Into the Hands of Fate

Chapter Sixteen

A month passed by and the world was now in chaos. Voldemort and his Death Eaters were killing Muggles and half bloods alike in mass numbers.

Dumbledore sent an urgent owl telling James and Lily that it was now or never. They agreed and had Sirius come over that night.

"We have to perform the spell," said James. Sirius nodded looking very tense and nervous.

They stood in a circle on the hearth of the fireplace, all holding hands. James detached himself from the group to sprinkle the designated ashes around them and in the middle. He lit the ivory candles around the room and then held the hands of his friends again.

"What happens now?" asked Lily.

James took a deep breath. "Sirius has to make his vow."

Sirius looked up at both of them and a slow smile came to his face. "How bad can this be?" he asked. The other two didn't smile back but looked very nervous. He closed his eyes. "James, Lily, and Harry, I love you," he whispered. "I swear to die for you."

And then the ashes erupted into scorching white flames. Sirius became rigid, his eyes tightly shut. He ground his teeth together. It felt as if a fire was coursing through his veins and his heart pounded with excruciating pain.

James felt his hand being squeezed and looked at Sirius in fright. "Sirius!" he yelled. Lily looked stricken as she stared at Sirius.

The young man was glowing with a brilliant ivory aura and the ashes in the middle suddenly erupted. The ball of flame that was the pile of ashes in the middle rose above them and started to sprinkle down.

Each drop sent a cooling sensation on Sirius who felt as if he were burning alive.

And then the flames encircling the three people rose around them. The flaming feeling in him burned hotter and he yelled out in pain.

"Sirius!" yelled James again. His friend's aura of light was getting brighter and he had to shut his eyes for it was blinding.

And then it was over.

Sirius almost fell over and Lily and James supported him. They led the young man towards the couch where he collapsed on. Lily felt his forehead and he was burning hot.

"James," she whispered in worry.

But James was looking around the room. The candles and the ashes were gone. Only tiny specks of light were left. It was as if they were in the sky, in the midst of all the stars of space.

"He did it," James whispered. "We're safe."

~*~

Sirius groaned and sat up. He expected to feel horrible after last night's ordeal, but he was amazed to feel in perfect health. Nothing seemed to be different about him except that he felt as if he was now carrying a weight.

In a way, he was.

He carried the lives of three people in his hands. He was now their only hope; he was their protector.

Lily and James were asleep on the other couch, next to each other.

He sighed. It wasn't fair that these two people had to go into hiding. They were the nicest people he knew. Never would they hurt a soul, but because of Voldemort, they had to hide.

Would they still be able to see their friends?

Albus Dumbledore said that it takes a while for the spell to start working and they made sure they would have six months to prepare for their hiding. James and Lily both wanted Harry to be born under normal conditions. They wanted their friends to see their baby boy.

Tears came to his eyes as he looked at his best friends. They had just gotten married a year and a half ago. Now they were expecting a baby boy.

Harry.

Poor Harry to be born under the dreadful conditions of the world today. Poor Harry who had to live in these awful times.

It seemed to Sirius that the world had gone awry. How could hate suddenly grow so quickly?

Inside he knew that it had not grown fast, but had built up over the years. All those who had hate in their hearts helped make the world come to this horrible turmoil.

Sirius shook his head and lied back down.

He was going to have to keep himself safe now. But what about Hallie? Would he be able to see much of her? He smiled, yes, he would. He would make sure of it. She was good enough to trust him, and so he could be that good and trust her as well.

But was there someone else he couldn't trust?

Peter Pettigrew. Little Peter who was clumsy but a good friend. The little Peter Pettigrew who always made compassion arise in the hearts of his friends.

Sirius shook his head. Peter was someone he didn't have to worry about. The man was someone who could be trusted. He was, after all, a Marauder, was he not?

And James...James was someone he didn't even have to think about. James was one of those special people in the world that come once in a lifetime. He was the best friend that anyone could have and was always there for you. A single smile from him could make a room glow and push away all the darkness. To Sirius, it was a wonder that one of the special smiles didn't fix the world. James would always be the model Marauder.

Sirius' mind then went to Remus Lupin. Remus...Sirius smiled. He remembered the first time he had met the man.

