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.
============================================================
Meeting Willow
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hermione Granger bit her lip as she concentrated on studying her notes. She had done a great deal of research over the summer and failed to turn up anything that could help the Order.
She glanced at Ron Weasley who was discussing something with Harry Potter. She heard the tail end of their conversation.
"It was so bloody neat. It looked like something Muggle but it is not."
"What are you talking about Ron?" Hermione asked sharply.
Ron turned to his female best friend. "What? Oh yeah. I was telling Harry about the rumors."
"What rumors?"
Ron was aggrieved. "If you were listening to me instead of burying your nose--."
"Ron!!" Hermione's growl was enough to make Ron spill it.
"There are a pair of bikers. You know, like from the Muggle movie. Only thing is their bikes can really fly! It is so cool, like a broom but not."
Hermione frowned. "You mean like Hagrid's bike? Or your dad's car?"
Ron shook his head vigorously. "No! That's the beauty of it. It looks like a Muggle bike out of a science fiction movie you made us see. Blade Runner. A hover bike of some kind."
Hermione's eyes widened in shock. "Muggles scientist made a machine that can float?!"
Ron became exasperated. "No Hermione! A pair of wizards made something that work like broomsticks but look like Muggle movie bikes; but without the wheels."
Hermione pushed a parchment and quill in Ron's hands. "Draw. And tell me what you know."
Ron obeyed and started sketching while he talked.
"The rumors came from Diagon Alley. A pair of bikers running loose and wild in the more seedy parts of London. The ones which even Dark Wizards avoid. The ones that are demon tainted." Hermione reflexively made the sign of the cross. "They've been on a killing spree. A pair of honest to Merlin demon hunters. Real Battle mages." His voice held awe and envy.
"Battle mages?" Hermione was unfamiliar with the term.
"Battle mages are wizards out of legend." Ron explained with relish. "I haven't heard of any real Battle mages in the past four centuries. The only way to become one is to kill a certain number of demons in combat. Most witches and wizards have more sense than to go demon summoning but long ago, when demons roamed the Earth, Battle mages were more common - they were demon hunters and fighters of Evil."
"Don't Aurors do that?" Harry was confused as well.
Ron's expression was scornful. "Aurors wouldn't last a second against a real high level demon. A powerful demon is a creature of magic and practically immune to an average Auror's spells."
"So Battle mages are specialized Aurors who can fight demons." Hermione surmised.
"Yup." Ron answered. "The two in Diagon Alley had to be one. Dad told Mum several Muggles had to be Obliviated because they saw a pair dressed in black take out a nest of vampires and two sixth-level demons." Awe and hero-worship. "The Aurors got on the scene to sanitize the place." He saw their looks of confusion. "Some demons die very messily. Lots of goo and slime that can be used in some nasty Dark Magic if it is not disposed of properly."
He handed Hermione his sketch. A sleek looking device obviously based on a motorbike in its smooth powerful lines but with no wheels.
"Bill caught a glimpse of it when he was in London. He said it floats, hovers like someone used a Wingardium Leviosa charm on it, but it can move faster than any broomstick. The Aurors charms didn't do anything. They just bounced off. Some really high level spell shielding."
He suddenly realized he had lost the attention of his two friends.
"Hey, aren't you guys listening to me?"
"Ron?"
"Yes Harry?"
"Is that what Bill saw?"
Ron glanced in the direction Harry pointed and saw what his friends were looking at.
A pair of sleek looking hover bikes zipping across the country side over and around obstacles with equal ease, the riders bending low over the machines to reduce resistance.
Both riders were dressed in tight fitting outfits with the details obscured by the distance that was rapidly decreasing. The bikes approached at break neck speed towards the trio until both riders abruptly pulled back on the machine and came to a precise stop in the dale below the Trio.
The devices hovered for a moment before floating to the ground silently. The larger rider straightened and slipped off using a casual economy of motion. His knee length split leather duster flared revealing the tight black jeans he wore underneath and knee high steel-reinforced combat boots. Black gloved hands removed the black opaque helmet and he shook his head vigorously to allow shoulder length black hair to fall in a casual disarray around his pale arrogant visage.
Potion Master Severus Snape.
He set the helmet on the saddle while he removed his black leather gloves and tucked them into his duster pocket before reaching out to his companion.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Greasy git Snape is a Battle Mage?" Ron could barely squeak the words in a whisper.
"Shut up Ron." Hermione hissed her eyes glued to the tableau below.
Snape couldn't restrain the smile that curved his lips as he held out a hand for his companion to dismount in a graceful fluid motion.
She removed her red helmet and set it on the saddle of her bike before setting out to undo the braid of auburn hair streaked with white until it rested down her back and around her face in a manner very similar to her companion. Her face was pale and composed; the placidness belied by bright green lively eyes.
"Thank you Severus."
The redhead was dressed in stone washed blue jeans and black Doc Martins with a hip-length brown leather jacket and green leather gloves that were pulled off and slipped into her jacket before she reached out to wrap her arms around her companion's neck to bring his head down.
Without a second's thought Willow Rosenberg kissed her lover, Severus Snape, with the passion, adrenaline, heat, and joy that racing always brought to the surface.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron watched and goggled as their Potions professor was thoroughly snogged by a pretty red head, not much older than them but much younger than him, in her twenties.
