A/N

I'm also posting this story on AO3, where I have actually divided it up into two separate stories, with this being the first chapter of the sequel. It's harderf to do stories as a series on this website, however, so I am just continuing it here.
This chapter marks the first chapter of the second half of this story and takes place after the events of Prisoner of Azkaban.
Thank you so much to everyone who has left comments. I appreciate it so much and would be delighted to get more haha.


Dear Professor Moony,
Good to see you the other day and share a waking nightmare for the first time in so many years. On my way to somewhere safe. One whole year with my godson. I want to know everything.
Cheers,
Padfoot


Dear Padfoot,
I'm not a Professor anymore. It was nice while it lasted. Even surrounded by Dementors with a mass murder on the loose, though I suppose I can hardly complain about being surrounded by Dementors and murderers to you of all people. (Is it too soon to make jokes?) The boy is every bit as wonderful as you could imagine. Bright, brilliant, thoughtful, and braver than any of us ever were. He may be the spitting image of his father, but I see so much of his mother in him it sometimes hurts to look. He's the best of both of them and then something else entirely.
It's hard to know what to say. Glad you're not a traitorous murderer. Glad you're free. I wish it hadn't fallen apart so quickly, but that always seems to be the way with us, doesn't it? We'll get that fucking rat one day. In the meantime, keep yourself safe.
Best,
Moony


Dear Disgraced Professor Moony,
Found a copy of the Daily Prophet that explained your troubles and I bet I can guess who let it all out the sniveling, slimy bastard. The other day I was sat outside a café in a place I will not name and I saw a woman with bright red hair and I thought that it was her. It's hard sometimes to know the difference between then and now as it's all mixed up. It's good there's so much of her in him but of course there is, she burned so bright that even death couldn't snuff out that fire and it had to go somewhere, didn't it?
Am I making sense? I'm not used to having my thoughts exist outside my own head.
Tell me more about him.
Cheers,
Padfoot


Dear Padfoot,
I understand. Or maybe I don't, but I think I do.
You should have seen the first time he cast a Patronus. I've never seen a person work harder. The determination and the skill with which he followed through was beyond what most grown wizards could accomplish. Nobody should have to deal with the things he has faced, especially not so young. I don't know how he's held on through it all. How he's managed to grow into someone so wonderful. He works hard, takes nothing for granted. He loves fiercely. He is willing to fight for himself. I think that's what I admire the most. You were like that when you were young. You had the good sense to be angry at the world when it hurt you and to put up a fight. I never was very good at that. I'm glad that he is.
The first time he asked me for help I felt like I might break down then and there. It took all I had not to tell him everything, but I was under strict orders that I was not inclined to disobey given that I was already concealing vital information about an old friend. It was hard to look at someone so familiar and be seen as a stranger. To love him so much and not be able to say it.
The world was falling apart for so long and it's like the pieces are finally gluing back together.
I hope you find a little glue for yourself, too.
Best,
Moony


Dear Moony,
Only crazy glue here. I think I'm in too many pieces to ever be me again. All of those shards are lying somewhere in an empty cell and if I go back there to find them I won't ever come out again.
Cheers,
Padfoot


Dear Padfoot,
I've enclosed a copy of a Daily Prophet article explaining the events of the World Cup this summer. Our wise old leader has been keeping me in the loop, at least as much as he deems appropriate. Never the full picture. Nothing's changed there.
He was there, our boy. He's safe now.
Sometimes I feel like I'm not really here. Less than I used to, but it never goes away completely. I don't think I can ever be anyone but me, though I have certainly tried. I think you'll find yourself again. It might just take some reminding, but I can help with that.
Best,
Moony


Dear Padfoot,
It's been months, still no reply. Just tell me that you're safe.
Best,
Moony


Dear Moony,
Safe. Some days almost even sane. He's been writing me. All the chaos with the tournament that I'm sure you've heard about. He wants my help. I'm doing my best. I'm not going to fail a second generation of this family.
Sorry for the long silence. I have nothing to say for myself other than I'm still remembering how to be human again.
Cheers,
Padfoot


Dear Padfoot,
If there's ever anything I can do to help, please tell me.
Also, loving all the birds you keep sending. I hope you're getting all the sun you looked like you so desperately needed the last time I saw you.
Best,
Moony


Dear Moony,
You're one to talk. I recall how the moonlight glinted off your grey hairs, old man.
Cheers,
Padfoot


