Blood of Enemies, Blood of Friends
Chapter 24 - Saving Spike
Buffy and Faith recruited several Slayers, who had known Spike during the battle with the First, to help with the plan to free him. Angel and Gunn had also volunteered to help with the rescue.
Draco corresponded with his father throughout the week. Draco suggested that the Death Eaters could use the rescue as an opportunity to capture the Slayer who escaped death and her Watcher. Lucius took the bait and ordered Draco to leak the location of a trap, though he indicated that Spike was not being held at that location.
Professor Dumbledore provided information about Spike's location and the necessary charms to gain access. Dumbledore did not elaborate on the source. However, when Draco discovered that Spike was actually being held at Malfoy Manor, Draco was sure that his mother was the one who provided the information to Dumbledore. Draco volunteered to draw a floor plan to help the rescuers find the dungeon.
While everyone else was perfecting the rescue plan, Cat worked with Harry's wand. She found it harder to cast with his wand than her own, but by the end of the week she was confident that she would be able to remove the Imperius curse from Spike.
****************
On the night prior to the attack, the participants in the rescue effort attended a meeting in the Scooby common room. Dawn, Draco, Andrew, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were not permitted to participate in the rescue. However, they were invited along with the participants to review the plan one last time.
Buffy summarized the plan for everyone. "OK, at sunset tomorrow we launch our rescue plan. Giles, Willow, Faith, Shannon, Rhona, Vi, Shelly, Choi Ann, Michelle, Suzette, and I will be the distraction." Buffy gestured toward the Slayers who had volunteered to help. "They are expecting us and are planning to capture Giles and I as part of the ritual that was begun on Halloween."
"How can you be so sure, that they will expect us?" questioned one of the Slayers.
"We have some inside sources," said Buffy with a quick glance toward Draco that only he and Dawn noticed. "Now, the Death Eaters think that they are setting a trap for us. They are actually holding Spike at another location. So while we keep the Death Eaters occupied, Cat, Wesley, Angel, Robin, and Gunn will rescue Spike. Wesley will perform the necessary charms to gain entry, and Cat will use Harry's wand to reverse the curse. Hopefully, Spike should then come with you back to Hogwarts willingly. If not, the others will have to forcibly remove him from his prison."
"You five have one hour to find Spike and get him out. After that time, the rest of us will retreat from our fight with the Death Eaters. If we have any problems getting out, then Wills will work some of her mojo. As soon as possible, we all meet back here."
"Xander has agreed to stay here with some of our students to make sure that they stay safe." Buffy glared at Draco, Dawn, Andrew, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. She knew that they might try to sneak out and help, and she was letting them know, in no uncertain terms, that they would spend the evening in the Scooby common room waiting for the rescuers return.
When the group was dismissed, Buffy showed Angel where he would be staying. Gunn had agreed to sleep on the couch in Wesley's sitting room. As Angel followed Buffy to a windowless room in the dungeon of Hogwarts, they talked.
"Thank you, for helping with this. I know you have issues with Spike." Buffy said.
"Buffy, you know that I will always do anything I can to help you. Besides, even Spike doesn't deserve to be controlled by some evil wizard without his consent."
When they arrived at Angel's room, Buffy turned to leave. Angel called to her. "You know, I still am not getting any older."
"I know, but I am just half-baked. Wait, that didn't sound good, but you know what I mean."
Angel thought to himself, 'Well six months ago, she said she was just dough. At least she is progressing.' Angel really wanted Buffy to be happy, and he still knew that he couldn't give her the life she deserved. But he would be damned, if he was going to let Spike be the one to ruin her life.
****************
The night of the planned rescue, everyone met after dinner in the Scooby common room. Professor Summers was kind enough to give Draco detention, so that he had an excuse to miss quidditch practice that evening. He had voiced concern about keeping his cool in front of his housemates, knowing that his mind would be on the rescue attempt.
