Into the Hands of Fate

Chapter Twelve

That afternoon, after classes, Lily stepped into the library to borrow a book to read before lights out and walked down the isles. She abruptly stopped. Her palms became blocks of ice and her heart stopped beating. Her breath slowed and came out in short gasps as her eyes widened to the size of tea saucers. She bit down on her lip to muffle a cry of disbelief. Were her eyes deceiving her? She shut them tightly and opened them. At first she saw spots, but then she blinked them away and saw the same scene. It couldn't be, it couldn't possibly be...

"James?" she croaked, finally. Andrea and James slit apart. His expression never changed but Andrea's did. She looked horribly guilty and surprised. James though, she could not tell what his feelings were, she could not decipher his feelings through his expressions.

"Lily!" she exclaimed. The other girl was looking at her and her boyfriend each in turn.

"Hello, Lily," said James serenely.

She blinked at him with liquid burning in her eyes. "J-James, what, what're you doing?" she asked with a sob choking her slightly. He shrugged and sent a smile Andrea's way before turning and walking past them both. Both girls watched after him in puzzlement. "Andrea," said Lily suddenly outraged, "tell me what just happened this instant." She was trying with all her might to control her anger but found she couldn't. Her heart ripped into pieces inside of her and she almost couldn't breath because of the pain.

"I-I-"

"Tell me!"

"Lily, I'm so sorry, but he came onto me, I swear it. I wouldn't do this to you, really I wouldn't, but it suddenly happened...and you know James, just look at him! He's a freaking prince! I couldn't resist, he just suddenly came onto me and I didn't know...I couldn't..." she babbled and trailed off softly. "I'm so sorry, Lily."

Lily looked at her for along time before marching forward and slapping Andrea across the face. "How could you do this to me?" And then she raced away.

In her rush, she bumped into Sirius on her way to the steps to her dormitory. He grinned. "So sorry, Lily, didn't see you," he joked as he pointed to her fiery red hair. He just then noticed her tear-stained face and pained emerald orbs. "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to knock into you so hard," he said, his voice dripping with guilt and concern. "Are you all right? Where are you hurt?"

She shook her head an hiccuped. "It - it wasn't you" hiccup "I-I-" but she broke down and collapsed to the floor, her body racking with sobs. He immediately was at her side.

"Lily, please tell me what's wrong, please?" he said and hugged her. She cried into his shirt. "What's the matter? You know you can tell me." The girl just nodded. "Do you want me to get James?" he wondered, thinking this would help her, but she sobbed all the more. "What? What is it? Is this about James?"

She pulled away. "He-he was kissing A-Andrea," she hiccuped.

Sirius suddenly laughed. "Oh! I get it! You and Hallie teamed up to get back at me! She was mad that I threw that spider in her hair!"

But Lily shook he head. "They-they were in the library," she cried.

Sirius stared at her with wide eyes. "You're serious?" She nodded and he gaped at her. "I-I can't believe it...James - he, no - you're wrong, he would never do anything like that to anyone, let alone you." He looked away, deep in thought. Lily's sobs were gone now and she just looked at her lap where her hands were wrung. Just then, James came through the portrait hole.

"Hey guys," he said with a smile. He took a seat next to the two of them. "What's new?"

Lily covered up a sound of disbelief as she put her hand over her mouth and used the other one to slap him. "How could you just come and sit here next to me as if nothing happened?" she shrieked at him.

James' eyes widened. He looked thoroughly alarmed and concerned. It puzzled her that she could decipher his expressions just now when she couldn't before. "Lily, what are you talking a-"

"Don't talk to me!" she said in a mad rush. Her heart pounded and she bolted away.

James watched after her with a somewhat frightened expression upon his face. He turned to Sirius who was looking at him carefully. "Sirius, what is she talking about?"

The other boy looked up the steps where Lily escaped. "She - well - James-," but he cut himself off and looked uncomfortable.

"Tell me, Sirius," said James looking at him squarely.

Sirius shook his head. "You have to talk to her about it, it's...I-I can't get in the middle of this one." He quickly stood and walked out. James watched him go before he too stood up.

He went up the steps to the girls' dormitory and knocked; there was no reply. Slowly, he peeked in and didn't see anyone around. He opened it all the way and stepped in. Almost immediately he was hit with a pillow. James blocked the next hit and saw Lily glaring at him. "I knew you were going to come up here," she said to him.

"Lily, what's the matter? What's wrong?" he asked.

She took a step back at his sincerity. "You should know, James, how could you not?"

He blinked at her in uncertainty. "Er...know what, exactly?" he wondered looking at her carefully.

She took another step back. "You should know! You were the one kissing Andrea in the library!"

James grinned. "Are you feeling all right, Lily? Did you hit your head or something?"

Lily looked at him in incredulity. "What?" she exclaimed.

His face became serious again. "I guess not," he murmured to himself. "I was not kissing Andrea in the library, I don't know what you're talking about," he told her earnestly.

"I'm sure you don't," said Lily coldly as she left him alone again. He watched after her again with puzzlement written across his face.

After she slammed the door shut, she ran off with many thoughts running through her mind. Something just didn't seem right.

That night, everyone sat in the common room. Remus, Peter, James, and Sirius were on one side while Lily, Hallie, Lydia, and Gwen were on the other. James slid down in his seat at the armchair before the fire just at the thought of what happened between he and Lily. I guess that means we're not going to the dance together anymore. He thought of how hard it was just to ask her to it and now all his worries had gone to waste.

"Are you sure?" asked Lydia in a horrified tone.

Lily rested her head in her hands, "Ya, I saw them, just ask Andrea." As if on cue, the girl walked into the common room.

Hallie motioned her over. "Come here, Andrea, I want to talk to you," she said in a calm but frigid voice. Lily gave her a look. Hallie ignored it. With a dreaded look on her face, Andrea slowly walked over.

"Sorry guys, but I'm really tired and -"

Gwen cut her off. "Stuff it, Andrea. Now tell us what happened." The other girl looked at her.

Andrea, who was looking horribly guilty, turned to look at the four guys across the room, and then back at the four girls. "He came onto me, it wasn't my fault," she said in a rush, "I don't know what happened really. I was doing my report in the library when he suddenly came in and took a seat beside me. And you all know how cute and adora-" but a look from the girls stopped her there. "Well, he's very good looking and I just couldn't resist." The four girls looked at her in disbelief.

