Author's Note: This has not seen a beta, as I wanted to get it out to you all as soon as possible. Let me know if there are any mistakes in the forums. Thanks and enjoy!

Dear Remus,

I’m fine. Don’t be mad. I’ve gone to look for those things we were talking about at the start of the holiday. I’ll be in touch.

Harry

HARRY JAMES POTTER!

You are in trouble, young man. Just you wait until I get my hands on you!

Remus

Dear Remus,

Would it help if I said “sorry?” It was easier to get one person in and out. I could use some help destroying them sometime soon.

Harry

Dear Harry,

Why did you wait five days to answer me? What have you been up to?

Remus

Dear Remus,

I’m sleeping.

Harry

FOR FIVE DAYS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Remus,

Yes, I was tired. I think I wore myself out that first day. I found three of them, but it took a while. My body decided that it wanted to sleep. What’s the big deal?

Harry

Dear Harry,

Obviously, you’re still sick. Tell me where you are.

Remus

Dear Remus,

No.

Harry

Dear Harry,

You have a choice to make, my stubborn friend. I have an idea of where you are. I’m fairly certain I am correct. Now, the choice is this: tell me where you are, or I tell the Aurors where I think you are. Your decision.

Remus

Remus,

Am I allowed to hate you?

Harry

Harry,

Quit stalling.

Remus

Remus,

FINE! My address is enclosed. In Spider Warren. I hate you.

Harry

Harry woke to knocking on the door. He rolled out of bed and stumbled to the door. “Who is it?”

“Remus,” Remus snapped through the door. “Now let me in.”

“What’s the password?” Harry asked. It sounded like Remus, but he wasn’t going to take any chances.

“Mischief managed,” Remus said shortly. “Now let me in.”

“Just a second.” Harry reached out and undid the locks and wards. He opened the door and gestured for Remus to enter.

“You look terrible.” Remus said as he shut the door behind him.

“ ‘You look terrible’. Really? I was sick, Remus.” Harry told him, feeling an unusual amount of frustration with the man. Did he really need to state the obvious?

“Cranky, too.” Remus observed. “Too thin, I think. When was the last time you ate?”

Harry ran a hand through his hair and shrugged his shoulders. “Not sure. I’ve been sleeping a lot. I ate the last time I was awake.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Not really,” Harry said with a shrug.

“No appetite?”

“Not for a while.” Harry said honestly. “I hate hospital food.”

“Go lay down. I’ll fix you something to eat.”

“I’m not hungry. We just covered this.” Harry felt the mantle of stubborn child settle on his shoulders. This was his home, his space, and his life. No one was going to boss him around like this.

“You’re sick,” Remus said. He studied Harry a moment before crouching down to meet his eyes. “Harry, I’m not trying to treat you like a child. You’re not well, and you obviously aren’t recovering as you should. I want to help you because you’re my friend, and you need just a little help while you’re recovering.”

Harry felt something in him relax at Remus’s use of friend. Remus didn’t see him as a child, no matter his outward appearance. “Sorry.” Harry said quietly. “I’m being unreasonable.” Harry walked over to the couch and sank down on it. “I just hate this.”

“I understand. Werewolves can’t control their illness.” A smile touched Remus’s lips. Harry gave a weak grin back. Remus, better than anyone else, would understand. “What would you like to eat?”

Harry gave a listless shrug. “I really have no appetite, Remus.”

“How about some soup, then?” Remus turned towards the cabinets.

Harry closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the couch. “Don’t touch the lead box in the corner. It has the Horcruxes in it.”

“Does it? Interesting.” Harry heard him open a cabinet door and then another. “Harry, where is all of your food?”

“I was going shopping today.” Harry said, pretending he didn’t sound completely petulant and childish. Harry laid there for a moment and startled when a blanket dropped over him. “What?”

“Do you have a list?”

“No.” Remus stood there, giving Harry a look. Harry had to fight the feeling that he was in trouble. “Money’s in the blue pouch in my trunk. Take what you need. There’s a market I like around the corner.”

“Get some rest. I’ll be back in a little while.” Remus tucked the blankets around him and let the little flat. Harry dozed and then fell into a deep sleep. He stayed asleep through Remus coming back, unpacking the groceries and then putting together a light soup, toasting some bread, and assembling a fruit salad.

“Harry?” Harry’s eyes opened and looked at Remus. “Do you think you could eat something?”

Harry looked at the tray with disinterested eyes before nodding. He untangled the blankets and sat up. Remus settled the tray on his lap and sat down across from him with the paper.

