Disclaimer: All characters (with some exceptions) belong to J.K.Rowling, without whom this fic wouldn't exist.
Notes:
Flashbacks
Thoughts
Scene/time changes
5 years later-York
Sirius turned on the tap and filled the bowl with ice-cold water. An impatient meow made him sigh. "It's coming Trix, just wait a minute." he told the silver tabby who looked and him, purring loudly.
He put the bowls down and Trix hungrily fell on the food. Sirius smiled and scratched him behind the ears. "You're a greedy bugger, Trix." Trix merely purred in response. Sirius made his way to the front room when the door burst open.
"Give us a hand Simon." gasped Eloise. Sirius took the bags off her and took them into the kitchen followed by an equally laden Mark. They began putting the shopping away as Eloise entered the kitchen. "That should keep us going for a bit." she said and started helping them put it away.
Trix sniffed each of the bags until he found what he was looking for. He pulled out the packet and dropped it at Mark's feet, mewing.
Mark picked it up. "Hasn't your dad fed you today?" Trix mewed and pawed at the packet. Mark held it out of reach.
"Yes I have fed him." he picked Trix up.
"Trix eats more than you two do!" she laughed "and that's saying something."
They laughed.
"Right, I'm off upstairs." Trix jumped from Sirius' arms and led the way. "Night guys."
"Night Si." They chorused
Sirius followed Trix up the stairs to his room.
He cast his eyes at the paper in front of him and sighed. I know I've seen that stag somewhere other than my dreams. He reached up and grabbed a blue folder from the shelf above his head. Sirius flipped it open and put the picture of the white stag in. He flicked through stopping to read some of his dreams and look at the pictures. My dreams are so weird but…they feel more like memories. He jumped as Trix rubbed his head against his hand. Sirius chuckled and scratched him behind the ears.
"You know how I'm feeling don't you Trix." Trix mewed and curled up on the desk next to Sirius' hand. Sirius smiled and shook his head. He began to flick through his folder again. He stopped at a large black dog. If I didn't know any better I'd say that was me. Sirius shook his head. Nah! I'd know if I was a…what did Malfoy call them? An ani something. Well I know I'm not one anyway. He frowned But how do I know? For all I know Voldemort could've told me a pack of lies about my past. Sirius jumped as a hand touched his shoulder.
"Hey, sorry Si!" Eloise smiled down at him.
"Ellie! I thought you were someone else." he sighed in relief. Their eyes locked on each other. Trix stretched, looked at them and left them alone.
Remus, Peter and James' hideout.
Remus yawned and folded up the 'Daily Prophet'.
"Morning Moony." Greeted a sleepy James.
"Hey Prongs." Remus held back his laughter unfortunately James wasn't tired enough to not notice.
"What?" Remus burst out laughing. "Moony, what's so funny?" Remus gestured to the mirror. James cast him a curious look and went to see what all the fuss was about. Remus braced himself.
"WORMTAIL!!!!!" Remus laughed again as he heard James run up the stairs to Peter's room. There was a muffled thump and a series of bangs as Peter fell out of bed and ran down the stairs followed by a furious blue haired James.
A tap on the window caught Remus' attention. Chuckling, he opened the window and let the owl in. A mixture of emotion crossed Remus' face as he read the letter the owl had delivered. He smiled and ran to the bottom of the stairs.
"Prongs! Wormtail!" He yelled, giddy with excitement. They appeared at the head of the stairs. "Dumbledore's just sent us a letter.
James ran down the stairs and read the letter. Peter read it over his shoulder and squeaked in excitement. Grinning, Remus and James linked arms and spun around singing "We're free, we're free!" They collapsed onto the sofa in the front room, gasping for breath.
"Where are we going to go?" asked James.
"Could go to mine." Offered Peter.
"That's in Hogsmede isn't it?" frowned Remus.
"Yeah." Peter looked thoughtful.
James' eyes lit up. "He wouldn't think of looking for us there Moony." he jumped up. "C'mon. He'd think it was the last place we'd go."
Remus thought it through. "Well…"
James and Peter looked at him, begging. "Pleeeeeease?"
