Dreams Don't Die

~Eventsthat shook the world~

History can be such a dull thing. It can be unmitigatedboredom learning about in school. It can simply become a hassle with thememorization of dates of all the important events. What happened on this day?Was the Goblin rebellion (the 634^th in history, to be precise) onJuly 30, 234, August 4, 234, or possibly some other date that has slippedthrough your mind? How we take such events! We wave them past with mildinterest or none at all. But try living through them. Once you've seen withyour eyes and heard with your ears, you'll never forget. Some events areunforgettable. They are events that shook the world.

~~*~~

A million and more things were happening at once. AsHagrid flew through the air, Peter, across the county, was trying to hide.Sirius was plotting his revenge, Remus was a werewolf. Dumbledore was keeping ameeting on Privet Drive, and Lucius was plotting Sirius' death. Narcissa wasdragging herself back into her room and Voldemort was prowling the shadows,barely alive.

And there was weeping. There was a blanket--no, a heavy comforter of sorrowcovering England. But amidst the pain there was a ray of sunshine peekingthrough. It was whispered in the streets, it danced through ears and out ofmouths. It was the light in the darkness around them. People breathed easierthan they had for years.

"You-Know-Who is gone! Defeated be little Harry Potter! He survived..."

"The Potters are dead, though. Lily and James..."

Everywhere he went he heard it. He heard the word; he heard the joyfulexclamations. And it was more than he could bear. Had they no respect for thedead? But he knew that he could not blame then. Voldemort was gone, but Lilyand James! He steeled his jaw and stalked through the streets. There was a hushas he passed by the crowds.

"The Black boy!"

"He was very close to Lily and James. Shame. First Narcissa, nowthis..."

Sirius held his tongue and the voices faded away. He was at peace almost. Astrange feeling descended upon him. He was totally absorbed in his sorrow, buthad no way to express it. But he had only one thing to do. He had to find themole, or, in this case, the rat. And he'd deal with him accordingly. He'd makehim pay. For Lily and James.

~~*~~

Narcissa awoke with the bright sun in her eyes. She wasshocked, not about what had happened, that had sunk in. She was shocked thatshe had been able to sleep after- everything. She sat bolt upright. Sirius wasin danger. Even if she had to die, she would save him.

The sun settled onto her dressing table. There was a faint glint as the lightreflected. There sat her engagement ring. The engagement ring that he had onceput on her finger. She walked over to it slowly and then, impulsively, put iton her finger. It fit perfectly. She dressed quickly and then looked back atthe dresser. That ring...she could have sworn she'd never opened its case.

~~*~~

The crowds lined the streets. Most were there out of curiosity or the chance togossip. Witches and wizards mingled throughout the crowds. The muggles hadbecome a bit inquisitive. They peered at the magical people as they chatteredaway. Some muggles, questioned afterwards, recalled the tall man who walkedthrough the hustle and bustle. They remembered his proud stride and hishandsome face. Some commented that he made a strange picture amidst thecraziness of the streets: hair unkempt and that look of determination.

~~*~~

Meanwhile,Narcissa was running. She had followed Lucius into one of the studies in themansion. He had commented about going into London earlier. Luckily, he usedfloo powder instead of apparating. She gave her own fate no second thought. Shewent after him, knowing that where her detestable husband was, she would findHIM. It was ironic in a way. Her enemy would lead her to her love.

She arrived in a shop she had never been in before. The shopkeeper gave her afunny look and she hurried out before he could yell at her. She could justimagine him asking in confusion, "What are you doing, Lady?" Shedidn't want to be arrested, so she hurried out of the door, giving the confusedgentleman a warm smile. Act confident, she reminded herself. Act calm. You arecalm-

Then it all came crashing down. She'd seen him. She was so close! But thecrowd, it was thick. And her voice wouldn't carry over it. She began to push.

~~*~~

He wasreliving the past night in his mind. He was focusing on the wrecked house, thebodies, James' glasses. He would not forget his anger. He felt his pacequicken. He would kill the rat with his bare hands. Who needed a wand? He'd riphis heart out. Peter would get what was coming to him. And then some.

Peter looked as nervous as ever. He truly was. There were holes in this plan ofLucius'. It was like Swiss cheese... anything could go wrong. And boy, did Siriuslook mad. He was irate. Peter swallowed deeply. If looks could kill...I'd be deadand six feet under. He had no regrets, though. There wasn«t time for them. Hehad done what he had done. That was all there was to it. Now he would finishthe job and be rewarded. Finally, he'd get his respect, his love. He steeledhimself and prepared to seal the fate of yet another "friend".

If Narcissa had been able to get through the people, she would have rushed toSirius' side. However, she became a bit paralyzed. She was still a ways off,but she could see his face. The crowd had thinned out as people stepped awayfrom the two men. They were so different. One shorter and nervous. The other handsomeand confident...and angry. They were talking; she could see the mouths move- thena yell. It can from Peter.

"Lily and James, Sirius! How could you?!" There was confusion andthen anger. That- that RAT! She felt herself moving, bounding as if in slow motiontowards them. Then in an instant, there was a blinding flash if light and thestreet tore apart.

~~*~~

It wasall over, but it was just starting. The world would never forget. Narcissa heldher head in her hands. Her ears rung sharply. And then, over the suddensilence, she heard something. It was Sirius. He was alive- but, but he waslaughing.

She got up and then started towards him, but before she could get to him shefell to the ground. She rolled away in disgust from the body she had fallen over.Did Sirius do this? He would never, couldn't have...Peter-

Her thoughts were interrupted as Cornelius Fudge and a legion of hit wizardscame barreling through. She started to move again, but felt a tug on her arm.It was Lucius. And he was smiling, looking past her to where Sirius was.

~~*~~

Laughter can be joyful, appreciative, mocking, or it couldbe the only thing left to do when there is nothing left. It came out harshlyfrom between his lips. It started slowly, as he surveyed the results of Peter'scurse. Then it grew.

He laughed because it was over. All over for him. Fortune had dealt him itsfinal shrewd blow. Everything was gone now. Lily...James.......Narcissa. And thenthere was him. Oh, yes, poor Sirius Black. He just went mad is all, killed a bunchof muggles in broad daylight. Sad, really. Yes, it was over.

He laughed because no one knew he was innocent. He laughed out of the sheerabsurdity of the situation. How it had all been pinned on him. He laughedbecause he would take the blame; the rat had outsmarted him. And he's alwaysbeen the clever one...not Peter. He laughed because he had lost everything now.Destiny had taken away everything, even his hope.

And he laughed, because he couldn't cry anymore.