Chapter 2
“Sirius, stop. Slow down,” James said sternly, holding sleeping Harry against his chest. He only ever let go of the boy to give him to Lily now that Voldemort’s plans were revealed. Sirius didn’t think either of the parents had slept in days.
“Dumbledore– he thinks he knows who the spy is.” James’ face soured. It was obvious he didn’t really believe in the spy theory at all. A close friend betraying him was the last thing he’d assume. Sirius ran a hand through his knotted hair and sighed. “All the evidence is there–”
“Fine. Which of my best friends do you think is trying to kill my son?” James snapped. Sirius blinked and his thoughts paused. James had lost patience with him before and expressed frustration… but he’d never been so quick to snap.
“Not… not just me…” Sirius whispered.
“But I’m sure you were quick to agree. Come on, who is it?”
“Remus,” Sirius breathed. James just stared, expression unreadable.
“Moony,” he said, just staring. If angry James was unsettling, silent James was worse. “Did you two get in a fight again? Is that what this is?”
“Everything points to him, Prongs,” Sirius tried, but the exhausted man just shook his head.
“The only thing pointing to him is you.”
They both stood there for a moment. Or was it days? Time was confusing. Sirius swallowed and finally looked away. The kitchen light flickered slightly, matching the skipping of his heartbeat. James didn’t stop staring. It was as if he was seeing a new person, his gaze searching. He cleared his throat and shifted Harry in his arms. “Please leave, Sirius.”
“Prongs–”
“I want you to leave. Go figure out your problems with Lupin.”
Sirius forced a nod and turned, focusing very hard on not tripping over his own feet as he walked out of the Potters’ mansion and down the street.
+++
It wasn’t very cold, the sunset hidden by clouds promising a storm. Sirius walked into one of the muggle convenience stores, quickly realizing he was very lost when it came to muggle snacks. He grabbed two chocolate bars that he vaguely remembered Moony bringing on the Hogwarts Express in… was it third year? The Marauders were slightly skeptical of most muggle things Remus spoke of, but they were unable to turn down candy.
The cashier caught him smiling as he handed her the chocolate.
“A sweet little peace offering, yeah? She must be special.” Sirius blinked. Muggles were bloody observant.
“Oh, yeah… something like that,” Sirius replied, imagining Remus back at their flat. Probably worried. Probably drunk.
“It’ll work out. Or it won’t, and then at least you have chocolate,” the small woman smiled, and Sirius thought she seemed very wise, though she couldn’t have been much older than him.
He found a quiet alley a few blocks down and apparated back to the flat. He took a breath before walking in, realizing he had no idea how to actually present the offering.
+++
Remus stiffened on the couch as he heard the crack of apparition outside the door. “I– I’ve got to go, Grant. Maybe I can see you soon?”
“You don’t seem very confident,” the other boy teased.
“Sorry… been busy,” Remus replied, grimacing. If Grant was there in person, he’d see right through that lie. Christ, he could probably see through it over the phone too.
“Well, I’ll let you get back to reading or smoking or whatever you do in that massive flat.”
“Bye, Grant.”
“Bye sweetheart.”
The door opened, and Sirius came in looking slightly pale. Remus sat up quickly and cast an invisibility spell on the notes for Dumbledore. The other boy shot him a weird look. Remus told himself it was just a reluctant acceptance. Yeah, hiding things from someone he previously placed all his trust in was hard, but everyone had to, didn’t they?
Well, Lily and James didn’t seem to. They went everywhere together. Remus tried not to think too hard on that.
“How was Harry?”
“Tired.”
“Aren’t we all?” Remus mumbled, digging his palms into his eyes to avoid looking at Padfoot’s expression. He felt that almost anything he said sparked anger in Sirius.
“Mm.” Remus stayed quiet. Sirius wasn’t in the mood to talk very much nowadays. When he did, it was to complain about the latest mission.
The thought of baby Harry being raised in the exhausting world they were struggling through haunted Remus. That was why this whole war was so important, wasn’t it? They had to sacrifice their personal comforts for the younger generation. That was fine. It couldn’t be much longer. Voldemort had to give up at some point. And Sirius would be in the mood to talk again. And full moons wouldn’t be so terrible; as long as Dumbledore kept his half-promises. Maybe Remus could even spend the moons with Castor’s pack, if they lasted through the war.
No, that was a terrible thought. Of course the pack would make it. Everyone would.
Except Ferox, a small voice said. Remus pushed it back.
They would make it, and everything would be okay.