Fragments of Us

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Warnings: None for this chapter.

Chapter 19 – Conversations in the Library

Remus entered his room and closed the door behind him, leaning back heavily on its surface for a moment. When did I become the official problem solver of the Order? He shook his head because even as the thought occurred to him, he already knew the answer. Until James, Sirius and Peter figured out the real reason for Remus' monthly disappearances, Remus was certain to keep himself to himself. The best way of focusing attention elsewhere was to listen to others and he became an expert. Pushing himself off the door and stripping off his clothing as he walked to the bathroom, Remus realized that he'd never thought he'd be anyone's resident Agony Aunt. Turned out he was wrong.

Standing under the shower, Remus reflected on the conversations with both Harry and Sirius. Harry, as usual, surprised him in some ways but not in others. Harry was, in many ways, so young. In others, however, he had been forced to mature quickly. He clung to those he loved and was fiercely loyal to them. Remus could clearly see how much it pained Harry to admit his frustration with Sirius. Painful but healthy. Harry loved his Godfather deeply – this, Remus knew. The appearance of a Godmother, though, was a huge shock to the boy. Remus had observed Harry when the entire Weasley family was at Headquarters. There were times when Harry's face was a study in longing – not for Molly as an individual, but for a mother figure of his own. Remus finished his shower and turned off the water. As he reached for a towel, he thought of Kate. She was the perfect person to fill Harry's need for a mother. She had loved him on sight the day he was born and, as the baby grew, he had loved her in return. Remus closed his eyes and his mind was full of the image of Kate holding the tousle-haired, green-eyed infant in her arms as he shrieked with laughter every time she tickled his sides or made amusing faces at him. "K," he would shout, not quite able to say her name properly. But "K" couldn't have cared less about what her Godson called her; she loved him and answered to whatever name he managed to come up with. When Harry called, Kate was there for him and Remus knew that this was something she would welcome in her life again. And then, of course, there was Sirius. Remus sighed as he returned to his room to dress. Sirius was so fearful of losing Harry's love and respect, his insecurity was enough to undo all the good Kate's presence and attention had done over the past weeks. Remus recalled both Harry and Sirius' version of the events that had transpired last night and he knew there was something missing. It was very unlike Kate to break a promise – particularly to Sirius, therefore something had to have compelled her to enter the library and reveal herself to Harry as she had done. As Remus pulled his jumper over his head, he sighed again. They were quickly approaching a time when the War would require them to be completely united to face and defeat Voldemort. He sincerely hoped that all the internal strife could be resolved before that time arrived. Thinking of the war effort, he turned to his desk and gathered together the reports he needed to complete for Dumbledore, with whom he would be speaking before tomorrow night's Order meeting. Satisfied he had everything with him, Remus left the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Before making his way downstairs, he glanced toward the room shared by Harry and Ron. The door was closed and no light was visible beneath it. Remus nodded to himself, hoping the boy had been able to relax and get some much needed rest after their earlier conversation.

Remus entered the library and strode purposefully over to the large desk – Sirius' late father's pride and joy – and settled himself down to work. Lighting the tall candles with a wave of his wand, Remus was soon lost in the task at hand. An hour later, he was startled by the sound of a cough from the other side of the large room. Drawing his wand, Remus slowly and quietly rose from his seat and made his way over toward the fireplace. Before he could fully investigate, however, Kate stood, groaning as she stretched muscles that had become cramped from the unnatural position in which she had slept.

"Kate!" Remus exclaimed. "You startled me."

Kate jumped at the deep voice behind her then settled a bit when she recognized Remus. "Sorry," she said, her voice hoarse from sleep. "I didn't know anyone else was here."

"You were here all night, I take it," Remus said, gesturing toward the chair.

"Part of it, anyway," she responded, tightening the tie of her robe and moving away from the chair. "Have you seen Sirius this morning?" Kate asked, turning to face Remus, who had moved to lean against the mantel.

"Yes, quite a bit earlier," he responded. "And Harry earlier than that." Remus watched her face carefully as he spoke.

Kate nodded her expression sad. "I'm torn between asking what you know and giving you a break. You seem to be doing more than your fair share of troubleshooting these days."

Remus smiled softly. "I've never minded being an ear for my friends' problems – you know that. Considering the fact that I never believed I'd ever have friends like I do, I'd be pretty ungrateful to complain, wouldn't I?"

Kate returned his smile. "I'm not so sure I'd agree with that, but I know that I'm grateful for you – and not just because you let me cry on your shoulder. You're really my best friend, Remus; you're a good man."

Remus felt himself blushing and reached over to take Kate's hand. "Come on, friend, let's sit down and you can give me the details from your perspective."

As they approached the sofa, Kate caught her breath sharply as she noted something on the floor in front of her. She bent to pick it up and felt her heart constrict when she confirmed that it was, indeed, what she had first thought it to be. Charred 'round the edges with almost half the image burned away, Kate found herself staring at the picture of Sirius and her that had been the first image she'd placed in his photo album. Other than some charring to the very edge of Sirius' image, his half was intact; very little of her own face remained in the photo, however and Kate felt her eyes fill with tears.

