It was very early morning. There weren't many people out, but Remus liked it that way. He made his way through the streets of London to a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. It was not a normal pub, but Remus was not a normal man. He was a wizard, and only wizards could see the Leaky Cauldron. Non-magical folk or Muggle's as they were called could not see it.

Remus didn't know that that very morning was going to change the rest of his life. He was thinking about a job interview he had. He'd been unemployed for a few months, but he had high hopes this time. He was sure they wouldn't check his background.

He had a harder time getting a job than most people because he wasn't normal by wizard's standards. Once a month he became a monster, so he was shunned by society because of it. Being a werewolf made it very hard for him to find a job. He had some gold saved away, but it wasn't enough to live on. He needed to work full time.

This was all on his mind as he turned a corner and saw a small bundle on the sidewalk. He realized that it was a small boy as he got closer. He knelt down by him and wondered exactly why a little boy was sleeping on the streets. He reached out and touched him. Slowly, the child's eyes opened.

He had seen that face before, those green eyes, but it had been years ago. There was no mistaking who it was, even though the face had matured a little. There was also a lightning bolt scar on the child's forehead.

"Harry?" Remus asked.

The boy stared up at him with fear, and then his lower lip trembled.

"It's all right, little one," he said and gently lifted the boy into his arms.

Harry tried to struggle but he was too weak. There was something not right about the child. His eyes had a sunken look to them. Was the boy starving? How long had he been on the streets.

"It's all right, I won't hurt you. You don't know this, but I knew you when you were a baby. My name is Remus Lupin. I used to know your parents."

This seemed to distract the boy. He stared up into his face.

"You did?" Harry asked in a hoarse voice. "Are you died?"

"Died?" Remus asked. "No, I'm alive, though I'm sorry they aren't. They were nice people. But, Harry, why are here?"

Remus stood up and hugged Harry tightly. The boy was far too light, but he was also too short. He should be four, almost five, but he was too small for his age. The boy's stomach suddenly growled loudly.

"All right, let's get you something to eat, and then why don't you tell me how you got here?"

He carried Harry the rest of the way to the Leaky Cauldron. Were his aunt and uncle worried about him? Did they accidentally lose him? Had he been on the streets for a while? It was obviously the child hadn't eaten for a while. Remus forgot about his plans for the day as he entered the pub.

He found a table and set Harry into a chair. The boy was still wrapped in the blanket. Remus recognized it as one of the many Lily had knit for him. Harry swayed a little in his chair.

"What would you like to eat?" Remus asked him.

He didn't have a lot of money to spare, but the child needed some food.

"Eat?" Harry asked. "I'm allowed?"

"Well of course you are. You look like you need a good meal little man. Do you like bacon and eggs?"

Harry gave him a weak smile and nodded quickly. Remus made his way to the counter to where the owner Tom stood. He ordered two plates of bacon and eggs, and two cups of pumpkin juice. He was able to get the juice right away, so he took the cups back to the table.

"Drink this, it's good Harry," he said.

Harry took the cup and brought it to his lips slowly and took a sip.

"It is good!" he said happily. "Remus, you said you know my parents. Where are they?"

Remus took a seat in front of Harry.

"They died Harry. I'm sorry, but they died when you were a baby. Do you know what that means?"

"Uncle- I mean- yes," Harry answered quickly.

He took another sip from the cup and looked around the pub. There weren't many people there. Remus took a sip from his own cup. Harry had been about to say something about his uncle, but had changed his mind.

"Harry, where are your aunt and uncle?" he asked.

"I'm an orphan," Harry said quickly. "Don't got no aunt or uncle."

"Yes you do. I know for a fact that you live with your Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. You can tell me the truth Harry. Why aren't you with them right now?"

Harry stared at him with a frightened look on his face, and then he started to cry. Oh great Remus thought to himself. He got up from the table and walked around to the boy's side. He knelt down beside and placed an arm around the child.

"It's all right, you can tell me. Did you run away from home?"

Harry shook his head.

"Uncle Vernon told me not to tell. He said I'm supposed to tell people I'm a orphan. If I go home he'll make my life a living hell. He left me here last night," Harry answered. "Can't go back. Don't like spankings, don't like hurting all the time. Don't like the basement. Don't want no more beatings."

Remus was shocked to hear this, but as he examined Harry, he noticed there were some bruises on the child. They abandoned him and then told him not to tell anyone! He hugged the boy as Tom came over with breakfast.

"Don't worry Harry; you won't go back with them. You'll never see those people again. However, I want you to tell me about your life with them. Can you do that while we eat?"

Harry stopped crying and nodded.

"All right, I want you to eat slowly okay? You haven't eaten for a while. You might get sick if you eat too fast. While you eat, tell me everything."

