Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing that you would recognize as the fantastic work of J.K. Rowling. I only take credit for those OC characters that appear here.

January 1979

'If the wedding isn't until April why exactly are we doing this now?' asked Sirius as the witch stooped down in front of him to pin the dress robes that were draped over him.

'Because Lily says so.' Said James happily. He was leaning against the wall watching as the witch pinned and poked at Sirius. 'You're the best man you've got to look almost as good as me.'

Sirius gave James a look of mock insult 'Name one day I haven't looked better then you James Potter?'

James laughed, 'Oh one time in fifth year, also now.' Said James and he smirked, pushing his glasses up.

'You're lucky, see I never told you this but Lily had a crush on me first mate. If I hadn't been such a fantastic friend it would be you standing here now.' Sirius gave James a fake apologetic look.

'Only in your dreams Sirius Black.' Said Lily who had come around into the fitting area.

James grinned at her and she leaned down to kiss him lightly. Sirius made a face at them, 'Get a room.'

Lily narrowed her eyes. 'Don't start that Padfoot, I caught you snogging Eileen on Christmas Eve.'

Sirius raised a hand to his chest, 'I wouldn't do such a thing Lily Evans, and your accusations hurt me.'

Lily turned to James, 'You're sure you want this prat as your best man?'

James laughed and grinned at Sirius. 'Oh I'm sure Lily.'

The witch stood and waved her wand and the measuring tape coiled itself up. She helped Sirius out of the robes. 'Well you're finished dearie, these will be finished for both of you by next week. I'll owl you for the pick-up.'

'Perfect thank you.' Said Lily and she followed the witch away to pay for the robes and to arrange the fitting for Remus and Peter.

'How lucky am I?' said James, watching Lily disappear.

'I'd say the luckiest Prongs.' Said Sirius, stepping off the stool and throwing his own jacket back on. 'Think we can convince her to stop for a drink in the Leaky Cauldron?'

'Probably not Padfoot sorry. Besides we're back at the Ministry tomorrow with Moody. Why don't you ask Pete?' They joined Lily at the front counter.

'Yea maybe.' Said Sirius, slightly disappointed. 'I might pop around and see if anyone is at HQ.' he said, thinking that Fabian and Gideon or possibly Eileen might be there.

'Well don't be late I'm making your favourite for dinner.' Said Lily, holding the shop door open for them as they stepped out into the cold air.

'Well in that case I'll be early, I know what Moony is like with lasagna and he'll have it all eaten before I get my share.'

'He's still recovering from last night.' Said Lily quietly as they passed an older couple.

James and Sirius exchanged humorous looks. 'Then I'll be home really early, Moony is a pig after the full moon.'

'You two can be so insensitive.' She said but smiled.

'We're not insensitive! We just happen to be incredibly perceptive after so many years of having our food snatched from us after every full moon.' Said Sirius, barking with laughter.

'Well we'll see you at home Padfoot, be careful.' Said James, taking hold of Lily's hand.

'You two be careful as well. See you in a few hours.' Said Sirius and he waited until Lily and James had disaparated to go himself.

He reappeared on the step of the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters and knocked twice. After a moment the door was pulled open by Hector who scowled at him.

'Black.'

'Grey.' Said Sirius and not waiting he stepped inside, pushing past Hector. 'Are Fabian and Gideon around?' he asked, moving down the hall.

'You're going to see for yourself anyway so why ask.' Said Hector, closing the door and following behind Sirius as he entered the kitchen.

He was surprised to find Dumbledore sitting there surrounded by a few other order members.

'Am I interrupting?' he asked, stopping in the doorway.

'Not at all Sirius come in.' said Dumbledore, smiling at him.

Sirius spotted Fabian and Gideon at the end of the table and went to sit beside them.

'Cheers Sirius, how're you?' asked Fabian.

'Good, what's happening here?'

'I was visiting the Ministry today and stopped by, we were just discussing the security of Hogwarts. I've asked Moody to provide a few Aurors to be stationed at the school.' Said Dumbledore.

'You think that's necessary Professor?' asked Sirius, frowning.

'I hope not Sirius but for times when I must leave the school it would be a comfort to know that it has extra protection.'

'You-Know-Who is scared of you Albus, I doubt he would try anything at Hogwarts. I am confident our children are safe with you there.' Piped up Elphais Doge and a few people around the table nodded in agreement.