"I've wanted to do that since we left Hogsmeade." She told him with teasing confidence.
"Oh really?" He replied in mock serious tones. "I never would have guessed."
"I know." She answered just as blandly. "You can be really dense when it comes to romance. Not that I'm a femme fatale, but I think I am more in touch with my softer emotions."
"And have been burned by it."
Her smile was faintly wistful as she reached out to stroke his cheek gently.
"But it was worth it. It is worth it. You are worth any pain I may feel in the future Sev." Her smile lightened. "Not that I'm planning on pain mind you. I'm more interested in dealing it out to a few deserving individuals."
"You mean Voldemort?" Snape spoke lightly.
"Him. And the ones who tortured you." Her hand wandered down to stroke his back and arm through the leather duster. "Torturing someone for information is one thing, torturing for pleasure is another. I had enough of that with Angelus and you know what I did to him."
Snape couldn't restrain the urge to laugh. An honest-to-goodness belly laugh. He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled the side of her neck.
"That's my Willow. I am so curious... What House would the Hat put you?"
"Would you care Sev?" She asked him lightly running one hand through his hair, wrapping the other around the forearm around her. "Would it matter if I were in that... Lion? Griffin?"
"Gryffindor."
"Would it matter?"
Snape kissed her long and lingeringly before lifting his head to look down into her eyes.
He could see the need for reassurance and the words. She had always given without restraint to others. He still couldn't believe she had given her love to him. She had pushed, pulled, prodded and probed. She cajoled, threatened and coaxed him into talking. She was confessor, friend, lover all in one.
In the weeks after their initial meeting she had insisted he needed to heal and had taken him to LA where he met other souls such as he. Souls that had strayed from the path and struggled to find their way into the Light. Some transgressions were minor others weren't. But there were transgressions the individuals felt they had to pay for. Wesley, Charles, Angel, Faith, Lindsey, Connor. Willow shared her past and sorrows along with the joy and love with him.
And there were individuals who accepted him as he was. Who gave him a true understanding of what others saw. People who helped him adjust to his new life in California. Fred, Cordelia, Lorne.
He found a new calling and hope in LA; one that made him believe there was forgiveness at the end of the road for everyone and to truly repay his debt he had to give everything he had. Hoarding his soul and love would not help in the long run.
Willow saw his answer in onyx black eyes before he spoke it.
"No. It wouldn't matter dear heart."
Hermione had to restrict the urge to look away. There was so much emotion, so much love. It made her feel as though she were intruding in a private moment.
The redhead, Willow, reached up and brushed her fingertips over his lips before standing on tiptoe to kiss him again. This kiss was much more intense and involved than the one before and, from everyones view, headed for the bedroom.
A gentle cough interrupted the amorous couple.
She was flushed, panting, eyes dilated from passion, mouth red, slick and slightly swollen.
He was more composed but his thin lips were reddened and there was a faint flush visible against his normal pallor.
Albus Dumbledore eyed the couple standing before him practically wrapped in each other. He had seen several couples like this in his past and would more than likely see many more in the future... But this passion, the heat, the love between these two was incredible. Feeling magnanimous Dumbledore decided not to embarrass Severus about his girlfriend.
"Welcome back Severus, I hope your trip was successful." There was a hint of question and hope in his voice. The Dark Lord was moving heavily without haste or caution. The time for action was at hand but the Order was in the weaker position and the Ministry unprepared. "Though I am concerned about your presence in Britain. Are you sure it is safe for you?"
He was intrigued by the faint smile crossing the younger wizard's face.
"Most definitely Albus."
The dark haired wizard glanced down at the redheaded witch who nodded slightly. A definite partnership. Most intriguing for Severus who preferred solo-work.
Snape unbuttoned and slipped off black leather duster and tossed it on the bike behind him to reveal a hunter green silk shirt with a long frock-style black tunic vest. He unbuttoned the cuff of his left sleeve and pushed the silken material back to reveal a pale unblemished forearm.
Dumbledore's blue eyes widened. The Trio watched in shock. The Dark Mark was gone.
Dumbledore reached out with a trembling hand to examine the limb. He pulled out his wand and cast a series of diagnosing charms and sensor spells.
"The Dark Mark... It is gone." Blue eyes were intent. "How? Can the process be duplicated?"
Snape smiled proudly caressing the red hair of his companion.
"Albus, meet Willow Rosenberg. Willow, this is Albus Dumbledore."
"Your boss?" Willow stifled a giggle seeing the look of impatience on the bearded one's face. "I think he's really impatient for an answer." So Snape gave him one.
"Willow is the one who removed the Dark Mark." Snape explained to the Headmaster. "I don't think the process can be duplicated. Anyone else would be consumed channeling the power."
"Why?" Dumbledore was patently baffled.
Willow smiled and allowed the walls to fall. Her green eyes turned milky white sparking bolts.
"The Slayer's Witch." Dumbledore's sharp mind began putting the pieces together. "You went to the Slayer for help, didn't you Severus?"
The Slayer's who? The Dream Team was confused.
"Not precisely no." Snape demurred with a smug smile. "I went to the Slayer's Watcher. I met Willow there. I didn't know Ripper is currently in England."
