Written for the Harry Potter Chapter Challenge (Cornelius Fudge - write about someone who was sent to Azkaban)

Written for the Ship Til You Drop Competition (RemusSirius)


Never Forget

It was never easy, and you know that. Even as a child you were introduced to struggles from an early age. Your father hated you, your mother was ashamed. As an adult the newspapers were riddled with pictures of you, plastered with words that described you has a murderer.

If you weren't locked away you could imagine what the street talk would be.

"… killed his best friends…."

"… always weird at school…."

"… I always knew he'd do something like this…."

There was no going back now; your fate had been sealed. The world thought you were a murderer, and perhaps that's exactly what you were.

After all, hadn't it been you that had suggested they change the Secret Keeper?

You shake your head, ridding the thought from you. This place was bad enough. Dementors lurked in every corner, ready to suck what happiness you had left in you. Intentionally thinking of that day would only delight them even further.

You are just about to settle down for the night, ready for another nightmare to engulf you, when a plate is slid through the bars of your prison cell. It isn't much, and it looked like it was days old.

You ignored it. You will eat eventually.

You wake the next day like you have for every other day you have been in this wretched place. But today is different. There is a presence that wasn't there before – you can sense it. They are watching you.

"What do you want?" you mumble, not even looking at the figure that was standing before your cell. The Minister, probably. Come to see that you are slowly wilting away like a flower that saw no sun light.

"To see you."

You groan, knowing that voice.

You then lift your head, knowing that stance.

Your heart clenches, and finally, albeit reluctantly, your eyes move to the man that is standing before you.

"Remus!" Your voice is course, dry, but your heart is beating in your chest like it is brand new.

"Sirius." He nods his head.

You cannot believe what you are seeing. Why is he here? Why? You want to ask that, but you're afraid. You're afraid of what he might say.

"You're still alive, I see."

You nod. His voice is not as kind as it once was, but you can't blame him. He's probably contributed to those whispers on the street; shocked and hurt by what occurred.

"I'm alive," you mumble. "Just."

He watches you like you are an animal in a zoo. You half expect him to take out a camera and take a picture.

He doesn't, though. He simply stares, his expression a mix of hurt and confusion. After a long moment he finally asks the question you know he's been longing to ask.

"Why?"

It's so simple you almost feel as if you actually did do it.

"Ask Peter."

His lips purse. "Peter's dead." There's a hint of fury in his voice.

"Peter's alive."

"No, you… you…." His voice quivers and he can't finish his sentence.

"Peter did it. I made him the Secret Keeper. It was him. He betrayed them and faked his own death. He's out there, the rat!"

The look in Remus' eyes shows he doesn't believe you and you can't blame him, really. If positions were reversed you're not sure you'd believe it either.

"It's true."

Remus is only furious with you. It will take more than one visit to convince him you are innocent.

You notice a tear roll down his cheek as he speaks. "I loved you once, Sirius," he whispers. "I loved you so much that I would have given my life for you. But now… now…." Another tear rolls down and he is rendered speechless.

Without breathing another word, he turns on his heel and is gone as quickly as he came. You're alone again in your cell, the cold, cruel feeling of the Dementors lurking inside of you.

Swallowing, you transform to avoid their harshness.

Life is much easier as a dog, anyway; but the feeling of pain is still there and that will never go away.

You'll never forget how you lost Remus.

Ever.


Pretty sure I've written something similar to this once before, but... not exactly the same, so oh well. I hope you liked it!