~*~A note: *** indicates a memory/flashback and or dream sequence. ~*~

A young woman with an elfin, youthful face stood on her tiptoes and unlatched the window above the kitchen sink, letting in the warm evening breeze that was sweeping across the fields of the Fleetwood Estate. It was one of those unbearably hot days, where it was impossible to make yourself stay inside even though you seemed to melt on the spot. Leaning carefully on the bench, she reached behind her head and tied her thick black hair back, into a ponytail. After steadying herself on a crutch, the young woman fetched a glass of cranberry juice from the fridge and headed towards the front porch of the country style cottage. Before she had even taken three steps, there was a hooting noise from the window. "For heaven's sake.." She exclaimed, hobbling back towards the window and slamming down the glass. She untied the letter from the owl's leg and looked at it curiously.

Rhiannon Fleetwood, The Fleetwood Estate.

Well, it was for her. She hadn't had an owl in while... Rhiannon took a seat in a wicker chair by the fireplace and opened the envelope. She smiled softly. A letter from Lily...

Dear Rhi, How have you been since I saw you last? It has been awhile, hasn't it? Well things have been going fine for us. Really well actually... James has been incredibly busy with work and everything, but he took some time off last week and took us all to Ireland for a few days, to celebrate Harry's birthday. It was a nice change. Anyhow, I was writing to say that James has heard from Padfoot, and his job with the Order should be finished very soon. So you can expect him home the day you get this. It's official. We're happy for you! I know it's been quite awhile since he's been home. Also, James and I will be in the area a few days after, so I thought we'd drop in for a few days! Write me back and let us know. We love you both, Lily and James.

Folding up the letter and tucking it into her jeans, Rhiannon felt a warm glow course through her body. She grabbed a sheaf of parchment and a quill that were lying around and scribbled an affirmative answer. She tied it to the tawny owl's leg and watched it soar away. Everything was looking much better! Lily and James were coming to stay, and Sirius was coming home! She sighed contentedly and eased herself out of the chair. She drank her glass of now warm cranberry juice and went to 'fix up' the house.

It took awhile but she managed to change the sheets on her bed to white, with big fluffy pillows and a doona. There were candles on tables, shelves and on the mantelpieces in the lounge and bedroom. Finally she scattered a handful of rose petals on the bed. Then she waited.

*** There was a knock at the door, then gentle laughter. Rhiannon grabbed Sirius's arm and flung open the door. Lily almost bowled her over in the hurry to hug them both. James followed in a more casual and relaxed manner, but no less warmly or cheerfully. Lily and Rhiannon immediately grabbed cool drinks and headed for the garden lounge, while Sirius and James clasped hands and loitered around the house for awhile before joining the ladies outside.

"It's been awhile since we've all sat down like this..." Lily commented, sipping her drink and pulling James' arm around her shoulder. James laughed and moved a little closer to Lily. "It's all the work for the Order.." he said in a half proud, half annoyed voice. Sirius absently played with a lock of Rhiannon's glossy black hair. " I've been lucky so far." He paused and cast an inquisitive look at his and Rhiannnon's best friends, seated on the couch across from them. "What's up with you guys? It's like a cheering charm gone wrong..." Rhiannon giggled, recalling a memory from Hogwarts. " Not that bad, But Sirius is right... You guys are awfully different today.." Lily cast a questioning and slightly playful glance at James, who nodded. The young woman sighed depreciatively, her green eyes sparkling. " Oh it's no big thing really ..." She said dramatically, flicking a leaf off her skirt. "James proposed to me and after some consideration I decided he'd do..." Lily giggled as James feigned being hurt. Sirius and Rhiannon stared. James took Lily's hand in his. "We were wondering if you two would be our best man and maid of honour?" There was more staring, a lot of screaming and laughing, a few tears and plenty of hugs and kisses. ***

*** A kind faced man with greying hair closed the book on the pedestal in front of him. "You may now kiss the Bride." As James gently pushed back the soft veil from Lily's face and kissed her, rose petals fell over them in a fragrant shower and ribbons streamed from every tree branch. The great lake sparkled and the sky was blue as if they too were celebrating. As Lily and James held hands and turned to face their family and friends, their celebrant smiled. The newly weds smiled as they were immediately swamped by family and friends.

