Into the Hands of Fate

Chapter Eight

After telling the headmaster where his friends were, James looked at him expectantly. "Are we going?" Professor Dumbledore shook his head. "What? Why?"

The headmaster's eyes twinkled with a gleam. "It's very dangerous," was the simple reply.

"But we have to go get them! They're in trouble!" Dumbledore just shook his head. James stood and walked out. "Fine, then I'll go after them myself," he whispered.

Albus watched the boy go, then turned to Fawkes. "You have agreed to help me, have you not?" The bird seemed to bow. The headmaster smiled and stroked its head fondly. "Thank you. Perhaps you may even get a glimpse of your master's brother?"

Fawkes bowed once more before flying out the open window.

~*~

Peter opened his eyes and looked around. Where was he? The curtains were closed but the sunlight still seeped through the cracks and into the room. He tried to sit up but a shooting pain ran up his spine so he abandoned that attempt.

Just then, someone stepped into the room. "Wonderful! You're awake!" said the nurse. She was a tall and skinny woman with dirty blond hair. Her eyes were a hazelnut brown. "We've contacted the headmaster at Hogwarts. You'll be going back there tomorrow because you need to stay here one more night so that we'll know you'll be all right. That ok with you, dear?"

He nodded. "Where's my father? Is he very angry?"

The woman's smile faded slowly. "Er - I-I'll be right back. I'm going to get the doctor." And then she rushed away leaving a bewildered Peter behind.

The doctor came in a few moments later. "Well hello, Peter. I'm glad you're up. I just need to do some tests to see if you're healthy and then you can go back to sleep."

Peter nodded. "Sir, please, where's my father?" he asked softly. There was a feeling in his stomach that said something wasn't right, something was terribly wrong.

"I - I'm sorry, son, but he," the man paused and took a deep breath, "he killed himself last night." Peter was only half-conscious as he did the check up, and when the doctor left, he was alone with his thoughts.

It was funny really. Last night, he had had a dream about his father. The poor man was talking to himself outside of the cell door, saying that he truly did love his son and asking himself why he was so cruel. Before Peter had woken up, he had heard his father's words of 'I love you."

~*~

James ran up the steps and got Hallie's snow globe for future reference and ran to get a piece of parchment.

Dear Lily,

I'll be back soon. I've gone to get Hallie and Sirius back because Dumbledore refused to do anything. I now know where they are. Don't come after me, I'll be fine. Take care of yourself, Lily, I'll see you soon.

Love,

James

He folded it up and put it in an envelope. Then he turned around and gave a shout in alarm. "Lily! What're you doing here?"

She looked at him with her hands on hips. "What am I doing here? James, this is my dormitory." He looked around and grinned guiltily. "What're you doing?" she asked suspiciously.

The boy blushed and looked away. He knew she knew what he was feeling. "I-I...I'm just - er - writing you a - um, letter," he stammered.

She smiled at him and brushed her hair away from her face. It surprised her that he blushed again and averted his eyes. "At least you're not lying. I'm going with you."

At this he looked at her sharply. "You were reading it over my shoulder!" he accused, pointing a finger at her.

She slapped it away. "Don't you point that at me, James Potter! Of course I was! Anyway, I'm going with you and that's final, now hurry up or someone might come in." She got her broom from under her bed and mounted it motioning for him to follow.

"Hold on, I'll go get mine."

She nodded and he raced to get his broom. When he came back, she was tapping her foot impatiently. "Took you long enough," she said with a grin.

He shook his head with a smile and took off out of the window, which she had earlier opened. "Let's go!" They flew off into the bright day with the chilling breeze passing by. James looked at the snow globe and found that the silver-headed man was pointing northeast. "We have to go northeast," he told Lily.

She looked at him searchingly but just nodded. She saw a fierce expression of grim determination upon his face and saw how important his friends were to him. His anger made an aura with a reddish tinge around him.

If you've done anything to either of them, you had better run away as fast as you can possibly go, thought James with a glare.  

~*~

Arthur walked along the corridor silently. His nerves were doing strange things to him. What if he did something wrong on his date with Molly? What if she really didn't like him? What if-

But then he saw her at the other end of the hallway. Quickly, he turned around to run away but she called out his name. "Arthur! Wait for me!" He stopped and bit down on his lip.

Oh, dear.

Turning around, he waved awkwardly. "Er, h-hello, Molly," he stammered softly.

She smiled up at him. "Are you all right? Please don't be nervous about tonight, we're still friends. You can talk to me about anything," she said sincerely.

He looked down at her and sighed. "Thanks." Somehow, she had made his nerves go away. Now he really looked forward to that night, something would happen between them, he felt it in that place deep inside.

~*~

Remus fell to his knees with a cold feeling running through him. No, no, God, please no...he pleaded desperately. Tears didn't even come to his eyes for his sorrow was too strong. Why did this happen? How could this have happened? He stood and slowly stepped closer to his beloved home. It looked perfectly fine but the door was wide open. No...

