Into the Hands of Fate

Chapter Twenty

He took a sip of his butterbeer, gazing at nothing in particular for he was deep in thought.

"Did it work?" said a voice from a seemingly distance. It was concerned filled and anxious. Remus looked up and blinked at the redheaded little boy before him. "Mr. Lupin?"

The elder man shook his head to focus and said, "What? Sorry, I wasn't listening."

Bill smiled, but it was a bit eager. "The counter curse, did it work? For your friend - I mean - the one with the tracking curse? Did the counter curse work?"

Remus smiled. "I didn't need to use it. She was fine when I got there."

Bill grinned broadly again and sighed in relief. "Good."

"What're you doing here, by the way? Aren't you supposed to be in school?" asked Remus.

"Yes, but mum and dad are here to take me home for the holidays today. We're going to stay here for one night before flying to Gram's house."

Remus nodded. "Wait, your parents are here?" Bill giggled and pointed to the counter where a very redheaded man sat beside his wife, talking happily. Remus smiled and stood, motioning for Bill to follow. "Excuse me," said he in a low voice, pounding his hand down on Arthur's shoulder. The man jumped about ten feet in the air with a loud holler that drew the attention of many in the small pub. "Hello, Arthur, how are you, Molly?"

The woman laughed and swatted at the younger man. "Remus Lupin! I should have known!"

Arthur put a hand to his heart. "My goodness, you gave me quite a fright there!"

Remus shrugged and smiled smugly. "I know."

"Remus!" called a voice from the doorway. Hallie came rushing over and Sirius was right behind her.

She jumped at her friend who received her with a laugh and open arms. "Hey, Hal, are you doing all right?"

She swayed slightly on her spot and Sirius steadied her, looking at Remus with a small smile. It was different from his open, innocent yet mischievous grin. Now, it was more reserved.

"I'm just fine," said Hallie, smiling at him. "How about you, are you okay?" Her voice had taken a dive to a tone of concern at his pallor.

"Mm, I'm all right, just a bit off. I'm guessing the cold weather, don't worry about me though."

"Excuse me please," said a small voice. Hallie looked down at the small boy trying to squeeze through to his mother.

"Oh! I'm sorry!"

Bill smiled and jumped up to sit on Arthur's lap. "Hey, Hallie, Sirius. How are you two?"

Molly's eyes were wide and she grabbed Hallie's left hand. "You're engaged! With whom?"

Hallie laughed and Sirius pouted. Arthur said, "Molly, you know very well who she's getting married to!"

Molly smiled and shared a look with Arthur that Remus had to laugh at. Hallie and Sirius looked at each other.

"I don't understand," said Hallie, frowning. Even Bill giggled at her expression.

"Just smile and nod," whispered Sirius in her ear. She laughed.

Remus leaned over to Bill. "She's the one you'd have saved if we got the chance," he said quietly. The young boy looked at her and noticed how sick she looked. It could only be noticed if he looked carefully enough.

Hallie felt eyes on her and looked at Bill who smiled. She smiled back. "Hello, what's your name?"

"Bill Weasley," he said softly.

She looked up at Sirius. "He's adorable!" she whispered and then looked at the little boy. Sirius laughed inwardly. "I'm Hallie. How old are you Bill Weasley?"

He smiled again and looked to his dad who smiled back at him. "Twelve."

The rest of the night was a calm one, but Sirius couldn't help but feel that something was out of place.

~*~

Dressed in a black cloak striped with silver, a Muggle tie-dye shirt, and bright baggy red pants, the little boy ran around the house waving his wand about, sending sparks everywhere. Another little boy suddenly raced out of his room and knocked right into the other. "Joey!" he yelled.

"Billy!" yelled the other, reaching for his wand again.

"Stop it!" the boy shouted. Joey laughed and waved his wand in front of Billy's face. "Mum!" Billy exclaimed.

A young woman came running up the steps. "What is it? What's wrong?" She looked at her sons in concern. Joey jumped up and hugged her.

"I love you, mummy," he said.

She blinked at him and then smiled. "I love you too, Joey."

