(Disclaimer: I own nothing

(Disclaimer: I own nothing.)

Chapter Twenty Eight

Voldemort welcomed them back. "Did you find out what I wished you to?" he demanded. Janice and Rick bowed.

"Yes, master," they murmured.

"Good, now call in Requillo," he commanded.

"Yes, master," they repeated. It annoyed him greatly that they wished not try and defy him. His servants seemed to take delight only in what he wished them to, and seemed to speak not unless ordered to. None of them defied an order or showed any courage at a time when not told to do so.

None except Requillo.

This simple reason was why Requillo was second in command after him. The man showed defiance and an intelligent mind. He was a very powerful wizard as well and showed such potential that Voldemort took great notice of him.

At this time, Requillo stepped in. "You summoned me, master?" he said softly.

A small smile without mirth arrived upon the Dark Lord's face. "Indeed, Requillo. We have found out what needed to be found and the plan will come into action soon enough." Voldemort looked up to find the man staring off into the distance.

The great towers of the Slytherin Castle loomed frighteningly into the mystic and shadowed clouds up above. A swift and chilling breeze rushed by with a shriek of a howl. There was a slight rustle from below where the trees swayed to and fro. Voldemort followed Requillo's gaze to where he stared. It was to the horizon where a single tower could be seen. It rose high above most and shined in the rays of the glimmering sun that was just beginning to rise. In the other man's gaze was a look of longing and a wish formed in his mind.

Requillo closed his eyes for a moment and brushed away a strand of his white blond hair. His sapphire blue eyes sparkled with something inside that seemed surreal. This feeling wasn't one not known to him, but the last time he had felt it was so long ago. It was part of a memory he once had but was washed away leaving an unbearable emptiness in its wake.

A voice called him back into reality. "Requillo?" said the soft voice again. He turned to look at the man he called master and then back at the distance.

"Yes, master?" he replied, somewhat mockingly. Voldemort grinned with something like humor. This was the Requillo he knew so well, the one who challenged him in the most obscure ways. Though very powerful and now showed the same views as the Dark Lord himself showed, the man never used to feel the way he felt now. His ways were of complete white and not even close to gray. But now…now, Voldemort didn't know what they were now. Though Requillo was always at his side, no one ever knew the thoughts that ran through his mind.

Voldemort had stripped him of the memory of his past life in order for the man to come on his side, and changed him so that he became as black as he. Yet it was still hard to tell weather the change was complete and or lasting.

"I was saying, that you do not seem much like yourself. You haven't been all together lately, what is on your mind?"

Once again, Requillo replied with, "Nothing, master, 'tis nothing of importance." But there was something on his mind, and it was of importance. Things were slowly seeping back into his mind. Ever so slowly though they were, the memories of his forgotten past were slipping back to him, and as they did, a feeling of having to find out more overcame him.

"So what're you going to do now?" James asked.

Sirius looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well…what're you going to do to make Hallie go with you to the Winter Dance?" the boy repeated.

Sirius looked ahead for a while. "Hi, Sirius! Hi James!" said a girl passing by. James waved but Sirius seemed lost in thought.

"I have something in mind, but you'll just have to wait and see," he said, fingering his wand.

James noticed and raised a brow. "You're not planning on bewitching her with the Imperious Curse or anything are you?" he wondered.

Sirius laughed. "Not with a curse I'm not, but with something else that I have in mind."

Sirius couldn't hold back a grin. When she saw what he was going to do…he could just see her reaction. He almost burst out laughing just then as he saw himself doing what he would soon do. He couldn't wait. The boy stepped into the classroom and spotted Hallie sitting with Lily, Gwen, and Lydia.

With a smile, he walked up to them. "Hey, Hallie, will you go to the Winter Dance with me?" he asked with an alluring smile.

She grinned back. "No."

He shrugged and, with a smile he chanted a spell that made music start to play. With incredulity did her eyebrows shoot up and her eyes reflect the look of confusion that many of the other students in the classroom had.

"I guess you wonder where I've been

I searched to find a love within

I came back to let you know

Got a thing for you and I can't let go

My friends wonder what is wrong with me

Well I'm in a daze from your love, you see

I came back to let you know

Got a thing for you and I can't let go."

James was laughing his head off and holding onto Lily so he wouldn't fall to the ground. The rest of the class was in much the same mode. Sirius gave her an extra special smile and took Hallie's hand. She smiled and rolled her eyes. He placed his other hand on her waist and she placed her free one on his shoulder.

