Tirer La Couture (Pull The Curtain Back)
folder
Harry Potter Crossovers › General - Misc
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
15
Views:
3,862
Reviews:
30
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter Crossovers › General - Misc
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
15
Views:
3,862
Reviews:
30
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Ch 9 - 6 Underground
CHAPTER NINE - 6 UNDERGROUND
See Chapter one for disclaimer.
Talk me down
Safe and sound
Too strung up to sleep
Wear me out
Scream and shout
Swear my time\'s never cheap
6 Underground - Sneakerpimps
Hours had passed. Everyone had told his or her tales and everyone was still just as confused at what had happened.
They all agreed to take a break as they were just going around in circles. Giles went to make more tea and Albus went with him leaving the wizard, werewolf, witch and slayer, at the table. Faith stood slowly, stretching her arms above her head and rotating her neck. Sirius watched her casually, the only indication that it was anything more was the darkening of his eyes to slate.
Faith turned to him as though she could feel his eyes on her and gave him a smile. She didn't want to lead him on, especially after what had happened in the club but there was a part of her that just couldn't resist it.
She turned to the witch and said, "Will, please tell me there's somewhere in this dungeon of books and watcher type stuff that I can have a smoke?"
Willow smiled and looked over her shoulder to Giles's office to make sure he wasn't coming,
"Just before the entrance to the stacks is a door which leads to an emergency exit, just don't tell him I told you, he's still kinda mad that I asked you to bring Sirius here selfself," she said in a low voice.
"Why wouldn't he want her here?" asked Sirius with a frown "He's a watcher, this is the watchers council and she's a slayer."
Willow and Faith shared a look before Faith turned to Sirius, "Me and Giles are better off at a distance is all," she said with a shrug, but Willow could tell that Faith hadn't told Sirius about being in jail and why, and from the near panicked look in her eyes, which looked completely out of place on the tough face, sidn'idn't intend on him finding out.
Willow made a mental note to ask Giles not to bring it up in front of their guests, although she wasn't hopeful. Giles had backed Faith in Sunnydale before the final battle, but Willow knew that he was still uncomfortable around Faith and that was the reason he had kept her far away once the battle was over.
Sirius was still frowning, not quite believing her but he let it go, everyone had their secrets, he knew that more than most. Faith hadn't bothered to change and was still wearing the vest and shorts that she had travelled in. Sirius watched her walk across the library and through the doorway. He heard a cough behind him and turned to see Remus watching him.
"See something you like Sirius?" Remus asked, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice at how besotted his friend seemed to be with the slayer.
Sirius looked at him seriously, "Yes Remus, I do," he said as he stood and walked towards the doorway. He spoke with out turning around, "But I don't think I'm the only one who's liking what they see, am I, Moony?"
Remus automatically glanced at Willow who was watching the conversation with interest.
"No, you're not the only one," he said quietly looking straight at the redhead next to him, causing Willow to blush and look away.
Sirius chuckled as if he had seen the exchange, "People in glass houses Remus, people in glass houses" he said, still laughing as he disappeared after Faith.
Willow stood quickly; piling assorted books one on top of the other, "I need to put these back" she muttered, cursing herself for her embarrassment.
Remus reached up and lightly touched her arm, feeling the powerful magic just under the surface of her skin, it made the hairs on his arm rise and was a little unnerving that this muggle woman, with no formal teaching, was more powerful than he would ever be. He wondered how she could be so shy and unsure of herself with that sort of power behind, but the fact that she was, endeared her to him. He had a strong feeling that that mix of bashfulness and power was just what made her "˜Willow'.
"Don't rush off Willow, stay and talk to me," he said with a small smile.
"Okay," she said slowly, cautiously as she sat back in her seat.
She felt like High School Willow had come back in full force when he spoke to her, like she wouldn't be able to string two sentences together. She actually glanced down to check that she was still wearing the long purple skirt and midnight blue long sleeved t-shirt, as though for one minute she expected to see herself in "˜The softer side of Sears' as Cordelia had once put it. She smiled sadly at the fleeting image in her head of Cordelia and how she would never hear those acid put downs again and the smile widened as she imagined her being there now with all these new people around. She could just see her taking in Remus's old worn cls ans and turning her nose up, or asking Albus where he shopped to end up with such colourful robes.
