Disclaimer: I don't own any characters.

Last Time

Snape was even more confused than he was before. "It's a muggle city?"

"It was as far as I know. Why?"

"I don't know yet."

What would the Dark Lord want with a hole in the ground where a muggle city called Sunnydale used to be?

Chapter 24

"Wait, he said 'well done'? Snape told you 'well done?' asked Ron for the fifth time.

"Yes!" Harry answered for the fifth time. "I don't know what's going on but he's different. It's almost as if he's happier somehow."

"I don't think that's possible," said Ron.

"That's not the worst part. During occlumency...I saw something. Voldemort's happy."

Harry told them about the vision he had seen, not leaving out any details.

"Crazy nutter," said Ron. "What could he possibly want with a hole in the middle of a desert?"

"Honestly, you two. It's not just a hole. You said there was a sign, Harry. Obviously, there used to be a city there called Sunnydale. The question we should be asking ourselves is what could Voldemort want with a ruined city. I mean, you said there was nothing, right Harry?"

"Yeah. It was just a really big hole."

No one said anything for a while as they were all lost in thought so they decided to go to bed.

Once Harry had changed, he sat in his bed and tried to erase the days events from his mind. Or rather, he tried to drown his memory in the vast depths of the ocean that was his subconscious.

How the bloody hell did Snape come up with that analogy?

Harry pushed the thought from his mind and went to bed. That night he slept soundly, dreaming of nothing but the ocean.

The next day, Harry was to meet Snape in Dumbledore's office to discuss the events of the previous night.

Once Snape finished telling Dumbledore everything he knew, including what he had found out from Phoebe, Dumbledore didn't know what to say.

"There is nothing I can say. I haven't the slightest idea why Voldemort would be interested in the remains of this city, especially since it was a muggle city. But I can assure you that we cannot underestimate him. If he is happy, then there is a very good reason for it. We need answers, and the only way to get them is to go to the source."

"You mean, Sunnydale, Professor?" asked Harry.

"Yes, I am afraid so. I will contact the Order members immediately."

"Can I come too?" asked Harry.

"I don't think that is a very good idea. You would be an open target. I do not want to walk into any traps."

"You think it could be a trick?" asked Snape, wondering why he hadn't thought of that.

"Maybe, maybe not. There is only one way to be sure."

Piper and Paige would be going with Lupin and Tonks to Sunnydale, while Phoebe would be staying at the castle as vacation would be over in a day and classes would be resuming.

After everyone was introduced in Dumbledore's office later that day, they decided to head out.

"I think it would be faster if we all orbed," suggested Paige.

No one objected so they all held hands and orbed out of the office.

"That was quite a ride," said Tonks, letting go of Paige's hand. "Whoa."

In front of them lay the ruins of the city. Even calling them ruins was too much, as there was nothing there.

"You-know-who must have lost it for good. There's nothing here," Tonks mused. She walked to the edge of the massive hole and peered in.

"Do you really think an earthquake could have done this? Why isn't anything else damaged?" Remus wondered out loud.

"Good question. It looks more like it was sucked into itself. If there was an earthquake, then shouldn't there be some kind of remains. Broken buildings? Anything?" said Piper. "Wait...do you feel that? Something's..."

"Not right." finished Paige. "I feel it too. And it's definitely coming from in there," she said motioning towards the hole.

"Tonks, I think you should get away from there," warned Remus.

"Oh come on, Lupin. It's just a little hole. Okay, so it's a really big hole, but what could happen?"

Her question was answered when the ground crumpled beneath her and she began to fall.

"Tonks!" Remus yelled and ran forward.

"Piper freeze her!" Paige screamed.

Piper froze Tonks and she instantly stopped falling along with all the debris around her.

"Tonks!" Paige called out with both of her hands outstretched and Tonks was soon orbing out of the hole.

"That was too close," said Tonks. "Thanks."

"Do you think maybe we should go down there?" asked Paige hesitantly.

"Go into the giant hole that's probably an earthquake waiting to happen? Oh yeah, that's a great idea, sis," said Piper.

