Only You Can Set Me Free

Wow, new reveiwers, cool!!! I will keep going strong. Once again, and I will continue to say this, thank you all you wonderful people. Draco is safe from Hermione…. For now. Here is the next chapter, hope you get some enjoyment.

Oops. Sorry, i had to edit this chaper cuz i forgot some things at the end. Oh, I am open to comments and suggestions, so feel free to tell me what is wrong, and don't feel bad about it. No need to worry, it helps me to improve my writing....



Chapter 5
Wonderful News, Head Master Lupin!

“So, what is the other great news Remus?? I am dieing to know,” Harry pretended to swoon, making Lupin laugh.

“Well, if you die, then you will never know, will you??” In the backround, Vernon coughed loudly. Harry rounded on him, the wand he had just retrieved from the floor where it flew pointed at the fallen man.

“No more Harry, that will do.” Lupin placed a restricting hand on Harry’s arm. Harry dropped his arm slowly.

“I am in trouble, aren’t I??” Harry turned sad, tired eyes to the older man.

“Well... not really, you see, I told the Ministry I gave you permission to try the Unforgivable curse once, on an inanimate object, as a school-related task. They allowed it, barely.” Lupin looked at the boy and smiled as Harry smirked from ear to ear.

“So, do you want to hear the news or not?” Lupin asked. Harry shut up and nodded for him to tell him.

“Well, you are now looking at a semi-lycan*.” He looked down at Harry to see his confused face. So he continued.

“Well, a semi-lycan is a werewolf who only transforms one night a year, and he gets to choose when it will happen.” Harry stood there shocked and happy at the same time.

“That is amazing, Remus, really. I am happy for you!! Wait, how did this happen? Not that I don’t like it, I really do, but I don’t get it…” Harry looked up into Lupin’s golden brown eyes questioningly.

“Well, Professor McGonagall put in a good word for me at the Ministry, seeing as how I helped when all hell broke loose at the end of last term. Well, they were skeptical at first, but they came up with a great solution. They had this potion that was used to control the wild, animal-like tendencies in uncontrollable animaigis or halfling’s like werewolves or vampires. So, I was hired and that is all there is to it.”

“That is absolutely brilliant Remus.” Harry smiled and stared at his 'god father' with admiration.

Harry clung to Lupin a few seconds more before releasing his hold on the older man. He took a step back to examine the other man. The last he heard of Remus Lupin was the end of his sixth year. Then he had received his prized belt for his birthday, a card attached to it. Remembering the words brought tears to his eyes as he remembered the letter fondly. That whole day was special to him.


Flashback:

Harry came into the house out of the sweltering heat of the summer sun. He had his shirt off because he was working in Petunia’s garden half the day. He walked through the house and into the bath room to freshen up, he was sweating rather profusely.

“Some bloody birthday,” Harry said aloud as he grabbed a towel of the rack near the mirror and started to dab him self with it.

He turned on the faucet and soaked the towel before he wiped his body down. He then walked to his room and closed the door behind him.

The Dursley’s went out to celebrate Dudley’s C+ in Arithmetic’s. He was glad they had left him in peace.

Harry grabbed a black wife beater and pulled it on over his head. He was in a dark mood today, so he wore all black. He wore his favorite black pants and a pair of black suede shoes. He made a grab for his favorite skull necklace with a snake going through the eye. He turned, however, when he heard a tapping at his window and saw a beautiful hawk staring into the window patiently. Harry rushed over to the window passing a sleeping Hedwig.

He opened the window and the hawk gracefully jumped through and landed on Harry’s shoulder, nipping affectionately at his ear. Harry relieved the hawk of his parcel and opened it carefully. The hawk gratefully stretched his wings and flew to his bed to rest.

Harry finished opening the package and removed a card and a small, wrapped parcel. He read the card first.

Dearest Harry,

How have you been? I hope your vacation is not going horribly, as it is most likely expected to be. I wanted to be there for your birthday Harry, I really did, but I am quite sure the people you dwell with would not appreciate that. Oh, and I am really busy with the Ministry, but I will tell you about that later. Oh, Harry, you are growing into a fine young man, your father would be so proud of you. I know I could not be prouder of the man you are. I know you are still hurting because of Sirius, but I must tell you that he will never really be gone, he will always be in your heart. I don’t want you to think me crude, or unfeeling, but I was hoping I could take over where Sirius left off. I would like to be your family, if you will have me, that is……

Well, Happy Birthday Harry, take care of yourself and know that I will always be there for you.

P.S. I don’t want to be a bother, but I was hoping that you could name my little friend here, I got him off the street and took him in to recover, he stayed with me since then. Thank you.

