Beyond the Veil

BEYOND THE VEIL

When he awoke, the man had no idea where he was or how he'd gotten there. His head hurt like a bitch, though, and he figured he'd probably fallen some distance. Pulling himself up into a sitting position, the man rubbed the back of his head as he tried to gather his thoughts. He appeared to be sitting in a deserted alleyway; looking around him, he didn't see anything he recognized. Standing up, the man panicked when he realized he didn't know his own name. He brushed his long, dark hair out of his gray eyes and began to walk, though where, he didn't have a clue. Once he exited the alleyway, the man found himself on an equally deserted street; rain began lightly assaulting him as his eyes darted from building to building. He saw what looked like fairly primitive looking apartments and a few business buildings, but again, there was no one on the street though there was something oddly familiar about this place. He walked up to the nearest building and peered into the dusty window to find what looked like an old bookstore. He saw something move and realized that what he was looking at was a woman shelving books. She was slender with dark red hair and sad eyes, he noticed. He made the decision in a split second to open the door and confront this woman, knowing he needed help.

Upon hearing the door open, the woman startled and dropped the remaining books in her hands.

"S-Sorry," the man said, feeling awkward.

"It's alright, I just wasn't expecting anyone," the woman said. The man nodded. "What can I do for you?" the woman asked, leaving her books to the floor as she came closer to the man. She had piercing green eyes, the man noted. There was something about them that haunted him, something he just couldn't quite place his finger on.

"I-I don't know if you can help me," he said, dumbstruck. She looked at him for a moment. "I-I...It's the strangest thing. I c-can't remember," he wished he'd stop stuttering. His head was pounding and he suddenly felt weak.

"Why don't you sit down," the woman offered, but no sooner had the words left her mouth then the man had collapsed in front of her very eyes.

Images swirled in his mind, blurry and fast.

A boy with dark hair and striking green eyes, looking at him with utmost revulsion; "You killed my parents" his voice setting the man's heart aflame with sadness.

The same face, now smiling, engulfing the man's heart with happiness; "Live with you? Yeah I mean it! When can I move in?"

Himself looking at the boy; "You are--truly your father's son, Harry.".

Harry. Who was Harry? Was he safe? Suddenly, all that mattered to the man was this boy.

"HARRY!" The man startled awake. "Shh...it's okay, you're alright," a woman's voice said as the man came to, panting in fear. He pushed her hands away from his face as he sat upright. "Where am I? Who are you?" he cried as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. Frustrated, he laid his face in his hands, rubbing at his face furiously. "I don't remember!" he cried as he faced the woman. She sat in a chair near his bed, looking at him sympathetically.

"You're in my home, above the bookstore. You collapsed and have been in a fitful sleep for the past three hours. As for me, I'm someone you can trust. And as for not remembering, it'll be all right. It'll come back to you. It does for everyone," she said, nodding at him.

Comprehension dawned on him at her last words.

"Everyone? You mean others are here like me?" he asked.

She smiled at him sadly. "Everyone who lives here has been through it. Your memory will return in time," she added.

"There's this boy in my memory. I know he's not my son, but he means so much to me. I need to get back to him..." the man said, exhaustion tingeing his voice. The woman took hold of his hand and he looked up to see a tear roll down her face.

"You can't. You can't go back to him. I...I'm sorry," she brushed the tears from her face as the man looked at her, puzzled.

"What do you mean I can't go back? Where am I?" he asked, fearing the answer.

"You're beyond the veil, Sirius," the woman replied.

The name she called him hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Sirius. That's my name. Sirius," he repeated his name over and over again.

His body shook in fear and the sudden understanding of where he was and whom he was with.

"Don't be scared," she added, seeing his face pale. "It'll all come back to you now," and she held his hand as Sirius blacked out once again, memories flooding him painfully and quickly.