(Disclaimer: I own nothing

(Disclaimer: I own nothing.)

Chapter Twenty One

Fate sighed in annoyance. This wasn't going at all how she had planned. The lines she had written started to melt away into different words. "What's the magic word?" asked Sirius.

"PLEASE!" she screamed read Fate. She looked to Rowena. The poor young woman was sitting on the ground with a mellow expression upon her beautiful face.

"I'm sorry dear," said Fate. Rowena, who now held the book, was reading it intently.

"Please don't be, look at the book!" Indeed, the letters seemed to suddenly appear on the page in a mad rush. Something was going to happen, and it was going to happen soon.

Serpise jumped up. What was that? A scream? Yes, a girl's scream. It had sounded like the voice of the girl child he had only moments ago spoken to. "Rogue!" he yelled. The servant rushed in and was in mid bow when Salazar hit him upside the head with his wand. "Get up! Where are the children?" he demanded.

"The-the children, master? They- they, they were walking in the halls-," stammered Rogue cautiously.

"The halls? And to where?"

Rogue said, "I-I am not sure…"

Serpise's eyes glowed with an angry fire. He raced out of the room knocking his servant aside as he went to the children's rooms. They were empty. He then took hold of the amulet around his neck. Its first form was a locator. It pointed to the East Wing tower. He rushed there and found it too was empty. When he gazed out the window in aggravation, he saw a shocking sight. Four figures doubled up on two brooms. The children, they had escaped. "Get back here! Come back!" he yelled with desperation deep in his voice. In a short while, they disappeared into the fog. He glared after them. "All right then, have if your way. I will get you, and when I do, you will not be happy."

She squeezed his waist. "Sirius? Did you hear that?" she asked with fear creeping into her voice making it end in a squeak. He grinned back at her.

"Hear what?" he questioned back. Hallie took her face from buried in his robes.

"I-I thought I heard Salazar…" she told him. He faced back up front and then turned to look at James.

"I do say, I think our dear Hallie is starting to hear voices," he muttered with a meaningful look at James. The boy rolled his eyes and chuckled softly. Hallie hit Sirius' back. "Ow! Be careful, I'm the one in charge of the broom after all." This made her stop her hand in mid swing from hitting him again.

"I don't like you."

"I never said you had to like me," was his simple reply. These plain words seemed to make a memory shoot back into her mind. It was one of Rogue when she had told him she hated him but he said he never said she had to like him, but that he could always make her. She shuddered. Sirius turned to look at her again. "You cold?" he asked in a soft voice. She looked at him and then averted her eyes.

"You could say that."

James listened to Sirius' and Hallie's bickering, then soon, they quieted down. They would be back at Hogwarts in maybe an hour or so. He looked back at Lily who was asleep against him. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he looked at her for a short while. She looked so angelic. Her hair glowed in the moonlight and burned with a lively blaze. He was always enamored by red hair; it put a sort of trance of him.

"James," said Sirius after a while. He looked at his friend.

James replied, "Yeah?"

There was a short silence. "What's happening? Why's this happening?" James thought about this. Deep inside he knew, disregarding the information he had recently gathered, what was going to happen, and why it was happening.

"Ask Hallie," was the boy's reply. Sirius blanched.

"Hallie? Why? What does she have to do with any of this?" asked Sirius. James looked at him. The other boy looked like a shadow in the midnight air. His dark hair gave him a sort of mysterious aura and his ebony colored eyes looked strange and mystical.

"Ask her."

Sirius looked behind him at Hallie and was surprised to find she wasn't asleep. "Hallie?" She slowly turned her gaze to him. Though their eyes were locked, it was as if she wasn't really seeing him.

"Hmm?" she mumbled.

"Hallie, do you know why this is happening?" he asked her. She blinked at him with those large sapphire blue eyes.

"Why what's happening?" she questioned back. James looked forward, of course, he knew what was to be said, and he was, after all, the Seer.

Sirius sighed with forced patience. "Why all this is happening."

Hallie blinked at him again. "This?"

"Listen to me. Why is all this happening to us? I mean, Slytherin…that Rogue guy…what is all this?" he asked in incredulity.

There was a long silence, which made Sirius think that she had decided not to answer. After a while, however, she spoke. "Sirius, you know why this is happening. The Alloy Child, remember? It's all because of that…but not really. I'm sure James can tell you." With an aggravated sigh, Sirius turned to James who grinned.

"Fate's writing her story," was the simple reply from the boy. Sirius threw his hands into the air.

