Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling. This story belongs to me.

Sticks, Stones and Broken Bones

Chapter 18: Survival of the Fittest

Remus Lupin was furious, and for once he had no intention of hiding it.

He was usually a quiet, reserved and patient man, his calm disposition doing a lot to temper the often misplaced enthusiasm of James and Sirius during their school days, but, as he strode through the halls of Hogwarts some twenty years later now, Remus was instead desperately trying to taper down the urge to punch the wall, no matter how much he knew it would hurt. Anger coursed through his veins as he charged down the corridor, with only one thought on his mind.

Why, until now, had no one told him that Harry had been found?

"Albus," nodded Arthur as he came through the Floo into the Headmaster's office. The Headmaster was not seated at his desk, and Arthur knew from the man's tense posture that Dumbledore had been pacing his office before his arrival. Arthur barely dwelt on it though, pushing aside the useless thoughts as he made to greet the man; he was worried enough himself.

Arthur clenched his fists, the whiteness of his knuckles showing just how worried he really was. The boys had been missing all night, and still they knew nothing. There were no new leads; none whatsoever. They were running out of options.

And time.

"There has been no sign," Albus said gravely, merely confirming what he already knew. Arthur's heart clenched in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm. It wouldn't do Harry and Ron any good to panic.

"How did they manage it?" Arthur asked, frustration clear in his voice. "How did those bloody kidnappers manage to get through the wards!?"

"I do not know, Arthur," Albus replied gravely, and Arthur felt fear ripple through him at the thought; the Headmaster always seemed to know everything, so the fact that he didn't have any answers terrified the Weasley patriarch. "The wards that I put in place were strong. No one should have been able to come through who was not welcome."

Arthur sighed, trying to let the anger he felt towards the man go, knowing it wasn't really Dumbledore's fault. In truth, Arthur was just as mad at himself for letting Harry and Ron out of his sight. They'd all been lulled into a false sense of security, and now they'd paid the price for their carelessness. In truth though, it didn't matter who was to blame; not at the moment. All that mattered was getting them back.

"We'll find them, Arthur," the Headmaster said, but the absent twinkle in his eyes showed the man's lack of confidence in his own words. "Alastor Moody is working on tracking the signature of the Portkey as we speak. Hopefully he will be able to establish a location for where the boys were taken. Also, Severus has agreed to move about Voldemort's remaining circle to see if there has been any talk of a kidnapping attempt. Discreetly, of course."

"Of course," Arthur mumbled absently, his brow furrowed upon hearing the news. He honestly didn't know what to make of Severus Snape. From everything he had heard, particularly from his children, Snape was an awful teacher, and a downright bitter and impatient human being. On the other hand, according to Ron, the man had truly done them a huge favour by dealing with Draco Malfoy after the incident at Diagon Alley last week. Severus Snape was truly an enigma, but if he brought Harry and Ron home safe, he'd never say another word against the man.

"I've also asked Lupin to join the search," continued Dumbledore interrupting Arthur's thoughts.

"Remus Lupin?" Arthur asked, slightly confused at the announcement. He knew the man had been friends with the Potters and the traitor Black, but he didn't know much else. Lupin had barely been seen in the last few years; he was one of the few remaining Order members who had still been searching for Harry right up to the present day. Some say he had become slightly obsessive about it actually...

"Yes," confirmed Dumbledore. "After being so involved in the search for Harry, he likely knows the best places to start looking."

Dumbledore glanced at his strange pocket watch, a watch that made no sense to anyone but him it seemed. Arthur had more questions but he was reluctant to interrupt the Headmaster when he was so deep in concentration.

"In fact," Dumbledore began, meeting Arthur's eyes again as he put the pocket watch away. "I believe Mr Lupin will be here momentarily."

Almost the second after the words had left the Headmaster's mouth, there was a stern knocking on the door to the office, and not for the first time, Arthur wondered how the old man did it.

"Come in," Dumbledore called, taking a seat behind his desk and gesturing for Arthur to sit down also.

As he tentatively took a seat, Arthur watched as a thin, tired-looking man marched through the door, amber eyes flashing in anger. The man must have only been in his thirties, but his grey hair and heavily scarred face gave the impression of someone much older.

"Dumbledore!" Lupin growled, ignoring Arthur altogether.

"Ah, Remus," Dumbledore replied calmly, not at all put off by the angry tone of the man. "Thank you joining us. Arthur, this is Remus Lupin."

