The quote above this chapter is from a song of the Dutch rockband Within Temptation. The song is called "Our Farewell". The full lyrics will be given later...

November 2, 1981.

"Never thought this day would come so soon

We had no time to say goodbye."

Remus covered his face in his hands, his fingertips touching the lids of his closed eyes. As a child, he always thought the world disappeared every time he shut his eyes. If only… With all his might, he wished he could make the world disappear, that he could change the headlines of the various papers spread on the ground. He wished… but knew that it wouldn't happen. He knew that things couldn't be changed.

He removed his hands and opened his eyes, facing reality.

"You-Know-Who strikes again!"

"Murder in Godric´s Hollow!"

"James Potter and wife killed!"

And finally, that amazing one, that couldn't be true, the one that proved that miracles did happen, once in a century: "You-Know-Who killed by youngest Potter!"

He bowed down and picked up the Daily Prophet.

"When You-Know-Who arrived in Godric´s Hollow two nights ago, he was prepared for what He thought was going to happen: the murder of three innocent people. But He couldn't know things were going to turn out differently…

James and Lily Potter lived quietly with their son Harry in Godric´s Hollow. You-Know-Who, determined to kill all of the Potters, had planned their deaths. When He arrived at their home, he killed James and Lily without remorse. But when He pointed his wand at little Harry – one year and three months of age – to kill him, Harry struck back. Nobody knows what happened exactly, but it is suspected that Harry used a very own sort of magic to kill the Dark Lord, He Who Must Not Be Named. Amazingly, the boy himself only got a cut in his forehead, which will leave an extraordinary lightning-bolt shaped scar.

A few hours after the horrible and tragic events, Harry was taken from his home by members of the Ministry of Mystery (or perhaps Albus Dumbledore himself?) and taken to an unknown place, probably to his relatives, until he is old enough to start his education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The wizard world owes much to this boy, this orphan, The Boy Who Lived!"

The article had a photo next to it, on which the ruins of the Potter's home could be seen.

Remus saw the picture, saw the smoke still coming from the ruins, but it never really sunk in. It all seemed like some kind of weird, horrible joke, a dream perhaps. Next moment he would wake up and realise it wasn't real. But there would never be a 'next moment when he would wake up', and he knew that.

Someone entered the room. Romulus. Without looking up, Remus asked: "have you heard anything from Sirius yet?" He had send him an owl a few hours ago.

Romulus said nothing for a few moments, then he threw two new papers on the floor. The headlines immediately caught Remus' sight.

"Massacre among Muggles!"

And that other one, as horrible as the news about Harry had been wonderful: "Potters betrayed by 'best friend'; Sirius Black brutally kills twelve Muggles and a wizard."

~*~

"Tragic, absolutely tragic…"

Unbelievable, their best friend!"

"You knew them, didn't you? Was he…" The anxious voice paused for a moment, "different? Black, I mean." Remus' mother answered softly, denying.

Remus rested his head against the wall, his eyes closed, absentmindedly stroking the cat on his lap. He listened to the talking people below, neighbours and family, cheerfully celebrating the defeat of Voldemort, and discussing the murder of the Potters. Remus disgusted them.

Listen to them. Hungry for sensation. Delighted with the tragedy, as long as it didn't hit them. They had no idea… His thoughts spun in his head. Oh, if only they would die… just vanish… disappear… die, please die… be gone… gone… A weak smile appeared on his tear streaked face, and his fingers unconsciously dug into the animal's fur. Was he going insane? He hoped so. Oh yes, he hoped so…

Listen, now it appears they're drinking, toasting to this occasion. Toasting! To The Boy Who Lived! The boy without parents! The boy who's Godfather made him an orphan! Yes, toast to him! I hope Sirius is toasting too… with poison…

He stretched out his hand for the paper clipping next to him on the floor. The black and white photo was moving, showing a destroyed street, and a smaller insert showed a black-haired young man being led away by wizards from the Ministry.

Sirius.

Remus' vision became blurred with tears again. Sirius, how long have you known? Did you know last summer that James, Lily and Harry would be killed? Did you know at the funeral of James's parents? Do you know what the last thing was that James said to me? 'We will live, trust me.' I should never have trusted you, Sirius. Never…

He wiped away the tears in his eyes and started reading the article that he had already memorised.

"POTTERS BETRAYED BY 'BEST FRIEND': SIRIUS BLACK KILLS TWELVE MUGGLES AND A WIZARD.

'A friend in need is a friend indeed.' But you better hope that friend is not named Sirius Black…

Sirius Black had been James Potter's livelong friend. They attended Hogwarts together, where they were 'almost inseparable', as an former schoolmate calls it. Black was best man on James Potter's wedding, and named Godfather to Harry. But it turned out that Black was not as friendly and innocent as he seemed; Black was the kingpin in the events of the past October 31…

It turned out that Black betrayed the Potters to He Who Must Not Be Named. The Dark Lord went to Godric´s Hollow on Black's information, only to meet his downfall. When You-Know-Who was killed by young Harry Potter, Black, now without his master to protect him, fled, but was soon tracked down by Ministry wizards. The cornered Black blew up an entire street before they were able to capture him. Not only twelve Muggles died that moment, but also a wizard, Peter Pettigrew. To make things worse, Pettigrew was also an old friend of Black's. The murderous madman had no hesitation to end the lives of two of his best friends, and destroy the childhood of his Godson. To their horror, the Ministry wizards found Black laughing insanely, what was left of Pettigrew at his feet.

Black was taken to Azkaban immediately, by order of Bartolomeus Crouch. James and Lily Potter and Peter Pettigrew, as well as those unfortunate Muggles, can't be brought back to live with this, but hopefully their families will find some satisfaction."

Satisfaction…Remus thought. Only in death, Sirius. Only in death…

~*~

Darkness fell, and the house got quiet. Remus was still sitting on the floor, ignoring his painful legs and his dry throat. The silvery cat – he had named him Silver, fitting for the animal, but strange for a cat owned by a werewolf – had left him some time ago, in search for food. He was alone. Again.

Footsteps on the stairs told him someone was coming. He opened his eyes to see who it was, when Mrs Lupin slowly opened the door.

"Hello," she said. "How are you doing?"

He did not reply, refusing to answer obvious questions. He saw her looking around the room. It was a bit ironical that he had sought shelter in the room that kept him away from humans once a month. Like it probably would tomorrow.

"Have you… read the papers?" his mother tried again. He swallowed, but remained silent. He knew that she meant well, but… it didn't come out as well as it should.

"I got a letter for you," she announced. "Dumbledore asks you to come to… to the funeral."

"You've been reading my letter," he said calmly. It wasn't an accusation, merely an observation. He was indifferent to it.

"Yes, I have," she confessed, after a few silent moments. "I am sorry." He shrugged.

"It's okay. Forget about it. It's over."

"What?" she said confused.

"It's over. I'm going. After the funeral, I'm gone. I'm moving out."