DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of it, JK Rowling and associates own all rights, no infringement intended, no money is being made, unfortunately.

WARNING; Pre-slash if you do not like do not read remember you have freedom of choice. Reviews appreciated but no flames those will be ignored.

STORY; as we get older and some of us actually mature you find that what you firmly believed was the truth can suddenly shift into something completely opposite and how you handle that shows what kind of adult you can become. Harry must deal with what he considers to be the weirdest summer of his life. Enemies become allies, friends become enemies, and sometimes there is a very thin line between love and hate, attraction and fighting. Poor Harry, poor Draco

PAIRINGS: HP/DM, SS/RL, GW/OC, RW/HrG, NL/LL

Chapter 4 An Old Friend & An Old Enemy

Dear Hermione,

You would not believe my first week of summer heck I still don't believe it. You remember my piggy stupid cousin; well he's not so piggy and definitely not stupid. He has done something I never thought he could. He grew up. Dudley approached me as soon as we got home and asked to speak to me. I decided to be mature about it (don't faint) and listened to what he had to say. The result is a truce. When my uncle found out, he went ballistic and tried to attack me. He thought I had cast a spell on Dudley of course when I pulled my wand (don't worry I didn't hex him) he contradicted himself saying I would be thrown out if I attacked him. If he thought I put a spell on Dudley, what was to keep me from attacking him? You have to wonder what he uses for brains. Just to make the day complete guess which member of the Order was on guard duty near the house? Yep, our favourite teacher the one that we love to hate, Snape, who of course blamed me for everything and started right in with the insults.. Then he did something I still don't understand, when he found out that Vernon had tried to attack me he threatened him with damage if he ever laid a hand on me. Weird but the real reason he was here was to tell me that I would begin Occulmency lessons again. Starting today and on every Tuesday someone from the order will fetch me to Grimmauld house (hopefully it's Remus) to undergo lessons. I am trying not to let Snape get to me, you would have been proud of the way I behaved. Shocked him too that was fun. I've read the books on Occulmency that you gave me; boy did they help. We'll see how it goes. I actually went shopping this week and got some clothes that fit, Dudley has good taste in clothes surprisingly enough so when you see me you may not recognize me. I have to go it's getting late so talk to you later.

Love, Harry

P.S. did you know that Justin Finch-Fletchley had a brother in the same school as Dudley and so does a first year by the name of Zeller. They became close friends with Dudley how's that for coincidence.

Harry

P.P.S Hedwig is free all afternoon if you would like to send a letter to a certain redhead. Just a thought.

Luv you, H

Finishing the letter, he set it aside and started one for Ron that was pretty much the same except he could be blunter about that git Snape and everything that had gone on. When he finished he placed them in envelopes and went to wake Hedwig. "Feel like taking a flight" he asked, when she extended her foot he attached the two letters and asked her to go to Hermione first and wait for a reply then go to the Burrow and also wait for a reply. Then he gave a small wicked grin "If either of them wants to exchange letters could you do that for them because if we don't help them they will never get together." Hedwig nodded then Harry carried her to the window and launched her out into the clear afternoon sky.

Turning to his trunk, he pulled out one of his new shirts a deep blue almost black t-shirt with the saying, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" across the chest something he thought appropriate for today. He wondered idly is Snape would get the point. Then he pulled out a pair of straight leg black jeans that fit comfortable and made his legs look longer, with a pair of black ankle boots, he was ready. Looking in the mirror Harry decided that he liked his new glasses. They were small oval shaped wire rimmed and were definitely more comfortable, looked better too now if only he knew an unbreakable charm. Must remember to ask Hermione she would know he thought. Harry gave his hair a few swipes but figured that it was never going to look great so just went downstairs to wait.

Dudley was watching TV so Harry went to join him. Dudley looked him over and then said in a mocking tone "Not bad, with a look like that you might even get a girlfriend' Harry grinned but didn't answer. He saw his uncle look in the room opening his mouth to speak to Dudley but on spotting him, he went red in the face and left without speaking.

Looking over at Dudley, he saw him snickering, when he saw Harry was watching him he said, "Don't worry about it, Dad will get over it eventually, and it'll turn into his idea to avoid you."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Uncle Vernon bellowed, "You freak go get the door it's probably for you." Dudley just shook his head but Harry motioned him not to worry about it. Reaching the door, he could see a man silhouetted in the glass panel. Opening the door he smiled broadly when he realised it was Remus Lupin standing there.

