Okay, thanks for the great reviews. And thanks to Emily. Now, here is the next chapter.
CHAPTER 8
The death of Lily and James Potter
Remus studied the spell that he'd drawn out. Only a lantern lit his dark room at the Leaky Cauldron. He planned on returning home to his parents' house in Scotland, but had this one last thing to do first. He was meeting Arabella Figg tomorrow to perfect it, then he would be gone. The less he hung around the better.
"Leg from an Acromantula mixed with blood from an ashwinder," Remus said, trying to work the potion out in his mind. He found why the potion in the Fidelus Charm was lethal to animals; he just couldn't find anything to use as a substitute. At least not anything that was available in this day. He sighed. He hoped Arabella would have more luck. He looked at the creaky old bed in the corner and wondered what Sirius was doing. He heart ached. He hoped that once the mess with Voldemort was cleared up he would be welcomed back to Sirius' bed. But right now he was alone. His lover believed him to be a traitor. More then anything he wished he could forgive Sirius for that. He turned the wick on the lantern, and the light went out. Remus climbed into his bed and fell asleep.
~*~
Lily stood over a small boiling cauldron in the kitchen fireplace. She stirred the yellow potion as Harry goggled in a highchair that was singing to him. James took in the sight as he stood in the doorway. He was lucky to have such a family. It was moments like this he hoped with all his strength he'd get to see more of. They had to defeat Voldemort so days like this would go on forever. He leaned in and kissed Lily's cheek. "Good morning," he said.
Lily smiled. "Good morning."
"What are you brewing?" James pointed to the bubbling thick potion.
"I've been feeling a bit under the weather. I'm hoping this will make me feel better," Lily lied.
"Aren't health potions usually green?" James asked sniffing it.
"This one has a different ingredient. It's more geared toward women," she smiled knowing that would be the thing to make him stop asking questions.
"Oh," he said quickly and turned to Harry. Harry looked up at his dad and the high chair stopped singing.
Harry laughed, "Da da."
James looked at Lily with his eyes wide. "He said Da da."
Lily laughed, "Yes. I think he's going to be quite fond of you."
James rubbed his hand across his little son's hair that was now coming in more fully and thick. "Well, I'm off to see Dumbledore." James smiled at Harry then walked to Lily and kissed her again. "I'll see you tonight," he said and Dissaparated.
Lily looked over at Harry, then back to her potion. She pulled out a spoon and smelled it. "Don't worry, Love. We'll keep you safe after all." She paused to take in her son. He looked at her with his green eyes. He looked just like James. Lily winked at him. She was doing what any mother would do, she thought.
~*~
Arabella Figg was sitting at a circular table in the Leaky Cauldron. Remus placed a glass of ginger ale in front of her. "Well, it makes sense that it would be poisonous to animals. An ashwinder is lethal if not brewed properly. When this potion was last made they didn't have the means to brew it the way we do today."
Remus sat across from her. "Does that mean that if we brew it properly, it should work on James and Lily?"
"Yes, I think it does. Of course we'll have to test it first, just to be certain. Does Dumbledore have any more of those enchanted dummies?" Arabella sipped her ginger ale.
"I don't know. You'll have to find out," Remus said.
"Why don't you go? I have things I have to take care of in Diagon Alley," she started gathering up the papers.
Remus sighed and said quietly, "I think it would be better if you went to Dumbledore."
Arabella stopped. She didn't ask why, but she could sense there was something amiss. Why else would Remus be staying at the Leaky Cauldron? "Alright. I'll have Henry ask about it." She looked at Remus who had a bit of relief on his face then gathered her belongings and left.
~*~
"Oh, these damn weeds. I wish I knew a spell to get rid of them." Lily sat on the ground in her yard; her hair pulled up and in dingy Muggle clothes. Harry sat in the grass next to her. He let out a big giggle. "What's so funny, Love?" Lily said smiling. Then she noticed Remus standing in front of Harry, waving at him. "Hello. Did you just get here?" Lily asked, standing and brushing herself off.
"Well, a minute ago. You looked so involved in your herbs I didn't want to disturb you. Is James here?" He asked as Lily squinted her eyes in the sun to look at him.
