I want to thank all who read, reviewed, and added this fic (and me) to your favorites and alert lists. In thanks, I offer you cookies, milk, and apples.

Only Pixie dust of doom figured out where the 'Men in Black' quote would have gone, if it would have been fitting to place it. So YOU get the extra donut! During Vlad and Danny's conversation about different media and how they would react to reporting about ghosts, I thought of having Danny tell Vlad that no one takes the 'National Enquirer' seriously except for the Men in Black, who consider supermarket tabloids their 'hot sheets.' But that would require Danny, who is currently living in 1996, knowing of the 'Men in Black,' which is a movie that didn't come out until 1997.

CatalystOfTheSoul and Quacked Lurker guessed and got Dunkin' Donuts Coolatas as parting gifts. Thank you for playing!

Before this chapter was written, Cynthia came up with the absolute devastation Vlad asks Technus to come up with, concerning the Guys in White. She is better at destruction than I am. If you like the last three scenes, while I wrote them, they are pretty much her fault.

While there were two weeks or so between the last chapter and this, I realized that it was not likely that would occur again, for a while. Therefore, I wanted to wish everyone a happy and healthy, sweet New Year for 5770.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom, Harry Potter, Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'As You Like It,' Fiddler on the Roof, Robert Frost's 'Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening,' Through the Looking-Glass, Casper the Friendly Ghost, or Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

The airport, restaurant, concert hall, and symphony orchestra Vlad visits are all real places and people, although I have no idea if they played on the day I wrote that they did. Toby Roth really was a Republican Congressman of Wisconsin in 1996.

Chapter 33

Friday, November 22, came far too quickly for Vlad's taste, but the day gave him nothing he couldn't handle. He made sure to remind Daniel that some time next week they would finish their unit on 'Much Ado About Nothing' and they would begin 'As You Like It.'

He especially reminded him to review many of his ghost skills while he was gone. Over the week, they made up a list of things to test, and Daniel not only admitted that his new list was far more extensive than the list his friends used to help him train, Danny was a bit impressed with himself for being able to do them. Vlad even asked Professor Snape to watch him practice (speed guns don't operate themselves, and it was time to let Daniel show off for his favorite professor).

Vlad hugged his charge and hopefully soon-to-be son. (This only got better and more comfortable with practice!) At 11:00pm, he shouldered a bag full of papers to mark and stopped by the Headmaster's office to check out with him as requested.

Going through the Ghost Zone, Vlad touched down on Skulker's island, and knocked on the residence door. "Plasmius! You're back!"

Ah, yes. It was good to be back in the Ghost Zone, where he practically ruled. "Yes. I have a press conference at 7:00pm, Central Time. After the conference, I would like to see you and Technus in my Wisconsin home. Oh, and so there are no surprises, I'm giving the press the impression that the reason ghosts haven't attacked Amity Park is Daniel's doing."

Skulker took a moment to figure out how to react to this. Plasmius was his employer, and he financed some of Skulker's more creative endeavors, including more imaginative hunting technology. On the other hand, he also had some bizarre notions about the Ghost Zone's greatest hunter's favorite prey. The idea that the pup had discouraged his myriad of enemies from hunting him down was patently ridiculous. But Plasmius had his reasons to encourage this nonsense in the Human World. What they believed didn't ultimately matter.

"So, how is the whelp?"

"You mean 'the boy to be my son as soon as I can manage it'?"

Whoa… This was serious, and it sounded like his favorite prey was about to be permanently removed from his list of fair game. "Yes, Plasmius."

"He is doing very well. He is slowly recovering from his mourning, though I wouldn't hold it against him if he persisted with it until next July. He's developed a form of nearly every power I have, though not as thoroughly as I have them. That will change with practice." Skulker peaked his eyebrows. That did NOT sound healthy for his hunting career. "And he has a talent or two I can only dream of. Right now, you may think of him as prey, but in a few years, the entire Ghost Zone will think of him as 'Master.' Not that it is his ambition, nor because of my human last name."

This was far more serious than Skulker could imagine. "But why?" Skulker's whole imperious manner took a major hit when dealing with Plasmius, the premier superior power.

Vlad smirked. "Because, you see, with proper training – which I intend to give him – his power will eventually far surpass my own, and many of his ghostly antagonists will survive because of his benevolence alone. His hero complex is good for something, and protecting those less powerful than himself is high on his priority list. Unless, of course, he perceives that they will harm those less powerful still, in which case, he'll have no problem causing the instigator pain if not destruction."

Skulker shook his head, his electric eyebrows already peaked. Pain and destruction? But… every ghost in the Ghost Zone knew of the ghost boy's 'capture and release' policy. Destruction?

The boy must be spending far too much time with Plasmius if he's changed that policy for such ruthlessness. But now that he thought about it, the boy always seemed to hold back, unless he was emotionally hurt by a ghost threatening his favored humans. It was that holding back that generally made him an easy mark. Well, sort of. No one ever held the boy down for long.

If the ghost child changed his policy from 'pummel, capture, and release' to 'pummel and possibly destroy,' the myriad of enemies he thought of before could be in serious danger.

It would probably be best to warn any ghost willing to listen that the ghost child was truly the ward of Plasmius. Hands off the ghost child and the humans in his vicinity would be the healthiest route for any ghost.

Vlad continued. "But that's not why I'm here."

Skulker shuddered. There was more?

"I want you to give me an itemized list of all the weapons and tools the Guys in White confiscated when they took your battle suit. I need to run this against a checklist of weapons and tools the Guys in White currently have in stock and in production."

Ah. They were back to business Skulker was always prepared to discuss with his employer. "I will have it ready for you by our meeting after your conference."

Vlad nodded. "Very good. I'll expect you and Technus around 8:15 or so." With that, he flew off home. He would change into a fresh suit and whatnot. Further, he could mark papers until 6:30 or so.

At five to seven, Vlad invisibly looked out at the sea of reporters with satisfaction. There were Daniel's specific requests: Harriet Chin, Tiffany Snow, Shelly Makamoto (the female anchor whose name Daniel couldn't recall), and Lance Thunder. Vlad took perverse pleasure in Mr. Thunder's not-quite-resignation and bad grace with which he sat, ready to report, take comments, and ask questions. Beyond that, there were any number of other media representatives from a city, state, and national level. Ah, and there was his personal guest and her father, young Miss Valerie Grey. And standing out like FBI agents never would, Operatives O and K from the Guys in White stood towards the back. In different places among the audience sat the Groovy Gang (there were no ghosts… well, other ghosts present, so Scaredy Cat had nothing to be afraid of) and the Extreme Ghost Breakers, who gave offense simply for existing, but the female of the team had a gag on the male of the team. It seemed that everyone who he wanted was there.

Vlad slipped back inside City Hall (even the weather seemed to conspire on Daniel's behalf for this outdoor event). Mayor Ernesto Montez was smug that such a famous and important personage as the billionaire Vlad Masters was not only publicly gracing his city with his presence, but placed a media presence in his city that it had never known, heretofore. At seven, Mayor Montez stepped up to the podium, unfazed by the mass of microphones in front of him. "Citizens of Amity Park and other friends and guests, with us today is a man of great talent and a mind for civic matters. Let me introduce a man who needs no introduction, Vlad Masters!"

The audience gave thunderous applause. Vlad refrained from rolling his eyes. The media and the audience ate up his philanthropic persona. He waved, he smiled, and he realized that if he decided to run for mayor of this backwater town, he could probably win, hands down, legitimately. Of course, he would never leave things to chance, but it was interesting to know that he probably could, regardless.

He waited until the roar of the audience died down. "Many of you gathered here today remember that over a year ago, an anonymous benefactor placed a million-dollar bounty on the ghost thought to be a menace to society: Danny Phantom. Over the course of the year, many things have happened. There was a massive ghost invasion that definitively showed the people of Amity Park that ghosts are, in fact, real. Ghost fights have caused thousands of dollars of property damage, and notably odd things keep happening. An entertainer whose family participated in the occult for generations forced a crime wave upon ghosts under his control. Many of the ectoplasmic menaces are repeat offenders, but none of those involved in Circus Gothica were under Frederich Showenhower's control, except Danny Phantom. Why do you think that would be?

"The next time a major ghost event was noted involved this entire town being transported to an alternate dimension, called 'the Ghost Zone.' Many of the usual ghostly suspects were here. I remember, because I was also here during that occasion, visiting my dear friends, the Fentons.

"All of the city of Amity Park is aware of the event. Anyone outside might have noticed the disturbing lack of phone connection or media receptivity to or from this great town. As I said, most of the usual ghosts spent time here, but only one was single-handedly responsible for the defeat of the giant ghost tyrant, Pariah Dark: Danny Phantom. I noticed that the young Phantom's status changed from Public Ghost Enemy Number One to a hero of, what was it? A 64 percent approval rating? Why him? Why do you think that is?

"Many other ghost disturbances happened, but one of the most infamous happened last Christmas. I read all about how the mall was destroyed, presents disappeared, trees became demonic monsters… and it all focused again on young Danny Phantom, true. But if I remember reading correctly, all of the presents and trees and general holiday sanity were restored, and again the focus of this activity was once again, Danny Phantom.

"From these events alone, what can we learn? An entertainer exploited one famous, resident ghost. This same resident ghost, who is hated and targeted by a nameless 'benefactor' and the rest of the town saves this place, and all the disturbances over the holiday were a red herring, as there was no lasting damage. The only thing that can be concluded, if anything at all, is despite the negative publicity, despite all the hatred – baseless or earned, despite the constant harassment by the local and visiting ghost hunters, this ghost only wishes to help the people of this city.

"In July, this fair city suffered in the worst possible way. A terrorist attack tore the heart out of Amity Park. And you might notice that neither the young Phantom nor the ghosts he regularly fights have plagued this city in mourning. No ghost since July 20 has caused a dime's worth of property damage. It is almost as if Danny Phantom, the ghost who saved this city from an alternate dimension, and countless other ghost powered technical difficulties, convinced the ghosts who have more of a track record of destruction to leave this fair city to mourn in peace. Perhaps it is time, for once and for all, to renounce all claim to animosity against a consistent ghostly protector and hero."

Great applause resounded. Vlad nodded appreciatively, but he kept his eye on the handful of people he was counting on to give him a hard time. They did not disappoint him. (Frankly, he would have been terribly disappointed if everyone simply agreed with him. It would have meant that they were under some form of mind control, and then he'd really be annoyed. Then, some unfortunate ghost who thought it was too intelligent would cease to exist come morning, Central Time.)

The national media, and even most of the general state media of Wisconsin and Illinois discussed amongst themselves whether this was still worth the effort. The people from the Milwaukee Journal had their eyes glaze over – Harriet Chin might have had something when reporting the 'Wisconsin Ghost,' and obviously she was more up on the bizarre goings-on in Amity Park than they were. Even the conservative, no-nonsense businessman Vlad Masters seemed to know more about this 'ghost' situation than they knew.

Shelly Makamoto was the first of the local media to respond. "Mr. Masters, many of the things you've said are very compelling. However, there are witnesses who saw this menace Danny Phantom interrupt a meeting at City Hall and kidnap our mayor."

Vlad put a hand to his chin. "You know, Ms. Makamoto, I've heard rumors to that effect. Mayor Montez, do you remember being kidnapped?"

The mayor concentrated. "No. What a funny thing to forget."

Vlad frowned. "You don't remember it because it never happened." He raised a hand as people started to object. "I'm not saying that you didn't see the ghost boy's hands on the mayor. I am saying you didn't see everything. Perhaps you would remember the people who were in City Hall at the time of the supposed kidnapping? I happened to have been close personal friends with the late Fentons." He almost smirked as every local head snapped in attention. The Mansons were particularly entertaining to watch. He would have to get back to Daniel on this later.

"For those here who don't know of the Fentons, Jack and Maddie and I were in college together, but far more recently, they were the leading experts on ghosts locally, if not nationally. Maddie told me that during this supposed kidnapping event, she was there, the mayor was there, and Danny Phantom was there. You have no recollection of this, Mayor Montez?"

