The search for Harry Potter covered the front page of the 'Daily Prophet'. Harry's home life was fortunately left out but the declaration that he was taken by Sirius Black left the entire wizarding community in an uproar. Fudge had been forced to admit that Harry Potter knew nothing of Sirius Black or the convict's past which angered even more. Howlers were sent to every division in the Ministry. Everyone felt it was their place to voice their opinion in the upbringing of their savior.

            “How is he their savior?” Peter asked.

            “Don’t know,” Remus shrugged, “maybe this has to do with that boy-who-lived thing.”

            “And the basilisk,” Sirius remembered.

            “And Voldemort,” James put in his two knuts. Peter flinched.

Now, unlike the summer holidays for the past twelve years, Hogwarts was a noisy place to be. It had been established as headquarters for Dumbledore's unit in the search for Harry Potter and Sirius Black but very few knew about it. Those involved consisted of the Hogwarts staff, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Alastor Moody (a retired Auror), Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, as well as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Remus Lupin.

            Sirius threw himself on Remus lap and pointed at the passage, “That’s you Moony. You’re a teacher. Professor Moony!”

            “Yes Sirius, thank you very much. I can read for myself,” Remus said pushing him away annoyed.

            “Who in their right mind hires a Marauder as a teacher?” Peter asked.

            “Dumbledore,” three voices chorused.

            “That explains it,” Peter mumbled.

Not many people knew much about Lupin other than he supposedly knew Black

            “Wait a minute. Moony is Dumbledore’s expert?” James asked.

            “Yes, he’ll tell everyone they’re wrong!” Sirius said excitedly. Remus looked uncertain.

before the convict joined Voldemort

            “No, I didn’t!”

and that Professor Severus Snape hated him.

            “Well, who doesn’t he hate?” Remus mumbled.

Everyone noticed the hateful glares and the snide comments but what amazed everyone was how calm and collected Lupin was. The man hadn't acted out once to the childish behavior where several wanted to on Lupin's behalf.

            “Yes, because I am a better man then Snivellus,” Remus said triumphantly.

            “Calling him Snivellus argues against that,” Peter pointed out and was rewarded by three glares.

Sitting through another meeting like they had for the past two days, the members of this unit couldn't help but be frustrated. Every possible hideout had been investigated and every contact had been questioned. It was almost like the missing convict and child had vanished off of the face of the earth.

            “Where did you take my son Sirius?!” James demanded and Sirius looked lost.

Dumbledore was about to call the meeting to order when a light brown owl flew into the Main Hall and dropped a letter in a blue envelope in front of the old man. All conversation ceased as Dumbledore moved to open the letter but it moved on its own. A deep sarcastic voice filled the hall.

"So you all have finally noticed your precious savior is missing. Did it ever occur to you to check on this child that so many have placed the fate of the world on?

            “Apparently not,” James mumbled.

 I can assure you that if I hadn't interfered, Harry would probably be dead by now. What was going through your thick head when you placed him with the Dursleys? THEY HATE MAGIC!!!!

"A little bit of information that you have failed to notice: Harry is treated like a slave by those people! He is abused and neglected. HE HAS BEEN FOR YEARS! Did any of you even bother to notice the signs?!?

            “No!” four voices shouted.

"And by the way, I know all about Harry's confrontations with Voldemort. This boy is barely a teenager and he already believes it is his responsibility to save everyone from that vile creature. A troll? A possessed Defense teacher? An enchanted diary in the hands of a little girl? A BASILISK? ALBUS DUMBLEDORE ARE YOU EVEN TRYING TO PROTECT MY GODSON!?!

            “No!” James, Remus and Peter answered and Sirius said elated:

            “I am a godfather. I am Harry’s godfather. Thank you James,” he hugged his friend.

            “Of course you are.”

