Home is Where You Are
A/N: Tried a new style of writing. Entirely self indulgent story. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter One
Remus exited the bus and walked slow and fatigued to his nondescript and sad little apartment. He never much cared for the city, even with Cardiff's pleasant seaside attractions but being a werewolf meant it was near impossible for him to get any job of real worth or salary, and one needed money to live as they liked. Remus drifted through life picking up mostly muggle part time jobs in order to feed himself and pay for his residence. He didn't have much to spend after making all these payments and he always took the remaining, apparated to Diagon Alley, exchanged the pounds for a small handful of sickles and knuts and made a beeline for the owl post office where he sent a letter of the same nature and content, to the same person. Receiving only disappointment each time.
His letters to Dumbledore were so far, futile but he continued sending them in hopes that one day things would change, for it was the only reason he lived for. The so called life he had been living after that horrible night on October thirty first have been hollow, colourless and so numbing that the only days he really felt alive was on the full moon, where a whole night of self harm, once undesired, was now welcomed if only to replace that emptiness with some kind of feeling. Remus had entertained the notion of ending it all several times, it would be so easy, to rid himself of everything but he lived, if one could call it living, and he lived for one person only.
Harry.
Sweet, sweet Harry. The boy was three years old now and yet he hadn't seen him since the war. His frequent letters to Dumbledore was to ask where he placed Harry so that he may see him, to have a relationship with him. Remus knew he could not care for the boy full time, what with his affliction but he owed it to Harry to at least be in his life. He owed it to Lily and James. To Peter. However, Dumbledore was firm in his belief that the boy's life was still in danger and refused to share where he was. All Remus knew was that Harry was safe and in care of muggles, probably Lily's sister. He could not recall her name, Lily seldom spoke about her to him and when she did, she used a nickname, 'Pet'. It was hardly helpful to him when he poured through the yellow pages in search of her. There was no Pet Evans anywhere.
It was his hope that one day Dumbledore would deign the post war situation safe enough to allow him to visit. His situation with Dumbledore was one of the many things he was bitter about. Who was Dumbledore to the Potters to decide who deserves to see Harry or not? Remus was their friend, one of their best friends.
But they didn't trust him when it counted. And the person they did trust betrayed them.
He closed his eyes and stopped walking. Thinking about Sirius was the most painful. The man had been so many things to him. Roommate, friend, and...the object of his foolish feelings. He almost wanted to visit him in Azkaban, to ask why. Why? Why did he betray Lily and James? Two people who thought the world of him, who they trusted above everyone else, above himself who would rather die than to even think of betraying them. But he did not go. He did not ask, he wasn't entirely sure if he could stand to hear the answers.
Remus forced himself to put one foot in front of the other and continued walking. He could have apparated, but he was in no particular rush. Once he was home, he'd rest his legs and have tea and drink while wishing it were alcohol then have a turbulent sleep plagued with nightmares. Come the morning, he'd repeat it all over again. Except, fate had something else in mind for him tonight.
He stopped dead in his tracks as a large black dog came out from behind a bush on the sidewalk. It shook off the leaves and small branches that stuck to its fur. Remus drew his wand at once, thankful for the darkness giving him cover from muggles. He knew that dog. He would know that dog anywhere.
Sirius Black had escaped from Azkaban.
In the next second, the man stood before him. Sirius was a mere shadow of his former self. Gaunt and skeletal, he looked as if a moderate gale would blow him over. His once shiny and well tended black hair was tangled and flecked with grey and his prison robes were rags at best. It was the first time in a long time where Remus was the better dressed. Despite his weak, shabby and haunting appearance, his eyes held a conviction so strong that held Remus back from throwing every known spell to injure, maim and damage.
"Remus..."
His broken voice shook Remus in his core and he could feel his heart being tugged this way and that, in danger of being torn into shreds by the many opposite emotions that laid claim to it. He kept his wand steady, willing himself not to tremor. Not to look weak, or be weak.
"Remus please, it... It wasn't me! I wasn't their secret keeper, you have to believe me!"
This sudden proclamation had Remus lowering his wand, just a little.
"What?"
"We switched, I convinced Lily and James to switch the secret keeper to Peter. They would surely go after me. I had thought it a good idea at the time,"
Sirius' voice got more and more desperate.
"I can't prove much, but I can prove that the rat is still alive. I need your help, Remus, to prove my innocence."
"Peter is still alive?" Remus said, astonished.
Sirius growled menacingly and moved to draw something from his robes. Instantly Remus raised his wand more fixedly at him but it was only a newspaper clipping.
"Look!" said Sirius with a crazed look, "Look at the third boy's head."
Remus looked and was surprised to see that the newspaper clipping was from the Prophet. It looked to be a short article about the Weasleys who had won the Grand Prize Galleon Draw. He remembered hearing about it some weeks ago at Diagon Alley but as he could not afford a Prophet subscription, hadn't read the article himself. There was a picture attached of Molly and Arthur and their children. To Molly's right, there was a young boy of around seven with a rat on its head. A very familiar looking rat.
"The paw," Sirius said more desperately, "look at the paw."
"Good god..."
The rat, who had a striking resemblance to Peter's animagus form, was distinctly missing a toe on one of his front paws.
"He cut it off himself..." he concluded. Sirius nodded.
"But…that doesn't prove anything." Remus said slowly, still keeping his wand steady.
