Author's Note and Thanks: I'm sorry this story is taking so long. The voice keeps escaping me. Mooney's Mate: Thanks for your continual support. I really appreciate it. As for the Severus/Lily connection, that surprised me but it does play an important part in the story. Well, other than in helping Sirius take a new look at Severus and his relationship with Harry.

777

Kendra walked through the streets, aware of the shadowy presence of her Watcher. The setting sun illuminated her path down the alley she had turned. His company had never bothered her before this night, she had always been aware of where he was. More so as the years passed and they had grown into their partnership.

But there was something off about him, something that she didn't like. He had changed from the man he'd always been into something else. While he had always been distant with her, he had never been so cold to her before. For all the distance they'd naturally had because of their respective roles, they had developed a certain…affiliation that she enjoyed. An affiliation that had…grown in years and lead to a surprising development.

Now, though, his attitude had become unapproachable, even remote. Secluded. Cold. Battle hardened and weary. There was a difference in his eyes, in his voice. In the very feel of his essence, it was almost as if…he was no longer the man she knew her Watcher-and her lover for the past year-to be.

It had been that way since the meeting with the Watcher's Council.

But she knew that they did not suspect the change in their relationship. They could not. If they had, they would have separated them-and killed him. This she knew from the past records of the slayers and their watchers.

Attachment like that was discouraged for Slayers were merely tools to be used in the fight against evil, tools guided by the able hands of the Watcher. If the Watcher was compromised by feelings, than they would be removed. It was as simple as that, for even an active Watcher was merely a tool in the hands of the Council.

Her hand automatically swung out, staking the vampire that jumped her automatically. Moving on, she proceeded to focus on her thoughts more than her environment, not troubled by the vampires. As dangerous as they were, this was not their peak-hunting hour.

No. Their time would come later. Then would be the time for her to focus and be totally focused on all that was going on around her. Right now, she could let her thoughts wander about.

As much as she didn't wish to do so, she worried about her watcher more than ever before. She wished that she knew what was going on with him, what was wrong. There was a feeling that he'd gotten in over his head and that he couldn't figure out how to get his head clear of it. That he could not-would not-trust her to help him out.

They should've stayed away from Sunnydale, no matter what the Watcher's Council wanted them to do here. Yes, they had the message but they didn't have to give it in person. They could have sent the message to Mr. Giles through safe channels. The Council could have done it themselves. This wasn't her place, for all that she was an active Slayer.

This was Buffy's place and she could not figure out why they did not allow her to do her duty as she saw fit. As she had proven worked.

777

Harry sat in the library, reading the book Professor Snape had given him. On the arm of the chair, a legal pad rested, a few notes and questions scribbled on it. Reluctantly following the professor's advice, he had made his notations in parseltongue, knowing that there were only two people alive who could read them.

And that one probably wouldn't care what he had to say in this notebook. All he wanted was to do was destroy his very existence from off of the planet. Why bother to get to know who he was? That might make him more real and less easy to kill. Unless, of course, he thought he could discover a weakness within him.

But then, as Professor Snape pointed out to him, everybody already knew that.

Attack those closest to him. Those fears were almost enough to make him want to cut himself off from them, all the while knowing it for a foolish thought. Not only wouldn't he get away with it, he didn't think he had the strength to face the future alone. No, he knew he didn't have that strength.

While he didn't like putting them in danger, Harry knew that he needed his friends to be with him if he was going to defeat Voldemort.

Of course, the idea that Voldemort would ever read anything he wrote caused him to shiver. He'd never feared the man before and didn't think it was wise to start now. Fear might cause him to hesitate, to not want to do anything about him.

And yet, Professor Snape's words about Voldemort wouldn't stop cycling through his head. For a moment, he considered going to find him and talk to him about it. He dismissed it as ridiculous after thinking it over.

Snape would not appreciate being disturbed, especially since he was watching both Oz and Lupin.

"What are you doing in here?" Blaise asked, leaning over the chair to stare down at him.

Startled by the voice, Harry looked up at the smirking Slytherin leaning over him. "What does it look like I'm doing?" he asked, once he got control of his heart rate and breathing again. He was not going to embarrass himself, not in front of her, though he didn't really care what she thought of him.

It was just a matter of pride, that was all.

"Well, to a casual observer, it would look like you are studying. But as I know that the only Gryffindor in your house who knows how to do that with any accuracy is Miss. Granger, I find myself at a loss to explain this rather unusual sight. Hence my question," she drawled. "Which you have yet to answer."

"Contrary to popular belief," Harry said, acknowledging the rumors about him. "I do know how to study. That is what I am doing, as if you couldn't tell."

