The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in one solitary and even humble individual - for it is in the solitary mind and soul of the individual that the battle between good and evil is waged and ultimately won or lost.
-M. Scott Peck

Eoin Malone set down his drink and exhaled, watching the setting sun. Severus knew about the rumors of Voldemort as well as he did. The Dark Lord had said that he had taken actions against a mortal death but nobody had believed that, not fully at least. People wanted the boogeyman to stay under the bed and that was a good hope. Eoin himself feared Voldemort's return. Eoin had joined Voldemort for reasons he couldn't fully remember right now and he was surprised about how it had begun to sting in recent years.

He didn't regret his choices. Not fully anyways.

He sighed and pulled the collar up on his sleeve, staring at the tattoo that adorned his arm. The Dark Mark was growing clearer, and the air itself was beginning to change, and turn cold. He drew his fingers over the raised flesh and then down to the wrist itself, where a small faded Japanese glyph was inked. The symbol was small, dwarfed by the Dark Mark but like it, Eoin had once bore it proudly.

It was the symbol for Shadow- Kage or, because the name had been dulled over the years by foreign tongues, Kaga. He had once been a Kaga, the guardians of the immortal Hecate Compound. He had once been proud, loyal and noble, had once fought for a cause he believed to be greater then himself. But the times he was a Companion had been the days of his childhood and now, seemed scarcely but a dream.

It was as a Death Eater he truly lived his life. The Malone family held two seats of power among the Throne of Souls, and was feared by the Dark Prince himself. Voldemort had trusted him with secrets he had hesitated to share with the Prince. Eoin was proud of these accomplishments but now, he was something more then that in his eyes, something better.

He was a father who loved his sons.

He thought of beautiful Maude, so simple in her grace. He afforded her a love beyond words and in return she gave innocence, and allowed Eoin to be a man, not a Death Eater. She had been widowed when they met, (he had made sure of it) and had been expecting a child from this lost husband. Through her grief, Maude had began to return Eoin's affections and in time, agreed to be his wife. They had named the child after Eoin's sister.

Angelo, the Angel.

Angelo was a handsome boy and one wiser then his years. There was something in the boy's clear blue eyes that seemed old and at the same time youthful, vibrant and alive. He was like any other boy, one who enjoyed playing Quidditch and proclaimed his School House, Slytherin with pride and smugness Eoin was sure he got from his mother. He had been raised knowing no other father then Eoin and called the man father. Seven years ago, he had even greeted his little brother into the world. Glenn was like his father, quiet, thoughtful and serene; he seemed destined for great things in life.

Eoin marveled at his family and wondered when did a trained weapon like he ever become a family man. There was something wrong with this picture, he thought, people like him (both Kaga and Death Eater) weren't suppose to have the happy ending. They weren't suppose to be husbands, or fathers, or lovers. Something was wrong, amiss and soon fate would come and claim what was hers. But Eoin would be damned if he gave it all up though. He would fight to the death to keep his.

And maybe, he thought to himself, that's what he deserved.

Tugging up on the sleeve, he sighed and turned to go back into the house. Maude was waiting for him.

Kaiya Alchemy shrugged off her gray coat and looked around Akel Dama. She smiled, as she pulled out the sticks that held her hair in place and began to redo her bun. She had spent summers here ever since her third year in school when she had found out about this place but she never truly considered it home. To her, Hecate Compound would always be home and to an extent she was sure that was true for her father as well.

A man she currently couldn't find in the big house. Kaiya shrugged, found a room to her liking and decided to wait for him there. Soon enough, Babbitt appeared, warm tea and dinner in hand to greet Kaiya and chastise her on being a silly young girl.

"Your hair's so beautiful, little miss, why don't you let it grow?" Kaiya allowed herself two eccentricities; one was hair color and the other eye color. The flavor for this month was golden blond hair cut in a short bob and amethyst colored eyes. The blond didn't quite fit with her dark skin tone but the eyes lent themselves to her general creepiness, a trait she inherited from her father no doubt.

"You have such pretty chocolate hair!" Babbitt was moaning. "And pretty brown eyes, like your mother's." It was true enough, Kaiya's eyes and hair were naturally so dark brown they appeared black but that had never stopped her from adding color to the scheme. She knew better then to fight with Babbitt so Kaiya kept her mouth shut and weathered the storm.

