Remus ran down flight after flight of stairs until he was at the door to the infirmary. He still had well over twenty minutes before he was allowed in but the werewolf just had to get in there and see his….cub? Yes. He could defiantly smell the resemblance to James and LILY?! Bloody hell! When on earth did James convince Lils to do that? He couldn't get a date with the woman never the less sex! When she found out she'd surely flip! Then again, if something had happened, why didn't the two of them realize their own child? And why was he so old? Oh well, that for a later date. The boy was definitely a marauder by blood therefore they needed to take care of him.
"Uncle Remus huh?" The boy breathe running a hand through his shoulder length tawny hair. "I could get used to that…"
"No. NO! I can't be here! I don't belong!!" What was that about? How could you not belong with your family? It was so silly. Why would the boy think that? Well, just another question that I'll have to ask him when I get in there. As if reading his thoughts, Professor Dumbledore pushed through the doors, his old face downcast. But…his damn eyes were twinkling again! Merlin this man is so creepy. He must be like some sort of mind reader or something. Wouldn't that be funny if that was why his stupid eyes twinkled all of the time—NO! Bad Remus! Getting to off track here. "Professor Sir."
Dumbledore seemed to see the blonde at last. He offered the youth a strained smile. "Ah Remus my boy. What can I do for you?"
"I…uhh….the boy? You said I could see him."
"So I did. So I did." The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully "Yes, you can go in." With that, Albus Dumbledore left Remus Lupin in the hall, both of their thought revolving around one Harry Potter. Merlin, the cub, MY cub. Is he alright. How am I supposed to know if he's alright?! I….oh yeah. Remus wanted to ram his head into the wall. Dumbledore had just TOLD him he could go in, he must really be nervous. Without any more hesitation the blonde rushed into the room he knew all too well.
All of the bed were empty. But that made no sense! After all, his wolf senses could pick up the scent of his little pup. Just…where the hell was he?! Off to the left. Yes. The smell got stronger as Remus moved towards a set of doors. Of course, private rooms. Not exactly smart showing off a James-look-alike to the Hogwarts wounded. The werewolf walked down the hall of closed doors. First door. No, empty. Second door, empty. Third door empty as well. What the shit? How far away from the world are they trying to keep him? Him? Honestly it was like the boy didn't have a name. I'm sure that he does, I just don't know it yet is all. No big deal. Right? If it wasn't such a big deal, then why was his inner wolf nearly howling in the pain of not knowing its cub? Fourth door, nope. Fifth door…Cassias Flint's pregnant fiancée. Sixth door, empty. DAMN! Seventh, eighth, ninth all empty. Ten had a…ugh a vampire, eleven, a veela snort Lucius Malfoy. Twelve another empty room. And, ah thirteen here we go. His cub was right behind this door. Best knock first, don't want to scare the boy. He knocked and rather impatiently at that.
"Eep! C-come in!" Great. He scared his pup. "Hey cub. How are you doing?" Remus asked walking into the room.
"M'fine" The pillows? Replied.
"Cub, are you hiding from me? I won't hurt you." Never would the wolf allow him to hurt any member of his pack, new or old. That hurt.
A mop of raven hair emerged from under the blankets followed by those beautiful green eyes. "I know that uncle moon-I know that Remus."
"You're allowed to call me moony, or uncle moony, or whatever. You are a mini-marauder after all."
"How--?"
"Moony." The blonde replied pointing to his nose. "Or did you not—"
"Your wolf can smell out relatives?"
Remus was shocked. Here was this person who knew about his lycanthropy that was talking to him like any normal person. It made him feel loved and wanted. "Remy?" Said werewolf shook his head and turned his attention back to the bed ridden teen. "Remy did I say something wrong? I'm sorry!" Sorry? Why the devil was he sorry? What happened to you my cub? You smell broken. "Sorry cub, you just shocked me is all. I didn't think you knew about…about it."
"Sorry" The boy looked down at his hands. He really was too innocent for his own good.
"Anyways, yes it makes recognizing our pack-mates easier." Remus looked down to see a head of unruly raven locks. "Hey…oh my. I don't know your name childe. Care to share?"
"Harry. I'm Harry Potter." Harry replied in a shaky voice.
Remus sat on the bed next to his nephew. Their heads touched as the werewolf loosely hugged the young boy. "Harry, are you ok. Do you want me to get your mum and dad?"
"NO! Don't they, they can't know! If they knew, they'd hate me." The air smelled of salt. It didn't take a genius to figure that the boy was crying. But Remus had no idea what to do! James and Sirius were too man enough to cry in front of anyone. Well…unless you count the time that Sirius' hair care products were mysteriously destroyed. Or when Siri drank Polyjuice potion (turning into Lily), and telling James that they were a match made in heaven, only to turn back before they could snog. Among other similar events. So, there wasn't much practice.
