Remus was a bit nervous meeting Sirius at the pub. He didn't risk apparating for fear he'd splinch himself. He knew this man to be a killer; betrayed his two best friends and killed the third. But that was a lie, apparently. Was he worthy of trust? Remus knew for a fact this wasn't the same man he last saw thirteen years prior. But, Remus was willing to give him a chance; how many people had given him a chance?
He walked into the pub, taking a deep breath and walked to the bar, pulling out a stool. Here went nothing. He ordered a whiskey for himself; it was something he had taken a liking to years prior. He wasn't sure what Sirius would want if anything.
After hearing from Kingsley and Lily about how Remus thought of him, Sirius was frankly surprised by his invitation but he wasn't going to turn it down. They were both stuck here. He could only hope that Remus's thick skull had allowed some of the real history to sink in.
Either way, this was going to be an interesting encounter. Sirius apparated to the path near the World's End after a short time, having taken the time to shower and change before leaving. Inside, he didn't have to look far to find Remus. Sirius was tense as he approached, stopping a couple of feet away, saying. "Remus."
Remus turned when he heard his name and sized up the man. "Sirius." He had no idea what to do next. He nodded to the stool next to his. "Have a seat. Would you like a drink?" Being clueless did not mean being rude.
It still looked like the same Sirius, only older. He looked... worn. Tired. Was it Azkaban that made him so much older? Remus knew that he, himself, probably looked well older than his 34 years.
Remus took a drink and remained silent for the time being.
Well, at least he wasn't ducking a swing, Sirius thought, nodding. He lifted a hand to the barmaid. "Scotch," he ordered firmly, taking the stool beside Remus'. The girl knew him, knew his preferences, so he wasn't concerned.
They were both silent for a moment. Sirius knew this couldn't be easy for Remus. None of it but particularly what he'd thought of Sirius. "I would have died for them, Remus. For you," he said finally, not looking at Remus. He couldn't. It hurt, what he was saying. "Did you think so little of me?"
Remus stared ahead, taking a drink of his whiskey again. "I believed what the facts presented. The facts said you betrayed them. That you killed Peter."
Remus had read everything to do with the murders, as much as it painted him. He read the interviews after. He knew what everyone said. He had to believe it for himself. He was hoping this was what he was looking for.
Logical, focused Remus. The only one of their group that would be the voice of reason, with the exception of Lily who just wasn't really a part of their group until later. Those facts, however, didn't change the fact that Sirius had been devoted to James.
"The facts say werewolves are dark creatures," Sirius pointed out, pausing to take the glass from the barmaid. Good. He needed it. Drinking back a good portion, he set the glass down. "Peter... I want to say he wasn't the man we thought he was but that'd be a lie. I always knew he was a coward. I just didn't think anyone else knew he existed, let alone Voldemort," Sirius continued.
"Werewolves are dark creatures. You've seen me without Wolfsbane. In human form, however, they make their own choices. Good or bad." Remus finished his whiskey. He thought over the rest of Sirius' statement. "I read everything from afterwards. Peter wanted what a lot of people want - myself among the top of the list - and that's acceptance."
He waved the waitress over for another drink. "How could you - the man we knew - let himself be persuaded to change with Peter? How do I know you two didn't work together?"
"I know that. I've always trusted you," he declared sharply. Biting back a growl, he shook his head. "You wouldn't have sold out James and Lily. How could I have been so thick to believe he cared about us?" Sirius lifted a hand, briefly fisting his hair before releasing it.
"Albus. Albus came to me, told me that You Know Who would think of me first. It seemed so obvious when he said it. I was their best man, Harry's godfather. Of course they'd make me secret keeper. I told him I didn't care. They could do their worst, I'd never give them up, but Albus, he, well, you know how he can be. Could be," Sirius stated with a heavy sigh, taking another drink. He felt sick to his stomach that Remus would think he'd work for Voldemort.
Remus shook his head. Yes, he knew exactly how Dumbledore could be. "I guess we were all thick to believe he cared. I'm sorry for giving you the cold shoulder." He wished they could all be how they once were. Maybe they could be friends again. Remus was sure that if he got in a jam, Sirius would have his back once more.
