A/N: Thanks for the all the reviews I got. Alan Pitt, you are ever inquisitive, but I guess that's good. We'll just have to see where this story goes and see if any of those things happen ;)

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The next three days were probably the most boring in Dawn's life, if it were possible to die of boredom, she would have been buried a couple hours ago. As it was, she hung limply off the couch, her legs tossed over the back of it and her head just barely brushing against the floor. The blood was rushing to her head, but she didn't mind, she was actually quite comfortable. She was just finishing up 'The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts' and she wasn't sure she could stand to get up and grab another book from the shelf, she'd done nothing but read for the past four days, because she had nothing better to do.

Her stomach gave off a loud rumble and she rubbed it absently, she'd been eating sporadically in her time spent in the confines of the room, she just couldn't seem to keep focused on food and only when Faith had forced her, did she actually sit down and eat. Faith seemed to do nothing but eat, saying that she had a lot of pent up slayer energy and it was making her both hungry and horny, something that Dawn didn't really need to know. It didn't surprise Dawn much, though, that Faith spent a lot of time in her room then.

Tonks was sending owls out and receiving them almost as quickly. It had amused Dawn to no end that they sent mail by way of owl, but it did seem quicker than regular post. At this particular moment, however, Tonks was reading a letter she had just received with a grave, ashen face.

"There's been more attacks," she said finally, looking over to Dawn, who was a little red in the face from the blood rushing to her head. For reasons that Tonks couldn't quite explain, she had come to trust Dawn and in turn for her trust, had been regaled with tales from Sunnydale, from the amusing stories of Spike to the not so amusing stories of potential Slayers. Yet, Tonks still felt like Dawn was holding something back, like there was something she didn't want to say because she didn't trust her that much.

Dawn's feet slipped off the back of the couch and she squealed as she crumbled to a heap at the base of the couch. Her head popped up and she looked at Tonks "again? That's horrible." Dawn said, her face completely sincere.

Once Tonks had told her about the attacks and how frequently they had been happening since Voldemort had been outed the previous year, the young girls eyes had filled with tears and she muttered something about it not being fair to lose one's family to darkness. It was then that Tonks knew that she wasn't a spy for Voldemort and probably never would be.

"I want to be out there" Tonks said softly, looking out the window "I want to help stop this."

"I know that feeling" Dawn nodded and climbed back onto the couched, perched up on her knees with her elbows resting against the back so she could stare at Tonks, who was sitting a table in front of the window, a letter open on the table in front of her. "I always tried to help my sister out, but I ended up being more a hindrance really…you see, until recently I didn't even know how to fight. A couple years ago, I accidentally invited a vampire into the house…I was so scared that I screamed and ran up the stairs" she looked disgusted with herself and pursed her lips "brave, huh?"

"Dawn, a couple years ago you were 14" Tonks pointed out "it's a natural reaction."

"Oh please, Buffy's been fighting vampires since she was 15 and that was definitely not the first time I'd seen a vamp." She rolled her eyes at herself "I was hiding behind Anya trying to act all big and bad and then suddenly an invite popped out of my mouth and I took off running. Buffy was so pissed at me."

"I remember when I first wanted to be an Auror, I barely made it through training because I'm such a klutz, I'll manage to trip over anything." Tonks smiled thinly "When we went to go get Harry from his Aunt and Uncle's house last year, I tripped and broke a couple dishes in their kitchen, stealthy, huh?"

"We're pretty pitiful" Dawn laughed "sitting here, telling tales of all our mishaps, I don't even want to get into the bigger mistakes that I've made in my life" she said, her face turning stormy as her thoughts turned to that fateful night on the tower.

"Understandable" Tonks nodded, looking back down to the letter on the table.

Dawn fell back into a silence that was only broken by Faith coming out of her room, looking decidedly more relaxed. Dawn snickered and covered her mouth with her hand to hide the noise but Faith heard her anyway and caught her eye, tipping her a wink. She flushed brightly and started giggling, she didn't know why she found it so funny, but it felt good to laugh, especially considering that she hadn't barely cracked a smile in the past four days.

Faith started pacing restlessly, casing furtive glances at the window. Dawn knew that look on her face, it was the same face Buffy made every time she was dying for a slay. She understood the Slayer craving now, she hadn't before, but it made more sense. The Slayer was a natural born hunter and when deprived of the hunt, they became restless and just a little more violent. It wasn't a very good idea to keep Faith locked up without a release for very long.

