Buffy stood in the doorway to the Great Hall, unease settling in her stomach. She watched from determined eyes as Harry sat in his chair, friends with Ron and Hermione again. There was something very weird with him.

She shook her head in bafflement, and Faith nudged her. "It's the right thing to do, B. You can't keep up with this crazy relationship with scarboy."

"Harry," Buffy corrected automatically. In the back of her mind, she knew it was true. And what was with the scar, anyway? She had loads of scars from battles. Big deal. "And who says I can't keep the relationship up? It's not like I'm some lame, bad-relationship-having…"

Faith pulled a face. "B, quit with the deep and meaningfuls. Stop trying to find soul-mates in every guy you find. That's my advice, as your sister slayer."

Buffy pulled a face right back at her. "Oh, yeah, cuz you're so good at keeping relationships yourself." She zinged. "And for just how long were you with Drake?"

"Um, actually about two months. On and off. We're not strictly together anymore, but that doesn't mean we don't still sleep with each other." Faith grinned, satisfied at making Buffy squirm.

"Exactly! So who are you to give me advice?"

Faith sighed melodramatically. "Think of it this way. I've been around. After awhile, I can't help but get a bit of a Yoda-like dose of wisdom. With great experience comes great insight."

Buffy said nothing, but watched as Harry laughed, and threw an arm around Hermione. Huh. Funny how that happens, isn't it? Like, ever since Angelus and Spike had showed up, he was friendly with the people he had been such an ass to all over again.

The prank with Crookshanks was designed by Harry, for the sole purpose of having fun, at the expense of his friends. Buffy knew for a fact that doing stuff like that was evil. He had no excuse for his behaviour.

But as soon as Angelus had shown up, and Harry got wind of their history…horizontal tango history and middle-of-the-night kissing history…he had changed back. It was insane. Drusilla was the one to make that delightful explanation for him.

Didn't his friends see? He was just a sad, jealous little boy who heard about a guy his girlfriend used to be close with and freaked. He turned back to the 'Light' side, so the whole school was saying. And oddly enough, it was Buffy who everyone was labelling as the Darth Vader to lure him over in the first place.

"I'm so happy they're not together anymore," Lavender had said to Parvati the other night, while Buffy listened from behind a bookshelf in the library. "She is such a…a.."

"A manipulative witch!" Parvati hissed. "Harry never used to be so cold, and the things he's said to Hermione!" she clucked disapprovingly.

Buffy sucked in a breath, clapping a hand to her mouth afterwards when Lavender looked in her direction, puzzled.

"Did you hear something just now?" she asked, confused.

"No," came the impatient reply from Parvati. "It's just…Harry changed, after Buffy came to the school. But they seem to be, you know, going off each other now."

"Just at the same time as Harry becomes more normal. Like, total personality switch," Lavender agreed, snapping her fingers for emphasis. "Coincidence? No way. Funny, though," she said as an afterthought.

"I've spoken to Buffy sometimes in class. She seems like a really, genuinely nice person. When you speak to her, you have no idea why she's in Slytherin."

"But that's the thing!" Parvati implored. "Slytherin! That's what they do – they're sneaky, and cunning, and you never know about them till it's too- "

"And that's the thing with Gryffindors," Darla sneered imperiously, appearing out of nowhere arm-in-arm with Angelus. "They're too preoccupied with what they want to think to even consider reality. Harry is a disturbed little boy. His schizophrenic mood swings have nothing to do with Buffy. You might want to read the papers sometime," she said delicately. It was well known in the Wizarding World that the Daily Prophet had slandered him for being a loon.

Parvati swallowed "- late," she finished.

Angelus raised an eyebrow. "Haven't you got anything better to do?" he said dismissively.

Lavender licked her suddenly dry lips. "Liam, wasn't it? I don't think we've been properly- "

"Places to go, people to see," Darla said flatly. She recognised the look in the girls' eyes. Who the hell did they think they were, fluttering their lashes at Angelus like that? Darla could smell Parvati's blood; she could hear it pumping through her veins. The pulse was getting faster, and louder.

Darla shot a Look at the two Gryffindors, which sent them scurrying away. They didn't even try to maintain dignity.

"And what was that about Gryffindors?" Angelus asked amusedly. "You know I don't like being stereotyped."

