TITLE: Connecting with old friends.
RATING: PG13 - Some imagery but nothing blatant.
KEYWORDS: BtVS/HP - HP/BtVS - WR/SS - SS/WR
SUMMARY: In response to a what-if suggestion by Jinnie - What if Snape was discovered as a spy. What would happen to him? What would he choose to do?
AUTHOR: Sarhea
EMAIL: sarhea2020@yahoo.com
DISCLAIMER: Major characters in this story are owned by their respective creators/companies. I do not make money off writing!!
NOTE: This is an AU. Canon until Willow goes Dark and recovers. Taking wide liberties at that point. The First thing doesn't destroy Sunnydale completely.
============================================================
Another Brit in Sunnydale
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Severus Snape shifted on booted feet warily before coming to a decision to enter The Magick Box.
He had spent three days getting to New York, and another two going cross country by Muggle airplane using connecting flights until he reached LA where he purchased a used car for cash and drove to Sunnydale. Suddenly he was glad he had taken the trouble to learn how to utilize Muggle methods. No one would consider Severus Snape would lower himself to travel by Muggle means.
There was a delicate chime as bells tinkled when he pushed the door open to enter on a remarkably complete occult store. It had a good selection of potions ingredients and tools any competent mage could use, as well as means Muggles utilized to amplify their fainter magickal gifts. There were neatly arranged shelves of books written and published by gray mages, among magic-for-Muggle books, as well as shelves of older volumes in a glass case behind the counter.
Seeing there was no one at behind the counter he focused on studying the inventory. A wonderful selection and variety of artifacts, books, and relics from different ages and countries. Most of them were real. There was even a vampire kit filled with stakes, vials of holy water, crosses and a Muggle toy water gun. A gag gift or not. He could sense the surprisingly dark negative aura of the town even in the day time. How did Muggles live here without going mad?
"Excuse me, can I help you?"
Severus Snape stifled the urge to yelp and forced his body to turn slowly.
A slim tiny, frail-looking redhead with white streaks from the widows peak stood in an almost concealed doorway near the back. She had a pale milk complexion matched with jewel hard green eyes that held a hint of darkness, of knowing.
"Can I help you?" She repeated.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Willow Rosenberg heard the tinkle signifying a customer had arrived. She had been in the back room unpacking inventory for shelving when the bells rang. Normally Anya would be doing this but Anya was dead, Giles busy in England doing Watchery stuff, Xander off on his recovery road trip drowning his sorrows, Spike dusted, Dawnie attending summer school... That left her alone to man the shop until Giles made other arrangements.
As Ahn always said, Paying customers are good customers. Willow forced herself to go to the front of the Magick Box.
A tall man with long shoulder length black hair was examining the inventory minutely muttering comments under his breath. There was an aura of power about him that told Willow he was a serious practitioner of the Craft, the real thing. The aura of mystery was enhanced by the complete somber dark apparel he wore - black dress pants, and boots with a charcoal gray sports jacket.
It must be stifling in this heat.
"Excuse me, can I help you?"
He turned slowly placing down an Orb of Thessulah he was studying. He had nice hands; long elegant, slim fingered, precise. Willow wondered what it would feel like to be touched by them. She pushed the errant thought aside. She was not in the game for a new lover. Her relationship with Kennedy had faltered under the strain and broken. The Slayer had chosen to travel to Boston instead of remaining in Sunnydale. They had parted with no hard feelings but it still hurt. Just like Oz leaving her saying he needed to find himself.
The stranger was definitely not handsome. His features were too harsh, too strong, jaggedly put together making his face a mixture of planes, sharp edges and angles. His nose was overly large and slightly crooked, probably broken more than once in the past. His lips were thin pressed tight as though in tension or pain. He had reached for his sleeve before catching himself. Probably hiding a stake. Willow couldn't fault him for the caution. What struck her most was the eyes - they were pools of black sorrow and self-loathing. She had seen eyes like that after she went crazy and tried to end the world. True he was much older than her, in his thirties, but she couldn't believe a human being would have valid reason for such self-hatred. His lack of care in his personal appearance showed in his limp hair that hung about his face. It would be better if he cut his hair short or let it grow long enough to be tied back. Willow was shocked at her thoughts. I'm turning into Cordelia. Mentally she shook her
head.
"Can I help you?" She asked in a forcibly perky voice.
"I'm looking for an old friend of mine, Rip--. Rupert Giles?" He corrected himself.
Ripper? Crisp English accent?
Willow backed away from him.
"I don't know who you are but if you are looking for Ripper you are in the wrong place buster." She held out a hand. "Stay away from me." She warned him.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Can I help you?"
