Chapter 2

Arrivals and Insights

"Who are you?" Faith demanded, stumbling backwards and backing into a tree, "What do you want from me?"

The big black dog lumbered forward, its cloudy, sky-blue eyes stared intently at her. Faith slid down the tree, for some reason exhausted. The dog's face was now level with hers, their noses mere inches apart. Faith closed her eyes and swallowed hard – she could feel the dogs' breath on her face…

Faith suddenly bolted upright in bed – stupid, stupid dream. Ever since she'd come back to LA the dreams of that black dog didn't seem to go away. Man, no dog on earth should be that big – it was against all laws of nature. That thing was as big as a bear – well in her mind anyway.

Faith was breathing heavily – she'd never be able to get to sleep now. Looking outside, she could see it was still dark. Probably about four-thirty in the morning – or maybe it was five. Either way there was still a bit of time before the sun came up and hopefully she'd be able to find a vampire to take her frustrations out on. If she was lucky that is, as the vamps seemed to be decreasing lately.

Silently Faith crawled out of bed, changed into better slayage clothes and tucked a stake into her pants, making sure not to wake anyone as she made her way out of the hotel.

===

Much to Dawn's surprise, the next morning another letter arrived for her by owl post. It was from Willow.

--Hey Dawnie,

Heard you got accepted to Hogwarts – go you. SURPRISE - I'll be teaching this year. I guess your wondering how I seem oh-so-casual about all of this? Well, basically I've got some relatives in the Wizarding World. A whole bunch of cousins – a few are quite close to your age.

Hey, how'd you like to meet them? I was thinking that if you were going to Hogwarts you might like to spend some time over here in England so we can go shopping for your school stuff and we can basically immerse you in Wizarding Skills 101 – how's that sound?

There are some really wacky things about this world that I think you'll enjoy – so how bout staying with me at my Aunt and Uncles place for a while. Don't worry, there's plenty of room. Send this owl back with your reply and I'll pick you tomorrow evening. Hope to see you soon – if not, see you on September 1st.

Love,

Willow--

Dawn squealed excitedly and ripped a page out of one of her notebooks.

--Hey Wills,

The whole idea of staying with you sounds great. Family in the Wizarding World, Wills? And you failed to mention this before because…?

Anyway – I can't wait to meet your family. SHOPPING!?!?! Hey I'm there.

I've already e-mailed Buffy about me going to school. Gotta say – she was pretty shocked but that's the water under the bridge I guess. I also told her that I'd have another way of contacting her when I got there too – see me neglecting the fact that it's by owl – heh heh – can't wait for her reaction! Yeah – I'm evil – been around Spike too long.

See you tomorrow

Dawn--

--

"Hey, Spike, guess what" Dawn called, bounding down the stairs.

She was surprised to find Spike, staring out the window, bathed in the sunlight streaming through it. Spike was just staring out of the misted glass.

"Woah, guess those gems really work then, huh?" Dawn said, stopping short.

Spike had a dazed sort of look across his face and there was a definite glaze in his eyes. He simply stared out of the window making no indication that he'd heard her at all.

"A hundred and thirty-six years" Spike said quietly, "And now I can finally walk in the sun again."

Dawn blinked, to her Spike never seemed very spiritual or sentimental – but then again Spike was always throwing everyone off. Doing offbeat things made Dawn think that Spike liked throwing people off guard.

"How does it feel?" Dawn asked, knowing how much it meant to him.

"Let's just say it's nice to feel the sun without smoking under a blanket" Spike grinned, snapping out of his reverie.

"Hey, Willow just wrote me, says she's teaching at Hogwarts too this year…"

"Go, Red" Spike smirked.

"Anyway – she apparently has family in the Wizarding World and I'll be staying with her until the end of summer. She's picking me up tomorrow."

"Hmm, last day together for a while – what say we go out for ice cream?"

Dawn blinked and then laughed, "I keep forgetting about that sweet-tooth of yours."

"Hey, just because I'm a vampire doesn't mean I can't like other food – besides, this way I don't have to chase my food."