"Oh but it proves plenty. That night Lily and James…the night that they died, I went to dear Peter's house. He hadn't contacted us for a while, I wanted to make sure he was still safe but his house was empty. There was no sign of struggle, nothing. Immediately I knew something must be wrong, I set off for Godric's Hollow at once." Sirius paused, trying to collect himself. His bottom lip trembled and he fought the fresh wave of grief.
"Oh Remus, when I found out what that rat had done...I wanted to kill him. I wanted to rip him apart, limb from limb. I gave Harry and my motorcycle to Hagrid and went after him. When I found him and had him cornered in the muggle street he started shouting some nonsense about me, ME, being the one to betray Lily and James. For the whole street to hear."
He growled, sounding very much like his animal counterpart.
"After he blew up half the street the slimy git cut it off himself and transformed, disappearing into the sewers like a coward. He couldn't even face the consequences of his decisions with a little dignity. I didn't know it at the time of course, thought he had just misused a spell and gotten himself blown up."
"But…"
"Open your eyes Remus! If it happened the way they said it did, why is he still in hiding?"
Why indeed. There was no reason at all for Peter to hide, to waste away living as a rat. Sirius made a compelling argument and Remus felt himself almost hopeful to think he was telling the truth but he didn't know why. Even if Sirius was correct, it still didn't change the fact that there had been a painful betrayal amongst them. And yet, and yet…Sirius could be freed, the true culprit would be put into Azkaban. The friend that didn't betray them was not dead. Remus wasn't alone after all.
There was a clatter somewhere in the street and Sirius startled, transforming immediately into a dog. Padfoot looked around fearfully but the sound was only from a tin can rolling down the light slope of the roads. Remus breathed deeply, forcing the salty seaside air down his lungs to try and regain his composure. His entire world had been shaken from the unexpected arrival of Sirius but now was not the time to be vulnerable. Sirius was still a mass murderer to the rest of the world and they had to get someone safe before they could continue talking.
"Follow me, Padfoot," he said quietly. He put his wand back into his pocket and took long strides, knowing his canine friend could keep up. He said nothing more until they reached his apartment and once the doors were shut and locked and had every privacy spell thrown at it did he launch himself at Sirius. Sirius, to his credit, didn't falter under the weight of the taller, larger, more well fed man. He hugged Remus back tightly, wrapping his arms around his back and breathing in his scent with a relief so palpable Remus felt it settling in his own person, seeping into his bones. After every misfortune he had suffered, knowing that this man, that Sirius was not his enemy, that Sirius did not betray Lily and James, that Sirius was still good, gave him such insurmountable joy the excess of his feelings poured freely out of his eyes. He held his dear friend close and cried into his shoulder. Sirius smelled terrible but he could not let him go. His keener werewolf senses tried to seek Sirius' natural scent, and despite being so faint it could have been imagined, he fixated on it.
He could feel his own shoulder moistening with Sirius' tears. They hugged for a long time, Sirius mumbling apologies and gratitude into his shoulder. His heart wept for Sirius. What an injustice it was, he could see it now. No matter how damning the circumstantial evidence could have been, to condemn a man without a trial, without proper facts and information. It was reprehensible. Remus could very readily imagine the turmoil that Sirius must have gone through the past two years, how alone he must have felt, trapped with only dementors and prisoners for company. He could imagine, because he carried on in almost the same way. Experiencing the same storm of anguished feelings, but at least he could provide himself with distractions. Sirius had none.
After what felt like hours, Sirius' legs could support him no longer.
"Sirius, go shower and get changed. We can talk after you're clean and fed."
Sirius sighed happily at the prospect of hygiene and food and followed Remus' advice. The soft and warm pellets of water cascading down his chill soaked body had him moaning almost indecently. He worked a comb through his tangles with the aid of shampoo and indulged himself longer than he ought to in the steam. When he left the bathroom with a towel around his waist, he saw a pair of pyjamas laid out on the bed. It was patched and frayed and so like Remus that he smiled. He smiled even wider when he put it on and found it almost dwarfed him. He huffed in amusement and took time to fold the sleeves so that he wouldn't trip on them. Back in the kitchen, Remus was making a simple stir fry, and he smiled warmly when Sirius came.
"Smells delicious, Moony."
Remus' heart flipped pleasantly at the use of his old nickname. Sirius groaned gratuitously after taking a bite and they said nothing as Sirius ate. Remus reminded him gently not to eat too fast or too much. As hungry as he must be, it was inadvisable to eat so much on an empty stomach. Silence persisted even after they finished their meal. Remus hesitated to break it, but it wouldn't be useful to either of them to continue in this manner.
"Why didn't you tell me you had switched?"
Remus knew it was a heavy topic to start with, but he could not help himself. Sirius' eyes shifted guiltily.
"One of my biggest regrets," Sirius said.
"You thought I was the traitor," Remus surmised. Familiar feelings of anger surfaced in him and he looked down at his empty plate to avoid looking at Sirius.
"Back then, it was different. So many of the werewolf packs had aligned themselves with Voldemort. He promised them salvation and equal rights and as Dumbledore had done the same but not followed through, they were understandably more taken with Voldemort's ways."
Sirius took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"You were always away, on some mission or another. Gone for months at a time and we were not to communicate with you. When we did see you, we didn't say more than two words to each other. We were drifting, and that estrangement festered doubts. The rational side of us knew it was not up to you to share your tasks, Dumbledore felt it too dangerous but it was hard Moony, hard to dissuade ourselves of the small possibility that you would have found comfort with other werewolves. Comfort we couldn't provide."
