Cub, Wolf, and Dog

Chapter 3- Friends and Full Moons

It was Monday morning. Three days had passed since Harry came to this place. He was beginning to settle in, and it was feeling more like home to him than the Dursleys house ever was. He had never felt like this before.

By now, Harry had already lost his eagerness to ask questions but he was still feeling a little afraid of saying something wrong that would result in him being punished for it. And for this, it took a lot of reassurance acts from Remus and Sirius to make him realize that if he indeed did anything wrong, they would never -ever- hit him.

Then, something strange occurred. By Sunday night, Harry had suddenly stopped talking. He was not saying anything at all; his lips did not move. He just sat there and stared at Remus and Sirius in silence. It took them both almost an hour to understand what was going on with the child.

Harry said that he had not done any of the house chores since he arrived there, and that whenever this happened at his Aunt and Uncle's house, he was hit and told he was not allowed to talk for twelve hours straight. Remus and Sirius were in shock after hearing what Harry had said. They would have never guessed -not even in a million years- that Harry could not be allowed to talk for 'night' doing any chores.

They made a deal with Harry; if he finished his dinner and took his plate to the sink, it would be counted as a finished chore. Harry seemed to be happy with the arrangement, and so he managed to complete it everyday without delay.

After the chores case was solved, another situation came to surface. It seems like Harry used to have many nightmares. On Saturday night, Harry had woken up around two in the morning looking for his godfather's arms, in order to feel safe. At least, he had some arms to be comforted by. If he was at the Dursleys, he would have to feel afraid and suffer alone. But it did not happen like that this time. Harry gathered as much courage as a five year old could, got out of bed, left his room and knocked on his godfather's bedroom door.

When Sirius saw the child standing there, he comforted him by saying that if he ever had another nightmare, he could always come to him or go to Remus. That night, Harry made himself comfortable and safe on Sirius' bed and fell asleep feeling that he was really cared.

Now, the only thing that was still unresolved was Harry's way of keeping what he felt for himself and not showing any sign of affection towards Remus or Sirius. Both men had often told him that they 'loved' him, but Harry could not say that back to them. They noticed that but they did not mind. It was something they could not expect, at least, not yet. Besides, Sirius and Remus had always loved him ever since the day he was born.

Harry woke up around half past eight on Monday morning. Wearing a sleepy smile, he sat up and slipped his glasses on. He just sat in bed for a few minutes, relishing on the fact that this was his bedroom.

Five minutes later, Harry was up, dressed and ready to face the day. Wearing his innocent five year old smile again, Harry bounded out of the room and down the stairs. Entering the kitchen, Harry noted that only Sirius was up and that he was already having breakfast.

"Morning kiddo," greeted Sirius, smiling.

Sirius had started calling Harry 'kiddo' yesterday and it had, somehow, just sort of stuck. At first, Harry got irritated by being called a kid, and he reminded Sirius that he was not 'a kid' since he was five years old. When Harry had said that yesterday, both men laughed hysterically. Remus laughed at Sirius because he had been reminded the difference between a kid and a five year old... by a five year old. Sirius laughed so hard, he would have not guessed anything like that from that child.

"Morning, where is Remus?" asked Harry, while a glass of milk was placed in front of him.

"He was out late last night, so he is still in bed," answered Sirius.

Remus had gone out last night to check on his wolfsbane potion. Unfortunately, he had had to apparate down in London, and find the house where he would get the potion, the muggle way. He had not returned until four in the morning, and at that hour he was extremely exhausted.

"Oh," replied Harry, digging into his breakfast.

"We have someone coming over later," commented Sirius.

"Who?" queried Harry.

"Molly, Ron, and Ginny" answered Sirius, "You remember when I told you that it was the Weasleys who found Pettigrew?"

"Yeah, I remember," answered Harry before adding quietly, "Are they nice?"

Smiling, Sirius said, "Yes, Ron is your age and his sister is a year younger. Molly is a very nice lady. She will probably end up taking care of you like a mother."

Sirius knew that it would mean the world to Harry to have a mother figure to look up too. But since he was a wrongly accused ex-convict, he was not sure any woman would be willing to go out with him. As for Remus, the fact that he was a werewolf did not make him very attracting to most witches since they would not associate with dark creatures. And neither of them were thinking about going out with any muggle since that would mean they would have to hide who they really were.

