You know what? I can't wait any longer. I'll give you the rest right now! It's only two more chapters and they are rather short (because one has kind of a cliff-hanger, but I could not do that to you anymore, I'm not a monster), so here you are. And of course the epilogue.
You guys were so great, after I've fully recovered from this experience (i.e.: make up for my lack of sleep), I'll go and read some of your stories. So – you won't get rid of me that easy, I love writing reviews!
I'll continue with my other story after this (No Longer Safe, already partly posted here), it's much longer and I haven't written it entirely yet. And maybe there will be kind of a sequel from The Last Marauder, my beta said it would be a good idea.
So THANKS again for all of you who have read this and for all your kind reviews. Don't stop now only because I give you the ending, I'll check my reviews ever so often for quite a long time from now on I think!
Nicky: Thanks for assuring me that I wasn't that obvious! It was my biggest fear. As for what happens to Remus…well, read on then you'll know.
Gina: Nur weil ich ihn einmal nicht sterben lassen konnte heißt das ja nicht, dass ich es diesmal nicht tue…oder? Naja, Geheimniskrämerei ist ja jetzt wohl nicht mehr angebracht, lies es einfach. Danke für die vielen Reviews, jeder einzelne hat mich gefreut! Lass mich wissen, wie Dir das Ende gefallen hat!
Avidia: German medical supply any time you need it. But I don't think that German ambulances are faster than American ones. I once had to call one for my brother and it took ages. And imagine they have to go to America first! But now your reward: THE ENDING!
So, that's for all my reviewers since my last update and I'm sorry that I can't thank each and every of my single reviewers here but you were all awesome! Really, I thank you a lot, don't stop reviewing now! Let me know how you liked my ending and whether you want to have a sequel. Voldemort is not dead yet, there are endless possibilities. (and my muse sits by my side and nods.) Please, do me that last favour and review after you've read the epilogue.
Publishing my first finished fanfic was really an experience, and you all made it just wonderful! Thousand thank yous and one million-candle-smile for each and every one of you.
And now – ENJOY!!!
Dusk
When they entered the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey came towards them.
"How is he doing?"
She shrug her shoulders.
"He is sleeping now. There's nothing more I can do for him. It all depends on when he wakes up and in what state his mind is in. The longer he remains in that coma, the smaller his chances become."
"I want to stay with him."
"Sure."
Harry and Sirius stepped beside Remus' bed and sat down. Lupin looked pale and he had become very thin. His bruises were mended at the hex marks on his chest had nearly vanished. Madam Pomfrey had removed the beard he had grown in order to heal the wounds on his face.
Harry looked at his godfather and fear shot through him. He could guess that Sirius had been euphoric when he discovered that Lupin was alive, but if he would loose him once more…
Sirius took one of Lupin's hands and held it tightly. He didn't realize that Harry was there anymore.
"Remus? Remus if you can hear me, please wake up. Please."
Lupin didn't react. Harry took up Lupin's other hand and watched him closely.
"Remus? Please! Please stay with me. Moony, I need you. You know that I always get myself into trouble if you're not there, I really need you. I can't go on without you, I can't bear loosing another friend. Moony, please come back to me!"
Sirius started crying silently, repeating his pleas over and over again through his sobs. Harry let go of Lupin's hand and stepped over towards his godfather. He put his arms around him from behind and buried his face in the bend of his neck, whispering comforting words. Sirius was tense and didn't seem to relax, not even a little. But he raised his free hand and started stroking Harry's hair slowly.
Harry closed his eyes and after some minutes realized that he started drifting off.
"Harry? Come on, lay down on the bed. You've been through a lot, you need sleep. I'll have Madam Pomfrey look after you later."
Sirius gently pushed him onto the bed on Lupin's side and pulled a blanket over him before he continued his watch over his friend. Despite all his efforts, Harry soon fell asleep.
Sirius kept talking to Lupin in a low voice, he recalled stories from their past while he held tightly onto the other's hand. With his free hand he stroke over Lupin's cheek and hair but he received no sign that his friend realized his presence. Nevertheless, he continued this for hours.
Shortly after dusk, Madam Pomfrey forced him to leave Remus' side because she wanted to heal his own wounds. He had completely forgotten about them and not until Madam Pomfrey examined his side he realized how much it hurt. She quickly healed his cracked rib and the other bruises and gave him a Pepper-Up-Potion before Sirius returned to his chair next to Remus' bed. He took his friend's hand again and continued his pleas.
"Please Moony. Loosing you once has nearly killed me. If I have to go through this again I'll go insane. I just kept on because of Harry. I need to be there for him, but if I have to bury you once more I will break. Come back to me, please. You're all that I have left. I love you Moony, please don't leave me."
Lupin didn't react and Sirius let his head fall to his chest and started crying again. His friend wouldn't come back. Remus would die and it was all his fault. How could he have believed that he had died three months ago? Shouldn't he have felt that he was still alive? But no, he had gotten lost in his self pity while Moony had been tortured by that rat Malfoy. It was all his fault and now he would loose him once again as a punishment. Sirius sighed and continued sobbing until late in the night.