Disclaimer: I do not own any of Ms. Rowling's wonderful creations. Nor do I own any of the various songs that may be presented throughout the length of this fanfiction. The various songs will be named at the end of the fic, as well as in the chapter within which they lie.

A big thanks and a shout out goes to:


screwtheperfectlife – Yes, Snake's Halo is back for a short time at the beginning of this chapter. Also, Draco's Godfather is Severus Snape.

Bob With the Really Long Name – I'm glad you liked it. She was beginning to border too much as a god-like character. While she is a very powerful woman, she's not perfect, and that was what I was trying to portray near the end of the Prologue.

Warg – Of course it was more than the preview I sent you. The part that I sent you was a preview. Meaning, you got a snippet, but not the entire thing.

goldenlioness1102 – If you haven't read Kicking Buckets, do so. It explains that Maya is, indeed, Hermione.

FredWeasleyLover1126 – Yes, there is a sequel. Originally, there wasn't, but so many people wanted one that I decided to write one.

Snow-Fairie – Yes, it's the sequel. I'm glad you like it.

It hasn't previously been posted in the description, but this is, indeed, the sequel to Kicking Buckets. Those of you who haven't read this story should, because otherwise some of the stuff that is said and done here will make no sense whatsoever.

Yours,

Allison

Chapter 1

Many times in the past four years, I have longed with all of my heart to return to the time that I originated in...to return to Ron and Harry and the familiarity that we three shared. Each time, I was denied. And now...in the end...I no longer belong in either world. They say that home is where the heart is. How can I decide where my "home" is anymore? Harry, Ron...Ginny. All of my friends here...they are now four years younger than I.

I do not belong with my generation any longer...and yet...neither do I belong in the generation that I left behind, mere months ago by my reckoning. For Sirius, Lucius, Remus, Severus, and Trevor...it has been sixteen years since they have seen me. Lucius will be turning Thirty-Eight this January. James and Lily would have just turned Thirty-Seven...and Sirius. Oh, Sirius. I cannot think on it. Twelve years spent in Azkaban. When I could have cleared him! When I could have prevented it all! Oh, Pudge, you little fool! When I find you, Pettigrew, there will be twenty years worth of deception for you to make up for.

And yet...

Can I really blame Peter any more than I blame myself? In all fairness...can I truly hate him any more than I hate myself? For that matter, should I hate myself any less than I hate Bellatrix Lestrange? For as surely as Peter spoke the words that condemned Lily and James, I too condemned them with my own inaction. Oh Albus! I took your words to heart, but at what cost! My own heart? My own mind? My soul? I remember that night in the Hospital Wing.

I never thought that ten words comprising two sentences could be so damning.

"You know the law. You know what you are risking."

A pox on you, Albus, for implanting in my mind the code that I was forced to live by for four long years! I never spoke a word, not even when I knew who the traitor was! I let Lily and James be condemned to death! Not to mention Sirius! Twelve years in Azkaban. Oh my love! What have I done?

Maya Gurgeon

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She shouldn't have let Albus talk her into it, Maya thought bitterly. She was in a pair of pale blue dressrobes that accented her figure, her hair was half down, with two braids running along each side of her head like a crown to combine with the rest of her hair in the back, the braids carefully pinned so that the braids only just touched, the rest of her hair hanging straight and perfect to her butt. A silver chain around her neck accented her bright golden tan and emphasized the blue of the robes nicely as she stood sipping champagne and watching the students carefully.

She was a teacher, after all...even though she was not wearing the disguise that made her Helen Grant. Snake's Halo was a good band...though it seemed to Maya that they played as though their hearts were not fully in it. Most of the students would not recognize the blonde on guitar or the dark man on the drums, but Maya had spent four years learning the men and their styles. Even now- sixteen years later, by their reckonings- they could hide nothing from her, though she hid behind a quaint silver mask that covered the upper half of her face, leaving only her mouth completely revealed. Maya watched as Lucius ended the current song and began searching the crowd. That was her cue. Sighing and handing the wine glass to Albus, she picked up her microphone silently. Albus would give the signal to Lucius when she was in position, and the Blonde would kick off the song.

She moved into her place and looked up, catching Albus' eye and nodding. He turned and made a motion to Lucius, who nodded and, taking a slow breath, began to play.

(Note: Regular: Actions, Bold: Hermione, Italics: Lucius, Both: Both)

I'm not supposed to be scared of anything, Maya began walking up towards the stage, mounting the steps with a slow precision that drew all eyes to her.

