A/n- School starts in a week! *Pulls out hair* September fourth I have to go back!!! But on the plus side going back to school means shopping! I got these awesome combat books from delias *screams* they're just like Spike's!!! of course going back to school also means a slight decline in chapter frequency. When school comes about I'm afraid that I one or two chapters a week will be my maximum. Oh well, on to the chapter now…

Chapter Three: Piper- Going back

I almost burst a gut from laughing when Ron walked into my room for the first time. His jaw dropped when he saw all the posters standing still, no frog spawn creeping from corners (his mom made him clean that up), no owl or wand. He was able to entertain himself for ten minutes by poking various comics trying to make the characters move. I let him do this until the jabs became so hard that I started to fear for the lives of my precious comics.

Thirty minutes later Harry was suggesting that letting him continue would've been a good idea. Harry and I sat together on my bed and watched Ron and Draco go at it like there was no tomorrow. I knew the hate was deep between them, but damn, they were shouting curses (words, not magic) I can't even repeat. Draco could out curse any sailor, and Ron had probably worked himself up to Spike's level. Ron had the right to be angry at the Malfoy's I could give him that, but pretty soon I'd have to remind them that there were children in the house.

Dawn's sudden presence at the door stopped them. She had the biggest grin on her face I'd ever seen. The twins were each in an arm. She deposited Damon with Draco and Will with Ron. Harry watched with a cocked eyebrow wondering what was coming next.

"You two, burp them!" Dawn said, grabbing me off the bed. "No more cursing and don't kill each other. Piper you're not moving fast enough!"

"What is going on?" I asked as I was half dragged down the steps. For a fleeting second I though something terrible had happened to dad or Remus, but then Dawn's over hyper voice broke through my thoughts.

"I saw Spike with a box from Tiffany's!"

"Uh…and?"

"Then he asked me to take the twins, and he and Buffy are alone in the kitchen."

"Tiffany's, twins, kitchen?"

Dawn sighed in exasperation and we sat on the stairs. "It was a small box from Tiffany's, like a ring sized box. That kind of box. As in, possible-engagement-ring-type-box! We sit here innocently on the stairs and when they come out of the living room we take a look at her ring finger."

"Engagement ring!" I exclaimed, and then grinned.

"You owe me five bucks!" She danced on the steps until Xander and Willow came in from the front door. They bore bags of snack food and obviously wanted to head for the kitchen. Dawn and I jumped up and stood in front of them. "Work zone, blocked off." Dawn said, spreading her arms wide.

"Milk, spoils quickly," Xander said, indicating a bag in his arms.

I held out my arms. "We'll take 'em."

Willow gave as an odd look. "I think we can handle opening up some cabinets and the fridge. What's going on?"

"Love is in the air, we don't want to spoil that, now do we?" Dawn asked rhetorically.

"Are the two responsible adults shagging on the kitchen counter again? That's wouldn't be good 'cause the social service guy is parking her Cadillac." Xander tried to edge his way around Dawn again.

"You…" Dawn looked at his face. "You're not joking are you. Not good! I think Spike's proposing!"

"He's proposing?"

Willow, practical as always finally got around Dawn and dragged Xander with her. "She's going to want to see Piper. Piper, you now have the Chicken Pox. Go upstairs, and tell Harry and the others not to say anything. Dawnie, you get the twins, we'll go make sure he has that ring on her finger and unlock their lips."

"He's proposing!" Xander seemed to be stuck on that as Dawn and I ran back up the stairs.

Back in my room, Draco and Ron had finally stopped screaming. Now they'd been reduced to sitting on opposite sides of the room glaring. It was really quite scary. The twins had settled down into the nooks of their arms. Dawn grabbed them and then hurried back out. Ignoring the boys I stripped down to my bra and panties and jumped into bed under the covers.

"I have Chicken Pox." I said shortly, trying to arrange it so that my hair fell across my distorted face. If the social service guy insisted on coming up here I didn't want him to see my face immediately. I knew that my yellow eyes shown through my hair, but it didn't really matter.

"Chicken Pox?" Draco and Ron said at the same time, then glared.

Harry elaborated. "Muggle thing. What's going on Piper?"