"I'm sorry I didn't trust you. I know you wouldn't have sold out James and Lily." It didn't make complete sense then and it didn't now either. He could see the inconsistencies in everything.
"I don't blame you, Remus. Just being here instead of there, I know how that is. It's not easy," Sirius admitted with a shrug. He was struggling to rein in his feelings from talking about that day. Even with James and Lily alive and happy here, he couldn't erase 12 years of Azkaban, not in a day, not in a lifetime.
"How are you settling in?" he asked, striving to find something 'normal' to talk about. Striving to find a way to reconnect with his old friend, though the lack of trust grated with him deeply.
"It's going well. Two full moons so close together really did me in though. Other than that, it's going well. I work in security. Very little contact with people. Old habits die hard. What about you? How's life for you here?" Remus asked him, ordering another drink.
This was normal. He liked this. He could learn to trust Sirius again; there was no doubt in his mind. Maybe it would even be like old times.
"Then you aren't on the portal teams. You know, if you wanted, you could teach here. Old habits and all," Sirius told him, pausing to ask the barmaid for a refill when she arrived.
"Life is... entirely different here. I scout for Kingsley mainly, when I'm not side-alonging engineering wizards over to Australia. I try to look in on Lily at least once a week. I'd do it more but I don't want to, well, come across like a creepy old man," he admitted.
Remus couldn't help but chuckle at Sirius' last comment. "Yeah, it was pretty weird to see the old20 year old Lily." He paused a moment. "21?" He shrugged. "I'm sure she appreciates it either way. Every time I've met up with her she seems like the Lily I remember. She seemed surprised to see me 'old'."
Remus returned to Sirius' first statement. "People still don't want to associate with me, Sirius. I don't make public knowledge of myself, but people talk. I figure the less they see of me, the better. I know it doesn't help the rumors, but..." he shrugged. "Ginny Weasley wants to study me this month. Without the Wolfsbane. Trust me, she'd be safe. I wouldn't agree if she wasn't going to be safe. She wants to study things to help werewolves and educate the public. I can't argue with the last one."
"If she thought you were old, you should have seen her expression when she saw me that first night. I thought she'd break down in tears again and it was killing me," Sirius replied gravely, tossing down the last of his first Scotch.
"Ginny's going to do what?" he demanded suddenly, a jolt of fear racing down his spine. After a moment, he gave his head a shake and held up a hand. "No, I know you wouldn't put her in any danger, Remus. Sorry, I just... she's a special girl. Young lady. Without the Wolfsbane? Are you going to one of the smaller islands?" That would make sense. There were three or four much smaller islands that made up the chain they were part of.
"I haven't seen her crying. She normally isn't very weepy. Hm." Remus shrugged again.
"No, not one of the smaller islands, but that sounds better. We were going to isolate one part of the area near the Ark. And I know she's a special young lady. But she'd survey via a broomstick high above me. She said in order to study what the Wolfsbane actually does she'd have to witness me without it. I don't think she realizes how destructive and wild I can be. Although she did see the damage done with it." Remus felt so chatty just then. Time to stop with the alcohol.
"She was pretty shaken up when she came through. Considering she'd just put Harry down for a nap, I can understand that," he replied easily enough. It wasn't something he wanted to dwell on, he preferred Lily to be happy.
"The Ark would work, warding it into a section, sure. A broom, huh? That could work. She's a pretty fair flyer," Sirius mused aloud. It didn't stop him from worrying, of course. He'd been with Remus during the change, in his animagus form. "As long as she stays out of reach, that's probably the kind of information she wants to see."
"Yeah. I guess you're right. It's great to have both of them here. I never thought I'd see them again," he finished with a slight sigh. He looked forward to having more time with his dearest friends.
He nodded, "I just hope a stray rabbit doesn't come through. I don't think she'd look at me the same way again. I never liked waking up with animal fur in my mouth. Think I could talk you and James into running around again?" Remus let out a small grin, still staring ahead of him.
"What way does she look at you now?" Sirius asked, arching an eyebrow. He knew Remus wasn't his own age anymore. He was a younger man and although Ginny was clearly under the Arthur and Molly line in his own mind, he could see where she'd grown into an attractive young woman.
