Author's notes: I feel like a lot of what Remus say might be out of line for him. Please tell me if you agree and where. I hope it is better then it was previously, the last copy of this chapter before I edited it was horrid. I tried my best though to imagine what he would say. This is a fast moving heated chapter so sit back and enjoy the ride. And, oh! Please drop in reviews and tell me what you think of the story. The more feedback I receive the better. I'll have to do something about the awful grammar soon.
The doorbell rang through the Lupin's house exactly at three. John who was sitting in his study glanced up at the clock. He walked out of his room and went to the dorr.
"Hello, Dumbledore," john said opening the dorr for albus. Albus was not alone however someone else was behind him.
"Ah, good afternoon Lupin, it's delightful to be in your presence, I've brought Minerva along as she was hoping to catch a glimpse of Harry," Albus said stepping in and Minerva stepped in behind hhim," I wasn't going to bombard you with another visitor however Minerva was quite concerned, thus, I thought it better that she came with me." John nodded. And looked at Minerva who he had not seen in quite a few years.
"come, you're welcome to stay and visit as long as you'd like," John said to Minerva . Minerva was looking around the hall observing it.
"Hello, lupin," Minerva greeted shortly. John smiled at her.
"Hello, It's nice to see you again," john said walking closer. To her looking closer she looked older and more tired. Her face looked more lined.
"Shall we not go and get comfortable," dumbledore suggested casually. John looked at albus and nodded taking both of there traveling cloaks and hung it up.
"yes, right you are.," John said agreeing with Albus, "How is hogwarts doing? Anything new going on? How are the students and professors and everything else there?" He asked curiously leading them in to the living room. Albus took a seat on the couch. Minerva looked around the room and sat down more grudgingly as if she was intruding.
"Hogwarts is quite well. It hasn't changed much, a few new teachers, otherwise much the same," Dumbledore said now leaning back in the chair. Remus walked down the stairs getting closer and closer to the living room. Upon hearing unfamiliar voices, Harry buried his face in Remus's shirt softly whimpering.
"How is Harry, Lupin," Minerva inquired softly. John sat back and sighed. Remus and Harry turned the corner of the stairwell and appeared at the top of the set of stairs leading down to the living room.
"Harry's struggling to adapt, but it's a slow and difficult process for him, but we're attempting to make it better," john answered her. Dianna appeared out of the kitchen with a tray of butterbeers and some tea cakes. She silently passed it around.
"ah, good afternoon Lupin, and to you too Harry," Dumbledore greeted as Remus descended the last few steps of the staircase with Harry. Mcgonagall eyes went from Remus to Harry who had his face in Remus's shirt. They could see a little of his face but mostly his hair and his back. Remus was trying hard to calm him down.
"Is he alright, lupin?" Minerva asked concern, yet shocked to see the scene. Remus nodded briefly and was going to say something but dumbledore had started to speak.
"No doubt he's still shaken, seeing what occurred to him last night," Albus said sitting back and looking around. John looked at Harry then at albus. Remus had walked over to the rocking chair and sat down.
"He was positively frightened. There is more then just last nights events that causes the anxiety. It seems like the people he lived with was rather nasty," John went on a bit explaining worried, "I don't like the sound of it dianna and Remus was telling me about all the cuts and bruises they found on Harry." John looked at Albus sat back on the chair he had summoned tensely. Dumbledore looked a little concerned but didn't really react.
"by The Looks of it, the muggles didn't treat him kindly. There were quite a few cuts and bruises, and today he was rather reluctant in allowing me to heal his burn," Remus sighed hoping dumbledore would understand. He still held Harry tightly but comfortingly who was now attempting to bury himself in to remus more almost as if He wanted to go inside Remus.
"It is unfortunate. However, I was considering giving the Muggles another try, after some more thought. He'd be safest at the Dursley's. They would protect him the best with the blood protection, however miserable he may be there. He requires it if we don't wish him to be hurt or even killed by death eaters and ministry workers. I was thinking to persuade them to take him back. Perhaps we could make them realize there mistakes. We could remind them about why Harry is there and remind them about my request of treating him like a son," Dumbledore attempted to explain. Remus glared at him angrily. He wanted to run at him and hurt him for suggesting that they bring Harry back to the muggles. It was impossible, Remus wasn't going to allow Dumbledore to do it without a fight. John looked uneasy and Minerva shook her head.