Slowly, he advanced and went in. "Mum? Dad?" Please...please answer...but no one did. "Mum! Dad! Where are you?" Tears were now slipping down the length of his cheeks. His heart pounded wildly. How could you do this to me, God? Haven't I suffered enough?

It isn't God's fault, whispered an eerie voice. It sounded like the wind, soft and melodious. It was female and beautiful. It's part of the plan, dear Remus, the plan. You are all part of the story I am writing. The sorrow in her voice ran out clearly. I'm sorry... Slowly, it faded leaving an echo.

"I hate it! I hate the story! It isn't fair!" he cried into his empty home. He ran up the steps and into his parents' bedroom. Then he stopped in his tracks. His parents were wrapped in each other's arms. "Mum! Dad!" he yelled happily. Remus ran over to them both with a smile upon his tear stained face. "You're alive! You're-" but he cut himself off. He had shaken his mum to wake her up and she rolled limply off the bed. With a yell of surprise, he backed away against the wall.

Her eyes were wide open and staring blankly at him. He whimpered in fright. When he got the feeling back in his legs, he raced down the steps.

"Where are you? Who did this! Come and face me!" he shouted in a solemn rage. "Come out and face me!" he screamed. "Mum, Dad, please..." Falling to his knees, he knew deep inside that they wouldn't answer, ever.

~*~

They took seats before him. Serpise was still looking out his window wistfully. Sirius looked to Hallie who was looking at the silver haired man searchingly. "I've seen you before," she said quietly. It seemed as if the man hadn't heard her, but after a long moment, he turned to her with a small smile.

"Oh really? Where?"

She was still looking at him with a pondering gaze. Neither broke their stares. "I-I'm not sure...you just look so familiar. Why?" she questioned.

A chuckle escaped his lips. "Do you know my name?" he asked back, looking at them both. They shook their heads. "My name is Salazar."

"Oh!" Hallie exclaimed.

"But you're dead!" proclaimed Sirius in disbelief. "You can't be Salazar Slytherin!"

"Ah, but I am. Unfortunately, I never perished. I've been imprisoned here for many years," he replied.

"So...well, why haven't you died?" asked Hallie.

He looked back out the window. "I've been cursed, I'm to be forever immortal. The only way I can be freed is when Rowena is freed. Then the founders will be reunited once again. That is why the Alloy Child is very important to me. I must find it," he told them both. "And, child, you have it," he said to Hallie.

She looked back at him. "But I don't, I don't have it. I've told you and Rogue many times but neither of you believe me!"

"It isn't that we don't believe you, it's just that we know you have it, even though you many not know this."

"Then where is it?"

"That's what we've been trying to ask you, but you don't know so I've summoned the Seer."

Sirius looked at him. "Seer? Who's that?"

"To both of you, he is known as James Potter."

~*~

Celeste ran out of her home in a rush. They were afraid of her, just because she's different now, they no longer wanted to have any relation to the poor girl. She cried inconsolably and ran down the street. Her breath made a cloud of fog in the frosty air as she made her way past the houses. In she ran to Lydia's home. She knocked. The swung open to reveal her friend's mother, Joanne. "Celeste? Dear, what's the matter?" asked the woman in concern. She ushered the girl into her home and hugged her tightly. "What has happened?"

"I - I'm a werewolf, Joanne, I'm a werewolf! And my parents abandoned me!" she wailed.

Joanne nodded and hugged her again. "Poor dear, you can stay with us. You'll be fine."

Celeste looked at her in shock. "You - you don't care? But - but I'm a monster!" she exclaimed.

Joanne shook her head. "You are not a monster, no matter what anyone tells you. You are a girl who just becomes something else on the night of the full moon. You're just a bit different from the rest is all, and that is nothing to be ashamed of. Now come," said the woman putting an arm around the girl's shoulder, "Let's get you changed from those robes and get a room set up for you. You're living with us now until school starts again."

Celeste looked up at Joanne. The older woman had just given her something to think about. All her life, she had always pictured werewolves as monsters, creatures of evil. But now...now that she was one of them...everything in her point of view changed.

~*~

What do I do? I don't know what to do...He sat on the steps of his home, crying for his loss. I can't believe this has happened...it couldn't have happened...it isn't fair!

Why him? Out of everyone in the world, he had to lose his parents. There were so few people that actually loved him, and they were two of them. But now, they were gone. He slowly stood and walked down the street in a sort of daze. What would become of him now?

"Remus!" yelled a voice from behind him. The boy slowly turned to see two girls his age running towards him.

"Hi, are you all right?" asked Lydia with concern etching every inch of her face. The other girl stood a bit behind.

"All right?" he repeated. It took a short while for him to decipher what she had said. At last he replied, "Oh, I-I," he stopped. He had almost said he was fine, but was he really? No, no he wasn't. Everything was in shambles and it seemed as if there was no way to fix everything. Tears started running down his cheeks again and she hugged him.

"It'll be all right, Remus. It will all turn out all right. Come on, you can stay with us." She motioned for the other girl to follow. She was looking as solemn as he was at that moment. When he looked at her, something familiar seemed to shoot inside him as if he knew her from somewhere else.