After the adults left, the teens and Xander kept themselves occupied for several hours. Harry and Ron taught Xander and Andrew how to play several wizarding games, including chess. Xander was fascinated, watching the pieces demolish each other. Draco and Dawn decided that there was no time like the present to give Hermione her first Latin lesson.
****************
Cat, Wesley, Angel, Robin, and Gunn crept around to the back of Malfoy Manor. Wesley said a few incantations and waved his wand. Angel unlocked a side door, and the group entered the house. Wesley used his wand to illuminate the floor plan that they had been provided by Draco.
Gunn reiterated his concerns. "I still think this seems too easy. Why would someone give us the necessary charms and a floor plan?"
Angel shushed his friend. Angel originally voiced the same concerns to Buffy, but she had assured him that everything was fine. She gave him the impression that they had someone working for them on the inside, but that any more information could put that person in danger.
Wesley put out the light and gestured for everyone to follow him. The group snuck silently through the house, making their way toward a staircase that led down to the basement. Their journey to the dungeon was fortunately uneventful.
They found Spike in a cell. He was seated quietly, staring forward. Gunn picked the lock to the cell. The four men stepped back as Cat stepped into the cell with Spike. Cat took a deep breath and centered herself. "Here goes nothing," she whispered. In a grand gesture, she waved her wand. As the wand pointed at Spike, Cat loudly spoke the words, "Contra Imperius." She stepped back, as her companions entered the cell and looked at Spike.
Spike blinked his eyes several times. "What the hell are you doing here, Poof?" he said to Angel. "Hell, what the hell am I doing here?" Spike said to himself.
"Shut up, Spike. Someone will explain it to you later. Let's get the hell out of here before someone hears us." Angel replied.
It was too late. Someone did here them. "Hey, before you leave, do you think you can rescue me too?" asked a woman's voice coming from a cell past Spike's.
Robin and Gunn walked down the corridor to the next cell. Robin recognized the girl, though Gunn did not. "My God, you're alive," he whispered. "But how?"
"Can we worry about the how later and get me out of here now?" the woman demanded. Gunn picked the lock to her cell, and she joined the others.
****************
Giles, Willow, and the Slayers burst into Voldemort's hideout and were met by several Death Eaters. This was exactly what the group had expected.
The Death Eaters began hurling curses. The Slayers spent nearly fifteen minutes dodging the curses, without engaging in any type of offensive moves. They were trying to buy as much time as possible for the group who was rescuing Spike.
Willow had made a point of keeping herself out of the fight. After fifteen minutes had elapsed, she entered the fray and began hurling her own curses. Willow's first curse was a signal for the Slayers to begin hand-to- hand combat with the Death Eaters. None of the Death Eaters were injured too badly. The Slayers simply removed their wands with a well-placed punch or kick. The Slayers were even kind enough to give many of the Death Eaters the chance to retrieve their wands.
After another fifteen minutes passed, Willow signaled the Slayers by hurling another predetermined curse. The Slayers began to inflict some physical damage on the Death Eaters that they were only previously disarming.
Lucius Malfoy was disgusted with how easily these muggle girls were injuring the Death Eaters. 'Draco was correct,' his father thought. 'Some of these Death Eaters are idiots.'
Lucius decided that it was time to take things into his own hands. He worked his way around the room until he had a clear shot at Giles. Lucius performed a spell to enclose Giles in an energy field. The Watcher was trapped.
Willow looked at her watch again. The Slayers had been engaged in combat with the Death Eaters for a full 45 minutes. It was time for them to begin their retreat. Willow gave her third signal, and the Slayers began to back themselves out of the room, while continuing to fight the Death Eaters. When they were all close to the doors, Willow spoke a wandless spell that created a burst of magical energy throughout the room. The energy interfered with every spell currently being cast, including the enclosure that Lucius had placed around Giles.
The Death Eaters were disoriented as the Slayers retreated.
****************
Robin checked his watch. "We only have another ten minutes, before the distraction retreats," he added. The group hurried back up the stairs and out of the manor. As Angel closed the door behind them, they all heard a loud pop. Lucius Malfoy had apparated from Voldemort's hideout into the room that the rescuers had just left.