"Are you telling us that James Potter, the boy who's head over heels for Lily, came onto you?" asked Hallie in incredulity. Andrea nodded honestly. The girl shook her head and frowned slightly. "That's just like kissing me, and he's like my brother! Andrea, something isn't right here, and I want you to tell me the truth right now." Andrea looked at each of them.

"I am telling the truth! I swear! I know it doesn't sound right and I know that it isn't but, it happened and I'm sorry but it just did." And with that she turned and left.

~*~

James looked at Sirius. The boy was staring into the fire and was looking extremely thoughtful with a line of guilt upon his face. "What's on your mind?" asked James.

Sirius jumped up in alarm slightly and then grinned sheepishly. "Er - nothing really." But James knew something was, and he had a feeling he knew what it was.

That's it, thought Sirius, I'm not being fair. He stood up and excused himself. Gradually, he made his way to his destination. "Um, Hallie, can I talk to you for a sec?" he choked out.

She looked up at him with a smile. "Sure." She followed him out of the common room and they walked together down the halls. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Well, the dance," he said.

She stole a glance at him with question. "Is it about the song?" she wondered.

He didn't look at her but shook his head. "I - er, Hal, I'm sorry," he told her and stopped.

She faced him in confusion. "About what?" She was looking at him with her large sapphire blue eyes. Something in them told him that she knew what he was going to say, but she would never know what was going through his mind. She didn't know about the bet but when he said what he had to say, he had a feeling it wouldn't be a pretty sight. Just say it and get it over with. He took a deep sigh and she looked at him in concern. "What's wrong?"

He wanted to say 'nothing' so badly, but he couldn't. "I'm sorry, Hal, I can't go with you to the Winter Dance," he said quickly, and then turned and ran off.

She watched after him with a gleam bright in her eyes. With a small sigh, she walked back into the common room. That night would be a long one.

Sirius turned the corner and let a large breath of a sigh escape his lips. Ever so slowly did he turn to look around the corner in time to see Hallie's retreating figure down the hall. Later, he made his way back to the common room where everyone had already left to go off to sleep.

~*~

"It's the day of the Winter Dance ladies!" said Gwen, arousing the rest of the girls in the dormitory. One by one, they got up from their beds. Lily, however, remained in her bed. Lydia and Hallie exchanged looks.

"Come on, Lily, you can still go," said Lydia. Lily groaned and motioned for them to leave her alone. "Ok then." Giving each other a nod, the two girls each seized one of Lily's hands and hauled her out of bed.

"You're coming with us, and besides, I need you to be there for my performance," said Hallie with a small smile.

Lily's eyes brightened, "So you finally made up your mind about it?" Hallie nodded. The three girls went to get dressed.

~*~

Remus sat on a couch in the common room glancing at the steps every few seconds for his date to come down. He looked exquisite in his dress robes and he was not his usual unusual pale color. And then she was at the bottom of the steps with a bright smile on her face. He quickly stood and surveyed her with widening eyes. She looked absolutely stunning in her dark crimson velvet dress. It cut off just below the knees and had the essence of a breeze always sweeping by. "Er - hi," he said.

She grinned. "Hi." He offered her his arm and together they walked out.

James looked at Sirius and Sirius looked at James. "I guess we should follow," said James.

Sirius nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, we don't have dates. A bit unbelievable, don't you think?" The boys looked at each other and simutaneously shook their heads as they followed Remus out of the room.

~*~

The two girls went down the steps last of all. Lily led the way out when Hallie's voice stopped her. "Oh! I forgot my book, I need it to practice, can I meet you there?" she asked. Lily looked at her suspiciously and the girl smiled. "I promise I'll follow."

"All right then, since you promised. Don't forget though, your performance starts in twenty minutes." Then she made her way out. Lily wore a verdant green dress that cut off before her knees and it brought out her eyes magnificently. Her hair was done up in a complicated French bun with a few strands of curls dangling around her face.

When she arrived at the Great Hall, most of the males there turned their gazes upon the beautiful girl that had just stepped in. She blushed slightly and took a seat next to Lydia who had motioned her over. James tried to catch her eye but she intentionally avoided him.

Sirius looked around but found he could not catch sight of Hallie anywhere. He waited a few moments but when still she did not show, he stood up and excused himself. Slowly, he made his way back to the common room where he presumed she remained. Quiet as a cat, he stepped into the room and saw a figure take a seat in the chair in front of the fire.

He heard her sigh and mutter, "Wonderful, now my make up is going to be ruined, after all my hard work!" Sirius bit down on his lip as to muffle his laughter.

For some unknown reason, tears formed in Hallie's eyes and she carefully brushed them away in hopes that her make up wouldn't get messy. She tried to fight down her sobs but couldn't. Irritably, she sighed in aggravation. "I'm so stupid," she mumbled. She felt humiliated, to put it bluntly. He had asked her to the dance and she accepted the invitation like a fool. What made her accept it at all?

Feeling unusually frustrated; she let the tears fall and looked into the fire with solemn blue eyes. "It doesn't matter, I knew this was going to happen."

Sirius felt guilt run through him once more. So this was what she was upset about. The thought of her being in the least disturbed by him canceling their date to the dance hadn't even occurred to him. So maybe she did like him after all.

She suddenly jumped up and swore to herself. "Damn, I forgot about my performance," she murmured to herself. About to walk out, she shook her head and sat back down. "I can't do it." This time, her voice trembled and tears ran down her cheeks again.

I've never been this nervous before...why is it so frightening this time? She felt a bit lonely, was the truth. She felt somewhat abandoned. The girl rested her head in her hands.

Sirius chewed on his lip and then walked forward. "Hallie," he started. Hallie suddenly jumped up in alarm and he caught sight of her tear-stained face. He pulled her in a comforting embrace and she leaned against him for a short while. Then she pulled away as if reality had struck her.

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you at the dance?" she wondered.

He gently brushed away her tears. "Those are the questions I should be asking you, you're the one with the performance in ten minutes." This made her knees weaken. He looked at her in concern and touched her cheek tenderly. "Hal, are you all right?" She took a step back and nodded, looking up at him. His heart wrenched inside him. "Er - I-I'm sorry about not taking you to the dance," he said softly, not looking at her.

