A/N: I think it's been a week since my last update – for which I am really sorry. I had a small writer's block and then I had to work extra shifts. Thanks to all my reviewers and special thanks to Dur'id the Druid who emailed me with a 'subtle' hint that I haven't updated in a while.
It gave me a nice push to get me writing again. So here it is folks, Chapter 6 (and as always, all mistakes are mine and mine alone)!
Chapter 6 – Lost
A thorough search of Hogwarts had failed to turn up the missing student, nor his…new companion. Though only a few hours had passed since his disappearance, owls were dispatched to wizards throughout the world in an effort to locate Harry Potter. Even the Forbidden Forest was searched relentlessly.
Of course, they failed to find the four demon warriors.
Watching the search crews, the four demons listened – really, unable to avoid hearing the searchers scream their master's name.
"So, looks like Slayer got bored," Gawain commented. Emrys frowned, as he began to chant a locator spell. A miniature globe appeared and a blue glow on an island showed the Elite's position. But there was no sign of their leader or master.
"I don't understand it. My magic tells me that they're still on this plane, but I can't seem to locate their exact position," Emrys growled in frustration. Gawain considered the situation.
If Slayer or the master were threatened, she would transport to somewhere familiar. But the Elite have never been here before, unless …
"Emrys, have you determined if this is the dimension where we retrieved Slayer?"
Talyn and Danyl looked at their comrades in surprise. They had never known Slayer before the Torture, and had only heard stories from Emrys about her home dimension. The sorcerer had said that this dimension resembled what he remembered of Slayer's, but could it really be?
"Unless I found the other female Slayer fought with, I can't say with absolute certainty. But …" Emrys trailed off, and then nodded. The four demons watched each other in silence, accepting the revelation with similar mixed feelings. If this is Slayer's home dimension -- and remembers – will she leave them?
Gawain shook the thoughts away.
"If this is Slayer's dimension, then she may instinctively transport to her old home. If I remember correctly, there was a great deal of demonic energy, which is why we mistook it for a hell dimension at first. Emrys, would such an area also interfere with your search?"
Looking thoughtful, Emrys nodded. Again he started chanting. This time a bright red glow appeared on a large continent, across an ocean from where the Elite were. The sorcerer looked to Gawain for permission, and in an instant the four disappeared.
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Dumbledore sighed as the Aurors left his office. Even with all their members being on the lookout for Harry Potter, there still had been no sign of him. The headmaster considered informing the newspapers but ultimately disregarded the idea. The situation would be worsened if Voldemort knew of Harry's disappearance. Even now, they were taking a great risk as it was.
The wizard considered his last meeting with Harry. Though he had been sure that Harry hadn't intentionally injured Snape, the headmaster had perceived that the boy was hiding something. A demon had not been what he was expecting.
Dumbledore raised his wand and chanted softly. Instantly, the scene in the office turned back in time. Chanting again, the wizard examined the illusion of the demon created by the spell. The demon was small, but radiated power – even though it was only a projection of the past. Besides the dagger in her hands, she also carried a sword on her back. Dumbledore examined the sword carefully, taking a particular interest in the hilt.
Hmmm, I wonder…With a speed belying his age, Dumbledore quickly approached his private Floo. Grabbing a handful of Floo powder, the professor said in a clear voice, "The Archive, Rome."
The professor felt the familiar pull, and managed to keep his feet when he reappeared. A young man, who appeared awed by the sudden arrival of such an auspicious visitor, immediately greeted him.
"Professor Dumbledore, to what do we owe this honour?"
"I was hoping I could speak with a gentleman who specializes in warrior demons."
The young man nodded, and gestured for the elder man to follow. The travelled for some time, wandering through the shelves loaded with books. Dumbledore commented that soon they would not have enough space for them all.
"Yes, that is why some of the more technologically savvy members have begun to place the Archive on the muggle medium known as the Internet. Ah! Here we are."
The young man knocked on the door, but received no answer. Shrugging apologetically, he opened the door to find another man sitting at his desk writing intently. The man started when he felt the hand on his shoulder.
