Lupin stood up immediately upon hearing his late friends name. Every possible situation went through his mind. Was the boy ill? Had he been injured? Or worse?
"What happened?" Lupin asked, making no effort to hide his panic. Lupin had been there the day Harry was born, along with Sirius and that traitor Peter.
Dumbledore waved his hands as if to indicate that the situation did not require such panic but his expression betrayed the motion because Lupin recognized that Dumbledore was nervous.
"As I mentioned, there was an incident last night and Harry was injured. He is being treated at Hogwarts and he will be fine. But now, I'm sure you are wondering why I am here so early," Dumbledore said, causing Lupin to nod. If Harry was going to be okay then why did Dumbledore find it necessary to come this early; today of all days!
"I have realized that putting Harry in the care of Lily's sister was a mistake and I am aware that you had a good relationship with Harry," Dumbledore started. Lupin hadn't been aware that Harry had been sent to live with Lily's muggle relatives and from the stories he'd heard about the woman, he had to agree that it was a mistake. "I was wondering if it would be possible for you to take young Harry in."
Lupin found himself in shock. This is not where he expected this conversation to go and he wasn't sure how to react.
"Shouldn't you speak to Sirius about this; he is Harry's godfather," Lupin said, sitting down.
Sirius had originally been framed for betraying Lily and James' location to Voldemort and killing Peter and several muggles. But when Peter had been found alive, a trial was pushed through finding Sirius innocent on all accounts.
"Young Sirius has just been released from Azkaban a few weeks ago and needs time to readjust, heal, and settle in. But you are settled, you have a large home, you're patient and given the current circumstances are actually the preferred choice," Dumbledore said, once again giving an answer that created more questions.
"I'm not sure I follow," Lupin muttered, his head starting to ache.
"Lupin, I'm afraid last night, Harry was bitten by a werewolf," Dumbledore said. Lupin felt his legs collapse under him and he fell back onto the couch. To some extent, he hoped Dumbledore was going to start laughing and assure him it was a joke but he didn't.
James Potter's son bitten by a werewolf? The idea left Lupin numb as he even considered Harry going through the transformations and everything they brought. Lupin stared at Dumbledore with a look of sadness and despair. Harry would only be four now; not much older than Lupin had been when he was bitten.
"Are you sure?" Lupin said, numbly.
Dumbledore nodded sadly, his expression was more serious than Lupin had ever seen it. The twinkle in his eyes had even dimmed considerably.
Lupin looked around his house; he knew he could have the house itself ready for a child but could he get himself ready? In the past when he'd visited Harry, he would stay long enough to spoil the child, fill him with sweets and pass him off to his mum and dad before the sugar rush and sick tummies could begin. This would mean dealing with sick tummies, tantrums, and sugar rushes.
"I can have a room set up while you retrieve Harry," Dumbledore said, clearly knowing that Lupin would not be able to refuse this offer and as usual; the old bat was right.
Harry had woke up a few hours ago and at first, he was scared and alarmed to be in such a foreign room with someone he'd never met before but he soon found himself getting comfortable with his environment and the stern woman. The woman called Madam Pomfrey had explained that he was at a place called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was in the hospital wing.
Harry found himself confused but didn't argue with the woman; instead, he let her tend to his injuries, took the medicines he was told and followed her instructions. He was feeling better; his shoulder stung a little bit and he was tired but he did feel a great deal better.
Madam Pomfrey was in the middle of serving Harry a ham sandwich when a familiar looking man slowly entered the room. He had a sad look on his face, and his light brown hair was somehow messier than Harry's. It was obvious that he was familiar to Madam Pomfrey as well because she wrapped her arms around the man.
"Remus, look at you! You're no longer that teenage boy terrorizing my wing! How've you been?" She asked.
Lupin sighed and shook his head. When he caught site of Harry lying in bed, he couldn't believe how small and frail he was. The boy was four but looked to be not much older than three. He was sickly thin and his skin was pale. Lupin knew the paleness had a lot to do with his injuries but as for being so thin and small...
Madam Pomfrey caught his glance.
"He's been through quite a lot; since you're here, I'm assuming Dumbledore explained the whole situation?"
Lupin frowned and nodded. Dumbledore had explained that he'd been neglected that night and was left outside to do adult labour while the Dursleys had gone out. He'd explained that the boy didn't appear to be well cared for and that he would under no circumstances be going back.
Lupin made his way to the small, thin boy and sat down in the chair beside him.
"Hello Harry, I'm Remus Lupin. You probably don't remember me but I'm a friend of your dad," Lupin said quietly to the boy who was looking back at him with curiosity. "You're going to come and stay with me from now on."