Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Harry Potter, they all belong to J.K. Rowling

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."-Emerson

*Dear Diana,

I assume that you have heard what has happened.  I have left home and last night I rented a room at the Leaky Cauldron.  Please don't tell James where I am.  I can't face him, not now.  I want you to meet me here this afternoon at 12:00pm, for lunch.  Come alone, there is much to say.

                                    Love Always,

                                                Lily*

Diana got up to find a letter on her nightstand.  It hadn't been opened, so she read it.  Sirius was already up and was making breakfast in the kitchen.  Had she even slept at all? It was only 9:00.

"Sirius!" she shouted in the midst of a yawn.  "When did this letter get here?"  She heard his muffled reply through the French doors and running sink water.  He was humming loudly and off key, but stopped to answer her.

"About 20 minutes ago!"  She got out of her bed.  She put on her robe that was placed gently at the foot of the bed, and walked into the kitchen, tying it into a messy bow as she entered.

"Good morning, darling. How long have you been up?"  She gently kissed him on the cheek before pouring herself a cup of coffee. 

"I haven't gone to bed. Not after last night." He said, lightly tapping her backside.

"Aren't you tired?" She said, yawning and leaning against the counter.  "I slept fine."

"No dear, although you were very helpful in keeping me awake.  I was thinking about our friends.  We are all falling apart."  He took out his cigarettes and lit one before pouring his own coffee.

"Well, these are hard times." She said, taking one of her own and joining in the action.  "I'm surprised they're the only ones we know so far."

"Yes, but, I mean--"

"What, honey?" she said, serving herself eggs.  "Give me the cream, babe." She said.

"Well, what I mean is, that if James and Lily can't make it, then what hope is there for the rest of us?" he said, placing the cream in front of her.

She laughed.  "There is always hope, Sirius.  Never forget that.  We have just as much hope as they do.  Look at us, and how far we've come.  Look at how much I adore you today.  They will make it.  They are too devoted to each other to ever live apart for too long.  Believe me. We know them.  Never were two people so stubborn.  Once they get over their egos, they will go crawling back to each other.  It's a cycle.  It's just like school.  He must win her back, and she must take him back. They work together, for God's sake.  We all work together.  We have to be civil to one another.  I don't want us to fall apart either.  If we can make it, Sirius, then they definitely can." She said, touching his cheek with her hand.

"But I thought you loathed him." he said, rubbing her hand sweetly, as if warming it.

"I do.  Now.  But I meant it when I said that I loved him, and I love her.  And you know as well as I, that wherever there is a Lily, there is a James."

"Yes.  But what about us?" he asked.  "Do you think it will always be as it is now?"

"What do you mean, Sirius?" she said, reclining back to read his expression more clearly.  "You have faith in this marriage, don't you?" she said, blowing a puff of smoke smoothly into the air.

"Yes, Diana.  I have faith in us.  And I happen to think you are the most beautiful, hauntingly wicked creature ever to grace the earth.  You need not question my fidelity."

"I didn't." she said, smiling.  She felt his arms wrap around her again.  "And you need not question mine.  You take up all my energy as it is, ma chere."

"As it should be." He whispered.  "So I guess that means we have the same complex as them?" he asked, letting go of her, reluctantly.

"Well, wherever there is me, there is you.  I promised you that."

"I remember." He said, buttering a piece of toast.  She sat at the table, opening her paper and singing the tune he had been humming before.

"I want you to want me.  I need you to need me.  I love you to love me.  I'm beggin' you to beg me….." she began to bounce slightly on the chair.

"Would you love me if I were insane?" he said, randomly, sipping his coffee.

"Oh, these silly games." She said, seeming annoyed at the interruption of her thought.  "Yes, because you would still retain your dear perfection that you owe without the sanity of your mind."

"So it's all about my dark looks, isn't it?" he asked, tossing his head back, mocking his own cockiness.

"Well, it certainly helps."  She smirked.  "You know how darkness attracts me."  She took another puff of her cigarette.

"What about if I were a thief?"

"It depends on what you stole, but it wouldn't matter much to me." She suddenly saw the headline on the cover of the Daily Prophet.  She hadn't been paying attention until now.

EVIL UNMASKED: What Is The Proper Punishment for the Unforgivable?

Three Outer Circle Death Eaters face Excommunication and possible Execution after the discovery of………

"What about…a killer?" 

