Chapter Five: The Fight and the Man in Shadow
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Harry smiled slightly as they walked back. He was the only one. Both Buffy and Giles seemed lost in thought. Whether they were intrigued by his magic, or concerned about the loss of their secret, Harry didn't know. He supposed that he should be worried about the exposure of magic to a muggle, but if Buffy was dealing with vampires and demons, he didn't suppose she was much of a muggle after all. Truthfully, Harry found the whole situation funny. But, by the silent nervous looks Buffy shot Giles, Harry assumed that something was troubling her.
When the trio arrived back at Giles's apartment. They entered as quietly as the walk had been. Harry stood curiously in the hallway as both Buffy and Giles seemed to settle themselves. Buffy flopped onto the couch, Giles stood behind the couch, staring blankly at the room around him.
"Magic?" Buffy asked from her reclined position. Her voice contained no surprise, just an interest.
"Yeah," responded Harry. He entered the apartment, his eyes focused on his Uncle. The man hadn't moved.
"That didn't look like any magic I've seen," said Buffy. Harry shrugged.
"I'm a wizard, our magic is different from Uncle Rupert's,"
"A wizard, guess I should have guessed. You being Giles's nephew and all." The pair lapsed into silence, Giles still hadn't joined the conversation.
"So, you a female bodybuilder, that was quite a punch," commented Harry. Buffy colored slightly.
"Um...well I'm kinda the Slayer."
"The Vampire Slayer, interesting." Harry leaned back impressed. Still he didn't want to be too in awe over Buffy. He'd dealt with that ever since entering the wizarding world, so he merely nodded his head.
"You know what a slayer is?" asked Buffy, rather amazed.
"One of my classes at school mentioned the Slayer," explained Harry.
"Okay...I'm guessing that this isn't your average school." Buffy turned to Giles and shot him a puzzled look. But, Giles hadn't responded. He had remained stationary, his eyes still staring into the floor.
"Giles are you okay?" Buffy rose from the sofa and approached her watcher.
Rupert Giles was not okay. He had walked back home, his eyes flickering to the young man beside him. Harry was fine. Harry, even seemed to be on the verge of laughter. But, Giles couldn't get the image of a crumpled and bloody Harry out of his mind. The moment he had seen Harry in pain...he didn't know what he'd thought. But, it was a frightening thought. Giles had spent much of his life alone, caring for no one and no one caring for him. It was an easy way to live your life. He had begun to open up around Buffy and her friends. Indeed Buffy meant a lot to him. Quentin had called it a father's love. But Buffy was different. She was a warrior, a hero. And, even if he hated her being in danger, it was her destiny. She didn't have a choice in the matter. Harry was still a boy. Granted, he was a boy with magical abilities but even magic could only go so far. He'd been hurt so badly, and by Buffy. What might happen when he came face to face with a real fight? He'd remained deep in thought during Harry and Buffy's conversation, but Buffy drew his attention.
"I'm fine Buffy, just thinking."
"Well okay thinking guy, I'm guessing you knew Harry was a wizard," commented Buffy. She pulled at a strand of her hair as she let her eyes rest on her watcher.
"Yes, his mother was magical as well." Giles finally moved, he stepped over to the table and took a seat in a chair. He let his attention drift back to the books in front of him.
"It's so weird to think of you having a sister. Why didn't you ever mention her? I always pegged you for the only child role."
"I had a sister, she died. And there were three of us. I was the oldest. Petunia, my step-sister was four years younger than I, and Lily was the baby. I was ten when she was born." Buffy shook her head. Two sisters. She'd never imagined Giles having two sisters. Although, it did explain that protective streak he had.
"Your mom is Petunia? Funny name," Buffy leaned back. Who would name a child that...still she couldn't really point fingers in the whole name thing. Harry coughed,
"No. Petunia is my aunt. Lily was my mother."
"So...your mom is...dead?" Buffy looked at Harry, a mixture of sadness and embarrassment on her face.
"It's okay, she died when I was a baby." Harry shrugged his shoulder and tried to play the situation off as nothing. Buffy gave a nervous smile.
"So you didn't even know about Harry, huh Giles."
"No. I didn't." Giles remained quiet. He opened one of his texts, and began looking through the pages.
