Chapter 3
Author Note: I own nothing you recognize in either universe.
I really have not had enough time to go over this again and again like I usually try to, to work out the flow and plot points. I had a feeling that it was getting to be an annoying wait. Maybe later I can fix anything bad enough to be distracting.
Chapter 3
The groan of Xander coming around distracted from the emotional moment. A fact he would be very proud of if he was a bit more “with it” right now. “Ow” he rubbed his head where it had hit the ground. Seeing everyone staring at him and Angel down on one knee in front of Buffy, he got a sickening feeling of just what he had missed. Remembering what had caused him to pass out (remember that; passed out, not faint, real men do not faint) he turned a wonderful shade of glow in the dark red.
Buffy was only distracted for a second and with a squeal of delight threw herself at Angel “YES, yes, yes”
Only Willow, Oz and oddly enough Gunn were happy about this. The Watchers had to work around their ingrained prejudice even after knowing and working with the Vampire. They also knew the council would be up in arms about this. The big question would be who would they target first Faith or Buffy?
Xander had problems with this on so many levels; it would be difficult to list. Going with the main two he still had a bit of a crush on Buffy and probably always would, and has hated all Vampires ever since Jesse was turned. Cordelia felt somehow Buffy had just messed up something really good from possibly happening.
“I’m so happy for you Buff but have to get going now” Willow exclaimed hugging her briefly then grabbing Angel by the hand started dragging him away. “We have a date with a ritual, Grandpa.” Angel looked a bit sheepish at the grandpa reference but followed along wanting to get this over with so they could go get Harry. Buffy started to pout because she wanted to make plans and bask in the moment.
Angel said one word that brought that to a halt. “Harry.”
She started to follow her new fiancé and best friend when Willow shook her head and explained. “You really shouldn’t come it’s not going to be easy and you might want to interfere which would not be of the good.” Making shooing motions with her free hand she suggested “Go make nice with Cordelia I think she’s going to be around your new family a whole bunch.”
Cordelia and Buffy eyed each other warily; gritting her teeth in an effort to be the adult about it Cordelia asked “Why don’t we go see the damage the boys did to Harry’s room.”
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Entering what used to be a club or ballroom back in the day, Willow sealed the door and put up silencing wards. Leading Angel over to the dance floor made him stop just at the edge. “You stay right there until I tell you what to do, got it?” Getting his nod of agreement she then went to the center of the floor.
Drawing a pouch out of that bottomless bag she drew a circle while chanting in a low even voice. Even with his enhanced hearing he had trouble catching more than a couple of words. Those words were enough to start him really worrying. Fire and Ash; were never good words for a Vampire to hear. She finished chanting and with a sweep of her hand the circle grew out only to stop just short of where Angel stood.
Pulling out another pouch Willow paused “You should probably start getting undressed.” She suggested.
“What?” yelped Angel.
“Well just down to your boxers. You are supposed to be naked in this ritual, but EW…..”
“Hey! I’m not in that bad of shape.” Angel exclaimed forgetting he had been embarrassed when she said it.
“Hello related now.” She reminded him. She started to draw another circle before he could reply to that. Trying to make out the chant he stripped down to his boxers. With another sweep of her hand she sent the next circle out to rest about 2 feet inside the first one.
As she looked up and caught sight of him she started choking back giggles. It was true he was in very good shape (bad Willow) if a bit pale. The startling thing was Mr. Head to toe Black broody pants was wearing silk boxers with florescent greeny/yellowy smiley faces on them. Angel bowed his head as she let loose. Frowning over at her he threatened her with “If Xander EVER finds out about this I’ll ground you from seeing Harry for a week.”
Willow gasped in outrage “You wouldn’t?” When he confirmed that he would she narrowed her eyes at him and proclaimed “You are an evil, evil man.” But that statement hit way to close to the reason for the ritual they were setting up for, so she started another circle without further comment. When she finished she asked “This is going to be way painful, you know that right?”
Clenching his jaw he nodded and said “I figured that.”
