DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: I'll be honest, I am not entirely happy with this chapter or the next one for that matter. It seems jumbled to me & have been mulling it over for the past couple of days. Any comments would be appreciated.


As the sun peaked up over the horizon, Remus was still awake. In fact, he had not slept at all. Instead, Remus paced furiously in the cabin, as his feet raced to keep up with his thoughts. He was so demonstrative and rash, he couldn't help but wonder for a moment if he was channeling, Padfoot.

He had written a scathing letter to Dumbledore; had an owl been available that would not have given them away he would have sent it immediately. But now he was glad he did not. Not that Dumbledore didn't deserve a good telling off, he did & that part of the letter would definitely remain; but as he thought about it, there was a potential advantage in their position. Remus was not a marauder for nothing.

Both James and Sirius had been excellent at charms and spells, but both were rash. Remus on the other hand was contemplative and outwardly, the more outgoing marauders may have overshadowed him, but they knew he was the genius behind the more extravagant planning of their pranks. The map had been Remus' idea, although he needed the others the help with the charms. The incident that filled the entire Great Hall with butterflies that turned into bats whenever they were with in 10 feet of Snape was his idea too. Yes, Remus was the brains behind most of the marauder's schemes and it was beginning to show as he carefully designed a strategy.


Harry awoke to the smell of bacon. One look and he knew Remus had not slept the entire night. Harry felt a bit guilty about this. Knowing it was his stories that kept Remus awake. "Mornin' Moony." Harry said sheepishly.

"Mornin' Cub" Remus replied.

Harry settled down in a chair while Remus heaped food for him a plate until it was overflowing. Harry snorted at the thought. Remus glared at him. "What? You're a growing boy."

"Er, Yeah, but I'm not Ron." Harry replied and they both laughed.

Remus played with his food waiting impatiently for Harry to finish his breakfast. He wanted to fill him in on the flurry of ideas in his mind. Before Harry even swallowed the last bite, Remus launched into his diatribe so quickly that Harry grateful that his state this morning was not entirely his doing, had to stop him and get him to slow down. Remus took a deep breath and began again. "You see, Cub, I am concerned about what happens after here. You are not going back to the Dursleys and I aim to at the very least make that impossible. I have two ideas; one is to have you go to court to be emancipated. I'll warn you here that this means you'll need to leave our safe haven and go to court. I've also never heard of it working in the magical world."

"Two is to have your Aunt and Uncle sign your guardianship over too me. You see I have learned quite a few things about the muggle world including the fact that guardianship in the muggle world is valid in the magical. But again, I'll warn you I have already been denied custody once and may soon be convicted of kidnapping. However, I can have a friend of mine do the paper work & only I have to leave to sign the paperwork. I believe this will more then likely prevent you from returning to Privet Dr. regardless of what happens next."

Harry blinked trying to take in everything that was being said. "Er, okay..."

Remus smiled softly, "Not something you need to decide right away, Cub, just something I think we need to take care of before we leave our little hideaway."

Remus sighed deeply and got underway again, "We also need to discuss how we handle things from here. I am concerned first and foremost about that prophecy."

Harry groaned, "You said it might not..."

Remus looked closely at Harry, "It might not Cub. I am certainly not convinced it does, if only because it seems to blatantly obvious and prophecies are seldom clear, at least before the events occur. However, the question is does Voldemort believe that the part he knows refers to you. I believe that after the tales you've told me last night that he does. Don't you?"

"Yes." Harry mumbled.

"Then regardless of who it refers to, you need to be prepared to defend your life. More so then the rest of us. Therefore, I want to get you started. I'm going to contact an old friend who knows Occlumency and have him come here to tutor you."

Harry's face grew even more despondent.

"Don't fear, Cub, Mikhail is not only an accomplished at occlumency, but he happens to be a good and decent man as well. I am convinced that your problems with the subject as Snape's poor teaching skills rather then anything you have done." Remus could not keep the venom out of his voice as he carried on, "He has and continues to allow his feelings towards you to not only bias his teaching but his mistreatment of you borders very thinly on abuse. It is certainly harassment."

Harry chuffed grunted his agreement.

"I'm not sure how Mikhail performs in potions; I may need to bring in another friend to tutor you in those. Merlin knows I'm hideous."

"I also think the fact that Dumbledore believes it to be you gives us some leverage. This is going to be important. You see, Cub, I sat down last night for a good telling off for Dumbledore, and I realized something. You hold the power. If he truly believes you are the only one that can defeat Voldemort then he has to agree to our demands."

Remus chuckled at the expression on Harry's face. "Within reason, Harry."

"So what did you have in mind?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Well for one thing I need to ask, do you want to return to Hogwarts in the fall?"

"Er, yes."

"You don't have to ya know. We could arrange for tutors to complete your education." Quietly he added, "Cub, Sirius was concerned about your future. We both were actually, but Sirius had the means. The majority of the Black fortune went to you and me. He also had the foresight not to trust anyone with your finances. Regardless of who is your guardian, I am the only one given access to the accounts, even Dumbledore can not access the accounts nor can withdraws or owl orders be stopped regardless of the person's legal status. I'm not telling you this to upset you, Cub, but simply to make you realize that we have the means to do whatever we wish. We could disappear to a tropical island if we wish."

Harry blinked so busy trying to take in being treated like an equal, and overwhelmed with the ideas, he could say nothing.

"If you choose to return to Hogwarts, I think a few demands need to be made." Remus growled out, "Snape should not longer be part of your education. How Dumbledore can expose any of his students to that nonsense I do not know, but I know he is at least somewhat aware of what has gone on between you and Snape and done nothing. We will insist you be given a tutor for Advanced Potions and Occlumency. After the harassment, you suffered, not counting that effing hag, more importantly harassment that can be documented; it is the least the school can offer you. "

"Er, I don't know what to say Prof ... er, Moony." Harry said shocked. He had never seen Remus like this and frankly, it was a bit scary.

Remus didn't wait for a further answer but charged on. "I'd also like you permission to talk to Moody. I have reason to believe that he had the knowledge of how to make underage magic undetectable. That would free up other practical skills."

Harry looked uncertain.

"He is loyal to Dumbledore, but he is also not too trusting of anyone. Given some of this information, I believe he will help us."

Harry quickly nodded.

Remus chuckled softly, ""Harry you need to make some choices. I believe it is time for you to be the master of your domain. Harry, you have faced more then any ten adults I know. I realize that right now, you need some support, but that is because you're hurting, not because you're not capable. I allowed Dumbledore to talk me out of following my instincts last year, it won't happen again. We all need help; it doesn't mean we can make decisions for ourselves."

Harry found his head swimming and was wishing to go back to bed. Remus laughed at his expression. "Sorry Cub, I've been thinking for a while. Take some time, catch up. I have some work to do anyway."