So sorry for the wait, everyone. This was, once again, a difficult chapter to write because I wanted to get everything just right. I did not plan to do this chapter from Remus's perspective, but that is just how it turned out. Please review below what you think, it will help me immensely with writing and make me smile. Please enjoy the chapter!

Remus could barely believe what he had seen. The horrors that had been broadcasted on the wall were nothing short of terrifying. Watching people younger than him, only teenagers, going to war and risking and losing their lives… was something that would haunt him forever. It was even worse than what he had seen in the last Wizarding War. It was fought with magic and was mostly bloodless. The killing was done with a swipe of a wand and a phrase off the tongue. This was very, very, different. The killing was done in downright mortifying ways.

He looked to Elizabeth, wanting to know how she had taken it. The two's relationship might seem odd to some, considering he had only been her tutor and teacher, but he cared about her very much. He could relate to her struggles with wands when she was first starting out, and he had been her biggest source of comfort on that front. Elizabeth could tell him anything, and he would do anything to protect her. Harry was like his nephew, and she was like his niece. He'd protect her till his dying breath, and the fact that he had been the one to show her memory made him feel ill.

She didn't look much better than he did. She was paler than usual, and though her hands were tucked under the table, he would bet a galleon they were shaking. This couldn't have been easy for her to relive. Now he understood why she had never breathed a word of this to anyone else. How could she have brought it into a conversation, or even put it into words? And how could this world they lived in to be so cruel and dark that a child was subjected to seeing war first hand?

Wait. Elizabeth wasn't born into this world. She was born a thousand years ago, into a time much, much, worse than this one. Sometimes he forgot about that. But there were times like today when it was slapped in his face how different her upbringing was, or how different she could be. (The letters she regularly sent him occasionally reminded him of this as well. Retelling stories of standing up to bullies and calling them churls, and whatnot.)

"How many died?" Moody's question pierced through Remus's thoughts. It also annoyed him. Couldn't he tell she was dealing with enough?

But Elizabeth surprised him. She sat straighter and looked more mature and calm. "Two hundred and seven muggles, six professors, and twenty-nine students. The numbers were even more devastating back then than they would be now. The school was much smaller, and that was before muggle born students came to the school. I was five years old when this occurred, and eight when muggle born students were brought in." she explained.

Remus was a little taken aback by her rather strong reply. Surely after watching that, it would be difficult for her to talk, especially about the event in particular?

No one else looked as composed as Elizabeth, aside from a curious Moody. Molly looked like she was going to pass out. Sirius's face was dark with fear. Minerva's was grief-stricken. She was clearly moved by the event, and not in a good way. Dumbledore had a look of deep sadness. Perhaps he was imagining being in the founder's shoes, leading his school into a bloody battle. Remus did not envy him.

Elizabeth continued her speech. Perhaps just to fill the silence? Or explain the situation further?

"Originally, it was only going to be professors fighting. Remember, all the founders were professors as well as runners of the school. But, the older students spoke up and wanted to fight. There was a lot of arguing, but eventually, Rowena made the point that the number would be too small otherwise if we wanted to win. Rowena was beside herself with guilt afterward."

Ah, so the latter was true. Well, he couldn't blame her for that. She had paused, letting the others digest what she said.

Minerva took her hand and squeezed it. They exchanged a look, and Elizabeth seemed to be saying, I can do this.

Molly was the next to speak. "Please, tell me that was the worst thing you had to experience." she seemed to plead. Molly was a woman of compassion, and Remus could tell she saw Elizabeth as one of the children she did not technically have, but still loved dearly like a daughter.

Elizabeth sighed. She shook her head. Remus was afraid of what she would say next.

"I'm sorry. What you just saw was the worst, but there was something almost as bad that happened a few years after this." she replied.

Molly gasped. Minerva clutched her daughter's hand even closer. Sirius looked panicked. Arthur was frowning and sat even closer to his wife. Dumbledore looked like he was close to tears, perhaps? That thought was unsettling and gave a stronger sense of seriousness to the situation.

Elizabeth looked as if she was preparing herself for telling her story. Remus was about to offer his spell again, but she beat him to the punch.

"Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, I figured you might remember this. But, when I was nine years old, about a year after muggleborn students started enrolling into the school, there was an epidemic in the school. The disease is known as the Black Death." Remus audibly gasped, as did several others. Molly and Arthur just went pale, pale, white. Elizabeth winced but continued.

