Disclaimer: The plot is ours, but the majority of the main characters belong to the imagination of J.K. Rowling. We do not gain any profit from writing this story.

Summary: With the Grimoire in safe hands and James Potter expelled, Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and their friends expected that their remaining time at Hogwarts would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, the intentions of a few detestable individuals will make their lives more arduous. With the help of a few new friends, they all must join together to fight against the rising tide of evil in the Wizarding World.

A/N: This story is A/U and is NOT canon-compliant. If you don't like Sev/Lily fiction, don't read it.

The Enemy Unseen

TheOneAndOnlyEnigma

Orion Black looked at the advertisement on the notices board at the Auror Offices.

'Looking for something new? Join the Department of Internal Security! Keep Ne'er-do-wells out of our Ministry!'

He chuckled, ne'er-do-wells? Millicent must have written this herself. The new department was one of her campaign promises being brought to life. The new Department would be a regulatory entity that would investigate and search for any sort of espionage within the Ministry.

The Department would essentially act as a policing force watching over every other department in the Ministry, including itself. Its agents would only be answerable to the Minister.

There was a signup sheet for those wishing to apply. The thought had crossed Orion's mind, but he was content with his place at MLE.

He looked down the list of those who had signed up. There, right at the top was a name he would be glad to see gone. At the top of the list was the name, Oslo Dain.

Orion breathed a long sigh of relief. Oslo Dain and he were like oil and water. Never mixing well or agreeable with the other.

He could rest a bit easier knowing that soon Oslo Dain would be out of his hair for good. He then thought of Silas. Merlin, if he was still around he could have brought the Dain to heel! Unfortunately, though, that was no longer the case.

Orion walked away from the notice board and back to the offices. He walked through the archway which bore the insignia of the Magical Law Enforcement offices. The offices looked like any standard muggle police station. A few holding cells in the back, a drunk tank to hold anybody who was too inebriated to Apparate home, and desks and private offices for Aurors, like him.

As he walked in the bullpen, he noticed a few Aurors standing by the tea service getting a cuppa. They were whispering amongst themselves, but stopped and went back to their business when Orion came in.

He didn't like the looks of that. That has happened again and again ever since that incident at Grimmauld Place with Sam Yalarad occurred.

Orion was concerned that Oslo, in an attempt to undermine Orion's authority, had been spreading rumors about him. Unfortunately, it appeared to be working.

He sat down at his desk and began reading a file related to a case he had been assigned to.

"So are you really leaving us Ozzy?"

Oslo Dain was walking down the office walkway with a few rookie Aurors.

"Yes, unfortunately, Jensen." Oslo joked with the junior Auror. "Don't worry I'm leaving it all in good hands! Just listen to Moody and Scrimgeour, and you'll do fine!"

"Do you think the new department will take you?" Another rookie, a blonde woman, asked him.

"Oh, I think so. In fact, I met with Minister Bagnold and the new department head, Urian Materby, earlier today and I had a quick discussion with them. They wish to further interview me later this week. I feel as if the interview is just a formality. I should be starting with DIS, as soon as the end of the month."

The rookies looked to be green with envy over their superior's move into The Department of Internal Security.

"What will you do once you're there?" The young Auror known as Jensen asked Oslo.

"Well Jensen, my main mission will be to root out any Death Eaters, and their supporters from the Ministry."

Orion scoffed, and muttered under his breath, "Just like the Spanish Inquisition."

Oslo frowned, he and the two rookies heard Orion's remark. "Got something to say, Black?"

"Nothing more than the usual, Oslo." Orion stoically responded.

Oslo stood up to his full height and gestured to the two rookies to be on their way. Once they were no longer there, Oslo made his way over to Orion's desk.

"For the record, I won't be missing you, when I make my way out of here."

Orion did not give Oslo the satisfaction of looking at him. "The feeling is mutual."

Oslo frowned but smiled when a thought crossed his mind. "You would think that once I'm gone you'll be able to relax more, but the opposite will be true."

Orion stopped his reading but refused to look at Oslo.

"Once everything at the Department of Internal Security is up and running. We will have carte blanche to look into all suspicious activities. Past and present."

That statement got Orion's attention.

