Chapter Two
Dear Harry,
Yes, I'm at Remus's, and yes, you are welcome to visit. I think Mr. Weasley would put your fireplace on the Floo network again , so you could get to
He almost wrote "our", but decided on "Remus's".
Remus's house that way. Say "720 Anise Street" as you step into the fire. Yes, I've gotten in touch with the old crowd, and that's all I'll say on the subject right now. I'm glad to hear that Ron and Hermione are having good summers, and tell Ron to tell Bill I said congratulations.
He paused and stared at the end of his quill, trying to think of what to say next. Or, rather, how to say it.
Harry, there's something I have to tell you. I don't know how you'll take this, so you might want to sit down. You know that Remus and I were friends at Hogwarts. Well, he's more than just my friend. Since the beginning of the summer, he's also been my lover.
We fancied each other back when we were in school, but we were too scared and shy to do anything about it. Your father knew, of course, I was always horrible at hiding things from him. "Padfoot," he used to say, "will you two just get over it and snog already? You could cut the tension in this dormitory with a knife." He was so happy with your mother, and he wanted Remus and me to be happy too.
The Marauders drifted a little when we left Hogwarts. Your father had just gotten married, and you know that Remus and I began to suspect each other of being spies for Voldemort. Then, of course, I spent all those years in Azkaban.
If there's anything good that came out of my time there, it was my realization that life is short. With that in mind, I asked Remus if we could pick up where we left off.
I hope you take this well, and still want to visit next week.
Sirius
The Dursleys had gone off to buy Dudley school supplies, and Harry was in the house alone. He'd received Sirius's letter four days ago, and in that time he'd spoken with Ron on the telephone and gotten an owl from Hermione.
Mr. Weasley had bought a Muggle cell phone, and Ron occasionally called Harry on it. He'd called the day after Hedwig returned.
"Sirius? Really?!" he had exclaimed.
"Yes, Sirius, really," Harry had said.
"Him and Professor Lupin… wow. Neither of them really seems the type."
"Well, not all gay men go around in women's clothes, you know," Harry had retorted.
But after the initial shock, Ron had taken it quite well. Harry picked up Hermione's letter and read it again.
Dear Harry,
Well, really, I don't see what all the fuss is about. There's been lots of gay witches and wizards before….I counted seventeen in Hogwarts, A History, and there were probably more who weren't open about it. Tell Sirius and Professor Lupin that I'm glad they're happy.
Viktor says to tell you hello and that he hopes you're having a good summer. We're having a wonderful time, and I've been to three Quidditch matches- Bulgaris vs. Sweden, Bulgaria vs. France, and Bulgaria vs. Spain. They lost to Spain but beat the other two.
Love from Hermione
Harry pulled out his quill and started to write.
Dear Sirius,
I don't mind if you and Professor Lupin are lovers. I hope it's all right that I told Ron and Hermione. Ron's fine with it and Hermione says she's glad the two of you are happy. OF COURSE I still want to visit.
Harry