Part 20 Discussions
"So Will what's up with the boy thing, well I guess man thing," Buffy asked flopping down the newly conjured bed.
"Yeah, Will," Xander asked coming into the room, "Thought you weren't into that anymore?"
"Where are the other guys?" Fred asked.
"Andrew is being chased down the hall by a ghost; I can't believe they have ghosts. And Gunn and Lorne went to find Wes and Giles. Though I personally think they're hiding from Andrew."
"They have a ghost that chases people?" Buffy sat up and looked at Willow and Faith.
"Several ghosts," Willow smiled, "But if he's being chased its Peeves, not a ghost."
"Transparent, white, seemed like a ghost to me," Xander replied, sitting next to Buffy.
"Poltergeist," Faith answered, "The ghosts don't chase anyone."
"Faith you want to go rescue him?" Fred asked.
"Do I have to?" Faith asked heading for the door, "Is Professor Bitchy coming to join the meeting or should I swing by the dungeons for Angel?"
"I'm guessing no, so get Angel," Willow answered, "And do you have to call him that?"
"Yeah," Faith answered as she left the room.
"So dish Will, a guy?" Buffy asked again.
"Well, I.uh, changed my mind?" Willow suggested blushing.
"Whatever, he makes you happy?" Xander asked.
"Yes."
"Then that's all that matters. Now back to the self replenishing food." Xander said.
*********
Hermione introduced Dawn to Lavender and Pavarti whom she shared a room with, and then quickly showed her around. Dawn was full of questions about how the different bewitched common items worked.
"We would love to stay and talk Dawn," Lavender told her, "But we have to get to the library and study for the Potions test tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll see you later then," Dawn waved to the two girls before turning to Hermione, "I'm not keeping you from studying am I? I don't want you to do badly on a test because of me. Just point me in the direction of Willow's room and I'll let you study."
"Hermione gets top grades in everything," Ginny said coming in the room, "She'll be fine if she doesn't study one night. I'm Ginny Weasley."
"Dawn Summers, are you in this room too?"
"No I'm a fifth year." Ginny smiled, "But Mcgonagall says I can go with you to Professor Rosenberg's room."
"Is Professor Snape going to be there?" Dawn asked. She had only seen him for a moment and was anxious to see more of Willow's new boyfriend.
"God, I hope not," Ginny said, "Too much of him, is not a good thing."
"Willow likes him," Dawn looked at the younger girl.
"Yeah, we don't understand that at all," Hermione said, "Though he seems to be reasonably nice to her."
"The guys are waiting in the common room for us," Ginny reminded them.
"Why didn't they come up?" Dawn asked.
"Watch," Ginny pulled her over to the door, "Ron come up here please."
Without thinking and before Harry could stop him, Ron headed for the stairs to the girls dormitory. By the time he reached the third step the staircase and folded away leaving him sliding down a steep slope that used to be the stairs.
"Bloody hell Ginny!" Ron yelled as he fell back to the common room.
Hermione and Ginny were openly laughing and Dawn had covered her mouth in an attempt to not laugh at the boy she had just met.
"Unfortunately it'll be this way for a while now so we have to slide down," Ginny said between fits of laughter.
All three girls quickly slid down the slope and stood up next to Harry who was also trying not to laugh.
"I'm Harry," He said to Dawn when she came to her feet in front of him, "And this is Ron."
"My brother," Ginny said still laughing.
"You might as well laugh too," Ron muttered seeing Dawn obviously holding back her laughter.
**********
"How have you managed to live with that boy?" Gunn asked Giles as they headed toward the girls room. Lorne and Lupin were in front of them, Wesley walking next to Giles, "He is the most annoying."
"Andrew?" Giles asked, though there really was no question. Only Andrew could have annoyed the other two that fast.
"Yeah," Gunn replied.
"I generally don't believe in violence but if he asked me one more question about aura's I may change my mind," Lorne agreed.
"Surely he can't be." Wesley began.
