A/N: This has taken me a while to post! I just want to say thanks to Sorelina for editing this for me! SHE'S THE BEST!

Also...I had to give out a lot of information in this chapter, so it didn't really come out as good as I'd hoped, but the next chapter will be much better.

Disclaimer: No. I do not own Harry Potter the wonderful J.K. Rowling does, of course!

Harry Potter: Dead or Alive?

Thunder crashed, while two men conversed in a gloomy graveyard just outside of Godric's Hollow. Their words were muffled, but this could be heard:

"You've done well to bring me this information," hissed the taller of the men, decked out in a hooded ebony cloak. "I'm sure this can be used to our advantage."

"Aye, my lord. But what of him?" Hesitated the other figure.

"Do you think I can't outsmart that buffoon?"

"No, master, that's n-not what I meant."

"Then question me no longer! I'll contact you soon!"

Every part of the boy's body ached, including his scar thatstill tingled with pain. He'd been tossing about, having the strangest dream (which was no surprise), but now Harry was finding it hard to keep the fragments of the dream together. Unfortunately the memories of what happened dimmed, falling through the cracks of his mind, lost forever.

Now fully awake, the gears in the wizard's mind began to click and quickly Harry's eyes popped open as a torrent of realization of what happened that night flooded his mind. The understanding of what had taken place at the Dursley's was now coming back to him.

Dementors.

Dementors had come to Privet DriveOn Voldermort's orders, Harry could confidently assume. Soon Remus arrived, there after other Phoenix members came. Everyone fought bravely until the Dementors retreated. Whenthe battle ended, Remus was ok (or so it seemed), but then Harry passed out, completely drained from the nights dangerous "festivities".

All this left the young mans head buzzing with questions, though none as important as...

"Where am I?" Harry moaned, reaching out to grab his glasses on a table beside the bed he resided in. Hastily, the Boy-Who-Lived pulled the black spectacles over his elfish nose, and then lifted his head to digest the surroundings.

Ancient was the first word Harry's mind summoned when looking around the dark room, its only source of illumination coming from the lightning put forth by the heavy storm raging outside. The walls seemed to have a yellowish decaying tinge to them; and even the fluffy chairs that had been placed around the fireplace looked haggard.

Rising slowly from under the bed's thick, warm sheets, Harry clutched his stomach as a minor jolt of pain washed over him. Working with his sore limbs, he then proceeded to the door, then beyond it until the youth found a tiny kitchen. There, sitting on a small mahogany stool, wasRemus. Harry could tell the man was heavily thinking by the many lines that tarnished his pale, but handsome face.

"Remus?" The teen spoke, wondering if his former teacher was really ok.

The adult's head snapped up at the velvety voice calling his name and his own amber eyes met a pair of startling green orbs.

"Harry!" The man said, dumbfounded by the juvenile's presence. "You should be resting! After every thing that's happened tonight…"

"I don't think I could sleep another wink," Harry interrupted; pulling another stool up to the somewhat medieval looking table Remus sat by. Then putting his elbows on the table top and placing his chin comfortably in his hands, he began to speak uncertainly, "Are you really okay Remus? What the heck's going on? Where are we?"

Letting the questions sink in, Lupin tried to think of an easy way to tell Harry everything he needed to without shocking the boy, which he was sure to do despite his effort to "drop the bomb" easily.

"Well. I'm confident you already have a suspicion as to why Dementors were at Privet Drive, it was Voldermort's doing of coarse. My understanding is that the he could not bring himself to Privet Drive, since there is ancient magic that repels him from your Aunt's house, therefore he sent Dementors."

"But why didn't Mrs. Figg inform someone that Dementors had attacked? The only reason you came is because of the owl I sent, right?"

"Correct. I did receive your owl and yes, Filch and Mundungus were watching over you. Mrs. Figg had other business to attend to."

"Why Filch? He's a squib and not even a member of the order!"

"Let me just say that Mrs. Figg is not capable of magic either, but her and Filch both had their purposes. In all honesty Filch wasn't there to keep guard over you; it was more for Mundungus's sake. I think Dumbledore was afraid he'd leave his post….again."

"Oh," Harry grinned, biting back a laugh.

"Now this part of the story is a bit odd. Filch owled that Mundungus had left on an urgent call, but did not say who it was from. And now Filch has disappeared, while there's still no trace of Mundungus."

"You don't think they're dead…," Harry whispered.

"We can only hope not," Remus replied.

"And you... Are you still in pain from the attack?" Harry said worriedly.

"Pish-posh, I'm fine, so don't go worrying yourself on my account. We are currently safe at my house in Scotland. Grimmauld Place was our former destination, but then Dumbledore decided it wasn't safe," then he paused. "Now this is important Harry, and I know you'll be upset, but just know I'm here for you. The thing is, you can no longer stay in Privet Drive..."

As the werewolf spoke these words, the young wizard surely thought the man had lost his marbles. Why would Harry - I mean, how could he possibly be upset about not having to stay with the Dursleys anymore! But Remus continued to speak.

"Because the Dursley's are no longer there."

"What…," Harry started hesitantly. "Where they captured?"

"No, not captured," Lupin said somberly. "They are being contained at St. Mungo's; they have gone insane because of the Dementors. Even though the Dursleys were inside the house, with the proximity of the Dementors your family could'nt stand the effects of the attack."

"Listen to me Harry; this is not your fault."

