17

Author's Note - It wasn't a conscious choice to… er, abuse you guys. I've just had a lot on my plate. Even right now I'm supposed to be re-writing three essays and doing some work for my freshman seminar that I never turned in but kinda have to if I don't want to get a D in that class. Also, I wasn't able to go home for Easter Break so I'm one of like, five people in my hole dorm building and I haven't had physical human contact in four days. It's starting to get to me.

Every time I open my email and see that someone else has added me onto their alerts, I get this horrible guilty feeling in my stomach. Last I checked there were nearly 500 of you guys and that kind of pressure is doing nothing for my work ethic.

Note the warning from the last chapter: there will be a significant time skip. I'm rather anxious to get through Harry's childhood. The next few chapters will have the same feel that I imagine you guys must like and you won't be left longing for details on Harry's life, but I thought it only fair to warn you.

All conversations in French unless otherwise noted.

Shall we?

Chapter 17

Remus watched silently over Harry as the boy next to him concentrated very hard on the letter he was writing. Remus wasn't sure who it was to as it could be a toss up between Maxie or Fleur but it was cute to see such intense concentration. "Papa?" the boy asked suddenly head tilted upwards toward Remus and the older man hummed in acknowledgement. "Where are we right now?"

Remus looked idly out the window over Harry's head as the bus they were on drove past mostly wilderness though he could see a small township in the distance. "We're still in Manitoba but we should be getting to Saskatchewan soon. That's where we'll be staying, a friend of Maman's owns a home there."

It took a few seconds for Remus to note that Harry was still staring at him rather expectantly and Remus smiled in amusement. "S-A-S-K-A-T-C-H-E-W-A-N," he spelt patiently and Harry sent him a charming smile as he turned back to writing his letter as he was now able to spell their destination. Remus rolled his eyes good-naturedly and sat back in his seat. There weren't a lot of other patrons on the bus so the quiet was rather thick but he didn't mind as the steady scratching of Harry's pen allowed him to relax and drift a bit.

As what often happened when his mind was left to its own devices he started to think about Harry and the changes the now five year old boy had gone through since he'd come into Remus' care. He'd grown a lot from the shy little thing he had been. Of course, he was still a bit shy and much more soft spoken than children typically were but there was now a semi permanent smile plastered on his face and he had a healthy glow about him. Not to mention how much he'd progressed both socially and intellectually. He was also very comfortable with himself as he wouldn't have been had he stayed with the Dursley's and his personality, Remus was happy to see, was really starting to develop. He was well on his way to becoming a strong young man, a perfect legionnaire as Maribell would say but Remus refused to acknowledge that. Harry was charming and polite and absolutely perfect as far as Maman and Lianna were concerned and Leverett apparently thought he would be the best person to pass on his 'secrets' to. Remus wasn't sure what to make of that but he was sure it wouldn't lead to anything productive.

(O)(O)(O)

Harry hummed softly as he finished off his letter to Fleur who, as it happened, was much more interested in his travels than Maxie was. Maxie was his best friend and all but Lianna had said he had a bit of a set view on things and was much more interested in the things Harry would do once he got to his destination rather than where he was going.

Harry could see the appeal to that, it was always fun when Remus took him out on little day trips once they got to a new place but just seeing the scenery was just as nice; Fleur could appreciate that a lot more. Maxie said it was because she was part Veela, Fleur said it was because she wasn't an uncultured swine. Harry smiled absently at the thought. He didn't know where she'd gotten that from, Maribell or Keyoshia. Maxie had taken the comment in stride, too used to the much worse verbal abuse that Keyoshia dished out whenever she came to visit to take to heart any degrading words Fleur had to spare. Harry wasn't sure if that was healthy.

Papa says that we will be arriving in Saskatchewan soon but I think we still have a bit of a ride to go. I'll write again once we've been here a few days- I already know I'll have a lot of great pictures to send you. Write back, Fleur, I miss you.

