A Second Chance
Chapter 21 - From Another Perspective.
DISCLAIMER: Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, and Harry Potter to J.K. Rowling. I don't own anything.
TIMELINE: AU. Set ten years before (Around 1988) "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone", during and after Harry Potter book 5, "Order of the Phoenix"(2003). During and after BTVS season 7, "Chosen". Pretend HP book one happened in 1999 during Buffy season three )
SUMMARY: BTVS/HP crossover. After James and Lily reappears, seemingly alive and well, mysterious things start to happen. New allies are made, prophecies revealed...and people keep rising from the dead. What's going on? And what has Voldemort got to do with it? Are the Scoobies and the Potter's second chance at life enough to stop the Dark Lord from spreading darkness across the country? Or is the world in need of more miracles?
PAIRINGS: Too many to count.
Thanks to my beta: Charmed Chick
Buffy's POV.
It's been two weeks since it happened. Two long weeks since Willow turned evil…again. Two weeks since I died…again. It's what? My third time? Anyway, I, the one and only Buffy Summers - the original chosen and the longest living (forget the fact that I've now died thrice…I wonder what the record is?) Slayer is once again back in the castle - Hogwarts. I am so grateful!
Ithought I hated hospitals, (or well, truth to be told, I'm terrified of them, but don't mention it. The others would never let me live it down. I know they know that I'm afraid of them, but TERRIFIED has a completely new meaning) but I don't think I truly knew what that word (hate) meant. Until now.
Imagine this. Lying in a bed for two weeks, in a room with completely white walls, a light so bright that the sun would look small in comparison, and the smell of soup and other weird stuff I can't name. I mean, I never thought something could be TOO clean, but that was. No dirt, no smell of good smells, or anything natural. I couldn't even see the slightest bit of dust. And I was so isolated. LONELY! I was just lying there, thinking about my life…it didn't take long.
'I can sum it up with five words: Carefree, called, slayed, burning down the gym, EXPELLED. Quit, moved, started again, slayed, died, REVIVED. Slayed, maimed, fell in love, heartbroken, EXPELLED, RAN AWAY. Came back, fell in love again, quit the council, heartbroken, stabbed, BLEW UP A SCHOOL. College, slayed, fell in love, BECAME A SUPER SLAYER, got a sister, boyfriend left, got my ass kicked by a crazy God, kicked back, died, came to HEAVEN, resurrected, unhappy, slept with Spike, slayed, dealt with three super nerdy villians, DOUBLEMEAT PALACE (enough said), got my ass kicked, kicked myself for being an IDIOT. Moved on, got a job, got potentials, got my ass kicked, was kicked out, got a pep talk, killed an evil priest, came back, went into the Hellmouth, slayed, killed, maimed, slayed some more, ran out, saw two bodies, they woke upwent to Hogwarts, helped, got killed, came back, end of story.'
All right, it wasn't five words. But you get it. It took me less than five minutes. So, you can understand that I'm grateful for being out of there. I mean, I thought normal hospitals were freaky, but wizarding ones is way worse!
"Buffy!"
I'm interrupted in my thoughts by my sister, Dawn, who runs up to me and gives me a hug. I smile, and hug her back. I'm back to the living, and back to my sister. Yeah, my sis. My annoying, but oh, so lovely pain in the ass fake-but-feels-like-a-real-one-sister.
"Hi Dawn."
I look around. The Great Hall is full of people, all staring at me. I'm in the center again. It's good to be back.
"Buffy!"
Someone calls, and I look up the great table, and sees Faith waving at me. She's sitting in Remus' lap.
I feel a smirk grace my features. I guess Faith got it bad this time. And it's returned. I'm happy for her. Faith deserves some happiness. I mean it. (Don't look at me like that!) I really do. I just wish…or I just HOPE that I'll find some too. I am happy now, but I could be happier. I know I could. I just need to find it…oh, there it is! I mean, he is. Charlie. Can he make me happy? Do I love him? I know my mom said so, but what does she know? How can she know, when I don't? Okay…let's see. What do I feel when I look at him…?
Pulse – normal - check.
Breath - normal - check.
