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Walking into the library a few moments later, he nodded to the Scoobies, taking note of who was there-and who wasn't with a little trepidation. "Hi. Let's just skip the introductions for now, we have news. And I would like more information about what you found. I've been trying to wrack my brains about how it applies to my situation and can't figure it out anymore than I can figure out how to love Voldemort to death.

"You could always give him a Care Bear," Xander offhandedly said. His friends looked at him, torn between laughter and shivers of mock fear but the wizards-excluding Hermione-looked at him blankly, "What? Loving an enemy onto the right path always works for them."

"They are drawn that way," Cordelia acidly pointed out. "But you might have a point, though the idea that Care Bears may really exist scares me more than the existence of demons and double knit polyester does." She shivered, a distasteful look on her face.

"What's a Care Bear?" Ron suddenly asked, paling at the horrified looks that were directed his way. "What did I say wrong now?"

"You know what, I think it's time to introduce you to the wonders of the Dark Side of American culture. I really do," Buffy commented, "Especially when even the original bookworm knows what a Care Bear is. You do know what one is, right, Giles?" she added suspiciously, looking at him.

"Much to my eternal shame, yes, I do," Giles answered with a withering look at his slayer and her friends who were snickering wildly. "As for what I have found out, it won't take long to explain it. But right now, I need to know right now is why Sirius Black is here without a disguise and no explanation for his presence. I am sure that I would have received one had I seen him about the mansion before."

"He's innocent," Harry began, bristling up and ready to defend him.

"As innocent as he can be considering his history as an auror," Giles mildly retorted, looking at them harshly. "Can he not defend him self or does he always rely upon those younger and more susceptible than he is?"

"Peace, Harry," Sirius quickly said, noting the way Harry looked. And, while it pleased him that Harry was ready to defend him, it was not the time. "He has every right to ask since I said nothing to him after arriving. It's not like I haven't had time. Plus, there is a lot of history between the aurors and the Council, I should have told him. Pettigrew framed me for what happened to the Potters. He was the real secret keeper and told Voldemort where they were."

"I only met the man once-and thought he was a bit too much like Ethan to be totally trustworthy. I believe I told you that over a glass of port-or was that Fudge?" he added the half question softly, "It must've been him. I was with Travers at the time."

"Travers?" Sirius' voice was sharp, "Quentin Travers?"

"The same," he replied, caught by the look of angered madness in Sirius' eyes. "Why? Do you know something about him that I don't?"

"Nothing that I could prove outside the walls of Azkaban," his head shook regretfully. Having met the man once, he remembered him and the way that his skin crawled, leaving him feeling tainted in some manner. The door opened and Kendra walked in, letting it shut behind her with a sharp bang. It was so unlike her that they all stared at her in shock.

"I have left Mr. Zabuto. We no longer see eye to eye," she announced as though speaking of the weather. For only a moment did her eyes shine with a hint of recognition when they landed on Sirius. Moving on, she nodded to the others, shaking off their concern with a cold look. "If I might trouble you for a reference book, I must find myself a cheap motel to stay in," she finished.

"Don't be silly, Kendra," Buffy interjected before Giles could say anything. "You can stay with me. Now that my mom knows about my calling, I need all the help I can get to explain things to her about what I do and why-since I never did get that handbook."

"I do not wish to impose upon your hospitality," Kendra started to protest.

Buffy made a dismissive noise, waving her hand, "Oh, please. I'm so far down in the graces of the Council that even my finest begging won't help me return to any state of grace. And I really don't care about what they think of me and what I do."

"Thank you," she smiled slightly, sitting down. For the first time in a while, she felt welcomed somewhere. Though she still didn't feel quite right about being on the Hellmouth-especially without her Watcher-she felt like she belonged.

"Where's my mum?" Harry suddenly asked, knowing that they'd get the joke. And that they, unlike Severus, wouldn't snap at him about making light of the threat to the both of them. It wasn't that he was worried about Willow, he knew that she was more than able to take care of herself against Voldemort and his forces. She had, after all been able to protect the both of them while in Knockturn Alley.

But Sirius' words about the grave danger she was in because she looked like his mother played in his head relentlessly and he really wished that she was there with them. If anything happened to her because of Voldemort's insane obsession with the both of them-which had started with him in the first place-he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.

"She went home," Xander said, flipping idly through one of the books on the table. "Her mom came to pick her up, said something about them having a little talk."

"Isn't her mom at the Paris conference? Why would she just leave because it finished? I mean, no offense against Willow, but its Paris we're talking about," Cordy asked, watching him with some disdain.

