A/N: I have to say that this chapter was the hardest to write yet – apologies for my evil side, I don't get to use it much and it is a little rusty. I'm working on it though.

Once again, not going to do a disclaimer – everyone knows they're not mine. *tear*

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Chapter 5: Helpless

"It has begun, my love," Lucius Malfoy announced, striding into the Malfoy's majestic dining room, coat billowing behind him in a perfect picture of, well, evil.

House elves scattered in terror as he swept the room with a glare, before seating himself in a tall chair at the head of the ornate table. Narcissa turned to him, her frosty eyes meeting his own.

" Lucius, do enlighten me. You bring news of the Dark Lord, I assume?" Narcissa reclined slightly in her chair, one pale eyebrow raised. Lucius had been absent from Malfoy Manor for days, leaving no word of his destination or when he was due to return. Narcissa knew without a doubt that her husband, a member of Voldemort's inner circle, had been consorting with said Dark Lord during this time.

Lucius raised a delicate crystal goblet, wrapped with a golden snake, to his lips and sipped at the blood-red fluid casually. Narcissa restrained herself from drumming her fingers on the table, instead smiling encouragingly at her ever-dramatic husband. Finally, he began.

" With the help of his spies in the Ministry, Our Lord has learned of a prophecy detailing his rise to an even greater strength than before, and a subsequent battle that shall upset the balance between dark and light. However, certain elements of the prophecy were a mystery to even the Dark Lord himself. Lacking the ability to interpret them, he located someone who could."

"Master, we have searched the globe, and have finally found someone who can help you. We have located him in California, America. He is known as a 'Watcher' – indeed he is quite high in the ranks of what is known as the Watcher's Council.."

The Death Eater who had spoken dissolved back into the crowd, lest Voldemort decide to punish him for entertainment. The Dark Lord had been particularly vicious lately, and many of his loyal followers had felt his anger.

However, an expression that could be described as a kind of brutal pleasure was currently twisting the sinister face that sat in front of them, Nagini curled at his feet.

"Your information pleases me, Zabini. The Watcher's Council has long been a source of irritation to my cause. This 'Watcher' may be useful to us. And, if he proves he is not – the world will be free of another useless Muggle. Crabbe, Goyle – fetch him."

From the back of the large, dark room, a trembling voice spoke. "My Lord, what of the Slayer? Surely we do not wish for her to come after us?"

Voldemort reached out a skeletal hand and lazily stroked Nagini's skin. His voice, soft as it was, filled the room. " The Slayer will not pose a threat to us. My sources inform me that the latest sacrificed her pitiful life to save the Muggle world. The Slayer line has been unexplainably stalled. Unlike many more useful creatures, Slayers are essentially muggles. They tend to stay dead."

A relieved murmur filled the room. None of the Death Eaters wished to battle with a Slayer, muggle or not.

Lord Voldemort leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowed. The man who had spoken was suddenly isolated from the crowd, propelled into the centre of a circle where he lay writhing under the influence of the Cruciatus curse. The room fell silent except for his screams.

" I trust there are no more questions?"

Lucius paused, his eyes shining. Drinking again from his goblet, his eyes moved appreciatively over his wife's body. Days of abstinence had left him hungry – and not for food alone.

Narcissa returned his glance with one of her own, eyes burning from beneath heavy lids. Lucius rose in his chair eagerly, then stopped as his wife held up a slim hand.

" Do finish your story, darling. What of this 'Watcher'?"

Groaning, Lucius returned to his seat, continuing.

" The Watcher was located, and brought before Our Lord. He was stubborn, but like all Muggles, his weakness was in his family. The foolish man believed that if he complied with the Dark Lord's requests, they would be spared….."

On the cold stone floor of  the underground cavern, a filthy, emaciated figure lay curled into a ball of pain. His suit, previously immaculate, was in tatters, coated with his own blood. His graying hair had been torn out in chunks by his own fingers, the constant agony of the Cruciatus curse too much for his aged body to withstand.

His blue eyes, once full of wisdom and knowledge, stared blankly into nothingness. He, having shared all he knew about the prophecy, had finally succumbed to the growing darkness, knowing that his death would keep his family safe.

