Disclaimer - You know the drill. You don't seriously think I created Harry Potter, do you? Give me a break, I'm not that smart. No, these characters are the sole property of J. Rowling and a number of publishing companies.
ANOTHER WORD FOR YOU
Sirius passed the next few days in a kind of stupor. He didn't eat or sleep, but was only vaguely aware of what was going on around him. He thought Dumbledore came to visit a few times, but Sirius didn't speak to him. All he could think of was Remus.
My best friend, he thought painfully one morning as he drifted in and out of consciousness. My best friend in the world, and he's gone. I should have been there. I should have known something would happen…he's got used to having me around during his transformations. That's probably why he hurt himself this time. He was alone, and it overwhelmed him.
Suddenly Sirius felt a pinching sensation in his arm. The blurred lines that made up his world were pulled painfully into a sharp focus, and the ache in his heart intensified. He moaned with the pain of it as he tried to return to the mild obscurity he was being forced out of. As his vision cleared, he saw the face of Albus Dumbledore looming above him. Sirius squeezed his eyes closed, hoping the man would just go away.
"Sirius," Dumbledore said gently.
"No."
"Sirius, I need to speak with you."
Sirius ignored him.
"Sirius," Dumbledore's voice was firm now. "It's been four days."
Had it? Sirius was surprised.
"What's the last thing you remember, Sirius?"
Finally Sirius spoke, his voice hoarse. "The letter…"
Dumbledore sighed. "I've owled the Lupins to express my regret. I told them you were unwell…I think they understood how close you were to Remus."
"No."
"No?"
Sirius' face remained impassive. "No, they didn't understand." He rolled away from Dumbledore. "You don't understand."
"Sirius, you need to eat," Dumbledore said firmly. "I'm having some lunch sent up for you from the kitchens, and Madam Pomfrey will be checking whether you finish it or not. Eat it all, Sirius."
"Don't wanna." Sirius knew he was acting like a child, but right now he felt like a child. He was hurting and wanted to be sheltered.
Dumbledore gave him a knowing look and left.
Sirius curled up in bed, trembling. How could Remus be dead? It didn't make sense. He couldn't be Padfoot without his Moony.
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James Potter was sitting in his room flipping through "Quidditch Through The Ages," a Christmas gift from Peter, when he heard his mother call from downstairs. "James! Mail!"
"Who's it from?" James demanded. He'd been expecting his great-grandmother's yearly Christmas card for a while now, and he wasn't going to run off downstairs for whatever cheap magic she'd cooked up this year.
"Your friend Remus Lupin!"
James tossed the book aside and raced downstairs. Remus' Christmas cards were always great fun. Last year's had transformed into a miniature stag and paraded around the table singing a song about werewolves. James had found it hilarious, for reasons his mother had been at a loss to understand.
He snatched the letter off the table, excited to see what his friend had come up with. Inside he found a plain white piece of parchment, with a short message.
--James,
Does your father ever come home drunk? I don't know what's normal family behavior. Because sometimes my father comes home drunk, and he yells and stuff. But the rest of the time he's a really nice guy. Don't owl me back here, you'll have to find another way to contact me, or else we'll talk back at school.
Happy holidays,
Rem--
James considered. His parents didn't drink, so he had never seen his father drunk. But they did yell, that sounded pretty normal. Remus just wasn't used to having parents who cared enough to yell, James decided.
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Christmas Day dawned bright in the Lupin household. Remus was up with the sun, the scent of cinnamon twists wafting into his bedroom. He kicked off the covers and ran into the kitchen, skidding on the hardwood floor.
Cyrilia was laughing as Raymond tickled her. "Stop it, Ray!" she squealed, dodging away and whacking at his wrist with the spatula in her hand. "I'm making breakfast here."
"Hey, Remus!" Raymond had noticed the boy. "Want a cinnamon twist?" He snuck one away from his wife and tossed it to his son. Remus snagged it out of the air and bit in. It was warm and delicious. Remus grinned.
"Presents!" Cyrilia announced, indicating the living room. Remus spun around and saw a small pile of presents on each chair. Remus giggled and pounced on his. His parents had given him a host of wonderful gifts; he had a copy of "A Practical Guide to the Dark Arts," a new set of robes, a wizard-chess set made of crystal, and even a Comet Two-Thirty broomstick. It was top of the line, and Remus was stunned
Remus handed his parents the gift he had chosen, a photo album filled with pictures from his childhood. They were amazed and pleased at the selection.
"What's going on here?" Raymond asked, pointing out one of the pictures. Remus took the album and looked at it. The photo showed two young boys, grinning and waving.
Remus smiled at the memory. "That's me and Sirius. You remember him, he's my best friend. We had our friend James take this picture during our first week at school.
Raymond smiled. "I'm glad you had such good friends, son."
