Hi! So this is it – the last part of my last fanfiction story. Thank you to marieche and Celdria for reviewing the last part. Hope you enjoy the end and please read the note afterward. Thanks!

You Don't Have to Thank Me For That / You're Always Welcome

The soft tap on the door sounded just as I finished eating a quiet dinner alone in the kitchen. Taking my dirty plates and placing them on the counter, I made my way into the living room at a leisurely pace. Not bothering to ask who it was, I pulled the door open to find Remus standing on the other side of it. Even though I hadn't heard so much as a single word from him in the month that had passed since he'd moved out, the first thing that struck me was how odd it was to have him requesting admittance to a place he'd once shared with me. It filled me with a pang of sorrow.

Amid my more than mild surprise at his entirely unexpected visit, I examined his face and could make out only affection and warmth. There was no trace of closely guarded anger, no sign of annoyance, merely open, honest friendship and joy at seeing me.

Too taken aback to offer a response to what appeared to be his sudden forgiveness, I dropped my gaze. He'd lost weight. Normally that would have worried me – it wasn't as if he had much to lose – but it didn't. He looked healthier despite his skinniness. Not only healthier but happier. Or perhaps he looked healthier because he was happier. Things had clearly improved for him. I was glad to see it.

He broke the silence. "Can I come in?"

"Of course." Moving to one side, I gestured him in and closed the door behind him.

As he entered the living room I noticed he was carrying a duffle bag. Quietly, he set it aside and took a seat on the couch. After asking if he wanted anything to eat or drink, I joined him.

"You look good," I murmured, not really knowing how to start a conversation.

"I'm doing better," he acknowledged just as softly. "I'm still sorting things out but some stuff has fallen into place. I have a new job."

A new job? James and Lily hadn't mentioned that. Neither had Peter. "Really?"

"I'm writing for the Weekly Magician. Mostly political pieces criticizing the Ministry for their lack of response to the threat that Voldemort poses."

"That's wonderful!" I exclaimed earnestly. Remus had always enjoyed writing.

"It's…under a false name," he admitted. "It'd be bad publicity if it came out they had a werewolf working for them. My coworkers are not very supportive or kind but I enjoy my work."

"I – I'm really very glad, Remus. I can't tell you how much." I placed my hand on his shoulder but then removed it, barely having held it there for a second. I wasn't exactly sure how things were between us. The Prank had taught me that forgiveness did not necessarily mean a return to how things had been.

Remus smiled though, happy and reassuring. "Thank you."

I relaxed, some of my uncertainty dissipating.

A moment of silence passed but then I grinned. "Do I get to read your articles?"

"Of course…if you can figure out what name I'm writing under," he replied, sounding surprisingly mischievous.

I chuckled. "Sounds like a challenge."

"It just might be."

We lapsed into what turned out to be comfortable stillness. My heart unclenched minutely. I was happy that things weren't tense or even awkward. I was happy to just see him again and even happier to know he was doing well. That he had forgiven me made me feel warm and content.

"Sirius," he sounded somber. "Thank you for giving me space. I know it was a long time for me to simply disappear."

I shook my head dismissively. "I understood. You were angry."

"Yes. I was," he agreed. "But I know you were concerned. James and Lily told me you'd ask them about me. Peter said the same."

I had asked after him, quite frequently. "It was the only way I could find out anything." Being able to hear about him from our mutual friends had made it easier to keep my distance, something that had become increasingly difficult as the full moon approached and I'd pondered what his plans were.

I'd wanted to write him, remind him I was here, but had forced myself to continue waiting. I had lied to him. I had lied to him about something he considered vitally important. I had to accept the consequences of my decision. Even if it was difficult. He already knew he could always count on me during the full moons. If he wanted my companionship, my help, he'd seek me out.

He nodded. "I didn't want to say something to you that I would regret later. I wanted to write but…I'm not like you." He sounded pained.

I frowned. I didn't understand.

"You've forgiven me for a lot. I should have extended the same courtesy." He sighed, sounding overly remorseful.

"Forgiven you for…" I repeated, puzzled. "What? You've never done anything that needed forgiveness."

"Oh Sirius," he whispered sadly. "I've done so much. I nearly killed you after the Prank, and then again during seventh year and–"

A familiar sense of exasperation and sadness filled me, leading me to interrupt him. "The wolf nearly killed me after the Prank and what happened seventh year was hardly your fault! It was the blue moon."

He sighed again. "I know you think I'm not to blame. You let go of things so easily. I wish I could be like that," he lamented wistfully. "I allow things to hurt me too easily. You've done so much. I shouldn't have…"

I swallowed at the vulnerability I could hear in his words. He did this too much, held regret for things he shouldn't. "You were right to be angry."

"Yes, but not for so long." He shook his head. "I understand now. I want you to know I understand why you lied to me. And I've come to appreciate it more than you'll ever know. I mean…I think it was the wrong thing for you to do but when I realize that you only did it out of friendship for me, out of concern, it's difficult to feel anything but gratitude." He leaned forward to touch my arm lightly. "Thank you."

I knew he wasn't thanking me for deceiving him. He wasn't telling me what I'd done was all right. He was just extending his gratitude for what had spurred me to lie to him: my friendship. "You don't have to thank me for that," I whispered, knowing I was lucky to have a friend that would forgive me for an action that had angered him immensely simply because the motive behind it was pure.

"I know. But I want to."

I didn't respond but our eyes met and we both smiled.

We remained quiet until I remembered something that had come to mind when he'd told me about his new job. "Have you let James and Lily know where you're working? I don't think they–"

He raised a hand to stop my words. "I asked them not to say anything. I wanted to tell you," he explained.