Willow took pity on confused Dumbledore and expanded. "Giles is trying to reform the Watcher's Council. The First Evil killed the ruling members and scattered the Watchers. I had to activate all the potential Slayers of age to help us win that battle. Result: lots of Slayers and few Watchers. Giles is one of the few older ones alive so he came here to take control. I stayed in Sunnydale to look after things when Severus came looking for Giles's help."
Dumbledore's eyes widened. "Rupert Giles is the new head for the Council of Watchers?!"
"Yes. Do you know him?" Willow asked with a smile.
"I heard a lot about him and his friends. They were quite good at keeping Muggles ignorant of magic without using Obliviates." Dumbledore admitted. "I tried approaching Quentin Travers about an alliance but he refused."
Willow snorted. "Well Mr. Pompous is dead and as far as I'm concerned it is all for the best. That ass tried to kill us way too many times because we were too good and didn't kiss ass." Her voice raised to a shrill peak. "He ordered Giles to put Buffy through the Cruciatum! And he refused to give us the information to go after Glory! As far as I'm concerned death is too good for him. I hope he's roasting in a Hell dimension." She added viciously.
Dumbledore's eyes widened at this litany.
Snape caressed the red hair of his lover nestling against his side and bent down to brush a kiss against her forehead.
"Albus? Is that DADA position still open? I believe Willow is perfect for the job."
Willow frowned. "Are you sure Sev? You've been angling for it since forever. I don't want you to feel you have to give it up since I've got a wider range of experience dealing with big bads you know. Most of my high school experience is theoretical. Doing research for Giles so Buffy would know how to do the big bad in."
"And that is precisely what the students need to learn." Snape pointed out. "They seem to believe an Auror's job is all battle and glory. They have to learn it takes a lot of effort to do the research, spying, preparations, and setting up for a battle."
"And making unpleasant alliances and compromises." Willow pointed out. "Buffy made a deal with Spike when Angelus was about to open a Hell-dimension portal using Athalca. She let him and Drucilla leave town if he helped her against Angelus."
"And alliances." Snape concurred.
"Perhaps we could share." Willow pointed excitedly. "A joint course and swap lecture days. A lot of banishing spells involve some sort of potion and spell. Most herbs have protective properties and when used in combination they augment each other to work for non-magicky people."
Dumbledore stared at the redhead with a peculiar look. He glanced at Snape who was listening to her babble on the possibilities for field trips and more interesting DADA topics she could teach.
Finally Snape cut her off by kissing her long and thoroughly. By the time he lifted his head Willow had lost her train of thoughts. She frowned at him. "You did that deliberately."
"You would have babbled on and Albus isn't used to Willow-babble just yet." Snape teased. Willow pouted. A slim white finger traced the full lower lip....
Dumbledore coughed discreetly. Willow jumped. Snape pulled his impassive mask on.
"That is a wonderful idea Miss Rosenberg." Dumbledore beamed benignly. "I'm sure the other staff would love to discuss the possibility of swapping lectures classes to incorporate their material into DADA lessons." He glanced slyly at them. "Are you interested in accepting the position?"
"What?! Of course. And please call me Willow."
"Good. Good. Call me Albus Willow, all the staff do." Dumbledore tucked his hands inside his capacious sleeves and smiled blandly at the couple. "Should I arrange for a separate suite for Miss Rosenberg or will she be sharing yours Severus?"
"Albus!" Willow blushed.
Snape merely raised a slim brow.
"The House Elves can open the floor above mine."
Dumbledore glanced Willow speculatively hiding his glee.
"Why, congratulations my dear. I didn't realize."
"What? Realize what?" Willow was confused.
"Albus!" Severus growled.
"What does he mean Sev?" He refused to answer. "Albus!" A threatening growl.
"Why, Serpens Tower has been the traditional residence for the Head of Slytherin House and his family." Dumbledore explained beaming. "Severus has only used one floor until now."
Willow noticed the twinkling blue eyes. "I am not pregnant." She growled. "I'm not planning on getting pregnant until I kick Voldie's ass into a Hell dimension; preferably Hell itself."
"I'm glad to hear it Willow. It would not set a good example for the students. I mean an unmarried teacher having a baby." Dumbledore responded blandly.
Snape simply sighed. "Ignore Albus. When he gets into these moods anything you do or say will be twisted beyond comprehension."
Willow studied the grand fatherly Headmaster with his benign smiling visage. A wicked smirk crossed her face. She reached out to hug him.
"I think I'm going to like you. You are like Spike. But you aren't a vampire."
"Vampire?" Dumbledore was confused. "I thought Spike was an enemy."
"He was." Willow looped her arm through Snape's. "Until he got chipped." She made a brief gesture and her hover bike shrank into a palm sized model that she slipped into her jacket.
Snape picked his jacket up and slipped it on before mimicking her actions to shrink his hover bike and pocketing it. Dumbledore looked on their actions with interest.
"Interesting contraptions. Machine and Magick. Working in tandem."
Willow looked surprised. "What? Oh the bikes?! They were custom built by a few friends. Sev and I developed a few spells to enchant them."
"And you used wandless magic." Dumbledore spoke neutrally hiding his glee.
Snape smiled slowly. "It is the only way to go Albus." He made a brief gesture drawing a complex symbol in mid air. A strong breeze ripped through the vale and swirled around the Headmaster.
Dumbledore's eyes widened as he witnessed this bit of elemental magic.
"How?"
"Willow taught me." Snape admitted. "She's been practicing wandless magic since she was a teen. She never saw a wand before we met."
