A/N: hey guys, by public demand I have written a story of deep dark things! Basically, to fill you in:

a) Harry is best friends with Seamus

b) he is popular and a prankster

c) the twins don't have the map, they didn't get it in the first place

d) Remus is asked to be employed at the end of first year

e) Harry has a lot more confidence but is darker on the inside

f) Harry is still a nice guy

AND LET THE CHAPTER BEGIN!

Chapter One: the mystery of a boy

'Mr. Lupin, Remus my boy, I was just wondering if you had had time to think over my little idea I told you about?' Dumbledore peered over the top of his half-moon spectacles to stare at the young, tired-looking man opposite him. He wore a large scar across his face, a recent addition it seemed to the many scars that littered the man's skin, creeping across his face like ivy on a house; he wore frayed robes that hung over his skinny wrists and, well, just looked lost in the world.

'Professor, as much as I would love to accept, I couldn't possibly let myself be so close to young children who I could so easily harm!' his voice was laced with poorly hidden desperation and such sadness that the headmaster's renowned twinkle in his eyes was extinguished.

'You let your condition get in the way of your life, forgive me if I'm too bold,' Dumbledore said sadly as he sucked on his lemon drops leaving a pregnant pause that was only to be broken by a loud rap on the door. With a sigh Dumbledore called in the man outside the door, none other than the child-hating, squib Argus Filch.

'Ah, Argus, how may I help?'

'It's Potter! Again!' Filch growled as he stared at Remus in disgust. Oh how Remus loved his adoring fans. Wherever he went, he was glared at and now another possible colleague didn't like him, but he supposed this time it was warranted- he had kicked that cat of his numerous times over the years.

'And what has he done this time? Not another swamp in the Defence room?' Dumbledore said wearily but with a hint of amusement.

'No! This time he put dung bombs in all the library books and when you open them, they explode in your face!' Filch said, getting redder and redder with every syllable.

'Ah, light sensitive dung bombs. That boy is just as clever as I thought! No wonder the Weasley twins don't pull pranks anymore when you have him for competition!' Dumbledore turned to face Remus and said with a slight smile, 'You see, young Mr. Potter has the same passion for pranks as you and your friends did it seems! He seemingly knows most passages in and out the school and according to Madame Rosmerta is quite the charmer, though the staff aren't entirely sure how she knows this as Harry is only a first year.' Dumbledore chuckled before taking another lemon drop.

'But that means-'

'Yes, young Harry is sneaking out of the castle unseen! As well as this, he is also able to get hold of butterbeer, how exactly? No one is sure apart from him and, I guess, Mr. Seamus Finnegan who he is very close with, they are like twins! In addition, he often is seen with his Mr. Finnegan exploding things in the broken greenhouse- he and his friend Mr. Finnegan have a certain- knack, one might say, for pyrotechnics,' Dumbledore chuckled at Remus' face of shock and amusement, Filch however, had other ideas.

'Three weeks detention! I want him to be hanging by his ankles!'

'Argus, firstly, we have a two week limit for most things and also, let me check Mr. Potter's draw to see when he is free,' at this, Remus snorted and covered his laughs with ill-disguised coughs. 'Ah, Mr. Potter's draw, now-'

'Hang on, Harry has a draw?'

'Oh yes, after his second term, we decided that we should just have a draw for him as at the rate he was going, the file would be full after two years. The only people with larger files, ever, were James and Sirius; Harry has overtaken the record for most detentions in a year already with what I think is- 155 excluding Saturdays which aren't applicable to first years. Yes, he is lucky that he can't get Saturdays or he wouldn't see the light of day! Apart from Quidditch, which he managed to become Seeker for in his second week for Gryffindor,'

'And his marks?'

'Oh, all very good! In the top ten of the year, I think he's currently top in practical, it's his homework that lets him down. He went through a phase where he left the time and date of completion at the top- Severus wasn't too pleased when he saw 'Monday 5th, 3:30am... date due: Monday 5th, 9am. ' that was rather amusing though,' Dumbledore said reminiscently.

'That arrogant toe rag! He struts around just like his father! The pair of them are just the same!'

Minerva shot Snape a look of interest mingled with disapproval.

'You are talking Potter I guess? The amount you talk about him would suggest that you perhaps like Potter? Or does he just drive up the wall?'

'Up and OVER it more like! Constantly rude and self-assured he is!' Snape snapped as he threw down a piece of parchment with Potter's trade mark scrawl on the top.

'What's he done now?' Minerva rolled her eyes at the little mystery presented. On the one hand, Potter was very adept with magic; his wand wielding was amazing, he already did things that were seemingly impossible and didn't even bat an eyelid, but then he was prankster extraordinaire however, no matter how hard they tried, the staff just could not catch him in the act, it was just the look on his face of glee that let him get caught. And most of the staff actually suspected that if he didn't want to get caught, he wouldn't, it was just he liked to have the friends and connections it brought.

