Worlds Wrought & Ruined
Chapter 2
Spoilers: Buffy Season 7; Angel Season 4; Harry Potter, Books 1 thru 5
Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all associated characters, settings, etc., belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, etc. Harry Potter and all associated characters, setting, props, etc., belong to J.K. Rowling, Scholastic Inc., etc. No copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: The nicknames of Angel's Crew are at the end of Chapter 1. FYI.
Thanks to my brilliant Beta Lady Lestrange. Without her, I would never have had the courage to write this story, let alone post it.
More thanks to my fellows at The_Seers_Truth group for reading my story and giving it a chance, even though it isn't strictly Harry Potter.
And Silverfox1, Trillium, Reiven, Radia, miz, & Lady Lestrange - thanks for all reviewing - it is definitely sisshauss.
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Chapter 2
Collisions of Culture
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Time: ~15:45 GMT
Location: Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Scotland UK
~@~@~@~
"Auror Tonks. A pleasure to see you."
"I wish I could say the same Headmaster."
"Well, that doesn't sound very encouraging. How can I be of service?"
"We have-a situation. There has been a-request made to the Ministry for your audience."
"Really? And causing an upheaval at the Ministry-this requestor must be very interesting." He chuckled. "So, who is it that is requesting my presence and causing such a commotion?"
"Ah," Tonks coughed nervously, "the President of Gringotts."
Albus raised his eyebrows with a smile on his face. "Really? I did not know that Gringotts routinely made requests of the Ministry of Magic to talk to headmasters of schools that teach non-goblins?"
Tonks glared at him and snapped, "You rightly know that they do not-that is the reason for the situation at the Ministry-the Minister is beside himself."
Albus began chuckling despite the glare from the Auror. "I am sorry Nymphadora-I was only imagining Cornelius's face when he saw the name on the request-excuse my attempt at humor. Please, sit. Tea?"
"No thank you," Tonks said as she took a seat on the edge of one of the chairs.
"Well, why does the President of Gringotts wish to meet with me?"
Tonks groaned, "If only it were that simple." Dumbledore simply raised an eyebrow in question as he made himself a cup of tea. "See, that is where things get-worse. The President of Gringotts isn't the one that wants to meet with you. They contacted the Ministry on behalf of a client of theirs."
"Must be a very important client," Albus mused.
"Probably-I don't know," Tonks said irritably and shifted in her seat. "So it is their client-a soliciting firm-that wishes to speak with you."
"And what type of solicitors do business with Goblins but cannot contact the Ministry themselves?"
"The kind with its office in California."
"And they did not go through the American MoM?" Albus asked quizzically as he sat behind his desk.
"No-they, ah, are not a wizarding firm-they are-oh, what did they call themselves-ah, yes, a Supernatural Law firm."
Albus chuckled. "Even more intriguing. Why are these 'Supernatural Solicitors' interested in me?"
Tonks made solid eye contact with the Headmaster, conveying the seriousness of the issue, and said solemnly, "Their Seer had a vision this morning of Hogwarts."
Albus sobered immediately. "Oh dear. I take it the vision was not a good one."
Tonks shook her head negative and snorted slightly, "No, the vision was decidedly not a good one." The Auror stood and started riffling through her robes. "Here is the parchment the Goblins hand delivered to the Ministry," she said as she pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to the Headmaster. Then she fell back into her chair and put her head in her hands.
In neat ink strokes made by a quill, the message began:
**URGENT**
Seer, Wolfram & Hart, 02:17 PST September 20-Vision: Danger at Hogwarts Imminent-foreseen death. Request an immediate audience with Headmaster for permission to enter the school grounds in order to neutralize threat. Specifics withheld until meeting with Headmaster.
~ Gringotts on behalf of Wolfram & Hart
Added to this in a semi-legible scrawl with violent ink strokes, written with a red ink pen:
Do NOT attempt to handle this threat without our assistance as it will only end in the Death and/or Dismemberment of All Aurors involved. Pieces of their bodies will be scattered from the front gates of Hogwarts to the Forbidden Forest. The details will be released to ONLY the Headmaster of Hogwarts and No-One-Else, no matter how self-important the git thinks he is!!!
Then under that, in neat handwriting and black ink:
Excuse our Seer, he is-ah-still upset by our most recent visitor. Please do not send anyone else without also bringing the headmaster of the magic school.
~ CEO, Wolfram & Hart
c/o Gringotts
"Oh dear, quite the missive," Dumbledore said. Tonks simply nodded, repressing a scowl. Albus smiled at her obvious anger and continued, "Don't take it personally; it sounds like they only have the Aurors' best interests in mind."
Tonks jumped up from her seat, knocking it backwards and began to angrily rant, "What right do they have-they aren't even wizards-how do they know we can't handle the threat?! We apprehend Dark Wizards-urgh! Are we now taking orders from Muggles!?"
"My dear Auror, if the Seer is a Muggle, how does he know the vision is at Hogwarts?"
"Oh," she mouthed softly and went to sit back down, only to find the chair knocked on its back. As she set the chair right she continued somewhat meekly, "Not a Muggle then?"
"I don't know." Dumbledore looked back down at the message and then back up at Tonks, who had set the chair on her robes. He asked, "Am I right to assume this is not the original version of this message?"
"No, it isn't," she said petulantly, pulling at her robes and managed to pull out enough so that she could sit down.
"Who was it that upset the Seer?"
She looked at the ground, pulling at her robes absently, then smoothing them and mumbled something incomprehensible.
"Pardon?"
She cleared her throat and said, still looking at her feet, "The Minister."
Albus chuckled and Tonks looked up, scowling, "It is not funny-he embarrassed the entire Ministry with his behavior."
Albus attempted to keep his mirth to himself. "Ah, why did Cornelius feel the need to visit California?"
