Darkness Takes Light

Chapter 5

Dumbledore looked at them, slightly confused.

"You know him?"

"Yeah I know him. He saved my life. What did they do to him?"

Dumbledore looked to Giles. He was watching Oz. He swallowed.

"He was good friends with my Slayer. He fell in love with one of Buffy's best friends."

Ginny's eyes widened. "I knew I knew you. You're Giles!"

He smiled sadly. "That is what my children call me."

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should all move into by office. We can discuss everything in full."

They followed him to the office, too shocked to argue.

******

After a long talk in which Ginny told Dumbledore everything about what happened in Voldemort's cells, Giles spoke of Oz's past and 'condition' and Dumbledore told them about how they had found him.

Arthur and Molly had been called but unfortunately they were out of Floo powder and couldn't come. Dumbledore doubted that they could have helped Ginny. She was torn with being delighted that her friend was alive and distraught that he was in so much pain, mentally and physically.

Harry came in at about one o' clock. He was more than shocked to see Ginny there. Dumbledore gave him a brief explanation and he seemed to be content with it.

Ginny announced that she wanted to stay with Oz and Dumbledore agreed. He brought her and Giles back down to the room.

Giles had poured himself a very large brandy. He walked over to Oz and looked straight into his eyes.

"Oz? Do you know who this is? It's Giles. From Sunnydale. Home." There was no sign of recognition in Oz's eyes except for what looked like a flash of green. Giles decided to press on.

"Oz, I don't know if you can hear me or if you know who I am but I just want to tell you that I'm very proud of you. You saved a young girl's life twice. Once by stopping a man from hurting her and another time for keeping her alive by sacrificing your only food. She's very thankful. She misses you, I think and she wants to see you healthy and happy. Can you do that Oz? Can you make her happy again? I think you can."

Oz seemed to be fighting himself. Another flash, and then another, brought out the slight green in his eyes.

He blinked at Giles and his eyes were back to normal. Giles let out a breath that he didn't even know he had been holding in. Oz looked at him for a few seconds and then blinked again.

His eyes were yellow again. Giles patted his shoulder. "Good boy."

******

Ginny and Giles spent the next few days in that room. They ate, slept and cried there.

Giles had gone once for a few hours to tell everyone in Sunnydale that he had known the demon and that he would be staying there for a while. He didn't tell them that it was Oz. He couldn't bring himself to do it.

Oz had begun to break out more and more and although he couldn't speak, he was partly aware of them. Giles believed that he recognised them.

His werewolf abilities meant that he was recovering faster than they had believed. He was able to stand now, and walk up to 2 steps at a time, even though he chose not to. The wounds all over his body were slowly beginning to heal and he seemed to be recovering. Seemed.

The bit that worried Giles was when Oz was asleep. He still couldn't talk, but he made noises. Groans, moans and sobs frequently interrupted Giles' sleep. He couldn't help him then, and that was the bit he needed help most with. Giles knew that only he himself could save him, and he knew that Oz was strong enough to do that.

******

Two weeks later, Oz could walk with a crutch. He was stronger and was eating. His eyes only changed when he was scared, or when someone used magic in front of him. He didn't talk though. He didn't communicate at all. He was still very much lost in his own mind.

Ginny was sitting by the chair and reading one of the many books that had been deposited by Hermione a few days before. They were a mixture of muggle books and magic books. She was currently buried in Lord of the Rings, which Hermione had insisted she read. Ginny was improved too. She was less pale and pasty and there was brightness in her eyes that had been missing over the past few weeks.

Giles was nervous. He had talked to Dumbledore and Ginny about his idea. Dumbledore had agreed that it was best but Ginny had fought against him, until he had offered it to her as well and she had relented.

He walked over to Oz and looked him straight in the eyes. Oz looked straight back. Giles took a deep breath.

"Oz, we have been talking and we think it would be best for you if Ginny and I brought you home, to Sunnydale. Only if you want to, of course."

Oz looked at him for a minute, thinking deeply. Then he looked to Giles and spoke his first words since he had been found. His voice was hoarse from not being used and it shook slightly.

"Home?" he whispered.

