Rainydaysunlight - Firstly, I'm glad you're enjoying this. Second, I also noticed lots of mistakes in this, and have now reposted the first few chapters, hopefully the presentation and spellings have all been corrected now! But I do finish work kind of late so whenever I do get round to writing this, it's mostly rushed, because I want to get this fic finished sometime soon, (And I will eventually) Thanks for your opinions and review (and the gold stars!).

Papa Wheelie - thanks

Chapter Eighteen

Voldemort's plan

After the kind of normal Christmas holidays, January loomed in front of the students, bringing with it even more work then they'd had to do before. Although Harry had done reasonably well in his OWL exams, he was still nervous about the final exams next year…the NEWT exams that would determine his entire future in the world of magic. And then there was the question of whether he would even survive to take them!

He hadn't wanted the holidays to end, mostly because of all the time he got to spend with Dawn. He knew once school started up again they would have little time to spend together.

He had also enjoyed the time he'd spent with Dawns sister and her friends, hearing stories about the hell mouth and everything they'd faced. He personally hoped his graduation didn't end up with a giant snake attacking the school, and him having to blow up hogwarts….although it was more then likely to happen., and If he ever went to America, LA would definitely not be number one on his list of places to visit.

He hadn't seen much of Malfoy after their little talk on Christmas day. Harry still didn't know what to say to him…and the fact was that he absolutely hated him. Always had. And that wasn't going to change just because Draco had suddenly decided to play the good guy. He wasn't sure he'd ever trust him…even though Dawn had tried to persuade him to talk.

"It's got to happen sooner or later Harry," she'd said to him on the last day of the holidays. They were sitting on the couch in front of the fire in the common room, trying to forget how many hours were left until the end of their freedom. "What about when school starts? Hermione and Ron are going to find out what happened….Hermione would want you to try and reconcile your differences".

"Dawn," said Harry patiently. "At the end of our third year, Hermione punched Draco. He's always calling her a mud blood….the worst thing you could call someone. And Ron hates him even more then me!" But finally, Harry gave up, realising that Dawn wasn't going to drop the subject anytime soon. "Fine, fine. I'll go see where he is. But if I can't find him…can we drop it? This is really the last thing I need after everything that's been going on".

Dawn smiled happily and nodded. "Ok, deal". At first she'd been angry that Draco had told his father about her sister and everyone, but when she'd told Buffy, her sister hadn't been overly worried. "Its possible voldemort doesn't even know," Buffy had told her. "Lucius could have been caught by now. Don't get me wrong…it's not that I'm not worried. But I've realised something. When Dumbledore starts to panic…I will. And besides, Draco told you…isn't that the main thing?"

And after a few talks with Draco herself…with out Harry knowing of course, she'd realised he'd told them the truth. Of course, she'd also known it wouldn't be that easy.He had a lot to make up for….and Harry did hate the guy. But she happened to know exactly where he was at the moment and that Harry would find him sooner then he thought.

"Wait here," she told him and hurried upstairs. When she reappeared, she was carrying Harry's firebolt.

"What's that for?" he asked her, puzzled.

Dawn tried to look as innocent as possible. "I just think you might need it, that's all," she answered him.

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Harry sighed as he watched Draco practising on the quidditch pitch. He wasn't looking forward to this, but he knew that Dawn was right. She usually was.

Taking a deep breath, he flew gracefully into the sky and joined Draco, who nearly fell off his broom at the sight of Harry.

"What are you doing up here?" he had to shout.

Harry didn't have time to answer him though, because at that moment, he saw a twinkle of gold to his right and instinctively dived to reach it…and within seconds he held up his hand and he had caught the golden snitch.

Draco shook his head in amusement. "It's taken me ages to find that thing," he said, flying nearer.

"Must be loosing your touch," Harry grinned back. "I play against you second match this year Malfoy, you'd better improve before then".

And to Harry's great surprise, Malfoy nodded. "Why don't you show me then?"

"You're serious?" asked Harry, letting go of the snitch in amazement.

"Yep. Course…its bloody freezing today. Look around. Conditions aren't that great. Next time we're up here…I'll have the advantage," he started to fly again; looking for the snitch, showing off with some fancy moves Harry had never seen before.

