Three Broken hearts
Chapter 2: Three broken hearts
Severus:
Severus’ hands shook as he tried to neatly slice his daisy roots. Groaning, he threw down his scalpel and pushed away the daisy roots before burying his face in his hands. How he hated himself. How could he be so stupid as to tell the Dark Lord about that prophecy? How was he supposed to know that the Dark Lord would focus on the Potters? Why would he focus on the Potters?
Severus sighed before rolling up his sleeve to look at the mark. Why had he gotten it? Why did he become a part of that group? Then Severus noticed something strange. The Dark Mark. It was… fading. He frowned. Why was the mark fading? The only reason it would fade is if....
Severus gasped. Was the Dark Lord dead? How did… Wait, did he find the Potters? Oh Merlin, Lily!
Severus quickly pulled a corked vial out of his pocket. That vial held a single strand of Lily’s hair. He had collected that strand during a potion session in his seventh year. He had tried to speak to Lily but she had ignored him. That girl knew how to hold a grudge. But when she walked past, a single strand of her red hair fell from her ponytail and fell on his parchment. He had collected it and placed it in an empty vial. It had become his most treasured possession, the only piece of Lily that he could hold on to after that horrible mistake he made.
After uncorking the vial, Severus grabbed some tweezers to carefully pull the strand out before gently placing it on the tabletop. Then he picked up his wand.
“Locātus Lily Potter,” he murmured, carefully touching the strand with his wand before tapping a blank piece of parchment beside his elbow.
Slowly, words formed on the parchment. Godric’s Hallow, West Country, England. He sighed. He knew where that was. Standing up, he quickly placed the strand back in the vial and corked it again before pocketing it. Once it was safe, he walked to the middle of his living room and turned on the spot, imaging Godric’s Hallow. With a crack, Severus felt the familiar and unpleasant feeling of apparating before landing on a street. He looked around uneasily. How would he find Lily? Right, the vial.
Quickly pulling out the vial, he uncorked the vial and tipped the strand of hair in palm. Pocketing the empty vial, he pointed his wand at his palm.
“Locātus Lily Potter,” he murmured again.
Slowly, the strand floated out of Severus’ palm before floating down the street. Severus quickly followed, watching the strand float and sway until it fell in front of a cottage. Quietly, Severus watched the stand fall to the ground before looking up. Immediately, his heart fell into his stomach.
No! He thought as he took in the sight of the ruined house. The roof was blown out on the right side and there were bits of rubble, broken planks and shattered tiles on the ground. The sight was truly frightening. But there was no Death Mark in the sky. Maybe they were alive. Willing his legs to move, Severus slowly made his way towards the house. The front door was open. Severus stood in the doorway, looking around to take in the damage. There was none. A lot of it seemed untouched, unbroken. It looked like the Dark Lord had simply ignored his surroundings to accomplish his mission.
He stepped inside, still looking around. It was silent. Eerily silent. A few more steps and the next thing he knew, Severus was staring down at the body of his childhood nemesis, James Potter. The man who made his school years a living hell and took his first love away from him. Severus stared at James. His eyes were wide and he had a mixture of fear and determination on his face.
Severus sighed. Despite the hatred he had for the man, Severus felt a fleeting moment of remorse and sorrow as he continued to stare at James’ body. Slowly, Severus’ eyes went to James’ wand hand, only to see no wand. He must have forgotten it and tried to take on the Dark Lord with his fists instead.
Foolish Gryffindor! He thought before looking around. No Lily. Maybe. Just maybe the Dark Lord had respected Severus’ wish and spared her. But where was she? He looked down at James again, noticing that he was laying on the staircase. He looked up. Maybe she was hiding upstairs?
