Blood of Enemies, Blood of Friends
Chapter 47 – The Girl Who Lived
Buffy burst into the hospital wing, looking frantically for her sister. Buffy scanned the room quickly. Hermione, Draco, and Tonks were sleeping peacefully. Narcissa sat quietly at her son's bedside. Sam was lying in bed, speaking softly to a very relieved looking Riley.
Buffy's eyes came to rest on the unconscious figure of her sister, lying in a bed near the window. Dawn looked extremely pale. Madame Pomfrey was hovering over the unconscious girl. Without hesitation Buffy, her face a mask of fear, rushed to her sister's bedside.
"There is no need to worry, Professor Summers," assured Madame Pomfrey. "There is nothing physically wrong with your sister."
"Then why is she unconscious?" questioned Buffy, a pleading note in her voice.
"No one was able to explain to me exactly what happened to you sister. However, she was definitely hit by a powerful curse. Her energy was drained fighting the effects of the curse. Right now, her body needs to replenish itself," explained Madame Pomfrey.
"So, what exactly does that mean?"
"Miss Summers is in a deep sleep. She will most likely remain as such for the next several days. However, when she does awake, she will be fine."
Buffy nodded her understanding. "Will she know that I am here?"
Madame Pomfrey shrugged her shoulders. "Her awareness will be similar to anyone in a deep sleep. She may remember things that we are saying, but then again she may not." Buffy again nodded and took the seat beside her sister's bed. "If you need anything, let me know," said Madame Pomfrey before leaving to check on her other patients.
Buffy focused all of her attention on her sister. "I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you, Dawnie."
"But you did protect her." Buffy spun around to find Professor Dumbledore standing a few feet behind her.
"I don't understand," said Buffy.
Professor Dumbledore pulled a chair beside Buffy and sat. "I was able to speak with Mr. Malfoy for a few minutes before Poppy gave him a sleeping potion. He was able to tell me what happened to your sister, though he did not understand how it happened."
"So what happened?" asked Buffy. "I wasn't there; so, how can you say I protected her?"
"One question at a time," replied Dumbledore. "As to what happened, Lucius Malfoy performed a killing curse on his son." Buffy looked shocked, then confused. "Your sister threw herself in front of the curse and was hit."
Buffy became more deeply confused. "Dawn was hit by a killing curse? But she's alive. I don't understand."
"When the killing curse struck Dawn, the curse rebounded killing Lucius Malfoy. That we know of, this has only happened once before, when Voldemort performed the killing curse on Harry Potter as a baby. Harry's mother died to protect him. It was this selfless act that protected Harry and caused the killing curse to rebound on Voldemort. I believe that when you died to save your sister, you instilled this same protection on her. Dawn is alive because you protected her."
"So was Harry knocked out, when Voldemort cursed him?" asked Buffy.
"No," replied Dumbledore. "However, the circumstances are slightly different in Dawn's case. I have a couple of theories about why Dawn's energy was drained. Harry's mother died only moments before Voldemort attempted to kill Harry. Nearly three years has elapsed since you instilled your protection on Dawn. It is possible that the protection has faded slightly. Also, as a baby Harry was not able to consciously fight the curse, whereas Dawn may have used her own energy to fight the curse in addition to the protection that you gave her."
"That makes sense," said Buffy.
"I will leave you to your sister now," said Dumbledore, as he rose from his chair. "Do make sure that you get some sleep as well."
"I will," replied Buffy. "I just want to stay with her for awhile." Dumbledore nodded before departing to join the debriefing in the Scooby common room. Knowing that the sleeping potion would ensure Draco sleeping through the night, Narcissa followed Dumbledore.
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The Scooby common was a cacophony of voices. Everyone was trading stories about their personal experiences in the battle and speculating about what had happened to those who were in the hospital wing. Xander quickly realized that Willow was uncomfortable around so many people. After informing Anya of his intentions, he suggested to Willow that the two of them go to her room to talk. Willow nodded and led her childhood friend up the spiral staircase.
