Tears in Heaven

(Disclaimer: I own nothing.)

Tears In Heaven

Chapter One - Everywhere

~*~

She awoke with tears on her cheeks. The images still played in her mind, but when she looked around desperately, there was nothing there...

Turn it inside out
So I can see
The part of you
That's drifting over me
And when I wake
You're never there
But when I sleep
You're everywhere
You're everywhere

His eyes seemed to haunt her, forever lingering in her mind...but it had been so long...

Far away, seemingly at a distance, a baby's wail rang in the night. She clasped her hands over her ears and prayed that it would go away...but it wouldn't ever. Never would the cry that echoed in her mind leave.

It hadn't been that long ago...but still, it was as if it had just happened yesterday. She heard his pleas...his cries for her to believe him...why had she turned away? She would visit the formidable Azkaban various times, but as the boat would land on the soil of the horrid stead, her heart would weep with anguish and she would turn away again, not daring to enter.

Again, she lied down to try and get sleep to place it's shadowed blanket upon her, but his eyes seemed to watch her every move.

Just tell me
How I got this far
Just tell me
Why you're here
And who you are
'Cause every time I look
You're never there
And every time I sleep
You're always there

That morning, she awoke, her head pounding, her throat parched, and her stomach rebelling. She raced to the bathroom and last night's dinner was gone. Later, when it seemed she was completely empty, she rested on her bed, sweating, but feeling extremely cold. "What's wrong with me?" she asked herself, but her voice wasn't working.

And when her eyes drooped shut, she'd see him again, she'd see him as he was, and to her, who he'd always be...perfect, kind, happy...

I recognize the way
You make me feel
It's hard to think that
You might not be real
I sense it now
The water's getting deep
I try to wash the pain
Away from me
Away from me

Remus unlocked the door and walked in, looking around, his eyes clouded with concern. "Hal?" he called.

There was no answer.

With a slight frown upon his face, he looked around the bottom floor, and finally went upstairs. As he walked down the hall, he saw the old pictures. The group they used to be was so happy, so innocent...so carefree. As he stood there, looking at one picture in particular, he felt the prickling feeling of coming tears tickling his eyes.

What happened to the happy youths they had been? Two were dead, betrayed by their best friend. Another one as well, dead by the wand of the betrayer. A girl, killed at the age of fifteen by her best friend, another who turned. And then there were the last two...the only ones left...what were they left with? Their lives? That wasn't much...life isn't good if there's nothing to fill it with...and their lives had been emptied when their friends had been lost in the net of hate and deceit.

Then, there, the young boy with coal black hair, smiling mischievously like always. It was a grin that Remus had grown to know so well. It was a grin he had grown to cherish for its owner was his best friend...But gone was he as well...he was just as gone as the rest of them...

'Cause you're
Everywhere to me
And when
I close my eyes
It's you I see
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone
Whoa whoa
I'm not alone

He turned away, not wishing to look at the photos any longer. "Hallie?" he called again. His legs had led him to her bedroom door. He knocked on it softly. "Hal, are you okay?"

Quietly, he opened the door and peeked in. She lied peacefully on the bed, but was not in a peaceful slumber. He looked at her for a moment, taking in her appearance. She had lost weight, was paler, dark circles had arisen under her eyes. "Hallie," he said softly.

And when
I touch your hand
It's then I understand
The beauty that's within
It's now that we begin
You always light my way
I hope there never
Comes a day
No matter where I go
I always feel you so

Hallie blinked her eyes open. "Remus? What're you doing here?" she wondered, slowly sitting up. She looked at him, and in her eyes he saw something was wrong...or something had changed.

"What's wrong? Is everything okay?"

She looked at him for a short while and sighed inwardly. I can't, I can't do it...she thought to herself. A feeling of extreme tenseness had lodged itself in her stomach.

Remus looked at her pale face and worn expression. "Hallie? What's wrong? What's the matter?"

"I-I," she started.

He put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her squarely. "Hallie, tell me what's wrong," he said.

She looked at him with wide eyes. "Well, see, Remus, I-I don't know - I-I don't," she stammered.

He just looked at her. "It can't be anything good otherwise it wouldn't be so hard to say." Her stomach did a summersault inside her and she bit down on her lip. "Hal?"

"Never mind, just go home," she told him in a rush. "I can't tell you, I-I don't want to." She looked away and thought what Sirius would say to her at that moment. Don't be a fraidy-cat, Hal...Don't be afraid...

'Cause you're
Everywhere to me
And when
I close my eyes
It's you I see
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone

Remus raised a brow and in his eyes she saw amusement. "Do you really expect me to leave?" he wondered softly.

Involuntarily, she smiled and looked down at her trembling hands. She clasped them tightly together until her knuckles turned white as to stop their shaking. When she finally looked up, she saw Remus smirking at her. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, I've just never seen you so nervous before," he told her folding his arms across his chest. Swiftly, he made his way to the couch on the other side of the room and sat down upon it, getting comfortable.

"Remus, get out," she said with a suppressed grin.

He laughed and leaned back, resting his hands behind his head. "Mm...I think I'll stay here for the day." She rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to turn you into a periwinkle pillow."

He sat up. "Hallie, tell me," he probed.

Her nervousness returned. It had been two months since the incident with Sirius had occurred, and no matter how hard she tried, there were just a few things that wouldn't let her escape the thoughts of him.

She looked to Remus. It surprised her greatly that he didn't notice any of the signs. Knowing him after so long and all, she thought he'd know what was going on. He was just observant like that. Or maybe he knew, and didn't want to embarrass her in any way.

