Chapter 32

Disclaimer: Harry Potter etc still belongs to JK Rowling, plot still belongs to me.

Author's Note: I hope that last chapter shocked and horrified you all. Heh.

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As soon as they entered Defence Against the Dark Arts that afternoon, Harry, Ron and Hermione could tell that Professor Lupin didn't know about Madam Rosmerta. He was in his usual high spirits, and clearly had no idea about anything untoward going on.

This led to an argument between the three Gryffindors, which went on throughout the lesson. 'Should we tell him?' 'No, let Sirius tell him.' 'He deserves to know.' 'I don't think we should be the ones to decide that.' 'He'll find out anyway.' And so on. Having reached no decision by the time the bell went (and not having done much work either), they decided to leave well alone. For now, at least.

The argument re-ignited fiercely at dinner, however. At the staff table, they could see Lupin and Sirius talking quite normally.

"He hasn't told him!" Hermione hissed to the other two. "The little coward…"

"Hey!" Harry quickly jumped to his godfather's defence. "It's his choice!"

Hermione shrugged. "Lupin'll find out soon anyway. Things never stay quiet for long around here."

Hermione turned out to be right. As they left Lupin's classroom at the end of Wednesday's double lesson, Peeves the poltergeist fell through the wall, cackling (as usual) and clutching something in his misty hands. He gave Professor Lupin a very nasty look (Peeves had never forgiven Lupin for making that chewing gum shoot up his nose in Third Year) and dropped what he had been carrying. As it hit the floor, Peeves flew off through the opposite wall. Harry's stomach knotted when he saw what it was that Peeves had dropped. It was Witch Weekly.

Cursing the poltergeist under his breath, Lupin stooped to pick the magazine up. He was about to drop it in the bin when he glanced at the cover and froze.

Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged looks. Was now a good time to run? They knew they couldn't sneak away quickly. They looked back at Lupin. His face betrayed no emotion at all. Suddenly, a look crossed his face, so rapidly that none of them could decipher it. Keeping hold of the magazine, he left the room at a fast walk.

"I wouldn't want to be Sirius when he catches up with him," Ron said, echoing Harry and Hermione's thoughts.

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Sirius was in his room, reading the Daily Prophet and idly considering going down to lunch. Suddenly his calm was interrupted as he heard someone enter through the tapestry. He turned to find Lupin standing there, looking absolutely furious.

"What the hell is this?" Lupin said quietly, his voice trembling with anger as he held out Witch Weekly. Sirius took it, frowning, and read the headline. He flicked to the article, read the first bit and looked up.

"Shit! Look, Remus, I was going to tell you…"

"I don't care that you didn't tell me, it's really more that you did it in the first place!"

"What do you want me to say then?"

"I'd quite happily settle for an assurance that she made it all up, and some proof!"

Sirius said nothing.

"Merlin's balls, Sirius, you mean you DID do it?"

"I, um…"

"Give me a straight answer!"

"Yes, I did."

Lupin's face was taken over momentarily by absolute rage, but that quickly passed, leaving him looking tired and defeated. He sank into a chair. "I can't believe you'd do that to me."

Sirius's own features showed a look of acute pain. "I was plastered, OK? I'd had far too much to drink, I didn't know what I was doing, and I regretted it the minute I was sober enough to think straight! I can't believe I did it either. I'm sorry. You know it's you I love!"

"Bloody funny way of showing it," Lupin said, his voice verging on a laugh.

Sirius looked him in the eye. "I really screwed up, didn't I?"

This time Lupin did laugh. "Yes, I rather think you did." His voice was light, but his eyes were sad. "You really did."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying… this is it. I can't handle this. I-I don't think that I can… be with you any more."

"You mean, break up?"

Lupin nodded, temporarily rendered incapable of speech. He stood up, turned and walked out. He stopped at the tapestry and murmured, 'Goodbye.' Then he was gone.

Sirius stared after him for a moment. Then he noticed the copy of Witch Weekly; Lupin had left it behind. He picked it up, tears starting in his dark eyes, and threw it at the wall. "Damn you, Rosmerta Goodison!" Then he turned and left the room himself, heading for the Great Hall.

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Author's Note: I'm really sorry about the slight double-entendre with the word 'straight' in this chapter. It's not intended as a joke, I just couldn't think of a better word. And oops, this is a short chapter. It's all the dialogue, it looks longer than it is. Sorry. Next one should be longer (touch wood) (several times).

A/N2: God, in retrospect, I am sooo sorry about the cliché at the end of this. It really sucks. Please review!