"Nice to meet you," Arthur said quietly, and he was greeted to a small nod before the man turned his attention back to the Headmaster.

"Harry is alive," Lupin hissed, and Arthur flinched at the anger contained in the man's voice.

"Yes, he is," Dumbledore confirmed gently. Arthur thought he saw a flash of guilt cross the Headmaster's face, but after a moment it was gone and Arthur was left wondering if he'd imagined it. "He has been found."

"And you didn't think to tell me!?" Lupin yelled suddenly, marching over to Dumbledore's desk in an anger. "You didn't think I might want to know!?"

"I was not hiding it from you for anyone's sake but his own," Dumbledore replied softly, not denying the man's words at all. "The boy has been through a lot, Remus. More than we could ever understand. I wanted to give him some time to get used to the idea of being in our world."

"Who has he been staying with then?" Lupin demanded, although it seemed as if some of the anger was already leaving him.

"Ah, that would be me," Arthur interjected uncertainly, trying to keep calm in the face of the furious man. Lupin turned his glare on Arthur, but after a moment of eye contact the anger seemed to melt away completely, replaced instead by worry.

"How is he?" The words were filled with pain, and Arthur felt pity run through him at what the man must have been going through in the last few days.

"He's...okay," Arthur began carefully. "He has some...issues, of course, but he truly is a wonderful boy. He's become part of the family in the last few weeks and I honestly couldn't imagine life without him. He and my son Ron are already like brothers."

"He's happy?"

"Yes," Arthur replied a small smile on his face. It only took a moment for it to fade however, his thoughts falling quickly back to why he was even here in the first place. "At least, I think he is. He's just...He and Ron are missing...they were...They're gone and..."

"It's okay Arthur," Dumbledore interrupted gently before turning to Lupin to explain. "Harry and Ron are missing. They were taken sometime last night, and haven't been seen since. Remus, we need your help."

A look of determination fixed itself so clearly onto the younger man's face that Arthur felt some of his own panic fade slightly. Lupin looked like he would got to the ends of the earth to find the boys, and Arthur felt his respect for the man rise almost immediately.

Remus nodded once in answer to the plea for help, no reluctance in his expression, and Arthur found himself returning the nod, filled with his own determination. They would find them, no matter what it took.

"Ron." A hand shook his shoulder gently, and Ron groaned as he felt the cocoon of sleep begin to leave him as his senses took hold. The first thing he noticed, somewhat unusually, was that he was cold. "Ron.'

"Hmm?" Ron grunted as he reluctantly opened his eyes, squinting as they adjusted slowly to the brightness of the morning light. His body ached, and it took him a few moments to work out why he wasn't waking up in his warm, comfortable bed, with the smell of breakfast wafting up the stairs. When he finally remembered the events of last night; the kidnapping, escaping from Wormtail, and then their night spent in an abandoned factory, Ron felt the panic come back almost as if it had never left. Alertness came back to him quickly, his eyes snapping around to meet those of his friend.

Harry had woken up after only a few hours last night, and Ron, who had stayed awake to keep a look out, knew straightaway that the black-haired boy had had a nightmare. Harry had begun muttering in his sleep almost as soon as he had closed his eyes, tossing and turning as he tried to fight off an unknown attacker. It had worried Ron more than he could say, but once a newly awoken Harry had turned to face him, sweat still covering his pale face, Ron had merely smiled at the boy, trying to reassure Harry, without words, that everything was okay. It had been clear that Harry didn't want to talk about it, so Ron hadn't mentioned the nightmare, a fact for which Harry had seemed grateful for. Harry had then immediately offered to take over watch, and Ron had eventually agreed, exhaustion finally creeping up on him. Ron had always known Harry suffered from fairly intense nightmares, but he hadn't witnessed one yet. It was a little harrowing to be honest, but Ron couldn't blame the boy. Ron wouldn't be surprised if he suffered from a few nightmares of his own after this.

"Ron, come on," Harry said, looking a little better than he had last night. "You need to get up."

"We need to go?" Ron mumbled, his tired mind not quite fully awake yet. Harry, though, seemed completely alert, and not to mention anxious. He'd obviously cleaned the blood from his face, leaving a sore looking nose behind, but Ron was more concerned with Harry's ankle. The boy had barely been able to walk on it last night.

"How's the foot, mate?" he asked, concerned.

