Chapter 10
It had been two weeks since Harriet had gone missing from the Orders grasp, two weeks where Remus Lupin had not rest. In those weeks, Lupin searched through all muggle London, hoping to find her scent. Sadly, nothing was ever found. All he could think of was the vulnerability she must be facing at this moment, and what made matters worse was his worry over his grandpup. Remus smelt his cub’s sent change from last year thanks to his lycanthropy. It took him a long time to figure out why it happened; when it happened, Sirius died, and she was missing. Everything was crumbling down in Remus’ world. The person he has loved since he was in Hogwarts had died; he died as a murderer and with no burial. It gave no chance for Remus or his pup to properly say goodbye to Sirius. He mourned till his pup had gone missing.
Remus couldn’t stand the idea of Harriet being in the hands of her enemies. Ever since she gave birth to her child, he has known about the little boy. He has known yet kept quiet, knowing the dangers she could be facing, but he couldn’t understand why his cub wouldn’t talk to him about protecting her child; why didn’t Sirius trust him? His heart broke just because of the lack of trust between his ex-lover and his pup, but he knew he had to fight to protect them now.
After those two restless weeks of searching, Remus returns to his cottage heartbroken and tired. His mind still roams back to his missing pups and worries for their safety. He slowly settled, leaving all of his things near the front door. There was so little that a teenage mother could do all alone in both worlds, wizarding and muggle. Maybe it was all because of his lycanthropy, he thought. He kept that line of thought until they were interrupted by a snowy owl. “Hedwig,” he released a breath he never thought he was holding. He took the letter she had and saw how she flew away.
Immediately, he opened the letter, wanting to know about Harriet. “Oh, pup,” he sighed.
Dear Remus:
I want you to know that I am safe. You don’t have to worry anymore. I know that Dumbledore started looking for me. I promise I’m safe and protected where I am. All I ask is for you to keep my precious secret. After you finish reading, promise me that you will swear to a vow after reading everything. I fear that Dumbledore will use my secret against me.
There’s a Portkey that will take you to where I’m staying. I promise I will explain everything when we see each other. Just say the Marauder’s oath.Love,
Your pup.
After reading the small letter, Remus grabbed the Portkey and said, “I solemnly swear I’m up to no good.” To his surprise, he ended up in Malfoy Manor, staring at his pup and playing with her child.
At the Burrow, Ronald Bilius Weasley was disgusted with himself. He calls back at all the stupid decisions he made the moment he believed in Dumbledore’s preach. It all began the day before the end of the first year. After the Philosopher Stone fiasco, Ron admired what Harriet represented to him and to their world. So, when Dumbledore presented a betrothal contract between him and Harriet, he signed it in a heartbeat. Then, the parents blindly signed it, believing it was the right thing. At first, this opportunity represented a chance for him to get out of the misery he called home and have his name in history. During the past years, he has learned that the fame that came with being the Girl-Who-Lived wasn’t worth it.
His jealousy turned to regret and sadness. After learning how she lived and Dumbledore’s control over her, he wanted nothing more than to help her. Sadly, the contract prevented him from doing anything. Now, thanks to his stupid jealousy and greed, it only left him filled with regret and disgust. Suddenly, Hedwig landed on his nightstand, leaving a note from Harri. He anxiously opened the letter, ignoring the owl’s departure from the window.
Dear Ron:
I know Dumbledore told us to not mail each other now that Voldemort is active, but I don’t want you or your family to worry. Everything in Privet Drive has been hectic. Now that Sirius is dead, I’m scared of what he might do... I left as soon as I could before something horrible happened. Right now, I’m in a hotel in France, and I need to get away from everything. Please, whatever you do, don’t tell Dumbledore; I’m scared he might drag me back to the Dursleys.
Love,
Harri
Ron immediately grabbed some parchment and told his best friend everything he had done, from the marriage contract to the stolen galleons. With this, all he hopes is for her forgiveness; he can’t lose a friend like her. He watched Pig fly with his letter. Ron’s attention suddenly went to the visitor in the Burrow. He went downstairs, as his mother called him, meeting with Dumbledore by the end of the stairs. He was talking with his parents about Harriet. “Hello, Molly, Arthur, how are you?”
“Albus, why the sudden visit?” Molly asked. “If I had known you were coming, I would have prepared something.”
He gives the couple a fake smile. “No need, I am here to see if young Ron has received any mail from Harriet,” Albus said. “After what happened with Remus, it has been difficult to find her. With Voldemort’s activities, I am worried for her safety.”
