For Want of a Battle

For Want of a Battle

Buffy was staring at the clouds in the sky. She was lying on top of a crypt, counting the stars. She sat up quickly at a gust of wind but relaxed when she saw the dark shadow coming towards her.

“Tired B?”

“Just thinking.”

“Cool.”

“What happened to the Vamps?”

“Dusted ‘em. Did your dirty work this time.”

Faith lay down next to Buffy.

“Whatcha been thinking about?”

“I can’t remember.”

Faith propped herself up on one elbow. “You are getting old Buffy Anne Summers.”

“Shut up!” Buffy sat up. She noticed that she felt no pain anywhere.

“Guess I didn’t get hit hard as I thought?”

“Huh?”

“I could have sworn I had a couple of broken ribs a minute ago.”

“Delusional. Come on it’s late. We’re going home.”

Buffy and Faith hopped down from the crypt. They both failed to notice the old man covered in shadows that had been watching them.

___


That night Draco Malfoy was rapidly flipping through every magic book in his library.

“What are you doing?”

“I have to find a spell.”

“Okay. To do what?”

“I have to see her.”

“Draco.”

“I have to find some spell to-”

“Draco.”

“WHAT POTTER!?”

“Here.” Harry handed Draco an open book.

“Oh. Thanks.”

Harry smirked and left Draco alone with the spell.
After Harry left, Draco ripped the spell out of the book and hurried down to the basement.

After half an hour, he had amassed everything he needed and had put the completed potion into a tiny vial. He poured the contents out onto the surface of a compact mirror.

The mirror began to smoke. Draco cleared his throat and read the words off the paper.

‘Mirror, mirror, I beg of thee,
Find the one I wish to see”


[A/N: Everything after here is from Draco’s POV, unless otherwise specified – evilelvengoddess]

With a grand bang, the mirror cleared. Draco watched in wonder as a very pretty brunette girl came into view. He frowned.

“Buffy!”

The girl was pounding on the door.

“You’ve been in there forever!!”

The door jerked open and Buffy emerged. Draco closed his eyes. It had worked. Buffy’s voice jolted him out of his thoughts.

“It’s MY bathroom Dawn.”

“It is not. It’s Giles’ bathroom. He bought it.”

“He gave it to me.”

Suddenly a redhead walked past both of them and into the bathroom. The two girls looked baffled for a minute, and Draco was struck by their expressions-they were exactly the same.

“WILLOW!” The two girls started pounding on the door.

“Do you want breakfast or not!?” A voice screamed.

Buffy and Dawn abandoned their efforts and raced to the kitchen. Draco watched all this in wonder.

He saw Buffy, Dawn, two more brunette girls, and two men in the kitchen. Moments later, the redhead joined them.

“You’re going to be late for school Dawn.” Dawn stuck out her tongue and picked up two waffles and her bookbag.

“Okay. Let’s go Dawnster.” The younger man stood up. Draco noted with horror that he wore an eye patch.

“Bye Dawnie!” The girls chorused. She waved and they left the house. The older man stood up.

“Who wants to go shopping?” Every girl looked at him. “Who are you and what have you done with Giles?” the darker brunette asked.

“Well, I have to go pick up a few books, and I was merely suggesting that we make a few other stops along the way…”

Buffy jumped up and cheered. “She’s crazy Giles. We would looooove to go shopping with you!”

___

An hour later, Buffy, Willow, Faith, and the other brunette girl, identified as Kennedy all had their heads on a little round table.

“Who votes to leave Giles here?”

Four hands rose.

“It’s settled then.” Willow said. The girls all left.

Faith pointed. “I wanna go in there!”

“Me too!” Buffy and Kennedy yelled, jumping up in down.

“I’m going to go in there.” Willow said, veering off to the right.

Kennedy stood there a minute, sighed, looked longingly at Faith and Buffy and ran after Willow. Buffy sighed and Faith giggled.

“Oh the rigors of a relationship.” Faith linked her arm through Buffy’s and the two walked into the weapons’ store.

The man behind the counter looked up as the bell clanged and smiled.

“Good morning Miss Summers, Faith.”

“Hi Oswald!” The girls chorused. Faith walked over to him and Buffy walked over to the swords. Since Buffy wasn’t saying anything, Draco could hear everything Faith was saying.

“Is it ready?” she whispered.

“Yes it is.”

“Goody.”

“Would you like it now?”

“No. It’s Buffy’s birthday present. I’ll come pick it up tomorrow.”

Draco was floored. Tomorrow was Buffy’s birthday?

He put the mirror down.

Tomorrow was Buffy’s birthday, and she didn’t remember him.