Snape frowned internally.
"I'm looking for an old friend of mine, Rip--," Snape caught himself. Wouldn't do to blow old Ripper's cover, "Rupert Giles?"
The red-haired Muggle backed away from him. What was wrong?"
"I don't know who you are but if you are looking for Ripper you are in the wrong place buster." She held out a hand warningly. "Stay away from me." She told him.
Snape stopped abruptly in disbelief at what his senses were telling him. This girl had power. Sparks of energy danced from her fingertips. He could see the building maelstrom in her darkening green eyes. He had to calm her down. Swiftly he put out both hands palms down, where she could see them.
"Please calm down Miss. My name is Severus Snape. I'm an old friend of Rupert Giles. We lost touch over the years but I found out he had opened an occult store in Sunnydale."
The redhead shook her head wildly, tendrils of red flying about her face.
"Nuh-ah. Last time an English friend of Giles came visiting he turned us into our Halloween costumes." She told him crisply levitating a letter opener over her hands. Wandless magick. Sweet Merlin, she had to be damn powerful to do that! "The second time Ethan Raynes came to town he nearly killed all of us by transferring that Egyhon tattoo to Buffy."
"Egyhon?! That's demonic magick. Forbidden!" Snape was aghast. What had Ripper gotten himself into.
She stopped. The aura of power subsiding. "You don't do that?" She brightened. "That's good. Very good. Sorry about that but too many of Giles old friends nearly killed me." She smiled as she picked the letter opener out of mid air and approached him on foot. "My name is Willow Rosenberg. I look after the Magick Box for Giles." A sad light came into her eyes. "Anya used to run the place but she died. Then Giles had to leave and I'm the only one here now."
Damnit. He eyed her speculatively. She knew about Ripper's dark past and was a more than capable witch. Perhaps she could help.
"My name is Severus Snape. I'm an old friend of Rupert's from England."
The redhead smiled. "So you told me. Besides, you Brits have a distinctive accent."
Snape had to control the urge to blush. "Yes, well, I need to contact Rupert. Things have been spinning out of control in England."
Willow stared at him knowingly. "Is it the Watchers? I know most Watchers are pigheaded idiots but when the entire Council has been killed by the First, surely the survivors would be more open to a new approach, even if it is against tradition." She huffed in exasperation shaking her head.
"Watchers?" What had Ripper gotten mixed up in? "No, it's not the Watchers Miss Rosenberg."
"Call me Willow." She corrected him quickly. "What is it then?" She asked curious.
Snape tensed. Should he or shouldn't he involve someone so young? What could she know? How could she help him?
Willow stared at him exasperated. She'd had the same reaction from all of Giles old friends. None of them could believe the reports he made to the Council.
"My name is Willow Rosenberg." She snapped sharply. "I am the witch that ran with Slayer Buffy Summers, the one who fired the Council when they tried to kill her." She clarified acidly. "I helped her avert five Apocalyptic Prophecies in high school alone. A bunch of us helped her stop the Mayor of Sunnydale from Ascending to first-class demonhood. I resouled a vampire when I was a teenager and recently fought off a Hell-Goddess intent on ripping this reality apart!
"I brought Buffy back after she was three months in the grave and I nearly destroyed this planet when an idiot killed my lover. Then I killed the said idiot by flaying his skin off alive. Does that help reassure you of my qualifications?" Willow allowed the power to rise within. The darkness had been purified, refined, distilled, vaporized from recent events. Her eyes turned into glowing pools of white sparking energy.
Snape's eyes widened. This was the witch even Voldemort was afraid to approach? The Dark Lord had wanted her to accept the Mark but after hearing of her exploits and actions Tom Riddle decided discretion was the better part of valor. Seeing her in person Severus could understand him.
"Yes. I believe it does." He spoke in a faint voice.
The energy receded leaving behind bright green eyes. She smiled cheerfully up at him.
"Good. I'm glad you believe me. Now how can I help you?" She frowned at him. "You look really pale. Do you want some tea? Giles always feels better after he has some tea. He'd make tea on Sunday nights when we did research to avert the Apocalypse scheduled for Tuesday."
Snape had to restrain the insane urge to laugh at this pixie's innocent babbling.
"Yes Miss Rosenberg, I would like some tea. Lemon with one lump."
"Please call me Willow." Willow smiled up at him as she went to the front to lock the door and flip the sign to closed. "Come on in. Giles always has a tea tray in his office in the back."
TBC...
============================================================
Please read and review. (sarhea2020@yahoo.com)
Raves and constructive criticism please.
Flames will be ignored.
Cheers!
