A/N: Super time jumps in this one, but please hang in there. I'm trying to move this story along a little while trying to keep a decent pace. It's hard, people. Very hard. This chapter is mostly a series of letters written to Sirius, though. There are a few scenes here and there. Basically, the next 8 years that pass are described in the letter that James and Harry write to Sirius while he is cut off from the outside world.

Pursuing Sanity

By: Max Pilote

Chapter Six – Good News

It was cold, but it was always cold. Every morning, Sirius went to sleep freezing and woke up freezing. The stone walls did nothing to help his mood, for he seemed to always be in a slump these days. Of course, it was no wonder. He was in Azkaban after all.

He hadn't gone completely over the deep end, yet. This was due to the fact that he was an animagus. When James had suggested them doing it so that they could help Remus, Sirius never expected that it would be the only thing keeping him from crossing the line to insanity.

It didn't help that he was nearly cut off from the outside world. There was never anyone to have a decent conversation with. Dementors would pass by from time to time, and people would scream and wail. Most of the prisoners had become completely insane. It was said that hardly anyone lasted a week in Azkaban.

Six years had passed since Pettigrew had faked his own death and blamed everything on Sirius. Since then, he was far behind in current events. Periodically he would receive the paper. Most of his knowledge, however, was limited to what James told him in the semi-monthly letters.

One hadn't come for November, but it was now December and he had just received his letter from James. It was only a few days after Christmas, and he had been longing to hear from his friend. Curled up as Padfoot, the dog sat in the back of his cell and read over the letter.

December 1986

Dear Padfoot,

Happy Christmas from the Potter family! Harry says that his Happy Christmas is bigger than ours because he loves you the most. So, instead of arguing with him, I shall simply agree. He thanks you for telling Santa Claus to bring him that stuffed dog. I know that you really didn't do it. I saw it and I realized that it was something Sirius Black might get for his godson. Thus, I simply said it was from you. I won't have my child growing up thinking that his godfather is a murderer. I know you didn't do it.

So sorry that I didn't write to you last month. A lot happened.

I sort of got fired. At first it was suspension, but Fudge thinks its best if I pursue another career for a while. The panic attacks that I told you about before...they came back. Thus, the Ministry labeled me a danger to myself and others.

Fudge sent me to a therapist, and it was his opinion that I distance myself from a career that involves anything reminding me of Voldemort or the Dark Arts and take up a more calm and passive trade.

I am now the newest Chaser for the England Quidditch team! Once again, I am back in the air. It's amazing, just like I remember it.

Fudge says that I am well on my way to joining you in that horrid prison. I went today, like I do every month, and asked him if he could let you out of Azkaban. He said that if I asked him again, he'd see to it that I was put in there with you. Therefore, I'm going to go back tomorrow and remind him. If I get thrown into Azkaban, we can escape together! We're an unstoppable duo.

Enough about my horribly boring life. Poor Remus. He got fired from another job. Missed too many days of work, he did. I think he's going to try and write a book. This better be Remus's break. He's having a hard time on his own, and I'm trying to help him. If I still worked for the Ministry, I could ask Fudge to give him a desk job so I could keep an eye on him. Oh well, you know what they say. If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is not for you, eh?

Lily once again bids hello to you. She wishes that she could send you some of her cookies, but they wouldn't let her. I wasn't aware that you could use cookies to escape, but you were capable of anything. She also tells you Happy Christmas and gives you a kiss on the cheek.

However, you better not be getting any smart ideas about that! Remember that Lily's mine and I'll still kick your ass if you try and take her from me.

Smile,

Prongs

Lily chuckled as she served her family breakfast. Normally, it was James's job to make breakfast, but she decided to give him a break.

"When is your therapy session this morning?" she asked him softly.

He stopped in mid-bite and gave her a withering glance. "Before quidditch practice," he replied. It had been three months since he was suspended from the Ministry, but he wasn't doing too bad for himself.

"I didn't know they even took players on in the middle of the season," she replied, sitting down to help Harry. "Or are you just a replacement."

"Yes and no," explained James. "Their Chaser has some family issues and they aren't sure if he's returning for the rest of the season. Thus, they asked me."

Harry smiled, "Are you gonna score a goal for me at your next game?"

His father smiled down at him. "Of course, Harry, every goal I score is going to be for you," he replied, ruffling his son's messy hair. "Great breakfast, Lily, but I have to go."

"Please don't hex the man," pleaded Lily jokingly. "It won't do you any good when you go to get your job back from Fudge."

Her husband let out an indignant huff and put on his coat. Stuffing his wand in his pocket, he kissed Lily softly before give Harry a high-five.

"I'll be back later tonight," said James. He left quickly.

The psychiatrist Fudge had assigned him (or recommended as he kindly put it) lived in a muggle community, running a small office out of his home.

