A/N: This may be my last update for awhile – I've got Real Life stuff to deal with: namely uni exams. Also losing my internet connection for awhile while I move house. So, apologies in advance for lack of updates. I'll be writing bits in between, and will post as soon as I can.
Please don't demand that I update in reviews and/or emails, I don't respond well to threats and all you'll achieve is to get me mad and therefore less likely to hurry things up.
This chapter dedicated to the wonderful people who take the time to review and email regularly. I won't name names for fear of forgetting somebody, but you know who you are. Mucho gracias.
*
If you can keep your head when all about you,
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
Yet make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait, and not be tired by waiting;
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise.
- Excerpt from 'If', by Rudyard Kipling.
A/N2: This is the last we'll see of Sunnydale for a little while, so enjoy it while you can….
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Chapter 17: Removing the Masks
#Casa de Summers#
"Sorry – here now!"
The front door slammed as Xander and Anya rushed into the living room, both looking slightly rumpled. Dropping his bag on the floor, Xander flushed as Spike pointedly sniffed the air, then smirked.
"Didn't think your…goodbye….would be so short, whelp."
Xander glared at the vampire. "Bite me, Bleach." He turned to Sirius, who was looking at his watch. "Did I make us miss the plane?"
The wizard looked puzzled. "Plane?" He looked to Giles for an explanation.
" A muggle invention – a metal deathtrap with propellers, minimal breathing space and inflight movies that inevitably involve a heroic dog or Chevy Chase."
The ex-Watcher found himself on the receiving end of multiple amused grins. He frowned. " You don't agree?"
Willow patted him on the shoulder reassuringly. " You do realize how, um…elderly British man that sounded, don't you?" She glanced at Sirius, who was still looking confused.
"Sirius….how *are* we getting to Hogwarts? It's just – England isn't all that close. Are we going by boat? I don't like boats…. I had a bad experience on a field trip in sixth grade; the rocking makes my stomach all unhappy. It could have been all the cotton candy, but Jesse dared me to eat three and you know I can never refuse a dare – oh! I'm babbling. Sorry. It's a nerves thing."
Sirius's answer was to hold up an empty box of soap flakes. "We're taking a Portkey, Willow."
"Huh? We're whatting a who?"
Sirius checked the clock on the mantelpiece before answering patiently. " Wizards use them to travel from one place to another quickly, if they're in a large group or aren't licensed to Apparate." Before Willow could open her mouth, Sirius added, "What Rupert did before."
The hands on the clock showed it was almost eleven. Sirius motioned for the Scoobies to say their goodbyes and get their bags.
" Promise us you'll write – or phone – if anything apocalypsy happens. We'll come back right away."
" Anya, do try not to badger the customers too much."
" First sign of funky Hellmouth awakenings, you'll get a call, trust me."
"I do *not* badger! I am simply encouraging them to give me their money and leave quickly."
" If Dawn gets any worse…."
"We'll call you immediately. She's in good hands, Willow."
Sirius cleared his throat meaningfully, pointing to the clock. One minute to eleven.
Hugs were exchanged quickly before the three departing Scoobies shouldered their bags and joined Sirius, each gripping a corner of the empty box tightly.
Silently the seconds ticked away. Thirty. Giles warned Spike wordlessly to behave. Twenty. Willow and Xander sent one last glance toward Tara and Anya.
"Love you baby. We'll be back soon."
Five…four….three….
The box began to glow faintly, the light spreading until it surrounded the four figures. Willow felt a sharp tug just below her navel, as though a hook had lodged there and was pulling her in two. A roaring filled her ears as the clock began to chime eleven, and she looked up with wide eyes to see Xander's astonished face.
There was a flash of light, and the world spun dizzily. Willow closed her eyes to ward off the sick feeling that had begun to rise. The roaring seemed to lessen suddenly, just as her feet hit solid ground.
Cautiously, Willow peered around the room they had appeared in. Cluttered with whirring silver instruments, books and a large wooden desk, it was unlike anything she'd seen before. Paintings lined the walls, which stretched upward in an arch. A tower, maybe? A flash of movement caught her eye.
" What have we here? Intruders! Sound the alarm!" The voice appeared to come from thin air. Try as she might, Willow couldn't see anyone unfamiliar in the room. All at once, several voices joined in.
