A/N: This and the next chapter were especially hard chapter to write, structurally and emotionally. Mina's POV [finally] was especially hard. It was really difficult imagining that situation.

BUT I've finally drafted the last chapter. There will be 68! WOO UNDER 70!

Guest...?: You didn't sign your review so I don't have a nom de guerre to place to your voice, but thank you so much for the encouraging review!

missalex3030: Hahaha yes, definitely a good choice. I'll just say that you probably shouldn't read the next 3 chapters in public. But after that, I think it should be okay. Thanks so much as always though! Hope you're doing well too!

MaeveDevine: Haha yeah, it's been such a long anticipated sequence of events. I'm glad you've been excited for it too! Thank you, thank you!

SMGF1: Haha I can always depend on you to love the Rowan x Remus scenes. And yup, Sirius is back for this one. Thank you for the review, as always!

casualmoose: So good to hear from you again! Thanks for the review! I was hesitant to write that scene too. It was difficult navigating through it, but since James has been a larger focus than Sirius in this story, I figured it wouldn't be right to pass over it, right? Thanks so much for following along still. It makes me really happy to know that you expect good work from me. I hope you're having a good day as well ^^

REVIEW MEEEEE!

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Chapter 64: Of Those Left Behind

Morning whispered on the horizon softly, like the gentlest splash of watercolor in a pool of ink. It arrived with the same, wondrous results as the two cycles before. As they pulled an exhausted, naked Isaac from his restraints, Rowan felt the chill of November hit her lungs, and the first breath of winter smoked out of her mouth in exchange. She hoped that the success of this experiment might speak of the rest of the month as well.

But just as the wish formed in her heart, Rowan gasped. She leapt backward as a burst of silver erupted from the floor, arms shielding the fading Isaac. But then the shock was filled with a deep, clawing fear as the familiar glow took shape. The silvery mist solidified into a broad-winged, magnificent bird - a phoenix. Albus Dumbledore's voice filled the room and, with it, Rowan's terror.

"Come to Hogwarts immediately. Do not speak to anyone. It is of the utmost urgency."

Before the Patronus' message had even completed. Rowan had already turned to Lescos and Amrit.

"I'm sorry," she rushed out. She didn't wait for them to respond before scrambling to her feet for her things. She didn't even grab her coat. As soon as she hit the pavement outside, she was gone.

Rowan didn't take a breath to rest as she Apparated into Hogsmeade. As soon as she felt her feet hit the ground, she was running for Hogwarts Castle. Her lungs burned by the time she reached the front gates, but at the sight of Minerva McGonagall rushing out to meet her, all fatigue seemed to disappear.

"What's happened? Where is Dumbledore?" she gasped, grasping the older woman's arms. She could barely control herself. Every fiber of her being was screaming. It was taking all of her efforts to not give her panic full form.

"He's in his office. You must go immediately. The password is 'gumdrop,'" the older witch said quickly. Her own hands trembled. Rowan nodded, and without another word, she rushed into the castle.

"Professor!"

Rowan sprinted up the spiral staircase of the Headmaster's office blindly, skidding to a halt at the top where she was greeted by two figures, not just one. The elegant, steely-eyed Minister of Magic Millicent Bagnold stood with Albus Dumbledore in the center of the office, both looking very grave.

"Professor," Rowan said dumbly. She stared for a moment before turning to the illustrious woman in front of her. "Minister," she greeted quietly. The shock still held her limbs in a vice grip. What was the Minister doing there?

"Rowan," the Headmaster greeted quietly. He seemed to choke on her name. "I'm sorry for the suddenness of all of this, but something has happened." His eyes crinkled sadly. Rowan's stomach lurched - were there tears in his eyes?

"I don't know how to say this, Rowan." He paused, and Rowan realized with horror that this illustrious man was trying to hold himself together. Time seemed to still. His breath was coming shallowly, lips pursed tightly.

"Lily and James Potter are dead."

Rowan's head jerked and stared blankly at the Minister. She hadn't seen the words leave the woman's mouth. There was no way she had said such a thing, right? Rowan heard static in her ears.

"I'm sorry?" she exhaled. The corner of her mouth twitched upward, as if remembering a distant joke. Surely, she hadn't-

"Lily and James Potter have been murdered."

The world twisted around her. Her head seemed to swell heavily, eyes rolling into the back of her head momentarily.

"I-" she started then shut her mouth again. It came in a gasp. She couldn't breathe.

"They were killed last night by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named at approximately 23:50 in their home at Godric's Hollow. Their son Harry is currently in the Ministry's custody."