Oslo leaned down and got right in Orion's face. "I will find out what you've been hiding from us. Where you were that day when you should have had Silas' back!"

Orion got up from his seat and got into Oslo's face. "I had nothing to do with that!"

"So you say. So you, Scrimgeour, and Moody said. It's funny, whenever that day comes up, they are quick to hush anything about that up. Almost as if they know something the rest of us aren't privy to. That could be considered Conspiracy, and if I can prove that...all three of you will suffer the consequences."

Oslo backed up away from Orion before one or the other would swing at each other. "If I were you, I'd make peace with the Lady. If worst comes to worst, you'll be kissed!"

He turned around and walked out of the bullpen leaving Orion Black, of that ancient and noble house, in a bit of a panic.

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Paul and Cinthy Evans were at Mirrorvale. They had received the permission slip from Lily the previous night, and were unsure about giving their permission for her to attend these 'intensive studies.' So, they asked Marius and Vesper to arrange a meeting with Gabriel to talk about it.

They were with Marius and Vesper in their living room sitting down on their custom Italian leather couches. Black Leif was also there to keep an eye on things as Black Connor was making his rounds around the manor grounds. Vesper had a charcuterie board out with different types of cheeses, crackers, meats, fruits, and olives to pick and choose from. Mitzi and Arlo had served sparkling wine for them.

The floo sounded and the visage of Gabriel was among the green flames. "Hello? Vesper? Marius?"

Vesper smiled as she saw Gabriel in the floo, "Hello Gabriel! We're here with Paul and Cinthy Evans, Lily's parents."

"Perfect, may I come through?"

"Please!"

Gabriel stepped through the floo and brushed off the loose ash from his clothes.

Marius stood to introduce Paul and Cinthy to Gabriel. "Paul, Cinthy. This is Gabriel Schell, he was a very close friend to Eileen. They were good friends since their time at Hogwarts."

Gabriel shook both their hands as pleasantries were made.

"Hello, am I to assume you're the parents of Lily?"

Cinthy smiled, "Yes that's right!"

They all sat down on the couches. Arlo offered a glass of wine to the professor, who politely turned it down.

Gabriel sat down and got comfortable, "So, I understand you would like to know what these 'intensive studies' will be about before signing the permission slip?"

Paul shook his head, "Yes, Marius and Vesper tell us that you were a former Auror, and you are quite knowledgeable in the Dark Arts as a result. However, my wife and I would just like to know what exactly you plan to teach her."

Gabriel looked at Marius and Vesper. "Do you two need an explanation before you sign Severus' permission slip?"

"Actually, Marius and I already signed the permission slip, but a summarization of what you'll be teaching wouldn't hurt."

"That's reasonable," Gabriel agreed. "The main goal of the fourth-year curriculum will be to teach them about the Dark Arts and how to properly identify and defend yourself against such magic."

Paul and Cinthy looked at each other before Cinthy addressed Gabriel, "Will you be teaching them any of these dark spells?"

"No, I won't. That would be highly irresponsible, especially to some of the more…" Gabriel was thinking of a proper word. "... Disorderly students, among the lot."

Marius shook his head. Avery, LeStrange, and Rosier came to mind. There were also those young brats that followed James Potter around last year. McDonald, MacTavish, and Troyer.

"I will be teaching them spells and strategies for the situations that they may find themselves in, but nothing that can bring irreparable harm to their fellow students, or themselves." Gabriel took a few pieces of parchment from his coat and handed it to The Evans. "This is what the syllabus looks like."

Paul and Cinthy took a look at it. Vesper read it over with them as well so she was able to give them insight as to what exactly each subject may entail.

Marius looked at Gabriel, "Will you be continuing the Dueling Club, and the tournament as well?"

"Yes, I will. I'll be starting it back up in a few weeks. The club will meet up on Wednesday evenings after dinner, and on Sunday afternoons at 2 o'clock." Gabriel clasped his hands together, "I've got something in the works for the club."

Paul looked at something on the syllabus for the intensive studies. "You're teaching them anatomy and physiology?"

"Yes, I am." Gabriel turned his attention to Paul.

"I'd like to ask why."

"Oh, so that the students will know where to hit people with spells. That way they know how to end a threat efficiently, and safely."