Butterflies - none - check.
Blushing - none - check.
Oh, he's coming over…!
Heart - racing – che…shit!
Okay, moving on. I'm sure it was nothing. Umm…right…
Brain - working - NOT! Oh, God, help me!
Okay, starting over again.
Pulse - fast - damn!
Breath - even faster - not good…!
Butterflies - a lot – what's wrong with me!
Blushing - like a tomato. I'm so screwed.
"Hi, Buffy."
"H-hi!"
Shit! I can't believe this! I'm stuttering! Like a school-girl! With a crush! And…oh, great! Now I'm grinning like a maniac too.
"So, how does it feel to be back?" Charlie wonders.
I blink stupidly. What did he say?
"Huh?"
Charlie smiles and looks worriedly at me. I feel like an idiot.
"Are you alright, Buffy?"
I nod slowly, and stare into his brown eyes, drowning. His nose is covered by freckles (I had no idea freckles could be such of a turn on), and his red hair is messyf rom the wind. I guess he's been out flying…I can see it in front of me: Charlie riding on a broom…Charlie riding me…BAD THOUGHTS! BAD, BAD THOUGHTS! I start to hit myself in the head.
"Buffy?"
"Huh?"
I stop hitting myself, and sees Charlie's amused eyes watching me again.
"Are you sure you're alright? You seem a little…"
"Oh, I'm fine!"
The grin is back. Stupid, stupid…
"I'm glad. Well, you want dinner?"
"With you?"
I ask dumbly, my heart racing again. Charlie looks really worried now.
"No, with everyone. Now. In the Hall?"
"Oh, right! I'm starving, I could eat a horse!"
I groan inwardly, as Charlie gives me that look again. He must think I'm crazy. 'I could eat a horse'. God, how stupid! That line must be the most hated line in history – it's not really working to turn someone on. Not that I want to.
I walk into the Great Hall, and see Faith give me an amused look. Obviously she heard it all. Damn Slayer hearing. I hope none of the other Slayers heard. That would so kill my this far unkillable reputation.
I sit down beside Faith, and Charlie sits down beside me. As he sits, our hands happen to come in contact with each other. I blush. Again. Damn.
I watch his hand. It's big. Most certainly strong…there's a small burn over his knuckles. Probably from a dragon. And he's got a tiny white little scar over his left index finger too…and I shouldn't notice small (but sexy) details like that! We're just friends…right?
'Admit it, Buffy, you got it bad…' A small voice in my head says, and I groan inwardly.
"Do you want some cake?" Charlie asks, and I smile - normally, for once. Thank God, I think I've died one time too much, because I'm going crazy. I don't really know Charlie that well…I mean, we've talked, and he's been helping me with my magic, and he's funny, and nice, and Dawn seems to like him…but I don't know him! Alright, I didn't know Angel when I fell in love with him (hello, vampire, and I didn't notice), and I didn't know Riley either (can you say 'soldier for a crazy bitch?')…and Spike - well, if I loved him, I sure as hell didn't know him. I don't think I'll ever understand what went on in his head…
"Yeah, sure."
I've just taken a small bit of the cake (it's so good - it's official - I love House-elves!), and then I hear the doors open. I look up, and stare into a familiar face…
"Spike?"
"Hey, Buffy. I thought I'd drop in."
I can only stare.
Spike. Is. Back. Spike. Is. Here. Spike. Is…
"So, Slayer, I heard you died again," he drawls, and walks up to me.
"And so did you. I guess I'm not the only one who can't seem to stay dead."
Spike smirks, and give me that look. That look that says he knows everything. His eyes moves to Charlie, and he raises his eyebrows.
"A copy of the Iowa boy, huh?"
I feel my insides heat up. How dare he compare Charlie to Riley?
"Charlie works with dragons," I inform Spike, hoping to wipe the smirk out of his face, and with a sudden need to defend him (Not that it's anything wrong with Riley, but they're nothing like one another).
"Really now? What kind of monster is he?"
He then asks me, and I feel the heat grow stronger. Now I know the bitch is back (I'm talking about Spike, not me), and it's just like old times.
