fic - Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods part 5
Oct. 1st, 2006 09:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
spankerellatitle: Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods
part: 5
author: echo
rating: 18
disclaimer: I do not own anything here. The BtVS characters belong to Joss Whedon. The HP characters belong to JK Rowling. The Craft characters belong to Peter Filardi and Andrew Fleming. The Covenant characters belong to JS Cardone. The versions here of the Practical Magic characters belong to Alice Hoffman, Robin Swicord, Akiva Goldsman, and Adam Brooks. The Witches of Eastwick characters belong to John Updike and Michael Cristofer. That one certain Anita Blake character belongs to Laurel K Hamilton.
summary: Witchcraft-apalooza. After the war with Voldemort, the Salem Witches' Institute is host to an interesting array of teachers, students, and visitors. Slight spoilers for The Covenant.
Part 1 ][ Part 2 ][ Part 3 ][Part 4
*~*~*
The first thing Kylie saw when she opened her eyes was Toni. Her little sister tucked some of Kylie's red hair behind her ear. Another thing Kylie noted was that she felt like she'd been run over by a truck. A very big truck.
"Draco Malfoy saved your life. He's Mom's new favorite person. Imagine that, huh? Mom liking Draco Malfoy... of all people. He never smiled in any of his pictures in the papers after the war, and he carried you. Did you know he carried you?"
"That's enough, Antonia." Their mother sat on the other side of the bed. "Kylie?"
"Hey, Mom."
Aunt Gilly was peering over her mother's shoulder, Gary was looking over Toni's, and Headmistress Spofford was peering behind them all. Kylie felt the slightest bit claustrophobic about it, but in a good way.
"I'm all right."
They all still looked at her.
"Seriously."
"Is this, like, a bad time or whatever?" A new voice asked.
Kylie leaned around. It was Janice. And Kit and Pogue. And Dawn. Kylie motioned for them to come in. Leave it to Janice to organize and lead the visiting party.
"Hey, Toni." Janice said, giving the sister a hug. "I'm trying to take care of your sister, but she makes it real difficult. I think she likes trouble."
"You're one to talk, Janice. Who fell off of their broom and had to have Reid catch her with his head?"
"You're ok though, right, Kylie?" Pogue asked. "We heard that something... had you. Like it was walking around wearing you. Like possession or something. It didn't... whatever it was... it didn't... hurt you, did it?"
"It just scared me. I'm bruised but not beaten. Maybe I feel a little violated..."
Pogue visibly cringed at that. In that moment Kylie adored him. He was her friend.
"But I'll be fine, ok." Kylie said to calm him and the others in the room. "Let's not worry about it."
He stared at her in an odd way though. Like he knew that she was lying. Like he knew it had bothered her more than anyone would ever know, and Pogue Parry knew it. And it bothered him so much if he knew what had been wearing her body and controlling he, he'd go after it with everything in him.
Kylie's brow furrowed. "What? What's that look?"
He spoke in her head, and that frightened her for a moment, but then she adjusted. He didn't want the entire room to hear his fears. They were just for her at this moment. And she had been right about his look and his anger. She was pleased that he trusted her. He said he felt as though he'd failed her. He had not noticed her peril. He'd failed.
Kylie's eyes watered. "You didn't. Could have happened to anyone."
Everyone in the room looked startled when she said this.
Dawn suddenly turned to look at Pogue as if she had heard him too. And she had. Someone else had been talking in her ear. Another dead person. One of the slayers, and sadly, Dawn couldn't recall her name. She couldn't believe this crap. She'd been seeing spooks and specters all damn day. Ever since last night with Cassie. Different folks. All of them dead. Like she didn't have enough problems without being the fucking ghost whisperer on top of everything else. And she hated Jennifer Love Hewitt too. That made it worse. But she had miles to go before she slept on this one. She'd worry about it all later. Dawn was suddenly filled with an understanding on what her next step in all this should be.
"Kylie... I'm glad you're ok. I'll, um, talk to you later. I have to... I hafta... go." Dawn whipped around quickly only to be stopped when she smacked right into Caleb.
He grabbed her to keep her on her feet. She'd bumped him quite hard. Dawn held on to him right back. Sure, she was afraid still. His power definitely frightened her, but you had to risk things, didn't you? She had to do something here. She had a purpose. She needed to be focused.
But couldn't she have him too?
Couldn't she be it all. Even just for a moment. If Pogue liked Kit so well, and felt as though he had failed Kylie, couldn't she find a way to feel safe with Caleb? Dawn suddenly felt like she needed that. Like that particular thing was the great problem she needed to solve currently. X plus Y equals Dawn gets Caleb.
