Into the Hands of Fate

Chapter Fifteen

Sirius blinked his eyes open and sat up with a yawn. He sighed and peered out the window. It was a beautiful day. Slowly, he got out of bed and got his glass from his bedside table for a drink of water. It was then that he noticed a letter beside the cup. His name was scrawled on the envelope.

Dear Sirius, (the note read,)

I hate to say goodbye in a letter, but I felt that this was the best way. I wrote this note for you because it would hurt too much to write it to Hallie. The reason for this letter is that I'm leaving. I cannot stay and endanger you or my daughter. As you probably know, Voldemort is after me. If I stay, he will be after you both as well. It cannot be so.

I know my daughter has feelings for you, and you have some for her, so please, watch after her for me. I think I know you well enough that you will take good care of her, but don't worry, I will not be gone forever. I have left before, but this time I hope it won't take me as long to find my way home.

Hallie will be looking for me soon, for she comes to my room every morning to say a simple 'good morning, dad.' (Here, there were a few blotches making the letter hard to read.) I'd like you to tell her that I love her with all my heart and that I'm sorry. Tell her that I never wished to hurt her by leaving, but that it was the only way. Also, please tell her that I promise I'll come back, that I swear I will. She carries my love and I will miss her.

Thank you, Sirius, and I hope I do not burden you with a great weight. I will try my best to keep in touch, but as much as I hate to admit this, it would also be best if we do not make much contact. That includes Hallie as well. Thank you again, I will forever be in your debt.

Sincerely yours,

Requillo

Sirius' heart stopped and his breathing became slow and uneven. His eyes were wide and his mouth was gaped open. He looked to the door in dread. It pained him that he had to tell her the news. To him, it seemed as if it was only yesterday that Requillo and Hallie had found each other. And now...now he was gone again.

He sat back down on his bed and wondered how he would tell her. His eyes were stuck on the door, just waiting until she would come in.

A while later, he heard her voice. "Dad? Where are you?" She walked towards his room and he could hear her footsteps on the marble floor.

His heart pounded unbearably in his chest and his eyes burned with blistering hot tears. The doorknob turned and Hallie peeked her head in. "Sirius? Are you awake?" she whispered.

"Yeah," he croaked. He quickly composed himself and cleared his throat. "Yeah, I'm awake." She smiled at him but her eyes carried a look of wonder.

"Are you all right?" she asked him. He grinned and nodded, holding out his arms to her. She smiled and came over. He gave her a big hug and kissed her forehead. With a laugh she said, "What's this about, Sirius?"

"Well," he swallowed. She was looking at him in concern now. "Hallie - er, it's about - about your dad," he said softly.

She grasped his hand. "What about him? Do you know where he went? Is he all right?"

"Yeah, he's all right. He just," he cleared his throat again, "He had to leave." Her eyes widened and her expression changed to one of disbelief and shock.

"Leave?" she asked, her voice ended in a squeak.

"He wrote me a letter and - and he said that Voldemort's after him...that he had to leave to keep us safe." Sirius looked at her somewhat in dread at how she would react. Would she break down or become something like a living zombie? "He said he loves you with all his heart and he never meant to hurt you by leaving. He also wanted me to tell you he's sorry and that he promises that he'll be back, and he swears to it. You carry his love and he'll miss you." He looked at her carefully. Her expression hadn't changed but she had looked away. "Hallie?" he said quietly.

The tears came. They left scorching trails down her cheeks and dripped down her chin. He brushed them away and pulled her close to him. She cried silently into his shirt and buried her head into his shoulder. He whispered sweet words into her ear and rubbed her back like his mother used to do to him when he was little. "It's all right, Hal," he said. "Requillo said he'd stop by sometimes to see you." She nodded but didn't respond.

Sirius closed his eyes and rested his head on hers. Everything was crumbling down in the world and it was all because of Voldemort.

~*~

"Lucius, the prophecies," snapped Voldemort. He was in a very bad mood and it didn't help that he had lost the location of Requillo. The hooded man bowed and retrieved the pieces of parchment. He handed them to his master who gazed at them in distaste.

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.

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.

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.

Voldemort made a sound of anger. "But what does it mean?" he yelled. "The hero and his flower..." He shook his head in aggravation. "I don't understand! I know I'm the Dark One, but who is the hero?" His mind swirled. Who could it be?

~*~

The days drew near until Frank and Sarah's wedding was there. "Hallie, are you done yet?" Sirius called up the steps.

"Almost!" she yelled back.

"Can you hurry up please? We're going to be late."

The door opened. "Don't rush me," she told him, and then she closed the door again. He shook his head with a grin and heard the doorbell ring. When he opened the door, he was face to face with James and Lily.

"Sorry we're late," said Lily. James' hand was on her waist and hers around his. Sirius smiled and let them in.

There was a flash of light and Remus brushed the soot from his dress robes. He grinned at them. "Floo powder is definitely not the way to go," he said.

"Ok, ready," said Hallie coming down the steps. Sirius looked up and grinned at her. He took her hand in his and then they were ready to go. "Is the ministry limousine outside?" she asked Sirius.

"Right on time," he replied.

Hallie smiled. "Wait, where's Peter?" The group shrugged. She walked to the door to look outside to see if he was coming and there was Peter.

"There you are!" she said.

