A/N: Just to make something clear – Buffy is actually a few months YOUNGER than the Trio in this fic. As Buffy screens later in Australia than the USA, I actually have no idea when her birthday is. Anyone who does know and wants to share?

^ denotes thoughts^

"Courage is not defined by those who fought and did not fall, but by those who fought, fell, and rose again."

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Chapter 6: Keeping the Faith

#Sunnydale#

The Magic Box was deadly silent following Giles' speech. Even Anya had left her place at the cash register and joined the others at what was affectionately known as the 'Scooby table'. The sun had long since set and darkness had spread its inky fingers around the room, oblivious to those who occupied it.

Willow and Xander, the remaining original Scoobies, were sitting close together as if to draw comfort from each other. Around the table, all were stunned as they tried to process the information. Xander was the first to break the silence, the uncharacteristically somber tone of his voice making everyone look up.

"So – the Cliffs Notes version – Buffy gave her life to save the world, only to create a demon that's going to destroy it anyway…. And we can't fight it without her. Where does that leave us? "

Giles sighed, for the first time allowing the hopelessness of their situation to sink in.

Looking at the dejected faces of the young people he had grown to love as his own, he suddenly felt weary and ancient. And helpless. These were the faces of children who had been forced to grow up too fast, simply to protect themselves from the horrors to which the rest of the world seemed immune. Young adults with ancient eyes, whose hearts were still raw and aching from the loss of the one person who had made their mismatched group whole.

A person who was more to them than just 'the one girl in all the world' – more than just the Slayer – their Buffy.

" That's it? That's all we're gonna do? Sit around and bloody MOPE??"

Spike had risen from his chair, eyes blazing. Ignoring Giles' unspoken warning, he studied each of their faces in turn before continuing

" Is that what she would have wanted? Christ, she gave her life so we could see this sorry world to the end, and you're all just giving UP? So it's the end of the world – so bloody what? We've all been here before, staring an apocalypse in the face - hell, I've even started some of 'em myself. If the Sl – Buffy's – death means anything to you people, you won't shut your eyes and pray that someone else will save the world FOR you. You'll grit your teeth and you'll FIGHT for everything you love about this sodding life. You'll 'rage against the dying of the light'." Spike paused for a minute, watching as heads were raised and backbones were steeled, before continuing in a softer voice.

"The Slayer isn't here to win our battles for us. But if you think for a moment that she would want us to take this lying down, then she died for nothing. Fight to protect everything Buffy sacrificed when she leapt from that bloody tower. Fight for HER."

Yet another silence fell as Spike slumped into a chair, spent. Willow cleared her throat nervously.

"So…. Research party?"

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#Hogwarts.#

"Lily? May I come in?" Hermione knocked cautiously on the door to the sixth year girls' dormitory, hearing quiet sobs coming from inside. Below her, she could just make out the subdued chatter from the Gryffindor common room.

Her fellow housemates had been puzzled over Lily's sudden exit, expecting her to be as elated as they were about the downfall of the Slytherin Prince. Rumors had been running wild since; Hermione had left Harry and Ron behind to make sure nothing got out of hand while she went after Lily.

Worried, Hermione pushed open the door and stepped inside the room, quietly approaching the windowsill where Lily sat staring out at the Forbidden Forest. Knowing that Lily would open up if and when she wanted to, Hermione settled herself on the opposite end of the  wide sill, facing her friend. For a long while, the two girls sat silently, each lost in her thoughts.

"Hermione?"

"Mmm?"

"Do you think I'm evil?"

Hermione's eyes met Lily's in disbelief, her expression softening as she saw the confusion in their stormy hazel depths. Lily continued softly, hugging her knees to her chest.

" The night I was sorted – the Sorting Hat said I was a dangerous weapon. That I was full of dark power. I didn't want to listen to a mangy head-piece… but today….. when Malfoy cornered me, I FELT it rush through me. It was like…one minute, I was me – and the next, *I* disappeared and all that was left was white-hot power – power I couldn't name or control. So maybe the Hat was right. Maybe I'm here because somewhere - wherever I came from - I was too dangerous to be allowed to stay."

"Or perhaps, Lily, you are here for an entirely different reason."

