Can they make a difference?
Chapter 16: Never make the same mistake twice
Pairings: Goku/Vegeta, Harry/Draco, Severus/Remus, Ron/Hermione
WARNING: Go back to chapter 1
Notes: First I would like to apologize for taking such a long time to update. My son apparently broke my laptop and I have no access to a computer. My mother just installed msword so now I'm back in business. Thank you all for waiting for patiently for me to update.
Also this chapter has been edited so if you wanted the unedited version please email me
/ Thoughts /
:: Telepathy ::
Now enough of my endless chatter on with the story
Enjoy!
oOoOoOo
Vegeta woke to the sound of running water from inside the bathroom. He looked around the lush bedroom. The bed linens were silver and the canopy and curtains were emerald.
/Oh, no, not again/ he thought. What could the asshole possibly want with him this time?
Malfoy exited the bathroom with a sneer. "You are not worth the time or energy Vegeta."
"If I didn't know any better Blondie, I'd say you were jealous."
"Oh, please! If anything I want that bastard dead," Lucius yelled.
"Then what the hell are you doing bowing down to someone like him? You don't strike me as the 'Follow-the-Leader' type."
Lucius turned from Vegeta, glad he had set privacy charms on the room. "I was married before I turned eighteen. Narcissa and I found out that we were Soul mates in our seventh year.
"James and Lily found out around the same time – all of us were best friends – Anyway, I had stupidly gotten smashed on my wedding night and my father in his infinite wisdom stole me away to meet a friend of his. As it turned out it was Riddle.
"I don't really remember much after that but when I woke the following morning, I was in bed with my wife and with a massive hangover. I didn't think much about the night before until I was getting dressed and saw the mark. My Father (the bastard) sold out his only heir to that son-of-a-bitch, Riddle. I had no intention of serving someone like him – I don't need power or fame.
"I wasted no time informing Dumbledore, but in order to be an effective spy I had to be believable as a commanding officer for Riddle. Riddle made sure that I would stay loyal and obedient to him by threatening my family." Lucius turned back around to face the short Saiyan prince. "Do you know why Draco is an only child?" he asked.
Vegeta remained quiet as the wizard explained. "Draco was already two when we found out that Narcissa was pregnant. We had just gone through a trial involving my activities with You-Know-Who and the deaths of James and Lily.
"Apparently, Riddle received some news right before Harry 'killed' him at Godric's hollow. The news was that I wasn't as loyal as I had claimed to be."
"Let me make a guess. Snake-face left instructions with someone, whom no one would suspect, to arrange a little accident for you but instead got your wife," Vegeta summed up.
Lucius nodded. "You can't even imagine what it is to watch your wife lose something so precious that was created between you out of love…" The silver-eyed wizard looked Vegeta right in his inky black eyes, and Lucius saw the brief flash of pain. "Yes, you can," was all that he said.
"But now I fear Riddle has caught on to my deception. He has recruited another pureblood wizard, bend on replacing me. It's only a matter of time before I'm found out."
"What happened to the jerk that ratted you out?" Vegeta asked going back to their previous topic.
Lucius gifted the Saiyan with a magnificent smile. "Po- Harry doesn't know, nor do I want him to, but I was the one who turned in Pettigrew and cleared Black's name - but enough about that. Right now you need to know why you are here."
oOoOoOo
The hospital ward was relatively silent. After all these years of laying in bed, Harry still got that eerie feeling of fear from being in the quietness of the wing. However, he missed his godfather's visit as he slept for the first time since his episode in his tower.
Sirius returned not long ago from his mission only to be informed that his godson was in the infirmary. He couldn't visit Harry just yet as he was sitting in a meeting with Dumbledore and McGonagall. He was also surprised to see Snape after all of the press that he had received over the past week. He thought that the man would at least have the common courtesy to keep his pregnant husband away from unwanted publicity.
Sirius was also anxious to visit with Remus. He wanted to know how his best friend was holding up under all the stress. He didn't think more about it as the Headmaster got the meeting under way.
"First off I would like to say welcome back Sirius (thank you, sir). Now, for the first order of business, Sirius could you please tell us what you have discovered of the whereabouts of Voldemort."
"You-Know-Who has been planning something since his mansion was destroyed. The word 'Prince' and 'Traitor' kept popping up. I only guessed that the reference was to Vegeta and Snape. I did manage to get inside information on something happening at one of the Ministry's holding facilities. It seems that our good Minister has a visitor by the name of Wilhelm Roethke on several occasions. Also Lucius Malfoy has been to the facility at least once."