Willow wrinkled her nose. "I didn't believe Sev when he said he needed a bit of wood to do magic. I mean it is so inefficient. What if you were in a fight and you lost it? Or it got broken? Or both hands are busy trying to keep a demon from tearing your head off?"
Snape smiled proudly and wrapped his arm around the witch. "She reminded me about my own feelings about wand magic."
"You call it silly hand waving." Dumbledore said slowly.
"Yes." Snape acknowledged dropping a kiss on top of Willow's head. "She reminded me I do not need a wand to mix powerful potions. My magic is infused through the materials I handle and my own actions. Wandless magic is another form of action; action of the mind and body that influences the energy fields directly. I'm not as good as Willow--."
"Stuff it Sev." Willow spoke to Dumbledore. "He is as good as me when I left high school. As we practice together we will only become stronger. Wiccan magic is based on group consensus and power sharing - a synergistic principle that means the sum is greater than the parts. Sev has been practicing for just two months and he is good. He has developed his own style combining wand magic and wiccan lore."
Dumbledore was fascinated by this theology.
"Do you think you can teach wandless magic to others?"
Willow frowned. "I'm not sure. It depends on the person. To truly comprehend Wicca requires a great deal of personal sacrifice. Old beliefs must be discarded, your faith will be tested, you will need to reach out and trust in the higher powers. Wicca calls on the Old Gods. Naming them gives power and influence. Once you've progressed past a certain point the rituals become part of you heart and soul, blood and bone. You don't need to call on the Gods because they rest within you. To reach that point requires time or experience."
Snape saw she was slightly disturbed by the Headmaster's request. "I gained that experience by going out almost every night I was in California Albus; I've spent the past month as a demon hunter. There is a group in LA that works for the Higher Powers and they needed a mage or two since their own was injured and unable to do field work. I don't think you want to throw Mr. Potter and his sidekicks against demons simply to gain experience."
Dumbledore frowned. No, he didn't want to do that.
"Then what do you suggest Severus?"
"Let Willow teach them. I doubt they'll listen to her when they find out about our relationship but it is our best option."
"Don't you dare put yourself down Sev." Willow interrupted fiercely. "Love is a rare thing to people who fight on the front lines. Don't you dare suggest we hide it simply to spare a few spoilt brats feelings."
"Hush Willow." Snape bent down and brushed a kiss against her temple. She leaned against him and wrapped her arm around his waist burying her face against his chest.
"I am not ashamed of you, of us." Willow continued in muffled tones. "If they want to learn they will listen to me and listen good. I don't give a damn what they think or say about us. I've had enough of that from my high school years."
Snape couldn't say anything so he settled for hugging her.
Dumbledore waited for the turbulent emotions to calm before speaking.
"Very well. That is settled."
"No! It's not settled!" Willow yelped pulling free from Snape. "We came early because we wanted to ask a favor Albus." She glanced at Snape who smiled.
"Albus, would you preside over our hand fasting?"
"It's not a big deal." Willow babbled. "Just a small ceremony. Maybe just the staff and Giles if he has the time to spare? I don't want anyone thinking this is just temporary cause it isn't."
Dumbledore blinked rapidly to stop the tears.
"I would be honored my dear." He glanced at the dark haired wizard. "Do you have a date or time in mind?"
"A Saturday morning before the term starts is good." Snape suggested.
Blue eyes brightened as he bustled off making plans.
"I wonder if Rosemerta would be willing to rent the Three Broomsticks out."
"Albus!" Willow wailed seeing her small private ceremony was expanding beyond control.
"Just for the reception my dear." Dumbledore called back.
Willow stared at the older wizard helplessly. She looked up at her partner, husband-to-be.
"Is he always like that?"
Snape laughed wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Always. Come on Willow! You have to experience Hogwarts to believe it."
With that Severus Snape led his fiancee towards the castle, behind the beaming Headmaster whose mind was already full of plans and the children he could see running up and down the halls of Hogwarts. Powerful intelligent children with bright red or long black hair, and laughing green or solemn secretive black eyes.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Harry, Ron and Hermione watched in shock, awe and speculation.
"She's going to be the coolest teacher. Even if she is shagging and marrying Snape." Ron mused.
"And her knowledge!" Hermione pointed out. "She is a wandless witch. She did what no other mage could do! She removed a Dark Mark. And did you hear what she was talking about? She must have seen and done so much fighting with a Slayer. Her ideas about cross course independent study projects is most intriguing. I mean it is like getting a specialist to lecture on certain aspects."
Harry could only focus on one thing.
"She said she's going to kill Voldemort. Kick his ass to a Hell dimension." A wide smile spread across his face. "And you know what? I think she's gonna do just that."
Ron nodded vigorously. "Next year is gonna be so cool. How much do you wanna bet HWSNBN is going to die before the school year is out?"
Harry snorted. "I'm not taking that bet." He smiled slyly. "How much do you wanna bet Voldemort is gonna be dead before Christmas?"
"Christmas? Naw." Ron scoffed. "I'd lay ten knuts on Easter."
"Ron! You shouldn't gamble." Hermione scolded half heartedly. Her mind was already making plans on things she could research and discuss with the new DADA teacher. From what they heard she sounded very nice and experienced. Not another Gilderoy Lockhart.
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.