"Studying what?" Blaise asked, head tilted curiously. The long, dark hair fell to one side, shielding one of her eyes. She found herself deeply curious about this unusual happenstance, something that rarely occurred-especially in relation to the boy wonder. It has to be about Voldemort for he is studiously working on it. May be it has to do with the final battle. It is refreshing to see him concerned about the final battle, quite a nice change in pace to find Potter planning for his next trip into disaster.

Unless, she wryly added, it was about Quidditch. As much as she enjoyed the game, loved it in fact, she could care less about it when the fate of their world was at risk.

Voldemort would not be so easily stopped this time.

He was stronger this time around for evil never came back in the same state as they departed. And after their last few encounters, he was expecting the unexpected from Potter. The boy had shown that he would not rely upon magic to battle him, that he would use other means to beat him. To many defeats at his hand had caused him to be more wary, to seek out alliances. He would not be so easy to lull into the same sense of security that he'd had before.

All unknowing of the thoughts in Blaise's mind, Harry was having a quiet debate on whether or not to say anything. At last, he shrugged, not having a definite answer to her question. Therefore, he gave her a half-truth. After all, Professor Snape hadn't actually told him not to say anything. He just advised him not to-because of how they would react to what he was learning. "An assignment given to me by Professor Snape," he said, somewhat challenging the Slytherin to press him.

Blaise straightened up instantly, moving to the bookshelf, "All right," she dismissed their conversation from her mind. It wasn't her concern after all. Pulling out a book, she sat in one of the plush chairs and opened the well-worn book. Beginning to read, she immersed herself in the words before her.

Though the reaction was expected, it slightly disappointed Harry. For some unknown reason, he had been hoping that Blaise would press him. Thinking about it, he knew why he'd been hoping for the student to question him further.

It had nothing to do with refusing to answer just to get an annoyed reaction from her. Nor did it have to do with denying the Slytherin student knowledge about his actions. While at one time that might have been true, he no longer had time to indulge in childish rivalries that served no purpose.

No.

What he wanted was to talk to someone about it. Someone who was not Professor Snape, for all that they had been getting along.

And his godfather was out, for obvious reasons.

Harry didn't consider the other student a friend. For all the time they spent working together, Blaise was still a Slytherin. Still a friend to Malfoy and his ilk and, while she was unlikely to betray his confidences, she was not someone he felt comfortable putting much faith in. Yet because of that house's unique position, he knew she would be able to accept what his friends would not be able to.

Well, he amended his thought quickly for he did not want to be disloyal, even in his own thoughts, what they wouldn't be able to accept right away. Blaise, though, was a Slytherin and as such, she would know the importance of secrets-and keeping them close to her chest.

With a sigh, he went back to reading through the book. It wasn't as onerous a task as he'd been fearing, he just wished he actually understood more of it. The more he read, the more he dared to hope that it was the solution to his problem. Because he wasn't sure his mind could survive another meeting of Voldemort's. And he was afraid that sooner or later, Voldemort was going to figure out they had a connection.

Figure it out and ruthlessly use it to quash him because the man was not above killing a helpless baby.

777

Amy and Hermione lay on a blanket outside, staring up at the stars. The bright moon glowed brilliantly over head, slightly hidden by a cover of clouds. It was the final night of the cycle and the girls were taking full advantage of it to study the moon in its final phase. To both disciplines, the moon played an important part in their magics.

Hermione idly noted that the full moon had an odd tinge to it that it lacked at Hogwarts and wondered if it had anything to do with the town's mystical portal. It would be something to ask, though she was uncertain she would get an answer. May be she could get Harry to ask Professor Snape for her. The man seemed more than willing to answer his questions now that they were far away from Hogwarts, far more secluded from the rest of the wizarding world.

There was no fear that they would be troubled by the creatures of the night. Since there were some students taking astronomy, an array of wards had been erected and reinforced to protect them. It was taxing work that had to be renewed every other day for the Hellmouth exuded its own brand of power that worked to counter theirs. But it paid off.

"What's it like?"

"What?" Hermione asked, rolling over slightly to look at her.

"Studying magic at a school devoted to it," Amy said, an earnest look on her face. "I had to find a coven of witches with magic similar to help me. And believe me, that isn't as easy as it sounds for my branch of magic is rare. At least in America."

"It's wonderful," she began enthusiastically, then stopped suddenly. The question deserved an honest answer, even if it wasn't one she thought flattered her. "Actually, if you want to know the truth, it's rather scary. When I found out about my powers, I was frightened. I never knew anyone in my family who was magical. I didn't even know that magic was real. I knew nothing of Hogwarts so when I found that Diagon Alley had an extensive bookshop with a large collection of books about Hogwarts, I went there immediately and bought as many of them as my parents would allow. I'm lucky that my parents encourage me to read because I think I went a little overboard with my search."

"Bookish, are you?"