Sirius and Rhiannon stood aside a ways. They knew that they'd get the chance to socialise later. Besides it would be time for the photos soon anyway. Sirius enfolded Rhiannon in his arms from behind "You look great..." He murmured, kissing her cheek appreciatively. Rhiannon blushed. " So do you.." "Oh don't you know it.." Sirius growled, nuzzling at her neck. Rhiannon turned to face him, giggling. They were about to kiss when a whistle cut through the air. Their two best friends ran over to them. "C'mon lovebirds!" Lily said cheerfully. "Photo time!" ***

*** Rhiannon smiled and flung open the door to greet Sirius back from work. She opened her arms, signalling she wanted a hug. Sirius obliged with a grin, although it wasn't quite in his usual cheerful, effortless manner. After a few moments, Rhiannon pulled away slightly and looked him in the eyes. "Sirius.. I know something is wrong with you today... Are you going to tell me?" she asked gently. Sirius sighed and passed a weary hand over his face. He nodded and led her to their sofa. "you should sit down.." Rhiannon was a little bit worried. She looked on anxiously as Sirius paced back and forth in front of her. Finally he stopped. "I've got a new assignment from the Order." He said carefully. " I'm going to be away for a very long time.. quite a few months, I imagine..." Sirius paled slightly and caught Rhiannon's gaze for a moment. She was shaking slightly. Was he going to break up with her?? After what seemed like an eternity, Sirius stopped looking at the floor and took her hand. He was shaking too. Before Rhiannon could speak, Sirius knelt down and spoke: "Rhiannon.. Would you.. uh.. Marry me???" He looked at her with pleading eyes. Rhiannon gasped and sat still for a moment. She nodded. With a cheer, Sirius swept her off the sofa and into his arms. He grinned and kissed his new fiancee before slipping a ring onto her finger. She stared at it in delight before sobering up. "So when exactly do you leave?" she asked quietly. "Tonight..." "Oh.." Sirius glanced in the general direction of their bedroom. " Well.. I don't know about you , but I'm feeling very.. tired.." Rhiannon smirked. "Oh really?" Sirius blushed slightly. "Well, I thought I might go to bed..." he paused for a moment. " What about you dear?" Rhiannon pretended to consider, before laughing quietly. "Why not?" They kissed again and Sirius picked her up and carried her to their room... ***

Rhiannon awoke with a start. She'd been dreaming? Where was Sirius? She sat up on the couch and peered out the window. It was 2.00am and pitch night outside, bar the light of the moon and ... falling stars? Her candles had melted almost to the point of extinguishment. She waved her wand and they appeared as new. She stood up and went to the porch and stared out over the horizon, looking for Sirius. There was an incredible amount of owls around... So many... As though on cue a tawny brown owl landed on her porch chair. It dropped a newspaper and soared off into the night. Rhiannon suddenly felt sick as she unrolled the newspaper.

THE ONE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED.. DEAD!!!

Less than a few hours ago he who must not be named, attempted to sneak into Godric's Hollow... Rhiannon skipped a few lines.. James Potter tragically fell, in defence of his wife and child. Lily also died moments later. Retching, she skipped another few lines.... Avada Kedavra... Harry lived.... As though being drawn, Rhiannon skipped to the last lines of the article, despite the urge to throw the newspaper away... It is known, in some circles that the Fidelius charm was being used on the Potters, to conceal their whereabouts from You Know Who. Sources revealed that the secret keeper was the Potter's long time , supposed best friend, Sirius Black....

Rhiannon dropped the newspaper involuntarily. Her head spun... Lily and James.. Her best friends had died... Their son had been orphaned... Because of Sirius?... He'd betrayed them? With her mind in a total whirlwind of confusion, she dropped her crutch and slid down the wall, to the floor. She was silent, until she felt the gentle movements inside her stomach area. It was then that she cried. Screaming in pure agony and pounding at the floor with her fists, until weariness and grief finally overtook her.

~*~ Some time later.

