Harry Potter and the Muggle Solution

"DAMN!!!"

Harry cried out in his sleep. He was awake now though, and trying to remember the dream. It had been the usual, death and destruction. Only thing is Sirius had been in it, which is why, he thought, he had cried out.

"Why me?" he mumbled miserably. He turned around and tried to go back to sleep. Thing is it didn't quite work.

This was the fifth time in a row this had happened. Ever since Harry Potter, the famous Boy-Who-lived got 'home' from Hogwarts, he had trouble sleeping. And no wonder! First off, the closest thing he could remember having as a father was Sirius Black. He had been Harry's godfather, up until a month ago, when he had met his maker by Bellatrix Lestrange. God! How the name brought such pain to Harry. Then again, he reminded himself other things had happened. The death of Cedric in fourth year, Cho Chang and also his lifetime ban on Quidditch. This summer was turning out to be the worst he had had in a very long time.

It was the sixth of July and from what he could tell pretty early in the morning. And the summer had only begun. He had his O.W.L results coming to him, and he was immensely worried. He needed top grades, in five of them if he wanted to become an Auror. The only job that seemed to point towards his talents.

After thinking all of this Harry got up and checked his reflection. He was a slightly skinny boy, not helped by his unloving relations. He had very untidy black hair, knobbly-knees, stylish glasses (after all he had gone to spec savers), startlingly green eyes and possibly the only thing he liked about himself: the scar. It was this that started everything. "Well, not really" he told himself. It was that damn prophecy. He heard about it from Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the school Harry attended. Everything had been revealed. The prophecy, the reason Voldemort wanted his parents, why he was so marked... He felt the scar. It hadn't hurt, so he assumed that his dream, which he now couldn't recall had not been a vision. He tried to clear his mind like he had been taught to, rolled over and managed to get back to sleep. Unfortunately he was not the only person having troubled dreams...

***

Remus Lupin, lying in a bedroom in twelve Grimmauld Place was awake as well. He had awoken from a strange dream, again involving Sirius. Unlike Harry however, he could remember it, as it was a dream yes, but also a memory. He would rather not recall it though. It still hurt, deep down. Sirius had been one of Lupin's best friends at Hogwarts, along with James Potter and Peter Pettigrew. Remus felt alone now. He was the only one left. Admittedly, Pettigrew was still alive but... That traitorous scumbag had left the friendship in tatters, just before James had died. He hated to admit it, but he was alone. He turned around in his bed and tried to get more sleep.

***

Harry awoke again, this time around seven in the morning. He felt refreshed. Well, well rested would have described him better. In the Muggle world, he was suffering from what doctors called withdrawal symptoms, as well as a mild depression. He wouldn't talk, he wouldn't eat (much) and he was trying his hardest not to feel anything. When his Aunt greeted him he merely nodded towards her. Things had improved slightly in the household. After last year Uncle Vernon, whom was the so-called 'guardian' of Harry, during the summer holidays anyway had received a warning from the Order of the Phoenix. The warning had been to treat Harry well, because if he did not, he would have the order to answer to. As all of the Order liked Harry, there was a lot coming Uncle Vernon's way if he did anything unjust. It seemed at the moment he was perplexed. He kept quiet though.

Harry meanwhile was waddling in his thoughts. 'There's always suicide...' he thought miserably. 'Or some other way to relieve my feelings.' He had cried a fair few times since coming 'home' for the summer, merely to vent his frustration. At the world, at Bellatrix and especially at Dumbledore. He withdrew further, totally ignoring his Aunt Petunia, who was speaking to him.

"Would you get up and open that bloody window! You have an owl, you insolent boy!"

Harry looked up. Right enough there was an owl tapping at the kitchen window. He glanced at the family of Dursley's sitting at the table. Vernon, was, easily said obese. He had a lot of neck, which seemed to droop over his shirt collar. Petunia, however had very little neck, although a lot of it. Harry thought of her as turtle-necked. Dudley... Well, let's just say Dudley had been avoiding Harry. His cousin, Harry was aware of, had spent most of his time in his room, since Harry came 'home'. Harry thought this was because of the Dementor's last year. Muggle's couldn't see them, so Dudley had thought Harry had used magic on him.

He went and opened the window and recognised Pig immediately. Pig gave him quite a sharp nip on the finger, although he was still learning. Harry noticed that he had grown a little. He removed the letter Pig had and walked with him on his shoulder to his room. He could not be bothered opening the letter, as there was no doubt it was from Ron. Ron was his best friend, and had been since first year. His other best friend, Hermione Granger had kept him going through the five days. Every time he thought of her his heart warmed. He hated to admit but he was falling in love...

Love. A feeling he could not afford, at this time. He pushed his feelings aside and read the letter.

Harry,

How are you? I'm hoping we find you well.

WE? We? Who was the we? They weren't doing this to him again were they? Last year had been hard enough. Trapped in the Muggle world while his two best friends got to learn everything. If it happened again...Anger? It wouldn't come close.