Dawn would never fully understand the longing for a slay that Buffy had every once in a great while, when she was deprived of a good kill, but she did understand the restlessness of being caged. Even if she wasn't doing the whole pacing thing or the whole…disappearing into her room for a long while thing.

It only took Dawn a moment to notice the owl knocking against the window, but Faith was so lost in her little world that she hadn't seen it until Tonks let it in and it hooted loudly, startling the brunette slayer into a fighting stance. Faith absently reached for a weapon that she didn't have, all their weapons had been taken away and disposed of when they had been locked in the room, much to Faith's chagrin.

Dawn tapped her feet back and forth, waiting for Tonks to read the letter and give some sort of news, yet again. Anxious was better than bored any day, but not by much.

"Professor Dumbledore wishes to speak to the both of you, I am told it's rather urgent" Tonks said and stood to her feet quickly.

"That's possibly the best thing I've heard in the past week" Dawn said and stood as well.

"Yeah, I'm seriously going spar, I need out of this room." Faith nodded and followed Tonks towards the entrance.

They exited the room as one and Tonks looked around the halls "Everyone is in class, we'll have to hurry so that no one spots you, can't have THAT floating around the school" Tonks muttered.

"What, that you lot keep prisoners?" Dawn asked, feeling slightly annoyed.

Tonks shot her a look but didn't respond as they kept walking. Faith was darting her gaze around, taking in every dark corner as though just hoping there was something evil lurking in the depths of the shadows. Dawn stopped in front of a picture of a woman who was whispering to another person in the picture, casting her a look. Doing something that she hadn't felt the need to do in a very long time, Dawn sent the woman a very immature look and hurried to catch up with the others, ignoring the indignant look she'd left on the woman's face.

When they reached Dumbledore's office, past the creepy gargoyle, Tonks held up her hand. "He wants to see you separately" she told them and motioned for Faith to follow her in.

Dawn looked a little put out for a moment before leaning back against the wall and sighing, she guessed that she'd just have to wait. Dumbledore said he knew everything that goes on in the castle, she doubted she'd be able to get out before she was caught. She needed have worried about being left alone though because Tonks exited a second later and stood guard near her.

Everything was silent; there was no chatter between the two of them, no stories, just a tense silence that continued to grow the longer Faith was in Dumbledore's office. Dawn started fidgeting nervously, toying with the hem of her shirt. At least Tonks had been decent enough to provide them with other clothing than the one's that that they had arrived in. Dawn was now in a pink camisole with a lace border around the top and a pair of tight dark blue jeans, her customary black boots on her feet.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Faith exited the office, looking dazed and pale. Dawn was instantly by her side "what happened?" she demanded. Faith just shook her head, looking sick. Fear started curling in the depth of her stomach as she gripped the slayer's arm. "Faith, please, what happened?"

"Questions, lots of questions, couldn't lie" Faith mumbled "I felt so horrible."

Dawn stilled completely, there were a couple things she'd rather lie about than say, but before she could beg off the same treatment, she was ushered into Dumbledore's office. Much to her displeasure, Professor Snape was there, glaring at her like she'd stolen something.

"Miss Summer's, please, this is all approved by the Ministry" Dumbledore said looking somber and motioning for her to sit in a chair.

"Wha…I don't understand" Dawn shook her head, shakily taking a seat.

"Professor Snape will administer Veritaserum, it is a truth potion, meaning you will not be able to lie to me when I ask you a question" Dumbledore said, authority in his voice "do you understand this?"

"Yes, sir" she nodded.

"Will you willingly allow Professor Snape to administer the potion?" he asked.

She swallowed heavily and started trembling violently "yes…sir…" she said, her voice wavering, she truly had never been more frightened, except for when Glory had been chasing her.

"Look up Miss Summers and open your mouth" Snape ordered "swallow as quickly as possible, the taste is rather unpleasant."

Dawn did as instructed and grimaced when the sickly liquid was poured down the back of her throat, she swallowed quickly and gagged slightly. She didn't feel any different but decided to voice her concern. "Will I have control over my mind when you ask questions?" seeing the trail of crazy people that Glory had left behind had left Dawn with a fear of never being in control over her mind. Especially after she had seen Tara.

