As promised... Part 2 of a mild cliffhanger.

Thank you to my reviewers thusfar... you're the reason I write.

Three questions...

What sort of name is Dr. Cretin?

Truthfully, I pawned it from my beta. In any actuality, I looked it up in the dictionary. It's a  slang word for idiot. I thought it'd be absolutely and astoundingly perfect since you'll find he  does have subnormal intelligence.

Why is Dawn scaring me?

Because she's starting to remember the more unpleasant things during her time spent elsewhere.  You'll start to figure out more as we delve deeper. This I promise you.

Why won't Cho's parents approve?

Her parents are purebloods. That much I can figure. I'm assuming that although Xander has been  surrounded by magic for 11 years now, he is still a Muggle. Her parents wouldn't mind a Muggle  though. But this one is an American Muggle. It's a whole new breed. Read on!

- - - - -

Chapter 6

Symphony

- - - - -

Flash bulbs were snapping wildly as questions were being thrown over the shoulders of reporters  as Draco Malfoy was lead into an elevator. Ignoring all of the questions and speculations being  tossed wildly, he turned his cold eyes to the doors as they slid shut and the cage began to  descend.

"Will this ever end?" he asked in an irritated voice.

"You've been under strict questioning for the past three days, Draco," his father, Lucius,  replied, his voice equally cold. "Obviously they're beginning to suspect something."

There was something in his father's voice that Draco didn't quite like. All he knew was that for  five hours a day for the past three, he'd been sitting at the same table while Cornelius Fudge,  Albus Dumbledore and a few select others heard his story.

The problem was, Draco wasn't telling the entire truth.

His father's presence in the room made Draco want to run for cover and cower, but he knew that  the truth needed to be spoken and soon. He had requested he appear before the jury that day  without the presence of his parents, and Cornelius Fudge, who was still miffed from Lucius'  deception during the time of Lord Voldemort, heartily agreed.

Draco's father escorted him to the briefing room and then hung back as Draco was escorted inside.

The Wizengamot was waiting there. Taking a deep breath, Draco took his usual seat at a table,  feeling very, very small.

"Well, Mr. Malfoy..." the witch on the other side of Minister Fudge said, adjusting her  spectacles and turning toward him with a gentle smile. "We appear to have a few loopholes in your  testimony. Such as..."

"I know," Draco said, clearing his throat to interrupt her. "I know what you're going to say. I  know there are loopholes, because there's something I haven't told you yet. I couldn't tell you,  not with my Father hovering over my shoulder. But now... it's time you knew the truth."

The Minister's head snapped up so fast Draco was sure it would pop from his scrawny neck. "Yes,  Mr. Malfoy?"

"Dawn didn't leave on her own accord the week after we finished off Hogwarts," Draco said,  gulping slightly. "I know I told you she took up residence at my family's home for six days after  we completed the NEWT tests. But she didn't leave on her own. My Father made her leave."

There was the sound of paper hitting wood as the witch next to Minister Fudge dropped her notes.

"Oh."

"And there's more," he said, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "I just need to think of a way  to say it, and maybe there is no easy way... but I just have to come out and say it."

- - - - -

"What?"

Buffy dropped the stack of books she was carrying and turned to see Angel standing in the  shadows, a file folder opened in his hands. "It's the truth."

"So you're basically telling me that Ira Cretin just happened to arrive at the hospital the very  day before my sister was admitted as a patient?" Buffy asked incredulously.

"Yes," Angel said, handing her a few sheets of paper. "There was also a vague reference in the  institution's mission statement that spoke of 'requiring funds from exterior sources'."

Buffy's eyebrows raised as she scanned the sheet. "What is that all about I wonder?"

"I did more checking," he said, almost reluctantly as he handed the rest of the file over to her.  "I think there are two words to describe it. American. Ministry."

Buffy's jaw dropped slightly as she lowered her gaze to the trembling folder. "Oh my..."

"I've asked Spike to come and help me investigate them both," Angel said softly. "I've sent Cordy  and Connor up to Dawn, if you don't mind."

Buffy bristled slightly at the thought of replacing Spike with Cordelia Chase and Angel's son she  hardly knew. "O-Of course..."

"So you want us to continue?" he asked hesitantly.