"No, not yet. He should be soon," she noticed he had two bags with him. "Are you going somewhere?" She asked.
"Yeah," he said awkwardly. "I'm going to stay at my parents house for a while."
"Is everything alright?" Lily asked suspiciously.
"I just have to leave for a while." Remus looked at Harry who was now trying to climb up his leg to be held.
"Come in for tea?" Lily asked, grabbing Harry and picking him up.
"I probably shouldn't." Remus looked at his watch. He didn't want to risk running into Sirius. Lily gave him a sideways smile. Harry reached out for Remus. He couldn't resist; he took Harry and smiled. "Okay, maybe a spot of tea."
Lily led him inside their small flat and walked to the teapot. She tapped it once and piping hot tea was steaming from it. She poured some in a teacup for Remus. "How long will you be gone?" Lily asked.
"Probably until the war is over," Remus said putting Harry down on the ground. He started toddling away. He was just mastering the art of walking, so after a few steps he stumbled and crawled the rest of the way.
"Does Dumbledore know you're leaving?" Lily blew in her tea.
"Yeah, he knows. I'm still planning on helping as much as I can, just from my parents house."
"Oh good, so we'll still get to see you?" Lily pointed her wand at the doorway Harry was heading toward and a light purple orb covered it.
"I don't think so. I'm going to be working with intelligence. Mr. Figg is taking my place with Arabella and you. This way I can still help, just from a distance."
Lily reached for his hand. He had grown to be one of her best friends since their days at Hogwarts. "Do you want to tell me why you're really leaving?" She asked gently.
He took her hand and shook his head. "Sorry." He glanced at Harry who was poking at the purple orb guarding the door. The enchantment swirled when his finger touched it then went back to its regular consistency. He poked it one more time, then crawled to his toy dragon that lay on the floor. He picked it up and bubbles came out of its mouth. Harry giggled.
"Sometimes Sirius says hurtful things. At the time, it may seem like he means it, but it was just hasty. I know he loves you." Lily didn't take her eyes off Remus.
"He means it, Lil. When all this stuff with Voldemort is over maybe we can get back together, but right now it's best this way."
Lily sighed and almost said something when James appeared in the room.
"Hello," James said leaning in to kiss his wife. "Moony, you're here. Sirius just went home for a second to change then he's coming over." James happily picked up Harry.
"Sirius is coming here?" Remus stood up. "I had better go then. James, I'm staying at my parents' place. Feel free to owl anytime, but it's best I don't come around. At least not for a while."
James looked confused. "What's going on?"
"I just need some space. I need to clear my head. It's best this way. Don't worry." He reached out and hugged James who still had Harry in his arms. "I love you," he said, kissing James on the cheek. Then he moved to little Harry and kissed his forehead. Then hugged Lily.
"Don't stay away too long. I'm sure after time Sirius will…"
"Thank you for the tea," Remus said interrupting her. "It's probably best Sirius doesn't know I was here." He walked to the door, grabbed his bags, and walked out the door, hoping he didn't see Sirius on the way.
"What is that all about?" James asked.
"Why don't you ask Sirius," Lily said in an agitated tone. "Remus wouldn't say. He's the best thing that ever happed to Sirius and there he goes."
"Why do you assume it's Sirius' fault," James asked defensively, putting Harry on the floor.
"What's my fault?" Sirius asked just popping out of the fire and whipping ash off himself.
"Oh, nothing," Lily huffed, picking up Harry and leaving the room.
~*~
"So we can test it now?" Arabella Figg was sitting in Dumbledore's office with her husband. Dumbledore was looking over the notes Remus had made, impressed.
"I don't see any reason why not. Sirius is in the field now testing some spells on the dummies. Why don't you two go out and tell him about this?"
"Thank you," Arabella stood up, Henry just behind her. They walked down several staircases out of the castle and on to a field where Sirius had his wand pointed defensively at a dummy that was in a duel stance. Sirius shouted something and the dummy fell to the ground, limp.
"Nice work," Henry Figg said. "You haven't had that spell work in weeks."
"Thank you," Sirius said after the surprise of not being alone wore off.
"Sirius, we have a charm we want to test. It's the Fidelius Charm. We've altered it a bit and we need to see if it still works."
"I've never heard of it," Sirius said curiously.
