Argh for lack of time to review properly. This really deserves something much longer and more detailed than I'm going to be able to give it.

I have to admit that I really haven't been looking forward to the time when you were going to post this here...because of the prompt. I should know better by now, really I should. This piece is amazing.

I understand what topaz_eyes is saying, and it is funny because I would (very respectfully) list the things she mentioned she didn't like as much as the very things that most attract me to the piece! *g* There is a wonderful subtlety here, a sense of perspective concerning the importance of romantic relationships in such an ugly time. Which isn't to say that the relationships didn't seem important - they most certainly did - but that the measures are very different. I felt Remus' emotional exhaustion...and I also felt his strength.

For the most part, I also very much liked the way Remus did not seem to think too much of Sirius. It's very hard to believe that Remus would be overly swayed by Sirius' charm after knowing him for such a long time. *g* Actually, Remus spends so much of the story convincing himself he doesn't like Sirius at all, that it's almost surprising he lets himself go to him in the end.

Aiee! This is NOT getting my homework done...but it was a most welcome distraction. Thanks for such a wonderful, thought-provoking read!