Lord Voldemort eyed the body with triumph. The Watcher had served his purpose – had unlocked many of the secrets of the ancient prophecy. The Dark Lord could almost taste the power, fiery and sweet on his tongue. There was but one thing left to do.

"Find this man's family. His friends. Kill them – kill them all."

A thoughtful look crossed Lucius's face.

"This Watcher believed that an object of immense dark power has been created. That this object shall be protected by a powerful force for light. Perhaps that old fool Dumbledore is responsible for this. It is time for Draco to show his loyalty to Our Lord – I shall send word to him at once."

 Summoning a quill and parchment from his library, he began writing furiously. So intent was he upon his task, he missed Narcissa's thoughtful look .

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Hogwarts

Lily frantically pulled her heavy robes over her school uniform, fastening the star-shaped clasp. Running a brush through her hair, she slipped her wand into her pocket and raced through the portrait hole toward the Great Hall.

^I can't believe they left me to sleep – this is the third time I've missed breakfast! Way to make an impression on Dumbledore. When I – ^

Lily's thoughts were interrupted as she rounded a corner and collided with a solid object. Staring up at them from her landing spot on the floor, her eyes widened.

" If it isn't Mystery Girl! Forgotten who your friends are again?" Malfoy sneered, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.

Lily had a sudden urge to slap the smirk off his face. In the two weeks she had been at Hogwarts, she had developed a dislike for the Slytherin prefect that Ron had assured her was a mandatory part of Hogwarts life. Somehow, he had found out the true reason for her being at Hogwarts, and he had taunted her incessantly since – always when Harry and her fellow Gryffindors were not within earshot. Lily gritted her teeth, choking down her sudden anger.

^ I won't let him get to me. I won't let him get to me. I won't let him - ^

" Did they abandon you? You must be used to that by now, surely. Being abandoned, that is. Why, even …."

Malfoy didn't get a chance to finish his sentence, a tiny, blonde, whirlwind of anger knocking him flat on his back before he could blink.

Breathless, he opened his eyes to find Lily sitting on his chest, one hand pinning him to the ground with a powerful grip. Her eyes were blazing with anger and something else he could not decipher.

^Who would've thought she was so strong – she looks so delicate…^

For a moment, Malfoy was afraid of her. The eyes staring back at him seemed out of place in her gentle face, almost wild. He was frozen, unaware of the spectacle they were creating. Students moving to classes had stopped in awe at the sight of tiny, gentle Lily restraining Malfoy, who looked petrified. Laughter rose among the crowd, many delighted to see the nasty Slytherin cowed at last.

From the back of the crowd, a furious voice roared "WHAT is going on here? Get to your classes immediately. Lily - Malfoy! Come with me!" Students fled as Professor Snape pushed his way through the crowd, face pinched in anger.

Slowly, Lily released her grip and stood, her eyes now wide and frightened. For a moment, Malfoy thought she was going to turn and bolt from the corridor. Snape seemed to get the same impression, for he turned quickly, robes and nostrils flaring. As if under the Imperius curse, Lily and Malfoy silently followed him, their eyes fixed to the floor.

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Hogwarts, later that night

The Gryffindor common room was buzzing with the news that had traveled through the school like wildfire – Lily had somehow pinned Draco Malfoy to the floor outside the Great Hall. Neither student had been seen since breakfast.

" I heard she Stunned him – had him down in a second, then held him with ONE FINGER!" an excited third year was chattering.

" No, sparks came from her EYES, then she used the Leg-Locker Curse and he flew across the room!" another countered.

A fourth year joined their conversation. "You're all wrong," he declared, seating himself in an overstuffed armchair by the fire. " FIRST she apparated in from NOWHERE, then she FROZE Crabbe and Goyle with a single flick , THEN she levitated over Malfoy used the CRUCIATUS curse on him! Erica Mordehorf told me in Divination – and she was THERE!"

Stunned silence met his exclamation, before a first year cried " We'll ask Harry! Lily's his friend!" Instantly, Harry, Hermione and Ron (who were in a corner playing Exploding Snap) were set upon by excited juniors, all clamoring to know what exactly had happened. Harry stood, waving his arms for quiet.

" We don't KNOW what happened. We haven't seen Lily OR Malfoy since…."

