Chapter Four

Friday 31 July 1998

Harry

When I get back to the house, much faster after my inheritance, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I tip-toe across the landing, and pause. I look different. It's nothing drastic, I'm still myself, but I'm definitely taller, maybe even taller than Ron, at least 6"3'. My hair is longer, and my eyes seem even greener. I'm stronger, too, my muscles more defined even through the shirt I'm wearing. I look good.

I make my way to Ron's room, which we've been sharing this summer, and pull out a quill, ink, and parchment, and begin writing to Lupin.

Lupin,

I don't really know how to start, so I'm just going to: I came into my inheritance. My werewolf inheritance, that is. Why no one ever informed me of said inheritance is confusing, but that is besides the point.

My wolf told me that I was meant to be trained by a pack, however as I lived with the Dursleys, which I shouldn't have, I haven't been. Essentially, I am writing to ask if you could train me. If not, I understand, but if you could refer me to someone who could it would be very much appreciated.

Thank you,

Harry Potter.

I unlock Bernie's cage, having received the key after last year's birthday, and attach the letter to his leg. It occurs to me whilst doing this that I should probably write to Hermione as well, who has been staying with her parents this summer to help them get their memories back, so I ask Bernie to please wait. Bernie's much like Hedwig in the fact he requires a polite owner.

Hermione,

So, today's my birthday, and you'll never guess, but I just went through an inheritance. I guess I'm a werewolf! It's not like Lupin, though, apparently there are inherited werewolves too, which are pretty different. I'm sure you know all about it from your books, but I apparently have a very literal wolf half. His name is Eli, he basically told me everything I need to know.

Before you start fretting, because I know you, 'Mione, I've written to Lupin. Apparently, I need some sort of training, and as I didn't grow up in a 'pack', I never received it. I've asked Lupin to help me, hopefully he replies soon. I'll keep you posted,

Harry

I tie the second letter to Bernie's leg.

"Sorry it's kind of heavy, and that you might have to go a long way." He chirps. "One is for Remus Lupin, and the other for Hermione Granger." He chirps again, and I open the window and watch him fly away. I've never understood how owls always seem to know where they're going, but I don't question it. If I questioned everything I didn't understand about the Wizarding world I would never escape Hermione's explanations.

I lie down, seeing nothing better to do than sleep whilst I wait for their replies.

---

The next day, I wake up bombarded with 'happy birthday's from Ron. I go on to explain my inheritance, at least what I know about it, and he's really supportive, unsurprisingly, which boosts my confidence a bit. We head downstairs and tell the rest of the family, minus Ginny, who's been doing work experience at the ministry all summer, so isn't here. The Weasleys are wonderful about my inheritance, hugging and congratulating me. It strikes me for the hundredth time in my life how glad I am to have found them.

Wow, this is a great family, huh? I mean, for wizards, you say.

You could say that again.

—-

A couple of days later, I wake up to a tapping on my window. I quickly let Bernie in, as I know he doesn't appreciate being left in the cold, and give him a treat as thanks. I expect letters, but he also carries a rather large package.

I open that first and find, no surprise, books, with a note from Hermione resting on top.

Congratulations, and happy birthday (again)! Wish I had known so I could have sent these with your present. Anyway, I discovered these with some research. The information in them is reliable and in-depth. I hope you'll find them helpful. -'Mione

Hurriedly, I untie the letter from Bernie's leg, my heart beating fast. I realise I'm actually nervous to know what Lupin wrote. What he thinks of me.

Harry,

I don't know where to start. I knew your father was a wolf, and an inherited one at that, but I never assumed you might be too. I never knew Lily was bitten, and as werewolf genes are recessive, I assumed you couldn't have been. It is curious; I'm sure Lily would have told us if it were up to her. We should discuss this in person soon. In any case, I'm so sorry, Harry; if I had known I would never have let this happen.

In response to your question, I would be more than happy to train you. Sirius and I will come to the Burrow at around 1 pm this Friday to take you to our house, where, if it's alright with you, you can stay for the rest of the summer to train.

I'll be seeing you shortly,

Remus

I finish the letter, pleased with his response, both that it wasn't his fault that I didn't know and that he is willing to train me. However, I do wonder why my mother never told him about the bite. It is weird, as he said...

It's already Wednesday, so I have a matter of days before Lupin and Sirius arrive. I do wonder why they apparently live together, and why Sirius is coming as well, but I decide to ask them when they arrive.

