Sorry about the wait. Had a bit of writers block with this one. I know exactly how it's going to finish, and I have lots of ideas, but I'm just trying to figure out how to put it all together. Remember to read and review. Thanks again for all the reviews so far, enjoy!

Chapter Fifteen

The Truth

Charley Weasley sat in a muggle pub on the outskirts of London, feeling very out of place. All he wanted was to be where he belonged again. With people who knew him, knew who he was. Trying to survive among the humans and pretend he was what they called normal was almost impossible. Of course, he knew more about them then his dad did, but still. It was very awkward.

Being in hiding was even worse. He knew he couldn't just go waltzing back to the Burrow, even though it was what he wanted. He couldn't go to Diagon Alley or see the order of the phoenix either. Not now that he knew….now that he knew about Percy.

He still couldn't believe it was true. He had seen Percy with his own eyes, walking with the rest of the Death Eaters as they attacked the compound. It was hard to believe this was Percy's own choice. Percy had always been the one who insisted they do the right thing all the time. He had always despised the dark arts. All their family did. So that left the only other option. Percy had been cursed into working with the dark lord. He probably didn't even know what he was doing. But it was still dangerous for charley.

He couldn't risk running into his brother. He who must not be named obviously didn't want anyone to know who had stolen the dragons. So they were on the look out for him because he was the only one who knew the truth - or so he thought.

He sighed and drank some more of his drink. The order had probably guessed it was the dark lord's idea, but he couldn't take that chance. He was a danger if he returned home. But they have to know what's going on, he told himself firmly. I overheard the death eaters talking about vampires from around the world joining forces. They have to be warned about that too. And with new determination, he walked up to his room and began to pack.

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Draco Malfoy sat at the Slytherine table feeling slightly detached from everything. He ate slowly, and paid little if no attention to Crabbe and Goyles jokes.

He kept chancing looks over at the Gryffindor table, where Ron, Harry and Hermione were eating breakfast. Then he slowly looked up at the teachers table.

The owls had arrived only moments ago. He could see the look of horror on Ron's face and he felt the sadness rolling of them in waves. It was - disturbing.

He looked at his own copy of the Daily Prophet. The attack on the Dragon compound in Romania had to be his fathers doing. It had to be. But it was news to him. It wasn't like he knew what the inner circle of Death Eaters plans were - he had never cared to ask before and his father wouldn't have answered his questions if he had.

His only job this year had been to keep an eye on Harry Potter, to keep his father up to date with anything unusual - anything which would destroy Dumbledore. He had only sent one of the copies of his letter - to his father. The other copy was to be sent to the Daily Prophet, but for some reason he hadn't been able to send it.

He sighed bitterly. He remembered Dumbledore's words to him the day he had started term. "I know who your father is Draco," he had said. "Your father is now a known death eater. He helped to kidnap Harry Potter at the end of last year. He participated in the murders of Cedric Diggory and Sirius Black. He helped to return the dark lord to this world. I trust you had no knowledge of your father's actions, and so I'm giving you a chance. Everyone deserves that at least".

That had been the only reason he was still at Hogwarts. And now, he was living with his mother while his father was in hiding from the ministry - and he was a spy. That should have made him happy - but he didn't expect to feel guilty on top of everything else!!

He felt sure his father was hiding other things from him - of course he was. But what? Why do I even care?

"What is it?" he snapped at Goyle. It was only then he noticed everyone was leaving the Great Hall. "I was only thinking of ways to make Potters life even more miserable," he answered their annoying questions. Then he started to follow everyone else.

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"Ron, I'm so sorry," said Hermione, taking his hand. Ron hadn't said more then two words since that morning.

"Why didn't they tell me earlier?" he asked yet again. Hermione looked helplessly at Harry, who shook his head.

Harry was having trouble coping with this news as well. The Weasleys were like his own family. Anything that happened to them hurt him to. "It only says his disappeared Ron," he said, trying to comfort his friend. "That could mean anything".

"Yeah right," snapped Ron angrily. "Now with Voldemort back? Do you think I'm stupid?"

"You are if you give up," said Hermione softly.

"You know what I think?" said Harry finally. "I think we need to speak to Dumbledore".

"I haven't seen him since this morning," said Hermione. "Maybe his gone to talk to the Order about your brother Ron. But…" her voice trailed off as she looked up at the corridor.

"Hello? But what?" asked Ron.

"We can talk to the next best thing".

She had just seen Dawn walking towards them.

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"Did you here about that kid's brother?" asked Paige to Angel as she walked with them to Defence against the Dark Arts. "Things look pretty bad don't they?"

"His army's gathering fast," said Angel with a nod. "I don't know how much longer this school will stay safe for the students. Dumbledores gone to speak with the Order, so we should hear news soon".

"I think we have a little more time," said Buffy doubtfully. "My dreams of that army were in the future, right? And we still don't know that Voldemort knows we're here. So we still have time for Dumbledore to get more back up in secret."

There was a silence.

"Well, I should hurry up and help Hagrid. He needs all the help he can get with the latest creatures we have to look after". Paige hesitated and then turned and drifted away into the crowded corridor.

