Introduction

But since it fell into my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

Hogwarts: May 1975 - A quick look back at the days of innocence before War stole away one of the greatest generations the Wizarding world has ever known...

The last exam was graded. The final feast had been held. All students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry readied themselves for their departure. The first-year students seemed overwhelmed and confused with the amount of things they had procured during the semester that they now had to transport home. The other students were busy exchanging addresses and promising their classmates to write during the summer. One clump of students, fourth years, stood still among the chaos though. Four lads, best friends, watching atop the branches of the courtyard tree. One boy, noticeably handsome, pointed out the oldest students in the scene. "There. Can't wait until we are in their shoes and graduating."

"Slow down, Padfoot," said the tallest in the group. "We have to get through a couple more years first."

"Unless we find a time turner," added the short boy who clung to the branch he sat atop.

"Hardly," came the voice of the boy with glasses standing in the grass under the tree. "Those are urban legend, Peter. Besides they don't work frontwards. I think."

The curly haired boy let his shoulders drop as if he'd felt idiotic for even mentioning the idea. His spirits were lifted when the taller boy, the one with faded scars on his face, patted him on the shoulder then dropped to the earth below. "Not up for tree climbing today, James?"

"Nah, Moony," James said smugly as his eyes wandered through the crowd. "Anyhow I'm looking for someone."

"Snivillus? Mate, I wouldn't try having a row in this crowd. Even if Gryffindor did win the cup, we shouldn't be short-living the victory."

"It isn't Snape I'm interested in, Moony."

"Ah, Evans then." His guess was confirmed with a sly glance from his friend.

"Godric, Prongs," the short, plump boy said from above, "Don't you think you should leave her be? She's getting to be nightmarish with that tongue."

"Agreed, Peter," the boy called 'Moony' said before adding, "I would even say she could best you in a duel. Oh wait… she already did." He gave a cocky grin to his friend as he reminded him of their final dueling class.

"Buggar off, Moon Moon," James said as he gave his friend a playful shove only to send the gangly teen stumbling into two Gryffindor girls.

"Oi!" Came a sharp Irish voice. "Lupin, do you mind?"

"Oh, sorry," He said quickly as he turned to apologize to the two he had bumped into. "Oh, Delaney. McKinnon."

"Remus," Replied the blonde called 'McKinnon' as she gave him a smirk.

The boy called 'padfoot' slid from his perch on the tree and landed beside James, or 'Prongs' as the lads called him. He looked both girls up and down and raised an eyebrow. "Delaney."

"Black, she scoffed.

"Mickinnon," he muttered turning his gaze to Marlene McKinnon.

"Sirius," she replied stiffly.

The short exchange didn't last long before Remus said, "Soooooo… ready to head back home?"

Tabitha shook her head. "Oh no. The train doesn't leave for two more hours. I intend to spend every second of them here."

"Aw," Sirius said with a puffed out lip. "Is ickle Tabs afraid to go home? No friends to play with?"

To him, she just crossed her arms. "Better than being stuck with you for a year." She turned heel and walked to the Black Lake.

Peter Pettigrew now dropped from the tree. Well, it was more like he slid down, hung from the branch until his toe hit the ground, and let go only to topple onto his bum. Remus reached for the boy and lifted him to his feet. "Thanks, Remus. So McKinnon, trying to hide from Professor Binns? I heard he hated your report on how Muggleborns contributed to magical history just as much as purebloods."

"He didn't hate it. He just has a closed mind."

"Where do you come off writing a report about muggles when you're from a wizarding family yourself?" Sirius asked as he leaned back on the tree, arms crossed.

"The same way you come off being a Gryffindor when your entire family is from Slytherin legacy. People are more than their families, Sirius."

"Well if you're looking for your brother he is probably over there with the rest of the graduating class," Remus said motioning to the group that was already tossing their black robes over the castle wall and cheering."

"No. Angus is still inside," Marlene said. "He wanted to give Professor McGonnigal his recommendation for who should take his place as Head Boy next year," She grinned at James who's ears perked up but she teasingly changed the subject, "Anyway, I'm looking for my roommate."

"She just walked off, dafty," said Sirius while avoiding eye-contact. Clearly Marlene's comment about his family had angered him, especially since he wasn't given a chance to reply.