Blowing out a breath she told him to step into the first ring “Lucky for you I do all the chanting and asking in this ritual, you just stand there and be in pain.” Worrying her lip just a bit more went on in a worried voice. “The thing is the magic itself will hold you up through most of it but when it’s done and the pain fades you have to stay standing on your own. You cannot break any of the circles OK?”
“Yeah, let’s get this over with.” Angel said
“As fire turns wood to ash so to shall it burn away all false claims to this physical form.” Willow intoned. Here Angel stiffened his skin turning red, then blistering, and then charring which is when he finally screamed. Wind whipped around him but never disturbed the ash ring. As the wind died down Angels features returned to normal leaving him panting and sweating from the pain. He wanted nothing more than to collapse right there and they had barely begun. Locking his legs to remain standing he looked up into Willows worried face. Taking a few deep breaths he said he was ready to go on.
“Step into the sand circle.” It was wobbly but he did it. “Sand cleanser, filter, and purifier, lift the darkness from this physical form that it may be ready to welcome home its rightful soul.” Though no sand left the ring Willow had made, sand rose up from somewhere whirling madly around Angel scouring his skin raw. He ground his teeth together and clenched his jaw stifling the scream trying to emerge.
“Step into the earth circle.” Carefully he proceeded to the next circle. “Gaia Mother Earth please embrace this form make him welcome in this realm.” Now that was more like it, a warm gentle breeze flowed around Angel for just a few minutes.
Willow motioned him to stay where he was. “On this one we ask first then you step into the salt circle. Salt, protector, binder, Bind the demon that he may share in the judgment. Bind the demon that he may witness the journey. Bind the demon.” She then motioned Angel to cross the salt line.
Searing agony shot through every fiber of his being as Angelus fought for his life. Angel’s face would change back and forth as they fought for the right to this physical form. Animalistic snarls, growls and screams filled the air as the battle continued. Finally his visage settled into Angel. Willow preyed fervently that it was Angel in here with her now. Three years ago Willow didn’t think Angel would come out on top in this fight, but that was before his little trip to Hell.
She helped him sit down in the center of the inner circle. Then she sat facing him with the small bronze cauldron between them. Lighting a sprig of sage on fire she waved it around. “With this sage I cleanse the way.” She then lit some incense. “With this incense I guide the way.” Placing both smoking herbs in the cauldron she went on. “Osiris god of Judgment; god of the underworld I beseech thee here my call.”
A filmy image of Osiris began to form, startling Willow. This was not the usual response to the Ritual; it was usually some vague mist and odd feeling at this point. She actually had another 3 deities she was going to call on, but this kind of response meant she might not need them.
Osiris looked around then settled on Willow’s startled face. “Did you really think I would refuse an invitation after that little ward you put up? Believe me that got everyone’s attention. The Powers are seriously ticked off. They like keeping an eye on their little toys, you know.”
“Some people might not like being something’s toy.” Willow said bravely even if her voice was a bit squeaky.
The God gave a nod of acknowledgement, and then settled his gaze on Angel, with a frown. He studied the vampire for a moment. “What do you want of me Vampire?” He asked, as Willow started to speak he held up a hand to stop her. “He needs to answer.”
“I would like the happiness clause of my curse to be removed.” Angle answered simply.
“Not to be made Human?” Osiris inquired.
“There are many reasons I do not ask for that,” Angel replied sadly. “Some are purely selfish; I want to be able to effectively help Buffy and to protect Harry. Being a Vampire helps with that; there is the extra strength, speed and all that. Then there is the fact that I have so much to atone for, I simply don’t deserve it yet. I may never deserve it. With Harry coming to live with me though, it is even more important now than ever that Angelus is not able to come out to play. I cannot endanger him in that way.
Osiris thought for a few minutes about what Angel had said making both, Angel and Willow fidget nervously. When he finally did speak it made the both of them jump in surprise. “You have done a great deal more than I ever expected, I will admit.” The God acknowledged, and then went on, “Not enough quite yet for your full reward, you were right about that, but a good start none the less. I am pleased you did not ask to be human. It shows a level of maturity no one would have ever expected from Liam (who Angel was before he was turned).” Pausing here he turned to Willow.