Neither friends spoke until they were seated on the sofa in Willow's sitting room. Xander broke the silence. "How are you handing everything?" he asked.
"I don't know," replied Willow. "I thought I was past using the dark magicks. Then tonight, I just lost it. Kennedy's dead because of me."
A lone tear slid down Willow's cheek. Xander wiped it away, before speaking. "Kennedy is dead because she chose to join the big bad."
"Her choice doesn't change that I made with the dark mojo. I saw Tonks get hurt, and I lost it. If I had been in control, she might still be alive."
"Will, this isn't like with Warren. You didn't kill Kennedy. You blasted her away from you and Tonks. You had no control over the death curse that one of the bad guys used," Xander assured his friend.
"But I did lose control, when I blasted her. For that one small moment, when I saw Tonks fall, it was like I had lost Tara all over again," Willow explained in a low voice.
"Will. . . Willow, you have made so much progress over the past two years. You had a momentary lapse of control, but you were able to get it back. I know this is hard for you, but you will keep fighting your addiction and you will overcome it in time. Giles and Buffy and me – We will all be here to help you."
Willow hugged her childhood friend. "Thanks, Xander." She pulled away and stood. "I think I am going to go to bed now. I have some things to think about before I see Tonks."
Xander stood to go. "Goodnight, Wills. If you need anything. . ."
"I'll come pounding on your door, and then Anya will have a fit that I interrupted her orgasms," kidded Willow. Xander shook his head, knowing that she was right.
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Buffy had been sitting with Dawn for nearly an hour, when she felt warm hands on her shoulders. She looked up into the face of Charlie Weasley. "Is everything okay?" he asked.
Buffy smiled and motioned for Charlie to take the seat that Dumbledore had left beside her. "Dawnie is going to be fine. Madame Pomfrey says that she is in a deep sleep that may last for several days, but that when she wakes up she will be as good as new."
"I'm glad to hear it," replied Charlie. "How are you holding up?"
"It's weird. I felt so guilty for not protecting her, and then Dumbledore explains that she is only alive because I did protect her."
"Buffy, I don't understand." Buffy proceeded to tell Charlie everything that Dumbledore had told her earlier. Charlie listened intently. When Buffy finished, he nodded his understanding.
Charlie placed his arm around Buffy's shoulders, and the couple remained at Dawn's bedside for a while. Charlie finally suggested that Buffy get some sleep. She nodded, and the two rose to leave the infirmary.
Buffy noticed Riley seated quietly beside his now sleeping wife. She walked over to him. "How is she?" Buffy asked.
"Madame Pomfrey said she would be fine and that we can leave in a couple of days. She gave Sam something to help her sleep through the night," replied Riley.
"You should get some sleep too. Why don't you come back to the Scooby common room with us. I'm sure we can find somewhere more comfortable for you to sleep," Buffy suggested.
"I don't want to leave her," Riley replied, motioning toward his wife.
"If Madame Pomfrey gave her a sleeping potion, she won't wake up until tomorrow," explained Charlie, who had joined the conversation.
"And I'm sure Sam would want you to be taking care of yourself," added Buffy.
"You're right," said Riley. He stood, and then leaned over to kiss his wife softly on the forehead. "I'll be here when you wake up tomorrow," he whispered to the sleeping form, before turning and following Buffy and Charlie out of the hospital wing.
When the door to the hospital wing closed behind them, Riley spoke to Charlie. "We haven't been formally introduced."
"Oops, sorry," said Buffy. "Riley Finn, old boyfriend, meet Charlie Weasley, new boyfriend."
The two men shook hands. Riley noticed the human warmth that radiated from Charlie's hand. "Well, I'm glad to see that you are once again dating the living," he commented to Buffy. She rolled her eyes.
"I take it that you didn't get along with the vampire ex's any better than I do," commented Charlie.
"Let's just say that they were a bit overprotective," said Riley, a smile appearing on his lips for the first time that night.
"That's a nice way of putting it," replied Charlie. "I would have said jealous and threatening."
"Years back, Angel and I got into a physical confrontation because of jealousy," stated Riley matter-of-factly.