But I don't know where I am

I wish that I could move but I'm exhausted She stopped on the stage, facing the audience, just beside Lucius. Spreading the hand holding the mic up, palm out towards the crowd, she continued singing.

And nobody understands how I feel

I'm tryin' hard to breathe now Her hand slowly curled into a fist and she drew it back to press it against her chest.

But there's no air in my lungs.

There's no one here to talk to She bowed her head.

And the pain inside is making me numb.

I try to hold this under control

They can't help me, cause no one knows. Her head snapped up, brown eyes burning into the crowd, despite the mask.

Now I'm goin' through changes, changes. Her hand moved out to the crowd, imploring.

God, I feel so frustrated, lately. The hand dropped to her side, clenching into a fist.

When I get suffocated, save me. She looked over and met Lucius' eyes.

Now I'm goin' through changes, changes.Maya spun, walking back towards Severus, whose eyes widened as he saw the dark brown eyes beneath the mask.

Feelin' weak and weary She spun back towards the crowd,

Walkin' through this world alone Her hips swayed in the thin, silky material of the robes as she moved towards the edge of the stage.

Everything they say every word of it She dropped her head back, half falling on purpose before standing once more.

Cuts me to the bone and I bleed

I've got something to say

But I've got nowhere to turn Her hand swept out over the crowd

It feels like I've been buried Her head dropped once again.

Underneath all the weight of the world.

I try to hold this under control

They can't help me, cause no one knows. Right on cue, her eyes burned into the crowd as her head snapped back up.

Now I'm goin' through changes, changes. She danced lightly to the lyrics, losing herself in them as she spun around, her robes swirling around her legs.

God, I feel so frustrated, lately. Her hand balled and she raised her eyes to the ceiling as she sang

When I get suffocated, save me. Her hand flung out to the crowd.

Now I'm goin' through changes, changes. She spun and stalked towards the side of the stage, stopping as Lucius began to play the Instrumental break.

She dropped to her knees, facing the crowd as her voice raised in a perfect harmony with Lucius.'

I'm blind and shakin', bound and breakin'

I hope I'll make it, through all these changes

Trevor Wingardium Leviosa'ed her at the exact moment and she shot upwards in a controlled spin, landing on her feet easily- despite the height of her stilleto heels.

Now I'm goin' through changes, changes. She and Lucius turned, singing to each other much like they once used to...though this time, he had no idea who she was.

God, I feel so frustrated, lately. Maya poured her sorrow into the lyrics as she sang.

When I get suffocated, save me.

Now I'm falling apart, now I feel it. She turned, pointing to the crowd.

But I'm goin' through changes, changes. Stamping a foot, she moved towards the edge of the stage.

God, I feel so frustrated, lately! She threw the microphone into the air after turning it off, stretching both hands upwards. Catching it, she brought it to her mouth again, finishing up the song.

When I get suffocated, I hate this.

But I'm goin' through changes, changes. She froze as Lucius finished playing the very last of the song. As the student body went wild, Maya bowed formally with Lucius, handing him back the microphone.

"Thank you, Sir. It has been truly a pleasure." She stated, calmly.

"Indeed." He drawled. "Thank you for your cooperation."

"You're welcome." She stated. She'd recognized the song, of course...she'd helped write it. "Well...happy playing." She turned, walking for the edge of the stage, unaware of the black eyes tracing her every move.

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"Where is she?" Severus demanded of the Headmaster, the next day. He'd burst in while Albus and Maya were discussing things, and she'd barely had time to put on her mask and wig before the Head of Slytherin had seen her.

"Where is who, Severus?" Albus asked.

"Maya. Don't you dare lie to me, Albus, I know that it was her last night. Nobody else could have put as much flavor into one of her songs."

Albus and 'Helen' exchanged glances. The gig, it seemed, was up. Before either of them could say anything, however, Remus burst into the room, gasping for breath. "Albus!" He choked out. "Maya's old...mansion." He was still gasping for breath. Helen and Albus both stood at the words.

"What about it?" Albus asked, fearing that he already knew.

"Bellatrix Lestrange and a few other Deatheaters broke in. Sirius shoved me into a closet, hiding my wand and setting a timed locking spell on the door." Remus gasped out. "He fought...but it was one against five, and..."

"Please tell me he's not dead." Albus said, slowly. His eyes were warily on his Defense Professor's face. Nothing written on the woman's features- even through the mask- were very pleasant.

