Summery: Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban when Harry was five years old. They lived hidden from the wizarding world. Now Harry is fifteen.
On the Run
Chapter Fourteen
Remus
Remus had left an hour ago. Dumbledore set to working on some of his paper work. The fire place activating alerted him to a new arrival. Poppy Pomfrey came stumbling through the grate, followed by Harry who fell to the ground, obviously not accustomed to floo traveling.
"Hello Poppy, Harry." Dumbledore greeted standing. "I trust things went well.
"Yes Headmaster." Poppy answered.
"I'll show you to your room Harry. Are you busy or can we talk a few moments, Poppy."
"I have plenty of time Headmaster."
Dumbledore nodded and led Harry up the stairs to the second floor, and into a door that led to his quarters.
"You're room is over here, Harry." Dumbledore led Harry to a bedroom next to his own. "Your things are already there.'
Entering the room Harry was surprised by how nice things were. There was a four poster bed. A dark wood chest. There was a wardrobe to keep clothes in.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome Harry." Dumbledore said as he moved to the doorway. "I'll leave you to pack. If you need anything I'll be in my office. There is a bathroom right across the hallway."
After Harry's nod Dumbledore left the room. Entering his office he saw Madam Pomfrey sitting in one of the over stuffed chairs waiting for him.
"Hello, Poppy. Thank you for waiting." Dumbledore said as he sat down at his desk.
"I assume you wish to know about Mr. Potter?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
Dumbledore nodded as an answer.
"Mr. Potter is healthy." Madam Pomfrey began. "Mr. Black has raised him well. Physically he is well. He doesn't show any signs of being mistreated by Mr. Black. He is also very well mannered."
"Thank you, Poppy." Dumbledore said smiling. He was relieved to have proof that Sirius had not harmed Harry. Maybe, when the trial was over, and Sirius was out of Azkaban; Sirius could get legal custody of Harry. Harry was obviously well cared for and happy with Sirius. "Do you have the copy of your report?" Madam Pomfrey nodded and handed him a folder. "I'll send this to the ministry right away."
"Good luck with Mr. Potter, Headmaster." Madam Pomfrey said smiling as she stood to leave.
"Thank you." Dumbledore said as he let her out. "Have a nice day." Turning around Dumbledore saw Harry standing there. "Hello, Harry. Have you finished unpacking?" Harry nodded.
"Headmaster Dumbledore?" Harry said a moment later. "If this is a school, how come I have not seen any students?"
Dumbledore smiled. "When we arrived they were in their classes. You'll see them at diner."
"When I get sorted into a house?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. Has Sirius told you about the houses and sorting ceremony?"
Harry nodded. "He talks about Hogwarts a lot."
Dumbledore looked at his watch curious as to what the time was. "Ahh, Harry. Are you hungry? It's about lunch time." Harry nodded. "How about we have lunch brought up, then? Casey!" Dumbledore called. A moment later a loud 'POP' alerted them of Casey's arrival.
"What can Casey do for you, Sirs?" The creature asked.
"Mr. Potter and I would like some lunch, if you don't mind." Dumbledore said pleasantly.
"I will be back soon." Casey said smiling. And with another 'POP' she disappeared.
Dumbledore turned to Harry and noticed the look on his face. "Are you okay, Harry?"
"She was a house elf wasn't she?" Harry asked after a moment.
"Yes. Did Sirius tell you about them?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Yes." Harry said. "I've just never seen one."
"We have many house elves here. I find them quite pleasant company."
"I've never seen one before today." Harry informed the headmaster; who just nodded.
A 'POP' stopped Dumbledore from answering. Casey had brought their lunch. After Casey left, Harry and Dumbledore sat down and ate their lunch.
"Sir?" Harry said after he was finished. "I'm going to go back to my room."
Dumbledore nodded. "If you need anything, I'll be doing paper work."
Later that afternoon, after classes had ended, Dumbledore was informed by the gargoyle guarding the entrance to his door that he had a guest.
