The Lupin Childe

Cheers for my wonderful Beta: butterfly83

Chapter 2

Remus carried the dark haired child in his arms as he made his way through the winding halls of Hogwarts. Three months. It had been three months since Harry had come into his custody and he couldn't have been happier. The little boy had quickly become the very center of his life and had made his heart swell with pride and love.

He was a bright child, very energetic, if not still a bit unsure of himself. He listened intently to everything Remus said, and seemed to find a particular joy in just being in the man's presence. He liked to be read to, and was very determined to master the art of doing it himself as well as spelling and writing. It was a tiring process but one both participants enjoyed immensely.

Slowly they had developed an understanding of each other, even if the child still followed orders without question, and tried to avoid anything that could disappoint Remus. Remus knew now what Harry liked and disliked, regardless of what the child said or did. Such as the fact the boy adored the color green and Remus had painted his room in that color as soon as the revelation came out. He also had a certain fondness for stuffed animals, and Remus indulged him by stuffing some up on the selves in his room that were not already filled with story books. Harry now carried a particular one with him all the time: Maurice the bear. There was nothing special about it, it was a muggle toy from a local shop, but Harry clung to it desperately and could not be separated from it.

The little one also had a dangerously growing addition to chocolate thanks to the 'care packages' his mother insisted on sending. This was another thing. Harry had yet to meet his new family, something Remus couldn't decide whether he was sad about or grateful for.

He had spent the first five weeks after Harry's finalized adoption-processed much faster then normal thanks to his brother and making the child officially Harry James Évariste Potter Lupin (the name change had been his mother's 'suggestion', meaning Remus had no say in it whatsoever)-trying to persuade his family not to come to England. It had gotten to the point where he was about to give in and let them come and run ramped across the streets of London, when they had suddenly decided to take an impromptu trip to Russia for a bit of an extended stay. His oldest sister, Maribell, had been traveling back and forth over there for years conducting business and now apparently needed her available family's help as soon as possible to finish off whatever it was she was up to now.

He hadn't asked many questions. The last thing he needed was to be involved in criminal activity now that he had a son. Remus snorted to himself. What could he say? They were lunatics, the best sort out there, but lunatics nonetheless.

He continued on his way to his destination: the Infirmary. It was two days before the full moon, and Madam Pomfrey was still offering her services to look after Harry. He had found that he was incapable of looking after the child at all the day of the full moon, so he was therefore bringing him today, as he wouldn't be able to make himself even get out of bed tomorrow (1). Harry was sleeping peacefully with his head resting on his shoulder as it was still quite early in the morning But he was already aware that he wouldn't be seeing Remus again for two days. He was still uncomfortable with being left by the man, but he liked Poppy Pomfery and so he dealt with it without complaint.

Remus was both amused and concerned that Harry still didn't believe him to be a werewolf. The child had accepted the presence of magic around him without a blink of his pretty eyes, but the prospect of his new father being a werewolf still seemed to be beyond him. Remus knew that the child would be made fully aware of the situation one day, and he hoped that he would take the revelation well. He had never been lied to after all.

Upon reaching the Infirmary, Remus balanced Harry in one arm and went to open the doors. They didn't budge. He frowned and tried again with little success before deciding to simply knock.

"Poppy!" he called tapping the door. He was weary of waking Harry up but this was important. When there was no answer he called again and still nothing. Feeling a bit of dread coming over him he walked away and headed towards the Headmaster's office. Turning at the corner that held the statue of the gargoyle, he was mildly surprised to see Severus Snape leaving the office.

He knew the man had just started working here over the past year, and he remembered being shocked at the time that the man actually took the job. It was no secret the man disliked children, ever since he himself was a child, and he had absolutely no patience for teaching. Remus had assumed it was because of Dumbledore's constant goading, saying how wonderful a teacher Severus would make, that he had finally taken the job. He probably did it just to get the older man off his back. Snapping quickly out of his thoughts as the man was heading in the other direction he called after him, "Severus!"

The dark haired man paused before slowly turning around and raising an eyebrow. It was obvious he had not seen him there as he was coming down the spiraling stairs to the Head office. "Lupin? What a… pleasure. What do you want?"

Remus gave a semi-amused smile. He had never been on very good terms with the man when they went to school together, none of the Marauders had, but he had been the more sensibly of his friends. That being said, he and the Potion's Master had a bit of reluctant acceptance of each other's presence. "I was wondering if you knew where Poppy was?" Remus asked, biting his bottom lip hopefully. A sneer spread over the man's face.

"Apparently there has been a sudden outbreak of Dragon Pox among the members of the magical community, children and adults alike. She was called into St Mungo's to assist, they need all the help the can get."

Remus heart speed up. That wasn't good. She must have left on very short notice if she didn't contact him and there was a slim to none chance that she would be able to watch Harry now, even if he could get a hold of her. "Thank you," Remus replied politely before walking towards the gargoyle.

"What do you think you're doing?" the dark man questioned lazily.

"Going to speak to Dumbledore."

"You won't find him up there." Remus turned.

"What?"

A slow ghost of a smirk graced Severus' face. "He's gone. To the Ministry I believe. Has to find out what's causing this, ah, epidemic. Fudge has requested his presence." Remus blanched. This could not be happening. He could feel himself steadily weakening, in a few hours he would hardly be able to do more the crawl into bed and try to remain coherent enough to remember to lock himself in the basement come tomorrow night.

