"You know what you have to do...Priestess." the voice snarled at her. The unmistakable sneer and loathing that the voice carried, left no doubt to the imagination. The voice was neither old nor young, male nor female. But is was the voice of her past, present and future and to disobey would have been her death and the death of the innocents.

" Yes. I know what must be done. But when this is over I will come for you. I will not stop until I have my revenge." She could only hope that her voice carried a strength in it that she did not seem to feel.

It's laughter rang out and sent shivers of ice down her spine. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the gaping hole in space and time as it started to past thru.

"Of that I have no doubt my girl. Of that I have no doubt. And I shall be waiting. But remember this. Only thru saving the 3 innocents, righting the wrong and redeeming your love can you ever hope to destroy me. And I know that at least the last one will prove to be your downfall." And with that it was gone, leaving her with her destiny.

As she stood she thought back to a time when redeeming her love wouldn't have even been necessary. In fact she had already found it and bound it. Back in a time of summers at a castle, an old man with twinkling eyes and a certain orphaned boy who was as lonely as she was.

Quickly she gathered her things to leave and it occurred to her that this was her purpose. As sure as the prophecy that was thundered down on the day of her birth, this was her gift to her world. And she would make sure that nothing stood in her way.

"WHAT!" his shout echoed off the headmaster's office walls. "You can not be seriously thinking about having...Her...teaching the students."

The old man's blue eyes twinkled as if he was laughing inside but his face was set like stone. "No, Severus, I am not thinking about it. I have already contacted her and she has agreed to take over the Defense Against the Dark Arts position next week."

" Albus, you know I have not always agreed with your choice of teachers for the DADA but this time I must lodge a complaint about having to work with...Her".

This time the twinkle disappeared and for a moment Snape wondered if he had gone to far. But as quick as it vanished, it came back again. And he was surprised to feel guilt and a little bit of fear over having offended this man.

"I'm sorry my friend. I spoke without thinking."

"No Severus. It's fine. I'm realize that I am springing this on you rather quickly and I apologize. I should have warned you when I thought about it first and not just now. But you understand my reasoning for wanting her here...now." Dumbledore questioned.

Many thoughts ran thru Snape's head as he accepted the apology. Yes, more warning would have been nice but he would have only stewed over it for weeks and made it all the more worse. Memories started to flick thru his mind of a time so long ago but not far enough back to numb the pain. Images of a red headed girl. Not red like those annoying Weasleys, but a deep dark almost wine colored red. With eyes so startlingly deep blue...No. Pushing those memories back to the deep recesses of his mind he turned to his headmaster.

"Nothing to forgive Albus. I...I will go and prepare some things that she'll need while she's here. If that is alright with you of course." he said.

"Of course. I know that she would appreciate that very much." Dumbledore spoke. Wondering whether or not to question the abrupt change in his Potions masters feelings.

Snape nodded his head and turned to go, but stopped at the office entrance. As if knowing what question he was about to ask, Dumbledore answered " Yes, Severus...she did ask about you. Asked if this was going to be hard on you. And asked that if you really had a problem that I let her know so that she would make arrangements to have another take her place."

Snape was startled to say the least. But not enough to realize the fruitlessness of asking it to be made so. She was simply one of a kind. Or rather one of only a dozen of a kind left. And none of the others could even come close to her. "No Headmaster. I know that, that is not in the best interest of anyone. She is the one. And she is the greatest one." With those parting words he strode from the office with his robes billowing out behind him.

Ah , Severus. I am sorry to do this to you my boy. Dumbledore bowed his head as he thought. If there was another way I would take it but she is Harry's last chance. We have all taught him what we can but she must show him the rest. Dumbledore closed his eyes and summoned the image of the woman they were speaking of. Wine colored hair, navy blue eyes...and the magical strength 10 times that of Voldemort. It was she who must train Harry now and show him everything. It was she who must fulfill her own prophecy and legacy. It was she who could help Harry win this war. The beautiful red haired love of Severus Snape's life and bane of his existence. The one he thought had wronged him. The one who had left him. The Irish Celtic High Priestess...Morrigan Badb.

Morrigan -

Morrigan is the Irish Celtic goddess of destruction and creation. Oral tradition says the dying Celtic god Cu Chulainn was met by a beautiful chariot-mounted goddess, whose eyes and cloak were red. She cursed him to death, that his blood might fertilize the earth, then transformed herself into Badb Catha, the Raven of Battle who induces panic in warriors. Morrigan evolved into Morgana Le Fay, sorceress of Arthurian legend.

Also the Morrigu; "Great Queen"; "Supreme War Goddess"; "Queen of Phantoms or Demons"; "Specter Queen"; shape-shifter. Reigned over the battlefield, helping with her magic, but did not join the battles. Associated with crows and ravens. The Crone aspect of the Goddess; Great Mother; Moon Goddess; Great White Goddess; Queen of the Fairies. In her Dark Aspect (the symbol is then the raven or crow) she is the goddess of war, fate and death; she went fully armed and carried two spears. Goddess of rivers, lakes, and fresh water. Patroness of priestesses and witches.

Badb -

Badb is the Irish goddess of war. She often assumes the form of a raven or carrion-crow, her favorite disguise, and is then referred to as Badb Catha, meaning "battle raven". Not only did she take part in battles themselves, she also influenced their outcome by causing confusion among the warriors with her magic. The battle-field is often called 'land of Badb'. She formed part of a triad of war-goddesses with Macha (Nemain) and the Morrigan.