'You flatter me Elphias. Lord Voldemort and I have a past, I doubt he is actually afraid of me.' Said Dumbledore humbly.

'Modest as always Albus.' Said Caradoc, looking approving.

Dumbledore smiled slightly, 'Well I must return to Hogwarts. Keep me informed as usual and as always I implore all of you to be mindful at all times.'

'Constant vigilance.' Growled Moody who stood with Dumbledore.

'Too true Alastor.' He said. 'I will inform you of the next meeting in the usual way.'

Caradoc left to see Dumbledore and Moody out and returned a few moments later.

'Has Peter been around?' asked Sirius.

'Haven't seen him mate.' Replied Gideon.

'Only person that was around earlier was Eileen.' Continued Fabian, winking hugely at Sirius.

Sirius caught Hector's eye as he gave him a nasty look. Sirius ignored him and felt slightly depressed that he had missed Eileen.

'Did she bring any news?' he asked.

'Not much, she's still managed to avoid meeting Voldemort, though how she's done it is anyone's guess.' Said Caradoc. 'Damn brave that girl.'

They all nodded in agreement.

'She mentioned that your brother Regulus is now a Death Eater.' Said Hector, and his tone made it clear he was trying to bate Sirius.

The news in fact wasn't a shock. Sirius had heard about his brother a month ago and he wasn't surprised. 'I'm not surprised.' He said, and he turned away from Hector, bored and annoyed with him.

Fabian and Gideon looked amused with the conversation. 'Don't have much room to talk their Hector mate. Aren't your parents in Voldemort's pocket?' asked Fabian and Sirius grinned at him.

Hector shot Fabian an angry look. 'You know I don't consider them family.'

'No offense mate, we've all got a few relatives we'd rather not have eh Gideon?' and the brothers shared a laugh.

Hector gave them a reluctant smile. Sirius leaned back in his chair as the chatter continued around the table. Hector chucked him unfriendly looks whenever he entered the conversation and after suffering through it for an hour Sirius rose to leave.

'I'm leaving as well, shall we?' said Hector, standing and motioning for Sirius to go ahead of him.

Feeling as if he had no other choice he said his goodbyes to the other Order members and grabbing his jacket he stepped out into the street with Hector.

'I've got a feeling you have something you want to say Grey so spit it out because I'm late for dinner.' Said Sirius stopping at the bottom step and glaring at Hector.

Hector stepped down to Sirius's level and the two men looked at each other with equal distaste. Sirius's wand was in his hand at his side as was Hector's.

'Back off Eileen, Black.' Hector said finally, his lip curling slightly.

'You know I don't think I will Grey.' Replied Sirius heatedly, and in a flash they had both raised their wands.

Hector's face turned a nasty shade of red as he narrowed his eyes in anger. 'Don't think I don't know all about you Black, strutting around with your friends thinking that you're bigger and braver than you actually are. You're arrogant and likely to end up dead sooner rather than later.'

'Is that a threat Grey?' Sirius snapped.

The front door opened and Fabian and Gideon walked out and looking at the scene in front of them stopped dead.

'Bloody hell,' said Gideon, eyes wide in surprise, 'couldn't leave you two alone for two seconds could we.'

Sirius and Hector lowered their wands quickly. Hector took a step away from Sirius. 'It's a warning, one that I won't repeat.'

'I daresay not but I'll be sure to ignore the first one.' Sirius practically growled back.

Hector gave him a look of utmost loathing and turned on his heel and marched up the street and was gone.

Fabian let out a loud whistle and clapped Sirius on the shoulder. 'Having a friendly chat Sirius mate?'

'You could call it that.' He said, stowing his wand in his pocket.

'Hector isn't a bad bloke but I wouldn't put yourself on his bad side.' Said Gideon.

'I think it might be too late for that.' Said Fabian, his eyes showing his amusement.

'Loyal to a fault that one but you'd do well to remember that he was sorted into Slytherin and those folk are often rather determined to get what they want.' Said Gideon thoughtfully, but Sirius ignored it.

He wasn't concerned about Hector Grey; the man was merely an irritation to him. He wasn't quite sure what Hector had against him but he also didn't care. What was between himself and Eileen had nothing to do with her brother. He gave Fabian and Gideon a shrug and agreed to meet them for drinks at some point.

