Chapter Thirty Nine: And Just Like That
Sirius sat brooding over his coffee, and Harry stared at the cup longingly. It seemed like ages since he had had a cup of coffee. They had seen his cardiologist the day before, and been told that his heart was not healing as fast as they had hoped it would. Harry had a sinking feeling that Remus and Sirius might never let him have caffeine again. I wonder if I have any of those caffeine pills hiding in the bottom of my trunk somewhere, he thought dangerously.
Before Harry could fall further down that rabbit trail, the sound of the floo startled him out of it. He turned quickly towards the direction of the living room. Sirius didn't move, looking almost hung over as he brooded over his coffee. He didn't even react to the sound until he saw Harry start to rise. "Stay put pup, you need to finish your breakfast." He said gruffly, slowly standing and heading towards the hall. But before he could get far Snape charged into the kitchen looking a bit harried and bleeding from several unseen cuts.
"Where is everyone?" He said hurriedly, "Get Remus and Draco in here now!"
Sirius looked like he wanted to argue, but thought better of it and headed out to find the others.
Snape made his way shakily over to the table and collapsed into the chair at the far end. Harry, without anyone to stop him, abandoned his unfinished breakfast and rushed to his potions profession. "Snape, what happened? Are you okay?"
The dark haired wizard waved him off, his eyes closed. "I assure you Harry, I'm quite fine. It probably looks worse than it is." Snape opened his eyes slowly, and gave Harry an evaluating gaze. "I suppose it's only fair you get to know first," He said after a moment. "It's over."
Harry frowned "Over?"
"The war, the Da… Voldemort…. It's done. He was taken into custody early this morning and is likely already in a cell in Azkaban as we speak."
Harry felt his heart drop, he suddenly felt numb and frozen. He stepped back, opening his mouth to speak but finding he had no words. Just then Sirius returned with Remus and Draco in tow, and the kitchen at Grimauld place suddenly felt very loud and very crowded.
Harry didn't think about what he was doing, he just left. I need to get out of here… to go… I just need to go. Before he knew it he was walking briskly down the rundown street, making several turns before he even bothered to look around.
He had never had time to properly explore the area they lived in, and he hardly cared where he was now. He found himself at the gate of a sad, rundown cemetery. And without a reason not to, he wandered in. The cold was catching up with him now that he had worked off the small amount of pent up energy. The numbness was still present, but now instead of feeling blank, his thoughts were running.
Look at all these graves… I wonder, if all the people he killed were buried in one place, how large that graveyard would be… most of them probably don't even have proper graves.
"Harry, take my body home, my dad needs something to bury. Please don't leave me here."
No. Don't think about that, this isn't the same graveyard, he's… he's gone… Harry shook his head, collapsing in exhaustion and leaning his back against a stone so covered in ivy and grime that it couldn't be read.
It's over, they got him… shouldn't I be feeling a sense of relief? Peace? The man who killed my parents is going to pay for his crimes. Justice is served. I don't have to constantly be watching my back anymore. Harry sighed, knowing that would never really be true. He cast his eyes around the rows of graves, mostly overgrown by shrubs and weeds. It's all so…. pointless.
He hadn't been sitting there long when a dark figure appeared in the distance, limping towards him. Harry closed his eyes, he realized now how stupid it had been to run, and how much trouble he would be in when he was found. But he didn't feel quite ready to go back, to face a world where Voldemort had been captured. Where the war was over.
"You'd think a boy who's been hunted by a madman his whole life would be better at hiding his tracks." Snape observed as he slowed, leaning against the gravestone three down from Harry and looking as though he might not be able to stay upright without its support.
Harry didn't look up at him, "there's no point in hiding now though, is there? If he's been caught… I'm safe." Again the sense that he should feel joy, or at least peace, about this news threatened to overwhelm him.
Snape sighed, "Harry I apologize, I shouldn't have told you like that. I wasn't thinking about how this news might affect you."
Harry shrugged, "You didn't do anything wrong, you thought I would be happy… I thought I would be happy."
Snape nodded slowly "but you're not?" He guessed quietly.
Again the teen shrugged "I don't know what I am," He said honestly. "For the past four years I've had that man hanging over my head. Even before he was back… even before I knew who he was really…" he reached up and gently touched his forehead. "I've been haunted by the image of that curse bouncing off me for as long as I could remember. I should be happy that he's been caught, that it's over… but I just feel tired."