Misunderstanding his guilty tone for one of pity she took another step back and shook her head. "It's fine, I don't mind," she said quickly, but tears had formed in her eyes again. Hoping he didn't see, she wiped them away.

He looked up because he could trace the falsity in her voice. "I didn't really tell you the whole of it."

She shook her head again. "You didn't need to," she said in a rather choked up voice.

His eyes burned a bit with liquid at how hurt she sounded, but he blinked the wetness away. "Yes, I did. I made a bet with the guys. I was feeling all high and mighty that day and-"

"Don't you every day?" she asked, cutting him off.

He grinned, but she still didn't look at him. "Well, they said I couldn't get a date to the dance," Hallie looked up at him at this, "so I said, ok, name the girl and I'll be able to get her to go with me."

"You didn't!" she exclaimed.

He grinned ruefully. "I did." The boy looked down and blushed a bit. "They chose you, I guess they thought it would be funny. Anyway, that's why I asked you to go with me to the dance those first two times."

She grinned and looked up at him. "Don't you mean three times?"

He chuckled. "No, the last time, I was so caught up in thinking of ways to ask you that I kind of forgot about the bet, well...it slipped to the back of my mind. I was just determined to get you to go with me. I thought about all I knew about you and what you liked. That's how I came up with the serenade." He blushed.

"So it was just a bet?" she asked softly.

Immediately he looked up with his eyes going rounder. He shook his head and said, "No! It wasn't just the bet!" He then lowered his voice and the red tinge on his face got deeper. "I mean, it started out that way, but then...oh, I don't know. I just wanted to apologize." She nodded and looked away again. Sirius walked closer to her. Hallie looked up at him slowly. Awkwardly, he held out his hand. "Am I forgiven?" he wondered with a ironic and crooked smile.

She looked at his hand, and then into his eyes where she got lost in the deepness of its intense black color. In a sort of daze, she nodded and accepted his hand. He shook it. About to let go, his grasp loosened, but then thinking the better of it, he clasped it tightly but gently again. He pulled her close and leaned in closer to her. She looked up and their lips met.

Sirius could have sworn he heard music coming from somewhere, and when he thought about it again later on, he truly believed it came from deep inside him. She leaned against him and wrapped her arms around his neck and his went around her waist. He felt her sigh against him and a smile came to his face. His lips tingled with a sort of excited tremor that felt funny, but pleasing. Her eyes were closed but she really believed that she saw a brilliant fireworks display. Their hearts pounded vigorously, but in unison and Fate smiled down at them.

For some time, the stood there, holding each other, each not wishing to part, too caught up in each other. Sirius ran his fingers through her hair. The mass of black was set in curls and surrounded her face. They made the paleness of her skin stand out, looking like soft ivory and her eyes were brought out by her sapphire blue dress. A single ribbon tied her hair back in a ponytail consisting only of a small bit of hair pulled back from her face.

Just then, the door opened and Peter came in breathing a bit hard. Sirius and Hallie immediately parted and looked away from each other. Peter grinned and looked at both of them. "Finally!" he exclaimed. Sirius gave him a look and Hallie gave the same. He cleared his throat and shifted a bit. "Er - Hallie, Professor Dumbledore told me to fetch you for your performance, he said I'd find you here." Hallie and Sirius shared a look and blushed. He took her hand and together they followed Peter to the Great Hall.

~*~

Hallie heard her name announced and turned to walk away when she saw someone before her. She grinned sheepishly up at Sirius. "Er, hi." He kissed her cheek and gave her a soft shove. "We've practiced a million times, you're ready." She smiled and nodded and turned to go, but instead she swerved to go around him. He laughed and held out his arm to stop her. She sighed in defeat and threw up her arms. "Fine!"

As she stepped out, applause rang in her ears and she caught sight of Remus and Lydia waving at her. They both stood and walked onto the dance floor. She forced a smile and looked around. The lights dimmed and a spotlight showed on her. Her stomach did a violent turn and she shut her eyes. When she opened them, she looked to the side of the stage where Sirius stood, smiling at her encouraging look.

A smile tugged at the ends of her mouth and she grinned back at him. The music started. For some reason, her nerves had disappeared and she felt ready. With a soft sigh, she smiled when he grinned sweetly at her.

"If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you."

James stole a glance at Lily. She was smiling at her best friend on stage. Taking a deep breath, he stood up and went in front of her. She looked up at him in confusion with a bit of coldness in her emerald eyes. "Er-Lily, will you dance with me?" he murmured, expecting to be rejected.

Surprisingly, she said, "Sure."

"And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine."

He glanced up at her and felt his face brighten as much as he tried to remain expressionless. Lily took notice at the change of his features and her heart melted at how sweet he looked just then. His face had its normal innocent look with just a tinge of sadness lining his handsome face. She sighed inwardly and felt that she knew what the cause was. Perhaps he really didn't do anything that he didn't mean to...

"All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes
And showed me how to love unselfishly."

James put his hands on her waist somewhat cautiously and nervously. He truly hoped that she still wasn't angry with him. He was resolved to find out the cause of her anger towards him but pushed this thought away and looked down at her. He felt his insides turn noticeably and she smiled softly up at him. The boy smiled tenderly at her back and held her closer. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
But in my dreams I couldn't love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time...
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine."

He felt her warm breath on his cheek and a shiver ran up his spine. She pulled away slightly and looked up at him with her large verdant emerald green eyes. Her heart melted as he looked into his. Their head slowly came closer together and they fell into a kiss filled with feelings they never knew they had. Though they had a feeling it was there, the emotion they both felt at that moment was stronger than either thought it would ever be. He held her tightly and she wrapped her arms around his neck while his encircled her waist.

"And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
'Cause all I need is you, my Valentine
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine."

Courtesy to Martina McBride

For "Valentine"

James and Lily parted. They looked at each other as the lights dimmed once again. They smiled.

~*~

"Would you care to join me on our current task?" questioned the Dark Lord.

Requillo looked up and smiled sardonically. "Do I dare to refuse?" he asked back.

