Title: Home Again

Category: Harry Potter

Author: Kat

Rating: PG

Summary: A snippet of PoA from Sirius's POV

Spoilers: Takes place during the chapter "Cat, Rat and Dog"

Pairing: Remus/Sirius

Disclaimer: Not only are the characters all JKR's, even the dialogue is.

Author's Notes: I seem to be addicted to angsty R/S.

"Expelliarmus!"

Sirius froze, clutching the cat to his chest. Still lying on the floor, he looked at where the voice came from. It had been so long, too long, since he'd heard that voice, but he would never forget it. It was indelibly etched in his memory.

Remus stood there, holding three wands in one hand – just one wand in the other, but it was pointed directly at Sirius. His face was set in a mask of anger. There were lines around his eyes and mouth. His tawny hair was tinged with silver. He looked mature, and tired.

He was still the most beautiful man Sirius had ever seen.

"Where is he, Sirius?" Remus asked, a tight tone to his voice. Sirius recognised that tone. Remus had used it the day he had admitted to his friends that he was a werewolf.

It was the tone that meant he was terrified and was trying to hide it.

It hurt to move, but Sirius raised his arm and pointed towards the redheaded boy – to the rat that he was holding.

To the traitor.

"But…" Sirius could feel Remus's hazel gaze on his face. He stared back, drinking in the sight of Remus's face, "—why hasn't he shown himself before now? Unless –" Sirius practically heard the information click in Remus's agile brain, "—unless he was the one… unless you switched…. Without telling me?"

Sirius could feel tears collecting at the corners of his eyes, but he didn't blink as he nodded.

"Professor Lupin." James? Sirius thought confusedly. No, not James. Harry. That was Harry's voice, And Remus was a professor? Of what? "What's going –"

Sirius didn't hear anything after that. Remus lowered the wand he had been pointing at Sirius's throat. In two strides he crossed the room to Sirius's side, hand outstretched. Sirius took it without even thinking, and found himself pulled to his feet. Wordlessly, Remus drew him into an embrace.

Several tears escaped Sirius's eyes. For the first time in twelve years, he was happy. He was safe. He was home.

He was always meant to be in Remus's arms.