"Sirius, I'm trying to read this." She said.  He gave her puppy dog eyes, and she melted, sighing.  Then she folded the newspaper up.  "Well, Mr. Black, sadly, we are already killers. That cannot be helped."

"So your love would not stray from me no matter what then?" he asked.

"Well, no.  If you betrayed me, or anyone I love, then you would have to pay dearly for it, and I would train myself to forget you."  She was half kidding when she said this, even though she felt a pain in the pit of her stomach.  This confused her, but she dismissed it quickly.  She turned her confusion into a smile.  "What about you?" she asked.

He seemed to have his answer ready, and folded his arms.  "If you lied to me." He said, most seriously. 

"Enough of this rubbish." She said, uncrossing her legs and getting up. "I must be off."

"Where are you going?"

"To meet Lily.  We are having lunch."  She ran in her bedroom.  "Or brunch, whatever." She called.

He picked up the paper she never finished reading.

            ……discovery of their identities and Ministry positions, yesterday in the heart of Muggle London.  Mistress of Magic, Millicent Bagnold was unavailable for comment and the trials of these perpetrators is underway and will be held presently.  Bartemius Crouch is in the process of questioning such offenders in hopes of acquiring the identity of other Dark supporters and the location of their leader.

 Acclaimed Auror Lily Potter, who was responsible for the capture of one ruffian, simply said, "We are just doing our jobs." Husband, and Heir to the Potter fortune, James Potter, was supporting her from the sidelines.  He was joined by his peers, Mr. And Mrs. Black, and the legendary Alastor Moody…..."

Sirius heard his wife start singing again from their bedroom.  "Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'. Oh didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin.  Feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'. Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'? "

"We're in the paper, Diana." He shouted, lighting another cigarette.

"Really?" she said, buttoning her blouse and peeing her head out the door.  "For what, yesterday?"

He nodded, and then read on:

  Diana Black, Potter's colleague and fellow Auror extraordinaire explained to the Prophet the true importance of this capture, or lack thereof.  "What you people don't realize is that these people don't matter to the Dark Lord, or else they would have been given a lot more protection.  Lord Voldemort wouldn't just send three servants into the middle of a populated city expecting them to complete some important mission, whatever that may be.   These supporters of the Dark Lord were merely a distraction.  This was just a convenient way of getting rid of them, and more importantly, wasting our time." As you can see the dark lord is cunning.  But as a member of the press, I am comforted to know that the Witch and Wizard community of England and Europe alike has such brave and talented Aurors protecting our streets.  But one question still remains unanswered, no matter how much time was "wasted": Why are Muggles and Wizards still dying at the hands of the Dark Lord, and what is his mission?

Sirius tossed the paper aside.  "They made you sound really bitchy."

"Oh well." she said, calling back, and laughing.  She was fixing her shoe straps and pulling the zipper of her skirt to the back.  "I'm off now." She said, kissing him on the cheek.  "Love you, madly."

"Love you, deeply." He said, cupping her cheeks with his hands.

"Love you, truly." She said back.  It was a game they played, and often.

"Love you, passionately."

"Love you, irreversibly."

"Love you juicily." He said.

She straitened up.  "Juicily?" she asked, laughing.  "I'll remember that."

She waved him off, finally, and left.  He was left eating by himself, thinking about her, and how much he cared for her.  He shuddered when he thought of how things could have turned out, but didn't.  She chose him, and that was final.  He began humming a tune she used to sing.  He had forgotten how the words went.  It had something to do with the moon, and a prostitute. But it was in French so the words never really mattered.  It was the fact that she sang it that mattered.

~**~

It was about 12:00 when Lily began walking through Diagon Alley.  She was killing some time before meeting Diana for lunch.  She was closely looking at Quidditch supplies when a familiar face spotted her, and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Lily!"  She spun around to see one of her old school mates, Alice Ferguson.

"Alice!  Why it's so wonderful to see you dear!  How have you been?  I am so sorry I haven't written in a while, things have been, well, difficult." She said, all in one breath.

"Oh don't worry about a thing, I completely understand.  I have been so busy as well." She said, with a secretive smile.

"Are you still dating Longbottom. You two used to be inseparable?"

"Yes. In fact we are engaged." She said, trying feebly to hide her excitement.

"Oh that is just splendid, Alice.  When?" she said, swallowing to keep from exploding.

"Well, we have to keep it secret, you know, considering…but I will owl you as soon as we have a date, and you'll have to give a copy to Diana and Nicole too.  Oh, I do miss them."

