Disclaimer: I own only the obvious, the rest belongs to JK Rowling.
Authors Note: Hope you like this and please review.
-Chapter Two-
Severus could only glare at the young man standing in front of him, the other was returning the glare gladly for some time before suspicion made its way into the gaze. The former Potion Master knew what was coming, it happened every time he met up with one of his former students or colleagues. Potter's eyes flashed in recognition, but instead of going wide with shock or horror like the rest of them, they narrowed even more, flashing dangerously in anger.
"Yes Potter, you have guessed right." The man behind the desk decided to step in. "Your new partner is a vampire. I trust that that isn't a problem."
Severus enjoyed watching the little brat trying to keep his emotions in check. The young man didn't take his eyes off him for one second, there was a watchfulness in them that Severus was just beginning to uncover. An unnatural amount of watchfulness. Nearly as much as a…but no, that'd be absurd. The commander wouldn't partner him with one of them, would he?
"No sir." Potter replied, though the 'sir' part was bitten out through clenched teeth.
"Good, now have a seat," the man glared at them. "Both of you," he added. Potter was glaring at him all the time, never looking away, not even when he sat down. Severus sat into the other chair. "I want you to find out what's going on and stop Malfoy if you can. Harry, you have already quit the SO's."
"I have?" Harry asked, daring to cast a quick look at the commander.
"This afternoon, after your date with Mark. So you won't have to worry about that. Now, as soon as you have something new, I want you to come here and report. As I already told you Severus, you will have almost limitless access to supplies and money. Be extra careful, don't Floo around, don't use owl post, no Muggle phones, cell phones or e-mails. Everything will have to be delivered personally. Oh, and one more thing," he waited until he had both their attention. "You are going to stay together from on until the case is solved. I don't care how long it takes, I don't care what you have to do – though do try to keep killings to a minimum – as long as you get Malfoy behind bars and figure out his scheme!" the man took a few breaths to calm himself. God, he hated Malfoy! "That's all, you are dismissed." He said calmly, found a new, clean file and started to fill it out for a new agent.
Severus and Harry controlled themselves and didn't kill each other in the commanders office, though when they exited the office and had closed the door, both glared at the other as though it was their fault that the world was going to end. Neither were happy about the situation. If they only had had to work together, it might have been nearly bearable. But they had to actually live together, in the same building and not to mention in the same apartment. A Slayer and a Vampire. Hell had just frozen over, and it wasn't going to unfroze anytime in the close future.
"Alright, listen up vampire," Potter growled, making sure that his hand never strayed too far away from his dagger or the hidden wooden stake with silver point. "I'm not happy about this and neither are you. One wrong move from you, and the world will have one less vampire."
"As if you'd ever get the chance, Slayer," Severus replied. "One wrong move from you, and the world will have a Slayer less."
The two of them glared at each other, neither wanting to be the first one to back down. People that happened to pass them made sure to walk around them at a four feet radius. The only thing that broke them up was the commanders voice from the office telling them to get a move on, and start their mission.
"If it hadn't been for this bloody mission, Snape, you would've been a pile of dust on the floor by now." Potter growled then hurried off through the corridors to the closest room with no Apparation Wards.
"What's the address?" Severus asked.
"Address to what?"
"Your place Potter, or have you already forgotten hat we're supposed to stay together until this mission is over?"
"34th street, building number two from the left on the right hand side. Los Angeles." The younger man growled, and was gone with a pop.
Severus sighed, and followed. How in heavens name had he managed to get himself into this mess?
----------------------------
Potter waited for him outside the building, happily chatting with neighbours, kids coming back from school and other people. When the young man realised that Severus was there, he finished his conversation with a young mother, and led the vampire inside the building. They had been walking for a long time – Severus had lost count of all the floors – and then Potter stopped in front of a door with the number 81 on it. He put the key in the lock and turned.
"Oh, Harry!" both of them turned towards the voice. An old African-American woman was walking towards them.
"Hi Mrs Coretta. May I help you with anything?"
