AN: So I guess I got this new chapter going. There seems to be a lot of confusion with Voldemort back and Hermione dead. I had an alternate ending to the first story and this is the sequel to that ending. Not the fluffy one where Hermiones still alive.

Disclaimer: don't own Harry Potter and if I said I owned Buffy and if it got Joss to sue me…that'd be worth it…

Chapter 10

So now what?

The heavy oak clock smelled sweet and musty. Its iron pendulum swung back and forth giving a steady rhythm to the room's tense atmosphere.

Harry hated being watched or examined. With five sets of mistrusting eyes staring at him that clock was the only thing that relieved his anxiety. Time was passing, however slowly. This too shall pass. His mantra repeated through his mind with every swing of the pendulum. It set a pace for his breathing and his pulse slowed. He could do this. He had to do this. So he did. He told them everything.

"Voldemort is back?" Giles asked disbelievingly. "The Watcher's Council explored every conceivable possibility and concluded that you thoroughly destroyed any fragment of Voldemort that remained in this realm. In fact if I remember the account correctly their only concern was you." He stared pointedly at the tired man before him.

Harry's eyes darkened. "Me?"

"One does not go through a soul sacrificing ritual in the depths of a hell dimension and remain the same."

Buffy flinched. "You were in a hell dimension?"

Harry nodded.

"Just how long were you down there exactly?" Giles asked accusingly.

"I don't know. I was in HELL." Harry said. "Do you expect that I had a day calendar or a journal? I was fighting for my life every second I was down there. A demon ripped my soul from my body and I had to kill it to get back."

"I'm sorry but you ran into SPIKE and didn't kill him!" Xander asked. He was ignored.

"Whether or not you got your soul back the fact remains that a ritual of such depravity would leave one changed forever." Giles said.

Harry remembered the changes he'd seen in the mirror. He looked more like a demon every day and his magic felt hollow and empty. Like a piece of him was missing but he hadn't felt that until after his kidnapping experience with the commandos. If it weren't for his shifting abilities the Scoobies would be less lenient with his new look.

"What I am doesn't change the situation. If anything it makes it more pertinent that you listen to me! Faith said she was working for him. She had a portkey and reeked of his aura. The question is will you do anything about it?"

"That's what we do." Buffy assured him. The Scoobies nodded in agreement.

"It simple enough to me." Xander began. "There's a new bad in town whether it's Volde-what's-it or not."

"I have to agree. It doesn't matter whether or not Harry's right. Faith is all the proof we need." Oz said.

"So. Patrol?" Buffy asked. Everyone agreed. As they hustled around picking up varying weaponry Buffy made her way to Giles.

"You need to help." Buffy stated. Giles looked hurt.

"I always will help you."

"I'm talking about, Harry." Buffy said. Giles sighed taking his glasses and cleaning them in attempt to buy time. "What Harry did was reckless and dangerous. But it was right! It's exactly what I would have done."

"He opened a hellmouth." Giles argued.

"To save the woman he loved!" Buffy spat. "And he lost her while saving the world!"

Giles looked properly ashamed. "The boy- man has done a lot, gone through a lot but he is still dangerous. If everything he said is true then his soul could be split. Good and evil would war inside him and if the good loses his darkness will take over completely. He'll be just another demon."

"So. We. Help." Buffy whispered. Giles nodded.

"There are some tomes." Giles said.

"I thought there'd be." Buffy smiled before heading over to her rag tag team. "Guys I need a favor. Stay here with Giles and lend him a hand. He's going to need it." Xander looked fit to protest but Buffy coward him down with a single glare. "Please." She added.

Everyone nodded heading over to Giles for assignments.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Harry asked from the doorway. Buffy stared at him trying to see the boy she once knew. He looked like a normal guy. Youthful face handsome features….hollow eyes. She swallowed and broke her gaze to crab Mr. Pointy.

"I trust you." And I promised to protect you. She added to herself. She was going to make good on that promise even if it was one and a half decades later.

Harry looked relieved. "Thank you."

Darkness was nice, he decided. It was preferable in many ways. You didn't rely on your eyes. They could trick you. The darkness raised the awareness of all of your other senses. It left a thrum of adrenaline creeping though your system as your body prepared to be attacked at any moment. He wasn't worried of course. There was only one that could be a threat and he was sure that he would join him soon. Reunited once and for all with his better half.

He looked up from the tome he was reading as the smallest twinge in the wards alerted him to Faith's return.

"What was his answer?"

"He believes you're Voldemort." Faith smirked as the man circled around he ensnaring her with his arms.

The man laughed bitterly to himself peppering hard kisses to the girl's neck.

"He's lucky and cursed not to know the truth. We will have to make him aware of our situation soon." He pressed against her. She moaned.

"There's a problem. The Slayer was with him. It's likely they're looking for you now." She groaned as he manipulated her body.

"They're looking for a ghost. Still without my other half it's important that I prepare for our next meeting. Things will get messy if he doesn't chose willingly." He smirked at the writhing slayer in his arms.

Harry sighed watching Buffy stake another dead end. No one was talking. Everyone, even the new born, seemed to know something if not much but they were too afraid to speak.

"It's Voldemort! It has to be! He's a fear monger. He did the same thing back in the UK as he's doing here."

"It's not Voldemort, mate." The familiar British voice made Buffy spin stake ready.

"Spike!"

"Calm down, Slayer. I'm not here for a fight. Just delivering a message." Spike stepped out of the dark and spun showing he was unarmed.

"What makes you so generous all of a sudden?" Buffy asked.

"Me to know, Slayer. Sides this boy here saved my life. Least I can do is return the favor."

"What's the message?" Harry asked.

"He wants to talk to you face to face. He says he knows you from way back. Old mates in school an' such. He has an offer for you. Said Hermione sent him."

Harry swallowed.

Buffy saw Harry's expression and decided to press Spike for him. "Why would he want to meet him?"

"Cuase if he doesn't he's gonna leave and Harry will never know the truth about her."

"Where?" Harry asked. Spike smiled.

"That's the spirit. He said to meet him at 'Frederick Evans' tomb. Said you'd be able to sense it when you're near." Spike turned and left slipping into the darkness before he could be asked another question.

Harry cast a sidelong glance at Buffy. "I'm coming with you, Harry." There was no room for argument.

"Fine."

As they began to walk Buffy wondered aloud. "How will you be able to sense it?"

"Dunno." Harry replied. "Could be because it's the tomb of my Grandfather."

Buffy looked like she wanted to ask more questions but she seemed to pick up on Harry's confusion and left it alone.

Faiths smiled seeing the blonde vamp make his way back into the shadows.

"They buy it?" She asked as he drew near.

"All it took was saying her name." Spike replied. "Looks like you don't do it for him anymore."

Faith scowled. "He'll be pleased to know Harry's on his way even with B in toe."