Author's Note- That's a wrap! I'm so glad I finally finished this! It was tedious to write every chapter but I'm much happier with the whole product out there than simply an outline and some chapters. It was fun, too! I hope everyone liked it, and if I forgot any little hints from the books please let me know. I think I caught them all from Book 3-5 anyways!

Here is a bonus chapter of six scenes in Book 3 from Remus' point of view that I felt compelled to write while reading through the book for Sirius' hints!

Bonus Chapter

He sat in the very last compartment, rubbing at his greying temple before looking out to the platform. Students were saying goodbye with their family's. Hopefully none would choose to come in here while someone already occupied it.

He'd gotten on early in hopes none of the students or parents would spot him, and later know he was a teacher. Of course, term had to start on a full moon. Remus looked rather dreadful already and it would be best to simply not run into anyone early. With this opportunity he'd like to make a good first impression.

He was exhausted this close to a transformation, so before he noticed it, Remus had fallen asleep on the window staring away. It wasn't until there were a chorus of thuds and a chorus of exclamations that he woke up. Apparently they had entered his compartment and apparently the train had stopped.

Remus peered at the window, frowning as he tried to tune out the girls asking who he was, people wanting to sit….

"Quiet," He rasped, and peered out again. Remus fiddled in his pocket for his wand to get some light in here. He gathered some fire to see more and tried to hear something in the quiet to indicate what was happening.

"Stay where you are," He added, and stood, holding his flames as he approached it. If it was more serious the crew may need more adult hands. If it was Sirius… well, the children needed him. A sneaking suspicion told him otherwise.

That suspicion was confirmed as the door opened to a Dementor hanging in the dark. Remus set his jaw, but before he could react it attacked one of the children. Remus' head turned and… and it attacked… Harry?

Remus quickly stepped over Harry's body where he had crumpled onto the floor to protect him. He cleared his throat and wand aimed, spoke. "None of us is hiding Sirius Black under our cloaks."

The creature ignored his words and as he raised his wand and thought strictly of his second year at school, of three boys…

"So?"

"Yeah, so! We don't bloody care Remus!"

"Actually, it's kind of awesome!"

"It is!"

"Expecto Patronum!" He cast the spell, light emerging from his wand. The creature shrank back away and the compartment door shut. Remus stared for a moment. He'd felt the surge, he'd almost produced his full patronus. He used that memory because it was strong enough to still produce a non-corporeal but not strong enough to produce his patronous, the wolf. A normal wolf it may be, he still hated that he was so utterly that part of himself that even his patronus copied it. The memory used to be one of his strongest, alongside Albus coming to him and his family. Now the second voice created a painful stab in his gut. The memory was tainted, bitter with the memories of Sirius. True, Black had nothing left of the boy he'd known and laughed alongside but still it left its mark. It was useful when he was around others and didn't want them to see his full patronus.

No… no he wasn't. The light subsided, and the train's lighting flickered back on. Remus turned to Harry. Whose friends were over him worried.

"Who screamed?" Harry asked and Remus frowned down at the now grown boy.

He looked even more like them in person. His stomach churned, wondering what the terrified memory was for Harry, that brought a scream to his ears. Harry looked so alarmed as they announced they hadn't heard it and Remus dug around in his cloak for some chocolate. He had plenty lying around for this time of month. Harry insisted, and Remus knew he had indeed.

The children seemed to jump as he broke it into pieces and handed Harry the largest piece.

"Here. Eat it. It'll help," Remus insisted. Harry took it but didn't eat.

"What was that thing?" He asked instead.

"A Dementor," He supplied, handing out chocolate to the other four. Harry may have been attacked, but the others looked shaken and ashy. It had that effect on all. "One of the Dementors of Azkaban. "

"Eat," he repeated. Stubborn boy. "It'll help. I need to speak to the driver, excuse me..." He apologized and stepped out.

He moved out of the compartment and forced his mind not to wonder. He instead focused on finding the conductor, introducing himself as a professor. Remus asked if they'd gone completely, and if they'd found anything.

Again, he forced his mind not to wander.

