I know, I know, another Sirius/Remus/OC story. I can't help that I am a massive fan of both of these characters. :) Hope you all enjoy- please review and let me know what you think of the opening!

Kate rose with the sun one August morning, wiggling her toes as they came in contact with the cool wooden floorboards of the cottage she shared with her lover in Kent. Stretching in the sunlight, she ran a hand through her tangled brown hair and glanced at the opposite side of the bed. The covers had been thrown back, and the space was empty. He must have had trouble sleeping again.

Wandering down the narrow hallway, Kate passed framed photographs of the two of them, their family, and their friends. As she did every morning, she paused before a picture of a beautiful woman with green eyes and dark red hair, her arms around a young man whose glasses glinted in the sunlight and whose black hair stuck up at all angles. Because the image was a wizarding photograph, the couple waved, smiled, and even leaned in for an occasional kiss. Kate kissed her fingertips and pressed them to the glass, whispering, "Still missing you, Lily, James."

She entered the kitchen, attracted by the smell of fresh coffee. Remus Lupin turned around from where he had been scrubbing last night's dirty dishes in the sink. The morning sunlight caught the grey strands scattered throughout his sandy hair, and he had dark circles under his brown eyes. Tall and thin, he looked exhausted, despite his young age. He managed a weak smile. "Good morning, love."

Kate moved forward to peck him on the cheek. "Good morning." She took the wet rag from his hand and frowned at him. "Why don't you use magic?"

Remus shrugged. "I couldn't sleep. I needed something to do."

Kate rose on tiptoe and kissed him again, this time full on the mouth. She nodded at the front door, where the sound of insistent tapping was echoing. "I'll finish this. You fetch the paper and have a seat. I'll get the coffee."

Remus smiled. "Fair enough."

Kate filled two mugs with the steaming brown liquid, inhaling the burnt aroma. Sprinkling a little sugar into Remus' mug, she brought them both to the table. She turned to warm up some crumpets while listening to Remus talking to the owl that delivered the Daily Prophet, the wizarding newspaper, as he dug in the pockets of his robes for coins. He shuffled back down the hallway, shaking out the paper. His footsteps stopped abruptly on the threshold. Kate turned around, alerted by the noise. "What's wrong?"

Remus had gone deathly pale, his eyes focused in horror on the front page. "How?" he breathed.

"Remus?" Kate laid the tray of crumpets down on the counter, walking over to him. She smoothed a strand of hair back from his face. "What's happened?"

Remus met her eyes, his own reflecting his fear and anger. Without a word, he turned the paper around to show her the headline screaming out at her in bold print.

SIRIUS BLACK ESCAPES FROM AZKABAN

First Ever Recorded Escape from the Prison

"No," Kate whispered, paling.

Remus grabbed her elbow and lead her to a kitchen chair. She sank into it gratefully, clutching the edge of the table for support. Her fingernails left crescent-shaped marks in the wood. "How-?" she started, her hands shaking as she gazed at the photograph of the snarling man on the front page. "I don't-," she tried again. Hot tears filled her eyes. She didn't recognize Sirius. Where he had once been young and handsome, he was now gaunt and filthy. His black hair, once shiny as a raven's wing, was now matted and reached his elbows. His cheeks were sunken, and his eyes blazed like glittering grey stones.

"Kate." Remus was eyeing her worriedly. "Are you going to faint?"

Kate took several deep breaths, trying to calm her racing pulse. "No, I don't think so." She frowned. "How did he do it?"

Remus shrugged, trying to look unconcerned. "Who knows, but the entire Ministry will be out looking for him, I can promise you that."

"You don't think- Harry…" Kate's mouth had gone dry. Why else would Sirius have broken out of prison?

Remus shook his head. "Harry is safe with Dumbledore. Sirius can't get to him." He took Kate's hands in his large, warm ones and forced her to look him in the eye. "James and Lily's boy is safe, Kate. Don't worry."

"I hope so," Kate breathed, her eyes filling with tears. "You don't think- I couldn't bear it if he got to their boy, Remus, I just couldn't."

"He won't," Remus assured her. He began rubbing her hands with his and kissing them, trying to fight the deathly cold, clammy feeling that clung to her skin. "It's okay, Kate, breathe."

"Will he come after us?" she whispered, her hazel eyes locking on to his.

Remus paused, not wanting to lie to her. At last, he shook his head. "I don't know," he said truthfully.