"Terribly so," she admitted sheepishly. "I had a hard time making friends because of it. I was always so excited about what I learned that all I wanted to do was share with others, whether those around me wanted to hear it or not. The thing is, I can understand books better than people. There are no hidden motives or secrets within books, no hidden agendas. Just straightforward knowledge, though sometimes you have to search for it."

"Ain't that the truth," Amy laughed and sighed. She lay back down, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "Even if the knowledge is mistaken or outdated, at least it's right there. Books don't hurt the way people do."

"They are challenging, but they don't fill you up in the same way a good friendship does. No matter the pain those friends may cause at times," she sighed as well. Then she looked curiously over, a kind of sheepish look in her eyes. "You sound as though you know what I'm talking about. Yet, of the two of you, I always pegged Willow as the bookish one. She seems so at home in the library, more so than even me."

"Oh, she is. Make no mistake about that. Of the two of us, I'm more likely to be found in the midst of the action, living it up. But," she paused, "I found comfort in books when nothing else would assuage my pain. My confusion."

"What do you mean? Is living on a Hellmouth really that difficult?"

She blinked in shock, "You know?"

"Well, of course I do," she stated in a no duh type of voice. "Professor Snape and Professor Lupin would not bring us any place without telling us of the dangers that lie in wait. We had quite a few classes to prepare us for this trip. Our parents did as well. They weren't pleased when they heard where we were going and what we'd find here. But Headmaster Dumbledore insisted that it would be a good experience for our continuing education. You mean it isn't common knowledge in this town?"

"No," she slowly shook her head, a strangled laugh escaping her. "Only a few people know of it. And you've met most of them."

"How can such darkness be hidden? One would think that with all the vampires running about, killing people, the citizens would notice."

Amy snorted. "Sunnydale residents notice anything? Are you nuts? They wouldn't notice it if you all decided to parade down the streets naked. As for how its been kept secret, well, no one seems to realize that our mayor is his own grandfather. What does that tell you of our observational skills?"

"You live in a very weird town, Amy."

"I know. Isn't it delicious?"

"That isn't precisely the word I would use," Hermione said. "But if works for you, who am I to judge?"

777

The mahogany desk gleamed in the evening light and Mayor Wilkins sat there, watching as his new associate, one Lucius Malfoy, left his office. Tilting his head to rest on his hand, he contemplated the meeting he had just had with the suave man.

Correction, he idly thought, wizard. And a politically adept one at that, capable of keeping secrets when necessary but open to sharing what he had. Try as he might, he could not quite figure out what exactly the wizard had to gain from their association.

He knew what Voldemort was gaining from this; there was no question at all about that. Voldemort would gain acceptance into the demon world that he had been denied due to his half human status, even if he'd risen from the dead. While the wizard could gain the ear of the half-breeds that roamed the world, he could not capture the interest of the more powerful denizens of the demon world.

But Lucius Malfoy, for all his appearance as a devoted servant…he was hiding his own motivations, his own desire. The mayor could clearly see through that thin disguise of his and wondered if Voldemort did as well. There was something else going on. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on, but it was there all the same. Swinging the chair about, he met the studiously blank expression of the man behind him, his deputy mayor, Allan Finch.

"What do you think of our new…acquaintance?" he asked, rising to his feet. He knew there was more going on behind that carefully blank face than most would see. It was one of the reasons he had taken him on as his partner.

For a moment, Allan was startled by the query. He hadn't thought that Richard would ask him for his opinion about his meetings with those associated with his other side. He rarely did when it involved his other activities. Recovering quickly, he gave the question some thought before answering, knowing that silence was not acceptable in this situation.

It would, in fact, be seen as an insult.

"I think he's very good at hiding his true motivations for seeking this union with you. He's almost as proficient as Lord Voldemort sounded, for all that he seems to be kinder and more at ease. It is obvious that Mr. Malfoy knows the world of politics-and how to employ that understanding. There is something more to behind this than mere words. He knows something that you do not. Yet, he will not betray his leader. Do you think it is wise to trust them so much? They haven't given you much to go on, just their word."

"Ah, that is quite true," he accepted his words with a complacent nod. It was very similar to what he had been thinking himself. "But I have been aware of this Voldemort, as he insists upon being called, for some time. Though he disappeared mysteriously a few years back, he showed great promise of strength and potential for more. No, it is probably not wise to trust them." He left out the news that the man in question had been dead for all of that time.

"Then do you think it so wise to ally yourself with them? He could possibly be able to take over and leave you with nothing," he tentatively pointed out, unsure that it was a wise thing to do. His boss seemed to be quite set on this course of action and he wasn't sure that it was his job to question it.

Yet, he couldn't help but feel that something was off and that someone needed to say something.