"Willow?" said Remus, pulling her out of her thoughts,
"Sorry, just remembering," she said quietly.
From the emotions that passed over her face he knew she was thinking about someone she had lost. He knew he had that look on his face when he thought of James and Lily He wondered if this band of white hats had lost as many as his had and then wondered why the other side never seemed to lose as many, or maybe they did, but never showed the loss because they were never friends or family to start with.
"You too huh?" she said tilting her head to the side and watching him, her big green eyes open and honest,
"Caught me," he said smiling at her, "The fight between good and evil is never over though is it."
"No, it never is," said Willow looked down, she knew that more than most, having had both sides of the fight inside her personally.
"So Willow, tell me how you ended up at the HQ of an organisation that most people, magical or not still consider a myth?"
She grinned at him and said, "Now there's a tale worth telling Mister"
~*~*~
Faith turned her head as Sirius joined her under the tiny little shelter at the bottom of a set of steps, which led up to the riverbank. The rain was still pouring down.
"How ya doin' Sirius?" she asked.
"Honestly? I'm not sure," he replied with a shrug. "Happy to be back in England with people I know, relieved that Harry and his friends are alright, still completely confused about what's going on. What about you Faith? You really as ok as you're acting?" he said looking over at her.
She frowned at him for a second, and then smiled, and although the smile didn't reach her eyes, Sirius knew that it was the best he was going to get.
"Sure thing big guy, but we better get back inside before Giles catches us out here and busts something," She moved to walk past him. Sirius reached out and took her hand in his; she looked down at his hand in hers, not quite knowing what to do,
"Thank you Faith, for getting me here, for helping me, I won't forget it," he said quietly. She looked up and him and smiled then and it was her genuine smile, the one that took his breath away,
"Don't sweat it Sirius, like I told you before I'm just doing my slayerly duty," she said, but she squeezed his hand before letting go.
"Come on then, let's see how much more confused we can get before we all go mental," he joked.
"Sure thing," she replied following him back into the library, trying not to think about what would happen once everything was sorted.
Luckily for Faith that didn't seem to be an immediate problem as they spent the rest of the day going around in bigger circles than they had that morning.
Willow had her head on the desk next to a pad and pen, which was taking notes for her, she was absently winding a loose piece of hair around her finger and fighting to keep her eyes open. Giles had taken off his jacket and tie, rolled up his sleeves, and undone his collar. He was joining in the discussion from the stacks where he was frantically pulling out one book after another every time someone had an idea. Remus was still sitting next to Willow although he had slid right down in his seat so his head was resting on the back of the chair, his arms folded across his stomach, watching her through half closed eyes. Sirius was pacing up and down at the top of the stairs by the stacks looking down over everyone and getting more and more frustrated every time an idea turned out to be nothing, even the sight of Faith lying on the floor with her legs crossed and propped up on the wall, twirling an elastic band around her fingers wasn't enough to calm him down although when she looked up at him from her upside down position and rolled her eyes at him, he did stop pacing for a minute.
Only Albus remained sitting in the same position, looking as fresh and calm as he had first thing that morning. Faith moved her head to look over at him as he sipped what she thought must have been his hundredth cup of tea that day,
"I don't get it, if you can't figure it out being the top wizard or whatever it is that you are, then what chance have the rest of us got of figuring it out?"
"You flatter me Faith, I do not think of myself as the "˜top wizard' as you put it. Nor do I have all the answers," he said, looking at her and smiling.
Faith gave one last stretch, from her spot on the floor and in one graceful movement was on her feet, causing both Remus and Sirius to look at her.
"So when do we get to meet the kid then?" she asked leaning back on the desk
"Harry?" Sirius looked at her, surprised.
"You know of any other "˜Boys-who-lived'?" she said sarcastically.
"Well, I was going to go on my own to see him," he began.
"Sirius," said Albus in a voice that made Faith think that Sirius wasn't going to like what he said.
"Oh no you don't Albus," said Sirius walking down the steps, "Don't tell me I can't see him, don't try and split us up "˜for our own good' not after everything you told me about how you felt after keeping things from him," he finished angrily.
"The final battle grows nearer Sirius, Harry needs to be focused. I know it sounds harsh, but his grief over losing you has made him more focused, more determined, a better fighter."