Remus frowned. Had this been revealed two years ago, he would have undoubtedly lashed out. The separation with his friends was already hard on him then, to find out they had been mistrustful of his character would have hurt him deeply. However, it was no longer two years ago. Remus' anger at everything was less fresh, and his rational mind found it within him to understand Sirius. His hurt had been lessened by the guilt of his own misjudgement that Sirius was the traitor.
"I'm so, so sorry Moony, for ever thinking that you could be the spy. Please forgive me."
"I forgive you Sirius. Please... Also forgive me for thinking the same of you."
Sirius finally met his eyes, they were watery and filled with grief. Remus wiped his own tears and smiled when Sirius reached over the table to hold his hand.
"For that, you will need no forgiveness. I was rash and stupid. If I had your head on my shoulders I could have saved both of us these two years of suffering."
"I think you judge yourself too harshly, Lily and James had just passed. If it were me, I don't think I would have been able to hold back going after Peter either."
Sirius took in a shaking breath and hid his face in his hands.
"It might have not been my fault directly but I still caused their deaths, I'm the reason Harry is an orphan."
"Stop that," Remus chided angrily, "it's no one's fault but Peter's."
Sirius scowled.
"Speaking of said rat, what should we do? How can I even claim my innocence when the mere sight of me in the wizarding world would probably get me the Dementor's Kiss?"
"We need to collect evidence," Remus said calmly. "We need to slowly gather witnesses we can trust and build a case. Most importantly, we need to catch Wormtail so that he can give his own testimonies, preferably under veritaserum."
Sirius ran a hand through his newly detangled hair, looking for a lighter topic.
"How's Harry? Is he all big now then? Does he still call you Moo Moo?"
Pain overtook Remus at these words and he looked down onto his lap, wrenching his hand away from Sirius' grip.
"I haven't seen him, Dumbledore has not allowed it."
"What?!" Sirius bellowed. He stood in indignation. "Who the hell does that old man think he is? Harry is practically your godson, how dare he?"
Remus felt the same way and it gratified his heart to see someone else think so too.
"He has sent Harry to his aunt and uncle, or so I suspect. All I really know is that he's safe and with muggles."
Sirius goggled at him.
"You mean to tell me Dumbledore left Harry with those monsters?"
Remus' concern grew rapidly.
"Monsters?"
"Lily told me Petunia and her husband hated our kind. They were toward a reconciliation before Petunia married that odious walrus of a man. From what I understood, after a disastrous dinner, all hopes of rekindling a relationship with her sister was over."
"How... How do you think he is treated?"
"I have no idea, but I can't imagine anything good. Neglect might be our best possible hope,"
Remus' head ran wild with images of physical abuse and gross neglect, it angered him so strongly that the plates and forks clattered with the force of his magic. Sirius placed a calming hand on his shoulder. The effect was immediate, the plates stopped moving and Remus took another breath to calm himself fully.
"We must go to him. Now that I know Petunia's full name we have to search for her. Harry is probably okay, Dumbledore is watching over him after all, but I'd rest much easier knowing he is safe and happy."
"Quite right," Sirius agreed.
Research and work for Sirius' innocence was cast aside for now as they poured over Remus' yellow pages. Sirius forgot the surname of her husband so they had composed a list of all the Petunias in England. After they were satisfied, with plans to visit all of these places tomorrow, they fell into a comfortable sleep on Remus' bed. It was the best sleep either of them had gotten in a long, long time.
In the morning, Sirius already looked a hundred times better. Remus could see the colour returning to his cheeks after just one decent meal and rest. He was still thin and uncharacteristically frail but the determination in his eyes never wavered. Remus himself felt better, he was sure he looked better too with a full night's rest but he was unsure if it was from his newfound optimism or reality. They ate a simple quiet breakfast, Sirius legs shaking with nervous energy. After they were done, Padfoot and Remus walked to a deserted alleyway near the apartment to disapparate.
The first house was incorrect. They loitered as naturally as possible around the area before they were quite sure, based on conversations and what their own eyes perceived, that Petunia Smith was an old lady who lived alone with her beloved cat, Tutu. Remus sighed sadly and looked at Padfoot. The dog whined and flattened his ears before turning his head to where they had apparated from; the back of an old unoccupied house. They checked four more houses, Jones, Wright, Murphy, and even an Evans. All wrong. Remus had even disillusioned himself to peer inside the houses where the residents' situation seemed to match Petunia's but they didn't find Harry anywhere.
It was late in the afternoon when Remus and Padfoot found themselves in Little Whinging, Surrey. They apparated to a secluded area with dense shrubbery. Remus pulled out his parchment to double check the address. Number four Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. It was a short walk to the house and Remus grew a little nervous. It felt like there were many eyes on him, and judging from the state of him versus the fine neighbourhood of no doubt upper middle class muggles, he was probably being judged. Padfoot must have sensed this because he drew closer and walked almost between Remus' legs. Once at the house, their hopes were brightened. They had come just in time to see a large man with a great moustache come home in a shiny car. A woman, his wife presumably, greeted him with a smile, a fat heavy looking toddler in her arms.
They concealed themselves again to cast the usual disillusionment charms then walked right up to the open window to eavesdrop and spy.
"Thank goodness you're home dear, I've been in a dreadful state all day!"
They heard loud wailing and muffled boyish screams. Remus couldn't quite see from his angle but it seemed the boy from before was throwing a tantrum.