Voldemort grinned inwardly, but said, "Do as you please, but when I return, you will do as I command. It is you I must have with me to control the Seer, understood?" The other man shrugged and walked out. Voldemort shook his head and snapped his fingers. Immediately, Janice and Rick were at his side. "You've got the information?"

They bowed. "Yes, master."

"Good, let us take our leave."

~*~

Hallie walked off stage amid the eruption of applause. Sirius greeted her with a bright smile. A reddish tinge appeared on her cheeks and he hugged her. They separated. "You did a great job," he said softly, touching her cheek tenderly.

She smiled up at him. "I still think they should have chosen you." He blushed and laughed. They walked back to where the rest of their group was.

~*~

It was about midnight. Dumbledore shared a look with Professor McGonagall. The skies above had gotten darker and something seemed to be out of place.

All of a sudden, there was a deafening crash from in the hall. The two doors slammed open and a band of hooded figures stood in the doorway. The first one whispered a command and the others flew off into the air, mounted on brooms. Girls shrieked and boys hollered. Everything was in chaos. Janice dived and pointed her wand at the redheaded girl in the green dress. "Stupefy!" Lily fell unconscious but Janice caught her and flew off. James ran after her but Rick stupefied him too and swooped low to catch the boy. Voldemort grinned in spite of himself and gave the command that told the others to follow him. They then flew off.

~*~

James blinked his eyes open and heard a groan that seemed to be some distance away. Slowly he sat up and rubbed his head. It was only then that he found that the groans of pain were coming from him. He closed his mouth and felt a searing pain run up his shoulder all the way down to his ribs. Cautiously, he lifted his shirt to see a long and somewhat deep scratch. He shut his eyes and carefully lowered his shirt back down.

When his focus was back, he found he was in a dungeon, no, a tower, but it looked familiar. There was also that feeling that he had felt once before. Slowly, he made his way to the window and found that he was gazing out of an extremely high tower overlooking a colossal yard. He was at Slytherin Castle. The boy took a seat against the wall and sighed. Beads of sweat formed on his brow from the pain on his side.

A door seemed to appear in the wall across from him and he blinked thinking that he was hallucinating. The man was of medium height, only a bit taller than James, and had straight white/blonde hair. His eyes were bright and filled with intelligence and compassion though that part of him was sealed off with a cloud of nothingness as if it was part of something he once was but wasn't anymore. He was built well, but the expensive looking robes he wore sagged on him for he seemed as if he hadn't eaten in a while. His face was gaunt and sunken. The man walked in, his walk filled with confidence and authority, but with modesty as well.

James watched him carefully. Something about this man filled him with familiarity. The man stole a glance at him and tucked his wand into his robes. "Awake, are you?" he asked. James shrugged but then winced in pain. The man's expression changed to one of concern, but he quickly composed himself and looked around as if he felt that someone was watching. "Get up," he ordered in a voice near a whisper.

James looked at him for a short while and tried to, but found he couldn't. The last time took a while but this time was unbearable. The man walked over and helped him up. He took out his wand and aimed it at the boy. He muttered something and a flash erupted from the end of his wand. James gave a holler of surprise and thought the other man was trying to do him harm. He stumbled over himself trying to move away. The man advanced and held him up. James fought out of his grasp and was surprised to find that the ache on his side was gone. Filled with wonder, he looked under his shirt.

His wound was gone.

When he looked up, the man had a small grin upon his face, which he quickly wiped off when the boy gazed at him. "Who are you?" asked James in a husky voice.

The man took a step backwards. "Requillo."

That name was so familiar to James. He knew he had heard it before...but from where? "Where am I?" he inquired.

The man looked at him for a short while and then at the portal which he had created earlier. "In a tower at Slytherin Castle." James knew this but was trying to make conversation. Requillo smiled. It was handsome smile, but one filled with something like sorrow. "Yes, you knew, but you don't know why you are here." James shook his head. "Follow me." The boy did as was told for he strangely felt that this man would do him no harm.

"Why did you fix my sore?"

Requillo felt something sweep through him and sighed. "You will need all your strength in Voldemort's presence. I wanted you to start afresh." James felt a shiver of hatred run up his spine. "Do not anger him with words, it will do you no good," added Requillo.

The man led the boy into the grand hall in which another man sat on something like a thrown. James saw two people conversing with Voldemort. They bowed and turned to leave. Requillo walked up and held out a hand to tell James to stay where he was.

"James Potter, master," said the man.

Voldemort's eyes lit with an internal fire. He seemed to say something to Requillo with his eyes, but the man stood firm. A mirthless smirk came to the Dark Lord's face. "Are you not going to bow to your sire, Requillo?"

Requillo laughed inwardly and his eyes threw darts of anger at Voldemort. "I don't know, shall I?" James watched the procession in amusement. Was Requillo defying his master?

"Leave me with the boy," commanded the master.

Requillo shook his head. "You need me, remember?"

Voldemort's face contorted to one of aggravation. "I've tolerated you, now leave me be. I wish to speak in private with him. I will have someone call you in when you are needed. Now go." His voice was filled with venom and Requillo shot a glance at James.

"Do you not trust me, my lord?" asked the man. For some reason, James felt that Requillo was saying all he was for his sake.

Voldemort made a sound of irritation. "So be it! Just stand aside, do not interfere, and do not speak a word unless ordered to, understood?"

"Indeed, master." And then he stepped to the side.

The Dark Lord's sinister gaze fell upon James who glared at him with hatred he had never felt before. "Hello, Mr. Potter. You are probably wondering why I wish to have you in my abode?" James nodded. "You are the Seer, are you not?" The boy's stomach turned. Everything always happened because of that part of him and he despised it greatly. He nodded again. "Well, I've found a prophecy by a woman named Sibylline. Yes, she is a teacher at your school. The prophecy is of my downfall." He laughed. "Downfall, what a harsh word for one who believes in naught. I'm all powerful and still gaining power. How could one such as I befall defeat?"

James was filled with contempt for this man and opened his mouth to spit words of hatred at him, but Requillo quickly spoke up. "You cannot befall defeat, master," said the man in a clipped voice with a stern glance at James. Voldemort looked at him as if noticing Requillo for the first time.