“I know you arranged an identity of Angel Potter for him Willow. I think however, some reminders of where he came from might help keep him focused on his goal.” Osiris told her. “This is why all of his new paperwork will now read, Liam Angelus Potter.” Angel grimaced at hearing those names, having very few good memories from those times. He did understand the Gods reasoning though.
Willow thought about it for a moment then nodded her head in agreement, commenting “It actually sounds better too.”
Osiris started to fade out, just before he disappeared completely he smiled and said “Oh, by the way I grant your request. Angelus you are bound; condemned to witness Angel’s quest for redemption.” A brief glance at Angel he said “You are doing well keep it up.” Then he disappeared completely.
At Osiris’ words a wave of power visibly washed over Angel. A shadow of Angelus could be seen briefly screaming in rage as pain again sliced though Angel. Then it was done, kind of anti-climatic really.
Willow then stood and removed the rings with a wave of her hand. Turning to a dazed Angel she said, “All done come on we still have things to do.”
“That was it? Shouldn’t there be more? Something, I don’t know what, but something.” A confused and oddly disappointed Angel asked.
“What? You want more pain?” Willow asked.
“No, no there was more than enough of that.” He was quick to assure her, but still couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment. “It just, it was a bit short, and simple don’t you think.”
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While Angel and Willow were busy with the ritual; Buffy and Cordy shared a bonding moment in viewing the horror that was Harry’s room. They stood in the doorway both wondering why the guys had bothered to paint. It wasn’t like you could actually see the walls under the multitude of posters that were there. “Do you think a few dozen sports magazines exploded in here?” Buffy finally asked.
“There is only one way to find out.” Cordelia growled then pulled in a breath and yelled “WESLEY! GUNN!” The two men came pelting down the corridor at Cordy’s yell.
“Vision? Where do we need to go?” Wesley asked.
“What kind of demon? What weapons do we need?” Gunn followed up with.
“I’m fine thank you for asking.” Cordelia informed them sarcastically.
“Of course, so sorry.” Wesley apologized briefly. “Are you ok? Was it horrible?”
“Horrifying,” confirmed the seer. For an incredibly intelligent man Wesley could be very slow on the uptake. Not so Gunn, he took a look at where they were and slowly started backing away. Only to be brought up short by a tiny blond blocking his escape route.
“So where do we need to go?” Wes asked still not catching on. Cordelia then pointed into Harry’s room. His eyes widening in comprehension he started backing up, it was much too late however.
“Explain.” She said shortly as Buffy herded Gunn back into the group.
“I aah, thought that Harry should know a bit about American sports to fit in. You know?” Gunn tried as Wes sputtered uselessly.
***Flashback***
After bringing in the furniture just barely enough time had passed for the paint to dry somewhat, Gunn couldn’t wait any more and put up a Football Poster.
“What do you think you’re doing? Harry is British and should have the real Football up on his walls.” Wesley then put up a Soccer poster. Then for good measure he then put up a Rugby poster. “He will appreciate a real mans sport not that bastardized, watered down pabulum you call football.” With that the War was on.
Gunn put up Baseball. Wesley retaliated with Cricket. Gunn tried Basketball. Wesley was stumped for a correlating sport, finally just settled with Lacrosse. Gunn put up Boxing and Wesley couldn’t argue with the sport itself but put up his own poster stating, “We had pugilism long before you and our gentleman’s sport has much more depth than the media circus you have turned it into.”
They had both run out of posters at that point and both raced out to get more. Hockey, Rowing, NASCAR, Formula one, Rodeo, steeplechase, Kung fu, and fencing all made it onto the walls. Then there simply wasn’t any room left.
*****End Flashback*******
“Take them all down, now.” Buffy instructed.
“You better hope the paint was dry enough or you will be repainting.” Cordelia said ominously. The two men shuffled into the room heads hung low trying to avoid the death glare of two truly terrifying women. Buffy and Cordelia then turned in perfect accord and made their way back down stairs. They may never be best friends but they could manage snarky somewhat friends, with bouts of open warfare.
Buffy went to call her Mother. Telling her that she was getting married in Las Vegas was not fun. “Buffy don’t you think your rushing this just a bit. You’re very young why don’t you wait a year or two? It’s not like a few years will matter to Angel.” She said with a rare bit of sarcasm.
