''Welcome to Wizarding News. It is August 6th, 1990, and this is Richard Acker saying good morning! Today, we are going to talk about...''
Remus switched station and some music came out from the radio instead. He was just going to make some breakfast for himself when he heard a knock on the door. He threw a glance at the clock on the wall. It was not even nine, who could possibly be visiting him now?
He walked out to the hallway and opened the door.
''P-professor McGonagall! What... what are you...?''
The woman's eyes were wide-open and she looked pale. She stumbled in over the treshold. Wisps of hair were falling out from her hairbun.
''I... I just found out'', she began. ''And I thought you should know... they don't want anyone to know about it yet, but...''
''Know what? What happened?''
He immediately got a bad feeling about this. What could this be about? Was it Harry? Or was it...? He did not even dare to think about it. He knew that people in Azkaban often died after just a few years, maybe just months. They stopped eating and then they died. The thought had haunted him since 1981, and even if he wished Lily, James and Peter revenge more than anything else, it killed him.
''They found him.''
''Who? Found who?''
''Pettigrew.''
Remus just stared at her for several seconds before he realized what she had just said.
''That is impossible'', he said quietly.
''Pettigrew is alive.''
The first thing that came to Remus mind was happiness. Peter was alive. They could see each other again, Peter, who had always been there for Remus and supported him while almost everyone else turned their back on him. But the happiness was replaced by confusement in just a few seconds. First of all, how could Peter be alive? They found small parts of him years before. Second, why had he been hiding all those years? Whatever or whoever it was he was hiding from, did he not trust Remus enough to let him know he was alive?
''You... it can't be him'', Remus said. ''It...''
''They gave him veritaserum as soon as they got him to the ministry. This is Peter Pettigrew. I saw him.''
It made no sense. Nothing made sense. Peter was dead. He died nine years ago because a psychopath blew him up to a million pieces. Remus had spent the last nine years trying to accept the fact that he was gone.
''S-so? What did he say?''
''He is guilty, Remus! This is Peter Pettigrew and he stayed hidden for all those years! He betrayed Lily and James Potter!''
''But no, it's impossible! They casted the charm so that – wait...'' He stared at her for a few moments before he realized. ''They switched Secret Keeper!?''
''Yes! And then Pettigrew cut the finger of himself so that everyone would think he was dead!''
''What about all the muggles who saw him –?''
''What if Peter did not die in the explosion, but was the one who made the explosion?''
And then, suddenly, Remus understood.
''THEN –''
''I know!''
''THEY HAVE THE WRONG MAN! WHERE IS HE? THEY HAVE TO GET HIM NOW! I HAVE TO MEET HIM, I HAVE TO TALK TO HIM...''
''He is on his way to the ministry as we speak – ''
Remus was still in his pajamas, but he looked around for his jacket.
''When can I see him?''
''First, he has to go to an interrogation –''
''Where?''
''The ministry.''
''Can you go there by floo?''
''Yes, but I am not sure that they will let you in there...''
''I don't care, I'll go there. Are you coming with me?''
''Well, yes, but –''
He did not listen to her. A thousand thoughts were running through his mind. There were so many feelings he could not pick one to focus on. He was angry and confused, but most important of all, he could see a sparkle of hope for the first time in many, many years. He was not alone. All of the people he cared about were not murdered or murderers. Maybe, he could even be happy again.
There was a stressed tension in the atmosphere at the ministry. People ran around with worried faces and their hands ful of papers and talked to each other with low but upset voices. Everything was going on around Remus like a distant alarm – he did not hear the sounds, he did not see the faces. Until he spotted a familiar one –
''You!'' he said and stormed over to the man at the other side of the hall. ''It's your fault! It's all your fault!''
McGonagall tried to stop him, but he ignored her.
''I hope everyone you care about dies! I hope you'll get to know what it feels like to be alone!''
''Remus! Be quiet!''