"I assure you he is," Giles replied, "Remus about that potion; you say it controls the werewolf. You just need to drink it on the nights of the full moon."
"Yes, I afraid I don't know a lot about it. I've never excelled and potions but Professor Snape could probably give you some information before you leave."
"I'll have to speak to him then. If we get the chance. Willow said she had to talk to us about an idea she had to find Dumbledore."
"Yes, she had a couple ideas. Both very risky, but she says she's done one of them before," Lupin said, "But it would involve the kids so we're hoping it doesn't come to that."
**********
"I'm very sorry about intruding on your rooms Professor Snape," Angel said as the wizard came out of his room after changing robes.
"It's not a problem. Willow assures me that I'll like you. Faith says we can 'brood together' and please call me Severus."
"They've told me the same thing," Angel agreed.
"I've read of you," Snape said, "You were very active in Europe for a while."
"Yeah, that's a good word for it," Angel laughed, "That was a long time ago."
"Willow tells me that now you run a detective agency specializing in the super natural."
"Yeah, least I can do after wreaking havoc in Europe for a hundred and fifty years," Angel answered.
Before Snape could reply there was a knock on the door. He quickly made his way to the door, expecting Willow to be on the other side.
"Hey, Red wasn't sure if you were coming to her little party so I swung by for Angel," Faith said walking past the scowling professor.
"We were going to leave in just a moment," Snape answered.
"I'll wait, on the way back we have to rescue Andrew from Peeves," Faith jumped up and sat on the edge of his desk.
"You came here first, while your friend is being terrorized by Peeves?" Snape questioned.
"Whoa, he's not my friend, and I'm only doing it so Red doesn't nag."
"Who's Peeves?" Angel asked.
"Poltergeist," Snape explained, "He enjoys practical jokes."
"Faith!"
"He'll be fine, Peeves won't hurt him. Not really."
"We'd better go get him," Snape snapped.
**********
Everyone was already assembled in the room when Faith, Angel, and Snape arrived with Andrew still complaining about Faith not coming for him first.
"Get over it," Faith snapped, as she walked over to the table and pulled herself on it, leaving the last two chairs for Snape and Angel.
Snape was beginning to understand why the slayer had chosen to allow Peeves to torment the boy while she came for them. He had never heard anyone whine quite so much. He was quickly becoming tempted to perform a silencing charm on him.
"Let the Scooby meeting commence!" Xander shouted as the last arrivals sat down.
"Scooby?" Gunn questioned.
"Cartoon dog," Angel explained, "I had to ask too."
"I know who Scooby is," Gunn looked at the vampire, "Why is this a Scooby meeting?"
"Xander, Buffy, and Willow believe they are similar to the characters of that program," Giles said, "It's best to ask for more detail."
"So what's the sitch?" Buffy asked.
"Voldemort, evil wizard guy extraordinaire, has kidnapped Professor Dumbledore. Who is apparently the only wizard with a chance in hell of stopping him," Willow began, looking at Charlie and Snape for confirmation.
"Dumbledore's been working some mojo to let Red and Harry see what's happening," Faith picked up the story, "At first Voldemort just wanted Harry but now he's moved on he wants the Wicked Wicca and a slayer for his party."
"We know where he is," Fred said, "But we don't know how to get Dumbledore out without casualties. Professor Snape believes he won't hurt Dumbledore before he gets what he wants."
"Which is Willow and Faith?" Wesley asked.
"And Harry," Lupin added.
"Do we know how he plans on recruiting the girls?" Angel asked.
"That's where I come in," Snape said, "I was once one of his Death Eaters. I have been spying on him for Dumbledore for years. He wants me to bring them, willingly, to him before summer holidays."
"So why do the evil bad things always want to act in May?" Xander asked.
"Excuse me?" Charlie looked at the other man.
"The Master, Glory, Adam, The First everything that wants to end the world wants to do it in May. Is there some sort of evil plot against summer?"
"Xander," Giles said quietly.
"Sorry."
"Willow I understand you have a couple ideas," Giles said, still frowning at Xander, they did not have time for silliness they weren't going to be here that long.
