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Chapter Text

Sirius’ letters were few and far between, being on the run wasn’t making it easy by any means.  But it just made every letter more important, he kept each carefully folded in his books and hidden under his bed.  His friends' letters were in separate books, he had found amusement in picking a specific book for each person.

Hermione’ letter’s were carefully placed between the pages of Hogwarts: A History.  Ron’s letters were between A History of Quidditch.  Sirius’ were placed in the photo album Hagrid had given him of his parents, alongside the ones he got from Remus.

Everytime an owl appeared he would rush to open the window.  He couldn’t find owl treats anywhere in the muggle world but he had found certain treats that the birds seemed to like and were safe.

Today he was looking at a letter in bewilderment.  It had Gringotts listed as the sender, the bank's seal in gold wax on the back.  He ripped it open.

‘Dear, Mr. Harry James Potter

We are contacting you due to the changes in your Magical guardianship.  Understanding that you more than likely have not been told, we wish to inform you of both the changes and have both you and one of your potential guardians present.  We have already contacted Mr. Sirius Orion Black III and Mr. Remus John Lupin to inform them of the potential change.

Please arrive at Gringotts, Diagon Alley Division, No earlier than 8:00am and no later than 10:00am, July 8th.

Gringotts Wizarding Bank                            

Diagon Alley Division, London’

Harry stared at the letter, eyes wide.  He had assumed that with Sirius still being a fugitive that there was no chance of him regaining guardianship.  And he was unaware that Remus was even an option due to his condition.

He brushed his hand over the owl’s feathers while pondering the letter, the animal pushing its head further into his palm.  Birds were just easier to understand than people, Hedwig may get testy with him but she never let him down.  Each bird, even if nasty, never lied to him.

He hoped the owl Sirius had sent developed the same connection with Ron.

Hedwig was with Hermione right now, so he couldn’t letter Remus right away, nor Sirius.  He looked at the large barn owl.

“Would you be willing to send an extra letter for me before going back to Gringotts?”  He asked the bird.

It blinked its large eyes at him before extending its leg.  Harry gave it a few treats before sitting down to write a letter to Sirius.

Simply saying that he got the letter and that Sirius should under no circumstances try and go to Gringotts with him.  That he’d letter Remus as soon as he had Hedwig back and ask the ex-professor to go with him instead.  Sealing it off he tied it to the owl's leg and it took off, he didn’t know how the owls always found their wizards but they did.

Next he wrote up his letter to Remus, to have it ready to go as soon as Hedwig got back.  Then he’d letter Ron and Hermione to ask about Magical Guardianship.  If Ron didn’t know then Hermione would definitely find out.

He stared into the dark sky and thought about what he read.  If Remus really could become his guardian, could he leave Privet Drive?  Remus had access to Wolfsbane potion now, Dumbledore wouldn’t just cut him off even if he wasn’t a professor surely?  He’d find someone to brew it for him.

Even if he didn’t, Harry was willing to live with it.  He could just have a sleepover with Ron, or stay at the Leaky Cauldron for the full moon.  He had more than enough money to afford it since it would only be in the summer.  Anything to get away from the Dursleys.  Anything to live with his Uncle.

Because Remus was his Uncle.  He was one of dad’s best friends, they were as close as brothers, blood be damned.  Remus was his Uncle, Sirius was his Uncle and Godfather, Pettigrew was a dirty rat who he often wished he let Sirius kill.

+x+

Harry was sitting on the sidewalk of Privet Drive waiting for Remus to come get him.  He had assured Harry he would come and pick him up and that they could spend the day together after getting the Gringotts meeting over with.

The werewolf had been completely unaware he was eligible as Harry’s guardian.  Harry had gotten Hermione to explain Magic Guardianship to him, and Ron gave him a list of reasons for Remus to be his legal guardian over Petunia, including an open invitation for sleepovers.  But the most glaring problem was that none of them had any idea who Harry’s current Magical Guardian was.

A cab rounding the corner allerted Harry to Remus’ arrival, the werewolf climbed out and waved the driver off.  Harry immediately hopped up and openly embraced the man.  “How are you, Professor?”

“Harry, I think we are well past you calling me Professor.”  he ruffled Harry’s constantly disheveled hair.

“I know, but it’s funny.”  the teen said before separating from the hug.  “Seriously, how are you?”