"Some people go around the world for love

But they may never find what they dream of

What you won't do, do for love

You've tried everything but you don't give up

In my world only you make me do

For love what I would not do.

My friends wonder what is wrong with me

Well I'm in a daze from your love, you see

I came back to let you know

Got a thing for you and I can't let go."

Sirius was leading the dance and it turned out he was a very good dancer. All throughout the serenade, a silly yet adorable smile was upon his face.

"But then I only want the best it's true

They can't believe the things I do for you

What you won't do, do for love

You've tried everything but you don't give up

In my world, only you make me do

For love what I would not do

Make me do for love what I would not do."

Courtesy to Bobby Caldwell

For "What You Won't Do For Love"

And then the music faded away and Sirius ended the dance with a dip. There was an eruption of applause. "So, Hallie, will you go to the Winter Dance with me?" Sirius asked softly with a charming smile playing his lips.

She broke into laughter and he stood straight again, letting her stand on her own two feet. "Sirius, how did you know to do that?" she asked when her laughs died off.

He grinned. "I know you better than anyone else," he replied. She smiled and jumped up to give him a big hug.

"Of course I'll go with you!" She paused and pulled away. "I never knew you could sing so well!"

He shrugged and tried to swallow the silly smile on his face, but found he couldn't wipe it off. "I've been practicing." She hugged him again.

Professor McGonagall stood at the doorway with her arms folded across her chest. "Well, if we're finished here…"

Sirius looked behind Hallie and Hallie turned around to see the teacher there. Sirius blushed slightly and let go of the girl he held. "Er – hello, Professor."

She raised a brow but smiled. "Wonderful performance, Mr. Black," she said.

He grinned and went to take his seat. Most of the class was still in giggles and laughter. James looked at Sirius. "I guess you won the bet then," he said quietly.

The boy blinked at him in puzzlement. "Bet?" There was a short pause. "Oh! Oh yeah, right, I guess I did." James noticed a shadow of guilt pass upon the boy's face.

Peter turned to Remus. "He won then?"

Remus grinned. "Yup, he won big time."

Sirius sat with James in the common room. "Just ask her, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be," said Sirius.

James gave him a look. "That's because yours shouldn't have been hard. It was a bet remember?" That look of guilt passed on the other boy's face again.

Sirius said, "Yeah…well…" He shrugged. "I'm getting tired, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" James nodded and he sighed. "Just ask her, James. It'll be fine." Then he went up the steps to the boys' dormitory.

James sat staring at the fire late that night when someone came down. He knew who it was and his stomach did a flip inside him.

Well, if he's not going to ask me, maybe I should ask him instead…she thought. With a nod of determination, she stepped forward. "Er – James? Can I talk to you?" she asked softly. James turned around in his seat and blushed when he saw her.

"Um – yeah, sure." She sat on the couch next to the armchair. "What's on your mind?"

"Well…er – see…I-I just- I thought that…well…" she stammered. James looked at her expectantly and she gulped. "Wasn't it funny? You know, Sirius singing and that whole thing?" she said finally.

James' heart sank. "What? Oh, yeah," he said, forcing a laugh. Lily looked away. "So…um…the – the Winter Dance is coming up," he said after a short silence. Lily nodded. "And – er …I heard they're going to have Hallie perform…" he finished off lamely. He sighed with irritation, why couldn't he just ask her? "Lily, will you go to the dance with me?" he said quickly. He held his breath.

Lily's eyes brightened. "I'd love to!"

"I – I thought you wouldn't, it was stupid of me to think…" he trailed off and looked at her. "You-you…you -"

"Yes! I will!" she repeated.

He smiled handsomely and walked over to take a seat on the couch next to her. She kissed his cheek and he kissed her nose and gave her a huge hug. James smiled. Everything felt right now; it seemed as if this was the way it all was supposed to be.

That feeling, that feeling that was so horrible overcame him once again. But didn't he have all he needed? Didn't he have everything he wanted? With a sigh, he climbed out the window and took a seat on the roof. He pulled his winter robes close to him to block out the air. What more was there in one's life?

Flashback:

He kissed her cheek and smiled. She beamed back at him and put her arms around his neck. "I'm glad you're home," she said softly. His world was perfect, everything was the way he wanted it to be.