" Do shut up, Phineas. Been sent to Dumbledore's office for punishment, dearie?"
Willow followed the kindly voice, her mouth dropping open when her eyes locked on a friendly-looking witch with silver curls – peering at her from what appeared to be a painting. Beside her, Xander let out a gulp of surprise, rubbing his eyes.
"Wills….that painting over there just moved."
The witch waved at them, beaming. Around her, other paintings were still arguing, oblivious to Willow and Xander's surprise.
"Nonsense, Dilys, they're far too old to be students. And Sirius is with them!"
At this, the bearded man that the witch had called Phineas sat up straight, fixing his eyes on Sirius. Willow thought dazedly that he looked rather scornful – for a painting.
"*You* brought them here? Knowing the risk you were taking? Why, just tonight there were vam…"
" That will be enough, Phineas." Willow looked at the paintings, trying to find the source of this new voice. The moving figures had all fallen silent. The witch named Dilys noticed Willow's searching eyes and discreetly nodded toward the front of the room. Xander nudged her gently.
"Willow…"
Standing at the heavy wooden desk was one of the strangest men Willow had ever seen. Clad in forest green velvet - complete with a pointed cap - his white hair and beard nearly touching the ground, his stance radiated power and control though his face was lined and somewhat tired. In contrast, his eyes twinkled merrily as they appraised first Xander, then Willow, before coming to rest on Giles.
"Rupert. It has been too long since our last meeting. Time appears to have treated you kindly these last – what has it been, twenty years this spring?"
"Twenty five, Professor Dumbledore."
"Ahh…How the years fly by. As you are no longer a student, I insist you call me Albus. These are your charges, I presume?" Giles nodded, somewhat awestruck.
The aged wizard smiled at Willow and Xander, who found themselves speechless. Willow was the first to recover.
"Sir, thank you for letting me – uh, *us* - come here. I promise we won't be any trouble….well, trouble seems to follow us around these days, but we won't break anything or turn your students into frogs, and I'll try not to cast any spells coz they sometimes go all wonky and then I have to bake lots and I don't know if wizards use normal ovens or just conjure up cookies.…" She paused, breathless.
Dumbledore chuckled, retrieving a dish full of sweets from atop his desk and offering them around. "Miss Rosenberg, I presume. Lemon drop?"
Not wanting to seem rude, Willow took one, surprised to find that as she sucked the sweet a calm swept through her body. She turned questioning eyes to the Headmaster, who apparently anticipated her question.
" They have been treated with a calming elixir – I often find them most helpful when filling out paperwork and such. There is something quite soothing about distracting yourself with a constant sucking motion, is there not?"
Willow nodded slowly. Light had begun to filter in through the tower windows, bathing the room in the icy glow of winter sunbeams. Wherever Hogwarts was – Sirius had not been specific – it was just past dawn. She fought back a yawn.
Dumbledore, who had been chatting with Giles, glanced over at her unsuccessful efforts to hide her tiredness. He rose from his high-backed chair.
" There will be ample time to catch up later, Rupert. I am especially looking forward to hearing tales of your time on the Hellmouth. For now, let me show you to your rooms. Leave your belongings, I will have them sent up shortly."
Willow, Xander and Giles followed the Headmaster down a winding staircase and through corridors. Sirius had remained in the Head's office, obviously wanting a private word with Dumbledore.
They passed the occasional group of students, all of whom looked tired and pale. A few curious stares were sent their way, but mostly the strangers were ignored as the students whispered furiously amongst themselves.
The wizard stopped in front of a large portrait of a knight dressed in full armor, wielding a nasty looking sword. The knight bowed low to the three strangers, the visor of his helmet slipping to cover his eyes.
"Sir Cadogan at your service, Headmaster." Willow thought privately that he looked slightly mad. From Xander's muffled snort, he obviously had the same idea. A furious roar came from the werewolf painting across the hall, a sound that Dumbledore ignored. Willow's thoughts strayed to Oz as she watched the wolf strain to escape the heavy chain that bound it to the portrait.
" The password to enter your rooms is currently 'Sunnydale', however you may decide later to change it to one of your own choice. Rupert, to do this you tap the back of the portrait twice with your wand, speak your new password, then tap once."
