Hello, my beautiful readers!

It feels like its been forever! I felt so bad but revision last week and exams this week have gotten the best of me! Tomorrow I have my last exam that I've pretty much finished revising for so I thought I'd get this out.

I was so overwhelmed by the response last chapter, a huge thank you to, ravenclauses, mchurch1992, Sethumi, Beetle126, Marie0907, .2017, guest, madwamoose, raven that flies at night, and Mazeygrace18, For your kind words, support and understanding!

This chapter is dedicated to my beautiful 200th reviewer, raven that flies at night, who has been reading this story from the very beginning.

"Closed eyes, heart not beating, but a living love." - Avis Corea

Sirius looked around frantically, trying to figure out in which direction he had come from as he came into a clearing, flashes of spell fire being exchanged from the corner of his eyes. He felt worry swelling in the pit of his stomach as he realised he hadn't seen Elizabeth in close to fifteen minutes. Where could she be? Was she alright? He felt his heart drop at the thought… was she even alive?

He felt that if the latter had occurred, some supernatural power would let him know. He didn't believe that someone he loved could die and he would not feel their passing. Like that rubbish, sci-fi bullshit movie Elizabeth, Remus and Lily had forced them all to watch, he couldn't imagine not realising when someone he loved died. Would it be a stab in the heart, would he physically feel their loss, or would it feel empty? He felt dread at the thought, and forced himself to not think of the worst possible situation. He wouldn't lose her, she was too young, too full of life, too beautiful...

His heart pounded in his chest, and sweat beaded on his forehead as he sharply rounded a corner, he needed to find her, he needed to know she was safe. Sirius stopped and horror spread across his face as a familiar scream echoed through the clearing,

Elizabeth.

How many times had he heard the exact same scream come out of her mouth, the exact same sound… His mind flashed back to that awful day in Hogsmeade, remembering as she writhed on the ground and how that was the day Beverley lost her innocence, his heart dropped at the thought. That scream always brought about the worst of things. Somebody was torturing her, and he could wait to unleash his wrath on whoever it was. He sprinted as fast as his long legs could take him as he followed the source of the sound, He couldn't lose her, not now, not ever. He raced against time, he had a bad feeling about this.

She needed help. And now.

Her throat was red raw and it caused her so much pain to scream, yet it gave her a sense of relief to be able to release her pain. She needed to, as dirt gathered under nails from dragging them against the ground, blood pouring from her lip from biting down, scratches were etched into her cheek and mud streaked across her face. Even louder than her screams were Bellatrix's cackles, right in her ear, haunting her and pounding faster than the blood in her ears, throbbing manically and torturing her with the high pitched sounds. Bellatrix was laughing as if her writhing on the ground as if she was being stabbed by gazillions of knifes was the funniest thing in the world. Then again, to her it probably was.

She felt her top rip against a rock which tore through her skin as she thrashed on the muddy ground. She felt the sharp point of the rock cut into her abdomen and the hot trickle of blood on her skin. She felt her heart pounding and her entire body starting to tremble shockingly. She felt black dots appear on her vision as she felt her oxygen begin to deplete.

She had never felt such excruciating pain in her life, she just wanting it to end, she felt as though she was being stabbed by a million knifes. She just wanted it to end, bugger the consequences, she couldn't even contemplate what she'd miss, she just wanted the sweet bliss of death, but she knew Bellatrix would never grant her that mercy.

She knew she was fading, her mind was screaming for release. All she wanted was for the pain to disappear, she just wanted it all to end. She gasped as if doused in a bucket of cold water as Bellatrix took a small break. Her gasp was shuddering as Elizabeth felt dirt paint her cheek as she collapsed forward, her hands pulling her up and dragging her on the ground. She looked up, tears mingling with her dirt and blood streaked face. She looked up at the woman who had every chance to end her life, but wouldn't; she knew she wouldn't, why would she when she could cause more pain and destruction.

God save me from this torture, help me, end this pain.

She cried out as she turned to her side, all her muscles spasming, she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand static as her body shivered. All she wanted to do was beg her to end her life, to give her a sweet release. But she didn't. What was the point in cowering before Bellatrix, begging for mercy like a common weakling, when the woman before her had no mercy. Why lower herself to such a level, when all the woman would later do is torment Sirius with recollections of the weakness she showed in her final moments.

Elizabeth let out a blood-curdling scream as she was hit with the curse once more, deprived of the sweet calmness that came over er, when she was once more being put through this agonising torture. She felt blood pour into her mouth as her teeth cut into her tongue, she felt the pain in her fingers slowly subsiding and her thoughts becoming more sloppy, she felt panic well within her as black dots began to deprive her of her vision. What was happening? What was going on? She felt herself slipping away.

Perhaps she would finally be given the sweet respite of death, she could almost feel it opening its arms wide, beckoning her closer.

"LIZZIE!" The voice of her beloved caused her drooping eyes to snap wide open. He was going to save her, her was going to help her. Her eyes were distant, almost swimming in pain. But his voice felt so far away, almost like a distant echo, as if he was barely there.

