Beyond The Breaking Point

CHAPTER 4

NOTES: This chapter is entirely new, written over the last few days, so I haven't been able to go through it with a fine tooth comb. If there are typos or inconsistencies, I apologize. If you point them out, I'll try to get them rectified.

WORD COUNT: 5907

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Remus set down his tea with a concerned frown as a glance at his mate showed that he'd gone very, very pale. "Siri? Everything okay?" he asked gently. A letter had arrived just a few minutes ago. Remus hadn't recognized the owl, but that wasn't terribly unusual, so he hadn't paid it much attention. Whatever it had contained seemed to have deeply disturbed the other man.

Sirius did not appear to hear him, prompting Remus to get out of his chair and relocate to the empty space next to his mate on the settee.

Sirius flinched badly when Remus touched him and Remus' concern grew when he saw the tangle of emotion in those expressive gray eyes. "What is it?" he asked gently.

In answer, Sirius shoved the letter at him with a shaking hand.

With a concerned frown, Remus read:

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Dear Lord Black,

I am writing you today, for the second time, with regard to your godson, Harry Potter. It has been nearly eight years since my last missive to you. I'm certain that no apology from me will ever be sufficient for the disservice I have done you in depriving you of your godson all this time, so I will not attempt such a thing in a letter. I did what I did because I felt that it was the only way to ensure his safety.

The purpose of this letter is to invite you, and Mr. Lupin should he desire, to visit us. As I once promised, I would like for you to have the opportunity to know your godson, and he, his godfather. This letter is a portkey, which will deliver you to our home. It will transport up to two people and will remain active for forty-eight hours after being opened. The activation phrase is in the post script. Do be certain that you are prepared to go before you speak it aloud.

I understand that you have no reason to trust me. For that reason, I swear upon my magic that I mean no harm to you or Mr. Lupin. So long as you do not try to harm or forcibly remove your godson or myself, I will do my utmost to ensure that you come to no harm while you visit and that you can leave safely.

I honestly do hope to see you soon.

Kind Regards,

Harrison Porter

P.S. The activation phrase is: Take Me to Harry
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Remus now understood exactly why Sirius looked as he did. Remus suspected that he didn't look much different. After all this time... Though neither of them had ever voiced it, Remus knew that they'd both feared from time to time that Harry was dead. They'd clung desperately to the brief letter Sirius had received shortly after they'd discovered that Harry had never made it into the care of his aunt and uncle - if, indeed, "care" would have been the proper term for how those vile people would have treated James and Lily's son.

Sirius had flown into a rage when Albus had told him that he'd left Harry with those people, but it was nothing compared to what had happened when they'd gone to rescue the boy from the horrible muggles only to learn that they'd never even seen the boy. He'd disappeared from the doorstep before they'd ever had a chance to even realize he was there. Veritaserum had proved that beyond the shadow of a doubt.