============================================================
Meeting Willow
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hermione Granger bit her lip as she concentrated on studying her notes. She had done a great deal of research over the summer and failed to turn up anything that could help the Order.
She glanced at Ron Weasley who was discussing something with Harry Potter. She heard the tail end of their conversation.
"It was so bloody neat. It looked like something Muggle but it is not."
"What are you talking about Ron?" Hermione asked sharply.
Ron turned to his female best friend. "What? Oh yeah. I was telling Harry about the rumors."
"What rumors?"
Ron was aggrieved. "If you were listening to me instead of burying your nose--."
"Ron!!" Hermione's growl was enough to make Ron spill it.
"There are a pair of bikers. You know, like from the Muggle movie. Only thing is their bikes can really fly! It is so cool, like a broom but not."
Hermione frowned. "You mean like Hagrid's bike? Or your dad's car?"
Ron shook his head vigorously. "No! That's the beauty of it. It looks like a Muggle bike out of a science fiction movie you made us see. Blade Runner. A hover bike of some kind."
Hermione's eyes widened in shock. "Muggles scientist made a machine that can float?!"
Ron became exasperated. "No Hermione! A pair of wizards made something that work like broomsticks but look like Muggle movie bikes; but without the wheels."
Hermione pushed a parchment and quill in Ron's hands. "Draw. And tell me what you know."
Ron obeyed and started sketching while he talked.
"The rumors came from Diagon Alley. A pair of bikers running loose and wild in the more seedy parts of London. The ones which even Dark Wizards avoid. The ones that are demon tainted." Hermione reflexively made the sign of the cross. "They've been on a killing spree. A pair of honest to Merlin demon hunters. Real Battle mages." His voice held awe and envy.
"Battle mages?" Hermione was unfamiliar with the term.
"Battle mages are wizards out of legend." Ron explained with relish. "I haven't heard of any real Battle mages in the past four centuries. The only way to become one is to kill a certain number of demons in combat. Most witches and wizards have more sense than to go demon summoning but long ago, when demons roamed the Earth, Battle mages were more common - they were demon hunters and fighters of Evil."
"Don't Aurors do that?" Harry was confused as well.
Ron's expression was scornful. "Aurors wouldn't last a second against a real high level demon. A powerful demon is a creature of magic and practically immune to an average Auror's spells."
"So Battle mages are specialized Aurors who can fight demons." Hermione surmised.
"Yup." Ron answered. "The two in Diagon Alley had to be one. Dad told Mum several Muggles had to be Obliviated because they saw a pair dressed in black take out a nest of vampires and two sixth-level demons." Awe and hero-worship. "The Aurors got on the scene to sanitize the place." He saw their looks of confusion. "Some demons die very messily. Lots of goo and slime that can be used in some nasty Dark Magic if it is not disposed of properly."
He handed Hermione his sketch. A sleek looking device obviously based on a motorbike in its smooth powerful lines but with no wheels.
"Bill caught a glimpse of it when he was in London. He said it floats, hovers like someone used a Wingardium Leviosa charm on it, but it can move faster than any broomstick. The Aurors charms didn't do anything. They just bounced off. Some really high level spell shielding."
He suddenly realized he had lost the attention of his two friends.
"Hey, aren't you guys listening to me?"
"Ron?"
"Yes Harry?"
"Is that what Bill saw?"
Ron glanced in the direction Harry pointed and saw what his friends were looking at.
A pair of sleek looking hover bikes zipping across the country side over and around obstacles with equal ease, the riders bending low over the machines to reduce resistance.
Both riders were dressed in tight fitting outfits with the details obscured by the distance that was rapidly decreasing. The bikes approached at break neck speed towards the trio until both riders abruptly pulled back on the machine and came to a precise stop in the dale below the Trio.
The devices hovered for a moment before floating to the ground silently. The larger rider straightened and slipped off using a casual economy of motion. His knee length split leather duster flared revealing the tight black jeans he wore underneath and knee high steel-reinforced combat boots. Black gloved hands removed the black opaque helmet and he shook his head vigorously to allow shoulder length black hair to fall in a casual disarray around his pale arrogant visage.
Potion Master Severus Snape.
He set the helmet on the saddle while he removed his black leather gloves and tucked them into his duster pocket before reaching out to his companion.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Greasy git Snape is a Battle Mage?" Ron could barely squeak the words in a whisper.
"Shut up Ron." Hermione hissed her eyes glued to the tableau below.
Snape couldn't restrain the smile that curved his lips as he held out a hand for his companion to dismount in a graceful fluid motion.
She removed her red helmet and set it on the saddle of her bike before setting out to undo the braid of auburn hair streaked with white until it rested down her back and around her face in a manner very similar to her companion. Her face was pale and composed; the placidness belied by bright green lively eyes.
"Thank you Severus."
The redhead was dressed in stone washed blue jeans and black Doc Martins with a hip-length brown leather jacket and green leather gloves that were pulled off and slipped into her jacket before she reached out to wrap her arms around her companion's neck to bring his head down.
Without a second's thought Willow Rosenberg kissed her lover, Severus Snape, with the passion, adrenaline, heat, and joy that racing always brought to the surface.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron watched and goggled as their Potions professor was thoroughly snogged by a pretty red head, not much older than them but much younger than him, in her twenties.