He grinned. "Sorry I'm so late, I couldn't find the present I bought for Frank and Sarah."

She laughed and patted his cheek. "That's okay." They went into the limo and it flew off.

Soon, they arrived at Frank and Sarah's home. "Sarah said that she and Frank were going to the University of Aurors," said Lily conversationally.

"Really?" asked James. She nodded.

Peter looked at her. "But that's dangerous! You-Know-Who's on the uprise and it's not safe for them to be aurors at this time!" His expression was deeply troubled and held a hint of another expression the others could not decipher.

Remus nodded. "Still, the Ministry is in need of people to fight him. Voldemort is gaining more supporters every day." Peter flinched at the Dark Lord's name.

"But why can't anyone stop him?" asked Hallie. "I mean, he's only one man, isn't he? Can they still not find his hiding place?"

Sirius shook his head. "He's done well in keeping himself hidden."

"And we don't really know who to trust or not, do we?" Hallie wondered.

James shook his head. "We can never tell who's a Death Eater or not." There was an awkward silence.

"Let's not talk about this anymore," Lily said. "It's too horrible to think about. We're at a wedding, let's be happy for Frank and Sarah." The rest nodded.

They took their seats and waited for the procession to begin.

The music started to play and Frank walked out, looking handsome in his suit. His face was filled with happiness and joy was present in his eyes. He looked as if he could never want anything more in his life. When Sarah walked up, she smiled at him and he steadied himself by holding onto the podium. She laughed. He grinned sheepishly. Sarah was beautiful, to put it simply. Her eyes reflected the same emotions present in Frank's and she couldn't seem to take the smile from her face.

By the end of the ceremony, Lily had tears streaming down her face. James grinned and held her to him.

And then it was over. The reception was in a great hall, which was very elegantly decorated. Hallie caught sight of Frank and screeched with joy. "Frank!" she exclaimed. He turned around in puzzlement and laughed. He motioned her over and she practically ran. She jumped up to give him a hug and he swung her around.

He held her out an arm's length. "My, my, Hal, I do think you've grown!"

She raised a brow. "Grown?"

"You're not the Shorty I used to know!" She laughed and hit his shoulder.

Sirius came over with Sarah. She went over to her husband and he smiled, putting his arm around her. Sirius did the same and put his hand on Hallie's waist. Frank's eyebrows shot up. "Oh my," he whispered.

Sarah laughed. "I told you! I told you so!"

"Oh, my," repeated Frank. Hallie and Sirius shared a confused look.

Sarah rolled her eyes at him. "Don't mind him," she said. "So...you guys are a couple now, are you?"

Sirius grinned and shot a look at Frank. "I should have known this would come up," he said.

The older boy pointed at him, and then to her, opening and closing his mouth without sound. And then he burst into laughter. "I'm guessing it's been working between you two because of no broom rides," he said with a straight face.

Hallie swatted at him. "Not funny," she said to him.

Sirius shrugged. "I don't know, Hallie...it has been a long time since you've been on a broom..."

"Not true! That is so not true!" she said to him.

"When was the last time?" Frank put in with a smirk.

She sent a glare his way and then turned to Sarah. "I give you my blessing to hit this boy when ever you feel like."

The girl laughed. "Thanks, Hallie, I'll keep that in mind."

Frank looked from one girl to the other. "Is there some sort of hidden meaning in that?" At the looks he got from them, Sirius broke into a round of laughter. He doubled over and Hallie swatted him upside the head.

"You got detention for doing that, remember?" he asked between laughs. She rolled her eyes.

~*~

That night, they all went back to Hallie's place. Sirius and Hallie were in the kitchen trying to make dinner and Remus and Peter were in the living room playing a game of Wizard's Chess in which Peter was losing very badly.

Lily sat next to Peter, trying to help him. James looked at her, and then to Remus who shot him a quick and reassuring grin. He stood up and walked to the kitchen.

"Are you sure? That's a lot of sugar..." said Hallie, looking at the recipe for the crème pie.

"Of course I'm sure! Besides, sugar is good," he said raising his eyebrows up and down.

She laughed and rolled her eyes. "If you say so." She pointed her wand at the drawer and it opened producing a cup. It dipped itself into a bag of sugar than poured its contents into the bowl. The wooden spoon started to mix by itself. Sirius came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She laughed and pecked his cheek with a kiss.

"Er - if I'm not interrupting..." said James with a small grin.

Sirius looked at him and sighed, but grinned back. "I'll be back, k, Hal?" She nodded and waved them off. "Nervous?" he asked James once they were outside.

The boy's eyes were wide and he was chewing on his lip. "You could say that," he replied. Sirius laughed. "I just-I don't know what to say..." He looked at Sirius with eyes growing wider at the moment. In a horrified tone his said, "What if she says 'no'?"

The other boy rolled his eyes heavenward. "Oh, please. Do you really think she's going to say that?" James gulped and looked ahead. They were outside and walking along the streets. "Do you think it would be best? I mean, if-if-," but his friend laughed.

"Oh, honestly!" he exclaimed. And then at the look on his friend's face, he said seriously, "Yes, James, I do."

James stopped and took his friend by the shoulders. "It means a lot to me, Sirius, your judgement. Please be serious about this, please."

Sirius, his face turning grave, looked at his best friend. "I am serious about this. You and - and her," he smiled. "This is me speaking to my best friend, one on one, okay? And-and I think you should go for it. There is nothing I would recommend more than for you to do this."