"No! He will be better away from that place, Dumbledore," Remus said angrily,The muggles will never treat him right and Lily And James would never want him to be in their care. You do not understand how delicate they have made Harry. He deserves better then that. I can protect him just the same here, thank you," Remus said coldly. Minerva glared at Albus with a you know better look and to tell Albus that she did warn him of such problems. John looked at Albus unable to believe him.
"I have Harry's best interest in mind. However badly they treat him, is better then having him killed. It is crucial to keep him safe. He may be hurt and miserable at the muggles residence, but he is safe," Dumbledore said calmly as if they were not just all angry at him. His tone of voice was the kind of tone you'd hear if they were nearly discussing the weather. Remus made to stand up but didn't, john looked at him horrified and he too was angry.
"You are not the only one who's looking out for Harry, Dumbledore. I also desire only the best for Harry, and I can protect him, perfectly well, thank you. You do not understand the situation Hary is in! There is no need to make him endure through more pain. He's perfectly safe here!" Remus said pointedly his voice getting sharper and sharper. Harry was now positively crying and trying to shrink from everyone especially Remus. He didn't like the shouting and was covering his ears. Dianna noticed and came over. She was going to join in the fight but knew someone had to do something about Harry.
"Harry dear, come with me. Lets go upstairs," She persuaded kneeling beside Remus trying to talk to the whailing Harry. She gently took Harry from Remus and walked swiftly upstairs.
"Harry is hurt, and It is not right to allow the muggles to scar him," Remus said angrily his voice rising gesturing to Dianna who was holding Harry and going back upstairs. Harry started to cry louder hearing the shouting. Albus sipped at his glass of butterbeer almost absent mindedly.
"Remus, lily's blood protection is important and it will keep Harry safe. Much safer then any spell we could cast," Dumbledore begin calmly ready to explain. Remus was now looking at Dumbledore Furiously. His eyes looking quite dangerous, and albus could see the shadow of the wolf. Minerva sat back still glaring at albus.
"you are the one, Who doesn't understand!" Remus said now getting out of his seat pulling out his wand and stepping closer. Dumbledore sat there and didn't attempt to defend himself. John looked at remus, then at his raised wand, and then at Dumbledore.
"It is clear that he has been mistreated and hurt, Dumbledore. While he may be safe there with Lily's blood protection he will not be safe from the mistreatment he must endure!" Remus shouted furiously giving off a frustrated sigh. Sparks had flew out of his raised wand. Which shot across the room. John had gotten up and stood at remus's side putting a hand on Remus's arm.
"I care about the boy as much as you do, Remus," Albus said quietly leaning sideways to avoid the sparks which was coming towards him slowly. He took another graceful sip of his drink.
Safety is not the only thing that matters!" Remus growled angrily trying to get away from his fathers grip and lunging towards Albus with his wand.
"Remus, please, control yourself ," John said dragging Remus's body backwards, but was looking at albus angrily.
"You need To Understand the whole picture, Lupin. Yes, I wish for Harry to be safe and loved, however it is essential to keep him alive. There's many factors to this equation. We must find the best solution," Albus explained trying to get Remus to understand. Remus was trying to get closer to albus but John held him back.
Harry is not in any danger here. I am capable of assuring his safety and that he is cared for!" He snarled at Albus pointedly. His eyes narrowed. John looked from Remus to albus frightened that Remus was going to hurt albus. John dragged him backwards towards his chair. Remus looked around the room as if trying to look for someone to agree. Albus looked at Remus calmly.
"no, it's Not the safest, here. He needs the blood protection," He explain stepling his hands on his lap. He looked down at his fingers thinking. Minerva shook her head and looked at Albus sternly. The crying from upstairs they've been hearing quieted a little.
"they are not necessarily the safest either! I am capable of assuring that he is safe, here!" he said looking over at his father hoping he'd give some support. John nodded and Minerva looked at dumbledore took out a box of shurbert lemons from his pocket casually. It was as if they were not shouting at each other presently.