"Hold that thought." She whispered as she brushed his brow with her fingertips lightly. he was so very pretty in a guy way. "I'll be back for you in a bit. I there's this talk we need to have that I've been running from. I just need some advice, then we'll square it all away. Swear. I'm gonna put on my big girl's panties and deal, k?"
Then Dawn turned and smacked into Draco Malfoy.
"Dawn?" He asked.
"It's ok. Everything is going to be ok. We'll find whatever that thing is, we'll kill it or whatever, then we'll party like it's nineteen ninety-nine. I'll deal with the dead." She looked at Caleb. "I'm finding a way through my fears with you." She looked back at Draco. "But right now I need to talk to Willow really bad."
All that said, she ran. Dawn passed Tyler and Reid. Reid was a bit concerned, so he walked her. He paid for it too. It took him off of his feet. Next thing he knew, Tyler was helping him off of the floor. There was a lot going on with Dawn Summers. A whole hell of a lot. Voices and her taking a leap with Caleb. His fellow Ipswitch brother was in for a ride with this girl. She was going to let him in. More in than anyone had been with her in a long while. Reid had to smile about that even though he was frowning about her aura knocking him over.
Draco arched an eyebrow at him.
"I couldn't help it." Reid said with a shrug. "I had to make sure she was all right. I had to make sure she wouldn't..." hurt Caleb. "Um, be dangerous or something."
Draco smirked. Then he looked at Caleb. "You. Over there." He pointed down the hall. "Now."
Caleb's eyes widened, but he followed Professor Malfoy. He was even more surprised when the professor turned and got right in his face... hissing. Draco Malfoy was about one inch taller than Caleb, but definitely more wiry. Didn't make him any less menacing.
"In lieu of her elder sister not being here, this falls to me." He paused dramatically to let his pale face fill with all the menace and threat he could muster. "If you hurt her, I will beat you to death with a shovel."
Caleb didn't know what to say. "Why... why a shovel?"
"So that I have something to bury the body with afterwards." He replied without missing a beat.
"I wouldn't... hurt... Dawn."
Professor Malfoy leaned in all the more. "You had better hope you wouldn't. You had better hope you don't. Because I don't like many people... ever. People annoy the shit out of me. Most of them are worthless and stupid wankers. Not her. She's worth every inch of the space she takes up in this world. You treat her well, and I never have to show you the five methods of torture."
"There are five methods of torture?"
"I'll let Faith have at you first. Then perhaps Spike and Angel. There could be some Giles, elder sister, and said Willow in there. All I know is I'll finish you with the shovel. It'll be messy."
Caleb swallowed. Who were all those people he just mentioned? Some of the names sounded vaguely familiar in his Watcher's Council research. "I don't respond well to threats, sir."
"Oh, Mister Danvers, that's not a threat. It's a promise. Dawn's very special."
"I'm getting that."
"Tread lightly." Draco said as he headed for the infirmary entrance. "And they can all be found in the books. Some of them in recent archives only."
"Who?"
"Those people I just mentioned." Draco replied with his sneering Malfoy chuckle. "Though Angel and Spike are more commonly known in the texts as Angelus the Scourge of Europe and William the Bloody."
Caleb blinked. He had always been studious. He knew those names. Vampires. Ones still around too. Vicious ones. Dawn knew these guys?
Draco stopped and laughed loudly.
That's when Caleb realized the professor had been walking his mind. He shut himself off. So Professor Malfoy knew Occlumency. He'd have to warn the others to be careful of their thoughts then.
"Yes, Dawn knows them. Her elder sister dated the both of them."
Um, what? "Isn't Dawn's sister a vampire slayer?"
Draco turned and smirked at the boy. "Mmm-hmm, she certainly is."
Interesting. Caleb stood in the hall a moment trying to process most of the information he'd just been handed.
"Mister Danvers." Professor Bailey said with a nod as she and Professor Madison walked by. "Wearing more clothes, I see. An excellent choice. Running around in only sweat pants might get you attacked by some rabid female."
Professor Madison snickered loudly while Caleb blushed darkly.
*~*~*
Dawn was twitching nervously until Willow slid in front of the web cam on her laptop in London.
"Hey, Dawnie. What's the what? Your message said it was urgent. Is school ok?"
"School's great."
"Then..."
"There's this boy-"
"Dawnie."
"It's not like that. He's actually really into school and stuff. He's like a study buddy."
Willow grinned. "Is he a hottie?"
Dawn groaned. "A major league one."
Willow squealed and hopped a bit. "Dish."
"I need help."
Willow made a face. "Are you sure I'm the right person to ask? Because... still gay, you know."
