Disclaimer: I own nothing, and I'm still saving up for Remus! D
Nine-year-old Harry Potter yawned, sitting up in his cupboard bedroom at the sound of Aunt Petunia rapping on the door sharply.
"Up! We have a visitor coming later this afternoon, and I want you to look nice and sharp so as to set a good impression! Up!," she hissed through the vent in the door, and Harry nodded, knowing she wouldn't see it anyway.
"Yes, Aunt Petunia," he said in his usual dull voice. He quickly opened the door, hearing her go into the kitchen, and reached in to grab some clothes, only to hear his cousin's voice from the stairwell.
"Oi, you. Mum told me to tell you that Dad has got clothes for you in the living room. They're hoping the visitor will take you with them when they leave, so they want you looking nice," Dudley said dully.
Harry blinked. "Okay. Thanks, Dudley," he replied, heading for the living room.
Once in the room, Uncle Vernon turned to him, shoving a stack of clothes into his hands. "Move all your things into Dudley's second bedroom. Just for today. You can change up there. No funny business, got it, boy?," he asked threateningly and Harry nodded, hurrying to get his set task done.
Harry, Dudley, and Uncle Vernon all sat in the living room, listening to Aunt Petunia give them instructions on behavior towards The Visitor'. Harry wore a white dress shirt with a pair of black dress pants and a new pair of trainers, and had had his hair ferociously brushed by Aunt Petunia. Not that it did any good. Uncle Vernon and Dudley were dressed similarly, except that Dudley's pants were a navy blue and Uncle Vernon's a deep purple and that both wore matching dress shoes.
Aunt Petunia paced in front of them, wearing a simple yellow dress and matching heels. She turned to Dudley. "Duddy, you be very polite to the visitor. We don't want him to think we're mean to Harry! So just be your perfect self!," she crooned, and Dudley grinned amusedly, nodding.
Harry fought back a bout of laughter as Aunt Petunia turned to him. She smiled unconvincingly. "You will speak respectfully, be polite, and will only speak when spoken to. Got it?," she asked in a sickeningly sweet voice. Harry nodded, and Petunia just smiled at Uncle Vernon, telling him not to threaten the man. Vernon grunted and nodded.
Remus knocked on the door, frowning as there was the sound of an angry voice and someone scrambling to get the door. Within seconds, a messy-haired child had opened the door and was looking at him. Remus smiled painfully. "Hello, you must be Harry. My name is Remus Lupin, and your aunt and uncle invited me here," he said kindly, and the boy nodded, letting him in.
'Unusually quiet. He looks like James, with Lily's eyes...But acts nothing like either of them!,' thought Remus calmly, smiling at the boy's aunt and uncle as they greeted him, both smiling. Petunia then ushered him into the living room, where he sat down.
"So nice to finally meet you, Mr. Lupin!," gushed Petunia, and Remus fought back a gag and settled on smiling instead.
"Same to you, Mrs. Dursley, Mr. Dursley. As you both know, I came to discuss your nephew's parents' will. In regards to Harry," he explained, and they nodded. Remus noticed Harry scooting forward in his seat excitedly.
"Well, I was a friend of theirs in school, mainly James, but I knew Lily...And I remember them leaving Harry in my care upon their death, as his godfather is unable to at this time," he added. "So I, naturally, called a lawyer and explained. He said I should meet with you. I wish to take Harry and raise him until the time that he comes of age."
Petunia and Vernon blinked, and Harry gaped.
"You mean...You want to take me away from them?!," cried Harry incredulously.
Remus laughed. "Unless you'd rather stay here, Harry. Your parents wanted desperately to keep you among friends, after all," he said. "But there is one condition."
Vernon frowned. "And what might that be?," he asked dangerously.
"You would have to take Harry once a year. Preferably for just a week during the summer," explained Remus, and Petunia's face fell slightly, but she recovered her smile.
"Of course! We'd love to have Harry back once every year! Right, Vernon?," she said sweetly, glaring at her husband, who was slowly turning a deep shade of purple. Dudley sat on the end of the couch, looking forgotten as he stared at Remus happily.
"S'right," grunted Vernon. "You want to take him now or come back for him?" Harry looked at Remus hopefully, and Remus laughed.
"I could take him now, if he's all packed," he said. "And if he doesn't mind spending a few hours alone tonight. I do have to work," he said, and Harry grinned.
"I'll get my stuff!," he cried happily, jumping up and dashing from the room.
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