"Now, I don't mind you wanting to look in other shops, but please make sure I can always see you." Remus instructed.

They had just arrived in Diagon Alley after apperating from the designated point at Hogsmeade. Remus instantly noticed how busy the alley was, with the school term beginning again in a matter of days, he couldn't say he was exactly surprised. He also realised how easy it could be to lose sight of the boy, especially when, from behind, so many looked like him.

"I think we shall get your books first and some clothes, then we can go to the Quidditch shop and perhaps grab a bite to eat."

Harry followed as the man began walking through the crowds and to Flourish and Blotts where he would be able to get his books for next year. Remus took out letter that all parents of Hogwarts students are sent and asked the assistant to collect what Harry needed.

Harry couldn't help but notice the assistant's peculiar expression when Remus asked for a care of magical creatures' book. It wasn't until the book arrived that Harry realised why…

The book had eyes, fur and very sharp teeth and refused to let Harry open it, regardless of how gentle he was. He realised that he was unlikely to figure out how to open it anytime soon and so left it in the bag with the other books they have bought.

The pair then moved on to find Harry some new robes and a few muggle clothes at Madam Malkin's shop, a very eccentric woman who seemed to ask Harry every question she could think of. Harry pulled a face when the woman asked to measure him much to Lupin's amusement.

Finally, when they had bought all the items they needed, Harry practically ran to the Quidditch store and instantly noticed a broom in the front window. Admiring all its qualities Harry read the title and saw that it was called a Firebolt. Harry knew that he had a perfectly good broom that had never lost a match on, but he couldn't help but want the next best thing. He smiled at Lupin as the man was a little later walking up to the window.

Lupin could see the excitement in the child's eyes and certainly wanted to buy the boy the broom but, he knew that currently, his financial status was not exactly great. Furthermore, considering the broom had a 'price on request' notice, Lupin could only assume that the broom was rather expensive.

"Can I go inside?" Harry asked. The teen knew that there was no way the man was going to be able to buy the broom today, but Harry still thought that he could perhaps buy a book on it and admire it from afar.

"I'll be right behind you," Lupin replied as he gestured for Harry to walk in.

Harry battled a small crowd to enter the store and quickly found a book on the broom. Flicking through briefly, Harry saw that the book contained anything and everything that you could ever want to know about the Firebolt.

Lupin could see how much the teen wanted the book and so offered to pay for it. The man told Harry to think of it as a late birthday present when he noticed the teen was about to protest and offer to pay himself.

After apperating home, much to Harry's discomfort as he felt as though his insides were being shifted around, Remus informed Harry that he would be working on essay plans for a while and asked Harry to finish his summer work so that he could get it all done and out of the way.

Harry felt disappointment rise within him as he watched his guardian enter his office where the locked drawer was. He couldn't seem to justify in his head why he wanted to get into the drawer so much. For Harry, it was just something else he could be curious about. He walked past the office door which had been left open slightly and into his room where he took out his history of magic essay and began working on it once again.


"Am I allowed to stay in the tower this year when school starts again?"

"That would be fine. Providing you aren't on some kind of restriction; I can't see why not." Remus replied as he went to pick up the lunch plates but made a visible wince as he did so.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked as he saw the man struggle.

"My muscles are quite sore today, that's all."

"Let me do it. Go rest on the couch or something." Harry instructed as he picked up the plates and set them down by the sink. "I'm going to get you a pain reliever"

"That is not necessary Harry, I will be fine it's just because of the full moon tonight."

"Well, you might need one anyway. Where do you keep them?"

"I am actually out of the pain reliever potions. If you insist on getting one for me, you will have to go down to visit Professor Snape." Remus replied sitting down in his favourite spot on the sofa, a small smile tugged his lips as he saw the teen pull a face.

"Well, are you sure you need one. I mean, I don't want to interrupt Snape if I don't need to."

"Professor Snape is actually meant to be coming round later today to deliver my Wolfsbane potion so you will be saving him a job if you go round there. You may as well collect them both for me."

