Unknown Location, 1979

Regina Black ran as fast as she could as her legs became weaker and weaker. Just a little farther. Just a little farther, a voice in her head told her. That voice sounded familiar, but Regina was too tired and in too much pain to try and figure out who it belonged to.

Come on, Gigi. Go!

The nickname gave it away. Gigi was Sirius' nickname for her from when they were kids. Why was she hearing his voice now? She didn't need the extra emotional baggage of thinking about him right now.

Regina stopped for a moment to catch her breath, the locket hanging limply around her wrist. Can I really do this?, she thought. Could and seventeen year old help take down the Dark Lord? The most powerful evil wizard of her generation? She thought about the outrage from her family if it happened.

She thought about how Sirius would react. How was Sirius doing now, anyway?

No, she interrupted her thoughts. Stop thinking about him. About anything. Keep moving. Have to….keep...moving…

Somehow, Regina made it to the entrance of the cavern and was able to get out. Also unbelievably, she was able to apparate without splinching herself too badly to Number 12, Grimmauld Place.

"K-Kreacher!", Regina coughed as she practically fell through the door.

The Blacks' house elf appeared with a pop in front of her. "Miss Regina cal-Miss Regina is hurt?"

"Y-yes, Kreacher I am", Regina breathed, collapsing onto the floor. "Kreacher, find Severus Snape and tell him to come here. I need him right now."

"Yes, Miss Regina." And he was gone again, leaving the young woman breathing heavily on the floor of the kitchen.

Kreacher reappeared a few minutes later, a very confused Severus Snape with him.

"Regina!", Snape exclaimed, kneeling beside her. The two of them had never really been friends, but they did care for each other-if only a bit.

"What happened?", he asked.

Regina wordlessly held up the locket. "D-dark Lord's secret. H-horcrux."

Severus' eyes widened. "Horcrux? A piece of his soul? You found it?"

Regina nodded weakly.

"K-Kreacher, destroy this. An don't ever tell anyone-especially other family members-about this. Okay?"

"Yes, Miss Regina." Pop. He was gone once more.

Regina started coughing violently, her body convulsing. Severus helped her stand. She leaned against him. "What happens now?", he asked. "What was your plan?"

"I n-need to hide."

"Where? Here? Where all of your relatives can find you? Is your mother here?"

"Where else?"

Severus bit his lip. He really didn't want to do what he was about to offer her. She may have wanted a way to get out of the Dark Lord's grasp, but he wasn't so sure about it. Also, if anyone found out about what she had done, and the Severus had helped her get away with it….

Severus didn't want to think about what would happen.

"I'll let you stay with me", he finally said. "No one knows where I live, anyway. If anyone ever finds me, we can hide you or put some glamors on you."

Regina gave him the best half-smirk she could muster.

"I d-didn't know you were able to be so n-nice, Sev", she said.

Severus rolled his eyes and basically carried her to the front door.

"Don't make me regret this, Black", he said, but there was no real bite to his words.

Godric's Hollow, 1979-A few weeks later

"...foot? Padfoot."

"Hm?", Sirius said, shaking himself a bit.

"I asked you if you were alright", James Potter asked worriedly. "But I think I already have my answer."

"No, no, I'm fine", Sirius said unconvincingly, staring at the parchment in his hands. It was from his cousin Andromeda, who had heard from her sister Narcissa that Regina had died.

"It's okay if you're not alright, Sirius", Remus said, placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "I certainly wouldn't be in this situation."

Sirius silently reread the letter.

Sirius,

I am sorry I haven't written to you in a while, and I wish this letter came under better circumstances.

I just received a letter from Narcissa telling me that Regina has passed away. No one knows how, or where her body is, but the Dark Lord himself has apparently confirmed that she is dead.

I know you two weren't close, Sirius, but I am very sorry for your loss. I know that I would be devastated if I lost one of my sisters. Even Bella.

Owl me if you need anything,

Andy.

P.S. Dora wants you to come over again soon, she misses you.

"The Dark Lord himself", Sirius repeated out loud.

"What?", Peter squeaked.

"Andy says that apparently You-Know-Who has personally confirmed that Regina is...is gone."

Lily, who had been listening from the kitchen, gasped, her eyes filled with tears.

"Do you think that means…", Peter said, grunting as Remus elbowed him. The Animagus shrank under the glare the werewolf gave him.

"I don't know what it means", Sirius sighed, folding up the letter and putting it in his pocket. He had a horrible feeling that he did know what it meant. "I'm gonna head home. I'll see you all later."

Everyone was silent as Sirius left.