Remus gave him one of his shy smiles but asked to see Vernon when Harry made to join him outside, saying that he needed to speak to him before they left. Harry asked with suspicion colouring his voice 'Why, nothing's wrong is there?" Remus just smiled again and said he needed to pass on a message. Harry was still suspicious but motioned him on inside and seeing Dudley in the hall introduced the two. With a polite smile, Dudley shook hands with Remus. Explaining that his dad was in the kitchen he went to get him. Turning Remus looked surprised at Harry saying that Dudley was not what he expected after hearing about him from the twins. Harry told him that he would explain everything later.

Vernon Dursley was yelling in the kitchen that he had no wish to speak to any of those freak friends of Potter. Remus growled low in his throat and headed for the entrance to the kitchen with a worried Harry right behind. He knew how protective the werewolf was to those he considered family and wanted to be on hand to stun him if he had to.

Remus stalked into the kitchen and as soon as he saw Vernon, began speaking in a low growling voice. "You do not have to talk to me all you have to do is listen. I heard about your actions the other day and I now know all about your behaviour to Harry in the past. If I see one mark on him you will wish you had never been born."

Vernon seeing a trim, older man with greying hair and slightly stooped shoulders decided to be foolish and shoved his bulk up into Remus's space saying in a tough voice "What do you think you're going to do about it?"

Remus gave him a feral grin while Harry, motioning for Dudley to back away from the pair, pulled his wand from his sleeve wondering at the same time if he was going to be fast enough. Stretching out a slim arm Remus knotted his hand around Vernon's jumper and lifting the startled man off his feet slammed him into the wall.

Dudley let out a cry and jumped forward but Harry stopped him and whispered that it was okay he would not let anything happen to Vernon. He didn't bother to mention it was because he was worried about what would happen to Remus and not concern for Vernon's health.

Remus spoke directly into Vernon's ear but loud enough that Dudley and Harry could hear, "Because I am now Harry's godfather and because I am a werewolf and you really don't want to piss me off this close to a full moon."

Dudley's eyes opened wide, jerking his head around he stared at Harry. When Harry reluctantly nodded his affirmation, Dudley suddenly grinned and whispered "Awesome." Harry shook his head in exasperation.

Vernon began choking and Harry returned to the situation at hand. "Remus it's okay, I'm sure that Uncle Vernon got the point and we need to leave before we're late. You know how Snape can be and I don't want to get on his bad side today."

Remus lowered Vernon to the floor where he promptly collapsed in a shivering heap and showing once again his trademark shy smile said, "Of course Harry, I am ready if you are." Remus turned and walked out of the kitchen continuing to the front door with Harry following and shaking his head muttering about mad werewolves and irresponsible marauders. Why him he wondered, all he wanted was a nice peaceful day, was that too much to ask for.

Turning to Remus, Harry gave him a mock frown, "What do think Dumbledore would have thought of your behaviour. Telling him you are a werewolf for crying out loud are you trying to get into trouble." Remus grinned and said, "Who's going to believe him anyway and it's Headmaster Dumbledore. So how have you been?"

Harry groaned but decided to ignore what had just happened and told him about Dudley and the truce. He could see the pride in Remus's eyes as he told him what he had done and the way he had behaved.

As they walked to the end of the wards Harry carefully not looking at Remus asked him, "Were you telling the Vernon the truth? About you being my godfather I mean, or was that just to get him to behave." Remus looked surprised and Harry hurried on "Not that I mind if you are, I mean its okay with me either way" Harry's voice trailed off into an awkward silence.

Remus stopped walking and placing a hand on Harry's shoulder turned him so they could talk face to face. "Harry I don't know if you are aware but Sirius asked me to take responsibility for you if anything happened to him. While it is not anything official, well I am the last of the Marauders, and while you are not a child in need of a guardian; if you do not mind I would like you to consider me as a friend. Someone you can talk to when you need to or just a friendly shoulder to lean on."

Harry looked at him "I'm sorry I couldn't save Sirius I know it was my fault..."

"Hold it right there" Remus said in a stern voice "don't ever let me hear you say that. It was not your fault; Sirius was a grown man and made his own decisions. It was his choice to put his life on the line to protect you. He knew what could happen and that is why he asked me to take care of you just in case. He left the house to me so I could always provide you a home. He loved you like a son so don't downplay his sacrifice by assuming responsibility for his actions."

Harry nodded and tried to look away as his eyes began to blur but Remus only pulled him into a hug and said in a low voice "It's okay to grieve for him but don't make him a saint. Sirius would be the first to knock you on your arse for that."