Tonks answered hesitantly, "He-ah-wanted to take care of it himself because-I believe-he said he didn't want to bother you. The minister was ready to send any number of Aurors over here to take care of the problem, but-uh-"
"I understand," said Dumbledore. "First he had to find out exactly what the problem is and the Seer is the one with the details. It was not a bad idea; I do think that he was truly trying to not disturb me. How did he get to the Seer?"
"The Goblins set up a portkey to the solicitor's firm. The Minister was-uh-not very happy when he got back."
"By the tone of the note, neither was the Seer."
Tonks chuckled a little at that, "Yes, the note is quite venomous. The Minister-he came storming into our department, muttering about the Seer and how rude he was and," Tonks cleared her throat and lowered her voice, imitating the Minister, "'How dare a low-life like him treat me like that.' Then he threw up his hands and said that the Headmaster could take care of this anyway he sees fit."
She shrugged her shoulders and began to fiddle with her wand absently instead of her robes, "He threw the note at Shacklebolt and-ah-for lack of a better word-stomped out, still complaining about the Seer and what kind of a name is 'Spike.' Then Shacklebolt sent me here to talk to you."
Albus stood, walking over to the window that was letting in the waning sunlight and looked at the note again. Without looking up, he asked absently, "Are you sure Cornelius said that the Seer's name was Spike?"
"Yes Headmaster, very sure, that was one of his points of irritation that he was loudest about." She stopped fiddling with her wand for a moment and gave Dumbledore a curious look. "Why?"
Albus lifted his head and smiled at her, responding, "Just something Mr. Potter mentioned this morning." He walked back to his desk, pocketing the note. "Well, we had better go see what this Seer saw. Are you to accompany me?"
Tonks stood, dropping her wand and, red faced, bent down to retrieve her wand while responding, "Yes, I have to fire-call Auror Shacklebolt first-"
"Go ahead and use my fire. I will go tell Minerva that I have been called away," and he walked to the door, stopping just inside and turned back to Tonks. "Nymphadora, is the time difference between here and California about 9 hours?"
Tonks now had her wand and was trying to retain possession of it as she attempted to remove the last of her robes from underneath the chair while simultaneously blowing her black hair out of her eyes. She answered, after thinking for a moment, "Eight sir."
"Ah, of course. I will be back soon and please tell Kingsley hello for me."
She swiped the hair from her face and nodded, "Of course Headmaster."
As Dumbledore walked out the door, he chided her, "Albus, please call me Albus."
"Yes Headmaster."
His light laughter echoed through the spiral staircase.
~@~@~
Time: ~16:00 GMT
"Are you sure about this Professor?"
"Of course. Why shouldn't I be?"
"Because we are using an unknown portkey-"
"That was spelled by the Goblins."
"-to who-knows-where-"
"It took Cornelius to the Seer."
"-to talk to people we don't know, people who are not members of the wizarding community, but work at a Supernatural firm. It could be a trap-"
"Nymphadora, you know it isn't-the President of Gringotts has vouched for this firm and specifically for this Seer."
"And if the vision isn't true-?"
"Then all we have lost is a little time, but what happens if the true and we ignore it?"
"People could die," Tonks said softly.
"Yes. But I do want you to keep being skeptical and suspicious when we get there-just not about me."
She laughed and said, "You mean that I should act like a good, paranoid Auror just like Moody taught me to be?"
"Exactly my dear, exactly. What is the word to activate the portkey?"
"The Destroyer."
"Interesting key-words." He cleared his voice and tapped the portkey with his wand will intoning, "The Destroyer."
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Time: ~8:00 PST (GMT-8)
Location: Angel's Office: Executive Meeting Room, Wolfram & Hart
Los Angeles, CA USA
"Holy hell in a hand basket!! Can you people not," emphasized by a stomp of a foot, "do that-give some warning or something. Appearing out of thin air-some of us are delicate and scare easily."
At the last comment, there were snorts of amusement from most of the room, but Tonks and Dumbledore vaguely heard it. The visiting wizards were still disoriented-going halfway around the world by portkey was never pleasant.
"Lorne, you aren't required to be here," a black man in an impeccable suit said to the previous speaker.
"I know, I know, sugar cakes. I just want to know what our Blue-Eyed-Beauty saw last night," the first speaker replied, a man that was-green? Albus immediately removed his glasses and cleaned them. He inwardly groaned when he replaced his glasses and the man was still green and had-horns? Oh Merlin.
"Be glad you weren't woken up in the dead of night," the black man said.
"Hey, you are the one wanting to be notified for Alpha-one visions," a small girl with glasses, hair messily collected on the top of her head, chastised the black man.
"Well I need to be-"
"So stop yer bitchin' Gunn and shut yer trap. I still have a migraine and I did not ask for these bleedin' visions. You have a choice. I don't," growled a voice from the far end of the table where there were two figures: one sitting, head bent down toward the table, the other standing behind him, arms crossed over his chest. The standing figure was glaring at the black man who the seated man, evidently the Seer, had told to be quiet.
"Ah, so you are the Seer."
Growling, "Unfortunately." After some mumbling, he continued without looking up, his light brown hair hanging down to cover his face, "And you are our latest visitors. If one of you isn't the Headmaster of 'ogwarts, 'm gonna let the Destroyer here use you for target practice. He's getting rusty-" The boy standing behind the Seer hit the Seer's chair and the Seer chuckled, "See-he was aimin' for my 'ead and 'e hit my chair."
The boy went from scowling to laughing, "Wrong Uncle, I just didn't want to add to your head pain."
The Seer tilted his head to the side, the light glinting off of his eye-glasses, and said quietly, "Thanks kid."