“As well as I can be, finding another job has been tricky with my- well.”  He raised his eyebrows.  “But if I can’t find anything in the Wizarding world I’ll have to find a muggle one, preferably something I can do remotely.  Otherwise I’ll have to find an excuse for why I can’t come in once a month.”

“I hope you find something.”  Harry said, worry for his Uncle clear in his voice.

“I will.  Don’t worry pu- um Harry.”  He corrected himself.

“Hmm?”  Harry questioned but Remus just waved it off.

“Alright, let's head ‘round back out of sight, then we're off to the Leaky Cauldron.”  The two walked around to the back of the Dursleys house, out of sight of most neighbors.  Then Remus took hold of Harry’s arm and with a loud Crack! They disappeared.

Harry felt like his entire body was being pulled and spun, the only concrete thing was Remus’ hand on his shoulder.  Finally his feet hit solid ground and he nearly toppled if not for Remus holding him up.

He was incredibly nauseous, but he gagged it down using nothing but sheer will and stubbornness.  He was not going to throw up, he would reek the rest of the day, cleaning magic be damned.

“Alright Harry?”  Remus rubbed soothing circles onto his back.  “I should have warned you, I forgot how apparition feels for the first few times.”

Ah, apparition, that's what that was.  He had just teleported and was trying not to barf on his shoes.

“M’ okay.”  he finally croaked out standing up and adjusting his glasses where they had slid on his face a little.  They were in a little corner of The Leaky Cauldron, probably set aside for apparators to travel into safely.

“Let's get you some water before we go on.  Did you eat breakfast?”  Remus was quickly growing concerned.

“No, but I’ll be fine.  I’ll buy after we go to Gringotts, I can refill my money bag from my vault.”  He insisted, he knew Remus was tight on money right now.

“You don’t have to pay for me Harry.”  Remus saw through the statement immediately.

“Then at least let me pay for myself.”  He challenged.

Remus sighed but there was a light in his eyes and a grin across his cheeks.  “You're so much like James.  He started hiding money in my pockets so I could afford sweets during school.”

Harry grinned, most of the time when people mentioned his and James Potter similarities they focused on looks, mischief, or quidditch.  He heard so little about who he was outside of that.  And he’s have to save that hiding money trick to use on Ron next chance he got, and Hermione.  Neither had much in terms of wizarding gold.

Finally as his stomach settled and he drank the water Remus insisted on, Harry felt alright again.  And they headed to the back, Remus’ tapping the brick to open the portal to Diagon Alley.

It was just as chaotic and beautiful as every other year, exotice pets flew above head or hopped from roofs and signs.  Carts of toys and peculiarities popped up in the crannies between shops, and the flashed of magic brought so much life to the place as wizards and witches had no fear to show their powers.

It brought the biggest grin to his face every time.  Lupin watched his best friend's son with a soft smile on his face, watching Harry be happy and excited was a sight he didn’t get to see nearly enough.  He missed out on so much of the boy's life, he wanted to be a part of it now.

“We better hurry, it’s almost 8:30.”  Harry checked his watch before walking confidently in the direction of the Wizarding bank.  Remus walked slightly behind him, keeping his head bowed.  Since Snape had let his nature slip a few months prior his picture had ended up in the profit.  He would sometimes get nasty glares from people who knew what he was.

Harry seemed to catch on and pulled Remus beside him, holding his arm and walking with his head high.  Remus blinked at the blatant show of loyalty before remembering exactly whose child this was, then another smile broke across his face.

Stepping through the bank's doors, Harry quickly remembered he had no idea what was going on and looked around for direction.  Lupin directed him to one of the goblins sitting high above at their desk.

“We have and appointment for Mr. H. J. Potter and Mr. R. J. Lupin,” he told the goblin.

“Yes, we have been waiting for you.  Follow Follrick here.”  He gestured to the goblin who appeared moments after them.

They both followed Follrick to a decently sized room where he directed them to sit down before disappearing.

Waiting less than a minute another two goblins arrived, one carrying a large stack of papers and the other a very fancy gold quill.  Neither introduced themselves but Harry decided to call them White and Grey based on the hair visible on each of them.

Grey set down the papers and looked at the two.  “  Be forewarned that any attempt of deception in this room will result in a rather nasty hex and the immediate removal from the property as well as contacting Wizarding authorities.  Mr. Harry James Potter, and Mr. Remus John Lupin, correct?”

