Chris Carter and 1013 Productions own the X-Files. JK Rowling, Warner Brothers and Scholastic own Harry Potter. All I own is this story line, every Harry Potter DVD and a complete collection of X-Files DVD's. I wish I owned Fox Mulder.
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A/N This story is set anytime during Sorcerers Stone through Prisoner of Azkaban of HP (although it contains information in all the books) and after X-Files episode "Emily", but before "Requiem".
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2nd A/N: Just a quick recap because I haven't updated in over six months. Mulder and Scully have been sent to Hogwarts. There are mysterious attacks. Scully needs more data that may shed some light on the attacks and Dumbledore gives her permission to go back to DC to get it. Warning: this is the part of the story where mytharc meets Potterverse. If you're a true XPhile, I don't have to define the word "mytharc".
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HOGWARTS LIBRARY
8:30 PM GREENWICH MEAN TIME
Dana Scully walked slowly up and down the aisles of the library, perusing the books close to, but not in, the restricted section. She knew what information she wanted to find, but wasn't sure which book she might find it in. Madame Pince had directed her to the section about magical creatures but before she could be any real help, she skittered away when she heard some students talking above a whisper.
Daunted by the enormity of the task in the small amount of time she had left, Scully was almost about to give up when she saw a rather heavy volume that looked new. She pulled it off the shelf, flipped to the index, and found the page she wanted.
It was busy in the library tonight and she wanted to read in peace. So rather than looking for a table and chair among the students, where she'd attract attention, she tucked the book under her arm, held onto the heavy shelves and lowered herself to the floor, a task made tricky by the skirt and heels she was wearing. But she sat with her feet curled under her and started to skim the passage.
"Psst! Agent Scully!"
Scully looked up when she heard the harsh whisper. It was Hermione Granger and she was alone.
"How are you Hermione?"
"Good," the girl shrugged. "What are you reading?"
"There's a chapter in this book about snakes. I'm doing some reading up, but most of the books in this library refer to magical creatures only."
"Well, you can understand why."
Scully nodded and smiled. "Unfortunately, I don't have much time. What can you tell me--in fifty words or less--about snakes and their significance to the wizarding world?"
The girl sat down next to her , crossing her legs Indian style under her robe. "Snake venom and skin is used in some potions." Hermione recited as if by rote. "And there's parseltongue--you know, snake language. Do you know about that?"
"I've heard that some bad wizards use it to communicate with snakes."
"We prefer the term dark over bad, but yes. Although some good wizards have the ability to speak parseltongue, too."
"And what else?"
"I've heard some wizards and witches use snakes as familiars," Hermione crinkled her forehead. "But I don't know if I can explain how that works."
"Hmm. It mentions familiars right here," Scully pointed to a passage in the book.
"Agent Scully, could I ask you something?"
Scully nodded.
"What's it like to be an FBI agent? Is it really exciting? You must have seen so many interesting things."
Scully smiled. "It has it's moments of excitement, yes. But there are also moments of sheer terror. Not to mention lots and lots of moments of tedium, too. And oh, I forgot--endless paperwork. Are you thinking of becoming an Auror when you grow up?"
"I don't know. Sometimes I think about it. I want to make the world a better place, and catching criminals would be one way to do it. But you do that and you're also a medical doctor."
"Yes."
"Maybe that's more up my alley. To be a healer or a medi-witch. I could make the world a better place that way, too."
"Well, nobody knows better than you what your temperament is. But for the book-learning aspect of it, you would probably do well in either field. I've watched you in potions, Hermione. You're a conscientious student."
And I've watched you in Potions, Agent Scully. You've hid your secret pretty well, but I know your relationship with Snape is not strictly professional Hermione thought, but she kept her expression blank and all she said was "Thanks."
However, as if she'd conjured him by her thoughts, she was startled to hear Snape's voice say, "Are you ready, Agent Scully?" Hermione hadn't heard him come in, and she glanced behind her at him quickly. He was ignoring her.
"Yes, Professor," Scully replied and held up her hand so he could help her up from her awkward sitting position.
Although their voices and words were formal, Hermione was quick to notice the easy casualness of their exchange, the familiar way they touched each other, even though he let go Scully's hand the moment she was on her feet. But Hermione acted as if she hadn't noticed, and pulled a book from the shelf to read.
