Welcome to The Hellmouth Harry Potter!

Ginny's wrists were cuffed with steel shackles that were chained to the wall. Voldemort conjured those. She was sitting on the floor. Ginny's eyes were closed. She was concentrating on happy thoughts, as if trying to produce a Patronus. Playing Quidditch, a family dinner, hanging with 'mione, her first great feast, Harry's green eyes...

"Yes, they do have that charming slimy hue, don't they?" Voldemort drawled. Ginny opened her eyes, scared. "I bet the girls just fall for noble heroic Harry. Or are they terrified of dark, crazy, moody Mr. Potter?"

Voldemort kneeled in front of Ginny. "It doesn't matter. I'm sure they will all show up for his funeral."

Voldemort smiled and began to walk away. "You can't kill him," Ginny whispered, "you won't."

Voldemort looked at the girl. He laughed. "Why, of course I won't. Why go into battle with the one person that can kill me? No... You'll do it for me."

Ginny's eyes opened with horror. The warlock smiled at her reaction and turned away.

It can't be true. How could Ginny kill him? Does he plan to use the Imperius? Because that Ginny can fight... No he won't! She won't! She could never hurt Harry...

At first it was just one small silent tear that slid down Ginny's cheek. But quickly she let all the fears and worries inside her come out. Her nose was running and she was crying hard.

And there was no one around who cared.

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

After Cho made the cords vanish, she cast a spell that would slow Dean's fall. She helped him stand up. "Is she dead?" Dean asked.

"Yes," Cho answered in a sad whisper.

"Why did he do it?"

"You wouldn't understand," Cho said, still in her low voice.

"Maybe I won't. But I'm beginning to think that Harry is a bit..."

"Strung up?" Cho offered.

"Mental," Dean said as he looked Cho in the eye.

"He's not. He just, went through a lot and he's dealing," Cho rationalized.

"Dealing is being moody and broody. This looks a lot like losing it," Dean pursued the subject. Cho looked at him. She didn't know what to say.

Cho noticed the wounds on Dean's chest, perplexed. "Why did Bellatrix come after you?" Cho said as she looked at the gashes.

"These are Harry's work. Bellatrix didn't hurt me. Not physically anyway," Dean said. "She only..." Dean tried to find away to explain the situation.

Cho understood. "Accio Dean's shirt!" she called and Dean's shirt came flying to her hand. Her face turned pink as she handed it to him.

"I thought she was... I mean, I didn't know. How did she do that?" Dean mumbled.

"Polyjuice. Probably the reason I'm still alive," Cho muttered, still embarrassed.

"Oh, that. Of course," Dean said, sarcastically.

"Its a potion that turns you into someone else for an hour," Cho explained.

They were quiet for a few seconds. Dean looked at Bellatrix's body.

"Is it that easy in your world? Just a wave of a wand?"

"Why? Is pulling a trigger harder?" Cho answered, a little indignant.

"You also have a wand," Dean motioned towards Cho's hand, "all of you do. I'm not packing any heat."

"You want to tell me that no one in your class doesn't have a gun? Or a knife?" Cho began to argue.

Dean smiled. "I'm in a California high school. There are probably more guns here than notebooks. But, Buffy, Xander, me..."

"Oh, so you're okay then? It's not like you can just strangle me or hit me or anything..."

"Did you ever try strangling someone? It's hard. It takes concentration, determination, anger, strength," Dean noticed the slightly horrified look on her face. "Too many Hitchcock movies as a kid. Sorry. And, you have no idea who Hitchcock is," Dean added as he saw Cho's confused face. "He was a great director who made thrillers. Mostly. Sorry. Point is-" Dean said and continued, focused, "you mutter two words in the heat of the moment - and I'll never see another sunrise."

Cho pondered for a second. "I guess you'll have to trust me then."

Dean failed to response. Cho rushed to calm him.

"Listed, Dean. I know this is all a little too much. But it'll be alright. Harry will be normal again and Dumbledore will sort things out after Hermione talks to him."

"They really should've returned by now," dean said, aloof.

"I didn't want you to get mixed up in all this. I'm sorry," she muttered.

"It's not your fault," Dean said. There was silence for a moment.

"Dean, are we still..." Cho began.

"We really should try and find someone," Dean cut her off, gently yet definitively.

She nodded and followed him out of the building.

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

"He needs to find this cross thing," Ethan began to explain, as the skin around his eye began to change from blue to purple, "and at midnight, what a cliché, he can raise a Lich from the blood and body of a pure wizard."

"Eeewww," Buffy called in disgust, "he's going to turn someone into a leech?"

"You're the girl who thwarted me three times?" Ethan called in disbelief. In response, Buffy kicked him in the shins. Ethan groaned.

"A Lich! It's what you call a zombi that can do magic!" Ethan called.

"What do you mean 'pure' wizard?" Ron asked, worried.

"Someone who hasn't committed murder," Ethan answered.

"So that's his grand plan? To make one measly zombie wizard? Oooh, I'm so scared," Xander said, joking, "you know, once evil overlords gave some thought to what they were going to do, plan it. Nowadays - nobody cares anymore."