“Yes.”  Lupin said and Harry nodded.

“Very good.  As the letter explained there had been a recent change in Mr Potter’s Magical Guardianship that must be addressed.”  White said flipping open the top file on the stack and holding it out to them.  “Upon the death of Mr. and Mrs. Potter, all available guardians listed here were in some way unavailable.  Either due to death or Incarceration.”

Harry looked at the file.

‘Parents:

Father: James Fleamont Potter

Mother: Lily Jane Potter (former Evans)

Godfather: Sirius Orion Black

Potential Guardians:

Godfather: Sirius Orion Black 

Godmother: Alice Larane Longbottom (former Prewett)

Uncle: Remus John Lupin’

Current Guardian:

Albus Perceval Wulfric Brian Dumledore

Petunia Faith Dursley (former Evans)’

Harry stared at the page.  “Professor Dumbledore is my guardian?”  He asked the Goblins.

“Correct.  He was placed so by the Ministry of Magic after a trial that determined your available guardians unfit.  Due to one being incarcerated and the other being cited as not present in your life it was deemed that Professor Albus Dumbledore would be your guardian alongside your biological Aunt.”  Grey explained.  “However, seeing as both Mr. Sirius Orion Black and Mr. Remus John Lupin are no longer bound by those inhabitants; guardianship should be transferred at once.”

“I was never informed that I was eligible as Harry’s guardian?”  Lupin gawked at the information.

“Such information was supposed to be given to you by the listed attorney for Mr. and Mrs. Potter, Albus Dumbledore.”  Grey did not look surprised.

“He never said-”  Lupin reread the papers.

“Sirius can now be my legal guardian?”  Harry piped in, “Why is that a possibility when he’s still a fugitive?”

“Seeing as there was no trial there is no actual conviction to prevent Mr. Black from obtaining guardianship, or being held in prison to begin with.”  White said with a slight grin, goblins had pointy teeth.

“No trial?”  Lupin’s eyes shot up from the paper.  “What do you mean there was never a trial?”

“Mr. Sirius Black was never given a trial for his crimes.  Therefore he was never convicted.”  White’s grin was still in view.

“Why those slimy-”  Remus shouted, jumping to his feet.  “12 years!  12 years in Azkaban and not only was he innocent he never even was convicted!  How did Dumbledore allow this, how did the Order- why those double crossing-”

“He spent 12 years with dementors and they never gave him a trial.”  Harry was in shock.  “They were going to perform the dementor's kiss on a man who was never convicted?”

Remus paled and stopped his tirade.  “They were going to suck out his soul…”

“A fate worse than death.”  Grey agreed.

“The statute of limitations for murder cases at the Ministry is 10 years.  He can’t be tried now.”  Lupin said incredulously.  “Sirius is a free man and they're still hunting him.”

“But we can do something about it right?”  Harry said pleadingly.  “Talk to the Ministry?  Or Dumbledore?”

“The Ministry didn’t give him a fair trial the first time, no doubt they'd just cover it up now.  And Dumbledore did nothing to stop it so that he could-”  His eyes widened.  “So that he can get his hands on you.  That's why he never told me.  If I took over guardianship he wouldn’t have any say over your life anymore.”

“But why?”  Harry asked.

“That Damn prophecy.”  Lupin growled, actually growled.  “He wanted to have you right where he could find you for that damned prophecy.”

“Prophecy?”  Harry asked, thinking of Trelawney's prediction at the end of last term.

“In addition there are other concerns that arise due to Mr. Albus Dumbledore's involvement.”  White said, flipping to another page.

Lupin somehow paled further.  “He wouldn’t dare.”

“He would indeed.”  Grey nodded.

Lupin snatched the file and read through its contents quickly.  He snarled and his teeth sharpened as his lips peeled back.

“Remus?”  Harry grabbed his arm in concern.

“If you will follow us Mr. Lupin, we have a room where you may let off some steam.”  White stood and Remus shook his head, eyes flashing between slits and round pupils.  Following the goblin he dropped the file on the ground where Harry snatched it up.

“Is he okay?”  Harry asked Grey who just watched the pair with disinterest.

“It seems that the information was so upsetting it triggered a partial transformation.  Uncommon unless a werewolf is deeply upset, but we had reason to believe it could occur.  Hence a room was prepared to contain his outburst until it calmed again.”