He waved a hand before her face. "Yoo-hoo...Hallie," he said in a singsong voice. She blinked and he laughed. She smiled crookedly and smacked his hand away. His expression became serious again and looked at her expectantly.

"Haven't-haven't you noticed anything, well, different, lately?" she said, her words stumbling over the other.

He looked at her for a moment. "Well, I-I did, kind of," he said. She almost laughed inwardly at his expression. So he had noticed...perhaps it wasn't the same thing, but he noticed a few changes.

"Like what?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "I - er - well," he swallowed. She smiled, crossed her arms, and looked up at him.

"Well...?"

"You're worried," he said finally, exhaling a large breath.

"That's all?" she asked, raising a brow.

He scrunched up his face and she bit down on her lip to hide her laugh. "You seem...different."

She rolled her eyes. "No, really?"

He scowled playfully. "Since when is it my turn to be interrogated? You still didn't tell me what was so important earlier."

Hallie took another step backwards and cleared her throat. "I-I was getting to - er - it." She gave him a look. "Go on."

"Go on what?"

"Remus..."

"Hallie..."

"Remus, just god damn answer my question!" she exclaimed suddenly.

His eyes widened in surprise and he suddenly smiled. "All right then. You've cleaned the house, and this is a great shock 'cause it's big enough to fit all of England in...You've painted the room next to yours...You've locked all the rooms that you don't use...You-," but she cut him off.

"You're holding back, get onto the good stuff."

He frowned. "Why is this so important."

She made an impatient sound. "Right, never mind, out you go, it isn't important. Just get out, I want to be alone." When he just looked at her, unmoving, she started to push him out. He took hold of her hands and gave them a light squeeze.

"Tell me what's the matter, it's obviously something big. So tell me. I'm your friend. Are you afraid I'm going to get mad?"

He saw her withdraw slightly. Not physically, but in her eyes, inwardly. "No," she said in a small voice. She muttered something else, but he couldn't catch it because of how soft her voice had gotten.

"Then what is it?" he asked gently.

"I - I'm - ," she stammered.

"You're what?" he asked.

"God, Remus, talk about being elusive!" she abruptly shouted. "I'm pregnant!"

She thought he would faint and she bit down on her lip and watched him carefully. He seemed to get paler and his eyes seemed to widen to their greatest extent without falling out. "Er - Remus?" she whispered cautiously.

He cleared his throat a few times and shifted uneasily. "Is - is - but it can't be...I-I think I'd remember if-if...and we never - but of course it isn't - are you sure? Because - 'cause I thought - I don't - I wouldn't - I would never-"

"No, the baby's not yours," she said in an uncomfortable voice. Her cheeks burned. He exhaled loudly.

"Good 'cause I thought I'd know if - if, well never mind," he said quickly. Remus glanced at her and then briskly down again. "Er - how - how long?"

"I found out last month...a-a week before," she swallowed, "before Sirius - er - went to - to Azkaban."

"A whole month!" Remus said in shock. "How-how'd you hide it so long?"

She seemed to shrink. "I-I don't know, I was thinking that I was wrong...that there was a mistake..."

"But-but you-you didn't..."

She blushed furiously again and averted her gaze. He swallowed and ran a hand through his hair. "But he's gone, what-what're you going to do?"

At this, she looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "I don't know, Remus, I really don't know," she whispered.

God, Sirius, what am I going to do without you?

Oh, you're in
Everyone I see
So tell me
Do you see me?

Courtesy to Michelle Branch

For "Everywhere"

~*~

Thirteen years post Into the Hands of Fate...

~*~

Happiness -- he'd forgotten the meaning of the word. He tried to grasp a thought, a memory, something, but it was lost...all of it, gone from his memory. He shut his eyes and pulled his knees to his chest. Curled up in a ball, his thoughts swirled in his head. It was as if he was looking out and into a haze, a mist of obscurity. His thoughts would not fit together as if they were a puzzle without fitting pieces.

Like others in the same place as he, the poor young man mumbled words of vain wishes to escape, pleads for everything to end. It seemed that that way was the only way. Unwilled tears fell from black eyes sunken into depression and despair. Gone were his hopes and dreams, the things he lived for, everything was...gone.

But -- in the mass of darkness and hopelessness, a light shined through.

He saw a face, though vaguely. Crystal sapphire blue eyes, gazing at him, but they weren't as he remembered them. They were young...more innocent...mischievous like his...They weren't Hallie's.

Sirius shook his head and looked up at the waning crescent moon shining above him, glossing his face with a placid glow.

His eyes wandered to his hand that was clasped into a tight fist. Slowly...ever so slowly...did he unfurl his fingers, revealing a gold engagement band ring. It glistened in the moon's luminous light and reflected the golden gleam upon the young man's face.

A tear fell...and he knew he could last no longer.

~*~

"Troy? Troy, what do you see?" he wondered softly.

The room looked haunting in the dim light of the flickering candles that cast dancing shadows on the walls. Crimson velvet curtains were pulled to the sides with golden stringed laces letting in the moonlight add to the glow in the room. The fire teased the inhabitants, tensing, and calming them all at once.

The boy of about fifteen years of age gazed blankly at it, his eyes glazing ever so slightly. "From the night, they will return," he whispered, his tone unusually even.

And then the fire was smothered.

Ric didn't seem to notice for his intent glance was upon his son. "Troy?"

The young man looked up, his eyes haunted. "Father?" Their silence seemed to echo in the enclosed space, but it was suddenly broken when the door opened with a slow creak.

