Author note: On time. Surprised? Thank echo, because an offhand comment in an IM reminded me I needed to post this.

This chapter has a surprise. *giggles* Big surprise. Some foreshadowing thrown in, and lots of humor. It has some sadness too. Nothing too exciting happens mostly because the drama, action, and general WTF-ness comes next chapter. Buckle up, kiddies.

Thanks to Jacy, and I hope you feel better, sweetie.

……………………….

Draco was dreaming. That was strange because he didn't usually dream; it was a side effect of the Dementor curse. It was like a natural dreamless sleep potion. He left dream walking to Pansy, her being the Seer of the relationship. Sometimes a few dreams slipped by though, and this must have been one of those times.

"It's not."

He spun around to face the voice, but his eyes widened when he saw the figure walking towards him. He'd only seen her in pictures. The one he'd looked at the most was on the bedside table of the master bedroom. Willow was smiling with her arms around Tara, whose eyes weren't at the camera, but gazing lovingly at her red-headed witch.

"What the ihell/i is going on?" Draco asked slowly, walking towards Tara. "You're dead."

She just grinned at him. "And you're very observant. I had no idea such a genius would be helping my Willow."

That made Draco lose his wondering look and glare at Tara. "She neglected to mention you were a smartarse."

Tara's grin widened. "I wasn't when I was alive. I was more quiet than anything, but considering your cousin is the one I spend the most time with, I think it's a natural progression."

Cousin? Draco thought a few moments before he laughed a bit. "Cousin Sirius. You're hanging about with that old bastard? I feel sorry for you. But I can see where the smart mouth comes from. It's a Black family trait."

She smiled at him before walking closer. The closer she got, the warmer he became. Draco was used to being cold but this woman made him warmer than he had been in a long time. "Why are you here? I'd love to know how you got here but I'll settle for why."

"My Willow is special. I got permission to do a bit of visiting when I wanted. I've been used as a vessel before, so I'm accustomed to walking the spiritual plane."

Draco shivered. How did someone get accustomed to walking the spiritual plane? He still got sick if he even attempted it. "So you come to visit me? Why me when you could visit someone else?"

The smile that was on Tara's face turned sad, and Draco instantly knew why everyone was so attached to Tara in the past. There was something about her that made him want to see her happy again. She was one of those souls that were like gravity—something about her pulled people in.

He nearly jumped out of his skin when Tara was suddenly right in front of him. "I'm with you because that feeling you have right now? It would be crippling to anyone else in this house. But with you, you don't know me. Your emotions don't cloud your judgment. You can listen to my message and know what to do with it. Your number one priority is Willow and Buffy." She put her hand on his face and he had to close his eyes at the warmth in her touch. "You're cold and that's what I need right now."

Draco's eyes opened and even as she said it, he could feel the warmth creeping away from him. "Cold? Emotionless, you mean."

"No, not emotionless. Ready to face what's coming and know what you have to do, regardless of what others think is right." Tara sighed and stepped back. "I didn't come here to offend you. I came to talk with you, thank you, warn you and eventually threaten you."

He laughed, some of the tension that had developed between the two dissolving. "Threaten? What the hell are you talking about? You're going to threaten me? With what?"

The easy smile was back on Tara's face. "I've been informed threats are better received at the end of a conversation. So talking and thanking first?"

"And the warning? When does that come?" Draco crossed his arms, knowing the easy pace he'd been working with since he'd arrived in Sunnydale was too good to be true. Something was bound to go wrong.

"Before the threats. Talking is always first," she replied promptly. Her face was an open book as she looked up hopefully at Draco. "How's Willow? I've been keeping watch, trying to figure out a way to stop her if I needed to. I wasn't quick enough last time, but now that you're here, I don't think I need to. You've been keeping her safe and grounded."

If someone looking out for Willow and who truly cared for her thought he was doing a good job, then that instantly made him more comfortable in what he was doing for Willow. Most of the people back in England criticized him for his methods, but if it worked, he wasn't about to change his ways.

