Everett glared at the back of the Headmaster's head. That foolish old man
was bound to do something like this at some point. He was in for a ride if
he thought that he was going to get any answers out of him.
They arrived at the stone gargoyle and went up to the Headmaster's office.
"Please take a seat." Dumbledore said, motioning towards an empty chair.
"Headmaster, what is this about?" Everett said coolly.
Albus just smiled knowingly. "I think Everett," he said, placing heavy
emphasis his name, "that being Headmaster of this school I should be
entitled to some answered questions. Don't you agree?"
"You know about as much as everyone else here, you needn't know more."
Everett said, narrowing his eyes.
"Actually Everett, I think that I do need to know more. If I am to keep the
students safe I need to know that their Professors are competent."
Everett snorted, "You haven't made sure your Professors were competent, in
your entire teaching career."
"Yes, well that's your opinion not mine, and I just need some basic
information that's all." Dumbledore smiled. "Tea?"
"No." Everett replied.
"I really must insist," Dumbledore's eyes lost a little of their twinkle.
Everett cautiously picked up a cup and lifted it to his lips. Veritaserum
was strongly overcoming the tea. He pretended to take a sip.
Dumbledore smiled again. "Now, what is your name?"
Everett didn't answer and pretended to take another sip. Dumbledore eyed
him and repeated the question. He sighed and answered, "You know
Headmaster, I thought that even you wouldn't stoop to the level of
Umbridge."
The Headmaster's eyes widened and he looked from a smirking Everett to the
tea in his hands. Albus quickly recovered and simply replied, "I just
wanted to make sure you told the truth. I hope you can pardon an old man
for a foolish mistake."
Everett sneered, "and who said that I was going to answer any questions you
asked me? Leroy and I agreed that no one would ask questions concerning my
past. You wouldn't want to break that agreement would you?"
"Yes, yes that's all good and fine, but that agreement as you said was made
only between you and Leroy. I, being Headmaster, had no consent so such a
contract is null." Dumbledore said smugly.
Everett nodded his head, "I see, well then I'll just be leaving now. I've
got to go pack. Good day Headmaster."
"Going to pack? Why?"
"I am no longer a teacher here, you really wouldn't want an extra person
just staying here."
"Of course you're still a teacher here, why wouldn't you be?"
Everett sneered, "You see Headmaster, I agreed to work here only under the
terms Leroy and I made. Now that the contract is null I shall be leaving."
"But you can't just leave, we still need a Defence teacher. How about
this," Albus had a thoughtful look on his face, "we make a new agreement
with just a few changes to the old one."
"Headmaster, you just don't understand do you? I do not make new
agreements, nor do I make agreements with people I utterly loath, so if you
don't mind..." Everett headed towards the door.
"Wait!" He turned back to face the Headmaster. "Fine, we'll keep the old
contract, but I only have one thing to request of you."
"Headmaster?" Everett said warily.
"I just want to know one thing, and want you to do one thing for me."
Dumbledore smiled, " One favour for an old man?"
"Fine." Everett said.
Dumbledore's eyes shone. "Where do your loyalties lie?"
Everett leaned against the wall and crossed his arms across his chest.
"What do you mean?"
"Whom do your loyalties lie with? Voldemort, the Light, or with the rebel
group?"
"Rebel group? Who are they?" Everett asked, intrigued.
"Don't you know?" Dumbledore seemed puzzled.
"I've been a muggle for six years Headmaster, I wouldn't know."
"Hmm, yes well, they started about six years ago, they're a group dedicated
to neither light nor dark, but to one Harry Potter. They believe him
innocent and cause troubles for both sides. For the most part they help the
light..."
Everett raised an eyebrow. "Dedicated to Harry Potter?"
"Yes, but where do you stand?"
He paused for a moment. "My loyalties lie nowhere, and everywhere at the
same time. I openly oppose Voldemort, but I don't much like you either, and
I just found this rebel group, so I'm undecided. What else did you want
from me?"
"Not yet Everett, I'll have to call on your services at a later date. Let's
just remember that we have this agreement."
"Alright," Everett said tersely, "I'll be seeing you then." He hastily
left, before Dumbledore could reply. He knew later he would regret agreeing
to Albus. Stupid mistake.
!#!#!#!#!#!#!# Later that night#!#!#!#!#!#!#!