It was Remus.
"Hello, Remus." Dumbledore greeted brightly.
"Hello, Headmaster. I was wondering if I could meet Harry."
Dumbledore nodded. "Of course. He's been in his room most of the day." Dumbledore informed Remus as they made their way to Harry's room.
Entering Harry's room they could see him sitting on the bed. He seemed to be writing something. He had a muggle pen and pad of paper on his lap.
"Harry." Dumbledore said smiling. Harry looked up. "This is Remus Lupin."
"Hello, Harry." Remus said as he stepped further into the room.
"You're Moony? Aren't you?" Harry asked after a moment.
Remus was surprised. He didn't think Sirius would have said much about him. But Harry seemed to recognize his name, and know some of his past. 'How much has Sirius told him?' Remus thought. "Yes, Harry." Remus finally got over his shock. "Has Sirius told you about me?"
Harry nodded. "He's told me many stories of going to school with you."
"I'll leave you two to talk." Dumbledore said as he left the room.
"When can I see Sirius?" Harry asked after a moment.
"I don't know. Probably this week sometime." Remus answered. He didn't know when Harry would be able to see Sirius. But Remus could understand Harry wanting to see him; as he had been raised by him. He himself was eager to see Sirius. But he didn't know if Sirius would even agree to a visit with him. He certainly didn't deserve to be forgiven by Sirius; in his opinion. After all, he didn't believe Sirius' innocence when he'd first been arrested fourteen years ago.
"Have you seen him yet?" Harry's voice brought Remus out of his thoughts.
"No, not yet." Remus said after a moment. "I hope to visit him some time soon."
"You can sit down, you know." Harry said after a moment. Remus nodded and sat down on the chair that was placed in the corner of the room.
"How is Sirius?" Remus asked uncomfortably after a moment.
"He was good. He sure never lived up to his name?" Harry answered smiling.
"I would have thought he'd have grown up by now, with everything." Remus replied smiling. Sirius always played pranks. He was always more of a big kid, even after they graduated from Hogwarts and he became an Auror.
Harry shook his head. "No, not really. He's the biggest prankster. I think the only times he's ever really acted serious is when it involved law enforcement, muggle or wizarding, or something involving me."
Remus nodded. He was happy to hear that Sirius was still a big kid at times. He would have thought that Sirius would have grown up, so to speak, after Lily and James' deaths and Azkaban. Remus noticed Harry had started writing with his pen again.
"What are you writing?"
Harry looked up. "Oh, I'm not writing." Harry answered holding the pad up so he could see. "I'm drawing." There was a picture of a muggle horse."
"It's very good." Remus said after a moment. "Do you draw often?"
Harry shrugged. "It passes the time. Usually I draw animals; sometimes it's a building or something."
"You're very good." Remus said after a moment. He was surprised Harry would be into drawing. Maybe that was because he looked so much like his father. Drawing was one of his mother's interests. "May I see some of your other drawings?" Remus asked after a moment. He wanted to learn as much as he could about Harry.
Harry nodded. "Sure." Standing up Harry went over to one of the draws in the chest and opened it. Pulling out a worn sketch book he handed it to Remus.
Flipping through the pages, Remus could see pictures of dog's, cats, a couple of houses, some of the beach, snakes, birds, even a few of people. After finishing, Remus handed the book back to Harry who put it back in the chest of draws. "Those are very good, Harry."
"Thank you."
"Are you nervous for your sorting?" Remus changed the subject. Harry didn't seem to mind.
"A little." Harry answered.
"What house are you hoping to get in?"
"I don't really have a preference." Harry told him. "Sirius has told me about the house rivalry between the rest and Slytherin, though."
"You're parents and Sirius and I were in Gryffindor." Remus told Harry. He thought Harry would already know, from Sirius having told him. But he needed to fill the awkward silences.
"And none of you got along with the Slytherines. Well, according to Sirius my Mum got along with a few."
