A/N: Hey y'all! I'm back for the last time- for this story, at least. There are plenty more to come, don't worry. I just wanted to take a second and express how happy I am to have had such a wonderful support group through the duration of this story. You all mean so much to me, and I am so happy that I got to share this with you. Yes, this is the epilogue, and I really hope you enjoy. Keep being amazing!

Enjoy!

Epilogue

Remus smiled contentedly as the cool wind blew against his face. He looked out at the field he was sitting in with Harry and Sirius- the very same field that he used to go to with James and Lily- and couldn't believe his luck. He was out of Azkaban, and out of hiding- life was good again.

The three of them had laid a picnic blanket down on the grass, and were enjoying the scenery. Remus was relishing the sensation of the sunshine on his face- something he hadn't been able to properly enjoy in over a decade. He had either been in prison or in hiding, and when he had been able to go outside, he had been focusing on not getting caught by the Aurors. It was nearly a month since he had been reunited with Sirius and his innocence had been proven, and things were looking up for Remus.

The wizarding world now knew of his wrong imprisonment, and it had been considered quite the scandal. Remus was getting mountains of letters everyday expressing either condolences, or someone's opinion about whether he should still be locked up due to his being a werewolf. Sirius had nearly blown a fuse when he saw the first letter saying that they thought he should still be in Azkaban- it had taken both Harry and Remus to keep him from hunting down the witch who had sent it and strangling her. Though for the rest of that day, no one could stop Sirius' bitter ranting. Padfoot had taken to opening any letters addressed to Remus first, and burning the ones he didn't like. This, surprisingly, didn't bother Remus, because the letters that were burned were the minority of the ones sent, and it saved him from having to read a majority of the insults.

There had been many Daily Prophet articles, and quite a few reporters knocking at their door (Sirius had, quite insistently, requested that Remus stay with him and Harry), but all were turned away. It had been odd, for all three of them, having Remus suddenly living with them, at first. But in just two weeks, they all got used to it, and know Remus could hardly imagine living anywhere else. Luckily, Harry didn't seem to mind an extra uncle- he welcomed Remus in with open arms, for which Remus was grateful.

Listening to the sounds around him, Remus marveled at how bright everything looked. For so long he had only witnessed the greys and browns of Azkaban, and this field was even more beautiful than he remembered.

Sirius grinned at him.

Remus cocked his head to the side, looking at Sirius. At his godfather's side, Harry too looked up. "What, Padfoot?"

Sirius' smile grew wider. "Oh, nothing. I just realized that I still have an inch on you."

Remus blinked, before his own smile grew on his face. "Are you trying to tell me that your big revelation was that you're still one inch taller than me?"

The three of them burst out laughing, and Remus' eyes sparkled. Things were so much better now.

Sometimes, he still slipped into the past. The first time Sirius had witnessed it, he had completely overreacted- once Harry had managed to drag Remus back to the present, Sirius had insisted upon Apparating him to Madame Pomphrey (because Remus obviously wasn't well enough to do it on his own). Sirius had fretted over him the next couple of days, always hovering over his shoulder, until Remus had finally snapped that he was perfectly fine, and that if Sirius didn't give him some space, Sirius wouldn't be fine, and that he had already been confined to a cell for twelve years, so he didn't need to be confined to his bedroom as well, thank you very much.

Needless to say, Sirius had given him some room to breathe after that.

Remus understood Sirius' need to protect him- Sirius was a very loyal man, and he felt as though he had failed Remus before, and was trying to make up for that now. The result: he was smothering Remus. But Remus knew that his friend would let up on that in due time, so he let it be.

For now.

Harry seemed to find all of this rather amusing.

As for Remus' bad leg- Madame Pomfrey had had quite a bit of fun fixing that-that is to say, she was very miffed that he hadn't gone to her sooner. She and Sirius had, for once, agreed- Remus was to stay in bed for at least a week until he was fully recovered.

