Disclaimer: I don't own anything that looks familiar, and I am certainly not the incredible J.K. Rowling, though I doubt you ever thought that was the case. Any mistakes herein are mine alone.

Feedback, positive or negative, is always welcome.

1995

Two weeks before, Remus Lupin had opened his front door to see a massive black dog on his front step. The dog had pushed its way inside and transformed into his old friend Sirius Black. He had proceeded to explain that they must gather the Order of the Phoenix - Voldemort was back and Harry, a boy of just fourteen, had escaped his from the madman's clutches once again.

They had taken to the task with vigour. They had contacted everyone they could, and were preparing to move to Grimmauld Place within the next few days (something that Sirius was decidedly less than pleased about).

It was late evening when Sirius turned to his old friend and said what had been in the back of his mind ever since his escape from Azkaban.

"Remus, I want to see their graves."

Remus set down his book and eyed his companion carefully. "Sirius..."

"Moony," Sirius said desperately, 'I need to see them, I need to... it's still not real, you know? I was there that night, I saw the house destroyed, but I just... I mean I want to..."

Sirius sighed. "Look, Moony, you know I was never great with words, but this is something that I have to do."

Remus surveyed him silently. When he finally spoke, his words were sown with hesitance. "Sirius I... yes, alright, we'll go. But Padfoot, if anyone catches you..."

"I'll go as Padfoot then," Sirius said at once. "No one will know that I'm anything other than a pet you brought with you. I... I have to see him, before I go back to that house."

Remus nodded reluctantly. "Tomorrow then. Be ready to leave early."

The next day dawned cloudy and grey, a state that persisted as the men set off. They apparated to a copse of trees just outside the village, and Sirius transformed into the great, Grim-like dog. As they made their way toward the little church and cemetery, they took the time to note the other monuments to their fallen friends. Sirius was silent as he stared at the ruined house, but when he saw the statue he let out a snort that was as close to a laugh as he could manage in canine form. Lupin smiled wryly.

"Hmm, can't you just picture James's face?" he murmured. Sirius gave a quiet bark of agreement.

They reached the church. Remus held open the kissing gate and followed his four-legged friend inside. He then took the lead, walking straight to the marble headstone bearing the names of his friends, but stopped a couple meters away, allowing Padfoot to approach first. Everything in Padfoot's body language spoke of deep sorrow. He gently bent his nose to the base of the tombstone and sniffed at the ground, as though searching for the sent of his friend. Remus felt his throat tightening and tried to swallow, only to be shocked out of it by the feeling of tears running down his face. He made no motion to wipe them off, too stunned he was by their appearance and too frightened that they would disappear if he did anything to stop them.

Padfoot turned and saw tears making their way down his friend's face. He glanced around cautiously. When he saw the graveyard was empty, he shifted back to his human form.

Remus looked horrified.

"Padfoot!" he hissed. "What are you doing? If anyone sees..."

Sirius walked over to his friend and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Moony, there's no one but us here."

Remus wanted to protest, but he found that he could not. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Sirius. It was incredible to be here, with Sirius, in the place where he had been so sure that he would never have this friendship again.

Some minutes went by before Remus's tears stopped. Sirius fished a handkerchief out of a pocket of his robes and handed it to Remus, who used it to dry the tear-tracks on his face.

"So, the truth at last," Sirius said softly. "James and I had a bet you know. He was sure you were part vulcan, you were always so damn calm."

Both men chuckled weakly.

"No," Remus said. "James shouldn't have taken the bet. He saw my blood more than enough to know that it's not green."

"Well that's prongs for you."

Remus looked Sirius in the eye, and was surprised to see wetness glistening there. He opened his mouth; about to explain that he had never been able to cry before, and yes it was strange, but wasn't curious that it would happen now; but closed it again. Looking into Sirius's face, he realized that it did not matter. James and Lily were gone, and nothing could bring them back. But Remus was not nearly as alone as he had thought.

One last thought occurred to Remus as he and Sirius left the graveyard, arms still around each other. Even though things could never be exactly the same, it could be okay.

"So... that statue, did you help design it?" Sirius enquired.

Remus let out a laugh. Yes, he thought, things would be okay.