The black man in an immaculate suit walked up to them and offered his hand, "Charles Gunn, sorry for not greeting you immediately." He rolled his eyes in the direction of the Seer and the boy, "Sometimes I feel like I work with the Mad Hatter and his sidekick, the March Hare. I sincerely hope one of you is the Headmaster, for all our sakes."
Albus took his hand and gave a firm handshake while smiling, "Fortunate for us then. I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Motioning to Tonks, he introduced her, "Auror Tonks of the Ministry of Magic." Tonks also shook his hand.
"Thank you for coming. Please call me Gunn. Good," he sighed, visibly relieved. "Spike, as you pointed out, is our Seer and his mood has just gotten worse as the day has progressed and then that man, Fudge-"
"Our Minister of Magic, yes-" But the Seer cut the Headmaster off, shouting angrily in their general direction.
"Don' you bloody talk about tha' wanker! He's god damned lucky I couldn' reach him-low-life Muggle-" he clenched his hands into fists, knuckles turning white, the pencil in his left hand snapping. The boy put a hand on the Seer's back, the other hand on top of the Seer's right hand and bent his head to talk to angry man.
Gunn cleared his throat and continued, "I apologize for Spike; he is-uh-today had not been a good day. I'm the Head Council here at Wolfram & Hart. Please, have a seat if it makes you more comfortable. We are waiting for the CEO of the firm and the Head of Supernatural Activity before we proceed." He sighed and, shaking his head exasperatedly, said, "Since I have no idea when they are planning on coming back, I will go retrieve them. Please excuse me." He walked out of the room.
The woman that had been talking with the green-person and Gunn earlier, stood up and walked over to them and extended her hand, babbling quickly, "Hi, so glad that you could come. It is nice to meet you both. My name is Fred, Winifred Burkle, and I am the Head of Technology Research and Development, which includes New Weapon Development, very New Age Technology stuff." Albus took the exited woman's hand as she continued talking, "Titanium, composites, and our computers-"
Then, just as quickly as she was speaking, she extended her hand to Tonks and witched topics, "So you're an Auror. There were some here earlier, but after Spike got so agitated, he and Angel kicked them out. Spike doesn't usually get riled so easily, I don't know what is with him today. So you are a policeman-errr-policewoman for magic people. I bet you see all kinds of mean people, just like we do, except some of them are our clients and you probably arrest all the ones you meet. Do you use a gun?"
Tonks, after shaking Fred's hand, was trying to keep up with what she was saying. When Fred had stopped and looked at her expectantly, she realized that the hyper woman had asked her a question. She blinked and replied, "A gun? Why would I have a gun?"
It was Fred's turn to blink at them. "Why wouldn't you have a gun? All of our police use guns. I guess magical police don't use guns then."
Albus answered for the confounded Auror, "My dear, in our country, our law enforcement does not carry firearms."
"Really?" She blinked and then asked, perplexed, "Why?"
"Because, kitten, not all countries let citizens own firearms." The green person had walked up behind Fred and joined the conversation. "Actually, it is illegal to possess, own, or discharge firearms in most countries. The United Kingdom is one of them."
"Oh. Wow. I've never really thought about people not owning guns. Where I'm from, Texas, everyone has guns. My family had quite a few and I even had one before I came to LA for college. You really can't own guns-of any kind?"
Tonks answered, "No. Not in the Muggle or Magical part of our country."
"Muggle-what does that mean? That mean little Fudge fellow called Spike that, like he was telling Spike that he was sub-human or worthless. I think that was when Spike tried to kill him."
"It was," the green person affirmed, turning to look at the two at the far end of the room. The boy had sat down next to the Seer and they seemed to be talking while they wrote on parchment with another writing utensil. The Seer seemed calmer, but his back was still somewhat tense. Then he laid his head on the table. He had said he had a migraine; the outburst must have made his head hurt more. Albus tuned back into the conversation as Tonks explained to Fred what Muggle meant.
"Muggle is what witches and wizards call non-magical people. It is not meant as an insult, but some people, who think that being a wizard makes them better and more important than Muggles, will use it as an insult."
"By the way the Seer reacted to being called that, it makes me think that he is a wizard."
Fred and her companion exchanged glances and just started laughing.
"Spike-a wizard?" Fred got out before she started laughing again and then shook his head negatively. "Any magic we do, Spike stays as far away as he can and absolutely refuses to participate unless it is absolutely necessary."
"Even then, Angel-cakes has to force him to help," the green man said.
"Magic?" Tonks asked. "You perform magic-I thought you weren't witches or wizards."
"We aren't, but we do magic sometimes," the hyper girl affirmed. "Wesley does most of it-maybe he is a wizard."
"He isn't," the Seer said quietly.
"How do you know?" Albus asked, just as quietly.
"Cuz he doesn' have a wand and doesn' use one to do his magic. But the main reason is cuz he's a Watcher."
"But he's not a Watcher anymore-"
"But 'e was-that is the point, Lorne-by the way, the green bloke's name is Lorne since 'e didn' introduce 'imself."
"Oh dear, my manners, I am so sorry. Like dear William said, my name is Lorne."
Immediately, there was a snarl in the background from the Seer, "Lorne, don't call me that!"
The green fellow ignored the Seer and took Albus's hand and shook it. Then his eyes went wide and he became excited. "Would you want to sing for me-your aura is simply amazing and I am only shaking your hand-oh, sorry." He dropped the hand and then shook Tonks hand, his smile even bigger. "You too sugar. Wow."
"Sing?"
"I'm an allegoric demon and-"
"Demon!" Tonks took out her wand and pointed it at Lorne.
A flash of movement and Tonks' wand was no longer in her hand and the boy who had been with the Seer was now standing in front of Fred and Lorne. His arms were crossed, Tonks' wand in one hand.
The boy seemed to snarl at Tonks, "The Host did nothing to you, isn't even armed, and you attacked him-why?"
