Tears in Heaven

"Malfoy," began Harry uncertainly. Draco looked up at the young man who looked back with bright emerald green eyes. They stood looking at one another for a short moment before he became irritated.

"What is it, Potter, spit it out." The other frowned and looked behind him at a figure that was speedily approaching. Draco, too, turned to see who it was and felt his eyes widened. He unconsciously took a step back, pulling away from Gayle who let out a small gasp. "Father," said Draco with eyes the size of tea saucers.

Lucius looked at him. As Harry watched, Draco recoiled slightly, and he could see why. The look the man was giving his son was the most menacing glare Harry had ever seen before - worse even than any Snape had ever given him. Lucius took one look at the fallen figures of his fellow Death Eaters and his eyes grew colder.

"Lucius," Gayle said, stepping forward. His hand abruptly shot out and hit her across the face. She landed on the floor and looked up at him in shock.

"Idiot girl," he muttered. "You'll get what's coming to you." A shadow passed across her face but was overlooked when Lucius' gaze wandered to Draco. "Come with me," commanded the man. He turned and briskly strolled back down the hallway and Draco, after looking down at Gayle and around at the Gryffindors, followed him rather cautiously.

"Father, what-," he began.

Lucius stopped and turned to look at him. "Do not speak to me you disgraceful whelp. You too, well get what's coming to you."

Further down the hallway, a small mob of more Death Eaters advance and Lucius advanced towards them with Draco following reluctantly behind. The leader did not lower his hood but the way he stood radiated fury. "Where's the girl?" he hissed.

Draco felt the Dark Lord's eyes on him and unconsciously took a step backwards. "Boy-," started Voldemort, but a whiz of light shot past them. He turned to look who it was and saw a trio of teachers coming forward at a run. Looking to Lucius he said, "Leave the girl her letter," and then he turned to leave the castle by opening a window.

"What about-" Lucius began.

"No, leave the boy, we will deal with him later. What we came for is done." And with that, they left. The unconscious figures of the fallen Death Eaters soared out - following them...but no one noticed that one Death Eater in particular hadn't followed.

Harry watched the teachers advance and jumped when a whiz of light shot past his right ear. He felt the sizzle of its heat warm his skin.

"They're gone," he heard Professor McGonagall say in a somewhat bitter tone. She looked down the hall and quickly motioned for the other two professors to follow her. "What happened, are you lot all right?"

Hermione was quick to speak up. "Yes, Professor, we're all right." She held out a hand to Gayle, still sitting upon the floor in shock, but the other girl stared at it. Then, she turned and got up herself.

~*~

That night after dinner, the professors escorted all the students to their dormitories. There, they were told to pack their things and meet in the common room. Harry had a sinking feeling in his stomach about what was going on and hard as he tried, could not get that dreadful feeling to leave him.

He was a bit late in following Hermione and Ron down into the common room, but soon he went down the steps and sat in the spot they had saved for him.

Deputy Headmistress Professor Minerva McGonagall stood before the Gryffindor students of Hogwarts, her hands tightly clasped behind her back. She truly felt she was in an early state of a nervous breakdown and wondered what the world was coming to. Ever since her first year of teaching, she had changed from a lost young woman into an independent one. She had always prided herself on how she found herself...but now, now everything was falling apart. No one knew what demons were swirling inside of her, and she truly wished they did. But they couldn't know. No one could, it was just hard plain fact.

"Attention," she called, shooting red sparks from the tip of her wand. "Attention, please." The murmurs and excited whispers about what had gone on in Hogwarts just that afternoon slowly died down as dozens of pairs of eyes turned towards the professor. "Many of you are wondering why the staff has ordered every student to pack their belongings. The Winter Holidays are only three days away, but because of recent events, we are now forced to send every student to a more safe place."

Harry felt his stomach turn inside him. He felt Hermione and Ron looking at him, but he could only stare at Professor McGonagall. He had to go home for the Winter Holidays? No - he never did, for the past six years he had been staying at Hogwarts.

"Do not worry, the school's staff has already proceeded in sending owls to all your families and guardians to notify them on this change. We expect their responses to come tomorrow morning at the latest. The school will be reinforced with stronger and more protective spells against intruders and will be inspected with the Ministry's analysts. As usual, you will go to King's Cross at 11:00 after the Winter Holidays to return to Hogwarts." She paused and looked around the room to see if everyone had understood. "Now, soon, Professor Flitwick will stop by and tell us when it is our turn to go down to the Grand Hall where all of you will spend the night. Don't worry, it's just a minor precaution again because of the recent events."

Just as she said, the portrait hole swung open and the small professor crept in. Professors McGonagall and Flitwick shared a look and then she nodded to the students who stood up without a word to follow her.

Once out in the hallway, the secretive whispers and murmurs erupted once more. Harry was in a bit of a daze and had a dreadful feeling within his stomach at the prospect of having to go home for the holidays. A shout suddenly awakened him from his reverie.

"Joey!" yelled Billy, stopping in his tracks to glare at his brother. The latter looked around at the eyes that had turned towards them and then gazed at his brother.

"We'll talk about this later, Billy-boy, all right?" he said calmly.

