Blood of Enemies, Blood of Friends
Chapter 39 – The Club Scene
Buffy, Xander, Anya, Faith, Robin, and Cat were waiting in Buffy's room for Spike to arrive. It had gotten dark outside less than an hour before. While the group waited, Faith and Anya talked about Faith and Robin's wedding plans. Robin had happily allowed Faith to plan everything she wanted. Buffy and Cat listened with interest, while Xander sat quietly, attempting to blend with the furniture.
There was a knock at the door. Buffy opened it to find Spike and Lorn standing in the hallway. She immediately beckoned them in. After checking to make sure that no one had followed them, she closed the door.
"Not even a hello then pet," commented Spike.
Buffy rolled her eyes, as she replied, "Hello, Spike."
"You don't seem in the best of moods," Spike noted. "Things not working out with wizard boy?"
"Charlie is fine. We are fine. Right now, I'm a bit preoccupied with finding the gem. I'm sure you can understand that." Buffy's voice showed no emotion. "Oh, and don't call me pet."
Faith interrupted any further discussion. "So, what do we know about the vamp that has the gem?" Everyone but Spike looked at Faith, thankful for bringing the group back on topic.
Lorn stepped forward, placing a folder on the small table in the corner of the room. "The gem is in the possession of Genevieve, a fairly old and rather elusive vampire. Very little is known about her. In fact, we couldn't find any information about her ever killing a human."
""But that's what vampires do. They kill," commented Xander.
"Wait, you said human. Does that mean that she has killed non-humans?" questioned Cat.
"That's the strangest thing of all. She seems to hunt and kill other vampires and demons," explained Lorn. "But again, no one seems to know much about her as a vampire. She is, however, well-known in Vegas as a local talent."
"A local talent?" asked Buffy.
"She's the lead singer of a popular cover band," explained Lorn. "They play in local clubs throughout the city."
"A vampire band?" questioned Faith.
"That's just too Anne Rice," quipped Buffy.
"So then are the other members of the bad vampires too?" asked Robin.
"I know for sure that at least one is," explained Spike. "I recognize the bassist from the cells at the initiative. There are pictures of the band in that folder."
Buffy picked up the folder from the table and opened it to look at the picture of the band. "I remember this guy," she said. "He was one of the vamps that hunted the UC Sunnydale campus. You said that he was held by the initiative?" Spike nodded. "Was he chipped?"
"Dunno," replied Spike. "It's a possibility, but this Genevieve bird is rumored to have serious resources at her disposal. She could have had the chip removed from him."
"Either way, maybe we can use this vamp to get to Genevieve," Buffy thought aloud.
"Well, he doesn't like you much, seeings as he blames you for being caught by the initiative. I figure he doesn't like me much either, seeings as a used him as a shield to escape myself," said Spike.
"But we don't have any other way in," replied Buffy.
Cat, who had been looking at the picture of the band over Buffy's shoulder, finally found her voice. "Forget about the bassist. We have another in," Cat said softly.
Everyone turned to her. "What was that?" asked Faith.
Cat faced the group and spoke louder than before. "We have another in. I know the drummer. His name is Rex White."
"Honey, you don't strike me as the vampire groupie type," commented Lorn.
Cat smiled. "I'm not, but my best friend Becca was, at least when Rex was still human. Starting back in our days at Victoriana Academy, Becca dated him. They were together off and on for years. She was in love with him, and he was nothing but a bastard to her, cheated on her all the time. For some unknown reason, no girl could ever seem to say no to him – no girl, except me. It annoyed him to no end. Trust me, he'll remember me."
"But even if he remembers you, why would he lead you to Genevieve?" questioned Xander.
"No vampire would risk opposing Voldemort. I think it's time we use my parentage to our advantage," replied Cat. She proceeded to explain her plan to the group. Everyone agreed to give it a try. Spike insisted on participating, but Lorn needed to be at his own show for the next two nights.