"He wasn't when they left, but you know Bellatrix..." Before Remus could get through the sentence, the door flung open and Neville Longbottom and Professor McGonagall appeared.

"Albus! Deatheaters in Hogsmeade!" Minerva choked out. "They've taken some students!"

"Which ones?" Albus had to fight to maintain his temper. If he lost his, then there would be no way in hell that Maya would keep hers leashed.

"Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Ginerva Weasley, Blaise Zabini, and Draco Malfoy are the students that didn't arrive safely back to Hogsmeade when we sounded the emergency return signal." Minerva said, her face pale.

"What are we to do?" Remus asked, even more worried than before. Albus spoke more to the woman coiled as tight as a spring at his side.

"We must wait, for now..." He began.

"Stow it, Albus. Am I an auror or what?" She snapped. All eyes shot to her.

"Helen, please." Albus said, trying to keep her calm.

"NO, Albus!" Her voice was whipping with power quite suddenly. The others in the room fell back in shock, recognizing both the ice in the voice and the terrible power about the witch. "It's time for me to show myself and bite the bullet, as the muggles say." She said, reaching up and pulling off the wig and the mask, letting her hair fall down perfectly. A spell later and it was styled nicely in the same style as it had been the night before.

Severus and Remus stared at her, wide-eyed, even as she flicked her wand in disgust at her robes, switching them to a pair of more modern purple robes. Straightening them calmly, she looked at Neville and nodded in greeting. "Hello, Neville. How are your parents?"

Neville was pale, staring at the woman as if she'd just stepped out of the picture in the newspaper in the scrapbook that his grandmother had of his parents' rescue. "T-they're okay, M-M-Miss G-G..."

"Come now, none of that." She said, kindly. "It will always be Hermione or Maya to you, Neville. Unless in class, that is. In that case, it's Professor Gurgeon."

"H-Hermione? Granger?" Neville asked. At her sharp nod, his jaw dropped. "Wow...you...you're..."

"I'm back. But you can hear the story later. I've things to do." She smiled and rested a hand on his shoulder for a moment before spinning and moving across the room towards the door. Stopping at it, she looked down and to one side. "Severus. I need you to contact Lucius. Tell him nothing of what has happened in this room. I need him to find Bellatrix and go to her. He's to have Narcissa put a tracking charm on him. Once we have a firm idea of his whereabouts, Alastor and Kingsley will start in first. Nobody will do anything until my signal, however. I would like you and Remus to be there as well. If there is any chance of compromising your cover, I want you to try to hex Remus. Remus, you will react accordingly. However, you will only act to stun. Do not kill Severus, I'm rather fond of him." This said, she left the room.

Only once she was gone did the occupants of the room regain the use of their voices and motor skills. "Was that..." Remus asked, slowly.

"Maya Gurgeon has returned." Albus said, grimly.

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Lucius Malfoy sat silently in his study, doing some paperwork for the ministry, when the flames in his fireplace flashed green and Severus Snape stepped out of them. "Lucius." He greeted, as soon as he was oriented.

"Severus. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Lucius drawled.

"Bellatrix Lestrange has captured Black, Potter, and a pair of Weasleys." Severus stated. "I was wondering if you might help me keep my cover with Dumbledore in tact by having your dear wife put a tracking charm on you and going to them?"

"Now, Severus." Lucius stated. "Why would I do that?"

"Because Draco and Blaise Zabini were also abducted." Severus said, calmly. Lucius' jaw tightened.

"Very well, Severus. I will help you keep your precious cover in tact. But if you are lying to me..."

"Heaven forbid." Severus said, drily. "Remus Lupin burst into the Headmaster's office midway through a talk with me, ranting about Black being abducted. Minerva McGonagall wasn't far behind, whining about Deatheaters in Hogsmeade and missing students."

"I see." Lucius said, standing up. "Narcissa!" When his wife walked in, Lucius was shrugging on his cloak. "Put a tracking charm on me, would you dear? One that is strong enough to avoid your dear sister's detection?"

"What has she done this time?" Narcissa asked, clearly fed up with her sister, as she put the spell on Lucius.

"She's abducted students. Severus has asked me to go to Bellatrix to lead him there in an attempt to rescue them." Lucius sneered. "Though some of the students would be better off in Bella's...kind care...she was also fool enough to abduct Draco and his best friend."

"Stupid of her." Was all Narcissa said. "Well, there you go dear." With a sharp nod, the blonde Slytherin disapparated.

