Remus' POV:

It was actually pretty close to Easter when I got that awful letter. It was very strange, to get a letter at all. I knew it was from Charlus and Dorea, it was carried by their owl. That was what was odd. Usually a letter would be addressed to all of us or just James. I'd never got a letter just for me from them.

"Are you going to open it Moony? Or just watch it looking like a lemon?" Sirius teased.

I nodded briskly and tore off the envelope. I took a deep breath and began to read it (in my head of course).

My Dearest Darling Remus,

I'm so very very sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, and to not be able to tell you in person;but there is no escaping the terrible truth. I'm sorry that I must be rather blunt my dear. It shall sound awfully horrid and I'd just like to say how sorry both Charlus and I are. Remus, last night your parent's house was attacked last night by Voldemort and his Death Eaters. They killed both your mother and your father. There was nothing that anyone could have done. I'm so very sorry. If there was something I could do, I'd do it in a heartbeat. You are just as much my son as James and Sirius. I love you like my own Remus. I'm so sorry. Be strong my dear. We've arranged the funeral for the second day of the holidays. I will see you in 4 days.

Much Love

Dorea x

My breath caught in my throat. I gasped breathlessly.

Sorry, Terrible Truth, Awfully Horrid, House Was Attacked, Voldemort and his Death Eaters, Killed, Mother, Father, Nothing, Funeral.

Dead? My parents were dead?

No! this couldn't be!

How had this happen? Why had this happened to them? Had it been painful? Had it been quick?

My poor Mother!

I could see her tearstained face splashed with blood in my mind.

My poor Father!

I could see the life gone from his eyes.

They are gone.

I am alone.

Katie's POV:

I saw the colour drain from Remus' face and the lights in his eyes dim.

This was very bad!

I put my hand on his shoulder and looked down at the tearstained letter he held.

He stood up suddenly and thrust the letter at me before running from the hall. I saw everyone's eyes burn into the back of him and I cursed them all and ran after him.

I knew where he was.

Hogwarts was alive through its pupils. It could feel what we feel. I knew what we knew. If Remus needed a place, Hogwarts would provide.

I ran all the way to the seventh floor in the left corridor of the Hogwarts castle and has a hidden entrance opposite the tapestry depicting the attempt of Barnabas the Barmy to teach trolls ballet.

I closed my eyes and pleaded for help.

When I opened my eyes there was a door in front of me that no one else could see. I slipped inside and in the corner I found Remus.

Tears streamed down his face and he shook violently with them. His howls of pain were agonizing to hear.

I ran to his side and gripped his hand. He…. Sort of…. Collapsed on top of me. I was shaking along with his sobs now too. I rubbed his back gently and mumbled supportive mumblings in his ear.

"Wh…What a…am I gonna d…d…do?" he cried into my shoulder.

"Well, first… we'll go to the funeral, and give them the send off they deserve. We'll keep it beautiful with fresh flowers and plant a little apple tree too. Every Friday we'll convince the house elves to let us make cookies…. In honour of your mum. And every month…. Before full moon, you can right letters to your dad and burn them. Then the tiny ash pieces will float up to him in heaven and he can know how much you love and miss him….. and how much mischief we're getting up to." I stammered.

Remus nodded.

"That's a good idea." He uttered as he summoned me a chair and ran his hand threw his hair.

Suddenly there was a soft clatter that was just enough to startle us both. We turned around to see a grand piano in the middle of the room.

I sighed.

"I guess now is the time." I muttered.

"Time for what?" Remus asked in confusion.

I took my seat at the piano and began to play and sing.

In case you want to know the song I pictured for this scene; it's Shattered by Trading Yesterday

Remus' POV:

I didn't know what to do, what to say, how to react.

"That was… beautiful!" I gasped.

Katie blushed. Not a stupid blush like mine. A kind of… beautiful blush.

"I… I didn't know you could play!" I added.

Katie nodded looking away sheepishly.

"Mother had me taught so that I could entertain her, Father or Severus if they so wished." She rushed.

