Welcome to The Hellmouth Harry Potter!

Chapter 4: Where Do We Go From Here?

Harry fell to his knees with a jolt of pain. His scar was burning.

"What's the matter, Potter?" Malfoy asked him with a sneer. "Got a headache?"

"Are you alright?" Giles asked.

"He's satisfied about something. Very satisfied," Harry said, his voice trembling with hate, "too satisfied."

**************

Cho couldn't move her arms. The snake was squeezing her so strongly, she couldn't move. The snake tightened its grip and Cho found she was having a hard time breathing. She saw the snake's red eyes staring at her.

"Arggghhhh!" Dean called as he lifted the base of his sofa, and tipped it over on top of the snake. The sofa fell on the snake's head and most of its body. It was buried beneath it. Dean immediately turned towards Cho. He tried to loosen the snake's grip, but couldn't. The snake was still squeezing her. There was a sound of something being ripped inside the sofa.

Cho was craving for oxygen. She couldn't talk. She couldn't think. She felt as if her bones were being crushed. Then she saw Dean run away from her and the snake. That was when she realized she was doomed.

Dean ran as quickly as he could to the kitchen.

Ring, Ring.

Dean heard the phone ring, but didn't think for one second of answering. He pulled the silverware drawer open with so much force, it was pulled out of the table completely.

Ring, Ring.

He began looking through the knives in the drawer. When he didn't find what he wanted he kneeled in front of the dish washer.

Ring, Ring.

Even though the bright orange digital numbers on the dishwasher's door signaled that it would finish its work only in another eleven minutes, Dean opened the dish washer.

Ring, Ring.

This time Dean immediately found what he wanted. He took out a very long knife, with a large, thick sharp blade. Dean only saw his mother use this knife when they were having a barbecue. Dean held it in his hand and ran back into the living room.

Ring, Ring.

Cho began to feel empty. She opened her mouth again and tried to breath, but nothing entered her lungs.

Ring, Ring.

Dean heard the ripping inside the sofa grow louder. He ran pass the sofa.

Ring, Ring.

Cho saw Dean return. He was holding a knife. She was immediately filled with hope.

Ring, Ring.

Dean kneeled next to Cho. He lifted the knife in the air, and then landed it in a swift strike on the snake's flesh. Dean had cut it clean. The part of the snake that was wrapped around Cho fell dead, its head, still connected to half of its body, jumped through the sofa in a jolt of pain making a hole in it.

The phone fell quiet.

Dean helped Cho get up as she gasped for breath. He was still holding the big knife. He half pulled half led Cho quickly into his room. They ran inside and closed the door. There was an awkward moment when Cho realized Dean was holding her. She was panting, trying to breath in as much air as she can.

"Thank you," she said, still panting loudly.

The handle of the door jiggled.

Cho took no chances. She ran to her suitcase and took her wand out. The snake turned the handle. The door opened a bit and it entered. It lunged at Dean's leg. Dean backed away but he wasn't quick enough. The snake closed its mouth on Dean's leg.

"Stupefy!" Cho called. Her aim was perfect and the spell hit the snake. It froze, with less than an inch between its fang and Dean's skin. Dean slowly took his leg out of the snake's enormous mouth. He held the knife tightly in his hand. Then he cut the snake's head off.

**************

"Are you alright, Ginny?" Malfoy asked quietly, when he saw Ginny standing alone near the window.

Ron cast a suspicious look to his sister's direction, but Hermione gave him a warning look. "I don't think he'll do anything, not when we're all here."

"I'm okay. Not that you care," Ginny answered reluctantly.

"Now, now, Weasley. Didn't your mother teach you to answer politeness with politeness?"

"Didn't your mother teach you what politeness is?" Ginny retorted.

"That's not very nice. Don't take your bad day out on me," Malfoy answered, barely keeping his cool.

"My day was fine till you came along, Malfoy," Ginny snapped.

Malfoy's calm, diplomatic expression changed immediately to his usual sneering, superior look. "Fine Weasel. Just wanted to make you feel like someone who actually matters cares. I would have been very pleased if you just said you were miserable and unhappy," he said and walked away.

A second too late, Ginny regretted what she said. She hated Malfoy, but at this particular event, he hadn't done anything to deserve her outburst.

"They're not answering," Buffy said, frustrated. She was pacing across the room. Harry, Giles, Malfoy, Willow, Hermione, Xander, Ron and Ginny were sitting there quietly, waiting for the rest to come. They were all very tense.

