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Chapter One: Remembering the Past

Nineteen Years Later at Grimmauld Place

"Sirius, what's all this? It doesn't look like anything belonging to your mum." Hermione asked, pushing open the door to the parlor.

"What?" he asked, confused as to what she was referring to.

Hermione handed him the box. He looked inside and suddenly dropped it, nearly knocking into Remus Lupin as he fled the room.

"Wh-what?" Hermione was utterly perplexed as to why Sirius had left so abruptly. Remus walked over and picked up the box his friend had been holding just moments ago. A look of comprehension dawned on his face as he looked inside. In the box was an assortment of women's clothes, dozens of wizard's photographs, and a ring. A diamond ring.

"Hermione…" he began. "Hermione, have you ever wondered why Sirius never got married?"

"Well, not really. From what I've heard, he used to be a regular Don Juan at school."

"Yes, but he wasn't our last couple of years." He took out some of the photos and handed them to her.

She looked at them and wrinkled her forehead in concentration. "Professor, who is this woman in all of these pictures?"

"That would be Casey Wilson. Do you see this ring?" He said as he held up the diamond. "It used to be on her finger."

Hermione gasped, her hand flew to her mouth. "No!" She paused. "But, then why… she didn't leave him did she? Because of Harry's parents?"

"Oh, no. No, that would have been much better." He paused, wondering whether or not he should go on. He decided to tell her, but not to give any details until he had talked to Sirius. "She was killed."

Hermione whimpered and sat down. "How horrible!"

"Yes. She was beautiful and intelligent and knew how to have a good adventure. And she was in love. Oh how she loved Sirius. If there was one person in the world who loved someone more than she loved him, it could only be Sirius' infatuation with her."

"And then she died. If you don't mind my asking, how… how did she die?"

"That I can't tell you, at least not yet. Right now, I should really go find Sirius." Hermione nodded in understanding.

Remus slowly walked up the steps, mulling over what to say to his friend. All too soon, he arrived at Buckbeak's old room. He knocked on the door softly and creaked it open a few inches to stick his head in.

He saw Sirius sitting in the corner, slumped against the wall with his knees to his chest and his head in his hands.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Remus said, venturing in the room further and shutting the door behind him.

"No," Sirius replied, somewhat harshly.

"Do you want me to leave you alone, give you some time?"

Sirius looked up at this, his eyes red and shining from the tear. "Yes, please." He spoke so softly, he was almost inaudible.

Remus slipped out the door and sighed. He knew this must be tearing his friend apart. The door bell rang, and Remus counted quietly to himself, "one, two, thr"---

"FILTHY HALF-BREEDS, MUD-BLOODS! TAINTING THE HOME OF MY FATHERS!"

"Oh shut it, you old bat!" Bill came into the hall, just as Remus was descending the last flight. "Hey Lupin, could you get the door for me, please?" Remus hastened down the stairs and opened the door. In stepped a woman, a very beautiful woman.

Sirius walked in the room, "TRAITORS! BLOOD TRAITORS, ALL OF YOU!"

"Sod off, mother!" And with that, he flung the curtains shut with impressive force. He turned and stopped short. He whispered hoarsely, "Casey?"