Prison of Misery

******Sunnydale******

Anya happily reacquainted herself with her money while Giles heard all about their time in the other world from Xander.

“It is so fascinating. I feel a bit left out,” Giles admitted. “However, I am very happy for you and so glad that you came for a visit. I am sorry that Buffy and Dawn cannot come.”

“No, that’s not going to happen much, I don’t think,” Xander said. “Her parents—her mom especially—are very afraid of this place as they were able to live through her memories with a pensive. It’s a spell that allows her to take her memories and let them be viewed like an immersive movie experience.”

“So they basically experienced Buffy’s hell in this place,” Anya added.

“Oh, dear,” Giles said.

“Now that Dawn has been made five years younger, they aren’t going to allow her here,” Xander said. “Buffy said her mother got very upset at the thought of Dawn coming here.”

“Well, I will write them letters for you to take back,” he said.

“Willow has letters from them to give you,” he said. “She’s at her family home. Tara’s Aunt Minerva from the other world came with her. She has no other family.”

“I look forward to meeting her,” he said, pleased that his children were all doing so well.

“How is Faith doing?” Xander asked.

“Quite well, actually,” Giles said. “It seems that she and Connor already knew each other, and she calls him kid, which annoys him a lot. He, Spike, and Faith are quite a formidable team. I believe they can handle anything this town throws at them.”

“Good,” Xander said. “That will relieve Buffy’s mind.”  It also got rid of his lingering guilt for abandoning his hometown.

“How’s your mother?” Giles asked him.

“She has really enjoyed Scotland, but I have a feeling that she is not going to stay,” Xander said. “She just needed a push to leave Dad. She’s filing for divorce while she’s here.”

“So tell me about your jobs at the school,” Giles said to them.

“You wouldn’t believe the ridiculous things they believe about non-magicals!” Anya said. “I have had to confront many a bigoted student with some cold hard facts. They are so poorly educated about the real world it’s unreal. They do not even understand how airplanes work or believe we went to the moon! They have absolutely no understanding at all of the stock market or how to maximize their earnings!”

“Yes, they are worse than the Amish,” Xander admitted.

“Fascinating,” Giles said.

Xander and Anya spend an enjoyable hour telling all about their classes and Hogwarts.

That evening, Minerva was introduced to Giles and allowed to go patrolling with her niece, Willow, and the slayer, Faith.  Anya and Xander came along more to chat with Giles than to patrol.

“I doubt we’ll be needed,” Xander said, knowingly.

Minerva had heard so many stories from Buffy that she was definitely on guard, and the hellmouth did not disappoint. There were so many graveyards, and the town was so small. 

Vampires.  It seemed that Buffy Malfoy did not exaggerate at all as they seemed unending. The new slayer attacked and fought with a near unabandoned joy that was unsettling to witness. “She is extraordinary,” Minerva murmured.

“And yet Buffy always kicked her ass,” Willow said.  “She likes fighting too much.”

“Buffy enjoys fighting,” Tara said.

“Not as much as me,” Faith admitted, grinning. “Buffy was a gifted athlete before she was called and had two years’ experience on me, so, yes, she was always able to beat me.”

“Now she’s a witch and a slayer,” Willow said.

“Good for her,” Faith said.  They walked to another graveyard. “Professor, would you like to kill one?”

Minerva set it on fire with her wand in ten seconds flat, causing Faith to give her a stunned look and then burst out laughing. “Damn, professor! You rock! That’s awesome!” she exclaimed.

Minerva found it exhilarating and reminded her of exactly why she was a lion and head of Gryffindor.  The entire evening was exactly what she hoped it would be.

*****Los Angeles*****

Severus tried to wrap his mind around Cordelia’s pregnancy as he stared at her. Finally, he asked the only question that mattered, “Did you know when I left?”

She nodded. “I did,” she admitted.

“And you decided not to tell me?” he asked, feeling a building anger.

“I wanted you to stay because of me, not because of a baby,” she told him.

