And in the middle of the night the cemetery in Godric's Hollow is empty, except for a stray black dog, hair mangy, dirty, and uncombed, smelling like he hadn't found water in days.

X

Dear James,

I know I used to say things that made you mad, Prongs. Well, I guess they made you and Lily a little wound up, but I've had a lot of time to think now. It wasn't really the time I needed because I always knew Lily and I would never be anything. Nothing like you two. Not that I was ever interested in her. But not because she's not great, because she's fantastic, mate. But not for me. But never mind, that's not my point. I just mean she's perfect but I never meant any of those comments. I never really wanted to take her out or father her children. Really. I just hope you knew that.

I guess that's probably the least important thing right now for me to worry about, but I haven't been able to get it out of my mind these last few days. Whenever I'm not running for Aurors, I mean. I haven't been able to get in touch with Moony, but I hope he knows I didn't do this. I wasn't your secret keeper. I don't yet know who was, but I promise you I'll find out. You and Lily. I can't protect Harry, right now. They've already taken him away somewhere, and everyone thinks I've killed you. But I didn't. But you know that.

Remember when you suggested I make my Animangus form permanent? Well, I'm seriously considering it now. I don't know how long staying this way will keep the Aurors off of my track, but I can't imagine it'll last forever. Hopefully it'll last long enough.

I went to Wormtail's funeral today. Well, I stood around from a distance. But Wormtail didn't have kids. No wife, not even a girlfriend, and it's finally donned on me that I probably won't either when it's my turn. I used to think that one day we'd take our kids to Platform 9/3, but everything's ruined now.

I hope you'll forgive me, Prongs, but I wasn't able to make it to your and Lily's. I tried, but I knew I'd get caught. Maybe I should just turn myself in. Maybe they'll listen to me, but I doubt it. And the full moon is tonight. Even if Moony doesn't think of me what everyone else does, I can't get to him for another few days.

I don't know what to do. Please tell me what to do. I'm sure Lily's screaming at me to do something completely reasonable and I'm sure she has a in depth intelligent reason for it as well. If she's such a brilliant witch, you'd think she'd figure out a way to just come and tell me already. I don't mean that one either.

I love you both, and Harry too. He's got the best of both you, you know. Black hair, green eyes. I hope he needs glasses too. And I promise one day I'll tell him everything. Everything about you. Everything about both of you.

Love, Siruis

X

Because in the middle of night all the footsteps tracked through the cemetery have since been filled with snow, but the small animal tracks are still fresh, and slowly, snowflakes begin to soak through the sealed unmarked envelope at the foot of the newest tombstone.