I'm back everybody. Sorry for not updating sooner but I was really stuck with this story. I had a major case of writers block. I'm sorry for the short chapter but I figure a small update was better than none.
THANKS TO THOSE THREE OF FOUR PEOPLE WHO REVIEWED THE LAST CHAPTER. YOUR REVIEWS REALLY HELP.
NOTES: Please remember that in my story you can apparate in around Hogwarts just not in or out of.
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW
When the Christmas break was over Joyce had gone back home. She wanted to stay to keep her daughter safe, but both Snape and Buffy assured her she would be okay. Now several months had past and there had been only a few small incidents. Snape and Harry kept a close eye on Buffy. Neither one of them had seen her that morning. She had left before her father had gotten up and they were searching the castle for her frantically. They were by the astronomy tower when they heard her singing really off key.
"Macho macho man. I want to be a Macho man. Macho macho man."
She was dancing and jumping on the ledge. Several times she looked like she was going to fall.
"Buffy!"
"HI DADDY! HARRY! RONNY! HERRRMIONNE!"
She waved at them nearly toppling over. Severus grabbed Harry's arm and apparated to the top of the tower. Buffy was once again singing off key.
"Macho macho man. I want to be a Macho man. Sing with me Harry."
"Buffy! Come down here this instant!" He father yelled.
"That was cool. I-I-I don't feel so good."
Buffy began to sway on top of the wall. Luck was with them as she fell right into her father's arm. Snape looked his daughter over and noticed that she was pale, cold, and clammy.
"Make the world stop spinning daddy. It's going too fast."
She spoke her voice sounding very weak and tired.
"Close your eyes and just rest. You feel better soon."
She nodded her head and closed her eyes in hopes that it would stop her world from spinning. Harry grabbed on to Snape's cloak as he apparated them down to the ground. Ron and Hermione looked at her. They were worried about her. They all took off for the hospital wing.
Pomfrey had no idea what was happening to Buffy. She had tried every spell and potion she could think of. Buffy was getting worse by the minute. Snape changed the cloth on her forehead replacing it with a cool one. He was extremely worried about his daughter.
"If we don't fix whatever is happening to her soon she's going to die." Pomfrey said sadly.
He heard the sound of footsteps behind him.
"Any improvement?" Harry asked.
"No and if don't find what's doing this to her soon we're going to lose her."
"There isn't anything we can do?" Harry asked as he moved to touch her face.
"I have never seen a spell like this before and I know a lot about the Dark Arts."
The door to the Hospital wing opened again and both Snape and Harry turned to see who had entered. A man, who was as tall as Snape, entered hurriedly.
"I came as soon I could."
"Rupert. Thank you for coming so quickly."
Severus said getting up from his chair to greet the man. They shook hands. At that moment Buffy let out a groan.
"Daddy?" Her voice was soft and almost non-existent.
"I'm here. How are you feeling?"
He asked coming up and stroking her hair. She gives him a weak smile. Harry could tell that she didn't have the strength to maintain it.
"I'm okay. I'll be up and about picking on Malfoy in no time."
"I'm sure you will."
"Harry?"
"Right here." Harry said from her other side. She motioned for him to come closer. He moved down and she whispered in his ear.
"Love you." She then gave him a quick kiss. He returned her kiss and whispered in her ear.
"Keep fighting! I love you too."
Her eyes held a small sparkle in them at his words. She motioned for her father to come closer and he did.
"I love you daddy."
"I love you too Elizabeth."
She had passed out not hearing her father's endearment. He kissed her on the cheek. He had been trying hard not look scared in front of his daughter.
"Can you help her Rupert?"
"I believe I can." The man known as Rupert went moved closer to look the girl over. "She's under a Bloodstone vengeance spell. It's a very power form of wand less magic. We need to find the cauldron that this spell was cast from. I'll need it to cast the counter spell."
"How much time do you think she has left?" Harry asked.
"Not much. I'm afraid, an hour at the most. "
A gray spotted owl flew from the window dropping a parchment in Snape's lap before turning around and leaving the same way. He opened the letter and couldn't believe what he was reading.
By now you have noticed that your daughter is dying. If you want her to live you and Harry Potter must bring her to this location.
There was no signature at the bottom. At the bottom of the page was a map with the location of where the meeting was to take place. Harry noticed how Snape's face paled more than usual. Giles read the note over Severus's shoulder before handing the letter to Harry.
"I can't ask you do this." Snape told Harry.
"You're right. You can't, but I'm going. She would do it for me."
"Give me ten minutes to gather all the ingredients I will need."
"Alright. Let's go."
Fifteen minutes later Snape, carrying Buffy, and Harry set out to move toward the Forbidden Forest. Following not too far behind them in Harry's invisible cloak was Rupert. With wands drawn the two followed the map to the entrance of the cave. The inside of the cave was pitch black.
"Lumos!"
Harry called out. His wand lighting up like a sparkler. He walked beside Snape and could hear Buffy's ragged breaths. The cave entrance had widened into a cavern. They looked around to see torches lighting the room. The group took several more steps in before they heard a rumbling noise. The entranceway they had just come from had been shut magically behind them. The torches around the room grew brighter as three figures stepped from the shadows in front of them. Harry touched the scar on his head as it began to ache terribly. Looking up he saw two DeathEaters enter in front of a dark, shadowy, evil figure that Harry was sure was Voldemort.
"Ahh! How's your daughter Traitor?"
Harry saw Snape's eyes darken and his face grew in to a scowl. He had never seen such a look on Snape's face.
"Riddle! Release my daughter at once!"
"Or what? You are powerless against me. As we speak my DeathEaters are surrounding you. Besides I'm not the one who holds your daughter's life. I believe you know my servant."
Harry and Snape looked around to see that DeathEaters who had apparated in surrounded them. The DeathEater to the left of Riddle took off its hood. Severus gasped slightly at seeing the blonde Catherine Madison. He had met her when he had first become a Deatheater and had a relationship with her but she was only a substitute for whom he really wanted.
"I see you remember me Sev. You want to save your daughter?" Snape nodded. "Get down on your knees and beg for her life. You humiliated me and used me. Beg for your daughter's life. Her end draws near."
Harry watched as Professor Snape swallowed his pride and dropped to his knees in front of Catherine and Riddle. Buffy was still cradled securely in his arms.
"I beg of you to spare my daughter's life. Do what you will to me but release her from the spell."
"That was good traitor." Riddle laughed. "Pledge your allegiance to me. Kill Harry Potter and Catherine will release your daughter."
