A/N: An immensely sad alternate ending to the Letters... What if Harry & Hermione hadn't gone to find Sirius and had continued up to the castle with Ron? Remus tells Lyria that Sirius was innocent, and how does she react? ::cries:: Not sure what exactly in my head made me write this, but grab your tissues. Song in my head is Josh Groban's "To Where You Are," which is beautiful but so sad, and I suggest you download it to listen to it while you read. Lyrics at the bottom.

I wish to warn everyone now, this is NOT typical of my writing. This chapter may even border on an R, at least comparatively.

As usual, Harry Potter's not mine.

- - -

So that's it then.

They dragged you back in a few days ago. You didn't struggle. Of course not, you couldn't struggle.

I have to tell myself that you're dead. You're certainly not alive, not really. The part that was you is gone, and though they can lock away your body, your spirit is free.

But my God, what a way for you to end.

An innocent man, your only crime trying to help a friend and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. After twelve years in prison, dementor food, the empty shell tossed aside to rot.

Forgive me, Sirius, for ever having thought you could have done it.

I've wondered once or twice if you're haunting me. You always seem to be there, so very close, yet out of my reach. Teasing me. You always did like to tease, but you were never so cruel as this. You'd never intentionally cause me pain like this...

Did it hurt you, when it sucked out your soul? They found you down by the lake, mere feet away from the very spot you stood when you asked me to the Christmas Dance back in fifth year. But this time you were alone. You spent the last twelve years alone... you shouldn't have ended alone.

There you are, haunting me again. Just behind me. I can almost feel your breath on the back of my neck.

I wonder how long it's going to take before anyone notices I'm missing.

Yes, Sirius, I've decided to join you. If we couldn't be happy together while we both lived, maybe I can let my spirit free and we can be together now.

I thought you'd like that idea.

Of course I planned it all out, Sirius. You should know by now that I'm pretty thorough when I have a course of action. No, no note. There's no one who really cares about me that won't understand.

I love you too, Sirius. I'll see you soon...



Daily Prophet Article, the next morning...

Lyria Strider, famed Class 1 Auror, was found dead in her apartment yesterday evening. It appears she was poisoned, though there was no sign of a struggle within the apartment. Ministry experts believe her death to be the work of dark wizards or witches unknown. Condolences are extended to Auror Strider's family.

~*~*~*~ To Where You Are, by Josh Groban ~*~*~*~

Who can say for certain

Maybe you're still here

I feel you all around me

Your memories so clear

Deep in the stillness

I can hear you speak

You're still an inspiration

Can it be

That you are mine

Forever love

And you are watching over me from up above

Fly me up to where you are

Beyond the distant star

I wish upon tonight

To see you smile

If only for awhile to know you're there

A breath away's not far

To where you are

Are you gently sleeping

Here inside my dream

And isn't faith believing

All power can't be seen

As my heart holds you

Just one beat away

I cherish all you gave me everyday

'Cause you are mine

Forever love

Watching me from up above

And I believe

That angels breathe

And that love will live on and never leave

Fly me up

To where you are

Beyond the distant star

I wish upon tonight

To see you smile

If only for awhile

To know you're there

A breath away's not far

To where you are

I know you're there

A breath away's not far

To where you are