A/N: ::holds out white flag:: I am so sorry, I honestly didn't mean to make everyone wait so long for an update. I picked up extra hours at work so I haven't had the time write very much. I almost had to work sixteen hours today and I work another 8 tomorrow…but I have good news – the next chapter should be out by Tuesday.
To avoid confusion, it's around the end of January (Buffy was captured at the end of November), and in Canadian schools the second semester would be starting now – so for the sake of familiarity, in this story I'm using that model. Also, I have no idea how Wiccan magic works so all my explanations are bs – if anyone complains…its bloody AU – I am God! BWAHAHAHAH
Chains forged in fire
Chapter 11 – Learning
Slayer sighed contently as she laid down in the thrown room. Soon after 'relieving' the regent, she had thrown out Caligula's thrown and gotten herself a very comfy couch. If Slayer was going to have to listen to whiny demons, at least she was going to be comfortable. The last year had been an amusing one for the demon. As she suspected, the righteous pure-blooded demons had rebelled against her and her mongrel soldiers.
Unfortunately, it had only taken a few weeks to destroy their armies – much to Slayer's disappointment.
As a reward, the 'mongrel' generals were giving the defeated demon's territories. Now, only a handful of demons were in power – but what they lacked in quantity they made up for in annoyance. They feared Slayer so greatly, they were afraid to make any decisions without consulting her first.
Hence the couch.
Slayer relaxed and enjoyed the rare silence – alone in the room, except for her guards. And Vrenn.
Caligula's chief advisor, Vrenn, had been the only member of the former demon lord's regime to survive the 'restructuring'. Vrenn had managed to remain in Caligula's good graces for so long because of his utter lack of ambition. Most advisors secretly covet the power of their masters but not Vrenn – his ambition was to chronicle every nuance, every subterfuge, even the tiniest moment of history for his records.
Slayer wished she could just set Vrenn up as regent, but the poor guy wouldn't last the first assassination attempt. As a form of apology, the historian had helped Slayer groom the next regent; Balar was a young Elite general who was intelligent and ruthless – and completely loyal to Slayer. As were all her generals, in fact.
"Vrenn, has Gawain opened the portal, yet?" Slayer asked idly. Vrenn walked up from his place in the shadows.
"Yes, my lady. I have already sent your Shadow to the portal with your items. Is there anything else you would have of me before your departure?"
Slayer smiled slightly at the thought of her Shadow. Realizing she wouldn't be able to return to Cerebus until the danger to her master was dealt with, Slayer decided to take on a Shadow now. Once a trainee reaches the age of fourteen, he is given to an experienced soldier to learn – he becomes their Shadow and learns from them until the soldier dies or they prove themselves worthy of becoming Elite. As the leader of the Elite, it was Slayer's duty to train the next member of the Elite Four.
Tuath wasn't the largest or the strongest – nor was he the smartest – but he was loyal, ruthless, and a master at recognizing weaknesses in his opponents. Because of that, Slayer chose him as her Shadow. But while a brilliant strategist, Tuath was little – scatter-brained. And clumsy, Slayer had considered removing all furniture from her home so she wouldn't have to worry about Tuath disturbing her sleep with all his falls.
Slayer frowned as the image of her chief housekeeper's constant distress over her Shadow's habit of breaking valuable objects triggered a memory.
"Vrenn, have you finished training the valet I asked for?"
Vrenn nodded.
"The boy is still a little rough on the edges, but he is human afterall. I believe he is ready – if not, I can always train another. If I may ask, why did you wish to have a human valet?"
"Oh, it's not for me," Slayer said off-handedly, but revealed no more information. Vrenn accepted the unspoken dismissal. The advisor turned to leave when his master began to speak.
"Vrenn, what can you tell me about the orb Caligula was to receive from the human wizard – the Orb of …okie, irac … something or other?"
"Ah, I believe you mean the Orb of Orcas, my lady. The orb itself has no great power, except as a conduit. It is able to transfer the magical power of one demon to another. As a human, Voldemort was unable to utilize its powers. Caligula planned to use the orb to steal Voldemort's power."
Slayer frowned.
"You said the orb doesn't work with humans."
"A human can't use the device, yes, but a human wizard's power can be drained."
The demon nodded her dismissal, and the historian left. Relishing the silence, Slayer thought about her upcoming homecoming. For the last year she had avoided the issues plaguing her in the human world.