Remus laughed. "Oh alright then." he grew serious. "But we'd better be careful. Just because he's stopped sending out Deatheaters to look for us doesn't mean he's quit completely." They nodded.
Peter clapped his hands. "Well, let's not stand here all day. We'd better get packing." taking out his wand he went into the kitchen.
"Which room Moony?"
"I'll take the bathroom." He left.
James looked around. I'm going to miss this place. He smiled sadly and began to utter packing spells.
A few hours later all three wizards stood in the hallway taking one last look around before the portkey activated and took them away.
"So" started James.
"Yeah. This is it." finished Remus. They smiled at each other.
"You guys going to miss it?" asked Peter.
"Yeah." sighed James.
"It looks so empty without all our things." said Remus.
The others nodded. Peter looked at his watch. "Ready?" They touched the dishcloth and disappeared.
The house stood silent, empty and lifeless. There was nothing left to suggest that it had been a home. A sadness passed through it, echoed by the bare walls and cold rooms.
York-1 week later.
The bell rang signalling the end of school. There was a mad dash for the door.
"Don't forget, I want that work in next week!" Shouted Sirius over the racket. He smiled and shook his head. Kids. Well they're not the only ones looking forward to the weekend. He wiped the French off the board. Eloise stuck her head around the door.
"Si?" he looked up. "Me and Mark are off over to Leeds for a gathering. Want to come?"
He shook his head. "No, you're alright Ellie." she was about to leave. "Ellie!" She stuck her head back round the door. "Could you drop this box off back home?"
"Sure." he put his coat and bag on and grabbed the box.
They loaded it in the car. Sirius smirked. "Have fun." Mark mock glared at him. Sirius waved and set off home out of the side gate. I think I'll walk home today. He blew into his hands to warm them up. He wandered on, lost in his thoughts. That dream. he frowned I wonder if my dreams are memories. It would explain the familiarity and the fact that I don't find them weird.
"Oof!" Sirius fell backwards.
"Woah sorry!" Damn! I hope he didn't realise that I just apparated. James held out his hand to help Sirius up.
Sirius took it. "Thanks."
James froze. Sirius!? No it can't be! he looked closer It is! he grinned and pulled Sirius into a hug. "SIRIUS!"
Sirius froze. What the hell? Who is this guy and why is he hugging me? Sirius tapped James on the back. "Um excuse me, but I think you've got the wrong person."
James pulled back, confused. He looked into Sirius' eyes, searching for the humour. What's wrong with him. James wondered. "No. I'd recognise you anywhere. C'mon Sirius stop fooling around." James took a step towards Sirius who backed away. A hurt look crossed James' face. "Padfoot."
Sirius looked at him curiously. What is with this guy? "There as to be some mistake Mr…"
"Potter. Padfoot it's me. James."
Sirius shook his head. "I've never seen you before in my life." No. There is something familiar about him but I can't quite place it.
James looked into his eyes again and saw nothing but confusion. He sank to the floor and buried his head in his hands. Sirius watched him anxiously.
"Are you alright?" He crouched down "Do you want me to get some help?"
James looked up at him. It is him! It's Padfoot! Why doesn't he recognise me? "No I'll be fine." He swallowed "What's your name?"
"Simon Fellowes." James moved to get up. "Here" Sirius helped him up.
"Thanks" James muttered, eyes downcast.
Sirius patted him sympathetically on the back. "Where're you heading? Maybe I could walk with you or something."
James bit his lip. Still the same old Padfoot. "I'll be ok. But thanks."
"No prob." Sirius hesitated. "My house is just round the corner. Why don't you come in for a cuppa or something." Sirius looked at him. "No offence, but you look half dead."
James smiled slightly. "Alright then."
Sirius led the way to Ripple Street. Trix was sat on the wall and mewed when Sirius and James were in earshot. Sirius took out his keys and unlocked the door. He held it open for Trix. "Get in then if you want food." Trix ran in. "Après vous Monsieur Potter."
James shot him a curious look Since when could Padfoot speak French? Sirius closed the door after them and squeezed past James to the kitchen. James followed. "You speak French?" he sat down and his lap was promptly occupied by Trix. James stroked him.