"I'm serious."

"So was I," Piper retorted.

"How are we supposed to find anything out from up here?" Paige argued.

"She's right Piper," Remus said calmly.

"Alright. But don't say I didn't warn you."

They orbed down and found nothing more than dirt and debris. They now walked on top of not just dirt but wood, glass, bricks and other materials.

"I'm telling you this is not a good idea," Piper said again. "OW!" she yelled suddenly.

"What?" three worried voices answered.

"I just stubbed my toe on...something?" she said looking down.

Beneath her, buried in the ground was a circular and metal disk-like object about five feet in diameter. It had strange carvings around it and a picture of a creature with horns in the center.

"What the hell is that?" Piper asked, backing away from it.

Tonks was bent down inspecting it. "It looks like a seal of some sort. Remus?"

"I've never seen anything like it, but -"

He was cut off by the unmistakable sound of apparating. All of a sudden they were surrounded by a dozen death eaters who looked very surprised to see them there.

"Diffindo!" one of them yelled catching Piper off guard and sending her flying backwards and crashing into the seal with a large gash across her stomach.

The duels began. Remus and Tonks managed to stun a few of them and Paige was doing her best to deflect most of the spells. She even managed to send a few of the spells back to their originator causing very interesting effects.

One of the death eaters suddenly caught sight of Piper, bloodied and on the seal, and let out a yell. "Retreat! Now!"

As quickly as they had come, they were gone.

Paige rushed over to Piper. "Piper! Piper, are you okay?"

As if being pulled up by invisible strings, Piper began to rise until she was standing again. She hovered inches above the seal and look like a puppet. Blood was pouring down her stomach and it was joining the small puddle already in the seal. This is when they noticed that the seal was faintly glowing.

"I'm just fine," said Piper in a raspy voice, eyes still closed.

Suddenly her eyes snapped open to reveal white orbs were her brown ones used to be.

Paige let out a yell. "Piper what's wrong with you? Snap out of it!"

Piper raised her hands ready to attack when Paige slapped her hard across the face.

Piper blinked slowly and shook her head, looking stunned. "OW!" she said looking at her stomach. "What just happened?"

"I think...the seal possessed you," said Remus as though he was not very sure himself.

"You know, some how 'I told you so' doesn't quite cover it," said Piper, feeling a little faint. "I told you not to go into the big creepy hole but did you listen? Nooo. No one ever listens to me and I end up possessed because of it."

She was ranting all the way to the castle and even while Leo healed her, and while the others explained to Dumbledore what they had found.

Dumbledore, for the first time in a while, looked nervous.

"If that seal is as you describe it, then in Voldemort's hand it is a powerful weapon. The seal, however, seems to be evil. After all, Piper, you are a good witch and it was able to possess you. But if the death eaters were there then it must indeed be of great importance to Voldemort. We need to be very careful."

"Do you think we should move the apparition lessons up and start this term, then?" asked Remus.

"That is an excellent idea, Remus. I will inform them at once. They will meet you every Tuesday in the available Muggle Studies classroom after dinner."

"Wait. I'm lost. Apparition? Isn't that like a ghost or something?" asked Paige.

"Apparating is how wizards get around," Tonks explained. "It's a lot like that thing you do with the lights only you have a chance of splinching yourself."

"Splinching?" asked Piper. "That sounds nice."

"It's not. It means you leave half of your body behind, or sometimes just certain body parts."

"Ew."

"And Harry's gonna learn?" asked Paige.

"Actually, Harry, Ron and Hermione. They all need to be able to protect themselves," said Remus.

"What about Draco?" asked Piper, suddenly. "His father knows now. He's already tried to hurt him once. How's he gonna protect himself?"

"I suppose young Mr. Malfoy may also attend the lessons. But perhaps so should you. Just to keep things under control," Dumbledore added with a small wink. "Since term starts tomorrow, the first lesson shall take place the day after. Piper, would you care to deliver the news?"

"No problem. Let's go Paige."

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

"Are you telling me the seal was activated!" he yelled, red eyes glinting with rage.