"Not everyone is like you about such things," Xander retorted, momentarily stopping what he was doing. Honestly, he loved his girlfriend and all but she could be so shallow sometimes.

Cordy bristled slightly, but she knew what he meant, "I'm just saying that she's never cared about Willow before. Remember when she had that nasty flu that turned into walking pneumonia? She stayed with me because her parents couldn't be bothered to cut their trip short for the sake of their daughter's health. So, why the sudden parent routine now?"

"I don't remember that-and why did she stay with you?"

"It was before you came to Sunnydale-and my mom was in one of her pity the unfortunate kids phases," Cordy informed them, somewhat superiorly. But her eyes showed the truth-she was very worried.

Xander started to retort, but then paused, "Come to think of it, her mom didn't seem quite herself. And Willow really didn't want to get into the car with her. I think, if not for Snyder's presence, she would have run."

"You don't think," Hermione started to stay, shuddering.

The doors slammed open, cutting off her words, and Severus staggered in, a bundle in his arms. "Black, the most powerful wards and defensive magic you can come up with," he tossed his wand to the man, not waiting to see if he would do what he said. "Giles, we need a medical kit. Potter, call Hedwig and send her to the mansion with a message-evacuation and as much help as they can muster from Hogwarts. We have an invasion of Death Eaters."

"Hermione, Ron, I'll need your help to do this. The more witches and wizards setting the wards, the stronger and more surprising they will be. Are there any spots of particular vulnerability around here?"

"The sewers," Xander replied, noticing the tense way both Slayers were sitting. Elaborating at the blank look he received, "Not all of them. But Buffy needed some way to get about when she did her patrolling, so Giles opened a tunnel connecting one of them to the library. There's probably a few others so that maintenance can be performed, but I couldn't tell you where they were."

"Also, you might want to protect the windows," Cordy offered. "As they are made of glass, they will shatter. Now, I'm going to see if I can help Giles. Why don't you two watch the sewer entrance?"

"Voldemort's followers are human."

"So, don't use your full strength on them. You do know how to do that," she replied in an isn't that obvious tone of voice.

"Hate to say it but," Buffy shrugged, "Cordy has a point."

"I always do," Cordy smirked.

The two slayers rose and disappeared around the corner.

"I need to visualize this complex before I can figure out the best spells to use. It would also be a handy thing to have so that I can see any inherently weak spots that they would not know about."

"There are plans on the computer," Hermione happily exclaimed. She was grateful to be on grounds she was more familiar with, "Oz showed me when he was helping me research my topic for that report I wrote for Defense Against the Dark Arts." It didn't take her that long to find them. With plans in hand, the trio went off.

Harry paced, waiting for Hedwig to arrive. Glancing at Xander after a few minutes, he noticed that the other young man didn't look worried or pensive. He just sat there, reading one of the books on demons. "Doesn't it bother you to be left out?"

"Sometimes," Xander shrugged, "But I'd only get in the way right now. When they need me, they'll let me know. We all have our own strengths, Harry. I'm the guy you turn to for a quick laugh to keep spirits high. It's what keeps us going."

"But I should be doing something more than being an errand boy. I'm supposed to fight and defeat Voldemort."

"Something you can't do if you're too tired from a lesser fight. Sometimes the only thing you can do is nothing-and that's the hardest thing of all." He noticed Harry's incredulous look and laughed. "Don't worry, this reflective mood of mine isn't normal. It's just me passing along a few of the things that I've learned."

Hedwig arrived at that moment, squeezing through one window. Harry spoke quickly to her as he tied on the note and gave her a treat. Watching her leave, he finally sat down with a sigh, "Let's just hope she gets through before anything happens."

"Why did you send her to the mansion?"

"She'd never get to Hogwarts in time. Remus will know what to do." Glancing at the closed door, he shivered, seeing the body again. "What do you suppose they did to her?"

"I don't think I want to know," he rubbed the back of his neck. " Are you all right?'

"They're coming," Harry gasped as a familiar feeling swept through him, "And Voldemort is with them. He wants me to know he's there in no uncertain terms."

"Should I get someone?" he offered, not happy at all about the paling boy's raspy breathing and shivering body. "Do you need Professor Snape or Mr. Black?" He was half way to his feet when Harry's head shook negatively.

"Just help me focus," his words were slowly, as if he was fighting a mind numbing drug. "Tell me about those Care Bears or how you met. You could even tell me the amusing tales of your unsure love life. I heard a few things that can't be true," he slightly smiled-a pained one. "I just need to focus on something besides him. As much as Professor Snape has tried, I haven't gotten the hang of emptying my mind as quickly as I should."