However, and thank whatever deities there were that deemed Remus likable, when he pulled Harry to his lap in an awkward embrace the boy calmed slightly. The werewolf rubbed small circles on the other's back causing his chest to be snuggled. "Harry love, why in Merlin's name would your parents of all people hate you?"
"I dun wanna talk about it. Remy, please I can't you'll hate me too. I can't lose you."
If that didn't break someone's heart, well then there's really nothing else that could. The blonde boy carded his hands through silk locks of hair. "Harry, you're my cub, and no matter what, I would never ever leave or hate you in any form. You are too precious. You got that?" He stated in his 'almost-professor-mode'. The werewolf swore that he felt the other boy smile into his chest.
"Okay moony, but please don't hate me after you know." The green eyed boy mumbled.
"Harry…"
"Okay, okay." An intake of breath "In the future I live with my muggle aunt uncle and cousin, please don't ask why right now, and they despise magic with a passion. For the first eleven years of my life I called a cupboard under the stairs my room. I wore my whale of a cousin's hand-me-downs, ate scraps, and basically treated as a house elf in all aspects, yes even the beatings. I was starved for a few days on end-but it was okay because aunt petunia's cooking isn't the tastiest in the world, it's why they had me cook. They neglected me and had me do chores from the day I could hold a broom properly. Then I got my Hogwarts letter—"
"That was all before you went to school?!"
Harry put his head down "Yes."
"There's more isn't there?"
"Lots."
"Continue please"
"Thank you Rem. So when I my letter, it was addressed to 'The cupboard under the stairs', well at least that got me out of the cupboard, unfortunately my uncle thought it wise to try and beat the freakiness out of me. Well I didn't actually get to read my letter until weeks later on my birthday. Hagrid came and got me. To sum up my first year I faced down Voldemort (surprise-surprise Remy flinched at the name), saved the Sorcerer's Stone, accidentally killed our DADA teacher, and made Gryffindor seeker. Then I went back to the Dursleys where a house elf who was, as Hermione and Ron said, utterly in love with me decided to pilfer my mail, get my uncle nearly fired, and it ended with me getting bars on my window extra locks on my door and crappier treatment than ever. At school, I found out I was a parselmouth. The whole school thought I was the heir of Slytherin. The Chamber of Secrets was opened by my best friend's sister who was under a curse. She was taken into the chamber later that year, where I had to save her. Our deadbeat, phony DADA teacher tried to obliviate us and take any credit he could. But he used Ron's broken wand and ended up obliviating himself. I went ahead and found the real heir of Slytherin. Tom Riddle a.k.a. Voldemort. I fought his damned basilisk then destroyed his diary that possessed Ginny. Third year was quiet; well I met you that was a good thing." The two shared a warm smile with each other
"You were our DADA teacher from my third year up. We were my best friend, so you threatened the Dursleys. Needless to say they left me alone for that summer. Fourth year I falsely put into the Triwizard tournament. I had to fight a dragon, save two people from mermaids, make my way through a killer maze with one of the other champions was under the Imperious curse and tried to kill me, the cup was a portkey to graveyard where there were Death Eaters waiting. Petti—a Death Eater I despise killed the other Hogwarts champion that planned on ending the tournament in a tie with me. Voldemort regained his body that night. I had to face him. Surprisingly I made it out of there alive. I took Cedric's body back to Hogwarts. I tried to tell everyone that Voldemort was back, but only a very small handful of people believed me. Thank you by the way, you were one of the few that did."
The future DADA teacher smiled and hesitantly kissed the top of his nephew's head. "No problem kid, I know you would never lie to me about that." The younger boy responded by tucking his head under the blonde's chin.
"I'm not done yet goof."
"Oh, sorry, continue beloved nephew of mine." Five points to Remus, he made Harry laugh. Just like Lily's.
"As I was saying, I was shunned by the most of the Wizarding world, no surprise. I had to suffer visions from Voldemort all summer, along with the shitty treatment at home. But it wasn't as bad as my earlier years. I was taken to this place called Grimmauld Place for…something for Dumbledore. That year I had to take Occlumency with Snape. Never. Again."
"That bad huh?"