Billy pushed himself up and joined the big hug. "Me too!"

The woman laughed and messed their hair. "I love you too, Billy. Now play nice, I have to get your Uncle to help me with dinner."

Joey's grin broadened. "Tell him to bring the dungbombs, mum!" She rolled her eyes.

"I swear, you get more and more like your father ever minute." She immediately regretted her words.

"What was his name again?"

She nearly broke into tears at his question. "His name is..."

End of Dream.

Hallie sat up and looked around. "What was that?"

Sirius turned over and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Hal? That you?"

"Yeah," she said softly.

He took her hand in his. "Are you all right?" She nodded and he kissed her forehead. "Go back to sleep, you need rest." She looked at him for a minute before snuggling up beside him. "Goodnight," he whispered, putting his arm around her comfortingly.

"Goodnight," she said back to him.

But she didn't sleep for quite some time.

"What was his name again?"

"His name is..."

And then she fell asleep once more.

~*~

"Please! Please, let me stay here, please," she whispered, crying softly. He held her tighter, wishing that he could stay like this forever.

"I wish you could, sweetheart, but you can't."

She pulled away to look at him with a tear stained face full of pain. "Please, please, let me stay here with you. I just want to be here with you. I don't want to leave you."

And he saw behind her, the looming figures, and closed his eyes tightly. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"No! Sirius, Sirius please!" she cried as they dragged her away. "I don't want to leave you! I want to stay here! With you!"

Her cries became softer and softer as the hooded figures took their effect on her. Another man came over and hugged her, supporting her. He took one last agonized look at the man in the cell and then turned away, looking hurt and betrayed.

The man in the cell watched them go. "I wish you could be here...I wish you could...I'm so sorry..." He curled up into a ball and cried. He cried for everything, for everything in the world...all the loss and pain...he cried for it all. "I'm so sorry..."

End of Dream.

This time it was Sirius sat up sweating. His breaths came out shallow and his eyes were unfocused. He closed his eyes and swallowed.

Caring arms came around him and he hugged Hallie back. "It's all right, Sirius, it was just a dream."

He nodded, but he had a strange idea that it was not.

~*~

James woke up and looked around. "What was that?" He had dreamed of two young boys, Joey and Billy, and Sirius in the cell. He took a few deep breaths and stood.

Quietly, he made his way into Harry's room. He touched the forehead of his baby boy with a small smile.

Suddenly, a flaming pain shot up his arm and throughout him. Harry screamed in agony. Lily rushed in, her eyes wide to see her husband and son glowing with a bright green light. It shocked her to see that upon Harry's forehead, a scar the shape of lightning began to appear.

And just as quickly as it began, it ended.

James withdrew his hand and steadied himself against the wall. Harry closed his eyes and soon fell asleep as if nothing unordinary happened and the lightning bolt-shaped scar disappeared. Lily came over and looked at James.

"What happened?" James opened his eyes and she saw a fire burning there. He glared suddenly and pushed off the wall and walked out of the room. After staring after him for a moment, she followed. "James, where are you going?"

But like she knew, he went to the living room to scowl at the fire. He always did this when he needed to think, or to vent.

She took a seat on the couch near him.

"I don't understand," he said suddenly. It was more as if he was speaking to himself than to Lily, and she kept quiet. "I know it's going to happen, but not when." He shook his head as if pushing this aside. "All right. I know it's going to happen, but after...why am I getting these about afterwards? It doesn't matter!" He leaned back in his chair and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't understand..." he said again.

He suddenly looked around and up to the ceiling. A light streamed through the wall above and he closed his eyes.

"You will know...you will know..." came a heavenly voice.

And then it seemed as if she soared down from heaven to land before James. His eyes never opened, but he smiled.

"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."

"Fate," he said softly. She spread her wings wide and her soft yet brilliant light seemed to fill the whole room.

And then she was gone.

Lily opened her eyes and immediately noticed the emptiness of the room.

James was looking into the fire again, a more serious expression on his face than before, if it was possible.

Finally, he shook his head and walked over to where Lily lay asleep. He carefully picked her up and returned to the bedroom where he lied awake.

