Chapter 22. Hello everybody I'm back! Woo! Only Giles owns the magic shop in my story. XANDER IS NOT REALLY IIN CONTROL OF HIS ACTIONS!

I do not own Harry potter or Buffy the vampire slayer

chapters will no longer be posted every day. i'll try for every other day so no chapter tomorrow.

"talking"

"thinking"

Chapter 22

Xander POV

Being under Dracula's control wasn't terrible. It was actually kind of freeing and induced a sort of floating feeling. For once Xander had a real purpose in life, a goal, besides surviving the hellmouth. Being Dracula's butt monkey meant everything else was put into the background. Every problem, every doubt, every feeling. The only thing that mattered was taking care of Dracula.

So, it only made sense that after being freed from all of his former responsibilities that Xander was able to take a step back and accurately analyze them.

High School sucked and Snyder only made things worse. He could make it into college if he ever put effort into it and if he went for something he actually liked he would do well. He wasn't stupid. He knew how to study effectively, he knew how to manage his time, and he also knew that it wouldn't be easy, but with a bit of hard work he would do fine.

His parents were drunken bastards, enough said.

He might have loved Anya, but it would not have lasted forever. She was the closest thing he had to a real relationship that was all. Any lingering feelings he had for her weren't really important. He needed to let go. They would not, nor would they ever work together again.

His friend's weren't very good friends. At least not anymore. They treated him as a liability and a fool and he let them. He should have stood up for himself; he should have put his foot down when all of the bullshit started. Now, they might never see him as the person he was. They might not ever think about him as an invaluable asset, but he didn't care anymore. He didn't care what they thought. All he wanted was a little respect and you don't have to like somebody to respect them.

Harry. Sweet loveable and oh so fuckable Harry. Harry had been the center of his life for the past few weeks. He was sweet and kind and smart and powerful. Harry cared about him in a way that nobody else ever had. He took care of Xander and in turn Xander took care of him. It wasn't about pack anymore. It had never been about Anya and it was irrelevant whether or not he was gay. All that mattered was how much he cared about Harry and that he was quite sure that he was almost in love with him. He couldn't promise that he would never hurt Harry, but he could try not to.

Once again being under Dracula's control was kind of nice. It was different from any other mind control or possession he had experienced. But the one thing that almost made the whole thing worthwhile was Harry. Dracula promised him Harry and dammit it was hard to resist. This way they could love each other without any personal hang ups. They would be together forever once Dracula turned them. Xander couldn't resist. He just couldn't. It's too bad that Xander was too far under Dracula's control to want to resist.

Harry POV

It was much like being under the imperio really. Harry knew how to break it too. He just didn't want to.

Why? Well, he felt connected to Dracula and through Dracula he felt Xander. It was sort of odd being connected to Xander, but in a good way. He would have fought back against Dracula's control, but Xander wasn't fighting. It almost seemed like he had embraced it so Harry was hesitant. Xander felt happy and calm and Harry didn't want that to end.

Harry had always wanted to make Xander feel that, well among other emotions anyway. If he could endure this than Xander would be happy and Harry would be happy because Xander was happy.

It was wrong to think this way. He knew that, he just couldn't help it. So, Harry gave up his free will and his control to keep Xander happy.

Harry was always too self-sacrificing.

Xander POV

"What's up guys?" Xander grinned at his friends as he and Harry entered the magic box. Giles nodded at him before returning to his very old and musty book. Buffy and Willow weren't in yet and Tara smiled at Xander over her own book.

"What's on the agenda today?" Harry asked smiling.

"Well, we have reason to believe that Dracula might be after Buffy. He has always had his eye on the slayers and I'm afraid that Buffy might have caught his interest." Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them. He really was worried.

"Really? I thought we classified Dracula as neutral or a lesser baddie last meeting. What could he have done between then and now?" Xander's smile disappeared at the serious look on Giles face.

"Buffy encountered him on patrol last night and according to her he assaulted her. He did not hurt her, but his intentions were not pure."

Xander scowled, "so, Dracula went after Buffy? Like as in a romantic interest kind of way or an evil pedophile guy kind of way? You know what, I bet Buffy is lying. She probably came onto him and was pissed when he turned her down. We all know how Buffy gets around eccentric vampires."

"Xander!" Tara and Giles reprimanded him. Their tone was full of disbelief and anger.

"I'm just saying" Xander ignored their looks of anger and Harry just shook his head at all of them. Tara and Giles assumed that Harry was agreeing with them and Xander just missed his motion.

"Well that statement was completely inappropriate. Buffy was really shaken up last night. She could have been hurt, killed or worse!" Giles stood up as he yelled at Xander.

"Whatever I'm gone." Xander left the magic shop in a huff. He needed to see Dracula; he needed to know what his master wanted him to do about this situation.

"Maybe I could deliver Buffy to him?"

Harry POV

Harry watched the scene in the magic box with a feeling of detachment. Xander had been totally out of line with his statement, but Harry knew that he couldn't help it. Harry felt through their connection that Xander was more in tune to Dracula than he was. Xander would come to Dracula's defense even if he knew that Dracula had been the guilty party. He had no doubt that Dracula had actually approached Buffy sometime last night.

All in all Harry did not care. He hadn't been this apathetic in weeks, but once again he could not bring himself to be concerned.

He sat in the magic shop with Tara and Giles and listened to their angry conversation about Xander. They were both furious and disappointed at Xander and worried about Buffy. Harry shook his head again and grabbed a book. He needed to see how much information they had on his master. He was pretty sure that Xander was planning on doing something productive as well.

Xander POV

Xander shook off the last bit of his anger as he made his way to his master. He found Dracula at an abandoned mansion, it had been cleaned up a bit recently and contained elaborate and ancient decor, but it was clear that it had been abandoned. He walked down the hallway and used his link with his master to find him.

Dracula lay on the bed in a seemingly defenseless position. To anyone else he would look asleep but Xander knew better. He approached the bed and kneeled at the side, his head bent to the floor.

"Master."

"Rise boy. What have you learned?"

"The slayer has told everybody about her run in with you. She and the red headed witch were not present. I left the magic shop in a fit of anger, but Harry stayed behind to gather more information. They were researching you."

Dracula smirked down at the boy. "Good, the slayer should learn soon of your loyalties. When I mark her you will bring her here to me, she will be willing."

Xander smiled, glad to be useful.

"Yes, master."

Short chapter, but it almost follows cannon. Hopefully next one will be longer. Harry and Xander won't be under Dracula's control for much longer and Harry will finally break some of his bad habits. See you tomorrow! Once again XANDER IS NOT REALLY IIN CONTROL OF HIS ACTIONS!