Imagine: Sirius Dying Like Tonks With Remus

- I love Tonks but this would be so sad though

- Sirius survives the fight with the Death Eaters, but Peter still gets away, so it's a while before he can go out as himself

- He still adopts Harry in secret though, and Remus eventually moves in too because his boyfriend's back dammit and his flat is ridiculously expensive

- Anyway, the fourth, fifth, and sixth books go on with Harry living at home during holidays at a cleaned up Grimmauld Place. Sirius is still part of the Order, and Remus remains professor of DADA

- Tonks is good friends with both men, and like an aunt to Harry

- In the seventh, Remus tries to dissuade Harry from sneaking off to find the Horcruxes, but Sirius understands. It's something he needs to do

- Harry's a little more melancholy throughout the camping, as he can't receive letters, and this is the longest he's gone since moving in with them without reading Remus' encouraging well-wishes and Sirius' dramatically scrolling handwriting

- "You miss them," Hermione notes on Christmas Eve, slipping a hand into his. Harry just nods

- When Harry gets to Hogwarts, word is sent to the Order, and they arrive when Snape retreats

- As Voldemort begins to breach the protective spell, Harry desperately searches. He searches the crowds to find them, to reunite after nearly a year apart. He finally sees Remus and Sirius on the other side of the hall through the masses

- Remus, by chance, glances over to Harry quickly, offering him a comforting smile before dashing off. Sirius sees Harry and cups his hands around his mouth

- "I'm so proud of you, Harry. We'll see you after the battle is done!"

- Harry's only able to give them a wave before he's pushed along by his fellow students, and out of sight from his godparents

- Sirius and Remus take the east tower, watching the shields come down and preparing for battle

- "Look at us, Moony. We grew up in these walls."

- "We did. Now we have to watch them get knocked down."

- "Not if we don't look."

- Remus just smiles. "I can see us now, running down this hall, away from some horror we created."

- "James shouting. Lily laughing." They both smile. "I miss them."

- "We very well may see them again tonight, Pads."

- They stand there, and Sirius swallows.

- "I'm scared for Harry."

- "Don't be, love. He'll be alright, even once we're gone."

- Sirius looks over to him sadly, and Remus reaches his hand up. Sirius' reaches up as well, and their fingertips brush, a silent comfort that it was going to be okay, they'd all be together again one day

- After the battle, Harry looks around. He searches, and he finds bodies of people he knew, people he didn't, and a boy who was like a brother to him. The losses are devastating, etched into every parent and friend's face

- He looks for Sirius helping someone up onto a step, or maybe Remus hunched over someone, drawing a blanket up and hugging a fellow professor. Helping.

- Then he sees them.

- Remus and Sirius are lying there next to one another, fingers almost touching. Not helping. They're not moving.

- Blood cakes Sirius' hair, and Remus' scars are almost unrecognizable. Harry's breath is stolen

- Is he dreaming? No. They're gone. They're gone, just like his parents

- He screams, so loud the sound echoes through the hall. But when he opens his eyes, he realizes he's made no sound at all

- He clutches his wand a little tighter. He owes it to them to win.