"I didn't actually attack him-"
"You would have if I hadn't taken your weapon. Why?" He spread his feet out wider and slipped Tonks' wand to-somewhere-on his person.
"He's a demon," Tonks said weakly.
"And-?" the boy waited but the Auror didn't add anything and that seemed to make him angrier. "That's it!! You attack him simply because he tells you he's a demon!" Again, when Tonks said nothing else, he became more enraged.
The boy turned and stalked to the back of the room, ignoring a plaintive cry from the policewoman about her wand, standing behind the Seer and crossed his arms across his chest. He scowled darkly at the two new arrivals but spoke to the Seer, "This-is-stupid! I don't care anymore-let Drusilla kill as many of them as she wants! They obviously don't want to be helped-they wanted to take an army of people-like this woman-to kill her. Fine. Let them do it."
"We can't kid."
"Why not Uncle? That short man insulted you badly-if you had told me what he meant when he said it, I would have killed him for you. No one has the right to call you those things, especially when you are trying to help them. And this one-Lorne simply says he is a demon and she pulls out her stick-or is it a really skinny stake?"
The Seer laughed, "It's a wand, Con, and you are right, she shouldn't have done that. But sometimes people are close-minded about things. I seem to remember hearing stories about a certain Destroyer doing things very similar."
"Whose been telling such lies?" the boy said, face serious.
"Yer Dad, that's who."
The boy smiled at that, "Well, then they probably are true. But still, I tried to kill Lorne or anything else non-human the second I saw them. She didn't try until he said he was a demon." He looked up and directed the next comment to the newcomers, "Did you not notice his horns or his green skin?"
The Seer added, lifting an eyebrow, "Or his suits?" They laughed lightly at that.
"My suits are nice," Lorne said petulantly, smoothing his suit coat.
"Only a demon would dream of trying to pull off an outfit like that-don't get me wrong-you pull it off wonderfully Lorne-but could you see a human walking around in a suit like that?" Fred said, patting his arm.
"No," Lorne chuckled, "I suppose not. So, what is wrong Miss
Tonks?"
"You're a-you're a demon!"
Lorne nodded his head slowly, "A peaceful one, yes. I am a pacifist; I abhor violence. A good mixed drink and some good music and I am happy. Now Connor is a different story."
"Connor?" Tonks asked, very confused. Lorne walked over to the bar in the meeting room and quietly mixed a drink as he spoke to Tonks over his shoulder.
"The kid who took your-what did you call it Blue-Eyes-ah, yes, your wand."
"Oh-him," Tonks said dully. "Didn't the Seer call him Destroyer or something like that?"
"Yes, Spike did. Destroyer is a-nickname-you could say. His given name is Connor Angel."
"A pansy name if I ever heard one," the Seer muttered.
"Like William is any better," the boy shot back. At that, the Seer swatted at Connor the best he could without picking up his head.
"'S the name my mum gave me, so don' say anythin'. I'm just saying yer Dad gave you a pansy name because 'e's a pansy 'imself."
The boy thought for a moment and then nodded with a small smile, "Okay."
"Where's Peaches anyway?"
"With Wesley. Gunn went to get them both," the boy answered the Seer.
"Wake me when they get here."
"Will do Uncle," he affirmed and then walked over to the group and looked at all of them, motioning them to the other end of the table, as far from the Seer as they could get. Then he walked to that end of the table, tapping the green demon on the shoulder as he walked by, and sat down. When the other four people had sat, he hissed at them, "We are going to talk about-this-and we are going to do it quietly. Spike is miserable and you will not make it worse. Got it?"
They all nodded. "Good." He turned to look directly at Tonks and spoke, "So you only have a problem with Lorne because he is a demon-right?" She nodded. "Then we have a serious problem." He sat back, scowling and crossed his arms.
"Why do we have a serious problem, my boy?" The boy didn't answer Albus, just scowled more and then turned away to look toward the other end of the table. "Connor?"
Connor remained silent and, instead, Fred responded to the Headmaster, "Oh, he won't answer you now. He hates anyone calling him 'boy'-well, except for Spike. I know you didn't mean anything by it. It is just the way Connor is. I can answer your question though. I don't know about in your world, but in ours, demon doesn't always automatically mean enemy or dangerous. This Law Firm is supernatural, meaning we specialize in clients that are non-human." She smiled meekly, "Right now, in this building, demons and other types of supernatural creatures outnumber the humans-what, 2-to-1?"
"More like 3-to-1," Lorne amended. Then he added, "And they are mostly a whole heck of a lot stronger than you."
"Do you have to have your stick-er," Fred started to ask, but paused, looking at Tonks for the correct word.
"Wand," the Auror corrected.
"Right-Wand for your magic?"
"Yes," Albus answered. Tonks simply nodded miserably; after all she didn't have hers anymore. Albus had a good idea where this conversation was heading and thought maybe he should join in.
Albus continued Fred's train of thought, "And that makes us very vulnerable to anyone that can take our wands. By young Connor's display, we could be in a great amount of trouble if faced with someone that moves like him at close range. And I fear that the threat to the school moves just as fast, or faster, than Connor."
"Very good-you are exactly right," Connor said without turning to look at them. "And if you don't accept the help of some demons, that threat will remain just that," he paused and turned to them, looking straight into Albus's eyes, "A threat. One that will kill. So think about that while we wait for my Father to get back."
The Destroyer stood and, looking down at them, said disdainfully, "If it was left up to me, I would let your superior magical selves go back to your school with your wands and your magic and deal with the threat by yourselves. You are lucky it is not up to me-I would leave you to die. Evidently Uncle is more kind and forgiving than me and, the funny thing is, I'm more fully human than he is." Then he smiled, the bone chilling smile of a cold-blooded killer, and walked back to his Uncle.
