Chapter Sixteen

Visitors

After Buffy had told them to take some time and think about things, Harry and his friends eventually found themselves outside by the lake. It was the only place that Harry could think of where people wouldn't overhear them.

Dawn turned to face them. They all looked at her with accusing eyes. "I wanted to tell you…" she started, realising how lame that sounded. "But I didn't have a choice. I usually don't when it comes to stuff like this".

"We knew something was wrong, the moment all the teachers were assigned to each of our lessons," said Hermione.

"That's why we've been avoiding you," added Ron. "Because we were trying to figure out what's been going on".

"Well, now you know," said Dawn, "Can we get back to normal? Harry, I know you don't like secrets, but it wasn't my secret to tell. Dumbledore insisted. I just want us to be friends. Something's going to happen soon, I don't know what, but it's gonna be bad. And we might not get another chance to do this".

Harry, who was still feeling guilty about not telling his friends about his looming duel with Voldemort, forgave Dawn more easily then anyone had expected.

"So…you're a key? How do you work?" asked Ron after a moment's silence.

Harry stared at his friend in horror, as did Hermione. Dawn raised her eyebrows, but then, to their relief, she laughed.

"Great job, Mr tactful," muttered Hermione, hitting her boyfriend lightly on the arm.

"Hey - what did I do?" he asked in surprise.

"I used to be able to open portals into other dimensions," Dawn explained. "But my powers don't work anymore".

"Pity," said Ron. "That'd be a great way to get out of potions. A portal. It's genius!" Hermione groaned and rolled her eyes at this.

"Not that simple I'm afraid," Dawn smiled. "It involves blood - but let's not talk about that ok? Depressing stuff".

She was grateful for this change of attitude. She'd been feeling lonely these past few days, and she'd surprisingly missed talking to Harry. "I don't need to remind you not to tell anyone else?" she added as an afterthought.

Harry sighed and nodded reluctantly. He couldn't wait for everything to be over.

"So, tell us more about your sister…" said Ron eagerly, trying to take his mind of his missing brother as they walked back to the school.

"This is the middle of nowhere Tara," said Spike, looking at the country side that surrounded them.

The young witch looked at him in slight annoyance, unusual for her. "Excuse me, but this is only the second time I've done this spell. And there's a lot of us. And - I had to look ahead to see if we could teleport safely. You know how much power and energy a person uses up doing all that? I'm trying my best here".

Spike had the decency to look a little bit guilty.

"Besides, I'm sure the village is just around the corner," she added, a little calmer then before.

Spike decided not to argue with her. Now he knew there was more to Tara then she let on.

From London, they'd managed to track the slayer to the last place she had been outside of the magic school - the village of Hogsmeade.

"Well, come on people, lets move it," said Gunn, taking Fred's hand as they started to walk forwards. After a moment, Spike followed them, hoping they were going in the right direction.

By an amazing coincidence, at the same time, Leo was also trying to track someone down. He could vaguely sense where Piper had last been, but with emphasis on the word vague.

"It's in a village near the school. It's a wizard village, so we'd have to be careful about going in there. We'll have to think up a cover story," he reminded an impatient Cole, who was anxious to see if Phoebe was ok.

"I don't care at this point White lighter," he growled. "I haven't seen her in weeks".

"And we are practically leaving San Francisco unprotected," he added. "The girls would never let me hear the end of it".

"Are you done making up excuses? We won't just be hearing about the end of it Leo," snapped Cole angrily. "We'll be seeing the end up close and personal if we don't help to stop this voldemort guy and his army. Besides, they'll need people who know how to heal, won't they?"

With much persuasion, Leo finally agreed to the former demons request.

When Dumbledore got back to the school that afternoon, he was surprised to see Buffy sitting in his office.

"I need to talk to you," said Buffy instantly. "Harry knows".

Dumbledore hesitated before he sat down behind his desk. "Knows what?" he asked the slayer warily.

"He knows about us. Who we really are and what we're doing here. So do his friends. I didn't have any choice but to tell them, they seemed to already know most of the details, but they wanted to hear it from us. So, now that the cats out of the bag, what are we supposed to do now?"

Dumbledore looked at her and smiled grimly when he saw the worry in her face. "Voldemort will attack soon," he answered her. "The attacks in the outside world - including the one on the dragon compound in Romania, suggests that his army is ready. So we must make preperations".

"I suggest we close the school," said Buffy. "These kids are in no condition to fight an army….."

"No," interrupted Dumbledore sternly. "That's the last thing we need to do. We don't want to start a panic Buffy".

"So what? We wait for him to attack us? That's your brilliant plan?"

Dumbledore looked at her sadly and shook his head. "I'm afraid I have tried to shield Harry for far too long. I can no longer protect him Buffy. Soon, we must take the fight to voldemort".