For some reason, it reminded him of the common room when he would be alone with Remus. There were bookshelves on the walls lined with books about the human mind, written my muggles and the magic folk alike. He frowned as he crossed the room and sat down in one of the large chairs by the coffee table in the middle of the room. The pictures on the walls stared at him as he waited patiently for the doctor.

The door creaked open and a man stepped in. "James Potter?" he asked as he stood there with a notepad tucked under his arm and a pen tucked behind his ear.

February 1987

Dear Padfoot,

I think we've been a horrible influence on Remus. He actually helped Harry prank me the other day. My hair's been pink for the past few days. The team got a terrible laugh out of it, so I've got a few new nicknames on the team, not very original, though.

In the last letter, I didn't tell you what happened at my therapy session. The therapist laughed at me! Of course, what I had said seemed to be a little odd. If the roles had been switched, I would have laughed, too. He asked me what he thought was the cause of my problems and I told him. I told him that rats bother me. It made him laugh.

Maybe the session would have ended faster if I just told him that I was scared of death. Needless to say, everyone is in some aspects. Of course, probably not you. Not after such a long time in there.

Sorry, I didn't mean to say that. I'd scratch it out, but I'm using one of those quills that write what you are saying. I broke my hand in Quidditch the other day. You should have seen it; it was a great game. There's an article attached to this letter about it.

Enough of my rambling, Remus wrote a book, but he's having a very hard time getting it published. It's a good book. I read it. Don't go having a heart attack now. They wouldn't let me send you a copy.

"Prejudice is just a part of human nature as is judgement. If we were to stop judging people, we might as well stop breathing as well."

Did you know Remus was so philosophical? It's really odd how people can just jump out and surprise you. Much like him being a werewolf. Who would have thought that our timid little Remus J. Lupin could turn into a monster once a month? He'd kill me if I said it to his face, but it's kind of cool.

Unfortunately, he's been on his own for the past few full moons. I've been under investigation because someone reported that I was an illegal animagus. Of course, they have no proof. They're watching me, though, really closely. I talked to Fudge and he's clearing it up for me. At least, he says he is. He never actually does anything. Oh well, it was our parents who voted for the dolt.

Just four more years until Harry goes to Hogwarts. I hope you get out by then. I want you to be there when he boards the train. I want all of us to be there to watch the beginning of a new era.

Keep a smile,

Prongs

July 1987

Dear Sirius,

Guess what Daddy did for my birthday? We went to one of his Quidditch games and he got the announcer to say happy birthday! I even got to sit in one of the boxes where you can get the best view of the game! It was so cool, I wish you had been there!

There was this one lady with an odd hat. It was huge with feathers and flowers and fruit all over it. She got mad when I laughed. Her and Daddy started arguing and she hit him with her purse. Mummy thought that was really funny, too!

I got my first broom today, too. It came with a cleaning kit and everything. Daddy showed me how to use it. One day, I'm gonna be a Seeker! I'll be the best one there ever was!

All the other kids laugh at me when I say that. Mummy says that they're just jealous because they'll never be as great as I am.

You believe in me, don't you, Padfoot?

Your godson,

Harry

August 1991

Dear Sirius,

I'm so excited I can't sleep! I finally got my Hogwarts letter! Dad was so excited he threw a party for me. We had a bunch of sweets. Dad said something about getting some fire whiskey, but Mum smacked him for it. That idea was quickly shot down.

I already have all my books and my robes! Tomorrow, I board the Hogwarts Express and officially become a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

I hope I'm in Gryffindor, because I want to be just like you three! I want to be just like the Marauders and carry out school pranks and just overall terrorize the Slytherins!

I'm gonna make all of you proud!

I can't wait,

Harry

James smiled as he stood with one arm around Lily's waist while the other waved at Harry. The boy was leaning out of the window, waving at his parents. Beside them was Remus, who waved as well. He was more than overjoyed to see a new generation begin Hogwarts.

"Give those Slytherins hell!" yelled James with a thumbs-up at Harry.

"I'll make sure they never forget the Marauders!" shouted Harry in response.

Lily laughed softly, "Just don't get expelled!"

When the train pulled out of view, depression settled on the two Marauders as they began to make their way back to the car.

"I wish Sirius had been here," said Remus, voicing what he knew James wanted to say. "He was never one to miss these sort of things. He never missed anything that was important to us." The other nodded softly.

"He'd have said something smart-ass," mused Lily with a chuckle. "I do imagine that we've done our best to ruin our boy for Sirius, though. He'd appreciate it."

They continued to walk, but James stopped. He looked at them both, a frown crossing his face accompanied by a glare. They talked about Sirius as if he were dead. He wasn't dead, though. Sirius could never die, could he?

