Dear Harry,

I hope you're alright with those muggles you told me about. From the looks in the station that they were giving to most of the students, they didn't look to accepting of the whole 'wizard' thing. Oh, good news! Spike and I will be teaching again! With some special appearances by my family.

I've been holed up in LA ever since I left school, I can't even visit Dad. I do get letters' from him though, what's with the nickname 'Snuffles?' Is there something I should know? (Raise eyebrow here) Buffy and Faith are somewhere in Africa, trying to dispose of some type of demon or each other – you never really know. Spike and Angel are moping after them, each taking their frustration out of the demon community of LA. I'm not allowed to go out after dark, or help patrol – I mean, I'm practically invincible now that my 'powers' have completely shown. You should see the things I can do now!

I've also met a very interesting someone – her name is Illyria. She used to be Winifred Burkle or Fred to everyone who knew her. She seems to know me; me as 'The Key' me. It's really strange finding out about myself from her – she's saying I'm a God! I mean, she used to be one but her powers were stripped when she was sent to earth. It was this whole thing with her – who knows? She's still so much stronger than Buffy, and she's my sparing partner! Her personality is a thing to get used to though, the first time we fought – one punch sent me through a wall! And she didn't even flinch when I stumbled to get up! She just shrugged and continued to mock my fighting! But, she's alright to me now – she says I'm the only one worth 'tolerating' on this planet. I can't believe I know someone who's just like me!

Anyway, I've gotta get going – it's time for me to continue sparing. She's a slave driver! How are you?

Miss you, love you!

Dawn A. Summers-Black

Dear Dawn,

I'm fine here at the Dursleys – although I do miss the yelling's of you and Spike in Hogwarts' halls. They've taken to ignoring me at the moment; it's quite different to being at Hogwarts. They've tried to put my cousin Dudley on a diet, but he's somehow sneaking food in – just as I am. (Hermione's sending me some food which I hide under the floorboards)

I'm glad you're having fun with this Illyria 'God?' But, I think you should be careful. I know you've probably heard this all before, I mean, you're whole life you've been told to be safe, but, I need you to be safe for me. I know I'm selfish, and I know it's stupid – but I need you to be alive and well. It's just, I'm aware of a habit that seems to follow me; people die around me. You already have, but that doesn't mean it won't happen again. So just, be careful…please.

Love you, miss you

Harry J. Potter

Harry,

Everything fine in LA, prophecy to thwart is all; owl you with details later. I'll try…

Love

Dawn

Dear Dawn,

I hope everything is alright with the prophecy and that you are keeping safe. Please get in touch with me when it's over; I'd like to know that you're safe.

Love

Harry

Dawn,

Haven't heard from you for a month – I'm at the Weasleys at the moment. My time's consumed with thinking if you're alright. Please owl me

Harry

Summers,

Ginny's bugging me about you, so is Black and Potter. I haven't heard from you in little over a month and we are all worried. Supposedly Potter got your last owl – something about a prophecy?? How is this something to be kept from your BEST FRIEND!! Jesus Dawn, do you know how this affects all of us?? It's not just you to think about – we all care about you!!

Drake

Dawn,

Are you okay?

Harry

Dear H. Potter,

It has come to our attention that you are very important to our Dawn. We would like to extend an invitation to Wolfram and Hart to visit her. As we have read through the owl post, she has told of the prophecy. It was another that contained mentions of her death to occur again. It has happened. Oh, do not worry, she was revived. Supposedly the Master Vampire was trapped between a magical barrier – her blood gave him the ability to open a portal and escape. Despite our warnings, she continued to go; her life was the price she had to pay again. Illyria went after her – the God has become quite attached to her. Illyria revived her; you see, Dawn was sucked to the brink of death and then she drowned in the pool of water at her feet. She continued on her mission and defeated the Master Vampire, but the weird thing was that his body did not turn to ash, his bone's stayed. We buried him soaked in the ground with holy water. Angel described the event as 'history repeating itself,' but no-one other than Dawn understood.

You must understand Mr. Potter, we have heard of Dawns' other death and her recent recovery. We believed that she would continue on her spiral of acceptance – but, she is acting very differently. Her movements are more fierce and reckless and her eyes hold so much pain – I believe she was in the other place this time.

We will send someone to collect you

Yours truly,

Wolfram and Hart

Harry re-read the letter over and over again. He was faintly aware of the busy world around him, but only one thought was able to get through his scramble mind; Dawn had died. She had died…again! And he had felt it, atleast, he thought he had. He had felt the same searing pain in his chest as the time Dawn had died the first time. He knew that it was stupid and that there was no possible way that he could 'sense' or 'feel' it. He had only known Dawn for atleast a year, but he fell in love with her on the first day. It took one day to know that he loved her – one day to realise that he could find love. And now, now they were saying that she had been to hell! She couldn't have been gone that long without anyone contacting him. Atleast someone would have told Sirius, wouldn't they have? But, he had left on an errand – he mustn't know.

"What's that Harry?"

"A…A letter from Wolfram and Hart, the place Dawn was staying. I…I need to go to her, she needs me. Someone will be coming soon," he rushed, already gathering his stuff from the room.