"Who isn't?" Harry said, worried.

"Dean. I let the phone ring off the hook!" Buffy responded.

"Isn't he the one Cho is staying with?" Harry said as he got up.

"Yes. I'll call them again," Buffy said with a grim expression on her face.

Xander was looking around the room. His head in his hands. Something occurred to him. "Did you call Cordelia?" he said. His eyes rested on Willow. "And Oz?"

"God! I forgot!" Buffy said and slapped herself on the forehead.

"It's okay Buffy," Willow said in a soothing voice, "Oz is, 'busy' today anyway and you can call Cordelia now."

"Right, it's a full moon," Buffy muttered to herself as she began to dial Cordelia's number.

"What? You know a werewolf?" Hermione asked, shocked.

Buffy hung up the phone and sat on the sofa. "This is gonna be a fun evening," she muttered to herself.

"How do you know?" Willow asked Hermione.

The phone rang. Buffy answered quickly. "Hello?"

Back at his house, Dean was talking on the phone. "Buffy?"

"Dean? Is that you?" she asked, relieved.

"Yeah. We're coming to you're place," Dean said, "we need you're help."

"I was just about to ask you over. I called earlier and -"

"We were kind of busy," Dean cut her off, "I'll explain when we come."

"Okay, bye," Buffy said and hanged up.

"Now Cordy," Xander reminded her.

"Right," Buffy said and called Cordelia and Luna.

**************

Fifteen minutes later, Cordelia, Luna, Dean and Cho were already at the house. Giles entered the living room, holding a tray with a pitcher full of water and many cups.

"Ok," Buffy said nervously, "Giles. Care to explain what's happening?"

Giles put the tray on the table and began to rub his glasses. "Well, McGonagall called me a couple of weeks ago. Apparently a dark force is going to rise here and she didn't think the slayer was able to face it by herself."

Ginny gave Buffy a triumphant smile. Buffy looked annoyed. "Giles!"

"Well that's what they said!" Giles said defensively, "some dark force is rising here. They think that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named wants something here."

"Because of the hellmouth," Hermione added.

"But, no offence, but who are you guys?" Xander asked, "and who's this guy-you-can't-name?"

"I'll explain," Giles said and began to walk to the kitchen, "There are some books in my briefcase -"

Harry stood up and moved to the center of the room. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, is Lord Voldemort," Harry said. All the wizards gave a shudder. Harry noticed that Giles winced. Apparently he knew who Voldemort is. Giles sat down. "He is the most powerful dark warlock in the wizard world. He murdered my parents when I was two and gave me this scar," Harry pointed to the lightning shaped scar on his forehead. Willow shuddered. Buffy had a look of pity in her eyes, Xander was just shocked. Even though Harry noticed their reactions, he ignored them and continued. "After that he lost his powers. He tried to regain them many times since. We," Harry gestured towards his friends, "have stopped him several times, but two years ago he succeeded and murdered a student in our school." Cho lowered her head, a tear in her eye. Dean was staring at Harry, shocked by the last part. When he saw Cho was crying, he tried to put a comforting hand on her head, but she moved away. Harry continued. "Last year, he worked undercover, hoping no one will realize he returned. During the year there were a few weird occurrences, people disappeared, injured," Ginny's hand twitched involuntarily, "a few were murdered." Harry paused. The memories of Sirius flooded his mind. Sirius as a dog watching him play Quidditch, Sirius and Lupin in the Shrieking Shack trying to convince him Sirius was innocent, Sirius flying to freedom on Buckbeak, Sirius falling through the veil, Bellatrix laughing... Hermione had an apprehensive look on her face. Harry shook his head and continued. "We are wizards. We do magic, we learn it at school," Harry said and took his wand out. "Expecto Patronum!" A large silver stag emerged out of Harry's wand and galloped around the room. The muggles were amazed.

"Wow..." Willow said in awe.

"However, I don't think Voldemort is here. I doubt if Dumbledore would put us in such risk. On the other hand, it can't be an accident we are all here," Harry said as he put his wand in his pocket and sat down. There was a heavy pause.

"Now it's your turn," Ginny said as she turned to Buffy, "What's a vampire slayer?"

Hermione lifted her head. "Into each generation, a Slayer is born. One girl in all the world, a Chosen One, one born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires. She alone must face the forces of evil," Hermione recited. Everyone stared at her shocked.

"You're not related to Giles in any way, are you?" Xander asked.

Hermione blushed.