Sirius dumped his bag on the floor. "I teach it at a school on the other side of the city." James was shocked Now that's something I would never have expected. "Tea or coffee?" enquired Sirius, deciding to ignore the shocked face.
"Oh um, tea. Milk no sugar." he frowned and scratched Trix behind the ears. A mug was put down in front of him.
"I see you've met Trix." smiled Sirius. James smiled back.
"Hard not to. Male or female?"
"Male. But the way he complains you would've thought he was female." they laughed. He seems friendly. Thought Sirius.
They talked some more and ended up on first name terms. James looked at his watch. "Look at the time! I really ought to go."
Sirius led him to the door. "Maybe I'll see you around sometime James."
"Yeah. Thanks for the tea."
Sirius shrugged. "No problem. See you later."
"Bye."
Sirius closed the door and James set off for an abandoned area to dispparate. He was Sirius. Voldemort is going to pay for this as soon as I get Sirius' memories back. He came to a park. James looked around, checking for unwanted persons. When the coast was clear he disapparated.
James appeared with a pop outside the Shrieking Shack. He looked around once more then opened a secret door, which creaked in protest. Years of dust flew up at this interruption. Coughing and sneezing, James made his way to the school grounds. He emerged, blinking, into bright sunlight narrowly avoiding the whomping willow's thick branches. James walked quickly up to Hogwarts in search of Remus.
He found him teaching a class of third year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. James sat on a window ledge to wait for the lesson to end and regain hi breath. A scuffle from inside the classroom signalled the end of the lesson. James waited until all of the students left the room and went in.
James cleared his throat. "Professor?" he grinned.
Remus looked up and smiled. "Prongs! This is a surprise."
"You'll never guess who I've spent the last hour with!"
Remus looked up from his briefcase. "Who?"
"Sirius."
Remus froze. He looked at James in disbelief. "Wh what?" he stuttered.
James laughed. "I know it sounds crazy, but it was him!"
Remus slammed his briefcase shut. "James come on! It's been five years! Why hasn't he contacted us in all this time?"
"Because he doesn't remember us!"
Remus shook his head. " I don't know Prongs, why would Voldemort obliviate him? Why no kill him?"
James sat down on the table. "Moony it was him. I'd recognise him anywhere."
Remus sighed and placed his hands on James' shoulders. "Prongs, maybe it was Regulus. They did look similar."
"Maybe you're right."
Remus patted him sympathetically on the shoulder. "Will you be ok?"
"Yeah." James got up. "I'll see you later Moony."
"Bye" Remus watched him go. I hope this doesn't send him over the edge. He picked up his briefcase and left the classroom.
York
"You ok Simon? You seem distracted." Eloise studied him.
Sirius smiled. "This guy called James thought I was someone he knew."
She folded her legs under her. "That happens to everyone Si."
"Yeah but he wouldn't leave it." Sirius frowned "he seemed really upset when I didn't recognise him."
Eloise tucked her hair behind her ears and pondered it over. Mark joined in. "Well you know little if not nothing of you past. Maybe he did know you."
"Mark's got a point. Did he seem familiar in any way?"
"Well now that you mention it, he did. But I can't put my finger on it."
They sat in silence, thinking it over. Eloise got up and stretched "It's late and we've got work tomorrow. See you in the morning." Sirius and Mark bade her goodnight.
"I think I'll follow. Night Si."
"Night."
Sirius flicked through the channels. Finding nothing he got up and switched it off. He yawned and switched off the lights before heading upstairs.
It wasn't until Sirius was in bed when it came to him. James is the same man who I duelled with five years ago! he frowned But I have seen him elsewhere. Sirius yawned widely and drifted off to sleep.
The cliffs
James folded his arms against the cold. I don't care what Moony says. Sirius is alive and I'll prove it to him.
The wave crashed against the cliffs below. The sun burnt out in the horizon waves and the lighthouse beamed out its light for all to see.
Well I hope you enjoyed that chapter!
Everyone yell thanks to my Beta reader Loz!! In addition, to free periods and not much homework!!
Hopefully there will be another chapter along soon so be patient.
Read and Review. All comments are greatly received.
Nooka.