I can't believe I'm so laaaaaaate . I'm really sorry everyone, I've been working so much T.T They literally scheduled me for 6 days this week so it's been a busy week. I actually only have like ten minutes to do this before I have to get ready for my shift today -_-

Anyway, I'm quite pleased with my writing lately. I had some ideas on how to improve fourth year, which added two chapters in between, bringing the total count at the moment to 45. I also think I figured out how to make fifth year better because right now it's bothering me and preventing me from moving on. So all in all, I guess my writing hiatus is over XD

Has anyone read The Magicians? I downloaded the audiobook to listen to at work, and I'm wondering what other Harry Potter fans think of it.

Since there's no reviews to reply to, I'll just do my shameless plugs. PLEASE CHECK OUT FOUNDATIONSRP ON TUMBLR! We are still in desperate need of a Remus, I can't even believe it. No one has applied for him and my Sirius is missing his bestie. Even if you don't RP, help us find someone who does.

Anyway, that's all for now. I'll see you in two weeks (or really less than that since this chapter is so late D;). Love ya!

~SXS

PS. This chapter format was inspired by Casting Moonshadows, which I'm sure most of you are familiar with. ;)

FOR WARNINGS AND DISCLAIMER, SEE FIRST CHAPTER AN.


6th June 1972

Dear Sirius,

Are you ok? I hope you are after what happened at the station. Your mum is pretty scary. I don't know if I ever told you this but I bumped into her once. Literally, that is. On the first day of term I accidentally knocked into her on the platform. She said she sensed Dark magic around me, but that's probably because of...you know. But I didn't know she was your mum until the other day.

Anyway, please write me back as soon as possible to let me know that you're not dead over there or something. If I don't hear from you I'm going to have to call in some Aurors to bust you out of there.

Remus

9th June 1972

Rem,

First of all DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT! You are not Dark. I can sense Dark magic just as well as she can and I've never felt anything when I was around you. She's just so wrapped up in her own aura of it that she takes it for someone else sometimes. Disgusting. I'm so sorry you made physical contact with her.

Secondly, please try to send letters at night. Regulus has become my personal mail carrier because dear old mother forbade me from sending or receiving anything. I really don't want him to get in trouble and it's less likely he'll get caught at night.

And finally, I am so BORED! I've been grounded as well and have absolutely nothing to do. I don't know how I managed before I went to school because now it seems ten billion times worse. I really miss you and James and Peter and Anjanette, and it's only been a few days! How will I survive the rest of the summer? I'd give anything just to get out of the house and do something.

At least Regulus has attempted to keep me busy. We talk a lot about Hogwarts and I've regaled him with our fabulous adventures this year (minus those that have to do with you-know-what). Sometimes he brings me books. I'm so desperate that I've actually gone through about five already.

I just hope that if I keep on my best behavior that my sentence can be reduced and I can at least go somewhere else in the house besides my room. I've stared at the ceiling so long that I see the cracks when I close my eyes. Why can't we use magic outside of school? At least then I wouldn't be so completely BORED!

I think I'm going to go and watch the paint peel off my wall now. Hope everything is good with you.

Lonely and BORED!

Sirius

P.S. I would assume you already knew this because you've read my entire letter, but I am indeed alive. Though I kind of wish I weren't because being dead can't possibly be as BORING as living like this!

9th June 1972

Sirius,

How are you, mate? I can't believe about your Mum. Hope that you're alright over there. My parents said that if you want you can stay here for a week or two. That is, if you're allowed.

Anyway, who was that kid that was with your Mum? You never told me you had a brother. He looked so much like you I almost thought he was your twin. But then I realized that if you had a twin he would have been in our year too so I knew that couldn't be possible. Is he coming to school next year? And if he is, is that a good thing or a bad thing?

I can't really think of anything else to say, so I guess I'll just end it here. Talk to you soon.

James

10th June 1972

Sirius,

Everything alright? Just wanted to check up on you. Your mother has been showing up in my nightmares. I thought it might be a sign that I should write you and make sure you're ok. Hope to hear from you soon!