"Yeah, one idea is that we allow Voldemort to think Severus has convinced us," Willow explained.
"Then blast his ass when we get there," Faith finished.
"Okay so that's not the best thought out plan," Willow agreed when Snape, Giles, Wesley and Angel all frowned at her. "But the other is well, more dangerous, we send Harry in to fight him."
"He is a child Willow," Giles said looking at the four children sitting on the floor.
"How old are you?" Buffy asked Harry.
"Sixteen."
"He's older than I was when I became a Slayer," Buffy pointed out.
"Yes, but he doesn't have supernatural strength," Wesley answered before Giles could speak.
"I've fought him before," Harry said, he wasn't fond of the plan himself it seemed risky but he didn't like these people saying he was too young.
"Yes, but this time Professor Dumbledore won't be around," Snape snapped, "though I still haven't been told all of this plan."
"Yes, Willow do you have the prophecy, were you able to get the wording of it?" Giles asked, he didn't want to say it yet but he was afraid sending Harry could be the only option to destroying the dark wizard.
"Yeah," Willow reached in her pocket and handed a piece of parchment to Giles, "We think this is right. The only one that really knows is Dumbledore and well, not available."
Wesley walked over to Giles to read the paper over his shoulder; they had talked several times in the last weeks about this prophecy. Nothing they came up with had been good and they were hoping the exact wording would give them a way to avoid what they were sure was inevitable.
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies.
Both former watchers read the parchment through several times without speaking. Then Wesley looked at Giles and frowned. Giles folded the paper.
"May we keep this Willow?" Giles asked, "Before we make any decisions Wesley and I would like to discuss this and look up a few things.
"Yeah, does it help?" Willow asked.
"Yes, Harry there is no doubt that this is about you?" Giles asked.
"Dumbledore said it could have been Neville or me, but when Voldemort killed my parents and marked me." Harry pushed his hair off of his forehead, "He made it about me."
"All right then." Wesley frown deepened, "I'm not sure we can do any more tonight and it's late."
"Yes, we've all had very busy days," Giles agreed, he needed to discuss this Wesley and not in front of the kids until they were certain.
Willow was staring at Giles, not speaking while everyone was saying their goodnights. Giles remained in his chair watching Willow.
'Giles can you hear me?' Willow's voice suddenly appeared in Giles head.
'Yes' he answered silently.
'It has to be him doesn't it?'
'I can't say yet Willow. Tomorrow we'll talk more' Giles answered and stood up.
"So before you all leave," Willow said standing up and addressing the group heading out the door, "My sixth year students would like to talk to people that fight dark arts all the time, any volunteers?"
Giles, Wesley, Buffy, and Xander quickly volunteered. Angel and Gunn were bullied into going by Buffy and Faith. Hermione invited Dawn to join her at her classes the next day. Dawn accepted saying it would be great to go to classes not involving math, English or history. Hermione decided not to tell her that she did have History of Magic in the afternoon.
"What were you and Giles talking about Will?" Buffy asked after everyone had left the room.
"What?" Willow looked at her friend.
"I recognize the mind thing Will?"
"Something is bad about that prophecy Buffy, did you see the way Giles and Wesley were looking at each other?"
"I agree," Fred said, "They've already discussed it and it's not good."
"He won't tell me though, says he'll talk to us tomorrow."
**********
The next day went very quickly for everyone. The sixth year Defense Against the Dark Arts class spent the entire period asking questions about every demon Willow had mentioned to them. The girls were fascinated by the idea of Slayers and found Buffy easier to talk to than Faith.
Angel patiently answered all the questions about vampires. While Gunn and Xander answered questions about what is was like to not have super powers and have to fight demons. Several students had questions about the Watcher's Council which Wesley and Giles did their best to answer.
