Missing
Laughter
Disclaimer: Sirius and Remus belong to JK Rowling. The rabbits and house are mine.
Remus awoke to see the word 'because' right in front of his eyes. His first thought was that it was very cold
for the Hogwarts Library. Then he
remembered. It had just been a
dream. A dream of the old gang still at
Hogwarts, still innocent, still together.
God, he missed those days. James
and Sirius coming up with plot after plot.
Getting caught and Sirius' "Shut up, Moony!" when he pointed
out how it would have worked if Sirius hadn't done whatever. And the laughter that had always followed. He missed the laughter most of all.
He sat up and glanced around the tiny
cottage he now called home. He had
built it after leaving Hogwarts, as far from another human as he could. It was tiny, but still seemed empty, with
just his few books, bed, and a stove for warmth. He must have dropped off last night. He was still seated at the table, a book on unusual curses open
in front of him. The book, a birthday
present from Sirius, reminded him of the noise he had heard just before
wakening, a faint, probably nonexistent, scratching.
" Face it, Moony, you need to get
out. You're even talking to your
self." He said, stretching,
feeling exhausted and foolish. Then the
scratching came again, it was louder and accompanied by a whine. Not even thinking, he walked to the door and
pulled it open. A huge black dog gave a
broad grin and sauntered in. It walked
to the table and took a seat. It
transformed and Sirius smiled at his friend, who was gaping at him.
" Close your mouth, Remus. The door'd be good too. Though I doubt anyone will come by. This place is in the middle of nowhere,
Moony." He grabbed an apple out of
the bowl in the middle of the table and downed it. " I can understand want privacy, but this is ridiculous." Remus closed the door and walked over to the
table.
" It's quiet and it's safer this
way. What are you doing here,
Sirius? I thought you were back at
Hogwarts." Sirius' half happy
expression went to one of fear, loathing, and rage. He set his third apple on the table and slumped back in his
chair, closing his eyes. Remus waved
his wand and another chair appeared. He
took it and rested his arms on the table and his chin on them.
"
He's back." Sirius said,
his voice flat. Remus felt little
shock. He did get the Daily Prophet and
the signs had been clear to anyone with experience. Sirius opened his eyes and they bored into Remus', black
holes. " Harry saw it happen."
He said, his voice horse. Remus
stared at him. " You know he was
in the Tournament. He won, tied with
the other Hogwarts champion. But Mad
Eye was really Barty Crouch with the polyjuice potion and..."
Remus sat back in his chair. He had not moved during Sirius' telling of
the Tournament and the horror-filled events that had followed it, except to get
Sirius water.
" God, he is so like James." Remus said, his voice soft.
Sirius looked up and gave a faint smile.
" Yes. That night, when he told us everything, he just sat there. He didn't ask to wait, he didn't stop. Not until the part..." Sirius stopped, he set his elbows on the
table and buired his face in his hands.
Remus reached a hand out and set it on his friend's shoulder.
" So Dumbledore wants the old
crew?" He asked after a few
moments. Sirius nodded.
" The entire order." Remus worked up a smile.
" Well then, Padfoot, I'd suggest a
long sleep, food, and a bath." He
added, wrinkling his nose. Sirius
managed a faint smiled.
" That sounds better than you know,
Moony. Who first?" Remus smiled.
" You for the bath, I'll fix some
food." Sirius started to speak,
but Remus continued. " Mundungus,
if you meant the order." Sirius'
smile turned genuine. Very small, but still
real.
" Alright. I hope you have some scissors around here, I could use a
trim." Remus nodded to a
cupboard.
" Over there. And I have to go make the calendar." Remus' smile was slightly larger. " Sirius Black, wanting to cut his
hair? What next? A broom that can fly to the moon?" Sirius grabbed the pillow of the bed and
threw it at his friend.
" Shut up, Moony."
Several rabbits
that had managed to gather the courage to enter the garden behind the house
raced off as laughter echoed through the woods.