"You play beautifully." I smiled and then blushed. "You sing beautifully too."

Katie was smiling shyly.

"Thanks Remus." she beamed. "C'mon. I think we owe James and Sirius an explanation."

My smile dropped from my face as reality came crashing back down on me.

I felt my knees give way and just before I hit the ground, there were hands around my waist, giving me stability.

"Th..Thanks." I stuttered standing up on my own.

Katie flung her arms around me tightly.

"I'm… I'm so so sorry Remus. I… I… if there was something I could do to take the pain away… you know I'd do it." Katie rambled softly.

"I'm sorry to seem so weak… I just…" I began.

"No Remus. don't be sorry. It's good for you to hurt. Hurting shows how much you love them, and I know they love you too. There is no need to feel embarrassed. After all, it's only me." Katie interrupted.

"Never say it's only you Katie. You are you. But you are remarkable." I cut in.

"I love you Remus." She blurted out as she hugged me tighter.

Love? Did she really feel the same? No. she cant. Don't delusion yourself Lupin. How could she love you? You're a werewolf! You're beneath such things! She deserves so much more!

Katie's POV:

Did he know I meant it? I meant it romantically. Really, truly, honestly. Did he think I meant it in a brother sister way? Did he feel the same? No. he cant. Don't delusion yourself Snape. How could he love you? You're just… just… just a girl. Remus was tall, handsome, brave, clever and had the sweetest nature. He deserves so much more than you!

"Erm, love you too Katie." Remus smiled.

Damn he didn't take me seriously!

"I'm serious though, we need to tell James and Sirius." I stammered quickly.

"Yeah, I agree. Let's go then." Remus agreed.

We met the boys in the corridor outside transfiguration.

"Remus? Please tell us what's up!" James pleaded.

"Perhaps we should go somewhere quieter." I suggested as I ushered my friends into an abandoned corridor.

"It's… it's my parents. They… they… they were… a… myparentswerekilledbyvoldemortandhisdeatheaterslastnight." Remus rushed.

"Erm, sorry… what?" Sirius stuttered.

"My. Parents. Were. Killed. By. Voldemort. And. His. Death. Eaters. Last. Night." Remus mumbled.

"Oh Merlin! I'm so sorry Moony!" James gasped.

"Remus… I…" Sirius gaped. "I… I… I'm so sorry!"

I put my hand on top of Remus' and he squeezed my hand.

I knew how hard it had been for him to have to tell them this.

"The funeral is in 5 days." I told them and they nodded solemnly.

"C'mon, we'd better get to Potions." Remus uttered and the four of us walked to lesson in silence.

Remus' POV:

The funeral day came sooner than I wanted it to. James, Sirius, Charlus and I were all in black suits. Sirius said we looked like secret agents. I think he was trying to lighten my mood. Dorea and Katie were in knee length black lace dresses and had black fascinators too.

I knew where we were going before they told us. My parents would be buried in our local church. My mother had been christened there, my parents had been married there, I had been christened there. It was part of our memories… or rather, my memories now.

It was a lovely service. The priest was very respectful.

At the end we were given the chance to lay a rose on each coffin. I knew they would be buried together, I guess that's what they would have wanted.

Dorea promised me no expense would be spared on the gravestones, anything, any style I wanted, they'd buy. It made me feel awful. I hated being poor. I hated having to depend on others for my expenses.

But what I hated most of all was the hole in my heart, that pain that wouldn't go away, that longing that would never be satisfied. However welcome I was with the Potters, I was still an orphan. Nothing could change that now.

After we got home Katie cornered me and took me up to the attic, away from the others so I could just let my emotions flow.

I loved James and Sirius like my own brothers… but there was just something about Katie that made me feel safe and loved. I know that she'll never judge me and always support me. I guess I've never really felt like that before. My father was always out trying to find a cure for me, just like Katie was, and my mother always hated to see me upset, I know Katie didn't like it… but it didn't make me feel as guilty to cry in front of her.

If only I could know that she felt about me the way I feel about her.