The 9 o'clock October air was clear and chilly. Albus Dumbledore had discovered his magical wards, broken, at one particular house in Surrey. Ms. Figg had reported to him that the two Dursleys had been fighting on and off all week, about the peculiar boy named Harry Potter. Then again, they had been doing so for the past two years, since they got him. Tonight's argument was most heated. The boy was no longer found there and, upon further investigation, was found in an almost deserted alleyway close by to an orphanage close to the Dursleys' home in Privet Drive. No one from the orphanage would notice, until the child woke and began to cry, and so he was left in his peaceful slumber, alone and unnoticed. Dumbledore was determined to take the boy before he was taken into the orphanage, and at that point, it would be much less trouble. The second person Dumbledore could think of that would raise Harry properly was a werewolf, by the name of Remus John Lupin. He did not want Harry in the magical world, but there would be no choice.
"Remus," Dumbledore called the werewolf's name as his head emerged, spinning, in Remus' small, ashy fireplace. Lupin turned away from his small wooden desk to look at the headmaster. "Albus," he replied, standing from his chair and pacing to meet the person in question at the fireplace.
"I seem to recall that you desired Harry Potter's company a year ago, Remus. It may only be temporary, but James and Lily's son needs someone to look after him, for the time being. Things have changed, and we must take action with haste," Albus spoke calmly, and his eyes twinkled over half-moon spectacles as he watched Remus sit, unusually tense, in front of the crackling fire.
"Where is he, Dumbledore? What happened?" Remus spoke quickly, his voice laced with concern for the boy, and Dumbledore's worried gaze met his own.
"He's by an alleyway, not too far from an orphanage in Surrey. It seems Lily's sister and her family had quite enough of young Harry. So, we must take action, Remus. Could you come now, to my office? I've his location, a couple of brooms and a remarkable make-shift bed inspired by an old net I found in the back of my broom cupboard," Dumbledore informed him quickly, "All we need is you, Remus." Before he had decided to speak to Lupin, Albus had assembled a miniature bed for Harry to lay in while they flew. It was basically a net with blankets secured in its netting.
"Very well, Dumbledore. I'll try to be there in a few minutes," Remus said, standing from the chair. "I think it wise if Harry was to come with me to my parents house. I am almost certain that he'll be happier there than in this small flat." As Albus disappeared from the fireplace, Remus went to get ready for the occasion, worried thoughts buzzed through his mind. A few minutes later, he had flued to his parents' house.
"Mother," he said, uncertain of his footing and looking around as he appeared in his parents house's fireplace. He stepped out briskly and brushed his robes off on the hearthrug.
"Alright, there, son? Anything wrong?" John, Remus' father, asked from his blue rocking chair across the room.
"Would it be alright if I stayed here for a while? I was originally hoping to receive the custody of Harry, but hadn't the chance, and the family he was with has now abandoned him. I was hoping that if it was possible, Harry and I could stay with you for a few months, and allow him time to settle in.….. I want to allow him to adapt, and I would see what my options are then. I'd think Harry would be much happier here, than in my small one-room flat," Remus quickly explained. He sat down next to his mother on the leathery couch, and leaned back, though his body was still tense with worry.
"Harry Potter? Poor dear," said Dianna compassionately, getting up from the couch.
"Of course, that sounds fine. That would give you some space, too. We can help out. Why don't you just move yourself here, and we can all just live together? We don't mind having you around at all," John agreed willingly. Dianna bustled around the room, moving things around.
"I'll fix dinner for the both of you. How old is the boy?" Dianna asked, moving a pretty-looking potted plant to a higher shelf. John got up to help Dianna.
"Harry's three," Remus answered. He walked to the fireplace, briskly throwing some flu powder in the fire and paused briefly, "Thank you."
With that, he left the house and flued to Dumbledore's office. They discussed a few things, and Remus signed a few papers.