The front door down stair creaked as it opened and I put a finger to my mouth motioning for whispers. I wished I had a place to hide them, but they weren't about to fit in the closet or under the bed. We'd just have to hope. "The social worker is here. She checks up on us about every three weeks. Apparently even though we're all well taken care of the state of California still thinks were malnourished or something. This was not a planned visit which was probably the point of the whole thing. They want to catch us in 'natural state'. Do you three have wands, just precaution of course. A small memory charm just incase anyone sees my face."

"Do these people check up on your brother?" Draco whispered.

"I don't think so. He's considered an intern, and because of that I guess they just don't care as much. Also Angel has obvious means of supporting a teenager. Buffy and Spike get their money from the Watchers." I stopped as my ears caught voices from down stairs. It was muffled but I knew it was Spike talking. They were near the stairs. "Ron, pass me a comic or a magazine. If anyone comes up, you guys are here because you haven't had the Pox yet so your parents want you to get them before you get too old."

"That's ridiculous!" Ron protested, handing me a dated Starlog Magazine. "Why would-"

Highly audible footsteps on the stairs cut him off. Buffy was also coming up. I could hear her asking if this was really a good idea. Finally there was a knock on my door.

"Who is it?" Years of faking sick to get out of school paid off. My voice sounded convincingly pathetic.

"Piper dear, it's Mrs. Stapleton."

Her voice really grated on my nerves. It was one of those sugary sweet voices that you're grandmother might use as she pinched your cheeks. In fact she looked like somebody's grandmother, right down to the black orthopedic sneakers, and she smelled like smoke. Actually I think she was only about fifty, but she looked at least seventy. Oh well, that's what drugs do to you.

"Come in." I said, again making my voice slightly scratchy. Mrs. Stapleton walked in slowly with Buffy treading at her heels. I saw her breath a silent sigh of relief when she saw my hair falling over my face. It was definitely enough to fool someone who was so obviously squinting anyway. I had to hide my bright grin when I saw a beautiful diamond sparkling on Buffy's ring finger. Not that I would say it aloud but it really was about time.

Buffy reached forward to take the older woman's arm. "See, Piper's fine. Just a small case."

             

"She can tell me that," said Mrs. Stapleton. "And who are these young men? Piper, I thought you were sick. They shouldn't be here."

I pulled the covers higher around me. "That's Harry, Ron, and Draco. We all hang out together at school. And I am fine, really!" Ron looked ready to barf when I said that we were all friends.

"Where did she catch the Chicken Pox?" she asked Buffy.

"Sean down the street just got over them and Piper's babysat him a lot this summer." Buffy said quickly.

Mrs. Stapleton pulled out my desk chair and sat down primly. "And what about school, are you ready to go back? You attend private school in Connecticut right? Miss. Summers, are you sure this is proper reading material for an intelligent young lady such as Piper?"

Buffy and I gained identical scowls as Mrs. Stapleton flipped through my comics and magazines. "Whatever Piper reads is her choice. We don't want to dictate her life."

"Yes, but a firm hand is needed at times." She clasped her hands together. "With four children to raise you must be sure you are able to care for all of them. Example: Piper please put your hair into neat order."

I shrugged. "I'm really comfortable right now. If I move then the itching will start up y'know." She seemed to understand and I was home free. Then I did the stupidest thing ever. I heave a huge sigh of relief. Air streamed from my mouth blowing my hair to the side.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" I muttered while Mrs. Stapleton was running from the room.

Buffy was startled giving the social worked the four extra seconds she needed to escape from the house. By the time Buffy had reached the foot of the stairs Mrs. Stapleton had started up her Cadillac and was speeding down Revello Drive. From my room (where I was currently hitting my head against the headboard of my bed) we could hear Spike and Xander run from the kitchen trying to find out what happened.

"Don't worry Piper," Harry didn't sound much concerned. "Who could possibly believe her?"

"Any Death Eaters in the area," Spike said, suddenly appearing at the door. "Pet, cover your knickers and meet us by the fireplace. We'll be going back to England early this year."

*~*

I suppose it's important for the headmaster or headmistress of any school to know exactly what's going on and when, but Professor Dumbledore took it to the next level. He knew almost everything that went on the Hogwarts Grounds and obviously some ways off them, seeing as he was waiting for us in Spike's underground apartment when we all arrived there an hour later.

