Disclaimer: Harry Potter remains the property of J.K. Rowling and any other publishers or organisations which I don't know, but don't want to anger. Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon. I am not making any profit whatsoever in writing this story. I write purely for the sake of my own and others enjoyment.
A/N: As always, thanks for the lovely reviews.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Previous Chapter:
"Elizabeth is my Niece," Dumbledore confirmed finally, after several imploring questions, "in heart if not in heritage," he added with a small sigh.
Elizabeth beamed at him, quite ignoring the bewildered stares that were directed at her.
"Also," Dumbledore continued, looking very old and put upon, "she is Harry Potter's sister."
There was a moment of puzzled silence, as if no one had quite comprehended Dumbledore's revelation. Before:
"She's . . . what!"
Sirius had shot up, unmindful of the heavy chair clattering to the floor behind him.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chapter Nine: The Slayers - Part One
It was as though a bomb had been casually dropped in the room, such was the impact of Dumbledore's words.
After Sirius's minor vocal explosion and wrecking of his own property, the rest of the Order of the Phoenix followed up by a similar reaction, mainly along the lines of disbelief and scepticism. All this contributed to much noise and rackety inclinations of the expletive sort. Those who had been good friends with Lily and James and who had known about the eldest Potter child before her untimely 'death' (which pretty much meant half the Order) were resentful to think they had been lied to all these years, and those who didn't know, but were still surprised by Dumbledore's revelation, (which pretty much meant all the new members of the Order) didn't really know what to think at all besides confusion.
As it is, all these interruptions, talking over the top of each other, and butting in, made it rather hard for the Headmaster to get a word in edgewise, even though all the inquiring questions and spontaneous outbursts were being addressed in his general direction.
The only people not shouting or becoming red in the face were Alastor Moody (who looked suspiciously smug) Bill and Charlie Weasley (who found the whole mess hilarious) Arthur Weasley (who just didn't know what to think) Severus Snape (who was sneering, but considering that was his usual façade it was hard to guess what he was actually feeling about the current mess) Remus Lupin, (who was staring at the young lady next to him in a sort of silent horror) and Elizabeth herself, (calmly sitting with folded arms while she stared up at her raving godfather; who wasn't paying much attention to her at the moment).
Finally, after standing about as much of this as he could (Sirius's, ahem, shouts were among the prominent of which) Dumbledore lifted his wand and . . . whhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it went, in a high-pitched whistling noise that caused everyone to clutch their ears in pain.
"THAT. IS. ENOUGH!" he boomed in that "don't cross me because I'm a powerful wizard" tone. "No Mundungus, Elizabeth has not been locked in Gringotts all this time, but other than that, yes to all alternative questions. I trust no one will ask whether she really is Harry's sister again. Now, will you let up?"
Rarely had anyone seen the Headmaster so flustered or so displaying all the powerful magical energy they had suspected he harboured, and they didn't dare cross words with him.
They slowly sat down, some looking abashed at their behaviour, which they agreed was somewhat uncalled for. Sirius, however, didn't exactly have the presence of a sane mind at the moment, and he continued standing, his chest waving with the harsh breaths his lungs expelled, and practically snarling at the old wizard.
"You . . ." he began. The low timbre in his voice sent shivers down most people's spines, but Elizabeth interrupted.
"Don't you dare blame Uncle Albus!" she spat as Sirius snapped his head around. He discovered her looming out of her chair, her eyes shooting some metaphorical sparks.
"Wha –?"
"It wasn't his fault! It was my father's. And you're not going to know why he pretended I was dead to keep me secreted away! It was a secret, and still is mind you. So don't go digging for answers. I'll decide when I want to tell you. Not before."
Sirius stared, gape mouthed. "Huh?"
Someone sniggered at that. Or it could have been because Sirius was so much bigger than the girl, and looked so much more menacing, that they thought it was funny she was taking the Mickey out of him.
"Now," she continued, in a much more agreeable pitch of voice, "are you my Godfather?"
"Er –" Sirius said.
"Or course you are!" she insisted before Sirius could finish the sound. "And as a Godfather, particularly as my Godfather, you're supposed to be nice and you're supposed to act like a responsible adult. I have to have someone to look up to you know, not to mention Harry. And that means, what?"
"Uh –"
"It means that you are not to shout at the Headmaster anymore. You are to sit down, after repairing the chair with your wand, and stay politely silent, possibly even presenting an expression of mature decorum . . . all of which will be done after you greet me properly of course." Sirius stared at her. "Well?" she snapped, making him start. "Are you going to hug me or not?"