That thought was unconceivable.

October 1991

Dear Padfoot,

I couldn't wait to write to you as soon as I heard the news! First, the minor things. Harry was sorted into Gryffindor. He's found his own Severus equivalent. Remember Lucius Malfoy? Well, he and Narcissa have a son and he is now a first year at Hogwarts, too. I think his name is Draco. I'm not sure; Harry's handwriting was barely legible.

Now, the big huge horrible fantastic news that I wish I could just run to you and tell you in person! Harry made the Quidditch team! No, the rules have not changed. They still don't let first years join the Quidditch team. My boy's the exception! He's the youngest player in a century! That's 100 years!

Remember when we agreed that Harry was going to do great things? I think this is the start of it, Padfoot. This is the start of an age of great things.

I am the proudest father in the world,

Prongs

July 1993

Sirius smiled slightly as he was handed the Daily Prophet. Taking it into his pale and skeletal hands, he shrank back to the shadows of his cell. This was one of the few times when he could tune out the screams of his fellow inmates. He did this by focusing on something else, but there was rarely something to focus on. The letters from James became less frequent during the summer, his best friend being busy with Quidditch. Harry never wrote him letters from Hogwarts.

He remembered the last letter. He had gotten in a fight because he was writing a letter to Sirius. Someone had seen him and asked why he was writing to the man who nearly got his father killed. James had taught Harry the way of the Marauders well. At first, the boy attempted to calmly argue with the other. Then, he hit him.

James sent him a copy of the letter he and Lily had received from McGonagall about the incident. It made a smile cross his face.

Sitting in the corner of the cell, he placed the paper in his lap and unfolded it. It was a surprise to him to find the front page full of good news. Then again, any good news had become a surprise to him. He was careful not to get too happy about things. The Dementors simply sucked it out of you. Happy was a foreign feeling to him, and it drove him to the brink of insanity.

His attention returned to the front page of the Daily Prophet. He saw the picture of the rather large family. This picture was, of course, the Weasleys in Egypt. He chuckled at the fact that they all had red hair. Arthur Weasley had been at school with him. He was older than they were, so he graduated before they did. Of course, anyone who went to school at any time during the Marauders' reign of terror knew something about their little stunts and pranks. Thus, Arthur probably knew something about him, too.

He looked at the large family and sighed. They all looked so happy. They probably loved each other, too. Sirius missed that feeling. He knew love. Friendship was love. He had three very great friends. Now he only had two, and they were unable to give him such an emotion. He knew the love of family, for James's parents had been kind enough to take him like a second son.

It was only fitting, though. James was nearly his brother, in spirit if not by blood. Thus, the bond they shared was that of brothers. That was the love he felt from James. He felt the love that only the closest of brother's share.

Sighing heavily, his eyes scanned the picture. The pyramids in the background were barely visible past the family. A ball of fluff sat on the youngest boy's shoulder. That must have been the Ron that Harry had said something about in the last letter he had written him. He enjoyed it when his godson told him about his friends. Sirius wished that Harry's friendships would be as strong and sacred as his own had been.

Of course, it must not have been that sacred to Pettigrew. He shook his head. If he kept letting his thoughts wander back to those things, he was just going to get angry. There was no sense in getting angry if you couldn't do anything about it. Therefore, he returned his thoughts to the photo. He took the edge of the page between his fingers and began to turn it when he finally realized what that ball of fluff really was.

Pulling the paper closer to his face, he took a very close look at the boy's shoulder. It was definitely a rat. That rat looked so familiar, though. His eyes moved down to the rodent's paw and saw that it was missing one of its little rodent toes.

His mind suddenly jerked back to an article he had seen earlier. The only thing they had found of Pettigrew was his finger!

In rage and anger, Sirius threw the Daily Prophet, which hit the wall with a smack. How dare that rat be alive! Not only had he betrayed James, the man who had been one of his best friends in school, but it was his fault that Sirius was currently rotting away in the wizard prison Azkaban.

He wasn't going to get away with this.

To be continued...

Author's Notes: Thanks, as always, for the great reviews! If you don't like this chapter, I am not going to blame you. I don't even like this chapter and I wrote it. Unfortunately, the story had to move along somehow. Anyway, don't let this discourage you! This is where the story gets very good. Trust me!

loopyfcc: I am so very glad that you enjoy this so much! Thanks!

brennqt14: I will make sure that Peter suffers for what he did.

Corky: Remy, you shouldn't be getting up so early in the morning! Thanks for reviewing, even though I think you simply do it because I am your best buddy in the world. I appreciate it, though.

Woo! There are a lot of exciting things coming up in the next few chapters, including a daring rescue on a broomstick, a bunch of nasty Dementors, and a very angry werewolf! Stay tuned!