Ernesto frowned in frustration. "Nothing. None at all."

"Hmm. Maddie said she suspected something of this. Mrs. Fenton said that there was something similar in the mayor's general carriage during this occasion and her husband's behavior at our 20th anniversary college reunion."

Harriet Chin stood up. "He was being possessed by a ghost!"

Vlad was glad that someone was paying attention. "That is a logical conclusion."

Shelly shouted, "The mayor was being possessed by Danny Phantom!"

Before Vlad could say a word, Harriet said, "If you saw your own station's tapes, you would know that the mayor was not possessed by Danny Phantom. Danny Phantom was holding the mayor. A different ghost was controlling the mayor from inside. Considering Mr. Phantom's heroic behavior in saving the city, it is far more likely that he was rescuing the mayor from that other ghost."

It was beautiful when the unsuspecting public finally stumbled upon the truth that was painfully obvious. Vlad smiled. "That is exactly what Maddie told me. Phantom ejected the ghost from the mayor, and Maddie blasted it back to the Ghost Zone with her… Fenton Bazooka." He refrained from rolling his eyes. He was willing to bet VladCo's entire payroll that Jack named the gun.

This press conference was turning into more of a town hall meeting, but every station was covering this. The only thing Vlad could see that would bring this even more ratings than it would already guarantee is if it had a Jerry Springer moment. But such crudeness was totally unnecessary. However, it was time to stir the pot some more.

"Oh, it might interest you to know that the mysterious benefactor informed me that he's had a change of heart. He has rescinded the offer for the million-dollar bounty. He said it would not serve the good of the people to incapacitate a hero." Vlad did grin when he saw the anguish and dismay on the faces of the teens from the Groovy Gang and the Extreme Ghost Breakers. They shook their heads sadly and left for their assorted vehicles.

Damon Grey stood up and made his way to one of the reporters holding microphones. "Mr. Masters, on behalf of Axion Labs, I want to thank you for your work and your efforts to help our city. But you should know that Danny Phantom was responsible for stealing some equipment and destroying a satellite that connected technology on an international scale."

Vlad frowned in thought. He heard all about the event from the Axion people, and Skulker told him all about his friend's exploits. More to the point, he was in Japan when a mechanical hydra with Technus's face sprung out of a movie theatre. The electrical surge from Technus's foolishness wreaked havoc in the building his business meeting was in. It was a good thing his Power Point presentation was safely running from his wireless laptop that ran on a mini ecto-converter. Otherwise, his pitch would have been ruined, and Technus would have been far more unhappy than he was when Daniel shut him down.

"Yes. That happened the week Casper High School was scheduled to take a class field trip to the Axion Labs here in Amity Park, correct?"

Damon's eyes widened. "Yes, sir. How did you know?"

"Mr. Grey, my ward Daniel Fenton was in the same class as your daughter, Valerie. As the son of such close friends, Daniel is practically my nephew. I keep up with these things. But more to the point, the international havoc caused by the troublesome ghost took on the face of the ghost in question. That ghost looked nothing like Danny Phantom. When Axion reported to me that the satellite was destroyed by Danny Phantom, I realized then that by stopping the technological insanity, Phantom became an international hero."

Vlad noticed as Valerie sat fuming. He would have to speak to her when this was over.

Lance Thunder groaned, "Why am I here? If I would have taken that job in Chicago, I wouldn't have to deal with this nonsense." Looking around and behind him, he amended, "This nonsense that will draw ratings it has no business having. Still, how often does a weatherman like me get to ask questions of a billionaire like him?"

He stood up. "Mr. Masters, with Axion Labs as a part of your financial empire, I understand you have interests to protect here in Amity Park. But you are an international businessman, and – if I'm not mistaken – your main base of operation is in Wisconsin. Why would someone like you care about a ghost problem elsewhere in the country that most people have trouble even believing? What are you getting out of this?"

Vlad noticed the people he expected to disagree with him nod. Answering this would be great fun. "Mr. Thunder, you have asked a very good question. Unfortunately, the answer to your question has almost nothing to do with business. It is almost entirely personal. When my friends Jack and Maddie Fenton were killed, their son became my ward. I am Daniel's guardian, and if I obtain his consent, I will adopt him formally, whereby making him my son."

The amassed crowd cooed, "Awww…"

Audiences were so predictable. "Yes, well… As a child who spent all his life in the town of Amity Park, and as the son of the premier paranormal researchers and ghost hunters, Daniel had a few insights to share about this Danny Phantom. Despite what the media had to say at any given time, with a few definite exceptions," Vlad looked at Valerie and met her gaze, "At Casper High School, Danny Phantom was almost universally beloved by the student population." Valerie sat back and folded her arms in disgust.

"There are countless interactions the sharp-witted ghost had with various students. The most memorable moment involved Danny Phantom and large numbers of high school students. It involved Daniel and his enterprising friends temporarily starting a radio station from high atop Fenton Works. I understand that the Nasty Burger gave the short-lived station quite an advertising contract. Perhaps if I could redirect Daniel's attention from astronomy into business, he could be my protégé." A fair portion of the audience laughed.

"As Daniel explained it, for the duration of their station, ghosts apparently kidnapped the adults all over town. Daniel, whose parents were ghost hunters and taught him to operate all of their tools and weapons, led a band of students in the rescue effort to save their parents. Perhaps some of the students in the audience remember the event, but Daniel said that at the most fortuitous time, Danny Phantom showed up, told all the students, adults, and anyone else present to gather around him, and the ghost boy brought them to safety. This Danny Phantom saved my Daniel."

Vlad itched to tell them about the time Daniel saved his classmates from the sphinx, but apparently, Tucker wished that no one but the three Musketeers remembered the incident. Inwardly he groaned. How often has reality been manipulated so that no one would remember Daniel's exploits and adventures? Who is responsible for that?

Vlad decided that this was going to be the topic of a long discussion with the boy in the not-too-distant future! But for now, he had an audience waiting.

"And so, Mr. Thunder, I suppose you could say that my whole advocacy for Danny Phantom is a personal favor to my cherished charge, Daniel Fenton."

There was applause and there were comments on Mr. Masters' altruism, devotion to his charge Danny Fenton, and vindication of the media's change in heart about Danny Phantom. No one in the media looked interested in challenging the business mogul further. Mayor Montez took back the podium.

"Are there any more questions?" Vlad noticed a small band of individuals he would have to address privately, but he thought he tied up all the public loose ends quite nicely. When no one stood up to respond, Mayor Montez gestured to Vlad. "Then I want to thank you for coming, Mr. Vlad Masters." They shook hands. "Thank you for your time, your interest in our town, and remember: Amity Park is a great place to visit!" If he didn't put in a plug advertising the tourist value of his city while he had the sea of local, state, and national microphones in front of him, Ernesto was sure he wasn't doing his job as mayor. Those sound-bytes counted.

The crowd dispersed, and a combination of City Hall's security and Vlad's own security staff cleared the way for Vlad to leave the dais and for the Foleys, the Mansons, the Greys, and Operatives O and K to have a few moments alone with Vlad. They stood in their respective groups, and Vlad would give them each some time.

The Foleys approached Vlad first. "Mr. Masters, we haven't seen you since July, so I don't know if you remember us," Mr. Foley began nervously.

"Not to worry, not at all." Vlad shook Mr. Foley's hand. "You must be Tucker's parents. Daniel only speaks your praise, and – of course – he misses your son very much."

"Oh!" Mrs. Foley gasped. Vlad smiled. "Danny is such a charming boy. Our boys spent far more time in my son's room or out about town than with us, but… Is Danny okay?"

Vlad took her hand and kissed it. "My dear lady, Daniel is doing as well as can be expected. He has far more good days than bad days, lately."

"That's good. I want to… thank you for taking him in. We've known the Fentons since the boys were in kindergarten. And…" Tears welled up in her eyes. "Danny's such a good boy. I'm glad he has you to take care of him."

Vlad was a little surprised at this recommendation. "I thank you for your kind words."

She continued. "I didn't know you were so close to the family. If you wouldn't have been there, Maurice and I might have asked Alicia if we could…" She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

Vlad was touched. Very gently, he said, "I'll be sure to send him your regards and well wishes."

"Thank you, Mr. Masters." He kissed her hand again, shook hands with Maurice, and the Foleys took their leave.

The next group to speak to him would prove to be interesting. Of course, he heard of Izzy Manson, who made a fortune with the patent to make the machine that puts cellophane on deli toothpicks. His spunky yet gracious daughter hung back on her scooter, as her son and his wife approached him.

Jeremy and Pamela Manson struck Vlad as obnoxiously pretentious. There were people of quality with great talents and/or intellectual gifts who had money, and then there were rich idiots who assumed that having money creates people of quality. Jeremy and Pamela were of the air-headed country-club variety. They were people who felt that the line from Fiddler on the Roof was gospel: "When you're rich, they think you really know…"

Obviously, the younger Mansons were going to greet him, and attempt to convince him that they had more in common with him than the Fentons did. This should prove interesting, if not entertaining. And if they got too annoying, he could end it early.

"Vlad, we met at my daughter's funeral." Mr. Manson wasn't just pretentious; he was presumptuous as well. Vlad nodded curtly. "I saw that you had the Fenton kid in tow."

"Yes, Jeremy, one does bring one's ward to funerals and functions of great sentiment to him."

Mr. Manson didn't seem to notice Vlad's irritation at his overly familiar address. His wife was just as grating. "Mr. Masters, how could you be friends with… those people? They were crass, crude, obnoxious, and unsophisticated."

While Vlad would say she was spot on when describing Jack, he decided not to acknowledge anything either of these people had to say. "I don't know what you mean, Mrs. Manson. Maddie was the soul of graciousness, and was warm in her welcome to any that would enter her home." Of course, Pamela had no need to know of that tea incident during the Ghost King debacle.

Feeling the sting of rebuke, Pam countered, "Well, even so, that son of theirs is a juvenile delinquent. During that vile Circus Gothica, he influenced my daughter to skip school to attend that insanity. We had taken out a restraining order against him coming within fifty feet of our Sam."

Oh, for the love of… "You say Daniel is a delinquent? He's been with me since July 20, and while he can be willful, as teenagers often are, I can assure you that his integrity is impeccable. Circus Gothica is your proof, is it? It might serve you well to remember that Showenhower enslaved all manner of ghosts for his performance cum crime wave. Anyone who knows Daniel can attest to the fact that he is a sweet child, if not as clever as his sister. Has it occurred to you that during Circus Gothica, that Showenhower might have had one of his enslaved ghosts overshadow the boy? Or do you automatically think the worst of the people your daughter brought to your home?"

Both Jeremy and Pamela stood shocked and blushing. Clearly, they never considered overshadowing an option, but neither had they realized how badly they judged their daughter. Vlad was angry and twisted the knife a bit more. "Regardless of your feelings towards the boy, he genuinely misses your daughter. If you stop to consider that this 'juvenile delinquent' not only attended your daughter's funeral at the conclusion of his own triple funeral for both of his parents and his sister, he attended your house of Shiva to pay his respects to both of you, your mother, and your daughter, I wonder what amount of respect would convince you that the boy is not the cretin you accuse him of being."

Sam's parents blanched as they realized how right Vlad was. Crossing his arms, Vlad asked, "Is there anything else you wish to say to insult me, my ward, or his deceased family?"

Jeremy had the presence of mind to realize how badly he and his wife offended this man. "N-no, Mr. Masters. I apologize. I didn't think…"

"That much is obvious."

"We'll just go now. Please tell my mother we'll wait for her at the car." With that, Jeremy and Pamela beat a hasty retreat.

Vlad closed his eyes as he collected his temper. How could they…? How dare they? These people were unbelievable. He heard the motorized hum of the senior Mrs. Manson's scooter. She sighed. "I'm sorry about my son and daughter-in-law, dearie. I can't do a thing with them."

The warm tone of the grandmother made Vlad open his eyes. She smiled apologetically, and then mischievously. "Your Danny made my Sammy very happy. He has reason to be sad right now, but if he's as full of spunk and spirit as I remember him, he'll be right as rain soon enough." She stared off, smiling, remembering.