"Godric," said Helga softly. He looked at her for a moment and then back to Troy.

Placing a hand on the boy's shoulder he said, "I will talk to you later. The ball proceeds in less than an hour. Shall I see you then?"

The boy's eyes seemed to dance with a fire from within. "Yes, Father, you shall."

Troy watched Godric walk out. The man's untidy hair was held back at the nape of his neck by a golden ribbon while his clothes were made of fine crimson material. Their eyes met for one short moment before the door closed behind he and Helga.

Taking a seat on the armchair, Troy looked into the fire. The image of the moonlight white stag still hovered within its depths. Beside the gracious creature stood a wolf, yet it wasn't exactly like a true wolf. The boy shook his head to clear his mind, but the vision wouldn't seem to leave him. A large black dog sat on its haunches on the other side of the stag. It was only then that Troy noticed the small brown mouse upon the beautiful white creature's back. In its mouth was a velvet cream lily.

He buried his head in his hands. "Go away," he whispered. "Just go away. The door opened quickly and in stepped a man dressed in expensive looking black robes. His cloak as well was black and held fastened by a metal mold of snakes. The man's eyes were a brilliant ocean blue color while his hair was amazingly silver/blond. "Uncle," said Troy, standing.

Serpise frowned, looking around the room. His gaze then turned back to the boy. "Tell no one I am here," he whispered. Troy's eyes had widened, but he nodded.

"Uncle, what-," but the latter put a finger to his lips.

Salazar brandished his wand. "Chantebra Lengorio," he chanted. Troy was still surprised at how deep the man's voice was. The air in the room seemed to weight down heavier on them, but not by much. He looked to the boy who smiled and ran up to him, hugging him tightly. Serpise closed his eyes and placed a tender kiss upon his forehead.

"I've missed you, Uncle," the boy murmured.

Chuckling softly, the man pulled slightly away. "Why so much affection, Young One? I've been gone not one month!"

"Father lets me not talk about you atall..." said Troy with a small frown. "Why is he angry?"

Serpise shook his head. "Matters like these concern you not, Young One, worry not." He looked around and strolled briskly to the window. "Where is he?"

"Who? Father?"

Salazar looked at him gravely. "Yes, where is Godric?"

Troy trailed a line with the tip of his shoe. "He's with Miss Hufflepuff, they're getting ready for the ball," he muttered. The man advanced and placed his hand below the boy's chin. Lifting, he looked squarely into Troy's eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Mother's been gone for an awfully long time now, Uncle, where could she be? Father says she will return soon, but it's been almost two months..." his voice was almost inaudible by this time. "She is not coming back, is she," he whispered.

The tears brimmed in Serpise's bright blue eyes. "She will return, don't dare to think otherwise," he said softly.

Troy looked away and blinked away his tears quickly. "Of course, of course, I'm sorry."

The man sighed and looked around. "Tell me, Troy, when your mother gets back, all right?" He looked at the boy evenly again. "She will return," he repeated.

He turned to leave, but Troy stopped him. "Uncle," said he, "have you ever-ever seen things in the fire?"

Serpise looked at him with a small smile. "Indeed, Young One, I have," and in his voice carried a small amount of mystery.

~*~

He awoke quickly and sat up. His breaths came out heavily and sweat was upon his forehead. "Bugger, you're acting like a damn sissy," he whispered to himself.

Lying down again, he fought to fall asleep once more, but when it wouldn't come, he got up from bed and dressed. He looked in the mirror, running a hand through his silver/blond hair and sighed. "Look at me," he said bitterly. "I'm that nutter Serpise in the flesh." Indeed, he looked a sight. His eyes showed the same mystery in the man in his dreams'. The clothes he wore were back and his cloak as well was fastened with silver molded snakes.

He was no longer the boy he was before. In a way, he was older. His eyes had that look of a boy who has had to grow up faster than he should have. Where was that boy he used to be? That boy who acted like he was rich and better than the rest? He wasn't gone completely, yes, he was still there...but not as he was before. But...it seemed as if he was someone else.

"But if I'm someone else," he said to himself softly, "then who am I?"

He turned briskly on his heel and left his room, closing it softly. The hall was deserted, as he knew it would be, but further away, voices carried down the corridor. Suddenly, there was a piercing scream of agony.

The young man closed his eyes, and leaned against the closed door of his room, he slid to a sitting position on the ground. "Mother," he whispered.

~*~

Sixteen year old Harry yawned and stretched, not daring to open his eyes. 'Twasn't the light that made him frightened to awaken completely, but the surroundings he might just see.

There came a soft chuckle nearby. "Come on, Harry, I know you're awake, it's time for breakfast."

Harry's eyes shot open and he saw Ron standing above him with a grin. "Right little morning ray of sunshine, aren't you, Ron," he muttered and sat up.

He heard the echoes of his best friend's laughs as the redheaded boy escaped down the steps. "Ginny, stand up, what're you doing down there?" asked Ron suddenly. Harry ran a hand through his messy black hair and went out to the hall to see what was going on.

Ginny glared up at her older brother. "I slipped, thanks for caring," she retorted and righted herself once more.

Hermione patted her back and shot a glare at Ron who was laughing. "You look a mess, Hermione, what happened to your hair?"

The girl touched her wand warningly and he coughed to conceal his peals of laughter. Harry rolled his eyes at the familiar bickering and followed his friends down the steps.