"Of course…"  She started, until Alice's voice changed.

"Listen, Lil, the truth is that I did not accidentally bump into you here today.  Dumbledore sent me here."

"Why?"  She was slightly confused at the manner in which her friend was speaking to her.  It was suddenly so secretive, as if the previous banter meant nothing at all.  Why would Dumbledore send Alice to her?

"Well, as you know, well I'm sure you do, that Frank is…well…"

"Oh spit it out Alice, no one can hear.  It's not a secret anymore."

"Ok…an Auror." She said, as if it were blasphemous.  Lily raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yes…And?"

"And he told me you are too." Lily huffed.  So much for the confidentiality agreement, she thought.

"So.  Why did he tell you to see me then?"

"I am thinking about becoming one as well.  I know I can do it and so do you and since I am marrying one, I thought it best to join him.  It would be easier on us.  I mean, look at you and James.  I have never seen you too fight and I think it's because you too have a lot in common, job wise I mean.  You too have it so easy and Dumbledore thought I should come to you about, well, training."

"Has Crouch agreed? What about Moody?" she asked.

"Oh, I'm sure it's all well and fine.  It's not like they can do anything." She said, lowering her voice.

"Mm hmm. Well, all right.  " she said, hesitantly.  "Why don't we meet somewhere more private to talk further about this?  Bring Frank.  I will owl you tonight about the whereabouts.  Nowadays you can never be too careful."

"Alright, see you later Lily!"  She said as she started to walk away.  "I will owl you about the invitations!"  She said this as if she was covering up something, as if that was not what they were talking about.  She has a lot to learn, Lily thought.  Was Dumbledore out of his mind?  Alice didn't even like big dogs, let alone black robed death eaters.

"Oh no, its 12:15!"  Lily made her way back to the Leaky Cauldron in time to see Diana sitting in the back, by the London side, smoking a cigarette and looking worried.

"Damn it Lily you had me worried sick!  I thought you died or something, or you were abducted or tortured or worse!  I could have had morning sex and still would have gotten here before you!" she yelled, shrilly, having no consequence for who might be listening.

"Calm down honey, I'm fine."  Lily said, and cracked her fingers.  "And, ew."

"Well, I am sorry to say that you don't look fine." she said.

"Thanks." Lily answered, scratching her head.

"Talk to me, and tell me what happened." Diana said, motioning for Lily to sit down.  "Let's straiten this out, now."

"Alright, lets walk first ok? I can't sit here."

"Why not? I want a muffin." Diana said.  

"I will buy you one on the street ok? I just want to walk around.  Now go!"

"You don't have to push. I'm going.  Which way?" she said, pointing to either side.

She looked at the bar inhabitants and became slightly uneasy.  Diana seemed not to have noticed.  "London." Lily said.

They began to walk.  Diana thought it was lucky that she wore her muggle clothes.  She hated it when people stared.  Ten minutes passed without a word, until Lily opened up.

"I just couldn't take it anymore.  I tried Di I really did, but he drained me of everything.  My youth, my confidence, and my respect for him are gone.  I am so tired.  I work all day and I get no compassion when I get home.  He is a cold empty shell.  I thought, stupidly, that when he was done with her he would come back, that he would be the James I knew and fell in love with…My James.  I never thought I would end up being the wife who ignored everything when her husband openly defied her.  I am stronger than that, but he makes me weak.  Instead, my so-called bravery comes when I do not want it to. When we fight evil, if that is even what it is."

"I'm sorry but I don't understand what you mean.  I think you handled it the only way you knew how.  There's nothing wrong with that."

"It might be fear that makes me act.  Do I fear for the world or for myself?  I don't know.  All I know is that the fear does not last long.  That first step, the sound of the first curse that is uttered, I am a different person.  I get a high off of the cries of a Death Eater, begging for mercy.  I hate killing but the act of dominance over another enriches me with pleasure.  I no longer care for the individual.  I could have sat next to him in potions fifth year and it wouldn't have mattered.  He could know my name and I would not care.  Something is happening to me. I don't know what.  As soon as I see the dark mark in the sky my heart leaps with joy, for now my life has a purpose, a meaning.  I can't sleep anymore.  Night after night I think about everything in my life.  My husband, my friends, and my parents."

"Your parents?"