"I . . ." Sirius could not have looked more confused. Then his eyes softened, becoming almost foreign in their gentleness. This expression was something only Harry and Remus were familiar with. Sirius turned to the Headmaster imploringly. Dumbledore nodded, erasing any doubts Sirius might have had about the girl in front of him. Sirius gazed at the young woman, as he now knew certainly, was his first godchild. "Squirt," he said fondly, a slight tremor in his voice, then proceeded to squeeze the breath out of her. "I-I thought you were dead?" he whispered furiously. Only Elizabeth and Remus could hear the questioning sob in his voice.
"I think everyone did Sirius," said Remus from behind Elizabeth. "And I believe it's my turn to greet her now."
Elizbabeth chuckled and released her godfather (took a few tries first) before turning to the man who had been her best friend when she was little.
"What's the time Mr Wolf?" she said cheekily.
"How did you remem . . .? It really is you," he breathed, eyes scouring her face. "Little Beth." He hugged her. "You look so much like . . . well . . . you I suppose."
"Ha! And you look so much like you, Mr Wolf. But you've grown really old. Didn't even recognise you when I first saw you." Privately, she was questioning why she hadn't. She had known the man was a werewolf, but why that didn't register with him being Remus Lupin as well, she'd never know. False hope, perhaps?
Remus released her and frowned gently. "Thank you very much. I see you haven't changed."
"Nope, I'm still the same cheeky squirt I always was."
"More like cheeky bint now," Sirius supplied, yanking her to him in a one-armed hug. "Where have you been all this time?" he mumbled against her hair.
"In Australia," she answered truthfully. "Where d'you think Harry got that Bunyip? Now, don't we have a meeting to be going on with?"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"You can't tell me you've been in Yonk Land all this time?" Ron exploded, after Harry had finished telling them all about Elizabeth.
"Yonk Land?" was all Harry could manage before bursting out laughing.
Ron looked uncomfortable. Then he looked even more uncomfortable when he spotted Hermione's glowering face. "That's what British wizard's call Australian ones," he said extremely quickly. "Well that or Abercrombies. . . N-not that I'd ever call them that!" amended Ron when Hermione raised a brow at him. "But, well that's just what they're called Hermione, I didn't make it up! Besides, they call us Rainees. That's a much more horrid name!"
"You'd best stop protesting Ron," said Ginny with a nasty grin. "You're only digging a deeper hole."
"Right," said Ron quickly, before slumping on his bed, putting his head between his hands, and moaning.
He looked both so relieved and so pathetic that the room's occupants (Harry, Hermione, Ginny and the Twins) couldn't help but laugh.
"So you really have a big sis now Harry?" said George.
"Met her in Australia did you?" said Fred.
"The land of sea, sun, and extra Quidditch space."
"Say, did you meet any young witches –?"
"– in need of a wordly wizard such as yourself?" George concluded.
"Obviously, dear brother, obviously," Fred said, observing Harry's pink face. "They succumbed to his British charms."
"That pale skin –,"
"– those green eyes.
"That hair!" they said together.
"Leave him alone you two!" said Ginny, swatting at them playfully.
"But I can't wait to meet her," said Fred, dodging Ginny's arm.
"Yeah," George continued, "anyone who can break a muggle secrecy law in order to paint a mural has got to be cool."
"She really is," Harry agreed, warming up at their obvious approval of Elizabeth. "You won't believe some of the other stuff she's done." Fred and George's eyes lit up. "But I'm not supposed to talk about that." Then visibly dimmed. "Yet," he finished, and they lit up again.
"Anyway," he continued, going to sit by Ron. "I've been really busy for the passed week and a half. Elizabeth bought me new clothes." Fred and George sniggered. "She took me surfing – even bought me a surfboard – and she took us running really early in the morning, and . . . er . . . well, some other stuff that I'm not supposed to say just yet –!"
"Wait a minute!" Ron sputtered, whirling on Harry. "D'you mean to say you forgot to write?"
"Erm, yeah."
"Oh." There was a pause. Before: "Told you Hermione."
Hermione tutted. "That's long in the past Ron." She looked at his smug face and fairly snarled, "Get over it!"
"Guess what?" Harry said quickly, sensing another Ron/Hermione bicker coming on. "And this goes no further than this room . . ."
"Hurry up Potter!" said Ron.
"You're leaving us in suspense here," said the Twins.
"I'm just saying," said Harry, "and you don't have to do it if you don't want to; I'm not forcing you . . ."
"Get on with!" barked Ginny.
"Elizabeth gave me an Animagus book for my birthday," he finished.
There was silence.