Yes, they were gone. No, they found nothing. Ten minutes to the school. Excellent. Remus thanked him for his time. They'd be to the school soon. He both dreaded and was delighted in returning to Hogwarts. Watching over Harry - he owed it to James and Lily- and finally… he'd have a steady job. A well paying one, even. Although he had only agreed to accept being around so many people- innocent children- because Albus had offered him an unlimited supply of the Wolfsbane potion. That wasn't something he was able to turn down.

The thing was, each corridor and classroom were going to be filled with memories of his childhood. That would be hard enough on their own, but now- that Sirius escaped after all he'd destroyed. It felt so daunting. It made Hogwarts feel harder.

Still, Harry may need him. As much as he hated thinking it, Sirius would go after Harry again. Why else had he broken out? He felt obligated until Sirius was caught. Besides obligation, seeing Harry would be good. He'd only just barely been born when Remus last saw him. Just a tiny baby with a tuft of dark hair.

Remus took a breath in, composing himself as he re-entered the compartment. He lingered in the doorway for a moment, staring at Harry with his uneaten chocolate with a smile.

"I haven't poisoned that chocolate, you know," Remus smiled. Harry apparently got the point and took a bite. He could only smile at Harry's surprise.

"We'll be at Hogwarts in ten minutes," He said as he took his seat by the window. He turned to face Harry, who looked so very much like James when he was a teenager. Remus could have practically been staring at his old friend. Yet Harry's face was much more careful and his eyes apparently had turned into Lily's shade.

"Are you all right, Harry?" Apparently he'd been too personal because he got all flustered, muttering that he was alright. It was a quiet reminder of the ride and he didn't speak again until most of the children had departed.

Now, sitting next to their son, it was impossible for his mind not to wander. How he missed them. Why was fate so cruel? Remus missed the days before the war, when they'd all been happy together. He missed Peter so much. The boy would have been better off if Remus had never befriended him and dragged him into the group. Why had he been so brave?

Of all the times to start, but of course, a betrayal such as Sirius' would bring that. Remus even missed Sirius, the man he'd known before he did what he did. Now he couldn't think of him without anger, but Remus missed the days when he could.

Before the minutes felt as if they'd passed, the train was slowing down and cleared of students. Remus was off for a career at his old school. A new beginning, it seemed Albus and Hogwarts were where all his beginnings happened. He had a real chance to make something of himself here.

As Remus stepped from the carriage, he was sorely reminded of the absence of three other boys. He didn't have long to focus on it thankfully. Hogwarts was lively, perhaps it wouldn't be so hard.

"Did the scary old Dementor frighten you too, Weasley?"

He walked over to the group, his suitcase in hand to where the boy was starting problems. He didn't have to ask his name, he had the same bleach blonde hair as Lucius Malfoy and a sneer to match.

"Is there a problem?" He asked calmly. The boy stared at him, and no doubt his lack of money. It was a look he was used to, it didn't bother him anymore.

"Oh, no-er, professor," The sarcasm was clear, but really the young boy didn't mean much by it. He was twelve or thirteen at most. He didn't know better.

Remus saw one of the conductors and asked to borrow an owl. Luckily they had one. He remembered sneaking as a fourth year to the conductor's coach under that cloak of James'. He jotted a quick note to the castle, still worried about Harry and then headed back to the compartment to finish the final leg to Hogwarts a little late.

"Welcome back, Remus. It has indeed been quite some time," Albus greeted with a smile.

"It's good to be back," Remus said with a soft smile in return. He felt the same, sitting across from Albus, as he had meeting him for the first time at 10 playing Gobstones with him. Remus had already thanked him more than was likely necessary. More would just demean himself but he was truly grateful. No other school would do it, no other headmaster would. Of course, that was down to Albus. He was the only reason Remus had an education to speak of. The only reason he had most of the joys of his life. Remus owed him so much.

Now... he had the Wolfsbanes potion for the first time in his life. He had wondered so many times in the last two months what it would be like, to transform and keep his mind. It had seemed unimaginable. He was so used to the blanks, to the aches and pain when he woke up from biting himself in frustration. It had been incredible, to transform last night and still think. Was that how it had been for James, Sirius, and Peter for all those years? The potion had made him sleepy and it all felt sluggish in his memories, but he could clearly account for the whole night.