Harry looked back at the door his Uncle had disappeared into.  There wasn’t sound but he imagined the angry snarls, growls, and barks of the wolf he met just a month prior.  He felt a pain of regret at being involved in Remus’ current state, but it’s not like he could do much right now.

Instead Harry turned his attention to the file that upset Remus so badly.

‘Blood Spells.

Personality Parameters:

Stubborn, Overconfident, Desperation for Approval, Obedience towards selected persons, Recklessness, Self Destructive

Obedience geared towards the following:

Albus Perceval Wolfick Brian Dumbledore, Petunia Fatih Dursley (former Evans), Vernon Marckus Dursley, Molly Corel Weasley (former Prewett)

Disobedience geared towards the following:

Severus Tobias Snape-Prince, Tom Marvolo Riddle

Ability Limitations:

Intelligence: %24 Blocked

Strength: %20 Blocked

Adaptation: %36 Blocked

Empathy: %17 Blocked

Relationship Bindings:

Ronald Bilius Weasley  (Platonic)

Hermione Jean Granger (Platonic)

Ginerva Molly Weasley (Romantic.  Dually Bound.  To Be Activated upon 16th Birthday)

Molly Corel Weasley (former Prewett) (Paternal)

Arthur Septimus Weasley (Paternal)

Albus Perceval Wulfric Brian Dumbledore (Paternal)

Draco Lucius Malfoy (Enemy)

Tom Marvolo Riddle (Enemy)

Severus Tobias Snape- Prince (Enemy)

Appearance Parameters:

Black Messy Hair, Smaller Frame, Underweight, Poor Eyesight, Almond Shaped Green Eyes

Additional Magical Contracts and Spells:

Marriage Contract with Ginerva Molly Weasley, as approved by both Albus Perceval Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and Molly Corel Weasley (former Prewett)

Tacking Spell to be accessed by Albus Perceval Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Submitted and Approved by Legal Magical Guardian

Albus Perceval Wulfric Brian Dumbledore’

Harry felt the paper slip from his hands and land on the floor.  His mind was spinning, trying to comprehend what he had read.  It felt so wrong and violating and yet there was something in his head that assured him that nothing was wrong.

Harry tugged on his hair to try and focus.  Was his hair ever meant to be black?  Or was that a cruel trick that Dumbledore had pulled on him.  Was his hair meant to be fiery red like his Mother’s?  Brown like Aunt Petunia’s?  Was it always going to be Black?

Everything in him wanted to scream and demand answers but something was keeping his voice from rising.

“What does it mean?  ‘Romantic Dually Bound’?”  he asked.

“It means that Ms. Weasley has the same Blood spell placed upon her, to activate a romantic attraction between you two.  Though I believe hers did not have an activation date and is instead already present.”

It made Harry sick to his stomach and he covered his mouth.  These spells would have been put on them young wouldn’t they?  And with the Marriage Contract, it was most certainly arranged.  They were playing puppet with their love from when Harry was 1, from when Ginny would have been a newborn.  It was disgusting and wrong.  It was in his head and he wanted it out.  It was in his blood and he wanted it gone.

“Rry-  Harry-”  Someone's hands were on his face and he realized abruptly that he was crying.  Remus was back, in front of him, cupping his cheeks while he cried.

“I don’t- I don't-” Harry's breathing was faster than it should be, he needed to calm down, slow his breathing before he passed out.  The Dursleys hated when he breathed too fast, the teachers at his old school had shouted at him for it.  He hadn’t had an attack in front of anyone at Hogwarts thankfully, but one very concerned ghost had talked him through a breathing exercise in his second year.  When Hernione almost died, when everyone was blaming him

“Please make it go away…”  he begged Remus.

Remus just pulled the 13 year old into his arms and Harry sobbed into his shoulder.  “How do I get them off?”

“The blood spells are due to be renewed at the end of the month, if you agree to become Mr. Potter's guardian we can have the order to not renew them and they will fade before the month ends.”  One of the Goblins, Harry wasn't sure which, explained.

“I will.  I’ll do anything.”  Remus swore.  “I’ll sign right now.”

“We have the documents here.  Should Mr. Sirius Orion Black choose to take guardianship he will be made primary guardian per the parents request, but until that day you will be Mr. Potter's sole Magical guardian.”  The goblin explained.

