Welcome to Slayer's Way

Chapter Ten:

Sanura reached her quarters completely out of breath. She threw the door open and did not bother to close it. Her side ached terribly but she did not stop until she was inside her bedchamber. She slammed the door behind her and sank to the floor in front of it. She was unsure of how she felt. Part of her wanted to cry that she had hurt him, part of her had wanted to stay with him to be sure that he was all right, and part of her wanted to hide from him. She pulled her knees up to her chest and leaned her back against the door. What was wrong with her?

"I guess I'm not trained for this," she said aloud to herself. She felt tears forming in her eyes and she did not bother to fight them off. She was alone; no one would see that she was crying. Closing her eyes and letting her confusion sweep over her Sanura put her head on her knees and cried.

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Severus stood in the hallway that led to his quarters unsure of what was happening. Sanura had just run away as if he had frightened her but she did not look afraid. She looked upset and confused. He did not expect her to come looking for him just because he had not gone to lunch. Returning to his quarters he made himself a strong cup of tea laced with brandy. If a potion wouldn't take the edge off of the pain maybe the alcohol would. He sat back down in his chair and stared blankly at the fireplace.

"What's going on here?" he asked himself aloud. "Let's think about this rationally," he continued to the empty room. "She's a smart girl who is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. She certainly has put you in your place," he said to himself. The pain in his back had faded to a dull thud and he knew that by dinner it would probably be gone completely. He continued his conversation with the empty room. "She's strong and independent. Not to mention that I'm probably not the type she would allow herself to get close to," with that statement out in the open he sighed deeply. "Get a hold of yourself Severus," he said in an annoyed tone. "It wouldn't work,"

He spent another hour trying to convince himself that he was dreaming and that Sanura would probably throw him from the top of the castle if he expressed an interest in her. "You don't know anything about her," he told himself. "I'm not going to win this fight," he said to himself. Realizing that he was too stubborn to give up once his mind had been made up he sighed again. Just ask to speak to her after dinner, how hard can it be? He heard a voice in the back of his head say. Having made this decision Severus lay his head back and dozed lightly awaiting dinner.

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By the time dinner arrived Severus was very nervous. He had decided that Sanura was interesting enough to at least become friends with and wanted to speak to her as soon as possible. Part of him wanted to go to her quarters and speak to her just in case something didn't go the way he had planned. Entering the Great Hall he noticed that she had not yet arrived. He took his usual place at the table and Dumbledore looked at him with concern.

"Are you all right Severus?" he asked.

"Yes." Was his short reply, "Why would you think I was not?"

"Well you didn't come to lunch," Professor Sprout chimed in. "We thought maybe she had managed to snap you in two or something,"

"No." Severus said in an annoyed tone. "I'm not that easily broken."

Dinner began and still Sanura did not appear. Severus began to get more and more nervous and it was evident to everyone at the table. He kept dropping things and he even managed to spill and entire goblet of Pumpkin Juice on his robes.

"Severus are you sure you aren't ill or hurt?" Dumbledore questioned a twinkle in his eyes. "You seem to be unable to grasp anything this evening,"

"I assure you I am just fine," Severus said rising from his seat. "Just a bit touchy. I think I shall retire for the evening," he quickly left the Great Hall and darted back to his quarters. He changed his robes and began to pace his quarters unsure of what he wanted to do. He was curious to know why she had not gone to dinner. Before he could convince himself that it was not a good idea he headed toward Sanura's quarters.

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Sanura lifted her head and blinked. The room was dark and she realized that she had fallen asleep while crying. Her face was still wet with tears. She rose from her spot and went into the bathroom to wash her face. Her robes were soaked through at the knees so she removed them and threw them in a corner of the bathroom. She was frustrated, confused, angry, and upset all at once and she didn't quite know what to do. She left the bathroom and lit a few candles. Her eye caught her punching bag and she decided that she would work out her frustration on the bag the way she always did. It took a few moments to find her gloves but once she did she pounded the bag relentlessly. She was glad that it was not hanging from the ceiling otherwise it might have flew threw the French doors when she kicked it.

"He's not your type," she said to the bag as she punched it. "He's too stuck up. Too snobbish. He...He..." she couldn't think of anything else to say about him that would dissuade her from taking to him. "He can't fight," she finally managed but she knew that would change quickly. She had offered to teach him and had he not been in such confining clothing he may not have been so easy to beat today. Her frustration grew and she relentlessly pounded on the bag. At the rate she was going the stuffing would be on the floor within the hour. She punched the bag once more and jumped when her bedchamber door flew open and Severus Snape rushed inside, wand in hand.