Dawn smirked, "You haven't needed to chase a meal in a long time, Spike."

Spike sighed, as the two of them walked out the door "I know, turnin' into a right Pansy here – bugger all."

===

"Hello, Harry dear, how are you" Mrs. Weasley asked, brushing the soot off his clothes when he emerged from the fireplace. Ron rolled his eyes in the background.

"I'm fine, Mrs. Weasley" Harry smiled.

"Well then, park your trunk upstairs and I'll make us some tea," Mrs. Weasley said giving Harry's clothes one last tug to straighten them before she disappeared into the kitchen.

"Hey, Harry" Ginny said, appearing in one of the nearest doorways to greet him.

"Hey, Gin, how's your summer?" Harry asked.

"Can't complain."

"Where's your trunk, Harry?" Ron asked, "We can chuck it upstairs."

"Your dad's bringing it, I think…" Harry trailed.

Mr. Weasley suddenly apparated in with Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage under his arm.

"Here you are, Harry."

"Thanks, Mr. Weasley."

"Oh, is Molly putting the tea on? Might as well get a cup before heading to the Ministry again."

With that Mr. Weasley left. Harry glanced at Hedwig's cage.

"That reminds me, where's Hedwig?" Harry asked. She hadn't come back with a reply after he sent her out again.

"Upstairs with Pig" Ron grimaced, "I swear Hedwig keeps making these disapproving hoots and shooting looks at me like I'm supposed to control that bloody stupid owl."

"Well he is your pet, Ron" Hermione scolded, coming down the stairs, "Hi, Harry."

"'Lo, 'Mione" Harry said, grabbing his trunk, "Anyone want to help me lift this?"

"Not necessary" came a voice.

Harry turned, another redhead. No doubt one of the Weasleys, but one he'd never met. She was very pretty – she pulled off that school-girl type look well, even though Harry could tell that she'd have already finished school by now.

Her fiery red hair brushed her shoulders in a wavy sort of curl, and her green eyes sparkled with something like mischief that reminded Harry very much of Fred and George. But there was something else there too – Harry could see it – pain. And a dark sort of pain too.

"Here let me," she said, with a smile and a twinkle in her green eyes, she muttered something that sounded like Latin and held her hands out. In a split second Harry's trunk and Owl Cage disappeared.

"Wow, thanks" Harry said, blinking to clear his thoughts. He then wondered when he'd become so perceptive – dark pain in someones eyes? Where the hell had that come from?

"Is he capable of forming longer sentences?" the redhead witch joked kindly.

Ron sighed dramatically, "No one knows, we've been trying for years, but we just can't seem to reach him… OW!"

"Shut it, you" Harry smirked, elbowing his best friend while everyone in the room giggled. Oh well, he might as well introduce himself – "Harry Potter" he said sticking his hand out to the girl.

"Willow Rosenberg" she smiled, shaking his hand "I believe you're best friends with a certain mad cousin of mine…"

"OI!" Ron protested, making everyone giggle even harder.

"Oh, I dunno, you do have your moments, Ron" Ginny smirked.

Harry smiled, knowing that Ron had already told Willow about him, as she seemed unfazed upon learning who he was. Harry liked her instantly, there was just a certain quality about Willow that you had to like.

"How d'you do that?" Harry asked, "Use magic without a wand."

"It's Wiccan" Willow said, "Magic without a wand – you'll be learning it this year if you take my course."

"Yeah – Ron told me 'bout you teaching. Wandless magic huh? Sounds like fun – I'm there" Harry smiled.

"Oh – I see Ron's been very talkative" Willow smirked with a raised eyebrow.

"Understatement" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Hey – what is this? Beat up Ron day?" Ron demanded.

"Every day is that day, Ronniekins" Fred snickered, having suddenly apparated in the room with his twin, "Hey, Harry, how've the muggles been treating you?"

"Avoided me all the while I was there, lucky for me" Harry grinned, "Thanks for the crackers - almost got caught when I started trumpeting like an elephant, though."

