Mid-August
Moony,
I'm afraid you've missed your chance for a holiday in the sun. By the time you get this, I'll be on my way back to England.
I did as you suggested and contacted Dumbledore about Bertha Jorkins. He said that the most recent rumors about Voldemort indicated that he was last heard of in—get this—Albania. He also mentioned some reports from his usual network about a Muggle who was running around the bars in Tirana telling a funny story about how he thought he was going to be mugged in a mews, but turned around to find it was only a rat. I don't like it, Remus.
Then, to top it all off, Hedwig showed up with a letter from Harry telling me his scar was hurting again. He says it was hurting before when Voldemort was near Hogwarts his first year. You're the Dark Arts swot, Remus. What do you think about Harry's scar? Merlin, Moony, I have a bad feeling about all this.
And yes, please go to Ollivander's and get me a new wand. I found one in a rubbish bin here, but it's crap. Probably has Cornish pixie wings in the core. Fourteen and three-quarters inches, ebony, dragon heartstring, in case you don't remember. The old man will probably get suspicious, but if he says anything, it'll be to Dumbledore, so we don't need to worry.
Remus, if none of those desk jobs has panned out, I have a huge favor to ask. Go open up Uncle Alphard's cottage in Bristol. Stock up on food and supplies. I'm going to need a place to hide while we sort this out, and that'll be as good as anywhere and safer than London. Eventually, I plan to go to Hogwarts, at least for a while, to check on Harry, but Dumbledore says it's too soon for me to make an appearance around Hogsmeade yet. There was a time I could have worked my way round Rosie, but I'd best not chance it now. I'm not nearly as cute as I used to be.
I know it's a lot to ask, Remus, and I certainly don't expect you to stay there with me. Unless you want to. Oh hell, never mind. I have no right even to ask that of you now.
Sirius
P.S. A desk job? Moony, Moony, Moony.