"Really…" Harry replied in an exasperated tone. But when his guardian raised his eyebrows at him, Harry quickly turned on his heel and slipped some shoes on. "Okay, okay, I'm going."

"There and straight back please." Remus called after the boy as he ran over to get his shoes from his room.

"I will, see you later," Harry called back as the door closed loudly behind him.


Harry took a deep breath as he knocked lightly on the door and waited until he heard a muffled response before slowly opening the door.

Being down in the dungeons made Harry's skin shiver, it was always so cold and dreary; no wonder the Slytherins always seemed miserable Harry thought to himself.

The teen walked into the Potions professor's office, and, to his surprise, the man was not sat at the desk like Harry had expected.

"Professor Snape?" Harry called out as he began to wonder whether he had perhaps imagined hearing the man at all. He fell silent for a few seconds as he listened out for any indication that the man was there.

"Profess-," the teen cut himself short as he heard a door swing open and the distinct sound of footsteps.

It didn't matter how many times he had been around the man; he still felt his heart rate quicken and his palms sweat with anxiousness.

"Potter," Snape replied, as he emerged from his laboratory and firmly closed the door.

"Remus asked if he could take a few pain-relieving potions for his own store and he also asked if I could get his Wolfsbane potion to save you bringing it around later."

"Am I a charity now?" Harry heard Snape mutter as turned around, entering his lab once more.

Snape emerged with five vials of potions along with the Wolfsbane and handed them to the teen who slipped them into his satchel. Snape then raised his eyebrows, "well?"

"Well what… Professor?" Harry hastily added on the end.

"Was there anything else or are you still standing in my office simply to annoy me?" Snape almost snapped at Harry.

"Oh – no, no Sir." Harry replied, quickly turning around and opening the door.

"Tell the Wolf, I am regretfully available tonight if he requires childcare assistance." Snape called out as he too, turned to have his back to the teen, walking over to his bookshelf.

This caught Harry off guard.

Remus hadn't actually mentioned who would be watching him tonight yet. Usually, Remus's parents helped out or McGonagall, sometimes even Dumbledore, on what they referred to as 'Wolf Watch' after Harry had protested that being 'baby-sat' sounded too childish.

Snape had come round twice that Harry could remember, and both times had been positively miserable.

"I think Remus has it sorted Sir." Harry replied, dripping with attitude at the name Snape used.

Harry was also silently fuming that Remus hadn't spoken to him before now about there being a problem with who was watching him tonight.

He shut the door at that and practically ran the rest of the way, down the corridor and up the staircases, bringing him almost back to their quarters. He climbed the final set of stairs and walked the short walk down the corridor, pushing the door open he saw his guardian sitting in his armchair just as Harry had left him half an hour earlier, but now Lupin was reading a book that Harry noticed was on defence.

"That was quick. No trouble with Professor Snape I hope?"

Remus noticed the frown on Harry's face. It looked like his "I'm about to yell", kind of frown and, with the way Remus was feeling on this full moon, he could do without it.

"Why didn't you tell me Nan and Grandad can't watch me tonight?"

Remus closed his book, placing it on the coffee table in front of him.

The wolfbane potion was heavily in the teens grip. So heavy that Remus worried the glass might break.

"I did not want to tell you anything of my plans until they were finalised. As it stands, I am still not sure who is available for the watch tonight."

"Well Snape said he's 'regretfully available' but there's no way he's coming round." Harry placed the wolfsbane and pain potion on the table before crossing his arms in from of him.

Remus didn't want to tell Harry yet, but Snape was pretty much his only choice at this point so hearing that he could watch Harry was a relief. At least, it was for one of them.

"First of all, it is one night Harry, there is no need to look like the world has ended." Lupin commented after he suppressed a chuckle at the teens face. "Secondly, your Grandparents aren't available as Grandad is ill. I was, of course, going to tell you but I was going to inform you when plans were solidified which they are now."

"No way." Harry answered stubbornly. "No bloody way. I won't let him."

The teen flopped, rather dramatically, on the sofa, arms still folded.

