A/N: I'm not going to do a disclaimer because its been done in the last 3 chapters. And I don't think I know anyone who starts reading something halfway through!
For those of us who take time getting used to new things, I'll repeat. 'Lily' is Buffy. Simple, eh?
"Pieces of us die everyday,
As though our flesh were hell,
Such injustice, as children we're told,
That from God we fell,
Where are my angels?
Where's my golden one?
Where's the hope now our heroes are gone?"
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Chapter 4: The Darkness Within
Sunnydale
Anyone looking through the bay window of 1630 Revello Drive could be forgiven for thinking its occupants were merely enjoying a quiet night of reading. Four figures were seated in the living room, each absorbed in large texts, seemingly oblivious to the world around them.
In truth, the large demon texts were holding nobody's attention.
Tara, nose buried in a particularly large Wicca tome, continued to glance at the clock on the mantelpiece.
^ Midnight. Where are they? They should have been back by now – just a quick patrol, Willow said. ^
Anya, apparently immersed in researching Quadra demons, was actually peering at pictures of bridal gowns and flower arrangements she had tucked inside the pages.
^ Hydrangeas would be nice – or white lilies perhaps. Hope Xander isn't broken for the wedding – we couldn't hang the photos on the wall for everyone to admire. Must speak to Willow about arranging the oily male stripper night. And register my gift-list. I wonder if you can get coffee-makers in the Underworld? If Xander ever decides to ANNOUNCE the wedding, that is. ^
Rupert Giles, staring at ancient Etruscan symbols, had not turned a page in what seemed like forever. His thoughts were of another time and place altogether, of a small tearstained face staring up at him, a young girl denying her prophesized destiny.
His Buffy, refusing to abide by a strangers predictions, had faced her fears and fought for the world. Had proven that she, not a mystic force, would be master of her own destiny, regardless of the cost.
And where had he been all those years ago while his Slayer was drowning in a pool of stagnant water? Unconscious or not, he had promised to protect her – and he had failed. Only a miracle in the form of Xander had brought her back to them.
He doubted anyone could bring her back to them now.
In the end, just as the beginning, she had faced the darkness alone. She had fought her way up the tower, burdened by the weight of the world on her shoulders. Been forced to make an impossible decision – alone.
Giles lowered his head, blinking sudden moisture from his eyes.
^ I failed her back then, and continued to fail her. Had I known more, read more, perhaps she would be here with us today. She was my slayer – more than that, she was the daughter I never had – and in the end, all I could do was watch as she sacrificed herself. Ironic.^
Dawn was curled up in a corner, face hidden behind an ancient and irreplaceable demon text. She was sound asleep and drooling slightly.
*BANG!*
All heads raised in surprise as the front door flew open, revealing Spike, who was carrying Willow. Xander stumbled in behind him, dazed and bloody. Immediately the Scoobies sprung into action, Giles helping Spike settle Willow on the couch, Tara fetching the first aid kit, Dawn running to the kitchen for warm water and towels, and Anya turning to Spike, hands on hips.
"What did you do to my Xander? You broke him! How are we supposed to get married when he's all bloody?? Of all the ignorant, ungrateful, oof!"
Her angry tirade was cut short by Spike's hand on her mouth. His eyes were yellow.
" Not that it makes a soddin' difference to you lot, but I SAVED the witch and the whelp! Went and got bloody TRAPPED by a bunch of demons, they did! Would have been eaten whole if I hadn't been on my way back from Willie's!" he spat in a soft but dangerous voice. Anya stared at him, eyes wide, before wriggling from his grasp and rushing to Xander. He smiled weakly.
"I'm ok, Ahn, I promise. Had worse than this. Still conscious, so that's a plus," Xander tried to hug her, then hissed in pain. " Consciousness? Not all its cracked up to be."