"I might not run as fast as I used to, but I'm still up for that, Remus. I'm sure Prongs is as well," Sirius agreed with a grin, thanking the barmaid for bringing another. "Though if we go running, it would probably be easier just to camp on one of the smaller islands for the entire span."
"That I'm a nice person. Killing rabbits makes you look kind of... vicious. Would defeat the purpose of the study that werewolves aren't all bad, in my mind." Remus said, shaking his head.
"Might not run as fast? You're an old man, Sirius," he said with a grin, goading his friend. "It would be fun. I don't see how it would skew the results of her study." He was looking forward to the study. Maybe help get rid of such prejudice.
Sirius glanced sideways to Remus, arching an eyebrow inquisitively as he did. "Right, because she thinks werewolves are kind to fluffy rabbits. Remus, only fools think you have any control when you're shifted. Prongs, I, well, we know you're still in there, sure. Werewolves aren't good or bad anymore than wolves or tigers or dragons are. Animals are animals."
"Probably not, but it should be factored in. Wouldn't want to muck things up, now would we?" Sirius chuckled, shaking his head. Just then, his datapad beeped and he glanced over, grimacing. "Dammit. Can't even enjoy a drink with you, mate. They want to do a dry run on the new Floo."
Remus nodded. "We'll have another sometime. Thanks for coming now. You're not completely the git I thought you were. Just the same one from before," he followed this with a chuckle.
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no subject
Date: 2013-03-09 02:11 am (UTC)If you're finally ready to, then yes.
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Date: 2013-03-09 02:12 am (UTC)Yes. Now? Do you have the time to now?
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Date: 2013-03-09 02:18 am (UTC)I'm free. Meet you at the World's End?
no subject
Date: 2013-03-09 02:26 am (UTC)Yeah.
---
Remus was a bit nervous meeting Sirius at the pub. He didn't risk apparating for fear he'd splinch himself. He knew this man to be a killer; betrayed his two best friends and killed the third. But that was a lie, apparently. Was he worthy of trust? Remus knew for a fact this wasn't the same man he last saw thirteen years prior. But, Remus was willing to give him a chance; how many people had given him a chance?
He walked into the pub, taking a deep breath and walked to the bar, pulling out a stool. Here went nothing. He ordered a whiskey for himself; it was something he had taken a liking to years prior. He wasn't sure what Sirius would want if anything.
Now he waited.
no subject
Date: 2013-03-09 02:51 am (UTC)Either way, this was going to be an interesting encounter. Sirius apparated to the path near the World's End after a short time, having taken the time to shower and change before leaving. Inside, he didn't have to look far to find Remus. Sirius was tense as he approached, stopping a couple of feet away, saying. "Remus."
no subject
Date: 2013-03-09 03:00 am (UTC)It still looked like the same Sirius, only older. He looked... worn. Tired. Was it Azkaban that made him so much older? Remus knew that he, himself, probably looked well older than his 34 years.
Remus took a drink and remained silent for the time being.
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Date: 2013-03-09 03:15 am (UTC)They were both silent for a moment. Sirius knew this couldn't be easy for Remus. None of it but particularly what he'd thought of Sirius. "I would have died for them, Remus. For you," he said finally, not looking at Remus. He couldn't. It hurt, what he was saying. "Did you think so little of me?"
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Date: 2013-03-09 03:20 am (UTC)Remus had read everything to do with the murders, as much as it painted him. He read the interviews after. He knew what everyone said. He had to believe it for himself. He was hoping this was what he was looking for.
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Date: 2013-03-09 03:33 am (UTC)"The facts say werewolves are dark creatures," Sirius pointed out, pausing to take the glass from the barmaid. Good. He needed it. Drinking back a good portion, he set the glass down. "Peter... I want to say he wasn't the man we thought he was but that'd be a lie. I always knew he was a coward. I just didn't think anyone else knew he existed, let alone Voldemort," Sirius continued.
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Date: 2013-03-09 03:45 am (UTC)He waved the waitress over for another drink. "How could you - the man we knew - let himself be persuaded to change with Peter? How do I know you two didn't work together?"