Dear Padfoot,
It's even worse in the daylight, sadly.
I've been reading the updates on the tournament. He hasn't reached out to me. I've considered writing a letter of my own, but I imagine he's got enough on his mind. I know things are getting worse for him. I know you're as likely as ever to do something rash and dangerous.
You do whatever needs to be done to keep him safe. Please keep yourself safe, all the same.
Best,
Moony


Dear Moony,
I'm sorry for leaving it so long again. I've seen him. I'm well concealed, don't worry yourself. But I've seen him and his friends. It's starting to feel like the old days. Sneaking around, members of the Ministry disappearing, Snivellus being as much of a conniving prick as ever. I don't trust him. I don't like that he's so close to our boy. I don't care what the Wise Old One says, he's got something to hide. Our boy isn't safe around that scum. At least he has Mad Eye to look out for him.
Why aren't you here? Don't you want to watch him compete?
PS. Have you ever eaten a rat? Every time I kill one I picture His face and it makes it a little more satisfying.
Cheers,
Padfoot


Dear Padfoot,
I wish I could be. It's swarming with parents and media, and unfortunately my presence hardly lends itself to discretion on those grounds right now. Not now that they know what I am. Wise Old One doesn't need the extra scrutiny with everything that is going on. I'd only be a distraction and all focus needs to be on protecting the boy right now, not fielding questions about why they let a monster around kids.
I spent a year working with Snivellus. He's much the same as ever, but he seems genuinely loyal to Wise Old One. He even helped me at times, though of course we know how all that ended. Still, I suppose we both know better than to trust without question. It can be hard to spot the rat in your midst, and sometimes it's not who you think it is.
Can't say I've ever eaten a rat, but I'll bet I can give you a run for your money in terms of most pathetic things done for food.
Have you been reading the Skeeter articles? I fucking hate that woman.
Best,
Moony


Dear Moony,
I've been alone in the dark for days. Tell me I'm not back there. Tell me you remember seeing me out in the world.
Cheers,
Padfoot


Dear Padfoot,
How could I possibly forget? You were there in front of me in that shack and I'm holding your letter in my other hand as I write. I sometimes wonder if I dreamed it all myself, but in all the years that have gone by I never once dreamed that the past could be rewritten like it was when I saw you again as my friend and not my enemy. It could only be real, because I'm not enough of an optimist to imagine something so wonderful.
Best,
Moony


Dear Padfoot,
It's been a while.
Best,
Moony


Dear Padfoot,
Please be safe.
Best,
Moony


Remus woke up with a start to the sound of a loud banging on the door of his ramshackle little cabin. Were it not for his magical reinforcements, such knocking could likely take the door off its hinges.

He rolled over and grabbed his wand, filled with an instant rush of adrenaline. Why the fuck would anybody be at his door at all, let alone in in the middle of the night? Far from the first time he'd woken up in a panic, he reacted with surprising control. He made his way quickly and quietly across the creaky floor of the tiny one bedroom home, wand held at the ready, keeping his back to the wall.

"Remus," he heard called out from the other side of the door. "Remus it's me."

It took a moment for him to recognize the voice. He didn't sound like he had when they were young, and they had only spoken so unfortunately briefly the last time they saw each other.

"Sirius?" he called back.

"Yes. Open up already."

He closed the distance to the front door, flicking on the light as he went. When he opened the door, he felt his breath catch in his throat.

Even though he knew it was Sirius on the other side, he still couldn't quite process the image.

He looked a little better than he had the last time, but he was still so thin. Gaunt. His skin pale and waxy. Somehow, he kept forgetting that Sirius had aged as much as he had. He always saw that handsome young man when he pictured him in his head.

His eyes seemed a little more alive than they had a year ago.

They stared at each other wordlessly for what felt like a long time. It was one thing to reunite in the heat of the moment, surrounded by chaos and the revelation of Peter's betrayal. It was another thing to exchange coded letters, separated by many miles and only scratching the barest surface of all that lay between them.

This was something else entirely. To have him here, in his home, alone. Sirius looked just as lost as him.

After a while Remus stepped aside, letting Sirius walk into the meager living space. Sirius looked around curiously but offered no comment. He turned to face Remus, who was staring at him expectantly.

"Dumbledore sent me. He's back, Remus. Voldemort is back."