- Chapter 18 -

Deadly Developments

Darkness of night had fallen and the huge bonfire, that blazed in a clearing in the midst of the Forbidden Forest, cast shadows upon the figures gathered round it. All wore robes, hoods up to conceal their faces. All but one.

Voldemort stood atop a huge boulder like a platform, his hideously red eyes gazing out over his group of devoted Death Eaters. One in particular caught his attention, causing a gleeful sneer to spread upon the Dark Lord's face.

"Ah, Lucius. I sssee you bring me a present. How kind of you." Voldemort hissed malevolently.

"Only for you, my Lord." Lucius Malfoy said, as he let the body of the dead shapeshifter fall at the base of the boulder where the Dark Lord stood. Malfoy stood before Voldemort then, proud of his accomplishment, and awaited the wizards reply.

"Well done. I am most pleased by your success, Lucius. It almost makes me forgive you for your ssson's incompetence to bring the Dark Witch to me. Almost."

Before Lucius Malfoy could comprehend what the evil wizard was getting at, Voldemort raised his wand, pointing it at Lucius and muttered casually.

"Crucio."

Lucius fell to the ground as his body writhed at the pain it was being subjected to. His long white-blonde hair falling into his face. The pain was so great that he had to grind his teeth together as, groaning in pain, he pleaded.

"I am sorry for the behavior of that ingrate son of mine."

It was no use though, as the Dark Lord simply laughed, the sound that of snake skin rubbing on sand, and allowed the man to continue to suffer under the intense pain of the Unforgivable curse. Just as Malfoy was about to slip into unconsciousness, Voldemort released him.

"Finite Incantatum." The Dark Lord hissed, then waited, somewhat impatiently, for Lucius to struggle to his feet.

Voldemort sneered as he looked down on his second in command."Now that you have been appropriately chastised, I have another task for you." An evil laugh emerged from his almost lipless mouth. "It appears that our little witch is not being cooperative. I want you to capture the mud-blood Granger and the redheaded brat sister of the Weasley clan. Bring them to me. We'll sssee if she will cooperate then."

Lucius Malfoy, even though still in pain from his recent bout with the Cruciatus Curse, smiled evilly and bowed to Voldemort. "Yes, Master. It shall be as you command."

~*~

"Giles! You know you want to. Go ask her, she'll say yes, I can tell."

Giles rolled his eyes, not saying anything, and simply walked faster.

"You can't ignore me, Giles. I won't go away." Came the insistent voice of Willow Rosenberg, as she followed the ex-Watcher down the corridor. "Giles! Would you stop! We go into Hogsmead tomorrow. Asking Professor McGonagall to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer is not that big a deal."

That brought Giles up short. He spun around, clamping a hand over the red head's mouth, while looking around to see if any students where lurking about. There wasn't.

"Willow, I know you bask in being matchmaker, but I assure you I can handle my own affairs quite nicely. I am an adult, you know."

Giles let out a sigh before letting go of Willow and started walking back down the corridor. Willow stared at his retreating back for a moment, a smug smile on her face, then hurried to catch up. She trailed quietly behind her mentor for a moment, and then...

"Sooo, there's an affair now?"

"GAAH!" Gile's resolve broke as he finally reached the entrance to his room and ground out the password to the portrait of the old couple that covered his entrance.

Before stepping through the entrance, Giles spun around to face Willow once more.

"W-willow, please understand. Minerva and I are friends, that is all. A-and besides, she would never think of me in such a way. Now, I'm going to rest, as you should as well. Goodnight, Willow."

Shaking her head forlornly, Willow bid Giles goodnight and started walking down the cooridor, but she did not head to her rooms.

Poor, Giles. He has no idea that Professor McGonagall likes him just as much as he likes her. She mused to herself. Well, I'm just gonna have to make sure he realizes it.

Willow continued walking until she exited the castle and made her way to the lake, where she had seen Tara's ghost. She sat down at the base of the tree and looked out across the lake, watching the moonlight as it reflected off of its surface. It didn't matter that she was out after curfew, for that rule did not apply to her. Dumbledore had said so. She was free to do as she pleased, just as long as she attended her required classes. Willow let out a sigh as she leaned her head back against the tree and closed her eyes. Just drinking in the sounds of the night.

Then, something caught her attention. She heard a soft rustle off to her left, and Willow opened her eyes and looked around cautiously. Had that shadow just moved? Willow tensed as she scanned the area, trying to find anything in the shadows. She slowly reached into her robes and withdrew her wand, holding it tightly in her hands... just in case.