"He's a male witch. A dude witch, a warlock... whatever. He's so powerful, Willow. You can, like, almost taste it in the air around him. He, um, sorta reminds me of you, and no offense, but it kinda scares me. Have you ever heard of the Sons of Ipswitch?"
"Yeah."
Dawn raised her eyebrows.
"You're kidding. He's one of them?"
Dawn gave her a sheepish look. "He's sort of like their leader, I think."
"You're not kidding!" Willow jumped up and paced before her computer a bit. "Dawn-"
"I know!"
"Do you know about them? About the power? That particular power? How it ages them rapidly, how it's addictive. Yes, it can be used for light, but that Ipswitch lines... there's a tint of dark to it."
"I know. We staked some vamps the other night-"
"What?!"
"I couldn't just let that girl-"
"Do we need a few slayers there?"
"No, it's fine. Vampires... dusted. It's just... his eyes went all black and void-y. I don't want him... hurting himself. I don't want him using this stuff and looking like he's eighty ten years from now."
Willow got pinched looking. "Amy's there, right?"
"Yes."
"If what Draco Malfoy says about her is true, she can help your boyfriend, I think. Amy knows a lot."
"He's not my boyfriend."
"Yet."
Dawn scowled. "Willow..."
"Just be careful."
"Don't tell Buffy."
"Dawn-"
"Please. Let me figure some of this out before she comes barreling over here or sends Angel or Spike to check on me or something."
"As long as he's not taking it to a dark place."
"I don't think he would."
"You guys didn't think I would either."
Dawn shivered at that memory.
"Sorry."
"You already said sorry for that."
"I'm sorry for reminding you then." Willow smiled sadly then changed the subject. "So how good looking is this guy?"
Dawn sighed and rested her chin on her hand. "If Shakespeare were gay, he'd have written sonnets about Caleb."
Willow grinned wryly. "Oooo. Dawn's all in major like."
"Shut up." She said and slapped her hand at her web cam. "Honestly, Will, what would you do?"
"You really like him?"
Dawn nodded yes.
"How much?"
"He covered me with his whole body to protect me from something. Somehow he knew I was in trouble, and he came for me, like, out of nowhere. And he was only wearing a pair of sweat pants. Like he dropped everything and ran for me. Buffy's had stuff like that, but it's never... it's never been me."
"You feel like it could be you this time?"
Dawn considered for a while. "Yeah. Yeah, actually I do."
"Then go for it."
Dawn smiled at her. "I gotta go."
Willow nodded. "You already were. You just wanted to hear someone say you should."
"Pretty much. Yeah."
"I want details... just not TOO many, you know. You're like my baby sister and stuff. Plus... not really about the het stuff. I am here in a galpal capacity only. And even though I'm one of Buffy's bestest friends, I promise not to go all 'older sister' on you about him."
Dawn giggled.
*~*~*
Kylie had finally, with the help of the school's head nurse, gotten everyone to leave. She was having to stay overnight. She didn't mind that. What she minded was Tyler pretending to leave then sitting outside the infirmary doors. She knew he was keeping watch. She knew Janice had agreed that it was a good idea for him to do so. Kylie also knew that Reid had suggested until they figured out what in the hell was going on here that no one ought to go off alone. Two by two at least.
"You might as well come inside." Kylie called loudly.
Tyler stuck his head in the doors. "What?"
"If you're going to play watchdog, you might as well come in here and keep me company, Tyler."
He grinned and hurried in. "I didn't mean-"
"I know very well what you mean."
Tyler shifted awkwardly.
"Sit. Tell me a story."
Tyler sat on the edge of her bed. "I'm not the storyteller."
Kylie eyed him. "To quote a Jane Austen film I love, I suspect you are almost entirely formed of ready opinions not shared. You already are a storyteller, Tyler, I know you are. You just need to talk with more than your eyes."
Tyler blinked. How did she... no one ever noticed him.
"I notice everything. I have a bit of the eyes on me. I even see spirits sometimes. Lately, I mostly notice we would do well to be friends, so again, tell me a story."
"About?"
"You. Ipswitch. Your three friends."
Tyler swallowed nervously. They didn't tell their secrets to outsiders... but was she really? And Caleb HAD told Sarah Wenham after only knowing her a short time. Kylie was like them. She was part of their world in a way.
"If it makes you uneasy, I'll tell you things."
"About?"
"Me. Toni. The coven back home. How a curse killed my dad. How the wrong man almost killed Aunt Gilly. How that whole situation brought Gary to my mom. Like a trade. Your secrets for mine."
"I would not have thought you'd have secrets, Kylie."
"I have plenty of secrets. They can all be yours for the price of admission."
Trust and be trusted. Dare he?