"Nononono, dear boy," she replied while studying Severus. "I was just here to tell you that I've cleaned your apartment a bit – it needed it, and don't even think about protesting young man – and also to give you this." She handed him a plate filled with pieces of warm, deliciously smelling cake. "It's my Sweet potato pie."
"Sweet potato pie?!" Potter exclaimed happily. "Mrs Coretta, you are a saving angel! I haven't had a decent meal in weeks!"
"And I know how much you love my pie," the old woman said. "I had nothing to do and baked it for you, got to put some fat on those legs."
"Mrs Coretta!" Potter said sternly while blushing. The old woman had just pinched his ass!
Severus found all of this slightly amusing, but he'd be damned if he showed it. Mrs Coretta looked him over again, just as she had done several times before. Either she was making a move on him, or she was protecting Potter from something. In this case that 'something' being him.
"Even an old woman's got to have some fun, Harry." She said and turned back to the younger man. "By the way, that Mark was here not long ago, pounding on your door as though it was the end of the world. I tell you Harry, keep away from that man. He's no good."
"I promise you Mrs Coretta, I'll watch out." Potter replied.
"Well, I'm off. The sewing circle wants me to hold today's speech." She walked over to the elevator pushed a button and waited for it to come.
"One word Snape, and you're dead." Potter growled as he opened the door and entered.
Severus decided to stay silent. He was looking around the apartment. The walls and ceiling were white, while the floor was parquet with a couple of rugs placed here and there. Everywhere he turned there were shelves with books, files, magazines, papers, souvenirs and here and there a rare plant could be found. The living room was furnished nicely, with one couch and two comfortable chairs. There was a little table right in front of the couch, and on the opposite side of Severus, there was a TV, a stereo and an aquarium with several tropical fishes swimming around. On each side of the little shelf with the aquarium there were two tall, big windows. To his left there was a little kitchen and a door that was leading to the bathroom, to his right there was a door to the bedroom and a small workroom. Severus could see a Muggle computer and some other things he had no idea what were. All in all, the vampire had to admit that Potter had taste. It was a nice place, big enough for a bachelor.
Potter came out from the kitchen and walked over to a little table in the corner that Severus hadn't noticed. On it stood a phone, several notebooks, pens and erasers. The Slayer pushed a button on the black phone and walked over to a shelf while the messages were played.
"Message one. 12.30." The machine said.
"Potter, what is this I hear about you quitting the SO's?! For heavens sake, have you gone mad? It wasn't that bad, just a little break-up! Pick up the phone Potter, or have you done one of those disappearing acts of yours again? I don't even know why I bother!" the phone on the other side was hung up.
"Message two. 14.30."
"Potter, I'm coming over and we'll talk this out. We can't have the best Slayer in the whole goddamn organisation walking out on us. If you aren't there, I'll return every full hour until you come back, no matter how long I'll have to keep doing it. And don't give me some sorry explanation of an excuse. I'll see you later." The message ended. Potter hadn't even looked at the machine while it had been talking, he was busy searching for something in the shelf.
"Message three. 16.00."
"Lencho!" a shrill and fake voice yelled from the other side. "Guess who it is! Give up? Your dear and beloved friend Tiaret's back in town! Vampire's watch out! I bet you haven't forgotten how we hunted the Living Dead together Lencho!" the voice had gone back to a normal female voice. "Lencho, what's up with you and that Nyoka, Mark? If he has done anything to you, I'm going to kill him! I tell you Lencho, stay away from him." Potter had by this time stopped searching through the shelf and was looking at the machine. "Oh, yes, one more thing. I'M COMING TO VISIT YOU AS SOON AS I CAN! You're my best khalil in the whole world. Would've been rude of me not to drop by. Anyways, I'll see you soon Lencho. Take care!" with that the message ended.
"There are no more messages." The machines voice said and with a click it turned off.
Severus turned to Potter, the young man was shaking his head and smiling in amusement.
"Lencho? Are you sure the woman got the right number?" the vampire asked?
