Into the Hands of Fate

Chapter Nine

Andrea ran over and smacked Sirius upside his head. He turned around and touched the sore spot. "What was that for?" he yelled at her.

She smiled with accusation. "You think I don't know what you were trying to do last night? Ha! Well I do, you were trying to scare me last night!"

The boy looked at her as if she were going mad. "Why - may I ask - would I want to do a thing like that? Though...it does sound like a good idea."

He grinned at the other three boys watching the scene in amusement. "Because I wouldn't go out with you! That's why! You just feel so bad that I don't like you and you were trying to scare me in revenge," she said triumphantly. Next to the boys were Lily and her friends who broke into laughter.

Sirius shook his head with a small smile. "Andrea, Andrea, Andrea, I think you're becoming too full with yourself," he proclaimed.

She choked in indignation. "Don't you try to turn this on me, Sirius Black!" she yelled. "I know you still like me, but that's no reason to become so bull headed." He rolled his eyes.

"I can become bull headed if I like. Besides, I don't like you anymore. I doubt I ever really did..." he trailed off looking thoughtful.

Andrea looked interested though a bit hurt. "Oh? And who's the 'lucky' girl?" At this, Sirius blushed a soft flush of crimson. She laughed. "I never thought I'd see the day when Mr. Perfect blushed about a girl!"

He swatted at her and made her laugh harder. "Shut up, Andrea."

"Let's see..." she started rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Who could it be...Lily maybe? No, not Lily, she's James'." Lily and James both flushed a deep red and averted their eyes. Lydia and Remus took note of this and laughed. "Lydia? No, she's Remus'." They didn't blush...only a reddish tinge appeared on their cheeks and they shared a secret smile. "Hmm...Gwen?" She looked to Gwen who was talking to Frank about something or other. "Um...no, not Gwen...Hallie?" At this she laughed aloud not noticing Sirius' face which was getting redder now. "Definitely not Hallie!"

"Why not?" asked Lily with a smirk at Hallie who was shooting dagger glares at her.

Andrea's smile faltered a bit with puzzlement. "Because...they hate each other of course," she said uncertainly.

Lily smiled sweetly at Hallie and then grinned at Andrea. "Do they?"

"Of course they do! They just pulled a prank on each other..." she trailed off thinking of the last time. "Er...I don't remember."

She then looked accusingly at Hallie and Sirius. "What's going on?"

Hallie stood. "Nothing, Andrea dear, and if you don't shut up I'm going to curse you," she said softly. The other girl's eyebrows shot up and she took her seat but there was a suspicious look in her eyes.

After breakfast, they all went back to their common room. James said, "Sirius, I need to talk to you." The other boy gave him a look but followed him to the boy's dormitory.

"What is it?" asked Sirius.

"I spoke to Fate," said James simply.

Sirius raised a brow. "Fate?" He chuckled nervously. "Funny, really, now, James, tell me what's wrong. Are you sick?"

James sighed impatiently. "No! I'm not sick. Don't you remember that I'm the Seer? I see things and I can speak to Fate. When I need to talk to her, she come and I talk to her. You can't understand it, but I do, just trust me on that ok?" Sirius nodded but he still looked disbelieving. "Now, I just wanted to tell you that I'm going back to the Slytherin Castle."

The other boy blanched. "The-the castle? James are you mad! You must be insane to want to go back there!" He paused to breathe. "I won't let you, I'll strap you to a wall or something but you aren't going."

James looked as if he knew that this would be the reply. "You can't stop me, this is what's supposed to happen. You just have to trust me."

"James, you're asking me something nearly impossible to comprehend and then you're saying 'trust me'! Think about how I must feel about this." He stopped speaking for two seconds. "Ok, good, you've thought about it, changed your mind, and now we're going to class or we'll be late. Let's go," he said taking hold of the other boy's arm.

James pulled away. "Sirius, I'm going. I just thought I should tell someone. Do you know where Hallie is? Because I have to get her amulet."