Giles nodded as the door swung open to allow the group entrance. Dumbledore led them into a large central area, decorated lavishly in red and gold. Willow gaped as she scanned the cosy room, which was complete with roaring fireplace and large plush armchairs.
Four tall doors were set into the walls, three of which, Dumbledore explained, were their private sleeping areas. The fourth was a large bathroom which sported a bath the size of a small swimming pool. Too tired to explore their new living quarters, Willow and Xander sank into chairs and listened silently to the Headmaster's various explanations.
"Breakfast will have started in the Great Hall, but if you wish to rest I will have the house elves send your meals when you require them. I have cancelled classes today to give the students a much needed rest after last night's events."
Willow noticed that Dumbledore didn't say exactly what had happened the night before, but didn't want to pry. The effects of the lemon drop lingered in her system, creating a fuzzy sleepy feeling.
Dumbledore turned to the two original Scoobies. " I will leave you to rest awhile. You are welcome to explore the grounds if you wish – you might also like to sit in on a few classes during your visit. If you feel rested enough to join us for dinner, I will formally introduce you to the school."
Checking an odd-looking pocket watch, Dumbledore turned to leave. " I can see you do not want to listen to the ramblings of an old man, and I have much to do today. If you will excuse me, I will leave you to settle in. Sirius will come by this evening to escort you to dinner."
Willow blinked, and the Headmaster had disappeared. Yawning openly, she rose from her chair and headed toward the closest door, Xander following suit. Too tired to notice anything but the bed, Willow kicked off her shoes and climbed fully clothed under the covers. Within a minute, she was asleep.
Giles (who had declined the Head's offer of a lemon drop) was left alone in the room with only his thoughts for company. He couldn't help but think back to Dumbledore's earlier interest in the Hellmouth, and wondered briefly what Buffy would think of Hogwarts were she here with them.
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Giles had no way of knowing that Buffy was far closer than he thought. The snarling werewolf portrait across the hall had once again been given the job of guarding the petite Gryffindor: even when expanded, every bed in the Hogwarts hospital wing was full.
Having seen the reaction of the students after the battle, Dumbledore had felt it best to shield the injured Slayer from prying eyes and curious whispers until she had healed enough to be told the truth.
For now, she had been dosed with copious amounts of Muggle sleeping pills (Dumbledore had a private supply in his office, much to Poppy Pomfrey's bemusement), her wounds doctored and bandaged, and she lay in the same bed she had occupied upon her arrival at Hogwarts, sleeping restlessly.
Unable to be given a potion for dreamless sleep, 'Lily's' thoughts were far away from Hogwarts.
***
I feel the sun-kissed grass crackle beneath my feet as I stretch, moving through a familiar pattern of slow, flowing exercises. It comes as naturally as breathing, and though I can recall the name (t'ai chi), I can't remember who taught me, or why.
If it was up to me, I'd stay here in this sweet-smelling meadow forever, surrounded by flowers and sunshine, feeling my muscles stretch and awaken as though from a long sleep. In the other place, living is hard, and bright, and painful.
It wasn't always like that – for awhile there, it was nice to play at being someone else.
"You know you gotta go back, B."
It's a familiar voice that echoes through the whispering grass. No matter which way I turn, or how hard I look, I can't see anyone. Right – that's enough.
" You've got ten seconds to come out before I go all hunt-y on your invisible ass."
I swear I hear a sigh. With a pop, she appears, smirking at me.
"Not one for hide-and-seek, B? You're no fun."
I want to hit her, but I also want to know what she meant. Sometime this century would be helpful – there's this tugging inside that's getting harder to ignore. I think I might have an elsewhere to be.
"That's me, Slayer of Fun." She looks different this time – a little thinner, paler.
Of course, the last time I saw her in a dream, she was playing hack-n-slash with three innocent people. Which brings me to the question….
"Why should I trust you?" I'm expecting her to come up with some kind of fancy story, or even to avoid the question altogether.
"You shouldn't. Not unless we're here, and you know for sure you're sleeping." She sees my confusion and sighs. Call me crazy, but I swear she starts to blur around the edges. I rub my eyes.
" It's not your eyes, B."
"What's wrong with you? What do you mean, I shouldn't?" Merlin, if I could just get one straight answer before....what? Before she disappears?