"Wonderful. So in other words," he said, "we've fallen into the hands of fate." There was no reply, but everyone knew this was true.

"Rogue!" the man, yelled. "Come to me at once!" His words echoed through the castle, which was deserted except for the master and servant who occupied it.

At once, Rogue appeared next to his master. "Yes, master?"

"Go after them, go after then now!" growled Serpise. "I want them brought to me, I want you to follow them, don't bring them to me just yet, only when the amulet is found. Do you understand my words?" he demanded. The servant bowed lowly.

"Indeed, master, they will be brought back to you with the Alloy Child." And with that, Rogue left to go after the four.

James slowed his broom. No longer were they alone. He knew this, but he didn't know how, there was just a feeling as if someone else was there. He opened his mouth to tell the others but he felt a space in him become occupied. Not yet, James, you mustn't tell them yet. It isn't part of the plan, said Fate. He sighed.

"James, you okay?" asked Sirius. He nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just tired," he replied. He wasn't lying exactly, because he was tired. Plan? What plan? He wondered.

The plan of my story. All must unfold now, and I promise you, soon it will, very soon. The occupancy in him left and he was once again alone.

They finally arrived at Hogwarts. The main doors swung open with a clang and there Dumbledore stood, without a smile, but with a twinkle flashing in his bright blue eyes. James woke Lily and all four of them got off their brooms. "Welcome back," was the headmaster's greeting. James smiled in understanding. Of course, it wasn't Dumbledore who was supposed to go after Sirius and Hallie; it was James and Lily's journey. "Mr. Lupin and Mr. Pettigrew you will find in the Gryffindor common room. I told them you'd be by shortly." Sirius looked to James who was in eye contact with the ancient man but held his tongue from saying anything.

"Yes, sir." James took Lily's hand in his and they walked in past Professor Dumbledore. Hallie and Sirius gave each other a look, then followed.

"James, why are Peter and Remus back here? Are the holidays over already? Because I didn't think Hallie and I were gone that long…" trailed off Sirius in inquiry. The other boy just shrugged. James had his arm around Lily and was supporting her. She was unbearably tired and was grateful for his helping her.

They stepped into the common room and Remus along with Peter jumped up instantly. Peter however, cringed a bit as if in pain but quickly composed he. "Where have you been?" he asked with worry and fright upon his plump face.

"What were you off doing?" said Remus at the same time.

"I saw a dead man," said Sirius. The two boys looked at each other and missed the grin Sirius flashed at James who rolled his eyes in turn.

"Sirius and Hallie were kidnapped," said Lily with a yawn. James smiled down at her tenderly.

"I'll be right back guys," he told everyone. He led her up to her dormitory where she went to her bed. He kissed her forehead gently and turned to go. Lily watched after him and fell asleep with a smile upon her face.

"Are you going to tell us what happened now?" asked Remus cautiously. They were seated around the fire. Sirius looked to James and Hallie, and then told the tale.

"The Alloy Child? But – but isn't that just a legend?" questioned Peter.

Hallie said, "That's what I thought too…I guess I was wrong, otherwise, there's an insane dead man running around."

"If he is really Salazar Slytherin…" added Sirius. She nodded. James was looking into the fire but was listening intently. Everything seemed to be puzzling together in his mind from the journey. Sirius' and Hallie's perspectives on what had happened changed everything he thought from when they had left, that was why he didn't go after Serpise, there was just a key part of the puzzle that wasn't making any sense.

He jumped up. "I've got to do something, I'll talk to you guys later," he said, and then ran off. The others looked at each other.

"Er – so I'm guessing you didn't have a chance to work on the –" said Peter but was cut off by Remus who elbowed him in the ribs. Sirius gave him a look.

"No."

Hallie looked at the three boys and grinned a mischievous grin. "I know nothing," said she.

He ran to the headmaster's office and stopped before they statue before it. "Er…what was the password again? Um…oh yeah! Ric, Serpise, Rowe, and Elle." The statue moved and let him enter. From there, he ran to the headmaster who was stroking Fawkes tenderly.

"Hello, Mr. Potter, I had thought you would stop by," he said to the boy with a small smile. James grinned back.

"I don't doubt that, sir, but may I please see Hallie's snow globe?" asked James. Dumbledore's smile broadened a small bit and the twinkle in his eyes glimmered.

"I put it back, Mr. Potter." James nodded and opened his mouth to excuse himself, but the headmaster spoke again. "But I do have another that appeared the day you left." The professor handed the second snow globe to James who held it cautiously as if afraid it would strike him at any moment.

