No Doctor's Excuses Accepted


The walk through the meadow and into the woods was silent and the air was thick with grief. Sirius and Remus took the honor of levitating Dawn's stretcher before them and everyone followed. Sirius' eyes were dull and his face seemed older than normal as he processed the death of his favorite pupil. Remus' eyes were cast to the ground and Willow could see that he was clutching Anya's hand tightly. Anya, who had been confronted with the realness of human death two years ago with Joyce, was sobbing quietly. Luke's face with tight with worry and his shoulders were hunched up in tension. Kennedy was frowning sadly as she watched Dawn's body float before them. The youngest of them all, Luna, appeared placid as normal but Willow saw silent tears streaming down her face.

As for Buffy… Buffy seemed to be reacting as she had to her mother's death. Willow tried to hold her hand to give her support but her friend had shied away. Now her face was a inscrutable mask of indifference as she marched silently.

When they were completely surrounded by trees Luke turned to them. "Instead of taking the common entrance into the village, we will take the private entrance into the Department of Magical Affairs, specifically the Office of Secret Services, in light of our, ah, current misfortunes," he added sadly with a glance in Dawn's direction.

With his wand he tapped the thick trunk of an ancient oak tree whose circumference had to be about twenty feet at least. A rectangular section of the wood pulled back several inches before sliding to the right, revealing a small room with smooth wooden walls. "In here, please," Luke said,

It was a tight fit – especially with Dawn – but the nine of them squeezed in before the door shut behind them. "Office of Secret Services," Luke said in an official voice.

"Identification and passcode," stated a stern female voice.

"Agent Luke Aldo Matthews. Passcode: gummy worms."

"Affirmed."

The tree hummed and suddenly they began descending rapidly. Willow grabbed Sirius' arm for balance because the speed made her feel unsteady. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him before placing a chaste kiss on her forehead. She took refuge in the comfort of his arms; so glad that they had made up the previous night.

"Department of Magical Affairs, Level B13, Office of Secret Services," the crisp female voice informed them as the door slid open again. Revealed before them was a open hall with dark hardwood floors and lighter wood paneled walls. A neatly groomed secretary with intricately braided cornrows was seated behind a L-shaped desk and was busy typing on a computer. Standing with an air of regality was an older woman with midnight hair pulled up in a bun that rivaled Minerva McGonagall in tightness. She was dressed in royal blue robes and wore rectangular spectacles that hid ice blue eyes that matched Luke's. Her height was equal to Buffy's and a sophisticated application of make-up made it difficult to determine her age but she appeared forty at most.

"Hello, welcome to the Office of Secret Services! Please register your wand with me," beamed the cheerful secretary who noticeably glanced at the other woman – likely trying to act impressive.

"That will be unnecessary, Angela," the older woman interrupted. "They are with me." She stepped forward and nodded briskly in their direction.

"Good morning. I am the Secretary of the Department of Magical Affairs, Katherine Asp. Agent Drake gave me a briefing on what occurred but I would like to hear it from you as well. If you would please follow me into the conference room?"

Buffy's shackles rose as she gave the woman an intimidating stare. "Listen, lady. I'm not interested in any sort of 'briefing'. Those bastards out there killed my sister and right now all I want to do is interrogate the prisoner – preferably using some shiny torture devices. That is, assuming, you people don't have your own version of the Geneva Convention?"

Willow raised an eyebrow at that; it appeared her history tutoring sessions in high school didn't go in vain after all.

"Ah, I am afraid I am ignorant of what the 'Geneva Convention' is – Buffy is it?" she peered over the rims of her glasses.

"Yeah," Buffy answered shortly. "So does that mean I get to beat the dude?"

Secretary Asp hesitated for a moment. "Unfortunately as soon as the man woke up he identified himself as Unspeakable Nigel Goyle with the British Ministry of Magic and cited his diplomatic immunity. I am sworn as a member of the International Confederation for Wizardry to notify the British Minister of Magic and refrain from questioning him until then."

"What?" Buffy shrieked as her hands immediately clenched into tight fists.

"But," Secretary Asp said in a crisp voice as she raised a hand, "the Confederation agreement on International Relations does not mention the act of having a Muggle question the envoy." A smile played around the corners of her lips and Buffy paused.

"Ms. Summers," she continued. "As the Secretary I am privy to a number of classified files and please believe me when I say I have the utmost respect for you and the work you have done. It is because of you that the world is in one piece and we are very appreciative of it – even if most of my fellow citizens are unaware of your existence. You see, I have no love for Minister Fudge and certainly no warm feelings towards British officials who enter my land illegally and then attack members of my country without provocation," her blue eyes flashed angrily before she took a deep breath. "In addition, with the latest information Luke obtained from my sister, I am willing to do what it takes to assist you in your endeavors – but no one else may know. Do you find this acceptable?"