Everett stood in front of the windows in his bedroom. The clock read 1 am,
and the full moon gleamed against the lake's surface. Nightmares had
started to plague his dreams and make it impossible for him to sleep. Early
on Everett trained his body to wake up before the full vision could start.
He would stay awake the rest of the night contemplating whether or not to
go back and see what played out. Usually that led to sleepless nights, but
tonight for some reason Everett seemed compelled to see out the vision.
Something seemed to tell him that it was very important to see.
He gave in.
As soon as his eyes were closed the vision took over...
*Vision*
Unlike the other visions he'd had during his life, this one didn't start in
blackness. It started in full colour in the middle of a fight, as witches
and wizards ran this way and that, and curses were sent in blasts of colour
and light. Suddenly everything slowed, as time seemed to move in slow
motion
Knowing he couldn't be seen or heard, Everett started walking around the
fighting crowd. Some faces looked familiar, like old Moody, Arthur Weasley,
and Mundungus Fletcher. They fought against men and women in black cloaks
and white masks, Death Eaters. Everett still didn't know where they were or
when this was happening.
Time speeded up again and a few people fell over dead, while others kept
fighting and overall a noise, a shrill scream, pierced the air. A couple
paused a second and looked at the stairs, then resumed fighting. Someone
with a dark red cloak ran right through Everett and up the staircase. Once
again the time slowed down and Everett chose to follow the person up the
stairs.
They went down a hall and entered a room that looked vaguely familiar, but
Everett couldn't put his finger on it. As soon as the door was opened he
rushed inside, because although time was slowed down, everything went too
fast.
There was one Death Eater standing with his wand pointed at, Everett
gulped, a werewolf. Remus Lupin. Everett concluded that he was under the
Imperious curse, for a Death Eater was laughing while Remus was charging at
a small child. That small child had let out a scream like that? Everett was
pulled out of his thoughts when the person he'd followed ran to the child's
side and covered it with her own body.
Remus slashed the back of the person, still in slow motion, and flipped her
over to reveal the face of Nymphadora Tonks. She screamed but kept her body
over the child. Remus kept clawing at Tonks until she was in shreds.
Everett grimaced and looked away, but just as he did he was sucked out of
the room and into a hallway near the front doors.
He stood exactly in front of a painting, one that was laughing and cheering
the Death Eaters on. "Kill them all! Get them out of my House, yes kill
them all!" She was cackling madly when she looked directly at Everett, and
then she went silent, with her mouth opened slightly. Everett reached up
and pulled the curtains together out of instinct, and was shocked when they
were pulled shut. Everett knew exactly where he now, 12 Grimmauld Place. A
clock behind him chimed three times.
*End Vision*
Everett closed his eyes and woke himself up. He quickly glanced at the
clock by his bed, and saw it was only 1:30 in the morning and. The vision
had ended at three o'clock. Everett threw himself out of his bed and raced
to the door. Before he even touched the knob he paused, what was he going
to do? He didn't even know if the attack was tonight, or the next full
moon, or the next.
This was why he never chose to watch his visions. He'd only done it once
before this, two years ago, and last time he easily knew what he had to do.
It involved Draco getting severely injured, so he couldn't let that go.
Everett took a step back from the door and ran a hand through his hair.
Last time he sent a warning letter to both Snape and McGonagall. This time
however, he was actually at Hogwarts, he could go there in person, he could
write them the letter again, or he could just go to Grimmauld place.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, and decided a letter would be the best
action to take. Summoning two pieces of paper, a quill and some ink,
Everett glanced at the clock, 1:40, and hastily wrote two quick notes.
Professor McGonagall/Snape,
Death Eater attack on the Order Headquarters. Tonight.
P. Everett sent the notes to the Professor's chambers. He paced the room, frantic thoughts running through his mind. What if they don't get them? Maybe they already know and I'm just being and idiot? Questions like that ran through his head for a moment until he decided he had to check. Firstly he made himself invisible and Apparated to McGonagall's room. The bed was messy and his letter lay upon the bed unfolded. Good, Minerva knew and was probably notifying Dumbledore. Next, he Apparated to Severus' room. The room was dark and his letter hovered over the bed glowing lightly. Everett walked closer to the bed and noticed no one was in it. "Damn." He cursed quietly. He grabbed the letter in his invisible hand and went into Snape's office, no one, classroom, no one, private lab. Just before he opened the door Everett paused, of course, Snape already knew about the attack, he's a Death Eater. Everett almost left, but he stopped, why wouldn't have Minerva known about it? Everett pushed open the door quickly and quietly and slipped in. Snape however noticed the door open and the letter float in. He cast a stunning spell quickly, which Everett casually stopped. Knowing Snape would demand to know who he was he thrust the letter at him. "Just read it." Everett said in a monotone voice that was higher than his usually deep drawl. "Please." Snape cautiously took the letter and quickly read it. "Potter...Harry is that you?" Snape took a step forward. "I must go." Everett said opening the door, " Just go help fight!" he Apparated away. "Harry!!" Severus yelled, he knew that he wouldn't find him, and he also knew that he needed to get to the Headquarters quickly. "Severus!" Albus' voice rang through his room. "Yes, yes, Albus I've been informed, I'll meet you there!"
