I Walk Alone

(One-Shot)

Disclaimers: I don't own anything apart from some DVD's/books for this series.

AN: This is a short drabble prompt for "The Houses Competition" set in 'Marauders' Era' time. As I am old (ish), my views of them may vary from the young ones, including the fact that I am TeamCharlus/Dorea, have Sirius/James as distant relations through Black blood, as well as TeamTrans (as an ally). I do not accept any new stuff by Rowling.

House: Gryffindor

Class: Prefect

Category: Drabble

Prompt(s): [Pairing – negative] Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Word count: 996 according to AO3 (2 pages)

Summary: In which, Remus stalks Sirius after his escape from Azkaban.

"You need the job."

"I don't want to."

That was three days before ...

Remus stared at the front page of the paper. Sirius Black had escaped from Azkaban! Remus knew Harry Potter would be a prime target. He owled Dumbledore. He would take that job now, if only to keep Harry safe.

Remus had first met the boy on the train. The Dementors had almost destroyed Harry, but Remus had used a patronus charm to chase them away. Now, Remus stood in the old familiar school, looking around but without really seeing the present. He was looking into the past. He hadn't wanted to come. Too many memories of Sirius, James, his first kiss with Sirius, Lily, Peter ... he couldn't forget Sirius either, of course.

But he had no choice now. Sirius was definitely out there. Remus had not mentioned his true motive for coming here. He planned to kill Sirius for what he had done. Sirius should have known that if the Dementors didn't kill him (or worse), then Remus himself would. Why did Sirius want to kill everyone Remus was attached to?

Remus would not have it. He had lost almost everyone, except Harry. Sirius had betrayed everyone; there was no way Moony would let him back into the pack. Padfoot was dead to him.

Remus dropped into the seat behind the teacher's desk, staring at the surface. He kept telling himself that Sirius deserved it. He had kept that thought constantly going through his mind ever since that conversation with Harry; the time he had explained to the boy about the Dementor's Kiss, which Sirius Black's sentence had been upgraded to.

Remus had taken the boy aside to teach him the Patronus charm to send Dementors away. The Dementors had oddly enough taken a liking to Harry. Or perhaps they were just looking for something to do as Sirius never seemed to actually show himself?

Over time, Remus got closer to the son of Prongs. He became ever more wary of his surroundings, knowing Sirius could attack at any time. He often walked around the grounds as if he were patrolling the area, partly watching for Sirius, but often, his mind wandered to how it had come down to this: the two of them now against each other.

Suddenly, one day while Remus was near the edge of the Forbidden Forest, he caught sight of the dog. For once, Harry wasn't around. It was now or never! Remus reached for his wand as he crashed through the bushes.

Hearing the noise, Padfoot glanced around. His eyes widened as he saw Remus come charging after him, wand raised. He bounded away into the trees.

Padfoot thought he had never run so fast as he fled deeper into the forest, Remus still hot on his heels. Twelve years. He had waited twelve years for this! Peter was so close, he would not escape this time.

But that would only happen if Remus would just leave him alone, already. Hearing Remus closing in on him, Padfoot hurried forward. He suddenly tripped nose over tail down a hill, landing with a loud splat in a stream.

Padfoot picked himself up. He slipped under a thick bush just as Remus appeared at the top of the steep escarpment. A look of pure murder flashed in his werewolf's eyes. Remus hated him. Sirius couldn't blame him. As Remus glanced behind him, Padfoot slipped into the stream. He followed its course towards the lake, his black fur blending into the constant night that settled into the forest.

Hearing Remus yell about killing him next time they meet, Padfoot stopped heading downstream for a moment to look back, one front paw raised in mid-step. He couldn't stand the hate even though it was to be expected, but it was still a kick in the gut. Padfoot hurried on his way once more.

He had not planned on meeting his werewolf like this. Damn Dumbledore! Of all years to give that werewolf a job; he just had to pick this year. The moment Padfoot noticed that Remus was back at Hogwarts, he had been overjoyed, but it had been short-lived. Facing the wrath of Remus on top of trying to catch Peter while dodging Dementors all at the same time was just too much to handle. His strength had already been siphoned off through years at Azkaban.

Padfoot trotted along the stream's course until it came out into a bog that emptied into the lake by Hogwarts. Getting out of the water, he found a patch of dry ground near the edge. He lay down, panting. He had been running hard for a while. As his breath slowed down, Padfoot curled up in a more comfortable position, putting nose down onto his front paws. He had to sleep. Crying softly, Padfoot fell into a doze. The hate from Remus was a living nightmare.

Harry. Think of Harry. His Godson was so big now. Sirius had missed so much of his life, while Peter had been right there all this time. It wasn't fair. The dog whimpered softly. His mission was starting to seem impossible with not only the Dementors everywhere but also Remus's ever watchful protection over Harry.

Padfoot was grateful for that much. If Peter tried anything against the boy now, Remus would notice. Then—finally—perhaps he would understand what had really happened.

After a long rest, Padfoot got up. He stretched out for a moment before heading back to the castle again, keeping a wary eye out for Remus.

He headed down the steep narrow hill, making his way to the stairs leading to the boathouse. He slipped into one of the little boats, under the cover so no one could see him. He curled up again, flipping his tail to curve around his body.

Perhaps here, he could come up with another plan to find Peter without drawing Remus's attention.

He would have to do this alone.