Disclaimer: All character from the Harry Potter series belong to J. K. Rowling. All characters from Danny Phantom belong to Butch Hartman. No profit is being made.

Chapter 12

Danny stared at the steaming mug of hot chocolate that he held in his hands, half listening to Professor Snape give his report to Professor Dumbledore. Marshmallows once dotted the surface, bobbing merrily at one point, but now had turned into shapeless white blobs. The blobs were mesmerising to watch as they started to become one massive shape, floating on the hot chocolate. Danny was surprised that the liquid remained warm considering the amount of time that had passed since he received it, but realized soon it was likely charmed to stay warm.

A hand came suddenly into his vision, startling Danny and making him jump, so that a few drops of the brown liquid spilled over onto his hand.

"Ouch," Danny hissed, out of reflex than actual pain. He looked up at the two wizards quizzically, as he licked the liquid off of his hand.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I asked if there was anything you would like to share?" Snape raised an eyebrow at him.

"Oh. Uh. Yeah." Danny's eyes drooped down to the drink in his hands again. Eye contact felt pressuring right now.

"Yes?" Dumbledore prodded gently, his voice soft to be as welcoming as possible.

"I explored the area a bit," Danny said, starting at the very beginning of his tour. "There really wasn't anything of interest until I hit, uh, Lord Malfoy's study. I mean, I didn't see any massive magical weapons or sinister creatures – except the snake," Danny missed the quick, sharp look that passed between Dumbledore and Snape, "and really the mansion seemed pretty average. Or at least, what I expect average would be. I'm not an expert on mansions." Danny glanced up with a crooked smile at his attempt at humor, noticing that he had both professors' acute attention.

"Anyways. His study contained some envelopes and letters addressed to various people, mostly to a guy named Fudge. The minister? Yeah. A few floor plans to somewhere in the," Danny paused, trying to recall the exact location the floor plans were for. "I. I'm sorry, but I can't remember where exactly, I would have to see them again to be sure but it was a Department of something." Danny's face was turning red as he spoke, somewhat from embarrassment, but mostly from frustration. This is what he had been sent to do. "There was a book on Wizarding Prophecies I think, or maybe that was just something to do with the newspaper." Danny looked up to see Snape and Dumbledore staring at him intently.

"Danny," Dumbledore began, his voice low and hard. "Are you absolutely certain this is what you saw?"

Danny was shocked at the sudden change in Dumbledore's attitude. "Pretty sure," he said, nodding.

"Dumbledore," Snape growled, voice hoarse. "Do you think?"

"Not now Severus." Dumbledore cut him off swiftly, the dark look in his eyes enforcing it. "Go on, Danny. Is there anything else you can tell us?"

Suddenly, on the spot, Danny felt an increasing anxiety. This was not the reaction he expected to receive from either man – he had honestly not expected anything he saw to be of any use.

"I don't know," he stuttered out after a large pause, the pressure building. "I had a run in with this witch and, like, I can't even begin to describe how awful it was." He shuddered.

"She didn't see you did she?" The dark haired professor asked before Dumbledore could even open his mouth.

"No! No. Nothing like that," Danny quickly said to the professors, raising his hands in an assuring gesture. "I literally ran into her and overshadowed her by accident. It was a mistake that I am going to have nightmares about for the rest of my existence." At the puzzled look by both professors, Danny shrugged.

"It's like this," Danny started his explanation." With overshadowing I can take control over a person's body. Usually, especially if they aren't expecting some sort of possession or mental interference or if they just don't have the willpower to fight me off, I can get in and out without much problem. However, people can learn to fight this type of power off, or just break through it with sheer willpower. I've seen it happen with my dad, and I've done it myself.

"When they can't fight it off or are completely unaware of it happening, I can control someone completely. I can make them say or do things, leave them, and then have them follow through with it." Dumbledore placed his chin on his folded hands, his gaze intense as Danny explained. "To be fair, I've done that once or twice. Not for anything evil!" Danny gulped as Snape shook his head. "Not really. Just to my friend Sam's parents about our road trip and…" Danny trailed off slowly, stopping for a minute, a small pang of loneliness echoed within him. "Anyways, that isn't the point. I'm sorry for getting off track.

