Blood of Enemies, Blood of Friends
Chapter 44 – A Sleepless Night
With nightly training sessions along with regular schoolwork and activities, the three weeks leading up to the ritual passed quickly. Before anyone knew it, the training groups met for their final night. Giles had asked everyone to meet in the Scooby common room instead of the room of requirements. The students entered to find the Scoobies sitting around the room, talking casually.
"Ah, you're here," said Giles, when the portrait hole opened. "Please, take a seat. This will be a very short meeting. I simply want to review everything one last time." The students nodded and spread out, taking seats on the floor.
"We're just waiting for Angel and Spike," Buffy explained. "They are traveling via floo powder and should arrive any minute." Again, the students nodded.
Moments later the flames in the fireplace turned green, and Angel stumbled into the room. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that," he commented while brushing soot from his clothes.
The flames again turned green, and Spike was unceremoniously ejected from the fireplace, landing hard on his hands and knees. "Bloody stupid wizarding travel," he complained, as he got to his feet.
"Now we can begin," said Giles. Before he could continue, however, the fire again glowed green. A woman casually stepped into the room. "Genevieve?" Giles questioned.
Genevieve smiled at the group that she had met a few short weeks ago in Las Vegas. "I happened to be visiting LA," she explained, smiling coyly at Spike. "I thought you might like some extra help."
Buffy stepped forward and hugged the Slayer turned vampire. "Extra help is always of the good," she said. "Visiting LA, huh?" Buffy looked from Genevieve to Spike.
"Yes, well, William and I seem to share many interests," replied Genevieve. Spike smiled widely.
"Well then," said Giles, drawing everyone's attention. "Let's review what will happen tomorrow." Giles proceeded to remind everyone about their parts of the ritual. Those not directly involved, wizards, Slayers, and vampires, would be stationed around the perimeter to prevent any interruptions.
The meeting itself only took fifteen minutes. Giles then recommended that everyone get a good nights rest. However, since everyone was filled with energy, he allowed the students to stay as long as they liked. Most of the Slayers decided to return to their house common rooms. Having faced previous planned battles, they were not as jumpy as the student wizards. As the Slayers left, Shannon and Harry slipped out as well.
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Wesley, Cat, Faith, and Robin sat at a table in the corner with Angel. Angel told the group at length about everything taking place at Wolfram and Hart. He told them about his adventures with his most evil clients and how they had been working to purge their client list. The four Hogwarts faculty members sat in rapt attention.
"It sounds like you could use some help," commented Cat.
"You know, Angel, during our summer break we could help you out," said Faith, looking at her husband, who nodded his approval at the idea.
"We'd be willing to take all the help we can get," replied Angel. "Genevieve has already helped us on a few cases." Angel nodded to the sofa, where Genevieve and Spike were talking with Dawn and Draco.
"I will speak with Giles," said Wesley. "We have several seventh year Slayers, who will be assigned at the end of the school year. Maybe we can send one or two your way."
"I thought we agreed that from now on the Slayers will be working in teams of three," said Faith, remembering the summer day that she and Buffy had set forth their demands to Giles for the new council.
"Yes, but since we don't want an entire team to retire at once, it will take a few years to have the system in place," explained Wesley.
"That does make sense," added Cat. Faith nodded.
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Spike excused himself from the conversation with Genevieve, Dawn, and Draco. Spike walked over to where Buffy was sitting with Willow, Xander, and Anya. The three Scoobies excused themselves, though Anya loudly complained, "But I wanted to hear about Spike's new girlfriend." Xander shook his head and pulled his wife to the other side of the common room, where Giles and Narcissa were sitting.
"So, Genevieve, huh?" questioned Buffy, when she and Spike were alone.
"Yeah," replied Spike. "Who would've thought I would find me a girl with both your stubborn streak and Dru's playfulness." Buffy raised and eyebrow. "Well, she isn't evil like Dru, but she tends to play with the nastier demons much like Dru played with humans."
"So, how did you two get together?" Buffy asked.
"Well, after you lot left, I decided to hang out in Vegas for a few more days. I went to a couple of her shows, and afterwards we would hit the streets looking for trouble." Buffy smirked at the vampire. "Anyway, I had to get back to LA. Couldn't leave Angel alone to run things." Buffy again raised an eyebrow, but Spike ignored her. "A couple weeks later, Gen shoed up. Said the singing gig was getting boring. She helped out on a few cases, and here we are."
