The Rise of Harry Potter

He could deny everything, which would bring more attention to his father for suspected child abuse. He could tell a lie, some sort of constructed nonsense about who had hurt him, but then they would be investigated for legal purposes.

He'd have to construct a story, a parental figure who was already in prison or arrested under charges where child abuse wouldn't be that outrageous.

Oh.

"Everything I say will stay private." Adrian repeated, obviously looking skeptical.

"Of course," Professor Lupin smiled, "I can involve my friends if you would prefer aurors when you return-"

Adrian lifted his eyebrows in disbelief, causing the other man to wince, "Alright, perhaps not. Are you in any danger at this time?"

"No."

Professor Lupin looked relieved. "Who caused that scar, Adrian?"

"My aunt," Adrian paused, "Bellatrix Lestrange."

Professor Lupin flinched away in shock, growing pale as one hand covered his mouth. For some reason, Professor Lupin's eyes seemed to flare golden for a brief moment.

"No wonder you wanted to learn the patronus charm," Professor Lupin shivered.

Then his arms reached out and gently tugged Adrian to his chest, hugging him closely against his low quality brown robes. A chin rested on Adrian's head, tucking him further in.

Adrian froze.

What was this. What was going on.

"I'm so sorry," Professor Lupin exhaled sadly, "But here on Hogwarts, you're safe. You won't be hurt here. It wasn't your fault."

Adrian was getting hugged. He was being hugged by Professor Lupin.

'Oh, no Harry, none of this was your fault. You don't have to be sorry for anything.'

'I'm so sorry.'

Adrian flinched away in a jerk, stumbling back into the open area of the room. His chest heaved back and forth quickly, his eyes stung with the confusion.

"No, no i'm Adrian." He muttered under his breath, shoving his emotions behind his occlumency shields quickly, "I'm Adrian."

"Alright, I've been keeping you too long," Lupin blinked quickly, trying to compose himself quickly, recovering after Adrian's jerk away "I'm so sorry, that was terribly unprofessional."

"No, no it's fine." Adrian paused, uncertain on how to convey when he felt, "I'm not used to it."

"To being hugged?" the golden eyes softened like melting metal, "Oh, Adrian."

Adrian bowed his head and ignored it, looking out the window. It was starting to get darker out, the nights were longer than the days now.

No, there was something else.

Remus Lupin, Adrian remembered Remus Lupin. He was, he was Harry Potter's godfather.

He took him to an expo, an animal showing. He took him and there was a manticore... there was a snake. It had all been a disaster, flashes of screaming and of broken doors. The shrill death throes begging for mercy.

Remus Lupin was a werewolf.

"I like magical creatures." Adrian blurted, not aware that he had spoken at all. Lupin nodded slowly.

"That's common. Abused children tend to empathize with creatures and animals more."

"I'm not abused." Adrian protested with a scowl, "People are just all…"

Lupin's knowing look made him cut off his terrible excuse.

"Where do you go?" Adrian blurted, shifting and looking uncomfortable, "You're a werewolf."

Lupin froze and his skin paled. His hands trembled slightly and he curled them into fists, lowering them to his sides to try and stop any physical signs of distress.

"Why do you want to know?" Lupin's voice was strained, he stood and started pacing wildly, running one hand through his hair, "You're not-?"

"No," Adrian blinked, "I'm not."

Lupin's smile was strained, thin and somehow in the lighting Lupin looked more wolf like than ever before. "I think I've taken enough of your time tonight, Mr. Selwyn."

Adrian returned home for Christmas break with the intentions of retrieving his secret cloak, as well as to make sure Walter was settling in okay.

Hedwig had apparently returned to the manor with Walter's shipment right during morning tea. Not only did Walter awake and eat an entire slice of toast, but he also indulged himself with his father's tea before the Dark Lord realized that what was occurring was actually real.

Nagini loved having a pet. For some reason Walter enjoyed nesting in Nagini's coils, and reacted equally to Parseltongue as it did to English.

"This isn't going to be the only pet you bring home, is it?" his father sighed, looking at how Nagini fussed over how Walter's shed was getting slightly stuck. His father couldn't argue, especially with how happy Nagini seemed to be.

"Would you be surprised if I got a dragon?" Adrian asked jokingly, only to receive a glare.

"No dragon."

"Yes father."

"Expecto Patronum." Adrian muttered, sitting on a chair outside, looking over the forests and the gardens of the house.

His wand made a faintly silvery mist, but that was it.

"Expecto Patronum." Adrian tried again, speaking through gritted teeth.

There was a pathetic spatter of sparks before once again, nothing.

Adrian shouted angrily, nearly throwing his wand across the yard, "If Potter can do it why can't I!"

The door behind him opened loudly, causing Adrian to scramble backwards and look over his shoulder in surprise.

His father stood in the doorway, arms crossed with the most unimpressed expression.

"Maybe that's because you're not a spoiled brat."

....

Want to read ahead by more than 60 chapters. Then join my pa*treon now.

Link: pa*treon.com/Amelie796 (Remove the *)

Free members will get 2 chapters for free.