Her eyes refuse to meet mine for a moment. " I'm not s'posed to say. Just here as messenger girl. Y'know me, B – give clues, get gone." When she does look up, her eyes are troubled.
I want to say that I don't know her at all.
"Listen hard, B, coz I'm only gonna say this once. You gotta know your past before you can face the future. Both of 'em are about to be threatened."
There's a long pause as our eyes meet, and I realize that chocolate brown has faded to dull amber. She's disappearing before my eyes. I grip her arm, surprised to find it warm and soft, though I can feel hidden strength under the surface. She's not offering any more clues.
"That's it?" She looks at me strangely.
"Would've thought hearing your loved ones are in danger would be enough darkness for one day."
"No, I mean…that's the whole message? What is this, Zen and the Art of Slayage?"
The words are out before I have a chance to think. Slayage? What the heck is that? She grins at me, as if I've just won some great cosmic prize.
"You're asking the wrong person, B." She frowns. "Well, you're asking the only other person who'd really know, but I got my orders." I want to ask what's in it for her, coming here.
" You get your puzzle pieces. I get…" Her eyes fill with longing. "I get to be me for just a little while."
I can't help thinking that somehow, the person in front of me is not the one who held the knife, who laughed as blood dripped on the floor. The tugging at the back of my mind is getting more insistent. I don't want to go back.
"You have to. That's what you do, B. You take the hits, you bear the pain. Someone important upstairs has cast you as the hero in this tale. Those new friends of yours need you - they just haven't figured it out yet. Misdirection, you could say."
I grab her arm again, trying to keep her here for awhile longer. "Wait – I don't know who to ask. Nobody knows who I am. Not even Dumble…" I know I look startled.
With a click, a piece of the puzzle that is my identity falls into place. I've seen Dumbledore look at me many a time, as if he knew something I didn't. I wonder suddenly what he's been hiding behind those all-seeing eyes.
"Not as blonde as you look, B. Or should I say, Miss Lily Asher?"
She's no more than a shadow by now, and I still have questions even as she disappears. Something she's said is sticking in my mind. Without knowing if she's even still here, I call out, my voice echoing in the silence.
"What are you? In the tale, I mean. Seer? Cryptic advice-giver?"
Her reply is a whisper on the sweetly scented wind. " Don't you remember old times, B? I'm the villain of this piece."
She's gone, and all at once the tugging becomes painful, throbbing through my body until I have no choice but to give in and let it pull me back to the place where I am supposedly 'needed'.
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For the first time since Harry could remember, breakfast was a mostly silent affair. Save for the clinking of cutlery and goblets, the occasional shuffle of feet or hushed whisper, his fellow students seemed loathe to speak out loud, as though hearing their own voices would remind them that this was not a dream.
The black drapes that had replaced the Hogwarts-crested banners on the walls reminded Harry of another innocent life that had been taken in the never-ending war against the darkness: another time almost two years ago when Hogwarts had mourned Cedric Diggory's death. Just thinking his name made Harry's heart tighten.
The many empty places at the House tables, belonging to students injured or dead, seemed to multiply each time Harry raised his eyes from his plate. Silently, he counted off the injured in his mind.
Luna Lovegood. Seamus. Padma Patil. Hannah Abbott from Hufflepuff. Dennis Creevey. Euan Abercrombie.
Ginny.
He realized with a jolt that many of the injured had often spoken to him in the corridors – or in the case of the first years, stared at his scar before bolting like scared rabbits – and yet he hadn't bothered to learn their names.
"Harry….don't."
Startled, he looked across the table at Hermione, who was staring at him sadly. About to ask what she had meant, he thought better of it and looked down at his untouched plate. After seven years he had stopped questioning Hermione's ability to read him like an open book.
"It's *not* your fault. Don't beat yourself up for not being able to save everyone."
" Hermione - when you and Ron…" He found the words stuck painfully in his throat.
Thankfully, the sound of softly clinking metal saved him from having to finish. Looking up, he saw that Dumbledore had risen from his seat and was tapping his golden goblet for quiet. Harry thought bitterly that the Headmaster needn't have bothered – the silence was already thick enough to cut with a knife.
Dumbledore's eyes met Harry's briefly before turning to address the Hall.