Suddenly, she zoomed in and poked Vlad in the chest. "You better do right by that boy. There's something very special about him. I can tell that he wasn't generally understood, but when he did open up, he was honest and real. I hope you appreciate the treasure you have in that boy."

"Understood, Mrs. Manson." Sam's grandmother was a force to be reckoned with. Her rebuke made him feel like an awkward teenager himself again, but when she said it, it felt right.

"You call me Ida, young man." Both of them smiled. "If your whole thing today to help Danny Phantom was actually to help Danny Fenton, that speaks well of both of you. Now, you send Danny my love, and tell him to feel free to write. I miss him. He is a precious young man."

Vlad took her right hand in both of his. "Thank you very much… Ida. Your heartfelt well wishes mean a great deal to me, and I'm certain they will mean just as much – if not more – to him. Believe me when I tell you that I will send Daniel your regards and very warm well wishes."

"I do, Vlad dear, I do." She smiled warmly, patted his hand with her left hand, and then headed to the car to her wayward son and daughter-in-law.

Vlad peered at his watch. It was getting late. It was a quarter to eight, but his internal clock told him that it was nearing 3:00am. He muttered, "These woods are lovely, dark and deep/ But I have promises to keep,/ And miles to go before I sleep./ And miles to go before I sleep."

Looking up at the four people he still needed to address, he cleared his throat and settled into his most charming mode. Walking over to the Greys, he said, "Mr. Grey, may I borrow your lovely daughter?"

Damon was rather puzzled why he and his daughter were ushered to where they could have a private audience with Vlad Masters. Discomforted, he asked, "What could you possibly want with my daughter?"

Vlad smiled warmly. "My dear Mr. Grey, Valerie and Daniel are friends. Perhaps she has a message or two I can convey to him when I get back to England. Among other things."

Valerie realized this discussion was going to be about a lot more than Danny, but the things they needed to talk about would not please her father. So she flashed him her most winsome smile and said, "I'll be alright, Daddy. We'll only be right over there."

Damon sighed. "Alright, sweetheart. But remember – we both have work in the morning."

Back to where he had been holding audience, Vlad asked, "So, my dear… Do you have any messages for Daniel? I do thank you for the regards and well wishes you sent. You are right. I do like the boy. I have since I met him."

"What is Harry like?"

Vlad chuckled. "Oddly enough, he looks almost exactly like Daniel. He's a few inches taller, his eyes are green, he wears glasses, and he has a scar the shape of a lightning bolt on his forehead. And he is one of the top in his class in Defense."

"Does he fight ghosts?"

"My dear, in England, the ghosts are mere incorporeal specters. Fighting ghosts there would be as useful as fighting shadows." He thought, 'Unless you're facing Johnny 13, but that's another story.'

"I'll try to come up with something before we're done, but both of us know that's not why you pulled me over here. What is all this about Danny Phantom? You told me that you chose me to help you because of my determination to get rid of that ghost scum."

Vlad winced. This would be difficult. "How is it that you weren't part of the ghost insanity that involved most of the rest of your classmates?"

Valerie gave a wry smile. "The ghosts don't usually leave Amity Park. My Dad and I live in Elmerton. It's just over the bridge, but it's far enough away that most of the ghosts don't care."

"Thank heavens for small favors." He studied her for a moment. "Valerie, why do you hate Danny Phantom so very much?"

Valerie settled uncomfortably. She didn't like to tell this story. "While I was a freshman and before you took over Axion Labs, my Dad used to own his own security company. On the day Daddy finished installing a fully automated security system for Axion Labs that was going to earn Dad several hundred thousand dollars, a large green ghost dog – about ten feet tall – destroyed the lab. Danny Phantom was chasing it. If his dog did all that damage, think of what else that creep could do.

"And because the lab got destroyed, my Dad lost his job. We had to move out of our nice house and a pretty posh lifestyle to a hole in the wall apartment in Elmerton. I lost my friends, and even though Daddy's got a good job again, I still have to work to earn money for college."

Vlad stroked his chin. "Hmm. I can see why you are angry. What about this whole mess upsets you the most?"

Valerie wrapped a curl of her hair around a finger. "You know? It isn't the loss of the 'A-list' friends. If they were so quick to dump me when I didn't have money, they weren't friends worth having to start with."

Vlad nodded. "A wise assessment."

"I guess I'm glad that I got to realize that I used to be a spoiled snob, just like them. But now…" She shrugged. "I started hating Phantom because my Dad lost his job, and the whole social status thing. Not so much because of the stylish losers, but because I have to work for every last frill and luxury. I'll be able – maybe – to afford to go to community college. There's more to it, but that's the biggest deal."

"I see. Your main complaint isn't so much that you are convinced that Phantom is evil, but that you perceive your financial status – particularly with regards to college – as his fault."

The normally self-assured girl felt uncomfortable. No one put it quite so baldly, but that was the biggest deal. "Yeah. However, of all the ghosts I've fought, he's definitely the most challenging. He's kind of cute, which just makes it more frustrating to hunt him down. But… once, the suit you gave me went nuts, and started attacking Danny. I sent Danny to run for help, and then Phantom showed up and destroyed the suit. He… I thought he thought I was in there, and that he was trying to waste me."

Daniel would definitely be simultaneously amused and frustrated by the idea that Valerie thought his Phantom persona was cute. Regardless, it would be interesting to see how far he could bring her before she figured out a few things on her own. "You said that he destroyed the suit."

"Yeah. I think… a ghost gave me my new suit. How weird is that?"

How ironic – a ghost gave her the first suit as well. He cleared his throat. "It isn't weird at all, if the ghost in question wanted you to continue to target Danny Phantom." That reminded Vlad – he really had to talk to Technus. It was on the list of the many topics of this evening's discussion.

"Let's focus on the fact he destroyed the suit. Did he say anything before he did it?"

"I hid behind a garbage can, as the suit was still trying to waste us. Phantom said, 'Now I don't have to hold back.' But…" A light flipped on in her head. "Why would he say that? He never…" No, that wasn't right. He always said he didn't want to fight, he didn't want to hurt her. She always thought it was a trick, but now she wasn't sure.

Come on, you're a smart girl. You can figure this out, dear girl. "Was it his way to hold back or to attack you full throttle?"

"He always said that he didn't want to hurt me. But…" Was she wrong this whole time?

"Is it possible he realized you were not in the suit, and that he was aiming to punish the ghost who took over your suit, because he was angry that the other ghost would hurt humans he cared about?"

"He looked upset when he saw me."

"As long as we are playing this game of logic, let's assume – for the moment – that he had feelings that a human would have. He knew you weren't in the suit, and he knew that you hated him and were ready to believe the worst of him. What do you think he might have felt when he saw you?"

"That…" She felt like she wanted to cry. "That he just showed me how powerful he really was, and that… I would hate him because of what he could have done to me." Her bottom lip quivered.

Vlad put a comforting hand on her back. "Can we safely assume that you aren't assured that Danny Phantom is evil?"

"But…"

"But… if I've gotten this right, the only thing left is your worry about college."

"Yes." Her eyes turned glassy with unshed tears.

"Ah, ah, ah. Be strong. I think you will like the next surprise I have for you." He looked up. "Mr. Grey, could you please join us?"

Damon was worried. "What's wrong, Valerie?"

Vlad answered, "Nothing that won't be fixed in a few moments. Valerie, where would you like to go to college?"

"I don't know. Wherever I can afford to go."

Vlad frowned, as a teacher disappointed in a student's answer. "That wasn't my question. Let's say, for the moment, that money was no object. Where would you like to go?"

"I… I don't know. I never really thought about it before."

Vlad smiled enigmatically. "Do you know what course of study you would like to take?"

"Not yet. I just need to work hard enough to get good grades, but sometimes my job…" She sighed.

"I think I can fix something for you." He lifted her chin with a finger. "Valerie, the main reason you are upset with Danny Phantom is because of your college situation. I have my own reasons for wanting to mend the young ghost's bridges. How about this: you maintain your good grades, score well on your SATs, and get into the college of your choice. And I will give you a full scholarship and a stipend to be discussed with your father to any college you choose. There are only two stipulations. One – you work hard to maintain a good grade point average, and two – you try to make peace with Danny Phantom."

"Mr. Masters!" Damon exclaimed. "We can't accept that. It's too much. It's…"

"But Daddy! It's for college!"

"Sweetheart, I understand that, but I don't understand why."

Vlad smiled. "Mr. Grey, there are all kinds of reasons. I could…"

"Mr. Masters, what are you getting out of this?"

"A few things, Mr. Grey. For one, it will ensure that your talented daughter will not have any worries about college. Further, we could say that I'm paying a debt owed by someone I've taken an interest in." Valerie nodded.

Damon looked askance. "That is a lot of money, Mr. Masters."

Vlad gave him a calculating look. "Paying for college is a tax write-off. Will it ease your mind that your daughter's tuition will earn me a pretty tax deduction? That wasn't the goal I had in mind, but I'm sure that such a justification could satisfy you. I hope."

Mr. Grey looked at Vlad. "I… never thought of it that way."

Vlad purred silkily, "There are quite a few ways to look at this. But the most satisfying way erases a grudge long held. There is always something to be said for that."

"But how much? This is something I can't afford to pay back."

Vlad sighed. "It is money due to your family. As the individual I'm helping often says, 'The problem may not be his fault, but it is his responsibility.' And his responsibilities are now my responsibilities. Now, if you asked me who that was… your daughter knows who it is, but he would prefer to keep his anonymity."

Waving a careless hand, Vlad said grandly, "I can afford to be magnanimous to individuals of my choice. And I don't think my terms are unfair."

Damon agreed, "I guess they're not."

Vlad smiled again. "I was sure you'd see it my way. I'll set up an account in escrow. The interest will be yours. The taxes will be mine. And the principle that is left over after college, and perhaps graduate school, if you like, will be Valerie's."

"Are you sure this is owed to us?"

"Absolutely. I'll set it up next week, and I'll send you the details as you need them. My dear, unless you gain an early admissions, the money will have more than a year and a half to grow." He looked at Valerie seriously. "Keep your job because it builds character. But you will never have to worry about… college funds again. Or any of your expenses while in college. Or graduate school." Or anything ever again, really. If I start her with a million dollars, letting the principle grow indefinitely, she'll never have to want for anything. Ever. But I won't tell them that. Until later. Maybe twenty years from now.

I'm sure this stroke of good will is Daniel's fault. I'll have to think of something to do for him when I get back. "So, I think we are squared away, Miss Grey? And Danny Phantom is off your radar?"

"Yes, sir." Valerie leaned closer. "But I make no promises about any other ghost."

Vlad chuckled. "With my blessing. Have a good night. Both of you have work in the morning."

He smiled after them. The Greys were such delightful people. It is moments like these that earned him the reputation of a philanthropist. But there were only two people he cared about knowing their reactions: Valerie and Daniel. Anyone else was bonus, and frankly, unless the Greys said anything, he would prefer to be their anonymous benefactor.

And now, all he had left to deal with were Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, his two favorite officious government officials. They might have more rank, but he commanded more power. So when he acknowledged them by nodding at them, they approached him. He smiled. "Gentlemen."

Expressionless as usual, Operative O began. "Vlad Masters, you have officially raised the approval rating for our most wanted ghost."

Vlad smirked smugly. "Yes, I did, didn't I?"

Operative K furrowed his brows. "Now, no one would be interested in turning him in, reporting him, or otherwise helping to apprehend him."

Crossing his arms, Vlad asked, "And why are you so interested in capturing Danny Phantom?"

Operative O explained, "Part of it is the principle of the thing. That ghost has been insanely elusive. Giving up now…" He refused to say, 'It would mean we failed.' "And part of it is the million-dollar reward for turning him in."

Vlad raised an eyebrow. "And where would you bring him?"

"That, Masters, is classified. But we have a number to call."

Vlad just stared. "I just told you that the anonymous benefactor rescinded his offer."