Harry laughed and pulling back wiped his eyes saying, "Yeah I can believe that, and I am glad that you're my godfather. Dudley thought you were cool, being a werewolf and all."

Remus grinned as they began walking and said, "See, you have nothing to worry about, who is going to complain about the big bad wolf."

Harry groaned at the pun but kept on smiling. Soon they reached the corner.

Remus pulled a portkey, in the shape of an old-fashioned iron key, from his pocket and Harry made a grimace. Looking away for a few minutes, Harry felt the memories flash through his mind about his fourth year and the Tri-Wizard tournament.

Remus laid a hand on his shoulder but did not speak letting him prepare himself for the trip without reprimanding him about taking so long to use a simple portkey. Harry took a deep breath and reached out his hand to touch the old-fashioned key.

Remus spoke reassuringly "I made this myself it will be okay, I promise" Harry nodded and watched as Remus pulled his wand and tapped the key. Suddenly Harry felt the familiar pull behind his navel and they were standing in the alley next to #12 Grimmauld place.

Harry took several deep breaths while leaning on Remus, "Damn, I'm never going to get used to that."

Remus rubbed his back gently "It'll get better just give it some time, whenever you're ready will go in." Harry straightened taking one more deep breath and with a nod to Remus stepped out of the alley.

"So are we going to have to use a portkey every time we come and go for lessons?" Harry asked with a note of depression in his voice.

"I'm afraid so" said Remus "at least until you learn to Apparate, something you're supposed to learn when you're 17."

"Can't I learn earlier?" Harry asked with a bit of a whine.

Remus laughed, "It's against the Ministry rules..."

"Like you've never broke any rules in your life" Harry interrupted with a grin. "Come on, you know that if I'm ever trapped it would come in handy" Harry continued while giving him what Hermione called his puppy dog eyes.

Remus groaned and rolled his eyes extravagantly "We'll see, I am sure that Albus would probably agree but I still need to run it by him first, Okay?" Harry gave him a warm smile knowing that for Remus that was pretty much an okay and they proceeded to the doorway of #12 Grimmauld Place.

At the door Remus turned to Harry with a serious look on his face, "Harry I need you to promise me something."

Harry looked surprised but said, "Sure anything you want."

"I need you to promise that you will keep an open mind today. There is a lot going on that you do not know about and I promise to explain everything that I can to you. Just try not to jump to any conclusions, Okay?"

Harry stared at him for a minute, "I thought Dumbledore wasn't going to keep secrets from me again" a note of rising anger in his voice.

"Harry I was detailed to explain everything to you and I will as soon as we are where we will not be overheard. I just want to prepare you just in case anything comes up before I can explain." There was a note of reprimand in Remus's voice and the look from his soft eyes made Harry wince internally.

"Sorry Remus, I guess I was jumping to conclusions which are what you just asked me not do."

"I understand Harry but you will have to learn when to speak and when to keep your mouth shut and listen. You showed a great maturity in your dealings with your cousin and even with Snape, I just want you to continue to treat others in that manner. If there is something you do not understand, you can ask me. If I know the answer, I will tell you. If I cannot tell you, I will tell you the reason why. I just ask you to trust me. I will treat you like an adult so long as you can continue to act like an adult. Deal?"

"Deal" Harry said holding out his hand. After shaking, the two men entered the house.

Looking around Harry decided that not much had changed. Although maybe it was not as dark as it was before. He noticed that the picture of Sirius's mom was no longer hanging in the foyer. Remus saw where he was looking and in a rueful voice spoke up, "I uh kind of destroyed the picture along with a portion of the wall after she said something rude about Sirius. Molly repaired the wall and we decided that it was for the best after all. We also removed some of the more obnoxious pictures and all the mounted elf heads."

Harry nodded not speaking as his throat had closed up with the mention of Sirius. Making an effort he said in a normal voice "Who is staying here now besides you I mean."

"That's one of the things we need to talk about. Why don't you wait in the living room I need to check in with Snape and I will be right in." Remus walked to the kitchen and Harry turned and went in to the living room. The room was gloomy and the fire was almost out so Harry pointed his wand to the fireplace and with a roar, the fire shot high to light up the room. On the couch there was someone wrapped in blankets, apologies on his lips Harry moved closer to the sofa and froze.

The person was lying on their stomach with their face turned away from the fire but there was no mistaking that hair. Fine blond hair that looked almost white in the firelight spread over the dark blanket.

"Oh shit this is just too weird even for me" Harry groaned as the person turned their head slightly and he got a good look at his face. "Why me"

"I don't know Potter, why you?" came the silky voice of Draco Malfoy.

tbc