Stepping around James, he slowly walked up the stairs, his heart racing with each step. When he reached the top, he could see an open door at the end of the hall with pieces of broken furniture in the doorway and a flickering light. Severus took a sharp inhale as he gingery approached the doorway. Just as he reached the opening, he fell to his knees in despair and horror. Lying on the ground in front of a crib, arms outstretched, cheeks tear-stained and her vibrant, fiery hair spread out under her like a halo was Lily Potter. Severus choked a few times before the sobs finally came out. His best friend, the love of his life was gone.
“Lily!” he wept, crawling closer. “Oh Lily! Forgive me!”
He sobbed loudly, all the pain and guilt pouring out of him as he pulled Lily’s body into his arms. She still felt warm, which only made Severus cry harder. If she was still warm then that means she hadn’t been dead long. Opening his eyes briefly, he noticed a black robe on the ground a few feet away. The Dark Lord’s robe. What was that doing here? Was the Dark Lord truly dead?
Suddenly, he heard a cough. Hope surging, Severus quickly looked down at Lily. Did she survive? No, he thought, sorrow filling him again as he stared into Lily’s lifeless eyes. No longer would they sparkle with happiness or burn with anger or determination. She was gone.
Another cough. It sounded like it was coming behind him. After gently laying Lily’s body on the ground again, Severus stood and turned to look at the crib. The baby. Lily’s son. What did Lily call him? Oh that’s right. Hadrian. Hari for short. He remembered from the two letters Lily had written him; one when she discovered she was pregnant and the second after he was born.
“James and I have been arguing over the baby’s name if it’s a boy,” she had written in the first. “He wants to name the baby after his dad but I want a simple name. I loved Monty but I’m uncertain about naming my son Fleamont. But if it’s a girl, we’re continuing my mum’s tradition on naming the girls after flowers. I’m thinking Rose.”
“It’s a little boy!” Said the second letter. “We decided on Hadrian, Hari for James. Hadrian means ‘dark’ in Latin and Swedish. I think it’s appropriate because he’s got the blackest hair you’ve ever seen. He had to get the Potter hair! Can you tell I’m rolling my eyes? Anyway, the nickname ‘Hari’ is Hindi for James’ culture. It means ‘lion’ or ‘one who forgives all sins’.”
Severus snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a third cough, followed by a whimper.
“Mama?”
Merlin and Morgana! Hari was alive? How? Carefully, Severus looked into the crib. Tangled in the blankets, bleeding from his forehead, was one year old Hari Potter. Severus gasped. Yes, Hari looked like James but his eyes. They were the brightest, most striking shade of green Severus had ever seen. They were Lily’s eyes but somehow, they were brighter and they seemed to shine like polished emeralds. There was also the strangest shade of black surrounding the outside of the irises and the pupils were diamond shaped.
How? Severus thought as he and the toddler continued to stare at each other. How did you survive? And what was wrong with your eyes?
Suddenly, Hari pushed himself up into a sitting position and started looking around, blood drops rolling down his forehead.
“Mama? Dada?” He whimpered. “Mama?”
Immediately, Severus’ heart broke for the toddler. Yes, he had lost his best friend but he was an adult. He could slowly come to terms with what he had lost. But Hari was a toddler and now, both his parents were gone. He didn’t understand. He didn’t know any better.
“Mama!” Hari pleaded, holding up his little arms. “Mama!”
Severus looked at the whimpering boy before reaching out. But just as he was about to pick him up, he heard the crack of someone apparating into the house followed by a heart-breaking scream. Immediately, Severus turned on the spot, apparating away before appearing safely in his house. Then he collapsed in the hallway before screaming and sobbing himself to sleep.
****
Sirius:
After landing his motorcycle in the garden, Sirius sprinted inside, ignoring the damage around him. Once he was inside, he looked around in a panic before his eyes landed on the staircase where James was laying. Sirius let out a loud and heart wrenching scream before falling beside him.
“No!” He wailed, pulling James close. “Prongs! Jamie!”
Sirius sobbed as he started to rock, clinging to James’ cold body.