The rest of the morning was spent laughing and talking about Remus' photos. Later, as Remus was drying the dinner dishes as a surprise for his mother, the family owl flew in through the window.
The letter was from Dumbledore, and Remus had already torn it open before he realized it wasn't addressed to him but to his father. He shrugged and decided to read it anyway.
--Mr. Raymond Lupin,
We were most distressed to receive your letter. Young Mr. Black has taken it especially hard; he has been on observation in the hospital wing for the past three days. We have not yet been able to get a coherent statement from him, but it is obvious he is in a great deal of pain. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for your family during this difficult time.
Albus Dumbledore--
Remus struggled to understand. Sirius was sick? What was wrong with his family? And why had none of this been addressed to him? Didn't anyone think to tell Remus his best friend was sick? Would he be okay?
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud crash and a cry. Remus raced into the living room.
Cyrilia was huddled in a corner, shivering. Raymond was clearly drunk; he was stumbling and appeared to have knocked over a lamp. A thrill of fear raced through Remus and he stuffed the letter into his shirt.
He wasn't quick enough. Raymond had seen. "What you got, boy?" the man asked, slurring.
"Nothing," Remus lied.
Raymond picked up a vase and flung it at Remus, who ducked just in time. The vase smashed on the wall behind him. Remus turned and fled to his room, wedging a chair up against the door. He heard Raymond bang on the door, but he did not respond, and eventually the banging stopped and he heard the man walk away.
Remus took out two pieces of parchment, scratched out two quick letters, and leaned out the window. He softly whistled, and the post owl came swooping in. Remus tied the letters to the owl's leg, and the bird stretched its wings and took off into the night.
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The tawny owl swooped into the hospital wing in the middle of the night, and Sirius jerked awake. What the hell was an owl doing here?
The bird deposited a letter in Sirius' lap. He opened it and was halfway through the message before he realized who it was from. He skipped down to read the signature and, heart racing, reread the entire letter.
--Sirius,
I've had a letter from Dumbledore…well, it was written to my father, really, but it says you're sick. What's happened? Are you all right? You can't owl me here, but tell James and he'll get me the message. At least I think he will, I've asked him to try to figure out a way. Do you know why the letter wasn't sent to me directly? Tell me what's going on, I'm worried.
Love, Rem--
Sirius stared. Remus was alive? What the hell was going on?
A/N - The sections of the story don't take place in order. If you couldn't figure it out, the part with James happens at the same approximate time as the second part with Sirius - more specifically, both boys receive their letters AFTER Remus writes them.
ANOTHER WORD FOR YOU
Sirius passed the next few days in a kind of stupor. He didn't eat or sleep, but was only vaguely aware of what was going on around him. He thought Dumbledore came to visit a few times, but Sirius didn't speak to him. All he could think of was Remus.
My best friend, he thought painfully one morning as he drifted in and out of consciousness. My best friend in the world, and he's gone. I should have been there. I should have known something would happen…he's got used to having me around during his transformations. That's probably why he hurt himself this time. He was alone, and it overwhelmed him.
Suddenly Sirius felt a pinching sensation in his arm. The blurred lines that made up his world were pulled painfully into a sharp focus, and the ache in his heart intensified. He moaned with the pain of it as he tried to return to the mild obscurity he was being forced out of. As his vision cleared, he saw the face of Albus Dumbledore looming above him. Sirius squeezed his eyes closed, hoping the man would just go away.
"Sirius," Dumbledore said gently.
"No."
"Sirius, I need to speak with you."
Sirius ignored him.
"Sirius," Dumbledore's voice was firm now. "It's been four days."
Had it? Sirius was surprised.
"What's the last thing you remember, Sirius?"
Finally Sirius spoke, his voice hoarse. "The letter…"
Dumbledore sighed. "I've owled the Lupins to express my regret. I told them you were unwell…I think they understood how close you were to Remus."
"No."
"No?"
Sirius' face remained impassive. "No, they didn't understand." He rolled away from Dumbledore. "You don't understand."
"Sirius, you need to eat," Dumbledore said firmly. "I'm having some lunch sent up for you from the kitchens, and Madam Pomfrey will be checking whether you finish it or not. Eat it all, Sirius."
"Don't wanna." Sirius knew he was acting like a child, but right now he felt like a child. He was hurting and wanted to be sheltered.
Dumbledore gave him a knowing look and left.
Sirius curled up in bed, trembling. How could Remus be dead? It didn't make sense. He couldn't be Padfoot without his Moony.
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James Potter was sitting in his room flipping through "Quidditch Through The Ages," a Christmas gift from Peter, when he heard his mother call from downstairs. "James! Mail!"
"Who's it from?" James demanded. He'd been expecting his great-grandmother's yearly Christmas card for a while now, and he wasn't going to run off downstairs for whatever cheap magic she'd cooked up this year.