"She got the right number alright." Potter replied and tossed him a thick, old book. "Her name-" Potter cut off abruptly. "Wait, why am I telling this to you of all people, and why do you care?"
"I don't care Potter," Severus defended himself, but it was a good question. Why had he asked in the first place? "I was just merely curious." He added, then looked down at the book in his hands. The Bible. The vampire glared at the other man, who acted as nothing had happened. Sure, leave it to Potter to give him a religious task. This one being to find out as much as he could about the devil.
Suddenly there was a vicious pounding on the door. Potter jumped around and almost lost his own book, and Severus had to refrain from putting his hands over his ears. Being a vampire had it's drawbacks.
"Potter, open up!" the voice was angry. "I know you're home Potter, I heard you playing off the message machine. If you don't open up and let me in, I'm going to blast my way through! I'm giving you three seconds! One!"
Potter sighed and put down his book, then he started walking towards the front door but stopped after a few steps. And turned to Severus.
"You better hide. The man isn't too fond of your kind." It was said coldly and shortly, leaving no room for discussion. Potter turned and headed towards the door again.
Severus hid in the first and best thing he could find, a closet that was built into the wall. He had just closed the door, when he heard Potter opening the front door and letting in the man on the other side. The vampire looked through the little holes at the top of the door that were there for ventilation. The newcomer was as tall as Potter, though his hair and eyes were brown.
"Okay, start explaining!" the man demanded.
"Start explaining what?" Potter asked.
"Start explaining why you quit!"
"That is none of your business."
"Don't play games with me Potter, I tell you I'm not a patient man."
"I had no idea."
"If this is about the break-up, Potter, you're doing a mistake." The man said.
"Mark, if I was angry or sad about the break-up, you wouldn't have been here at the moment, but in a hospital with severe injuries." Potter growled darkly. "I have my reasons, and as far as I know you have nothing to do with them."
"But what about us?"
"What 'us'? I distinctly remember that you broke up with me earlier today." Potter's eyes were glowing dangerously.
"Come now Harry, that was a lovers quarrel. Everyone experience that now and then in a relationship." Mark didn't seam to notice that Potter had begun to growl like a lion, his green, unnatural eyes darkening to deep forest-green. "Give us one more chance. We could make it wo-" Mark didn't get further as Potter hit him. "What the fuck was that for!"
"I've two word for you Augustyn," Potter growled. The other man tried to edge towards the door without making it obvious. "Get out," it was said in a cold, calm voice that never meant good. Mark Augustyn ran. "Man, that felt good!" Potter seemed down right happy. Like his birthday, Christmas and the fall of the Dark Lord had just happened.
"I'm sure it did Potter," Severus snapped as he closed the closet door. "But can we start with the mission, or do you have other people you want to knock senseless?"
"That you were a spoilsport in school, Snape, I can take. But now you're just plain boring."
"I have always had serious doubts about your intelligence Potter, but now all my doubts are thrown out the window." Severus replied as he picked up the Bible again. "We have just established the fact that you are stupid." The vampire put the book back into the shelf, turned and found Potter sitting in the workroom. The previously blank computer was on, and Potter was typing something on the keyboard. "What are you doing?"
"Searching for info on the Internet. There must be something that can help us, at least put us on the right track."
"While you play with that thing, I'm going to check up on some friends of mine and actually do some real work."
"Suit yourself." Potter didn't even look away from the screen. And he was supposed to be a professional Slayer. How in heavens name had he managed to end up with a companion that one moment wanted to kill him and in the next didn't give damn about where he was going?
----------------------------
The next three days went by in the same way. Get up, watch Potter eat breakfast, get to work, and then return late at night, only to find Potter still sitting by that blasted machine. The first night the Slayer had told him that he could either take the couch or sleep on the floor, and then had transfigured a pillow into a blanket and gone off to bed. Severus had been severely tempted to kill the little brat while he was asleep, but didn't do it for two obvious reasons. One: The obnoxious idiot had probably set up strong wards and charms to keep safe. And two: As much as Severus hated to admit it, Potter was important for the mission.