I smiled at that but didn't respond verbally. I was quite ready to ease into another silence but this time it was Remus who broke it by making a sudden announcement while eyeing me. "Tonight's the full moon."

I gave him an incredulous look. "You think I don't know that?"

Seven years ago I had promised to spend the full moons with him. I'd been extraordinarily melancholy for most of the day thinking that tonight would be the first transformations I'd missed since the aftermath of the Prank. Where was he going to spend them? Would anyone be there to help him afterward?

Last week I'd discovered that he'd made arrangements of some sort. Sensing my concern, James had told me that he, Lily, and Peter had offered their assistance only to have him rebuff them, saying he had somewhere to go. Although he hadn't elaborated, he had assured them it was not the cage in his father's home. I had been both relieved and sad that I'd have no part in it. I'd been at his side during almost all of the full moons for so many years that it felt wrong to know he was suffering and not be there to help. It felt wrong to know that no matter where he was going, he'd probably be alone. After all, there weren't many people that could transform and keep him company.

These thoughts had plagued me for most of the day. Even now I wondered what his plans were.

He shrugged, seeming a little uncomfortable. He wasn't looking at me and when I followed his eyes I saw he was staring at his duffle bag. I hadn't thought about it before but now I realized what it was, or rather, what it had to be. A change of clothes. He wanted to spend the night here. He'd told James and Lily he had somewhere to go and that place was here. Why was he nervous though? He couldn't possibly think I'd refuse. Or had he expected me to offer before now?

"Can I stay here?" He met my gaze again. I couldn't determine why he was unsure.

"That's not something you ever have to ask me. The answer will always be yes." I replied readily, hoping he'd hear the utter sincerity in the statement.

He let out a barely audible breath of air. He was obviously relieved.

I couldn't contain my disbelief. "You weren't seriously worried I'd say no…were you?"

"No," he shook his head. "No, of course not. I just… I was concerned you'd think the only reason I came was for that."

Oh. He'd been worried I'd think his forgiveness and apology insincere, nothing more than a way to procure a place to transform in. "I know you better than that." His wanting me to be with him tonight told me his forgiveness was genuine. He'd never allow me to share this trying time if he was still upset.

"I missed you, Sirius," he informed in a tone that made it impossible to doubt his honesty.

"I missed you too," I returned easily. "I'm glad you came. I didn't like the idea of not being there tonight."

He swallowed visibly, eyes shutting briefly. "You must get tired of hearing me thank you. I just don't know what else to say."

"You don't have to say anything…but thank me if you feel you have to. I don't need to hear it but I don't get tired of it either," I assured him.

He nodded, lips forming the words 'thank you' but saying them so softly that the sound didn't even reach my ears.

I looked at the clock. Moonrise wasn't for another couple hours. We had plenty of time. I was glad he'd come early. Even if we didn't speak so much as a single word until tomorrow, it'd be nice to just have him here. Wait. Tomorrow. Tomorrow was Monday. My boss would appreciate my letting him know ahead of time that I wasn't coming in.

Standing up, I crossed the living room and opened the window. It was my way of letting my owl know I wanted her to deliver something. Then I grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill from the small desk that stood unobtrusively in the corner of the room. Sitting down, I hastily scribbled a note.

Nigel,

I'm sorry for the short notice but something important has come up regarding a friend of mine. I won't be coming in until Tuesday. I can make up the time next Saturday if you'd like. Let me know.

I hope you've enjoyed your weekend,

-Sirius Black

I waited a moment for the ink to dry and then neatly folded the letter in half twice, writing my supervisor's name on the outside. Then I set it aside, hoping Lyn would return in time to deliver it tonight. My boss was considerably less lenient now that my views on werewolves were common knowledge and he'd realized that all the days I'd ever taken off had been close to a full moon. Things would go better if he had more than same-day's notice.

I was about to stand up when Remus spoke, startling me by the proximity of his voice. He was hovering directly behind me. "Sirius, I didn't mean for you–"

"I know," I interrupted firmly, hoping he wouldn't pursue the matter. He hadn't asked to stay tomorrow but I wasn't going to let him leave in such a weak condition. Realizing my words had been brusque, I softened my tone and repeated them. "I know."

Standing, I turned around to face him.

He seemed ready to persist, to tell me to go to work and not stay behind because of him but then, perhaps realizing it'd be futile to argue with me, he relented with a smile. "I guess there's really only one thing I an say."

I raised my eyebrows in inquiry.

"Thank you," he whispered, pressing a hand to my forearm.

I smiled too. "You're welcome… You're always welcome."

His eyes brightened at the double meaning my words held – that I'd always be glad to help and that he could always come here, regardless of short notice or prior commitments. He was my friend. The full moons were torturously hellish. How could I leave him when he was at his weakest, just to go to work? I couldn't. I wouldn't.

He squeezed my arm, his touch warm against my skin. "I know. I don't deserve it, but I know."

THE END

Vitreous china.

End note: If anyone can guess why the words "vitreous china" are included after the end of this, I will write you a story. In fact, if someone comes up with a really amusing guess, I'll write you a story. Rules: I'll only write a story for one person – either the first person who guesses correctly or the person who's most amusing in their guess. Also, I'll want it to be a short-ish story since I am no longer writing fanfiction. It can be for any fandom I've written in but has to be about at least one of the main characters I've explored. So… For HP, that'd be Sirius and/or Remus. For LotR, it'd be Aragorn and/or Legolas. For SW, Qui-Gon and/or Obi-Wan. Just thought I'd throw it out there 'cause vitreous china has become a inside joke for my roommate and me and it's all because of this one story. Hint: it has to do with the "I Was Worried" part.