"As I said, he works with dragons. And kills vampires," I say, trying to scare Spike a little, but it's obviously not working.
"He does? Huh. A male vampire Slayer, at last."
Charlie has begun turning a dark shade of red, and I have a feeling neither of them like each other. At all.
"Sod off," Charlie says.
"And he's English. Way to go, Buffy. You could do worse. Like an Irishman for example. Who was that again? Oh, yes. Angel." Spike smirks. That annoying smirk I so haven't missed. At all. Well...not much, anyway.
"Don't drag him into this Spike," I say."Why are you here? To annoy the crap out of me? I thought you got a soul, but maybe it got lost on the way back to the living?" I ask, afraid of his answer. Part of Spike's attituderight now reminds me of the once soulless villain, and I hope he still got his soul.
"Oh, I still got it," Spike assures me. Not that I trust him. Much. "Don't worry, pet. I'm not going to vamp out. But spending the day in a small boat under deck in an even smaller cabin along with captain forehead-I-feel-so-bad-about-myself-and-I'm-saving-the-world-everyday, is not my idea of a pleasant trip."
"Spike, what are you talking about?" I say, confused. It's official - Spike has really lost it.
"Oh, I didn't say?" He smirks – that annoying bad-ass vampire smirk - again.
"Angel's outside."
"Angel…" I whisper, not daring to believe…wanting to believe. Why is he here? Then I jump up.
"OUTSIDE! IN THE SUN?"
I run out of the Hall, and jerk the door open.
"Come in!" I scream, and someone - Angel - runs in, covered in a brown blanket. He's surrounded by smoke.
"GET THE FIRE OUT!" He screams, he sounds desperate - I never knew he could be desperate. I fumble with my wand.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Angel shrieks.
"I'm going to put the fire out!" I say, trying to come up with out a water-spell.
"WITH A STICK! HEY, POINT THAT THING SOMEPLACE ELSE! I'M A VAMPIRE, REMEMBER!"
"It's a wand!" Angels' arm is now on fire. A lot of fire, and I feel myself starting to panic. I can almost see it - A peal of dust where Angel once where.
"SO? IT'S STILL OF WOOD!"
Suddenly, somebody throws water on Angel, soaking him. I look up, and see Spike, standing with a now empty bucket.
"Where did you get that from?" Why didn't I come up with that!
"Dragon-boy summoned it up," Spike says, and Charlie growls.
"Don't call me that."
"Fine then. Wizard-boy summoned it up."
I roll my eyes. Some people (even dead ones) never change.
"Thanks, Spike." Angel says between gritted teeth, sarcasm obvious.
Those two will never get along.
"You're welcome."
"So, dinner, anyone? I don't think we've got any blood, though…"
"It's fine, Buffy," Spike says. "I can eat anything."
"Yeah, you've always been a pig," Angel mumbles, and I hear some of the Slayers trying to cover their laughter.
"Oh, and what about you! Like you're much better!" Spike retorts, and starts to imitate Angel's voice.
"'Give me something to eat, Darla, honey. I hate these lifts, they're aching. I wish I was tall by nature, because my tall, dark, and broody look would be so much easier then.'"
Now the laugh is obvious, and Angel growls. He'll never get Spike's humor.
"I never said that!"
"Oh, no? Because I seem to recall a night in the 1900's, when you used those exact words to Darla after a nights hunting. Alright, the last part I made up…but not the one in the beginning."
Spike smirks, and I stare. Angel really wears lifts? I thought Spike made that up.
"Oh, and that comes from someone with radioactive hair."
Spike glares.
"Are you ever going to let that go?" He says, and it's Angel's turn to smirk.
"Nope."
"Didn't think so…by the way, you're still smellin' a bit burnt."
"Like I care. You know, Spike, I liked you a lot better when you were like Casper."
"Casper?" I ask, questioningly.
"I didn't tell you!" Angel smirks. "Spike was a ghost."
"You promised you wouldn't tell!" Spike screams, clearly embarrassed, and I raise my eyebrows.
"And since when does Angel keep his promises?"
"Hey!" Angel exclaims."What is this: Picking on Angel-day?"