~*~

"Something isn't right," he said, putting on his cloak. She followed him down the steps, holding up the folds of her dress.

"Sirius, you can't go! We're going to be late for the ball!" Hallie told him.

He turned around to look at her as he straightened his dress robes. "They won't mind. It's you after all."

She came around so that she blocked him from the door and put her hands on her hips. "You can't go, I bet he's just fine. This ball's important to me, you know that, and you know why, yet you still insist on leaving me?"

He closed his eyes and put his hands on her shoulders gently. When he opened them, he looked at her squarely. "Yes, and I'm sorry."

She looked at him for a moment before looking down. "All right then. I won't go either. I'll wait for you here until you come back." She gave him a look. "And you had better come back."

He would have laughed at her last comment, but the beginning part of it hit him first. "You-you're not going?" She shook her head. "But-but you have to! It - this dinner's for you! This whole ball's for you!"

She shrugged. "It'll mean nothing unless you're there with me," she said simply.

He looked at her with wide eyes. "Hallie, you are going to that ball."

She shook her head. "No I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"No I'm not."

"You have to!"

"Well I'm not."

"Are you joking?"

"Nope."

He scowled. "You're trying to make me feel guilty."

She walked up to him and looked at him evenly with a serene smile. "Honey, don't glare like that, it's not at all appealing." He stopped scowling to look at her and was looking extremely adorable without trying to be. She kissed him and told him, "I said I'm not going to that ball without you. I'm going to wait right here until you come back from Peter's and when you do, if there's still time, then we'll go to the ball, if you're still willing, that is. If not, I'll call him and tell him I'm sorry. I'm sure he'll understand." She gave him a sardonic look. "I am me after all."

He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know when I'll be back."

"Then I don't know when I'll be going to the ball."

"Hallie," he said sternly.

"Sirius, no."

He looked at her in contemplation. "I don't understand why you can't just go without me. This is a big deal."

She shrugged again and started up the steps. "I don't care if it's a big deal or not." She stopped halfway up the staircase to look at him with a smile. "I'll be here when you come back."

Sirius turned to go but stopped to run up and pick her up. He kissed her gently and hugged her tightly to him. Breathing in the sweet scent of her hair and feeling her arms around him, he said, "I love you more than anything."

She smiled and kissed his cheek. "I love you too." He put his arms around her and she put hers about his neck. And then he kissed her sweetly again.

~*~

He stood at the threshold and looked back. With a sigh and the shake of his head, he knocked on the door.

It opened slowly and a tired Peter looked back at him. A smile spread across his face and he opened the door wider. "Hey, Sirius. I'm surprised to see you here!"

The latter sighed with relief and stepped in. "It's good to see you in one piece, Peter."

He smiled. "I'm glad to hear you say it." He paused. "Is the ball over already?" Sirius swallowed and shook his head. Peter looked confused. "But - then why are you here? Aren't you Hallie's date?"

Sirius nodded and looked to the floor and then back again. "I needed to check on you first. I felt that something was wrong." He looked down once more and because of this, he missed the look of guilt pass through Peter's face.

"Oh, well, I'm fine," he said with a small smile. And then he looked away.

"Peter," Sirius said after a while. The other man looked up and saw that Sirius was looking at him gravely, but with a smile. "We wouldn't have chosen you if we didn't trust you."

Peter smiled broadly at this. "Thanks, Padfoot, that means a lot to me right now."

"Right now?"

He swallowed. "Yeah, I mean, it's a tough time to say it."

Sirius nodded knowingly. "I know what you mean. It's hard to tell who you can trust and who you can't. Someone close to you, even, could be against you." Unexpectedly, his voice cracked and he looked down again with a laugh. "I can't believe it. Your best friend could even be against you," he said, in a louder voice.

Peter looked at him with wide eyes. Sirius looked up and smiled apologetically. "I don't mean you of course, silly! Sorry if you thought I was suspecting you." He laughed. "I'm definitely not. I wouldn't trust just anyone with the lives of my best friend and his family." He shook his head, his expression falling to sorrow again. "I just can't believe it," he said again softly.

