Skylar POV

October 31st, 1982

"Nick! Hurry up, I've got to drop you and Kate off at Molly's before I go see dad!"

Nick rushed down the stairs, wearing what resembled a clown hat. He had done his makeup all by himself. I had to hide my laughter.

"Nick, what are you wearing?"

"Mum, it's Halloween today!" Nick said happily.

Kate, who was standing next to me, said, "Yeah, but I'm not wearing a lame costume!" She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Mum!" Nick complained.

"Settle down, you two," I grinned, "or I'll set Uncle Remus on you."

The kids immediately shut up.

I smiled despite myself. They both knew what Remus was (for safety purposes) and while they were not prejudiced against him, they both had the kind of fear that children have when they enjoy being scared silly.

I was dropping the kids off at the Weasley's, since they weren't allowed to come to Azkaban.

Molly Weasley's brothers, Gideon and Fabian Prewett, had been in the Order. In fact, they had been killed on the same day as Diana had. Trying not to think too much about our friends who had been killed, I left. Thinking about them too much would make me too sad, and I didn't want to go to Azkaban looking like that. Sirius would be suffering enough there without worrying about me too.

Molly was one of the few people who knew who I really was, and didn't think any the less of me for it, as she believed that I didn't know what was happening until it happened. She was also really good at giving sympathy when I needed it. I would have preferred for her to know the truth, but I didn't think that it would be wise for me to tell anyone now, especially since Sirius had also told me not to.

She would look after Nick and Kate for me when I had training. The kids loved spending time at the Weasleys, especially the twins (Fred and George). They were a year younger than Nick, who was five, but he was already good friends with them. I suspected that this had something to do with the fact that all of them were prank lovers. Well, with Sirius as his father, I shouldn't really have expected anything else from Nick.

Remembering Sirius, I quickly dropped the two off at Molly's, sampled her lunch, which was excellent, as it always was, then headed off to the Ministry.

At the Ministry, I signed my name in the register they kept for policing the people coming and going to Azkaban, grabbed an admit card, then left.

And then, for the second time, I found myself on my way to Azkaban.

When I entered Sirius' cell, I was shocked at how destroyed he looked. He had lost a lot of weight and his eyes looked haunted, his hair scraggly and unkempt. It was difficult for me to not show my shock or despair.

"And you should have seen Nick's 'makeup'. He really looked like a clown." I said, trying to be cheerful. I was telling him all about how the kids were growing, and all their funny antics. It was hard, when I remembered that he should have been at home, seeing it for himself.

He laughed, but it seemed a little forced. I guess that he was thinking along the same lines, too.

"Remus lost another job recently. I'm a bit worried for him. Since he's a werewolf, no one will employ him."

He frowned. "You could do with a little help looking after the kids and all, couldn't you?"

I blinked, confused by the question. "I...I guess so."

He nodded. "Then why don't you ask Remus to stay in our house? It's certainly big enough, and it would help both of you."

I bit my lip. "I don't know... Not that it wouldn't be nice to have him over, but he might not agree to it."

"Tell him that I suggested it, and that it will be helpful for you too." he said.

"He may agree, but he'll still be afraid of hurting someone during full moon. And having two curious young kids in the house will make him even more reluctant."

He thought for a moment before saying, "During full moon, try letting him loose in those woods we used over the summer, when he stayed with the Potters'. It worked really well back then. Plus, he won't be able to get out till he's human, since it's fenced, with a lock that only human hands can touch - it's pure silver, and we charmed it the last time we went."

I nodded slowly. "It does make sense... and you're really okay with it?"

Sirius forced a smile. "I wish I could be there with Nick and Kate... but since that's not possible, I can't think of anyone better than Remus."

I smiled ruefully. "Happy Birthday, by the way."

Sirius stared at me for a moment, before barking with laughter. "Things always go wrong on my birthday, don't they?"

I sighed. "Yeah, ever since I came into your life, they have."

He shook his head, "Never say that. You know that none of this is your fault!"

We sat silently for a few seconds.

"So... how's Harry?" Sirius asked tentatively.

"I wouldn't know," I said sadly. "I'm pretty sure he's freaking miserable. I would be too, if I was stuck with the Dursleys. Have you heard half the stories Lily told me about them?"

He grimaced. "Poor Harry. I wish we could have taken him in. But everything's gone now, thanks to that bloody traitor." he said bitterly.

I couldn't think of anything to say to that.

Just then, the cell rattled, indicating that my time was up. Sighing, I got up.

"I don't want to leave," I said quietly.

"And I don't want you to. But the kids..." Sirius trailed off.

"Are at Molly's, waiting to hear how you are," I finished sadly.

He looked down. "Tell them how much I miss them. Don't... don't tell them about how bad I look."

"You don't lo-"

"I do, and I know it." he interrupted.

I took a deep breath. "Not to me, you don't."

"I love you too," he said, smiling.

I tried to smile back, but I think it came out as a grimace.

"I'll see you next year." I said, trying not to show him how much it hurt to leave him.

I know... You don't need to say anything.

As I left, I realized that how much ever it hurt for me to leave, it was a thousand times worse for him. After all, I was the only source of human contact he'd be getting for as long as he lived.