Feeling irritated he turned on the spot and disaparated. He reappeared a short distance from his house and stomped off towards it, looking forward to Lily's cooking and putting the conversation with Hector behind him.

Later that evening, James, Sirius, Peter, Lily and Remus sat around the table laughing and drinking. Lily's cooking had been exceptional as always and Peter had shown up halfway through dinner clutching a few bottles of muggle alcohol. James and Sirius had jumped to their feet, pounding him on the back and cheering.

Two hours later and only half a bottle of the liquor left Sirius was barking with laughter as he recalled the incident with Hector for the second time.

'That slimy git!' said James, raising his glass and pointing a finger at Sirius. 'Next time I see him I'll be sure to jinx the bugger.' Sirius and Peter both cheered and clinked glasses with James as Lily and Remus chuckled.

Remus always held his drink slightly better than the rest of them but Sirius could tell he was just as intoxicated as them by the way he stared at whoever was talking with a wide grin on his face.

James suddenly stood and pulled his wand from his pocket, 'Let's go outside and change. I bet I can change into Prongs now!'

The grin slipped slowly off Remus's face and he looked like he was fighting some internal battle between drunken Remus and sober Remus.

'You're mental, no way can you change drunk Prongs.' Said Sirius and everyone knew it was now a challenge.

Remus grinned over at Sirius but looked back at James and frowned again. He turned to Lily as if hoping she would voice his opinion for him.

She raised her hands, 'Remus is right James the house isn't big enough.'

'Sure it is!' said Sirius jumping out of his chair and then in the next movement the large black dog was in front of them, wagging its tall and lowering its front paws playfully.

'Padfoot!' The three men all hurried around and were giving the dog more attention than Lily thought he deserved.

Sirius barked happily and nipped at James's heels. Sirius transformed back in the next second, swaying slightly but beaming. 'Go ahead Prongs let's see it then!'

James grinned stupidly, turned and winked at Lily and then turned into the stag. Lily rolled her eyes while Peter, Sirius and Remus roared with laughter. Clearly enlightened by their laughter James headed towards the back door. Sirius rushed forward to open it for him but James's antlers had snagged on the drapes and suddenly the whole thing came down around his head. James reared up slightly, knocking a chair sideways. The drapes tangled around his antlers and he staggered sideways.

Sirius and Peter stopped trying to help him and were clutching their sides while tears slid down their faces. Remus's laughter was bubbling up as he tried and failed to help the stag untangle its antlers. Lily was torn between laughter and wanting to help and she made it as far as the other side of the table when James escaped through the back door into the garden, trailing the drapes behind him.

Sirius and Remus stumbled into the garden after him, the two men clinging to one another for support as they gasped for breath through their laughter. Peter was on his knees in the doorway, laughing so hard he couldn't stand. Lily pushed past him and the sight before her was enough to break her demeanor and she burst into laughter.

James was rushing around the garden with Sirius stumbling behind him, madly trying to get James to hold still long enough to pull the drapes off him. The attempt was only half-hearted as Sirius was still laughing too hard to achieve much. Remus eventually pulled himself together long enough to get Sirius's arm around his shoulders and the two of them continued to stagger after James who was clearly unable to change back into himself.

Lily gave up all hopes of helping and sank down next to Peter and they howled in laughter as Sirius and Remus launched themselves at James and missed drastically, landing face down in the grass. Sirius rolled onto his back and laughed even harder as James came to stand over them. Remus deftly reached up and pulled the drapes off James's antlers and they fell around his and Sirius's head as James strutted around happily.

He made his way over to Lily who was still laughing and he nudged her with his nose. She wiped her eyes and smiled at him, petting his head lightly. 'You brought this on yourself love.'

'Should we help him out then?' said Peter who had recovered enough to stand.

Sirius had changed back into the black dog and was rolling around on the ground a few feet away with Remus who was reluctantly having his face licked.

'Oh I suppose so.' Laughed Lily, pulling her wand out and with Peter's help they cast the spell to force James out of his animagus form.

'Lily,' James giggled and swung his arms around her waist. 'I'm taking you to bed this moment. You're so beautiful.' He nuzzled his face into her hair lovely.

'Okay James, though I have a feeling I'm the one taking you to bed.' She said giving Peter a sideways grin.