After a short moment, James looked back up at Professor Dumbledore. "Sir, only Helga Hufflepuff and Godric Gryffindor are in this one," he said quietly.

The headmaster beamed at him. "Indeed, Mr. Potter, I had noticed that as well."

James said, "But-but what happened to Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw?" His mind had wandered back to the original snow globe that was in Hallie's possession. There, there were four figures, but in this second one, there were only two. "Professor, what happened between the founders?" he asked.

Dumbledore's smile faltered and gradually fell. "Mr. Potter, it is not I who must figure that out."

James nodded. He said his farewell and left. When he went back into the common room, no one remained except Hallie was sitting in the armchair before the fire waiting for him. She smiled and he noticed she held her periwinkle songbook. "James, I -," but he cut her off.

"I know," he replied. She nodded, stood, and looked at her beloved book.

"James, can you change this back into its true form?"

James nodded and took the offered book. At his touch, he felt a tingle run up through his fingertips and all through him. Involuntarily, he shivered. Hallie grinned. "I never thought that that feeling meant anything until yesterday before you came," she told him softly. He nodded again.

The words came to his mouth like they always did when dealing with this type of magic. "Chantebra Lengorio," he whispered. There was a bright flash of sapphire blue and he shut his eyes tightly. After a few short moments, he opened them again to look at a silver amulet with a pendant of a small young girl dangling at the chain's end. Where the head should have been, there was a sparkling diamond and the dress was studded with blue sapphires. He handed it to Hallie who was staring at it out of wide and awed eyes. She shook her head and pushed it back towards him.

"You should keep it," she said almost inaudibly. He shook his head back at her.

"You had it with you all along for a reason, it's yours, you should wear it." Her breathing was shallow as she looked at the amulet. She composed herself and put the blank expression back on her face as she looked at him. He gave it to her. For a short while, she looked at it.

"Goodnight, James, and thanks," she said. They walked their separate ways to their dormitories.

In her dorm, she put the amulet over her head and found that it shrank to fit her neck size. It frightened her that it seemed to have a mind of its own.

Don't be afraid, said a gentle voice in her ear. She jumped up and turned around, looking about her for the person who spoke. You cannot see me for I'm imprisoned. Hallie shut her eyes. She knew who it was.

I'll help to free you, she promised, no matter what it takes.

There was a smile in Rowe's voice. I know dear, I know. And thank you.

James sat on his bed and was about to go to sleep when he remembered the second snow globe. Quietly, he crept back down into the common room and sat on the armchair before the fire. In his hand he held the globe and he closed his eyes with his face facing the blaze of the burning fire.

Ric closed his eyes in pain. Why could he not forget the tragedy of his life? It hurt so much that it was as if his insides were being torn and his heart ripped away from him. Must their lives have gone on this path? So many times he wondered what life would be like if Rowe had not been taken from him and Serpise had not betrayed him. Serpise…his brother, disowned and left to be forgotten, but no. Never, never could Godric forget his brother. And Rowena…his life…she was gone.

His thoughts were broken when the door opened. Slowly he turned around but already, he knew who was there. "Godric, dear, are you all right?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yes, I'm fine." He stood. "Is it time?" She smiled and nodded. Helga looked so happy and he felt guilty for not feeling as wonderful as she felt. This was supposed to be a blithe filled day, but he knew it would not; never again would his life be filled with cheer.

Godric led the way out and she followed. The music started to play at the sight of him. He walked across the carpet and stood before the elderly man at the head. Helga came soon after looking beautiful and happy, her eyes shined with tears of bliss.

The priest started to speak. "Dearly beloved…"

How could that be? Godric and Helga? That…it didn't seem right. James had thought Godric loved Rowena…oh yes, of course. She was imprisoned and was taken away from him. James shook the thoughts from his mind. He was tired and wanted rest. He would think about it tomorrow.

Lily turned in her sleep.

Helga sat in her room after the wedding. Everything was wonderful. She was with the man she loved. But Rowe was gone now…and Serpise. She pushed the thoughts of them away. Never mind them, they're gone from our lives now. I'm with Godric, all is well, all is the way I want it. I love him, and he loves me. Everything is perfect.

(Author's Note: Thank you to Chibi Pixie and Geppy. Only two?! I KNOW! IT'S SO TRAGIC! But I really love you both who reviewed! Thank you, thank you, thank you! But please you guys…review! Thanks a bunch with lotsa love from Sea Chelle)