Disclaimer: You want to know what I OWN?! I'll tell you what I OWN…nothing, nada, not a friggin' thing! How unfair is that to my wallet?!
Chapter Summary: Harry is finally reunited with the last people he would have ever wanted to be reunited with...
A/N: Okay, so maybe the last chapter was not much better in the 'less-sad' department as the one before it… I'm afraid I can't exactly promise much more from this chapter, either, in terms of happy contentedness… But I'm sure you were not expecting such so soon, anyway. –Sighs.- On another, perhaps more smile-inducing, note…we're a chapter away from forty! That's a lot of chapters! xD Well maybe not as long as some of the hundred chapter stories out there, but…all things considered, I'm mighty happy to be reaching that forty point. –Nods.- I would throw a 'pre-chapter-forty' party, and then an actual chapter forty party in that chapter's Author's Notes…but I feel too bad for it thanks to poor Harry… It'd be terrible to throw a party under the circumstances… ANYWAY, enough with my silly ramblings that no one really bothers to read… Onto this chapter! x3
Chapter 39: A Much Dreaded Reunion
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"It sucks, doesn't it?" Xantos inquired conversationally.
"…It's more than that…" Harry replied softly, sadness filling him despite the bright day that graced the clearing in the forest that his second-cousin always brought him to in his dreams when they chatted.
"Awe, cheer up, kid!" the older Potter grinned, and Harry had to wonder how he could grin at a time like this… "Ten Galleons say, down the road, you'll be a whole lot happier this happened."
"How??" Harry asked, incredulous, shaking his head.
"You'll see…" Xantos chuckled, and the eight year old eyed him oddly. "It'll work out in your favor, I bet heavily on it…though I've got to admit it might be hectic…maybe even a little unpleasant…"
"Xan?"
"Yeah?"
"…You're weird."
"You've no idea, little Jamie…you've no idea…" the hazel eyed male smirked.
"How do you know all of this stuff, anyway?"
"If I told you that, there'd be no fun surprises."
Harry pondered over this, green gaze falling to his lap, and sighed another sad sigh…Xantos was weird and he did not understand what going back to the Dursley's felt like at all…
"Just think about this, if nothing else…you won't be there long, and you'll never have to see them again after it's all said and done."
Harry blinked a few times before glancing back up at the dark golden-brown haired male curiously. "How do you know that for sure?"
And Xantos' smile faded to a more sober, thoughtful expression. The two fell into silence for a few beats, Harry glancing up at Xantos, and the older male studying the eight year old before lifting a hand to ruffle the younger Potter's mess of hair in an almost tender manner.
"Trust me," he answered.
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Remus had been the first of the three to wake; which was pretty normal, considering their usual. Ugh…his neck was stiff… Blinking a few times, and bringing his free arm up, he rubbed the bleariness from his eyes before glancing around the sitting room of the small house he shared with Sirius and Harry. …What in the world was he doing down here?
It only took the werewolf a moment, glancing down at the Potter that was half on him, half on Sirius, and at the Black next to him, before the events of the night before flooded into his remembrance…thoughts that swiftly caused a sense of loss and depression to tie knots in his stomach.
Harry… he thought to himself forlornly.
It was with the utmost care and gentleness that the lycanthrope, brought the eight year old over to him completely, moving to gingerly stand with the child in his arms before lying the slumbering boy on the couch. Harry was normally not a very deep sleeper, waking with the most simplest of physical contact – a sign of his abused past that had never really left - , but for some reason the move did not cause him to stir in the least, and Remus could not help but just…watch him affectionately for a few moments.