Avery cowered in front of his master, fearing the worst. "Y-yes, but it was an accident. McNair hit the witch with a cutting charm and she fell into the seal," he tried to explain quickly.

"Is this true, McNair?"

He nodded silently.

"Imbecile! Crucio!"

McNair knew what was coming and took the pain silently as he fell to the floor writhing.

"This is a set back, I did not expect," Voldemort said glaring at the heap of robes on the floor that was McNair. "There is only one way the seal can be closed, and that is with the tears of the person who caused it to open. Very unlikely, as the witch does not know what she has done!" he yelled frustrated, causing the remaining death eaters to inch backwards. "The seal...has it's own powers. It is pure evil, possessing anything that nears it. Perhaps I could use it to my advantage. I want guards at the seal around the clock. But do not get too close...you know what will happen."

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

They reached the dungeons in a few minutes but were having a little trouble finding the Slytherin common room.

"I told you we should have told Harry and the others first," Paige hissed in Piper's ear.

"And I told you that I thought the dungeons were closer to Dumbledore's office," Piper answered.

"They actually are about the same distance away," said a voice from behind.

They turned and saw Snape looking at them amusedly. "Lost?"

"Extremely. Can you point us in the direction of the Slytherin common room? Dumbledore said that's were Draco was," explained Piper.

"Follow me."

He began walking down the hall and they followed without question.

But there was a nagging question that had to be answered. At least, Paige thought so.

"So what's going on between you and Phoebe?" she suddenly blurted out.

"That would be between me and Phoebe," he said without turning around.

"Yes, but we're family and we would like to know what's going on?" she pressed further.

"Then perhaps you should ask her."

"Look we're not trying to give you one of those 'if you do anything to hurt my sister' speeches," began Paige.

"We're not?" said Piper.

"Okay we are."

"Look, the point is that Phoebe has been through a lot. She doesn't need any more heartache," said Piper.

"I know. I've seen it," he said coolly.

"If you're a demon, give up now. Because if you hurt our sister...we will vanquish you," Piper said seriously.

"Do you make it a habit of terrorizing every man your sister decides to see?" he asked finally turning around, face emotionless.

"Just the ones we think are evil," replied Paige.

"The password is pureblood," he said briskly before walking off.

Without even realizing it, they had reached a hallway that was a dead end. In front of them was the portrait of an old vile looking man. He had to be at least sixty, had a trimmed beard, black eyes and was dressing in very expensive, very old robes. The finishing touch was the serpent that he brandished as a pet.

He eyed them suspiciously before asking for the password and when they gave it, he didn't open the door for another few minutes.

"I thought he was never gonna let us in," said Paige as they finally emerged in the Slytherin common room.

"Piper, Paige? What are you doing here?" came Draco's voice. He was alone.

"I just needed to talk to you about something," Piper said walking over.

"How'd you get in?" he asked rather suspiciously.

"Snape told us the password. Listen. Starting on Tuesday, you're gonna be learning how to aspirate," Paige said and looked confused when Draco didn't respond.

"Paige, I'm pretty sure he already knows how to breathe. She means apparate. You, Harry, Ron and Hermione are going to be getting private lessons from Remus every Tuesday in the empty Muggle Studies classroom."

"Why do I have to learn with them?" he spat, coldly.

"It's either that, or you wait and learn with the rest of the students in your year...next term," said Piper sternly. "I don't see why you hate them so much. Besides, I'll be there watching."

He seemed to calm. "Fine. I'll see you then, Professor," he said with a smirk.

Piper and Paige told the trio about their lessons after and unlike Draco they were a lot more excited.

"I can't believe we get to learn a whole term earlier," said Hermione excitedly.

"But why does Malfoy have to come?" said Ron, thoroughly annoyed.

"He needs to be able to protect himself too. It's bad enough when you have a psycho trying to kill you, but it's worse when your own father is trying to help," said Paige reasoning with them.

"I guess your right," said Harry, giving up. He knew there was no point in complaining, especially since Dumbledore had already agreed.