Sirius was so pale he looked like a ghost with his black hair and black eyes. "I'm going with you," he said breathlessly. He looked scared but determined.

"You can't."

Sirius put his hands on his hips, "And why not?"

"Because it's too dangerous," James replied.

"Then you shouldn't be going either."

The other boy thought of this and then grinned. "So you're coming with me?"

Sirius sighed in defeat. "I guess so."

Sirius and James went to the common room to talk to Hallie. She wasn't there. "Hey, Lydia, where's Hallie?" asked Sirius.

The girl looked up from her conversation with Peter and Remus. "Um...in the girls' dormitory with Lily," was her reply. The boys thanked her and walked to the dorm. They found the two girls trying to do something to the amulet.

"What are you guys doing?" James asked with a grin. The two girls screamed and jumped up with alarm.

"Oh, it's just you," said Hallie in relief. Lily laughed at the boys' hurt faces.

"Just us? Who did you want it to be?" question Sirius trying to look serious.

The girls looked at each other and Lily said, "Er-we're not telling." The boys looked at each other and then shrugged.

"Hallie, we need the amulet," said James.

She looked at him with raised brows. "Why?"

"Er...I-I just need it," he replied. He shared a meaningful glance with Sirius. Lily and Hallie put their hands on their hips.

"You tell us why or you're not getting it," said Lily.

"Lily..." James said.

"Don't Lily me, I know don't what you're going to do and still I don't like it. Now you tell us now or you're not getting anything from us."

Hallie looked at her. "Very well said," she stated. The other girl grinned at her. With impatience etched on his face. Sirius lunged for the amulet. Hallie tried to kick him off and James pried him away.

"Very calmly done, Sirius," said James.

The other boy looked at him. "I rather thought so." They looked at each other.

"Ok, we'll tell you," James told the girls who were glaring at them furiously. "We're going back to the Slytherin Castle to free Rowe from the Alloy Child. Fate told me that's what we're supposed to do." The girls shared a look.

"All right," said Lily.

Hallie nodded. "But we're going with you."

Sirius glared at them. "No you're not, it's too dangerous."

"So? What do you care?" asked Hallie. She turned to James. "I've got the amulet so I've got to go. And I'm taking Lily with me whether you like it or not. Now let's go, I want to miss potions."

~*~

Hallie clasped the amulet tightly. You're going to be free soon, she said.

Thank you, but be careful of Serpise, when he gets angry, he thinks irrationally, cautioned Rowe.

Don't worry, I think I know that, you're in the amulet, the girl replied.

Rowena said, Just be careful. Everything and everyone is not what they seem.

Puzzled, Hallie mounted behind Sirius. "You had better not do those stupid scary stuff," she told him.

He nodded. "I'm too stiff to do anything." She smiled in relief. "But we have to go fast," he said.

"Why?" she exclaimed.

"Sorry, Hal, but if we're going to get there before nightfall and do what we have to do, we need to go fast."

She tightened her grip on Sirius' waist. "All right then, if we're going to do it, let's go now." The window clanged open and the four kids doubled up on two brooms rode into the morning sky.

By late that afternoon, they had arrived at the Slytherin Castle. It looked even more gloomy than usual but that didn't stop them from going there. They landed at the entrance and surprisingly, the colossal doors immediately opened. The four students looked at each other before entering. Hallie clasped the amulet for comfort. James took Lily's hand in his and noticed she was shivering. He put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. She smiled thankfully at him. Sirius was gazing wide-eyed around at the surroundings.

And then someone stood in front of them at the staircase. "How did I know you would be back?" he asked with a smirk upon his handsome face.

"We're here to free Rowena Ravenclaw," proclaimed James confidently. He sounded surer of himself with his voice, but inside he was trembling with fear.

