Sunrise Through Tears

I cried a river last night. I sat and sobbed until the sun came up. We used to always watch the sunrise together. Back in our Hogwarts days. Especially on the mornings after full moons. We would sprawl on the still dewy grass of the grounds. Padfoot lounging, not looking at all like he'd just been up all night. Prongs with his knees hugged to his chest staring of into the distance. Wormtail sitting nervously, glancing over his shoulder every few minutes worrying that a teacher might be approaching. And I would just sit and be thankful I had such good friends.

And now they're gone. Every one of them. James and Lily are dead. Peter is dead. And Sirius, Sirius betrayed us and killed them all.

I remember all the joyful times we had together. All the pranks and schemes. All the special moments.

I remember the day little Harry was born, James was crying and laughing and so happy. And Sirius just stood there and grinned like a maniac. I wonder now what he was thinking when they told him he would be Harry's godfather. Was he only happy because it would make it easier to betray them later? I don't know.

I stare at the leather bindings of the photo albums on the bookshelf. I won't look inside, that would hurt too much. But then I find it doesn't matter whether I open them or not. Either way, when I close my eyes I see the pages of photos. Photos of us, the Marauders. I see clearest of all the photo of Hogwarts graduation. We are standing in the great hall, with our arms around each other's shoulders. Prongs, Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter. On the corner of the page is Sirius's scrawl, it reads, "The Marauders Forever! Friends Always." I wonder if he was already planning his betrayal when he wrote that.

I stand from my chair and look out the window. The last tinges of pink and orange still adorn the sky as the sun rises. I see it through my tears. I am the last Marauder. I will see this through.

15 years later

I cried a river last night. I sat and sobbed until the sun came up. Now I really am the last Marauder. My only hope of every being happy again died the night Sirius fell.

For 2 years my life was close to good. Then everything fell apart. I have lost my last best friend. Again.

My picture of happiness was shattered and broken. Now I remember that night in the Shrieking Shack when I found out that Sirius was innocent. Now it's gone and I will never be able to put the pieces back together.

I remember that photo of the Hogwarts graduation and this time it comforts me. I know that no matter where we are, dead or alive. We will be Friends Always.

And I will try to help Harry through this. I will tell him stories of days gone by and he will come to know his parents, through my memories.

I stand from my chair and look out the window. The last tinges of pink and orange still adorn the sky as the sun rises. I see it through my tears. I am the last Marauder. I will see this through.