Harry
How are you? Hope things are going well at Hogwarts. I've only been gone two weeks and it feels like forever! Remus owled me yesterday and said that you were in training for the new Quidditch season. Good luck although God knows you don't need it!
I'm glad things are alright between you and Remus, it has made my absence a lot more comfortable knowing that the two of you are friends again. He has told me where to find some of Sonny's old letters and I thought you'd like it if we went through them together when I return.
The Lupin's are looking after me incredibly. They are wonderful people and have shown a great interest in you, you must come and meet them during your summer holidays.
I went back to my old house today, it was as I had feared. The place was burned down long ago, probably out of anti-Dark feeling, none of my old things remain (on that topic would you please ask Hagrid what happened to my motorbike?) I am going to look for a new home soon, hopefully it won't take to long, I do want you to come and live with me as soon as possible.
Tell Remus, Hermione and Ron that I am thinking of them and, as promised, I shall see you at Christmas.
Love
Padfoot
Sirius folded the piece of parchment and placed it in his pocket reminding himself that he should buy an owl whilst in town.
In the two weeks he had stayed with the Lupin's they had treated him like their own son but now it was time he got back on his own two feet. The first week of his freedom had been lost to sleep, not once in almost fifteen years had he slept so soundly. The warm duvet, the soft pillows, it was like arriving in heaven. It was, Sirius discovered, the small things that he had missed most of all – hot running water, the feel of wooly carpet beneath his toes, everything he had once taken for granted. The first time he had stepped into the Lupin's shower he had laughed so hard that Mrs. Lupin thought that he was suffering from giddiness.
Looking around the small cramped room Sirius couldn't help but notice how little had changed. This had been Remus's room for the past 38 years and since the day of his birth barely a thing in the room had been changed. The room had once been an attic as proven by the sharp, sloping ceiling and the lack of windows. A tattered, single bed lay in one corner of the room, it's dark blue sheets worn and frayed. A shabby wardrobe and suspiciously wonky desk were the only furnishings in the room. Narrowly wedged into the point of the rooms slope was a bookshelf, crammed to the point of bending with various Photography and Dark- Arts books that Remus had saved for over the years.
It saddened Sirius to think that the Lupin's were so poor. Staring at the torn carpet he wished that there was some way he could repay them for the last two weeks. He had, of course, offered but they would not accept money or help. As far as they were concerned a friend of Remus's was as good as flesh and blood.
Sirius ran a finger across the dusty volumes on the bookshelf, they were the only items in the room that had not been there on his first visit some twenty five years ago.
He remembered that first visit well. It was the first summer the Marauders had spent together and they had spent all year planning what they would do for the holidays. It had been agreed that they would spend a weekend at each others houses, except for Peter's as his father would not permit visitors. Remus had been a little awkward at first and said that he didn't think it was a good idea but the friends could see the real reason why, he was embarrassed. Remus had always been uncomfortable with the fact he was poor but in total honesty it never crossed his friend's minds. He never said that it bothered him but they had all grown so close in that one year they could read each other like a book, maybe with the exception of Peter who was a lot more distant.
That first visit to the Lupin house had been fantastic. Old Mr. Lupin had shown the boys around his farm and told them all sorts of stories about the local land and it's history, things their own parents just wouldn't know. After they had each had a go on the tractor Mrs Lupin brought them out glasses of cold lemonade topped with a healthy scoop of homemade ice-cream. They sunbathed lazily in the yard, constantly being pecked by the resident chickens, until tea-time.
Sirius looked down on to the chicken yard and realised just how long ago that was, it all seemed like yesterday, he could see James and Remus lying there right now if he tried hard enough.
It was just after two o clock when Mrs Lupin knocked on the door.
'Sirius dear' she called through the door. 'Can I come in and do the dustin'?'
'Yes Mrs Lupin' he answered.
The elderly lady emerged from behind the door looking very pink and flustered. She wore a deep purple apron and a matching headscarf pulled back her wispy grey hair, in her hand she held a fluffy, feather duster.
'Now I've told yer, call me Patty or Pietas on Sunday's' she trilled 'Mrs Lupin, you'd think I wa' yer boss!'
Sirius smiled at his friends mother 'Sorry, Patty'
'That's better now Laboro, or yer probably call him Mr Lupin,' she mocked 'tells me you're off to see yer mum and dad '
'Yes' Sirius said solemnly 'First time in nearly fifteen years'
'Ahh, don't worry pet, Remus told me they' been well looked after. He visited them himsel' a few times.'
Something about that shocked Sirius. For the past fifteen years Remus had thought him to be a dangerous criminal, a murderer, yet he had still gone to visit the Black's. But then ,why should that surprise him, Remus had always been the kindest man he had ever known.