Rowan didn't know where the ceiling was. Her eyes seemed to be rolling uncontrollably. Her stomach was in her throat. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't... couldn't-

Rowan's eyes seemed to snap forward again, air hitting her lungs. Sirius...?

Heat rushed into her face. Sirius. Sirius.

"How?" she choked out. "I-I don't understand." Her breathe was coming rapidly. "Sirius... Sirius would never give them up. That's the only way how He... We have to find hi-" She choked on her own spit, sputtering ungracefully as tears rushed into her eyes.

"That's why we've called you here, Rowan."

Rowan's body jolted again. She gaped up at Dumbledore, whose gaze was still soft and painful. Minister Bagnold's expression was hard and sharp, directed completely at her.

"He was last seen at the Potters' home at around 0:35 this morning. Rubeus Hagrid encountered him while fetching the Potters' son from the crime scene. He gave Mr. Hagrid his flying motorbike and then disappeared. We need to know where he is," the Minister continued.

Rowan's head was spinning. Sirius. Hagrid. Harry. 0:35. 23:50. Her head swam with numbers. 45 minutes after. But how?

"Sirius was James and Lily's Secret Keeper, Rowan."

Static again. Rowan nearly fell forward with her head suddenly heavy like lead. She staggered ever-so-slightly under its weight.

"What're you saying?" she breathed. Dumbledore looked at her sadly with that light blue gaze.

"The only explanation for the Potters' death is that they were given up by Mr. Black to You-Know-Who," Minister Bagnold said tersely, clearly becoming impatient with Rowan and Dumbledore. "It is imperative that we find him immediately. If you have any knowledge of his whereabouts, you must tell us now."

Rowan shook her head dumbly. Her hair flopped messily, and she realized vaguely how disheveled she must look.

"I don't know," she mumbled deafly. Her head continued to shake. "I don't know." Her stomach was so tight. She could barely make sense of up or down. "Mina, Peter..." she muttered. "Where's are they?"

"Auror Moody is currently in pursuit of Sirius Black and has informed me that he has commanded Auror Surrey to remain at the Ministry. The whereabouts of Mr. Pettigrew are unknown."

The entire world seemed to twist around her. Auror Moody... in pursuit of Sirius...?

"No," she breathed. "No. No, no, no," she sputtered. "This- This isn't right! Something's not right!" she mumbled desperately. Her eyes were blind, hands flailing in protest wildly. "Sirius would never- not to Lily and James. No, this isn't right!" Her lungs were convulsing now, eyes tight with heat.

Suddenly, the safety barrier her mind had created burst, and images of James and Lily spilled forth in a colossal wave. They crashed over her loudly, a barrage of memories hitting her full force. Her lungs expanded in a second, painfully, like the shock of a sudden winter wind. James in his Quidditch robes. Mornings with Lily in the Great Hall. Snow fights with James. Lily's golden quill scratching in the library light. James' laugh. Lily's freckles.

"How?" she gasped. "How did this happen?"

James. She saw his hazel eyes, his messy hair. She heard his clear laughter, his teasing voice. James, her godbrother, her best friend. James. James. James.

"They were supposed to be safe!" she cried. Her knees threatened to give out. They wobbled beneath her weight as she staggered, catching herself on one of the chairs ungracefully. "You said they would be safe!" A trembling wave hit her lungs. She choked and heaved. Her knees buckled momentarily, and they collided with the seat of the chair, thudding loudly against the wooden seat. She could feel her knees bruise. Her limbs seemed to go rigid, joints locking painfully.

"They can't be..." She gulped desperately for air. "They're supposed to be here!"

Her arms were trembling now as well. Sirius... Where was Sirius?

"Ms. Delacroix, we need your help now," Minister Bagnold hissed. Rowan heard her voice above but couldn't see anything. Her eyes were filled with blurring light and images of her best friend. "If Sirius Black did indeed betray the Potters, we need to find him now before he hurts anyone else. We need to find Mr. Pettigrew and Mr. Lupin in case he tries to harm them as well."

Rowan's head was shaking wildly. "No," she protested. "There's no way. He would never- You're wrong!" she fought angrily. She thought of Sirius' ready laugh, his easy countenance. "Not Sirius... Not to James. He'd never..." She choked again. "You've got it wrong!"

A gentle but firm hand grasped Rowan's arm. She couldn't look up. She knew it was Dumbledore.

"Rowan, there is no time to mourn now," he whispered. "We can't find Remus - he's left the Shrieking Shack and hasn't responded to any of my Patronuses. Peter either. We have to find Sirius as quickly as possible. You have to tell me - are there any places you can think of that he might go?"

