Willow sat in the Slytherin Common Room reading her History Of Magic textbook. It was Friday night of the last weekend of November and she had plans to meet Harry around one o'clock. Her brother's magically induced insomnia had finally kicked in, so they had begun exploring the school together.

She watched as the last of the Slytherins went to bed. It was getting close to one, so Willow started to put her book away to head out, only to stop as she felt Harry getting closer to her. The Common Room began to fill up with very thick mist from seemingly nowhere, but Willow knew better. The small cracks in the walls as well the almost invisible front entrance was more than enough for her brother to gain uninvited access to Slytherin.

Willow watched as the mist solidified into three people sitting across from her on the opposite couch. Harry, Ron, and Hermione smiled triumphantly at Willow who sat with her mouth open in shock at the display.

"How?" Was all the redheaded Wicca could manage. She didn't understand how Ron or Hermione could use the mist form without first preforming the Symphony Of Night Ritual. Had ether one attempted that level of magic the whole school would have felt it.

"Watch this!" Harry said excitedly. The dark haired Wizard grabbed both of his friend's arms and transformed taking Hermione and Ron into his mist form. Then all three reappeared back on the couch smiling.

Willow's mind was spinning. She had known for a while that her earlier assumptions regarding Harry's gained abilities from the twin connection were wrong. Despite gaining her powers over Night, no other ability had yet to show. Their Night powers were also vastly different, with Harry gaining a Shadow Wolf familiar and no animal transformation abilities. He had been having trouble with the mist form but now appears to have surpassed Willow with it, she could never have turned anyone else into mist with herself. Then Willow took a closer look at Harry and realized something else.

"Where are your glasses?" She asked shocked.

"It started this morning when I woke up. As the day went by I noticed it was getting harder to see out of my glasses. When I transformed into mist to head out and meet with you, Ron grabbed my shoulder to stop me to ask about are Potion's homework and I accidentally turned him with me. We discussed everything with Hermione and all of us decided to come and see you." Harry said happily.

'Some animals have traits that make seeing at night much easier. Harry must be manifesting some of those traits and thus repaired his eyesight!' Willow pondered excitedly.

Willow bit her bottom lip nervously and asked. "Not that I mind them being here, but won't Ron and Hermione get tired later? Me and you, Harry, don't need much sleep but they still do."

"It will be fine Willow." Hermione assured her friend. "Ron has Harry's invisibility cloak so if we get tired we can sneak back to Gryffindor together."

Willow gave Hermione a raised eyebrow look. "You and Ron .. alone .. invisible .. a nighttime stroll through the castle together. No one to stop a young redheaded Wizard from taking advantage of a slightly older brown haired impressionable young Witch .. or vice versa."

"Oh, be quiet Willow, it's not like that." Hermione said blushing. Ron was busy looking around the Slytherin Common Room to really here what Willow was implying.

The taller ginger had a mischievous look in his eyes' as he said. "We could pull of some awesome pranks now I bet."

Willow noticed the same look in Harry's eyes even though he didn't say anything. "Look boys, I get you had your reasons for tormenting Theodore Nott, but it needs to stop. He's even more nervous than Neville now. It been over a week and his hair is still flashing multiple colors."

Both boys started laughing which caused Hermione to roll her eyes. Her annoyance would have been more believable if she had been able to hide her smirk.

Willow felt someone approaching. She quickly cast a soundproof barrier to make her and the Gryffindors invisible just as the outer wall opened. Everyone went deathly quiet as Snape walked in, the man looked around somewhat expectantly. Not finding anyone available to help him, he walked up to a small snake statue by the girl's hallway entrance and taped it with his wand. Impatiently the Head Of Slytherin waited for a response.

Harry and Ron were confused about this odd behavior, but the girls knew better. The traditions of Hogwarts were so absolute that even if you were a male teacher, you still couldn't access the girls' rooms. The snake statue was a doorbell of sorts, each house was different, that signaled the girl Prefects that a Professor needed a word with one of the girls. The problem at the moment was the fifth and sixth year Prefect Girls were on patrol and Zoe Accrington was doing homework with friends in a separate dorm, so no one was in the Prefect's room.