From the couch, Willow moaned as Giles poured peroxide on her wounds. Tara stroked her hair, muttering under her breath. The others watched as Willow visibly relaxed, then bolted upright, eyes wild. Giles tried to push her down again, frowning.
" Giles – the demons – they were all chanting the same thing. Over and over. In between fighting. It was – err -
'When Isthmus appears to reign o'er above / Battleground staged in the Dell of Sun' –
There was some other stuff. Mainly grunting, coz demons? Not big on pronunciation. But definitely some more words too. Does this mean…ohh…."
Willow sank back onto the couch, exhausted. The room was silent for a beat. Then Spike cleared his throat.
"Err – Demon Girl? What's all this about you and the whelp getting hitched?"
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" My Lord, we have found the one you spoke of. The one who can unlock the puzzle: the one who can set you on a path greater and more destructive than ever before. The one who can rid the world of Muggle-Born vermin. The one who can…."
With a flash of green light, the cloaked Death Eater dropped to the stone floor, immediately removed by several shadowy figures. The flickering candlelight suddenly seemed to dim as all attention focused on an ornate mahogany throne, upon which sat a shriveled figure. A hissing voice cut through the inky silence of the room.
"He tired me with his incessant ramblings. There remains little time for words. Bring me the prisoner."
Immediately, two Death Eaters left the inner circle and hurried from the room, only to return dragging a beaten and bloodied form. Dropping him at the base of the chair, the Death Eaters returned to their places within the circle. Azure eyes met blood-red, and the broken man began to babble in terror.
"I'll tell you anything you want to know – please – I beg of you – spare my life – have mercy…."
Lazily, Lord Voldemort rose from his chair and drew his wand from his robes. The man began to sob wildly, tears mingling with the blood on his cheeks.
"Do you know who I am, muggle? I believe you do. I am what haunts you in your sleep. I am the shadow concealed in the darkest of nights. The most powerful men tremble in fear at the sound of my name."
Pausing, the Dark Lord lifted his head, narrowed eyes fixed on the shivering heap at his feet. His laugh, cold and cruel, echoed through the room.
"It is not in my nature to show mercy, for mercy is weakness. I despise weakness. However…." – here the man raised his head in hope – "….should you be of use to me, I will give you my word that your family will remain safe. Your fate is already sealed, muggle – there is no escaping that. Let your gift of information save the ones who will weep over your grave as maggots feed on your rotting flesh."
A shuddering moan came from the floor. Raising dulled eyes, the man nodded slowly, accepting his fate. " I will tell you all I know."
Voldemort slid into his chair, eyes glittering. Waving his hand, he motioned for the man to begin.
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Lily stared at the grand wooden doors to the Great Hall, face slightly pale.
" Uh – guys? I don't think I can do this. I can't go in there and face all those people – all those questions. So maybe if I just go back to the tower and….."
Harry turned to face her, squeezing her hand in his own. He had been amazed how well she had accepted the situation she was in – no family, no identity – lost in a strange magical world full of things Muggles only saw in movies and dreams. It appeared that Lily was full of surprises.
He silently appraised her appearance; innocent in a grey pleated skirt and jumper over a white shirt, hair straight and shiny, looking for all the world like a true Hogwarts student. Dumbledore had provided some basic necessities – her uniform, a wand, some materials and books for lessons – as well as a generous allowance 'for her enjoyment'. In return, Lily would be required to do nothing more than participate in classes and make the most of her time at the school. Harry had a sneaking suspicion that the Headmaster had a particular plan for his new friend – but as per usual, Dumbledore was waiting for 'the right time' to reveal them.
Harry was suddenly jolted from his thoughts by the familiar sound of Ron snickering. Startled, he glanced at Lily only to see her looking at him oddly, cheeks pinker than usual.
"Err – sorry – I was just thinking about you. I mean – you'll do great. And you have me – er – us." He stammered. Lily looked confused for a moment, then grinned at him. Releasing his hand gently, she approached the doors determinedly.
