A/N: Okay, I have no excuse this time except lack of inspiration. I really should stop making promises. So I won't make any promises for the next chapter. The next couple months will be quite busy. The teeny-tiny Watchers/Ministry subplot is pretty important to the outcome of the story and for such a simple little thing it's giving me a whole lot of trouble. Yeesh. Keep on keeping with the reviewing, guys! You've been keeping me going so far.

Fun Fact: When first posting this story, I didn't have a name for it. So on the spot, I just kinda thought 'what's the most fake-emo thing you can think of?' I still for the life of me can't remember the name of this story without logging in and clicking on 'stories.'

Hi ho Silver!

The Sky Hangs Low

The eerie and illuminated sky hung forebodingly outside as Dawn Summers pressed her nose against the glass of the living room window. Her breath left a perimeter of frosted glass behind and the almost imperceptible beads of condensation slid down the window. Small fingers of lightning flicked across the sky, leaving a ghostly grey-green atmosphere. A sudden growl of thunder shook the window panes and caused an uncomfortable vibration to go through Dawn's nose.

The youngest Summers jumped back and slumped on the couch. "It's pretty gross out there, Buffy. I think it's pretty safe to say no slaying for you tonight."

Buffy looked up from her cards to answer Dawn. "Somehow I don't think that 'grossness' is gonna stop fledglings from rising."

A howling wind ripped across the house and a draft settled around the card players. Buffy looked up from her hand. "On second thought…none of the locals are stupid enough to go out tonight. I mean…hello. As you said, grossness."

Xander laughed. "Our Buff, ever the wordsmith."

Harry looked up as Buffy slapped down a triumphant hand of cards. "I think the wordsmith just won the pot."

Buffy smugly gathered the stuff at the center of the coffee table in her hands. "Mine, all mine!"

Dawn rolled her eyes. "Buffy. The loss of three stakes, a lame cloak thing and my lip gloss will haunt me forever."

"She's just jealous" Buffy told Harry and Xander sulkily. When Buffy wasn't looking, Dawn pocketed the lip gloss.

"Sooo…" Buffy said, picking up one of her winnings. "What's with the cloak, Harry?" She spread the silvery, almost fluid cloth on the table. "Quite the fashion statement. Don't know where I could wear it though."

Harry smiled. "Oh, I'm sure you could find a use for it. I've found it to be very helpful on occasion."

Buffy wrinkled her nose in slight confusion. "Whatever you say…" She stood up and threw the garment over her shoulders. "How do I look, guys?" she asked, striking a fake model pose.

Dawn squeaked and burrowed further into the couch. Xander just cried out in shock. "Holy heck, Buffy! You're a…head!"

"I'm a what?" Buffy asked, slightly irritated. She knew it wasn't the most fashionable thing in the world, but what in the world was that supposed to mean?

Dawn stammered slightly. "Where did—where did your body go?"

"Huh?" Buffy asked right back, before looking down. "What the fu…" She looked up accusingly. "Harry, your weird cloak thing made me see-through! What do you have to say for yourself?"

Harry answered sheepishly. "Um…an invisible slayer is a successful slayer?" With that, he jumped up and pulled the invisible corner of the cloak over Buffy's head, dashing off through the kitchen. The now completely invisible Buffy ran yelling after him.

Xander and Dawn looked towards each other thoughtfully. "Well…that was new."

Harry followed the sound of Buffy's running feet and shouted challenges throughout the house, bumping into her only when she stopped in front of a mirror. The chase ended with her running out the back door and onto the back porch. Buffy pulled the cloak off, her hair slightly disheveled and her eyes luminous. "That is so COOL" she told Harry decisively.

He smiled back as they flopped on the bottom step. "Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction the first time I wore it."

Buffy's smile faltered slightly. "Harry…the rest of us put basic crap into that pot. This has to be extremely valuable. And damn handy, if I do say so myself. Why would you risk losing something this cool?"

Harry answered in a lofty tone of voice. "Because I never lose, Miss Summers."

Buffy snorted unbecomingly.

"And well…I've had it since I was eleven. It seemed time to pass it on. Xander, Dawn or you seem like you'd need it more than I will."

"I couldn't possibly take it" Buffy said, fingering the folds lovingly. "Okay, I definitely could and would take it, but you get what I'm trying to say…"

Harry rested on his elbows as he surveyed the ghostly sky. At least the wind had abated for a couple minutes. "I inherited that cloak from my dad. The headmaster at my school passed it down to me because he knew that I would have use for it. My school days are long over and I can perform a disillusionment charm on myself if necessary. But I want you to have it. You and the Scoobies will be able to make good use out of it."