"I probably need to help Snape." Willow said to the Gryffindors.

Ron had a questioning look on his face. "Why's he trying to get in the girl's rooms?"

Hermione and Willow rolled their eyes and groined together. "Boys!" Willow looked at Hermione and asked. "Can you explain to those that have never read Hogwarts A History what's going on."

Hermione just laughed. "I suppose so, I've done it every time for the last two years."

Willow giggled along with her friend and explained. "The barrier I created is a half-circle closing around the fireplace, the sofas, and chairs here in front. If you leave the barrier it will fade away."

Soon the tree Gryffindors were treated to a funny sight, Severus Snape jumping in surprise when Willow tapes his shoulder. The Potion Master turned quickly and growled. "Ms. Potter, I didn't see you when I came in."

"I was reading on the floor by the fire." Willow explained jovially holding up her history book. "You probably didn't see me behind the sofa."

Snape took a long hard look at the fireplace and surrounding furniture. Harry could swear he made eye contact with the Potions Master for a second. Finally, Snape looked back at Willow.

"Would you mind going and getting Ms. Parkinson for me? I need to escort her to the Headmaster's Office."

Willow studied the older man before drawing her conclusion. "Lord Parkinson's body was found I take it?"

Willow had known the man was dead ever sense she confronted Pansy about the Taraka Chronicles, the book she stole for her dad, but only told Dawn and Harry about her suspicions. After the talk with Pansy, Willow had contacted Giles about what she had learned, and the Watcher had reached out to his contacts to learn what he could.

Apparently Simon Parkinson had taken a contract out on Ginevra Weasley but failed to stress the complications of carrying out said contract. Taraka had believed there only obstacle was a Wizarding School that contained wand using Celestials. Had they known about Willow and Dawn, both proven demon killers, then they would have staffed differently. Sense Simon failed to explain the complications his life was forfeit. Willow hoped that meant the contract was canceled to but no, a do not renew notice was placed on it, but the final two assassins had to be stopped before they murdered Harry's fiancée. The Order Of Taraka didn't contact their assassins when they were on assignment so there was no way they could call them off.

Snape gave Willow a cold suspicious look. "You seem oddly well informed like always Ms. Potter." Willow said nothing as she left to get Pansy.

Under the protection of the barrier Hermione had asked Harry urgently. "Did you know anything about this?"

Harry gave her a quick node of his head. Willow had told him everything but asked that he not tell anyone else for the moment. She didn't want Pansy to know until the body was discovered so she didn't try and falsely hope her dad might still be alive somewhere.

Willow soon returned with a fully dressed and confused Pansy Parkinson. Snape ordered her to fallow him to the Headmaster's Office and Willow said she would go with them. Snape looked like he would object at first but decided to allow Willow to come.

After Willow left with Snape and Pansy, Hermione rounded on Harry. "You knew Harry! Why didn't you say anything to Ron and Me?"

Harry repressed a groan of irritation. Hermione was one of his best friends, but sometimes she let her need to know and understand everything override her common sense. "Willow told me and trusted me not to mention it until after Simon Parkinson had been found. She heard it from her friends back in California, who learned about the killing from contacts in the Demon World. If anyone had a right to know before now it was Pansy, but Willow didn't want her thinking it was false information sense there wasn't a body yet."

Hermione still looked angry but didn't say anything else about it. Ron had a hopeful look in his eyes. "Does this mean my sister is safe? With Parkinson dead then who would pay the assassins?"

"According to Willow we still need to take care of the final two assassins, but no more will be sent after their dealt with." Harry explained bitterly.

The three friends sat silently on the couch in front of the fire until Ron made an observation. "Um, were still setting in the Slytherin Common Room."

Hermione and Harry looked around, realizing Ron was correct, and started laughing. As they stood to leave Harry asked. "You guys still want to pull an awesome prank?"

"It wouldn't be a good idea Harry." Hermione reasoned. "The Slytherins will know that it was someone from another house inside their dorms, which could launch an investigation. Willow would probably be blamed if we're discovered as the culprits because the Professors would figure she let us in."

Both boys figured the bushy-haired Witch was right, even though they really wished she wasn't, and decided to simply leave. As Harry reached for his friends' arms, the Gryffindors heard footsteps coming from the boy's hallway.