"Let's do this!" she said, pushing them open, the Trio close behind.
Inside, the feast was in full swing, hundreds of students seated at their house tables. Lily tried hard not to stare at the ceiling, which was glittering with stars. As students noticed her unfamiliar face, the Hall was filled with whispering voices. From the staff table, Dumbledore stood and beckoned for the small group to approach the front of the hall. The whispers faded into silence.
" Before we continue with our meals, I would like to welcome a new student into our midst. Lily will be joining the sixth year students at my personal invitation. During her time at Hogwarts, she is to be treated no differently than any of the other students. I trust you will make her feel welcome."
The students stared as Professor McGonagall carried a small stool and the Sorting Hat to the centre of the Hall. Lily turned to Harry, slightly worried.
"What's she doing with that moldy old hat?" She whispered. Harry snorted in amusement.
"That's the Sorting Hat – you put it on and it tells you which House you're in." he replied.
Lily thought about this. "And you guys are in Gryffindor – right? So I'll just tell it that's where I'm going. No biggie!"
Harry frowned. " It's not that simple. It…well, it looks inside your mind and puts you in a house according to what it sees."
"What if my mind is empty? Is there a house for people with large chunks missing from their brains?"
Harry glanced at the Hufflepuff table, trying to hide a grin. "You'll be fine. We'll be right here."
Sighing, Lily perched on the stool and pulled the hat onto her head. It promptly slipped down, hiding her face from the Hall.
^ How on earth is a hat supposed to read my mind? ^ she wondered, waiting for some kind of signal that she was done.
A small, kind voice sounded close to her ear, startling her. " That, my dear, is my little secret. Now let's see. Well, well, well. Aren't you a tricky one to place. A good dose of loyalty – perhaps Hufflepuff is the place for you. Plenty of bravery – courage and strength quite unusual for your age. A confounding sense of humor. And power – untapped and unrestrained power. Dark power. You could be quite a dangerous weapon, my dear. But where to put you? "
Lily clenched her fists and concentrated hard. ^ Please, please, please – not the slimy snake house. They give me the wiggins. Plenty of dark mojo in that house. I'm not evil. I'm not! ^
"No – you're not evil. Not yet. The dark is strong within you. Best you learn to harness your power among friends." Suddenly, the voice rose above the murmurs in the hall. "GRYFFINDOR!"
A cheer rose from the Gryffindor table as Lily tried to pull the Sorting Hat from her head. It refused to budge. A rasping, sinister voice, quite different to the cheery voice of before, sounded in her ear.
"You think you know – what you are – what's to come? You haven't even begun."
With a final tug, Lily pulled the hat from her head, breathing fast. Blinking furiously to hide sudden tears, she moved toward the Gryffindor table and slipped into a seat between Harry and Hermione, her hands shaking. Harry, talking with a girl who closely resembled Ron (same fiery hair), smiled at her briefly, then returned to his conversation.
"Lils, do you want some – hey, are you alright? You look, well, frightened." Hermione said softly, noticing her pale face. Lily managed a weak smile, hiding her hands under the table.
"I'm okay – just tired I guess," she said in a voice she hoped was close to normal.
Hermione decided not to press the issue. "I'm so glad you're a Gryff – I just KNEW you would be. I suppose you'll get your tie and things later when we go to our common room – we can give you the grand tour! Want some juice? Pumpkin? It's delicious, really……" she chirped brightly, sighing in relief when her friend began to relax.
Lily was trying to concentrate on what Hermione was saying, but her thoughts kept drifting back to what the hat had said. Was she truly the evil, dangerous creature the hat had seen inside her mind? Had she been sent here to be protected – or to protect another world from what was inside her?
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A/N: Sorry for the extreme lameness of the 'chant' – I really suck at that kind of thing. Also for the abrupt chapter end – 15 pages is really too long for one chapter so I had to split it. *chapter 5 coming soon*