"What is it?" Remus asked.

Kate sat down heavily on the sofa and, without looking up, passed Remus what was left of the photo. She heard his soft gasp.

"How did this happen?" he asked, his voice incredulous. "Kate, this is one of the photos you put in Sirius' album, isn't it?"

Kate nodded. "Yes," she said, her voice tight. "It was the first one." She drew a deep breath. "Harry and Sirius were looking at the album last night, so I'm sure it was fine then."

"Did you hear anyone come into the room this morning?" Remus asked her.

Kate shook her head. "I never heard a thing. You were here when I woke up and I hadn't awakened at all before then." She paused, collecting herself, and then turned to her friend. "Obviously, you know what happened here last night and that Sirius was very upset with me." At Remus' nod, she continued. "Did he give you any indication that he could have been angry enough to do this?!"

Remus stopped and considered his answer. Was Sirius angry enough to intentionally burn Kate out of a photo of them as a couple? Somehow, as angry as Sirius had been in the kitchen earlier this morning, Remus doubted it. The sound of someone clearing his throat stopped Remus from giving Kate an answer. Kate and Remus both turned around and were startled to see Harry standing just inside the library door.

"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I wanted to return something and … well, I heard you talking and didn't want you to think I was eavesdropping. Sorry, Kate," Harry said, his face turning pink.

Kate gave Harry a small smile. "No apology needed, Harry. You did what I should have done."

"Come in," Remus invited and Harry walked over to Sirius' chair, sitting on the edge of the cushion.

Harry had obviously just gotten out of the shower as his hair was still wet. He was wearing jeans and a hooded sweatshirt with a large pouch-like pocket in front. His head was down and his hands were fiddling with something in that pocket.

"Harry," Remus spoke first. "What is it that you wanted to return?"

Harry looked up – not at Remus but at the picture he held in his hand. "Sirius didn't burn that individual picture," he said softly.

"How do you know that, Harry?" Kate asked.

"Because…" Harry paused then slowly withdrew his hand from his pocket. Kate and Remus both inhaled sharply when they saw what was clutched in his fist.

"Harry, that's …" Kate began, eyes widening as she saw the condition of the album.

"the photo album Sirius and I were looking at last night, yeah." Harry looked over at Kate and there was something akin to sympathy in his eyes. "I didn't know that you gave it to him."

Kate nodded. "How did you get it?"

Harry took a deep breath. "I was up early this morning," he paused to glance at Remus, who smiled encouragingly at him. "and Professor Lupin and I had a long talk. When we finished, I had a lot to think about and I decided that I wasn't going to be able to get back to sleep right away. I figured I'd just come in here and sit for awhile, but … well, you were here, instead, Kate – and you were sleeping. I was about to leave, but I heard someone coming. I really didn't want to talk with anyone so I just went over and sat where I couldn't be seen. I figured I'd just wait until they left."

"Who was it, Harry?" asked Remus.

"Sirius," Harry replied. "But he wasn't coming in to sit down. He was looking for something." He lifted the photo album slightly. "This. He found it and picked it up and I thought he was just going to leave, only he didn't. He turned back around and tossed it in the fireplace instead. I'm sorry, Kate," Harry said again.

"It's alright, Harry," Kate whispered.

"That photo must have fallen out when it landed," Remus reasoned.

"After Sirius left, I came over and picked it up. That picture could have fallen out then," Harry said. "I didn't know it was yours, Kate."

Kate shook her head. "It isn't mine, Harry. It belongs to Sirius."

Harry nodded. "That's sort of why I came back here with it. I figured that maybe if Sirius thought things over, he'd realize he was wrong and he'd come back and look for it. I wanted him to be able to find it so he wouldn't feel bad about throwing it on the fire." Harry held the photo album out toward Kate. "Maybe it would be better if I just gave it to you. You could hang onto it and give it to Sirius when you think it's time."

Kate started to shake her head, but then changed her mind. If Sirius was so angry that he'd rather destroy this gift than keep it, she might as well take the photos back. Kate reached for the album. "Thank you, Harry," she said, simply.

He nodded. "I'm going to grab some breakfast," he said. "I'll see you later."

After Harry had gone, Remus touched Kate's shoulder. "Do you want to tell me what happened here last night?" he asked. "I reckon I have 2/3 of the story now and, Kate, I've got a couple of questions for you. There are things about that 2/3 that I don't fully understand."

Kate nodded. "Why I lurked outside the door for as long as I did being one of them, I'd wager."

Remus nodded. "Why don't you go upstairs and get dressed. I'll go downstairs and put something together for breakfast for us both and I'll meet you back here – yes?"

"Thanks, Remus," Kate said, standing. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "You are a good friend – to all of us. I'll be back in a bit."

After Kate had left the library, Remus closed his files and piled parchment, ink and quills neatly beside them. As he crossed the room to head down to the kitchen, he promised himself that he would have his questions answered by the time he and Kate finished breakfast. After that, perhaps they could discuss how this whole mess might be resolved – once and for all.