!!!!E.T. Room!!!! Everett stood silently looking out his window, as many black figures ran towards the Forbidden Forest, to the Apparations barrier. He closed his eyes and leaned against the glass window. He hoped they would get there in time to save Tonks and the child. Also that it was the right full moon. Letting out a harsh sigh, Everett knew it would be a long night. That next week went by in a blur; only from over hearing conversations did he find out that they'd arrived in time to stop the attack. Tonks was alive and Remus never even started to attack the child. Everett noticed one thing while Snape and Draco were having a quiet conversation; Draco went pale as a deep sadness came into his eyes. After that he quickly exited the hall... Three months later Everett now had gotten a maximum of four nights of sleep per week. Ever since the last vision Everett had, he'd chosen not to see any of the others out. And now for some reason his visions had escalated in number to almost every other night. Thankfully he'd gotten some sleep last night, but that still only made up for a part of his exhaustion. The rest was helped by coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. This morning Everett was already on his fourth cup by the time mail arrived. Usually he didn't get any mail, having no contacts that knew where he was except for the Godfathers and the Boss. Today however a sleek black owl landed in front of Everett with a letter attached to his leg. Slowly he took the letter and offered some toast to the owl. It hooted, took the toast and took off again. The parchment was plain enough, and neatly written in elegant red letters was Everett Trattativa. Nothing else showed on the outside, so cautiously Everett opened the letter. It was totally blank, even when he turned it over nothing. Everett was about to crumple it when a spidery crawl appeared on the page- Professor Trattativa,
It has been brought to my attention that you have a great deal of power. How you've escaped my attention before is questionable, but seeing as I've found you now we've got no problem. You are, as some say, a special case. I don't usually seek people out personally. I have others to do that you see, but this time it's different. Though some people do oppose me in the beginning I have a way of persuading them otherwise. I've been informed of you personal opposition against me, but I think we'll be able to get over that. I'm giving you the chance to come to my side without force. Think of it, the power you'll get, how you can be right next to me as we purify the world. Come immediately to The Hogshead if you accept my offer. However if you choose to decline, I think I have something of yours you might be wanting back. One Salvador Greferto, and if you choose not to come he will be tortured and killed. It will be slow and painful, but you can stop this, if you come and join me. It's your choice, stay and let Salvador, and whoever comes after him die, or come and save your friend. You only have until 8:30, and then Salvador will be no more.