"I've wanted to do that since we left Hogsmeade." She told him with teasing confidence.
"Oh really?" He replied in mock serious tones. "I never would have guessed."
"I know." She answered just as blandly. "You can be really dense when it comes to romance. Not that I'm a femme fatale, but I think I am more in touch with my softer emotions."
"And have been burned by it."
Her smile was faintly wistful as she reached out to stroke his cheek gently.
"But it was worth it. It is worth it. You are worth any pain I may feel in the future Sev." Her smile lightened. "Not that I'm planning on pain mind you. I'm more interested in dealing it out to a few deserving individuals."
"You mean Voldemort?" Snape spoke lightly.
"Him. And the ones who tortured you." Her hand wandered down to stroke his back and arm through the leather duster. "Torturing someone for information is one thing, torturing for pleasure is another. I had enough of that with Angelus and you know what I did to him."
Snape couldn't restrain the urge to laugh. An honest-to-goodness belly laugh. He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled the side of her neck.
"That's my Willow. I am so curious... What House would the Hat put you?"
"Would you care Sev?" She asked him lightly running one hand through his hair, wrapping the other around the forearm around her. "Would it matter if I were in that... Lion? Griffin?"
"Gryffindor."
"Would it matter?"
Snape kissed her long and lingeringly before lifting his head to look down into her eyes.
He could see the need for reassurance and the words. She had always given without restraint to others. He still couldn't believe she had given her love to him. She had pushed, pulled, prodded and probed. She cajoled, threatened and coaxed him into talking. She was confessor, friend, lover all in one.
In the weeks after their initial meeting she had insisted he needed to heal and had taken him to LA where he met other souls such as he. Souls that had strayed from the path and struggled to find their way into the Light. Some transgressions were minor others weren't. But there were transgressions the individuals felt they had to pay for. Wesley, Charles, Angel, Faith, Lindsey, Connor. Willow shared her past and sorrows along with the joy and love with him.
And there were individuals who accepted him as he was. Who gave him a true understanding of what others saw. People who helped him adjust to his new life in California. Fred, Cordelia, Lorne.
He found a new calling and hope in LA; one that made him believe there was forgiveness at the end of the road for everyone and to truly repay his debt he had to give everything he had. Hoarding his soul and love would not help in the long run.
Willow saw his answer in onyx black eyes before he spoke it.
"No. It wouldn't matter dear heart."
Hermione had to restrict the urge to look away. There was so much emotion, so much love. It made her feel as though she were intruding in a private moment.
The redhead, Willow, reached up and brushed her fingertips over his lips before standing on tiptoe to kiss him again. This kiss was much more intense and involved than the one before and, from everyones view, headed for the bedroom.
A gentle cough interrupted the amorous couple.
She was flushed, panting, eyes dilated from passion, mouth red, slick and slightly swollen.
He was more composed but his thin lips were reddened and there was a faint flush visible against his normal pallor.
Albus Dumbledore eyed the couple standing before him practically wrapped in each other. He had seen several couples like this in his past and would more than likely see many more in the future... But this passion, the heat, the love between these two was incredible. Feeling magnanimous Dumbledore decided not to embarrass Severus about his girlfriend.
"Welcome back Severus, I hope your trip was successful." There was a hint of question and hope in his voice. The Dark Lord was moving heavily without haste or caution. The time for action was at hand but the Order was in the weaker position and the Ministry unprepared. "Though I am concerned about your presence in Britain. Are you sure it is safe for you?"
He was intrigued by the faint smile crossing the younger wizard's face.
"Most definitely Albus."
The dark haired wizard glanced down at the redheaded witch who nodded slightly. A definite partnership. Most intriguing for Severus who preferred solo-work.
Snape unbuttoned and slipped off black leather duster and tossed it on the bike behind him to reveal a hunter green silk shirt with a long frock-style black tunic vest. He unbuttoned the cuff of his left sleeve and pushed the silken material back to reveal a pale unblemished forearm.
Dumbledore's blue eyes widened. The Trio watched in shock. The Dark Mark was gone.
Dumbledore reached out with a trembling hand to examine the limb. He pulled out his wand and cast a series of diagnosing charms and sensor spells.
"The Dark Mark... It is gone." Blue eyes were intent. "How? Can the process be duplicated?"
Snape smiled proudly caressing the red hair of his companion.
"Albus, meet Willow Rosenberg. Willow, this is Albus Dumbledore."
"Your boss?" Willow stifled a giggle seeing the look of impatience on the bearded one's face. "I think he's really impatient for an answer." So Snape gave him one.
"Willow is the one who removed the Dark Mark." Snape explained to the Headmaster. "I don't think the process can be duplicated. Anyone else would be consumed channeling the power."
"Why?" Dumbledore was patently baffled.
Willow smiled and allowed the walls to fall. Her green eyes turned milky white sparking bolts.
"The Slayer's Witch." Dumbledore's sharp mind began putting the pieces together. "You went to the Slayer for help, didn't you Severus?"
The Slayer's who? The Dream Team was confused.
"Not precisely no." Snape demurred with a smug smile. "I went to the Slayer's Watcher. I met Willow there. I didn't know Ripper is currently in England."