"Idiot boy," Ethan said.

"You know I can kick too," Xander threatened.

"So can my grandmother," Ethan retorted.

"Xander?" Buffy said. She then turned to Ethan, making it clear he had to continue.

"That Lich will raise another Lich from every other person he kills and so on... Until everyone is dead."

"That sounds, like a better, plan," Xander said, shocked.

A glass shattered in the hallway. Buffy pulled out her stake and Ron prepared his wand.

Buffy opened the door. A small strip of light spread across the hallway.

Harry Potter slowed down and took out his wand. "Who's there?"

Buffy recognized the voice. "It's me, Buffy."

Harry raised his wand. "How can I know you're you?"

"Few are the girls I know that walk around with a stake," Buff replied.

Xander and Ron stood up and peaked out the door. "Harry! Mate! Are you okay?"

Ron walked towards him, down the dimly lit hallway. When Ron reached him Harry flinched away.

"Get away from me. All of you. Get away!" Harry said, waving the wand in his hand at the others.

"Whoa!" Buffy said, "Down boy."

"Relax mate," Ron said.

"Yeah, you could take someone's eye out with that thing," Xander added.

Harry looked at the people around him. Who were they? Sure, they looked like Ron and Buffy... But Buffy? Harry barely knew her.

He ran away from them down the hall.

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

Hermione and Willow appeared in the middle of an empty classroom. Willow quickly found the light switch.

"Ok, I'm not sure what everything that man said meant, so just tell me - how bad is it?" Willow asked.

"Let's put it this way," Hermione said in a shaky voice, "I wouldn't plan your next birthday party just yet."

"Oh, boy," Willow said and sat down, her eyes wide with horror.

Hermione was looking out the classroom windows, checking for enemies.

She noticed Willow's horrified look. "Maybe I exaggerated a bit. But we are in danger. And we are the only ones who can save us. We need to reunite the group. Let's find the others."

"They're probably still at the library," Willow offered.

"Then that's where we're going," Hermione paused. "I hope everyone's okay."

The girls left the classroom and began to walk towards the library.

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

Giles was driving his car as quickly as he could. Draco watched as an old jogger ran past them. "You muggles are pathetic," Draco said.

"Do you know anything else about what's supposed to take place tonight?" Giles asked urgently.

"No. But my father seemed pretty excited. So it's probably big," Draco said.

"Well obviously. Lord Voldemort wouldn't come out here just for a walk..."

Draco's eyes opened with shock. "He's here? The Dark Lord is here? Are you sure?"

"Yes," Giles continued.

"But if there is an attack on Hogwarts, wouldn't he be there?" Draco asked.

"He needs The Cross of Sandro. Which is in the library," Giles explained.

"Stop the car."

Giles didn't respond.

"Stop the car!!"

Giles stopped the car. Draco walked out. "I don't need this. Have a nice life. I'm going home," Draco said.

"Wait -" Giles began, but the boy was already running down the street.

For a second Rupert thought of going after him, but he decided he had more pressing things at the school.

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

Someone entered the library. Ginny raised her head in hope of finding a recognizable face. Unfortunately, she did. The vampire that attacked her at Buffy's house entered, holding a big sack.

"Hello Red," Angelus said as he threw the sack on the floor and walked towards Ginny. He laid a caressing finger on her cheek.

"I told you we'd meet again."

"Angelus..." Voldemort warned as he descended down the stairs. He had just entered Giles' office when the vampire arrived. "There will be enough time for fun later. Open the bag."

Angelus wore his vampire face. "Open it yourself," he snarled.

Ginny edged away from the horrific face.

"Aww, come on. They're only a few wrinkles. I never thought you'd be so shallow," Angelus said in a mock hurt tone.

Voldemort pointed his wand at the sack. The sack floated high in the room, turned upside down and the rope tying it undid itself. Mr. Ollivander fell out, along with 15 boxes, each holding a wand.

"Hello Ollie," Voldemort greeted.

Ollivander quickly began gathering the scattered boxes. "You'll never get these."

"I see The Ministry was kind enough to inform you. Who's the poor person who took it off the shelf?" Voldemort taunted.

"As a matter of fact, Tom, Goyle was just captured," Ollivander flashed an almost evil smile, "he was more than willing to perform the task."

Voldemort's smug smile wavered. "That isn't the only reason I brought you here."

Angelus coughed. "I brought him here," he said and began to walk towards Voldemort, "and during the kidnap I began to wonder. When are you going to tell me exactly what's going on here."

"When I'm ready," Voldemort answered, irritated.

"Will that before or after I start making balloon animals out of your innards? I can make an Ostrich."

Voldemort lifted his wand. "Crucio!"

"What? I'm supposed to turn into a frog?" Angelus taunted.

Voldemort looked at him, surprised. He shook his wand and tried again.

"Crucio!"

Angelus grinned broadly.

"The Unforgivables don't work on the undead, Tom. Or have you forgotten?" Ollivander told Voldemort in a condescending tone.

"What's with all this Tom business? You introduced yourself as Lord Voldemort. I'm beginning to think you're not royalty," Angelus said.