It was different, sure, his not waking up at being picked up, but who would not need to sleep soundly after a night like last night? And besides…it was nice just getting to look at him for a few minutes; memorize how innocent and angelic-like the child's appearance was, admire how much the eight year old had grown over the past few years under his and Sirius' care and tutelage, take note of how his messy raven hair complimented his lightly tanned complexion, actually notice how his eye lashes gently brushed against the top of his soft cheeks, and…and… So much he had already seen over the years, but had never really taken the extra time to appreciate, to soak up, to…to…
Merlin… Remus thought, finding his eyes shimmering with tears that were threatening to fall, his throat locking on him, and he had to turn around in order to properly choke back a sob. …I'm losing him today…
"Remus…" gently murmured the wavering voice of Sirius from behind him – who had apparently woken up and stood at some point while the Lupin had been heartbreakingly captivated by his young charge – placing an understanding hand on his best friend's shoulder. He knew exactly how his friend felt…knew it too well…
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"I do…" Harry said after a good few minutes had passed between them.
"…M'glad. You know…not many people do anymore…" Xantos sighed, a distant look passing through his hazel eyes.
"Your boss?" the younger Potter inquired curiously. "Or do you mean Draco?"
Xantos chuckled at this, shaking his head. "The boss? Naw, he trusts me well enough…I guess; not that you can ever truly tell with him. And Draco…well, that annoying little bugger's grown on me, to say the least…he trusts me, too."
Harry grinned at this, not feeling much like grinning, but finding his cousin's comments amusing…something to which Xantos smiled. "That's because you're wicked."
"Now I wouldn't go that far…" the twenty-eight year old smirked.
The clouds in the sky drifted along, soon covering the sun a bit, the light breeze in the clearing dying down as a coldness settled in.
"Ah…speaking of the Malfoy, I believe he's woken up…I should probably get going before he tries to probe any harder," the older Potter rolled his eyes, before pushing himself up to his feet. "He's gotten terribly good at it…" he added with a faint frown.
"…I wish you didn't have to go," Harry frowned, pushing himself up also, dusting off his pants, the truth of what awaited his waking state settling over him once more like a never passing rain cloud.
"No worries…you'll be seeing me again sooner than you think, little Jamie," came Xantos' reply accompanied by a silky smile.
Harry blinked confusedly a few times, but Xantos gave no explanation. The dark golden-brown haired wizard merely offered the younger a wave, and turned, walking out of the clearing.
Sad emerald green eyes watched him go, before sighing dejectedly, and glancing back up at the sky…waiting for it to start to fade…and fade soon enough, it did.
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Harry slowly awoke to two familiar voices coming from the kitchen. This was comforting, even though their emotions only made him feel more gloom than he had by himself, considering his heart had momentarily threatened to start pounding at the mere thought that he was alone the house…in the sitting room.
You're being jumpy now… he thought to himself bleakly, bringing his hands up to his face to remove his glasses for a moment to better rub at his eyes before replacing them. He had forgotten to take them off before falling asleep…not that that had been his top priority to remember.
Green eyes surveyed his surroundings, taking note that he was now surprisingly on the couch. He felt like getting up and announcing his presence to his Guardians…but he also did not. …He wanted to just…lay here, too. Mostly because he felt like that might prevent what was bound to be the inevitable from happening any quicker than it had to.
I'm going back… he thought sadly. I'm going back to Aunt Petunia and…and…U-Uncle Vernon…
He did not want to think about it, tried his best to not think about it, yet here he was…thinking about it. He had not had to worry about the prospect of 'being taken back to the Dursley's' ever since he was five…ever since he had finally decided that Padfoot and Moony were not like them at all, and actually wanted him as their child to love and care for… Ever since he had come to accept that his being here was not temporary…but permanent.
In truth, he supposed that thought, and fact, had not changed. What had changed were the circumstances. It was not Padfoot and Moony that wanted to get rid of him, but rather that he was being all but pried from their cold fingers.
Why did this have to happen? Why do they want me back? They hated me…they still hate me… And it was at this thought that it really came together for him. They want me back 'because' they hate me…
His aunt and uncle did not want to see him happy…they wanted him back because he was a…a 'freak' to them, who did not deserve any happiness or love or…
It's not fair… Harry thought to himself bitterly, angry tears springing to his eyes, but he determinedly blinked them away as he glared at the ceiling. It's not fair! I never…I never did anything to them… I never did anything to make them hate me… It was fine…we weren't even together anymore! I've been with Padfoot and Uncle Moony for…for a long time! Why now? Why do they want me back now??