"Lydia, how did you know-" he started.

"Celeste and I saw you run out of your house. I saw the mark up there and...I - I assumed..." she trailed off and he nodded.

"Thanks."

~*~

The headmaster looked out his window at Fawkes who was flying back to him. The gracious bird flew through the window and onto its perch on his desk. "Why, hello, Fawkes, have you found them so soon?" he asked civilly. The beautiful creature seemed to bow. It soared to where he stood and laid its head upon his shoulder where a tear escaped its eyes.

The castle looked haunting and terrible. Its sharp towers seemed to reach the stars that were just starting to appear in the darkening sky. In one of the towers, a man sat looking out the window, but not really seeing anything at all. His hair was short and silvery blonde while his eyes were a startling and unusual green. He looked nothing like his brother Godric of whom Fawkes once belonged. It was only their eyes with which you could distinguish their relation.

And then he turned to look at the others in the room with him. He smiled and said something to one of them, but Fawkes had not been able to see whom it was he was speaking to.

"They are there then, aren't they, Fawkes?" asked Professor Dumbledore. The bird did a wonderful bow before returning to its perch once more. "And James has gone to search for his friends with Lily at his side, just as I thought he would. 'Right turns to wrong, wrong turns to right, come hence it forth, henceforth the fight. Just like in the prophecies." He sighed and looked out the window. They were soon going to reach the valley. The valley - yes, the wrong, the ruins, the wasteland. But then, then they would climb back up the mountain and all would then turn right. It was all coming to the end of Fate's story; soon...soon it would either be the end, or the beginning.

~*~

"Soon, they will come soon. You will be freed and the deceptive one will be found out and all will turn right. But first, right will turn to wrong, and then wrong will turn to right," said the heavenly voice.

"When? I have waited for many years...it seems as if it has been an eternity. I wish to know how my friends are. Ric...Serpise...how are they?" asked Rowe.

"Soon, so soon, dear child, soon all will unfold."

Rowe sighed in defeat. "I just hope it comes sooner than you make soon sound."

The voice laughed. "Yes, indeed it will. The story is reaching its end. But you see, even I can't write the tale without the characters. It is they that will create the ending."

The tale? The book? Yes, Fate had told her all about that, but the ending...the ending has seemed to take forever to reach. But Fate told her that it would come soon, soon said she. Hopefully. James, I am counting on you, please, please succeed. You think you are going after your friends in a rescue mission, but how wrong you are. The girl with you and yourself are flying straight into an adventure that you never have imagined.

Rowe turned the pages and saw a picture of Lily and James flying towards the castle with the night sky sparkling as the stars smiled down. "You're going straight to him," she whispered. She was about to turn to the end so she would be able to find out how it all ends, but the book vanished.

"I'm sorry, dear Rowena, but my story hasn't ended yet, they have not reached it."

The young woman looked around at the emptiness. "But why? If I'm to be stuck here forever, do I not get the right to read the tale of the adventure about to take place?" she asked with pleading in her sorrowful voice.

The angelic voice said, "No, I am afraid not. The story is still in the making." The book reappeared close by but Rowe decided that if she could not read it yet, she would pretend it wasn't there. The voice chuckled. "Sour grapes, child, sour grapes."

"So true." She paused and put her head in her arms. "Please, children, set me free," she whispered in desperation. "Set me free."

 

~*~

James slowed the broom and looked around suddenly. "Lily, did you hear that?" She looked at him quizzically.

"Hear what?" she asked back. He shook his head.

Set me free...came the voice again. It seemed to come with the sweeping winds.

James shut his eyes and then opened them quickly. I'm just hearing things, that's all, just hearing things.

A voice in his mind laughed. I thought by now you'd realize that you never 'just hear things,' or 'imagine you saw something'. You are the Seer, you never see illusions or hear them. They are real.

In his mind, he sighed and said, I suppose deep down I know that, but perhaps I wish not believe it. Fate laughed. Such a peculiar being, this boy was. So different from all other mortals. She knew he would make the story interesting, and she couldn't wait until the ending came.

~*~

Perhaps, was her reply. And then she was gone. He felt the emptiness and knew she had left.

Maybe, just maybe I can help things move faster...thought Fate with a smirk. She twirled once letting her dress of water splash and shimmer under the moonlight and her hair of the stars glisten brilliantly.

Lily touched James' shoulder from beside her on his own broom. "How-" she had begun to ask, but he just looked at her and shook his head in question.

"I have no idea," he replied. Fate laughed. Mortals were so comical.

Dear Rowena, do not worry. I am as excited as you are in the matters of the story's ending and I am currently helping things move faster, said Fate.

Rowe put a hand to her mouth. But is that wise? Couldn't things change if you mess with the events? There was a silence.

Oh yes, I suppose...

Then you must stop interfering at once! Exclaimed the young woman. There was an angel-like sigh.

All right, but I listen only because I have grown fond of you, said Fate.

Thank you.

~*~

They walked down the halls. "Can we leave now, Sirius? I feel as though something is about to happen...and I don't like it," whispered Hallie.