Cinthy looked concerned. "Why would they need to learn that?"

Gabriel looked at Paul and Cinthy. "So that way if they use a spell not normally known to kill people, they don't accidentally kill people. For example, the stinging hex."

Gabriel sat up straight. "Normally the stinging hex is just used as a deterrent. It's not meant to maim or injure. However, if you get real close to someone, aim at their neck, and let loose? You could do irreparable damage to their vocal cords and their larynx."

Cinthy was in thought for a moment. "Like if someone fired a starter pistol close to someone's body, that could kill them."

"Precisely. These kids need to learn that their actions have consequences, and those consequences may include death."

Paul looked at Gabriel, "I understand. I have one more question. Will you be showing any graphic or obscene laterals to them?"

"I had that concern as well if I can be honest," Marius admitted.

"Well I'm not going to be showing them anything pornographic," Gabriel joked.

Everyone had a chuckle at that. Vesper sipped her wine.

"I will be showing pictures of dead bodies though," Gabriel said grimly.

Vesper spat out her wine, she accepted a napkin from her equally shocked husband.

Marius interrogated Gabriel, "Why are planning on doing such a thing like that?!"

"Because they have to see it with their own eyes, Marius." Gabriel explained, "It will do them no good to be told about the dangers of the dark arts. They have to be shown as well. I pulled some strings with Moody, and he's going to give me some old photos of dark wizards who had their curses turned against them by Aurors in the throngs of combat."

"Gabriel, they're children!" Vesper interjected.

"Vesper, the sooner I expose them to this, the better chance they have in the future to safeguard their lives from a dark wizard attack!*

"Gabriel, I understand where you are coming from, but think this all might be a bit excessive," Marius relented.

Gabriel scratched his eyebrow, "Okay Marius, I got a question for you. What kind of casket do you want for Severus? Oak, or maybe mahogany?"

Marius looked rather incensed. "What did you say?"

"Or maybe a white pine, that's a good solid wood."

Vesper pleaded, "Gabriel, please."

"How about an outfit? Are you going to bury him with some of your priceless Prince antiquities, or are you going to cremate him?!"

"You be quiet!" Paul barked.

Gabriel addressed Paul, "And how about Lily, are you going to put her in a dress? Better make sure the fabric is one which won't get eaten away by the worms!"

"Stop it! Please!" Cinthy begged Gabriel to stop badgering them.

Black Leif confronted Gabriel, "Maybe you should be going."

Gabriel leaped up, "Will you be a pallbearer at his burial?"

Gabriel pointed at Marius, "How 'bout you? Or maybe you?" He pointed at Paul.

"I was a pallbearer. I buried the two people who were closer to me than my own blood. And I'll be damned if I have to bury their kids! If anything happened to Eileen's boy, and I didn't do everything I could have done to prepare him…" Gabriel grew quiet. "I couldn't live with myself."

Everyone was quiet.

"I refuse to bury that boy. That boy is gonna bury me. Those kids will bury me!" Gabriel felt tears sting his eyes. "I am not going to let Severus, Lily, Walla's boys, Sami, and all their friends out into the world without being prepared!"

He turned to Paul and Cinthy, "And I'm going to level with you right now. If you don't sign the permission slip, I'll still teach Lily what I have to teach. Train her what I have been trained in. I refuse to let what happened to Silas and Eileen happen to those kids."

Gabriel sat back down and leaned back into the couch cushions. Tired and exhausted, drained emotionally. He ran a hand through his hair as he looked up at the ceiling. "I just want them to be safe, but the way the world is now? With the kind of people who threaten their safety? Forearmed is the new safety."

Gabriel really could have gone for a beer right about then.

Paul and Cinthy looked at each other, shared a glance, and took the permission slip, and signed it.

Gabriel sighed in relief, "Thank you."

"No," Vesper said. "I think it's you we have to thank."

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Orion Black came back home through the floo. Having a rather stressful day at work, he gave his coat over to Kreacher and asked for a glass of Firewhiskey. "And please make it a double, Kreacher."

"As you wish Master Orion," Kreacher said as he magicked a glass of firewhiskey into his master's hand.

Orion gulped the alcohol down in one shot and felt it burn all the way down. With his nerves settled, he took a breath. "Where is my wife?"