"It's a complicated moment for many of us."
Harry dared to glance up at his professor now, with a questioning glance. "Voldemort, and the choices he made, have been influencing my life since I was your age. It's been a long time since I have seen him with any respect, or as a leader in my life. But I can relate to feeling slightly… unmoored… by this development. The future, once narrow and limited, now holds possibilities, and choices. Undoubtedly good things lay ahead for both of us, but now the responsibility is solely in our hands. That is not an easy thing to process."
Harry looked away again, and nodded slowly. Eventually he stood and sighed. "I suppose we should be getting back?" He asked reluctantly.
"Indeed, Mr. Potter, I imagine your guardians are quite worried." With a brief glance around Snape waved his wand, producing two notes that flew off quickly. Harry could only assume they were meant to alert Remus and Sirius that he had been found. Then the former spy offered Harry his arm, and in a moment they were outside the gate of number 12 Grinmauld place.
He was trying not to heave when Sirius rushed out onto the street, grabbing Harry quite roughly and pulling him inside. "WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING?"
Harry glanced around rapidly, they hadn't even made it into the house before Sirius had started yelling. Thankfully the street appeared to be mostly empty. Harry winced as his godfather's grip tightened around his arm, practically dragging him into the parlor.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Do you think of no one but yourself? Going out in the street alone, you didn't even tell us you were leaving! I've never seen you be so careless and unthinking…. I have half a mind to…"
"Sirius," Remus's voice cut through the loud tirade. It wasn't nearly as loud, but surprisingly firm and forceful. "That is enough."
Harry glanced rapidly between his guardians, unsure what to do. His arm was hurting, and he had flinched violently away from Sirius several times already. Harry told himself that his godfather would never hit him, but at that moment he wasn't so confident.
The two marauders stared at each other for a long moment, then Sirius let go of Harry's arm, causing the teen to stumble.
Sirius watched in horror as his godson shot out of the room. Oh Merlin, what am I doing? He was staring at his hand, which hung limp in the air where it had held Harry, Harry who had struggled and flinched to get away from him. He forced his eyes upward until they met Remus's, but only for a moment as he watched his friend push down his anger and hurry off after their ward.
Sirius slowly wandered into the hallway, wanting to go after them, to apologize, but knowing he likely wasn't welcome into whatever conversation they were having right now. After a few moments he found himself standing in front of his mother's portrait. They had found a strong enough silencing spell to keep her voice out of their home, but not out of Sirius' mind. As he drew back the curtain he came face to face with the smug expression of a monster who knew that she had won. I'm no better than you, all these years, everything I've done is to keep from becoming you. But it doesn't matter, perhaps I can't help it.
He stared at the woman who haunted his dreams for a moment longer, then let the curtain drop and stole away to his room.
Remus hesitated before knocking on Harry's door, he wanted to go check on Sirius. As mad as he was at his friend, he was also worried. He is an adult, Harry needs to come first.
Harry was sitting on his bed, his chin resting on his knees, as he stared out his enchanted window. Remus couldn't help a slight smile as he was suddenly reminded of James after every row he had with Sirius. The pensive look on Harry's face was all Lilly Evans though.
"Hey," Remus said as he quietly slipped into the desk chair. "Are you okay?"
Harry shrugged, then, still looking out the window, added "I'm sorry I left without telling you."
Remus nodded, he too had been quite angry at Harry for his foolish actions. And when Severus had sent the message saying he had found him, Remus had been working up a stern lecture, and a whole slew of punishments that he knew were not appropriate for Harry after what he had been through. But after witnessing Sirius' outburst, Remus just felt sad about the whole thing.
This was supposed to be a day we celebrated…. How often did we talk about, years ago "Once this war is over". Of course, that war had ended fourteen years prior. But still, Remus was drawn back to that first war when the news of Voldemort's defeat hit. Maybe because the end of the last war was so… blurry. I didn't get to celebrate then either. "It's alright Harry," he said reassuringly. "I know that was emotional news to get, especially when you weren't expecting it. Not that I'm condoning running away and being reckless, but I think I understand why you did."
Harry gave a half nod, chancing a glance Remus. "I didn't mean to scare you guys though, I don't know what I was thinking, he's so mad…"
Remus smiled sadly, "Harry, Sirius's reaction was not really about you. I'm not excusing his behavior at all. He acted inappropriately, and I plan to talk to him about that. But I think the news of he-who-shall… of Voldemort's capture, it affected him too. Both of us have been through so much since the start of the first war. But regardless, it wasn't really about you, and his actions were not acceptable."