I'm just writing to say that if you want, my mum and dad say you can stay the holidays at the Burrow. But only if you feel up to it... I hope you do. We could use your company.

There was the we again. Who was Ron referring to? Hopefully just his family but...

Just writing to check on you. Hope to see you soon.

Ron.

P.S Send me an answer back with Pig. Please?

Harry threw the letter down, and sat down on his bed. He would love to go to the Burrow, but with Voldemort peeved off at him, it was risky. A month before, Harry hated to remember it, but a month before Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna had tackled the Dark Lord from getting his hands on a most serious weapon. Yet again, Harry pushed these thoughts aside, and sunk into himself. He couldn't afford to feel at the moment. He knew he would get to grips eventually, with what had happened, but at the moment, Harry was too hurt.

He got up and scribbled Ron a reply. He didn't even look at what he wrote. He tied it, with many bangs on the head to Pigwidgeon (Ron's owl, formerly called Pig) and set him off. He wished Hedwig was around. He could look for her for comfort. Then again, he couldn't feel so he stopped thinking about it. When Pig had flown off, he sat on his bed and looked out of the window.

"What I wouldn't do for a normal life. None of this looking round corners, no more worrying about Voldemort or Death Eaters," he thought, miserablry.

Then again, at this point he reminded himself that there weren't very many Death Eaters. Bellatrix had escaped and Wormtail had not shown up at all. All the others, or most of them anyway were in Azkaban. Although it was not nearly as good as it had been before, the wizards there were kept under close guard. The Dementor's, who had, up until recently guarded the wizard prison, had left to join Voldemort.

"Best not to worry about it then," Harry thought. Again he found solace inside his head. It was better than living in the real world, where people were kidnapped, tortured or even worse taken away from him. He looked at his watch. It was 12.30. He decided to go for a walk.

On his way downstairs, he noticed Dudley, whom he pulled a face at. Dudley screamed and ran into the kitchen. Harry walked out the front door and was wondering who was following him today. He thought hopefully it might be Remus, or Tonks. Someone he could chat to. As long as it wasn't Dung. He walked to the park, where on that unfortunate night almost a full year ago, he had run into Dudley. He sat on the swings and just thought. He didn't notice the distinct popping noise beside him, or the fact that someone just appeared from thin air beside him. He only looked round when someone spoke his name.It was Remus, tucking away an invisibility cloak into his robes.

"Hello, Harry," he said, in a far away voice.

"'Lo," Harry replied. They just swung on the swings lost in thought. Harry was the first to break the silence. "I'm surprised to see you. The full moon is tomorrow. Why did you come?"

"Well, to be honest I wanted to talk. We have better ways of watching you rather than sight. Also I know what you are going through. I and the Order are very worried. Is the mirror Sirius gave you still broke?"

Harry winced at the name. "No. For some reason, when I took it out of my trunk it was together again. If you don't mind me asking, why did you want to know?"

Remus poked in his robes and pulled out a small mirror. "This is why." He put it back in and brought out a piece of parchment. "Also the reason I came to you tonight is this." He handed Harry the piece of parchment. Along the top, in big black letters was written: Will of Sirius Black

"He wrote that before Azkaban, just after becoming your guardian. I thought you might like to see it."

Harry looked at it, stunned. He read it about 5 times then looked at Remus. He was speechless. Remus was waiting for this to happen. He knew all about Harry's rage, having seen Dumbledore's office last year. He was just about to cower, when Harry stood up and gave him a hug. "Thank you so much, Professor."

Remus was stunned. Harry was crying. This pulled Remus to the edge. He broke down to, and they sat there, wallowing in their misery. When they both looked up, they saw a shooting star.

They were to be found an hour later, still sitting on the swings discussing Sirius. It seemed that Harry had been cured. Any time you mentioned his name he winced, as he would for a while, but he seemed to get over it. The depression, and the withdrawl symptoms had gone. They were also discussing the will.

"Well, as you can see Harry it says here that YOU, yes you," Remus was saying as he spotted the look on Harry's face, "inherit not only Grimmauld Place, but also his flying motorbike and his bank account. Which makes you a rich wizard."

Harry was to be found sitting quietly, looking at Remus in a funny way. "Thanks," he said simply. Then he looked at Remus again and added, "But what I need most is a guardian. Seeing as you were my dad's other best friend, I was wondering if I could ask you to..." 

Remus looked at him sadly. "I'd be honoured to, Harry."

Harry got up and gave Remus another hug. Remus added, "By the way, my name is Remus. Not professor. I haven't taught you since third year."

He felt sorry for Harry. Harry had lost his real father at one, then he got another three years ago. He was taken too. Remus hoped he would live long enough to look after him, and show him how to be truly loved. Ever since that day in third year, Remus felt like he had found a son in Harry.