Salazar Slytherin laughed heartily. It was a beautiful laugh and it seemed strange to James that in all accounts from history texts, Salazar is always said to be malign. "I know, boy, I know. Now come, let us have supper in the dining room." He started towards the room after the entrance but notice they didn't follow. "Come along, there's no harm before a meal. We need to be filled for the adventure about to come." The kids looked at each other and then followed uncertainly.

The room was one of beauty. Though the only colors were different shades of green, silver, and black, it was decorated marvelously. A long table fit for a ball was in the middle and the curtains were open letting in the brilliant rays of sunshine.

"Please, have a seat," said Serpise formally. They did so but didn't eat. He did however, and very daintily might I add. "Yes, I seem to have lost my appetite. Now, about the Alloy Child. Have you brought it with you?"

Hallie looked to James and Sirius across the table and then to Lily beside her. Slytherin smiled heavenly. "Yes, we've brought it," she told him.

He held out his hand. "Please give it to me." Indignantly, she glared at him. When her anger flared, it seemed to make her lose her fright and nervousness.

"I don't trust you," she said quietly. Lily covered a grin behind her hand. The boys looked to Salazar who was looking extremely amused.

"I suppose I have not given you any reason to...but I think Mr. Potter knows you can, don't you?" he asked James. The boy looked at him squarely in the eyes for a moment before nodding to Hallie.

She blanched and then swallowed deeply. "Give it to him?" She asked holding it tightly.

You may and you must, said Rowena within the amulet.

Hallie sighed. "Only because she said to," she told Serpise. He looked puzzled. "Rowena said I must give it to you so here." She handed it to him. There was a glow in his eyes as he looked at her for a moment, and then his green eyes brightened with tears as he took the amulet.

A tingle ran through him at the amulet's touch. Finally, finally he had both of them. His dear Rowena could now be freed. Serpise unclasped the golden half from his neck. Then he touched the two pendants together and they became one. The tears fell freely from his eyes. "Rowena Ravenclaw may you be freed." There was a blinding flash of deep ocean blue light that radiated as if from its own sun.

And then it was gone.

Serpise trembled from head to toe and looked up. His hands were shaking so badly that the now single amulet fell from his hands and crashed to the floor with a clang. Burning drops of liquid fell from his eyes and down the lengths of his cheeks. "Rowena?" he whispered.

She stood before him with solemn eyes. No one but she could tell he was in ruins. His hair was messy atop his head and the color of his skin was duller than its usual liveliness. His regularly beautiful bright eyes were so filled with sadness and pain that they were blunted to a plain green instead of the verdant green they used to be. Poor, poor Serpise who was burdened to live forever, never to die but to dwell in his home thinking, dreaming of his lost love, Rowena. It was worse also, that she was not his but another man's.

And when she had disappeared, Godric had fallen into an insane rage and blamed Salazar. He disowned the other man from the family making his brother take upon a different name, one of the evil Ric had thought Serpise had become. Everything and everyone Salazar once loved was gone to him, taken from him and he had thought it would be forever. But if it would be forever until he could have it all back, he would take forever to search for it.

"Rowena," he whispered again. She smiled and walked up to him. He fell to his knees looking at her with such adoration never seen in the world before. "I prayed for this day, I never wished for harm to befall you. You must believe me," Serpise pleaded. Rowe beamed brightly down at him.

"I never once thought otherwise. I know you better than anyone, Serpise, you know that." He cried shamelessly into her robes. She hugged him tightly. "And I hope you stopped believing I don't love you, because I do and I've never stopped."

He just nodded without hearing her words. The day had come. They were together again. His body shook with sobs for he didn't try to control them; he let the cries come out and laughed at the same time. "I missed you, I missed you so much," he told her with a smile.

She wiped away his tears. "I missed you too, Serpise. I do hope immortality wasn't so bad," she said with humor. They laughed together.