Lord Voldemort. Everett was shaking visible from rage, the mug in his hand shattered, cutting into his skin. He stood up so quickly that his chair fell over with a loud crash. Leroy, who was sitting some way away, quickly came to his side. In one quickly motion Everett changed into his normal, Everett, form, complete with his mission attire. His eyes flashed with anger as he looked at Leroy. "That mother fucker has Sally!" he growled. "Who, Everett, what's happened?" Leroy looked a little more that disturbed by Everett's' tone. "He thinks he can trick me into going to his side, he took Sally and..." "Who?!" Leroy grabbed his shoulders. "LORD FUCKING VOLDEMORT!!" Everett yelled. Everyone flinched, even Dumbledore. "I've got to go." Everett looked at his watch, he only had five minutes. "I've got to go." He repeated. "Where, where does he want you to go?" "Hogshead." Everett spat, opening his cloak to check what kinds of weapons he had in his pockets. "I've got to save Sally, Leroy." "You can't go alone Everett, I'll go with you." "No!" Everett shouted, "you're too slow, I'm going now, come as soon as you can bring whomever you wish but now I'm leaving. Time's running out." Leroy opened his mouth to protest, but Everett disappeared in front of his eyes. "Did he just..." Leroy whispered. "Yes, he Apparated. Through Hogwart's wards, he Apparated." Dumbledore said, looking bewildered. **Hogshead** As soon as Everett appeared he searched for Sally. "Come on out Tom!" he yelled into the empty street. A tingle from his scar told him he was there, and he turned around. "I'm glad you could come Everett, just in time too." Lord Voldemort said in a hissing voice. "Where is Salvador!" he said growling at Voldemort. "He's here, why don't we go inside. Have a drink?" "Tom, bring me Salvador." Everett hissed. Voldemort was taken aback by the use of his first name, but went on. "I'm glad to see that you've decided to save your friend, even if he is a muggle." Sal appeared next to Voldemort, face slightly bruised and swollen. He lifted his head. "Ev?" he said weakly. "Let him go," Everett's voice was icy cold. "Now that's not a tone I like to be spoken to in." He raised his wand. "Crucio!" The hex hit Everett square on, but he barely twitched. "You're losing your touch Tom," Everett said through clenched teeth. "Yes, you are very powerful. Join me Everett and all your desires will be granted." "Oh how very cliché, Tom, for my only desire is to have you dead. Give me Salvador!" Everett took a step forward. Voldemort eyed him coldly, "Last chance, join me or you will die!" Everett narrowed his eyes. "Accio Salvador!" Everett shouted and in the same motion he pulled out his gun and fired at Voldemort, just as Sal's' body came flying towards him. The bullet hit Voldemort in the right shoulder, but he still had time to yell, "Avada Kedavra!" and Sally was suddenly dead before he reached Everett. "You will pay Everett!" A 'pop' sound was heard as Voldemort Apparated away. Everett barely registered anything except the body of his friend laying at his feet. He sunk to his knees as a sob escaped his lips. Sally's eyes were closed as Everett gathered him in his arms. Rocking back and forth Everett clutched his body close to his chest, and for the first time in almost six years he cried. He sobbed and screamed and all the while holding tightly onto Sal's body. A hand was gently placed on his shoulder. Leroy sat beside him. "Everett we need to get him back. The family will want a proper funeral for him." Everett didn't hear him. He didn't notice when someone took Sal's body away from him, or when Neville tried to help him up. All he could think about now were the others, Voldemort had taken another person from him and now he would be after more. It was all starting again, and this time he was a different person altogether. Finally Everett was taken away from his thought when two rough pairs of hands pulled to his feet. His were arms slung over two men's shoulders, and they walked him back to the Castle. "Leroy has sent the boy back, and is telling your family to protect themselves." A deep voice said to his right. "There wasn't anything you could have done to stop this. The Dark Lord..." The voice to his left said. "There was plenty I could've done. I could have just joined him and Sally would be alive." "He wouldn't be, Voldemort is sadistic." The deep voice said. All of Everett's senses came flooding back to him at that moment. He recognized Snape as the person on his right, and Draco as the person on his left. He sighed and stood up straighter, took his arms off of the men and said, "You're right, he would have killed him anyways." He took a step forward by himself and stumbled a little. Snape and Draco were back in place immediately, "Why am I so weak?" he asked. Draco laughed softly, "Maybe because you were sitting in the same position for 45 minutes." "What?" Everett was shocked, "it felt like five minutes." "Hmm." was all Snape said. "You need to sleep Everett, you haven't been looking so good lately." "I don't sleep much, I can't... bad dreams." Snape was about to say