"Well?" She asked.
"I knew something was wrong with you. I barely know you, and I knew, and I did nothing."
"No guilt. Mom and Aunt Gilly are as close as close can be and something had Aunt Gilly once. There's nothing closer than sisters sometimes, and if that bond can be breached, the bonds of newly-formed friendship certainly can. Evil doesn't respect that. That thing wearing my body was able to fool my aunt while she was standing right before me. Consider that."
Tyler nodded. "We've been friends since diapers, me, Caleb, Reid, and Pogue."
Kylie sat up in bed a bit and adjusted her pillow behind her as he continued to tell. She was right about him though. He was definitely a storyteller. He just needed the right audience.
*~*~*
Kit was feeling a bit nervous. She and Pogue had made their way back to hers and Dawn's dorm room after visiting with Kylie only to find the room devoid of Dawn. Kit had been both hoping Dawn would be here and that she would not. Dawn had not been in the room, and Pogue had seemed glad for it. He'd given Kit a look that had made her teeth sweat.
So now they were making out. Heavily.
He could so get her going with barely anything. She couldn't believe some guy who was prettier than she was wanted to be all over her like he was just now. He didn't know this, hell no one not even Dawn knew this, but she'd never. This was quickly approaching a point that she had not gone past with anyone, and he'd know she'd never. Boys in school hadn't really been after the scary-looking goth chick in her combats boots. Not until now. One of his hands was on her ribs... outside her clothing of course, but the fingers were inching upward. His body was somehow between her thighs, and his other had was resting on a bit of her thigh that was under her skirt and just above her knee. His lips were fastened to her rapid pulse, and his body was starting to move against hers ever so slightly.
It felt nice. It really did, but she didn't want him to be disappointed. She knew what she looked like. She knew what he looked like. She was no twig. Kit was just uncertain that she truly belonged with him. He was so very pretty.
He pulled back suddenly to look into her eyes. "Why don't you see how beautiful you are to me? Does it feel like you aren't my match?"
"I just..."
"Need slower." He murmured before nibbling at her bottom lip and pulling it back with his teeth a bit before letting it go suddenly.
Kit's eyes were wide now.
"I don't mind that you aren't in a hurry. I like that about you, Kit. It makes me want you all the more."
She blinked.
"Now I'm going to be a bit wicked, so I want you to relax."
"What are you-"
"Shush." He said pressing a finger to her lips right before he scooted down in the bed and shoved her skirt up her legs.
"Pogue."
"Shush, I said. Just enjoy it. I know I will."
Kit's heart jumped. The look he was giving her could have melted just about anything.
*~*~*
Janice was laughing loudly and screaming a bit. Reid was giving her a piggyback ride across the campus from the library to their dorm. She'd said her feet hurt. Then he'd joked that he'd carry her. It had just gone from there. Luckily all their books and stuff had fit in his backpack which was currently on her back. Janice shouted again as he hefted her a bit. Reid was holding on to her legs that she had wrapped around his middle. Janice had both arms wrapped around his upper torso too. She was being jostled all about because Reid was jogging.
It was the most fun she'd had in a long time.
They were coming up on a person whose backside she recognized.
"Hey, Professor Zeeman! Great lecture on the physical attributes of a zombie the other day! I thoroughly enjoyed it!"
Professor Zeeman tucked some brown hair behind his ear. "Thanks, Janice. I wish everyone had your enthusiasm!" He called after her and Reid. "Handle that package with care, Mister Garwin! She's a clever one!"
Janice squealed when Reid let go of one of her legs to pump his fist in the air in acknowledgment of what the professor had just said. Professor Richard Zeeman just smiled after them. It was nice not to be persecuted in this reality just for what he happened to be. It was so different here.
"The two of them are so cute." A voice said behind Richard.
He turned. Things were definitely different on this side. The difference he liked the best had to be the women and the way some of the women looked at him. He smiled at the particular woman standing before him leaned against the side of the dormitory.
"Lurking?" He asked. "That seems beneath you."
"Lurking? No. I prefer to call it waiting for you."
Both Richard's eyebrows went up. Waiting for him? This one? He didn't know if he ought to be afraid or not.
*~*~*
Caleb knew who was knocking on his door before he even opened it.
She had said they would talk. He was ready for that. He wanted it. He wanted to know why she feared him a little. He'd give almost anything to have her look at him they way she had at first again.
Funny that he opened the door and she was. The fear had given way to something he couldn't quite put a finger on, but he was sure it was in his eyes when he looked at her as well. he motioned for her to come inside.
Dawn held up a hand. "One thing before we have this big talk."
"What's that?" He asked.
"Just this."
