.Chapter Two

Sirius Black, AKA Padfoot, shifted restlessly on the thin mattress the people here laughingly called a bed. His animagus form helped with the worst of the dementors' effects, but couldn't get rid of it completely. His keen hearing picked up the sound of a key in the lock, then footsteps. Two sets, he thought, what could they want? Quickly he shifted to his regular self, then stretched out. Two aurors stopped at the door to his cell. He made his face blank as one unlocked the door.

"Black," said the older auror, a somewhat tall man with short black hair.

Sirius turned around, face still a blank mask.

"Get up," said the older auror, "your presence is required at the Ministry."

Sirius stood up slowly, carefully keeping his face blank, but inside he was forcefully squashing the spark of hope that had sprung to life in his chest the minute he'd heard the aurors' footsteps.

"Back against the wall," said the second auror, younger, a little shorter and with sandy blonde hair, "don't make a move." Sirius backed up.

The cell door was opened as the younger auror trained his wand on Sirius. They snapped cuffs on him, and herded him down the hall and into the boat.

"Don't know what they 'spect to get outta 'im. Bonkers 'e is for sure." said the younger auror, giving an offhand wave to the still blank-faced Sirius.

"You know as well as I do that veritaserum will get what they want outta him, even if he IS mad."

Once seated on the boat, Sirius began to look around blearily, enjoying the sea breeze that blew his long, matted hair and whipped it into his face.

"Don't even think it Black" said the older auror, "you'd never make the shore."

Sirius turned to him, "what's the date?" he croaked, voice hoarse from long disuse.

"August 10, 1985," he said automatically.

The rest of the trip was silent as Sirius enjoyed the fresh air and sea breeze for the first time in almost four years.

…..…

Remus Lupin groaned as he woke up, shuddering as his body felt the after effects of the full moon. He groaned again and sat up, carefully swinging his legs over the side of his bed. Standing painfully, he shuffled automatically through his morning routine. As he walked toward the small kitchen, his keen hearing caught the sound of a soft pop and the rustle of paper.

As quickly as his battered body would allow, he hurried to the sound. Only to stop and stare at the envelope sitting on his kitchen table. He cast a scanning spell at the letter, when it came out as clean, he picked up the letter only to drop it again at the shock of seeing the handwriting. Handwriting he hadn't seen in almost four years.

"Lily…." his voice cracked on the name of the woman he'd viewed as a sister. Quickly unfolding the parchment, he read;

Moony,

If you're reading this, it means that Dumbledore broke our will and left my poor little Harry with my horrid sister. First of all, Sirius was NOT our Secret Keeper, we switched to Wormtail at the last minute. I'm sorry now we believed anything that rat said, especially about you. We wrote up the change in our will and had Dumbledore as executor, so he knows. A letter like this signed with a Blood Quill, has been sent to every member of the Wizengamot, and the head of the DMLE. Look after yourself, and Sirius and Harry too.

Your friend always,

Lilly

PS: The floo password to the trunk we left Harry is "Harry's Home". Please wait until you are with Padfoot to try it.

Remus dropped the letter as he felt the pain in his knees for the first time. He hadn't realized he'd fallen to them as he read. Sirius, he thought, tears rimming his eyes as his mind filled with images and memories of the man he'd loved, how could I have ever have believed him guilty?

"Padfoot….." he whispered to empty air, "Padfoot I'm sorry." He hid his face in his palms as memories flooded his mind. Memories of happier times.