Willow took pity on confused Dumbledore and expanded. "Giles is trying to reform the Watcher's Council. The First Evil killed the ruling members and scattered the Watchers. I had to activate all the potential Slayers of age to help us win that battle. Result: lots of Slayers and few Watchers. Giles is one of the few older ones alive so he came here to take control. I stayed in Sunnydale to look after things when Severus came looking for Giles's help."
Dumbledore's eyes widened. "Rupert Giles is the new head for the Council of Watchers?!"
"Yes. Do you know him?" Willow asked with a smile.
"I heard a lot about him and his friends. They were quite good at keeping Muggles ignorant of magic without using Obliviates." Dumbledore admitted. "I tried approaching Quentin Travers about an alliance but he refused."
Willow snorted. "Well Mr. Pompous is dead and as far as I'm concerned it is all for the best. That ass tried to kill us way too many times because we were too good and didn't kiss ass." Her voice raised to a shrill peak. "He ordered Giles to put Buffy through the Cruciatum! And he refused to give us the information to go after Glory! As far as I'm concerned death is too good for him. I hope he's roasting in a Hell dimension." She added viciously.
Dumbledore's eyes widened at this litany.
Snape caressed the red hair of his lover nestling against his side and bent down to brush a kiss against her forehead.
"Albus? Is that DADA position still open? I believe Willow is perfect for the job."
Willow frowned. "Are you sure Sev? You've been angling for it since forever. I don't want you to feel you have to give it up since I've got a wider range of experience dealing with big bads you know. Most of my high school experience is theoretical. Doing research for Giles so Buffy would know how to do the big bad in."
"And that is precisely what the students need to learn." Snape pointed out. "They seem to believe an Auror's job is all battle and glory. They have to learn it takes a lot of effort to do the research, spying, preparations, and setting up for a battle."
"And making unpleasant alliances and compromises." Willow pointed out. "Buffy made a deal with Spike when Angelus was about to open a Hell-dimension portal using Athalca. She let him and Drucilla leave town if he helped her against Angelus."
"And alliances." Snape concurred.
"Perhaps we could share." Willow pointed excitedly. "A joint course and swap lecture days. A lot of banishing spells involve some sort of potion and spell. Most herbs have protective properties and when used in combination they augment each other to work for non-magicky people."
Dumbledore stared at the redhead with a peculiar look. He glanced at Snape who was listening to her babble on the possibilities for field trips and more interesting DADA topics she could teach.
Finally Snape cut her off by kissing her long and thoroughly. By the time he lifted his head Willow had lost her train of thoughts. She frowned at him. "You did that deliberately."
"You would have babbled on and Albus isn't used to Willow-babble just yet." Snape teased. Willow pouted. A slim white finger traced the full lower lip....
Dumbledore coughed discreetly. Willow jumped. Snape pulled his impassive mask on.
"That is a wonderful idea Miss Rosenberg." Dumbledore beamed benignly. "I'm sure the other staff would love to discuss the possibility of swapping lectures classes to incorporate their material into DADA lessons." He glanced slyly at them. "Are you interested in accepting the position?"
"What?! Of course. And please call me Willow."
"Good. Good. Call me Albus Willow, all the staff do." Dumbledore tucked his hands inside his capacious sleeves and smiled blandly at the couple. "Should I arrange for a separate suite for Miss Rosenberg or will she be sharing yours Severus?"
"Albus!" Willow blushed.
Snape merely raised a slim brow.
"The House Elves can open the floor above mine."
Dumbledore glanced Willow speculatively hiding his glee.
"Why, congratulations my dear. I didn't realize."
"What? Realize what?" Willow was confused.
"Albus!" Severus growled.
"What does he mean Sev?" He refused to answer. "Albus!" A threatening growl.
"Why, Serpens Tower has been the traditional residence for the Head of Slytherin House and his family." Dumbledore explained beaming. "Severus has only used one floor until now."
Willow noticed the twinkling blue eyes. "I am not pregnant." She growled. "I'm not planning on getting pregnant until I kick Voldie's ass into a Hell dimension; preferably Hell itself."
"I'm glad to hear it Willow. It would not set a good example for the students. I mean an unmarried teacher having a baby." Dumbledore responded blandly.
Snape simply sighed. "Ignore Albus. When he gets into these moods anything you do or say will be twisted beyond comprehension."
Willow studied the grand fatherly Headmaster with his benign smiling visage. A wicked smirk crossed her face. She reached out to hug him.
"I think I'm going to like you. You are like Spike. But you aren't a vampire."
"Vampire?" Dumbledore was confused. "I thought Spike was an enemy."
"He was." Willow looped her arm through Snape's. "Until he got chipped." She made a brief gesture and her hover bike shrank into a palm sized model that she slipped into her jacket.
Snape picked his jacket up and slipped it on before mimicking her actions to shrink his hover bike and pocketing it. Dumbledore looked on their actions with interest.
"Interesting contraptions. Machine and Magick. Working in tandem."
Willow looked surprised. "What? Oh the bikes?! They were custom built by a few friends. Sev and I developed a few spells to enchant them."
"And you used wandless magic." Dumbledore spoke neutrally hiding his glee.
Snape smiled slowly. "It is the only way to go Albus." He made a brief gesture drawing a complex symbol in mid air. A strong breeze ripped through the vale and swirled around the Headmaster.
Dumbledore's eyes widened as he witnessed this bit of elemental magic.
"How?"
"Willow taught me." Snape admitted. "She's been practicing wandless magic since she was a teen. She never saw a wand before we met."