So while Xander tried his best to imitate Willow when she was in full babble mode, they both tried to push their worries to the back of their minds. Sirius, Ron, and Hermione arrived as his throat dried up, unable to speak in anything louder than a rasp. Though torn, Sirius knew where his duty lay and he left the two with him.

He disappeared behind the stacks, intent on getting this over with. "Is it always this dirty?" he teasingly asked even as he began to pick up on the familiar feel of vampire remains.

"It seems that he wishes to be thorough in his attempts to take the Hellmouth," Kendra announced, brushing off her hands.

"Would you mind stepping back," Sirius asked. "I would not wish to strip your powers from you while I do this."

"Why not? It would give your shields more strength, wouldn't it?" Buffy asked.

"At the cost of your life," he dully agreed, not wanting to tell her how he knew that. There were just some things that he knew that he never wished to share. "I don't care how willing you are, I will not kill needlessly."

"Right," Buffy sucked in a breath, not wanting to know. "Call us if there's a need." They left and, upon meeting the others, she knocked on Giles' door, "How is she?"

"Alive, which is all we can hope for right now. I don't have a strong enough potion to do more than block him from draining her. Harry, are you all right?" Severus' eyes had immediately landed upon his nephew and he left the room.

"No, uncle," he replied, arms wrapped about his stomach, voice almost to low for the others to hear him. "I feel like Dudley and Piers sat on me at the same time."

"Next time I see those unfortunate pieces of humanity, I will turn them into rodents," he promised, joining him, feeling for a pulse. "Well, it is not as steady as I'd like but at least there's something there. Harry, I need you to throw him out of your mind once and for all. I want you to block him using love for that is a wall he cannot break."

Harry kept his eyes on him, finding it the easiest way to concentrate. Snape was an excellent focus point. "And how would I do that? Love is hardly a tangible thing."

"With great difficulty," Severus replied, thinking about it for a moment. "Have you ever seen any knitting done?"

"Only once at the Burrows," Harry admitted, puzzled. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Knitted clothes rely upon the strength of their weaving to hold form. TO build this barrier, you must do the same."

"But I don't know the first thing about knitting!"

"Don't look at me!" Hermione exclaimed, her hands thrown up defensively. "My mom said that knitting was an archaic talent, something that only old women with cats do. Sorry, Ron, but that was before I met your mother."

"Ron?" Harry began hopefully. Mrs. Weasley knitted all the time. Surely, Ron knew enough to get him started. They didn't have the time to look for instructions now. Voldemort was nearing them and he could feel his malevolent anger pressing upon them.

"Mr. Weasley, if you know how to knit, you must tell us. It is the only way to save Harry," it was the gentle care hidden under the silken order that captured Ron's attention and pushed his shame to the side.

"We all learned," Ron admitted. "Being a wizard wasn't an excuse in mum's eyes for not being able to do things by hand. Using magic was pure laziness to her, just taking the easy route."

"Your mother is right," Severus agreed with her words, starling them. "All too often we refuse to exert ourselves and use our magic to accomplish the simplest of tasks. The problem with that is that magic becomes a crutch. It inevitably cripples us." Scolding himself firmly for stopping to lecture, he sternly reminded himself that it was not the time for him to indulge in teaching them-even if they listened to him.

Conjuring up a ball of yarn and some knitting needles, he passed them over to Ron. "Here, walk Harry through the steps. Watch him and try to visualize strands of love, of compassion, of mercy in your mind. Knit them together as he is knitting the yarn. Mind you, keep out any negative feelings-and weave no pity into your shield. If they slip in, the whole shield will fall apart as the basis for it has weaknesses already woven into it."

"Why not pity, sir?" Hermione asked, curious as to why he singled it out. "Isn't pity the same thing as compassion?"

"Pity and compassion are similar but at the basic core, they are not the same at all. I need to see how Black is doing." He left them and walked around the shelf, stumbling and sliding to ground as pain attacked him. Pain that he could no longer avoid and ignore as he had been by focusing on other matters.

Sirius found him there, desperately trying to breath. "Voldemort?" his question was sharp as he knelt down and unbuttoned the shirt as the desperate shamed permission in his eyes. He rested the flat of his hand on his bared chest and focused, pushing back the liquid that tried to drown the other man's lungs, seeing once more the acquiescence in Snape's eyes.

He felt as though he was violating the man by doing this, even though he had his permission to do so. The knowledge that Snape's life was truly in his hands burned him and he found that he didn't like the feeling at all. "Does this have anything to do with Willow? Or is it the mysterious information Giles found?"