"'Sblood, Jeffries, I thought I told you not to disturb me unless it was an emergency!"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Donachelli," the young man apologized, "but Professor Dumbledore insisted on speaking with you immediately."
Dumbledore entered the gently lit room, and bowed his head slightly.
"I apologize as well, Mr. Donachelli, but the matter is of some urgency."
Receiving a pointed look from both men, the young man made a hasty retreat.
"Well, Professor, what can I do for you?"
"A student of mine was found in the company of a demon, before they both disappeared. I need any information you can give me on the identity of this demon."
Michael Donachelli frowned.
"It's true I specialize in warrior demons, but only those from other dimension. I don't know if I can be of much help."
Dumbledore raised his wand and the image of the demon's sword appeared.
"If you please, can you at least look at the emblem of this sword? It was worn by the demon I mentioned earlier."
The scholar rose quickly, and stared intently at the hilt, his eyebrows rising in surprise.
"Well, if this isn't a strange coincidence. In fact, I do recognize this demon, after a fashion. The emblem is that of Caligula, a demon lord from the Cerebus dimension. This sword is worn by all the members of his elite warriors known as the Elite."
"Why do you refer to this as a 'strange coincidence'?" Dumbledore asked.
"It's just that – a few months ago I received another inquiry about demon warriors carrying this same sword. I don't remember the details, but those particular demons returned to their own dimension."
"May I have the names of the inquirer?"
The scholar pursed his lips, then widened into a smile. Flipping through several papers on his desk, he grasped one.
"Ah, yes, here we are. The inquiry was made by a Rupert Giles."
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"Slayer, do you know where we are now?" Harry asked as the pair, after having walked for several hours, made their way into a small city.
"I keep telling you, how should I know? It's your dimension," Slayer said with a shrug. Reacting to Harry's need instantly, the demon hadn't concentrated on their destination. As a result, they had reappeared in the middle of nowhere. Slayer would have tried to relocate them to the nearest settlement, but her master appeared a little leery of another transportation so soon.
I should have just kept him from drinking that potion; except every action I though of involved killing or violence.
Slayer sighed. Her master's command to not hurt or kill humans without his permission was going to become onerous. If nothing else, she had learned that Harry had enough power to enforce at least one order at a time. She looked at her master, hoping he knew where they were.
Harry was puzzled. He was fairly sure they were in America, but where he had no idea. But it was strange – he was in his robes and Slayer was wearing her leather outfit that looked like it was from the Matrix. But no one was paying them the least attention. Well, except for the leers Slayer was getting from the guys, anyway.
How could a whole town not even spare a glance for the two strangely dressed individuals?
Harry grabbed Slayer's arm, and used his other to point across the street.
"There, it's a magic shop! If they know real magic, we'll be able to contact Professor Dumbledore."
Slayer followed her master as they crossed the street, mumbling under her breath that she could get them back if he would only let her. Harry chose to ignore the demon, not willing to risk another three-hour walk.
Entering the store, Slayer immediately noticed that there was no gathering of magic. This place wasn't going to be of much help. The two walked up to the clerk, who was wearing a simple dress and several amulets with different ruins.
"Hello, um, do you know who Albus Dumbledore is?" Harry asked hopefully. The clerk looked at the boy with interest, but shook her head. Harry sighed.
Well, it was worth a try. What do we do now?Sensing her master's despair, Slayer tried again.
"Do you know anyone who is heavily into magic that we might be able to contact?"
The clerk paused in thought, and then brightened, happy to be of assistance.
"Yes, in fact. A Mr. Rupert Giles is a librarian at the local high school and I understand he is heavily into the occult. Particularly in regards to demons and vanquishing spells."
She gave the pair directions and before they knew it, they were standing outside Sunnydale High. For some reason, the building gave Slayer a strange sense of unease.
"Slayer, if this Mr. Giles recognizes you as a demon, he may try to kill you before we get a chance to talk. I think it would be better if you watched … from wherever it is you watch," Harry said, making a mental note to ask how Slayer stayed close without being seen.
The demon nodded, and disappeared.
