They were standing in a cold, dark hallway. After a few seconds, as if acclimating to their presence, torches on the walls flared to life.

"Oh! I feel like I'm in one of my own books!" Annikaya said, peering about. "Now we just need Merlin."

Sirius scrubbed his face with his hands, brushing off the tingling spider web sensation he'd felt on his face from their passage. "Will Dumbledore do? This is the third floor corridor of Hogwarts."

"I really need the full tour." She commented.

Another torch flared to life further down the hallway as someone approached. It was a short friendly looking woman with curly red hair to rival any Weasley.

Annikaya smiled brightly. "Hello!"

The other woman winked. "That's professor Melody Groban, hun. Come on, we've got the veil waiting for you."

"How'd you know we were coming?" Sirius asked.

Melody rolled her eyes. "Nothing happens in Hogwarts that Dumbledore doesn't know. I have to say, I had to work quite hard to get to be the welcoming committee. Rebekah wanted to do it."

"Who?" Annikaya wanted to know.

Melody looked surprised. "You know. Rebekah. Sirius' sister."

"My what?!"

"Oh. Don't have one in your universe, hun? Well, she says howdy."

"A sister..." There was a thoughtful look in his eyes as he considered what it would be like to have one.

"Can we meet her?" Annikaya asked before Sirius could get around to it.

Melody looked regretful. "Sorry babe but we're on a schedule here. The veil's only on loan until tonight and Rebekah doesn't come back until tomorrow. She and Snape are off doing something for Dumbledore."

"Snape?" Sirius looked like he'd sucked a lemon. He felt sorry for this mysterious sister.

"Snape?"

Melody laughed and led them along the corridor until they reached the veil.

"Been nice seeing' you two." She hugged Annikaya and for the second time that day Sirius and Annikaya stepped through the veil.

It was dark where they landed and no torches lit at their presence. Instead there was a chill breeze that whipped at their clothing and pulled at their hair. The sound of waves crashing on rock filled the damp ocean air.

Annikaya waited for her eyes to adjust from transport and looked around. They were standing on the lip of a cliff that looked out over the ocean. Behind them it was too dark to make out much more than the shape of a rough mountain piercing the sky.

"Where are we?" she asked Sirius, who was apparently deep in conversation with the heavens.

"Northern hemisphere. Probably the Mediterranean." he replied absently.

"How'd you know that?"

"Astronomy. I took it at Hogwarts."

"Oh." Of course he would know astronomy with a name like Sirius.

Sirius was going to say more when a yawn caught up with him, which set Annikaya off too.

"I say we call it a night." He pointed toward a stand of dark trees behind them where they could find more shelter than the open top of the cliff.

"I say you're my hero." Annikaya replied, another yawn interrupting her as they made their way over the broken ground.

Under the trees the bothersome breeze was lessened but it was still enough to keep them uncomfortably cool. Annikaya shifted closer to Sirius. She had a thoughtful look on her face that he inquired about.

"I'm just thinking about the different places we've been. They would have been nice places to live."

Sirius debated building a fire and decided against it, not knowing what was out there. He turned his thoughts back to what Annikaya had said.

"I know. It would be nice to live someplace where I'm not Sirius-Black-the- murderer or Sirius-Black-the-traitor or Sirius-Black-who-should-die-a- terrible-death."

"But it wasn't always like that."

"No, but it would be nice to start over."

And in that statement she heard how before it had been Sirius-Black-the- murder it had been something else. Maybe Sirius-Black-who-has-a-terrible- home-life. Perhaps she shouldn't have but she asked anyway, wanting to know the man beside her.

"What was your childhood like?"

"Not the best. Not the worst either. My parents were followers of Voldemort." That was all she was going to get out of him tonight about that. "You?"

Annikaya smiled softly and drew her knees up to her chest. "Happy. I have two sisters and a brother. We were all friends and family for each other. And we always had a dog or two."

"So did we." Sirius was grinning, she could tell even in the dark.

A particularly cold gust of wind ghosted through the trees and Annikaya shivered. Sirius noticed. "Come over here. I'll keep you warm." He turned to his other form, thick warm fur beckoning invitingly as he curled up on the ground. Annikaya lay down close by and the two waited for sleep, thinking of home.

By the light of the early morning sun everything was different. The sea sparkled and fluffy white clouds chased each other across the sky, pushed by a breeze that was much more welcome with the accompaniment of warm sun.

Sirius shaded his eyes and gazed up at the mountain rearing behind them. "I think there's some sort of building over there. We could find out where we are." He began hiking through the grass closer to the mountain.

"You could at least take the path." Annikaya said, pointing to the left where there was a little dirt footpath. There was a wooden signpost near the edge of the path but they were at the wrong angle to read it.

Sirius threw Annikaya a humoring look, making sure she saw it, before he headed instead for the path. Annikaya laughed and pointed at the sign that said 'My Path.'

"Do you suppose we're trespassing on private property?"

