Chapter 11: Adventures in the City of Angels.


"Isáwien! What the bloody hell is taking you so long!" Spike yelled up the stairs as he looked over at Vld. "Women," he grumbled as he rolled his eyes

"I heard that William."

"STOP calling me William or I'll bloody well make you a vampire on top of being a member of your Dark Four," Spike growled

"I would strongly advise against that Spike darling," Jamie commented from beside Isáwien as they made their way down the stairs.

"I know. I highly doubt Severus would like it if I come back to England a vampire. I think he'd be after you with his own set of stakes."

"And believe me, my Father is the last person you want upset with you. He knows of multiple uses for vampire's blood in potions."

"Snape wouldn't kill me. Seeing as Isáwien needs me to walk her down the aisle. Now can we leave already? The tattoo place isn't going to stay open all night you know."

"Fine, let's go then," sighed Jamie as she joined Vld at the bottom of the stairs. "Besides Vld offered to take me out on the town after we're done."

"That's a good thing. Seeing as you'll be done long before I will," Isáwien replied with a smile as they headed towards the door.

The four quickly made there way across the city of Angels to the Black Wave tattoo parlour.

"So what exactly do you two plan on getting done?" Spike asked as they walked into the parlour

"Don't really know yet," commented Jamie as she wandered over to a wall that displayed many of the available designs. "I just hope it doesn't upset Draco to much."

"Draco can jump off a bridge for all I care. Get what you want," Isáwien replied with a smile. "Aha. Well, I'm all set," she continued with a smirk. "Your father is going to kill me."

"And why would Father kill you?" Jamie asked turning to face Isáwien.

"Because of what I have planned, he's already ticked about the daisy on my hip. So I'm figuring a little fun is in order."

"My Gods you're evil Isá," Jamie chuckled. "You really enjoy tormenting my poor Father don't you? Oh Vld, what do you think about this one?" Jamie asked pointing to an image on the wall.

"Looks good to me," commented Vld. "Are you going to have them put your initials in it?"

"I don't know."

"Well you and Lucius seemed to balance each other out. Your Yin to his Yang," offered Vld.

"Interesting theory."

"Very interesting," Isáwien agreed with a smile. "So where are you going to have it?"

"Don't really know. I'm open to suggestions though," offered Jamie.

"Ankle?"

"The small of your back," Spike suggested rolling his eyes at Isáwien's suggestion.

Jamie paled slightly at Spike's suggestion. "No…not…not there…"

"Spike have you not heard I word I've told you about Jamie?" asked Vld

"Since I obviously don't know what you're talking about, then I suppose the answer is yes."

"Which of course would explain your rather apt way of putting your foot in your mouth the day she arrived," commented Vld. "Jamie can't get a tattoo on her lower back because…"

"Vld, it's alright," interrupted Jamie. "The reason I can't get a tattoo on my lower back is because I already have one…a magical one."

"A magical tattoo? All right, Isáwien when did they start having magical tattoos? And why wasn't I told about this new tattoo type?"

"Spike…wait…it's not really a…a magical tattoo. It's more of a brand of sorts," Jamie explained before Isáwien could answer.

"A WHAT!"

"Spike will you calm down and let the poor girl explain," argued Vld.

"All right, all right, it's just that is a bit of a shock after all."

"You're telling me," Jamie commented under her breath. "Gods, where to begin…"

"Why don't we just tell him to mind his own business?" Isáwien suggested.

"And you actually think he'd go for that? He is a Malfoy after all," commented Jamie sarcastically.

"Yes, and as such he should know when to mind his own business."

"Do you two mind not talking about me like I'm not here," Spike drawled as he rolled his eyes. "And people wonder why I don't talk about my family," he muttered

"Don't worry about it Spike, I'm only related to you through my marriage to Luc so feel free to talk about me all you like," commented Jamie, her eyes twinkling merrily.

"And I thought you talked about us all the time. Aren't you always cursing the Brits and I just know that silently you're cursing us Malfoys."

"Can I help you people with anything?" asked an employee.

Yes, the two of us are here to get a tattoo. Well two in my case," Isáwien replied with a smile as she pointed to Jamie and herself.

"If you ladies will follow me we'll get you started then," instructed the employee as he indicated to two chairs in the back room.

A short time later found Jamie getting up carefully from her chair. /-/I can't wait to get out of here so I can use a little magic to ease the pain. Mind you it's not as bad as Luc's though, I'm still conscious at least./-/

/-/You get use to it after the first one, Love. Have fun with Vld./-/

/-/Thanks./-/ "Come on Vld let's get out of here. I think Isá's going to be a while longer yet," commented Jamie as she dragged Vld out of the tattoo parlour, leaving Isáwien alone with her cousin.

"I can understand the tiger, Isáwien. But what is your next tattoo going to be?" Spike asked looking away from the small of her back.

"I'm getting a falcon's head with some writing around it" Isáwien explained giving him a smirk. "So Spike dearest, how are things in the Muggle world?"

"Well let's see…dated the Slayer, got a soul, helped save the world, got stuck in a medallion, came back as a ghost and became corporeal again."

"And I thought my life was crazy," Isáwien replied shaking her head.

"Your turn Isáwien, how's the Wizarding World treating you?"

"Well let's see. We haven't seen each other in years so you're far behind the info. I married Tom after Severus broke that promise he made about not holding my past against me. Tom was kind enough to figure out a way to make me fall in love with him while he was talking to me through my mind, so it was all fun. Anyway, after your nephew accused Jyn and I of crying rape and me making my son up. You remember him right? Your namesake. Anyway, after that very eventful Order meeting, Lucius, Jamie, and I went to Tom. He and I were married the next day, we went through the bonding ceremony, and fulfilled the Prophecy of the Dark Four. Spent the next few months killing Muggles and such, then Albus gave Harry the spell that would kill Tom, and they broke into Riddle House, and while Severus kept me in a bedroom upstairs everyone else fought downstairs and they killed Tom and Lucius was severely hurt and ended up in the Muggle world. Don't ask," she instructed with a pointed look. "Anyway, after Jamie pulled me out of my Unbinding induced coma, I went back to Danger and raised Jamie's daughter. Which reminds me, YOU never answered any of the letters I sent you while I was living in the states you prat," Isáwien continued with another look.

"So stake me Isáwien, I'm a vampire and vampires are not big on the letter writing, you know that. And second of all, hello…dealing with the hellmouth, a secret government agency bent on controlling the dark creatures in Sunnydale, Glorificus a demon goddess, three rather inept teenage villains and then the First and the hellmouth once again."

"You do realize you just announced to the tattoo artist that you're a vampire right?" Isáwien asked with a smirk.

"And what makes you think that they aren't?"

"You brought Jamie and I to a parlour run by vampires? No offence, but are you trying to kill Jyn and I off or something? Then again, I doubt any vampire would try to drink Jyn or I. From what I learned from the last vamp I ran into other than you and Angel, they can sense our connection to Tom and they aren't stupid enough to try and enjoy one of his people," Isáwien mused

"Of course they're not stupid. Riddle may have been many things but he was definitely working the badness. Even the Master knew better than to mess with Riddle and that's saying something when a thousand year old vampire knows better than to mess with a wizard like him," answered Spike.

"Very interesting, that information may come in very handy... And you're forgiven," she continued with a smile. "Oh, as to the other things in the Wizarding World. I'm just teaching, trying to keep from killing Draco, while trying to also keep him from having any reason to turn Severus and I over to the Parkinsons. And I finally convinced Severus to have a Muggle wedding in America. So life is interesting."

"And why are you trying not to kill your nephew? I thought you adored the prat?"

"I did. Before Jyn married Lucius and Draco became a jerk. Partially because of him, Lucius was locked up in Hogwarts away from Jamie. He was a really nasty bugger back then. And just this past summer when Jamie lost her memory Draco fed her a lie about her past and then threatened the rest of us that if we told her the truth he'd go to the Parkinsons about Severus and I. So, we all want to kill him, but can't, seeing as Severus' life is in the balance. Oh, and he neglected to inform any of us that he had a daughter. But other than that, I have no reason to not adore him," she conceded.

"Bloody prat," Spike growled. "He's turning into Lucius and Abraxas more and more as the years go by. And you wonder why I don't do the whole family reunion bit."