"No way!" said Fred and George, awe and appreciation clear in their voices.
"Harry, do you know what this means?"
Harry did not think Hermione meant that to be a question.
"I do," said Ron excitedly. "It means –"
" – you'll be breaking the law if you so much as even touch that book without Ministry permission," Hermione injected crossly. "How did your sister come by it anyway? It's illegal."
"She said someone owed her a couple of favours."
Hermione pursed her lips. It was obvious she didn't approve of favours.
"Brilliant," Ron said.
"So you want to do it then?" Harry asked them.
Fred and George looked affronted at the mere thought of not participating in this endeavour. "Are you kidding? We've wanted to get our hands on an Animagus book for ages! There are none in the library you know, they've taken them out of the Restricted Section. But of course we're going to do it now that we have a chance!" said Fred. "Ginny isn't though."
"What?" screeched Ginny. "Yes I am!"
"You're too young," George protested.
"I'm only a year younger than those three," snapped Ginny, pointing over at Harry, Ron and Hermione. "If Ron can do it, I can too."
"S'not how it works," said Fred.
"Oh yes it is! It's exactly how it works. Or I'll tell Mum you've been stealing corkscrew powder from that lamp in the hallway to make new sweets."
"You don't play fair Gin," George grumbled, sticking his hands in his pockets.
"Seems we don't have a choice George," sighed Fred. "Besides, s'not for sweets we're getting it, it's for fireworks. Alright then Ginny, you win, but if you turn into a half-toad don't come to me with your problems."
Ginny crossed her arms. "Are you implying, Fred dear," she said through tight teeth, "that I have the personality of an amphibian.
There was spluttering.
"Not at all dear sister."
"Never meant to imply a thing, 'deed we didn't."
"It's just you're so intimidating."
"We can't help but blather on until we stick our foot in it, you see."
"Right," said Ginny, but she looked particularly pleased. She turned to Harry. "Can we see it?"
Harry grinned. "It's in my trunk."
"I'll get it!" Ron said, scrambling up from the bed and crossing in the direction of Harry's trunk by the door – he froze. He stared. He turned around. "Can you get rid of it Harry? Only I don't want to frighten it again," he grumbled.
Fred and George smirked.
"Sure Ron," Harry sniggered. He moved passed Ron and picked up a blinking Muck, who'd settled herself territorially on the top of his trunk, then walked back and placed her on Ron's bed.
"Hold it!" said Hermione as Ron bent over to pry open Harry's trunk. "Are you forgetting that what you're thinking of doing is illegal?"
"Come on Hermione!" cried Ron, abandoning his search for the book in honour of a – right then – more interesting encounter. "Sirius and Harry's dad did it!"
"That doesn't excuse –!"
"– and they were younger than us when they started!"
"Still –"
"– and they were hanging around a werewolf. We won't be doing anything as dangerous. We'll be doing it for fun."
"And that's exactly why our situation is worse!" Hermione snapped. Ron blinked. "At least they had a serious motive, an excuse, something to keep them going. You're likely to slacken off and loose focus – that's what you're fun will do! You'll probably be the one to end up a half-toad!
Ron looked like a fish out of water. "Are you saying you don't want to do this?" he said finally.
Everyone looked at Hermione, waiting for her reaction. By private agreement all knew they couldn't even attempt to do this without Hermione by their sides. They just weren't smart enough, and they didn't have the determination and excuse the Marauders had. They were more than likely to slacken off. If Hermione were there, she wouldn't let them. If she said no, they weren't going to do it. Simple as that.
"I shouldn't do it," she mumbled. "But I will." Everyone released the breaths they hadn't realised they'd been holding. "Otherwise you might attempt it yourselves and get into all sorts of messes. But we have to follow the directions to the Tee! Get it? No slacking off, no fooling around, no tricks!" She glared at Fred and George. "If you want to do this you have to be serious about it. This isn't some piddley little Polyjuice Potion. That's child's play in comparison. This is an Animagus transformation. If you don't do everything correctly, you can die."
Ron audibly gulped.
"Exactly," Hermione said.
"Alright, so, everyone'll promise to be serious when we're attempting anything to do with the Animagus transformation." Harry offered.
"'Course," said Fred.
"Wouldn't dream of disrupting it," said George.
Ron and Ginny nodded. Hermione beamed. "Good, at least I won't have to worry about that. Now, I'm not sure what everyone else thinks, but I think we shouldn't tell anyone about this! Not even to ask Sirius or Professor Lupin for help. I think we should keep it our secret. Who knows when it could come in handy."
Everyone, especially Fred and George, blinked uncomprehendingly at Hermione.