The poor guy looked awfully tired and pale. He looked as if he didn't expect anyone to speak to him or even acknowledge his presence at school. Many of whom he had met before that knew what he really was turned away from him because of the difference.

Well, it's their loss, thought Sirius with no pity for those people. They would never get to have the great friend that Remus was. Always by their side, always sticking up for them...that was the Remus that was like a brother to Sirius. He was always going to be a true Marauder.

That's what Sirius Black, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and Remus Lupin were, deep in their hearts. Marauders. They were Marauders for life. Friends forever. Always.

Sirius fell asleep again, with a content smile on his face. His happy thoughts replaced all the anxiety that lingered in the back of his mind.

~*~

"Sirius?" she whispered. But he wasn't there. Quietly, she crept down the steps and heard what had woken her up. It was the doorbell. The clock in the living room told her it was close to midnight. She opened the door and smiled.

"Er - hello. Did I wake you?" Remus asked.

She grinned. "No, it's only about midnight..."

He laughed. "Well, is-is Sirius here?" he wondered suddenly.

Hallie looked at him sharply. "Actually, no, he's not." Remus looked as if he knew that would be the answer. "Why?"

He shrugged but said, "I can't find Peter either and I was getting worried about him so I came to find Sirius. Maybe they're at Lily and James'."

Hallie nodded and suddenly noticed he was still outside. Her eyes widened and she blushed in humiliation. "I am so sorry, do you want to come in?"

He chuckled. "No, that's all right. I should be going. Go get some sleep, okay, Hal? You look a bit pale." And then he apparated away.

She sighed and closed the door.

Where could Sirius be? And where was Peter?

~*~

Snape heard the door open. "Hello, Severus," said Albus in greeting.

The man didn't turn around or acknowledge the latter's presence. "I don't know why I'm doing what I am anymore," he said quietly, his voice harsh. "It seems as if there's no point in it."

Albus conjured up a chair and sat next to Severus who was gazing out the window. "There is yet hope. A friend of mine has the Inner Eye. They say that it will end soon."

Snape looked at him. The man was still young yet bore the look of a man the age of Dumbledore himself. "You say that all the time! We must have hope! We must have faith in Fate! There's no use, Albus! There's no use in it all!" He buried his head in his hands and closed his eyes tightly. "The world is coming to an end," he said in a quieter tone.

The headmaster placed his hand on the other's shoulder. "'Tis not, Severus. You must have hope. A hero may come along at any moment."

"Hero," laughed Snape without mirth. "What hero could possible emerge during these times? What imbecile would be stupid enough as to show his face before the Dark Lord?"

"There is always a light at the end of the tunnel," said Dumbledore with a small smile.

Snape looked up at him with a skeptical expression. "Must you always be so positive? Have you ever once tried to be pessimistic?"

Albus looked at him in humor. "But what would the joy of life be if I always looked down on it from above the mountain?" Severus cracked a grin. Though filled with remorse, it was still a grin that lit his face. Albus smiled back. "I do sound rather...happy, do I not?"

Snape shook his head, the smile not leaving his face. "You do, Albus, but don't change. The world needs you as you are."

~*~

Lily set the plates on the table with trembling hands. James came down the steps rubbing his hair down with a towel to dry. He stood at the foot of the steps, watching her. After the plates and silverware were set, she sat down on a chair and put her head in her hands. Her flaming red hair formed a curtain around her face keeping it from view.

James closed his eyes and sighed softly. Lily quickly looked up and put a forced smile upon her face. It didn't light up as it usually did, but still put on a dim glow.

"Oh! Hello, James," she said. She began set the glasses upon the table. "I'm just getting ready a bit early."

He slowly walked over to her and put his arms around her in comfort. She dropped the glass she was holding. "Oh! Damn it!" she exclaimed and bent down to pick it up. It was the first time he had ever heard her curse and it alarmed him greatly. He suddenly noticed that drops of liquid were falling upon the floor where she was looking down.

"Lily," he said kneeling down to help her up. "Lily, it's all right, leave it, I'll fix it." She looked at him with a tear-stained face and his heart wrenched inside him. "Oh, Lil, I'm so sorry," he whispered. She stood up and he pulled her near.

"It isn't you," she said with a soft laugh that came out with a slight tremor. "It's never you. It's just," she shook her head and made an aggravated sound. "I don't know...but - oh, James - why is all this happening?"

