Disclaimer:

This is a work of fanfiction based on the Harry Potter series created by J.K. Rowling. The original characters, settings, and magical elements are the property of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., and their respective affiliates. This story is a fan-created piece and is intended for entertainment purposes only. All rights to the original material belong to their respective owners. The author of this fanfiction makes no claim to the original characters, settings, or world-building and is writing this story purely as a tribute to the beloved series. Any similarities to real-life persons, places, or events are purely coincidental.

This is the inspired version of the original story that was deleted by the author. Fettucini had responded to a previous repost of his story with his permission for any repost of his deleted wor

Chapter 02: A Painful Introduction

It had been a month since Harry and Remus had made their epic journey to Diagon Alley for Harry's birthday—a month filled with books, magical theory, and the occasional existential crisis. Harry had spent most of the month buried in his first-year textbooks, which, as it turns out, were just as exciting as reading an instruction manual for a toaster. Meanwhile, Remus had been introducing him to the mystical, mind-boggling world of Occlumency, with a little help from a book they'd picked up in a store that practically screamed "We sell questionable things here" down in Knockturn Alley.

The core principle of Occlumency was simple enough: clear your mind of all thoughts. Easy, right? Except when you're a teenage boy whose mind is more like a runaway train than a peaceful meadow. Remus had started him off with meditation to help get into the practice of mental clearing. But Harry's meditation sessions usually ended up with him wondering if thinking about not thinking was still thinking…which, of course, it was. Not exactly the zen experience Remus had in mind.

After weeks of this mental gymnastics, Harry finally managed to clear his mind—though it still took him about as long as it takes a snail to cross a room. Remus, ever the optimist, assured him that with enough practice, he'd eventually be able to clear his mind instantly, like some kind of magical Jedi. Harry, less optimistically, pictured himself spending the next seven years of his life trying to master this while slowly going mad.

With a promise to keep practicing (and secretly hoping he wouldn't have to use his newfound skill to fend off any Dark Lords anytime soon), Harry and Remus set off for King's Cross Station on September 1st. King's Cross in the morning was a chaotic swirl of bodies—families, businesspeople, kids heading to school, and random Londoners rushing around like ants who'd lost their queen.

This was Harry's first visit to the famous station, and his reaction was somewhere between awe and horror. Crowds were not his thing. Remus noticed Harry's unease and smiled kindly. "Harry, stick close until we get to Platform 9 ¾, okay?" Harry, not wanting to get lost in the human whirlpool, grabbed onto the back of Remus's coat like a kid clinging to his favorite teddy bear.

When they finally reached Platform 10—a magically muggle-free zone—Remus turned to Harry with a mischievous grin. "Now, all you have to do is run straight at that wall," he said, pointing to a very solid-looking brick barrier.

Harry blinked at him. "You want me to what?"

"Run at it. It's an illusionary wall. Trust me." Remus's grin widened, and Harry should have known right then that something was up. But, being the trusting (and slightly naive) wizard he was, Harry nodded and took off at a jog…

…and promptly slammed headfirst into the brick wall with all the grace of a drunken pigeon.

Remus doubled over in laughter, was not much help as Harry sat on the ground, clutching his bleeding forehead and wondering why he'd ever trusted a man who thought howling at the moon once a month was a good idea.

"So, it's the wall on the other side of the platform, isn't it?" Harry asked, more to the universe than to Remus.

Remus couldn't answer—he was too busy wheezing and clutching his sides from laughing so hard. Harry rolled his eyes, got up, and walked over to the correct wall, giving it a glare for good measure. He briefly considered trying to push some logic into this magical world but quickly realized that was his first mistake. In the wizarding world, logic was about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Once through the correct barrier, Harry turned on his heel, balled up his fist, and punched Remus squarely in the, well, let's just say a sensitive area. Remus went down like a sack of potatoes, clutching his groin and making noises that could only be described as pitiful.

"Now we're even," Harry said with a smirk, standing over his fallen guardian, who was currently rethinking all his life choices. The passersby started giving Remus odd looks—first for rolling on the ground in agony and now for what looked suspiciously like a crime scene. Harry gave Remus a light kick in the ribs to snap him out of it.

"That was uncalled for," Remus managed to croak out once he could speak again, his voice several octaves higher than normal.

Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "Be glad I used my fist and not that brick over there. Don't think it didn't cross my mind," he replied, pointing to a loose brick nearby. Remus turned an even paler shade of pale, clearly realizing how close he'd come to permanent damage.

Remus slowly got to his feet, trying to regain some semblance of dignity. "I think we'll just agree never to speak of this again."

Harry nodded. "Agreed."

They finally turned their attention to the Hogwarts Express, the big, red, and rather obnoxiously Gryffindor train waiting to take Harry to school.

"Well, this is it," Remus said, trying and failing to sound cheerful. It was the first time in years that Harry would be away from him for so long, and the werewolf was clearly feeling a little emotional.

"Yeah, I suppose it is," Harry said. Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "Oh, by the way, I got you a present."

Remus blinked. "A present? What's the occasion?"

"Call it a 'thanks' gift," Harry said casually, pulling out an envelope with the Gringotts seal. Remus opened it, and his eyes widened as he realized it was the deed to an empty storefront in Knockturn Alley.

"You've always wanted to run your own business, right? Well, now you can. The deed's yours, and anything you take from my account to get it started, you can pay back with a little interest if it makes you feel better," Harry said, looking slightly embarrassed. Remus just stared at him, clearly moved.

Before he knew it, Harry was enveloped in a bear hug that threatened to crack a rib or two. "You don't know what this means to me, Harry," Remus said, his voice thick with emotion. "You're a good kid, you know that?"

"Remus," Harry grumbled, trying to wriggle free. "People are looking. First, you were on the ground clutching your…uh, bits, and now you're hugging a teenage boy. People are going to start talking."

Remus barked out a laugh and finally let go. "All right, all right. You be good, okay? I guess you'll be coming home for Christmas?"

Harry nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I'll be home. Oh, and Remus? Try to get laid while I'm gone, would you? I'm seriously starting to worry about your…condition."

Remus's indignant shout was drowned out by Harry's laughter as he boarded the train. He ignored the looks of the other students as he found a seat, his thoughts already turning to the adventure ahead.