In the middle of his breakfast a few months later, Remus was interrupted by the arrival of an owl bearing the Daily Prophet. He still kept a subscription despite the high costs of getting the Daily Prophet in the United States. Even though he no longer lived in Great Britain, he still wanted to know what was going on over there. There usually wasn't anything worthwhile in the newspaper, but it was one of the few connections with his old life that he had kept. He opened up the newspaper, shaking out the folds, and gasped. There, right on the front page of the Daily Prophet, was Sirius Black. Remus glanced quickly at the headline and dropped the paper on the table, leaning forward to rest his head on his hands. Sirius Black had broken out of Azkaban.
Sirius Black. Why was it that, even years later, the merest mention of his name could rattle him? Perhaps it was because Sirius was the one who had stood up for Remus the most when they were in school, who had reassured him that he wasn't a monster and that he had a chance at a normal life. Perhaps because they had all been so close that Remus could never imagine that Sirius was keeping secrets from them, let alone secrets so dark and dangerous. He could never have imagined that Sirius would have betrayed them. But looking back now, years later, with the benefit of hindsight, he could see the signs. After all, with his family being who they were, there was really no way that Sirius could have thrown off their influence as easily as he had seemed to. And after that time where Black had almost gotten Snape killed by Remus they all should have seen the signs.
But now it was too late. They hadn't noticed, and James and Lily were the ones to pay the price. And now Harry. Poor Harry.
Remus resolutely shoved the Prophet away from him. He didn't want to have anything more to do with Sirius Black. That part of his life was behind him.
If only Remus had known how quickly the universe would prove him wrong. A few short days later, he was reading a book at his desk when he heard a tapping noise coming from the window, distracting him from the task at hand. He stood up and walked over to the window, opening it to let the owl in. He untied the letter and opened it to read.
Dear Remus,
I understand from Minerva that you are doing well in your new life. It is quite unfortunate that I must ask you to depart from your idyllic new existence. I need your help, Remus. You may have heard of the recent breakout from Azkaban. I fear that Sirius Black may come after young Harry Potter, and since you knew Black, I wonder if perhaps you would come to Hogwarts to help protect against him. You spent so much time with him that I am sure that you know the way he thinks. Your input would be valued.
The Defense post is, as always, open.
Awaiting your response,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts
Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot
Supreme Mugwump of the ICW
Remus let the parchment fall from his hand to land on the desk. He stared at it. What to do? He didn't want to go back; to face all the memories that Hogwarts would bring, but for Harry. . . Perhaps he owed it to Harry.
At the end of that school year, Remus found himself contacting Thalia. He wouldn't be coming back to the sanctuary that year as he had planned. Sirius needed him.