"Come now Dudders, daddy forgot the toy but I did bring some cake. Chocolate, your favourite."
The wailing stopped at once and with heavy footsteps the boy appeared once more, face pink and scrunched.
"Tommow you get me two toys!"
"Anything for the smartest best little boy in the world," the woman cooed. She helped her son clamber onto the chair in the dining room and his father chuckled and placed the cake in front of him. Padfoot nudged his thigh with his nose and with great annoyance and resignation, he picked up the heavy dog so that he may look too.
"Boy! Come here and make us some tea!"
The sudden harshness in the man's voice after hearing it so warmly address his son and wife startled Remus so much he gave a little jump. He then watched with horror as a small, small boy came ambling into the room, dressed in clothes much too big for him, making him seem all the more smaller. Remus and Sirius recognised him instantly. He had James' messy black hair, tanned skin and Lily's beautiful green eyes. He sniffled a little, but did as he was told. Or at least tried to. There was a stool inside the kitchen on which he had stood to reach the counter and the kettle, but upon moving the kettle to the table, he tripped on the way down. The kettle went flying and landed on the floor in a loud clatter, spilling scalding water everywhere. There was a shriek and a pitiful cry of pain and before he knew what he was doing, Remus pushed Padfoot through the open window, desperately climbing in after him.
The Dursleys shrieked once more as Remus' disillusionment fell and there was suddenly a full grown man and a large growling menacing dog in their kitchen. The dog gnashed his teeth and bit the air warningly, daring the muggles to come closer. Remus let Padfoot intimidate them all he liked while he tended to Harry. The boy had some bad burns and was crying but unlike his cousin who had wailed at the top of his lungs, Harry cried almost silently and when Remus gently coaxed him to face upwards, he knew why. Harry's jaw was shut tight and he was stifling the noise of his sobs as much as he could. Anger and guilt crashed through him. How could they have mistreated such a young boy to this extent? The abuse was inexcusable, unforgivable.
Fingers trembling slightly, Remus waved his wand over Harry, healing the burns as best he could. His cries subsided and green eyes peered at him curiously before closing shut. The poor thing had passed out from the pain.
"We have to get him out of here," Remus said. "To a healer maybe, I've done all I can but..."
Padfoot stopped growling and snapping at the Dursleys. Remus would have felt a little bad for the Dursleys if he wasn't so angry at them. He wanted to say something to them but couldn't find anything else other than obscene curses and death threats. He settled on glaring at them all, including the boy, then gathered Harry slowly and as gently as he could, wrapping him with his cloak. Harry was so small and thin he weighed almost nothing. Remus had to resist hugging the boy too tight, for fear of aggravating the poorly healing burns.
Padfoot led the way to the front door and they disapparated as soon as they could into the alley near Remus' apartment. They hurriedly rushed in.
"Shit shit, fuck. FUCK!" Sirius kicked the coffee table in anger. Remus settled Harry down on his sofa and ran a hand through his hair. Harry looked mostly peaceful as he rested, but there was a small knot between his tiny brows that told Remus he was still in some pain.
"W-who can we call? I've stabilised his condition and cast a stasis charm on him but he needs real care."
Sirius pulled at his own hair in frustration, looking almost to rip it out.
"Minerva and Madam Pomfrey." He said after a few minutes of silent contemplation.
"Minnie always had a soft spot for us and would never stand for abuse like this. She'd set things right."
"Are we going to... Tell her about you?"
"No, yes. I don't know. Not yet, later. Harry first."
Remus didn't know Minerva's floo address, this was a major problem. The only other option was...
"Expecto Patronum!"
A sad silver mist shot out feebly from his wand. Remus groaned in frustration. He was too distressed, too overcome. Too shrouded in sadness, all happy thoughts failed him. Sirius looked at him with pained understanding.
"Ex-expecto Patronum!"
Another cloud of mist.
"Fucking, son of a bitch!"
"Remus, focus! You can do this, for Harry,"
Sirius grabbed his shoulders and then his face. He ran a bony finger down Remus' wet cheeks and over his scars.
"We're going to live together with Harry, and we're going to give him the best fucking home ever," Sirius said seriously.
Remus repeated those words to himself over and over in his mind. Sirius stepped back, and with a determined wave of his wand, a silver wolf burst forth from his wand. Sirius transformed and wagged his tail happily at the sight of his Moony in spectral form. He told the Patronus to find Minerva McGonagall and to come to his apartment with Madam Pomfrey as soon as possible. He didn't want to reveal too much and trusted the desperation in his voice to bring them to him. He also gave them his floo address. Padfoot remained, sniffing and whining near Harry. He rested his head on the boy's feet and looked at him sadly. Remus was just clearing out his fireplace when a silver cat with spectacle markings around its eyes appeared.
"Poppy and I will be there in five minutes."
Remus sagged in relief, and with one quick wave of his wand, the fire was lit.
"Thank Merlin,"
Remus ran through possible scenarios in his head. Minerva and Poppy would have a hundred questions and Remus was pretty sure he would not be able to answer them all. The floo roared to life and Minerva stepped out. She glanced at Padfoot with a raised brow, then at Harry who shocked her so much she gaped open mouthed until Poppy appeared. The healer noticed the state of Harry at once and pushed past her colleague to tend to the patient. Minerva turned to Remus and gave him a sharp look.
"What is the meaning of this, Remus? Why is Harry Potter here?"
"I've been trying to find him because Dumbledore wouldn't tell me where he was. When I finally found him today..."
He balled his fists in anger.
