Chapter 14

In his study, Severus sat at his desk, glass of fire whiskey to his left, going over his lesson plans one more time. The students would be arriving the next day and Snape was enjoying his last hours of privacy and solitude.

(Well, it would be solitude, if people would leave me alone!) The chimes that let him know someone was at his door tinkled again. Severus grabbed his glass and strode to his sitting room to find his guest had already let himself in.

"Lucius, what a pleasant surprise." The potions master schooled his expression whilst his mind raced at the implications of his fellow Death Eaters arrival. "I did not think that you had been released from Azkaban just yet."

Lucius Malfoy simply tossed his shining silver hair and drawled, "Did you really think I would be there for long? Those fools at the ministry are stupid, but not so much that they would try and detain a Malfoy, when I was so obviously innocent."

"I see, so what brings you here to the school, you know if Dumbledore sees you it will make him suspicious."

"What could possibly be suspicious about coming to visit the godfather of my son?"

"Very well Lucius, have a seat. Would you care for a drink?"

"No, thank you."

Lucius gracefully settled himself into a dark wooden chair. Snape perched on the edge of another chair and steepled his fingers beneath his chin. "And how is Draco?"

"Fine, Fine." Lucius waved away the question. "I've sent him to his uncle Rabastan's for the summer."

The dark haired man inwardly shuddered at the thought of spending "quality time" with any relative of the Malfoys. "So what is it that you came all the way to Hogwarts for?"

A wave of Lucius' wand and a quick silencing charm let Severus know the seriousness of the impending conversation. Malfoy leaned forward almost mimicking Snape's posture.

"Our Lord is searching for something. Something that will increase his power ten-fold. Have you ever heard of the Amulet of Apollyon? "

Snape's mind raced. "No, can't say as I have, but, Apollyon, wasn't that another name for the devil?"

"Very good Severus, you're right, it was. This amulet was supposedly made by Grindelwald's right hand man, in the last war. Apparently he took several mirroring charms and combined it with various dark arts so that purportedly when the wearer casts a spell, their magic is caught in the amulet, rebounded through the charms and amplified to an amazing extent. I don't have to tell you how eager the Dark Lord is to find this amulet and what it would mean to the outcome of the war."

Severus' mind reeled at the implications of Voldemort's power multiplied and unleashed against the wizarding world.

"What does our Lord want me to do?"

"Well, since that doddering fool Dumbledore was a step ahead with the Sorcerer's Stone, He wishes to know if you've heard anything about it perhaps being hidden here at the castle. It has not been heard of since the last war, but since Dumbledore defeated Lord Grindelwald, he might have it in his possesion."

Severus rubbed at his scruffy chin, thinking on how best to reply.

"I have not heard of anything as of late, but I will be sure to report aught I hear immediately to Him."

"Very well Severus, be sure that you do. On another note, what of Harry Potter?"

Severus took a huge gamble and outright lied. "I've heard nothing, I assume he's still with his guardians and will return for the new school year."

Lucius nodded, seeming to accept the potion master's statement.

"Very well, you will keep us informed of the brat's comings and goings, will you not?"

"Of course."

The conversation turned to more mundane matters, and a few minutes later Lucius rose, with Severus following. "Shall I escort you to the Entrance Hall?" He asked, not liking the idea of Malfoy roaming the castle.

"Please do," came the reply. As Lucius turned toward the door, Severus grabbed his drink, finishing it in one gulp, and smoothly followed the taller man out into the hallway.

The two men had just finished climbing the last staircase and were almost to the entrance hall when voices rang out, echoing down the hallways. Severus almost missed a step when he realized to whom the voices belonged. (Oh bugger.)

Turning the corner the two men came upon non other than Buffy and Harry, who were having a good natured argument on werewolves. The slayer and the young wizard were brought up short, seeing the potion master and his fair-haired companion.

"Heya, Sev'rus! What's the what?" The petite girl dusted her hands on her loose slacks and adjusted the hem of her tank top, while strolling over to the two men.

"Eli-Miss Summers, allow me to introduce Lucius Malfoy. He is the father of one Draco Malfoy, a sixth year student. Lucius, this is Miss Elizabeth Summers, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

"Pleased to meet'cha." She held out her hand, which the man then took, leaning over and placing a chaste kiss on the back of it.

"The pleasure is all mine, I assure you. Are you perhaps related to Derrick and Miranda Summers of Salem?"

"Nope, sorry, and I'm actually from California."

"I see, well, I'm sure that the staff here is lucky to have you. You must be sure to keep my Draco in line, he is always prone to distraction, especially at the sight of a pretty face."

Buffy ducked her head to hide her eyes rolling, and Severus' jaw dropped. (What the bloody hell is Lucius playing at!)

Buffy removed her hand, and smiled extra sweetly. (Gag me with a spoon, if this guy's charm were any thicker, you could spread it on toast.) "Well, if he's anything like his father, I'm sure it will be a pleasure teaching him. Now, if you'll excuse me, I was just taking Harry up to the Headmaster's office."

