Chapter 2

Remus Lupin let the axe swing downwards in a tight arc and neatly sliced the thick log in two. Winter would be setting in soon and he wanted his parents to have enough wood to last them the entire season. He knew he could have split the logs magically, but, beyond his transformation, that was the most exercise he got, and it was a way to blow off steam from his almost constant state of irritability those past weeks.

With each drop of the axe, he imagined the wood to be the head of the Dark Lord or even that of his own ex-lover, Sirius. Though they had been separated almost a year before James and Lily's deaths, he had loved the unstable wizard even after Sirius had accused him of being a spy. Remus snorted at the idea. A spy. Him? Hardly.

When he'd heard of James' and Lily's deaths on Hallowe'en, he had been devastated. They had been his extended family, and he'd cared for them dearly. Hell, James had even taken care of him financially once they had left Hogwarts, since no one would employ a known werewolf. Once he'd learned that it had been Sirius who betrayed their location, however, he'd gone a bit mad. Of all the people in the world, he would never in a million years have guessed that their best friend would have done such a thing. Regulus, possibly, but never Sirius. Not only had there been the loss of James and Lily to think of, which left young Harry an orphan, there was poor Peter, as well. Black had truly fucked them all.

Remus hadn't known who to turn to, so he'd returned to his parents, constantly on guard and wary of strangers. Yes, he had done the odd job for Dumbledore and the Order, especially if it concerned the werewolf packs, but he could only be so much help, since he was considered an Omega...or, at the very most, a Beta...within a pack. It wasn't like he could waltz in, chat up the group and they would spill their secrets. Deep trust was involved; he couldn't gain that overnight, which meant long stints undercover. Maybe it was the long absences that had caused Sirius to stop trusting him after a time.

Another swing and another image of Sirius losing some vital part of his anatomy flashed in his mind. Remus cursed himself for a fool that he'd ever believed anything that had passed the lips of his former lover. Sirius was very good at spouting bits of excellent personal philosophy, but he didn't always live up to them. If you want to know what a man is really like, look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals. The werewolf snorted. Black loathed Kreacher, who was by most estimations his inferior, and had treated him with nothing but contempt. A perfect example of, 'do as I say, not as I do'.

Similarly, Sirius claimed often enough that nobody was wholly good or wholly evil; yet the way he acted towards Snape suggested that he thought there were no latent good qualities in him. Remus had not been on friendly enough terms with their greasy schoolmate, so he couldn't even hazard an opinion. When it came right down to it, Lily, James and Peter were dead, Sirius was serving a life sentence in Azkaban, Harry was with his Muggle aunt and he was aimless.

Things couldn't possibly get worse.

"Remus?"

Cringing at the sound of his name uttered by the Headmaster of Hogwarts made him rethink that idea. Panting from the exertion, Remus embedded the blade of the axe in the stump, wiped his palms on the back of his faded trousers and finally turned to see the older wizard. "Albus."

Albus scanned the stacks of wood piled against the cottage where Lupin's parents resided. They extended over the length of two sides of the house and were about two feet high. "You've been busy."

"It keeps my mind off things," Remus muttered. He began piling several logs into his arms and placing them on the stacks. Not waiting for Dumbledore to speak, he spoke preemptively. "I'm in no mood for another mission, if that's why you're here."

Waving the werewolf off, Dumbledore helped levitate a couple of logs. "No, no need at the moment."

Remus turned and studied his former professor with narrowed eyes. "Then why are you here? I told you everything I could about Sirius. You know as much as I do."

"Dear boy, such a suspicious mind," Albus admonished gently.

Remus scoffed. "In this day and age? Absolutely."

Unwilling to beat about the bush, Dumbledore spoke in a low tone and very quickly, "There is a delicate matter that must be attended to, and with great expediency."

Chucking some logs on the pile, Remus frowned. "I thought you weren't here about a mission?"

"The matter could be construed as a mission, though it isn't the kind you've been assigned so far."

Despite his earlier misgivings, he was now highly curious. "I'm listening."

"It will be difficult to hear."

Snorting, Remus shook his head. "Doubtful. Nothing could be more difficult than these past two weeks, what with..."

"You've been named Harry's custodian," Albus cut him off.

An oppressive silence filled the air. "What?" he whispered.

Dumbledore began to pace. "Unforeseen circumstances have placed guardianship of Harry with you and one other person. If we do not comply, it is very likely the boy will disappear before we were able to prevent it."

The tawny wizard had not moved from his spot, his mouth hanging open in shock. "This is ridiculous. What person in their right mind would hand over their child to a werewolf?"

"Someone in their right mind wouldn't," Albus agreed, thinking of Sirius Black and the very real likelihood that the man was already insane. "However, it is a fact that we have to accept."

"No," Remus said vehemently with a slashing of his hand. "It's too dangerous."

Albus crossed his arms. "Perhaps you don't understand. This is non-negotiable. Harry must be protected, above all else. If that means placing him with you and Severus, then..."

"What?" the werewolf bit out harshly. He had to have heard wrong. There was no way in Merlin's name that...