"A word to the wise, I will be watching. If any harm comes to my godson I won't hesitate in taking him away, this time permanently. Harry deserves a childhood, not to be stuck in an abusive household and fighting for his life every year. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

"You will find my godson at the Leaky Cauldron, Room 13. I suggest you bring Madam Pomfrey with you as well as someone who can protect Harry where you and the Ministry have failed. Dursley was able to break a few bones before I intervened.

"An angry godfather."

            “Very, very angry!” Sirius exclaimed, “What?” he asked Peter who was gawking him.

            “You sent Dumbledore a howler. You sent Albus Dumbledore, Supreme Mumgwump, most powerful wizard ever, a howler.”

            “My hero,” James said putting a hand on his heart and pretending to fawn over Sirius who blushed and glared at a laughing Remus.

The letter folded up and slowly lowered until it rested on the table. Silence now filled the hall as everyone waited for Dumbledore's reaction and the Headmaster of Hogwarts didn't disappoint. Slowly, he stood up and looked at the group of people watching him. His face was stern; his body was stiff. Dumbledore was angry.

"Minerva, I need you to go to St. Mungo's and inform Poppy of the situation," Dumbledore said at last in a grave voice. "Meet us at the Leaky Cauldron. Kingsley, Nymphadora, Alastor, Arthur and Remus. I need you to come with me to the Leaky Cauldron. I don't know what condition Harry will be in so I need the rest of you to prepare the Hospital Wing for an injured teenager."

Professor Minerva McGonagall hurried out of the Main Hall followed by everyone who wasn't accompanying Dumbledore. The group involved in the rescue mission crowded around Dumbledore who picked up a goblet and turned it into a portkey. Everyone reached out, touched the goblet and after a moment felt a tug behind their navel taking them to their destination.

The landed hard in the Leaky Cauldron and immediately pulled out their wands. Alastor Moody, who had a magical eye which was moving ceaselessly, without blinking, and was rolling up, down and from side to side, quite independently of the normal eye – and then it rolled right over, pointing into the back of the man's head, so that all they could see was whiteness, scanned the building. "He's there, Albus," Moody growled. "He's alone."

            “How does he know?” Peter asked.

            “I think the magical eye can see through things,” Remus explained.

Dumbledore nodded. "Remus, Arthur, if you will," he said but both men knew it wasn't a request and followed. Quickly yet calmly,

            “How can you be quick and calm?” Sirius asked.

            “I can’t”, James answered.

            “We know,” Remus muttered, James glared at him.

Dumbledore walked up the stairs and continued on until reaching room thirteen. He quickly checked the door for defensive spells but found none.

After a soft Alohamora, Dumbledore slowly opened the door to find a dark room. The drapes were pulled, blocking any sunlight from entering. The sent of blood filled the air. Labored breathing filled their ears. At that moment the three men knew Sirius Black hadn't been exaggerating when he requested Madam Pomfrey's presence.

            “He’s dying. Help my son!”

"Lumos," Mr. Weasley said softly, allowing light from his wand to fill the room.

The sight before them forced all three men to gasp. Lying in bed underneath a mountain of blankets was a bruised, battered and extremely ill Harry Potter. Lupin and Mr. Weasley instantly rushed to the bedside and what they saw only made them cringe.

The entire left side of Harry's face was badly bruised and swollen. He was biting his lower lip to prevent his soft whimpers of pain from escaping his lips. His hair was soaked with sweat but he was shivering. Hesitantly, Mr. Weasley gently touched Harry's forehead and confirmed what he already suspected. Harry had a fever which was dangerously high.

            “Take him to a hospital!” Remus urged.

            “Ah, Moony, they already called Madam Pomfrey,” Peter pointed out. Remus looked relieved.

"Harry?" Mr. Weasley asked nervously as he touched the boy's arm.

The reaction was instant. Both men jumped back in shock as Harry flinched then cried out in pain before covering his head with his arms in an attempt to protect himself. "S—sorry!" Harry whimpered. "D—don't hurt Midnight! Please Uncle!"

            “He’s delusional,” Sirius said.