It was Operative K's turn to smirk. "And we only have your say-so. Until we hear from our superiors, the hunt is still on."

Vlad rolled his eyes. (Good manners were wasted on these imbeciles, though he always had to watch his words.) "Gentlemen, I was the anonymous benefactor. I cancelled the reward."

"How do we know it was you?" Operative O said, as if he were being reasonable.

The billionaire imagined smacking himself in the face in frustration. "You are government employees in a federal agency. You have voice recognition technology."

Operative K felt he was on a roll. "We do. But voice recognition technology wouldn't be able to detect if a person was being overshadowed."

Daniel was right. These incompetent morons grew far more competent since he first hired them as bounty hunters. Now he would need to go to Plan B. He glared at both operatives indignantly. "Are you saying that I'm being overshadowed?"

Both men looked apologetic, but remained uncowed. K said, "No, but you might have been. After all, it's been more than a year since the bounty was put on that ghost. And he has quite a lengthy track record of destruction and terrorizing the populace. After every fight of his, people reported how much damage he cost them. The overhead in the organization paid the informants, like ghost insurance. They reported it, we paid to fix or replace what was damaged, and the people continued to report."

"It's a system that works," O chimed in, not to be outdone.

On the inside, Vlad raged; he wanted to blast a hole in something, preferably these operatives. He closed his eyes. He made his bed. He might as well lie in it. "He saved this town over and over again." Vlad threw his arms wide to gesture at the town.

Operative K said, "And how do we know he didn't stage those fights to make himself look good?"

Vlad hung his head. They were accusing Daniel, sweet, innocent Daniel, of behaving like Vlad himself would at his most dastardly. Almost defeated, he looked up. "Is there anything I could say to change your mind about Danny Phantom?"

Operative O said, "That's a negative." He thought for a moment. "You've been awfully concerned about that ghost this evening."

"You noticed?"

O missed the sarcasm. "We did. I bet you know the location of this Phantom."

Interesting tack they were taking. "Yes. I know exactly where he is."

K finally caught on. "Tell us where he is."

Vlad refolded his arms. "And why would I do that?"

O answered, "He's the strongest, smartest, and most powerful ghost we've ever seen. That female ghost with the tattoos was easy enough to catch. The ghost who wore the mechanized battle suit was caught, but the ghost inside got away." Vlad had even more to discuss with Skulker when this was over. "But Danny Phantom has managed to avoid all attempts to capture him. We never even came close." K elbowed him in the ribs.

O cleared his throat. "Right. And you're going to tell us where he is."

Vlad raised an eyebrow. "And what will you do if I don't?"

K smirked again. "We'll have your taxes audited." It was the ultimate weapon.

Vlad shrugged and spread his arms. "Audit to your hearts' content. My records are absolutely spotless. I've crossed every 'T', dotted every 'I', and fired every employee who did not live up to my scrupulous expectations. It's all on public record."

Alright. That was unexpected. Operatives O and K looked at each other. Now what?

Vlad cleared his throat. "Is there anything else, gentlemen?"

Operative O was unsettled. "There is one more thing. When the Fentons died, their son inherited Fenton Works."

Vlad nodded. "So he did."

O continued. "While the organization has been working on cutting edge ghost weaponry, there are weapons the Fentons owned, designed, and owned patents for that were, in some ways, far more advanced than we can manage."

K explained, "We've never been able to create a portal, like the one in their lab, or even a small one, like those created with the Fenton Bazooka."

Operative O said, "We want to buy Fenton Works."

Vlad raised both eyebrows. "Do you?"

Operative K took back the floor. "We do."

Vlad smiled nastily. "It's not for sale."

K persisted. "We'll make it worth the kid's while." He took out a check and put it into the kid's guardian's hands. It was a very big check. Besides the fact that the check itself was for more than triple the amount of the national debt, it was two feet long and six inches wide.

Vlad looked it over and counted the zeroes three times, and then tipped his head back and roared with laughter. O and K looked at each other again. This was not supposed to happen.

"You must have forgotten who you're talking to. I am a billionaire, and one of the richest men in the world. What makes you think that mere money would get me, Daniel's guardian, to change my mind about protecting my ward's interests and family home? The one thing I want from you, you won't give me. And no amount of money can buy what I am unwilling to sell. If that will be all, I wish you a good day." And with that, Vlad strode off imperiously.

Operative O asked Operative K, "What just happened?"

K looked at O. "I'm not sure, but I think the people at Headquarters are not going to be pleased."

O said, "For the record, I'm going to affix blame to you."

K retorted, "Not if I affix it to you first."

Vlad entered his sitting room in ghost form, where Skulker and Technus were waiting, in chairs not far from each other. Skulker rose and nodded to Vlad. Technus stayed seated and asked, "So, how did it go?"

Vlad took a breath. He was tired, but it would not do to show weakness. "It went fairly well, with all things considered."

Technus said, "We watched it on television. Young Phantom now has a 98 percent approval rating."

Vlad smiled. "That's what I was aiming for."

Skulker handed Vlad the list. "This is everything."

Running a finger down the list as he read, Vlad frowned. "Well. This is inconvenient. You have a sensor that specifically tunes into half-ghosts."

Skulker explained, "It made it easier for me to hunt the whelp. Um, your soon-to-be son."

Vlad tapped his chin. "The Guys in White have had your suit for several months now. When we finish, I'm going to hack into their systems and find out what they have and don't have." He sat in a high-backed armchair and thought for a bit. "Technus, what did you put in the suit you gave Miss Grey?"

Technus grinned. "I gave her everything you did, with a few extra surprises. Blocks that materialize out of nowhere but her mind that shoot ecto-beams. A few nice visuals to detect invisible ghosts as if on sight. It could pick up the presence of Phantom, even in human form. But it wouldn't show that his human form belongs to a ghost." He shook his head. "If she was working for you, you might have found that inconvenient."

Vlad raised an eyebrow. "Nicely planned."

Technus asked, "So how is she? She was a useful pawn while I got a hold of the satellite, but I was counting on the hunter girl connecting with the ghost boy."

Vlad sighed. "You're right. She is a delightful girl, and a useful pawn. However, she is a little dispirited, as she has come to the realization that Daniel was never as evil as she assumed." He murmured, "And he has such great potential, too." He sighed a little sadly.

"But no matter. The main thing is she will no longer attempt to harm him." He cleared his throat and looked back at both of the ghosts before him. "And neither will you."

Skulker sighed in resignation. Plasmius said as much before the press conference. Technus, on the other hand, was surprised. Peaking his eyebrows, he said, "Really? But he was such great fun to mess with. For me, though, he was mostly only inconvenient. There are others in the Ghost Zone who won't be happy about this."

Vlad raised an eyebrow. Technus said quickly, "They'll get over it." He thought for a moment. "With the spooky girl who couldn't admit her feelings for him out of the way, he's pretty much free to have Miss Grey. Especially since she doesn't want to hunt his ghost half anymore." He furrowed his brows. "How did you manage that?"

"Logic, plain and simple. When she realized how illogical her emotions were, she changed her mind." He smiled. Changing Valerie's mind about Daniel was easier than expected. However, the Guys in White needed to be dealt with, quickly, harshly, and decisively.

"My next plot involves dismantling parts of the Guys in White." Both Skulker and Technus perked up. "I will need both of your talents and your services."

Skulker asked, "What do you need, Plasmius?"

Vlad narrowed his eyes in thought. He knew what he wanted, but he needed to describe it in enough detail. "I need a computer virus, or a few of them, of epic proportions. I want to be able to upload it into their systems. I want a virus that will target all information they have on Danny Phantom, who is also alternately known in their system as 'Inviso-Bill'." He rolled his eyes. "I want all information destroyed. And it should be so destructive, any attempt to upload back-ups to the main system would destroy the back-up system irrevocably, whether it's on a CD, a floppy disk, or a tape drive. It needs to be able to break through all firewalls."

Technus thought about it. "I can come up with something, easy. It would do all that and more. But the better question is, why?"

Vlad said, "The fact that I want it isn't enough?"

Technus shrugged. "Not really. Skulker works for you. I don't."

Vlad drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. "Yet. But I can make it worth your while."

"Oh? This ought to be interesting."

Vlad purred, "You see, I intend to visit the Guys in White personally. While I intend to destroy every hard copy of any scrap of information and to devastate them concerning their software on Daniel, I can just as easily destroy the information and evidence they have on you, Technus. And I wouldn't leave out my favorite employee, Skulker. Further, any other ghosts of your choosing will be a part of my purge of their system."

Technus chirped, "Well, that's different. I can do it. It will take some time, though. Perfection takes time."

"One more thing. It needs to be discreet. I know you love to advertise your dirty work. But I want no skull and crossbones, nothing that gives a clue that either you, Skulker, or I am involved. And, of course, nothing should link back to Daniel."

Technus stared. "That… will take more time."

Skulker said, "I can help you. There are details on the specs they have that I would rather they don't have."

Technus nodded. "That will help."

Vlad sighed in contentment. "Excellent." He struggled to suppress a yawn. "How long will it take?"

"I should be done with it by noon tomorrow."

Skulker added, "Or sooner."

"Very good. I will see you tomorrow. Good night." Skulker and Technus sank through the floor and headed to the portal.

Vlad thought, 'Tomorrow, I'll check out the inventory of the Guys in White, but now, it's time to get some sleep.'

Saturday morning after breakfast, Harry and Professor Snape walked to Hogsmeade. As they left the grounds and headed towards the carriage route, Professor Snape asked, "So what did you do on your first trip to Hogsmeade?" Harry thought about how to answer, but Snape pressed, "And tell me the truth. Draco saw your head in Hogsmeade when no part of you belonged there in your Third Year."

Harry blushed. "You won't punish me for something I did three years ago, will you?" he asked nervously.

The professor grimaced. "I probably already did. There were enough times I probably punished you that you didn't deserve, I'm sure you've more than sufficiently paid for this misdeed. And probably many others."

Harry hung his head. Professor Snape really was making an effort. He figured he should do the same. "That wasn't the first time I went to Hogsmeade. It was the trip before Christmas break. I snuck out to Honeydukes, and then Ron and Hermione brought me to the Three Broomsticks. I had my first butterbeer." Snape made a huffing noise. "It was then that I learned that Sirius and my Dad were best mates." Harry frowned. "I wasn't chuffed about it then, as at that point, I thought Sirius was our Secret Keeper, and…" He sighed.

Professor Snape put a hand on Harry's shoulder. He was torn between making a nasty comment about deserving a bit of a shock for being out of bounds and realizing that Harry was reliving a moment of receiving traumatic news about a man he learned to love.

As much as it pained him to say a kind word about Black, Severus decided such was important for Harry to hear. "Then it should comfort you to know he was no such thing. Sirius… was loyal to your parents and you to the very end."

Harry looked up at him in surprise. Did Professor Snape actually say something nice about Sirius Black?

Severus matched Harry's gaze. "You can always find some redeeming quality in a person, if you look hard enough."

"Thanks," Harry whispered. They walked together in companionable silence, with Snape's hand on Harry's shoulder.

Once they got to town, Harry and Severus looked at each other. What should they do now they were here? Professor Snape said, "Let's go to the Three Broomsticks. First, it will give us a chance to create some positive memories, and second, it will give us a place to plan the rest of today's outing."

"Makes sense," Harry agreed.

Professor Snape ordered tea, and Harry ordered a butterbeer. It felt particularly weird to Harry that someone else was willingly going to take care of his expense. As they discussed the merits of the Quidditch supply shop here in Hogsmeade versus that in Diagon Alley, they failed to notice a small group huddled in the corner.

Yaxley, Selwynn, and Gibbon were three Death Eaters who made it past the Aurors. When they saw the slowly growing rapport between Harry Potter and Severus Snape, they realized how right their Lord had been. Yaxley had seen the guardianship papers, of course, but thought it was a brilliant tactic of one of the Dark Lord's most valued Death Eaters. Here, he saw for himself that it wasn't a move to procure the boy for their master. They seemed to be growing to like each other. This would never do.