He took her hand in his. It seemed so small in his. "Yeah, let's go to the tower. We can think of how to escape there where Slytherin can't find us," he said in the same quiet tone. They ran up the East Wing spiral staircase and into the misty tower. Sirius looked out the tower. "Now how do we get out of here?" he asked himself. Hallie looked around and then out the window. For a while they stood there, thinking to themselves of fleeing. Sirius suddenly jumped up and pointed out of the tower. "It's someone on a broom!" Hallie, who was thinking of something that had suddenly dawned on her, didn't look up for she was concentrating to hard. "We're in the tower! Help us!" Sirius yelled.

"James! Did you hear that? Someone yelled from up there!" Lily exclaimed in excitement. The boy did a double take.

"Where?" he wondered looking around.

"In the tower! We're in the tower! Help!" bellowed Sirius at the top of his lungs. "Help!"

James' eyes widened. "It's Sirius!" He raced his broom to where the other boy's voice was coming from and there was Sirius waving at them.

"You found us!" he proclaimed happily. He backed away from the window and moved Hallie so that James and Lily could fly through. Sirius and James embraced without embarrassment for they were as close as brothers were. Lily took a seat in front of Hallie who was staring off into space, still with a pondering look upon her face. She waited for a short while as the two boys spoke.

Hallie pushed the thought away and was about to start thinking of an escape plan again when she caught sight of a tuft of red-hair beside her. She blinked and then shut her eyes tightly. "Sirius, I think I'm going crazy, I'm starting to see Lilies," she said. The boys turned to look at her and burst out laughing. Hallie opened her eyes to glare at Sirius but saw two boys and her eyes widened. Her gaze then went to Lily in front of her. "I did see Lilies!" she yelled in happiness. "I mean, I did see a Lily!" The girls laughed and hugged each other.

"Long time no see, where have you been keeping yourself?" asked the redhead.

Hallie pulled away with a tearful smile. "Oh...the usual. Strange castles...a tower...with dead men..."

Lily laughed. "Let's get out of here," she said.

They stood and looked to the guys. James was holding his broom. Hallie glared at him. "Why did you bring that?" she asked in a deathly calm voice. The boy grinned apologetically.

"It was the only way, sorry." Lily tossed hers to Sirius who caught it was a wicked smile.

"Hop on, Hal, it's time to ride," he said.

James punched his shoulder. "You be good," he said with a stern brotherly tone.

The other boy held the aching spot. "Ok, ow...don't punch so hard!" He paused. "Did you say, 'be good?' Don't you know who you're talking to?" he asked gesturing to himself.

James and Lily laughed. James said, "Oh yeah, well...try to be good."

"You can leave me here," said Hallie suddenly. "I am not riding a broom, especially with Sirius Black."

The boy sighed. "We have to get out of here, who knows what Slytherin is going to do to us if we stay," he said softly.

She put her hands on her hips. "Who said we? I said I'm staying, I never said anyone else had to," she said with a glare at him.

James and Lily watched with small smiles upon their faces. "You didn't leave me," he told her. "So I'm not leaving you. Now get on the broom or we can both stay here."

She looked out the window with a frown. "Do you promise not to do those loopy things and the little dives?" she muttered.

He grinned but quickly wiped it off his face when he saw James' and Lily's looks. "Yes, ma'am," he said with a salute. With a deep breath, she mounted the broom behind him and hugged his waist tightly.

"You go first, Sirius, I want to watch you," said James trying to smother his laughter. Lily held his sides and leaned her head on his back. "Go to sleep, Lil, it's been a long night," he said to her. She nodded and closed her eyes. He looked at her with a smile before looking at Sirius expectantly.

"All right," said the boy.

"What I don't get," Hallie said, "is why I have to share with him. Why don't one of you?" she questioned looking at the other two. Sirius then took off. "Go slow, Sirius."

He zoomed into the night air. "What's the magic word?"

"PLEASE!" she screamed.

~*~

Fate sighed in annoyance. This wasn't going at all how she had planned. The lines she had written started to melt away into different words. "What's the magic word?" asked Sirius.

"PLEASE!" she screamed read Fate. She looked to Rowena. The poor young woman was sitting on the ground with a mellow expression upon her beautiful face.

"I'm sorry dear," said Fate.

Rowena, who now held the book, was reading it intently. "Please don't be, look at the book!" Indeed, the letters seemed to suddenly appear on the page in a mad rush. Something was going to happen, and it was going to happen soon.

~*~

Serpise jumped up. What was that? A scream? Yes, a girl's scream. It had sounded like the voice of the girl child he had only moments ago spoken to. "Rogue!" he yelled. The servant rushed in and was in mid bow when Salazar hit him upside the head with his wand. "Get up! Where are the children?" he demanded.

"The-the children, master? They- they, they were walking in the halls-," stammered Rogue cautiously.

"The halls? And to where?"

Rogue said, "I-I am not sure..."