"It swept through the school like wildfire. Even though Helga and Salazar were gifted in healing and potions, we didn't have a broad or great understanding of the disease. And, we had never even seen it before, so we didn't know what to expect or do. People were dying quicker and quicker and were infecting others even faster. The only healthy professors took the last healthy students and left the school just before things got to their worst. At one point, everyone in the castle was infected. Even myself and my family. It was harsher on the children than it was on adults. Helga was eventually able to brew a remedy, but not before it hurt my little brother."

She paused for a breath.

"He and I both were stricken terribly by the illness, but Augustus was hurt far worse. We all thought he was going to die. It was a pure miracle he didn't. But, the disease never fully went away. Not completely. Some days he was alright, but he was never truly healthy. It was the same with some of the other students. They got to the point he did and never recovered. We think the disease had fused with their magic, as they started to struggle even doing the simplest spells. Those still growing stopped. My mother came up with the theory that their bodies had stopped any sort of development when they got sick and the disease intertwined itself in their magic. So, they never got better, either. Even my brother."

She took in a breath again. Remus was having trouble even picturing what she was describing, but he knew she wouldn't lie about any of this.

Elizabeth looked down at the table as she continued. "He never deteriorated. But he never improved. When there were Seasons Balls, he wouldn't be allowed to go because he was too weak to dance, or even stand for too long. He would beg and plead, but after a while, he just stopped asking. He was five when the disease set in, and seven when I disappeared." the thousand and thirteen-year-old girl shook a little at the mention of that memory.

She was silent. Minerva was the tentative one to speak next. "I'm so sorry, dear."

Elizabeth had a sad smile on her face. "It's alright. I know he's in a better place now. He doesn't have to hurt anymore."

There was a slight cheer to the atmosphere, at least a little bit lighter. But that all came crashing down due to a question from Mr. Weasley.

"Elizabeth? May I ask a question?" he asked. She nodded. He sighed, and asked, "Ginny has told me about your habit of feeding thestrals with Luna Lovegood. Can you see them because of what you saw when you were very little?"

Elizabeth's face became pinched. But she shook her head. Remus could feel his heartbeat in his throat. Why would one young girl need to have so many dark secrets? How could her life be so cruel?

"The school was holding a special ball to celebrate finding three new professors after losing some to the Plague. They were three brothers, the Peverells. But, during the ball, the eldest started telling the story of how they conquered Death on their way to the school. Yes, this is the same story as the fairy tale most of you probably know, but some of the details are different. The brothers stuck together and came to Hogwarts instead. The eldest brother bragged so much about his wand, one of the other professors challenged him to a duel. They were already rivals, but this was the furthest they'd ever gone in their rivalry."

She stopped, letting the story sink in. They were all on the edge of their seats.

"I was sent up to my family's quarters since I was only ten and my parents didn't want me to see the duel. Helena was sent to watch me and keep me and my brother safe, though she was already sixteen. We went upstairs to check on my brother, but Helena then tried to sneak out. I caught her, and she explained that she was in love with the professor the oldest brother was dueling and wanted to go down and know for sure he survived. I agreed to keep her secret, but only if I could come, too. I was too curious for my own good."

She was coming up on a part of the story where Remus could see where it was going.

"According to the story, and in fact, the eldest brother defeated his rival. I saw it happen. I witnessed death. That is why I can see Thestrals, Mr. Weasley." she finished.

The poor man looked devastated. Elizabeth looked immensely guilty.

Minerva cleared her throat. "I believe it is for the best if we all retire for the evening. Unless you have anything else you need to say, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "That's all the secrets I have. I'm sorry I never told any of you this sooner, but it was just so difficult to talk about my past because it reminded me of what I lost,"

She looked around the table. "But, I think I should change how I think about it. Instead of thinking of what I lost, I should think of what I've gained since then." she said with a smile.

Remus smiled back. As worried as he was that she would have broken over what she had to explain tonight, he now understood how truly strong Elizabeth could be. At a moment when he thought explaining her past was something she would not be able to do, she was able to keep her strength about her.

And he couldn't be prouder.

Still, some loose ends to wrap up before the 5th year stuff starts. Please review below! Ask questions! Say what you want to see! What YOU think is needed to tie up this part of the story! This is a very complicated plot line, so any input will be very much appreciated!