“I need my arm Puppy, we’ll get that nasty magic off of you.”  Remus ran a hand through Harry’s hair before pulling his arm free from where Harry was clinging to it for dear life.  He kept running his hand over his head until all the papers were signed.

“The blood spells should fade within the next week or so.  I suggest you stay with Mr. Potter for at least until the end of the month to ensure no residual magic remains.  When you are ready a goblin will be outside to escort you out.  Good day gentlemen.”

Both Goblins left, Remus just went back to holding his Puppy.  His puppy who was not going back to those Muggles, not if Remus could help it.  Which, seeing as he was now Harry’s guardian, he did.

Harry could stay with one of his friends until then, he wasn’t comfortable with the Weasleys after seeing the agreed marriage contract.  But he knew Harry was decently acquainted with Neville Longbottom, seeing as Alice was his godmother made that an option.  Or he could leave his home, apparate far enough away for the full moon and then come back after his transformation was over.

He needed to letter Sirius, and plan to get him cleared.  His house was tiny but it could fit two people well enough.  He really needed to get a job to finance both of them, even if Harry's parents had left him enough for his school supplies.  His puppy would need new clothes, decorations for his room, birthday presents at the end of the month.

This was not going to be easy by any means, but Remus was ready to start another war if it meant keeping Harry safe.

Harry meanwhile was trapped in his own head.  How much of his life, his emotions, his mind, was tainted.  Was he really himself?  Or was he made entirely of what other people wanted him to be.  Was he even a person?

He knew he loved his Uncle Remus.  He knew he loved Sirius.  He knew he hated the Dursleys.  But how many of his other relationships were lies.

The one thing that he knew more than anything was that he was going to find everyone who did this to him and watch them burn.  Starting with his dear headmaster.

Chapter Text

They had apparated back to Privet Drive and as soon as Uncle Vernon had opened the door Remus had petrified him.  He did the same thing to Aunt Petunia.  Dudley looked terrified, rightfully so and ran to his room.  Remus couldn’t take out much of his anger on these people but he sure as hell could be petty.  

He locked Dudley in his room with magic and motioned for Harry before following him to his room.  Harry happily greeted Hedwig and told her they were going to the country where she wouldn’t have to go in her cage again until August.  Harry packed up all of his stuff and paused at the letters under his bed.  He didn’t know how he felt about  Ron and Hermione, but he would need to judge them fairly once his head was completely clear.

So he kept all of the letters in their books and carefully packed them away.  He grabbed his calendar off the wall and pulled out his secret stash of Muggle money.  Remus was busy switching around which direction gave hot and cold water in the Dursleys showers and cursing their dryer to have a harder time catching lint.

Harry hadn’t forgotten his Uncle was a marauder and it's time everyone else needed to remember it too.  They were a group born of and for chaos.

“All packed Harry?”  Remus asked.  Harry nodded and Remus grabbed his trunk.  Taking his arm they once again were pulled through the tight twisting space of apparition.  Harry was pleasantly surprised to land without stumbling and the nausea was far less than the previous two times.

Hedwig was already flying to Remus’ house and Harry grinned madly as he saw the place.  It wasn’t nice by any means.  The paint was a fading beige color and the grass was mostly dead, but it was his new home and he knew he would love it.

“Alright, your room is here.”  Remus said once they were inside leading him to a decently sized room with a twin sized bed and a desk below a large window looking towards the nearby woods.  “It’s not much but-”

“I love it!”  Harry declared throwing himself onto the bed letting out an ‘oof’ as he hit the mattress.

Remus chuckled, he did need to go back and unpetrify the Dursleys..  “I’ll let you unpack, I’m low on groceries so I’ll pick something up.  Are you allergic to anything?”

“Not from the muggle world.”  Harry told him.

“Alright then, oh and the bathroom is just down the hall if you need it.  I should be back in half an hour.”  Remus nodded.

Harry knew he would have another breakdown later, and another whenever someone questioned him or tried to remove him from Remus’ care.  But he would fight to stay and so would his Uncle.  His real Uncle, unlike Vernon Dursley who was never his family.

For now he put all his books on the room's little bookshelf.  He had given Ginny some of his books from last year so she had some newer copies.  He had to rethink how he felt about her too, but it wasn’t like he could blame her, she was just as controlled as he was.