The other had an expression of complete terror upon his face. "But - but you can't -"

"Not now," said Joey in a tone that specifically meant that the conversation was over. Billy scowled once more before walking ahead.

"Don't worry, Harry," said Ron after a short moment. "It won't be that bad, it's only a week after all..."

But this gave little consolation to the other boy.

Hermione shared a look with Ron and they followed their friend into the Grand Hall.

That night, Harry lay awake, staring at the full moon through the enchanted transparent-like ceiling of the room. The stars sparkled down at him as if winking with reassurance, but it did little good. Days he had to live with the Dursleys were getting worse for him but every time he felt down, he would always remember that his eighteenth birthday was only two years away. Then he would leave and never look back.

"I can't believe you, Joey," said Billy in a hushed tone. "We're going to get in so much trouble!"

"We? You didn't do anything, it was just me!" was the reply.

Billy scowled. "So? Both of us always get in trouble for something done by only you or just me. Not only are we going to get it with the school, but with the Dark Lord too!"

Joey grinned. "I wouldn't worry about him, worry about what mum will do."

There was a short silence. "Did you do it for her?"

Another pause.

"Maybe."

"Why?"

A short pause.

"Billy, I'm tired, goodnight."

Harry heard the shuffling of blankets and pillows and soon, there was no sound at all except the even breathing of everyone around him.

~*~

He turned to look at Lucius. "Lynette has been kidnapped." He paused and looked meaningfully at his servant. "And by kidnapped, I mean kidnapped."

~*~

Draco woke with a start and sat up. He found himself wrapped in Hogwarts blankets upon the floor of the Grand Hall. "Wha-," he started to say but cut himself off. He swallowed and lied back down, taking deep and careful breaths.

With a shake of his head, he tried to push his dream to the back of his mind, but had a sinking feeling within him that it was not just a dream.

~*~

The next morning, everyone was ready to leave and board the Hogwarts Express. Harry hung back and Ron and Hermione stayed with him. "Er - Professor?" he said.

Professor McGonagall looked at him. "Yes, Mr. Potter?"

"Do I need to go too? I mean, couldn't I stay here?" he wondered.

She looked at him. He had grown taller and when she looked at him, their eyes were level. "I'm sorry, but everyone must leave while the school is being inspected and gone over with protective spells." Then she turned to another student.

Dejectedly, he boarded the train with his friends and went into a compartment. "I'm sorry, Harry," said Hermione.

"I'm sure it won't be that bad though," Ron told him with a reassuring smile. It did little to help how he felt, however.

"Thanks. I'll be fine," he said, and saw the dubious looks of his friends. Even he didn't believe himself.

~*~

"Joey, get rid of it. We're just going to get in big trouble, I'm telling you," said Billy once Tye and Emery left to roam about the train.

The other boy shook his head. "We may need it later! Think of what we can do! She's a high official or something with the Dark Lord!"

Billy's expression didn't change. "But what if someone saw? There were other people there at the time we did it and I'm sure that at least one of them saw us! What if it was that git Malfoy or that Slytherin girl?"

"Billy-boy, don't worry! No one saw, and if no one's after us by now, then there's nothing to worry about! Calm down!" He plopped a Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean into his mouth and chewed it with an overly cheerful smile towards his brother who just scowled and looked out the doorway. Joey's smile slowly faded off his face. "Billy, I told you not to worry, you trust me right?" There was no answer, just a short silence. "Billy," he said again. "It has nothing to do with you. If something happens, I'll take the fall, it's my fault, not yours, stop worrying!" He dug through his trunk and pulled out a small sack that looked as if it was almost empty. "I still have some fireworks left," he said with a bright smile.

Billy shrugged. Just then Tye and Emery came in. "We're almost there," said Emery, looking a bit downcast.

Tye punched his shoulder. "It's only for a week and two days, buddy. You can just come over to my house."

Joey grinned. "And then you lot can come to mine!"

~*~

Draco watched the midnight black owl swoop into the compartment and drop a letter onto Gayle's lap. She looked at it with a strange expression that he could not place, and then picked it up cautiously.

"Who's it from?" he asked casually. She looked up at him with wide eyes before opening the letter. He watched as she flushed crimson, and then paled to ghost white. He saw a contradiction in her eyes, and a conflict of emotion, but soon, she regained her composure and that façade all those in Training had learned a while ago flew upon her face.

Suddenly, the letter exploded into flames and she dropped it onto the floor. Crabbe and Goyle watched as the letter disintegrated before their eyes and made surprised comments that no one besides them could comprehend.

"Get out," Gayle ordered. They looked at her, and then to Draco.

"Get out," he repeated. They gave one another looks and then left. He looked at her expectantly.

She met his gaze and raised a brow. "What?"

"What do you mean what?" Gayle gave him a confused look. "Did you want to talk to me privately?" he wondered, drawing each word out slowly.

She blinked at him. "Um...no..."

"Then why'd you get rid of the two blokes?"

She smiled at him. "Because they're incredibly annoying. I wouldn't be surprised if they had the IQ's of three year olds." She paused for a moment. "Oh, sorry, they're your friends, aren't they?" He shot her a glare and she laughed. "Sorry for speaking the truth!"

He shrugged. "You're right. But no, they're not my friends."