"So...eh--" Buffy tapped her fingers on the sofa. A silent tension seemed to have leaked into the room. Harry hadn't sat down yet, remaining perched by the chair. Giles had turned his back on the pair of them and was looking through his books. Buffy wasn't certain what else to talk about. They quickly covered the magic and slayer business. Harry had taken the slayer info better than anyone, Buffy thought. She'd found out there was a different kind of magic, which was educational...sure. Then, She'd royally stuck her foot in her mouth by bringing up the sensitive subject of Lily's death. Giles didn't seem to want to talk about his family.
"Eh– I think I'll go now, you know stuff to do and what not..." Buffy rose to her feet. Giles probably needed some Uncle /Nephew bonding time.
"Bye Buffy," said Harry. He looked a little nervous about being left alone with Giles. Still, the kid wasn't running for the hills, so they'd probably get along okay, Buffy thought.
"I'll swing back around before patrol tonight. If you want you can join, Willow's coming, once she finds out you are magical she'll want to play 20 questions."
"Twenty questions, the kid's game?" Harry ruffled his hair confusedly.
"I mean she'll be curious. She gave up going to Harvard so that she could become a wicca here, she'll want to know all about your magic," explained Buffy.
"Oh, alright, I'll see you later tonight."
"Buffy..." started Giles, his tone serious, as if he were preparing for a long speech.
"Got to run Giles, see you later," said Buffy, her words cutting him off. In a second she was out the door. Giles sighed and turned back to his books. Harry remained standing in the room. It felt much more quiet now that Buffy was gone. As Harry glanced at his book entombed Uncle, he wasn't certain that silence was a good thing. Harry sighed.
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Harry had cleaned the dishes. Harry had closed up the couch bed and tided the living room. Harry had taken a jog. Harry had taken an excessively long shower. Harry had tried to watch TV, but discovered the horror of daytime programming. Harry had removed his shrunken trunk from his pocket, enlarged it, re-organized it, and shrunk it again. And, while Harry had done this, his Uncle hadn't said a word. Rupert Giles had remained at his table, his only motion being the occasional flip of a page. Uncle Rupert seemed to be trying to pretend that Harry didn't exist. Things were starting to feel far too much like home. That is, if Harry considered the Dursley's house his home.
Harry was currently sitting on the couch, watching his Uncle. His new clothes from yesterday had been put into his trunk, he had dressed himself in another pair of Dudley castoffs. If his Uncle found the change is attire interesting, he didn't mention it. Harry watched as the man looked through his books. Perhaps out of boredom, or merely out of a desperation to hear another voice, Harry approached his Uncle.
"What are you working on?" he asked.
"Um– some research for Buffy. There has been some unusual activity." Giles's words were distracted and clipped. Harry nodded. He glared down at the books.
"Do you need any help?" asked Harry. He groaned internally. He didn't want to read through moldy old books on his holiday. Still, he had come here to meet Giles. He'd never have a clear conscious if he didn't at least try to connect with his family.
"Um–alright. Can't imagine these types of books would be new to you." Giles handed Harry a large volume.
"No." Harry took a seat at the table. "What sort of information are you looking for?"
"Right now I'm casting a wide net, anything that might be scheduled to happen soon. Rituals, prophecies, anything that might draw a powerful vampire to the area." Giles peered over at the young man. Harry nodded glumly and began to flip through the book. The writing was tiny.
"So you're a Watcher right?" questioned Harry.
"I–well I was...I was fired." Giles rubbed the back of his neck.
"I thought Watchers were destined to be Watchers, how can you be fired." Harry flipped a page as he examined his Uncle.
"I'm not entirely certain myself." The pair sat in silence for a bit, the only noise the flipping of the pages. After a few moments had passed, Harry lifted his head from the book.
"Did you want to be a Watcher, or was it something you got stuck with? Like a prophecy or something?" Giles paused pensively for a moment. That was an interesting way to phrase the question. Actually no one had really asked him that question before, except for Buffy. It had always been expected.
"Well, I didn't want it when I was younger, but I guess I got used to the idea. You can't really escape destiny." Giles nodded his head as he spoke. He supposed that destiny was one of the reasons he was still in Sunnydale. Some pompous old man could say he was fired, but he had been given a destiny.
"Yeah, I know." Harry said quietly.
