Chapter 21

A Gathering storm

Staring into the empty space where Angel and Tara had once been, Spike tried to understand what had just happened, but the more he tried, the more confused he felt. Not a good thing.

"Ok," he said finally. "This is to complicated for me. Way to complicated. I need a cigarette."

Cole raised an eyebrow at this statement. "Is that all you can say?"

Spike nodded. "What else do you want Balthezor? Because I don't get it. Angel is now Angelus and Buffy let him come here, obviously knowing what was going to happen and she didn't do anything about it? She didn't send any backup and she didn't come herself? Sure doesn't sound like her. Can't say much more then that!"

He lit up a cigarette and sank into a nearby chair that was surprisingly still in tact.

"Percy…." murmured Molly softly, still in shock at what had happened. Spike glanced up at her, almost forgetting that they and the rest of the order where still in the room.

"It's ok pet," he said wearily. "I'm sure he's fine."

Molly looked up hopefully. "You really think so?" she whimpered.

"Yeah, sure, why not?" Spike continued, inhaling deeply. "Of course…he was just captured by voldemort and Angelus. Come to think of it, odds are pretty slim actually. Probably in a dark cell somewhere by now waiting for what's his face to finish him of…"

"Spike!" snapped Anya and Fred at the same time. "You're not helping!" added Fred angrily.

"None of this is helping," Remus told them all, stepping forward. Then he glanced up at the sound of an owl hooting above their heads.

"What the…" Spike flinched slightly, as the owl landed on his shoulder, dropping a letter into the palm of his hand. The owl hooted again and flew off into the night.

Fred giggled slightly at this. "I think it liked you!" she whispered to him, and Spike rolled his eyes. "Not funny Luv. Not Funny."

"I thought it was," muttered Leo.

Remus reached towards the letter. "Can I see that Spike?" he asked, seeming to not care about what a foul mood the vampire was in.

"Knock your self out Lupin." Spike nodded, handing the letter over.

Remus looked over the familiar handwriting of the headmaster and sighed. "Better late then never I guess," he said.

"Remus? Is it from Albus?" asked Arthur, concerned. "What does it say?"

Remus shook his head. "Just that we're needed up at the castle as soon as we can make it out of here."

"That's it?" exclaimed Spike, standing up to get a look. "That's bloody it? We all could have been killed here and all it says…."

"He also gives sincere apologies and hopes we are all still in one piece," Remus added with a slight smile.

Spike scowled when he said this. Finally, after he couldn't stand the silence anymore, he looked over at Gunn. "So, back to school then is it? I hate to say I told you so mate but…I told you so. If we'd gone there in the first place, none of this would have happened!"

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Buffy stood in the room of requirement, trying to decide a plan of action. It wasn't going well. She was surrounded by many weapons, everything she could possibly need, and she didn't know where to begin.

"Ok Summers think," she told herself firmly, marching over to the nearest display. "Focus and think. Army of monsters advancing on a school…." But her mind was completely blank. Despite her better judgement, all she kept thinking about was Angel. She kept thinking that there must have been something she could have done, anything to change what had happened. She knew it was pointless to think that way, but she couldn't help it. And then there was cordelia….she hadn't been able to look the brunette in the eye since. Hadn't even been able to be in the same room as her actually. It was one thing to act all grown up and do the right thing, but it was another thing altogether, to believe in what she was saying and go through with it.

Suddenly she heard the door open. She spun round defensively, ready to fight whoever had snuck up on her. Then she saw dawn, her hands raised in surrender. "It's only me. There's someone here to see you."

Buffy's eyes widened when she saw who was standing by her sister. "Spike?" she asked in disbelief.

"Don't look so surprised," he said. "Who else would it be?"

Buffy let out her first real laugh she'd experienced in days, and Dawn slid out of the room with a smile. "Well…I never thought I'd actually say this…but I'm glad to see you."

"Wait a sec, you're actually saying you're glad Angelus didn't kill me?"

Buffy shrugged lightly. "Something like that!"

Spike smirked as he came to stand beside her. "Well now. Ain't this interesting. Never thought I'd ever hear you say something like that Summers."

"Neither did I," she answered him. "Don't get used to it - I'm glad you all made it!" she added quickly. "So…any bright ideas? Coz I'm running on empty."

Spike took in his surrounding. "I'm sure I can come up with something!" He started. "But listen luv…why should I help you out? You left us high and dry over at Phoenix HQ. I Suppose you've heard Tara's been taken?"