"You must understand," dumbledore said gently taking out a shurbert lemon which was stuck to the other. He unstuck them. He popped one in his mouth and sucked. he held out the other to Minerva who looked at it with narrow eyes, but didn't take it. Albus popped it in to his mouth as well.
"I understand far greater than you assume me capable of," Remus said infuriatedly. Remus glared at the calm Albus who was happily sucking on his sweets. Albus noticed and held out the box. John shook his head and Remus ignored it.
"The picture is much greater than what you've seen. It's only a small piece that you've been exposed to. You have no idea of some of the complexities that is involved," He said calmly spreading his hands apart. Remus who was getting tired of standing sat down reluctantly. John now relieved went bak to his chair. Remus sat there tensely glaring at Albus.
Dumbledore, There's no reason for me to inspect the entirety of the matter. Harry and his safety is My greatest concern. He deserves better! How dare you suggest that Harry's safety is all that hangs in the balance as he's such a trivial part of the puzzle in your eyes," Remus raged now even angrier. Looking more and more red. He thought to stand up but changed his mind.
"yes, indeed. However, lupin, what's more important that he is loved or that he stays alive," He inquired. Remus stood up. Restlessly twirling his wand. He looked about.
"I am capable of protecting him!" He said combing his hands through his Hair and tugging at it agitated.
"The death eaters became restless upon hearing about Harry not being with the muggles this morning. The ministry is after me wanting to find out where Hary is now," Albus said tired of the circular patterns of there conversation. He thought He'd finally tell remus why he really wanted Harry to go back. The mornings events was unsettling. He didn't like putting up with it.
"surely, Dumbledore, Lupin is rather able to care for potter? As his former head of house, I do recall that He is rather skilled at his defense if I remember correctly, he received nothing but top marks in defense against the dark arts. I believe if given a chance that Lupin would be quite a good gardian for Potter," Mminerva said finally voicing her own thoughts it was time to. She didn't like this. Dumbledore wasn't being rational. She never liked the idea that he lived with muggles. She rather liked the fact that Harry was now with Remus and his family. He was safe. Remus was always a good person and a better student and Minerva had no doubt this was a good home for him. Remus's eyes previously wondering looking around for agreement and help now went to Minerva and then focused back on Albus.
"There are many matters which are unknown to even myself, and there are quite a number of issues that cause concern," Albus started calmly and thoughtfully. He was cut off by john.
"Remus is right, Dumbledore. We can keep him safe and he's in no danger here. You must see sense dumbledore," John said sharply weighing in the argument. He didn't like this much himself. He cared about Harry too and agreed with Remus. He would be best here. Albus started to explaining the picture and the situation as he saw it.
"surely, that's not so, albus, and even if it is, We could take better measures to prevent it," Minerva said at the end of Albus's explaination sharply and questioningly. She believed about half of it but didn't think the boy in such a position. She didn't like his story. They fought on like this for a while longer. After nearly an hour dumbledore finally agreed to see reason and gave in.
"I suppose you're right, however it will no doubt be a long ongoing struggle," Albus sighed resignedly. He sat back thoughtfully. Remus was collecting himself He definitely looked calmer now.
"I would be willing to assist if you require assistance in order to fight death eaters," Remus said sitting back calmly allowing his body to relax. He was glad that the problem was solved and Harry would be staying with him. He was glad that Harry wasn't going anywhere. He did not need more stress now, and especially not, more of that horrible abuse performed by his muggle relatives.
That night as he reflected on the day and the night before he again wished things didn't have to happen this way. He thought back this time to the last time he saw Harry, James and lilly.
Author's note: And, so ends this chapter. And, finally I am done revising it. It was a nightmare! The chapter was awful and hard to edit. It took me a few days with a lot of long breaks. The last of the consecutive ones. I'll start time jumps next chapter. It'll be boring otherwise. You might have two or three chapters of one or two days but never 4 or 5 chapters. At least I think. I don't quite know yet. Also, it's going to be particular events. If you have any good ones please as I have said bring them to the table!