Harry and Giles spent the next few hours looking through the books. Or rather Giles studiously looked through the books, and Harry used magic to absorb the information. It was a tricky charm that Hermione had found, very difficult and it required a lot of power. Most wizards didn't bother with it. But, Harry was too bored by the material to do it the old-fashioned way. Still, even though his knowledge absorption spell had shown that his current book was pointless, Harry continued to leaf through it, occasionally dozing. He didn't want his Uncle to assign another book. Giles didn't seem to mind Harry's disinterest, and continued reading the text, even as Harry's head rested in his hands. All pretense of reading cast aside.
That was how Buffy found them when she went to Giles's home that evening. Giles was perched behind another text, Harry asleep, his head on the table. She had entered without knocking, as usual, and paused for a moment as she examined them. Giles looked bored and tired, he seemed strained. Harry was dressed back in a grungy outfit like the one she had seen the other day. She rolled her eyes as she took in the table covered in books. 'Geez Giles' Buffy thought to herself, 'You get a chance to know the kid and you have him do research? You're totally not the fun Uncle.'
"I see you're having fun," teased Buffy.
"Yes, indeed." Giles looked up from his book when he noticed his Slayer enter the room. Harry's head leapt up from the table, a smile plastered on his face.
"Buffy, you're back!" Harry cringed as he heard his voice speak. Why had that come out so pathetic? Hell, he didn't care. He was bored out of his mind. He'd have been glad to see Voldemort at that moment. Buffy smiled at the warm welcome, from one of the men anyway.
"Any luck?" Buffy inquired. She pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Perhaps," Giles said. He opened one of his books. "This text prophesies that the mouth of hell will be opened by a being of the forgotten, in a time of treacherous moon. I'll need to see if I can find a book that relates to this time more closely, but the basics of the era sound about right."
"Oh I read about that," Harry interrupted. "The being forgotten, from a time long past...blah, blah blah. But the setting is wrong. The treacherous moon shall lay waste to the jungle leaving all things bare, and the lion and the leopard shall flee from it, silence shall rain from the bright darkness. Also the treacherous moon is a red moon, which according to the mystic cycle isn't scheduled to appear for another decade." Harry finished and looked up at the others. Both Buffy and Giles stared at him open-mouthed.
"W-what?" Giles stuttered.
"It-it was in my book, the prophecy of the forgotten one. But, I don't think it applies." Harry shrugged as he spoke. Buffy's eyes widened at Harry's cluelessness.
"You memorized it?" Buffy asked. "You really are a Giles."
'No...I just remember stuff really well." Harry blushed as he spoke.
"I didn't even think you were paying attention," said Giles. His voice was soft, as if he were speaking mostly to himself. "I suppose we are back to square one," announced Giles. Harry glared back at the books. Bloody Books!
The door opened and shut, Willow bounced into the room.
"Howdy folks," she greeted cheerfully. A little too cheerful Harry thought. Willow's eyes lit up as she spotted Harry. "You're a Wizard!" She practically shouted, her voice loud enough to carry throughout the apartment.
"Eh–I know?" said Harry.
"Why didn't you say anything?" questioned Willow. She placed her hands on her hips and sent him a demanding glare. Harry winced. The friendly red head seemed to be channeling Mrs. Weasley. Thinking of the Wesleys erased all of Harry's amusement. Instead of teasing her, he answered in a straightforward tone.
"There is a code of secrecy, which forbids telling muggles about the magical world."
"Mugga-what?" asked Buffy.
"Non-magical people," explained Harry.
"Magical world?" Willow's glare vanished, replaced by a look of curiosity that would have done Hermione proud. It was odd seeing his best friends combined in this one girl. Harry's expression became more somber as he faced the young woman.
"Believe it our not, there is a whole world of people who use magic everyday, most don't even know about muggle technology. They have hidden communities, schools, everything really... it's kinda hard to explain."
"But...how can they use magic all the time? Giles I thought you said too much magic, or too powerful could be dangerous. You know lead to being big bad and all that?" Willow turned to look at Giles. The older man had leaned back, he took out his glasses and cleaned them as he explained.
"Harry's magic is very different from ours, Willow. We have to take raw magic and channel it through our bodies, this can be very altering to the body. Too much can lead to problems. Harry's magic comes from inside him, a magical core if you will. Thus the magic he wields does not have any damaging effects on his body." Willow nodded in understanding, while Buffy seemed to tune out much of the technical conversation.
