Thanks to all the reviewers:
Matt: Thanks for the email, I really appreciated it! It made me feel better, :-) VLD: All I'm saying is one of your ideas was right! La Rose Minuit: The Jade thing will either be explained this chapter or in the next. Charmed Chick: Thanks for your review and for reading.
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CHAPTER 13- SAVIOUR
"What do you mean you don't understand? It's a perfectly simple request! GET ME IN TOUCH WITH HOGWARTS! Fine- same to you- Idiot!" Giles slammed Wolfram and Hart's state of the art, top line phone back on the hook, hearing some plastic break as her did so. "Sodding ministry of magic!"
"Problem?" A voice innocently asked from the doorway. Giles turned to see Buffy leaning against the doorframe with a smug smile on her lips along with Spike, Xander and Willow who all looked somewhat amused.
"Those bloody idiots at muggle communications know no more about muggles than Spike does about proper dining etiquette!"
"Hey!" The bleached vampire protested, but he went unnoticed.
"Buffy, I want you to slay them. All of the useless morons!"
"Giles, they're human."
"I don't care! I need to contact Hogwarts, I still haven't found that blasted book and I can't return without it- we have to have that prophecy." Giles ranted, wiping his glasses as he spoke.
"G-man, chill! Just call again!"
Giles looked at Xander in surprise. "My God, Xander that's actually a good idea...and I thought I told you not to call me that?"
"Hey- you know the Xand-man. Always full of ideas!"
"Yeah but they're never any good."
"Shut up Dead boy Junior!"
"Make me, whelp!"
"Guys, as entertaining as this is, I'm not in the mood from wiping your blood off the carpet, so quit it." Buffy chided. Meanwhile, Giles was back on the phone.
"...Yes, Rupert Giles...That's right, Hogwarts...What do you mean? Is everyone OK...Of course, yes I'll head back now, Goodbye."
"What's wrong? Is Dawn OK?"
"There's been a problem. You remember me telling you about the wizarding world's situation?"
"Yeah, Vollymort, what about it?"
"Well, he attacked Hogwarts last night, the attacked was stopped though. The aurors are just being sent out."
"Aurors?"
"Wizard police."
"Why aren't they already there? If they weren't there, then who stopped...Oh no- Dawn?"
"Buffy, calm down. We don't know if Dawn was involved in any way. I'm going back to Hogwarts tonight- I'll make sure Dawns ok."
"Thanks, but unnecessary. I'm going with you!"
"Me too, nibblet's in danger."
"Well, I guess we're headed to the land to tea and tweed."
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It was the early hours in the morning at Hogwarts, but no-one was sleeping. The medi-wing was in chaos and elsewhere in the school; students were furious at being kept in their houses and not told anything.
It was less than half an hour since the battle had finished. All the beds were taken and Madam Pomfrey was healing cuts and then sending the student back to their houses to concentrate on the serious casualties.
Although Dawn's shield had protected the students under it from death, some curses managed to get through on some level and several students were being treated for severe burns and cuts.
Flick left Harry watching over Dawn to check on her friends. Ginny was having a nasty cut patched up and Ron was having his arm mended. Robin was in the next room, lined up with all the bodies that the teachers had found in the hall.
Skye was still where the Ginny had left her after running into the hospital wing. Flick walked over to her friend. It seemed slayer healing continued in death as Skye barely had a cut or a bruise on her. Flick hesitantly stroked Skylar's hair, careful not to disturb her, but pulled her hand back in shock.
She tentatively put a finger on her neck and gasped.
"Madam! Madam Pomfrey!" The witch came hurrying over. "She's alive! Skylar's alive! I felt her pulse!"
Madam Pomfrey leapt into action, drawing a blanket around the slayer and muttering spells while everyone else looked on in shock. Skylar was the second person to survive the killing curse.
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Silence fell in the great hall as Dumbledore mounted the stage. The house elves had put together a hurried breakfast and everyone was gathered in the great hall. Professor Dumbledore looked around at the trusting faces; well, mostly trusting. The Slytherin's just looked bored.
"Last night a great tragedy occurred." He spoke in a voice that was almost a whisper. "Many of you were present at the fight that took place in this very hall, many of you saw your fellow students dying. I am deeply saddened to inform you that the death count stands at 37, with two Gryffindor girls who actively partook in the battle yet to regain consciousness.
I'm afraid that there is more. There are 9 students who have yet to be accounted for and we are making every effort to find them. We can only be thankful that it was not more serious than it was, however one fact remains: War has broken out."