Love, Harry

With as much flourish as a five-year-old could muster Harry signed his name at the bottom of the very long letter. He was absolutely lost when it came to the delicate cursive writing Fleur had taken to using as apparently was 'proper' for a young French lady but he was still proud of how neat his hand writing had become after grueling practice with tante Maribell. It wasn't as impressive as Fleur's lightly looping words or even Keyoshia's spidery scrawl but it was better than Maxie's at least. With a yawn Harry folded his letter and placed it gently in an envelope he's already prepared with Fleur's name and address. He'd have papa send it through muggle mail once they got to wherever it was they were going as they had no owl available to them. Fleur wouldn't mind, she thought muggle post was one of the most unusual things and she'd probably take humor in the postman trying to even find their house.

Harry stretched as much as he could in his seat after being hunched over for so long writing and turned to gaze out the window. He smiled at the wildlife that flew by as they rode and wondered if they would be close to any camping grounds like the one oncle Levi had taken him and Maxie to several months ago. Remus had been 'sick' and hadn't been able to go but had promised Harry that at some point they would, just the two of them together.

He didn't know how long they were staying in Canada as Remus travel plans, as well thought out as the destinations were, were more random when it came to timing. It all depended on whether or not he had someone to watch Harry on the full moon but Harry didn't mind if their trip was cut short. He'd get to see his family and friends again at least and they could always come back Remus had said.

Yawning again the little boy scooted closer to his father and smiled sleepily when Remus wrapped a comforting arm around him. "Tired?" the man asked with a small grin and Harry nodded curling more into his side. "Well rest up, I'll wake you when we get there." With a comforted sigh Harry drifted off to sleep.

What felt like much too soon the boy was being gently shaken awake so that they could get off the bus. "Come on, cub," Remus whispered as he took Harry's hand and tugged him lightly along. Bleary eyed Harry followed and waited quietly while Remus and the bus driver unloaded their things from the large compartment underneath the bus. He and Remus only had a bag a piece thanks to what Maxie had absently explained as expanding charms when the older boy had been helping him pack. Well, he'd been sitting in the room talking while Harry packed, occasionally being helpful and reluctantly standing to find a wayward sock or shirt. It made traveling around as much as he and Remus did much easier Harry though as he watched Remus heave the two large bags over his shoulder and wave cheerfully to the obliging bus driver who seemed conflicted about leaving them seemingly in the middle of nowhere, practically on the side of the road. Remus turned a smile to him as the large vehicle pulled away and held out a hand for him to take.

"We have a little bit of a walk," Remus said. "Not long, but I can carry you if you're still tired." Harry looked doubtfully at the two bags Remus was already lugging and the man, catching his gaze, laughed. "You know I can carry much more than this," he insisted, amused and Harry hummed to himself, knowing Remus could after having witnessed the man doing so on a number of occasions but still shook his head know instead taking the offered hand. He was sleepy, not sick, he could walk.

For as long as he'd been taking his potions and calcium pills which were designed to help his bone and muscle growth it was starting to seem that the damage done to him at the Dursley's was irreversible and his legs would always be rather… breakable, but that didn't mean he still couldn't walk for long periods of time without them aching, it just meant he had to be careful. Like taking walks with aunt Maribell was okay but playing rugby with Maxie was probably not a good idea. Gran, at least, had been horrified at the very suggestion.

The walk with Remus wasn't long as the man had said and they soon came upon a gap in the trees of the road they'd been along. Harry looked around curiously as they followed the path through a rather dense wood but didn't have time to get scared or worried as they soon turned a bend and found themselves presented with a little town.

Harry's eyes widened at the houses and shops scattered around the clearing that must have acted as the towns square and the large path that allowed the town to expand back farther into the woods. There were people milling about, working or talking and children shirking with laughter as they played. Remus squeezed his hand a little making Harry look up into his fathers grinning face. "This is Petite Ville du Prince, it's a wizarding village that acts more like a muggle one."

Harry blinked and looked owlishly around and, startled, he noticed small signs of magic. The broom sweeping outside a door had no one attached to it, a man was changing the hanging above his shop door with a few flicks of his wand and a woman was scolding a boy not far away while a younger girl clutched at her skirts glaring as her face turned a odd purple color that could have only been due to magic rather than anger.

