A/N: This is my first story here on fanfic, so I hope you guys like it! Reviews and opinions would be largely appreciated.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters. Except maybe Sirius. And maybe Fred and George. Maybe.
"So what are you going to do, Harry?"
Seventeen-year-old Harry Potter looked up in surprise. In front of him stood Remus Lupin, offering Harry a kind smile. "Do about what, Professor?" Harry asked.
"Harry," Lupin replied gently, "I'm not your professor anymore."
Harry merely grinned sheepishly having been caught a little unawares. Sitting on the table Harry was seated at was the old photo album Hagrid had given him after his first year at Hogwarts. For Harry, that day seemed to take place in another century.
Lupin smiled again. "Maybe I should leave you to your reveries, then? I know you must miss them, especially around this time of the year." Lupin gestured towards the book on the table, referencing Harry's parents.
"Oh, yeah. Loads." Harry agreed in a spacey voice. He had missed his parents very much on his birthday, but two weeks later he wasn't looking at their pictures. Truth be told, Harry Potter was staring at the picture of his godfather at his parent's wedding. No one but Sirius was on his mind today.
As Lupin nodded and turned to leave, Harry flipped the book back open to the picture of the Potter's wedding. He beamed down at the picture, remembering Sirius' laugh and smile. Spending the summer locked up in the Order's new headquarters without Sirius just wasn't the same as two years ago. Two years ago, a day with everyone in the Order out doing business would have given Sirius and Harry a day of casual fun, relaxation, and maybe some cleaning. This year, it left Harry perfectly alone. Mrs. Weasley had impressed upon Harry that she wanted home at least for a while this summer. Harry had agreed, not knowing he was going to be confined to the house.
"Professor?" Harry called out before Lupin left the room.
"Harry?"
"I need to ask you a question, is it okay if it's a little personal?"
"Well, Harry, it's always okay for a student to ask their teachers questions." Lupin replied with a teasing smile.
Harry laughed a little to himself, grateful for the joke. "Professor, how did you deal with everything? I mean, my father dying and then S-Sirius too." Harry paused for a moment. Saying Sirius' name still left his throat raw. "How did you handle it so well?"
Lupin gave Harry a fatherly smile and nod. "By keeping them alive, Harry." He responded simply.
"Sir?"
"Harry," Lupin began with a hint of a sigh. Slowly, he made his way over to the table where Harry sat. "I hate to complain, but, I haven't led the easiest life. Being a werewolf is never easy and it will never be easy. Then, I had to bury my two best friends. The two people that meant the most to me. So, I lost their bodies and gained their spirits. Every choice I make, every aspect of my life has a little James in it. And now, Sirius is there too. James and Sirius are as alive now in my heart as they ever were here on Earth."
Harry looked down at his hands, staring at his father, mother, and Sirius all laughing together. "I understand."
"I know you do." Lupin whispered softly.
Harry gave himself a short moment to let the impact of Lupin's final words sink in. If anything, Harry had definitely been keeping Sirius alive in his thoughts.
"Can I ask you another question, Professor?"
"Always, Harry."
"Who is this girl with Sirius?"
At these words Lupin gave Harry a curious look and sat down. Harry spun the book around so that the picture faced Lupin right side up.
It had taken Harry several looks at the picture to even notice the girl. He was always focused on his parents. It took being focused on Sirius for Harry to notice the woman's hand he was holding. A blonde girl with golden brown eyes, she appeared to be emanating a happy glow. She was offset from the rest of the picture, allowing the focus to be on Sirius and the newly wed Potters. Sirius kept trying to pull her into the center focus, but she kept waving him off. A boisterous smile on her face, she allowed herself to be separate from Sirius yet still together with him. Harry naturally found himself curious as to the ties she held with Sirius.
"Oh. My." Lupin whispered, almost inaudible.
"You know her, Professor?"
"Knew her, Harry. I knew her." Lupin corrected, still intent on the picture.
"Why do you seem so surprised to see her?"
"I'm not, really. It's just- I didn't know there were any pictures left of them together."
"Who was she?"
"Her name was Isadora. Isadora Torrent. She was in Gryffindor and in the same year as us back at Hogwarts."
"How come I've never heard of her before, Professor? Sirius never once mentioned her."
Lupin shook his head. "No, Sirius wouldn't. I imagine it'd be too painful."
"So she did mean something to Sirius then?"
"Harry," Lupin said quite seriously, "She was his world."