A part of him wanted to leave because he felt betrayed and deeply hurt. “I have no living family,” he told her. “No one. Besides Buffy, there has never been anyone that loves me. You would have kept a baby from me out of spite? I never thought you could be so cruel.”

A stab of guilt and shame hit her as she looked at his ravaged face, and she reached out to touch him. However, he took a step away from her. “I am sorry, Sev. I was being selfish—I know that,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. She sat down on her sofa, crying.

Severus hated to see her tears, and he didn’t know what to do. “I am sorry,” he said. “Sorry that I made you feel that you could not tell me.”

“I am sorry that I didn’t tell you,” she said, wiping her eyes. “I had just found out, and I wasn’t ready. I tried to get you to stay, and you wouldn’t. It hurt me, and I wanted you to stay because you loved me enough to stay. Not because of some baby.”

“You are well?” he asked.

She nodded. “It was hard at first, but I had my boys and Fred,” she told him.

He was both grateful and annoyed that Angel was once again in a place that should have been his. “Do you know what you’re having?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I wanted to be surprised,” she told him. “As long as the baby’s healthy, I don’t really care.”

“I would like a little girl that looks exactly like you,” he said.

Cordelia smiled. “I missed you,” she said softly.

Severus considered whether or not he wanted to hang onto his anger or do what he desperately wanted to do with every fiber of his being.  It didn’t take him long to decide as he sat down next to her. “I love you so very much, and I missed you every minute of every day,” he told her, reaching for her hand. “I am very sorry that I left you.”

She put hand to his neck and pulled his head down, kissing him.

Severus finally felt whole again.

******A Week Later******

Tara took her Aunt Minerva to visit her mother’s grave, and they had dinner one time with Willow’s parents. Minerva had trouble believing that those two people were the biological parents of Willow as she was so very different from them. They were more reserved and talked a lot about their work, asking Willow very little about her own life.

“It is good that you are spending time in Europe,” her mother said. “Traveling is how you get some of the best experiences of your life. Your father and I love it.”

“Yes, I know, Mother,” Willow said. “You started traveling and leaving me alone when I was ten.”

“You were a very responsible ten-year-old,” Sheila said. “I wrote an entire chapter about it in my book.”

“You are a published author?” Minerva asked.

“Yes, I have written several books in my field of psychology and child rearing,” she said. 

“Well, you definitely raised a wonderful daughter,” Minerva told the woman, who smiled at the compliment.

Willow’s mother was cold and clinical while her father was a bit warmer. Minerva found it extraordinary that Willow was the warm, loving woman that she was today.

*****Sunnydale******

Xander did stop by his father’s rambunctious family’s Christmas Eve party that was more like a drunkfest. His father seemed happy to see him, which surprised Xander.

“Xander, my boy!” Tony exclaimed, embracing him. “Where’s your wife?”

“You know after the rehearsal dinner, she vowed to never come to a family function unless she had a grandchild to show off,” Xander said.

“That’s too bad,” Tony said. “She’s funny. Unlike your mother. How is she doing, by the way?”

“Mom? She’s good. I dropped her off at her sister’s,” he shared. “I’ll be with them tomorrow.”

“So tell me about this fancy new job at the boarding school in England,” Tony said.

Xander enjoyed the unique experience of his father actually listening to what he had to say.

*****Los Angeles*****

Severus and Cordelia were catching up on their time apart. They spent two days in her house making love and talking. At first, Severus was afraid that sex would hurt the baby. Cordelia laughed and assured him that it was fine.

“After I give birth, we can’t do it until my four-to-six-week checkup, however,” she informed him. “Giving birth is traumatic for the girlie parts.”

“I can imagine,” he said.

“Have you ever been to a childbirth?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Such things are not allowed in the wizarding world,” he said.

“Are you planning on being at the birth of your child because it is here?” she asked.

Severus would like to. “I would like that more than anything,” he admitted.

“Then what are you prepared to do?” she asked him.

He got down on one knee. “Marry me, Cordelia. As much as I love my godchildren and worry about the Dark Lord returning, I know Buffy has plenty of people to help her. I don’t want to spend another day away from you,” he told her. “I definitely do not want to be away from our child. I want to build a life with you. I never knew I could love until I met you.”