"What family reunion. The only ones of us left are you, Lucius, and me. And I doubt Lucius will agree to a family reunion with Draco anyway. He wants to kill the boy more than we do. After all, he got a second chance with Jyn. Lucius never interfered with his second chance. And all Draco has done is destroy Jyn's soul."

"So you were telling the truth then…the other day when Fireball refused to listen, the bloody git's still alive?"

"Well the fact she hasn't had an Unbinding is proof enough of that. And he is coming back to England," she explained thinking back to her words from the other day.

"And I take it the prat has told Fireball that her loving husband wasn't quite as loving as she remembers and that he'll never come back. Bloody hell; better put me on that list of people wanting to kill him."

"Will do Spiky dearest, and hopefully things will work out if everything goes as planned... And we can keep Draco away from Jyn and the Parkinsons. Comes in handy that he is always away on missions with Albus really."

"That boy really is a disgrace to the family. Malfoy's are creatures of the dark and he has to go all noble and light," commented Spike, shaking his head.

"Now that is funny coming from you. Wasn't it just eight years ago that I was a member of the Order of Phoenix? It took Tom for me to finally let my dark side out of the little box it was in for twenty years."

"You may have been a member of that Bloody Order but you never denied you had a dark side. You knew it was there just under the surface you just refused to accept it. But Draco…he was well on his way to the darkness and all of a sudden he goes to the light? And Fireball," Spike smirked at the thought; "Now she's another story…I bet she took to the darkness quite quickly.

"Draco's turn from Darkness is my fault. And yes, Jyn took to darkness very well. She had a lovely time getting revenge on Pettigrew and her attackers. But make sure your thoughts stay nice and far away from her William," she ordered.

"And what thoughts might you be thinking of Love?" Spike asked innocently.

"The same thoughts I warned you about having for the Slayer when I passed through Sunnydale those many years ago," she replied with a pointed look.

"And I seem to think that those thoughts became a very pleasant reality," smirked Spike in response as he thought back on the memories of his time with the Slayer.

"Yes, well make sure your thoughts stay with the Slayer and away from my sister-in-law."

Spike merely smirked in reply.

"William," Isáwien warned. "Besides, I doubt Buffy would like it if you were thinking such thoughts about someone else. And we'd hate for her to hear that you had been," she continued with a smirk.

"Bloody hell Isáwien, a vamp can dream can't he? I can't help it if I think the Fireball would be a hot little number in bed."

Choking slightly Isáwien coughed a few times before smacking the back of Spike's head so hard his chin hit his chest. "DO YOU MIND? I don't need that mental image. Its bad enough I had to be an audience member on Jyn and Lucius' honeymoon. Blah," she shuddered. "So how goes my picture of Shields?" she asked turning her attention to something else. Anything else.

"Looks like it's almost done," commented Spike, the smirk still firmly planted on his face. "I bet old Lucius wasn't too happy with your sudden appearance on his honeymoon of all things."

"Oh that's the truth of the matter. Course those stupid Fates had a lovely time laughing their heads off. I could hear them the entire time," she replied shaking her head. "They had deemed it worthy to show me that same event two months earlier in a vision. It was bad enough the first time, in person...Stupid women."

Spike could not help the laugh that escaped at Isáwien's reactions to the memories. "I don't think Fireball would have been too thrilled about it either. It's eerie but I can almost see Lucius in her at times while at others…"

"It's the bonding. She picked up a lot of him in those first days. But, it isn't just the bonding. The reason Lucius was the way he was... he had lost his heart. Father destroyed both of us in the time he had with us. Lucius more than me... he had Lucius longer, more time to get to him," she paused shaking her head. "Jamie is so much like Lucius because she can't reach her heart anymore. It was easier to lock it away than face the pain everyday. Pain that Lucius now knows he caused in his stupid belief that she was happy with Draco. But at the same time, I can't help but be glad she took after Lucius rather than following me. Years ago she started down the path that led me to the world I live in. But Lucius was able to keep her from that world. One of the things I'll always be thankful to my brother for. She doesn't need to be suicidal on top of losing Lucius and having Draco lying to her and the rest of us unable to help. If she was...I don't think you ever would have had the chance to meet her. Or have those blasted thoughts about her," she finished with a slight smile while the artist applied the bandage to the first of her tattoos.

"Just do me a favour, Isáwien," Spike asked a note of worry in his voice. "I'm not asking for Lucius' sake, seeing as you know how I feel about the bastard. I'm asking for Fireball's sake, keep an eye on her? There's something there, just below the surface. I can't put my finger on it but it's there and I fear the outcome."

"Join the club Spike. And believe me; I have every intention of keeping an eye on her."

"Good…now about this Muggle wedding of yours…"

"Don't tell me you're afraid of Disney World," Isáwien teased as she handed the folded piece of paper to the artist, which had the design for her second tattoo.

"Could you have picked a more sickeningly sweet place? Come on Isáwien Disney Bloody World? I do hope you plan on having a night time ceremony or else your escort and a number of your guests will be nothing but dust for them to add to their Haunted Mansion."

"No, I purposely scheduled it for noon just so I can see all of you turn to dust," she replied sarcastically.

"Bloody Malfoy women," grumbled Spike under his breath while he rolled his eyes.

"I know. We just love to drive you insane. Yes, I'm having my wedding at night. For Merlin's sake, I have a werewolf, a ghost, a tiger, a panther, and a number of vampires in attendance. Not to mention a half-elf. Believe me dearest, I'm not stupid."

"A Malfoy stupid? Not bloody likely…oh wait we were talking about Draco earlier. Well I guess he's the exception to the rule then."

Laughing softly she shook her head. "Aye, I think Draco is the only stupid one in the family. Even his daughter has more brains than him it seems sometimes."

"I'm still not clear on this daughter bit. From what I've gathered, Draco and Fireball were together before she married Lucius and that they've been together since shortly after his presumed death. Fireball doesn't really seem like the type to have another man's child so soon after the death of her husband."

"Cia isn't Jamie's daughter. Jamie does have a daughter named Desdemona, we all call her Desi, but that's another story all together. No, Cia is Draco and Fleur Weasley's daughter. Weasley is her married name," she explained with a soft smile. "Fleur was one of the contestants in the last Tri-Wizard cup. She thought to use a time-turner for one of the tasks... and let's just say that Fleur and time-turners don't get along. First try she ended up at Hogwarts during Draco's seventh year, when Draco and Jyn weren't together. They had a fling and he helped her calculate the number of turns she needed to get back to 94. Well as we both know, Draco isn't the brightest bulb in the closest sometimes, and she ended up in 92. She got stuck in the past for a while as the time-turner decided enough was enough and died. Gave birth to Cia, and gave Cia to her younger self, whom she had been in contact with to get a new time-turner and the RIGHT calculations. They made the trade off, and she luckily ended up in 94 again, where she met her future husband, and now had the memories of Cia. Quite the lovely bit of proof that time-travel is not a good thing," she shook her head softly. "Draco was told when he was sixteen; she didn't want to tell him before, waiting until he was old enough to understand. And then a year later he actually lived through the events so... he couldn't deny Cia was his child. He just neglected to tell any of us. And he also has a habit of lying about his knowledge when confronted with the truth. I only found out he knew at sixteen from Fleur."

"And I take it Fireball only knows that Cia's his daughter, not the how or why of it right?"

"Umm. You know, I think it's my brain reacting to the pain. But I honestly can't tell you if she knows. I know he isn't the most talkative about it, hell he wouldn't even tell me the truth when I first demanded it. And I don't remember if I told her. I want to say I did... but if I didn't... Uggh, there are times I hate the drugs those blasted medi-wizards agreed to put me on," she finished rolling her eyes.

Spike sort of huffed slightly but remained silent so Isáwien figured a change in subject was in order.

"So, meet any interesting people while you were 'dead'. Or did you never really go anywhere?"

"Oh let's see, when I wasn't here I was in some kind of hell dimension even though I bloody well sacrificed myself for the greater good and I was almost killed by the ghost of Jack the Ripper, is that interesting enough for you?"

"No need to get defensive Spiky. I was just looking for a change in subject and that one was the first thing I thought of. And it's good to know Jackie poo didn't kill you off. I like having you around. Especially with Lucius taking care of things in Europe and Draco being the idiot he has been."