Mrs. Weasley came out of the kitchen holding a pan with sizzling bacon. "Glad you're up, dears," she said with a beaming smile. Harry watched as she loaded his plate with more and more food and each time he insisted that he couldn't eat that much, she'd smile and pat his cheek. 'You're too thin,' she'd say, and add more. "Hurry and eat, you lot, we'll be late otherwise," she told them, and back to the kitchen she went.

Hermione and Ron shared a secret look and then turned to Harry who looked at them both blankly. "What, do I have something in my teeth?"

Fred snorted into his juice and looked to George, who was biting down on his lip. His eyes were crinkled with restrained laughter. Percy shot them both a disgruntled look and went back to reading his paper. Ginny finished putting jam on her toast and looked around at them all.

"Why are you all so quiet?" she wondered. They looked at her and when her gaze met Harry's, she blushed as red as her hair.

Ron rolled his eyes for about the millionth time that summer while Hermione gave Harry a 'We need to talk later" look.

Molly came back out and looked at Harry strangely. "Harry, dear, why is your hair purple?"

Even Percy couldn't fight down his laughter. Fred and George smiled to each other and looked to the plate of extremely colorful grapes in the middle of the table.

Later that day, they arrived at King's Cross, their luggage pushed on carts towards the platform.

~*~

"I can't find it!" he yelled. The young boy of fourteen years old threw his clothes and other belongings upon the floor of his bedroom in search of his wand.

Another boy, identical to the first, stood at the doorway, watching him with a placid smile playing on his lips. "You actually lost something, eh, Billy boy?" he said.

Billy looked up at his twin brother with a scowl. "No."

Joey grinned and looked at his own wand. "Then where is it?" he wondered, tilting his head to the side to gaze at his brother thoughtfully.

At this, the other boy stood up. "What did you do to it?"

Just then, a young woman in her early thirties walked in. "What's wrong?" she asked, looking at the mess.

Billy glared at his brother. "I can't find my wand."

"Well, maybe it's already in your trunk?"

"No, I checked."

She sighed and looked at Joey with a raised brow. "Joey Forester, give up Billy's wand this instant."

The other boy gave her an innocent look. "What wand?"

"Joey..."

"Aw, Mum, you always ruin it..." he said in defeat. He pulled his brother's wand from the inside pocket of his bright red cloak.

Billy snatched it from him. "Thank you," he said and waved it around the room and everything was back in its proper place.

"Billy, I've told you not to do that, the Ministry will be after you no doubt if you don't stop it."

"Yes, Mum," he said. They walked out and she ushered them into the Ministry limo. After a short moment of silence, Joey said, "Mum, did you-," but she smiled to cut him off.

"Yes, yes, I have. I doubt Dumbledore will be happy with me, but here you go. Just owl me if you run out." She handed both her sons two rather large bags. Billy grinned and looked through his while Joey looked at the bag.

"Mum, this is horribly pathetic," he told her.

Billy laughed. "No, you're just greedy."

Joey hit him on the head with his wand. He was about to do it again to but his mum took it away. "Both of you stop it or I'll have Marvin turn this car right around," she said.

"No!" the two boys yelled simultaneously. She grinned. Billy and Joey shared a look.

"That isn't funny, Mum," said Billy, looking at her seriously. His sapphire blue eyes bore into hers.

She smiled. "I know. Rather nice to have a bit of power of you two once in a while, though," she said. Joey sighed loudly and looked to the ceiling.

"Are we there yet?"

Billy groaned. "Mum..."

"Joey, stop it."

"Are we there yet?"

"Mum..."

"Joey, stop it."

"Are we-," but Billy put his hand over his brother's mouth.

"Shut up!" he yelled, and then sat back. Joey grinned and opened his mouth to speak, but quickly closed it at the look upon his mother's face.

Finally, they arrived at King's Cross. Beside her, Joey was jumping up and down in excitement. She looked down at him with a smile and led the way to between the ninth and tenth platforms while Billy rolled his eyes at his brother.

"Pull up the carts, will you Marvin?" Marvin, the driver/butler smiled and with a nod, did as was told.

Marvin went through the barrier. Joey's eyes lit up like lanterns in the dark and he jumped up. "Me next!" he yelled.

There was a chuckle behind them. "What, you're not going to wait for me?"

She turned around and smiled at him. "There you are! I was starting to think you weren't going to-," but she was cut off when both her boys ran over to hug their Uncle.

"You came, you came!" they cried joyously. He grinned and messed their hair.

"Of course I did you little buggers!"

"Remus!" she exclaimed.

"Just kidding, Hallie dearest," he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Billy looked to the train and at all the kids piling onto it. "We have to go now or we're going to be late," he told his mum and uncle.

Joey rolled his eyes. "It won't leave without us, it never does."

But Billy just smiled and kissed Hallie's cheek, and hugged Remus. "Fine then, stay here." And then he was off, pulling along his black cat by the tail.

Joey watched after him for a moment and looked around, bouncing on the heels of his feet. "Better get a move on, Joe," Remus said, "You might miss it."

"Don't worry, I've got plenty of time," said the boy with a confident smile. "Now, Mum," he said, his voice getting serious. "Don't you worry 'bout Billy and me, we'll be fine." She nodded, trying to suppress her smile. Remus watched with a small grin. "And don't you cry anymore." Her eyes widened slightly. "Don't think Billy and I didn't notice, you're 'Mum' after all."

"And that means what, exactly?" she wondered. None of them noticed the whistle of the train sound.

He smiled and patted her cheek. "Nothing, nothing, just, you're easy to read is all."

