal to see if Harry was okay. Canine mentality kicking in which came from being with Remus as a dog. Harry was almost crying.
"I've had a very, very long day." Harry mumbled.
When Harry was calmed down they all went up to his room and drew the curtains. It was now starting to get darker.
"Lumnos" chanted Remus with his wand out. It started to glow white light. All three were sitting on the bed. "Well, what happened?" he asked.
"This morning I got off the train, I had lunch with them this afternoon, then this happened." Harry handed Remus the folder of documents. As he looked them over Sirius started to fume.
"We trusted them with you! This is absolutely unacceptable!" he was still holding on to Harry on the bed. "How could they hate you this much?"
"Very easy actually. Every day since I was brought here was a battle for survival." Harry said with a little bitterness. It was quiet now. It was no secret that Harry detested the Dursleys but the actual amount of abuse Harry had to endure was unknown to every one except Harry who kept it to himself. Noticing the darkening expression on Sirius, Remus changed the subject.
"I only met up with Padfoot here a few hours ago. How did know he'd be at my place?" He asked gently. Harry's expression brightened a little.
"I had a dream while wide awake!" he said brightly starting to get a little proud of his little vision.
"What'd you see?" Sirius asked not quite sure what he meant but starting to form a good idea.
"Well at the front door I saw you and the professor..."
"You can call me Remus, Harry." Remus cut in.
"Thanks, anyway I saw both of you at the little house in the woods. It felt like it was something about to happen...or maybe it was in progress I don't know." At this both Sirius and Remus gave thoughtful looks at each other.
"I guess we'll just go to Hogwarts and inform Dumbledore about all of this." Remus said. "I sent Hedwig out there to inform him to disable the anti-apparation wards around his office." Harry's face slightly frowned and Sirius held him closer. Remus knew full well why they weren't exactly thrilled to go see Dumbledore. The man had the power of life and death over them.
"Maybe we could go in the morning." Sirius said solemnly.
"No, we have to go right away." Remus replied quietly which seemed to suck all the life out of the room.
Just then the scenery changed from Harry's room to the Gryffindor dormitory while the three were still on the bed-now the Gryffindor bed. This immediately disturbed Sirius and Remus because someone apparated all three of them. To apparate someone else without permission required a lot of power...and nerve. So naturally when they turned around they saw Professor Dumbledore. Sirius was clutching Harry very tightly now and the elder wizard noticed.
"Don't be alarmed. I threw my aura around all three of you so it was like I apparated back and forth. It seems I have misjudged the Dursleys." Dumbledore had a tired expression.
"I have to set up the wards now. Stay the night here. We can talk in the morning." Dumbledore said with the same tired expression. Did he look defeated? Remus thought. Still a little stunned from the apparation process Harry just stared at Sirius. Without a second thought Sirius took one of the beds and pushed it right next to the bed Harry was sitting on making it like one giant bed.
"Well, come on Moony, he's giving us at least one night together, better make the most of it!" Sirius said with a little cheerfulness (largely faked). Harry just plopped his head down on the pillow. Sirius bounced on the bed trying to take in this moment. When Remus was on the other side of Harry on the bed he picked up his wand which came with them.
"Nox." He chanted and all the lights went low. Harry was exhausted but felt safe. He desperately tried to take the moment for all it was worth but was very tired from the emotional roller coaster he was on today. For all the surprises he got in one day, ONE DAY, (which always seem to pile up on him like this). Harry was back at the same place he started from this morning. He tried to sleep which he was in his clothes still under the just the sheets as he took his glasses off.
Deep in the night though...
"Sirius." Harry said quietly
"Yeah."
"I feel like I'm taking the long way home, and I might not get back there now."
"Know the feeling."
"I'm going to ask Professor Dumbledore if you and Remus could stay at Privet Drive with me. It's supposed to be safe." Harry felt Sirius move closer to him.
"Couldn't hurt." Although with a known werewolf and an escaped convict living with the legendary Boy Who Lived, Sirius wasn't expecting a miracle.
Remus overheard this exchange. He knew Dumbledore enough to know that Harry's proposal was morally sound but legally all but impossible even with the forms Vernon Dursley left. Its not like Sirius could just sign all the forms and everything would be okay. This whole affair was now totally up to Dumbledore being a recognized elder of the magical community, Ministry of Magic or no Ministry of Magic.
Lord and Lady please grant Harry his...our wish. It's just within reach.
Help Dumbledore find a way to make it work
I beg you. Please don't forsake us. Remus prayed silently with all of his soul.