Harry nodded quietly again, but didn't comment.
Remus took a deep breath and tried to think how to move forward. Perhaps they all needed some normalcy around here. Maybe the best thing today was not to celebrate, but to remind themselves that their lives were still their own, not much had changed. But deep down Remus knew that was not true, in ways both wonderful and complicated, none of their lives would ever be the same after today.
Several hours later, once Harry and Draco were settled in the living room with a movie after lunch, Remus braved the trip upstairs to approach his friend.
He couldn't say he was shocked to find Sirius passed out and reeking of alcohol. But he was disappointed. He sighed as he gathered up the empty glass bottles, and fell into the familiar routine of turning his unconscious friend on his side. "I haven't had to do this since before Harry came to live with us, Pads. I know today was hard… but you need to do better… for Harry, and for yourself." With that he left the room and went to take a hot shower. I've got an hour and a half before it's time for the boys snack, perhaps I can even sneak in a nap.
Harry didn't see Sirius again until supper time, when his godfather slunk into the kitchen five minutes after the meal had started he was freshly showered and looking a bit more lucid than he had the last time Harry had seen him. Harry had been expecting him to apologize, or at least address the tension of the morning. But instead he simply slipped into his regular seat at the table and picked at his meal in silence.
Harry gulped, feeling as though his throat might close. He's still mad… why did I have to go and be so stupid? I ruined everything! Knowing he wouldn't be able to stomach any more Harry pushed his half full plate away miserably.
Remus sighed, and unseen by Harry cast a frustrated look at his friend while he fetched a meal shake for his charge.
Sirius disappeared again right after supper, and Harry hated himself more than he had in a long time. He paced around the living room, wishing more than anything he could steal away to his room and do something foolish. I wonder if Draco still has any blades hidden… maybe I could get him to -
Remus must have known that was what Harry was thinking because he seemed determined to keep him occupied. They played a game of wizards chess, then exploding snap, and then Remus set him on working on his makeup work from the end of the semester. All while staying within an arm's reach, watching him closely.
As he lay in bed trying to fall asleep that night Harry found himself digging his nails into his arm. It's not the same as cutting, he told himself firmly. It's just been a long day and I need something to help me calm down. Even as he thought it, Harry knew his justification probably proved him wrong more than it proved him right. But he couldn't bring himself to care.
Just as he was finally drifting off, he heard the squeak of his door. For a moment he lay paralyzed with fear, sure that it was Uncle Vernon coming for one of his late night visits. But no, the face that appeared before him was gaunt and dark.
"Sirius?" He mumbled, his voice still soft from near sleep.
His godfather smiled, but something seemed off about it, alarm bells were ringing in Harry's ears but he couldn't quite place what was wrong.
"Yeah pup, it's me" Sirius whispered back, "Come on, we are going on an adventure."
Harry let himself be pulled out of bed, sensing that it would be unwise to protest. "What's going on?" he asked quietly. Sirius didn't answer, he didn't even seem to hear him. As Harry stood his eyes met with Draco's pale grey ones, the slender blonde hanging back in the shadows of the doorway. He saw fear there, and his gut clenched, knowing he wasn't the only one who sensed that something was wrong.
Sirius didn't seem to notice their hesitation though. With a slightly too tight grip on Harry's hand, he excitedly led them out of the room and through the dark house. "I need to make it up to you." He whispered, almost more to himself than the boys. "Couldn't just apologize, that's not enough.. But an adventure that always fixes things between us."
Harry frowned, he couldn't think of a time that he and Sirius had really fought, let alone patched things up with 'an adventure'. But as Harry opened his mouth to question what Sirius was talking about, the older man motioned for them to be quiet as they snuck past Remu's room. For a brief moment he thought about calling out to the werewolf, thinking that he might be able to help. But at the thought a knot formed in Harry's stomach. I've already made Sirius angry today, and he's finally forgiving me. If I upset him again he might not give me another chance. And really, he thought critically, What's the danger? He would never hurt me. He just wants to get up to some mischief. It's not like I've never been out of bed after hours before. But even as he thought it Harry felt his stomach twist, this felt different, wrong.
