Chapter 10: Revenge

*****The Next Day*****

Buffy went to breakfast the day after her first task more tired than normal as she got very little sleep. Her housemates had too many questions for her. Before that, the Gryffindors held her hostage for an hour or so after dinner. She was needed to confirm the Weasley twins' version of events as too many doubted their version of things.

Breakfast was kind of an insane scene because the mail delivery was more intense than normal. It seemed everyone's parent had to contact their kid. Buffy and Cordelia's housemates all got letters from parents.

"So what's the consensus?" Cordelia asked her housemates sitting near her. "Are your parents telling you to befriend Buffy and me or stay away?"

Vincent read his and noticeably paled, so Draco asked, "Are they trying to get you to do something that will get your beat up by the slayer?"

Vincent cast a weary glance at the slayer but nodded. "Dad wants me to try to poison her or something. He has a list of possible things I could access and use," he whispered.

It was no surprise as the Crabbe family were known to be loyal to Voldemort, and Gregory's family also.

"My mom says that I should target Cordelia as she is less powerful, and it will curry favor with the Dark Lord," Gregory admitted.

"My father said that I should secure Buffy's hand in marriage immediately," Theo shared, surprised everyone by sharing.

"Really?" Cordelia said, grinning. She elbowed her cousin. "Did you hear that, Buffy? The Nott family wants to welcome you. Buffy Nott has a nice ring, don't you think?"

Buffy glared at her. "Like I'm ever getting married before I'm twenty-one. That's crazy!" she exclaimed.

"My parents prefer the fair Cordelia," Blaise said. "Mother says I should invite you to Hogsmeade as my date the next time we go or to the Yule Ball."

"Yule Ball? There's a ball?" Cordelia asked, her eyes lighting up.

"You didn't know?" Pansy asked. "It's the highlight of the term."

"Hmmm, the twins will be fighting for me to go with one of them," Cordelia said.

"You can't choose between them?" Buffy said. "You should go with the one you haven't kissed yet. It's only fair."

"Shut up," Cordelia glared.

"You kissed one of the Weasleys? Did you get your shots afterward?" Marcus said, snickering.

"Blaise, I would love to go with you," Cordelia said, ignoring the comment. "It would keep me from worrying about finding a date or upsetting one of the twins."

"No, you'll just upset them both equally," Buffy pointed out. "Do our dates have to go to school here?"

"No," Daphne said. "They don't have to. Many of the dates might be from one of the other magical schools. I know Fleur will get her pick of students here."

Buffy started daydreaming about taking Angel as her date and wondered if she could manage that.

Over at the Gryffindor table, Xander was taking advantage of the bounty the twins had gotten in the mail. Luna's father had reported in his paper about their heroics fighting on the hellmouth and defeating a member of the Scourge of Europe. Admirers sent them chocolates and other gifts.

"This may be the second-best day of my life!" George announced.

"What's the first?" Ron asked.

"The day the fair Cordelia favored me with a kiss from her luscious lips," he said dreamily.

"That's my least favorite day as my twin betrayed me," Fred said, glaring.

"You guys can't share her, so give it up," Ron said.

"We can make her choose one of us to go to the dance with," Fred said.

"Brilliant idea, brother," George said. "If she chooses me, you have to let go of this unhealthy obsession you have with her!"

"Mr. Weasley," Minerva said. When three eyes looked up, she sighed. "George, you and Fred need to see the headmaster in his office after breakfast."

The twins quickly finished their food as they'd been too busy holding court to eat, and then they made their way to Dumbledore's office.

"Do you think we're in trouble or will get another reward?" Fred wondered.

"Surely, a reward," George said.

When they entered the office, they saw that Professor Wyndam-Price was there with the headmaster.

"Gentlemen, please have a seat," Dumbledore said. "Lemon drop?"

"Sure," Fred said.

"No, thanks," George said.

"The reason you are here is Professor Wyndam-Price and I wanted to discuss Fred's use of a forbidden curse on a vampire," Dumbledore said.

"The vampire wasn't human, so I didn't break a rule," Fred said quickly.

"He saved my life," George added.