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Dawn, Shannon, Harry, and Draco met Cindy and several of Shannon's other old friends at a small table toward the back of the dark club. Shannon hugged them each in turn and then introduced Dawn, Harry, and Draco to them. After trying to yell over the music for several minutes, the teens gave up trying to hold a conversation and headed out onto the dance floor.
Harry hesitated. "You know I can't dance," he whispered into Shannon's ear.
She shook her head. "Come on, Harry. I'll teach you."
"I'm going to make a fool out of myself."
Shannon shrugged. "So what? These people are all muggles. They don't know who you are. Besides, it isn't like you are going to see any of these people ever again. Now come on. I guarantee to make this enjoyable." She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the middle of the crowded dance floor.
Before Harry could do anything, Shannon wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. "Dancing is a lot more fun, when you aren't doing it in front of teachers," she said. Shannon began to move her body to the music, still pressed against Harry. His breath quickened and his face flushed, as he felt his girlfriend writhing against him to the music.
"See, I told you dancing could be fun," Shannon whispered against Harry's ear. The feel of her breath only added to the sensations he was feeling. Without hesitation, Harry bent forward and began kissing Shannon's neck, while they continued to move to the music. She let out a small moan and pressed her body even tighter against him, her fingers twisting in the back of his messy, black hair.
Dawn and Draco were also enjoying themselves on the dance floor. They too danced closer than at a Hogwarts dance, though Draco still periodically pulled away from Dawn slightly to spin her around.
After several songs, Draco leaned closer to Dawn. "Do you want to get something to drink?" he shouted over the music. Dawn nodded emphatically. Draco motioned for her to grab a table in the back, while he went over to the bar to get them drinks.
Dawn made herself comfortable at the same small table where they originally met Shannon's friends. Draco sat down a few minutes later and handed her a bottle of water. "When I got to the bar, I realized that I don't know what muggles drink. I hope water is okay."
"It's fine," replied Dawn, taking a swig from her bottle. "Shannon and Harry seem to be having fun. I never thought they would dance longer than us."
Draco turned to look at Shannon and Harry still pressed against each other and moving to the music. Draco had a look of disgust on his face. "They look like their shagging with clothes on. I really didn't need to see that."
Dawn couldn't help giggling. "I'm sure you wouldn't be complaining, if that was us."
Draco sneered. "I have more respect for you and myself than to be doing that in public."
"What about in private?" Dawn asked. She couldn't seem to help herself.
Draco's eyes widened and his cheeks flushed. He did not understand how Dawn could make him feel so completely flustered. After all, he was not exactly innocent when they met. But with her he lost all that Slytherin conceit. "Well, um, uh, well, if. . ."
Dawn cut off his stuttering with a kiss. As she pulled back, she spoke. "Don't worry. I think it will be awhile before I'm ready to go that far." Draco looked visibly relieved. "But when I am, you will most definitely be the first to know." Draco's cheeks flushed once again, causing Dawn to giggle.
While Dawn and Draco were talking, Shannon pulled Harry off the dance floor and toward a dark corridor, which most likely lead to a backroom or private offices. Just out of sight of the club patrons, Shannon leaned back against the wall and pulled Harry against her. She once again snaked her arms around his neck. He pressed his body against her, as they kissed deeply. Shannon and Harry were in their own world, as they kissed and allowed their hands to explore each other's bodies.
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Cat had suggested contacting Rex White after their show at a local club that evening. She wanted to go alone, afraid that if Buffy and Faith came to the club, they might be recognized as Slayers. Neither Slayer was comfortable with Cat engaging a group of vampires on her own, even though Cat insisted she could just apparate out of any dangerous situation. It was finally decided that Spike would accompany her and that the others would wait for them at the hotel.
Genevieve's band was still playing, when Cat and Spike entered the club. They agreed to separate and look around. Spike wanted to make sure he knew where all the exits were located, and Cat wanted to make sure she knew how to get backstage when the band finished for the night.