"Well, this has been fascinating, but its time for patrol." Buffy rose to her feet and Harry followed suit. Willow looked reluctant as she got to her feet. Harry was excited. He'd fought vampires before, but he'd never gone out searching for them. It would be interesting, especially as he would be with the Vampire Slayer. Really, he was just glad to get out of this house. He needed to do something, anything.
"Buffy, I don't know if it is a good idea for Harry to go along. He's obviously much more suited to research, his memory skills and such. I think it would be better if he stayed here and tried to determine what might be coming." Giles's voice carried over them all. Buffy turned and sent a questioning look at Giles. Willow also tilted her head in curiosity.
Harry stood not more that two feet away from his Uncle, yet he wondered if he'd ever felt further away from the man. Him, suited for research? He'd never been good at research. He had always been the run-head-long-into-action guy. Couldn't his uncle see he didn't enjoy all this book reading? Did he really think him incompetent? The anger was rising up his throat. Harry couldn't afford to get angry. He took a deep breath and remained calm.
"I'm going to go out with Buffy and patrol Giles. I'll be back later." With that, Harry headed toward the door.
"Harry wait," Giles called after the young man. But Harry didn't bother turning. He exited the house. Giles sat back down in his chair and didn't say anything. Buffy and Willow sent nervous looks at each other. The tension was thick in the air.
"Um– bye Giles," Buffy managed to say. She gave Willow a quick nod to and the two girls left as well. Buffy worried that she would have to track down an irate Harry, but she quickly spotted the boy. He was leaning against a tree, his eyes closed. His chest moved in and out, as if he were taking deep breaths.
"You okay?" asked Buffy. Being friends with Xander had taught her a little something about how teenage boys thought. She could tell that Giles's words had cut at Harry's 'manliness' or machismo, whatever you called it. Still, she couldn't really blame guys, she'd be upset if someone assumed that her being the slayer meant she wasn't a girl. Just because she decapitated demons, didn't mean she didn't like pink nail polish.
However, when Harry turned to her, his face was perfectly calm. He smiled at her slightly.
"I'm fine, ready to kick some vampire ass." His previously friendly smile seemed to possess a feral intensity. Buffy rolled her eyes.
"Come on than killer." Buffy grabbed his arm and pulled him away. Facing forward, she didn't notice the way Harry's face paled when she'd called him 'killer'.
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After the trio had distanced themselves far enough from Giles's home, Willow seemed to think she was allowed to begin the barrage of questions.
"So Harry, is your boarding school a magical boarding school?" Willow stood on his other side looking curiously at the dark haired boy.
"Eh- yea. Hogwart's school of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Hogwarts? Blek! Who came up with that name? Sounds life some sort of skin disease," commented Buffy. Harry couldn't help but smile, even if she was mocking his previous 'home'.
"A school that teaches magic, Buffy that is cool. I wish I could have gone there...but I guess I got the wrong type of magic."
"You practice the same type of earth magic as my Un– as Giles does, is that right?" asked Harry.
"Yep, I'm a wicca." Willow seemed to skip through the night air. Harry found himself intrigued by the company Buffy chose to take with her on her patrolling. Willow seemed very smart, but she had an infectious enthusiasm and cheerfulness that seemed out of place on a life-or-death mission. Harry smiled slightly, he agreed with Buffy's choice entirely.
"So how long have you been slaying?" Harry asked.
"I was called to be a slayer when I was fourteen, and Willow and Xander have been helping me ever since I moved to Sunnydale," replied Buffy. She strolled leisurely as she spoke, yet Harry could tell she was poised for action.
"Xander?"
"Xander, oh you haven't me him. He's on some sort of post-graduation see the country road trip-thingy." Willow answered. "He and I have been friends since we were kids. After we were all nearly killed by vampires we decided to help Buffy." Harry quirked an eyebrow at her blase approach to nearly being killed. He supposed one grew used to it, if your best friend was a Vampire Slayer.
"What did you mean earlier about the whole hidden world thing?" Willow asked.
"Well, wizards have hidden themselves for centuries."
"Why?" a curious Buffy asked.
"I asked the same thing. The answer I got was that wizards would be bothered too much, people would want magical cures to all their problems. But, if you ask me, it goes deeper than that. Firstly, some wizards don't like muggles. We even fought a war over it. Thankfully, the good side won. Another reason is that I suppose wizards are a little afraid of muggles."