Rowan's mind was a deaf downpour. She tried to search through her memories for Sirius weakly, but she couldn't move past the torrent of James and Lily. She shook her head dumbly.

"I don't... I don't know," she whispered. Dumbledore gave her one last sad, searching look before standing.

"Minister, I'm afraid we must continue our search elsewhere," he said firmly. The woman nodded tersely before turning back to Rowan. Her gaze softened slightly.

"Ms. Delacroix," she called. Rowan could barely move to indicate that she'd heard her. "I'm so very sorry for your loss." Rowan's tears continued to trickle silently.

"Harry," she whispered. The little boy's face emerged softly in her mind's eye. "Where is Harry?"

"While Sirius Black is still missing, we cannot disclose young Mr. Potter's location," the Minister replied softly. "But rest assured that he is safe and unharmed."

Rowan looked up half-blind. "But... how?" she breathed. "How did he escape? If Lily and James..." she trailed off, choking on her words. She couldn't bear to finish the sentence.

"Lord Voldemort has fallen," Dumbledore declared quietly. The Minister flinched slightly at the Dark Lord's name, but Dumbledore made no notice of it.

Rowan's eyes widened, breath catching in her throat. Something in her stomach plummeted. "What? How?" she echoed. "Did James...?"

"I'm afraid I can't answer your questions now. I only have a couple of theories, which I will be sure to explain to you later," he said shortly. He bent down again and offered her a hand, which she weakly took. Her mind was reeling. Her limbs felt so very heavy. Despite his willowy appearance, his grip was quite strong. He pulled her to her feet with relative ease.

"Minister!"

All three individuals jumped at the voice and turned. A green disembodied head floated in the fireplace - Barty Crouch Sr.

"We have located Sirius Black in Covent Garden. He is on foot. Shall we proceed?"

Rowan felt all of her blood drain. Proceed...? She turned to the Minister, horrified.

"Affirmed. Take him into custody - alive."

Crouch Sr. nodded gravely, shooting Rowan a wary look - did she pity there? - before disappearing with a pop. The office was once again filled with silence. The Minister then cleared her throat and turned back to Dumbledore.

"I must return to the Ministry. I will keep you informed," she said tersely. She turned back to Rowan, gaze softening again slightly. "I would ask that you remain here, for your own safety and for updates as they come. Good day."

And with that, she turned on her heel and hurried out of Dumbledore's office, leaving Rowan and the Headmaster to the static and silence.

Mina Surrey ran through the streets of Covent Garden, London, wand drawn. Her cheeks and lungs seared against the cold morning air. Muggles were being ushered away quickly by Muggle and wizarding officials alike. A few Auror cadets saw her with wide stares and stood aside for her, automatically assuming that she was there with Moody. The few who realized that she wasn't supposed to be there were efficiently brushed off - they were no match for her.

She couldn't believe that Moody had left her behind! Her commander had left Headquarters without even informing her of their intentions to pursue Sirius. After she'd arrived at the Ministry and heard the horrifying news of what had happened at Godric's Hollow, she'd left immediately to chase after Sirius alone. She had to hear it from him. She wouldn't believe it until she did.

There were a series of sirens and shouts from the gathering crowds, but she couldn't hear any of it. She couldn't hear the Aurors behind her shouting for her to stop. Her mind was deaf with the pounding of her own heart. Fire coursed through her veins, threatening to burst from her eyes, but she pushed it back, walled it off inside the deepest recesses of her heart. She couldn't afford emotion now.

"Mina!"

That voice - she whipped around to see a form slamming into her. She grunted as the man caught her by the arms, panting. She looked up, bewildered. Remus!

"What're you doing here?" she shouted over the raucous. Anger shot through her again. "You need to go home!" She looked over him frantically. His clothes were askew, face gaunt. He barely seemed able to stand. She grabbed him by the waist and steadied him upright. He wobbled slightly under her hold, but his expression remained hard.

"Where is Sirius?" he hissed.

Mina's breath caught. She hadn't seen such darkness in Remus' face since the night that Edgar and Wisteria died. Memories of that terrible night came rushing back, but she shook them away, drawing herself upward.

"He's here - somewhere. We have to find him before Moody!" she declared fiercely. Remus' mouth twitched into something of a snarl before grabbing her hand and running off toward the main square.

Finally, they made it to a clearing, a large public plaza that was empty save for a handful of cowering people - perhaps fifteen - but two men stood out from the rest. One was tall with dark hair, facing off against another man, who was small and round. There were tears trailing down his face.

What was Peter doing there?

"Sirius!" she shouted. Please look at me!

The taller man didn't turn to face her, but his back stiffened at the sound of her voice.

