The Lupin Childe
Cheers for my wonderful Beta: butterfly83
"(indicates French)"
Chapter 1
Remus Lupin watched the child playing at his feet with a soft smile on his face. He was going to keep him. He was going to keep Harry, and no one would ever be able to take the childling away from him. Harry deserved to grow up, be happy and have a family… Remus frowned. Damn. A family. How was he supposed to explain to his mother how he'd had gotten a child?
"Moony?" a small voice asked, suddenly bringing him out of his preoccupied thoughts. Harry's bright eyes stared up at him.
"Yes, cub?" he asked gently. Even after having gotten used to being around him, it was still so rare for Harry to speak up.
"I- I'm tired," he said, and Remus could see the in-coming fog of sleep in his emerald orbs.
"I guess we should get you to bed then," he smiled. He bent to scoop the little one up, leaving the train set, one of the many toys Remus had purchased for him, behind on the floor.
Harry wrapped his arms around the pale neck and settled easily. He liked living with Moony. The man was kind and patient with him. Not at all like Uncle Vernon or Aunt Petunia. Moony played with him and feed him and he had even gotten his own room. With a bed, and bookshelves full to the brim, and a trunk full of toys to play with. He treasured everything the man gave him, but not more so then he did the man himself.
Remus carried the little one up the stairs and to the bedroom across from his, where he had Harry sleep in. It was painted a dark blue-courtesy of his sisters when he had first bought the house-and now held furniture for the little boy in his care. It had yet to be personalized, the child was only three after all, but it was warm and cozy, and Harry adored it.
He sat the boy on the child-sized bed, and watched for a moment as Harry curled up slightly near the pillows. Remus smiled and went to the dresser to pull out some pajamas. "How about you try to get these on for me while I go get your potion?" he asked handing them over. Harry took them with a curious look.
"Potion?" he questioned softly.
"The things Madam Pomfrey gave us earlier." Remus explained and when he got a nod he left the room to gather the potion. Harry would have to take it that night, and every night after that for a while. He had left the bag in his bedroom, and after shifting through it a bit, he unearthed one of the many vials that would strengthen Harry's muscles. For some reason the little one had a hard time lifting anything the slightest bit heavy, and when he did there was an obvious strain. Not to mention all the strain that was put on his legs just from standing up even with his lack of healthy weight. Yes the legs were healed physically but it seemed the damage had already been done.
He turned and headed back across the hall, pausing at Harry's doorway and staring at the amusing sight. "Harry? Are you alright?"
Bright eyes blinked cutely before disappearing inside the blue cloth. "I'm fine," the little one insisted, his voice slightly muffled as he tried to pull his nightshirt over his head. Remus chuckled at his efforts and with gentle hands detangled him and pulled the offending object over the wild hair. Harry looked up at him with a grateful smile.
"Did you like seeing Hogwarts today?" Remus questioned lightly. Harry was silent for a moment before nodding.
"It's very pretty." His thumb went to his mouth and he allowed Remus to pick up his pajama bottoms and finish dressing him for the night. "Doth tha' mean I canth stay with you?" he asked hesitantly.
Remus blinked in surprise. "Why wouldn't you stay with me?"
Harry's brow came together. "Isn'th that why we were there? You had to asth to keep me?"
Remus hummed in slight disbelief. He shouldn't underestimate this little boy. It seemed that the three year old was much more aware of his surroundings than he let on. "You're right, we were. And yes, you will be staying with me for now on. No one is going to take you away from me, my cub." Remus wasn't sure exactly what Harry was grinning shyly at now: the fact he could stay or the nickname. Maybe both.
He pulled back the covers and sat the little one underneath them before pulling them back up to the small chest. He sat beside Harry as he uncorked the vial and held it up to the boy, who obediently removed his thumb from his mouth and took it in both hands. "I don't suppose it will taste very nice but I want you to drink it slow, okay? And every last drop." Harry nodded and put the vial to his lips. Almost instantly a frown of displeasure appeared his pale round face, but he drank the distasteful thing dutifully. Remus pried it from his small fingers when it was all drunk, and Harry shuddered briefly before placing his thumb firmly in his mouth again. Remus placed the now empty glass aside and ran a hand through the unruly raven hair. "I know it tastes horrible but it will make you feel better in the end, I promise."
Harry yawned and didn't reply as he was ushered fully under the covers and tucked in tightly. "Moony?" Harry questioned sleepily.
"Yes?" he answered.
"Why'd you wanna tath care of me?"
Remus brushed the wild hair out of gorgeous green eyes. "Because you are a special and wonderful little boy and I love you more then anything."
Harry smiled and his eyes fluttered close. "Loth you to." he whispered and dropped off to sleep moments later.
Remus bit his lip, trying to hold onto the ridiculous grin that wanted to spread across his face. It was a wonderful feeling knowing his cub loved him and he quickly ducked his head to kiss the child on the cheek before standing. He stopped at the door to turn out the light, but left it open so that the soft light from the hallway could peek in. He watched the little one sleep in the semi darkness for a few minutes before shaking his head. As much as he would like to stand there all night, he really had to call his mother.