He gestured for the check, and conferred with his compatriots. "This could not have happened more fortuitously if we planned this. However, we will need back up." They settled their bill and slipped out the door.

Professor Snape might not have noticed the three as they were seated, but he did notice the movement as they neared the door. Inwardly, he groaned. They were here to build positive memories. But no – the Death Eaters had other plans. He raised a hand to silence whatever Harry was saying. "I hope you've brought your wand, for we're about to have company."

"But…"

"Between the two of us, you are no longer the Death Eaters' most urgent target." He winced and sucked air through his clenched teeth as his Dark Mark burned. Snape didn't know how much company they would have, but they would soon have a lot of it.

Before they could get up from the table, the door slammed open, and Death Eaters in robes and masks stormed the door and Apparated into the pub. Snape cast an immediate Protego before anyone raised a wand – it was useful to get a new lay of the land. There were ten Death Eaters. Ten to two were not great odds, but it could have been worse.

Almost as one, the Death Eaters started firing spells of all colors. Harry slipped out of his seat and under the table, and rolled into a place right next to Snape. Taking aim, Harry fired Expelliarmus at one Death Eater, throwing him through the air into a wall, disarming him. Harry pocketed the new wand.

A second Death Eater fired a "Crucio!" at Harry. He ducked out of the way, but Severus decided that was the last time that would happen. He cast a silent Sectumsempra at the Death Eater, severing his wand arm at the elbow. Harry paled, but was grateful for the save.

Snape dodged beams of green and red, firing his own hexes and curses. Harry ducked, wove, and cast Stupefy when he could. There were lots of other jinxes he could use, but he didn't need the proprietors and patrons to be hit with shrapnel. He would try to get creative later, when a few more Death Eaters were down.

Another Death Eater aimed a wand at Severus, and Harry cast a Silencio at him. The Death Eater scrabbled at his throat, and scowled in frustration. He cast a silent spell involving a streak of purple fire at Harry. Recognizing that spell from when Dolohov hit Hermione with it in the Ministry, Harry dove for the ground. The destructive spell hit the Death Eater behind Harry. When Harry stood up, he cast Jelly-Legs and Furnunculus at the Death Eater who had targeted him.

Between his and Snape's activity, the number of Death Eaters standing dwindled.

The other patrons in the pub were unsure of what to do. When the Death Eaters showed up, they overturned tables to hide behind and huddled in corners, trying not to be noticed. Madam Rosmerta managed to slip out the back door to fetch some Aurors.

While Severus and Harry were engaged with other Death Eaters, a different Death Eater decided to take another tack. Her hood fell back and Alecto Carrow was revealed. "Interesting how you half-blooded scum managed to find each other. You deserve each other, until you won't see nothing for bein' dead."

Harry bobbed out of the way of a spell aimed in his direction. Professor Snape was considered a half-blood? Interesting. He would have to ask about that some time. But for now… "Funny how you fail to notice that Voldemort is just as half-blooded. His father was a Muggle." Her jaw dropped. Their Lord didn't mention that little fact.

Before she could come up with a retort, the Aurors started showing up en mass. Tonks fired an Incarcerus at Alecto. Tonks noticed Snape and Harry tiring. "You, both of you. Floo out of here. Anywhere. Now."

The professor didn't let Harry protest as he knew the boy would. He grabbed Harry's shoulders and steered him to the Floo. Harry opened his mouth, but Snape grasped him tightly, muttered a password, and said, "Emergency passage to Dumbledore's office!"

Stepping gracefully out of the fireplace into the Headmaster's office, he released Harry, studying him. "Are you alright? Are you injured?" Snape proceeded to look the boy over, regardless of his answer.

Harry had several thoughts he wanted to share. He wanted to stay and help the Aurors, but between the two of them, Harry and the professor were outnumbered and were now exhausted. He swallowed the first couple of responses he thought of and answered the question. "Yeah, I think I'm okay. How about you?"

"Disappointed that our first attempt to learn more about each other in a peaceful setting didn't work."

Harry thought for a second and then grinned. "But we did learn something about each other. You are amazing in battle, sir."

"As are you, Harry." He looked around him. Professor Dumbledore wasn't in the office. "Professor Black, could I ask you to get the Headmaster? We had an incident, and we need to advise Professor Dumbledore of the goings-on we just escaped."

Phineas Nigellus raised his eyebrows. "Indeed. For you, I will." And with that, he exited his frame.

Before anything else could happen, Harry asked, "Why did that Death Eater call you a half-blood?"

"Because my father, Tobias Snape, was a Muggle. My mother, Eileen Prince, was a witch. We'll talk about that later, when we have a moment or two of peace to think things through."

Severus paced for a few moments to get the adrenaline out of his system. Sighing deeply, he ran a hand through his hair. "It appears that until a more strategic time, I'm going to be as grounded here as… And you, Harry! The danger has heightened significantly for you. There will be no more trips to Hogsmeade, or anywhere else, until this danger is through."

"But sir!" Harry peaked his eyebrows. "I've done nothing wrong!"

Severus stopped his pacing and ran a hand down his face. He took three cleansing breaths. He would not yell at the child, no matter how strong the urge.

"You foolish child! It isn't a punishment. In case you haven't noticed, you and I are targets. If the Death Eaters wanted you on a silver platter, the easiest delivery system would be for you to go to Hogsmeade, or anywhere, really, unattended. And frankly, I'm not inclined to let you go, now that I've found you."

Harry was startled, and his heart was warmed in the same instant. No one ever cared for his safety, personally, like that before. Not even Sirius. He flushed and stood still. "Really?" he whispered.

Professor Snape started when he heard Harry's tone. He looked back at the boy, realizing he touched a nerve. Gently, he answered, "Yes. Really."

Harry's eyes turned glassy, and he walked over to pet Fawkes. "No one's ever said that to me before. Not even Sirius."

Professor Snape strode over to Harry. He allowed the boy the privacy of his tears, but put a comforting hand on his back. "Then I'm honored to be the first. You do deserve it, you know."

Harry was not willing to let Snape see these tears. He gulped and sighed. "But what about Christmas? I'm supposed to go to the Burrow for Christmas."

Severus stroked his chin. "I suppose they'll have to take both of us, for I'm not letting you leave the grounds unattended for a time undetermined, now won't they?"

Harry turned to Snape, having lifted his glasses to brush tears from his eyes, when Professor Dumbledore entered the office and Phineas returned to his frame.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Tears streaming down the face of his most stoic student did not sit well with Professor Dumbledore.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing, besides what happened in Hogsmeade. I couldn't be better."

Phineas rolled his eyes. "You see, Albus? Students won't take advice, help, or…"

"Nothing is wrong, Professor Black. Perhaps something is right, for the first time in the boy's life," Severus said.

Phineas's gaze swung unbelievingly at Snape. "And you agree with him?"

Severus waved an impatient hand. "Maybe I'll explain it some day. Headmaster, there has been a major change in situation. Apparently, the Death Eaters were quicker to pick up on my relationship to Harry than I anticipated. For now, I'm as bound to Hogwarts as Daniel is."

Harry shuddered. "Danny? But I thought it was just his uncle being strict."

Severus closed his eyes. Not venting his spleen on this boy was a test of patience. But he signed on for this job. When he opened his eyes, Albus stood back curiously. Even Phineas cocked his head in anticipation. Severus studiously ignored both of them. "Harry, you have been told of the Death Eater attack that destroyed Daniel's family and friends. Voldemort is interested in finishing the job the Death Eaters started. As such, it has been determined that Daniel needs to stay safely on the Hogwarts grounds until further notice." He sighed heavily. "Much like I do. And now, like you do."

"But Christmas!"

"We'll discuss it further in a couple of weeks."

Harry hung his head. This was the first time that an unfair restriction was not simply placed on him, but it was explained reasonably, and further, he wouldn't suffer it alone. Not only all of this, but it wasn't happening because someone couldn't be bothered on his behalf. It happened precisely because someone intervened especially on his behalf.

Harry looked up. "Okay. And thanks. I mean, for everything." He snaked an arm around Severus's waist, and tentatively hugged him. Between this week and a little over a week ago, he was giving his courage a major workout.

Severus raised his eyebrows. That was unexpected. He rested his arms on Harry's back. Professor Dumbledore said nothing. It wasn't until after they released each other that Phineas said, "I'm impressed. A child actually listened to a restriction placed on him by an adult, and the child not only did not argue, rebel, or whine, but he actually thanked the adult. This will have to go down in my record books as a first."

Professor Dumbledore smiled. This was a beautiful moment. He said, "Severus, we'll discuss this further later. I just wanted to remind you of Danny's extra Defense lesson. Professor Masters has an unavoidable engagement, but he says that you may help and give the class in his stead."

"Yes, Professor. I'm looking forward to it." Severus looked at Harry. "I know that I need to recuperate from today's adventure. I suggest you do the same."

Harry thought for a moment. "That's a good idea."

Professor Dumbledore said, "Then I expect to see you at dinner. Have a good afternoon, gentlemen."

As soon as Harry and Severus moved past the gargoyle, Harry asked, "Can I come with you to Danny's lesson?"

Professor Snape studied Harry for a moment. "Professor Masters is particularly private about his tutoring sessions with Daniel. I've attended a limited number of their special sessions. Why do you think you will be permitted?"

Harry answered plaintively. "Because I'm curious, I've tutored the entire DA last year, but most importantly, I tutored him in it last summer. He had trouble with Defense spells and Charms, I don't know anything about his Transfiguration skills, and he is desperately worried about turning Dark. Anyone can have good or bad intentions, but… I'm curious what skills he has to make fear that deep make sense."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Very well reasoned." It was getting easier to compliment the boy, especially when he deserved it. "However, Professor Masters has his own very specific reasons for keeping his tutoring of Daniel private. I intend to respect his wishes. And I expect you to do the same."

Harry sulked. Professor Snape might now be his guardian, but Danny was his friend. This was the perfect excuse to go exploring with his Invisibility Cloak. But a nap to recuperate from today was a capital idea.

Vlad silently cursed the fact that caffeine had no effect whatsoever on half-ghost biology while he masterfully hacked into the Guys in White's classified inventory listings. First and foremost, he found their analysis on Skulker's suit. They already had a better ectoplasmic net (Skulker needed an upgrade). Vlad was sure his hunter outgrew his glowing knife. (Apparently not.) He had any number of blasters and ectoplasmic traps, some better, some worse than the Guys in White's own brands. They had half of these blasters and traps in production.

But the half-ghost scanner… what did they have on that? When Skulker first invented it, Vlad was thrilled at the ingenuity. (He did know how to destroy it if Skulker got too obnoxious with it.) It was simple, yet elegant. And it distinguished between a pure ghost and a half-ghost, and it (like many Fenton products) picked up on half-ghosts in human form. Where was it? This would forever revolutionize the Guys in White (and potentially could be devastating to himself and Daniel).

It wasn't in production. It wasn't on the "urgent study" list. It wasn't even in the "comparative analysis" list. Where in blazes did they put it?

Vlad closed his eyes and slapped his head. He had been looking where any intelligent researcher would have looked. He didn't yet think to look where prejudiced, arrogant idiots would place a deceptively simple scanner because its source was a ghost.

Vlad's fingers flew as he checked out the non-classified rejects. There, in all of its exquisite glory, was one of Skulker's most inspired pieces of work. They didn't even take it apart, study it, or even copy it. They simply decided that their own, far more flashy yet functionally primitive, scanners were superior because… What could ghosts possibly know about hunting ghosts? He threw back his head and laughed maniacally. This discovery more than made up for the caffeine he could drink but would have no effect on him.

Sifting through more information, he needed to see if they started producing weapons and tools from the Fenton patents. (Jack might have been an idiot, but he did come up with insanely effective inventions. And Maddie, who came up with inventions of her own, put finishing touches on Jack's inventions.)