"You really think Remus would do that?" Peter whispered heavily.

Sirius shrugged. "I don't know, but who else? And - and he-," but he stopped and shook his head.

It was later that night that he suddenly realized that he should go home. "I'll see you later, all right, Peter?"

He smiled. "Yeah, I hope Hallie doesn't get too mad at you."

Sirius grinned and waved.

~*~

Hallie heard the door open and came out of her room to the steps. "Sirius? Is that you?" She started down the staircase but then saw it wasn't him, but someone else. His face was masked for the dark hood of his navy blue cloak that covered it.

She backed up slowly, as to not draw his attention, but it was up that he first looked. Knowing he saw her, she ran upstairs and heard him race after her. She rushed to her room and locked the door.

For a moment, she sat on her bed, staring at the door, wondering what to do. Then the other person started to bang on it. She picked up her wand and carefully climbed out her window, her expensive gown dragging behind. Steadying herself against the wall of the house, she closed her eyes.

"I hate heights, I hate heights," she said softly.

The door inside banged open and beside her she saw his head come out. He looked at her. A shiver ran up her spine and she tried to hurry away in fright.

But then...

"Hallie! It's me!" said a familiar voice. The hood was pulled back and she saw Remus' concerned face.

"Remus!" she exclaimed.

He nodded and motioned her to come back. "What are you doing? Running away like that!"

"I thought you were some stranger person who came here to harm me or something!"

He shook his head and held out his hand to help her back in. "I came to see you off to your ball. I thought I was rather late, but I came anyway. It was on my way here - I walked by the way - that I saw the cloud of Death Eaters coming this way. Hallie, they'll be here any moment, I'm sure they will. I don't know why, and I don't need to know, but they're after you or Sirius. I had to tell you so I came in myself." He took her hand and led her out the back door. "They were setting chaos about on their way here."

He guided her to a brush on the side of the house where they saw a man walking slowly to the manor.

"It's Sirius!" said Hallie softly.

Remus stood. "Sirius! Over here!"

Sirius looked at him in surprise. "Remus, what the-," and then he saw Hallie stand too. "What-," but the ran over and pulled him behind the brush. "What're you guys doing?" he asked in incredulity. Hallie put a finger to his lips and pointed with her other hand. Sirius looked and saw a group of five men barge into the mansion. His eyes widened. When they were all in, he said, "What are they doing?"

But he knew.

The other two shrugged, but he knew. They were after him; it was him they wanted.

~*~

A short while later, they were still hiding behind the brush when a voice carried out the door. "Why are you just telling me this now!" it was angry and loud. It made shivers of fear run through the three. There was an answer, but they couldn't hear it because it was soft. "All right then. I will not punish you because you have a purpose now, but next time you withhold information from me, expect something formidable." The group of black cloaked figures walked out and flew away.

Hallie looked at Remus' puzzled countenance to Sirius' annoyed expression. He stood up. "What time is it?"

"Near midnight," Remus answered. Hallie still looked at her fiancé. He had that frightening flame burning in his eyes and a small scowl was on his face. Sirius turned and walked into the house.

"I'm going to change," he muttered before disappearing up the steps.

Hallie looked at Remus who was watching Sirius go. "I'm sorry about him. I don't know what's wrong."

Remus looked at her with a smile. "Don't apologize. You're forgetting who lived in the same dorm with him for seven years." Hallie grinned.

"Okay, now I sympathize you."

"That's not funny!" yelled Sirius from upstairs.

Remus and Hallie laughed. "Well, I should go now," said Remus after a while of talking.

Hallie followed him to the door. "Thanks for coming though. You probably saved my life," she told him with a thankful smile.

He grinned and shook his head. "Don't mention it. What are friends for?" And then he turned and left.

She watched after him with a small laugh. "Now that is one man who leaves with great last words."

Sirius came up behind her and put his arms about waist, resting his chin on her shoulder with his cheek against hers. "What about me?" he asked in a childish tone.