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Severus walked toward Sanura's quarters wondering why she had not attended dinner. Was she upset? He was still confused as to why she had run away from him earlier and hoped that she was okay. When he pulled down on the arm of the dragon that guarded her quarters he heard strange sounds coming from inside the room. As he got closer he realized that it sounded as if she were in some sort of struggle. Breaking into a run he panicked when he saw the living room door standing wide open. The sounds were coming from inside her bedchamber. Pulling his wand from his robes he raced over to the door, opened it, and rushed inside. Sanura jumped and looked at him with confusion. She had boxing gloves on and looked as if she had been beating the life out of the bag that was dangling in mid air.

"I prefer healthy expressions of violence as opposed to breaking and entering," she said forcing a smile to her face.

He looked too stunned to react. "I...I thought you...you were in trouble," he managed to stutter.

"What can I do for you Professor?" she asked as she removed her gloves and threw them onto her bed.

"What were you doing?" he asked.

"I was punching the punching bag," she said as if it were completely obvious.

"I see," he said looking around her room.

"Did you need something?" she asked.

"I was just wondering why you did not join us for dinner," he said slowly. "After our encounter this afternoon I thought I had somehow managed to frighten you,"

"I fell asleep," she told him. "I...I didn't feel very well,"

"Oh."

"I'm fine now," she said quickly.

"I see."

The room got quiet quickly and Sanura felt uneasy. She didn't want to ask him to leave but she didn't want him to stand in the doorway of her room and stare at her. She decided to use this situation to her advantage.

"Okay, since you're here, why don't we start your lessons?" she asked. "I can teach you basic punching techniques,"

Severus said nothing. He stood in the doorway staring at her as if there was something he wanted to say but he was not quite sure how to say it. He hesitantly walked toward her and stood beside the bag. She handed him the boxing gloves and told him to put them on. He did as instructed and stood there waiting for further instructions.

"Punch the bag," she instructed. He punched it as if he expected it to punch him back. "No, no, no," she said after a moment. "Like this," she punched the bag a few times and then looked to him. "Now you try," Again he punched the bag hesitantly. Sanura demonstrated once more and Severus began to get frustrated.

"This is hopeless," he said and he punched the bag as hard as he could. It flew against the wall and then came back at him knocking him to the ground. Sanura could not help but laugh.

"You think this is funny?" he asked in an annoyed tone.

She nodded and continued to laugh. "The look...on your face..." she gasped and she began to laugh even more. She sank to the floor and laughed so hard that she began to cry. He looked at her for a moment trying desperately not to laugh with her but after a while he too began to laugh. Finally, after what seemed to be forever they regained their composure.

"Wow." She said wiping the tears from her eyes. "You laugh."

"Occasionally," he said. "It's hard not to laugh when you do, your laugh seems to be contagious,"

"So I'm told," she said with a grin. She rose from her spot on the floor and Severus did the same.

"Was there anything else?" Sanura finally managed.

"No..." he began and then stopped. "Actually, yes...Yes there was something else," Sanura raised her eyebrow and looked at him patiently waiting for him to continue. "I..." he began and then he stopped. His usually pale face had become flustered and it was twisted in confusion. "Never mind," he said. "It was nothing. Good evening Miss Crow," he turned to leave when he heard his own voice.

"You're a coward," his reflection declared. Severus whipped around and looked at his reflection. "Well you are," the reflection said. Severus' jaw dropped and he said nothing.

"She's no better," Sanura's reflection said.

"Be quiet!" Sanura and Severus yelled at the mirror but their reflections had more to say.

"She likes you," Sanura's reflection revealed. "She's just not going to say anything,"

"What a coincidence," Severus' reflection said a grin forming on his face. Severus put his head in his hands trying desperately not to look up at Sanura.

"She sat here and cried for hours because she thought she hurt him. Poor girl's falling fast," her reflection revealed.

"Shut the hell up!" Sanura shrieked at her reflection as she turned scarlet red.

"No, if you won't tell him then I will," the reflection stated. Sanura picked up a candleholder and prepared to throw it at the mirror. She raised her hand and just as she was about to release the candle Severus grabbed her wrist and spun her around.

"What are you doing?" She demanded angrily.

"What I should have done the minute I walked in here," he said and before she could object he kissed her.

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Chapter Eleven:

Sanura rolled over and rubbed her eyes. The sun shone brightly through the French Doors and onto the foot of her bed. Sitting up her thoughts drifted back to the night before and she smiled. Hopping out of bed she showered and dressed in black leather pants and a dark green tank top. She also threw robes of black over her head. Pulling her hair back quickly she traipsed off to the Great Hall for breakfast. When she entered Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch greeted her.

