Don't own Harry Potter

Chapter 5- All or Nothing

"Mr. Lupin?" Remus looked up, taking only a second to look at Harry, who was squirming like he was trying to escape the official who held him.

Chapter 6- Preparing for a quiet time

Remus' small apartment was quiet as the wizard sat at the table. He folded the morning issue of the Daily Prophet and looked at the clock. The place was very quiet, and Remus thought to himself it would seem much quieter soon. It wouldn't be too long before the Christmas holidays came again, but Remus knew he would miss the eleven year old until then. He went to the second bedroom in the apartment and knocked lightly on the door.

"Good morning Harry. Rise and shine."

Remus' adopted son rolled over and mumbled something about it being too early.

"Just like James," Remus said to himself. He'd always been impossible to get out of bed in the morning too. He walked into the room and gently shook his adopted son.

"Come on Harry. If you don't get up now you're going to miss the train."

That got Harry's attention. Today would be his first day at Hogwarts, something he'd been looking forward to for years. Instantly awake, he went through the morning routine in half the time it usually took. Remus helped Harry double check to be sure everything was packed and that Harry's new owl, Hedwig, was safely in her cage. A short while later Remus and Harry were at King's Cross station, with a red haired boy running up to greet them.

"Oi Ron!" Harry called to his best friend. "Ready for the big day?"

Ron groaned. "Not as ready as Percy. Ever since he got his prefect letter, he's been going on and on about it."

"Really?" asked one of a pair of identical redheads coming up to join the group.

"He never said anything about it to us," said the second half of the duo.

"Hang on. He may have mentioned it."

"Once."

"Or twice"

"A minute"

"All summer."

Everyone laughed at this, but Remus was smiling more at the situation than the joke. Nine years ago a day like this had seemed impossible. Remus could still remember that day in court as though it were yesterday. After a sleepless night worrying that the Wizengamont, determined not to let a werewolf raise a baby, would surely find a way to break the Potter's will, he had been told the binding magic was unbreakable. However reluctantly, the Ministry had been forced to allow Remus to adopt Harry.

That first year after the adoption was finalized, the Ministry had insisted on constantly giving Harry what they called check ups, as if they were afraid Remus had taken the first opportunity to bite him. They'd used any and every excuse to make things as difficult as possible, even insisting Harry spend a few nights at St. Mungo's every month for observation. Just when Remus had thought he couldn't stand it any more, they Ministry had finally run out of excused to bother them, and in spite of all the hard times, the feeling of family was almost an immediate thing.

Somewhere along the line, "Moony" had become "Dad," and Remus just as quickly came to think of Harry as his son. If it weren't for the fact that the werewolf missed Lily and James so much, and was half afraid to let himself take their place, he would have been completely happy with his family the way it was. It hadn't been until he'd gone to Hogwarts and met James, Sirius, Peter, and Lily that he felt comp1letely happy. Those four had been the only people in his life besides his parents who hadn't thought of him as a monster. Now they were all lost to him, three dead, one a traitor. With them gone, he'd thought his life would be nothing but loneliness. He'd never find friends like them again, who would accept him as he was without fear or prejudice. But with Harry in his life, he had responsibility, someone who depended on him. He had a reason to go on. And Harry had kept reminding him that he hadn't lost everything. That little boy became Remus' world, so much so that at times he wondered if he'd really had selfish reasons for adopting the lonely infant.

Now Harry was a typical eleven year old ready to get on the Hogwarts Express for the first time, and was chatting with Ron about the question on every first year's mind.

"You know you'll be in Gryffindor, Ron," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "Everyone in your family's been in Gryffindor."

"But that doesn't always mean anything," Ron sighed. "Anyway, I just hope we're not in Slytherin."

Harry knew Remus had always taught him there were good and bad points to all the houses, but he couldn't help agreeing with Ron. So far the only boy he'd ever met who wanted to be in Slytherinn , a blond boy he'd seen before in Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, had seemed very rude and self centered. Harry knew all Slytherins probably weren't like that, but he couldn't help having a bad impression of them after all he'd heard.

"No matter which house you're in, they'll have gained an excellent student Harry," Remus said. Of course, Harry hadn't received any formal magical schooling yet, but Remus had taught him a few things, and Harry had shown he was a fast learner. "And I'm sure your family feels the same way about you, Ron."

Ron didn't look convinced, though he did seem a little relieved. Harry was frowning thoughtfully. Remus didn't have to ask to know what he was thinking.

"You're hoping to be in Gryffindor because you're parents and I were there, aren't you?"

Harry nodded, and Remus gave a sad half smile.

"They would have been as proud of you today as I am," he said softly, then his eyes showed a hint of sadness. "I just wish they could be here to see you."

Smiling himself, Harry gave his dad and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley each a hug goodbye before getting on the train.

Dear Dad,

I couldn't wait to let you know. I was sorted into Gruffindor! So was Ron. Boy was he relieved. This girl we met on the train was sorted into Gryffindor too. Her name's Hermione. I'm surprised she wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw. She's a bookworm, but not like you. She seems like a show off and a know it all. She doesn't bother me so much, but Ron can't stand her. I feel sorry for this one boy named Neville. He keeps loosing his toad and seems so nervous about his abilities. He was put in Gryffindor though, and I think there's more to him than meets the eye.

Oh, one strange thing happened at the feast. Actually it's probably nothing that even needs mentioning. Remember you told me that my first dad and another student named Severus Snape didn't get along? Well, Snape's a teacher now, Potions master, and when he looked at me my scar started to hurt. Most likely just a headache, but you always said to tell you if anything strange happens, so I thought I'd better write you about it.

Classes are fun, well except for Potions and History of Magic. Snape actually seemed angry when I answered his questions right. I knew he hated the Marauders, but I wish he'd give it a rest.

The only thing really odd is I heard Gringotts' had a robbery attempt. The thieves broke in, but the vault was emptied. It was the same vault Hagrid took the package from the day we went school shopping. I've never heard of Gringotts' being robbed before, have you?

Oh, and Dad, one last thing I wanted to say. I could tell when I got on the train that you felt bad my birth parents couldn't be there too. I would have loved that, but you've been the best dad I could have asked for. You didn't have to go through all you did. You didn't have to be a father to me. But you chose to and that means the world.

Your son always,

Harry

Remus was as glad to receive a letter from Harry as any parent would be, and read it eagerly. He smiled proudly reading that Harry was in Gryffindor. He chuckled reading about Hermione, imagining James and Sirius had the same opinion of him at first, but then grew worried about Harry's scar hurting. That hadn't happened before, or if it had Harry hadn't told him about it.

He groaned hearing that Severus was a teacher. He knew with the bad feeling still in place, Harry was in for a rough time of it. The only advise he could give about that was to not give Severus any reason to dislike him more than he already did.

Gringotts' had certainly never been robbed before. That was the type of news that always got people wondering if death eaters, maybe even Voldemort himself, were involved. It would take a powerful wizard to do something like that. Remus wished he knew what was in that package.

Allowing his concern to fade a little, he read the last passage. It gave him the type of feeling that could make the world's best Patronus. It was so good to know Harry felt that way. And it was true; nothing had said he has to adopt Harry. Just the opposite; he'd gone through a hard struggle to get him. But as he'd thought so long ago, there hadn't really been a choice. Harry had needed him, and he's found out he needed Harry too. He took up his quill to answer the letter.

Author's note: From here on the story will follow the basic story line we all know, except with the twist of how would things have changed if Harry had always had someone who cared about him in his life. I owe a lot of the inspiration to PadyandMoony's story The Name Is Potter Black