Willow hadn't been able to corner Giles and Wesley about the prophecy until after dinner. Charlie and Fred were taking Andrew, Xander, and Gunn out to see the dragon he had brought with him from Romania. Faith and snuck off somewhere with Lupin, and Dawn was happily showing Hermione all the clothes she had brought with her for the girl. Sybil Trewaleny had cornered Lorne with questions regarding his 'sight'. Leaving Buffy, Angel and Willow free to find and interrogate the ex-watchers. They quickly located them in the library's restricted section.
"Who would've guessed they'd be with the books?" Buffy said as they rounded the corner and found Giles and Wesley both leaning over books.
"Spill guys," Willow sat next to Giles, as Buffy took the seat next to Wesley, and Angel stood at the head of the table watching quietly.
"What'd you get from the prophecy?" Buffy said, "And Will, they keep their prophecies in a ball?"
"Willow you said you had a plan for Harry going after Voldemort?' Wesley asked.
"We shouldn't discuss this here," Giles said glancing around.
"Students aren't allowed in this section," Willow said quietly, "And yeah, if we can pull it off. But."
"You may not have a choice Willow," Giles said taking off his glasses, "It really depends on what you want to accomplish."
"Huh," Buffy said, "Does that make some kind of sense? She wants to accomplish stopping evil wizard guy."
"Well, yes obviously," Wesley said to Buffy then turned to Willow, "Do you want to simply retrieve Professor Dumbledore safely or destroy Voldemort for good?"
"Well, dead evil wizard would be of the good," Willow answered frowning, "I mean what's the point of just getting Dumbledore if Voldemort's going to keep coming back for more. It would've been like saving Dawn from Glory but letting Glory go to take her again."
"Then Willow, the prophecy very clearly says Harry must kill Voldemort or Voldemort will kill Harry. Not just one must die, one must kill the other," Giles sighed.
"There's no way to kill him without sending the kid in?" Angel asked.
"I'm afraid not," Wesley said, "Faith and Willow could go in and do some serious damage but not kill him."
"Then we better hope Hermione or Severus can pull of plan b." Willow sighed. She hated this, if they didn't do the spell right Harry could end up dead. She couldn't do the spell for them because there was no way in hell she was letting a sixteen year old kid walk into that camp alone.
"Willow what is your plan," Giles asked.
Willow quickly explained what she had in mind. She had already talked to Hermione who though she would be able to do the spell. She had told Harry and Ron only parts of the plan because she new they weren't going to like what was going to happen. Ginny also knew most of it because she had been helping with the research. She was now going to have to tell Severus who wasn't going to be any happier than Harry about this.
"It's risky Willow," Wesley said when she finished, "That spell is."
"We've done it before," Willow said quickly, "If I was the one doing it. but I'm going to have to go with Harry and."
"Will when we did that spell all the badness," Buffy said.
"This'll be different," Willow answered, "Giles you haven't said anything."
"Are you sure Hermione can do it? If you get there and she fails."
"That's what bothers me about this. But she seems confident. She's like the perfect student here," Willow said, "So you think it'll work?"
"I think it can, yes. When are you going to do this?"
"We're not ready yet. It'll be a while. I have to get everyone together tell them about it," Willow said, "Teach Hermione the spell, have an actual plan on going in."
"So not this weekend then?' Buffy smiled.
"No, Severus is sure Dumbledore is safe. And he's there weekly to give his little report and he checks on him."
"Do you back up Willow?" Angel asked.
"I don't know yet," she sighed, "Can you come back?"
"All you have to do is call. You know that," Buffy said.
"Okay so we'll continue to work on it here, then when we're ready, if we need you I can send Remus or Charlie or someone for you?" Willow looked expectantly at Angel and Buffy.
"Yes," Angel replied.
"Not everyone though okay," Willow said to Buffy, "This guy hates non magic people. Xander, and Andrew have nothing, they'll get hurt. And if I. I don't want Dawn."
"Got it," Buffy answered, "Just slayer girl."
"I'll come alone too," Angel agreed.
"Let's get outta here," Willow grinned. Knowing she could count on them to help she felt better about her plan. Now of course she just had to tell Severus, Harry and Ron.
