Chapter 2

All canon characters belong to JKR.

Thanks to June for being my beta.

Chapter 2

Severus had woken up early that same Saturday morning. He dressed quickly, then came and sat on the bed beside Hermione. He shook her lightly until she opened her eyes.

“Leaving already?” she asked, with a frown. He leaned over and kissed her lips, and stroked her hair.

“The location will take some time getting to. And if those items are indeed Voldemort’s, it will take a while to get them ready to be transported. I may not be back until tomorrow morning,” he said.

“Be careful, love.” She pulled him towards her and hugged him. He chuckled lightly.

“I will, I promise. I want to get back to you as quickly as possible.” He kissed her one last time, then walked out of the room. As he was walking past Osiris’ and Crookshanks’ room, he heard they were up.

“All right, for the last time. She died for about five seconds in Season One, but she was revived by Xander. Now, as soon as she died, that meant that the line no longer ran through her. A new slayer is called right after one dies,” said Osiris, in an exasperated tone.

“Okay, I get that. But how come she’s still the slayer? Why not just let Faith be the only slayer? I mean, she’s always bitching and moaning about never having her own life and having to lie to her mother.”

“She can’t just leave it to Faith; she’s evil. Besides, I think Buffy might have a martyr complex or something. Anyway, she still has her powers, so it’s not like she can just stop doing what she does,” answered Osiris.

Severus shook his head and rolled his eyes as he continued past the room. He was putting on his traveling cloak, when the door opened. His son Raven came in, holding a piece of paper.

“Dad, you forgot to sign my permission slip yesterday.” Raven handed his father the permission slip needed for him to go to Hogsmeade. Severus eyed the paper carefully, and then took out his wand.

“Reveal,” he said. His son was crafty, and even though he knew he would never try to put something past him, it was always good to check. When it proved to be the permission slip, he looked at his Raven.

“Don’t think it’s that I do not trust you, but just in case.” he said as he turned, and walked into his study. After he signed the paper, he walked out and handed it to his son, then ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Remember to come by tomorrow evening for dinner, and remind your sister and the others,” Severus said. Raven nodded as he walked out behind him.

In the meantime, Hermione had gotten up and showered. She was going into Hogsmeade herself, to order more supplies for the potions closet. This year’s new crop of first year students could not seem to get a potion right the first time, nor the second or third. She walked into the room occupied by Osiris and Crookshanks to let them know she would be gone for most of the day, but found Crookshanks sleeping soundly. She turned and continued out into the living room, where she found Osiris reading a book on the coffee table.

“Osiris, I’m going to get some potions supplies, then I’ll be having lunch with Ginny and Pansy. I should be back around three,” she said as she pulled her hat over her riotous curls.

“Where is Severus this morning? I haven’t seen him,” asked Osiris.

“He’s gone to help Remus with something he found. He said he would probably be home in the morning. I’ll see you later.” She waved to him and smiled, then left. Osiris wondered what Remus could have found that Severus would need to go to him, but then shook his head and continued reading his book.

* * * * * *

As lunchtime drew near, Albus began to put away some papers he had been studying, and prepared to go to the Great Hall. As he stood from his desk, his fireplace roared and came to life. He looked into the flames and saw it was Arthur Weasley, with a troubled look on his face.

“Arthur, how are you today?” he asked.

“Not good, Albus, not good at all,” the Minister of Magic shook his head.

“Is something wrong?” asked Albus in alarm.

“Bellatrix Lestrange has escaped from Azkaban,” Arthur said.

“What? How?” Albus approached the fireplace.

“It seems that this morning someone, posing as me, came by the Ministry and got a pass to see her. The impostor went to the prison, with some woman he claimed to be her sister. That same woman was found ten minutes ago in the cell, wearing Bellatrix’s clothes. Albus, they stripped her face off of her head. When the two walked back out, the guards saw me and the woman claiming to be her sister, so the two walked out with no problems,” said Arthur.

Albus sat down and shook his head.

“Bellatrix should have received the Dementor’s Kiss years ago. We should have pressed harder for it,” Arthur said.

“True, but we both know your predecessor had his own agenda. Thankfully, Cornelius Fudge is no longer our concern. Unfortunately, we still seem to be cleaning up his messes,” Albus leaned back in his chair and began to stroke his beard.

“We need to let Severus know immediately,” said Arthur, as he settled back in his own chair.

“Most certainly. However, he is not here. He left this morning to look at some Dark Arts items Remus and Tonks found. I will get word to him as quickly as possible though. Keep me informed of any new findings, please.”

“Yes, of course. Until later then, Albus,” Arthur said as he closed the connection.

Albus signed heavily. Almost twenty years had passed, since he had accompanied the Aurors taking Bellatrix Lestrange to Azkaban. During the entire trip there, the only thing she would say was how she would kill Severus Snape to make him pay for being a traitor. Albus stood and walked to his desk, where he wrote a note to Severus. He gave the note to Fawkes, whom he knew would have an easier time finding Severus than any owl. He then flooed Harry and asked him to come to his office.

As he waited for Harry to arrive, Albus was deep in his own thoughts. So deep, that he did not notice a familiar black raven flying behind him and perching himself on one of the Headmaster’s bookshelves.

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I hope you are enjoying this so far.