"He was basically their servant, poor thing scalded himself trying to make them tea. He's so thin and scrawny, probably never had a decent meal since he got there."
Minerva's face became very white.
"I told him," she said shakingly. "I told Albus those muggles didn't sit right with me, how could he let this happen?"
"Maybe he didn't know?" Poppy said quietly. The silence that followed told Remus that no one believed that sentence. Dumbledore must have been aware of the situation, at least in part. Perhaps, hopefully, not the severity of it. Remus didn't know what he might do to the old man if he did indeed knew the full details and still saw fit to keep him there.
A loud gasp stirred Remus out of his thoughts. Poppy had taken off Harry's clothes. The small body was littered with bruises, scars and scratches. It was clear a lot of his wounds had gone untreated and left to heal itself. There were no incriminating signs of the abuse they had suspected, the injuries could have been gained by accidents that some children were prone to get into but the neglect was all the more obvious. Padfoot growled angrily. Remus knelt beside the sofa and wrapped an arm around him. It comforted him just as much as it comforted Padfoot and they watched Poppy run several spells over Harry with a tight lip, before reaching into her nurse's bag and pulling out several potions. She lifted Harry's head gently and poured two potions down his throat. Most of the cuts and bruises faded and Harry looked much more comfortable.
Poppy let out a sigh.
"Better move him to a bed."
Remus floated Harry to his bed while Poppy and Minerva made themselves comfortable at the dining table. Minerva was still eyeing the black dog with suspicion. It felt so…human. With its animated expressions and excellent comprehension of whatever they said. The dog was now sitting on the floor near the sofa. He regarded her just as suspiciously, or rather, she felt like she was being examined. For what exactly she could not tell, but it was clear that the dog wasn't an ordinary dog. Remus left the bedroom door open so that Harry wouldn't freak out in an empty room by himself when he woke. He joined Minerva and Poppy at the table and Padfoot walked up to him before sitting down and placing his head on his lap. Remus scratched his ears absentmindedly.
"You got a dog," Minerva said simply. She watched with interest as there was just a slight change of expression on her former student's face.
"Yes...his name is Snuffles."
Padfoot looked up at him incredulously and he held in a snort.
"He doesn't seem to like that name very much," she continued, now observing the dog who looked quite offended.
"He'll get over it,"
It was hard to determine where to start. After years of having nothing to do but go to work, come home and repeat, suddenly he was harbouring a fugitive, caring for a malnourished three year old and hosting his old Professor and school healer. He opened and closed his mouth several times and when the conversation renewed, it was Poppy who spoke.
"Harry needs to take some nutrition potions and start getting some proper meals. As soon as he wakes up he should have a light meal, maybe soup."
Poppy prattled on about the various potions he needed to take and when and how. She told them she would have to return to the castle before sending them what they needed with owl post and to start the treatment today after dinner.
"That's all very well for now. What we need to discuss is where the boy will go and who will care for him. I wouldn't mind taking him for the full moons Remus if you are able to take him in."
Remus bit his lip. While before he had envisioned being in Harry's life he never thought he would be his primary caregiver. It just wasn't feasible. He lived almost paycheck to paycheck and only had one day a week off, not to mention working irregular hours. He couldn't afford to care for him. It was shameful.
"I... Can't." The reasons went unsaid.
"I-I'm sorry Remus, It was insensitive of me, I forgot about…"
"Perhaps…Dumbledore could suggest…?" Poppy asked.
The dog growled at this while at the same time Remus said "absolutely not."
"If or when Dumbledore notices Harry is gone, we can tell him about our reasons for removing him. For now though, I'd like to keep him out of this particular decision making as his first choice was fucking bonkers."
Padfoot nudged at his feet. He looked at his friend who looked back with grim eyes. He looked at their old school teachers then back at him. Remus furrowed his eyebrows. Minerva watched sharply, wondering if her suspicions would be confirmed.
The dog bobbed his head in what looked like a nod and Remus, after hesitating, nodded back.
Minerva suspected the dog that acted too smart to be any ordinary dog was an animagus. But still, it did not prepare her for exactly who the animagus was. She stood and drew her wand instinctively while Poppy shrieked beside her. Sirius Black stood, completely nonplussed with two wands aimed right at him.
"Minnie, Madam Pomfrey."
"Black! What on earth?!"
Remus moved in between them.
"Professor... He's innocent. It was Peter. They switched secret keepers without telling anyone. Peter is alive, he's in hiding, living as a pet rat to the Weasleys. He's also an animagus."
This information was said so calmly and collectively that Remus might just as well been recounting the weather. Minerva never felt so stupefied as she did in that moment. Her brain worked furiously to understand all that had been revealed. Switched keepers? Peter Pettigrew alive? Rat animagus? Her knees gave out and she slumped back onto the chair with a great undignified huff.
"Merlin's saggy balls,"
"Language, Professor," Sirius quipped immediately. In spite of all her confusion and inability to collect herself, she laughed at his words.
"Goodness, is it really...true?"
"It's true. I'm willing to provide pensieve memories and testify under veritaserum. Unfortunately, it may not be enough. They'll say that memories can be tampered with and there are wizards who have been known to successfully resist veritaserum. Furthermore, they'd probably chuck me back into Azkaban before I can even testify anything. And that's the least they'd probably do."
"We need allies, preferably from the ministry. Aurors, people in the law enforcement department. We need manpower to catch Peter, and the sooner we get to it the better."
