A Letter for Harry

Sirius sat at the writing desk that had until just recently held the household Boggart and stared at the white parchment before him. It's what he needed to do; it's what he wanted to do, a letter, a letter for Harry.

It had been a long time since he had been happy. Christmas, yes perhaps Christmas. He had had a house full of Weasleys and of course Harry. "What is it old friend?" Sirius had been so lost in thought he hadn't noticed Remus enter the room. Sirius felt the hand that now clutched his shoulder tightly and sighed.

"I was thinking of writing a letter to Harry," he answered quietly.

"Sirius you know that the post is dangerous for you and Harry at the moment. Do you think that's wise?" queried Remus gripping his shoulder tighter. Sirius knew that his friend meant well, but his words stabbed at his heart.

"I'm not sending it to Harry," he replied bitterly. "It's for--" he stopped. "It's to go with the Will that I had drawn up." Remus felt a tug at his heart and wished that he could find the right words to express this.

"I'm sorry Sirius, I, I should have known that you would not put your Godson in danger." Sirius didn't respond he just gripped the quill tighter and nodded silently.

"I'll leave you to it then," said Remus turning to leave. Sirius sat for a moment and then turned.

"No, please," he said causing Lupin to freeze in his spot and turn around. "Will you wait?" Lupin smiled sadly, nodded, and sat down behind his friend. Sirius returned his smile and then to his task. Somehow having Remus there with him, made it a bit easier. He began to pen.

Harry,

Since our last conversation, I have been thinking a lot of my life and where fate has taken me. I find that I am once again a prisoner, this time in my own home. I know that everyone has my best interests at heart, but it is hard for me to sit here and watch my world and yours crumble around us. I feel that it is only a matter of time before I can no longer keep my promise to stay here.

I know you would've liked me to be free, Harry. I know you would've liked me to do right by your dad. But the truth is, I could never be free or do right by your dad as long as Voldemort was in power, as long as Peter is still on this earth.

No matter what you find out about your father, or the company he kept, believe that he was a good man and that he would have done anything for his family and his friends.

If you are reading this letter, it means that I am no longer around to be there for you Harry. I hope that you will continue to trust Dumbledore and allow him to guide you on your path. I also hope that you will have faith in and look up to Remus, as he will be the only member of the Marauders left who you can rely on to look out for you. Trust him as I have. He will be there for you if you need him, as he was there for me. Good luck Harry. There is a greater purpose for you out there, one that no prophecy can truly relate.

Sirius

He laid down his quill, surveyed the letter once or twice, and then folded it. Reaching across the desk, he found the Black Family seal and applied it to the letter. Then to finish his task, he penned Harry on the front. He reached into the desk and pulled out the envelope that held his recently acquired Will and placed the letter inside it. Rising from the desk, he crossed to Remus who had been sitting quietly watching from a distance. He too rose and greeted him with another sad smile. "I want you to hold it Remus. If anything happens to me--" he stopped and Remus detected a tear in his eye.

"I'll make sure he gets it Sirius. I promise," replied Lupin. "And I will look after him."

Sirius smiled and nodded. "As you have me?" Remus reached up, brushed the hair out of Sirius' eyes, and drew his hand along the side of his face.

"Well," he said smiling slyly. "Not quite the same."