'He left the homework until last minute and actually had the nerve to write that down! Just read it,'

'Harry James Potter, Potions Essay on the Effects of Moonstone on a Calming Draught.
Date due: 9th March, 9:00am; Date completed: 9th March, 5:00am.

Moonstone has many uses in a basic calming draught, one of the most potent being the ability to stabilise a potion…'

Minerva let out a small chuckle before stifling it and passed the parchment back.

'Severus, to use a common phrase, you were owned,'

Pulling out what looked like a diary, Dumbledore flicked through the pages until setting the diary open wide and saying,

'Well, it appears that Mr. Potter is currently in the hospital wing after a nasty incident with Voldemort's spirit but on the upside, he is due out tomorrow lunch-' Remus gaped at the last statement but Dumbledore ploughed on, ' Though, knowing him he's probably already out and gallivanting off round the castle. And on top of that, he is supposed to be in detention tonight and for the next three days with Finnegan so, Argus you can have him next week for a double or two singles? Your choice,' Dumbledore said sweetly, folding his hands and placing them on his desk in a moment of content.

'Double with Snape,' Argus growled from under his nest of what could be called hair.

'Snape is currently unable to take Potter's detentions as he has strictly said that he doesn't want more time than necessary with the 'toe rag'' Dumbledore made little bunny ears in the air, 'I'll see Minerva gets them, bye Argus,' he dismissed Filch in the most sweet way though you could tell that Filch had no say in the matter and that he was no longer welcome. Very disgruntled, Filch dragged himself out.

After hearing that his almost-godson had got more than a few of James' traits, Remus buried his head in his hands and tried to work out what to do. On the one hand, he desperately wanted to meet Harry and Seamus, but on the other hand, he didn't know if he could cope with teaching Marauders. It wasn't as if they would be a walk in the park to teach, they would most likely reek total havoc while causing the class to be on the floor in laughter. It was a miracle McGonagall had lasted that long, if Remus was honest.

'Albus, by any chance, could I have a taster week or two to see if I can possibly cope with the strain of- of teaching?' Dumbledore seemed to have realised that really Remus was going to say 'teaching Harry' but gave Remus only a small smile and a twinkle from his eye.

'Why yes, after Harry disposed of the last Defence teacher, I suppose we do need a supply,' Dumbledore said merrily, fully aware of what he had just implied.

'Dispose? Did Harry kill him or something?' Remus stuttered in between taking giant gulps of air to calm himself.

'Yes, they duelled over the philosopher's stone and it turned out that actually I had hired Voldemort for a year on the back on someone's head! Imagine that!' Dumbledore chuckled. ' And the funny thing is that at first I thought his name was 'Squirrel'!'

'Was it Squirrel?' Remus said in disbelief.

'No, turns out it was Quirell! You won't believe some of the looks I got when I called him that before looking at his job application! Three weeks he taught and I didn't even realise!' Dumbledore said as if remembering happy memories before promptly popping a lemon drop in his mouth. Remus was still frozen from the revelation that Dumbledore didn't even look at the job applications before hiring that he didn't notice that Dumbledore had pulled a face that could only be described as utter repulsion before his hair turned black and greasy and pulled back into his scalp until it was shoulder length, his nose became longer and with a single bump in it as opposed to the usual two and his whole skin grew pasty and shiny.

'Harry James Potter strikes again!' Dumbledore chuckled whilst inspecting himself in the mirror.

'That was Harry? He did that? How?' Remus sat open mouthed, his face a picture of utter disbelief and astonishment, he picked up a lemon drop and held it up to the light as to try and find something in it that was only visible to him.

'Well you know I said he knows nearly every way in and out the castle? Yes, well it turns out he knows secret passage ways through the castle too and I have a sneaky suspicion that he can get into my office too. The portraits, however, won't say if they have or haven't seen Harry in here, instead they just smirk and say ask the lemon drops. It doesn't help that I can't tell if they've been spiked or not as they won't all be and they all look the same apart from the results they cause. However, I find a finite incantatem works quite well on most sweets. It's the potioned ones I have to be careful of or the untraceable magic ones,' Dumbledore mused to himself more than Remus.

'Oh right, and Harry manages to do this by himself?'

'Not without Finnegan, but he is the brains and mainly the perpetrator,'

'Oh right, and supposing I do take the job, should I be wary of anything else?' Remus said with a hint of sarcasm, but instead of getting a jovial response back, the headmaster lent forward and stared Remus in the eyes.

'Hypothetically speaking, of course, Mr. Potter has an ability to know things he really shouldn't, for example that Severus was originally a death eater- how he found this out is a mystery, but he still did. And within the second term too! So, if I were you, to gain his trust, when he does find out, just ask him his opinion and he will give a well thought out opinion or idea. Make no mistake, he will find out sooner rather than later. Of course, you could tell him straight out, but don't deny him the puzzle to solve; he is rather fond of those and with good reason too! Such a mind as his needs occupying and that occupying comes from magic, pranks and mysteries!' Dumbledore infused.