Remus was failing to keep Sirius's tongue off his face. 'Ugh! Padfoot, geroff!'

'Fine.' Said Sirius, having transformed back and was now crouching over Remus, smiling hugely.

'You're a mutt.' Said Remus, accepting a hand up from Sirius.

'Just another one of your furry little problems Moony.' Sirius barked with laughter, throwing an arm over Remus's shoulders and walking back into the house.

'Look Prongs went and left a hole in the wall with his bloody antlers!' said Sirius, sticking a finger into the puncture hole next to the door. It went a few inches into the drywall and Sirius poked his finger through.

'I'll fix it.' Remus went to pull out his wand but Sirius waved him off.

'Don't bother Moony, it'll remind us of tonight and give us a good laugh every time we see it. Bloody idiot running around with the drapes hanging off his head.' Sirius's eyes sparkled with mirth.

'I should remind you that it was you who challenged him to do it.' Said Remus as Peter came in with the drapes.

Sirius rolled his eyes and attempted to help Peter with the drapes. Peter smacked him off and hung them back with a flick of his wand. 'You're wrecked Padfoot, go to bed.' He said, smiling at him.

'You know Wormy, you're right.' Said Sirius, coming over and throwing his arm around Peter's shoulders. 'What would we do without you Wormy?'

Peter shrugged and smiled. 'I'll crash on the couch tonight.'

'Fantastic idea!' said Sirius as Remus took his other arm and the two of them led him into his bedroom.

'I love you Moony! Have I ever mentioned how much I love you?' asked Sirius, falling backwards unto his bed and closing his eyes.

'Oh just about every time you drink Padfoot but I appreciate the sentiment.' Said Remus, grinning at Peter.

They had done this more times than they could count. Loading a drunken Sirius into his four poster at Hogwarts, usually directly after doing the same to James. Remus pulled Sirius's shoes off and Peter flicked the lights out with his wand. They left the room to Sirius's snores and laughed together, shaking their heads.

'To good times Wormtail.' Said Remus, heading towards the stairs.

'You too Moony.' Peter said, laying back on the couch and yawning.

January 26th, 1979

'You can't be serious?' Said Eileen, raising her eyebrows at Regulus.

He frowned at her for a moment before grinning, 'No he's my brother, I'm Regulus.'

Eileen opened her mouth to respond but closed it and shook her head, smiling. 'You aren't funny Regulus Black. I mean it you really want to do this?'

He laughed but grabbed her hand, forcing her to walk down the alley beside him. 'Of course I do, you've got the day away from my cousin and after all you promised.' He shot her an amused glance that reminded her suddenly of Sirius.

She decided to push caution slightly and ask him about Sirius. 'Do you talk to him at all? Your brother?'

Regulus looked at her and she thought that for a moment his eyes looked sad but it was quickly replaced with coldness. 'Of course not. He is a blood traitor and apparently he is in that Order of Dumbledore's now.'

'Sorry, I understand.' She said and Regulus smiled at her again.

'It's fine, look we're here.' He pointed ahead of them to the shop sign that read 'Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour'.

Eileen let him drag her inside and had to force a smile unto her face. This was the last place in London she had expected to find herself today, or ever for that matter. The shop was busy with customers even though it was so chilly outside and she found a table while Regulus ordered them some ice cream. She felt extraordinarily out of place, dressed in strict black robes and surrounded by people chattering happily, dressed in anything but black. The only person that matched her was Regulus and as he joined her the two of them draw a few stares from the staff and other customers.

She thought that they must look practically comical. The two of them were clearly not regular shoppers and although it wasn't terribly obvious she supposed they probably gave the impression of two people you didn't want to talk to. Regulus's dark mark was covered by the black sleeves of his clock and robes and her own arms were covered, though lacking the dark mark of Lord Voldemort. The shop owner kept firing concerned looks their way but Eileen chose to ignore him, settling her gaze back to Regulus as he sat down.

'I bought you strawberry, I remember you saying you liked that.' He said and Eileen noticed that he was blushing slightly.

'I – yes it's my favourite thank you.' She replied, scooping some up and letting herself enjoy the sweet coldness.

She was overtly aware of Regulus watching her and for what seemed the hundredth time that day she regretted coming out.

'You look thoughtful.' He said.