"Thank you, my servant." At this statement, Requillo paled slightly, but then regained his composure. "Fetch the prophecy, will you?" The man did as was told and came in a short while later. He handed a piece of parchment to Voldemort who took it with distaste written all over his face.

"So comes the night

The Seer sees

The Rogue is vanquished

The dame set free.

The star, the dog,

Set thee immune,

So chanted the song,

So chanted the tune.

Right turns to wrong,

Wrong turns to right,

Come hence it forth

Henceforth the fight.

One will be true,

One will perish,

One will turn

Another will fall in anguish.

A downfall, a murder,

A death out of place,

Not and innocent lives

Sacrificed at waste.

He who reeks disaster

Is to whom defeat will befall,

The brave, bold, and valiant

Will conquer all.

The hero will defeat him,

The Dark One will be gone,

And here ends Fate's story,

Fate's story will be done."

Voldemort rolled up the parchment. Requillo stole another glance at James who had a strange look in his eyes. That prophecy was the same in which he had summoned from the fire the night Rogue was vanquished, but there was more to it now. He looked at Requillo who was looking out the window with a longing expression on his face, and then the man looked at his master, then to the boy. Their eyes locked.

"You see, it does predict my downfall, and that's why I need you," said Voldemort.

James looked at him. "What am I supposed to do about it?" he asked gruffly.

The Dark Lord gazed at him squarely. "I need you to change the future."

"But I can't do that!"

The other man laughed. "Oh yes, you can. I've been watching you and you have unique power, you can do many things for you are the Seer of our century. There will be no other like you in a very long time.

James shook his head. "I won't help you, I will do nothing for you." Requillo looked at him. This boy was filled with a strong will.

"You say so now," said Voldemort menacingly, "but your mind will be changed by the time I am finished with you." He raised his wand. "Crucio!"

~*~

Hallie looked at Sirius in disbelief. He hugged her tightly. "I've got to go," he repeated.

She shook her head. "Not by yourself you won't," she said to him resolutely.

He sighed. "Hal, you're not coming with me, I forbid it."

She looked at him indignantly. "You can't forbid me to do anything. I can do whatever I want."

"I'm going via broomstick," he said.

She paled. "I don't care, I'm going with you."

He smiled inwardly and held out his hand. She took it and mounted behind him. He felt her squeeze his waist tightly, and just as he was about to take off, four voices halted him. Peter, Gwen, Remus, and Lydia rushed in at once, each holding a broom. "We're going with you," said Remus, his eyes alight with determination and fierce will. Sirius smiled at them and nodded. Together, they took off into the night and could be seen flying towards the horizon where arrays of brilliant and bright colors were starting to appear.

~*~

James' breathing was hoarse and labored. He rolled over and slowly sat up. Every inch of him was in pain but he glared at Voldemort still, filled with a desire to defy him more. Voldemort smirked. "Still not changing your mind?" he asked with a mocking note in his voice. James shook his head resolvedly. The Dark Lord grinned. "All right then, Requillo, go get the other prisoner please." Requillo walked out with a glance at James who looked at him in question. The other man pretended to ignore it but shot the boy a look which said, 'just wait and see'.

He came back in moments later, carrying in a limp figure. She had red hair and a green gown on. James' eyes widened but he quickly composed himself and fought the urge to race to her. He turned his gaze upon Voldemort. "What did you bring her for?" he asked, trying to feign contempt. The evil man's expression of triumph faltered a bit.

"Is this not the girl you adore?" he wondered.

James stole a glance at Lily and then back to Voldemort. "Adore? The girl I adore?" he asked in what he hoped was incredulity. "Don't you mean despise?"

Voldemort glared. "Bring in Janice and Rick," he ordered rancorously. Requillo placed Lily carefully on the ground and then left once again to fetch the other two servants.

He came back leading the two desired servants who had dread written all over their faces. "Yes, master?" asked Rick with a trembling voice.

"Are you sure you got the right girl?" he demanded fiercely.

Both took steps back and ran into Requillo who urged them forward with a glare. Janice said, "Yes, master, we're sure. After our surveying them and asking questions, we're sure we got the right one."

"Asking questions?" asked the Dark Lord.

"Yes, master," responded Rick. "Remember that student servant you have in Gryffindor?" Voldemort looked at him expectantly. "Remember Gwendolen?"

~*~

James blanched. Gwen? What were they talking about? How did Gwen have anything to do with all this?

Voldemort looked at Janice and Rick thoughtfully. "Very smart, it is always very good to have inside help. Though, she isn't our only servant there, is she?" The two of them shook their heads. "Where is this Gwendolyn at the moment?"

"She's at school, sire," said Janice. "But she's leading the rest of the group here like you ordered last week. You wanted more servants in Hogwarts." Voldemort nodded with an evil smile playing on his lips.

"Wonderful. This is all going exactly according to my plans," he said and sighed inwardly. "Bring the children back to the tower. I'd like to be on my own. Later we shall have the Seer see for us."

Requillo carried Lily and led James back to their tower. He set her down and whispered, "Enervate." Lily awoke with a start and blinked her eyes open. The first person she saw was Requillo. His dark hair fell over his eyes and he brushed it back. "Are you feeling all right?" he asked with something like worry in his voice. James considered this but kept it in the back of his mind as he crawled over to sit next to Lily. He helped her sit up.

Lily's mind triggered with recognition. "I've seen you somewhere before!" she exclaimed.

Requillo blinked at her in confusion and took a step back. "Where?"

"I-I'm not sure..." she trailed off thoughtfully.

He shook his head and raised his wand into the air. He muttered a chant and then looked at the both of them. "Show no affection to each other, or Voldemort will see. If he finds out you care for one another, he will take her away and make you do what he says or else he'll harm her," he said, directing his statements to James, who nodded. "I'm leaving now, I'll check up on you both later." With that, he walked away.

Requillo walked out of the portal and closed it. Janice and Rick looked at him so he sent them both a glare. He strolled to his quarters. When his door was shut, he muttered the same chant he had earlier in the tower with Lily and James as to keep everything he did and said private. Slowly, he stepped onto the ledge of his window and out onto the room. There he sat, holding in his hand a crystal ball and his wand. He whispered a secret chant passed on from generation to generation in his family. "Chantebra Lengorio." The crystal lit up with a bright radiance of brilliant colors. In the orb, six figures could be seen. Their procession stopped.

