The clock on MacLeod's back wall ticked marking the silence as each man contemplated the meaning of Cassandra's warning. Severus sighed and looked up. "The headmaster must be notified immediately," he said breaking the silence.
"Yes Albus must know." Adam agreed.
"And the muggle?" questioned Severus glancing at the wand up his sleeve and then at MacLeod.
The highlander blinked in confusion. "What's a muggle?" He asked.
"Yes, better safe than sorry," Adam confirmed. "Need to know basis only." Severus nodded and watched as the normally boneless mage straightened. The hairs at back of Severus' neck pricked up as Adam's magic began to swirl around the tiny office.
"What the hell?" MacLeod gasped in alarm. "Methos?"
"I am truly sorry Highlander. But it is safer this way." MacLeod backed up in fear as Adam's Quickening reached towards him. "OBLIVIATE!" cried Adam as charge of blue lightening hit the Scot. MacLeod staggered and fell into the chair behind him.
Then it was Severus' turn to gasp as the mage's aura flared all around him and through him. Adam smiled as Severus reached out and tentatively touched the blue-white charge with his own silver tendrils. It was at once feral and gentle; white hot and ice cold. Unlike any magic that Severus had ever experienced, it felt sentient. Even Voldemort's essence paled in comparison to the solid wall of power surrounding him. "Oh my," said Severus in awe and then it was gone.
Behind the desk MacLeod blinked in confusion. "Oh hello Adam. When did you get here?"
"Just now. Late night?" Asked Adam.
"Oh I must have zoned out. Who's your friend?"
"This is Severus Snape. He's staying with me for a couple of weeks. I thought we could all go down to Joe's and grab some lunch?"
"That sounds great. Very nice to meet you Mr. Snape."
"Same here Mr. MacLeod," said Severus grabbing MacLeod's extended hand. Severus noted with inward chagrin that this time the grip was merely firm.
MacLeod turned back to Adam. "Yes Joe said he was expecting us. Let me just finish this up," pointing to some forms on his desk, "and we can head out."
"Actually MacLeod can I use the phone upstairs. I need to make a personal call."
"Sure, here's the key. Be careful with the elevator door though, I haven't fixed it yet."
"Thanks Mac. Come on Severus you're with me." With that Adam turned and headed out of the office. Severus followed him into a small metal cage. He quirked an eyebrow in query as a set of vertical gunmetal gray doors slammed shut.
"It's an elevator. It... uhm...levitates you between floors."
"Of course."
"Here you do the honors. Push that button right there," said Adam pointing to the black button at the top of the console to his right. Severus sighed and did as he was asked. He braced himself against the wall as the elevator lurched and began its ascent. Within seconds the motion stopped. Adam reached over and pushed another button releasing the doors. Severus followed him into MacLeod living quarters.
Severus looked around with interest. Unlike Adam's utilitarian dwelling MacLeod's quarters were lush and masculine. A single large room with high ceilings, unfinished brick walls and wooden floors; it's nooks and crannies were filled with tasteful bric-a-brac and curiously enough antique weaponry, a room of an obviously wealthy man.
Severus turned as a surge of magical energy flared behind him to find Adam crouched before a magnificent marble fireplace where once a mahogany chest stood. Adam gestured for him to join him on the floor. Going down on his knees, he waited patiently as Adam murmured a soft incantation and placed his call. "Albus Dumbledore's office."
A moment later the headmasters white bearded face appeared in the hearth. "Ah Methos."
"Albus."
"I trust that Severus has arrived safely." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with mirth.
Severus leaned forward towards the hearth and replied through clenched teeth, "yes headmaster."
"Excellent. Excellent. I trust you are enjoying yourself, Severus."
"Of course headmaster." You will pay dearly for this old man, he thought.
Adam chuckled at the potion master's obvious irritation. "Albus, you old reprobate, you could have at least given the man a bit of warning."
"Surprises add a certain spice to life do you not think, Methos."
"Yes I'm sure it does," smirked Adam, "however, Severus may have a different take on the situation. But enough pleasantries, Albus, we have received some information. I am not certain it's relevant to your situation but it needs to be checked out."
The old wizard's eyes sharpened. "Yes. How can I help."
"It's Cassandra."
"She has contacted you?" said Dumbledore in a startled voice.