It definitely did not make sense, and it was indisputably unfair, but it was how things were for the moment. This knowledge both upset the Potter heir as much as it did scare him.
It hurt…it hurt that his own flesh and blood hated him so much. Aunt Petunia was, after all, his mother's own sister. It hurt that she did not at least feel enough for him to let him live a happy life away from her…away from her husband. It hurt that in hurting him, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were also hurting Padfoot and Moony.
Emotionally…deeply…perhaps where things resounded and stung most genuinely.
Their family, the one they had all put forth effort to build up together, was being torn asunder as easily as a sheet of parchment…and it hurt. It was painful…painful in a way the young Potter could scarcely describe. It was an emotion made up of so many others that it honestly had no real name other than devastation itself.
I wish they were dead… Harry thought to himself darkly, feeling a gust in the room induced by his barely controlled emotions rattle the teacups along the tea table between the couch and the recliner.
A second after this thought, however…he regretted it, guilt nipping at his insides to add to the rest of his feelings, before swiftly reigning in on the wind, closing his eyes tightly as he felt it die down and stop. He did not wish death on anyone…even people like his aunt and uncle. No one, no matter what, deserved to go through what his own parents had gone through…no one. At least he did not think so.
"Harry?"
The messy raven-haired boy all but sprung into a sitting position, emerald gaze shifting immediately to the kitchen entryway to spot Sirius and Remus – the latter of which had done a considerable job on composing himself once more - re-entering the sitting room, equal looks of concern on their faces.
Had they noticed the wind, or heard the teacups? Most likely both…
"Er…m'sorry…" the eight year old said softly, glancing guiltily at the teacups that had very much nearly fallen off the small table. The two men could just smile faintly.
"…You hungry, kiddo?" Sirius asked, deciding that telling Harry he 'had no reason to be apologizing' was more than self-evident…he had said it a trillion and one times over the years.
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Despite not feeling all that hungry, Harry ate breakfast until he was completely full. Mostly because he too easily recalled the days when food had been something hard to come by…to earn… The days when food was something he could only hope for every other day…if he was lucky.
It made him feel better that Padfoot and Uncle Moony were not silent during it all, but rather, Padfoot ate as ravenous as he usually did, and Uncle Moony made dry remarks about it. Sure, it did not make Harry chuckle or giggle like it might have on a normal day – perhaps it was because his Guardians attempts were somewhat strained – but it definitely got Harry to smile softly...appreciatively. …He loved the two of them so, so much…
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"No magic?"
He had suspected the likely chance of this rule at the back of his mind, but to be informed up front was definitely an extra bit of salt to the re-opened wound.
"No, cub, because…well, they're Muggles…" Remus explained reluctantly, the three males now up in Harry's bedroom, packing some clothes for the Potter.
Sirius snorted at this, cutting off any chance Remus might have taken to add that Muggles were 'helpless'. Because just because they were helpless against magic, did not make them helpless in general.
"…Right," Harry sighed, moving over to Hedwig's cage to look at the young owl who was eyeing them all suspiciously thanks to the packing. "Erm…I'm going away for a little bit, Hedwig. It won't be too long, I'm sure I'll be back soon… You don't have to worry, or be scared," he informed the owl – perhaps more for himself than for Hedwig - , glancing uncertainly back at his Guardians – who had stopped what they were doing to look at him sadly – whom nodded, before looking back at the snowy creature. "Moony'll make sure to feed you, I promise."
Lifting the cage hatch, the boy stuck his hand in and petted the owl feather's gently…lovingly, earning himself an affectionate nip, before he withdrew his hand, turning jadedly back to Sirius and Remus - the lycanthrope zipping up the small backpack on the desk.
"If for some reason, though, Harry…you think you have to use your powers, like Death Eaters or other Wizards or Witches we don't know show up…you do it, alright?" Sirius said, surprisingly serious, bringing the topic back to the original one.