She turned her head to peck his cheek with a cute kiss. "No, you're one of those men whose last words are "No, don't unplug that, I'm almost done fixing this.""

There was a short silence and then he snorted. "That's not funny either."

"Did I say it's supposed to be?"

"That was harsh."

"It was meant to be."

"Hallie!" She laughed and he kissed her cheek. "Are we too late for the ball?" he asked after a while.

She shrugged. "Probably."

He sighed and closed his eyes. "I'm so sorry."

Hallie smiled and turned around, still encircled by his arms and put her own around his neck. "Don't be. I don't feel like going anymore anyway." She looked thoughtful. "Actually, I think the best part was getting dressed." With a smile, she looked down at her dress. "Yes, it definitely was."

Sirius laughed and held her close.

~*~

"Severus said something was happening," Frank told Sarah as he quickly got dressed.

She gave him a look. "I know that, but it's Neville's birthday, Frank!"

He sighed, "I know, and at least one of us should be here."

She glared at him. "And that 'at least one of us' is me, isn't it?"

Frank put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but, I'm afraid to let you go."

"Then how do you think I feel with you leaving me! And today of all days!"

"This is important."

"Isn't Neville important too?" she asked in a deathly low voice.

His eyes widened. "Of course he is, and-and I don't want to leave, but you know I have to." She still scowled at him. "You know I love Neville and you more than anything, but I really have to go. I'm sorry." He tried to kiss her cheek but she looked away. With a hurt expression, he walked out of the house.

She turned around to see little Neville peering up at her with a happy and innocent smile. He giggled as she picked him up. "I'm sorry Daddy can't be here on your special day, Neville," she said softly. His face fell somewhat, but she disregarded the thought for worry was edging into the back of her mind.

~*~

"So when's the rescheduled date?" Sirius asked, coming into the kitchen. He suddenly noticed a stream of smoke coming out of the over. Quickly, he ran to it and when he opened it, he was bombarded with a blanket of smoke. He took out his wand and extinguished the fire. Looking around, he found Hallie sitting on the counter top with a magazine in hand. "Hal?"

"Hmm?" She looked up for a moment at him with a smile, and then back down again. "Am I getting old?" She held up a picture of a young model. "I don't look anything like her, and she's 24."

Sirius rolled his eyes with a laugh and said, "You're nineteen." She shrugged and continued to flip through the pages. "Hal?" he repeated.

"Hmm?"

"How's dinner going?"

Still not looking up she said, "Just fine, it's in the oven."

He smiled. "Yeah, I know."

"That's good, Hun."

"You burned it," he told her.

"Okay."

He could tell she wasn't listening to a word he was saying. "Hal?"

"Hmm?"

"You burned our dinner."

"Okay."

"Hallie, I'm running away with Lily and we're going to elope."

"That's nice, Siri-," but her eyes widened and she looked at him slowly. "What?" He smiled sweetly. "I-I-," but he cut her off by coming up and hugging her.

"I'm just kidding you, Sweetheart. But you really did burn our dinner."

Her eyebrows shot up. "I what?" she exclaimed, jumping up. She looked in the over and groaned. "You'd think I'd have this cooking thing down by now!" She gave Sirius an extremely sorrowful look that was just adorable. "I'm so sorry," she said softly.

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Doesn't matter, I'm not hungry," he told her. "Not for dinner anyway..." He raised his brows up and down.

She laughed and swatted at him. "Sirius!"

"Just kidding. Now, how about we go out for dinner instead?"

They walked out and went to a restaurant.

"So when's the reschedule date for your ball?" Sirius asked once they were seated.

"It's tomorrow night, can you make it?"

He grinned. "Of course I can, and I'm really sorry for not going with you to the first one."

She shook her head. "I understand, it doesn't matter anyway. I am me after all." He laughed at the familiar words. "Oh, and I invited Remus to dinner tomorrow, is that okay?" He looked at her sharply but she misread it. "And don't worry, I'm not cooking, I'm getting a caterer."

"For a regular dinner?" he exclaimed. "Caterers are expensive!"