Darla blew him a kiss. "It's true – you are preoccupied with what you want to think. But you have such imaginative thoughts, and you tend to carry them out." She beamed proudly. "I like that in a person."

"Good thing he has no soul," muttered Buffy, coming out from behind her bookshelf as soon as she saw that Parvati and Lavender had gone.

Wait – did I actually think that?!? Bad Buffy! Bad, stupid thoughts… she scolded herself in disbelief. But then, It is a good thing. If he were my Angel, I'd be devastated he was acting like this.

Angelus rolled his eyes. "Souls are overrated," he drawled. "All they do is hinder your potential."

Buffy felt a chill. "Harry has a soul, and he can still act like a bastard," she ground out. Darla looked sympathetic; Angelus looked bored.

That was two nights ago. During then and now, Buffy couldn't stop thinking about it. Harry had done all those dreadful things (being nasty, pulling cruel pranks) and had acted like a total asshole and still, the whole Wizarding world was ready to take him back with welcome arms, a leg of ham and a bottle of champagne to make him happy.

I've saved the world more than he has. I made one mistake – oh, shit. NO; I fricking DIDN'T make a mistake. Rotten Sunnydale police THINK I made a mistake and killed Kendra, and whoa, we can't give her a proper trial that she's awake during. Let's all ostracize the Slayer and lock her up in a magical institution cuz duh, she must be evil and bad and so what she's saved the world and…

…and GOD I just used ostracized in a sentence. That is such a Giles thing to do. I miss Giles. Willow, Xander. I miss them so much.

Why can't I have that luxury Harry has? Why can't the world say 'hey, we think it was just a fluke' and welcome me back? Dawn…Mom…

My family think I've run away. They don't know about the charges against me. Watchers' Council erased my file at the Police Department.

So, really, would it matter if I went back home? I could just tell Mom I screwed up; I got scared and ran away. No one cares about me here. It's my own godamned prison. Why would I be missed here?

"Yes."

Buffy was shocked out of her reverie by a voice next to her. She'd forgotten Faith was there. Faith was looking at her with narrowed eyes, pain leaking out.

"Huh?"

"Yes, you'd be missed," came the answer.

Buffy's mind swam. She blinked in shock. "How did you…?"

"Wandless thing, I guess," Faith said uneasily, shrugging. "Being a Witch/Slayer. You looked like you were thinking that."

Buffy shook her head in amazement. "You've got, what, telepathic powers?" she whispered, eyes darting around, scared someone might hear. "That's so wiggy! You're like Jean Grey from X-Men! Now we've just gotta find you a sexy Cylops," she giggled.

Faith stared at her levelly. "I'm not telepathic. Darla tried to explain, but I only got about half. You're just sending out these vibes, and I think it's like…we're the same frequency: I can kinda get what you're getting at. So don't try it, B. I can see right through you."

Buffy pulled a face. "Don't try what? Those last few sentences didn't flow too well," she joked half-heartedly.

"You're changing the subject. In answer to your question – Yeah. You'd be missed."

Buffy looked into Faith's eyes. They were a warm, chocolate brown, lined with black with green today. The brunette held her gaze for a minute before shrugging, and lowering her eyes. She scuffed her mary-jane on a stone jutting out from the wall, and started to saunter in.

Buffy followed, and they walked in silence to the table before sitting. They stared at the table in silence for awhile, not eating anything, not saying anything. They didn't need to.

"So, thanks. But here you are." Buffy bit her lip as she handed a couple of boxes to the less-than-pleased Harry. "I mean, you're really very generous, but I feel like we're not going anywhere, so you can have it all."

Harry snatched a box from Buffy's hand. He stared at it angrily, before shrugging moodily. "Yeah, thanks," he ground out, although the whole Library could tell that was the very last thing he was thinking.

Buffy's throat was dry. Inside the small, dark blue velvet box was the bracelet he had given her those months ago. Muchos the expensive jewellery.

It was strange to think that he had given her something that special, just when they were beginning to go out. Not many guys did that.

Not many guys. Angel did though. Angel gave me a silver crucifix the first night he met me…and numerous leather jackets…and a flower every now and then…

A ring…

True love…

His gifts had been maybe smaller, but they meant more to me than anything. I mean, what's an antique bracelet? A bracelet doesn't ward away vampires as they lean in to suck you dry. It doesn't keep you warm during those cold nights on patrol. It doesn't make your heart flutter like a freshly plucked flower…

Ugh! I can't stand this!