She stared the folder for a moment before snapping it shut and handing it back to him. "By all  means."

- - - - -

The sun was had risen to its fullest height, casting brilliant white light on two individuals  lying on their backs.

"She won't even talk to me," Xander said, his voice sounded strained and tired. "She refuses to  come out of the dormitory... she's already moved over half of her things..."

"Xander, what did you expect?" Willow asked, her voice sounding directly behind his head. "She's  only twenty one."

"And that matters?" Xander asked, his voice harsher than intended. "I just wish she'd try, you  know? I... I love her."

"That's what matters, Xan," Willow said softly as she rolled onto her stomach and took his hand.  "You love her. She loves you. Her parents just don't accept the fact that she's marrying an  American Muggle. So you do what any good pragmatist would do."

"I am not eloping," Xander said, turning onto his side and propping himself onto his elbow. "But  I am going to do what I can to make this work. I'm not going to..." his voice dropped as his  voice choked up. "Not again."

"Just give it time," Willow said with a small smile as she rolled back onto the soft grass.  "That's what I'm trying to do."

"You have two women who are completely in love with you," Xander said gently. "Doesn't that cause  you any stress?"

"It's not apocalyptic stress," Willow smirked. "Just... just do what your heart tells you to do,  Xander. Work it out with Cho. After Anya... well, anyone's better than Anya."

"I miss her sometimes," Xander said softly as he stood up, reaching a hand down to Willow. "Like  last night, sleeping in my bed... I could just hear her voice telling me to get all naked and--"

Willow started laughing as she let Xander pull her to her feet. "Well, sometimes we're always  crazy about the ones we love."

"I dream of my former lover naked," he rationalized as they walked back up the path, "and you go  wiggy and all black-rooted and attempt to destroy the world."

Willow's face took on a grave hue. "You saved me from that, Xander. You didn't try and fight me,  you didn't..."

"I know," he said, squeezing her hand. "I guess that makes us equal partners in crime."

Willow chuckled. "I guess."

"Like when I thought you were dead," he said, his voice turning somewhat harsher, "I just sat  there and wished I had magical powers too. I could have destroyed both worlds, opened up another  Glory dimension... and..."

"You don't want that power," Willow told him. "It's dark and dangerous and you can't break out of  it, no matter how strong you are... you saved me with your heart, Xan."

"So now we're not only equals, we're even," he grinned as they ascended the steps back into the  school and disappeared inside.

"You better believe it."

- - - - -

Draco was still restless in his seat, after drinking a pitcher of ice water and retreating to a  cool, dark corner to rethink things. Every time he opened his mouth, all he could do was stutter  and break off as pain overcame him.

It had been almost two years. He should be above that. He had to be above that.

But he wasn't. No matter how much his Father tried to convince him he was over her, he wasn't. He  still loved her. And because he was too weak to stand up to him, he had put Dawn's life into  jeopardy.

It was time to come clean. For himself, as well as for Dawn.

Taking a deep breath, he glanced up toward Minister Fudge. "I-I'm ready."

"Good," Fudge repeated, sounding testy as he leaned back in his chair, a slight smirk to his face  as though he were amused that the Malfoy boy was jittery and nervous.

"I... I wanted to tell you away from my Father, I guess, because it was his decision to throw  Dawn out... because he wouldn't accept... h-he wouldn't accept... this is too hard..."

Suddenly a cool sense of relief passed over him. It was as though she were sitting there at that  cold, empty table beside him. She was leaning over and whispering to him, "Don't give up. Don't  give in."

He cleared his throat and stood up. "My Father would never accept a Muggle woman living in his  household."

The Wizengamot exchanged irritated looks. "Is that all?" the Witch asked him curiously.

"No," Draco said, trying to find that strength inside himself. "He not only didn't want a Muggle  woman living there, but a pregnant one..."

There was a sharp intake of breath from the Minister of Magic himself. A soft murmur rippled  through the small room.

Next to him, his perfect image of Dawn was beaming.

- - - - -

To be continued....

Look for a nice double chapter thingy coming Sunday/Monday. And as I now have spring break in a  week, lots of writing for me I anticipate on my vacation!

Chapter 7 -- Harry prepares to leave England. Draco may have to go with him. The Order makes a  reprise.