A different kind of Life
By KerrianneLupin
Chapter Three
Prongs Junior meets Uncle Moony
DISCLAIMER – Nope not mine
AUTHOR NOTE – Thanks to everyone who reviewed this fic, it's much appreciated. It's also a lot harder to write then I thought it would be especially this chapter but hopefully I've done well enough to satisfy you all. Please Review and enjoy! I'll update soon
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn,
From the experiences of others, are also remarkable
For their apparent disinclination to do so. – Adam Douglas
Remus stood silently in his living room staring at the roll of parchment in his hand with a distinctly nervous look on his face. The owl that had delivered the letter from Dumbledore 10 minutes ago had already left, nicking a piece of toast from the kitchen table as it went.
"Come on man" Remus muttered to himself, using his spare hand to run it through his hair bringing the usual neatness into disarray "You were a Gryffindor, open the letter and get Harry its not hard" he swallowed hard as he tried to will himself into doing it. As stupid as it seemed he knew the minute he opened the letter his life and that of a little boy he was going to take care of was going to change dramatic, at the opening of a simple letter he was going to go from Remus Lupin, 24 year old bachelor Werewolf to Remus Lupin 24 year old Werewolf with a 4 year old son to be responsible for.
He shook his head violently and with a hand that trembled ever so slightly he broke the wax seal of the Hogwarts emblem and slowly opened up the parchment. His eyes scanned the fancy handwriting inwards
Remus,
Once again on behalf of Minerva and myself we must thank you for agreeing to take on this hard task at this time in your life.
Although there is much that we must discuss about young Harry and the implication he will have for you, today is not the day. I'll arrange a meeting once you and young Harry are settled into some routine.
I am sure that you are eager to get Harry and so I will give you the address of his residence with a warning. No matter what you may feel toward Petunia and her husband you must NOT harm them in anyway, Petunia is essential to Harry though I cannot tell you why. Remember no matter what, if you feel the need take Harry and go, I shall take care of the rest.
Young Harry is currently residing at number 4 Privet Drive in little Whinging. To get there it is best that you apparate, Arabella Figg lives next to him so if you need any help you can turn to her.
I wish you all the luck in the world Remus.
Albus Dumbledore
Remus took a deep breath as he reread the letter; the Headmaster had put his warning in for a reason meaning that Remus was likely not to like the way Harry had been treated. He threw the letter on the bed and with a quick prayer for strength to his former friends he apparated.
He looked around him blinking in the strong sunlight that was bathing Privet drive in its warmth. Remus suddenly felt grubby at this place, every blade seemed to be cut to perfection so they were all the same length, and the posh cars all gleamed through hard waxing it seemed. Everything was perfect, a little too perfect for Remus's liking and in his opinion definitely not the place to raise a small child.
"Remus I though it was you, I heard the crack through my window" Remus turned and felt a smile curve his lip as he beheld Arabella Figg running towards him as fast as her slipper covered feet could carry her, a smile of welcome on her face that was beginning to show signs of old age and weariness while the once thick brown hair was mainly grey now and the volume it used to have when Remus first met her when he was 17 was all but gone. Time had not been any kinder to Arabella then it had been on him.
"Arabella" he replied giving her a quick hug "How are you?" he asked politely his eyes falling on house 4, she followed her gaze and grimaced slightly
"Ah I see you've come for Harry" she said Remus nodded his head at her a frown coming to her face
"I'm looking after Harry now Bella" he said "Dumbledore's order, apparently Lily's relations having been treating Harry in a way that James and Lily would have appreciated their son being treated" Arabella snorted
"I should say not" she said darkly, glaring at the house through penetrating grey eyes "I've watched him Remus ever since he came to live there and the way they treat him is no better then you would treat a stray dog. They make him do everything from what I gathered and give him nothing for it, they don't even clothe him properly" Remus's face darkened
"I see" he said calmly, his amber eyes flashing in a way that any evil doer at school would recognise that Remus Lupin was at that moment in time a severely pissed Remus Lupin "I'll soon sort that out" he said firmly
"Good he's only a child, he doesn't deserve it, when you've got him come to mine, I'm number 7, you can floo home or to Hogwarts that way" Remus nodded at her
"Good plan Arabella" he remarked "I wouldn't want to scare the Pup anymore then he will be" Arabella nodded
"Good Luck Remus" with those words and a smile of comfort she turned and made her way to her house while Remus opened the polished gate and walked up the perfectly paved path and knocked firmly on the door he stood waiting. Admiring the array if flowers of every colour. A second later the door opened and Remus found himself looking into the shocked pale blue eyes of Petunia Dursley.
"You" she said in horror and went to slam the door in his face when he caught it and pushed it back open, entering as he did so, she backed away from him as if he was going to attack her, eyes moving frantically round the tidy, cream painted hall.
"Yes me Petunia" he commented, "You look well, how are you? I heard from Lily that you had a baby boy is that right? By the name of Dudley? Congratulations though I'm guessing he must be around about 4 now" whatever reaction she thought he was going to have it was definitely not the polite almost friendly one he had done, her thin mouth slackened for a second and she stood blinking at him for a few second before speaking
"You're one of those freaks aren't you?" she demanded angrily "I'll not have you in my house, it's bad enough having one, now get out before I call the police on you" Remus found himself giving her a pitying look
"I won't be here for long" he promised "And if you mean a magical person when you say freak then I am, I was Lily's best friend at Hogwarts. Remus Lupin" he didn't hold out his hand knowing that she wouldn't take it, instead he contented himself looking at the many pictures of a fat little boy with thick straight blond hair and pale blue eyes, he seemed to be having a temper tantrum in every photo.