Serpise's eyes glowed with an angry fire. He raced out of the room knocking his servant aside as he went to the children's rooms. They were empty. He then took hold of the amulet around his neck. Its first form was a locator. It pointed to the East Wing tower. He rushed there and found it too was empty. When he gazed out the window in aggravation, he saw a shocking sight. Four figures doubled up on two brooms. The children, they had escaped. "Get back here! Come back!" he yelled with desperation deep in his voice. In a short while, they disappeared into the fog. He glared after them. "You are only prolonging Fate," he whispered. "What is meant to happen will happen. We will meet again."

~*~

She squeezed his waist. "Sirius? Did you hear that?" she asked with fear creeping into her voice making it end in a squeak.

He grinned back at her. "Hear what?" he questioned back.

Hallie took her face from buried in his robes. "I-I thought I heard Salazar..." she told him.

He faced back up front and then turned to look at James. "I do say, I think our dear Hallie is starting to hear voices," he muttered with a meaningful look at James. The boy rolled his eyes and chuckled softly. Hallie hit Sirius' back. "Ow! Be careful, I'm the one in charge of the broom after all."

This made her stop her hand in mid swing from hitting him again. "I don't like you."

"I never said you had to like me," was his simple reply. These plain words seemed to make a memory shoot back into her mind. It was one of Rogue when she had told him she hated him but he said he never said she had to like him, but that he could always make her. She shuddered. Sirius turned to look at her again. "You cold?" he asked in a soft voice.

She looked at him and then averted her eyes. "You could say that."

~*~

James listened to Sirius' and Hallie's bickering, then soon, they quieted down. They would be back at Hogwarts in maybe an hour or so. He looked back at Lily who was asleep against him. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he looked at her for a short while. She looked so angelic. Her hair glowed in the moonlight and burned with a lively blaze. He was always enamored by red hair; it put a sort of trance of him.

"James," said Sirius after a while.

He looked at his friend. James replied, "Yeah?"

There was a short silence. "What's happening? Why's this happening?" James thought about this. Deep inside he knew, disregarding the information he had recently gathered, what was going to happen, and why it was happening.

"Ask Hallie," was the boy's reply. Sirius blanched.

"Hallie? Why? What does she have to do with any of this?" asked Sirius.

James looked at him. The other boy looked like a shadow in the midnight air. His dark hair gave him a sort of mysterious aura and his ebony colored eyes looked strange and mystical. "Ask her."

Sirius looked behind him at Hallie and was surprised to find she wasn't asleep. "Hallie?"

She slowly turned her gaze to him. Though their eyes were locked, it was as if she wasn't really seeing him. "Hmm?" she mumbled.

"Hallie, do you know why this is happening?" he asked her.

She blinked at him with those large sapphire blue eyes. "Why what's happening?" she questioned back. James looked forward, of course, he knew what was to be said, and he was, after all, the Seer.

Sirius sighed with forced patience. "Why all this is happening."

Hallie blinked at him again. "This?"

"Listen to me. Why is all this happening to us? I mean, Slytherin...that Rogue guy...what is all this?" he asked in incredulity.

There was a long silence, which made Sirius think that she had decided not to answer. After a while, however, she spoke. "Sirius, you know why this is happening. The Alloy Child, remember? It's all because of that...but not really. I'm sure James can tell you."

With an aggravated sigh, Sirius turned to James who grinned. "Fate's writing her story," was the simple reply from the boy.

Sirius threw his hands into the air. "Wonderful. So in other words," he said, "we've fallen into the hands of fate." There was no reply for the answer was apparent.

~*~

"Rogue!" the man, yelled. "Come to me at once!" His words echoed through the castle, which was deserted except for the master and servant who occupied it.

At once, Rogue appeared next to his master. "Yes, master?"

"Go after them, go after then now!" growled Serpise. "I want them brought to me, I want you to follow them, don't bring them to me just yet, only when the amulet is found. Do you understand my words?" he demanded. The servant bowed lowly.

"Indeed, master, they will be brought back to you with the Alloy Child." And with that, Rogue left to go after the four.

~*~

James slowed his broom. No longer were they alone. He knew this, but he didn't know how, there was just a feeling as if someone else was there. He opened his mouth to tell the others but he felt a space in him become occupied. Not yet, James, you mustn't tell them yet. It isn't part of the plan, said Fate.

He sighed. "James, you okay?" asked Sirius.

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine, just tired," he replied. He wasn't lying exactly, because he was tired. Plan? What plan? He wondered.

The plan of my story. All must unfold now, and I promise you, soon it will, very soon. The occupancy in him left and he was once again alone.

~*~

They finally arrived at Hogwarts. The main doors swung open with a clang and there Dumbledore stood, without a smile, but with a twinkle flashing in his bright blue eyes. James woke Lily and all four of them got off their brooms. "Welcome back," was the headmaster's greeting. James smiled in understanding. Of course, it wasn't Dumbledore who was supposed to go after Sirius and Hallie; it was James and Lily's journey. "Mr. Lupin and Mr. Pettigrew you will find in the Gryffindor common room. I told them you'd be by shortly." Sirius looked to James who was in eye contact with the ancient man but held his tongue from saying anything.