He kissed her forehead gently and leaned his head lightly on hers. "It's my fault," he mumbled with tears coming to his eyes. "It's all my fault. And - and I hate it. You're involved now and I wish-" his voice cracked, "I just wish that I could get you out of it - or I could run away or something."

She abruptly pulled away. "No!" she said. "No! It's fine if I'm with you. I don't care. I don't care anymore. And it's no more your fault than mine!"

"Lily, you don't understand," he said in a patient voice.

She frowned. "I understand all I need to. I know what you're thinking and why you're blaming yourself, but it isn't your fault. Stupid Voldemort for trying to get you. I'm proud of you for refusing to help him or-or to do anything for him. But just stop blaming yourself. I wanted to come into this with you. I wouldn't have been with you without knowing everything, James." She looked at him gravely. "I know you, and I still chose you, so stop putting all this weight on yourself."

He swallowed a sob and hugged her tightly. "Thanks, Lily, thank you so much," he whispered with a trembling voice. She shook her head and held him close.

A while later...

"James," she said softly.

"Hmm?"

"Go dry your hair. They're coming in two minutes."

He jumped away and ran up the steps. She watched after him with a grin. Suddenly, she heard footsteps running back down. He hugged her tightly once more and then took out his wand to fix the glass. After giving her a quick kiss, he apparated up the steps.

"James!" she called up the steps.

"What?" he yelled back.

"Don't do that anymore! The disapparating thing when right in front of me! It's weird!"

There was a laugh from upstairs. "All right, sorry!"

She grinned and went over to the door which she heard ring. "Hi, Remus!" she exclaimed.

They hugged. "Hello, Lily." He looked around and smiled. "I really like what you've done to the place."

She looked around and smiled back. "Thank you!"

A short moment later, Peter came. It was thirty minutes after the time they were all supposed to meet at James and Lily's house, but still, Hallie and Sirius hadn't arrived yet.

"Where could they be?" asked James with concern dripping in his voice.

The others were just as puzzled as he was.

~*~

"Come on, Sirius! We're going to be late!" yelled Hallie up the steps. And then suddenly, he was right in front of her. He picked her up and swung her around and the placed her on her own two feet once again.

She swayed on the spot and he caught her with a laugh. "You okay?"

"Don't - ever - do - that - again," she said quietly, looking dizzy. He kissed her forehead.

"So sorry, Hal," he said. "Anyway, it's ironic, you're the one who's calling me down today. It's usually you who's late."

She grinned. "Come on, we have to stop by Zonko's."

"Why?" he asked.

"I'm going to get some filibuster fireworks." He looked at her in question. "Everyone seems so down lately, I was thinking that some fireworks couldn't hurt."

He laughed. "How old are you again?"

She rolled her eyes. "I would have used your stash, but I saw you run away to hide them when you thought I was taking a nap."

His eyes widened. "You didn't see where I hid them did you?"

She rolled her eyes again. "No, you git, otherwise I would have taken them and we wouldn't have to stop by at Zonko's! Now come on or we're going to be late."

"Never mind," he muttered. "We are going to be late on your account."

~*~

They stepped out of the joke shop, both with armfuls of fireworks. The man hiding in the brush grinned. He saw Sirius lean over and say something to Hallie in a low tone. She burst into laughter and the other looked at her with a smile.

"If I had a free hand, I'd hit you," she told him. They drew near.

"I have no doubt you would," he retorted with a laugh.

Requillo jumped out. Hallie screamed and the fireworks she held flew into the air and rained down on them. She didn't care about getting hit by the fireworks. With a broad smile, she jumped up to give her dad a big hug.

Sirius gave her a look. "Smooth, Hal," he said. He looked at Requillo with a grin. "It's good to see you again."

Requillo had one arm around Hallie and held out the other one to Sirius. "You too." They shook hands.

"Dad," said Hallie after a while. "I don't appreciate your leaving the way you did." She now had her hands on hips as she looked at him.

He averted his eyes. "Yeah, about that, Hallie...I'm sorry. I just-I had to," he started but she grinned and waved her hand for him to cease.

"I'm just kidding. I understand." She hugged him again and he smiled to himself. Sirius watched with a small smile.