Buffy turned to look at Angel. "Are you ok?" she asked.

"Yeah, I guess," he sighed. "Although, this wizard may be just as powerful as anything we've faced before but I fear him the most. Even more then Angelus".

"I know what you mean," said Buffy. "He can spread fear. Not that our enemies couldn't, but Voldemort's bought a whole world to practically a standstill. And these are people who are plenty capable of looking out for themselves. It's not like they're clueless about what's going on either. The thing is Angel…these are just kids. They shouldn't be involved, none of them. I think when Dumbledore gets back, we're going to have to close the school. It'll be the end of our secret identities, but this is getting too dangerous".

He nodded in agreement and they both walked to the classroom in a troubled silence.

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"What do you mean, what do I know?" said Dawn, who was now cornered by Ron, Hermione and Harry. "We're gonna be late for class!"

"Forget about that," said Harry. "It's time we knew the truth. Well…we sort of know all ready. But we need to hear it from you. Don't you get why we've been avoiding you all this time? We've been trying to figure it out".

"Oh. You know?" whispered Dawn, her face had grown distinctly paler in colour.

"Yes," said Hermione. "But now we all need to stop playing games and work together. I don't know why Dumbledore wants to keep you guys a secret, but he should know that we can handle just about anything after all we've been through. And now, after Ron's brothers gone missing…"

"Just tell us!" snapped Ron.

There was a silence. "I…ok. But I'm not the one who should be telling you. Dumbledore…."

"Don't even try it. His not here and you know it," said Harry.

She looked at him coolly. "I was going to say….we should talk to my sister". with that, she turned away and they headed for defence against the dark arts".

Harry didn't even hesitate as they walked into the classroom. Everyone was already sorted into partners and the lesson had already started. "You guys are late you know," said Buffy calmly. "Now, if you can just stand…"

"We want some answers," interrupted Harry.

"Excuse me?" said Angel blankly.

"We know everything," added Ron.

"We just don't get it," finished Hermione.

Buffy looked at Angel. Then she sighed and nodded. "Ok," she raised her voice. "Sorry class. but we're gonna have to take a rain check on the lesson today. Go to the library and revise what we've covered so far".

For a moment no one moved. Then Draco slowly stood up. "What are we waiting for?" he asked, and they all moved as one towards the door. Draco hesitated outside the room and tried not to make any noise.

"Before you say anything, this so wasn't my fault," said Dawn. Hermione nodded in agreement.

Buffy walked over to stand in front of Harry. "So," she said. "What have you found out?"

Looking into her eyes, Harry was suddenly less certain if this was a good idea. "I…..something about a Slayer?" he started. "And….the charmed ones? I overheard you as you came out from that meeting with Dumbledore".

Angel rolled his eyes. "So much for secrecy. I don't think anyone knows the meaning of the word anymore".

"I also know you're here to protect me," he said. "I know Voldemorts about to attack. It's obvious really. I just wish he'd told me".

"He had his reasons," said Buffy. "I know how you feel, I really do. So I guess I'm going to have to tell you now. Here goes…"

She started to tell them everything. All about her history, and Angels, and as much of the Charmed Ones as she could remember. After she'd finished, Harry and his friends were speechless. "It wasn't just you Dumbledore was protecting you know," said Angel. "If Voldemort knew we were here…or anyone else….it would be just as dangerous as you guys knowing. So that was the other reason".

"I think you should go to your next lessons," said Buffy. "Or maybe back to the common room. Just to process everything. But before you go, I have to warn you. Things are going to be a bit different from now on".

Harry nodded, and started for the door.

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Draco moved away as fast as he could, feeling more guilty then ever. He didn't know what to do anymore. He knew that he needed help, but how could he betray his family?

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"Ok," said Anya, a little impatiently. They were standing outside the entrance to a hotel they had been staying at. "We're in London. But you know what? This isn't like looking for a needle in a hay stack, it's like looking for a needle in Kansas!"

"I got us this far didn't I?" said Spike. "Since there's a spell blocking us from getting there through magic, we have to do things the normal way. And I can sense where Buffy last was, so we can work from there".

"Can I just say how disturbing that is?" asked Fred. "The fact that you can tell where a person is even if they're on the other side of the world?"

"Can Angel do that too?" asked Gunn warily.

Gunn and Fred had met up with Spike, Anya and Tara shortly after their phone call. Tara had performed a pretty powerful spell that had transported them to London. It had been very, very risky, but all they cared about at the moment was finding their friends. Spike was still impressed though. The witch had more power then they had realised.

"We'll find them eventually. I'm sure I can track them to where they are now and Tara can transport us there. Then we just have to try and get in".

"Uh…that might take a couple of days," she said. "I'm still wiped from the spell I just cast. And this is why I stay out of the spotlight and let Willow do all the work. Too much pressure! What if I can't make it work a second time?"

"It'll be fne, you'll see. We'll be there in no time!" said Fred, trying to comfort her.

Spike just hoped she was right.