"Stay back, Mina!" he shouted back. There was a gravel in his voice she wasn't used to - was he crying?

"Sirius, you fucking face us right now!" screamed Remus. Mina glanced up at him. He was shaking, fists balled up tight and white. She could nearly see red in his eyes. Sirius bristled visibly.

"Remus, stay the fuck out of this!" Sirius bit back.

Remus snarled. Mina's eyes widened at the sound. He then began moving towards them, slowly at first, like his feet were made of lead. Then he took off at a sprint. Mina started after him with panic in her lungs before being yanked back.

"Surrey, what the hell are you doing here?"

Mina looked up to see Moody glaring furiously down at her. Anger boiled in her stomach.

"I'm your second-in-command!" she roared back. "How dare you leave me behind! That's my-"

"Exactly!" Moody snarled. "He's your boyfriend! How can I expect you to act rationally in this situation? Your showing up here just supports that! Stay out of this!"

But Mina was already spinning around wildly. Remus had almost reached them. She saw his body laboring under his own weight. But just as he was reaching for his wand, Mina saw Sirius raise his own. Her eyes widened, fear surging up from her gut.

"Remus, no-"

Then there was an explosion, and she was stumbling and falling. Pain shot through her ankle as she stumbled and fell from the rumblings of concrete, brick and smoke. She and Moody grappled over each other, the older man throwing himself over her to shield her from the debris. She heard a series of screams, but her vision was impaired by the smoke and her mentor's limbs. She coughed harshly while groping forward desperately.

"Help! Somebody get help!"

Mina finally scrambled to her feet. "Semita!" she commanded. The smoke in front of her billowed outward like a large bird had shot through the haze. At the end of the tunnel were Sirius and Remus. Peter was nowhere in sight. Her stomach convulsed sickeningly.

Remus knelt where Peter had been, cradling something in his hands that Mina couldn't see. His face was pale, eyes wide with disbelief. He barely seemed to register where he was. Mina strained her eyes to see what he was holding, but it was much too small.

And Sirius... her heart stopped for a moment painfully. He was laughing.

But no, laughing wasn't the right word. It was cold, grating. His eyes were wide, mad. His hands were on his face, in his riotous hair. His gums and teeth were bared to the world with fury and spite. Who was this man?

Then her vision began to expand as the remaining smoke cleared, and suddenly, Aurors were surrounding him. She looked to her side and realized that Moody was gone. She looked back up to see him lumbering toward Sirius, wand drawn. Sirius didn't seem to notice, still caught in his momentary hell.

And the bodies - there were bodies everywhere. Sick surged up Mina's throat as she realized that they were the bystanders. None of them moved. Ice shot through her spine.

He had killed them.

The rest was a blur. There were handcuffs and shouts, men forcing Sirius down to his knees. He didn't fight them, just simply continued to laugh in that horrifying way. His voice eventually grew harsh and shrill, but still, he continued. It echoed emptily through the streets. Mina couldn't tear her eyes away from him, but she couldn't move either. Finally, they dragged him to his feet, shoving him down the street and towards her.

As he passed, Sirius' eyes locked with Mina. That mad glint was still there, wide and unseeing. His lips stretched into a broad grin. It was so similar to his usual handsome expressions, but this was so horrifying, so sickening. She knew it would haunt her for years to come.

Who was this man?

"Did you see it, Mina? Did you see it?" he crowed. The Aurors pushed him on, but he craned his neck to maintain eye contact with her. She held his gaze numbly, afraid of what would happen if she broke it. A giggle bubbled in his throat, victorious. "I killed that fucking bastard, Minnie! I killed him!"

Mina couldn't respond, nor could she follow. Her feet sunk into the ground beneath her. As his neck strained, his grin remained. She saw him stagger drunkenly along with the Aurors, men and women who had been his comrades and peers. He didn't continue to laugh, but Mina felt that haunting grin embed itself deep in her heart. It echoed hollowly in her stomach. They all Disapparated for the Ministry. The street was silent.

She continued to stand there long after.

When the silence began to settle, a long chime could be heard throughout the streets. Dully, she noted the time - it was 7 a.m., November 1st. She looked upward to the sky, still splashed with faint remnants of pink and yellow. The day had barely begun, and she knew her life was unraveling at the seams with the remnants of night. Despair filled her lungs heavily.

The air was so cold. She could feel the frost creeping down her throat, settling into her bones. Maybe she would freeze from the inside out. She let her head fall back limply. The sky was so very blue.

James and Lily - were they up there somewhere now? She felt as if she were the only person left on earth. She didn't have to look around her to know that only she remained. She simply felt the emptiness of the space around her.

Remus was gone.