Black & White - A Harry Potter Fan Fiction

Chapter 13-2

Remus Lupin materialized in Godric's Hollow, at the edge of the public park that marked the border between the Muggles' part and the Wizards' half of the village.

The trees in the park were blocking the icy wind, but as soon as he moved towards the street, a gust of freezing air lifted dried leaves and waste paper from the pavement. Remus adjusted his cloak around his neck and started ambling toward his destination. He wasn't sure to find Sara there, but his guts told him the chances were good. That was the place he had discovered her the first time she had run away from his house after Sirius was arrested and Lily and James had died. That was the place she had hidden at after taking the NEWT exams at the Ministry. That was the place he had met her on a Halloween night, on the tenth anniversary of Godric's Hollow massacre. Some times he had accompanied her there, others he had discovered her in Godric's Hollow when any other place had failed him.

But that wasn't merely about past habits. Remus knew that Godric's Hollow held a special place in Sara's heart because it held a special place in his heart too.

That was the last place they had all be together, happy, confident that the future will bring something good, even if they were not carefree. Being there was a way to remember, to have a tangible proof that hadn't just been a dream.

Remus walked forward in the street at the end of which was Lily and James' house. It was just like after Voldemort's attack. Tore to pieces, exposed, the gate and the entrance door covered in writing in memory and thanks to their sacrifice.

The front yard was empty, but Remus knew he didn't have to trust appearances. He pushed the gate that creaked on its hinges. Stepping on the dry grass covered in frost, he crossed the garden to the front door. He had crossed that threshold so many times when Lily and James had been living there, it was like going back home. But the broken windows, the tall grass, and the ruins were a brutal contrast with his memories. That house was a ghost.

In the hallway behind the front door, he saw some footprints in the dust. He followed them with his gaze. They lead to the stairs leading to the upper floor. Remus lifted his eyes, one step at the time, until he saw something in the dim light. His gaze rested on a pair of dark shoes.

He knew he had found her there. Sara sat on a step halfway up the stairs, a framed picture in her hands. Judging by the dark shape on the wall next to her, she must have taken the frame from there. She lifted her eyes from the picture and looked at him straight in the eyes.

He had to break the ice somehow. "For some reason, I'm not surprised to find you here."

"That's probably the same reason why I'm not surprised you came looking for me." Sara sighed, looked back to the picture, then put it aside on the step next to her. She seemed incredibly calm. That was not a good sign.

"May I?" Remus pointed the floor next to her and took a step forward.

"It's a free country. More or less."

Remus sat next to her and Sara shifted to the right to make more room for him. "Are you ok?" It was a stupid question, he knew.

"No, I'm not ok." That calm voice again. "I'm not ok in the least. Because I was sure we were friends, but you lied to me. All the time."

"I didn't lie. I didn't know too." Remus looked down. His feet had left a dark trail in the dust.

"Please, you can't expect me to believe it. Are you trying to tell me that when he broke out, he didn't come to you or get in touch somehow? You're his oldest friend."

Remus shook his head. "It's more complicated than that. I discovered most of the story only recently."

"You knew he was innocent." Sara was staring ahead, apparently oblivious to the hallway or the worn-out carpet on the floor.