"Afraid? Why would they be afraid, you got all the mojo?"
"The magical community is a very small population. If the muggles really wanted to, I'm sure that they could destroy us. Wizards still passionately talk about the witch hunts from the Middle Ages, if that tells you how concerned they are over anti-magical action. Also, magic is well and good, but guns can be quicker. And, humanity has never been very accepting of things that they don't understand." Harry shrugged his shoulders. Hiding had become second nature. He didn't question it now. Harry always hid. Everything.
The two girls walked in silence, thinking about what they had heard.
"It's not really that surprising... really," Buffy said. She turned to Willow. "I mean, think about what we do. It's kinda a hidden world. I mean we don't got hidden schools and stuff, but most people would think we were nuts if we started talking about vampires and demons."
"Yeah, I guess."
The group had gotten away from the small neighborhoods, and was walking into a graveyard. Harry paused for a moment and examined his surroundings. He knew a lot of people found graveyards peaceful. Well obviously those people hade never fought for their lives in one. Harry didn't really like graveyards. He wasn't afraid of death, just nothing good had ever happened in a graveyard. They say when you go to funerals you find a sense of closure. Harry had never gotten that. So he paused slightly as they entered the hallowed ground. He took a breath and followed Buffy and Willow. He walked fast to catch up, he was almost next to Buffy, when he jumped back as if he had been burned.
"You okay?" Buffy asked. After Harry had jumped away, He had stood stiffly still, his eyes glazing over.
"I'm fine, just forgot for a moment."
"Forgot what?" Buffy asked.
"The energy, this town has weird energy flows. Old dark magic." Harry explained.
"You can feel it?" Willow inquired
"Can't you?" Harry asked in amazement. "Come here," Harry took Willow's hand and guided her forward and to the left. Harry waited patiently. Willow looked around with her eyes.
"I don't feel anything." Willow finally said. She shrugged her shoulders and sent Buffy a questioning glance.
"Here, try this. Close your eyes. Try to reach out with your senses. Giles said you draw from surrounding magic, so I guess think about what you do when you do magic." Harry stuttered through his explanation, not certain how to teach this. His magical ability was very different from Willow's. Yet, Willow did as he asked.
"I think I feel it," said Willow, her voice soft. Her hand reached out and Harry noticed that she brushed against one of the stronger currents.
"Yep, you got it." Harry nodded. Willow opened her eyes, she waved her hand as a frown crossed her face.
"Its gone now, I can't feel if I'm not concentrating" she sighed in disappointment.
"Just as well," comforted Harry, "If you could you'd have to be careful wherever you walk." Willow shrugged her shoulders.
"ON YOUR RIGHT!" Buffy yelled out. Harry spun around and spotted a pair of vampires emerge from behind a crypt. Buffy ran forward and Willow grabbed his arm pulling him away. Harry turned to look questioningly at her. The redhead had pulled out a cross, and continued to back away taking Harry with her.
"Best to let Buffy handle it on her own, she's the expert at this stuff," explained Willow. Harry figured he could help, but decided that if Buffy didn't have any problems he'd best not bother. He stood beside Willow as they watched the dark creatures surround Buffy.
"Hey guys, nice night," Buffy quipped. Harry couldn't avoid a smirk as he watched her deceptive smile.
"You're going down Slayer, we're getting rid of the Light people in this town," snarled the taller of the vampires.
"Light?" Buffy tilted her head at the unfamiliar phrasing, "I'll have you know I have a great tan, not like you can talk." Buffy sneered at the pale creatures. "But enough with the chit chat," Buffy lunged forward, leaping into the air and sending a firm kick into the vampire's rib cage.
"Omf--" the vampire shuffled back while the other moved in. This vampire was shorter and stockier. His face still hadn't reverted to its demon form, but his sneer was almost as cruel.
"Double the pleasure, double the fun," said a smirking Buffy. She raised a stake and moved toward the shorter vampires. With a quick motion she stabbed toward his heart, the vampire slid out of the way. 'Quick one' Buffy thought to herself. She raised a leg and managed to kick him in the shin. The other vampire had recovered and made a sudden move to grab her. Buffy knocked him back to the ground, this time with a solid punch.