Harry nodded glumly, but in his head he knew it was his fault the Dursleys had cracked. If he'd left the Dursleys none of this would have happened, but had it not been Dumbledore who had forced him to stay there? An old hate soon began to rise up with in him for Dumbledore, anger Harry thought he'd long ago overcome now raged through his veins.

Damn Dumbledore. If he hadn't been made to stay with the Dursleys they might not have ended up in St. Mungo's. It wasn't as if Harry had liked the Dursleys, but their insanity was just another weight on his conscience. It was a sharp reminder that everything Uncle Vernon said held more truth than the man could ever possibly known.

He was a worthless abnormal freak who managed to hurt everyone, foes and loved ones.

Even though what had happened to the Dursley's was horriable, back in the corner of Harry's mind, he couldn't help but think that at least he wouldn't be stuck in that damn house anymore. Hell, the Dursley's had been mean to him his whole life. He couldn't grieve for them, it just wasn't in his heart to.

Harry and Remus were silent for a moment longer before Harry asked, "So, why are we at your house then?"

Remus suddenly looked nervous, "Well, I've been appointed as a sort of secret keeper for you by the order, until a more appropriate person is found. I'm sorry if you don't like the idea of staying…."

"NO! I think it's brilliant!" Harry shouted, once again cutting the older man off. His words seem to make Lupin's eyes gleam in appreciation of the boy's enthusiasm towards staying.

"I'm glad you're not upset, since you will be here with me for the rest of the summer, until school begins," Remus said with a small smile creeping over his face. "It will be nice to have some company for once."

Harry couldn't help, but feel his heart twitch at Remus's words. Yes, the man once said he was often shun for being a werewolf, which certainly explained why he received little company, people probably thought the man would tear their limbs off and decapitate them or some nonsense.

Suddenly Harry wanted nothing, but to forget his problems and focus on Remus. The man needed some attention. Attention Harry was more then willing to give.

Then, abruptly, Harry remembered his "curse", the problem of endangering everyone he held close.

"Actually Remus, do you think it's a good idea to stay with me? Everyone that I'm near of seems to always get hurt, and I don't want that to happen to you…" Harry trailed off.

"By being a member of The Order of the Phoenix, I'm obliged to take risks, but it is not you that puts people in danger, Harry. If you wish to blame someone, blame Voldermort," Remus said with building fury.

"Okay," Harry said, slightly taken back by Remus's answer.

"Well then, the room you were in will be yours for the summer. I'm sorry it's not that cozy, but I wasn't warned that you'd be staying with me."

"It's fine, Rem"

"Rem?"

Harry blushed, "Oh, that's a little nickname I thought up. I won't call you that if it bothers you."

Lupin eyes glazed, "No, I like it. Well, off to bed with you." And with that Harry left.

Harry silently sat in the grass watching Rem tend to his small vegetable garden in the back of the house. The werewolf's hands forcefully pulling up weeds.

It was an uncomfortably hot July day, Harry's birthday to be exact.

"Sorry Harry, I'm almost done with the weeds," Remus sighed.

"No rush"

"No rush? It's your birthday; I've got to make sure you have fun!" Lupin howled (figuratively speaking).

Laughing Harry countered, "I think you have plenty of time to have fun with me, its only 9am."

"With all I have planned I'm not sure," Remus said winking at Harry, whom immediately turned a soft shade of pink. "As a matter of fact, I'm done gardening. I'll clean up and we can head to Diagon Alley."

Remus apparated them to their destination, where the aging man succeeded in dragging Harry in to a wizards clothing store.

"You don't need to buy me a whole new wardrobe, Rem!"

"Nonsense. You certainly need clothes and this is your birthday, now go try on those outfits."

"Fine," Harry said moving in to a changing room, them came to a halt before entering. "You don't have to wait out here, the dressing rooms are enormous."

For some reason Lupin felt weird about being in the changing room with Harry, but he reluctantly replied:

"Alright"

Harry slipped his T-shit over his pale, sleek torso, not caring that it messed his hair up even more than normal. Then he moved to slip his oversized slacks (which had been Dudley's) down his hips. All of a sudden the sixteen year old wizard's motions slowed when he caught Rem's fiery eyes boldly staring intently at him.

Did he have something on him? When he found nothing the boy began dressing in the new outfits, but when the new silky black pants reached his waist the Boy-Who-Lived (sadly) began fumbling with the button.

When Remus watched the boy take off his clothes (besides his boxers), he then fully appreciated how beautiful Harry truly was. The young mans muscles were tight, but Harry looked all together fragile and it made the werewolf very….flustered.

No.

NO!

Remus mentally smacked himself as these thoughts entered his mind. "What would James think if he knew you were gawking at his son's body like a damn wolf? Well, scratch that because, technically, you are a wolf," Rem thought, frustrated.

But when Harry's motions slowed at his thighs, Lupin tensed. The teen's movements then became normal once more, but he seemed to be having trouble with the button on his pants.

Before he even realized, Lupin had moved to the floor in front of Harry. The teen looked down at the kneeling man, quickly turning scarlet. Without hesitation Remus reached out toward Harry's pants to help very slowly, taking his time. The man finally managed to button the boy up, then reached the young adults zipper and slowly pulled it up. Harry shifted his body in that very moment, resulting in Rem's hand fully touching the boy's crotch. Remus horrified, snatched his hand away.

Harry released and involuntary groan.