Harry did as Malfoy had said and looked around. The snow still covered everything as far as the eye could see like a blanket…Harry was sure that Dumbledore somehow, using magic, made it snow until the last days of the holiday. It wasn't normally this bad anywhere else.

"How come?" he asked impressed despite himself.

"Cause I won't have a girl distracting me, that's why!" This time, Draco dived and caught it.

Harry smiled. "Good point. What about Pansy Parkinson?"

Malfoy laughed and shook his head. "You're joking, right Potter?"

"She put you up to this didn't she?" he asked when they finally landed. "Dawn I mean? She asked you to talk to me?"

Harry sighed. "Sure. But like she said, has to happen sooner or later".

Draco nodded. "So talk on. I deserve whatever you've got to say".

As Harry and Malfoy walked back into the castle, it actually went better then Harry had thought. They both agreed, although they wouldn't instantly be best friends over night, they'd help each other out if they needed to. Otherwise things would pretty much stay the same.

Although there were things he would never forgive Malfoy for, he remembered what Dumbldore had said over christmas and what Hermione had said last year, about the different houses learning to get on. "Oh no," Harry suddenly muttered.

"What?" asked Malfoy, looking up. Then he spotted Filch, the care taker, along with his ugly cat Mrs Norris. He was arguing with someone….

"I'm not even making any mess!" they heard Piper yelling angrily. "And I'm not a student Filch…you have no right to speak to me like this!"

Harry grinned. "He's in trouble," he told Malfoy.

"You think?" Malfoy replied, raising his eyebrows.

"I don't think, I know. Besides…you know who she really is, watch for yourself".

Draco turned to watch the scene, and tried hard not to laugh out loud at what happened next.

"Oh, I don't have time for you!" Piper exclaimed and raised her hand in frustration. Both Filch and his cat froze immediately.

"That was cool," said Malfoy as they walked up to Piper. "Wish I could do that. It'd be a great way to get out of care of magical creatures…" he glanced at Harry, but didn't apologise. "I'm not saying sorry for everything you know!" he said. "I still think Hagrids lessons...could be better".

Harry knew that wasn't what Malfoy had been about to say.

Piper was watching this exchange of words with narrowed eyes. "Oh, that's right," she said, nodding in understanding. "You know all about us….I'm guessing you've been spying on us since we got here?"

Draco couldn't meet her eyes.

"Just because Buffy and Dumbledore have decided to give you a second chance, doesn't mean we all have," she went on. "I have issues with people who betray me. Harry, you should be careful," Piper finished.

Harry nodded. "It's ok Piper, I know what I'm doing".

Piper sighed. "I'm glad one of us does. Anyway….you'd better watch your step cause we're keeping an eye on you". Piper started to walk away.

"Uh….Professor Halliwell?" asked Draco, pointing at filch.

"Oh, do I have to?" she groaned. "If it's possible, his even more annoying then Snape…ok, maybe not. Fine, but you guys better get out of here".

When filch unfroze, in the middle of shouting something at Piper, he found himself talking to an empty corridor.

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After Harry and Malfoy had separated, he found he didn't want to go back to the common room right away. He needed some time to himself, today would be his last chance. He found himself sitting in one of the classrooms that had been left open. "Someone help me decide what to do," he muttered. "Dad, I wish you were here to help me. You and mum". He always missed his parents around this time of year more then any other time. Or the idea of them anyway, because he didn't really remember them at all.

He was talking about the upcoming fight with voldemort. He knew it had to happen soon, he couldn't hang around waiting anymore.

Things were changing, his new alliance with Malfoy being the latest. And school was more fun now then he remembered it being in a long time…the new teachers, Dawn, Hermione's and Ron's new relationship…but he couldn't enjoy any of it. He knew betraying everyone's trust and sneaking out and leaving them all clueless about what was going on was a bad idea, he'd be a jerk for doing it after everything everyone had done to help him. But it was the only way…..he just didn't know where to start.

"You ok Harry?" asked a voice behind him. He jumped slightly, he hadn't heard anyone in the corridor. But when he turned round he smiled in relief.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," said Angel with a smile of his own.

"Heard you talking about your father," Angel went on. "You miss him?"

Harry nodded. "Guess you guys know the whole story?" he asked.

"Yes," Angel answered.

Harry waited for the look of sympathy, the I'm sorry for your loss speech and look of horror. But Angel said nothing except. "You sure you're ok?"