"It's ancient. We only found it on a whim. It normally doesn't work on humans, but we've changed the potion." Arabella walked over to the dummy and put the spell back on it. It sprung to life.
Sirius eyed her questionably. An ancient spell. He knew of someone who was well-versed in ancient spells. His heart twinged. "Who came up with this spell?" Sirius asked.
Henry was about to say Remus when Arabella stopped him. "I did," she smiled. She didn't know what was going on between Sirius and Remus, but she could tell by the way he asked that Sirius would be suspicious if he knew it was all Remus' idea. She really felt this charm was going to work, and she didn't want anything to ruin it. She fed the potion to the dummy then gave some to her husband who had volunteered to be the dummy's Secret Keeper. She waved her wand at her husband, said an incantation that Sirius couldn't make out and went to the dummies and repeated it. An astonishing thing happened. The dummy disappeared.
"What happened?" Sirius asked.
"Can you see it, Henry?" Arabella asked beaming.
"Yes, I can. You can't?"
"No. It works. We can perform it on the Potters."
Sirius looked disbelieving. "The dummy is right there, and we can't see it?"
"No," Arabella said making astonished circles around her husband and the spot she last saw the dummy.
"It's brilliant. They could be right in front of Voldemort's eyes and he wouldn't know." Sirius said.
"Yes."
"Well, let's do it now," Sirius croaked excitedly.
"Wait, Henry, tell me where the dummy is," Arabella ordered her husband.
"He's right in front of you and just to your right." And as those words were said, the dummy became visible. Sirius gasped.
"They can only be seen if someone tells you where they are. And only be seen by the people who know. If Dumbledore were to come out right now he'd not see the dummy, even though we can." Arabella's face glowed, like she'd just gotten everything she wanted for Christmas.
Arabella and Henry Figg sat in Dumbledore's office with Sirius, James and Lily, who held Harry in her lap. "So that completes the spell," Dumbeldore said, taking a vile and pouring potion into it. "And you have agreed to be the Secret Keeper?" He looked at Sirius who nodded. "Are you sure? I could do it, you know?"
"No, I'll do it," Sirius said in a forceful tone that was startling to everyone.
"Alright. The best thing we can do now is move Lily and James to a flat in Godric's Hollow. It used to belong to Mungungus, but he felt it would be safer for his family to relocate. So it's vacant and you won't be found there as long as the secret is kept."
Lily and James looked at each other and smiled. Finally this seemed to be the breakthrough they were looking for.
Sirius followed Lily and James to their new home on a dark October night. He helped move things from one flat to the other, thinking all the while about being the Secret Keeper, until Lily let something slip.
"You know, Remus really is genius coming up with this charm," Lily said carrying a large box up the sidewalk.
Sirius didn't say anything, but his thoughts raced. If Remus knew they were doing this, then he would also know that Sirius would be the Secret Keeper. He grew frusterated. He couldn't have Remus knowing what was helping the Potters. It couldn't be like the Portus Salus charm. He felt his anger rising when another thought came to him. What if he threw him off? What if they found someone else to be the Secret Keeper? As the last box was placed in the house Sirius broached the subject.
"I've been thinking about it, and what if we use someone else as Secret Keeper?" Sirius looked over at Harry, who was sleeping pleasantly on some blankets floating a foot off the ground.
"Why would you want to use someone else?" James asked.
"Well, it's only too obvious that I would be your Secret Keeper. If Voldemort comes after me and tries to get the secret out of me, he won't be able to, cause I won't have it in me." Sirius said.
"Who were you thinking then," Lily asked.
"Peter." Sirius sighed.
"Peter? We haven't even seen him in months. He stopped working on intelligence weeks ago. Are you sure he's a good choice?" Lily glared into Sirius' eyes, seeing a fire she'd never seen before. He looked like he was about to go insane. It was almost frightening to her.
"They will never guess him, will they? He seems least likely." Sirius stated.
"Alright," James said in the same tone he used when he wasn't sure of something but trusted Sirius' judgement on it.
"I'll get Peter." Sirius walked to the next room where the fireplace was.
Lily closed the door behind him and whispered. "James, are you sure this is a good idea?"
"I trust Sirius. More then anyone else, except maybe you." James was certain.
