September 4

Gryffindor Common Room, Hogwarts

The morning of a cool Sunday, Sirius Black found himself enjoying the mood. Harry and Ron had asked for help with a prank! It was about time Harry finally loosened up. However there was a slight tick of wrongness which was completely opposite of the situation with Remus and the …fox-thing.

His mood dampened. What was it about a pint-sized bit of fur shaped in human form that caused Remus to adore the little monster? He could understand Snivellus…like beings and all that, but Remus?

“So what would work better? This hex or this hex?” Harry inquired.

“This one.” Sirius brought his attention back to the prank. “It won’t undo itself so early. So who is the prank for?”

Ron and Harry shared a smirk. “Snape.”

It had been two weeks since he last visited Remus. Now a free man, he had spent quite a bit of time with his godson. He hadn’t seen a mind healer yet and wasn’t planning to. Couldn’t Remus see that the whole thing was an accident? He sighed softly.

“Harry, have you been to Remus’s rooms yet?”

Harry gave a long side-glance. “No, actually he hasn’t talked to me. Why?”

“What do you think about the Headmaster’s …er… new kid?” Sirius asked.

Ron wrinkled his nose in thought. Harry frowned.

“What kid?” Harry asked.

“The little fox-thing-a-bob that Remus has been looking after.” Sirius put out there idly.

Something or realization flittered across Ron’s face. “Oh, the fox demon. Remember Harry, we see it occasionally in the dungeons.”

“Remus takes care of it?” Harry looked skeptical. “Aren’t fox demons dangerous or something?”

Sirius spoke carefully. “Any demon is dangerous. Nothing more than semi-intelligent animals whose only desire is to hunt and breed. They’re especially good at killing. I believe it was the reason why most of them were hunted down a century or so ago.”

“Well, don’t tell Hermione that.” Ron commented. “Hermione’s been reading all she can find on them.”

Sirius frowned slightly but shrugged. Harry spoke up.

“Well, Hermione probably think it’s an adorable creature, but I’m not sure what the Headmaster is thinking. Hermione showed me some articles.” Harry scowled. “What happens if it attracts others?”

Sirius blinked. “That would be bad…”

Ron nodded as he gazed blankly across the room. “So what are we going to do about it?”

“We could attempt to get it out of Hogwarts.” Harry suggested much to Sirius’s surprise. “Obviously, we can’t petition but if it was to disappear…”

Ron seemed to catch on. “Not many would look for it. But why would we do that, exactly?”

Harry briefly had an odd glint in his eyes before he guiltily lowered his head. “I’ve been having dreams involving Voldemort. It involved that fox demon and something about getting in… I tried to tell Dumbledore but he refuses to believe me.”

Sirius, knowing something about Hogwarts wards, swore. “Albus would have had to disable some of the wards to be able to keep the demon.”

“Uh?” Ron asked.

“When I and the gang were in seventh year, a sixth year, a Death Eater recruit, managed to summon a demon outside the school. It killed the recruit and then ended up being killed when it tried to cross the ward boundary.” Sirius said. “What is Dumbledore thinking?”

“He’s getting old.” Harry pointed out. “I remember the first day I saw the fox demon Snape had brought it in. Dumbledore for whatever reason trusts Snape but I bet he brought the demon in because Voldemort told him to.”

Sirius and Ron both had large eyes at this. Sirius’s mouth turned into a serious frown and nodded firmly. He had to get rid of the demon. If the demon was gone, maybe everything would return to normal.

“Well, what if the prank incapacitated Snivellus? He’s the only real obstacle to get rid of the fox….” Sirius leaned over to whisper with his two conspirators who eagerly leaned in.

♦

September 4

Four Privet Drive

Many people wouldn’t have recognized Albus Dumbledore dressed in a formal muggle business suit and round glasses. He leaned on his cane, regarding his surrounding warily. He had put this off for too long. There was a great deal of sorrow and regret especially. He failed his boys and his girls too many times.

He knocked several times on the door of Number Four. Suddenly there was shaking. Albus couldn’t help but stare at the door as it swung open. Two piggish blue eyes peered at him.

“Who are you?” The boy demanded.

Albus’s mouth moved soundless for a moment. This, this was Dudley? Good heavens, what had she been feeding the child? Other children? Albus recovered at the second demand.

“Please inform your mother that Uncle Percival is here to see her.”

The boy yelled at near ear-shattering volume. Albus clunked the boy over the head with a freed hand. He spoke sharply.

“Haven’t your parents ever teach you manners? Some of us like retaining what is left of our hearing, thank you.”

Dudley looked absolutely shocked. A pair of female voices and the floor shook again. The fattest woman he ever saw and a world-worn Petunia entered the hall. Albus sighed softly through his nose.

“Petty?” He asked.

“Uncle Percy?” Petunia asked, her blue eyes frightened. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have a school to run?”

