Thank you to athenakitty, Morgana, Barbara, Ms. Padfoot, ilo star, luna699,
Melissa Lupin and angeL_1215 for reviewing! You guys are all really great!
And a special thank you to Sinner's Angel, I really loved that review you gave. It was really helpful and encouraging. I read it a few times and I hope that you like this chapter. It's dedicated to you.
A Different Life
Chapter 14 - Memories
Harry went up to the Owlery and immediately spotted Owl. He walked over to her and attached the letter, telling her to deliver it to Remus, he gave her a pat and then he watched as she flew off.
As Harry was heading back he felt a bit warm so he pulled his sleeves up. He could feel the bumps as he did on his arm, the scars that had been left from his time at the Dursleys. Harry could vaguely remember the few weeks after he got back from the last time he was at the Dursleys.
Harry had tried to put it all behind him. It had been easier when Severus had taken him away the first time, when he was 5 years old. He didn't know any different, he was used to it. The thought that he could die during one of his uncle's beatings wasn't a very scary thought to Harry.
But when Harry had something to loose, Severus, Dumbledore, Remus, Hogwarts, everything he had come to love, dying was a very scary thought. And for a moment, he was sure he would have died that night. He was so scared, and it took a while for Harry to heal from that, not only physically but mentally.
Harry hadn't let anyone get close to him again, even Severus couldn't get past the wall Harry had put up, only when Harry found out that his uncle had been found guilty and charged had he finally let people past the wall he had up.
********************************************
~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~
Harry sat in the living room on a couch. He was had his legs against his chest, his head leaning on the top his knees and he was just staring at nothing. None of the lights were on so he sat in the dark.
He heard the portrait open and looked up to see a dark figure entering the room. He could tell it was Severus by the shape. After a moment he heard Severus mutter "Lumos" and the room was filled with light. It took Harry's eyes a moment to adjust.
At first it didn't seem that Severus had even seen Harry but after a moment Severus' eyes landed on him.
"Harry? Harry what are you still doing up?" Severus asked.
When he didn't receive an answer, which was no surprise lately, Severus continued talking. "Come on Harry, let's put you to bed..." Severus grabbed Harry's hand and started to head towards the door but Harry wouldn't budge, pulling back at Severus' hand.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
Harry looked up at Severus, eyes searching, searching for a sign, tears were in his eyes but they had yet to fall.
Severus looked confused for a moment before his eyes opened in shock, realizing why Harry was acting the way he was.
"Oh Harry, everything went fine, I was given full custody of you, your uncle is going to be given to the muggle police. You won't ever be taken away from me again. I promise." Severus, while talking had knelled down in front of Harry, looking straight into Harry's tearful eyes.
Harry looked straight back into Severus' eyes and could see the feeling and truth behind his words. He finally let a small smile onto his face, but no matter how small Severus took it as a step forward.
"Come on, let's get you into bed."
Harry agreed, only then realizing how tired he was. He let Severus pick him up and take him into his bedroom where he finally collapsed into bed, sleeping a lot more peacefully then he had in a long time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~
*************************************
From then on Harry had gotten progressively better, until he was finally back to normal. All Severus and everyone else could do was wait for Harry who had to do it in his own time.
Harry shook his head at the thought, smiling lightly at the memory. He really was lucky to have Severus.
He then noticed a scar that hadn't come from the Dursleys. He smiled remembering how he had gotten it.
***************************************
~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~
7-year old Harry and Ron were outside by the Forbidden Forest, talking and laughing about how they had finally escaped Dumbledore. He was meant to be watching them but after 2 hours they had finally gotten away, Dumbledore was studying a piece of parchment and by the time he looked back up they were long gone.
They were still talking about it when something caught their eye. They turned their heads to see the strangest animal trotting along the edge of the forest.
They both looked at each other and without words they decided to go sneak up on it and get a better look.
It looked like a unicorn, but something about it made it seem different, but neither Ron nor Harry could tell what it was.