“Oh Jamie! What have I done?!” He wept. “I’m so sorry! I never should have…”
Suddenly, a high-pitched wail broke through the air. Sirius perked up. Was that…
“Hari?” He asked before looking down at his brother in all but blood. Sirius sighed as he gently closed James’ eyes before laying him down again.
“Rest in peace, brother,” he whispered before placing a kiss on James’ cold forehead. “I love you.”
Slowly rising to his feet, Sirius gave James one last forlorn look before sprinting up the stairs. As he reached Hari’s room, he spotted Lily lying on the floor in front of Hari’s crib. Although he didn’t scream this time, Sirius couldn’t help but collapse beside the woman he had claimed as his sister during seventh year.
“Oh, Tiger Lily,” he whispered, closing her eyes like he did with James before kissing her forehead. “I’m so sorry, love.”
“Pa’foo!”
Sirius looked up to see Hari standing in his crib in his blue onesie pyjamas, forehead stained with blood and cheeks stained with tears. Sirius’ heart soared. Hari was alive. He might have lost his best friends but he still had his godson.
“Hi Bambi,” Sirius smiled, standing up and holding up his hands so Hari could grab them. “Are you okay?”
“Owie,” Hari said, touching his head.
“Yeah, I bet that does hurt,” Sirius said, pulling out a hanky and his wand. “Aguamenti.”
Once the piece of cloth was wet, Sirius carefully cleaned Hari’s forehead, wiping away the blood. Once it was gone, Sirius could see a cut in the shape of a lightning bolt across Hari’s forehead.
“Oh Bambi,” Sirius sighed, pocketing his hanky and wand before picking up the toddler. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Mama!” Hari cried, staring down at Lily. Sirius cringed.
“Mama sleeping,” Sirius lied, gently turning Hari’s head away from Lily. “But it’s okay. We’re going to go see Moony, okay?”
“Moomy,” Hari agreed before looking at Lily again. “Mama! Scary!”
Sirius’ eyes watered as Hari started crying again.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” he whispered as he turned and left, holding Hari’s head close to his neck in an effort to shield Hari’s eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
Sirius sprinted out of the house, his mind on two things. One, get Hari to Remus and tell him what happened and how Sirius originally thought it would be a good idea to make people believe he was the secret keeper when in reality, it was Peter and how he betrayed them. And then two, find the rat, demand why the man betrayed them and how long he had been betraying them before killing the bastard.
As Sirius reached the front door, he froze. How long had Peter been betraying them? Who else had he betrayed? Now that Sirius thought about it, Peter had been acting weird ever since Marlene McKinnon and her family got murdered, followed by Dorcas Meadowes. And Peter was the one who started planting thoughts in his head about Remus being the spy ever since Dumbledore started sending Remus on private missions.
“Think about it, Pads,” he said during one meeting. “He’s a werewolf. A dark creature. No one except us has ever treated him with respect before and even then, you did betray his trust back in school. Why wouldn’t he trade sides? You know what, I bet he’s found someone who will love him better than you. It would explain him staying away for such long periods and not telling you anything.”
Sirius grit his teeth. That lying, manipulative rat! He had probably been playing them from the beginning! Pitting him and Remus against each other, using their insecurities and feelings to make them distrust each other. He was going to kill that man.
“Pa’foo?”
Sirius blinked out his thoughts and looked down to see Hari’s tired, wet face, his nose dripping.
“It’s okay, Bambi,” Sirius replied, giving Hari’s nose a gentle pinch to remove the snot. “We’re going to Moony.”
“Moomy,” Hari agreed before snuggling into Sirius’ neck. Sirius nodded as he walked out of the damaged house. Once he was on the lawn, he turned to blow a kiss to the house.
“I love you both,” he whispered. “I promise I’ll look after Hari. Goodbye.”
Sirius turned to see a familiar giant walk towards him. He sighed.
“Hagrid.”
“‘Ello, Sirius,” Hagrid nodded before looking at the house. “Is it true?”
“He found them,” Sirius nodded sorrowfully. “They’re dead.”