"Good Morning dear," Professor McGonagall said. "Are you ready for our outing?"

"We're leaving already?" she questioned.

"Yes. Usually we spend all day there," Madam Hooch said. "There's plenty to do."

"I must run to my quarters quickly, I forgot to grab some things," she said.

"Hurry dear, the carriages will be leaving shortly," McGonagall said.

"I'll wait for her," she heard someone from behind her say. She turned to find Severus standing behind her.

"Very well," McGonagall said and she and Madam Hooch headed outside. Sanura watched them leave the Great Hall and she then turned to Severus.

"I have to run back to my quarters," She said. He nodded silently and she ran past him and up the stairs. She snatched her purse from atop her dressing table and placed her cell phone and a small bag of money inside it. Sliding a pair of violet sunglasses onto her face she checked her appearance and her reflection nodded approvingly. For the first time in her life she felt as she imagined a schoolgirl with a crush would feel. She returned to the Great Hall to find Severus standing in the doorway, his arms folded across his chest.

"Are you ready?" he questioned.

"Yes." She said.

He put out his arm and smiled at her. "Shall we?"

"We shall," she said with a grin. Walking arm in arm Sanura and Severus headed toward the carriages.

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Severus settled into his seat and glanced over at Sanura. She was seated diagonally from him looking out the window studying her surroundings. He felt as if he should say something but was unsure as to what it should be.

"Miss Crow," he began.

"Sanura," she said looking to him. "I do not think that Miss Crow is appropriate,"

He smiled at her. "Of course. Sanura." He said with an even bigger smile. "How did you sleep?"

"Well. And yourself?" she said cheerfully.

"Very well indeed,"

"I trust that I did not keep you up too late?" She inquired. They had spent most of the night sitting on her balcony. They talked about many different things and Sanura now felt that she was sitting with an old friend and not a complete stranger.

"No not at all," he said. "Speaking with you last evening was quite enjoyable."

The carriage came to a halt and Severus hopped out. He then turned and helped Sanura out extending his arm once more. She took it and they turned around to find their fellow staff members watching them in shock. Dumbledore was the only person who seemed to have expected this development.

"Good morning," Dumbledore said happily. "How are the two of you this morning?"

"I'm wonderful, how are you?" Sanura chirped.

"I'm doing well." Dumbledore said and he looked to Severus and winked. He then turned to the staff. "Shall we meet in the Three Broomsticks for dinner?" he inquired. Everyone nodded in agreement. Professor Dumbledore headed toward the candy shop a twinkle in his eye. He especially looked forward to the Hogsmeade outing so he could purchase his favorite types of candy.

Severus led Sanura down the stone street and she looked around with excitement. Gently guiding her down to the end of the road he took a sharp left and stopped. An elderly lady sat beside a hand drawn cart that was filled with swords and daggers of all shapes and sizes. Sanura squealed with delight.

"Toys!" she exclaimed. She looked at each sword and dagger critically. "There are so many," she said. Just as she was about to choose a dagger with emeralds and rubies in the handle she spotted the only type of knife she did not own. It was a silver butterfly knife with an elaborate dragon engraved on the handle. She took the knife from the cart and whipped it around a few times. Severus stood back and watched her with fascination. When she attempted to purchase the knife Severus stopped her. He gently took the knife from her hand and purchased it for her. Handing it back to her he smiled and she placed it within the confines of her robes. She kissed him quickly on the cheek and smiled. "Thank you."

"My pleasure." He said. They turned around and walked back toward the center of Hogsmeade. They stopped inside a small apothecary shop and Severus purchased a few herbs he needed for the upcoming year. She looked around the store pointing and asking what everything was and what it did.

"You're like a curious child," he remarked after they had left. She was about to comment when a shrill noise interrupted her. It took her a moment to realize that it was her phone.

"I guess it does work," she said shortly before looking at the caller id. It was her watcher. "Oh damn. It's Mac," she said.

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Chapter Twelve:

"Mac?" Severus said raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. My watcher." She said shortly and she rolled her eyes. Pushing a button on the phone she said, "you've got five seconds, three are up."

"Why hello to you too Sanura," the voice on the phone said.

"What do you want?"

"Sanura we've got a problem."

"You mean you've got a problem." Sanura said.

"Hunter found out about Eva." Mac said to her.

"How the hell could you let that happen!" she screeched into the phone. Everyone in the street stopped and looked at her. Severus glanced at her and she turned, lowering her voice. "How long has he known?" she asked.

"He found out yesterday. I tried to call you but your phone must have been off,"

"Yes it was. Don't worry I'll handle it." Sanura said.