Lucius might have noticed the group leaving, if he hadn't been so angered by the fight he had just left. The Death Eaters had not been able to capture their targets or anyone else who could be used as a hostage. Lucius began knocking furniture around the room. The loud crashes covered the footsteps of the group as they crept back around the house and down the road to the portkey that was waiting to take them to Hogsmeade, where there was a carriage waiting to return them to Hogwarts Castle.
Once in the carriage, Spike asked several questions. "What the hell happened?"
"That is a very good question," added the woman who had also been rescued.
"What do you remember?" asked Robin.
"I remember feeling a terrible burning sensation from that damn amulet that blasted those ubervamps. Then there was a sense of peace, then a feeling of confusion. The next thing I know, I am sitting in some kind of dungeon and you lot are rescuing me." Spike answered. "So again I ask you, what the bloody hell happened?"
"Well for starters," said Robin, "we won the battle with the First. The entire town of Sunnydale got sucked into the hellmouth. Apparently, the hellmouth is now permanently sealed."
"Did everyone get out?" asked Spike with a great deal of concern.
"We lost some of the Slayers and you, but the other Scoobies all got out ok," answered Robin. "We assumed you were dead."
"I think I was," replied Spike. "It was so peaceful, but then I was suddenly here again, but I don't know how or what happened." Spike suddenly realized what Robin had told him.
"So how are we back then?" asked Spike.
Wesley spoke, "Our best guess is that Voldemort brought you back and immediately cursed you so that he could control you." He looked at the young woman. "I am not sure what part you played."
"I heard some of those weirdoes in the robes and masks, saying that something went wrong when they brought Spike back. They accidentally got me too. They figured that I could be a useful hostage. The wizard who cursed Spike tried to do the same to me, but please anyone who knows me knows that I don't do so well at mindlessly following orders."
"What the hell is a Voldemort and when can I kill him?" Spike practically yelled.
Wesley proceeded to give them a summarized version of the events that led the Slayers to come to Hogwarts and the prophecy that they were currently trying to prevent.
"Bloody hell," was all Spike could manage to say.
****************
The students were bored. They had been confined to the Scooby common room for the past few hours. Dawn was the first to leap out of her seat, when the portrait opened. She saw the rescue participants enter. Dawn ignored everyone else, as she ran to Spike and threw her arms around him. "I am so glad that you are alive," she said with tears in her eyes.
"I can say the same about you, Nibblet," Spike replied. Spike looked around the room. He gave a quick wave to Andrew.
Xander finally looked up from the chess game that he had been playing with Ron. Xander froze as he saw the woman who had followed Spike through the portrait hole. He could not believe his eyes, or well eye. He figured that he was dreaming or had finally lost his mind.
Xander was propelled into motion, when the woman spoke his name. He flew across the room and pulled her into his arms, squeezing her tightly, trying to convince himself that she was really there. "How?" he asked.
"An accident, when they brought Spike back, they got me too," she replied, matter-of-factly.
"Not an accident, a miracle," Xander mumbled, tears of joy beginning to streak down his face. "I love you, Anya. I refuse to ever lose you again." Xander captured Anya's lips with his, the kiss filled with all the emotions that he had felt since losing her in the battle with the First Evil.
Xander and Anya finally pulled away, when they realized that the entire room was staring at them. Dawn launched herself at Anya and hugged the ex-demon tightly. "It hasn't been the same without you," Dawn commented.
Spike looked at the other teens who were sitting around the room. "And who are you all?" he asked. Dawn pulled away from Anya and eagerly introduced Draco, Harry, Ron, and Hermione to Spike and Anya. Spike insisted on shaking each boy's hand and kissing Hermione's hand. The boys were silent, but Hermione couldn't help but let loose a giggle.
