Chapter Forty One – An Uncomfortable Meeting
"So you expect us to lie to cover for your screw up," Willow said.
"Willow," Sinclair said. "The Order refused to work with anyone involved in the death of Remus Lupin."
"I understand that," Willow said. "But the only way we are going to build any trust with them is if we're honest. Lying about our involvement in the raid is not being honest."
"We have little time for factional fighting amongst ourselves," Sinclair countered. "Tom is planning something. Most likely something large and he will attempt to blame Albus for it. Minister Fudge is nearly done setting up his 'secret' taskforce to monitor Albus. Once that is complete Tom will almost certainly make his move."
"Right, so rather get than get things out in the open now and deal them, you decided to put it off until it comes up in the middle of a crisis and cripples us," Dawn said. "For a devious old man, you have some remarkably huge blind spots."
Sinclair bristled. He was not use to being challenged in such a manner.
"As I understand it was the SAS that killed Remus," Sinclair said. "Your people were elsewhere."
"But we were there," Eric said. "I don't see the purpose of lying about …"
"We'll do it," Faye cut in. "When's the meeting?"
"Tonight," Sinclair answered. "At the Black house. Albus is limiting the number of the Order members who will be in attendance."
"We'll be there," Faye said.
"Excellent," Sinclair replied. "I must return to the Ministry. I will have Sophia send you the full details"
After Sinclair left Dawn turned to Faye.
"What the hell are you thinking agreeing to that plan?" she demanded.
"I'm not agreeing to the plan," Faye said. "I lied to the old man to end an argument. Giving him a taste of his own medicine. When we get there tonight, we tell the Order the truth. Then we see what happens."
"Oh yea, this relationship is getting off to a great start," Dawn observed.
----
"I really don't like this," Dawn said. Willow, Dawn, Kennedy, Eric and Faye were driving to the Black residence.
"Just keep on your guard," Willow said. "These people are probably going to be very hostile, unfortunately with good reason and I'm not certain just how much control Dumbledore and Sinclair have over the situation."
"How many people are we going to be dealing with?" Kennedy asked.
"Four not counting Dumbledore and Sinclair," Dawn answered. "An Arthur Weasley, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape and Sirius Black."
"Can we be certain that's all that will be there?" Kennedy said.
"I assigned four Slayers to monitor the house from the place the SAS secured," Faye answered. "They haven't seen anyone exit or leave the enclave. Given the alternate means of travel available to Wizards that doesn't mean very much. If anything bad goes down, they can back us up. They have one of MI5's warding crystals and Michael's with them so they can cut the enclave off if they need to."
"Like I said," Dawn noted. "This is relationship is getting off to a wonderful start."
----
"The Muggles will be here soon," Arthur Weasley said.
"How can they even find this place if you haven't included them in the Fidelius?" McGonagall asked.
"They learned the location of the house through independent investigation," Dumbledore answered. "They still do not know it is our headquarters. The knowledge protected by the Fidelius is still secure."
"And that's supposed to make us feel better," Snape said. "Muggles found this place and are coming here. I can't believe we agreed to this foolish exercise. They cannot possibly have the power to deal with the Dark Lord."
"Do not be fooled by appearance Severus," Sinclair replied. "Or by past prejudice. They may be Muggles but their knowledge of magic is at least as extensive as my own."
Snape snorted at the comment. Muggles whose knowledge could rival an Elder's, preposterous.
McGonagall was a little more open to the idea that these Muggles could be skilled. But she also thought it far-fetched that they could be of any significant aid against a Wizard as powerful as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Arthur Weasley was a little excited by this meeting. A chance to meet and talk with real Muggles. Even in his job he got very little opportunity to deal directly with Muggles.
Sirius just stood off to the side. His face was a mask. Dumbledore knew he was still angry. He hoped he wouldn't try anything foolish during the meeting. He should be easy to control since he still lacked a wand.
----
"We're here," Eric announced, pulling the SUV up the curb. "Still weird that we can't see the place."
"I still can't sense the enclave," Willow said. "What about you guys."
Faye and Kennedy paused for second and reached out with their senses.
"I can feel it," Faye said.
"So can I," Kennedy nodded.
"Goddess that's annoying," Willow said. "I really need to spend more time with Sophia studying the spell her family used to create the enclaves. It is a piece of beauty."
"Admiration later," Dawn said. "Uncomfortable meeting now."
The five got out of the truck and walked into the enclave.
Willow took a breath.
"You ok honey?" Kennedy asked.
"Faye you weren't kidding about this place radiating magic," Willow said. "I've never felt so much raw magic flowing off anything before. If it weren't for the barrier I would have picked this place up a mile away. These people know nothing about proper shielding."
"Remember they can't sense magic the way you can," Dawn said. "They don't realize they radiate so much."
Willow shook her head. "Its still sloppy," she cocked her head at the house. "Only six people inside that I can pick up. All in the same room on the first floor. Hard to be certain though. There's a lot of interference from all the magic bouncing around."
"Can you still communicate with the Slayers outside?" Faye asked.
Willow nodded. "Yep. Anything happens and I can call for help."