''I HOPE SOMEONE LOCKS YOU IN TO AZKABAN SO YOU CAN KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO SIT THERE AND ROT –''
''REMUS!''
McGonagall grabbed his arm and pulled him back, even though she looked like she would not mind having a go at the ministry worker herself. Crouch looked speechless and a few people around them in the entrance hall had stopped what they were doing to look up and see where the yelling came from.
McGonagall pulled him in to an empty corridor. Remus was furious. He wanted to see him dead – he wanted to see Crouch dead, he was the one who had given order about sending Sirius to Azkaban without a trial... Sirius never had the chance to explain himself... If he had gotten it, then maybe...
''Lupin! You are at the Ministry of Magic! You can not behave like a mental patient! I know that you are upset, so am I, but –''
''Nine years! Nine years!''
''I know, I understand...''
She stopped when she heard the sound of voices coming from another corridor.
''It's security measures, I am sorry.''
''Security measures? Are you kidding with me? You have just deprived me nine years of my life, and you are going to keep locking me in?''
Remus quickly turned around when he heard the voice.
''We are not locking you in, we're...''
''PLEASE JUST TAKE THIS THING OFF, IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!''
''Okay, okay, but if you don't stay calm we'll have to hex you...''
''Yeah, yeah, whatever...''
He could spot shadows at the other end of the corridor and then four figures appeared. Three people from the ministry, and a very familiar face –
The ministry workers coaxed the handcuffs off and the man rubbed his sore wrists with a irritated look in his face. And then he looked up.
To say that Sirius Black was the same as 1981 would have been a lie. His fit body and healthy look was gone – he was basically a skeleton with dark shadows under his eyes and sunken cheeks. His usually so well-groomed hair was just a black mess over his face. But when Remus looked him in the eyes – it was Sirius. It was the same Sirius that he had hated for years and loved for even longer than that.
Everything stopped. McGonagall and the ministry workers were quiet. Remus and Sirius stared at each other for several seconds before Remus began to walk towards Sirius. Sirius almost ran to meet him. Remus quickened his pace and soon, he was running, too. He could feel the tears burn in his eyes even more and tried to blink them away, but by the time he got to Sirius, Sirius was already crying and Remus gave after to the tears. And there it was – the feeling of Sirius arms around him.
They held each other tighter than ever before. They were sobbing hysterically and Sirius buried his face in to Remus' shoulder.
''I'm sorry'', was the first thing he said. ''I'm sorry, I'm sorry...''
''I'm sorry'', Remus cried. ''Fuck, Sirius –''
''We should've told you – ''
''I believed them – ''
''I'm sorry, I'm sorry...''
''God, I've missed you so much –''
''I never thought I was going to see you again...''
''I'm so fucking sorry.''
They fell down to their knees, still with their arms around each other as if they never planned to let go.
Even if Remus was happier than he had been in a long time, the tears would not stop coming. But he was to busy holding Sirius and breathing in the smell of him to care.
''I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you'', he whispered.
He let go of Sirius, only to grab his face and kiss him. The kiss was filled with passion and desire, oh, how he had missed it –
''I love you, Moony. I'm so sorry. God, I love you.''
Remus kissed him again and Sirius hands flew up to his hair.
''I'll never leave you alone again'', Sirius promised.
''I wouldn't let you, arsehole.''
Sirius laughed and in that moment, Remus suddenly remembered what it felt like to breathe. They stood there, hugging each other for a while, and they could have stayed there forever. When they separated, Remus held Sirius' face close to his own and stared him in to the eyes.
''How could I ever think that you were something else than innocent?''
Sirius did not answer, but kissed him again.
They were interrupted by McGonagall who cleared her throat behind them. Sirius looked up and she gave him a warm smile. He stood up.
''I knew you couldn't be a monster'', she said quietly and held out her arms to embrace him. He smiled back and hugged the old woman.
''I missed you, professor.''
She gave him a pat on the cheek before she turned to them both.