Peter

13th June 1972

Jamsie, my boy,

Tell your parents thank you for the offer but alas, I am grounded. I'm not even technically supposed to be writing to you but Regulus is sending and receiving my letters for me. Which reminds me, try to send them at night if you don't mind.

That's my little brother, by the way. Regulus. He's a good kid and, yes he'll be in school next year. I'm pretty sure it's a good thing, though it's likely he'll be in Slytherin. He's not exactly a Slytherin to me, especially now that I know more about them from experience. But I don't think he'd let himself get into another House with the way my parents reacted to my Sorting.

I'm sorry your parents had to see that at the station, by the way. That's rather embarrassing now that I think about it.

I am so utterly BORED! If you can, send me something, anything to pass some time. I'm desperate!

Wishing for freedom,

Sirius

13th June 1972

Peter,

Thanks for the concern, mate. I'm fine. I'm sorry that your dreams have been invaded by my mother. I'll have to send you a picture of my beautiful face to make up for that. HAHAHA I can see your face right now, Pete! Thanks for the laugh. I'm so BORED!

Can you send me some Muggle thing that I'll find fascinating? I need to be entertained for the next two and a half months. I don't even care if it's just a, what do they call those things? Light blobs? Yeah, one of those. Anything is good. ANYTHING!

Sirius

15th June 1972

Siri,

I miss you too. It's going to be weird going through...you know...this month without having to dupe James and Peter. I almost kind of like that part of it. It's like a monthly prank. But the key word is almost.

Regulus is a good brother. I can't wait to meet him officially. He'll have to sit with us on the train. The way we keep adding people to that compartment, though, we might have to separate soon. Hard to believe it was just you and I last September.

Mum and Dad asked if you were going to come over at all this summer and I told them about you being grounded and what happened at the station. They told me to tell you that your sleeping bag is still in my room and ready for you whenever you can escape.

I'm pretty tired since it's almost 'that time' so I'm signing off for the night. But I hope that you're not ripping your hair out being stuck in your room. Only two and a half months to go.

Remus

20th June 1972

Siriusy (doesn't roll off the tongue as well I think),

Disobeying your punishment just so you can get punished some more if you get caught? You're a rebel through and through, mate!

My parents don't mind what happened. In fact my mother apparently knew your mother when they were in school so she expected it. Not that that's a good thing.

I searched all over my house for something for you and I found this. It's a photo album of my parents' lives. My grandparents put it together for their anniversary one year. It's full of embarrassing shots and there are even a few pictures of yours truly in there. But you have to send it back as soon as possible because I don't want them to notice that it's gone. I hope it keeps you busy for a few hours.

James

23rd June 1972

Hey Sirius!

I think I found something you'll like. It's a deck of playing cards. I know it doesn't seem like much but there are a lot of games that you can play with them by yourself or with someone else. I'm guessing that kid with your mum at the station was your brother so maybe he'll play with you. I attached a list of games and how to play them. I hope this helps!

Peter

24th June 1972

PETER YOU ARE AMAZING!

This is possibly the greatest thing anyone has ever sent to me. EVER! I'm loving Solitaire. It's so frustrating when you can't win and yet I can't stop trying! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Ever in your debt,

Sirius

24th June 1972

Jamsie,

Please just call me by my name. Much better than trying to come up with a nickname that will inevitably fail. I'm grinning cheekily at you right now. Picture it in your mind and be aggravated.

Here's the album back. It was quite hilarious. Regulus thought so too. I particularly liked the pictures of you attempting to tie your trainers for the first time. After that disaster I can't imagine how you get yourself dressed every day.

Send me along something else! Still have a little over two months to go...

Siriusly losing my mind,

Serious

27th June 1972

Rem,

How are you doing? I hope that last night wasn't too bad. I kept thinking about you and it was making it hard for me to sleep.

Things over here have been completely dull, and not just from being grounded. Even Regulus was complaining about being bored. Peter sent us a deck of cards and we played through every game he told us about. Many times. We also looked through James's parents' photo album about a hundred times. Do you have anything interesting you can send us?

Tell your parents that I'd love to be in my sleeping bag right now on your floor without having to worry about what I'm going to do to occupy myself for the next two months. Mum still hasn't let up on the length yet, but that's to be expected. Maybe in a few days she'll change her mind...