As Buffy was fighting, Harry perched himself on a headstone to enjoy the show. His wand still in its holster. It was very relaxing watching Buffy fight. She had a natural talent of it. Harry had learned some hand-to-hand fighting techniques himself, but he could never imitate the gracefulness Buffy possessed. His movements always seemed jerky. Buffy flowed, each of her motions perfectly matching her opponents. Willow eyed Harry incredulously. He seemed to be rather relaxed. Her thoughts grew a little worried, did he know how dangerous vampires could be? She'd been helping Buffy for years and the one thing she knew was to always be on your feet, ready for anything. Hence her current 'poised for flight' posture. She shook her head.
The fight was becoming more intense. Buffy ducked away from a strong punch aimed at her head. The taller vampire was not skilled, on his own he'd have been easy. Unfortunately, for Buffy, he seemed to have paired himself with a much more experienced fighter. The shorter vampire still hadn't spoken a word, his motions had been precise and fast. And, even if the other vampire wasn't a talented fighter, he was proving to be damned annoying. Speaking of annoying, the taller vampire was lunging again. Buffy had managed to knock the other out of the way, and with a strong arm stabbed the vampire in the chest. His body crumbled into dust. 'Finally' she thought. Buffy rolled her shoulders as she faced off against the remaining vampire.
"And then there was one," Buffy joked. She raised her eyebrows at her opponent.
"He vas young and foolish, jung dummkopf " commented the vampire. Buffy noticed he spoke with an accent she couldn't identify and his final words left her stumped. Yet, one thing was clear he was undisturbed by his partner's demise. The two began to circle each other, each gauging their opponent. Buffy let her eyes examine him. He had shoulder length ash blonde hair, tied back. A sloping forehead, and cold gray-blue eyes. He had a confidant style, and perfected footing. He had obviously been trained to fight. Most vampires relied on their strength, and supernatural speed to win a fight. Few actively honed their abilities. But this one, he was different.
When the attack came, Buffy wasn't expecting it. She still managed to counter accordingly, but she felt a bit rattled at how close it had been. Striking back, she pushed him away with a firm kick to the chest. He stumbled slightly, but lowered his center of gravity and sung his leg. Buffy jumped to avoid having her feet knocked out from under her. The vampire raised his arms in a martial arts stance and swiped at Buffy. His arm struck her shoulder, but she rolled back and managed to stay on her feet. Buffy raised her leg and kicked him in the stomach, but as her foot left its target, the vampire grabbed her calf muscle. He twisted her leg, causing her to tumble to the ground.
Buffy found herself on the ground, her eyes narrowed, ready for a fight. With a gymnastic twist, Buffy sprang back to her feet. In the same motion she struck a horrendous blow to the vampire's skull. The force sent his body swinging. The vampire stumbled to his feet, he cupped his jaw and cringed. Buffy had broken his jaw. She grinned impishly. Behind her she heard the sound of some quiet chuckling. She turned slightly, still keeping one eye on the vampire. The other spotted a smiling Harry.
"Smashing blow," congratulated Harry. Suddenly, the smile dropped from Harry's face. Buffy's eyes widened as well.
"Your Left!" she cried. Harry flicked his wrist, arming himself in an instant. Buffy abandoned the now injured vampire, running full out to reach Harry and Willow. Four vampires had emerged from the trees, they were closer to Willow than Harry. Buffy put on another burst of speed. She hadn't noticed how much space her fight had put between her and the others.
Willow raised the cross when she spotted the approaching vampires.
"Willow,"Harry called. He had leapt off the headstone and pulled on her shoulder. With a quick movement that surprised the young wicca, Harry had positioned himself between her and the vampires.
"Brave one eh," a brunette vampire sneered, he was obviously the leader of these rif-rafs.
"That's what I've been told," commented Harry. He smiled pleasantly at the group. The lead vampire and the one next to him growled. With quick movements the leader lunged at Harry. With a grim expression, Harry brought his wand down in a long slashing motion. A long stream of fire poured from Harry's wand, the flames engulfing the stunned vampire before he had a chance to change direction.
"Diffindo." Harry cast at another who was approaching, a vicious look etched in his eyes. The vampire's eyes widened momentarily, then his head slipped of his shoulder and his body turned to dust.