"I have a murder charge on my head. I'm not going to worry about trespassing." He said lightly.

"What was he like?" she asked, curious about the friend who was still such a part of his life.

"Who, James?" Sirius paused, a nostalgic smile coming to his face. "Everyone loved him. He could make whole platoons of girls faint just by looking at them. He was nearly as handsome as me." He tossed Annikaya a playful grin and she rolled her eyes. "He was smart and determined and always confident. But he also cared a lot. I suppose he really was the best of all of us."

The last was rather depressing and Annikaya hadn't meant to bring him down. "I don't quite agree. I happen to like you best."

"I'm the only one you've met!"

"Trivialities." she brushed that aside. "Look, there's your building."

A Greek temple-like building was nestled back amongst the trees in the mountain's embrace. Corinthian columns lined the front of the gleaming white affair and the whole thing seemed to sparkle in the sun. The effect was somewhat negated by another of the signposts that said plainly 'My Temple.' Another sign at the base of the mountain said 'My Mountain.'

"Err...right..." Sirius said, regarding the strange signs.

"I like them!" Annikaya protested.

"You would."

They walked up into the cool shadows of the temple and opened the two doors, entering quietly. The inside of the temple did not follow the rather archaic architecture outside. Modern electricity, or something very similar, lit up the inside hall-a long affair with a door at the other end. Sirius and Annikaya went to that door, their steps echoing and reverberating from the marble floor. Sirius tried the door handle. It was locked.

"Alohomora!" Annikaya tried.

Suddenly black and silver sparkling words appeared in midair before them, fading slowly as they were read.

You didn't knock. Try again.

Sirius knocked. Nothing happened. He tried the door handle. Still nothing.

"I think it meant the front door."

"You've got to be kidding!" Sirius exclaimed. How silly!

They went back outside, closed the doors, and knocked. The doors opened by themselves, admitting the two. New words hung in the air.

Thank you. Have a nice day!

The door that had previously been locked swung open. Inside the next room was a large shallow pool set into the floor. A dark haired woman knelt beside it and behind her was a large perch, a raptor sitting on it and quietly preening. The woman looked up, her unbound hair sliding across the shoulder of the white dress she wore.

"Oh good. You're right on time."

"Lexi?"

"Hi Annikaya. Hey Sirius."

Sirius was bewildered. Who was this woman? How did she know him?

Lexi saw his confusion and grinned in a satisfied manner, obviously enjoying herself.

"Lexi, what-"Annikaya cut herself off, obviously remembering that this probably wasn't their veil and this was a different Lexi than she knew.

Lexi was looking even more pleased. "I'm a seer in this veil Annikaya. This is my home."

"This veil?" Sirius interrupted.

"Yes. I know your whole story. I know where your next veil is too. Don't be too discouraged. You've only got this one and one more to go. Sort of. Anyway, how do you like my bird Annikaya?"

Annikaya eyed the fierce raptor. "Is that Nagasha?"

"Would I name her anything else?"

Sirius began to see some similarities between the two women. Their speech betrayed a degree of closeness Annikaya hadn't expressed with Nevaria.

Annikaya noticed Sirius' look and slapped her forehead. "I'm sorry Sirius. This is Lexi, my younger sister. Lexi, this is Sirius."

Sirius took Lexi's hand and raised it to his lips. Lexi had that effect on people. She caught her sister's look.

"I'm too busy for guys Annikaya!"

"You're ridiculous, you know that?"

"You're only saying that because you're prettier than I am."

"You're crazy! And your-"

"You don't want to finish that statement." Lexi interrupted, suddenly serious. "You'll regret it."

"You don't even know what I was going to say!"

"Yes I do. I'm a seer, remember?"

Sirius watched the interplay between the two and shook his head. Their play fighting was more benign than it sounded. He could tell it meant nothing by Annikaya's overly dramatic expressions and Lexi's sly looks.

"And what exactly did you see, Oh Great One?"

"In two worlds becoming one, will become one The scarlet sea is rising and inith drown the stars. Snowy embrace-cold cometh to stifle the light Dark Rain races against the Sun Burning holes and battling bodies The Scarlet Sea doth rise inexorable Rain be no match for the Sea Shadows cometh in cold embrace

Rain-moveth not with the wind drive not to the barren field Wind without riders beith not

The Scarlet Sea-quench it's thirst and devour itself

Shadows be illusion"

Lexi noticed her guests' blank expressions. "Maybe I'd better relate Trelawny's prophesy. Hers is a little clearer than mine in this case. She just can't see the pictures like I can." She waved a hand and the sparkly black letters from earlier rose from the pool into the air.

The Red Sea's reflection divides One half reflects not the stars And ravishes the land for the Shadow While the other half of the sea cries salt Calls order back to the ocean beds And follows its name

"The Red Sea's reflection?" Annikaya queried. "Crying salt? Sorry Lexi but I'm no good at mysteries."

