A/N: Thanks to serataja, pealee, Dark Phoenix Rising, sarah973 and marialisa, for taking the time to review. I'm glad you guys like the story so far!
Hope, you enjoy this chapter, too!
Chapter two
Around noon and after a morning of secret glances and subtle touches - and a lot of paperwork, since neither Sam nor Jack got any of it done, as they had intended, before their little encounter this morning - Samantha was getting a little uncomfortable with the curious and slightly suspicious glances she was getting from Martin. But, Jesus, she couldn't help the smile that was etched over her face all morning.
She really didn't want to hurt Martin and his feelings, but the sooner she set things straight with herself and with him, the better.
She shuddered at the thought of what was to come. This was what she hated all along.
It was lunchtime.
'Best to get it over with', she thought and took an unsteady breath.
"Martin. Could I talk to you, please?" she asked as she approached him in the break room. He looked up from the magazine he had been reading and swallowed the sandwich he had been chewing on.
"Sure. What's up?" he asked and smiled at her.
She swallowed, too. Sam took the seat across from him and sighed.
This was being more difficult than she thought.
"I…I think…", she swallowed again. Why was this so hard? She had done this before.
"Sam, what is it? You're making me nervous." He said and took her hand on the table, giving it a slight squeeze.
She looked him straight in the eye, trying not to blink, afraid that she would break.
"I think it would be the best, if we wouldn't see each other anymore outside of work…I'm sorry Martin."
He stared at her, not sure what to say.
"But…why? We were great, weren't we?" Martin asked, with a confused and slightly hurt expression on his face.
That was what she had feared most. The hurt, she could see in his eyes.
"Yes, we were. You were great. You are a great guy, Martin and I care a lot for you. But I think I wasn't into our relationship as much as you were. I'm really sorry."
He couldn't stand her gaze anymore and looked at the table.
"It's because of Jack, isn't it? You said your feelings for him were fading, but I don't think they were fading at all."
She couldn't answer, her mouth suddenly dry as a desert. But she didn't need to.
He nodded, understanding. "It's okay. I think I knew it all along. I just couldn't admit it to myself." He gave her hand another squeeze, then let go.
Looking back in her eyes, he said "I just want you to be happy. As much as a cliché it may sound."
Standing up and throwing his sandwich into the garbage can, not hungry anymore, he made his way to the door.
Glancing back at her, he added "Good luck, Sam. I really hope you are not getting hurt by him again." Then he was gone.
Samantha squeezed her eyes shut, allowing a single tear to escape and drop onto the tabletop.
The old and magnificent castle Hogwarts, which stood venerable high on the hills to a large lake, presenting a fascinating view, was for a few hundred years home and school to many young witches and wizards, doing their best to become respected and powerful in the wizarding world.
Hogwarts was home to a young wizard, whose name and scar were as famous as the wizard who owed this scar to him, too. Harry Potter was only fifteen, but has looked death into the eye more often then he could count. That was a fact he owed to Lord Voldemort, too, just like the scar in lightening- form on his forehead.
It was summer and school terms had only begun two days ago. What was for others saddening with the fact of the end of the holidays, was a welcoming fact for Harry. He loved Hogwarts, as it was more home to him than the place he had been living in for eleven years, before he came to Hogwarts, learning how to do magic. Over the summer holidays he was living with his Uncle, Aunt and Cousin, the Dursleys. Muggles, which meant there wasn't one drop of magical blood in their veins. He, Harry, was living with them since he was one year old, after his parents were killed by the darkest wizard of all time. Lord Voldemort.
But he had survived, with only a scar on his forehead. That tragic fact made him famous in the wizarding world. He was the boy who lived.
Harry and his two best friends, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, were wandering through the nearly deserted corridors, only here and there were sitting a few other students, chatting animatedly with their friends, enjoying the warm breathe outside.
Talking quietly over what happened in their last year in Hogwarts- mostly over the return of Voldemort- they stopped abruptly as they heard the voices of their teacher Professor McGonagall and their headmaster Professor Dumbledore talking with concerned voices to each other.
"And it is really for sure that he has found her?" asked McGonagall in a hushed tone.
"I dare say, yes. We must have seen this coming Minerva. We should have never allowed her to leave." Dumbledore answered in the same tone.
Harry, Ron and Hermione shared curious glances, creeping nearer to the classroom door.
McGonagall sighed.
"What should we do, Albus? We must warn her."
"Yes, yes. That we must. I have already send Remus to contact her. He should be back by tomorrow noon."
Remus Lupin was familiar to them. He was their teacher in 'Defences against the dark arts' in their third year at school. He was the best teacher in that class they ever had. Sadly, he couldn't stay, since it was too dangerous for most of the parents to let a werewolf teach their children.
This year was the first time, that Dumbledore couldn't find someone to teach them in that class, but the year was still young. Who knew what was to come.