“I came to check up on you and my deputy headmistress is taking care of any paperwork needed.” He said quietly.

“I thought your family was dead, Petunia.” The heavy-set woman commented.

“He’s a family friend and was my guardian after my parents died.” Petunia murmured. “Marge, could you take Dudley out? I and he have some unfinished business and I don’t want to expose my Duddikins to it.”

“Of course.”

A half hour later, Petunia and Albus was sitting across from each other.

“I’m sorry for being such a bad guardian. I should have checked up on your family more and told you face to face when Lily died.” Albus murmured.

Petunia stirred the tea in her cup slowly. “No, it was my fault. I…I was at fault. I always wanted to fit in somewhere. With Vernon, I had to choose between them.”

“Are you happy, Petunia?”

Petunia gazed towards the hallway and shook her head. There was another pause. Petunia spoke.

“Is there something a matter, Uncle? You haven’t had one of those lemon candies, you preferred.”

“What happened between July sixteenth and seventeenth, Petty?”

She put down the spoon. “I’m not sure. I had sent Harry out to do the outside work since Vernon was home. Next thing I know Harry comes in well-dressed. He frightened me even more so than Vernon does. Vernon and Dudley warmed up to him immediately. Something about promises being fulfilled. Then after dinner, he left with all his things.”

Albus’s head jerked up and Petunia dropped hers. “Uncle, I need help. I want a divorce.”

“Is Vernon abusive, Petty?” She nodded slowly as a sour taste filled his mouth.

“He abused Harry a lot.” She spoke softly. “I tried to stop him before but after the first few beating and other things, I stopped.”

“What are these other things?” Albus was knelt before his foster-daughter as hot tears dripped off her face.

“I take birth control because I don’t want another child.” She covered her face in shame.

“Oh, Petunia.” Albus pulled her into an embrace. “You should have told me.

She sobbed, repeating she knew. After a long while, she pulled away and Albus offered her his handkerchief. She dried her eyes.

“I’ll do my best, Petunia to help.” Albus said quietly. “I just need to find an excellent muggle lawyer and arrange a few things, alright.”

She nodded. There was a long pause.

“Petunia, when Lily was still talking to you, did she mention anything about being unhappy with James or another child?”

“Why is there something a matter?” Petunia looked concerned.

“Perhaps. It may have to deal with Harry.” He spoke evenly.

“She mentioned she had a miscarriage before having Harry.” Albus’s eyes went half-lidded with dread. “And that she and James weren’t seeing completely eye to eye on certain things that she wouldn’t tell me.”

Albus closed his eyes and muttered. “Of course.”

He opened his eyes. “I will arrange for you to stay with some of the old crowd so Vernon cannot find you. What do you want to do with Dudley?”

“Thank you, Uncle. I would rather leave Dudley with his father. It would be easier on all of us.”

“Alright but I will remove the child if Vernon turns on the boy.”

“Thank you.”

♦

September 6

Conference Wing, Ministry of Magic

It was eight o’clock when the Council reconvened. Minerva bit the inside of her mouth to keep from snapping at the men to hurry up. The oldest member of the Council stood up.

“It is with great pleasure that Remus Lupin has been removed from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures’s Werewolf Registry. We will also award Potion Master Severus Snape the Platinum Level Potion Mastery for creating a cure for lycanthropy.”

Minerva hid a smile at the shell-shocked Potion Master and ex-werewolf. Remus seemed to snap out of it first and delivered the dour man a large hug.

♦

September 6

Snape’s Quarters, Hogwarts

That evening, Draco Malfoy was really regretting volunteering to baby-sit the little kitsune that his godfather seemed to adore as if it was his real son. He had privately hoped for some mischief and adventure but the kitsune seemed content to look through pictures and play with puzzle games.

So far the kitsune had kept his distance. Uncle Sev pointed out the kitsune would take a while to warm up to people and crowding him would result in less then pleasant results. Take the Toady Miss Umbridge for example. Despite the fact he had been acting sympathetic, he hated her like he hated most of his own house.

He only went into Slytherin because of that stupid spell his own Father placed on him. Personally he wanted to go into Ravenclaw. He wasn’t a Gryffindor even if he had the tendency for getting into fights. He had no real friends. He lacked tact half the time. He had inherited his mother’s cousin’s foot in mouth condition.

He was aware that he had a tendency to attempt to bully others. He was on the low end of the Slytherin Hierarchy inside the Slytherin dorms. It was much easier bullying the Non-Slytherins. He could barely hold his own there but he refused to tell his godfather. Uncle Sev was a decent head of house but he was often too busy keeping the house in check.

So lost in his thoughts, Draco never realized that the kitsune had come over until there was a warm weight in his lap and small hands attempting to wipe away the stray tears on his cheek. The kitsune was softly crooning in distress.

Draco pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes. Silver meet inquisitive and concerned emerald eyes. Draco reached out and mused with the short mane of hair, garnering a yip of surprise out of the little kitsune. Draco laughed as the kitsune giving him an almost Snape-like glare and attempted to pat his messy hair back into place.