"I recognize that you both behaved bravely," Dumbledore said. "I did reward you both extra points for your heroics. However, I wanted to make sure you are never quick to use the type of curses a Death Eater would be quick to pull out."

"Would you mind sharing with us, Fred, why you used that one and not simply another that would move him away or immobilize him?" Professor Wyndam-Price asked.

"Well, terror was what I was feeling mostly," Fred said. "I have never seen a real vampire, and I didn't know if any of my normal spells would be strong enough."

"The fire spell was an obvious one, brother dear," George said with a smirk.

"Yes, I know," Fred said, glaring at his twin. "But it didn't occur to me. I just thought of the worse curse I could think of that might put the vampire down. That was what came to me."

"I would like you to come to the training room the headmaster set up for the dueling club after dinner today," Professor Wyndam-Price said. "I would like you to practice the fire spell that your brother used. If you are ever in a similar situation, I would like you to know the fire spell. I will have a few other students who want to go to the hellmouth this term there also to practice. George, if you would mind sharing your experience with them, that would help. No embellishment but the full accounting."

"Of course, professor," George said.

"Your brother Ron and his close companions Hermione and Harry are fourth year," Professor Wyndam-Price said. "We have decided no one under fifth year will get the hellmouth experience, so they will wait until the term is over to get the experience. Maybe you can prepare them for this disappointment?"

"Sure," Fred said, brightening up. He loved experiencing things none of his other siblings did.

After the twins were dismissed, Albus turned to Wesley. "Miss Granger will drive you batty when she finds out the news," he told him.

"Why do you think I had the twins deliver the news?" Wesley said with a grin. "Learning patience will be good for the girl, however."

Albus chuckled. He wasn't wrong.

*****A few days later*****

Draco was upset as he finally heard from his mother during dinner.

"What's wrong?" Cordelia asked him as she could see whatever he was reading upset him. He was sitting on her left with Buffy on his right side.

"Mother says Father is going to be charged for being a Death Eater. They have him in Azkaban, and they haven't decided yet if they are going to charge her," he said.

"They will not," Cordelia said firmly. "I already sent a letter to Uncle Sirius. He's going to make sure she isn't charged. I'm not sure if he will help your father, but we do have it on film that he wasn't actively helping Voldemort when it all went down. He actually stood down when he found out Buffy was a vampire slayer and not likely to help his Dark Lord. I think that should count for something."

"So does the Watcher's Council," Buffy added. "Giles told me that he's going to have them keep his sentence as low as possible."

"Really?" Draco asked, feeling relieved.

"I think he'll serve some time, but it won't be nearly as long as others," Buffy said, squeezing his forearm.

They finished up eating, and Buffy kept thinking about the past few days. So many students looked at her either in open fascination or fear. It was kind of nice to not have to hide who she was, but she was tired of the staring. It didn't help matters that the dueling club had started up three days a week. Today was the second day, but she didn't have to attend most days, only Fridays. Giles said none of the Sunnydale crew had to attend except on Fridays. However, they were made to show up on Monday and work on the fireball spell with everyone else wanting to visit the hellmouth.

The twins approached Cordelia after dinner.

"Cordelia, have you decided?" George asked.

"On what?" she asked.

"Which one of us you want to take to the Yule Ball," Fred said.

"I'm sorry, but I'm already going with Blaise," Cordelia said. "His parents told him to ask me on Monday."

"What?" George demanded.

"I told you we should've asked her on Monday!" Fred said, glaring at his brother.

"I like you both, but I'm not into threesomes," Cordelia said. "Nor am I going to come between two brothers. It's not right."

Fred sighed, disappointed but not dejected. He looked at Buffy with interest. "Do you have a date, Buffy?" he asked her.

George was too upset to try to find another date and walked away without waiting to hear what Buffy said to his twin.

"Not exactly," Buffy said.

"So you're free to go with me?" Fred asked eagerly.

"Well, I'm hoping my boyfriend back home will be able to take me," Buffy said.

Cordelia gave her a sharp look. "Angel? You want to bring Angel here?" she asked in dismay.

Fred's eyes widened. "The vampire? You really are dating a vampire? Isn't that against the rules?" he asked.

"Angel has a soul," Buffy said. "And it's really none of your business."

She turned and walked off, so Draco followed after her. "Buffy, wait up," he said. "I was wondering something."

Buffy stopped and turned toward him. "What's up?" she asked.

"If your vampire date doesn't come or isn't able to, do you think you'd go with me?" Draco asked, hopefully.

"You know Harry already asked me that at lunch," Buffy said with a smile. "I'll tell you what I told him. You both are a bit too young for me."

"You're dating a guy who's like a hundred years or so older than you," Draco pointed out. "Two years isn't that big of deal."

"It won't be in a few years, but I feel so much older than sixteen. Besides, I turn seventeen next month," she said. "You're fourteen and so is Harry. Girls mature much faster than boys."

"All the other girls are so lame compared to you," Draco said sourly.

"Hermione is as smart as you," Buffy said. "You should ask her. Think of the scandal that would cause?"

Draco's look of horror caused Buffy to laugh. "Have you gone mad?" he demanded. "I'd more likely take Luna than Granger!"

"Luna is very sweet, too, and a purebred, right? Your parents would improve," Buffy said.

"It's pureblood, not purebred," Draco corrected. "They're not horses!"

"Glad you know the difference," Buffy said with a smirk. "Ginny's a pureblood, too."

"The she-Weasley? My father would disown me!" Draco exclaimed.

"You know I'm basically a muggle," Buffy said. "Not a pure blood."

"You're a magical creature, and Professor Snape's daughter," Draco pointed out. "Not to mention the only teenager to actually hurt Voldemort." He still had to force himself to use the man's name as Buffy had mocked the last three people who refused to call him by name. Of course, his cousin Cordelia was much more insulting than Buffy when she caught someone avoiding his name. The fear in the man's mythology was slowly diminishing.

"Don't you mean the only one since Harry?" Buffy couldn't resist reminding him. She laughed when he gave her a sour look.

"You just had to mention that?" he said, annoyed.

Grinning, she threw her arm around his shoulders. "Draco, I'm sorry. I feel like you're a part of my family," she told him. "I could never date you or Harry. Boyfriends come and go, but family is forever."

Draco couldn't help but be touched by her words even as he felt a crushing disappointment.

"I understand," he said. "I guess I'll take Pansy."

"She'll be very excited. I'll help her pick out a nice dress," she said.

"But if Angel can't make it, I'll take you," Draco said. "It will keep the vultures at bay."

Buffy laughed, again amused by his desire to defend her. She had sent off an owl to Angel about the dance, but she would see him that weekend. There were just a few weeks before Christmas, and she still had to convince Giles having Angel at Hogwarts would be a good idea.

*****Friday of Same Week*****

Severus was having lunch with Joyce, enjoying her tale of her first-years art disaster. They had been spending more and more time together. He was going to ask her to dinner, but he kept putting it off. What was he waiting for? Life was too short.

"Joyce, I was wondering if you would have dinner with me tonight?" he asked.

"Do you mean away from Hogwarts?" Joyce asked. "I'd love to go to London. Could we go to London?"

"I can apparate you there," he said.

"I would love to have dinner with you," she said, smiling warmly.

Severus returned her smile, happy that she said yes. Then he became concerned. Where should he take her? He glanced at Rupert and considered asking him. It irked him that he had to turn to anyone for help about anything.

"Rupert, may I ask you a question?" he asked.

"Of course," Giles said.

"Joyce would like to go to London, and I would like to take her to dinner," Severus said. "Do you have any place near Diagon Alley that I could take her to?"

"Oh, I know several," Giles said. "Let me draw you a map." Severus watched in bemusement as the man pulled a muggle ink pen from his pocket and drew on the napkin for several minutes.

"I marked a traditional pub she might enjoy, but there are also a French and Italian restaurant here and here," he said pointing at the places on his little map.

"Thank you," Severus said. "Do you mind going to Sunnydale tonight in my stead? I will join Buffy Anne tomorrow night."

"Wesley and Minerva will both be going, so I think you can take the weekend off," he said. "Xander will be going as he wants to introduce Minerva to his parents as he didn't go home for Thanksgiving. He will tell them his Head of House had a speaking engagement in Los Angeles and allowed him to come as her errand boy."