"Yes, through a friend." Adam shrugged. "She said a great evil has been reborn, one that will plunge the world into eternal darkness. Time is the only light. For without it the serpent will not roar and the phoenix will not rise. The horseman must know."
"This is indeed dire," said Dumbledore. Severus cringed at the dead tone in the old wizard's normally cheerful voice. If the headmaster was worried, he thought.
"The lightening child is to show the way," continued Adam.
A chill swept down Severus' spine as Dumbledore said, "ah yes young Mr. Potter."
It was always about Potter wasn't it? While Severus disliked the rule breaking lack luster student on principle, his heart went out to Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. Year after year the boy was asked to bear the burden that would break any sane wizard. No child deserved to be shackled to such a fate. Severus shook his head and sighed.
"Headmaster, perhaps I should return to Hogwarts and help with the research..." Severus started only to be cut off.
"No...no. You need to be away Severus, a little distance if you will. Humor an old man. While oracle's visions are of concern, Lord Voldemort is still too weak, I think, to mount a full-scale attack. Others can begin the research. We still have some time and you need a respite from the Dark Lord's attentions."
"But headmaster."
"No Severus, you have done enough. Save it for the final battle. I cannot afford to lose you." Dumbledore looked sad.
"Yes headmaster." Severus swallowed fighting to keep his stony expression. The sentimental old fool.
"I will consult the seers and have the Order begin research into the visions." A sparkle of mischief returned to the old wizard's eyes. Severus cringed. Oh Merlin, kill me now, he thought. Dumbledore smiled knowingly and continued, "I look forward to seeing you both at the start of term. Thank you for everything Methos. And Severus, do try to have fun." With that the connection ended.
Severus continued to kneel blinking in disbelief as Adam mumbled a few words and transfigured the fireplace back into a chest. Fun, the old fool wanted him to have fun, of all the nerve. Oh headmaster, yours will be a painful prolonged death, Severus silently promised. The sound of the elevator door opening brought Severus out of his reverie and off his knees.
"Adam...are you finished with your call?"
"Yes thanks Mac," answered Adam moving towards the elevator, "are you ready to go to Joe's?"
"Yes." Macleod held the grey doors open over his head with an upraised hand.
"Excellent! Let's go." Adam signaled Severus to follow.
"If we must." Mumbled Severus under his breath.
"Ah come on it'll be fun!"
"Yes Albus must know." Adam agreed.
"And the muggle?" questioned Severus glancing at the wand up his sleeve and then at MacLeod.
The highlander blinked in confusion. "What's a muggle?" He asked.
"Yes, better safe than sorry," Adam confirmed. "Need to know basis only." Severus nodded and watched as the normally boneless mage straightened. The hairs at back of Severus' neck pricked up as Adam's magic began to swirl around the tiny office.
"What the hell?" MacLeod gasped in alarm. "Methos?"
"I am truly sorry Highlander. But it is safer this way." MacLeod backed up in fear as Adam's Quickening reached towards him. "OBLIVIATE!" cried Adam as charge of blue lightening hit the Scot. MacLeod staggered and fell into the chair behind him.
Then it was Severus' turn to gasp as the mage's aura flared all around him and through him. Adam smiled as Severus reached out and tentatively touched the blue-white charge with his own silver tendrils. It was at once feral and gentle; white hot and ice cold. Unlike any magic that Severus had ever experienced, it felt sentient. Even Voldemort's essence paled in comparison to the solid wall of power surrounding him. "Oh my," said Severus in awe and then it was gone.
Behind the desk MacLeod blinked in confusion. "Oh hello Adam. When did you get here?"
"Just now. Late night?" Asked Adam.
"Oh I must have zoned out. Who's your friend?"
"This is Severus Snape. He's staying with me for a couple of weeks. I thought we could all go down to Joe's and grab some lunch?"
"That sounds great. Very nice to meet you Mr. Snape."
"Same here Mr. MacLeod," said Severus grabbing MacLeod's extended hand. Severus noted with inward chagrin that this time the grip was merely firm.
MacLeod turned back to Adam. "Yes Joe said he was expecting us. Let me just finish this up," pointing to some forms on his desk, "and we can head out."
"Actually MacLeod can I use the phone upstairs. I need to make a personal call."
"Sure, here's the key. Be careful with the elevator door though, I haven't fixed it yet."