"It saddens me greatly that I must stand before you today and speak of those taken before their time. Today, we mourn our friends and fellow students; we berate ourselves for not being faster, wiser, more courageous. We shoulder the blame for recent events without thought for those who truly caused this tragedy."
Harry had the uncomfortable feeling that Dumbledore was watching him closely. The Headmaster sighed, pushing his glasses higher on his nose.
"You may be asking why this happened. Why did we not predict it? Why did we not stop the merciless taking of innocent lives? Truth be told, we were taken by surprise. Perhaps we might have acted differently in the face of battle, had we recognized our enemy for what he truly is."
At this, Dumbledore looked to Professor McGonagall, who pursed her lips slightly. Whispers were beginning to circulate the Great Hall as students waited for Dumbledore to continue.
" You will forgive an old man's wish to protect his charges from the horrors that lie outside these walls. I see now that my attempt to shelter you was a grievous mistake, one which has cost you dearly. I have once more underestimated the power that is to be gained from knowledge – for it is only when we know our limitations, and in turn the nature of our enemies, that we can fight to protect the things we hold dear. You have earned the right to know the truth – and I assure you I will not lie, though you will forgive my decision to withhold minor details. "
There was complete silence as all eyes watched Dumbledore carefully – even the Slytherins, though Harry sensed most of them already knew what was to come.
" Last night, vampires were sent to attack Hogwarts. It is my belief that they were ordered to search the castle for a hidden weapon that would greatly aid our enemy's cause. Alas, I cannot give details of this supposed weapon, though I will say that it is not dangerous unless controlled by one with intent to use it for harm. I am speaking, of course, of Lord Voldemort."
Many of the students flinched at the name, but Dumbledore continued as if he hadn't noticed.
" The vampires failed in their task. It was through the actions of staff and students that they were destroyed – slain, if you prefer. They did not find what they were looking for."
Harry's attention was diverted to the Ravenclaw table, where Cho Chang's eyes had brightened suspiciously at Dumbledore's last words.
" Madame Pomfrey asked me to inform you that those who were injured are recuperating nicely, and some will be expected in classes as early as tomorrow. She requests that visitors be kept to family and close friends, as the hospital wing is regrettably full."
The Headmaster sighed, his face turning somber.
"I ask you now to raise your goblets in honour of the thirteen students who are no longer with us in body, but who will remain forever with us in spirit. As long as they are remembered, may they never be truly gone." He raised his crystal goblet.
Numb, Harry followed suit, raising his glass along with the rest of the Hall and listening as Dumbledore spoke each name in turn. When the final name had been read, students began to file from the Hall slowly, the Slytherins leading the way.
Ron stood abruptly. "I'm going to see Ginny." Hermione made as if to follow, but Ron stopped her. " Alone, Hermione."
They watched him disappear among the crowd, not looking back. Hermione was silent. Harry sighed, not in any mood to be offering comfort.
" I'm going for a walk." She didn't argue, merely nodded as they moved from the Hall.
" Harry – what did you want to tell me? Before, I mean. "
Harry couldn't meet her eyes. "It was nothing, Hermione. See you later."
He let himself disappear among the mass of students, avoiding their curious eyes as he headed toward the Quidditch pitch. Flying, he told himself, would let him forget for awhile.
The words rang false even to his own ears.
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Draco was one of the first to leave the Great Hall, pointedly ignoring Pansy's shrill voice calling him to walk with her. The last thing he wanted to do was return to the Slytherin common room to endure endless questions and gloating over the amount of damage the vampires had done to the school.
Brushing past a group of third year Hufflepuffs, he turned in the direction of the Astronomy tower. Checking the hallway for prying eyes, Draco ducked behind a tapestry that hid one of many secret passageways in the school.
The narrow passage was dark and blessedly silent, the only light a thin beam from his extended wand. As he neared the doorway at the other end, Draco extinguished the light quickly ("Nox") before stepping into the corridor. To his dismay, he wasn't alone.
Professor Dumbledore was leaning against the wall, conversing with the portrait opposite him. As Draco turned quickly, intending to go back the way he came, he felt Dumbledore's eyes on the back of his neck. The Headmaster spoke quietly.