"Oh, I am sure that is his intent, though I am not sure how he intends to do such a thing. It is something to look into," he mused. "And don't worry so much about this. I am not blindly trusting any of them. Far from it, my friend. There are a few tricks I have in my own arsenal that are quite formidable-which you are quite aware of. See to it, Allan. I would do it myself, but I have prior business to take care of."

"Yes, sir," he murmured. "Anything else you want me to do?"

Mayor Wilkins gave it some thought, before shaking his head. With extreme care, he opened the cabinet door and pulled something out. "I don't believe so. Thank you, anyway, Allan. The Slayer problems are well in hand. Or so I've heard."

Allan shivered, knowing what he was referring to. He didn't agree with it but knew that it was necessary for the furthering of the Mayor's plans.

Mayor Wilkins spoke on, ignoring the telltale gesture. Though human, Allan had his uses. "I trust you to find out what is going on with our new friends. The only thing that troubles me is that group of students in the Crawford Mansion. I notice that they have had some dealings with our own group of particularly troublesome teen-agers. Still, we shall have to let them be for now. Though I am curious about them, Voldemort wants them left alone. Therefore, we shall play by his rules."

Correctly interpreting the look on Allan's face, he smiled genially, "For now," he finished.

777

Lucius left and made his way down the street, apparating quickly to the mansion. Entering without bothering to knock, he walked into Severus' lab. "I am here for my son." This was said with little preamble and no patience.

Severus did not turn around, he continued to work. "You have two working legs, Lucius. I am sure that you will be able to find him. He's around here somewhere."

"Aren't you even going to ask me what happened at my meeting with the Mayor?"

His eyes slid in Lucius' direction as he reached for a pot. "I did not think it necessary as you do not appear to be maimed in some fashion. You are here, which implies that he did not find it necessary to take your life. Nevertheless, I shall play the role of devoted spouse if it'll make you feel ever so much better for that is my sole purpose in life."

Pasting a sickeningly sweet smile on his face, he turned to face him. He noted in satisfaction the step back Lucius involuntarily made. "Hi, honey. How was your day? Did you meet anyone interesting? Talk of anything of importance to ultimate world domination? Please be sure to talk softly for the children are about. I would hate for them to hear anything that they should not."

"Severus, you are an absolutely heartless wretch."

"And you, Lucius, are not exactly the love of my life. Nor would I want you to be," he coldly retorted, not wincing at all at the look of hate he was given. "As I have said, Draco is about the house somewhere, go and find him. I am working on something for our Lord. Unless you wish that I assume the role of your servant over his and are willing to explain to him about the delay? Or would you like to work on this poison? I'm sure he would be most impressed with your attempts at potion making."

Glaring, he turned and walked out the door, not bothering to close it behind him.

"Fine line you tread there, Severus," Sirius observed, the chair he was in swinging in his direction.

"A line I've learned to walk blindfolded," he dryly countered, waving the door shut. 'You and your friends spent so much time giving me such good lessons on how to do it in school."

Ignoring the dig, he tilted his head and inquired, almost absentmindedly. "I thought you were working on a potion for Oz."

His head inclined momentarily, acknowledging the words with something approaching respect. "You paid attention to my words? How…flattering. As for what I am working on, yes, it is for Oz. He will need it to help his body resume normal functions. I see no reason for Lucius to know that though."

"What does he want?"

"His son, I thought that was obvious even to you." Taking extra care, he slowly poured the dark/light concoction into a mason jar. With a quick drop of some ingredient and a slow stir, he transferred it to a large mug.

"Git," he muttered. "You know what I mean."

Placing the mug aside to cool, he turned and stared at Sirius, arms crossed as he contemplated his current situation. There was no harm-he hoped-in letting the mutt know what was going on. "He intends to present Draco to the Dark Lord tonight. Voldemort has insisted that he see him as he is the one who granted Lucius the right to have a child. All of the Death Eaters had to have his permission to procreate. He rarely allowed them to have more than one child. I believe that tonight will begin Draco's initiation into the ranks of the Death Eaters."

It took a great deal of his strength to remain in his seat. Every instinct he had was screaming at him to bolt out of his chair, to rush after Malfoy and stop him from taking Draco away. Taking several deep breaths to calm his nerves, he studied Severus over clenched hands. "And you will do nothing?"

"While Draco is my student, he is not my son," he reasonably pointed out, knowing it annoyed Sirius to no end. "If I interfere with this situation, it will give away my position as a spy. If that happens, I can no longer protect Potter as I have in the past. Voldemort would block me from his thoughts and his own magical signature, if he did not kill me first that is."

"How can you be so calm?"

"How can you be so emotional?"

"He's my cousin! Of course I'm emotional!" He did get up then and stood in front of Severus, glaring at the taller man. "Would you be so calm if this was Harry we were talking about?"

End, part 13