"How are you going to find a man to marry?" Babbitt suddenly demanded, causing Kaiya to choke. The girl stared at the House Elf, wide-eyed and dumb-struck, struggling for the right comeback.

"She's got a point there, Kaiya." Severus Snape whispered from the doorway. A smug grin adorned his features as he leaned against the doorframe, clearly enjoying the fact he was not on the receiving end of this rebuke. "And you do have beautiful brown hair."

"Don't start, Goth-boy." Kaiya countered dangerously.

"And you!" Babbitt seemed in the mood to comment on her family today. "How come Master haven't brought me a wife yet? This big house with no babies to fill it! Mistress Kemi needs brothers and sisters!"

"Yeah, dad." Kaiya joined in, meeting his eyes. "When do I get a step-mom?"

"When you wear your natural hair color, Blondie." Snape teased, before turning to Babbitt and bowing genteelly. "When a woman follows me home, you'll be the first one to know, I promise. Until then, how are your dogs?"

Babbitt blushed a deep crimson but had a prideful gleam in her eyes. "Little Remus is asleep in the gardens and little Sev is in the kitchen."

"Smart dog, that Sev one is." Snape mused, before dismissing Babbitt and thanking her. He looked up and met Kaiya's eyes, reddening slightly. "What? I'm whipped by my House Elf, I admit it, and I've come to terms with it. That little Elf is scary when she's angry…"

"There's something rudimentarily wrong with the idea that the hated Potions Master of Hogwarts School is afraid of a two-foot House Elf." Kaiya murmured. "You do realize this right?"

"Two-foot House Elf from hell, remember that." Snape sat down and took the plate Kaiya offered him. "The girl could best Voldemort and Harry Potter if she wanted too."

"What about Albus?"

"Already has, on numerous occasions too."

"And about these dogs, Severus…little Remus? Little Sev? Do I want to know?"

"Hey, I'm at Hogwarts most of the time, and you're at Hecate." Snape's voice had begun strong and determined, but looking into his daughter's eyes, the voice had gradually become timid, almost with a pout. "Babbitt gets lonely around here. The other House Elves aren't nearly as good company and besides…she…"

"I know, Severus. I know." Kaiya assured him, thoughtfully. "She's the Dark Lord in disguise that one is." She smiled at the glare he gave her. "So what kind of dogs? Pit bull, German Shepard or Boxer?" He muttered something incoherent into his bread. She frowned and leaned forward. "I'm sorry, what was that?"

"Dalmatians."

There was a long pause as Kaiya digested this information and the thought of two bright white, energetic puppies (and Kaiya was certain they were puppies) running through Akel Dama. She couldn't quite picture one of those little balls of energy being called Sev, although the Remus one seemed fitting. She made a mental note to search out these elusive pets another time.

"So." She said, deciding a safer issue. "Why did you call me?"

"Your Mark, has it been…"

"Burning?" She finished for him, her face paling slightly as if the memory disturbed her. "It has."

"How often?"

"All the time, Chandra's been giving me a Potion to control the pain but sometimes, especially at night, I can't shake this feeling that I have."

"What kind of feeling?"

"That he's watching me." She whispered, hushed. "He's waiting for me."

Snape was silent as he considered this. "Kaiya, it's time I told you everything…"

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

Snape ignored her. "Something is happening here and I don't think anybody, not even Dumbledore can stop it." Under his breath, he added. "I don't even think the Dark Prince could."

"What's happening?"

"Lord Voldemort's coming back."

Kaiya leaned against the back of her chair, frowning. "That's impossible."

"I wish it was so."

"No, I mean, it's impossible. I'd feel him. He'd be calling to me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I've heard his voice before; I've heard him calling to me, beckoning me to him. If he was becoming more powerful, I would sense it. More importantly…" Her eyes darkened, "so would I, wouldn't I?"

Snape closed his eyes. "Yes."

"Father," She began slowly, carefully. "We're bound, he and I…more so then the Death Eaters were…he…"

"He lives through you." He allowed. "As long as a member of the Coven exists, he does."

"So for him to die…" She said. "I would have to?"

"I won't allow that to happen Kaiya."