"Better," replied Harry, testing it by putting a little weight on it. From the grimace on his face, Ron knew that it was still hurting the boy, but Harry was incredibly stubborn, and if he said it was better, there wasn't a lot Ron could do to change his mind.

"Look, we're not safe here," Harry continued as he helped to pull Ron from up from the floor. "Wormtail is too close. We need to keep moving."

"Don't you think," Ron began unsurely. "Well...don't you think we should wait for someone to find us?"

"Ron...do you trust me?" Harry asked tentatively, and Ron saw the uncertainty in his eyes. Ron knew that Harry was incredibly insecure, but he also knew that if there was anybody in the world he could trust right now, it was Harry.

Wordlessly Ron nodded his head, trying to convey sincerity in his eyes. It seemed to have worked; Ron saw the relief flash across his friend's face and couldn't help but be glad he'd done the right thing.

"We need to keep moving," Harry repeated firmly, and this time, Ron offered no further suggestions. If anyone could keep him alive until his parents found them, it was Harry.

Harry sighed softly, and dropped his eyes before continuing. "Look, you don't know what it's going to be like. The streets...well, it's going to be like nothing you've ever done before. It's...dangerous, Ron, and that's not even including Wormtail finding us. We need to keep on the move and stay in hiding."

"Just tell me what to do," Ron said softly, marvelling slightly at the change he could see in his friend already. Harry had gone from an unsure, nervous kid, into a strong, confident street kid. It was kind of scary to see actually, and as Ron looked into Harry's eyes, he was suddenly very glad they were on the same side.

"You stay here for now," Harry told him, gesturing to the corner where they'd spent the night. "I'm going to go and get us some things that we'll need."

"I'll come with you," Ron offered immediately.

"No offence, but I'll be quicker without you," Harry replied tentatively, and Ron nodded to show that he wasn't offended in the slightest. He knew he would be next to useless here, and he really was relying on Harry to know what to do.

"You're not going to...steal anything, are you?" Ron asked uncomfortably, and was slightly regretful at his words when Harry's cheeks flushed with slight embarrassment.

"No," replied Harry tightly, although he didn't seem annoyed, and for that Ron was grateful. "I have...some money. Some savings..."

Slowly, Harry reached down to his sock, and Ron watched on with barely disguised curiosity and confusion. After a moment, Ron saw Harry pull some paper from his sock.

"It's muggle money," Harry explained, having noticed the confused look on Ron's face. "I've...I keep it, just in case."

Ron nodded, not sure what else to say. He knew Harry was still struggling to overcome his life before he'd met them, but Ron had never quite understood that struggle until now. Harry had felt safe with them, happy even, but he still hadn't been able to completely let go of his doubts. There was still a part of the boy who was preparing for the worst. Just in case...

"Be careful," Ron said softly, as Harry moved towards the door.

"I will," replied Harry, a look of determination flashing across his face. "You too."

Ron nodded in reply and settled himself back in the corner, watching as Harry made his way cautiously out onto the street. He was limping slightly, but he hadn't complained, and Ron knew in that moment, that he would follow Harry anywhere. He was tough, tougher than he had seemed in the last few weeks, and Ron found himself incredibly grateful that he could see this side of his friend. He already held immense respect for Harry, but it was growing by the second.

For the first time since they had been kidnapped, Ron allowed a calm breath to leave him. It might not be an ideal situation, and he was still terrified to his very core, but so long as he had Harry with him, Ron knew he could handle it.

Somehow, he knew they'd be alright.

Harry moved stealthily back through the door to the factory, a small bag of supplies in his hand. It hadn't taken him long, despite his still aching ankle, to get the stuff they would need. His lessons from the street hadn't quite been forgotten yet, but Harry felt glad for them now. Hopefully they would keep them alive...

"Ron," Harry whispered, his body tense in case he needed to bolt. He really hoped his friend was okay. He'd been reluctant to leave Ron behind but he knew he'd be quicker and stealthily without him. Thankfully, Ron hadn't argued.

"Harry?" came a voice from the other side of the factory, and Harry felt his heart flutter slightly in relief.

"I'm back," Harry said somewhat needlessly as he walked over to where Ron had settled.

"Did you bring food," Ron said hopefully. Harry felt slightly worried at this. Harry of course knew well what an empty stomach felt like, and could often go days without a proper meal, but Ron had spent his whole life being fed what amounted to small feasts at every meal time. The redheaded boy wasn't fat, not like Dudley had been, but he doubted that Ron would be able to deal with the inevitable hunger as well as Harry could.