"I think about how disappointed they would be if they knew that the act that killed them was the reason for my existence.  Was I meant to stop all this?  You, Sirius, James, Frank, and me.  What could we have been had it not been for You-Know Who?  Would I be a homemaker?  A house-witch?  Would I have some boring job at the ministry filing and researching?  I know I can't live like that."

"Lily, there is nothing wrong in liking what you do for a living.  I think you may be turning into me.  Hatred can be comforting.  I love the thrill just as much as you because for me it is a chance to get them back for everything they have done to me.  You must remember the day they died, our parents.  The thirst you feel is not for blood.  You want vengeance. So do I.  I've been defending my mother's honor since I was sixteen.  I want justice as well as you.  The reason you want that Dark Mark in the sky is so you can put an end to the evil in this world.  My favorite past of the day is when we patrol.  The mere possibility of sending a no good, piece of shit Death Eater to Azkaban gets me wired.  There is nothing wrong with you Lil, I swear."

"Thank you." Lily then embraced her.  Diana was caught by surprised, but returned it.  "Oh, what would I do if not for you?  What would I be if we went those separate ways?"

"Well, "Diana said.  "With your talent I'd probably be dead." She said. 

Lily smiled feebly, and they let go.  "Oh God Diana, what do I do tonight when I have to see him?  I can't even look at him, let alone work with him, fight next to him when all I want to do is ring his neck." She said, shaking her hands.

"It's alright.  I promise Sirius and I will do our best to keep him out of your way.  How bout tonight you pair up with Frank?"

"Yes, that would be best." She said, contemplating the situation.  "Oh, yea I forgot to tell you, Alice came to me today."

"Alice Ferguson?  What?  Why?"

"Well, she and Frank are getting married and she 'accidentally' ran into me to tell me that.  She is thinking about becoming one and Dumbledore told her to come to me about training."

"What?  I thought only the Ministry only did things like that.  Was Crouch notified?"

"Well apparently not.  He must have asked Bagnold and she dragged it out of Dumbledore.  Probably said it was for the good of the Ministry."

"Wait.  Can she just do that; I mean, just become an Auror?  We were recommended, right?  We trained for years."

"Yea.  I am sure Dumbledore said she could.  With the war raging maybe they're compromising.  She is just as strong and sweet as the rest of us.  Unless…she might be too sweet."

"Alice, sweet?  Well Lily, all that has been happening has impaired your judgment.  She was as bitchy as well…you."

"You're right. Oh, what is wrong with me?  She helped us with that killer prank on the Marauders fifth year, remember?"

'That girl was a genius.  There, feel better.  The past always brings back happy memories, even if they were our worst nightmares then.  Soon we wake up to see that it was all nothing."

"When did you get so optimistic?" Lily chuckled.  "You're a cynical, pessimistic shrew."

Diana laughed at her, and slapped her shoulder.  Then she became serious.  "When Sirius woke me up." Diana said, smiling.  "And taught me what it was like to be loved."

"What if I don't wake up?"

"You will…hold on. Where are we?"  Lily came out of a sort of trance.  She snapped back and looked around.  They were in an alley of sorts, and in a not-so-familiar section of London.

"Shit, I don't know.  Damn it, how long were we walking?"

"I don't know. I didn't time this!  Shit Lily we are lost!"

"Well, we're not going to get anywhere with you bitching about it!  What street is this…um…Venomous Court, well that's reassuring.  Wait!  Hold on.  Do you see that?"

"See what?" Lily thought she saw an entrance to somewhere. It looked like an alley, and she could have sworn she saw a woman in green and silver robes.

"No.  Nothing.  Listen why don't you just apparate home.  I have to be getting back to the Leaky Cauldron, but first I need to buy some new clothes. I refuse to go back home."

"Okay, owl me as soon as you get back! Promise me, Evans!"

"I promise, Renton. Now go!"  Diana apparated back home.  Sirius was gone.  

Lily stood there for a moment.  She reached into her bag and pulled out her cigarettes.  Just then she saw the entrance to the alley once again.  Yes, those were definitely wizard robes.  She thought that this route must be shorter than the one they just took.  She changed into robes and went into the opening.  How strange, she thought, it reminded her of Knockturn Alley, even though she had never been there.  Wait a minute, she thought.  This was Knockturn Alley.  Lily saw the jagged sign as soon as she stepped in.  It was stained in blood.

"Oh Shit!" she said aloud.  Just then the opening closed. She was trapped.

(What trouble does Lily get into in Knockturn Alley? REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!)