"But you can't stop it, can you Father?"

"I will not allow that to happen, Kaiya." His voice was cold but panicked. "You will live to be old and gray. I promise…"

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Severus." Eoin Malone said, as he entered. "It's bad form." His eyes fell to Severus' hand which had fallen to his wand. "Do you really want to do that?"

"What do you want?"

"Severus?" Kaiya asked softly, "Who is this?"

"Eoin Malone," Eoin introduced himself, ever mindful of Snape's wand. "And you must be Melanie's child." He turned to Snape. "You should be dead."

"I got better." Kaiya answered, crisply.

Snape put his drink down, and removed his hand from his wand. "What brings you here and make it good, I'm not in the mood for games."

"Then let's be straight with each other? We can do that can't we?"

"I'm listening."

"I know you are now Dumbledore's lapdog," Eoin began. "And frankly I don't care. Good for you but I don't think you know what you're dealing with. If I know you, you're going to go after the Coven now to protect her." He nodded to Kaiya. Snape glanced at Kaiya but said nothing, welcoming Eoin to continue. "But do you think the Coven's been idle during Voldemort's absence? They've have time to become accustomed to power and aren't too keen on the idea of bowing to Lord Voldemort again."

"Who's leading them?"

"Who else?"
Snape narrowed his eyes. "Alistair."

Eoin nodded. "He tried to kill you with the Throne once before, what makes you think he won't try and catch up on old times?"

"If I remember correctly, you were by Alistair's side trying to kill me too."

"I was, and I paid dearly for it. You all but killed my brother."

"Something I remember quite vividly." Snape was watching Eoin. "So, why are you helping me?"

Eoin grew quiet, glancing at Kaiya. "Because I know something of protecting family."

"Is that all?"

"Maybe I don't want to see Voldemort back in power."

"Eoin, are you endanger of becoming a good man?"

"Are you in or out?"

Snape drew his hand over his Dark Mark. He turned to Kaiya. "I think it's time you go back to Hecate."

"That's Snape-language for your about to go kill people, isn't it?"

"Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to." Kaiya rose silently, looking at Eoin and shaking her head before walking out of the room. Snape watched her go and spoke softly. "She's not why I joined Dumbledore again, you know."

"I know." He answered silently. From the folds of his robes, he pulled out a small rosewood box.

Snape paled when he saw it. "No. I won't."

"If we're going to do this, it needs to be done right and you know it." Eoin answered. "Appearances must be maintained."

"You have no idea what you're asking."

"Sometimes you need the devil."

Snape closed his eyes and took the box into his lap. He opened it gingerly and was greeted by the only thing he could ever really remembering fearing. He picked up the mask and twirled it over in his eyes. He threw his head back, placing the mask over his face and inhaled as it rested. He began to choke and threw the mask off, trying to stop the shaking that followed by just holding the cursed object.

It was simple object really, made of porcelain molded to fit his face only. Charmed to repel most hexes and to protect his eyes from any undesirable curses that might come its way, it was also sealed by a magic word that only he knew. If someone tried to remove it while he was unconscious, it would explode. The gold over the left eye had been bewitched by Lord Voldemort and only a select few really knew its true meaning.

Snape hated that mask. He turned to Eoin. The Kaga was watching calmly, walking over to the mask, picking it and handing it back to him.

"He's not you." Eoin whispered softly. "Don't forget that. It's just a mask you have to wear."

"So was Alexander Rouge, Eoin." Snape answered softly. Before Eoin could speak, he slipped the mask over his features again. Breathing sharply, and fiercely trying to rebuke the twisting in his stomach, he stood and strolled to retrieve his cloak. He pulled up the hood and slipped the gloves on. And he laughed. He had to admit, the mask was rather comfortable. "Come on, Eoin. It's time to give the Devil his due."

-----

Don't ask where the ripped Daredevil line came from, I needed a dramatic ending for the chapter. Sorry for any mistakes in this chapter but it's 3 am. Come on and review if you like and check out Son of the Morning, I updated that one too.

Oh and Lady Rhi, well done on catching Snape's 8x8 pacing and to the reviewer, Gideon, and Kaiya know Severus is the Dark Prince but Snape *thinks* Dumbledore doesn't know...and Albus let's him think that. *winks*