The door to his study opened and Walburga walked through closing the door behind her, baring a displeased look upon her face.

"Walla, we need to talk...what's wrong?" Orion was rather confused, Walburga only looked like that when Orion had done something displeasing to her. He let out a defeated sigh as he rubbed his forehead, "Walla please, I've had a really rough end to my day, and I have to talk to you about it. So just, please, tell me what's wrong."

Walburga said nothing as she opened the door to Orion's study, and gestured for him to look inside.

Orion walked over and looked inside his study.

Sitting at Orion's desk, with his fine brown leather shoes propped up on his desk sat one Alphard Volans Black. His hair was as long as it was back in his youth, and was still black and full. The trademark beauty mark was still there under his lip on the left side. He was dressed to the nines in the latest haute couture in Wizarding Fashion, scarlet red dress robes accompanied with a black waistcoat. Sunglasses adorned his eyes as he sipped on a goblet of sangria.

Alphard saw Orion and smiled as he got up, "Cousin dear!" His loud voice boomed as he addressed Orion. His voice certainly was a juxtaposition to his thin body, he made sure to be in top physical condition at all times. "Oh, how it is so good to see you!"

Orion couldn't help but break out in a smile. It had been ages since he had seen his best friend. "Alphard! The feeling is mutual!"

But before Orion could give his cousin a monstrous hug, Walburga closed the door to his study and fixed her husband with a glare. "You...wrote to him!"

Orion looked down at his darling wife and stammered. "I uh...well...I mean…" Now he understood why she looked so cross.

"Don't try to deny it Orion, or I swear you'll be out on the couch faster than you can say 'Firewhiskey!'" Walburga was not pleased and was not taking any crap.

"Okay, okay. Yes, I admit I wrote to him. It's been a long while since I've last spoken to him, and with the boys back in school...I just felt that I could do with a little...company?"

"Company? You bring that lazy sack of thestral shite to my home because you wanted company?!" Her eyes gleamed dangerously, "Don't lie to me, Orion!"

Orion sighed, "Fine. I asked him to come here for an added peace of mind. What with Schell being back there's no knowing what might come!"

Walburga looked a bit hurt before addressing her husband, "Orion, Gabriel is my friend, and has been since childhood! He'd rather lop off his wand hand than use it to strike me! I can't believe you would think he'd want to harm me!" But then a thought crossed her mind. "Wait! Do you think he'd try to steal me away from you?"

Orion looked away from his wife, the floor looking quite interesting right about now.

"Orion Black!" Walburga huffed. "Look at me!"

Orion did as she asked and looked into Walburga's eyes. Her arms wrapped around her neck as they grew closer together. "What once was between us has been over for nearly twenty years! I married you, remember? I love you, you silly man! Don't go around thinking I'd throw that all away just because an old flame has come back into my life!"

Orion sighed as he relaxed into his wife's caring embrace. "I'm sorry. I just…"

Walburga shushed her husband and kissed him. "I love you, Orion, remember that!"

Orion smiled, "And I love you, Walla. I guess I might have overreacted a bit. I mean with Schell returning, and what with Dain threatening to do…"

That got Walburga's attention, "Dain? Renner Dain? What did he say?"

The door to Orion's study opened and Alphard popped his head out, "Yeah, what did Dain say?"

Walburga frowned and crossed her arms as she addressed her older brother. "Listening at keyholes again, Alphard?"

"Oh don't start Walla, you were just as guilty of the same thing back when we were children!"

Orion cleared his throat, "I think we should all talk in my study." He led them back into his study and told them about what Olso Rain had threatened to do once the Department of Internal Security was up and running.

Walburga was sitting down in the chair across from Orion's desk. Orion was leaning on his desk in front of Walburga, and Alphard was sitting in Orion's chair. His sunglasses were off and showed his dark brown eyes deep in thought.

Walburga shook her head, "Dain...Dain can't bring any sort of charges against you! You had nothing to do with Silas' death!"

"That may be, but there were plenty of people back then who thought I was at least culpable of his death, on account that I wasn't there when he was ambushed. I was never formally charged with anything, not even an investigation was started into my disappearance." Orion ran a hand through his hair, "There was always a chance that charges could always have been brought against me, but the years passed, and most people chalked it up to bad luck on Silas' part."