"Well that pretty much covers it," Buffy said, surprised, "I kill vampires, my friends help me. I died last year. And..." Buffy paused as she was faced with the Angel dilemma. She has to tell them about him. But how much should she? "The local bad guys are William the Bloody, also known as Spike, Drusilla and Angelus," Buffy finished with a sigh.

"William?" Hermione asked, looking afraid, "Didn't he kill two slayers? And Angelus? He's a monster."

Buffy lowered her head, fighting down a tear.

"Tell me Hermione, is there something you don't know everything about?" Ron asked.

"I'd say moisturizing is a weak subject," Cordelia said.

"As fascinating as all this is," Giles interrupted, "we should form a plan. Maybe find this Dumbledore chap."

"You want to tell me, that Professor McGonagall talked to you and didn't mention Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

"We talked very briefly. We didn't want to be overheard," Giles answered pointedly.

"I think maybe we should find the vamps," Buffy said.

"But Buffy," Willow said, "are you sure? I mean, Angel..."

"We have reinforcements, Will," Buffy said as she looked at the wizards, "Ginny alone dusted one vamp and kind of paralyzed another."

"You fought vampires?" Ron half asked half yelled at Ginny.

"Well, they tried to kill me, so for some reason, I decided to fight back!" Ginny retorted.

"How could you let this happen?" Ron yelled at Buffy as he stood up.

"Hey! Relax!" Buffy yelled back, and continued, calmer, "vampires can't enter the house, I thought we were safe. She stuck her head out of the window. And she's alive ok?"

"And besides, Ron," Ginny called at him, "I'm not a baby you know! I fought the death eaters in the ministry right by your side!" Ginny said and crossed her hands, pouting. Hermione put a calming hand on Ron and managed to coax him to sit down.

"I think that's a good idea, Buffy," Giles said, "I think we are strong enough to beat Angel. And we should reach them before He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named does."

"No," Harry said, "I want to know what's going on. We need to talk to Dumbledore."

"That dumb muggle lover can't help you, Potter," Malfoy said quietly.

Harry narrowed his eyes and walked towards Draco, who seemed very calm, almost bored. "What do you mean?" Harry took his wand out.

"He's busy," Malfoy replied simply.

Harry and Draco's faces were very close now. "What do you mean?" Harry emphasized each word.

"Ask him," Malfoy answered.

Harry punched him in the face. "I will never understand why Dumbledore allows Slytherin to -" Draco cut Harry in mid sentence.

"Expelliarmus!" Malfoy shouted, his wand facing Harry. Harry flew across the room and landed on Buffy's kitchen table and fell off it taking its map with him.

Immediately everyone in the room moved towards Malfoy, but the wizards reached him first.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Stupefy!"

"Impedimenta!"

Hermione, Ginny and Ron called respectively. Cho had her wand out but didn't bother with an incantation after she heard the others. Malfoy fell unconscious and then flew across the room. Harry stood up, his eyes burning. He looked furious. He was holding his wand in a strong grip. It was at that moment, that Buffy felt for the first time that Harry just might actually have some power in him. He walked quickly to Malfoy and aimed his wand to his face.

"Harry, No!" Hermione screamed.

"Ennervate," Harry said, and put his foot firmly on Malfoy's chest. Draco awoke with a start. He began talking, but Harry began talking before him.

"Leave. Leave us, Malfoy. Get out of this house. People could die tonight and I can not afford having a person like you with us. You are too much of a distraction," Harry said, radiating the same kind of strength he noticed once coming from Dumbledore.

"But -" Malfoy said, stressed.

"I don't care. I don't think your lord will hurt you," Harry said. Malfoy paled. Harry stepped of him and Malfoy stood up.

"You don't know -" Malfoy began to say. Harry's wand was still pointed at him.

"Talk, and we will find out if I hate you enough to successfully perform the Cruciatus curse," Harry said.

Slowly, Malfoy walked out of the house.

"That was dumb, Harry," Hermione said quietly.

"Don't start Hermione," Harry said.

Hermione talked again, her voice louder this time. "You have just pushed away someone who could help us!"

"His father is a death eater and he probably is too!" Harry yelled.

"But if he wasn't, Harry," Hermione answered in a very irritated and somber tone, "he sure is going to be now."

"Hermione you hate him!" Ron said, in a somewhat pleading tone, "and besides, he was probably spying on us."

"He wasn't," Ginny said quietly.

"How do you -" Harry asked.