"Does Ron and Ginny like Quidditch?" asked Harry, taking his breakfast bowl to the sink.

That was another thing he had learnt about, Quidditch the wizarding sport. At first, Harry could not quite grasp the concept of the game, but after Remus had gotten him a child's book about it -which was filled with big writing and pictures- Harry had been enthralled by it. To top it off, he learnt that his dad had been on the Quidditch team at school, and that he was a chaser.

"Yes, I heard Ron is very stricken by The Chudley Cannons' team," answered Sirius.

Wrinkling his nose up, Harry asked, "Don't they always lose?"

Chuckling at Harry' scrunched-up face, Sirius replied, "Yes, but you have to remember that it does not matter if you win or lose but to take part in the game, that is what counts,"

"I know that," said Harry, "It's just, I can't always remember all the Quidditch teams!" Harry said casting his eyes downwards.

That was also something that they had noticed about Harry, if he did not know about something or he did something wrong, he would immediately berate himself about it. Obviously, it had been something the Dursleys had drilled into his head; do or say something wrong and you will get hit as well as told how stupid you are.

"Harry, look at me," said Sirius while his blue, caring eyes met with the child's emerald, innocent eyes, "I do not expect you to remember everything we tell you. We know you are a child. Children are not adults, or full-trained wizards. Children are allowed to make mistakes or to forget about things but also to learn about the consequences of that in a very simple way."

"I would not like to disappoint you, or Moony!" said Harry, his voice very low.

Another trait he had picked up was calling Sirius and Remus by their nicknames, Padfoot and Moony. It happened a couple of times, in situations where he showed his emotions or was really sincere.

"Harry, the only way you could disappoint me, or Remus, would be if you got hurt and never tell us about it , only when you end up collapsing because of the injury," explained Sirius.

"I know but..."

"No buts," cut across Sirius before adding, a bit calmer, "Why don't you go see if Moony's awake?"

"Will he mind if I wake him up?" asked Harry.

"No, just knock on his door, go in, and if he is awake, tell him he's got a breakfast waiting for him," answered Sirius. Nodding his head, Harry made his way out of the kitchen and into the stairway. Then started climbing up the stairs.

A few minutes later, Harry was standing in from of Remus' bedroom door. He knocked slowly and then opened the door and entered into the dark room.

Even though it was very dark, Harry could tell about the colors on the walls and on the floor. The walls were painted in a warm bluish colour while the carpet was some sort of neutral colour.

"Remus?" asked Harry, as loudly as he dared.

A shuffling of bed covers were heard. Then the room was bathed in light with a bed-ridden looking Remus sitting up in bed.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" asked Remus, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Sirius told me to come and check if you were awake," answered Harry.

"Told you to do what?" asked Remus, confused.

"To check if you were awake. If you were not, he told me to wake you up," answered Harry, sitting on the bottom of the bed.

"Oh, did he!" exclaimed Remus, "And what else did Padfoot say you'd have to do?"

"Nothing else, just to wake you up. He told me we got the Weasleys coming over," answered Harry.

"Hmmm...yes, I think he mentioned something about them coming," answered Remus, stifling a yawn.

"How come you weren't home last night?" asked Harry curiously.

The night before, Harry asked Sirius about Remus' whereabouts. Sirius told him that he had gone to see someone about a potion. When Harry asked what kind of potion that was, Sirius refused to answer by saying 'it isn't my place to say, and I'm not sure that you'd understand.'

"What did Sirius tell you?" queried Remus ignoring Harry's question.

"Just that you went to see someone about a potion," answered Harry with a slightly tone of curiosity in his voice.

"And you want to know what that potion does" said Remus, after noticing Harry's curiosity.

"Yes!"

"Well, if it works, when I turn into a werewolf, I will be harmless. Now, if it doesn't work, I will still be the ill-natured werewolf I am now," explained Remus.

"But you can't be bad!" protested Harry.

"I'm not dangerous but once I've transformed I become dangerous and capable of hurting everyone"

"But, it is you," protested Harry again, tears running down his face, "I don't want you to be bad!"

Sighing Remus pulled Harry to the top of the bed and gave him a cuddle. He knew, when he first told Harry about lycanthropes, that it hadn't really sunk in the child's mind, but no matter how much Harry wanted him not to be dangerous, he knew he had no choice unless thee wolfsbane potion really worked.