"Well, I wound up hexing Spike," explained Charlie. The two men smiled at each other, while Buffy again rolled her eyes.
"So, Buffy, are you going to explain to me where we are and what is going on?" Riley asked.
Buffy smiled at him. "I will try to explain everything, when we get back to the common room."
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After a quick debriefing of everything that had happened during the battle and the status of the injured, the students who had not been injured returned to their house common rooms. Andrew volunteered to walk Luna back to Ravenclaw, while Shannon, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Neville returned to Gryffindor. Ginny, feeling exhausted, quickly excused herself and climbed the stairs to her dormitory. Ron and Neville did the same.
It was late in the evening, and Shannon and Harry found that they were the only two students remaining in the common room. Harry sat in one of the overstuffed armchairs, and Shannon took a seat on his lap. "I hope Dawn is going to be okay," she said.
"Dumbledore said that she'll be fine. We just have to wait a few days for her to wake up," replied Harry, who was gently rubbing circles over Shannon's back.
"Harry, I know that we had plans for tomorrow night to you know, but would you be really mad at me if we waited until Dawn wakes up?" asked Shannon, her voice filled with worry.
"I could never be mad at you, especially about this" replied Harry. Shannon smiled. "So, we will postpone you know until after Dawn wakes up, and we know for sure that she is fine."
Shannon kissed Harry. "Thank you," she whispered against his lips, before kissing him again. After a few more minutes, they said, "Goodnight," and climbed the stairs to their dormitories.
Harry found all of his roommates sleeping, except Ron. (Andrew had returned and slipped up to the dormitory, while Harry and Shannon were talking.) "You okay?" Harry asked his best friend.
"Yeah," replied Ron. "It's just taking awhile for everything that happened tonight to sink in." Harry nodded. "Hermione could have been killed."
"But she wasn't," interjected Harry.
"But she could have been," insisted Ron. "She would have been, if it hadn't been for Draco. He's the one who saved her."
"Did you just call Malfoy by his first name?" asked Harry incredulously. "You do remember all the horrible things he has done to us over the years, don't you?"
Ron shook his head. "Draco saved my Mione. He took a Cruciatus curse for her. It doesn't matter what he's done in the past."
Harry shook his head, as he pulled the curtains shut around his bed. Circumstances may have thrown Harry and Draco together, but Harry would never trust the Slytherin.
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Buffy, Charlie, and Riley entered the Scooby common room to find Giles, Narcissa, Wesley, and the three vampires seated in front of the fire. Angel and Spike glared at Charlie and Riley. The two men glared back at the vampires. "Well this is uncomfortable," stated Buffy, matter-of-factly. "I've been in four whole relationships in my life, and they are all standing in the same room, glaring at each other." The four men mumbled apologies to Buffy. She rolled her eyes and noted that she had been doing this a lot in the past hour. Turning her back on the four men, Buffy spoke to Giles. "Where is everyone else?"
"They have all retired for the night," replied Giles. "These three," Giles motioned to the vampires, "were waiting to speak with you before returning to Los Angeles." Buffy smiled to the three vampires.
"How is the Nibblet?" asked Spike.
"She is going to be fine. It may take her a few days to wake up though," replied Buffy.
"We can stay," suggested Spike, "until she wakes up."
Buffy shook her head. "There isn't anything we can do for her now but wait. You three should go back to Los Angeles. I know you have your own business to be taking care of. And, I promise to let you know as soon as she wakes up."
The three vampires nodded their agreement. "Well then, we better get going," commented Angel. The three vampires said their goodbyes and departed through the fireplace. Riley looked shocked, as they each disappeared in a burst of green flames. When the three vampires were gone, Wesley retired for the night.
Giles and Narcissa sat with Buffy, Charlie, and Riley. "Professor Dumbledore said that you could enlighten us on what happened this evening with Draco and Dawn," said Narcissa. Buffy nodded, before launching into an explanation of the events that had transpired. Several emotions flicked across Narcissa's face – anger, disgust, confusion, and relief.
"I am sorry about your husband," said Buffy in conclusion. She felt that she needed to say something to Narcissa.