Lucius' smile dimmed for a moment, but then surged back to it's former brightness, now directed at the boy who hung a few steps back. "Ah, yes, Mister Potter. I admit I'm surprised to see you here ahead of the other students. Have you been here long?"

Severus' eyes widened and his head shook at the young boy.

Harry caught the minute gesture of his potion master. Correctly understanding the movement, he lied. "No, I've only just arrived. That's why I'm going to see the Headmaster."

"I see, well young man, enjoy your school year." Turning back to Buffy, "And Miss Summers, I'm on the Board of Governors for Hogwarts, so I hope to be seeing you again."

Both Buffy and Harry watched as the two men continued toward the massive doors that lead into the sunlight before turning as one and continuing on their way.

As they emerged into the beautiful day, Severus caught Malfoy's arm and hissed. "What the hell was that? Flirting with a Professor, being nice to Potter!?"

Pulling out of the other man's grip, he drawled, "Severus, relax, when will you learn? That Professor has power just radiating off of her, and as an American, her loyalties probably aren't set in stone. She could be a powerful asset, and seeing as how she was obviously getting along with the Potter boy, it probably wasn't prudent to be as rude as I would have liked." Lucius smirked, "And seeing as how you two are on a first name basis, oh yes, I caught your little slip, perhaps you should feel her out, see if perhaps she could be swayed?"

Severus frowned, "I shall try..."

"No, do, Severus, not try, if you are only trying, then you've already failed. I trust you will keep us posted on any news of importance. Good day."

Severus watched Lucius stroll down the lane that headed off the grounds and down to Hogsmeade. When the Death Eater was out of sight, he went back into the castle, shut the door and leaned against it, as if he could shut out the last hour's conversations.

Raising a trembling hand he rubbed his eyes and sighed. (There's not enough fire whiskey in the world to deal with this.) Rubbing his eyes once again, he straightened and headed resolutely for the the Headmasters office.

Upon entering the luxurious study, he found Potter and the slayer talking animatedly with Dumbledore. Ignoring all of them for the moment he strode to the sideboard and poured himself a generous dollop of eighty-year old scotch. Turning back, he found three sets of eyes upon him.

The Headmaster smiled, "Severus, it seems you've had a visitor, care to enlighten us on the reason for Mr. Malfoy's presence in the castle?"

Severus took a catious sip of his drink, "Well, it seems Voldemort is looking for somewhat. The Amulet of Apollyon."

The older man's eyes hardened a bit. "That is grave news indeed, Severus. He must not be allowed to get his hands on such a dangerous artifact. I cannot tell you how devastating that would be to our cause."

"Voldemort also seems to think that you might have it."

"Alas, I do not. I fear that after defeating Grindelwald, I was not in any shape to catalogue his possessions." The old man stroked his beard, "Very well, we can discuss this at tonight's order meeting. That reminds me."

Turning to face the other two occupants of his office who had sat silently through the whole thing. "Buffy, there is a meeting tonight. The Order of the Phoenix, I would be honored if you would come and perhaps give your unique views on a few things."

"Sure no problem." The blonde girl untucked her legs from her chair and nodded.

"Harry, I'm sure you would like to see Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, would you not? I'm sure that you three will find something to occupy your time?" Albus smiled on the young boy.

"No." That one word was enough to stop everyone in mid-motion.

At the Headmaster's statement, Harry felt himself go cold as ice , it was different from the hot rage that had infused him at the end of the last school year when he had wrecked this very same office. He struggled to keep his voice steady.

"Respectfully, Headmaster, I refuse to sit by while everything is planned around me. I was kept in ignorance last year, and it resulted in Sirius' death. I won't sit idly by, and possibly allow another person I care about to become a casualty."

Severus nearly threw his glass. "Perhaps, Potter, you should have thought of that last year when you refused to practice your Occlumency!"

Harry's icy green eyes locked with the professor's dark brown. "Perhaps, Professor you should have been more patient with teaching it!"

"Perhaps you should bother listening to your elders"

"Perhaps....."

"HEY!" All three heads swiveled to face the tiny slayer, hands on her hips. "Give it a rest!" Now that the two had stopped arguing, she didn't know what else to say, but the Headmaster, seeing this, took pity on her.

"Indeed, both of you. Harry, I realize that you want to be a part of things, but you must see that you're just sixteen. You should be off with your friends, not stuck in a room discussing matters of war."

"But Headmaster, Voldemort's going to come after me, no matter what I do. I should at least be armed with knowledge that could possibly help."

"I agree with Harry." Buffy broke in, "If he's gonna have this Destiny thing happening, he should at least know what's going on. And if it's the age thing, I was exactly his age, the first time I died, Destiny doesn't wait for anyone."

Dumbledore sighed, looking very old indeed. "I hear what you are saying, and I understand your point. Very well Harry, if it's your intent to attend tonight's meeting, then you are welcome."

Harry nodded, and Buffy smiled. Snape scowled and polished off his drink, setting his glass on the sideboard.

"Well since that's settled, I believe I shall see you tonight."