Anyway, I'm going to go bang my head against the wall for a few minutes to knock myself out for an hour or two. Rest up and be happy.

Wishing you all the best,

Sirius

P.S. I've been toying with a new nickname for you. I'm not sure if you'll like it though. It has to do with...you know. But I think it's kind of cool. I'll tell you in my next letter though. Your suspense about finding out what it is will keep me momentarily entertained.

1st July 1972

Siri,

I'm sending you some of my books from Christmas. They're not informational books like you probably have at home. They're story books. No, they don't have any pictures, but they are full of enough vivid detail to let you see the picture in your mind. At least I think so.

My...you know...was alright. When is it anything better than that? Please don't lose sleep over it. I don't want your insomnia on my shoulders.

Tell Regulus I said hello.

Remus

P.S. I'm very curious and also quite nervous about hearing what this new nickname is. Dare I ask? I guess it doesn't matter because I know you'll just tell me anyway.

3rd July 1972

Hello Sirius,

How are you? Remus told me that you're grounded for the summer. Sorry about that.

Wish I could have written sooner but we were on vacation. All that was around was Muggle post.

I bought you a souvenir. It's a snow globe of the Irish landscape. Really beautiful. Thought you could stare at it for a while. I'll try to find something else for you soon.

Anjanette

4th July 1972

Anjanette,

Thank you for the snow globe! It really is beautiful. One day when I'm grown up and on my own I want to take a broom out to Ireland and just fly over it. It looks so...free.

Of course, I don't get to look at it much. I had to hide it beneath my socks so that Mum doesn't see it and wonder where I got it from. But I pull it out at night as a reminder that there are indeed greener pastures in this world.

Don't feel bad about not writing. I know you're a girl of few words to begin with so I appreciate it. But thank you because every small moment of distraction helps.

James, Remus, Peter, and I are going to try to go into Diagon Alley together at some point in August (if I can convince my mother to let me go out at all by then). I'll keep you posted on possible dates this could happen.

Sirius

4th July 1972

Moony,

That's it. I know it seems a bit obvious but I think it's also cool and mysterious to people who don't know. And I know you're going to say that people will find out with a nickname like that but I don't think so. We should at least test it out in front of James and Peter and see how they react to it.

I'm sending you back a book as I'm already done with it. You were right. I could imagine the pictures just by reading. It's like that tele-visible thing that Peter said he watches at home, only the words make the scene. I think I might grow to like books more this summer.

Glad to hear that everything was alright with the...you know...

Is it August yet? When are we going to Diagon Alley? I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!

Sirius

10th July 1972

Why so serious?

Don't ask me why I just wrote that.

I thought that since you liked that photo album so much, I would send you the one that just has pictures of me in it. My loveliness will hypnotize you for days, I'm sure. There's some repeat pictures from the other album but also a lot of other pictures too.

Hang in there, mate. A little more than a month and a half to go.

James

12th July 1972

Sirius,

I'm glad you like the cards. And since you did I looked up a few more games that I hadn't included on the other list and am sending that to you. I figure by now you must have played through them all a million times and want something new. Hope this keeps you busy for a while.

Peter

16th July 1972

Sirius,

Absolutely not. That nickname is far too revealing! Everyone will wonder what could associate me with the moon and once they start thinking about it, it will be obvious. Not everyone is like you. People are afraid of my kind, and I'm not even supposed to be going to school in the first place. They'll tell their parents and their parents will complain to Dumbledore and he'll have no choice but to turn me over to the Ministry. So while it was a nice idea, I'm sorry, but I don't want to take that risk.

Anyway, I'm glad you like the book. Reading will enhance your vocabulary and boost your imagination. And if you read more fiction books, it'll make it easier to read non-fiction books when you need to.

We haven't even gotten our letters from school yet, Sirius. We've still got at least half a month before they come. I think you need to talk to your mother about letting you out for a bit, at least to get some fresh air or something. Being stuck in one place for so long can mess with your body.