'Oh sorry, I just have a lot on my mind.' She said, taking another spoonful.

'You can talk to me if you'd like.' He said softly.

She smiled at him not knowing what else to say. 'It's nothing really. Thank you for making me come out today.'

'It's my pleasure. You've been working so hard with Bellatrix and I thought you could use a break.'

She shrugged slightly. 'Yes that's true. I'm surprised you wanted to come here in the middle of Diagon Alley. You do realise there is a war going on though don't you Reg?'

He seemed taken aback for a moment, 'Of course I know but why shouldn't we be here because of that?'

Eileen raised her eyebrows at him, surprised at his lack of understanding. 'Regulus I guarantee most of these people wouldn't be sitting here around us if they knew what you were.'

'What we are you mean?' he said and his expression became unreadable for a moment.

'Yes us, either way.' She said, trying to wave off her mistake.

'Why shouldn't we be here because of that? If these people were smart they'd be joining us!" he said and a few people turned around and looked at them.

'Hush Regulus!' she said, leaning in towards him and grasping his hand in warning.

He seemed to forget his passion as her hand held his and he lowered his voice to her level. 'Okay.' He covered her hand with his other one, encasing it between his two larger hands.

'Listen you can't go around talking like that. People don't want what the Dark Lord does. These people do not have the same visions as us.' She put emphasis on us.

'Then they're blood-traitors, or worse, mudbloods.' He said simply as if he were describing somebody's hair style.

Eileen closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. She knew she would probably regret opening her mouth about it but she did. 'Reg listen and try to understand for a moment. Would you like me less if my mother wasn't a pure-blooded witch?'

'Of course not, I like you for who you are.' He said sounding slightly wounded that she would suggest anything else.

'What if my parents had been muggles? I'm exactly the same person but for the first eleven years of my life I didn't understand that I was a witch.'

'Well you're parents aren't muggles so I don't know what you mean.' He said confused.

'Reg would you still like me if I was a mud-blood?'

He looked taken aback and frowned. 'I like you.'

'Yes but even then?'

'If you were the same person you are now?'

'Yes exactly the same.'

'The situation would be totally different Eil-,'

'No it would not Regulus. I'd still be the same person but my parents would be muggles and because of that you would change your entire opinion on me? You wouldn't be my friend anymore?'

'No! I mean – of course I would but – it wouldn't be the same.' He said finally and clearly annoyed with the subject.

'You see how that makes such little sense Reg? You don't like muggles because they are not like us? You think you deserve some special treatment because you were born with the ability to use magic? It's like saying you don't like strawberry ice-cream because it wasn't made to be chocolate. It was made to be enjoyed as it is, as itself, as strawberry ice-cream!'

She seemed to have lost him with the ice-cream metaphor and he was staring at her in mild confusion. 'Eileen you're starting to sound like someone that wants us to be friendly with muggles. I'm confused, what are you trying to say? You like muggles or you don't believe in the Dark Lord's plans?'

'No of course not!' she said, coming off much sharper than she had meant to in an attempt to cover up her momentary lack of judgement in opening her mouth. 'Never mind Reg I was just rambling. I'm finished should we go?'

He was still obviously confused but stood with her and headed towards the door. The cold air seemed to bring back his wits because he was giving her a look he had never given her before as they walked up the street together.

'Let's stop in here for a moment I wanted to look around.' She said, trying to distract whatever thought was going through his head.

He gazed up at the store front, 'A jewelry store?'

'I wanted to buy my mother some new earrings.' She lied.

'Okay.' He said, pushing the door open for her.

They stepped into the cosy shop and she smiled at him in thanks. She wandered off to one side of the shop while Regulus stepped over to examine something at the counter. She was silently cursing herself for being stupid enough to open her mouth and wondering what damage she might have possibly done. She eyed a pair of green emerald earrings in the shape of flowers and pulled them towards her to examine them.

'Did you find something?' asked Regulus coming over behind her and placing his chin on her shoulder.

'Maybe, what do you think of these?' she turned to show him the earrings and he was forced to remove his chin from her shoulder.

'They're nice, does Vera like flowers?'

'Most women do I'd think.' She said.

'Most? Not you?' he asked grinning.

'Not particular, no. I find them rather useless. Why give someone something that is only going to die a few days later?'