James smiled and laughed. He and his best friend embraced. "Thanks, Sirius, you don't know how much this means to me."

The other young man grinned. "Oh, I think I do."

~*~

The moon shone brightly down and the stars sparkled like specks of crystals in a navy blue ocean. He held her hand in his and she looked at him in confusion.

James bent down on one knee.

Her eyes widened. "James," she whispered.

He smiled and took something from his cloak pocket. "Lily, I was never good with words, so I can't give you a long speech about love. And I was never good with music, so I can't give you a wonderful love song. But I believe that I was always good when anything had to do with you. I-I know how life is, when it comes down to you and me. And - and though my world is crumbling down around me, I know I can find serenity and tranquility in my heart, with you." Tears shined in her eyes and in his. "I know no other way to tell you how I feel in my heart, than to say, Lily, I love you. I couldn't live without you." He paused and took a deep breath. "Lily Evans, will you marry me?"

Her lips moved, but no sounds came out. Finally, she smiled down at him and wiped away her tears. "What am I supposed to say?" she whispered. "I do?"

He laughed. "I think a 'yes', would be appropriate."

"Then, James, yes!"

"Really?" he exclaimed. She nodded vigorously and he slipped the beautiful ring on her finger. "Lily," he said after a while. She looked down at him with a happy smile. "Please, tell me I can get up, I don't think I can stay in this position any longer."

She noticed the strain on his face and that he was still kneeling. With a laugh she said, "Get up, James." He did so and they embraced.

Suddenly, there was a loud round of applause. They turned to look and in the doorway stood the rest of the group, watching them with broad smiles. James looked at Sirius, Remus, and Peter. 'Thank you' is what seemed to be said.

~*~

"Please! Help!" said Lily.

Hallie laughed and took a seat next to her. "Help with what?"

Lily looked ready to pull the hair from her scalp. "Dresses! Please oh please help me pick out a dress design for my maids of honor!"

"Hmm...okay, let's choose a color first, shall we?" Lily nodded. "I rather like the color periwinkle..." The other girl laughed. "Okay, how about sun-gold yellow?"

Lily thought about this for a while. "No, not sun-gold yellow."

"Green?"

"Ugh, definitely not green! Could you imagine green dresses at my wedding?"

Hallie laughed. "You're right, ugh." They flipped through the pages and Lily suddenly screamed. "What? What is it?"

"That one! That one! That's it! That's the one I want!" It was a beautiful dress, lilac purple, a soft color.

Hallie looked at it. "Perfect choice, Lily, it's beautiful."

Lily looked at her best friend with a smile. "And, Hallie, I'd be honored if you'd wear the dress and be my maid of honor." The other girl looked shocked and then they both engaged into fits of hugs and screams.

The door suddenly opened and Sirius stumbled in and James soon followed. The two girls looked at them with raised brows. "Where's the fire?" asked Sirius cocking a brow.

Hallie went over and knelt by the two boys who had fallen on top of each other in the rush of trying to get into the room first. "You two should untangle yourselves. It gives people the wrong impression about your friendship." Lily burst out laughing. James reached to pull her hair and Sirius reached for his wand, but both couldn't keep straight faces.

~*~

Remus walked in looking haggard and unusually pale. Hallie smiled and welcomed him in. Her smile faltered at how sickly he looked. "Remus, are you all right?"

He forced a smile and nodded. The young man plopped himself on the couch and closed his eyes placing a hand over his closed lids.

Hallie bit down on her lip and went into the kitchen. A short while later, she came out with a hot bowl of noodle soup. "Remus, are you awake?" she whispered.

He blinked his eyes open and grinned. "Yeah."

"Here," she said and handed him the bowl. She set it onto the table and gave him the spoon.

"For me?" he asked.

She smiled victoriously. "Yep, and I made it all by myself."

He shot a grin her way. "It was the heat and mix kind, wasn't it?"

She pursed her lips but smiled anyway. "Yeah, but I'm working on it," she said defensively.

He waved a hand. "I didn't mean anything by it. Thanks, Hallie."

She looked at him carefully. He felt her eyes on her and looked up. His handsome face was lined with stress lines that should not have been present on such a young man and his eyes bore pain and strain from his rough past. "Remus..." she started but he just shook his head.

"Really, I'm fine, don't worry about it."

She looked doubtful but said a soft, "All right," and then went back into the kitchen.

Peter suddenly came in. "Hallie?" he called.

She poked her head out of the doorway of the kitchen. "Peter?" she called back.

He laughed. "Um, I won't be able to come to dinner tonight. I just wanted to stop by and tell you." He didn't look at her as he said this, but gazed at the floor in a kind of bashful way.

"All right, thanks for notifying me," she said with a smile. "You okay, Peter?"

He looked up at her and then back down again. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Er - I-I'll see you guys later, okay?" He then left.

Remus shared a look with her. "Something's up," he said. And Hallie had to agree.

~*~

James and Lily apparated to Hallie's house after they finished their butter beers. They took seats on either side of Remus. James laughed. "Got hungry did you?" he asked the other boy sighting the empty bowl on the table.

"Yeah," said Remus with a secret smile that he shared with James.

"You feel okay now?"

He nodded. Lily looked confused. "Are you sick?" she wondered.

