I don't own Harry Potter.
Warnings: Language, AU, Character AU, Human! Dumbledore, Logical, Abused, Young! Harry, Godfather! Remus, Abusive! Dursleys, and umm... I'll probably add/change more later.
Pairings: None as of yet.
Summary: "Hey, Moony?" Prongs whispered, his lips curved in a small, contented smile. "Would you be godfather?"
A Two Arrowed Sign
Look both ways before crossing the street. You never know when you may fall and weep. There is no right or wrong, but what is human and what should remain unsung.
Chapter 6
June 21st, 1989, 12:01 am
Potter Manor
Remus knew that this conversation would not be the best one he would have with his godson. However, it was necessary, as much as it hurt. He had to put it all into words. All the pain, anguish, the long interlude when he was unable to protect his own cub.
They were sitting the living room of Potter Manor. Once Harry had woken and seemed marginally comfortable in Remus' presence, if the hug was anything to go by, he had led Harry down to the living room, where he had brought him enough food to feed a family of six, though Harry ate very little. Remus had then gone about explaining the whole story. Magic, Voldemort, and Dumbledore. Harry had yet to ask any questions or blink, as far as Remus had seen.
"…and, that's basically it. I'm sure you have questions. I would be glad to answer them." He looked at Harry anxiously, wondering if he had just ruined everything. He was an idiot, of course, he should have gone about all of this a different way. Harry was only eight, after all. What child would actually believe all of this nonsense? But, on the other hand, Harry was not a normal child. No doubt he was more adept at handling thing than a normal child. Though, for those same reasons, he is more fragile. I must remember this.
"So this evil Lord Voldemort killed my parents? Tried to kill me?" Harry had yet to relax into his chair, sitting on the edge of the seat, his feet flat on the floor. He's been tensed to run this entire time.
"Yes."
"And this man, Dumbledore, refused to let you raise me for some reason?"
"Yes."
"And there was some magic thing around Privet Drive that kept you from visiting me until a few days ago?" Harry was watching him intently. Lily's eyes staring out of James' face.
"Yes." Remus could feel moisture gather into his own eyes. He looked away from the plaguing green of his godson's orbs.
"But you figured a way around it and basically kidnapped me and so now this Dumbledore man is looking for me?"
"Well, I didn't really kidnap you, I mean… If you wish to leave, Harry, I will not keep you here." Remus wished with every fibre of his being that Harry would choose to stay. If he didn't, if Harry was not comfortable with Remus, if he did not like the idea of staying with him… well, there was no way Remus would let him return to those people. He would find another solution.
"If you want me…I will stay." Harry looked up at Remus from the cover of his fringe, a brightness to his face that made Remus' heart ache. There was a fear there too. A fear of rejection. A fear of being unwanted. A fear of being hurt.
"I would love for you to stay." Remus swallowed thickly, a burn in the back of his throat. Almost eight years, James, but I'm here now. I'm going to protect him. I'm going to love him.
"Okay." Harry said, voice soft in the large room. He pulled his toes off the hardwood floor, pulled one of his knees up to his chest and tucked the other leg underneath him, wrapping his arms around his mid-section. James laughed, shoving Sirius off of him as he sat up. Leaning against the headboard of his bed, he pulled one of his knees to his chest and sat easily on the other, wrapping his arms around his midsection as tears of joy streamed out of his dancing hazel eyes.
"Okay."
Harry will be the best of you, I knew that from the beginning.
June 21st, 1989, 8:00 am
Headmaster's Office
Albus,
Thank you for honouring our agreement once again, although I do wish your updates remained consistent. I am very anxious to return to Wizarding Britain on the week of Harry's eleventh birthday – only three more years, I expect. I do intent to accompany him to his first trip to Diagon Alley. France is a beautiful country, with a rich magical history. However, I long for home and my godson.
Sincerely,
Remus Lupin
Albus rubbed his temples, considering the letter. It was, ideally, the perfect response. Remus could not have taken Harry. The blood ward would see to that, of course. Lily's magic had created a beautiful protection over her son. The wards around Privet Drive would not have let anyone meaning to harm her son enter. A werewolf would never be able to gain access.
But that wasn't the truth, not anymore. Someone had taken Harry Potter and Albus' gut was telling him it was someone with malicious intent.
"Well, Albus?" Minerva's voice was cold.
"I do not believe that this was Remus' doing. However, I must continue to entertain the possibility." Albus told one of his oldest and dearest friends. He could not afford to ignore any possibilities at this point. The child of the prophecy was missing. The child of the prophecy must be found, alive. Or death and destruction will rule this land until the very magic of our earth turns against it.
"What we must do, Albus, is look for the boy!" Minerva was frazzled, especially after the clear disregard Petunia Dursley had shown her nephew.
"I know, Minerva. I fully intent to put all of my energies into finding Harry Potter and returning him to his relatives, safe and sound." Albus' mind was whirling. He needed help searching for Harry. Of course, there were several less than legal charms he would try as soon as Minerva had vacated his office. However, if the kidnapper was smart enough to overcome Lily Potter's blood protection, he very well could have created anti-location wards. Best play it safe. Moody is a must. Arthur Weasley has merit.
"Back to his relatives?" Minerva's tone had gone bone-chillingly cold. Albus flinched.
"Minerva, I need you to contact some of the old crowd to help with this event. I think Alastor Moody and Arthur Weasley will be discreet enough. We must not inform the public yet. Should we be unable to find him within the next few days, we must. However, no reason to alarm the whole wizarding world that their Boy-Who-Lived is missing if he has simply….Merlin, hope, runaway." He could see the headline now, BELOVED BOY-WHO-LIVED MISSING. No, it was best not involve the Ministry until he could exhaust his resources. He would have to, eventually, if Harry remained unfound.
"I would not blame the child at all if he had simply runaway, as you say, Albus. But we both know that is not the truth. Petunia Dursley was knocked out by a spell, not accidental magic." Minerva's shoulder were back, her teeth slightly bared. Albus knew he must tread carefully. Minerva was loyal. However, she had a soft spot for children. It's what made her such a wonderful teacher, after all.
"We must entertain all possibilities. It is when we disregard something we believe untruthful, that we may be disregarding the actual truth due to our own personal perceptions. I thought you had learned that during the war, Minerva."
"Do not patronize me, Albus. I'm perfectly capable at logical reasoning. However, if you think you will be able to convince me to send Harry Potter back to those people, no matter your wise words, you are mistaken!"
"Please, Minerva, time is of the essence. Severus is brewing a location potion using the blood found at Number 4 as we speak. If it does not work, we will need search parties. We will speak more of Harry's accommodations when we find him."
"We will find him, Albus. And then we will speak about accommodations." Minerva spit the last word through her clenched teeth, before standing with all the strength of a Deputy Headmistress and a Transfiguration Professor who had been teaching for over forty years, looking at Albus as if he were just another naughty child. She exited the office, letting the door shut loudly behind her.
Albus sighed. Gaining his equilibrium, he stood on aching knees and preceded to find the three books he needed to perform the location spells on Harry James Potter. If they came up empty…If Severus' potion did not work…
He would alert the Ministry and, perhaps, he would write a carefully worded letter to Remus Lupin.
Remus is Harry's godfather. If the boy is truly missing, Remus will be a sufficient help find him. Love makes people do a great many things, after all.