"Yes, sir." James took Lily's hand in his and they walked in past Professor Dumbledore. Hallie and Sirius gave each other a look, then followed.

"James, why are Peter and Remus back here? Are the holidays over already? Because I didn't think Hallie and I were gone that long..." trailed off Sirius in inquiry. The other boy just shrugged. James had his arm around Lily and was supporting her. She was unbearably tired and was grateful for his helping her.

They stepped into the common room and Remus along with Peter jumped up instantly. Peter however, cringed a bit as if in pain but quickly composed he. "Where have you been?" he asked with worry and fright upon his plump face.

"What were you off doing?" said Remus at the same time.

"I saw a dead man," said Sirius. The two boys looked at each other and missed the grin Sirius flashed at James who rolled his eyes in turn.

"Sirius and Hallie were kidnapped," said Lily with a yawn.

James smiled down at her tenderly. "I'll be right back guys," he told everyone. He led her up to her dormitory where she went to her bed. He kissed her forehead gently and turned to go. Lily watched after him and fell asleep with a smile upon her face.

"Are you going to tell us what happened now?" asked Remus cautiously. They were seated around the fire. Sirius looked to James and Hallie, and then told the tale.

"The Alloy Child? But - but isn't that just a legend?" questioned Peter.

Hallie said, "That's what I thought too...I guess I was wrong, otherwise, there's an insane dead man running around."

"If he is really Salazar Slytherin..." added Sirius. She nodded. James was looking into the fire but was listening intently. Everything seemed to be puzzling together in his mind from the journey. Sirius' and Hallie's perspectives on what had happened changed everything he thought from when they had left, that was why he didn't go after Serpise, there was just a key part of the puzzle that wasn't making any sense.

He jumped up. "I've got to do something, I'll talk to you guys later," he said, and then ran off. The others looked at each other.

"Er - so I'm guessing you didn't have a chance to work on the -" said Peter but was cut off by Remus who elbowed him in the ribs. Sirius gave him a look.

"No."

Hallie looked at the three boys and grinned a mischievous grin. "I know nothing," said she.

~*~

He ran to the headmaster's office and stopped before the statue before it. "Er...what was the password again? Um...oh yeah! Ric, Serpise, Rowe, and Elle." The statue moved and let him enter. From there, he ran to the headmaster who was stroking Fawkes tenderly.

"Hello, Mr. Potter, I had thought you would stop by," he said to the boy with a small smile.

James grinned back. "I don't doubt that, sir, but may I please see Hallie's snow globe?" asked James.

Dumbledore's smile broadened a small bit and the twinkle in his eyes glimmered. "I put it back, Mr. Potter." James nodded and opened his mouth to excuse himself, but the headmaster spoke again. "But I do have another that appeared the day you left." The professor handed the second snow globe to James who held it cautiously as if afraid it would strike him at any moment.

After a short moment, James looked back up at Professor Dumbledore. "Sir, only Helga Hufflepuff and Godric Gryffindor are in this one," he said quietly.

The headmaster beamed at him. "Indeed, Mr. Potter, I had noticed that as well."

James said, "But-but what happened to Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw?" His mind had wandered back to the original snow globe that was in Hallie's possession. There, there were four figures, but in this second one, there were only two. "Professor, what happened between the founders?" he asked.

Dumbledore's smile faltered and gradually fell. "Mr. Potter, it is not I who must figure that out."

James nodded. He said his farewell and left. When he went back into the common room, no one remained except Hallie was sitting in the armchair before the fire waiting for him. She smiled and he noticed she held her periwinkle songbook. "James, I -," but he cut her off.

"I know," he replied.

She nodded, stood, and looked at her beloved book. "James, can you change this back into its true form?"

James nodded and took the offered book. At his touch, he felt a tingle run up through his fingertips and all through him. Involuntarily, he shivered. Hallie grinned. "I never thought that that feeling meant anything until yesterday before you came," she told him softly.

He nodded again. The words came to his mouth like they always did when dealing with this type of magic. "Chantebra Lengorio," he whispered. There was a bright flash of sapphire blue and he shut his eyes tightly. After a few short moments, he opened them again to look at a silver amulet with a pendant of a small young girl dangling at the chain's end. Where the head should have been, there was a sparkling diamond and the dress was studded with blue sapphires. He handed it to Hallie who was staring at it out of wide and awed eyes.

She shook her head and pushed it back towards him. "You should keep it," she said almost inaudibly.

He shook his head back at her. "You had it with you all along for a reason, it's yours, you should wear it." Her breathing was shallow as she looked at the amulet. She composed herself and put the blank expression back on her face as she looked at him. He gave it to her.

For a short while, she looked at it. "Goodnight, James, and thanks," she said. They walked their separate ways to their dormitories.

In her dorm, she put the amulet over her head and found that it shrank to fit her neck size. It frightened her that it seemed to have a mind of its own.

Don't be afraid, said a gentle voice in her ear. She jumped up and turned around, looking about her for the person who spoke. You cannot see me for I'm imprisoned.