It was amazing the transformation that had taken place there. Willow and Professor Chase wouldn't have to do anything. No longer was it only a bedroom and kitchen. We'd ended up in the kitchen, which had been expanded noticeably, and when I got around to exploring later I found three extra bed rooms, a full sized parlor, and a rec room. But at the moment I was staring round the kitchen that now included a stove, larger fridge, and a microwave. There were counters and a table with three chairs and two highchairs. Professor Dumbledore sat at one of the chairs and in another was a boy about my age whom I didn't recognize.

Even though I knew that it was underground it was very hard to believe. It would be like living in a highly comfortable world war two bomb shelter. I couldn't help but think of the movie Blast From the Past; the one where the guy lives in a bomb shelter until he's like twenty then comes out into the real world.

"I thought you would be coming," Said Dumbledore as we waited for Dawn and Willow. "I took the liberty of fixing you an appropriate abode. I hope you don't mind."

Buffy shook her head slowly. She was still looking around amazedly. "It's wonderful."

"Whoa, what happened to this place?" Willow stepped out of the grate with Dawn, wiping soot from both of their clothes. She looked about appreciatively. "No work for me and Cordy then. This is great!"

"I'm glad you like it. I understand you plan to spend the year here." Dumbledore smiled. He indicated the boy next to him who had been so silent it was easy to forget about him. "Professor Chase wrote me and asked that I collect an old acquaintance of your. I believe you know Daniel Osborne."

The boy looked up and I blanched along with Buffy, Spike, Dawn, and Willow. Harry, Ron, and Draco looked very confused at our confusion and since they weren't really in the know about the whole Willow and Oz thing I couldn't blame them. Willow had dated Oz in high school and he'd been older than her. Now he sat at the table looking no older than sixteen, my age come September.    

"Hey Will." Oz looked at Willow rather sheepishly.

"Oz!" Willow crossed to him in two large paces and was kneeling by him. "W-W-What happened? Y-You're, you're Piper and Dawnie's age!"

"I believe," Dumbledore said, standing and walking to the hearth. "That's I will leave you all to discuss this amongst yourselves, no doubt you all have many questions for each other. I would like it if the adults came up to the school when you are done. Harry, Ron, and Draco, I'll say naught on your various excursions but I do urge you to return to your homes before some one becomes worried. And Buffy, Spike, congratulations on your engagement. I do hope the wedding goes along with out distress." With that he flooed out of the room.

How Dumbledore could be so calm while everything seemed so odd, but somehow he did and I had to give him brownie points for that. He didn't even ask about the obvious demon I was wearing. There were a few moments when everyone just looked at each other not knowing who should talk first. Buffy was the one who broke the silence.

"You boys should get home." She said. "Your parents are probably sending out the police right now."

Ron blushed. "Mum thinks we're in the village down the street. But she'll skin us alive if we don't get back soon. C'mon Harry." They through some Floo powder from the mantel into the fire place and stepped in yelling 'the burrow'. Draco stepped forward next, and disappeared after kissing me on the cheek and promising to write.

"Dawn and I'll take the twins and find rooms." I elbowed Dawn when she started to protest. "Right Dawn?" It was painfully obvious that the older ones needed to talk, and they could probably do it better without us there. I took Damon from Spike and Dawn took Will from Buffy, then we headed out of the kitchen via the long hallway.

The hall led to the parlor which was connected to the rec room. The parlor had another hearth. A couch and coffee table were in front of it, and there was a small wooden rocking horse in the corner. It looked magical but I didn't stoop down to check, and the twins were exhausted so they showed no interest at the moment. There was a hall leading out from the parlor but we opted to go into the rec room first. Spike's old TV was in there and his Passions tapes were piled up next to it. There were two toy chests, a large couch, and an easy chair. The walls in here were green and the floors carpeted. The parlor floor had been wood.

There was another hall leading from here and we walked up it quickly finding only a bathroom and shower. Returning to the parlor we headed up the corridor there. Here there were doors lining the walls.

"And behind door number one," Dawn joked, swinging the first door open. It was a beautiful blue room lit by various lamps. A large mobile swung gently from the ceiling casting shadows on the walls. "Hey you guys, I think this one's for you." She said to the babies. Both stretched their arms out to the two cribs at the far wall. We obliged, walking over and placing them in the cribs. Both were asleep almost immediately.

