When four-year-old Harry is bitten by a werewolf, he is sent to live with Remus Lupin. But just how will this change the way Harry grows up or the person he becomes? Can Lupin raise a child? Could this somehow turn out the be a good thing for both Harry and Lupin? AU/ Pre Hogwarts.

I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters; they were all created by Miss Rowling; I'm simply borrowing them.

The Dursleys had sent 4-year-old Harry outside to rake the leaves in the backyard while they were out. Harry wanted to do a good job so they might share their food with him tonight. Harry only got food when he did his chores and made the Dursleys happy. If he didn't, he was locked in his cupboard for the evening. Harry had finished raking the leaves and he sat outside waiting for the Dursleys to return home.

It was starting to get dark and Harry was cold; he didn't have a jacket, just a flimsy sweater. As it got darker, Harry got chillier. Shivers started to wrack the boy's tiny body and his teeth clicked together making loud chattering noises. For the backyard, Harry could smell food coming from Mrs. Figg's house next door. His stomach let out a loud growl.

From the backyard, Harry could smell food coming from Mrs. Figg's house next door. His stomach let out a loud growl. Harry frowned and rubbed his stomach.

Suddenly a creature was making its way into the Dursleys yard. It looked like a dog but it a bizarre way, it looked almost human at the same time. Harry backed up when he saw the creature's eyes. They were gold but the eyes looked terrifying; like it wanted to rip Harry apart and eat him for supper. Harry gulped but he had no idea what to do. He couldn't go to anyone for help; he was all alone.

The creature let out a loud growl before lunging forward. Harry let out a piercing cry as he felt its teeth rip into his shoulder. Harry wanted to stay quiet but the pain was too intense and Harry couldn't stop himself from screaming and crying. Suddenly several loud popping noises from Mrs. Figg's back steps and the beast fell to the ground in a heap in front of Harry.

Harry's head started spinning and the last thing he saw before the blackness swallowed him whole was Mrs. Figg standing on her back step with a stun gun pointed at the beast.

Mrs. Figg gathered the underweight boy in her arms and carried him into her house before the beast could awaken; she'd have Dumbledore take care of that before the Dursleys arrived back home.

Mrs. Figg had an owl that was used to contact Dumbledore and report updates on Harry. But this matter was too urgent for an owl. She'd taken Harry for one evening a month since he'd arrived with the Dursleys and the young boy always seemed healthy and well adjusted. But now, he looked like he hadn't had a decent meal in weeks and she shuddered to think how many times he'd been neglected like tonight.

Mrs. Figg didn't want to waste time, so on a piece of paper she scribbled 'emergency, come NOW!' and sent the letter in the fireplace as she'd been doing for the past three years.

Once the letter was off, Mrs. Figg turned her attention to the small boy on her couch. He was now paler than before and his face had flushed brilliant red. She immediately began cleaning the bite and putting on a bandage. She was checking Harry's temperature when her fireplace flared green before a thin man with a silver beard down to his feet stepped out; his eyes twinkled but his expression was that of worry and concern when he spotted Harry lying on the couch.

"It was a werewolf, I believe it's still unconscious in the Dursleys' lawn... I'd personally leave it there for them but you might get in trouble," Mrs. Figg muttered and she removed her hand from Harry's feverish forehead.

Dumbledore nodded quickly before stepping calmly out the back door as though he were going for a stroll down the lane and not to remove a violent creature.

When he returned, Dumbledore made his way to Harry.

"I will not let you return him to those people. Look at the boy; I don't think he's eaten all week and they left him outside all day, wearing only a thin jumper and pants! He'd be better off raising himself!" Mrs. Figg exclaimed.

Dumbledore nodded; he had no idea the Dursleys would be so terrible to the boy. Dumbledore could see old bruises and scars on the young boy and bowed his head shamefully.

"Yes, I will see to it that he finds alternative care. His condition has changed and now requires more.. specialized care. I believe I know just the place to send him," Dumbledore scribbled a note to Madam Pomfrey on some parchment and sent it through floo network to Hogwarts. "I will send someone to deal with the blood on your couch in the morning. Thank you for your assistance tonight."

"What will happen to him?" Mrs. Figg asked.

Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling once again.

"I assure you, he will be fine. This is, how you muggles say, merely a bump in the road," Dumbledore said, as he put a hand on Harry's resting form and apparated back to Hogwarts. After dropping Harry at the hospital wing and seeing to his treatment, Dumbledore had arrangements he needed to make and this time, he was doing it properly.

Remus Lupin arrived home a little after sunrise. As usual, he was wicked tired and sore. He went to his kitchen to pour himself a cup of tea. In addition to the full moon last night; today was the anniversary of his best friends death. Lupin sat down on the couch with his face in his hands. This was always a hard day for him and he was glad to be able to spend it on his own.

When Lupin's fireplace burst to life for the first time in over a month, he knew what was going to happen and was half tempted to soak the flame before whoever it was could step out. When Albus Dumbledore stepped into his living room, Lupin stood quickly.

"Remus, my boy, how have you been?" Dumbledore said.

"I'm sure you are aware of the full moon last night; if that counts as an answer."

Dumbledore's usually cheerful expression darkened slightly and a look a sadness passed his face. This alarmed Lupin more than his early-morning appearance.

"Yes; I am well aware of the full moon last night and ultimately it is why I am here," Dumbledore said; Lupin never could understand how the man tended to be so cryptic and mysterious. "I was wondering if I could have a word; I'm afraid there was an incident last night involving Harry Potter."