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: I see A/N's on FF.net as chapters on their own are now evil and WRONG according to them. No, my sweetings - what's really evil and WRONG is that whilst wandering around one of my older fics I discovered that all the formatting had f*cked up, when it had been fine when I uploaded it months ago. What's up with that hmm?!? *peers over tops of glasses in a McGonagall style and waits for answers*

Chapter 4: Wishing Well

Wake Me Up

"Wake me up before you go-go

Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo

Wake me up before you go-go

I don't want to miss it when you hit that high

Wake me up before you go-go

'Cause I'm not planning on going solo

Wake me up before you go-go

Take me dancing tonight

I wanna hit that high"

Wham: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

"So," Began Snape as he had recovered from the news that he now owned Ron Weasley of all people a Wizard's Debt, albeit unintentionally on Ron's part. "You stated that the 'Powers That Be' had another job for me?"

"Yep," Responded his companion. "Let's take a little walk." He said gesturing to Snape to stand up. "Let me tell you a story."

Snape raised an eyebrow, but followed his companion. As they walked the chairs slowly faded behind them.

"Once upon a time..."

***

"Vampire Slayer." Snape stated.

"Well, Slayers plural at the moment but yeah."

"Slayers." Repeated Snape emphasising the sibilants. "I was under the impression that the legend claimed there was only one in each generation."

"Well strictly speaking there should be. She drowned, got revived - but it activated the next one."

"I see."

"Do you know who they are?"

"Although the Wizarding World at large insists on them being a myth..." Snape trailed off and thought for a moment, "A Miss Elizabeth Summers?" He hazarded.

"Yeah, goes by Buffy." His companion took in the look of disbelief on Snape's face. "But you don't need to worry about her."

"Buffy?" Snape said faintly, not managing to hide his loathing for the name showing in his voice. "She chooses to be called Buffy?"

"Yeah, but like I said - she isn't your problem."

Thank Merlin, Snape thought sourly. I think Potions with Potter and his friends for the rest of eternity or death at Voldemort's hands would be preferable to spending any time with someone who chooses to be called Buffy.

***

Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk and sighed. Perhaps this time I am too old. He sighed again replaying his earlier conversation with Arthur Weasley in his mind.

"Has there been any news?"

"I'm sorry, there's been nothing." Arthur Weasley said heavily from the fireplace.

"Then the reports were correct. He is dead."

Arthur cleared his throat, before continuing, "We have heard that Lucius Malfoy disposed of the body."

"Is that so?"

"We'll keep looking, but the chances are..." Arthur trailed off.

"That Severus is dead"

Arthur Weasley nodded and he disappeared from the fireplace.

Albus Dumbledore sighed more heavily and gazed across the room to a barely moving painting of Severus Snape, his trademark sneer and the glitter of his dark eyes the only apparent animation in the picture. 'Did I send you to your death this time Severus?'

*****************

Hmm. Not 100% happy with this - but it needed to be written so I could move on... R&R please!