"Until now," Alphard said. "After that Yalarad brat blew up the front door and nearly you along with it Ori." Alphard used Orion's nickname. "He probably coerced Dain into doing this! Probably didn't have to do much seeing as how Dain has always had it out for us, ever since Hogwarts!"

"What I don't understand is why young Samuel thinks I had anything to do with Silas' death!"

"Let's be real here Ori," Alphard grinned. "Apart from Marcus and his kids, Yalarads aren't known for their great intellect!"

"No, they happen to be known for wiping out entire houses in the blink of an eye you arrogant fool!" Walburga chastised her brother. She looked at Orion, "I remember hearing from Sam that night that Gabriel sat him down with Alexandria, Sherwood, and Ophelia. He told him why he had to leave after his father died."

"Yeah, what did happen? Why did Schell go underground for so long?" Alphard asked.

After a glance between Orion and Walburga. Orion sighed, but he shook his head. Walburga turned to address her brother, "Gabriel snapped after Silas died. He was already in a bad place after Eileen was killed, but this drove him over the edge. He tracked down the remaining Death Eaters who had a hand in both Silas and Eileen's murders, and promptly killed them."

Alphard's jaw nearly hit the floor, "Merlin."

"That included Maxense and Germain Malfoy, Abraxas' brothers, and Lucius' uncles," Orion added. "After their deaths, Abraxas declared a vendetta against Schell and offered a bounty of ten thousand galleons for whoever brought Schell to him. When that happened, he went underground."

"Wait, from what I remember Maxence and Germain were both considered missing and were declared legally dead years later. But you're saying Schell killed them? How did that mix-up happen?"

"The Yalarads used their influence to cover it up," Orion stated. He thought of a saying his father would use to describe the Yalarads. 'What a Yalarad makes, the world takes.'

"Who told you all this?" Alphard asked them. "Wait...was it Marcus? I knew it! It was, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, it was."

Alphard got confused, "Well, why does Silas' boy think you had anything to do with it? I mean you did tell him where you went before you…" Alphard trailed off upon seeing Orion and Walburga's faces. "The old bastard wouldn't even allow you to explain to the poor boy where you went?"

"That old bastard happens to be your father Alphard," Walburga interjected.

"Please don't remind me," Alphard groaned. "Okay well, then just let Walburga tell the Yalarad brat where you were and we can put this whole thing to bed! Easy peasy, and you don't have to break the unbreakable vow!"

"That's not my concern Alphard. Even if we tell Sam what happened, and somehow he accepts it. Oslo Dain could still try and take me to the Wizengamot. If he does that I'll be forced to tell everyone where I went. I'll have no choice but, to tell the truth...and once I do that...I'm a dead man."

The room grew quieter than a grave, an unbreakable vow was ancient magic. Two wizards entering an agreement that could not be broken under the threat of death.

"You can't just use a charm or something to negate it?"

"It's not as simple as that, Alphard." Walburga signed, "Once entered into an Unbreakable Vow you are bound to keep your oath, and any attempts to countermand it or break it will result in the death of the person who tried to get out of it. The only person who could remove it would be the one who placed it on Orion."

Alphard snorted, "And daddy dearest wouldn't be so keen on doing that anytime soon."

Pollux Black, the patriarch of the House of Black, was not one to go back on his word no matter the consequences. He was a rather stubborn old man set in his ways

"It's our only hope though," Walburga mentioned. "We must try and get through to him, and hopefully he can remove it."

"Let's hope he will, Merlin willing." Orion wasn't at all concerned for his life. What Orion desired most was for Sam Yalarad to know the truth, after all, he deserved to know.

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Vesper was tending to her garden. The cool airs of September heralded the colder temperatures to come once winter arrived. Fortunately she was always prepared and had mixed a fortified mulch into her dirt to preserve her plants and flowers so that this year they would not wilt away.

Her thoughts drifted to Severus and the request he had made of her. He wanted to know about the progress made into the Wolfsbane potion.

Vesper made inquiries through some of her friends in the potioneering community. Several wizards and witches had tried their luck with making Wolfsbane, but nobody had succeeded yet.

