Disclaimer: I have no intention of saying that I own everything in this story. My mind's not worthy. Sirius Black, James Potter, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Lily Evans (and everything wizarding and/ or witchcraft in nature), Ms. JK Rowling created them. I'm but a mere fan. As for the other girl characters (Lae Bevin, Gin Plata-Connor, JK R'phael and Professor Kiadara Wildfire) my friends and I own them. I repeat: They are not from any of the HP books.

Author's notes: This is a songfic inspired by the song "Could it be any Harder" by The Calling. I've divided the verses and made a story out of the lyrics. Each chapter is titled by lines of other alternative songs (except chapter 6: the line came from Could it be any Harder) The lyrics of the song are enclosed in the ! J anyway… enuf of my introduction… I love SIRIUS BLACK! (Thanks ALEX BAND and AARON KAMIN for writing this heartfelt song. You have eternally changed my life.)

Chapter 6 "… fade away…"

Sirius Black felt his heart racing as he ran through the deserted halls to the Headmaster's office. He saw nothing but the halls ahead of him. Even his friends who ran after him were blurry images in the tragic moment. He had to run. He had to see her. Before it was too late.

Could it be any harder…

Fade away, fade away, fade away…

"Sirius! This way."

Remus shouted. He and Gin followed him. They were headed for the West Tower.

Run, Sirius. Run as fast as you can. Damn… why can't I just apparate to where she is?!

The spiral staircase seemed to be unending. His heart pounded. It was like it was being torn out of his own body. But he couldn't feel the blood rushing to his brain. All he could feel was the scent of fear slowly consuming him.

I won't lose her. Not like this… not without a proper goodbye…

He saw a distant light in the blinding darkness. Two gasps followed. He reached the chamber at the top of the staircase. Sudden gusts of winds welcomed his presence into the room. He wished his eyes were failing him.

A beautiful girl was sitting on a tall four-legged stool and was looking out of the window. Her usually fiery hair had grown longer, to a length that could surround her entirely. It spread across the floor. It wasn't as red as it used to be. And it was flowing like it was made out of liquid. Winds surrounded her as if she was calling on them. Her robes were replaced with a gray dress, asymmetrically cut in different parts that revealed her pale flesh. She wasn't wearing anything on her long legs and feet though it seemed like water ran over it but she wasn't damp. It just seemed like it.

Lae looked at her friends' direction. She was paler than she usually was. But the glow in her eyes was the same.

"I see you disobeyed me, Remus." Professor Dumbledore said.

"Sorry, Professor, but," Remus tried to explain but Dumbledore didn't need an explanation.

"I see you've done the right thing. Thank you for your help." He smiled.

Sirius walked closer to Lae. Lae smiled at him but he didn't.

"You said until you were eighteen." He grumbled.

"I miscalculated," she found this rather amusing.

"Not funny, Lae Bevin." Sirius spat.

"I thought it would be best if Laenan resumed her normal form away from her friends."

Professor Dumbledore told Sirius.

"I think we should leave the kids, Headmaster." Madam Pomfey said.

"Very well," he nodded and turned to Lae.

"It was a pleasure having you at Hogwarts, Laenan."

He smiled and his eyes under the half-moon spectacles, glittered with happiness and misery.

"Thank you, Professor." She said with a wearied smile.

"Will you be alright?" Gin asked after Madam Pomfey had closed the door behind her.

"Yeah. I reckon this wont be long." Lae said without looking at any of them.

"Fervent to leave me, huh, Bevin?" Sirius asked.

"I didn't even want to see you, Black." She looked up at Sirius with dejected eyes and a feeble smile on her thin lips.

"You said they were going to take you when you were eighteen." He said as he took a step closer to her stool.

"Apparently, I am eighteen. Different time frames faerys use. Today's my real birthday. It makes sense, actually. I remember I got my letter on this same day, six years ago. Dad sent owl this morning. He was surprised my mum fled to go for me." She explained.

"You had the entire morning to tell me. At breakfast, in all the classes, even lunch. Why didn't you?"

Sirius was no longer mad. He was exhausted for Lae.

Something magical bursts and huge purple, blue and green wings are released from Lae's back. It was the same as her wings when she took butterfly form. And now, the colors seemed to be more enchanting and alluring.

"I… I was being…I was being selfish. I didn't want to see you get hurt."

She explained while the curls on her hair slowly straightened out. Sirius suddenly realized that he was beginning to see through her. Literally. Sea-colored tears traced down her cheeks.

Could it be any harder…

You fade away, fade away, fade away…

"Lae, what's happening? Why are you beginning to be transparent?" He panicked.

"Its almost time," she wiped away her tears and stood from the stool.

The wind howled rougher and blew harder against her body. She stretched out her arms and more winds violently filled the room.

"I cannot stay long," she said and Sirius walked towards her.

"No!" she almost shouted.

Music of bagpipes, the Tin whistle and the violin played in the air.

"Don't. This is where I must leave. The call is stronger now." She said.

Sirius wouldn't stop walking. She held out her hand and winds blew brutally against Sirius.

"Sirius, stop! If you come any closer and touch me, one of us will die!" She shouted as tears dampened her face.

"I don't care if I die. As long as I've felt your skin against mine for this last moment."

Sirius was crying harder but his voice remained calm.

"Sirius, I think you should keep distant. She has completely taken her natural form." Gin said.

"I don't care! I don't want her to go!" he bellowed. Lae had flown out of the room through the window.

"I'm sorry I didn't have time to make you understand." She apologized.

"You cannot do this to me, Lae. Stay and explain yourself."

His rage didn't allow him to say goodbye properly.

"I will not leave if you hate me. But I cannot stay any longer." She said as her face went paler.

"I do not hate you, Lae. I love you. I love you very much." Sirius said.

"I love you, Sirius Black. Please don't forget me." Lae said.

She extended her arm and conjured a monarch butterfly almost exactly like the one she was. It flew onto Sirius hand.

"I will never forget you, Lae."

Winds rushed and Lae almost faded.

"Lae, no…" he cried as he desperately tried to reach out for her.

She reached out her hand and faded. Gin and Remus had to prevent Sirius from jumping out of the window.

"Goodbye, Sirius. Thanks for letting me know how mortality was like." The wind whispered.

"No, Lae… no…"

-more in chapter 7-

AN: yihee… it's almost done! J reviews? J holler back --- LaEnAn-DeVnEt-BeViN J