They tried to run up to it as silently as they could, and Ron managed to hide behind a bush near it without it knowing. But unfortunately Harry tripped on a root on the ground and wasn't quite as soundless as he would have liked.
Alarmed the animal took off, with Ron hot on its tail, Harry bringing up the rear.
After a small while both Harry and Ron gave up, then looking around they realized they were quite a way into the forest, without a clue which way would lead them back to Hogwarts.
They didn't have a chance to panic or say anything as a deep growl sounded behind them.
They both jumped and turned around to see an angry looking wolf eyeing them hungrily.
Harry knew then they were in big trouble.
After a moment the wolf jumped at Ron, obviously deciding on him first and Harry rushed to pull Ron out of the way without a second thought.
While successful at getting Ron out the way, he did get one of the wolves nails in him arm, making a long scratch down his arm, immediately drawing blood, but Harry hardly noticed, he was quickly trying to think of a plan to get them out of the mess they had stepped into.
They were both slowly backing away, the Wolf seemed even angrier now.
They were both distracted by a yell from behind them.
"HARRY! RON!" Remus yelled.
He instantly ran in front of both Harry and Ron, and then it seemed to Harry that Remus and the wolf had a staring contest.
For what seemed like hours they just stared, not moving a muscle.
Then without warning the wolf yelped and ran off, leaving a relieved Harry, Ron and Remus behind.
After another minute of staring, even though the wolf had left, no doubt making sure it had in fact gone, Remus turned around to make sure that both Ron and Harry were okay. They were both in shock, Harry being the worst off because he was bleeding.
Remus examined Harry's arm and concluded that it was a deep cut but not deep enough to be too worried.
He then began to lead them in the right direction and towards Hogwarts, Remus looking thoroughly exhausted, Harry and Ron not that much better.
After a while of silence Harry finally voiced a thought he had.
"How did you find us Remus?" Harry asked quietly.
"I could smell you." Remus replied shortly, not going into anymore detail.
Harry seemed to understand what he meant, though Ron looked completely lost, even bringing his shirt up to his nose and smelling it, though he did try to do it discreetly.
"So... you're not angry?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Why would I be angry?"
"Umm... well Ron and I did leave without Albus knowing, and we did go into the Forbidden Forest, almost getting ourselves killed..." Harry explained, wondering why Remus wasn't already yelling at them both.
"Well, I am disappointed in both of you, you both should be far more careful then what you were, but I can't really be angry at you, knowing that Severus is going to murder you as soon as he finds out..."
Harry looked horrified at what Remus had said. He hadn't thought about what Severus would say! Suddenly being back there with that wolf was looking like a better idea.
"What did you do to that wolf back there Mr. Lupin?" Ron asked.
Remus sighed, he had lost count of how many times he had told Ron that it was okay to call him 'Remus' but Ron still every time called him 'Mr. Lupin'.
"It's a wolf thing." Remus again answered shortly, again not going into great detail.
"A wolf thing? But you're not a wolf? How does that work?" Ron asked.
Before Remus could answer Ron interrupted him.
"Bloody Hell! You are aren't you?" Ron almost yelled in shock.
After a lot of explaining from both Harry and Remus, Ron calmed down. Though he seemed a bit nervous about Remus he didn't say anything.
Soon they were back at Hogwarts, and luckily for Harry, Severus wasn't anywhere in sight.
Madam Pomfrey gave them both Harry and Ron sleeping potions, though Harry was sure he didn't need one because he was already half asleep, he still didn't argue with her. She healed him up, leaving only a scar behind and in seconds he and Ron were fast asleep.
~~~~~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~~~~~~
*********************************************
Harry smiled when he thought of what happened when Severus had found out. He had yelled until he went blue. Ron's mum had screamed Ron deaf.
Overall they had learned their lesson... well for a couple of months until they had their next adventure!