Sirius took them up to the roof. From somewhere within his dressing gown he produced a flask, and with a wicked grin took a long sip. Then he held the flask out to Harry. "Seems right I should give you your first drink, like I did for your father all those years ago.
Harry stared at the flask being held out to him for a long time, before glancing back at his godfather and taking it. Taking a sip for himself that was much too big, and caused him to cough and sputter, spitting out more of the amber liquid than he had swallowed.
Draco watched the scene with guarded eyes, schooling his expression into a blank slate as he had done since his second cousin had woken him up. He definitely inherited the black insanity. He thought to himself as he took the flask and pretended to take a sip. He had been in enough situations like this to know the benefit of staying sober.
Draco could tell that Harry was nervous, that he too recognized the potential danger of the situation, but he also saw a yearning in his friend's eyes. He's so desperate to be loved, for Black to forgive him. He might let Black throw him off the roof if he asked.
Sirius was talking again, drinking from another flask he had produced, and pacing around the roof of the home. He was speaking loudly, and almost incoherently. Talking nonsense about 'making things right' Draco glanced back at the door they had come through, wondering if he could slip away and wake Remus. But as he did Sirius rounded on them again, tears in his eyes as he looked at Harry.
"It's my fault!" He sobbed "It's all my fault, they told me I'd be nothing but trouble, and I thought I could prove them wrong, but I've done the opposite haven't I?" He turned away from them, veering dangerously close to the edge of the very high roof. "Maybe it would be better to just… I can't cause any more trouble that way. Should have done it years ago, she always said it was the best thing I could do for them."
Draco was frozen in horror, realizing Sirius 's intention. But Harry spoke up just in time.
"Sirius, no!" He cried, lurching forward only to scramble backwards, falling back onto the ground when Sirius rounded on him with a terrifying rage in his eyes.
"HOW DARE YOU? AFTER EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE? IT'S YOUR FAULT!" His voice broke, the rage dissolving into grief and tears. "You don't even know what you've done. You waltzed in here, making me believe I could be more… that I could be good. And what did I do? I went and got you killed. And… and" his words were barely legible now. "And I let your son, I let that man… your son…" Draco's eyes darted back and forth, watching Harry's expressions flit between shock, and hurt, and then confusion.
Sirius took a shuddering breath, and for the briefest moment hope flickered across Harry's face. Sirius shook, reminding Draco distinctly of his dog form, then spoke. "I'm sorry," his voice was still broken, but he seemed almost lucid, until Draco heard his next words. "James, I'm sorry, I've failed. I know you thought you could save me, but you can't… you aren't even really here."
Then, a split second after Draco realized what he meant to do, Sirius turned back to the ledge of the roof and stepped off.
It happened so fast, Harry felt like he was in a dream, like he was the one losing his mind. The hurt and guilt and fear from Sirius's words stung, but the confusion of realizing the man was mistaking him for his father plummeted him into a haze that made the world feel like it was moving in slow motion. He didn't even realize what he was doing until he was at the edge of the roof, throwing himself onto his stomach and grabbing his godfather by the collar of his dressing gown.
"Draco!" He screamed "help!" He wasn't sure the other boy would hear him over the angry yowls of Sirius, as he swung precariously below him. But in a flash of blonde hair Draco was beside him and grabbing for one of Sirius's arms.
"What are we going to do? We can't hold him for long!"
Harry shook his head "I don't know… do you have your wand?" He knew the answer before he asked though, Remus and Sirius had confiscated both their wands for their own safety.
Draco shook his head, terror showing in his eyes now. Just as Harry started to feel his fingers slipping, he heard shouting behind them. Suddenly he felt Sirius's body lifting from their grasp, and turned to see Remus levitating him back onto the roof.
Harry had a million questions, he felt fear, and shame, and guilt, and anger. He couldn't bear the emotions swirling inside him. But his arms ached with the effort of catching and holding a full grown man in the air, and his heart was pounding. When Remus pulled him roughly away from the edge of the roof he flipped onto his back and let the pain in his body calm him.
He could hear Remus yelling, but he didn't care to listen, and couldn't quite comprehend his words. He wasn't sure how long he lay there, but eventually the man's face appeared above him. He looked calmer than Harry expected, and seemed more concerned than angry.
"Harry, can you hear me? Can you move?"