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"What happened?" Dawn demanded. Harry had been avoiding her questions since she had awoken five minutes ago. It had been quite easy at first, but with Madam Pomfrey gone he would have to tell her.
"Voldermort attacked."
"I know that much, the vampires went to Gryffindor and we fought them. Robin didn't make it, did she?"
"No."
Dawn nodded slowly. "We went back to the hall. Oh God, Skye."
"She's OK. The curse knocked her out, but she's going to be ok."
"Really? What happened then? I don't remember..."
"I don't really know. You did something and got really powerful, but you changed. Your hair went black and something happened to your skin-"
"Did it go all veiny?" Dawn asked, fearing the answer.
"Yeah. Has it happened before?"
"Not to me. What did I do?"
"A spell. The sky went black and green fire rained on the death eaters. You trapped them all. It was dark magic, wasn't it?"
Dawn hung her head. "So I didn't kill anyone?" Her big eyes looked into Harry's full of fear.
"No." Harry pulled her into a big hug, holding her tightly. "It's OK to cry, if you need too." He told her.
"I'm OK. It's a Sunnydale thing- meltdown when we're finished. If I start now, I'll never stop and there are still things I have to do. Where are the slayers?"
"No-ones seen Jade; Ginny and Flick went to get something to eat and then they're getting some sleep; Skye's just over there and Robin's next door."
"What about you? You should get some sleep."
"I'd rather stay here."
"Fine, but lay down over there and try to sleep."
Harry tried to protest that he wasn't tired, but he was asleep the moment his head touched the pillows.
Dawn walked over to Skye's bed.
"I'm sorry."
Professor McGonagall heard the girls whispered words and her heart filled with pity. Not just for Dawn, but for Harry, for the slayers and for all the children at Hogwarts.
She watched Dawn move away from her friend and towards the door leading to the next room. Professor McGonagall moved to stop her, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Professor Snape.
"She needs closure." He murmured.
"She can't go in there, it's not healthy!" McGonagall said in a hushed whisper.
"On the contrary, Minerva, this will help." Both professors jumped at the sound of the headmaster approaching.
They jumped again, but this time it was because they heard a yell. Dumbledore lead them into the room that Dawn had just entered. They're eyes adjusted to the lack of light in the windowless room just in time to see Dawn and a fading pile of dust.
"What was that?"
"Some of the students must have been turned. We'll have to get rid of the bodies."
"No." Professor McGonagall gasped.
"We have to, or more may rise." Dawn insisted. Professor Snape put a consoling arm around her shoulders- the heads of rival houses stood united in their grief.
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Before long, a fire was burning next to the forbidden forest. The fuel was the bodies of the children who had lost a lot of blood. Around it stood Hagrid- crying giant tears, Professor Snape- his mask firmly in place until you looked into his eyes and saw his pain, Professor McGonagall- who looked years older than she had the previous day and Dawn. Professor McGonagall looked at the girl across the fire. She couldn't help but think how young she looked as she carried out her duty, but then, she was only 17. The fire was Dawn's idea. It was either that, or decapitate each body and no- one could bring themselves to do it.
As the fire died out, Harry appeared next to Dawn's side. She had insisted that no-one else be informed of what they were doing, especially not any of her sleeping friends.
"Mr. Potter, please take Miss Summers back to the castle. We can handle it from here. Take care of her." Harry nearly fainted of shock at his potion master's kindly tone, but did as he was told taking a silent Dawn back towards the castle.
They sat down under a big oak tree bathed in sunlight. Dawn leant back against Harry and closed her eyes.
"Dawn? You should probably talk about this."
"I'm fine." She didn't even open her eyes.
"No, you can't be. It's over now. It's over." Tears started to flow down the watchers face. Harry held her in his arms and shed his own tears.
When they had no more tears to cry, they sat there thinking about what had happened.
"It was my fault." Dawn whispered.
"What?"
"Robin dying. I was supposed to look after her and she died."
"It's not your fault. She knew the risks and still decided to fight."
Dawn sighed not believing him. "Thank you."
"What for?"
"Saving me."
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you?"
"Not from evil stuff, from myself. You got me to start talking, and believe me that's an achievement." A ghost of a smile crossed her face. She turned to Harry suddenly.
"Why do we do this? Why fight? People die whatever we do."
"You saved hundreds of lives tonight, yes you did, and without taking one in return. And we weren't even ready, that was all Voldermort's strike- we haven't even begun. Next time, it's our turn."
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I know it's a bit short, but that's the best place to stop for now. Please review and tell me what you think.