"Thank you," Draco said with a small grin. "She is doing extremely well. We've had a few bumps, but I think she's progressing with leaps and bounds."

"After you removed that curse Rack put on her." Tara's face betrayed her guilty thoughts." If only I had know what he'd done I'd have—"

"Been of no help," Draco finished for her with a smirk. "Eventually word would have gotten to me, but then that could change how Willow reacted to your death. We can't focus on the past because we can't change it."

Tara nodded. "I know. But I've found out that when you're dead, all the what-if's in life seem much more important."

"I agree," Draco said with a laugh.

"And I'm glad that you're able to help Buffy as well," Tara said, and she looked down in sadness. "When we brought her back, I had no idea what pain her aura would be subject to. When she asked me to look at it afterward, I saw the damage. I knew it had to be corrected, but it kept getting put off because of Willow. It was incredible dangerous of me to do so, so I'm glad that someone is paying it the attention it deserves."

Draco nodded, both understanding where Tara was coming from but also a bit irritated about it. He was not here to help a Slayer with a broken aura, and the whole process just brought more complications, but it was his job. That and his mother would have kicked his arse if he ignored it.

"Now, are we done chit-chatting or do you have any more pressing questions?"

"We can move on, but I'll be thinking up questions to ask you next time," she replied with a sly grin on her face, glad that the semi-serious nature of her talk was done.

He knew that look anywhere. It was a Black look. Tonks got it all the time, and even his mother tended to have that particular expression when she was about to do something particularly devious. "Next time? There's going to be a next time?"

Tara nodded. "You amuse me, and you're part of my family now, just as I'm practically a part of yours. You can send messages and I don't have to worry about how my existence will affect anyone. I don't want to hurt anyone else."

"And you don't think that the ones you love receiving messages from an outsider and not you won't be hurtful?" Draco asked, peering at her curiously. He knew that if their positions were switched, he'd pitch a fit if someone used another puppet for a messenger.

She just shrugged. "I guess I'm being selfish. It would hurt me just as much as it would hurt them. I also think they know it's best this way. The hurt is still too fresh. Maybe someday, but that day isn't today."

Part of him wanted to argue, mostly so he wouldn't have to endure the looks of betrayal, but Draco just nodded in agreement. "I think after what you've been through, you're entitled to a bit of selfishness."

He was surprised when Tara snorted. "My pain was just a glimpse compared to what they felt. But you're helping to heal them. You're like a magical band-aid."

"Don't those hurt when they're taken off?" Draco asked, looking at Tara suspiciously. She just smiled at him. "Right. Magical band-aid. That's me."

Tara became very serious, and that sobered up Draco immediately. "Now comes the warning. I can't say much, especially since talking and threatening was all I was given permission to do, but I just had to do this." She took a deep breath to steady herself. "First, you can't let your magic go unchecked. I'm not up to par with where I was on the physical plane, but I can see something's wrong. But, I don't think it was heaven. I think something or someone is affecting you this way, trying to get off balanced. And that brings me to my second warning. You need to be careful in the future. Nymphadora and Andromeda aren't the only Blacks who are going to visit you."

Draco was about to bang his head against a wall, if he could find one, when the lighted area they were standing in darkened. Both Draco and Tara looked up. "Because that wasn't ominous at all."

That made Tara giggle. "The powers don't like it when people get an unfair advantage."

"Unfair advantage, my arse!" Draco snapped at Tara before turning his head towards the ceiling again. "It's about time you bastards gave me a clue before something goes to hell!"

Thunder echoed loudly through the dream space. Tara didn't seem worried, just amused. "I don't think swearing at the Powers is a way to get them to your side."

Draco rolled his eyes at her. "Who says I want them on my side? I'd just like a little heads up when the shit's about to hit the fan." He glared up at the ceiling one last time before turning to Tara with a pleasant look on his face. "So thank you for the warning. What was the last thing on your list?"