"Sanura he's coming after both of you," Mac told her. "Hunter insists that you are a disgrace to the slayers and deserve nothing less than a painful death,"

"Let him come. Bring it on. I can take him and you know it," she said with conviction. "Don't worry about Eva. I'll keep her safe."

"So you're coming back?" Mac said. When he spoke those words Sanura realized what was going on.

"You bastard." Sanura spat. "You told him about her to get me to come back didn't you? When I get my hands on you I'll rip your throat out."

"Sanura we need you here," Mac said. "You are a slayer. You should be out killing vampire not making back alley treaties with them. You should be here, where you are needed not at some school teaching a bunch of kids gymnastics," he said bitterly.

"If I were you I'd move to another planet because when I get my hands on you you'll wish you'd never heard the word vampire." She hung the phone up without another word and looked to Severus in dismay. She just hoped that she could make this right before anything happened to Eva.

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"Is there a problem?" Severus asked her when he noticed her facial expression.

"Yes, a big one. I need to find Professor Dumbledore." She said looking around.

"He's probably still inside the candy shop," he said. "Mind telling me what this is all about?"

"I'll explain it all at once to both of you," she said. "To make a long story short a friend of mine is in danger."

They broke into a run and almost knocked over a small witch who was carrying a large quantity of Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans out of the candy shop. Dumbledore was in fact still inside.

"Professor," she said when she reached him. "I need to ask a bit of a favor from you," she said.

"Yes?" he asked her.

"A friend of mine is in danger, I would like to bring her here. She would also make the perfect assistant for me."

"That sounds reasonable," Dumbledore said.

"There's one thing that you need to know about Eva," Sanura said.

"What's that?"

"Eva..." she began. She took a deep breath and looked at Dumbledore solemnly. "Eva is a vampire."

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Chapter Thirteen:

"A vampire?" Severus said. "But you are a slayer,"

"Yes. Eva and I were friends before she was turned into a vampire. She's been sort of a spy for me, keeping an ear out for bad vamp activity. Unfortunately one of the other slayers discovered her and he wants to kill her,"

"I don't know, we can not afford to have her attack the children," Dumbledore said.

"Not a problem. She's been given a serum to keep her thirst at bay. She has an undying respect for human life, she usually only drinks blood from animals. For a while I was getting the blood from a blood bank for her. She's harmless, really."

"Severus, would you have a problem making the young lady what she needs?" Dumbledore asked looking to Severus.

"Not at all."

"Alright. She can come with the students tomorrow on the train. I shall alert the conductor that this young lady will be boarding without a ticket."

"Where shall I tell her to go?" Sanura asked.

"Tell her to go to King's Cross. She has to get onto Platform 9 and ¾."

"Perhaps it would be wise to instruct her to look for children with owls. She can follow them. They will lead her right to the train." Severus suggested.

"Good idea." Dumbledore said. "Make the arrangements."

"Thank you Professor!" Sanura said and she gave him a hug. "You have no idea what this means to me."

With that she and Severus left Dumbledore to continue his candy shopping. As soon as they left the store she pulled her phone from her robes and pressed a few buttons. Within minutes Eva's shaky hello met her ears.

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Eva's phone shrilled and she hesitated before answering. She looked at the caller id afraid that it might be Mac again. As soon as she saw Sanura's number she couldn't answer the phone fast enough.

"Sanura!" She said. "Sanura...he turned me in. They're coming for me!"

"Eva calm down. I know. How fast can you get to Kings Cross?" Sanura asked.

"If I fly I can be there by tomorrow morning," Eva said.

"Good. Pack a bag and go to Kings Cross. When you get there go to Platform's nine and ten and wait. Follow the children with owls. Do whatever they do. What they do may look a bit odd but do it anyway. Trust me. They should lead you to a train. Get on the train. I'll meet you at the end of the ride."

"Sanura, where are you sending me?"

"You my dear are coming to Hogwarts. You're being hired as my personal assistant and you'll be safe." Sanura said. "I promised you nothing would happen to you. Now go, I'll see you tomorrow evening."

Sanura hung up the phone and placed it back inside her robes. Severus looked at her in confusion.

"Care to explain?" he asked.

"Let's go sit down and I'll explain everything to you," she said with a heavy sigh. She hoped that the train would get to Eva before Hunter did.