“You need to be a little bit older if you’re trying to scare me with that glare.” The little kitsune tilted his head in curiosity.

Draco gently flicked the small nose. The kitsune sneezed, covering his nose and mouth. He got another glare and then the kitsune’s face blanked out. Draco, feeling somewhat nervous as time dragged on, yelped when small claws seemed to focus directly on the spots that were ticklish.

Draco, laughing freely for the first time in ages, began tussling with the small kitsune, tickling for all he was worth. Suddenly Alexander looked up from under his arm and began wiggling. Draco, letting him go and looking up, found himself staring at his godfather and the Deputy Headmistress. His godfather only bent down enough to pick Alexander up, had a faint look of amusement in his eyes. The Deputy Headmistress looked like she was holding back laughter.

“Excuse me, Severus. But I think I need to see to my lions.” She spoke conversationally.

His godfather nodded. Draco could have sworn the Transfiguration Professor was laughing down the hall. Draco nervously ran a hand through his clean hair and straightened his clothes.

Severus had the odd half-smile as he carried Alexander over to the counter of the small kitchen. Draco coughed slightly.

“How old is he?” Draco had a faint blush.

“We believe it’s ten, but youkai age differently than we do. He won’t be reaching puberty for another few years.” Severus gestured him over.

Draco was surprised to get a half-hug from the older man. He had been eight the last time Uncle Sev ever did it. Alexander grinned before stretching out his arms for Draco. With an encouraging nod, Draco picked him up.

“Draco, I know I have had less and less time for you as of late and for that I’m sorry.” Severus spoke.

“It isn’t a problem. I mean it must be hard being between two powerful men.” Draco tilted his head to look at his godfather.

Severus nodded slowly. “Indeed.”

Draco frowned. “I don’t think I can do what my father wants me to do. It doesn’t feel right.”

Draco didn’t see the solemn look in Severus’s eye. Alexander merely hugged Draco. Draco spoke again.

“I hope you aren’t angry with me…”

“You don’t have to serve the Dark Lord. He is not the …easiest of masters nor very compassionate to the suffering of his underlings.” Severus spoke in a measured tone.

“Then why do you serve him?” Draco turned to him and stopped.

There was a far off look in his eyes and complete sorrow. There was a soft tone to them. His hands rested loosely against his thighs.

“I fell in love with my best friend. And for a time, she loved me. However another loved her and did things that destroyed our relationship. We argued one day and we said things I don’t think we meant to. Everything after that went downhill. Voldemort at the time seemed to be my only salvation.” Severus quietly spoke. “I am glad to hear that you are coming to terms with your limitations. Despite your father’s expectation, the future is yours to choose but choose wisely. Or you may regret it for the rest of your life.”

Draco put down the fidgeting Alex who immediately went over and climbed into Severus’s lap. The little kit wiggled into the man’s arms and crooning, hugged him. The little fox gave Draco a look that clearly said to do something. Draco smiled ruefully as he approached the pair.

♦

September 6

Gryffindor Common Room, Hogwarts

Hermione Granger wasn’t stupid but she couldn’t help but feel she was missing a large piece of the puzzle. There seemed a connection between the changing events of the school, Harry, and the strange demon child. She sighed softly as she finished her assignment.

THUMP!

She turned to stare up above here. Harry was currently in the boy’s dorm and he must have thrown something again. She sighed. Must be those tomes.

She was startled to see Harry come down and sit in the chair next to her. She resisted moving away from him…barely. He gazed at her with those strangely dark pits of emerald. With a twitch of his lips, he smiled insincerely.

“Mione, you know about wizarding bonds, right?” He asked languidly. His voice seemed to crash into her. She nodded slowly, keeping a tight lid on her impulse to tell him to bugger off.

“Somewhat. Why?” She barely kept from narrowing her eyes. This would be important!

“I’m curious, that’s all.” She kept herself from a snide remark.

“Go ahead.”

“Let’s say there were two people, one older and the other one fairly young. The bond causes the older person to be almost keenly aware of the other’s presence and seems to know the inside of their head. And they are almost overprotective of that person despite not showing it.” Harry explained.

Hermione stared for a good minute. “That sounds like a parent.”

“Is there a magical bond that would mimic it?”

He sounded a bit too eager but she thought about it. “Yes and no. If the individuals were related by method of parent and child and hadn’t met before, one could foster a bond to aid in the development of a natural bound. If the pair is not related, the only bound with similar symptoms is the Soul-Brother bond and it works both ways.”

He looked slight disappointed at something but seemed to have realized something else. He bid her a goodbye and disappeared out the common room door. Hermione Granger quietly pulled out her little black journal and wrote about the situation.

She gazed at the book for a bit before closing it and letting the spells mend themselves. She needed help. However first, she needed a look at those books.