"Er, Hermione," Ron said finally, looking genuinely worried. "You're not coming down with something are you? You've been acting really strange all night. First when you agreed to actually do the transformation, and now –"
"It's not what you're thinking Ron," Hermione interrupted. "I'm only saying we shouldn't tell anyone in case someone accidentally blabs. The ministry will jump to put Harry in Azkaban if they find out he's been doing something illegal, and we'll be put in the cells next to him. No one can know."
"But surely Sirius . . ." Harry began.
"No," said Hermione firmly. "No one. It's not that I don't trust Sirius, Harry. It's just; don't you want to work it out by yourself? Have something to be proud of that you accomplished yourself? Without anyone's help but ours?"
Harry briefly allowed himself to journey into the land of fantasy. His dad had done it all on his own, with nothing but three of his best friends, no adults, no ministry, just books. He had actually managed it, and no one had known. No one had found out. "Yeah, I think I do," Harry said, then he thought of something. "But Elizabeth knows already."
Hermione bit her lip. "Oh. I'd forgotten she gave you the book." She frowned thoughtfully. "Well, you don't have to tell her you're actually starting the process, do you?"
"I suppose not."
"She might guess, but she'll never know for certain."
"Admit it Hermione," grinned Ron evilly. Hermione's eyes narrowed. "You just don't want anyone finding out because you're afraid you'll get expelled!"
Hermione went pink. "That's not the only –"
But what it wasn't they never found out. Several footsteps were now coming up the stairs.
"Uh oh."
Fred looked at George in horror, and quickly picked up the string of the Extendable Ears Harry had been told about earlier and gave it an almighty yank. There was a loud crack and they vanished. Seconds later, Elizabeth and Mrs Weasley appeared in the bedroom doorway.
"The meeting's over, you can come down and have dinner now. Everyone's dying to see you, Harry. Oh yes. Kids, this is Elizabeth. Harry's sister. But I'm sure he's told you all about that. Must say, we were all shocked when she told us, of course. 'Specially Sirius."
"What happened?" Harry grinned.
"You mean what didn't happen?" said Elizabeth, dryly. "And it's nice to meet Harry's best friends at last. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, is it?" She went forward to shake first Hermione and Ginny's hands (they took hers quite happily) then Ron's (who looked like a deer caught in headlights). "Looking forward to meeting you again some time, but right now I have to steal Harry for a minute."
"Oh, that's right, dear," said Mrs Weasley nodding knowledgably. "You can stay here and talk; everyone else will be coming downstairs to eat. And who's left all those Dungbombs outside the kitchen door?"
"Crookshanks," said Ginny, as everyone else sniggered.
Mrs Weasley didn't seem to notice. "Oh. I thought it might have been Kreacher, he keeps doing odd things like that. Don't forget to keep your voice down in the hall, now. Ginny, your hands a filthy. What have you been doing? Go and wash them before dinner please."
Ginny grimaced and followed her mother, Ron and Hermione out of the room, leaving Harry alone with his sister. She was watching him amusedly.
"Nice lot of friends you got there," she said, not unkindly.
"They're great," Harry agreed. "So, what do you need to tell me?"
Elizabeth sighed in that way that meant she had bad news to convey. "I won't be here for about two days."
"What –?"
"I'm leaving to find the other four Slayers. To ask their permission."
"But what about – hang on? Four Slayers? I thought there were only two more? Well, three including you."
"Ah, so the old man's told you," Elizabeth nodded approvingly. "But no, there are five altogether, including me. The two you were told about are the only ones that consented for Dad to tell Dumbledore all those years ago. The other ones, especially Mabani Nakato, well he's very reclusive. Likes to keep his own company and identity secret, even from his immediate family."
"So how do his children . . .?
"Don't ask. I've no idea."
"So how will you convince him this time?"
"I probably won't," she shrugged, "but I have to try. Anyway that's not the only reason I'll be seeing them. They'll want to know I've finally found you."
Harry felt heat scorch up his neck. "Did everyone know about that except me?" he asked indignantly.
Elizabeth laughed heartily. "No need to get offended Babe. They all knew James Potter had another child."
"It's weird," Harry said finally, a small crease between his brows. "Nearly everyone I know knew about you, and everyone you know knew about me. Except I didn't," he finished in a grumble that made Elizabeth want to hug him.
"Cheer up, that's way in the past. We better go down then. I've already said my goodbyes, so –"
"You're going now?" Harry did not quite manage to keep the panic out of his voice.