From their many discussions, Daniel told Vlad that all of the Fentons' ghost-seeking equipment honed in on him. Every last one did, and the Fentons thought their inventions malfunctioned because they zeroed in on their son. (At once, Vlad wanted to curse Jack for his stupidity for missing the obvious and bless him for his brilliance. Every last blessed invention worked. Not even Vlad himself had a 100 percent success rate.) But did the Guys in White take advantage of the patents?

Hmm… They had the Fenton Weasel in production but not in stock. They seemed to know nothing of the Fenton Thermos. Fascinating. Many of Maddie's inventions they had in analysis or in production (but no Fenton product was yet in stock). Jack's inventions, the ones with the impossibly stupid names, they had in analysis, but not in production. (So he was right about the Fenton Bazooka. He won his own bet.) Vlad started to chuckle as he read why none of Jack's inventions were in production. Jack wrote the patents, explaining how the inventions worked. They all did, and Daniel could attest to that. But the Guys in White couldn't sort out Jack Fenton's logic.

Jack Fenton was brilliant, but he was an idiot. He was an oxymoron. Vlad couldn't control his giggles. That is what he called Jack that so upset Daniel in Colorado. Vlad hadn't meant it quite that way at the time, but he was right. It amused him to know how very right he was. But this time, he would refrain from telling Daniel.

Now that he was here, what else did they have on tap? Oh, blueberry blintzes, Daniel was right about their inventions to turn humans invisible and intangible, and they were in stock and in use. Their jet packs' top speed didn't come close to either Daniel or himself. Anything else…

The planes with ecto-cannons were gaudy but effective. Some of their inventions were prosaic, some were a bit more imaginative, but the really inspired inventions of theirs actually duplicated the Fentons' or Skulker's gear. (Of course, they didn't have a clue about Vlad's own inventions and improvements, and Vlad intended to keep it that way.)

This afternoon would be truly enjoyable. Now, he just needed to order tickets, make dinner reservations, and make an announcement to the local Washington press to create his airtight alibi as he planned one of his most daring heists in over a decade. And, of course, he needed to wait for his allies to deliver the software for his viruses.

Professor Snape knocked on the door and entered the Room of Requirement. It was the gym, shooting gallery, and obstacle course. "Good evening, Daniel."

"Hi, Professor."

Severus looked at the list. "I'm a bit puzzled. How do you go about this?"

Danny smiled, his tail bobbing beside him. "When I was at home, my friends kept track of the list, changing it every time I got a new power. They kept track of my statistics. To be honest, it's gotten a lot longer since I've been here and training."

"What type of statistics did they keep?"

"Oh, things like speed, accuracy, how much weight I can lift, things like that. Oh, and my general health stats. Temperature, heart rate, stuff like that. It has a tendency to be different." He sighed.

Severus approached the suddenly sullen teen. "Daniel, what's wrong?"

Danny shrugged. "I don't know. There was this one time when a ghost was unknowingly hired by my high school as a school psychologist. I didn't know what to make of all of this, and I was just beginning to learn how to deal with my powers and stuff. She told me I was an unlovable freak that no one could care for, making me question myself. 'A creepy little boy with creepy little powers.' I…" Danny shuddered. "I know she was wrong. She was all about creating self-doubt. But sometimes, I can't help but wonder if she's right."

Harry, who was sitting right outside the door, silently covered his mouth. He was at once completely sympathetic and unbelievably furious. It was bad enough that the Dursleys made Harry feel that way. Now, it sounded like someone in Danny's school – a ghost, no less! – made Danny feel miserable for being a wizard!

But that wasn't right. Why would people on the staff of a magic school cause a wizard to feel like a freak? Unless he was practically born a hero, Harry thought ruefully. Wait – how could a school not know that someone on their staff was a ghost? Everyone knew about Professor Binns. He would have to ask Danny later.

Professor Snape said sternly, "Of course she's wrong. Your family loved you very much."

"Yeah, but only my sister knew my secret."

Crossing his arms, the wizard said, "And was she the only one who appreciated you for who and what you are?"

Danny lowered his head. "I guess not."

Snape snapped, "And don't forget that again! 'Unlovable freak,' indeed. Come, let's get started."

Danny shook himself, realizing that in this instance, he was as much a teacher as a student. "Right. Well, I'll start with the first three, which are the basics." He turned invisible.

"Amazing!" No Disillusionment Charm or Invisibility Cloak was required. And this was basic for ghost biology. While Hogwarts ghosts had no problem turning invisible at will, Danny created a cognitive dissonance for Snape, because Danny was solid. Even though Snape intellectually knew that Danny was a ghost, he still thought of the boy as a human with interesting powers.

Danny smiled, not that the professor could see him. "And that's not all." He touched Snape's shoulder and turned the man invisible as well.

"Not even a Disillusionment Charm works this well."

Danny rematerialized both of them, and he blushed. "Yeah, well…" He thought for a bit. "I don't think I've shown you this one properly before." Danny sunk his hand through a tabletop.

"No, you didn't show me that, before. Does it only work on inanimate objects?"

Danny smiled. "Nope. Let me show you." He put his hand through Professor Snape's chest.

"Merlin! I didn't even feel it. That doesn't feel like any other ghost…"

Harry gasped. Danny wasn't a ghost. He was alive!

Danny heard the gasp. "Professor, we have company."

Severus heard nothing, but if Daniel could track a Snitch when it was invisible to every human eye, it stood to reason that the boy could hear things even his finely tuned ears couldn't catch.

They opened the door. Severus saw nothing out of the ordinary. Danny was amused. Harry held his breath. Danny grasped his shoulder. "There you are!" Professor Snape pulled off Harry's Invisibility Cloak.

"Mr. Potter, what do you think you are doing?"

"I just…" He shrugged. He was in trouble, and there was no way out of it. And he realized how much trouble he was in, because the professor didn't call him Harry. He looked up at the professor and saw a sight he didn't expect. "Danny Phantom!"

Danny smiled. "That's me."

"But, but… Sir, I thought you were going to tutor Danny… I mean, Danny Fenton, in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Professor Snape thought quickly, but looked Harry in the eyes. "That was my intention. However, Mr. Fenton became inconsolably homesick while his uncle was otherwise engaged, and I sent him back to his dorm."

"Professor!" Danny was mortified. He just made Danny sound pathetic in front of Harry.

"Daniel?" Professor Snape raised an eyebrow.

Defeated, Danny said, "Nothing, sir." That lie would account for why Fenton wasn't present.

The older wizard said, "Look at me, Daniel." Looking up into Snape's eyes allowed the Legilimens into Danny's mind. Envisioning Danny sitting on his bed and stroking his cat, he placed the image in Danny's head. And then he broke eye contact.

Danny blinked. Professor Snape just put a thought in his head. "Did you just…"

Professor Snape murmured, "I did. Now, don't make a liar out of me."

Invisibly, Danny made a duplicate and had it phase out of the room. Once out of the Room of Requirement, Danny's duplicate became human and visible, and would tell anyone who questioned him about being homesick.

Joy. Now he had to deal with a diagnostic series of tests while at half strength. At least his cover was protected. Danny sighed and nodded.

Harry wasn't finished. "But what are you doing with Professor Snape?"

'Let's see how close I can come without actually lying.' Danny perked up and said, "Well, my mentor couldn't be here this evening. Sir Nicholas knows all about it. And as long as I'm here, there's no reason I shouldn't… well, Professor Snape is doing a personal favor to both me and my mentor." Snape was impressed. "My kind of ghost isn't commonly found around here, and while I have any number of friends among the ghosts, only my mentor has powers, like I do. And Professor Snape has been kind enough to help me review until my mentor gets back."

"Ghosts have mentors?"

"The ghost who usually tutors me has wanted to mentor me since the day we first discovered each other. But now that I think about it, don't you think Myrtle might have been happier if one of the adult ghosts would have taken her under their wing?"

Professor Snape raised his eyebrows. "Very impressive, Daniel. How very clever, and inventively Slytherin of you."

Danny blushed. "Thank you, sir."

Harry was convinced that this ghost sounded exactly like his friend Danny. Even his address… his relationship with Professor Snape seemed to be the same. Maybe Ron's suggestion wasn't a bad one. "Excuse me, Danny, but… Do you know Danny Fenton?"

Danny stared as he tried to think of an answer. So far, Paulina had come closest to figuring out that Fenton and Phantom were linked. Harry was far smarter than she was. He gulped. "You… might say that I do."

Harry nodded. "You sound like you could have been brothers."

Danny said, "Yeah. We're close. Anyway…"

Harry asked, "You said Professor Snape was helping to tutor you. What are you learning?"

Professor Snape stood back. It was fascinating to watch Daniel in action. He never actually lied. He must have had a great deal of practice with this.

"I'm practicing using my powers. Where I come from, all ghosts have some powers. Some have more than others. Some ghosts even use magic, though it's nothing like the magic used by witches and wizards. But the simple basics are flight, invisibility, and intangibility. After that, it changes per ghost."

This sounded like a once in a lifetime opportunity. "Can I see?"

Danny looked at Professor Snape, who gave no indication of his thoughts on the matter. Danny shrugged. "I don't see why not. That is, except for…" Danny flew to Professor Snape's side and peered at the list. "That one, and that one."

Professor Snape raised an eyebrow. "Interesting choice. But your mentor gave specific instructions to test everything."

Danny fidgeted. "We will. But… I don't know how I feel about those. They're kind of scary."

Harry giggled. Danny made a face. "What?"

"Sorry – it's part of my Muggle upbringing. But the idea of a ghost going out of his way to not be scary is funny." Even Nick asked Harry to tell the knight in charge of the Headless Hunt he thought Nick was scary.

Danny rolled his eyes. "You mean you never heard of Casper?"

Both wizards stared at him. Harry asked, "He's real?"

It was Danny's turn to laugh. "No." He needed a moment or two to collect himself. "But he's an example of a ghost who isn't interested in scaring people." He continued to shake in mirth.

Harry hadn't thought about it in a long while, but he realized that Danny Phantom seemed to be a ghost of the Muggle World. When Harry first met Phantom in September, he asked about ghosts in America. Phantom specifically mentioned the Muggle reaction to ghosts. So it followed logically that Danny Phantom was involved in the Muggle World. So it further made sense that Phantom would make references to Muggle culture. Casper the Friendly Ghost was an old comic strip.

Professor Snape shook his head. This was not to be believed. "Daniel, whenever you're ready…"

Danny cleared his throat. "Yeah. Well… any time I adopt my tail counts as flight, but the real test is to see how fast I can go."

Harry asked, "How fast can you go?"

"Well, at the start of October, my top speed was 150 miles per hour. I've practiced other things, and things at school are peaceful." He muttered, "For a change." Back to Harry, he said, "So that's what the speed gun is for."

Professor Snape picked it up. "Now." Danny joyfully sped around the room, near the ceiling. It wasn't the same without Sam and Tucker, but Harry was his friend. And… what was Professor Snape? He was more of a… Hmm. He was closer than just a teacher, but he couldn't articulate it. But it didn't really matter now. He'd think about it later.

Severus read the gun. "That can't be right."

Danny hovered in front of him. "What can't be right?"

"It read 210 miles per hour."

"Cool!"

"But such a speed unprotected would destroy human flesh."

Danny thought for a moment. "Maybe. But ectoplasm can be streamlined. A tail is more aerodynamic than legs. My legs are there whenever I want them, but…" He looked carefully at the professor. "The general rules of physics and spatial relations don't apply to ghosts. Several massive ghosts, some bigger than six feet tall, can fit in a ghost containment device the size of a soup thermos. At the same time. While a human form is my default form, I can avoid blasts and projectiles by making a hole in myself to allow for it."

"What?" Harry looked as confused as Snape was, but the professor refused to show it.

"I'll show you later. But for now, I already showed this to the professor. Now, I'll show you. Invisibility." He disappeared, flew down the length of the room, and reappeared. He waved and zipped back. "Intangibility." He put a hand through Harry's shoulder. Harry jumped.

"But that didn't feel…"

Danny finished, "Like any other ghost around here. I know. With the exception of Peeves (kind of), the local ghosts are intangible, except for the ice cold feel of ectoplasm to the human touch. You already know that to humans, I'm solid, if a little cool to the touch, and when I'm intangible, you don't feel anything at all.