"I don't care, Remus practically saved my life last night," she said decisively. "He deserves cocktail shrimp and whatever else we want to order. Besides, I miss getting catered food."

"When did you get catered food?"

She shrugged and smiled. "All the time when I was younger. Don't ask, mum was into that sort of thing."

"So Remus is coming over tomorrow? And you're giving him catered food because he practically saved your life?" She nodded. "Well what do I get? I've saved your life before too, haven't I?"

"Yeah," she said slowly. She smiled suddenly. "But don't worry, you get much better." He looked at her to continue, but she looked down at her menu. "What should I get?"

He shook his head and sighed. "Whatever you want."

"Of course, I'm paying."

He gave her a look. "No you're not."

"Yes, I am."

"Hal, I'm the guy and I'm paying!"

She grinned. "Okay, then you're paying."

He nodded triumphantly but suddenly exclaimed, "Hey!" in indignation when he saw her smirk. "You tricked me!"

~*~

Too soon, it was Friday night, the night of Hallie's ball. She came down the steps to see Sirius waiting for her, sitting on the couch. He stood up when she approached and frowned. "That's a different dress."

She smiled. "I'm glad you noticed." Twirling around she said, "What do you think?"

He grinned, putting his hands on her waist. "You look lovely."

She kissed his lips with a smile. "Thank you very much."

"Now, why aren't you wearing a new dress?"

She pouted playfully. "You don't like it."

He chuckled. "You're right. I don't like it." Her eyebrows shot up. "I love it." She smiled again and swatted at him.

"I got this new dress because I already wore the other one. It was torn up anyway from climbing out the window and hiding in that brush up front." He nodded.

"All right then. I really do like this one." She laughed. "Are you ready?" She picked up her purse and took his offered arm.

"Ready."

They soon arrived and Sirius was surprised at how formal and extravagant the ball was to be. Hallie looked at his astonished expression and laughed. "What did you think it was going to be like? These are important people, I think, and some of mother's old friends."

"You're mother was a singer, right?" She nodded. "Oh yeah, I remember, a big hit she was. So...so Hocus Pocus might be here?"

She laughed and nodded. "Yes, I think so."

His eyes widened. "Wow..."

A man standing outside the grand doors held out a hand and Hallie took out two invitations. She handed them to him and he smiled. "Right this way, Madame, Monseigneur is waiting."

Sirius gave her a look and she held back a laugh. "Why does he sound French? And who is Monseigneur?"

Hallie smiled at him. "He's French, and Monseigneur is Lord Fiere. He's an old friend of mother's, he's the one who held this ball."

"For you," said Sirius with an evil smile.

"Not only, Sirius," she told him. "I'm a nobody compared with the rest of the people here."

"So there's royalty here?" he said with a mischievous grin.

She sighed and rolled her eyes heavenward. "No, well," she caught his grin again and said quickly, "no, there's no royalty here."

He nodded. "All right, all right, I'll be a good boy."

For a moment she closed her eyes and then gave him a pleading look. "Be very good." She added a glare when his smirk didn't come off his face. "Or else."

He laughed. "Or else what, Hallie dearest?"

She smiled at him angelically. "Periwinkle pillow," she whispered. His eyes widened and he kept quiet.

"Here we are, Madame," said the guide with a smile, he seemed to be holding back laughter. He then turned and went away.

The rest of the evening seemed to go very well. She went to meet old friends of her mother's again. The French Lord Fiere was hosting the ball for artists of music and Hallie was invited. She would sing a song along with a few others, and he might fund for her career.

By the end of the night, things were looking very good.

~*~

There was a flash of green light and a scream pierced the night. Another flash was seen and then there was a baby's wail.

A wisp flew off into the night.

And suddenly there was darkness swirling. Hallie tried to run away, but she was falling.

"I'll come back," she heard Sirius whisper.

"Promise?" It was her voice, but she had not spoken.

"Promise."

"Swear?"

"Yes, I swear it to you." The voices seemed to come from the swirling black.

And then the voices trailed off.

"No!" she suddenly yelled. Something was being pulled away from her. "No!" she yelled again. And then it was gone. Her engagement ring was soaring away and as much as she tried to reach it...it was gone. It was out of her reach, never to be seen again.