He's the one man I truly, truly love with all my heart and I see him everyday, even though I know it's not him.

It's not him, it's not Angel. It's not him, it's not Angel. It's not him, it's not the man that I truly truly love to bits and makes my heart hurt and aw, hell he's coming round the corner with Darla.

Damn.

Buffy looked up to see the two of them rounding a bookshelf. She turned back to the table to see that Harry had slouched off, taking his 'gifts' back with him.

Harry'd almost be classified as sleazy if he weren't so upper-class. It's like, Henry the Eighth type generosity. Not cool. Which is a weird thing to think, because Harry is a pet form of the name Henry actually and I remember what Henry the Eighth used to do to his wives. Huh, Harry'd lose an arm if he tried something like that to me.

And I'm reminiscing about Renaissance English Kings. I miss Willow. She taught me that.

Malfoy walked purposefully into the dungeon, looking for Wilkins. There was something he had to discuss. Ever since the demise of his father, Draco Malfoy had been made the Lord of his Manor house, and had inherited a couple of titles and a whole lot of power. He walked with his head held high. Now, there was an increasing pressure placed upon him. Despite the fact that the Dark Lord had been sucked dry, the Death Eaters were still very prominent.

After one Dark Lord comes another, Malfoy mused. Voldemort wasn't the first Big Bad to grace Europe. Before him was Grindelwald, and he too had been defeated. But the evil was still there, in the people.

So really, it wasn't the fault of Big Bads, he reasoned. It was because of individuals such as him - those who were just a bit more industrious, intelligent, cunning and power-hungry - that made the world full of evil.

Them and demons, of course. Not to forget all the other monsters in the world, either.

But at the end of the day, which were more remembered – Grindylows or Grindelwald?

Red caps or the Red Baron?

Spiders or…

"Spike," he said, surprised that the vampire had appeared. "Where have you been?"

William the Bloody shrugged, taking out a cigarette. "Haven't seen Drusilla for ages. We've been spending quality time together," he said, smirking and winking suggestively. Malfoy nodded, accepting it.

"Yeah, true. Where's she now?"

"Astronomy Tower. She likes it up there. The stars talk to her."

Malfoy nodded, and leaned up against Wilkins' desk. Spike made no move to leave. The blondes regarded each other for a moment, each sizing the other up.

"So that's not your real hair colour, is it?" Spike said finally, looking him over.

Malfoy blinked. He really wasn't expecting William the Bloody aka Spike to be asking after his hair. After a moment of blatant staring, Malfoy shook his head slightly and stammered, "-uh, no. It's, uh, real."

"Huh. I used to have that colour for awhile. Bleached. Dru thinks I look better with it this way, though, so I stopped." He smirked at Malfoy, who frowned.

"What are you saying? You think I should dye it a darker blonde colour?" he shook his head. "I'm a Malfoy, Spike. I'm the master of the family, now. I just can't change something like that."

"Sounds like a piss-weak argument."

"What would you know? The Malfoys have been intimidating the Wizarding world for centuries, and are renowned for white-blonde hair. You change a thing like that, and the whole street cred goes straight to hell."

"So it's just for respect."

"Well, yeah."

Spike looked him hard in the eye, blue meeting arctic ice. "Let me tell you something about street cred, boyo," he drawled.

Malfoy pulled a face. "Look, you don't need to tell me anything abo- "

"-Yeah, looks like I do. I know a lot about the Malfoy family reputation. And I know you're starting something difficult, being the new patriarch and lord and all that, no your dad's died. But you gotta get one thing straight first."

Malfoy looked unimpressed. "And what's that?"

"Take it from a Master Vampire who's commanded fear and respect for centuries. Even ask Angelus – he can't walk into a bar without making demons piss themselves. And that's on his own. Imagine what happens when the four of us get around together!" he was grinning madly, anticipating reactions. But this was only boring Malfoy.

"This is interesting and all, but does it have a point?" he snapped arrogantly.

Spike sneered. "Yeah, it does, whelp," he said, ignoring Malfoy's insulted look. "Respect can't be driven by your dad or your looks in the long run. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that all the fear you've got right now is because your Lucius's boy. Not because you're Draco."