~*~

"We don't know where we're going," said Gwen, irritated with fatigue.

Peter looked at her. "Do any of you know where You-Know-Who's hide out is?"

Remus gave him a look. "If we did, the ministry would too and Voldemort would be defeated by now."

Peter grinned sheepishly. "I didn't think of that."

Lydia sighed. "Maybe we should go back. Maybe we should let Professor Dumbledore-," but Sirius cut her off.

"Dumbledore doesn't do anything, it's up to us. Come on."

~*~

Requillo said "Chantebra Lengorio" again and there was another flash of light. "Slytherin Castle, they're at Slytherin Castle."

~*~

"Sirius," Hallie said, "Sirius, did you hear that?"

He looked back at her. "Hear what?"

And then it came again. "Slytherin Castle. Go to Slytherin Castle."

She tightened her grip on Sirius waist. "Did you hear it now?" she asked.

He nodded and looked at the others who were looking at him for some sort of command. He shrugged. "What could it hurt? We're on a wild goose chase as it is. Let's go." And they took off towards Slytherin Castle.

~*~

Requillo saw them pick up the pace and change their course. He sighed. What was he doing? He had defied Voldemort before, but had never gone against him. Just what was he doing?

He crawled back into his luxurious room and paced. His wife, what was his wife's name again? It had come back to him earlier, but now he just forgot it.

"Cassandra," he muttered. Yes, that was her name. So beautiful...but she was in the world no longer. Voldemort had ridded her of life. A surge of hatred ran through him. Voldemort rids lots of people from life, he remembered. And his daughter's name...that he could not remember. He sighed again but in aggravation. She was lost to him too.

For quite a while, he sat there in his room and suddenly remembered to take the protective curse of his room. Immediately, the call from his master was felt on the mark upon his arm. He sat up and touched it gingerly. The black mark faded slowly as did the pain. Putting up his blank expression on his face to block out his feelings, he strolled into the grand hall where Voldemort sat. "Bring in the boy, it's time." Requillo turned on his heels without bowing.

Slowly, he made his way to the high tower and opened the portal. Once inside, he saw Lily and James on either sides of the room. "Time to get up now, James," said Requillo. He glanced at Lily. "I suppose you won't be here when I bring him back, but remember, avoid the great hall on the first floor just in front of the entrance," he told her. She looked at him in question but he shook his head. "You'll know what I mean later. Now, come, James, Voldemort's waiting."

As they descended down the long spiral staircase, James looked at the man. "Why do you call him Voldemort and not master or You-Know-Who?" he wondered.

The boy could have sworn a small smile appeared upon the man's face. Requillo looked at him for a short moment before looking ahead once again. "For the same reason you call him by his true name," was the simple reply.

He sent a grin to Requillo who sent something like one back to him. Why did he call Voldemort by his real name and not You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named like so many others?

Because James was not afraid of him.

~*~

Lily sat, holding her knees to her chest and praying for someway that she could help James. Her rescue came. Upon hearing voices, she shot up and looked out the window to see a group of riders advancing on Slytherin Castle. She yelled and waved her hands trying to signal them to her.

Lydia yawned and rubbed her eyes tiredly. When she opened them again, she caught sight of red hair. She suddenly gasped. "It's Lily! Look! There she is!" she exclaimed, pointing to the tower. Everyone's heads turned to where Lily was. She sighed with a relieved smile on her face as they soared in through the window.

Hallie jumped off the broom in the rush and ran up to hug her friend. "Oh, dear Lord, are you all right? If they hurt you at all in any way I'll-," but Lily laughed and hugged her again.

"I'm fine."

Sirius looked all around. "Where's James?" he asked suddenly. The happy reunion quickly ended.

Lily bit down on her lip. "They took him. A man, he-he took James to...to Voldemort."

Hallie looked at Sirius. His eyes gleamed slightly as if they had their own fire that was now burning ferociously and cautiously, she took a step back. He got back on his broom. "Well, what are you guys waiting for? Let's go get him."

~*~

"You don't seem all that bad, Requillo," said James after a short silence. "You're not as bad as people think you are, are you?"

Requillo looked at him with a raised brow. "What makes you say that?"

It was James' turn to shrug. "You just don't seem like you are. There are descriptions of you in the paper sometimes, and it tells of the things you do, but you never do something out right. I don't think you've ever killed someone."

"Who told you that?" the man questioned suddenly. There was a sharp edge to his voice and it ended in a higher tone that made James know he had hit a weak spot.

"Er-I-I-well, you just-you just don't strike me as a murderer," was the reply. Requillo's lips formed a strait and white line and he was paler than usually. James decided he should close his mouth. They had arrived back at the great hall.

Voldemort sat on his throne-like chair with the air of a man with almighty power. With the snap of his hands he had Requillo at his side and James in front of him. Two more servants came in with a cup of wine and a wash cloth. "Drink the wine," he commanded James. The boy looked at the cup shoved under his nose. It was crimson colored and shimmered with tiny specks of light.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Drink it!" ordered Voldemort with impatience. James shot a look at Requillo who gave the slightest of nods. He gulped it down but found that it was a satisfying and quenching all at once. The taste was sweet yet bitter. When he finished, he blinked rapidly to clear the reddish haze clouding his vision. Voldemort had a small smile upon his face as Requillo looked worriedly at the boy who swayed on his spot.

"Upon the rising of the whole moon

Shall the evil one meet his end,

The hero and his flower will be betrayed,

By none other than he whom they called their friend."

Requillo shuddered involuntarily at the monotone voice of the young boy. The whites of his eyes showed and James' head fell onto his chest. Voldemort stood with excitement bright in his eyes. James' head suddenly shot up and his pale blue eyes blazed with red and black.

"The night will come when he will return,

A death a sorrow two hands become one,

The hero, the old, the man of grace,

Will come again to meet with his son."

James' eyes rolled up and he fell into an unconscious darkness.

~*~

Sirius made his way through the doors of the room where his instincts were leading him. Just as he opened the door, he saw James fall to the ground, lifeless. Lily was right behind him and he heard her scream with fright. Hallie clutched his arm and Remus held Lydia. They all advanced towards their fallen friend. Peter made a small whimper and put his hands to his eyes, but peaked through the holes between his fingers.

