Summary: Besides love, what is the most powerful form of magic? Blood magic is an ancient and potent kind of magic—and also extremely dangerous. A new prophecy says this magic will decide the war, but for good or evil? OC/SF, Hr/RW, others

Standard disclaimer: I do not own HP, nor do I claim to own any of JK Rowlings lovely characters or settings. I am just borrowing so that I may learn her craft and do something decent with it someday.

Also, a brief thank you for reading. I've been playing with this story for quite some time and in order to spur some movement forward, I decided to dip my toes into the water. Let me know if I should go swimming, eh?

Note: This takes place after OotP. This story would replace book six. And if I get that far, it would also replace book seven. I started writing this a long time ago…

Besides Love…
Niniipie

Prologue: The Third Prophesy

Dumbldore's office was usually a study in quiet serenity during the school year. In the summer, however, it was a study in relaxation. Despite the Dark Lord's advances and the older wizard's need to lead the resistance, Dumbledore still managed to hold a charades tournament the week before the new school year started up.

It was during a particularly lively round with a difficult phrase that there was a soft rapping on the door. Professor Lidkins, a former Hufflepuff Headmaster with a frill around his throat, was in the middle of describing what looked like a remarkably forceful cast of a fishing pole, or being a successful limbo contestant several rungs in. Dumbledore, thoroughly amused by the other Headmasters' shouted suggestions, barely glanced as he waved a long-fingered hand to open the door.

In strode the long figure of Severus Snape, Potions Master, complete with greasy complexion and intense black eyes. If he was surprised by the excited nature of the perpetually sleeping portraits, it did not show. The concern pinching his eyebrows neatly together had nothing to do with the charades tournament.

"May I help you, Severus?" The old wizard hadn't looked away from the set of boisterous portraits shouting guesses, but in that infallible Dumbledore way, he knew his Potions Master stood rooted in thought just outside his vision.

"I've just had a most interesting conversation with Sybill, Professor," Snape said simply, glancing up as one of the portraits danced gaily, waving a feathered cap in a sort of Shakespearian victory dance.

"Ah," Replied the older wizard, "I find she has the most peculiar things to say. I often share a few words with her when I'm feeling a bit too serious." The corner of his eyes crinkled as he smiled at the commotion. Finally he turned to Snape and gestured to him. "Come, tell me about this curious conversation."

Severus Snape followed the headmaster into a small nook at the rear of the cluttered, eccentric office. The group of portraits was so rowdy there were guaranteed to not be overheard. They sat, Snape politely refusing the candies Dumbledore offered him. Popping one into his mouth, the headmaster said, "Please continue." He sat back with his elbows resting on the velvet arms of the chair, his arms folded across his middle where his fingertips steepled. It was often the sort of posture Snape emulated and managed to make look quietly intimidating; Dumbledore on the other hand exuded the peacefulness of a listener ready to absorb every syllable uttered.

Professor Snape resisted the involuntary urge to sit back as the other man was, and focused on the odd half-hour previous. He said, "Poppy asked me--"

"—Oh, I love stories that begin with Poppy; they usually end well."

"Yes, well. She asked me to take Sybill her weekly dose, as Poppy was busy with a few misfiring spells on a some of the beds in the infirmary. So I took the goblet and went to the staff lounge where I was told Sybill would be waiting. She was there, pacing in the back of the room, window to window. I can't be sure, but I believe she had been talking to herself. She stopped when she saw me, anyway.

"I gave her the goblet and she thanked me, so I turned away to leave," Severus gave the account in his usual hard-boiled tones, businesslike and brief.

Dumbledore nodded. Though occasionally he would interrupt a story with something a bit random, he was a very good listener.

Snape continued the account. He had grudgingly delivered the brew only because Poppy had been so frazzled and somewhere deep inside him there were still manners etched into his being. Sybill had taken the cup and turned back to her windows, walking from one to the other. Severus watched her for a moment, thinking she had only a few cards left and probably hadn't ever had a full deck. It was when she started muttering again he turned to go.

He had thought for a long time now that Sybill was growing more and more mad, but this was ridiculous. The headmaster was expecting this woman to teach students? He was actually going to let this daft woman be alone with students? Perhaps he should gently tell the headmaster what he felt.

Severus was wrapped in his own thoughts as his long legs carried him to the door; he barely registered the clatter of metal on stone. He paused to hear the echo to make sure it wasn't in his thoughts, and realized Sybill had dropped the goblet. He turned to see if she had finally lost it and was having a fit--but there she stood, next to a puddle of purple potion, looking lost. Her head was tilted back a bit, as her eyes stared off into a corner of the room, blank.

Concerned, Severus went to her and waved a hand in front of her eyes. No response.

He shook her shoulders gently. No response.

"Sybill!" No response.

Severus was about to take out his wand to perform the few basic medical charms he knew when suddenly the woman gave a massive solitary jerk. He eyes opened wide and stared deep into his, her hands clasping his arms in a vice like grip, trapping him there.

"A GREAT POWER APPROACHES," Sybill gasped in ragged breaths between words. "THE WITCH AND WIZARD OF TWIN ANCESTRY WILL MEET UNDER THE DARK SHADOW. A DEED OF DARK AND ANCIENT MAGIC AS OLD AS THE BLOOD IN THEIR VEINS WILL BIND THEIR MAGIC. TOGETHER THERE WILL BE TERRIBLE MAGIC TO TURN THE TIDES OF WAR. A GREAT POWER APPROACHES AND THERE WILL BE DEATH. BEWARE THE HEIRS OF SLYTHERIN!"

Severus had seen this before, having overheard Sybill's first prophesy. He knew this was true, this was important, and he needed to go to Dumbledore straight away—provided the witch in his hands didn't keel over in the next second.

Her eyes rolled back until there were just whites and Severus half expected for her to go limp, but she just blinked, shook her head and looked at the Potions Master, confused. "Oh. Severus. I seem to have dropped my goblet."

She looked normal, her trance over. Severus released her and she bent down to pick up the cup. "No use crying over spilt potion!" She said as she flicked her wand and the purple mess vanished.

After that, Sybill went herself to get whatever tonic it was she had needed, and Severus made straight for the Headmaster's office.

"I see…" Dumbledore put a finger on his chin while he thought. It didn't take long for the thought to finish. He said, "Thank you, Severus, for coming to me immediately. Unfortunately with Sybill's conversations, it is common to misinterpret her words. I will think on this and get back to you about what to do—however it is most likely you will not be able to hide such information pertinent to the Dark Lord."

Severus thought as much. Usually with his Occlumency he could hide his own thoughts and feelings toward Voldemort, but something like this would stand out in his memories. He would count on Dumbledore for a plan of action. That would take time.

A/N: I know we've only just begun, but I want to be a tad annoying and ask for you give me some feedback. I won't demand it, because I can't force you to, but any comments or crits would help me grow as a writer and also encourage me to continue (that is, if you found this palatable enough to want more, haha). If you do, thanks for taking the time, it is greatly appreciated. If you're like me and you tend to not have anything but lukewarm opinions and are too timid to share your thoughts via comments, feel free to send me a note. I'm pretty shy myself, but I do love to have a good conversation now and again.

Have a day.