Harry nodded, then slowly moved to sit, grabbing onto his guardian as the world spun around him a bit. "I'm okay," he said quickly. "Is Sirius? Did he…" Harry wasn't even sure what he was asking, but Remus seemed to understand.
"He's alright, I stunned him… I need to levitate him down to his room, but I want to get you and Draco out of here first."
Harry nodded in understanding, and stood. "I'm sorry Remus, I tried to stop him… I tried to get him to come back downstairs…"
Remus shook his head firmly "Harry, this is not your fault. You saved his life, while endangering your own, which is something we probably should talk about. But for now, we need to just get everyone safe."
Harry still carried worry in his eyes, but he stood up shakily and followed Remus to where Draco was waiting by the door back into the house. "You two go downstairs, and wait for me in the kitchen. Ask Kreature to make you some tea or hot chocolate or something. I imagine we all could use some warming up." Remus instructed with a tight, forced smile. Harry watched for a moment as his guardian turned back around and started walking towards the limp body of his godfather. But Draco tugged on his arm gently, and they both turned and started the long slow trek down to the kitchen.
Remus took a deep breath as he watched his two wards make their way downstairs. After a moment to collect himself he turned to the limp body of his friend, and muttered the spell to lift him into the air. As he carefully guided the comatose man down to his bedroom his mind swirled with a torrent of emotions. Guilt, fear, anger, at himself as much as Sirius. He tried to look back on the past few days and weeks. Had there been signs? Should he have seen this coming?
He was struggling, I knew he was struggling. And we talked about him going back to therapy but I never really followed up. We've just been so preoccupied with the boys. I've failed him.
With this last thought, he gently laid Sirius on his bed and pulled the covers up to his chin. Slowly rolling him to his side in case he should vomit. The action brought back strong memories of doing the very same thing so many times during their school days. With the memories came a spark of anger.
Why can't he pull himself together? We've all been through crap, but we aren't seventeen anymore! He insisted on taking in Draco, and putting all this on our plate. And now who's left to clean up the mess? Mooney, not like I have anything better to be doing. "I might not always be here to pick you up, Pad" he whispered as he looked down at the limp form on the bed. "I can't … I can't save you."
With that Remus left the room, shutting the door quietly and forcing himself to take another deep breath. Anger and ultimatums could come later. Right now, he needed to think logically and figure out what to do with the two traumatized teens waiting for him downstairs.
After another moment of indecision, he strode to his own room and ignited the floo. It took Severus a long time to answer, and every moment he waited made Remus question if this was the right move. He needed to take care of Harry, that needed to be the priority. But short of dumping his childhood best friend unconscious in the street, he couldn't be there for Harry the way he needed to. Not right now. The next best thing he could do was find somewhere safe and stable for Harry to be until he was in a place to put him first.
Severus looked panicked when he did answer. Remus tried to assure him quickly "the boys are fine, at least… they're healthy." He clarified, his body aching from holding it in the awkward angle required for a floo call. "We had an incident tonight… Sirius had… a breakdown." His voice cracked, he closed his eyes for a moment, desperate to pull himself together. "I'm not sure of the details but I found him dangling off the roof with Harry and Draco holding on to him for dear life."
Severus gasped "Merlin, what was that fool thinking?" After a moment he sighed "I'm sorry, I know you care for him… it's just…"
Remus waved him off "I understand Severus, I'm angry too. It was irresponsible and foolish. But I need to deal with him right now, and I can't help Harry at the same time."
Severus nodded, "Of course, they can stay with me. Give me five minutes to get things ready, if you can?"
Remus nodded "Thank you Severus, truly. and of course, I'd like a moment to speak with them both anyway."
Draco sat silently across from his friend, watching as he wrapped his hands around the steaming cup of hot chocolate the house elf had brought them, but not raising it to his lips. He wanted to say something, to comfort Harry. Draco had guessed this was the first time Harry had seen his godfather that way, the first time he had been subjected to madness from a loved one. Draco tried to think back to his own experiences to remember what he might have wanted to hear in similar circumstances. But after flashes of angry eyes, and pain, and wicked smiles, he dug his nails into his palm and cleared his head. "I'm sorry" he mumbled quietly. He wasn't sure if Harry even heard him at first, but it had seemed like the right thing to say.
Eventually the other boy looked up, his eyes looking a bit vacant, and shrugged. "Yeah, thanks…" he said awkwardly. "For… helping… up there."
Draco nodded, and they fell back into a loaded silence.