Remus was almost finding humour in the boys behaviour. It was one evening and he hardly had to spend any time in Snape's company.

"Language" Remus chided as Harry shifted uncomfortably at his guardians tone. "Unfortunately, Harry, it will have to be Professor Snape this time. When term starts again you can stay in the common room during the full moons. But until all the teaching staff and student are back, then this is how it will have to be."

"But he's miserable." Harry whined, "and he hates me. He's an overgrown bat."

"None of that please; while I may not be the best of friends with your Professor, I still expect you to treat him with the same respect as your other professors. I'd also appreciate if you could lose that whine, you are much too old to be talking in such a way."

"But not old enough to stay here on my own during the full moon, huh?"

Remus took a deep breath at the attitude radiating off his teen.

"You will lose this attitude you've adopted, or I do not see it playing out well for you." Remus raised an eyebrow. "Now Snape will be coming over for wolf watch and unfortunately that is final. You will behave for him, as you would any of your other professors."

"I will if he does" Harry replied stiffly.

At last, some form of acceptance.

"Has your timetable come yet, I want to know when I have defence with you?"

"What?" Lupin replied exasperatedly.

"Your timetable, have you got it yet?"

"One second you are angry about Professor Snape coming over and the next you are asking about my timetable." Remus leant back in his seat, rubbing his temple.

"Well, I thought you were going a bit mental about that" Harry replied casually, sitting up straighter.

Remus sighed. "I am hoping it will come in the next day or so, then I can get everything sorted for the new term."

"Hmm, good."

"I hope, for your third year, you'll enjoy the classes you've picked and that they will benefit you later on." The man asked as he remembered that the teen with be having some extra classes this year.

They had spent a good amount of time at the beginning of the summer picking his classes. Harry wanted to pick muggle studies, but it had, much to his dismay, been a firm no.

"Hopefully." He thought for a moment, "did you take the same classes as my dad?"

"I certainly did." Remus replied as Harry's smile grew wide.

"Cool."

"I did not find divination the easiest of subjects but, I expect you to put your full attention into your studies when the term starts."

"I do already," Harry argued lightly,

"I am sure you do, however with a little bit of effort, I am positive your grades could improve significantly.

"I didn't think my grades were too bad."

"They aren't Harry, from looking at your report from last year, they are okay, average even. I would like them to be above average which I know you have the ability to do. Third year is when the hard work begins, I'm afraid." Remus winced as he shifted in his seat

Harry nodded.

"Oh, the pain relivers." He picked up a vial from the table and held it out. "Here, take one of these before you try and do something else."

Lupin could hear the concern in the teens voice. He often forgot how debilitating and painful his condition could look to an outsider who could only observe the man's pain. Lupin had grown very much accustomed to his pain levels and coped well with the before and aftereffects through potions and, since recently, Wolfsbane.

He knew from previous experience that his pain was unbearable without potions and so, the man couldn't be more thankful that he was currently positioned at Hogwarts and not in an isolated cabin in the Scottish Highlands like he spent so many years before.

Lupin accepted the boys offer and quickly swallowed the potion, without bothering to flavour it. He knew he could have easily but figured it would take much less time to swallow the vile contents whole.

"It will be time for some dinner in a little while so until then, could you find something to occupy your time, read your third-year textbooks perhaps? I have some lesson plans I need to finish and would appreciate some silence."

"Could I go and visit Hagrid?" Harry suggested hoping the man would agree despite the threat of Sirius Black looming over them.

"You may, providing that he is there; if he is not, I expect you to come straight back, I don't want to find you wandering the halls alone, especially with Black being spotted in Hogsmeade." Lupin replied, hoping he had made the correct decision.

He knew he couldn't keep the child cooped up inside forever and it had been a while since he had been allowed out. The grounds were being extensively protected by the dementors who were now in place for the new term and there was almost impossible for the prisoner to know that Harry had already arrived at Hogwarts.

"Okay." Harry replied excitedly.

"Remember your wand please and do not wander elsewhere. I want you back in not later than two hours." Lupin instructed, hoping the Harry understood the gravity of the risks.