***

After the best night's sleep Harry had had in a week, he got up and showered. When he went down for breakfast he cheerily greeted the Dursley's. They looked as though he had slapped them. After breakfast Harry decided to go for a slight jog, to try and get some muscle on his little frame. If he was going to face Voldemort, he wanted to be prepared. After going for a little jog, just around the block, he came back slightly tired. When he went to his room, he found Hedwig and another owl sitting on his bed. He did not recognise the other owl. He let Hedwig into her cage and proceeded to open the letter. It was from the Ministry of Magic.

Dear Mr Harry James Potter,

We found that you, on the night when the Ministry witnessed first hand that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returned, performed an Unforgivable Curse on a Miss Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Oh my god... I'm getting expelled. Again..." Harry wailed.

Prior to this incident we found that Voldemort had sneaked some of his Death Eaters into he Department of Mysteries. Therefore, we believe that by performing the Curse, you may have saved the lives of your fellow students.

"Hang on," thought Harry, "What do they mean I saved their lives? I did it as she was running away. Well, I'm not expelled so I'm keeping quiet."

So please take this information into consideration. This does NOT mean that you can perform Unforgivables every time you please.

Thank you for your time

Yours Sincerely

Mafalda Hopkirk

Improper Use of Magic Office

Ministry of Magic

"Well that's good."

He then wrote a letter to Hermione and Ron, explaining about the pervious night. In Hermione's letter he added his feelings. He hoped she wouldn't mind. He had to tell her. He kept alive by living on the thought of her. She had to know. A dejection he could cope with. If she remained friends, he might get over his feelings, eventually. And Ron... Well Ron already had a we... Harry just hoped it wasn't Hermione. After sealing them he took Hedwig out. "Right. This one to Ron, and this one to Hermione. Take Hermione hers first though, understand?" She affectionately nipped his finger. "Goodbye then."

***

A few days later, Harry was out running again. He hadn't improved much, but he could now easily run around the block. He was still waiting on Hedwig though. He hoped nothing had happened to her. Whenever he arrived 'home' he sat down and got his breath. Aunt Petunia came into he hall, where Harry was dripping sweat on the carpet. "OUT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!" she screamed at him. She hated anything dirty around the house. Harry however, went to his room then for a shower. He didn't care. When he went back to his room, Hedwig was sitting on his bed. He noticed two letters. "Well" he thought, "At least she's talking to me."

He opened Ron's first.

Hello Harry,

Great news. I bet it will be easy to get to London now, with the motorbike. Can I have a go at some point? I'd really love to see it in action. Have you got it there? I guess then you can come to the Burrow yourself then, without worrying about the Dursleys.

Harry hadn't told the Dursleys about the bike. They had seen it in the garage, but they didn't ask questions.

When will you be arriving? The family and we look forward to seeing you.

See you sometime, Ron.

"Well," thought Harry. "At least someone is happy."

He turned to Hermione's letter dreading what he would see. He slowly ripped open the envelope, careful not to rip any of the parchment.

Hello Harry,

That's very nice about you and Remus. And about the bike. Can I have a go on it sometime?

Harry was stunned. Hermione wanted to fly!

I have been thinking about what you said, and am happy to admit I feel the same way. I kept my feelings hid, just in case. But now they are out, well... Let's just say I look forward to seeing you.

Harry was overjoyed! Hermione had feelings for him! This was better than owning a flying motorbike. This was bliss. He finished reading the letter.

I'm going to be at the Burrow, over the next few weeks. I think Ron has found someone. Anytime he writes me it's always 'we'. Wonder who it is? Hopefully I can see you there. And if I don't, I look forward to seeing you on the Hogwarts Express.

Love,

Hermione

"Well," thought Harry, "life could not get any better."

***

Remus visited him a few more times, and they discussed the motorbike. Harry found out it went on water for fuel. He understood a little about Muggle cars, enough to know that petrol powered them. Remus, however could not explain. It was magical.

He did however teach Harry how to ride, and while working on it, installed an invisibility booster, which worked and a silence button as well. Harry decided not to use the silence button, much. The invisibility booster was a must.

***

Harry was to be found the next day packing his trunk for Hogwarts. Aunt Petunia walked in on him, putting his robes into his trunk. "Are you leaving so soon?" she asked, with a slight fizz to her voice.

"Yeah I am. I don't mean to intrude, but this place sucks for a wizard." She flinched at the sound but kept looking at him. "I'll be back next year, do not worry. Well, see you next summer, Aunt Petunia," he added coldly.

He dragged his trunk out of his bedroom, and down to the garage, where he proceeded to tie it to Sirius' motorbike. Remus had given him a full tutorial on how to ride, and on how to work the invisibility booster he had installed. Harry only hope it worked better than the Ford Anglia from his second year. He finished tying his trunk to it, started the ignition, wheeled out of the garage and pushed the button. His entire body, along with the bike and his trunk disappeared. He revved it up and eventually, with enough thrust, took off, on his way to he Burrow.