A very wise reviewer once said... take the worst thing you can think of and turn it onto your characters. It does make fantastic drama.

If you read the faux Chapter 14, it was a joke. Sort of. Dawn comes back somewhat evil, but she's not the complete bitch here. I went for something more happy. If you want to blame anyone for that lovely fake chapter, blame my beta, who thought it'd be a good joke to play. And I had to get at least one good April Fool's joke out.

I really wish you could see the file names. I uploaded both of these files last night and just replaced one with this so I could explain myself a bit more. I waited two days to put the real one up so that you can see how demented my mind really does work sometimes.

It actually worked well.

This is the real chapter. I hope you saw the questions I answered because I'm not pasting them here again.

We'll be back to PG now, because Dawn isn't psycho, Faith isn't trying to kill Buffy, and Willow, Giles and the others are still alive.

Hehehe. I digress.

- - - - -

(the real)

Chapter 14

Reunion

- - - - -

It was just after sunset when Buffy gathered the Slayers outside near the tennis and basketball courts. They were all openly curious when she stepped out onto center court.

"I have just made a decision that will effect all of us," Buffy began in a loud voice. "And I made this decision for Dawn, which makes me selfish. Why? I want my sister back, to the way she was. This challenges us to be what we are. For years now you've been fighting shadows or fighting each other. It's time you finally find out what your power really is. It isn't the strength to hold a sword because I know that you can do that. It isn't the fact you've probably learned the entire Japanese fighting dictionary by now. This is different from anything you've ever learned, unless you fought with us in England three years ago.

"This is a new power, a strong power. It's risen, and it's coming. It's going to take us all unless we stand together to stop it. There is only one force on this planet that can stop the American Ministry and that's us. They hold the secrets as to what has happened to Dawn. They hold our future and unless we take it, our future ends. If any of you wants to step down and ignore their destiny, I can't stop you. But you're not safe. You're never safe as long as you have this power and it will consume you until there is nothing left.

"This is our army, our strongest will. I don't need to tell you that we're the only force that can stop the big bad. You know this. You can feel it as well as I can. It's time to answer destiny's call.

"Now... who's with me?"

The Slayers glanced between themselves in stunned silence.

Faith was the first who stood up and joined Buffy center court. "I know you've been ripped from your homes and families, but look at it this way: there's no safer place than this school. You can live here or die out there, it's really your choice."

It was Kennedy who stood up first, arms crossed. "I'm with you."

One by one, the other Slayers stood, their voices mingling until the shouts were indistinguishable.

Buffy and Faith exchanged a tense smile.

"What do you think?" Faith asked Buffy in a low voice as the rest of the Slayers dispersed. "Think they're up for it?"

"Do you remember when you were first called?" Buffy replied, answering Faith's question with an inquiry of her own. "I remember being so excited that I was finally going to matter in this world."

"So basically you would be bold enough to get yourself killed," Faith said as the two walked back toward the campus.

"Just enough to matter," Buffy replied, crossing her arms. "I used to think about what my life was like. I was popular, I had the most amazing friends and then Sunnydale came and I was... an outcast. I felt determined that I had to run both lives at the same time. These girls... they'll never have that chance. The only one of us who has been normal, if there is such a word, is Dawn."

"I remember my first day after I was called," Faith said, opening the door as the two stepped inside. "I was so worried that I would make a bad impression... and my mother. She didn't care what I did as long as I wasn't arrested or lying in a ditch dead somewhere. Or else she didn't care enough to know."

"I told my Mom, she handled it badly," Buffy said, her voice full of regret as she stepped back. "I suppose I shouldn't have bailed on her since it was, you know... but... I couldn't stay. And I think you're the only person who understands why."

"I think I'm beginning to," Faith said softly. "Sometimes there's things a Slayer can do only so well before everything turns out so horridly wrong..."

Buffy sighed as the two stepped inside the library, where Tara was hovering by the door. In the corner, Willow was just sitting down to work her magic on Dawn. "It's begun."

"It's about time," Faith muttered under her breath.

- - - - -

It was after midnight when Harry suddenly awoke to the sound of footsteps very near his bed. He slowly reached for his blankets, ready to throw them off and face whoever was looking over at him. Grasping the covers, he sat up and turned around just as the figure gasped and fell over his empty trunk.

The result was the sound of a trunk being knocked backwards into a chair, which fell to the ground with a loud crash.

"Ginny?" he panted, putting a hand on his heart.

"Uh... huh..." Ginny replied, sounding as out of breath as he.

Harry reached over and turned on the lamp on his nightstand. The lamp, which was a replica of the Eiffel Tower, lit up, bathing the room in soft golden light.

The other three boys were asleep. Ron had his pillow over his head. Percy and Draco both appeared to be snoring softly. Harry leaned over and helped her up before grabbing for his robes. After he'd dressed sufficiently, he stepped outside the room, bringing Ginny with him.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

"It's this spell that Willow's working on," Ginny replied, her voice full of concern as well. "Hermione keeps saying about how badly these things can go. And she's a clever witch."

"Willow is the most powerful witch in this hemisphere," Harry replied bluntly. "She knows the risks, as do the rest of the Slayers."

"But what if Buffy was right?" Ginny asked, her voice dropping as the two walked down the hall. "What if it poses a risk to our world as well, just because we're here?"

"Are you saying we should leave?" Harry asked sharply.

"To tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind dumping Draco off on these people and hitting the air back," Ginny said, her voice firmly implying she'd made up her mind. "I think Hermione agrees with me."