Buffy's face softened. She knew about Harry's parents and how much he loved the mother and father who he could barely remember. Patting Harry on the shoulder, Buffy simply said "thank you."

Harry grinned. "Dawn wanted to make cookies a little while ago. She told me that Willow bakes a mean chocolate chip, too. How bout you take that thing for a spin and come back for some confectionary delights in a couple hours?"

"Confectionary delights? Wow, you are weird, Harry Potter." She flicked the cloak over her head and padded softly through the grass. She called out one last time. "Make 'em kinda mushy. They're better that way!"

Buffy stalked the silent streets of Sunnydale in her newest accessory. It was liberating to say the least. Not that there was anyone around to not see her. But still. The foreboding sky and the quiet air left her feeling restless and electrified. She wanted to run the length of main street and back.

She started a sprint, passing by one of the many Sunnydale graveyards. Making a note to come back when the sun set, she passed, the tunnel of her vision filled with green and grey. Where was the wind? It had been howling minutes earlier. The resounding silence surrounded her,

Her sprinting had soon reached breakneck speed. The invisibility cloak billowed behind her. She could see blurs and bright flashes. She could feel nothing but her legs pounding the pavement of the street. Blood pumped loudly in Buffy's ears. Blood. Because I'm alive. And people who aren't dead have it because it gives them life and keeps pumping and pumping and…it's always the blood.

After what seemed like hours, Buffy finally slowed down, her heart slamming against her chest. Night had descended by then but the quietude was as strong as ever. She doubled back, passing through several graveyards on the way. Nothing. Hmm, she thought to herself as she walked back towards Revello Drive, not knowing whether to feel content or disconcerted.

Buffy walked into the house and was assaulted by the smell and sight of baked goods. Tons of them, by the looks of it. The kitchen was filled with pans all bearing sugary goodness. Buffy was suddenly reminded of the aftermath of one of Willow's disastrous will-be-done spells. She called out worriedly. "Please tell me that no wacky spells were cast in my absence. Or that we're adopting, like, fifty orphans."

Willow straightened up from behind the stove, taking off a ridiculous looking pair of oven mitts. "I don't see any orphans. Or wacky spells. But if you want, there could be wacky spells. I can work with that."

"No," Buffy answered, popping a cookie into her mouth. "I'd rather work with cookies."

"Harry and I are master bakers!" Dawn exclaimed from her seat.

Buffy raised her eyebrow. "Really? From here it looks as if Willow is the only one mastering baking of any kind."

"Well…" Dawn paused. "I guess we're more like the bakerettes, really."

Buffy gave them an ironic thumbs up. "Thees aw weely guh" she told them, as she stuffed her face at the same time.

"Told you you'd like our confectionary delights" Harry said haughtily.

Buffy smiled and flipped him the bird.

"Glad to know you care" Harry huffed.

Buffy ignored him, snagging a few cookies for later. She cleared her throat in an important manner. "I have an important announcement." They all looked at her expectantly. "I'm er, going to bed."

"Wow" Willow said, glancing at the clock. "It's so early. Is this some sort of personal record?"

"Probably" Buffy answered mock-gravely, before tromping up the stairs.

Still munching on her second cookie, Buffy felt her stomach drop uncomfortably as her mind turned to less pleasant thoughts. She couldn't possibly share another revealing dream with Harry, could she? That was some messed up, 'sorry, wrong number' deal wasn't it? Buffy threw on her pajamas, hoping strangely to go through that pesky REM stage hours before Harry even closed his eyes.

Buffy didn't know what was wrong with her sometimes. She wanted to be happy, she really did. But that dream had ripped through the seams of all her excuses and reminded her why she sometimes felt so empty in the first place. These last few months, Buffy felt as if she had been walking down a tightrope and failing utterly. Too cheerful. Too depressed. Too nothing.

That night the dream was different. Strange and disjointed and somehow familiar. The man walked, always ahead of her, always out of reach. Nothing but cardboard boxes, rows and rows, a maze of dusty, hazy artifacts for attic storage.

Something cold and molten will tear one apart. And then she's gonna split the world apart.

Morning came and for once, Buffy didn't remember a single snatch of her nighttime visions.

Tara came to visit the next morning. Xander and Anya had an early appointment with a wedding planner. There were less people for Willow to hide behind today. No safety barrier between her and Tara.

Just by glancing at her, Buffy could feel Willow's uncertainty and nervousness rolling off in waves. She twisted a dishtowel in her hands uncomfortably, her stranglehold on the cloth tightening and wavering in sporadic bursts.

The doorbell rang and Buffy and Willow glanced at each other uneasily. "I'll get the door!" Dawn answered quickly, an expectant and slightly joyous tone creeping into her voice.