"Okay," Harry responded as he ran to get his wand from upstairs. He eyed his coat and figured it would not hurt to grab that too; besides, he was positive Lupin would make him bring one anyway.

The teen said a quick goodbye before running out the door, almost slamming it closed leaving a rather amused Remus sitting at his desk, wondering where the thirteen-year-old got so much energy and attitude.


"Did you have a good time at Hagrid's?" Lupin asked the teen.

It was a few hours later and the pair were sitting down for an early dinner. Harry couldn't help but continuously glance up at his guardian who looked rather worse for wear. The man shook whenever he attempted to pick up a plate and was visibly wincing whenever he attempted to move suddenly.

"Yeah, he told me he is going to be the teacher for Care of Magical Creatures now, did you know?"

"Yes, I did actually, Professor Dumbledore told me the other day; it completely slipped my mind to tell you earlier."

"I think he's going to be really good. He loves his animals doesn't he."

"He certainly does, although he does keep some rather, exotic ones." Lupin replied as he thought back to his own time at Hogwarts. The half-giant had been on Hogwarts ground since his expulsion and so he had been at Hogwarts during Lupin's own years at the school. Remus had not been quite as close with the man as he knew Harry and his friends were, but he had still paid Hagrid a visit now and then. The half giant was notorious for having a new pet each time Lupin went round.

"Illegal ones more like." Harry laughed, "in my first year he managed to buy a baby dragon off someone from Hogsmeade and wanted to keep it in his hut until the baby got older."

"I hope you had nothing to do with it," Remus playfully scolded.

"Only a little bit." Harry admitted as he saw his guardian raise his eyebrows at him. "Well, Hagrid needed someone to get rid of the dragon and Ron's brother works with them in Romania, so Ron arranged for him to come and get it. I just carried him up there."

"I am very glad I am only hearing about this now. You've definitely inherited your father's knack for trouble." Remus sighed. "We got up to a lot of things but a dragon? Never."

He unsure whether to be proud of the child for getting away with it or disappointed that he would do something so foolish.

"I won't do it again, not now anyway." Harry attempted to reassure.

"See to it that you don't." Remus responded as he noted that Snape would be arriving in a couple minutes or so. "I trust that you will behave for Professor Snape?"

"Yes." Harry replied stiffly. "I still don't understand why it has to be him that looks after me. Can't Dobby or Nipa watch me."

"They could, but I would feel much more assured if you had a person keeping an eye on you. Besides, asking an elf would mean that they are not able to continue their work for that evening."

"Not fair." Harry replied feeling rather childish but wanting to get his point across that he didn't want to spend his evening with the bat of the dungeons, as Ron likes to call the man.

"So, you have said many times, but your whining and moping will not change the fact that Professor Snape is going to be watching you tonight. I understand you are not happy with the arrangement; however, you will not use that as an excuse to misbehave for the man, understood?"

"Yes, understood." Harry replied as he finished his meal and pushed his plate into the middle of the table.

As if on cue the floo roared to life, bang on seven o'clock, as the potions professor emerged from the fireplace.

"Severus." Remus acknowledged as he too finished his meal and stood from his seat.

"Lupin," Snape replied back.

Harry saw the tension as though it was visible and saw an opportunity to leave the situation. Gathering both plates up from the table, he walked over to the sink and began washing them up with the soapy water.

"Thank you for that Harry." Remus called as he watched the child politely clean up. "I will just take the Wolfsbane and then I will leave you two to it. Please, take a seat in the living room or my office will obviously be free for you to work in if you'd like." Lupin spoke as he noticed Snape had yet to move from his position in the living room, armed with what seemed like a few large textbooks and some notes.

Harry heard Lupins words before quickly realising that now might be his chance to find the key to the draw he had been so eager to open. He silently prayed that Snape agreed to stay in the living room, leaving the office empty and easier to explore.

"The living room is adequate." Snape replied as he placed his books on the coffee table before sitting down in the armchair, his guardians' usual seat, Harry noticed as he briefly turned to look at Snape.

