Chapter Two
Hi! So my homework load has increased greatly over the past week, so I haven't had a load of time to write this. This chapter is more of a filler than anything, with only one important thing at the end of the chapter. I have no access to the brilliant minds that created these great works of modern culture.
If a demon began killing random people at that moment, Buffy wasn't sure she'd react. She was in shock. She was a witch? What crazy world was Spike in? She wasn't a witch! Willow and Tara were the witches, not them! Spike must be insane!
"How do you know?" asked Dawn hesitantly. Spike chuckled.
"I could smell it on you, luv. Buffy, I had to watch. Her calling hides the magic. You, Bit, smell like roses and daisies and that ridiculous perfume the Hell bitch wore. Buffy smells like dust, wood, and blood. Very easy to tell you from the others, luv. Red smells like incense and books. Xander smells like sweat and metal. Tara smells like Red. Anya smells like paper. Giles smells like glasses cleaner and old books." Dawn shivered and grimaced. She looked at Spike.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Sorry 'bout that, Bit. Least you don't smell like sweat. I have to avoid blockin' up my nose every time the Xan-man showed up at my place." Buffy quirked an eyebrow.
"And what did you do while you were living in his basement?" she asked, stifling a laugh. Spike puffed out his chest and put on a brave expression.
"I suffered through it. I mean, after I tried to off myself. Red and Xander interrupted."
"As marvelous as these tales are, William," cut in Dumbledore, "we must get going. I believe our two new friends require a wand. They seem delightful. Miss Summers, you must tell me the extent of your Slaying capabilities." Seeing Buffy's wary look at him, he added," I am an old friend of Rupert Giles. The magical community and the Watchers Council have an agreement to let them deal with the supernatural, and to let us deal with, as William puts, the stereotypical magical problems." Spike nodded.
"So, the manipulative British bastards knew about you? And they didn't tell us? Stupid jerks!" muttered Buffy angrily. Spike chuckled.
"Let's not start rippin' off heads, Pet. We can do that later. Professor, I'm gonna show these two marvelous ladies around Diagon Alley."
"A quick question for Miss Summers before you go. If you decide to stay here for some time, how would you like a job?" Buffy stared at him.
"What would I do?"
"You would become a partner with Professor Finn. You would be allowed to bring supernatural creatures to class as a showcase, teach them how to defend themselves, and get paid."
"Uh, question? Why are you asking?"
"Because of the portal. Portals are tricky things; they often change the person or object that passes through them. One time, I saw one fellow come through one. He couldn't leave the country. Another time, one man would only eat chicken fried in bear blood. Portals are funny things. I offered you a job because if you are not capable of leaving Scotland, you may as well start making money." Buffy raised her eyebrows. She looked at Spike and shrugged.
"May as well. Knowing my luck, I won't be able to leave the castle grounds. Let's go buy some sticks. Spike, if you make this any longer than it has to be, you will wake in unbearable pain. C'mon, Dawnie. This place is wiggin' me out." Spike walked over to the fireplace, and he grabbed a handful of green powder.
"Okay, Slayer, Bit. You take the powder, throw it in the fireplace, say where you want to go, step in it, and poof! you're where you want to be. We want to go to Diagon Alley, got it? You get lost where the Big Bad can't protect you with this thing. You'll feel like throwing up, afterwards, but it's one hell of a lot faster than walkin'." Buffy rolled her eyes and grabbed some powder."And make sure you say it clearly. I swear, if you end up saying diagonally, I'll get this bloody chip outta my head and bite you myself."
"Yeah. That's great, Spike. Can we go now?" Dawn said impatiently. "I mean, it's not every day you find out you're a witch. You guys are the stereotypes for a reason!"
"Yes, I daresay we are a bit more careless than the Wiccans," said Dumbledore, solemnly. Spike chuckled and Buffy shrugged.
"I'll go first, Niblet," said Spike. He threw his handful of powder into the fireplace. "Diagon Alley!" The fireplace turned alive with green flames. Spike stepped into them, and he was gone.
"Damn, that's a neat way to travel. Dawn, you go next." Dawn went up and grabbed a handful of the powder. She copied Spike and vanished.
"You may want a list of supplies for fifth years, Miss Summers, for your sister." Dumbledore extended a sheaf of paper with things scribbled on it. Buffy took and glanced at the list. Nothing seemed dangerous. She looked at him and nodded.
