Real Realms

A/N: I am sorry that this update has taken so long. I have been searching for a beta but still have not found one. I hope you all enjoy this and not that I have betaed this as best I could.


Chapter 3

Time Does Not Heal All Wounds


Beyond the window of the Headmaster’s office, the still warm September sun was fading from sight. Albus was pouring two cups of tea, as he settled himself for a long conversation. He handed one cup to Darius; his life long friend.

“Care to tell an old friend what is troubling you?”

It seemed everyone had been asking him that same question for days now. Hadn’t Severus, Hogwarts’ most hated Potions Master, show the same concern this morning? The fear he felt for those he cared for was beginning to weight heavy upon him.

Yes, things were changing and Albus wasn’t so sure that the victory that was hard won so many months ago was really a victory at all. Malfoy was preparing to launch a new attack, if the intelligence the Headmaster was receiving was correct.

This did not bode well for those that had backed the downfall of Voldemort. It seemed impossible to protect them all, there were too many. But perhaps with some assistance all would be well.

The Headmaster turned to face the windows; how on earth was he going to explain this plan of his? It sounded crazy, even to him.

Darius made a sound as he cleared his throat neverously; for all who knew Albus knew that silence meant a plan was hatching. “Come, now, Albus tell me what has you like this?”

The sun turned a brilliant shade of orange, just as it gave up and the earth was covered in darkness. Albus was reminded of the sun rising after the long dark night and that spark of hope that lived in him was rekindled.

Turning back around he sighed deeply, “Darius the months ahead are fraught with many dangers. It is all we have feared and more. Soon the Death Eaters shall regroup.” With his last words Albus had become solemn again.

“But Albus, what can I do to help? Surely, there is no threat to the Underground.”

Ah, so that was it. Albus was sure that if Darius had attended Hogwarts he would have been sorted into Slytherin House. Always wanting to know what he could gain from a situation. But Dumbledore wasn’t headmaster for nothing, and so he knew how to get what he sought from Darius.

“All I seek is information.” The twinkle was now in full swing, behind his half-moon spectacles.

Darius was poised as he took a slow sip of his tea, “Ok, Albus, what would you like to know?”

Dumbledore leaned forward in the chair he had placed himself in, “Tell me what you know of Sarah Williams.”

Darius visibly blanched. “I… why?” He sputtered as he tried to swallow his tea without choaking.

“Miss Williams happens to be the cousin of Harry Potter. I was thinking perhaps she could be of some assistance.”

There, now he had gotten his attention. More than likely Darius would now be more than willing to help.

“Well, what about her? She is a head-strong little chit. Not to mention she bested my son at his own game.”

Albus waved it all away a little impacentaly, “Yes, I know all of that. We all do. But what of her now? Where does she live? How old is she?” The trap was now set, and Darius had foamed at the mouth to take the bate.

“I believe Sarah would be 33 now. But you know time passes differently for me. Besides I think she lives in a place called New England. And that is across an ocean.”

“Hum…” Ah, a plan even a Slytherin would be proud of had just hatched in Albus’ mind.

“Tell me Albus, would you be in need of my son?”

“Possibly. But as you said, this is not your concern.”

Dumbledore sat back in his oversized armchair, stepling his fingers and placing them against his lips in thought. The Headmaster knew that Darius would now be more than happy to throw his son into the lion’s den.

“Besides, you haven’t even heard my plan. I really don’t think Jareth would be able to pull himself away from his responsibilities indefinitely. Do you?”

Darius gave an undignified scoff, “Responsibilities? You over estimate my son. Besides the Labyrinth could do without any new goblins for awhile.”

There was a brief silence, before Darius cleared his throat and asked, “What of your plan?”

You could smell the eagerness coming from the older Fae. Everyone, including Dumbledore knew how desperate his friend was to get Jareth and Sarah together. So it was now up to him to not only try and save the Wizarding world again; but to help these two find love. A marical that seemed possible only by the means of Dark Magic. But maricals do happen everyday and with a little luck maybe there would be more than one match to come out of all of this.

“Well, I was hoping to keep the key players from the last war safe. That’s where Miss Williams comes in.”

Darius sniffed, “Are you sure Albus? I mean she wished her brother away.”

The Headmaster inhaled deeply, and pressed on, “She was barely fifteen at the time, besides we have all done stupid things at one time or another.” At this Albus’ eyes darted to the picture of his sister over the fireplace.

“I am hoping to keep them safe, as they will be the key to stopping this new threat.”

Slowly, over many more cups of tea, the Headmaster let his plan take form. By the time all was said and done Darius was in total agreement. All that was left were the letters and Albus would be seeing to those in the morning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Deep within the heart of the supposed deserted Malfoy Manor, the Death Eaters were holding a meeting. Well, at least the ones that were not in Azakaban or dead.

Malfoy thought of all the loyal witches and wizards they had lost and yet for some reason the bastard, Severus Snape still lived. Not only that but he had done it all for a filthy mudblood. Or at least that was what it seemed like. Really, to think, Severus Snape would stand between the Dark Lord and Harry Potter’s little fuck toy.