"I've seen The Impedimenta curse performed on this very vampire," Voldemort said as he moved in on Ollivander.

"That specific curse affects the body with whereas the Imperio and the Crucio alter the mind," Ollivander explained with malicious pleasure.

Ginny lifted her head; No one ever explained to her that the pain Crucio causes is psychosomatic.

"You can't alter the mind of the undead," Ollivander finished.

"For an arc villain you're very uneducated," Angelus said, faking disappointment.

Voldemort cast Angelus a look that would've made every wizard run in panic. Angelus smiled back. Voldemort turned back to Ollivander, with a broad smile and his usual elegant-evil-warlord tone.

"I need a favor Ollie," The Dark Lord said and took a wand off the table. He handed it to Ollivander gently. Ollivander examined the wand.

"Holly, very supple, I'd say eleven inches..." Ollivander paused with surprise, "tail from a phoenix."

Comprehension dawned on Ollivander's face.

"You're wondering how I got it. No interesting story there - one of the vampires took it from him. As for your other question..." Voldemort took a small box out of one of his pockets. He opened it. Inside, on a soft pillow-like substance, was a red phoenix feather.

"I want you to make a switch," Voldemort smiled.

"You know I will never do it," Ollivander said.

Voldemort smiled. Angelus walked towards Ollivander and sat before him. "Never say never."

Ginny was looking carefully at what was going on. Suddenly Voldemort turned to her.

"Even if you will manage to somehow get away, I can assure you, my memory charms are most effective. Now, if you'll excuse me," Voldemort turned back to Ollivander and Angelus, "I have some summoning to do."

Lord Voldemort walked up the stairs leading towards Giles' office.

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

"What was that all about?" Buffy asked.

"He gets like that sometimes. He will probably come back in fifteen minutes or something," Ron said.

"I don't know. He looked a bit... Crazy," Xander said.

Dean and Cho just entered the hallway. "Hey!" Dean called. Cho took out her wand.

"Its okay, its just us! Are you guys okay?" Buffy called back.

They walked towards each other. "Have you guys seen Harry?" Cho asked.

"Yeah, he just ran by us. Just dropped in to say 'I'm mad' and move on," Xander said.

"He was... Weird," Buffy said, not sure how to phrase her thoughts. "Do you have any idea if something happened?" she asked Cho.

Dean answered. "Hmmm, let me think. He was attacked by vampires. Then he hanged me from the ceiling. Then he murdered someone. After that we kind of lost him."

"He what?" Buffy asked surprised.

"Did he use the Unforgivables?" Ron asked Cho, his face uncharacteristically serious.

"Twice. On Bellatrix," she answered. "She pretended she was me, with Polyjuice, and, um, fooled Dean and Harry. And after Harry found out, she provoked him and..."

"Who's Bellatrix?" Xander asked.

"She killed Harry's godfather," Ron answered.

"No wonder he went postal on her," Buffy said. "But he'll be okay, right? He'll calm down. He just went to relax," Buffy asked.

Ron and Cho exchanged worried glances. Dean snorted.

"Harry is a part of a prophecy. He's the only one who can kill Voldemort. And his choices are either to kill or be killed," Cho explained.

Ron looked at Cho surprised. "You knew about this?"

"He told me, before our last fight," Cho answered.

Buffy smiled. "I have both been there and done that. Prophecies are overrated. I think I should talk to him."

"He didn't seem very talkative last time I saw him," Dean said.

"We'll just have to see about that," Buffy said and began to walk in the direction Harry went. "Take care of Ethan," she told the group.

"Who's Ethan?" Dean asked.

"Come in we'll explain," Xander said.

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

For the second time that day, Draco broke into Giles' house. He packed his suitcase. A thought occurred to him.

Draco conjured ropes to bind Peter and then he stood before him, his wand ready.

"Ennervate!"

Peter awoke. "Draco, kind sir, I'm happy our little disagreement is over -"

Draco cut him. "Spare me. You traveled here by Floo right?"

"Such a smart little boy," Peter said.

"Someday we will find a spell that will remove your tongue from people's arse," Draco said. "Where is the fireplace you arrived in?"

"It's boarded now, sir," Peter mumbled.

Draco swooped in on him, his hand clenched around Peter's throat. "I'm getting bored, Peter. Do not toy with me."

"Okay, okay," Peter managed to utter despite his lack of Oxygen. Draco let go. "There's a deserted mansion, down the block. There's a big fireplace in the living room, you can't miss it."

Draco took his suitcase and walked out the door.

"She'll be dead within the hour, Draco," Peter said, in a dark voice different from his previously used groveling tone.

Draco stopped.

"Your father is a quite talented Legilimens. We know all about ickle Draco's crush."

Peter smiled. Draco stood in the living room, hesitating. Peter began to yell. "What do you think is going to happen, Draco? Even if you won't die trying to save her, do you think she will love you? A Slytherin, son of a death eater? She'd rather see you in Azkaban than kiss you! Just go home, boy! It is your only chance of surviving this night!"

Draco ran out the door.