It took some time for Harry to find the library, since none of the students appeared to know where it actually was. Entering, he watched in amazement as a dark haired girl fought an older man with swords. Another four teenagers were at the table, apparently studying, but taking no notice of the fighting pair. The girl stopped, sensing the boy, much to the relief of her companion.
"Who are you?" she asked in a belligerent tone. Harry silently hoped that Slayer would remember her promise not to hurt anyone who insulted him.
"Hello, I'm Harry … are you Rupert Giles?"
The older man inspected the boy carefully before nodding.
"I was told you are well-versed in magic. Um…do you know an Albus Dumbledore?"
The librarian straightened in surprise, and promptly cleaned his glasses -- this action causing the teenagers to smirk. The four at the table abandoned their books to observe the boy.
"Why, yes, I do. He's an associate … of some friends of mine, and is reputed to be an important individual. I'm afraid I don't know him personally, why do you wish to know?"
"I'm a little lost, and he's my professor. So I was hoping you had a way of getting in touch with him and letting him know I was fine," Harry said, trying not to sound like a lunatic. Even though the librarian was obviously hiding something, he didn't appear to know that Dumbledore was a wizard. And Harry didn't want to get in trouble with the Ministry for revealing the existence of the Wizarding World.
Slayer sensed her master's unease, but remained still. She sensed power from these individuals, but they were making her uneasy in a different way. Whatever the reason, the demon was not enjoying the sensation. The old man looked at the dark haired girl, and the girl shook her head slightly. The man returned his attention to the boy.
"It may take some time to contact the professor, do you have a place to stay?"
Harry shook his head, trying to hold back tears – the events of the last few days finally catching up with him.
A little while later, the boy wizard found himself in the living room of Mrs. Summers' house. The woman had quickly agreed to house the boy until his teacher could be contacted. Again, Harry wondered at the easy acceptance of these strangers. They may not be wizards, but they were something.
The dark hair girl had also accompanied them. When he asked if she was Mrs. Summers' daughter, a look of pain had crossed her face. It quickly vanished, and she replied that she was just a houseguest like Harry. The two women took Harry upstairs and showed him to his room.
The room was obviously that of a girl, but it didn't seem to fit Faith's style. Harry chose to ignore it when he saw the twin looks of pain in his hosts' eyes. Finally alone for the night, Harry called Slayer.
Immediately she appeared, but seemed unsettled.
"What's wrong, Slayer?" Harry asked, concerned for his friend's well being.
The demon smiled.
"It's nothing, Master. Just…" Slayer grunted in frustration, unable to voice her feelings.
Suddenly, Slayer straightened like an attack dog and turned towards the window. Looking outside, she saw the four Elite. She turned to look at Harry.
"Look's like the cavalry found us, after all." Then she groaned. "Emrys is never going to let me live this down."
Harry chuckled, making his way downstairs. Near the door Faith and Mr. Giles were arguing.
"Faith, even if those are the same demons who captured Buffy, it would be foolish to go out and fight them."
"Giles, come on, this could be our only chance to find Buffy."
Giles looked at his slayer sadly.
"It's been over a hundred years in their dimension, Buffy isn't alive anymore."
Harry wondered briefly who they were talking about, but the thought was pushed aside by his excitement over going home. Noticing the boy, Faith blocked the door.
"You can't go outside."
Harry realized that they knew that the Elite were demons.
"It's okay. They're demons but they're my friends." Harry made to go outside, but Faith grabbed him roughly on the arm. Both Joyce and Giles protested.
"Those friends of yours killed a very good friend of mine."
Harry was about to answer when Faith went flying. In a blur, Harry felt himself being dragged out of the house by Slayer. The two adults made a move to go out the now open door, but stopped when Slayer's dagger impaled itself on the door frame.
They were only able to shout, "Wait," before the six figures vanished.
A groggy Faith joined their staring at the now empty street.
"I know I'm crazy, but wasn't that Buffy who just sent me flying?"
Their response was halted by the telephone. Seeing the numb state of the women, Giles went to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hello, I'm Albus Dumbledore, and I'm looking for a Rupert Giles – his message machine said he would be at this location."
TBC
THERE! A long chapter to make up for the lack of updates recently. Hope all you leeches enjoy!