Spike returned his attention to Dawn. "Looks like you got one hell of a setup here, Bit. The group explained everything on our way back here." Spike had noticed that Dawn appeared a little nervous, when he shook Draco's hand. He figured that either they were an item or she had a crush on the boy. Spike leaned closer to Dawn to whisper in her ear. "And, I have to say that you have good taste in men. The kid has style."
Dawn giggled, "You only say that because he reminds you of yourself."
Anya had heard the exchange and took the opportunity to add her thoughts. "He looks like the kind of guy who would take the effort to make sure you get lots of good orgasms." Of course, Anya spoke loudly enough for the whole room to hear her. Dawn looked mortified. The other teens looked surprised. Xander just pulled Anya into another embrace.
****************
The people in the Scooby common room were very nervous. It had been several hours since the first group returned, and they still had no word from Giles, Willow, and the Slayers. Spike, Angel, and Robin had taken turns pacing the room. Cat had finally gone to find Dumbledore, who was sad to report that he was unable to locate the group. Finally, just before dawn the group returned. They all looked annoyed, but none of them looked injured.
"What happened to you? We were worried sick?" asked Wesley.
Buffy shot a disgusted look toward Giles. "Giles was supposed to hide the portkey that we needed to get back. It was made to look like an old shoe, and he hid it behind a bush on the outskirts of Voldemort's property. Anyway, just as we arrived back at the hiding place, we see a dog run behind the bush. The dog must have put the shoe in its mouth, because when we looked there was no dog and no shoe."
"So we had to walk, which took us quite awhile as you can imagine," added Willow.
The entire group that had been waiting burst into laughter, which only seemed to further anger those who had just returned. Buffy glared at everyone in the room, her eyes coming to rest on the one person that she never expected to see. "Oh my God, Anya?"
Even though it was late, the Scoobies spent another hour welcoming their two lost members. There were many hugs and many tears of joy. Eventually Spike followed Angel down to his windowless dungeon room, and Anya followed Xander to his rooms.
****************
Author's Note: I just had to bring back Anya. I always liked her character and think that she will be a lot of fun to write.
Chapter 24 - Saving Spike
Buffy and Faith recruited several Slayers, who had known Spike during the battle with the First, to help with the plan to free him. Angel and Gunn had also volunteered to help with the rescue.
Draco corresponded with his father throughout the week. Draco suggested that the Death Eaters could use the rescue as an opportunity to capture the Slayer who escaped death and her Watcher. Lucius took the bait and ordered Draco to leak the location of a trap, though he indicated that Spike was not being held at that location.
Professor Dumbledore provided information about Spike's location and the necessary charms to gain access. Dumbledore did not elaborate on the source. However, when Draco discovered that Spike was actually being held at Malfoy Manor, Draco was sure that his mother was the one who provided the information to Dumbledore. Draco volunteered to draw a floor plan to help the rescuers find the dungeon.
While everyone else was perfecting the rescue plan, Cat worked with Harry's wand. She found it harder to cast with his wand than her own, but by the end of the week she was confident that she would be able to remove the Imperius curse from Spike.
****************
On the night prior to the attack, the participants in the rescue effort attended a meeting in the Scooby common room. Dawn, Draco, Andrew, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were not permitted to participate in the rescue. However, they were invited along with the participants to review the plan one last time.
Buffy summarized the plan for everyone. "OK, at sunset tomorrow we launch our rescue plan. Giles, Willow, Faith, Shannon, Rhona, Vi, Shelly, Choi Ann, Michelle, Suzette, and I will be the distraction." Buffy gestured toward the Slayers who had volunteered to help. "They are expecting us and are planning to capture Giles and I as part of the ritual that was begun on Halloween."
"How can you be so sure, that they will expect us?" questioned one of the Slayers.
"We have some inside sources," said Buffy with a quick glance toward Draco that only he and Dawn noticed. "Now, the Death Eaters think that they are setting a trap for us. They are actually holding Spike at another location. So while we keep the Death Eaters occupied, Cat, Wesley, Angel, Robin, and Gunn will rescue Spike. Wesley will perform the necessary charms to gain entry, and Cat will use Harry's wand to reverse the curse. Hopefully, Spike should then come with you back to Hogwarts willingly. If not, the others will have to forcibly remove him from his prison."