Marlene just rolled her eyes. "Our other roommate. I'm looking for Lily."

"Did you try Slughorn's office?" James asked. "He's probably trying to recruit her for extra potions classes next term."

"You're just jealous because you stink in potions class, James."

"I do not!"

Just then the train whistle blew in the distance near Hogsmede station. "Train has arrived. It will start boarding soon," said Remus as he looked down to gather his things. "Uh oh." He saw a wand, not belonging to himself or the others, laying in the grass. Picking it up he noticed intricate Celtic symbols carved into the wood. "This is Tabitha's. It must have fallen when you shoved me into her, Prongs. I better give it back."

"But the train, Moony..."

"You lot go on. I'll meet you there." With that, the gangly youth bounded across the yard and down the hill towards the Black Lake.

Meanwhile, on the bridge over the lake, Marlene's redheaded roommate stood next to her childhood friend, Severus Snape. "I think I may ask mother if we could have a longer holiday trip this year. Petunia always hates when I get back. Apparently I mess up the routine of the house. Maybe if we aren't in the house as much she won't notice."

"Your bloody sister needs to learn more respect for the people who are obviously more powerful than her."

"Don't be so cross, Severus." She moved from where she had been leaning on the railing and looked beside her to the boy who had his focus more towards the sky. "What has gotten into you lately? You aren't yourself anymore."

"Aren't I?"

"No. I noticed it at Slughorn's Christmas party. You're being so distant."

"Am I?"

"Yes." She crossed her arms and her tone changed, clearly annoyed at the taller boy. "I don't like the group you're starting to spend time around either. Those Slytherin boys aren't good company."

"And what of your new friends? You think Potter's gang is any better?"

"What? James Potter is not my… oh, this is about after dueling club?"

"I saw you getting chummy with him. You're just going to let him forget all the ways he taunted us. Taunted you? You had beat him fairly. You should have let him sulk."

"He wanted to congratulate me on beating him."

"He wanted to show off. Those last points for sportsmanship is what gave you Gryffindors the cup."

"Oh Severus," she said as she turned back to look out at the lake. "Aren't we a little old to be sore losers?"

"We also are too young to be picking sides or allies, yet here we are."

"You mean all that talk from Regulus Black about what's coming? He's a child."

"He's not that much younger than us, Lily."

"He's from a family of radicals, filling his head with nonsense."

"It's going to happen, Lily." Snape said, a tinge of agitation rising in his voice. "Don't you see the signs?"

"All I see is a friend who has become so distant and bitter that I hardly know him anymore."

"And I see someone blinded by Potter's charm that she doesn't know what's good for her."

"Oh, don't make me laugh," she replied, brushing her hair from her face as the Summer winds rolled in. "James Potter is many things but he is not charming." Both of them heard the whistle blow again and Severus snatched up Lily's bag. "Come on," he said only for her to take it from his hands. "No… you go ahead. I have some more goodbyes."

With a huff, he snatched up his own bag and strutted up the bridge. A splash in the water caught Lily's attention. A much needed smile crossed her face as she saw Remus and Tabitha skipping stones by the lake.

"That's dreadful, Tabitha." Remus said referring to her attempt to skip the stone. "You have to use the wrist."

Tabitha just shook her head and allowed herself to fall onto the bank to sit. "I'll leave the skipping to you then, Lupin."

"So," he said as he joined her by sitting a moment. "Any Summer plans?"

"I'm sure Mam has some lovely indoor activities all sorted out."

"You're not going to any quidditch games? Ireland has a good shot this year."

"No. Dad sneaks me to the muggle rugby matches in town sometimes. Once we managed to sneak over to Belfast for an entire afternoon. But thing's aren't great in the muggle world in Ireland right now."

"Is that so? I'll have to admit," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed , "I don't travel much myself."

"Well, you're not alone. That will change one day though. As soon as I take my last exam, I'm free. I'm not going back to Ireland. I want to see the world." She grinned and looked to him. "I don't know if it's to get back at Mam for all those years of keeping me cooped up or just because I have nothing else better to do."

Remus let out a chuckle. "Well it's more exciting than most people do. Everyone tends to graduate, then settle down. Oh Godric."

"What?"

"I just realized… your child will probably be in Gryffindor since it's your family's legacy. Might as well take one hundred points from Gryffindor now for all the problems they will cause."