Fred smiled and apologized for Connor's behavior, but Albus did notice one thing: she never corrected a thing the boy said or even said that he had been exaggerating. She merely apologized for the brisk, angry manner he had said it. Then she mentioned something about 'checking on the boys' and, after excusing herself, walked out of the office.
The green demon, Lorne, simply sat singing softly next to them, drinking something colorful he had brought from the bar. He seemed the least perturbed by the whole thing. Funny, since Nymphadora had pulled her wand on him, and now he was sitting next to her, calm as can be. Albus got the disturbing impression that this sort of thing, fights and demons, happened here all the time.
That young boy's smile also disturbed him a great deal more than he had let on. The smile reminded Albus of another angry young boy. Tom, however, had been a great deal older before he had gotten that cold look. Thinking back to the conversation earlier, he had the impression that when the boy had said he would have killed Cornelius for the Seer, he had meant it literally. More fully human? Who were these people? And if they were offering the help, what was the threat?
Albus turned his head toward the doorway as his thoughts were interrupted by voices he heard echoing in the hallway to the room.
"The vampire attacks keep increasing, both in frequency and size, all over the world. We thought it was getting bad here-Europe is a minefield. The strange thing is, when we brought all of the European activity into the picture, we are starting to see a bizarre pattern," said a man with an educated, proper British accent.
"The attacks are not random?" The second was also male, but American.
"No, they are actually very specific and, God help us, they seem to be-organizing-for lack of a better word. The only good news is that they are only organizing in Europe," the first man said and then added after a pause, "For now."
"Keep on top of it-see if we can anticipate the next attack. Don't give me that look Wes, just start on it. Hopefully we'll be back before we run into any of the activity over there," the second voice said tiredly.
Then laughter of a man. "With your luck man-you are going to land right in the middle of that mess Wesley is recording and analyzing," the solicitor named Gunn was saying as he came walking into the room.
Two men followed him, one wearing glasses with an academic air about him, probably the first man, the other dressed in black, very solid looking with hair that seemed to stand straight on end, and carrying a black duffel bag, evidently the second man. Gunn was also carrying a black duffel bag which he dropped near the far end of the table, near the Seer. Winifred followed them in after a moment, with a third black duffel bag that seemed to longer and skinnier than the other two. She also placed the bag at the far end of the table.
Lorne shot out of his seat when he saw the man in black walk in and walked over to him. "Angel-cakes, so good to see you. How are you today?"
The man looked suspiciously at the green demon and asked guardedly, "Lorne, what have you done?"
Albus chuckled at this; this man must be Connor's father. Only a parent or a teacher has a reaction like that to a suspicious greeting like that.
Gunn also had his gaze on the green demon and raised his eyebrows, questioning, "Lorne, my man, isn't it a little early in the day to be drinking?"
Lorne shook slightly and said vehemently, "Most definitely not." Maybe he wasn't as unperturbed as he had seemed.
"Actually, Father, Lorne didn't do anything," Connor's lips quirked as he shot a glance at Albus and Tonks. "He just wants to make sure you know he didn't do anything to our visitors to provoke them." The boy shot a meaningful glance at his father and then turned his nasty smile on the new arrivals. "They did it all on their own."
"Connor," the father looked at the ceiling, "just tell me you didn't try to kill them."
He scowled at his father, "No, not yet. I want to send them back now-alone-let Drusilla kill them; they are none of our concern."
"Connor, we can't do that-"
"Why do both you and Uncle keep saying that!? All they've done is belittle, condescend, insult, attack or just plain disregard us and our opinions." He left his Uncle's side, walking closer to his Father. "They-" he waved his hand in Albus and Tonks direction, "aren't a part of our world-they have their own world and they do-not-want us to be a part of it. All of this wizarding stuff only seems to be hurting Uncle terribly-it is achieving nothing else!! They will hurt us if we go-even if it is to help them."
He pulled out Tonks' wand and showed it to his Father. "She pulled this on Lorne when he said he was a demon-even though he had made no aggressive moves, even though she had been perfectly fine in his presence a second before, at the word Demon she attacked!"
Tonks grumbled under her breath, "Tried to, never got the chance," and then ducked her head down when the Father seemed to hear her and looked sharply in her direction.
The boy also turned his stare on the visitors, his eyes full of fire, seeming to take on an almost feral yellow color-like Remus. "If we go with them, they will hurt us for being-different-not like them-"
"Connor-kid-calm down." The Seer had rose partway from his seat and had his left hand on the enraged teens shoulder. "I know you are worried for me and your pop, but you have to remember that we are Extremely hard to kill-hey, look at me when I am talking to you," he demanded softly. Connor slowly turned his head and looked into the Seer's eyes.
The Seer tapped on of the teen's hands, the one holding the wand. "Who has the Auror's wand? She sure doesn't. She didn't even get a spell started before you had the wand."
He took the wand from the teen's grasp and held it awkwardly with his right hand, keeping his left hand on the teen's back. "You made the point to them earlier and I am making it to you now: without their wands, they are vulnerable and they need our help. They can try to hurt us-" he stopped suddenly as one hand slipped and the Seer seemed to loose balance, falling to the floor until Connor caught him.
"Damn it Spike, you know you aren't supposed to stand without your brace!" Fred yelled.
As Connor was helping the Seer into his seat, he looked over at Fred, who had rushed over to him and smirked, "Thought stopping the kid from killin' our guests was more important. Anyways, I don't have my brace to use, do I?"
"I know, I know. It is right here, we had to make some changes, but it is good to go now." Fred was digging through one of the duffle bags and pulled out a metal brace, "Hah! Here it is."