Vincent Crabbe stumbled awkwardly into the room and looked around expectantly. He was dressed nice in a set of dark red robes and carrying a box of chocolates. More than likely he was hoping to surprise Willow with them.

Looking towards the fireplace and not seeing anyone, thanks to Willow's barrier, Vincent got agitated. He checked every corner as well just to make sure the redheaded Wicca wasn't hiding for privacy. It was known by many Slytherins that Willow would stay up late reading by the fire and Vincent and his friends had come up with this little romantic plan to win the girl over. He tossed the chocolates on a chair in anger and walked out.

"Well that was sad." Ron stated sarcastically. "Oh, look free chocolates!"

The freckled faced boy quickly ran forward and grabbed Crabbe's discarded box from the chair. "Ha ha, mine!"

"Ron be quiet, the barrier is down so the whole house can here you." Hermione whispered urgently. Harry quickly sprang forward and grabbed his friends, turned into mist, and left the same way they came in.

It was just in time as well. Vincent has heard a noise coming from the Common Room and returned to check if it was perhaps Willow. Finding no one again he scratched his head stupidly. He reached for his box of chocolates only to realize they weren't there. Panicking, the large boy quickly tore the room apart looking for the box hoping they had just been misplaced. Realizing they were truly gone, he quickly ran to get Malfoy hoping he would know what to do.

Meanwhile, Severus Snape had arrived at Dumbledore's office with Willow and Pansy. He gave the password, "Hershey Bar", and lead the girls up the stairs. He knocked on the door and waited for a response.

"Enter Severus." The group heard Dumbledore call solemnly.

Inside the office Dumbledore sat behind his desk, the usual twinkle noticeably absent from his eyes. He was dressed in a purple night robe and sleeping cap.

"I'm sorry to call upon you so late Ms. Parkinson but this matter couldn't wait. I regret to inform you that earlier today your father's body was discovered somewhere along the coast of France."

Silence fallowed the Headmaster's statement. Everyone waited for Pansy's reaction. The girl gave no clue that she had even heard the Headmaster. Finally, she looked at the old man with blank eyes. "Was it an accident sir?"

"No Ms. Parkinson, he was most definitely murdered by person or persons unknown."

Pansy looked down at her feet thinking. "How did he die Headmaster? Was it quick?"

Dumbledore tried to be blunt. "It was quick dear, he didn't suffer. He was beheaded by a sword."

Pansy was confused. There were many ways to die in the Wizarding World, but decapitation was not usually one of them. A Wizard's Duel or a street squabble maybe, but not beheading.

"Is that all Headmaster?" Pansy said starting to tremble some.

"Yes dear, you should know that Professor Snape will be acting as your Magical Rights Guardian until there is a formal hearing about where to place you. I believe you have no direct family?"

Pansy only shook her head in answer. She bolted out the room as fast as she could. Dumbledore sighed and addressed Willow. "Ms. Potter, could you please take this Calming Drought to Ms. Parkinson? Let her know that I'll be handling funeral arrangements for her Father."

Willow took the blue potion from Dumbledore and left to fallow her friend. Albus watched them curiously for a moment. "Strange pair those two."

Snape gave Dumbledore a hard look saying. "Ms. Parkinson was never a Pureblood Elitist Headmaster, surely you could see that for yourself."

"Of course, Severus, the girl has always been more scared of the Purebloods than a true follower of their ideology. What I meant was the fact nether girl seems to have much in common, but they are still close friends." Dumbledore explained.

"The same could be said for Potter's little Gryffindor group as well." Snape countered sarcastically.

Dumbledore placed his chin on top of his folded hands, his eyes unfocused as he pondered. "Perhaps Severus, if not for the Troll during their first year or the stone, it's possible they would never have become so close. They do benefit each other emotionally and socially in several ways, though perhaps that is why Willow and Pansy are also close friends. Willow understands the truth about Pansy's façade, and Pansy can lean on Willow for strength when she needs to without being judged. Perhaps helping Pansy with her problems helps keep Willow grounded also."

Dumbledore focused his gaze back on the Potion's Professor. "Is there anything else at the moment Severus?"