She pushed up on her toes and kissed him.
*~*~*
end part 5
part: 5
author: echo
rating: 18
disclaimer: I do not own anything here. The BtVS characters belong to Joss Whedon. The HP characters belong to JK Rowling. The Craft characters belong to Peter Filardi and Andrew Fleming. The Covenant characters belong to JS Cardone. The versions here of the Practical Magic characters belong to Alice Hoffman, Robin Swicord, Akiva Goldsman, and Adam Brooks. The Witches of Eastwick characters belong to John Updike and Michael Cristofer. That one certain Anita Blake character belongs to Laurel K Hamilton.
summary: Witchcraft-apalooza. After the war with Voldemort, the Salem Witches' Institute is host to an interesting array of teachers, students, and visitors. Slight spoilers for The Covenant.
Part 1 ][ Part 2 ][ Part 3 ][Part 4
*~*~*
The first thing Kylie saw when she opened her eyes was Toni. Her little sister tucked some of Kylie's red hair behind her ear. Another thing Kylie noted was that she felt like she'd been run over by a truck. A very big truck.
"Draco Malfoy saved your life. He's Mom's new favorite person. Imagine that, huh? Mom liking Draco Malfoy... of all people. He never smiled in any of his pictures in the papers after the war, and he carried you. Did you know he carried you?"
"That's enough, Antonia." Their mother sat on the other side of the bed. "Kylie?"
"Hey, Mom."
Aunt Gilly was peering over her mother's shoulder, Gary was looking over Toni's, and Headmistress Spofford was peering behind them all. Kylie felt the slightest bit claustrophobic about it, but in a good way.
"I'm all right."
They all still looked at her.
"Seriously."
"Is this, like, a bad time or whatever?" A new voice asked.
Kylie leaned around. It was Janice. And Kit and Pogue. And Dawn. Kylie motioned for them to come in. Leave it to Janice to organize and lead the visiting party.
"Hey, Toni." Janice said, giving the sister a hug. "I'm trying to take care of your sister, but she makes it real difficult. I think she likes trouble."
"You're one to talk, Janice. Who fell off of their broom and had to have Reid catch her with his head?"
"You're ok though, right, Kylie?" Pogue asked. "We heard that something... had you. Like it was walking around wearing you. Like possession or something. It didn't... whatever it was... it didn't... hurt you, did it?"
"It just scared me. I'm bruised but not beaten. Maybe I feel a little violated..."
Pogue visibly cringed at that. In that moment Kylie adored him. He was her friend.
"But I'll be fine, ok." Kylie said to calm him and the others in the room. "Let's not worry about it."
He stared at her in an odd way though. Like he knew that she was lying. Like he knew it had bothered her more than anyone would ever know, and Pogue Parry knew it. And it bothered him so much if he knew what had been wearing her body and controlling he, he'd go after it with everything in him.
Kylie's brow furrowed. "What? What's that look?"
He spoke in her head, and that frightened her for a moment, but then she adjusted. He didn't want the entire room to hear his fears. They were just for her at this moment. And she had been right about his look and his anger. She was pleased that he trusted her. He said he felt as though he'd failed her. He had not noticed her peril. He'd failed.
Kylie's eyes watered. "You didn't. Could have happened to anyone."
Everyone in the room looked startled when she said this.
Dawn suddenly turned to look at Pogue as if she had heard him too. And she had. Someone else had been talking in her ear. Another dead person. One of the slayers, and sadly, Dawn couldn't recall her name. She couldn't believe this crap. She'd been seeing spooks and specters all damn day. Ever since last night with Cassie. Different folks. All of them dead. Like she didn't have enough problems without being the fucking ghost whisperer on top of everything else. And she hated Jennifer Love Hewitt too. That made it worse. But she had miles to go before she slept on this one. She'd worry about it all later. Dawn was suddenly filled with an understanding on what her next step in all this should be.
"Kylie... I'm glad you're ok. I'll, um, talk to you later. I have to... I hafta... go." Dawn whipped around quickly only to be stopped when she smacked right into Caleb.
He grabbed her to keep her on her feet. She'd bumped him quite hard. Dawn held on to him right back. Sure, she was afraid still. His power definitely frightened her, but you had to risk things, didn't you? She had to do something here. She had a purpose. She needed to be focused.
But couldn't she have him too?
Couldn't she be it all. Even just for a moment. If Pogue liked Kit so well, and felt as though he had failed Kylie, couldn't she find a way to feel safe with Caleb? Dawn suddenly felt like she needed that. Like that particular thing was the great problem she needed to solve currently. X plus Y equals Dawn gets Caleb.
