𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓦𝓻𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓟𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻 [√]

Part One

Five-year-old Harridian Sirius Potter watched from the top of the stairs as his brother, Liam, opened up his birthday present in the living room.

His brother was the boy who lived, so everybody loved him. They showered him with gifts and attention, while Harridian was left alone.

His brother had brown eyes and red hair with freckles across his face and he was chubby. While Harry had shaggy brown hair and green eyes. He was skinny, you could see his ribs under his too-tight clothes that hadn't been changed in days.

He hasn't had a shower either, and his face has small patches of dirt from where he was staying in the attic.

James, Lily, Sirius, and Remus surrounded Liam as he opened his gifts. Harridian snapped out of his thoughts when he heard his name. "No, Liam, that gift is for Harridian," He heard Remus say.

"Oh, come on, Remus, let him have it," He heard Lily say, and Harridian rolled his eyes.

"No, I got it for Harridian," Remus replied. "Where is he, anyway? It's his birthday, too. Shouldn't he be celebrating with you guys?" he heard Remus ask.

"The brat is probably in the attic," James said, and Harridian heard footsteps coming towards him. He quickly got up and ran to the attic, fearing who might be coming to get him. His parents had gotten rough with him a few times for interrupting Liam's special days.

He got to the attic and sat in the dusty corner. He heard the door open and held his breath. "Harridian," he heard Remus call and rushed out of his corner toward his favorite person in the world.

"Remmy," He exclaimed and the man gasped when he saw him.

"Cub?" Remus said, setting down the box he had in his hand. "You're a mess, when was the last time you showered? Or ate?" Remus asked, taking in the tiny boy in front of him.

"Showered and ate the last time you were here, Uncle Remmy," The child said, and Remus frowned.

"Cub, I haven't been here in almost a month," Remus said, a horrified look on his face. "Don't they give you food?" He asked, and Harridian shook his head and Remus growled.

"Come on, we're going to get you checked out," Remus said, picking up his gift and Harridian. "Do you have anything you want to take with you?" He asked, not planning on letting his cub come back to this house.

The child shook his head, and with that, Remus disappeared. They arrived in Diagon Alley, and Harridian looked around wide-eyed. "Where are you going?" he asked, looking up at Remus.

"Not sure, we need to get you checked then maybe some potions too..." Remus cut himself, "I know where to go," Remus said as he got moving.

He went down Knockturn Alley and stopped in front of a potions shop. He entered the shop and walked up to the man at the counter. "I'm looking for the half-blood prince," Remus said and the man looked him up and down.

"Prince, there's someone here for you," the man called back. Not a second later, a man dressed in full black robes, with pale skin and long black hair down to his shoulders, stepped out. The man's eyes widened in shock when he saw Remus.

Remus let his eyes roam over the man, taking in his beautiful features. The two had become friends in their second to last year at Hogwarts. After an awfully humiliating prank that James and Sirius pulled on him, Remus found him crying in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. He sat with him until he calmed down. They talked, and Remus apologized for what happened, and the rest was history.

On their last day at Hogwarts five years ago, the last time they had seen each other. Severus had kissed him before disappearing for a potions apprenticeship for four and a half years, he had returned five months ago, the youngest potions master in the world, having completed his studies in two years but still stayed for the required time. Upon returning he had sent Remus a letter on where to find him if necessary, and here they are.

"Remus," Severus gasped before looking at the small boy in his arms. "Whose that?" he asked, and Remus snapped out of his gazing.

"Can we talk privately?" Remus asked, and Severus nodded, leading them to the back room he just exited.

"What's going on, Rem?" Severus asked.

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Word count: 726

Re-published: May 2, 2024, 4:30 am

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