"Hey - you called us here for a reason," said Buffy. "And my friend had that vision remember? We'll protect this kid as long as we're still around".

"I hope your right," he answered her.

With that, the slayer turned and left his office.

"That's bad. That's really bad," said Piper later, when Buffy told her what had happened. "He may be part of some special prophecy, but his only 16. Dumbledore can't expect him to do this so soon, can he?"

Cordelia raised a hand. "We'll be around for as long as possible, but the real question is, do you think Dumbledore has got enough people on his side to defeat the army you saw in your dream? Please say he has, because I don't think even all of us are up to it".

Buffy shrugged. "I don't want to get anyone's hopes up. All that matters now is protecting Harry and his friends".

Angel had remained silent through all of this. Then he looked up at Buffy. "Remember Cordelia and phoebe's vision? They saw him facing Voldemort".

"But I know there's a way round it," said Cordelia. "It didn't feel like 'end of the world vision'. It felt like….it felt different. It felt like we were all there with Harry, helping him".

"But only Harry can kill Voldemort. And you only saw the two of them. Not even a Power of three spell works, believe me, we tried looking," said Paige. "So how do we help?"

None of them had an answer …yet. But Buffy was determined to come up with a way out of this mess as soon as possible.

That night after the feast, Harry and the rest sat in the common room. Things had been pretty tense up in the hall between the teachers, they could all sense it. Especially between Dumbledore and Buffy. "I'm going to find out what went on today," Dawn said suddenly. "Everyone's been acting weird, trying to act like everything is normal, but it's not. I'll be right back".

Harry watched her go, knowing that none of this would be happening if it wasn't for him. I have to end this, he realised. It's not up to anyone else, no matter what happens, or what any of those people do, it's between me and him, it always has been. I need to get out of here, he thought suddenly. He knew it was a stupid idea and that he wasn't ready. But he needed to try. But that was easier said then done.

Buffy and the others were still in the Great Hall hours after it had emptied, Buffy still trying to change the headmasters mind about closing the school, when hagrid walked through the doors. "We have some more guests Dumbledore," he announced loudly.

Buffy's eyes widened when she saw Tara and Spike. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked incredulously.

"Spike?" asked Angel.

Spike grinned. "Angel," he answered. "Long time no see. Looks like we arrived just in time".

Piper ran to her husband and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "I've been wanting to do that for ages!" she told him secretly. He smiled, glad she was safe, and hugged her back.

"Spike?" repeated Angel.

"I found them wondering around just outside the castle grounds," Hagrid told them all. "Said they wanted to talk to you, so I figured…"

Dumbledore held up a hand with a reassuring smile. "It's ok Hagrid," he answered softly.

"You guys, what about…you know who?" asked Angel as he walked up to Fred and Gunn.

"He's safe with Lorne," Fred answered him quietly, knowing he didn't want Buffy to overhear.

"Phoebe, I'm glad you're ok. Don't look at me like that, you know I had to come here," said Cole.

Buffy looked around her friends, letting them have time for their reunions, but then she had to ask…."How did you guys meet up?"

"Oh, it was hilarious," said Spike with a laugh. "You should have heard this guy's cover story," he pointed at Cole. "We have relatives here, I mean, how lame is that? You think I can't sense another demon when I see him? Belthazor no less".

Angel turned to stare at Cole in amazement. "why was he let in then if that's who he is?" he exclaimed.

"Ex demon," said Phoebe protectively. "His good now".

"Well its better then saying you've always been from around here and nobody's ever noticed," Cole snapped back at Spike.

Spike narrowed his eyes. "I thought we weren't gonna bring that up, ever?"

"Great, I'm gonna have to work with these two?" asked Angel. "And how come everyone's stealing my thunder all of a sudden?"

Xander shrugged, standing by Anya looking bored of the conversation. "You got me. Started a trend though dead boy".

"Who said anything about me being good?" returned Spike. "I just owe this girl a few favours is all. And I thought defeating a dark lord would get it over with all at once".

"Geez, would you guys grow up all ready? Your acting like kids when some thing serious is going on!" cried out Cordelia.

"Well said," murmured Buffy.

There was an uncomfortable silence, and then Buffy turned to face the teachers with an apologetic smile on her face. "I'm sorry guys," she told them. "There's no excuse for it really," she added.

"No, please, by all means continue," said Snape in his usual cold voice. "And you're supposed to be the great heroes we've heard so much about? I'm sure He who must not be named is terrified".

"Hey, leave me out of this," said Gunn, stepping away from the group. "Have I said anything?"

TBC

Thanks again for all the reviews...see, i still think about this story even if i don't get the chance to update it as often as i should!