Chapter Nineteen

Willow's Army

The room of requirement was something that appeared only when you really needed it to, or so Harry told Willow as they made their way down the corridor.

Ron, Hermione and Dawn walked beside them.

"So, say if you were sick, it would turn into a room with loads of things in it to make you better? Like potions or…" Willows voice trailed off as she thought about all the great things they could use the room for.

"Sure," answered Ron with a shrug. "Or a toilet. Whatever you really need."

"We're here guys," Harry pointed out the door that had suddenly appeared from no where.

Willow shook her head in amazement. "This place keeps getting weirder and weirder…in a good way," she finished hastily.

"Harry, wait," said Willow suddenly. "Are you sure Buffy's ok with this? I mean, she has been working really hard on her classes…that's all. I just don't want to steal her thunder…or yours actually."

"She's fine with it," Harry said, feeling guilty as soon as the words slipped out. "And so am I. I've taught them practically everything I know, they need some extra training."

When Harry opened the door, he was surprised to see so many of them there. He saw Neville, Dean, Seamus, Ginny, Luna, Lavender, and Cho, among others.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" asked Neville. "After what happened last year at the ministry…you think I'd miss out on something like this Harry?"

"Not you guys, I meant…" he sighed. "I meant Cho."

"Just because we're not together, didn't mean I wanted to miss out on this," she answered him coldly. "Is my being here going to be a problem?" she finished.

"No problem," he answered her. Then he noticed that Dawn was watching them closely through narrowed eyes, and he hastily gestured for Willow to step forward.

"Hi everyone," she said brightly. "Right then, lets gets started."

Willow walked up to the front of the group, suddenly nervous about being in the spotlight. Cordelia had once told her that she'd make a good teacher, in one of her rare moods when she wasn't being ….well…Cordelia, and was actually being nice. And she had had practice after what had happened with Miss Calendar, so what was the big deal?

Deciding that she had to shrug off her fears, whether she wanted to or not, she turned to face her expectant class.

"Ok, I'm here to show you….well…magic. I know that you know the basics, all being witches and wizards. But there's plenty more to learn out there then the stuff you're used to. Normally, I wouldn't be about to teach you this stuff, coz it can get nasty. We're not just talking about the forbidden curses here either. You Know who has more help then we realised, and he can do complicated spells that you're not used to. You need to catch up quick," she paused again as she realised just what she was getting herself into.

"There's the basic stuff, like…finding people who are lost, unblocking mystical barriers. Then there's advanced things, like telekinesis, telepathy, Astral projection…raising the dead."

"You've actually done this stuff?" asked Ron in awe. "I mean…We've done some decent magic and of course we've heard some wizards are powerful enough to raise the dead…but you actually pulled it off?"

"Sort of," she answered vaguely.Lavender, are you talking about boys or are you paying attention? Willow spoke without saying anything out loud, and poor lavender looked like a frightened rabbit in front of car headlights.

"I'm sorry…I…hey!" she cried suddenly, forgetting her fears. "How'd you do that?"

"It's simple really…after a lot of practice," she answered. "You won't need that kind of magic yet though. It took me years to get that far, and we're on a time limit. So you'll be learning advanced defence and attack magic, to help defend you're self. Things to do with the elements are always useful, so that's were we'll start."Just don't talk during spells and you'll be fine Lavender!

The girl nodded and hastily found a partner to practice with.

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"Whose brilliant idea was this again?" asked Cordelia.Angel glanced at her. "Don't go blaming this on me."

Night had fallen, and thunder rumbled in the distance. They both stood outside the forbidden forest, Cordy looking into its shadowy depth sceptically.

"Best get going" said Hagrid, lifting up his lantern, although Angel could see just fine.

"I've got to blame somebody and Dumbledore's not here," she continued to fume. "I was having a perfectly fine, calm evening, having fun talking to Paige and Piper and everyone….and then wham! Someone comes up to me and says, hey Cordy, we've got to go out into the dark scary woods and talk to a bunch of half horse things……."

"Don't let them here you say that," exclaimed Hagrid sharply. "Spoil everything that would!"

Cordy ignored him. "And oh, by the way, there are also a lot of weird scary things in there like huge talking spiders, but we've still got to go in there anyway to try and talk them into working with us!"

"I did not say it like that!" Angel shot back. "Ok, so…I didn't sound like that. Did I?"

She rolled her eyes. "Paging Mr clueless. There's a reason why it's called the Forbidden forest right? We shouldn't be here."

Angel actually smiled when she said this. Sometimes he wondered what his life would be like without her around. "Only to some of the students."

She'd been a good friend to him underneath it all, but sometimes he wondered….not the thing to be thinking about, he told himself sternly. Especially not now, not when he had to deal with so many other things. Like Buffy, and what she'd say when he told her that he had a son and his mother had been Darla. Stop, he told himself again. That can all wait until we save the world again and get home.

"Are we there yet?" Cordy grumbled several minutes later.

"Nearly. Just a few more minutes," Hagrid told them.

"That's what you said a few minutes ago," she pointed out to him, and Angel for once, had to agree with her. They were now in pitch darkness, no moonlight or starlight filtered through the canopy above, and Angel could sense things around them that he didn't want to think about.

