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.
Chapter 18
Stipulations and Exploits
Harry paled at the malevolent grin on Remus' face. Remus was again showing why he was considered the most dangerous marauder. He and Harry conspired; there was no other word for it, about what Harry would need in the coming school year. When they finally finished they took a look at their finished product.
Dumbledore,
I have been receiving assistance in readying myself for the events of the coming years. Although I am unsure I agree with your interpretations of the prophecy, I will readily admit I am a target, a rather big one at that. As such I need to be prepared. I will not however be a pawn in your human chess game. I will be making the decisions regarding my future. I am willing to listen to advice but will no longer blatantly accept it as Merlin's truth. Whether you are part of my counsel will depend highly on your actions within the coming weeks. I will not longer accept your unashamed interference in my life.
By now I am sure you are curious as to how I am planning to complete my education. As tempting as it is to stay here and complete my education in the safety and affection of my home, something you have taken from me up until now, I will consent to return to Hogwarts. However, this will only occur should the following conditions be met. There will be no negotiations or compromises. Should there be an obstacle, I am sure you can finally put your undue influence to good use.
I need to be prepared for the next few years, in spite of this necessity, I and only I will decide what training I engage in.
I will be enrolled in the NEWT level classes of Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against the Dark Arts. I am relatively certain I have secured the grades necessary for these classes, but I have no access to my grades without disclosing my location which I am loathe to do at this time. Again, I am sure you can finally put your undue influence to good use and have me enrolled in these classes.
Should Firenze be teaching Divination, NEWT or otherwise I would like to be placed in this class as well. Although I am not a seer, and thus have little skill in this area, I feel there is value his contribution.
I will take no instruction from Snape.
I will be given a potions tutor to complete the NEWT level potions class. I am sure there is another qualified potions master somewhere in Britain that can be hired. I do not care how you justify this, as an assistant, or as a tutor due to poor OWLS & NEWTS, only that this position is created and filled by August 29, 1996. Should in be necessary, I am willing to complete this class with others and/or during the evening if necessary.
This potions tutor will be required to make two complete doses of Wolfsbane potion each month. I will take on all of the expenses for this, including equipment, ingredients, and compensation for their time. All that I ask is that they will be required to brew the potion.
I will need someone skilled in Occlumency available for testing and suggestions. It will not be Snape and it will not be you. I am aware it is training required by the Auror Academy, so I am assuming they have someone who has the proper skills.
Professor McGonagall will assist me as well as Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, and/or Luna with the Animagus transformation training should any of us show the ability. The initial meeting will occur before October 1, 1996.
We will be continuing with the Defense Association. We will need access to the Room of Requirement or another training area. I am not the only one that needs to be prepared. Your choice in DADA instructors has been terrible of late and the students are suffering for it; all of the students need to be ready to defend themselves.
There will be two groups in the DA. Fourth year and up will be learning the same type of defensive spells and such we covered last year. Third year and below will be taught techniques to avoid being captured and how to escape. I will allow it to be opened up to all students and accept a faculty monitor if necessary, but it will be Professor McGonagall, unless I decide the new DADA teacher can be trusted. It will not be you. It will not be Snape. I will have the final say in all members. All students have the right to learn how to defend themselves, but I will not allow a student to disrupt the learning of others.
I will be receiving training from various instructors of my choosing. I will do this on my own time. As such I would like unlimited access to the Room of Requirement or the training area set up for the DA. Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, and/or Luna may or may not join some or all of these training sessions. They are my friends and have accompanied me into battle as well as been marked as targets for their association with me, they will be allowed to learn to defend themselves however is necessary.
Remus and another person I will not identify at this time, but will do so in adequate time for you to investigate their background before school, have been assisting me in readying myself for the events of the coming years. They will be given access to the castle as needed. Should it be necessary, we will submit a schedule in advance.
Alastor Moody has expressed willingness to help me prepare. He will train me in Defense, as well as any other areas he feels is necessary for me to study. I will make any and all arrangements in regards to these lessons. However, you will ensure that he is given access to the castle as needed. Again, should it be necessary, we will submit a schedule in advance.
Hermione, Ron and I at the very least will be given unlimited access to the restricted section of the library for the entire school year, 1996-1997, and 1997-1998. I expect we may need to do our own research from time to time and do not need to be hampered by such restrictions. We are in an adult situation and will be treated as such.
Should I be leaving school grounds and it is deemed necessary for me to have protection, I will decide who, what, where, when. I warn you now, if I find someone following me, I will attack first and ask questions later.
My quidditch ban will be lifted and I will be able to try out again for my old position as seeker on the Gryffindor team.
I expect to receive written confirmation of all of the above items by August 30, 1996, including the names of the tutors, so that I may investigate if necessary and adequately prepare for my studies be they here at my home or otherwise.
HarryRemus and Harry were satisfied with their letter. They felt they had covered at least the majority of issues they could think of during the next year. They wanted to get it to Dumbledore as soon as possible, but first Remus had to take care of the guardianship. They did not want Dumbledore getting wind of their plans beforehand.
Remus apparated to the solicitor's office. William Ackerley was a muggle solicitor Remus had known for quite a few years; he was also a werewolf. Remus chuckled softly to himself. He thought sardonically that perhaps calling Harry, Cub, was not too far off the mark at this point with all the canine's assisting him at this moment. Remus picked up the papers he needed and quickly apparated to 4 Privet Drive. Petunia answered the door, but was rather irate when she saw who was there.
"He's gone. I told you people that already."
Remus smiled politely. He needed her assistance to pull off this next scheme. "I know, Petunia, I need you to sign these papers, transferring his guardianship to me."
Petunia looked puzzled. "But I thought ..."
Remus gave her his best winning smile, silently thanking Padfoot for the new clothing he insisted Remus buy as a condition of his inheritance. "Well, it was true Petunia, but at present we feel that having him here only puts you and your family at more risk." Silently he added, risk of me visiting you on the full moon.
Petunia's expression turned irate and apprehensive. "Well it's about time your lot saw what they are doing to my family." She quickly grabbed the papers and signed them.
Remus gave her the first true smile of the day. "Good Day and Good Luck in the future." In his mind added, you'll need it. He waited for the door to close, ran to the end of the wards he knew would be falling any minute and apparated away. Remus had no sympathy for what the Dursleys were going to be subjected to from Dumbledore once he realized the wards had fallen. He chuckled to himself. They thought their lives were interfered with before? He wondered how they were going to deal with the prison they would be locked away in, much like they had locked Harry away. At least theirs would be for their protection.
He appeared promptly in William's office and handed him the paperwork. William assured him he was heading to the courthouse right this minute to file and it certainly would be completely legal by the end of business today. Remus thanked him and agreed to come back at 6 pm to pick up the paperwork.
When 6pm arrived and he had the papers in hand, he finally let out a sigh of relief. They had done it. There was no way for Harry to return to Privet Drive regardless of what happened to Remus. Remus beamed brightly. Step one complete. He quickly headed over to the owlery in Little Whinging, figuring it was the least suspicious place to do so. He sent Dumbledore's letter from Harry. He arranged for there to be a drop box sent up at the same location for Dumbledore to respond. This next part he knew was going to be a bit trickier.