"Lily mentioned you" Petunia suddenly said, "You were friends with Potter weren't you?" Remus nodded a memory of Lily calling James, Potter coming to his mind, a slight smile came to his face before he extinguished it
"We were best friends also" he remarked "I've come to see Harry where is he?" he demanded
"Not here, there is no Harry here" she said instantly, it was obviously an automatic response to anyone asking her that question, making Remus frown why would she answer the question like that and why were there no pictures of Harry at all?
"I know he's here" he remarked calmly "Where is he?" Petunia looked torn about answering causing Remus to smile slightly in his mind, James has always said that Remus's Irish charm worked a treat with any lady even if they hated him. She was saved from answering when the door to the cupboard under the stairs opened and a small boy came out. Remus stared at the figure in amazement even as Petunia spoke
"Get back in there, I never said you could leave it"
"I need to go toilet though Aunt Petunia" the little boy replied wearily
"Harry?" Harry Potter looked up curiously at the tall man who addressed him, he seemed different to the others, For one he wasn't staring at him in dislike, on the contrary a large warm smile had covered his mouth while kind eyes looked at him
"Yes?" he asked nervously staring at Remus with large emerald green eyes, Lily's eyes Remus noted and smiled, she would have been happy about that, she had always complained that Harry looked so much like James that James might as well have cloned himself, there was no chance of that with those green eyes. Other then that he was identical to James in a way that caused Remus's throat to contract, the hair stuck up in the same way and was the same black in colour, his face was the same except for two things, one Harry's nose was smaller, more like Lily's and secondary the scar. A jagged lightning bolt on his forehead, thin but noticeable
"How are you today Harry?" he asked gently kneeling down so he was on the same level as the small boy. He had no idea what he was doing but he was pretty sure it was the right thing to do since a slight uneasiness left Harry's face "Don't say a word Petunia, you're lucky I don't hex you on the spot for treating him this way, you call yourself a mother? You disgust me" he said scorn and hatred present in his voice, he noticed out of the corner of his eyes that Harry that shrunk back at the tone and was looking scared, Petunia on the other hand shut her mouth instantly is a scared sounding squawk a quick glance up confirmed that she was terrified, she edged towards the kitchen then darted in
"Take the bastard" she yelled at Remus, eye flashing, she was trembling slightly as well "We don't want scum like here in this house, take him and go and never come back as far as I'm concerned" then the door slammed leaving Remus and Harry alone in the whole way, it was all Remus could do not to break the door down and curse her but he control himself, Dumbledore's warning clear in his head
"I'm Remus Lupin" he said soothingly, the scared look eased off at the tone, he obviously wasn't used to having anyone treat him nicely "You can call me Uncle Moony if you want" he remarked with a small laugh "You used to when you were even smaller then you were now" Harry stared at him, wringing his hands together. His clothes were miles to big for him and it made his look even skinnier then he was. His face was unnaturally pale and from the looks of things he had been living under the stairs in cramp conditions affecting his height.
"Are you taking me away?" Harry asked, he hesitated a lot over words as if he was scared to say anything or question anything, Remus nodded
"Come here Harry" he said holding out his hand, Harry looked at him suspiciously then hesitantly made his way over to Remus, when he was standing in front of him Remus leaned his arm out and stroked the black hair in a way that he hoped was soothing, Harry seemed to enjoy it since he leaned into the touch with a look of wonder, Remus watched him thoughtfully, the small boy certainly had been starved of affection. "You're going to come and live with me, would you like that?" Harry nodded eagerly then stopped a doubtful look on his face "What's wrong Puppy?" Remus asked noticing tears in Harry's eyes, Harry began sniffling
"Are you gonna hurt me too?" he asked, Remus's face softened as he violently shook his head, ignoring the feeling of rage bubbling close under the surface.
"No Puppy I'm going to protect you from everything starting now" Harry nodded the eager look coming over his face again, Remus held out his hand and after a minute staring at it Harry took it, Remus squeezed the small fingers gently and smiled as an answering pressure met him. He looked down from his height to the small boy who looked as if all his dreams were coming true.
"Would you like me to carry you Puppy?" he asked, remembering how much he loved it when his father used to do that to him, Harry looked at him amazed then nodded a desperate look on his face. Remus bent down and picked the boy up frowning as he felt how light the boy was "Look around you Puppy" he remarked as Harry nervously put his thin arms round Remus's neck "This will hopefully be the last time you see this place, will you miss it?" Harry looked around then shook his head, looking scared as he did it. Remus ruffled the messy black hair "Don't worry Puppy you'll never be here alone again, I'll always be with you" he remarked then heading towards the front door before turning round and whipping his wand out, he uttered a spell and watched in satisfaction as the plain neutral colours of the house was replaced by bright colours such as red and orange, Harry watched the scene in amazement as Remus turned round and opened the neon pink door, stepped into the sunlight with Harry and closing the door firmly behind him.
A/N – There you go chapter three, I hoped you all liked it and it was ok. I don't really hang around 4 year olds so I did the best I could with Harry's dialogue, let me know what you think please but no flames are welcomed. Thanks.
NEXT CHAPTER – What do you want to see? Let me know and the idea I like the best I will do. Take care.