"What the fuck?" said Faith frowning at him "That's harsh. You're not even going to tell the kid that Sirius is alive?"
"Faith, three months have passed here, Harry is just settling back into his life, his training. I don't want to disrupt that, it is imperative that he is at his strongest when he comes up against Voldemort, and as we have no idea when this will come to pass, he has to be ready now"
Sirius was just staring at Albus, anger had stolen his voice and Faith noticed that he had started to tremble. Faith recognised what the action meant, she had done it herself enough times in the past couple of years. Sirius was trying to control his temper and it was a physical effort. She walked over to him and put her hand on his. He. He looked at her sharply as though he had just noticed her. She smiled at him.
"Albus, you can't do this, mans got a right to see his family. I understand what you're saying about Harry being a better fighter if there are no feelings involved or if the only one is hate. It will make him a very powerful fighter, an awesome weapon for your side but he can't keep going like that, he'll end up burning himself up or worse, you'll drive him straightthisthis voldy guy which I'm guessing is bad. I've seen it happen Albus," she said looking at the ground.
Giles had come out of the stacks to look down at her and Willow and Remus were sitting upright in their chairs now.
She looked back at Albus, "But I've seen what sort of fighter love makes you as well, when you have friends and lovers and family to protect, when you have people to get emotional about. That will take you a hell of a lot further than hate, and it will make you a better slay"¦ fighter,"
She looked up at Giles who gave her a small nod. She had described the differences between herself and Buffy and knew that she didn't want Harry to end up like her.
Albus sighed, "You are right Faith, you are completely right. Thank you for pointing out the obvious to an old man," he said with a small smile.
Faith couldn't help thinking that he was humouring her but as long as she was winning she didn't care "So when?" she said
"I will bring them here iat iat is alright with Rupert," he said looking up at the watcher for confirmation "I don't want Sirius to leave here until we find out what happened to him."
Sirius looked like he was going to argue again but Faith's hand flexed on his arm and he decided that it was an argument for another day.
Giles nodded, "Of course, but who do you mean by them?" he asked.
"Well, Harry is staying in London at the moment but he has his friends with him and if you are going to meet one you may as well meet them all," he said, the smile larger this time as the thought of them all under one roof. "I will let their guardians tell them the good news and make arrangements for them to come tomorrow but until then let us go over it all one more time," he said pleasantly, ignoring the moans, which came from several different directions at once.
See Chapter one for disclaimer.
Talk me down
Safe and sound
Too strung up to sleep
Wear me out
Scream and shout
Swear my time\'s never cheap
6 Underground - Sneakerpimps
Hours had passed. Everyone had told his or her tales and everyone was still just as confused at what had happened.
They all agreed to take a break as they were just going around in circles. Giles went to make more tea and Albus went with him leaving the wizard, werewolf, witch and slayer, at the table. Faith stood slowly, stretching her arms above her head and rotating her neck. Sirius watched her casually, the only indication that it was anything more was the darkening of his eyes to slate.
Faith turned to him as though she could feel his eyes on her and gave him a smile. She didn't want to lead him on, especially after what had happened in the club but there was a part of her that just couldn't resist it.
She turned to the witch and said, "Will, please tell me there's somewhere in this dungeon of books and watcher type stuff that I can have a smoke?"
Willow smiled and looked over her shoulder to Giles's office to make sure he wasn't coming,
"Just before the entrance to the stacks is a door which leads to an emergency exit, just don't tell him I told you, he's still kinda mad that I asked you to bring Sirius here selfself," she said in a low voice.
"Why wouldn't he want her here?" asked Sirius with a frown "He's a watcher, this is the watchers council and she's a slayer."
Willow and Faith shared a look before Faith turned to Sirius, "Me and Giles are better off at a distance is all," she said with a shrug, but Willow could tell that Faith hadn't told Sirius about being in jail and why, and from the near panicked look in her eyes, which looked completely out of place on the tough face, sidn'idn't intend on him finding out.
Willow made a mental note to ask Giles not to bring it up in front of their guests, although she wasn't hopeful. Giles had backed Faith in Sunnydale before the final battle, but Willow knew that he was still uncomfortable around Faith and that was the reason he had kept her far away once the battle was over.
Sirius was still frowning, not quite believing her but he let it go, everyone had their secrets, he knew that more than most. Faith hadn't bothered to change and was still wearing the vest and shorts that she had travelled in. Sirius watched her walk across the library and through the doorway. He heard a cough behind him and turned to see Remus watching him.