Cat found a dark corridor that appeared to lead backstage. She quietly slipped into the corridor and walked several feet, before she heard heavy breathing. She turned a corner, wand drawn, and found two teenagers groping each other against the wall. She lowered her wand and shook her head. As she slipped past the teens, she noticed male threw his head back, making visible a lightening shaped scar.
Cat gasped, causing the two teens to jump apart from each other and begin straightening their clothes. Neither had looked closely at the person who had interrupted them. "We'll just be going," mumbled Harry.
He took Shannon's hand and began to pull her away, when Cat spoke. "Not so fast, Mr. Potter. I do believe you are supposed to be at Hogwarts right now."
Shannon's and Harry's eyes shot up immediately to Cat's face. After a look of confusion, they both asked "Professor Bolgya?" When she nodded, their confusion turned to mirth.
It was at that moment that Cat remembered what she was wearing – a deep purple, low-cut halter top, black leather pants, and high healed black leather boots. To make it worse, her hair was teased up and she was wearing heavy dark make-up. This was not the look that students were used to seeing on their conservative Muggle Studies professor. "Look, I don't have time right now to deal with students, who have snuck away from school. I assume Miss Summers and Mr. Malfoy are also around here somewhere. We're going to go find them, and then Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy are going to return to Hogwarts immediately. I will not say anything about seeing you here, and you will not mention this outfit to anyone." Shannon and Harry nodded their agreement. "Oh and, Shannon, I think you and Harry here better be having that talk soon." Harry looked quizzically at Shannon, but she shook her head. They followed Cat out of the dark corridor and back to the main club.
Meanwhile, Spike wandered toward the back of the club where people were seated at small tables. He was not paying attention to the patrons, until a familiar scent reached his nose. "Nibblet," he said to himself. Spike scanned the patrons around him until his eyes fell on the familiar brunette, who was sitting at a table and kissing the blonde that reminded Spike, so much of himself.
Spike walked toward them. The two teens continued kissing, oblivious to their audience. Spike placed a hand on each of their shoulders. Dawn and Draco pulled away from each other and looked up to see Spike with a wicked smirk on his face.
"Spike," shrieked Dawn, before jumping up and hugging him. As she pulled out of Spike's embrace, she seemed to regain her senses. "Oh my god, tell me Buffy isn't here," Dawn whined, as she glanced around the club, looking for her sister.
"She's not here. But, why do I get the feeling that you aren't supposed to be here with Blondie?" asked Spike.
"Buffy knows that Shannon and I were going to a club with some of Shannon's old friends, but Draco and Harry aren't exactly supposed to be here," Dawn explained. "Please, Spike, you can't tell her."
"Far be it for me to rat on anyone for breaking the rules. But I think you have bigger problems than me," said Spike. He motioned to Cat, who was marching Shannon and Harry toward them. Dawn and Draco groaned.
Cat indicated for Shannon and Harry to sit with Dawn and Draco. "You four have exactly three hours for Harry and Draco to be in the Hogwarts castle and for Dawn and Shannon to be in their hotel room. Do that, and we will never speak of this night again – and that includes any mention of my outfit. Now go."
Cat grabbed Spike's arm and pulled him away from the four teens. "We've got work to do," she told him.
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Dawn, Shannon, Harry, and Draco made quick excuses to Shannon's friends and left the club. They flagged down a cab and rode to the Crosswands Casino in relative silence.
"At least we didn't get expelled," commented Draco.
"She didn't even take any points or give us detentions," added Harry.
"I think she just wanted to get us out of there. I wonder if it has something to do with finding the gem," said Dawn.
"Either that or she was just embarrassed about her outfit," quipped Shannon.
"I don't know why. She actually looked good," commented Draco. Dawn swatted him in the back of the head. "What? She did. Not that you don't look way better than any other woman I have ever laid eyes on." Dawn rolled her eyes at him, but giggled.
The group fell back into silence until they arrived at the wizarding casino. The girls walked their boyfriends to the large fireplaces that connected to the floo network.
"I'm sorry we almost got you in trouble," said Shannon.