Remus still felt weak, despite having slept most of the night off. Watching the food be prepared, the last thing he wanted to do was eat but his body needed it. He'd hardly ate at the beginning of term feast, he'd been too ill. It made him hungry, despite feeling so sick. That aside, it was good of Albus bringing him down to the kitchens. Since he'd be missing mealtime once a month anyways.

Albus didn't stop with the tour, he sat down at one of the break tables and summoned a bit of tea while Remus ate the food the house elves feverishly placed in front of him. Remus thanked them and he noticed the twinkle in the other man's eyes.

"Am I actually allowed down here now?" Remus joked. How many times had they snuck down to the kitchens after hours? Of course, it was too many to count.

"Why, I should think so. As a teacher we at Hogwarts are proud to provide room and board.

He chuckled at the way Albus put it, biting into his toast. He never did give an answer, rather had people find their own.

"Hungry I see," Albus teased, the same sly smile that hadn't seemed to have gotten older with him. It made Remus smile.

"Yes, I always am after it's finished," He answered, he of course meant the full moon that had come and wreaked havoc on his body. Even if his mind stayed, and he didn't injure himself... the physical transformation was still painful. It had made it so much more bearable, though, this potion. Remus wished he could possibly make Albus understand just how much it all meant, how much he appreciated the older man.

"I have always been quoted for saying eating is healthy. I myself have grown rather fond of sweets in my old age. Alas, less fond of breakfast but nourishment is meant for the young!"

"Yes," Remus agreed, trying to keep a smile.

"Of course," Albus said, a touch more serious. "Needing energy is necessary in resting oneself from exhaustion."

Remus could sense a but coming somewhere. It also wasn't like Albus to talk about his condition so much. Something he appreciated because it only reminded him of how shameful he was.

"Unless, perhaps, that exhaustion is self provoked. At times, we can be the source of our own torment."

Remus remained quiet for a moment, feeling very much like a student again as he sensed his actual direction. The eggs only busied him for so long.

"Life can throw one around," Remus sighed.

"Quite true, but it is best to leave the past alone, Remus."

He balked on speaking for a moment, before pushing it out. Remus owed this man so much, his whole life, really. Remus' father did his best to educate him himself, but it wouldn't have been the same without Hogwarts. Who knew where or who Remus would have turned to if he hadn't had that. Maybe he could have been the man Sirius believed he was. It turned out to be all projection, to take the light away from himself of course.

"What if one can't, Albus? Sometimes the past was better," He asked a bit feverishly.

"Ah, yes, the past can seem like an old friend. One cannot forget to look to the present, before it too fades to yesteryear."

"It's hard when the past comes back around," He said in frustration. Just when he got this job at Hogwarts… Sirius came back around to ruin his life all over again. "If I'd been less wrapped up in my own problems then…" If he'd only spent more time around them, if he hadn't been focused on the war…

"If you had, what then do you really believe you would have been able to foresee Sirius' betrayal more than anyone else?"

Remus stared, half in his frustration, half in pain at Albus. He hadn't spoken to anyone on any of this before. Who did he have to listen? Sirius took everyone. Albus, however, remained as calm as usual.

"I wasn't there to be a choice instead of Black."

"Do you truly believe James would have altered such a decision?" Albus gave me that look, it wasn't strict but it meant he wasn't going to hear nonsense. I sighed, because he was right of course. They had all been a close knit group as boys, but James and Sirius had always been the closest of them.

Practically brothers, they all felt that way but James' parents took Sirius in after all. Perhaps it wouldn't have mattered, it was hard to agree on it though. Remus might have noticed something off in Sirius, might have been able to save them. He had thought too long, though, as Albus hummed as he unwrapped a lemon drop. It drew his attention back to where he was. Well, maybe Albus had a point about the present.

"Albus?" He asked, changing directions. His speech about the dangers of the Dementors during the feast had a little bit of extra information tucked in. He was curious.

"Yes?"

"Did you mention Invisibility Cloaks for a reason yesterday?"

Albus' eyes gained that familiar twinkle.

"Ah, yes, Harry as I assume you've deduced is in possession of James' old cloak."

A smile pulled on his lips, at the thought of the old thing. All the times Harry must have used it with his friends, just as they had long ago. It was worrying though, in spite of the danger he was in.