Piper and Paige reached the door fully ready to go to sleep after their very trying day, when it was opened to reveal a livid Phoebe standing behind it.

"You threatened to vanquish him!" she shrieked.

"Only a little...if he was evil," said Paige, hurriedly.

"Not helping," said Piper, shushing her sister. "We just wanted to make sure he wasn't a demon."

"Do you really think Dumbledore would let a demon teach?!"

"Well, he did let a werewolf," said Piper slowly.

"I can't believe you guys. You're my sisters. I'm supposed to be able to trust you. But how can I do that if you don't trust me?"

"No offense, Pheebs, but you just don't have the best track record with guys," said Paige carefully.

"I can't believe you would bring up Cole right now," said Phoebe looking at her sister in disbelief.

"I didn't bring him up, you did."

"This is different. Severus isn't evil and he's not a demon."

"Well, maybe one out of two's not bad," said Piper.

Phoebe turned to walk inside. For the first time in a long time, she was really mad at them.

"Be careful," Piper called to Phoebe's retreating back, as she entered the house and closed the door.

"That snake!" said Paige indignantly. "I can't believe he told her. Maybe he really is evil and he's trying to turn her against us," she gasped.

"Or maybe...we're just being really paranoid."

"It's not like we don't have good reason to be."

"I know. But for now, maybe we should just leave them alone. When we see him Avada someone, then we can tell Phoebe he's evil," reasoned Piper.

"Do we really have to wait?"

-Up in Phoebe's room-

I can't believe them! Why can't they just be happy for me?

They're just looking out for you and it wouldn't be the first time you were wrong about something like this.

The seed of doubt had been planted. She had to talk to him...now.

The fire had made the room stiflingly hot. He was getting ready to go to bed when he heard a knock on his office door. Wondering who would be coming to see him at this time of night, he slipped on his black bath robe over his boxers and walked over to the door, rolling up his sleeves as he went.

Standing in the hall looking anxious, scared and determined was Phoebe.

"What are you doing here? Is something wrong?" he asked ushering her inside.

"I know this is going to sound really stupid but I just need to get it out of my head and I'll feel better," she started.

She was sitting in the chair in front of his desk and he sat in front of her on the desk.

"What is it?" he asked, readjusting his bath robe.

A flash of black caught Phoebe's eye. "What is that?" she whispered, looking at his left arm.

He quickly pulled down the sleeves of his robe and looked at Phoebe wearily. "I can explain..."

"Never start a sentence like that when you're talking to me," she said warningly and got up slowly from the chair. "What. Is. It?" she asked again, very slowly.

"It is the Dark Mark," he said in a low voice. He didn't know how much she knew about Voldemort and his followers.

Apparently, she knew enough.

"This can't be happening. Not again. You're one of them?!" she said slightly hysterical.

"No...well...yes, but let me explain," he began as he walked towards her.

She was inching towards the door. "Explain what?! That you're a Death Eater! That you're everything Dumbledore and the Order are fighting against! That you're everything I fight against!"

"I am part of the Order!" he shouted back. "Dumbledore knows! He trusts me!"

"Should he?!" She was almost at the door.

"Phoebe, there are things about my past that I am not proud of, but I've changed!"

"Why should I believe you?" She had her hand on the knob and she looked close to tears. She didn't have the energy to scream anymore.

"Because Dumbledore does!" he yelled becoming more frustrated. "Do you honestly think he would let a Death Eater anywhere near Potter? Stop being so paranoid!"

Suddenly, a memory flashed in her mind.

"Don't you think you're being a little paranoid?" asked Cole with a smile.

Phoebe was not smiling. "With my demon ex-husband from hell? No, Cole, I don't."

"No. I can't do this again," she was about to open the door when he came up from behind her and grabbed her arm.

"Not until you let me explain," he said dangerously.

Without warning, Phoebe levitated five feet in the air and kicked Snape in the head with all her might.

He flew backwards into his desk, almost knocking it over.

"Don't touch me," she growled in a low voice.

He looked up in time to see her leave the room and slam the door shut behind her.

He could feel a trickle of blood falling down the back of his head.