" I'd forgotten that passage was still unblocked. How did you gain entrance – the stone statue opposite the Entrance Hall?"
There was nothing to do but answer, then hope he could escape quickly. Draco faced the Headmaster, keeping his face carefully blank.
"No sir, the tapestry of Elmrond the Eager in the Charms corridor." His eyes flicked to the werewolf portrait unconsciously, a movement that didn't escape Dumbledore's notice.
"You wish to see Miss Asher?" Something told Draco that Dumbledore had known that – that he had been waiting for Draco to appear.
"Yes sir. Only – I don't know the password." It felt odd, talking so politely to a man he'd been brought up to despise. There was something about the old wizard that made it impossible to be rude.
Once again, he turned to leave, knowing that the Headmaster was unlikely to just hand him the password.
"The password is Slayer, Draco." To Draco's surprise, the werewolf growled, then the portrait swung aside to reveal a flight of stone steps.
Dumbledore chuckled. "One would think from your expression that you were under the impression you weren't trusted. You could not be further from the truth." He motioned to the entrance. " It is best that you visit first – I doubt Lily will be wanting company after she has heard what I have to say."
Feeling uncomfortable under the Head's piercing gaze, Draco started up the stairs, almost losing his footing in his haste to get away.
Pushing through the tapestry at the top of the stairs, Draco found himself in a warm room, lit discreetly with sunshine that the heavy drapes couldn't keep out. Hovering uncertainly in the doorway, he realized that Lily was sleeping – albeit not peacefully.
The Gryffindor mystery girl was thrashing in her bed, battered face twisted painfully. His hesitation vanished in an instant as he crossed the room to touch her shoulder gently.
"Asher?"
She whimpered softly, caught in the void between dreams and reality. Draco tried again, more forcefully this time.
"Lily. You're dreaming. Wake – oof!"
Damned if she hadn't hauled off and slapped him hard in the face with her uninjured hand. Draco bit back a string of colourful curses, his cheek smarting from the blow.
"What the bloody hell did you do that for?" His anger seemed to finally rouse her from sleep. Blinking, she focused on him.
"Oh…sorry."
Draco forgot everything but the sting of his cheek. "It's okay for you to bloody apologise, you're not the one who just got smacked about!" To his surprise, she smiled wearily.
" Well, if you're gonna get technical…" She touched her face lightly, wincing as she felt the fading bruises.
The bandages covering her fractured hand had unraveled in the night, one end trailing in the bedcovers. Draco watched as she pulled them off slowly and flexed her hand, frowning. Her eyes locked on his suspiciously.
"Why are you here? Thought you'd be hiding from Big Bad Lily in your common room like a good little snake." The hurt behind the words was only a glimmer in her hazel eyes.
He doubted he'd have picked it up at all, had he not been the master of hiding what he truly thought for much of his life. Deciding to answer her sarcasm with his own special brand, he perched on the end of her bed.
"Asher, you should know by now I'm not the hiding type. Is it so unbelievable that I might want to see how you're feeling? Or do you just lash out at people regularly?" Another thought occurred to him. "And do tell me why I should be afraid of you."
She picked at the bedspread, not meeting his gaze. " Everybody else is."
Draco had a feeling she wasn't talking about the school in general, but he didn't want to be the one to bring up those three individuals just yet. He forced a snort.
"Since when have I pandered to the pathetic opinions of the rest of the prats in this school? Nobody *told* me to come play nursemaid." He had a fleeting vision of himself in a French maid's uniform, plumping her pillows, and changed the subject quickly.
"Now, are you intending to continue dodging my question, or are you going to tell me how you feel?"
"Like I took on a whole bunch of evil undead and got beaten to a pulp. Imagine that." She didn't manage to hide her face quickly enough, giving Draco a clear glimpse of her sorrow and frustration . He leaned toward her, all pretence of sarcasm gone.
"If it helps, I think you were bloody brilliant. The rest of 'em will come around soon enough, maybe even be grateful that you saved their sorry hides."
Lily stared at him for a long time before she spoke.
"You really didn't know, did you?"
"Come again?"
"About the vampires. The other Slytherins got the heads-up – ordered room service, had a pajama party, whatever. But you had no idea what was coming."
Draco had to force himself to answer. The betrayal – though not entirely uncharacteristic of his father – still smarted more than he'd like to admit.
