Disclaimer: Don't own it…still…

Author's note: You're getting the same spiel my Babysitting readers are getting: School, A-Kon 18, and Physics (which is classified completely differently from school because of it's hardness nods knowledgeably). Anyway, this is a bit short. Thanks for your reviews and your patience. Enjoy!!

Convergence of Time

Chapter 17:

By Aurora M. Tepes

Cloud pulled himself out of the hole before turning and helping Tifa do the same. He looked around. Hogwarts grounds were still quiet. In the distance he saw Red XIII pacing back and forth in front of the entrance, his tail flicking back and forth impatiently. Barret stood near Hagrid's Hut, watching the night pass sleepily.

"Come on, Tifa, let's hurry," Cloud finally said. Tifa nodded as the two began their climb up to the castle.

"Should we tell Dumbledore first or gather the others?" she asked carefully.

"Maybe we should tell the others, then tell Dumbledore. Sounds like Vincent needs to lay low for a while. That tall guy seems to have singled him out," Cloud replied.

Silence. Silence between them once more. They both knew Vincent would understand. But keeping him cooped up in the castle would be harder than it sounded. As much as they hated to admit it, Vincent had an uncanny knack for attracting unusual trouble.

"Barret! Red! Where are the others?" Cloud called, his voice echoing across the grounds.

"Yuffie and Cid are having some sort of argument and, personally, I don't feel like getting in the middle of it," Red snarled.

"I see. And Vincent?"

"Right here, Cloud," Vincent stated, coming out of the shadows. Cloud jumped in fright.

"Geesh, you could give a little more warning next time."

"Wut, Spikey? Big ol' scary Vinny too much for ya?" Barret teased, coming up to them. This earned a glare from both men.

"Cloud, what did you want?" Red asked softly, trying to stop a war before it began. Cloud broke his glare from Barret and looked around at the rest of them.

"Well, Tifa and I found a passage to a graveyard. When we got there, we saw two men talking. Apparently this Moldyshorts, or whatever his name is, considers both Sephiroth and Vincent as threats," Cloud explained. No one said anything a moment. "He's trying to find out more about them…which means he'll be coming here most likely."

"And you want me to lay low," Vincent concluded for him.

"Yeah, basically."

"You know I can't do that with the situation as is."

"Can you at least try?"

Vincent didn't reply, only stared down at the swordsman. The others watched intently, knowing that the wheels were turning behind that cold stare. Maybe something insightful would come of it?

'I knew it would come to this,' Chaos said, his sing-song voice signaling his teasing mood.

'You knew nothing of the sort. And I cannot hold myself back if it means the endangerment of the students,' Vincent shot back.

'Valentine, suddenly so protective. I know, why don't I take control and go and kill this idiot before he reaches the castle?'

'That would be messing with the timelines and we cannot take the place of this world's savior. Stay out of this, Chaos.'

"…I cannot hold back. If he comes, we will need our strength to defend against him and not kill him. When Sephiroth comes we must be at our full potential. And, I assure you, roaming the halls of the castle like the ghosts and suppressing Chaos more than I have been already would only make matters worse."

"But-!"

"No, Cloud. For once I will not hide from my enemies."

Vincent turned and walked out, toward the Forbidden forest.

Author's Note: Hey! Yeah, short chapter. I'll try to update again soon! Hope you enjoyed it!