"You should see the new stuff we're working on" George grinned, "Introducing 'Magical Animal Crackers' – taking crackers to a whole new level."

"Now we got Hippogriphs, Crups, Kneazles, Werewolves, all different Dragon species and many more for your enjoyment" Fred said proudly.

"As long as you don't come near me with them, I support you" Willow grinned.

"Aw, Wills, not still sore 'bout the whole 'flying' incident yesterday are you?" George whined.

"As a matter of fact – still very sore" Willow grinned, holding up her bandaged hand that Harry had just noticed.

"Uhhh – what flying incident?" Harry asked.

The room burst into peals of laughter.

===

Faith was hanging around in the section of 'Wolfram and Hart' that Lorne had insisted in turning into a personal bar. Angel had only agreed because he was outvoted – Lorne wanted to stock up on some hard-to-find labels and Wesley was in favor of some drink called Fire-Whisky. Gunn hadn't cared one way or another ("Always been more of a beer man, myself" he'd shrugged) and Fred, who wasn't that much of a big drinker (or drinker at all for that matter), said it was better here than a sleazy bar downtown where someone could get hurt. Besides it would be great for New Years parties and all that.

Faith was welcome here whenever she wanted. It was nice being able to get a drink without having to yell at some guy over the blaring music that she'd rather die than sleep with him – as the cases usually were when she went to clubs. And now she understood that all those strange labels Lorne stocked were in-fact Wizarding Labels. Faith had only tried a Wizarding drink once – something called 'Black Elixir' a Wizarding beer and supposedly the weakest alcoholic drink in the Wizarding world and it was five times stronger than normal beer. Spike had even told her that most Wizarding drinks would probably be ten times as strong as anything Faith had ever tasted

Faith walked into the room and made herself at home on one of the bar stools. No one else was there… she thought.

"Hey, kitten" Lorne said, standing up from behind the bar, apparently getting a glass.

"Bartending tonight, greenie?" Faith smirked.

"Eh, for you? Why not – nothing better to do. What's your pleasure?" Lorne asked, playing along.

"Well – uh… what about that stuff Wes likes so much?" Faith asked, unable to decide.

Lorne raised his eyebrows "Fire-Whiskey?"

"That's the stuff."

"You sure you're ready for that, fire-cracker?"

Faith smirked, "Hey, if Wes can handle it…"

Lorne returned the smirk – this was gonna be good. He ducked under and pulled out the bottle of Fire-Whisky. He filled two shot-glasses, one for Faith and one for himself.

"I wouldn't underestimate Wesley if I were you, sweets" Lorne cautioned, "The man can hold his liquor almost better than Angel himself – and Angel-cakes has had over two hundred years to perfect that technique, not to mention the quick vamp healing bit."

"I don't underestimate Wesley, Lorne" Faith shook her head, "Not any more – I've given up on predicting what he will or won't do – it gives me a headache."

"I'll drink to that" Lorne grinned, "Cheers."

He and Faith clinked shot-glasses and downed the drinks. Faith held back her coughing, but she could do nothing to stop her eyes from watering.

"Fuck! That is some pretty powerful shit," Faith said, staring at the now empty shot-glass in her hand.

Lorne shrugged, "If you want another one I could water it down," he offered.

"How does Wes have his?" Faith asked curiously.

"He usually has it either in a tall glass, or just the bottle" Lorne shrugged.

Faiths eyes narrowed, "If he can take it, I can take it…"

"Whoa there, did you even taste the stuff? Or did you just chug it cuz you wanted to see how much Wes could handle?" Lorne asked.

Faith didn't answer for a moment, as if trying to figure that out herself.

"AH-HAH!" Lorne said triumphantly, "Knew it."

"Hey, hey. Look, I did partially want to see what Wes's taste for this stuff was. But as much as it kills me to agree with him, it's pretty good shit. Got a certain tang to it. How 'bout another glass?"

"A shot, cupcake?" Lorne inquired.

"Nah – maybe a Short Glass – on the rocks, with a twist, just for fun" Faith added as an afterthought.