"Interesting," Spike drawled as he looked back at the tattoo. "So, do I ask about this latest bit of artwork?"

"It's for Severus. Sort of my please forgive me for the daisy on my hip that has Tom's and my wedding day and his initials on it. All thanks to Gilly's wonderful abilities."

"I see. So that explains the odd saying. Looks like a bloody sappy romance song lyric to me."

"That because it is a song lyric you bozo," she replied rolling her eyes as the man finally stopped and got the bandages for it.

"All right. That it?" the guy asked as she stood up.

"Aye. All that's left is the bill," she replied slipping her jacket back on.

Smirking Spike followed her from the room. "So how do you intend on paying? I don't think they accept gallons."

"It's called currency exchange dingbat. You know, Gringotts does it all the time," she replied as she handed the man his money. "So, shall we go back to the hotel? A nice bubble bath sounds wonderful right now. Well, that and the spell to heal these two lovelies up right away."

"Bloody witch, why do you get to heal them in five minutes flat while the rest of us are stuck with the regular two to three weeks?" Spike snapped lightly.

"As you pointed out, I'm a witch. I can do whatever I want. Including make sure you can't have any fun with your girlfriend, let alone my Jyn," she replied with a smirk as they got in the car.

"Spiteful prat, you'd do it too," he replied shaking his head. "Why I put up with you, is beyond me."

"I'm family. You have to put up with me. Now drive. I want to have my bath," she ordered with a smirk.


It was just past midnight and after her bath Isáwien could be found reading on the couch in the main lobby of the Hyperion, her insomnia keeping her up as usual. She was not alone in her night-time activities as the Lobby also contained two vampires, two watchers and a Slayer. Wesley and Giles were researching a new demon that was rumoured to have been sighted in Los Angeles, while Angel, Buffy and Spike sparred with one another.

"Uh…Wesley…"

"What is it Fred?" asked Wesley, not looking up from his book as she came out of the office.

"I know that demons and monsters are real but what about mythical creatures?"

"What do you mean by mythical creatures Fred," Wesley asked, annoyance beginning to tinge his voice even though he still did not look away from his book.

"Oh…you know…winged horses and unicorns that sort of thing…"

"Fred, what are you…" Wesley's words died on his tongue as he finally looked up from his book. "Bloody Hell!" he swore, drawing everyone's attention to him as he made his way across the lobby to where a majestic, although bloody and badly beaten, white winged unicorn stood shakily in the doorway, a frantic and frightened look in her blue eyes, a limp figure strapped to her back.

"Holy shite," Isáwien said in shock as she stood up, her book falling to the ground. "Jamie? What happened?" she asked concerned as she followed Wesley.

Everyone in the room stopped to look at Isáwien as if she had completely lost her mind as she neared the creature.

/-/Attacked…block away…we…we were on our way back when…she came out of nowhere…/-/

"Bloody hell," Isáwien murmured. "HEY! Don't just stand there staring at us like we're nuts. Jyn and Vld were attacked a block away by something female," she yelled at everyone.

"Uh…I don't mean to state the obvious here but Vld is strapped to that thing over there and Jamie is nowhere to be seen," commented Buffy. "And how do you know what attacked them?" she asked, causing the unicorn to whinny in frustration.

/-/Isá, I don't know how much longer I can hold this form. If someone doesn't get Vld off my back soon…/-/

"Get Vld off her back, then I'll explain everything. I don't want to even try using magic to move him. He's got too many injuries."

Giles and Spike walked up to the unicorn and carefully eased Vld down off her back once the magical restraints holding him in place vanished. Once Vld was safely removed the unicorn seemed to tremble before collapsing with a cry, whether that cry was one of pain or relief no one was sure since before the unicorn hit the floor it was suddenly replaced by the injured form of Jamie.

"Bloody hell Jyn, why didn't you call me for help," Isáwien whispered as she knelt next to her. "And of course I leave my wand upstairs," she continued rolling her eyes. "Accio wand," she called holding her hand up. "Now that's better. Let's get you and then Vld fixed up."

"Came out of nowhere," Jamie gasped. "Barely got away…" her words turned into a hiss of pain as she tried to sit up.

"Jamie girl, do try not to move, Love. What exactly hurts?" Isáwien asked as she did a cleaning spell to remove all the blood, dirt, and grime.

"I hate to interrupt you while you are taking care of her. But can you please explain how Jamie was a unicorn, and how you knew what happened?" Angel reminded her.

"What bloody well doesn't hurt would be more accurate Isá," Jamie hissed. "I think a few of my ribs are broken, everything else is just severely bruised. What is it with people and throwing me into objects that don't give when you hit them? And I'm an animagus Angel, hence the unicorn."

"She threw you into a wall?" Isáwien asked trying to figure out what object would not give. "Hell, she threw you period. What the hell did you two meet up with?" she continued in shock. "Oh and Angel, Jyn and I are able to talk with our thoughts, that's how I knew," she continued glancing over at the others, then back at Jamie.

"A wall Isá…let's see, I think the wall was first, then the light post, a parked car, a letter box, another wall I think…I didn't call for help because I never got the chance. She came out of nowhere and before I could do anything she had already launched me at the wall. Vld and I did what we could to fight her off but… Gods Isá, I barely had the energy for the transformation by the time she was through with me."

"Oh baby girl," Isáwien whispered. "All right, let's get everything fixed up," she continued closing her eyes to concentrate as she whispered each spell.

A few minutes later Isáwien was helping Jamie to her feet and over to the couch. "How is he?" Jamie asked her voice full of concern.

"He looks bad. But with Isáwien's help he'll be up in no time," Spike replied with a half smile. "Nothing to worry your pretty little head over Fireball."

"You might want to deal with the look your significant other is giving you William," Isáwien replied with a smirk as she walked over to Vld and knelt down next to him. "All right Vld, let's get you back on your feet too," she continued as she closed her eyes and concentrated once more. /-/This is so much easier when the patient can tell you their injuries./-/

"It didn't take much for her to disarm him but he continued to fight anyways. Check his right arm and left leg as well as his ribs. She sent him flying pretty good and it wasn't a pretty landing. But what I don't understand is why it was going after Vld. I mean it did everything in its power to get me out of the way before it went after him. It wasn't until its attention was fully focused on Vld that I was able to transform. I managed to do some damage to it that way, at least enough to get Vld and get him away," explained Jamie.

"You're right." Isáwien replied as she found his injuries before she cast the spells. "Good morning Sunshine," she continued with a smile as he opened his eyes.

"You said you were attacked out of nowhere by a mysterious woman and this woman was able to take out a very strong Muggle and one of the most powerful dark witches of the age without so much as breaking a sweat?" asked Giles in concern

"That sounds about right," agreed Jamie.

"Did you get a look at her?" continued Giles.

Jamie favoured the watcher with a glare that clearly said 'Of course I did, you idiot'. "Of course I did during the multitude of times that she threw me around and into rather solid objects."

"Last I checked, you did know how to get a good look at your attacker," Isáwien agreed with a smile. "So, what did she look like Love?"

"Vld and I were on our way home when he seemed to get trapped in something. He told me to run but when I turned around I came face to face with a woman, she was…beautiful at first…almost Goddess like but she soon became this ugly old hag that looked like she was rotting," Jamie shivered absently at the memory. "I ripped my necklace off and quickly transfigured it into a sword that I used to cut Vld free and that's when she attacked me, throwing me into the first wall, before returning her attention to Vld. I wasn't about to let this thing hurt my friend and I wasn't about to let a wall stand in my way so I attacked her again. Each time it got harder and harder to fight back. She eventually realized that I was no longer a threat so she turned her attention back to Vld, who'd been trying to fight her off me. I was trying to fight off unconsciousness when I saw her disarm Vld and send him flying. As she approached him she got this feral grin on her face as she licked her lips. It was almost as if she was preparing to eat him or something. That's when I summoned whatever strength I had left and transformed. We fought again until I managed to run her through with my horn and she backed off. That's when I levitated Vld onto my back and secured him there with magical bindings before taking off and returning here. I barely made it through the door without collapsing," explained Jamie.

"Bloody hell…something about the creature sounds familiar. But I don't know why. Do you guys know what it is?" Isáwien asked looking over at them.

"It sounds like the same thing that has been attacking around town. But we really aren't sure what it is," Wesley replied with a slight shrug

"Do you have any ideas at all?" Isáwien replied bluntly

"I have some ideas but everything Jamie has told us has been fairly vague at best…"

"Vague?" Jamie interrupted in disbelief. "I know what I saw Wesley. I told you she looked like a bloody Goddess at first but once she trapped Vld she…" she trailed off as memories of her earlier encounter started to surface.

"She looked like he was her next morsel," Isáwien suggested

"Yes but…it wasn't until she had us separated that her appearance changed. It was almost as if she realized that we weren't a couple…that we were just friends."

"Why is that familiar..." Isáwien trailed off as she stood up and started to pace, trying to place the facts.

"And it really looked like it wanted to eat Vld?" Buffy asked looking over at Vld. "Can we say eww."

"I think that would be my job," Vld said shaking his head. "She was looking at me like I was a filet mignon."

"Filet mignon? You? No offence Vld, but I think if any of us were filet mignon it would most definitely not be you. I'm thinking it would be one of us more striking people," Spike said with a smirk

"I'm just thankful for Muggle electricity. If it wasn't for that, I never would have gotten a look at her in the first place," Jamie commented. "How are you feeling Vld?"

"Hang on; you could only see her because of the electricity? What about moonlight?" Isáwien asked before he could say anything.

"There was no moonlight Isá, since there was no moon," Jamie explained simply.

"No moonlight..." Isáwien murmured to herself as she went back to her pacing.

Vld watched her for a moment before turning to Jamie. "I'm feeling about as well as I can. Oh and Spike, go jump off the roof."

"Good. I'm just sorry I couldn't get us out of there sooner. Is it just me or is Isáwien's pacing making anybody else dizzy?" Jamie asked as she watched her friend pace back and forth across the lobby.

"Can't handle the truth whelp?" Spike replied with a grin. "They never can," he continued trying not to laugh.

"Gods above what is it with you Malfoy men thinking you're the Gods gift to women!" Jamie cried in frustration, accidentally causing Giles water glass to shatter. "Sorry Giles."

"No problem Jamie." Giles replied shaking his head as he fought a smile. About time someone told the vampire off.

"I don't think I'm Gods gift to women. I know I am." Spike replied with a smirk.

"Idiotic, over egotistical man," Isáwien replied not stopping her pacing.

"For god's sake woman, stop pacing. You're going to drive us insane," Spike bit back

"Bite me," Isáwien tossed back

"Don't tempt me. One less Malfoy alive... And I'd be able to get back at your stupid brother at the same time."

"But then you'd be stuck with another Malfoy for the rest of eternity."

"Bloody hell, I never thought something would be worse than waiting for you all to die off," Spike groaned

"Go stake yourself," Isáwien replied sending a bolt of lightning at him.

"Hey! Watch where you're throwing those things," Spike yelled as he ducked. "You nearly took out my head!"

"Check again buddy boy. Oh, and you definitely don't look good with your hair parted down the middle," she replied as she turned away from him.

"What?" Spike asked as he reached up and found a line down the middle of his head, a line that was devoid of hair. "WHAT DID YOU DO WOMAN!" he growled

"Just gave you a new look," Isáwien replied with a smirk. "Now shut up, I'm thinking."

"Don't tell me to shut up woman," Spike replied ready to stalk over to her and drag her outside to continue the conversation, without witnesses.

Jamie could not hold it in any longer and burst out laughing at Spike. "Serves you right William, haven't you learned yet not to mess with a Malfoy woman?"

"What? Oh stay out of it Fireball," Spike replied wanting to hit someone.

"Oh grow up Spike," Isáwien replied suddenly stopping mid-step. "THAT'S why I knew it!' she exclaimed snapping her fingers

"What's it?" Jamie asked in confusion. "Oh and Spike, I will not stay out of it when you're about to attack my oldest and dearest friend, not to mention sister-in-law and Gods above future step-mother." Catching the confused gazes of everyone gathered, Jamie hastily explained, "Please don't ask our family is really confusing even to us."

"Nah, I'll explain," Isáwien replied with a smile. "Jyn here married my brother, hence the sister-in-law. And I'm marrying her adoptive father, although Severus and I have been together much longer than Lucius and Jyn. Hell, it's been thirteen years... Gods I feel old all of a sudden."

"All right, now I have a question for you," Spike replied looking quite confused.

"What now Spike?" Isáwien asked rolling her eyes.

"You're only twenty-six. What the hell were you and Snape doing together when you were thirteen?" Spike asked raising his eyebrows. "And watch what you say, I might have to hurt him."

"For Merlin's sake Spike, I knew what I was getting into..."

"He was thirty-years-old!" Spike yelled back.

"Look who's talking. You're how many centuries older than Buffy?" Isáwien replied calling him on his hypocrisy.

"That's different. I'm not going to die so I can't help that. BUT HE WAS OVER TWICE YOUR AGE!"

Jamie could not help the snort that escaped at Spike's last comment.

"Stay out of this Fireball, unless you have something important to add to the conversation. AND what in god's name are you snorting for?"

"I will not stay out of it Spike," Jamie growled as she rose from her spot on the couch. "And I'm snorting because I find your arguments against Isáwien marrying my father rather juvenile coming from you. So what if my Father is seventeen years her senior and that they've had a close relationship since she was thirteen. My Gods Spike, I was Luc's property, a gift from the Dark Lord for his loyal service before I married him. And when you take our ages at the time into consideration, the difference in our ages far outweighs that of Isá and my Father and yet we were happy together."

"Just how many years is that?" Spike bit back

"I was sixteen when I handed myself over to the Dark Lord, who in turn gave me to Luc, who was forty-two at the time, so think about it Spike, as difficult a concept as that may be for you," Jamie snarled.

"Twenty-six years!" Spike exclaimed as he did the math. "What were you doing letting your brother marry someone twenty-six years his junior!" Spike yelled looking over at Isáwien.

"There was nothing she could do Spike. No one save my Father even knew I'd gone to the Dark Lord and by the time they figured out where I was and got their arses there it was already too late. We were married and it was consummated. Just ask Isá, she did walk in on us after all," smirked Jamie.

"Well considering I married someone fifty-one years my senior, I couldn't very well say anything about him marrying someone twenty-six years his junior. Besides, she knew what she was doing," Isáwien added with a smirk. "At least it looked that way to me."

"You married someone who was fifty-one when you were born?" Buffy said in shock.

"Yes. Tom was born in 1926, but does that really matter? For god's sake, I certainly saw nothing wrong with the picture. He was in the body of a... what twenty-year-old?" Isáwien asked looking over at Jamie. "Honestly people, it wasn't like he was physically 71 years old. Then I admit it would have been odd," she continued rolling her eyes.

"Ah but Isá, you forget that we age at a much slower rate then Muggles do," Jamie smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously.

"While this is all very interesting," commented Giles, "I do believe we've gotten away from the topic at hand. You remembered something Isáwien?"

"Ahh yes. It's a Tzitzimime," she replied.

"A what?" Fred asked at the same time Wesley spoke up

"No it isn't."

"A Tzitzimime. It's a demon," Isáwien explained before turning to Wesley. "And yes, it is."

"No it isn't."

"It is."

"It isn't."

"Is."

"Not."

"Oh shut up you two!" Spike yelled. "Gods, now I know what you guys feel like when Buffy and I argue."

"HEY!" Buffy exclaimed glaring at him.

"Oh bloody hell. Now look what you've done Isáwien. She's mad at me," Spike groaned.

"Don't blame me for your stupidity," Isáwien replied with a smirk. "And why the devil are you convinced it isn't a Tzitzimime? Can you think of another creature that likes to eat men, and only men? Is a female, and has multiple appearances? Because I sure as hell can't."

"There's one flaw in your theory Isáwien which proves that it can't possibly be the Tzitzimime. They only attack their victims during a lunar eclipse when they can break through the ties that bind them to the dying sun," explained Wesley in a superior tone.

"Well did you ever stop to think that maybe one of them decided to stay around after the last eclipse? Hmmm. In case you didn't notice, there is NO moon tonight. Same exact type of lighting as when there is an eclipse," Isáwien pointed out rolling her eyes. /-/Men!/-/

Jamie snorted at Isáwien's mental comment before she realized what she'd done. "Sorry," she said, as she looked around at all the staring faces.

Isáwien snickered in her mind and winked at Jamie. "Before you tell me my theory is full of crap, why don't we have Jyn look at a picture and she can say if that was what it looked like or not. Vld too if he got a good look at her."

"That's an excellent suggestion. There's only one problem though and that is that there are no actual pictures of the creature seeing as anyone who did manage to get a good look at them usually ended up as the creature's dinner," commented Wesley smugly.

"Hmm, well you can be the one to tell my ancestor that the person who gave her this book lied," replied Isáwien with a smirk before apparating out of the room. Moments later she reappeared, tome in hand, she quickly flipped through it to page 461. "Times I hate being a Higginbotham," she mused before floating the book over to Jamie. "Does she look like what you saw?"

"That's her," Jamie said after a moment of studying the picture.

"That's definitely the creature that attacked us," agreed Vld once he had taken a look.

Silence greeted their comments, everyone save Spike, Vld and Jamie staring at Isáwien in shock.

"Why in Merlin's name is everyone staring at me that way?" Isáwien asked rolling her eyes. "It was the only thing that made sense. And believe me, when you spend every summer of your first ten years of life reading over three thousand books to drill every demon and other creature in the universe into your brain, you don't forget. And it's not that hard to put the facts together and narrow down the list in minutes. Just ask my cousin."

"Uh…Isá…I don't think it's the fact that you have a book on the subject," commented Jamie into the ever present silence. "I think it's the fact that you basically disappeared in front of their eyes only to appear again minutes later with a book in your hand and no wand."

"Oh for crying out loud, I'm a witch people. It's called apparating. You just pop and go somewhere else, then pop and come back. And thanks to my being one of the Dark Four, I don't need a wand to do it. I just get a bit of help from Jamie and Lucius," she explained shaking her head. /-/And I thought explaining things to Draco was difficult./-/

"Isá…how can you get help from a dead man?" Jamie asked quietly, pain obvious in her voice.

"Ah shite," Isáwien groaned. "And yes Spike, I'm picking up your bad habits so no need to point it out," she continued looking over at him. "Baby girl, he's not dead. You know that. You haven't gone through an unbinding... He's alive, and he feels like crap for being gone all these years..." she sighed heavily. "And I'm just going to shut up before I make things worse than I already have."

"Alright fine Isá," Jamie snapped. "He's alive but he obviously doesn't love me enough to want to come back to me so can we just drop this and get back to the matter at hand. Like how we go about killing that thing that attacked me and Vld earlier."

Closing her eyes Isáwien summoned the book back to her and turned away from them to walk over to a place to sit. "If you only knew," she whispered so softly to herself even those standing next to her could not hear. Although she hoped those with extra sensitive hearing had not heard now that she thought about it. Ten to one they had, but she hoped that the two undead would be kind enough to keep their mouths shut. Sitting down she looked through the book for anything that could help them.

"So Buffy, where's Willow?" asked Angel curiously. "I would think that all this wandless magic stuff, not to mention having two witches here in the hotel would be something she would love. I mean she could ask them anything she wanted to about magic."

"She left this morning," answered Buffy. "She didn't say why…"

"I can tell you why," Jamie interrupted.

"How would you know?" Buffy asked a slight note of accusation could be heard in her voice.

"It was me. I made her…nervous," Jamie explained simply.

"Why would you make her nervous?" Angel wondered. "She's an extremely powerful witch and I thought she'd be thrilled to have two people she could talk to about it, especially ones close to her own age."

"Yes Angel, Willow is a powerful witch but her powers are different than ours. She must call on the Goddesses in order to cast any significant spell and if you recall the other night I was able to torture dear William here simply by raising my hand and thinking about what I wanted. She's also afraid of our inherent darkness. She fights against her darkness whereas Isá and I have embraced it and use it to our advantage. That's not to say that we're out torturing people everyday…well, at least not recently anyways, but the fact that we've embraced the darkness makes us that much stronger and that much more frightening."

"Poor fool. She has to get use to the rest of the Wizarding population, and deal with the fact that there are hundreds upon thousands who have embraced their darkness. Wouldn't it be easier to deal with the two of us when we are no threat than have to face it when there is a threat?" Isáwien mused as she looked over at them. "Although we could certainly use her now... I hope someone else in this hotel can work with a spell."

All eyes turned towards Giles. "What?" he asked innocently.

"Giles here knows how to work all the magicky mojo," commented Buffy. "He was into all the demon invoking stuff before becoming a watcher."

"Well that's a good thing. Jyn and I are going to need someone to balance us out. And it might come down to you having to pull us back if we lose control," Isáwien replied glancing over at Jamie. "It doesn't happen that often... but with the amount of power we need to pull this off...it just might happen tonight or at least to one of us."

"What exactly did you have in mind Isáwien?" asked Wesley skeptically.

"We use you boys as bait," she replied bluntly. "First we will perform spells to seal the other doors so she can't escape. Then we place a spell on the guys, and probably the girls too, that will keep the Tzitzimime from being able to have lunch. Once she's in the lobby we seal the only other door out. Jyn and I will then have to trap her in a magical bottle... jar thing. And tomorrow when the sun sets, we bind her to the sun and she'll be returned to the rest of her fellow demons."

"I don't know how I feel about being 'bait'," commented Gunn, speaking for the first time since Jamie had returned with an unconscious Vld strapped to her back.

"You can leave," Isáwien suggested with a shrug. "Anyone who doesn't want to risk it or for any other reason can go, you don't have to risk your life when there is a chance that this might not work... In fact, it might be a good idea if some of you do leave, and be prepared behind the sealed doors if we are unsuccessful. At least you'll get a second chance to stop her..." Isáwien trailed off softly

"I'm not one to run while my friends fight for their lives and I never said I wouldn't do it," argued Gunn. "I'm always up for a good demon throw down."

"Of course," Isáwien replied with a smile. "I was just giving anyone the chance."

I think you'll find Isáwien that everyone in this room is ready and willing to fight this monster. You're in charge of this one," commented Angel. "Just let us know what needs to be done and we'll do it."

"All right, Jyn girl, we have a number of spells to cast. We should probably start with the people, then do the doors..." /-/What do you think?/-/ she continued mentally.

/-/I hope you're right about this /-/ Jamie replied. "I think we should cast the spells together. If we combine our powers than the spells should be that much stronger."

"Very good idea, so, the Shield Charm, and let's start with the guys, just to be safe." /-/We make them line up, and I can also see who has the cutest butt/-/ she continued with a smirk.

"Good idea, come on guys let's go," Jamie ordered. /-/And what is it with you and that particular bit of the male anatomy?/-/

"I get it from my grandmother. She was worse than I am," Isáwien replied with a wink as the guys lined up. "Wands at the ready..." she began with a grin, "I've always wanted to say that. Flitwick would be so proud."

"You're incorrigible you know that right?" Jamie chuckled in response, raising her wand. /-/My Gods what would your dearly departed Tom think about you ogling other guy's butts?/-/

"He thought it was the funniest thing in the world. He was in my head for four months, so he had plenty of time to get used to it. He would even tell me if I was giving one too much credit. Who knew a guy would have such taste," she continued with a soft smirk. /-/One...two.../-/

/-/Three,/-/ finished Jamie as both witches cried out "Protego!" enveloping Vld, Spike, Wesley, Giles, Angel and Gunn in the soft glow of the shielding charm.

"Six down. Two to go."

"Alright Fred, Buffy, your turn," instructed Jamie turning towards the two females.

"Don't worry, you shouldn't feel a thing," Isáwien continued with a smile as they stopped in front of her and Jamie. "Two and..." she said aloud this time.

"Protego!" they cast in unison once more causing Fred and Buffy to be enveloped in the same soft glow of the shielding charm.

"Well, step one is down. All we have left are the doors," Isáwien began. /-/Start with the one to our left and work clockwise?/-/ she suggested.

/-/Works for me,/-/ Jamie replied. Turning they cast the spell on each door, turning a bit after each spell so they were facing the next door.

"That's it then," Isáwien finished as they once more faced everyone.

"So Isáwien, what now?" Spike asked crossing his arms over his chest.

"Now we get her here," Isáwien replied. "You guys have to go stand in front of the door so she can smell you. And the girls will have to go with you."

"Hang on, let me re-phrase that," she began shaking her head.

"Two of you will have to go with the girls. Spike and Buffy being one of the 'couples'. She prefers men who are involved. The other two can wait inside the doors to pull everyone in. Giles, while they are drawing her here, you, Jyn, and I will be getting ready to cast the spell once she's inside and Jyn and I have sealed the door."

Fred and Gunn soon joined Buffy and Spike at the doorway attempting to lure the creature to the hotel while Giles, Isáwien and Jamie took up position in the centre of the lobby. The three were standing in a circle holding hands, Jamie and Isáwien with each other to ensure a stronger magical bond and each with Giles so that he could ground them.

/-/The spell is Latin Jyn. Just to warn you,/-/ Isáwien began softly.

/-/Your point being? Aren't most spells based in Latin?/-/ Jamie retorted.

"No. There in Hawaiian, Italian and various other languages all mixed with Latin," she replied with a half-smile. "Anyway, the spell is 'Era of nox noctis Laqueus in orca Tutus ex letalis Insquequo privatus'. And don't ask where I got it from. I'll explain later." (Mistress of night Trap in jar Safe from mortal Until released)

"Whatever," grumbled Jamie under her breath, "Ready Giles?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," he replied nodding once

Jamie took a deep breath to clear her mind as she reached out towards Isáwien's magical signature and Giles calm reassurance before reaching deep within herself to find the strength to begin the spell. "'Era of nox noctis Laqueus in orca Tutus ex letalis Insquequo privatus," she said repeating the spell quietly, though the silence of the lobby caused her voice to carry. With each repetition of the spell, her hands began glowing softly but gaining in strength with each casting.

"It's coming," commented Buffy.

With Buffy's words Jamie's eyes opened to reveal the darkness within in her now black eyes, the spell being repeated over and over in a low mantra of sorts.

/-/Jyn, how's your control?/-/ Isáwien asked worriedly as she too repeated the spell aloud.

/-/I'm fine for now but I don't know how much longer I can handle this, especially if she continues to take her sweet time getting here. And I don't like the images that are flashing through my mind right now…/-/

/-/I know. Focus on me, it should slow them down,/-/ Isáwien replied trying to block her own darkness.

Jamie turned all her concentration towards the spell while trying to feed off Isáwien to stop the display flashing before her unseeing eyes.

"LOOK OUT!" cried Fred as the two couples bolted from the doorway just as the creature came crashing into the room.

/-/Jyn the door,/-/ Isáwien called as the creature started after Spike

"COLLOPORTUS!" Jamie cried out suddenly as she turned her unseeing eyes in the direction of the doors causing them to slam shut with an odd squelching noise. "PROTEGO!"

The Tzitzimime began going after each man in turn while they continued to chant. Slowly a slight glow began to shine around the demon. Stopping suddenly she turned and looked around. She started towards Buffy, and then stopped. Turning once more she started towards Fred and stopped once again, looking around with a glare. Whipping her head around she looked at each person in turn before focusing her attention on the three together. Narrowing her eyes she began to stalk towards them, a growl emitting from deep in her throat as the glow grew a little brighter causing her to falter in her steps before she shook her head and continued towards them.

/-/Isá...Ican'tseeanythingbutwhat'sgoingthroughmyheadandI'mlosingmyholdIdon'tknowhowmuchlongerIcan/-/ Jamie cried mentally, panic very evident in her voice.

/-/She's loosing her hold over her magic Isáwien…the grounding isn't working anymore/-/ came Giles strained voice.

Isáwien focused on Jamie for a moment and realized they had to get her out and fast. Seeing no other choice she focused and pushed both Giles and Jamie away and they fell towards the floor as if they had been physically pushed. /-/You're going to have to stop me if I can't get back after she's trapped,/-/ she warned Jamie before closing her eyes and letting go. Opening her eyes she turned towards the Tzitzmime as the black lightning spread across her arms, dancing between her fingers. "Era of nox noctis Laqueus in orca Tutus ex letalis Insquequo privatus. Era of nox noctis Laqueus in orca Tutus ex letalis Insquequo privatus. ERA OF NOX NOCTIS LAQUEUS IN ORCA TUTUS EX LETALIS INSQUESQUO PRIVATUS!" she yelled as a black mist surrounded the creature moments before it reached her. (Mistress of night Trap in jar Safe from mortal Until released)

Letting out an unconsciously held breath Isáwien watched for the mist to clear. As it dissipated, she saw the Tzitzmime in a bottle as big as it. But it was not happy with that and was fighting for all it was worth.

/-/Bloody hell,/-/ she thought when she saw the first crack spread across the bottle. Then a second...third...fourth…fifth, and finally sixth. They had to find a way to knock the thing unconscious, and then put it in another bottle. But how the hell could they knock it out...Jamie was just starting to get the images to stop...

/-/Wait a minute, you're a Higginbotham woman,/-/ she thought mentally wanting to smack herself for her stupidity. "Jyn! Get everyone into one of the rooms before she breaks free completely," she yelled.

"Everyone in the office…NOW!" Jamie cried out causing everyone to make a beeline for the office. Jamie slammed the door behind herself, as she was the last one to enter, before collapsing back to the floor.

Moments later they heard a God awful scream as it trailed off in pitch until silence echoed once more... almost too loudly to everyone's minds after what they had heard. Opening the door slowly Jamie peeked around and saw Isáwien holding herself up off the floor with her arms, and the Tzitzmime unconscious not a few feet from her.

"Isá!" Jamie cried out as she ran from the office, falling to the floor next to her friend. "Giles! Quick we need to finish this; I don't know how much longer Isá will stay conscious." As soon as Giles was at her side, Jamie quickly took each of their hands, reforming the circle and drawing every last ounce of magic she and Isáwien possessed. "Era of nox noctis Laqueus in orca Tutus ex letalis Insquequo privatus. Era of nox noctis Laqueus in orca Tutus ex letalis Insquequo privatus!" She cried out completely sealing the creature in another container. (Mistress of night Trap in jar Safe from mortal Until released)

"Thank Gods that's over," Isáwien said with a smile before passing out completely.

"Is everyone alright?" Jamie asked quietly as the others filtered out of the office and into the Lobby proper, Spike walking over towards Isáwien's prone form, carefully picking her up and carrying her upstairs to her room.

"We're fine, Jamie," answered Angel as he came over and helped Jamie to her feet. "How are you?"

"I'll be okay," replied Jamie as she swayed unsteadily on her feet. "I'm just exhausted is all."

"Well then I think you should get some sleep," suggested Angel as he gently picked her up and followed after Spike as Vld and Buffy helped Giles to his feet.


Jamie was so tired after the events of the previous night that she slept undisturbed until morning when she suddenly sat bolt upright before leaping out of bed. "Bloody Hell!" she cursed quietly to herself as she quickly threw on some clothes before bolting out of the room and towards the Lobby.

"Jamie, what is it? What's wrong?" Vld asked in concern as Jamie came careening down the stairs and into the Lobby.

"Where's Buffy…or…or…Giles?" Jamie asked as she tried desperately to catch her breath.

"They're in the office with Wesley and Angel why?"

"Need…need to speak…to them," wheezed Jamie in response.

"Alright Jamie, calm down. I'll go get them for you," Vld commented as he made his way over to the office. "Uh guys, could you come out here for a minute Jamie needs to talk to you."

Buffy, Giles, Wesley and Angel all made their way out of the office and over towards Jamie, who had finally calmed her breathing.

"Jamie, what is it?" asked Angel curiously. "And why are your eyes still black?"

"Too much dark magic," explained Jamie dismissively. "Willow..."

"What about her?" asked Buffy guardedly, concerned about what this witch wanted with her best friend.

"You need to get her back here…"

"Why? You know how she feels about you," interrupted Buffy coldly.

"And I really don't care about how she feels about me. What I care about is banishing that bloody creature that nearly made me lose all control and that Isá went through an Expelling to bind," snapped Jamie in frustration.

"That doesn't explain why you want Willow here," Buffy continued coldly.

"I need Willow here because I can't cast the spell that will bind her back to the sun alone and Giles isn't strong enough magically to help me. That's why I need Willow, you need to get her here before sundown," explained Jamie, her voice becoming rather strained.

"What about Isáwien, surely she'll…"

"Isá can't help me, not after her Expelling. She'll be out for at least a couple of days if not longer since she drew a hell of a lot of power last night forcing that Expelling approximately three years early. There is only one person that can help me bind that bloody thing and that person is Willow. I'm sure once you explain the situation to her and how one of her friends nearly died because of it, while she may not like working with me, she will see that it's the only way. I don't know how long the creature will stay sealed away and if you don't at least try to get Willow here to help me bind the thing than you and you alone will be personally responsible for every death that creature causes. The blood of the innocent will be on your hands. Can you live with that?" Jamie snarled, sounding an awful lot like her husband.

"No. But what the hell is this whole Expelling thing? Why can't you just wake her up and get her help. I don't want Willow coming back here," Buffy snapped back.

"I don't care if you want her back here or not. It's not a matter of want it's a matter of need Buffy and I can't just wake Isá up. The last time she had an Expelling was just over 6 years ago and she was unconscious for two days. Only that time it was brought on by emotions this time she forced it to happen. She could be unconscious for a bloody week for all I know," Jamie snarled, throwing her hands up in frustration and pacing away from the stubborn blonde, only to notice another blonde approaching from the stairway. "Spike!" she cried out spinning back to face Buffy. "If you want an explanation about an Expelling why don't you ask lover boy over there since he'll probably explain it better than I can anyways."

"Err... do I ask what has Fireball in an uproar and also has to do with Isáwien's Expelling?" Spike asked having only caught the conversation from when Jamie said his name. Before that he had been thinking about other things... and wondering how the devil he could get a hold of his other cousin.

"I need to get Willow back here before sunset and your girlfriend is refusing to call her. I can't bind that creature alone and Giles isn't strong enough magically to help me. Buffy here wants me to wake Isá and refuses to believe me when I tell her that I would if I could but she's out for another thirty-six hours at least if not longer. I need Willow for this, it's the only way," explained Jamie as Spike finally joined the group.

"You might want to alter that time amount. She'll probably be out for a week at least. She pulled one hell of a stunt last night," Spike trailed off shaking his head. "And we'll have to let Snape know about it soon," he continued before stopping himself. "Buffy, love... you're going to have to call Red. Fireball is right, she's gonna need help. And Isáwien will be unable to help. She's got no magical powers at this point in time."

"What do you mean by she has no magical powers?" Wesley asked in confusion. "She is a witch after all so how did she suddenly lose the ability to do magic? And who's this Snape person?"

"He means Severus, Isá's fiancé, and my father," Jamie answered Wesley's last question.

"I still am really confused about how she ended up engaged to your father... or better yet, your name is Potter-Malfoy... where does Snape fit in anyway?" Giles asked confused.

"It's quite simple really," replied Jamie. "My full name is Jamie-Lynn Potter-Snape-Malfoy. I normally just go by Jamie Potter or Jamie Malfoy. As you know Giles, my parents were killed Halloween night in 1981 when Harry and I were only a year old. When my identity was revealed six years ago the family that had raised me as their own disowned me and I became a ward of Hogwarts, where I spent a great deal of time with my Potions Professor, one Severus Snape. We soon developed a father/daughter relationship and Severus adopted Harry and I on Christmas Day in 1996 during our sixth year; and thanks to certain events later that same day, I married Isá's brother Lucius a week later hence my rather long last name of Potter-Snape-Malfoy."

"Now that we all are clear as to the family tree, can we get back to the question of how Isáwien has no magic when she's a witch," Wesley interrupted.

"Book worm, you did say that the Higginbotham's are extinct and wanted proof that she was one. Don't tell me you don't know what exactly makes Higginbothams so special," Spike replied sarcastically,

Clenching his jaw Wesley looked down. "All right, I may have forgotten that for a minute."

"What the hell is all this about her having no magic?" Buffy yelled. "I'm sick and tired of being left out of the loop here," she continued rolling her eyes. "Someone talk or I'll go try to wake her up and ask her."

"What part of the word unconscious don't you get Buffy," Jamie snapped in irritation

"Calm down Fireball," Spike replied softly, "She's just confused. Buffy, last night Isáwien did an Expelling. She forced all of her magic out of her body. At the moment her body is rebuilding its magic levels to a point where she can wake up. And she's gonna be out at least a week as she somehow managed to remain conscious after the initial Expelling and somehow had power left to help Jamie perform the second spell. Which technically, and by all rules of magic, she shouldn't have had."

"Now do you understand why I need Willow here?" Jamie asked, frustration seeping into her voice. "I need someone who has a relatively high magical ability and unfortunately Giles just isn't strong enough. If Isá hadn't managed to stay conscious, which like Spike said, should not have happened, then we'd all be dead right now because Giles and I couldn't have bound her alone. Willow is the only one that can help me cast the spell needed to bind the creature back to the sun. I'm not asking Willow to come and stay and be my best friend or anything, I just need her here long enough to get rid of the creature. Can she put aside her fear and animosity of me long enough to rid L.A. of a monster that's preying on its citizens? Can you Buffy?"

"All right, I'll contact Willow," Buffy replied softly.

"Now that that is taken care of. Fireball how do we get a hold of your father?" Spike asked as Buffy left.

"Hold that thought Spike and I'll let you know," commented Jamie. /-/Harry?/-/

/-/Yeah Jamie?/-/

/-/Where's Father?/-/

/-/Talking with Albus. Why, is everything all right?/-/

/-/We've run into a bit of problem and Isá had to force an Expelling. She's unconscious and probably won't be awake for quite awhile. I would feel better if she was back in England with him. Where exactly are they? I need to come and get him since he doesn't know where he'd be apparating to. /-/

/-/We're at the château./-/

/-/Thanks./-/ "Back in a flash," Jamie commented simply before disappearing only to reappear in her Father's study a moment later.

"Jamie?" Severus asked surprised

"Hi…uh…sorry to interrupt Father, Albus, but I need you to come with me Father," Jamie explained a little awkwardly under the intensely curious gazes of her Father and former Headmaster.

"No problem Jamie. Is everything all right?" Albus asked softly.

"Not exactly."

"Jamie, you're eyes are black... what's going on?" Severus asked concerned.

"While in Los Angeles I was attacked by a demon…"

"What? Why would a demon attack you?" Severus asked confused and worried at the same time

"It wasn't after me exactly," stuttered Jamie. "I just kind of got in the way of its actual prey, but…but that's not why I'm here. Father, its Isá…"

"What's wrong with Isáwien?" Albus asked concerned.

"She had an Expelling," Severus replied standing up

"Father…how…how did you know?" Jamie asked in shock.

"Ever since I went through the Expelling with her, I can't exactly feel it when she has one, nor can I sense it before hand... But after the fact, I somehow just know. She has a tendency to come close to one. A number of times throughout the years she was in America... After the fact, I somehow just knew that she had come close; shocked her enough times when I'd contact her via Fireplace to see if she was all right. Until I think of her, I don't realize it. When you said it was her that strange sense told me that she had been through one," he explained with a half shrug. "But there's more to it isn't there? You wouldn't have come if this was a normal everyday expelling..."

"You're right Father, this wasn't normal…this was as far from normal as you could ever hope of getting. We decided to trap the demon and then rebind it to the sun only it was a little harder than we thought. Isá and I combined our magic with Giles, a friend of Spike's, as our grounding. I came close to containing the creature myself but it was putting up such a fight that I nearly lost control, hence the black eyes, so Isá finished the job. Which was all fine and good until the creature started fighting against its containment and we had to knock it out somehow…" Jamie's words trailed off.

"So, she forced an Expelling," Albus replied shaking his head. "That's just like her isn't it Severus..."

"That it is. She'll be up in a day or two though..."

"Uh...well…not exactly Father…Spike and I figure it'll be more like a week before she's up," Jamie commented nervously.

"A week?" Albus asked surprised.

"Who's Spike?" Severus said almost at the same time.

"Oh! Sorry, I meant William but he detests being called that. It's amazing how much he looks like Draco though," Jamie finished with a shrug.

"Ahh yes, he does." Severus agreed with a slight smile. "Isáwien had a picture of him. She said it was nearly twenty years old, but he no doubt looks the same. Why do you two think she'll be out a week? What aren't you telling us sweetheart?" he asked softly.

"The Expelling, it was different."

"Different? Sweetheart, what did Isáwien do?" Severus asked growing concerned, and thinking of all the ways he could yell at her when she woke.

"She was able to help me re-contain the creature after knocking it out with her Expelling. She did this before falling unconscious Father so I need you to come get her. They can't care for her in Los Angeles. Spike and I are the only ones that know the extent of her Expellings plus we're in a Muggle city so it's not like they're medically able to care for her especially since they won't know what's wrong with her. I would bring her back myself but I have to stay so that I can bind this creature back to the sun tonight at sunset."

"Of course, I'll be back shortly Albus," Severus replied with a nod. "Where exactly are we going Sweetheart?"

"Just give me your hand and I'll take you there," Jamie instructed taking her Father's hand in hers before disappearing only to reappear back in the Hotel Lobby.

"Hullo Snape," Spike said as soon as they appeared.

"William," Severus replied with a nod. "Where's Isáwien?"

"This way," Spike replied leading him up the stairs.

"What just happened and who was that?"

"Well Wesley I do believe we covered the concept of Apparition last night and that was my Father," Jamie explained in a tone one would use on a six year old.

"Ahh so that's the evil potions master," Vld said with a smile.

"That it is," Jamie replied with a smirk. "And the funny thing is he can still elicit fear in the students even though he no longer teaches at Hogwarts. All he has to do is walk down the hallway and they get out of his way as fast as possible. You should have seen it at the Valentine's Day Ball…" Jamie trailed off into giggles at the memory.

"Do I ask what happened at the Ball?" Spike asked with a smirk.

"Well…picture my father in nothing but a pair of cupid boxer shorts and a certain former Malfoy heir in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts that have a great big smiley face on them that shout out obscenities about a certain piece of his anatomy," Jamie explained cryptically, her eyes once again blue.

Spike stopped mid step and threw his head back as he laughed. "You are a wicked woman," he continued with a smile. "Oh, and Snape says he'll let us know when Isáwien wakes," he continued as an after thought.

"That's good," Jamie commented. "Oh and the best part of the prank was that nobody knew who did it until well after the fact. Although I thought it would be obvious that I would be the only one either stupid or brave enough to prank the dreaded Potions Master, but oh well," Jamie shrugged. "What did Willow say Buffy," she asked when she noticed the Slayer's return. "Will she help?"

"Yeah, she'll be here in a few hours." Buffy replied. "So who did they think had pulled that prank?" she asked curious.

"I don't think they really had much time to think about it since Draco didn't take it too well, bloody prat. He thought Isá did it because she was practically rolling on the floor of the Great Hall laughing her arse off. Nobody was about to contradict Draco since he had the audacity to summon a sword to try to kill his Aunt and people tend to be scared of my father on principle so…" Jamie shrugged nonchalantly.

"He summoned a sword to kill Isáwien?" Spike asked in the same tone he might say 'I beg your pardon'. "Hold on, how did he manage to summon a sword?"

"When you're as angry as he was anything is possible," explained Jamie. "He never got the chance to harm Isá in anyway though so no big."

"Of course, and don't let him off so easily. I'll be telling him what the Malfoy's think about him trying to harm one of our own next we meet," Spike replied with a scowl.

"Well let's just say he got a bit of a shock when the sword never actually reached him except when it was pressed against his throat. Although I do sort of understand where he was coming from," commented Jamie quietly.

"Sounds like you had an interesting night." Giles mused softly. "But, why don't we go get some rest. It's going to be a busy night," he suggested.

"Sounds like a plan to me. Apparating half way around the world and back tends to be quite draining on a person, especially when you bring someone back with you," commented Jamie as she turned and made her way back upstairs.


Later that day found Jamie and Spike talking quietly together in the Lobby of the hotel as they waited for Willow to arrive. Jamie was telling Spike about how she had managed to pull off a prank on Severus Snape of all people, get away with it and threaten Draco with a sword that he had summoned yet she had managed to grab out of the air on its way into the Great Hall.

"Bloody hell girl. You most definitely were meant to be a member of this family," Spike mused after he had heard everything. "You fit right in, that sneaky little mind of yours," he continued with a smirk

"Well given the fact that James Potter was a Marauder and I was raised with the Weasley twins, who looked up to the Marauders as if they were Gods, then I'm good in the prank department and Luc made sure I knew how to handle myself in any kind of fight situation and I mean any kind of fight, be it Muggle or Magical, I figure I'm five by five."

"You are a very interesting woman Jamie," Spike replied with a smile

"Oh really," Jamie giggled. "I'm glad you think so Spike. Is Willow ever going to get here?"

"I'm here now."

"For Merlin's sake Willow, would you stop looking at me like I'm going to eat you for dinner or something," Jamie sighed, her frustration making her eyes flash black again. "I get it alright. You don't like me but you know what? I. Don't. Care. The only thing I care about is getting rid of the demon that attacked Vld and I last night and has left my best friend in a coma, so just get over or put aside whatever issues you have with me at least for the next couple hours. Once we've bound the creature to the sun you can go back to hating me all you want. Although you just might want to consider the fact that I could probably help you deal with the darkness you carry inside yourself and use it to your advantage."

"She's in a coma?" Willow asked confused.

"Long explanation short, she had an Expelling, basically she took every single last particle of magic in her body and sent it at that bloody demon just to knock it out long enough so that we could contain it, somehow managing to stay conscious enough to help me with the spell. Unfortunately the spell needed to bind the creature back to the sun requires two powerful witches and or wizards plus one other with at least minimal magical ability to act as a grounding force. That is why I needed you here. I can't do this alone and Isá will be out for a while and we need to get rid of this demon as soon as possible. I do have one question for you though. This spell is going to require the use of a lot of dark magic. Can you handle that?"

"You're asking her after demanding that she be brought back," Buffy replied looking at Jamie in shock.

"I asked that you get her back here Buffy because I know she can do it. I know that she's capable of the type of magic that is required and I know that she will come out of this a much stronger witch than she is now. I just need to know if she believes she can do it. I could have quite easily brought my brother back to do this spell but you see there is truly only one monster where Harry is concerned and he forced me to kill him six years ago. Plus the fact that Willow knows and acknowledges the fact that there is darkness in her, she just refuses to accept it whereas my brother doesn't even want to acknowledge my dark past let allow acknowledge his own inner darkness. So tell me Willow, can you do this? Can you embrace the darkness within yourself and use it for good?"

"I don't know... but we have to try to save the world."

"As long as you're willing to try that's all I ask for. Besides I'll be doing the majority of the casting anyways but you may need to take over if I can't handle it on my own. I pushed the limit last night binding that thing so I know and Giles knows how far I can go before you need to step in, which I'm hoping won't be necessary. Now then since it's almost sunset I suggest we start preparing," suggested Jamie.

"Works for me," Willow replied, sounding like she cared far less than she did.

Jamie, Willow and Giles took up their positions in the western garden around the contained creature. "Giles, I need you to do the same as yesterday, just act as our grounding force and if you feel me start to slip like yesterday make sure that Willow is able to finish what I've started, although I'm hoping it won't come to that. Willow, I need you to focus on your magic, all of your magic, both light and dark, and think of channelling it to me. The last thing I want to have to do is ask you to do something that I know you're not sure you're capable of. If you try to channel as much of your magic to me as you can, I should be able to finally bind the creature back to the sun."

"All right," Willow agreed with a nod

As the sun slowly began its descent, Jamie began chanting quietly, drawing on the power within herself and what she could feel coming from Willow. Each chant became increasingly louder as the sun continued dipping towards the ever-darkening horizon. Willow and Giles' voices soon joined Jamie's, as the chant grew ever louder. With a final cry of "Redimio ut sol solis insquequo denique sileo reverto ut orbis terrarum Ex quod subterlabor" as the sun's last rays vanished the creature suddenly disappeared from it's prison and Jamie collapsed into Giles' arms as he managed to catch her before she hit the ground. (Bind to the sun until final rest return to the world From which you escaped)

"Jamie?" Giles asked cautiously. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Jamie replied as she opened her black eyes, "Just really tired. I think I'll just go lie down," she said as she rose to her feet unsteadily.

"Let me help you," offered Giles, after catching Jamie as she nearly collapsed again.

"Thanks."

"Think nothing of it," he replied as he helped Jamie back into the hotel and up to her room.