And after another few visits Ron didn't even seem to care that Remus was a werewolf, though he did still refer to him as 'Mr. Lupin'.
Harry looked at his watch and then immediately began running back down to the dungeon, he must have been walking slow as he hadn't gotten very far from the Owlery.
He ended up just making it seconds before the end of lesson
He settled back in for a whole day of potions, wincing slightly at the thought. He was defiantly sick of potions by now, his detentions had put him off the subject even more. He really needed a long break from it before he could get back into it again. Too bad Severus had to be the potions master, not only that but he actually liked to teach Harry it.
************************************************
Severus sighed when he saw Harry enter, he had begun to get a bit worried when he took longer then he had thought Harry would need.
Severus knew that he had asked a lot of Harry today, especially without giving a reason but he truly didn't have one. Only that his instincts told him that something was defiantly amiss with Quirrell. And he had learned to always trust his instincts. Quirrell was acting a lot different then what he had been like before he left, and Severus was going to find out why.
Severus could only hope that Harry stuck to his promise that he had made to him and didn't do anything stupid. He remembered talking to Dumbledore and Lupin after one of Harry's many foolish adventures.
***************************************
~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~
"Why are you looking so down Severus? Harry is fine, everything worked out? What's wrong?" Dumbledore asked, slightly concerned by Severus' reaction.
"I- I hadn't really let the idea sink in... But I guess I'm going to have to live with it now!" Severus sounded exasperated
"What are you talking about dear boy?" Dumbledore was trying hard to follow what Severus was saying but he was at a loss
"He's a Gryffindor! I wasn't expecting him to be in Slytherin or anything, but I had hoped Ravenclaw or even Hufflepuff! I am stuck with a Gryffindor! Do you have any idea what that is going to do to my image! Raising a bloody Gryffindor!" Severus sounded annoyed, but good heartedly.
Dumbledore smiled at him and Remus chuckled, feeling pride for Harry.
~~~~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~~~~~~
******************************************
Yep, raising a future Gryffindor was defiantly stressful! Especially when that child is Harry bloody Potter!
And a special thank you to Sinner's Angel, I really loved that review you gave. It was really helpful and encouraging. I read it a few times and I hope that you like this chapter. It's dedicated to you.
A Different Life
Chapter 14 - Memories
Harry went up to the Owlery and immediately spotted Owl. He walked over to her and attached the letter, telling her to deliver it to Remus, he gave her a pat and then he watched as she flew off.
As Harry was heading back he felt a bit warm so he pulled his sleeves up. He could feel the bumps as he did on his arm, the scars that had been left from his time at the Dursleys. Harry could vaguely remember the few weeks after he got back from the last time he was at the Dursleys.
Harry had tried to put it all behind him. It had been easier when Severus had taken him away the first time, when he was 5 years old. He didn't know any different, he was used to it. The thought that he could die during one of his uncle's beatings wasn't a very scary thought to Harry.
But when Harry had something to loose, Severus, Dumbledore, Remus, Hogwarts, everything he had come to love, dying was a very scary thought. And for a moment, he was sure he would have died that night. He was so scared, and it took a while for Harry to heal from that, not only physically but mentally.
Harry hadn't let anyone get close to him again, even Severus couldn't get past the wall Harry had put up, only when Harry found out that his uncle had been found guilty and charged had he finally let people past the wall he had up.
********************************************
~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~
Harry sat in the living room on a couch. He was had his legs against his chest, his head leaning on the top his knees and he was just staring at nothing. None of the lights were on so he sat in the dark.
He heard the portrait open and looked up to see a dark figure entering the room. He could tell it was Severus by the shape. After a moment he heard Severus mutter "Lumos" and the room was filled with light. It took Harry's eyes a moment to adjust.
At first it didn't seem that Severus had even seen Harry but after a moment Severus' eyes landed on him.
"Harry? Harry what are you still doing up?" Severus asked.
