Can I Call You Dad?
Chapter 9
"What do you mean he's gone? He's been taken by who?" Lupin asked as calmly as he could, he sat at the Weasley's kitchen table with a cooling cup of coffee before him. The children had been sent upstairs in order to get some sleep, and the sun was just shinning into the windows. Crawling its way upon the floor.
"It happened late last night; I'm not sure about the time, but when we got to Ron's room, Harry was gone, and Ron had this for you," Arthur said, he handed the parchment to Remus. He snatched it up and began to read.
Mr. R. J. Lupin,
I know that this has come as quite a shock to you; however, I must insist upon it. Harry James Potter-Black is a pureblood wizard and I believe that my dear cousin has made a mistake in the temporary guardian category.
I've put in the necessary paperwork (which a copy is disclosed with this letter) with the Ministry and have been approved as guardian over Harry (along with my husband). Please inform Sirius as I do not know where he is nor what he is doing. If he has any problems with this, he can contact me through owl-post.
Cordially, Narcissa Malfoy
"Remus, I'm sorry," Arthur said, looking down at the table. Remus pursued the documents and knew that there was nothing he could do. Everything was finalized and legal. Remus folded his arms on the table and dropped his head, the papers still in his hands as tears well in his eyes and splashed onto his robes.
Arthur and Molly didn't say a thing as they tried to comfort Remus; they knew that this wasn't fair at all. Remus was such a good caretaker; he was also the best friend of James and Sirius, just because he was a Werewolf did not mean that he wasn't responsible.
Finally, Remus sat up, whipped his eyes and sighed; "I have to gather up Harry's things, he'll want them," he said as he stood.
"Remus, please drop in for a visit whenever you want, this is a hard time for all of us," Molly said.
"Thank you Molly, I will," Remus said as he disappeared through the fireplace to his own home in France.
Harry woke to bright light shinning in his eyes; he squinted up at the ceiling as he tried to sit up, but he couldn't, the blankets were tucked in too tight. He sighed as he thought of Remus coming in early that morning and….but that wasn't right, he'd been at the Weasley's and….that's when it hit him!
He had been kidnapped by his 'Aunt' and 'Uncle' – he rolled his eyes at that. No doubt they had covered their tracks, maybe even did something legal or difficult like that. Though, for the life of him, Harry couldn't think of the loopholes in the Guardian Laws at the moment, but he was sure that there some.
Just then, the blankets around him loosened and there was a 'popping' sound.
"Young Master get up! Mistress saying Doctor come!" a house elf pulled on Harry's sleeve.
"What? Where are my glasses?" Harry asked.
"They here!" the house elf put the spectacles in his hand. Once Harry could see, he felt overwhelmed. A cage was a cage no matter how decorated it was!
"Come eat, then dressed," the house elf directed Harry's attention to the tray of food setting on the desk. The house elf disappeared then and Harry was left to himself.
He wolfed down the breakfast; he did give consideration to the fact that it may have been poisoned, but Harry didn't think that Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy wanted him dead. If they did they would have done it by now! Harry was then wondered where the clothes were, he had to wear something!
You'll want to look in the wardrobe! Something spoke to him. Harry turned about and searched the room with glaring green eyes till he spotted the King Cobra.
Excuse me? Harry asked.
The Lady put clothesssss in there… the cobra replied, head twitching to the wardrobe. Harry went over and opened it. He made a face.
"Green, just my luck!" Harry muttered. He pulled out some black pants and a white dress shirt, neither of the articles had the Malfoy symbol on them.
Thanks for the direction, Harry said to the cobra before he went to the bathroom.
Fifteen minutes later, looking much better than he had last night; Harry emerged from the steamy room and deposited his pajama's in the hamper. He put on some socks and shoes that had been provided and then sat on the edge of the made bed to await his visitor's.
What are you doing here, little one? The Cobra asked.
I was kidnapped, I want to go home, Harry replied.
Ah, I sssssseeeeeee…where did you live before?
With my Uncle Remus; he's a Werewolf but he is very nice to me, and my Godfather adopted me, Harry replied.
How is it that you know my language? The cobra asked.
I'm a Parseltongue, Voldemort gave me the ability when he tried to kill me when I was little, Harry explained.