“Oh,” the giant moaned, his eyes filling with tears. Sirius watched as the half-giant started crying over the loss of Lily and James. Hagrid always found James quite funny and he adored sweet Lily. They had bonded over creatures like fairies and unicorns. Lily told him how fairies and unicorns were portrayed by muggles and Hagrid explained what they were really like.
“But Hari’s okay,” Sirius said, nodding at the whimpering toddler. “He’s okay.”
The half giant looked at Sirius in amazement before looking at Hari. “But ‘ow?”
“I have no idea,” Sirius admitted, turning to walk to his motorcycle. “But he’s exhausted right now so I’m going to take him to Remus.”
“Sirius,” Hagrid said quickly, placing a hand on Sirius’ free shoulder to prevent him from leaving. Sirius looked at the half-giant in confusion.
“Professor Dumbledore asked me to bring him to ‘Ogwarts,” Hagrid said, holding out a large hand. Sirius’ eyes widened as he automatically curled around Hari.
“What? No!” He cried; his arms tight around the baby. “He’s my godson! James and Lily’s will said if anything should happen, Hari goes to me and Remus! He’s coming with me!”
“Dumbledore gave orders,” Hagrid explained. “Don’t worry. ‘E’ll be safe. Especially from any remaining Death Eaters.”
Sirius froze. Safe from the Death Eaters? Oh Merlin, what if Peter finds him with Hari before he gets to Remus or what if the other Death Eaters find them? What if Bellatrix finds them? He barely escaped that crazy woman the last time he faced her. He looked at Hagrid before looking down at Hari, who was looking at him with trembling lips. No. No, he couldn’t take such a risk with Hari. Not with Bellatrix and the other Death Eaters still on the loose. He sighed.
“Alright,” Sirius nodded, his face full of determination. “Hagrid, take Hari to Dumbledore and make sure to tell him to contact Remus. Tell them I’m going after the traitor. When I’m done, I’ll come and get Hari.”
Hagrid gave a nod as Sirius looked at Hari, who was watching with confusion.
“Hari, listen, I have to go and fix something,” he said. “So Hagrid’s going to take you to Moony, okay?”
“No! Pa’foo!” Hari cried, gripping Sirius’ jacket as Sirius tried to pass him to Hagrid. “No!”
“It’s okay,” Sirius smiled weakly, finally managing to place the baby in Hagrid’s massive arm. Hari desperately gripped at the leather sleeve, which made Sirius’ eyes sting as he carefully pried the toddler’s fingers off. “Don’t worry, pup. I promise I’ll come back. I will always come back for you.”
Then he pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around the baby tightly before gesturing to the motorcycle parked in the garden.
“The keys are still in the ignition and the button in the middle will make it fly,” Sirius explained quickly, tears falling as Hari continued to sob and try to reach for him. “Please keep him safe.”
Hagrid nodded, making Sirius smile before looking at Hari again.
“Pa’foo!” Hari cried, the large jacket slipping off his tiny shoulders as he reached for Sirius. Sirius sniffed as he took Hari’s tiny hands in his.
“I love you, Bambi,” he sighed, pressing kisses to the tiny fingers. “I love you so much. I promise, I’ll come back. I’ll see you soon love.”
And with a quick turn, Sirius apparated away, full of heartbreak and determination.
****
Remus:
Remus sat on the couch in his and Sirius’ shared flat, anxiously waiting for his boyfriend to return. Where had he gone?
Early last night, they had finally agreed to sit down and talk to each other. Remus was about to tell him about the missions Dumbledore had created for him when Sirius had suddenly turned grey. He had then said he had to check something and promised to come back before running out of the apartment. Once Remus heard Sirius’ motorcycle roar to life before disappearing into the night, he decided to make himself some tea and think about everything he was going to talk to Sirius about. An hour later, when Sirius didn’t come home, Remus decided to go to sleep, figuring that when he woke up, Sirius would be back.