He grinned. "Nah, just something passing through I guess."

A while later, Sirius suddenly appeared with a letter. He ran into the kitchen. "Another attack," he whispered urgently.

Hallie looked at him. "Attack?"

He nodded and swallowed. "Dumbledore sent a letter. He didn't want to worry you or anything, but your dad was just there." Her eyes widened. He hugged her. "He's fine though, nothing happened to him." She sighed in relief. They went out into the living room.

"What is it?" asked Lily, noticing her friends' troubled looks.

"There was an attack in Hogsmead, near the Three Broomsticks," Sirius explained.

James' brows became knit together in confusion. "But that can't be, Lily and I were just there."

~*~

"Yes, Minerva, I do fear the same," said Albus.

She looked out the window. "But why, Albus? Why would You-Know-Who be after them?"

The ancient man sight and stroked Fawkes affectionately. "There are many possibilities, each one as unlikely as the next," he replied.

"But-but they're safe, at the moment, aren't they?"

He looked at her with a grave expression. "I don't know, I just don't know."

~*~

The wedding's set date was for the upcoming spring, May 17^th. The invitations were sent out early during that winter and the reservations for everything were set.

"Spain?" said Sirius.

James thought about it for a few short moments before saying, "No, not Spain."

"Ok...uh...what about..." he flipped through the pages. "How about Hawaii? The Americans like it..."

"Ugh, too long."

"Floo powder..."

"Oh! Right!" laughed James. "I don't know...but it has to be perfect..." Sirius nodded. "France!" James suddenly bellowed. Then he got up and looked out the door to see if Lily heard. She was no where in sight. "France," he said again in a quieter tone.

"France?" repeated Sirius.

James smiled and nodded, "France."

~*~

James and Lily looked at her. "What, what did I do? I swear it wasn't me, it was - er - Sirius."

They laughed. "That's not what we want to talk to you about," said Lily.

"It isn't?"

James grinned. "No, we wanted to know if you'd perform for our wedding."

Her eyes rounded. "Wow..."

"You're going to say 'yes', aren't you?" said someone behind her. Sirius wrapped his arms about her waist and rested his head on the crook of her neck.

She laughed. "Yes! To both questions. I mean, yes, I'll perform and yes, I'm going to say yes. Er, oh, never mind it."

~*~

"Lily? James?" asked Hallie. They looked at her. "You guys trust me, right?"

James raised a brow. "What did you do?"

She laughed. "No, I mean, you trust me, though, right?"

"Of course we do, Hal," said Lily.

"Do you guys trust me enough to do whatever I want for the wedding performance?" she asked, biting down on her lip. James shared a look with Lily. "Oh, honestly! I'm not looking to ruin my best friends' wedding!"

They laughed at her. "Of course we trust you."

She smiled. "Thanks guys."

~*~

The day of the wedding had come. It was a beautiful outside and the terrace where it would take place was elegantly decorated. It looked like a setting out of a fairytale. The birds sand their daytime song and the breeze rushed by with whispers of happiness to the trees that swayed to and fro. Laughter and smiles filled the place and no one was seen with an unhappy face.

Inside, Hallie said to her best friend, "You look beautiful."

Lily smiled. "You do too, Hal."

"No, no, don't talk about me, this is your day." They embraced.

~*~

"Scared?" asked Sirius softly.

James stopped pacing to look at him. "Why would I be? I mean, I'm only getting married today..." The other boy laughed. "Sirius, this isn't a laughing matter! This is my wedding day!"

He immediately stopped laughing but the smile remained on his face. "Just remember you love her."

James looked out the window and smile. "How could I forget?" He sighed and then looked to his best friend. "Thanks, Sirius, for always being there."

The other young man shook his head and waved a hand. "No matter of concern today. Come on, it's almost time."

With wide eyes, James followed him out.

~*~

He stood looking at the priest with wide eyes as he bit down on his lip. "Relax, lad, you're getting married," said the priest.

Thanks for your concerning words...thought James to himself with an inward grin.

James looked absolutely handsome in his suit. His messy hair was still a horrible mess, but it didn't ruin anything for him. It actually added. His face held many expressions. Delight, nervousness, excitement, dread, but most of all, love. The man's eyes utterly glowed and when Lily came out, they rounded to the size of tea saucers.

She looked - and there was no other word for it - beautiful. Her red hair was clipped and tied up with curls dangling around her face with flowers decorating her French bun. His knees went weak at the sight of her, but one smile sent his way was enough to reassure him.

Their eyes locked and 'I love you' seemed to be said between them.

All throughout the sermon, their eyes never left the others' and their smiles never left their faces. It was as if the world was finally put in course and everything and everyone was carefree. The day was wonderful.

And soon, they made their vows and placed the rings on their fingers. The kiss was short yet sugar sweet and when they parted, there was such an explosion of happiness that tears came to everyone's eyes. It was true love.

They went into the dining hall for the after party. The wedding planner came out and introduced Hallie to sing Lily and James' wedding song. They expected a remarkable performance, but they would get an extraordinary one.

She smiled around at the guests and then to the side stage at Sirius who gave her a special smile.

The music started to play. James led Lily out onto the dance floor and everyone watched in awe at the beauty emitting from them both.