She looked at him intently. "Then who is?"

He didn't respond to this for he was just starting to wonder the same thing.

~*~

Hallie rushed to grab her cloak from the hanger and turned around to see Remus rushing down the steps. "Ready," he called. They went into the limo and Marvin drove quickly to King's Cross where the two got out of the car.

"I hope they're all right," whispered Hallie with large eyes. "Imagine...an attack at Hogwarts..."

"I know, it's so unreal," muttered Remus quietly.

"Mum!" came a voice.

She turned to look at the figure racing towards her. "Joey!" She enveloped him in the tightest hug she could muster until he was begging her to let go.

"We're fine," said Billy, coming up behind them. She beamed and pulled him into the hug and Remus, feeling left out, came over and joined them.

They finally separated and Remus caught sight of someone. "Hey, Hal, isn't that The Horse?" he asked.

Hallie turned around and her sons saw a familiar gleam in her eyes as a grin slowly spread across her face. "Well, well, well..." Then she saw a boy walk towards the familiar woman. His gaze was upon the floor and his shoulders had a dreaded tenseness to them. Hallie turned to look at Remus with wide eyes. "Remus, is - is that...?" He smiled and nodded, giving her a slight push in that direction. "What are you doing?" she exclaimed.

"Go over and talk to them, or to Harry at least. He deserves to know who his godmother is after all, doesn't he?"

Billy and Joey shared a confused look. With a deep sigh, she shot Remus look and then walked in the direction of the woman and the boy. "Uncle," said Joey to Remus. "Godmother?"

Remus smiled.

~*~

"Where's Uncle Vernon and Dudley?" asked Harry in a dull voice.

Petunia sniffed in disdain. "They're buying our Christmas tree."

Suddenly, a cheerful voice said, "Horse Face!"

At the familiar nickname, Petunia gave a muffled shout and turned around, as did Harry. "You!" spat Aunt Petunia with a growing scowl.

Harry looked at the woman who was about his height. Her midnight black hair cascaded around her face while her bright sapphire blue eyes glimmered mischievously. To Harry, the grin upon her face was extremely familiar. He had seen it not once, but many times before.

"Miss me much?" wondered the woman with a smile. She stood before Petunia with a bright smile upon her face. The other woman scowled all the more. "Of course you did! I don't understand why you don't invite me over anymore...we used to be such good pals!"

At this, Petunia clenched her fists at her sides. "We were never friends," she all but growled.

The woman took a step back and put a hand to her heart. "How horrid! I never knew you felt that way!" Petunia scoffed at this. "After all those good times when," she swallowed, "when Lily and I used to turn your tea cups into frogs that spat out coffee? Don't tell me you hated the guys too!" she exclaimed in horror. It was then that she acknowledged Harry's presence by winking at him.

His eyes had widened at the mention of his mother and found himself staring at this new woman who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. He didn't notice the group of two identical young boys and a man approaching.

"I hated you! Just like I hated - hated her. You both were horrible to me! And those boys...how they kept stopping by - they were horrible too! I hated you! You're all freaks!"

The playful look upon the woman's face fell and was replaced by a deathly calm expression. Harry felt that he would have hated to be his aunt at the moment. "We were horrible to you for a reason," she said softly. "If you weren't such a - a twit, then maybe-"

Behind her, someone loudly cleared his throat and she cut herself off to turn around. She saw her sons grinning at her. "Mummy didn't said twit," she said looking at them.

Joey grinned and Harry saw where he had seen that familiar mischievous smirk. "Yeah you did," he said. She gave him a look and he held up his hands in defense. "All right, all right!"

"Hallie, we should be going," said Remus softly. It was apparent upon his face that this encounter wasn't going as he had planned.

"Professor Lupin!" said Harry with a bright smile in a tone of great surprise. They shook hands.

"Hello, Harry, how've you been?"

Harry opened his mouth to reply but: "Lupin?" shrieked Petunia, gathering an amount of attention from others. "Remus Lupin?"

He smiled at her charmingly. "Hi, Horse Face. Glad you've been - er - never mind."

She glared, looking from Remus to Hallie with extreme - and mounting - dislike. "Why are you here? What do you want from me?"

Hallie smiled from Remus, to Harry, then to Petunia. "Just wanted to talk with an old friend is all. Didn't think you'd mind so much."

"Well I do. Now go ride some brooms or jump off some cliffs. I must be getting home." She turned and walked away but stopped. "Come on, Harry," she added. He looked at her for a moment.

Billy tugged lightly on his mum's arm and gave her a meaningful look. She in turn looked at Remus who gave a smile. "Harry," she started. He looked at her and she took a step back at the familiar verdant green eyes. A lump formed in her throat and she felt as if she had lost the ability to speak. She quickly cleared her throat and said, "Harry, we'd all like it if you'd come to stay with us this Christmas." His eyes widened and she swallowed deeply as she saw James in him.

"Stay with you?" he asked dubiously.

She gave him a smile. "You don't have to of course. No pressure. I just - well, see...Harry, I'm your godmother. Lily was my best friend and -," she was about to go on but his eyes widened some more. "Oh - oh I'm sorry, I-I shouldn't have-"

"You're my godmother?" he exclaimed, looking at her with those large green eyes. "You were friends with my mum? And my dad?"