When he didn't receive an answer, which was no surprise lately, Severus continued talking. "Come on Harry, let's put you to bed..." Severus grabbed Harry's hand and started to head towards the door but Harry wouldn't budge, pulling back at Severus' hand.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
Harry looked up at Severus, eyes searching, searching for a sign, tears were in his eyes but they had yet to fall.
Severus looked confused for a moment before his eyes opened in shock, realizing why Harry was acting the way he was.
"Oh Harry, everything went fine, I was given full custody of you, your uncle is going to be given to the muggle police. You won't ever be taken away from me again. I promise." Severus, while talking had knelled down in front of Harry, looking straight into Harry's tearful eyes.
Harry looked straight back into Severus' eyes and could see the feeling and truth behind his words. He finally let a small smile onto his face, but no matter how small Severus took it as a step forward.
"Come on, let's get you into bed."
Harry agreed, only then realizing how tired he was. He let Severus pick him up and take him into his bedroom where he finally collapsed into bed, sleeping a lot more peacefully then he had in a long time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~
*************************************
From then on Harry had gotten progressively better, until he was finally back to normal. All Severus and everyone else could do was wait for Harry who had to do it in his own time.
Harry shook his head at the thought, smiling lightly at the memory. He really was lucky to have Severus.
He then noticed a scar that hadn't come from the Dursleys. He smiled remembering how he had gotten it.
***************************************
~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~
7-year old Harry and Ron were outside by the Forbidden Forest, talking and laughing about how they had finally escaped Dumbledore. He was meant to be watching them but after 2 hours they had finally gotten away, Dumbledore was studying a piece of parchment and by the time he looked back up they were long gone.
They were still talking about it when something caught their eye. They turned their heads to see the strangest animal trotting along the edge of the forest.
They both looked at each other and without words they decided to go sneak up on it and get a better look.
It looked like a unicorn, but something about it made it seem different, but neither Ron nor Harry could tell what it was.
They tried to run up to it as silently as they could, and Ron managed to hide behind a bush near it without it knowing. But unfortunately Harry tripped on a root on the ground and wasn't quite as soundless as he would have liked.
Alarmed the animal took off, with Ron hot on its tail, Harry bringing up the rear.
After a small while both Harry and Ron gave up, then looking around they realized they were quite a way into the forest, without a clue which way would lead them back to Hogwarts.
They didn't have a chance to panic or say anything as a deep growl sounded behind them.
They both jumped and turned around to see an angry looking wolf eyeing them hungrily.
Harry knew then they were in big trouble.
After a moment the wolf jumped at Ron, obviously deciding on him first and Harry rushed to pull Ron out of the way without a second thought.
While successful at getting Ron out the way, he did get one of the wolves nails in him arm, making a long scratch down his arm, immediately drawing blood, but Harry hardly noticed, he was quickly trying to think of a plan to get them out of the mess they had stepped into.
They were both slowly backing away, the Wolf seemed even angrier now.
They were both distracted by a yell from behind them.
"HARRY! RON!" Remus yelled.
He instantly ran in front of both Harry and Ron, and then it seemed to Harry that Remus and the wolf had a staring contest.
For what seemed like hours they just stared, not moving a muscle.
Then without warning the wolf yelped and ran off, leaving a relieved Harry, Ron and Remus behind.
After another minute of staring, even though the wolf had left, no doubt making sure it had in fact gone, Remus turned around to make sure that both Ron and Harry were okay. They were both in shock, Harry being the worst off because he was bleeding.
Remus examined Harry's arm and concluded that it was a deep cut but not deep enough to be too worried.
He then began to lead them in the right direction and towards Hogwarts, Remus looking thoroughly exhausted, Harry and Ron not that much better.
After a while of silence Harry finally voiced a thought he had.
"How did you find us Remus?" Harry asked quietly.
"I could smell you." Remus replied shortly, not going into anymore detail.