Suddenly all eyes turned to the portrait hole, which had swung open. Lily climbed through slowly, her face haunted. She looked up in surprise as the room exploded in cheers and whistles. Colin Creevey moved toward her, camera in tow.

"Lily! You were brilliant! Can I have your picture? We could put it on the wall – a tribute to the girl who finally put Malfoy in his place! How did you do it? Did you use an Unforgivable? Did you really shoot sparks from your eyes? Boy, he deserved it though, didn't he!"

Hermione watched her friend carefully, worried at her haggard appearance. As Colin raised his camera, Lily forced a smile, eyes cloudy with emotion. For a moment, the common room was filled with the light from the flash, and by the time Hermione's vision had cleared, Lily was gone.

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Sunnydale.

The bell over the Magic Shop door tinkled softly, startling the occupants. A figure wrapped in a smoking blanket burst through, cursing violently. Xander and Willow watched in amusement as Spike shook off the blanket and retreated to the safety of the shade, his hair singed.

" Never was one for tanning. Still, I'd like to know what was so bloody urgent that I was dragged from my crypt in the middle of the day. In the middle of Passions, no less! Charity was just about to fry that poor lil bloke Timmy! Always did think she was a bit evil – blondes, they're all the same." Catching sight of Dawn, he amended his statement. "Well, there are some exceptions. C'mon then, out with it."

Giles removed his glasses from their perch on his nose and began to clean them absentmindedly, ignoring the muffled snort from Xander's direction. Extracting an ancient book from the growing pile, he handed it to Spike.

" Cor – so this is it then? The thing that's got Sunnydale's evil in a chanting, maiming frenzy? Looks important – too bad I'm not fluent in ancient Garkowl or whatever the hell that is."

Giles sighed in exasperation, opening his mouth….only to be cut off by Anya.

"Its not Garkowl, it's a form of ancient Gla'shnik. A bad one, if you ask me. The grammar is all wrong – not to mention the spelling… atrocious! Why, if I had written such a piece of rubbish…… Why are you all staring at me? Do I have something in my teeth?" Checking a mirror, and finding her teeth sparkling white, she glowered at everyone in turn. "What??"

Giles shot her a half-hearted glare. " Anya….you never felt it important to mention, in the three hours that we've been sitting here combing demon language texts, that you KNOW of this language?"

Anya rolled her eyes at him. " Know of it? I helped CREATE it! While simultaneously flaying a shepherd who had cheated on his wife with the cowgirl from the neighboring field – she wanted him shorn like his sheep – quite a fitting punishment if you ask……WHAT! Xander, make them stop glaring!"

Spike grinned, always on the lookout for an opportunity to needle the whelp. " That's it, Right Honorable Representative from Syphilis, be a good little wife and support Demon Girl over here." He ducked as a heavy text was thrown his way. " Oi!"

" Shut your trap, Fangless" Turning to Anya, Xander smiled encouragingly.

"Ahn, hon, d'ya think you could help us out and translate this itty bitty passage – just the first thousand words or so? Not too great with the obscure demon jargon over here."

Anya wrinkled her nose, but accepted the heavy book anyway, grumbling under her breath. Giles blinked as he made out the words 'orgasm' and 'naughty nurses', but decided wisely to let it slide.

Ten minutes later, after Xander and Spike had thrown every insult they could think of and were now sitting in opposite corners of the room; Anya finally looked up, beaming. Shoving a piece of paper in front of Giles, she returned to the cash register to continue counting the day's takings.

Giles sat silently staring at the translation for an age, the Scoobs waiting rather impatiently for him to share the secret. Xander finally broke the silence.

"C'mon, G-Man, spill! Apocalypse? Big slimy mayor snake – no wait; been there, killed that, got the 'key-guy' t-shirt. What's the new Big Bad?"

Giles massaged his temples, suddenly looking impossibly aged.

" Something far worse. An evil that we cannot fight with our weapons. An evil that will cast a shadow of dark across the world – one that has never been truly defeated before – merely weakened. An evil that Buffy created, and more importantly, an evil that I believe we cannot destroy without her."

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A/N: I looove cliffhangers! Well, semi-cliffhangers anyway.