Chapter 3
Ron held Harry’s hand tightly, he wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. Harry was fairly well behaved, better behaved then expected that is. (Can you say it’s well behaved, when the boy just doesn’t respond?) It was morning now, and time for breakfast and then classes. How will everyone else respond to how the boy-who-lived literally turned into a little boy? How will Harry respond to being around crowds of people? One thing Ron knew is that it wasn’t going to turn out very well, knowing his and Harry’s luck.
Ron walked with Harry to The Great Hall, stopping right at the entrance. He didn’t open any doors but turned to face Harry.
“It’s going to be packed in there, and most of them are going to be staring at you. Then we’re going to classes, you’ve gotta be good today. Promise me?” Ron stuck his pinky out but Harry seemed to need a moment to process. Maybe he needed it dumbed down, “Lots of people, and they’re gonna stare. Be good?” Ron said, realizing he may had messed up when Harry started to glare at him. Harry completed the ‘pinky promise’ anyways and squeezed tighter onto his stuffed toy.
Ron opened the doors and it was packed. Some people stopped talking and looked at the door, only to quickly start whispering. Ron quickly went to sit down at the Gryffindor table, and Harry tried to keep up. Even when sitting you could see the height difference. Harry was always a little bit shorter than Hermione but it was only by four centimeters. But Harry was even smaller now and even scrawnier(which Ron didn’t think was possible.) Ron started to fill his own plate while Harry sat there, only interested in his toy.
Harry could feel the eyes burning into his skin, he could hear the whispers that went on. But it wasn’t that bad, if it weren’t for the fact he had no idea why they stared. Sure it was odd seeing a four year old in a school for eleven to seventeen-year-olds, but it was still odd for them to stare so much. Harry felt too nauseous to eat anything no matter how much Ron or Hermione pestered. Harry just ignored them and continued playing with the toy.
Ron found that when Harry was around something he didn’t like (like loud sounds or crowds, for example) he goes into a kind of catatonic state. That can’t be normal child behavior was it? When he was four and around things he didn’t like, he through tantrums and cried. So did Ginny. He also wondered why he was so timid, he doesn’t exhibit Gryffindor traits at all. Maybe the teachers noticed something off. He’ll just see how this day goes.
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The teachers in fact did notice. During breakfast the they silently conversed about the entire situation.
“You all are exaggerating what’s wrong. If he was in any serious danger at his home then Dumbledore would have found out and taken him somewhere safer. End of story. It’s been two years after his parents died, he’s probably just messed up in the head. Besides if anything, they probably spoil him.” Snape argued very quietly, while Remus glared at him.
“I’m glad you have such faith in me, my boy. But it seems the rest of you do not, do tell us what’s on your minds.” Dumbledore spoke gently, the same twinkle in his wrinkly eyes.
“They kept ‘em in a cupboard, you sure they spoil ‘em? Besides he had a limp didn’ he? That’s wha I heard.” Hagrid whispered in the heavy accent he always has. Both Snape and Remus looked confused, and slightly angry.
“What’s this about keeping him in a cupboard?” Remus raised his voice slightly, thankfully the main hall was very loud so no one but the teachers heard him.
“It’s true, his letter was assigned to the ‘Cupboard under the stairs’ read it myself before I sent off multiple copies. I never liked the Dursleys anyways.” Minerva shrugged slightly
“Sometimes I forget you sent her to Petunia, of all people. She herself was incapable of loving.” Snape started, “The last I heard of her was her miraculously marrying some man almost twice her age. Heard he was worse than her. But I’m just saying, what if Potter’s just as rotten. Y’know what they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“All due respect, you aren’t exactly in the right position to say that.” Minerva said, slightly hesitant. Snape leaned back in his chair slightly.
“First of all, watch your mouth Severus. Second, your telling me he was kept in a cupboard and no one thought that was suspicious?” Remus whisper-yelled, his tone harsh. Dumbledore cleared his throat.
“They are the safest place for Harry, even if it means some sacrifices.” Dumbledore said, the way he smiled so carefree set Remus over the edge. How could he smile at that? His godson, kept in a cupboard? Remus got up, which knocked over his chair and silently walked away. Leaving the great hall silent for a couple minutes before it resumed.
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Harry watched as Remus angrily walked away. What were they talking about, and was it his fault? A lot of things were his fault, he shouldn’t even be here. He should be at the Dursley’s, probably in the cupboard. Some of the teachers began to get up and leave, as did most students as well. Ron gently tapped on Harry’s shoulder, and lead him were some other kids were going. Harry wanted to ask were they were going, but he learned it’s better not to ask questions.