She heard loud movements coming from inside the manor, and decided to investigate them.

Vesper saw the Magnussons carry boxes filled with several files into Mirrorvale from the floo. Marius came in through the floo with a box of his own when he noticed his wife. "Vesper, hello my love," He smiled.

"Marius, what are all these boxes filled with?"

"My old cases that I've worked on. One way or another I'm going to find out who has the biggest bone to pick with me. Once I do that, hopefully, we can identify a network of associates that will lead us to Dante. Hopefully, it will be enough to get him out of Hogwarts. If Dumbledore refuses to do anything about him, then I will!

"Well let's hope. How many cases have you participated in?"

Marius blew air out of his mouth. "Merlin, probably hundreds! I've had a long career in Magical Law."

In each box of files were several cases of note that Marius had participated in, one way or another. Whether as an intern at the beginning of his career, or as a lead prosecutor.

All of his case files were put into his study. A large corkboard was placed on a barren wall.

Black Leif opened a box. "Lord Marius, how should we organize these files? It will take a lifetime to try and sort through them all.

"We'll start with the ones where I have been publicly threatened, and work our way down. We are going to find a connection here…somewhere."

Marius opened a box and began his long task of finding that connection.

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

At his ancestral home on the outskirts of Little Hangleton. The dark wizard who dubbed himself Lord Voldemort hosted an audience with one of his most influential followers.

He was reading a list compiled by the son of one of his most trusted allies, the late Abraxas Malfoy.

Voldemort asked Lucius, "And each one of these names is someone we can convert to our cause?"

Lucius Malfoy nodded, "Indeed they are my Lord. Each one of these names absolutely detests the current government in power of the Ministry, and would love to see Bagnold removed...one way or another."

Lord Voldemort chuckled as he burned the list in his hand, committing each name to memory. "Good, very good, Lucius. You have done well."

"I thank you, my Lord." Lucius bowed before his master.

"Well then, if that's all, you are dismissed."

Lucius bowed once more and turned around. He started walking towards the chamber door but hesitated a tad bit.

Lord Voldemort noticed this, "Something the matter, Lucius?"

"No... well...it's nothing related to our plans...but .."

"But?" The Dark Lord raised an eyebrow, or what remained of it.

"It's more of a personal matter," Lucius admitted.

Voldemort motioned to an adjacent seat. "Please, if it is something I may help you with, tell me." He felt obligated to help the son of one of his most devoted followers. "Is this me not attending your father's funeral? I do apologize for missing that, but I didn't wish for MLE to barge in and simply ruin the entire thing, I hope you understand."

"No my Lord, that isn't it, but thank you though. It has to do with something I recently learned." Lucius straightened up in his seat, "Reports indicate that Gabriel Schell has resurfaced, and he's teaching Defense Against The Dark Arts at Hogwarts this year."

Voldemort stroked his chin, "I see." He remembered Abraxas' obsession with the former Auror, who killed his brothers.

Lucius got comfortable in the chair. "My father loved me, in his own roundabout way. As the dragon pox overtook his lungs, and he got sicker and sicker; he kept telling me how proud he was and how much he loved me. He said that he would pass with no regrets, but I...I know that isn't the case." Lucius sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "He was obsessed with trying to find Schell and making him pay for what he did to my uncles. His last trip to the orient, where he contracted Dragon Pox, was because he heard a rumor that Schell was somewhere in China."

"And you wish to do what Abraxas couldn't," Voldemort asked him.

"I wish to honor my father and avenge my uncles," Lucius looked at his Lord. "Let me lead a party."

"Lucius, wait…"

"It can be a small one!"

"No...I don't…"

"A select number of viscous black-hearted killers!"

"Lucius," Voldemort said, a dangerous tone lingered from the Dark Lord's voice. "We cannot do that. If your intel is correct, Schell is inside the grounds of Hogwarts. Those wards will not allow us to enter. Even if we got in, Dumbledore would not allow you nor any that you follow to leave alive, or otherwise!"

Lucius Malfoy looked downcast, his Lord was right of course. Even if they were to succeed at their mission, what then? It would be a one way trip for him, a bleak end for the Noble House of Malfoy.

