Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing. Its J.K. Rowling's Magical world. I'm just renting residence. Heh.
Chapter Summary: Harry is taken to his new home by his Guardians.
A/N: I've been going through finals these past two weeks, so please forgive the late update. Enjoy!
Chapter 8: Home Sweet Home
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The next day, Remus was the first to wake - he usually was -, just as the sun's gleam began to enter in through the windows. His back felt slightly stiff from having slept in a chair all night, but it was nothing he could not live with for a few minutes. He did not fail to notice that Harry's bed was empty, that being the first thing he looked at, but, of course, it did not take him long to locate the young boy. The sight he was met with brought a smile to Remus' lips. Harry, in a peaceful sleep, in his Godfather's arms, who, needn't be mentioned, was also asleep.
I take it those two had a little chat without me, Remus thought, sad, yet happy at the same time as he gingerly stood, not wanting to wake them just yet. Maneuvering around his chair, he quietly proceeded toward the back of the ward, where the door to Madam Pomfrey's office stood ajar. He knocked softly, alerting the older woman to his presence, before entering, finding Madam Pomfrey writing something down on a piece of parchment.
"Morning Poppy, sorry to bother you--" Remus began politely, but the school nurse cut him off, smiling as she stood.
"Of course you're not, Mr. Lupin. You're here to ask whether or not Mr. Potter may be taken home," she stated knowingly. Remus smiled guiltily.
"You've got me on that one," he conceded.
"Well, I won't keep you waiting. I've just written the instructions for his Nourishment Potions dosage, and make sure to follow them to the 'tee'. They should do their thing in a week's time, and he shouldn't need anymore if you feed him properly. As for the bruises, the salve should clear those up in one go," she said placing the note in a bag with seven vials of potions, and a small container of salve, then handed it to him.
"Thanks, Poppy," Remus replied gratefully as he received the bag.
"You're very welcome. Let's just hope Mr. Potter is completely healed soon…and I don't just mean physically," she sighed knowingly. Remus nodded, he sincerely hoped the same.
"Oh, yes, I almost forgot. The potion you're to give him before leaving," she recalled, retrieving it from a cabinet above her desk, and handed it to him.
"Thanks, again, Poppy," Remus said smiling.
"Oh, enough of that, Mr. Lupin, and run along. Don't want to waste the morning away now do you?" she asked, smiling warmly at him. He had been one of her favorite patients, not to mention one of the most that had spent time in the hospital wing during his days at school…almost as much as James and Sirius.
"Right," Remus smiled sheepishly back before turning to go.
"Oh, and, Remus..." she called as he reached the door. He curiously turned back to face her.
"Good Morning to you, too."
Remus nodded, smiled once more, and exited. When he came out into the ward he found not only Sirius awake - which was a rarity in and of itself this early in the morning - , but Harry as well. Harry, sitting on his bed, and Sirius, at the foot of it, talking.
"How can you weally know?" Harry asked.
"Because I've known him all my life, Prongslet, and he cares about you just as much as I do. I'd trust him with my life. He's just out doing something, that's all," Sirius reassured the boy just before noticing the nearing Remus.
"Moony! See, kiddo? What'd I tell you? No worries," Sirius said with a grin. Harry smiled embarrassedly at Remus before lowering his emerald eyed gaze to his hands that rested in his lap.
"Morning, Harry, Padfoot," Remus greeted, smiling.
"Got food in that bag, Moony?" Sirius inquired as he stood up, his stomach growling.
"Sorry, Siri. Just the Potions and the Salve Poppy said she'd give us," Remus replied apologetically, causing Sirius to sigh exasperatedly, which in turn caused Harry to look back up at the two.
"But I'm hungry," the black haired dog Animagus whined. Harry giggled at this display.
"Oh, you find that funny do you?" Sirius remarked with a playful glare. Harry nodded, still giggling.
"Anyway, ready to go to your new home, Harry?" Remus asked, turning to his young charge. Harry, actually looking happy for the first time since they rescued him, stopped giggling and nodded vigorously.
"Uh-huh!"
"Good, because I'm starving, and knowing Dumbledore, there'll be some food to make already there," Sirius said with a knowing glint in his eyes.
"Is food all you ever think about, Padfoot?" Remus asked, rolling his eyes.
"No…I think about…lots of other stuff," Sirius mumbled, shifting his gaze.
"Sure, if you say so. Here, Harry, drink this," Remus instructed uncorking the one potion and handing it to the boy - who drank it obediently before setting the vial down on the night stand.
"Great, now can we go?" Sirius pleaded, stomach growling again.
"Ok, fine, let's go," Remus sighed. Sirius grinned again, and picked Harry up, happily. The small boy tensed ever so slightly at the sudden action, but soon relaxed again…all something Sirius did not fail to notice. He despised the fact that Harry's only knowledge that had to do with 'touch', thanks to the Dursley's, was that of being 'punished'.
We have to change it, we have to help Harry understand that touch is not meant for hitting…it's not something scary…it's…oh, Harry… There are so many things you don't know…
The three left the hospital wing - for the last time, both men hoped - , and proceeded down the many flights of stairs to the entrance hall.
"Is it far?" Harry inquired curiously.
"It would be...if we were driving," Remus answered.
"We'we not dwiving?" Harry asked, confusion evident in his childish voice.
"Of course not! Why would we do something so…muggle-like?" Sirius responded with his bark-like laugh.
"Muggle?" Harry repeated, perplexed. He had never heard 'that' word before.
"Oh, yeah…you don't know. It means someone who's not a witch or wizard," He explained easily.
"Oh. So…how are we getting there?" Harry asked again.
"We're going to apparate."
"Oh…" Harry sighed, feeling more confused than when the conversation had initially begun.
"You'll see." Sirius reassured as they exited the castle and crossed the grounds toward the anti-apparition wards. Harry watched the huge castle as they walked, wondering vaguely if he would ever see it again before he turned eleven. Whenever that would be…
"Ready?" Remus questioned once they had past the wards. Harry nodded, expecting anything but what truly was to occur when one 'apparated'. It happened in a second of whirls of color and light, of being pressed in on from all sides, of breath hitching in his chest and being unable to reclaim it, and to Harry it was anything but fun, causing him to hold on to Sirius as if his very life depended on not letting him go. By the time they reached the secluded house in the woods, on the outskirts of the small town, and the effects of apparating were officially gone, Sirius found himself in a strangling vice-grip, his Godson sobbing into his shoulder.
"Harry! Oh, I'm sorry, kiddo. I should have told you what to expect," Sirius soothed as he rubbed young boy's back in a circular motion. After a few minutes, Harry began to calm, sniffling here and there. And to Sirius's delight, the raven-haired child gradually released him of the vice-grip that had been threatening to choke him to death.
"You ok?" Sirius inquired gently. Harry nodded slowly.
"Yea…I'm okay..." he said, sniffling still. Remus and Sirius smiled reassuringly at him.
"Want some good news?" Remus asked grinning.
"What?"
"We're here."
And the first true smile graced Harry's innocent face as he looked upon, for the first time, the place he would now call home.
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A/N: Another chapter done. How do you guys think its coming? Please review and tell me what you think. Thankies!