But it was too late to worry about what side Severus was on anymore. It didn’t really matter because when the smoke cleared this time there would be no sides. Only his kingdom and the Death Eaters left to keep order within it. Soon, very soon the Dark Lord would be replaced by a new regime. His loyal followers would now be lead by their rightful master, Lucius Malfoy.

“Milord, how much longer? We can’t hold out indefinitely.” McNair’s voice held a hint of inpatients.

Lucius understood, he was in a hurry to get things going as well. But everything had to be right, they would not be rash like Voldemort. They would not be beaten by little children.

He turned from the map he was examining, “Have you put the decoy into play?”

McNair was silent and Malfoy took that as a no. “Well, then you had better get to it. Or you just might find yourself filling in for our little sitting duck.”

“Yes, milord. I will make sure Goyle is brought to India this evening. Shall I leave a trail for the Auroras to find?”

“You tell me. I am leaving this all in your hands. So if you fail me it will be your head and no one else’s.”

McNair bowed his way out, “I shall not fail you, milord.”

It never ceased to amaze Lucius how some people were willing to do anything you tell them so long as they didn’t have to make any decisions for themselves. How all they wanted was to be led like some kind of monkey on a string.

Now that he was alone and silence filled the room once more Lucius was at peace to think things over. He had heard that Dumbledore was planning something but they had lost their spy within Hogwarts. He had to keep reminding himself that Severus was never really on their side. Not to mention how the bastard had fooled Voldemort was beyond any of them.

But all this would be sorted out in time and Severus too would pay for his actions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The owlery was quite at dawn save for the soft hooting of the owls. Dumbledore stood at the window, seven owls upon the ledge, one for each letter. Albus sent each one off with some individual instructions. He watched until they were out of sight, and then headed off to his office.

His mind raced with thoughts of what was to come. There was only one thing left to do; speak to his Potions Master. And Dumbledore knew that that should go over about as smooth as a visit with a Dementor. Maybe this was a fool’s errand? Or maybe, Albus Dumbledore was playing one life-sized game of Wizard’s chess.

He shook his head slowly; this was all wearing on him lately. Now it was too late for turning back; for what’s done is done.

Albus came upon the entrance to his office, “Pumpkin Pasty.” There was a soft scrapping sound as the stairs leading to his office emerged.

The door opened as he approached it. The sight that met his eyes made Albus want to laugh. Their in the oversized armchair before his desk sat a very ruffled Severus Snape.

“Ah, Severus, I see you’re here already.” Albus came around his desk and sat down.

“It would appear so.” His dark eyes shone from within their depths as he continued to button the rest of his frock coat.

“I see you are as sunny as always, my boy. But I don’t think you here to talk about your constant optemisuim.” The Headmaster was trying in earnest to lighten the atmosphere.

“Then what did you drag me away from my beauty rest for?” Snape’s mouth was now set in a tight line.

“As important as beauty rest is, I have some important things to discuss with you.”

Severus nodded his consent and the Headmaster continued.

“Have you spoken to Miss Granger lately?” From the annoyed look that the Potions Master gave him, Albus gathered that he hadn’t. “Well, you should know that there will come a time when you will have no choice but to speak to her.”

“You woke me up to talk about an insufferable little know-it-all? Have you gone feeble in your old age?”

“No, Severus, I just thought I would give you some advice. But seeing as you think you can handle this I will drop the subject. Now I have a proposition to make. I feel you need a change of scene, and know just the thing.”

“Let me guess. You’ve come to see things my way, and have decided to let me teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.”

There was a tense moment in the room. Albus knew that Severus wanted to teach Defense, but with his past it was impossible. Even after all the sacrifices he had made to make sure that the side of the light had won. It mattered not; people only remember the wrong he had done. And in doing so they damned him to teach a class he really didn’t want to. Although a better Potions Master you would be hard pressed to find.

“I am sorry, Severus, no. As much as I’d like to no.” There was a sadness in the old mans eyes.

“Please, spare me your words, Albus. You know I cannot stand to be looked upon with pity.”

“Indeed. I am sending you to New England for awhile.”

“Why?” There was a slight whine to his voice, as he hadn’t had the time to have his morning coffee just yet.

The Headmaster stood slowly crossing over to Phweks, his phoenix. “Severus you are a hunted man. Hunted by the very people you once hunted with.” He continued to absently stroke his familiar. “Besides, I have a little project for you.”

Severus Snape sat stock still; there was no reason to waist his strength objecting to this. He knew he would never win, once the crazy old cogger got his mind around something that was that.

“What do you require of me?” There was that subservience that he had learned all those years ago under the rule of Voldemort.

“I have called upon the help of Sarah Williams. Not to mention King Jareth.”

“You did what?” Severus rose from his seat and began pacing the room, “Are you crazy old man? You know he hates her for what she did to him all those years ago. And further more...”

“Further more, nothing, Severus. This is something that needs to be done. I require you to be at this address in three days time. All will be explained then.” With that he handed him a slip of paper and bid him a good day.

A/N: The notes are coming and boy oh boy the fun is going to begin.