---

By the time Friday arrives, I am fully prepared to leave. I'm more than excited to see my godfather again, as well as learn more about being a wolf. Plus, the sooner I leave the Weasleys, the sooner I find my mate.

I watch out of my window as Sirius and Lupin apparate outside the house. I go downstairs, even more excited than I thought I would be.

Sirius hugs me as soon as I open the door.

"It's great to see you, Harry," he says.

"It's great to see you, too. And you, Lupin."

"You can call me Remus, Harry. After all, we'll be spending quite a lot of time together."

"Right. Well, I'm ready to go. Let me just say goodbye to the Weasleys."

"Of course." I go back to the living room, and say my goodbyes to the family, thanking them for having me, telling them I'll see them soon. We all go back to the front door, and Mr and Mrs Weasley say hello to Sirius and Remus.

"Alright. Do you mind apparating? You can do so with me as you don't know where we're going," Remus says. I don't like apparating, but I suppose I have no choice.

As always, apparating comes with that nauseous feeling, but it's not as bad as normal, and goes back to normal within a minute. It must have something to do with my inheritance.

You can't feel nauseated every time you apparate. What if you need to save our mate or pups?

Makes sense. I look up at Remus' house and find it's astonishingly normal. A small cottage in a cul de sac, painted a light blue colour, with a small front garden. It's nice.

"I know it's kind of small..." Sirius began.

"I love it. Can we go in?"

"Sure."

Inside is a lot bigger than the outside; must be a charm. We entered into a spacious living room, with stylish but comfortable-looking furniture.

"It's nice. Thank you for inviting me, by the way. And helping me. It means a lot."

"Of course, Harry. I'm so sorry I didn't intervene sooner; I wish I knew there was a chance you could have the inheritance... Harry, I think someone stopped Lily from revealing her bite."

"Do you know who?"

"I know you might not want to hear this, but it was most likely Dumbledore. He spent a lot of time with them... near the end, and has a history of keeping things from certain people. I'm sure he meant well, but it was most likely him." I nod grimly. The more I learnt about Dumbledore after his death, the more I realised how manipulative he was in life, and how much he kept from me.

"It's fine, I understand. If you don't mind me asking, why do you two live together now?" Sirius blushed. I never thought I'd see him do that.

Harry, you oblivious... What?

"Well, Sirius is my mate." Oh. Oh. That... that actually makes a lot of sense. But...

"And you were apart for twelve years? Plus all that time you were on the run! How... how did you..." They look at each other, a look I've seen before but only really see the truth in it with this newly discovered context. It makes me yearn for my mate, the stinging sensation I felt thinking about them on my birthday worsened already.

"We barely did. It- it was hard. But you do what you have to." I nod, having found a newfound respect.

"So, when are we starting training?"

"I thought we'd give you the rest of the day to get situated, and then begin tomorrow. But Harry, this is going to be hard work. We have to cram eighteen year's worth of learning into just over a month."

"I know. But you're a good teacher, a great teacher, and I'm determined. I can do this." What I don't tell them is I plan to spend every waking moment that I don't spend actively training researching using the books Hermione sent me, and practising on my own. I won't look like a fool at school, I won't. I want to find a pack, like you said, and fit in with my kind. But most importantly, I want to be able to impress my mate, something that will never happen if I don't even know how to act.

And so, we get started.

---

The first time Sirius calls me pup is in mid-August. By this point I've learnt a lot, and have grown a lot closer to Sirius and Remus, more so than I would have thought possible in such a short space of time. You, as well. I can't help but wonder what would've happened if Sirius hadn't gone to Azkaban, if they raised me like they were supposed to. And then Sirius calls me pup.

Having extensively researched using the books Hermione sent me, I know how much of a big deal this is. He just called me his son. But it doesn't feel weird; it feels right. Sirius, although fully wizard, is more acquainted with werewolf culture than wizarding culture, so he knows as well. Which is evident when he snaps his head around to face me, eyes wide.

"Harry, I... I'm sorry, it just slipped out."

"It's okay, really. Seriously, I... you can call me that. I mean, if you wanted." His eyes light up.

"Really?" He wraps me in a hug, and I hug him back. "That means a lot, Harry, really. Thank you."

Are you sure about this? It's kind of a big deal.

I know, but I'm sure. They both already feel like family, you can't deny that. And I've never had someone to call me pup.

Okay, Harry. If you're sure.

I am.

1957 words

I kind of hate this chapter, but can't figure out how to fix it. Anyway, we're going back to Hogwarts next chapter!