"Yes," both me and Spike says at the same time. Wow. We agreed. I mean...no. We didn't. It was a total coincidence.
"Fine," Angel says.Buffy, mention one time when I broke a promise to you."
I roll my eyes, and start to count on my fingers.
"Oh, let me think…oh, it was that, and that, and that time, and that one, and don't let us forget that one!"
"That's not an example," Angel growls. I hate that growl."That's ranting."
I sigh. LA has changed him...to the worse!
"You know what? Just forget it. Why are you here?"
I pause, suddenly realizing something.
"How did you get in, Spike? You weren't invited."
"Oh, sure I was…" The doors opened once again, and a red-head walk in.
"…By her."
"Vi?" I ask, blinking.
"Hi, Buffy. I'm glad you're back." Vi smiles.
"You invited Spike?"
"Well…yeah…I mean, I know him. He's not evil. Right?" Vi suddenly looks uncertain, and moves closer to me, and further away from Spike.
"It's alright," I assure her. "You did nothing wrong. Why didn't you invite Angel?"
"Angel? Oops. I didn't see it was him. He was a bit behind Spike, and he said he was after him, and that I had to let him in."
"You thought I looked evil?" Angel asks.
"Well…yeah. You looked kinda like some kind of cult member in that blanket." Vi says, biting her lip. I couldn't hold it anymore. As much as I felt sorry for Angel (I mean, all of us were picking on him), it was all too funny. I burst into laughter, and Charlie smiled.
"Buffy…" Spike suddenly said. "We need to talk."
"We do," Angel agreed.
"We will." I pout a little."But can I finish my cake first?"
Tara's POV.
I feel so lost. I don't know what to do. I'm so glad Buffy is alive, and Willow seemed better when I told her (I never mentioned the part about Buffy dying first), but then she sank back into this shell. She's sitting in my dorm, just staring at the wall. She doesn't eat. Doesn't talk. Doesn't sleep. I'm afraid she's really gone - that I won't be able to help her.
I've tried to talk to her, but she doesn't seem to listen. I know it will take time, but I'd hoped she would have at least started to show someemotion by now. She hasn't cried. Hasn't screamed…she won't even look at me. I know she's hurting, but I'm hurting too. I'm glad she realizes what she's done, but she doesn't deal with it. I don't know how to make her open up. Who can reach her? Faith? I mean, she had this being a bad girl going on, but not like Willow…not really. And I know she and Faith never even reallygotten along in the first place.
I wish I knew how Buffy felt. Maybe she won't forgive Willow. I'm afraid that's what's keeping Willow from opening up. That she's afraid the others won't forgive her. I know they will. But it will take time. Wounds take time to heal, and this is the second time Willow's done something 'unforgivable'. She knew what she was doing this time. That's the difference. And I wonder, maybe Willow will never be the same. And when I look at her, I wonder if I can ever look at her the same way. I'm afraid what we once had…is gone. And I don't know how to make it right.
Willow's POV.
She's staring at me again. Looking at me, with those sad eyes. I don't know what to feel.
I know that I'm sorry. But being sorry…it's never enough. Never good enough. And I just hope she'll be able to forgive me. But how can she, when I can't forgive myself?
Whatever I do, wherever I go - people are hurting. I was always this nerd…maybe it would have been better if I'd stayed nerdy. Never met Buffy. Never gotten into witchcraft. Maybe it would have been better if I was never born. No, not maybe. I know it would have been.
I need time. Forever, hopefully. But I don't think forever will be enough. I wish someone would just jump in right now, and kill me. That would be so much easier, and everyone else'sproblems would be solved. And I wouldn't feel like this. So empty. So cold. And I wouldn't be in this pain. And I would never hurt anyone again.
A/N: How do you like? A little different from my 'normal' writing style, neh? Did it suck, or did you like it? (I liked the Spike/Angel gnabbing. I know that maybe I seemed to be a bit harsh against Angel, and maybe some of you got the expression I don't like him, but I do, but I couldn't resist! I just wanted some good ol' Spike vs. Angel gnab, and that was the result. Anyway, tell me what you liked! REVIEW!
/Ida