"I'm not," spat Narcissa. "The bastard tried to kill my son. May he rot in hell." Her face softened. "I'm glad that Dawn is going to be okay. Draco is very lucky to have her in his life." Narcissa excused herself and retired to her quarters. After assuring Riley that he was welcome to the sofa in his sitting room, Giles followed Narcissa. He felt the need to check on her.
Charlie decided give Buffy and Riley some space to talk. Riley was filled with questions about everything that had happened since he and Buffy had crossed paths in Sunnydale two years earlier. Charlie gave Buffy a quick kiss on the lips, before climbing the stairs to her quarters. He made himself comfortable on the sofa in her sitting room and quickly fell asleep.
"I like him," said Riley, after Charlie had left.
"More importantly, I like him," said Buffy.
Riley chuckled softly. "So, how is it that you are here? And, where is here?"
Buffy and Riley spent nearly three hours summarizing the past two years. She told him about the battle with the First, the decimation of Sunnydale, the Slayer program at Hogwarts, and preventing Voldemort from gaining the power of the First. Riley explained how his team had been reassigned to the hellmouth in Ireland earlier that year. Activity had escalated shortly after the hellmouth in Sunnydale had been sealed. Before they went their separate ways for bed, Buffy promised Riley to show him around the castle in the next day after he visited Sam.
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Giles found Narcissa sitting quietly on a chair in front of the fireplace in her sitting room. "Is there anything I can do for you, Cissa?" he asked softly.
Narcissa shook her head. "I know that I should be upset that my husband is dead, but all I feel is relieved. I'm finally free."
Giles pulled up a chair next to her. He looked into her eyes, silently prodding her to continue. Narcissa took a deep breath. "There was a time before Draco was born, when I loved Lucius with all my heart. When he joined Voldemort the first time, the goodness that I once saw in Lucius disappeared. The man I loved, the man I married, he died seventeen years ago."
"I would have left him all those years ago, but I was already pregnant with Draco. Lucius would never let me leave with his heir, and I could never leave without my son. I stayed to protect Draco, to try to prevent him from turning into his father. For a while I worried that I had failed. When you told me that Draco was working with you, that was the happiest day of my life. And now, Lucius is dead. He can no longer be a threat to Draco or me." Narcissa smiled.
"What are you going to do now?" asked Giles.
"Well, I no longer need to hide out at Hogwarts, but I don't want to return to Malfoy Manor. There are too many bad memories there. I will have the house elves close up the house and forward me my personal things. I'm actually thinking about buying a little cottage in Hogsmeade, which was always a fantasy of mine when we were back in school. I'm also thinking that I might get a job. I don't need the money, but I want to do something as Narcissa – not Lucius' wife nor Draco's mother – just a witch named Narcissa." Giles smiled at her, and she returned the smile. "I know it sounds sort of silly."
"No," said Giles. "It doesn't sound silly at all. Do you know what you are interested in doing?"
"Actually, I haven't thought that far ahead."
"Well, as the current senior Watcher of the Council, I have literally hundreds of positions that I need to fill over the next year. I am sure we could find something that suits you, if you are interested."
Narcissa threw her arms around Giles. "Oh, Rupert, that would be wonderful. Thank you so much."
"We can discuss details about it later," said Giles, after breaking free of the hug.
"I am going into Hogsmeade this next weekend to look at some real-estate. Maybe we could meet at Madame Puddifoot's for a cup of coffee. We can talk a little more about possible jobs then," said Narcissa.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," replied Giles.
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Buffy awoke the next morning to find Charlie fully dressed. "Good morning," she mumbled to him. "Are you going back to Romania now?"
Charlie pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick kiss. "I was thinking about it. I am supposed to be at work today, but I have vacation time; so, if you want me to stay. . ."
"No," Buffy interjected. "There isn't anything you can do here, and I would rather you save your vacation time for something fun, maybe this summer."
Charlie smiled. "Okay, but I will be back this weekend," he said, kissing her again.
"Good, I can't wait," replied Buffy.