Both girls turned in surprise toward the fireplace, where Dumbledore's head was floating in mid-air. Hermione, after many nights spent with Harry while he talked to Sirius, was used to this form of communication. Lily, who was entirely shocked at the sight, overbalanced and barely managed to prevent herself from falling onto the thick maroon carpet beneath her. Dumbledore's head smiled.

"Your reflexes continue to amaze me, my dear."

Hermione swore she could see a flicker of mischief in the Headmaster's eyes. From the corner of her eye, she saw a tiny smile appear on Lily's face.

" Reflexes or not, it's usually considered polite to call before you just stick your head into other people's fires."

Far from being annoyed at Lily's wisecrack, Dumbledore chuckled heartily as he stepped from the flames. Brushing ash from his lurid purple robes, the great wizard settled himself into an armchair. Hermione stood, intending to leave the two alone. Professor Dumbledore was quick to intervene.

"Miss Granger, please do not feel compelled to leave. Perhaps you too can benefit from this – whether you know it now or not."

Curious, Hermione resumed her position next to Lily, who was intently watching the Headmaster. She wondered idly if he would ever give any of them a straight answer.

" On the contrary, Miss Granger, I find it is much more rewarding to solve your own mysteries. Strengthens the mind."

Dumbledore did not even give Hermione a chance to blush – sensing Lily's growing agitation, he fixed thoughtful eyes on her pale face.

" I believe it was once said that there is no good or evil, only power and those too weak to use it. In truth, power exists in many forms. Some of the greatest wizards draw their power from the fear they incite in others – while others are powerful because they hold within their hearts compassion, love, and above all, loyalty. Do you understand what I am trying to say?"

Lily nodded uncertainly. " That – that it doesn't matter where power comes from…..it's what you use it for?"

"Precisely. The origins of your power may indeed lie in darkness, but even dangerous weapons in the right hands can be used for immeasurable good. I might add that simply because something is considered dangerous does not mean it is evil. It can become evil, if it so chooses – yet it can also choose to reside in the light. The difference between the two rests in your heart."

Dumbledore reached into his robes, withdrawing a wrapped sweet which he held in his open palm for a moment.

" Take sherbet drops for example. No matter how strong the shell surrounding the sweet, it is the fizz inside that completes its taste. Should the centre be hollow, it loses that certain something which allows it to rise above others of its kind. Once a weakness in the shell appears, a hollow sherbet drop can be cracked open with less effort than one might think. It is merely a matter of finding the weakness."

Both girls blinked as the Headmaster seemed to disappear before their very eyes, his words echoing in the dormitory. Lily turned to Hermione in confusion.

"Is he always that hard to understand? And – sherbet drops? Cryptic much?"

Hermione frowned. Something told her that Dumbledore hadn't been strictly referring to sweets.

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#Sunnydale#

"So, Watcher, let's hear what you've got so far, 'cos all I've come up with is a whole lot of nothing." Spike grumbled softly, leaving his dimly lit space in the corner to stand behind Giles. Giles sighed and began to clean his glasses.

"Don't want to wear the lenses out, G-man." Ignoring the glare sent his way, Xander slammed his book shut. " Nothing in the Nirehkahn Codex. Or in any of the other hundred dusty books we've tried. Surely there's something in this place that can help us fight magic – hello, MAGIC Shop after all."

" Maybe if you read the prophecy again? I mean, someone might know something. Or know of someone who knows something. Or know of someone who knows of some…..."

"Alright Willow – I believe you have made your point. According to the text, remains of an ancient stone tablet were located in 1894. Apparently it was buried by a forgotten tribe somewhere around 1296 AD – no Anya, you may NOT interrupt – a tribe which then disappeared from existence. Historians have long searched for the source of the language upon the tablets, however none have succeeded. Last year, a member of the Watchers Council stumbled upon a dialect similar to that of the tablets……."

"Giles – as fascinating as the history lesson is…. Can we hear the prophecy? Before the world ends?"

"Right. Erm…." Giles cleared his throat.

"Blood of the Chosen given freely,

 Puzzle of Dark shall be made whole

 Revived with a gift of blood and torture

 He shall rise to reign once more

 Gift of the Chosen cannot be returned

 Nor matched by another whose name rings trust

 When Isthmus appears to reign o'er above

 Battle is lost in the Dell of Sun."