"Thanks luv," the Seer said to Fred and then turned to the two men who came in with Gunn. "Since the Destroyer here seems to be done with his temper-tantrum," he glanced quickly at the boy and when the boy nodded, the Seer turned to the men once again, "let's move on. We ready?"
"Yes," the one with glasses sighed and slumped into a seat, massaging his head. "She is in Europe. That is the most specific we could get."
"Damn!" the Seer hissed angrily, hanging his head again and then motioned one hand at Albus. "Don't be rude Watcher, introduce yourself. You too Peaches. With Dru in Europe, we have to get a move on and the clock is tickin'."
"Spike reminding me of my manners-what will come next?" the Father muttered under his breath, but evidently the Seer heard him.
"Remind me-which one of us Gentry?"
The father scowled back and retorted, "Which one of us acts like it?"
The Seer grinned cheekily, "True and wouldn' 'ave it any other way."
The father shook his head as he came to stand in front of the Headmaster; both Dumbledore and Tonks stood, not quite knowing what to expect after the son's outburst. "Angel, CEO of Wolfram & Hart," he said as he extended his hand. Albus shook it for a second and froze. Angel looked at the clasped hands and then got a bashful look on his face, withdrawing his hand. "Sorry, I forget my hands are cold."
Albus was gazing at Angel with a very calculating look, locating his wand with his now free right hand, and said slowly, "You are a vampire."
"Yes I am," and he shrugged, like it was nothing.
Tonks had gone rigid next to Albus, holding tightly onto his left arm, fidgeting because she didn't have her wand. Albus casually looked around the room; no one seemed to be surprised at the revelation, which meant they already knew. They also kept company with demons. Oh Dear, this could very well be a trap and they had already taken Tonks' wand.wait-
"I thought Connor was your son?" Albus asked puzzled.
"He is."
"He's a vampire too?"
"No, not a Childe, he is my living biological son. And please," forestalling questions by holding up a hand, "don't ask me how-we have no idea. His mother was a vampire too. But he is human," Angel finished.
"Mostly," added Connor and Spike together.
Angel whirled and pointed at them, "You two are not helping. Can't you tell we are spooking the wizards? Be quiet or I will separate you."
The boy and the Seer looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"Okay, maybe I can't, but it doesn't mean you two have to be purposely difficult."
"No, but we can try," the Seer mumbled, still laughing. The father looked pointedly at the wizards and then back at the Seer and he relented. "Ok, ok, I'll try to behave. Anyways, yer the good vampire-everyone knows it."
Tonks repeated incredulously, squeaking, "Good vampire?"
Albus's brain had started to turn at the word Vampire. One named Angel. Another, the threat to the school evidently, named Drusilla. A family member-William. A third vampire, a female, the mother of the boy.
"Connor, your mother's name doesn't happen to be Darla?"
The boy nodded. Immediately, Angel stiffened. The Seer stiffened as well and for the first time that evening looked straight at Albus. And the fourth vampire, a man named William that the son of the Vampire Angel calls Uncle. Albus looked back, saying calmly, and not letting the dread he felt creep into his voice, "William the Bloody, I presume?"
The Seer just continued to stare, his eyes meeting the Headmaster's eyes. Finally he spoke, looking away, "If you don' want our 'elp, leave now. Drusilla is the threat. She will attack someone while 'e is in the Forbidden Forest. I have no idea when, but it will be soon cuz, by all reports, she is already in Europe."
"What help are you offering?"
"Headmaster-" Tonks protested, aghast at even the prospect of utilizing the help a vampire offered.
"What help?" Albus asked again, turning to Angel, or more appropriately, Angelus.
"We go with you to your school and do our best to keep Dru from killing anyone. Then we will take her back here with us regardless. Do not fool yourself; anyone you send after her, she can and will rip to shreds."
"We have handled vampires before-what makes this one different?" Tonks asked obstinately. Not many, Albus thought, and not at the School while school was in session and also while the threat of a Dark Lord hung over their heads.
The Seer muttered under his breath, "Well, first you don't 'ave a wand." Tonks immediately glared him.
Angel's voice overrode the Seer's as he answered, "She is a Master Vampire and a Childe of the Order of Aurelius. The last person who managed to kill a Master Vampire of the Order-she had to die in order to do it-so she died."
Tonks swallowed nervously, her temporary anger leaving her for fright and turned to Angel. "If this vampire is so tough, how are you going to handle her?"
"There have only ever been two people Drusilla has obeyed: myself and Spike," he shifted his face to his demonic one. "She will listen to me because I am her Sire. She will listen to Spike because he is her Childe and companion for over a hundred years. If not, we will take care of her." He shifted his face back and turned back to Albus. "You have nothing to fear from us."
Albus nodded, but inwardly he highly doubted that. He looked at the gentleman with glasses. "The Seer called you a Watcher-are you one?"
He nodded, taking off his glasses and cleaning them. This sent the Seer into hysterics. The boy leaned over, asking a question and the Seer started to explain. The Watcher replaced his glasses, giving a sharp look to the Seer before speaking, "I was a Watcher. Wesley Wyndam-Pryce." He offered his hand and the Headmaster took it, shaking it absently.
The Headmaster looked the Watcher in the eye, making sure that he got an honest answer, and firmly asked, "Do you trust these vampires?"
"Do you mean Angel and Spike? If so, yes; I trust them with my life." He paused for a second and then added with a small smile, "Angel more so than Spike."
"Hey!" A ball of paper hit the Watcher in the head.
"Why-why do you want to help us?" Tonks asked nervously.
Fred answered simply, "Because it is what we do: Help people."
"But two vampires-?"
"One vampire," the Watcher corrected absently.
"One?" Tonks asked, confused. The Seer spoke.
"I'm not a vampire anymore."
"Interesting trick," mused Dumbledore aloud.