Hallie looked at him indignantly. "I am not!" But Joey and Remus shared a look. She looked at them both and sighed. Her eyes suddenly widened again. "Joey, the train!" she exclaimed.

He turned around and watched as the train slowly started moving. The boy looked peeved. "Hey!" he yelled, walking towards it. "You can't leave without me!" Remus burst into laughter and Hallie hit his arm, following her son. "Come back, you! Don't you know who I am?"

"Joey, honey, that won't -," started Hallie, but he just waved a hand and she folded her arms across her chest.

"You come back here!" he shouted after the train.

Many eyes were averted towards the thirteen year old boy with coal black hair and mischievous sapphire blue eyes. His dashing crimson cloak could make him visible in a crowd, but the gold stars shining on it was what made it so appealing. They looked as bright as the stars in the skies themselves.

When the train didn't slow, he turned to get his stuff and found his mother holding it out upon the palm of her hand. She had shrunken it. "Run," she said simply, with a small grin.

He sighed and did as was told. "Wait!" he shouted. "Wait for me!"

Many laughed at the boy running after the train.

Inside the Hogwarts Express, Billy looked out the window and saw a flash of crimson. "Joey?" he said.

Beside him, Emery looked at him. "Yeah, where is he?" he wondered. Billy pointed out the window and the other boy erupted into laughter. "Serves him right!"

It took a while for the train to slow down, but soon it did and Joey came strolling into the compartment, breathing heavily. "Jeez, the nerve of them to think they can leave without me!" he exclaimed.

Tye, who sat next to Emery, grinned. "You were late, did you think they'd wait until you were ready?"

Joey huffed indignantly. "Of course! I'm Joey Forester!" and then he laughed.

~*~

Goyle guffawed stupidly and aimed a kick at the black cat that had strolled into their compartment. Draco shot him an annoyed look, which made the other boy, shut up. "Stop it, you two, I don't have the patience today," he snapped, his eyes narrowed.

Crabbe gave Goyle a look and when Draco wasn't looking, gave the cat a small whack. For Draco, the outcome was particularly funny, but most probably not for Crabbe who was immediately attacked with claws.

After a short moment of having his amusement, Draco strolled over and picked up the kitten that meowed menacingly at the other two boys. Crabbe looked ready to bawl while Goyle was laughing and pointing at him. Rolling his eyes, the silver/blond headed boy left the compartment and lightly tossed the cat into the isle. "Scat," he ordered and, indeed the tiny creature did, but it came back a short moment later.

Draco heard a call from further down the corridor. "Where the hell are you, you stupid cat?" He smirked and crossed his arms across his chest, leaning against the closed door of his compartment.

"You're obviously a bad keeper, Billy-boy," said a snickering voice. "I'm surprised this didn't happen earlier."

"I am not a bad keeper. He surely left because of you."

"Nay, friend," said another. "I saw you tugging along the poor creature by his tail only a moment ago." There was a loud 'SMACK' and laughter. "Just telling it like it is," he said indignantly.

They were finally in view and Draco could see three boys advancing, two were identical. He watched as they came forward and felt the cat crawl behind him. "Meow," it purred. He looked down at it and moved slightly away.

"I told you to scat, I don't want your filthy hairs all over my new robes. Scat!" he told it.

Billy looked up and saw a boy with silver/blond hair with pale skin. Rather tall though he was, it wasn't his height that made him seem so. "Hey, have you seen my cat 'round here?" he wondered.

"Why would I tell you?"

Joey too looked up to the boy who seemed not much older than he and felt Tye stiffen next to him. "It's Malfoy," Tye said in a low voice.

Confused, Joey said, "Malfoy? Malfoy who?"

"Draco Malfoy, twit," answered Draco casually.

Narrowing his eyes, Joey took out his wand. "Say that again," he all but growled.

Draco's lips curved into a taunting smirk. "Going to curse me, are you? Go ahead, I'd like to see you try."

Joey opened his mouth to speak but Billy lowered his brother's wand. "Stop it," he said sternly.

Tye scrunched up his face. "We're looking for a black cat," he said.

Draco shrugged, getting tired of talking to the two-year younger boys. "Good for you," he retorted before escaping back into his compartment. His movement revealed the small black cat hidden behind him. "Scat," he muttered again before shutting the door.

Billy grinned and ran to pick up the cat that tried to run away.

"There y'are, Mr. Black," said Joey.

Billy gave him a look. "Mum doesn't like you calling him that," he said.

Joey sighed. "So? I don't see why not, it fits him perfectly."

Tye was already walking down the hall while the twins followed at a slower pace. "You upset her when you call him that."

The other boy rolled his eyes. "She's not here, Billy-boy, so I don't see why it matters. Lay off, I can call him whatever I want to."

Billy shrugged. "I just think you ought to be more considerate."

Joey turned to him with an expectant scowl. "Considerate about what?" His brother shrugged again. "Grand answer, Billy-boy. I'm still calling him Mr. Black." And then he walked off. Billy looked down at his cat that looked up at him with uncanny amber/gold eyes.

"Well, I'm going to call you Dog," he said decisively and followed Joey.

~*~

"So?" asked Hermione, looking at Harry expectantly.

He looked at her strangely. "So what?"

Ron snickered. "Have you heard from Sirius?" he asked and gesturing to Hermione he said, "She can't seem to string words together lately." She shot him a meaningful glare and he put his hands up in defense. "Kidding, Hermione, just kidding."

Harry grinned. "He said he's doing all right, he wants to talk to me next Hogsmead trip."

"That's next month," said Hermione. Harry nodded.