"Hasn't gotten into too much trouble with it, has he?" I chuckled at the joke, of course a young boy must have.

"Dragon rescued, some eavesdropping of course, a trip to the forest or two, a little wondering has been thought of, I believe."

"Dragons?" Remus asked surprised. "Well, he is quite busy," He laughed.

"Quite," Albus smiled and Remus shook his head, filled with memories of his own.

"Well, I am off to dreams of sugar plums and such. I do suggest a little sleep for you as well, Remus," Albus said cheerily. Remus assured him he would and bid him goodnight.

"Severus" Remus greeted, seeing him in the hall. Remus stopped to talk to him, he did have a class in a few moments but he wanted to thank Severus for the potion. Also, it would be good to start things out on the right foot.

"Ah, Lupin," Severus drew out crisply. He tried to ignore the sneer in his voice. Perhaps Severus and he could get past their childish boyhood rivalry. To start something better as teachers here. That life was very much dead anyways and it had been so long ago. Remus was determined to not let it all affect the present.

"Thank you for agreeing to do the potion," He started with a smile. "How have you been?"

"Fine. It's rather necessary for your continued stay back at the castle," Severus didn't drop the tone and Remus was wondering if it had been such a good idea. Severus didn't seem to think so.

"I've a class, Lupin," Severus said dismissing him, he hardly had to spit his name so.

He spun, cape billowing behind him and Remus sighed as he walked out of sight. Well, some things never changed. Remus couldn't blame him for his hatred, but he should have thought Severus could put it behind them. Then again, he was wearing a silly cape. Remus shook his head and let it go as he headed towards class.

Ah, well, he had tried once.

Remus sat at his desk, looking up from the Daily Prophet spread across it aside from his warming tea. Again, his face was plastered across the front. It never got any easier, seeing him. Despite Remus' greatest efforts he read every word in great detail. He didn't want to, it always drugged up more. Yet he could never stop himself.

"The Ministry of Magic has officially authorized the performance of the 'kiss' of any Dementor who finds Black" Head of office of Aurors Alastor (MadEye) Moody said."

Remus swallowed, finishing the article and setting it aside. He knew all about the Dementor's kiss. Sucking one's soul and leaving them an empty shell. Was it really okay to destroy any person in such a manner, especially Sirius? He had to stop thinking that way… Sirius Black. He wasn't the carefree if not a touch spiteful boy running to James' house to escape his neglectful parents. It didn't matter how achingly Remus missed his only friends in life, he'd never been close to anyone again after they all died. Sirius- Black, hadn't, but Azkaban seemed too proper a fate for him. Remus just had to remember that, despite all his loneliness. Sirius Black murdered them all. He was not Sirius, who defended him so resolutely in school alongside James.

He was changed, and Remus didn't know him. His Sirius loved James, would never have caused his death, he would have sacrificed himself for James and Lily. He would have never murdered Peter. The man who took that boy's place? Well, he was a murderer, dark in all the worst ways. Something changed in him, turned him dark and the story simply ended there.

Remus hated the man, now, but still. Even on principle, Black didn't deserve such a fate. Remus, who had the most reasons in this whole world to hate him, wouldn't wish that even on him. Azkaban, death, those things yes, but did anyone deserve such a terrible fate? To be a shell forever, living but with no meaning, with no real life? Death was far less cruel than to have your soul taken from you and to live as nothing. It was the worst evil Remus could imagine.

No, not even Sirius Black with all his betrayals and evils, deserved it. Remus hoped desperately, as he finished his tea, that it was his morals that were speaking and not his memories.

Remus ambled down to the ground over Harry. He knew it was risky to agree to let him learn the patronus. He had hoped it would be easier with a Boggart. Even still, he knew he wouldn't get it on his first try. To help keep him safe, this would have to do. He knew the moment he heard Harry tell him he heard Voldemort murdering Lily that he would help him. All he'd wanted to do at the time was pull him into a hug.

He was afraid Harry wasn't going to get up when he jerked awake.

"Sorry," Harry muttered.

"Are you all right?" Remus asked anxiously.

"Yes. . . " Harry pulled himself up on one of the desks and leaned against it. Remus reached in his cloak and handed Harry the chocolate frog. He knew he wouldn't get it the first time, if he got it at all, it wasn't a problem.