"Threatening." This time it was Draco who was amused before the area darkened again and a wind whipped up Tara's sandy blonde hair. "Hurt my family and I'll make your last death look like a walk in the park. Including Buffy. She's special to you, and if you break her heart hell will be a vacation. Got me?"

His eyebrows shot up. "You're actually quite good at that. Sirius been giving you lessons?"

Tara's dark look immediately brightened and she smiled at Draco as if she hadn't just attempted to terrorize him. "Yes. I also got a good first-hand look from Buffy and Spike. Don't tell her, but Willow's threats were more cute than anything."

Draco snorted. "That's a secret I'll be willing to keep." They were quiet for a while; the silence wasn't tense at all. "What am I supposed to tell them? I don't even know how to start."

"I'm sorry. I know it's a burden for you."

"It's not just a burden!" he snapped. The more he thought about the different ways he could talk to Willow and Buffy, none of the ways ended up with him keep all his limbs. "Do you realize that this could put back my relationship with Willow? How is she going to trust me now? Do you think they're going to be very happy with me after this?"

She let out a small sigh. "It's going to be okay. I've known them longer than you have, and they'll understand. I just have a few things you can tell them to make it okay. Will that help?"

"Bloody hell, yes. I like all my parts attached to my body, thanks." The lights dimmed in the space again, and Draco glared at the ceiling. "Will you stop that? You're not scary—you're bloody annoying. If you were here, I'd hex you because the dimming lights are more of a headache than a threatening gesture."

Tara laughed. "Sirius said the same thing when the Powers were first irritated with him."

"We're Blacks. Sadly, our views can be very similar." Draco turned the conversation serious again. "You never answered my question."

"You're a Black," she said cheekily. "You'll figure something out."

………………………

Draco awoke with a start, Pansy rustling in her sleep next to him. He didn't think she'd wake up because she had a tendency to sleep like the dead and hardly ever awoke until she wanted to. The other occupant of the room was sitting up on his make-shift bed against the wall, clearly alert.

"You've been up for a while. Couldn't sleep?" Draco asked, ignoring the fact that his heart was racing and he was starting to sweat and shake. One of the not so fun side effects of the Dementor curse was an aversion to dream spaces or the spiritual planes. It almost made him sick. After taking a deep breath, he got out of bed and went into the bathroom.

Harry followed Draco and watched as he washed off his face and tried to control the shaking. "I'm up because voices kept me up. You weren't the only one with the visitor. It was hard to shut them out."

Draco turned towards Harry, a concerned look on his face. Had Tara decided to visit Willow after all? "What do you mean someone else had a visitor?"

Just then, Buffy stumbled into the bathroom, gripping her head. "Oh, my head is ikilling/i me."

Both Harry and Draco's jaw dropped. "You're kidding me. Who was it?" Draco asked, almost dreading the answer.

Buffy just then noticed the other two people in the room. "What?" she asked as she blinked against the light. "What are you doing up? It's almost four in the morning."

"You had someone visit you in your dreams, who was it?" Harry asked gently, making Draco roll his eyes. "I know the signs. Pansy has quite a few people come talk to her, and Draco had someone come to him tonight. It's okay to tell us."

"I would. Trust me, I would," Buffy said as she gingerly leaned against the counter and started rummaging through a drawer. She pulled out a small aspirin bottle and grinned. "Gotcha."

Draco rolled his eyes and let out a huff of impatience. He grabbed his wand and sent a small charm to heal headaches in Buffy's direction. She blinked before grinning. "Instant relief. They should market that."

"Who the hell was it, Summers?"

The slayer glared at Draco and crossed her arms. "I told you I would if I knew who it was. First, it was a big, black dog who turned into a man before declaring himself 'seriously black'. I have no idea who that was."

Draco had to reach up and steady Harry before he fell over in shock. "Sirius? Sirius Black came to you? Why? What did he say?"

Buffy's eyes widened as she watch Harry start to shake. Draco pulled him back and forced him to lean against the wall. "Budge up, Potter. You know why he can't see you. He'd get lost in your head and never get out. You can't establish connections anymore."

