Chapter 22

War Of The Worlds

A couple of days had passed since Dumbldores little speach and now all anyone could do now was wait. And Buffy hated waiting. It seemed all she had been doing lately was waiting. She looked at the beautiful spring day outside and thought about the millions of things she could be doing.

"We're not going to die," said her sister, "At least I'm almost positive that's not going to happen."

Buffy nodded at her, wondering what it would be like to have that attitude still. Not that Dawn was naïve or stupid, but she just had that ability to make everything seem better then it was. She had felt like that once, but now…she wasn't so sure. Although she no longer felt so helpless about everything, she had lost the innocence she'd once had.

And she also knew that this was a war, and that it might not go the way they wanted it to, although Pipers little pep talk had helped her a lot.

"I hope you're right Dawnie," she answered back fondly.

Dawn nodded. "I'm going to find Harry and everyone, see if they need a hand ok? You'll be alright?"

Buffy nodded back at her. "I'll be just fine."

"Sure about that slayer?" said Spike, coming up to stand beside her.

"No."

"You look like you've done alright so far. All these folk really seem to respect you. Or at least listen to you," he added at her look.

She laughed. "Yeah they do. That's because I've realised something Spike. I've realised how stupid I've been. I want to live. I want to live to see Dawnie grow up. I want to live to see these people survive and be able to do all the fabulous things I know they can accomplish!"

"Wow," he said impressed. "You're starting to sound like a teacher!"

"And I also want to live to see if you…" she hesitated.

"See if I what?"

"To see if I was right about you. To see if you have changed and you're not in this for some evil scheme or…for your self. This thing that's been going on between us back in Sunnydale….it's too early to tell what it is. I mean…we hate each other don't we?"

"I thought we did," he murmured. "And you actually thought that about me?"

She nodded. "Somewhere down the line, yes."

"But whatever it is keeps happening between us, and I can't ignore it. But I know I want to live to see if it's real, or if we're just using each other to make ourselves feel better, because both of us are so screwed up that it won't matter what we do."

"Well, you sure know how to sum things up," he said, looking away.

"Well, do you know which category we fall into?" she said. "I mean I have stuff to figure out. Is this what I want? And if it is, why do I feel I have to keep this a secret from everyone?"

Spike nodded. "Sure, I get it. Know what else I heard? Before Angel left he made a move on queen C. Sure you're not bringing all this up with me to make yourself feel better about that?"

"I'm not going to lie to you about that Spike, it did hurt me. And we're not going to be best of friends anytime soon…."

"Well, considering Angel's all evil now…" he reminded her. Buffy led him away from the main room out into the corridors of the school.

She shrugged. "What I'm saying is I won't be having any long conversations or anything with either of them. And I might want to kick Angel's ass so bad he never forgets it in this battle…"

"I'll help you out!"

"But no. I'm not doing this to feel better; I'm doing this to let you know where we stand, because it's really my job to do that right? All I'll say is that after we make it out alive…then we'll seriously talk."

Spike grinned. "Can't wait Slayer. I'm sure I can convince you to a few other things."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm ignoring that! Let's go and check on how everyone's getting on."

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The inside of the Gryffindor common room was bustling with activity….but it was filled with a nervous energy, that Harry knew would soon turn into fear. He hoped it wouldn't be as soon as he thought.

Dawn sat down beside him. "Things seem to be getting under way," she said happily. "The floo powder Net work is all set up. If things get really dodgy we can skip to other houses common rooms or other classrooms in seconds. We can also send them to Grimmauld Place, maybe the Burrow, other safe houses Dumbledore has set up. It was a good idea to tell the students about the secret passageways under the school as well. Just so they know there's a way out the enemy might not know about."

Harry nodded. "Ok," he answered briefly.

"Of course this is all assuming the worst. The fact that the enemy has to get past the front line first. And past all the spells and wardsbeing put up aroundthis place…we'll be fine."

Harry took her hand. "You realise I'll be part of that front line?" he asked softly.

She met his eyes for only a second before nodding reluctantly. Then the fake smile was back. "You'll be fine. Besides if you think for one second you'll be alone in this…"

Harry had no intention of seeing his friends suffer anymore then they had. "Just in case though Dawn," he said earnestly. "I want you to take care of them. Neville, Luna, Ron, Hermione…all of them Ok"

"You're saying goodbye again Harry," she scolded. "What did I say about that? Listen…let's play a game," she said suddenly. "It's called anywhere but here."

"Ok," he said, taken aback by this, but he smiled at her and continued to play. "So where are we?"

"We're back in Sunnydale," she said, a faraway look in her eyes. "Only, it's not a hell mouth, Buffy's not a slayer and I was never the key. You weren't famous and your parents were still alive. Everybody we ever lost is. We're having a BBQ. Hermione and I are teaching Ron to play video games and my mum and Mr Giles are showing Mr Weasley the BBQ. Then after wards, we go to the beach and I teach you how to surf."

"You can surf?" he asked lightly.

"Never in my life. But we do have a beach back home and I'm sure it's not that hard. It's a nice dream right?" she asked then.

He nodded and then he kissed her. "Yeah. I like it."

"Hey you guys?" said Ron. "Sorry to interrupt, but if I have to play babysitter to the first years anymore, I'm gonna go insane. I've left Lavender in charge of them, Hermione wants to go see what we can do to help your sister."

"She does?" said Harry suspiciously.

"I do?" asked Hermione, putting her hands on her hips.

"Yeah you do," said Ron defiantly. "I mean, these kids need to have a bit of courage you know? We were never like that….were we?

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"So, everything's all set?" asked Buffy as she and Spike entered the empty classroom the witches had been using.

Paige nodded. "The spell doesn't actually take that long. It does mean our guard will be down in the battle for a while, it'll give Harry a chance though."

