Severus was not sure why he was here; he had meant to go for his son, but after a floo with Lucius who assured him of his support he came here. He had no idea how the wolf would take it, they had once been best friends but things changed, and he was loyal to James. But he reminded himself Remus' truest friend was Lily, and if Sirius would have returned Harry, he knew Remus would have. The man though had been fighting for Harry, and he was not sure how he would react to the news.

Remus had heard his words, and read the note, and he had no idea how to react. He was in shock, he always thought Lily wed so quickly, and had wondered. He and Severus were friends, strained by war but still, and this news rocked him.

Remus looked up from the forms finally and said the one thing he could think of. "I am happy for you. I know how much you always wanted family."

Severus heard the pained tone. "I am not trying to cut you out of his life. I didn't come here for help with Albus."

Remus was not surprised he had Lucius already on alert, or even that he confronted Albus; he was only surprised the old man still stood. Severus had a temper, when he was pushed too far, one thing they had in common, and Remus would have clobbered the old man.

Remus understood. "You're worried how your son will react to the news, and you hope I can smooth things out."

Severus nodded. "I have lost seventeen years with him Remy. I watched over him all of these years, and never knew. Damn that bastard."

Putting a hand on his old friend, Remus did not try to calm him, or defend Albus, for there was no defending the old man after all of this. He knew Severus had been assigned to watch Harry when he was in school, and how much he had resented it, because of James. He and James made peace in school, and had worked together for the order, which had simply made the news Lily and James married, more painful. He had thought both wife and colleague had betrayed him. James and Severus would never be friends, but unlike him and Sirius who never got over their school days, they made certain peace.

Remus stood. "I will do what I can, for both you and Harry. He has been in need of family for so long, one I haven't been able to give him."

Severus heard a tone in his old friend's voice. "I need to know what you know about my son. There is something you're not telling me."

Remus was pale. "Harry refused to tell us much, he was always sent back, but you knew about the cupboard?"

From the look of confusion, the answer was no, which Remus really was not shocked about. Harry admitted his school letter had been addressed to his cupboard, and while Minerva made the letters, Albus was the one who sent them. Remus knew little other then that, besides Harry doing more chores then a house elf, and the twins having to rescue him in second year. His Uncle had locked him up, and would not have allowed him to return to school.

Remus hated to say the next words for he knew Severus was already upset. "Sirius and I both suspected physical abuse, but we could never prove it."

Severus rounded on him. "You're telling me the bastard knew my son was abused and left him there? He claimed he left him there because it was safer for him."

Though he tried to remind Severus there was a chance Albus did not know about the abuse, for Remus was not even certain,they both found little assurance. Remus saw the size of Harry, the way he often withdrew in the face of yelling, and his reluctance for physical touch. He knew it was all warning signs for abuse.

Severus slammed his hand into the wall. "I allowed that old man to blind me to my son, damn him. I have dealt with abused kids, I should have seen it."

Remus was reminded Severus had been one himself. "We don't know for sure. Right now you should go claim your son. You have a lot of time to make up for."

Seventeen years, a life time, of special moments he would never have with his son. Sixteen birthdays, his first words, his first steps, he had missed it all. His son had a year left of school, but he was a man tomorrow, and one of the richest wizards in Europe. Was he fooling himself to believe Harry could ever want, or accept, him?

Remus knew his mind. "If James or I had raised Harry, perhaps, but Harry has never had anyone. It will take time, but I will do what I can to help you with your son."

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Harry lie on the bed, barely able to move, knowing he must have at least a few broken ribs. He had no idea how he would hide it from Remus, but he would, he would not ruin tomorrow. For the first time he could remember he would have a birthday, even if only for a few hours, but Remus was coming for him. Harry would become Lord Potter-Black, and Remus would take him for his apparition test, and for a few glorious hours, he would be free.

He walked over to the window, well limped, his foot still swollen beyond recognition from where his cousin stepped on it, and looked at the bars. Locked like a prisoner, he wondered if this is how Sirius had felt, but he knew his godfather had it worse. Another month, just one more month, and he could leave. 31 days and he would never come back; he would be free, and safe. He clung to that, and tomorrow, and he could find some small glimmer of hope.

He had come over to the padlocked cage of his beloved owl. "Hoot." Hedwig protested, unable to hunt for weeks now.

Harry stroked her through the bars. "Shh....girl please. You know I would let you out if I could. But he won't give me my wand except for tomorrow."

Unfortunately her hooting drew attention, all too soon he heard his Uncle thundering up the stairs, and the locks on the door being opened. Harry wondered how many glamour charms it would take for him to get through tomorrow, how many more bruises and broken bones he would need to try and conceal.

His Uncle stormed across the room but Harry put himself between him and his owl. "No. I won't let you hurt her."

Vernon punched Harry hard in the jaw and he felt it crack, and when Harry lay on the ground, delivered a kick to the ribs. "Not this time boy."

Harry tried desperately to get up, the pain too much, but he could not let this happen, he could not lose her too. Remus and Hedwig were all the family he had left, she was his first gift, his first friend, but as he lay in a pool of his own blood, he watched in horror as his beautiful owl's neck was broken.

Vernon threw the bloody body of the owl down next to Harry and kicked his nephew in the ribs. "I should have done that to you when we found you."

Harry didn't care about the physical pain any more, barely noticing the kicks, or punches, his eyes never leaving his owl. His blood and hers, soaked her feathers, and as Harry coughed up blood, and the world started going black around him, he wondered if he would be joining her soon.

He waited for the final blow to come but it didn't as he heard footsteps, assuming it was his Aunt. But Vernon was angry. "What the hell are you doing here?"