Hey again. Here we go chapter ten. I think I should get a medal for getting it out so quickly.

Chapter Ten

The week went by, far quicker than Remus had wanted it to. After recovering from the shock of hearing Harry speaking parseltongue during the reptile show at the zoo the rest of the week had gone remarkably smoothly. Remus had neglected to tell Albus Dumbledore that the 'Boy Who Lived' was also the 'Boy Who Talks To Snakes.' Remus had managed to smooth the whole thing over at the zoo by babbling on about how Harry had pretended to talk to snakes ever since he was a very small child. The manager of the zoo had looked as though he was convinced Remus was mad, Remus himself wasn't sure if he had blamed him, it had been very odd to hear hissing noises coming from a six year old boy. Harry hadn't even realised he had spoken a different language. Remus had pretended that nothing strange had happened and Harry was convinced that most wizards could speak to snakes. Remus wasn't prepared to tell him that only Dark Wizards could usually talk to snakes.

Remus hadn't even mentioned to Harry that he was meant to be going back to the Dursley's today. He'd decided to leave Harry watching cartoons on the television while he went back to see Dumbledore to plead again that Harry could stay with him.

Harry seemed perfectly happy to be left, even if Remus did feel slightly guilty and apprehensive about leaving a six year old boy alone in a flat. Remus travelled to Hogwarts via floo powder arriving in Dumbledore's office seconds after he left his flat.

Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, a long quill in his hand apparently writing a letter, Fawkes the Phoenix on a perch behind him, the red and gold feathers in his plumage glinting in the sunlight.

"Ah Remus," the old man said without even looking up, "I wondered how long it would be before you showed up."

"You can't make him go back to them, you just can't." Remus pleaded angrily striding across the room until he was directly in front of Dumbledore's desk.

Dumbledore sighed looking up at his former student. "Remus I have already spoken to the Dursley's; they have agreed to show Harry a little more kindness in the future."

"And you believe them? I've seen Harry with them; they treat him like dirt! I won't let him go back."

"Remus the matter is out of your hands. You know the protections that surround Harry at Little Whinging. He is not safe living anywhere else. I have put too many wards around the house."

"But why? Can't you just as easily put them around where I live?" Remus replied, he was determined that Dumbledore would not win.

"You are not of his blood Remus, that would cancel out half of the wards instantly. He has to live with his family. Do you want Harry to be safe?"

Remus paused before replying, if he said 'yes' Dumbledore would say that he had agreed to take Harry back to the Dursleys, if he said 'no' then Dumbledore would say that he didn't care enough about Harry and would send him back anyway. Instead of an answer he gave a slight grunt that could have been taken either way.

"Remus, in a few years Harry will be at Hogwarts more than he would be with them. I can arrange for him to see you at weekends, you can take him to Hogsmeade, maybe he could even stay with you for Christmas."

"He won't want to know me, if he even remembers me. He'll think I abandoned him, he won't even want to talk to me." Remus said bitterly.

"He won't think you abandoned him, it's only a few years."

"Yeah his childhood, by the time he goes to Hogwarts he won't have even had a happy childhood. The Dursley's will continue to tell him that he is the scum of the earth. They might not even let him go to Hogwarts."

"They will let him go to Hogwarts." Dumbledore replied looking the younger man in the eyes. "Remus I know that you care deeply for Harry but…"

"But what?" Remus broke in angrily, "I have to understand that he's safer at a place where the people hate him and he's desperately unhappy just because you say so!"

"Remus, you will take Harry back to the Dursley's today." Dumbledore said firmly.

"But…" Remus tried to cut in but Dumbledore ignored him.

"I will go and see him a few days when he's settled and I'll have to wipe his memory, it's not safe to have a young boy knowing all our secrets."

"Why wipe his memory, he won't understand the strange things that happen otherwise? He'll think that no-one cares about him."

"Remus it's better this way."

"But it's not, " Remus's voice cracked and he broke off.

"Remus I'm sorry."

Remus didn't reply but stormed off back through the fireplace.

***

Neither Harry nor Remus had spoken much the entire journey to Surrey. Remus just didn't know how to start a conversation with the boy he was about to abandon to a childhood of misery.

Eventually the train pulled to a stop at Little Whinging train station. The two of them got off onto a bustling platform and started the short walk to Privet Drive.

Before long they had reached the end of Privet Drive. Remus was fighting the urge to just turn and walk Harry back the other way, back towards his flat, but he knew that even if he didn't take Harry back to the Dursley's today, Dumbledore would take him back tomorrow, or the day after.

Harry looked very small as they stood outside number four. He spoke for the first time in hours.

"Do I have to go back?" Remus didn't trust himself to speak so just nodded. Harry's eyes simply screamed betrayal. Remus looked away.

The door of number four opened and Petunia Dursley appeared out of it.

"Boy will you get here now!" she hissed at Harry, "whatever will the neighbours think?"

Remus knelt down next to the boy; he had no idea what to say so instead he hugged Harry. At first Harry resisted before he put his arms around Remus. Remus had no idea how long they stayed there like that, but eventually they were dragged apart by Petunia's voice insisting that Harry go inside.

Harry walked off reluctantly; Remus didn't stay to watch the door shut but instead walked off down the road, wiping his face with his sleeves as he went.

He heard the door click shut behind him as he strode off down the street, not looking back once.

The End

A/N

Yeah okay, just remember any flames I get are used to hatch baby dragons.

I swear this is the end, this is a totally (kinda) canon fic, Harry won't remember meeting Remus and the next time he sees him is on the Hogwarts Express.

Right I'd like to thank all of my reviewers (that doesn't mean that you can stop reviewing however.) and my various beta readers, this chapter was betaed during a Chemistry lesson by RozPottz but the rest of the story was betaed by Aranel-Elf. Thanks loads to both of you.

Anyway lots of reviews would be nice for the last chapter, which is a not to subtle hint.

Anyway thanks again for reading the fic.