If Remus raised Harry

Untitled Part 3

'I'd like a word Mr Potter' said Professor McGonagall to the overly small boy in front of her.

'Yes Professor,' he replied, his voice shaking with fear.

'I'm rather worried about you, and I gather that some other people are too. Now I don't want to push you to talk about anything you aren't ready for, however I would like you to answer one question for me. I would like to preface that question, by telling you that, no matter your answer you will not be in trouble, and I would like for you to be honest with me. If I am correct in my assumptions, then I would imagine that you have previously been told that you can't be honest about this, but I promise that you are safe here, and no matter what you tell me, I will do my best to help you. Do you understand that?

'Yes'

'Harry, do your Aunt and Uncle ever hit you?'

'Well, yes, of course, they do when I misbehave. That's what happens to all badly-behaved children isn't it? I don't bleed or anything usually, it's just a few bruises from the punches. They rarely use anything other than their hand.' Harry said, confused at to why she would ask that. 'Is that going to be my punishment for falling asleep during the lesson?'

'No, no, absolutely not, I would never hurt you. would you be able to show me some of these bruises?

'I suppose so' said Harry, and slowly he turned and lifted his shirt, only a little, but McGonagall immediately saw what Ron had been talking about. Clearly this boy had been abused. She would have to get him out of there.

'Harry, I want you to understand, that it was not ok for your relatives to treat you like this. Now, I would like to work on getting you removed from that home, and living somewhere safe. How would you feel about that?'
'I'd be happy, very happy, but I don't think you'd find anywhere. Nobody wants anybody like me'
'That's not true Harry, not at all, in fact, I have somebody in mind, an old friend of your Father's, who I imagine would be delighted to take you in.'
'Are you sure?'
'Well I'll have to ask him, but I have no doubt that I will find somebody to care for you Harry, you're a lovely boy. Now, unless you'd like to talk to me about anything, which you are very welcome to do. You are free to go, and I will update you when I have more news.
'I'll go. Bye Professor, thank you'
Bye Harry'

A few days later a rather heated discussion with Professor Dumbledore, Minerva had finally persuaded the man that a house where Harry was being abused, was not a safe place for him, even it did protect him from Voldemort (she still wasn't entirely sure why Dumbledore thought it was more necessary to protect Harry for a man who hadn't been seen in ten years, than the relatives who had been regularly beating him for the last ten years, along with whatever else they had done that Harry hadn't yet mentioned, because she was sure there was more). They agreed, that particularly as the Ministry had finally seen some sort of sense and changed a few of the laws around werewolves, Remus Lupin would be the most sensible guardian for Harry. So now, Minerva sat, writing him a letter, in the hope that he would be willing to raise his best friends' son.

'Dear Remus,
I hope this letter finds you well, and I'm sorry that it doesn't bring better news.
It has come to my attention that Harry Potter is being severely abused by his muggle relatives, and has been for quite some time. Obviously he can't stay there any longer, and whilst he won't have to return until the summer, I thought it best to sort out a guardian for him long before that point, as he is clearly in need of some adult guidance, the boy has already received detention, and risked his life on a broom (clearly he gets his quidditch skills from his Father, he's made the team) and we are only a few days into the term. As you were one of James and Lily's oldest friends, I am certain they would wish for you to be the guardian of their son, and having known you so many years, I wholeheartedly agree that you would be a fantastic guardian for him. So I am writing now to ask if you would like to officially adopt Harry?
Minerva McGonagall'

After reading the letter, Remus was immediately certain of his response. He wasn't quite sure how his lycanthropy would affect the situation, but he was certain that Harry could not be sent to live with strangers, not after being abused for goodness knows how long by his muggle relatives. He didn't have much experience with children, until Harry, and visiting him as a child, would certainly be a different experience to raising him now as an almost teenager, but Remus was certain that it was the right thing to do, and he would do his absolute best to care for Harry as if he was his own son.
So he sent his reply, accepting the offer.