But morning eventually rolled around and Sirius still hadn’t come home. So he started doing anything to distract himself. He had read five books, cleaned the apartment and watch a few movies before finally lying on the couch, wondering what was taking Sirius so long and why he had disappeared without saying anything.
Remus sighed as he thought about the two of them and how much suffering they had gone through since joining the order. Their friends either dead, missing or in hiding. Gosh, how much had Hari grown? Did he even remember his Moony anymore? How was Lily? How was James?
And Sirius. Oh Sirius.
Things had been so difficult the past few months between the two of them, especially with Remus trying to get the werewolves on Dumbledore’s side for Dumbledore and Sirius using his name to gather as much information as possible while working as a Healer to treat injuries. They had spent so much time away from each other and the fact that there was a spy in the order made everything between them worst. The nights of cuddles, sweet affection and gentle lovemaking between them had now been replaced with loud fights, threats to break up before ending in angry, desperate sex as a need of comfort.
Remus felt tears as he tried to remember the last time Sirius held and caressed him during a round of lovemaking. It had been so long since they had been gentle with each other and it hurt.
Maybe we should look into getting a therapist when this mess is finished, Remus thought. Surely there must be a wizarding version of a counsellor somewhere.
Remus sighed again, holding out his wand.
“Tempus,” he said before frowning. It had been slightly over twenty-four hours since Sirius had left. Where was he? What was he doing? Shaking his head, he sat up and looked around, trying to find something else to distract him when suddenly a Patronus of a cat came through the window. Immediately, Remus drew his wand.
“Remus,” the cat said with Professor McGonagall’s voice. “Come to Professor Dumbledore’s office. Something has happened with Sirius and the Potters.”
Fear filling him, Remus quickly ran out of the flat, locking the door wandlessly behind him. As he got outside, he jumped in shock at the sight of meteor showers, swooping owls and wizards and witches walking down the streets, singing loudly.
“What’s going on?” He asked a passing wizard, who was drinking out of a large bottle.
“The war is over!” The wizard cried joyfully. “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is dead! Defeated by the Potter boy!”
Remus froze? Voldemort was dead? Hari defeated him? How? He was one and doing accidentally magic. How could a one-year-old defeat a dark wizard? Wait, Hari defeat a dark wizard? Then that would mean…
“No,” Remus breathed in horror before quickly apparating to Hogwarts, landing just outside the gate. Then he sprinted towards the castle, his mind racing.
Please be okay! Please be okay! He pleaded in his head as he reached the giant doors.
Grunting, he forced the doors open before sprinting towards the staircase. He paused momentarily at the bottom of the stairs to catch his breath. Running around with the werewolves for months had done wonders for his physique but Hogwarts was a castle and there were a lot of stairs to get to Dumbledore’s office. Thank goodness, the headmaster’s office was located on the second floor instead of the seventh.
Taking a deep breath, Remus made his way up the stairs, fear flooding his veins with each step. Eventually, he reached the Gargoyle Corridor. He stood in front the familiar gargoyle statue, trying to figure out the password.
“Myrddin, helpa fi,” he sighed. “Please, please open. I don’t know the password but please let me in. Dumbledore is expecting me. Please open.”
Slowly, the gargoyle spun, much to Remus’ surprise. Did begging really work?
“Mr Lupin?”
Okay, that made more sense.
“Professor McGonagall,” he sighed, watching his teacher walk down the stairs. He could smell dried salt on her cheeks.
“Thank goodness, you’re here,” Professor McGonagall smiled, her voice thick with tears. “Please, come up.”
“Professor, what’s going on?” Remus asked as he followed his teacher up the stairs. “I passed a bunch of drunk witches and wizards saying Voldemort is dead and Hari killed him. Is it true? Is he dead? What about James and Lily? And what’s happened to Sirius?”
Professor McGonagall looked at him sadly before gesturing to the door, silently telling Remus to go inside. Looking at her briefly, he quickly walked inside to see Albus Dumbledore sitting at his desk, fiddling with some sort of trinket.