"Is there anything else, Sirius?"
"No, sir."
"That has to be where he is keeping them, Albus," Snape said.
"You don't know for sure, Severus. For all we know it could be a trap," Minerva said, trying to reason with the Potions professor.
Severus stood up abruptly. "Damn it Minerva, don't you think I realize that? I am not going to sit back and wait to see what that bastard's next move is," Snape shouted.
The books around the Headmaster's office jolted on the shelves from Severus' flare-up.
"Calm down Snape or you'll give yourself an aneurysm," Sirius taunted.
Severus snorted. "I'm surprised you have a word that big in your vocabulary, Black."
"Boys, please. Our main concern now is what to do about retrieving Remus and Vegeta," Dumbledore implored.
Sirius ceased his teasing of Severus, narrowing his eyes. "What do you mean by that?"
Severus inwardly groaned. In all haste to get the whereabouts of his lover, they forgot to tell the animagus of the kidnappings.
"Earlier this week Voldemort managed to kidnap Remus and Vegeta-" Severus explained but he didn't get a chance to finish as Sirius grabbed hold of him, shoving the lithe Saiyan-wizard against a bookshelf.
Snape automatically brought his knee up to Sirius' groin causing him to stagger a little before Severus came at him with a right punch to the face. As Sirius went down he morphed into his canine form. Severus stood motionless as he stared at the enormous black grim.
"Cease this immediately!" Dumbledore's voice boomed. Minerva, as always, watched from the side lines wondering how men ever got anything resolved as they always seemed to be fighting. She took another sip of relaxing herbal tea, silently watching the fireworks.
Apparently, the headstrong professors ignored the shout from their employer. Padfoot launch himself at Snape. The Potions Master dove right under the massive beast. Padfoot slammed into the bookcase knocking over several books and small figurines to the floor. When he shook off the wave of dizziness, Padfoot turned to face a large snapping silver wolf.
Both Dumbledore and McGonagall sat speechless. Never before had they witnessed Severus' animagus form – they didn't even know he was one. It was no wonder Remus chose him.
Dumbledore was brought out of his stupor when both animals charged each other. He whipped out his wand and shouted, "Immobilus!"
The hounds drifted in mid-air. "Cooperation is needed on both of your parts - unless of course you want to deal with Mr. Son. Now, I suggest that both of you come to your senses before he arrives."
The Headmaster released them from the spell and they reverted back to heir human form just as a cloaked figure entered the semi-battered office.
"Ah, perfect! You're right on time," Dumbledore said, carrying on as if nothing had happened.
Severus immediately caught the scent of the newcomer. "Narcissa."
The hood of the heavy velvet cloak dropped. Glorious locks of wavy flaxen hair cascaded from underneath. Misty silver-blue eyes searched obsidian orbs.
"I over heard Lucius and Roethke the other night arguing. The Dark Lord is using Remus to get to you. He's being held-"
"We all ready know where. What we need to know is where he is keeping Vegeta and why?"
"I don't know where. I don't think even Lucius knows. He has always used a portkey. As for why - You-Know-Who wants him to carry his heir."
They were speechless - no one could utter one single word. They all knew what was to come once Goku was informed. Life as they knew it would end.
oOoOoOo
Sirius and Severus both found themselves in the infirmary with a very upset Pomfrey fussing at them for their unbelievable display of childish stupidity.
Pomfrey had enough to deal with without them adding to the mix.
The hospital matron didn't have to cast any healing charms on the Potions Master, since because of his Saiyan biology his body would heal quickly. If Severus had sustained any worse injuries his body would shutdown to heal naturally just like it did when he and Vegeta first fought in the Dueling Club. He had a few scratches on his tanned face but by tomorrow they would be gone, so Poppy left them.
Sirius, on the other hand, had a mild concussion, the result of hitting the bookcase. The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher also had a lovely bruise on his left cheek, which the mediwitch didn't heal – she said that it would serve as a reminder for the next time he decided to fight.
She released both wizards letting them know that were not to try anything as disgraceful as attacking each other in the Headmaster's office. Next time she would make sure their recovery time was long and painful.
Professor Dumbledore got a kick out of how his former students scrambled out of the hospital wing. It reminded him of days long since past. He sighed at the head table watching all of his students interact with their respective houses.
oOoOoOo
Two days had come and gone. Severus was not known for his patience and began pacing in his private chambers. He had returned to Hogwarts after his mate's disappearance. He hated being alone in his bedroom. Remus' heady scent overwhelmed him. He fled to his lab when it became too unbearable to stay in his room.