"Good combo, give me a sec" Lorne said, fixing the drink, this time in a Short glass instead of a shot, "Sure you don't want it watered down?"

Faith considered, "Maybe just a little" she said, "though, if the ice melts enough it should water down pretty well."

Moments later Lorne placed the glass in front of the Slayer who drained half of it in one gulp.

"Whoa, whoa, you're supposed to take it slow with a bigger glass. Are you alright, kitten?" Lorne asked, as Faith toyed with the glass, turning it slowly in her hands.

"Hmm… oh, fine I s'pose" Faith mumbled, making the ice clink against the glass.

"Don't lie to a psychic, sweets, it's demeaning" Lorne chided with a grin.

Faith had to laugh at that, "Lorne, you're not a psychic – you just read auras."

"Potaytoe, Potahto" Lorne shrugged, leaning against the door frame "How 'bout letting me take a peak at your aura? Sing a few bars for old Lorne." The demon gestured to a small karaoke machine at the edge of the bar.

"No – no no no no no" Faith said, hands up as if trying to block him, "I let you do that once already – and remember, not much of a singer."

"Now that's Bull – in fact I think you should sing more. You're a billion times better than Angle-cakes, king of broody-land."

"That's not exactly an achievement then, is it?" Faith demanded. She'd heard the vampire sing when she'd come back to LA.

"C'mon, unless there's some deep dark secret you don't want me to know about" Lorne pouted for effect.

Faith sighed, "Fine, fine you win."

"Yay!" Lorne cheered himself.

"Yeah, yeah, turn on some music before I loose my nerve."

Lorne grinned at his triumph and passed Faith the wireless microphone, as he turned on the box. A familiar tune struck Faiths' ears. It was 'Going Under' by 'Evanescence' – Faith admitted that she liked this song.

"Sing away, kitten," Lorne urged.

Faith took a deep breath.

"Now I will tell you what I've done for you,

Fifty-thousand tears I've cried.

Screaming, Deceiving, and Bleeding for you,

And you still won't hear me…

Don't want to end this time, I'll save myself,

Maybe I'll wake up for once (wake up for once)…"

Faith continued the song, loosing herself in it, as Lorne knew she would. He hadn't been lying when he said Faith had an exceptional singing voice. She was actually very good. And now her aura was crystal clear to him. And he grinned at what he Saw.

There was guilt, of course. Pain, suffering – not to mention nervousness about the whole teaching thing, which she of course covered with that carefree attitude of hers. A big black dog that had been plaguing her for a while and… Wesley. Lorne laughed inwardly – of course no one else had noticed it. Not even Faith it had seemed. But good ole Wes was there – playing the Watcher again as it was, looking out for her.

Lorne Saw bits of the Angelus hunt within her. Wes and Faith worked well together – putting Faith on a whole new level of respect she'd never had for her Watcher. Ever since he'd helped her break out of jail, she'd seen him in a new light.

But she didn't know – she didn't know – that those respectful, caring, almost-friendship feelings were blooming dangerously into something more.

Faith finished her song and let the music stop. Lorne clapped enthusiastically.

"Kitten, stick with me and we'll go far. Let me be your Agent and you'll have platinum record within in a month."

"Nice try, Kermit" Faith rolled her eyes, "What did you See?"

Lorne paused, wondering whether he should tell her what he now knew about her standing with Wesley.

Lorne grinned and shrugged "The usual need for redemption and stuff – now followed by a Big Black Dog."

===

Harry, Hermione and Ron resided in Rons' room after dinner, chatting about the OWLS marks that would come with their Hogwarts letters in the next few weeks.

Suddenly, a large Raven flew threw the window holding a scroll. Hedwig hooted disapprovingly at the smaller bird, and Pigwidgeon twittered madly in his cage, startled.

"It's from Sirius" Harry said at once, knowing that un-ordinary mailing birds were usually from his godfather.

"Bloody hell, can't that man get an Owl like everyone else?" Ron demanded, slightly ruffled by the Ravens sudden appearance as well.