"So Will what's up with the boy thing, well I guess man thing," Buffy asked flopping down the newly conjured bed.
"Yeah, Will," Xander asked coming into the room, "Thought you weren't into that anymore?"
"Where are the other guys?" Fred asked.
"Andrew is being chased down the hall by a ghost; I can't believe they have ghosts. And Gunn and Lorne went to find Wes and Giles. Though I personally think they're hiding from Andrew."
"They have a ghost that chases people?" Buffy sat up and looked at Willow and Faith.
"Several ghosts," Willow smiled, "But if he's being chased its Peeves, not a ghost."
"Transparent, white, seemed like a ghost to me," Xander replied, sitting next to Buffy.
"Poltergeist," Faith answered, "The ghosts don't chase anyone."
"Faith you want to go rescue him?" Fred asked.
"Do I have to?" Faith asked heading for the door, "Is Professor Bitchy coming to join the meeting or should I swing by the dungeons for Angel?"
"I'm guessing no, so get Angel," Willow answered, "And do you have to call him that?"
"Yeah," Faith answered as she left the room.
"So dish Will, a guy?" Buffy asked again.
"Well, I.uh, changed my mind?" Willow suggested blushing.
"Whatever, he makes you happy?" Xander asked.
"Yes."
"Then that's all that matters. Now back to the self replenishing food." Xander said.
*********
Hermione introduced Dawn to Lavender and Pavarti whom she shared a room with, and then quickly showed her around. Dawn was full of questions about how the different bewitched common items worked.
"We would love to stay and talk Dawn," Lavender told her, "But we have to get to the library and study for the Potions test tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll see you later then," Dawn waved to the two girls before turning to Hermione, "I'm not keeping you from studying am I? I don't want you to do badly on a test because of me. Just point me in the direction of Willow's room and I'll let you study."
"Hermione gets top grades in everything," Ginny said coming in the room, "She'll be fine if she doesn't study one night. I'm Ginny Weasley."
"Dawn Summers, are you in this room too?"
"No I'm a fifth year." Ginny smiled, "But Mcgonagall says I can go with you to Professor Rosenberg's room."
"Is Professor Snape going to be there?" Dawn asked. She had only seen him for a moment and was anxious to see more of Willow's new boyfriend.
"God, I hope not," Ginny said, "Too much of him, is not a good thing."
"Willow likes him," Dawn looked at the younger girl.
"Yeah, we don't understand that at all," Hermione said, "Though he seems to be reasonably nice to her."
"The guys are waiting in the common room for us," Ginny reminded them.
"Why didn't they come up?" Dawn asked.
"Watch," Ginny pulled her over to the door, "Ron come up here please."
Without thinking and before Harry could stop him, Ron headed for the stairs to the girls dormitory. By the time he reached the third step the staircase and folded away leaving him sliding down a steep slope that used to be the stairs.
"Bloody hell Ginny!" Ron yelled as he fell back to the common room.
Hermione and Ginny were openly laughing and Dawn had covered her mouth in an attempt to not laugh at the boy she had just met.
"Unfortunately it'll be this way for a while now so we have to slide down," Ginny said between fits of laughter.
All three girls quickly slid down the slope and stood up next to Harry who was also trying not to laugh.
"I'm Harry," He said to Dawn when she came to her feet in front of him, "And this is Ron."
"My brother," Ginny said still laughing.
"You might as well laugh too," Ron muttered seeing Dawn obviously holding back her laughter.
**********
"How have you managed to live with that boy?" Gunn asked Giles as they headed toward the girls room. Lorne and Lupin were in front of them, Wesley walking next to Giles, "He is the most annoying."
"Andrew?" Giles asked, though there really was no question. Only Andrew could have annoyed the other two that fast.
"Yeah," Gunn replied.
"I generally don't believe in violence but if he asked me one more question about aura's I may change my mind," Lorne agreed.
"Surely he can't be." Wesley began.