"Me too. How was your day?" he asked, leaning his head upon hers. He ran his fingers through her charcoal black hair and kissed her forehead.

Ever so slowly did she pull away and smile wondrously up at him. "Phenomenal," was her reply. She took his hand in hers and led him to the nursery. Together, they looked over the walls of the crib at their daughter who was giggling at the hanging ornamental overhead. "She slept most of the day," she whispered fondly as she turned to gaze at him. "I think she missed you and wished to pass the time."

He kissed her cheek and bent down to pick up his baby. She giggled and waved her arms around. He gave the child a peck on her head where black fuzz was starting to grow. "She's beautiful, just like her mother." Cassandra gazed at him somewhat dreamily and put her head upon his shoulder. This was the man she had always dreamed of, her knight in shining armor. He was but twenty-one years of age then, and very handsome was he.

"I love you," she said in an almost inaudible voice. He smiled in content.

"I love you too."

End of Flashback.

Unexpectedly, a crystal clear tear dripped down his cheek. Where had that come from? And that woman, who was she? When he saw her in that memory, a feeling swept through him. A daughter…they had a daughter…

He made a sound of aggravation. All these memories…all these reminisces…I can't deal with them! He thought fiercely. What was he to do? What did it all mean? He placed his head in his hands and let the tears fall. Lines that over the years came upon his handsome face shown and his worries were portrayed in them. But what was he crying for? Requillo was crying for something that he thought he no longer had, but how wrong he was, he still had what he loved most.

"Dear Requillo, I send these remembrances for your own sake, you're missing out on something you should not have been deprived of. Soon, so soon will you know what do to, and I will be there to help you, forever shall I be by your side. Find her you shall, do not lose faith. Do not lose faith…" said Fate. She looked down tenderly at the poor man, crying for what he knew not. But there was, weeping for a loss he shouldn't have been denied. "My story is still in the making, and your life is still long, may my plans and your dreams intertwine to make your hopes become reality."

James awoke and looked around. His heart was pounding. Another dream, it was another premonition he had. He had thought that part of him was gone, but he was wrong, so very wrong. One cannot push away a destiny. One cannot push away a part of them so important, that if it were taken, that person would die.

He gazed up at the ceiling, deep in thought. The name, what was the name of that man? Oh yes, it was Requillo. His eyes, his features, they were so familiar, but how? James knew not why the man looked so familiar, yet he did.

He pushed all thoughts of the dream aside. Lily, yes, this was a subject he liked to think about. She said she would go to the Winter Dance with him. He couldn't wait.

With a smile upon his face, James fell asleep.

Sirius heard James awaken, and then slowly fall back asleep, but he remained awake. This feeling of guilt that occupied him made the boy consider calling of going to the dance with Hallie. It seemed wrong that he asked her out only because of a bet. Being reminded of it by his best friends all the time was also something that brought him down.

But what was he supposed to do? Would he have asked her to the Winter Dance even if there were no bet to usher him along? He didn't know. Did he like her? Sirius almost laughed out loud.

Yeah, I think I do like her…he thought, but pushed the thought aside. Maybe it was just a small crush of no importance. He was full of confusion and the puzzle seemed to be in a jumbled mess. And the thought of his little performance during Transfiguration brought a smile to his face as he remembered the look upon Hallie's face.

He supposed that he kind of cheated by serenading her. He knew that would bring down the wall of protection she had. He knew that even if it were even Severus Snape who serenaded her, she would have given in…no, maybe not Snape, but someone like that. Sirius sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

Maybe he should call the whole thing off. Would she mind it terribly? He knew she didn't hate him, not really, she probably liked him somewhat deep down inside…but could never tell with her. It was that blank expression of not giving anything away that she always wore to conceal any feelings she might have. He couldn't seem to get past it and it irritated him thoroughly because he could always read what girls thought or what they were feeling. It was a gift of his, or something like that, he could tell with guys to, his friends were examples.

But what was he to do? Should he, or shouldn't he go with her?

He heard from James that someone had told him that she was going to perform an opening song. Sirius smiled at the thought. She would finally get her chance to do what she loved…but then he thought of this in another perspective. Did she really love to sing and write songs? Or did she hold onto that part of herself because of the loss of her mother? He didn't know. He had thought he knew all about her, but just now he was finding he didn't. Sirius shook his head.

It was going to be a long night.