Matt: Thanks for the email, I really appreciated it! It made me feel better, :-) VLD: All I'm saying is one of your ideas was right! La Rose Minuit: The Jade thing will either be explained this chapter or in the next. Charmed Chick: Thanks for your review and for reading.
******************************************************************** ***
******************************************************************** ***
******************************************************************** ***
CHAPTER 13- SAVIOUR
"What do you mean you don't understand? It's a perfectly simple request! GET ME IN TOUCH WITH HOGWARTS! Fine- same to you- Idiot!" Giles slammed Wolfram and Hart's state of the art, top line phone back on the hook, hearing some plastic break as her did so. "Sodding ministry of magic!"
"Problem?" A voice innocently asked from the doorway. Giles turned to see Buffy leaning against the doorframe with a smug smile on her lips along with Spike, Xander and Willow who all looked somewhat amused.
"Those bloody idiots at muggle communications know no more about muggles than Spike does about proper dining etiquette!"
"Hey!" The bleached vampire protested, but he went unnoticed.
"Buffy, I want you to slay them. All of the useless morons!"
"Giles, they're human."
"I don't care! I need to contact Hogwarts, I still haven't found that blasted book and I can't return without it- we have to have that prophecy." Giles ranted, wiping his glasses as he spoke.
"G-man, chill! Just call again!"
Giles looked at Xander in surprise. "My God, Xander that's actually a good idea...and I thought I told you not to call me that?"
"Hey- you know the Xand-man. Always full of ideas!"
"Yeah but they're never any good."
"Shut up Dead boy Junior!"
"Make me, whelp!"
"Guys, as entertaining as this is, I'm not in the mood from wiping your blood off the carpet, so quit it." Buffy chided. Meanwhile, Giles was back on the phone.
"...Yes, Rupert Giles...That's right, Hogwarts...What do you mean? Is everyone OK...Of course, yes I'll head back now, Goodbye."
"What's wrong? Is Dawn OK?"
"There's been a problem. You remember me telling you about the wizarding world's situation?"
"Yeah, Vollymort, what about it?"
"Well, he attacked Hogwarts last night, the attacked was stopped though. The aurors are just being sent out."
"Aurors?"
"Wizard police."
"Why aren't they already there? If they weren't there, then who stopped...Oh no- Dawn?"
"Buffy, calm down. We don't know if Dawn was involved in any way. I'm going back to Hogwarts tonight- I'll make sure Dawns ok."
"Thanks, but unnecessary. I'm going with you!"
"Me too, nibblet's in danger."
"Well, I guess we're headed to the land to tea and tweed."
******************************************************************** ***
It was the early hours in the morning at Hogwarts, but no-one was sleeping. The medi-wing was in chaos and elsewhere in the school; students were furious at being kept in their houses and not told anything.
It was less than half an hour since the battle had finished. All the beds were taken and Madam Pomfrey was healing cuts and then sending the student back to their houses to concentrate on the serious casualties.
Although Dawn's shield had protected the students under it from death, some curses managed to get through on some level and several students were being treated for severe burns and cuts.
Flick left Harry watching over Dawn to check on her friends. Ginny was having a nasty cut patched up and Ron was having his arm mended. Robin was in the next room, lined up with all the bodies that the teachers had found in the hall.
Skye was still where the Ginny had left her after running into the hospital wing. Flick walked over to her friend. It seemed slayer healing continued in death as Skye barely had a cut or a bruise on her. Flick hesitantly stroked Skylar's hair, careful not to disturb her, but pulled her hand back in shock.
She tentatively put a finger on her neck and gasped.
"Madam! Madam Pomfrey!" The witch came hurrying over. "She's alive! Skylar's alive! I felt her pulse!"
Madam Pomfrey leapt into action, drawing a blanket around the slayer and muttering spells while everyone else looked on in shock. Skylar was the second person to survive the killing curse.
******************************************************************** ***
Silence fell in the great hall as Dumbledore mounted the stage. The house elves had put together a hurried breakfast and everyone was gathered in the great hall. Professor Dumbledore looked around at the trusting faces; well, mostly trusting. The Slytherin's just looked bored.
"Last night a great tragedy occurred." He spoke in a voice that was almost a whisper. "Many of you were present at the fight that took place in this very hall, many of you saw your fellow students dying. I am deeply saddened to inform you that the death count stands at 37, with two Gryffindor girls who actively partook in the battle yet to regain consciousness.
I'm afraid that there is more. There are 9 students who have yet to be accounted for and we are making every effort to find them. We can only be thankful that it was not more serious than it was, however one fact remains: War has broken out."