something when Draco shot him a look, Harry used to have the same problem. "Have you tried Dreamless sleep?" "Too addictive" Everett said plainly. That was the same thing Harry had said about the potion. They walked the rest of the way in silence. Somehow they managed to get Everett back to his rooms and feed him a light sleeping serum. But Everett slept for more than a full night, he was asleep for two full days. Two days! Finally when he woke up Everett didn't even bother changing clothes. When he entered the Great Hall for dinner, on the third day, everyone broke out in whispers. Not only did their Professor have the same look for a change, he looked like hell. Falling into his seat next to McGonagall and Weasley he didn't say a word. He was sitting next to the betrayer of the century, and Everett just blew it off. He didn't eat any of the food, or drink any coffee. McGonagall tried to start a conversation with him, but got no reply to her questions. After McGonagall had given up Leroy came and placed a hand of his shoulder. "We need to talk." Everett only nodded in return and followed him into a room behind the Head Table, where they sat down in armchairs facing the fire. "While you were asleep I wrote to New York, and we gathered most of the family to the Manor. Everyone will be safe and Maurice and I set up very heavy wards. The Dark Lord won't be able to get to any of them. Everett. Everett they're protected." Leroy looked into Everett's dead eyes. "He will still get to them. He's too powerful now to be stopped by simple wards." Everett's voice was husky from lack of use. "They are similar to those on Hogwarts. Everett you've got to get through this. He's gone, I know this is blunt, but it's the truth, we can't get him back, but we can protect the others. You've got to keep going on with your life, or the Dark Lord will get you when you're weakest." "He won't." Everett said. "Tom will wait, he'll get information about me then he'll use it against me. He'll let me come back then break me again. I know him too well, and that's exactly what he'll do." "Who will he get information from, everyone who knows about some of your past are in the Manor." "Spies Leroy, you should be smart enough to figure that out." Everett said deeply, "Tom has spies upon spies upon spies. Some way he'll figure out who I am and that will be the end." "Everett," Leroy said evenly. "Listen to me, you are strong. Stronger than anyone I've ever met, and you can't let him break you. Salvador wouldn't want you like this and you know it." "I can't handle being at Hogwarts right now, I need to leave." "You can't Everett." Leroy sighed. "People here can help you, just trust them. Get over whatever grudge you have against Dumbledore, and he can help you. Minerva, Severus, Draco, Neville, hell even Sybil can help if you just let them." "You don't understand, I can never forgive Dumbledore for what he did and I won't become another pawn in his game. The others, well they will only get hurt by helping me." "They can handle themselves Everett. Just think about it okay, and start teaching again." Leroy chuckled trying to lighten the mood. "I think Severus is having too much fun with your class." The corners of Everett's mouth curved up into the smallest of smiles. "My poor students."
Death Eater attack on the Order Headquarters. Tonight.
P. Everett sent the notes to the Professor's chambers. He paced the room, frantic thoughts running through his mind. What if they don't get them? Maybe they already know and I'm just being and idiot? Questions like that ran through his head for a moment until he decided he had to check. Firstly he made himself invisible and Apparated to McGonagall's room. The bed was messy and his letter lay upon the bed unfolded. Good, Minerva knew and was probably notifying Dumbledore. Next, he Apparated to Severus' room. The room was dark and his letter hovered over the bed glowing lightly. Everett walked closer to the bed and noticed no one was in it. "Damn." He cursed quietly. He grabbed the letter in his invisible hand and went into Snape's office, no one, classroom, no one, private lab. Just before he opened the door Everett paused, of course, Snape already knew about the attack, he's a Death Eater. Everett almost left, but he stopped, why wouldn't have Minerva known about it? Everett pushed open the door quickly and quietly and slipped in. Snape however noticed the door open and the letter float in. He cast a stunning spell quickly, which Everett casually stopped. Knowing Snape would demand to know who he was he thrust the letter at him. "Just read it." Everett said in a monotone voice that was higher than his usually deep drawl. "Please." Snape cautiously took the letter and quickly read it. "Potter...Harry is that you?" Snape took a step forward. "I must go." Everett said opening the door, " Just go help fight!" he Apparated away. "Harry!!" Severus yelled, he knew that he wouldn't find him, and he also knew that he needed to get to the Headquarters quickly. "Severus!" Albus' voice rang through his room. "Yes, yes, Albus I've been informed, I'll meet you there!"
