Disclaimer: I don't own so don't sue!

A/N: Now we're getting into the meat and potatoes. After this, perhaps, more or less, the book will stop being followed. One, I'm not going to base this off of the seventh book because I'm a little afraid what that's going to be, and two, this is where my ideas have started to center on to make things really cool. And three, this is where I earn the R rating a little bit more than the other chapters. Kind of, I think.

Chapter 28: Angels and Demons

Subtitle: Events that need to happen must happen

Cat (Chris)

It was coming. The final push towards the end. I looked at my children, sleeping peacefully in my bed. Tonight, everything was going to happen tonight. The accumulation of events that would lead everything on a downward spiral. Now don't get me wrong, I didn't know the exact nature of events that would occur, but one thing I did know, we would all be changed forever. I started casting a spell so that the children would sleep through the night and stay safe in this bed. They had no part in this story, not yet. Even in all this darkness, the truth would eventually shine out its light.

"Save your tears," I whispered and walked out. I had a big feeling that I would need to go to the hall of mysteries soon to recollect my things. I missed my little 'bag of tricks'.

Hermione

I saw Cat walk out of the room with a fierce look of determination. She wasn't wearing her school outfit, rather a slightly green tinted dress of black velvet.

"Chris!" I exclaimed and she paused in her step and looked at me. "What's going on? Are your kids sleeping?"

"Yes. I made sure of that," she said with a smile. I noticed there was sadness behind her voice.

"Is something the matter?" I asked.

"I'm going to go see Sev, that's all," she said. "I don't know where he is, but I'll find him."

"Oh, hey, why the fancy outfit?" I asked.

"This outfit won't look this way in about a couple of hours. This is just a disguise so I don't get that many looks," she said.

"That may answer why it looks that way but why do you have it on?" I asked.

"Do you know where Remus is?" she asked.

"No, I don't. Cat, you're avoiding my question," I stated. "Is there any reason you're looking so fancy in the first place?"

"Because I want to," she said.

"Thank you, that's all I needed to hear," I said, half lying. It wasn't just that. That dress looked familiar to me somehow. I could have sworn I saw her wear it once before, last year sometime. She walked off, leaving me to my thoughts. I ran up to the room and the moment I entered I started to feel dizzy, as if something was trying to overwhelm me.

Fallen into the flames of passion, hope, desire

I speak to thee, thru thee

Do you not know who you are? Do you not remember any longer?

It has been some time, I'm afraid. I'm sorry I neglected all these years

Lost years, forsaken years

Fallen into the flames of love, hate and trust

Fallen from the sky upon wings of black

I am the night that comes after day

I am the day that comes after dawn

I am the eve, representing strife

I am the guardian, protecting all life

Awaken unto me, protectors of age

I am the dragon, the phoenix, the fairy

I am the one upon this earth

I call you now to awaken

Speak unto me your desires

Lest I fall into the flame

The Price I pay may be too much

The Price I pay, unnamed in all aspects

Don't cry, do not cry

Do not shed any tears

I could die of this, do not cry

Tears of blood that fall like rain

Bringing forth the blood and pain

Can you not hear me dear protectors?

My voice is still strong!

Awaken to my voice

…

See my spirit, strong as flame

I burn hot, burn bright

The forest is my domain

Water yours

Thunder yours

Spirit yours

Shadow yours

Fire yours

Awaken and remember!

I opened my eyes to realize I was collapsed on the floor. What was that I had been hearing? Why all of a sudden was I hearing these voices? How long had I been out of it, for that matter? I stood up, bracing myself on a bedpost and saw Cat's children in a corner, sleeping. Wait, what did I come up here for? I don't remember. Who were the protectors? Did Cat ever mention something of a sort like that to me? And what is that talking about tears of blood? Cat had cried tears of blood, or so she had said when Sirius died. I saw them. More than once actually. Splashing against the windows. It seemed a bit sickening, but then, it seemed sad. The feelings behind it seemed to follow it and no one went out that night. Who would want to be doused in blood?

I shook my head and started to head back downstairs. I had things to do and it was really close to the year ending. I hoped Harry was okay. I had better go find Ron.

Cat (Chris)

"Remus, I don't know what life will be like after tonight," I said, looking at him crookedly.

"Something is going to happen then, I assumed as much," he replied with a sigh. "And you're going to be hurt again, I know it."

"At least this time I'll live to see this saga through," I whispered.

"Must be a blessing then, you've been able to witness everyone's deaths now instead," he said dryly.

"That isn't funny," I whispered. "There is going to come a point when I won't be able to stay so indifferent."

"You would've let…" Remus started then caught himself. "Ah, right. I know why. Lily…"

"I miss her Remus, her and James both. And Sirius," I said with a sigh. "I wish they were here, they'd want to see what their son became."

"They'd be proud," Remus said. "That dress looks very pretty on you. Is that what I think it is?"