"Narcissa, I would beg of you to ask the elves to set out a bit of a refreshment." Severus said, quietly. "When she arrives, she's not going to be happy. Maybe you can calm her down."

"When who arrives, Severus?" Narcissa asked. Before he could answer, there were about ten pops, signalling apparition. The flames of the fireplace turned green once more and out stepped Remus Lupin and Albus Dumbledore. Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shackbolt, Nymphadora Tonks, and a series of other aurors in the Order were standing there as well, looking distinctly uncomfortable. There was one last pop and a witch in a deep purple set of robes and a black cloak stood there, her hood pulled low.

"Hello, Narcissa." The voice was one that Narcissa had never thought to hear again. She stared, speechless, as the figure glanced around at the small force gathered before nodding her satisfaction.

"I'll...just...have the House Elves bring out some refreshments. I'm not sure how long Lucius will be in finding Bellatrix..." Narcissa stuttered.

"Thank you, Narcissa."

"Can someone tell us why we're here?" Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody snapped.

"Because of me." The witch hidden by her cloak said, calmly. His magical eye turned to her and he gasped, both eyes widening. "Hello, Partner." She said, companionably. The younger aurors looked at each other. Nobody had ever heard of the grizzly old Auror having ever had a partner.

Before anyone else could say anything, a soft chime rang out and Narcissa returned. "He's found them." She stated, magically sending each of them the location that had rang out in her brain moments before. The strange witch beneath the cloak nodded.

"Albus, you will remain here. No arguments, you're too valuable to lose." She stated. "Alastor, you and Kingsley can keep these young, rash aurors in line, right? Good...remember, everyone...whatever else happens, whatever you see or hear, DO NOT move or make yourselves known in any way until my signal. If in doubt...wait until Alastor and Kingsley move. They know me, and they know my signals. Understood?" When she recieved the affirming nods from everyone, she turned to Severus and Remus. "Remember...if there's any chance of your position being compromised, Severus, you're to turn on Remus. Mild hexes only, and Remus, you'll be aiming to stun, not kill."

"What of the children?" Remus asked.

"Each of the aurors will grab one at the first opportunity and apparate back here. Narcissa, may we use your floo services to return to Hogwarts?"

"Of course." Narcissa stated.

"Good." And then the strange witch was gone.

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Sirius woke up slowly to see the worried faces of Harry and Ron hovering above him. With a groan, he put a hand to his head. "Where are we?"

"I don't know, for sure..." Harry said, softly.

"Bellatrix Lestrange..." Sirius said suddenly, sitting up so quickly that his aching head burst into white light and pain. Groaning, the animagus fell once more to the ground, eyes tightly shut.

"Yes...and a few others." Came a cold drawl to one side. "My father should be here shortly." Draco sat calmly against the wall, confident as always. The door slammed open suddenly and Ginny was thrown back in, tears streaking her face. Her pants were ripped open. Harry and Ron gave identical shouts of outrage, moving to her and helping her back.

"Oh, Gin...Gin...shh..." Ron gathered her close, even when she tried to reject his touch, and held her as she began to sob.

Sirius looked grimly at the young woman before trying to sit up again. The pain in his head, unfortunately, was still too great. "How long have we been here?" He asked.

"You were here when we got here." Blaise Zabini said, from his position against the wall beside Draco. Neither had tried to approach Ginny, knowing that it would be better for her if they didn't. They were, after all, good friends with Pansy Parkinson...whose father raped her regularly. "We've been here for about an hour."

"I figure...twenty minutes to get the students back to Hogwarts...ten to search Hogsmeade to insure that we are, indeed, missing, and about an hour and a half to two hours after that to get everything organized for a search." Harry said. "So...we have about an hour to an hour and a half left to wait." Draco nodded his agreement and closed his eyes.

"You know..." The blonde said after about five minutes. "It's too bad our Godmum isn't here." He said, opening his eyes and looking at Harry. "I bet she'd have something to say to my cursed Aunt." Despite the gravity of the situation, Harry chuckled.

"All of the stories of her hexing people...she'd have a right riot with this." The green-eyed Gryffindor agreed. The teens shared a smirk before the door of their cell opened.

"Come along." A voice said. They sighed and stood. Ron helped Ginny along while Harry helped Sirius. Draco and Blaise sauntered just before and behind the Gryffindors..almost as if they were guarding them. The group was ushered out of a building and into a barren, dark field. It was night, clouds covering the light of the moon. It had been an unusually dry winter, so there was no snow...just empty blackness. Therefore, it was understandable when nobody noticed the black-cloaked figures surrounding them.

Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy stood to one side, conferring. Sirius growled. "Bellatrix. I should have known."

She looked up. "Ah. Sirius. Still as stupid as you used to be, I see."

"Bellatrix. Still have that scar, I see." Sirius said, motioning to her face and the barely visible line trailing from her left temple to the right side of her chin.

"Why you!" Bella had her wand out in moments, pointing it at him for a long moment before stopping and putting it away. "No, no...there are better ways..."

"Just like there were better ways to get at Maya, Bellatrix?" Sirius sneered. Bella's face registered surprise and then she arched an eyebrow.

"What are you on about, Black?" She snapped.

"Coming at her in our bleeding home. How moronic. Like she wouldn't have set the stage to defeat you." Sirius stated. Bellatrix's wand was out at that moment once again.

"Shut up, Black." She hissed. "If you know what's good for you. Maybe my master will be merciful when he arrives."

"Some master." Sirius snorted. "He couldn't even beat Maya himself. Yeah. Heap big master."

"YOU WILL NOT INSULT THE DARK LORD IN MY PRESENCE!" Bellatrix screamed, lifting her wand.

"Lestrange!"A voice called from outside of the circle of light created by torches and wands. Bellatrix froze, mid-spell. "I wouldn't."

Narcissa's sister turned slowly, her eyes widening. "No." Her voice was soft. "No..." She whispered again, in a hopeless denial.

"Afraid, Bellatrix?" The voice was hard and cruel. "You were always such a coward. But then...I guess in this case, you should be afraid." Sirius was staring into the darkness with wide, disbelieving eyes. Harry and Ron looked at each other, and then Draco and Blaise. They couldn't see the witch beyond the light, but they had no doubt about who she was...Bellatrix and Sirius' reactions were too strange for it not to be her.

"You're dead." Bella snapped in one last desperate denial as a foot encased in a black boot entered the circle of light, followed by a second boot, followed by a young woman in dark purple robes, her golden-brown hair falling to her waist. Her hands were encased in black Auror's gloves, one on her left hip and the other holding her wand steadily at Bellatrix.

"After all." The cold voice continued, coming from the witch that had just moved into the light. "It's not every day that you see your archenemy return from the dead."

"NO!" Bellatrix screamed in one last fierce denial, whipping her wand towards the brunette as quickly as she could, the words of a spell jumping to her lips.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" The much-younger witch beat her to the point. Bellatrix Lestrange's body crumpled where it had stood and the wand gripped silently in the brunette's hand moved down slightly. "Accio, wands." A series of wands flew into her hand and she looked at them all as the Deatheaters- save for Lucius- began to surround her. Smirking at them all, she raised her wand and shot a spell into the sky. A giant bird of fire opened its wings and let out a peal of music, swooping down on the Deatheaters.

At the signal, the Aurors fell upon the Deatheaters. Voldemort's forces never had a chance, without Bellatrix' fanaticism leading the way. Once they were all in bonds and all of the abducted teens and adults were safely gone, Maya nodded to Alastor, who motioned to the remaining aurors. They apparated with their captives, while Maya herself apparated back to the Malfoy Manor, pausing only to pick up her inky black cloak on the way. As she appeared in Lucius' study, she glanced around silently before reaching for a pinch of floo powder.

"It was you, last night, wasn't it." A voice stopped her. Her hand fell away from the mantle and her head lowered, her back to the blonde wizard.

"It was me."

"Maya..." Lucius whispered. "Why...why didn't..."

"Why didn't I save them? Why didn't I kill her when I had the chance? Why didn't I tell you all? Because that would have been cheating. You can't change history, Lucius."

"No. Why didn't you come to me to tell me you were back?" As his voice broke, she turned and looked up at the wizard.

"Oh...Lucius." And then she was running to him, his arms outstretched to catch her, swinging her around and holding her. Long blonde hair fell over his face and cascated over her head and shoulders as they clung to each other.

"A piece of my soul disappeared with you...and I don't have it back yet. Maya...what have you done?" Lucius asked, dreading the answer. He got it, however, when she lifted her head, looking into his eyes with her empty ones. "No..." He whispered.

"I'm sorry." She yanked away from him, stumbling backwards. The floo powder fell from the mantle and into the fire as she fell into it and- turning- she dove into the flames. "Headmaster's office, Hogwarts!"

"Maya!" Lucius cried, reaching out...too late.

Okay...the song in this chapter was: Changes – 3 Doors Down