"I assure you he is," Giles replied, "Remus about that potion; you say it controls the werewolf. You just need to drink it on the nights of the full moon."
"Yes, I afraid I don't know a lot about it. I've never excelled and potions but Professor Snape could probably give you some information before you leave."
"I'll have to speak to him then. If we get the chance. Willow said she had to talk to us about an idea she had to find Dumbledore."
"Yes, she had a couple ideas. Both very risky, but she says she's done one of them before," Lupin said, "But it would involve the kids so we're hoping it doesn't come to that."
**********
"I'm very sorry about intruding on your rooms Professor Snape," Angel said as the wizard came out of his room after changing robes.
"It's not a problem. Willow assures me that I'll like you. Faith says we can 'brood together' and please call me Severus."
"They've told me the same thing," Angel agreed.
"I've read of you," Snape said, "You were very active in Europe for a while."
"Yeah, that's a good word for it," Angel laughed, "That was a long time ago."
"Willow tells me that now you run a detective agency specializing in the super natural."
"Yeah, least I can do after wreaking havoc in Europe for a hundred and fifty years," Angel answered.
Before Snape could reply there was a knock on the door. He quickly made his way to the door, expecting Willow to be on the other side.
"Hey, Red wasn't sure if you were coming to her little party so I swung by for Angel," Faith said walking past the scowling professor.
"We were going to leave in just a moment," Snape answered.
"I'll wait, on the way back we have to rescue Andrew from Peeves," Faith jumped up and sat on the edge of his desk.
"You came here first, while your friend is being terrorized by Peeves?" Snape questioned.
"Whoa, he's not my friend, and I'm only doing it so Red doesn't nag."
"Who's Peeves?" Angel asked.
"Poltergeist," Snape explained, "He enjoys practical jokes."
"Faith!"
"He'll be fine, Peeves won't hurt him. Not really."
"We'd better go get him," Snape snapped.
**********
Everyone was already assembled in the room when Faith, Angel, and Snape arrived with Andrew still complaining about Faith not coming for him first.
"Get over it," Faith snapped, as she walked over to the table and pulled herself on it, leaving the last two chairs for Snape and Angel.
Snape was beginning to understand why the slayer had chosen to allow Peeves to torment the boy while she came for them. He had never heard anyone whine quite so much. He was quickly becoming tempted to perform a silencing charm on him.
"Let the Scooby meeting commence!" Xander shouted as the last arrivals sat down.
"Scooby?" Gunn questioned.
"Cartoon dog," Angel explained, "I had to ask too."
"I know who Scooby is," Gunn looked at the vampire, "Why is this a Scooby meeting?"
"Xander, Buffy, and Willow believe they are similar to the characters of that program," Giles said, "It's best to ask for more detail."
"So what's the sitch?" Buffy asked.
"Voldemort, evil wizard guy extraordinaire, has kidnapped Professor Dumbledore. Who is apparently the only wizard with a chance in hell of stopping him," Willow began, looking at Charlie and Snape for confirmation.
"Dumbledore's been working some mojo to let Red and Harry see what's happening," Faith picked up the story, "At first Voldemort just wanted Harry but now he's moved on he wants the Wicked Wicca and a slayer for his party."
"We know where he is," Fred said, "But we don't know how to get Dumbledore out without casualties. Professor Snape believes he won't hurt Dumbledore before he gets what he wants."
"Which is Willow and Faith?" Wesley asked.
"And Harry," Lupin added.
"Do we know how he plans on recruiting the girls?" Angel asked.
"That's where I come in," Snape said, "I was once one of his Death Eaters. I have been spying on him for Dumbledore for years. He wants me to bring them, willingly, to him before summer holidays."
"So why do the evil bad things always want to act in May?" Xander asked.
"Excuse me?" Charlie looked at the other man.
"The Master, Glory, Adam, The First everything that wants to end the world wants to do it in May. Is there some sort of evil plot against summer?"
"Xander," Giles said quietly.
"Sorry."
"Willow I understand you have a couple ideas," Giles said, still frowning at Xander, they did not have time for silliness they weren't going to be here that long.