******************************************************************** ***
"What happened?" Dawn demanded. Harry had been avoiding her questions since she had awoken five minutes ago. It had been quite easy at first, but with Madam Pomfrey gone he would have to tell her.
"Voldermort attacked."
"I know that much, the vampires went to Gryffindor and we fought them. Robin didn't make it, did she?"
"No."
Dawn nodded slowly. "We went back to the hall. Oh God, Skye."
"She's OK. The curse knocked her out, but she's going to be ok."
"Really? What happened then? I don't remember..."
"I don't really know. You did something and got really powerful, but you changed. Your hair went black and something happened to your skin-"
"Did it go all veiny?" Dawn asked, fearing the answer.
"Yeah. Has it happened before?"
"Not to me. What did I do?"
"A spell. The sky went black and green fire rained on the death eaters. You trapped them all. It was dark magic, wasn't it?"
Dawn hung her head. "So I didn't kill anyone?" Her big eyes looked into Harry's full of fear.
"No." Harry pulled her into a big hug, holding her tightly. "It's OK to cry, if you need too." He told her.
"I'm OK. It's a Sunnydale thing- meltdown when we're finished. If I start now, I'll never stop and there are still things I have to do. Where are the slayers?"
"No-ones seen Jade; Ginny and Flick went to get something to eat and then they're getting some sleep; Skye's just over there and Robin's next door."
"What about you? You should get some sleep."
"I'd rather stay here."
"Fine, but lay down over there and try to sleep."
Harry tried to protest that he wasn't tired, but he was asleep the moment his head touched the pillows.
Dawn walked over to Skye's bed.
"I'm sorry."
Professor McGonagall heard the girls whispered words and her heart filled with pity. Not just for Dawn, but for Harry, for the slayers and for all the children at Hogwarts.
She watched Dawn move away from her friend and towards the door leading to the next room. Professor McGonagall moved to stop her, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Professor Snape.
"She needs closure." He murmured.
"She can't go in there, it's not healthy!" McGonagall said in a hushed whisper.
"On the contrary, Minerva, this will help." Both professors jumped at the sound of the headmaster approaching.
They jumped again, but this time it was because they heard a yell. Dumbledore lead them into the room that Dawn had just entered. They're eyes adjusted to the lack of light in the windowless room just in time to see Dawn and a fading pile of dust.
"What was that?"
"Some of the students must have been turned. We'll have to get rid of the bodies."
"No." Professor McGonagall gasped.
"We have to, or more may rise." Dawn insisted. Professor Snape put a consoling arm around her shoulders- the heads of rival houses stood united in their grief.
******************************************************************** ***
Before long, a fire was burning next to the forbidden forest. The fuel was the bodies of the children who had lost a lot of blood. Around it stood Hagrid- crying giant tears, Professor Snape- his mask firmly in place until you looked into his eyes and saw his pain, Professor McGonagall- who looked years older than she had the previous day and Dawn. Professor McGonagall looked at the girl across the fire. She couldn't help but think how young she looked as she carried out her duty, but then, she was only 17. The fire was Dawn's idea. It was either that, or decapitate each body and no- one could bring themselves to do it.
As the fire died out, Harry appeared next to Dawn's side. She had insisted that no-one else be informed of what they were doing, especially not any of her sleeping friends.
"Mr. Potter, please take Miss Summers back to the castle. We can handle it from here. Take care of her." Harry nearly fainted of shock at his potion master's kindly tone, but did as he was told taking a silent Dawn back towards the castle.
They sat down under a big oak tree bathed in sunlight. Dawn leant back against Harry and closed her eyes.
"Dawn? You should probably talk about this."
"I'm fine." She didn't even open her eyes.
"No, you can't be. It's over now. It's over." Tears started to flow down the watchers face. Harry held her in his arms and shed his own tears.
When they had no more tears to cry, they sat there thinking about what had happened.
"It was my fault." Dawn whispered.
"What?"
"Robin dying. I was supposed to look after her and she died."
"It's not your fault. She knew the risks and still decided to fight."
Dawn sighed not believing him. "Thank you."
"What for?"
"Saving me."
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you?"
"Not from evil stuff, from myself. You got me to start talking, and believe me that's an achievement." A ghost of a smile crossed her face. She turned to Harry suddenly.
"Why do we do this? Why fight? People die whatever we do."
"You saved hundreds of lives tonight, yes you did, and without taking one in return. And we weren't even ready, that was all Voldermort's strike- we haven't even begun. Next time, it's our turn."
******************************************************************** ***
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I know it's a bit short, but that's the best place to stop for now. Please review and tell me what you think.