"Hopefully the order will be able to give us some cover," added Phoebe.

"How's everyone else doing?" asked Piper, concerned for the students. Leo put a hand comfortingly on her shoulder.

Buffy nodded. "This place is starting to turn into a regular battle headquarters. I'm really impressed with everyone. They're all terrified…but trying not to show it."

"Well, you and Dumbledore must have inspired them a lot," grinned Willow.

"Yeah, they must really trust us," said Paige.

"Well, then they're in trouble," said Spike.

"Guys, it's starting!" said Fred breathlessly, suddenly appearing in the doorway. "Voldemorts army has been seen moving past Hogsmeade. We have to get ready!"

Buffy was instantly alert.

"Ok, you guys help the teachers to spread the word. Tell the students to keep out of sight of the windows. Then meet me at the entrance hall."

She looked at the charmed ones, and then at Willow. "You guys stick with me, we need to do that spell as soon as possible."

"And unfortunately," said Willow. "We have to get Harry."

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The irony that it dad been such a perfect day wasn't lost on the slayer as she, along with the rest of the order, led the students and the rest of Dumbldores followers out to the front of Hogwarts. They weren't enough. Not nearly enough to face the army the dark lord had created. But they still had to try.

Harry and Dawn walked beside her, and she felt a pang of sympathy for them. Dawn had simply ignored her, when Buffy had told her to stay inside the castle. When they finally stood still outside the grounds, everything was silent, as if the world was holding its breath.

Buffy surveyed the army advancing, the sun had just set behind the horizon and the sinking feeling in her stomach increased even more. And she couldn't see Voldemort anywhere, just an endless sea of evil, trolls and goblins, vampires and warlocks and demons.

She glanced at Dumbldore and he nodded.

"Stand your ground," Dumbldore commanded them all, his voice amplified by magic.

The dark army stopped suddenly, and there he was, dressed in black robes, his twisted face hidden. But Harry had seen it before, seen his eyes cold and void of emotion. He didn't need to be reminded again.

Harry glanced from his left to right, and felt suddenly sick. These were his friends, his fellow students and his family, all stony faced and determined. But he couldn't do this. He couldn't let them do this.

Before anyone could say anything, he began to walk out across the vast expanse of earth between the two sides, his heart pounding, but he had to control his fear, otherwise it could be used against him.

"Harry no!" Dawn exclaimed but she knew it was hopeless to try and stop him. Cordelia also tried to call out a warning, but then she noticed someone she really didn't want to see now. But there he was, standing just behind Voldemort, it was Angelus. She met his gaze and saw the cruel expression on his face and it made her want to turn and run. But she knew she couldn't do that.

"You're making this to easy Harry," Voldemort hissed, his voice filling all of their minds, everyone heard every single chilling word.

"This is between you and me," Harry told the dark wizard in front of him. "It always has been. We can finish this now and no one else needs to be involved. Neither side has to suffer because of us."

Voldemort laughed. "Do you really care about my side?" he asked. "Do you think your precious Dumbledore won't do anything in his power to stop me from hurting you?"

Harry looked back at his headmaster, who was looking at him sadly.

"No one else can do this except me. He will fight to protect those he cares about and his home."

Voldemort nodded, and Harry felt a searing pain in his scar, more painful then anything he had ever felt before and he staggered backwards, almost falling. Voldemort was glad about this turn of events. He was laughing now.

"Oh, he'll fight Harry. He'll have to. Let's finish this now!"

A wall of flames erupted from the ground, circling around Harry and Voldemort, blocking them from the others view. Buffy shielded her eyes from the sudden blaze of light. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath. Then she rushed forwards with the others as the war began.

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Tara tried to focus all of her energy and her magic, but it wasn't easy. All the time she was worrying for her friends, and mostly for Willow. Voldemort had left a while ago with most of his followers to leave for hogwarts. Now was the perfect chance if ever for her to restore Angels soul…but first she had to remember the words to the spell!

And she didn't even want to think about what damage Angelus was causing in this battle to their side.

Hurry up Tara! Charlie said to her. We don't have much time.

I know that! She snapped. This is the first time I've done this kind of spell before ok? Give me a minute.

He seemed to calm down a bit after this. Sorry. I just want to find a way out of here as soon as possible.

She nodded. Me to.

The few remaining Death Eaters who were guarding them looked at them suspiciously.

Tara, you do know this spell right? I mean, I thought Willow told you? Charlie asked her his anxiety showing clearly on his face.

She did. I just have to remember it properly. Give me a few more minutes!

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Harry was weak. It seemed he had been here forever. He felt like he was actually on fire, the heat from the flames surrounding him was that intense. Blood was pouring down the side of his face now and he felt dizzy. He was going to collapse any minute. He had no feeling in his arm except for the pain from yet another deep cut.

The curses that had already hit him were taking there toll, draining him of power and strength. His vision was fading and he heard the sound of evil laughter….

"This is all you have?" Voldemort scoffed. "The only one to defeat me…..and this is what you have to offer? You're just as weak and pathetic as I always knew you were. Yes," he went on casually. "I found out about the prophecy. Let's just say that Draco has been particularly helpful to his father this year. That boy though, he's in for a world of trouble later on. Once you betray you're side Harry, there are fatal consequences," he paused then, raising his wand again. "If you live through this Harry, you can tell Snape that as well…"

Harry weakly raised his own wand, blocking the curse yet again. He knew these curses, although strong, were nothing to what the wizard was really capable of. Harry knew he was no match for him, even after all his training, even after all he had been through and everything Dumbledore and Buffy had told him, the only ones even remotely capable of winning against him was Dumbledore and Snape. Why had everyone put their faith in him so much?

Another curse hit him and he stumbled to the ground