Lily hummed softly to herself

A/N: Sorry it took a lil while to get this thing finished up…I sorta started another story ;) And then I couldn't decide how to finish up this one and…well, you know how it goes. But here it is! Maybe a lil later than I promised, but that's ok! This is the last chapter *tear tear* so I hope you all enjoy it. I had some troubles writing it, so I don't know how good it is…

I don't know how much more I'll be writing about James, Lily, and all the rest of the Marauders. It just seems like everything that can be written about them has been done. Right now I'm working on "Hogwarts, A History" and I just feel like I can really do what I want with it. Not as many restrictions, ya know? Anyway, just a lil warning not to expect much more Marauders stuff out of me…unless there is high demand of course ;) But I'm not getting my hopes up.

Anyway, enjoy the last chapter, if you read please review, and thanks to everyone who's reviewed before! And as always, I apologize for all spelling and grammar mistakes. I know they're in here.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, they're all JKR's. You thought differently?

***********

Chapter 4

Remus Lupin sat in the Three Broomsticks with a pint of butterbeer in front of him. He looked dismally at the amber liquid floating round in circles. James used to love this stuff he thought, as a single tear rolled down his cheek and dropped into the butterbeer. Remus hastily wiped his eyes and looked around.

Remus had handled the shock of finding out that two of his best friends were dead rather well. He had cried, of course, but he hadn't just given into despair. Maybe it was because it hadn't been so much of a shock. They never stood a chance he thought. Not with Voldemort after them

He looked around the crowded bar. He had expected Sirius and Peter to show up…he'd sent them both owls that morning, asking them to meet him. Remus frowned. They usually at least responded to him. He had figured they would come, looking for companionship and consolation, just as he was. Although he hadn't given into despair, he was definitely depressed. He had loved James and Lily. Now they were gone. All he wanted to do now was talk to Sirius and Peter. Remus sighed. They wouldn't do anything stupid, would they?

He snorted into his drink. What a silly question. Sirius had been doing stupid things ever since Remus had met him. Peter had always been more sensible though; he usually just did whatever James did. Remus wiped his eyes again at the thought of his friend. He's gone.

Remus had been the first of his friends to find out the news. The Potters had been murdered, but little Harry had survived. Now the whole wizarding world was celebrating. And why shouldn't they? Voldemort was gone, defeated, destroyed. But they didn't know the people who died thought Remus bitterly. They had no clue who James and Lily were…

Remus heard the bar door open, but he didn't bother looking up. Why should he? It had been opening and closing for the past two hours, and none of those times had it been Sirius or Peter. He heard footsteps coming near his table. Mere coincidence. The footsteps stopped.

"Hello, Remus," a kindly voice said. Remus looked up.

"Dumbledore? What are you doing here?"

Dumbledore smiled, but his smile looked somehow askew. Something's wrong thought Remus. "Oh, just looking for you," Dumbledore said in response to his question. Something's definitely wrong Remus thought.

Dumbledore stared at Remus. "You've heard about the Potters I assume…"

Remus looked down. "Yeah," he whispered.

Dumbledore shook his head. "Terrible," he muttered. "Just terrible." He looked at Remus a little longer. He cleared his throat slightly. "Remus, would you care to take a walk with me?"

Remus frowned and shook his head quickly. "I'm sorry Professor, I would, but I'm waiting for Sirius and Peter. I asked—'

"I think you should come with me, Remus." Remus looked up at Dumbledore, surprised by the despondent expression in his eyes. "All right," he said, grabbing his coat and following Dumbledore outside.

A cold gust of wind greeted Remus as he walked down the street, Dumbledore at his side. Dumbledore remained silent. Remus, although not wanting to interrupt his thoughts, was very anxious to hear what Dumbledore had to say. He'll tell me when he's ready he told himself firmly, and kept walking in silence.

Dumbledore continued walking until they had reached a small bench. Dumbledore stopped, wiped off the seat and sat down. "Please, have a seat," he said, looking at Remus and pointing at the other side of the bench.

Remus shrugged his shoulders. "I'm fine." After a small pause he asked, "Um, I don't mean to be rude Professor, but…was there something you wanted to tell me, or did you just want me to go on a walk with you? Because I really should be getting back soon, Sirius and Peter might be there already…"

Dumbledore's eyes flashed momentarily. He turned his head away and wiped at his eyes. Is he crying? thought Remus. Somehow the thought of Dumbledore crying was very disheartening. But when Dumbledore turned his face back towards Remus, his eyes were clear and dry.