"Don't swear, Ron" Hermione said instantly in a clipped tone.

Ron rolled his eyes, as Harry chuckled, petting the Raven lightly and unrolling the scroll which seemed to be much heavier than usual. It was from Sirius – a particularly long letter too, which accounted for its heaviness. Harry's eyes scanned the page, mouth moving silently.

"Care to clue us in?" Ron demanded.

Harry jolted, apparently startled that someone else was in the room.

"Sorry" Harry apologized sheepishly, "Keep forgetting I'm not alone now."

"Well, go on then, read it aloud" Hermione urged.

Harry nodded and took a breath.

"--Harry,

You're probably at the Weasleys' by now, am I right? It makes me feel a whole lot better knowing you're there with a normal family – at least you'll get fed properly. I hope the rest of your summer goes well.

The Order has been very busy trying to track Voldemort and help rebuild this new 'Watchers Council' at the same time, as the original was destroyed a month or so ago.

In your last letter you asked me what a 'Watcher' was and why they needed a Council. I'm surprised you haven't asked Hermione for the information – I'm sure she'd just love to find something new to research (Hermione if you're reading this over Harry's shoulder, I assure you it's a compliment).

Well, I'm not much of an explainer, but here goes. Have you ever read about a 'creature' called the Slayer? It must have been in one of your Defense Against the Dark Arts books at one point. Basically, the Slayer is a girl. One girl in all the world born with the Strength and Skill to hunt Vampires, Demons and the Forces of Darkness.

It's a rough gig, and Slayers don't usually live past the age of Twenty-Five. Hell, they consider themselves lucky if they reach Twenty.

But it's not so bad anymore. You must have seen it in the papers only a few weeks ago. There was this whole 'white light' thing, originating from a town in America called 'Sunnydale'. Which ironically is build over a Hellmouth. And apparently it was a powerful spell because it spread worldwide and activated all the potential slayers. Funny thing is, it's permanent, and now when Slayers reach the age of Thirteen (about when they hit puberty I guess, though you probably don't want to know about that), they get 'called' to become a Slayer.

So that's why we're helping to build up the Watchers Council. The original Watchers Council were a load of bastards if I do say so myself. I've met a couple of them, real stuck up prats, thinking they know everything.

But the bloke who's going to be the new Head of the Watchers Council is a man named Rupert Giles, who joined the Order not too long ago. He was the Watcher of one of the most powerful – and apparently the most rebellious – Slayer in history. She's diverted more apocalypses than any other Slayer – she was also based in Sunnydale to watch the Hellmouth.

Anyway – I met Rupert Giles a few weeks ago. He's a few years older than myself. I for one like him (Remus agrees with me), he's not at all like those other stuffy Watcher types. Got a good head on his shoulders and is making some well needed changes to the Council system. For one, he's allowing Wizards and Witches, who chose the Watcher profession, to continue using wand magic. Unfortunately, there was a time (not too long ago) that any Witch or Wizard wanting to become a Watcher had his or her wand snapped. Harsh, eh?

Anyway – since there are so many Slayers – there will be many more Watchers needed. Also there are senior officials to be chosen, those who lead the Watchers Council and all that rot. All in all, there are many positions to be filled.

I must go now, a lot to help with, I'm feeling more useful now than I have in a long time – though I still must be very careful, as I'm still a wanted man. Fudge is such an…well, you get the picture – he may have reluctantly admitted that Voldemort has returned, but that imbecile still refuses to believe my innocence, the bastard. So, I'm still lying low for now.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sirius--"

"That's fascinating" Hermione said excitedly, "Watchers and Slayers – it's nice that Sirius is helping with something now – it's good for him to feel useful."

"Sunnydale" Ron frowned, "That's where Willow's from, she should have been there at the time of that spell – the one to activate the Potential Slayers. Hey – she's a witch, so maybe she knows something about it. Maybe she knows who cast it. She might even know this Rupert Giles guy… WILLOW!"

Ron was suddenly out of the room in a flash, looking very excited indeed. Harry and Hermione shook their heads in exasperation.

