Fic: Ending/Middle/Beginning.
Author: serendu
Rating: pg:13. Knowing how I write there will probably be swearing in it at some point.
Disclaimer: If you recognise it - then it isn't mine. Unfortunately. *sulks* HP belongs to Rowling, BTVS to Whedon. Lucky them.
Distribution: TTH, My LiveJournal, FF.net.
Note: Last chapter – no extras/prequels/sequels.

The Beginning.

"Weasley." Drawled Draco Malfoy coming across the forlorn figure of Ginny Weasley sitting hunched under a tree sobbing, with her arms wrapped tightly around her legs.

"Sod off Malfoy." She muttered, not bothering to look up at her brother's arch-nemesis.

"And just what is a Weasley doing sitting under a tree in this appalling weather after curfew? And just how many house points shall I take for this?" He mused aloud.

Ginny's head shot up. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Really?"

Ginny got up, her wand pointing threateningly at Draco. "I'll hex you into next week!" She hissed.

"20 points for being out after curfew." He watched Ginny's face turn red in rage, "And a further 20 for threatening a prefect. Tsk. Tsk. Bad Weasel."

Ginny Wesley lunged towards him.

***

"So," Rupert Giles looked slightly flustered, Lucius Malfoy noticed.

"The Dark Mark is gone." He stated smoothly.  "My most sincere thanks to you Ms Rosenberg."

Willow blushed slightly and started muttering, not much of which could be heard clearly. "Nothing really… Easily done… After all you've done for us…"

"Indeed." Giles added. "The problems with Willow's abilities?"

"Is already cleared up at the Ministry." Lucius finished.

"And Voldemort?"

"Will no doubt be taken care of by the very capable Harry Potter in due course."

"Well," Giles smiled and offered his hand across his desk "I think that concludes everything. Buffy? Willow? Anything to add?" He asked as he shook hands with Lucius.

"No more tests." Buffy put in after a pause. "I think the first was hard enough for her."

Lucius Malfoy nodded. He looked at the Slayer. "I would apologise for the Council's actions towards both you and her. Travers' actions were not something I ever supported. Unfortunately my position meant that my opinions were untenable in the eyes of the Council." He stopped for a moment and looked the Slayer straight in the eyes. "I am sorry."

Buffy gazed back at him, her hard glare softening slightly. "I don't think we were alone."

He smiled back at her as he opened the door to leave. "Perhaps not."

Lucius Malfoy left the new Watchers European headquarters a free man.

***

"Ferret?"

'I don't think that was the best idea I've had.'

"Mal-ferret?"

'My head aches quite a bit.'

"Malfoy?"

'Not counting my legs. They hurt too. My arms seemed to be complaining about something as well.'

"Malfoy – I swear if this is some sick joke I really will hurt you!"

'Where am I again? Ahh yes. Weasel. Ginny.' He groaned.

"Malfoy stop putting it on and get up!"

Ginny's voice sounded a little bit worried. He opened his eyes and looked up at her. "Weasel." He grunted, his voice hoarse. 'Ahh, that would be my ribs that wanted to be added to my list of body parts in pain,' he realised.

"Malfoy." Ginny raised her wand to hex him as she had threatened.

"Wait."

"What?"

"Wait."

"Why?" Ginny demanded. "So you can make fun of me again? Take more points?"

"Actually I was going to explain something."

"Really? What?"

Draco coughed. The cold was not improving his aches. "We'll discuss this inside." He stated, trying to get up.

"I don't think so Malfoy." Ginny said firmly waving her wand at him again.

"Weasel, this is something I never thought I'd have the misfortune of telling you, unfortunately, and Merlin knows why, the Fates have decreed things differently. I'd prefer to do it somewhere warm and DRY if you don't mind. I'm already bruised thanks to you, now." He stood, wobbled slightly and was stopped from falling over by Ginny who quickly grabbed him. "Thank you. Now, shall we?"

Ginny, still unsure of quite what was going on thought for a moment. "Fine. But I'm warning you Malfoy!"

***

"Just how good are you at DADA?" Draco asked as they sat in a disused room inside Hogwarts.

Ginny sneezed.

"Honestly Weasley!" He muttered. "Here." He handed her his spare cloak. "Wrap yourself in that."

Ginny glared up at him before sneezing again.

Draco sighed in frustration. "Stand up." He commanded. Ginny slowly stood. He wrapped his cloak around her and muttered a drying charm at her to dry her soaking clothes. "Better?" Ginny nodded warily. "Good. Answer the question."

"Why?" Ginny asked suspiciously.

"Oh, now she's suspicious!" Draco declared to the rest of the empty classroom. "Wonderful." He rolled his eyes. "Just please, please answer the question!" He begged dramatically.

"I'm ok I suppose." Ginny answered. "No where near as good as you probably are." She muttered almost beneath her breath.

"And just what was that supposed to mean Weasel?" Draco asked smirking and raising his eyebrows at her. "Don't answer. Tell me – what do you know of the legend of the Vampire Slayer?"

Ginny looked stunned. "What? Why?"

Draco looked at her straight in the eyes. "Well tell me Weasel – do you often bruise your brothers if you hit them?" He held up his arm, the sleeve falling away. "Like this?"

Ginny's mouth fell open. She blinked several times seeing the vicious bruises on Draco's skin. 'I didn't hit him that hard did I?' She looked at Draco who was gazing back at her. "M-me?" She asked, stunned.

"Yes, you." He answered quietly.

"B-but I can't be can I? I mean the books say it's a myth, just a story."

"It's true Ginny." He said implacably. He smirked as he saw her face. "Don't worry Weasel. How do you think I feel?"

"What?"

"I get the pleasure of being your Watcher. Lucky me." He drawled, leaning back on the chair and watching her face through his lashes.

"You?" Ginny spluttered. "But everyone knows you're a Death Eater in Training!"

"Was, Ginny. I was. Not any more. Let me explain." He looked off into the distance, collecting his thoughts. "Things have changed regarding Slayers and Watchers. There isn't one in every generation any more, you're one of many." He saw the look on her face and smiled. "My father became a Death Eater at the Council of Watchers explicit order. They wanted to keep an eye on the Wizarding World." He could see the stunned look on her face. "They're Muggles primarily. Well, except that Rosenberg girl. And the Key. And the Vampire…"

"The diary." Ginny said suddenly. She stood and slowly approached where Draco was sitting. "Tom Riddle's Diary. Your father gave that to me. Care to explain that?!" She spat.

He flinched. "I can try." He paused. "Will you sit back down?"

Ginny sat.

***

Ginny Weasley, brand new Vampire Slayer, entered Gryffindor Tower. Still stunned by all that Draco had revealed to her and more than a little angry at the old Watchers Council "They're dead Ginny. You can't Crucio any of them I'm afraid - as tempting as it is." Draco had said.

"Ginny, where've you been?" Hermione demanded. "It's way past curfew!"

Ginny Weasley raised her eyes to the girl who had stolen her boyfriend and glared a full Slayer's glare. Something she had already been practising on her unfortunate Watcher. She smirked as Hermione took an involuntary step back. Things had changed and this was just the beginning.

*************

Finished. Hooray! Normal service will be resumed on my other fics soon. Hopefully. R& R please.