They were still sitting in silence when Remus came in a few minutes later. Draco watched him closely as the werewolf rushed in, then slowed himself and seemed to take a deep breath at the threshold of the basement kitchen. When he walked up to the table and took a seat next to Harry he was projecting a sense of calm and peace that Draco could see right through.
"Kreature, could you please bring over some biscuits? I think there are some digestives in the back of the cupboard that are still fresh." He said quietly. Kreature complied, uncharacteristically quiet, but neither teen reached for the cookies that popped onto the table a moment later.
"Sirius is sleeping upstairs," Remus said quietly, "Severus has agreed to have the two of you stay with him for the rest of the night. But I'd like to talk about what happened before he arrives to collect you." Remus had his eyes on Harry, but the dark haired boy was stubbornly staring at his hands.
Draco watched Harry for a moment, knowing that his friend would not want him to speak up. But Draco also knew what it was like to live with the secrets of adults, to think that you have to protect them. And he wasn't going to let his friend suffer that way, even if he would have jinxed someone to oblivion before letting them speak of his own traumas. So I'm a hypocrite, but at least I'm a good friend.
"He was drunk," he started, his voice wavering more than he would have liked. "He woke us up babbling about wanting to 'make things up' to Harry. Then he took us up to the roof and something changed…" Draco hesitated, unsure how to describe what he had seen. "I think maybe he thought Harry was someone else?"
He glanced at his friend, hoping for confirmation. Harry had his eyes fixed on the steaming mug of hot chocolate in front of him, after a long moment he spoke. "My dad, he thought I was James." He spoke so quietly that Draco thought he might have imagined it, but then he continued. "He was angry with me.. And with him. He said…" Harry's voice broke, and Draco thought he might be crying, but no tears fell. "It's my fault they died. He blames me."
Remus felt his heart drop into his stomach at Harry's words. How could he, what was Sirius thinking? Anger replaced the shock quickly, but after a deep breath, he pushed it down. Now was time to focus on Harry, he would deal with Sirius later.
"He's wrong Harry." He said with as much conviction as he could muster. "You were a baby, and your parents made their own choice. You are not responsible for what Voldemort did to them." Harry's eyes didn't meet his, but he nodded at least. For a brief moment Remus wondered if he could just leave it there for tonight, but with a sigh he pushed that thought away. He knew he needed to press on. "What happened next?"
Draco, his face more ashen and pale than usual, watched Harry for a moment before apparently deciding that the other boy didn't intend to answer. "He yelled a lot, and said a lot of horrible things, then he jumped. Harry was really brave, I don't know how he moved so fast. I guess it was those seeker instincts. But he managed to grab hold of him… And then we just hung on until you found us."
Remus sighed again, and put his hand to his brow in an effort to hide his expression for a moment. What on earth was he thinking, he asked himself for what seemed like the millionth time that night. But at the same time, a sick sort of gratitude bloomed in his stomach. If he had not woken the boys up… If he had just gone up there by himself. Oh Merlin, I would have been too late. Remus had been woken by a loud alarm ringing through the home. It was a ward they had placed after Harry's suicide attempt, to warn them if someone breached the boundaries of the house through a window or the roof. "Thank you, Harry, and Draco, I know tonight was terrible. Sirius should never have drawn you into this. But if you hadn't been so quick to react…" He sighed, almost hesitating to say it because he knew how much Harry already internalized the 'hero complex' that seemed to have been forced on him by the wizarding world. "If you hadn't gotten to him in time, my best friend would be gone. Thank you."
With that he stood, neither boy really reacted much to his statement, but both looked up questioningly now. "Severus will be waiting for us, and I'm sure both of you are exhausted. Can you each go pack a spare set of clothes and anything else you need for the morning? I will touch base with Snape some time tomorrow to figure out what the plan is going to be going forward."
Both boys stood and silently moved out of the room. Remus hurried to the kitchen floo and called for Severus again. After a brief recounting of what Draco had told him, he hung his head and for a moment let the severity of the night's events engulf him.
"What are you going to do about Black?" Severus asked quietly.
Remus did his best to shrug through the floo. "Honestly, I've no idea… I think he will probably sleep for a while, so I guess I have some time to think about it. But Harry's well being comes first right now, and I think maybe Sirius will need to be somewhere else for a bit in order for that to happen." The words shocked him a bit, but in his heart he knew they were true.