RUNNERS OF THE PAST ° Sirius Black

chapter two

"That can't be right," said Mare Fineheart, after she'd finally processed the redhead's answer. 1977. Harry wasn't even born yet. How is that possible? She stared at Lily, decoding her features-from her button nose to her waist-length hair, from her spring-hued eyes to her thin, rosebud mouth. She had one of those faces, the kind that screamed I know you! -but it wasn't her face that made Mare's back stiffen. It wasn't even her hair. It was her name.

Lily Evans, the redheaded, green-eyed beauty of Gryffindor. Known in Wizarding World history as Lily Potter, the mother of the Chosen One.

And here she was-in the flesh, alive and well, young and bright, with a critical frown that could send Dementors cowering.

She simply asked, "What can't be right?"

Sebastian, who'd been lying against the corridor wall and staring into space, laughed. His laugh could, and would, make anyone shiver. It was hysterical and it didn't sound like it was coming from something human, much less Mare's uncle. Mare knew from the bottom of her heart that she was witnessing Sebastian break. And after the things he'd been through, Mare couldn't find it in her to be surprised that he was crumbling. As Sebastian's laugh died and his body calmed its quakes, he spluttered out, "We've been driven mad. That's the only bloody explanation for this-this shite." He glared at Lily, whose face had gone pale with shock. "You're not real."

"'Not real'?" Lily turned her gaze, locking onto Mare's, looking incredulous. "Is he inebriated?"

"He's-had a lot to drink, yes," said Mare, her lying so obvious she was surprised when Lily didn't immediately sense it. And at her lie, Sebastian's glare drilled through her head, not appreciating the implied insult. "Could you show us to the Headmaster's office?"

If Harry's mum is alive, then so is everyone-and that includes Headmaster Dumbledore. And maybe Headmaster Dumbledore can help stop the Wizarding World's future extinction. He was one of the smartest men in the world. Mare could only hope she wasn't overexaggerating the man's abilities, for it would hurt all the more if she found there wasn't any possible way to save her mother.

Wait.... mother. Mother.

Mare stiffened, so violently and suddenly that she momentarily lost her balance.

1977.

1977.

1977.

That means...

"Are you alright?" asked Lily tentatively, looking like she might have touched Mare if they still weren't so unfamiliar with one another. She scrutinized Mare instead. There was something akin to suspicion in her eyes. Maybe she thought Mare was inebriated, too. "Are you sure you don't need to see Madame Pomfrey?"

"Headmaster-Dumbledore," Mare rasped. As she stood there, she wanted to sob, thoughts of her parents all she could perceive. Pictures flickered past the drive-in screen within her head, from the day of her conception (the pictures of a wailing little baby version of Mare, her Dad's bright and jolly grin) to her sixth year school photos. In this time-frame, they weren't dead-they were alive-and she couldn't do a damned thing to see them. Feel them. Know they were real. For how could she, when doing so would destroy her future? She could cease to exist with just one hitched breath. "I need to see him. Take me to him... please."

Sebastian's anger had all but disappeared and he materialized beside Mare's shoulder. She knew nothing of his company until he touched her, palmed her arm, gave her the reassurance she needed that she wasn't alone. She had someone who shared her pain. He was a smart man; Mare had no doubts he was experiencing the same excitement. "Mare is a transfer student. A seventh year," he told Lily, putting on a front. His attempt at an I'm-serious frown, equipped with a cynical brow-dip. Yet he still managed to look and act like he was drunk off his arse. Mare found it fascinating. "I'm her father."