"If I leave now, I'll be back sooner." Harry did not feel reassured. Elizabeth must have thought so too because she gave him a hug. He got a whiff of watermelon. "Don't worry, nothing's going to happen."
"But . . ." He couldn't help but feel this way. This would be the first time he was separated from her since they met.
"Tell you what." She released him from the hug but still held on to his shoulders. "I'll get you a souvenir. How 'bout it?"
"Alright," he said finally, looking up at her through his lashes. "Something really cool though."
"Ha! Of course. Nothing less for my Harry, I'd probably kill myself otherwise. Let's go then." She shrunk her suitcase and pocketed it, then whistled. Rufus soared from his perch at the end of Harry's bed and out the window. "He might meet me in Africa." Elizabeth said. "He hates portkeys. Once a night is enough for him." They went out the door.
On the first landing by the hissing gas lamp, Elizabeth gave him one last squeeze. "Remember to feed Sigmund and Emma. And don't let Muck cause trouble. Unless she wants to terrorise Kreacher . . ."
"That's the second time he's been mentioned. Who or what is a 'Kreacher'?"
Elizabeth started chortling uncontrollably; this was made difficult by the fact that she couldn't do it loudly. "Sorry," she gasped, seeing his wary expression. "You just looked so funny . . . Anyway, he's Sirius's house elf. A real mental case. I'd stay away from him."
"He has a house elf?" Harry didn't manage to keep the disbelief from his tone.
"'Course I do," A low voice whispered from behind, and Harry wheeled around, his heart thumping at the familiar sound. "Though I wish I didn't."
"Sirius. Professor Lupin." Harry said. His stomach turned a happy jolt at seeing them both standing there. For an instant, Harry desperately wished to greet Sirius like he greeted Elizabeth, but he was not sure whether Sirius would find it comfortable.
"Hello Harry," said Lupin, extending a warm hand. Harry took it enthusiastically. It felt good to see his favourite Professor again.
"Hey," Sirius grinned, (actually he had been grinning the whole time) and Harry suddenly found himself with a face full of long, black hair. Despite trying to extricate the hair from his nose and mouth, Harry was feeling pleasantly taken aback at the show of affection from his godfather. He suspected it had something to do with Elizabeth coming back from the dead.
"What are you two doing here?" Elizabeth glared up at them playfully. "I've already said my goodbyes."
"Yes, but we wanted to see you off properly, Squirt." Sirius gave her a squash that nearly knocked the wind from her. "I still can't believe Harry didn't tell us he was living with you," he grumbled and frowned at Harry.
Harry shrugged innocently. "Wasn't allowed to."
"Leave them alone Sirius," said Professor Lupin after releasing Elizabeth from a similar hold. "She's told you we'll find out everything soon enough."
"Oomph! It'll be sooner if you let go of me," she mumbled against Sirius's robes. Sirius, looking abashed, released her for the second time.
"Well I'm off then." Elizabeth crushed Harry to her and he breathed in her familiar fruity scent. "See you later, Babe," she whispered. Then she was off, out the threshold and down the front steps in a whirl of movement that seemed almost unnaturally smooth. Harry blanched. Lupin moved to close the door behind her. He and Sirius hadn't noticed anything unusual, obviously; otherwise they would have said something. Probably still too stunned by her mere presence to notice anything supernatural about her. Harry expelled the excess breath out of his lungs. That had been close.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The sound of multiple drumbeats and many raised voices greeted Elizabeth the moment she arrived in Africa. It was dark, and the glare from the huge bonfire that the local tribe danced around was flaring and crackling with heat. This was a muggle village, in what looked to be the middle of a wedding celebration. The bride stood before the flames decked out in resplendent beads and cornrows of hair, her beautiful skin glowing chocolate in the amber light.
Elizabeth however, was not here to see muggles, she was here to see the only wizard that could be found for miles around; a wizard that had situated himself a la hermit style as far away from other wizards as possible (including his family). She was here to see the oldest living Slayer, Mabani Natako.
Unfortunately, it would take about ten minutes to actually reach him, even at full Slayer speed. Mabani had placed several heavy anti-apparating charms in a distance of a few kilometres in diameter on either side of his house. He was quite paranoid in his old age and did not venture out of his residence in the jungle. Except to Slay.
Leaving the revelry in the distance, Elizabeth ran, jumping rotted trees, dodging vines, slicing dense foliage. Silently, she cursed herself for having chosen to wear a skirt and boots tonight. She had known she would be meeting Mabani, but her urge to impress Harry's people had been greater than her comfort.