"Eat this before we try again. I didn't expect you to do it your first time; in fact, I would have been astounded if you had. "

"It's getting worse. I could hear her louder that time- and him- Voldemort."

Remus swallowed guiltily, watching Harry eat. Now… he felt differently. It got worse? Perhaps he shouldn't have agreed to this.

"Harry, if you don't want to continue, I will be more than understand-"

"I do!" Harry shouted, explaining about the Quidditch cup. A boy's worry, but a Quidditch cup wasn't worth hearing all that. He never should have had to. Damn Sirius. Remus had just wanted Harry to feel safe. Now, as he debated, Harry looked so worried he'd say no.

"All right then…" Remus gave him more advice on the spell, but putting Harry through it felt wrong. Even as he tried again, Remus felt squeamish about the whole idea. For Harry to have to hear Lily's last moments… God. It was more than he could bear. To hear her murderer, as well?

The boy was determined though, so he'd give him another shot. Remus floundered as Harry failed again and he pushed his own boggart back before turning to Harry.

"Harry! Harry… wake up…" Remus called worried. Harry finally stirred as he tapped his face even harder. Harry blinked, finally, and it seemed to be recollecting himself. He stared at Remus for a moment, he looked lost before he seemed to recognize where he was.

"I heard my dad. That's the first time I've heard him- he tried to take on Voldemort himself, to give my mum time to run for it…"

Remus lost his breath, chest heaving for it. He faltered for words, at the mention of his dearest friend's murder. From his own son. The man who used to run around with him, and laughed off his darkest secret as no big deal. One of the first people to ever make him comfortable. Now, he looked at that friend's son, smudging tears from his eyes discreetly and Remus' heart broke.

"You heard James?" He asked, voice strangled with emotion. Remus could only stare at Harry, still lost. Why? Why did Harry's first introduction to James be with him fending for his family's life? In the face of the worst wizard known to man? With no hope… he faced death, hoping to buy them time. It didn't work…

Damn! This was his fault, he never should have let Harry do this! What if the Dementor's never got him again and he suffered this for nothing?

"Yeah," Harry answered. "Why- you didn't know my Dad, did you?"

Remus stared at Harry, not sure what to say anymore. It had seemed simpler to leave that out, to not bother Harry with it. Remus admitting he was close friends with his father would only make Harry want to get closer to Remus. Remus couldn't let him do that, not with his condition. People close to him would only suffer the same ways he did. So he couldn't say it. It would come with too many explanations, anyways. Most of his stories included Sirius, and Harry didn't need that painful knowledge. Look at what he'd already been through. Remus wouldn't lie to him, though. Oh, when did life turn so confusing?

"I-I did as a matter of fact," He said, amidst the memory of laughter and schemes. "We were friends at Hogwarts." He wished Harry could hear James' laughter instead of so close to his death. Remus quickly changed the subject before he could ask too many questions.

"Listen, Harry- perhaps we should leave it there for tonight. This charm is ridiculously advanced," he added quickly. "I shouldn't have suggested putting you through this…"

"No!" Harry got up looking alarmed. "I'll have one more go I'm not thinking of happy enough things, that's what it is… hang on…"

He watched, hoping he could convince Harry to stop. Remus didn't want him to be afraid to stop. He didn't want Harry to hear them like that again. That was the only reason he'd agreed to this in the first place. The Boggart was just too realistic. The boy was determined, though, to do it.

"Ready?" He asked, half hoping Harry would say he'd had enough. He was pushing himself too hard… just like James. The similarities were amazing, considering he had never known his father, had no influences from his muggle family. Oh, he shouldn't be doing this any further. Who knew what else he'd hear the next time.

"Concentrate hard? All right- go!" He pulled off the lid, worried for Harry as the "Dementor" emerged. Harry shifted his weight… and Remus watched amazed as Harry hollered the charm and a patronus of sorts, emerged. Harry held it for a moment, Remus smiled for a second and then jumped forward in front of him.

It spun, and then the full moon hung hauntingly between them. "Riddikulus!" He yelled. Remus shivered, staring at the moon with his human eyes, but edged forward and pushed the boggart towards the case. As soon as it was in, he turned to Harry proudly.