Sarhea
RATING: PG13 - Some imagery but nothing blatant.
KEYWORDS: BtVS/HP - HP/BtVS - WR/SS - SS/WR
SUMMARY: In response to a what-if suggestion by Jinnie - What if Snape was discovered as a spy. What would happen to him? What would he choose to do?
AUTHOR: Sarhea
EMAIL: sarhea2020@yahoo.com
DISCLAIMER: Major characters in this story are owned by their respective creators/companies. I do not make money off writing!!
NOTE: This is an AU. Canon until Willow goes Dark and recovers. Taking wide liberties at that point. The First thing doesn't destroy Sunnydale completely.
============================================================
Another Brit in Sunnydale
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Severus Snape shifted on booted feet warily before coming to a decision to enter The Magick Box.
He had spent three days getting to New York, and another two going cross country by Muggle airplane using connecting flights until he reached LA where he purchased a used car for cash and drove to Sunnydale. Suddenly he was glad he had taken the trouble to learn how to utilize Muggle methods. No one would consider Severus Snape would lower himself to travel by Muggle means.
There was a delicate chime as bells tinkled when he pushed the door open to enter on a remarkably complete occult store. It had a good selection of potions ingredients and tools any competent mage could use, as well as means Muggles utilized to amplify their fainter magickal gifts. There were neatly arranged shelves of books written and published by gray mages, among magic-for-Muggle books, as well as shelves of older volumes in a glass case behind the counter.
Seeing there was no one at behind the counter he focused on studying the inventory. A wonderful selection and variety of artifacts, books, and relics from different ages and countries. Most of them were real. There was even a vampire kit filled with stakes, vials of holy water, crosses and a Muggle toy water gun. A gag gift or not. He could sense the surprisingly dark negative aura of the town even in the day time. How did Muggles live here without going mad?
"Excuse me, can I help you?"
Severus Snape stifled the urge to yelp and forced his body to turn slowly.
A slim tiny, frail-looking redhead with white streaks from the widows peak stood in an almost concealed doorway near the back. She had a pale milk complexion matched with jewel hard green eyes that held a hint of darkness, of knowing.
"Can I help you?" She repeated.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Willow Rosenberg heard the tinkle signifying a customer had arrived. She had been in the back room unpacking inventory for shelving when the bells rang. Normally Anya would be doing this but Anya was dead, Giles busy in England doing Watchery stuff, Xander off on his recovery road trip drowning his sorrows, Spike dusted, Dawnie attending summer school... That left her alone to man the shop until Giles made other arrangements.
As Ahn always said, Paying customers are good customers. Willow forced herself to go to the front of the Magick Box.
A tall man with long shoulder length black hair was examining the inventory minutely muttering comments under his breath. There was an aura of power about him that told Willow he was a serious practitioner of the Craft, the real thing. The aura of mystery was enhanced by the complete somber dark apparel he wore - black dress pants, and boots with a charcoal gray sports jacket.
It must be stifling in this heat.
"Excuse me, can I help you?"
He turned slowly placing down an Orb of Thessulah he was studying. He had nice hands; long elegant, slim fingered, precise. Willow wondered what it would feel like to be touched by them. She pushed the errant thought aside. She was not in the game for a new lover. Her relationship with Kennedy had faltered under the strain and broken. The Slayer had chosen to travel to Boston instead of remaining in Sunnydale. They had parted with no hard feelings but it still hurt. Just like Oz leaving her saying he needed to find himself.
The stranger was definitely not handsome. His features were too harsh, too strong, jaggedly put together making his face a mixture of planes, sharp edges and angles. His nose was overly large and slightly crooked, probably broken more than once in the past. His lips were thin pressed tight as though in tension or pain. He had reached for his sleeve before catching himself. Probably hiding a stake. Willow couldn't fault him for the caution. What struck her most was the eyes - they were pools of black sorrow and self-loathing. She had seen eyes like that after she went crazy and tried to end the world. True he was much older than her, in his thirties, but she couldn't believe a human being would have valid reason for such self-hatred. His lack of care in his personal appearance showed in his limp hair that hung about his face. It would be better if he cut his hair short or let it grow long enough to be tied back. Willow was shocked at her thoughts. I'm turning into Cordelia. Mentally she shook her
head.
"Can I help you?" She asked in a forcibly perky voice.
"I'm looking for an old friend of mine, Rip--. Rupert Giles?" He corrected himself.
Ripper? Crisp English accent?
Willow backed away from him.
"I don't know who you are but if you are looking for Ripper you are in the wrong place buster." She held out a hand. "Stay away from me." She warned him.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Can I help you?"