"You five have one hour to find Spike and get him out. After that time, the rest of us will retreat from our fight with the Death Eaters. If we have any problems getting out, then Wills will work some of her mojo. As soon as possible, we all meet back here."
"Xander has agreed to stay here with some of our students to make sure that they stay safe." Buffy glared at Draco, Dawn, Andrew, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. She knew that they might try to sneak out and help, and she was letting them know, in no uncertain terms, that they would spend the evening in the Scooby common room waiting for the rescuers return.
When the group was dismissed, Buffy showed Angel where he would be staying. Gunn had agreed to sleep on the couch in Wesley's sitting room. As Angel followed Buffy to a windowless room in the dungeon of Hogwarts, they talked.
"Thank you, for helping with this. I know you have issues with Spike." Buffy said.
"Buffy, you know that I will always do anything I can to help you. Besides, even Spike doesn't deserve to be controlled by some evil wizard without his consent."
When they arrived at Angel's room, Buffy turned to leave. Angel called to her. "You know, I still am not getting any older."
"I know, but I am just half-baked. Wait, that didn't sound good, but you know what I mean."
Angel thought to himself, 'Well six months ago, she said she was just dough. At least she is progressing.' Angel really wanted Buffy to be happy, and he still knew that he couldn't give her the life she deserved. But he would be damned, if he was going to let Spike be the one to ruin her life.
****************
The night of the planned rescue, everyone met after dinner in the Scooby common room. Professor Summers was kind enough to give Draco detention, so that he had an excuse to miss quidditch practice that evening. He had voiced concern about keeping his cool in front of his housemates, knowing that his mind would be on the rescue attempt.
After the adults left, the teens and Xander kept themselves occupied for several hours. Harry and Ron taught Xander and Andrew how to play several wizarding games, including chess. Xander was fascinated, watching the pieces demolish each other. Draco and Dawn decided that there was no time like the present to give Hermione her first Latin lesson.
****************
Cat, Wesley, Angel, Robin, and Gunn crept around to the back of Malfoy Manor. Wesley said a few incantations and waved his wand. Angel unlocked a side door, and the group entered the house. Wesley used his wand to illuminate the floor plan that they had been provided by Draco.
Gunn reiterated his concerns. "I still think this seems too easy. Why would someone give us the necessary charms and a floor plan?"
Angel shushed his friend. Angel originally voiced the same concerns to Buffy, but she had assured him that everything was fine. She gave him the impression that they had someone working for them on the inside, but that any more information could put that person in danger.
Wesley put out the light and gestured for everyone to follow him. The group snuck silently through the house, making their way toward a staircase that led down to the basement. Their journey to the dungeon was fortunately uneventful.
They found Spike in a cell. He was seated quietly, staring forward. Gunn picked the lock to the cell. The four men stepped back as Cat stepped into the cell with Spike. Cat took a deep breath and centered herself. "Here goes nothing," she whispered. In a grand gesture, she waved her wand. As the wand pointed at Spike, Cat loudly spoke the words, "Contra Imperius." She stepped back, as her companions entered the cell and looked at Spike.
Spike blinked his eyes several times. "What the hell are you doing here, Poof?" he said to Angel. "Hell, what the hell am I doing here?" Spike said to himself.
"Shut up, Spike. Someone will explain it to you later. Let's get the hell out of here before someone hears us." Angel replied.
It was too late. Someone did here them. "Hey, before you leave, do you think you can rescue me too?" asked a woman's voice coming from a cell past Spike's.
Robin and Gunn walked down the corridor to the next cell. Robin recognized the girl, though Gunn did not. "My God, you're alive," he whispered. "But how?"
"Can we worry about the how later and get me out of here now?" the woman demanded. Gunn picked the lock to her cell, and she joined the others.