"There he goes" Hermione sighed tiredly.

"Think he's had too much sugar today?" Harry asked.

"Maybe Fred and George gave him a 'Hyper Honey-pop'," Hermione shrugged.

"Huh?"

"More of their 'brilliant' ideas" Hermione sighed, "they make you rush around on an instant sugar high for two hours straight. Imagine having ten of them."

"You'd never sleep" Harry said in realization,

"I s'pose it's better than their 'Jolting Jawbreakers' – they give you a sort of electric shock when you reach the center – though since the twins are pure blood I dunno where they got the electricity idea."

"Remind me never to eat one of them then. D'you think we should follow him?" Harry said jerking his head in the direction Ron had gone.

Hermione sighed, "Do we have a choice?"

===

Malfoy Manor was deadly quite and empty. It gave off its own evil chill that Draco Malfoy both welcomed and hated. The thought that he was alone appealed to him – then nothing and no one could hurt him. But he hated this house for all it represented – his father.

Though he was dinning alone that night, Draco Malfoy ate his dinner in complete silence.

'Silence is Golden' his father had always taught him. 'Don't talk back to your betters, and just watch what goes on. You can see and hear much more when you don't fill the air with your own voice'. Of course, Draco just sat and listened to all his father had to say – never once expressing his opinion of the Dark Lord and his minions. Nor did he express his desire not to join them.

In his own mind Draco saw himself as two different people. The first was a mask of himself, which he unleashed upon the outside world. A cold, cruel duplicate of his father, One who appeared to be above all like royalty, who cared of nothing but himself, who would soon as betray his 'friends' for his own benefit. That was the Draco Malfoy everyone saw, and he'd had his entire life to develop that mask.

The second was the side to Draco that nobody ever saw, especially not his father. He was the kind of person who looked down on muggles, believing completely that they were inferior to those of the Magical Variety. But didn't wish to destroy the lives of countless innocent people – magic or no.

Despite what people thought, Draco had no particular interest in practicing the Dark Arts. He was interested in learning about them of course. So that he could think of ways to counter Dark spells if need be. Another thing Draco was interested in was Demonology. But no one knew about that, not even his mother, who had always been kinder than his father (even if she couldn't stop Lucius from beating up their son).

Draco had been interested in Demonology ever since he was little. He remembered the day he'd seen his first demon – the thing that first sparked his interest – he remembered it like it was yesterday.

----When he was just nine years old, his father had taken him to his first 'Death Eater' meeting. That's all it was really, a group of Death Eaters gathering together – sans the dark cloaks and masks – and discussing the 'return' of the Dark Lord. Actually it was just an excuse for the men to drink till they were off their faces and bang the 'finest' whores.

It was because of this that Draco had left his father to his own devices, and left the pub wandering the nearby streets alone, knowing he'd be able to get back before his father noticed he was even missing.

Then it happened, he'd encountered his first demon – a Vampire. It lunged at Draco with an animalistic snarl, fangs bared and face transformed into the demon it truly was. Draco screamed in sheer terror and stumbled backward, knowing he was going to die. When suddenly, a black and white blur slammed into the Vampire, tackling it to the ground.

Draco backed up against a tree and watched. He could see the shapes more clearly now – his tears had dried up – he hadn't even realized that he'd been crying. He'd been crying out of pure shock and fright like some two year old child that had been barked at by an angry dog.

Now that he had pulled himself together, he noticed that a girl was fighting the vampire. She was doing very well, too, though Draco was sure that no girl that size should be able to defeat such a strong creature. But she fought with ease, and then plunged a piece of what looked like wood through the vampires' heart. The vampire exploded into dust.

The girl walked over to him. Draco was shivering.

"You OK, kid?" she asked. She was American, her accent told him that much.

He hadn't bothered to snap at her for calling him a 'kid'. Draco looked up at the one who'd saved him. She was quite pretty – she had a thin, almost delicate face with light skin that probably would have been pale, but she looked like she'd tried to get a tan. Her hair was a chestnut brown color, and fell into natural ringlets that almost reached her waist and was tied in one long ponytail. She brushed her hair out of her eyes, which were an odd steely blue sort of color.