"Thanks Mac. Come on Severus you're with me." With that Adam turned and headed out of the office. Severus followed him into a small metal cage. He quirked an eyebrow in query as a set of vertical gunmetal gray doors slammed shut.
"It's an elevator. It... uhm...levitates you between floors."
"Of course."
"Here you do the honors. Push that button right there," said Adam pointing to the black button at the top of the console to his right. Severus sighed and did as he was asked. He braced himself against the wall as the elevator lurched and began its ascent. Within seconds the motion stopped. Adam reached over and pushed another button releasing the doors. Severus followed him into MacLeod living quarters.
Severus looked around with interest. Unlike Adam's utilitarian dwelling MacLeod's quarters were lush and masculine. A single large room with high ceilings, unfinished brick walls and wooden floors; it's nooks and crannies were filled with tasteful bric-a-brac and curiously enough antique weaponry, a room of an obviously wealthy man.
Severus turned as a surge of magical energy flared behind him to find Adam crouched before a magnificent marble fireplace where once a mahogany chest stood. Adam gestured for him to join him on the floor. Going down on his knees, he waited patiently as Adam murmured a soft incantation and placed his call. "Albus Dumbledore's office."
A moment later the headmasters white bearded face appeared in the hearth. "Ah Methos."
"Albus."
"I trust that Severus has arrived safely." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with mirth.
Severus leaned forward towards the hearth and replied through clenched teeth, "yes headmaster."
"Excellent. Excellent. I trust you are enjoying yourself, Severus."
"Of course headmaster." You will pay dearly for this old man, he thought.
Adam chuckled at the potion master's obvious irritation. "Albus, you old reprobate, you could have at least given the man a bit of warning."
"Surprises add a certain spice to life do you not think, Methos."
"Yes I'm sure it does," smirked Adam, "however, Severus may have a different take on the situation. But enough pleasantries, Albus, we have received some information. I am not certain it's relevant to your situation but it needs to be checked out."
The old wizard's eyes sharpened. "Yes. How can I help."
"It's Cassandra."
"She has contacted you?" said Dumbledore in a startled voice.
"Yes, through a friend." Adam shrugged. "She said a great evil has been reborn, one that will plunge the world into eternal darkness. Time is the only light. For without it the serpent will not roar and the phoenix will not rise. The horseman must know."
"This is indeed dire," said Dumbledore. Severus cringed at the dead tone in the old wizard's normally cheerful voice. If the headmaster was worried, he thought.
"The lightening child is to show the way," continued Adam.
A chill swept down Severus' spine as Dumbledore said, "ah yes young Mr. Potter."
It was always about Potter wasn't it? While Severus disliked the rule breaking lack luster student on principle, his heart went out to Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. Year after year the boy was asked to bear the burden that would break any sane wizard. No child deserved to be shackled to such a fate. Severus shook his head and sighed.
"Headmaster, perhaps I should return to Hogwarts and help with the research..." Severus started only to be cut off.
"No...no. You need to be away Severus, a little distance if you will. Humor an old man. While oracle's visions are of concern, Lord Voldemort is still too weak, I think, to mount a full-scale attack. Others can begin the research. We still have some time and you need a respite from the Dark Lord's attentions."
"But headmaster."
"No Severus, you have done enough. Save it for the final battle. I cannot afford to lose you." Dumbledore looked sad.
"Yes headmaster." Severus swallowed fighting to keep his stony expression. The sentimental old fool.
"I will consult the seers and have the Order begin research into the visions." A sparkle of mischief returned to the old wizard's eyes. Severus cringed. Oh Merlin, kill me now, he thought. Dumbledore smiled knowingly and continued, "I look forward to seeing you both at the start of term. Thank you for everything Methos. And Severus, do try to have fun." With that the connection ended.
Severus continued to kneel blinking in disbelief as Adam mumbled a few words and transfigured the fireplace back into a chest. Fun, the old fool wanted him to have fun, of all the nerve. Oh headmaster, yours will be a painful prolonged death, Severus silently promised. The sound of the elevator door opening brought Severus out of his reverie and off his knees.
"Adam...are you finished with your call?"
"Yes thanks Mac," answered Adam moving towards the elevator, "are you ready to go to Joe's?"
"Yes." Macleod held the grey doors open over his head with an upraised hand.
"Excellent! Let's go." Adam signaled Severus to follow.
"If we must." Mumbled Severus under his breath.
"Ah come on it'll be fun!"