"Take forever to get to that day, it will," Ron muttered. There was a pause. "Are you sure, Hermione? I mean, a month is a long time into school...are you sure the trip's not next week?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "Yes, I'm sure."

Their attention was suddenly caught at a slight tapping on the window. Harry opened it and let the owl in. It flopped onto the seat gracefully and looked at the three of them with large amber/gold eyes. The creature's color was a deep midnight color.

"What's this?" asked Hermione, untying the letter off the owl's leg.

"Hey, maybe it's from Sirius!" exclaimed Ron.

Harry shook his head. "He just sent me an owl a few days ago, remember?"

Hermione frowned as she turned it over in her hands. "There's no name written on it."

Harry held out a hand and she gave it to him. "Should we open it?" he wondered.

He handed it over to Ron's outstretched palm. "Yes, we should," said the redheaded boy. He tore the seal, which was crimson wax with a seal of a snake that was miraculously silver.

He skimmed over it. Hermione and Harry noticed his brows come together in a deep frown. "What is it?" asked Harry.

"It's to Malfoy," said Ron. He looked up. "Why's it with us?" He bowed his head down to read it thoroughly, but Hermione snatched if from his grasp. "Hey!" he yelled indignantly.

"It's probably private, it's not ours," she said, standing. She stood up, heading to the door, when the other two got up as well.

"Where're you going?" asked Harry.

"I'm going to give it to him, of course," she said as if it was the plainest thing in the world.

Ron rolled his eyes heaving an agonized sigh. "Hermione..."

"What?"

"You can't give it back to him!"

She put her hands on her hips. "And why not?"

"Because it came to us! That means we can read it!" said Ron.

"That's not logical, Ron. It's his."

"So? And it is too logical."

"It is not!"

"It is too!"

"It is-," but Harry stepped between them both.

"Let's just give it to him and get it over with." He led the way, trying to ignore the continuous bickering of his two best friends following him.

As they walked down the hall, they were confronted with a pair of boys. They were identical with the exact same grin of mischief.

"Er - hi," said Harry.

"It is too, Hermione!"

Harry rounded on Ron and Hermione with a glare. "Shut up!" he yelled, and then faced the two boys once more. "You wouldn't happen to know who Draco Malfoy is, would you?"

The one a bit shorter than the other boy frowned. "The twit who looks like a sick ferret?" he wondered.

Ron broke into laughter. "Ferret is right!" he exclaimed.

Joey grinned at him while Harry just smirked. "Yeah, him."

"What about him?" asked the other boy.

"We're looking for his compartment. We got a letter of his for some reason."

The boy looked bewildered. "Well, why are you giving it back to a prat like him?"

Ron looked away; trying to hold back another laugh for Hermione was glaring at him fiercely.

"Just because," said Harry with a slight shrug. A grin played on his lips as he looked at the boys. They looked at one another and shrugged.

"It's the one on the right, three doors down," said the taller one.

"You can't miss it!" said the other one, flashing his crafty grin once more.

Harry thanked them but there was suddenly an explosion. It came from the compartment on the right, three doors down. Ron erupted into laughter and Hermione gazed in horror at the flames.

"Told you, you couldn't miss it!" exclaimed the shorter one. The other hid a grin behind his hand and they ran off.

"Hey wait, what're your names?" asked Ron. He was still laughing.

"Joey Forester!"

"And Billy! We're brothers if you didn't know," added the taller one.

And then they scurried away just as a figure stepped out of the demolished compartment with a glare. He looked up and down each way and his gaze landed on Harry. "Did you do this?"

He shrugged. "Nope," he said.

Draco glared at him. His eyes caught sight of two black headed boys racing down the corridor. "Forester, you're in for it!" he yelled after them.

Laughter responded him and he glared all the more. He looked at the others left before him, watching with amusement. "What're you staring at, Potter?" asked Draco coldly.

Harry took the letter from his pocket. "We got a letter," he started.

"That's not my problem," interrupted the other boy.

Harry glared. "It wasn't to us. It-,"

"Good, I was just going to wonder whom would send you lot something," muttered Draco, looking at them with unreadable eyes that were frigid just the same.

Hermione looked at Ron who had his fists clenched into tight balls at his side. Her gaze then wandered to Harry who was looking at Draco calmly, but his eyes radiated fury. His hair stood more on end than usual.

"Malfoy, I'm trying to give you your damn letter," he said in a low voice.

Clearly, Draco was surprised. "My letter?" He snatched it from Harry's grasp. The owl perched on Hermione's arm flew over to him and landed on his own. "Dusk?" he said. He looked stricken. "What-," but then he looked up at the three before him and scowled. "What're you lot still doing here?"

Harry rolled his eyes and walked away, pushing Ron along. "You didn't do anything, Harry, you didn't even pull out your wand or anything!" said the redhead when they were finally back in their compartment.

Hermione gave him a look. "Not everyone is as immature as you are, Ron," she told him.

Harry hid a smirk as Ron gave her the largest glare he could muster.

~*~

"Did you see his face?" said Billy, clutching a stitch in his side from laughing too much.

Joey was in much the same position. "Forester, you're in for it!" he said, mocking Draco.

Emery slowly stopped laughing. "How did he know your name?" he wondered after a while.

The two boys shrugged. "Does it matter?" asked Joey.

Tye was frowning. "You don't want to get on a guy like Malfoy's bad side. I heard his father used to be in You-Know-Who's inner circle."

Emery shuddered. "Creepy folks, the Malfoys. My dad had an encounter with his father and it wasn't pretty, I was there."

