The night was cold for June, and the rain fell so as to put to mind walking through the beaded doorways of old tea rooms. Pulling the jacket he wore closer a man walked into a pub, the creaking sign above the door reading The Leaky Cauldron. Walking to the bar he made his order of Dragon's Blood wine then turned to stride to the figure of another man, his silver hair illuminated by the fire's light on his profile. The gray haired man looked up to his new companion and smiled gently, lowering the glass he had held to his lips a moment before and extended his hand. "Hello Harry"

Harry took the hand and shook it nodding, his green eyes meeting the pale silver of the others. "G'evening Remus," Releasing his hand Harry sat, pulling off his sopped jacket, laying it over the back of his chair, a hand running back and through his hair, slicking it back with the rain water that kept it from its normal tussled appearance. "How are you doing?" Behind wire rimmed glasses his eyes flicked up to Tom, nodding to the inn keeper as he brought the bottle of wine to their table, setting two glasses before them and filling them before he retreated behind the bar.

"No better then you are I would wager," Remus lifted the glass he held in his hand, the honey colored liquid illuminated by the fire, the same that threw Remus's face into deep relief. Wrinkles that would perhaps not be seen otherwise were drawn out, created by years of worry and pain. Bringing the glass to his lips he took a draw from its contents, swallowing with a slight grimace. "Fire Whisky, Sirius was the one the introduced me to it, didn't really used to care for it…but you know how things change."

Harry nodded, lifting his glass of wine and taking a drink as well. "I know," He watched his companion with sad and watchful eyes. "Nine years...and it still feels fresh as if it were still the night. I still can't believe it some times."

"I feel the same…"

"I'm sorry Remus…"

"Harry, stop" He took another drink of the whiskey and shook his head, closing his eyes, his head slightly bowed. "It was years ago, you grieved just as much as I, he was you God father, your father's best friend-"

"-And your lover Remus. Yes, I lost a father figure, and a dear friend…but you lost a friend and the person you loved." Harry shifted in his chair slightly and sipped at his wine. He'd only known this fact for a few years now, only since he had been talking with Remus one day, the only father figure he had left. He had confessed noticing a slight attraction to another student at the Auror Academy, by the name of Lawry, another young man. During this talk, one containing more then a few uncomfortable pauses, and many a drink to slake the nerves, Remus had made the confession of knowing the feeling, only his affections had lain in a best friend, and that they had come to fruition back in school. We never even told James. He had said. Sirius and I weren't sure how he'd take it, how anyone would, so we never told anyone, though I think he knew. Just the way he would smile whenever Sirius and I would sit together when it was the two of us and your parents, and the way we would shift whenever Lily mentioned setting us up. We had been lovers in school, and after. When we had been able to see each other again, it had been like nothing had happened and we were close again. But then…what am I prattling on about, you had asked my advice. Remus had advised Harry to be entirely sure of himself before he stepped through that dangerous door, Harry had fought dangers in the past, and dealt with a great deal, but he was not stupid for the most part, and knew that some things were not to be done without some thought and research. He knew that now thanks to Hermione, and thanks to all his stupid mistakes had cost him. "I cost us both someone special that night."

"It wasn't your fault. There was so much going on behind that night, blame should hardly be an issue, let alone after nine years. It's over, it has been, so there's not reason why we should still be destroying ourselves over this." The Fire Whiskey was near gone now as the glass completed another trip to the werewolf's mouth and returned to the table, this time with a bit more vigor then previous landings.

"You say that every year, and every year we still meet here and drink to Sirius. So let's just shut up and get drunk shall we?" He pulled a smile to his face and raised the glass, taking a long drink, tilting his head back to allow the red liquid to slide down easily.

Remus nodded and then finished his Fire Whiskey, then lifted the wine glass that had been awaiting him, taking a drink. Watching Harry, he found himself wondering if this would have been what James had been like if he had lived to be Harry's age, or Sirius, if he had not been locked up at his point in his life. But just as Harry had suggested, the tradition must carry on. Since the war had been won and they were able to properly morn, this had become their tradition, he hardly wished to change something that had worked well enough for years.

Harry set his glass down and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and removed his glasses, taking out his handkerchief, wiping them clean before replacing them, and looking at Remus again. He really had no idea what to talk about, they never seemed to when they met on the anniversary of Sirius's death. They wanted to talk about Sirius, but at the same time, they didn't want to think about him and make their hearts ache again. Anything would do as a topic outside of this… "So…Lawry was made my partner…"

Remus raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He took another drink and swallowed thinking. "Do you still think you may have feelings for him?"

"Yeah, I think I do. But I don't think he cares much past friends, which is fine you know?"

"Yes, I know what you mean." He nodded and studied Harry. "You know, I have to wonder if I'm the only one you've ever discussed this with. Do Ron and Hermione know perhaps?"