"After my innocence is proven, I will finally be free to claim guardianship of Harry as his godfather. We just need a temporary but safe and consistent environment for him right now."
Poppy looked almost ready to faint.
"I will take him for now," Minerva declared. "He will always have a home with me while I am not teaching. And so will you two."
"Professor..." Remus was touched.
"As much as I look forward to caring for the dear boy, I expect you two to clear Sirius' name before term starts. I'd start with Kingsley Shacklebolt. He's unprejudiced and rational. He's not high in ministry ranks but he's a good auror and a good man."
"Thank you so much Minnie,"
Minerva waved his thanks. "We will move Harry tomorrow," she scribbled her address along with her floo coordinates on a conjured parchment and handed it to Remus. "You two take care now, we have to act very carefully. The ministry won't keep quiet about your escape much longer and we have to use this period of unaware to our advantage."
And so, Sirius stood watch over Harry while Poppy and Minerva left to prepare her cottage to house a small boy. Remus went to Diagon Alley to send a letter to Kingsley Shacklebolt, asking for a meeting. They would have to be more wary about revealing themselves to him but they had no one else. They couldn't risk going to the Weasleys without a plan. If Peter caught wind of anything he'd bolt and they would lose their suspect. Remus returned to his humble apartment and smiled when he found Sirius running a hand through Harry's hair lovingly.
"He looks so much like James," Sirius said. "Merlin Moony, we have a whole arse child in our care. What the hell do we know about raising kids? That was always James and Lily's thing."
"Better us than those muggles."
Sirius' gaze darkened.
"Minnie wants us to go back and gather his things but if I have to see that disgusting family again I'll have a real crime to put me in Azkaban."
Remus sighed but agreed.
"Perhaps Madam Pomfrey and Minerva should go. Minerva has composure and Madam Pomfrey wouldn't hurt a fly."
"Maybe."
"... Feeling a little inclined to go just to threaten them some more?"
Sirius laughed softly.
"Would be nice. Wish I could at least send a hex or two their way."
Sirius sighed.
"It's hard to convict Muggles of crimes against wizards when all the ministry wants to do is obliviate them."
Remus hummed an agreement.
"Remus, I think he's waking up,"
Remus leaned in eagerly, kneeling down beside Sirius. Harry blinked sleepily. When he saw them, his little green eyes went wide with shock and he sat up then inched closer to the wall. Remus' heart broke at the action. Sirius moved closer but Remus pulled him back. The last thing the boy needed was to be crowded.
"Hello Harry,"
"Hello," he said politely. Remus smiled fondly.
"You must be feeling very shocked and scared right now," he said softly, "my name is Remus and this is Sirius. We were friends of your parents, good friends."
Harry's eyes filled with reverence at this reveal and he looked from Sirius to Remus.
"Their friends?"
"That's right. Because of certain circumstances, we weren't able to come see you but that's all going to change soon. You see, Sirius here is actually your godfather, do you know what that is?"
Harry shook his head.
"A godfather is someone who takes care of you if your parents pass away."
Harry frowned and bit his bottom lip.
Remus paused. Could three year olds understand death?
"Did…did you know your parents had passed?"
Slowly, Harry nodded. Well this was getting terribly sad very quickly.
"Well," Sirius continued. "Uh, I have something to clear up, let's say, with some...people. As soon as that's settled, I can officially adopt you and we can live together. Does that sound like something you'd like?"
A small smile crept up on Harry's face. The sight of it filled Remus with so much happiness he felt full to bursting. Next to him, Sirius grinned widely.
"While Sirius and I are uh, clearing the stuff with the people, you will stay with Minerva. She's a very nice and caring lady who lives in a lovely cottage in Scotland. She's actually a professor who taught your parents and us back in school."
"And, you won't ever need to go back to those Dursleys ever again. Even if you want to, I won't let you."
"Sirius,"
"What? I'm not letting him go back there no matter what!"
Harry giggled into his hands.
"You don't ever want to go back there, right Harry?"
Harry shook his head violently.
"P-please don't bring me back there..."
"We won't, not ever." Sirius promised.
"We will, however, need to get your things. Can you please tell us if there's anything you'd like us to get?"
Harry fidgeted.
"M-maybe my teddy. It's in the cupboard under the stairs."
Sirius frowned.
"Why is it there?"
"It's where I sleep."
"WHAT?!"
Harry shrank back and cowered instinctively, trembling. Sirius didn't notice and Remus was too busy trying to get him to speak more softly to comfort the boy.
"I'M GOING TO KILL THOSE MUGGLES, I SWEAR I WILL,"
"Sirius please! You're scaring him. Stop, please."
Sirius looked at Harry and his face crumpled.
"Oh Harry, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, please. Please don't be afraid. I wasn't yelling at you."
Harry pulled the blanket down from his head just low enough to peer at them with frightened green eyes. He was crying and stifling it as best he could.
"Merlin we're bad at this," Remus said. Sirius looked extremely guilty.
"I'm sorry Harry, I didn't mean to yell. I am just so angry at what they've done to you. The Dursleys are bad, bad people."
That thankfully seemed to calm the boy enough so that he stopped crying.
"Bad?"
"That's right, Dursleys bad."
"I'm going to go make some dinner for you, how does tomato soup sound?"
To their surprise, Harry pulled off his blankets and slid down the bed. He looked up at them with fingers clasped.
"I help,"
Sirius and Remus glanced at each other.
"If you want to help pup, of course you can. But you can also lie down and rest more, you've been through terrible things."