Her memories, her past…her humanity -- but now it was time to go back.
She was ready.
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The Slytherin and Griffyndor students sat in their desks nervously, wondering what their new teacher was going to be like. Most couldn't believe that Dumbledore had added a new class a day before the beginning of the second semester and make it compulsory for the sixth and seventh year students. No one knew who the teacher was, or even the content of the class. All they knew was that it was "Defence Using Wandless Methods" – whatever that meant.
A few students whispered about the new arrivals they had seen walking the hallways, but Harry ignored everyone – even Hermione and Ron. His two best friends were trying to get his attention, knowing Harry knew more about their new teachers than they did. But Harry wasn't thinking about the new teacher – well, not exactly.
Today Slayer would be returning from the hell dimension – with a gift, which worried Harry to no end – and Harry was thinking about how she would react to his answer. He knew she wouldn't fight him, but he couldn't stand her disappointment in him either.
The entrance of the four Defence Using Wandless Methods teachers interrupted the boy wizard's thoughts. Malfoy snorted disdainfully at the dark girl's clothes – no one being brave enough to suggest she change her wardrobe for something more appropriate. She gave him a glare that turned the boy's face the same colour as his hair.
"Good afternoon, I'm Professor Rupert Giles and these are my teaching assistants, Ms. Willow Rosenberg, Mr. Xander Harris, and Faith. As you know, this class is Defence Using Wandless Methods – what you don't know is what that means. You will be learning practical means of defending yourself and others should you ever lose or have your wand destroyed. You will also be learning about forms of magic other than those normally found in the Wizarding World. Any questions?"
"There is no magic outside the Wizarding World," Malfoy said snidely and confidently. The dark hair girl smirked, and the boy rolled his eyes. The red head looked to Giles, who nodded, and began staring at a quill on the desk closest to her. The students followed her gaze, and gasped when the quill began to float. It hovered for a second, then darted forward like a bullet and impaled itself in the wall – missing Malfoy's cheek by an inch.
"As Willow has demonstrated, there are other magics – and they are as dangerous as your own. Now for today's class, I want to answer any questions you have on anything related to the subject matter of this course," Giles said calmly.
The class grew silent, and slowly Hermione lifted her hand.
"Yes?"
"How did Willow do that?" Willow stepped forward nervously.
"Um, well, I kind of made the quill 'lighter' than the air by calling on elemental magic, specifically Air."
"Much wandless magic involves drawing on powers other than your own; whether it be elementals, deities, or other witches or wizards," Giles explained further.
"So we'll be learning wandless magic then?" Ron asked.
"Not exactly – there will be that element but much of the class will involve learning to recognize dangers outside your normal experience."
"Like what?" a Slytherin asked.
"Vampires and other unhealthy demons," Faith drawled.
"Vampires are a myth!" a Griffyndor shouted, a sentiment echoed by others from both houses.
"Really? Then what about the Vampire Slayer, is she a myth too?" Faith asked, eyes twinkling. The students nodded again and Faith stood up slowly – then punched a hole in the stone wall behind her.
The class was speechless.
"Faith is one of two current Vampire Slayers; she is gifted with fast healing, quick reflexes, heightened senses, and as you can see, added strength. Vampires rarely attack wizards because the magic that conceals the Wizarding World from Muggles also works on vampires. However, this does not extend to other demons, which is why you are aware of them. Who can give me the names of these demons?" Giles asked, changing the subject quickly before Faith started taking out furniture.
The class progressed smoothly and before long the bell rang. The students rushed out of the class, talking excitably about the different types of magic they would be learning. Harry dragged behind, wanting to talk to the teachers alone.
The classroom finally emptied and Harry stood nervously before the others.
"Well, Mr. Potter, what did you think of the class?" Giles asked courteously, hoping to put the boy at ease. Harry's eyes lit up momentarily, and he smiled. But the expression faded as he remembered why he was there.
"I've made my decision," he said with conviction.
"And?" Xander asked impatiently.
Harry opened his mouth to answer when he suddenly felt himself being lifted up into the air. Two strong arms let go and Harry turned and smiled as he recognized his attacker.
"So, what I'd miss?" Slayer asked impishly.
TBC
::dodges flying tomatoes:: I'm sorry!!! I couldn't help myself – I tell you it's a disease. Next chapter by Tuesday I promise!