"Come on, lets find where we will be staying," Remus coaxed and Harry followed him along staring this way in that in a way he hadn't since he'd first been in Fleur's house, the only 'wizarding' family that actually acted like wizards that Gran happened to be friends with. Most of the people he'd come to know through his family were much like Gran and enjoyed the simpler lifestyle without using magic for everything. The Delacour's, a family made up largely of at least partial magical creatures, couldn't seem to commit themselves to that and in fact had evidence of magic everywhere in their home including owning two house elves. So, seeing magic used so blandly out in broad daylight outside of Fleur's or Hogwarts really was a novelty for Harry and he soaked it in wide eyed.

Remus stopped twice to ask someone something but they soon found themselves on the path leading farther into the woods though the air was still bright in cheerful. Less shops seemed to be here and more residents. The road, at some point, became halfheartedly paved in cobblestone when they apparently reached the strictly residential area and there were more children, playing along the street as parents listened out for them through open windows (1). Harry had seen nothing like it before and silently watched the other children play as Remus walked them up to a huge house that made of misshapen but masterfully collaborated stones.

"Here we are," Remus muttered and pulled out of his coat pocket an ancient looking key. Harry waved shyly to some of the kids who had stopped to watch them as Remus unlocked the door and they waved cheerfully back before continuing on in their game.

Harry jumped when he heard a loud bump as Remus stumbled into the house but smiled lightly in amusement and followed the man in, closing the door behind them. The lights were on though he saw no evidence of a switch as was often the case in magical places and Remus was putting down their bags as he looked curiously around. "The old place hasn't changed a bit," he said more to himself than Harry but the little boy took his hand and plastered himself to his side as he asked,

"You've been here before?"

"Once or twice," Remus shrugged. "When I was very little, maybe your age. Maman brought us here to visit before her friend moved. He still keeps this house though as a summer home or when he just feels like a little peace and quiet I guess."

Remus guided them through the closest doorway and the found it was a living room that, upon further inspection, seemed to lead to the kitchen. "Excellent," Remus winked making Harry giggle. "Let's see what there is to eat."

As it was it seemed there was plenty to eat… in canned form. Remus, though a bit disappointed much to Harry's amusement, decided that it would do for now but they would have to go shopping for fresh food in the market place soon. After eating Remus encouraged Harry to look around while he sat up the room they'd be sharing with their things. Harry soon found himself looking out of the second floor window at the front of the long hall and watching the children in the street below. He wondered if he asked if they would let him play later as Remus would surely allow him to go outside.

He absently wished that he had Maixe here with him, he at least wouldn't be afraid to ask if he could play. Maxie wasn't afraid of anything. Keyoshia wasn't either but she would probably not want to play with children on the street anyway. She hardly wanted to play with Harry, calling all the games he learned from Maixe plebeian but she often did anyway if he promised to sit down and play a proper game with her later, like tea parties. He didn't mind them as they sometimes proved interesting especially if Fleur convinced her parents to let her come over to play as well and they were certainly much more relaxing then whatever idea Maxie came up with, but he couldn't really understand why that's all girls seemed to want to play.

Lianna and Leverett had laughed when he asked them why that was and he never managed to get an answer out of either of them so he was still a bit lost and instead resigned himself to being taught the 'art of conversation' and how to drink tea the 'right' was by his two female friends.

Looking up from the roughhousing below him he gazed out over the roofs of the surrounding houses and the trees that reached still higher above them. It was beautiful in a different way than Italy had been and the other places they had visited so far. Everything was covered in a light dusting of snow that didn't seem to be melting even though it was fairly early and the sun was out. Instead everything seemed to shine like crystals and it made Harry smile at the serenity of it all.

It reminded him of home, his home, the two story cottage like house he shared with just Remus which was also a bit isolated like this place but peaceful and beautiful. They hadn't been there in a long while what with their constant country jumping, maybe he could ask to stop by a few day for a visit? He rather missed his room and some of the toys and books he'd had to leave behind…

"Harry?" Remus called and the boy turned form his pondering to see his guardian watching him in concern from the stairs at the other end of the hall.

"Papa," Harry chirped with a smile. "Let's go explore!"

(O)(O)(O)

Harry found quickly that the days pasted slowly here. There wasn't really a lazy feel about the town but it was a very relaxed place and the people reflected that. Everyone was pleasant and welcoming to them and brightly answered any questions he managed to ask through his initial shyness.

