Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter, BtVS, or Ats. No copyright infringement attempted.

A/N: Well, thank Patricia de Lioncourt for the update. She's been pestering me to begin reworking this story. I haven't actually had a chance to rework the previous chapters (to fit my current writing style), but I thought I'd go ahead and update.

Chapter 10: Old Ones, New Ones, and Forgotten Ones

Gunn looked up at the light tapping on the door. It opened before he could reply, a pink head of hair peeking inside.

"Decent?" Tonks asked, entering before he had a chance to answer. "Don't get up," she added, seeing the man shift against the blankets. "Get any rest yet?"

"Well, since I've been alone for less than thirty minutes, I'd say no," Gunn reply, a slight smile on his face nevertheless. One had a hard time playing the grumpy patient card when they were staring at pink hair. "So, what's the deal with this place?" he asked.

Tonks looked puzzled a moment before she realized that he was asking about the wardrobe itself. "Oh, it's a rental," she replied. "We figured Molly and Arthur wouldn't be able to host the lot of you overnight without a little extra space."

For the first time, Gunn realized the woman was holding a small platter in her hands. It held a half spilt glass of juice and a steaming bowl of soup.

"Is that from our hostess?" Gunn asked. He'd only see Mrs. Weasley for a moment before he was half carried from the fireplace to the wardrobe's expansive rooms. At Tonk's nod, he added, "Remind me to thank her."

Tonks sat the platter down on the bedside table and took a seat on the edge of Gunn's bed, forcing the man to scoot over. She slid further onto the bed and crossed her legs, propping her elbows on her knees.

Gunn blinked. "Umm. What are you doing?"

"I've been given strict orders to watch our guests," she answered curtly.

"So, what about the others?"

Tonks looked as if she was pushing down a grin. She shook her head in the opposite direction. "The blue creature is in the next room and the ensouled ones are upstairs, fighting over an old flame. I sent Moody after them."

"Buffy?" Charles speculated, smiling to himself. He shook his head. "Hope this Weasley woman has good insurance."

"Insurance?"

A sudden burst of laughter cut off their conversation. It was followed by a muffled screech from outside.

Tonks turned toward the closed door. "The twins," she explained. "Though I can't quite place the scream."

She stood quickly, walking to the door. The auror stepped out into the foyer, when she returned, her grin was huge and her hair had darkened to a deep burgundy. Gunn blinked that fact away.

"What's up?" he asked.

Tonks nodded toward the opposite door. "My criminal cousin's locked in the room with your blue friend. He doesn't seem very happy about it."

There was a strange thump on the wall. It was followed by a stream of knocks. The sounds suddenly faded away. Tonks' grin faded with them. She turned back to Gunn.

"This Illyria, she wouldn't do anything to him, would she?"

Gunn shook his head. "Nah." He stiffened slightly. "I don't think so. . ."

0)0(0

"Merlin, I'm sorry," Ginny whispered, leaning back against the headboard of the small bed. "That must have been horrible."

Hermione sat beside the other girl, her legs out in front of her, the book that had caused her so much trouble balanced on her legs. It was shut. Ginny hadn't asked to see it open, thankfully.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," Hermione said, "that she's dead. I know it sounds awful, but all I can think about right now is what this book means. Why it says my name—and what kind of magic could make me steal another wizard's powers for strength. I just wish I had answers, but no one's talking about it, not directly. It's so odd."

" I wouldn't worry about the stealing just yet—I mean, it was just Malfoy." Ginny's eyes shifted to the book's cover. "And you're certain that you can't just destroy it."

"I don't think it's that easy." Hermione let out a shallow breath. "And, frankly, no one who knows about it has hinted that it needs to be destroyed. Dumbledore didn't say a thing about it. It's rather frustrating." Hermione shook her head, suddenly taking in the red head's tense form. "I'm so sorry, Ginny—I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

Ginny shook her head. "No, you should be talking to me about this. If anyone knows what it's like to be manipulated by a bloody book, it's me." She coughed, trying to cover her sudden awkwardness. "So, have you figured out who this High Necromancer fellow was, the one who's talking to you through the book."

Hermione cocked her head, her brow furrowed. "Not really."

"I'd start there," Ginny replied. "If I were you, I'd start by finding more out about this old kook—that's where your answers'll be."

"That's not a bad idea."

Ginny smirked. "You're not the only clever one, you know."

0)0(0

Molly's glare was piercing. Rupert could feel it burning through his neck, even as he lifted his glasses to rub down his weary eyes.

"Molly, I never would have disturbed your life again if Dumbledore hadn't asked me to be a part of this," Giles began. "My slayer and I aren't here to cause trouble for you. We're representatives of the new Watcher's Council."

"Then you'll be leaving after the meeting tonight?" Molly asked. Before he could answer, she cut him off. "Good. I'll give you board for one night, Ripper. Then you're gone. If you've nothing other than business that needs taken care of, I suggest you get to work."

"Molly, dear," a voice chirped. Arthur Weasley stepped into the kitchen, quickly crossing the distance to reach his wife. He embraced her solemnly, communicating to her without words. "Dumbledore contacted me about our guests. I . . ."

His voice dropped off when he realized there was another person in his kitchen. He turned to the table with a raised brow.

"Rupert?" he asked.

Giles looked up, a steady frown on his face, he saw out of the corner of his eye, a cautious Moody in the door frame, watching the two wizards. "Hello, Arthur."

Arthur's fist connected with the Watcher's cheek in a split second.