It was still early when Severus joined the teaching staff for breakfast. No one commented on the vacant seats. Goku had arrived back the previous day keeping to himself.
The sudden influx of owls startled Goku as his thoughts were on his mate. A large black hawk swooped in and dropped a post for Severus before heading back out the open sky light window.
Severus looked at the Headmaster before touching the envelope. Once he received conformation he leaned over to whisper something to Goku. The Earth-raised Saiyan vanished from sight as soon as the professor was finished.
To his surprise the letter wasn't from Voldemort.
LMSeverus,
Whatever you are going to do, do it quickly. Fudge is on his way to arrest you. Lupin and Vegeta are together at the holding facility.
The letter caught fire the moment he was finished, leaving no trace of its existence. Severus looked up just as the Minister of Magic barged into the Great Hall.
The voices in the hall came to a halt when Fudge spoke. "Severus Snape you are hereby under arrest. You are charged with Death Eater activities and involvement with You-Know-Who."
The Aurors grabbed hold of the Potions Master. Fudge removed his wand. Severus made no struggle this time.
No one moved except for Dumbledore. He stood behind the table ready. "Fudge what is the meaning of arresting my teacher?"
"You heard the charges Headmaster," Fudge said proudly.
"Severus my boy don't worry about a thing," he said.
The Aurors lead Snape out onto the grounds near the Forbidden Forest with everyone following behind them. They disapperated without another word.
oOoOoOo
Lucius was packing up for the day to attend another meeting for the Ministry when the building shook with a deafening boom. Plaster and dust fell around him in his office.
He grabbed his silver-headed snake cane before running to his door. He was met by one of team leaders.
"MR. MALFOY!" she screamed trying to make herself heard over the noise.
"What the bloody hell is-" again the building shook. "Find Penrose and Monteque and meet me outside," he ordered.
Lucius could hardly believe the damage once he stepped outdoors. A large area was consumed by fire. Black billowing smoke darkened the sky as wizards and witches tried to put out the spreading flames.
More than a dozen businesses lay in ruin. He searched for any signs of the attackers as bright blinding waves of light streaked across the sky. With everyone in a state of panic, Lucius began calling out orders to make sure they stayed focused.
A group of recently graduated Aurors walked up to him. "Sir, we just found a group of…well, it seems to be um…"
Lucius was in no mood to be bothered with newbies. "Just spit it out," he growled through clenched teeth.
"There are several men, sir floating in the sky. They seem to be using some type of levitating spell…"
"What else?!" Lucius raised his voice, annoyed with the female.
"Also they the ones who are casting the light beams, sir."
The senior Malfoy took a minute or so to gather his thoughts. "For now defend up to the anti-apparation points. Since, we don't know who or what we're dealing with treat this as if the Dark Lord himself has descended upon us."
Everyone ran off to get in position. More beams of light rained down around them. Aurors were yelling and screaming back and forth casting hexes and disarming spells. Lucius was along side his team of Aurors when he noticed that Cen Clayton (a team leader) ceased movement, panic-stricken.
Lucius' face contorted with anger as his group started to break up, using individual attacks to fend off the enemy. The pureblood wizard took charge of the rogue group, making them work as a team. "READY! HOLD THEM BACK! EVERYONE CAST A HEX, 1 – 2 – 3 – NOW!!!" Lucius shouted above the deafening noise as he slowly made his over to Clayton.
"We can't! There too many!" the woman shouted back. Her face was smeared with soot as was as her white robe.
"I will not have this building decimated because you were too incompetent to defend it! There are people inside and I will be damned if I allow you to let anyone of them die! Now, get your ass in gear! Get your team over there or you will find out what it feels like to be subjected to multiple dark curses!!!" he yelled back exasperated.
Cen's brown eyes widen beyond their sockets. She didn't waste any more time and took charge of a handful of Aurors.
Before Lucius could issue another command his body jumped slightly. It happened again, and again. The thumping was becoming more intense. The balls of light ceased. Lucius looked beyond the defensive points when he caught sight of it.
Loud roaring in the distance was enough to stop everyone on the battlefield.
He looked up to see three ominous figures approaching.
"Bloody hell," Lucius whispered.
oOoOoOo TBC oOoOoOo
Teaser for Chapter 17:Winner takes all
They made it outside without incident. Both breathing a sigh of relief. A colorless dust cloud greeted them as they exited the crumbling building. They emerged on the other side wide-eyed at the mass destruction of Hogsmead.
Remus stood frozen. He doubled over when a sharp pain struck him in the lower part of his abdomen. /Oh, no! I'm labor!/