"Hold that thought." She whispered as she brushed his brow with her fingertips lightly. he was so very pretty in a guy way. "I'll be back for you in a bit. I there's this talk we need to have that I've been running from. I just need some advice, then we'll square it all away. Swear. I'm gonna put on my big girl's panties and deal, k?"
Then Dawn turned and smacked into Draco Malfoy.
"Dawn?" He asked.
"It's ok. Everything is going to be ok. We'll find whatever that thing is, we'll kill it or whatever, then we'll party like it's nineteen ninety-nine. I'll deal with the dead." She looked at Caleb. "I'm finding a way through my fears with you." She looked back at Draco. "But right now I need to talk to Willow really bad."
All that said, she ran. Dawn passed Tyler and Reid. Reid was a bit concerned, so he walked her. He paid for it too. It took him off of his feet. Next thing he knew, Tyler was helping him off of the floor. There was a lot going on with Dawn Summers. A whole hell of a lot. Voices and her taking a leap with Caleb. His fellow Ipswitch brother was in for a ride with this girl. She was going to let him in. More in than anyone had been with her in a long while. Reid had to smile about that even though he was frowning about her aura knocking him over.
Draco arched an eyebrow at him.
"I couldn't help it." Reid said with a shrug. "I had to make sure she was all right. I had to make sure she wouldn't..." hurt Caleb. "Um, be dangerous or something."
Draco smirked. Then he looked at Caleb. "You. Over there." He pointed down the hall. "Now."
Caleb's eyes widened, but he followed Professor Malfoy. He was even more surprised when the professor turned and got right in his face... hissing. Draco Malfoy was about one inch taller than Caleb, but definitely more wiry. Didn't make him any less menacing.
"In lieu of her elder sister not being here, this falls to me." He paused dramatically to let his pale face fill with all the menace and threat he could muster. "If you hurt her, I will beat you to death with a shovel."
Caleb didn't know what to say. "Why... why a shovel?"
"So that I have something to bury the body with afterwards." He replied without missing a beat.
"I wouldn't... hurt... Dawn."
Professor Malfoy leaned in all the more. "You had better hope you wouldn't. You had better hope you don't. Because I don't like many people... ever. People annoy the shit out of me. Most of them are worthless and stupid wankers. Not her. She's worth every inch of the space she takes up in this world. You treat her well, and I never have to show you the five methods of torture."
"There are five methods of torture?"
"I'll let Faith have at you first. Then perhaps Spike and Angel. There could be some Giles, elder sister, and said Willow in there. All I know is I'll finish you with the shovel. It'll be messy."
Caleb swallowed. Who were all those people he just mentioned? Some of the names sounded vaguely familiar in his Watcher's Council research. "I don't respond well to threats, sir."
"Oh, Mister Danvers, that's not a threat. It's a promise. Dawn's very special."
"I'm getting that."
"Tread lightly." Draco said as he headed for the infirmary entrance. "And they can all be found in the books. Some of them in recent archives only."
"Who?"
"Those people I just mentioned." Draco replied with his sneering Malfoy chuckle. "Though Angel and Spike are more commonly known in the texts as Angelus the Scourge of Europe and William the Bloody."
Caleb blinked. He had always been studious. He knew those names. Vampires. Ones still around too. Vicious ones. Dawn knew these guys?
Draco stopped and laughed loudly.
That's when Caleb realized the professor had been walking his mind. He shut himself off. So Professor Malfoy knew Occlumency. He'd have to warn the others to be careful of their thoughts then.
"Yes, Dawn knows them. Her elder sister dated the both of them."
Um, what? "Isn't Dawn's sister a vampire slayer?"
Draco turned and smirked at the boy. "Mmm-hmm, she certainly is."
Interesting. Caleb stood in the hall a moment trying to process most of the information he'd just been handed.
"Mister Danvers." Professor Bailey said with a nod as she and Professor Madison walked by. "Wearing more clothes, I see. An excellent choice. Running around in only sweat pants might get you attacked by some rabid female."
Professor Madison snickered loudly while Caleb blushed darkly.
*~*~*
Dawn was twitching nervously until Willow slid in front of the web cam on her laptop in London.
"Hey, Dawnie. What's the what? Your message said it was urgent. Is school ok?"
"School's great."
"Then..."
"There's this boy-"
"Dawnie."
"It's not like that. He's actually really into school and stuff. He's like a study buddy."
Willow grinned. "Is he a hottie?"
Dawn groaned. "A major league one."
Willow squealed and hopped a bit. "Dish."
"I need help."
Willow made a face. "Are you sure I'm the right person to ask? Because... still gay, you know."