And then Rowe turned around to look at the four children sitting at the table watching them. Serpise smirked at them. "My, don't I seem so evil at this moment," he said with amusement deep in his low voice. Rowena tilted her head back as she laughed heartily. He looked at her lovingly.

Lily's heart broke for him. He did love her; he did love her more than anything in the world. Anyone who saw him with her would know that.

Sirius looked completely puzzled. "Aren't you angry?" he asked Rowena. When her laughter slowed, she looked to Serpise with a smile.

"How could I be angry at the man who freed me?" she questioned back.

"But wasn't he the one who imprisoned you?" Sirius inquired.

At this, Salazar jumped up. "I did not! I didn't bestow the curse upon her!" he yelled. In a rage he tried to jump at Sirius who was looking at him with raised brows. Rowena held him back and said calming words in his ear. He put his head in his hands. "Rowe, I didn't, I did not put the curse on you! You know that!"

Rowe looked solemn. "I know."

"Rowena!" came a voice from the other side of the hall. A man with untidy black hair came running towards the woman who's face lit immediately at the sound of this new man. She jumped up to hug him and he swung her around. This man too, had joy etched upon his face as he looked at her. He engaged her in a long kiss. "Rowe, I never thought the day would come...I," but he had to stop for no words could express how he felt.

"Godric, I know," she whispered.

Lily looked to Serpise who was looking at them both. He had that blank look on his face that she knew so well for Hallie put it on as well when she didn't want anyone to know how she was feeling. But Lily, being who she was knew exactly how he felt, she always knew what people were feeling no matter how god they were with disguising their expressions.

Serpise was in despair. His heart was ripped away from him again. A lump formed in his throat and he tried to swallow it down but it seemed to be stuck in place. He thought tears would come to his eyes again, but no, he was all cried out over this happening. Godric would always be there. And always, Rowe would go to Ric rather than him. It made his knees weaken and he stumbled over to a chair. Was it fair that one human could feel a pain that added up to all the pain everyone in the world put together could feel? Was it fair that not only in Godric's first life, he had gotten Rowena, but also when he came back he got her? What was left for Serpise?

Nothing, thought the devastated man. To anyone other than him, bitter thoughts would erupt in mind about the couple. But he was different, as long as Rowena was happy; he could force himself to see the light in the dark.

Slowly, Helga walked forward. She forced a smile towards Rowena and Godric. No one out of the three seemed to notice Serpise anymore. "Hello, Rowena," she said softly. Instantly, there was a silence among the founders of Hogwarts. "Long time no see."

Rowe backed away from the redheaded woman. "You stay away from me, Elle, don't come any closer." With a small grin, Helga took a step forward. Godric looked from one woman to the other. The four children seated at the table just watched, rooted to their spots with awe.

"What's going on? Rowe? Helga? What's the matter?" he asked in confusion. Serpise looked at him. His face was still strained with pain but he tried to push all the ache away.

"Ric, did Helga never tell you who put the curse upon Rowe?" he questioned in a quiet voice. Anger shot through Godric's veins at Serpise's voice.

He pointed an accusing finger at his ex-brother. "You," he sputtered. That was all he could get out for the rage in him cut off his voice.

"No." Godric's eyebrows shot together with building bewilderment. He looked to Rowe and Helga. Rowe was looking frightened and angry but Helga looked calm.

"Who?" said Ric after a short moment when his voice came to him again.

Helga laughed. "Me."

There was an extremely long silence in the dining hall after Helga said that. No one moved a muscle but everyone's gaze was upon her. She fiddled her wand in her right hand. Finally, she broke the silence. "Why? You're all asking me in your minds." She smiled brightly. "I thought it was obvious."

Rowena said, "Because you wanted to hurt me? Because you wanted all of us to turn on each other? You did a great job in doing that. I was locked away and Serpise was trapped in his own home. Salazar and Godric are no longer brothers because of the hatred you set upon them."

Helga shook her head, still smiling calmly. There was an insane expression in that smile that made the children shiver in fear. "I did do a good job didn't I? But no, that was not the reason."

