Alright, everyone. School is out so for the time being, I am free to write. I hope. Whatever. Here is the first chapter (I know it's short. sorry) of my sequel to Fresh Meat. Warning: this story won't be as lighthearted as my last one- i'm trying to keep with the storyline, which gives Remus a hard life. It won't be horribly depressing, but still. I warned you. Also, I won't update nearly as quickly as I did for the first set. I had the whole story written out before I posted the first chapter last time. But this time, I'll post as I write. So don't forget to review and let me know what you think! Thank you, everyone who let me know that they wanted me to continue this. I hope I won't disappoint. And without further ado, chapter 1!

I stood outside the Potter's house. Well, it used to be their house. Now it's rubble. Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't believe it. How could things have gone so terribly wrong?

It had been four years. Just four. Things were so simple back at Hogwarts. We had our little dramas, but nothing like this. The Dark Lord began terrorizing people, threatening to destroy our world in favor of his own, so Dumbledore created the Order of the Phoenix. We were almost done with our seventh year, too. Technically, none of us graduated, opting to fight instead of staying at the school. Dumbledore said we were getting field experience. It was nasty, but we were together. Things were so different in the war. Nothing was normal. Being First Order of Merlin and High Wizard of Wizendmont, Professor Dumbledore was allowed to perform marriages. Lily and James got married at the Order headquarters by him. So did me and Remus. We were all honored he'd do that for us, but what was normal about it? Course, it might have been more normal if we didn't have to change out of our nice clothes to stop a Death Eater raid during the Potter's reception.

Those memories were bittersweet, but at least we were alive and together. We were a pack. The roar of a motorcycle made me turn. Sirius rode up and landed a few feet from me. He hadn't changed much through the years. He was handsome as ever. Perhaps a bit older looking, but that only made him look better. Sirius' hair was shorter, which added to the dashing look. But there was no trace of the smile he almost always sported.

"Thank Merlin. I'm glad you made it, angel." He looked around, dismounting. "Where's Moony?" he asked. I shook my head.

"He went out with my dad. Didn't say where. But they were gone when I got your message," I told him, referring to the patronus he sent earlier. Sirius said he had a bad feeling and that we should check on the Potters. We had learned throughout the war that Sirius' feelings were normally right. He frowned slightly at that, but he didn't say anything. Lately, he had been acting rather cool toward my husband, but I could never figure out why. Remus was acting the same way toward him. Whenever I asked either, they would simply shake their heads, looking thoughtful and sad. Sirius didn't have that thoughtful, sad look this time though. His face was pale and agonized. I couldn't blame him. His best friend was just murdered. Mine too…

"Oh, geez, Lydia, don't cry. I won't be able to keep myself together if you cry," he pleaded, voice already becoming strained. Sirius dug around in his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. I took it and blew my nose.

"Thanks. I don't-" I stopped, frowning.

"What? It wasn't that dirty, was it?" he asked. His small attempt at a smile was completely hallow.

"No…I…I smell something," I responded, sniffing around the house. I may be in human form, but my senses were well above par thanks to my, ah, condition. Sirius sneered.

"Yeah. Blood and betrayal."

"Yes, blood. But it's still fresh. Something is alive in there."

"WHAT? Where?" A few sniffs later, I was able to place it. After giving Sirius an approximate area, I sent Dumbledore a patronus, telling him we have a survivor. By the time I had finished, my friend had cleared away the rubble around what used to be the nursery. We found Lily dead.

But her baby was alive. Scraped up a bit, but very much alive. Sirius took the sleeping (unconscious?) baby and handed him to me.

"Hold him. I'll…I'll get Prongs and Lily out." He was crying silently, but I didn't comment. Little Harry was fine. Sleeping soundly. Poor Harry. He's going to live with this until the day he dies. Silently, Sirius pulled the dead couple from the wreckage.

"Hullo," came a gruff voice from behind us. We turned, wands raised.

"Oh, hello, Hagrid," Sirius said, voice cracking again. "Come meet my godson." He looked at Harry then broke down crying. I didn't know what to do. I'd never seen Sirius really cry like that before. Hagrid took a few big steps forward and pulled the man into a consoling hug. He shook in the half-giant's comforting hold, his sobs muffled by Hagrid's bulk.

"There, there. I know. 'S'all righ'." I went forward and used my free hand to rub Sirius' back, now that Hagid was loosening his hold.

"It's all my fault," he said through his sobs. We assured him that it wasn't but he kept saying it over and over again, mostly to himself. After a minute, my friend stood back completely and let me give him a half hug of my own. He nodded to let me know that he was under control, so I nuzzled his neck affectionately. The full moon was about a week away; my wolf instincts had taken over. No one ever minded when that happened, though.

"Listen, Black, you can' keep him," the half-giant told him mournfully. Sirius took the still sleeping baby from my arms and held him close.

"What are you talking about, Hagrid? I'm his godfather. I'm supposed to take care of him. We've got each other, now," he added to Harry, who woke up to his voice. It tore me up to see my friend like that. His face was still tear-streaked and there was so much pain there, I was afraid he'd break down again. But he held it together this time. Hagrid shook his head, beetle black eyes sharing that pain. He knew what he was asking Sirius to give up.

"I'm sorry. But I got me orders from Dumbledore. 'E wants me to take him to his aunt an uncle." I looked back and forth between the two. Sirius loves that boy but…

"Dumbledore has his reasons, I'm sure," I murmured. Sirius opened his mouth to argue but changed his mind. His face became hard.

"Right. Keep him safe, Hagrid. And take the bike. It's enchanted to fly so you should get wherever faster. I…won't need it where I'm going." He gave the boy a kiss on his new lightning scar before handing him gently to Hagrid and turned.

"Sirius?" I asked, worried. I'd never seen that look before. He shook his head and pulled me into a strong hug. He was still shaking a little, though.

"It's my fault. I gotta fix it."

"That's fine. I'll…" I looked at the still forms of my friends, "take care of things here," I finished softly. Hagrid bade us farewell and, with the roar of the flying motorcycle, was off. Sirius kissed my forehead.

"Give Moony my best," he whispered, then disapparated.

An hour later, I went home.

"Where were you?" Remus demanded, angry and relieved. Dad started at his voice, waking from his doze in our green armchair.

"I left you two a note on the- oh wait. I meant to leave you a note but couldn't find a pen. Um, sit down, please, love." Wearily, he obliged. I kneeled on the floor next to him and took his hand.

"The Dark Lord is dead. But so are James and Lily." He stared at my tired face. I was cried out.

"The Potters? Really?" asked my dad, leaning forward in concern. Remus only stared, open mouthed. "Didn't they have a son?" he asked. I nodded to him.

"Yeah, Dad. But he's fine."

"That can't be right," Remus finally said, standing up. I stared. He wasn't usually so abrupt.

"I know it's hard to take in, but-"

"No, you don't understand!" he near shouted. My husband forced himself to calm down before speaking again. "If they were murdered, that means the Secret Keeper either told or died." I continued staring, not understanding what he was getting at.

"Lydia. Sirius was their Secret Keeper."