Remus nodded. "Yes. Lily always tried to get along with people. She got along with several Slytherines that you're father, and Sirius and I never liked."
Harry nodded. "Sirius says that was Malfoy and Snape."
"Yes." Remus said. Harry obviously knew quite a bit. "Severus Snape is a Professor here now."
Harry groaned.
"What?" Remus asked suddenly confused.
"I haven't even been here twenty four hours and I already have someone who hates me!" Harry said frowning.
Remus laughed. Severus Snape didn't like anything to do with James Potter, Sirius or Remus. Snape had gotten along with Lily though. Lily often tutored him throughout school. But considering Harry looked so much like James, Snape was not going to like him.
"What subject does he teach?" Harry's voice brought Remus from his thoughts.
"He's the Potions Master." Remus supplied. "He teaches in the dungeons. Near the Defense Against the Dark Arts class room. I teach Defense."
Harry immediately perked up. He loved Defense Against the Dark Arts, and he told Remus as much.
"Really?" Remus asked surprised. "Has Sirius been teaching you?"
Harry nodded. "As much as he could. I know more about potions and herbology, though."
"Where did you find the plants and ingredients for those subjects?" Remus asked. He was well aware Sirius couldn't have gone to a magical community for fear of being recognized and captured.
"There are usually herb places. Like for muggles who believe in witchcraft, or a form of witchcraft. Most of those places have most of the ingredients needed for potions." Harry answered. "And we got the plants we couldn't get where we lived shipped in. We would just ask the plant company to put a specific plant on order. Some we couldn't get though, like the Mandrake. Mainly because it would be too odd for a Muggle to see a crying plant."
"How long has Sirius been teaching you?" Remus was very interested. He'd never have believed Sirius could teach. But obviously, Sirius had managed.
"Since I was about ten." Harry answered.
"Has he taught you any spells?"
Harry nodded. "A few. Ones just in case we ever got into any trouble. But we haven't gone too far in it. I know most basic spells."
The next hour was spent talking about lessons and spells. A knock on the door stopped their conversation. It was Dumbledore. "It's time for the sorting." Dumbledore said pleasantly. Harry and Remus both stood. Harry went over to his wardrobe and picked out a school robe, Dumbledore had given him earlier. Dumbledore had told him they would get him his supplies and school clothes some time this week.
"Is there a specific house you prefer?" Dumbledore asked as they made their way to the Great Hall.
Remus interjected. "I already asked him. He says he doesn't really have a preference."
Dumbledore nodded.
"Headmaster Dumbledore?" Harry asked. "Why is there a school rivalry between Slytherine? Sirius mentioned it had to do with blood."
Dumbledore nodded. "Legend has it Salazar Slytherine didn't want any witches or wizards with Muggle blood in the school. Gordric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw disagreed. The argument was said to have been worst between Slytherine and Gryffindor. And since then, they have always fought."
Harry shook his head but didn't say anything.
"What is your opinion in this feud?" Dumbledore asked, genuinely curious.
"I think it's stupid." Harry said after a moment. "Why fight over something that went on before our time. Furthermore, what's blood matter as long as they can do magic to learn the curriculum? As far as I know there is no difference in their abilities if they have 'pure blood' or not." Harry concluded.
"Your right, there is no difference. " Dumbledore said smiling. "Everyone has their own limitations magical or otherwise. Blood doesn't factor into it."
Finally they reached the side door to the Great Hall.
End of Chapter Fourteen
A/N: Wow! My longest chapter! Maybe one of these days I'll be able to make one twice as long! We can only hope! Thank you for reading! And please REVIEW!
THANK YOU sparkley-tangerine for informing me of that mistake! I really appriciate it!
Sorry its been so long since an update. Things have been a little busy. I'm sorry I haven't updated Life Changed yet. I promise I will soon, though. I'm half way through the chapter. Also, I'm almost finished writting this story. So far its 20 chapters. I'm expecting it to be about 25 chapters when complete.