"Both," he managed to say before turning his head and vomiting up blood and a thick, clear fluid. "He really believes that she's Lily, Sirius. This knowledge is making him quite mad and since he's already insane, this does not bode well for us. I'm afraid that he's trying to kill her to force her to resurrect herself once again so that he may learn how she did it. I don't know how long I can hold him back. We have to wake her up."

"Isn't that dangerous in her condition?"

"It could kill her," he agreed with him, struggling to regain his composure and focus.

"Then why not put an amulet on her, charmed to block and store her magic? To lock it away from him until such a time as he has been dispersed?"

Severus looked at him as if he'd grown another head. "Sirius, I think that may possibly have been a moment of true, pure genius. Help me up, I need to make sure that the Headmaster brings the Sorting Hat-and for more reason than Gryffindor's sword."

"You aren't going anywhere," he firmly said, gently pushing him back down. They needed him to much, "Just rest. Amy, help him as you've seen me do."

"How?" she didn't finish the question. The look Snape shot her was enough to silence her.

"I warded the place and went to school with Severus. I knew the moment you arrived and have been tracking you. The dark magic in you sent off a warning charm. Now, kneel here and place your hand on his chest. You have to keep the fluid out of his lungs, keep him breathing, and his magic tethered to his body. It's not that hard," he instructed.

"But…But I couldn't," she stammered, terrified to touch the older man.

"Then Willow will die," he bluntly said, pulling no punches. "Right now, Severus is the only thing standing between her death and her life. He cannot do it alone."

Shaking, she knelt down and put her hand where he told her. She could feel his life ebbing and flowing under her hand and slightly opened herself up to the powers that were inherently hers by right of being of the blood of the priestess. Carefully, she focused on the preservation of life and staying away from the corrupting touch of the Hellmouth. The last thing they needed was for that evil portal to color this healing, mutating it into something else.

"I will be back as soon as I can," Sirius promised and left. He appeared outside the mansion, wand at the ready. As there was no true way to determine where the Death Eaters were, he was not taking any more foolish chances. That was what had cost him those years with Harry in the first place. If he hadn't been so impulsive, so stupid, he would've been a bigger part of his godson's life.

Shaking off his thoughts, he crept into the house, looking about cautiously. Albus was sitting in the front room, waiting for him patiently. The Sorting Hat rested on his lap, looking rather pleased to be out of the castle-even if the situation was far from a good one.

"How did you?" he started but stopped. This was Albus Dumbledore after all.

His eyes twinkled merrily. "I find it best to prepare for any contingency. I just wish there was a way to evacuate the town before this blows up. The students, with the exception of a few of the Slytherins and those who are calling themselves Dumbledore's Army, have returned to the safety of Hogwarts."

"How did you accomplish that?" he asked.

"Do not be so surprised that there are students who have chosen to protect the younger students while many of the teachers are involved in this nasty business of handling this situation," he replied. "You will have to help me side apparate with the students. We can't take any chances. I trust that your shields will allow us in?"

"As long as there are none who are secretly loyal to Voldemort," Sirius answered, knowing that he need not elaborate about what would happen to them.

"Then let's return," Albus' smile dimmed. "I believe that Severus is in need of greater help than you or I or even Miss Madison with her goddess born power can provide."

"Poppy?"

"She cannot be spared as her skills will be called into service soon. I will modify the shields to let the gravely injured depart to a safe meeting place where Hagrid will meet and portkey them to Hogwarts. Professor McGonagal and the most of the Weasley boys are waiting in the study," Albus sad, an unidentifiable sadness in his voice. "Fudge had to clear your name after many, many, many people saw Pettigrew. There was quite an outcry about his mishandling of the entire affair. I would not be surprised if we find ourselves with a new Minister come fall."

Soon-far sooner than Sirius had been prepared for-they were back inside the library. A high pitched scream echoed down from the stacks. They jumped up, startled, wands ready. "Easy, children," Albus soothed them, hiding his worry behind an easy smile. "I shall go see what's wrong. But I'm sure that it's nothing."

Harry stayed on his feet as the others sat down, walking over to them. "It's not nothing, that's where Professor Snape disappeared to and I have every right to be there, sir. More right than others here do," he softly added.

Albus looked at Sirius, who gave no indication either way about his preferences. That alone shocked him and made the Headmaster very suspicious. Harry stood there, eyes meeting his evenly. "Very well," he reluctantly agreed. "Bill, see Mr. Giles and help him and the Hat with the protective amulet for Willow. Sirius, would you be kind enough to explain what I mean and what we need it to do?"

Albus didn't wait after passing over the Sorting Hat. He knew Minerva would take the students in hand and begin to give them their orders. Turning the corner, he stopped, color leaving his face at the sight that met his eyes. The strength left him as he sank slowly to his knees, "Oh, my poor child. What has he-I-what have we done to you?"