"In fact, it might be better for you to get some more rest,"
Harry looked at them utterly confused. Back at the Privet Drive, he had always been expected to help with the cooking. He was still small so he couldn't do much but Aunt Petunia always said that he had to pull his own weight because they let him stay there. He had nowhere else to go and didn't want to be kicked out so he helped and he did whatever they told him to do. But these men, friends of my parents, he thought happily, told him he could rest. His limbs felt heavy and his skin sensitive. He fidgeted. Was it really okay not to help out? But then surely...
"But I want to stay here, please, I help."
Sirius tried his best to school his expression, he was sure if he showed his anger the boy would misinterpret it again. How dare those Dursleys, how dare they. Sirius kneeled in front of him and held his tiny hands in his.
"Even if you do nothing to help out we won't send you away. Family doesn't work like that."
Harry's eyes twinkled.
"Family?"
Remus smiled gently.
"That's right, we're a family."
Harry smiled and stopped fidgeting.
"Now come on, back into bed or Poppy will have our heads."
Harry climbed back into bed obediently. Remus noticed the inquisitive look on the boy's face so he took a guess.
"Poppy is a great healer, she took care of your burns and other injuries. She also works at the school your parents and we went to."
"Doctor?"
"Something like that, but better," Sirius said with a wink.
"Harry, we'll leave this door open okay? We'll be right outside if you need us. Remember, you're not at Privet Drive anymore. No one will yell at you or hurt you or make you do anything you don't want to."
"I'll stay with him, Remus, you're fine fixing dinner yourself right?"
"Of course,"
Harry sat nervously, wondering what to do. He was tired but much too excited and intrigued to go back to sleep. Plus they were having dinner soon, he didn't want to trouble his parents' friends by having to rouse him. Sirius joined him on the bed and put a gentle arm around his shoulders. He smiled broadly and Harry returned it.
"You know you can ask us anything you want to right? I'm sure you have lots of questions."
Harry bit his lip.
"Aunt Petunia told me never to ask questions."
"Aunt Petunia is a poop face, you can ask me and Remus anything you like. Anything at all."
Harry smiled.
"Poop face?"
"Ah... Best not say that in front of Remus, he won't be very happy with me."
Harry giggled into his hands.
"You said a bad word,"
Sirius huffed.
"Yes I did, but to be fair, she deserves that title very much."
There was a short silence as the boy thought of his first question.
"Is Harry my name?"
Sirius blanched. The Dursleys didn't even tell him his name? Just how deep did their abuse and neglect run?
"You...didn't even know your name?"
Harry shook his head.
"Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon called me boy or freak and Dudley called me lots of mean things."
Sirius growled and pulled Harry into a side hug, planting a loud kiss on the top of his head.
"Your name is Harry Potter. You were born to Lily and James Potter, my two friends and the best people I ever knew. They loved you so much."
Sirius swallowed. He felt grief prickling at him, and he grappled with letting his tears fall and staying strong for Harry. He settled for the latter though it didn't work well. Harry panicked.
"Don't cry Sirius," he placed his two little hands on Sirius' head and petted him gently. Harry had seen Aunt Petunia do it many times for Dudley when he cried.
"Oh pup, you have nothing to apologise for. In fact... It is I who owe you an apology, if it weren't for me..." he trailed off. That was a conversation for when Harry was much older.
"Come here,"
Harry accepted the hug and wrapped his arms around his neck. He didn't smell very nice, as expected of a poor neglected child but Sirius didn't care. He absently thought perhaps Harry should have a shower and he resolved to help him shower just as soon as they were done with the hug. Unlike most other children, Harry was a patient child with an eagerness to please, so even when his little arms were tired and he started to feel the strain of being hugged tightly, he didn't struggle or try to get out of it. Thankfully, Sirius pulled away soon after, but not without another kiss to his forehead. The man's affectionate gestures left Harry feeling all warm and happy inside, and he rubbed at the area, smiling fondly.
"Come now pup, let's get you clean. I reckon I could transfigure some of Moony's clothes to fit you."
"What's a Moony?" Harry asked as he allowed himself to be picked up. Sirius settled him on the closed toilet seat and helped him undress.
"Moony is Remus' nickname. Mine is Padfoot. Your dad was Prongs. We had these nicknames for each other because we can each transform into animals."
Harry's eyes sparkled.
"Like magic?"
Sirius chuckled.
"Not like, it is magic. I'll show you after dinner."
"Okay."
"You can do it too, you know, one day, if you like. When you're older and more powerful."
"I'm powerful?"
"I'd reckon so, with parents like yours. You'd probably become the greatest wizard of the new age. But, nothing is a guarantee so you have to work hard and study hard."
"If I study hard I will become a wizard?"
Sirius smiled at his young charge. He was glad Harry was opening up and asking more questions. He hoped he'd be able to answer them all.
"Well, if you study hard you can become a great one. But even without studying, you are already a wizard. Just like your parents before you, just like Remus and I."
"But I...I can't do magic."
"You're still young, pup, you might have bouts of accidental magic later but you will be able to do proper magic when you're eleven and you get your own wand. Come on, hop in the bath."
Their conversation was put on hold as Sirius helped Harry wash. After Harry was clean and settled in the bath, soaking in the nice warm water, Sirius left him to play for a bit while he went to get Remus' clothes.