In reality, it was her that was barely there.

Lily's dropped mouth turned into a blinding smile as she crouched down, her body trembling with anticipating and sheer joy, she couldn't believe it! It was crazy, she was nineteen, and completely besotted with him, and he was bloody proposing to her. She looked down at her and crouched down to his level, placing her hands on his freshly shaven face, looking at his face and admiring the perfection that was James Potter. She loved him, she loved him so much. She leant forward and to his surprise, pressed a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Of course I will marry you, Mr Potter." She whispered, tears welling up in her emerald eyes. James looked at her star struck, shocked by her reply, he honestly hadn't thought she'd say yes. He couldn't believe that after seven years of pure hate, two years of love, now they would have their entire lives together. He opened his mouth but no words came out. Lily rolled her eyes, "Are you going to put that gorgeous ring on my finger or do I have to do it for you?"

James snapped out of his reverie and let out a laugh of joy, tears even sprung to his hazel eyes as he took her trembling hand in his. He pushed the golden ring onto her right hand. She let out a joyous laugh, this was unreal! James stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist. Lily let out a squeal as he spun the pair around.

"Merlin I love you!" She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck, completely forgetting their setting, all she could focus on was James and their love. He looked at her with such love, such adoration and care, he treated her as if she was a queen, as if she was the only woman in the world.

"I love you too Lils, more than you realise."

He put the two down and they took calming breaths, feeling the adrenaline and pure euphoria fading out of their systems.

"We're getting married." Lily whispered, James nodded and wrapped his hand around her waist, feeling like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.

"We're getting married." He chuckled and shook his head, unable to believe it, he took her hand, adorned with the large ring, "Are you sure you like it, we can always change it."

Lily let out a laugh and rolled her eyes, "I'm surprised of how good it is actually, I didn't realise how well you knew me."

James poked her side causing her to laugh, "You have Liz to thank for it. She chose it."

Lily nodded her head, wistfully looking down at the ring, admiring the large rock "I love my best friend. You two are neck and neck on my list of who I love most." James snorted,

"Well I like being on top." James stated deepening his voice slightly causing Lily to nudge him,

"From what I've heard so does Liz." She winked at him causing James to look taken aback. Lily noticed immeadiantly, and smirked, "What, did Sirius not mention that point in your manly conversations?"

James rolled his eyes, laughing internally, with Lily around; it was going to be a long and happy marriage.

The events that occurred after hearing Sirius's voice was a haze, she couldn't remember anything except for the blurry colours of spells being exchanged. She couldn't even remember the searing pain that was being inflicted on her. She couldn't recall the pain leaving her body, she was in agony, not just physically, but her head felt like it was going to explode, her brain pounding. She felt her blood rushing through her veins and could feel her heart beating, but that was the only way she could tell she was alive, she couldn't see, or hear anything. All she could remember was the warm embrace of her lover's arms around her frail body.

She could remember the unknown darkness wrapping around her , the cold shroud enveloping her being. She could remember her thoughts slowly fading away, her heart steadily, slowing to an uneven beat. She could remember her eyes clamping shut and tears streaming down her bloody and dirt streaked face. She couldn't do it anymore, she didn't understand what was happening to her, was this death? Was this the end? Would she finally succumb to the pain of the cruciatus and awaken in the arms of her parents?

She couldn't feel anything of her body, she was numb. She couldn't feel her thoughts, she couldn't feel her limbs…nothing.

A sinister laugh was sounded behind the happy couple. The couple froze midway through their celebrations at the sound, anxiety coursing through their veins. They pulled out of their embrace and turned to the source of the sound. They prayed, oh they prayed and prayed.

Fear bubbled within Lily at the sound, the hair on the nape of her neck stood static and goose pimples lined her arms. She felt a shiver go down her spine.

She silently prayed as she turned that it wasn't him.

But it was.

"Voldemort was standing right in front of her.

Voldemort, I am honoured to finally be graced with your presence." Lily spat, she sounded diplomatic but her form was anything but, her wand was tightly clasped in her right hand, her stance strong, back straight.

He let out a snarling laugh, a horrific sound, like nails on a chalkboard.

"Spare me the pleasantries Mudblood." He growled and lifted his wand, "Avada Kedavra!"

James jumped into action andimmediatelyy conjured up a brick wall in front of her to absorb the curse. Lily flung a stunning curse at the man who batted it away as if it were an annoying fly.

"That was shameful for a Mudblood who got dux of her year, I expected better."

A crimson blush of anger dotted her cheeks at the slur, she pointed her wand to the ground and with a silent bombarda the floor between Voldemort and themselves, James and Lily turned and sped off., not wanting to fight the terrorist. They raced through the branches but halted as they heard the signature sound of apparition. Lily felt her heart stop at the sound, not now, not ever, she never wanted to see those glowing eyes and disfigured face again.

"Did you think a simple, third year charm could stop me?" He snarled, his red eyes glowing with anger, as sparks flew from the end of his wand and the wind around them picked up as his anger did. "You're pathetic!"