Harry shrugged lightly, not knowing what to do. He felt like he could tell everything to Angel, and Angel would be able to make it ok and guide him. Harry had felt that way about his other DADA teacher, Buffy. In fact, he felt like it with all the new teachers. But he kept silent.

"I haven't seen you around much," he said instead, changing the subject.

Angel caught on, nodding. "We don't usually celebrate the whole Christmas thing. Vampires I mean".

"Right," said Harry. "You know, sometimes I forget that you're a…."

"It's ok," said Angel. "Most people do. Even I forget sometimes, I mean, everyone accepts me for who I am, they don't make a big deal. Cordelia, Buffy…the rest of my friends. And Dumbledore he…"

"Dumbledores great. He gave Lupin a second chance, and he's a werewolf," said Harry. "Why shouldn't he do the same for you?"

Angel looked at Harry silently for a moment before answering. "Buffy and I told you who I really am Harry. We told you the basics. Has Dawn told you anything else? She must have done".

Harry began to feel uncomfortable. "Some stuff," he said casually. "She's told me about all of you".

"Then you know why I shouldn't be given a second chance".

"The way I figure is, if you keep thinking like that you'll never get a shot at redemption will you? No matter how many people forgive you, if you don't forgive yourself then nothing else matters right? So, if all you're …family, have given you another chance, I guess I can. Besides, I don't really know you, or anything you did as….Angelus. So, I can't judge can I?"

Angel looked a little bit relieved. "You're smart Harry," he said.

"Is that why you haven't talked to me?" asked Harry. "Except for in classes you keep to yourself. Is it because you thought we'd all…."

Angel interrupted him. "You've helped me Harry, you really have. It shows what a good person you are if you really believe what you just told me. So now I'm gonna help you".

Harry groaned. "Here it is. I knew this was coming".

"You have to be careful. We were bought here for a reason, to protect you. Dumbldore's a great guy, like you said. So if you respect him, or us, then you won't go looking for trouble, ok?"

So much for thinking any of them would understand. "Sure, I understand," Harry said blankly. They were all still treating him like a child, like he needed to be kept under constant surveillance. Didn't any of them get it?

Angel seemed to sense some of what he was thinking, because he instantly lightened the tone of his voice. "Look, it's not like we don't think you can handle yourself. It's just we don't want you getting killed before you have to".

Harry smiled weakly. "Can vampires read minds?"

"Maybe," Angel actually laughed. "Don't think we haven't noticed that you're worried about what's coming up. And you have every right to be. I'm not saying it's going to be easy or in anyway fun. But you have your friends support and ours. You're not alone in this. So just take my advice and start to prepare. In anyway you can. You nee to be ready, everyone does".

An idea was forming in Harry's mind. Actually, it was Hermione's idea. Something that they'd all taken part in last year.

"OK, I will," he agreed.

Angel nodded, and left the room as silently as he came in.

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"Did you talk to him?" asked Xander, later on that evening. "It's just, I was thinking that one of us should. He's been acting all nice and normal this holiday, but….."

"I talked to him," said Angel quietly. "As best I could anyway. I've told him to prepare for what's coming up, but I gave him our permission to do whatever he wants within the grounds, so he doesn't go running out on us. I mean, none of us know where Voldemort is, so how does Harry think he can find out? That's something we don't need happening. But in the end Harry's right…I don't know how much longer we can keep him safe. Or how much time we have left for him to be ready for this".

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The holidays were over and a new term had begun. The first week was uneventful. Ron and Hermione returned, and although there was still no word about Charlie, his disappearance had bought Percy to visit the family. He had turned up to the Burrow to talk to Mr and Mrs Weasley and they had spent a whole night talking to sort out their differences.

"I think it's weird ," Ron had told Harry. "I don't know why, I've just got a bad feeling about the whole thing. Percy was asking a lot of stuff about what mum and dad had been up to, and what everyone was doing about You know who….even though he'd spent the past year siding with the ministry against you, saying you'd made it all up! And Dad even told him about the order!"

"Your kidding!" said Harry and Dawn and Hermione at the same time.

Ron shook his head. "Nope. Dad even said about taking Percy to meet them all, get him into it like the rest of our family. He's supposed to be meeting Dumbldore at the end of this week".