Buffy sized up the older woman and extended her arm to shake hands. "That sounds good to me."

"Excellent." Secretary's Asp glanced at Dawn. "Now, before we enter into the chambers of Mr. Goyle would you like to set your sister to rest temporarily while we conduct business? We have a morgue where we are keeping the other man and I promise you her body will not be disturbed."

Buffy choked back a sob at the words 'her body' and nodded quickly. "Yes, that will work," she managed to say in a calm voice.

No one wanted to separate so they all followed the Secretary to the morgue where Dawn was placed in a private room. After lingering looks in the doorway they all turned to leave. They maneuvered through winding hallways that were devoid of personnel – likely the Secretary did not want any witnesses. Finally they reached a heavy oak door bordered with iron designs of dancing flames that actually moved.

"Open," ordered Secretary Asp. A creaking sound echoed as the door was raised straight up into the ceiling.

The room was similar to the rest of the level – dark hardwood floors and light wood paneled walls. The one difference was the robed man who was being held standing against the wall. What looked like tree branches encircled his legs, torso, arms, and neck and his eyes widened in fear at seeing them. He was heavy-set like a linebacker and had a face that looked like he had been hit too many times with a football.

Secretary Asp turned to them. "And now I recommend that myself and the wizards and witches of your party leave so we do not violate Confederation law."

Luna immediately stepped out, looking sick at the thought of what Buffy may end up doing. Sirius, of course, shook his head no.

"Considering that I'm already an outlaw sentenced to have the dementors suck out my soul, I don't think it'll really matter if I'm here or not," he said with dark humor.

Remus glanced at Buffy with concern. "I'm already a werewolf, which is bad enough for them. I'll stay."

The secretary sighed. "Fine then. Ms. Monroe, as a citizen of the America Department for Magical Affairs, you must come with me."

"What?" she asked appalled. "No way. I'm a potential slayer first. I want to stay – I want to help Buffy with beating this man in case her arm gets tired."

"Not likely," Buffy said darkly as she eyed Nigel Goyle – who shivered at the promise of a slow death in her eyes.

"Ms. Monroe, this is not a request," the secretary said coldly. "I am willing to do what I can to help but I will not risk my reputation for your desires."

"She stays," Buffy said in a tone that did not invite debate.

The secretary gritted her teeth. "Fine then. Do what you need to – but keep the man alive." She turned to walk out but hesitated. "Luke, I am commanding you to observe and to interfere if the man's life is in question." Apparently Katherine Asp did not trust the quiet appraisal that Buffy was making of her subject. Luke nodded and stood against the wall nearest the door as the secretary departed.

Buffy moved like a panther on the prowl towards Goyle as she took slow, deliberate steps. The man shrank back against the wall and he audibly gulped. She stilled when her face was only a foot from his and the wizard seemed to relax as she stood there quietly without moving. Then without notice her fist smashed into his nose so hard that only a messy pulp of flesh was left behind as he whined wordlessly. Two subsequent punches cracked and then broke several ribs on the left hand side.

Willow winced at the painful noise of the snapping bones but she remained watching. This man was, inadvertently, responsible for Dawnie's death. She wanted information as much as Buffy – and she didn't mind if it came as a result of pain either. It appeared that Sirius, Remus, Anya, and Kennedy felt the same.

"Who was it that killed my sister?" Buffy asked coldly.

"I don't have to tell you nothing, you stupid Muggle bitch," spat Goyle; blood flying onto Buffy's cheek.

"Wrong. Fucking. Answer," Buffy swore as she wiped the blood away – and truth be told Willow agreed that a little swearing was fitting considering the circumstances. She gave him a hard kick to his stomach and the wizard groaned.

"Do whatever you want – I won't tell you anything, Nothing you do could be worst than the First," he said with gritted teeth.

"Working for the First, huh?" the man's eyes widened at his lapse and he swore softly. "Thought you were Mr. Unspeakable. What happened? Government pay not good enough for your dress wearing self?"

"This is a robe, you stupid slag!" he grunted harshly.

Buffy cocked her head to the side and made a disapproving noise. "You're not too smart, are ya? See, if you're tied up to a wall and a have a really strong girl punching you it is probably not a good idea to argue with her." She thrust her heel of her hand against his wrist and smiled at the cracking noise it made. "Now what are you wearing?"

"A dress!" he gasped in pain.

"Goody. You're learning. Now, who killed my sister?"

"Once they examine him that stupid bint of a secretary will know. He's a citizen here now – Hugh Rosier," he stated.

"Rosier?" Sirius said sharply. "Moony, wasn't he a Death Eater?"