"Don't call me Miss Summers. My mother was Miss Summers. Just call me Buffy. For me, Miss Summers equals me being in trouble. Thanks for the list."
"Think nothing of it. Have fun shopping." He waved and smiled. There was something about him that unnerved Buffy. Maybe it was his age. Maybe it was the smile. It was like he knew everything about her. Buffy smiled hesitantly back at him. He reminded her of Giles. Or he did, if Giles had a massive beard, wore dresses, and was obscenely old. It made her feel a little safer.
She grabbed the powder and did what Spike told her to. And, by some miracle, she didn't mispronounce it. The sudden spinning was disconcerting. She landed on her face, despite Slayer balance. A boot nudged her.
"C'mon, get up. We haven't got all day." At the sound of Spike's voice, Buffy rolled her eyes and groaned.
"Let's never do this again. I am not doing this. Where's Dawn?" she said. Spike rolled his eyes. He pointed behind her.
"Do you think I'm an idiot? I'm not going to let the Bit get lost. She, at least, has semblance of liking me. Now get up. I want to get this done quickly. I'm not particularly friends with the chap who makes wands," Spike growled. Buffy blinked and shrugged. Dawn gaped at him.
"Are we supposed to be surprised you have enemies? You're a vampire. You kill, drink blood, and live for ages until Buffy kills you. Am I the only one who knows this?" demanded Dawn. Buffy snorted. Seriously, she should know this. It was her calling. But, she supposed, she could blame the portal for frying her brain. Spike rolled his eyes and grabbed their arms. He began dragging them through the semi-crowded street. He muttered profanities under his breath. They stuck to the shadowed parts of the street, as the sun was well on its way up.
He suddenly stopped. "Damn. That's not good. Is that all, Red? Yeah. They're here with me. No, they're not dead. No, I'm not stupid. I can hear you just fine. No. London. Turns out Dawn and Buffy are witches. Wand witches. Stereotype. Wands, brooms, cauldrons. Yes. No, I'm not pullin' your leg. They're going to learn magic. Buffy may be a teacher. Yeah, I can't believe it either. Yes. Can we finish this later? They're getting their wands. How do I know? I was one. Me and magic don't mix anymore. Anything else? No? Good. Get out of my head. Now." Buffy grimaced. What did he mean? How was Willow talking to him? Was she psychic? That would be cool. It could save a lot of trouble if they could communicate telepathically.
"Spike, what the hell was that?" demanded Buffy. Something about his expression made her want to hide. He looked as if the world was about to spin into the sun.
"I'll tell you later. C'mon, we're almost there." They continued walking, with Dawn staring at everything around them. Spike stopped again in front of a dark, seemingly empty store.
"This is it?" asked Dawn disbelievingly. She glanced skeptically at it before sighing. She shrugged and pushed open the door. "Hello, is there anyone in here?" Buffy sighed and walked in. Spike looked uneasily at the door, and he put his hand up to see if he could still go in. His hand went through. His eyes widened, but he shrugged and stepped in. Buffy went up to the counter and looked around.
"Hello my dears. Are you here for wands?" A strange voice startled them. Buffy whirled around. She didn't expect to see a very pale skinned man behind her. Her slayer senses went haywire. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"You got turned into a bloody vamp! God, does the world hate me?" Spike burst out. The vampire turned to face him. His eyes widened, and he burst into a smile.
"William, is that you? You look wonderful!" Spike nodded.
"Garrick, right? These two women need wands." Buffy got ready to break the leg off a nearby table if the vamp showed any sign of attacking.
"Of course. One Slayer and Key needing a wand. At the same time, no less. Curiouser and curiouser." Buffy felt her blood run cold. Dawn stiffened. Spike pulled on his game face.
"How the bloody hell do you know that?" demanded Spike coldly. Garrick shrugged as he pulled down boxes.
"Knew one of the monks. He came running here, demanding protection. I owed the chap a favor, so I let him stay here. He filled me in n everything. The Beast came while I was out, and I found him brutally beaten. He explained the why the Key was changed with his last breath. I thought it was story, but here's the proof! So Madam Key, hold out your wand arm." Dawn glared at him.
"I have name, you know," she snapped, holding out her right arm. The vampire chuckled.
"You sure know how to pick them William."