Which reminds me of something that I've been wondering. Have they been feeding you properly? And have you been getting up off your bed to walk around a little? You can't not move for such a long period of time. Your legs won't work anymore. Please tell me you've taken to pacing as a way of passing time.

Keep looking forward to the future. There are better times in the distance and they get closer every day. I solemnly swear it.

Remus

17th July 1972

Sirius,

I'd love to come to Diagon Alley with you lot. Just let me know the date and time, my parents will definitely bring me.

If you want to be able to go, you're going to have to get your brother to do the talking for you. Tell him when the others plan to go and ask him to convince your mother to take you that day. This way it doesn't look like it's for you.

Anjanette

21st July 1972

But Remyyyyyyyy!

What if I only called you Moony when we're alone? I don't think I'll be able to help myself then because I've started thinking of you as Moony now. Please let me call you it when we're alone. I promise I won't slip in front of other people either.

Of course I get up and walk around. I have nothing better to do so I walk in circles around my room a lot. In fact I think I walk a lot more than I sit. And I stick my head out the window sometimes too, but mostly at night. I've been using my Astronomy book to voluntarily learn the stars because I'm so UTERRLY BORED. But at least that means that I'll probably get a good grade when we get back to school. And I like stars actually. After all, I am one.

As far as food goes though, that's a different story. I've only been getting one meal a day, though Reg tries to sneak me some other stuff when he can. I think I've lost some weight. But don't worry about that. Once I'm back at school and I get to have the Hogwarts house elves' lovely cooking once more, I'll be back to my old self.

There is no talking to my mother in my case, but Anjanette had an idea. She said that Regulus should talk in my favor but without actually saying that he was talking for me. I think that might actually work. He is obviously her favorite, and being the baby on top of it she likes to make him happy. I just hope he wouldn't mind doing that for me. He's already doing so much with the letters and getting me food.

I keep looking forward. All I see is a black wall (that would be my bedroom wall).

Sirius

21st July 1972

Anjanette,

You're right. Reg would have much better luck getting through to her than me. Thanks for the idea! I just hope that he'll do it.

Sirius

24th July 1972

Siri,

If you use that nickname even once in mixed company, I will hex you so fast your head will spin. But...I suppose that it would be ok if we're alone.

On a completely different note, I'm glad that you have been exercising and getting some form of fresh air. But I don't like that you're not eating well. Punishing you (even though you shouldn't be punished for being who you are) is one thing, but not feeding you is another entirely! No normal parent would do that to their child no matter how badly they acted. I'm worried about you...

I'd have to agree with Anjanette that Regulus would probably be your best bet. But I'd tell him to start working her down now. The more time that he has to convince her the better.

'That time' is coming again already. It feels like I just get better and it's already back...

...Moony

27th July 1972

Aw Moony!

I wish I could have visited you. But I feel guilty that I'm mostly saying that because I just want out of this GOD FORSAKEN ROOM! I'm sorry. Not that I wouldn't still want to visit you if I wasn't grounded. But right now my priorities are mixed up.

Speaking of...you know...I came across something interesting in one of the books in my library. Yes, I got desperate enough to read them again. Sad, isn't it? But anyway, we have a bunch of books on Dark stuff (obviously) and I found one that had information about werewolves. It hadn't even crossed my mind that there might be books about them in the house. That's kind of a 'duh' moment.

But the point is, there might be something in one of these books that can help you. I already found one thing: animals. Apparently since werewolves don't attack certain kinds of animals, having them around during a transformation can keep the wolf from biting at itself and actually make it calmer. Maybe we can get you a pet or something. Or we could even borrow Harlie! But then Anjanette might be suspicious as to why we kept taking her every month...We'll think of something. In the meantime, I'll keep researching (Look at that. I'm actually researching. What's the world coming to?!).

Our Hogwarts letters should be coming soon right? I just HAVE to see that letter. It'll remind me that Hogwarts and you and everyone else aren't just some spectacular dream...

Sirius

27th July 1972

James,

This was pure GOLD! I can't believe you would send me something that was so perfect for making your life miserable! I mean, wait until Evans hears about how much you kicked and screamed during your first bath!

Just kidding.