"When the visions around you

Bring tears to your eyes

And all that surround you

Are secrets and lies

I'll be your strength

I'll give you hope

Keeping your faith when it's gone

The one you should call

Was standing here all along

 

"I love you," James whispered into her ear. She smiled and leaned against him with a happy sigh.

"I love you too."

"And I will take you in my arms

And hold you right where you belong

'Til the day my life is through

This I promise you

This I promise you."

 

The key changed and Hallie's smile broadened.

"I've loved you forever,"

Lily and James' eyes widened. Hallie was singing no longer, but looking to the right where some one was coming out from side stage. Sirius grinned with a slight blush on his cheeks as he came out.

"In life times before

And I promise you never

Will you hurt anymore"

Lily and James shared a secret and loving look. This was their day.

"I give you my word

I give you my heart

This is a battle we've won

And with this vow

Forever has now begun"

 

Sirius took Hallie's hand in his. Together they sang:

"Just close your eyes

Each loving day

And know this feeling won't go away

'Til the day my life is through

This I promise you

This I promise you"

They held each other close, looking to each other's eyes.

"Over and over I fall

When I hear you call

Without you in my life, baby

I just wouldn't be living at all."

James touched Lily's face gently, but neither said a word. No words needed to be said.

"And I will take you in my arms

And hold you right where you belong

'Til the day my life is through

This I promise you."

 

Together, Hallie and Sirius sang:

"Just close your eyes

Each loving day

And know this feeling won't go away

Every word I say is true

This I promise you

Every word I say is true

This I promise you

I promise you."

Courtesy to 'NSYNC

For "This I Promise You"

~*~

"Look at this one, James, isn't it adorable?" asked Lily. His chin was rested on his fist as he gazed out the window with a troubled expression, a letter tightly grasped in his free hand. "James? Don't you like this one?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's great, wonderful," he mumbled.

She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "I made up my mind," she said.

"That's great, Lil," muttered James.

"I'm going to run away with Sirius, your best friend, to a castle in France."

James jumped up to look at her with wide eyes. "What?" he yelled.

She smiled. "Thank you for your attention." He blinked at her. "Now," she said calmly, "Do you like these?"

With a big smile, he ran over and picked her up. After swinging her around numerous times he said, "Love you."

She smiled at him. "Love you too." After a short while she said, "Now, names?"

Just then, the doorbell rang. A head popped in the doorway. "Hello?" Sirius called, stretching the word out. "Anyone home?"

James laughed. "Come on in, Sirius."

The boy did as was told and turned to close the door. "Sirius!" yelled Hallie.

He gave her a look. "Sorry, Hal, James said I could come in. Remember? He said, 'come in, Sirius.' He didn't say you could. So sorry." The boy shut the door in her face and grinned at James. "Three...two...one..." he counted down.

*BANG*

The door slammed open and there stood Hallie looking at Sirius with a raised brow and her hands on hips. "Sirius..." She looked ready to explode.

He grinned bashfully and waved. "Hello." She took out her wand and advanced towards him. He backed away and shot a look at James and Lily. "Help?"

They shook their heads. "This is your problem," said James with a broad grin.

"Now, what spell should I use?" Hallie asked herself, giving Sirius a mischievous grin.

He gave her a charming smile. "You're not going to, er, do anything drastic, are you?"

"Hey, Lily, James, remember in our fifth year? When Sirius took my periwinkle notebook?"

At this, James broke into a fit of laughter and doubled over to clutch his sides.

"I didn't think it was all that funny," said Sirius with a pout.

Hallie pointed her wand at him. "Well, I did." His eyes widened and she said, "Peridone Shaminkle!" She bent over and picked up the periwinkle pillow. After hugging it many times, she looked to Lily. "He's so soft as a pillow!" she exclaimed with a bright smile.

"Hallie, turn him back right now!"

There was a bright flash of light and Remus and Peter popped in via floo powder. Remus brushed his robes off. "I seriously don't know why I bother with Floo Powder," he murmured to himself. He looked up and saw Hallie with her periwinkle pillow and James who was gasping for breath from laughing so hard. "What did I miss?" he asked.

Peter's eyes widened. "You-you didn't," he started, but Hallie laughed and nodded. His eyes widened and he laughed. "Okay then."

Remus looked at the others. "What?"

"This," said Hallie holding up the pillow, "is Sirius Black!"

He stared for one second before exploding into laughter.

"Hallie..." said Lily.

The other girl sighed. "He deserved it," she muttered before performing the counter curse.

Sirius sat on the couch and stared at Hallie. "I cannot believe you just turned me into a periwinkle pillow!" He glared at her. "I'm not forgiving you for this."

She walked over to him amid the wild peals of laughter from Remus and James. After giving him an extra special smile, she said, "Forgive me?" He folded his arms across his chest and looked away with mock hurt. "You were very soft," she told him.

He abruptly looked at her and raised and lowered his eyebrows. "You should know," he said.

"Ugh!" she yelled and swatted at him. He laughed and slugged her with a pillow. "Hey, I'll turn you into a pink pillow next time," she said in warning.

Sirius immediately let the pillow go but made sure it hit James who was still laughing. He picked up another one and threw it towards Remus who just laughed all the more.

After a while, Lily looked at James seriously. "Names?"

He pondered this for a short moment. "For a girl...I rather like the name Lily," he said with a smile.

"Suck up," coughed Remus. James shot a glare his way.

