Faith rolled her eyes. "I did it, okay? I killed a guy. It may have been a mistake, but I still killed a guy. I'm a murderer."
Buffy felt a chill at the offhand tone she was using. "Well, okay," she said slowly. "But if it wasn't your fault, then maybe-"
"And you did as well."
Buffy squinted at Drusilla, feeling chilled. "What?" she asked in a dangerous tone. "What did you just say?"
Drusilla pouted dramatically. "Little birdie flown the nest, flown the nest."
Buffy shook her head. "What do you mean? I didn't kill Kendra - you did, Drusilla! You bitch, how dare you say it was me! You've done some pretty disgusting things to me - killed Kendra, tried to get Xander, you nearly killed my Angel after torturing him -"
She took a menacing step forward, but was caught by Harry. "Whoa there, Buff. Relax. Can I just point out that fighting another student right outside the Headmaster's office is NOT a good idea? I can get away with trashing his office, but hey, I'm Harry Potter. I get away with it."
Buffy looked up at Harry angrily, ignoring his attempts to make her laugh. "She did it! She killed Kendra, and all this time I've been blamed for it! How can she even think that it was me?"
Dru started to rock back and forward on her heels, humming with a serene smile on her face. "Ask no questions, be told no lies," she said in a teasing voice.
Buffy looked at her skeptically. "Whatever," she ground out forcefully. "You know what? It's not worth the effort. I'm just gonna go now, and get my Verisapotion."
"Veritaserum."
"Yeah. What Harry said." Buffy rolled her eyes. You all gonna stay here?"
Harry spoke for all of them. "We wouldn't miss it for the world," he said sincerely. "We'll wait for you outside." Buffy smiled again. He really was a sweetie.
After taking another deep breath, Buffy squared her shoulders and knocked once more on the door, before walking into the office.
Professor Dumbledore was seated behind his desk, petting his phoenix. Fawkes, Buffy thought absently. The Headmaster looked up at Buffy, smiling a bit.
"Miss Summers! To what do I owe this pleasure?" he said in a warm voice. Lately, he had been getting nicer and nicer to her. She smiled back.
"Um, Professor.I'm just going to get straight to the point."
Dumbledore nodded. "Off course. Musk stick?" he asked lightly, offering her a bowl of pink lollies. She fought back a smile, and shook her head politely.
"No thanks, sir. I was just talking with Darla and Drusilla before, and we were discussing my.er, predicament."
Dumbledore looked a bit surprised. "You don't tell many people, though, do you?"
Buffy felt her face turning the same colour as the musk sticks. She couldn't really tell him that she knew the two ex-vampires. What was she going to say? Sorry, sir, but your new students are actually vampires in a previous unlife and were half of the Scourge of Europe and have already been responsible for a massacre in Hogwarts many years ago and I just happen to be able to tell them things cuz we go so far back? Ha ha ha. Not bloody likely.
"We get on really well. We've bonded. Like peas in a pod. Bonded peas. We're also sharing a dorm, and I kind of felt it courteous to tell them."
Dumbledore's beard twitched in a smile. "Very considerate of you."
Buffy coloured, taking a seat opposite the aged man. "And, anyway, you know how I still maintain the whole 'innocent' view? Well, Darla mentioned this thing called a Veritaserum."
Dumbledore nodded, looking more serious. "A Truth Potion. It is used in many magical trials."
Buffy pulled a face. "What, and I was an exception?"
"Pardon, Miss Summers?"
"I don't recall ever having a trial at all, much less being offered a Truth potion."
There was silence in the office as Buffy watched her Headmaster, apprehension and anxiety written on her face among confusion. Dumbledore stared at her sadly.
"Miss Summers," he said in a gentle voice, "You must not have known."
Buffy frowned, uncomprehending. "What?"
"I am aware, you know, that you have been restored to full strength. After Harry gave that to you, you may have noticed I stopped giving you tranqillisers."
Buffy froze. Her stomach dropped to the floor and her heart caught in her throat. Figuratively, of course, although she had seen it done in a demon. "I - sir, I mean - "
"It is perfectly fine, Miss Summers. I was going to stop using it anyway, because I know the effects it has, whereas the Watchers' Council do not."
Buffy slouched in her chair, her face blank. "Effects? We're not just talking about rashes and split ends, are we?"
Dumbledore looked very sad. "In too high doses, and too often, a person on the drug has some memory loss. You may have felt very.distant.and that is because you probably missed a few things."
Buffy felt an icy claw grip her heart. "How.I mean, what did I miss?" she croaked.
"By my estimation," Dumbledore replied gently, "About three or four hours. Your slayer immunity had reduced the effect to that much."
Buffy swallowed. "Okay," she whistled. "I don't know where you're going with this weird train of thought. What did I miss?"
