Chapter 4 - Kidnapped
Harry was nervous. He kept fiddling with his oversized clothes, and smoothing his hair down self-consciously over his scar, though in the Muggle world, no one would think his scar strange.
Up until recently, he had thought it was from a car accident that had killed his parents. Now he knew it was from a killing curse cast at him. It felt odd to think there was someone out there that wanted him dead.
He felt a shudder run through him. If that was true wouldn't it be safer for his Aunt and Uncle and Cousin Dudley if he wasn't staying with them? He may not like them much, but that didn't mean he wanted them harmed. Even Hagrid cursing Dudley with a tail, amusing at the time, hadn't helped his case. The Dursleys blamed him for it of course.
He kept a vigilant eye on the front door of the library while various librarians kept an eye on the small boy with overly large clothes and messy hair. Harry didn't know that they weren't bothered by the tatty cardboard box that sat on his lap. The notice-me-not charm was still one of the best.
Thankfully he knew what Remus looked like as a 17-year-old so hoped that he would recognize the tall, sandy-haired man with a few scars, just like him. He experienced a thrill. Then looked around nervously, sure that something was going to happen to prevent him from going.
Just when he had convinced himself that Mr. Lupin had forgotten about him, there he was. A tall, pale clean-shaven man, dressed in a business suit that looked old but clean. His hair was brown, shot through with gray and Harry watched him cautiously for a moment before making his presence known. "Hello. Are you Mr. Lupin?"
The man smiled down at Harry and nodded, "I am. How are you, Harry?"
He had a warm smile, and Harry tried very hard not to stare at the scars. He hoped they didn't hurt. Distracted, he didn't notice the man was holding his hand out to shake right away and then blushed and juggled the box and finally shook the man's hand.
"F-fine." Harry stuttered.
Remus smiled again and then nodded towards the exit. "You got everything?" He asked. Leading the way out of the building where Remus was sure their conversation was being monitored.
He saw a middle-aged librarian watch their exchange with growing alarm. Remus knew he didn't look trustworthy. As they were leaving he observed her rushing towards the phone. Great, he thought. Just what he needed.
Harry followed at a jog trying to keep up. Remus's legs were long. "Yes. But I couldn't get my trunk. It was too big. But everything in my trunk, and my wand." He panted a bit. Remus looked down and noticed Harry lagging behind and trying to look nonchalant paused and bent to his knee at the crosswalk and began tying Harry's shoes properly. He tried not to let the shock he felt at Harry's malnourished state show.
"Very good Harry. You'll have to tell me all about it. Now I don't want to scare you, but I think the librarian in there was calling the police." He watched as Harry started to look around a bit frantically, but Remus's voice remained calm.
"Don't panic, Harry. Listen carefully. I'm going to summon the Knight bus and we'll be gone before they get here." Harry's eyes widened as he heard sirens in the distance but he nodded and tried not to freak out.
Remus casually reached into his suit jacket and pulled out his wand and held it out next to the street. Seconds later, BANG! A double-decker red bus appeared like magic before him blowing his hair back from his face and nearly staggering him. The doors opened with a hiss and a tall lanky young man stepped off the bus even as Remus prodded Harry up the steps before the conductor could begin his usual spiel he was stepping in front of Harry and blocking the conductor's and driver's view.
"Leaky Cauldron." Remus stated, placing a galleon into the pimply-faced man's hands, "We'll be upstairs." Harry noticed that Remus was shielding him from view and motioning subtly for him to go upstairs. He decoded the sign language easily and did as Remus intended.
Keeping his head down he rabbitted his way upstairs. Remus wasn't far behind him, spending a moment or two distracting the conductor with some piece of gossip and ensuring subtly that the man knew he was being paid for his 'discretion'.
Remus slid into the seat beside the trembling boy and sighed. "That could have gone smoother, yeah?"
Harry blinked over at Remus and asked. "Are we outlaws now?"
Remus's smile slid from his face and he gulped. "Maybe?"
Harry sighed, "Should I go back? That way you won't get in trouble. I can put up with the Dursleys for a few more weeks."
