Death Is Our Gift

VII

King's Cross and Beyond

The next two weeks seemed to fly. Liam awoke every morning to the sound of his mirror, which liked to be called Reg for some inexplicable reason, singing "God Save the Queen". Liam soon learned that talking mirrors quickly wear out their usefulness, and on a few occasions had to threaten Reg with a large brick.

He was glad to have what he affectionately called 'his Bible'. He was able to have a semi-decent conversation with a few older boys about Quidditch, albeit short as he had only seen it played in his book. Willow was usually busy with Giles trying to learn some control before she arrived at school, which meant Liam wandered Diagon Alley by himself.

A pleasant surprise came a few days before they were to leave for Hogwarts. Giles, while trying to engage Liam in yet another conversation, caught sight of someone he knew. "Elizabeth, over here!" he called out through the crowd.

A woman and what was presumable her daughter came over to Giles. "Rupert, what are you doing here?"

"Just showing Liam here the sights of Diagon Alley. Liam, this is my sister Elizabeth Evans and her daughter Alexandria. Ladies, this is Liam Summers, the son of Buffy Summers."

Elizabeth extended her hand. "I've heard so much about you, Liam."

Liam returned the shake. "Wish I could say the same, but I can't." Alexandria snickered a little bit. Elizabeth looked briefly at Giles. "Well, Rupert isn't known for his discussion of personal matters."

Alexandria stuck out her hand as well. "Nice to meet you, Liam."

Liam smiled. She had short blonde hair and blue eyes. Liam could see a bit of Giles in her, but not enough to find her revolting. "You too, Alexandria."

"Call me Lex," she said. "'Alexandria' is what I get called when I'm in trouble."

"Alexandria," her mother said, "we must be going now."

Lex whispered to Liam, "See what I mean." She winked at him and followed her mother off.

"Quite a girl," Giles said. "She will be attending Hogwarts this year as well."

Liam was looking forward to now actually knowing someone. "So, why haven't you talked about your family before?" Liam asked.

"Are we actually trying to have a civil conversation here?" replied Giles.

"Guess not," Liam said, walking back to the Leaky Cauldron.

******

August 31 finally arrived. With bags and trunks packed, Giles, Willow, and Liam made their way to King's Cross Station. Liam had wanted to spend as little time as possible in Muggle London, liking Diagon Alley more and more with every day. He was sad to be leaving, but excited to be attending Hogwarts. His departure from Reg was even touching, with Reg finally learning the words to "Sail Away" by Styx.

They left The Leaky Cauldron in regular taxis, which had lost their 'cuteness' in Willow's eyes. She had, for the past two weeks, been studying non-stop for her arrival at Hogwarts. She was nervous, and when she was nervous, she rambled.

"So, I've got Potions down, and I know my Divination, I think... and I have a good idea about Herbology, but I'm not sure what the difference between-"

"Will," said Liam, "you'll do fine. The worse that's going to happen is that they're going to put you in the remedial class with the guys who couldn't transfigure their pincushions into hedgehogs and-"

"You will do fine," added Giles. "We'll get settle in first, and then you can see which subjects you need to work through. I assure you that the professors will give you every chance to prove yourself."

"Even Snape?" asked Willow.

"Ah, yes... well..." Before Giles could come up with an appropriate comment, they had arrived at King's Cross Station. They unloaded the cab and walked their carts along the rows of trains.

"Long way from CalTrain, eh Will?" said Liam.

"So, we need to get to Platform 9 ¾," said Willow. "But there isn't a sign for it."

"And why would there be?" asked a woman behind them. She had with her a girl about Liam's age. "Hello, Rupert," said the woman.

"Ah, Elizabeth," said Giles. "Elizabeth, this is Willow Rosenberg. Willow, this is my sister Elizabeth and her daughter Alexandria."

"Lex," said the little girl.

"Nice to meet you both," said Willow, who couldn't help but look a bit confused.