He left most of his letters out of sight but he pulled a few from Sirius out and set them on his desk, alongside the copy of the papers making Remus his official guardian.  His clothes went into the closet and his trunk was unpacked and put under his bed.  His new firebolt from Sirius he leaned against a corner where he could look at it.  It felt amazing to keep all of his stuff out in the open, not worrying about Dudley damaging it or the Dursleys yelling at him.  They couldn’t yell at him ever again.

Finally Harry sat down on his bed and decided to look around the rest of the house.  He found the bathroom and put his toiletries inside.  Remus’ room was upstairs, and that was pretty much all that was up there.  The kitchenette had a small refrigerator and stove, the sitting room had an old worn leather couch and a cozy looking armchair.  He fell onto the couch and sighed happily.

He laid there for a while looking at the few pictures on the wall.  Several featured his parents, Sirius’ face cropped up in a few, and someone's face had been burnt off several.  No doubt done after Pettigrew's betrayal was revealed.  There was one of Harry that seemed to have been cut from the newspaper, it made him grin that his Uncle had already worked to get photos of him.

He hoped more would join them soon.

There was a crack and Remus reappeared with a pizza in hand.

“Already claimed your spot huh?”  he said seeing Harry sprawled across the couch.

Harry just grinned in response.

“Let's watch something.”  Remus suggested flicking on the TV and handing him the remote.  Harry hadn’t watched much television but he stopped briefly on a crime show that Dudley had watched once that he had sneak watched from around the corner until Vernon had caught him.

He had gotten a large knot on his head and locked in his cupboard for that.

“Remus?’’  He asked, looking up from his slice.

“Yes Harry?”  He looked up.

“Do you mind if I call you my Uncle?”  He wanted to make sure.

Remus promptly started crying.

+x+

7 days and many tears later Harry woke up, had his brief moment of wondering where he was, before beaming and hopping up.  He rushed to get his clothes and went to take a shower.  He didn’t have to rush in getting ready and could enjoy an extra minute in the shower.  He didn’t want to rack up Remus’ water bill though so he kept them under 5 minutes but didn’t try and get out in less than 2 anymore.

He pulled on his new clothes and put his glasses on before running a hand over the mirror to clear the steam.  He jolted when he saw his reflection.  His hair had changed from its usual black to a dark copper color.  Not the flaming red of his mother or the Weasleys but a mix of both his parents.  It also was sitting flatter than he’s ever seen it, he had a feeling it would stay straight even as it dried.

He smiled at the change, and felt a brief flicker of rage that Dumbledore had kept this from him, having more from his mother than eyes.  He brushed his fingers through the copper color and decided he wanted to try styling it later.

“Uncle Remus, look!”  he cheered as he ran into the kitchen-sitting room area.

“Well what do you know?” Remus smiled and ruffled his hair,  “Should have known, your mom was furious with your father when your hair was so dark as a baby.  She would have stubborned you into being a redhead too.”

“Was mom stubborn?”  he asked, sitting on one of the counters and grabbing an apple.  Remus was trying to build his stomach up to hold more food again but it was a slow go.  For now he stuck to small meals and snacks during the day.

“It depended.”  Remus waved his hand in a so-so motion.  “Your father was stubborn as a mule, that's why he was so set on befriending me even after he found out I was a werewolf.  Your mother took longer to convince of things, but she was an unmovable force once she decided.  You’d have an easier time moving a mountain without magic than you would her.”

“Will you tell me how they met again?”  He begged.

Remus sighed good naturedly, it was nice knowing that it was fond and not because he was annoyed.  “Your father and Sirius had become fast friends on the train to Hogwarts our first year.  They had just picked up me and Peter when he quite literally ran into another boy on the train.  Lily was with him and nearly bit your dads head off for knocking her friend over.  James was so distracted by your mothers terrifying beauty that he forgot to apologize.  She was even more upset with him after that.”

Remus paused.  “Come to think of it, I believe the boy he ran over was Snape.”

“As in Professor Snape?”  Harry sat up in surprise.

“Oh yes, I remembered they were friends for a long time but I forgot that was when we met him too.  She was rather protective of Severus back then.”  Remus rubbed his face in thought.

“Why though?”  Harry said, confused.  “He’s all-”  He made a gross facial expression that only a teenager could pull off.

“They were friends before school… I think Snape was just as protective over her.  Lily said once that his father was- not great.”  Remus trailed off,  “I think she was trying to protect him from other people who would treat him poorly and that interaction probably swayed him against us much more than we realized.”