She briefly considered transfigurating her clothes, but dismissed the idea. As she had told Harry, the magic required to sustain a transfiguration of that length was impossible unless you had Albusitis. She wouldn't want her clothes falling off of her in the middle of Mabani's hut. The old man would laugh it off, but still . . . how embarrassing to be caught in a bra and knickers?
Finally, after only having fallen down once (but that had been because of a stray nut), Elizabeth reached Mabani's hut. It was small, ugly, old, and crooked, and looked as though it would fall over if someone tapped it on the side. It was situated between two long jungle trees, and had vines creeping up its length and through the windows, which were now glowing purple from whatever magic Mabani was performing.
He had certainly scared the local muggles with this act. Even with the wards around the place they did not dare enter this jungle, or face the wrath of the terrible 'witch' doctor. Little did they know.
Running her fingers through her hair to remove any bit of jungle that might have been caught in it, she walked to the front door and gave it a series of taps and scrapes that Mabani insisted all the Slayers learned if they wanted access to his home. That way he knew not to curse them. Elizabeth didn't understand why he bothered. He had known she was coming anyway. She had sent out her energy signal when she was still in Australia, and just before when she'd first arrived. He would have felt it the moment it left her body. Harry certainly had, and he wasn't even a Slayer.
"Com in Ee-lizz-a-bethh," a low, accented voice said. Mabani always pronounced her name with all the syllables very evident.
She creaked open the rusted door, stepped inside, and closed it again. She might as well have walked into a New York penthouse; such was the opulence of the hut's interior. Mabani may have been a hermit, but he wasn't a pauper. He was living it up grand out here in the jungle.
Mabani himself was decked out in style with rich maroon robes and burgundy-squared hat that looked as though it had moulded the length of his head. Under the hat, short white hair endorsed a heavily wrinkled, though still handsome face. He was seated on a leather couch smoking a long, wooden rod; a bright purple fire cackled on the marble coffee table before him, encased in a bubble. On top of the fire was a small cauldron.
"Seet," he said, still not looking up from whatever he was brewing. Elizabeth seated herself on the couch opposite, and watched as the violet flames cast eerie shapes on Mabani's leathery face. "Tea?" he offered, gesturing to the cauldron.
Elizabeth nodded. "Thanks."
Mabani whipped out his wand and conjured two completely round tea cups, before levitating the cauldron and tipping it on its side, so that the hot liquid pored into the cups.
Elizabeth took hers and sipped. She only just caught herself from grimacing at the bitter flavour. "You know why I've come?" she asked before the silence grew too heavy.
Mabani dragged in a bit of pipe smoke. "I knauu."
"And . . . ?" Elizabeth held her breath as Mabani drew another drag.
"And noorthing has cheenged."
A heavy disappointed settled in her stomach. She didn't understand why, she had known what to expect after all. "So you won't be changing your mind?"
Mabani slowly shook his head.
Elizabeth sighed. It was no good arguing with Mabani. He had lived one hundred and fourteen years, and in all that time he hadn't been known to change his mind once it had settled on something. But he lived by his own peculiar rules – including becoming a hermit – and it had not harmed him emotionally or physically, so, who was she to complain?
She cleared her throat before draining the remaining tea. Best to finish it now before she chickened out. "I thought you'd like to know that Harry knows about me now."
Mabani finally looked at her, the first time he had done so since she'd come through the door. "That eez why yuu wonted my 'elp."
"Yeah. Dumbledore has this whole thing going on where he's fighting Voldemort with the aide of a bunch of people. They need to be told. They need hope. I can give them that."
"Your bruther. Ee eez speshal. Harree Podda."
"Yes."
"Hoomm." He took another long drag. "Eef yuu need me. I weel 'elp," he said finally. Elizabeth gaped, she couldn't believe it. "Bot, they muust nat be toold abut me!" His eyes were suddenly very dark and fierce. Elizabeth swiftly pitied the dark creatures that had crossed Mabani's path over the century.
She nodded quickly. "Of course. I wouldn't dream of it."
He bobbed his head. "Good. Nau. Com 'ere."
Elizabeth didn't hesitate. She jumped from her seat and onto the one beside the old man. Then she gave him a gigantic squeeze and received one just as awesome in return. Sometimes, embracing someone who could withstand the full extent of your strength had certain benefits; human comfort for one, not having to reign in your power for another.
"I've missed you Mabani," she sighed.
"And I yuu, Ee-liza-a-bethh."
She felt a momentary pang of guilt. Mabani was all alone out here. An old man and his jungle. She should have thought to visit him more often.
"'ow long?" he asked, and Elizabeth knew what he was asking at once. She felt another pang of guilt that she had to disappoint him.
"I have to leave. I have to see the others."