"Why was this place built near a forest like this?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"Read hogwarts a history," Hagrid answered vaguely. "Explains it all."

"What brings you here tonight Hagrid?" asked a voice from behind them. Angel whirled round and caught his first glimpse of the centaur. He hadn't even heard him coming.

"We've come to make a truce," Hagird began. "Listen ….we know you're upset cos of what happened to Firenze. You think he's a traitor to you coz he works for Dumbldore. But, we're thankful to whatever you did with umbridge last year, and we know you don't answer to humans. But…."

"Maybe you'll answer to us?" Cordelia finished, and Angel groaned silently. Nice first move Cor, he thought. Real nice.

The Centaur narrowed his eyes. "And who are you? What do you want with us?"

"We work for the higher powers," she told him. "We're not like everyone else. Hogwarts is in Danger…you're home is, everywhere and everyone is going to be involved. You think he cares whether or not you think you're above us all? That you're not involved? If he comes here he'll burn you just like the rest of us."

"She's right," Angel nodded. "Will you listen to reason and help us? We came here to help these people, but…any extra help won't be forgotten about in a hurry. "

There was a silence.

"We have felt the shadows gather," he told them. "If the time comes when we have to fight, we will to defend ourselves. That is all I can say, do not seek us out again!"

"Well, that was worth it!" Cordelia exclaimed angrily. She turned to Hagrid, eyes flashing. "Is he always like that?"

"Pretty much. You were impressive though. Looks like you've had practice at those speeches of yours."

"You could say that," she answered softly. "Angel, do you think they'll pull through? What are we going to tell Dumbldore?"

"The truth," he replied. "And I think they might surprise us."

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When Angel and Cordy returned to the castle, they found the others gathered in the staff room by the fire. The storm outside had grown and lightening was flashing outside the windows every few seconds.

Willow was talking about her day, and Angel felt the first sign of trouble stirring within the group.

"So, I'm thinking about whether I should tell the kids. About us I mean?" Willow was saying.

"Just the ones in DA. I know we have to play the secret identity gig, but…they're going to know about it soon anyway. And, it's been a few weeks since we started but, they're all really advanced already. Well, except that time Cho accidentally set fire to Dawns hair, but we soon fixed that. Actually, i'm not sure it was an accident..."

"Where have you two been?" Buffy asked curiously, looking up.

"Had an errand to run," Cordy answered her abruptly sitting down next to Phoebe.

"She was just filling me in on the whole Willows Army deal," Buffy continued brightly, a little too brightly. "You know, the DA? How she's teaching them magic?"

"I'm sorry," Willow said to Angel. "But I had to. I couldn't help it…"

"I'm just concerned. Willow…what I'm worried about is you. About what this could mean for you," said Buffy, waving away their apologies at keeping secrets from her.

Willow frowned, and the charmed ones looked at each other nervously, sensing an argument.

"Will, remember what happened back in Sunnydale?" she said softly. "Remember what happened when you bought me back? To much magic is a bad thing. It can go too far, like what Tara said?"

"Do we have to discuss this here? And since when did this turn into a gang up on Willow day?" Willow looked awkwardly over to Angel, Wesley and Cordelia, who were looking at her in surprise.

"I'm sorry, but I have to say this," Buffy continued, lowering her voiuce to a whisper. "You're my best friend Will, I'm just looking out for you. Truth was, I didn't think this trip was a good idea for you, but…you kind of insisted…."

"Would you just relax? I know what I'm doing, I can handle it!" Willow stood up suddenly. "I've handled everything so far haven't I?"

"Is anyone else feeling cold?" asked Paige,

Piper nodded in silent agreement, wondering what they were talking about. She had the feeling there was lots of things these people were keeping from them, even though they'd been working together for nearly a year. But then again, there were things she hadn't said either.

"Ok, let's calm down. Isn't there enough fighting going on without arguing with each other?" she asked them, deciding to play peacemaker.

Nobody seemed to hear her.

"I hope that you're right," Buffy answered. "Because these are people's lives you're talking about. Except for Harry, Hermione and Ron, they've all been sheltered. And you're plunging them straight in at the deep end, when your still learning how to control things yourself!"

"Listen Buffy…Willow…" started Angel, feeling guilty that he had talked them into starting this plan.

"I can handle it," Willow answered. "Haven't I been more like myself since we got here? Haven't we all been better since we arrived? It's like this place brings out your strengths, where as the hell mouth concentrated on your weaknesses. This place…it just feels safe and makes you feel you can accomplish anything. Don't tell me it hasn't changed you Buffy."

Buffy nodded seriously. "I know what you're saying, of course it has," she looked around at the group.

"You know some of what happened ito us," she told them, realising now that this wasn't the place for a talk like this. "But, when I was brought back from the dead I felt lonely, confused…lost. But here…I feel like myself again. I feel like…Like Buffy. And I haven't felt that in a long time, not since high school. So I believe what you're saying Will, I really do. So…I guess i'll have to trust you,"

She hesitated. "You know why? Because I just made a long speech thing, not something I'm known for! And about stuff I wouldn't normally even tell Dawn!" she shook her head in amazement.