''I talked to the Minister of Magic'', she said. ''And since the evidence is so obvious – with the veritaserum, and everything – you won't have to stay for the interrogation today.''
''Why do I have to go at all?''
''It's just a routine-thing. Don't worry. The real issue is the press. If they find you you won't get a moment of peace for a while. Is there anywhere you can go?''
''I have a flat in Cardiff. It's small, but it's something. For now.''
Sirius gave him a grateful smile.
''Good'', McGonagall said. ''I think most people would understand that you are not in the mood for interviews today.''
''No'', Sirius confirmed.
''Where did the ministry workers go?'' Remus asked.
''They are seeing what they can do to get Sirius his wand, and to pick a date when he can come here... the ministry will have to pay damages to you, of course, probably a lot.''
'''What...?''
''I would expect at least a hundred thousand galleons, if I was you. Now, if you excuse me, I have to go find that idiot I talked to a minute ago...''
Sirius turned to Remus again. He still had tears in his eyes. Remus pulled him in to his arms again.
''It's over'', he whispered. ''It's finally over. We have each other and I will never allow anything to separate us again, okay?''
''Let's move.''
''Yes. Oh my God, yes.''
''We'll move to a beautiful, beautiful place. We can afford it, you heard her, they will pay me, we will never have to worry about money again. We'll buy the wolfsbane potion every month! We can travel, you know, like we always talked about. We can see the world together. And eventually, we will be allowed to get married.'' Sirius let go of Remus and stroke a wisp of hair out of his face. Remus had changed over the years, too, his hair was longer and it fell down to his eyes, and Sirius could spot some small wrinkles in his face even if he was just thirty years old. ''We'll be a family and we can be happy. You and me and Harry – what about Harry, where is he? How is he?''
Remus suddenly looked sad.
''R-remus?'' Sirius asked nervously. ''How is Harry?''
''I... I don't know'', Remus whispered. ''I haven't seen him since James and Lily died.''
''What!? But who is taking care of him, then!?''
''They would never give me the custody.''
''So... so Mary has him, right?''
''No –''
''So who, then? Mrs Bagshot?''
''No, he –''
''What about...''
''Sirius, listen to me. Harry is staying with his aunt and his uncle.''
Sirius looked confused.
''Petunia?''
''Yes.''
''Petunia Evans?''
''She's Petunia Dursley now, but yes.''
''Have you met that woman?''
''Unfortunately I have.''
''She is evil!''
''Sirius, please, calm down. I am just as upset about this as you are, but Dumbledore did not want Harry to have contact with the magical world. He thought it would be better for him to grow up without knowing about his fame. He would have a normal childhood.''
''That's not up for Dumbledore to decide! Are you telling me he does not even know who I am?''
''He doesn't.''
''And what about you?''
''He would not recognize me to save his life.''
''But... what about Lily and James? If he does not know about magic, how –''
''I don't know. They probably told him some lie about an accident.''
''What? And you... you've never met him? Why?''
''I tried a few years ago. I just wanted to check up on him. Maybe show him a few pictures of Lily and James – muggle pictures, of course – but Petunia recognized me the second she opened the door and just slammed it in my face.''
''I can't believe it! We have to get him – ''
''We will. We will. Now, when you're here, they can't say anything else. It's Lily and James decision to make, and they have already done it.''
''You're right. Now, let's get out of here. Where... what about... what about my things?''
''Sold. They probably put the money back to your account.''
''Great. But... but what about... photos and stuff?'' Sirius asked.
''I went there, to your flat, and I filled a box with some things. Letters, photographs, some things that I think Harry might want when he get older. I found some of James' old things, so I took them too. I still have them.''
''I thought you would raze the whole place.''
''Oh, I did. And then I fixed it again'', said Remus.
''I have never heard of an action so typical you.''
''Mm. I know.''
Sirius smiled and grabbed his hands.