Harry managed to eat almost everything on the tray. Of course, this wasn’t his idea, but Remus had lowered the paper and looked at him every time Harry thought he was finished. He found it easier to eat than to see that look.

“Harry?” The odd note made harry look up from the remains of his meal. “Did you know that you were supposed to be taking potions?”

“No, I didn’t know that.” He said, finally pushing the tray away from him. “Why didn’t that doctor tell me that?”

“Perhaps he told your appointed guardians.”

“Why would he do a silly thing like that?” Harry asked, a joking tone in his voice. He gestured for the paper and read the head article.

HARRY POTTER WITHOUT NEEDED POTIONS

Healer Worried About Boy-Who-Lived’s Health

The head healer revealed today that Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, left St. Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries without his needed potions. When questioned about the potions, the head healer stated that the potions were for “continued recovery and health” for the Boy-Who-Lived.

“While he made a steady recovery, he does need extended and detailed care.” Harry Potter disappeared six days ago from hospital with no word of where he was going.

“We do not think he was taken against his will. Wherever he went, he went freely.” Auror Williams, head of the case, said this afternoon. “We’re not sure if he is alone or if he is with an adult. Either way, we have a few leads and hope to bring him home safe and sound.”

Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, current guardians of the Boy-Who-Lived, are actively engaged in the search. “We’ve already contacted his friends, his relatives, classmates…So far, he hasn’t been heard from, but we are hopeful.” Lucius Malfoy, said today. “We just want Mr. Potter home where he belongs and where he can get the care he needs.”

“We’ve been worried.” Narcissa admitted tearfully, “because he is very young to be out by himself, and without his potions…we just want him home safe and sound.”

Anyone with information of Harry Potter’s whereabouts should contact Auror Williams at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

For the biography of the Boy-Who-Lived, turn to page 3

For more information on the Malfoy family, turn to page 4

For more information about the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, turn to page 8

“Looks like the Daily Prophet is reaching towards its muckraking past.” Harry said as he threw the paper on the table.

“Harry, I don’t mean to make this sound like criticism in any way, but have you never had follow-up potions before?” Remus asked.

“Not really. Madame Pomfrey never let me leave the infirmary until I was fully recovered, especially that last year at school. Medic Dawson would just appear at random intervals, run diagnostic scans…now that I think about it, there were a lot of potions he shoved down my throat over a period of many weeks. I was occupied with other matters at the time, and just kind of forgot about it.” Harry lapsed into silence and pulled the blanket back around him. “I can be a bit of an idiot sometimes, can’t I?”

“Sometimes,” Remus agreed. “I think it’s more that you’re trying to do so much that you’re not thinking everything through and you’re missing some little details.

Harry nodded, already feeling exhausted from being up so long. “The potions they gave me the most of at St. Mungos were sleeping potions, nutrition supplements, and Pepper-Up while I was awake, which could explain why I felt better right after I woke up. And why I feel like absolute crap now.”

“Alright. I’ll pick up some of those for you and see if that helps.”

“I know this may sound paranoid, but try not to pick them all up at one shop.”

“You are paranoid, but I’ll do that.” Remus patted Harry’s shoulder as he left. “Get some rest.”

Harry just closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift off. He heard the door latch shut and he opened his eyes to see Remus back, holding a box. The expression of the man’s face caused Harry to sit up. “Remus, what’s wrong?”

“Remember what I said about Severus Snape? That a man exists beneath his exterior?” Harry nodded. Remus handed Harry a letter. He opened the parchment and saw familiar handwriting. “He sent this to you?”

“ ‘To Harry Potter’s Pen – Friend’.” Remus said.

“Oh,” Harry’s eyes shifted down to the parchment and he frowned. “Did you check this for any tracking spells?”

“You are paranoid,” Remus said fondly. “I did check it for spells and I didn’t find anything.

“Thanks, Remus.”

Dear Sir:

If Mr. Potter is not your pen friend, I do apologize for addressing you as such. You are the only person in the world whom may be able to contact him.

Mr. Potter has been ill and in hospital. He left without an official release. He also left without any of the prescribed medications.

I have included the medications he’ll need in the box accompanying this note, if you would be kind enough to forward it to him. If you are unable to forward it, please send it back to me. If any costs are incurred, Mr. Potter should be able to cover it. Thank you for your time and effort.

Sincerely,

Professor Severus Snape

Potions Master

Harry smiled. Trust the man to be so understand.