Willow wrinkled her nose. "I didn't believe Sev when he said he needed a bit of wood to do magic. I mean it is so inefficient. What if you were in a fight and you lost it? Or it got broken? Or both hands are busy trying to keep a demon from tearing your head off?"
Snape smiled proudly and wrapped his arm around the witch. "She reminded me about my own feelings about wand magic."
"You call it silly hand waving." Dumbledore said slowly.
"Yes." Snape acknowledged dropping a kiss on top of Willow's head. "She reminded me I do not need a wand to mix powerful potions. My magic is infused through the materials I handle and my own actions. Wandless magic is another form of action; action of the mind and body that influences the energy fields directly. I'm not as good as Willow--."
"Stuff it Sev." Willow spoke to Dumbledore. "He is as good as me when I left high school. As we practice together we will only become stronger. Wiccan magic is based on group consensus and power sharing - a synergistic principle that means the sum is greater than the parts. Sev has been practicing for just two months and he is good. He has developed his own style combining wand magic and wiccan lore."
Dumbledore was fascinated by this theology.
"Do you think you can teach wandless magic to others?"
Willow frowned. "I'm not sure. It depends on the person. To truly comprehend Wicca requires a great deal of personal sacrifice. Old beliefs must be discarded, your faith will be tested, you will need to reach out and trust in the higher powers. Wicca calls on the Old Gods. Naming them gives power and influence. Once you've progressed past a certain point the rituals become part of you heart and soul, blood and bone. You don't need to call on the Gods because they rest within you. To reach that point requires time or experience."
Snape saw she was slightly disturbed by the Headmaster's request. "I gained that experience by going out almost every night I was in California Albus; I've spent the past month as a demon hunter. There is a group in LA that works for the Higher Powers and they needed a mage or two since their own was injured and unable to do field work. I don't think you want to throw Mr. Potter and his sidekicks against demons simply to gain experience."
Dumbledore frowned. No, he didn't want to do that.
"Then what do you suggest Severus?"
"Let Willow teach them. I doubt they'll listen to her when they find out about our relationship but it is our best option."
"Don't you dare put yourself down Sev." Willow interrupted fiercely. "Love is a rare thing to people who fight on the front lines. Don't you dare suggest we hide it simply to spare a few spoilt brats feelings."
"Hush Willow." Snape bent down and brushed a kiss against her temple. She leaned against him and wrapped her arm around his waist burying her face against his chest.
"I am not ashamed of you, of us." Willow continued in muffled tones. "If they want to learn they will listen to me and listen good. I don't give a damn what they think or say about us. I've had enough of that from my high school years."
Snape couldn't say anything so he settled for hugging her.
Dumbledore waited for the turbulent emotions to calm before speaking.
"Very well. That is settled."
"No! It's not settled!" Willow yelped pulling free from Snape. "We came early because we wanted to ask a favor Albus." She glanced at Snape who smiled.
"Albus, would you preside over our hand fasting?"
"It's not a big deal." Willow babbled. "Just a small ceremony. Maybe just the staff and Giles if he has the time to spare? I don't want anyone thinking this is just temporary cause it isn't."
Dumbledore blinked rapidly to stop the tears.
"I would be honored my dear." He glanced at the dark haired wizard. "Do you have a date or time in mind?"
"A Saturday morning before the term starts is good." Snape suggested.
Blue eyes brightened as he bustled off making plans.
"I wonder if Rosemerta would be willing to rent the Three Broomsticks out."
"Albus!" Willow wailed seeing her small private ceremony was expanding beyond control.
"Just for the reception my dear." Dumbledore called back.
Willow stared at the older wizard helplessly. She looked up at her partner, husband-to-be.
"Is he always like that?"
Snape laughed wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Always. Come on Willow! You have to experience Hogwarts to believe it."
With that Severus Snape led his fiancee towards the castle, behind the beaming Headmaster whose mind was already full of plans and the children he could see running up and down the halls of Hogwarts. Powerful intelligent children with bright red or long black hair, and laughing green or solemn secretive black eyes.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Harry, Ron and Hermione watched in shock, awe and speculation.
"She's going to be the coolest teacher. Even if she is shagging and marrying Snape." Ron mused.
"And her knowledge!" Hermione pointed out. "She is a wandless witch. She did what no other mage could do! She removed a Dark Mark. And did you hear what she was talking about? She must have seen and done so much fighting with a Slayer. Her ideas about cross course independent study projects is most intriguing. I mean it is like getting a specialist to lecture on certain aspects."
Harry could only focus on one thing.
"She said she's going to kill Voldemort. Kick his ass to a Hell dimension." A wide smile spread across his face. "And you know what? I think she's gonna do just that."
Ron nodded vigorously. "Next year is gonna be so cool. How much do you wanna bet HWSNBN is going to die before the school year is out?"
Harry snorted. "I'm not taking that bet." He smiled slyly. "How much do you wanna bet Voldemort is gonna be dead before Christmas?"
"Christmas? Naw." Ron scoffed. "I'd lay ten knuts on Easter."
"Ron! You shouldn't gamble." Hermione scolded half heartedly. Her mind was already making plans on things she could research and discuss with the new DADA teacher. From what they heard she sounded very nice and experienced. Not another Gilderoy Lockhart.
TBC...
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