Harry Potter:Raised by Wolves

"Harry told me he lives with his Aunt Petunia and her family."

Harry had inadvertently admitted much more than that. Remus' protective instincts roared whenever he thought too much about it.

"What in Merlin's name was Albus thinking?" Severus said, eyes sharp. "Petunia? That woman hated everything to do with magic!"

"He didn't know anything about his parents. Didn't even know about magic before his Hogwarts letter." Remus swallowed harshly. "Severus… he said he didn't even know his own name until he was five years old."

Severus stilled.

"I don't think he even realized I heard him," Remus continued, voice tight. "But—imagine the sorts of things they must have called him instead. You knew Petunia better than I did. And her husband."

"The worst example of Muggles I can think of," Severus agreed, his expression dark. He looked up, and for once, his face was unguarded, his displeasure clear. "You're sure? Albus took him to her?"

Remus nodded.

Across the desk, an inkwell shattered.

"Lily must have been spinning in her grave for the last twelve years," Severus growled, cleaning up the mess with a sharp flick of his wand. "If she were here, she'd kill us both for never checking on him."

"Albus never let me," Remus admitted bitterly. He didn't doubt that Severus had never even considered trying. His hatred for James Potter was a strong, unyielding thing. "He said it was safer if no one magical went near him."

"Of course he did," Severus sneered. He met Remus' gaze knowingly. "Keeping his precious golden boy nice and hidden away—downtrodden, starving for information… probably starving for food, too, by the look of him."

"Waiting for the day that Albus Dumbledore swoops in and rescues him from that horrible place," Remus finished grimly. "Shows him a world of magic, becomes his true savior…"

Severus' eyes gleamed with something dark and dangerous.

"Severus," Remus hesitated. "You don't really think—"

"That Albus would manipulate a child so young?" Severus cut in, his voice dry. "If it served the greater good, I have no doubt that he would."

"But why?" Remus demanded. "What does he have to gain from making Harry rely on him?"

Severus grimaced, glancing toward the office door before pulling up the left sleeve of his robe.

Remus flinched.

The last time he had seen it, the Dark Mark had been vivid black—an ugly stain on pale skin.

Now, it was faded, barely even there unless you knew what to look for. The barest whisper of a skull and snake.

"If he were dead, it would be gone completely," Severus said bluntly. "As you can see, that is not the case."

Remus felt the blood drain from his face. He met Severus' dark gaze, and behind that icy facade, he saw something rare.

Fear.

"No…"

"The Dark Lord will return," Severus said with certainty. "And I believe the Headmaster has plans for Potter when he does. Remind me to tell you what happened at the end of the boy's first year sometime."

He tugged his sleeve back down, shaking his head.

"Petunia Evans," he muttered. "Salazar, it's a bloody miracle the boy made it to school alive. No wonder he has so little regard for his own safety."

Stomach twisting, Remus reached out and gripped Severus' hand before he could stop himself. To his surprise, the Slytherin didn't immediately pull away.

"We can't let that happen," Remus said firmly. "Whatever Albus wants, whatever he's planning… we can't let him have Harry."

Severus met his gaze, unreadable.

Remus waited.

For a moment, he wondered if he would have an ally in this.

He had questioned Dumbledore's choices before. But this…

This was too far.

"I promised to protect the boy," Severus said at last, his voice low. "For Lily's sake. The afterlife would not be worth reaching if I failed that task."

Remus let out a quiet breath of relief, leaning toward Severus for just a moment before remembering—he wasn't allowed to do that anymore.

He let go of the man's hand.

"Good," he murmured, gripping the edge of the desk to ground himself. "That's—good."

Severus hesitated. Then, with clear reluctance, he said, "Lupin… Remus."

The name sounded like it physically hurt him to say.

"Are you well?"

"I'm fine," Remus insisted quickly. Too quickly. He didn't want to discuss the specifics of how his heart was shredding itself apart inside his chest for more reasons than he could even count.

"I should go," he said instead. "It's late."

He slid from the desk, taking an awkward step back.

"Thank you, Severus," he added. "I know we've had our differences, but… Harry needs all the help he can get. Thank you."

Severus didn't reply.

But as Remus turned to leave, one hand on the doorknob, the deep voice behind him called out—

"Be careful, Remus."

Remus stilled.

"Changing loyalties is a dangerous game," Severus said. "No matter which side you're on."

Remus gritted his teeth.

"I can handle it," he said.

He had to.

For Harry.

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