"Harry, no matter what I turn into for one day, each month, the rest of the time I'm not dangerous," said Remus in a soothing voice.

Sniffling, Harry replied, "I still don't want you to be bad,"

"I know you don't want that as me neither," began Remus, "but we can't have everything we want in life,"

"Why don't you go wash you face, and I'll meet you and Padfoot downstairs?" suggested Remus.

"Alright," answered Harry, jumping off the bed. He had only gotten as far as the door when he turned around and said, "I don't think you could ever be bad, no matter if you're a werewolf or not." And he left Remus bedroom, wiping his tears away.

A moment later, Remus was already in the kitchen, having breakfast with Sirius. Harry sat down and finished his drink -the one he had left unfinished when he went to wake Remus up-.

"So, are you looking forward to meet Ron and Ginny?" asked Remus.

"Um... nervous," answered Harry uneasily.

"You'll like them, I promise," put in Sirius.

Sirius thought it would be better for Harry to have friends on his own age..

***

Around half past ten, Harry was waiting in the living room. He was feeling nervous, which reflected on his stomach. He could remember that no one could be his friend when he was at the Dursleys since Dudley would always make something up to prevent him from be liked.

"Harry, are you okay?" asked Remus, breaking the silence.

"Yes."

The room fell back into silence. It was obvious that everyone in the room was feeling a little nervous. After all, how many times could someone say they had helped clear an innocent man, only to keep away from visiting him?

Five minutes later, the fireplace sprang to life in green flames. A plump, red-headed woman came out of the fire, carrying a small, red-headed girl. The two stepped away from the hearth just as the real fire came to life again, bringing a freckled, red-headed boy from itself.

"Oh, Ron!" sighed the plump woman which was obviously his mother.

"I don't like floo," grumbled Ron.

"Hello Sirius, Remus, and this must be Harry?" greeted Molly Weasley smiling kindly.

"Hello, Molly," replied Sirius, "And yes, this is Harry,"

Kneeling on the floor, Molly introduced herself, "Well, Harry, I'm Molly, and behind me are Ron and Ginny,"

"Hello! I'm Harry Potter," introduced Harry, politely.

Behind Molly, Harry noticed that Ron and Ginny's eyes had widened in shock.

"I know," replied Molly, standing back up, "Ron, Ginny, why don't you both get to know Harry whilst I talk to Remus and Sirius?" suggested Molly.

"Okay, mummy," answered Ginny, "Are we allowed to go outside?" asked Ginny.

"Yes, but don't go too far from the house," answered Remus.

"Okay," piped up Ron, "Come on, Harry,"

"I'm coming," replied Harry.

The trio got up and headed into the backyard. The weather was warm and the sky was cloud-free. The three of them sat down on a patch of grass and began talking.

Ron and Ginny were at first surprised to meet Harry Potter, 'the-boy-who-lived', but once they got over their shock, they both realized that he was just like them, a normal five year old.

Back in the living room, Molly had taken the seat where Harry was seated before and was talking about him.

"He looks so much like his dad!" said in a surprise tone Molly.

"He only looks like James," said Sirius.

"Why if I remember correctly James Potter was a trouble maker" stated Molly.

"Well, there is something we should talk about, but you can't say anything about it to Harry," stated Sirius.

"Oh, Sirius! What is going on? Would you please tell me?" demanded Molly.

"Okay," answered Sirius, "There is some proof that Harry has been abused by the Dursleys,

"Abused!" explained Molly, horrified, "Why would anyone want to hurt such a sweet little boy?"

"We don't know," responded Remus, and then taking a plunge, he carried on, "but unfortunately, he has to go back for the full moon,"

"Full moon?" questioned Molly.

"Yes, you see... well I'm... a...."trailed off Remus, unable to finish.

Molly's eyes widened as she replied, "Oh! You are a werewolf!"

"Unfortunately, yes," mumbled Remus.

"Remus, it isn't your fault," replied Molly, calmly.

"The only reason I told you," began Remus, "was so that if you don't want your children consorting with a dark creature, you'd know about me from the start,"

Sighing Molly, answered, "Remus, I won't stop my children from coming over,"

"That's okay, then," replied Remus.

The three adults carried on talking. Sirius and Remus explained how badly injured Harry had been when they arrived at home. They also explained how much reassurance Harry needed in order to make him understand, or feel, that he wasn't going to get hit.