For the first time in hours, Dawn's voice echoed in the shop, slightly hysterically.

"Torture? Buffy was TORTURED when she jumped into the portal?"

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#Hogwarts, later the same night#

There's so much light in the room. Must have left the drapes open – is it morning already? Seems like I only just closed my eyes.

"That's because you did, B." A voice I don't recognize – yet something inside my head floats to the surface, before slipping away once again.

My eyes snap open and I feel them widen. How did I end up in a cemetery? Last time I checked, I was at Hogwarts……

"You are there. And yet you're here as well. Figure it out – you always were the smart one." A dark-haired girl steps out from behind a marble angel, dressed in leather and wearing a mysterious grin. I've never seen her before…..have I? And why does she keep calling me 'Bee'?

"This is a dream – isn't it? Do I know you? Who am I?" So many questions to answer. She shakes her head slowly.

"Right on the mark with the first one, B. Not my place to say. Just call me…..a friend."

"Maybe I don't want a friend!" I counter, tears threatening to spill as I realize that she can't – won't – help me.

"I didn't say I was yours."

Why does that sound so achingly familiar? She's grinning at me, and I can't help clenching my fists in frustration.

" And to think I had you pegged as the patient one, B. You'll find your answers when you're ready."

I'm ready *now*!! Will *anyone* ever give me a straight answer?

" Listen up B. Big things are coming your way. Evil things. To defeat 'em, you gotta know how they think, how they kill, what they feed on. In the end it's all about the weakness. We've all got one. Sometimes, you gotta let them inside you to get it – just make sure you tie the rope good and tight before you let yourself fall."

She snaps her fingers, and I close my eyes as the world seems to blur. When I open them, we're no longer in the cemetery, but a dark forest. The wind has turned ice-cold, wrapping its icy fingers around my skin. I shiver. Was it night a minute ago?

" Told you before, B. Normal rules don't apply here. Not that it matters much. I got a story for you."

I stare. "I don't understand. I'm here so you can tell me fairy tales?"

She continues as if I haven't spoken. " A caterpillar is born helpless, unable to protect itself from predators who wish for nothing more than its destruction. In time, it learns other ways of defence. It becomes a creature of the shadows, where it is harder to detect. Some learn to change their appearance. Others secrete a hidden and deadly poison which in turn destroys those who dare to devour them."

Her eyes lock onto mine, suddenly impossibly sad. Despite her youthful appearance, her eyes tell a tale of one who has endured too much in a short time. Something in them reminds me of the look Harry wore when he told me about his parents – a lifetime of pain and suffering contained in a single glance. I suddenly find myself filled with anger at whoever caused her such anguish. Her eyes shift away as she continues.

"After awhile, the caterpillar, tired of living life with the threat of death constantly lurking in the back of its mind, fashions a cocoon for itself and withdraws from the world, hoping to find some semblance of peace if only for an instant."

Why do I suddenly want to cry again? I force myself to listen.

"While it hovers between one existence and another, it begins to change, and once Destiny has worked its mojo, a butterfly emerges into a different world. The butterfly, now able to defend itself in other ways, will gradually forget what it was like to be a caterpillar, until the day it is faced with a familiar predator. Though it may not remember its time as a caterpillar at first, it still retains all the knowledge about survival it gained deep inside."

I interrupt, confused. "What do…." She stops me with a single hand movement.

"Patience, B. The butterflies that survive are those who can draw deep within themselves, combining old strengths and new to defeat their enemies. See, it's all there in their heart and head. You just gotta have faith."

The new information runs over and over inside my mind, as I try to process all I've just been told. Finally she allows me to speak.

" Why are you telling me this? Why now? I don't understand – I just want to know who I am!"

She smiles gently as my vision begins to blur, colors and shapes fading until only her voice remains.

" Don't you listen? You already know."

The world fades to black.

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A/N: Did everyone guess who the 'mysterious stranger' was? Stay tuned..... coming up in Chapter 7, Buffy and Snape face off with some....interesting results. Also, a special appearance from a certain LA contingent. Please R/R!