****************
Giles, Willow, and the Slayers burst into Voldemort's hideout and were met by several Death Eaters. This was exactly what the group had expected.
The Death Eaters began hurling curses. The Slayers spent nearly fifteen minutes dodging the curses, without engaging in any type of offensive moves. They were trying to buy as much time as possible for the group who was rescuing Spike.
Willow had made a point of keeping herself out of the fight. After fifteen minutes had elapsed, she entered the fray and began hurling her own curses. Willow's first curse was a signal for the Slayers to begin hand-to- hand combat with the Death Eaters. None of the Death Eaters were injured too badly. The Slayers simply removed their wands with a well-placed punch or kick. The Slayers were even kind enough to give many of the Death Eaters the chance to retrieve their wands.
After another fifteen minutes passed, Willow signaled the Slayers by hurling another predetermined curse. The Slayers began to inflict some physical damage on the Death Eaters that they were only previously disarming.
Lucius Malfoy was disgusted with how easily these muggle girls were injuring the Death Eaters. 'Draco was correct,' his father thought. 'Some of these Death Eaters are idiots.'
Lucius decided that it was time to take things into his own hands. He worked his way around the room until he had a clear shot at Giles. Lucius performed a spell to enclose Giles in an energy field. The Watcher was trapped.
Willow looked at her watch again. The Slayers had been engaged in combat with the Death Eaters for a full 45 minutes. It was time for them to begin their retreat. Willow gave her third signal, and the Slayers began to back themselves out of the room, while continuing to fight the Death Eaters. When they were all close to the doors, Willow spoke a wandless spell that created a burst of magical energy throughout the room. The energy interfered with every spell currently being cast, including the enclosure that Lucius had placed around Giles.
The Death Eaters were disoriented as the Slayers retreated.
****************
Robin checked his watch. "We only have another ten minutes, before the distraction retreats," he added. The group hurried back up the stairs and out of the manor. As Angel closed the door behind them, they all heard a loud pop. Lucius Malfoy had apparated from Voldemort's hideout into the room that the rescuers had just left.
Lucius might have noticed the group leaving, if he hadn't been so angered by the fight he had just left. The Death Eaters had not been able to capture their targets or anyone else who could be used as a hostage. Lucius began knocking furniture around the room. The loud crashes covered the footsteps of the group as they crept back around the house and down the road to the portkey that was waiting to take them to Hogsmeade, where there was a carriage waiting to return them to Hogwarts Castle.
Once in the carriage, Spike asked several questions. "What the hell happened?"
"That is a very good question," added the woman who had also been rescued.
"What do you remember?" asked Robin.
"I remember feeling a terrible burning sensation from that damn amulet that blasted those ubervamps. Then there was a sense of peace, then a feeling of confusion. The next thing I know, I am sitting in some kind of dungeon and you lot are rescuing me." Spike answered. "So again I ask you, what the bloody hell happened?"
"Well for starters," said Robin, "we won the battle with the First. The entire town of Sunnydale got sucked into the hellmouth. Apparently, the hellmouth is now permanently sealed."
"Did everyone get out?" asked Spike with a great deal of concern.
"We lost some of the Slayers and you, but the other Scoobies all got out ok," answered Robin. "We assumed you were dead."
"I think I was," replied Spike. "It was so peaceful, but then I was suddenly here again, but I don't know how or what happened." Spike suddenly realized what Robin had told him.
"So how are we back then?" asked Spike.
Wesley spoke, "Our best guess is that Voldemort brought you back and immediately cursed you so that he could control you." He looked at the young woman. "I am not sure what part you played."
"I heard some of those weirdoes in the robes and masks, saying that something went wrong when they brought Spike back. They accidentally got me too. They figured that I could be a useful hostage. The wizard who cursed Spike tried to do the same to me, but please anyone who knows me knows that I don't do so well at mindlessly following orders."
"What the hell is a Voldemort and when can I kill him?" Spike practically yelled.