Dumbledore sighed heavily and stood, walking over to a small wooden cabinet. He bent down, opening the door. Buffy craned her neck to see what he was pulling out. At first, Buffy thought it was just a really, really big silver vase.
Dumbledore straightened and placed the heavy thing on his desk. Buffy leaned forward to see that it had swirly, glittery silver stuff inside it. Was it liquid, or more like sand?
"This is called a Pensieve. It is a magical object that records memories when one has too many thoughts. You can access these memories by touching the surface. I think you may want to watch it."
Buffy looked at the Pensieve. "You mean if I touch this, I'll remember?"
"No, but you'll see firsthand what happened. This is from my memory."
Dumbledore took her hand, and together they touched the surface of the Pensieve.
Buffy felt a strange rushing feeling, and all of a sudden was dragged forward into the bowl. It was like falling through something icy cold and very dark. Buffy fought down some panic, and shut her eyes tightly.
When she opened them again, she was sitting at a dark, polished desk on a dark, polished chair. Everything around her was dark, polished wood and obviously very classy. She looked to her left, she saw Dumbledore sitting next to her. "We are at the Watcher's Council, in London," he said. "No one here can see or hear us."
Buffy's eyes widened. She looked around the room in surprise. So this was where Giles hailed from! This was the top-secret ancient organization that controlled the Slayers. Her mind whirled. Merrick and Giles came from here, they both would have spent a long time in this building.
She jerked when she realized that she and Dumbledore were not alone. Also sitting at the long desk were several people. Some Buffy recognized, most she did not. Quentin Travers was there. Weatherby and Smith were there, to her irritation. She saw a man that matched Faith's description of her watcher, Wesley Wyndam-Price, perfectly. She looked over to where Travers was sitting, swirling some amber liquid in a crystal shot glass. Old Traver's a drinker? She thought humorously. Presently, he stood.
"We all know why we are here today. Let's begin by introducing ourselves, for the record." he said in his upper-class English accent. He nodded to a woman who looked like a secretary, holding a notepad and pen.
One by one, every Watcher present raised a hand, murmuring their name. As they did so, the woman wrote down the names. Buffy listened, and judged each person.
Quentin Travers. Well, duh.
Lord Roberts. Never heard of him.
Wesley Wyndam-Price. Ha-ha! I was right.
Roger Zabuto. Buffy paused. Oh, God. Kendra's Watcher.
Lord Anthony. Nope. Another stranger. James Bond wannabe.
Sir James. Sounds like royalty. Looks like the Grand old Duke of York, whoever he was.
Lady Wydeville. No way. WOMEN get to be Watchers too? Huh. She looks nice. Kinda reminds me of mom.
Smith. Weatherby. Yeah? I'll show them.as soon as I get my Veritaserum.
After that was done, Travers heaved a great sigh. "We are here today to decide a suitable course of action for Miss Buffy Summers, one of the current Slayers. Everyone one here has already been informed, so I'll be brief. Miss Summers is accused of murdering another Slayer. Such is the gravity of this crime, it has never happened before - also because there were two Slayers. At the request of Rupert Giles, her Watcher, Miss Summers is to be placed at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the duration of her incarceration. Her position on the Hellmouth will be filled by the next Slayer, Miss Faith Morgan. Her new Watcher is to be Wesley Wyndam-Price."
Wesley beamed, looking very proud. He stuck out his chest and sniffed importantly through his nose. Buffy rolled her eyes. Yep, he was just like Faith described.
"Before Summers' sentence is carried out, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, and Ruupert Giles, have requested the Watchers' Council to have an appeal. She ahs already been proven guilty in our courts during her trial, but Professor Dumbledore and Giles have recommended that we try giving Summers a Veritaserum."
The woman, Lady Wydeville, nodded. "A truth potion? I've been saying for years that our system is a bit too Muggle. The Slayer is a mythical creature, after all, and as such should be subject to magical trial."
Travers sniffed. "Yes. Well, then. Smith, if you would, kindly collect the them."
Smith got up, gave a little nod, and walked out. After a few seconds, he came back into the room. Buffy gave a gasp when she saw who was behind him.
She saw her own self walking in, looking very dazed. Albus Dumbledore followed. Buffy was confused. She looked next to her, and saw Dumbledore sitting on her left! So, he was watching the whole thing, and in it, just like her. This Pensieve thing sure was creepy.
Dumbledore, the one behind Smith, walked forward. "I have prepared the Veritaserum, Quentin," he said in a formal voice. "Would you like me to administer it to the girl now?"
Quentin nodded. Dumbledore looked very sad, and disappointed. It's such a shame, his eyes seemed to say. In one movement, he tipped a small vial of clear liquid down Buffy's throat - the dazed Buffy, not the audience Buffy.