Remus studied Harry and then finally noticed the box. It was then that he had a brilliant idea. A genius idea. Ten points to Gryffindor Remus. "Not if I can help it, Harry. At least not until next Summer, but only for a few weeks. Remind me to explain the wards that surround your Aunt's home. But if you do have to go back for some reason, I think I can sneak in with you." Remus nodded to the box.
Remus was letting his inner marauder out to play. "So for now consider yourself kidnapped. And if you go back, you can have amnesia or something and I'll stow away in your box."
Harry laughed, "Should I call my aunt and uncle and let them know that I'm safe? They can say they sent me off with a family friend for a camping trip or something." Harry was always quick to think on his feet. Deception and sneakiness were the best defense against the Dursleys.
Remus considered the question and said, "Maybe, if you think it is best. I can talk to them I suppose. Do you think they would pay a ransom if you were kidnapped?"
Harry was starting to hyperventilate. "A what?" His voice was a few octaves too high causing Remus to cringe and rub at his ears with a whine.
"OK. Too far?" Remus asked and Harry nodded emphatically.
Remus growled, "We'll discuss it later."
The bus came to a sudden lurching halt sending Harry sliding across the four-poster bed where he had been perched on the edge. Remus caught him and they both were launched in a tumble across the floor.
Remus hauled himself and Harry to his feet and Harry looked in horror at the box. Then almost fainted in relief when he realized it was exactly as it had been in spite of being sat upon.
"Impervious charms," Remus explained dismissively. "Come on. This is us." They left the bus in a hurry, again Remus shielding Harry from view. He didn't want a disguise spell on his wand.
Once the bus Banged away Remus steered Harry past the Leaky Cauldron. "Sorry, Harry. But we need disguises before we go in there. And those disguises need to be Muggle. There's a decent muggle second-hand shop not far from here."
Harry smiled, "OK. But only if you let me buy you new clothes too. I have loads of money!" He made emphatic gestures with his hands to signify how much gold was in his vault.
Remus saw something of James and something of Lily in Harry. He even saw something of himself in the boy then and smiled, "Yes Harry. We are both going to need new clothes, and it so happens I know just the place."
Remus led Harry to a shop that was located a ways off the beaten path down a narrow side road meant for foot traffic and Harry grinned, he had never had new clothes or clothes that fit right. The store was called Second Chance Fashions and Remus ushered Harry in before him. "Hey, Bee. Don't get up. I got my nephew here. He needs a new wardrobe."
Bee called out, "Alright thanks, Remus." She called out, "I think they are going to reveal who killed Sammy. I'm telling you it's Jonathan." Harry caught sight of an older woman with short salt and pepper hair, glued to one of the soap operas that Aunt Petunia was so fond of.
Remus steered Harry over towards the children's section in the back and began piling items into Harry's waiting hands. The shop was cramped and Harry could easily hide among the racks.
Remus snagged a knit cap and a baseball cap from a hat display handing both to Harry.
He found a rack of sweaters and shirts and plucked four or five from the rack and then quickly moved on to the pants. He grabbed several pairs of faded but serviceable blue jeans, a pair of khakis, and a pair of cargo pants that Harry seemed to gravitate to.
From there they looked at shoes after noting the boy's shoes were too small for his feet. Remus vowed that the Dursleys were going to regret treating Harry badly.
They quickly picked out a nice pair of trainers and a pair of hiking boots that Harry fell in love with. Remus even located a package of never opened briefs and a few pairs of socks.
Then Remus directed him towards the changing rooms to try on everything and only take the stuff that he liked. "Take your time. Keep all the tags and I'll meet you at the counter Evan."
Harry nodded, "Okay Uncle." Tipping to the ruse.
Harry took all the items a bit overwhelmed into the dressing room and stripped quickly grabbing the first pair of jeans that came to hand, then a t-shirt with KISS across the front.
It was amazing having clothes that fit. He couldn't believe how comfortable they were. He remembered what his uncle had said once to his aunt before an important work meeting. 'The clothes make the man.' Looking at his reflection he saw himself perhaps for the first time. How others might see him. He dropped his gaze to the pile of clothes and grinned, reaching for another t-shirt, this one had a peace sign on it.