-x-x-x-
"(How could you not tell me that I have a grand child?)"
"(I'm telling you now.)"
"Don't get smart vith me Remus Jonathan- Louis Lupin!"
Remus winced. It was always a bad sign when his mother switched to English in a fit of anger. "(I'm not trying to be smart, mother,)" he tried to sooth. "(Besides, it only recently happened.)"
"(Yes, but why did it take you so long to contact me?)"
Remus rolled his eyes and opened his mouth but was interrupted before he even started speaking. "(Don't roll your eyes at me young man!)"
Remus looked incredulously at the phone in his hand. "I didn't roll my eyes!" Remus protested before huffing heavily. "The only reason I haven't told you before, mother, is because I'm still trying to get Harry settled down. He was abused, mama, and requires all of my attention." There was an equally heavy huff on the other end of the line.
"Vell, I suppose zat iz a reasonable excuse," she admitted with obvious reluctance. "(Tell me, my heart, when will I get to meet my grandchild?)"
"(Soon, mama. I promise.)"
"(Very well. I will expect a call from you at least every other day now. Oh! And I'll be sending you some chocolates, dear.)"
Remus grimaced but replied with a kind, "Thank you, mother."
"(Of course dear. Oh! I can't wait to tell your brother and sister!)"
With a click she hung up and Remus sank down on the couch. Great. Now he had to wait around for those idiots to call him. This was going to be a long night.
-x-x-x-
Harry yawned as he opened his eyes to the morning light. He blinked dazedly at the window at the other side of the room wondering what had woken him. The pressure on his lower abdomen swiftly reminded him. He scooted towards the end of the bed, and after untangling himself from the covers, dropped silently to the floor and padded to the slightly opened door. Remus' door was in front of him, a bit off to the right but he turned left, passing the stairway and heading towards the bathroom.
He reappeared a few minutes later, still yawning but feeling much better. He was glad at times like these that he was potty-trained. Remus had of course promised time and time again he wouldn't be beaten if he ever had an accident, but he would still feel very embarrassed and ashamed should it happen. He was a big boy now, and big boys didn't wet themselves like babies.
He stopped for a few moments to look a Remus' slightly opened door. He was a bit worried about the man, he looked so ill lately and Harry knew it was horrible being sick. Biting his lip in thought, and hoping he wouldn't be punished, he stepped quietly to Remus' door and peeked in.
It was very dark but he could make out the slightest outline of a body laying in the middle of the bed. With a deep breath, the three year old stepped in and cautiously made his way over. He heaved himself onto the bed and crawled over to where he expected the man's head to be. A bit hesitantly, he prodded the lump.
Almost immediately it shifted and bleary amber eyes were looking up at him. "Harry?" Remus asked his voice hoarse from sleep. "Is something wrong?"
"No," Harry said quietly and his thumb subconsciously trailed slowly up to his mouth. "I jus' wanted- wanted to ask you somethin'."
Remus cleared his throat and squinted. "What is it cub? What's bothering you?"
Harry remained silent for a moment before blurting out what had been on his mind. "Are you sick Moony?" he asked worriedly as a certain appendage settled in the cavern of his mouth.
Remus' eyes widened slightly and he sat up rubbing the sleep out of them. "Oh, Harry." he muttered as he gathered the little boy into his arms. Harry didn't protest and instead curled into the man's chest. "Remember when I said that you will be spending a few days with Madam Pomfrey soon?" Harry nodded a small bit and Remus sighed wondering how to continue. "Well, let's just say that once a month I get… sick, and I won't be able to take care of you then." Harry frowned up at him.
"Like aunt Pe-thu-nia?" he lisped innocently remembering how his aunt always acted especially odd at times, and Remus laughed even as a slight blush rose in his cheeks.
"No cub," he snickered. "Nothing like that." Harry's frowned deepened and Remus tried his best to sober up. "No. The reason I get sick is because, well, have you ever heard of a werewolf?"
Remus was slightly surprised to see green eyes holding an incredulous look staring up at him. "What?"
"You're a werewolf?" Harry asked much to seriously for a toddler as his thumb dropped.
"Um, yes?"
The gaze held him a bit longer before the little one looked away. "Okay."
"Huh?"
"Okay." Harry repeated as he blinked at the man. Remus raised an eyebrow and Harry looked back just as skeptically.
"That's it?" he questioned and tiny shoulders rose and fell. Amber eyes turned skyward. "Why don't you go get dressed. I'll be in to help you in a moment." he told the child with no small amount of amusement and Harry obeyed readily, sliding from Remus' lap and walking without his usual hesitation out the door. Remus snorted. That was easier then he had thought it would be, even if the child believed he was lying.
Across the hall the little raven haired cub didn't know what to think. The only thing he knew for sure was the Remus was weird and a really good fibber. Even better then Dudley!
A/N:
Yes, Remus, and by extension his family, are native to France. Why? Because it's more entertaining for me to write that way.