"What will the potion do?" Macnair asked.

"It's not just a potion; it's combined with a powerful and difficult spell." Draco responded, malice evident in his voice.

"But, what will all this achieve?"

"It's never been done before, but if it works, Voldemort will rise again."

Morgan rested her head on her husband's chest as they lay in their bed. "I love you," she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

Severus kissed the top of her head and ran his hands up and down her back, "I love you my darling little Morgan."

"Of course you do," Morgan replied as snuggled closer to her husband, causing him to laugh softly. "By the way, how did your little talk with Serena go?"

"Do I have to let the girls date?" Severus growled.

Morgan giggled as she sat up, wrapping the sheet around her, "yes you do."

"I hate the idea of any boys touching my daughters," Severus' tone was menacing, "I was ready to castrate Mark when I found him and Serena today..."

"I love it when you get all protective like this, it's cute," Morgan leaned down to kiss him.

"Watch who you call 'cute' dearest," Severus growled as he pulled Morgan down on top of him, "and I don't think that it is too protective of me to not want my daughters to date, they are young and..."

"And they're almost seventeen, Sev..."

"And," Severus interrupted his wife, "I don't want them to do anything foolish that will lead to broken hearts or worse."

"I understand your concern Severus, but we have to start letting go sometime. I hate to see them growing up, but they do need a little freedom."

"I give them plenty of freedom," Severus replied.

Morgan laughed as she lay across her husband's chest, "somehow I doubt our daughters would agree with that. You do realize that you have completely different standards for our son than you do for our daughters?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Well, then I'll leave you here to think about it for awhile, I'm going to go check on Nimue," Morgan rose and began pulling on her clothes. Severus smiled to himself, he had an amazing wife.

"Oh, and Sev?" Morgan turned before she left.

"What is it darling?"

"I still think it's really cute that you're so overprotective at times," Morgan narrowly avoided the pillow that came sailing at her as she ducked out of the door.

Dierna and Kamen walked down the quiet corridors quickly, the Marauders' map held in front of them. It was one of the most useful things the Snape children had ever stumbled across.

"Keep quite," Kamen hissed at Dierna, "Filch is too close to us for comfort."

"I know," Dierna whispered back, "let's go another way."

"No, this is the shortest way to the kitchen; I'm not going to take a longer way if at all possible."

Dierna sighed, "fine, but if we get caught I'm saying you made me come with you."

"Fine, just remember, you're the one holding the map." Kamen smirked at his little sister, knowing that he had the upper hand.

Dierna bit back an angry reply, "fine, let's just hurry up and get to the kitchen.

In a few minutes they were in front of a picture of a bowl of fruit that was the entrance to the kitchen, Kamen reached up and tickled the pear that turned into a door handle and they entered the kitchen.

They were at once surrounded by a group of eager house elves, "master and mistress Snape!" one squeaked excitedly, "what can we be getting for you tonight?"

Kamen grinned, he loved the house elves, they were always ready to contribute food to midnight wanderings. "Can you fix us a basket or something? We need some food to take back to the common room with us."

"Of course master Snape," the house elves scurried around, preparing a ridiculously large amount of food for Kamen and Dierna to take with them. Kamen smiled at Dierna as the house elves worked, "I kinda wish Mum and Dad would get one of these guys at home, it would mean less work for us."

Dierna snorted, "You know they have this thing about us learning how to do things for ourselves. Although I have yet to see what a clean room will get me in life."

Kamen laughed, "I haven't figured that one out yet either."

Kalliope had skipped the evening devotions to walk along the beach. She felt only a slight twinge of guilt over missing the ritual; she needed time to collect her thoughts. So much had happened in such a short time.

She slipped off her sandals and walked closer to the water, letting the surf wash over her feet. She sensed someone approaching and quickly turned, hand dropping to the dagger at her waist. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw that it was only Remus, "don't sneak up on me like that wizard."

"Sorry, I wanted to talk to you and one of the priestesses said I might find you down here."

Kalliope looked from him to the sky, "its getting close to the full moon."

"Does that bother you?"

Kalliope shook her head, "I made that very clear to you the last time you were here."

"I just wanted to make sure your opinion of me hasn't changed," Remus gazed up at the white moon, he couldn't help thinking that it seemed to mock him. Not taking his gaze off the glowing orb he spoke, "does Sophia know about my condition?"