"I've bought us a couple of sandwiches," Harry replied, pulling them out of the plastic bag. "There's not much money...so I didn't want to spend too much. We don't know how long we'll be stuck here."

"They look fine, Harry," Ron replied softly, obviously trying to reassure his friend. "Anything else?"

"Yeah...erm, here," Harry pulled out a small black woolly hat and handed it to Ron without another word.

"A hat?" Ron asked in confusion.

"To hide your hair," Harry explained. He pulled out his own matching hat. "We stand out too much. We're too easily recognised. We need to...blend in."

"Hats it is," Ron agreed, obviously trying to appear cheerful. Harry appreciated the effort but he couldn't return the smile Ron shot at him; he couldn't seem to stop the almost debilitating worry, and honestly...his heart just wasn't in it.

Harry had spent the last few weeks desperately trying to find a place in the Wizarding World for himself, but almost as soon as he had finally reached the stage where he could honestly admit that he belonged there, Wormtail had taken it away. Now he was back where he started, on the streets and with nothing to his name, and it felt all the worse because he knew now exactly what he had been missing all that time.

All those years at the Dursleys, all those years on the streets, Harry had always been able to pretend that he was alright, that he could manage without a home or parents, or any of the things most normal kids had. He could deal with it all, simply because he'd never known how it felt. Harry honestly hadn't known what he had been missing.

But now?

Now he knew what it felt like to have three square meals a day, to have a comfortable bed at night. He knew how it felt to have people to count on, and to have people who truly cared about him. He just couldn't bear the thought of losing that now, not when it had become so important to him. He felt as if a piece of himself had been torn out during the night they had spent in the factory yesterday. It was like he was that scared little street-boy again, doing everything and anything he could to survive. Only this time, he knew that there were people out there who cared about him; he just couldn't find them.

"Harry, mate?" Ron said softly, concern clear on his features. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Harry muttered, fiddling about with his hat.

"Yeah and I'm a raging hippogriff," Ron replied with a grin. Harry couldn't help but smile at the small reminder of their first real meeting, but it soon fell from his face as his more depressing thoughts came back in full force.

"Seriously, Harry," Ron continued, obviously having noticed that his friend was clearly not fine. "What's the matter?"

"I just..." Harry began unsurely. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he continued. "I...I don't want to be back on the streets."

"You're not, Harry," Ron replied softly. "This...it's not the same. It's...an adventure, remember? Like Frodo and Sam."

"Which one are you?" Harry joked shakily, his breathing slightly calmer. Ron was right; in all his worry about how to keep them alive, he'd forgotten that, at least this time, he wasn't on his own.

"Well you're Frodo, of course," Ron replied with a grin. "Me, I'm the sidekick, so I must be Sam."

Harry frowned slightly, even though Ron was joking. He'd noticed, since getting to know the redhead, that Ron had a slight inferiority complex that sometimes rivalled his own. Harry thought it might have something to do with having so many older brothers.

"Frodo couldn't have done it without Sam," Harry said seriously, his eyes meeting Ron's steadily.

"Yeah, you're right," Ron replied, matching Harry's look with equal intensity. "Because Sam wouldn't leave Frodo, no matter how tough things got."

"Thanks, Ron."

"Hey, it's Sam, remember," Ron grinned. "C'mon Frodo. Where are we going to go next? Any ideas?"

Harry smiled, although worry still lined his face. "We'll choose a direction and walk in it. I don't think we'll attract much attention in the day. We'll just keep our heads down and, you know...see where we end up."

"Sounds like a plan," Ron said, a slight bit of nervousness creeping into his tone now. "And at night?"

"We find somewhere," Harry replied, some of the confidence coming back to him now. He'd been so unsure lately, of how to act, and who he was. But living on the streets?

This he could do.

A/N- Hello again. I know this chapter is only short, and I'm sorry for that, but I honestly don't want to rush things. This is just a transition chapter really. Everything is going to happen quite quickly now, and I didn't want it to be over after one chapter. I'm sorry if it seems as if I'm dragging it out a bit, but I can't see how else to do it.

Also, I've finally introduced Remus! I know a lot of you have been desperately awaiting his introduction, so I hope it doesn't disappoint. He'll become a bigger part of the story now, so don't fear Remus fans!

Thanks for all the support, and thanks for reading!