Cordelia’s eyes filled with tears; pregnancy seemed to make her very emotional. “You always surprise me!” she replied. “I love you, too. I will be happy to marry you.” She pulled him up so that she could kiss him.

Ghost Dennis was clapping as he watched the scene. Of course, they could not hear him, but when the couple broke apart, Cordelia saw her friend. “Did you hear that, Dennis? We’re going to get married!” she shared, flashing him a beaming smile.

He wrote on the board, Congratulations! I am very happy for you!

“Do we want to get married here before the baby is born or after?” she asked him.

Severus considered it. “Well, I would really like to bring back all my magical potions and ingredients anyway, so a trip home would be needed. A magical ceremony binding us together is a powerful thing that muggles do not have,” he said.

“Do you think we could get married on New Year’s Eve? Then we can be married before the baby is born. Of course, it will be harder to find a dress, but I’ll just get a princess bodice. It doesn’t give us much time, but I could find a dress here. Buffy can be my maid of honor, and I doubt she will have trouble finding a dress in short notice,” Cordelia said. She and the slayer had become good friends the month she was there. “Fred will be a bridesmaid.” She and Fred were more like sisters than best friends. Sisters that didn’t share secrets, so she didn’t want her as a maid of honor. Buffy knew all Cordelia’s secrets as they had so much history.

“I think she can easily with her mother’s help, of course,” he said. “We can have Dawn be the flower girl.”

Cordelia grinned. “I’ll tell Connor to be the ring bearer,” she said.

“Don’t you think that’s a bit insensitive considering his feelings for you?” he asked.

“Oh, he’s totally over me,” she said. “Getting knocked up with your baby made it really clear with him. Plus, he started school at USC Sunnydale and is dating someone.”

“I will ask Lucius to be my best man,” Severus said.

“Would you mind if Angel is a groomsman?” she asked. “He is my best friend. Wesley and Gunn can be ushers.”

He smiled, willing to do anything for her. “Of course not,” he said.

“They will totally get a kick out of going to your magical world,” she said, excited to tell them. “Oh, there’s so much to do!”

“We have to get you a ring,” he said.

“You don’t have any money here,” she pointed out.

He sighed. “Another reason to go home,” he said.

“We can wait until the day after Christmas,” she said. “We have three days to find me a dress before stores close for Christmas. You said the plan was to have the portal opened on the twenty-sixth?”

He nodded. “Yes,” he said.

“Okay, let’s go to the hotel and tell the gang,” she said. “Loren is going to be so excited to sing at our wedding!”

Severus winced, thinking of the reaction of his co-workers when they met the flamboyant demon. Of course, Severus quite liked the demon as he adored Cordelia to the near point of worship, calling her his queen. When Severus heard the story of how she became queen of his demon world, he no longer felt threatened by the demon’s affection for his love.

“My only concern is Loren not wanting to leave Hogwarts once he’s there,” Cordelia said.

Severus realized that was a real possibility as the demon radiated such love and good cheer. Albus would instantly try his best to convince the demon to work for his school.

“Children would adore him,” Severus acknowledged.

They spent some time talking about their plans, and then they went to see her friends. Severus faced the dark looks from Gunn, Wesley, and Angel. However, when they saw how radiant Cordelia was and heard about their engagement, they quickly thawed.

Fred was beyond excited. “Oh, a wedding! We get to go to a whole new world!” she exclaimed. “I have to call Lorne.”

When Lorne arrived, he cried actual tears of joy.  “I am almost tempted to dance the dance of joy from Pylea,” he said.  Instead, he hugged her and then Severus—much to his dismay.

“I knew you would come around,” Lorne told him, giving him a beaming smile.

“Thank you,” he said.

“We want you to sing at the wedding,” Cordelia said

“Of course!” Lorne said. “Who else? There’s so many songs to choose from!”

“I don’t care what you choose. Anything is fine with me,” Severus told him, getting another approving smile from the demon.

“Fred, I hope you’ll be a bride’s maid,” Cordelia told her.