"Whole family was in with Voldemort," Remus confirmed with a suspicious purse of his lips.

"Not to mention," Sirius said as he raised his wand. "Our reports said that Nigel Goyle was also a Death Eater." Once Sirius was close enough he jabbed his wand against Goyle's temple. "What's Voldemort doing here?" he asked suspiciously.

Goyle let out a rumble of laughter. "Voldemort is dead, you idiot. I serve a greater lord now."

"The First?" Buffy scoffed. "Some lame-o who has to dress up like other people because he doesn't even have his own body? Yeah, sounds like a really cool master," she taunted.

"Not to mention he has to send out people to do his dirty work since he's incorporeal – doesn't sound like he's as all powerful as he claims," Sirius goaded.

Goyle's eyes bulged in anger as he licked his lips – and licked away the blood that was drizzling down his nose in the process. "You Muggles and Blood Traitors will find out just how powerful the First is! Soon with our help he will rise and so will we!"

"Yeah right," Buffy said scornfully. "Once he's done he'll leave you out to rot."

"No," Goyle argued. "Lucius promised us-" he froze as he realized what he had said and looked around in fear at the sudden interest the group had in his statement. "I mean, our luscious master promised us we would be powerful," he finished lamely.

Buffy cracked her first smile. "Lucius, huh?"

"I met a man named Lucius in Hogsmeade," Willow informed. "He did have some bad vibes although it's hard to believe he works for the First."

"Lucius Malfoy is the worst of the worst," Sirius said darkly. "He was one of Voldemort's top men but the sniveling coward begged the Ministry to believe he had been forced to do things because of a curse. Of course, to sweeten the deal he wielded his money and influence considerably."

"Which begs the question – why would Lucius turn from Voldemort to the First?" Remus mused.

"And this is the part where you tell us a little story," Buffy said with false cheer as she cracked her knuckles.

Nigel Goyle began coughing and Buffy raised an amused eyebrow. "Sorry evil dude. I really don't accept doctor's excuses to get out of torture."

The man said nothing but his eyes bulged out of his sockets in fear and sweat trickled down his forehead as he continued coughing.

"Um, Buffy, I think he's choking," Willow said hesitatingly.

"What?" she shouted. "This bastard isn't going to die on me! Luke, release these tree things and let him out!"

Luke responded with a nod and a spell that caused the man to fall down, his coughs turning into a hiss of air as he struggled to breath. Buffy yanked up the man, which appeared very impressive given that he had a foot and a half on her, and began smacking him hard on the back. When it didn't have the intended reaction and the man became silent she turned to her friends.

"He's still choking! Do something magical!" she shouted as she sat the man on the floor but kept him sitting up.

"Aero Obduco," Sirius incanted and a bright blue light shot into Goyle's throat. "It's an anti-choking spell guaranteed to expel the foreign object," he explained.

"It's not working!" Buffy yelled in frustration.

"It should work!" Sirius argued. He rushed over there and opened up Goyle's mouth. "Lumos," he said as the tip of his wand flared like a flashlight and he stuck it near the opening of the mouth. "Moony, you know healing better than I. Come here and look at this. There's something pink, almost fleshy looking at the back of his throat."

Remus conjured two wooden tongue depressor; one to hold the tongue down and the other two poke tentatively at the mass in the throat. "It's – no it can't be," Remus said in shock.

"What?" Buffy asked urgently.

"It looks like it's his tonsils – they've been enlarged. Wait a moment. Infinite Incantem," he spoke. "There, there, see, they are shrinking now," he murmured. "Recipero!" he said as he tapped the man's chest with his wand.

"Dammit," Remus swore under his breath.

"Dead?" Buffy asked.

Remus looked her in the eye and nodded. "Yes, we were not quick enough, I am afraid."

Buffy nodded in return; her face still void of emotion. "So you're telling me something – or someone – enlarged this dude's tonsils and killed him before we could get more information on this Lucius dude and why my sister was killed?" she asked softly and her words signaled the calm before the storm.

"Yes, Buffy," Remus answered grimly.

Buffy nodded her head jerkily as she stood up. "Sure. Of course. Of course that would happen." Then she let out a feral scream as she performed a round-house kick against the wall and began assailing the branches that had held Goyle prisoner. One by one she ripped each branch out and threw it against the opposite wall; all the while screaming.

The others watched her in silence; slightly fearful of what it meant to possibly have an unbalanced slayer.

When Buffy was finished her chest was heaving as she took deep, quick breaths and turned to them. "Let's go."

"Um, Buffy?"

Buffy gave Luke a murderous look. "What?" she snarled; her fingers curling into claws.

"The portkey we set up will not be ready until four p.m. – that's five hours from now," he informed her. Willow had to admire that the man did not have any fear in his voice with Buffy glaring at him like that. Either he was very brave or very stupid.