“It will matter to me, mom. As a Slayer I’ve already lived longer than most. I want to do this, please understand.” Buffy pulled out the big guns with the dying young reminder.
“Could I speak to Faith for a minute? You will come, right mom?” She asked the last question in a low almost pleading voice.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Her mother replied softly. “Here’s Faith.”
“Hey B, so getten hitched, huh.” Faith came on the line with an attempt at her former forthrightness.
“Yeah, how about that? We’re coming by to pick up mom; I’d really like it if you came too.” Buffy was determined not to exclude Faith this time around.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, before Faith asked “Are you sure? I did try to kill the groom.”
“Well I did kill him and he’s still marrying me.” Buffy said getting the first real laugh out of Faith she had heard in over a year. “Be there in a little bit, bye.” She hung up the phone just as Willow and Angel came back into the room. Angel seemed upset about something.
“Are you ok? Did it work? What’s wrong?” Buffy rushed over to find out what happened.
“Don’t pay any attention to him; he’s just upset because it wasn’t spectacular enough.” Willow told her worried friend.
“No I’m not, but shouldn’t there have been more to it?” Angel denied the accusation yet confirmed it at the same time. Willow just rolled her eyes and pulled her friend away to confirm their next move.
“Now for the big question; who’s going and who’s holding the fort.” Xander was the first to speak as everyone once again gathered in the lobby.
“Everyone is going to Vegas, and then those who need to will go back to where they are needed.” Buffy stated firmly. Cordelia opened her mouth to say she needed to stay but was met with a, you will come glare from Buffy, and a pleading look from Angel. Though she couldn’t care less about Buffy’s glare she caved to the pleading look Angel sent.
“Would you please go help Faith for a while?” Giles asked Wesley who nodded his agreement.
“I’ll help out in Sunnydale also.” Oz said
“Oh, I was hoping you’d come with me.” Willow said sending him the big sad eyes.
“I don’t trust my control around the Dursley’s” To prove his point the normally stoic werewolf couldn’t even say their name without a low rumbling growl. Cordelia and Gunn would stay in LA and Xander was sure that Anya couldn’t take the chance of not making money for a whole day or more.
This left the original Scoobys. Willow set up portkeys to get everyone back and to get into the British Museum. If she made them here they couldn’t be traced, very important when entering a country illegally. Giles double checked all the paperwork needed and finally they were ready.
“Well we’re off like a herd of turtles.” Getting a halfhearted laugh in return they all put a finger on the suitcase Willow had chosen as the Portkey.
Two hours and one wedding later they were trying to casually leave the British Museum. Xander really was not helping since he couldn’t seem to stop laughing. Once inside the taxi he let loose and laughed hysterically. Buffy pouted and Angel growled.
“Really Xander it wasn’t that funny.” Giles tried to scold the younger man. The suppressed laughter in his voice somewhat lessened the effect however.
“Yes, yes it was; it was a true Kodak moment. Mrs. Summers promised me copies.” Xander got out, sitting back to relive the moment they realized that Angel and the Elvis impersonator that officiated the wedding had the exact same hair style.
“How are the bruises?” Angel asked, Xander shut up quickly and sat up straighter. Throwing a dirty look at Angel only to get a, it serves you right smirk back, remembered the death grip Anya had on him any time Faith came within 10 feet of him. He was afraid they would have to pay for a new chapel with the incendiary looks Anya sent in Faiths’ direction the whole way through the wedding.
Catching a short nap on the train they were a little refreshed when the taxi turned onto Privet Drive. “Jeesh, could this place be any more boring?” Xander said, looking around the neighborhood with a grimace of distaste that was matched by the others.
“And here we are, the most boring of all” Giles drawled as they pulled up to number 4. Giving them a look that plainly said argue with me and die. He said, “I will do the initial speaking at least to get us in the door.”
They all nodded their agreement. No one was planning on arguing anyway, he was the one with the proper accent after all. Willow disillusioned Buffy, Xander, and herself, no need to frighten them right away. They did need an invitation for Angel to enter, and then they could scare the crap out of them. With a brief pause and a deep breath Angel knocked on the door.
