Shadows in the Depths

Disclaimer: Don't own, simple as that.

A.N. So how you enjoying it so far. Officially, this is chapter 6, but according to the menu bar here, it's ch. 7. So whichever makes more sense to you mentally. I'm getting questions about the titles, they all fit in somehow, especially the main title. All will be coming clear shortly, so don't fret about it. I would like to thank everybody who has reviewed, sorry it took so long to get these chapters up, but I was having computer as well as motivation problems, and time problems. I'm trying to make up for it, by writing the rest of the story as quickly as possible. I have ideas for another story, so maybe that will be getting up shortly as well. Well enough babbling, ne? On with the story!

I'm trying to make the chapters longer, according to some requests I've had, so there may be several things happening in different places, but I'll post summaries up every now and then.

Warnings: If you think you notice RL/SB slash here, well it's not really happening. *Looks at K-chan* Sorry, not this story. They're best friends and partners. I'm not trying to do a slash chapter or fic, but it may seem like that. Sorry, it wasn't intentional. I know how best friends act with each other and towards each other. *Again looks at K-chan*

Dedications: To everybody that leaves reviews, thank you. It means a lot to know that my story is being read. I'm dedicating this entire story to at least three people. Hatsui-chan, hey lil bro!; Hoshino-chan, you may be far away from here, but you're always in here in my heart at least; Kageno-chan, You're my Remus, what else can I say? May I sleep on the bed tonight instead of the couch? LOL. Thank you guys for being there and being my friends in every sense of the word. *huggles* Enough mushiness, ne? On with the show!

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Minerva McGonagall was frustrated, which is to put it lightly. She had been dealing with hysterical students and staff, since right before noon, and now she was dealing with incompetent shelter workers. She really had no clear recollection about how she escaped from the fire, or how most of the students escaped. When she had first woken up, Minerva was stunned to learn that three students had died. Now when it was almost night, she found herself wishing for the hundredth time that day that Dumbledore was there.

'Where is he?' She asked herself, before breaking into tears.

"There, there Professor. There's no need to cry, not anymore, at least." A gruff voice said.

Minerva looked up and saw Hagrid, holding out a handkerchief out to her. She took and dried her eyes. "I'm just so tired and upset, and confused. We need Albus here, but I have no idea where he could be at the moment."

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(Meanwhile)

Remus looked down at the lump that was Sirius. He had been sitting on the ground for about an hour, ever since Malfoy and Snape had disappeared with the Tenshi.

"It wasn't your fault Sirius. There was nothing we could really do. You have to help watch over Harry."

Sirius stirred when he heard Harry's name. "I know I have to watch him Remi, but I can't right now." He whispered.

Remus sank down beside him. "Why not?"

"I broke my promise to her. To all of them. I was supposed to protect them. All of them. Riley, Nicole, and Robin. They were placed under my care. I made a promise to protect and help them. Nothing was supposed to happen to them."

"Sirius, look at me." Remus said sharply. Sirius looked at him. "There was nothing you could do. They were doing their job. By God, Sirius. They're the Tenshi! They are the legend themselves. They know what danger is. They were doing their job. They protected Ron and Harry like they were supposed to. You can't have protected them any better. Stop berating yourself and get up off the ground."

"I think that Remus has a point, Sirius. You do have to watch over Harry and right now, he'll need it." Dumbledore said.

Sirius looked at Remus, then towards Dumbledore, then finally towards Ron and Harry. Their faces were both somewhat startled, but they looked more composed than Sirius did. "You're right. All of you are right. Of course." He said and slowly got off the ground.

"What do we do now, Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

"Now we go to where the students were taken."

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Snape followed Lucius through the twists and turns of the caverns in which the Death Eaters were using as a hideout.

"For all the life of me, Severus, I don't know why you even bothered with that whole loyalty bit. They know it isn't true. As do we. Either side, Severus, can't trust you. Our master will force you to chose sides, and I hope for your sake that you pick the right one."

"I know which side is the right one, Lucius. I'm not afraid of what will happen to me."

"You're either braver than I thought or just plain stupid. We know you're a member of the Order, Severus. Do you think that He didn't know you were a spy? You must think you're pretty slick."

"I'm well aware of what He knows Lucius." Snape growled. "I know where my loyalties lie. I have no problem proving them to Him or anybody else-especially you, my slippery friend."

They reached a smooth wall in the rock. Lucius uttered a few words and the rock face slid open to reveal a round chamber full of candles. The shadows of the flames flickered off of the smooth rock, and reflected off of the pool that was in the center of the chamber. Echoes of water dripping off the ceiling and into the water completed the feeling of awe in the rock chamber. Five people and an animal diverted the feeling of natural wonder.

In one corner, just a little off the top of the pool, were three pitiful figures. Their arms were bound behind their backs and their legs were tied together. The three girls were still unconscious and lay there on the ground unaware of their surroundings. Near the center of the room was a chair that looked like a throne, deep red velvet lined the back of the chair and the wood was curled in decorative patterns across the top, bottom, and the arms curled under in a neat curl. The color and beauty of the chair, was however, lost upon the one who sat upon the throne.

It was a man, dressed in black robes that brought out his pale features. His face was unlike that of any man ever seen, snake-like nostrils, glowing red eyes; this man looked more like a vampire and a snake, than a man. The fifth figure stood beside this throne, moaning continuously. He was a short, fat man with balding hair, who, when he breathed, wheezed like an asthmatic.

Lucius and Severus approached the person seated on the throne. As they got near, they stopped, about three feet away, and bowed. "Master." They said at the same time.

"Severus, it is time for you to choose." The man on the throne said his voice low and seductive.

"I know Master. I have made my decision, My Lord. You know my heart and what it desires Master. You are the only one who can fulfill my deepest dreams, Lord. I chose to no longer follow that old, half-witted fool of a wizard. I pick you." Severus said.

"Good. Yes, I see that this is what you truely want." Voldemort said. Snape looked up at his master and smiled.

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Hermione hugged Harry and Ron when they showed up. "Are you two ok?" She asked.

"We're fine Hermione." They both said. Both and Harry looked relieved when she finally stopped hugging them.

"What happened? Where did you two go?"

Ron sighed. "It's a long story."

*******

Professor McGonagall approached Professor Dumbledore. "Albus, may I ask where you were?"

"We talked to Sirius and Remus and then went to Hogwarts once we found about the fire. There we were attacked. The Tenshi are now in the hands of Lord Voldemort, I'm afraid."

"What? My God. What are we going to do?"

"I don't know, Minerva. I just don't know."