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As Snape led Scully to the first aparation spot, he asked her, "Why are you dressed so formally?"
"Just in case the information which should be in my apartment is not in my apartment.," she replied. "If it's gone, I'll have to go to Headquarters and get it."
"Do you mean FBI Headquarters? You're not suggesting we go there."
"No, I'm not suggesting we go there. I'm stating that I may have to go there. However," she hastened to add when she saw the look on his face. "I doubt it will come to that."
He stopped in his tracks. "How can I convince you not to try anything so foolish? If you try to enter your Headquarters, you'll surely get caught. Even I know it's heavily monitored and under strict guard. Besides, Dumbledore told you not to make any side trips."
"It's not a side trip if I need the data and it's not where it should be," she answered, trying to sound calm and reasonable.
"Then I have to come with you to Headquarters."
"Completely out of the question," she said with a wave of her hand. "Unless of course you've brought your passport."
"Only muggles carry passports," he said disdainfully.
"Then I'm afraid only muggles can get into Headquarters. I could slip in alone, but if I bring you and we get caught, well--the moment you talk it'll be obvious you're not from around DC. Then it will become a case for Immigration and Naturalization. I'm sure the Ministry would love that--a wizard involved in an international incident with a foreign muggle government. Don't argue," she said when he looked ready to object. "Besides, I'm nearly positive it won't come to that."
GEORGETOWN DC
4:45PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME
"I wanted to fly nice and comfortably from Heathrow to Dulles--in a plane with seats and a pressurized cabin and flight attendants who would serve me a little bag of peanuts with a cup of warm, flat, soda for a snack. But instead I listen to you and get..." Scully paused and took a deep breath. They had arrived at their final destination, a copse of trees in an obscure corner of a public park. She was holding one hand against her stomach and her other hand was clutching Snape's arm as she tried valiantly to regain her balance. "How can you stand magical transportation? How can you stand that squeezing sensation? I never, never, never want to go through that again." She paused for breath, shaking her head as she did so. "That was completely horrible."
"Don't say never, Dana. We still have the return trip."
"You're a sadist."
He let that slide. "Which one of these houses is yours?" He asked as they turned the corner from the park and walked along a nondescript suburban street.
"None of them. That house--the one over there--is my mother's."
He stopped dead. "You didn't tell me we were going to your mother's."
"Yes, Severus," she explained patiently. "How else am I going to get my car keys?"
He was dumbfounded. "Car keys? I thought we were going directly to your flat. Why...?"
"Because on a long-term assignment like this one, I need her to look after my car--you know, start the engine every once in a while, that sort of thing. Basic automobile maintenance..."
"No, no, no," he said irritably. "You seem to forget we can aparate anyplace you want. We don't have to take muggle transportation. You should have given me the location of your apartment. If I had known..." He took her arm and tried to steer her back to the park. "Never mind--we'll go immediately."
Scully shook her head and stepped backward, freeing her elbow from his grasp. "Extra aparations don't sound very appealing right now. If anything, this experience has made me heartily grateful to be a muggle. Besides, I always have to have my car when I'm in the area. It makes me feel secure having my own ride." And with that she headed back down the street towards her mother's, and he watched her go, wishing there were no Statute of Wizarding Secrecy and he could take her away from this place over her objections, but he couldn't risk being seen by the neighbors, and he had no choice but to fall in beside her.
She looked at him sidelong when he caught her up, but not to gauge his reaction at her refusing to aparate with him. She was taking another look at his clothes. He had done something to them before they left Hogwarts--some transforming spells--and he could pass for a muggle. Sort of. Her eyes had become so accustomed to wizard fashions over the last few weeks that when she was at Hogwarts Snape's changes looked reasonably muggle to her. But now she was back among her own people, she could see the flaws in his disguise. In fact, his whole effect was rather eccentric, dressed in all that black. She was tempted to take him back to the park for further transformations, but she feared he would aparate her by force if she were alone with him where there were no witnesses. She sighed. Flaws or no flaws, his clothes would have to do.
"Let's go," she urged, and started walking more quickly. In front of her mother's house she glanced around briefly. "I wonder what she did with my car?" They climbed the steps to the front porch and she raised her hand to push the bell. But before she could touch it, the door opened a crack.
"Dana? Is that you?"
"Mom? Yes, let us in."