Suddenly, there was an explosion from a bit of a distance away. They saw flames erupt and screams pierced the night.

~*~

And once again Snape was in his office. "They've spotted him!" he gasped out.

"Who?" Dumbledore wondered, urgency deep within his voice.

"Requillo. I'm sorry, Albus, but I must go back now, I'm supposed to be there!" Snape then disapparated.

~*~

They saw the flock of cloaked figures on brooms fly towards them. Dawning arose in Requillo and he immediately turned to Sirius and Hallie. "You both must go!" he yelled to make his voice heard over the screams.

Sirius looked confused. "What? Why?" And then it was as if the light bulb suddenly turned on. "Is that - are they - ?"

Requillo nodded. Hallie looked at both of them. "What are you talking about? Why? This is the first time I've seen you in - like - forever!"

"Hallie, you have to! Go! Now!" She shook her head stubbornly and Requillo sighed, turning to Sirius. "Please take her away," he said softly.

Sirius looked anxiously at the mob of Death Eaters coming closer at every second, then to the two people in front of her. He took Hallie's hand in his. "Come on, Hal, we have to go," he whispered.

She looked at him in disbelief and took her hand out of his grasp. Now they could hear the yells of the people around them at the advancing horde. She put her arms around her father's neck and clasped them tightly together. "I'm not leaving you," she said resolutely.

Requillo closed his eyes but the tears still came. "Hallie," he said. His voice cracked. "Hallie, please." She pulled away slightly to look at him. He looked down at her pleadingly. "Please, Hallie," he said again.

She looked at Sirius who nodded. "All right," she said quietly.

But it was too late; the Death Eaters were there. One, in particular came forward. He pulled the hood back from his face. "Ah, Requillo, it's so good to see you again," said Voldemort as if commenting on the weather. "And I see you have a couple of your friends here with you." He flew low and examined them carefully. "Yes, yes," he said, looking at Hallie. He put his fingers beneath her chin so he could look at her clearly.

"Don't touch her!" yelled Sirius with a glare. He jumped foreword, but one of the Death Eaters muttered a curse and he was propelled backwards against the wall of Zonko's.

"Sirius!" she yelled. He groaned and sat up. Another Death Eater immediately went over and held his arms behind his back.

"Don't say a word," the Death Eater whispered.

"Yes, Severus, do not let him interfere," said Voldemort.

Sirius' eyes widened. "You traitor! You piece of filth! After all Dumbledore-," but Snape punched him at the side of his head. Sirius fought wildly to get out of the other man's grasp, but he was weak from getting knocked against the wall.

Requillo thought wildly, though he was glaring at Voldemort with all the venom of hatred he had deep within his heart. "Let them go, Voldemort," he said in a deathly calm voice. "You don't want them."

The other man seemed to think about this. "No, I do think that I want them as well. Severus, bring the young man here."

"Don't struggle, it will be easier for you, and listen to my instructions," said Snape. His voice carried the hate he had for Sirius, but urgency.

"Why should I listen to you?" asked Sirius, trying to hold back.

"Because I'm trying to help you! Now, when we get there, you take Hallie and get out of this place."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Sure, and how am I supposed to do that? I know Voldemort gave you the spell for stopping people from disapparating."

"Get it through your thick skull, Black, I'm bloody trying to help you! When I get there, you have to pretend to kick me. Mind you, I said pretend to kick me. And then you grab hold of Hallie and disapparate away. Do you understand?"

"What about Requillo?"

"He will escape, worry not about him. It's you and her that I fear for. You-Know-Who will use you as pons for Requillo's torture if you stay. Now do as I tell you, all right?"

Sirius swallowed and said a soft, "Yes."

They were before the Dark Lord by this time. "Very good. Now, what's your name, boy?" asked Voldemort.

"Why should I tell you?" asked Sirius back.

"Ah, I remember you. You're the son of that Mudblood woman and her fool of a wizard husband."

A wire snapped and Sirius lashed out. Voldemort hit him across the face. Blood trickled down a gouge just above his eyebrow. Hallie saw something-silver glow on Voldemort's knuckles.

"Get a hold of yourself," Snape whispered fiercely.

Sirius suddenly broke out of his grasp and punched him in the stomach. He grabbed hold of Hallie's arm and disapparated.

