Disclaimer: Thanks for all the reviews from years ago…re-reading them instilled the very motivation for returning to this piece, and attempting to salvage something from its unremarkable ruins. Feel free to point out any typos or awkwardness in phrasing and dialogue…I haven't a beta, and sometimes, things go awry. Very awry. x

Sirius stalked up the steps of Grimmauld Place, the Daily Prophet clamped in his furry jaws. Remus trudged behind, weary from the night's events and the inevitable explanation he would be forced to give Molly. If she even had an inkling Sirius had broken out of the house due to him, she would have Remus in a verbal chokehold. In two minutes flat. He really couldn't afford getting on Molly's bad side at the moment; she was his only option for food and shelter, and a friend, considering. Sirius quickly transformed, hidden by Remus' body as he fumbled with the key. Even with the ability of magic, certain charms and protections, enchanted keys remained necessary-only after one was inducted by the Secret Keeper, of course. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a lock to uncover in the first place. Judging by the soft pink light edging the sky, it was about five in the morning. Hopefully no one would be stirring. Yet.

"Easy does it." Sirius breathed as the door creaked open. He tiptoed into the foray, closing it gently after Remus. Silently, they removed their shoes and coats, padding softly past Mrs. Black's curtained portrait, back into the kitchen. It was dark, and Remus pulled out his wand.

"Lumos" he whispered. A bright orb of light illuminated suddenly the very close, very perturbed face of none other than…

"Molly!" Remus gasped, nearly dropping the wand in surprise. "What on earth are you doing down here?"

"Why, waiting for you two HOOLIGANS TO RETURN HOME!" Her face was colored a strained red, with eyes that blazed holes through the two men. She turned to lunge towards Sirius, who put his hands up in mock surrender.

"SIRIUS, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING? Running around like a crazy man in the middle of the night! BEACAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE, INSANE! You were probably tramping around from bar to bar, or worse, careening through Muggle London." She snorted briefly at this, then continued back to yelling. "Doesn't it bother you ONE BIT that you're a…I don't know…WANTED MAN! DO YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO ASKABAN! DO YOU WANT THE DEMENTORS TO GET YOU! Because sometimes, I'm not so sure of what you want, Sirius. Really now. Think of Harry, what a mentor he has…" she scoffed, arms folded hotly across her night gown.

Sirius's sheepish smile drained from his face, and twisted into a glare, his eyes now hot and dark, as if something inside had snapped at the mention of Harry. Before Remus could think to grab him, Sirius had Molly cowering against the wall, his hands tightly around her wrists, his voice spitting with venom.

"Never…bring…Harry…into…this…conversation…again." He seethed through gritted teeth. "Don't…you…ever…fucking…call…me…" Remus pried him away before he could finish. Molly's eyes were wide with fear. She trembled, white as a sheet.

"Sirius, calm down! Control yourself!" Remus looked frantically between Molly and his friend, aghast at the sudden change in his demeanor. "You…you had no right to scare Molly like that!" He turned to the petrified woman."Molly, are you alright?" She nodded slightly, eyes still gazing off, her body shaking now. Sirius was a different man once provoked it seemed, and now, being trapped in his hated home, increasingly feeling as imprisoned as one in Askaban…it didn't take too much to provoke him lately. Remus let go of his friend, and stepped towards Molly, taking her hands gently in his own.

"Good. Now, Molly, it was my fault Sirius left. He understands it wasn't the…erm…wisest decision. But everyone is alright, okay? Are you alright?" Sirius glared from behind Remus as his mother's portrait started to scream. What impeccable timing.

"Now look what you've done, you've woken up the bitch…" Sirius muttered, clenching the table. Molly let go of Remus, and the color seemed to seep back into her, the tremors lessened now.

"Me! Sirius, I was… only worried about you! I know it's hard being cooped up in a house you hate, but you have…have to exercise some common sense. Don't you value your life…?" Molly sputtered, still timid but adamant in composure.

Sirius started towards the stairs, head down, fists still curled but voice more restrained. "What's the point of life if you can't live it? It's my damned house Molly, my damned life…just sod off." He tramped around the corner towards the piercing screams. Remus sighed, as Molly fell into a chair, her head in hands, sobbing. Remus patted her on the shoulder.

"Molly, please don't cry. It wasn't your fault. Sirius just gets…difficult." Understatement of the century. He sighed.

She peered up, her face scrunched and covered in tears. The sobs strangled her words into little muddied bursts.

"He's so…so reckless! So…*sniff*… stupid! He still thinks he's a teenager, *sniff* invincible! I'm just trying to protect Harry! He looks up to him, Remus! He's already gotten in…in *sniff* enough trouble at school as is!" Remus sighed once more.

"Harry's not your son. Yes, he has made, unwise, decisions, but he can take care of himself. He's proven that. He's no longer just a boy. He's grown up far faster, and in far darker circumstances, than any of us like to admit. You have to come to terms with the truth Molly…"

"What truth?" she sniffed, running her arm across her dripping nose. Remus offered her his still soggy hankerchief. She didn't seem to notice.

"That you can't take care of everyone. You can give them advice, nurture them, but in the end, they'll only listen to themselves." The screams died down. Rustling could be heard upstairs. Remus paused as the gravity of his words sank in. 'Only listen to themselves.' Perhaps he should heed the advice of others. But how could they know his dilemma, his pain? He brushed these thoughts away. "Here, let me make you some tea…"

"No Remus. Thank you, but that would be too much. You look exhausted, dear. Where were you anyways…?"

Remus looked down, brow furrowed. "No where to worry you, really. I was just taking a…stroll."

"Then why would Sirius follow you? Does this have to do with…?"

"Shut it, Molly." Sirius's voice wafted in from the dark doorway. His tone was almost like a growl. "Remus said shove off, so SHOVE OFF!"

"Sirius, please, try and act like a human being." Remus rose, his fingers pressing the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Sorry about the disruption Molly." Footsteps scampered across the ceiling. Now the entire house was roused. "The kids seem to be awake. Do you want me to…?"

"No need, I'm fine, really. Go rest, shoo…shoo!" She headed out the doorway, in mother hen mode now, glaring at Sirius. He grunted and stomped up the stairs, awakening the portrait yet again.

"Oh, fuck off, you whore." He continued up the stairs to his room, banging the door with emphasis to befit a teenager.

Remus settled himself down on a chair, head in hands, only the incessant click of the kitchen clock for company. What had he'd done? Lately, Molly and Sirius had been at it every spare moment, over everything from Buckbeak's droppings to his animagus. And now, he had caused yet another unnecessary argument, all due to his senseless actions. He gazed at the mirror across the room, greeted by a face worn with years and scarred with regret.

"Remus, what are you going to do with yourself?"

"I'd suggest a bath and a bed, but don't mind me. I'm just a reflection."

Author Note: Thank you for dealing with my reconstruction here-sometimes an idea is too intriguing to simply abandon. I just hope it satisfies the readers. Look forward to Chapter Three soon. 3

~hippie