!!!!E.T. Room!!!! Everett stood silently looking out his window, as many black figures ran towards the Forbidden Forest, to the Apparations barrier. He closed his eyes and leaned against the glass window. He hoped they would get there in time to save Tonks and the child. Also that it was the right full moon. Letting out a harsh sigh, Everett knew it would be a long night. That next week went by in a blur; only from over hearing conversations did he find out that they'd arrived in time to stop the attack. Tonks was alive and Remus never even started to attack the child. Everett noticed one thing while Snape and Draco were having a quiet conversation; Draco went pale as a deep sadness came into his eyes. After that he quickly exited the hall... Three months later Everett now had gotten a maximum of four nights of sleep per week. Ever since the last vision Everett had, he'd chosen not to see any of the others out. And now for some reason his visions had escalated in number to almost every other night. Thankfully he'd gotten some sleep last night, but that still only made up for a part of his exhaustion. The rest was helped by coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. This morning Everett was already on his fourth cup by the time mail arrived. Usually he didn't get any mail, having no contacts that knew where he was except for the Godfathers and the Boss. Today however a sleek black owl landed in front of Everett with a letter attached to his leg. Slowly he took the letter and offered some toast to the owl. It hooted, took the toast and took off again. The parchment was plain enough, and neatly written in elegant red letters was Everett Trattativa. Nothing else showed on the outside, so cautiously Everett opened the letter. It was totally blank, even when he turned it over nothing. Everett was about to crumple it when a spidery crawl appeared on the page- Professor Trattativa,
It has been brought to my attention that you have a great deal of power. How you've escaped my attention before is questionable, but seeing as I've found you now we've got no problem. You are, as some say, a special case. I don't usually seek people out personally. I have others to do that you see, but this time it's different. Though some people do oppose me in the beginning I have a way of persuading them otherwise. I've been informed of you personal opposition against me, but I think we'll be able to get over that. I'm giving you the chance to come to my side without force. Think of it, the power you'll get, how you can be right next to me as we purify the world. Come immediately to The Hogshead if you accept my offer. However if you choose to decline, I think I have something of yours you might be wanting back. One Salvador Greferto, and if you choose not to come he will be tortured and killed. It will be slow and painful, but you can stop this, if you come and join me. It's your choice, stay and let Salvador, and whoever comes after him die, or come and save your friend. You only have until 8:30, and then Salvador will be no more.
Lord Voldemort. Everett was shaking visible from rage, the mug in his hand shattered, cutting into his skin. He stood up so quickly that his chair fell over with a loud crash. Leroy, who was sitting some way away, quickly came to his side. In one quickly motion Everett changed into his normal, Everett, form, complete with his mission attire. His eyes flashed with anger as he looked at Leroy. "That mother fucker has Sally!" he growled. "Who, Everett, what's happened?" Leroy looked a little more that disturbed by Everett's' tone. "He thinks he can trick me into going to his side, he took Sally and..." "Who?!" Leroy grabbed his shoulders. "LORD FUCKING VOLDEMORT!!" Everett yelled. Everyone flinched, even Dumbledore. "I've got to go." Everett looked at his watch, he only had five minutes. "I've got to go." He repeated. "Where, where does he want you to go?" "Hogshead." Everett spat, opening his cloak to check what kinds of weapons he had in his pockets. "I've got to save Sally, Leroy." "You can't go alone Everett, I'll go with you." "No!" Everett shouted, "you're too slow, I'm going now, come as soon as you can bring whomever you wish but now I'm leaving. Time's running out." Leroy opened his mouth to protest, but Everett disappeared in front of his eyes. "Did he just..." Leroy whispered. "Yes, he Apparated. Through Hogwart's wards, he Apparated." Dumbledore said, looking bewildered. **Hogshead** As soon as Everett appeared he searched for Sally. "Come on out Tom!" he yelled into the empty street. A tingle from his scar told him he was there, and he turned around. "I'm glad you could come Everett, just in time too." Lord Voldemort said in a hissing voice. "Where is Salvador!" he said growling at Voldemort. "He's here, why don't we go inside. Have a drink?" "Tom, bring me Salvador." Everett hissed. Voldemort was taken aback by the use of his first name, but went on. "I'm glad to see that you've decided to save your friend, even if he is a muggle." Sal appeared next to Voldemort, face slightly bruised and swollen. He lifted his head. "Ev?" he said weakly. "Let him go," Everett's voice was icy cold. "Now that's not a tone I like to be spoken to in." He raised his wand. "Crucio!" The hex hit Everett square on, but he barely twitched. "You're losing your touch Tom," Everett said through clenched teeth. "Yes, you are very powerful. Join me Everett and all your desires will be granted." "Oh how very cliché, Tom, for my only desire is to have you dead. Give me Salvador!" Everett took a step forward. Voldemort eyed him coldly, "Last chance, join me or you will die!" Everett narrowed his eyes. "Accio Salvador!" Everett shouted and in the same motion he