Harry seemed to understand what he meant, though Ron looked completely lost, even bringing his shirt up to his nose and smelling it, though he did try to do it discreetly.
"So... you're not angry?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Why would I be angry?"
"Umm... well Ron and I did leave without Albus knowing, and we did go into the Forbidden Forest, almost getting ourselves killed..." Harry explained, wondering why Remus wasn't already yelling at them both.
"Well, I am disappointed in both of you, you both should be far more careful then what you were, but I can't really be angry at you, knowing that Severus is going to murder you as soon as he finds out..."
Harry looked horrified at what Remus had said. He hadn't thought about what Severus would say! Suddenly being back there with that wolf was looking like a better idea.
"What did you do to that wolf back there Mr. Lupin?" Ron asked.
Remus sighed, he had lost count of how many times he had told Ron that it was okay to call him 'Remus' but Ron still every time called him 'Mr. Lupin'.
"It's a wolf thing." Remus again answered shortly, again not going into great detail.
"A wolf thing? But you're not a wolf? How does that work?" Ron asked.
Before Remus could answer Ron interrupted him.
"Bloody Hell! You are aren't you?" Ron almost yelled in shock.
After a lot of explaining from both Harry and Remus, Ron calmed down. Though he seemed a bit nervous about Remus he didn't say anything.
Soon they were back at Hogwarts, and luckily for Harry, Severus wasn't anywhere in sight.
Madam Pomfrey gave them both Harry and Ron sleeping potions, though Harry was sure he didn't need one because he was already half asleep, he still didn't argue with her. She healed him up, leaving only a scar behind and in seconds he and Ron were fast asleep.
~~~~~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~~~~~~
*********************************************
Harry smiled when he thought of what happened when Severus had found out. He had yelled until he went blue. Ron's mum had screamed Ron deaf.
Overall they had learned their lesson... well for a couple of months until they had their next adventure!
And after another few visits Ron didn't even seem to care that Remus was a werewolf, though he did still refer to him as 'Mr. Lupin'.
Harry looked at his watch and then immediately began running back down to the dungeon, he must have been walking slow as he hadn't gotten very far from the Owlery.
He ended up just making it seconds before the end of lesson
He settled back in for a whole day of potions, wincing slightly at the thought. He was defiantly sick of potions by now, his detentions had put him off the subject even more. He really needed a long break from it before he could get back into it again. Too bad Severus had to be the potions master, not only that but he actually liked to teach Harry it.
************************************************
Severus sighed when he saw Harry enter, he had begun to get a bit worried when he took longer then he had thought Harry would need.
Severus knew that he had asked a lot of Harry today, especially without giving a reason but he truly didn't have one. Only that his instincts told him that something was defiantly amiss with Quirrell. And he had learned to always trust his instincts. Quirrell was acting a lot different then what he had been like before he left, and Severus was going to find out why.
Severus could only hope that Harry stuck to his promise that he had made to him and didn't do anything stupid. He remembered talking to Dumbledore and Lupin after one of Harry's many foolish adventures.
***************************************
~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~
"Why are you looking so down Severus? Harry is fine, everything worked out? What's wrong?" Dumbledore asked, slightly concerned by Severus' reaction.
"I- I hadn't really let the idea sink in... But I guess I'm going to have to live with it now!" Severus sounded exasperated
"What are you talking about dear boy?" Dumbledore was trying hard to follow what Severus was saying but he was at a loss
"He's a Gryffindor! I wasn't expecting him to be in Slytherin or anything, but I had hoped Ravenclaw or even Hufflepuff! I am stuck with a Gryffindor! Do you have any idea what that is going to do to my image! Raising a bloody Gryffindor!" Severus sounded annoyed, but good heartedly.
Dumbledore smiled at him and Remus chuckled, feeling pride for Harry.
~~~~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~~~~~~
******************************************
Yep, raising a future Gryffindor was defiantly stressful! Especially when that child is Harry bloody Potter!