She smiled again. "Yes," she replied.

Petunia advanced once more. "Harry, I told you come on," she said impatiently.

Hallie turned to her with an air of great dislike. "Horse Face, shut up! I'm trying to talk to him!" She then turned to Harry again. "I'm sorry I haven't stopped by to see you or anything," she said softly.

He shook his head and looked back at his Aunt Petunia. Then he looked to Remus who grinned at him. "I can stay with you?" he wondered, looking at the two adults.

Billy and Joey grinned. "Of course you can!" said Joey.

"Yeah," added Billy. "It'll be great! We can have a huge Christmas blast!"

Hallie smiled. "You don't have to come, Harry, but know that you're welcome at any time."

Petunia positively glowered and marched over to grab Harry's arm and haul him towards her car.

Remus watched with a frown and Billy and Joey advanced to free the boy from the woman. "What do we do now?" asked Remus.

She frowned. "Petunia, unhand him or I'll file a lawsuit against you for abuse," she said loudly.

The other woman turned abruptly around and Harry pulled free of her. He ran back over and looked to the group of four.

"I'd like to stay with you, if you'd still like me to come."

~*~

"You have a limo?" he exclaimed as he followed them to the car. Hallie just grinned while Joey and Billy acted as chauffeurs making Marvin raise his brows and look to her.

"Thank you, Marvin," she said with a grin. He gave a slight bow and went back to the driver's seat. They each got in.

"Professor Lupin," started Harry.

The latter smiled. "You can call me Remus now, Harry, I'm not a professor anymore."

The boy grinned. "Er - right. Um, Remus, what're you - what-"

"Oh, I live with Hallie and the twins," he answered.

Hallie nodded. "And we thank him for it. We wouldn't have a decent meal without him."

Harry grinned. "How did you know my mum?" he asked after a short while. In the seats next to him, Billy and Joey were engaged in an animated chatter about something or other.

Hallie shifted uncomfortably. "Well, we went to school together. She was my best friend and that's how I knew Horse Face back there. The whole gang used to show up on Lily's doorstep just to annoy Petunia. Great fun, wasn't it, Remus?" she asked with a grin.

He laughed. "Yeah, 'specially when James tricked her into getting onto a broom. I don't think I was able to breathe until the next day because I was laughing so hard."

"You knew my dad too?" Harry wondered.

Both of them nodded. "Your parents were the best friends that we could ever have had," said Remus. Harry smiled with a glint of solemnity in his eyes. There was a short awkward silence, but soon, they arrived at the manor.

Remus helped carry the boys' luggage down as did Marvin and Hallie. They dropped the bags in the living room. "The boys have their own rooms and we have a number of spare rooms. Come on, I'll show you the best one," she said to Harry, leading him up the steps.

He followed her to a room, which she unlocked with a key from her pocket. "Strange, I don't remember locking this one," she muttered to herself. Harry stepped inside and examined it. It was a wonderful room compared to his own and seemed like one that he'd like. On the bedside table was a picture frame that he looked at. However, it was picked up by Hallie who looked near tears. "Now I remember," she whispered. "Er - uh, I'll ask the boys to show you around if you'd like. I heard from Remus that you love Quidditch. The field's out back if you lot would like to play. Um - I've got some work to do. I hope you enjoy your stay, Harry," she finished with a smile, and then she quickly left.

"Hal-," he heard Remus start.

"I'm all right," she said quietly and walked past him.

Remus poked his head in the doorway of Harry's room. "Like the room?" he asked.

Harry grinned. "Yeah, it's great."

"Good. Want to have a tour of Forester Manor?" Harry nodded and followed the man.

~*~

"So, Harry, this must be really weird for you," said Remus with a small smile. "Just suddenly being invited over to a stranger's house...I hope you don't do this often."

The latter smiled. "No, I don't. Do you?" This received a laugh from the older man and Harry felt a flush of heat arise in his cheeks. After a moment, he said, "Er - Miss Forester?"

She looked up at him. "Hallie, please call me Hallie."

He smiled. "Okay. Hallie, you're my godmother?"

She smiled back. "Yeah. When you were born, they asked me to be your godmother and...well, I doubt they should have asked me that. I would never have thought I'd be responsible enough to take care of anyone if the time came."

"And you aren't," muttered Joey. She glared and swatted at him. He grinned. "Just kidding of course, mum." He looked over at his brother and lightly punched his shoulder. The other ignored him and went on moving his food around on his plate. Joey shrugged. "Fine then," he said.

Harry looked from Remus to Hallie. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you and Remus married?"

Remus coughed and put down his goblet of pumpkin juice. Hallie laughed out loud. "No, we're just friends." She smiled over at the man. "I don't know where I'd be without him. He - he helped me raise Billy and Joey." She grinned at Harry and winked. "He's like another mother to them."

The coughing suddenly ceased as Remus looked at her. "Gee, thanks, Hal."

She smiled angelically. "Not a problem, Remus." Turning back to Harry, she said, "I really hope you like it here. You're welcome any time you want to leave Horse Face and that red-faced prat-," but Remus cleared his throat. She turned to look at her sons. "Mummy didn't say prat."