The door opened wider. "Come on-come on-come on," Maggie urged, waving her hand at them frantically. Scully and Snape stepped in quickly.
Maggie shut the door and locked it, took Scully by the hand, and pulled her to the bottom of the stairs, finger to her lips to warn her to speak softly. Snape followed a little behind.
"I didn't expect you back this early," Maggie began. "Did something happen to you overseas?"
"We're flying back tonight. I needed...something."
Maggie sighed as her forehead puckered into a worried frown. "I don't think it was a good idea for you to come back here."
"Why not? Mom, what is it? What's wrong?"
Maggie clasped her hands together nervously. "Dana, there's something weird going on around here."
Scully felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle. "Weird? Like how?"
"This house is being watched."
Scully's eyes opened wide. "Mom, are you sure?"
Maggie inhaled sharply. "I know when I'm being watched, Dana. It's been over the last four days. First there was a van parked in front of that house across the street and down one. It had the name of some florist's, but not one I had ever heard of. So I looked it up in the phone book--there is no such shop. Then there've been strange men walking up and down the street--patrolling it, it looks like. Before you say anything, Dana, remember--this is a residential street. Nobody walks around here except the neighbors."
"Are you sure they're looking at this house?"
"I wasn't certain at first--I even thought I was being paranoid. But I'm the only one home during the day. Well, except for Mrs. Harrison, who's 97 years old with a hip replacement and a pacemaker. But the Shapiro's both work," Maggie was ticking off people on her fingers, "...and the Andersons are on vacation...And Dana, there's more. When I used the phone two nights ago, I heard clicking on the line. And don't tell me it was static, either. That flower truck was parked across the street then, too."
"Did you call the police?"
"Of course I did. But before they could even arrive, the flower truck left, and nobody in their right mind would loiter around when the cruiser's parked out front...wait a minute." She seemed just to have noticed Snape's presence. "Who are you?"
Before he could answer, Scully said, "This is Severus Snape--a colleague from England."
Maggie blinked once at the unusual name and peered at him closely before she held her hand out to him. "I'm sorry we didn't meet under better circumstances. Well, we can't stand here all day. Lets go in the kitchen. You want some coffee? I just made a whole pot. Or some tea?"
When they had followed her into the kitchen, Scully asked, "Why'd you make a whole pot, Mom? Do you expect to stay up all night? Because if you're that worried, you should stay in a hotel."
"No, that's not it." Maggie opened her cupboards and pulled out some mugs. "I was supposed to baby-sit Matthew tonight so Bill and Tara could go out. But now I'm too afraid to. If I'm being watched, I don't want them trailing me to their house to find me all alone with the baby. So when I called Bill to cancel, I had explain the situation to him. Then he insisted on coming over to see for himself."
"But Mom, if your phone's tapped, was it such a good idea..."
"Give me some credit, Dana," Maggie said, patting Scully on the cheek. "You're not the only smart one in the family. I used my cell and called from the parking lot of the supermarket."
Scully nodded. "And my car?"
"After I realized I was being watched I put it in the garage for safekeeping."
Scully nodded again. "I should probably take a look around."
"Sure, sure," Maggie said, before she fixed an eye on Snape. She seemed to be studying him. "But first sit and have something to drink. You two go on ahead into the living room. I'll bring the coffee and tea."
But Snape and Scully were barely alone in the living room a moment before Maggie shouted from the kitchen. "Dana? Come here a minute?"
"Make yourself at home," Scully said to Snape before she went into the kitchen to her mother.
Maggie pulled her aside and whispered to her. "I didn't want to say anything in front of your new friend..."
"Colleague, Mom. He's just a colleague."
Maggie raised eyebrow at her. "Whatever you say, Dana. I don't have time to argue with you. But anyhow, one of the men who've been watching the house looks like...well, maybe not looks like--it's more that...your colleague..." and she nodded towards the living room where Snape was waiting, "...reminds me of one of those men."
"Reminds you? But what do you mean?"
"You never talk about your work, Dana, and I understand--I know you have confidentiality to consider and I respect that. But I just get a--a sense--or a vibe--from your...colleague. I can't explain why, honey, but it's just the same gut feeling I got the first time I realized I was being watched."