"Then why, Helga, we were best friends," whispered Serpise. His voice shook with the tears that wouldn't come. Godric looked at him for a moment with guilt bright upon his face. He wasn't as handsome as Salazar was, but there was a gentle look about him that would make teenaged girls melt before him.

"Why? Why?" she repeated with a laugh. "Because of Godric!" she exclaimed. She said this as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

The man looked at her with wide eyes. "Because of me?" he choked out.

Dawning came onto Rowena's face. "You were jealous of Ric and I," Rowe said into the silence.

Helga's face contorted into one of anger. "Jealous? I wouldn't call it jealousy! The man I loved did not see me for who I was but only saw you! What was I supposed to feel?" she yelled.

Godric looked stricken. All that time he had thought that his brother imprisoned his love. He had been wrong. Not only had he been wrong, but also he was the cause of Rowena being taken from him. He had caused so much hurt that still, he knew nothing about. Serpise, his dear brother...Ric had put a curse on his own brother for something he did not do. And Helga, he had married her when she was really the evil one.

No one ever thought about her part in the tale.

"How could you do this to us?" asked Godric in disbelief. Helga just looked at them all. "All the pain...so much pain. I never thought that one single person could cause such heart-ache."

Helga looked out the window. "Now you know," she said simply.

James closed his eyes. Fate, am I dreaming? He asked.

The occupancy arose in him. I am afraid not.

He swallowed and took a deep sigh. Then this is real?

Yes indeed. James opened his eyes and looked at Sirius. The boy had his look of incredulity upon his face. James could tell he was in complete shock at the other boy's slacked jaw and wide eyes. He then turned to Lily who was biting down on her lip and looking at Serpise with sympathy. Dear, dear Lily, her heart always went out to the most harmed one, and Slytherin was it. His gaze then went to Hallie who had tears coming down her face. Everything was so twisted. Could this be true?

"Why did you do it, Helga?" asked Godric looking at her.

She melted before him. He always had that effect on her. "Because I loved you. Do you know how much it hurts to love someone who doesn't love you back?" she asked with pain in her voice.

Have you ever loved somebody so much
It makes you cry
Have you ever needed something so bad
You can't sleep at night
Have you ever tried to find the words
But they don't come out right
Have you ever, have you ever

Rowe looked to Serpise who had his head in his hands. Was that how he felt about Godric and she? This thought had never occurred to her...but it was so obvious...and she was so blind to it. All that pain she caused him, she never knew its full extent until that moment.

"It's as if your heart is torn from you and stabbed with one million swords. It's as if inside, everything is being ripped away leaving nothing in its wake," said Helga.

Have you ever been in love
Been in love so bad
You'd do anything to make them understand
Have you ever had someone steal your heart away
You'd give anything up to make them feel the same
Have you ever searched for words to get you in their heart
But you don't know what to say
And you don't know where to start
Have you ever loved somebody so much
It's makes you cry
Have you ever needed something so bad
You can't sleep at night
Have you ever tried to find the words
But they don't come out right
Have you ever, have you ever

Hallie felt the wind sweep into the room through the open window. The breeze seemed to hum a tune as it wrapped its blanket upon everyone.

Have you ever found the one
You've dreamed of all your life
You'd do just about anything to look into their eyes
Have you finally found the one you've given your heart to
Only to find that one won't give their heart to you
Have you ever closed your eyes and
Dreamed that they were there
And all you can do is wait for that day when they will care
Have you ever loved somebody so much
It's makes you cry
Have you ever needed something so bad
You can't sleep at night
Have you ever tried to find the words
But they don't come out right
Have you ever, have you ever

"Helga, I've felt that way all my life," said Serpise looking at her out of bright verdant green orbs. "You know that. When I found that Rowe didn't love me anymore, but my brother."