I took one last look at the twins and said, "Let's find our rooms." Dawn nodded and closed the door of the room softly so as to not wake the twins.

"Door number two," She said dramatically pulling open the next door in the hall. This one was obviously Buffy and Spike's room. There was a king sized bed in the middle of the room, two dressers and a huge walk in closet along with an adjoining bathroom. Miraculously all of there things from Sunnydale were there, right down to the last comb. "That Dumbledore guy is amazing." Dawn said. We continued down the carpeted hall.

"Yeah, very." I agreed. The next room we entered was meant to be Adrian's. His stuff wasn't there of course, but I could tell from the way it was decorated. Blue and silver, his favorite colors, adorned the walls and fixtures.

Mine was next. It was across the hall from Adrian. It was about the same size as my room in Sunnydale and all of my stuff appeared to have arrived. My old posters were even on the walls. I had a walk in cedar closet and a huge desk that was well equipped with pens and parchment. There was also a stand for any owls that might've come through delivering mail.

Once I made sure everything was in place we went back to the hall. The next door was another bathroom with a separate shower and tub. Next to this was Dawn's room. "Oooh! Mine!" She said excitedly hurrying in. Her vanity, bookshelf, dresser, and desk were there in appropriate spots. Her posters were up as well. Her bed was a large four poster like mine, with fluffy Peach blankets packed securely on.

"Are you sure this place used to be smaller?" Dawn asked flopping down onto the bed.

I nodded. "It was the same size as Spike's crypt back in the cemetery. Do you think they're done talking yet?"

"It's been at least a half hour. I think we can go back now, besides I have to know what happened to Oz!" Dawn said. We went back to the hall. "Last time he was in Sunnydale he was the same age as Buffy and Willow. Now he's all like us!"

"It had to be some sort of spell or something. Maybe it was the ministry acting in their normal stupidity." We reached the twins room and entered the parlor as I talked. "Ron told me about the time when his brothers took an aging potion to try and enter the Triwizard tournament. There has to be something that de-ages you. It's only logical."

In the kitchen it looked as if everyone was fine. Willow was reading the Daily Prophet while at the same time talking to Oz. Buffy and Spike were engaged in a conversation while Spike rummaged around the fridge looking for something to drink. I had a sudden dry feeling in my throat reminding me that I needed to eat soon.

"Hey!" Dawn addressed the room announcing our presence. We both dropped into chairs, placing expectant looks on our faces trying subtly to find out what happened.

"Are the boys asleep?" Buffy asked.

"Yup," I said. "Their rooms the first door on the left coming out of the parlor. They were really tired."

"Your room is right next to theirs. All of our stuff is here." Dawn volunteered. "So, uh, what's going on?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "I wondered how long it'd take one of you to ask that. So bit, what if we told you it was none of your business?"

Dawn's mouth dropped. "That's not fair!"

"She's right you know." Willow looked up from her paper. "They're all going to end up involved in this in the end whether we want them or not, so we might as well tell them everything in the beginning so they don't get surprised in the end."

"So what happened?" Dawn asked Oz. "That's Piper by the way, Spike's niece."

Oz sighed. "I ate dinner one night, went to bed and the next morning I woke up as a sixteen year old. Later I got Willow's letter and then your Professor Dumbledore guy met me in the lobby of my apartment and brought me here. He talked more about what had been in Willow's letter. Then you guys showed up."

"Wait," I said. "So they really are killing Muggle werewolves?" It was a sickening thought, something I hoped the boys and Hermione had been mistaken on.

"Yes," said Willow, scanning an article. "They've got werewolves, veela, banshees, harpies, imps, some fairies, and vampires locked up. Ian McNair is in charge of their care and well being."

"Well I'll bet that bastard's just having loads of fun." Dawn grumbled.

"Dawn!" Buffy admonished. "Anyway it's looks like everything we were told is very true. Voldemort has initiated the spell."

"Yeah, he has. I can feel it. It's like a doorbell permanently attached to my head. There's this annoying buzz that goes off whenever it feels like it." Oz rubbed the back of his head. "It wants me somewhere."

"Red thinks some sort of botched potion meant to kill him might've been slipped into his food, instead it made him younger." Spike told us.

I screwed up my face. "Do I hear all night book session coming?" During my summer in Sunnydale I'd become accustomed to the late night studying. It was a normal occurrence, but that didn't mean I had to like it.