Over the days the two of them learned to avoid each other when the other was in a foul mood, learned to look for some small tell-tale signs that could tell them in what kind of mood the other was in, and avoided speaking to each other if it wasn't completely necessary – that meaning that they were arguing every time they were in the same building, let alone in the same room.
----------------------------
Severus had just returned from another tour through the town tracking up old acquaintances. He had had to use his persuasion-skills – "I know quite a few vampires who would love to munch on your neck. Want me to call them?" – to get them to tell him where Malfoy was. So far all he had gotten hold off were addresses to several well known Death Eaters and the names of three dragondealers. Not to mention the plan to assassinate Fudge and some other politicians, and the truth about Victoria's Secret. In other words: nothing! Malfoy was gone into thin air, just like his wife. He was cranky, angry, mad, and could feel the bloodlust building up inside him. Another few days and he'd have to feed. Severus sank into one of the comfortable chairs, and planned to stay there for the rest of his life which might be a very long time. Suddenly Potter came out of the workroom, looking happy about something.
"Pack your coffin Snape," the Slayer said. "We're off to India."
"India? Why the hell are we going to India? Potter, if I might remind you, this is not a weekend trip!"
"Touchy." Potter said as he sat down into the chair opposite Severus. "I wasn't thinking about holidays either Snape, it might delight you to hear that I've found our first clue to get to Malfoy."
"And this clue is in India?"
"Of course, where else do you think is relatively safe from the Death Eaters? You know that they would never set foot in India. The wizards over there shoot first, and then ask questions later."
"Where exactly in India?" Severus asked.
"To a town called Gandhinagar. It's somewhere north in the land, if I remember correctly. The man's going to contact us when we get there." The young man jumped up and went to pack.
'Why do I have the feeling that this is not going to end good?' Severus sighed and slumped back into the chair. Definitely not good.
----------------------------
"How can you be so bloody cheery?" Snape asked. "We've just spent twelve hours on a Muggle plane where the service was terrible. And, not to mention, on commoners class even if we could've gotten first class seats! Don't forget the fact that we had to land in Paris and Rome to change planes. Why couldn't we just apparate and be done with it?"
Harry sighed as he found his green bag on the assembly line and picked it up, then they waited for Snape's bag to show up. Snape had been like this even before they had left LA, complaining over everything and anything between heaven and hell. Harry had had to shut the other man up several times under the trip to make sure that he didn't reveal anything significant.
"If I might remind you Snape, the commander said not to Floo around, he might as well have said that we couldn't apparate. You know that every European country has put up wards telling them when someone who isn't one of their own citizens apparate or disapparate's into or out of their country. And we would've attracted too much attention had we taken the first class." Harry replied. "As to why I'm so bloody cheerful, well, someone's got to be. And you don't seem too keen on the job." Snape growled and grabbed his bag as it finally came into sight.
The two of them left the airport, and stepped out onto the street. The air was filled with the smell of different spices, food, sweat and exhaust. Men called to each other, old cars tried to make their way through the mass, women were carrying baskets on their heads and kids in their arms, others were sitting behind a booth with bananas, coconuts and other fruits or vegetables.
The Slayer and the vampire were pushed around quite a bit as they made their way towards the hotel. They passed beggars so thin that they didn't even seem to throw a shadow, children ran past them laughing about something or other, sellers offered different jewellery or small statues with extreme detail carved out of wood. However the two of them ignored it all, and just kept on going. They had to get to the hotel before nightfall. Not even they were stupid, or brave, enough to walk around in India after dark. The rumour was that an old cult had appeared again, and everyone who resisted them would be found dead and beheaded by the next morning. Every single agent that had been sent here, or had already lived in India from before, was dead before the next full moon. The cult, or whatever it was, had ears and eyes everywhere, and even the Death Eaters steered clear of India at night.
"Where is that bloody thing?" the vampire growled.