"Hermione would agree with you, because she's smart enough to know not to get in the way of anything dangerous," Harry replied. "I don't blame her. But we have to stay Ginny, you know that. And what about the wedding?"

"Is there even going to be a wedding?" Ginny asked in a small voice.

"Of course there will be," Harry assured her. "I know that Cho and Xander have their qualms... what married couple doesn't? I'm sure you know what your parents are like when they argue."

Ginny smiled, her first real smile all evening. "You're right. You're always right, you know?"

Harry wrapped a comforting arm over her shoulders. "Why don't you and I head to the kitchen and get some tea or something? You might sleep better. And then I'll even walk you to your room."

Ginny sighed as he lead the way. "I have no idea how I got so lucky to have you in my life like this."

"Call it fate," he tossed back, grinned.

And despite all the darkness surrounding them, Ginny grinned back.

- - - - -

"I don't wanna get up."

There was a gentle nudge on her shoulder.

"Go away."

"Buffy? Buffy... wake up..."

"It's not time yet. The socks are still done."

"Buffy Anne Summers!"

Buffy sat up with a start, glancing around the dimly lit library. Her eyes were drawn to the only source of light, the warmly crackling fireplace in the corner. "What is it?"

"I thought you'd at least want to say hello to me."

Buffy slowly turned her head toward her sister. "Dawnie?"

Dawn nodded, her eyes glowing in the amber light. "It's me."

Buffy stood up, throwing her arms around her sister, feeling the warmth of humanity inside her. "Oh my goodness," she said, tears threatening her perfect control. "Dawnie... you're awake! You're here... oh, Dawn..."

Dawn's arms tightened around her sister and she sniffled loudly. "I wanted to do this for so long... but I couldn't... I couldn't reach you..."

"I'm here, Dawn," Buffy said, pulling back and taking her sister's face in her hands. "I'm not going to leave..."

"I know," Dawn whispered, wiping her eyes. "I was so scared... so scared..."

Buffy gently helped Dawn onto the sofa and sat next to her, glancing up at Willow, who'd been standing behind Dawn. She mouthed 'thank you' and knew Willow would understand completely.

"How do you feel? Are you all right?" Buffy asked as Willow sat down on the other side.

"I'm okay," Dawn said softly. "Well, not completely okay, but I feel like I've been sleeping forever."

Buffy smiled through her tears. "I can't believe you're really here, after all this time."

Dawn smiled back and folded her hands in her lap. "I-I don't know..."

"Buffy," Willow said, her own voice thick with emotion, "there's some things you need to know about Dawn."

Buffy glanced around Dawn, who was staring at Willow with the same curiosity Buffy felt. "What?"

"They didn't take your magicks, did they?" Willow asked, turning toward Dawn. "And I felt like they added something... there was a power inside of you I could feel... and it wasn't borrowed magic. They gave you something. It's dark... and there's a lot of... pain and sadness where it comes from."

"Is that what put her in catatonia?" Buffy asked in a hushed whisper.

"No," Willow said, taking Dawn's hand. "It was your daughter's birth that did that, didn't it?"

"You know about Joy?" Dawn asked, turning on her sister.

"So does Draco Malfoy," Buffy said gently.

"He's here?" she asked, her eyes lighting up in the darkness. Buffy had to hold back a chuckle looking at the strong look of delight in Dawn's face. "I knew I could feel him... I thought it was just in England, but he was really here. He is really here with me. When can I see him?"

"You'll see him come morning," Willow said, standing up. "Because right now, it's the middle of the night. Why don't we go over to the kitchens and get you some breakfast? And then you can see everyone."

"I'd like that," Dawn replied, standing up and taking Willow's hand. "Are you coming?"

"I'll be along," Buffy said, watching as Willow and Dawn left the library, smiling slightly.

It was so strange... seeing her sister walking and talking when her voice had been silenced for so long.

Things were going to be a lot different without Dawn in a virtual coma.

And it was all just a few hours away.

- - - - -

The breakfast hall was crowded as usual. The few Slayers who had just awoken were gathered around the tables while the cooking lady was dishing out her usual trays of food.

Harry and his group were sitting at one of the tables nearest the entrance. Buffy had just entered with the older Slayers and they were all talking and laughing as they grabbed their trays. But just as Harry was about to call out a welcome, a movement from the door caught his eye. His jaw dropped and he fell motionless back into his chair.

Willow had just lead a figure in by the hand. Not just any figure.

It was Dawn.

Down the table from him, Draco trembled. He stood up, feeling like time was standing still.

He moved toward the entrance, where Dawn stood, her eyes on him. The usual morning din in the cafeteria dropped to nil as everyone turned to watch the exchange.

"Dawn," he said, choosing his words very carefully.

She suddenly smiled at him, her eyes filling with tears. "I knew you wouldn't abandon me."

"Never," he said, his voice full of emotion as he reached for her. He was stunned when she took a step back, as though afraid to be touched by him. "Dawn?"

"I-I can't... I'm s-sorry," she stammered, glancing at Willow for support. As soon as Willow gave her a slight nod, Dawn turned and marched right back out.

"I'm sorry," Willow said softly. "She wanted to see you, face to face... just give her time. She'll come around."

But knowing what they'd been through, he was afraid that forgiveness would have to be earned through efforts aside from time.

- - - - -

To be continued...

Chapter 15 - Dawn's behavior is erratic; the American Ministry has plans.

Chapter 16 & 17! The Watchers go on a retreat. The girls head to New York City!

Chapter 20 & 21 - The wedding of their dreams... and nightmares... is about to begin, along with an old friend who returns for the festivities!