Scully's scalp prickled as she remembered what Snape told her about wizards being able to recognize their own kind on sight. Was it possible...could it be that her own mother...? No, it couldn't be. Maggie Scully was no witch. But on the other hand, Maggie had had a premonition of Scully's own abduction. Mulder told her about it afterward--Maggie never mentioned it. Scully laughed a little nervously. "You're starting to sound like Melissa, talking about vibes and gut feelings."
Maggie shrugged. "Say what you will, but Melissa had good instincts about people. Oh, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with your friend..."
"...but you're telling me how you feel."
Maggie put her hands on either side of Scully's face and kissed her forehead lightly. "I don't know who's running this surveillance. But I'm almost certain they're not investigating me. That's why I put your car away one afternoon when there wasn't anybody watching. I hoped they would think you'd taken it and left--and I knew you were overseas, so you were safe. Maybe you shouldn't have come back at this time. But I didn't know how to contact you and tell you to stay away."
Meanwhile, left all alone, Snape examined the living room minutely. It had been years since he was in an all muggle house and he was curious in spite of himself. He was drawn especially to the pictures on the mantelpiece. Dana was in some of them, Mrs. Scully was in others. Then, of course, there were pictures of people he didn't recognize--wedding pictures, baby pictures. But one snapshot in a frame caught his eye. It was tucked in the back, as if it wasn't quite meant to be seen, but had a right to be placed along with the rest. He took it down to examine it more closely. The picture quality was poor--like a copy of a copy. There was a little girl--surrounded by balloons--in front of her was a birthday cake with candles--the frosting spelled out happy birthday...
--He couldn't quite read the last line...
Suddenly, Scully was next to him. Without a comment, she took the picture from him and restored it to its place among the others, but she was pale and her expression was strained.
"Bill's here," she said. "His car just pulled up."
After brief, curt, introductions on all sides, Scully's brother, Bill, lost no time in insisting on checking every part of the house and yard personally, and Scully and Snape went with him. They went from attic to basement, to the back shed, and around the perimeter of the property. But nothing seemed to be out of place and there were no unknown people or unmarked vehicles. While they were looking, Bill kept giving Snape curious, suspicious glances that made him long to take his wand and cast a stunning spell on him. But with effort he restrained himself, and eventually they finished up their investigation in the garage.
Then Bill took it into his head to move a heavy box of outdoor Christmas decorations that was wedged in between a metal utility shelf and the riding mower. He struggled with the box until he jammed his thumb, which made him swear. Then he kicked the box.
"Easy, Bill." Scully muttered.
"Don't tell me what to do, Dana."
Scully took his hand and examined his thumb. When she satisfied herself it wasn't broken, she murmured quietly "It's nothing, Bill. Go get some ice from Mom to put on it and drop the 'I'm the boss' attitude while you're at it."
Bill snatched his hand back and glared at her. "Who are you to tell me about attitude? We've been putting up with your attitude for years." His voice went higher, mimicking her, "My career at the Bureau is sooo important. I can't spend time with my family because my partner needs me."
"Shhh, Bill." Scully whispered, scandalized.
"No, I won't shush. And you wanna know what else, Dana? I can't help feeling this surveillance is all part of something to do with your job. If you'd just settled down in a normal medical practice like Mom and Dad wanted you to..."
"Will you keep your voice down?" She said, glancing over at Snape, embarrassed to be quarreling with her brother in front of an outsider, but he had retreated to the far corner of the garage where she couldn't see his face--although she was certain he was very aware of their fight.
Bill continued. "But instead, Mom has her house watched..."
"I don't have to listen to this," Scully said quietly and started to inch towards the door.
"Well, answer me one thing before you make your sweeping exit--how much more drama are we supposed to go through? What has to happen before you see reason and get out of the Bureau? You ought to get out while you can--and while you're still alive. Your career's brought this family nothing but grief."
Scully was stung by this accusation and she fought valiantly to keep her voice down. "You're the only one in our family who seems to have a problem with my career, Bill. Mom's never blamed me for anything. You really have a lot of nerve."
"Where is your friend Spooky Mulder, anyway?"
"On the job. And it's none of your business, anyway."
"Of course not. It's never my business until somebody's killed," Said Bill bitterly before he turned and walked into the house.
Left behind, Scully bit her lip and stared at the floor. She was humiliated that Snape had been a witness to that unpleasant family scene. She heard him take a step or two towards her.
"Dana..." he started.
"Yeah, uhm--we better go back inside," she mumbled and turned away from him before he could say anything more.