pulled out his gun and fired at Voldemort, just as Sal's' body came flying towards him. The bullet hit Voldemort in the right shoulder, but he still had time to yell, "Avada Kedavra!" and Sally was suddenly dead before he reached Everett. "You will pay Everett!" A 'pop' sound was heard as Voldemort Apparated away. Everett barely registered anything except the body of his friend laying at his feet. He sunk to his knees as a sob escaped his lips. Sally's eyes were closed as Everett gathered him in his arms. Rocking back and forth Everett clutched his body close to his chest, and for the first time in almost six years he cried. He sobbed and screamed and all the while holding tightly onto Sal's body. A hand was gently placed on his shoulder. Leroy sat beside him. "Everett we need to get him back. The family will want a proper funeral for him." Everett didn't hear him. He didn't notice when someone took Sal's body away from him, or when Neville tried to help him up. All he could think about now were the others, Voldemort had taken another person from him and now he would be after more. It was all starting again, and this time he was a different person altogether. Finally Everett was taken away from his thought when two rough pairs of hands pulled to his feet. His were arms slung over two men's shoulders, and they walked him back to the Castle. "Leroy has sent the boy back, and is telling your family to protect themselves." A deep voice said to his right. "There wasn't anything you could have done to stop this. The Dark Lord..." The voice to his left said. "There was plenty I could've done. I could have just joined him and Sally would be alive." "He wouldn't be, Voldemort is sadistic." The deep voice said. All of Everett's senses came flooding back to him at that moment. He recognized Snape as the person on his right, and Draco as the person on his left. He sighed and stood up straighter, took his arms off of the men and said, "You're right, he would have killed him anyways." He took a step forward by himself and stumbled a little. Snape and Draco were back in place immediately, "Why am I so weak?" he asked. Draco laughed softly, "Maybe because you were sitting in the same position for 45 minutes." "What?" Everett was shocked, "it felt like five minutes." "Hmm." was all Snape said. "You need to sleep Everett, you haven't been looking so good lately." "I don't sleep much, I can't... bad dreams." Snape was about to say something when Draco shot him a look, Harry used to have the same problem. "Have you tried Dreamless sleep?" "Too addictive" Everett said plainly. That was the same thing Harry had said about the potion. They walked the rest of the way in silence. Somehow they managed to get Everett back to his rooms and feed him a light sleeping serum. But Everett slept for more than a full night, he was asleep for two full days. Two days! Finally when he woke up Everett didn't even bother changing clothes. When he entered the Great Hall for dinner, on the third day, everyone broke out in whispers. Not only did their Professor have the same look for a change, he looked like hell. Falling into his seat next to McGonagall and Weasley he didn't say a word. He was sitting next to the betrayer of the century, and Everett just blew it off. He didn't eat any of the food, or drink any coffee. McGonagall tried to start a conversation with him, but got no reply to her questions. After McGonagall had given up Leroy came and placed a hand of his shoulder. "We need to talk." Everett only nodded in return and followed him into a room behind the Head Table, where they sat down in armchairs facing the fire. "While you were asleep I wrote to New York, and we gathered most of the family to the Manor. Everyone will be safe and Maurice and I set up very heavy wards. The Dark Lord won't be able to get to any of them. Everett. Everett they're protected." Leroy looked into Everett's dead eyes. "He will still get to them. He's too powerful now to be stopped by simple wards." Everett's voice was husky from lack of use. "They are similar to those on Hogwarts. Everett you've got to get through this. He's gone, I know this is blunt, but it's the truth, we can't get him back, but we can protect the others. You've got to keep going on with your life, or the Dark Lord will get you when you're weakest." "He won't." Everett said. "Tom will wait, he'll get information about me then he'll use it against me. He'll let me come back then break me again. I know him too well, and that's exactly what he'll do." "Who will he get information from, everyone who knows about some of your past are in the Manor." "Spies Leroy, you should be smart enough to figure that out." Everett said deeply, "Tom has spies upon spies upon spies. Some way he'll figure out who I am and that will be the end." "Everett," Leroy said evenly. "Listen to me, you are strong. Stronger than anyone I've ever met, and you can't let him break you. Salvador wouldn't want you like this and you know it." "I can't handle being at Hogwarts right now, I need to leave." "You can't Everett." Leroy sighed. "People here can help you, just trust them. Get over whatever grudge you have against Dumbledore, and he can help you. Minerva, Severus, Draco, Neville, hell even Sybil can help if you just let them." "You don't understand, I can never forgive Dumbledore for what he did and I won't become another pawn in his game. The others, well they will only get hurt by helping me." "They can handle themselves Everett. Just think about it okay, and start teaching again." Leroy chuckled trying to lighten the mood. "I think Severus is having too much fun with your class." The corners of Everett's mouth curved up into the smallest of smiles. "My poor students."