"Remus," he said, looking straight at him. "Do you know how the Potters died?"

Remus looked at Dumbledore in disbelief. "Of course. Doesn't everyone? Voldemort came and…and…" Remus swallowed and blinked several times. "Well, any way, I know." he finished.

"Yes," said Dumbledore quietly. He paused before continuing. "Remus…you knew Sirius was the Potters' secret keeper, correct?"

Remus nodded. "Yes, of course, but what does that…" Remus trailed off. Sirius was the secret keeper. That means…

"No," Remus mouthed, shaking his head. "No, not Sirius, he wouldn't…" he looked at Dumbledore, a tortured look in his eyes.

Dumbledore looked sadly at Remus. "I'm so sorry."

Remus continued to stare blankly at Dumbledore. "But…but Sirius would never…I mean, he and James were like brothers!" He looked pleadingly at Dumbledore. "It can't be true…" he whispered.

Dumbledore was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice sounded hoarse. "I suppose you haven't heard about Peter either."

Remus jumped slightly. "What about Peter?" he muttered quickly.

Dumbledore sighed. "Remus…there's no easy way to tell you this…Peter figured out what Sirius had done and went looking for him. He found him in a small Muggle village not far from here. He cornered Sirius in a crowded street." Dumbledore stopped and looked up at the night sky for a moment. He turned his face back towards Remus. "Sirius performed an extremely powerful curse, killing Peter and twelve other Muggles."

Remus stared at Dumbledore, his jaw slack. "Peter…Sirius killed…."

Dumbledore nodded. "I'm sorry, Remus. If it's any consolation to you, the Ministry caught up with Sirius after that. He'll be in Azkaban by now." Dumbledore sighed heavily.

This didn't seem to click with Remus for a moment. He continued to stare vacantly in Dumbledore's direction. Suddenly he shouted. "Azkaban! What about the trial? What if he's innocent, he could've been framed…" A tear rolled down his cheek.

Dumbledore shook his head. "Remus…I know it's hard to believe, but…well, Crouch decided not to have a trial for Sirius. All the evidence points to him, and after what he did…" he trailed off, staring hard at Remus. "Remus, are you going to be all right? If you want—"

Remus snapped out of his reverie and shook his head fiercely. "No, Professor. I'll be fine. I'm sure you have a lot more work to do tonight." He looked at Dumbledore, an odd gleam in his eyes. "Thank you for telling me," he said, before wandering off down the street.

Dumbledore stared after him for several minutes. Finally he sighed, stood up, and walked away in the opposite direction.

***

Remus wandered around the whole night. He didn't know where he went. The same memories and thoughts kept running through his head. He and his friends back at Hogwarts. Playing Quidditch with Sirius. James and Lily's wedding. Peter chuckling at his own silly jokes. Sirius tickling a laughing Harry.

Remus found himself on a small bridge. The water under him trickled by slowly, unaware of life's problems. Remus paused and looked down into the water. I'm alone he thought. I am completely alone. Tears ran down his cheeks and mingled with the water below.

How could Sirius do this? he thought angrily. How could he…

He thought of Sirius' laughing face. Had he been playing them for fools all along? Had he ever really considered James, Lily, Peter, all of them as friends? Remus tried to wipe his eyes. Why did Peter have to go after him? He should've known he couldn't stop him. Why hadn't he himself figured out that it had been Sirius? Was he really that stupid?

Remus stared desolately at the water. What am I going to do now? The only people I ever considered as family are gone…I have nowhere to go. I'm alone. Remus shuddered as a fresh wave of tears came from his eyes.

"We'll always be together."

Remus jumped and looked around. He had heard the voice. He had distinctly heard the words. It had just been a whisper on the wind, but it had sounded so much like…but no, it was only the couple on the other side of the bridge. Holding on to each other, staring into each other's eyes.

It sounded so much like…Remus shook himself. It couldn't have been. It was only the man and woman across the bridge. Remus stared sadly at them. They were happy. They had each other.

Always be together? he thought bitterly. How little they know…

Remus gave a shuddering sigh. Giving one last look at the couple, he walked off into the night.