They could hear someone grumbling about rude people interrupting their Saturday. A huge man with an equally huge mustache opened the door. “Whatever you’re selling I’m not interested,” He said.
“We are not selling anything Mr. Dursley; you are Vernon Dursley are you not?” Giles said sounding very important. It must come from his days as a Curator for the British Museum. Dursley had barely nodded before Giles continued.
“We are here to discuss your nephew Harry Potter.” After that announcement Vernon started turning several alarming colors.
“There is no one here by that name.” The huge man tried.
“Our information says differently. It comes from a very reliable source. Now do you wish to discuss possible child abuse charges right here?” Giles asked with a predatory smile.
Vernon’s eyes widened and he looked frantically around noticing a neighbor or two looking on in interest. He opened the door wider and waved them in. Giles just stood on the threshold and raised an eyebrow. Vernon then verbally invited them in.
“Come in, come in and hurry up.” Vernon said impatiently. As they came into the entry hall Petunia came out from the setting room to see what was going on.
“Vernon?” She questioned looking from her husband to the strangers in her house.
“These people dare to accuse us of child abuse.” He told her indignantly.
“We would never abuse our Dudders,” Petunia exclaimed.
“Can you say the same about Harry?” Angel asked in a deceptively mild voice.
“I am sure I have no idea who you are talking about.” Petunia denied while stiffening up.
“Your husband has already tried that, I will tell you what I told him. We know Harry Potter lives here. We know exactly how he is treated. Angel is a distant relative of Harry and wishes to gain custody of him. If you agree to this any hint of scandal will just go away.”Giles said, with a look of disgust at the possibility of letting them get away with their treatment of Harry.
“I’ve never heard of a relative named Angel, I am sure I would remember a name that strange.” Petunia said with a sneer.
“Who ever said I was related to you? Now where is my great grandson?” Angel ground out. Petunia let out a gasp of horror.
“You’re one of those freaks, just like her. She told me her kind lived longer than normal people, but even they start to look older. You can’t possibly be old enough to have a great grandson,” Petunia sneered.
“That is where you are wrong. I am not just like her. I am something else altogether.” Angel said in a deadly soft voice, leaning towards his descendent he let his demon visage show.
Petunia screamed, backing away so quickly she fell over the coffee table directly behind her. That didn’t stop the continuous scream coming from her mouth; it just barely slowed down her backwards progress as she started doing crab like scramble. More screams were coming from her husband as he too backed away falling over and breaking furniture in the way. Vernon was actually the first to faint. Petunia lost consciousness just seconds later; though those watching would swear she continued to scream for a good minute after losing consciousness.
Angel shook his head and rubbed his ears, grimacing in pain. “In all my years of torturing people I don’t remember any human being able to hit that decibel level.”
Looking toward the cupboard under the stairs where he knew Harry was; he asked, “He didn’t hear any of that did he?”
“No, I made sure he couldn’t hear what happened, just in case.” Willow said as she made herself and the other two visible again.
“That was great! Maybe you aren’t totally evil after all Deadboy.” Xander gave a small concession in appreciation of the fine show.
“Let’s get Harry out of the house before the more serious talks begin. First though is there anything you can do to clean up the smell in here, Willow? I don’t think Vernon’s pants survived the encounter.” Buffy said winkling her nose at the stench coming from the huge unconscious man who had lost control of his bowels at some point.
Angel went over and unlocked the cupboard door, kneeling before opening it so that he wouldn’t be looming over the six year old. The others stayed back trying not to overwhelm the little boy. That it blocked his view of his Aunt and Uncle was just an added bonus.
As the door opened they were met with the sight of an alarmingly small and pale boy blinking up at them with the most intensely green eyes they had ever seen.
“Hi, Harry my name is Angel. I am a relative of your mother and father.” Angel said in a low voice.
That heartbreaking little face lit up briefly as Harry said, “You knew my parents?”
“No I’m afraid not; I just found out about them, but we came to get you just as soon as we could.” Harry’s face fell a bit as Angel told him that, he was still paying very close attention to what Angel was saying catching the hint that this person might take him away. “This is my wife Buffy, we were wondering if you would like to come and live with us?”
