A light breeze picked up in the cemetery in Godric's Hollow. The stars twinkled far above in the midnight sky, a crescent moon in their midst. Sirius shone particularly bright that night.

A large –though rather skinny– black dog walked through the cast-iron gates of the cemetery. Padfoot's head was lowered as he walked through rows and rows of gravestones, the dog's eyes quickly scanning each tomb for names.

The two names that he knew better than anything.

And at last, there it was, shining brightly despite its dark surroundings.

JAMES POTTER LILY POTTER

BORN 27 MARCH 1960 BORN 30 JANUARY 1960

DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981 DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Padfoot lay down at the foot of the grave. Covered by the cloak of darkness, dog became man. A million things crossed his mind; so many words were left unsaid.

Sirius sat near the headstone, his eyes never leaving it. In a hoarse whisper, he said, "Hullo Prongs…" A sad grin twitched at his lips. A singular tear ran down his cheek.

"It's been a while…"

"I'm sor…sorry I couldn't save you…" His voice grew softer.

"I couldn't get Harry, like you wanted me to… He's with Lil-Lily's sister…"

"James?"

A tombstone stared back at him. A few more tears slipped down Sirius's cheek.

"Can you hear me?"

No voice answered. But Sirius felt something in his heart lift a bit.

"I'll find Harry, okay?"

Silence.

"He looks like you."

"He even has glasses like yours."

"…And he's got Lily's eyes."

"The exact ones that… that you would look at in her eyes and say that you hoped all your kids had eyes like hers."

"I… I saw a picture of him, anyway…"

Sirius smiled, a small, hardly noticeable smile, at the grave. A few tears fell onto the ground.

"I'll make sure Harry is okay… I promise."

"And I'll avenge you, too."

"Prongs?"

"I miss you." His voice cracked.

"And this is where you'd call me a sissy."

He laughed shakily.

"Tell Lily too."

"I think she'd like to know."

An owl flew overhead. Sirius sat in the silence.

"I'll be with you again, Prongs."

"When I die."

"I'll see you again."

"Okay?"

Sirius nodded, and laid a hand on the marble gravestone.

"Until I see you again…"

"I guess this is goodbye."

His hand lingered for another moment or two, as he stood up. Sirius slowly withdrew his hand. A moment later, the great shaggy dog was walking slowly out of the cemetery, his tail between his legs.

But he had served his purpose.