The Potter's brow furrowed slightly in faint puzzlement, but he nodded after a moment. "Okay…but…you'll be there, right?" This last bit was asked quickly, the controlled fear within the boy jumping to the forefront for a split second.
"Of course! But…I'll have to stay as a dog, just like you can't use magic, unless something like that happens…when we wouldn't have a choice." The look in the blueish-grey eyed man's eyes said he sincerely wished that could be different…that he could turn back into a human and hex Dursley into infinity the millisecond he even 'looked' at Harry the wrong way…but it could not be so. There were regrettably laws and regulations when it came to magic in front of Muggles.
Had Sirius personally known more Muggles like the Dursley's when he had been growing up…perhaps he would have taken up his parents' view of things after all…
Remus glanced unwillingly at the clock on Harry's nightstand, before releasing a breath and saying, "It's about time we start heading out…the last thing we need is for them to call the Muggle Authorities on us for taking longer than we were given…"
A flicker of something passed through the Potter's green eyes before he swallowed thickly and nodded…it was heart-wrenching to honestly see how completely the eight year old had resigned himself. He really was mature for being so young…too mature, and they had the Dursley's to blame for that…it was somehow horrible in it's own way. Harry deserved to be allowed to cry, to be allowed to express how desperately anguished he felt internally …
Regardless of all of that, however…time was up, and it was time to go…
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"What do you mean you're going to be busy for a few days again?" Draco demanded sourly. "How will I learn anything new if you're gone all the time? Does Mother kn--" the blonde cut his sentence short just as his mother did - in fact - enter, deciding to just resort to a defiant posture and gaze.
Xantos brought a hand up to his right temple to rub at it…he swore he had gotten more headaches than ever in his life ever since moving into Malfoy Manor thanks to the kid in front of him. How spoiled could one child possibly be? Granted he, himself, had likely not helped in that department…what with getting the blonde so used to seeing him daily. Perhaps he should take the eight year old boy's indignance as a compliment. …Hmph.
The two males both sat in high backed armchairs in one of the large manor's numerous drawing rooms. Polished dark wooden panes lined the walls and portraits of platinum blonde haired men and women glanced down their noses at them from their high vantage points. A fire burnt in an ornate fireplace at the far end of the room, the flickering glow of the flames illuminating just enough of the room for the occupants needs.
"I do, indeed, know of Xantos' temporary leaves of absence, Draco," came the aristocratically prim, and proper voice of Narcissa Malfoy. The light blonde haired woman, who was truly beautiful in her own right, moved to stand confidently next to her son's high backed armchair, fixing the young boy with her azure gaze.
"Then you must know that it's an absolutely terrible idea!" Draco pouted.
"Dear…Xantos' life far from centers around you, you know…he is a distinguished man with his own business to attend to from occasion to occasion. He devotes a lot of his time to your studies, so he deserves some time of his own to use as he so wishes," Narcissa informed her son smoothly, however sympathetically. "Besides…it's only for a short time. He'll be back to helping you with arithmetic and the like in no time, I am sure."
Draco's mouth dropped a fraction – arithmetic? who had ever said he was complaining because he would not be learning basic primary school rubbish? – before he swiftly closed it, glancing back at Xantos who was giving him a smug smirk.
"Fine," the eight year old sneered. Of course his mother was unaware that what Draco wanted to learn…were new things about himself and his powers…because as far she knew, he had nothing extra than what she herself had had when a child. Random moments of accidental magic, and that was that.
"Lovely to have this cleared up…wouldn't want you staying mad at me," Xantos grinned, pushing himself to stand. "It'd 'bout break my heart."
Draco glared at this, and Narcissa shifted her gaze lazily over to the Potter. Hazel eyes met her azure confidently before the corners of his lips twitched upwards in a ghost of a smile.
The man was certainly…different, and odd at times, but she had to admit he had an air about him that demanded a sense of respect. She might have dislike him a good deal back in Hogwarts – when he had truly been his namesake…a blood traitorous 'Potter' – but he had definitely changed a great deal when she had seen him again years down the road following his transfer out of Hogwarts…he certainly could not have been labeled a 'Potter' after that.