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Date: 2013-03-09 07:10 pm (UTC)"Albus. Albus came to me, told me that You Know Who would think of me first. It seemed so obvious when he said it. I was their best man, Harry's godfather. Of course they'd make me secret keeper. I told him I didn't care. They could do their worst, I'd never give them up, but Albus, he, well, you know how he can be. Could be," Sirius stated with a heavy sigh, taking another drink. He felt sick to his stomach that Remus would think he'd work for Voldemort.
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Date: 2013-03-09 07:19 pm (UTC)"I'm sorry I didn't trust you. I know you wouldn't have sold out James and Lily." It didn't make complete sense then and it didn't now either. He could see the inconsistencies in everything.
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Date: 2013-03-10 03:33 am (UTC)"How are you settling in?" he asked, striving to find something 'normal' to talk about. Striving to find a way to reconnect with his old friend, though the lack of trust grated with him deeply.
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Date: 2013-03-10 03:38 am (UTC)This was normal. He liked this. He could learn to trust Sirius again; there was no doubt in his mind. Maybe it would even be like old times.
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Date: 2013-03-10 04:14 am (UTC)"Life is... entirely different here. I scout for Kingsley mainly, when I'm not side-alonging engineering wizards over to Australia. I try to look in on Lily at least once a week. I'd do it more but I don't want to, well, come across like a creepy old man," he admitted.
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Date: 2013-03-10 04:22 am (UTC)Remus returned to Sirius' first statement. "People still don't want to associate with me, Sirius. I don't make public knowledge of myself, but people talk. I figure the less they see of me, the better. I know it doesn't help the rumors, but..." he shrugged. "Ginny Weasley wants to study me this month. Without the Wolfsbane. Trust me, she'd be safe. I wouldn't agree if she wasn't going to be safe. She wants to study things to help werewolves and educate the public. I can't argue with the last one."
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Date: 2013-03-10 04:30 am (UTC)"Ginny's going to do what?" he demanded suddenly, a jolt of fear racing down his spine. After a moment, he gave his head a shake and held up a hand. "No, I know you wouldn't put her in any danger, Remus. Sorry, I just... she's a special girl. Young lady. Without the Wolfsbane? Are you going to one of the smaller islands?" That would make sense. There were three or four much smaller islands that made up the chain they were part of.
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Date: 2013-03-10 04:36 am (UTC)"No, not one of the smaller islands, but that sounds better. We were going to isolate one part of the area near the Ark. And I know she's a special young lady. But she'd survey via a broomstick high above me. She said in order to study what the Wolfsbane actually does she'd have to witness me without it. I don't think she realizes how destructive and wild I can be. Although she did see the damage done with it." Remus felt so chatty just then. Time to stop with the alcohol.
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Date: 2013-03-12 12:00 am (UTC)"The Ark would work, warding it into a section, sure. A broom, huh? That could work. She's a pretty fair flyer," Sirius mused aloud. It didn't stop him from worrying, of course. He'd been with Remus during the change, in his animagus form. "As long as she stays out of reach, that's probably the kind of information she wants to see."
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Date: 2013-03-12 12:04 am (UTC)He nodded, "I just hope a stray rabbit doesn't come through. I don't think she'd look at me the same way again. I never liked waking up with animal fur in my mouth. Think I could talk you and James into running around again?" Remus let out a small grin, still staring ahead of him.
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Date: 2013-03-12 10:07 pm (UTC)"I might not run as fast as I used to, but I'm still up for that, Remus. I'm sure Prongs is as well," Sirius agreed with a grin, thanking the barmaid for bringing another. "Though if we go running, it would probably be easier just to camp on one of the smaller islands for the entire span."
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Date: 2013-03-12 10:18 pm (UTC)"Might not run as fast? You're an old man, Sirius," he said with a grin, goading his friend. "It would be fun. I don't see how it would skew the results of her study." He was looking forward to the study. Maybe help get rid of such prejudice.
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Date: 2013-03-13 04:31 pm (UTC)"Probably not, but it should be factored in. Wouldn't want to muck things up, now would we?" Sirius chuckled, shaking his head. Just then, his datapad beeped and he glanced over, grimacing. "Dammit. Can't even enjoy a drink with you, mate. They want to do a dry run on the new Floo."
no subject
Date: 2013-03-13 04:36 pm (UTC)