"See something you like Sirius?" Remus asked, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice at how besotted his friend seemed to be with the slayer.
Sirius looked at him seriously, "Yes Remus, I do," he said as he stood and walked towards the doorway. He spoke with out turning around, "But I don't think I'm the only one who's liking what they see, am I, Moony?"
Remus automatically glanced at Willow who was watching the conversation with interest.
"No, you're not the only one," he said quietly looking straight at the redhead next to him, causing Willow to blush and look away.
Sirius chuckled as if he had seen the exchange, "People in glass houses Remus, people in glass houses" he said, still laughing as he disappeared after Faith.
Willow stood quickly; piling assorted books one on top of the other, "I need to put these back" she muttered, cursing herself for her embarrassment.
Remus reached up and lightly touched her arm, feeling the powerful magic just under the surface of her skin, it made the hairs on his arm rise and was a little unnerving that this muggle woman, with no formal teaching, was more powerful than he would ever be. He wondered how she could be so shy and unsure of herself with that sort of power behind, but the fact that she was, endeared her to him. He had a strong feeling that that mix of bashfulness and power was just what made her "˜Willow'.
"Don't rush off Willow, stay and talk to me," he said with a small smile.
"Okay," she said slowly, cautiously as she sat back in her seat.
She felt like High School Willow had come back in full force when he spoke to her, like she wouldn't be able to string two sentences together. She actually glanced down to check that she was still wearing the long purple skirt and midnight blue long sleeved t-shirt, as though for one minute she expected to see herself in "˜The softer side of Sears' as Cordelia had once put it. She smiled sadly at the fleeting image in her head of Cordelia and how she would never hear those acid put downs again and the smile widened as she imagined her being there now with all these new people around. She could just see her taking in Remus's old worn cls ans and turning her nose up, or asking Albus where he shopped to end up with such colourful robes.
"Willow?" said Remus, pulling her out of her thoughts,
"Sorry, just remembering," she said quietly.
From the emotions that passed over her face he knew she was thinking about someone she had lost. He knew he had that look on his face when he thought of James and Lily He wondered if this band of white hats had lost as many as his had and then wondered why the other side never seemed to lose as many, or maybe they did, but never showed the loss because they were never friends or family to start with.
"You too huh?" she said tilting her head to the side and watching him, her big green eyes open and honest,
"Caught me," he said smiling at her, "The fight between good and evil is never over though is it."
"No, it never is," said Willow looked down, she knew that more than most, having had both sides of the fight inside her personally.
"So Willow, tell me how you ended up at the HQ of an organisation that most people, magical or not still consider a myth?"
She grinned at him and said, "Now there's a tale worth telling Mister"
~*~*~
Faith turned her head as Sirius joined her under the tiny little shelter at the bottom of a set of steps, which led up to the riverbank. The rain was still pouring down.
"How ya doin' Sirius?" she asked.
"Honestly? I'm not sure," he replied with a shrug. "Happy to be back in England with people I know, relieved that Harry and his friends are alright, still completely confused about what's going on. What about you Faith? You really as ok as you're acting?" he said looking over at her.
She frowned at him for a second, and then smiled, and although the smile didn't reach her eyes, Sirius knew that it was the best he was going to get.
"Sure thing big guy, but we better get back inside before Giles catches us out here and busts something," She moved to walk past him. Sirius reached out and took her hand in his; she looked down at his hand in hers, not quite knowing what to do,
"Thank you Faith, for getting me here, for helping me, I won't forget it," he said quietly. She looked up and him and smiled then and it was her genuine smile, the one that took his breath away,
"Don't sweat it Sirius, like I told you before I'm just doing my slayerly duty," she said, but she squeezed his hand before letting go.
"Come on then, let's see how much more confused we can get before we all go mental," he joked.
"Sure thing," she replied following him back into the library, trying not to think about what would happen once everything was sorted.
Luckily for Faith that didn't seem to be an immediate problem as they spent the rest of the day going around in bigger circles than they had that morning.