Joey opened his mouth to reply but she gave him a reprimanding look. Harry stifled a laugh, as did Remus. "Yes, ma'am," said the boy, saluting.

Hallie rolled her eyes. "As I was saying...If ever you want to leave The Horse - er - that is, Petunia and her - er - husband, please feel free to give me a call and I'll come pick you up or something."

Harry grinned. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. They have a son you know," he said.

"Are you kidding?" exclaimed Hallie with a laugh.

Remus held back a grin. "Rather large, isn't he?"

Harry looked at him. "Actually, yes. How'd you know?"

"Oh, I've seen him around." Harry grinned and Remus couldn't resist. He broke out into laughter. "Excuse me, but he isn't just rather large." He looked at Hallie. "He's huge!"

She gave him a look. "Remus..."

"Ahem, sorry."

"Anyway, Harry," said Hallie. He suspected she was trying to cover up her laughter for her eyes danced with amusement. "Just to fill you in, it's tradition that we have a little Christmas party every year. So, in saying so, if you've anyone you'd like to invite, please feel free to tell me and I'll send them invitations." He nodded in thanks.

As he listened to the family conversation of the Forester household, he couldn't help but feel that he was at home. It was a familiar feeling to be here as if he had been here before. And little did he know it, he had.

After dinner, the boys all decided to play Quidditch in the field out back and Hallie very sternly turned the offers of joining down.

Hallie sat in her room looking at the picture she had taken off the bedside table in the guestroom. The two young people in it smiled gaily and waved up at her. A tear fell onto the surface of the picture frame and she brushed it away with her sleeve.

The photo was taken many years ago - a few days before graduation - in front of the Shrieking Shack. She remembered that day well.

It was party night and the boys had taken a small group of close friends to Hogsmeade through the infamous 'Marauder Escape'. Sirius and James had managed to make Peter extremely drunk with tons of Butterbeer and Remus - being the gentleman he was - escorted the boy home. Lily had given a grand lecture to the two boys but of course, they paid it no heed.

Another tear escaped from her eye and fell onto the glass of the picture frame. She brushed it away, but soon it was replaced by another...and another...

"Hey, Mum," said a voice in the doorway. She looked up and quickly looked away to hide her tears, but it was too late. Her two sons came in and their mischievous expressions fell away from their faces.

"Mum, what's wrong?" asked Billy, looking at her with wide eyes.

She smiled and grabbed a tissue from the bedside table. Inconspicuously, she tried to hide the picture in her cloak, but Joey saw and took it from her. "Is this what's bothering you?" he asked softly, looking at the photo. He looked at it and she saw his eyes widen to the size of tea saucers.

Billy moved over to beside his brother and also looked at it.

"Joey, give that to me," said Hallie in an unsteady voice. She reached out a hand to take it from him, but he stood up and moved away.

"That-that's you," he said softly. "And...that guy..." He looked up and squinted at her. "Mum, who is this?"

Billy didn't ask, and she looked at his expression. His eyes were even wider than Joey's were and he kept looking from the picture, to her.

"That's no one," said Hallie firmly. She came over to get the photo, but Joey backed away and tossed it to Billy. Something like a gust of wind seemed to push it away so that it never reached the other boy, but crashed to the wooden floor. The glass shattered and Hallie gasped.

A hand reached out and picked it up. Harry turned his emerald gaze upon it and blew the pieces of glass away so he could see it properly. He recognized it as the one that sat on the table in his new room.

He saw the young man with coal black hair say something to the girl who laughed and swatted at him. The man jumped out of the way and winked at Harry.

"You knew Sirius too?" he asked softly, looking up at Hallie.

He saw her chin tremble and she rushed out of the room, pushing past Remus and Harry.

There was a long moment of silence.

"Uncle Remus, what...?" said Joey.

Billy came over and took the offered picture. "How come she never told us?" Joey looked at him in bewilderment. "Why didn't you guys tell us?" His voice was clouding over with restrained tears along with pent up anger and frustration.

Remus looked at him, then to Joey, and lastly to Harry who looked just as confused as the other two.

"Billy - don't -," he started. The boy glared at him and, in a most uncharacteristic way for Billy Forester, threw the picture frame at the wall. The whole thing exploded into pieces. Remus looked at him in surprise. "Billy-," he started again.

"Didn't we have a right to know?" he yelled. "He's my father! How could you keep that a secret from us?"

Harry felt his eyes go round and his heart stop. Father...Sirius is their dad?

Joey unconsciously took a step back. "Who is? That-that man in -," but he cut himself off and raced to the fallen frame to look at the man in the picture. He looked up at them all with large questioning sapphire blue eyes. "Why does he look so familiar?"

Billy glared and turned to Remus. "Ask Uncle Remus. He seems to know everything." He pushed past the two at the doorway like Hallie did, but stopped to turn around. "And Joey," he said as his brother walked into the hall to look at him. "You were right, they didn't have the right to keep secrets from us. Especially this one." And then he ran off through the door left open by Hallie who had escaped just moments before.

Joey gave a helpless look at Remus and Harry before following.

"Billy, Billy wait!" he yelled.

The other boy didn't turn back to respond but kept running as if there was no tomorrow.