"Alexandria is attending Hogwarts this year too," said Elizabeth. "So, her and young Liam should get on splendidly."

"Yes, I think we shall," said Lex in a mocking manner. "Come young Liam, shall we take our things aboard?"

Liam couldn't help but giggle a bit. "Pip-pip, I should say so," he said, following Lex's example and putting his nose in the air. They walked along for a bit and reached the area between Platforms 9 and 10.

"Now, see that guy there," said Lex, motioning to an older boy who was pushing a similar cart to theirs. He walked straight into the wall, much to Liam's amazement and no one else's notice.

"That's how you do it," she said. "You go first."

Liam quickly strolled toward the wall and felt himself tense up as he got closer. HE closed his eyes just before and was slightly startled when he didn't crash into the wall. Upon opening his eyes, he saw the sign before him that read 'Platform 9 ¾' and the giant red train that was the Hogwarts Express.

"Move along," said a porter. "Mustn't block the gateway."

Liam nodded and push his cart away from the wall, just in time as Lex and her cart came barreling through, her eyes closed.

"Sorry," she said opening her eyes. "That gives me the wiggins."

"No worries," said Liam.

They pushed their carts to the end of the train, where the porters were loading on the luggage. They left their names with them and Lex and Liam found a quiet compartment near the back of the train.

"Uh, Lex, can I ask you a question?" asked Liam.

"Sure," replied Lex.

"How much do you know about me?"

Lex looked quizzical at Liam. "What does that mean?"

"It means, you know about my parents, right?"

"I know your mother was the Slayer. I don't know anything about your father. Your aunt is the current Slayer and your other aunt, who you're not related to is the new Librarian. That's it. Why?"

"Just curious. Giles probably told you that we don't get along."

"No one gets along with Uncle Rupert," said Lex. "He is not big in the social graces department, but he is fiercely loyal to family and friends." Liam shrugged his shoulders at that.

"Can you do me a favor and not tell anyone about my family?" asked Liam. "I'm self conscious about people thinking I'm some mystical force because my mom killed vampires-"

"Your mom killed vampires?" asked a boy coming into the car. He was wearing Muggle clothing.

"Of course," said Lex. "Hasn't your mother killed a vampire?"

The boy looked shocked. "Uh, no. My mom's a teacher."

"You're a Muggle, aren't you?" asked Lex.

"Yeah. Name's Ashton Williams, but my friends call me 'Ash'."

Liam stuck out his hand. "I'm Liam Summers." Ash shook his hand.

"I'm Alexandria Evans," said Lex. "But call me 'Lex'. And if you ever call me 'Alexandria', I'll hex you into next week."

Ash's eyes got wider. "Uh, yeah. Good to meet you, Lex. Mind if I sit here?"

Liam motioned to the seat. "Free country, oh wait, no you guys still have a monarch."

Lex looked at Liam. "What does that mean?"

"It means that you still have a king that you have to look up to and look out for, despite being a complete moron."

"Guys," said Ash, "this is not the time or place to be arguing American versus English politics."

"And where are you from that makes you so impartial?" asked Lex.

"All over," said Ash. "My parents are missionaries. We've moved around my entire life. We were in Ireland when I got my letter, but before that we were in America, Africa, Austrailia, and even Russia. They were a bit shocked, but a nice witch from the Ministry of Magic came and explained everything to them. Even got a book out of the deal."

"Yeah, I got the same book," said Liam. "Have you read much-" Liam was interrupted by an argument outside their compartment door.

"But my father said that you were to sit with us," said an older boy with bright red hair.

"And my father," said a girl with auburn hair, "said that your father was a git and to run as far away from you and your siblings as I possibly could without leaving the train."

"My father-" began a pale boy with dark blonde hair.

"Shut up, Malfoy!" said the other two participants. Malfoy turned and opened their compartment. "Mind if I sit in here?" he asked.

"Plenty of room," said Ash, looking to his compartment mates. "I'm Ash Williams. He's Liam Summers and she's Lex Evans."

