Only the Beginning

Chapter Two

The holidays passed really fast with Harry having the time of his life, even with the morning sickness. He was actually upset, for the first time in his life, when it came time to go back to Hogwarts but knowing Remus and Sirius were both going to be there made him feel better.
Harry, Remus and Sirius, as Snuffles of course, stood on platform nine and three quarters waiting for everyone else to arrive.

“Damn,” Harry growled and looked around the platform.
“The green door at the end of the platform Harry,” Remus said knowingly, “I’ll put our stuff on the train and when you get back we’ll get settled.”
Harry nodded and headed towards the door at the end of the platform, Snuffles jumping and bouncing around, escorting him.
Harry went through the door holding it open for the animagus. While Snuffles checked that all the stalls were empty Harry went over to the urinal and relieved himself with a sigh.

“This is what, the fourth time since we left the house?” Sirius said having changed back for a short spell.

He lent against the locked door smirking.

“Shut up. I can’t help it,” Harry growled as he re-zipped and buttoned his pants.

Walking over to the basin he washed his hands and splashed his face with water.

“Are you ready for another year?” Sirius asked.

“Honestly I’d like to just go back to the cottage,” Harry replied and dried his hands on the paper hand towels provided.

“I know me too, but at least we’ll be together,” Sirius pointed out unlocking the door.

“That’s the only reason I’m going,” Harry said grinning as he jumped into his godfathers arms.

“Merlin Harry, you’re getting heavy,” Sirius snickered.

“That’s not funny,” Harry growled as he pulled out of his godfathers arms before punching one.

“And you’re starting to hit like a girl too,” Sirius laughed before changing back to his animagus form and tearing out of the bathroom.
Harry raced after him yelling about dumb mutts and their rudeness. Remus heard the two coming before he spotted them in the growing crowd. He watched as Snuffles tore towards him before jumping on the train.
Remus grabbed hold of Harry as he went to follow the animagus and held him still.

“Settle down or you’ll hurt yourself,” Remus soothed the panting Gryffindor.
“But he was picking on me,” Harry whined pouting at Remus.

“I’ll deal with him in a minute, right now, I need you to settle. You can’t go racing around like that anymore,” Remus said as he pulled Harry into a hug and ran a soothing hand up and down his back.
Harry sighed and leant into the hug. He found he liked Remus’s hugs, they were different to Sirius’s. He really couldn’t explain the difference, they just were. What he really enjoyed was when they were both holding him, sandwiching him between them, he felt so, protected, loved.
“Now let’s go get settled in the compartment. The Weasleys’ usually come just before the train’s about to leave so we’ve still got a while yet,” Remus said letting Harry get on the train in front of him, “Fourth compartment down.”

Harry walked down to the fourth compartment and walked in. Noticing Snuffles laying on one of the seats he walked over and pushed him off the seat.

“No mutts on the furniture.”

Snuffles growled playfully before jumping at Harry. However, Remus got in the way stopping the giant black dog in his tracks.

”Now Padfoot you know you can’t play rough with Harry for awhile. So sit on the seat and behave,” Remus said as he went and sat down by one of the windows and pulling out a book to read.

Snuffles jumped up onto the seat across from him and Harry sat down beside Snuffles, hugging him and shortly afterwards drifting off to sleep draped up Snuffles back, his head resting between the dog’s shoulder blades. Snuffles started to drift off until the familiar voices of the Weasley family woke him. He’d been able to drown out the gathering noise until then.Harry was asleep still draped up his back. Looking up he noticed that Remus had put his book down and was looking out the window.

Remus stood and opened the window to the carriage, leaning out and waving. When he’d got the Weasley’s attention he leaned on the window ledge and waited for them to get to the window. ”Arthur, Molly, Fred and George, Ron and Ginny. Hermione’s with them. She’s got Hedwig, Harry will be happy,” Remus informed the watching Animagus.

When the Weasley’s and Hermione reached him, Remus smiled warmly at them.

”Remus my dear, how have you been?” came Molly’s concerned voice, Sirius felt Harry stir then sit up.

“Better than ever,” Remus replied grinning at them, earning confused looks.

Snuffles hopped to the floor before jumping up, placing his paws on the ledge beside Remus and barking.

The look on their faces was priceless.

"But…how?” Molly gasped.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to ask Albus. I’ve been forbidden to speak about it,” Remus replied frowning.

