Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related characters

A/N: I've been so busy the last few months but here is the final chapter!

1989

Remus watched as his eight year old son searched through his potions ingredients. The young boy was always eager to learn something. He reminded Remus an awful lot of himself, even though he felt terrible guilt in doing so. Young Conor would learn of the names of ingredients, what potions they were in, how long the potions took to brew, that was his kind of fun. Remus almost felt sorrow for the boy. He found this enjoyable because he didn't have many friends his own age. While he didn't have many, he did have one. Capella's little girl, Lorena was his best friend. Lorena was slightly older, by a few months, but sometimes Remus felt they were as close as siblings. Nothing excited Conor more than writing his weekly letter to Lorena, taking his time to check over spelling, at eight years old, he really was quite fantastic.

It saddened Remus that he couldn't give Conor a better life than his parents had given him. They tried, of course, and they loved him. However, they couldn't encourage friendships, birthday parties or sleepovers, they tended to encourage him to play alone. Now Remus understood, he understood why they did that. At least, Remus felt that he had done something better. Conor's friendship with Lorena not only pleased him, but it also made Conor more accepting of who he was, and Remus knew that didn't happen to him until he had met Constance.

"Dad, did an owl come for me?"

Conor's voice broke through Remus' train of thought, and he turned to look at his son, who was clearly concerned. "Sorry, no, I didn't get anything... Were you waiting for Lorena's owl?"

"Yea, I always get it in the morning before breakfast. What do you think happened?"

"Maybe their owl got lost." Remus contemplated, but he knew that couldn't be true. While Capella's owl was old, he always managed to make his way to the Lupin's, no matter how many times they changed address.

"Could I floo her?"

"I don't think so, Conor. You know Lorena's Dad isn't fond of us."

"I know... But what if something happened?"

"I'll see what I can do."

But there wasn't really much Remus could do at this stage. He didn't have an owl of his own. He'd have to use a post office owl, and at that, he had no idea how long it would take to get to Capella. Floo wasn't an option, as she was always very aware of her husband in the house. He didn't particularly approve of his wife spending so much time with an old school friend. So many of the times times they met, it was only for a quick lunch or coffee.

They waited for days. Conor was visibly worried, and Remus tried to relax him the best he could, but it was impossible. After all, he was just as upset at what could have happened. Three days later, there was still no sign of Lorena's letter, there was however, news in the Daily Prophet.

Since the war, Remus had a habit of checking the obituaries every week. It wasn't that unusual. Everyone did it. If you couldn't get to be with your friends, or family members, it was important to know how they were doing. It was a habit that Remus carried for eight years, since Lily and James died. Since he saw his wife's name grace the back section of the Prophet. He always kept an eye out, for anyone else he may have known.

Capella Valdés née Black

It took a while for it to register with Remus. He saw the name, but he didn't understand. This was common during the war, to see a friends name. However, this was eight years later. How could she be dead?

It didn't seem possible. However, there was no one Remus could ask, they had no mutual friends anymore. It was only the two of them. He decided to wait it out, see what would happen. Perhaps it was a mistake, perhaps she was perfectly fine. He kept this his secret for the next couple of months, not wanting to upset Conor unless he was sure. But as the days grew into months, he was soon aware that Capella was gone. They had never gone this long without chatting. Remus' thought frequently drifted towards Lorena, and how she was coping.

About six months after Capella's name appeared in the newspaper, and once Remus had let Conor know of what was going on, they received a letter from Lorena. It was just as long as all her previous letters.

Dear Conor and Remus,

I'm very sorry you haven't heard from me these last few months. A lot has happened and I haven't been able to write to you. As you've probably heard, Mum died. It was so sudden and unexpected. I wasn't sure how to write to you, so decided not to. Daddy thought it was best that me and Charlie would be alone. Daddy was especially upset. I saw him crying. But he went right out and bought me a Nimbus 1700. Mum always said I was too young to have a broom of my own, but Daddy said he thought this was the right time. He even had my name written in crystals on the tail. It's fantastic!

But I have even greater news! I have been accepted to Durmstrang. You should write to them and ask if you can go too. Then we can be together again! We'd have so much fun together. Maybe we would have more space so I could really show you how to ride a broom. We'd both make it on the quidditch team and be unbeatable!

I've sent you a box of sugar quills. I know they're your favourite. They should keep you going until I meet you next in Diagon Alley. Daddy said I can go next week to shop for school. Though he's been so busy lately, I'm not sure if he'll have the time. I'll send you an owl again next week, and let you know of all the details!

Love from,

Lorena

Remus frowned as he scanned over the letter. Conor had handed it to him silently, and though he was not saying anything, he knew that his son thought there was something strange about the letter too. Remus had known Capella for a long time, she was an overly emotional girl, who wore her heart on her sleeve. Lorena was not, obviously, but he would have imagined that the death of her mother would be met with a bit more passion. Admittedly, it had been six months, but the way she spoke of it, no matter if it happened yesterday of five years ago, probably should have evoked something more emotional in the young girl.

Perhaps this was why Conor was so silent. Perhaps the death brought up something all too real for him, his mother's absence.

"We can go, right? See Lorena in Diagon?" He asked, his head still downcast, but drawing his eyes up slightly to look at his father reading the letter.

"Yea... Yea, we can. Just remember, Lorena's Dad seems busy. And he's still grieving-"

"Lorena isn't."

"Well.. You never know what's going on in someone's mind. I think Lorena likes to pretend she's tougher than she is."

Remus always remained positive, despite how many times Lorena had to cancel because of her father's prior commitments. He always tried to remind Conor that they would meet someday soon, and not to worry. Though that was difficult. Lorena, from the age of ten started to attend Durmstrang, and while her letters always remained a weekly occurrence, they would not see each other for years.

Conor's best friend, his only friend became nothing more than a weekly correspondence, and while he treasured her, it broke his spirit. And Remus noticed.