Hallie shut her eyes. She knew who it was. I'll help to free you, she promised, no matter what it takes.

There was a smile in Rowe's voice. I know dear, I know. And thank you.

~*~

James sat on his bed and was about to go to sleep when he remembered the second snow globe. Quietly, he crept back down into the common room and sat on the armchair before the fire. In his hand he held the globe and he closed his eyes with his face facing the blaze of the burning fire.

Ric closed his eyes in pain. Why could he not forget the tragedy of his life? It hurt so much that it was as if his insides were being torn and his heart ripped away from him. Must their lives have gone on this path? So many times he wondered what life would be like if Rowe had not been taken from him and Serpise had not betrayed him. Serpise...his brother, disowned and left to be forgotten, but no. Never could Godric forget his brother. And Rowena...his life...she was gone.

His thoughts were broken when the door opened. Slowly he turned around but already, he knew who was there. "Godric, dear, are you all right?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yes, I'm fine." He stood. "Is it time?" She smiled and nodded. Helga looked so happy and he felt guilty for not feeling as wonderful as she felt. This was supposed to be a blithe filled day, but he knew it would not; never again would his life be filled with cheer.

Godric led the way out and she followed. The music started to play at the sight of him. He walked across the carpet and stood before the elderly man at the head. Helga came soon after looking beautiful and happy, her eyes shined with tears of bliss.

The priest started to speak. "Dearly beloved..."

 

How could that be? Godric and Helga? That...it didn't seem right. James had thought Godric loved Rowena...oh yes, of course. She was imprisoned and was taken away from him. James shook the thoughts from his mind. He was tired and wanted rest. He would think about it tomorrow.

 

Helga sat in her room after the wedding. Everything was wonderful. She was with the man she loved. But Rowe was gone now...and Serpise. She pushed the thoughts of them away. Never mind them, they're gone from our lives now. I'm with Godric, all is well, all is the way I want it. I love him, and he loves me. Everything is perfect.

~*~

Rogue grinned. The Alloy Child, he had found it and now he could take it. Carefully, he made himself solid instead of in his shadowed form so he could take the amulet from the girl. He almost laughed aloud at the fright she would be in when she saw him once again. Into the girls' dormitory he crept and he went to Hallie's bed. Slowly, he opened the curtain and saw her sleeping form. He reached out his hand and carefully took hold the pendant. A tingle ran through him at its touch.

With a shiver, he tried to tear it from her but it sent a shock through him. He jumped backwards and landed in the next bed. The girl there jumped up as did Hallie who felt the tug of the amulet on her neck. She saw Rogue and screamed. The other girls woke. Everyone was back at Hogwarts for the holidays were over. "Shut her up!" they yelled. But the girl in the other bed started screaming as well for there was a stranger in the room.

The lights switched on and Professor Jenkins came in looking thoroughly bewildered. "What is the meaning of all this racket?" She looked to Hallie who was still screaming. Lily laughed and came over to clamp her hand over the other girl's mouth. Hallie blinked for a couple of seconds before her eyes became squinted with a smile. Lily shook her head with a smile and dropped her hand. "I will repeat this question only once more, what is the meaning of this?"

"Professor," said Andrea, the girl from beside Hallie's bed, "there was a man in our room!"

Professor Jenkins' eyes widened. "It's true, Professor!" exclaimed Hallie earnestly.

The elderly woman shut her eyes gently. "My retirement will not come soon enough," she muttered. There was laughter from behind her. The girls all turned to see who was there to find that the Gryffindor boys had woken and come over to see what all the fuss was about. "Are you sure there was a man in this room?"

Andrea said, "Yes, Professor! He was right -" but she cut herself off when Rogue was no where in sight.

"Where, Miss Pristine?" questioned Professor Jenkins with her hands on her hips.

"He was - er - well - Professor, he was right, right here before...I swear!" she claimed looking around. "Hallie saw him! Wasn't he here?" she asked the other girl.

"Yeah, I saw him, but I could have been dreaming," said Hallie calmly. Andrea blanched.

"You're lying! You weren't dreaming and you know it!"

Professor Jenkins quieted her with a look. "Enough of these tales. I want no more disruptions tonight, understood?" Everyone nodded. She turned around and shooed the boys away.

"Hallie! How rude! Why didn't you tell the truth?" whispered Andrea fiercely.

Hallie shrugged. "Andrea, do you really think she'd believe you? How could he have gotten in here anyway?"

The other girl seemed to ponder this for a while. "Oh...I know who it was!"

Hallie looked at her with a raised brow. "Who?"

Andrea looked triumphant. "Sirius Black of course!" Hallie and Lily broke into fits of laughter.

"Sirius?" asked Lily. "What makes you think he came in here?"

"Well...it's a Siriusly thing to do...don't you agree? I'll deal with him tomorrow, now someone turn of the lights, he's ruined my beauty sleep."

~*~

Rogue rushed away in a panic. He arrived back at the castle. Serpise was looking out the window. "Welcome back, do you have the amulet?" he questioned.

Rogue felt like a child. "No, sir, but I-," Salazar cut him off.