The group walked up to the repaired door. Dawn knocked. Dumbledore opened the door and smiled at the group.
"Come in," he said.
As soon as they entered the foyer the shouting started.
"FILTHY MUGGLES IN MY HOME!!!!! GET THEM OUT!!! DIRTY MUDBLOODS!!!!"
Kennedy and Faye immediately dropped into defensive stances.
"Do not mind," Dumbledore said. "It is merely one of the pictures."
"FILTH GET OUT!!!!"
"That one," Willow said pointing to the portrait of Mrs. Black.
"Yes." Dumbledore nodded.
"UGLY MUDBLOODS!!!!!"
"Can't you shut it up?" Dawn asked.
"The picture is secured to wall with magic," Dumbledore explained.
"And you don't have any other way to quiet it?" Eric said.
"There is no way to silence the picture," said a greasy haired man who walked out the living room. "You simply have to put up with it as the rest of us do."
"FILTHY FILTHY FILTHY!!!!"
"I don't think so," Willow said. She made a small motion with her hand. The noise stopped.
Snape's head whipped around to the picture. He could see Mrs. Black still shouting but he couldn't hear anything.
"What did you do?" he demanded. "There are no spells that can effect a picture like that."
"I didn't do anything to the picture," Willow said. "I put a vacuum in front of it. Sound can't travel through a vacuum."
"Where is your wand young lady," Snape asked.
"Don't have one," Willow answered. "Up until a couple of months ago I never met anybody who needed one."
"Impossible."
"Not impossible, just different," Dawn said then looked at Dumbledore. "Shall we get started?"
"Of course," Dumbledore said. "Severus go back into the living room with the others. It is time for introductions."
Dumbledore led the group into the living.
"If I may," Dumbledore said. "The man you just met is Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts. This Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration teacher, Arthur Weasley, he works in the Ministry and Sirius Black."
Willow nodded at each person. "My name is Willow Rosenberg. This is Dawn Summers, she heads the Councils Research arm and was responsible for finding your world. Eric Travers, Field Watcher. And last we have Kennedy Winston and Faye Haughton, both Slayers."
"The killers in the group," Sirius said.
Faye's face hardened.
"The proper term is vampire or demon Slayer," Kennedy said.
"You children fight vampires," Snape said.
"Enough of this," Dumbledore said. "Sirius, Severus, you will both be civil. We are here to find a way to defeat Voldemort."
"These children," Snape said. "Fight He-Who-Must-Be-Named."
"I must agree Headmaster," McGonagall said. "I don't see how people so young could have the necessary experience to deal with You-Know-Who."
"We are standing right here," Dawn said. "If you're going to insult us you might at least wait until after we leave."
"You're Muggles," Arthur said. "Explain to us how you can deal with You-Know-Who."
"Who?" Kennedy asked.
"He-Who-Must-Be-Named," Arthur said.
"I know a lot of people who shouldn't be named," Kennedy replied. "That doesn't help me any."
"The Dark Lord," Arthur whispered.
"Which one?" Kennedy asked.
"What do you mean 'which one?'" Snape demanded. "There is only one Dark Lord."
"Actually that's not true," Willow said. "Ever since the Star Wars movies came out, half the wannabe big bads started calling themselves 'dark lord.' How many have we bumped into this year Dawn?"
"Counting that demon cult in Japan where all the members called themselves 'dark lord?'" Dawn asked.
"Count that as one."
"Six," Dawn said. "It really is a pretty popular title for various evil entities. Although its use has dropped slightly since Lucas sued that demon clan idiotic enough to tack 'of the Sith' onto the title."
"What are you prattling about?" Snape said. "There is only one Dark Lord."
"And who would that be again?" Kennedy said.
"You-Know-Who," Snape replied.
"My god," Kennedy said. "I though the reports were exaggerating. You people really can't say the name Voldemort."
The wizards winced.
"You have no concept of how powerful You-Know-Who is," Snape said. "He's killed hundreds of people."
"Hitler killed millions," Kennedy shot back. "So did Pol Pot and Stalin. I can say those names."
"You can't understand," McGonagall said.
"Enough," Dumbledore said. "They are here to help. Sit down and listen to what they have to say before passing judgment."
"I'm not certain there's anything we can do to help them," Kennedy said.
"Kennedy," Willow warned.
"I mean it Willow," Kennedy said. "Look at them. They're scared of a name. They've already lost. They're just waiting around to die."
"They are among the finest people in our world," Dumbledore said.
"No wonder you got you're asses kicked last time," Kennedy replied.
"What can a child such as you understand of battle?" Snape said.
"My sisters and I stood at the mouth hell a faced down an army of Turok-Han," Kennedy replied. She let the Slayer come to the fore. "I've been fighting demons for five years. I've lost friends. I know what war means. I know enough not to be scared by a name."
Snape started backing up. He had never felt such a presence. He drew his wand.
"What are you?" he demanded, there was fear in his voice.
"I'm a Slayer," Kennedy replied in an even tone. "We exist to hunt down and destroy evil. Right now we're going after your friend Voldemort and lord help anyone stupid enough to get in our way."