Severus shook his head. "They do love coming up with cover stories," he said.

"You know they do," Giles said with a chuckle.

Several hours later, he was in his room when he heard a knock at his door. It was his daughter, who greeted him with a grin.

"I am not going with you tonight," he told her.

"Yes, I heard," Buffy said with a smirk. "Finally taking my mother out on a date? It's about time!"

"You don't mind?" Severus asked.

"Of course not," Buffy said. "I love you both, and my dad really hurt her. She's great, and I know you would never cheat on her like Dad did."

"I would never," Severus vowed.

"The dueling club is getting out of hand," Buffy said. "Too many want to come, so Giles is having students rotate. I wish I had someone here that I could spar with."

"Are you not going to see your vampire tonight?" he pointed out.

"Yes, but we don't usually spar," Buffy said. "I'm not sure why. I suppose I could suggest it since I do have a fenced in backyard."

"Be careful," he said.

"I will," she said, giving him a hug. "Do you know what you're going to wear?"

"I thought I'd wear the green silk shirt you bought me when I was first in Sunnydale," he said.

"Good choice," she said, grinning. "Mom will love it."

Severus said good night and looked at the time. He had a date to get ready for.

*****A Few Days Later*****

The man once known as Tom Riddle was seething. It'd been over a week since many of his followers were killed, and he had been insulted by Severus's daughter and niece.

"I will have my revenge!" he vowed.

Bellatrix, his constant companion, nodded. "Yes, they will suffer. According to our spies at the ministry, my traitorous sister has given a statement saying she is the one who freed Harry," she said. "I will claw out her eyes when I next see her."

"Lucius is in prison?" he asked.

"Yes, he is being charged along with several others," she said.

"I know he turned traitor just like Severus," Voldemort said. "I will see him dead, but first the slayer must suffer and Severus. We need to kill her mother—that will hurt both of them as I have heard Severus still fancy's the woman."

"I agree," Bellatrix said. "Sadly, the woman has yet to step foot outside of Hogwarts, so it won't be easy to capture her. However, I thought we'd start with something else." She motioned to another follower, who left the room.

"What do you have in mind?" Voldemort asked.

"I thought we'd start with the slayer's muggle father," Bellatrix said. "The one who raised her."

Voldemort's eyes lit up. "You know who it is?" he asked.

"Even better," she said. "I have someone who was more than happy to bring him to us."

The door opened, and a white-haired man dressed in black leather was dragging a clearly abused male. The man was wearing muggle pants and shirt, sporting a black eye and busted lip. A bite mark could be detected on his neck, so Voldemort concluded the captor was a vampire.

"Here he is," the man said, throwing the muggle with his hands tied onto the floor in front of Voldemort.

"Who are they?" Voldemort asked.

"I am Spike," Spike said. "I am a vampire, who lives on the hellmouth in America. The slayer and those redheaded twins killed my love. If you show me how to hurt the twins, I will let you have this one to kill. He is the slayer's father—the one who used to be married to her mother."

"Please, I don't know who you are! I'm an accountant! My name is Hank Summers, and I don't know any slayer!" Hank said.

Voldemort threw his head back and laughed. "The slayer's father does not know she is a magical creature or a witch?" he asked.

"He knows nothing of the supernatural," Spike said. "It was very easy to get invited into his home and take him."

"Buffy? This is about Buffy? Have you hurt her?" Hank demanded.

"Not yet," Voldemort said. "But I will enjoy doing so. Now, what should we do first? Break his bones or start cutting off body parts?"

"Well, Christmas is coming," Spike said. "Why don't we wait to gift wrap him for the slayer?"

Bellatrix gave a gleeful laugh. "I like the way this vampire thinks!"

"So do I," Voldemort said. "We'll just have our fun." He held out his wand and began to torture the slayer's father while Spike watched with a smile on his face.

The slayer will learn that the Scourge of Europe was far from dead.

*****Chapter End*****

Yes, I know Spike fan's might not like this, but he was a murderous vampire long before he became infected with Slayer love! There will be no redemption storyline for him in this tale—sorry. Reviews are great. If I messed something up, please let me know! Thanks for reading.