“After what happened to the Dursleys, I believe Remus has defected from our cause.” Ron froze when he heard Dumbledore speaking about Harri. He would have to lie to both his parents and the Headmaster. He wanted and needed to redeem himself to Harriet.
“This is a serious accusation. I don’t believe Remus would ever hurt Harriet,” Molly said, “he loves her.”
“I know Molly, but Remus has not responded to many of my letters,” Albus replied. “I wanted to know if Ronald or Ginevra has received any kind of correspondence from dear Harriet.”
“Of course, I’ll call them right away,” Molly replied. “RON, GINNY?”
Both teenagers rushed to their mother’s demands. “Yes, mum?” Ginny said.
“Have you received any letters from Harri?” Albus asked. Both teens shake their heads, ashamed they couldn’t help the Headmaster find Harriet. Ron looked up to meet the Headmaster’s disappointment. “We mustn’t let Voldemort find Harriet first. We don’t know what horrors he could do to the poor girl.”
“We understand, Albus,” Molly replied worriedly, “I can’t imagine what the poor girl is going through, losing her family in such a way.”
“Ron, my boy, have you received any messages from Harriet?” Albus said, “We must find her for the greater good.”
“I’m sorry, Headmaster,” Ron said, dropping his head with shame. “I wish there was a way we could find her.”
“It’s alright, my boy,” He smiled tenderly, “We’ll continue our search for Harriet.” With those words, Dumbledore left the Burrow to continue his search. Instantly, Ron called every member living in the Burrow to tell them every single thing the Headmaster had been planning against Harriet and his involvement in those plans.
Back at Malfoy Manor, there was a frantic werewolf trying to keep his cub away from every Death Eater in the room. He was standing in between his cubs and the Death Eaters, growling and threatening his enemies. “STAY AWAY FROM MY CUB!” He yelled, ignoring a trembling Harriet and a crying SJ.
“Don’t be an idiot, you stupid mutt!” Severus growled.
“I know you were responsible for my cubs’ disappearance. I could smell your mark there,” He kept yelling.
During the madness, Harriet retracted more and more into the past. All she could see was Vernon’s purple anger, trying to beat her son’s food. She kept watching her blood everywhere. “I’m sorry,” She whimpered. “I’m sorry, Uncle Vernon. Please, I’m sorry.”
Remus snapped his attention back to Harriet, curled in a corner, hugging her son protectively in her arms. “Harri, cub, you are not with those vile creatures,” Remus said with a soothing tone, caressing her hair. “No harm will come to you cub, I promise.” He continued soothing her until both of his cubs calmed down. Her green orbs stared back at his with tears in both eyes. The werewolf wiped away her tears and soothed her long enough to calm her down. “Remus,” She whispered. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh pup, you have nothing to feel sorry for,” Remus hushed. “You did what you thought was best for your cub. I’m not mad.”
Harriet’s killing curse eyes grew wide, surprised. She never thought Remus would be the first one to find out about SJ without telling him. There was nothing she didn’t do; she glamoured her growing stomach, hid her scent, and hid him under her invisibility cloak with Dobby’s help. SJ looked up at his mother with tearful eyes, bewildered by what was happening. Remus smiled at the small child and at Harriet. Suddenly, SJ locked his emerald orbs with the werewolf’s eyes and fell into a giggling fit. His mother smiled at the baby’s antics, “Remus, this is Sirius James, your grandson.” She said.
“Pappy!” The child yelled.
“Hey puppy, it’s nice to finally meet you,” Remus replied. He grabbed the chubby hands and played with them. “I met you for the first time when you were right here!” The werewolf tickled the boy into another giggling fit.
Somehow, Harriet felt a weight lifted off her shoulders just by Remus accepting her son. He ignored whatever happened to her and accepted her son with no questions asked. Everything, for the first time, was falling into place until the words she hated were mentioned in the conversation. “Who’s the father?” Her honorary father asked. He looked at his pup only to see her stare down at her son. Then, he looks at the Death Eater and sees Severus shaking his head. His attention abruptly turned to the small boy, mesmerized by all the scars on his face, also tugging his ash-brown hair. “I think that this little man wants to be the center of attention from the big bad wolf,” She teased.