"I'm alright," Draco said, still shaking.

There was something about her, like he should recognize those features from somewhere.

"You shouldn't be out alone" she told him.

"I can look after myself" Draco retorted, finally calming down.

"Yeah, because you were doin' it so well with that vamp" she smirked.

Now that smirk definitely looked familiar. And he noticed that she was also looking at him rather strangely.

"Got a name?" She was talking again.

Draco blinked.

"Can't quite remember?" she grinned, when he hadn't answered right away.

"Draco, Draco Malfoy" Draco sputtered almost silently, his name coming to him.

The change in her expression was brief, but he caught it. She'd frowned slightly and her eyes flickered for a moment. Then she reverted back to her prior self.

"Well, Draco Malfoy, are your parents with you?"

Draco nodded slowly, "My dad's in the pub" he gave a half-hearted glance towards the pub lights a few buildings away.

The girl frowned again. Making a noise that sounded like disapproval or that she'd expected an answer of that sort.

"C'mon."

She'd led him back to the pub.

"You'd better stay out here 'till that daddy 'o yours sobers up, kay?"

Draco nodded dumbly. She smiled and ruffled his hair in an affectionate way, like an aunt might do to a nephew.

"Hey, watch yourself, kid." She turned and started walking.

"Wait!" Draco cried, finding his voice suddenly.

The girl stopped and turned around to face him.

"Who are you?" he asked.

She gave him a ghost of a smile "Promise not to tell anyone?"

Draco nodded mutely.

"I'm the Slayer."----

Even now her last words still rang clear in Draco's head. When he'd gotten home the next morning he'd searched the family's rather extensive library, that was no where near as large as Hogwarts own, but was completely Dark Arts free in case the Ministry came to call. All the Dark books were kept hidden in his fathers 'hidden library', which was much bigger than the one they showed to the public.

Still, the library they used as a front had some decent titles. One such was 'The Mythology and Methodology of the Slayer' which explained completely who and what 'the slayer' was and why she was able to beat that vampire so easily.

After that first book Draco had become more interested in what other creatures the Slayer faced. That was when he became interested in Demonology – by the time he was eleven he'd already read all the books related to Demonology in the family Library three times over. Not to mention the small collection he had from 'Flourish and Blotts', which he'd bought with his own money without his father knowing.

When he'd arrived at Hogwarts he took out books on Demonology from the School Library almost every week. And here he was, going into his sixth year and still he hadn't read all the books on Demonology in the Library.

Now Draco was happier that he'd ever been, though that wasn't saying much. His father was jailed, at least temporarily, and Draco was free for now. Free to read all he wanted – free to keep away from his 'Death Eater Training' his father had always been so insistent on. He'd even noticed that his mother was looking healthier. It was strange because Draco hadn't noticed her look unhealthy before. But she seemed much happier now that Draco had something to compare it too.

Narcissa Malfoy had always seemed to be crushed under her husbands' rule. Draco had seen his mother yelled at, threatened and often beaten by his father. But she was the only member of this household that showed an ounce of compassion for Draco, and often stuck up for him when he was being beaten himself. This was what got her beaten more often than he. Questioning Lucius Malfoy's authority in his own house was considered a capital crime.

But no matter, Draco would soon leave this place, Hogwarts would start in a couple of months and he would once again continue his reading – and Quidditch, which he loved as well, though many thought he just wanted to be on the team to compete with Harry Potter.

Draco sighed, rising from his chair at the dinning room table and made his way to his bedroom where he promptly collapsed on the bed. Only another couple of months - give or take a few days - and then he would be out of this godforsaken house.

===

"Wills, you lived in Sunnydale, right?" Ron asked interestedly.

He, Hermione and Harry had found Willow having a cup of hot chocolate in the kitchen.

"Yep, all my life" Willow said, smiling slightly.

"What's a Hellmouth?"