~*~

James looked at the clock in anxiety when suddenly the doorbell rang. The others looked up as he rushed to it. There stood Sirius holding Hallie's arm. She was trying to pull away. Sirius looked up at James. He took hold of Hallie's waist and pushed her into James. "Hold her otherwise she's going to go face Voldemort," he said, and then disapparated.

At James' shock, she saw her chance to run off and pulled away but he grabbed her again and put a body-binding curse on her. She glared at him. "Sorry, Hal, but I can't let you go after Voldemort."

Lily glared at James. "Well don't bind her like that!" She knelt down. "If you promise not to go after the Dark Lord, then I'll take the bind of you. Agreed?" Hallie gave her a look. "Oh-er-right. Um...blink twice if no and once if yes. And don't lie."

Hallie blinked once.

"Ok." And she undid the curse. Hallie sat up.

"I don't appreciate you cursing me, James," she said quietly, scowling at him.

He looked at her innocently. "I couldn't think of anything else to do!"

She stood up muttering, "periwinkle pillow."

~*~

Sirius apparated back to the spot Requillo was in last. Though he did, he made sure he was some distance away.

He looked around, but the group of Death Eaters and Requillo was gone.

Suddenly, someone grabbed him from behind. He almost muttered a shout, but a hand slid over his mouth.

"Don't - say - a word," they whispered fiercely.

Sirius nodded and turned around once he was free to do so. Snape was looking around warily. "They took him to Slytherin Castle. I knew you'd come back after making sure Hallie was safe. But you cannot go after him."

"What?" yelled Sirius.

"You can't go after him until I get back to you. If you go now, you'll be caught. Voldemort knows someone will be after Requillo. You must wait. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Understand?" Sirius eyed him cautiously. "You must trust me," Snape said in an urgent voice.

"All right, but you have to keep me informed."

Snape nodded and then disapparated.

~*~

James looked around. Remus was sitting on the couch looking out the window. Hallie was sitting in the armchair facing the fire. He held Lily close as the sat on the other couch while Peter paced.

And then the doorbell rang. James jumped up and raced to it. His eyes closed in relief and when he opened it, Sirius gave him a look. "Thanks for inviting me in."

"Oh, right, sorry." He stepped a bit to the side and closed the door after his friend. Hallie raced toward him and he opened his arms to her. She buried her head into his shoulder and he ran his fingers through her hair.

"They have Requillo in Slytherin Castle. We can't go after him yet because they know we will. Snape will keep me informed of how he's doing."

"Snape?" asked Remus in incredulity.

Sirius grinned. "Ironic isn't it?"

They sat around the table to eat dinner, but none of them were very hungry.

~*~

Requillo sat in his cell, against the wall, his eyes filled with torture restrained within him. His wand, where was his wand? Oh yes, they had taken it. He almost laughed. Of course they had. They never play it fair.

He knew not how long he sat there, in the darkness of his cell, but suddenly, a voice spoke up. "You will not last long." The voice was soft and raspy as if it had not been in use very long.

Requillo jumped and pushed himself against the wall to try and stand, but found he couldn't.

"No, no, do not move. You will just pain yourself all the more."

He tried to squint to peer into the darkness, but found that one of his eyes pained him.

Figures.

"Who -" but his voice didn't seem to be working. He cleared his throat and tried it again. "Who are you?" he all but whispered.

There seemed to be a sigh. "I am another, caught and tortured by he whom you used to call master."

Requillo felt a flush of anger burn in his eyes and his heart get pierced with millions of swords. "He is not my master!" he growled.

The other laughed once more. "Of course not, of course not. But you will, however, tell me your tale?"

Requillo, ignoring the pains of his eyes and body, tried once more to stand, but the latter came and forced him down. He was surprised at the gentleness of the person's pressure.

"Who are you?" he wondered once more.

Though in the darkness, his heart told him the other was smiling.

He heard the rustle of clothing and knew the person had brandished their wand. All of a sudden, a light flashed and he raised his hands to cover the light from his eyes.

When the stars had disappeared, he slowly opened them and nearly fainted with shock.

"Sweet Jesus," he whispered. "Jonathan? Jonathan Greggors?"

The other man smiled. "It's good to see you again, Requillo."

~*~