"Arthur, Remus, hold him still," Dumbledore instructed as he quickly joined the two men at Harry's bedside. "He'll only injure himself further."

Lupin pulled down Harry's arms while Mr. Weasley held Harry's legs.

            “Why do I get called by my last name and the Weasley guy gets a Mr.?” Remus asked.

            “Don’t know?” Peter answered.

            “Because no one in their right mind would call a Marauder; Mr.,” Sirius said.

            “McGonagall does, she’s always saying; Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, detention,” James said imitating McGonagall. The other three boys cringed at the mention of She-Who-Must-Not-be-Named.

They made certain to hold the boy loosely so not to cause any additional pain. Dumbledore let out a sigh and pointed his wand at child. "Ennervate," he said softly.

Harry's eyes opened partially, not really focusing on anything. His mind was a clouded mess and hurt badly but Harry could feel hands holding his arms and legs still to know that he wasn't alone. A cold hand gently touched his forehead making him shiver. Slowly, Harry turned his head to see an overabundance of white and gasped which was a mistake. His ribs screamed in pain forcing Harry to cry out.

In an instant Harry's arms were free as his covers were slowly lowered. "Harry, you need to relax," Dumbledore said in a soothing voice. "Can you tell me the last thing you remember?"

Harry was still stuck on the fact that Professor Dumbledore was in his room. "P'fessor?" he asked groggily. "W—what are—you have to go. Please, if Uncle Vernon—"

            “No, Harry. They’re there to help. Tell them everything,” Remus urged.

"Don't worry about your Uncle, Harry," Mr. Weasley interrupted in a caring voice. "You're safe now, away from him."

"What?" Harry asked. His brain seemed to be processing rather slowly to comprehend everything. He tried to look around but moving his head but that only made his headache worse. "Where…"

            “That, that, man caused brain damage to my son!”

Another spark of pain from his ribs caused Harry to cry out again as tears escaped his eyes. He had never felt pain like this before. Every second felt like an eternity. At that moment Harry didn't care about his secret. He didn't care that Professor Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley now knew about the punishments. He just wanted the pain to stop.

            “Make the pain stop!” The boys shouted.

Harry felt someone lifting up his shirt then touch his chest gently. "There are at least three broken ribs," an unfamiliar voice announced. "Any movement could damage an organ."

The sound of hurried footsteps alerted everyone. Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley moved towards the door, ready to protect Harry if necessary while Lupin sat down on the edge of Harry's bed and took hold of the boy's hand. It was clear that the boy was scared and had a good reason to be. He had absolutely no idea what was going on.

"Harry, I know you're in pain but you need to remain still and relaxed," Lupin said gently. "How long have your ribs been hurting?"

"Er—three weeks, I think," Harry mumbled. "Um—who are you?"

            “What do you mean who is he? He’s Moony. Moony why doesn’t my son know you?” Remus shrugged.

"My name is Remus Lupin, Harry," the man said softly. "I'm the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

            “And your Uncle Moony! Introduce yourself properly Moony!” James demanded.

The footsteps stopped at the doorway. Harry couldn't find the strength to turn his head. He could feel himself losing the battle to simply stay awake. Closing his eyes, Harry barely heard the familiar voices conversing before the visitors hurried back to his bedside. He could feel himself drifting in and out of consciousness, especially when pain was involved.

Slowly, those instances became fewer allowing Harry the peaceful darkness he hadn't experienced since he had returned to Privet Drive. He was oblivious to his surroundings despite whoever was making a ruckus. He missed the Minister's tantrum as well as several other Ministry employees who demanded Harry's statement to help in the search for Sirius Black.

It was difficult for many to even consider Black's actions being anything but insane. Why would someone go through all of the trouble to abduct a boy, the-boy-who-lived at that, only to simply let him go? It was obvious that Black had some other agenda and Harry Potter was in the middle of it.

            “Because you’re all wrong about me!” the others did have to agree that Sirius had saved Harry.