"Here," Willow brightened pulling some books from under the table. "I already though of that. I've got enough for all of us."

Dawn and I groaned simultaneously as we all cracked open the books.

*~*

Dear Remus,

                I was sad to receive news that Professor Delacour would not be able to rejoin us this year. While visiting Diagon Ally in July she was taken by the ministry because of her veela heritage. They are now holding her despite the fact that she is a citizen of France. This is just more proof of how bad things have gotten within our community. As you know Professor Delacour was the DADA teacher. It would be a great favor to the school if you returned as professor to take over in her absence.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco took a small trip today which I will allow Harry to tell you about when if you choose ask him. The results of this trip were Piper, and her large extended family returning to Spike's underground flat, now a good sized house. Apparently they were fleeing from a muggle social worker who had the misfortune to catch glimpse of Piper's demon, another story I will allow you to acquire on your own terms. But I do have a feeling my old friend Adhara is once again playing with peoples lives in her own good natured way.

The last time I visited you, you were doing quite a job of resisting Voldemort's spell and I hope when this letter finds you that is still the case. By taking the DADA  job the wards that Hogwarts has up would help dampen the effects of the spell quite a bit. It does so even slightly out side of the grounds for another werewolf that I brought to Professor Rosenberg.

I hope to see you at the start of the term September 1st.

                               Yours,

                                      Albus Dumbledore

Snuffles,

           Piper is currently residing outside the Hogwarts grounds with Spike, Buffy, and Professor Rosenberg. Adrian is still situated in Los Angles, California under Angel and Professor Chase's care. I do hope you are heading back to Europe. The League Against Voldemort needs you.

                  -Albus

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

                                            Maybe this isn't my place to pry, but I was wondering if anything new had turned up about Leandra. The news of her innocence is intriguing and my curiosity piqued. You don't have to answer of course, but I'd just like to know.

                     From,

                          Willow Rosenberg

Dear Willow,

                Your question is perfectly valid and I will answer to the best of my ability. News on Leandra Black is scarce. We've asked many people over the past three weeks, but there are many black haired, blue eyed women on this earth so news is slow coming. So far there has been nothing definite, so as not to raise hopes I've said nothing.

Also on the subject of your friend Daniel, I've found a potion in the restricted section of the library. It's brewed commonly by people who practice the dark arts. It's rumored to give you eternal life you imbibe a lot of it, but really to much can kill you. Of course I don't think the ministry meant to give your friend eternal life. The potion is very similar to a poison that causes death by constricting the veins leading to and from your heart. One only has to add a drop to much of the mug root and it changes from a death potion to the potion that gives the drinker a younger appearance. I believe that the potion make made a simple mistake that turned out to be a very lucky for young Daniel. There is one problem, there is no counter potion or spell. The victim is left to re grow from the period which he went to. I assure you though, right now Professor Snape is trying to put together a antidote, but I my self am not hopeful at the prospects.

                Best Wishes,

                                  Albus Dumbledore

Spike,

      I'm coming back to England to join the League again. No one else knows yet. I was wondering if you could go 'round to Hagrid and get my motorcycle for me. He told me he had it stored somewhere, and I think it'd be good for me to get it back just incase I need it. 

              -Padfoot

Professor Dumbledore,

                          Please ask Professor Sprout to plant some extra Wolfsbane. I'd be happy to accept the DADA position. I'll see you September 1st.

                        -Remus J. Lupin

Padfoot,

          Sure mate, I'll get the bike, but don't think I won't be taking it out once or twice before you get back. I've seen pictures of the thing and it's bloody nice. Nicer than my old one.

                      Spike

A/n- You like? I've got this whole thing planned out! Ok, coming attractions: Gunn finds something interesting at the nest, snogging, Oz/?? see I told you I have his story all planned, Adhara, school starts, corrupted ministry, and the mysterious Leandra. Please R/R this chapter. The next one will probably be out Thursday, maybe Wednesday. Depends how my life goes and if all my fave TV shows this week are one's I've already seen. Speaking of TV I gotta go, Aladdin's on and it's the one where Mozenrath first appears *squeals and hugs picture of her fave Aladdin villain*. Some times I think I'm about ten. See y'all later.

*~*