'You could enchant it to stay alive longer.' he suggested.

'No, enchanting it would only take away from the nature of it. Leave them in the ground.' She decided to get the earrings and they walked towards the counter.

'So what do you like if not flowers?' he asked seriously.

'Things that cannot be bought Regulus.' She said and smiled cryptically at him.

'Fifteen gallons love.' Said the small witch at the counter.

Eileen handed over the money and the witch wrapped and bagged the earrings. She thanked the witch and they left the store.

'Come for dinner tonight?' he asked, slipping an arm around her shoulders as they walked.

Knowing that she couldn't possibly dig herself into a deeper hole she agreed and they disaparated to Regulus's house in Grimmauld Place.

January 31st, 1979

The scolding water poured down over her head as she stood staring at the shower wall but hardly seeing it. The bathroom was full of steam that sucked all coolness from the room and left the walls and mirror dripping in the heat.

She had arrived home two hours ago, entered the house and climbed the stairs until she had reached her bedroom. She had shut the bathroom door behind her, turned the shower on hot and let it run, fogging the room as she mechanically undressed. She stared at herself in the mirror for how long she didn't know, feeling disgust boil up inside her until she had vomited the contents of her stomach into the toilet. She had retched every last thing up until her body had refused to continue getting sick. She dragged herself off the floor and climbed into the shower, the stinging heat burning her skin but leaving no impression on her mind.

She didn't know or care how long she was standing there, she felt dirty and tainted and she had scrubbed her skin raw until the shock of the last hours broke her and she dropped the soap and stood under the water, staring blankly at the opposite wall. The screaming was filling her head; it hadn't really stopped since she had left the scene. She could see the whole horrific thing playing out in her head over and over again, each time, each scream taking a piece of her with it until she was paralysed. Her surroundings dissolved around her until she was there again in the middle of a small, neat living room.

The walls were a deep blue, like the colour of the ocean and covered in stationary family photographs, one a large picture of women in a wedding gown kissing her husband and another of a small brown-haired baby laughing happily. The pictures were deceiving, she thought, because if they could reflect the horror that was happening in that house they would never smile again. Bellatrix's voice broke through the thought as she laughed her high pitched laugh that sent small goose bumps over Eileen's skin.

'Filthy dirty muggle, tell us where your filthy mud-blood husband is!' she screamed pulling the sobbing woman by her hair.

'I'll never tell you!' she screeched, trying to tear herself away from Bellatrix. Bellatrix dropped her and pointed her wand at her causing the woman to curl inward and shriek with pain. She had been resisting Bellatrix and Rabastan for over an hour, refusing to tell them where her husband and child were.

Bellatrix looked about to end the poor woman's life when the door opened and a tall brown-haired man walked in with a young child on his hip. The smile died on his face as he realised the scene in front of him.

'Jane!'

Eileen was standing against the far wall trying hard not to vomit when the man entered. She had instinctively pulled her wand out and she thought that her heart had stopped beating in that moment seeing the child clinging to its father.

The woman on the floor screamed at him to run but he didn't have a chance and in a flash Bellatrix, Rabastan, Rosier and Mulciber had turned their wands on him and he was dead before he could utter a word. The child must have been hit by one or more of their deadly curses and they fell to the ground in the doorway as the woman screamed.

Time was frozen in that moment as Eileen watched in horror as the man and child lay dead on the floor and the woman's screams seemed to echo in her brain. The part of her brain in control of keeping her alive was screaming at her to clear her mind of it all but the human part, the part that was revolted and horrified was winning out. She would realise later how lucky she was that none of the Death Eaters were concerned enough with her to pay her close attention in those moments.

Bellatrix's laughter was racing around in her brain, mixing and blending with the woman's screams until Rabastan turned his wand on her and silenced her forever. They left the house, Rosier casting the dark mark over it as Bellatrix skipped happily ahead; chanting something that Eileen's couldn't or wouldn't hear. She had left without saying a word and went home.

Standing now in the shower that she could no longer see she was stuck in a continuing loop of that house of horror where three innocent people's lives had been snatched away for the simple crime of being born as muggles. She had stood there, simply stood there as they died, not lifting a finger to stop that woman's pain, not trying to save her husband and child and she was disgusted with herself and the pain of it all was ripping through her body so that she felt every scream, every sob, every single last second of their lives being ripped out of her.

