Play the Game ✔️

Al Garimasu (There is Love)

"Why can't he be in here?"

"Because," John began gently. "Hope doesn't want him to see her in this state."

"Daddy she's dying, isn't she? That's why we're here, isn't it. Daddy, he's suffering out there," she said firmly but quietly. "Why can't he be with his mom? I know that if it were me in his shoes no one would be keeping me away!"

"But it's not you, it's him and he's..."

"The dutiful son. Right. What a crock," she said under her breath as she turned on her heel and moved to walk away until she heard a tiny voice say her name and she stopped in her tracks and looked into Remus' eyes.

"Bobby?"

She closed her eyes, swallowed hard and turned around as John pulled the curtain back. She looked at the frail woman lying in the bed and approached slowly.

"You are absolutely right. I wasn't trying to protect my son. I was trying to protect myself. I can't bear to see his face...see his pain."

"So look beyond it," Liesel whispered as she made her way to the head of the bed and kissed Hope's brow. "Do you know how strong your son is?"

Hope nodded. "But I'm not."

"He's got enough strength to hold us all up, Auntie."

Hope smiled. "You're a good girl."

"Yeah, well I've probably just got myself grounded for all of eternity."

Hope's smiled widened. "Oh, I rather doubt that," she wheezed. "Show my son in please?"

Liesel smiled. "I can do that." She kissed her god mother's cheek. "I'll see ya later, yeah?"

"Probably be much later darling."

Liesel's face fell and then she smiled bravely. "I'm okay with that, just as long as Remus gets to be here with you." Hope smiled and nodded. Liesel kissed her godmother's cheek tenderly and took her leave. She turned to head toward the door and at last she stood before Remus. "You better get your butt in there and make it count. Make her smile. Tell you that you love her. Thank her for your life. Tell her whatever it is that you want her to know. Just don't waste any time Remus. You don't have much of it left, I don't think."

Remus stared into her eyes and swallowed hard. Finally he nodded his head and squeezed her hand then, walked into the cubicle across the large room, his head held high, his eyes full of purpose.

"You should have been placed in Gryffindor," Peter said. "I heard everything. You were bloody brilliant! Definetly worthy of Marauder status!"

She looked into Peter's eyes and tried to smile as she looked into the room and saw her father's arms across his chest, glaring toward her out of the corner of his eyes. "Thanks Squeaker, but my Dad is really pissed." She looked in again and saw Remus sitting on the edge of his mother's hospital bed beaming; his face was animated and his hands were busy as if he were counting. And a tear left Liesel's eye. She turned and headed toward the waiting room. Sirius got to his feet immediately and she fell into his arms and sobbed as Lily and Peter explained what had happened.

A hour later, Peter had left them, stating that he had to get to his job and John and Laurie returned with Remus, who appeared terribly forlorn. John reached into his pocket and handed Sirius his car keys and told him to take everyone back to his house.

"I rode my bike," Sirius said. "And I'm not going to leave it."

"Minimize the bike, Sirius," John replied annoyingly.

"I've no idea what that'll do..."

"Look, if the bike is rendered inoperable, then I will either have it repaired or I will replace it. Now go. Bobby's in no shape to drive."