“Have you seen Harry? Hedwig turned up with a note saying that I was to look after her this summer and every time we tried to owl him the owls would return with the letters unread. We’ve also been receiving Harry’s mail,” Hermione asked reaching into a bag she had on her shoulder and pulling out a pile of unopened scrolls.

She handed them up to Remus who took them with a smile nodding.

“Harry, mail,” Remus said popping back in the window and handing the still half asleep Gryffindor his mail.

When Remus looked back out the window he noticed that all the Weasley children and Hermione had disappeared only to hear the compartment door fly open.
He swung around quickly and got between Harry and the excited group of teenagers.

“Whoa there,” Remus said as they all skidded to a halt, “Gentle with him, he’s just woken up.”

Seeing that they would be gentle he went back to the window.

“So Remus are you two escorting Harry to the school?” Arthur asked.

“Partially, I’ve been talked into to be the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher again,” Remus said eliciting a whoop of joy from the compartment, “Snuffles has been allowed to come too. Probably because he can’t be trusted on his own.

There was a growl as well as laughter all round.

“That’s great Remus and you look a lot better than when we last saw you,” Molly said putting her hand on her chest, over her heart, “However if it isn’t too much trouble could I see Harry, just to reassure myself.”

“Sure Molly,” Remus said before ducking his head back in the window and getting Harry’s attention.

Harry got up and went to the window sticking his head out beside Remus’s and smiling at the two adults.

“Hi Mrs. Weasley,” Harry said grinning, “How are you and Mr. Weasley. Oh I got something for you Mr. Weasley.”

Harry disappeared before returning with a small plastic rectangle and handing it to Arthur who took it and looked at it like it was the greatest thing on earth.

“This is one of those Mobbil things muggles use,” Arthur said in awe.

“Mobile,” Harry corrected, “I had somebody modify it with magic so it will never run out of battery power. I got one each for Fred and George as well as Ron, Hermione and Ginny. That way we can keep in contact with each other during the school year. It’s a lot quicker than owls. It’s just for emergencies. That way if you’re worried you can see if we’re safe.”

“Oh Harry,” Molly said, tears in her eyes, “Thankyou.”
“Yes Harry thanks,” Arthur said.
Harry grinned and handed them a piece of paper.This is all our numbers. You can only call one of us at a time. You just type in the number of whom you want and press the green button. To end a call you press the red button. If it rings you press the green button to answer it. If you get stuck I’m sure Fred and George will show you,” Harry said.
“Thanks again Harry,” Molly said.

“No problem,” Harry replied smiling.

Harry knew how much Molly worried and this would just help things later on.

“Hey mum. George and I are going to ride on the train to Hogsmeade and then apparate home. That way we can catch up with Harry,” Fred said his head appearing above Harry’s.

“Alright, just be careful and don’t be late for dinner,” Molly said.

“Right mum,” Fred said as the train whistle blew.

Molly and Arthur took turns saying goodbye to everyone through the window and it wasn’t too long until the train was pulling out of the station.

After receiving her mobile phone, a list of the phone numbers and a promise from Hermione to teach her, she left to find her friends.

Hermione and Ron had to leave for a Prefects meeting. Just as they walked out the door Hermione stuck her head back in.

“Read your owl mail,” and then she disappeared.

“Bit bossy isn’t she,” Fred said snickering.

“She keeps little Ronniekins in line,” George pointed out.

“That’s true,” Fred replied and they started talking to Remus.

Snuffles jumped up beside Harry on the seat and read Harry’s mail with him.
The first couple were from his friends telling him about their summer.
The next was his Hogwarts letter. Why it hadn’t been delivered to Sirius’s and Remus’s place was beyond him. He was really surprised when a badge fell out proclaiming him `Quidditch Captain`. Snuffles started barking happily and jumping around.
He was congratulated by everyone but he saw that Remus, and midway through a jump Snuffles, look at him with sympathy. It had taken Snuffles awhile but it had clicked making the black dog crawl back onto the couch and lay his head on Harry’s thigh in comfort.
Harry put the badge in his pocket and stuffed the letter into his trunk then he sat and opened the last letter.

~Dear Mr Potter.
We request your presence on the 21st of September at 9am in the Ministry of Magic to testify against Mr. Lucius Ardan Malfoy concerning the events on Ministry property leading to the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. You shall be put under Veritaserum to insure that the truth shall be told and justice done. Please dress formally.

Cornelius Fudge
Minister of Magic~

Harry groaned in distaste and screwed up the letter, throwing it at the wall opposite. The balled up paper bounced off and hit Remus in the head.
Remus picked it up and looked at Harry who nodded.
Remus read it quickly and shook his head with a sigh

“Is that the Ministry summons?” Fred asked.