How could they? He thought fiercely. How could they keep that secret? His legs suddenly failed him and he collapsed upon the grass of the park. The tears fell from his face. He didn't know where they were coming from, but they came nonetheless.

He heard someone plop down before him and sat up to look the opposite way. "Billy -," started Joey uncertainly.

"Don't talk to me, just don't," he snapped back. The other boy immediately shut his mouth at the sharp tone of his brother's voice. Joey looked at Billy for a short moment. The boy's black hair waved wildly in the night breeze. There was a tense set to his shoulders and an aura of anger seemed to emanate around him. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Billy turned to look at him. His eyes were outlined in red, bloodshot, and slightly puffy. The streaks of tear trails were upon his cheeks, but the boy didn't care, nor did he desire to wipe them away. "How could they, Joey? Why would they do that?" he asked in a trembling voice.

Joey, who really felt quite clueless about it all, didn't really know how to respond. "I'm not sure. I used to ask you what they were hiding, remember, Billy-boy? And you'd say that they probably had a good reason." Billy forced a smile for his younger brother's sake. No doubt, Joey was only a few minutes younger than he was, but there was an older to younger brother bond between them that had always seemed to be there. "I'm sure they have one, they wouldn't keep a secret like that if they didn't," said Joey softly.

Billy nodded and wiped away his tears that were starting to tickle his cheeks as they dried. "You don't even know what it was about," he said with a small laugh.

Joey grinned. "Does that matter?

Another laugh escaped his brother's lips. "I guess not." There was a short silence as they both got up. "Thanks, Joey," said Billy as they started towards home.

Joey grinned. "Don't mention it-," but he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Billy looked around at the figures that had suddenly surrounded them. "Well, well, well," said a familiar voice.

Before he had time to shout, a wand was brandished from the lead figure. "Stupefy!" yelled the man. Joey collapsed beside him. He knelt down beside his brother.

"Joey!" he shouted in panic. His heart was racing and cold beads of sweat were starting to arise upon his forehead. He looked at the man. "Who are you? What do you want?" he breathed. The feeling he got from the person before him sent cold feelings through him.

"What do I want?" The man laughed, but it was no laugh at all. "I want you," he said in a deathly calm voice.

And before Billy could do anything, the wand was brandished once more, but this time, towards him.

~*~

Draco woke up with a start and looked around. He was in his room, and it was dark out.

Why was he having these dreams? And why were the Forester twins in them out of everyone in the world? He shook his head and made himself believe that he was just having nightmares. Slowly, he lied down again and put his pillow over his head, trying to fall asleep once more.

~*~

Joey blinked his eyes open and rolled over onto his back. The sky was just beginning to brighten with the morning colors and the air had taken a dip to a cooler temperature than it was earlier that night. His mind was filled with sluggish thoughts that he could not separate from others while his whole body ached.

When he moved into a sitting position, his mind suddenly roamed to the earlier events of the night. "Billy," he called out, pushing himself up. He looked around with a sinking feeling dawning in him. "Billy!" yelled Joey in panic. His breaths were coming out in short gasps now as the facts sunk in. He turned and raced home as fast as his legs would take him.

After kicking the door open, he spotted Remus sleeping on the couch. He rushed over and shook the man awake. "Uncle Remus! Wake up!" he shouted. The man jumped slightly and looked up at him out of bleary eyes.

"Hey, Joey, we were worried about you boys. Your mum was about to call the Ministry but I told her you would be all -"

"Uncle Remus, Billy was kidnapped! They took him and it's all my fault!"

There were footsteps upstairs and both Harry and Hallie came quickly down. "Joey!" exclaimed Hallie with a choked sob. "I'm so - so sorry, I shouldn't have - I was so worried -"

"BILLY WAS KIDNAPPED!" yelled Joey in the loudest voice he had. There was a shocked silence. He looked at his mother. "They took him, mum, and it's all my fault!"

"Who took him?" asked Harry.

"The Dark Lord did!"

"Voldemort?" said Remus in incredulity.

Joey glared at him. "Is there another Dark Lord that I might be referring to?" he growled. "We have to do something!"

Harry said, "I'll notify the Ministry."

"We can't wait for them! It'll take forever!" Joey countered.

Remus came over and hugged him. "Billy's going to be fine," he said reassuringly.

"But they have him - and it's all my fault. If I hadn't -"

"Joey, it's not your fault," he said in a soft yet stern voice. The boy turned away to sit on the couch and bury his face in his hands. His brother's black cat came cautiously forward to settle in his lap. "Hey, Mr. Black," said Joey, petting the creature fondly.

The nickname for the cat seemed to bring Hallie back into reality. "Billy was kidnapped?" she whispered.

Remus looked up at her from the couch and stood up to hug her. "He'll be fine. He can take care of himself."

"Remus, that's Voldemort he's dealing with! What would that - that - what would he want with Billy?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Joey looked up, his eyes brimming with tears. "He didn't want Billy," he said quietly. "He wanted me." The two adults looked at him in question. "It - it wasn't his fault," he said quickly. "I did it, not him. He tried to talk me out of it, but I didn't listen. And - and now look what I've done." His voice quaked slightly. "They've kidnapped him. It should've been me they took not Billy. He didn't do it." He looked at Hallie. "Mum, I'm so sorry."