"He's a male witch. A dude witch, a warlock... whatever. He's so powerful, Willow. You can, like, almost taste it in the air around him. He, um, sorta reminds me of you, and no offense, but it kinda scares me. Have you ever heard of the Sons of Ipswitch?"
"Yeah."
Dawn raised her eyebrows.
"You're kidding. He's one of them?"
Dawn gave her a sheepish look. "He's sort of like their leader, I think."
"You're not kidding!" Willow jumped up and paced before her computer a bit. "Dawn-"
"I know!"
"Do you know about them? About the power? That particular power? How it ages them rapidly, how it's addictive. Yes, it can be used for light, but that Ipswitch lines... there's a tint of dark to it."
"I know. We staked some vamps the other night-"
"What?!"
"I couldn't just let that girl-"
"Do we need a few slayers there?"
"No, it's fine. Vampires... dusted. It's just... his eyes went all black and void-y. I don't want him... hurting himself. I don't want him using this stuff and looking like he's eighty ten years from now."
Willow got pinched looking. "Amy's there, right?"
"Yes."
"If what Draco Malfoy says about her is true, she can help your boyfriend, I think. Amy knows a lot."
"He's not my boyfriend."
"Yet."
Dawn scowled. "Willow..."
"Just be careful."
"Don't tell Buffy."
"Dawn-"
"Please. Let me figure some of this out before she comes barreling over here or sends Angel or Spike to check on me or something."
"As long as he's not taking it to a dark place."
"I don't think he would."
"You guys didn't think I would either."
Dawn shivered at that memory.
"Sorry."
"You already said sorry for that."
"I'm sorry for reminding you then." Willow smiled sadly then changed the subject. "So how good looking is this guy?"
Dawn sighed and rested her chin on her hand. "If Shakespeare were gay, he'd have written sonnets about Caleb."
Willow grinned wryly. "Oooo. Dawn's all in major like."
"Shut up." She said and slapped her hand at her web cam. "Honestly, Will, what would you do?"
"You really like him?"
Dawn nodded yes.
"How much?"
"He covered me with his whole body to protect me from something. Somehow he knew I was in trouble, and he came for me, like, out of nowhere. And he was only wearing a pair of sweat pants. Like he dropped everything and ran for me. Buffy's had stuff like that, but it's never... it's never been me."
"You feel like it could be you this time?"
Dawn considered for a while. "Yeah. Yeah, actually I do."
"Then go for it."
Dawn smiled at her. "I gotta go."
Willow nodded. "You already were. You just wanted to hear someone say you should."
"Pretty much. Yeah."
"I want details... just not TOO many, you know. You're like my baby sister and stuff. Plus... not really about the het stuff. I am here in a galpal capacity only. And even though I'm one of Buffy's bestest friends, I promise not to go all 'older sister' on you about him."
Dawn giggled.
*~*~*
Kylie had finally, with the help of the school's head nurse, gotten everyone to leave. She was having to stay overnight. She didn't mind that. What she minded was Tyler pretending to leave then sitting outside the infirmary doors. She knew he was keeping watch. She knew Janice had agreed that it was a good idea for him to do so. Kylie also knew that Reid had suggested until they figured out what in the hell was going on here that no one ought to go off alone. Two by two at least.
"You might as well come inside." Kylie called loudly.
Tyler stuck his head in the doors. "What?"
"If you're going to play watchdog, you might as well come in here and keep me company, Tyler."
He grinned and hurried in. "I didn't mean-"
"I know very well what you mean."
Tyler shifted awkwardly.
"Sit. Tell me a story."
Tyler sat on the edge of her bed. "I'm not the storyteller."
Kylie eyed him. "To quote a Jane Austen film I love, I suspect you are almost entirely formed of ready opinions not shared. You already are a storyteller, Tyler, I know you are. You just need to talk with more than your eyes."
Tyler blinked. How did she... no one ever noticed him.
"I notice everything. I have a bit of the eyes on me. I even see spirits sometimes. Lately, I mostly notice we would do well to be friends, so again, tell me a story."
"About?"
"You. Ipswitch. Your three friends."
Tyler swallowed nervously. They didn't tell their secrets to outsiders... but was she really? And Caleb HAD told Sarah Wenham after only knowing her a short time. Kylie was like them. She was part of their world in a way.
"If it makes you uneasy, I'll tell you things."
"About?"
"Me. Toni. The coven back home. How a curse killed my dad. How the wrong man almost killed Aunt Gilly. How that whole situation brought Gary to my mom. Like a trade. Your secrets for mine."
"I would not have thought you'd have secrets, Kylie."
"I have plenty of secrets. They can all be yours for the price of admission."
Trust and be trusted. Dare he?
"Well?" She asked.