The minutes ticked into hours and she stood as the water turned ice-cold around her and she didn't feel it. The hole inside her was growing and she thought that perhaps if she stayed here, just stayed here that maybe she too would die and then she wouldn't feel it so much, she wouldn't hear that woman pleading with Bellatrix Lestrange.

'Eileen?'

The voice came as a whisper in the darkness and she shrank away from it because it was a voice that made her feel when she was striving so hard to forget. She sank down in the tub and pulled her legs in, cradling herself and trying harder to block out those awful screams.

'Eileen!'

The voice was growing louder and she pressed her hands against her ears, willing it to go away because she could not bear to think or feel anything for the person behind that voice. How could something as beautiful and pure as the feelings that voice procured exist in a world so terrifyingly evil?

'EILEEN!'

She watched again as the man and child fell to the floor and she heard the woman screaming and her throat was raw because it was her scream. She felt the water stop suddenly and something soft and warm was thrown over her body and she was being lifted from the tub. The person wrapped the towel around her and for the first time she shivered, feeling her stiff limbs and raw and frozen body. She was lifted into the air and someone was carrying her back into her bedroom.

'It's okay, you're alright Eileen.' His hands were on her face and she sighed in relief because Sirius was there and suddenly the screaming in her head died down and she focused on the face drifting in front of her blurred vision.

Regulus Black was staring back at her, concern itched in every line of his face. She let out an involuntary sob as she realised that Sirius wasn't and couldn't be here. It was Regulus's voice that she had heard and it was so similar to his brothers that she had thought for a moment that it was him that had pulled her out of her nightmare.

'Shhh, it's okay.' He said pulling her dripping form towards him and hugging her close.

Caught up in the emotion she let him hold her, sobbing into his shirt. When she had cried herself dry she whipped her eyes and pulled away from him, embarrassed and feeling incredibly self-conscience in just a towel.

'Reg, how?' she asked and her voice sounded distant and strange to her. She pulled the towel closer.

'I came by to see you, but the front door was open and you weren't answering. I heard you screaming.' He said and he frowned as if the thought of it was hurting him.

'I'm sorry, I'm fine you can go.' She said, standing.

'Merlin Eileen, I don't think you're fine!' he said, standing as well and looking her up and down.

'I really am Reg, I- thank you but I'm fine.' She turned and went to the closet, pulling out a dressing gown and swinging it over her body.

'Why were you screaming Eileen?' He asked, striding over to her and placing a hand on her shoulder. 'I seen you in there, that water was ice-cold and you were nearly blue.' His voice broke slightly at the thought.

'I just – it was a rough day.' She said not meeting his eyes.

'I know what happened today.' He said and she met his eyes suddenly. 'You don't need to lie to me Eileen.'

'Don't I?' she said and she knew suddenly that what she had said to Regulus a few days ago had not left him.

'I'm in love with you.' He blurted suddenly and her mouth fell open slightly.

She had not expected him to say that though she had suspected it to be true for some time. 'Regulus -,'

'Its fine you don't have to respond I just wanted you to know. I'd never say anything Eileen, just so you know. But you have to tell me – are you and Rabastan, um-,'

'Regulus, no! No!' she said, horrified and disgusted that he would think that.

'Okay, ah – sorry I just wanted to ask.' He said, and he looked more than embarrassed but also slightly pleased.

'Listen you should go Regulus, I'll get out of here and –'

'Just stop for a second.' He cut her off and steered her back to sit on the bed. 'I know what happened today and then – then I saw you just now in the shower and- bloody hell Eileen I don't know why I didn't see it before.'

'I've practically told you Regulus.'

'I know. I see that now.' He said looking distracted. 'Does anyone else know? That you don't want to join him?' he asked, lowering his voice though no one else was in the house.

'No.' she said thinking that it was bad enough without mentioning that she was spying.

'That's good than I suppose.' He said thoughtfully. 'Eileen maybe – maybe you should just go away for now or –,'

'I can't Regulus, I'm in too deep now. I just have to keep going.' She said sadly.

'You really don't believe in any of this do you?' he asked.

'How can I Regulus? You didn't see what I did today, they murdered a child Reg, a child without a second thought. Because he was born to a muggle. That woman – I've never seen anyone as brave as her. She just refused to give up her family, refused even though she was being tortured. She was a muggle Regulus and I don't think I've ever meet a witch or wizard as brave as the woman who was murdered today.'