"Hush" She laughed and gave a playful shove. "I'm sure your child will help keep them in line, Mr. Prefect." Something about that statement brought a sad look to Remus' eyes. And Tabitha gently pat him on the arm and added, "What's wrong? You're a shoe-in for Prefect one day. Everyone says so-"

"No, Tabs… I don't plan on having a family."

"Oh." She blinked, stunned at his moment of vulnerability.

"I just," he tossed a rock and it skipped across the water. "It's not in the cards for me."

"Not in the cards?"

"There is a side of me you don't want to see." His smirk faded as he thought more about this. "Trust me."

"You know you can tell me anything, Lupin. Me or Lily... probably not Marlene but she'd at least try to listen," she chuckled and managed to get a small grin from Remus.

"I know that you think that." Just then the Hogwarts Express whistle interrupted them once more. Remus jumped up and buried his emotions back into their innermost hiding place. "I should go find the lads."

"Um… right. Thanks for bringing my wand back. Probably be disowned if I lost it."

"In case I don't see you on the train, Tabs, I hope you have a brilliant Summer."

"Huh? Oh right, you too. See you in a few months."

"Bye." A quick wave and he scrambled off as Tabitha sat on the bank and tried tossing a few more stones with the time she had left.

The platform was crowded with smoke and students. James and Sirius stood on either side of one of the car entrances, shaking hands with every student who boarded. "Welcome," they said. "Enjoy your journey back to muggle world," James said and was followed by Sirius saying, "Unless you live in a wizarding home."

"If so, have fun with no neighbors to talk to."

"Thank you for joining us at another fascinating year at Hogwarts."

"Where, no doubt, you learned many magical things."

"Unless you were like us and focused more on outsmarting Peeves."

"Safe travels. See you next term!" Their over-the-top farewells to the students, most of whom they didn't know, got on the nerves of one student who crossed his arms and blew a black curl out of his face.

"Aw, little brother," said Sirius as he crossed his arms to mimic his younger Slytherin brother.

"Aw," James said with a puffed out lip. "Did we get on Reggie's nerves?"

"I think we did, James."

Regulus scoffed, "Only two of you and you still manage to annoy the entire platform."

"Annoy?" Sirius faked offense. "Please, Regulus. I daresay that they are most likely just overwhelmed with our charm."

"Charm indeed, Brother." Regulus just rolled his eyes at them both and they stood up straight. The boy was the thinest of the bunch but his curly black hair added a couple of inches. His perfectly pressed outfit looked almost as uniform as his Hogwarts attire. He and Sirius both came from a pure-blood background, but had a distant relationship ever since Sirius had Gryffindor named as his home. To be honest, it wasn't the sorting hat the family blamed, but the fact that Sirius deliberately accepted the hat's decision and rejected his family's legacy. Over the last two years, Regulus had grown closer with some of the darker wizards in his class and resented everything Sirius did.

The students were shooed aside by Mr. Filch. The middle-age squib didn't like students cluttering the platform.

"So," Sirius said after brushing back his hair and gathering up his book bag. "Fifty galleons says daddy sends a liaison to meet you at the station instead of coming himself."

"Oh?" He tilted his head. "Still sour about how they forgot to pick you up at Christmas and you had to walk home in the snow?"

James Potter's expression soured and he whispered to Sirius, "Why didn't you tell me that?"

Sirius looked cross but didn't have a chance to respond when Peter walked up and let out almost a squeak at the sight of Regulus.

"Sad thing," James said in reference to him. "Peter isn't faking his fear of you."

"What?!" Peter stared with wide eyes. "I don't… I'm not… he isn't…"

"There there, Pete." Sirius said as he puffed out his chest. It was true. Slytherin's did make Peter nervous because he had never won a fight with one and he was constantly an easy target for Slytherin bullies. "Merlin knows he's nothing to fear."

Regulus just gave them a lingering stare before the whistle blew and turning, he stepped aboard.

"I'm here!" Remus shouted as he bounded across the platform. He handed in his ticket then boarded the Hogwarts Express to be greeted by the trolley witch. "Oh good. You made it on board. Anything from the trolley, dear?"