"What about for a boy?" asked Lily.

Sirius came over. "Well, personally, I like the name Sirius..."

~*~

That night, Lily turned over and looked at James who was gazing at the ceiling with a worried expression. "James, are you all right?" He nodded, but obviously, his mind was on something else. She turned onto her side and gave him a look. "Tell me what's wrong."

James sighed and swallowed deeply. He took his hand from under the covers and still, he held the letter. "Lily, Dumbledore sent - he sent me a letter," he said quietly.

"And?" she asked, holding his hand in hers.

"He got news from someone that Voldemort is after us," he whispered.

She gasped in horror. "What? Why? Why would he be after us?"

James shook his head. "I don't know." But something was lingering under the surface in his mind. It was that unique part of him that told him he knew, but he didn't want to face it. He would have to, however, soon, so very soon.

~*~

James took her by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "It's the only way. Even Dumbledore offered to do it, but I can't let him. It has to be Sirius, Lily. It's the only way. The headmaster said it would be best and you know we can trust him if anyone in this world. He's the sanity in the darkness and I agree with him. We have to do this. Dumbledore said someone close to us has been passing information to Voldemort's side. I don't know who it is." She closed her eyes, letting the tears run down her cheeks.

He looked at the pain and the strain written across her face and sighed as he pulled her close to him. "I'm sorry, Lil, but - but I don't see an escape for this one." He pulled away again and looked at her steadily. "Just tell me you don't trust him and I swear that we won't do this. It's a decision for us both. If you don't trust him with your life like I do, then we can't go through with this."

"Oh stop it, James!" she cried. "He's Sirius for goodness sakes! What's there not to trust except when it comes to dung bombs and filibuster fireworks?" She forced a smile but it ended shaky and tearful. "Of course I trust him, he's like my brother!" He nodded. "But who's passing the information?"

James shook his head with a sorrowful sigh. "It could be anyone."

"You-you don't think it could be-it could be someone like-like our friends, could it?"

"I don't know. But should - should I go and - and ask him now?"

She gave him a look. "It's 1:43 in the morning, James."

He nodded, but got up anyway and got dressed. "He'll understand." With that, he gave her a quick kiss before apparating away.

James arrived at the Forester Mansion doorway. He rang the doorbell and waited. After a minute of waiting, he rang it again. Ten minutes later, a light came on in an upstairs room. The trail of lights came on until the one in the entrance room turned on. Sirius groggily opened the door. "Oh, hi, James. It would be wonderful to see you, except IT'S BLOODY TWO O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING!" he bellowed.

"Er - yeah, about that, sorry it's so early. I-I just had to talk to you," said James looking a bit guilty. "I could always come back - er - tonight...or - I mean, later today."

Sirius sighed and looked at his friend's serious expression. "Nah, come on in. But really, James, what the heck are you doing here this early in the morning?"

They went inside and sat in the living room. Sirius conjured two cups of tea. He gulped his down and conjured up another one after adding practically another cup of sugar to it. "I got a letter from Dumbledore about a week ago. He-he got some information and - and someone's close to us has been passing information to the Dark side. Voldemort's after Lily and me."

Sirius' eyes widened and he nearly spat out his tea. He started coughing from trying to swallow it down. James patted him on the back and soon, the other boy had regained his composure. "What?" he croaked.

"I don't know why, but, well, I have an idea why, but...I just don't know."

"Did you just want to talk?" asked Sirius. "I could help you find out why Voldemort's after you and Lily."

James shook his head. "I came here for something more serious than that."

The other young man's eyes widened. "What could be more serious?"

"Sirius, Dumbledore recommended the Fidelius Charm." He looked at James curiously. "It keeps secret those who are meant to be protected. Even if Voldemort is in front of Lily and I, he won't be able to see us because we'll be protected under this spell. It needs one person to be the Secret-Keeper. This person is very important because as long as they don't say a word, the people being kept as secrets cannot be harmed." James looked at him. "Dumbledore offered to be this person, but Sirius, Lily and I want you to be our Secret-Keeper. Will you?"

Sirius sat there, staring at him for a long moment. His heart pounded in his chest. It flattered him greatly that out of everyone in the world James and Lily chose him. The thought that scared him most was that his world was crumbling down around him and his friends were now in danger.

James, noticing the long silence, said, "You don't have to be, I don't want it to seem as if you have to. But Lily and I trust you with our lives. We know you'd die for us and we'd do the same for you. You're my best friend, Sirius, but you're more like a brother to me. I don't know anyone I would trust more than you to be our Secret-Keeper."

Tears came Sirius' eyes. "I'll be your Secret-Keeper, James. I won't let you down. I'll die before giving you and Lily away," he whispered.

He and his best friend embraced. "Thanks, Sirius, I'll never forget this. I owe you big time."

The other man shook his head. "We're friends, James. Friends do things for friends that no ordinary people would do." There was a short silence.

"Er - thanks a lot, Sirius. I-I think I should go now," said James standing up.

Sirius nodded and yawned. "See you tomorrow?"

James nodded and apparated home. Lily was sitting on the couch waiting for her husband to come home. When he appeared, she rushed to him. He hugged her tightly. "He said he'd do it, Lily, he said he'd be our Secret-Keeper."

She looked at him. "James, I've been thinking about this. You do know we're putting him in danger while he keeps us safe, don't you?"

James leaned his head on hers and closed his eyes tightly, his breaths coming out short and haggardly. Tears fell from under his lids and down his cheeks. "Yes, I know," he whispered.

~*~

Albus looked at Severus Snape who stood pacing in the headmaster's office. The poor man's eyes were pain filled and stress lines were upon his face. "He's angry, he wants the Potters," Snape said.

Albus nodded. "I know."

"And he's going to do anything possible to get at them, do you know that too?" asked Snape, who stopped pacing to look at the headmaster with a tense expression.

"Yes, the Dark Lord will go to drastic measures if he doesn't have them soon."

"Well, how are they going to be kept safe? There are so many people we cannot trust during these times. You and I both know that someone close to the Potters is passing information on their whereabouts to You-Know-Who." His voice had an ever so slight tremor and was low with exhaustion.

"They will be protected, you have my word, Severus," said Albus, a slight twinkle in his eyes.

"I don't care about that, Professor," he said gruffly. "It's that they're on my side now that I'm worrying myself gray..." His voice trailed off and he ran a hand through his black hair. "And they're having a child?"

The older man nodded. "Yes, it has been confirmed that it will be a boy."

"Wonderful," said Snape with distaste. "Another James Potter..." He sighed and took a seat. "When will it be over?"

Albus shook his head. "I don't know. But we must keep faith, hope and love shall see us through."

~*~

Sirius went back up to bed and but found that he couldn't sleep. With a sigh, he stood back up and walked to Hallie's room. She was sleeping peacefully, but there was a slight look of anxiety upon her face. He touched her cheek gently and she stirred. Sirius knelt down and looked at her for a moment.

What would life be like if he had to be on the run forever? Never seeing the people he loved...

He was going to have two people's lives in his hands soon. No, not two lives, but three, Lily and James were going to have a son.

He shook his head. Their lives were all drastically changing and the world seemed to be in a Dark Age. He buried his head in his hands and sat on the floor. The moonlight streamed in through the panes of the window and he thought about Remus.

James had told him someone close to them was passing information to Voldemort. Could it be Remus? He nearly laughed out loud at the thought. No, not Remus who would never harm a fly. Not the Remus who felt all alone in the world and out of place. Not the Remus Lupin who was always by his side and the level headed one of the group.

But just below the surface in his mind, there was a shred of doubt. "Stop it, Sirius," he muttered to himself. "You're going against one of your best friends, just stop it."

"Sirius?" he heard a voice say into the night. He looked up and Hallie was slowly sitting up. "Is that you?" Her voice was tired yet curious.

Sirius sat up and forced a smile. Hallie looked at him and his tears reflecting in the serene moonlight's glow. "Yeah, it's me," he said. She took her wand from the bedside table and turned on a light. He looked away.

She crawled over to the side of the bed and took his hand. "Sirius, tell me what's wrong."

"Hallie, I can't," he whispered. This phrase jogged his memory to a long time ago and he immediately looked up. He was relieved yet surprised to see she was smiling at him. She patted the space beside her. He stood up and lied down next to her. "Why aren't you pursuing the matter?" he asked after a short while.

"Well, I was thinking about that last time this happened and I was feeling guilty." He looked at her but she laughed. "And...well, I was thinking that you don't have to tell me anything unless you want to. I mean, I should trust you, right? And-and I do." She sighed and moved next to him.

He smiled and ran his fingers through her hair. "Thanks, Hallie," he whispered. She smiled and closed her eyes. He held her near and soon she fell asleep.

He smiled at the aspect that she trusted him so much and wanted things to work out, but still, his heart wrenched. He knew he couldn't tell her the secret, it wasn't his to give... But I wish I could tell you, how I wish I could.

~*~

Snape swallowed and sighed deeply as he closed his eyes. He then disapparated. "Took you quite a while, didn't it, Severus?" said Voldemort.

Snape bowed. "I didn't mean to dishonor you, master."

"Stand." The younger man did as was told. He noticed the angry fire in the Dark Lord's eyes. "You shall be late no longer to my calling. Understood?"

Snape bowed again. "Never again," he muttered.

Voldemort's eyes narrowed. "And I must teach you," he said. He pointed his wand at his servant and yelled, "Crucio!"

~*~

Sirius opened his eyes at the sound of the doorbell. He looked around. He wasn't in his room. And then the events of the previous night fluttered into his mind. A clock was hanging on the wall opposite the bed and read 7:03. He sighed. The doorbell rang once more.

He looked beside him at Hallie. Her arm was draped lightly over his chest and his over her waist. He smiled. Slowly, he got up as to not wake her and crept down the steps.

Hallie saw Sirius get up and sighed, lying back down. She looked up at the ceiling drowsily.

Sirius opened the door and his eyes widened when he saw who it was. "Snape?" he asked in incredulity.

The other man said, "I-I couldn't-couldn't make it to-to," but he swallowed and his eyes seemed to become less focused. He steadied himself by leaning against the doorway. "Couldn't make it to Dumbledore," he whispered. And then his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.

Sirius stared at him in horror. He nudged the unconscious Snape with his toe. "Snape? Snape, wake up," he said.

"Sirius..." said a voice from the steps. He turned around and saw Hallie coming down. "Who is it?"

He looked at the man on the floor of the doorway. "It's Snape." She hurried down and saw him there. Hurriedly, she started to take her wand from her robe but Sirius held her back. "He turned, remember?"

