A New Reality
by ParallelTogether

Disclaimer - I don't own Harry Potter. I'm not making any money off this. I don't intend to offend anyone in any way. If I'm doing anything illegal, I honestly don't know what it would be.

"This just isn't the way things are supposed to be."

Remus Lupin was generally classified as a kind, caring individual whose love of books was only exceeded by his sense of duty towards his friends. Knowing this, it was only reasonable for him to be grieving. Even though it had been years since Lily and James died, he still felt as guilty about it as he had the day he heard the news. What if he had been the secret-keeper, instead of Sirius? Would James and Lily still be alive today, still taking care of their baby boy?

Oh, Harry…

Remus remembered all too well Harry's current situation. The six-year-old boy was currently living with Lily's sister and her husband, Petunia and Vernon Dursley. He recalled a conversation he had had with Lily a year or so before her death about what horrible people they were.

"They're terrible people, Remus," she had said. "Back in my seventh year of Hogwarts, me and Petty had been great friends. And then, the Dursleys moved in across the street. Petty, being the nosy neighbor that she was, volunteered to take over the Lemon Meringue Pie mom had baked them as a housewarming gift herself. I remember Vernon, a great big pig of a boy, had answered the door, taken the pie and left Petty standing there on the porch, looking like a complete idiot. Oddly enough, he had her infatuated. Every day she'd go over to the Dursleys to see Vernon, to talk to him even if it was just for a second…soon enough, Vernon took pity on her and they started to date. He didn't even like her, Remus; he just took her in because he had nothing else to do. Petty must've realized that he'd never love her like she wanted, but it had come too late; they'd been married ever since Petty graduated. I guess knowing she was stuck with him turned her so cold…and of course Vernon was just as vile and condescending as when I met him. Now I don't even recognize my sister because of what Vernon turned her into. She resents me and James because of the love we share, and for that I pity her. But I can't forgive her for all the cruel words and actions she's taken against me. I just can't."

What kind of people were Lily and James son with? Remus realized he had to do something about this; Harry was the only link to his parents that the man had left, and he wasn't about to let the boy come into harm's way. Maybe Dumbledore would be willing to help him.

--/--/- -/--/--

Albus Dumbledore was an incredibly busy man. He helped the Minister with his many duties (the man was a complete imbecile and couldn't do a thing on his own), managed a secret group called the Order of the Phoenix, took care of his school and all of its inhabitants, and was a member of the Wizengamot, not mentioning all of his other duties to the public. How he managed to find time to sit in his office sucking on Lemon Drops was a mystery even to him. During one such occasion, Albus looked up from his pile of deliciously yellow candies to find Remus Lupin, one of his favorite old students.

"Remus, my dear boy. What brings you to Hogwarts?"

"Professor Dumbledore…ever since Lily and James died, I've been feeling incredibly guilty. I can't help but feel like I need to do something, anything, to make up what happened to my two friends. I've been thinking about what's happened to Harry after his parents death, and even though I know you think it's best for him…I think the Dursley family is the worst thing for Harry right now. What Harry must think of his family, only knowing the characters of Vernon and Petunia. He's six years old, I understand. But shouldn't he have someone that loves and cares for him while he's growing up, especially after the horror he's gone through already? I feel that I could do so much better for Harry than his relatives do, and I would do absolutely anything to be able to prove that to you. Sir, I'm begging you…I need Harry just as much as he needs me."

Albus mulled it over for a while, a soft smile on his lips. He knew all too well the sort of treatment the boy was experiencing at the Dursley residence, having dropped in a few times himself to check up on the child. The headmaster could see Remus raising Harry to be a caring, hard-working young man. Maybe he could rectify the situation he had put both his boys in.

"Are you sure about this? Do you really feel capable enough to raise a six-year-old emotionally scarred boy?"

Remus dropped to his knees.

"Dumbledore…I know I can do this, I know it. Just give me the chance, and-"

Albus smiled. "You have your chance, Remus. On one condition."

"And what's that?"

"You must raise him here, within the safety wards of Hogwarts. The only reason Harry is placed with the Dursleys is because of his mother's blood protection. As you know, Petunia is Harry's only living relative on his mother's side; the protection flows through her, and keeps Harry as safe as possible. I believe the wards of Hogwarts can protect the boy just as strongly, but when Harry needed to be taken care of, there was no one here that would've had enough time or energy to be with him as he required. If you agree to live with Harry here, then I will concede to having him placed under your care from now on."

Remus gave the man a huge smile and grasped the corner of the desk. "I won't let you down, Professor; I wouldn't dream of it."

Alright, next chapter we go see Harry. Sound fun?