Your Harry Potter?
Its Harry Potter-Black now, but yes, the one and only!
I am Gervaissss, don't asssssk why! The cobra hissed.
Well, at least it isn't Slither! Harry replied.
Gervais looked at Harry with humor showing in his eyes; Quite right, young one,
Do you know why I'm here? Harry asked walking up to the tank. The cobra was a dark black with glowing yellow eyes.
Ssssshe ssssssay'sssss ssssshe'ssss your Aunt, whatever that isssss! Gervais looked amused.
Wonderful, but I don't want to be here! Harry rolled his eyes.
Have you tried telling her that?
Yes, but she won't listen to me, I do want to go home, Harry sighed.
Maybe I could help…
What do you want in return?
To go with you, I've been in a cage like thissss ssssince I wassss born, I'd like to sssmell the grasssss and catch rodentssss…
All right, if you help me escape, you can come with me! Remus will understand that we can talk to each other!
It really issssn't all that surprisssssing!
What do you mean? Harry asked, but before Gervais could reply, the door opened to Narcissa and a Medi-wizard.
"Ah, I see your making friends, I knew you should have been in Slytherin," Narcissa said.
"Er – you know about…"
"That you can talk to snakes? Yes, now, Mr. Addison will look you over," Narcissa said then she left the two alone.
"So, Mr. Potter…"
"Black, it's Potter-Black," Harry replied.
"Mr. Potter-Black, lets see how well you've been taken care of," Mr. Addison said as he pulled out his wand.
"Uncle Remus is the best! He's really good at cooking and he knows loads of things that you don't," Harry replied, his arms folded against his chest.
"Is that so?" Mr. Addison asked.
"It is!"
Thisssss guy isssss off hisssss rocker! Gervais hissed. Harry smirked at Mr. Addison.
"Well, let me do a few tests then…"
"No way! I'm fine,"
"No your not, Mrs. Malfoy is sure that something is going on with that Werewolf, why else did he send you away…"
"He sent me away because he isn't a normal Werewolf, he doesn't like biting people, he sent me to stay with the Weasley's so that I could be with my friends and so that he wouldn't have to worry about losing it," Harry explained to Mr. Addison as if he were talking to a small child.
"Potter…"
"Black, why does everyone keep forgetting that?"
He'ssssss an idiot! That'sssssss why… Gervais laughed in a snake-like manner.
"Now see here, this won't take long…"
"I won't, now get out!" Harry yelled, the door opened and Mr. Addison looked as if he would keel over at any second.
"Very well, good day Mr. Potter-Black!" he said before he left, slamming the door behind him.
Let me guesssss, your in Gryffindor then? Gervais raised a snake eyebrow at Harry.
Will that change anything between us if I were?
No, no, it'ssss just that you could have jussssst submitted to the tessssstsssss, now they'll think there really isssss something wrong with your Mother…
Did I ruin everything?
No, I don't think you did, but sssssssomehow, we need to get a messssssage to your Mother and Father and tell them what issss going on, Gervais hissed.
Harry fell face forwards on the bed and stifled an aggravated cry. Gervais watched the boy silently, tongue flicking out to catch the sent of Chocolate and….wolf. Gervais knew that the boy would be stifled in this atmosphere, the lady with the long blond hair might mean well but…she just didn't understand.
It issssss all right, child, I'll take care of you now, Gervais hissed, but Harry didn't seem to hear him.
Remus put all of Harry's school books in the trunk last; he had to get his homework done and soon, in another month he would be going back to Hogwarts and…Remus wished he had some sort of support. Which he didn't have because of those bloody Werewolf laws, why creatures (and people) had to be discriminated against because of something they couldn't control, he would never puzzle out. But taking his Pup…
Remus sighed and then caught site of James' journal…
"Remember…give this to my baby when he's old enough…"
Remus included the journal.
A/N – All right, there it is! I've taken out the whole Godmother thing. Once I started thinking about it…it really didn't make sense. So…Narcissa is Harry's Aunt…well, I'm going to keep it that way. Thank you for reading!
Ta,
Poppy!
P.S -- When Gervais (the cobra) is talking about Harry's Mother, he means Remus, when he talks about Hary's Father, he means Sirius!