"I trust you then," Lily said. She too had a plan forming in her brilliant mind, one that now would hopefully not come into use.
~*~
The Fidelius Charm had been successfully planted in the three Potters. Sirius was sleeping on their sofa, for extra security he told them. Really he just hated sleeping alone. The moon rose up in the dark sky. Lily thought about Remus. She never imagined she'd miss his company this much, but she did. He could help her with this spell she was working on. She looked over at her bed where her beautiful husband was sleeping. Then dipped her quill in parchment, writing.
October 24, 1981
The Mater Caritas spell is complete. I just have to wait until James is gone to perform it. I hate that I can't let him know about it, but he would never let me sacrifice myself for my son. And he wouldn't understand that it has to be me that does it, not him, not Sirius, me. I've written it all down here. Someone like Voldemort who only knows power from greed can never understand the power that comes from love.
She stopped and looked at the parchment that was next to her, explaining in detail, the spell. Then dipped her quill again and continued.
If James finds this, I want to tell him what he means to me. That he is my life. I never regret meeting him, or marrying him, or being in love with him. He gave me life and taught me more then just how to love, but how to be loved.
Harry, my dear son, I don't think you will ever understand the love of a parent, until you are one. But just know that I love you. I will always love you, forever.
Lily Potter
Lily stopped, whipped a tear from her eye and folded up the parchment. She placed it in her robes, hoping she would never need to give it to James. Then curled up next to him. His warm body comforting to her. His loud breaths soothing. She leaned her head on his chest and fell asleep.
~*~
It wasn't until two days later that Lily heard the news, the thing she'd least expected. Sirius and James sat at the kitchen table, whiter then she'd ever seen. Harry was playing with his breakfast of scrambled eggs. Lily's heart sank when she saw the two men.
"What happened?" She couldn't imagine. There were no Potters left to take. No Blacks. Her mind raced with people who were dead. Who was is now--Dumbledore, Remus, Arabella? It was killing her. She had to know. "Tell me!"
James stood up and helped her into a chair then kneeled down and put his hand on hers. "Your mother and father were taken by Voldemort…" He didn't get to finish. Lily's sobs filled the room.
He looked over at Sirius, not sure he should tell her what happened to them once they were taken. Sirius shook his head, now probably wasn't the time to tell her they were tortured and mutilated before being killed, all because Voldemort didn't believe that they didn't know where Lily and James were. He took Lily in his arms and held her. He didn't know what else to do. Now all her family was gone, all except her sister. And all his family was gone. Now it was just them.
October 31, 1981
Godric's Hollow seemed busy on this evening. The moon was full and there were children Trick-or- Treating down the street. Lily loved the sight. She didn't need to dress up on this night. She could openly be a witch, and nobody would think twice about it. It was too unfortunate that she couldn't be seen, though. She would have love to been involved in the apple bobbing or the fire ceremonies. She remembered all the things her and her sister used to do when they were young children on Halloween. She wished Harry could do them too. Still, she sat with her gaze out the window watching the children walk up and down the street, hoping she would be able to one day watch Harry do these same kinds of activities.
"You want to put Harry to bed?" James asked, carrying his son up to his room.
"No, you go, Love," Lily said, looked into the blue eyes of the man she loved. "I'll only be but a minute." She turned her gaze back outside, where she could hear children's parents calling them in. It was getting late, she guessed. She looked out the window one last time and noticed the street had emptied. That was sure fast, Lily thought. The clouds had covered the moon, so it looked particularly dark outside. She felt a shiver down her spine. She turned and went upstairs. Just as Lily reached the top of the stairs she was filled with the greatest fear of her life. A shrill laugh echoed through the house. Lily turned and looked over her shoulder and screamed as Lord Voldemort himself stared back at her. She ran to Harry's room, where James was running out, his wand raised.
"James!" She shouted, knowing if he went to battle against Voldemort, he would never make it out.
"Take Harry and go, I'll hold him off," He shouted back, reaching the top of the stairs and seeing him for the first time, Voldemort.