Harry just stared at the floor and took a few deep breaths before shrugging off Draco's hand. "I'm going back to sleep." He left the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

Buffy looked back at Draco with wide eyes. "What was that all about?"

"Sirius Black was Potter's godfather. He died when we were 15. I think Potter's just tired of listening to other people say they've talked to him. Tonks did once, and Sirius' friend Remus gets visits sometimes. Hell, he's even talked to me a bit."

"Why you?" Buffy asked.

"Because I'm related to the old bastard—we're cousins. Well, technically he's my mother's cousin, but you get the idea." Draco grinned at her. "It's probably good I never knew him while he was alive. We're both a bit reckless."

Buffy compressed her grin. "So Harry can't talk to the dead people?" She made a face. "That sounded less Haley Joel Osment in my head."

Draco just blinked at her. It must have been an American muggle pop culture reference. "No, he can't. After his whole episode with Voldemort and the mental connection that he completely ripped apart because of that, it's impossible for any spectral to communicate with him. It's a blessing because he'd either be wide open or completely closed off. I'd rather have him angry than insane."

She instantly felt bad for Harry. If she knew that she had the ability to speak with her own mom without dying but it was cut off from her, she would have been angry too. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," he replied, looking at her strangely. "It was going to happen to him regardless. You can't help you comes to see you, just like I can't help who comes to see me."

"Who idid/i come to see you?" Buffy asked, and Draco froze.

"Well, it was actually a bit of a surprise. I'd never met her before, which is strange. I've only been visited two other times but I knew both of them. Pansy's the one who has the revolving door on her mind." Draco took a deep breath. "It was Tara."

All Buffy could do was blink. "Tara. Willow's Tara?" she asked in shock. "Why—"

"Did she come to me? I really don't know. I asked her, and she said that if she had appeared to you or Willow, it would have hurt too much."

"It would have," Buffy replied absentmindedly. She just stared at the floor in thought. Willow was going to be devastated. She wasn't sure how she'd help her friend through this. Everyone knew that Willow wasn't completely over Tara's death, but she was doing much better. Sometimes Buffy wondered if she'd really had closure and could properly grieve. "How are you going to tell her?"

Draco had been thinking of different way since he first woke up. There was one simple, solution. "I'm not. At least not right away. Let me figure some things out. I need to make sure she's going to be partly okay with knowing Tara can communicate. If she is, then I'll feel out how she feels about not being able to communicate with Tara. I think Willow's mind is too unstable now. In the future we can work on it, but not right now."

Buffy nodded and shivered, running her hands up and down her arms. It was cold in the bathroom, and her short, but intense dream vision with Sirius Black had knocked the breath out of her when she had woken.

Draco sighed and motioned to the hallway. "Are you going to go back to bed? I don't think I'll be able to go back to sleep, so I'll just go downstairs and read a bit."

She made a face. "Are you crazy? I can get a good four hours of snoozing in. I'm going back to bed. You can read all the boring books you want to."

He chuckled as they left the bathroom and went their separate ways.

"What did Tara say to you?" Buffy whispered as she turned around to peer at Draco in the dark hallway. Draco smirked when he turned, and she knew that his answer was not going to be one she liked.

"I'll tell you, when you tell me what Sirius told you."

"Not going to happen."

She was right; she wasn't going to like his answer. She would take what Sirius Black told her to the grave. Although, there was something she was curious about.

"Although, why was I supposed to ask you how your ferret was?"

Draco's face turned sour and he spun on his heel and went downstairs. "Go to sleep, Summers, and shut up about that or I'll see that you'll never get a good night's sleep again."

Buffy glared as he disappeared from her sight. "I don't get a good night's sleep anyway, asshole, not that you'd care."

She turned back to go to her room, when she heard his voice come from the first floor.

"I heard that!"

Buffy rolled her eyes and went back into the room, intent on getting some more sleep.