"I knew something was wrong with you. I barely know you, and I knew, and I did nothing."
"No guilt. Mom and Aunt Gilly are as close as close can be and something had Aunt Gilly once. There's nothing closer than sisters sometimes, and if that bond can be breached, the bonds of newly-formed friendship certainly can. Evil doesn't respect that. That thing wearing my body was able to fool my aunt while she was standing right before me. Consider that."
Tyler nodded. "We've been friends since diapers, me, Caleb, Reid, and Pogue."
Kylie sat up in bed a bit and adjusted her pillow behind her as he continued to tell. She was right about him though. He was definitely a storyteller. He just needed the right audience.
*~*~*
Kit was feeling a bit nervous. She and Pogue had made their way back to hers and Dawn's dorm room after visiting with Kylie only to find the room devoid of Dawn. Kit had been both hoping Dawn would be here and that she would not. Dawn had not been in the room, and Pogue had seemed glad for it. He'd given Kit a look that had made her teeth sweat.
So now they were making out. Heavily.
He could so get her going with barely anything. She couldn't believe some guy who was prettier than she was wanted to be all over her like he was just now. He didn't know this, hell no one not even Dawn knew this, but she'd never. This was quickly approaching a point that she had not gone past with anyone, and he'd know she'd never. Boys in school hadn't really been after the scary-looking goth chick in her combats boots. Not until now. One of his hands was on her ribs... outside her clothing of course, but the fingers were inching upward. His body was somehow between her thighs, and his other had was resting on a bit of her thigh that was under her skirt and just above her knee. His lips were fastened to her rapid pulse, and his body was starting to move against hers ever so slightly.
It felt nice. It really did, but she didn't want him to be disappointed. She knew what she looked like. She knew what he looked like. She was no twig. Kit was just uncertain that she truly belonged with him. He was so very pretty.
He pulled back suddenly to look into her eyes. "Why don't you see how beautiful you are to me? Does it feel like you aren't my match?"
"I just..."
"Need slower." He murmured before nibbling at her bottom lip and pulling it back with his teeth a bit before letting it go suddenly.
Kit's eyes were wide now.
"I don't mind that you aren't in a hurry. I like that about you, Kit. It makes me want you all the more."
She blinked.
"Now I'm going to be a bit wicked, so I want you to relax."
"What are you-"
"Shush." He said pressing a finger to her lips right before he scooted down in the bed and shoved her skirt up her legs.
"Pogue."
"Shush, I said. Just enjoy it. I know I will."
Kit's heart jumped. The look he was giving her could have melted just about anything.
*~*~*
Janice was laughing loudly and screaming a bit. Reid was giving her a piggyback ride across the campus from the library to their dorm. She'd said her feet hurt. Then he'd joked that he'd carry her. It had just gone from there. Luckily all their books and stuff had fit in his backpack which was currently on her back. Janice shouted again as he hefted her a bit. Reid was holding on to her legs that she had wrapped around his middle. Janice had both arms wrapped around his upper torso too. She was being jostled all about because Reid was jogging.
It was the most fun she'd had in a long time.
They were coming up on a person whose backside she recognized.
"Hey, Professor Zeeman! Great lecture on the physical attributes of a zombie the other day! I thoroughly enjoyed it!"
Professor Zeeman tucked some brown hair behind his ear. "Thanks, Janice. I wish everyone had your enthusiasm!" He called after her and Reid. "Handle that package with care, Mister Garwin! She's a clever one!"
Janice squealed when Reid let go of one of her legs to pump his fist in the air in acknowledgment of what the professor had just said. Professor Richard Zeeman just smiled after them. It was nice not to be persecuted in this reality just for what he happened to be. It was so different here.
"The two of them are so cute." A voice said behind Richard.
He turned. Things were definitely different on this side. The difference he liked the best had to be the women and the way some of the women looked at him. He smiled at the particular woman standing before him leaned against the side of the dormitory.
"Lurking?" He asked. "That seems beneath you."
"Lurking? No. I prefer to call it waiting for you."
Both Richard's eyebrows went up. Waiting for him? This one? He didn't know if he ought to be afraid or not.
*~*~*
Caleb knew who was knocking on his door before he even opened it.
She had said they would talk. He was ready for that. He wanted it. He wanted to know why she feared him a little. He'd give almost anything to have her look at him they way she had at first again.
Funny that he opened the door and she was. The fear had given way to something he couldn't quite put a finger on, but he was sure it was in his eyes when he looked at her as well. he motioned for her to come inside.
Dawn held up a hand. "One thing before we have this big talk."
"What's that?" He asked.
"Just this."
She pushed up on her toes and kissed him.
*~*~*
end part 5