SJ snuggled out of his mom’s arms and tried to push the wolf to where his toys were. Remus carried him over his shoulders like he did to Harriet when she was a baby. The boy’s laughter filled the room, causing everyone to smile. Remus lifts him in the air, making airplane noises, and the boy stretches his arms as his new grandfather swings him in the air. It continued for at least an hour until SJ fell asleep in Remus’ arms. “I’m going to take him to bed,” Harriet said. “I’ll be right back. Don’t destroy anything while I’m gone.” She left the parlor, and Remus began to demand answers.
Severus looked at his nemesis and took a deep and calming breath before he explained how he had found Harriet almost a month ago. The amber eyes glowed with anger thinking the horrors Harriet went through. “And Dumbledore let this happen all these years?!” He yelled.
“Poppy has been taking care of her since Dumbledore blocked the report she sent to the Ministry,” Severus explained. “I found her on death’s door.”
"Mr. Lupin-" Narcissa said.
“Call me Remus, please.” He interrupted.
She smiled. “Remus, you must understand whatever was said here must stay here for Harriet and SJ’s sake.”
“I, Remus John Lupin, swear on my life and magic to never reveal all that has been said in any way and protect Harriet Lilliana Potter and Sirius James Potter, so mote it be.” Remus declared.
“So mote it be,” Severus and magic accepted.
In Harriet’s room, the girl was bouncing gently and singing softly to her son. He was slowly lulling to sleep until Draco burst into the room, catching the boy’s attention. "Unc'a D'aco," the boy yelled.
Draco smiled smugly and carried the boy. “Draco Malfoy! He needs to take a nap!” She fussed.
“He just knows a good company when he sees it,” Draco said. “Wouldn’t you agree, SJ?” The boy gave a blinding smile.
“Yeah, keep dreaming!” Harriet chuckled and sighed. “You know, I’m sorry for rejecting your friendship in the first year. You have been a better friend these past weeks than Ron ever did in six years.”
“You weren’t too much to blame,” He added. “I hear I was a prat back in the day.”
“You still are,” She laughed, and SJ laughed with her not knowing what was happening. In an instant, Pigwidgeon flew through the open window in the room and hooted to get Harriet’s attention. “Pig?” She said as she took the letter and saw the owl fly away.
“Who’s owl was that,” Draco asked.
“I- uh, that was Ron’s owl.” She opened the letter and was surprised by the content.
Dear Harri,
I am so glad you are okay and don’t worry, I won’t tell Dumbledore where you are. It’s not a surprise you left the Dursleys, I wouldn’t stay there for an hour.
Anyway, there are a few things you need to know about Dumbledore. He has been stealing from your faults, and I don’t mean the trust vault you use for school. You belong to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, and they have a few vaults. Also, since the first year, he has been paying me to keep an eye on you and sign a marriage contract... At first, I saw this as a way to get out of the economic situation here at home and be the husband of the Girl Who Lived, but I got to know you. These past two years, I have been reflecting on my actions. Ever since you forgave me in the fourth year, I understood I wasn’t being a good friend. I have lied to Dumbledore, but I’m still ashamed. I swear I’ll pay you back for all the money I took, even if it takes me a lifetime.
I know I don’t deserve forgiveness, and quite frankly, I wouldn’t forgive myself if I were you. I just hope we can still be friends even if you don’t trust me anymore, and please don’t hate my family. They were not involved with all the things that I’ve done. Hope to see you at school.
Your friend, hopefully,
Ron
“I can’t believe it,” Draco murmured. “The Weasel owned up to his actions.” Harriet remained shocked by Ron’s confession. He owned up to all of his mistakes and didn’t make an excuse. Ron had won Harri’s forgiveness with this letter, but she knew it would take a long time for her to trust him again. A smile grew on her face just by thinking he was loyal to her, even though it didn’t start that way. “Does this mean he’ll be able to help you with your plans?”
“I don’t see why not,” She replied. “He confessed to all of his wrongdoings. I think he deserves another chance.”
“I still don’t think you should trust the Weasleys. They are all blood traitors,” Draco sneered.
“Draco, you can’t judge them without meeting the whole lot,” She glared. “They were the first family that accepted me for who I was. They are important to me. Just like this sleepy head here.”
Unbeknownst to the two teenagers, SJ had fallen asleep while his mother was reading Ron’s message to her. “I believe he likes me more than you,” He smirked.
“That is only because he refused to fall asleep after meeting Remus!” She whispered. “Now, let’s leave before he wakes up again.”
up again.”