"Excellent!" He smiled, and walked over to the seated boy. "Excellent, Harry. That was definitely a start!"

"Can we have another go? Just one more go?"

"Not now," He said firmly. "You've had enough for one night. Here -"

Remus pulled out the Honeydukes' best chocolate for Harry. A whole bar, he thought it would be nice for the boy to get something from Hogsmeade when he wasn't allowed to go. It was for the best, but still, it had to be hard at that age to understand. It was nice to be able to buy something for him, with his new salary.

"Eat the lot, or Madam Pomfrey will be after my blood. Same time next week?"

Harry didn't take long on the chocolate, he was happy to note. Remus moved around to start shutting the classroom down so they could leave. After all, maybe it had been worth it. If it protected Harry in the future. If that was what a boggart brought… the real Dementor could do much worse.

He had just finished the first half of the lights when Harry spoke up.

"Professor Lupin? If you knew my dad, you must've known Sirius Black as well. "

The question he dreaded. Remus spun, so he could take in his face. What had he heard? How did he know to ask that? Was it from Severus? He'd done everything he could to try and sabotage Remus this year, but to go after Harry? Remus had spent years unable to be around old Order members because of the group he'd been part of. No one looked at him the same and they all moved on to have families and things Remus never could.

Severus wouldn't stop trying to push the notion he was helping Black. It was dangerous slander towards someone like Remus, with stigmas attached to himself already. His heart would break if Harry thought as much. If Harry thought he had any part in it all.

"What gives you that idea?"

"Nothing - I mean, I just knew they were friends at Hogwarts too. . . "

Remus relaxed. He was just piecing things together. No one had said anything to him. He could breathe easy.

"Yes, I knew him," Remus decided to say. He wouldn't lie but… he didn't want to go into it either. "Or I thought I did. You'd better be off, Harry, it's getting late. "

He watched Harry leave, extinguishing the rest of the candles. He had been trying to help Harry but he hadn't expected so much to be brought up. It felt like he'd been through a transformation.

Remus felt a wet tear leaking down his face.

Shoving at the boggart in the trunk, it jumped violently before Remus let out a rattled breath and sunk down against the wall to sit on the floor. It felt like the day he received the news all over again. He was far north on a mission, no one was able to notify him… no one told him anything… he saw the paper and had to hold it all in until he was alone.

He had cried for three days. Everyone in the streets cheering and laughing. Parties everywhere at Voldemort's downfall… it felt like they were all cheering for James, Lily, and Peter's deaths too. Everyone praised the Boy Who Lived, but no one cared that Harry was orphaned. Harry with his muggle family where Remus couldn't even see him. He'd told himself it was for the best, what could he bring to the boy's life?

Remus hated thinking of that time, it was the first and only time he'd been almost happy to transform. At least it got him away from his mind, away from the pain. It had been a dangerous moment for someone like him, but he pulled himself back together.

He brushed away the tears forming in his eyes, staring at the Boggart's chest. It all came reeling over him again, the anger, the hurt… anger again following the pain.

None of them had done anything to deserve this from Sirius. They'd… loved him and he still went dark! He was fighting against the Dark Side too, dammit! No, he was spying! What was the bloody point of it all? All the lying and false anger at his heritage? All his bluster about how he hated the pure-blood ideology and challenging anyone who he could that said otherwise. He had been so good, it had seemed... and yet it was all lies. Carefully crafted and... Remus would always wonder when it started. He refused to believe the boy he knew and loved in school was anything like what he turned into. The war did it.

The war may have darkened him, but it wasn't responsible for his actions. Just him. He killed the only three people Remus had left and he destroyed any good memory of him and Sirius together. Remus hated him, he hated him so much. What could it have been worth? To betray all those that had loved and supported him since he was eleven years old?

Had it all meant nothing? For what? Power? A place in a world they were trying to prevent from happening? Acceptance from his family? Remus would never know… and he didn't care! He just hated him, for all he had destroyed. Remus wished sometimes over the last few years that he had died too, with them. Maybe instead of Peter. Peter could have gone on and lived a happy life, while Remus could never have such a thing.

Remus managed to make it back to his office with the chest and to his room, unseen.