Snape frowned internally.
"I'm looking for an old friend of mine, Rip--," Snape caught himself. Wouldn't do to blow old Ripper's cover, "Rupert Giles?"
The red-haired Muggle backed away from him. What was wrong?"
"I don't know who you are but if you are looking for Ripper you are in the wrong place buster." She held out a hand warningly. "Stay away from me." She told him.
Snape stopped abruptly in disbelief at what his senses were telling him. This girl had power. Sparks of energy danced from her fingertips. He could see the building maelstrom in her darkening green eyes. He had to calm her down. Swiftly he put out both hands palms down, where she could see them.
"Please calm down Miss. My name is Severus Snape. I'm an old friend of Rupert Giles. We lost touch over the years but I found out he had opened an occult store in Sunnydale."
The redhead shook her head wildly, tendrils of red flying about her face.
"Nuh-ah. Last time an English friend of Giles came visiting he turned us into our Halloween costumes." She told him crisply levitating a letter opener over her hands. Wandless magick. Sweet Merlin, she had to be damn powerful to do that! "The second time Ethan Raynes came to town he nearly killed all of us by transferring that Egyhon tattoo to Buffy."
"Egyhon?! That's demonic magick. Forbidden!" Snape was aghast. What had Ripper gotten himself into.
She stopped. The aura of power subsiding. "You don't do that?" She brightened. "That's good. Very good. Sorry about that but too many of Giles old friends nearly killed me." She smiled as she picked the letter opener out of mid air and approached him on foot. "My name is Willow Rosenberg. I look after the Magick Box for Giles." A sad light came into her eyes. "Anya used to run the place but she died. Then Giles had to leave and I'm the only one here now."
Damnit. He eyed her speculatively. She knew about Ripper's dark past and was a more than capable witch. Perhaps she could help.
"My name is Severus Snape. I'm an old friend of Rupert's from England."
The redhead smiled. "So you told me. Besides, you Brits have a distinctive accent."
Snape had to control the urge to blush. "Yes, well, I need to contact Rupert. Things have been spinning out of control in England."
Willow stared at him knowingly. "Is it the Watchers? I know most Watchers are pigheaded idiots but when the entire Council has been killed by the First, surely the survivors would be more open to a new approach, even if it is against tradition." She huffed in exasperation shaking her head.
"Watchers?" What had Ripper gotten mixed up in? "No, it's not the Watchers Miss Rosenberg."
"Call me Willow." She corrected him quickly. "What is it then?" She asked curious.
Snape tensed. Should he or shouldn't he involve someone so young? What could she know? How could she help him?
Willow stared at him exasperated. She'd had the same reaction from all of Giles old friends. None of them could believe the reports he made to the Council.
"My name is Willow Rosenberg." She snapped sharply. "I am the witch that ran with Slayer Buffy Summers, the one who fired the Council when they tried to kill her." She clarified acidly. "I helped her avert five Apocalyptic Prophecies in high school alone. A bunch of us helped her stop the Mayor of Sunnydale from Ascending to first-class demonhood. I resouled a vampire when I was a teenager and recently fought off a Hell-Goddess intent on ripping this reality apart!
"I brought Buffy back after she was three months in the grave and I nearly destroyed this planet when an idiot killed my lover. Then I killed the said idiot by flaying his skin off alive. Does that help reassure you of my qualifications?" Willow allowed the power to rise within. The darkness had been purified, refined, distilled, vaporized from recent events. Her eyes turned into glowing pools of white sparking energy.
Snape's eyes widened. This was the witch even Voldemort was afraid to approach? The Dark Lord had wanted her to accept the Mark but after hearing of her exploits and actions Tom Riddle decided discretion was the better part of valor. Seeing her in person Severus could understand him.
"Yes. I believe it does." He spoke in a faint voice.
The energy receded leaving behind bright green eyes. She smiled cheerfully up at him.
"Good. I'm glad you believe me. Now how can I help you?" She frowned at him. "You look really pale. Do you want some tea? Giles always feels better after he has some tea. He'd make tea on Sunday nights when we did research to avert the Apocalypse scheduled for Tuesday."
Snape had to restrain the insane urge to laugh at this pixie's innocent babbling.
"Yes Miss Rosenberg, I would like some tea. Lemon with one lump."
"Please call me Willow." Willow smiled up at him as she went to the front to lock the door and flip the sign to closed. "Come on in. Giles always has a tea tray in his office in the back."
TBC...
============================================================
Please read and review. (sarhea2020@yahoo.com)
Raves and constructive criticism please.
Flames will be ignored.
Cheers!
Sarhea