Harry hummed.  He knew Snape was in many ways an ass, he abused his power at school a lot.  But this made him separate the person from the teacher for a moment, and take into account his magic imposed original distaste for the man.  He didn’t think the Potions Professor was a good person by any means, but he understood him a bit better at least.

“Alright, finish up your breakfast.  Then we're headed to get your money and decorations for your room.”

As much as Remus was determined to start affording to pay for Harry’s things himself he didn’t have a job still.  And Harry had begged him to let him get money from his vault to buy decorations now as opposed to waiting.  And how was he supposed to refuse?

So he was instead focusing on being able to buy birthday presents and a nice cake for Harry’s birthday in two weeks.

Harry was practically bouncing in excitement as they arrived in The Leaky Cauldron.  He greeted Tom behind the bar who blinked at the boy's new hair color but Remus just ignored his questioning look.

Harry proudly tapped the brick with his wand and dragged Remus along beside him.  The werewolf just chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm.  While Harry’s call to adventure hadn’t faded with the removal of the blood spells, his eagerness to learn anything and everything just grew.  He was more like his mother every day, asking Remus to explain anything and everything about both magic and the muggle world.

The Goblins greeted Harry and after verifying that he was the one and only Harry Potter they handed him a brand new key to his vault.  He still only had access to the school funds vault but Lily and James had left more than enough for him in there.  Meanwhile any previous keys for either this or the full Potter vault were no longer usable.

Harry enjoyed the minecart ride to the vault, comparing it to riding a roller coaster but with more realistic settings.  The goblin escorting them seemed to be unsure about the over eager teen but Remus couldn’t stop beaming at his nephew's enthusiasm.

Finally Harry piled coins into his money bag, and they returned to the surface to transfer some of it to muggle money.  Harry now had over two hundred pounds in muggle money and a bag still mostly full of wizarding gold.

They took a cursory look around the shops in Diagon Alley and Harry dragged him into Flourish and Blotts.  He began looking at books on random subjects pulling a few down and reading the backs, sometimes flipping though the first few pages.  Remus took a minute at the new releases section before looking for something he actually needed.  Pulling down a book on wizarding law he went through a few before finding one with information about handling mistrials.

Sirius’ lack of trial was an injustice that Remus was hellbent on fixing and next week was the time to do it.  He just had to keep it quiet for Harry’s sake, he didn’t want the boy worrying over him challenging the entire Ministry over this.

Harry meanwhile waited till his Uncle was distracted before slipping into the back and locating a book on blood magic.  He copied anything he felt he should research more into onto a scrap piece of paper then moved to another book on werewolves, copying down the wolfsbane potion information.  He’d need to find instructions on how to make it, he was determined to help his Uncle.  Finally recalling the research they had done to try and save Buckbeak he knew what books had court cases regarding werewolves and noted the cases.

Then he grabbed a book on divination that seemed actually informative to cover up why he was back there.

“I Found what you wanted?’” Remus asked, eyeing Harry’s armful of books.  “I thought you hated divination?”

Harry lowered his voice, “after the prophecy at the end of last term I’m willing to give it another chance.”

Remus’ eyes widened in understanding and he nodded.  Harry smiled, it was a half truth, he did want to understand what prophecies were.  Especially since Remus had let slip that he was involved with another one when they were at Gringotts.

Remus smiled when he saw a book on magical creatures, a topic Harry had loved researching since his class last term.  A book on popular wizarding myths and stories, and finally a book on old Wizarding families.

“Want to know about the Potter side of my family history.”  He said in explanation.

“And good on you.”  The person ringing them up said, “good family you've got.  Nice hair by the way.”

Harry was on cloud nine as they left Diagon Alley, books shrunken to fit in Harry’s pockets.  Most of the decorations he wanted could be found at any muggle store so they just took a cab to the nearest shopping mall.  He dropped things into the cart Remus was pushing, some of it just simple things he’d been denied and could now afford like candies or nicer ballpoint pens.  Quill’s were a pain in the ass sometimes.

He grabbed movies or books that looked interesting and a new bedspread.  T-shirts and jeans that actually fit him, and a map of the earth.  He briefly paused at the toy aisle before walking over and grabbed a large bear plush.  As he passed he also saw a color cube and grabbed that as well.

