A/N: I've been overwhelmed with requests for Dancing!Snape. It could possibly be worked in somewhere, though maybe not Naked!Dancing!Snape. Someone suggested I toss a tub of grease in the mix, but I'm sure there's enough to go around. Plus there's a definite ick factor there. We'll see.
CYA Statement (aka Disclaimer): Haven't done this for awhile – but everybody already knows they're not mine. HP is JK Rowling's creation, Buffy and Co are the property of Joss Whedon and his evil minions. Don't sue.
Summary: You think the battle is over….I think we've only just begun.
This is for Kristine, who asked for a good dose of more Sirius (and also for him to morph naked in the Summers house). Well, I plan to come through on the first request. On with Sirius goodness!
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Chapter 16: Aftermath
#Casa de Summers#
Time had slowed as Giles and the strange man looked at one another, as if assessing the threat each posed. After a long moment, Giles replaced his wand in its box, Sirius following suit by tucking his into his cloak.
"Now that you've examined each others eyeballs, could someone tell me what the *hell* is going on? Or has it become normal to see animals turn into men in this town?"
Sirius half-smiled at Cordelia's obvious impatience. "Rupert, will you do the honours?" He turned to the assembled group, spying an empty chair next to Fred.
" May I?" Fred squeaked out a 'yes'. Sirius settled himself at the table and looked at Giles expectantly. When no explanation appeared forthcoming, Sirius sighed and began.
" My name, as you might have guessed, is Sirius Black. Now, I'm not sure what old Rupes has told you about our world, so he'll have to fill in the gaps as I go." Giles had recovered enough to take his seat, though apparently not enough to form a sentence. Before Sirius could continue, Anya interrupted.
"How about you start with 'why are you not a dog', and then 'why have you been lurking around here spying on us?'"
Sirius looked taken aback at her bluntness, but recovered quickly. " Albus was right about your charges, Rupert. Straight to the point as always." His eyes swept the room, appraising the group in turn.
" I haven't exactly been 'lurking around' as you put it. I was sent here by Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, to protect your young friend Dawn. The disguise was necessary – there are forces gathering who will have been warned of my human identity." Sirius's eyes darkened.
"They will know of my Animagus abilities as well, but the Hellmouth helps to distort some of the energies surrounding my dog form. Even the most skilled Death Eater would be hard-pressed to sense that a stray mutt is actually a wizard."
Xander held up both hands to signal a halt as he tried to process this information.
"Sorry, you're an Ani-whatsit? Isn't that a children's show? *And* a wizard? Death Eaters? Plus you know Giles? I think I speak for everyone here when I say 'huh'?"
"He's not one of those infernal Animorphs that Dawn used to be fond of. An Animagus, Xander, is simply a wizard who has acquired the skill to shift to animal form. In Sirius's case – though I was unaware of this until now – he can assume the form of a dog." Giles explained, with a questioning look at Sirius.
" Since my mid-Hogwarts years, Rupert." To the others, he explained, "Rupes and I went to school together, though not in the same class or house. Rupert here was a Ravenclaw, supposedly filled with smarts though I never saw him use them. I was a Gryffindor, three years behind Rupert. His lot were notorious pranksters, earned quite a reputation in their time. Nothing compared to the Marauders, but that's another story. "
Giles looked as though he'd rather that information be unknown. Unfazed, Sirius continued.
"We're getting off track. To answer your question, Death Eaters are what wizards call the followers of Voldemort, a dark wizard that caused a lot of chaos in the wizarding world fifteen years ago. He met his downfall when he attempted to destroy a small boy by the name of Harry Potter. Almost two years back, he rose again and has been biding his time ever since – gathering his supporters. Setting his sights on a bigger target, you might say."
"The Hellmouth." Willow said quietly. Sirius stared at her for a second, clearly surprised.
" I can see your charges don't miss a trick, Rupes. Yes and no. Voldemort is after the Hellmouth as a way to gain an even greater power. Dumbledore believes he's figured out a way of contacting other dimensions, a sort of billboard advertisement for new recruits."
