Yet Another Author's Note: Surfing the web last night, I discovered something called the Shades of Grey awards. Not interested in duplication, so scratch that title idea. Once again, if you have one, however dumb it might be, send it across. This is my last plea for awhile, though, I promise. –40
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"Still awake, Rupert?"
"I couldn't sleep, Minerva," Giles said, sitting back from the open volume in front of him. Most of the library lights burned low in the evenings, but he had a smaller one out on the desk. The glow intensified the wrinkles and crags on his face, bringing out the weathering that five years in Sunnydale had given him. McGonagall sat down across the table.
"Neither could I. It's frightfully cold in my room tonight. Have you made any progress on your project?" Giles had spoken with her and with Dumbledore for research ideas.
"Minimal. We're just beginning, of course. Miss Granger got quite a bit of a head start, but the journey is long. I suppose you think it's foolish of us to pursue this."
"Actually, I'm rather glad you are," she said. "I had Miss O'Brien as a student, you know."
"I had assumed, yes."
"She was a lovely girl, a Gryffindor. Very warm and open, but with a fierce temper. A number of times I had to deal with her harshly after confrontations with Severus."
"He is a dreadful man," Giles said.
"Yes, he acts that way. In his heart, I think he is a good man. Unfortunately, he has learned some difficult lessons, and I doubt he will ever overcome the effect they have had on him. Of course, he is also exceptionally talented with potions."
"Why did he have problems with the young lady, if you don't mind my asking?" Giles wondered if Snape had found a weakness they could exploit.
"Well, it was never her personally. She always had abundant talent, though her specialties were more akin to combat magic than to potions. Actually, he tended to single out her friends, who leaned towards the awkward and socially … unpopular. She would defend them vigorously. With her temper, many of their exchanges became quite heated. She was rather fearless about it, actually."
"I see."
"I was so happy when she decided to become an auror," McGonagall said. "Besides her gift, she had a true desire to protect others. She and Grey were the rising stars of the auror ranks, did you know?"
"No. I haven't spoken to him about his own past very specifically," Giles equivocated.
"She was so desperate to be one. We all knew she would, with top grades and our recommendations, but Albus and I met specially with Cornelius Fudge to ensure it." She sighed, remembering. "We never knew exactly what happened after he turned her loose until the night Grey came back from Harry's."
"This must be very hard for you," Giles offered sympathetically.
"I just can't help but wonder if we might have done something more. Of course, I'm not sure what. But I would have liked the opportunity to reach out to her."
"A number of years ago, a new Slayer named Faith visited us in Sunnydale. The Slayer who followed Buffy, a girl named Kendra, was fairly normal for a Slayer. Very driven, very apart from the world around her. When she died, Faith was called. At times she would be quite engaging: funny, outgoing, loyal. She had the makings of a very special Slayer, rather like Buffy."
"How did she die?" McGonagall asked, assuming her rise had been cut short in the standard manner.
"She didn't. Instead, she sided with one of our deadliest foes and became one of them herself. I often wish that I could have done something for her to prevent that, but I can never find a specific instance where it was possible." They shared a look of understanding.
"What became of her?"
"She's in prison in the United States. One of our associates in Los Angeles keeps tabs on her. Apparently, she has changed quite a bit since her capture. He believes that she has actually come back to our side, though I must say I would need quite a bit of proof."
"So the story may yet have a happy ending, Rupert?"
"I suppose anything is possible, Minerva."
"I must remind you, Headmaster, of the danger this girl could pose if brought back here."
"Yes, Severus. And I must remind you of the danger that you once posed for the same reason."
"She is far more powerful than I will ever be," Snape said. Contrary to what Giles might believe, he was not envious. He knew the dangers of that power. "It is preposterous that we even consider anything but ridding ourselves of her threat."
"I fear your personal dislike of Miss O'Brien is tainting your consideration of this. Beyond that, I am not the one attempting to return her to our side. I have no control over what our students and professors do in their spare time."
"We both know that entire statement is untrue, don't we, Albus?" Dumbledore raised a hairy white eyebrow. "You could stop it if you wished to, and I know how fond you were of the girl. You would like to see her saved from this. As for the rest, I never disliked Miss O'Brien at all."
"I don't seem to recall that." Dumbledore remembered Snape's feuding with the student.
"You know that I do not always form the most healthy associations with students who are not of my house," Snape said. His honesty surprised Dumbledore, as did what followed. "Though we had an extremely adversarial relationship, I liked her quite a bit. I wrote a recommendation for her application to become an auror. She never knew, of course. I admired her audacity. Our cause needed those like her."
"I must say that it has been a long time since I have been truly shocked, Severus, but I am now."
"I only tell you because you must understand. I have seen those like her before. Eventually the magic swallows them, but they bring fiery havoc before it does."
"I appreciate your position. I can not in good conscience order Professor Giles and the others to cease, however. Even if I were inclined to do so, and I believe I am more inclined than you think, the decision is not mine to make. If our people think it is a worthwhile goal to pursue, then they will find a way to pursue it regardless."
"Very well, then." He stood to leave, but Dumbledore gestured for him to wait.
"There is one other matter. Professor Rosenberg's friend, Miss Maclay, will be circulating among the teachers as an assistant. She will also be helping Willow to create a number of new defensive wards in the coming weeks. For the latter, I expect your cooperation. From what Willow tells me, you may find her particularly adept with potions. I would suggest that you treat her kindly from the start, as according to Willow she is extremely shy."
Snape looked displeased, but nodded. He had been told how necessary Tara was.
"Thank you, then. That will be all."