One Last Shot

Fireworks sounded off in the background. Aurora stood from her bed and slammed the window shut, cutting her off from the noise outside. She muttered under her breath about children. She had long since hate the noise of fireworks since he had been taken away from her. Little did she know the irony of the sounds of celebration. For at that exact moment he died.

Days later the Headmaster of Hogwarts, accompanied by the loyal werewolf, stood outside a run down apartment building. Both contained their surprise that Aurora was still alive. She had seemed so sad all those years ago when he had been taken away. Remus had always figured she would, in the end, kill herself. But was quite thankful she hadn't, for it meant he still had a chance to tell her....

"Are you sure this is the right address, Albus?" question Remus. He never imagined her living like a Muggle.

It was hard to believe she had chose to live this way. But then again she was Muggle-born, and she had reverted back to her old lifestyle, In attempt to revert back to the days before she knew him. It was much easier to forget he ever existed than to cope with the fact that he had yet to come find her.

The truth was he had thought her dead and spent many nights crying over his supposed loss. Though it seemed highly uncharacteristic of him.

"Yes, Remus, I am positive. Although I do wish I wasn't," Albus muttered. He had always hoped for better for her, for he pitied her because she lost her loved one so early in life.

"Well, I suppose she does have a right to know.... We are doing the right thing, aren't we?" Remus wondered aloud.

"Ignorance is bliss Remus, but not for her..." Albus trailed off, knowing he needn't say more.

Remus understood and proceeded up the stairs and into the building. He glanced at the letterboxes to see which apartment she was in, unfortunately her number was not on her box. The headmaster simply proceeded up the stairs, knowing exactly where he was going. Remus followed him, his head swirling with thousands of thoughts that weren't right for the situation he would soon put Aurora in.

Albus Dumbledore knocked on apartment 317 and waited for her to open the door. Remus nervously rocked on his heels as he awaited her arrival. But she was obviously not going to answer.

"Maybe she's not..." Remus wasn't allowed to finish this thought as Dumbledore soon cut in.

"She is home, she just doesn't want visitors," Dumbledore stated as if it was common sense.

Sudden pity over came Remus as he realized the hell she must have been in. He wondered if she ever opened the door for visitors. He wondered if she ever left her humble abode. But he did not wonder what it was like to be apart from the one you love for so long, this he knew all too well.

"Aurora? I know you are there, please do not leave me waiting out here longer than I must," Albus called, no sign of pleading in his tone of voice.

Murmurs came from inside as Aurora rushed to the door.

Dumbledore! He must have brought Sirius back to me! Why else would he come? she thought when she heard Dumbledore's voice. It was the only thought that circled her head as she often never thought anymore, only sat and watched the telly and ate on occasion. Unfortunately, the news was not so good as she hoped.

When she opened the door she couldn't hide her disappointment. It appeared to Remus she did not even try. He attempted to prevent a hurt look from passing over his face.

"Remus... You look so old, what happened?" was the first thing she managed to say.

Remus simply looked at the ground He felt like he had suddenly been hurtled back to his boy hood days. He stood there blushing, avoiding her eyes. There was just something about her...

Albus simply gave her small hug, and she knew. Bad news was going to be flung at her, knock her off her feet, and wouldn't leave her alone until she was left without a pulse.

"May we come in?" Dumbledore asked, making no attempt to smile. He did not want to push her over the edge with happiness.

"Hm, yes o-of course," she muttered, barely loud enough for the two men to hear.

Albus slowly made his way closely followed by Remus, who was still looking at the ground as though fascinated by the carpet, which was dirty and needed a good cleaning.

"Er, would you like anything? Tea, perhaps?" she uttered, attempting to put off the bad news as long as possible.

"No, I don't have much time, I must be off soon..." he stated, glancing at Remus who had no began to clean under his nails, and wouldn't look Aurora in the eyes.

"I wish to have come under better conditions but, well we all know life does not grant us everything we wish," he started off.

"I cannot find a way to be delicate about all this so, I suppose I should just come out with it. You see my dear, Sirius is.... has been.... well..." Albus didn't know quite what to say when he saw the tears well-up in her eyes.

Remus moved to comfort her but quickly realized that might involve speaking and decided against it. He didn't think he could keep his wits about him enough to speak.

"No need.... to... say more.... Headmaster... I..." she could say no more as the floodgates opened and tears burst out and spilled down her cheeks.

Remus could not hide anymore. He couldn't stand to see her like this. He no longer cared is she was Sirius' girl, she needed someone now, and that would have to be him. She's not his anymore, he's gone. He left her here alone, so now it's up to me.

Remus stood and wrapped his arms around her in a hug, and allowed her to sob continuously into his shoulder.

"Well, Remus, I will leave you to the rest. I must be off," and with that Dumbledore was gone.

Both Remus and Aurora lost track of time and how long they were standing there. Aurora continued to cry, and Remus continued to pat her on the back, still unsure of what to say to her. He knew his words could offer her no relief or happiness. She was dwelling in what she thought was a bottomless pit. But now she had found the bottom, and she knew there was no escape. She had fallen too far in depression she couldn't see the light that was trying to pull her out of it all.