Chapter Thirty-One

Bronzing and Guests

The next evening Spike stormed in through the door of the Summers' home and marched up the stairs muttering darkly to himself. Buffy came in after him laughing loudly.

"What happened?" Dawn asked from the couch.

"We found Druscilla."
"How bad was she?"
"A buxom blond with a Brooklyn accent," Buffy started giggling again. "She mistook the real Spike for the fake one."
"You're joking?"
Buffy shook her head.

"No wonder Spike looked pissed. I take it she's dust?"
"Oh yeah. So what are you watching now?"
Dawn rolled her eyes. "I think it was a mistake to introduce him to TV," she said indicating Draco who sat next to her with his eyes glued to the screen. "He found a soul mate with Simon on American Idol."

"Probably helps that he's British and insulting Americans."

A loud laugh came from Draco. "That man is a genius."

"What did he say now?" Dawn asked with a sigh.

"He told this git, 'Last year I told someone that they were the worst singer in the world. I think you are quite possible the worst singer in the universe.'"

"Very funny dear," Dawn said, then turned back to Buffy. "We need to do something to get him away from the TV."

"Bronzing tomorrow night?"
Dawn's eyes brightened with excitement.

******

"What's taking them so long?" Draco grumbled as he stared at the blank TV screen. Buffy had forbidden him to watch it that day, something about it rotting his brains.

"They're girls," Spike said in answer.

"And remind me again why we went shopping for clothes to wear tonight," Draco said as he looked down at his muggle attire.

"Cause they're girls."

"Where are we going?" Harry asked.

"The Bronze," Spike said. "It's really the only decent place in town to go if you're not a demon."

"And what do people do there?" Draco asked.

"Drink, dance, have fun. They have this wonderful thing called a bloomin' onion, delicious." Before he could expound on the wonders of said food; Buffy and Dawn came down the stairs. "Wearin' my favorite colors, luv."

Buffy had a blood red top with a deep v-neck. She had chosen as pair of black leather pants to wear with it. Seeing that Spike had opted for a tight, long sleeve blue shirt, she said, "Experimenting with other colors of the rainbow I see."

Draco didn't hear a word the pair said because all he was aware of was his angel. Her long hair was a mass of curls pulled artfully back from her face. Her tan suede skirt was long enough to be appropriate but short enough to enhance her long legs. She had purposely left the top couple of buttons on her light blue blouse unbuttoned.

Dawn smiled brightly at the good-looking man waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. Buffy had outfitted him in a form fitting silvery gray shirt and black pants. Since he had noticed her attention to his hair when it wasn't slicked back he had left it loose and messy.

"Aren't you mister hot and sexy?" She said approvingly.

"You look bloody amazing," he whispered.

"Thank you," she said and awarded him with a quick peck on the cheek.

Harry watched them a bit enviously. He couldn't help but wish Ginny was there with him. He was beginning to think they would forget all about him when Dawn put her arm around his shoulder and said, "Let's go party!"

The Bronze wasn't very crowded that night. The cover band that was performing was playing everything from heavy metal to soft rock, with even a little country thrown in the mix.

Draco and Harry looked around in wonder. Harry had never been allowed out so he had never really experienced the muggle teen life. And Draco never knew places like this existed in the muggle world.

They quickly found the other scoobies and they pulled two tables together so they could all sit together. Spike promptly order a bloomin' onion and a beer while the rest ordered various sodas. Draco had taken an instant liking to the carbonated beverages.

Dawn pulled Harry and Draco out to dance and they were quickly laughing and having a good time. She thought it was funny that a couple of girls tried hitting on Harry, who just blushed and stammered that he was taken.

It wasn't as amusing though when some blond placed herself between Dawn and Draco. The blond danced against Draco seductively. Dawn's eyes flashed fire and she had to force her magic down. She wanted to punch the girl, but instead she pulled the blond away from Draco and said, "Rude much. Hands off tramp, he's mine."

The girl arched an eyebrow, slightly amused. "Says who?"
"Says me," Dawn said darkly.

"He's way too good for you," she said sinuously.

"It's the other way around," Draco said. "She's too good for me." He looked the blond up and down and brought out the Malfoy sneer. "But I am definitely too good for you." Then he pulled Dawn to him who was smiling triumphantly.

The blond glared but stomped off.

"Do you really feel that way?" Dawn asked after a slow song started.

"What way?"
"That I'm too good for you."
"Everyday since the moment I laid eyes on you."
"You shouldn't."
"Why? I used to be a troublemaker, a spoiled brat, and a future death eater."
"So? Doesn't make you less worthy as a man or of me."
He felt his heart expand and he pulled her close.

They sat down after that song to take a break and get something to drink. Dawn couldn't help but giggle as she watched Harry dance with Xander and Willow. Poor Xander had never developed rhythm over the years.

Draco just sat there relishing in the feeling of having a normal night out. There was no threat of the Dark Lord or demons. Just a relaxing night with family and friends. And most importantly, Dawn was there with him. He didn't know how he got so lucky.

If anyone had told him a year ago that he would be dating a mudblood, working as a white hat, and spending his Christmas with muggles he would have laughed in their face. But here he was. He was exploring different parts of himself and the world and he was discovering that he liked what he found.

As he was relaxing, his ears picked up the lyrics of the song being sung. The words seemed to resonate everything he was feeling. He could only stare at the singer and soak in the song.

"Earth to Draco," Dawn said in his ear.

He jumped slightly and turned to her with wide eyes. "Listen to this song."
"It's Metallica, so?"