“Professor Dumbledore,” Remus said quietly. Dumbledore looked up and gave Remus a smile.
“Remus, my boy,” he smiled. “How are you? I know the full moon was a while ago but I haven’t seen you since your last mission. How did you go?”
“Stop stalling,” Remus demanded, his patience running thin. “What’s going on? Why are their witches and wizards out there getting drunk and saying Voldemort is dead and Hari defeated him?”
Remus watched as sorrow filled the old man’s face.
“It’s because they are correct,” Dumbledore said simply. “Voldemort has been defeated and it appears that it might have something to do with little Hari.”
“But then that would mean…,” Remus’ eyes widened in horror. “Are James and Lily…?”
“I’m sorry Remus,” Dumbledore shook his head, his face full of sadness. “Voldemort killed them.”
Remus didn’t know what happened but the next thing he knew, he was on his knees, completely in shock. James and Lily were gone? No, they were supposed to be safe. How did this happen? How did he find them? When did they die?
“When?” he asked weakly. “How?”
“It appears they placed their trust in the wrong person,” Dumbledore said gravelly. “They were murdered last night.”
“Last night?” Remus asked in dismay. “Why wasn’t I told?”
“I’m sorry, Remus,” Dumbledore shook his head again. “I had to take action to protect Hari….”
“Hari?! He’s alive?!” Remus asked hopefully, clambering to his feet. “Is he okay? Where is he? Where’s my cub?”
“Hari is safe,” Dumbledore nodded. “He is now with his family.”
“Sirius has him? Then they must be at home,” Remus said, turning towards the door. “I’m sorry, Professor. I have to….”
“He’s not with Mr Black,” Dumbledore interrupted, making Remus pause and turn. “At this moment, Mr Black is being obtained by aurors and Hari is with Lily’s sister.”
“What?!” Remus shrieked in shock. “Sirius has been arrested?! For what?!”
“For selling the Potters to Voldemort,” Dumbledore answered gravely. “And for the murder of thirteen muggles and Peter Pettigrew.”
Remus fell to his knees again. Pete was dead too? And Sirius…?
“No,” Remus shook his head. “No, he would never! He loved James! He loved Lily! He would never betray them and Pete… he wouldn’t!”
“I’m sorry, Remus,” Dumbledore repeated. Remus started letting out short, sharp wheezes. All his friends were dead and the love of his life had been arrested for murder? This couldn’t be happening. Then, the other half of Dumbledore’s sentence hit him.
“Wait a minute, where did you say Hari was?”
“I said ‘he is with Lily’s sister,’” Dumbledore repeated.
“What?! You gave Hari with Lily’s sister?!” Remus cried, his voice rising in octaves. “Lily’s muggle sister who hates her and hates magic?! Have you lost your mind?!”
“Now, Remus…,” Dumbledore started to say.
“No, don’t you ‘now, Remus’ me,” Remus snarled, marching to the desk and slamming his hands against the surface. His palms stung but he didn’t notice. “You can’t give Hari to her!”
“Remus, she’s the only family he has left,” Dumbledore said, making Remus freeze.
“No, he has me,” he said, tears filling his eyes, aggressively pointing to himself. “I’m his family.”
“Remus,” Dumbledore said, smiling patronisingly. “You’re not his biological family. And even if you were, you have no legal claim to him.”
“He’s mine!” Remus growled, slamming the desk with a clenched fist, his eyes glowing as Moony came to the surface. “He’s my cub!”
Dumbledore gave him a look that contained a mixture of pity and caution.
“Look at yourself, Remus,” Dumbledore reprimanded. “You’re losing control now. What would happen if you were Hari’s guardian? He would either be dead or just like you.”
“I would never hurt my cub!” Remus growled, glaring at the man as his heart stung from his headmaster’s cruel words. “Tell me where’s my cub is! Now!”
Dumbledore slowly rose to his feet and crossed his arms, disapproval written all over his face.