He paid for a chocolate frog then found the cabin with his friends inside. "Save a window seat for me? Good." He plopped down and looked out the window while he munched on his chocolate.

"Potter?" a voice called from the hall.

James looked up and squinted through his smudged glasses at the voice. "Longbottom? Hey mate."

"Just wanted to wish you a good summer. Going to practice much quidditch?"

"If mum lets me stay out after dark then I'll get twice the practice. You going to try out for the team next term?"

"Nah. I've got… other things going on now."

"Other things like... Alice?" Peter wiggled his eyebrows as he said it and the boy shuffled in place.

"You know about that huh?" Frank blushed.

"You two have been like unicorn glue since first year, Frank," James chuckled.

Just as he said it, a brunette girl stepped in and waved. "Hello, boys," she said cheerily.

"Hello, Miss Alice," they said in unison with wide grins as if addressing a teacher. She just shook her head and smirked then dragged Frank Longbottom up the hall as he barely managed to shout, "Later, lads!"

James propped his feet up on the seat and began cleaning his glasses. "Girls. They'll be the death of us, I swear."

"Why," Peter said with a tilt of his head and a mouth full of candy beans. "You don't have a girl in mind. Do you, James?"

He didn't answer and put his glasses back on. Quickly, he changed the subject when he looked to Sirius. "Sure you don't want to just stay with me this summer, Pads?"

"Well," Sirius said as he stretched out his legs. "Your mother does seem to love me. I'm like the son she never had."

This cocky remark was followed by a shove from James heel as he chuckled. "Still, the offer is always open."

"I'll keep it in mind." He looked to Remus who had his eyes fixated on the lake in the distance. "You alright, mate?"

"Hmm? Oh yea. Just thinking."

"No no no," Peter said as he shook his head. "Exams are over. No more thinking. This is summer! Days at the beach. Picnics in the park. It's so nice. Another year done."

"And another year coming," commented Sirius sourly.

"But, more memories made," Remus said nudging Sirius as he looked to James who slipped his glasses on before adding, "And more mischief managed."

All the boys cheered at this and followed the cheering up with pats on the shoulders. The Hogwarts express let out a whistle as the train carried them home.

These were the last days of Hogwarts as they knew it. The peaceful home they had come to know wouldn't remain so in years to come. For not everyone aboard that train had such wholesome hopes for the future. A dark legacy was stirring even then that none of these teenagers could hope to understand at the time. Many of the students on that train would be forced into a decision between two sides. They would be called to a fight they had never asked for, but still endure it as their fates were selected to be part of legacy. This is the story of a few of those intertwining fates and how they would form the end of a beginning.

Azkaban Prison - December 1981...

"Not dead!" Screamed a crazy woman from her cell in Azkaban Prison. "He's not dead!" She shouted and laughed letting out a cackled. "He's coming back! Coming back! He's not dead! Not long now! Don't you forget it! Ahahahahahaha," She laughed.

"Close that door!" A guard yelled from the the top of the prison steps. The woman was recently caught and admitted to this high-security magical prison but no amount of doors, charms and levels of boulder could keep her bone curdling cackles away. "Crazy woman is going to get the others riled up." The guards in the solitary ward did as they were told and closed the door, but the woman's laugh rang on.

"What's her story?" And approaching guard said as he lead a team that was dragging a young prisoner from his session with a dementor - the worst form of torture.

"Keeps singing about how her master isn't dead and coming back to kill us all. Batty Death Eaters don't want to believe they lost this war." Suddenly both men stopped talking as they heard the whispers of the young man behind them, his chained body limply hanging from the hold of the escorts. "Who's this? Another one of them?"

"What else. Keeps saying the same thing she does. Just 'Not dead' over and over and over again. Brainwashed cult the lot of them." The guard motioned forward as the young man kept whispered, "Not dead. He's not dead. He did this. He did this. Can't forget. Not Dead. Not Dead. Can't forget. Can't forget. Not Dead. He's Not Dead!"

Welcome! PLEASE leave reviews or PMs to let me know what you think. Character list with bios being updated in my profile so you can keep track.

Separating into 3 parts so if you join the reading late and I'm on book II or III, I'll write in a way that you really can start with any of them and know what is going on without having to go back and start over. I recommend jumping to the most recent chapter and seeing if it spikes an interest. Thanks and enjoy: