DISCLAIMER
Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, and Harry Potter to J.K. Rowling. No money is being made from this story which is purely written for mine, and others, entertainment.

9 September

Remus apparated to about a metre outside Hogwarts wards, and then slowly walked towards the castle. He had been summoned to the Headmaster's office, and though Remus didn't know exactly what Dumbledore wanted, he could venture a guess: they hadn't yet talked about his mission regarding the Death Eaters, and he supposed it was about time. It didn't mean he was looking forward to it, though.

"Remus!" A voice suddenly called out, and Remus spun around, seeing a panting Eliza come running towards him from the direction of Hogsmeade. "Remus, hi!

"Eliza," Remus greeted his fellow Order member. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Eliza threw him a smile. "I've just been in Hogsmeade. It's very...picturesque, non?"

Remus chuckled. "Yes, I suppose it is. How do you like the school?"

"It's very different in architecture compared to Beaxbatons, which is much grander and more modern in style, but the atmosphere there isn't as comfortable," Eliza answered. "I really like Hogwarts, and the people are much more approachable. Warmer. Though, I have to admit I find myself getting lost quite a bit," she shook her head ruefully. "The moving staircases, the many corridors and passageways, not to mention the portraits which aren't really all that helpful when you try to ask them for directions... It's quite confusing."

Remus laughed. "It will get easier, I promise. And as for the portraits, well, not all of them venture out of their frames much, and some of them are very old. It's no wonder most of them can't give proper directions. You're better off asking a student."

"Oh, I couldn't do that!" Eliza exclaimed. "How embarrassing! I'm supposed to be their professor – how will they ever learn to respect me if I ask for their help?"

"Don't confuse pride with respect, Eliza. Asking students for help shouldn't be embarrassing," Remus said, his lips twitching. "In fact, it may make you seem more likeable and friendly in their eyes if you do."

Eliza frowned. "Your customs here are very different. According to the way I was raised, asking for help is seen as a sign of weakness." She sighed. "I suppose I have a lot of things to get used to."

"Do you ever regret coming here?" Remus asked.

Eliza shook her head. "No. Well, sometimes. But that's only because I miss my friends, and because I don't like being estranged to my father. We didn't...part on the best of terms. In fact, I didn't even tell him I was leaving, and now, he has disowned me for refusing to come back. But if I were to make the same choice, even knowing that, I would still have come here. I want to help in this war and it feels great, to be a part of the Order and be able to do that."

Remus, whose eyes had widened when he heard Eliza had been disowned, nodded. The two had reached the castle now, and had just stepped into the entrance hall. "Well, this is where we part ways. I'm heading to the Headmaster's office. You?"

"My chambers," Eliza said. "I still have to work out the details in my lesson plans for the older years."

"Good luck," Remus said. "I'll be seeing you during the next Order meeting, I suppose?"

Eliza nodded. "Yes. Bye for now, then, Remus. It was nice talking to you."

"Likewise," Remus said. Eliza seemed like a nice person, and she was the marauders' age. He would have to talk to his friends about trying to get to know her better – she seemed rather lonely.

"Ah, Remus, my boy, please, sit," Dumbledore said as Remus stepped into his office after knocking. "I imagine you know why I asked you to come?"

"If it's about my meetings with the Death Eaters, then yes," Remus answered. "I'm not sure what you want to know, though. I told you before I left for Romania that I thought my luck with those has reached its limits, unless I actively join the Death Eaters"

"Yes...how do you feel about that?"

Remus frowned. "About what?"

"Joining the Death Eaters," Dumbledore plopped a lemon-drop into his mouth.

Remus' jaw dropped. "Y-you want me to join them?" He asked incredulously.

"I realise that is a lot to ask," Dumbledore said calmly. "However, I am very proud of you and what you have accomplished so far. Your dedication to our cause is admirable, and this is a task I cannot trust with anyone else. You have already managed to make the Death Eaters trust you somewhat."

Remus stared. He wanted to help, he truly did, but something held him back from accepting. It only took him a few seconds to realise what that was. "I can't," Remus answered, surprised at how calm he sounded. "I'm sorry, but I can't."

"Voldemort is winning, Remus," the Headmaster said somewhat sternly. "We have managed to push them back in their attacks so far but we are losing more and more people, while he is gaining more and more support. Vampires. Werewolves. The fact is we need someone on the inside, and right now, you are in the best position to be that person. I need your help," he continued earnestly. "Can I count on you, Remus?"

"Of course you can, but joining the Death Eaters…" Remus trailed off, swallowing as guilt set in at Dumbledore's words. "I –"

"I realise spying is dangerous," Dumbledore said gravely. "But you have managed so far, haven't you?"

"Well, yes, but not without suspicion. And actually joining them is completely different!"

"It would be for the light," Dumbledore countered. "And I have thought long and hard on this. You should be honoured that I'm choosing you to do this. A spy to report Voldemort's moves could be just what we need to win this war."

"I realise that," Remus said, taking a deep breath. "And I am honoured. Really. I'd do anything for this cause. But not that. I couldn't live like that," Remus looked at Dumbledore, a frown on his face. "I'm not cut out for it."

"On the contrary: every sign points to you being quite good at it. You have every chance to succeed. The Death Eaters are interested. You have been fooling them for quite some time already. The fact that you're a werewolf gives your mind natural impenetrable protection against any sort of mind intrusion such as Legilimency. It also gives you a reason as to why you're attracted to the dark."

"I didn't fool Greyback," Remus reminded him.

"If you take the mark," Dumbledore said, "if Voldemort believes you, Greyback will follow suit. I'm sure if you take a few days to think it over...talk with Buffy about it - "

Remus rose to his feet, shaking his head. "There's nothing to talk about, because I won't do it." he repeated, his teeth gritted. Why couldn't Dumbledore understand that he didn't want to do this? "I'm really sorry, but I can't."

Dumbledore pursed his lips. "I have always seen a potential for greatness in you, Remus," he said slowly. "Won't you grant me this small favour?"

"Small favour?" Remus laughed incredulously, and instead of the guilt Dumbledore was doubtlessly trying to make him feel, indignation rose up in its stead. Dumbledore had always told him that he could go his own way: that he was different from most werewolves – and yet, now, the Headmaster wanted to use him - because he was a werewolf. What kind of double standard was that? "This is not a small favour! I realise it's for the Order – for the cause, but taking the Dark Mark – even if it would be to spy – is a line I can't cross. I'm sorry."

Dumbledore hung his head. "I am very sorry to hear that. And extremely disappointed." Remus flinched but forced himself to keep his head high. Dumbledore sighed heavily when he realised Remus wouldn't budge. "You may leave. I will simply have to find another solution. Hopefully, one of the other Order members realise the importance of this and are brave enough to take the risk."

Remus quickly left, doing his best to push away the sting of the Headmaster's dissatisfaction.

"Hey, you're home!" Buffy looked up from her magazine when she heard the door slam. "What did Dumbledore want? Was it about that mission you had prior to Romania?" She frowned when she sensed Remus' emotions in the back of her head: a large bout of anger mixed up with shame.

"Sort of," Remus muttered, sitting on the sofa beside her, a frown on his face. Buffy put down her magazine, putting a hand on his tights.

"Talk to me," she asked. "Please? What did he say? What's wrong?"

Remus shook his head. "Nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Well, that's easy to say, but less easy to do," Buffy countered. "Especially when I can feel you're upset. I thought we decided to have no more secrets!"

"No, we decided to be more honest," Remus countered.

"Right," Buffy drawled. "And you're so honest when you say nothing's wrong."

"Well, nothing's wrong that's any of your concern."

"My problems are your problems," Buffy sing-songed, poking his side, and, despite himself, Remus' lips twitched. "Please, Re." She pouted. "Tell me."

"You can't do anything about it anyway," Remus said, exasperatedly.

"Well, I can make you feel better," Buffy challenged. "Come on, Re! Tell me, or I'll hold the letter we got from Jasper today hostage until you do."

Remus chuckled, and the anger he felt at Dumbledore began to drift away. "You drive a hard bargain."

"You're not giving me much choice," Buffy said.

Remus pursed his lips. "Well, let's just say Dumbledore and I had a slight disagreement. He...wanted me to do something I wasn't comfortable with."

"And he became angry at you?" Buffy asked, incredulous, hardly believing that of the rather easy-going Headmaster. Well, easy-going for being an old person, anyway.

"More disappointed," Remus said quietly. "I think I would have preferred him angry. He's done so much for me...allowing me to join Hogwarts as a child, and lots of other things."

"Well, even if you think you owe him something, there is a limit to it," Buffy determined. "And if you didn't want to do what he asked, that limit was passed, it wasn't worth it, and you weren't the right person for it."

"So...that I turned the assignment down partly because I felt it was too risky...you don't think it was cowardly of me?" Remus asked, and Buffy's eyes widened.

"No! Why would you think - ?" Buffy stared, and then took a deep breath. "If the thing he asked you to do is as dangerous as it sounds – and believe me, I have my suspicions of what it was, even if you won't tell me – there can be no hesitation in the person who eventually does accept it, if anyone do. Stop beating yourself up over it, Re. Personally, I'm glad you didn't accept. I don't want anything to happen to you." Buffy grasped his hand. "You mean...so much to me, Re. Soulmates, remember? And best friends. Anything that has the possibility of parting us for a long period of time or putting you in danger is definitely bad in my book. Call me selfish, but that's how I feel. You come first. Even before the war."

Remus smiled gently as he was reminded of the main reason – other than uncertainty in his own abilities - he had turned down Dumbledore's request. And it was sitting right in front of him. "You come first for me too."

"I'm glad to hear it. Now, want some chocolate ice-cream?" Buffy rose to her feet and disappeared into the kitchen.

Remus chuckled, feeling a lot better about himself. "Sure. And could I read Jasper's letter as well?"

"Of course! It's on the table."

Remus looked, and sure enough, there it was, with Australian stamps in the corner – clearly it had come by muggle post. "You weren't holding it hostage," Remus noted somewhat accusingly as Buffy returned with the ice-cream.

Buffy smirked in self-satisfaction. "Well, it's not my fault you didn't notice it was right in front of you. Really, Re, it's a good thing you didn't accept that spy-gig, considering how utterly unobservant you are."

Remus dropped the spoon he had just been given. "You know what the mission was?" He blurted out, and Buffy snorted.

"No. I suspected," she corrected. "Though you just confirmed it."

Remus gawked at her in shock, only to get his mouth stuffed full of ice-cream, courtesy of his girlfriend.

"Oh, stop that!" Buffy exclaimed as she saw his expression. "It was only a matter of time before I figured it out and you know it. And now when I have the truth established, I'm even more relieved you didn't take it. Being a spy in Voldemort's camp is a mission doomed to fail sooner or later, and I'm glad you're not going. I like you alive. Having had one dead boyfriend is quite enough, even though he was living dead. In your case, I think there would only be the totally dead variety. Which would really suck."

Remus chuckled. "You're right. And I'm tired of missions in which I have to pretend to be someone other than not. And when I turned the assignment down...well, it was partly out of fear, but also because of you."

"Because of me?" Buffy looked surprised.

"Yes," Remus nodded slowly. "I've been so busy lately, going on all these long-term, dangerous assignments. I haven't been around, and I know you worry about me when I'm gone. And when Dumbledore asked me to go on yet another mission, I realised that I've been unfair to you. I've been so wrapped up in my own problems that I haven't made time for our relationship. This war is already doing so much damage, but I won't let it destroy us or what we have."

Buffy grinned at him. "Good. Because I won't let it either." She held up another spoon-full of chocolaty goodness. "More ice-cream?"

Remus' eyes gleamed. "How about we take the ice-cream to bed?"

Buffy's grin widened. "That's the best idea I've heard all day."

16 September

"...And I believe that concludes the day's meeting," Dumbledore said.

"Actually, I want a word," Buffy said, standing up. "As I'm sure you remember, a few months ago, I suggested we all train ourselves in the art of fighting physically, so we'll stand a better chance against Voldemort's forces, but nothing ever came of it. Well, right now, I'm more convinced than ever that it's something we really need to do."

She looked around the Order members gathered in Marlene's basement for the meeting, a frown on her face. "With more and more people joining Voldemort's cause, as well as him gathering vampires and werewolves to his side, we need every little advantage we can get. As you know, it takes a lot of effort to affect them with magic. But if you learned to fight like I do, we'd stand a better chance of taking them down, along with wearing his Death Eaters down from exhaustion as this will also give us better endurance."

Mumbles of agreement came from the gathered people, a lot more than last time, to Buffy's surprise. "Hear, hear!" Sirius said, and the Marauders grinned at her in support.

Dumbledore sighed tiredly. "You are right, of course, and perhaps we should have made more of an effort to make it happen the first time you suggested it," he said. "But this is not something for me. If I were a couple of decades younger, though..."

"And not for me either, though it is a good idea," Moody cut in.

"Still, for the younger, more agile members, the idea has promise. Marlene, if you are willing to lend Buffy and the Order your basement for a few more hours, she can hold her first training session now."

"Of course. Just let me floo to my husband's mother's house: I need to tell him to keep Chelsea there for a couple of more hours," Marlene said, quickly leaving the room. Chelsea was her daughter, and the pearl of her world: in fact, she was one of Marlene's main reasons for joining the Order – she wanted this war over, so Chelsea would never have to face the darkness of it, or fight in it, like she was now.

"I will take my leave, but I'm looking forward to seeing your progress in battle," Dumbledore said and left, followed by the older members of the Order.

Buffy looked rather stunned by this development. Now? She was supposed to train them now? Buffy had barely expected an agreement to her idea, considering the opposition it had had last time, and as such, had thought she would have had at least a few more days to prepare for it to happen. "Um...right," she muttered, still rather overwhelmed by the suddenness of it all. "Well, while we wait for Marlene to come back, why don't we make this room a bit more practice friendly? Remus, could you charm the walls to become softer, while Lily expands the room a bit? And James, would you conjure some mattresses? Sirius, if you could banish the furniture, that would be great."

"No problem, queen Buffy," Sirius joked.

They were just finished when Marlene returned.

"Great! We're all here," Buffy said, settling down on the mattresses and motioning for the Order members to do the same, feeling rather nervous. "First thing first: you've got to lose the robes. They're too restrictive to fight in properly. Comfortable clothes you can move in freely, people, is a must."

"And that's why you fight in long skirts," Lily joked and Buffy mock-glared.

"Not my clothing of choice during a fight," she said. "Though sometimes you have no other option if a battle comes suddenly with no warning. But if possible, no robes. That goes for these sessions too, of course."

"While our robes are somewhat restrictive," Caradoc said, "they also have their uses, such as the protective spells against minor curses and hexes woven into them."

"And I'm sure putting those spells on, say, pants and a t-shirt is completely impossible?" Buffy questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Caradoc pursed his lips. "Of course not."

"Then I see no problem. Moving on: since you're all wearing robes today, and I had no prior preparation to this meeting, I'm just going to go through some basic moves. Pair up two and two, please: Re, you're with me."

Remus winced, and James, who, of course, had partnered up with his wife, patted his shoulder in sympathy. "Tough luck, mate."

"Please, go easy on me?" Remus begged Buffy, who just smirked. Remus' shoulders slumped. "I'm doomed."

Buffy smacked his shoulder playfully in mock-anger. "If anyone can keep up, it's you."

"Because of my lycanthropic senses?" Remus asked, somewhat dryly.

"No, because you know me better than anyone." Remus was left grinning stupidly as Buffy moved away, telling the Order members to hand their wands over.

"You're such a dope," James grinned at Remus, who stuck out his tongue.

"Like you're not when it comes to Lily."

James shrugged, throwing a grin at his wife that looked even sappier than the one on Remus' face. "Touché." Lily just rolled her eyes.

"Looks like we're the only two left without a partner," Eliza said, moving to Caradoc's side and smiling nervously at him.

The dark-haired Order member rolled his eyes. "Joy," he muttered, and earned himself a slap on the head from Buffy as she walked past.

"No sarcasm in the ranks," she told him. "Unless you're me, of course."

"Merlin forbid," Caradoc grumbled, regretfully giving Buffy his wand when she held out her hand, palm up, expectantly.

"Oh, don't look so glum, Car," the Slayer said cheerily. "You'll get it back. Eventually."

Caradoc groaned. "I should have used my common sense and left with Dumbledore."

23 September

"Ah, Dorcas," Dumbledore greeted the red-headed Order member as she stepped into his office. "I'm so pleased you could join me on such short notice. How did Buffy's first training session go? I haven't been in touch with anyone from the Order since the last meeting, other than Minerva, and she didn't attend it."

Dorcas groaned as she sat down in the chair in front of his desk. "It went well, though I have to say, that girl is brutal! I still have bruises. She was very efficient though, and I believe the sessions are a good thing."

"Indeed." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he leaned forward. "Now, I did summon you here for a very important reason. I have a rather large, dangerous mission that I want you to undertake. Of course, it is voluntary, but it would be a great help to our cause."

"Anything to help defeat You-Know-Who," Dorcas said, straightening her back. "What do you wish for me to do?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I truly hoped I wouldn't need to ask anyone this, but the fact is, we are slowly, but surely, beginning to lose this war. We are in desperate need of information regarding Voldemort and his forces, as well as his plans, if we are to regain the upper hand and a chance to beat him and put an end to all this carnage and destruction, once and for all."

For several seconds, Dorcas was silent. "You want me to spy on him," she finally said.

"No, I don't want you to. I need you to," Dumbledore corrected gently. "We need someone on the inside who can report what's going on. I realise spying is a great risk, but sometimes, personal sacrifice is necessary for the greater good."

"Why me?" Dorcas asked slowly. "Why not someone else?"

"You are in the best position to do so," Dumbledore said. "I asked Remus – as a werewolf, he would be an ideal spy, but he said no. Understandable, considering the danger. You were my second choice, for obvious reasons. You are an Occlumens, and as such can hide your true intentions and alliance, you're not part of the Magical Law Enforcement, you're a pureblood, which will make your turning appear more realistic, you don't have any living family and as such less to lose, and you're the right age to begin to question things: you aren't too old and perhaps too ingrained in the light's side of thinking to switch, and not too young and as such lacking the idealistic views of someone who has only recently become involved with the war. In conclusion – the best person for the job."

Dorcas chewed her lips in thought. "I'll do it," she finally said, swallowing bravely.

Dumbledore looked at her, a grave expression on his ageing face. "Are you absolutely certain of this decision, Dorcas? There can be no doubts."

"I am certain," Dorcas said. "Someone has to do this – we need the information and like you said, I really am in the best position to succeed. If you truly think I can do this, then I will make sure your faith in me has not been misplaced. I won't let you down, sir."

Dumbledore smiled. "I am sure you won't," he said. "I am very proud of you."

Dorcas smiled, her heart thumping wildly in her ribcage. She could do this, she told herself. She would do this, and do it well. She took a deep breath. "What do I need to do to become a part of Voldemort's ranks?"

"The first step is to convince one of his Death Eaters to take you before him. And I think I have the perfect candidate for you to approach. I believe you are familiar with Severus Snape...?"

2 October

"I'm off to work!" Mandy yelled at Sirius through the closed bathroom door: the water was running, so clearly, her boyfriend was in the shower.

"Could you check the mail first?" Sirius yelled back. "I saw an owl outside right before I stepped in here!"

Mandy rolled her eyes. Sirius was always too lazy to do get the mail himself, unless he happened to be alone at home, or the owl appeared in front of him personally. And, since Mandy hadn't left yet, he obviously thought she could do it, even though he'd been there when the owl showed up. Though they didn't often get any post other than the Daily Prophet.

Waving her wand and mumbling a spell under her breath, Mandy nodded to herself when a message appeared in the air, floating in front of her in silver letters: You've got time. Another flick dispelled the message. "Fine!" She yelled. "Though you are so lazy!"

Walking into the kitchen, she opened the window and let a rather disgruntled-looking owl inside, and it dropped the Daily Prophet into her lap. Paying it, it pecked her in thanks, before taking off. Mandy was just about to close the window, when she saw another owl flying in her direction. Pleasantly surprised, she noted it was Lucan's owl: regrettably, she had barely been in touch with him since graduation, but she'd been so busy...

"Hi, Lancelot," she smiled, stroking the owl's black feathers, and the animal puffed up his feathers proudly. "You are so vain," she muttered, and if possible, the owl looked even more self-satisfied. "Do you have something for me?" She stopped stroking him, and looked at him expectantly. Lancelot squawked, once, before dropping the rather formal letter he was carrying in his beak, into her now waiting hands, before nipping her finger gently, before flying off: even in the air, the owl looked haughty and full of himself. Chuckling, she opened the beautiful looking envelop, her eyebrows rising in surprise as she read the contents:

Mr. & Mrs. Greengrass
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Belinda Iris
to
Mr. Lucan Joseph Davis
On Sunday afternoon, the eleventh of October
at five o'clock
Greengrass Estate

Below, in a smaller script, written in what she recognised as Lucan's handwriting, stood a less formal message to her: Dear Mandy, Belinda and I would love for you to be present at our wedding, along with Sirius and whatever friends you choose to invite. We'll need people who truly care about us at what is sure to become a crazy event:

Belinda's parents are planning a large wedding, with the majority of pureblood society invited. Belinda wanted you to be in the ceremony, either as her maid-of-honour or a bridesmaid, but her parents put their foot down: her brother is going to be my best-man and her brother's wife her maid-of-honour, and some cousins of hers that I have never met are going to be bridesmaids. I hope you are not too disappointed.

It is not what Belinda and I wish, but since we are both grateful her parents have given their blessing, despite my status as a muggleborn, we are letting them have their way. After all, it is not the ceremony that counts, but the forever that comes after.

Your friend, Lucan.

Excited now, despite the fact that she wouldn't be a part of the ceremony, Mandy quickly made her way to write a response, completely forgetting about her training at Gringotts – which she was really enjoying. "Sirius!" She banged on the bathroom door. "Sirius!"

The water stopped running. "What?"

"We've got a letter from Lucan and Belinda!"

"So?" Sirius asked.

"They're getting married!" Mandy squealed.

She could hear footsteps on the other side of the door, and then, it swung open, a dripping wet Sirius standing in the doorway, a loose towel tied around his waist. "Really?" He asked and Mandy nodded.

"Yes. And we're both invited, along with our friends."

"Well, are we going?" Sirius asked.

"Of course we are!" Mandy exclaimed. "Lucan is my best friend, even if I have barely seen him since graduation." She bit her lip guiltily. "I am an awful friend. I didn't even know they got engaged."

"Well, we've been busy," Sirius said. "I must admit I am surprised though."

"Why?" Mandy asked. "Didn't you think they would last?"

"No, it's not that – but I didn't think Greengrass' parents would allow it. She's a pureblood, isn't she? And Lucan isn't."

"Well, Lucan may be muggleborn, but he inherited quite a lot of money when his parents were killed," Mandy said. "Enough to live comfortably on for quite some time. And not everyone's parents are like yours, even if they're pureblooded – no offence."

"None taken," Sirius said. "Well, I'm happy for them. But...shouldn't you be getting to work? I still have an hour, but...you don't."

Mandy paled, and quickly waved her wand in front of her. This time, the message that reported the time (well, sort of), was a lot less positive: You're late. Inexcusably late.

"Shit!" Mandy swore, thrusting the letter in Sirius wet hands. "Goblins hate tardiness! This is your entire fault, you know!" She yelled over her shoulder as she rushed to the hall.

"My fault?" Sirius asked dumbly. "How is this my fault?"

"Oh, just get dried off and answer the letter, will you?" Mandy huffed as she pulled on her shoes, not bothering to tie the shoelaces, grabbed her jacket, and rushed out the door, slamming it behind her.

"Women," Sirius muttered, rolling his eyes.

7 October

Buffy was at work at St. Mungo's, and quite happy about it: today, she'd been given the opportunity to treat a patient without supervision, something that had only happened once, and that was before she had finally chosen her specialty - creature induced injuries. After much thought, Buffy had realised it really was the most fitting choice for her, considering Remus' lycanthropy and her own status as the Slayer.

Her eyes glued to the medical chart she held in her hands, and her wand stuck through the bun she had her hair kept in so it wouldn't get in the way, she walked into the patient's room. Looking up, she smiled at the middle-aged man sitting on the bed inside, his cane leaning against the bedside table.

"Mr. Minelli...you were slashed by a werewolf during the full moon two days ago, correct?" Buffy asked kindly.

"Actually, it's Malfoy," the handsome but cruel looking man sitting on the bed said, dispelling the glamour he was wearing with a flick of his wand. "Lucius Malfoy." Buffy paled and dropped her chart out of pure shock. "What a creative place to put your wand," the pureblood said, amused, glancing at her hair.

"I can think of an even better place to stick it," Buffy countered.

"Now, now, none of that," Malfoy admonished. "Think of your manners."

Buffy's left eye twitched in annoyance. God, she wished he'd be a vampire or something. At least then she could stake him...but alas, no luck. But then again...he wasn't really much of an asset to humanity, so maybe she could make an exception against her rule of not killing humans... "What are you doing here? I doubt you were the victim of a werewolf attack. In fact, I'd bet the only contact you have with them is when you sick them on someone else."

Lucius chuckled, grabbing his cane – which clearly wasn't used as a walking stick – and placing it across his lap. "I just wanted to have a word."

"Well, you've had several. So unless you're in need of actual hospital care, I suggest you get out," Buffy said coldly.

"Temper, Miss Summers," Malfoy shook his finger at her.

Buffy's anger flared up even stronger, but she managed to keep it on a lid. "I have to go," she said stiffly. "I have actual patients." She turned to leave, but was stopped by a hard grip around her wrist. Buffy glared at the blonde aristocrat coldly. "I suggest you remove your hand before I remove it for you."

Malfoy just raised an eyebrow. "Will you now? Wouldn't that be rather difficult to explain to your boss? Especially considering my family donates a lot of money to this hospital."

Buffy fumed silently. "Just tell me what you came here to say."

Lucius smiled in cold satisfaction. "Now that's more like it. The Dark Lord has taken an interest in you, Miss Summers, after his recent attack on this very hospital, in fact." He let go of her arm and before he could react, Buffy swung her fist, which connected solidly with Malfoy's nose. The Death Eater howled in agony, clutching it as it began flowing with blood, staining his robes.

"Well, you can tell your Lord that while he might be interested in me, I have no interest in him whatsoever," Buffy said, making no move to help Malfoy stop the blood from pouring. She'd probably regret her action later, considering she might lose her job over this – something she in all honesty couldn't afford – but right now, it was so worth it. "So you might as well save your recruitment speech and give it to someone more gullible."

She leaned forward above Malfoy who had tears in his eyes from the pain. "I'm not going to join him. Not now, not ever, and the only contact he and I will have is when I kick him in the balls, and then throw his ass back to hell where it belongs. He has no idea who he's messing with."

"You'll regret this," Malfoy wheezed out, standing up. "If the Dark Lord doesn't kill you, I will."

"Good luck with that," Buffy said coldly. "I'm looking forward to your attempts."

"Bitch," Malfoy spat.

Buffy smiled maliciously. "Slayer," she corrected, all too pleasantly, before her expression darkened. "Now get the Hell out of here."

"Well?" Voldemort drawled out, staring at the kneeling Lucius Malfoy with a raised eyebrow, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his throne. "What did she say?"

Malfoy gulped. "Not much, my Lord," he said. "But the overall message is that she is not going to join you. Ever. This opinion was made quite clear when she punched me in the face."

The Dark Lord began to chuckle, First, slowly, and rather quietly, but soon, they turned into full-blown, malicious laughter. "Your face, Lucius? I imagine that didn't please you?"

Lucius looked up, his nose red and swollen, even after healing it. "No, my Lord," the pureblood bit out through gritted teeth. "And she will regret it."

"Of course she will," Voldemort said, sounding bored. "Do what you want with her. I don't care, as long as you don't kill her."

"Forgive me for asking, but why, my Lord?" Lucius questioned angrily, pounding his fist against the floor. "She has defied you – shouldn't she die for that?"

Voldemort looked at him coldly. "And she will, Lucius. Eventually. Show some restraint. I can't have her dying before I have her powers, after all... And since she won't join me, I will have to acquire them in another way. Unfortunately, it will take awhile – obtaining someone else's magical essence is a very complicated process, and I am not even certain her powers as a Slayer are completely magical in origin. I will need to do a lot of research and preparation before I can make it happen, but I assure you, it will. And then, my dear, impatient Lucius, you may dispose of her – in whichever way you see fit."

"It will be painful and humiliating, my Lord," Lucius vowed, and the Dark Lord smiled into the dark. Inwardly, he was trying to decide whether stealing Buffy Summer's Slayer powers should take precedence over searching for the magical power source he was trying to find. While the power source was more important, he was unfortunately getting nowhere in his research: the book was gone, and the clues and information he had wasn't enough to go on.

The cartographer he and his followers had kidnapped from the Ministry had so far been of no help. Although, perhaps he just needed a little more...incentive. Yes, he would make sure the historian was doing all in his power to help him in his quest by having his Death Eaters kidnap the man's family. And while the cartographer worked on his maps, he would delve into research about everything he could get his hands on regarding the so-called myth of the Slayer.

"I would expect no less from you, Lucius," Voldemort hissed, feeling pleased. Plotting always put him in the best of moods...

Published: 23/02 -11