"Not really," the Seer grumbled. "Died, savin' the world and all, finally gonna get some rest and then they bring me back to life to send me mind-splitting visions so that Angelus can run around, playing hero. Really would've rathered stay dead." He sobered suddenly and locked eyes with Angelus, saying sadly, "Now I know how Buffy felt." The vampire stiffened at the soft comment, his face slowly reflecting the grief and sadness in the Seer's voice.
"And why should we believe anything anyone of you has to say?" Tonks rattled off frantically, nervously. "Sounds like fantastic fiction. Headmaster, we should just leave," Tonks said, standing and knocking over her chair for the second time that day.
The boy straightened hearing this and looked at them, smiling that cold smile, "Finally, the policewoman is showing sense. Leave." Tonks took an involuntary step back at that smile being directed at her.
Then she straightened, collecting herself, and said firmly, abet nervously, "Not without my wand."
Albus didn't move; he was still looking curiously at the Seer. He died and was brought back to life to see visions? Why? How Buffy felt-another brought back from the dead? Inconceivable. And yet-if he was a vampire, presently or only in the past, how did he know things only a wizard should?
"How did you know the vision was of Hogwarts?" Albus asked. The vampire broke his gaze away from the Seer and turned to the Headmaster at hearing the question.
"Spike told us that's where the vision took place," Angel said simply.
"And how does your Seer know what Hogwarts looks like?" Albus asked, watching the Seer closely.
Spike shrugged his shoulders and answered softly, "Cuz."
"How do you know the vision wasn't at some other castle?"
Spike growled and raised his head, looking at Albus with feral yellow eyes. Albus started slightly. "I think after spending 7 bloomin' years there, I'd know what the damned castle looks like, Headmaster." He lowered his eyes and shook his head, tone no longer angry, but weary, "It's changed a little, but not enough I don't recognize it." The Seer lifted his head again, cocking it to one side and asked, "But what in bleedin' hell is that monstrosity of a tree doing on the grounds?"
The Seer turned to the boy and smiled, "You'd like this tree, Destroyer; it hits back and it is one huge tree. I bet it could give you a run for your money." The boy just snorted and shook his head. "Of course, you would still win, but at least it would be a challenge."
Spike turned back to Albus and said, wryly, "I would think that tree would be a major safety hazard and a lawsuit just waiting to happen. We could even represent the injured party."
Tonks was staring, open mouthed, at the Seer since he described the tree. Finally she managed to say, incredulously, "That's-that's the Whomping Willow!" She went to drop into her chair and fell on the ground. She swore rather colorfully and went about righting herself and the chair.
"Whomping? Definitely your type of tree Con." He smiled at the boy, winking, and the boy smiled back.
"Wait, Wait, WAIT!" The woman named Fred cut in, glaring at the Seer, stood indignantly and pointed at him. "Are you saying that you are a wizard-type person-like them?" She waved her other hand at the visitors. "And you didn't tell us!"
"When I was alive, yes, I was unfortunately a wizard," Spike grumbled irritably, his smile fading.
The young lady, her ire fading at the miserable tone to the Seer's voice, sat and asked quietly, "How come you didn't tell us?"
Spike shrugged his shoulders casually, "Because it wasn't really
important until now, was it?" Then the Seer looked at Albus again, his eyes no
longer yellow, but blue. "And since when
have there been Acromantulas in the Forbidden
Forest?"
Tonks sputtered, "Acromantulas-that's ridic-!" Then she hit her head on the table, "Oouuwwww!"
Albus was carefully eyeing the Seer once again and said slowly, "Since about 50 years ago." Tonks eyes went wide as she whipped around to stare at the Headmaster, slowing sinking into the chair, a hand pressed to her head. Albus chuckled and patted on of her hands and explained, "One of Hagrid's pets, from when he was in school. I hear he found a mate for Aragog from Harry and Ron-there seem to be quite a few of them now."
"Now that is an understatement old man. 'Quite a few'-ha! That's like saying Drusilla's mind is only slightly off center and Drusilla is quite insane-and she is who we have to get back to. Satisfied that I recognize the school and the vision is of Hogwarts so that we can go?"
Tonks nodded, numbly. Albus pursed his lips, calculating, and asked another question, "What about the Quidditch field?"
"It's still there, but the baskets aren't anymore," the Seer said, slightly perplexed. "There are hoops of some sort instead."
"Baskets?" asked Tonks at the same time Connor asked, "Quidditch?"
"A wizarding sport," Albus said absentmindedly. While still studying the Seer as he turned to the boy, the Headmaster said to Tonks, "Before 1883, Quidditch used baskets on poles for the goals instead of hoops. Which means that the Seer is a very interesting person."
Spike was explaining to Connor about the Bludgers. Connor's eyes were wide with glee, "Balls that are magicked to attack people while they play their sport." The Seer stopped when Albus called him a very interesting person.
Spike shook his head negatively and brought his head up, looking Albus in the eye. Albus tried to see if he could find what he wanted, but hit a wall as the Seer's eyes widened. Angrily he slammed a fist onto the table, rattling it even at Albus's end and growled, "Do Not do that again Old Man!"
Connor was instantly in a fighting stance, a vicious knife as long as his forearm and as wide as his wrist clutched in his right hand, set to attack. Lorne jumped and spilled his drink down the front of his bright suit and swore. Angelus growled, eyes changing and the Watcher pulled out a firearm. Gunn remained motionless, but his eyes were now locked onto their two guests, watching for any aggressive movements.
"What happened Spike-what did he do?" Fred asked anxiously, slowly standing.
"He was trying to get into my mind, the nosey bugger!" Spike roared.
At the indication of a non-physical assault on one of their own, the group seemed to stand down-physically at least, all except the Destroyer, who simply crossed his arms across his chest, holding his knife. The boy continued to glaring at the visitors, a sneer of contempt on his face; it was eerily reminiscent of Severus when forced to deal with any of the Gryffindor Trio.