I would never actually do that. That's just low, especially after you so selflessly sent me these things to entertain me in my time of need. I'm tearing up just thinking about how wonderful of a friend you are. Oh, Jamsie, you're too good to me!

You didn't happen to get your Hogwarts letter yet did you? I feel like Mumsy dearest might snatch it up before I can get at it and then act like I got kicked out of school so she can lock me in this room forever! Now I'm actually really worried...Please tell me you didn't get anything yet!

Fearing the worst,

Sirius

27th July 1972

Peter,

Thanks for the new list of games! Regulus loved Old Maid. I didn't realize that Muggles were so good at making such simple ways to keep themselves occupied. And here I thought Exploding Snap was the best card game ever. Oh my Godric...I have Exploding Snap cards somewhere and I only just remembered that now! I am currently smacking myself in the forehead for my stupidity. I'm such a broom-head!

I owe you big time,

Sirius

1st August 1972

Sirius,

I want to say first that if you ruin my already slim chances with Evans I will see to it that we use you as a test subject for all of our prank potions and charms. You will not enjoy life as my guinea pig, I promise you that.

I just got my letter today so if you don't get yours today or at least in the next few days, I would be suspicious. But I think it's about time you bust out of there already. You've got to tell your mum that you are a Gryffindor and that's what you'll always be so there's no point in punishing you because it won't change. Then again that might make her keep you grounded whenever you're at the house...Maybe you should have your brother talk to her or something.

James

1st August 1972

Sirius,

Did you get your letter today? Got mine, and I'm in Remedial Potions after all. I'll be in the first year Ravenclaw class which they have with Slytherin. That'll be interesting. Hope things are going okay for you over there.

Anjanette

1st August 1972

Siri,

I fully understand your desire to be free and am not offended that it overshadows your desire to visit me. I don't expect you to visit me anyway. You really shouldn't be in the first place, especially at school. Someone might notice and wonder why you go to the hospital wing for no reason especially when I'm 'at home'.

The fact that werewolves are in those Dark books only proves that I'm a Dark creature. There's no denying it so don't even bother. And I would definitely not risk any animal to accompany me during the full moon. What would happen if the wolf got hungry? It's too unpredictable and dangerous. Besides, what animal would stick around with a big scary wolf for an entire night without running away?

I got my letter today. I hope that you got yours as well and that your mother didn't interfere or anything. James and I are trying to get all our parents to coordinate for our trip to Diagon Alley soon. Has Regulus started pleading your case yet?

Hoping for the best,

Moony

P.S. I'm actually warming up to that name.

4th August 1972

Jamesie-wamsie,

We've already beaten you to the idea of Regulus speaking for me. Anjanette suggested it a week or two ago and he's already started trying to work Mum down. We can't really tell how it's working so far because she hasn't really moved either way. But maybe that's a good thing. She could have exploded and accused me of putting him up to it.

Slim chances, mate? You have ZERO chance with her. When are you going to realize that she wants nothing to do with you? Find someone else. There's always that Alice girl, though I see Frank giving her the eyes all the time. Hell, there's a whole school of possibilities. Why are you fixated on the one girl who hates your guts?

I GOT MY LETTER! I'm on top of the world right now! I just keep reading it over and over. When are we going to Diagon Alley?!

Less than a month to go!

Sirius

4th August 1972

Anjanette,

Sorry to hear about your Potions problem. I hate to say it, but chances are my brother's going to be Sorted into Slytherin this year. But because of that you'd be in the same class. Maybe you can hang with him. I'll tell him to keep an eye out for you.

Sirius

4th August 1972

Moony (I knew you'd like it eventually!),

YOU ARE NOT DARK! STOP IT! Don't make me break out of here just to slap you in the face and make you realize that you are not at all a Dark creature. You are Remus. How many times do I have to tell you that? And I am not going to stop visiting you. That's what friends do.

I guess you're right though, about the animals. For them to stick around with you they would have to know that what they were doing would be helping. Too bad we can't get an animal who we could explain the circumstances to.

I got my letter. My mother said that she can't wait for school to start either so that I'm out of the house. Unbelievable! To her it's like I'm not even here because I'm trapped in my bloody bedroom and she still wants me gone. Why couldn't she have just said that at the beginning of the summer? I would have gladly left!