"She has been informed."

Remus nodded, "is she still willing to travel with us, knowing what kind of monster I am?"

"Oh Remus, don't ever think about yourself like that. You are a kind and generous man who has never behaved in a way to alarm me," she laid a gentle hand on his arm, "look at me Remus," she gazed into his eyes, "you are not a monster."

Remus lowered his head, keeping his eyes trained on Kalliope's. He gently cupped her face in his hand, "Kalliope, I..."

"Lady Kalliope, I found something that belongs to you!"

Kalliope broke away from Remus to see Cadmus walking towards them with a rather indignant Sophia in tow. "Not again," Kalliope sighed.

"Don't be mad Kalliope, I just had to say goodbye to Scamander," Sophia pleaded.

"Just go back up to the temple Sophia and go to sleep, we leave in a few hours."

"Now nothing happened Kalliope, don't be to upset with the little thing, even if she is an impertinent little sprite..." Cadmus smiled at the priestess.

"Thank you for bringing her back."

"It was my pleasure lady. Now, you look after yourself on this little trip, I don't want anything to happen to my favorite priestess," Cadmus stepped forward and kissed Kalliope roughly on her mouth. "Had to leave you something to remember me by," he winked at her before turning to walk back to his camp.

Remus watched the exchange with amusement, Kalliope's dislike of being handled like that was clearly evident. As she turned, shaking her head over Cadmus' behavior, Remus caught her hand in his own, "why can't she see this boy?"

Kalliope met his gaze, "The boy, Scamander, is the son of Xanthos."

"The man who..."

"Yes."

"The boy is not his father."

"I don't want to talk about it Remus," Kalliope wiped away a tear. Xanthos had been everything Scamander promised to be. He was charming, witty, and a brave warrior who had gained much glory. He had taken what he wanted. And he had wanted Kalliope.

Kalliope thought of her small daughter, so perfect, a gift from the goddess in exchange for what she suffered at Xanthos' hands. Sophia had been given to her to try and replace that sweet innocent girl she had lost. Kalliope would make sure that Sophia never had to face those horrors herself.

Harry smiled at the stuffed llama that sat on his desk. It reminded him why he kept going every day. He was convinced that there was little hope for his marriage, but his children were and would be his life.

"You busy?" Sirius stuck his head around the door.

"No, just going through some mail."

"Good, I have something I want to discuss with you," Sirius smiled at his godson.

"And that is..."

Sirius ran a hand trough his hair, "well, the thing is, Elizabeth doesn't want to have a large wedding or anything, just close friends and her children since neither of us have any other family, and well... since we're getting married over Christmas break we're trying to finalize plans, and Harry, I want you to be my best man."

Harry smiled, "I would be honored."

Sirius sighed, "Good, Elizabeth has been getting after me about when I was going to ask you."

Harry laughed, "Already letting yourself get nagged?"

Sirius grinned sheepishly, "Well, truthfully, I'm kinda enjoying it. And, speaking of marriages, how is Ginny?"

Harry sighed and ran his hand over his unruly hair, "Things have been better, we've been communicating a lot less recently. I just don't know what to do anymore."

"Hang in there kid, I think you'll work it out yet."

"Thanks Sirius, any ideas on how to get her back?"

Sirius smiled, "well, flowers never hurt."

Morgan watched Nimue sleeping, sighing; she sat down on the bed next to her daughter and ran a hand over her soft brown hair. "Oh sweetie, I wish this wasn't happening to you. I would do anything to take away the pain and hurt you're feeling."

"Darling it's four in the morning come back to bed." Severus had woken up to find that his wife was missing; he had come in search of her.

"I was just checking on Nimue."

"For the third time tonight dearest, she is fine for now. The dreamless sleep potion you gave her will keep her out for a few more hours. Come back to bed Morgan, you need your sleep too."

Morgan glanced down at her sleeping daughter one more time before rising to go to her husband.

"I was worried when I woke up and you weren't there." Severus led his wife back to their bedroom.

"I'm sorry Sev, I just couldn't sleep and I had to check on her again."

"I know you're worried darling, but don't do this to yourself. We will have plenty of time to worry in the morning." Severus made sure that his wife was settled in bed before climbing in himself. He wrapped his arms around her, "now, if you don't promise me that you are going to stay in bed for the rest of the night I am going to give you something that will ensure you stay asleep. What is it going to be?"