"The person who I overshadowed this time – Bella something or other – was completely prepared for this sort of experience. She knew the minute I was in there, when most people don't unless I come at them directly. That was unnerving. When I overshadow someone and they aren't expecting it, their conscious sort of falls asleep. When I leave, they wake up with little to no memory of me or their actions unless I want them to. This woman was ready to fight. What she attacked me with I will never forget." Danny's voice trembled as he shuddered. "Whoever she was, she threw some pretty nasty memories my way – absolutely terrifying in some cases. It was luck that I won in the willpower battle." He paused. "I never want to meet her again."

"I am sorry, my boy," Dumbledore spoke softly, sympathetic to Danny's ordeal.

Danny shrugged again. It was certainly not what he expected, nor what he was prepared for, but there was no used crying over spilt milk.

"Before going back to Gryffindor Tower, please go to the Hospital Wing." Dumbledore requested, standing up.

"Why?" Danny asked.

"I will send a message to Madame Pomfrey to give you a vial of Dreamless Sleep potion. It will help you sleep tonight." He explained, placing a warm, comforting hand on Danny's shoulder.

"Thanks Headmaster," Danny said standing up, taking this as his cue to leave.

"It's not a problem, dear boy. If you ever need anything, even someone just to talk to, my door will always be open for you."

Danny gave a small, crooked smile to Dumbledore, appreciative of the gesture. With that, he turned to the door and made his way out, missing the thoughtful look Dumbledore had on his face.

…

"Is it not terrible Severus, the loss of innocence in the face of war?" Dumbledore asked his silent companion, looking intently at the raging fire in his hearth. He watched the flames dance and jump from place to place, burning beautiful reds, oranges and gold, much like the autumn leaves outside, purposefully avoiding the look his spy was likely giving him.

"You knew he would run into something like this or worse sooner or later." Snape stated, his voice flat and unforgiving, even though he did to some degree agree with the older man.

"I wonder if it was a mistake, using his unique abilities to our advantage while he gains very little from this deal," Dumbledore mused.

"It was his choice to make Albus." Severus spoke, his voice calm. "His guardian would have stopped him had this not been for his benefit. We may not see what it is now, but he likely does."

"You are right, Severus, once again. However, this does not make me feel any less sympathy for the boy."

The potions master made an uncommitted noise, looking at the old wizard.

"Now," Dumbledore said, turning to face the other man. "We must decide on what to do about the prophecy."

…

Danny wandered the halls, tired beyond belief, slowly making his way to Gryffindor Tower from the Hospital Wing step by stumbling step. He was so tired – it had been an exhausting day. Madame Pomfrey had been wonderfully nice to him. She had this slight motherly air to her

Danny missed his family.

Maybe he would visit them during Christmas. Or maybe he could find a natural portal somewhere and get home through the Ghost Zone for a bit.

Shaking his head, he frowned. He had seen death before, and what he had assumed had been the aftermath, considering the potential future he had avoided and the ghosts throughout the Ghost Zone. However, what this woman threw at him was pure hatred ensnared in a tortuous web. It had felt like flowers of the blood blossoms had encased his body and spirit, crushing it in the most wickedly was possible. Danny consciously put effort into shoving the experience away.

"Password?" The painting of the Fat Lady asked, yawning, surprisingly awake.

"Mimbulus Mimbletonia?" Danny responded, hoping that was the password.

The painting swung forward, allowing him entrance.

Walking as quickly as he could in his state, Danny made his way up the stairs and into his dorm room. Shucking his clothing, he changed into his pyjamas and downed the small vial of potion he had received from the nurse. Crawling under the soft covers of his four poster bed, he stared up at its canopy ceiling.

Hopefully the next mission would be a long while off. When that time came and he was sent once more into the murky battlefield, Danny swore he would be ready. Or, as ready as he could be.

With that, he turned over onto his side and slowly drifted off into dreamless sleep.

...

Good evening readers! I apologize that this is so short, compared to many previous chapters. Transitions and all. The next chapter should have a bit more action to it once I get to writing it. Might be a while - off on adventures soon! Hopefully this will suffice! Thank you for your continued patience with me.