Short break, then. "What he wants is to bring them to this dimension. As you've discovered, there is more than one way to do this." His eyes flickered up to the ceiling as he paused to allow for processing time.
" Should Voldemort gain control of the Hellmouth, he will have access to its power. With that power, he can bypass the locks of the dimensions and allow all sorts of nasty things to enter. Rupert explained earlier about the barriers being weakened. He told you that the Key – your Dawn – is no longer essential. He was mostly correct."
On cue, hope flared in nine pairs of eyes. Sirius sighed.
" While it can be done without Dawn, the easiest way for Voldemort to access the dimensions is to use the Key. Our first thoughts were to allow this if there was no way around it – the Hellmouth will increase Voldemort's power hundredfold, make him far harder to defeat. When Albus learned that the Key was human, he sent me to protect her."
He turned to Giles, who was thinking back to a particular day, a question in his eyes.
"That's right, Rupert. I took your letter straight to Dumbledore. He was quite pleased to hear from you after all this time, banished or not. The first day I arrived, I had orders to sniff around your house, see if I could locate the Key. Imagine my surprise when the spell I had settled on a human girl."
" It was s-strange – that d-day I mean." Tara said timidly. " D-dogs usually go a little….c-crazy when they see Dawn. S-shaggy – uh, you – didn't. I didn't th-think of it at the time."
Sirius had become used to this group's uncanny knack for thinking one step ahead of him. His face creased in a smile. "I suppose you could say I'm not your garden variety canine, Tara."
"How d-did you…."
"Know your name? I know all of your names – excepting your Los Angeles friends, of course. Strangely, Dawn insisted on talking endlessly to me, despite the fact that I couldn't talk back. Almost as if she sensed somehow that I was more than I appeared." The mood turned somber as thoughts flickered to the restrained girl upstairs. Sirius hurried to break the silence.
"Also, I've been the household pet for the last few weeks. By the way, Willow, I've been meaning to thank you for the bath."
His comment had the intended effect. Willow answered almost automatically before gaping at him.
"You're welc – OH!" Anya snickered as Willow flushed. " And to think that I….washed…*all* of you…oh Goddess."
Despite the situation, they all grinned for a moment. A framed photo on the wall caught Sirius's eye and he frowned. Giles followed the younger man's eyes to see a photo of Buffy, Willow and Xander taken sometime during Buffy's first year in Sunnydale.
"Buffy. My…Slayer."
Sirius replied quietly, "Yes…I know who she is." Before Giles could ask why Sirius still looked so puzzled, Angel appeared in the room, Spike not far behind.
Both vampires looked exhausted and more than a little battered. The tension between them quivered in the air as Spike crossed the room to put as much distance between them as he could. Angel barely registered the unfamiliar face before speaking.
" Wes, Giles – there's something controlling the demons in Sunnydale. Making them do things they wouldn't otherwise do. I think it has something to do with the Hellmouth. I – both of us – feel it crawling under our skin."
Wes looked warily at the two vampires, who up until now had been at least tolerant of each other's presence. Now, they were most definitely uncomfortable. Dismissing it as an effect of the Hellmouth, he was about to speak when Spike growled from his corner.
In a heartbeat, the blonde vampire gripped Sirius by the throat and hoisted him into the air. Seconds later, Spike had dropped him unceremoniously on the floor, both hands clutching his head.
Despite the chip-induced pain, Spike's amber eyes were fixed on the wizard. His growled question was directed at Giles. "Watcher, what the sodding hell is this *murderer* doing in this house?" Strangely, Sirius was calm, as though he'd been asked this before.
"And there you have the *other* reason why I chose to remain in dog form while in this town. I may have been cleared of charges within the wizarding world, but Fudge conveniently overlooked a certain news bulletin warning the English muggles of my 'murderer' status."
Watching their reactions, Sirius hastened to add somewhat bitterly, " You're not in danger – it was not me that committed the murders. I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time." However, it appeared that their shock wasn't aimed at him.