Lydia sat up and stretched. Slowly, she dressed and went down the steps. Everyone else was still asleep but she found she couldn't fall into a peaceful slumber anymore. "Hey, Lydia," said the sweet voice she longed to hear. With a smile, she quickened her pace and took a seat next to him. He hugged her tightly. "Will you go to the Winter Dance with me?" She pretended to think about this for a few moments. He smiled and kissed her. "Good."

With a laugh she said, "And who ever said I said yes?" Slyly she added, "Someone already asked me." Remus laughed and she pouted playfully. "I'm telling the truth."

He looked at her seriously. "Who asked you?"

At his protective expression, she looked at the fire. "Er – well…"

"Come on, Lydia, who asked you?" he repeated. He was looking at her out of the hazel/blue eyes she loved so much.

She couldn't resist telling him. "Anthony Roberts."

"Anthony Roberts? The Hufflepuff?" he asked incredulously. "But we're friends! Why would he ask you when he knew that you and I go out?" His voice had risen somewhat and she cringed ever so slightly.

"I don't know, but I said no, so it doesn't matter anymore," she told him in consolation. She hugged him tightly. He always got overemotional when anything had to do with her. He was protective but was always sweet. "I wouldn't go with anyone but you."

He looked at her tenderly. "Thanks." He kissed her softly. Remus felt her sigh and lean against him. They pulled away and he smiled and kissed her cheeks. "Love you," he whispered.

She smiled up at him. "I love you too."

It was only then that they noticed the person walking in. "Don't mind me, I'm just passing by," grumbled Sirius.

Remus laughed as the other boy exited. "He's still asleep," he told Lydia.

She grinned. "I could tell."

"Well hello, Mr. Black, you're up early today," said Professor McGonagall. "Hoping to start on work early?" she asked with a bit of humor. Sirius stopped and looked up. He drowsily rubbed his eyes.

"What?" he questioned in a tired tone. She looked at him in concern.

"Are you all right? Are you not feeling well today?"

Sirius said, "Nah, I'm fine." And then he walked on. The professor watched after him and shrugged. With a sigh, she continued on her way.

He was feeling crummy, terrible; horrible…he was feeling absolutely horrid. He needed something to cheer him up. Oh! He knew what he could do. Slowly he walked to the statue with the one-eyed witch and said the password. He then crept in and greeted Harold, the keeper of Honeydukes.

"Well you're up early today, Sirius," said the elder man with a smile. "Preparing another prank I presume?"

Sirius grinned. "Nope, I just need something to make me feel better." He reached into his pocket and produced some coins. "Can I have some chocolate frogs and some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans please?"

Harold pushed the coins away. "This one's on me."

"Just take it, Harold," insisted Sirius.

Harold laughed and shook his head. "I'm rich 'cause of you and you're little friends already with how much stuff you guys buy from me. Just think of this as my Christmas present to you," he said.

Shrugging, Sirius smiled and took the bags of candy. "Thanks a lot, Harold, I owe you one."

But Harold shook his head and waved his hand. "Forget about it. Now get your scrawny behind outta my store."

Laughing, Sirius obliged and popped a chocolate frog in his mouth after taking off the wrapper and card. "Another Dumbledore? I think I've seen too much of him already!" he exclaimed and pocketed it.

Something caught his eye and he looked out the window nearest him. It was some sort of black shadow that had passed by so he looked out. When he saw nothing in sight, he went on walking down the hallway.

Janice and Rick looked at each other. "Did he see us?" asked Rick.

Janice shrugged. "I don't think so." The two weren't and elderly couple anymore, they were really in their mid thirties or forties.

"Good, now keep an eye out, if we mess this one up, the master will have our hides," said Rick gruffly.

Janice sent a glare his way. "Don't talk to me about messing up, it was you who almost blew our cover! That boy Sirius almost saw us passing by!" she exclaimed. He scowled.

"That's because you move slow!" Both their arms burned with a flame.

"Stop it, both of you and continue on your mission. Keep watch and then report back to me, understood?"

Janice and Rick looked at one another fearfully. "Yes, master," the said in unison. The occupance of their master left them and they sighed.

"Come on," Rick said, "We had better get a move on and get back soon." They put invisibility charms upon themselves and unlocked the window quietly.

Two Death Eaters were now in Hogwarts.

(Author's Note: Aren't these chapters coming out quicker? Yay! This is three out this weekend 'cause I can't do them during school days. So sorry! Thank you to Foxy77 for your review!)