Buffy nodded sadly. "Yes. But there was nothing I could do Spike. Don't you think I would have tried? And didn't Dumbledore tell you what had happened? If we'd come it would have been worse. At least nobody else got hurt. But if I'd gone as well…Do we really have to do this?" She asked. She was tired of fighting with him.

"Yeah, he told me what happened," Spike answered finally, his expression softening. Lately, he could never refuse her for long.

"So, are you gonna help me or what?" she asked.

He grinned at her. "Never thought you'd ask me for help either!"

"Spike…you know what I mean…" she told him threateningly.

Finally giving in he nodded. "Ok, ok. Like I said, Guess I can come up with something."

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The main hall was crowded with students, having been called there first thing the next morning. Whispers echoed around the hall and Harry was suddenly feeling very nervous.

This was happening so soon and he didn't think he was ready for it.

"This shouldn't be happening," he muttered, staring into the breakfast he was supposed to be eating.

"What are you talking about?" whispered Dawn anxiously. Hermione and Ron looked up as well.

"All this," Harry went on. "Dumbldore's about to make the announcement and everyone knows something's going on. But this shouldn't involve all of you. It's between me and him."

"You know none of this is your fault Harry," Dawn whispered, trying to sound reassuring.

"She' right mate," added Ron.

Harry shook his head. "You don't understand. This is my fight, it shouldn't involve the whole school. Listen…I think I'm just gonna get out of here…"

His voice trailed off at Hermione's harsh glare. "And do what?" she asked. "Go after him? Is that what you've been planning? Is that why you've been all distant lately? Because if it is, it's the craziest plan I've ever heard! You'd do more damage then good!"

"But I have to face him eventually!" Harry told his best friend, and for a moment she looked at him sadly. Then her expression cleared. "I know that. But until then….please just believe me ok? It's better to stay here."

Harry sighed, finally nodding in agreement. He glanced up then, realising Dumbldore had started speaking, and he'd nearly missed it!

"I usually start by saying good morning to you all, and giving the days usual announcements," he started. "But nothing about today is going to be usual. I'm afraid I have kept you all in the dark for far too long, and now you must know the truth."

The silence in the hall seemed to stretch on forever.

"I don't know how this day, or indeed the ones to follow are going to end. I do know it's going to be hard for us all to adjust. We will all experience different strengths and weaknesses, and we'll all prove ourselves at one point or another. But do know this. As long as I am still here, I promise to try my best to keep you as safe as I can, and out of harms way."

Harry glanced around the hall, accidentally meeting Malfoys gaze. They looked grimly at each other for a second, and then Malfoy looked away.

"I'm afraid we are in a time of war, and I don't know exactly how it'll turn out. But…we're not alone. We have people here who can help to protect us. People you know well. You should know the castle is being prepared for a battle that is yet to come. Spells and wards being set up around it. I suggest after I finish talking, that you go back to your dorm rooms. The first and second years will help to barricade, the third, fourth, fifth years will help to defend them, using all the skill and knowledge you have learned over the years. The sixth and seventh years will stay behind in the great hall for further instructions."

He paused then, seeing the fear in their faces. "I understand it's a great task I ask all of you. But this has come upon us so late; there is no safe way to get you out of this castle. Yes, I am asking you to be brave and to fight, not only to defend your lives, but also your home. It will be terrifying….but if we stand together, we will have a chance. And I will do everything in my power to hold the castles defences."

For a moment, nobody seemed to know what do to. Professor McGonagal rose to her feet, to help the head master.

"Ok, everyone follow the prefects back to their Dorm rooms and hurry, quick as you can," she started to move down the hall, along with other teachers, helping to rouse the frightened students.

"So far so good," muttered Buffy to Willow.

Her friend nodded. "Well, it's not over yet. Your parts coming up. You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"Listen," whispered Paige, leaning forward so they could hear her better. "You guys got a plan that we should know about?"

Buffy grinned sheepishly. "Uh…not really. Usually I just….we're gonna improvise."

"Excuse me?" exclaimed Piper.

"Well, I figure the more you don't know what you're doing, the more likely it is it'll work out!" Buffy shrugged. Then she got to her feet, ready to help albus defend his school and his world.

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When Tara opened her eyes, she tried to fight off the panic she suddenly felt. She blinked several times, trying to clear her vision, and realised she was in a cell. Then she realised she was bound and gagged, and looking around her, she realised she wasn't alone.