As the voices of the two Professors grew louder, Harry, Ron and Hermione made a hastily retreat in the other direction.
After they rounded the next corner, they came to a stop.
"Who do you reckon they were talking about? Who has found whom?", Ron asked his friends.
"Well, they were pretty concerned. I would say it has something to do with Voldemort - Oh, for god's sake, Ron!" Hermione snapped, as Ron had jumped badly by the mention of You-now-who's-name.
"I think Hermione is right. But who do you think he has found? What did they mean with 'We should have never allowed her to leave'?" Harry asked curiously.
They could only share questioning glances.
It was already late afternoon, by the time Jack got a chance to talk to Sam again. He had seen Martin storm out of the break room earlier, followed later by Samantha. Both of them were looking a little withdrawn.
Danny and Martin were interviewing a suspect in a case about a missing 39-year old woman, who did not come home this morning after her nightshift at the hospital and her husband had called the police. Her boss, Doctor Andrews, was the last one to see her. Now, he was sitting in the interrogation room.
Vivian was on the phone with the hospital and Sam was sitting at her computer, staring at the screen.
Jack approached her desk, sitting on the edge.
She looked at him and smiled slightly. "Hey."
He smiled back. "Hey. How are you doing?" he asked tentatively.
She let a small sigh escape her lips. "Fine, I think."
"How did he take it?"
Her eyes got wide. "How'd you know?"
"I saw him storm out of the break room and he's giving me these strange looks." He said, reaching subtly for her hand. "So, you okay?" He asked again, after she said nothing.
She sighed again. "Yeah…yeah. I'm glad I've made a choice, finally."
She smiled again at him, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
"Good. You up for dinner tonight?"
"Sure, why not?" she replied and grinned.
From the hallway, Martin stood and watched with a heavy heart.
He jumped a little, when a male voice behind him asked, "Excuse me. Can you tell me where I can find Samantha Spade?"
Martin turned around and looked at a man with a haggard face, tired eyes and his brown hair was spiked with grey strands. He looked like nearly fifty, but as Martin took a closer look he was sure this man was just in his mid-thirties.
"And you are?" Martin asked, looking at the strangers strange clothes. He looked as if he had jumped out of a 50's movie.
The stranger spoke again. "My name is Remus Lupin." He extended his hand and Martin shook it. "Martin Fitzgerald. Why do you ask for Agent Spade? Maybe I can help you." Martin didn't know why he not just showed this…freak where Sam was.
"I don't think you can, Mr. Fitzgerald. I'm an old friend and would like to see her."
'Friend? Sam has strange friends.' He pondered, but decided that it wouldn't hurt to take him to Samantha.
"She's over there. Please, follow me." Martin said and made his way over to his ex-girlfriend, which was still chatting with Jack Malone, but was joined by Viv and Danny.
"Samantha. Here's someone who would like to see you.", he announced as he and Mr. Lupin approached her desk.
She looked up and frowned.
Martin and Jack noticed that look and became alarmed.
"Hello Sam. It's been a long time." Remus smiled. "You look great."
Sam stood up and made a step towards him.
"Remus! What the hell are you doing here?", she sounded angry, but nonetheless, the next moment she was hugging him tightly.
He hugged her back, but then the smile vanished from his face and he looked seriously at her.
"Remus, what is it?" she asked anxiously after seeing the look on his face.
"Dumbledore has sent me. I am here to warn you and take you back with me." He explained.
"What?! No! I don't want to go back, Remus. Why should I?" she let go of his arm, she had still been holding and took a few steps back, away from him.
"Please, Samantha! Listen to me. He has found you. He knows where you are. It is too dangerous for you to stay.", he said calmly, trying to make her understand.
"Wait!!", Jack called exasperated, trying to make sense out of it. "What the hell is going on, Sam!"
"Yeah, I think we would all like to know." Danny threw in the conversation.
"We don't have time! He will be sending someone soon. Samantha, please we must go!" Remus said urgently, grabbing her arm.
"I can defend myself! I don't need Albus' help!" Sam replied and shook his hand off her arm.
"You don't understand. He's getting more powerful by the minute. Only in Hogwarts you are save!"
"You have heard her. She doesn't want to go." A cold voice, which was quite familiar to her, spoke from behind Lupin. Nobody had noticed that three other men in dark robes had approached.
Lupin swirled around, pulling something out of his pocket that looked like a stick for Jack, Martin, Viv and Danny. Only Sam didn't seemed to be surprised.
Remus stepped protectively in front of Samantha.
"Nobody has asked you, Malfoy!" he spat.
Malfoy laughed, which sounded like pure ice and Sam shivered.
He and his companions pulled out their own wands, pointing them at Remus.
"And what do you want to do? You know you don't have a chance against us. And Spade doesn't have her wand." He said and laughed again.
This time it was Lupins time to laugh. "Oh, but she has." He stated and pulled a second wand out of his jacket, giving it Samantha.
