Absolutely nothing can help him now.

He's standing in the place he's dreamed of for weeks, and he can't seem to move. Remus Lupin stares intently into the crumbling, fluttering Veil and wonders why it couldn't have been him.

He stares at the Veil, because Voldemort took Lily, and Voldemort took James. His eyes are empty because Harry will never have a family. His ragged breathing reverberates around the chamber because it is the night of the full moon, and he will change soon.

He holds himself around the chest, because Sirius isn't there to. He whimpers and drops his head to his chest and cries, because Sirius isn't there to tell him everything will be alright. There will be no black dog to trot at his heels tonight and ease the pain.

Remus feels empty inside, because Sirius Black is gone from him. His warmth and his light, his joviality, his barking laugh, the fire that blazed in his eyes, the growl of his voice, and the softness in the promise of "I love you."

Without that, nothing can save Remus now.

He takes a step to break the stationary trance. He mistakes adrenaline for a sign to keep walking, because it made him feel something other than empty and alone. He steps.

And takes another…

And another.

Nothing can help him now.

Remus thinks of better days when he brushes the tatters and folds of the Veil with his hands. He thinks of black, thick fur and full moons. He thinks of miles of tanned skin and how the owner of it pleaded for his touches, begged for his kisses. Remus' eyes are full of tears.

Remus rips the Veil back violently and howls as he rushes into the granite archway. The haunting cry echoes in the empty room eternally, amongst the silent flutter of death, and whispers of souls who just couldn't be helped.