"We'd like to arrive as quietly as possible, and be very discreet. It's important not to wake Harry, as we don't need the whole community to hear us. The take-off should be as smooth as possible, as well," Dumbledore instructed, as they walked out to the front of the castle. They Apparated (with Dumbledore using his Headmaster exception) to the alley where Harry was laying and quietly approached the bundle of cloth that kept him warm. Remus gently picked him up. He felt the tears coming to his eyes, but collected himself. He slowly lowered the orphan child into the net, with only the soft blankets as padding. Remus and Albus threw their legs over the brooms, and kicked off smoothly. They took off slowly, and ascended smoothly. They gently glided up to a good height.
"I think this will do," Albus said softly, as he straightened up his broom. They flew in silence for most of the ride to Remus's parents' house, which took about an hour. Occasionally, they would speak softly to each other. Most of this was about the best way to get there.
Harry woke as they descended, even though they were descending as slowly as possible. He stirred, and started to cry. He attempted to climb out of his net to escape, but Remus caught him quickly before he fell and held him for the rest of the descent.
"Let go," Harry screamed between sobs, as he tried to wiggle free, while kicking Remus and pinching his arm to make him loosen his grip. Remus held him tighter and tried to focus on the descent.
"Harry, please calm down. You're going to hurt yourself if you don't relax, Harry," he soothed, trying to keep a tight grip on Harry, as they hovered a few feet from the ground and Remus stepped off the broom. As they approached the house, John opened the door.
"Hello, Dumbledore," john hollered at the headmaster.
"Good evening, Lupin!" Albus said, approaching the door and fixing up the brooms and the net and readying them to be put away.
"You want to come in? There's food," John offered, taking a step back.
"Thank you, lupin, but it's rather late," Albus replied mildly, his eyes twinkling, "So, I am afraid I cannot join you tonight."
"Thank you, dad," Remus said, as he stepped into the house with the struggling Harry, whom was now trying to pull his captor's hair out. Remus walked into the living room from the little hallway, rubbing Harry's back, trying to calm him down. He sat on the couch, trying to calm the very upset Harry, who was babbling nonsensically. Even if he said something comprehensible, Remus was barely able to make sense of it, because Harry was crying so hard.
"Well, you're welcome to come by tomorrow at three or four, and have tea, and perhaps then stay for dinner. We'd love to have you," John leant at the door as he spoke, still talking to Albus.
"I might just have to take you up on that, thank you. I may bring a few things for Harry, as well," Albus said, turning and getting ready to go.
"No problem at all. You're welcome to drop in any day!" John said enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Harry was crying in Remus' arms.
"No hurt me," Harry screamed, trying to get out from Remus' arms at the same time as tugging at Remus' hair. John walked into the living room after closing the door.
"I've no intention to hurt you, will you please calm down?" Remus said gently, smiling encouragingly. He pulled Harry's hands away from his hair.
"No! Want alone! No hurt!" Harry exclaimed , now crying harder as John approached them, and began to frantically struggle in Remus' arms.
"Harry, I need you to relax and listen to me. I promise, I do not wish to hurt you. I assure you that you'll be safe here." He said, soothing Harry, gently holding out his hands to prove to Harry he had nothing in them. He stood up from the couch and, pacing the living room, tried to calm Harry down.
"Oi, Harry, are you hungry?" John asked, smiling cheerily and warmly at Harry, walking towards him.
"No! Alone…. Want! No like!" Harry said angrily, and babbled on a lot more.
"I was thinking, perhaps, it would be a good idea if I took him outside for a few minutes. It might allow him to calm down," Remus said, now concerned. He was worried for the boy, and felt for him. His mind was uneasy, and his body tense.
"I'll get him something to drink, maybe that'll calm him down. Though, we might have to transfigure something, I don't have any special cups," John muttered, thinking hard. He, too, felt for the boy, and really wanted him to feel at home. John went to get a cup of milk, while Remus continued to pace the room, trying to calm the very upset Harry down.