"I'll stay in bed Sev, I promise."

"You sure," Sev looked at her skeptically.

"Yes."

"Well, I think I'm going to have to keep a tight hold on you just to make sure."

"I'd like that Sev," Morgan's eyes fluttered shut as she laid her head on his chest. Within moments she was fast asleep.

When Severus was sure that his wife was out cold he gently lifted her off of him and tucked the covers in around her securely. He brushed a soft kiss across her lips and then got up to check on Nimue himself.

As the sun rose over the temple, casting soft rosy light over the entire complex, three robed figures emerged from the inner sanctuary. The soft yellow of Kalliope's attire and Sophia's white robes contrasted sharply with Remus' dark attire as they stepped out into the sunlight.

"Where exactly are we going?" Sophia asked.

"To a school called Hogwarts, its in Britain," Kalliope answered her.

"And why are we going? You haven't told me anything except that I have to go with you," Sophia impatiently pushed her long red hair out of her face as the wind caught it and whipped it around her.

Remus answered that question, "there is a dark wizard who has escaped and we require Kalliope's assistance as an oracle."

"But she could give prophecies for you from here," Sophia persisted.

Remus smiled at the girl's determination, "there is also a student at the school who has been having visions."

"So?" Sophia shrugged her shoulders, "Most of the priestesses at the temple have visions. I'm training to be an oracle, there's nothing strange about that."

"But it is not a common thing outside of our community child," Kalliope reminded her, "We have a special type of magic that few of the wizarding world possess."

"But the priestesses of Avalon...."

"They possess a very similar magic to ours Sophia. Our magic used to be widely used in the world. Temples all over Greece had oracles, now we are confined to one small area where those who remember the old ways may come."

"But why..."

"Haven't you asked enough questions yet little one?" Kalliope smiled at her charge.

"No, I want to know what is going on."

"And so you shall soon enough. Remember, a good priestess knows when to be silent and when to speak."

Sophia took the hint and remained silent as they moved down towards the beach. She took the opportunity to open the lid of the blue clay pot that held her pet serpent.

Kalliope and Remus had a quick consultation about the best way to apparate back to Hogsmead, which Sophia listened to with little interest. She waited for a lull in the conversation before she spoke up again, "Kalliope, can I ask just a few more questions before we leave."

"Of course child."

Sophia rolled her eyes at being called a child, but didn't let it distract her, "are there going to be men at this school?"

Kalliope laughed, "Is that all you can think of little one?"

Sophia tossed her head, "no, but, its different there, right?"

Kalliope nodded, "yes, the men in that world are equals or dominant to the women."

"Why would women let themselves be dominated?" Sophia asked, wide eyed. She had lived all of her life in the temple where women were seen as the connection between the people of earth and the immortals. It was a position treated with high honor and she had trouble imagining a world where women would be subservient to men.

"You are well enough acquainted with our history to know that even the women here weren't always treated with the respect they deserve," Kalliope reminded her.

But Sophia brushed off that response, "but those men claimed that they served the gods, and everyone knows that the goddess was here first, she is mother to the earth and all the gods, therefore women are the bearers of life and the bringers of death. No man can claim so important a role."

Remus had to cover his laughter by coughing, when he recovered himself he turned to Kalliope, "she's almost as much as a feminist as you are."

"I can't help it if that's the way things are, the child speaks the truth," Kalliope replied smugly.

Sophia looked at Remus, a confused expression on her face, "do women really let men rule them in your world wizard?"

Remus smiled at her, he had a feeling that Sophia was going to be a very interesting addition to the Hogwarts community, "in most cases no, nowadays many men and women strive to be equals."

"Why would a woman acquiesce to be equal to a man?! Don't they have any respect for a woman's role as the symbol of the goddess, or her role in the trinity?" Sophia indignantly interrupted him.

"The trinity?" Remus looked to Kalliope for an explanation.

"A woman lives three stages to her life; the first is as the virgin, then the life bearing mother, and then the death crone that is what we refer to as the trinity."

Remus nodded in understanding, "well Miss Sophia, I have a feeling that Hogwarts and the wizarding world might be a bit of a culture shock to you. However, if it makes you feel any better, Hogwarts currently has a headmistress, so you will be dealing with a female authority figure."

That lead to a whole other barrage of questions from Sophia, before the three of them disapparated from the Mediterranean beach.