"Yeah, one idea is that we allow Voldemort to think Severus has convinced us," Willow explained.
"Then blast his ass when we get there," Faith finished.
"Okay so that's not the best thought out plan," Willow agreed when Snape, Giles, Wesley and Angel all frowned at her. "But the other is well, more dangerous, we send Harry in to fight him."
"He is a child Willow," Giles said looking at the four children sitting on the floor.
"How old are you?" Buffy asked Harry.
"Sixteen."
"He's older than I was when I became a Slayer," Buffy pointed out.
"Yes, but he doesn't have supernatural strength," Wesley answered before Giles could speak.
"I've fought him before," Harry said, he wasn't fond of the plan himself it seemed risky but he didn't like these people saying he was too young.
"Yes, but this time Professor Dumbledore won't be around," Snape snapped, "though I still haven't been told all of this plan."
"Yes, Willow do you have the prophecy, were you able to get the wording of it?" Giles asked, he didn't want to say it yet but he was afraid sending Harry could be the only option to destroying the dark wizard.
"Yeah," Willow reached in her pocket and handed a piece of parchment to Giles, "We think this is right. The only one that really knows is Dumbledore and well, not available."
Wesley walked over to Giles to read the paper over his shoulder; they had talked several times in the last weeks about this prophecy. Nothing they came up with had been good and they were hoping the exact wording would give them a way to avoid what they were sure was inevitable.
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies.
Both former watchers read the parchment through several times without speaking. Then Wesley looked at Giles and frowned. Giles folded the paper.
"May we keep this Willow?" Giles asked, "Before we make any decisions Wesley and I would like to discuss this and look up a few things.
"Yeah, does it help?" Willow asked.
"Yes, Harry there is no doubt that this is about you?" Giles asked.
"Dumbledore said it could have been Neville or me, but when Voldemort killed my parents and marked me." Harry pushed his hair off of his forehead, "He made it about me."
"All right then." Wesley frown deepened, "I'm not sure we can do any more tonight and it's late."
"Yes, we've all had very busy days," Giles agreed, he needed to discuss this Wesley and not in front of the kids until they were certain.
Willow was staring at Giles, not speaking while everyone was saying their goodnights. Giles remained in his chair watching Willow.
'Giles can you hear me?' Willow's voice suddenly appeared in Giles head.
'Yes' he answered silently.
'It has to be him doesn't it?'
'I can't say yet Willow. Tomorrow we'll talk more' Giles answered and stood up.
"So before you all leave," Willow said standing up and addressing the group heading out the door, "My sixth year students would like to talk to people that fight dark arts all the time, any volunteers?"
Giles, Wesley, Buffy, and Xander quickly volunteered. Angel and Gunn were bullied into going by Buffy and Faith. Hermione invited Dawn to join her at her classes the next day. Dawn accepted saying it would be great to go to classes not involving math, English or history. Hermione decided not to tell her that she did have History of Magic in the afternoon.
"What were you and Giles talking about Will?" Buffy asked after everyone had left the room.
"What?" Willow looked at her friend.
"I recognize the mind thing Will?"
"Something is bad about that prophecy Buffy, did you see the way Giles and Wesley were looking at each other?"
"I agree," Fred said, "They've already discussed it and it's not good."
"He won't tell me though, says he'll talk to us tomorrow."
**********
The next day went very quickly for everyone. The sixth year Defense Against the Dark Arts class spent the entire period asking questions about every demon Willow had mentioned to them. The girls were fascinated by the idea of Slayers and found Buffy easier to talk to than Faith.
Angel patiently answered all the questions about vampires. While Gunn and Xander answered questions about what is was like to not have super powers and have to fight demons. Several students had questions about the Watcher's Council which Wesley and Giles did their best to answer.