His eyes felt puffy and he turned on the music to distract his mind. He never wanted to know that many details of their deaths. Harry shouldn't have ever heard it. None of it was right, and somehow Sirius had found a way to come back and bring more pain. Remus couldn't even fully enjoy getting to know Harry.

He moved up on his bed, pulling his blankets over him and not bothering to change, as he tried to banish all the memories away again.

Remus looked up from his grading as he heard Severus' voice shouting from the fireplace. Oh, what could he possibly want? Remus was beginning to remember why they hadn't gotten along at school, now. He had tried to be mature enough to drop the issues of their youth, but Severus was bound and determined to hold the grudge forever.

Just another example of Remus paying for Sirius' actions. Another example of why Remus should have seen his betrayals coming. He'd had murder and betrayal in him for a long time.

Remus mustered a smile, and pushed up from his desk. He moved tiredly to the fireplace and walked into the flames with a bit of powder. As he came out of Severus' floo, brushing off his robes he noticed a worried looking Harry standing beside Severus.

"You called, Severus?" He asked, mildly wondering what this could be about. For one thing, Severus seemed to be completely in a rage.

"I certainly did, I have just asked Potter to empty his pockets. He was carrying this. "

Remus looked to Severus' desk, the green words of a lifetime ago shining on the faded parchment. It wasn't possible. Panic settled within him for a moment. Remus was level headed enough to not let it show, masking his face from the emotions turning up in himself.

"Well?" Snape insisted.

He pretended to look it over, while he tried to come up with a good cover story. He'd need one for this.

"Well? This parchment is plainly full of Dark Magic. This is supposed to be your area of expertise, Lupin. Where do you imagine Potter got such a thing?"

Oh he was pushing. The answer? God only knew. He hadn't seen this thing since Filch caught them one night. They tried everything to get it back but could never find where he'd hidden it. Remus glanced at Harry, hoping he could quietly convey for him to keep quiet as he turned from the map to Severus.

"Full of Dark Magic?" Remus said with a level tone. "Do you really think so, Severus?"

This was one of those times, it would serve him well to remember how to goad the man.

"It looks to me as though it is merely a piece of parchment that insults anyone who read it. Childish, but surely not dangerous? " He asked, rather than told. Remus was rather glad they'd built in this mechanism for safety and giggles. It was certainly paying off right now.

"I imagine Harry got it from a joke shop-" Severus cut him off, his face lit up in anger.

"You think a joke shop could supply him with such a thing? You don't think it more likely that he got it directly from the manufacturer?"

Ah, Remus thought. So Severus wasn't here to get Harry in trouble, afterall. That's why he called Remus. He'd been hoping Severus wouldn't remember their names, or have heard them. Of course, he could have no idea that it was a map outlining every path and person in Hogwarts but the names were likely clear to him. Apparently their school nicknames hadn't faded from Severus' mind. Remus really must be careful with this.

"You mean, by Mr. Wormtail or one of these people?" He asked, knowing full well he couldn't say Padfoot without a sneer. The truth was, all those boys were dead. Besides, hopefully Severus would remember Peter's less so. It was always James and Sirius pestering Severus the most.

"Harry," He turned. " Do you know any of these men?"

Harry answered no, good boy. He turned to Severus with a calm expression.

"You see, Severus? It looks like a Zonko's product to me…" Before Remus could finish speaking, Ron burst through the door breathless, spouting out that he had given all of this to Harry. Remus took the opportunity.

"Well," He clasped his hands together looking happily around. "That seems to clear that up! Severus, I'll take this back, shall I?" He grabbed it, putting it in his pocket as he realized too late he said back. Well, it could mean anything. Severus already knew. The point was, he couldn't say anything. Thankfully he'd been enraged and wanted to catch Remus himself. Severus' pettiness paid off for once.

"Harry, Ron, come with me. I need a word about my vampire essay," He lied easily, turning to Severus and excusing them. Remus walked them out, away from the dungeons. His mind was clouded with anger, even more, disappointment in Harry. Now that Severus was out of the picture… how did Harry get their map?

Getting it was one thing, Remus was furious that he'd used it. Sirius knew all those passageways! He'd found half of them! It would have been so easy to lurk in wait and end Harry's life. Remus was sure Albus knew of them, too, and had it protected… but it wasn't worth the chance! He wouldn't expect Harry to be using them!

