Disclaimer: Not mine....

Chapter One: Into Life

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge, that myth is more potent that history. I believe that dreams are more powerful than facts - that hope always triumphs over experience - that laughter is the only cure for grief.
And I believe that love is stronger than death."

-The Crow

There was a sharp, blinding white light prickling at his eyelids and quickly warming his icy skin. He rolled over onto his stomach, the gravel underneath imprinting a harsh pattern into his skin.

"Hey, mate, are you alright?"

He reluctantly opened his eyes. He was lying in a small alley that was lined with graffiti and rubbish. Peering in from the main road was a teenage boy with mousy brown hair and a curious look on his face. He slowly stood, his bones creaking and shaking under his weight.

"Yeah, thanks, I'm alright." He looked down at his dusty robes. "Had a big night last night," Sirius lied quickly. "Fancy dress party, you know how it is."

The boy nodded doubtfully and turned to go.

"Hey! Wait!" Sirius called on strange impulse. "What day is it?"

"Mate, you really must've had a big night last night. It's Wednesday the 22nd."

What? Sirius thought to himself. The 22nd? But that would mean... "Ah... At the risk of sounding really hungover, er, what month?"

The boy, understandably, gave him a weird look. "February. Seeya mate." He jogged off.

"February?" Sirius choked out. "That... that would mean... "

Shaking his head, he walked dazedly to the main road that was bustling with people and cars. The beeping horns of the traffic and the hustle and bustle of London's inner city pounded against his ears, and the sun's harsh rays dazzled him. As the biting cold snapped against his skin he pulled his thin, worn robes tighter around him and headed out into the throng of the fast-moving, city crowd. After a quick look around he recognised that he was in Camden Town and made the short walk to Grimmauld Place.

Thirty minutes later, Sirius found himself outside his old family house. Taking a deep breath in, he knocked three times. After a few minutes with no reaction he rang the doorbell, cringing with anticipation of the screams from his mothers portrait that were bound to come. His brow furrowed in confusion when no shrieks reached his ears, but he was saved from pondering over it when the door swung open, revealing a weary, ashen faced Remus Lupin.

He gaped at Sirius for a moment, then, quick as a flash, his wand was out and pointing at Sirius' heart. "Who are you and what are you doing?" he snarled.

Sirius hastily put his hands in the air. "Moony, it's me! Sirius! I dunno what happened, I just woke up in the middle of London, you have to believe me!"

"Sirius Black died nine months ago."

"No, I didn't. I dunno what happened. But I can give you proof. I'm an Animagus, I can turn into a dog. Harry calls me Snuffles and used to ride around on my back when he was a baby. Um... in our third year we turned Snape's robes bright pink and made his hair blonde and curly. Harry's first word was "Paddy" and James almost punched me in the nose when he said it. I used to call Lily "Red" and one day she got so pissed at me when I said it that she turned my ears into mushrooms and wouldn't turn them back for days. You always crave Chinese food after full moons, especially Mongolian Lamb. Your secret ambition is to become a writer. You love the smell of that Muggle stuff... petrol. You're obsessed with chocolate and when you wake up you have to have a hot chocolate with two sugars and just the right amount of cream otherwise you can't function properly. Is that enough?"

The wand lowered. Remus' eyes were sparkling. "Is it really you, Sirius?" he rasped unbelievingly.

Sirius nodded, tears clouding his vision. Before he could say anything Remus engulfed him in a hug so desperately tight he was sure that one of his ribs would crack. After a few minutes Remus drew away.

"Come in." He pulled Sirius into the room by his wrist. "We thought you were dead," he whispered into the deadly quiet room.

"So did I."

"What happened?"

"I don't know, Moony. It was terrifying. I was floating in all this darkness for so long." His voice caught in his throat. "Then Lily came."

"Lily?" Remus asked, his voice hoarse.

Sirius nodded. "She looked so beautiful. She brought me back."

They came to the kitchen and Remus pulled the door open. There was a loud CRASH as Tonks dropped the bowl she was carrying. "Sirius?" she half-shrieked, half-whispered.

Remus nodded. "It's him."

She leapt over the table and crashed into Sirius, giving him a fierce hug. "Oh my God!" she sobbed. "We thought you were dead! We were so torn, and Harry was devastated!"

"Harry?" Sirius choked, looking over Tonks' head to Remus. The other man nodded. "I'll Floo Dumbledore right away." He came over to Sirius, placing a hand on his shoulder as Tonks broke away. "Go upstairs; to your old room. Anna's asleep up there."

Sirius nodded, and after giving Remus and Tonks one last hug he headed up the stairs. He paused for a moment outside the door, and then with a small nod of encouragement to himself, pushed it open.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Anna lay on her side, her body curled and a pillow clutched tightly to her chest. She was thinner than what Sirius remembered, her face paler, her eyes sunken and her lips chapped. She looked tired and sad. It broke Sirius's heart.

He moved over the bed and sat beside her, letting his hand run down her long, wavy hair. He gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. She stirred.

Her pale eyes opened and searched around the room, widening slightly as they came to rest on him. She gave him a small smile and blinked wearily. Lying against the pillows, her hand came up to touch his face, stopping only inches before it. She let it drop to her side.

"I'm dreaming."

He took her hand in his and shook his head. "No you're not. I'm real."

She shook her head, sighing and taking her hand from his to cover her face. "Don't do this to me, Sirius," she whispered desperately. "It just hurts more when I wake up."

Sirius bent down slowly and kissed Anna on the lips. "I'm here, Anna, you're not dreaming."

She gasped, holding a hand to her lips, running her fingers over them. Tears prickled in her eyes. "You're real," she murmured, gazing up at him.

He nodded, and in an instant she was in his arms, her hands running over his face as if to memorize every bump and hollow. She wept quietly into his chest and he whispered softly into her hair

"It's okay Anna, I'm here now. I love you so much. I'll never leave you again, I promise."

She broke away, wiping her eyes with her hand, a sweet smile coming to her face. "You'd better not."

There was a soft knock on the door and Remus' head popped in. "Harry's here."

Sirius and Anna nodded, joining Remus downstairs. All the breath was knocked out of him the minute he entered the room as his godson catapulted into him, holding on to him as if he would never let go.

Sirius was touched to see tears streaming freely down the boy's face. He returned the fierce hug. "I'm so sorry Harry. I love you, you know that, right?"

Harry nodded against his chest. "I love you too, Sirius." Sirius, crying now as well, thought his heart might break with joy.

Looking over Harry's shoulder, Sirius saw Anna and Tonks embracing tightly and a serene looking Dumbledore walking towards him. Harry stepped back, allowing the elderly man to embrace Sirius like a son. "Good to see you, Sirius."

Sirius nodded, wiping a tear from his cheek with his knuckles. "Thankyou, Sir."

Sirius was somewhat surprised to see Snape walking towards him next. He was pleased to see that Snape looked quite distraught. "Welcome back, Black," he said, extending his hand to Sirius.

"Don't be such a prude, Sevvy," Tonks called from across the room. "Give the man a bloody hug!"


A/N: Aawwwwww.... Don't we all just love happy reunions?? Review!!