The boy smiled at everyone. "I'm Joshua Malfoy." He looked quickly to everyone in the room. Only Lex seemed to register anything.

"And I'm joining you," said the girl in the hallway. Before the other boy could say anything, she came into the compartment and slammed the door close, pulling the shade over the window. "Sarah Weasley," she said.

"And who was that?" asked Liam.

"My cousin, Reginald Weasley. He's as much as a git as his father is."

"He's my cousin too," said Joshua.

"Yes," said Sarah, "but just barely. You're a Malfoy first, then you're a Weasley."

Liam and Ash looked confused. "Uh, what's a Malfoy and what's a Weasley?" asked Liam.

"The Weasleys and the Malfoy," said Lex, "are both old wizarding families that have typically loathed each other since the dawn of time. No one is really sure why, except that Malfoys typically side with dark wizards and Weasleys always side with the good."

"And you two are related?" questioned Liam.

"Yeah," said Sarah. "His mother and my father are brother and sister."

"So, was your dad a baddie?" said Liam to Joshua.

"Oh, he was a bad guy, but then he changed. Except that the precious Weasleys," he said pointing at Sarah, "can't accept that."

"Grandmum likes you," added Sarah. "That should be something."

"Grandmum likes everyone," said Joshua. "You could bring a troll over to the house and she'd knit it a bloody jumper!"

"Regular Hatfields and McCoys, eh?" added Liam.

"Who?" asked Lex.

"Hatfields and McCoys. They're an American legend about two families that hated each other for generations."

"Actually," said Sarah, "of all my cousins, Malfoy is the only one I actually can stand to be around. My Uncle Percy's kids are all snots. Uncle Bill doesn't have any. Uncle Charlie's boys are all older, except Malcolm who's a fifth year, and Uncle Fred doesn't play for the right team, as my dad says."

"Huh?" questioned Ash.

"He's a poof," said Joshua. "But he does know how to cook, I'll give him that."

"Okay, I'm going to ask the totally obvious question to everyone else in here," began Liam, "but what's a poof?"

"He's a homosexual," said Lex. "'Poof' is like the American word 'fag', only in England a 'fag' is a cigarette."

"So, you're an American?" asked Sarah. "Where at in America."

"Sunnydale, California," he said with a sense of pride. "The Mouth of Hell."

"Uh, Liam," said Sarah, "I don't know about American, but 'Hellmouth' means something to us."

"Sorry," said Liam, trying not to laugh.

"So, what about you Ash?" asked Sarah. "Where are you from? You're accent is a little vague."

"Rightly so," said Ash. "Like I told Liam and Lex, my parents are missionaries, so we travel all the time. I've spent most of my time in Ireland, but I was born in Australia. I didn't know anything about wizards or witches, but I'm liking it so far."

"How are your parents reacting to the news?" said Liam.

"Really well," said Ash. "They're cool with the idea of me being a wizard, or trying to anyway. However, they had to leave Ireland and go to somewhere in Africa so they didn't get to see me off."

"That's okay," said Sarah, "you can use one of the school's owls to write them and tell them all about it."

"Nah," said Ash, "they'd most likely wig out if an owl came swooping into their camp. Plus, I think the other missionaries might not like it. Too 'evil' for them. I'll drop them a letter sometime."

"So Liam, what about you? What's your family like?"

Liam took a deep breath. "Well, I was mostly raised by my aunt and my mom's best friend, who I call my aunt. My mom died five years ago."

"What about your dad?" asked Joshua.

"Never knew him," said Liam. "Mom didn't talk a lot about him. But my aunt is way cool. She's going to be the new librarian."

"I thought you were Muggle born," said Sarah.

"Well..." Liam thought for a moment. "I am a Muggle born, I guess. But Willow, my aunt, she used to do magic all the time when she was younger, but something happened and she was bound from it."

"Bound from her magic?" said Lex, in a shocked manner. "That's really serious."