“He is safe with Lily’s sister,” he repeated sternly. “Safe and away from the wizarding world. And when he turns eleven, he can come back and study at Hogwarts. But in the meantime, it’s best he stays away from our world. And that means, you can’t see him. No visitations.”
“B-b-but… you can’t do that!” Remus cried in horror, tears now falling. “You can’t keep him from me! He’s mine! Tell me where he is! Please!”
“No, Remus,” Dumbledore shook his head. “Hari needs to stay away from the wizarding world and you are a part of the wizarding world. So, no I won’t tell you where he is.”
“But…” Remus started to say.
“Minerva,” Dumbledore called, sitting down again. “Please escort Mr Lupin out. I have work I need to do.”
McGonagall, who had been standing there in shock at Dumbledore’s words, broke out of her trace.
“Come on, dear,” she said, wrapping an arm around Remus’ waist whilst glaring at Dumbledore, who didn’t notice. Slowly, she started to lead Remus towards the door when he stopped and turned.
“So, after everything I did for you,” he growled, his eyes glowing amber with anger. “After risking my life, despite the fact that the werewolves wanted nothing to do with this war, and losing all my friends, you’re going to take away the last bit of my pack? You’re taking away my cub?!”
“It’s better this way, Remus,” Dumbledore said simply. “And remember, he’s not yours.”
Remus shook, wanting to launch himself at the headmaster and strangle him, only to be gently but firmly steered out of the office and back into the Gargoyle Hall. As they walked towards McGonagall’s office, Remus felt his anger disappear and get replaced with sorrow. All of his friends were dead, the love of his life was awaiting trial and his precious cub was gone. He was all alone. Suddenly it occurred to him that he was now sitting on a chair and McGonagall was talking into the fireplace.
“Yes, come on through,” she said before stepping to the side. There was a flash of green and in stumbled his father, Lyall Lupin. Remus stared as his father dusted himself off a little before looking at him.
“Tad?” he whispered.
“Helô, mab,” Lyall smiled, holding out his arms. Then, Remus broke. Bursting into loud sobs, Remus threw himself at his father. As he felt Lyall’s arms wrap around his back, Remus thanked God that his father was still taller than him, even if he himself was six feet.
“What happened, mab?” Lyall asked, rubbing Remus’ upper back. “What’s wrong?”
“James…Lily…Sirius…Hari!” Remus sobbed, unable to get the words out. Lyall sighed.
“Thank you, professor,” Remus heard his father say. “I’ll take him home.”
“Take care,” McGonagall said. “And Remus, if you ever need any references for a job or even someone to talk to, let me know.”
Lifting his face from his father’s shoulder, Remus looked at his old professor, who gave him a watery smile.
“Thank you, professor,” he choked.
“Call me Minerva,” she smiled, blowing Remus a kiss. “Take care, dear.”
Remus nodded before allowing his father to steer him towards the fireplace, barely registering his father yelling the address before he was engulfed in flames. The next thing he knew, he was standing in his childhood home and his mother, Hope, was standing there, looking worried.
“Remus,” she said as she stepped forward to cup his cheeks. “What’s wrong, annwyl?”
“Mwmi,” he choked, calling her the name he hadn’t said since he was six. “They’re all gone.”
“Who’s gone?” Lyall asked as he and Hope gently steered Remus towards the couch.
“Marlene, Dorcas, Gideon and Fabian,” Remus listed, breath heaving with each name. “Pete, James and Lily. And Sirius… Sirius betrayed us! He got James and Lily killed and he killed Pete and thirteen muggles!”
“Oh, my Lord,” Hope breathed out in shock. “What about James and Lily’s babi?”
“Hari’s with his aunt,” Remus sobbed. “And Dumbledore won’t tell me where. I’ve lost them. They’re all gone! And my cub! He took my cub!”
As Remus wailed in his parents’ arms, over on a little street, in Surrey, England, a young man was saving a baby from a heart-breaking life.