"You will, you just will not be able to lie" Dumbledore responded "shall we begin"

"No" Dawn answered even though she had meant to say 'yes'

Dumbledore's eyes sparkled in amusement "curious that Miss Faith said the very same thing."

"I'm very nervous, I'm sorry" Dawn said quietly.

"No matter, Miss Summers" Dumbledore replied "best get this over with as quickly as possible. What is your full name?"

"Dawn Marie Summers" she answered, this was easy so far.

"What is your sister's name?" Dumbledore asked.

"Buffy Ann Summers" Dawn replied, taking a deep steadying breath.

"Is she the current Slayer?" he asked.

"No, she's an active Slayer" Dawn replied.

"Would you care to explain?" Dumbledore asked.

"Buffy died…a couple times actually. The first time she died, Kendra was called, but she didn't last very long, then Faith was called. So technically, while Buffy is still alive and is active in her Slayer duties, Faith is the current Slayer." She told him.

"Do you know who Voldemort is?"

"No"

"Do you know what Dark Magic is?"

A shudder went through Dawn and her chest tightened "yes…" she said in nothing above a whisper.

"Do you know a Dark Magic user?" Dumbledore asked sharply.

"Yes" Dawn nodded "but she's trying to kick the habit, she's a wicca you see, and it consumes more than wand magic does, it's horrible to watch, like an addiction" her voice grew quieter until it was only a weak, wavering note.

"Do you know any people that have delved in the Dark?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes…everyone has something dark about them, Professor, it's what they do to make up for it that counts." Dawn replied, holding her chin up firmly. She felt Professor Snape stiffen beside her and then look at her oddly, she could see it out of the side of her gaze, but she refused to look at him.

"Is there darkness in you, Miss Summers?"

"Yes" Dawn's gaze dropped to her hands "I'm like a lighting rod for pain, people get hurt when they're around me for too long."

"Are you dangerous?"

"I can be"

"Voldemort is planning something, do you know what it is?"

"No…I already told you I didn't know him" Dawn looked confused.

"Nobody really knows anyone, do they? Not unless they're close" Dumbledore replied with a smile.

"You're right" Dawn nodded slowly as she thought this over.

"Do you know what The Key is, Miss Summers?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

Dawn's head shot up so fast that she was surprised it didn't snap off and go flying across the room "What Key?" she asked back, amazed that she could.

"I'm told it's a mystical ball of green energy" Dumbledore replied "do you know what it is?"

"Y-Yes…" Her trembling restarted tenfold.

"Do you know where this Key is?"

"Y…y…yes" she was shaking so hard now that she could hardly breath, she was likely to work herself into a nice panic.

"Can you tell me where it is?" Dumbledore asked.

"No" Dawn shook her head wildly from side to side "not allowed to, evil wants it, evil takes it, tears down dimensional borders, can't have that, people die"

"Professor…" Snape said, actually sounding concerned "I…I think she's going into shock…"

"Miss Summers" Dumbledore said firmly "where is the key?"

Dawn screwed her eyes shut tight and felt her body fighting back against the potion trying to make her tell the truth, she couldn't allow herself to tell him, she couldn't. She threw her head back and screamed painfully as she finally managed to break free of the potion. She slumped forward, panting heavily and then jumped out of her chair, backing away from the old man, tears in her eyes.

"Please…please" Dawn begged, though she wasn't quite sure what she was begging for. "I can't tell you, please stop asking…how do you know about The Key?"

"Voldemort wants it" Dumbledore replied calmly, his eyes searching the young girl before him carefully. "He knows that it is in Europe and he plans to take it for himself, he plans to make himself an army."

"No…No…No" Dawn moaned lowly, backing up until her back was pressed firmly against the door. "He can't have it."

"I'm glad we're on the same page, Miss Summers, I was thinking the same thing" Dumbledore told her, a kind look on his face as he attempted to sooth her.

"This can't be happening, oh God" Dawn mumbled, running a hand over her face as panic laced through her heart and settled in the pit of her stomach. "This isn't real…"

"I assure, Miss Summers, this is very real" Snape snapped, glaring at her again "get your head together, little girl and tell the Headmaster what he needs to know before Voldemort sets this world in ruins and it'll all be on your head."

Dawn moaned lowly again, her mind spinning. The tower, the knife, the blood, the swan dive, the energy, the body…the tears poured down her face and she only vaguely heard Dumbledore reprimand Snape before she threw the door open and ran as fast as she could.