She saw Sirius' face appear, and he had tears falling from his eyes. "I love you, I'll always be with you, remember that."

And then he too, was gone.

"Sirius!" she yelled, but only heard the echo of her voice...

~*~

"Hallie?" Lord Fiere repeated.

She broke out of her reverie and blinked. "What? Oh, I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

The elder man laughed, his cheerful face a mask of merriment. "You are such a laugh, like your mother. And no dear, 'tisn't an insult, 'tis a virtue." He leaned in. "By the way, such a voice, you have, I am considering you, and you yourself should consider your future." The music of the next artist started to play. "Now dance, dear, I believe your young date is very eager."

Hallie looked at Sirius who gave her a smile. "Indeed, sir," he said. To Hallie: "May I have this dance?"

With a smile she took his hand, "I'd be delighted."

He led her to the dance floor and she put her hands around his neck and in turn, he put hers around her waist. He held her closer and she sighed and leaned against him. "Hallie, I have to talk to you."

"Hmm?" she murmured, closing her eyes. "It's funny, I'm awfully tired."

He pulled away slightly to study her face. "You look pale," he said softly.

She opened her eyes quickly to give him a look. "Don't worry, I'm fine." He looked at her for a moment and then nodded. "What was it you needed to talk to me about?" she asked.

"I'm so sorry," he said, "but I really have to go." She looked at him in question. "I'm getting that feeling again. I'm not sure what it is, but something's not right, I - I have to go."

She frowned. "But - but the night's almost over, the ball -,"

"I know," he told her, "but I really must go now."

She glared at him. "You promised, you promised that you'd be here."

He cupped her cheek with one hand. "I know, Hun, and I'm so sorry, but it's important."

"Like last time?" she said softly.

He swallowed and looked down. "Yes, like last time," he whispered. "And I'll come back."

On instinct, she said, "Promise?"

He smiled. "I promise."

"Swear?" But suddenly her insides seemed to drop into a bucket full of ice.

"Yes, I swear it to you," he said.

My dream, oh gosh...my dream, she thought in horror.

"I won't let you go," she said, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

He closed his eyes. "Hallie, I'm sorry, but I have to." He tried to pry her hands from him. "I have to go. Please let go of me."

"Sirius, I was dreaming a while ago. It was awful. I dreamt that something happened to James, Lily, and Harry and that you were going away. Sirius, and then I dreamt that someone took this ring!" she said, holding up her left hand and pointing to her finger. "I even dreamt that you were going away. That promise-swear thing...I dreamt it! I dreamt exactly what you said and what I said. It's a bad sign, you can't go, Sirius, you can't."

He shook his head. "But I have to, Hal, you know I do. If something's happened to James, Lily, and Harry, it'll be my fault, I have to go. I just need to check up on-," but he suddenly closed his mouth. "I-I mean, I-," but it was too late.

"What do you mean check up on them? They're in hiding, you told me so, a year ago. They had to leave. What are you talking about, Sirius?"

He sighed. "I'm not supposed to tell you."

She looked at him. "Then don't."

He swallowed, looking at her face and saw her eyes fill with tears before she looked down. "They're under the Fidelius Charm. I'm their Secret-Keeper," he said. He knew he was lying, but he had to. She looked up at him, the tears finally falling.

"You have to go," she said softly, looking away again. He touched her cheek but she pulled away from him. "Just go."

"I'll come back, Hallie, I swear I will," he whispered. "I promised you." But she was walking away. "I'm sorry," he said. Then he too turned and left. He apparated to Peter's home and knocked on the door. When there was no answer and no light was switched on, a feeling of panic swept through him. "Peter?" he called, knocking again. After a few more moments, he muttered, "Alohomora," and stepped inside. "Peter!" he yelled. There was no answer. Everything looked fine, but something seemed horribly wrong. There was no sign of struggle.

He suddenly rushed out of the house not bothering to close the door behind him and apparated to Godric's Hollow.

Above hovered the Dark Mark.