"We are going home," Buffy told him in a frosty voice. "Now."

"And I would like to do that for you, please believe me. I can contact the Office of Transportation to get a new one set up but it may take at least an hour to do so. The spells are rather complicated and I'm afraid there are always hoops to jump through."

"Sirius?" Buffy asked.

"Yes?"

"Can you apparate us home?"

"I'm sorry, we are too far away. I'm liable to splinch us if we do. Portkey will be the fastest way to travel," he informed her.

The door creaked open as it raised upwards and Secretary Katherine Asp viewed the scene with a wary eye. "Luke?"

"Nigel Goyle died from choking – his tonsils became inflamed. Ms. Summers would like to go home as soon as possible. Can we arrange something with OT – the Office of Transportation?" Luke reported.

She wet her lips. "Yes, that can be done. And how did his tonsils become inflamed?" she raised a brow in disbelief.

"That's what I want to know," Buffy said with crossed arms.

"Luke, send the body to the morgue and have Agent Sanders inspect the body and give us a cause of death – if it was a self-inflicted curse or a curse that was triggered at the mention of a key name or statement."

"Yes, Ma'am." Luke whirled out of the room in a flash of black robes.

"I will speak with OT and tell them we need a portkey, Expect it to take an hour. Until then you are welcome to wait here or explore the Village."

"Do you have something to slay?" Buffy asked with a frown. "I could really use a good slaying. Any vampires in these parts?"

"I'm afraid there's only one group – a family of sorts – farther up in Washington. But their presence frightens off the others that you are used to dealing with. Therefore, there is not anything good to slay in this area," Secretary Asp informed.

"You have a group of vampires that is powerful enough to scare off others? Sounds like a game plan to me. Tell me where to go," Buffy said, a spark of her old self flashing in her eyes.

"That won't be possible, Buffy. They are, surprisingly, good vampires. However, there is a training room you could use to vent out your frustrations," she suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Buffy sighed. "What about you guys?" she asked the others.

"I can go with you," Willow offered.

Buffy bit her lip. "No, that's – that's fine, Will. I want to be alone right now, okay?"

"Sure," Willow said quickly; although she really was afraid to leave Buffy right now.

"We had already been planning on heading to Gringotts so I could get money out of my numbered account and then head to the Apothecary, so I guess I'll still go there," Sirius said with a shrug.

"True. We need healing supplies for the little wannabe slayers. I will go with Sirius since I am very good with money and getting good deals," Anya stated; although her voice was devoid of the usual happiness she got when speaking about money.

"I'll go with both of you," Remus said.

"Me too," Willow said.

Kennedy glanced towards the door. "I'll head out with Luna. Maybe we'll go see her uncle or something," she shrugged.

"Okay, see you guys I one hour," Buffy spoke in a dull voice as she marched out of the room.


Once Lucius found a moment to himself he whispered, "It went better than I expected, my master."

The First materialized without a noise; this time in the form of his father Abraxas Malfoy. "Really?" he asked with a curling sneer.

"Yes. We had wanted to collect Sirius Black in order to draw the Dark One out but instead Rosier actually killed the slayer's sister. At first I was upset that he deviated from the plan but who would have guessed it would bear such delicious fruits? I felt the power of the Dark One and only good can come of her dipping into the reservoir of dark magic. More importantly, the slayer is losing it." Lucius let out a low chuckle as he smiled at his success.

"Yet you did not manage to prove yourself to them as you had wanted," the First said slyly as he slowly circled Lucius.

"No, but there is time for that," Lucius said confidently.

"And Rosier was killed and Goyle captured – then killed by you after he spilled unnecessary information."

"Yes," Lucius reluctantly admitted. He was still unsure of how Rosier died – he didn't think Willow had done it – and he was slightly worried about his name being told to the slayer and her friends.

"And you really think everything went well?" the First asked with a raised brow and a voice full of disdain that made Lucius fight to keep from shivering – it sounded just like his father did before he was punished as a child.

Lucius faltered for a moment. "Yes. After all, at least the slayer's sister is dead."

"Really?" his voice dripped with disbelief.

"Then tell me, Lucius Malfoy, why am I unable to take on the form of Dawn Summers?" snarled the First after a significant pause.


A/N:

I am evil, I know *grins maniacally* But I supplied a quick update at least! Review please – I really want to know your thoughts!

~And thank you to those of you who reviewed the previous chapter! And way to go for you smarties who guessed the truth, or at least part of it!

Oh, yeah, and that was a little mention of the Twilight vampires *snickers* Since they're in the same area I just *had* to do it. Doubt anything will come of it though *shrugs* …Unless someone has a funny/fun idea ;)