"I tried to help him but it got to be too much, to fast for me. Did I kill him?" Amy whispered, staring at her bloody hands in horror. Blood, so much blood, it was impossible to believe that it had come from one man. That he could live after expelling so much of his life force.

Breathing slowly, he shook his head, even as he withdrew his wand, "Of course not. Step back and let me take care of this."

His eyes were drawn to that horrible mark upon his uncle's arm. There was something about it. It looked like it was…eating something and expanding. "No!" Harry exploded, stepping between them. He could feel their eyes on him and explained, "No more magic. Voldemort can feel it. We have to take care of him through muggle means."

"We don't have time, Harry. If we use muggle ways, he will die."

"And if we use magic, Voldemort will only grow stronger. Professor Snape needs one like him to heal him with magic-he needs an ambient mage. Until Professor Flitwick comes, we have to use muggle means," he insisted, standing his ground.

Headmaster Dumbledore and Amy both stared at him, shocked by the absolute conviction in his voice. "How do you know this, Harry?" the headmaster asked, looking between the boy and the man on the ground.

"I just do, all right?" he ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Severus is dying while we stand here, debating. Now, are you going to help me or do I have to do it myself?"

"Miss Madison, is there any place we can take him to clean him up?"

"Yes, the gym. This way," she shakily stood up, watching as the old man rose and picked up the wounded man. She saw him cast a tiny spell, allowing him to carry him with ease. They made their way past horrified gazes, staring at the wracked body. She noticed vaguely that the Slayers rose and flanked them.

Charlie followed them, concerned and willing to offer whatever he could. They had quickly caught up and accepted the new situation and magic that existed. Although, he still struggled with the concept that Professor Snape had more magic than anyone had known. And he wondered how anything an ancient North American shaman had said could help them.

"Harry?" A weak voice rasped, one pale hand reaching blindly out.

Charlie shivered at the sound that echoed down the empty hall, it looked so bony and pale, he wondered if the vampire Snape rumors were actually the truth. His hand looked more like a claw in the light than the elegant pianists that he was used to seeing.

"Yes, uncle?" Harry quickly answered, grasping his hand tightly. Albus' face revealed his shocked surprise and he stumbled, jostling Severus just a bit. "Don't drop him!" his order was every bit as sharp as one of his uncle's.

"Harry," he called out again.

"I'm here, uncle. I'm right beside you," he repeated, squeezing tighter. "Can't you feel me?"

"Cold," he mumbled, "I'm so cold."

"We'll get you warmed up," he said, "Just hang on. Uncle, please, just hold on."

"Too tired," he coughed, a terribly raspy sound, as they entered the locker room. Blood spilled from his mouth, too dark to be healthy. His breathing sounded rough, unhealthy in the midst of the silence. "I'm too tired from carrying it all."

"Then let me help you! You don't have to do it on your own anymore. I'm here for you. I need you, uncle."

By now, Albus had rested Severus on the floor, back placed against the cool wall. He felt at sea, mind churning. How had his potions master hidden this knowledge from him all this time? With effort, Charlie and the Headmaster pushed it to the back of their minds, focused on healing him. They turned on the water faucets, watching as the slayers blocked the drains.

"We're trying to create a sauna atmosphere for him," she said, as Albus changed one stall into a deep tub.

"Good idea, Miss Summers," Charlie complimented her, copying them-except he added charms to evaporate the water. The last thing they was a flood.

"Can't take the credit for it-it was all Kendra's idea."

"Let me help you," they heard Harry's half-plea, half demand. "Why do you insist on doing this alone? You aren't alone-not anymore. I won't let you be alone, you stupid, stubborn git!" Gently, but with all the strength he possessed, he held him tightly in his arms.

Ignoring the way his uncle automatically stiffened, Harry rubbed his back and rocked him back and forth. "I know you think that you can do it on your own-but you can't. No one can. You've taken my burden on as you own for far too long. I ask, not to take it away from you, but to share it with you. I can't do it without you-and you can't do it without me."

"Harry, we need to clean him now," Albus gently prodded him.

"Use your wand to remove our clothes-while keeping on our undergarments. Severus deserves some privacy and dignity." With Albus' help, Severus was lowered into the warmed water. Harry grabbed a cloth and a very gentle cleanser, climbed in with him.

End, Part 20

Author's Note: I know, Harry is making rather free with Severus' name, isn't he? I did try to stop him, to get him to properly address him, but, like the Gryffindor he is, he ignored me. Only Severus can stop him-and, at the moment, he doesn't care to.