Regulus flinched slightly but didn't stop looking at her. 'You – the way I found you just now, that's how that affected you?'

She nodded.

'Is there anything I can do?'

'I don't think so Reg.'

'Can I stay with you for a while maybe? Just until you're feeling a little better?'

She laughed a tiny sad laugh, wondering if she'd ever feel even a little better. 'Sure, I need to get dressed, go stand in the hall.'

He looked pleased and went. She closed the door behind him and let herself take a deep, steadying breath. She'd been so reckless around Regulus and now he knew, not the whole story but enough to make the rest crumble to the ground. She changed quickly, throwing on some black pants and a black shirt, feeling far too morbid to attempt colour.

She let him back in and they leaned against the headboard, side-by-side.

'You said you were coming to see me but you didn't say why.' She said, looking over at him.

'Oh well I forgot with everything but I bought you something.' He looked pleased with himself and pulled a neatly wrapped gift out of his robes. 'Here.'

She took the small gift from him and carefully unwrapped it, her fingers shaking slightly still. A long silver chain fell out with an odd pendant at the bottom in the shape of a triangle with a line and a circle encased within it. 'What is it?' she asked fingering the symbol.

'It's the Deathly Hallows.' He said proudly.

'The what?'

'The Deathly Hallows, haven't you ever heard the story of the three brothers?' he asked, looking slightly disappointed.

'Yes but what has this to do with an old story?' she asked confused by his gift.

'Well you said you liked things that couldn't be bought and well – obviously I had to buy this but I thought that you might appreciate the story.'

She looked at him and she thought that perhaps it was the first time that she was actually seeing him. He was sweet and kind and thoughtful and she felt a sudden dark sadness for the boy sitting next to her. Sadness that he was pulled into beliefs that were so evil and because for some reason he was looking past them for her and because even with all of it she knew she couldn't love him the way she was in love with his brother.

'Thank you Regulus really, it's lovely. Tell me what these Deathly Hallows are.' She said and his face lit up as he recounted the story of the three Peverell brothers and their encounter with death.

'So you see the circle is the stone of resurrection, the triangle is the cloak of invisibility and the line is the elder wand. Together they make the Deathly Hallows, and whoever possesses them, ruler of death.' He finished his story proudly and she smiled at him.

'But it's only a story, people don't actually believe in it do they?' she asked, slipping the necklace over her still wet hair and letting it hang around her neck.

'Well some people believe and I thought that maybe it would be interesting for you, and I like the idea of the Hallows and thought maybe you would too.'

'I do, thank you Reg. It's a lovely gift.'

'Which item would you chose if you could only choose one?' he asked.

'The cloak.' She answered immediately, remembering the cloak Sirius had shown her so many months ago.

'Really? I think the wand would be what I would choose.'

'That's how you get into trouble Regulus Black, the wand is the obvious chose but it's the one that's more likely to get you killed.' They smiled at each other.

'You're right of course.' He slid off the bed and stood, picking up his cloak. 'I should go though it's getting dark and you look like you could use some rest.'

'Thank you Reg – I don't know what to say really.'

'Look I won't say anything Eileen because I have feelings for you and because above all we're friends and well – I don't really understand you and I'm not sure how I feel about the whole thing but your secret is safe with me. Just be careful okay?'

'I will.'

'And no more crying or all that,' he waved a hand in the direction of the bathroom. 'I couldn't bear to see you like that again.' They exchanged embarrassed looks and she showed him to the door, hugging him briefly before he left and she closed the door behind him.

The woman's screams hadn't quite faded from her mind as she locked the door with her wand and wandered back to her bedroom. She dropped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling feeling empty, but less so than before. If she made it out of this alive she would do everything she could to bring Regulus Black with her. He deserved better than being a Death Eater. He deserved to be loved and she knew now after all he had said, that maybe, just maybe, Regulus Black could be turned away from Lord Voldemort.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading! It's truly a pleasure to write this story that has been in my head for such a long time. I'm not sure if it was obvious but I wanted to make it clear with this chapter that the war is about to pick up and that those happy times are about to become fewer and farther between. Please keep reading and leave a review! It means the world to hear from you!