Disclaimer: Not mine.

The Brotherhood

~~~ Chapter Sixteen ~~~

Harry burst into Remus' quarters and looked around desperately, ripping the cloak off of himself. Sirius looked up from where he was sitting on the couch and Remus stood quickly, looking alarmed.

"What's wrong?" Remus asked, seeing Harry's panicked face.

"Hermione knows. I think she's going to tell Dumbledore. We have to get out of here," Harry hurriedly rushed out.

"How did she find out?" a voice came from behind him. Harry turned to see Ginny standing there, in the open doorway.

"I ran into her, and the cloak fell off. She rushed off before I could anything," Harry changed the story slightly, not wanting them to know that he had let her go.

Ginny closed the door behind her with a sharp click. "What's the fastest way to get out?" she asked.

"This fireplace is connected to my fireplace at my house, so I can go there for the full moon. You can go there," Remus suggested.

"Good idea," Sirius stated, climbing to his feet.

"But wait, what will Remus tell Dumbledore?" Ginny asked.

The three men exchanged glances, wearily. "I'll think of something," Remus finally replied.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "They came to get me. You just happened to be in the way," Ginny announced.

"Fine, now go," Remus agreed.

The three of them went to the fireplace and left the school by floo.

Arriving at Remus' house, Sirius said, "Dumbledore might check here too."

"I don't think he will," Ginny said, "Remus was freaked out about you guys before he knew you were innocent. I don't think anyone would believe that he was harboring you two…unless you told Hermione," Ginny turned to Harry.

"No. She has no idea what I was doing there, only that I was there," Harry answered, taking a seat on the couch.

Sirius and Ginny followed his example.

~~~TB~~~

There was two days of Sirius, Harry, and Ginny waiting in Remus' home before they received word from him.

It was a short, handwritten note. Sirius read it and then handed it to Harry with a confused look. He read it out loud.

My friends,

There comes a time that every correspondence must end, and I am sad to say that the time for us has past. thus, I Solemnly say a saddened farewell. There are things I once said I would Swear to, but That must end also. I can not abide by those rules. Who Am I to change things, you ask? It is not Up to me to decide. It is for another to decide which path I am to take now. No, this is not goodbye forever; hardly. In fact, I think that there are many Good years still to come between us, but not now, an possibly not for a very long time.

I wish you the best,

Remus J. Lupin

"It's so formal," Ginny commented.

"Not to mention confusing and uninformative," Harry added.

"It doesn't make sense," Sirius muttered, pacing as he tried to figure out what was going on.

"Let me see it," Ginny requested.

Harry willingly handed it over.

After reading the letter over, Ginny asked, "What is with all these capitalized words?"

Sirius looked up suddenly at that. "Give me it," he said, then took it out of her hands.

He looked over the letter once more and then grinned.

"Good old Moony," he murmured, " The capitalized words are the code."

Grabbing his wand, Sirius pointed it at the letter, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

They all watched as the words faded away and different words spread across the page.

"Here's the real message," Sirius declared, then read the letter.

Padfoot, Harry, and Ginny,

I had hoped Sirius would remember this old way of communication that us Marauders used to use. Dumbledore showed up only a few minutes after you left, Miss Granger with him. Fortunately, he is a reasonable man, and allowed me to explain. I told them what you had told me, but I don't know if they believed it or not. Right as I finished, several aurors came in. Evidently, Miss Granger had informed the ministry as well.

Dumbledore prevented them from arresting me on the spot, and instead, I am on probation. All my letters are checked before they are sent out or before I can receive them. I also lost my job as the Defense teacher, but Dumbledore said I was to stay and teach until he found another teacher to take my place.

I don't know how much I can help you in circumstances. You can stay in my house as long as necessary. There is other help though.

You remember Tonks, right Harry? And yes, Sirius, I'm talking about little Dora, your cousin. She was one of the aurors who came for me, and since I have previous connections with her, I managed to convince her of the truth. She said she'd go over there to help out as soon as she can, without attracting suspicion. It'll be good to have an auror on your side.

Don't write me back whatever you do.

~Moony

"I can't believe Dora is an auror," Sirius muttered.

"Yeah, she is in the Order," Ginny said.

"Is that what Moony meant by 'previous connections'?" Sirius asked.

"Probably," Ginny replied.

"I wonder if Hermione believes the truth. Remus did say she heard it," Harry mused.

"Knowing her, I suspect she rushed right to the library to see what she could find out about everything, to see if it was even possible. Hopefully, her common sense will win out," Ginny remarked.

"Hopefully," Harry repeated.

A/N - Thanks for all the reviews the last chapter, but please continue on this chapter. Reviewing helps me write faster and better.