Giles sighed in relief. "It won't be easy you know. It might be harder. Being around all that mystical energy and such. And, of course, you will have to face Willow and Tara again."

Oz looked troubled but after a minute he nodded. "Home," he whispered again.

Ginny beamed and couldn't contain her excitement. "I'm going to America. I'm going to America," she sang and let out a squeal.

Giles shook his head in amusement. "It was all just a clever trick to make us fuss over you, wasn't it Ginny."

She giggled and hugged Oz. "Would you expect anything less of me, Giles."

"You're a Weasley. Of course I wouldn't."

She beamed again.

"Oh, that reminds me. Could you do me a big favour?"

"Your wish is my command."

"Could you possibly go up to the Gryffindor Tower and fill out a special Weasleys Wizards Wheezes forms for me. I want to bring a few things home."

She looked a bit scared for a few minutes and then set her face. Giles was painfully reminded of Willow's 'resolve face'. He gave her a pocketful of coins and she bounded out the door. Giles shook his head in amazement. She was almost back to her old self.

He looked back at Oz. "Well, I guess I'd better pack then."

Oz didn't answer, but he understood, and Giles was content with that.

******

Ginny bounded up the corridor. She had no idea why she wsa so hyper. Maybe it's 'cos I'M GOING TO AMERICA

She reached the portrait door and the Fat Lady greeted her warmly. Violet had visited Ginny in Oz's room and expressed her and the Fat Lady's regrets and well wishes. The Fat Lady let her in without a password. Ginny found this pretty unsafe but didn't mention it.

The whole common room fell silent when she entered. She felt herself going red.

"Um, hi," she said nervously. Her eyes fell on a wand on the table and immediately she stiffened. Hermione came over to her. Ron and Harry followed her. She gave Ginny a hug. Ginny smiled.

"I'm just here to get one of Fred and George's forms," she told them.

"I'll go get one," Harry offered.

He hurried over to the table. Ron hugged her tightly.

"Nice to see you, Gin. Mom wouldn't let us visit you even though we were in the same castle." He shook his head, "Barking."

She giggled and he looked at her oddly. "You really are getting better, aren't you?"

"Yep. I'm all better now."

"Thanks to Giles and that other guy that everyone wants to meet so badly."

She grinned slyly. "Well you won't get to see him."

"Why not?"

"He's going home. Back to California."

"I thought you friends with him. Why are you so happy."

"Cos I'm going too."

"YOU'RE WHAT?"

"I'm going to America, Ron."

"That's not fair!"

She looked at him angrily.

"Okay well it is, but still."

She stuck out her tongue at him.

Harry came back with the form. She took it and began to scribble down her list of requirements. She put the page on its special pad with 3 gold galleons. It disappeared and a few seconds later a brown bag materialised, full of Fred and George's specialities.

She hugged the three of them goodbye and told them she'd write everyday. Then she left the common room and returned to her special room. It led off Oz's room. Giles had one too. She packed and got ready for the next day. She tried her hardest to get some sleep but she was too excited. She felt like it was Christmas Eve.

She sighed and after a few hours of counting hippogriffs, she finally got to sleep.

****

By four o' clock the next day, Giles was ready to kill somebody. He had spent the past few hours trying to organise for going home. Oz obviously wasn't much help and Ginny was too busy being hyper. On top of that, 'something' from Fred and George's shop had exploded and Giles had got slime all over his face. It wasn't a good day. Giles would have been more than happy to go home to impending doom, but, even then, Xander would crack some stupid jokes.

They had decided that it would be best not to scare everyone by exploding from a fire in the Magic Shop and had a portkey set up.

So there they were, at three fifty nine, standing, waiting to go flying. Oz was the only one sitting and Ginny and Giles were minding the luggage. At exactly four o' clock, Ginny felt a jolt in her stomach and she went flying. She closed her eyes and opened them again when she hit the pavement. She was in a small suburban town.

She looked around in surprise. This didn't look like the mouth of Hell that Oz had told her about. It looked like a normal town. She stood up and dusted herself down. She grabbed all the luggage and located Giles' glasses on the ground. He put them on and grabbed Oz's walking stick. Oz looked completely dazed. He also looked in pain. Ginny was worried but, then again, he had just flown across continents.

