To Paris
Chapter II: You-Know-Where
"You know, Sirius, I'm very happy you agreed to meet with me. I thought that you'd be reluctant. I know that my note wasn't too descriptive, but I didn't want to reveal too much to you. The fact is, I am still very much in love with you. This must sound crazy, but it's the truth. I want you to come live with me. My work for the Ministry is almost through, and I was thinking, with the extra money I have we could go off somewhere. Maybe America? I know, I know, I can see it in your eyes. This is a lot to take in. I'm not asking for an answer right now. I just wanted you to know how I felt. I love you, Sirius. I always have and I always will. Do you love me too?"
Remus stared at the man before him. The look on his face was confused, frightened, and in shock. Remus narrowed his eyes, and so did his reflection.
I'll never be able to pull this off... This was a mistake, all of it.
After several weeks of deliberating with himself, Remus had decided that it would be best to ask Sirius to meet him. What Remus had to say was too important to tell Sirius by owl.
Sirius,
Meet me. Two weeks. You-Know-Where. At six.
-Remus
Remus pulled a robe over his clothes and his cat purred at his feet.
"I'll be back late, Ariel. Keep watch, and, erm, meow loudly should anything happen. Miss Harpy next door might hear you."
If Ariel had known how to tell time, she would've thought it odd for Remus to have returned just two and a half hours later. He burst through the door and ripped his robes off, laying face down on his bed, weeping into his pillow.
Ariel hopped up onto the bed and purred into Remus's ear.
"He... didn't come... I can't believe it... He... didn't come..."
All the anticipation, all the planning. Sirius had caused Remus to act completely out of character. His childhood friend had unknowingly been the cause of all of the strife and havoc contained within Remus's thoughts.
"I-If he kn-knew w-would he h-help m-me?" Remus asked himself out loud.
Just then, a tapping on the window brought Remus back into the real world. He dried his eyes with his sleeves and opened his bedroom window.
It was Penelope, with a piece of parchment and something else. Remus carefully removed the parchment and unrolled it.
Remus,
I am terribly sorry that I was unable to attend our meeting. But I had good reason.
"He must've had to wash his hair," Remus joked.
James and Lily have had a son! Harold James Potter! He's simply amazing. I've enclosed a photograph, but it doesn't do the boy justice. You must see him for yourself.
-Sirius
Remus examined the photograph. James was on Lily's right side, staring down at his son with wide eyes. Lily was rocking Harold back and forth slowly in her arms. Sirius had a sweet, mellow smile on his face. Remus caressed the photograph with his thumb. Ariel meowed and pushed against the back of Remus's leg.
"Oh-- yes-- I should go," he said quickly, snatching his wand from his desk and grabbing his robes before striding out the door.