'So you're telling me that not only will one of my students find out, but most likely within the first term or so? And that he may hate me?' Remus said massaging his forehead. This was not what he had expected when he said that he wouldn't mind and would come along to the interview.

'His hatred wouldn't be unfounded though, he is not one to take an easy grudge but when he does, everything is behind it. Take for example, Mr. Malfoy. Harry regularly had show downs with Malfoy after he repeatedly insulted Harry's father and then his mother. Harry retaliated and they ended up having a full blown duel in the charms corridor which was promptly stopped by Severus who then put only Harry in detention. Harry holds justifiable grudges against them both, but not to Slytherins. So you may find he has a grudge against a werewolf but not werewolves plural.

'Besides, Harry may seem like a horrible boy if you isolate these incidents as we do now, but we overlook the many good things he has done which override the bad.' Dumbledore said in a burst of wistfulness.

'So all in all: - beware of Harry and Seamus? Right?' Remus said as he stood up to leave.

'Yes, and I shall see you on Monday!'

Just as Remus was about to open the door, it crashed open and in stormed McGonagall, dragging Harry by the ear behind. His shirt was untucked and had a large grass stain on one sleeve and a mud mark on the other, around his waist he had tied his Gryffindor jumper which from what Remus could see was singed round the cuffs. He had cut his black trousers short to accommodate the heat with what looked like a purposely done rough cutting curse, on his feet he wore scuffed up school shoes that were borderline on trainers. A common, if not scruffy, school boy. To make his appearance even messier, he had his hair looking messy but not untidy, more like an organised mess of air swept bed head.

'Alrigh' Professor, how you doin'?' Harry said with a cheeky yet still sincere tone.

'I'm doing well m'boy. Now what brings you here?'

''Fessor McGonagall sir,' Harry mumbled much to Remus' amusement as McGonagall squawked with indignation.

'He was caught having a broom race in the school building,'

'With Mr. Finnegan, I presume?'

'Yes sir, I won though sir!' Harry said brightly which Dumbledore responded too with a clap of his hands and a word of praise.

'Now Harry, what are we to do with you? You are already in detention and you are supposed to be in the hospital wing!'

'Please don't make me go back sir, please! OW!' Harry tried to fall to his knees to reinforce his begging tone but was sharply stopped my McGonagall pulling on his ear.

'Well, you've broken out once today, I highly doubt putting you back will contain you for long,' at this Harry smiled and said,

'You know me sir!'

'I certainly do! Now, I have the perfect idea! You are to aid the new Defence Professor set up his classroom until he says it's done, if that is agreeable with you Remus?'

'Certainly, I have just got a delivery in, I shall bring it here and we start tomorrow afternoon,' Remus said with barely contained excitement that Prongs' son was so like Prongs and Siri- the traitor but with his own charm.

'Slight problem Albus, Mr. Potter is already in detention tonight, he is with me after Severus said he didn't want the child,'

'Oh, so you start on-' Dumbledore flicked through Harry's 'Detention Diary' as he'd nicknamed it, 'On Thursday week,'

'Into Harry's Detention Diary and then Harry's Detention Drawer it goes!' Harry said happily which begged the question as to why he was so upbeat about the whole thing. It wasn't like getting detention had been a highlight of Remus' school life, it had actually been quite dreary in the same stuffy room four nights in a row; thankfully, he hadn't been in there often.

'See you Thursday Professor - Lupin,' Harry said before he was marched out by McGonagall.

'He knew my name was Lupin. How?' Remus burst out the moment Harry exited the room. Well they thought he had left anyway.

'Train ticket, it says R.J - well that's the visible part, you also have the nickname Moony which is suggested by the writing on your case tucked next to the door along with the scrawl 'Lupin RULES! But not as much as Prongs,'. In addition, I have seen the only other folder that competes with mine, as a detention I had to rewrite the cards which had Remus Lupin and co. on them, you were previously called Remus by Professor Dumbledore. Logical explanation: Professor Remus John? Lupin. And there you have it!'

'Right on all counts-' Remus mumbled, Harry just grinned. And with that he darted back out whistling as he went.

'He got that from under five minutes conversation and a case, how?' Remus marvelled at an amused Dumbledore.

'He's Harry James Potter. That is his own explanation for it, he calls it 'logic and lots of deduction' he still says he doesn't employ legilimency,' Dumbledore said as he peered over his half-moon glasses to lock eyes with the man opposite.

'So he literally looks at stuff and then works it out?' Remus said awe struck.

'Yes, seemingly; however, most people don't take it that way, according to Filius the Slytherins used to call him 'freak' and other such obscenities until Mr. Potter turned to one of them and revealed some of their 'darkest secrets' such as their longing for the Dark Mark in order to follow their father's tradition,' Remus just stared at Dumbledore after that, his mind was in full blown panic if he could work that out then what else could he do?

'He's not dangerous, is he?' Remus asked quietly.

'Remus, are you honestly asking about the threat an eleven year old boy poses?'

'Yes, I guess I am,'