Then, out of the shadows, he emerged. A beautiful silver wolf. It stood a few feet away from her, just observing her in a way that gave Willow the impression that this was no ordinary wolf. She could practically see the intelligence in its eyes. It looked at her with a knowing look, as if it knew her, and for some reason Willow relaxed as her arm reached out, palm up. The wolf approached hesitantly, sniffing the air once or twice, before finally making its way over to Willow's side. He sat on his haunches beside the red haired witch, like an obedient lapdog. It was quite an impressive sight. Willow, hesitantly at first, began to stroke the wolf's magestic head.

Hey there, boy, what are you doing this far from the Forbidden Forest, huh? She asked in her mind, so as not to startle the wolf. Sometimes the abilities she had retained from her walk on the dark side had some advantages. What she didn't expect, was the wolf's answering her.

I couldn't help it. I was drawn here, by you, I'm supposing. Came a very soothing voice, that caused Willow's eyes to widen as she stared at the wolf.

You can talk? Willow managed to convey that question as her mind tried to sort out this surprising turn of events.

The amused chuckle that filled her mind was as soothing as the voice has been.

No, but it appears I can hear your thoughts, and you mine. Wonder how that happened? The voice had a hint of teasing to it.

Oh, that's just me. I sort of have a knack for it. Willow assured the wolf in her mind. So, do you have a name?

Just call me... Lobo. Came the sarcastic reply.

Willow gave the wolf a look that said, 'you've got to be kidding me' before a full out wolfish laugh filled her mind.

So... what are you doing out here? The wolf's voice asked after the laughter had died down.

No reason, really. I just came out here to maybe... I don't know. I thought maybe I would catch sight of someone again. Willow replied sadly.

Who?

Someone I cared for very much. She died, but I saw her ghost here not too long ago and... well, I had hoped maybe to talk to her again. I have a few questions I need answers to.

Ask me. Maybe I can help.

The wolf's voice urged her to trust him.

And oddly, Willow felt like she could.

~*~

Willow had lost all track of time as she sat under the oak tree beside the lake, stroking the wolf's head that lay in her lap. Suddenly, there came the sound of someone approaching, and before Willow could blink, the wolf had disappeared. Back to the Forbidden Forest she supposed. Willow stared off in the direction that the approaching sound was coming from, and smiled when Severus Snape emerged from the shadows.

"Miss Rosenberg? What, pray tell, are you doing out here? After your brush with near abduction, I would think you would not want to be alone." Snape's voice was as silky as ever, causing the butterflies in Willow's stomach to start dancing.

"Who said I was alone?" Willow teased, and couldn't help but smile as a look that could only be jealousy entered the Potion Master's eyes.

"What do you mean by that?" Snape asked menacingly. "Oh, come on Cranky Pants, I was just teasing. There's nobody else here but me. I was just hoping that maybe Tara would make an appearance, so I could talk to her. No biggie."

"No biggie?" Sarcasm practically dripped from the words, as arched an eyebrow in question. "And why, is it no biggie? You are completely vulnerable out here. Someone let that shapeshifter into the school. And now someone has taken the shifter's body from where it was locked up behind Hagrid's hutt. That same someone might still be on the grounds. Now please, tell me again, that this is no biggie!"

By the time Snape had finished, his voice had risen quite a bit. Willow's eyes widened as she realized that she could indeed be in danger of being abducted out here, all alone. But she hadn't been alone. The wolf had been here with her. And for some reason, Willow felt that the wolf would protect her if need be.

"Okay, okay, I get the point. No more late night strolls unless I'm chaperoned. Check." Willow muttered as she rose to her feet.

The instant she stood, a billow of black robes were surrounding her, as Severus Snape engulfed her in his arms, hugging her tightly. "Don't ever worry me like that again. Do you understand?"

The depth of worry that was in his voice registered in her mind now. He had been worried about her. That was what he was doing out here. Looking for her. How sweet.

Willow's reply of, "Yes." was muffled against the hard chest she was now crushed up against.

"Good. Now let me escort you back to your chambers?" He inquired, a seductive tone overtaking the worry.

Willow grinned a bit wickedly. "As long as you come in for the night."

She felt the rumble of a laugh deep in his chest. "I believe I could be.... persuaded, Miss Rosenberg."

With that, the two made thier way back to the castle.

~*~

TBC...