She was dying to meet the 'Scoobies'. She wanted to know the people who Oz had told her so much about. She was so glad that she had met Giles. She wanted to meet Buffy- the most famous slayer ever, Xander-the funny guy, Anya-the loudmouth ex-demon, Spike-the vampire, Tara-the witch, Dawn- the girl her own and Willow-the witch and love of Oz's life.

Giles helped Oz up and they each took one of his arms, supporting him and helping him to walk. They turned the corner and crossed the street to a place called the Magic Box. Giles pulled open to door and smiled at Ginny. "By the way, welcome to the Hellmouth."

He opened the door and they stepped inside. Everyone turned to them and stopped talking. They all showed various versions of complete and utter shock.

Finally a blonde, small girl took a step closer. "Giles? Oz?" she said weakly.

Giles nodded. "It's great to see you Buffy."

Buffy. She's the Slayer Buffy took a step closer. She looked at Willow who was looking like she was going to faint. "Oz?" she whispered. He didn't show any sign of recognition.

Ginny looked at them all. "Hi," she said softly, nervously. Oz's legs buckled. He looked at Giles. "Home," he whispered softly. Giles and Ginny steered him over to the nearest chair. He curled up and looked at them. His eyes were human. Ginny was thankful.

"So." Buffy said. "What's been happening with you?"

******

Xander threw the book down on the table. "This is boring!"

Willow nodded. "I second that."

They were sitting at the table of the Magic Box. Dawn was doing her homework; Anya was setting up some things on the shelf with Tara. Spike was sitting in the darkest corner of the room. Buffy was sitting on the counter.

The door opened behind them and they turned around in unison. Buffy's mouth dropped open. Standing in front of her was Giles, Oz and a girl with flaming red hair. Giles looked exhausted. His face was dirty and he looked stressed. The little girl was pale and nervous.

She didn't know it was Oz at first. His face was scarred and his hair looked like it was its natural colour. He was pale and weak looking and was being supported by the other two. His eyes travelled the room, meeting with all of theirs. It was like he was trying to place them. He looked straight at her and it was like he had to force himself to remember her.

Everyone was silent. Buffy took the first step forward. "Giles? Oz?" Giles smiled at her. "It's great to see you Buffy." She looked at Willow. She thought she was going to faint. "Oz?" she whispered. He didn't seem to know her.

The red headed girl smiled nervously, "Hi."

Oz's legs buckled. He looked at Giles. "Home," he whispered softly. Giles beamed. He and the girl led him to a chair. He curled up.

"So" Buffy said, "What's been happening with you?"

Giles sighed. "I think you better sit down." He looked at the girl.

"Everyone, this is Ginny." Ginny. The name seems familiar.

"The girl who...you know," Dawn said awkwardly. Ginny nodded.

Giles looked at Oz. "We'll just be over here, alright?" Oz wasn't looking at him. He was looking at Dawn. He cocked his head to one side and frowned slightly.

Giles frowned. "Oz? Are you okay?"

Oz pointed at Dawn.

"What?"

"Green," Oz whispered. Then he wrapped his arms around himself and started to shake. Ginny's eyes widened.

"Oz, no. Please, don't." It was too late. Oz looked up again and his eyes were amber. Anya gasped. Giles swore softly.

Dawn looked confused. "How did he know? Only insane people can sense my keyness..." she trailed off. "Oh God!"

Willow looked horrified. "What happened to him?"

"He lets the wolf in when he's frightened or around magic."

"I don't understand."

"Sit down and I'll explain it all."

They sat down and Giles began to explain. When he had finished talking, he looked back at Oz. His eyes were green again. He looked at Giles.

"Giles," he said softly. "Gin-ny. Buff-y. Dawn. Xan-der. Will-ow. Anya." He looked at each one of them when he said it. Giles beamed happily.

"Fantastic Oz. Bloody fantastic."

Buffy nudged him. "Stop saying 'bloody'. It's creepy!"

Giles sighed and shook his head.