But where was Gwen?

Janice and Rick came up beside her, each flashing a cunning smile.

She flashed one back. Hallie turned to look where her friend had gone and saw Gwen smiling at her. The smile wasn't the smile Hallie had seen in all their years together, but something so very different. It was evil and filled with scheming. That look made her heart stop and her breath cease. Something was horribly wrong.

~*~

"One will be true," whispered an angelic voice. A light seemed to shine in the room only for a second before the darkness clouded over once more.

~*~

Gwen turned around and quickly slammed the doors shut, using a piece of dark magic she had learned from her superiors to lock the door. Hallie gasped. "Gwen! What are you doing?" she shrieked. Sirius turned to look at the girl who advanced with her wand pointed at the group. Janice and Rick were at her sides.

"Scatter!" he bellowed. Remus, Lydia, Hallie, Sirius, and Lily each ran their separate ways, but Peter was struck, stupefied.

Voldemort, standing at the moment, looked at the fallen Seer lying on the floor. His gaze then went to the crowd before him. The students of Hogwarts were running and the Death Eaters in the room were aiming curses at them. Sirius raced to where his best friend lay and levitated the boy. He raced to the doors and motioned Hallie over. She came and tried every opening curse she could think of, but they did not work.

Suddenly, James sat up, floating in the air. The whites of his eyes were showing as he looked around. Sirius dropped his wand in terror when the other boy began soaring upwards. With his hands outstretched, James began to chant. "Chantebra Lengorio! Sepak emot!" he bellowed. The windows slammed open and the winds rushed in as if a ferocious wave.

"From the fire within shall the flame burn

The lightning will rise and strike,

The betrayed shall be summoned by a reverie

Hence it forth, henceforth the fight."

His eyes rolled back into focus and he shook his head. Voldemort was yelling orders and staring at James with a fierce blaze in his eyes. He raised his wand, ready to captivate the boy but Requillo stopped him with a raise of his hand. The silver-headed man made a sign in the air which made Voldemort fly against the wall.

Lydia took Remus' hand and pulled him towards the door. James floated gracefully to the ground and stood before the door. He spread his arms wide and muttered, "Chantebra Lengorio," making the doors swing open with a clang.

Janice and Rick raced in front of them. "You're not going anywhere!" yelled Rick ferociously. Requillo ran up and stupefied both the Death Eaters. James opened his mouth to thank him but the man shook his head.

"Don't thank me, just go, NOW!" he shouted. James nodded and ran with Lily at his side. Requillo turned around to fight of a curse sent to him by Voldemort. Hallie looked at him with a strange expression upon her face.

Sirius grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Gwen slammed the doors shut with another curse. She turned to Remus and Lydia who were just about to escape. They turned to look at her. "Let us go, Gwendolyn," said Lydia in a soft and frightened voice. Remus squeezed her hand.

Gwen glared at her. "My name's Gwen." She pointed her wand at them.

"You're my best friend, what happened to you?" asked Lydia.

The other girl shot a look at Voldemort who gave her a meaningful look. Gwen turned to Lydia. "You were my best friend. You're sweet and innocent. Well it's the end now, dear Lydia."

~*~

"One will perish," came the angelic whisper again. The light came and faded.

~*~

Gwen pointed her wand at Remus. "Avada Kedavra!" But Lydia had jumped in front of Remus.

"NO!" he yelled, just as there was a bright flash of green light.

~*~

Hallie tried to pull out of Sirius grasp. "Sirius, let me go!"

He looked at her in incredulity. "Are you crazy? You think I'm going to let you go back there?"

She glared at him. "I need to go back!" She fought out of his grasp and raced back down the hallway.

James turned around and looked down the hall with anxious eyes while Lily yelled, "Hallie, come back!"

Sirius, with a frown, chanted a spell and pointed his wand at Hallie's retreating figure. She froze in place and he pointed his wand towards himself. He looked at James and Lily in front of him. "Go!" he yelled, and followed with Hallie floating behind.

She swore under her breath and said, "Chantebra Lengorio!" Sirius' eyes widened as he saw her shoot down the hallway, still floating in midair. He cursed and ran after her, telling James and Lily to leave and that he'd follow.

James watched his best friend go and thought of what to do. "Just go!" yelled Sirius from halfway down the hall. James looked at Lily who was staring after her best friend in fright. She trembled in inconsolable fear. He made a quick decision and took her hand in his. Together, they raced back to the tower and mounted their brooms. They took off, leaving Slytherin Castle behind.

~*~

Requillo sent an explosion towards Voldemort and ran towards the exit, knocking Gwen to the floor. She shrieked with rage and grabbed onto his robes. He glared at her with such ferocity that she immediately let go and backed away. Not glancing back, he picked up Remus and undid the spell locking the doors. Remus kicked and screamed for Requillo to set him down, but that didn't take long. The poor boy's yells and curses died down to tears of anguish. Requillo blinked away the wetness of his eyes that threatened to spill and raced down the hall.

Then he caught sight of someone in black robes hurrying his way. She instantly stopped in her tracks and looked at him with wide eyes. Sapphire blue eyes met sapphire blue eyes. In a moment's decision, he grabbed her hand and, still carrying Remus, raced the opposite way in which Hallie had come. Their interlocked hands tingled with familiarity, though, they both didn't know for a fact who the other was. There was, however, something in their memories that were slowly coming back into remembrance. On their way, they saw Sirius. Hallie grabbed his hand and he nearly fell in the quick pace that he was turned around.

Requillo's heart pounded in his chest and he thought it was so loud that the others could hear it as well as he. With trembling hands, he locked the door to the tower that they had reached. He took off the locket he wore close to his heart, the one that never left him, and muttered a chant. When finished. He told the other three to touch it and almost at once, he felt a tug.

Hallie fell over when they had landed and looked up at him. "A portkey?" she asked softly. He nodded and sighed heavily. Leaving Slytherin Castle had taken a huge weight off his shoulder and tears came to his eyes. He was free.

~*~

Voldemort roared with anger when he had seen Requillo race down the hall with two of the children. His Seer was gone and so was his second in command. He glared at Janice and Rick who were sprawled on the ground, unconscious from being cursed. The Dark Lord then looked to Gwen who was sitting on the floor, staring at a body near the doorway. His gaze then fell to the girl lying near the doors, lifeless upon the ground. The girl's eyes were wide open but a small smile was upon her face. She had died saving the person she loved most.