She came over and hugged him tightly. "It's not your fault - it's never your fault."

He pulled away and hastily wiped his tears away as Harry came in. "They're on their way," and indeed they were. There was a knock on the door and Remus got up to open it.

He led them into the living room where Hallie stood up. "Hello, Miss Forester. My name's Kenny Blaire and I'm with the Department of Investigation for the Ministry." He held out a hand at which Hallie looked at with a bewildered look. "Er - right," he said with a small smile. "Don't worry, we'll find out where your son is. Do you think I could interview you for a few facts that might help us?"

Hallie looked to Remus who came over. "That'll be fine," he said.

Joey looked at his mom's expression and felt his stomach tumble inside of him. A feeling of guilt swept through him and he shuddered. It's all my fault... His eyes roamed to his Uncle Remus who had an extremely grave countenance. Their eyes met and the older man forced a small smile. The boy didn't have the strength to smile back at the moment. Joey then looked at Harry who sat a little distance away on the armchair. The boy's expression was mostly the same as Remus' but had traces of strain upon his face as if everything that was happening was somehow his fault. Joey looked at his mum and uncle who were doing their best to answer the investigator's question and went over to where Harry sat.

"This isn't your fault, you know," Joey told the other boy softly.

Harry looked up in surprise. "Oh, I - I know," yet his tone carried an air of forced confidence.

There was a short pause. "Mum was really happy that you came. I'm sorry this happened."

Harry grinned. "What, this doesn't happen often? I wouldn't be surprised with you two boys running around."

Joey chuckled. "Er - did you really face Voldemort in your first year?" asked the boy, trying to change the subject.

The latter jumped a bit. "You said his name."

The black headed boy smiled. "Mum said not to be afraid to do so." He paused and looked at Harry in contemplation. "You know who my dad is?"

The sixteen-year-old boy looked at his godmother and then back at his god-brother. "Yeah."

"Who is he?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "I-I'm not sure I should be the one to tell you. I'm sorry."

Joey shook his head and a small smile played on his lips. "No worries, I just thought I'd ask." He looked at his mum. "Billy knew and got really upset. I guess it's better for me to be left in the dark a while longer." Harry smiled back and nodded.

"Joey?" said Remus, looking over. "Could you come here for a moment please?" The boy gave a tense look to Harry who grinned reassuringly and walked over to his uncle.

"Hi, Joey, I'm Kenny. How old are you?" said the investigator. He was rather tall with chestnut brown hair and kind hazelnut brown eyes. His face looked rather stern yet wrinkles of many smiles lined his eyes.

"I'm fourteen, turning fifteen in April," responded Joey.

Kenny nodded and scribbled down something on his notepad. "Can you explain what happened tonight when Billy was abducted?"

Joey knew this was coming but it was a great blow all the same. It had happened not too long ago and seemed to hover over him like a menacing shadow. "He - he ran out of the house and I followed him to the park. Um, we sat there for a while and then we were going to go home, but then there were a bunch of people in black cloaks that surrounded us."

"Do you know who they were?" asked Kenny.

"I'm almost certain that they were Death Eaters and that Voldemort was the leader. And - and then he stunned me."

"You're sure it was You-Know-Who?"

Joey nodded. "Yes."

"When you woke up, what did you do?"

"I didn't know where I was at first, but then I looked around for Billy and then went home."

Kenny nodded and smiled. "Thanks." He stood up and shook hands with Remus. "I think I've found out all I need to and more. We'll investigate on this case and get back to you."

She looked up at him with tears brimming in her eyes. "Please bring Billy back to me. My boys are all I have left," she whispered.

He looked at the stricken-looking Hallie and patted her hand. "Don't worry, Miss Forester, we'll get your son back." After shaking hands with both Joey and Remus, he politely excused himself and left, bringing along the crew he had taken.

"Remus, why would they take him? Why would they take Billy? He's only fourteen," she said softly.

He hugged her comfortingly. "He'll be fine, I know he'll be," he replied, but inside, he was silently praying that he was telling the truth.

~*~

Billy awoke and found himself cramped with a pained/fatigued feeling. He rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up and propped himself against the stone wall of the dungeon.

Where am I? he wondered sluggishly. There was a bit of light shining outside his cell and he caught a glimpse of a shadow passing by in the torchlight.

He opened his mouth to ask where he was, but the person spoke first. "Next time you dishonor me that way, you'll get a worse beating than you're in for already you ungrateful whelp," he heard a cold voice snap.

"I didn't dishonor you, Father," replied another. "It was you who dishonored me."

"Hit him," growled the first voice. The group was in view of Billy now and he saw a rather large man plant a punch across a smaller figure's cheekbone and another in the stomach.

The victim put out a hand on the wall to steady himself and breathed in slow gasps. "Damn, you've been working out, eh, MacNair?" Billy's eyes widened when he heard this. It was Draco Malfoy's familiar sneer. They walked on and were soon out of view. "I think you should start working on your middle, it's getting rather large." There was another gasp, which told Billy that Draco had been his once again.