Disclaimers: Same as Chapter 1
CHAPTER 2: The Long Way Home
Remus Lupin had a guest at his house in the woods. Sirius Black, of the long hair, unshaven face and dusty robes was on his doorstep. Officially he was there to hide out until Dumbledore's faction "Order of the Phoenix" could be reestablished. In Remus Lupin's case though there were a lot of unspoken words that needed to be said to each other since the incident with Peter. There were more than thirteen years worth of words to tell his friend.
"Come in." Remus spoke gently
"We need to talk." Sirius said plainly as he crossed the threshold.
Remus nodded.
"Dumbledore sent word this morning about you."
"Short notice."
"I stocked up on food this morning too."
"Hope I'm not imposing."
"It'll just be like before." Remus said gently as the two walked into the kitchen.
"Right." Sirius just grunted. Nothing was like before.
Remus had some stew simmering on the stove and he was beginning to dish it up. Remus noticed the atmosphere was quite tense. A joyful reunion seemed to be out. He thought that Sirius being in the same room as someone who wouldn't believe that he was innocent almost fifteen years earlier must be hard. Wasn't all that behind them now? Two lifelong friends torn apart now brought together should be sweeter than honey. All Remus could taste was pain when he put the bowl and spoon on the table.
"Hey, thanks." Sirius said almost timidly.
He had a full wave of shame about him as was eating. Sirius looked and felt like a common beggar. This was a far cry from the tough guy of the Marauders, the one who could take on anyone who made fun of James and Peter and could grind anyone into dust if they even looked at Remus the wrong way.
This feels wrong. Sirius thought mournfully.
"How long will you stay?" Remus asked
"Until futher notice, I suppose. The old faction is coming together again and we'll be needed." Sirius said between bites.
"I didn't think it would come to this." Remus said darkly.
"War?"
"That, and the fact that we have nothing to say to each other."
"Please let me in again, Remus. We could start over again." Sirius said with more than a hint of desperation.
"You were never outside, mate. That was the problem." Remus said with a look that suggested that he was on the verge on breaking.
"I felt like I was far, far from home." Sirius blurted "You, James and Lily were home to me." "Even though I saw you at the shack, this past year I felt like..."
"You can't go home again."
Sirius nodded. Take a chance Padfoot he thought.
"I still love you...way too much actually." Sirius blurted almost miserably
"Again...you were never outside. You will NEVER be outside no matter how much I try to harden myself." This was slightly killing Remus.
Just then an owl swooped in from the open window with a letter.
"Hedwig?" Sirius said with all due shock.
It was addressed to Remus but when he opened the letter the parchment was for Sirius.
"It's Harry." Remus said quietly.
After snatching the letter from him, Sirius was in total disbelief as he read it:
DEAR SIRIUS
COMPLETELY LEFT HIGH AND DRY BY MY SO CALLED FAMILY. VERY LOST AND SCARED. NEED YOU DESPERATELY IF ONLY FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. IT'S OKAY TO SHOW UP AT THE HOUSE. YOU SHOULD KNOW THE WAY. DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN BRING BUCKBEAK THOUGH. YOU SAID I COULD SEE YOU SOON. WELL, HOW SOON IS NOW?
HARRY
P.S: ASK ME HOW I KNEW YOU WERE AT PROFESSOR LUPIN'S PLACE WHEN YOU GET HERE.
The last part seemed cheerful even though the first part was dire seeming. Sirius was immediately planning how to get to Privet Drive when Remus spoke.
"Where's Buckbeak anyway?" he asked.
"I let him go with a herd of wild Hippogriffs." He said distantly. It wasn't so bad since he put a tracking charm on the herd so he could find the creature at any time.
After few a minutes of silence Remus spoke again.
"Even there are anti-apparation wards around the house I could apparate a few streets down and you could piggyback on my energy trail so no one will notice."
"Let's go." Sirius said with a firm resolve.
It was almost nightfall back on Privet Drive and Harry left the door unlocked. He would not move from his spot in the middle of the bare floor until he got word from Sirius or if he showed up, which seemed to be the only thing Harry wanted right now. He was reading his fourth year divination book by the light of the fading sun because there were no light bulbs in the house. Harry could easily fix this with a charm or two but he wasn't allowed to perform spellcraft outside of Hogwarts.
Stars, sticks, stones...but nothing about visions and barely anything about dreams.
His dreams used to scare him, still do actually but this weird "waking dream" didn't scare him at all. It felt natural. Professor Dumbledore wasn't a real proponent of divination and most of the Hogwarts students disregarded it (including Harry) but Harry was slightly changing his mind about the subject. It wasn't the vision that was shifting his attitude since he had dreams before but it was his new feelings that were helping him. The door opened, but Harry didn't notice.
"Looks like someone abandoned a little pup here." came Sirius' voice from the front door trying to be comforting but realizing the gravity of the situation upon seeing the barren house, save for Harry's luggage.