"But do you like her?"
"What's not to like? But we are going slow. Poor girl hasn't been with anyone since her husband died more than a century ago. Says she didn't want to have to watch someone else she loves wither and die. Of course, that makes me perfect for her, seeings as I will always be young and pretty." Buffy laughed. "What? Are you saying I'm not pretty?"
"I'm glad you found someone, Spike," said Buffy seriously.
"Yeah well, just because you and I were never meant to be, doesn't mean I didn't love you."
"I know," said Buffy softly. "I'm just happy that things seem to be working out for both of us."
"So, how is wizard boy?" asked Spike.
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While Spike and Buffy were talking, Genevieve took a large bundle from her shoulder bag. "I brought something for you, Dawn." Dawn looked surprised. "William has told me how you are studying a specific Slayer for one of your classes and that in your case, you are studying me."
"Yes," replied Dawn. "I have read your Watchers' diaries. We have a big paper due at the end of term, where we are supposed to discuss any incites we have gotten that will help us to be better Watchers or Slayers."
"And what incites have you gleaned?" asked Genevieve.
"I think that the reason you lived so long was because your Watcher and sisters helped you fight. You didn't have to do it alone. Although, the references are vague."
"The Council frowned upon outside help, as they also did upon anything but a professional relationship between Watcher and Slayer. That is why the details of my relationships were withheld from the official diaries. However, Thomas detailed much more in his personal diaries. He also kept records of what I did after I was brought back. You must realize that the Council never knew that I was a vampire with a soul. They thought I was gone, until I came out to you all last month." Dawn nodded to convey her understanding.
Genevieve handed the large bundle to Dawn. "These are copies of Thomas' personal diaries." Dawn's eyes widened. "From what William has told me, you are going to make a very good Watcher someday. I hope that you may find insights here that will help to keep your Slayer not just alive, but truly living in the world."
"Thank you," said Dawn, the words failing to convey the extent of her gratitude.
"I only ask that you do not share some of the more intimate details of my life with my husband," said Genevieve, giving Dawn a genuine smile.
"Of course, and than you again," said Dawn.
Dawn and Draco then turned their attention to rescuing Ron and Hermione, who were once again being lectured by Andrew about the intricacies of Dungeons and Dragons.
Narcissa took a seat next to Genevieve, and the two women began discussing their family lines. As pureblood witches, they shared many relations.
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Shannon and Harry still had an hour before curfew, as they wandered the corridors of Hogwarts. "So, I was thinking," said Shannon, "that tonight we could finally, you know, find a place to be alone."
Harry stopped dead in his tracks, eyes widened. He looked at Shannon. "Are…are you saying we should…we should have …have sex?" he asked, stuttering over the words.
"Yes," replied Shannon. "I mean, I want to, and if anything were to go wrong tomorrow. . ."
"No," replied Harry. Shannon jumped at the harshness of his voice. Harry placed his hands on her shoulders and continued, his voice softening. "I want to, but not because we could die tomorrow. I want to be with you tomorrow night, after we kick Voldemort's arse."
"OK," agreed Shannon. "Someone gave me really good advice about having a mature discussion first. So, can we talk about it then?"
"OK. What do we need to talk about?" questioned Harry.
"Well, birth control for one," stated Shannon matter-of-factly.
"Oh," said Harry. "There's a charm." Bill had insisted on teaching said charm to Harry and Ron that summer in Grimmauld Place.
Shannon shook her head. "Hermione told me about a potion too, but I don't think I can trust something so important to magic. I, um, when we were in Vegas, I, um, bought some condoms."
"They aren't 100% either," said Harry, remembering a conversation he had overheard between Dudley and his gang. "What if we use the condoms, but still do the charm as backup," Harry suggested.
"OK," agreed Shannon. "Where then?" she asked.
"I have an idea," said Harry, "but it will take a little work. Instead of tomorrow night, give me another day."
Shannon kissed her boyfriend. "OK," she said, pulling away and taking his hand. The two teens then walked silently back to the Scooby common room.
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After a couple of hours of conversation, Wesley, Cat, Faith, and Robin headed to their quarters for much needed sleep. Buffy showed Angel, Spike, and Genevieve to three windowless rooms in the dungeon. She returned to the Scooby common room to find Giles, Willow, and Xander still sitting with the students.