"Need say no more. I am very disappointed in you, Rogue, I had thought you were a faithful servant wanting only to serve your master-,"

"But I do!"

"But I guess I was wrong," finished Serpise. "Leave me, I wish to think. I suppose I will have to retrieve the other half of the Alloy child on my own."

"Master," begged Rogue, "Master, give me one more chance, just one more, I promise I will fail you not!"

The other man seemed to ponder this. "No."

He raised his wand to banish the servant. "Master, please!"

But Salazar Slytherin had already let the words "Chantebra Lengorio" escape his mouth. Rogue disappeared off the face of the earth and back to the hell he had come from.

~*~

There was a loud yell that echoed through the school. It was the most horrible thing that Lily had ever heard in her life. The scream was filled with anguish and pain and devastation. She put her hands over her ears as she sat up. Hallie opened her curtains and looked just as frightened as Lily felt. And then the scream was gone leaving a painful silence in its wake.

"What was that?" asked Lydia in fear. The girls left their dormitory and went to the common room where the boys were as well.

"Do any of you know what just happened?" asked Arthur. He held Molly close and Lily felt her mouth tug up into an involuntary smile. Of course, she had forgotten...they were a couple now.

Hallie said, "No...it was awful though..."

A long while later when everyone was sitting, lounging about in the room, Professor Jenkins stepped in looking drained. "A tragedy has occurred." The room was now silent. "Jonathan Greggors has disappeared."

~*~

"Disappeared? Just like that?" "Professor Greggors?" "Our Charms teacher?" These were few of the many questions that erupted in the room.

"Quiet down please, the headmaster is doing all he can to find the professor but he needs you all to stay calm. Professor Greggors will be found, you need not worry," said Professor Jenkins.

"But the scream! He must have been in pain!" came a shout.

"Someone must have kidnapped him!" said another.

"Quiet!" yelled the teacher. "That will be enough. Get dressed and go down to the Great Hall. I want no more talk of this. Yes, something terrible has happened but we will push through. Professor Greggors will be found." The students reluctantly obeyed and went to get dressed.

~*~

"Joanne, I got the letter!" exclaimed Celeste happily. "They'll have me! They'll have me there!"

The woman ran over and hugged her. "That's wonderful, dear, I told you they would. You're too good to not have," she replied with a smile.

"Can I go now? They said I could go back now!" said the young girl. Joanne nodded.

"Of course, dear. Your things are already packed."

Celeste's eyes widened. "How?"

"I knew they'd have you," was the woman's reply.

The girl smiled happily and took a pinch of floo powder from the fireplace mantle. Before she left, she hugged Joanne. "Thank you so much, Joanne. You're the greatest."

The woman laughed hugged her tightly. "It wasn't a problem, you were wonderful to have over."

And then Celeste threw the powder into the fire yelling, "5476 Graters Drive, America!"

~*~

At breakfast, Remus came in slowly and then took a seat next to Lydia who was playing around with her food. "Lydia?" he said.

She looked up at him with a smile. "Oh hi, Remus!" she exclaimed.

He grinned back. "I just," he paused uncertainly, "I just wanted to thank you." She looked at him in puzzlement. "I mean - a-about - you know...over the holidays...and having me over...I really - er - appreciate it," he stammered.

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's never a problem. You're my friend, I'd do anything for you," she said to him sincerely.

He smiled in happiness and hugged her back. "Thanks, Lydia, thanks again."

~*~

Voldemort on the Rise

The unknown man whom is called Lord Voldemort is on the rise. He is a notorious dark supporter and brings about havoc and terror in his path. All should beware. The Ministry is doing all they can to stop him...

"Can you believe that?" asked Sirius in incredulity. "As if we don't have enough problems to deal with!"

James sighed. "I know, it's as if everything's falling into ruins," he said. Fate, I need to speak with you. Instantly there was that occupancy in him.

You called? She asked with humor in her heavenly voice.

He grinned. Er, yeah. Why aren't you doing anything about Voldemort? There was a sigh.

I do not control these entities, I only write the story, was the reply.

But isn't he part of the story? Why don't you change what he does? Asked James in wonder.

Fate said, Dear James, I cannot change the story, nor can I change the personality of the characters. What if I didn't like that you are falling in love with Lily? Would you wish me to change it so you fall in love with say...the Miss Andrea Pristine?

James choked on his sausage and Sirius clapped his back a few times. "Take it easy bud, there's more than enough."

James swatted at him with a grin. Andrea Pristine? Ugh, no way! And who said I was-

You are, do not deny your true feelings. But do you understand what I'm trying to point out? Asked Fate.

Yes, I think I do.

Fate said, I thought you would, I will leave now, but beware of what is to come, James Potter.

I don't know what to do, he told her. How am I supposed to find what is to come?

I had thought the answer was obvious of course! She exclaimed. There was a smile in her voice. He remained silent. Why, if Rowe is to be freed, the two halves of the amulet must be joined! Now do you know what you must do?

An extremely long silence followed this statement. Yes, I must go back to the Slytherin Castle.