"One more street then to the left." Harry replied automatically. God, the man could annoy the hell out of anyone. Someone must hate him enough to partner him with the ex-Potion Master. He could still remember the last time he had been at Hogwarts, three months after his own graduation.
********************
Harry put away the cloak into his locker, and took out his jacket. He had just returned from a two month long mission, and all he wanted to do was get back home and into bed. He closed and locked his locker, and headed for the door. Finally some time off!
"Yo, Potter!" Harry stopped dead in his tracks. There was no way that they were going to send him out again. That was just inhuman! "The commander wants you in his office ASAP!" Harry turned and glared murderously at the other man, who acted as though nothing had happened. "Now, Potter, not tomorrow!" the older man walked away quickly, perhaps too quickly.
Harry growled and headed for the commanders office. He ignored everyone he passed. How could the commander do this to him?! The old bugger had to know that Harry was back, or else he wouldn't have been called. Would be put into Azkaban for killing his own boss?
He suddenly found himself in front of the commanders office. Harry knocked and entered, only to find a group of other Phoenix Agents already there. the commander was standing in front of the huge window, looking out.
"Close the door Potter," the man said. Harry did what he was told, all the time keeping his insults to himself. The commander turned around and sat down behind his large mahogany desk. "There is one reason I have called you all here." He began. "Hogsmeade is under attack from a group of Death Eaters. And I want you to go there and kick their ass. Potter, usually I wouldn't have put you on a mission like this for two reasons. One: you're too young. And the other is that you don't have enough duelling experience out in the field. But one time has to be the first I suppose, and you are the only one of us in this room who knows the area around Hogwarts and Hogsmeade best. I want you to help Draven here come up with a useful plan once you get there, and try to keep the Death Eaters from reaching the school-grounds."
Harry nodded and followed the other five Agents out of the room and to the nearest Apparate Room, from there they apparated to the cave that Sirius had used as home in Harry's fourth year. The other Agents were already there waiting for him. Together they made their way to the first house and hid.
Harry looked around the house-wall, then quickly turned back again. Death Eaters were running all over the place, some dragging Hogsmeade residents out of their homes, others were burning down the Hogs Head. Children ran around trying to escape the spells that came their way, mothers tried to protect them. Fathers and everyone else who could were fighting the Death Eaters to the best of their abilities. Several homes were on fire.
"Calm down kid," the leader of the group, Draven, said putting a hand on his shoulder. "Remember to breathe. That's better. Now, do you know anything that can help us to get to Hogwarts?"
"Um, yeah, there's a secret tunnel in the Honeydukes that ends on the third floor of the school. There's also one in the Shrieking Shack, but it comes up right beside the Whomping Willow." Harry replied after taking a few calming breaths.
"Good. You'll take the one under Honeydukes and alert the Headmaster of our coming. Don't worry, the five of us can take them out in no time." Draven added when he saw Harry's concerned face. "Go, and be careful."
Harry obeyed. He used the few shadows to his advantage, and made his way towards the empty shop. He had to wait for a long time before he dared to cross the street. The Death Eaters had moved towards the Shrieking Shack, in other words towards the school-gates. Harry crouched low and ran as fast as possible over the street. He was in the middle of it when a Death Eater exited the Three Broomsticks and looked around. Harry threw himself on the ground and laid as still as possible, hardly daring to breathe. He had to keep himself from yelling in surprise as he came face to face with a chopped off head, the worst thing was that it has once belonged to a child. Dead, brown eyes stared at him. The Death Eater passed him by a couple of feet when he headed towards the rest of the group.
When Harry was sure that he was gone, he got up and sprinted to the safety of the shop in front of him, forgetting to lay low. He had had enough of that for a while. He hurried down the steps and into the safe darkness of the cellar. He fumbled around for a bit before he found the trapdoor. Harry closed it after himself, took out his wand and said 'Lumos'. The tip of his wand lit up in a blue, soft light. The young man hurried through the tunnel as fast as he dared to, sighing gratefully when he reached the other end. He climbed the short ladder and opened the hump of the one-eyed witch.