"Professor, I -"

He cut Harry right off, he would take this seriously.

"I don't want to hear explanations," Remus said shortly. He glanced around to make sure no one was near, especially Severus and leaned in sightly.

"I happen to know that this map was confiscated by Mr. Filch many years ago," He said, quietly remembering how angry Filch was, when he caught them in an unknown corridor muttering 'Mischief Managed'. They'd all laughed as it insulted him. Remus saw Harry's and Ron's enlarged eyes and bewildered expressions.

"Yes, I know it's a map, I don't want to know how it fell into your possession. I am, however, astounded that you didn't hand it in. Particularly after what happened the last time a student left information about the castle lying around." He looked between their blank, guilty faces and couldn't let himself excuse boys behavior away. This was too serious. "And I can't let you have it back, Harry. "

Remus was slightly surprised by their lack of response or pleas, until Harry opened up.

"Why did Snape think I'd got it from the manufacturers?"

Harry was rather clever, wasn't he? Severus didn't try to hide it, of course.

"Because. . . " Remus hesitated, searching for a good explanation "because these mapmakers would have wanted to lure you out of school. They'd think it extremely entertaining." He lied carefully. It wasn't a complete lie. Black wouldn't have given it a second thought now, and the whole reason for the map was for pranks to be made easier.

"Do you know them?" Harry looked too excited about the prospect, and it hit a little too close to home. He admired the mapmakers… but this was far too serious.

"We've met," he said shortly. He was going to have to be harder on him, Harry clearly wasn't taking this lecture very seriously at all. If he had to guilt him to keep him safe, then he did. Lily would.

"Don't expect me to cover up for you again, Harry." He chided, staring at him directly. "I cannot make you take Sirius Black seriously. But I would have thought that what you have heard when the Dementors draw near you would have had more of an effect on you. Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive, Harry. A poor way to repay them - gambling their sacrifice for a bag of magic tricks. "

It killed Remus to do it, to use their sacrifice that he kept hearing, against him. The hurt that shone in his young eyes. He had to, though, he'd do whatever was necessary to keep Harry safe. Far way from Sirius' clutches. Remus wouldn't let him get killed simply because he was acting like a foolish school boy. He was one, but he unfortunately wasn't in an ordinary school boy's situation. Remus would simply have to keep a better eye on him, protect him a little better in light of this information. When he could, it was already hard enough to stay on top of the grading and lesson plans around feeling terrible half of each month.

Remus gave him a parting frown before turning and walked down the hall before he lost his steel. He walked up the last step into his office and sighed, checking his fireplace before sitting down finally. Remus frowned before he took another, guilty look around and pulled out his old map.

So much trouble, for their old antics. It made him wonder if he should tell Albus again. No… Remus would lose everything with his admission. He... he couldn't lose Albus' trust. Besides, Sirius was surely using Dark magic. There was no way he could escape Azkaban otherwise. No one had done it. Remus just needed to keep a closer eye on Harry to make sure he stayed safe.

Somehow. He looked down at the map and suddenly… he had an idea. He needed to keep an eye on where Harry was going. Remus knew precisely how he could do just that.

Raising his wand from his pocket, Remus recited by heart… for the first time in decades…

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Before his wiser gaze, green ink sprung from the pages at his own wand's request, pulling a grin he couldn't stop along Remus' face.

Messers Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs,

Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers

Are proud to present

THE MARAUDER'S MAP

He watched Hogwarts appear on it and ran a hand over the old parchment. Remus got straight to business and his eyes sought out the familiar path to his common room. Ah, good. There he saw three dots, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.

Excellent. Maybe Harry would listen.

His eyes wandered then, drifting through corridors and passageways to all the names flickering about. It brought back so many memories. Looking at their loopy nicknames carving out the essence of their friendships onto this page, it stabbed at him like a knife. It was so painful… to see those names and know they were all gone.

Only Moony remained… and he didn't feel much like that hopeful boy anymore. Now, he was as alone as he had been before he met this group. Seeing this map only brought back happy memories, and with them, their absence hurt all the worst. It didn't matter how hard it was. This was his way to keep watch over Harry. That was all he had left of them anyways.