It was all over the papers. Sirius Black, the notorious mass murderer who had betrayed the Potters to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had escaped from Azkaban. Remus Lupin, the escaped convict's ex best friend, had already been questioned by Aurors. They simply could not find this man who had seemingly disappeared off the face of the Earth. How he managed to escape was a mystery, not even the top Ministry officials had the slightest of ideas.

Remus had an idea though. He remembered the promise of a girl, who he hadn't seen in two years. In actuality, he had only met her three times. But he knew enough of her spirit to know that she was firey enough to pull this off. Plus her current placement in Auror training and connection with the ministry didn't hurt either. He wasn't sure if she was foolish enough to attempt something so dangerous.

One thing was for certain though, his old friend had found his way out of Azkaban. He wondered why Sirius hadn't tried to contact him, surely if he was innocent he would seek out his old friend's help. But there was also the possibility that Sirius was afraid that Remus wouldn't believe him. A plausible fear when the whole world thinks you betrayed your best friend and his family to their worst enemy.

Now that Remus came to think of it, he never truly believed Sirius was guilty. How could he be? The Potters meant everything to him. James had been their best friend since first year. When Sirius left hom, he went to the Potters. James' parents took him in as one of their own.

No, Sirius hadn't done it. There must be another explanation.

Remus Lupin was sitting quietly in his sitting room, sipping tea and reading the paper. He had only a month left of solitude, and then he would be off to Hogwarts. He had finally taken Dumbledore up on his offer to teach. Defense Against the Dark Arts, he'd be the third teacher in three years. Some say the post was cursed. So it made sense that a man who was already cursed should occupy its position.

Suddenly, there was a loud knocking at the door. Remus was puzzled, he hand't expected any visitors today. In fact, he rarely had any visitors at all. He was suprised to open his front door and find none other than Dora Tonks standing in front of him, her hair a soft red.

"Remus, may I come in?"

He nodded and silently led the girl, no, young woman to his sitting room, offering her a chair. He brought her some tea and after exchanging pleasantries, she got down to business.

"Do you know where Sirius is?"

Remus was taken aback by this question. Surely she was the one who in fact knew where he was.

"Dora, I don't know what you're talking about."

"First off, please, call me Tonks. Dora is so, childish and my given name is quite rediculous. Secondly, how could you not know? We both know my cousin is innocent. How could he not be? And he must be hiding somewhere, surely he's hiding with you?"

"Tonks, don't you think that my home is the first place the Ministry searched when he went missing? I was the number one suspect until a few hours ago."

"So you don't know where he is?"

She was disappointed. Remus hated to see her face fall like that. The face of the girl who had given him hope when all had seem lost. The girl who, in his opinion was quite extraordinary. The young woman who was possibly the only in the world who shared his belief in his old friend's innocence.

"I'm sorry Tonks. I wish I could help you."

Suddenly, she did something that he would never expect her to do. She started to cry. And he wasn't quite sure what to do. Remus had never had much experience with females, never having any sisters of his own. The only girl he had ever really been friends with had been Lily, but James had always taken care of these situations. Unsure of his actions, he walked over to her chair and reached out a hand, placing it on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry Remus, I'm so ashamed of myself. I'm not usually this weak."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crisp white hankerchief. It was one that the Potters had given him for his birthday the year before they died. In a show of James' humor, the edges were embroidered with the phases of the moon. He handed it to her to dry her tears.

"Remus, I just don't know what to do. I know he's innocent. I know it! But I'm so afraid for him. He was better off in Azkaban. If they catch him now, they'll give him the Dementor's Kiss. And then even if his innocence is proved, there'll be nothing left of him! I just want my cousin back Remus, besides my parents he's the only family I have. He was my best friend Remus."

"I know Tonks, he was mine too. And you are not weak. The weak are those who don't hide from what they're feeling, who deny it. It takes bravery and courage to embrace your emotions, and to show them to the world."

Tonks smiled up at him. He was the only true link she had left of Sirius, and as rare as their meetings were, each had left a mark on her heart.

"Thank you Remus. I must go now, I have an appointment with Alastor Moody this afternoon, and he hates tardiness. I hope to see you soon."

She went to hand him back his hankerchief.

"Keep it. I have plenty more."

She smiled to herself as he walked her to the front door, still gripping his hankerchief. As she walked down his front steps she turned to him.

"You know that offer for a best friend still stands."

And with that she turned and apparated away, leaving Remus staring at the patch of dirt where she had just been.