Lily ran into Harry's room, shut the door and grabbed her son, stroking his head. She knew now what she had to do. It was now or never. Her son's life depended on it. She pulled a vile of green potion out of her pocket. "Drink it, baby," she said pulling the top off and handing it to him. She watched as Harry looked at the green potion then drank it. He seemed to like it. He looked up at Lily as if to ask for more. She smiled. "I love you, Harry," She said as a horrible green light filled the house. She didn't need to wonder, she knew. James was dead. She heard footsteps up the stairs and held in her tears. She had to be strong; she had a charm to put on her son. She needed all her strength to do it. She focused on Harry, wholly and intently, until the door burst open and she was faced with the most evil wizard of her time.
"Step aside," he said, his voice high.
"Not Harry," Lily pleaded, knowing it was useless. What Voldemort couldn't see was Lily's wand, behind her back, spinning in her hand. She focused all her energy on her son, while trying to hold off Voldemort until it was complete.
"Stand aside, silly, girl." Came the cold chilling voice again.
"I'll do anything, not Harry," she said again, finally satisfied with her charm. She stood as tall as she could, blocked her son's crib and puffed out her chest. This was the last moment she would ever have alive. Only a second later a green flash filled the room. Lily Potter was dead.
Voldemort looked at her body on the floor. "Mudblood," he muttered walking past her and to the crib. He looked at Harry, who didn't seem scared at all. He looked right back at Voldemort. Voldemort raised his wand and shouted in triumph, "Avada Kedrava". Certain this would be the final obstacle in his quest for immortality. But he didn't count on what happened next. The little boy, sitting perfectly still, didn't wince. The spell hit him in the forehead and bounced off, hitting an astonished Lord Voldemort squarely in the chest. The scream that followed was horrendous and the body that the dark wizard had occupied had crumbled to the ground, just as the house itself was beginning to fall.
"It'll be alright now, Harry," Lily's voice echoed from some mysterious world. "Don't worry, Love. I'll always be with you." The voice seemed to calm Harry, who was now starting to feel scared from the events around him. A pleasant song filled the sky, a lullaby sung in his mother's voice,
"Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Lullaby and good night, thy mother's delight
Bright angels beside my darling abide
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast".
Harry took the yellow blanket that lay in the crib with him and clutched it, as his mother's voice rang in the air, there was a horrible shake in the earth and the house around him collapsed.
~*~
Sirius pressed the young witch he'd only recently met against the wall, kissing her madly. He tried to focus his thoughts on her smooth skin, her soft lips. On how he'd been so lonely for so many months and now he was going to have someone fill his bed once more. But his mind was nagging him. He released her lips and stood back.
"What is it?" She asked disappointed.
"Nothing," Sirius smiled to her. It would just take a second to check on Peter, he thought. He'd just stick his head in the fireplace and yell. He could do that, and then he could get back to, what was her name, Helen?
"I'll be back in just a second." He pulled away and stuck his head in the fireplace. "Peter," he called. There was no answer. He looked around. His sitting room was empty. Where was Peter? Without thinking twice about the girl waiting for him he hopped on his motorcycle and left his flat.
"Peter," Sirius said knocking on the door of the flat. "It's me. I'm checking up." Still there was no answer. "Peter?" Sirius called again. He started to feel panic. Looking around to make sure there were no Muggles, Sirius drew his wand pointed it to the lock and said, "Alohamora." The door flew open. Sirius looked around the small flat. "Peter!" He yelled, now getting even more scared. There was no sign of a struggle. It looked as if Peter had left on his own. But he wouldn't go anywhere without telling Sirius, would he? He was Lily and James Secret Keeper, he would tell Sirius if he was leaving. Unless… Sirius ran out the door. His first thought of James. He mounted his motorbike and took off, flying as fast as he could to Godric's Hollow. The bike only reminded him of one more person he didn't want to think of--Remus. Sirius had believed it was Remus who was passing information to Voldemort. Now Sirius could see how stupid that was. But now it was too late. Remus was gone. He only hoped Peter hadn't gotten to James and Lily before he could. He landed with a thud just outside the Muggle neighborhood, then rode as fast as he could down the street, hoping more then he had ever hoped that James and Harry would be there safe. As their house came into view Sirius' whole body went numb.