" Do you think I would have been there if I'd known?"
Lily tilted her head thoughtfully, and he found he didn't want to hear her answer.
He didn't want to hear her condemn him for something he would have done without question mere days ago.
"Would you have had a choice?"
Not for the first time, he was startled by her intelligence. The eyes that stared back at him seemed far too wise to belong in her young face.
" No." As he spoke, he contemplated the stupidity of his words. " How could I explain leaving my house to fight against the people I'm supposedly supporting? I didn't get told shit. They weren't expecting me to fight. *That* was my choice."
His answer echoed in the silence that had descended. Draco finished the sentence in his head.
^He left me there to die.^
Lily sighed, shifting against her pillows. "Look at us, the pity party." Her eyes drifted to the tapestry-door. "Guess Dumbledore's waiting for me to wake up so he can ship me out."
Draco came back to reality with a jolt.
"That's crap, Asher."
"Is it, *Malfoy*? The whole school thinks I'm some kind of dangerous creature. Even the staff couldn't look me in the eye after…."
Draco cut her off, raising his eyebrows in disbelief. "What kind of soddin' reason is that? Dumbledore might be a few Knuts short of a Galleon, granted, but he's not deranged. If anyone knows who you were once upon a time, it'll be Dum – hey!"
Lily had tossed the covers aside and eased herself out of bed before Draco had a chance to finish. Leaning heavily on her good leg, she began to hobble toward the door as Draco sat open-mouthed. He came to his senses as he watched her struggle with the tapestry while trying to keep weight off her injured knee.
"Asher! What the bloody hell are you doing?" She turned, her face set in determination. He had a suspicion he already knew where she was going, but he wanted it confirmed.
"Getting answers."
Obviously, reasoning with her to stay in bed was no good. Draco sighed and moved to help her. Lily stared at him. He pulled the tapestry aside and looked pointedly at the steep stairs.
"You've got talents, Asher, but I doubt flying is one of them. Are you intending to crawl down the stairs?"
The flight was barely wide enough for one person, let alone two. Sizing Lily up, Draco made a quick decision and lifted her in his arms, starting down the stairs as fast as he could. He ignored her struggling.
"Asher, if you slap me again I'll drop you on your diminutive arse and let you roll down. Quit squirming already."
Setting her down at the bottom of the stairs, he watched as she pushed the portrait open and stepped into the corridor. Draco stayed in the dark space, listening as Lily's voice echoed through the crack in the portrait door.
After all, there was no need to announce his presence to the Headmaster just yet. Just because he'd recently had a slight change of heart didn't mean he was about to call attention to the fact that it had been *his* words that sparked this particular confrontation.
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Giles awoke with a start at the sound of voices in the outside corridor.
Despite his attempts to stay awake, he found he had dozed off in the living area of their rooms. His head rested uncomfortably on a musty-smelling text, the ink of which had blurred slightly from the heat of his face.
Willow and Xander were apparently still sound asleep, both doors remaining closed even as one of the voices rose to fever pitch. Searching for his glasses, Giles blinked in the pale sunlight pouring into the room, absentmindedly wondering who was shouting, and why they had to do it right outside his door.
He listened closely to the muffled words, curiosity overcoming his need for sleep. The words became clear as he moved toward the door, pushing the portrait open a crack.
" I assure you, had I been able to tell you, I would have done so without hesitation. I thought it best to allow you to find your feet before I burdened you with the knowledge of who you are – and where you came from. Forgive me for thinking you fragile when you first arrived – I did not wish to add to your troubles."
Giles recognized the voice as Dumbledore's, speaking in his usual calm manner. His placating words continued after a pause.
" At the time, I believed it to be best. Tell me, could you have formed the bonds that you have, knowing that you were forced to lie?"
There was silence for a moment, then – " Guess we'll never know, huh? I freaked everyone out with my Xena impersonation last night. I'd say the 'bonds' – and I use sarcastic quote marks – are pretty much a non-issue."
Giles found he couldn't breathe. The voice that had answered Dumbledore was quiet and achingly familiar. His heart seemed to stop at the sound of the distinctive inflections and speech pattern, slightly altered by a hint of an English accent.
