A/N (added Sept 13): Thanks to everyone who pointed out the mistaken dates to me. You guys rock! Originally, this chapter was only supposed to include the events of July 31, 1996, but I thought that turned out way too short, so I added the last but on impulse. In my hurry, I managed to screw up the dates again. Anyway, thanks again!

Chapter 9

31 July, 1996

"Happy Birthday, Harry," Remus said softly, sliding into a seat next to the forlorn teen.

"'lo Remus." At the Professor's insistence he had started calling the man by his first name, though the word still felt foreign on his tongue.

"Are you feeling alright," he asked, concerned. Harry just shrugged.

"Alright, I guess. My shoulder still aches a little bit ..."

"That's not what I was asking." Remus covered Harry's hand, which was lying on the arm of the couch, with his own. "I know this is difficult – "

"No, you don't!" he burst out. "You can't possibly know what I'm feeling!"

"Yes, Harry, I do," Remus said patiently. "You aren't the only one who has lost somebody." Harry caught the implications of this and sat back down.

"I'm sorry. I know, it's just ... "

"I don't blame you for being angry, Harry. You have a reason to be. But you need to realize that any anger you hold won't bring Sirius back."

"How is it that you are so calm about this all?" Harry asked, changing the subject. Remus turned his eyes toward the window.

"I've done this before. 15 years ago."

"Was it this bad last time? I mean, the last time Voldemort was around?"

Remus nodded somberly, then shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts. "Now why are we sitting around talking about such depressing things? Everyone is waiting for you downstairs."

"You go ahead," he answered. "I'll be down in a few minutes." Remus left the room, and Harry stood up and leaned against the window frame, staring out into the night. "I miss you so much, Sirius. Why did you leave me? I need you." Silent tears streamed down his face.

A door on the other side of the room closed. Neither Harry nor Remus had noticed the eyes of Severus Snape on them.

1 November, 1986

"Remus!" Harry shouted, bursting into the werewolf's quarters. He looked up, blearily.

"What is it, Harry?"

"Sirius! Sirius is alive." Harry practically danced around the room. Remus gazed at him sadly.

"Yes, he is."

Noticing the expression, he stopped prancing. "What's with the long face, Remus? Didn't you hear me? Sirius is alive!"

"Sirius is in Azkaban, Harry."

"So? We can ... break him out or something ... "He sat down on the couch looking deflated. "We can't do any of that, can we."

Remus shook his head. "I'm sorry, Harry. The same thoughts ran through my head when you told me Sirius was innocent. But we can't break him out. He doesn't leave the prison until 1993, you told me that."

"But ... but we could go see him. Right?" Harry turned hopeful eyes to him.

"I – I don't know – "

"Please. I need to see him. Just one last time."

"It'll be difficult to get there." He melted at the look on Harry's face. "Alright. I'll take you to see Sirius."