''Are you sure about this?'' he asked. Now, he was almost whispering.
''About what?''
''Us.''
''Are you kidding me?''
''No, I'm Sirius.''
''Damn, I guess I walked straight in to that one.''
''Except you're not straight'', Sirius said.
''Will you stop with the fucking puns already?''
Sirius laughed and pulled him closer.
''Mm. Maybe. Joking aside... where was I, again?''
''Me not being sure about us.''
''Yeah, yeah, right. Look, I understand. It's been nine years.''
''For you, too.''
''Yes, but I sat in an isolated cell. Moony, I understand that you had to move on. I never expected you to wait for me. When I saw you here today... I thought you only came here as a friend. And then you kissed me. And then you told me you loved me.''
''Because I do'', Remus said with a raised eyebrow. ''Are you saying we are over?''
''NO!'' Sirius said immediately. ''No, no, no! I love you. I was so happy when you said it, you have no idea. But I just... if it was just because the situation was overwhelming, I understand. It's been so long. I just... you know, if people lose a husband or a wife, it is not unusual that they find someone new in just a few years. Maybe just a few months. I just thought that... if you thought I had lied to you this whole time... and those people -who's partners died loving them - fell in love again so quickly... then why would you wait for me...''
''I didn't wait for you'', Remus interrupted him with a low voice. Sirius went silent. ''I didn't. I spent nine years trying to hate you, but I couldn't. I spent nine years trying to get you out of my dreams, but I couldn't. I spent nine years trying to fall in love with someone else, but I couldn't. I spent nine years trying to get the taste of your lips out of my head, but it I couldn't. I spent nine years trying to unlove you, but I simply couldn't.''
''Moony...'' Sirius whispered, now so low that Remus would not have heard it if Sirius voice would not have been just centimeters from his ears.
''Padfoot'', Remus answered, and a smile curled on Sirius' lips as he heard Remus say his old nickname. ''The love I have for you is eternal. Don't you understand that?''
Sirius was speechless.
''So... it's you and me again? We're still an us?''
''If you want it to.''
A few moments of silence went by.
''It's too good to be true'', he mumbled after a while. Remus searched his eyes.
''Do you love me?'' he asked.
''Of course I do. I told you.''
''Now that's something to good to be true.''
''But it is true.''
Remus smiled.
''Then miracles can really happen, can't they?''
''The wise boy who fell in love with a maniac'', Sirius said.
''The wolf that howled at a star'', Remus filled in.
''The punk rock guy who turned out to be really, really gay'', Sirius continued.
''The beauty and the beast.''
''You're not a beast, Remus.''
''Oh no, I'm the beauty'', Remus said lightly. ''You're the beast.''
''Ha-ha. Very funny, McWerewolf.''
''Let's go find McGonagall so we can get home soon, shouldn't we?''
''Randy?''
''Nine years, baby. Nine years.''
''Did you just call me baby?'' asked Sirius. His eyes gleamed for a second.
''I hope you enjoyed it, because it's never going to happen again'', Remus said.
''Damn.'' Sirius let go of Remus hands and put them on his cheeks. ''I liked it.''
Remus watched him. Even if the years had an visible effect on Sirius, in Remus eyes, he had never looked better.
''Merlin, Sirius.''
''What is it?''
''I have never understood exactly how gorgeous you are.''
A warm sensation spread in Sirius' chest as he heard Remus say that. He looked him in the eyes and wondered how it was possible for a couple of eyes to be so perfect.
''And you're more beautiful than ever.''
''Doubt it.''
''Shut up, McWerewolf. I love you.''
They kissed each other again.
''I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry'', Remus said when their lips separated.
''I'm sorrier than you are. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.''
''Are we really gonna do this again?''
''No. Sorry.''
''I love you.''
''I love you even more.''
''That's not possible.''
''Shut up.''
''I've missed you so much I think it drove me crazy.''
''Don't worry. We can be crazy together.''