"Moony, lend me your wand would you,"
Remus passed him his wand and Sirius managed to turn one of Remus' pyjamas into two sets of clothes for Harry. One set of red pyjamas and a white shirt with green overalls. The quality wasn't as good as it could have been, having used old clothes and someone else's wand, but it would have to do. He returned Remus' wand and went back into the bathroom. Harry grinned at him from the bathtub and Sirius smiled back. He wrapped Harry in the fluffiest towel he found and gently wiped him dry.
Harry seemed particularly awed at the clothes that Sirius brought him. He looked from one sleeve to the other and pawed at the material.
"It fits," he said after a while. Those two simple words pulled at Sirius' heartstrings.
"Yes it does, and you look adorable in it." He pinched his cheeks lightly and ruffled his hair.
When Harry took his hand unprompted Sirius felt his eyes watering. He quickly wiped them away so that Harry wouldn't be alarmed. They went to the kitchen where Sirius helped Harry sit in the transfigured high chair then went to help his friend.
Just as Sirius was helping Remus plate up their dinner; tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches, an owl tapped on Remus's window. He let it in eagerly, and grabbed the letter off its foot with trembling fingers. Sirius tore off a bit of sandwich to thank the bird for its journey then looked over Remus' shoulder to read the letter. It was from Kingsley. The man had agreed to a meeting and said he was free in the afternoon tomorrow at two o'clock. They could meet at the Leaky Cauldron.
"Excellent Moony, well done."
Sirius placed a loud smack on his cheek which had him colouring.
"Honestly, Padfoot. Stop being a flirt and feed your godson some dinner."
Sirius grinned and went to the bedroom while Remus wrote a reply to send back with the owl who had thankfully waited. It sat on the table, eyeing Harry with curiosity. Harry looked right back at it, eyes wide with delight at seeing a real live owl. He reached out a hand and the owl nipped at it softly, hooting. Harry giggled and laughed then tentatively raised his hand higher, requesting with silent permission to pet it. The owl was gentle and it spun his head under Harry's hand, hooting contentedly.
"Sorry to break up your fun Harry but the owl needs to go back with my letter." Remus tied his letter to the owl's leg and it took off out the open window. Sirius set a small bowl of soup and a sandwich in front of Harry who's little stomach growled loudly.
"Can you eat by yourself?" Remus asked, handing him a spoon. Harry nodded and showed him by taking a big clean sip. Remus chuckled and ruffled his hair gently.
"It's very yummy, Mr. Remus."
"Thank you and please, call me Remus or Moony."
"Oh, sorry..."
"Nothing to apologise for, cub,"
"So-" Harry stopped himself in time with both his hands. He was just about to say sorry again but was sure Remus and Sirius wouldn't like it. They joined him at the dinner table and chuckled. Bashfully, he removed his hands and continued eating.
"What are we telling Kingsley?"
"He's a smart man, might already know I'm going to talk to him about you. The aurors would have been informed of your escape."
"What if he believes you helped me and tries to arrest you?"
Remus bit his lip.
"Minerva said that he is just, I will believe her."
"Then, perhaps a hint. A suggestion that I am innocent. We can judge his reaction, and see where we go from there."
"Sensible."
"Escape?" Harry asked curiously but he shut his mouth as the adults' attention snapped up to him. He was worried he'd asked the wrong question when Sirius smiled at him. Although he looked sad.
"I was wrongly imprisoned, they kept me in a terrible place called Azkaban."
"That's horrible," he said sadly.
"Yes, and now I have to prove my innocence."
"About that, perhaps you should get used to calling Sirius Padfoot for now, just in case."
"Padfoot," he said, then remembering, continued, "Padfoot! You said you can transform into an animal."
"I can."
Sirius moved in front of Harry before transforming. Harry let out a cry of delight and almost toppled out of his high chair in haste to get out of it. Remus chuckled and picked him up, helping him to the floor.
"Thank you Moony," he said politely. In his excitement, he didn't see Remus' eyes cloud slightly with tears.
"Wow! A dog, so pretty!"
Padfoot preened and licked Harry's face, making him giggle.
"Siriu-Padfoot said you can turn into an animal too," he said to Remus. Remus smiled wanly.
"Yes, but unlike Padfoot I can't do so at my will. I become a wolf on full moons and sadly, I don't think I can ever show you my form, it's too dangerous. You will have to be content with Padfoot."
"A werewolf!" Harry said, "Like from fairy tales."
"Muggle depictions on werewolves are mostly correct."
Padfoot nudged his snout underneath Harry's hand, encouraging him to pet. Harry did so happily, scratching behind his ears and along Padfoot's jaw.
"What's a muggle?"
"Muggles are what we call people who aren't wizards or witches," Remus explained patiently. Harry's mouth formed a little 'o' in understanding.
"What animal was my father?"
Remus smiled. "A deer,"
"Wow…do you think I can be a deer?"
"Maybe, no one knows what their animagus form will be until they turn."
They fell into a comfortable silence as Harry contemplated Remus' words. Magic was amazing, he still couldn't quite believe that he was a wizard himself. He had never done anything extraordinary but Sirius and Remus told him he was a wizard and he so desperately wanted to believe them. Harry had reduced Padfoot into a simpering mess on the floor, his tail never once losing its motion. Remus chuckled and looked over the scene with great happiness. He still felt the familiar pangs of pain and regret but he wouldn't let himself dwell in darkness for too long. He had Harry safe and happy, he had Sirius and they were on a good path to restoring Sirius' innocence. For the first time in two years, he felt hopeful that a good and happy life lay ahead of him.