He left the dressing room wearing a NYC baseball cap, with a simple white t-shirt, over that he wore a faded jean jacket. He liked the tan cargo pants he was wearing mostly because there was a pocket that his wand fit perfectly in, and already broken-in leather hiking boots were on his feet.
He also wore the biggest smile a kid could have.
He placed the clothes he didn't want in the return bin and took his price tags and the items he wanted to purchase to the counter. He was happy to see Remus with a pile of purchases of his own. He was wearing a nice pair of jeans, a tweed jacket that had leather patches on the elbows, a white button-down shirt underneath, and a pair of cowboy boots.
"Well let me see?" Remus made a show of having Harry turn around getting Bee's opinion of his 'nephews' ensemble. This way if she saw the news reports she wouldn't connect these two clothes shoppers with the events all the way in Surrey.
Bee thought Harry and Remus looked quite 'dashing' and then found a few other hidden gems for the pair. A scarf for Remus that she thought complimented the jacket, giving him a debonair professorial look.
She also found for Harry a nice leather belt and a few more band t-shirts; The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd among others.
Harry wished he could wear all his clothes at once. He didn't even mind that they were used. Or 'vintage' as Bee called them. In fact he preferred it as brand new clothes like his robes felt unnatural.
Remus paid for the items, though promising Harry that their future purchases would be on Harry's bank account to ease the boy's concern. Remus handed over the notes and then wished Bee a good day, but she was already engrossed in her next soap opera.
"Hungry?" Remus asked as they stepped out of the shop and into the quiet London street.
Harry nodded, "Yeah." Remus grinned, "Me too. Let's see…" He nodded, "This way Harry." They walked for about five minutes before Remus stopped in front of a small restaurant called Mikey's.
The diner was small, but the booths gave a sense of privacy. Remus led Harry to a booth in the corner and a young waitress appeared. Her long blond hair was caught up into a high ponytail and she wore a pink waitress outfit with a white apron, "Good afternoon, welcome to Mikey's. What can I get started for you today?"
Remus and Harry ordered hamburgers and milkshakes. Remus watched Harry as he ate, aware that the boy was amazed that he was allowed to order whatever he wanted and to eat as much as he wanted.
The fact that he became full after a few bites was not surprising. Remus kept the conversation light, asking about Harry's schooling, his hobbies, what he thought about being a wizard, and what he was most excited about learning. Harry was shy but intelligent, and it didn't take long before he had the boy opening up to him a bit.
Remus cast a Muffliato spell, explaining to Harry that the spell fills the ears of anyone nearby with an unidentifiable buzzing, allowing them to talk freely without being overheard. Harry thought it brilliant.
They spent about an hour talking about Harry's first impressions of magic and the wizarding world. How Harry discovered the box. Remus laughed heartily when Harry told him how he had fallen in. And mostly about how much Harry loved the painting. How great it was being able to talk to his dad and the Marauders.
Finally, Remus brought up what was in store for the immediate future. "So here's what I think is going to happen. I want to get you ready for Hogwarts and there are a few things you need. You need new glasses, Harry. Even I can tell that they aren't adequate. We will go to the alley, where I know of a magical eye doctor. The same doctor that treated your father actually."
Harry blushed but nodded. He was surprised that he would be seeing the same eye doctor his dad had seen. The connection sent a warm buzz through him.
"I really don't want anyone to recognize you, hence the new clothes, but it's likely that we won't be able to avoid it altogether." Remus continued pretending not to see Harry's reactions, "But really only Dumbledore would be disappointed you weren't with the Dursleys."
Remus chuckled then, "Of course, it should be reassuring if you are spotted at the eye doctor because if Death Eaters had you the last place you would be is the optometrist."
This made Harry laugh. He wasn't sure what or who Death Eaters were but figured they were the bad guys.
"I also want to go to the apothecary. You need nutrition potions. A stiff wind could blow you away, Harry." Harry looked a bit embarrassed but Remus simply assured him that it wasn't his fault.
Harry didn't quite understand how anyone could be disappointed that he wasn't with the Dursleys. Why would anyone care? The fact that he was with the Dursleys was evidence in Harry's mind that no one really did care.
It was a confusing thought that Harry would return to but for now he just nodded along as Remus continued making plans for the pair.