Finally the duo paid, splitting the bags between each other to make them easier to carry.  The two just walked towards the nearest alley to disapparate in.

“Are you going to name your bear?”  Remus asked.

“You don’t think it’s weird?”  Harry looked at him, he was already a little self conscious about buying the thing.

“When I was little my mum gave me a plush rabbit that I still have, took him to Hogwarts and everything, named Bent.  Nothing wrong with it.”  Remus encouraged.

“I’ll have to think of a good name.”  Harry decided.

“Alright, we're clear, let's go home.”  Remus held out his hand and Harry took it.  WIth a crack and a less and less nauseating experience they landed outside Remus’ house.

There were only a few days until the full moon but Remus was pleasantly surprised that he hadn’t felt too much of the pre-transformation sickness this month.  He’d prepaid for a room at the leaky Cauldron for Harry that day, safe far away from him.

Remus’ senses immediately went on edge as he took in the small problems with his house.  The doorknob wasn’t fully turned back, it would jam unless you turned it back.  The grass was crushed in some places.

Someone was in his house.

“Harry.”  He held out his hand and the teen stopped dead in his tracks.  “Someone inside, you wait out here, have your wand ready.  Remember what I told you to do?”

“Hex anything that moves and run towards the town you told me about.”  Harry said quietly.

“If i’m not back out in 3 minutes you bolt.”  Remus nodded.

Harry nodded.

Remus held his wand in a vice grip and took a careful step towards the door.  Carefully opening the door making no sound, he stepped where he knew the least noise was.  His ears were a lot sharper than most and he heard that the intruder was in his kitchen.

Spinning around the corner, he cast a full body lock hex and watched the intruder fall to the ground frozen, they hit the floor with a thud.  Remus ran over and rolled them over.  He blinked as the person's pink hair turned yellow and their eyes widened at him.

“For Merlin’s sake Tonks.”  He growled and cast the counter curse.  “Harry, it's a friend.  You're safe to come in.!”

“Shoot first, ask questions later, Lupin?”  Tonks stood, rubbing her shoulder where she had landed on them while Harry walked in carrying the bags.

“The war made it a habit, especially when someone breaks into my house without warning.”  He said as Harry ran to drop his things in his new room, all while eyeing Tonks wearily.

“That can’t be Harry can it?”  Tonks mumbled.

“Just because his hair is different doesn’t mean he’s a different person.”  Remus huffed.

“I like my hair.”  Harry said, returning to the kitchen.  “Who are you?”

“Harry, this is Tonks.  Tonks, you already know that's Harry.”  Remus gestured half heartedly.

“Pleasure to meet you.”  She held out her hand happily, Harry shook it all while openly glaring.

“Mind informing us of why you broke in?”  Remus was eager to get her out of the house, friend or not.

“Albus asked me to check on you.  Said Harry ‘d gone missing and that Aunt and Uncle of his described you.”  She waved her hand.

“First they aren’t my Aunt and Uncle, never were.  Second I didn’t disappear, Lupin had full custody over me, we got it all sorted at Gringotts two weeks ago.  Thirdly, the fact it took him two weeks to notice I was gone is worrying.”  Harry listed off on his fingers.

“I’m sure it was an honest mistake.  What made you run away?”  Tonks shook her head.

“Did you not listen to a thing I just said?”  Harry gaped at her.

“Harry didn’t run, I took legal guardianship over him and He now lives with me.”  Remus explained again.

“But how is that possible?”  She blinked at the pair.

“Gringotts contacted us.”  Harry told her, sitting on the counter and kicking his legs.  “Learned a lot of things.”

“Tonks while I’d love to catch up, Harry and I were about to start on dinner.”  Remus ushered her towards the door while Harry looked smug at her benign shoved out.

Tonks was surprised at his reaction, “Wait, Remus what are you going to do for-”

“We already have a plan for the moon, thank you for your concern and breaking into my house but it’s time to go.”

+x+

Remus dropped Harry off at the Leaky Cauldron the night before the full moon, without his potions he wasn’t safe to be around.  Harry didn’t wait downstairs, instead taking his bag upstairs into his room.  He read through his books and ordered dinner up to his room, it was reminiscent of last year when he was unknowingly being hidden from Sirius.  Finally his watch beeped and Harry rose.

Three doors down he knocked twice.  The door opened and he smiled at the man inside.

“Hi Minister, I’m glad you got my letter.”