Hallie glared at him. "I don't care. He's on our side now, Dumbledore said so." She levitated the fallen figure to the couch and rushed to the kitchen to get a wet cloth to put on Snape's head.

Sirius watched her with his arms folded across his chest. "I don't trust him, Hallie," he said.

She stopped in her tracks to look at him squarely. "But you trust me, don't you?"

His eyes widened slightly. "Well, of course I do, but-," she cut him off.

"Then there's nothing more to say, I trust him and you trust me so somehow, you trust him too," she said.

Sirius' eyebrows knit together in confusion. "I don't get it," he said.

She laughed and walked over. After giving him a big hug, she kissed his cheek. "Never mind. Just watch after him for a while so I can cook up breakfast."

He gave her a look. "The heated kind? Or the cooked kind?" he asked.

She laughed again. "Don't worry, it's the heated kind."

Sirius sat in the armchair looking at Snape. The hateful expression was off the other man's face, but was replaced with lines of pain and stress. Sirius sighed and leaned back in his chair. Snape's clothes were in rags and torn. Where they were torn, deep scratches and bruises could be seen. He was sporting a black eye and a cut lip with a scratch just above his eyebrow.

And then Snape stirred and let out a soft groan of pain. "Hallie!" Sirius called. "He's moving! What do I do!"

There was a laugh from the kitchen. "Don't say a word and hide."

Sirius laughed, but then shut himself up. "You're kidding right?"

Hallie walked out. "No," she said with a smile. "He might think you're on a mission to kill him or something."

The young man looked at her with a raised brow. "What would give you that idea?" She gave him a look and he grinned sheepishly. "Er - right, um...I'm going to be upstairs getting dressed. Try not to miss me too much," he said, flashing her a charming grin. She laughed. He came over and hugged her tightly, giving her kiss. She smiled as she watched him go up the steps. She then looked to Snape on the couch.

"Er - you awake?" she asked softly.

"Maybe," he grumbled.

She laughed inwardly and set down a bowl of hot soup on the table next to the couch. "What're you doing here, Severus?"

He opened his eyes and looked at her. "I didn't want to come here," he said. "But I couldn't reach Dumbledore's quick enough. I-well, this was the place nearest that I felt I could reach before collapsing."

Now she did laugh. "And you were right." He sighed and closed his eyes. "What happened to you?"

"I can't tell you," he said.

Sounds familiar, Hallie thought to herself.

"If you say so."

He suddenly sat up. "Oh, god, I have to get to Dumbledore. Do you have floo powder?" he asked quickly. She nodded and pointed to the fireplace in puzzlement. He stood but fell back onto the couch. She helped him to the fireplace and he left.

She sat on the armchair looking at the fire. "That was strange."

~*~

"Dumbledore," gasped Snape, steadying himself by putting a hand on the desk.

Albus immediately got up and helped him to a chair. "Severus, what is it? What has happened?"

"You-Know-Who...he's-he's on a rage. He's going to start a mass killing of muggles and half bloods," he croaked.

Dumbledore's eyes widened and he immediately said the spell to see the Minister of Magic. "We've got news," he said.

~*~

Sirius came back down and saw Hallie asleep on the armchair. He grinned and walked down. It was then that he saw the hot bowl of noodle soup. His stomach growled and he almost laughed at himself.

Halfway through his meal when Hallie said, "I made that for Severus."

Sirius nearly choked and he spat out the mouthful of soup he had spooned into his mouth. "Oh my god, did I just-did I just eat soup that SNAPE ate?" His eyes were wide and soup dripped down his chin.

She laughed. "No, he didn't touch it."

He blinked at her for a moment before shrugging. "Okay then." And he began to eat once more. She laughed and rested her head on the back of the armchair.

James, Lily, Remus, and Peter came in a while later for lunch. It was a Saturday and they still wished to go on with their traditional picnic lunches.

Off they went to the park under the shady tree. Hallie helped Peter get everything ready while Remus and Lily flew around on brooms, passing a quaffle back and fourth.

James and Sirius walked around. "Sirius, about - about the um - the," but Sirius cut him off.

"Yeah, I know."

"You don't have to. I was thinking about everything that I'm getting you into...Sirius, you're going to be in danger. Voldemort will be going after you," said James quietly.

"I know," said Sirius in the same quiet voice. James looked at him. "I was thinking about it too, as you told me about it. I thought everything through before I said yes, James. I wouldn't say yes to back out at the last minute, it isn't me." He forced a grin. His friend smiled.

"Thanks, Sirius, this means a lot to me." Sirius nodded and looked back at his other friends. Hallie laughed when Peter accidentally used a wrong spell and the picnic basket flew ten feet into the air. Lily swooped down and caught it before it fell again and passed it to Remus who just barely caught it. He grinned and said something that made the others laugh.

"So...how's Lily coming along?" Sirius asked after a short while.

James grinned. "She's been tired lately. The baby's definitely going to be a boy though!"

Sirius smiled. "That's great!" James nodded. "Have you thought of a name?"

The other man laughed. "As much as we like the name Sirius, we decided on the name Harry."

"Okay. But why Harry?"

James closed his eyes tightly. The tears of dread and fright came once again as his breaths came out slowly and ruggedly. "Premonition," he whispered.