"I can touch any of the ghosts here, and they are as solid to me as you are. I could be intangible to them, too, but that would just be rude."

Harry blinked.

Danny thought this was awesome! He was showing off for some new friends. "Wanna see something cool?"

"Okay."

Danny put his hand on Harry's shoulder and phased both of them through the floor, and back. "I can make you as intangible as I can make myself."

Professor Snape decided that he would not be astonished by anything else his half-ghost student could do. Apparently, ghost powers were very versatile.

"So, Professor, what's next?"

"Next on your list are your ectoblasts. If I might request you hold off on that until later…"

Danny nodded. "I gotcha. Then what?"

"The ghostly possession of items."

"Hmm…" Most of the things in this room were tied down. He could dream up whatever he liked. But it might be fun to surprise his guests. It was as harmless as what he did to Tucker. He thought about their wands. Both wizards jumped in alarm to see their wands floating out of reach. "Don't worry. It's only me." The two wands raced around each other, around some of the obstacles in the room, and then gently hovered in front of their owners.

Both wizards decided independently that if anyone other than this ghost relieved them of their wands, they would be quite put out. But this was Danny Phantom, and he was only being playful as he showed off his skills.

Harry said, "You know, if Peeves did that, the Bloody Baron would have his hide. Or whatever."

Danny blushed and hung his head contritely. "Understood. Sorry." The fact that he was more powerful than the Baron was irrelevant. The fact that the Baron would be disappointed in him hurt.

Professor Snape was bemused. "I might have informed your mentor of your poor taste in inanimate objects to experiment with. Unfortunately for me, he would be wickedly amused."

"Does this mean you're not mad at me, sir?"

"I'm furious, but I'll get over it by morning." Danny sighed.

Professor Snape had Danny teleport and practice duplication. Danny surprised himself by making three copies, ignoring the fourth that was sitting and sulking on his bed.

Two thoughts hit him. First, he could make five of himself, now. This was so cool! And second, if his duplicate in his room was only sitting around quietly, he could spend far more attention and energy on what he was doing here. Professor Snape knew what he was doing, and Danny had a whole new appreciation for him.

Snape had him create his ectoplasmic bonds (Danny wasn't happy about this one, though Harry's expression was interesting; it was between seriously amused, awe, and not-quite-pity for his new guardian), and demonstrate his ecto-tornado.

When it came to Danny's cryokinesis, the professor had a few tests of his own. Besides freezing targets with blasts of different intensity from his hands and his eyes (the eyes drew great exclamation from Harry), he had Danny freeze a weaponized Aguamenti spell. The professor was inventive, but Danny personally had fun with the sculptures upon command. He couldn't do anything too complicated yet, but the smaller things were fun. Thinking back on Professor Flitwick's whimsical tests, Danny produced two swords so he and Harry could fence, a multifaceted piece of ice that looked like a diamond (Danny said, "This is for Ginny." Harry was gobsmacked.), and finally, Danny produced a mug for Harry. "This is for you. It is of a strength and thickness that you can use it for hot cocoa. After that, it should last about a week."

Professor Snape was very much amused. Harry asked, "But why would you do that?"

Danny smiled. "I like you. There's just something about you. And why not?" Harry had no answer for that.

Snape looked at the remaining things on his list. He had Danny make a benign ball of textured ectoplasm. Danny thought about this. He gave one to Harry the size of a punch ball, and one to Professor Snape the size of a golf ball.

Danny had an experiment of his own. He left Harry's ball to hover in front of him. Danny explained, "The things I make out of ectoplasm normally defy gravity, unless I concentrate. I told you that the laws of physics take a vacation when it comes to ghosts."

After he set Professor Snape's ball in a motion of lazy eights, Danny made it hover and said, "Professor, now you move it." First, Snape plucked it out of the air. Then he released it and moved it with his mind.

Harry asked, "Does that mean we can use magic on it?"

Danny furrowed his brows and shook his head. "I don't think so. It's more like… a more complicated form of me exercising my will on it. I can call these things in and out of existence at will, and with practice, can make it look or feel like just about anything. Making it move requires minimal exertion. I didn't know if I could make it obey the will of humans, before. I knew I could make it work with gravity – it was fun to play fetch with a dog. But I never tried to…" Danny frowned sadly. "I never gave my human friends something like this before. But then again, I mostly only used my powers to keep myself and others out of the clutches of evil ghosts. Mostly." Danny decided they didn't need to know of Danny's bad habit of turnstile jumping (or phasing) at the movies. And he was not telling them about the girls' locker room!

Professor Snape read the next thing from the list. "Weight-bearing. Somehow, I get the feeling this won't be like the exercises I'm used to thinking of."

Danny smiled. "Probably not. The idea is to see how much I can lift without straining. It comes out to quite a lot, really."

Severus asked, "Well, how much is it?"

"I forgot when my f…" Whoa. He did not almost call Vlad father! At least, that's what he told himself. He cleared his throat. "I forgot what it was the last time my mentor tested me." He scratched his head. "I've never been good at math, though I'm getting better, but I would say over a ton. Not a metric ton, but an English ton. I think."

Harry's eyes bulged and Professor Snape just stared. "You're… not using hyperbole, are you?"

Danny said, "No. If anything, I'm underestimating. That time I carried at least 20 high school students, and their parents, and other adults from around town. Complicated story, but quickly – evil ghosts kidnapped almost all the adults in the town, and the students helped me rescue them, and I carried the teens and adults to safety. Anyway, the students ranged from 95 to 175 pounds, the adult women were mostly 110 to 175 or so, and most men were between 180 and 300… I don't know, but it comes out to a lot."

Severus felt dizzy for a moment. "I know what your mentor wants, but I don't feel comfortable with this. Even if you are capable of handling a great deal more, I cannot envision putting an actual ton of weight on any of my students, ghostly or otherwise."

Danny shrugged. "That's okay. I can't imagine you'll like the other tests I have left, either."

Professor Snape announced, "Daniel, you are down to your last three talents before you get to the powers you prefer not to share with Harry." Danny knew about the ectoplasmic shield and the ectoblasts. What was the third?

Harry frowned. He wasn't sure how Phantom would take it. Myrtle got very upset at the idea that people would throw stuff at her and it wouldn't hurt because she was a ghost. But Phantom was far more self-assured.

It amused Professor Snape to see both boys wearing an identical expression of concentration.

Danny looked up first. "What's on your mind, Harry?"

The thought of Myrtle's reaction made him nervous, but Harry was curious. Tentatively, he asked, "What is that you said about making a hole in yourself?"

Danny laughed. "Oh, that's all? You look like you saw…" No, that expression didn't work. "Why does it make you so hot and bothered?"

Harry sighed. "In Second Year, Myrtle was upset because someone threw a book and it went through her. When we asked her why it was so upsetting, 'cause she couldn't feel it, she got even more upset. I… didn't mean to upset Myrtle then, and I didn't want to upset you now."

Danny landed on his feet and put a hand on Harry's shoulder. He said sincerely, "Thank you for your concern. Really. Between you and Hermione, I notice you guys pay a lot more attention to the feelings of ghosts. That means a lot to me."

Harry frowned, and asked without thinking, "What about Ron?"

Danny sighed. "Ron could stand to work harder at it. But Sir Nicholas tells me that he has at least made an effort not to stick his foot in it."

Yeah, that sounded like Ron. Wait a minute. "How do you know Ron? He hasn't met you."

"Dude, I don't have to be seen in order to see. I'm sure you find it convenient to be invisible sometimes."

Harry blushed. "But really… When did you meet him?"

Danny smirked. "That would be telling. But back to this… I'm pretty sure it's not on the list, but it is a defensive move that has reduced the pain I could have been in on occasion." He thought for a moment. "This is the Room of Requirement. Think up some things of different sizes and shapes. First, I'll catch them. Then I'll show you the hole."

Harry cringed. Phantom wanted him to conjure things to throw at him. This made no sense. He looked helplessly at Professor Snape. The good professor conjured a rubber-covered one-pound lead weight, a copy of Hogwarts: A History, and a quill in the shape of a dart.

Harry threw the lead weight first. Danny caught it easily. He levitated it back to Harry, who threw it hard. Danny made a hole through his stomach, and the weight passed harmlessly through him.

"That was weird."

"It was creepy to me, too, the first few times I did that. The good news is, this time, you aren't here to tear me apart 'molecule by molecule,' with what you're aiming at me." He couldn't remember the first time, although the book on teaching dogs obedience hit and passed through him with a pop. The more memorable occasion happened when his father shot that 'anti-ghost tonic' at him last Christmas Eve.

The book was quite a bit heavier. Harry used a Wingardium Leviosa to make this work. Danny caught it, and it too went harmlessly through him the second time around.

Professor Snape zipped the dart at Danny, who caught it. 'This boy will be a magnificent Seeker come January.' He smirked, had it returned to him, and when he aimed the dart at Danny's torso, it went through a narrow tunnel in Danny's chest.

Harry looked thoughtful. "How come this type of thing doesn't bother you, but it made Myrtle go to pieces?"

Danny furrowed his brows. "If Myrtle's most memorable reception by the living student body was simply to call her Moaning Myrtle, without a care to how she might feel about it, I'm not surprised that she was so quick to take offense. You might not have intended to be insensitive, but some people…" Danny folded his arms and clucked his tongue.

"But as far as I'm concerned, I'm showing off an interesting power impossible for average humans."

"Daniel," Snape intoned warningly.

Danny gulped. "Right, then. So… you said there were three powers. I know about the shields and the blasts. What's the third one?"

Professor Snape smirked. "Your Stinger, of course."

Harry was baffled, but figured that he would learn about those things in due course. Danny, however, was pained. "But sir, how can I do that? I told you I won't use my powers against humans." He huffed. "Willingly," he amended.

"My dear Daniel," Snape soothed. "You seem to have forgotten that we're in the Room of Requirement. Since we now know that the Room allows for the usage of Muggle electronics, like your speed gun, there is no reason we can't conjure up some light bulbs."

Danny stared. "Huh?"

"Your mentor is a fool for not having figured it out. You are not to blame. You're only 15. Your Stinger is an ectoplasmic release of electricity, is it not?"

"Yeah."

"There is no reason your electric charge cannot be used to light different bulbs of different sizes and wattage to test your modulation of this power. And no one needs to be harmed in this demonstration."

Danny glowed with happiness. No one would get hurt. Severus chuckled inwardly. He would get to see a power of Daniel's Vlad had never seen, because Vlad was sadistic in his suggested usage. If the elder half-ghost was not as single-minded about the usage of the boy's talents, Vlad would have seen it for himself. As it was, he had succeeded where Vlad had so clearly failed.

Of course, Snape had to report the results of today's testing and review. This entire session would have been fun to report, even without the test of the Stinger. This particular test, regardless of what else it yielded, would be a tremendous success, and a major victory in his contest with Vlad. How delicious!

Severus had Daniel extend an ectoplasmic wire, not much different than his bonds. He had Danny coil the end of the wire around the end of a 100-watt bulb. This was only the beginning. They eventually progressed to the charge required to start a car engine. After a gradual progression, and in a moment of sheer extravagance (and curiosity), Snape recreated the electric display of Times Square in New York. (When he was younger, he had seen pictures.) Daniel only lit the Coca-Cola sign with his Stinger for two minutes. More lights or any longer would have been too much. Considering that this was the closest that any of the three of them had ever gotten to New York, the three of them were excited, if Danny was a bit tired.

The next power Danny used was his ectoplasmic shields. He produced a disk that expanded into a fully shielded dome. Severus had Vlad's permission to fire spells against Daniel's shields. Danny observed, "I mean no offense, but another ghost's ectoblasts (and attacks in general) offer far more resistance against my shields than magic does."

Professor Snape answered simply, "No offense taken. It is fascinating to see how magic and your ghost powers interact." Danny nodded. The professor was very gracious about this. "Now for your Shielding Glass." Danny produced his glass. It still wasn't as cool as Vlad's, but it got the job done.