Godric looked at him with tears forming in his eyes. "Salazar," he said softly. The man looked up at him. "I'm so sorry." But Serpise shook his head and put his head back into his hands.

What do I gotta do to get you in my arms baby
What do I gotta say to get to your heart
To make you understand how I need you next to me
Gotta get you in my world
'Cuz baby I can't sleep
Have you ever loved somebody so much
It's makes you cry
Have you ever needed something so bad
You can't sleep at night
Have you ever tried to find the words
But they don't come out right
Have you ever, have you ever

Rowe was crying uncontrollably now and Godric held her close in a warm embrace. He kissed her forehead. Serpise pretended not to notice, but he did and his heart tore again. Lily looked at him and stood up. She took a seat next to him and hugged him. For a moment, he was stiff with shock and then looked up to the girl who had tears in her eyes for him. Did she know how he felt? Lily smiled at him and he hugged her back.

Hallie looked at the Alloy Child and stood to pick it up. She then looked to Helga who sat on one of the chairs. "Do you know what this is?" asked the girl.

The redheaded woman looked up at her. "Why, that - that's the Alloy Child I imprisoned Rowena in," she whispered.

Hallie looked to Godric. "Catch!" she yelled and tossed it to Elle who caught it reflexively.

"CHANTEBRA LENGORIO!" bellowed Godric. His wand was outstretched and pointed at Helga who looked shocked before there was a blinding flash of red/orange light.

And then she was gone.

Godric walked over and held the two halves of the Alloy Child. "May you suffer and fell all the pain you made us all go through." He handed it to Hallie who just stared at it. Then she looked up at him with large sapphire blue eyes. "Please, will you wear this amulet? I wish to put our trust," he said motioning to the other two, "in you to never let this escape your possession. I want Helga to never leave this amulet." She put the golden half over her head. Ric then handed her the silver half but she shook her head.

"Can you please turn that back into its second form?" she asked softly. "See, my mother gave it to me but it was in its second form."

Godric smiled and nodded. He muttered a chant. "May you keep it well." With a smile, Hallie took the offered periwinkle book.

Rowena laughed. "A blue book is the silver half of the Alloy Child's second form?" Rowe said with a laugh. Then, suddenly, there was another flash, though this one was a silvery shimmer.

James smiled and stood up. "Hello, Fate," he greeted.

The woman swept a gracious curtsey. "Hello, Seer," she said in turn. Then she turned to look at the remaining three founders. "It is time."

Rowena looked at the children. "Thank you for freeing me," she said with in gratitude. They nodded in response.

Godric looked to Serpise. "Salazar, I'm so sorry," he said softly.

The other man smiled. They embraced. "All is forgiven," said Serpise. Godric lifted the curse from his brother and immediately, the other man felt as if an immense weight had been lifted from his shoulders and he sighed with relief. "Goodbye," he said to the fours students. They smiled and said their farewells.

Fate swept her hand and the founders faded until they were there no more.

~*~

It was two years later and the group was in their fifth year. They had all tried to forget all the happenings dealing with the founders but deep inside, they knew that could never truly omit that part of their life from their memories.

James tried to force the Seer part of him away and almost forgot it, but it could not be erased for it was actually a part of who he was. Occasionally, he'd have strange dreams that would frighten him terribly, but most of them he had forgotten the next day. Others were the good dreams that everyone likes and those he just took as nothing real or important.

After their third year, Professor Jenkins retired and was given a wonderful farewell party. Many of the students gave her presents. Lydia gave her flowers and a photo album of many of the students and teachers while James gave her candles that, when lit, gave off a banner with the words "We'll miss you" glowing brightly on it. Lily gave the professor her perfect pincushion and a stationary kit and Hallie gave the professor her periwinkle pillow that was supposed to be a pincushion and a few books. Sirius, because everyone else gave the teacher something, gave her a hug.

The next year, which was the third one, the new professor for Transfiguration came. Her name was Minerva McGonagall, a strict young woman who seemed as if she had just gotten out of school herself.