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Chapter Fourteen:

Eva leaned again the wall near platform nine and watched the people pass by her. She was looking for children with owls and was about to give up when a group of six teenagers passed by her. The boy in the middle, who had dark hair and glasses, had a large white owl on top of his luggage. Four red haired, freckled faced teenagers, two of which were identical down to the last freckle and a short girl with bushy brown hair, surrounded him. One of the twins looked at the other and said, "Here's to our last year at Hogwarts." The other twin nodded a broad smile forming on his face. They then ran head long into the wall between platforms nine and ten. Just as Eva was about to yell out for them to stop they disappeared.

"What the hell?" Eva muttered to herself. She watched the rest of the group follow suit and realized that was the way to the train. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and ran at the wall. Instead of falling to the floor in pain as she imagined herself doing she stood in front of an elegant red train. Deciding that this was not the best time to gander she boarded it and took a seat in the compartment closest to the back. She locked the door of her compartment and settled in for a nap. She did not awaken until the train stopped seven hours later. Hoisting her bag onto her shoulder she cautiously emerged from the train and looked around. She did not see Sanura right away and wondered if she had missed her stop. Hopping off the train she ran into an extremely large man with a bushy beard and long hair.

"Excuse me," she said and she looked up at him.

"Not a problem," the man said in a thickly accented voice. "You look like you're a bit lost,"

"I'm looking for a friend of mine," Eva said. She stopped and looked up at the man again. "Who are you anyway?" she questioned.

"My name is Rubeus Hagrid, but you can just call me Hagrid." He said.

"Eva Tsirra," She said with a small smile. "I'm looking for Sanura Crow."

"Oh the vampire lady," he said with a laugh. "She's quite a pistol. She even managed to beat up our Potions Master," he laughed again. "Can't say that old Snape didn't deserve it,"

At the mention of the words 'vampire lady' Eva took a few steps back and tensed up ready for a fight. For a moment she thought that maybe Sanura had told everyone what she was. When he described Sanura and her recent exploits she relaxed.

"That's Sanura, always making trouble," she said lightly. She was about to turn around when a pair of hands clasped her shoulders. She jumped and an all too familiar giggle greeted her ears.

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"Hello Eva," Sanura said. She had snuck up behind her while she was talking to Hagrid and evidently she had frightened her.

"Sanura," Eva said breathing in relief. She enveloped Sanura in a hug and smiled at her.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said with a grin. We need to get you inside and in some robes so that you won't feel out of place, come on. Let's go!" Sanura instructed. Eva followed her quietly and they walked toward a tall man wearing all black. Upon reaching him Sanura hugged him tightly and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Eva's jaw dropped.

"Did you...did I...was I...what the...explain." Eva stuttered.

"All in good in time," Sanura said with a grin. Severus smiled at Eva and extended his hand.

"Severus Snape," he said shortly. Eva shook his hand and looked back at her friend. She was utterly confused but knew that Sanura would explain when she got a chance. Severus produced two brooms and handed one to Eva.

"You're going to fly across the lake," Sanura explained. "I know you can do it without a broom but we don't want the kids to know so make it look good okay?"

Eva nodded. "Okay. How are you getting across?"

"Severus is going to fly me across," she said with a grin. Having heard that Severus mounted his broom and Sanura climbed on behind him. "Follow us," she said and they were off.

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The trip across the lake took no time at all and all three of them were seated before the returning students took their seats. The room was filled with excited and confused murmurs and Sanura felt herself get nervous. Eva was sitting to her right and looked as if she would fall over, Severus was seated to her left.

"What's going on?" Sanura whispered to Severus.

"The Sorting Ceremony is about to commence," he answered.

"Sorting? For what?"

"The first year children are to sorted into their houses,"

"Houses?" Sanura said quite confused.

"Yes, houses. Each student is put into a house with people that have the same personality traits."

"How many houses are there?" Sanura asked.

"Four. Slytherin, which is the house I am the head of, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor."

"Oh. What's a Hufflepuff?"

Severus smiled at her. "Hufflepuff was the last name of one of the four founders of this school," he explained. "Their mascot is a badger,"

"Oh. Let me guess, Ravenclaw's mascot is a raven, Slytherin is a snake, and Gryffindor is a...griffin,"

"No. Slytherin is in fact a snake but Ravenclaw's mascot is an eagle and Gryffindor's is a lion,"

"I see." Sanura said. She turned to explain this to Eva who just nodded stiffly.

"What's wrong?" Sanura asked Eva.

"I keep expecting to look up and see Hunter walk through that door," she said shakily.

"He doesn't know where we are. You are safe here," Sanura assured her. The sorting ceremony began and Sanura watched as each student placed the talking hat upon his or her head and was put into one of the four houses. The sorting ceremony ended and Dumbledore stood to say a few words. Just as Eva had begun to relax the doors to the Great hall burst open and a small group of vampires burst into the room.

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