The argument continued as memories rushed into his mind with a vengeance, drowning out everything but that voice, echoing in his mind. Forgetting everything around him, Giles pushed through the back of the portrait forcefully, sending the knight slamming against the wall.
"I say, that's no way to treat a - "
Giles ignored Sir Cadogan's outraged protests as he stood stunned at the scene before him. Neither figure had turned at his entrance, though he was certain Dumbledore knew he was there.
His suspicion was confirmed instantly as the Headmaster looked at him with unreadable eyes.
"Rupert."
He seemed to sense that whatever else he said, Giles would not hear. Giles was staring at Buffy, who felt the eyes on her back and turned slowly, her face curious.
His Slayer – his Buffy – was alive, standing in front of him, breathing and whole. Giles felt his knees give out at the sight of her. Despite himself, he staggered forward, wanting to touch her, to confirm that he wasn't going insane.
She was there in an instant, her deceptively strong hands gripping his arm and keeping him upright. Unable to shift his gaze for fear she might vanish, Giles continued to stare.
"B-Buffy? Y-you're here – you're alive….H-how?"
Overcome with emotion, he pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. He felt her muscles coil in his embrace, and an instant later she pushed him away gently, confusion plain on her face. Giles felt his heart sink as she looked to Dumbledore uncertainly, limping backwards toward the Headmaster.
It was only then that he noticed the difference in her appearance. Instead of the weariness he had seen so often since her mother's death, her face was undeniably younger; less pinched and no longer permanently set in the make-the-world-go-away expression he had come to accept – though regretfully – over the last year.
Buffy looked exactly as she had in high school – before she had been forced to run a sword through Angel's heart to save the world.
"Giles? What's going on? I heard shouti…."
Xander, apparently awakened by the noise, had come to investigate. His voice trailed off as he caught sight of Buffy standing apprehensively beside the Headmaster. Her eyes were darting skittishly from Giles to the new face.
Before Giles could warn him, Xander had rushed forward and thrown his arms around Buffy. This time, she wasn't quite so gentle, pushing him away with near full Slayer strength. Xander landed ungracefully on his rear on the hard floor, more than a little surprised.
"Xander? Did you find him?" Willow peered at the group from the doorway, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Her sudden rush toward Buffy was stopped by Dumbledore, who stepped forward and held up a hand. Willow halted abruptly, her eyes bright with tears.
"Giles? What….Buffy….is here? Am I dreaming – coz I have dreams like this all the time but never…." Dumbledore cut her off mid-babble.
" I suggest we move to more comfortable quarters before we continue this discussion. I for one could use a cup of tea and perhaps you would like some breakfast?"
He looked behind him at the snarling werewolf. "Mister Malfoy, perhaps you could go to the kitchens and ask the house-elves to send up some refreshments?"
A boy with white-blonde hair stepped from behind the portrait, blue eyes wide. Obviously a student, his robes bore the Slytherin emblem. He moved to stand beside Buffy, silently offering his support.
Willow forgot her shock and began to babble, pointing at Draco. " Does Spike know he has a mini-him at Hogwarts? Giles, I thought vampires couldn't have children…"
Draco looked insulted. " Hey! I'm not a vampire." He looked as though he was about to continue, but he was cut off by a soft voice.
"Drake. Just – don't, okay? I'm sure um…" Buffy looked at the strangers, uncertain.
"Willow." The redhead supplied automatically, looking confused at this new turn of events. Buffy didn't know her name?
Buffy flashed her a tentative smile before continuing. "I'm sure Willow didn't mean what she said. She's just…confused. C'mon – I'll come to the kitchens with you."
Her eyes were begging him to go quietly – to give her an excuse to escape the corridor and the strangers who knew her name. The unlikely pair disappeared quickly, Draco supporting Buffy as she limped away silently.
Four pairs of eyes watched them until they had vanished from sight. Giles looked to Dumbledore, who sighed before meeting his eyes.
"It would appear I have some explaining to do."
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A/N: I just broke my record with this 27 page marathon chapter. I'm really quite tired. : )
Next chapter: Dumbledore gives some much needed explanations, Buffy faces the school (and three individuals in particular), Sirius has a little man-to-man chat with Harry….and our amnesiac Slayer regains her memory – though not in the way you're thinking.
Please review!!