Or rather, perhaps he still was, but instead, he was the kind of Potter that specific pureblooded family needed… The kind that could bring their family name out of the 'Blood Traitors' gutter, and into the Pureblood Supremacist circles once more, where it's blood belonged.
"Will you be leaving now?" the woman inquired dignifiedly. She did not know what his business away from the manor was, for he had not elaborated very much on it, but she knew he had said his presence in the manor would be rather intermittent for the next couple of days.
"Soon."
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Privet Drive was located in Little Whinging, Surrey, a good bit south-southwest of London…and it had honestly not changed at all from the last time Harry, Sirius, and Remus had been here. It was still a perfectly ordinary street filled with perfectly ordinary houses, where perfectly ordinary Muggles choose to settle down and live their preferably perfectly ordinary lives.
Considering many other streets with similar square shaped houses surrounded Privet Drive, such as Magnolia Crescent, Wisteria Walk, and Magnolia Road, it was somewhat surprising how quiet and still the area was. No sounds of children having fun, no sounds of neighbors chatting on their green clean-cut lawns, no…nothing; just neatly parked cars in spotless driveways, window shades drawn against the afternoon light, and a delicate breeze that lightly ruffled the hairs of the three – the youngest with a small backpack on his back - making their way down the street. The afternoon silence was almost eerie…foreboding, really.
Five years ago had not been the last time we would see this place after all… Sirius thought to himself grimly, all four padded feet moving with long-time-practiced effortlessness with each step he took, the large jet-black furred canine glancing from side to side to as he walked next to his Godson.
For all Harry's efforts to control his mounting dread and fear, he found himself doing a worse and worse job as the three of them continued down Privet Drive's sidewalk toward Number Four. Padfoot – or 'Snuffles', as Remus had instructed him to call the dog soon after Sirius had transformed…something to which the canine Animagus had rather grudgingly conceded to – walked along side him, reaching about the height of the young Potter's chest with how large he was, fur brushing up against him, which while gave him a sense of comfort did not ease him completely, either. Neither did holding onto Moony's hand tightly as they walked…neither did petting along Snuffles' back over and over again…
Actually, he had come to decide that the speeding up of his heart, and his somewhat shaky breaths, as the ominous house came into view, were all things he was not going to be able to prevent or control…no matter how close Padfoot and Moony were to him. They were natural responses his body was enforcing on it's own, an no amount of potential comfort could possibly change the single solitary fact that he was on Privet Drive…that he was moments from seeing the family that had haunted his thoughts and nights for years.
If it were not for the fact of just, well…knowing better, the three would have thought Number Four Privet Drive was too quite to have anybody be home.
It was while the three were stepping along the walkway leading up to the house Harry had inhabited – or had rather been enslaved to – from almost the beginning of his life till he was nearly four, that the young Potter stopped suddenly and yanked slightly on Remus' hand. The Lupin was quick to stop and look down to his right at the boy whose eyes were so full of supplication and trepidation that he almost decided to call this whole thing off and go for Sirius' initial idea of running away with the boy.
…But that was reckless…and he sadly knew it.
"Yes, cub?"
Harry seemed to struggle with his words, before he swallowed thickly, and murmured, "We really…I really…this is real…"
Amber eyes softened considerably, and 'Snuffles' moved to nuzzle the boy's cheek gently. Emerald green eyes flickered to the dog that had his Godfather's same bluish-grey eyes and honestly wished it had been him with the power of telepathy and not Draco…at least then he could communicate with him. "I don't want to stay here…" he said, barely above a whisper, pleading gaze soon returning to his Uncle Moony, who's heart had broken for the hundredth time – it felt like – upon hearing the boy all but wish desperately that this was some horrible dream.