"Oh yeah, the bloody git was even more of an ass than usual. He attacked my mind so violently I passed out nearly every time. In June I got a false image about you from Voldie. You were captured by him. Under Crucio because you wouldn't give away anything about me or a prophesy. I and a few of my best friends went to the Ministry of Magic, Department of mysteries. That's where you were in the vision. When we got there, we found the prophesy. It said neither Voldie nor I could live while the other did. His cronies found us and tried to take it. I destroyed it before they could take it. They battled with us and select people Dumbledore sent. You were there. I nearly wanted to cry. I thought Voldie had killed you! I was ready to kill the bastard. Bellatrix herded us into a room nearby with this freaky veil. She hit you with a stunning curse and-oh Remy! You nearly fell through! Bill Accio-ed you, he saved your life! I was so furious with Bellatrix I chased her into the Atrium. Yeah, not very bright, but it was my blasted Gryffindor tendency as Snape likes to put it. I put Bellatrix under the Cruciatus. It was so scary. Voldie came as Bellatrix was telling me that I had to mean it. I bloody well meant it Remy! You are the most important person to me! Voldie decided it was time to get rid of the ever wonderful Boy-who-lived. We fought for what felt like hours. All the Death Eaters and Flaming Chicken members watched us the whole time."
"Flaming Chicken?"
"Nickname, I'll explain later. I ended up sending Voldie's soul to the deepest circle of hell. Most f the D.E.'s were arrested on the spot. I and my friends went back to school and I went to the Dursleys for the summer. Uncle Vernon had taken to drinking profoundly during the school year, and when I got back he said….he said it was time to start earning my keep." Somewhere in the speech the tears had started flowing again. Remy had resumed his previous job of rubbing circles on the raven haired boy's back.
"Merlin Harry, you don't mean..?"
Said boy looked up and amber met emerald. A pain that clearly said what had happened haunted the green orbs. It was a pain no child-no PERSON should ever go through. Anger swept through Remus and Moony like a monsoon in the jungle. How DARE he? THAT MOTHER FUCKER! I'LL FUCKING KILL HIM!!! Harry on the other hand looked ready to ball his eyes out. He was right, his beloved uncle Remus hated him and thought him to be some disgusting freak. Maybe that's all he ever was or would be. A freak. Remus clawed Harry's shoulders, the latter who hissed at the contact.
"Uncle Rem…"
"I am going to personally kill that mother fucker for you harry. That man is sick! Harry do you hear me?! That is a promise; it's also a promise to keep you safe. I can feel it Harry, I care so much about you to just let this go!"
Harry couldn't say anything for a bit. The younger version of his uncle didn't hate him? Think of him as something gross on the bottom of his shoe? Wanted nothing to do with him? Well wasn't that a shock for him? "I'm sorry, I…I don't follow."
"Harry, that god damned shit fuck hurt you in the worst way. Did you really think I wouldn't let him get away with this? That asshole has no right to live."
Harry couldn't help himself. He giggled. After all, how often do you hear your timid uncle cuss every other word? "What? What's so funny?"
"Nothing –giggle- I just…have never heard you –giggle-cuss so much!" The blonde had to admit, if the guys saw him, they'd be doing the same thing. So the young uncle joined the boy.
When they were both clutching their giggled out sides, the younger of the two laid back down on the bed. Remus followed soon after. "Seriously Remy, you don't hate me?"
"Harry Potter, why on earth would I hate you? You had no control over the situation."
"But…but he's a muggle, and I'm a wizard. I didn't defend myself, couldn't."
"Yes Harry, a wizard in school who isn't allowed to do any magic outside of school. It's just fates cruel way of showing you that even after you defeated Vol…you-know-who, bad things happen to good people. I do not hold it against you Harry. But I can tell you this. Fate made you into a talented, beautiful young wizard, and threw you back in my prime time as Siri and James like to call it. And there isn't anything that will keep me from keeping you safe."
Harry pressed himself against the blonde's side blushing. "Thank you Rem, though I don't agree with the beautiful or talented part, it means the world and my magic to me that you still care."
"Always harry, always, and I'll have to find a way to get you to see just how gorgeous and talented you are. But for now, sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."
"Thank you uncle Rem."
For the first time in a very long time, Harry James Potter fell into a peaceful sleep. And for the first time Remus John Lupin had felt so much devotion and love, yes love purely familial mind you, to one person he felt as if he might burst.
Well this year certainly was turning out for the better. But how to break the news to the Marauders?
A/N Holy crap! This is by far the longest chapter so far! Lol Don't think I forgot that this is a Siri/Harry fic, and as much as I want to, I will not turn this into a Rem/Harry fic. I did toy with the idea of a LM/HP/SB thing in this fic, but as fun as it'd be, I did not like that three-way. And now I'm ranting.
Any who…..
Next Chapter: Hello, I'm Sirius Black.
The Marauders meet Harry after they –cough-stalk-cough- Remus when they finally decided he's been spending too much time in the infirmary. How will they react? Will they accept harry? And how will harry be when he has to bunk with the infamous Marauders during his stay in the past?
Reviews? Please?
P.S. For those who've read Houseguest, I just wanted you all to know I will be updated soon!