Wesley proceeded to give them a summarized version of the events that led the Slayers to come to Hogwarts and the prophecy that they were currently trying to prevent.
"Bloody hell," was all Spike could manage to say.
****************
The students were bored. They had been confined to the Scooby common room for the past few hours. Dawn was the first to leap out of her seat, when the portrait opened. She saw the rescue participants enter. Dawn ignored everyone else, as she ran to Spike and threw her arms around him. "I am so glad that you are alive," she said with tears in her eyes.
"I can say the same about you, Nibblet," Spike replied. Spike looked around the room. He gave a quick wave to Andrew.
Xander finally looked up from the chess game that he had been playing with Ron. Xander froze as he saw the woman who had followed Spike through the portrait hole. He could not believe his eyes, or well eye. He figured that he was dreaming or had finally lost his mind.
Xander was propelled into motion, when the woman spoke his name. He flew across the room and pulled her into his arms, squeezing her tightly, trying to convince himself that she was really there. "How?" he asked.
"An accident, when they brought Spike back, they got me too," she replied, matter-of-factly.
"Not an accident, a miracle," Xander mumbled, tears of joy beginning to streak down his face. "I love you, Anya. I refuse to ever lose you again." Xander captured Anya's lips with his, the kiss filled with all the emotions that he had felt since losing her in the battle with the First Evil.
Xander and Anya finally pulled away, when they realized that the entire room was staring at them. Dawn launched herself at Anya and hugged the ex-demon tightly. "It hasn't been the same without you," Dawn commented.
Spike looked at the other teens who were sitting around the room. "And who are you all?" he asked. Dawn pulled away from Anya and eagerly introduced Draco, Harry, Ron, and Hermione to Spike and Anya. Spike insisted on shaking each boy's hand and kissing Hermione's hand. The boys were silent, but Hermione couldn't help but let loose a giggle.
Spike returned his attention to Dawn. "Looks like you got one hell of a setup here, Bit. The group explained everything on our way back here." Spike had noticed that Dawn appeared a little nervous, when he shook Draco's hand. He figured that either they were an item or she had a crush on the boy. Spike leaned closer to Dawn to whisper in her ear. "And, I have to say that you have good taste in men. The kid has style."
Dawn giggled, "You only say that because he reminds you of yourself."
Anya had heard the exchange and took the opportunity to add her thoughts. "He looks like the kind of guy who would take the effort to make sure you get lots of good orgasms." Of course, Anya spoke loudly enough for the whole room to hear her. Dawn looked mortified. The other teens looked surprised. Xander just pulled Anya into another embrace.
****************
The people in the Scooby common room were very nervous. It had been several hours since the first group returned, and they still had no word from Giles, Willow, and the Slayers. Spike, Angel, and Robin had taken turns pacing the room. Cat had finally gone to find Dumbledore, who was sad to report that he was unable to locate the group. Finally, just before dawn the group returned. They all looked annoyed, but none of them looked injured.
"What happened to you? We were worried sick?" asked Wesley.
Buffy shot a disgusted look toward Giles. "Giles was supposed to hide the portkey that we needed to get back. It was made to look like an old shoe, and he hid it behind a bush on the outskirts of Voldemort's property. Anyway, just as we arrived back at the hiding place, we see a dog run behind the bush. The dog must have put the shoe in its mouth, because when we looked there was no dog and no shoe."
"So we had to walk, which took us quite awhile as you can imagine," added Willow.
The entire group that had been waiting burst into laughter, which only seemed to further anger those who had just returned. Buffy glared at everyone in the room, her eyes coming to rest on the one person that she never expected to see. "Oh my God, Anya?"
Even though it was late, the Scoobies spent another hour welcoming their two lost members. There were many hugs and many tears of joy. Eventually Spike followed Angel down to his windowless dungeon room, and Anya followed Xander to his rooms.
****************
Author's Note: I just had to bring back Anya. I always liked her character and think that she will be a lot of fun to write.