“Here’s your box,” Remus said. “I’m guessing I no longer need to play cloak and dagger in the shops today.”

“No, Remus. Cloak and dagger is no longer needed.” Harry said as he untied the string around the box. He opened the flap and found another note rolled in a scroll. Harry set the box down and unrolled the scroll. This note seemed more agitated than the last one, and Harry had a slight feeling he was not in the Potions Master’s current favor.

Mr. Potter,

Enclosed are the potions you need to take daily for the next week. Notice that there is more than one potion per day. You will find a folded parchment beneath the vials. That is the schedule you must follow when taking these potions. Do not miss a dose if you expect to recover.

I do not mean to act in any way that makes you uncomfortable, but the following must be said. Far better to do it in a letter than in person.

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, LEAVING THE HOSPITAL BEFORE YOU WERE RELEASED? HAVE YOU SUDDENLY TAKEN A FULL LEAVE OF YOUR SENSES, POTTER? DID YOU JOIN YOUR DUNDERHEADED FRIENDS IN A LACK OF COMMON SENSE? YOU HAD BEST RECONSIDER THIS MISGUIDED ATTEMPT AT ADULT BEHAVIOR AND REPORT EITHER TO THE MALFOYS OR MY HOME IMMEDIATELY BEOFRE I GIVE INTO MY IMPULSES TO FIND YOU MYSELF!!!

Please let me know you received these potions, preferably in person.

S. Snape

P.S. – I mean it, Potter. FIND ONE OF US.

S.S.

“I think he’s mad at me.” Harry said as he handed the letter to Remus.”

“More like worried,” Remus said after glancing at the letter. “You should consider what he said.”

“So I can have someone smother me all summer, thinking I’m nothing more than a little kid? No, thank you.” Harry said as he left the couch. He dug through the bookshelves before finding some spare parchment. He retrieved a quill from his bedroom and sat down on the couch again. He scribbled a little note and then looked up at Remus. “Could you drop this by the post office when you leave?”

“Certainly, Harry. Have you taken your potions yet?” Harry looked up from the note and then rolled his eyes. “I mean it, Harry. You have them. You need to take them.”

Harry found the parchment with the schedule on it, read it through, and then selected one vial. He popped open the cork, drank it down, and replaced it in the box. “I have to take the others this evening.”

“Very well.” Remus said. The man appeared to be thinking about something and Harry was content to let the man think.

Harry turned his attention to the note he was signing. None of this was working out the way he wanted. He had thought he could fade into the background, but the Malfoys obviously weren’t as eager to let him fade away. His independence was now limited to where he could hide and where people didn’t care. In other words, he should spend his free time in his flat and in the Muggle world. Neither place was very helpful.

Remus forced more soup into a few hours later. Harry took his potions and then Remus bullied him into bed. Harry lay in the dark and listened to Remus puttering in the kitchen. The man had told him that the full moon was coming in just a few days, so he wouldn’t be able to visit after tomorrow. He promised to make up a few meals Harry would be able to reheat without too much effort. He was staying tonight, just to make sure Harry was okay. Harry felt slightly suffocated by the attention, but it wasn’t too bad at the moment. Remus only checked on him, but didn’t hover. Harry loathed hovering caregivers…Remus made him feel safe.

Harry woke up the next morning and stumbled out into the main room. Breakfast was already waiting for him. Remus only motioned for him to join him at the breakfast table. It appeared Remus was having a traditional fry-up, while Harry was regulated to a bland porridge, toast with jam, and fruit.

“Don’t even give me that look, Harry. You told me you have no appetite, which means that you are feeling slightly off, yes?”

“How did you figure that out?”

“Your mother was that way when she was pregnant with you.” Remus explained. “Your father was so worried when she kept telling him she had no appetite. He thought something was going wrong with the pregnancy. All he knew was pregnant women wanted to eat. When she didn’t, he had moments of panic. She had to explain that ‘no appetite’ meant ‘weak stomach’.”

“Oh,” Harry had to smile. He could almost see his father panicking about his mother not eating. Remus only smiled and went back to his food. Harry almost finished his full breakfast and then helped Remus clean up.

“Harry?” Harry looked up at Remus. “I think you should consider going to the Malfoys or to Professor Snape’s house.

“Why?” Harry asked, feeling as though Remus was sidestepping an issue.

“Harry, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but you may, and I won’t blame you. At this size, as you are now, you are vulnerable. You can have all the power in the world, but all it takes is one person to surprise you and you would be finished.”