Above the house was the symbol every wizard and witch feared seeing, the Dark Mark. The whole house was in ruins. Sirius jumped off his bike before it had even stopped and ran to the rubble. His first glance down he saw James. The only scratches on him seemed to come from the rubble of the house. His blue eyes were still open. He didn't look dead. Maybe, Sirius hoped, he wasn't. Sirius knelt down and picked up the lifeless body.
"James," he said through tears. "Wake up." There was no movement. Nothing. It suddenly seemed like gravity had multiplied, and Sirius fell on top of James, unable to pull himself up. He knew this was his fault. He knew if he hadn't been so arrogant and listened to Remus this wouldn't have happened. He just wanted to die right there. Next to James. Now there was nobody. He lost his immediate family; he lost James and Harry. He pushed Remus away. He lay on top of James sobbing uncontrollably for minutes before he heard footsteps stop in front of him. He looked up through his teary eyes and made out an enormous figure. He couldn't tell who it was at first. The figure bent down to Sirius. He could now tell who it was, Hagrid. And he also noticed in Hagrid's arms were a bundle of blankets. Something was in them. When the bundle made a gurgle sound Sirius realized what it was. "Harry?" He asked.
Hagrid nodded.
"Lily?" was all Sirius could get himself to say.
"She didn't make it out. I reckon she tried to protect Lil Harry, and she got it too."
Sirius found some strength now. He stood up. "Can I have him?" Sirius asked, his arms outstretched. HaH Hagrid placed the bundle into Sirius' arms. Harry smiled and reached up for him. This was the first time Sirius realized how much Harry looked like James. They were almost identical. Sirius ran a finger down Harry's cheek and then circled the cut on his forehead. "Is this from…" Sirius couldn't finish.
"It's from a curse. How he survived it, I don't know." Hagrid said, now getting emotional at the site of Sirius holding the only remaining Potter.
"I'm his Godfather, I'll look after him," Sirius said.
"Dumbledore gave me strict instructions. I'm ter bring him ter his Aunt and Uncle in Surrey." Hagrid held out his arms for the baby.
"James wanted me to raise him, Hagrid. I'm his godfather." Sirius held on to Harry.
"I know it, but Dumbledore wants him with his Aunt."
Sirius looked at Hagrid, then remembered. They didn't tell Dumbledore that they switched Secret-Keepers. Dumbledore thinks this was Sirius' fault. Sirius lost hope again. He kissed Harry on the forehead and whispered, "I love you, Harry," then handed him back to Hagrid. There was no sense in arguing. Dumbledore believed him to be a betrayer. So Sirius had only one thing he could do. Track down Peter and kill him. Peter destroyed everything that Sirius loved, and now he would pay.
"Take my bike. I won't be needing it," Sirius turned and walked down the street, not turning back. He looked like a mad man heading toward his execution.
After walking for what seemed like hours. The sun had risen and the birds chirped. Sirius stopped on the street where Peter lived. The thoughts that swarmed through Sirius' head clouded his thoughts. He dwelled on Remus. His heart ached. He just wanted to find him and curl up in his arms and sob. But how would Remus ever want him back after the horrible treatment Sirius gave him? His life had taken an awful turn and now there as no way out of it except by death. Sirius would find Peter, kill him and then kill himself. There was nothing left for him anymore anyway. Sirius looked around the busy street. Muggles everywhere were bustling along, appearing to be heading to their jobs. Then Sirius saw Peter, walking toward him. Sirius straightened himself up and readied himself for what he had come to do. He pulled out his wand. But before he could do anything else Peter started screaming. "Sirius! James and Lily? How could you?"
Sirius was confused. What was he talking about? He started to reply but cut off when Peter stuck his wand behind his back and blew the whole street to pieces. Sirius heard screams but couldn't see through the dust. It brought back the terror of the attack at James and Lily's wedding. When the rubble cleared Peter was gone and there were a dozen bodies lying on the street. Sirius began to move toward them when Ministry wizards appeared and threw him against the wall. They bound his wrists and threw him into a Ministry vehicle. No doubt taking him to their offices where he could explain what happened. But he was wrong.