"I just know," Ginny said. Harry knew the expression she was having and he knew not to argue with her when she had that expression.

Everyone in the room was silent.

"Dad says there's a crusade," Luna said, out of the blue. Everyone turned towards her, surprised. "He says there's an artifact here that can raise the dead. Maybe that's what they are looking for."

"Umm, we were attacked by a huge black snake, does that help?" Dean asked Harry.

"With red eyes?" Harry asked.

Dean nodded.

"That was Nagini. She's Voldemort's snake," Harry said.

Dean smiled. "Well, I guess Voldemort is having a bad day. We decapitated his pet."

Everyone in the room smiled. Ron laughed a bit.

"We really should get to work," Giles said. He was the only who wasn't smiling.

"What's this artifact, Luna?" Harry asked.

"I don't remember what it's called, but dad said it can raise the dead and that it's probably Voldemort's goal. That way he can build himself an army of the undead," Luna answered, "you can read all about it in the next Quibbler."

"Rubbish!" Giles said, a bit angry.

"Umm, Harry, I'm not sure if that's..." Hermione didn't want to insult Luna, "let's just talk to Dumbledore."

"You guys are acting like calling Dumblebells is a hard thing to do," Buffy said, confused, "just use my phone."

"Wizards don't use phones," Harry answered.

"Well, we don't have any Floo powder," Hermione said as she searched her brain for ways to contact Dumbledore, "we can't fly there or take a train or something. That will take too much time. No one here can apparate, we are all sixth..." Hermione turned to Cho, "unless..."

"She's not going," Harry said.

"What's to apparate?" Dean asked, apprehensive.

"To disappear from one place, and appear in another," Cho said quietly. "I did pass the test, but I'm not sure... I mean it's very far... I don't know if I'm good enough."

"Then don't go," Dean said.

"You're not going, Cho," Harry said.

"Sorry," she said.

"It's fine," Harry said.

"Don't sweat it," Dean added.

Hermione coughed to get Harry's attention. "I guess the only way is to use a portkey."

"And where exactly do you think you can find a portkey?" Ron asked.

"Not find. Make," Hermione answered. The wizards looked at her astonished.

"You can make a portkry?" Luna asked.

"I think I can," Hermione looked at Harry, "I know I can. But I'll need books. Which we don't have here."

"Books?" Xander said, "if all you need is books we'll just go to the library."

"Yes, Xander. Where all the vampires can come and kill us. Great plan!"

Cordelia said, full of sarcasm.

"Well what's your plan? Stay here and be bitchy?" Xander retorted.

"Yeesh. Look at them! With all these fights it's obvious they want each other!" Hermione whispered to Ron.

"Yeah. Pathetic," he agreed. Ginny and Harry overheard this and exchanged smiles.

"Guys! Just calm down!" Buffy told Xander and Cordelia, her voice a bit raised. She turned to Harry. "Fine. We'll go to the library and research this portkey thing," she turned to Giles, "you have the keys?"

"Wait," Harry told Buffy. For some reason he didn't like this Giles guy. He eyed Giles and tried to figure out how to phrase his suspicion. Buffy seemed to know what he was thinking.

"Harry, you're gonna have to trust us. And Giles," Buffy said in a calming voice.

"And besides, he's probably her watcher," Hermione added.

"Indeed," Giles smiled at her.

"Ok, Dean you should do a round robin, we already did," Buffy said.

"A what?"

"Call home and say I'm throwing a party and that you'll be staying here all night. So your parents won't worry," Buffy explained.

"I don't need to do that. Mom is on a business trip and well..." Dean trailed off awkwardly.

"Oh right," Buffy murmured.

"What?" Harry asked. Harry wasn't going to stand any secrets tonight. No one is going to die because of his carelessness. Again.

"My father died when I was six," Dean continued when he saw the somewhat sad looks, "its okay really. It was a long time ago."

"How...?" Cho asked.

"Does it matter?" Dean didn't sound angry, but he obviously didn't feel like sharing.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said.

"Hey I'm fine," Dean waved his hand, as if dismissing Hermione's sympathy, "let's just get on with the program."

"Ok, I'm gonna go get some weapons and then we'll head off to the school," Buffy said as she began to walk upstairs to get some weapons.

Ron gulped. "Weapons?"

"Yeah, some swords, an axe, stakes of course, crosses..." Buffy answered nonchalantly.

Ron leaned over towards Hermione. "Do all Americans have axes in their houses?" he asked, a bit shaken.