"It was for her own good," said Liam. "She doesn't miss it too much, and now that she's going to be coming here, Dumbledore has lifted the binding so she can learn to control it."

"How do you know so much about magic, being Muggle born?" asked Sarah, looking at him suspiciously.

"Because the History of Magic professor is also a friend of the family," said Liam. "And he's Lex's uncle."

"So you grew up knowing about magic?" Sarah asked again.

"Pretty much. What about your parents?"

Sarah shrugged. "Mum's a professional Quidditch player and Dad and Uncle Fred own Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, which are wizarding practical jokes."

"What about you, Josh?" asked Liam.

"Nothing personal, but don't call me 'Josh'. My name is 'Joshua'. My parents work for the Ministry of Magic, and that's all I can tell you."

"His parents are Unspeakables, which means that no one knows what they do," added Sarah. Joshua glared at her.

"Lex," said Liam, "guess your last."

"Well, my mother stays at home with my two little brothers and my dad is a Muggle."

"Really?" asked Sarah. "What does he think of wizarding life?"

"He's always wanting to know where he can sign up. I think he wishes he was able to do things, but he loves watching Quidditch."

"You mean the game on the broomsticks?" asked Ash.

"The only game on broomsticks," said Joshua.

Sarah just shrugged her shoulders. "Joshua is a bit of a nut on Quidditch, even if his favorite team is the Cannons."

"You going to try out for the team?" asked Ash.

"Maybe," said Joshua. "They usually don't let first years play, but last year they made an exception on account of most of the players had graduated and they got a new flying instructor-"

"Who was my parents team coach when they were at Hogwarts," continued Sarah. "He's more mad about Quidditch than any person you could ever meet."

"If he dealt with your parents, he would have to be starkers," said Joshua.

"Oh yeah, well at least my father is some dark wizard!"

"My father is not a dark wizard," said Joshua, looking offended. "He fought all the dark stuff while your parents-"

"Hey," said Liam, standing over both of them. "Is it always this way with you two?"

They both nodded. "Pretty much," said Joshua. "We argue with each other, but if anyone else says something bad about the other, we're all over them."

"Well," said Ash, "let's all be friends and stop yelling at each other. Okay?"

"You mean that?" asked Liam.

"Yeah," said Ash, "why wouldn't I? I mean, you guys are the closest I've had to friends in a long time. And for the remainder of this trip we should stay that way," looking at Sarah & Joshua, "especially the related pair."

"Fine." Everyone agreed and the remainder of the train ride was relatively quite.

*******

Far away from the Hogwarts Express, in a dark room were two wizards. These two wizards were not remarkable in any way, from their beards to the scrolls that they were reading. Except that the scrolls were stolen from the British Museum a few weeks earlier and that they were working on translating them.

"Why can't demons write in something a little less complicated than this? How 'bout Enochian?"

The second wizard, a little older and perhaps a bit wiser, just shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps because every nutcase can speak Enochian. Very few can speak-"

"Am I interrupting something important?" ask the woman entering the room. She, unlike the other men in the room, was very remarkable. She had long black hair, pulled into a ponytail at the back of her head. Her short black dress and high heels looked out of place with the wizard's robes, but no one seemed to notice.

"Because, if there is, I'd like to know about it. I'm not paying you two for a quick etymology lesson. I want these scrolls translated."

"Madam," said the older of the two wizards, "we are working as fast as we can. We have completed most of the ritual and know for certain the time when it must be performed. As to the rest, we will finish it well before the Red Moon."

The woman shook her head. "No, because I know we're going to need a few more items and we have no idea where the ritual will be held. I need those missing pieces, gentlemen. And if you can't deliver them to me, you can join your colleagues." She made motion to two black marks on the wall next to her, which looked like shadows permanently trapped on the wall.

"Madam, we can only work so fast."

The woman shook her head. "And my patience can only last so long..." She left the room with that hanging over their heads. Perhaps to hasten their resolve to find the answers she needed.