Today was the first time he'd been let outside the apartment.

He was loving it.

He honestly couldn't think of anything that could make today better. He was with his two favorite people in the world (Tonks would be joining them later that evening), it was a beautiful day, he was no longer considered a criminal, and he finally had a full stomach.

He laughed from the sheer bliss of it all.

Sirius looked over at him. "Enjoying this?"

Remus grinned. "Loving it."

Sirius' eyes turned a bit sad. "I've missed you so much, Moony."

Remus' eyes held a similar sorrow, still a bit haunted from Azkaban. "I missed you too, Padfoot. But I'm here now. I'm happy."

Something like triumph shone in Sirius' eyes. "Good. It's about time." Turning to Harry, Sirius said, "Harry, show Remus that you are better than James at flying. He doesn't believe me."

Harry grinned as Remus shook his head. "I'm sorry, but it's impossible. He can be as good as James, but he can't be better."

Harry grinned. "Do I get a new broom if I prove you wrong, Remus?"

Remus and Sirius exchanged a look. Sirius had, quite recently, purchased a Firebolt for Harry, the price of which had blown Remus' mind. They were waiting for Harry's birthday to give it to him.

"Er," said Remus, grinning slightly. "How about extra dessert tonight?"

Laughing, Harry agreed. Scooping up the broom he had brought with him, Harry ran to demonstrate his Quidditch skills. Two hours later, and Remus readily admitted that Harry was, in fact, even better than James.

James would have been so proud.

As Harry performed a particularly difficult (and dangerous) feat on his broom flawlessly, Sirius turned back to Remus. "Are you really happy? Or are you just saying that?"

Remus punched Sirius on the shoulder lightly. "Of course I'm happy. I'm back with you and Harry, aren't I? And out of that- place."

Sirius nodded slowly. "Just- it's okay not to be, you know? Harry and I- we're here to help you heal. And, well, you have a history of shouldering your burdens alone."

Remus leaned forwards. "Sirius, I'm okay. Not completely, maybe, but that will take time. Just you both being here... that's helping more than you can imagine. Not being alone... is important."

A mischievous light gleamed in Sirius' grey eyes. "I'm not leaving you alone, never again. I'll be your bloody shadow if I have to be."

Remus glared at him, but it was ruined by his smile. "You do that, and I will hex you- I'm not as rusty as you seem to think."

Sirius bit his lip nervously. "Speaking of hexing- McGonagall wrote the other day. She said the Defense teacher quit- something about inattentive students..."

Remus blinked. "Yes?"

Sirius took a deep breath. "She was wondering, if you're well enough, if you'd consider filling the position. Dumbledore wants to hire you."

Remus stared. "Dumbledore- Dumbledore wants me to teach?"

Sirius laughed. "Of course. Who else?"

Remus frowned. "But, my condition and history- I highly doubt that the parents and students would like-"

Sirius scoffed. "Oh, please. As a parent- sort of- of one of the students, I fully support this proposition." His eyes softened. "There's no one I'd rather teach Harry. And yes, maybe everyone will need time to get used to the idea of having a werewolf or not-really-ex-criminal as a professor, but you'll win them over in the end. They'll be begging you to stay by Christmas, you mark my words. And, they'll supply free Wolfsbane every month, so you can keep your mind during transformations. I think you should do it."

Remus considered. It was very appealing- not the first few weeks, obviously, but Remus had faced prejudice before. He could handle a few Howlers as well.

And he had loved teaching Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Remus met Sirius' gaze. "Alright," he decided. "I'll do it."

Sirius beamed. "Excellent! I'll write straight away." Sirius stood up, brushing himself off, and beckoned Harry over. As the boy ran over to them, Sirius hauled Remus to his feet. "Come on, Professor R. J. Lupin. Let's go home."

Remus laughed, and joined his brother and nephew in everything but blood on the walk home. Oh, yes. Everything was perfect.

Holding onto hope had been worth it.

The End.