*Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter or any of the songs featured in my chapters. I do own this plot idea and the charming Riley Brannigan!*

*~* A/N: Lordy, Lordy! I'm almost at 100!!! 93, wow, I would have never dreamt of this ever happening for me or to one of my stories. All I can really do is thank all you, my readers for being patient and loyal. Thank you so much! Oh, and I owe all of you an apology for taking so long, I'm sorry, my life here got busy! I got a wonderful b/f and my bestfriend (Sara!) is soooo awesome! Kk…on with the thanks! lol. Ciria (my EXTREMELY loyal reader, thanks for being here to review every chapter!), Sam (Thanks again! Don't you love the word "spiffy"? I do!), Annoriel (Thanks for reviewing chapters 19 & 20! I promise to keep writing and I'm sorry I kept you waiting!) Leper Messiah (I knew the words "leper messiah" were in a David Bowie song! I SWEAR! lol. Promise I did! Sorry I used "dark" so much. It's a kewl word! Thanks for reviewing Chapter 20 as well!), Linaeviel (I'm sooo flattered that you love my story! Thank you so much! That brightens my day! I'm sure this chapter will surprise you, lol.), Phoenix Fangor (lol, Hermione, the usual poor bystander, lol. Thanks for reviewing!), Hey! oh oh…jellyfish (in other words, SARA!) (You're the bestfriend eva! But you knew that! Yeah, yeah, I know Omnibus…lol. I'm not slacking! Poo, I need my daily fix of Dan…lol. I'm in l-o-v-e, Sar! True that, lol!!! Thanks for being my support!), Itt (We'll have to see won't we? lol. Thanks for reviewing!), & Blackcandy (Yeah, lol, my week is REALLY up. Sorry! Posting now at your request! Thanks!). Kisses to everyone! I hope you like this chapter! Please review! Almost 100! The next chapter will be out very soon, promise.

Riley sauntered down the staircase after 5 minutes, give or take a minute, in more casual attire with a comfortable glimmer in her dark eyes. She produced a more youthful appearance in a tight, snug fitted Irish-green sporty baby T-shirt and khaki colored capris with khaki matching flip-flops. Her make-up was redone, probably by magic, recalling the time her change took. Her hair no longer sat in her retro 20s/40s curls, but in soft Farrah Fawcett wings. She smiled softly at Harry, and it was suddenly hard to remember that she was his father's age, if James was still alive, of course. No wrinkles graced her skin, there was no existence of the dry, dull skin usually associated with aging, but the warm glow of healthy, young, vibrant skin. Harry remembered that wizards and witches tended to live longer than Muggles, but this must be the grace of good genes, to keep one so youthful. Harry returned the smile, inside his stomach butterflies fluttered around like mad, reminding him why he stood at the front of Riley's desk. Footfalls pounded in his brain, resounding, as he peered up at Riley, and he drew his breath in tightly. This was sure to be quite a reunion.

"Harry?!? Are you alright?"

Sirius voice was heightened with fear and anxiety as he entered the strangely decorated room, beads of sweat clinging to his hairline ready to fall after his jog through the castle. Hermione hung back as Sirius rushed forward, to grasp his godchild.

"I'm fine, Sirius." Harry said in a clear and present tone, emphasizing Sirius' name, so that un-expecting ears could catch each word.

In the sudden silence a loud shatter without warning rang in their ears. Glass pieces flew over the staircase and settled upon with a whoosh of the rush of impact. Harry eyes swept over Riley as she stood, or now leaned over the wooden banister, looking as if she had been shot through the heart with an arrow. All color that was previously in her face drained and her smile was replaced by an expression of dizzy confusion.

She looked as if she was going to faint as she mouthed or rather, sputtered, "Sirius?" She gripped the banister with her left hand supporting her tighter, curling her fingers around it, her knuckles white, "Sirius Black?"

Her voice was no louder than a whisper as she spoke, but it was as loud as a cannon in the eerie silence. Her empty hand shook, the hand that once held the now shattered water goblet, and her eyes glued on to Sirius'.

"R-Riley?" Sirius muttered, gazing deeply into her brown eyes, in pure and complete confusion. Sirius' feet were frozen beneath him as he took her in, she was older, a decade or two or possibly three, but she was still beautiful. After the shock wore off, Sirius narrowed his dark eyes and he clenched his fists at his sides, "I loved you, you were all I thought about, the only thing I truly cherished in my life and you never wrote back."

Riley was still in shock as he spoke, several thoughts racing through her head, wasn't he supposed to be in Azkaban? Her eyes suddenly widened as she absorbed his words and angered expression.

"Sirius…" she whispered in panic.

"No, Riley," he cringed as he spoke her name, pain consuming him, "I wrote you everyday for 3 months. And I never received a letter—not even a note from you. I'd do anything for you, you were my everything."

Harry's expression rose in panic, he looked at the two wildly, his plans crumbling right before his very eyes. Sirius' dark eyes glittered with pain and anger, while Riley's misted over in tears.

"Sirius!" Riley cried, tears spilling down her cheeks as she stumbled her way down the staircase.

Sirius took his eyes down and off her crying eyes, it was too painful to look into the depths that were her eyes.

"I said were, Riley, were."

With that he turned on his heel and stomped out of the room, leaving behind a sobbing Riley sprawled on the staircase crying out to God in her father's native Irish Gaelic. The Irish always seemed to have a special connection with God.

{*~* Erin mavoureen—Erin go bragh! *~*}

*~*A/N: So, what did you think? Please review! *~*