Harry smiled fondly down at the letter and cried tears of joy and love. He then carefully placed the card on his bed next to the dozing hawk and stared at the small parcel. He grabbed it and took of the wrapping. He was shocked to see the most beautiful belt he had ever seen. He pulled it close and studied it carefully.

“Wow, "Remus really went all out,” Harry laughed and stood up try the belt on. Perfect fit.

Harry then looked down at the hawk on his bed and started to think of a name.

“Well, what should your name be, mate?” Harry asked the hawk, who tilted his head and stared at Harry, as if he was thinking. Harry laughed at this and strained to think of a suitable name for the majestic bird. Then, he got it. He ran to grab a piece of parchment and a quill. He quickly scribbled a name down and walked back over to the hawk, who looked up at him expectantly.

“Well, from now on, bird, your name will be Eros*. I think it is a good name considering who your owner is.” Harry bent over and attached the parchment to Eros’s leg.

The bird chirped affectionately and flew out the window.

Harry smiled and got his card and put it in his trunk.

“Thank you Remus, god father….” Harry said as he watched the tiny figure that was Eros fly into the distance….

End Flash back


Harry looked his god father over quickly.

“Wow Remus, you are looking pretty good these days.”

Lupin blushed slightly and looked at himself in a nearby mirror. It was true, he had become a lot healthier with his new position offering a lot of royalties. He had cut his hair shorter and spiked it up in the front a little. He was also wearing a lovely purple colored robe, finest materials.

“Well, I guess I have changed some, haven’t I?” Lupin smiled as he looked Harry over. “I see you are changing too… nice look.”

“Awww, you are making me blush,” Harry joked. “Oh my….. I cant wait to see Snape’s face when school starts.”

Harry doubled over in laughter at the thought of Snapes scowling face as Lupin took charge of the school. He wiped at his eyes and looked up to see that Lupin was smirking too. Harry had missed that smile.

Harry suddenly thought of something.

“So that is how you could afford the belt,” Harry motioned to the belt around his waist.

“Yup, being Head Master has it’s quirks.” Lupin smiled. “So I take it you like it. I saw it and thought it should belong to you.”

“I love it, I don’t take it off for anything, except showers, obviously.”

“Oh, Harry, I remember the other reason I came tonight,” after saying that, Lupin dug into his silky robes and pulled out an envelope.

“Here Harry, all the things you need are on here, so I will be taking you to Diagon Alley in a few days. I will send Eros with the date, nice name by the way, thanks.”

Harry took the envelope and stuffed it into his duster pocket. Lupin then barely noticed blood on Harry’s hands. He looked over to the three Dursley’s angrily, then back at Harry.

“What happened Harry? Did they hurt you??” Lupin waited anxiously for Harry to reply.

Harry suddenly hung his head. In all the excitement, Hedwig was forgotten.

“They…..they killed Hedwig….” Harry whispered sullenly, pointing lamely at the Dursley’s, who huddled closer fearing more for their lives now that there was a werewolf in their house.

“Oh, Harry, I am so sorry, now I know why you were mad…. Where is she?” Lupin saw Harry’s sad face and felt like killing them himself. They hurt his adopted god son.

Harry pointed to the floor near the entrance of the living room to the bloody bundle.

Lupin spelled the bundle to him and gently took it and cradled it to himself.

“Let’s get out of here Harry. You can stay with me if you want to….”

Harry considered this for a second.

“No thanks Remus, I think I should stay here and get all my stuff together. But do me a favor??” Harry looked at Hedwig’s still form and held in an angry string of curses.

“Anything Harry.”

“Please take Hedwig and bury her at Grimwald Place for me…”

“Alright Harry, I will. And I will be sending Eros along in a few days so we can shop for your things. You can then spend the last few days with me, ok?”

Harry nodded and walked over to hug his god father. He stroked the bundle and whimpered softly. He said his good byes and stepped back. Lupin apparated with a pop.

Harry slowly walked to his room. He passed the Dursley’s and sneered at them. They all shivered and pressed against the wall.

‘Bloody gits….’ Harry thought as he walked into his room and fell on his bed. He was slightly smiling now.

“Remus…Hogwart’s Head Master… wow!!” Harry looked to the ceiling and slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep.

* #1/ Eros=Eros, the primal god of Love; using arrows of gold and lead, he would wound the hearts of mortals and Immortals alike.
(Eros, Cupid) Cupid

* #2/ semi-lycan= I just made it up. It just sounded kind of cool. But for information purpose, it is a werewolf who can change at the time that he feels would be best. He will only become a werewolf for a single day, the rest of the year, he will be completely devoid of animalistic urges. Though he/she maintains the characteristics, such as a hieghtening of sense of smell, sight, and hearing. This can only happen if the werewolf drinks a magical drought everyday.