"*Spike* watches the news? Pinch me, Wills, just in case this is a dream."
Willow ignored Xander, staring at Spike with a frown. "When were you in England?"
Chip or no chip, the vampire looked ready to leap toward Sirius for a second round. "Around the time Captain Soul over there decided he wanted a free vacation to Hell. Took Dru there for a holiday, see the sights, sample the local cuisine. Wouldn't mind a bit of Brit blood right now."
It was clear whose blood he was after, though his comment made Wes shrink slightly in his seat.
Giles sent a warning glance in Spike's direction. "Spike, Sirius is a friend, as well as an ally. He has been sent by a person I trust unconditionally to protect Dawn."
At the mention of Dawn's name, Spike noticed for the first time that the youngest Summers was absent from the gathering. Giles realized that neither Spike nor Angel were aware of the sudden turn of events, and considering their mood, it was probably best that they were kept in the dark for now.
"Dawn is sleeping. You are staying here." The command in the Watcher's voice was glaringly obvious, and Spike obeyed, though his stance betrayed his annoyance at taking such an order. "Wesley?"
"While I don't understand the wizarding world and this….Voldemort; if he is planning to do what you say Mr Black…."
"Call me Sirius."
"Right, Sirius then. From what Angel has said, it seems Voldemort's plans are well underway. The Hellmouth is beginning to affect demons all over Sunnydale, which leaves us in a dangerous situation. I would suggest research, but I don't believe our usual sources will help. We need more information if we're going to stop him achieving his goal."
Heads nodded around the room, save for Angel and Spike who just looked confused. Wes shot an I'll-explain-later glance at Angel, and turned to Sirius.
"Sirius, is there anyone in the wizarding world who has the information we need?"
"Dumbledore." Sirius answered instantly, massaging his throat which was printed with Spike's angry finger marks.
" Dumbledore is….the principal of the wizarding school?" A nod. " Would he be able to leave his school and travel here, by any chance?"
Sirius seemed to choose his words carefully before answering. "Albus has….other commitments at Hogwarts at the moment. We also have to consider the backlash that would occur if he were to visit Sunnydale. No doubt there are Death Eaters stationed here – possibly even watching this house." All eyes moved to the windows reflexively before re-focusing on him.
"Voldemort cannot defeat Dumbledore, but he would seize the opportunity to destroy his known allies. Especially since you have something he needs. I think you have enough problems without being under a magical attack."
" Oh! We could go to England!" Willow blurted, before correcting herself. "I mean, *you* could go to England and get what we need. We could stay here….who wants to see what a magic school is like anyway?" The longing was plain in her voice.
Xander eyed his best friend. " Well, it definitely sounds like *you* wanna go. 'Course, I could be wrong. You could have an elsewhere to be. Me, I have some work-free time to kill, then there's the whole never-been-on-a-plane thing…."
Sirius raised his eyebrows in amusement. " Rupert, it's good to see that you've passed on your particular brand of subtlety to the next generation. I believe Muggles have a saying that involves some kind of sledgehammer?"
The original Scoobies gaped at this new revelation, no doubt remembering the long-winded and somewhat cryptic Giles of old.
While they were distracted, Sirius glanced again at the photo on the wall. Dared he bring Buffy's friends and Watcher to Hogwarts?
They believed their friend dead, and from what he had seen during his time in the Summers house, their grief was a scar that had only recently begun to heal. Buffy herself still had no idea who and what she was. Was it fair – to anyone – to take the chance?
A loud screech, followed by a sickening thud interrupted his musing. Sirius looked up to see a large brown shape slide down the window, a piece of parchment tied to its leg. He rose quickly to open the window, allowing the stunned owl to perch on the windowsill while he removed and opened the letter.
Turning so that only he could read the flowing script, he scanned it quickly before igniting it with his wand tip. Digging an owl treat from his robes, he offered it to the unfortunate bird which nipped his finger a little too hard before flying away.
