Well I'm back. I know it's been somewhere around 6 months since I updated but Real Life (tm) interupted. I swear I'll try harder to ignore it in the future.
Disclaimer: Still not mine. Still ticked about it. Still going to play with the characters. Nener nener.
It was a disgruntled group that appeared in Dumbledores office. Severus looked fit to kill, Anya looked bored, Hagrid looked worried, and Spike was blocking Severus' view of Anya. Dumbledore calmly looked over his glasses at them and said pleasantly
"Did everyone have a nice shopping trip?"
"Yeah" Anya answered "It was just great. I was practically forced to get clothes I didn't want,and I met a murderer. It was almost like being back in Sunnydale. Minus the crappy clothes"
"Met a murderer?" Dumbledore asked alarmed
"Lucius Malfoy" Severus told him coldly "He was in Diagon Alley"
"Ahhh yes." Dumbledore said calmly "Well no harm done"
"Is that right?" Spike said acidly "Would you like to explain why one of your employee's is socially active with him?"
"It's a long and complicated story" Dumbledore hedged
"Well then shorten it and uncomplicate it" Spike said leaning against one of the chairs"
"Disrespect!" One of the paintings shouted "No one talks to the headmaster of Hogwarts like that"
Spike turned a glare to the paintings, most of whom shrunk back behind their frames
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked cautiously
Severus waved his hand in an irritated manner "Just tell them so I can get back to doing my job"
"Is this going to take long?" Anya asked "I'd like to go and read up on wizarding investments"
"Plenty of time Luv" Spike told her calmly "You don't want to jump into anything yet anyway"
"Fine" Anya answered wearily settling herself in a chair "How does Sevvie here know a murderer and how will it affect me?"
"We discussed our war with Voldermort yesterday.. Lucius Malfoy is one of his followers. For several years Severus has been a spy for our side" Dumbledore said calmly "It is imperative this information does not leave this room."
"Well duh" Anya answered " So you used to follow He Who Is Only A Mortal But Thinks He Is Special?
"As far as most think, with a few exceptions, I still follow him" Severus answered crisply
"That must suck" Anya said looking at him steadily "So? Did we miss lunch?"
Spike rolled his eyes as said
"So what does this mean for your school now?"
"How do you mean William?" Dumbledore asked calmly
"How will people respond to a Vampire and an X-Demon teaching children" Spike asked dredging up what little patience he possesed
"Oh not to worry" Dumbledore answered cheerily "I've long been known for my placing of rather unusual teachers here at Hogwarts. I should, perhaps, make a visit to the ministry to head off any problems however."
"I'm sorry" Anya said sweetly
Dumbledore looked startled before asking
"Whatever for my Dear?"
"Well, I had to go and deal with the Sunnydale city hall on occasion and it was some of the times I wished most that I had my vengeance powers. Beaurocrats are worse than demons you know." She paused before adding thoughtfully "You know most of them WERE demons come to think of it"
"Yes of course" Dumbledore said blinking at Anya.
"Well then. guess theres nothing to worry about" Spike said stretching and standing up.
"Don't be so sure" Severus sneered glaring at Spike "Now more eyes than usual will be on Hogwarts.. both Ministry and the Dark Lord. You think he won't be interested in both of you and where you came from?"
"Well he's YOUR boss mate" Spike answered smoothly "You think of something to tell him"
"Yes" Anya piped up "And try not to get killed. That would be bad. I need you around to take me shopping again"
Severus stared at Anya before muttering a curt goodbye to the rooms occupents and stalked out of the room.
Anya looked at Dumbledore and Spike "Did I say something wrong?"
Spike shrugged
"No not at all" Dumbledore said kindly. Unfortunately for Spike and Anya they didn't notice his eyes twinkeling.
Review if you can however I fully expect angry retorts about how long this took to update. Again...I've got my muse tied to a chair and hopefully she can't untie herself any time soon
muse shouts "You just wait child! I'm twisting your plot for this!
Just a quick not...don't tick off your muse...help?