Willow looked at him and sighed. "This is gonna take a while."

After pouring three more mugs of hot chocolate for them – the muggle way, Harry noticed – Willow told them the story – or at least she gave them the cliff-notes version. How she met The Slayer a.k.a. Buffy Summers, how Rupert Giles was her Watcher and how she got caught up in the whole Wiccan business. She told them about how she and her best friends saved the world countless times and how Sunnydale was built on a Hellmouth.

It was very late by the time she'd gotten past her 'tried to end the world' phase. Harry, Hermione and Ron were sympathetic, and told them they didn't blame her. Harry assured Willow that he understood why she'd done it – the rage she'd felt because someone she'd loved was killed. Although, if he was honest with himself, Harry never would have guessed that Willow was gay.

"So you were with the Slayer the whole time?" Ron asked.

"Ya-huh" Willow nodded.

"Then you must know who cast the spell to activate all the potentials" Hermione said, "It was all over the Wizarding papers a few weeks ago."

Willow smiled, "I do know – I know her up close and personal."

"Then who was it?" Harry asked.

"Me."

No one said anything for a long while.

"Y-you" Ron croaked, wide-eyed. Hearing that Willow had been the one who tried to end the world was something else – but she was strong enough to activate all the potentials?

"Well – that wasn't in the papers" Hermione said, trying to compose herself.

"Well I for one am impressed" Harry admitted, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

"So you all left the Sunnydale" Hermione said, "Why?"

"Little problem of it being sucked into hell 'n' all." At their blank stares Willow added, "Long story."

"And the Hellmouth?" Ron asked.

"Sealed permanently" Willow said, draining her cup.

"Really! Who did that?" Hermione asked interestedly.

Willow raised her hand.

"No way!" exclaimed three voices in unison.

"Way" Willow nodded.

"You realize I've learned more about you in the last two hours than I have… ever?" Ron sputtered.

"A lot to swallow, innit?" Willow smiled kindly.

"Still choking here, believe me" Ron rolled his eyes, "Seein' you in a whole new light, doncha know."

"Yeah, well you three'd better go to bed. Or Aunt Molly will flip if she finds you've been up this late. Night guys."

"G'night, Wills" Ron said.

"'Night" Harry and Hermione said in unison.

The three teens trudged upstairs, with absolutely no intention of sleeping. They had a lot to talk about.

===

Dawn packed the stuff she'd need in a duffle-bag after she'd sent e-mails to the rest of the gang elsewhere, it was mostly just clothes and a few prized possessions – she didn't even know what to bring to a Wizard school anyway, but everything was planned out. Willow would pick her up tomorrow – how she had no idea – but Willow said she would. And then she'd meet Wills' family and then she'd be sort of – introduced – to the Wizarding world. Dawn knew this was a good thing – that way she wouldn't look completely stupid when she started school.

Faith, Spike and Wesley would be traveling by 'Portkey' whatever that was, to some place that was the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. Which was supposed to be some sort of club against the Voldy-snort guy, or something like that.

All in all, plans were made and things looked alright – even if the Dark-Wizard-Dude was supposed to be going on a power trip so he could swallow the world whole. Dawn knew that the Gems were safe (and put to good use) with Angel and Spike. In a way Dawn was glad Angel would be staying. Better to make it harder for Voldy to collect all the gems – though thinking back, Dawn wondered who had the fourth and final gem.

Still, Dawn knew that even if Angel had been given the opportunity to go teach, he wouldn't. Not only did he have obligations in LA, but he'd want to be with Cordelia as well. She was still in the hospital. In a coma. Dawn knew that Angel visited her almost every day. The doctors said she may never wake up – but then again they'd said the same thing about Faith. But of course, Faith had slayer healing and all that.

Dawn sighed and shoved the last of her things in her bag. It was gonna be a long year.

Alright, alright, please do not pound me for my lack of imagination or whatever in this chapter. Next one coming soon if I finished my blasted assignments on time – stupid school. Makes me wanna scream – AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH – there, that's better. I'm done now.