Remus straightened up and sat back down into his chair. Harry picked of a piece of toast and bit into it. He closed his eyes as if he were savoring it. Rage filled every part of Remus' body. He wanted to find the boy's aunt and uncle and hex them into oblivion. He picked up his own piece of toast and took a bite.

I wish I had more money, than I could adopt him. Would someone like me even be allowed to adopt a child? As he thought this, Harry started to talk. He told him how he had to do chores everyday. If he didn't do them properly, his uncle beat him with a belt. He explained how his room was the cupboard under the stairs, but if he was really bad, then he had to live in the basement.

"Haven't had food in soo long," Harry said. "I accidentally dropped water on the floor. Uncle Vernon said I couldn't eat for two days. Then I accidentally ripped up a rose. Aunt Petunia spanked me and then I had to go in the basement. Uncle Vernon spanked me with belt and then I had to stay in the basement for a long time. Last night he brought me to London."

He had a job interview that afternoon, but he wondered if he should skip it. As he thought about this, he realized that he could take Harry to Hogwarts. Albus Dumbledore would know what to do with the lad. Surely he could find a suitable home for the boy. He couldn't go back to his aunt and uncles place that was for sure.

After they were done eating, Remus decided that they could to Hogwarts right away. He lifted Harry back into his arms and made his way over to the fireplace.

"Harry, we're going to go through something called the floo network. It might scare you, so I want you to close your eyes," he told him as he made his way over to the fireplace.

"Not going back to aunt and uncles?" Harry asked. "Going to see my mummy and daddy?"

"No, we're going to a place called Hogwarts," Remus answered.

How he could get the child to understand that his parents were gone forever? Hadn't the Dursley's even bothered to explain death to the boy? He had a bag of floo powder in his robes. He pulled the bag out and took out a handful to throw in the fireplace. He stepped into the green flames.

"Hogwarts, Dumbledore's office!"

It was hard to go through the flames with Harry in his arms. His elbows were hitting the sides as they went through. The boy had obviously not taken his advice about closing his eyes, because he was sobbing loudly. Remus kept his own eyes shut, he got dizzy easily. A few moments later, they stopped. He nearly fell out, but he was able to catch himself.

"Remus, what do I owe this pleasure of a visit?"

Harry was still sobbing into his shoulder. Remus turned to face Albus Dumbledore who had evidently just woken up; he was still in a dress gown. He looked as if he had been pacing the office moments before.

"I found Harry Potter sleeping on the streets of London, apparently his uncle abandoned him last night," Remus said and then he told him everything Harry had told him.

"Are you sure the child is not exaggerating?" Albus asked.

"Look at him," Remus said.

Harry had stopped crying by that point. Remus set him down on his feet; he carefully took the blanket from the boy. The boy stared up at Albus.

"Are you Santa Clause?" Harry asked.

"No, I'm not dear boy. My name is Albus Dumbledore. Now, why don't you tell me how you ended up in London?"

Once again Harry told his story. He kept close to Remus as he explained everything.

"I had to clean the pee bucket first," Harry said, "and then Uncle Vernon said not to tell anyone about him. He said to tell people that I'm a orphan."

"I'll have to have a talk with them. I'll have to set some boundaries before I can send him back there," Albus said.

"NO!" Harry shouted just as Remus shouted it as well.

"Albus, they treated him like a slave. Look at him! Today was the first time that he has eaten in a while. How can you suggest that we send him back there?" Remus asked.

"There is a very good reason for him to be sent there," Albus answered and then he went on to explain blood wards that would keep Harry safe.

"But he won't be safe from his aunt and uncle! They abandoned him! He was starved and beaten!" Remus said. "No, you can't send him back there."

"Well, what do you suggest I do Remus?"

Albus sounded tired, he started to pace.

"I'll adopt him," Remus said before he knew what he was saying.

Albus didn't say anything at first. Remus reached out to take Harry's hand.

"Remus, from what I hear, you're barely making ends meet. How do you expect to raise a child? Do you think the Ministry would let someone with your affliction adopt a child as important as Harry?"

"Better me than the Dursley's," Remus answered. "I'd figure out a way to take care of him. All I know is I don't want him living with those people."

Albus sighed; he stopped pacing and walked over to his desk. He sat down in his chair and then folded his hands under his chin. He stared at Remus; there was a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"I suppose we could find away around it. Harry could come here during the full moon. The Ministry does provide financial support when someone takes in a child not their own. However, we'd have to find away to convince them that he is safe in your care. You'll also have to make sure you find a good job," Albus said slowly.

"I have a job interview this afternoon," Remus answered.

He looked down at Harry. He had a thumb in his mouth though he was too old to do that. He was gazing around the office at all the odd trinkets the Headmaster had. There were tears stains on his cheeks. Remus suddenly felt full of love as he stared down at the innocent face.

"I'll do whatever it takes to keep this child safe and happy."