Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for the Fanfiction Tournament Competition Round 1.
Word Count - 531
Finding Out
The pain is worse than a transformation. Starting in his chest, it permeated his body bit by bit leaving him frozen where he stood. It couldn't be true is the first thought that crosses his mind, though the sad look on Dumbledore's face is telling him different. Denial is trying to settle into his brain, into his blood, but he knows if he allows that to happen it will only be more painful when acceptance finally comes.
"What about Harry?" he croaks, needing to find a reason for life, needing to find a reason to not crumple in the street and give in to the heartbreak that is threatening to overwhelm him.
"He's alive," Dumbledore tells him quietly. "I've sent him to his Aunt and Uncle in the muggle world."
The small ray of hope that began to blossom in his chest dies and he is angry.
"Lily didn't want Harry sending there," he argues. "Lily didn't want her sister near Harry."
"He will be safer there than he will be in the Wizarding World, Remus. Surely you understand how important it is to keep him safe?"
"Of course I understand that he needs to be kept safe, but she didn't want him there. There has to be a better option," he snaps, because inside he is crumbling. He knows, without having to meet the Headmasters eye, that he will never be allowed custody of the small boy. His affliction will deny him the comfort of having James and Lily's child in his arms.
"I've placed powerful wards that require the presence of a blood relative to sustain them," Dumbledore explains. Remus has no argument strong enough to hold up against the Headmasters logic. He knows that even if he did, it wouldn't matter. No one would listen to a werewolf.
"Why did the Fidelius not work?" is his next question. Looking around the room, he feels fear clench in his stomach. Why is Sirius not here? He should be here with Harry. Sirius is his godfather, he could make the Headmaster bring him back. And where is Peter for that matter? They should both be here, sharing in the grief for their lost friends.
"It did," Dumbledore tells him gently, and Remus shakes his head vehemently. Because that isn't possible. If it worked... that means... and that isn't possible. Remus knows that isn't possible, because Sirius... Sirius wouldn't do that. He wouldn't.
"Remus, the charm worked as it was supposed to. Lily and James put their faith in the wrong person."
He is still shaking his head. "Sirius wouldn't do that. The charm must have failed, because I know Sirius, I know him, he wouldn't, he couldn't. I don't believe you. Why are you lying to me? Sirius wouldn't, he wouldn't. Where is he? He'll tell you himself, Sirius loves James and Lily and Harry. He couldn't have done what you're saying. He couldn't..."
Remus is still talking when the sleep spell Dumbledore places on him seeps in and sends him into a dreamless sleep.