The Day the World Shattered

Chapter One: Goodbye

The Potters welcomed me into their house. The Potter Mansion was one of the nicest homes in Britain. I always felt so warm whenever I came inside. Lily and James were having dinner with Sirius, Peter, and myself. They were moving but they would not tell me where they were going.

"Where is Harry?" I asked them.

"He's upstairs Remus. You can go see him but try not to wake him." Lily said to me. "I just put him down for a nap."

I nodded and headed upstairs. I opened the door into the nursery and peered inside. I saw little Harry sleeping in his bed. He looked so small. I saw him hug his teddy bear close and I smiled. I went downstairs where James was setting up the table with his wand.

"Need a hand?" I asked.

"No, I can manage, Remus." he answered back.

Moments later, we sat down at the table. I looked around me... James, Sirius, Peter, and Lily. I don't know what my life would be without them. Probably a world of loneliness and isolation.

We ate dinner rather quietly. It was quite strange for Sirius to be quiet but we have all been through a lot of stress. I looked over at Peter. He was clutching his left arm nervously. I didn't ask because it felt like it was of little importance. Sirius whispered something into James' ear and he stared back at me questioningly.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly.

"Nothing. Everything is alright Remus." Lily said. I looked at her into her eyes. They were extraordinarily green. Just like emeralds.

I wondered why they were so quiet. I knew that they thought there was a spy in their midst. But did they suspect me? It wasn't me. It was either Peter or... Sirius? It can't be Sirius. He's their best friend. He would never do anything to harm Lily or James or Harry. I watched him lean back in his chair as he finished dinner. His black eyes stared at Peter. Lily brought us our dessert and I began to dig in. It was a cherry pie.

I looked up at James. He looked at me with wonder. I bit into my pie and sputtered. It tasted horrendous. Sirius and James let out a howl of laughter. I was just about to say something when I felt myself turning into a tiny squirrel. I was on the ground running about. But Lily turned me back into my normal self.

"I am going to kill you guys!" I yelled to them. And that was the only spark we needed to begin our night of mischief. We began running around the house chasing each other, leaving our wands at the table, forgotten. It was all good and fun but Lily shushed us because Harry was sleeping. Sirius suggested we go to a bar. So we all quickly left the house and looked for one. We searched and searched but suddenly found ourselves in the Leaky Cauldron. I don't remember too much though. I had one drink and I was out. The last thing I remembered was Sirius and James dragging me out after a bar fight. I saw Peter, cowering in a corner. I passed out again.

* * * Later * * *

I groaned as I vomited into a huge trash can. I looked over at Sirius, James, and Peter. They were all decked out on the other sofas. Lily was scolding us but I didn't hear any of it. Harry was crawling around laughing. I looked up at the clock --- 3:00 p.m. I had to get home! There would be a full moon. I sat up and popped a breath mint in my mouth. The others were getting up too.

"That was really fun, you guys but I have to go." Peter said.

"Me too! There's a full moon tonight."

"Yea, I have to run but I'll see you two tomorrow?" Sirius said to Lily and James. We all walked into the yard.

"Bye you guys!" I said sadly. I didn't really want to leave. I hopped onto my broomstick. I really didn't like traveling this way but I didn't like driving. Sirius got onto his motorcycle. Peter just transformed and ran out of sight. I looked at Lily and James and smiled. I never knew it would be the last time I'd ever see them.