James transfigured a pile of boulders into an animated pile of wolves that raced towards the cloaked man, he then flung a tickling charm towards Voldemort, and he cringed as he heard a high pitched laugh and a slew of curses, the man's laugh was more horrific than the idea of him laughing.

"What justifications do you have as a pureblood to fight for a society that goes against every political and moral belief of your ancestors, James Potter." James snorted and breathed deeply as he ignored the mans jibes, throwing curses towards his enemy, having no other motivation than to end this fight before someone got hurt.

"If my ancestors believed that those with non pure blood were lesser than them, or less magically inclined, or that muggleborns stole magic, then I am ashamed to be a Potter." He spat. Lily couldn't help but frown at his words, she knew that despite that fact he held no prejudice to non purebloods, he was mostly saying what he was saying to defend her honour. He was risking himself in this way to protect her and she felt fear, she'd rather be hit with the cruciatus curse ten times over then see James hurt.

"Your misplaced faith in Dumbledore will lead you to your very early demise, Potter, mark my words, you wont leave this war alive."

"Then I'll be glad to have fought for something I believed in."

Lily flung a Fumos towards Voldemort causing a smokescreen to appear between them, unable to swallow any more of the horrific truths she was being faced with. She couldn't deal with the thought of losing James, not to this war, not now, not when everything was beginning to be alright. James clasped Lily's hand and they began to run, he placed a Cave inimicium on them and Lily placed disillusionment charms on the two as they ran off. Voldemort casting spells to vanish the wolves and the smokescreen which Lily had charmed to be strong.

They were safe, for now.

Hearing an agonised howl of pain Marlene sprinted through the pillars and trees, jumping over rocks and dodging stray trees in her way. She had just gotten away from Macnair, blood trickled down her leg and dampened her jeans, dirt stained her hands, wand and face. She was panting as she tried to race towards the source of the sound, somebody was hurt, somebody needed help.

She recognised the voice.

Sirius.

The shocking realisation of the identity of the person made her push herself even more, what could've happened to Sirius to elicit such a sound from him. He was her best friend, and at times they had been abit more. He carried a special place in her heart, they both came from pureblood families, they were both colossal failures and screw ups, they both drunk a little too much and lived a little too fully. He was her partner in crime, not in a romantic sense either, just friends.

She loved him.

Her legs felt like they were going to collapse under her, she felt her head spinning and her vision blurring, but she needed to save him, she needed to protect him.

She came to a halt seconds later as she saw him hunched over a smaller form, dark hair splayed around the lying persons head. Sirius had wrapped his arms around her midsection and was sobbing hysterically, the sounds echoing around the clearing.

She felt the breath leave her chest as she realised what had happened and horror set in, she couldn't believe it, it couldn't be true; she didn't want any more pain, she didn't want any more death and most of all she didn't want that poor boy to be abandoned by one more person. She begged any gods up there that she had somehow misunderstood the scene before her. If anybody deserved the right to happiness it was him. It was Sirius; and damn it if Elizabeth Gilmore was the one that made him happy, she was glad. If Sirius was happy, she would put aside her own issues of the girl and deal with it.

She ran over and placed a hand on his shuddering shoulder, her eyes alight with panic as she surveyed the scene, all air left her lungs as she saw Elizabeth's pale face, she had blood and dirt streaked on her face, cuts on her lip which was turning blue underneath all the blood, her beautiful eyes were shut and her face… it was too still. She felt her heart stop and pain enshroud her.

"Sirius, what's…" she panted, unable to comprehend, she wouldn't "What's happening?"

Sirius lifted his head from her prone form, had she been standing up she would've taken a step back, tears were streaming down his face which had gone pale, his eyes were bloodshot and there was snot dribbling down his nose. He looked awful, he looked like a beautiful disaster. She was overwhelmed, no…it couldn't be, she couldn't be…no

He let out a sob as he saw her shock, he couldn't do it, he couldn't…

"She…She just stopped!" he gasped, his breath coming out in short breaths and panic and grief overwhelmed him, he couldn't say it, he couldn't admit to it, he didn't want to.

"WHAT STOPPED?" She shouted, she knew what he was going to say, but she needed to hear it, she needed to know; tears welled up in her eyes at the sight she saw before her.

"Her pulse… Its- I cant feel it!" he cried, "She's gone!" Marlene wrapped her arms around him as tears leaked from her eyes, she could taste the saltiness of them as they ran down her face,

"She left me, Mars, she promised." He sobbed, as he gripped onto Elizabeth's still, cold form. "She promised me."

WOAH! I KNOW RIGHT! Yeah things got abit wild towards the end. I hope you guys did enjoy this chapter, it was short and not upto my usual standard but i felt that you guys deserved an update after so long. I hope you enjoyed it and as per usual, heres your sneak peek!

the angel wings tattooed onto the back of his neck

Wish me luck for my exam tomorrow, and please dont forget to leave a review!

Lots of love,

Ruby xo