The vehicle landed outside a castle surrounded by water. It was dark. Darker then usual for this time of day, or for any time of day for that matter. Sirius had the impression the sun never rose there. Sirius had never been here before, but he knew where he was. Azkaban, the wizard prison. The Ministry official took Sirius out of the vehicle and handed him to a hooded figure. All the warmth in Sirius' body left him. He felt depressed and doomed, more so then he had before. He was almost so consumed with his morbid feelings that he didn't hear what the Ministry wizard had said. "He's in for life. High security."
In for life? Sirius thought. No trial? "But I'm innocent," Sirius said.
"We have eye witnesses that say you killed Pettigrew plus a sworn statement from Albus Dumbledore that you were the Potters Secret Keeper." The wizard turned and left, no doubt feeling the same feelings as Sirius, only he would get to leave the place. Sirius was here for life. He wished he were dead. The hooded Dementor took Sirius into the prison. Up two staircases and down three long hallways and into a room six feet by nine feet. The Dementor raised a crusty hand and locked the door. Sirius stared at the door and then noticed two more Dementors standing outside his door. They would be there night and day, he assumed. They would suck the happiness out of him. Sirius sat on the only bit of furniture in the room, a creaky small bed. He tried to think about something that would cheer him up. Harry, or Remus or anything. But he could only think about the terrible things he'd said to Remus or how he'd left Harry without putting up more of a fight. He had just destroyed everything in his life and he was going to be in prison until the day he died.
About to loose control from the sadness that was overcoming him he got up and looked out the six-inch gap in the wall. This was the only source of fresh air and his only view to the outside sky. He looked into the dark starry sky. The moon was out, even though it was still day. It was bright and full. He heard a wolf howl. "Moony," he whispered. Then collapsed onto his bed.
~*~
Remus,
I trust you've heard the news about the Potters. I offer my sincerest condolences.
However, I need you to keep in touch with me. Harry will be looked over and kept safe by Arabella who has agreed to live nearby the house of his Aunt where he will live. But if the time comes I need your assistance, I would hope you could offer it. It is no secret that you were chosen as well to be godparent. I may turn to you for such a task in the future. As for now Harry will be looked over and kept out of harms way.
Sincerely,
Alibis Dumbledore.
Remus looked over the note, then down at the Daily Prophet. He was starting to make sense of the night. But it still didn't add up. He knew how Sirius felt about James. He wouldn't turn on him. But then Sirius had turned in to another person after the death of his family. It was all confusing. The daily prophet article read:
Sirius Black sentenced to life in Azkaban
So obviously there was a trial. They wouldn't send an innocent man to Azkaban for life. Remus felt his heart ache. He had wanted to share a life with this man. This man who turned on his best friends. Who murdered his best friends. He had shared a bed with this man. He loved this man. He loves him still. Remus could now add guilt to his other feelings. Guilty that he could desperately love a murderer. Guilty that he still wanted to feel Sirius body on his.
Remus glanced into the glass ball. It was supposed to show him what he wanted to see. It was an object used mostly in Divination, but he found one in his mother's attic. He closed his eyes and thought of only one thing. A large castle on a rock up north somewhere. He had no idea where Azkaban was or what it even looked like, but his heart knew where he wanted to be and soon the glass was filled with an image. It was a dark image at first, hard to make out. Then it became clearer and clearer. As if he were flying on a broomstick the castle zoomed closer and close in the glass. It was dingy. It looked bitter cold. And outside stood at least 20 hooded Dementors. This was Azkaban. Remus' heart shook. Sirius was in this place? If Sirius was truly a murderer he deserved this then? But Remus wasn't so sure. He didn't know if it was his feelings toward Sirius or if he really believed nobody should be in a place like this.
The building kept getting closer until it zoomed in on a window. Not six inches wide and at least a foot deep in stone. It had two bars on it, as if anyone small enough to fit through the six inches would not be able to get through the bars. The image pushed still farther through the bars. And sitting on a dingy cot in a cell was a man so thin and pale he was almost unrecognizable. It had only been a few months, could this have had so much effect on Sirius already? Remus couldn't think about it. He tried to focus on the face. On the eyes. Sirius just sat, unmoving. He was mumbling something, though what Remus couldn't tell.
He knew he had to stop looking. He would go mad thinking about Sirius in this place. There was nothing he could do for Sirius. Remus had to move on. He had to never think about Sirius again. If only it were that easy.
END OF PART ONE