"You're losing, Draco," said Lucius quietly. "If you keep going this way, it will be too late to catch up."

"If you must know, I have no idea what you're speaking of," said the younger man.

Billy heard the word, "Crucio!" escape Lucius' lips and there was a glow of light in the corridor. The boy heard screams of agony and tried to block out the sounds of torture by covering his ears. It was of little avail.

Soon, it was over, or so Billy hoped as he uncovered his ears.

"My -," Draco gasped out, looking at his father with a forced smile. "That felt wonderful, did you enjoy it as much as I did?"

He immediately shut his mouth at the look the older man was giving him. It suddenly crossed him that he might be digging himself into a deeper hole. Since when was he so timid about such things? And when did he start smart talking to his father - the model Death Eater?

"What has gotten into you?"

"Oh sod off," Draco heard himself say and quickly shut his mouth again. Ha, damn it all, that wasn't the right thing to say, was it -

But his thoughts were diminished when there was another glow of light and pain like nothing else filled him. He didn't even try to hide his pain; it was too overwhelming so that he couldn't even think.

After what seemed like an eternity, the pain stopped racing through him, but did not leave. It seemed to well in him, waiting to start up again. He rolled over on his back and looked up at the ceiling.

"What about the boy?" Draco heard Macnair ask as he and Lucius left the cell.

"Leave him," was the calm reply. He heard their footsteps grow softer as they left and soon, all sounds of company were gone.

"Right mess you've gotten yourself into, Draco," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his mud caked hair. "Uh, ew." He hurriedly wiped his hand on his robes and quickly tried to stand. It was better to be slightly clean than all dirty. The floors of the dungeons were hideous and covered with muck. His thoughts reverted back to what just happened when a shooting pain ran through his body. "Damn," he groaned and slowly slid back onto the ground, his back against the stone wall. "I don't even know what I've done!" He picked up a stray rock and hurled it at the wall opposite him. It just bounced back, hitting him on the arm. "S**t!" he yelled, more forcefully this time.

Billy cleared his throat and heard the shuffle of robes and muttered curses as the other tried standing. "Who's there?" called Draco.

"It's -," but the boy cut himself off and cleared his throat again. His voice didn't seem to be working. "It's Billy - Billy Forester."

There was a short silence except for the persistent shuffle of someone trying to stand. "What're you doing here?" wondered the other in a soft tone.

Billy scowled slightly. "Don't you know? I bet you're a part of it somehow."

Draco gave up trying to get up and pulled his knees to his chest. Was this how everyone thought he was? It didn't surprise him that much, really, but it was still something of a blow.

"No," he said almost inaudibly. "I'm not part of it."

Billy just rolled his eyes. There was a sound some distance away and voices could be heard once more. "Well why didn't you remind me you insipid fool?" yelled Lucius. In the dim light of the corridor of his cell, Billy saw the man's shock of silver/blonde hair and his cold expression. "Get up, boy," said the man, looking straight at him. Once done, Lucius said, "Follow me," and with a curt nod, Macnair briskly strode towards Billy and made sure that he would follow.

~*~

Remus heard the door open and close. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Hal?"

"God, Remus, make it all stop," she whispered back and landed in the space beside him.

"Make what stop?" he wondered.

"Everything reminds me of what's going on no matter how hard I try to hide from it all. I wish everyone and everything would just sod off!" She buried her face in her hands. Remus slowly rubbed her back.

"It'll be okay, Hal, I know it will be," he said reassuringly.

She looked up at him. "Know what? It was funny. I just saw a grim outside on the yard. I just stood there for a moment waiting for one of those Knight buses to appear and give me a good hit. It never happened." He chuckled and hugged her.

Then it hit him. "Grim?" he repeated.

"Yeah, funny huh? It rather came a bit late, don't you agree? Too late for a damn warning."

Remus hugged her tightly once more before getting up. "I have to go, okay? Will you be all right?" he asked in a rush.

She looked up at him. "Oh, god, is it a full moon?"

"No, no, I still have a week. I need to go," and with that, he stood up and left the house.

He looked around wildly. "Padfoot, are you there?" he called into the night. A shadow crossed the path and it amused him to find that it wasn't a shadow at all, but Sirius in his dog form. "Follow me," whispered Remus. He led his friend to the back yard shed, which was more like a small house, and went in, closing the door soundly behind him. "I thought you were coming around Christmas," he said once Sirius was in his human form.

The latter smiled. "Yeah, I was, but I - er - I wanted to come a bit early." There was a pause. "How are you? How is she?"

"Er - I-I'm doing all right...and...Hallie? She's - gosh, Sirius, I can't lie to you. She's not doing very well," said Remus softly.

Sirius' eyebrows shot up and his eyes clouded with worry. "What happened? What's wrong?"

Remus looked out of the window at the moon. He heaved a great sigh. "Sirius, I can't tell you. You have to see her yourself if you want to know. It's not my place."

"Remus, if something's wrong with her, I need to know!"

"Then ask her yourself." The man stood up. "I'm really very sorry, Sirius, but I just can't. It's her secret to keep or to give, not mine."

With a polite farewell, Remus left, cutting their meeting short. Sirius watched after him and after a while, transformed into a dog.

Fine, then I will ask her myself.