Buffy watched her own face go even slacker, if that were even possible. Dumbledore sighed. "Let the Inquisition begin," he said.
Travers leaned forward in his chair at the head of the table. "What is your name, Slayer?"
"Elizabeth Anne Summers." She heard herself answer in a flat, expressionless voice. It was totally hollow, void of any emotion.
"Who is your Watcher?"
"Rupert Giles."
"Have you killed a lot of vampires?"
"Yes."
"Are you good at killing things?"
"Yes." There was silence in the room. Everyone was leaning forward. Some were looking angry, some sad, some pitying, some anxious. Dumbledore was looking determined. He was radiating a strong aura, looking younger than he had in a while. His eyes remained cold.
Travers took a sip of brandy. "Have you killed creatures other than vampires? Or demons?"
"Yes."
Travers was frowning deeply. "I don't like to lose a good Slayer," he said, mainly to himself. He continued with the final question.
"Have you killed another Slayer of your own free will?"
Everyone in the room tensed. The silence was almost unbearable, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. Buffy realized she was holding her breath, but couldn't bear to let it go. She felt cold sweat running down her face and back. Please, she prayed. Please say no!
The dazed Buffy seemed to be struggling. She was quiet for a long time, but wouldn't answer properly.
Roger Zabuto banged his fist on the table, hate written upon his face. "Damnit, you bitch! Did you kill Kendra or not?"
Dazed-Buffy gave her answer immediately. "Yes."
Buffy Summers felt her world shatter. Her heart jumped up into her throat and she started to gasp for breath. A sob escaped her and she became oblivious to everything around her. She didn't!
"No," she gasped. "No, I didn't! I never did it, I -"
Dumbledore caught her arm. "Miss Summers, please calm yourself. Relax."
Buffy opened her eyes, letting the tears run out. She looked up at Dumbledore and noted dimly that she was back in his office at the school.
"But I never did it, I was framed - I framed myself, I believe it but I know I didn't, it's."
She broke off into large sobs, wracking her body. She hadn't had a cry for a very long time.
She looked up at her Headmaster. "Please," she cried, "You have to believe me!"
Dumbledore was quiet. "I believe you, Miss Summers."
Buffy took a deep breath. "Wh-what?" she stammered amid her tears.
"That is only part of what you missed. Right after that, there is another scene in the Pensieve that you need to see. We need to go back in there."
Buffy wiped her tears on her sleeve. "I can't go back," she said bitterly. "God, I can't.I mean, not only does everyone think I'm a murderer, they make me think it too! My friends turned on me.my mom, she threw me out.Giles probably hates me.he didn't even turn up to the hearing."
Dumbledore was quiet. "As I said, Miss Summers. We need to go back."
Buffy took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. Okay, this totally sucked. Big time. I need to get a grip, she thought. I mean, it's nothing I didn't already think.stop it! I'm the Slayer, I'm not supposed to be all pessimistic girl. I'm determined, save-the-world-girl. Huh. That just sucks. She took another breath, and touched the surface of the Pensieve. After a second or two, she was back in the Watcher's Council HQ. After a quick calculation. Buffy decided that it was the next few moments following what she had just witnessed. Travers was mid-speech.
"Summers will be taken to the school for the duration of her detainment. By the power invested in me from the Watcher's Council, her terms will be as such: the Slayer will be given this organic compound," he said, holding up a syringe of what Buffy realized with a squirm was the tranquillizer, "-every day, to maintain the a state of calm, also so she is rendered harmless. This will continue for-"
"You can't do that."
Every person in the room froze at the quiet statement.
Travers whipped around to face the doorway, where a dark figure was standing. "Pardon?" he said in a haughty voice. "Are you questioning my judgement, man?"
The man in question stepped forward. Buffy's heart skipped a beat. She would know those glasses and tweed clothes anywhere!
"You know it, Quentin." Giles said in an even tone, thoroughly calm. "You also know the risks associated with that compound in high doses. Brain damage."
There was silence. Wesley shook his head from across the room. "Surely not," he protested, sounding insulted. "The Council has its roots in ancient lore, and the drug has been known for centuries -"
"And it's been a mistake for centuries," Giles cut him off. "Admit it, Quentin. You were planning to totally incarcerate Buffy, and while doing so make her unable to ever be at full slaying ability again."
Quentin had a glint in his eye that Buffy recognized as an English way of looking pissed. "Miss Summers is a threat, Rupert. She has killed a human. With her strength, speed and adeptness with weaponry, there is no telling what damage she could do."
Giles shook his head. "This has happened before, Quentin. Many people have been killed accidentally in the crossfire of the war the Slayer wages against darkness. Many other Slayers have killed people, but they still work for the Light and have been treated fairly."