“Ron, Gin and Hermione got one too,” George said.

“Father overheard some people saying that Fudge is furious for being tricked, he and Malfoy Senior were tight remember, and is asking for a very heavy sentence in Azkaban. Some are saying it’s going to be one for the record books,” Fred said.
At the mention of Azkaban Snuffles stiffened. Harry felt sick to his stomach.

“Could you excuse me,” Harry said standing, “I need to go to the bathroom.”
Harry walked out of the compartment, Snuffles walking along beside him.
As he made his way to the bathroom at the front of the train, he could feel tears forming in his eyes.
A nudge from Snuffles got the Gryffindor talking. Harry looked around first before explaining.

“I don’t know whether I can do it Snuffles. No-one deserves Azkaban not even Mr. Malfoy and how would I explain it to these three?” Harry said getting hysterical, his breathing becoming erratic and he was rubbing his stomach, “I love you and guess what I sent your Grandfather to Azkaban. I hear it’s quite lovely.”

With that Harry collapsed to his knees, he was having trouble breathing and before he could say anything he threw up before passing out.
Snuffles nudged him but Harry didn’t move. Snuffles knew he had to get Remus but he didn’t want to leave Harry alone. Remus was all the way at the other end of the train. Snuffles nudged Harry and pulled lightly at Harry’s clothes trying to rouse the boy. Snuffles knew dragging him would cause injury and he couldn’t do it.
Snuffles started to whine and then he howled.

Compartment doors nearby opened and everyone came out to look. Seeing Harry Potter unconscious on the floor set everyone gossiping. Anyone who tried to get hear him got growled at by the large black dog that was causing the ruckus.

Snuffles howled again, looking around he saw that he was surrounded by Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, no Gryffindors who would go searching for Ron and Hermione, who would get Remus. He looked back at Harry to see he was still out cold. He howled again as loud as he could.

“What is going on here?”

Sirius looked at the person who spoke to see Ginny. Great. He howled again and jumped towards Ginny and grabbed her robes. Ginny just stared at Harry shocked into a stupor. Snuffles growled and tugged, bringing the girl to her senses.

“Snuffles what do I do?” Ginny asked

Snuffles looked towards the way Remus was and barked

“Do you want me to get Professor Lupin?” Ginny asked getting the idea.

When Snuffles nodded she took off. Snuffles kept growling at anyone who got close but his concern for Harry had him howling again.

“Move out of the way, Prefect coming through.”

Snuffles turned his head to see the one person he was unsure on how to feel about.

Draco Malfoy.

He watched as the blonde made his way to the front of the group. Snuffles was shocked when he saw concern flicker through the Slytherin’s silver-blue eyes. He saw the Slytherin go to take a step forward but stop.

Suddenly a familiar smell wafted under his nose and he howled again. Remus was close.

“Make way. Professor coming through,” Snuffles heard Remus yell, “Get out of the way before I move you.”

Snuffles shivered. Remus could be quite scary when he wanted to be. Snuffles almost felt sorry for who had been in the way.

Almost.

Snuffles howled again trying to get Remus to hurry up.

“Alright, alright Padfoot. I’m coming,” Remus called as he finally pushed through the crowd.

Remus ran and knelt by Harry feeling the Gryffindors forehead and his cheek.
Snuffles nudged Remus asking for an answer.

“He’ll be fine Padfoot,” Remus said picking Harry up in his arms, “Just had an emotional overload is all.”

Snuffles growled and snapped at the students who were blocking the path, making them jump out of the way. When they finally reached the compartment Remus lay Harry on the seat and knelt before him.

“Ginny could you find the food the food trolley and get some water, chocolate and some proper food?” Remus asked handing her a bag of coins.

Ginny nodded taking the coins and ran to find the trolley.
Fred noticed that a few Hufflepuffs were staring in the door window, so he pulled the blind closed.

Remus cast a spell to wake Harry up. Harry groaned before rolling to the side and throwing up again.
Remus rubbed the boy’s back as he transfigured the ball of paper that was Harry’s summons into a bucket, directing Harry to the bucket, which he promptly threw up in
Remus cleaned the vomit off the floor and continued to rub Harry’s back. Soon Harry put the bucket on the floor and lay his head in Remus’s lap. Snuffles nudged Harry’s chest a received a smile and a pat from Harry.
As soon as Ginny returned and Harry had eaten and drunk something, Remus allowed Harry to fall asleep.