During the classes, Harry noticed a slight change in attitude amongst the teachers. They almost seemed to be on edge most of the time, although they did a good job of hiding it. It would have almost been funny, the amount of times Piper looked on the verge of blowing Snape up and then having to control herself, if he hadn't known what was behind their anxiety. He knew they all had lives to lead back at home, he knew they all had responsibilities, people they missed. He knew they were all there because of him, and waiting for it to be over.

And although he felt guilty, he knew Angel was right. He wasn't ready, but he didn't think he ever would be. Angel had held him back after DADA. After Buffy gave him a puzzled look, she also left with the other students.

"How's it going?" Angel asked casually. "Did you think about what I said over Christmas?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. I guess I can tell you. Last year, because one of our new teachers…Professor Umbridge, was from the Ministry, she didn't want us doing practical work in our classes. And…although Buffy's classes are good, we do also need to practice some magic. We formed a group last year called DA…Dumbledore's army. We've started that up again".

Angel nodded. "Good. And I know just who can help you with that".

"Who?" asked Harry, confused.

"Willow"

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Voldemort had had almost as good a Christmas as Harry that year, but for very different reasons. Although he had been wounded by Dumbldore's attack at the ministry, and had suffered losses amongst his ranks because his cover had been blown, with the help of his remaining followers, he would soon be up to his full strength.

And ever since Percy had told him who the new teachers where at the school, a plan had formed in his mind, that would make up for his losses. A wonderful, brilliant plan. Of course, there had been a million flaws in it, and he'd had to think, and spend time perfecting it. But now, he was actually close to seeing his wish fulfilled.

He turned to face one of the only Death Eaters that he fully trusted, one of his most faithful and loyal followers. "Do you know who is at Hogwarts at this very moment, Lucius?" he asked lightly.

Lucius frowned. "Yes, lord Voldemort. Didn't I tell you only a couple of weeks ago? I asked Percy... The charmed ones, the slayer and…"

"And Angel. Angel is there, playing guardian to Harry Potter. Don't you think that's hilarious?"

"I don't understand," he admitted finally.

Voldemort laughed. "Do you know nothing? Angel, is Angelus. The scourge of Europe. In his time, he was a legend, he was feared above all others. Even I myself, chilled at the thought of what he had accomplished. I want him, lucius. I want him on our side".

Lucius nearly choked on the drink he had been sipping. "But…that can't be possible….he has a soul!"

"Indeed," Voldemort smiled. "And souls can be removed".

"But I thought, only true happiness…"

Voldemort laughed. "You have to admire the Gypsies. They are capable of some clever magic. But there are powerful spells in the world…some made by the Gypsies themselves, to remove such curses. I can remove his soul in other ways…actually….I have found a way. You see, I've had this idea for a while, and have asked my followers to gather every single bit of information they could…..and some, I was very pleased to discover, actually have Romanian blood in them, and new where to locate the spell I needed".

He paused slightly. "I have asked Percy to go back to his family, to make amends. His family will take him under their protection, idiotic, trusting fools that they are. He has accomplished this, and has found out where the pathetic Order is hiding. And who else they have on their side. This information will help us greatly, and will help to lure Angel out of the protection of Hogwarts. Of course, the child cannot act immediately, so the plan will have to wait until he has fully gained all of their trust….and then, when they are least expecting it, he will strike".

"And you trust Percy will succeed in this ?" Lucius asked carefully.

Voldemort nodded in answer. "Yes. Absolutely, I believe he will. You see…he is under my control. I will be acting through him. Soon…." he added in a whisper, almost to himself. "Soon I will have all I need to attack the school. I will be back to full strength, with an army and the greatest defender I could have wished for. I will be able to challenge all who face me, Dumbledore, that traitor Snape, and most of all….I will have the strength to kill Harry Potter, and this time, no one will be standing in my way!"

TBC

Sorry it's taken a while to get this chapter up, but I spent ages thinking if I should go through with the turning Angel into Angelus thing, but I couldn't think of anything else, so you'll just have to wait and see if voldemort's plan works! Not long until this is finished, prob another 10 chapters (Maybe less) and I've roughly written the ending already, so you shouldn't have to wait that long. Real life might get in the way this month though, birthdays, weddings and work etc! Anyway, hope you like it, please read and review…let me know what you think.