Meanwhile, Ron, Harry, and Ginny were also engaged in an animated conversation.

"Is there only you two, then?" asked Harry, curiously.

"No," answered Ron," There is Bill -he's the oldest-, then Charlie -he will begin his last year at Hogwarts this September- then there's Percy - he's nine- and the twins, Fred and George, -they're seven and always pulling pranks. Then, it's me and then Ginny," explained Ron.

"Cool," replied Harry.

That had always been Harry's fantasy; to have a brother or sister to talk to or to share secrets with. Along with having his own parents.

"Not really. You always get all the hand-me-down clothes and everything second-hand," protested Ron.

"But you've got a family," pointed out Harry.

"Yeah, so have you," countered Ginny.

"I haven't got a mum, a dad, a brother or a sister," replied Harry quietly.

A smile spread across Ron's face as he answered, "We can be your brother and sister if you want to, and I'm sure my mum could be your mum."

There was a huge smile across Harry's face but something stopped him from jumping for joy. The Weasleys weren't his family by blood, and so far Ron, Ginny and Molly had been very kind to him. Where as the Dursleys -who were his only remaining family- had always hated him. Maybe, if he gave it a chance, he could have Ron, Ginny and Molly as some sort of extended family.

"Yeah, I'd really like that," agreed Harry whole heartedly.

***

Harry was listening to Sirius and Remus' voices as he drifted in and out of sleep. It was half past seven and Ron, Ginny, and Molly had left about three hours ago.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny had spent most of the day outside only coming in to lunch and to use the toilet. Ron and Ginny explained Harry a few things of what it was like living with five older brothers. Harry explained very little about the Dursleys, but he couldn't wait to tell them about living with Remus and Sirius.

Remus, Sirius, and Molly had spent the day in the kitchen keeping an eye on the children. After explaining about his condition, Molly wasn't really that comfortable talking about it, so they avoided that subject. She had tried to persuade them that instead of giving Harry back to the Dursleys for the night, they could give him to her. But they had declined her offer explaining about the blood protection around the house and that if he only went back for one day it will leave the protection on the house for the year.

Molly also tried to give Sirius and Remus a few parenting tips, but as Remus said 'with Sirius' rash behavior and me being the voice of reason we'll be fine.' Needless to say, Molly was left rather stunned.

"Harry, come on, let's get you to bed," instructed Sirius, noticing his godson' eyes dropping close again.

"Mm, not tired," protested Harry weakly.

"Of course you are not tired! Why are you falling asleep then? Come on!" replied Sirius.

"Good night Harry, sweet dreams," commented Sirius.

"'Night Sirius," mumbled Harry before adding, "Love you," then he fell to sleep.

As Sirius made his way back downstairs, there was a smile on his face at his godson's words. A smile that would be still be there the following morning.

***

"Harry, come sit in here, please," called Sirius dourly.

"Yes?" asked Harry sitting next to Sirius.

"Harry, do you remember when Remus explained you about being a werewolf, and how bad he became?" questioned Sirius.

Nodding, Harry answered slowly, "Ye-es,"

"Well, unfortunately that is the reason we cannot let you stay here," explained Sirius solemnly, "You'll have to go back to the Dursleys."

No, thought Harry mortified, I knew this would happen. Give me a taste of being loved, then take it away from me. I knew they didn't really want me, now they're sending me back. I can't go back. I'm scared to go back.

Harry jumped up with tears clouding his vision, and ran out of the living room, up the stairs and into the bedroom, where he promptly sat down and heaved heart-wrenching sobs.

Five minutes later, Harry's bedroom door opened and Remus entered and sat next to Harry.

"Harry, don't be to upset with Sirius," commented Remus.

"Do you want me?" asked Harry, between choked sobs.

Sighing Remus answered, "Of course we want you. It will only be for one night. You aren't anything that I or Sirius would want to get rid of."

Harry completely broke down in a harsh, raw crying. Remus just put an arm around the heart broken five year old.

"Why don't you go and see Sirius?" suggested Remus as Harry's cried slowed.

"Why?" asked Harry sniffling.

"Because he needs to know you aren't upset with him," explained Remus.

Nodding Harry got up, tried to dry his wet eyes on the sleeve of his t-shirt before leaving the bedroom.

Harry saw Sirius looking miserable, staring out of the window. Harry coughed slightly to get Sirius attention.