Mabani nodded like he understood. And he did. He stood up suddenly and walked to an old chest by the side of an ornament shelf. He rummaged in there a few minutes while Elizabeth looked on curiously. Finally finding whatever it was he was looking for, he walked back. He stopped before her and presented a small, carved barrel. He twisted the top and it opened, revealing a grey powder.
"For thee young won," he said, turning the lid once more and offering it to her.
"A souvenir?" she grinned, raising a brow. "You've been poking around in here again." She tapped the side of her temple.
"Oonly because yuu let me," he protested.
"Do I even want to know what's in there?" She sniffed at the powder, smelling nothing unusual.
"Ee will knauu."
"Fine, don't tell me." Mabani chuckled. She stood up. "I'll come see you in a couple months, then." She put her arms around him. "Don't get hurt okay?"
He nodded. She smiled. Then, she was gone. Out the door and into the darkness.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Elizabeth released a breath of relief. After apparating passed several continents, she was finally here, in Arizona. A funny whirl passed through her stomach at the thought. There was no reason to get excited about the fact that she was in Arizona, she told herself sensibly.
Except there was a reason. A very big reason. A reason that made her legs jitter, palms sweat and heartbeat increase.
Nahuel.
Stop being such a ninny! she thought furiously. He was only one guy. One Slayer. Just because she'd had a crush on him since forever . . . Buckle up! There's a girl. Let's do it then!
She squared her shoulders, stood up straight, and marched across the lawns, counting the houses along. She could never remember which was his. They all looked the same to her. White and box-like. Well, what should she expect from a reservation?
And that was another thing. Why in the world Nahuel insisted he be integrated with the muggles, she'd never know. Well, unless they needed protection, which they didn't. He was a pureblood. He knew next to nothing about muggles. It was all very strange. Especially to the non-wizarding folk who lived there. They looked at him and his mother, Nita, with one of those "you-should-be-put-in-a-mental-hospital" type faces. Well why shouldn't they? Elizabeth was often inclined to think. What with all the dodgy smells wafting through the windows. Explanation? Nita was a Potions Mistress at Salem Academy, the only Wizarding School in the States.
Elizabeth stood in front of Nita's door now, smoothing back her hair, then stopping when she realised what she was doing. Who cared if her hair looked like a rat's nest from having to dodge branches in the jungle? She certainly didn't.
She raised her hand, and knocked. A few breathless moments later she heard the security screen open, then the main door. Nita stood in the doorway. Although, not a Slayer (her husband had been) she was still trim, tall, thin, and brown; a beautiful woman that had aged well. Only fifty four, she still had the same pitch black hair she was born with. It fell in a straight line all the way to her waist. Her dark eyes crinkled warmly when they saw who was at the door.
"Elizabeth," she smiled and embraced her. "Come in. Are you hungry?" She always asked that. This time Elizabeth was surprised to find that she was. She had forsaken Molly Weasley's dinner at Grimmauld Place in order to search for her brethren.
"Yes please," she told Nita, feeling warm when she received a welcoming chuckle.
Like Mabani's hut, this house was a whole lot bigger on the inside than out, and looked as though it might have seemed more comfortable in a resort. Carpeted floors that stretched the length of a football field was the result. The space was filled up by a kitchen, a few bathrooms, a couple of living rooms, and half a scour of bedrooms. It really was quite charming.
Nita led her into the nearest living room and rang for the house elf, Butty, (snigger) and a couple of pots of tea and some scones. ("You English," Nita would say, to which Elizabeth responded, "Only half.") Then they sat in wait for Nahuel, chatting about the past year's absence from each other. A clatter from the room next door caused Elizabeth to start and Nita to choke on her cup of coffee to keep from sniggering. Elizabeth grew red in the face.
"I think Nahuel's back," said Nita, staring knowingly over the rim of her mug at Elizabeth, who fidgeted, both from the stare and from anticipation. She knew that Nahuel knew she was coming. She had sent him the signal after all. And suddenly, there he was. Filling the room with his magnificent presence. Tall, dark, and gorgeous, he was the epitome of what a man should be, Elizabeth had often thought. Twenty three with bronzed skin, thick, black hair that covered his wide shoulders, and eyes of the same colour . . . he was worth sighing over alright.
"Elizabeth," he greeted.
His voice was worth sighing over too.
She stood up. "Nahuel."
They stared at each other for a full half minute before each realised what the other was doing and turned away, blushing slightly.
"How are you?" he asked.
She drew in a lungful of air. "Been busy. Harry knows about me now."
"That's great."