"What do you mean? It can't be that important that you have to leave?" Hermione asked, interrupting his fierce rampage for a second.

"I need to go to her Hermione, she needs me! I'll keep in touch, I just…I need to go," her stated, panicked tears coming to his eyes. He just couldn't tell them, he couldn't bring himself to.

"What's happened?" Draco asked, his eyes observing the tears in the boys eyes. He knew that only one thing could lead the boy to tears, and that was if Dawn was hurt. He had noticed the day when Harry buckled over in intense pain, holding his chest and panting. Everyone just thought it was a side-effect of Voldemorts' death; but he still kept in his mind.

"She left," he whispered, staring into the cold-grey eyes of his ex-nemesis. He knew that out of everyone in the room, Draco was the only one who really needed to know the extent of how she 'left.' But he just couldn't discuss it where everyone would look at him pitifully. He was used to it for Voldemort, but for Dawn, he didn't want pity.

"When they coming?"

"As soon as…now," he answered, hearing the door open downstairs.

Pain…screaming…blood…so much blood…

She awoke suddenly as sweat cascading down her forehead. Her hands were shaking terribly as she pulled the sheets tight. Stroking her neck lightly, she could feel the scars on her neck, exactly the same as her sister, and she flexed her fingers lightly. She didn't want it; she didn't want the memory of what had happened. She could still feel the blood being sucked out of her the pain he had caused. It was so different from the first time – she wasn't…she couldn't see her mother, or Lily and James Potter…there was just so much fire and pain. She could remember Illyria constantly sending her wary looks, as if she was about to curl up and die – Angel and Spike had become even more protective.

"I…I have to go," she whispered, grappling out of the bed. She ran out of her room at Wolfram and Hart and sprinted out into the cold air of the night. She continued on her way in only her boxers and sports bra – but it didn't matter, she couldn't feel anyway. She ran the streets of LA looking for that one place, just that one pace where she could make sure her nightmares don't come again. "Where are you?" she asked into the night, throwing the gates of the cemetery apart and sprinting towards the grave. Stopping short, she could already see that something was missing. "No…no…no, no, no, you can't be gone," she rushed, sinking to her knees at the end of The Masters' grave. She could already feel the tears fall, the fear shaking her body.

"How is she?"

"Slow down there, she's sleeping," Angel smiled at the distressed boy – the smile not reaching his eyes.

"How did it…how did it happen?" Harry asked, sitting down onto the sofa. He couldn't help the feeling that this was his fault; if he had been here, it wouldn't have happened.

"She did what she normally does; she saved the world…again," Spike muttered darkly, crossing his arms and leaning on the side of Angels' desk.

"How could you bloody well of let her?!" Harry shouted, stamping his foot lightly.

"Lets see you stop her you ponce!"

"What he means is that we had no idea that she was going; she's quite sneaky that girl," Angel stated, glaring at the fuming vampire.

"So, how did you-"

"HE'S GONE!" Dawn screamed, interrupting their little gathering. She didn't notice the new arrival; she just continued to look at Spike and Angel.

"What's happened?"

"His bones are gone; his grave was dug up and the bones are missing," she rushed, her face set in a cold stare. She wiped her face of emotion; showing indifference at each turn.

"Dawn, there's some people here…"

"Err, hello," Harry waved, trying to adjust to the indifference that passed through Dawns' face.

"Harry," she nodded, quickly turning her back on the two boys. "I'll be in the training room," she stated, stalking out of the room quickly.

"Dawn…" Harry whispered after her, reaching out with just that one word. He saw her feet falter slightly and her back straightened incredibly – he felt his heart break again. She had been through so much, why had this had to happen now?

"Where's the training room?"

"Just follow Spike," Angel said, nodding as Harry left quickly after Spike.

One more kiss could be the best thing

One more lie could be the worst

And all these thoughts are never resting

And you're not something I deserve

She continued her assault on the training dummy. Harry was here – he was here and she couldn't understand why. She knew that he had been trying to get a hold of her afterwards; but she couldn't bring herself to tell him. She couldn't help but listen to the lyrics of the song and thought they fit – she didn't deserve him, not after everything.

In my head there's only you now

This world falls on me

In this world, there's real and make believe

This seems real to me

He was the only thing in her head – her thoughts always contained him. His brilliant green eyes, the ruffled hair and the lightening bolt scar. Just thinking of his touch, her whole body shivered in delight. They were both saviours to the earth, both lending their lives to see good prevail. Who knew it would cost their life?

You love me, but you don't know who I am

I'm torn between this life I lead

And where I stand

You love me, but you don't know who I am

So let me go

Let me go

Hit…kick…punch…duck…kick…duck…the mantra just continued throughout her head. She couldn't contain the feelings that were bottled. Her second death was just like Buffys' first – they both went down knowing their fates. The only problem was that no one knew how to let go.

He watched in awe as she left trails of green energy behind. The mere power of her punches were rocking the walls – the dummy would not last long.

"You know of The Key?"

"I know Dawn," he muttered darkly, his eyes never leaving the girl.

