Chapter 29
"Someone looks all glowy." Buffy teased.
I paused at the kitchen door. "Aftereffects of the spell." I tried not to look totally busted.
"Uh-huh," she smiled knowingly. "Well if it makes you look this good I think you should 'spell' more often."
I sat and let my head thunk on the table. "I'm so confused."
Faith smirked. "Has Willow been switch hitting?"
I waved her down. "A little louder. I don't think they heard in the next room."
She bushed my concern off. "These tight asses? I'm surprised they multiply as much as they do? Besides I'm sure they're happy that Sirius is finally over his brooding and snapping phase. He was kind of an ass in the last book."
I tried to defend him as much as possible. "You try going fifteen years without a little ... um."
"Unnnh," Faith grunted.
Buffy's eyes widened. "Fifteen years? What happened? I mean he's cute and all."
"Prison." Faith finally filled us in on the what Sirius had supposedly done to get into Azkaban and what he has been doing for the last few years. Much gasping and hand wringing was had by all until we were interrupted by Xander.
"Evening, oh ladies of my life."
He was followed by Tonks and eventually a freshly washed Sirius.
"Someone tell me why Sirius is smiling so much," Tonks said irritablely. "Driving me bonkers it is."
Xander slid in next to me. "Don't tell me you couldn't hear it? 'Oh, my Magic Man! Oh!'"
I smacked him on the back of the head. "Hey! I never said that."
Tonks was grinning ear to ear. "So, dry spell over is it, Sirius?"
He scowled. "None of your business you nosey prat."
It didn't make me feel the least bit comfortable knowing that the walls were apparently paper thin around here. I hadn't said the magic man thing, really.
"So when do we blow this pop stand?" Faith said impatiently. "We got evil wizard's butt to kick, don't we?"
"Indeed, we do."
I was surprised by the voice coming from behind me. Dumbledore seemed to have taken lessons from Spike about sneaking up on people.
Faith stood. "Oh, tell me you finally got a bead on this guy."
The Headmaster stroked his beard thoughtfully. "With Harry safe at the moment from Voldemort's interference I have been able to set other plans in motion. We should be hearing back rather soon I would think."
Sirius turned in his chair. "What other plans?"
"Why Kreacher of course," he announced. "I have made arrangements for his dismissal."
Sirius stood, knocking over his chair in the process. "You what!"
"Who's Kreacher?" Buffy asked.
Sirius spun. "He's the blasted house elf that betrayed me to Voldemort , got me sent to hell, and almost got Harry killed. Are you off your rocker, Dumbledore?"
The old man looked thoughtful. "I would rather hope not. Considering that all of our lives will be forfeit in the upcoming battle if I were."
"Am I missing something?" I was totally lost.
Sirius took my hand in his. "Willow, Kreacher has lived his whole life in this house and he is sympathetic to Voldemort. Once he's been dismissed from service he will go him straight away. They'll know where we are!"
I looked back to Buffy. It was time to fight and she was the leader.
Buffy looked at the Headmaster and Sirius with a determined expression. "Weapons. Faith take the fireplace thingy I'll be at the front door. Willow I want you in the hallway between the two rooms. Disarm them if you can, shield us if you can't."
"Where do you want me?" Xander asked.
"Crossbow, in here just in case they try a rear assault."
She looked down and lifted one side of the huge thick table, throwing it on it's side. "Here's your protection."
Dumbledore interrupted. "Alastor is gathering the rest of the Order and placing them in the neighborhood at strategic locations. And I believe the nearby residents have found a strong desire to visit relatives or otherwise take an extended leave of their homes."
"How many in the Order," Buffy barked.
"Thirteen, I held Professor Mc Gongall and Remus as well as all the other professors ,at the school in case they try for the students."
"What are the odds?"
Dumbledore looked thoughtfully again. "Not very good. Hogwarts is rather well protected all by itself."
"Good."
"Headmaster, where do you want Sirius and I?" Tonks said. Her wand was already out and she was itching to get to business.
He considered briefly. "Here with Xander. I will be at the front door with Buffy. I have a feeling Voldemort will be braggart enough to walk through the main entrance."
Faith slid through the hallway door loaded up with weapons. "Party favorites, everyone."
A small candle lit on the opposite wall all by itself. Dumbledore saw it out of the corner of his eye. "That is our signal. Prepare yourselves."
"GO!" Buffy yelled.
I stopped briefly before I left the room and grabbed Sirius. "Don't get yourself sent to hell this time."
He pulled me to him roughly and kissed me with feared passion then let me go. "I love you, Willow Rosenberg. Stay safe."
I blinked.
He smiled and pushed me out the door.