"Lucius Malloy has already wrote me about Ms. Parkinson. He knows I'll be acting Magical Rights Guardian until the Ministry decides something different. He's already trying to move on the Parkinson's fortune, regardless of how little remains, but there is no clear Legal Parental Guardian for the girl sense Simon Parkinson never left any instructions. Her Godfather is Rabastan Lestrange."

Snape looked towards the door Pansy had run out of. "It's sad what has happened to Ms. Parkinson, but we know have an opportunity to strengthen our side Headmaster. The Parkinson name still carries weight with are world and that influence could be used to further our own agendas, just as it could the Pureblood's."

Dumbledore stood and walked towards Fawkes, petting him. "I'm more concerned about Pansy than I am about politics. It would be best if she didn't go to a family that forced her to toe the line out of fear as her father did. I would suggest Lord Whitehall to take her in but his Diplomatic Immunity would probably lose him the case, the Ministry wouldn't want to lose even more control over the situation and Pansy would share in the immunity if Whitehall adopted her."

"Well, we won't have to worry about this till after the holidays." Snape said heading for the door. "I've already been informed that the custody hearing will take place the first Friday of January. Goodnight Albus.

Willow didn't manage to catch up with Pansy until she had reached the Main Entrance Hall. When the dark haired girl heard Willow call her name, she turned with an angry look on her face. "Did you know?"

Willow was taken back for a second by Pansy's anger. "Yes, I knew but had no proof other than what was told to me. I didn't want you falsely hoping that I was wrong."

Tears formed in Pansy's eyes as she glared at her friend. "You should have told me. [sniff] Why would someone kill my Dad?"

Willow just gave Pansy a sympathetic look. "You know what your Dad did Pansy. He hired the Order Of Taraka to kill Ginny. They killed him when the assignment turned out to be more difficult than what they were lead to believe."

"When they realized you were here at Hogwarts." Pansy stated angrily as she stopped glaring at Willow. "I guess the little brat is safe now." [Sniff]

"No." Willow sighed. Pansy gave her a startled look, so she clarified. "The last two assassins must be dealt with then she's safe."

Both girls fell silent not really knowing what to say. Willow handed Pansy the Calming Drought. The dark haired girl placed it in her pocket and began to walk off with Willow fallowing. "I'm sorry for what my Father did, Willow."

"Its not your fault. You have nothing to apologize for Pansy." Willow said comfortingly.

"What are you two doing out of bed?" Argus Filch quietly but excitedly asked stepping into the dim light of the hallway. Both girls jump in surprise, Willow had lightning crackling on her fingertips ready to strike, until she realized it was only the Caretaker.

"Students out of bed. Ha, that's worth some detentions Missies." The old Caretaker barked harshly with a cruel smile plastered on his face.

"We were coming back from the Headmaster's Office sir. You can check with both him and Professor Snape if you like." Willow said calming down from her shock.

"Oh, a likely story, I bet. Had permeation to wonder the corridors after hours did you. Well I don't buy it for one second m..."

"What's going on here?" Professor Lupin asked after coming up behind Argus. The Caretaker spun quickly at the sound of Lupin's voice.

"Professor Lupin sir, just caught these two girls sneaking around is all. Nothing I can't handle." Argus said quickly. Willow could feel the man's happiness dwindling. He was truly happy about possibly punishing students and didn't want Remus to interfere.

Lupin, for his part, first looked at Willow then Pansy. Noticing the tears in the slightly shorter girl's eyes he asked. "Is everything ok Ms. Parkinson?"

"No sir, I've just come from the Headmaster's where I was informed my father has been murdered." Pansy said somewhat formally. Her aristocratic raising coming out as she spoke to Remus Lupin.

A solemn look graced Lupin's face. "I'm sorry to hear that dear. I didn't like your father very much, but I am sorry for your loss. If you've yet to complete your homework assignment than don't worry about it. I'll give you a free pass."

"Thank you Professor, may we go know." Pansy asked with a trembling voice.

At Remus's node both girls turned and left. Argus was fuming sense he wouldn't be able to punish anyone know. Lupin said goodnight to the Caretaker and left out the castle's main entrance.