"No, they don't," He poured himself another glass and took a drink. "Remus, you're the only person I can really discuss this with, you're the only one that would understand. And the last thing I need to do is to give Hermione one more thing to worry about with her research, the possibility of Ron getting killed while playing quidditch or one of the twins hurting themselves. She has her plate full, and with England so close to the World Cup Ron doesn't need to worry about anything but that."

"You could have told them anytime over the last five years Harry. And what about when you started to notice things in school? Didn't you tell them then?"

"No…I just. Damn it Remus you should know that it's not something you're particularly keen to tell people, even your closest friends."

"Which…is why I want to encourage you to tell them. It would have meant a lot less grief for Sirius and myself had we been a bit more honest." There he was, Sirius. Remus took a drink, he knew why Harry had turned the conversation, but knew that sooner or later one of them would bring him up again.

"I, guess so…But just the same…That's something I'd rather not get into right now," Green eyes turned to the fire, watching it flicker and watching bits of ash travel on the updrafts of the flame, dancing it seemed. He watched the flight of embers as a log creaked and broke, the little red lights sparking out, a universal spell for help. "Maybe someone's in trouble," He said off handedly as he noticed Remus had been watching as well.

"Perhaps, but if they need you they'll call on you will they not?" He pointed at the ring Harry wore on his right ring finger with a finger removed and extended from his glass.

"Yeah, so I shouldn't worry should I? I'm trying to get rid of this hero complex of mine," He smiled a little thinking of Hermione's warnings all those years ago today. You have…well sort of a hero complex Harry, and You Know Who would know about that.

"So you became an auror?" He chuckled.

He shook his head smirking slightly at Remus and took a drink. "You're right I never learn."

"You have never known anything but heroism, why would you expect to change?"

"I don't know, maybe to spar everyone the pain."

"You'd also take away the hope and joy you had brought and still bring though the war is over. You know there's still much to do."

"I know," He raised the glass. "And THAT is why I'm an auror, besides, like father, like son." He took another drink.

They were laughing as they left together, leaning slightly on each other, though their laughter turned to silence as they let go and turned to straiten their clothing, both slightly flushed with the alcohol, and not quite consciously happy that the rain had finally stopped. Harry stuck out his hand to Remus and smiled a little stupidly with drunkenness. "I'll be seeing you soon then shall I?"

Remus smiled a little and nodded, his eyes now dark with the shadows cast by the lights of the street. "As always, I'll see you soon." He chuckled slightly and shook Harry's hand before turning away, and walking off towards his home, an apartment rather near St. Mungo's. They had given him a job there helping to council those who had suffered from werewolf bites, an epidemic that had risen during the end of the war and in the years after, as those who had fought for the dark side and gotten away, were trying to gain their vengeance in the only way they new how, by trying to destroy as many lives as possible.

Harry watched Remus go before nodding and turning about, taking a step and having to stop himself to gather his bearings. He took a deep breath and cleared his head, and began walking, turning the corner into an alleyway, and disappearing with a gentle pop. A few miles out of London he reappeared, walking out of a small patch of trees in a park, stepping onto the path that would take him to a road, and down that road, to the door to his home. Once there he extracted his key sliding it into the lock after a few fruitless tries, and entering his dark home with a slight chuckle as he had to lean upon the door for support for a moment. "I'll have the mother of all hangovers come morning," He chuckled again and pulled himself inside shutting the door and locking it behind him.

With a few stumbling steps he removed his jacket, slamming it into place on the coat rack as he lost his balance and had to use the coat to hold himself up. He giggled quietly and then pushed himself to a standing position and walked away towards his bed room, his jacket falling to the floor with a plop behind him due to his violent retreat. Once within his bed room he made short work of removing his shoes, jeans, and button up shirt, finishing by dropping onto bed in nothing but his undershirt and boxers. The pillow was friendly as always as he snuggled into it, before sitting up enough to remove his glasses with a giggle. "Oops!" He kicked the sheets down and then crawled under them with a deep sigh, staring at the fuzzy ceiling for a moment before rolling onto his side and closing his eyes, falling near instantly into a deep sleep.

The sleep was so deep, that when the front door creaked open, he did not hear it, nor the whispering of voices that carried through the dark halls of the small house. As the voices drew closer he still did not hear them, rolling to his back. He knew nothing until he heard the breaking of glass as one of the intruders knock over a vase he kept near the door, his eyes flashed open only in time to see the outline of a skull like mask illuminated by the glowing green tip of a wand. He moved to sit up, to yell and reached to the bed side table only to find a hand over his mouth and hear a smirk in a quiet voice. "Good Night, Harry Potter"

Then all was pain, and darkness.