The Seer's eyes morphed the feral yellow again and were locked on Albus, "I may not be a full vampire, but I am half, making it impossible for you, a wizard but still a mere human, to break into my mind. Even if I was still fully human, I was taught by the best to keep nosey people out. Don't you have manners? You don't see me trying to break into your mind and, like Angelus says, I'm the uncouth one!"
"That's another reason Drusilla is so dangerous; she can easily put you in her thrall," Angel tried to put in helpfully, attempting to diffuse or even redirect some of Spike's anger. It didn't help.
"If you want an answer to a question, just Ask!"
Angel muttered, "You just had to make him angry," and sat down tiredly.
"Well?" The Seer growled, baring razor sharp teeth.
Might as well try; it can't make him any angrier, after all he said to ask. "I wanted to know when you went to Hogwarts and what your name is."
"Name's William, that you already know," he growled out, "and I was class of 1872. Happy?"
William, '72. Albus's eyes widened and again he stared at the Seer. The Seer had calmed down enough that his eyes were shifted back to blue, the same exact blue of his own eyes. The Headmaster drew in a sharp breath; he now understood the dreamer's reaction to Elizabeth, seen a ghost indeed. "Oh dear Merlin-Will? Will Potter?"
"Ya, that's me. Hoorah for me." A pause, then he said suspiciously, "Wait-how in the hellmouth do you know that?" He looked at Albus for a moment and then bent down, riffling through his pockets, asking absently, "What did you say your name was?"
Tonks spoke up, indignant that this Seer hadn't even had the common courtesy to listen when they had introduced themselves, especially with all commotion he caused by insisting that he speak to the Headmaster, "This is Headmaster Dumbledore, Order of Merlin First Class-didn't you bother to listen earlier?" The boy shook his head at her, indicating that the Seer hadn't listened.
Spike simply ignored her questions having finally found what he was looking for and pulled out a set of eye-glasses, the ones that he had on earlier. He put them on and looked at Albus again, squinting slightly, then his eyes widened in recognition. "Albus? Or is it Aberforth?"
"Albus, Albus Dumbledore, he told us that earlier Uncle," Connor reminded him.
"Be quiet Con. Huh. Small world. So Albus, trust us now?"
Albus nodded, "Yes." He chuckled and shook his head slightly, sighing, "It certainly explains Mr. Potter's bizarre vision this morning. I wonder-well, there will be time later. What exactly happened in the vision Will?"
Spike scowled at the name, but let it go.
"First I saw Hogwarts, like I was flying over it. Then I was in the Forbidden Forest. I saw a flash of Drusilla and she disappeared again. Then there was a man collecting plants. What the hell he is doing alone in a forest infested with Acromantulas, I don't know. Next thing, Dru had him pulled to her chest and was draining him. There was another flash of vampire eyes, you know, the color my eyes turn when I'm angry. That was it."
Spike looked back into Albus's eyes and saw panic. "What is it Albus?"
"The man, describe him," the Headmaster said tersely.
"Tall, black shoulder length hair, black robes, pale skin and a crooked nose with a nasty sneer."
Albus had shot up from his seat by the end of the description. Tonks also swiftly stood.
"You recognize him?"
"The Potions Master at the school," Albus answered shortly.
"Why are you so panicked Albus?"
"He was in the forest when we left the school."
"Ah, Bloody-Hell! I take it you would like our help now?" Albus nodded. "Good. All five of us should be able to use the portkey. Con, help me stand." Connor nodded and put a hand around his back, helping him stand.
"Who is coming?" Albus asked.
Angel responded, stooping down to pick up the black duffle bag, "Myself, Connor and Spike. Wes, please continue tracking the attacks. We will be in contact soon."
"Yes Boss," the Watcher answered wryly. Angel rolled his eyes and smiled back at him.
The boy had helped the Seer stand and had stooped back down to pick up the two duffle bags at their feet. The Seer now had a brace on his right arm and was making his way over to the Headmaster. His left leg seemed to be in another sort of brace and the leg remained straight as he walked. When he reached them, he reached in his pocket with his left hand and pulled out a wand, handing it to Tonks.
"You wand, Auror. Do try to hold onto it better next time." Then he turned to Albus and held out his left hand. Albus took it with both of his. Albus looked at the brace and the leg and back into the Seer's eyes. Spike shook his head and spoke, "Good to see you again, old Albus. You are the only thing in this whole mess that I am happy to see. But still, stay out of my mind. By the way, what is the bloke's name that we are off to save?"
Albus hesitated answering, eyeing Spike, and Tonks answered instead, "Severus Snape."
The Seer's left hand tightened its grip and he scowled.
"Not now Will."
He closed his eyes, breathing deep, and then opened his eyes and smiled slightly. On the inside, Albus shivered a little. That smile was a smaller version of the one the boy, the Destroyer, had given him earlier. "Not now then. And please don't call me that. Will died over 120 years ago. He is gone, forever. Name's Spike now."
"I have been wondering about that name all day-what does Spike mean?" Tonks asked as they all grouped together to use the portkey.
Connor frowned, "Believe me; you are better off not knowing."
"Why?"
Angel answered grimly, "We get our monikers from the way we kill."
That shut Tonks up immediately. Albus gazed at Spike worriedly; the Seer was talking softly to Connor. How had the soft-spoken, gentle Will Potter became this hot-tempered, moody Seer named Spike? And where had his cultured accent that had been drilled into him since birth gone?
And why exactly had Harry been pulled into the Seer's dream?
He was pulled from his thoughts by the Vampire telling him the word to activate the portkey to bring it back to its point of origin. He took out his wand and tapped the parchment.
"The Key."
~@~@~@~