"It was worth it." Harry smiled and leaned in to kiss Shannon goodbye.
"Potter's right. It was worth sneaking out to spend some non-Hogwarts time with you," Draco told Dawn. They too kissed goodbye.
Draco entered the fireplace first, threw down some floo powder, and shouted, "Hogsmeade."
Before Harry followed, he turned back to Shannon. "What was it that Professor Bolgya said you needed to talk to me about?" he asked.
Shannon blushed slightly. "We'll talk, as soon as I get back to Hogwarts. I promise." Harry nodded, kissed Shannon on the cheek, and stepped into the fireplace.
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After the show ended, Cat slipped backstage, while Spike kept a look out. She spotted one of the band's roadies standing guard in front of Rex White's dressing room. She walked over to the roadie and addressed him. "Hi, I'm here to see Rex."
The roadie leered at Cat. "If I let you in, what do I get out of it?" he asked.
Cat licked her lips, and then slid a finger across her cleavage. While the roadie followed the movement of her finger, Cat slid her wand out of her sleeve and into her other hand. "Stupefy." The roadie never knew what hit him, as he fell onto the floor. Cat stepped over him and opened the door to Rex's dressing room.
Rex heard the door open, but did not turn around. "I told you to hold off on the girls until I'm ready," he shouted.
Cat could not help but roll her eyes. She still did not understand what women saw in this man. "Hello, Rex. It's been a long time."
Rex turned to look at Cat, his eyes sweeping over her body before meeting her eyes. "Cat?"
"I'm glad you remember me."
"How could I forget the one woman who would never give me the time of day," Rex replied.
"I'm sure most women are smart enough to turn you down," said Cat, as she rolled her eyes.
Rex sneered, "Not anymore." He vamped out, though did not approach her. "Now I can have anyone I want." Cat pulled out her wand. "You call that a stake? No wonder you were always so uptight."
As Rex lunged toward Cat, she cried out, "Locomotor Mortis." Rex's legs locked up, and he crashed to the ground. Cat casually leaned back against the wall and twirled her wand with her fingers. "No, Rex, I call this a wand."
"You're . . . You're a witch," Rex stuttered.
Cat shook her head. "You never were too quick on the uptake."
"Is this one of those girly revenge things because I used to cheat on Becca?"
"How is it possible for anyone to be so full of themselves?" questioned Cat. "This has nothing to do with Becca. She's been over you for years."
"Then what the hell do you want, Cat?" spat Rex.
"I want a meeting with your lead singer," Cat replied evenly.
"Why would she want to see you?"
"Rex, Rex, Rex, you really are out of your league here," said Cat tauntingly. "Have you ever heard of Voldemort?"
Rex's yellow eye's narrowed. "I always took you as the smart one, Cat. Obviously I was wrong, speaking the Dark Lord's name."
Cat pointed her wand at Rex's chest. "Actually, I usually call him 'Daddy.'"
Rex's face returned to its human form. "You cannot be serious." It was obvious to Cat that she had finally struck fear in the vampire lying on the floor in front of her.
"Oh, I'm very serious. Now, you're going to listen to me. Your lead singer has an artifact that is essential to my father. When he claims his full power, he will reward those who aided him, and in the meantime he destroys those who stand against him. However, to show good faith, I will give your lead singer a Slayer in exchange for the artifact. I hear that a Slayer's blood is the sweetest thing to touch a vampire's lips."
"And how are you going to get a Slayer?" questioned Rex.
Cat grinned wickedly. "Several Slayers seem to believe that I am working on their side. A simple Imperius curse, and I can make any one give herself willingly." Cat placed a piece of parchment on the table. "This is the number for my hotel. Call me, when everything is arranged."
Cat turned, walked out of the room, stepped over the still stunned roadie, and rejoined Spike at the end of the corridor. "How'd it go?" he asked.
"We should be hearing from Genevieve soon," Cat replied. She and Spike returned to the hotel to wait for the call.