"The little one is two beings in one, and you smell of her power," the voice intoned, coming to stand directly behind him.

"She…she gave me some to defeat Voldemort," he stated, shrugging his shoulders' lightly.

"Her care for you must be great for that; we do not give power fickily. Our power is as apart of us as our heart, with the giving of power, we give alittle bit of ourselves," she said, placing a hand against the window. "She is hurting," she whispered, her voice showing only a slight bit of emotion.

"Yes I know, I shouldn't have left," he reprimanded himself, slipping a glance to the 'God' next to him.

"She will heal in time; love is all she needs," she shrugged, turning her back on the fighting girl. "You care for her?"

"Greatly," he whispered, looking over his shoulder at the blue back of the God.

"Then you will do," she smiled, walking slowly away.

CRACK! The dummy suddenly snapped in half, her movements coming to a halt. She stared hard at the training doll, before quickly walking away. "Whatever they've got coming, I'm ready," she stated, running her tired hands through her hair. "I'm ready," she whispered, tears coming to her eyes – she quickly wiped them away.
"We are here today, to see the rising of a great!" the vampire shouted, extending his arms out-wide. "With these sacrifices, our Master will rise again – and with him, our freedom!!"

"Um excuse me, the dead should really stay dead," a voice calmly interrupted the ceremony, a male on each side of her. "Free the guys, I've got this," she whispered, relaxing slightly as they left her side.

"You're dead," one vampire stated, glaring at her.

"Yeah well as I said, the dead should stay dead," she muttered, staking the vampire closest to her. Punch, kick, stake, punch, duck, stake…piles of dust were soon covering the warehouse floor.

"You retched girl!!" the leader shouted, stalking forth with spear in his hand. He lashed out quickly with the spear, embedding the spear deep within her shoulder. Continuing on as if it was nothing, she broke one end of the spear and stabbed him through the heart.

Wincing slightly, she slid the wood through her shoulder and dropped it soundlessly onto the concrete floor. Her eyes flickered towards the skeleton on the concrete slab; her feet numbly walking her towards it. She didn't know when she picked up the sledge hammer, or if she just summoned it. Using her un-injured arm, she dropped the hammer onto the skeleton – crushing the bones beneath each stroke. She didn't know when the tears started to fall; didn't stop till someone pulled her away.

"It's okay, it's okay," he whispered into her ear, clinging just as tightly as she was to him. He couldn't stand that she was in pain, especially since he couldn't shield her from it. Atleast with Voldemort, he was there to hold her and help her, but, with the vampire – he didn't know. From what Illyria had told him, he kind of understood how he was feeling her. When she had transferred her power to him, she had transferred a bit of herself – lending abit of herself that she couldn't get back.

"Harry," she whispered, creeping up on the thoughtful boy.

"Dawn," he gasped, shocked at her presence. He was just sitting in his room thinking; her deaths had taken their toll on him.

"Thankyou," she said, sitting down next to him. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she smiled as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"My pleasure," he stated, kissing the top of her head lightly. "I almost lost you today," he whispered, placing a hand underneath her chin; making her look him in the eye.

"You've lost me before," she retorted, pulling out of his reach. Unfortunately, tears were beginning to enter her eyes already – her emotionless façade ending.

"I meant what I said before Dawn, if I lose you, I don't know what I'll do," he shrugged nonchantly, trying to use the same tone as her.

"You've only known me for a year Harry – just one year!"

"A minute was all it took for me to fall in love you," he murmured, encasing her in his arms from behind.

"You know I love you too," she blushed, leaning into his warm embrace. It was the only place she felt safe or at home.

"Then, I think you should stay on house arrest for the rest of the holidays," he whispered, placing a kiss on the back of her neck.

"What?!"

"Look Dawn, I think-"

"Don't you start on me to! I'm not someone who needs to be coddled Harry! I can take care of myself! I'm not some helpless dam-"

"Explain it to someone who hasn't seen you die! Twice!!"

"Oh, like you're Mr goody-two-shoes! You're out there risking your life all the time! How can you be so hypocritical?!"

"Dawn! I've lost you twice and I'm scared that the next time…you won't be coming back," he choked, tears already falling down his face. He was silently reaching out to her with his hand, waiting for her to turn around and link.

"Harry," she sighed, linking her left hand with his – stepping so close that not even a piece of paper could come between them. "I need to tell you something…"

"What is it?" he asked, trailing a hand along her side – smiling slightly as he saw her shiver in delight.

"I…I think we should take a step back," she whispered, tears forming in her eyes as she felt him tense in hurt.

"W…wha…what?"

"I need you to be my friend right about now Harry; with us this close, I couldn't stand if you got hurt. And at school, everyone will-"

"You're breaking up with me?"

"You shouldn't have to worry about your girlfriend dieing, it's not normal!"

"Maybe you should look in the mirror Dawn, because neither one of us is normal," he snapped, his expression turning emotionless and dead.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, walking past him towards the door. "I do love you," she said over her shoulder, looking sadly at the slumped shoulders of the only man she'd love.

"Love just isn't enough, is it?!!"