"Yes, I have a feeling I'll need it tonight," I replied, running my hand over the velvet. "My wings will start growing out soon too."

"How long has it been since you've done that?" he asked. "Since you've donned your protector garb?"

"Too long it seems. Why else has it changed to a regular dress? It is protecting itself," I said.

Remus paused in our conversation and turned towards the library door. "Did you hear that?"

"What?" I asked, and then turned towards the door as well. "I hear it."

"Battle," he said and ran towards the door. "Coming?"

"I will scare them off if need be, but I still am not known to the Dark Lord," I replied and as I moved towards the door, my dress shifted to a light green dress that went up to be just above the knees, and my hair shortened to a shoulder length and teal color with two pink highlights, one near each ear.

"It's started," he whispered in awe. "It's been many years, too many, Protector of Forest."

"Let's hope I will not have to awaken the others," I whispered in return and we disappeared out the door towards the sounds of fighting, near the great hall.

…

The fighting…all of it was poorly managed. Several of the death eaters had moved from the fighting and moved on to some other part, I couldn't see to where from my place of observation. Remus was fighting hard, as were the teachers and students. Tonks was there trying to fight as well.

"AHHH!" one of the students crumpled to the ground, knocked out by a spell. Another was flown back against a wall.

"EVERONE GET OUT OF HERE!" a strong voice called. Severus! I saw him sprinting down the stairs with several other death eaters, including Draco! The death eaters started to vacate the premises but as I watched Sev disappear out the door followed by Harry, they weren't leaving fast enough for my tastes. Remus looked over in my general direction.

"Expecto Patroneska!" I cried. If the Dark Lord had a calling card, so did I. A spectral dragon emerged from my wand and chased the remaining death eaters out of the school, much to the surprise of my 'side' who watched the dragon chase them out the door and then disappear. I jumped down from the statue I had been hiding behind and came down the stairs.

"What happened?" I asked. I looked at my back quickly and noticed my wings had finally emerged, gossamer wings of what could be called a dragonfly.

"Everyone's okay here," Remus said. "Something bad has happened. Cat…Chris, I mean, are you sure…look."

I looked at him with sad eyes, "It no longer matters here." I glanced around at the students who were staring at me quite openly, whispers coming from everyone as to who or what I was. "It can no longer be avoided. But no one here is about to tell him."

"Cat," Remus whispered.

"Take me to the hospital ward," I said. "I feel…" I collapsed to the ground, a power of some kind overwhelming me. What has happened?

…

"He did it! I saw Snape kill Dumbledore!" I woke to the sounds of Harry's voice a few beds down. I sat up and looked over at the crowd gathered there. I saw the ministry and quickly disguised my garments to resemble ordinary clothes. I stood up and walked over. Remus noticed me and lowered his head in shame.

"What's going on?" I asked softly.

Harry looked over at me and glared. "How dare you! You trusted him just as blindly as the rest of us, even more so! How could you?"

"I asked what was going on, am I going to get an answer?" I asked calmly.

"He's saying Severus killed Dumbledore," Remus murmured gently.

"What?" I asked. "That…That can't be…"

"It is! I saw it with my own eyes! How the hell could you trust him so blindly? He's the one who killed Dumbledore! He's the one who sent Voldemort after my parents! Damn you for trusting him, how could you?" Harry asked. "You're just as bad as he is! That or dumb and blind!"

"Don't call me blind," I whispered harshly, coming up to his bed. "Don't you ever insult my intelligence boy."

"You trusted him, didn't you? You weren't to smart then, were you?" he hissed back. "I saw Snape kill Dumbledore, and to think I actually trusted you and even at one point, him."

"Harry, watch your words!" Remus stated sharply. "This must come as a shock most of all to her!"
"She should have known better! If she's all powerful or something like that then why didn't she do anything about it?" he asked.

"I don't know everything," I whispered, "I certainly didn't know that he would…"

"Would what? Kill? He's a killer Cat," Harry said, whispering so only I could hear him. "And you're just as bad as he is for trusting him so blindly." I struck him before I could think straight.

"Don't you ever insult me in that way Harry. You have no clue as to what my life is," I hissed at him.

"Both of you stop it!" Tonks exclaimed. "Why is it that there's still fighting? I expect more maturity from both of you!"

"This is uncalled for Chris," McGonagall said gently and leaned close to my ear. "Remember the ministry is here."

"Perhaps I am just as bad as he is Harry. Everything is handled in due time," I whispered.

"Why didn't you do anything?" he asked me softly. "Why didn't you stop it if you knew it was going to happen?"

"I cannot see every aspect, every change in the future. And I couldn't do anything about it," I whispered. "Whatever happened had to happen, I cannot interfere in that."

"You mean you won't," he spat.

"Fallen from the sky upon wings of black. I am the night that comes after day. I am the day that comes after dawn. I am the eve, representing strife. I am the guardian, protecting all life," Hermione whispered. "I understand!"