"Narcissa retired for the evening," said Giles.
"Anya went to be too," added Xander.
Buffy nodded before excusing herself for the night. Minutes later she found herself in her sitting room, staring at the fire. She had a lot on her mind. She was worried about her decision to allow the students to help and about their likelihood of successfully completing the ritual in time to prevent the First from possessing Voldemort. Buffy needed someone to talk to, but she did not want to worry those who would be going into battle the next evening. She needed to be strong for them.
An idea formed in Buffy's mind. She knelt before the fireplace, threw in some powder and stuck her head into the flames. After a swirling sensation, her eyes focused on a small living room. "Charlie?" she called. Charlie entered the room, wearing only boxer shorts and a T-shirt. He smiled widely, when he saw Buffy's head in the fire.
"Buffy. Everything's OK, isn't it?" he asked.
"Everything's fine. I just needed someone to talk to," she replied, suddenly feeling very silly. She and her friends had battled several big bads over the years. She should be used to it by now. "We're going up against Voldemort tomorrow," she said. Charlie nodded. "I'm just being silly," Buffy laughed. "I've been the Slayer for nine years now. I should be used to fighting the big bad."
"You are also human like the rest of us," replied Charlie. "There would be something wrong, if you didn't worry. Besides, I'm guessing that you aren't worried about yourself. You are worried about your friends."
Buffy's head nodded in the fire. "I am also worried about the students. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dawn, and Shannon have to participate in the ritual, but there are others, including your sister, who insist on being backup. I agreed to let them go because I was worried that they would do it anyway and that would be more dangerous."
Charlie nodded, thinking of how he had stopped Ron and Hermione from going after Harry and Dawn only a couple of months earlier. "You are right, and though I hate to say it, Ginny and Ron have gone up against the Death Eaters before."
"I told you, I was being silly," said Buffy. "I'm just too wired to sleep, and when I get this way, I have too many thoughts."
"Give me a few minutes to find some clothes, and I will floo to you. That way you can share your many thoughts. I think it will make you feel better."
"You don't have to," replied Buffy.
"I want to," stated Charlie. "That is, if you want me to."
"Yes," replied Buffy, before her head disappeared with a pop.
Minutes later, Charlie stepped through the fireplace into Buffy's sitting room. They spent the next few hours talking until Buffy finally fell asleep. Charlie lifted her and placed her onto the bed in her room. As he walked out to make himself comfortable on the couch in the sitting room, Buffy called to him. "Stay." Charlie came back into the room, kicked off his shoes, and slid into the bed beside Buffy. Placing his arms around her, they both drifted to sleep.
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Though it was late, no one in the Scooby common room considered sleep. Andrew finally broke out the Dungeons and Dragons game that he had been working on all term. The pureblood wizards became intrigued by the game, as Andrew and Xander helped them to create characters to play. Giles meanwhile grumbled about not being a mystically challenged dwarf ever again.
Once everyone had their characters, they began to play. Dawn and Xander were both lost in thoughts of the game they had played almost a year ago before battling the First. Dawn was thinking about Amanda, the potential from Sunnydale. The two girls had gotten close before the final battle that took Amanda's young life. Xander was thinking of how Anya had slept on the table beside him, not knowing that a Bringer would kill her a few hours later.
Dawn and Xander were interrupted from their thoughts as Draco and Andrew got into a heated argument about whether or not an elf could transform himself into an ork. Hermione was also involved, reminding anyone who would listen that polyjuice potion only worked for human transformations, a lesson she had learned the hard way back in second year.
Things calmed down for a while, the only arguments arising from Hermione, whenever Andrew would include one of Luna's fictitious creatures in the game. Luna would smile at Andrew and then scowl at Hermione.
When someone tried to use an invisibility spell, arguments began anew about the impossibility of this. Hermione and Ron argued that an invisibility cloak made more sense. Harry put in that a disillusionment charm was the closest to invisibility one could get through magic. And, Willow explained that a person could actually become invisible, but only if others pretended that she was by ignoring her for a long time.
Eventually everyone gave up on the game. Andrew was moaning about the irony of wizards who use magic every day, having no imagination. The group finally dispersed, the students heading back to their houses and the Scoobies retiring to their quarters.