It was a cold, windy autumnal day outside. Sirius pulled his robes tightly against his body in a vain attempt to keep warm. The northern area in which the Lupin's lived was prone to high winds and had been for some time judging by the heavy structure of the old farmhouse. Looking at the amount of land the Lupin's owned it was difficult to believe that they were poor, although as Mr Lupin pointed out farming was a poor industry. To the right of the house lay a small, sandstone tractor shed in which Laboro Lupin stored his machinery. To the other side of the house stood a bulky willow tree, strong and unfazed by the vicious wind. Several of Mrs Lupin's shrubs were being tossed unceremoniously by the weather. Sirius made his way up the gravelly passage that lead through the farmers fields and out onto the public roads.
As he passed the furthest of the Lupin's four fields Sirius noticed old Mr. Lupin was out milking the cows.
'Hello there kid!' Mr Lupin called out to Sirius as he neared the younger man. 'Off out?'
'Yes' Sirius replied as the old farmer stopped in front of him. 'Going to see mum and dad'
'Good thing' the farmer replied 'Make your peace'
Mr Lupin set off back across the field towards his magical- cow-milking-machine. Sirius was constantly amazed by the man's energy. For someone so old and frail it was unbelievable the amount of tasks he could still carry out with only the aid of two farm-hands. Sirius had offered to lend a hand many times but his help had always been rejected.
Carrying on his path Sirius decided that he would cut through Brisktown where he could buy an owl. The only other shopping village in the vicinity was Little Hangleton and since Voldemort's resurrection few wizards dared go near the place, as a consequence many of the shops had been forced to close. The further Sirius walked he found the colder it grew, the wind was so harsh that it made his eyes sting.
Brisktown was only a very small shopping village, directly north of Lupin Farm. Straight away Sirius spotted the shop he was looking for 'Haphilla's Pet Store'. He was thankful when he finally got inside, out of the cold. The shop itself was nowhere near as big as the one in Diagon Alley but it would have to suffice. He walked to the top corner of the store where a cage-full of bored-looking owls sat hooting and pecking at each other out of lack of anything else to do. They were all brown barn owls, but for one which was jet black. It seemed the obvious choice.
Sirius walked over to the deserted counter and rang the small ornate bell for assistance. In a matter of minutes a little, old witch appeared from the stock room behind the counter.
She smiled broadly as she asked 'How may I help you.?'
'Id like that..'
But Sirius was cut short when the old lady began to scream.
'Fred! Fred! Help! Sirius Black, Fred!'
An elderly man came rushing into the shop.
'What's all the fuss about?' he asked his wife irritably.
'It's Sirius Black!' Fear spread across the woman's face as she clutched her husbands arm.
'Martha dear.' The old man laughed 'He's innocent love, he's been freed. Don't yer read yon newspaper?'
'I'm sorry sir' the old man apologised 'What can I do for yer?'
'I.. I just wanted.' Sirius stuttered his face growing scarlet. 'I ...er .....black owl.' Tears filled up in the young man's eyes as he tried to hide his embarrassment.
'Certainly' The old man smiled, sensing his customers sadness. 'Please tak' no notice o' her.'
The man went on to help Sirius pick a cage for the owl and offered him a discount as way of an apology.
Feeling slightly downcast Sirius left the shop, glad at least that the wind had dropped.
How could he have been so stupid? How could he expect people to just abandon fifteen years of belief? As if it could have been that easy. For the last decade and a half wizards everywhere had thought that Sirius Black was a cold-blooded, evil man. Now he had to prove them wrong.
That would have to wait for the moment though because now he had to face his parents.
What would he say? How would he explain? All that he could do was tell them how much he loved them, how much he missed them and hope and pray for their understanding.
Sirius had waited for this day, had longed to be in the presence of his beloved parents.
Why had he stayed away for so long? Of course they'd understand.
It wasn't long until he reached the heavy wooden door. Quickly thinking he drew out his wand
'Florio' he uttered.
A thin pink trail of smoke flew out of the tip of the wand, followed by a large bouquet of pink blooms.
'Mum's favorite' he though as he pushed the door open.
There was no one in. Sirius looked around thinking that Michael must be somewhere in the shadows, but the room was completely empty. Walking quietly across the floor he made his way out of the back door.
There they were. Both together.
'Mum, Dad.' Sirius smiled sitting down on the grass beside them. He lay the flowers down carefully.
'I've missed you' he sobbed quietly, tracing the letters with his fingers.
Demetris Black 1937-1979
Latia Black 1938-1979
Loved in life
United in death