-x-

Severus watched in gracefully concealed fascination as Lupin paled dramatically. He wondered what was so terrible that he needed either Poppy or the Headmaster. He wondered if it had something to do with the Potter boy. He was no idiot and he immediately noticed the child cradled in the man's arms, asleep. It had not taken him a full seconds thought to determine who that child was either. It was rather obvious. Even if the old man hadn't been twinkling with his irritating way every time mention of the Potter boy and his new 'secret' guardian came up, it was hard to miss the mop of ebony hair. It honestly wasn't that big of a secret. Sure, no one at the British Ministry knew, meaning they must have filed papers in another country, but if anyone had known James Potter and his little friends then it was obvious. With Black and Pettigrew gone there was no where else that Potter Jr. would go, werewolf or not.

'Werewolf…'

Severus blinked. Oh. He was an idiot. Of course that was why he was here. He needed someone to look after the brat as the full moon was tomorrow night, and he would be no where near capable of taking care of him himself. With Poppy gone and the Headmaster, that left-

"Is-is there anyone else in the school. I mean, I know it's summer but someone has to be here, right?"

No one. "No." Severus said smoothly. "Everyone has gone gallivanting around the country side or is visiting family. I'm the only one left."

Lupin bit his lip furiously almost drawing blood. He looked slightly desperately at the gargoyle that was watching the scene unfold with interest. "Why are you here?" he finally asked. Severus could tell he wasn't really waiting for an answer, he was thinking about a way out of his predicament, but he obliged the mutt anyway.

"You and I both know I have no family to speak of, Lupin." he sneered and the man had the decency to send him an apologetic glance. "I will be staying here for the summer as I will be teaching come September."

"Right," Lupin muttered as he looked down at the Potter child. Severus could almost hear the gears turning in his head as he milled over his options. Severus knew what the result would be, and he would refuse of course just to see the panicked look on the wolf's face.

Rather abruptly, Lupin looked up at him, eyes wide and slightly weary.

"Severus…"

"No."

Lupin blinked before his face fell dramatically. "Please Severus! I can't take him with me! In a few hours I won't be capable of taking care of myself much less a three year old. Anything could happen!"

"No, Lupin. I will not look after the brat. The fact that you even suggested it is ridiculous. Potter Sr. must be turning in his grave."

Lupin's eyes narrowed. "Harry is not James, he's a child and his own person. He's nothing like his father and just because you have this not so silent vendetta against a dead man, would you really let his child be left alone with a werewolf on the full moon?" Severus sneered.

"Don't try to guilt me into watching the brat just because you're desperate, wolf." he spat and watched as Lupin bared his teeth and something similar to a growl rose in the back of his throat. It went away almost immediately and his arms clenched around the child in his arms.

Severus, for a moment was confused, until he realized that the Potter boy was awake. The boy shifted and looked up at his guardian with wide and innocent emerald green eyes. Lily's eyes. Damn it.

Remus looked down at the little one, instantly regretting frightening him with his anger even if it was just for an instant. Harry gazed sleepily back up at him before looking around, taking in his surroundings. His eyes locked on Snape for several moments before turning back to Remus. "Are we goin' ta Ma'am Pomfrey?" he asked softly. Remus tried to smile.

"No cub. We were but Madam Pomfrey got called away to the hospital to help other people. We have to find someone else to watch you, do you mind?" Harry shook his head in negative and proceeded to lodge his thumb in his mouth and lay his head down placidly on Remus' shoulder.

Remus glanced up at Snape who was watching them, more specifically Harry, with an odd look on his face. He took a deep breath and turned his back on the man. Now that Harry was awake, it wouldn't do to start a fight with him, not that it was a good idea in the first place. He hadn't taken three steps before the other man's voice called out.

"Wait… Lupin. I-"

Remus turned and looked at the pale and twisted face. It looked like he was having an inner debate. The Dark man let out a frustrated sigh. "I'll watch the brat."

Remus face lit up and a grin spread. In a moment he was at Severus side pushing a large overnight bag into his arms. "In here are pajamas and clothes for the next three days along with his teddy bear-I swear he won't sleep without the thing. There are also the potions he has to take-"

"Potions?" Snape asked sounding relatively startled.

"Yes, potions. He has to take the nutrient supplement before every meal, give him the bone and muscle strengthener twice a day- it doesn't matter what times though it last longer if they're taken twelve hours apart- and the salve is for his legs. Everything else I left home as I doubt he'll need for a weekend…" Remus continues undeterred. He needed to get all of this across quickly before Snape changed his mind. He placed Harry on the floor and knelt down in front of him feeling bad about the startled look on the boy's face caused by the sudden change in atmosphere.

"Harry, This is Mr. Severus Snape, he's the one that's going to be taking care of you, okay?" Harry looked up at Snape and then to Remus as he blinked bewilderedly but nodded nonetheless. Remus smiled. "Now I know you'll be a good boy but I want you to be extra nice to Mr. Snape, he's not used to watching children." Again Harry nodded.

Easily Remus drew the small boy into a hug and whispered in his ear. "It's only three days, remember. Seventy- two hours, four thousand three hundred and twenty minutes and counting." He looked down at his watch. "It's 7:13, in exactly three days, I'll pick you up. Okay?" Harry slowly removed his thumb from his mouth.

"Okay," he whispered.

Remus gently kissed both his cheeks and ruffled his hair, then stood. He glanced at Snape. "Three days." he said evenly as if reassuring the man like he had the child. Snape scowled and Remus grinned. "Thank you, Severus." he said and turned swiftly and walked away.

The two people left behind stood there for awhile longer after he had disappeared around the corner. Snape sighed and looked down at the child who had taken to staring at him. He refused to think that the thumb stuck in the three year olds mouth was in anyway endearing. "Well, come on then, Po- Harry."

Green eyes considered him curiously for a moment before the child followed him silently.

A/N:

(1) In this story the true full moon is only one night. Remus only requires rest the day before and after it.