Willow had her head on the desk next to a pad and pen, which was taking notes for her, she was absently winding a loose piece of hair around her finger and fighting to keep her eyes open. Giles had taken off his jacket and tie, rolled up his sleeves, and undone his collar. He was joining in the discussion from the stacks where he was frantically pulling out one book after another every time someone had an idea. Remus was still sitting next to Willow although he had slid right down in his seat so his head was resting on the back of the chair, his arms folded across his stomach, watching her through half closed eyes. Sirius was pacing up and down at the top of the stairs by the stacks looking down over everyone and getting more and more frustrated every time an idea turned out to be nothing, even the sight of Faith lying on the floor with her legs crossed and propped up on the wall, twirling an elastic band around her fingers wasn't enough to calm him down although when she looked up at him from her upside down position and rolled her eyes at him, he did stop pacing for a minute.
Only Albus remained sitting in the same position, looking as fresh and calm as he had first thing that morning. Faith moved her head to look over at him as he sipped what she thought must have been his hundredth cup of tea that day,
"I don't get it, if you can't figure it out being the top wizard or whatever it is that you are, then what chance have the rest of us got of figuring it out?"
"You flatter me Faith, I do not think of myself as the "˜top wizard' as you put it. Nor do I have all the answers," he said, looking at her and smiling.
Faith gave one last stretch, from her spot on the floor and in one graceful movement was on her feet, causing both Remus and Sirius to look at her.
"So when do we get to meet the kid then?" she asked leaning back on the desk
"Harry?" Sirius looked at her, surprised.
"You know of any other "˜Boys-who-lived'?" she said sarcastically.
"Well, I was going to go on my own to see him," he began.
"Sirius," said Albus in a voice that made Faith think that Sirius wasn't going to like what he said.
"Oh no you don't Albus," said Sirius walking down the steps, "Don't tell me I can't see him, don't try and split us up "˜for our own good' not after everything you told me about how you felt after keeping things from him," he finished angrily.
"The final battle grows nearer Sirius, Harry needs to be focused. I know it sounds harsh, but his grief over losing you has made him more focused, more determined, a better fighter."
"What the fuck?" said Faith frowning at him "That's harsh. You're not even going to tell the kid that Sirius is alive?"
"Faith, three months have passed here, Harry is just settling back into his life, his training. I don't want to disrupt that, it is imperative that he is at his strongest when he comes up against Voldemort, and as we have no idea when this will come to pass, he has to be ready now"
Sirius was just staring at Albus, anger had stolen his voice and Faith noticed that he had started to tremble. Faith recognised what the action meant, she had done it herself enough times in the past couple of years. Sirius was trying to control his temper and it was a physical effort. She walked over to him and put her hand on his. He. He looked at her sharply as though he had just noticed her. She smiled at him.
"Albus, you can't do this, mans got a right to see his family. I understand what you're saying about Harry being a better fighter if there are no feelings involved or if the only one is hate. It will make him a very powerful fighter, an awesome weapon for your side but he can't keep going like that, he'll end up burning himself up or worse, you'll drive him straightthisthis voldy guy which I'm guessing is bad. I've seen it happen Albus," she said looking at the ground.
Giles had come out of the stacks to look down at her and Willow and Remus were sitting upright in their chairs now.
She looked back at Albus, "But I've seen what sort of fighter love makes you as well, when you have friends and lovers and family to protect, when you have people to get emotional about. That will take you a hell of a lot further than hate, and it will make you a better slay"¦ fighter,"
She looked up at Giles who gave her a small nod. She had described the differences between herself and Buffy and knew that she didn't want Harry to end up like her.
Albus sighed, "You are right Faith, you are completely right. Thank you for pointing out the obvious to an old man," he said with a small smile.
Faith couldn't help thinking that he was humouring her but as long as she was winning she didn't care "So when?" she said
"I will bring them here iat iat is alright with Rupert," he said looking up at the watcher for confirmation "I don't want Sirius to leave here until we find out what happened to him."
Sirius looked like he was going to argue again but Faith's hand flexed on his arm and he decided that it was an argument for another day.
Giles nodded, "Of course, but who do you mean by them?" he asked.
"Well, Harry is staying in London at the moment but he has his friends with him and if you are going to meet one you may as well meet them all," he said, the smile larger this time as the thought of them all under one roof. "I will let their guardians tell them the good news and make arrangements for them to come tomorrow but until then let us go over it all one more time," he said pleasantly, ignoring the moans, which came from several different directions at once.