Fic: Wishing Well.
Author: serendu
Rating: pg:13. Knowing how I write there will probably be swearing in it at some point.
Disclaimer: If you recognise it - then it isn't mine. Unfortunately. *sulks* HP belongs to Rowling, BTVS to Whedon. Lucky them.
Distribution: TTH, My LiveJournal, FF.net.
Note: Hopefully this is going to get going. Soon. *Crosses fingers*

Wishing Well.

Chapter 3: Once In A Lifetime

"And you may ask yourself-Well...How did I get here?

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground."

Talking Heads

"Well, y'see you're here for a reason mate." A new voice spoke.

"I don't care about your reasons." Snape said icily. "Send me back. Now."

"Well, now that would be a problem." The male voice came closer, as a dark figure materialised out of what appeared to be nothing, gradually approaching.

"Really." Snape answered, glaring at the figure.

"Yeah. Sorry." Apologised the figure, not sounding sorry at all.

"And why would that be a problem?" Snape asked silkily, in a voice that put the fear of God into most of his Hogwarts students.

"Well," There was a pause as though the man (for now Snape could see that it definitely was a man that he was talking to) was trying to decide how best to tell him what the problem was, "You see..." He took a breath, "It's the magic y'see. It doesn't work that way."

"And just what *way* would that be?" Snape questioned.

The man stopped moving. "It's quite simple. You go back, you're dead. The spell interferes with that. This spell was first."

'First'? Snape wondered. He cast his mind back, trying to remember where he was last in Hogwarts and who could have cast the spell the man was talking about. Then he remembered. Death Eaters. Voldemort. Spying. "Shit."

"Exactly." The man grinned. "Wondered when you'd remember. So, like I said, you can't go back."

Snape tensed and looked over to the man. "Do they know? About this?"

"Death Eaters? Nah, like I said, this spell was cast first."

Snape's shoulders dropped infinitesimally in relief. "Good."

"Hence the no going back."

"Indeed." Snape muttered, pondering what was next.

"Ain't you gonna ask? They all do when they come here."

Snape raised an eyebrow. The man gazed blandly back, giving nothing away. Snape sighed. "No doubt you will tell me soon enough."

The man pursed his lips, a slightly annoyed expression on his face, which vanished almost as quickly as it came. Snape inwardly smirked.

"No you aren't dead. But like I said you can't go back."

"Obviously."

"So you get to go on a new path."

Snape didn't deign to give a response to that.

"See," The man sat on a chair that had appeared and gestured for Snape to take another opposite him. "The Powers That Be got a job for you Mr Snape."

"Professor Snape." Snape corrected automatically, before leaning forward in the chair, his hands clasped in front of him, peering guardedly at the man who was sitting opposite him. "And just what might this *job* entail?"

"I'll get to that in a minute." A smirk crossed the man's face as he gazed at Severus Snape. "You do realise though, that you owe your life to Ron Weasley don't you?"

Snape's jaw dropped.

***

Draco Malfoy should have been in bed. He frowned as he elegantly slouched in the chair in front on the fireplace in the Slytherin common room, his tie loosened and his dragon hide shoes removed. He rubbed his eyes tiredly. The day had been difficult. Last night's ceremony had stunned him and here and now was the first time he had time to sit and think about it.

Snape a spy!

Professor Severus Snape had been his Godfather. A man who Draco had almost always relied upon and was now dead. Killed by Voldemort no less for spying. Draco unconsciously rubbed his arm. Tonight he had a lot to think about. Draco Malfoy stared into the fire for a long time that night, searching for his answers amongst the flames.  

***********

Reviews are more than welcome – they inspire me. I *think* I know where this is going. But its going to take some time to get there.

serendu