Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.

PROLOGUE

December 31, 1990

"Please, you have to help me!" Rowan Cowan Black, obviously terrified at the age of twenty-one, sat in his office holding her baby while the toddler played quietly with a bear on the floor. Both children were quietly watching their mother beg for help.

"Are you sure? Do you realize what this will mean?" The wizened Headmaster asked her without the usual twinkle in his eyes.

She bowed her head, looked into the eyes of her children, trying to remain calm, before answering "Yes."

The only other occupant of the office looked from the woman to the headmaster, and directed his words at her, "Please, we'll sort this all out. He needs you. He needs you to have faith in him. Don't give up yet."

Her tone cutting and harsh as she looked at the werewolf, "Like your faith in him?" She closed her eyes for a moment before continuing, the cutting tone leaving her voice, "I'm sorry Remy, you were not there when it happened, I was. I saw what happened when he killed Peter..."

Remus Lupin, clearly trying to figure out a way to make her stay choked out the question he was holding back,"What about your Godson?"

She looked to the best friend of her husband, her best friend too if she were honest with herself. "He has been taken care of; you know I can't even see him. Remember? No contact. They will be good to him. And… he still has you. I have to leave. If she finds me again… she has help… they all want someone to follow… now that…" Panic took over her shattered, exhausted nerves, as she turned to the Albus Dumbledore, "Oh God… Help me!"

She was near hysterics when her friend took her in his arms, "Shhhh, it will be fine. Trust me. Don't do anything rash. Give me some time to figure out what to do next."

She pulled away from him, still clinging to the baby between them. Tears streaked the exhausted face as she looked to him, "What can you do to stop her? The people that are helping her will kill me."

She turned to the man behind the desk, "We have to leave before she finds us again. She'll kill me and take them, just for them carrying his blood. I have to go. I have to put it all behind me. Don't you understand? He's gone… he's not coming back." Her words tumbling out at a rapid pace as she tried to stop the hysterics she knew she was nearing.

She looked into the eyes of the man as he knelt in front of her, taking her hand in his as he begged, "Please don't leave like this. I've lost everyone if you go."

She choked back a cry, pulling her hand to hold her daughter more securely, "I'm sorry, I have to do this, she'll kill you too if she finds us together. You can't help me." She looked past him to the old man, "Please, bind the powers… take the memories, do what ever you have to do , but get us out of here and home safe."

He agreed and set about the tasks requested.

Author's Note -- If you don't get it -- keep reading the next chapter... I think you will understand QUICKLY...