"Your friend Remus Lupin!"
James tossed the book aside and raced downstairs. Remus' Christmas cards were always great fun. Last year's had transformed into a miniature stag and paraded around the table singing a song about werewolves. James had found it hilarious, for reasons his mother had been at a loss to understand.
He snatched the letter off the table, excited to see what his friend had come up with. Inside he found a plain white piece of parchment, with a short message.
--James,
Does your father ever come home drunk? I don't know what's normal family behavior. Because sometimes my father comes home drunk, and he yells and stuff. But the rest of the time he's a really nice guy. Don't owl me back here, you'll have to find another way to contact me, or else we'll talk back at school.
Happy holidays,
Rem--
James considered. His parents didn't drink, so he had never seen his father drunk. But they did yell, that sounded pretty normal. Remus just wasn't used to having parents who cared enough to yell, James decided.
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Christmas Day dawned bright in the Lupin household. Remus was up with the sun, the scent of cinnamon twists wafting into his bedroom. He kicked off the covers and ran into the kitchen, skidding on the hardwood floor.
Cyrilia was laughing as Raymond tickled her. "Stop it, Ray!" she squealed, dodging away and whacking at his wrist with the spatula in her hand. "I'm making breakfast here."
"Hey, Remus!" Raymond had noticed the boy. "Want a cinnamon twist?" He snuck one away from his wife and tossed it to his son. Remus snagged it out of the air and bit in. It was warm and delicious. Remus grinned.
"Presents!" Cyrilia announced, indicating the living room. Remus spun around and saw a small pile of presents on each chair. Remus giggled and pounced on his. His parents had given him a host of wonderful gifts; he had a copy of "A Practical Guide to the Dark Arts," a new set of robes, a wizard-chess set made of crystal, and even a Comet Two-Thirty broomstick. It was top of the line, and Remus was stunned
Remus handed his parents the gift he had chosen, a photo album filled with pictures from his childhood. They were amazed and pleased at the selection.
"What's going on here?" Raymond asked, pointing out one of the pictures. Remus took the album and looked at it. The photo showed two young boys, grinning and waving.
Remus smiled at the memory. "That's me and Sirius. You remember him, he's my best friend. We had our friend James take this picture during our first week at school.
Raymond smiled. "I'm glad you had such good friends, son."
The rest of the morning was spent laughing and talking about Remus' photos. Later, as Remus was drying the dinner dishes as a surprise for his mother, the family owl flew in through the window.
The letter was from Dumbledore, and Remus had already torn it open before he realized it wasn't addressed to him but to his father. He shrugged and decided to read it anyway.
--Mr. Raymond Lupin,
We were most distressed to receive your letter. Young Mr. Black has taken it especially hard; he has been on observation in the hospital wing for the past three days. We have not yet been able to get a coherent statement from him, but it is obvious he is in a great deal of pain. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for your family during this difficult time.
Albus Dumbledore--
Remus struggled to understand. Sirius was sick? What was wrong with his family? And why had none of this been addressed to him? Didn't anyone think to tell Remus his best friend was sick? Would he be okay?
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud crash and a cry. Remus raced into the living room.
Cyrilia was huddled in a corner, shivering. Raymond was clearly drunk; he was stumbling and appeared to have knocked over a lamp. A thrill of fear raced through Remus and he stuffed the letter into his shirt.
He wasn't quick enough. Raymond had seen. "What you got, boy?" the man asked, slurring.
"Nothing," Remus lied.
Raymond picked up a vase and flung it at Remus, who ducked just in time. The vase smashed on the wall behind him. Remus turned and fled to his room, wedging a chair up against the door. He heard Raymond bang on the door, but he did not respond, and eventually the banging stopped and he heard the man walk away.
Remus took out two pieces of parchment, scratched out two quick letters, and leaned out the window. He softly whistled, and the post owl came swooping in. Remus tied the letters to the owl's leg, and the bird stretched its wings and took off into the night.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The tawny owl swooped into the hospital wing in the middle of the night, and Sirius jerked awake. What the hell was an owl doing here?
The bird deposited a letter in Sirius' lap. He opened it and was halfway through the message before he realized who it was from. He skipped down to read the signature and, heart racing, reread the entire letter.
--Sirius,
I've had a letter from Dumbledore…well, it was written to my father, really, but it says you're sick. What's happened? Are you all right? You can't owl me here, but tell James and he'll get me the message. At least I think he will, I've asked him to try to figure out a way. Do you know why the letter wasn't sent to me directly? Tell me what's going on, I'm worried.
Love, Rem--
Sirius stared. Remus was alive? What the hell was going on?
A/N - The sections of the story don't take place in order. If you couldn't figure it out, the part with James happens at the same approximate time as the second part with Sirius - more specifically, both boys receive their letters AFTER Remus writes them.