Two boys lay beside her, both with strikingly red hair, and both resembled each other. One she recognised…Percy. She flinched away from him quickly, until she realised he was unconscious. So, she thought wearily. Voldemort's finished with him and left him with us in here to…what? To die? To be slaves? Why were they here?

She then noticed the other boy was awake, and he was staring at her.

Using all the strength she had left, she used her magic to speak to him.

Soon she learned he was called Charley and that Percy was his brother. He had been making his way back to the Order when he'd been caught. After assuring him that she was good, and knew his family, they tried to think of a plan to get out.

They took my wand and broke it in front of me, he told her angrily. I can't use any magic without it.

Tara nodded.

But you can, he asked her quickly. Couldn't you just blast the door open?

She shook her head. No, I'm not that powerful, she told him. Not yet, I can only just manage to communicate with you.

So what do we do? Asked Charley.

Hey, wait…do you hear that? She asked. Voices….

They both turned to look through the bars that made up the wall in front of them. Tara could barely make out the room in front, dark and lit by candles. But she recognised one voice and it chilled her. Angel…she thought. But it wasn't.

"Let's get this straight ok?" Angelus was sitting on a chair, looking up at a figure shrouded in black. Voldemort, Tara new that instantly.

"I don't work for you. I don't work for anyone. So, what ever grand plan you got for me, better forget it. Unless….it's worth something to me."

Voldemorts laughter made Tara feel physically ill.

"I think it will be," he hissed back at Angelus. "I think we can come to an arrangement. You do this for me Help to invade that castle, and I can get rid of Angel for you. I've found a way to end the curse for good. You can finally be free. There's also this."

A chest appeared in the dark lords hands. She couldn't make it out clearly, but she could see something sparkling. Gold and treasure.

He's lying, she knew. He'll do anything to get what he wants…and Angelus will believe him. Angel will be bound to him unless he's destroyed. Or unless Willow could curse him again.

But she won't, thought the witch sadly. Because she won't risk my life. But this is more important then me!

It's over, she told Charley.

Charley shook his head firmly. No way, he said confidently. We'll all get out of here alive. And we can save your friend.

Tara stared in amazement. She had told Charlie as much as she could about Angel's background. How?

Hesmiled. If Willow can't curse him, then you can.

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Back up at hog warts, Buffy and the order were busy preparing for what was to be the biggest fight of their lives so far. After her little pep talk with the older students and the teachers, the slayer felt even more like her old self.

She eventually found herself talking with the oldest Halliwell sister, as they gathered up weapons, all the time she kept her eyes fixed on Spike, who was busy talking to Dumbledore. She was more glad then she had let on that he had turned up when he did. Although lately she had been trying to work through so much on her own, she had been trying to deal with so much, it felt nice to be able to count on somebody, to have someone to lean on for support. But the crazy thing was, she knew she shouldn''t trust Spike, and she didn't even like him. But she had come to realise that she did rely on him. That all of the scoobies at some point or another, had come to need him to be there. She just hoped that she didn't regret this later on.

"Piper, do you think we'l make it out of this?" she asked, actually feeling nervous.

Piper looked at her in surprise. "You're the slayer. You tell me!"

"Yes. I'm the slayer. But you're one of the charmed ones. As fellow hero and sister? Tell me the truth ok? Sometimes even super beings need reassurance."

"Ok look, I don't honestly know. Truth is, this is bigger then anything we'v ever had to face…on the grand scale of things. I mean, this guy may be just a wizard, but he has an army like…lord of the rings type army, know what I mean? You may have faced a god, and we may have come up against the source of all evil…"

"The source?" said Buffy. "Do I even want to know?"

Piper shook her head with a laugh. "Trust me Buffy, you don't."

"Does the source work with the First evil?" She asked curiously. "Cause we came up against that a few years back and…there can only be one source of evil right?"

"What's the first?" asked Piper.

"Claims to be the source of evil. It was powerful enough to make Angel nearly kill himself, so we believed it. But now you're saying there's another Source?"

"Maybe it was a hoax?" Guessed Piper. "Or maybe they're twins? Who knows how evil works? Anyway, my point is that we may not make it. No matter how powerful we are, there is that annoying prophecy that we can't defeat him…and usually you can't argue with prophecies." Piper paused for a moment.

"But then there is Phoebe's idea. I'm hoping it will work."

Buffy looked at her sceptically. "Are you crazy? It's a total long shot…and we don't even have a spell for it yet!"

"But she's working on it with Paige and Willow. A Power of three spell plus Willows Wicca magic they should come up with something."

Buffy nodded. "We're going to make it through this…and so is Harry."

TBC