"Harry, are you alright?" asked Sirius, his attention back in the real world.

Shaking his head, Harry broke into tears again. Sirius quickly got up, picked Harry up, and headed back to the sofa. Sitting down, he rubbed small circles on his distraught godson's back, but nothing he said could make the young boy feel any better.

Forty minutes later, Harry's crying had stopped, but he was reluctant to move from the arms of Sirius who was still holding him.

"Harry, would you like a warm drink?" asked Sirius softly.

"Yes, please," answered Harry, finally moving.

Getting up Harry followed Sirius into the kitchen. Harry sat down in between were Remus was sitting and were Sirius would sit. Sirius placed a warm cup of tea in front of Harry before taking a seat on Harry's right side.

"Feel better now?" queried Remus.

"I think so," answered Sirius.

"I'm scared," piped up Harry.

"Of what?" asked Remus.

"Of going back," explained Harry, "I don't want to be hurt again,"

"Harry," began Sirius strongly, "We will place a safety charm on you, which means that if that monster of an Uncle you have lays one finger on you, it will hurt him more. We wouldn't send you back if we knew you'd get hurt!"

"Promise?" asked Harry, sounding very much like the scared little boy he was when he first arrived.

"I promise. A wizard's promise," agreed Sirius.

A wizard's promise was the strongest promise wizards and witches could ever make. And if that promise was broken, then that person would feel the pain of the other person. Once the promise had been fulfilled, the bond would brake.

"Ok-ay," answered Harry uneasily.

"It means, that nothing will be able to hurt you without Sirius feeling it," explained Remus in a teaching tone.

"Oh! Will I have to go back next time as well?" asked Harry.

"Only if Remus' potion doesn't work," answered Sirius.

The three of them spent the rest of the evening enjoying themselves and trying not to think of what would happen the next day.

***

Harry was sitting in the kitchen with a small rucksack, which contained a fresh lot of clothes, as well as his toothbrush and two small key rings that had a model of a dog and a wolf on. All that was left now was for Sirius to come back down from talking to Remus, to take Harry back.

"Ready to go?" asked Sirius, walking into the kitchen.

"Yes," answered Harry quietly.

"Come on then. Take hold of this," replied Sirius pulling an old 'The Sun' newspaper out of a draw.

Harry obediently grabbed his bag and placed a hand on the portkey. Harry had been told about the way they were traveling.

"5...4...3...2...1," counted down Sirius.

The portkey was activated and Harry felt a tug just below his navel, and then felt himself moving through time and space. He wanted to let go but it was as if his finger had got stuck; finally he felt his feet hit solid ground as he fell onto his bum.

Chuckling, Sirius helped him get up saying, "Come on."

Once he got up, Harry dusted his backside off and then took a look around him. He was standing two doors away from number 4 at number 8. Five minutes later, the two were heading up the path that led to the main door, then Sirius knocked on the door.

The door opened to reveal Petunia Dursley, "What are you doing back?" asked Petunia bluntly.

"Remember what we said? Harry has to come back for the night," explained Sirius coldly.

"Well, I won't take him back!" protested Petunia.

Taking out his wand Sirius pointed it at Petunia and warned, "Well, I don't think you have a choice. I mean, now that you could be charged with child abuse,"

"Y-y-you w-wouldn't d-d-dare?" stuttered Petunia fearful.

"Oh, I'd dare all right! You will take care of him and look after him properly. If you or your husband hit Harry, I will know!"

"HMPH!" harrumphed Petunia before giving in, "Fine, he can stay, but you come back at nine tomorrow morning," then she retreated back into the house.

Turning back to Harry, Sirius kneeled down and said, "You be good, okay? I'll see you tomorrow morning. It will not be long Harry. We will be thinking of you," then he gave his godson a hug.

"Don't go, please," pleaded Harry.

"I have to Harry," whispered Sirius, "It'll be alright, you just stay away from you family,"

"I'm scared," protested Harry.

Pulling away, Sirius looked at Harry, "I know you're scared. I'd be worried if you weren't. But you can't stay at home tonight. If Remus hurt you once he had transformed, he would never forgive himself. If this potion works, then you will be able to stay," explained Sirius standing back up he added, "I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Harry."