Rhiannon paused at the gate of her parent's property to wrap her grayish shawl tighter about her shoulders, and pulled up the hem of her black dress a little, to keep it clean. She swung open the gate, walked through and broke into a run as the dark gray storm clouds broke and pelted that part of the world with icy raindrops. The dark, muddy pathway was illuminated suddenly by the warm glow filtering through from the hallway. Her mother, Charlotte had opened the door and stood waiting for her daughter, with her arms outstretched. Rhiannon fell into her mother's arms, trying to hold back tears that were threatening to fall and mingle with the raindrops that were already on her face. Charlotte smiled warmly at her and stepped aside from the doorway, inviting Rhiannon into her cozy abode.

"It's so good to see you, dear. It's been so long." Charlotte paused, her face pensive. "So how are you?" She questioned gently.

Rhiannon gave her mother a tiny smile. "I'm.OK"

"Oh.well, that's good." Charlotte replied, trying to look cheerful. "Well then. Come on in! Your father and brother are waiting." Rhiannon tried to think positively as the followed her mother inside and locked the door.

Her father Alex rose from his chair and embraced her fondly. He kissed her cheek and helped her to sit on the lounge. The fireplace crackled merrily and the chatter was jovial. Rhiannon began to feel better about the whole thing. There was a creak at the top of the stairs, then footsteps. It was Tobias, Rhiannon's elder brother. He descended the stairs and lightly hugged his sister, with a very faint superior look on his face. He straightened up and sat on an armchair, crossing his legs and tapping his index fingers together. His pale, cold eyes became slits. "So. Have you given up on your stupid obsession with that." he paused as if he was searching for the best word, to describe his subject. "Criminal.?" Tobias smirked so it was only audible to his sister, and watched her momentarily horrified expression with a strange kind of satisfaction. Rhiannon flinched ever so quickly and resumed what she hoped was a convincingly calm and normal expression. "Of course I have Toby." She flashed a super sweet (and super fake) smile at him. Tobias scowled at her use of his parent's pet name for him, but quickly recovered. "Give it up Rhi. I know you're not just here for a social visit. C'mon. Spill." He smirked again.

Rhiannon paled visibly as her parents turned and stared at her expectantly. Rhiannon floundered for a moment. It seemed that Tobias had won. She felt a faint headache coming on and a tingle ran through her spine. She didn't know what to do. She swallowed nervously and wrapped her arms protectively around her stomach and stood up. "I. I-I'm pregnant." She swallowed again and edged her way around the coffee table. Her mother and father looked at each other briefly. Charlotte leapt up from her seat and embraced her daughter. "Oh, honey! You found a new boyfriend! So, why haven't we met him yet? Hey?" She smiled and made way for her husband. "That's great news, pumpkin!" He hugged Rhiannon. " So, who is he? What does he do? What's his name?"

Rhiannon stared awkwardly at her feet. "Uh.." She couldn't seem to make her brain function properly, let alone come up with the 'right' answer. They still stared expectantly, as if in slow motion. "Uh." Rhiannon stood frozen. A slight frown crossed her mother's face and grew more pronounced. " It is. Uh. New boyfriend. Uh. Right?" Still frozen. "Right?!" Rhiannon finally managed some semblance of movement. She shook her head, and whispered croakily. "No. It's Sirius's baby."

She wasn't really sure how it happened, but the next thing she knew was that Tobias had strode over and grabbed her by the shoulders. "How could you Rhiannon? How could you!? I warned you and warned you all through school NOT to get involved with him, Didn't I?! But you did!!! Now you're... You're carrying the child of a DEATH EATER!" Rhiannon struggled to free herself. "Sirius isn't a Death Eater! I know it! Besides I never saw You-Know-Who's mark ANYWHERE on him." She protested. Before she could say anything, Tobias had measured her up and slapped her sharply across the face. "Slut." Tobias stalked off, leaving Rhiannon's face red and tearstained.

Alexander squeezed her shoulder in a sad, sympathetic, disappointed manner and headed off to his study. Charlotte stood there absently. She faked a cheery smile and smoothed her skirts. "Well then!" she said in a ditzy way. "I'll go and check on tea!" As soon as her parents had left, Rhiannon ran outside into the rain and cried.