Earth.
'To me, you are the world and I would move mountains just to be with you.'

The immobile Whomping Willow cast a sinister shadow over the grounds of Hogwarts Castle. The building had been magically sealed off after the death of the beloved headmaster but the grounds and gardens of the school were still accessible. The blazing sun was setting 'neath the dark hills. Earth is stronger than fire, it swallows the sun each evening and realises its captured majesty in the morning. Earth is not greedy, nor attention seeking. It does not flaunt its subtle beauty, it is merely there. It is stronger than life. It is more. It gives life, it does not destroy it.
Remus sat beneath the tree, having silenced it by hitting the knot with a well aimed stone. For so long this had been a place of pain for him but now it offered him comfort. Taking the teaching job at Hogwarts had seemed like a good idea, he loved teaching his favourite subject. And discovering Sirius again was a dream. His death was a knife through the heart and Dumbledore's… The ultimate betrayal. He despised Snape, Wormtail and all the people he went to school with… for he knew he would be next. It was just a matter of time. The thought numbed his pain. He would be reunited with Lily, Sirius and James. The people he had loved and lost.
Guilt crept over him and he felt suddenly ashamed. He should be grateful to be alive and protecting what was left of these people, their children. Instead he wanted to take the cowardly way out. He downed half a tankard of familiar foul liquid and smacked his lips bitterly.
A rustle from nearby bushes alerted him as a hooded figure came tentatively towards him,
'Remus?'
'You never said it was Dumbledore next.' He said serenely. The glowing eyes beneath the hood rose to meet his. 'You should have told me, the unbreakable bond… everything!'
The figure shook its head. 'I couldn't! you would have told the Order!'
He shrugged, 'Naturally. But when one is faced between what is right and what is easy…' his eyes misted over, 'You of all people should know that! You promised to help us… help me, not them.'
'I lied'
'I know'
Remus pulled out a vial, encased in which was a single drop of crystal clear liquid.
'You kept it?'
He raised an eyebrow, 'You didn't?
The figure stepped forward, fumbling in its robes to produce an identical vial with a scarlet droplet.
He smiled. 'Sit' After a moments silence, Remus smirked, 'you're lucky you didn't give me your blood, I know some who are after it now.'
'You are lucky you were given anything at all.'
He glanced up, 'In your hands you hold my blood, I trusted you.'
He thought for a moment,
'On the other hand, a tear proves that you are capable of feeling, a quality which many doubt you possess. I certainly thought you had lost all emotions this time last year.'
'He was nothing to me.'
'But he was something to me!' Remus slammed his free hand on the ground, pulling energy and strength from its solid mass. He was getting too old for this.
The hills finally captured the last dregs of the sun as they sat in the twilight.
'Why have you brought me here, Remus?'
'To offer something I have offered many times before. And yes, I can forgive you… as always.'
'Who says I desire your forgiveness?'
Remus narrowed his eyes,
'Then… your letter?'
An uncomfortable silence followed,
'Well, I still… love you, Remus. But I hear you're with that pink-haired creature now,'
The sky darkened.
'You hear wrong' he said bluntly, 'And you owe me- you've had a hand in killing everyone I've ever loved. Will you come this time?'
'Fitting that you chose here to bring me…'
He swallowed, 'Answer me' he demanded hoarsely
'… so many memories, so much love in this place.'
'There is no time for nostalgia, I need an answer,' he glowered, 'And quickly, if you will. I have a wedding to attend in the morning.'
'Not this time, Remus. The Dark Lord…'
'I can protect you, the Order will offer you that, however grudgingly they feel about it.'
'No.'
'Then we can leave, just like we always planned.' He would not lower himself to begging, but this truly was his last chance.
'Plans? Dreams, Remus. You are a desperate man now; you hate your life and need an escape. Every time you say this I am tempted more and more but it is too dangerous.'
'It's been two years since my last offer, and after all that's happened you are lucky I even speak to you, let alone give up my life!'
'I love you'
'And yet you will not help me?'
'I can't.'
He tucked the vial away into his robes and stood up.
'A tear for all these years? You said yourself that Slytherins do not bleed… Are you quite sure of that?'
He looked pointedly at the sky and the full moon emerging from the thick clouds.
'I suggest…you run for your life, Bellatrix, as fast as you can.' he said idly.
Fear ignited in her eyes as she sprang to her feet and shot through the forest, throwing him a terrified glance over her shoulder. She disappeared into the darkness and he sighed.
Dusting the dirt from his robes, he opened the flask again and drank the rest of the Wolfsbane potion.
Shuddering, he closed his eyes. He may not have got his freedom, but at least he got a laugh.