The other Vampires, suddenly finding themselves down by two, eyed the boy warily. Harry raised his wand...and the two remainders bolted. Unfortunately, for them, Buffy had arrived. Their retreat meant running right into her. Without hesitation she staked the fleeing vampires.
"You guys okay?" asked Buffy. She approached them, her eyes scanning for any injuries.
"We're fine." Willow's voice was breathy, she gazed at Harry in surprise.
"That's how your magic works?" she asked. Willow turned and shot Buffy an amazed look. Buffy grinned as well.
"Was that you with the fire?" questioned Buffy.
"Eg– yeah, are you alright?" Harry asked Buffy.
"Terrible," moaned Buffy.
"What's the matter," Willow asked, concern filling her words.
"I broke a nail fighting that vamp. Ouch, and I just had them painted." Willow rolled her eyes at the blonde. Harry broke out laughing.
"Hey! Not funny." Yet, Buffy couldn't hide a smile either. Her eyes lit up when she spotted Harry's wand in his hand. "Hey maybe you can wave that thing and fix it huh?" Harry eyed his short nails regretfully.
"You know what," he said, "if there is a charm for that, I'm afraid I didn't learn it." Buffy pouted.
"Geez Harry what's the point of going to a magic school, if they don't teach you the basics?" Both Harry and Willow laughed, although neither were sure if Buffy was serious or not.
"Where'd that other bugger get to?" Harry questioned when the laughs had subsided. Buffy turned back and sighed.
"He must have run off. Drat, I was really looking forward to dusting him."
"Well, I don't think he'll be biting anyone too soon. That kick really knocked him. I think you busted his jaw," said Harry. Buffy nodded. She smiled a bit a she remembered the satisfying pop of his jaw snapping. Yep, he wouldn't be trouble anytime soon.
Or so she thought.
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In the far end of the same cemetery, a large crypt loomed over the smaller headstones. Its ironwork door had rusted shut, but that hardly mattered. There were other way's of entering if you really wanted to. It was a large crypt, so old that it's name had been worn away. The bones inside had been worn away as well. Time did that to all things. Yet, amidst all this decay, a light flickered. A candle was lit in the cellar of this crypt. In the dim light, a short blonde vampire was rubbing his newly healed jaw.
"Thank you master," intoned the vampire. He bowed lowly to a figure hidden in shadow.
"Think nothing of it Carsten. I do enjoy your work, it would be a shame to have it suspended. Who was responsible?" a cold voice asked.
"The slayer, mein Herr."
"Ah yes, the Slayer. I've heard much of her. A disgusting muggle with the gift of strength, and a woman too." At these words the man emerged from the shadows. He moved his hand to his lips pensively. He ran his finger against the newly shaved skin. It felt almost indecent to not have hair on his lip. But his mustache had gone away, like many things.
"You couldn't handle her Carsten?" the man asked.
"She is very strong, mien Herr."
"Oh I have no doubt this bastion of Light is strong. She'd have to be to best you. But this town will be mine. I refuse to allow a citadel of darkness to be overrun with the forces of Light. It is simply unacceptable."
"I have no doubt you could destroy her mein Herr, but she is not alone. I saw her tonight. She had a fruend, a zauberer with her."
"A zauberer... a wizard. So the slayer keeps a pet wizard. Some dirty mudblood, no doubt. Find out what you can of him Carsten."
"Yes Master." The vampire bowed before the dark-haired man. As the vampire left, his master sneered after him. It was a sad day when a wizard had to align himself with vampires and demons. Yet, it couldn't be helped. The wizarding world was dead for now. The fall of Voldemort had let in all kinds of abominations. It was time to start fresh. And, for man who enjoyed sadism, cruelty, and darkness, there was no better place than the mouth of Hell. His teeth narrowed in a sharp grin.
He was ready to make himself at home.
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A/N: That was chapter five. It might take me a little longer for chapter six. I have a ten page paper due on Marxist thought, which sadly I must write rather than fanfic. I was going to wait until friday to update this, but I noticed in my stats, that I have over 90 reviews, and since you lot have been so good, I fugured I owed you a chapter.
Wanna Play a Game
This is the 'Name That Villian Game.' The first person to correctly name the villian (and spelling counts) will be e-mailed chapter six before I update it. I've given you a few clues, see of you can figure it out. (Make sure you sign your reviews, otherwise I can't give you your prize if you win.)
As ever, Review...I update faster when you do.
Della