He and Remus fell into a routine as they often did in a new place. In the morning they get up to have breakfast together and then Remus apparate them to see some attraction in the actually province of Saskatchewan which, Harry was surprised to see after coming upon the village, was a huge and active place, nothing like the little wilderness village at all. They visited restaurants and museums in different cities like Prince Albert and Yorkton and even saw a symphony orchestra play in Regina. They stopped by a few of the parks and lakes that were in abundance in the area and though Harry wasn't interested in any winter recreational activity that didn't stop him from being enthralled by just the beauty of everything around him.

On the days they stayed out late, the city glowed as the night came to life in a shinning way and Harry could be found straining to see in every direction to catch a glimpse of some entertainment or to watch the lights reflect off the vast purple and pink sky as the sun set. On days when their trip into the cities ended early Harry would play with whatever local children were out. A game of tag could last for hours here just going up and down the winding road that made up the town.

Remus had been a little weary letting him out of his sight for the first few days and restricted Harry's play to being in clear view of the house but he soon relented as it became obvious that with such a close knit community someone was always watching the children from their house of shop windows to make sure they didn't get into serious mischief. The one time Harry had fallen and gotten hurt when out of Remus' sight he's skinned knee had been healed and he'd been escorted back to the house by a kindly woman who'd been out shopping no worse for wear and with only a few shed tears.

They also took several walks into the surrounding woods after being assured that they were safe from large predators. Not that Remus wouldn't be able to protect them or even that most animals wouldn't be frightened off by the mere scent of a werewolf (or so Remus said), but the man didn't want to risk it. It was during one of these walks that Harry became a bit distracted by a small hallow that housed a family of rabbits.

Thrilled, as he'd never seen in up close, Harry had stopped paying attention and had let Remus get to far away from him. Remus let him wandered ever so slightly and look around as long as he stayed close but in the minutes it took Harry to overcome his giddiness at seeing the rabbits, he lost sight of his father and was, unfortunately, lost.

Harry looked around with a frown. He was not going to cry. So he was a bit… lost. In the middle of the woods… in a foreign country… in the middle of winter. That was nothing to cry over. He was sure Remus would notice him gone soon and be on his way to find him and then they'd go back to their house and everything would be fine…

(O)(O)(O)

Harry sighed.

Slowly he sat down a patch of moss that looked the least snow covered and pulled his coat tighter around him. He was suddenly glad Remus insisted he wear so many layers today.

For several minutes he just sat and after a while he started to hum to break the defining silence of the woods. But they'd had a long day and he'd been playing with the other kids all afternoon and soon he grew tired and try as he might to keep his eyes open, despite the fact that the warm snuggly feeling of his coat was getting to him and he just wanted to sleep…

"Who are you?" Harry jumped violently, his eyes he hadn't realized he closed shooting open and looking around wildly. "Up here," the voice called and his eyes traveled immediately upward and widened when they landed on a child. Light grey eyes stared curiously down at him from under a messy blond fringe. A queer look crossed the other child's face before they launched themselves off of the branch they'd been sitting on and landed in a crouch next Harry making the boy gape.

The other child straitened themselves and stared down at Harry, not in an unfriendly way but certainly not welcoming either. Harry frowned as he looked over the child. He knew it wasn't someone he knew from town be he and that they were definitely older than him but he couldn't tell whether or not they were a girl or a boy. "Who are you?" they repeated again and Harry replied in French out of habit despite the fact the boy had been speaking English. "Je m'appelle Harry."

The grey eyes widened significantly and a small smile crossed chapped lips. "Oh," The child said. "Nice to meet you. Mon nom est Skylar Martin-Lee. Pourquoi êtes vous ici?"

A/N -

(1) I know they're in Canada but I imagine the place to be like Italy's village of San Leo with houses with thatched roofs and surrounded by wilderness. Or maybe a 15th century Netherlands village, but that's harder to find with a google image search.

I've been thinking as we get closer to the time Harry goes to Hogwarts about whether or not I should split this story up and make the Hogwarts years a separate entity. For some reason stories that have, like, fifty chapters or more make me antsy and I know we're not nearly that far but with what's left that I have to write of Harry's childhood we'll probably get up to like thirty at least. What do you think?

love you all and...well, all I can do is try harder with my updates,

hitori