She took it hesitantly and as she touched it, a golden shimmer shortly surrounded her, swirling around her, emerging from her wand.
Jack and the others took a few steps back, shocked about what was happening. Luckily no one else was in the office, everyone was out in the field, or interviewing suspects.
Lucius Malfoy growled angrily, for he had hoped that she wouldn't be in possession of her wand again, just yet.
She was far too powerful for them, but she hadn't used magic in years, which could be to their advantage.
His followers were unsure of what to do, too, for they did know as well how powerful she was.
They had to try nonetheless. Otherwise, their Lord would be very angry.
Sam noticed their uncertainty and a small grin emerged on her face, provoking a shudder from Malfoy's fellows.
"If I were you, I would go right now.", she warned them in a low voice.
"Don't you dare tell us what to do!" Malfoy growled, aiming his wand at her.
Samantha took a step forward, standing in front of Remus this time and as she did so, raising her own wand.
"Be careful.", whispered Lupin from behind her.
Suddenly a devious grin spread across Lucius face and he aimed his wand at Jack instead. He didn't think he could hurt her physically, so he would hurt her mentally by taking her lover.
"Avada Kedavra!", he yelled and green lightening emerged from his wand, racing towards the man she loved.
"NO!" Samantha screamed and pushed Jack out of the way at the same time as Malfoy's death-curse hit her body, instead of Jack's.
Through the power of the impact, she was being hurled into her desk, which gave away under her.
Then, it was silent in the room, expect from the whispered 'No's' coming from Remus, who knew what happened if the curse was spoken.
Lucius and his companions grinned self-assured, thinking they had won after all, welcoming the fact, that she had taken their work from them in the end.
Sam's team was too shocked to move, as Remus knelt down, checking against his better judgement his friends pulse… and was surprised to find one.
The grins vanished from Malfoy and his followers faces, as they saw Lupin slapping Samantha's face gently, calling her name softly. Their faces went white as they heard her groan.
"What the hell…" she muttered as she tried to open her eyes.
"That is impossible. Nobody has ever survived the 'Avada Kedavra- Curse'", Malfoy whispered.
"She must be truly powerful, to survive this curse", one of his companions mumbled, opening his mouth for the first time since arriving.
"I know she is powerful, you idiot!" Malfoy hissed. "Let's go!"
And with three loud 'crack's', they were gone, leaving four stunning Muggles behind.
"Sam, are you all right?", Remus asked, while helping her to stand up.
"Ugh, just feeling like a dozen Hippogriffs were running over me.", she mumbled exhausted.
Remus grinned and said "She's okay.", directing it at her worried and very confused friends.
"What, for god's sake, just happened?" Jack asked, helping Sam to sit down.
Sam looked at him, saying "This curse is only meant for one thing - to kill. He was trying to kill you Jack."
He swallowed. "Thank you. For saving my life."
She smiled at him in return. "You're welcome, Jack."
"I don't want to sound rude, but what are you?", Danny quipped.
"Well, it looked a lot like magic, don't you think?", Viv replied with a slight smile on her face, at his confused expression.
Now, everyone looked expectantly at Sam and Lupin.
"She's right. Magic, that's it." Sam said, sighing deeply. She had hoped this wouldn't be necessary anymore, after she left the magical world to start a new life. That was nearly sixteen years ago and she had heard only bits and pieces about what was happening there. She decided to go, after the reign of Lord Voldemort was over, ended through a little child.
So, she told them about who she really was, where she came from, or rather, where she spent her school years and everything that was necessary for them to know.
After she had finished, there was for a moment shocked silence, but also curiosity.
"We must go Sam. Albus needs to know what happened.", Remus urged her softly.
"I know…", she whispered, while standing from her seat.
"Will we see you again?" Jack asked huskily, not wanting to let her go again.
She looked at him, smiling softly. "Yes, you will. I just don't know when."
After hugging each of her friends, she turned to Jack again, embracing him tightly. "I love you.", she whispered into his ear, that only he could hear her.
He smiled, nuzzling his face into her hair, saying softly "I love you, too."
They parted slightly, so they could see each others eyes. Sam closed the gap between them again, kissing him gently, producing a gasp from Danny and Viv, but not really caring about it.
After a moment they parted again, this time fully.
"Goodbye, guys!" Sam said and smiled at them again, then she turned to Remus, who smiled knowingly at her and said "Ready?"
"Let's go." Samantha agreed.
He nodded and with two loud 'cracks' they disappeared.
Harry clutched his hand to his scar, wincing slightly, alarming his two best friends, which were sitting besides him at the long breakfast table.
"What is it?" Ron asked quietly, not wanting that somebody could overhear their conversation.
"It's hurting again." Harry hissed through clenched teeth. "Voldemort is really angry over something…", he said, pressing his eyes shut.
Hermione and Ron were casting concerned glances at him, wondering what lay ahead of them this year...