"I understand what you must be feeling, and I have not forgotten about Schell either. I made your father a promise before he died. That I would handle it, should Abraxas were to die before Schell."

Lord Voldemort crossed his legs and summoned a goblet of wine into his hands. "However…"

Lucius looked at his Lord.

He poured himself some wine using wandless magic, "If Schell were to befall some sort of tragic accident. With no possible chance of leading back to some other party. Then it would be out of my hands." Lord Voldemort raised his hands in mock defeat.

Lucius knew what his Lord meant. "I see." He rose from his chair and bowed once more before Lord Voldemort. "Thank you for your wise counsel, my Lord."

Lord Voldemort nodded his head in acknowledgment. "You're welcome. You are dismissed, Lucius."

As Lucius left his Lord's chambers, he dreamt up of ways to bring honor back to his family, by eradicating Gabriel Schell.

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

James Potter was in his bed reading Quidditch Times. It was nearing time for bed, but James was just so enamored about this article on a new line of broomsticks when there was a knock on his window.

James looked over and saw a great horned owl at his windowsill. He got out of bed to shoo the owl away but saw the package was from Dante Yalarad.

James went to the window and opened it. The owl dropped the package into James' hands and flew off back into the night.

James brought the package in and closed the window. He took the package over to his desk and opened it. James haphazardly tossed the paper on the floor for the elves to pick up later.

What lay inside for James to unveil wasn't what he expected. A mirror. A simple handheld mirror. Was this it? James had waited all this time for a response from Dante, only to get a mirror? This couldn't be it, could it? He rummaged through the box once more, and found a note he must have missed. On the note was just one word, 'speak.'

James looked confused, "Speak? What the hell kind of note is that?!"

"The kind of note that has one simple instruction for you to follow."

James jumped in his seat, and looked at where the voice came from.

In the mirror itself, was Dante Yalarad. He himself was holding a handheld mirror on the other side of the glass. "Hello Jimmy, it's been a while."

James straightened up and cleared his throat. "I didn't expect to talk to you so soon."

"I bet you didn't Jimmy," Dante smirked, "I bet you didn't."

James frowned, he didn't like it when people called him 'Jimmy'. It made him feel like he was brought down beneath his station. James looked at the mirror, "How were you able to manage this?" He gestured to the mirror.

"Don't worry about it. Let's just say, I'm very clever." Dante tried to speak modestly, but his ego shone through on that statement.

Dante sat down on a cushioned chair in his Head Boy quarters, before a lit fireplace. "Let's have a little chat Jimmy. The last time you wrote to me you asked me to keep you informed of what I've got planned."

James leaned in to hear what Dante had to say, "Yeah?"

"Well, I've realized that I don't have any obligation to do so."

James blinked, "What?!"

"Yeah, I don't need to keep you informed. If anything that would be hazardous to everything in motion. Loose lips sink ships Jimmy, and you've got very loose lips."

James frowned, "Who am I going to tell?"

"Your parents, your friends, and anybody who'll listen. For me to trust you with such pertinent information...you're going to need to subject yourself to an added bit of…insurance."

James wasn't pleased to hear that, but it made sense. His father always told him about levying things in your favor, and the benefits of added protection and insurances.

James crossed his arms, "What did you have in mind for this added... insurance?"

Dante smiled, "Open your mouth and stick out your tongue."

James looked befuddled, "I beg your pardon?"

"Then beg."

"You want me to do what?" James was taken slightly aback.

"Open your mouth, keep it open, and stick out your tongue."

James wasn't sure if this was a gag, or something perverse. However, if he wanted to be in the know of things then he had no choice. "Fine."

James opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue.

"Wider," Dante directed.

James opened his mouth as wide as he possibly could.

"That's better." Dante waved his hand in a movement that James had not seen before, and within an instant felt his tongue burning.

He dropped the mirror onto his bed and clutched his neck. He felt a blistering pain running down his tongue, and into his esophagus. It was intense pain, but in a blink of an eye, it was over.

James felt a rush of air fill his lungs as he gasped for fresh air. Whatever that spell did, it knocked all the air out of him as a result.

"You still alive Jimmy?"

James heard Dante chuckle to himself like this was one big joke to him. He picked up the mirror as he rubbed his throat. "What the hell did you do?!" He demanded to know what was done to him.

