Sirius
Sirius shook off the feeling of apparition as soon as he landed on his feet. He looked around and took in the sight of an abandoned building as he heard two pops behind him.
Remus appeared on his right while James stepped to his left.
“Real classy location,” Remus muttered, eyeing the building that was falling apart. Roots grew up the side and the windows had been smashed. Graffiti was sprayed all over the bricks, spelling out words of Muggle curses and drawings.
“What did you expect from people dressed up in robes and masks?” James quipped back, his eyes sparkling for adventure.
“Let’s head in, boys,” Sirius grinned, anticipation for a good duel building in his chest. He’d been riled up with excited energy since Remus returned that morning and he couldn’t help but want to blow off some steam. Either by fighting some Deatheater or by going home with Remus later on. Or both. He could do with both.
The building was silent when they entered and they split up, each taking a room.
Sirius didn’t know what they were looking for, but he guessed it was something old and ugly. He’d seen a lot of dark objects in his family’s vault and at Grimmauld Place, he’d recognise what they were looking for in an instant.
He could hear James and Remus move around in the other rooms, keeping an ear out for any more movement. Even in human form, his canine hearing had its perks.
Sirius moved a stack of old newspapers to the side and peered into the cabinet that stood behind it. Nothing but dust and some knickknacks from a faraway holiday destination.
He frowned, moving onto the desk that stood on the other side of the room. This building had obviously been used as some kind of business, this room having been the office. He didn’t understand why the Dark Lord would use a Muggle building to hide something. It didn’t seem right.
A soft rap against the door made Sirius look up, seeing Remus in the doorway.
“This room’s clear. I’m heading to the next,” he said. His face was illuminated by the light coming from a streetlamp and his scars seemed almost silver. He looked beautiful.
“Alright,” Sirius nodded, eyes conveying a message only Remus would understand.
Remus sent him a smile before he disappeared from the doorway.
Sirius turned back to what he’d been looking at but stopped soon after. He wasn’t going to find whatever they were looking for here.
“Prongs?” he called out, stepping out of the room.
There was a shuffle and then James stuck his head out. “I found something,” he said, glasses glinting as the light reflected off of them.
“Great, what is it?” Sirius moved towards him, eyes inspecting the small item in James’ hands.
“Some kind of goblet. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s giving me the creeps just looking at it.” James shuddered, eying the silver goblet in distaste.
“It’s definitely Dark Magic. I can feel it,” Sirius confirmed, recognising the soft hum the item projected from the other cursed items back at Grimmauld Place. “Let’s get this back to Dumbledore.”
James nodded. “Where’s Moony?”
“He went to check the other room,” Sirius said, pocketing the goblet.
The two stepped out of the room James had found the item in. “Moony?” James called out, “We’ve got it, let’s go.”
The building stayed silent and James and Sirius shared a look.
“Remus?” Sirius called out, feet already moving towards the room where Remus was in. “Let’s go.”
There was no reply, but Sirius thought he heard a soft groan. It was enough for him to move faster. James followed him.
Sirius’ breath hitched when he entered the room, taking in the sight in front of him.
Remus stood in the middle of the room, behind him stood a figure in dark robes and a white mask. Three more Death Eaters stood behind them.
The Death Eater behind Remus had his wand pressed against Remus’ throat and a dagger pressed against his side.
“Remus!” Sirius exclaimed, taking out his wand. Remus’ eyes met his, fear written on his face.
Sirius blinked, and before he could say or do anything, the tell-tale sound of someone apparating filled the room. Then, Remus was gone, along with the four Death Eaters. The place they’d been standing in was empty, and the room seemed to have dropped in temperature.
“Remus!” Sirius ran forward to where Remus had been standing just moments before. His foot kicked against something and he watched as Remus’ wand rolled away. “No,” he moaned, dropping to his knees to clutch the wand against his chest. “No, Moony, no,” he gasped out, unable to believe what just happened.
His chest tightened as he sobbed. He felt James wrap his arms around him but he couldn’t react.
Remus. His Remus was gone. His Moony was gone.
He shook his head, a hoarse scream leaving his lips at the emptiness in his chest.
James was tugging at his arm, urging him to stand up. “We need to go, Pads,” he said, voice unstable and his face scrunched up. His eyes shone with tears. “They could come back, we have to go.”
Sirius shook his head, tears streaming down his face. “No,” he whispered, “He’ll escape, he’ll come back here.”
James bit his lip. “We need to go, Sirius, now.” He hauled Sirius to his feet and helped him walk out of the building.
Sirius was sobbing, trying to twist out of James’ grip. Why, he wasn’t sure. He just needed his Moony back.
James apparated them straight back to Godric’s Hallow.
As soon as they touched the carpeted floor of the cottage, Sirius felt his arms around him. he pressed his face into his neck on instinct, hands clutching against James’ shirt, holding on. He wished it was Remus’ arms around him, Remus’ scent he was inhaling. But Remus was gone.
Sirius knew the chances of seeing his love back alive were slim, even if he couldn’t admit it yet. The Death Eaters were ruthless, cruel and evil. Remus didn’t stand a chance. Not without his wand. Not alone. He was as good as dead.