Please say you aren't still angry with me. The fever is gone now, and I really am fine. I tire easily, but am otherwise perfectly healthy. I know it hurt you that I wouldn't take the new robes you got me for Christmas, but you surely realize that if I'm caught, Madame M. will be able to tell them who purchased the robes. I see no sense in taking you down with me. I hope you are making a good recovery in London. I trust you also realize how important it is for me to be near Harry right now. Please remember how very much I love you.
I owled Dumbledore as soon as I got to Hogsmeade, and he recommended a nearby cave for Buckbeak and me to hide in. Turned out it was that same cave up the mountain past Dervish and Banges where you, James, Peter, and I used to smoke gillyweed on Hogsmeade weekends. Remember? I even found some shards of red glass in the back of the cave that must be the sad remnants of James' old water pipe that Peter tripped over and broke our sixth year. It was that time you wound up with bong water all over your trousers. Anyway, I sit here in the cave in the evenings, thinking a lot about you. Mostly about that silly shit-eating grin you get on your face when you're almost too stoned to speak. Merlin's beard, the amount of chocolate you could eat when you were high was phenomenal, even for you! I'd love to get you that high right now and have my way with you. You were so deliciously pliable at moments like that.
Enough reminiscing, I guess. I got an owl from Harry, and he had some interesting news. He was out of his dormitory after hours—idiot!—investigating something to do with the second task and was almost caught by Snape. Moody came along in just the nick of time. Turns out Harry had the map with him, and he loaned to Mad-Eye. I'd love to get my hands on that map again, but it's probably a good plan for the old boy to have it. According to Harry, Mad-Eye suspects Snape, so that's good enough for me. Besides, that arsehole Crouch must suspect him, too, because Harry said the map showed Crouch sneaking around in Snape's office. I don't know what to make of that, but it couldn't be happening to a better person this time. If Snivellus so much as lays a greasy finger on that boy's head, I swear I'll kill him this time.
The next Hogsmeade weekend is coming up soon, so I'll be able to see Harry and make sure he's really all right. I imagine he'll be able to sneak some food out of the castle for me. You've spoiled me on the rat situation the past few months, but I'm still on the lookout for ones with missing toes. No luck yet on that.
Remus, please don't fret. This is something I have to do. I promised James and Lily I'd look after the boy if anything happened to them, and for the past thirteen years, I've made a total cock-up of it. I'll be with you as soon as we figure out what's going on here, maybe even bringing Harry with me. Keep the home fires burning, love.
Sirius
P.S. Take the enclosed parchment to Gringotts for me. As we've discussed, I'm turning over guardianship of Harry to you in the event anything happens to me.
P.P.S. Don't forget to have your potion made. The only one in the house is Kreacher, and it would be a right shame if you accidentally killed him, wouldn't it?
P.P.P.S. That wasn't funny, was it? Sorry.