"It's an unusual situation, to say the least, Remus, but we are constrained by James and Lily's wishes, as set forth in their Last Will and Testament."

Lupin shook his head, refusing to believe it. "They would never knowingly leave Harry with me...or with Snape!"

Stepping closer, Dumbledore spoke in heated tones. "We thought that as well. But three weeks before their deaths, both Potters changed their Wills, leaving the boy to separate individuals, stating that if their demands were not met, Harry would be taken from our world." He leaned in until his nose was almost touching Remus'. "I can't tell you how disastrous it would be for us, should that happen."

"Madness," the younger wizard muttered under his breath. "Utter madness."

Dumbledore straightened and stroked his beard. "Can you think of any reason that they would choose to change their Wills in such a fashion?"

Remus wracked his brain for any snippet of information, any clue as to why Lily or James would have made such a drastic change, so close to their deaths. "Was I their first choice for this dubious task?"

"No. Sirius Black was."

Nostrils flaring, Remus nearly bit through his lower lip to keep from shouting obscenities. "That makes more sense than choosing me," he admitted with a growl. "Except for the fact that he's in bloody Azkaban!"

"My point exactly." Dumbledore emphasized his agreement with a nod. "You were named by Sirius himself."

The red flush that had covered Remus' face a moment ago paled to near white. "Why in Merlin's name would he do such a thing? I've severed all ties with him."

Albus arched a brow in contemplation. "Apparently, he felt differently."

Unable to verbalize much of anything, Remus began pacing, his long strides kicking up clumps of sod. To him, it was unconscionable and irresponsible of Sirius to do such a thing, but then again, look at the source of the problem. Lupin doubted there was a sensible bone in the man's body. He wiped his sweaty face with his hands and alternated between groaning and growling, hating his ex-lover even more as the seconds passed. And what of Snape? Dear Zeus on Olympus, how was he to negotiate guardianship with a man that possibly loathed him even more than he did Sirius? He would be surprised if he and Snape survived the first five minutes in each other's company, let alone sixteen years for Harry to reach his majority. Yet, he couldn't ignore what losing Harry would mean to the magical community.

Finally stopping in front of his old professor, Remus blew out a heavy breath and mumbled, "What do I need to do?"

"You and Snape are to meet with the solicitor in three day's time. There, you'll receive the terms of your guardianship. I presume that you'll be required to share living space with Severus, but again, that will be outlined during the meeting. Any questions?"

Oh, there were several, but none that he dared to voice. Instead, Remus shook his head and made his way back to the cottage, leaving Dumbledore to stand in the cool evening air.

~*~

Richard Buttermore had never seen two more ill-suited men sitting before him in the history of... well, history, despite having been of service to both wizards and Muggles alike. Definite opposites; one was thin and dark, with a sallow complexion and an air of disdain about him, while the other was fidgety, light-coloured and looked like he'd rather be anywhere but sitting in front of a solicitor.

To be honest, Buttermore fervently wished they were both elsewhere, as well.

The dark one, Snape, sat at least the width of the desk apart from the other one, Lupin. He'd repeatedly refused to sit closer, as a matter of fact. Something about fleas, the smell of wet fur and the high probability of death. Lupin's, not Snape's.

Constant huffs of irritation, eye rolling and clucking of the tongue came from Lupin's side of the room. All the while, the tall, lanky man's left leg bounced on the ball of his foot in a nervous fashion. Sometimes he would stop for a minute or two and remain absolutely still, as though listening for something, before returning to his antsy behaviour.

Buttermore had now developed a crick in his neck from turning his head from side to side in order to speak to the men directly, and he was quickly losing his patience with their juvenile conduct. "Gentlemen, if we could proceed?"

"Why do you think we're here? I've been waiting for twenty minutes, and I have yet to hear anything of value pass your flapping lips," Severus snapped.

Trying to smooth things over, Remus cleared his throat. "I'm sure the man has a good reason for the delay, Severus."

Snape narrowed his eyes and sneered at the werewolf. "I didn't grant you the privilege of using my given name!"

"Well, considering we're supposed to raise Harry together, I thought we could dispense with the formalities."

"You thought wrong." Severus sniffed and brushed off a piece of imaginary lint from his frock coat. "Of course, I've come to expect such behaviour from you and your little band of miscreants and..."

"They're all dead, Snape! Sirius is in Azkaban, so what more do you want?" Remus shouted, hoping to end his tirade. "My head on a silver platter?"

The dark wizard looked thoughtful for a moment. "Can that be arranged?"

"Enough!"

Both men turned their attention to Buttermore, who was fuming and had turned a horrid shade of puce.

"If you two are quite through, I will explain the particulars." He glanced between them. "Is this amenable to you?"

"The Devil's in the details," Snape said with a nasty smirk.

"Bloody hell, will you listen to the man?" Remus cried, pulling at the hair around his temples. "I believe we'll find out more if you just shut your gob!"

"Lupin..."

"I will throw you out myself, if you say one more word that doesn't pertain to the agenda at hand, Mister Snape!" Buttermore growled.