Professor Greggors was never found and this puzzled everyone. The Ministry was informed of his disappearance and was still looking for Jonathan Greggors. In his place for the time being, was a new teacher named Professor Flitwick.

He looked out the window at the ivory flakes of snow that fell from the heavens and sighed. It was nearing the Christmas Holidays and everyone was excited for it to come. The door swung open and then closed in a hurry. Sirius, with a mischievous grin and panic upon his face ran straight at James, jumped up on the other boy's bed once and over him and then behind the bed. "Sirius, what-," but a "Shh" cut him off.

A moment later the door swung open again. Hallie, looking extremely irritated, marched in. She put her hands on her hips and looked at James expectantly. "James, where is he, I know you saw him come up here," she said.

Putting on his innocent look, he replied, "Sirius? Are you sure he came up here?" James heard sniggering from below where the culprit sat crouched and trying to muffle his laughs. Hallie narrowed her eyes and left. James grinned and looked at Sirius. "What did you do now?"

The other boy put on his own innocent look. "I didn't do anything wrong! Why are you always blaming things on me?" he exclaimed in indignation.

James laughed. "Because it's always your fault!" he said back. The door opened and Sirius ducked once again.

Hallie came in this time pulling in Lily with her who had a bored look upon her face. "Go ahead, ask him," said Hallie to her best friend.

Lily looked at her and her face broke in a grin. "This again? This is why you pulled me away from my work?" she asked.

"Yes, now ask."

With a sigh Lily said, "James, where's Sirius?" James, who was now very shy when Lily was around blushed and pointed to where the other boy sat, crouched.

Sirius jumped up and looked at Hallie with a look. "That's cheating!" he proclaimed.

The other girl smiled and ran to tackle him. "Where'd you put it?" she demanded. He just smiled secretively. She squirmed on him to pull out her wand. "Tell me or I'll turn you into a periwinkle pillow."

Sirius' eyebrows shot up. "A periwinkle pillow?" he asked incredulously. And then he laughed as he said "You can't turn me into a-," but she had. He was now a periwinkle pillow. Lily gasped and James fell off his bed from laughing so hard.

"Hallie, you change him back right now!" yelled Lily with wide eyes. Hallie looked at her and then to the pillow that was Sirius.

"I like him that way," she said. Picking it up, she laughed. "He's so soft as a pillow!" This made James laugh all the more. He was laughing so hard that he was gasping for breath. Hallie hugged the pillow and Lily glared at her.

"Change him back now!" repeated Lily.

With a sigh, Hallie did as was told. Sirius became Sirius again and stood before her blinking dazedly. She patted his shoulder and then scrunched her face up. "I liked him so much more when he was a pillow." At this, he seemed to wake up.

"Pillow? You actually turned me into a pillow?" he shouted.

"You were very soft," she told him with a sweet smile. His eyes widened and with a stunned expression upon his face, he turned and left the room. She laughed and turned to James who was sitting on his bed now and clutching a cramp on his side but he was still laughing.

"Oh-oh gosh...so-so funny!" he said trying to control his laughter. "And you!" He pointed at Hallie who looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "You said-you said" More laughs. "He won't be able to sleep tonight because-," and then his laughs stopped completely as he put a hand over his mouth looking shocked. "Oops."

Lily looked confused. "Why?" He stood and walked out. Lily looked to Hallie who had a hand over her mouth. "Let it all out." And the other girl did. She laughed and laughed and laughed until she couldn't breath anymore.

"Lily," she said a while later, "I really did like him better as a pillow..." And Lily hit her upon the head with one of the pillows on James' bed. They walked to the common room where Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter were all talking secretively.

"It's tomorrow," said Remus with a bit of strain. Peter patted his shoulder with a smile.

"We'll be there this time," said James with a triumphant smile upon his handsome face.