"He's not-"
"I'm not-"
"If you say that about my sister again, I'll rip your hand off and make you eat it. Now shut up and get Dawn a wand," snapped Buffy. The vampire nodded and wisely shut up. He gave one box to Dawn.
"Give it a wave then." Dawn took the wand and waved it. Immediately, the windows shattered.
"No. Try this one!" The shelves collapsed. "Maybe this one!" The wand imploded. Fifty wands, two broken windows, collapsed shelves, and a vampire with table glued to his back later, Garrick froze. "Hmm, I wonder..." He abruptly straightened up and ran into a back room.
"That thing is insane. Do we have to stay here? He's freaky!" The vampire dashed back in the room with a box.
"This is it! Try this one!" he shouted, brandishing the box above his head as a man would if he struck gold. Dawn looked at it doubtfully, but she took it anyways. She waved it, and green sparks flew from the end.
"Excellent! That had been stuck back there for years. It's an unusual combination. Willow, 10 1/4 inches, swishy, excellent for charms. It's core is remarkable. It's a wonder I was able to get it t all."
"Well? What is it?" demanded Dawn impatiently. Garrick regarded her owlishly.
"It has the hair of the last known witch-slayer, Alexandra. She was fighting vampires outside my shop when one of them pulled her hair. Miss Summers, your turn." Buffy repeated the process that was done with Dawn.
"I have just the wand for you!" he shrieked. He raced over to his desk and began rifling fervently through the stacks. He sneezed and pulled out a dark brown wand. Spike paled.
"Is that?" Spike asked hoarsely. Garrick nodded. "Can I destroy it now? Or do something else for that favor?" Garrick shook his head. Buffy sighed and snatched the wand from him. She waved it, and orchids bloomed from the tip. It made her feel safer, almost as safe as Mister Pointy.
"What's in it?" asked Buffy curiously. She wondered why Spike reacted that way to the wand. Maybe it was used on him?
"Hawthorne, 10 3/4 inches, vampire hair, flexible, perfect for Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Which vampire?" Buffy asked, sensing there was a connection between the vampire and Spike. As long as it wasn't Spike's hair, she'd be good.
"I believe he once was called William the Bloody." Buffy glared at the wand as if it had suggested that Dawn was a mutant freak. That's just great. Xander-isms.
"Can I change wands?"
"Nope," Garrick said cheerfully. "That one has bonded to you. No other wand will work for you. They are free. Now, goodbye!" He pushed them out of the shop.
"Bloody hell!" Spike instinctively threw up a hand to block the sun. "The bastard! I don't even have a blanket!" Dawn shrugged.
"You have a coat. Let's go shop!" Buffy rolled her eyes. Spike scowled and removed his jacket. He draped it over his head.
"If this burns, you owe me a new jacket," he said grimly. Buffy mocked him. It was his fault! He should've brought the stupid blanket, not them. Buffy had her own problems. Most important being Dawn's safety. Spike's precious jacket was Item 1671 on her list of importance. The only reason it was on the list was because it belonged to a former Slayer
"Deal with it. Let's go buy your school stuff, Dawnie." The trio headed off to buy the school supplies.
Willow was scared. It was true. Buffy was gone. Spike and Dawn were with her; at least Dawn would be safe with Buffy and the self-proclaimed Big Bad. She hoped they were going to be in a well warded place, with one or two powerful Wiccans. They were going to need it. Especially with what was coming.
"Willow!" called Xander urgently. Willow dropped the book she was holding and stood up. She ran over to Xander's sentry at the door.
"What?" she demanded. Xander looked at her. Willow felt a chill go through her heart. It couldn't be... No, it was too soon! Giles said it would be at least two weeks before it happened!
"She was just carried past. The things were guarding her. They didn't notice anything." Willow sighed in relief. It wasn't her. Not yet.
"Good. I reached Spike. He and Dawn are with Buffy. Buffy and Dawn are witches apparently. They use wands, cauldrons, brooms. Spike didn't say anything about telling Buff or not." Xander whistled.
"I hope he tells them. If not, I want to be there when Glory decides she wants her ass kicked." Willow whole-heartedly agreed.
Plot twist! I need you're help. Should Glory team up with Voldy, or should I have two separate Big Bad's? And one more thing: OMG! 7 reviews? You are wonderful! (::) (::) (::) Three virtual cookies to all you wonderful viewers! I need 14 reviews to update!