Willow hadn't been able to corner Giles and Wesley about the prophecy until after dinner. Charlie and Fred were taking Andrew, Xander, and Gunn out to see the dragon he had brought with him from Romania. Faith and snuck off somewhere with Lupin, and Dawn was happily showing Hermione all the clothes she had brought with her for the girl. Sybil Trewaleny had cornered Lorne with questions regarding his 'sight'. Leaving Buffy, Angel and Willow free to find and interrogate the ex-watchers. They quickly located them in the library's restricted section.
"Who would've guessed they'd be with the books?" Buffy said as they rounded the corner and found Giles and Wesley both leaning over books.
"Spill guys," Willow sat next to Giles, as Buffy took the seat next to Wesley, and Angel stood at the head of the table watching quietly.
"What'd you get from the prophecy?" Buffy said, "And Will, they keep their prophecies in a ball?"
"Willow you said you had a plan for Harry going after Voldemort?' Wesley asked.
"We shouldn't discuss this here," Giles said glancing around.
"Students aren't allowed in this section," Willow said quietly, "And yeah, if we can pull it off. But."
"You may not have a choice Willow," Giles said taking off his glasses, "It really depends on what you want to accomplish."
"Huh," Buffy said, "Does that make some kind of sense? She wants to accomplish stopping evil wizard guy."
"Well, yes obviously," Wesley said to Buffy then turned to Willow, "Do you want to simply retrieve Professor Dumbledore safely or destroy Voldemort for good?"
"Well, dead evil wizard would be of the good," Willow answered frowning, "I mean what's the point of just getting Dumbledore if Voldemort's going to keep coming back for more. It would've been like saving Dawn from Glory but letting Glory go to take her again."
"Then Willow, the prophecy very clearly says Harry must kill Voldemort or Voldemort will kill Harry. Not just one must die, one must kill the other," Giles sighed.
"There's no way to kill him without sending the kid in?" Angel asked.
"I'm afraid not," Wesley said, "Faith and Willow could go in and do some serious damage but not kill him."
"Then we better hope Hermione or Severus can pull of plan b." Willow sighed. She hated this, if they didn't do the spell right Harry could end up dead. She couldn't do the spell for them because there was no way in hell she was letting a sixteen year old kid walk into that camp alone.
"Willow what is your plan," Giles asked.
Willow quickly explained what she had in mind. She had already talked to Hermione who though she would be able to do the spell. She had told Harry and Ron only parts of the plan because she new they weren't going to like what was going to happen. Ginny also knew most of it because she had been helping with the research. She was now going to have to tell Severus who wasn't going to be any happier than Harry about this.
"It's risky Willow," Wesley said when she finished, "That spell is."
"We've done it before," Willow said quickly, "If I was the one doing it. but I'm going to have to go with Harry and."
"Will when we did that spell all the badness," Buffy said.
"This'll be different," Willow answered, "Giles you haven't said anything."
"Are you sure Hermione can do it? If you get there and she fails."
"That's what bothers me about this. But she seems confident. She's like the perfect student here," Willow said, "So you think it'll work?"
"I think it can, yes. When are you going to do this?"
"We're not ready yet. It'll be a while. I have to get everyone together tell them about it," Willow said, "Teach Hermione the spell, have an actual plan on going in."
"So not this weekend then?' Buffy smiled.
"No, Severus is sure Dumbledore is safe. And he's there weekly to give his little report and he checks on him."
"Do you back up Willow?" Angel asked.
"I don't know yet," she sighed, "Can you come back?"
"All you have to do is call. You know that," Buffy said.
"Okay so we'll continue to work on it here, then when we're ready, if we need you I can send Remus or Charlie or someone for you?" Willow looked expectantly at Angel and Buffy.
"Yes," Angel replied.
"Not everyone though okay," Willow said to Buffy, "This guy hates non magic people. Xander, and Andrew have nothing, they'll get hurt. And if I. I don't want Dawn."
"Got it," Buffy answered, "Just slayer girl."
"I'll come alone too," Angel agreed.
"Let's get outta here," Willow grinned. Knowing she could count on them to help she felt better about her plan. Now of course she just had to tell Severus, Harry and Ron.