Orginial Published: Febuary 19 2004
Disclaimer: James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, Harry Potter and Remus Lupin all belong to J.K. The expanding ring is credited to D.J. MacHale in his Pendragon books.
Sirius stared down at the folded letter in his hands. He took a shaky breath and set the letter in front of him, and took off a chipped gold ring that rested on his left, middle finger. Black set it on the ground and pushed it forward.
"James...please get this...it's my last hope" he whispered, as the ring started to glow and expand. Sirius picked the letter back up and let it fall into the now large hole formed by the ring. Miles away, James Potter felt his ring amplify in size. After confusion finally subsided, James smiled sadly when a letter with his name written appeared.
Padfoot,
Don't let it get to you...Harry may need me, but he needs you more. The cell walls aren't closing in on you, and the sound is your imagination...not the truth. Get out of there, and do it alive. Get to Harry, be the godfather he needs. Talk to Remus, because two Marauders are better than none.
The walls don't bleed...it's your heart...the thought of sitting there for the rest of your life makes you think it. The dementors are affecting you, don't let them! Fight 'em, like you said, for Harry...for Remus, and for you.
You don't need Lily or I to get the old Padfoot back. What you need is to get away from the memories the dementors are giving you. Think back on the good times. All those pranks we pulled, and when you 'destroyed' the cake at my wedding. Think about Pettigrew before he turned; think of every girl you've dated, and think of Hogwarts. Not your parents, not the dead, and not our 6th year.
The dementors don't want to kill you Sirius, they want your soul...something you have to keep away from them. It's the worse possible way to go, Padfoot. They aren't watching you, they don't have eyes. They can smell you, yes, but can't see you. They smell the human in you...let them smell the dog. Something less human, something they can't take the happiness from. Let fact that your innocence isn't a happy feeling keep you going. Fight, don't give up.
I never truly left, Padfoot, I'm still there. You can't see me, but you can feel me...I know it. Because if not, you would've never thought to send me a letter. The Marauders love you Sirius, even Remus. Moony may think you are guilty, but deep down...he knows you didn't do it. Prove him wrong, show him it was Peter. Show Harry too, I doubt Petunia would tell him about you. I'll say it again...do it for Remus and Harry...get your self out.
You won't hear the drips,
Prongs