Diagon Alley awaits us, Rem. Regulus has already convinced her to give me some more food. It shouldn't be a problem to get her to let me go with you guys. I'm so excited I'm literally bouncing up and down!

Your Siri

10th August 1972

Sirius,

You can say that all you want but I am what I am. You can't deny that at least part of me is Dark.

You are definitely not going home if you can help it from now on. My door is always open to you and my parents agree. They don't care if they have another mouth to feed. They always wanted another child. They just couldn't handle it once I became...you know.

I'm glad to hear that you're eating more now. Maybe you'll gain back some weight before the end of the summer.

We're thinking that the 20th will be a good day to go. Good thing that James's parents changed their mind about wanting to go the 24th. I would have been a mess since the moon is that night, and I don't want to have to explain away any more than I have to. It's bad enough that I have to worry about figuring out what to tell him and Peter for nine months out of the year. It'd be nice to have at least three where I can take a break.

Keep looking forward,

Remus

12th August 1972

Sirius,

EVANS WILL COME AROUND EVENTUALLY!

James

15th August 1972

James,

Thank you. You made me crack up for at least ten minutes straight with that letter. I think you're my best friend.

Sirius

15th August 1972

Remy,

I will take you up on that offer only when you admit that you are not a Dark creature. The wolf only comes out twelve nights in the year. That means that you're human for 353 nights of the year. AND you're human for 365 days. That says human to me.

You'll never guess what wonderful thing just happened. My mother lifted my punishment! IT'S A MIRACLE! I'm currently in the kitchen writing this letter and stuffing my face with some treacle tart. I can't believe that I'm having dessert after so long. If only I had some porridge this would be perfect...

It's all thanks to Regulus. He put in a good word for me and that combined with the fact that I actually behaved myself (and she never caught us with the letters) set me free! I'm so happy I could cry.

That being said I think it's obvious that I will be able to come with you guys on the 20th to Diagon Alley. I can't wait to see you all! I guess you were right about there being better times ahead because this time is sooooo much better than what I was just in yesterday.

Here's all your books back too. I did finish them all. I'd have to say my favorite was the Sherlock Holmes one. A smart guy solving weird mysteries. Reminds me of something you might do, Moony.

Five days till we see each other again!

Sirius(ly exploding with happiness)

15th August 1972

Anjanette,

Just wanted to let you know that we're going to Diagon Alley on the 20th. And I am definitely going too! Your idea about Regulus worked like a charm! Actually that's kind of funny because you're so good with charms. Anyway, I hope you can come with us.

Sirius

21st August 1972

Rem,

I can't believe I didn't even get to see you! Mum wouldn't let go of my wrist for the entire time we were there. She thought I'd get into trouble or something. I didn't even get a glimpse of you. I'm absolutely miserable now and even more eager for school to start.

At least I've been able to do other things to keep me busy now that I'm free from my prison. I haven't gone back up to my room yet since Mum let me out. I've been sleeping on the couch just because it's somewhere different. But I think I might go up tonight since I have to put all my things into my trunk.

Only ten days to go! The anticipation is KILLING me!

Sirius

24th August 1972

Siri,

Sorry for shaky writing. Moon very close. Wish school were here already. Was looking forward to seeing you other day. Wish you were here now.

Remus

25th August 1972

Moony,

You didn't have to write when the moon was so close! I feel really bad now. I hope that it was ok last night. I didn't sleep again.

I was thinking about the animal thing again and I've had an idea, but I need to look into it more. Luckily I'll have Hogwarts's library soon. If I'm right this might be the perfect solution to help you!

Six days, Remy and we'll be together again.

Sirius

30th August 1972

Siri,

If your idea is anything dangerous or illegal I refuse to let you go through with it. I'm going to watch what you're looking at in the library. I refuse to let you risk anything for me. I'm not worth it.

Remus

31st August 1972

Remus,

Don't you dare say that! You are worth it! And you'll never see me researching if I can help it. I have my ways.

See you tomorrow! Can you believe I can finally say that?!

Sirius