Characters and world from JK Rowling's Wizarding universe.
When Harry met Remus
Remus Lupin hated being told by Dumbledore not to go looking for Harry as he was safe in his relative's blood warded house. Remus understood why he couldn't be a guardian for Harry, seeing as he had his 'furry little problem' but he didn't understand why he wasn't allowed to be in the child's life! it just didn't make sense. Why couldn't he be an uncle that visits now and then. Dumbledore said to not confuse the child. Plus, if he stayed away from the magical world then he could be protected from the fame that came with being 'the boy who lived'.
It had been easy to fall into a depression - he had lost his best friends in one night. James - his brother and Lily, who he had become friends with, not just as James' girl; Peter, the mousy softly spoken boy who he had often stuck up for when the others made him the butt of the joke and Sirius… he could barely even think of his name. Just thinking his name brought an image of his laughing eyes, fingers running through his black hair, smirking at him. That brief moment of remembrance brought both warmth to his cold body and excruciating pain. The betrayal: the loss of love, camaraderie, brotherhood … did he not know him at all? he could scarcely believe it. Was Sirius really capable of doing such a despicable thing? James was his brother in all but blood. He knew in his soul that Sirius would rather die than to betray James and Lily. He loved Harry. But the evidence was there. Dumbledore would surely have fought for justice had there been even any reasonable doubt.
Remus passed the next 5 years in a daze, barely alive. Lack of sleep, eating minimal food and the monthly transformations left him looking skeletal, with sunken cheeks and eyes. He all but disappeared from the magical world, and had found work in a muggle hotel, making just enough money to survive. Remus followed Dumbledore's instructions for the first few years, even though he felt uneasy every year on Harry's birthday about not being in Harry's life. Every year he would briefly wake up from his daze to lament the lack of his friends, love, and Harry. He was unable to lose himself in drugs and alcohol like he had seen so many muggles do, his werewolf genes metabolised the intoxicants too quickly. Instead, he closed off his heart to the world and walked around in a depressed stupor.
He lived in a built-up area in an inner-city neighbourhood in Manchester, blending in with the local muggles, going about their day. Once a month, he went 'camping' and the neighbours both pitied and admired this quiet man. They could tell he was depressed but went away once a month for self-care. it was a good alibi Remus had thought.
One gloomy Friday morning, Remus had a moment of clarity, a break from the bleakness of his depression. His eye caught a glimpse of colour, he quickly turned his head and it moved again...it was a ball of light. He jumped in his chair and tried to touch it. Instead, it went into him, a warmth spread into his chest and his head felt lighter than it had for a long time. He suddenly wondered how Harry was doing whilst simultaneously lamenting at how much he had missed Harry's life. He must be 6 now, was he happy? Was he loved and cared for? He had always thought that Lily and Petunia had had a difficult relationship and Petunia had never shown an interest in Harry before. Maybe the situation would have opened her heart. But why had he thought of Harry now? The warmth in his chest was urging him to find Harry. He quickly grabbed his coat and wand and apparated to Surrey. 'I'll just look at him from afar and Dumbledore can't get annoyed that I'm interfering', he thought to himself. He couldn't quite remember the door number but the feeling in his chest was pulling him along anyway. He decided not to resist and just let it guide him.
He found himself walking faster than he had for a long time, almost running. He could see some muggles look at him strangely. Why was this man half walking half running and is he even from this neighbourhood? surely not, he looks too shabby. Remus gave them no more thought than a glance and thought about Harry, wondering what he looked like now, would he have outgrown his wild hair like James, or would it still be like James? Was he still playful, what did he like now? Maybe he should have sent him gifts on his birthday or Christmas. His thoughts began to change to despair, his heart raced at all the time he had wasted not being there for Harry. The warmth in his chest pulsed as if to bring him back to the present.