"Thanks. Anyway, I've come to ask . . . well first off, do you know what's been happening in England?"
He frowned slightly. "You mean the rumours that aren't really rumours – about that Dark Lord?"
"Exactly. And I was wondering, well I was wondering if, well, if I can tell Albus Dumbledore and a few others about you. They're trustworthy of course!"
He raised a dark brow. Damn it! she thought. His father had been the one who hadn't wanted James to tell Dumbledore about him, and it seemed that Nauhel carried the same sentiments.
"You're going to say no aren't you?" she mumbled, staring down at his leather shoes.
He chuckled. The sound caused a funny jolt in her stomach. Don't blush. Don't blush. Don't blush. You idiot!
"Why don't we sit down first?" he offered.
Elizabeth nodded and moved back to the couch, not at all surprised to find that Nita had scarpered. Cheeky bugger! She wanted to play the matchmaker.
"So are you then?" As soon as she said the words she mentally hit herself. Was she always going to end up sounding so, so, eager and impressionable around this man?
Nauhel had seated himself opposite. Good thing too, she didn't know what she would have done if he sat next to her. He placed a leg over his knee and frowned thoughtfully. "I don't know. Should I?"
Elizabeth hoped that wasn't an actual question.
"I want to honour my father," he continued, gazing slightly to the left of her. "He didn't want his identity known by anyone other than the Slayers and their families. I think I should respect his decisions."
Elizabeth nodded, feeling heavily disappointed, though she'd known that might have been the case as Nauhel had loved his father very dearly. "Of course. No problem."
He pierced her with intense ebony eyes. "Thank you for understanding."
"Er . . . I . . . sure," she managed. "So how's Slaying been going for you? Anything interesting happen?" That was a safe topic. She could work with that.
"Chinese Fireball got loose from its enclosure, I chased it, subdued it, returned it."
"Oh." Contrary to what Dumbledore thought, Elizabeth only protected Europe. Nauhel protected the Asian countries, Canada, and some of North America. Also, a Slayer doesn't have to live in a country in order to protect it. Elizabeth herself was proof of that.
"What about you?" he asked.
"Sandy came back."
"Again?"
"He won't quit," she said blandly.
He chuckled.
Will you stop doing that?
"I wanna kiss you," he mumbled suddenly.
Elizabeth felt her heart stop, the room spin, she was pretty sure the earth tipped a degree. "W-what?"
"I said I missed you." He was frowning worriedly at her. Great, now he thought she was a mental case.
"Ahem, hmm, likewise."
He grinned. She sighed. She stood up. "I'd best be going then."
Nauhel shot up from his chair, coming to loom over her. Elizabeth felt her heartbeat increase. "So soon?"
Did he sound disappointed?
"I'm afraid so. Still have two more to see."
"Right."
"I'll see you soon then?"
"Uh-huh." He. Was. Staring. At. Her. Mouth. He leaned forward. She held her breath, only to release it again in disappointment. He had only kissed her cheek. "See you."
"Yeah." Get. A. Grip. "Say goodbye to your mother for me." She offered Nauhel one last smile, and disapparated.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Elizabeth breathed freely when she reached her next destination. That meeting had been far too intense. It was always far too intense between the two of them. As much as she wished Nauhel could have given her permission to tell the Order about him, she was also glad he hadn't, if only because she didn't like feeling as though she'd lost her wits. And Nauhel always made her feel like that. It was getting rather exhausting.
Elizabeth hadn't had far to apparate this time. Only a couple of states over. It was somewhat unusual to have two Slayers living in the same country, but, who was she to talk?
This Slayer lived in the very heart of American Cinema. Los Angeles. It was nighttime, and Elizabeth had apparated to the 'downtown' district, meaning she'd gotten accosted several times by thugs. After smashing a couple of heads together, breaking a gun in half, and obliviating some memories, Elizabeth strolled the last bit of downtrodden streets until she reached the 'the wannabe' district. Here, there were tightly packed houses with nosy neighbours that would just as soon stick their heads out of windows to observe a curious sounding crack than look after their one year-olds, which was why she'd apparated several streets away.
Now, Elizabeth walked up the lawn of a comfortable looking house and knocked on the door.
"I'LL GET IT!" sang a chirpy voice before the door was yanked open.
A small blond girl around Harry's age appeared on the threshold. Her hazel eyes widened imperceptibly when she realised just who had come to her house.
Elizabeth smiled. "Hello Buffy."
"Oh."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A/N: Well? Not too disappointed I hope? I was a bit reluctant to present anymore OC's, but I had to, to make the story work. Tell me what you think? REVIEW PLEASE!