Billy leaned in close. "What happened?"

The other boy shifted uncomfortably. "Nothing much, it was...it wasn't nice is all." And then he looked out the window.

The other three shared a look and then dropped the subject.

~*~

"Remus, you know I can't do that...it's been so long...why all the fuss about it now anyway? You've never brought it up before."

Remus looked at his friend with a small smile. "You're afraid!" he exclaimed with a laugh. "Sirius Black is afraid."

The black headed man looked at him with a mock scowl. "I am not afraid." But after one more glance from his friend he heaved a great sigh. "Okay, so maybe I am, I've reason to, mind you."

"I know you do. I just think that you should do it. You might be surprised."

Sirius looked at him. "What, she's married someone hasn't she?" He turned away. "I knew she would. It's been - what - fifteen? - Sixteen years? I wouldn't be surprised if she did...I know some who even liked her when she and I were - well, never mind that." He shook his head. "Tell me she's married, has kids, is happy and has forgotten all about me, Remus," he told his friend, looking at him with large ebony black eyes.

The latter smiled at him. "I can't," he said.

Sirius couldn't hold back a smile. "So she's not married? And doesn't have kids? And isn't happy? Actually, I really hope she's happy, but...and she hasn't forgotten about me?" he added, a little softly.

Remus frowned in thought. "She doesn't speak of you much." And as he said this, he noticed a drop in Sirius' features. "But I know she thinks of you, I can't say much on the subject. I think it's a bit personal. And about her being happy...I think she's doing all right. And as for the-,"

"So she's not married? And doesn't have kids?"

"If you would shut up for about five seconds I'd tell you," said Remus with a suppressed grin.

Sirius leaned back in his seat. "All right then, continue on, I'm listening."

"Well, actually, I can't."

Sirius jumped up. "Tell me! I need to know!"

"Then ask her yourself."

The other man frowned. "You know I can't. She'll probably call the Ministry men to take me away or something."

Remus gave him a small scowl. "Sirius, if you're going to talk like that, then I don't want to talk with you anymore."

The other put his hands up in defense. "It was an exaggeration, relax." He looked at Remus carefully. "Are you and Hallie-," but Remus cut him off with a swat.

"No! I've just grown protective over her over the years. And she is over me too. After-after you and-and the others...after what happened...I don't know, it was only us left," he said in a softer tone.

Sirius put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," he muttered and Remus shook his head.

"You should see her."

"No."

"You really should, she misses you...and you had to see her when she heard that-that you were on the loose...I rather thought she'd try and look for you."

Sirius grinned to himself.

"But I'm a bit disappointed you, if I must be honest. I thought you'd come to see her as soon as you got out..."

The other man sighed and looked down at his left pinky finger in which the golden engagement ring glittered back at him. "I thought I would too...but I couldn't. I couldn't face what I might see."

"Sirius, you should really-," but the door suddenly opened. Sirius quickly transformed into his dog form.

"Remus, can you believe they actually ran out of milk in the store?" Hallie shook her head and made the grocery bags go into the kitchen with her wand. "Oh, and I found a new skirt that I like."

He grinned and shot a glance at Sirius who stared at Hallie. "You always have to bring back something new for yourself, don't you, Hal?" He patted the dog's head. Hallie noticed and came over. She knelt down and smiled, petting the large black creature fondly. "Is it new? Are you going to keep it?"

Remus looked down and saw Sirius shake his head ever so slightly. "Yes, I think so." The dog barked and Remus laughed. "And he's a boy."

"Well, okay, I guess I should start buying dog food." Remus scrunched up his nose. "Fine then, steaks? Ribs? What, you tell me, you should know about these kinds of things since he's your dog."

"Yeah, that sounds fine," he said with an innocent smile.

She rolled her eyes. "I wonder what Joey and Billy will say when they find out that you brought home a dog." She looked at her friend carefully. "He's a stray, isn't he?"

Remus smiled at her sweetly. "Maybe..."

Hallie laughed and patted his cheek. "You're such a softy. Now help me, I still can't get down frying bacon." He too, laughed and followed her into the kitchen leaving Sirius staring after them.

~*~

Dear Draco,

They've killed Keilan. I need to speak with you. Expect me soon.

Yours truly,

Gayle

The paper had been embroidered with roses with sharp thorns that when touched, you would get poked. He reread the letter thrice more before leaning back in his seat. Goyle and Crabbe were watching him carefully.

Just then, the letter erupted into brilliant silver and light blue flames. Draco dropped it in surprise and watched it turn into ashes. Then the ashes disappeared as well. It was as if the whole thing was sucked into the floor.

He stared at the spot for a moment, thinking thoroughly.

Brief and blunt...like always, he thought. But I haven't spoken to that group in years...six years... He looked up and found his two cronies looking at him.

"What are you staring at?" he snapped. They looked away. He rolled his eyes with a sigh. Then the announcement came. They would be arriving at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry within the next five minutes.

~*~

"Remus, I can't believe you, I can't stay, remember?" Sirius said in a fierce whisper.

It was late that night and Hallie was upstairs in bed. Remus and Sirius were conversing in the living room.

"No one will know. Now you're safe," the latter replied. Sirius shook his head and flopped onto the couch putting a hand over his eyes. "Sirius, if you don't talk to her," started Remus, "then I'll tell her about you myself."

Sirius shot up to a standing position in front of his friend. "Remus, you wouldn't," he whispered.