Harry gasped. Danny stopped. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Professor Snape rolled his eyes. "Harry…"

Harry shrugged. "It's really nothing. You know… Nick said that he told you that Ron, Hermione, and I tutored Danny Fenton this summer. We both worked really hard, but Danny just couldn't get the hang of spells, especially in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Except for one: Protego. It was particularly weird because his Shield Charm looked exactly like your ectoplasmic glass."

Danny froze. He knew Harry was smart enough to figure this out. His eyes glistened in fear.

Something else clicked for Harry. "You know, when Danny Fenton told me that he was going to need a place to practice Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Masters, I showed him the Room of Requirement. When I called up the room, I thought about what it would need to suit their needs. And the room looked just like this. Why do you think that would be?"

Danny just stared. "I… couldn't tell you."

This was it. His forever-protected secret identity was about to be discovered. Well, at least it was only Harry, right? He couldn't move or speak.

Professor Snape studied Harry. Of all people, Harry could be trusted to keep a secret. He was curious to see what Harry would do.

Harry furrowed his brows, putting the information together. He missed his friend's panic completely. "Professor? Do spells work the same for wizards everywhere? Or do they look different in America?"

Danny peaked his eyebrows. He could not be this lucky. His mind screamed, 'What?' But his mouth refused to connect with his brain.

Professor Snape released a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He avoided answering the question. "What a fascinating observation. The question is a good one. Five points for your logic."

Harry was startled. "Thank you, sir."

"But to answer your question… I will have to look into it." Severus decided if his favorite student could make an effort not to lie, he would be just as diligent, within reason.

Danny practically melted in relief. His secret was safe for at least one more day. He took a breath. While most of his powers were fun and interesting to share (even the last one where his secret was almost exposed), this last one would be scary. Professor Snape might be uncomfortable, but at least he knew what was coming.

"And now, we're just about ready for my last trick of the evening. But you're not going to like it."

Harry looked at him. "Why not?"

"Well…" He never had to explain ectoblasts before. He just had them since he and Tucker met Madam Babazita and Desiree at the fair. "Where I'm from, most ghosts have a… primary weapon. It is shooting ecto-energy out of our hands…" He'd get to the eyes later.

"Like the evil emperor in Star Wars?"

Dude, that was cool. Harry Potter knew about Star Wars. As he said, it was part of his Muggle upbringing. But he had to focus. "Kind of. Emperor Palpatine had something that looked like lightning." Come to think of it, Vlad could do that trick. Danny shuddered in remembered pain. Back to his own powers… "Ghosts' ecto-beams look more like lasers. But I promise, I'm not on the Dark side!"

Both Severus and Harry thought that would have been funnier if the Wizarding World wasn't currently facing its own battle of Light and Dark.

Harry noticed Phantom's severe worry about being thought of as evil. Maybe it came from being falsely accused, as he said he often was, at home. Danny Fenton was afraid of becoming Dark, too.

Professor Snape asked, "Harry? How is it you know of Star Wars? I wouldn't think the Dursleys…"

Harry shrugged and interrupted. "They didn't. Are you kidding? The Force was too much like magic. No, kids at school acted it out, talked about it, stuff like that. There were a few years Dudley and his gang got truly inventive." He shuddered. "Dudley was allowed make-believe. I was 'a dangerous freak who might get ideas.' But I'm pretty sure it was more about the video games than the fight for good and evil, with him."

Danny never saw this side of Harry before. Harry said that his aunt and uncle tried to deprive him of any happiness. But what he described was downright abusive. For a moment, he was almost glad that wizards, even conscientious wizards, had a tendency to forget that ghosts were people, or he might never have learned this much about his Gryffindor friend. But he would protect Harry's secret with every fiber of his being.

Danny cleared his throat. Both wizards looked back at him. "As I was saying… my ectoblast… All evening, you've seen me do all kinds of things with my ecto-energy. You see what color it is. It's just that… Professor Snape told me that my ectoblast looks almost exactly like the Killing Curse."

Harry stared. Danny thought quickly. "But it's not. It's just heat energy. Different ghosts have different colors. My mentor's energy is pink." He blinked. "Like Luke's light saber was green and Darth Vader's was pinkish red."

Professor Snape smirked. "How very…apt."

Harry was not at all sure about this by-play between Phantom and the professor. But if all of this talk about Star Wars was geared to distract him from the fact that this white-haired ghost had laser energy that looked like the Killing Curse, he let it.

However, the professor wasn't done yet. "I've seen this blast before, and based on how much damage can be done, I would say that for Daniel's blast to bring instantaneous death, it would require such force and power that the room would be bathed in green light. His blasts that look far more like Avada Kedavra will merely give the living a burn."

Harry sighed in relief. This would be creepy, but it… There was nothing to guarantee it wouldn't produce flashbacks.

Danny said gently, "You don't have to watch this if you don't want to."

Harry shrugged. It would be okay. He hoped.

"Oh, and Daniel? You may start small, but you will end this exercise, destroying targets and using that powerful force that I described to Mr. Potter."

Danny's eyes grew wide. "But, Professor! That's too much…"

"You will do it. And that is final." Danny hung his head. He was stuck for it.

When it came to testing Danny's powers, Professor Snape was just as strict and as innovative as Vlad was. It expressed itself differently, as both Vlad and the professor were brilliant and creative, but they were direct and firm. They seemed to be cut from the same cloth.

After the initial shock – even with all that preparation, the ectoblasts still freaked Harry out a bit – it was interesting to see what Phantom could do. These blasts were, as described, like green lasers. But Professor Snape had him work, gradually increasing intensification. The professor produced moving targets, and had Phantom fly about and aim for the targets. Phantom seemed to take pleasure in soaring around and showing off. But when it came to some of those more impressive blasts, he looked nervous. But Snape hammered away at him with tests, experiments, and demonstrations. Towards the end, Danny's blasts filled the room with green light, taking out many targets in the process.

Danny stopped, hovering in the air, drifting towards the floor, and panting. "Professor, I've had enough. Normally, these sessions are one hour, or a diagnostic sometimes lasts for three. This was five. I don't have enough energy for the other two tests."

Professor Snape peaked his eyebrows. He was looking forward to seeing Daniel's Ghostly Wail and another, longer demonstration of overshadowing himself. "Then we shall end this for the day. You have, once again, performed brilliantly, and I shall give a full report to your mentor upon his return."

Danny landed. "Even the thing with the wands?"

Severus sighed. "No. I will tell him that you were successful with your ghostly possession of items, however."

"Thanks."

Harry looked at his watch. "Professor, it's midnight! There's no way I can hope to get back to my dorm in time. It's way past curfew, and you still have my Invisibility Cloak."

Professor Snape handed Harry back his cloak, to Harry's disbelief. "While I may not be able to detect you while you are quiet enough when you use this, young Daniel can hear you even when he can't see you." It amused Severus to see Harry so out of sorts. He supposed old habits died hard.

"Daniel, I have a favor to ask of you, but only if you are up to it."

"I'll try, sir."

"Can you teleport Harry directly into his Common Room? It will be an interesting experience for him, and it is the quickest expedient to get you back to comfort." Ah. The professor hadn't forgotten that while he was here and worn out, his duplicate was in his room being inconsolable.

Danny nodded. "Sure thing, Professor. And thanks. For everything." Severus smiled fondly at both boys. Danny put his hand on Harry's shoulder, and both disappeared in a green mist.

At 4:00pm, Eastern Standard Time, Vlad materialized in the men's room in the VIP lounge of Washington Dulles International Airport. Checking one last time in the mirror that he appeared to his satisfaction, he walked out. Curious eyes turned toward him, as they didn't see him enter the lounge, but he was a familiar enough face – both in the VIP lounge and elsewhere. Vlad smiled at a few he recognized, but he had places to go and people to see.

Once he stepped out where the general public could see him, he saw a mass of press people head towards him. "Right on time," he murmured.

"Mr. Masters, were you serious about that ghost thing you mentioned last night?"

Vlad smiled. "Indeed, I was."

"What do you intend to do in the nation's capital after last night's press conference?"

This was precisely what he wanted asked and answered publicly and on record. "I am on my way to meet with my Congressman, Toby Roth. We'll have dinner, as we discuss some of the finer points of the financing of the Guys in White. And while it is only a State issue, perhaps we'll talk about the welfare laws in Wisconsin, and see what we can come up with to get more welfare money directed to orphans and widows, as opposed to able-bodied men who refuse to work. Later, the National Symphony Orchestra will be playing at the J.F.K. Center for the Performing Arts. I'm very much looking forward to attending. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a limo to catch."

It was beautiful. The press followed him, hoping for an extra sound-byte, and they would have to leave off when they got to CityZen Restaurant, where – unlike Vlad and the Congressman – they didn't have a reservation. Tempting, tantalizing, and frustrating the press was endlessly amusing. Now that the public knew exactly where Vlad's public persona was going to be, it was time to send off a team of duplicates to take care of the real reason he came to Washington, D.C.

The Guys in White headquarters had sensors to pick up ghosts, but nothing at all to pick up humans exhibiting one or two ghostly powers. Invisibility and intangibility were key. He rifled through the files to find all the hard copy information on Daniel, Skulker, Technus, Ember McClain, and 'the Wisconsin Ghost.' Some of their files were in triplicate, so it took a bit of doing to find it all. As satisfying as it would be to destroy it right here, the sensors were sure to pick up suspicious ectoplasmic activity. But placing things in intangible laundry bags set off nothing.

Then, of course, came the stealing of actual weapons. Anything from Skulker's old suit, or looked like it was part of it as it was being analyzed or reproduced was fair game. Anything with any Fenton patent was being stolen as well. And that was to say nothing for the viruses he would set loose all over their systems.

The viruses to the mainframe would come last, as that might actually trip an alarm. But Vlad used their own computers to seek out the back-up disks, drives, tapes, and other information storage. The viruses would destroy information about any and all things discussed with Technus. Technus promised they would do 'all that and more.' Vlad was very curious to see what that might be.

While all of this was going on, Vlad had another team of duplicates invading the patent office. The names and pictures of the Fenton inventions remained, but Vlad stole all the explanations and descriptions of the items. Patents were available to be seen and copies could be bought by the public. There were Fenton products Vlad didn't want anyone but himself (and possibly Daniel, one day) privy to.

Guys in White Operatives O and K came to enter the latest information – Vlad Masters is currently trying to protect Danny Phantom, a.k.a. Inviso-Bill. But when K tried to open the file, nothing came up. When this happened repeatedly, he tried to upload the information from a back-up disk. The back-up source sparked, fizzled, and the screen read, 'This is not the ghost you're looking for.'

K started to curse, but tried to start a new file on Danny Phantom. After the first three letters, the keyboard locked. K sought out his superior officers and IT techs. After many hours of working with the system, it became clear to everyone but the most stubborn that the information on Danny Phantom had disappeared, along with a number of other ghosts. And any attempt to input information on those ghosts were met with a system shutdown. The Guys in White either had to scrap their entire computer system and start fresh, or they could never input information on Danny Phantom, Skulker, Technus, the Wisconsin Ghost, or a few others they could name. The name Fenton also crashed the system.

The blame for this lack of information was extremely difficult to pin on anyone because the various and sundry ghosts had nothing in common.

It was clear that someone didn't like the Guys in White outfit. Operatives O and K wanted to blame Vlad Masters; however, his movement in Washington, D.C. was thoroughly known and publicized. It couldn't have been a ghost, or the sensors would have been tripped. The superior officers of the Guys in White decided to give up Danny Phantom and all of the ghosts of Amity Park up as a bad job.

When Vlad got back to his home in Wisconsin, it was midnight, Central Time. He hacked into the Guys in White to see what destruction he wrought. Everything he stole and destroyed stayed clear of the system. Hacking into a computerized video camera, Vlad laughed when he saw a Post-It note that declared a formal moratorium on all activity involving DP. Apparently, the three-letter rule invaded their mindset such that they wouldn't even write it out with a pen and paper.

"My work here is done."

48