Lexi had finally reached the end of her patience. "The Red Sea's reflection is the Black Sea. Like Sirius Black."

Sirius, who payed more attention to prophesies due to wizarding knowledge, had a terrible heavy feeling in his gut. "And the line about the sea dividing?"

The seer's eyes held a terrible weight. "Regulus."

It was exactly as he'd feared. He turned whiter than a sheet.

"Sirius!" Annikaya exclaimed. "Are you ok?"

He stood and without a word left the temple.

Annikaya got up to run after him.

"Don't 'kaya." Her sister cautioned, the strength of her talent echoing through her voice.

Annikaya looked startled. "Why not?" Her face was full of worry.

Lexi impulsively hugged her sister and kissed her twice in the middle of her forehead, a ritual benediction.

Annikaya was still upset for Sirius. "I've never seen him that bad before Lexi. What's wrong? Who's Regulus?"

Lexi got the stubborn set to her face that said hell would freeze over before she would tell. She was rather famous for that.

"Lexi!" Annikaya sighed, exasperated.

Lexi shook her head. "I'm not telling." And that was all Annikaya could get out of her.

When Sirius came back almost an hour later he still hadn't quite regained his composure. He wasn't as pale as before but Annikaya could still see he was upset, which worried her because he always tried so hard not to show those emotions. He would swear and rage but she knew he kept the more volatile reactions under pretty close check. He never let slip his feelings on Azkaban or James or Peter except in his eyes. Now though...

"Where is he?" Sirius demanded.

Lexi didn't look up from the pool where she was seeing something they couldn't. Her voice was vague and it seemed to come from the edge of sleep. "England. The burned dark sweet shall die."

"What was that again?" Annikaya asked.

Lexi looked up. "Sorry. I didn't see anything. Only got the words."

Suddenly the still surface of the pool broke and a wave splashed over the edge, soaking the thin skirt of the seer's dress. An instant later more waves splashed the sides and then more and more. Lexi had a horrified look on her face while Sirius and Annikaya watched, baffled. As suddenly as it had started, the waves disappeared.

"What was that?"

"Nothing good. I have anti-apparating wards but it won't take them long. You two have to get out of here."

"What? What about you?" Annikaya's tone was a bit panicked by her sister's urgency.

"I'll be fine. Come on." She hurried her two guests out of the temple and into a cleared spot in the thicket of trees. "Apparate out. The wards will let you."

"Le-"

"Go!"

They apparated away.

They had aimed for Hogsmead since Annikaya knew it best. Sirius, not being especially talkative for the time being, was leading them back toward Hogwarts although Annikaya didn't know why. There was something in his eyes that made her heart hurt like someone had just poured iodine all over it. She wanted to ask him, to make the look go away but she didn't know what to do or say. He didn't really look like he wanted her to interrupt him either, his stride brisk and purposeful. So she just followed him, trying desperately to think of something to say.

They strode into Hogwarts without seeing anyone and Sirius led her yet again somewhere new.

"Burgle-berry ice cream."

The statue slid away, revealing a staircase that Sirius hurried up without a backward glance. In the room above were many strange devices, books, and oddments. A beautiful red-gold bird perched in a corner trilled a greeting and the old man behind the desk looked up, impossibly blue eyes fixing on Sirius and Annikaya.

"And what can I do for you Mr. Black and Miss Horn?"

"Do you know where he is?"

"I assume you refer to young Regulus?" His sharp eyes picked up the ripple of Sirius' jaw muscles. "I'm afraid I do not. Although one might venture that he's with Voldemort."

Annikaya shifted uncomfortably, not understanding what was going on.

The old man smiled warmly at her. "Perhaps you'd care for a lemon drop? Although your sister nearly cleaned me out during her last visit I'm afraid."

"She really likes lemon drops." Annikaya offered apologetically, not surprised that her sister knew the powerful wizard.

"A woman with excellent taste." The wizard turned back to Sirius. "Of course we are doing all we can to find out his whereabouts. He's responsible for quite a few high profile attacks on the wizarding community, as well as upon the muggles."

Sirius didn't move but something in his eyes became even worse. "Of course Headmaster. Thank you." He turned to go.

"In the mean time why don't you stay here at Hogwarts until we have any further information?" Dumbledore offered.

Sirius hesitated in the doorway. Without looking back he echoed his earlier statement. "Thank you."

Annikaya gave one last look over her shoulder and scurried after him. Professor Dumbledore smiled gently in his office as the two disappeared from sight.

Sirius had found their room and was sitting on the mauve couch, his head in his hands. Annikaya sat down hesitantly beside him and put her hand on his shoulder, grateful when he didn't flinch.

"Sirius, are you ok? What's wrong?"

He let lose a ragged breath that stirred his hair. "He's my brother." The words were scarcely more than a whisper.

"Regulus?" she asked although she knew.

He just looked up at her, his eyes more than she could bear. She held out her arms to him and felt his tears wet her blouse.