A smile came to Voldemort's lips and his hopes of being the victor once again enlightened him. "Gwen, get up," he ordered. She did as was told and looked at him "Who is that girl?" he wondered in a calm and steady voice. She was trembling, he could tell and when she opened her mouth to speak, no words came out. "I said, who is that girl?" he repeated.

She looked at him squarely. Her eyes were wide and horrified. "My best friend," she whispered. Her voice shook with the sobs she held in.

"Who?" he repeated with a firm and sharp edge in his voice.

She looked away and wiped away her tears. "Nobody, she was nobody," she said, almost inaudibly. His smile grew and he went to sit on his throne-like seat once again, but he never noticed the plump boy, hidden in the shadows under the dinner table.

~*~

James tried to control his emotions, but he shook with sobs. Tears fell down his cheeks and his eyes were dull and lifeless. For a short moment, he slowed down on his broom and closed his eyes, hoping to see nothing and make the pain go away.

Deep down inside, though, he knew the ache in his heart would not. Each beat hurt him and his stomach turned inside him at each and every noise. The frigid air swept past him in violent rushes that made him shiver. Nothing would ever be the same again.

He could have sworn he felt a piece of him die away back in the hallway, little did he know of the incident that had occurred between Lydia and Gwen at the exact moment.

James opened his eyes again and swore vengeance. This oath he took was what changed him. The lines that shouldn't have been present in such a young boy's face were marks of his pain. His heart had hardened and a blaze of flame erupted deep within his soul for the man who was the cause of all the hurt he felt. He swore to defeat him one day, and one day he would.

~*~

"Another will fall in anguish," whispered Fate. Dark started to cloud over when the light once again vanished.

~*~

It's over and done
but the heartache lives on inside
and who's the one you're clinging to
instead of me tonight?

And where are you now, now that I need you?
Tears on my pillow wherever you go
I'll cry me a river that leads to your ocean
you never see me fall apart

Remus sat on the grass looking like someone who had been given the Dementor's kiss. It was as if a part of him had been ripped away. He felt as if he had no more reason to live, no more reason to go on living as he had since his life was taken from him, his life was Lydia. Now that she was gone...he shook his head and closed his eyes, letting the tears fall; he didn't know what he would do now.

In the words of a broken heart
It's just emotion that's taken me over
Caught up in sorrow, lost in my soul
But if you don't come back
Come home to me, darling
Don't you know there's nobody left in this world
to hold me tight
Don't cha know there's nobody left in this world to kiss goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight

Hallie looked at him for a short moment and guessed what had happened. Sirius and Hallie shared a look and then both looked away. She looked at the castle of Hogwarts they sat before with blurred eyes, but the tears never fell. Such hurt like that couldn't be expressed, first came the shock. After the shock came the pain all at once like a great wave. That was the step in which Remus was. The shock had passed and now he was feeling anguish as he never thought he could.

I'm there at your side,
I'm part of all the things you are
But you've got a part of someone else
You've got to find your shining star

And where are you now, now that I need you?
Tears on my pillow wherever you go
I'll cry me a river that leads to your ocean
You never see me fall apart

In the words of a broken heart
It's just emotion that's taken me over
Caught up in sorrow, lost in my soul
But if you don't come back
Come home to me, darling
Don't you know there's nobody left in this world
to hold me tight
Nobody left in this world to kiss goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight

Courtesy to Destiny's Child

For "Emotions"

Requillo looked at Remus, then to Sirius, and then to Hallie. His eyes lingered on her for a long moment. She turned to him with large and solemn eyes the same color as his, their eyes locked. "I feel like I know you, but I don't know for sure," she whispered. Sirius watched in silence, still in a sort of daze, but nevertheless stuck in reality. Trapped in such a place was the worst nightmare possible, a horrible dream of actuality.

Requillo opened his mouth to respond, but the lump in his throat wouldn't let him speak. That feeling you get when tears are going to come is what he felt at the moment, but he didn't care. He nodded.

"Do you know me?" she asked in the same soft voice. He nodded again and two tears leaked from the side of his eyes. She nodded back at him for there were no more words to say. Hallie jumped up and hugged him. He put his arms around her. They embraced and their spirits lifted. "She told me you were dead, she told me you were never coming back," she whispered.

Requillo shook his head. "She was wrong. I said I'd come back to you, I swore I would, and here I am."

She pulled away and gave him a tearful smile. "I can't believe it's you. I-I couldn't believe who I saw standing there back at the castle." Her voice broke from an unsuspected sob. She smiled and brushed away her tears. "Even - even though I wasn't sure, I hoped-I hoped-," but she cut herself off when he hugged her.

He sighed with happiness and closed his eyes. Things would get better; soon, things would get better.

~*~

Peter hugged his knees to his chest and fought down the urge to cry. He trembled at every word that Voldemort said. What was he going to do? There was no where to turn and there was no where for him to run. He was trapped in Slytherin Castle.

And then the shadow came forward.

Peter felt a hand touch his shoulder and yelled in panic. He clamped his hand over his mouth, but it was too late. Gwen looked behind Voldemort's throne to the table where the cloaked figure stood. Slowly, the Dark Lord stood and turned his gaze to where the yell came from.

"There is a boy," said the cloaked figure, pointing to where Peter sat in terror.

The poor boy looked around for an escape, but found none. The cloaked figure waved his hand the table disappeared leaving Peter without his cover. Voldemort smirked. "Well, well, well, what have we got here?" taunted the Dark Lord. Peter backed away in fright. "Gwen, do you know this boy?"

Gwen, in a dazed sort of way, answered. "He's one of my friends."

Voldemort's eyes brightened. "One of James'?" he asked with a grin. She nodded. Peter looked at them back and forth. The cloaked figure excused himself and left the room.

"Well then," he said, "What's your name boy?"

"P-Peter," he stuttered softly.

Voldemort smiled at him evilly. "Peter, how would you like to be a Death Eater?" he asked, pointing his wand at the boy.

~*~

The light came and went as Fate said, "One will turn."

~*~