The silence in the room was almost unnerving while Lupin walked down the hall to retrieve his potion. Harry was positive that his evening was going to, quite possibly, be the worst he'd had in a long time; even worse than the Dursleys.

"I best be going then," Harry heard his guardian speak as he wiped his, now wet, hands on a tea towel. Lupin then walked over and leaned into Harry, whispering so that Snape could not hear, "Please behave yourself, the last thing I want is to hear that you have not done so, especially after a full moon."

"Don't worry, I will do" Harry replied, sharing a fake smile with the man.

Lupin ruffled the boy's hair affectionately before turning his attention to Snape. "Thank you for agreeing to keep an eye on Harry for me Severus, it is, as always, very much appreciated. I trust that I will be made aware of any misbehaviour, but I am sure that there will not be any issues."

"Certainly." The potions professor replied abruptly as he turned the page on his book that he was reading.

"I will see you later then Harry, goodnight." The man called as Harry replied to say goodnight also, and with that, the man closed the door and headed to the shack for another month of transformation.


Harry felt unusually anxious. He was sure, apart from a few detentions he had had with the professor, he hadn't been in such a situation with the man since being at Hogwarts.

It was clear that Snape was going to pay very little attention to Harry, but if Harry admitted it to himself, he wasn't sure he truly minded too much. If he had an excuse to not talk to Snape, he was going to take it.

The teen had retrieved some books from his room a few moments after his guardian had left and had begun making some brief notes from his defence book. He was unsure why he felt the need to make himself seem busy, but he tried to rationalise with himself that if he didn't, Snape would probably force him to clean out cauldrons or something else to that nature.

His thoughts quickly moved to Lupin as he silently dropped his quill on the parchment he had been using. Harry wondered if the man had made it to the shack by now and whether he would have transformed already. If the pain the man was in today was anything to go by, he was positive that transforming was excruciatingly painful, and he did not envy him at all.

The teen couldn't help but wonder whether Lupin stayed in the shack all night or if he managed to find some other way out and roam the grounds or the forbidden forest. Remus had told Harry that usually, with help from the Wolfsbane potion, he was able to keep his human mind and sleep until the full moon passed but, what if, by some accident the potion didn't work or what if –

"I hope you intend to pick up your quill again and continue working instead of staring into space like a blithering idiot." Snape commented without even moving to turn and look at the child.

Harry felt his cheeks warm as he snapped back to reality and listened the Professors words. Had he really been staring into space for that long? And, if he had, how on earth did the man know without turning round and looking at him?

"I am." Harry hastily replied, "working I mean."

The man merely scoffed in reply to Harry's words, still refusing to so much as lift his head up from the book he was so intently reading.

"I'm gonna go to my room and work." Harry announced as he noticed that he might just be able to sneak into the office without Snape noticing.

"That would be adequate. You are to be in bed by ten." The man replied as Harry didn't need to be told twice. He gathered up his books and pushed his chair under the table, he had little over an hour before ten o'clock.

Just as Harry turned his back to the man, he couldn't help but roll his eyes; Snape was making him feel as though he was a young child who needed to be watched constantly and given a bedtime...

The teen raced down the hall and placed his books on the desk by his door. Careful not to make any further noise, he tiptoed back out to the hall and diagonally crossed it before entering the office. Harry wasn't sure why he felt so guilty, it wasn't as though he was doing something disobedient.

The boy bit his bottom lip as he forced himself to push his guilt out of his head. It wasn't as though he was sneaking out and putting his life at risk.

Harry rummaged round the room, looking through open drawers, pencil holders and even plant pots but to no success. He was beginning to feel slightly frustrated and ready to accept that the key was not in the office. That was until he eyed the curtains that were closed over the windows. Opening the first one gently, he felt his disappointment rise as there was no such key. He then opened the second curtain as he felt a grin take over his face, there, on a nail hung three keys joined together on a key ring. Just as he was about to take the key from its holder, Harry heard the door handle being pushed down behind him.

"Just what do you think you are doing Potter." Snape hissed icily.