"An added bit of insurance, like I've told you before Jimmy." Dante leaned back in his chair. "You see, I've been informed that you love to blab and talk. Whether it be to your friends, your parents, Dumbledore, or even Rita the 'Mosquita' over at the Daily Prophet!" Dante shook his finger at James, "But you ain't going to be doing any talking about my business, or my plans."

James felt a growing uneasiness from the pit of his stomach... something he hadn't felt before.

"I won't bore you with the semantics of what my little spell does, so I'll just summarize it. Don't worry, I'll be sure to use small words, so I don't confuse you."

James took offense to that but kept his mouth shut.

"I call this spell of mine, 'Talebearer's Justice,' I based it off of a jinx I learned back in my second year at Hogwarts. If you try to communicate to anyone else about the plans in store for Snivellus Snape and his wretched family...you'll die."

James' eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

"Oh, that got your attention?! Good." Dante continued, "If you squeal, then your tongue will start to swell up in your mouth. Where it will start to block your airways, and then you'll slowly choke to death."

"You're mad," James managed to squeak out. "I'll tell my father! He'll…"

"If you tell anybody that you're underneath this spell, the result will be the same." Dante acted out slowly being choked to death, before falling limp. He laughed as he sat upright. "And I'm not mad, Jimmy. Just thorough."

"So this is how you make friends? At the end of a blade? You're no better than Snivellus!"

James felt a chill go down his spine as Dante glared daggers at him. "I'm not your friend, Potter. You're just a means to an end. As to the blade, well let's just say I'd rather wield it, than be at the wielder's mercy. Just like you are at mine!"

James was afraid. For what may be the first time in his life, James Potter was scared.

"But I'm not one to keep holding people at the end of a blade. If you prove useful I might even reward you. Not just with your freedom from my spell, but with something even better."

James just looked at Dante, "What's that?"

"The destruction of the House of Prince, and of Robert Gold."

James' eyes widened. That was what he had been waiting for all this time.

"Did that pique your interest? It should, my...sponsor...has expressed that these people need to be removed out of any sort of equation."

James did a little bit of thinking. "Wait...you're not working for that dark Lord are you? You-Know-Who?"

Dante glared at James again, "Shut your fucking mouth. I'd rather break my wand, than work for that Slytherin Mudblood!"

James did a double-take, "What?"

Dante looked confused, "What?"

"He's a mudblood?"

Dante shook his head, "Yeah. What, you didn't know?!"

"No, I didn't know!"

"How could you not know?" Dante was flabbergasted, "His real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle Jr. There is no known family with that surname. So he's either half-blood, or a muggle-born!"

"I didn't even know that! How did you find that out?!" James demanded to know.

"In time Jimmy, all in due course. Everything will be revealed. In the meantime, I need a few things done." Dante laid back in his chair, "Stuff you're going to have to do yourself."

James warily asked, "Like what?"

"For the moment nothing, but in a week or so. Something will be delivered to you."

"What?"

"A cabinet, it's already assembled so you don't have to put it together. You'll just have to resize it to its normal dimensions, and you'll have to keep it hidden from your parents. I don't want any of them to find out about it. Understood?"

James nodded, "Right."

Dante straightened up, "You're part of something important Jimmy. You're playing an integral part of this plan."

"And what's that?"

"You're the enemy unseen. Just because you're not at Hogwarts doesn't mean you can't do much to ruin Snivellus' life. In fact you can do so much more now."

"I might not have the time, I've got classwork from that complete knob of a tutor, Cadwaller," James grumbled as he crossed his arms.

"Leave that to my sponsor, he'll handle it." Dante smiled. "Owl me when the cabinet is ready at your place, and we will go from there."

Before Dante left the view of the mirror he looked at the former Gryffindor. "James…"

James looked at Dante through the mirror.

Dante clutched his neck, "Keep your fucking mouth shut.*

James gulped, "Okay Dante, okay."

The picture of the mirror faded away, and all that was left was James' reflection.

The looking glass fell from his shaking hand as he laid back down on his bed. His mind aflutter with a whirlwind of emotions. Just what had he gotten himself into?

Thank you for reading. Please review.