Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter or the song "Not Too Far From Here" by Michael Crawford
Summary: Set in Harry's 6th Year. Harry is still at the Dursley's and it is the night before they, Remus Tonks Moody and Charlie, goes and brings him back to Headquarters. Remus is still hurting over Sirius' death but he knows that Harry is hurting more. Before he goes to bed he prays, to someone, that he can have the strength to help Harry and himself. (Song has had some modifications to fit with the story better)
AN: This is really sad you guys. I cried writing it. Remember this: The day Sirius Black truly dies is when his star is no longer visible in the night sky.
Title: Not Too Far From Here
Author: Me
Remus Lupin was hurting. He was hurting so much. He didn't understand how he could keep himself alive. He had just lost his other best friend, Sirius Black, at the hands of a Death Eater. The whole wizarding world is at war. Lord Voldemort is back and he wants Harry. Lord Voldemort had lured Harry to the Department of Mysteries by tricking him in one of his dreams that He, Voldemort, was torturing Sirius, his godfather. Harry of course went to save him and found out it was a trap. His friends that came with him got hurt and so did some Order members that came to save Harry.
Sirius Black was one of those hurt Order members. He had escaped the wizarding prison, Azkaban only two years previous. He was convicted of the death of Peter Pettigrew, 12 muggles and James and Lily Potter (Harry's parents). He was sent to Azkaban without a trial; that trial would've proven his innocence but everyone thought he was guilty because his family was a big supporter of Voldemort. He had been on the run ever since (Of course he only ran after Harry knew the whole story that it was Peter Pettigrew who betrayed his parents not him). Back in the Department of Mysteries Sirius battled his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange. She hit him in the chest and he fell through the veil. No one ever comes back from the veil…Sirius was gone. He had died and innocent convicted murderer. Harry of course blamed himself for it no matter what anyone said.
Remus sighed and changed for bed. He, Tonks, Moody and Charlie Weasley were going to Number 4 Privet Drive to get Harry. Remus knew that it would take time for them to convince him to come with them. Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix was located at 12 Grimmauld Place. This was Sirius' home growing up. Harry would refuse to come and stay at the place where his godfather had hurt so much that when he was 16 he ran away and stayed at James Potter's house till the end of their 7th year at Hogwarts.
Remus was now standing at the side of his bed. He was staying at 12 Grimmauld Place because…well…someone needed to watch it. He surprised himself when he fell to the floor, on his knees, head in his arms and he cried. It was the first time he had cried since Sirius' death and it has been about 3 months. He just assumed that since he was able to get over James and Lily's death without too much tear shed was why he didn't cry for Sirius. Now he realized that as he cried that he hadn't cried enough over James and Lily that he never did get over their death. He now cried for the three of them.
His thoughts drifted to Harry. He began to think of how he was copping with it all. He never knew his parents. He knew Sirius though, and he blamed himself. He most likely forbade himself from crying over him because it was 'my fault Sirius was gone!' Remus shook his head. Harry never liked to admit that he was wrong and that nothing was his fault.
Remus got up and went over to his window and sat on the seat he placed near it. It was a clear crystal night. The moon shone brightly (he had half a month to go until the next full moon) and the stars really shone. As he scanned the stars his eyes laid upon a certain star that reminded him of his school days. His eyes landed upon the star called Sirius also known as the Dog Star. Sirius, after learning about it in Astronomy, had boasted that he had a star named after him. No matter how many times he told him that they star had had its name well before any of them were born, Sirius never listened.
As he watched the star he noticed that the stars brightness greatly equalled the love Sirius had for his friends. Sirius was a great guy. He would've died for any of his friends, even if he was sure that they wouldn't do the same for him. He had great loyalty to them.
Once again Remus thought of Harry and the trouble he was sure that he and the others would face over getting him to come to Grimmauld Place. He looked back at the star and asked for courage from Sirius, James and Lily. God too, if there was one.
"Harry is down to his last dime; Harry is running out of time - Not too far from here.
Harry's got nowhere else to go, Harry needs a little hope - Not too far from here.
And he may not understand, But I'm praying just the same
That you'll use me guys to wipe away the tears - 'Cause Harry is crying, Not too far from here.
Harry is troubled and confused; Harry's got nothing left to lose - Not too far from here.
Harry's forgotten how to trust, and Harry is dying for love - Not too far from here.
It may be a stranger face, but I'm praying for your grace
To move in me and take away the fear - 'Cause Harry is hurting, Not too far from here.
Help me guys, not to turn away from pain - Help me not to rest while those around me weep.
Give me your strength and compassion - When Harry finds the road of life too steep.
Harry is troubled and confused; Harry's got nothing left to lose - Not too far from here.
Harry's forgotten how to trust, and Harry is dying for love - Not too far from here.
Now I'm letting down my guard and I'm opening my heart - Help me speak your love to Harry's needful ear,
Harry is waiting, not too far from here Harry is waiting, not too far from here."
Remus stayed up a little bit longer, staring at the star. Hoping his friends could hear him. He finally went to bed around 2 am. Remus woke up the next morning bright and early like usual. He dressed and went downstairs for a quick breakfast before the four of them went out to get Harry. They had decided to take the Knight Bus since they couldn't fly in broad daylight or make a portkey without the Ministry catching on.
After breakfast the four of them apperated to a spot about a block away from Harry's Aunt and Uncle's house. They walked there talking amongst themselves, or at least Tonks and Charlie were. Tonks was very interested to hear about Charlie's line of work. Remus kept to himself trying his best to look like nothing was eating at him at all even though he knew it was futile since he could feel Moody's magical revolving eye on him.
They reached the house and Remus rang the doorbell. Harry's aunt, Aunt Petunia, answered the door.
"Hello Petunia. We are here for Harry." Petunia looked absolutely revolted that they were standing there. She looked behind them to see if any neighbour's were watching from behind their curtains. When she saw no one she called up the stairs for Harry.
Remus had stepped inside, the other's keeping watch. Harry came down the stairs and upon seeing Remus he ran to him and held him tight. Remus returned the hug and rubbed Harry's back. His breathing was shallow and Remus could feel his shoulder get soaked. Harry was crying.
"It's okay Harry. It's okay. Everything will be…" He was about to say that everything would be alright and that nothing would happen and that no one would die that was close to him and that he would defeat Voldemort. He might but no one was sure.
Harry pulled back and stared at Lupin with a smile on his face. "Mum, Dad and Sirius came and talked to me last night." Remus raised an eyebrow, "They told me that it was alright to cry and that I should treasure the people that love me that are still here." Remus smiled back. Maybe they had heard his prayer.
Harry's smile widened even more. "They also told me that a lonely werewolf said a pray for me. He asked for help so he could be strong for me. They didn't tell me the werewolf's name though. I just want to say Thank you Lupin. You're the best."
"You're welcome Harry." The two men hugged again for a brief moment before Harry went upstairs to get his things. As Remus waited, leaning against a windowsill, he smiled up at the sky and muttered, "Thank you."