“I think I’ll be okay on that account, Remus.” Harry said, brushing past the man to find the book he had been meaning to read. He had to stifle a shout as Remus grabbed him and lifted him from the ground. Harry twisted in the man’s grasp and a hand gave him a sharp rap in the back of the head. It didn’t hurt, but it was enough to startle him. He hung in Remus’s grasp for a few seconds, mulling it over.

“You’ve made your point, Remus.” Harry said sullenly. “You can put me down now.”

Remus chuckled as he set Harry on his feet. “You’re kind of cu-“

“You do not want to finish that sentence. You really, really don’t want to finish that sentence.” Harry threatened.

“I won’t finish it.” Remus said. “Not verbally, anyway.”

“Good.” Harry grumbled as he went over to the couch and dropped onto it.

“It’s nice to see you feeling better.” Remus observed. “Those potions must be helping.”

“I am feeling more like myself.” Harry admitted.

“You will consider it?” Remus asked as he started gathering his things.

“I’ll think about it today, and probably head somewhere else tomorrow or the next day. I just have to figure out the place where I’m least likely to be throttled on sight.” Harry explained.

“The Malfoys, then. Severus Snape may end your existence for making him worry.”

“You have a point,” Harry said pensively. “I’ll send you a note when I’ve settled in at either place.” Harry smiled at Remus. “You could always come with me.”

“On, no. You’ve made this mess, and you’re going to have to deal with it.” Remus stood looking down at Harry and opened his arms. Harry stood from the couch and stepped into the offered hug. “Please take care of yourself, Harry.”

“I’ll do my best.” Harry said. “I have a feeling that Narcissa will likely smother me with attention, so I should be okay in any case…unless they invite Professor Snape over before he calms down. In that case, I may have to come back here and hide.”

“Here’s hoping he doesn’t want to kill you once he sees you’re okay.” Remus released Harry from the hug. Harry waved as Remus left the flat. Harry stood there for a moment before ducking into his bedroom. To the library!

Harry stormed into his flat, allowing shopping bags, satchel, and newspaper to fall where they may. Today had been harrowing. Even with his disguise of brown hair, brown eyes, and ball cap covering his scar, it still had been one of the most unsettling days since his return to the past.

The library was fine, as the librarian remained buried in another of her bodice-ripper romance novels. He spent a few hours plowing through dark Magic books, trying to discern the pattern he knew existed common to the Dark Lord’s magic.

It was the time spent outside the library that made him upset. He had stepped out in the Muggle world, wanting a bit of freedom for a little while. He stopped in front of an electronics shop and saw his own face staring at him from the television. Apparently, he had been kidnapped by a criminal of some sort. Harry didn’t bother staying around. He returned to Knockturn Alley for lunch and stopped by Squibby’s.

Laurence was happy to see him and chided him for making everyone worry. Obviously, Harry wasn’t as clever as he thought, since Laurence had managed to see through his disguise. Harry ended up with a chicken sandwich for lunch, along with fruit and vegetables he hadn’t ordered. Laurence told him he was still peeky, whatever that meant, and that he shouldn’t be up and about until he was better. Harry ate while he talked with Laurence, hearing about everything from the man’s arthritis to the public’s reaction to the disappearance of the Boy-Who-Lived.

After he left Squibby’s Harry stopped by the market for a bit more food, and found a newsstand for the paper. That’s when everything started going wrong. Aurors appeared from nowhere, patrolling the streets and posting signs. They stopped people on the street, thrusting a photograph into faces and demanding information. One Auror had stopped Harry while he was buying his paper and Harry had stared at his own face before shrugging and saying he hadn’t seen him.

He had retreated to his flat, avoiding Aurors and common citizens alike, trying to retain his grip on his belongings and his sanity. He shrugged to himself, tired out by his busy day, and set about putting his groceries away.

His flat was coming together nicely and starting to show a bit of his personality. He had finally managed to arrange all of his books in the crates, and he had supplemented the furniture to give everything a more homey feeling.

Harry fixed himself a light dinner of pasta and ate quickly, eager to get to his reading. He washed up his dishes and put them away. He took his potions for the evening and settled down on the couch whit his newspaper and books.

He opened the paper and stared at the headline. He hadn’t noticed it before because of the Auror; he wished he had. Blazoned across the top of the paper was a headline that managed to knock him off the front page. He let the paper drop and he groaned. He would have absolutely no peace now.

MURDERER AT LARGE! SIRIUS BLACK ESCAPES AZKABAN!