Harry got out as fast as possible, and closed the hump after himself. Then he headed towards the Headmasters office. He was met with the usual gargoyle that had been guarding the office last time he had been there, and probably would the next time he dropped by. Now there was the problem with the password.
"Um, Chocolate Frogs?" He tried. "Liquorice Wands? Ice Mice? Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans? Lemon Drop?" the gargoyle looked bored and yawned. 'Why me?' Harry thought to himself. "Ton-Tongue Toffee? Pumpkin Pasties? Drooble's Best Blowing Gum?" that did the trick. "Finally!" Harry muttered to himself and set off up the spiral staircase. He knocked on the door to Dumbledore's office and waited for the familiar 'Come in' before he entered.
The room was occupied by Dumbledore who sat behind his desk, Sirius and Remus, McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, Vector and about any other teacher in the whole school. They stared at him, then Sirius jumped up and drew him into a hug that could rival one of Hagrid's, the other teachers followed the Animagus' example. Some, like McGonagall, hugged him, others patted his back. Flitwick shook his hand as he was too small to hug him or pat his back. Harry noted that one thing was missing, but couldn't put his finger on it.
"So Harry," Dumbledore began when everyone had calmed down. "What brings you here?"
"Sir, the Death Eaters are attacking Hogsmeade, or were attacking. The Phoenix Agents have taken care of them…I hope. I just came here to deliver the message."
"Well, since you are already here, could you do something for me?" the old mage asked, and Harry nodded. "Professor Snape has been discovered as spy and the Death Eaters have him. He's kept in the Dark Lords fortress, cell 18, floor nr. 2 underground, left wing. I was wondering if the Order of the Phoenix could do something about it?"
"I don't know sir, but I'll ask as soon as I get back." That was what had been mission. There was no sarcastic Potion Master around to make fun of him or insult him. Harry turned and headed out of the door without a goodbye. It had become his tradition after fifth year. It sounded so much like he was leaving for good. The teachers of Hogwarts understood and didn't take offence.
"Take care!" he heard Sirius yell after him.
Harry met the Draven and the other four Agents outside the gates to Hogwarts, the Death Eaters lying bound and gagged on the ground beside them. The Agents hadn't gotten too many injuries. Draven himself only had a cut going from the corner of his eye to his chin. It was still bleeding, but nothing was dangerously hurt. The six of them apparated back to the HQ's with the Death Eaters. Harry parted with them at once, and headed towards the commanders office, he had a promise to keep.
********************
Harry sighed and collapsed onto his bed. The room wasn't big or nicely furnished, but it would do. Snape was looking around the room with disgust. There were two beds with one tiny table between them, on each side of the beds there was a decaying dresser, and that was it. Harry looked up as the other man dropped his belongings on the other bed.
"Next time, I'm choosing the hotel." The vampire stated.
Harry just shook his head, all they had to do now was wait.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you think?
----------------
AFRICAN NAMES:
Lencho: Lion
Nyoka: Snake
Tiaret: Lioness
ARABIC NAMES:
Khalil: friend
----------------
Thanks to:
Richan: Thanks and I hope you like it.
Naia: Thanks. Hope you like this part as well. When are you going to update your own story?
AtieJen: :::blush::: Thanks a lot!
M. Black: I'm glad you liked it, and be sure to wake BBw and your Muse soon so that you can carry on writing that story of yours. Sorry, I forgot its name, but it's really good.
Sev Rickman: Here's more. Hope you like!
Mistress Creasacre: The Bloodlust will make an appearance in the next chapter I believe. Is this soon enough?
lunatyme: No, he doesn't. He thinks that Harry's just a normal Muggle Slayer.
Tara-Chan: Snapey? Well that's a new one. I like it! Hope you like this chapter as well as the last one.
emma: Thanks, and here's more. Hope you like it.
Kas: What lines were you talking about? And I'm glad you liked it.