“Oh, Cordelia, I’d be honored! I’ve never been one before!” she gushed, hugging her.

“Angel, I’m going to ask Buffy to be maid of honor,” Cordelia shared. “Will you be a groomsman.

“If it’s all right with the groom,” Angel said, looking at Severus.

“Of course,” Severus said. “I have exactly two friends, and the other will be performing the ceremony as he is Chief Wizard with the power to do so.”

“Dumbledore will be very happy for you,” she said, squeezing his hand. “Buffy’s dad is best man.”

“That makes sense,” Gunn said, knowing Buffy was his goddaughter.

“You are sure that we can get back?” Wesley asked.

Severus nodded. “Yes, Lucius will pay a demon to open the portal,” he said.

“Should we give him money?” Angel asked.

“No, he has plenty,” Severus said.

“He bought me an entire wardrobe when I was visiting Buffy,” Cordelia reminded them. “He didn’t bat an eye. Buffy never hears the word no. He reminded me a lot of my dad actually except he’s probably deadlier with the whole magic wand thing.”  It made her a bit sad that her parents knew nothing of her life now and would never know her baby. They had been very good parents growing up.

“Okay,” Angel said. “What do we need to do?”

“Get our outfits for the wedding as Severus’ people all wear hideous robes. I don’t mind a magical wedding ceremony held by a wizard, but I draw the line at the wedding party not dressed in American clothes!” Cordelia said.

Her friends laughed while Severus considered everyone’s reactions to the muggle wear.  As long as she was willing to be his, he didn’t care what he or anyone else wore.

******Buffy’s World*****

Buffy was ecstatic to see Cordelia come back with Severus and shocked to see her very pregnant state.

“Oh, my God! You’re pregnant! I can’t believe it!” she screeched.

Dawn heard the announcement and came into the room. She saw Cordelia, Angel, Wesley, and the entire group. The only one that was missing, of course, was Spike, the one she wanted to see the most next to Giles.  Although she felt a pang at their absence, she quickly ran to hug her friends.

When the happy couple announced their engagement, Lucius called for champagne. “Dobby, bring us champagne!” he ordered.

Naturally, many of them jumped when the elf appeared.

“What the hell?” Gunn exclaimed.

“Oh, he’s so cute!” Fred gushed, not at all scared.

“It’s just the house elf,” Dawn said. “His name is Dobby.”

“He’s the best,” Buffy said, giving him a smile. “Dobby, these are my friends.”

“Dobby is happy to serve Miss Buffy’s friends,” Dobby said.

“We have more news,” Cordelia said. “We want to be married on New Year’s Eve.”

“Bloody hell, a wedding?” Draco complained as he finally came into the room, standing next to his sister.

“Yes, a wedding!” Dawn said, elbowing her brother.

“That is marvelous news,” Narcissa said, hugging Severus.

“I hope you will stand up with me,” Severus said to Lucius.

“I would be honored,” he said, shaking Severus’ hand.

“And I would like you to be my maid of honor,” Cordelia told Buffy. Then she looked at Dawn. “And I hope you will be the flower girl even though you aren’t that young. Connor’s going to be ring bearer, and he’s a decade older than you.”

Both girls were delighted and began talking to her about dresses.

“Why don’t you let Severus get home and will get Cordelia for shopping tomorrow?” Narcissa suggested.

“Well, Angel and everyone can stay here,” Buffy said.

Lucius had no desire to allow a demon and a vampire who knew his daughter carnally into his home, but he could never refuse his daughter.

Luckily, Cordelia spoke, “I want them to see Hogwarts, and Sev says it’s empty with plenty of room right now.”

“Classes are out, so that is true,” Lucius said quickly.

“You are welcome to stay here, of course,” Narcissa added.

“Your home is lovely,” Fred said, smiling.

“But I want to see this magical castle I’ve heard so much about,” Gunn said.

It was decided. Cordelia’s friends would head to Hogwarts with her and Severus.

Severus hoped that Albus could handle the American invasion.

******To Be Continued******

I guess this one will end up being three chapters instead of just two! Reviews are always appreciated.