Sirius turned to Willow and Xander. "If your parents will allow it, we will leave in half an hour." Both Americans looked at Giles for permission, a move Sirius thought slightly odd. Giles appeared puzzled by the sudden turnaround in attitude, but thankfully didn't ask questions. He simply nodded his agreement, trying hard to keep the disappointment from his face.
"Rupert, Albus would like you to come too, ban or no ban."
"But Dawn…."
Cordelia jumped in quickly. "Will be fine. We can look after her. Angel and Spike can patrol-" At this the two vampires looked disgruntled but didn't argue. Cordelia continued, " Go. Find the info, stop the bad guy. We'll do Hellmouth duty."
Willow squeezed Tara's hand before standing. "I guess I better pack." Tara rose too.
"I'll check on Dawnie."
Xander looked panicked. "Packing is probably a good idea. Half my stuff's here anyway, but I have to get…stuff. Ahn, honey, come with me?" Anya was pouting at Xander, obviously put out at having to stay behind.
Sirius sighed, having taken quite a liking to the blunt girl, but knowing that if he allowed one more person to come, he may as well invite everyone. He stayed silent as the couple left, Anya still pouting.
Cordelia looked expectantly at Giles. "Well? Aren't you leaving too?"
The ex-Watcher stood, concentrating for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he disappeared from the room with a sharp 'crack'. Sirius grinned as the Muggles blinked.
"Okay, who taught Watcher-man how to go 'poof'?" Cordelia asked.
Nobody answered, but Sirius was sure he saw Spike smirk in Angel's general direction.
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#Hogwarts#
The battle had ended, the threat to Hogwarts defeated. Yet as the stunned students looked around the Great Hall, it became clear that their victory had come at great cost.
Among the debris of splintered wood, scorch marks and spilled food, blood stained the floor crimson, dripping sluggishly from wounds to pool on whatever surface was nearest. Professors were hurrying from body to body, checking for feeble signs of life and covering the dead with the heavy drapes that normally hung from the stone walls.
Those who had made it to the staff platform uninjured huddled closely together as they sought comfort the only way they could. Many of the younger students were sobbing, the older students fighting back their own tears as they tried desperately to offer a fragile reassurance.
Even the few Slytherins that had attended dinner had united with their fellow schoolmates, an event that would have been called a miracle had the circumstances been less tragic.
In a cleared space in the middle of the Great Hall, Dumbledore was giving orders quietly to the Professors who had escaped injury.
"Minerva, Severus, you will see to it that the uninjured students are returned to their respective houses at once. Any students or staff in need of medical attention should be escorted to Poppy – Madame Sprout, if you would oblige."
Dumbledore paused, allowing the Professors time to follow his instructions. His eyes swept the room thoughtfully. "Where is Professor King?"
Snape looked scornful. "I believe King decided that her post was too stressful for her, Albus. She was last seen retreating to her office to pack."
Dumbledore lifted his hands in a gesture of helplessness. " If Anthena has decided she is best suited somewhere else, who am I to intervene?" He eyed Snape thoughtfully. "However, there remains the question of finding a suitable Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor at short notice. There will be time for that later."
Dismissing the thought, he motioned to the diminutive Charms Professor.
"Professor Flitwick, I must ask you to prepare a binding charm to apply to the portraits. It is crucial that tonight's events be kept within these walls until I can decide on a suitable course of action."
Once the Hall had emptied he turned a concerned gaze toward the five students that stood before him. Harry, Hermione and Ron were watching Draco with suspicious eyes as the Slytherin boy supported Lily, who was fighting to remain conscious.
"Mister Malfoy, if you will take Miss Asher to Madame Pomfrey immediately for treatment, then return here as promptly as you can. I wish to speak with you before you return to your house. Harry, Hermione, Ron: please proceed to the entrance to my office and wait for me there."
Harry looked at the debris littered around the Hall, and looked at Dumbledore stubbornly. "I'm not sitting in your office while there's…things to be done."
Instantly, Hermione and Ron nodded their agreement. Identifying their need to feel useful at this point – more as a distraction than anything – Dumbledore sighed.
"Very well. Draco, take Miss Asher - " For the second time in as many minutes, he was met with resistance, unconvincing though it may be.
" Not – going. Might – turned - rise. Am – fine." Lily had pushed Draco's arms away to stand unsteadily. Ignoring her, Draco snorted in disbelief.
"Bloody Hell, Asher, you're not fine. Stop being a stubborn chit and come quietly or I'll…." Lily had her wand out before he could finish the sentence.
" Not – best day – to test my reflexes. Am – staying."
Lily locked her one healthy hazel eye on Draco's icy blue orbs in defiance. Ron watched wide-eyed as they remained like that for a long moment, a silent battle raging.
"Malfoy's gone nutters, arguing with *her*. She'll kill him!" His whisper was meant only for Hermione's ears, but Lily flinched visibly before bowing her head. Ron reddened under Dumbledore's reproachful gaze, looking at the floor.
"Miss Asher."
Lily refused to raise her head. Ron's words had stunned her more effectively than a kick to her stomach. Dumbledore's voice softened even as his eyes warned the Trio to stay silent.
"Lily. You have done enough for Hogwarts tonight. Come - I will take you to Poppy myself."
Dumbledore's words seemed to drain the resistance from the petite Gryffindor, and four pairs of eyes watched in silence as Lily allowed herself to be led, limping and battered, from the Great Hall.
As the pair disappeared, Ron turned to Hermione in shock.
" Bloody Hell. Did you see the way she fought those vampires? Dunno what Dumbledore was thinking, letting someone like *that* into Hogwarts. No human can fight like that! Who knows what she'd do to someone if they pissed her off!!"
He glanced at Harry, a thought occurring to him. "Lucky you didn't get too close to her, mate – she's dangerous!"
Harry did not reply. Dropping his Firebolt on the floor, he moved away from the small group and began righting chairs at the Hufflepuff table, his back to his friends. Ron looked to Hermione for support on his theories, only to find her deep in thought. Opening his mouth, he made as though to continue his raging against Hogwarts, Dumbledore and the girl they called Lily Asher.
" You'd reckon she'd have told us – or Dumbledore at least. If there's a murderer in the school, we've got the right to -"
Draco had heard just about enough. " Weasel, you really are a wanker. Look around you – eighteen students bloody *died* tonight, and Merlin knows how many are in the hospital wing."
Ignoring Ron's indignant glare, he continued.
"Asher *saved* your sorry life when those vampires attacked, got beaten half to death for a bunch of ass-pansies when she could have been safely tucked in Gryff Central…and all you can do is fucking whine because for once someone other than you lot did the rescuing."
"But she…."
Draco's voice had turned dangerously quiet. " Has it ever occurred to you in between all that condemning you've been doing, that Asher might have been as clueless as you are? Thought you Gryffs went crackers for loyalty and such."
Behind Ron, Hermione looked horrified as the meaning of Draco's words sank in. For once, the girl appeared to be lost for words.
"Ron – Draco's right. We abandoned Lily as soon as we saw her…change. What did we do?"
The trademark Malfoy smirk returned. "Glad to see your reputation isn't entirely shot to hell, Granger."
Ron looked from Hermione to Malfoy in shock that soon turned to anger. "Ferret Boy is right? Glad to see I've got your support, Hermione. Thanks for bloody nothing." He strode to the Gryffindor table and began clearing debris with short blasts from his wand. Hermione rolled her eyes in frustration, then followed suit – at the opposite end of the Hall to Ron.
Draco was left standing in the middle of the Hall, feeling oddly empty. It seemed his main ambitions up until now had been firstly to avoid joining Voldemort's compulsive tattooing club, and second, to split up the 'Dream Team'.
Having apparently achieved his second goal, he should feel – well – satisfied. After six years of taunting and throwing the odd hex, surely a round of Filibusters Fireworks or a private dance of joy was justified.
Most likely he was just tired from the night's events. Yes. That was what the problem was. What else would it be?
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In a secret chamber buried far under Malfoy Manor, a group had gathered for a status report. Though the chamber was quite large, several Death Eaters were nervously shifting in their chairs as though the walls were closing in around them. Low murmurs echoed around the space, the inner circle of Death Eaters discussing their progress as they waited for their Lord to arrive.
With a whisper, the torches bolted to the walls flared with green light, then died suddenly, plunging the room into inky darkness. The robed figures fell silent in a mixture of anticipation and fear, their eyes searching the darkness fruitlessly for His arrival.
" Faithful followers." The hissing 's' lingered in the room as Death Eaters straightened unconsciously. The echo of the walls made it near impossible to tell where the voice was coming from – it seemed to close in around them, assaulting them from every angle.
"Torca inflammare."
Flames flickered as the torches flared to life, revealing Voldemort standing before them, impatience on his snakelike face. Murmurs of 'My Lord' rang out as heads bowed in respect. Waving a skeletal hand, the Dark Lord motioned to a particular figure trembling in a corner.
" Byrde, what is the status of events on the Hellmouth? The vampire is dead, is he not?"
Byrde, his emaciated figure shaking inside his robes, turned watery eyes to his Master in supplication. His voice shook with terror. " My Lord, vampires are nothing more than animated corpses. Indeed this one is dead, else he would not be a vampire."
Red eyes narrowed in fury. Before Byrde had a chance to react, Voldemort had shot a bolt of light toward him. "Crucio."
Above the man's screams, Voldemort spoke. " You waste my time, Byrde." Lazily, he ended the curse. " I ask you again. Is the vampire dead?"
Byrde shook his head before prostrating himself at his Master's feet. "I beg you Master, show mercy on your incompetent servant. The vampires fought, as intended, but neither struck the killing blow. They appear to be resisting the combined pull of the Hellmouth and your great and powerful magics."
"You did not think to kill him yourself?" At this, Byrde began to sob.
"Master, th-they were g-gone before I could leave my p-p-position. The t-target had disappeared into t-the n-night, and the other…" His voice trailed off as a fresh wave of pain wracked his frail body. Eyes watched in silence until Byrde went limp, unable to move but still conscious.
Voldemort was furious, his pupils narrowing to slits in blazing red eyes. Rather than shouting, he lowered his voice to a terrible half-whisper that sent shivers up the spines of the watching Death Eaters.
"Would you deny me the power I am entitled to, Byrde? Do you perhaps wish me to remain as I am now, forced to work secretly lest the Potter boy and that fool Dumbledore discover my intentions?"
"N-no, my L-lord."
" The vampire you have failed to kill protects the Key. While it walks this earth, the object containing the Key remains hidden and unattainable. The Watcher was unable to reveal the exact position and form of the object, even when subjected to the most strenuous torture. He could only scream of a vampire and a fallen Slayer working side by side to conceal the Key. The vampire is the link. The link must be severed."
Glancing to a figure on his right, Voldemort paused, his anger fading somewhat.
" Lucius, what of the Hogwarts attack?"
Malfoy Snr's cool tones filled the room as the Death Eaters breathed a sigh of relief. Their Lord was a dangerous man when faced with failure.
" I expect an owl from the commander of the vampire team shortly, my Lord. That is, provided the demon does not consume the bird I sent him – vampires do tend to be rather uncivilized, though they make most useful allies."
"Why depend on the vampire, rather than your son?"
Lucius's eyes turned icy. " My Lord, I felt it best to place Draco in the Hall at the time of the attack, thus providing an alibi. As you know, Draco is trying to discover the weapon reportedly hidden at Hogwarts. It would not do to have him locked in Slytherin House with his fellow housemates – surely Dumbledore would become suspicious."
Here he shot a piercing look to the crowd, clearly indicating his displeasure at their decision to warn their offspring.
"Draco has worked to earn the old fool's trust, and it would be foolish to sacrifice that trust. It will appear to Dumbledore that Draco has fallen from your graces, and was merely uninformed of the attack – thus paving the way for Draco to continue his investigation."
Voldemort indicated his approval. " It is a loyal man who is willing to sacrifice his son for such a cause. Lucius, you have proven yourself worthy time and time again."
Lucius bowed his head in respect. "My Lord, no sacrifice is too great to aid your rise to power."
"And the Slayer?"
" She has proven herself ready to serve you. Still she remembers nothing but what she truly is, and more importantly, which side she shall fight for. Eradicating her memory has primed her for complete obedience of your every order. Her continued conditioning has removed the annoyingly American desire to rebel."
"Excellent. Lucius, you will inform her that her task is to infiltrate the group that has caused me much irritation. You know, of course, of whom I am speaking. She has already provided me with much useful information about them. We shall see if their strong bond can stand up to the chaos that she shall cause."
Lucius nodded his agreement, and Voldemort turned his attention to the pitiful shape on the floor. "Byrde, you have failed to carry out the orders I gave you. Have I not shown that I am displeased by failure?"
"Y-yes, My Lord. I am y-your humble s-servant and willing t-to accept any p-p-punishment you f-feel is required."
Byrde flinched as Voldemort raised his wand and began to speak. "Avada-" He paused, considering.
"Until today, Byrde, you have unearthed useful information from your position in the Ministry. In light of this, I am willing to grant a reprieve." Byrde sighed. Ignoring him, Voldemort addressed the room.
" Let this be a warning to you all. Should you fail me, the consequences will be painful." Another bolt of light shot from his wand toward Byrde. His eyes fixed on the writhing man, Voldemort continued, " Byrde escaped death simply because he is more useful while alive. Others may not be. Do not place yourself in position where I am forced to decide."
Following this obvious dismissal, Death Eaters began to apparate from the room, leaving only the unfortunate Byrde, Lucius Malfoy, and the Dark Lord in the chamber. Voldemort turned to Lucius.
"Let us leave him to enjoy the consequences of failure. I wish to speak more with you about my Slayer's task."
The two disappeared with a crack as Byrde continued to scream.
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#Hogwarts#
"Harry? Are you alright?" Hermione's anxious voice cut through Harry's senses. Next to appear was her frightened face, looming over him.
It was then that Harry realized two things. One, he was lying on the dust-covered floor of the Great Hall. Dimly, he could remember sitting at the Ravenclaw table, intending to have just a few minutes rest after hours of clearing debris.
Two, he hadn't just imagined what had happened – he had been there in the darkened chamber while Voldemort tortured one of his Death Eaters for not doing his job, which was….
Harry couldn't remember at first. Something about Hell, and a mouth…and a vampire that Voldemort clearly wanted dead. So that he could get….a Key.
Why would Voldemort want a key when he could just use 'Alohomora'?
Hermione's gasp startled Harry, who hadn't realized he'd spoken out loud. In the background, Ron and Malfoy were hovering, faces curious. Harry wanted to laugh as he watched Malfoy realize he was 'having an expression' (as Lily had once said), check whether anyone had noticed, then set his features into a look of boredom.
Standing, Harry looked around for a stray piece of parchment. Spotting a fragment, he used his wand to enlarge it ('Engorgio'). Hermione, guessing what he was doing, produced a quill from somewhere in her cloak. Harry began to scribble furiously, not wanting to forget anything.
*
Death Eater called Byrde, works somewhere in Ministry. V furious because Byrde failed to…kill a vampire that protected a key. V wants key for something. Key is kept in Hell…Mouth? Looking for a weapon at Hogwarts. Voldemort ordered vampires to attack as a distraction. Slytherins knew. Malfoy (?)
Slayer is prepared, been giving Voldemort information. Task is to infiltrate group (?), memory has been wiped. American. Chaos.
*
Here Harry dropped the quill, not caring that it sprayed ink over his filthy clothes. A horrible suspicion had begun to form in his mind.
"Hermione…what's Slayer?"
Hermione appeared to flick through the giant book that was her mind before answering. " An American thrash metal band." Three sets of eyes stared blankly at her. "What? I live in a Muggle city – they're popular!"
"So, we're supposed to believe that Voldemort – pipe down, Weasel – has wiped the mind of a band that makes music by thrashing metal, and is going to use them to aid him in rising to total power?"
Hermione ignored Malfoy as she re-considered her answer. "Oh – you mean *The* Slayer. That's different. Professor King mentioned the Slayer when we were doing vampires in DADA, remember?" Obviously they didn't. Hermione sighed.
"Well, she didn't know much, so I went to the library to look it up yesterday. I had it written on a bit of parchment – maybe it's still in my cloak." Digging through the magically-enlarged pockets, she held it up in triumph.
"I only had time to look in one book before Charms. Here's what "Mystical Creatures Through the Ages' said….. The Slayer (also see Chosen One): One girl in all the world with the strength and skill to fight vampires. Guided by a Watcher (see Watcher's Council), the Slayer possesses superior strength, enhanced senses, and advanced healing power."
Harry watched as Hermione's eyes widened in comprehension. She stumbled over the last few sentences, her face paling.
"As Slayer power stems from dark origins, they are often considered highly dangerous. A supernatural killing machine, Slayers are feared by many demonic species and often will not hesitate to 'slay' anything that should get in their way."
Ron choked in horror. Hermione's voice faded to a whisper.
"Contact with The Slayer has been forbidden by the Ministry of Magic following a tragic confrontation in the late 19th century, during which two Ministry Officials were slain…."
Hermione looked at Harry in disbelief, lost for words. Beside her, Malfoy had lost his 'bored' guise in favor of 'horrified'.
"So, what does this Slayer person have to do with us?" Ron, it seemed, was the only one who hadn't yet made the connection. For a moment, nobody spoke – as though saying it out loud would make it true.
Finally, Harry spat out, "You heard what Hermione said – there's only one Slayer."
"And?"
" Enhanced healing? Abnormal strength? Voldemort talking about an American girl whose memory has been wiped?"
Ron's eyes widened as Harry continued, the betrayal smarting.
"That 'Slayer person', as you put it, is Lily. Lily is working for Voldemort, feeding him information about us. What makes us happy, what we want most. How to kill us."
Ron had turned white under the layer of vampire dust coating his face. There was silence as the Trio thought of the things they'd told Lily in the past months. Information about their families. Their deepest secrets. All of which Voldemort most likely knew by now.
"Dumbledore's gone mad, letting her in here. You-Know-Who must have done some kind of cloaking spell to hide her identity. I gotta say she's good – acting or not, I didn't suspect a bloody thing. Why didn't the Sorting Hat put her in Slytherin then, if she's a Death Eater?" Ron mused.
Draco snorted, something that was becoming a habit. " Too bad the old thing didn't. I would've liked to see Parkinson try to pick a fight with her. Pug-dog meat." He glanced up at the enchanted ceiling, which had turned the rosy pink of an approaching sunrise.
" Dumbledore's obviously forgotten about us. Probably got thrashed by the Slayer. If you lot don't mind – not that I care if you do – I'm off to bed."
Stunned, the Trio watched Malfoy stalk from the Great Hall. Harry sat down heavily, soon followed by Ron. Hermione remained standing, her face twisted in a frown.
" Ron – Harry….I don't think Dumbledore's coming back tonight. Let's go to bed. Things might be clearer after we've slept."
Although no-one believed that sleep was the answer to their problems, they had to admit that it was a more attractive option than remaining in the Great Hall, surrounded by fallen students. Harry was the first to rise, striding away without looking at his friends. Ron, apparently still angry at Hermione for siding with Malfoy, followed suit.
Hermione was left in the middle of the silent Hall, wondering when exactly things had begun to go so terribly wrong.
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A/N: Thanks to those who take the time to review. It's nice to know that there are actually some people out there reading this, and that I'm not typing like a madwoman for nothing. : )
In Chapter 17: Dumbledore drops the cryptic, Buffy awakens to find her life has been turned upside down – and the Scoobies have landed at Hogwarts.