“This is defense against the dark arts. It’s your favorite class. Professor Lupin teaches it.” Ron explained. Harry was slightly confused.
“Dark arts? Like… evil colored p-pencils?” Harry’s stutter had gotten better. Ron chuckled.
“Heh, it’s more like evil spells. Think of a wizard from a book you’ve read, now think of an evil spell. It’s pretty much that.” Ron answered, smiling as they waited outside the classroom.
“I’ve never r-read a book like that…but I get it..” Harry looked at the door, that slowly opened. Remus smiled as he greeted his students. Once they were all inside Remus led Harry to a spot behind Remus’ desk. Harry was slightly hesitant but he went to go sit and played with his toy anyway. Remus was extremely familiar, the scars and everything. He doesn’t know why, for all he knows he’s never met Remus.
Harry doesn’t like this Hogwarts place, everyone stares at him and it’s too big. He just wants to hide in his cupboard and cry. It’s all too overwhelming. He didn’t completely trust anyone here, even if he wanted to. He won’t cry and get in trouble, he’ll be a big boy. He played with his toy to distract himself. Distract himself with all the familiar whispers, he swears he’s heard these whispers before in his neighborhood.
He looked up to see crazy things, like a huge spider in roller-skates and scary clowns. He looked away and continued to mindlessly play with his toy. He didn’t hear the footsteps, and he didn’t see the tall man beside him. He only saw a hand in his vision and he fell back and moved away. Remus looked in shock but brushed it off for now. Or at least he wanted to, he saw the tears picking up in his eyes.
He waited for loud sobs, but Ron and Hermione both knew it wasn’t coming so they continued sparring, which the class followed. Remus was reminded of Sirius when he was younger. Harry remained silent and the tears that appeared never fell.
“Would you like some chocolate? I have some extra.” Remus offered, but it was less of a question because he went to grab a chocolate bar. He lowered himself and sat down beside Harry, handing him the chocolate. “I have a surprise for you, after school. Dumbledore approved Sirius to come here and visit. Ah- Sirius is your godfather!” Harry smiled at this taking a small bite out of the chocolate. “He is so excited to see you. Well he was told you were still 13… so he’ll be a little shocked.” Harry’s smile faded. It was silly to feel this way over something so small, but he feels as if he’s always supposed to be something else. He’s supposed to be normal, taller, less scrawny, apparently famous, and he’s supposed to be 13. It was silly, he knew this but he couldn’t shake the feeling away. It made him want to cry.
But big boys like him don’t cry, and freaks don’t deserve to cry. He’ll never be anything more than that, in his aunt and uncles eyes anyways. Remus placed a hand on his back, and rubbed circles. He had to fight tears that wanted to appear in his eyes again. He liked ‘Moony’ he hoped that Sirius was just as great. It was nice being touched out of love and not hatred.
“Hey Ron, why doesn’t he stay in my classroom for the rest of the day? I won’t hurt him don’t worry.” Remus spoke to Ron who was about to grab Harry and leave. Ron nodded and said goodbye. Harry held onto Remus’ leg, holding on for dear life it seemed. Harry looked up at Remus with a pitiful expression. Remus frowned and placed a hand onto Harry’s hair. “I have 30 minutes before my next class, fyi.” Harry nodded, looking away.
“You okay kiddo?" Remus asked, looking at Harry worriedly. Harry nods and his vacant expression is quickly contorted into a small smile. Remus could tell he was lying, but he wasn't going to force anything out of him. "Why don't you go finish your chocolate?"
"Not hungry." Harry stated. Remus chuckled in disbelief.
"Nonsense! You didn't eat breakfast. Let me give you a challenge, if you finish the chocolate I'll let you... See Sirius early!" Remus struggled, he wasn't gonna let Harry starve on his watch. He saw Harry's eyes brighten as he went to go finish the treat. Was chocolate the best choice? No, but it was better than nothing. But he was glad that Harry wanted to see Sirius.
Sirius had gotten out of Azkaban by the map. Some kids named Fred and George mentioned how their brother was sleeping with someone called Peter Pettigrew and was worried that some random staff member was creeping around with kids. Turns out that Peter transformed himself into a rat, and Sirius was finally allowed a trial. Now he's a free man and is trying to convince Dumbledore to let him take Harry.
Remus didn't like Dumbledore right now, he knew that he was kept in a cupboard and that the Dursleys were bad people yet put him there anyways. Remus remembered comforting Lily as she cried over a letter her sister gave her(a very mean letter). He remembered how James asked Lily what a car was, and why it was so important to muggle men.
He wondered just how bad they are to Harry, which when Harry returns to normal he will find out. For James and Lily... For Harry.