Malfoy felt himself turning slightly pink with humiliation – and indignation. How dare this vampire say such things?!

"That's not true! I- "

"You are still living in your father's shadow. When people see you, they think of him. But not for much longer, now that Lucius kicked the bucket. Daddy's gone, and his little boy isn't going to be respected at all."

Malfoy found he had nothing to say. The colour drained from his face slowly, as he thought about everything Spike had said. It…made sense. As much as he didn't want to, Draco was agreeing.

"That's going to have to change, then," Malfoy said quietly, but forcefully. He was really asking Spike how, but this way didn't damage his pride.

The vampire knew what he had subconsciously asked and grinned, baring his teeth, unfanged as they were. "Now you take it from me, boyo, cuz I had to do exactly the same thing."

"What?"

"You don't just want to be respected, or even feared. You want to be infamous. And there's lots of things to do to get that – for me, it began with some railroad spikes and an old friend…"

They talked for hours. Drusilla heard all about it from her place in the Astronomy Tower. She liked it there. The night sky told her everything that was happening, everything that had happened, or would in the future.

"Such pretty stars, pretty, pretty," she sang out softly, her words not quite disappearing on the wind. "You all tell such stories. Grandmother will not be pleased, you say? I agree."

"The stars tell you of the Miracle?" came a voice from behind her, deep and gravely.

Drusilla closed her eyes and hummed, a smile crawling across her feline features. "Handsome pony knows as well. He doesn't think you stars should share with me."

Firenze frowned, kneeling next to her. "You are a demon. Unholy. The stars hold arcane power, and it is not for your kind to have access to it."

"Ganymede doesn't want you to be concerned."

"Ganymede doesn't, but it is in my nature to. See how her sister, Europa, comes so close to Jupiter tonight?" he sighed. "And yet, for you to be blessed with the sight, I can tell that you were once pure. So perhaps, you will use your skills to benefit others."

Drusilla regarded the sky. "Europa is close to Jupiter. The Time is drawing nearer."

"You have noticed."

"I have told the others, but they suspect nothing. They cannot understand the pretty stars twinkling bedtime stories to me that haven't happened." She giggled, pointing to a shooting star. "Naughty, get back into place. There shall be no tea and cake for you tonight."

Anyone who was watching would have seen a star falling to the east, then slowing, stopping, and heading back to its original position. They would have thought they were dreaming.

Firenze shook his head. "Be careful. Watch Europa."

"The Time approaches. Adrastea tells of another, as well."

"Another not of this land."

"We shall see. Europa shall tell us when the Time is at hand."

"And we shall act as we see fit," Firenze finished, still gazing at the sky.

"Pretty stars tell such naughty bedtime stories. If they aren't carefully, Jupiter shall not give them dinner."

Firenze stared at Drusilla as she clapped her hands with delight. He stood, and walked away, listening to her murmur to herself.

"Twinkle twinkle little stars, Miracle will cause some scars. After he, the sun will rise. Right before our very eyes…"

&&&

A/N

Yeah. Late. Duh. Couldn't be helped. Many people have been itching to see some Spike/Malfoy, so here it is. Took ages to think of, and ages to write. I'm not very good with those characters, I don't think.

Many thanks to reviewers – hey guys, I'm at 149 on ff.net!! ONE MORE!!!

Ashenem – glad you approve

Kat – yeah, I had some issues with Dawn for a couple of season, but I'm over it now…after reading "Camp Killalot" by karen/msgordo. It's fantastic!

Sabia – thanks for pointing that out. I'll work on staying more in character.

Blondi gurl – YES! The scoobies believe in Buffy!!!

Buffy13-buffyspike4ever – ask, and ye shall receive. Unless it's B/S. yes, there will be B/A or some B/Aus, so stay tuned! And yeah, Dawnie should be younger, but I like her being just a tad older. I'm changing it so she's just a year younger than Buffy.

Morgana – thanks!

Kyra2 – huh. I havent thought that much about the Watchers for awhile. Must look into that…

Linz005 – merci

Draco-FutureBF – thanks as always!

Tuxedo cat – thank you, thank you

ChocolateKitten – luvin' the reviews

TtH

JoeHunderedaire – ew, I never knew I even had extra spacing! Working on it!

Dragonxprincess – v. encouraging. Thanks!

REVIEW!