Remus looked at him serenely with a slight smirk upon his face. "Oh, wouldn't I?" The other man glared at him. "All right, all right, I won't...but, Sirius, think about it, how would you feel if it was the other way around?" At his friend's confused gaze he said, "What if it was Hallie escaping from Azkaban instead of you and she didn't come to see you?"

Sirius looked at the fiery flames dancing in the fireplace. "I don't know," he muttered softly.

Remus sat next to him. "What are you afraid of?"

Sirius looked at him, the embers reflecting in his eyes. "What if she's happy without me? What'll I do then? I mean, yeah, it's been a long time since I've seen her, but I just," he sighed in an agitated way, "I don't know. What if she's used to being without me and doesn't want me around?"

The other shrugged. "I guess that's just the risk." He then stood up and left the room. "Try and get some sleep tonight okay, Sirius?" said Remus as he left. And then he was off to his room.

Sirius lied on the couch in his dog form, and soon, he fell asleep.

~*~

He furiously stuffed his clothes into his pack with tears streaming down his cheeks. "Good for naught witch, she's evil," he muttered.

The door suddenly opened. "Troy?" called a voice softly.

The boy immediately looked up and when he saw who stood there, smiled. "Uncle!" he exclaimed, and, like he always did, ran over to hug the man. It was a friendly embrace and Salazar grinned.

"It is good to see you as well, Young One," he said. Troy, now sixteen years of age, let his smile fade slightly when his uncle turned his gaze upon the filled bag on his bed. "Where are you off to?"

The boy turned away and started packing once more. "Somewhere - away from here at least," he replied.

Serpise walked over and sat at the edge of the bed. "Why?"

Troy sighed heavily and looked at the man. "Because of the witch my father has decided to marry," he said bitterly. "She's awful, I hate her."

Salazar seemed shocked. "Helga? Helga Hufflepuff? Ric-Ric is marrying her?"

"Yes, sir, and foolish decision I believe it to be."

"Why does it bother you so?"

Troy sat on the bed and lied down. "Because he doesn't love her, I know he doesn't." Serpise just listened, knowing that the younger boy needed time to vent. "He doesn't look at her the way - the way he used to look at Mum. She's - she's too...happy," he concluded making a face.

At this, Salazar broke into laughter. "Indeed, Young One. Jovial lass she is." Troy couldn't help but smile.

He then noticed the bag at the door. "Uncle, are you leaving too?"

The older man sighed. "Yes, I'm afraid I can stay here no longer, I'm being...sent away," he said carefully.

"Where? I'll go with you!" Troy exclaimed.

But Serpise shook his head. "I'm afraid that you cannot. Where I'm going is no place for a Young One like yourself, Troy."

The boy sighed and nodded. "I understand," he said, but he did not. And he would not end up trying to...late that night...he would follow Salazar...and then...

~*~

Draco sat up once more. Beads of sweat lined his forehead and he saw that his nightshirt was soaked through with perspiration. He sat up and felt the chill night air snipping at him. He shivered in spite of himself and stood up, getting dressed quickly. As he stood, he caught site of a figure outside. Slowly, he made his way to the window and saw it was open. Looking outside, he saw a black shadow cross the moon and quickly shut the window.

After one last shiver, he left the room. It was dark in the corridors on account of the time of day it was, and no one was about. The halls seemed so empty, so lonely...so quiet without the bustling students loitering in the corridors and on their way to classes.

A scream rang in his ears, but it wasn't one just piercing the night at the moment...it was a scream of two nights ago. Of course, its owner was all right now, and had pretended to forget what happened...but he couldn't make the ominous feeling within his heart leave him. Her shriek had awoken something inside him that he never knew had been there before.

"What would Father say?" he wondered to himself fiercely. He shook his head, trying to free himself from that awoken part of him. He didn't know what the feeling was, but he knew that if Lucius knew about it, the man would call him weak.

Ever since he was a young boy, his father had called him weak. He had always tried to make him proud, but anything he ever did was taken as inadequate. He just wasn't good enough and now he knew he would never be.

He strolled quietly down the corridor, not knowing where he was going but letting his legs lead him away. His feet stopped moving when he reached a large window in a hall he had never been in. Looking up at the moon, he felt a sense of serenity wash over him. He stood in his usual stance, legs slightly apart, and hands behind his back.

Just then, he saw a figure swish past the window. He jumped slightly in alarm and went closer to look outside. The figure flew high past the moon and then swooped low once more. His brows furrowed in confusion.

Who was that?

And then the figure wasn't in sight any longer. He shook his head and rubbed his eyes. Thinking he was just seeing things because of lack of sleep, he went back to his dormitory (which took quite a while as for him letting his legs lead him rather than his mind) and as soon as his head touched his pillow, he was asleep.

~*~

Dear Remus,

I know, you probably think I'm running away, and in a way I am, but I need to leave for a while. I'll be back, you know I will. Trust me on this. I'll see you soon.

Sincerely,

Sirius

Remus read the letter a few more times and then placed it into the fire. Suddenly, he heard a door upstairs open and Hallie yell, "Remus!" Her voice was terrified and he could hear the sobs in her voice.

Quickly, he stood up and went to the steps where she fell into his embrace. "Hal, what's wrong, what's the matter?" he asked, his voice clouded with concern. She buried her head into his robes and he patiently waited for her to calm down. He rubbed her back gently. "Shh, it's all right," he said.

She looked up at him and wiped away her tears with a sniffle. "No, it's not, it's not all right, Remus."

He looked bewildered. "What do you mean? What's wrong?"

Hallie looked into his eyes, her own filled with fear. She held up her left hand and pointed at the golden engagement ring upon her ring finger.