Harry couldn't speak as Sirius went back outside number 8 and then apparate away. What Harry didn't see was the tears on Sirius face. After what seemed like hours, Harry faced the looming house. He took a deep breath and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

The sound of the door closing brought his Aunt Petunia out of the kitchen and back into the hallway.

"Well!" snapped Petunia.

"What?" asked Harry.

"Don't say 'what' in that tone," sniped Petunia, "Now, get outside. You won't do anything or say anything. You won't be allowed in this house at all, and you will stay out of your Uncle's view," explained Petunia "Is that clear boy?"

"Yes, Aunt Petunia," answered Harry quietly.

Harry quickly -and quietly- made his way through the hallway into the kitchen and then out into the backyard, where the door was shut on his back.

Harry ambled over to a corner in the garden. He sat down, pulled his knees up to his chest and buried his head in them and let the tears fall. I want to go home, thought Harry, shivering against the cool wind, I want to be warm. I want to go home!

When Harry stopped crying, he looked up and realized that it was dark and damp. There was laughter coming from the front room as the Dursleys watched a T.V show. Sighing, Harry leaned back against the fence and looked up at the sky. Cool, the moon is really bright. It looks like someone turned a light on, thought Harry, with smile.

It was then when he heard it something whining on the other side of the fence. Jerking his head towards the back gate, he strained his ears to hear the noise again. Again the whining came followed by a small growl.

Feeling very curious, Harry took off his bag, got up and went over to the gate where the noise had been. It happened again, but this time, it sounded further away. Maybe if I just open the gate and stick my head out, I could see what is it, thought Harry; it is not as if the Dursleys will miss me.

Harry unlocked the small catch very slow and in complete silence. He carefully eased the stained wooden gate open, poked his head out and looked down the back alley way. There was something sitting at the end of the alley -something with gleaming, yellowish, amber eyes- something that kept shining as though it was injured. Harry's first instinct was telling it to run, but something over rode that, something that made him step out into the alley and walk towards the supposedly injured animal.

Harry had taken five steps when the animal got up and began walking forward. Harry noticed the animal was not injured. Oh no! Thought Harry, he was paralysed by fear and he couldn't fight through his fear.

The animal was getting closer and closer to Harry; five seconds later, the animal was circling him, obviously seeing which side he was going to attack. The fear that had Harry immobile was suddenly gone and Harry ran. The animal was startled at the young human' sudden movement, trying to subdue the pray it lunged at the boy and bit him in the die.

Harry would have screamed but he couldn't. He was whimpering at the sharp pain that raced up and down his side before it suddenly went numb. Looking towards his left side, Harry saw a read patch forming around his shirt and the animals muzzled, with a sudden adrenalin surge Harry pushed away from the animal.

The animal took one last look at its moving prey before obviously deciding it wasn't worth it and it took off back up the alley.

Shaking, Harry got up unsteadily and ambled back into the Dursleys' garden, back over to his bag. Leaning back against the fence, Harry struggled to get the clean shirt out and pressed it against the mark. Ow! What was that thing? I wish I was at home, thought Harry as the tears came again and he was heaving heart filled, raw, pain filled sobs.

Little did Harry know that back at his home, Sirius was also feeling Harry's pain and he had to lie down and curl up in a tight ball.

Remus had indeed kept his mind although the wolf was there and trying to urge him into doing things he wouldn't normally do, he knew his surroundings; he knew who he was and who he was with.

He also knew something had happened to Harry, as Sirius had fallen to the floor whimpering about five minutes ago. But all Remus could do was keep the big, black dog company, he knew it was bad as Sirius hadn't or couldn't- he wasn't sure which- had moved yet. All they could do was wait for morning and that seemed like a long way off at the moment.

***

After transforming back to his human form, Remus was exhausted but he knew they he had to wake Sirius up so they could go and fetch Harry back home.

"Sirius!" exclaimed Remus hoarsely.

The huge black dog jumped up suddenly then transformed back into his human form where he was met with a strange numb, cold, odd feeling in his side.

"Remus, are you okay?" asked Sirius ignoring his side for a minute.

"Tired but fine," answered Remus, "What about you, you collapsed and haven't moved since"

"I'm fine but something is really wrong with Harry," answered Sirius, "Would you come with me to get Harry?"

"Sure," answered Remus.

"Good," responded Sirius.

Standing up Sirius dusted himself off before helping Remus to stand up. It always took Remus two or three minutes to be able to stand back up on two legs again. Once they had stood up, Sirius summoned clothes for Remus and then waited for Remus to get dressed. Five minutes later both men were waiting for the Portkey to activate.