Sirius looked mischievous. "Goody, so we can become animals tonight!" He clapped and the other boys laughed.

"You're so childish," said Peter. Sirius shrugged, still with a small smile on his face.

"What if it all goes wrong or something happens to one of you? I won't forgive myself if any of you get hurt because of me," whispered Remus in worry.

Sirius and James shared a look and Peter grinned at him. "You worry too much," he said.

Remus sighed. "Well, with friends like you I'm surprised I don't have a head full of gray hair..."

~*~

Remus sat by Lydia on the couch as they did their homework. She was looking at her Herbology book, but not reading it. Remus looked over at her and grinned. "You're not reading it are you?" he asked suddenly. She jumped up in alarm and then smiled sheepishly at him with a red tinge glowing on her cheeks.

"Not a word." He put his arm around her and kissed her cheek softly. She smiled and hugged him tightly.

Remus stood and took her hand in his. "Then let's take a break," he said softly. He led her to the steps. "Go put on your snow gear, let's play in the snow!"

She laughed. "Remus, dear, that didn't sound right at all."

When she said this, he flushed a deep red. "I didn't mean it that way," he said in a low voice. She just laughed. They met back in the common room and he led her outside. They sat at the foot of the lake and she put her head on his chest. He leaned his on hers. "Lydia, there's something you haven't been telling me."

She pulled away to look at him. "What do you mean?" Her nose was red with the frigid air and he kissed her nose making her laugh.

His expression became serious again and her smile faded. "I want you to tell me that secret."

Her eyes widened. "How-," he shook his head.

"I don't know, I just know you have one and I want to know what it is," he told her.

She averted her eyes. "Are you sure?" she questioned softly. He nodded looking at her squarely in the eyes. "I've never told anyone about this, not even Hallie or Lily. Only my mum and I know about it."

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He rubbed her back and she put her arms around his neck as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "It was Christmas Eve seven years ago. I know, it seems like it was a long time ago, but I can't seem to forget. Every Christmas I," she paused and shook her head. "Well, I wasn't living then where I am now. My - he was wonderful, I loved him more than anything." He kissed her forehead and she wiped away the tears starting to fall from her eyes.

"He had been acting strange lately, and not just that season, but for a few months," Lydia went on, averting her gaze from Remus. "Mum had noticed too and tried talking to him about it - hose conversations always ended up in fights. I didn't know what was wrong, they never fought before - we were always so happy. I sat at the staircase one night, listening to them. I wanted to know what was wrong. Dad finally told Mum that he was working for the Ministry. He was one of those officials strongly against the rising dark lords and he was taking up a lot of time on a campaign against them.

"Mum found out he had been a double agent for the Ministry. It on Christmas Day that some Death Eaters decided they wanted the campaign my father had started to stop. We were in the middle of opening presents that night when the door burst open. Dad saw the cloaked figures coming in and pushed me into a closet with Mum. He turned and ran. Voldemort came and confronted him. Mum and I saw the whole thing. They were coming towards our closet when the Ministry arrived. Dad had put warding spells around our house that contacted the Ministry if anything went wrong. They came, but too late to save my father.

"That's why I hate Christmas," she told him softly. "You're the first one I've told this to." She tried to smile, but tears were streaming down her face.

Remus' eyes filled with burning liquid and he hugged her tightly after he brushed away her tears. "I'm so sorry, Lydia, I don't know what to say." His heart went out to her and he felt the pain she felt. She shook her head and buried it into his shoulder. He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead.

They stayed together for quite a while. Remus held her tightly and stroked her hair away from her face. They remained that way on the lake's shore and soon, Lydia pulled away from him slightly.

"I feel much better now," she said to him with a small smile.

He smiled back and leaned closer to her. Their lips met and warmth filled her. They pulled apart and he wiped away her new tears. "I love you, Lydia," he said.

She smiled genuinely and wrapped her arms about his neck again. "I love you too, Remus, I love you too."