Remus looked up and realised that he was on Harry's street. He paused and wondered what he should do next. He looked around and noticed some children playing out in the street. He tried to discreetly check if any of the children were Harry. He couldn't see him but felt a pulling towards the house with the perfect lush lawn and neat hedges. He let the warmth in his chest guide him again almost without conscious thought and next thing he knew, he was at the front door with his hand raised about to ring the doorbell. He could hear the TV on inside the house, a children's programme, and a child's voice asking for a drink. Petunia's shrill nasally voice broke his reverie, she was shouting at someone to 'go and get Dudders some juice, and mind you don't sneak any for yourself, boy!' Remus jolted and pressed the doorbell angrily, she couldn't be talking to Harry, could she? he thought to himself incredulously.
The door opened and he heard a gasp. Petunia looked at him, took in his shabby clothes and pursed her lips. 'What are YOU doing here?' They had met a few times before Lily and that Potter boy had gotten married. She had never liked his unapologetic poor boy look even back then, and now even less. Would the neighbours think she associated with people like him? Remus thought he would be polite and said 'Hello Petunia, I'm Remus, a friend of Lily and James. I was…' but before he could finish his sentence Petunia cut him off. 'I don't care, I know you're one of THEM'. She looked over Remus's shoulder furtively to make sure no one was looking. She went to close the door, but Remus held the door with his foot. He may look like a strong wind would knock him over, but he had werewolf blood in him and was much stronger than he looked. Petunia looked at him distastefully and without a word, opened the door wider to let him in lest the neighbours saw this scruffy freak on her doorstep. Remus stepped into the house and stood in the hallway. Petunia quickly shut the door and turned around. 'What do you want?' she asked brusquely.
Remus looked surprised at her tone and then recalled how she had been so mean to Lily and how Lily had cried over her, finally accepting that Petunia would not be a part of their lives. Remus put that aside and remained polite. 'I just wanted to see Harry,' he said quietly. He heard a little gasp, and a sweet voice almost whispering, 'me? my name is Harry'. At this Remus turned around to see Harry standing in the kitchen doorway with a glass of orange juice. Remus stepped forward and crouched down in front of the small boy and smiled at him.
'Get away from him!' Petunia screeched before Remus had a chance to speak to Harry. Harry flinched and almost dropped the glass. Remus took the glass from him gently and set it down on the floor. 'It's okay Harry, I'm Remus Lupin, a friend of your parents'. At the word parents, Harry looked up sharply, no one ever talked about his parents. Was this man with sad eyes telling the truth? He looked at his Aunt Petunia, but she looked angry. Maybe this man was lying and that's why Aunt Petunia was angry, but he didn't understand the calm and even safe feeling he got from the man. He waited to see what Aunt Petunia would say. He didn't want her to be angry with him as well.
'I don't want any freaks in my house', Petunia shouted, and looked pointedly at Remus. Remus ignored her and crouched down to speak to Harry once more. 'I'm uncle Moony', he told Harry gently. This caused Harry to look back at the man and felt a spark of truth.
'You knew my parents?' he said quietly.
'Yes', Remus was making sure to be gentle and slow in his movements, so Harry wouldn't get startled. He was feeling euphoric to see Harry's sweet little face after so many years, but he dared not to overwhelm him. 'I wanted to see how you're doing'. Harry arched an eyebrow, he seemed surprised but did not respond. Remus stood up and turned to Petunia, she was watching the scene unfold with a look of disgust.
'Well, you've seen him now, so you can leave', she said quickly, to deter him from staying any longer.
'No, not yet', said Remus, and began walking into what seemed to be the kitchen. 'I'm sorry to come out of the blue Mrs Dursley, but it couldn't be helped'. He stood behind a chair at the kitchen table and looked pointedly at Petunia. Petunias pride in hospitality kicked in and gestured for him to take a seat. Remus sat down and watched as Harry tentatively followed them into the kitchen. He was cautious but wanted to know how this man knew his parents. He stood near the door, looking from Aunt Petunia to Uncle Moony, wondering if Aunt Petunia would let him stay.