"I'm sure we all have things we've kept from each other that we need to take care of," she looked over at Angel. "And this place just …it's given me perspective, that's all. I'm sure it's some magic trick Dumbeldore's got up his sleeve….and Pipers right. We shouldn't argue. So that's why I believe you."

Willow looked away. "Thanks, I guess," she admitted finally.

Angel was looking at Buffy. He'd sensed some of what she'd just said of course, but she'd never wanted to talk about it until now, so he hadn't pressed the issues. Maybe now was the time to reveal some secrets of his own….she'd just spilled out her heart in front of a group of people…he could do the same, couldn't he? He looked at Cordelia then realised no matter what magic in these walls was compelling him to talk, he wasn't like that. He couldn't do it.

"Well, now we've got that out of the way," said Phoebe, with a smile of understanding at Buffy, "I'm outta here. This days been long enough…"

"It's about to get longer," said Giles, gesturing as Snape walked into the room.

Instantly everyone froze, looking at him warily.

Snape looked at them all coldly.

"What do you want?" snapped Piper finally.

"Since you all know I'd rather be anywhere else I'll make this quick…" he started.

"We wish you were somewhere else too Snivellus!" Piper shot back, using the name Harry had told her about once.

"Dumbledore wants to speak to you all, he says it's important," Snape continued.

"You've said what you needed to say," Buffy told him. "We get the point."

Willow felt concern as they made their way through the school. She was actually glad they'd had a chance to talk and get things out in the open, because she didn't think they'd get another chance to. She knew something had gone wrong …

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Grimmauld place was quiet. Molly, Arthur and Percy, were all in the kitchen cleaning up after a large meal.

Spike, Gunn, Leo and Tara had stayed up in the main room, taking the first watch, letting the rest of the order catch up on what little sleep they could get.

"Ok, all this sitting around? Even more boring then sunny hell," Spike muttered, glancing toward the kitchen.

Tara raised an eyebrow. "This is the first time we've 'sat around' since we got here!" she told him. "Remember? We've been sending for help, because none of Voldemorts spies will suspect us, they don't even know who we are or that we're here. We're doing this because the Order has to be careful about being watched?"

Spike shook his head. "No. Way I figure is, we'd all be better off up at that castle."

Gunn actually laughed. "They can't give all of us jobs up there blondie," he said. "We'll be there soon enough I'll bet."

"Don't call me that," the vampire snapped.

"Hey Percy," said Tara as he walked in to sit next to them. "Are you sure you're parents don't need help cleaning up?"

Spike frowned as he watched him. Percy shrugged "They always manage," he answered casually.

Something had been bugging Spike about this kid, ever since he'd turned up. It just seemed weird that someone estranged from his family for the past few years would suddenly change their minds. He knew everyone else agreed with him, even the order members, but he bit his tongue as Tara shot him a warning look.

He heard her voice in his head clearly and it nearly made him jump. I know what you're thinking, but just play nice ok? We've talked about this.

What's with the hocus pocus thing anyway? he answered in surprise

You think Willow's the only one who knows mind tricks? Tara sipped her drink calmly. I'm a witch too you know!

Spike had the creepy feeling that Percy could somehow hear everything that they had just said.

"Goodnight dears," said Molly brightly as she and Arthur made their way upstairs.

"Night Mrs Weasley," Gunn, Leo and Tara said at the same time.

"Thanks for everything," added Leo.

"Oh come on everyone, how many times must I ask you to call me Molly," she laughed.

"At least once more mum," said Percy. Soon, they were left on their own again.

Tara started to say something, but Percy interrupted them. He stood up slowly, hesitantly and then reached out and grabbed Tara.

She cried out in surprise, Leo, Spike and Gunn were instantly on their feet.

"What are you doing Percy?" Gunn asked fiercely.

Percy grinned at them, his eyes turning black. "Do you have any idea what this has been like?" he said to them, tightening his grip on Tara. "Sitting here every day, waiting for an opportunity like this? It would have been better if she'd been alone," he gestured at Tara with his wand. "But it's not like you can do anything about this. A human and a vampire? Against my powers?"

"I can do more then you think," growled Spike angrily, taking a step forward. Tara shook her head frantically as he did.

"You're super strong, I get that," Percy answered. "But you won't get any closer to me. Because if you do, she's dead in a second. And you don't want that right?"

"Now," he said after a moment's tense silence. "I want you to get a message to Dumbledore. I want you to send Angel here as soon as possible."

"Angel? Why does he always have to be involved in everything?" exclaimed Spike.

"What do you want with him?" added Leo

"Why are you doing this?" whispered Tara shakily.

"Percy's not doing this," he answered her.

"Voldemort. Should have known," said Spike, sighing in defeat.

"You shouldn't be allowed to say my name vampire," Voldemort told them darkly.

"What's in a name?" Spike answered. "I've faced worse things then you," he's eyes strayed to Tara. "But I'll do what you want for now. I'll get Angel."

Sorry about the wait again! Thank you if you're still reading this and thanks for the reviews.