Charlie departed through the fireplace. Buffy quickly showered and dressed then met Riley in the common room. "Ready to go back to the hospital wing?" she asked. He nodded. The two walked in silence. They arrived in the hospital wing to find Hermione, Draco, and Sam awake and alert. Hermione and Sam were talking, and Draco was sitting at Dawn's bedside. Tonks was still asleep at the back of the room.
Riley sat beside his wife, and Buffy sat at Dawn's bedside next to Draco. Minutes later, Ron burst in to see Hermione. The three groups were soon lost in their own conversations. Hermione kept reassuring Ron that she was fine and would probably be discharged that afternoon. Riley reiterated to Sam everything that Buffy had told him the previous night. Buffy explained to Draco how it was possible for Dawn to survive the killing curse.
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During the next few days everyone returned to his or her routine of classes. Hermione and Draco were released from the hospital wing after one good night's rest. Sam and Tonks were released a day later. Dawn remained in her deep sleep.
Hermione was happy to return to her classes, though she found a worried Ron constantly shadowing her. She was happy to see how much he loved her, but after a couple of days she was beginning to get annoyed.
Draco and Buffy spent each morning and evening sitting quietly beside Dawn's bedside. The other Scoobies and students would join their evening bedside vigil for short periods of time. (Madame Pomfrey refused to allow too large of a group into her hospital wing.) Draco also had a long talk with Narcissa about what had happened to Lucius. Both were coping well, though Draco was more upset than his mother. Though not consciously, he had always hoped that his father would love him – that he would be more than just an heir in his father's eyes.
The day that Sam was released, she and Riley had dinner that evening in the Great Hall with the Scoobies, before departing from Hogwarts. They promised to keep in touch via owl post, and Sam suggested that they get together with Buffy and Charlie during the summer holidays. That evening hugs were exchanged, and Professor Dumbledore provided a portkey to return Riley and Sam to Ireland. (They both promised not to say anything about Hogwarts. Buffy had assured Dumbledore that Riley could definitely keep a secret.)
Upon her release, Tonks immediately returned to the Ministry of Magic. She wanted to find out who had been captured. Willow had not come to see her in the infirmary, and Tonks figured that her girlfriend was busy. Before departing from Hogwarts, Tonks sent Willow a letter, asking to get together in Hogsmeade during the weekend.
On Friday evening, Dawn finally awoke. Draco, Buffy, and Shannon were seated at her bedside. "What happened?" asked Dawn. Buffy and Shannon hugged her, and Draco kissed her. Buffy and Shannon left to tell the Scoobies and the Gryffindor students that Dawn was awake. Draco sat on the bed beside her, holding her tightly against him.
The hospital wing was soon filled with Dawn's friends and extended family. Everyone repeatedly asked her how she was feeling. They were all so concerned about her that no one was telling her what had happened. "Giles, would you please tell me what happened?" asked Dawn pleadingly.
The group grew quiet. Only Buffy, Giles, Draco, and Narcissa knew exactly what had happened. Buffy wanted to wait until after Dawn awoke to tell the others. After a nod from Buffy, Giles launched into a full explanation of the events that had led to Dawn being in a deep sleep. Dawn took in the explanation. When Giles finished, Dawn only nodded. "Wait. I don't have a scar like Harry, do I?" she asked, worriedly feeling her forehead.
Harry smirked at her. "Not on your forehead anyway," he said. "Lucky you," he mumbled under his breath. Only Shannon heard him.
"I happen to think your scar is sexy," she whispered in his ear, causing him to smile.
"You weren't hit in the head," said Draco, ignoring Harry. "You were hit in the stomach."
Dawn lifted her pajama type slightly and found a lightening bolt scar slightly above and to the right of her navel. "Why do I always wind up with scars on my stomach?" she questioned, running a finger over the new scar then the old ones from when Glory bled her to bring down the walls between dimensions. "I'm never going to be able to show off a navel piercing."
"Which is fine, because you aren't piercing anything anyway," said Buffy. Dawn rolled her eyes at her sister, and the rest of the group laughed.