"…Oh, Harry," Remus released a soft breath as he turned to the child more, hunkering down some in order to better pull him into a tight hug that Harry reflexively, almost convulsively, returned…as if having yearned for it, but having been uncertain on how to voice it. This of course shook the Lupin deeply because they had gotten passed this…passed the stage of 'I need the comfort, but I don't dare ask'…they had passed it, and yet it had so swiftly resurfaced since last night…they had regressed so quickly to that time of the past.
And it was all thanks to these horrendous Muggles! There was no way he was going to let this carry on for long; Remus was going straight to Dumbledore following this little reunion, and they were going to start whatever process was necessary today, to get things in motion to get Harry back legally.
The eight year old buried his face into the crook of the lycanthrope's neck, his whole body beginning to tremble, but with no tears falling…none of those. This only broke Remus' heart more, restrained tears stinging his eyes. "This is the last time, cub…the last time you'll ever have to be here… I swear it on my life to you," Remus whispered earnestly into the boy's ear. "…Okay? …Do you believe me?"
For a long moment Harry did not respond, he merely held onto the werewolf tightly, desperately…and Remus let him. After what could have been forever, or only a few minutes, the messy raven-haired Potter could be felt nodding slowly into his Guardian's neck. "…Y-yes," came the shaky reply.
"…I love you, Harry…" Remus had to swallow somewhat thickly himself, now.
"I-I love you, too, Moony!" And this was said in a chocked sob as the Lupin finally felt the child's tears that had most certainly needed to come – built up from all morning – wet his shoulder, and he held the boy tighter, protectively.
Sirius, in his Animagus form, made a sound akin to a soft whine, and moist amber eyes shifted to him, staring up at the pair.
It was here that the sound of the front door being yanked open could be heard, and a soft growl escaped Padfoot, eyes snapping to the door to be greeted by the sight of one Mister Vernon Dursley.
"About bloody 'effing time! I had been about—"
"Shove it, Dursley, for the first time in your bloody life," Remus interrupted coldly just as Harry's hold on him had doubled, his sobs coming to a fearfully controlled stop.
Surprisingly, beady eyes narrowing – making sure no…no wand was being drawn - , Vernon did in fact close his mouth.
With the utmost tenderness Remus detached himself from an extremely reluctant Harry, pausing momentarily to gaze into his Charge's red eyes and tearstained cheeks, bringing his hands up to wipe the tears away gently. "Not long," he mouthed, shaking his head almost unnoticeably, and Harry nodded just as faintly…so trustingly.
And with that Remus stood back up properly, stretching to his full height, which while maybe not taller than Sirius human form, definitely allowed him a few good inches over Mr. Dursley, taking Harry's hand, and turning to face the man, eyes fixing on him darkly.
"You should be grateful we're not the kind of wizard's that kill Muggles, Dursley, because if we were…" he let this trail off for a moment, enjoying the retracting pupils of the whale-man, as the three approached the front door a few more steps. "…Our being a little late would be the least of the things to upset you."
"W-w-well, I never!" Mr. Dursley, spluttered, aiming for affronted-ness, but coming off as just frightened. "Y-you're giving us the boy back, are you not?"
"…For the time being," Remus replied with reservation…no need to tell the man they were taking this to Muggle court immediately.
"T-then hand him over already, and be done," Mr. Dursley ordered with only a fraction of the authority he might have used were he not so uncomfortable in the presence of the werewolf, his eyes flickering down to the eight year old who winced and lowered his green gaze to the ground swiftly. A faint look of satisfaction passed the man's face, and Padfoot growled softly, earning the attention to be drawn to him.
"And what's with this mongrel?" he demanded.
"This…is Snuffles," Remus answered casually. "He belongs to Harry, so he's certainly going to have to go along with him."
"W-WHAT?! We can't have a…a monster of a dog in this house!"
The Lupin felt Harry's grip on his hand double, and noticed the canine bare it's teeth somewhat out of the corner of his eyes, and then offered the Dursley a disarmingly fake smile. "Well, if you insist on not keeping him, as well…" he sighed resignedly, using his free hand to go for the wand in his back pocket.
"N-No! W-What are you d-doing??"
