The Kingdom was Lost

The Kingdom was Lost


[still from Draco’s POV]

The next day dawned bright and early, just not for Draco. His entire existence was to watch Buffy now. All he wanted was some glimmer of recognition. But he knew that she didn’t remember anything.

He was staring into that mirror when Harry came in.

“Never knew you liked to look at yourself that much Draco.”

Draco didn’t say anything.

“You should go to her.”

“What?”

“You still have time before her birthday.” Harry sang.

“How do you know about that?”

Harry just stared.

“Potter.” Draco growled.

“Let’s just say that I never lost my old invisibility cloak.”

He bounced out of the room, narrowly missing the book being thrown at his head.

Draco sat there for a minute. He turned his attention back to the mirror, where Buffy’s friends were happily decorating for her party.

Dawn checked her watch and hurried away with Buffy, making sure she didn’t see any of it.

“Dawn!”

“What.”

“You know I hate surprise birthday parties.”

“I know you do.”

“So why are you throwing me one?”

“I’m not!”

“Dawn.”

“Buffy.”

“Dawn you know crappy things always happen on my birthday!”

“Not this year.”

“Dawn.”

“I swear! There are no prophecies to be fulfilled anytime soon, there are slayers patrolling the cemeteries, and you are going to have the perfect birthday.”

Buffy sighed.

And Draco stood up. She was going to have the perfect birthday. And he was going to be there.

Professor Dumbledore looked up as Draco came in.

“Mr. Malfoy, what a pleasant surprise.”

“I need to know where she is.”

“Are you referring to Miss Summers?”

“Yes.”

“I see. Well, she has been found, actually.”

“Thank you headmaster.”

“No, don’t thank me. Thank Mr. Potter.”

“Potter?”

“He already asked me to find her for you.”

Draco stood speechless, even when Dumbledore put a slip of paper in his hand.

He walked out.

Dumbledore’s eyes shone. “They deserve it.” Fawkes flew over to him and Dumbledore stroked his feathers.

___

Draco kept crumbling the slip of paper up. He was standing in front of a rather large white house and he couldn’t bring himself to knock.

He could hear the voices inside, and as he closed his eyes, he could pick out Buffy’s from all the rest.
___

[INSIDE]

Buffy had just finished opening her last present.

“You were right. This is the perfect birthday.”

“Wait!” Faith came down the stairs, carrying a large box.

“The perfect present.”

Buffy grinned and tore into the wrapping paper. She opened the box to find a very large weapon case. She gasped. She ran her fingers over it and closed her eyes.

“Is it?”

“It is.”

Buffy opened the box carefully and saw her scythe.

“How?”

“Oswald had it custom made. Just for you!”

Buffy squealed and engulfed Faith in a hug.

The doorbell rang.