Last Look

This fic is dedicated to Sirius Black

About three hours from Surrey is a little wizarding town by the name of Godric's Hollow. Lily and James Potter lived here before they died. Right outside of town, maybe a ten minute walk, is Gryffindor Cemetary. It lies on the top of a hill overlooking the town. I've been here before.

The gathering of black-clad witches and wizards slowly moves up the hill. At it's head walks a messy-haired teenaged boy. He stands in between a woman with, today, flowing black hair and ice-blue eyes. I suppose that this image is her tribute to my best friend, Sirius Black.

Dumbledore awaits us as we slowly enter the cemetary. There are many famous witches and wizards buried here, although the Muggles think that they're buried where their tombs are. Shakespeare lies on the end of the first row, Mahatma Gandhi in the middle of the third. In the farthest corner from the entrance is a double tombstone. In the middle, an antlered lily is carved, and underneath, "Lily and James." Next to them is a freshly-dug grave. Here is where the party stops.

Harry steps forward, and looks down on the casket of Sirius. I can't believe this. Harry is being punished, in some way, by the Fates. First his parents, then his godfather? I am so worried about the boy, hopefully he won't do anything rash. I will be watching him.

"Sirius Black was. . . a human, in all senses of the word. He was rash, impulsive, caring, protective, and would do anything to help those he cared about. I knew Sirius, really knew him, for little more than three years, but in those three years he showed me the true meaning of the phrase that a dog is a man's best friend. Sirius was like a father to me, always cautioning and making sure that I was safe. There were many times when he risked Azkaban to go to Hogsmeade, just so I would be protected.

Sirius was my father's best friend. He did some stupid things in his past, but at the end, his main thought was of defeating evil. Isn't it ironic, how everybody for so long thought he was a Death Eater, and how he was put in Azkaban like the Lestranges, yet he was . . .killed. . . by Bellatrix Lestrange? It's funny, in a sad way.

I would like everybody here to Remember Sirius Black." Harry moves back towards Tonks, and everybody takes out their wands, shouting:

"RECUERDO SIRIUS BLACK!"

An image of Sirius, as we all last saw him, appears over the grave. As four Pallcharmers lower the casket in, Sirius waves goodbye, his eyes catching those of Harry, Tonks, Dumbledore, Mrs. Weasley, and finally...

'Hey, Moony old boy.'

'Sirius?' I can't believe it, but I can hear his voice inside my head, the same voice that used to suggest pranks on Snape, with the same hint of a sarcastic chuckle.

'Do me a favor? Look after Harry. You've heard the Prophecy, we all have. You know what I'm talking about.'

'Sure. Sure. I'll always be there.' A spasm crosses his face.

'Well, I've got to be off now. Lily's just calling for me. . . see you around, old boy!' Just like Padfoot, I think. Nothing is too serious for a joke. As I think this, the image dissipates, like a breath on a cold day.

'Bye, Padfoot.