"Oh, I just thought that I would—"
"P-Put that vile t-thing away!" Dursley hissed, eyes darting around frantically for any sign of the neighbors…there were none out and about. "Petunia will have a heart attack!"
"But you're refusing to keep Harry's d—" Remus began reasonably, only to be interrupted.
"F-fine! Fine! The freak dog can stay! Just put that away!"
The taller male eyed the fat one contemplatively, whose eyes were fixed on the wand in his hand now, before finally re-pocketing the object. "Good; glad we didn't have to resort to anything…extreme."
Vernon glared as best as he could, considering his wariness, before swiftly reaching a hand forward and grabbing roughly onto Harry's free arm, yanking him out of Remus' hold.
The young Potter tensed something terrible, green eyes snapping shut with the faintest of gasps, and Remus' amber eyes flashed dangerously just as Padfoot barked twice in fierce protest.
"Shush, you!" Vernon ordered the growling dog, before turning his gaze back to a nearly fuming Remus. "And now we shall take our leave of yo—"
His sentence was cut off in a shaky gulp as the Lupin took a threatening step towards the man. "I'll be back sooner than you think, Dursley, and if I hear one word from Harry casting your care of him in a negative light when I do…or if I find the smallest of marks anywhere on him…you'll regret far more than ever having sent that damn letter."
Mr. Dursley opened and closed his mouth stupidly, not knowing any right way to respond to that…or even how to process it, really.
But he did not have to, because Remus was done speaking to him. Instead, the Lupin hunkered back down to Harry's level, placing a hand on the Potter's tensed shoulder. "Harry…" And he was grateful when the child did actually open his eyes…even though he could see the depth of his Charge's fear and dread resonating within. "I'll be back soon, cub. Snuffles is with you…and I will be back for you."
Harry's lips trembled open somewhat, like he wanted to say something…but did not have the nerve to form the words, and so he merely nodded once.
Remus leaned forward and planted a loving, lingering kiss on the boy's forehead. And it was with the most force and willpower and…true Gryffindor courage of heart…that Remus made himself straighten back up, nod once to Padfoot, and turn…and walk away. …It had to have been the hardest thing…he had ever had to do in all his years of life.
Harry watched him go with a wrench in his heart, blinking away tears as the familiar sound of 'pop' echoed through the afternoon air. He did not get long, however, before he was shoved quickly into the house, his Uncle Vernon slamming the door speedily in Padfoot's face. The eight year old had barely enough time to gape at this, Padfoot undoubtedly doing the same on the other side of the door, before his uncle rounded on him, red in the face.
"BOY!!" he shouted, infuriated.
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A/N: Another Cliffie…I'm really getting back into the cycle of things, aren't I? x3 Gotta either love it, or hate it, depending… -Sad smile.- This one, personally, made me want to throw my laptop…but I controlled myself. Angst! It kills me inside! At least we all know I update weekly, right? –Nods.- Which means you won't have to wait terribly long…just a mere seven days (unless you – or I - die in some untimely manner, perhaps by that girl Samara from the Ring). We can all hope that does not happen, though! xD Anywho, tell me your thoughts on this chapter; you know I always love hearing and answering to them. –Smiles softly.-
Oh, by the way, I also just wanted say that…I really love you guys! –Knows she is a sap.- Thanks to all of you liking this story so much, Prongslet is on 160 c2s, 651 favorites lists, 720 alerts lists, and has had over 361,968 hits. M'not sure whether you think all of that is a lot, but to me it is, and it really means a lot to me, so thank you all SO much! –Hugs and love for everyone.- It really boosts moral on my end, I assure you, not to mention all of your supportive reviews, so…yeah…I love you guys. xD
Well, enough with that…too much needless information…
Onto this chapter's 'Curiosity Filler'!
"Out of ALL the 'in the hundreds' something chapters that make up our much adored books of Harry Potter, which chapter/specific scene was your all-time favorite one?"
And, of course, as I'm sure you know by now, I shall reply with my answer once you tell me yours! :-)
Until next time, dear Readers,
-Chloe
-Japanime1