Chapter Four

Remus was lying in bed, wearing blue pajama bottoms and nothing else. In the soft candlelight, Sirius slipped into his own night things and got into bed next to his lover. He rested his head on Remus's chest and sighed.

"How's he doing?" asked Remus, stroking Sirius's hair.

"Fine. You should have seen him when he saw the photograph. He told me he didn't know how to thank us."

They lay silently for a while, and then Remus sat up a little to blow out the candle. Sirius turned over and faced his lover.

They gazed into each other's eyes for a second, and then both men reached out their arms and held each other. "Remus," said Sirius in a trembling voice, "you know, when I was in Azkaban, I could hold on to some happy memories longer than others, because they were stronger. The last memories the Dementors took from me were all the times I spent with you." Remus felt Sirius's tears fall on his shoulder. After a few minutes, Remus felt Sirius's body relax, and he knew his lover was asleep.

Remus awoke with a start to the sound of screams. His heart leapt to his throat, and he began to shake Sirius awake. "Sirius, wake up love, it's all right, oh God…"

Sirius's eyes flew open, and he began to sob. Remus held him, wishing desperately that he could hold Sirius forever and no harm could ever come to him.

"I was dreaming that I…I was back in Azkaban, and the Dementors…'

Remus took Sirius's wand off the nightstand. Sirius grabbed it from him. "Expecto Patronus." Silver flowed from the wand's tip.

Remus handed Sirius one of the chocolate bars the two always kept on hand. Sirius devoured it as though he hadn't eaten in weeks.

"What's happened?" said a voice from across the room. Both men looked up and saw Harry standing in the doorway. "I heard screams and…"

"Come in, Harry," said Remus, smiling a tense smile. "I'm afraid Sirius had a nightmare."

"Sit down," said Sirius, patting the corner of the bed. Harry sat. "The dreams are getting stronger…ever since Voldemort became alive again, they're much more vivid."

All three of them sat there silently- Remus with his arms around Sirius and Harry at the edge of the bed looking uncertain and apprehensive. "We're doing all we can to fight him, love," said Remus. "He has been conquered before, he can be conquered again."

"That's right, Sirius," said Harry. Remus could tell the boy wanted to be comforting but wasn't quite sure what to say.

Sirius looked up. There was pure determination in his eyes. "Even if Voldemort wins-"

"Don't even think that, Sirius-"

"Let me finish, Remus. Even if Voldemort wins, I will die a happy man. Even if my name isn't cleared and even if I never have the chance to fully live the life I want. I will be happy because the two people who I care the most about-" He looked at Remus and then Harry "will know the truth and know that I love them." Harry reached over and took Sirius's hand. I think I'll die happy too, Harry thought. Because even if I never get to live with them, I'll know I have a family who loves me.

The End