"5...4...3...2...1," counted down Remus.

There was a tug just below their navels as they were pulled through time and space before landing on Privet Drive outside number eight. They both ran up the pathway to number four and Sirius stood banging on the door.

Petunia opened the door and said, "Good you are here, are you keeping him this time?"

"Where is Harry?" questioned Sirius, ignoring Petunia's comment.

"Are you keeping him?" repeated Petunia stressing each word.

"God damn it, woman!" cursed Sirius taking his wand out and pointing it at her, "I don't have time for this! Where is Harry?"

"Outside, were he's been all night," answered Petunia bitterly.

"He's been out in your back garden all night?" questioned Sirius making sure he heard right.

"Yes, are you deaf?" replied Petunia.

Trying not to waste another second, Sirius pushed past Petunia and ran through the hallway through the kitchen and out into the back garden. The site that met him made his heart stop; Harry was leaning against the wooden fence with a bloodied shirt pressed to his side.

But there was also a lot of blood on the floor, forming a puddle around the five year old's body. Sirius rushed over and checked Harry's neck for a pulse. There was a small pulse, but it was weak so he would have to hurry and get the child help soon, or he might not live through the day. The very thought of losing his godson brought tears to his eyes.

"Sirius?" called Remus, stepping into the garden and seeing the scene.

"Remus, please help him, I -I -I don't k-k-know what to d-d-do," pleaded Sirius helpless.

Not missing a heart beat, Remus rushed over and peeled back the bloodied shirt. Underneath the shirt it was a mess of t-shirt, skin and blood. He couldn't make out what it was that had attacked Harry, but he had a vague idea. Please don't let it be what I think it may be, thought Remus.

"Sirius, do you think you can apparate him home?" asked Remus, reminding himself to remain calm.

Nodding, Sirius answered, "Yes, but can you stop the bleeding?"

"Only by placing a bandage over it," answered Remus, "Sirius, you need to get him home and place him on the bed. Get a clean bowl of warm water and clean up the dried blood, then place a dressing over his wound," explained Remus.

"Where are you going?" asked Sirius, after quickly memorizing the instructions.

"To Hogwarts. We need a healer and Madame Pomfrey is the only one I trust at the moment. Now, go before he loses any more blood" exclaimed Remus sternly.

Sirius picked Harry up and apparated back home. Once there, he followed Remus' instructions accurately. When he had cleaned off all the dried blood, he noticed that the wound looked like...

"SIRIUS!" called Madame Pomfrey, Matron at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"UP HERE," shouted back Sirius.

Footfalls were heard on the stairs as the school's nurse climbed the stairs. Five seconds later, she entered Harry's bedroom.

"Sirius, what's happened?" questioned the healer worried, pulling Sirius away from the bed so she could get a look at Harry's side, "Oh my, is that a?"

"I don't know," answered Sirius, "Please, help him,"

"I will try to do my best, but you are to leave this room whilst I try to fix him up," ordered Poppy.

Reluctantly, Sirius left Harry' side and went across the hall into his own bedroom. Sitting on his bed, his whole body rocked with sorrowful sobs. He knew that at this moment in time, Harry could easily die. He never heard the door open, or Remus' steps until he was embraced by the man.

"Why, why has that happened Harry?" sobbed Sirius.

"I don't know, but we are going to be there for him every step of the way, he will pull through Sirius," answered Remus.

The door opened again and Madame Pomfrey entered the room.

"How is he?" asked Remus, as Sirius topped crying enough to listen.

"Harry should be fine in a few days. But there are several things I want you to do both. First of all, you will have to explain him the situation. You must not leave him in the dark. Second, he is to stay confined to bed for three weeks, I do no want him being moved at all. Third, Remus, he will need your help. Fourth, I trust that I do not need to remind you not to shun him or to treat him any differently than you would have done before. I believe that would be all. Remus, you know the basics. Owl or floo for me if you need anything. Goodbye gentlemen,"

It was confirmed in that instance what both men had feared. Harry would lead his life with a curse, a dark curse that only the ones bitten by a wolf would understand, since he was bitten by one the night before. Now, 'the-boy-who-lived' would forever be classed as a freak if the wizarding world ever found out. Harry James Potter was a werewolf for life!