A/N: YES! I got many more reviews than I had hoped for so guess what, I'm going to write the new chapter right now! Yes, kiddies, thats right... this very second I'm going to start.. Okay, well, after I do all the thank-yous and babbling.

lora - I think I mentioned something in the first few chapters (while in the portal) that they could survive without food and water... If I didn't, I think I was asked this question a long time ago and I forgot my answer. Lol I must have simply mixed things up. But to clear it up for you, the portal is empty space. There isn't really anything there, no specific walls, ceiling, flooring.. its just like a big black hole. Therefore, nothing really exists there besides, strangely enough, humans-- er... non-humans.

Lily Martin - Constructive criticism, I thank you even though you made me frown a little. Lol. I'm sorry this story confuses you... I, along with most of the other readers, are following pretty well. I do see how it could be confusing and it isn't very well written so I propose that when I finish the story I'll rewrite it with new additions and changes.

IceBlueRose - You're reviews always make me giggle! I love them. They're so long and special! They make me feel giddy inside, hehe. First off, Wesley... yes, poor Wesley. He just seems so killable. I'm actually quite proud of myself because I've determined already most of what is going to happen! I know who killed Wesley, why they did it, and how it all happened. What I have yet to figure out is what happens after everyone discovers this. Which won't be for a few more chapters, of course. Oliver and Spike. Two of my favorite characters from each series. I don't think J.K. Rowling gives Oliver Wood enough credit. He's awesome and gorgeous 3. Hermione will always be the logical girl who sees things that nobody else really understands. I love her because of it. Draco... Draco, Draco, Draco. What is there to say? He's conniving, manipulative, has a wand, and the ability to kill. Did he do it? Maybe. Maybe not! .. DUN DUN DUN!

Another Thank you to SpikesDreamer, Buffy-CrazyAboutAngel, Heavens Demise, and spk. Thank you all for your reviews... 3

This chapter we'll be seeing lyrcis from the song 'Dirty Little Secret' - All American Rejects. (Totally awesome song, by the way!) I did skip alot of the lyrics because I only needed a few of them-- keep that in mind.

Chapter 17: Sing Me A Secret

The Lobby was strangely quiet. Nobody wanted to speak and break the awkward silence with more questions and theories. Spike, Willow, and Dawn sat on the sofa while Draco stood off to the side by himself leaning against the wall, arms folded.

"Malfoy, get over yourself." Ron sneered. "And stop pouting like we ran over your puppy."

"Numerous times." Harry added indignantly.

"That is soooo cruel." Dawn scrunched up her face, emphasis on the word 'so'.

"Why don't you go crawl into the whole you came out of." Draco told Ron without looking at him. His mind was focused on one thing and one thing only. Buffy. Why Buffy wouldn't believe him just muddled him. He thought they had something, then again, it was probably just a fling. Wouldn't surprise him one bloody bit!

"-- stupid arsehole."

That was all Draco Malfoy heard Ron spit out when he snapped away from his thoughts.

Let me know that I've done wrong

When I've known this all along

I go around a time or two

Just to waste my time with you

"I don't like this Oliver guy. He's too... uptight."

"Who is uptight?" Buffy questioned Angel with a raised eyebrow. He could only glare at her.

"Now is not the time to argue."

"Why not? It's what we're obviously best at these days!"

"Well, we wouldn't argue if you'd just shutup about this kind of stuff!"

"I'd shutup if you didn't complain twenty-four hours a day about every person who happens to be male who I could possibly like as anything!"

"Can we just-- not do this."

"Not do what, Angel? I'm sick of 'not doing anything'. We need to talk."

"I thought we worked this out earlier."

"You mean when I kicked your ass?"

"Yeah."

"That wasn't really talking."

"That was my idea of talking."

Angel paused. He didn't feel like fighting with her again. He just wanted to find Wesley's killer but he knew that Buffy was right. Without this Oliver guy helping them it'd be really hard to find out what kind of person would do such a thing to an innocent man. Then again, Angel knew alot of people who would.

Tell me all that you've thrown away

Find out games you don't wanna play

You are the only one that needs to know

Spike was tired of hearing everyone argue. Usually it would amuse him but these people had nothing good to say. Plus, they weren't even throwing punches yet. Now if only he could get to see a catfight... He was dragged from his thoughts by another petty discussion. This one was Sirius addressing everyone.

"Dawn... what time did you wake up?" He asked with curious eyes.

"Uh... I'm not sure." She shrugged. "A little after 12:30? Willow woke me up, ask her."

Willow looked up from her place on the couch and made a thinking face. "I think it was around quarter of one, actually. I don't really remember."

"And Ron, what time did you say you were up at?"

Ron pursed his lips together and furrowed his brow. Hermione answered for him. "I woke him up. I couldn't sleep and I heard noises. It too, was around 12:45."

Harry butted in. "Sirius and I were in the kitchen from eleven to the time of the incident. Buffy came in around 12:30 and Angel shortly after."

"So it wasn't any of us?" Dawn asked curiously.

"No." Spike shook his head, standing up and laughing. He pointed his finger and Draco. "It coulda been you. You're the only one who wasn't here. Er, the only one without a good reason at least. Then again, it coulda been you." He pointed at Hermione. "I don't know you well but it's always the quiet ones who cause ruccus. You could have killed Wesley and charmed the room with some mojo, then ran up and woke your friend up!"

"I did no such thing!"

"Leave her alone!" Both Harry and Ron said defensively. "She didn't kill anyone!"

Dawn shook her head. "They're right Spike. Hermione wouldn't kill anyone. She's too fragile."

I'll keep you my dirty little secret

Dirty little secret

Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret

Just another regret, hope that you can keep it

My dirty little secret

Pop. Oliver appeared out of thin air in Angel's office. "Miss Summers? May I speak to you for a moment?"

Buffy turned to Oliver and smiled. "Buffy, please."

Angel grabbed her arm. "Hey, whatever he has to say can be said in front of me. Unless it's personal."

"Angel, shutup. Go ahead Oliver." Buffy pulled her arm from Angel's grasp and glared at him, turning her full attention on Oliver.

The brown haired man scoffed at Angel's simple jealousy over nothing. "St.Mungo's ran some tests on the body and did the normal proceedure, of course, and they've discovered that the cause of death was the Cruciatus Curse. It usually doesn't kill but on rare occasions when the person is overly worked with it, the curse may cause death."

Angel frowned. "Cruciatus Curse? Whatever, just tell me, did he die painfully?"

Oliver looked at the floor and solemnly nodded his head. "Unfortunatley, yes. He did. Probably the first feeling in his entire life."

"Well gee, thats real comforting." Buffy condoled, patting Angel's shoulder. "It's gonna be okay. Thank you, Oliver."

I'll keep you my dirty little secret

Dirty little secret

Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret

Just another regret, hope that you can keep it

My dirty little secret

Dark. Clammy. Cold. That's what this place was. Like a dungeon that reeked of death and chaos. An evil lived here. Something so evil that it was unthinkable...

"My Dark Lord..." Started the creature. "Your wishes have been fufilled."

A deep, echoing voice slithered its way across the room. "Did she cooperate?"

"She did not. But the curse worked well."

"Imperius, I assume?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"Her memory vanished of this event?"

"For now. It will return eventually but not before our work is complete."

"The deed is done, then?"

"We had to kill an innocent in the process...But, yes, the deed is done."

"Be off with you!"

I'll keep you my dirty little secret

Dirty little secret

Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret

Just another regret, hope that you can keep it

My dirty little secret