Harry ran to the front door and nearly took down the larger man when he hugged him. Remus followed him in and was smiling serenely at the sight. Sirius was running his hands through Harry's brownish hair, inspecting him and even smelling him. This was an appraisal to see if Harry was okay. Canine mentality kicking in which came from being with Remus as a dog. Harry was almost crying.
"I've had a very, very long day." Harry mumbled.
When Harry was calmed down they all went up to his room and drew the curtains. It was now starting to get darker.
"Lumnos" chanted Remus with his wand out. It started to glow white light. All three were sitting on the bed. "Well, what happened?" he asked.
"This morning I got off the train, I had lunch with them this afternoon, then this happened." Harry handed Remus the folder of documents. As he looked them over Sirius started to fume.
"We trusted them with you! This is absolutely unacceptable!" he was still holding on to Harry on the bed. "How could they hate you this much?"
"Very easy actually. Every day since I was brought here was a battle for survival." Harry said with a little bitterness. It was quiet now. It was no secret that Harry detested the Dursleys but the actual amount of abuse Harry had to endure was unknown to every one except Harry who kept it to himself. Noticing the darkening expression on Sirius, Remus changed the subject.
"I only met up with Padfoot here a few hours ago. How did know he'd be at my place?" He asked gently. Harry's expression brightened a little.
"I had a dream while wide awake!" he said brightly starting to get a little proud of his little vision.
"What'd you see?" Sirius asked not quite sure what he meant but starting to form a good idea.
"Well at the front door I saw you and the professor..."
"You can call me Remus, Harry." Remus cut in.
"Thanks, anyway I saw both of you at the little house in the woods. It felt like it was something about to happen...or maybe it was in progress I don't know." At this both Sirius and Remus gave thoughtful looks at each other.
"I guess we'll just go to Hogwarts and inform Dumbledore about all of this." Remus said. "I sent Hedwig out there to inform him to disable the anti-apparation wards around his office." Harry's face slightly frowned and Sirius held him closer. Remus knew full well why they weren't exactly thrilled to go see Dumbledore. The man had the power of life and death over them.
"Maybe we could go in the morning." Sirius said solemnly.
"No, we have to go right away." Remus replied quietly which seemed to suck all the life out of the room.
Just then the scenery changed from Harry's room to the Gryffindor dormitory while the three were still on the bed-now the Gryffindor bed. This immediately disturbed Sirius and Remus because someone apparated all three of them. To apparate someone else without permission required a lot of power...and nerve. So naturally when they turned around they saw Professor Dumbledore. Sirius was clutching Harry very tightly now and the elder wizard noticed.
"Don't be alarmed. I threw my aura around all three of you so it was like I apparated back and forth. It seems I have misjudged the Dursleys." Dumbledore had a tired expression.
"I have to set up the wards now. Stay the night here. We can talk in the morning." Dumbledore said with the same tired expression. Did he look defeated? Remus thought. Still a little stunned from the apparation process Harry just stared at Sirius. Without a second thought Sirius took one of the beds and pushed it right next to the bed Harry was sitting on making it like one giant bed.
"Well, come on Moony, he's giving us at least one night together, better make the most of it!" Sirius said with a little cheerfulness (largely faked). Harry just plopped his head down on the pillow. Sirius bounced on the bed trying to take in this moment. When Remus was on the other side of Harry on the bed he picked up his wand which came with them.
"Nox." He chanted and all the lights went low. Harry was exhausted but felt safe. He desperately tried to take the moment for all it was worth but was very tired from the emotional roller coaster he was on today. For all the surprises he got in one day, ONE DAY, (which always seem to pile up on him like this). Harry was back at the same place he started from this morning. He tried to sleep which he was in his clothes still under the just the sheets as he took his glasses off.
Deep in the night though...
"Sirius." Harry said quietly
"Yeah."
"I feel like I'm taking the long way home, and I might not get back there now."
"Know the feeling."
"I'm going to ask Professor Dumbledore if you and Remus could stay at Privet Drive with me. It's supposed to be safe." Harry felt Sirius move closer to him.
"Couldn't hurt." Although with a known werewolf and an escaped convict living with the legendary Boy Who Lived, Sirius wasn't expecting a miracle.
Remus overheard this exchange. He knew Dumbledore enough to know that Harry's proposal was morally sound but legally all but impossible even with the forms Vernon Dursley left. Its not like Sirius could just sign all the forms and everything would be okay. This whole affair was now totally up to Dumbledore being a recognized elder of the magical community, Ministry of Magic or no Ministry of Magic.
Lord and Lady please grant Harry his...our wish. It's just within reach.
Help Dumbledore find a way to make it work
I beg you. Please don't forsake us. Remus prayed silently with all of his soul.