"You don't think she is being treated fairly?"
"Damnit, yes!" Giles took off his glasses. Buffy recognized the movement and felt an odd chill. When he was in a mood, nothing good could come out of it. "The other Slayers were given fair trial, and sent back to work with a warning. You are treating Buffy like this because you have a particular prejudice against the girl, and -"
"Careful, Rupert." Quentin said sharply. "You are defending a murderer. Summers is different from the other girls."
"I know," Giles said quietly.
Quentin frowned deeply. "You love the girl like a daughter. That is a terrible trait for a Watcher to have. Your emotions make you unable to see properly."
"I can see quite clear," came Giles' chilly response.
"Summers is different because she killed another Slayer, not any other person. And there was no vampire or demon at the scene of the murder, so the deceased was not killed in the crossfire of a battle. Summers killed her of her own free will."
Buffy looked at her Watcher to see his reaction, but he was gone. Buffy shivered when she realized that Giles had left the building: Ripper was now in the house.
"I know that she would never, ever do that," he said in a dangerous tone that almost made Buffy scared. "You are wrong, you right little -"
Dumbledore stepped forward at that moment to intervene. "May I request something of the Council?" he asked in a clear voice. Both Travers and Giles turned to face him, their faces set.
"I merely ask that the Council lets me, as Headmaster of the school, to treat Miss Summers as I see fit. However that may be," he said. "I shall make my own decisions regarding her behaviour and the conditions of her incarceration. It has been proven that she is, in fact, guilty; I will take it upon myself to take care of her and hopefully, she will become rehabilitated." He chuckled sadly. "Troubled youngsters are a specialty of mine."
Quentin sighed heavily. "The Council agrees to your terms, Dumbledore," he said in an even voice. "Kindly remember though, in your treatment of her, that she killed the girl closest to a sister to her in cold blood. And she is very able of doing it again. Do not forget Tom," Travers said as an afterthought. "You thought he was a good person, as well. The Slayer is rooted in darkness, and has already shown us her true colours."
Dumbledore's face didn't move at all. "Yes, Travers. Thank you." his eyes, however, had taken on their steely, cold blue again. Buffy shivered.
Then, the room swirled around her, and Buffy felt like she was floating again. She fell with a thump on a cold, marble floor. Huh. Nice décor, she thought humourlessly.
She looked up and saw Dumbledore again, standing with Giles. The two men were muttering darkly, Dumbledore looking skeptical and Giles looking furious.
"There's something coming, can't you feel it?" Giles was saying persistently. "It's just too convenient. Buffy couldn't have killed someone; it's not in her nature."
"Giles," Dumbledore sighed heavily, "As much as I hate it, she told us she killed Kendra under a Veritaserum. It is impossible to fake that."
"I know, I know," bit off Giles. "But there's something I've missed. Something important. There's one tiny, tiny detail and when I find it, Buffy will be set free. I know it."
Dumbeldore shook his head. "I don't think so, Rupert. But, if you do find it, be sure to tell me. I can only hope that your theory is true."
"But it's just too convenient that the Slayer's been put away," he hissed angrily. "Something planned it. I know it."
The room swirled again, and Buffy found herself back in Dumbledore's office. Her tears were gone now. Giles.
All this time, and she'd thought that he didn't believe her. Now, after seeing that.could it be true? Was there something missing? True, there was no way to fault a Veritaserum. But what if-
Ugh. What if what, exactly? Buffy had nothing going her way. Nothing, zero, zilch. No witnesses, a genuine confession, and no alibi. Hell, she had been in the room with blood all over her. But, if she had Giles.maybe things were looking up.
At least he still believed her.
&*&*& A/N
hey there everyone!!! I would like to take the time to thank my faithful reviewers..
ff.net:
Reese - yeah, more action is imminent. Remember, though, Angelus is coming soon.what will happen there : P
JC - coolioz, thanks laods!
Daco-FutureBF - grazie, you rock!! Here it is, give me your thoughts!
Youdontcarewhatmynameis - you got it right!!! Good job. Also, my deepest sympathies for the screen name. Sounds self-depreciating.
Tth:
Oh my LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You people on tth, I am shocked and appalled and a whole lot of other words!! I haven't got one review for the last chapter!!
Well, it musta been really, oodles of bad or you guys are just SLACK and/or mean. I mean, gimme a break!! I wrote the thing, you could at least review!!!
So, in conclusion, thank you everyone who reviewed and a huge sticking-tongue-out to the SLACKERS on tth who make me cry. Also, I am almost at 100 reviews on ff.net so PLEASE review and let me reach the milestone!
Looking forward to reviews (yeah, they're these things where you actually respond) and writing the next chapter, of course.
Now that my rant is over, REVIEW!!! -please?