"No. Listen to the words. It's damn near like they're singing about me."
Realizing that he was serious, she closed her eyes and listened.

Never opened myself this way

Life is ours, we live it our way

All these words I don't just say

Trust I seek and I find in you

Everyday for us something new

Open mind for a different view

And nothing else matters.

~Oh my god.~ She said.

~Yeah.~ He paused before saying. ~You know I trust you with everything?~

She smiled beatifically at him and gently kissed him. ~I do and I'm honored.~

The rest of the night passed in a whirl of dancing and laughter.

******

The next night, Draco was learning how to play Monopoly with Dawn, Harry, Buffy, and Spike. He was finally getting the hang of it when there was a knock at the door. They all had a questioning look in their eyes as Buffy rose to answer it. Everyone who knew they were home wouldn't have bothered with knocking.

Buffy opened the door to see a man with long, shaggy black hair waiting patiently.

"Can I help you?" She asked warily.

"I was wondering if Harry was here," he said in a gravelly British accent.

Buffy's hand shot out and she grabbed the man by the throat. She swung him around until his back was against the house.

"Ok British guy. Who the hell are you?"
The man pulled at the hand encircling his neck to no avail. She was squeezing so tight he couldn't answer.

The rest of the group had come through the door when they heard the commotion.

"Sirius!" Harry said, clearly surprised.

Buffy turned to look at the boy, never letting go of the strange man. "You know him?"
"He's my godfather, you can let him go."
She eyed the man carefully, but did as Harry asked.

The guy rubbed his neck and gulped air into his lungs. "Quite a grip you've got there. You must be the slayer."
"And you're insane," she quipped. "Let's get you inside."
After they had gotten inside Harry asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I was hoping to spend some time with you."
"Not that I'm complaining, but why didn't you tell me you were coming."
"Didn't want the letter to fall into the wrong hands. Which reminds me, you should have been more careful with the one you sent me."
"I know I was just so excited that I had to tell you." Dawn cleared her throat and Harry realized that he hadn't introduced everybody. "Everyone, this is my godfather Sirius Black."
"He's a criminal," Draco said.

"No more than you are," Dawn said. She knew of Sirius' innocence. Harry had told the story to her over the summer.

"That's Dawn, and you've already met her sister Buffy. The older blond is Spike and the other is Malfoy."
Sirius smiled sheepishly. "Sorry for barging in like this, but I haven't seen Harry in a while."
Buffy smiled. "It's ok. A little warning would have prevented my violent side, but hey. How long are you staying?"

"Until just after Christmas. I can't stay in one place for too long."
"Would you like to stay here? All we have left is the couch or a cot in the basement."
He looked at her in surprise. He had been planning on staying in one of the caves on the outskirts of town. But her offer was too tempting. "The cot would be fine," he said gratefully.

********

The next couple of days passed quietly. Draco got more attached to the TV, Harry and Sirius spent some quality time together, and Dawn was able to catch up with her friends in Sunnydale. They were all sitting down to watch a movie when there was a knock at the door.

Buffy turned to Harry. "Expecting any other lost relatives?"

He just shook his head.

Spike grimaced when he opened the door. "Well if it isn't Captain Cardboard and the missus. Thanks for dropping by, see you later." He tried to shut the door, but the figure on the other side shot a hand out to stop him.

"Shut up Spike. I need to talk to Buffy."

"Riley?" Buffy asked when she heard the voice. She stood and walked over to the door. "What do you want?" She asked curiously.

"We need to talk, can we come in?"

Noting that the sun had set she replied, "I don't know, can you?"

With a roll of his eyes, Riley and his wife Sam crossed the threshold. "We're not vampires, can we talk?"
"Sure, what's up?"

Riley suddenly noticed the strange people in the living room. "Who are they?"
"Some friends," Buffy said.

"The blond is my nephew," Spike said, with no small amount of pride in his voice.

"Whatever Spike. You have no family," Riley said harshly.

Spike's eyes narrowed. "I suggest you take that back," he growled.

"Why? It's the truth. No one loves you."
Riley and Sam were suddenly surrounded by people glaring at them.

"That is where you are wrong," Buffy said warningly. "Spike happens to be very loved and is part of a rather large family. It's a shame they aren't all here to stand by him, then you would really see."
"See what? That he needs all of you to fight his battles for him?" Riley snarled. He was clearly upset that Spike had wormed his way into their hearts.

"I don't think so, mate," Spike growled as he vamped out. He landed a solid punch on Riley's jaw. "See the nice thing about being a warrior for the Powers is that you get rewarded sometimes. Guess what mine was."

"Your chip is out," Riley said, stunned.

"Yeah. The world is my buffet table once again; too bad I lost my appetite for it."
Riley turned to Buffy. "And you've let him live? There's nothing to stop him from killing."

"Yes, there is," she said firmly. "Himself."

"Now that this little catch me up session is over, can we get back to why you are here?" Dawn asked impatiently.

"We've tracked a vampire called Druscilla here," Sam said. "Riley knew you've had run-ins with her in the past so we came to warn you."
"Oh." Buffy said nonchalantly. "We dusted her several nights ago."
"But she just got here last night," Riley said.

"Wait. Was she traveling with a bloke who was suppose to be me?" Spike asked.

"No, she was traveling with a group of minions," Riley answered.

"What she look like?" Buffy asked.

"Tall, painfully thin, dark curly hair. Oh, and she was carrying a doll."
Buffy and Spike looked at each other in resignation. "Looks like she really is back," Spike said unenthusiastically.