"What is it Hermione, what do you understand?" Harry asked and I merely looked at her. What visions had she been receiving of late?

"You're going to awaken them…those protectors," she said. "Words, I dreamed of words about protectors, and a chant…was that it?"

"That has nothing to do with this!" Harry exclaimed.

"The price you pay…tears of blood rain," Hermione murmured. "You can't interfere because then people don't learn. They repeat mistakes. They make more. But there's going to come a point, isn't there? You have to get involved. The stakes are too high, aren't they?"

"Look outside," I whispered and then walked past everyone, who were all looking so surprised at me but then noticed the outside window.

"She was hurting after all," Harry said in awe. "She didn't know!"

Severus Snape

After keeping Harry away from me successfully I grabbed hold of Draco as we were in the woods and started guiding him in a direction.

"Where are we going sir? We need to get out of here!" Draco exclaimed.

"I know of a safe place for the night, we need to get there!" I exclaimed. "If we don't then we can be found in this place. We need refuge from the forest tonight."

"What are you talking about sir?" Draco asked as we hurriedly walked through the woods. I felt small drops start to fall on me and I made him walk faster. Was it about to rain?

"Just follow me," I said and continued to guide him along. We walked as fast as I could drag him towards the temple within the woods.

"What is this place sir?" Draco asked.

"The temple of forest. We can seek refuge in it for the night," I explained.

"How do you know of this place?" Draco asked.

"My wife is the protector…or was," I whispered.

"I…I see," he replied. We arrived at the large stone doors and I knocked on them twice.

"Temple of Forest, we have done naught to harm thee, we request safety for one night," I exclaimed and the doors creaked open, dust coming from all sides. This place had not been used in a long time, or at least, no one had bothered cleaning it. I dragged Draco inside and the doors shut behind us, leaving the sounds of pounding rain slinging against the stone.

"This place is enormous!" Draco whispered in awe. "Surely this would be a palace!"

"Do not even think of trying to take this temple," I said with a slight sigh. "You do not wish to provoke her wrath. Even in death, she watches over her temples."

"Your wife? How can she? The dead can't come back to life," Draco said.

The boy knew nothing of the magic that surrounded my wife. The ministry had done well to hide her story.

"Her spirit can linger, and it does, she still has duties she needs to attend to," I said, lying through my teeth, but the boy couldn't tell. How could he? He didn't know her. He knew nothing about me for that matter either, only what Lucius told him, which was most likely tainted to begin with. He didn't need to know either. And I assumed rightly that he wasn't going to ask.

"Is she here now?" Draco asked, peering around the primary walls into the greater part of the temple beyond, letting out a gasp. "There's a woman in green!" I hurried to his side and looked around the wall as well and sighed.

"That's her," I whispered and emerged, Draco following cautiously behind, wand at the ready. Cat had her head bowed so I couldn't see her face, only the teal and pink hair that blocked her emotions. I saw the green dress, the black shoes that showed her toes and heel and the black wristbands which showed her fingers and palm. And her staff, propped up against her. She also had her wings once more. It had been many years since I had seen her in this form. It had been many years since I dared to try and brave this temple.

"What do you want?" her voice was soft, songlike and I could discern no emotion from it in the least.

"Sanctuary for the night," I replied. "And you cannot deny us; we have done no harm to you or to the temple."

"What have you done now Severus?" she asked and looked at me, her crystal green eyes brimming with tears. I held back the urge to run towards her and hold her.

"Nothing of your business spirit," Draco replied bravely and she smiled and stood, bracing on her staff and then leaned against the railing that surrounded her statue.

"Spirit? That I may be but I still have final power here," she replied calmly. "And I will have my answers. Must I ask others?"

"Yes," I said hastily. I didn't want her to know, not yet. One night without her knowing would be nice, one final night with her, but she wouldn't remain, that I was certain of.

"Very well. You have asked for refuge for the night and I have no reason to deny you, having done no harm to me or my temple," she said and a door opened to the right. "That is where you may sleep. Fruit will be here in the morning. After that I want you to leave and never return."

"So you do know," I whispered.

"My tears are shed," she replied and looked towards a window. I saw the splatters of rain and smelled the scent of blood. I looked back towards her but she was no longer there. I ran forward and looked at where she had just been, running my hands over the cool marble and my hand came to rest on a piece of paper. I lifted it up to me and noticed the writing there, in draconic. My eyes widened as I stood, reading it through several times over.

"Awaken them, it is time, you gave your word," I read softly. "Dumbledore."

Cat Forest/Snape

All I could say was, he had his tears of blood. And waking the protectors? I didn't know if I should do that, not yet. Dumbledore had asked, but this world could make it on its own. The protectors slept for a time when the world could no longer fight the evil. Harry was still alive. There was still hope. I hope Severus is happy, he has his tears of blood, and I have my broken heart to deal with. The children…

TBC

A/N: Once I get to the good part…really don't want to stop! Oy…