Badgersoul

Chapter 1: Homecoming

Chapter 1: Homecoming

First day at the Potters' and James thought it would be a brilliant idea to wake me and Siri up via a bucket of ice water. My brother and I combined our efforts and stuck him to his broomstick (my idea) and colored his hair fluorescent pink (Siri's idea). James vowed revenge so it looks like we'll have a prank war on our hands for the summer. Time to find out who the real prank master is.

**

Leo Black took a deep breath before reaching a hand forward and knocking on the door before putting his hands in the pocket of his bright pink hoodie. He glanced up at the shabby-looking man next to him, receiving a reassuring smile in response. This man was Remus Lupin and he, like Leo, was a wizard. And he, unlike Leo, was also a werewolf.

Most people – magical and Muggle alike – would have been put off by this fact. Fortunately, Leo was not most people. He was a boy who craved danger and adventure like a fish needed water. This love for danger extended to animals as well – dragons, giant three-headed dogs, werewolves – the more deadly the better in his opinion. Nearly getting mauled by Remus mere weeks before had done nothing to curb his appetite.

He absent-mindedly scratched the pink scar below his right eye as the door flew open. A large whale of a man by the name of Vernon Dursley stood there, glaring at them over his enormous mustache. Vernon Dursley was Leo's uncle by marriage. His Aunt Petunia – his mum's older sister – had married him for his complete normalcy and ordinariness, wanting something as far from her witchy sisters as possible.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Dursley," Remus said pleasantly. "Is Harry around?"

Vernon peered at him for a moment.

"Who wants to know?"

"Remus Lupin," Remus inclined his head, shooting Leo a stern look when he opened his mouth to speak. "I'm Leo's godfather and an old friend of Harry's parents. We're here to take him for the summer."

"We're the rescue team," Leo piped up.

"For the summer? The entire summer?" Vernon asked gleefully before frowning. "What do I get out of letting you take him?"

"I don't sic my werewolf on you," Leo replied in a dry tone, receiving a look from Remus.

"You don't have a -" Vernon began.

"Harry's godfather is an escaped convict accused of mass murder and you're questioning whether or not I have a werewolf in my back pocket?" Leo raised an eyebrow. "Clearly, someone hasn't been keeping up with my adventures. How do you think I got this?"

He pointed at the scar on his face and Vernon paled, but not at his scar. The sleeve on his right arm had fallen slightly, revealing a gauntlet on his forearm. Attached to it was a long, thin stick of wood – his wand. Vernon glanced around nervously to see if anyone was looking before hurrying them inside and closing the door behind them.

"The boy's in his room," Vernon informed the pair. "Take him and go."

He waddled off down the hall toward the kitchen. Remus looked down slightly at Leo, still mildly surprised to see the boy nearly reached his chin in height now.

"You're not much one for tact, are you?"

"Tact doesn't really work around here, Remy. Only thing Vernon responds to is threats of violence and promises of money," Leo snorted. "And I'll be damned before I give that man a Knut. Anyway, I'm gonna go get Harry."

Leo left Remus behind and charged up the stairs and down the hall, almost colliding with a fat boy as he exited his room. Leo raised an eyebrow at Dudley – the least likable cousin of all time – surprised to see he had gotten even fatter since he had seen him last. He hadn't thought it was possible. Dudley's face turned red before alighting with glee.