Severus sat back in his chair pursing his lips, scowl firmly in place, though he remained blessedly quiet.

"As I mentioned before," Buttermore continued after a brief period of silence, "this delicate situation must be handled with some urgency. We now have fifteen days in which to retrieve young Mister Potter from his mother's family. I fear, should we delay in doing so, the consequences would not be favourable."

"I'd still like to know how Severus and I were chosen," Remus said.

"As would I." Snape echoed Lupin's sentiment, not arguing for once.

Sighing heavily, Buttermore leaned back in his chair. "Though it may be a breach of privilege, I will tell you both that another couple had initially been named instead of you two. Then Lily Potter approached our firm to alter her Will, and I did as she wished, never questioning her decision. The same applied to James Potter. Whether they knowingly changed their Wills to each reflect a different party, we may never know; I only know that they did so." He looked at Remus. "As you know, Mister Potter had named Sirius Black, but since Mister Black is unable to fulfill his responsibility, he named you in his stead."

"That explains things," Snape groused.

Ignoring the sullen wizard to his left, Remus asked, "Who were the prior couple?"

Buttermore hesitated for a moment. "Frank and Alice Longbottom."

Unbidden, Severus and Remus glanced at each other. It had become public knowledge that the loving couple had been tortured past the point of insanity and now had permanent residence in St. Mungo's. It stood to reason that the Potters would have changed things after that tragedy.

"Why not Petunia Evans? Surely Lily's sister would care for the boy?" Snape posed the question before looking away from the werewolf.

"That's where the child is now," Buttermore replied. "Normally, I would agree with you, but one thing both Wills agreed on was that Harry was not to reside with Petunia Dursley."

"Dursley? Someone married that horse-faced hag?" Snape sniggered.

"Yes, well..." Buttermore cleared his throat, uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "Be that as it may, the Potters were quite adamant that she not maintain contact with the boy." He unlocked a drawer and withdrew a packet, handing it to Snape. "Mrs. Potter left you this, at your discretion."

Severus stared at the bulky envelope, finally grasping it with trembling fingers. Feeling the outline of the item inside, he determined that it was a vial of some sort. He tucked it inside his cloak, determined to look at it later, away from prying eyes.

Irritated with Snape, hungry and edgy since the full moon was in a week's time, Remus just wanted the meeting over with. "What now?"

Peering at both men, Buttermore stood and leaned over his desk. "You, gentlemen, must be in accord. The Wills were written in such a manner that the guardian...or, in this case, guardians...must provide the best atmosphere of safety, protection and as nurturing environment as possible. I know nothing of your past history together, but, from what I gather here today, you both make a pitiful example of said conditions."

"I take offense to that!" Remus growled.

Severus just snorted at his companion's outrage.

Buttermore pointed at them. "My point exactly. It was stipulated that you must work together, raise Harry Potter together. Can you not relate to each other with even a modicum of civility?"

Remus wanted to sneer, wanted to throw the chair he was currently sitting on out the diamond-paned window, wanted to throttle Snape, James and Sirius... in that order. He wanted to refuse...no, needed to refuse. His life was directionless, at best. How could he possibly cope with a child... and Snape? Any sane person would've said no the moment they knew the dour wizard was involved. He now questioned how sound his own mind was. He couldn't possibly be considering... Oh, for the love of Merlin, he was such a predictable beast.

Extending the proverbial olive branch...because he knew Severus would not, prideful bugger that he was...Remus spoke tentatively. "For Harry's sake, I will make a concentrated effort to get along." He directed his offer to Snape, who looked deep in contemplation.

Severus wanted to bite out a scathing retort about how a 'concentrated effort' might send the werewolf around the bend, but he refrained, though it nearly killed him to do so. Lily, what have you gotten me into? Why me? Why him? You knew how dangerous my life is; I can't think you changed things inadvertently. It was always in the forefront of his mind that the Dark Lord had been defeated a little too neatly, especially by an unknowing child. Dark and powerful magic was involved... the kind that never really disappeared. For that reason alone, Severus understood that if Harry was to survive in the future, should the Dark Lord rise again, it would take all his considerable resources to keep the boy alive.

"I agree," Snape said reluctantly. "For the sake of the child."

Buttermore blew out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. "I'm glad to hear it, gentlemen." He mopped his brow with a linen handkerchief, then handed each man a file folder. "Here is the location of Harry Potter, along with necessary documents, such as the child's birth certificate and a court order to retrieve him. From the reports I'm getting, I daresay the Dursleys will be more than happy to turn the boy over to you."

Both wizards looked concerned. "Why?" Remus asked, alarmed.

"These are second-hand accounts, mind you, and..."

"I can guess," Severus said with a growl. "I don't imagine Petunia's personality changed that much as she grew older.

"Then we need to go now." Remus stood and slipped on his jacket.

Standing, Severus also donned his coat. "With pleasure," he drawled wickedly.

Petunia Dursley would think that the Devil himself had darkened her doorway, once Snape arrived.