"Hey Dawnie!" A soft voice issued from the door. Harry glanced between Willow and Buffy, not sure what was going on. A pretty blonde girl walked into the room, a tentative smile on her face. Harry noted the softly focused aura around her. "Willow…"

"Tara…" she managed to croak out.

Tara. Willow's ex. That explained things.

Silence reigned for an awkward minute. Willow and Tara seemed content to simply stare at each other. Tara broke contact as suddenly as it had begun, turning her eyes away almost as if she was ashamed.

"Tara, meet Harry Potter, Harry meet Tara Maclay" Dawn issued the introductions.

Tara let out a surprised "oh!" A flicker of recognition passed through her face. "Harry Potter?"

"One and only" Harry answered awkwardly.

Buffy joined in, confused. "Wait, you guys know each other?"

"I—I know of him. We don't know each other" Tara clarified. "You've picked up an interesting guest since I've been gone."

"Yeah, it's one of those crazy, meet-cute stories" Buffy said, not elaborating. Harry shot her a sardonic look. 'Meet cute?' he mouthed sarcastically. Buffy answered with her own slightly scornful look. "I forgot that Harry was like, famous."

Tara answered hesitantly. "It's just that I've read in some of the books at the magic shop—and a couple mentioned Voldemort and Harry Potter." She looked back at Harry apologetically. As Harry and Tara settled into pleasant conversation, Willow quietly slipped out of the room. Who was she kidding? Tara couldn't even look at her.

The bell above the door tinkled as Harry and Buffy entered the café. "Grab a table, I'm picking out dessert" Buffy told him commandingly.

"Whatever you say." He paused. "Dessert first? Fattie!"

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Do us all a favor and grab a table." When she wasn't looking, Harry jumped in the air and pumped his fist. Buffy turned around, her look slightly incredulous. "I saw that!"

"Erm…I'll go get—get that table." Harry moseyed towards the back of the café and seated himself. He fiddled with his fork as he waited. Going out to lunch with Buffy would be relaxing after a full day of writing reports. Harry recalled his brief meeting with Tara and smiled. She really was a nice girl.

A sudden pop caused Harry to jerk his head up. "Wuh--!" A pale, dark-haired man with a pointed face sat serenely in the seat opposite from Harry. "Er…I don't mean to be impolite, but who exactly are you?"

The man let out a low laugh and held his hand out to Harry. "Torrance Tackleby. And you are Mr. Potter. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." His lips pressed together in a long fleshy smile. Harry had the sudden urge to snatch his hand back.

"A pleasure to meet you too" Harry said, not really feeling so. A muggle girl at a nearby table looked at Harry and Torrance strangely before shaking her head and going back to her lunch. Harry glanced around nervously. "Are you sure it was wise, apparating like that? There are muggles everywhere."

Torrance gave Harry a humorous, yet slightly patronizing smile. "As a ministry official much like yourself, I know how to take care of myself around muggles. Besides, the muggles on the hellmouth are even more clueless than most." He motioned to the girl who had looked at them earlier. "You see, she now realizes that what she saw was nothing more than a trick of the light." Tackleby gave another low laugh.

Harry joined in half-heartedly, his gaze flickering to Buffy, who was still at the counter. "So, Mr. Tackleby? What brings you to Sunnydale? I thought I was the only Ministry official stationed here."

Tackleby's demeanor suddenly turned cold. "Ah, yes." Tackleby glanced at Buffy, who was at the counter ordering. "You've neglected your duties." He fixed Harry with a pointed and slightly unnerving stare. "Spend a little less time with the bird and a little more time on the job."

Harry felt shards of ice and anger mix up in his stomach. "I've done my job. I send my Ministry reports every other day on the dot. I'm not quite sure what you're implying."

Tackleby coldly assessed him. "You'd be a fool to think the Ministry didn't know about your little…escapades. You're not living in the flat you were provided with. Moved in with the blonde." Tackleby leaned in slightly, an eager yet disquieting smile on his face. "Some advice to you Mister Potter. Drop her."

"Excuse me?" Harry asked, his tone venomous. "And why should I do that?" His mind was racing. Did they know the slayer? What exactly was going on?

"She's a distraction. And trust me, kid. You're on a hellmouth. The last thing you need is a distraction like her." Tackleby's eyes swept over Buffy's form. "And what a distraction she is."

Harry grabbed his dinner fork in a stranglehold, keeping himself from doing what he really wanted to; grab his wand. His voice was filled with barely suppressed rage. "I suggest you get out of my sight. Now."

Tackleby laughed. "Temper, temper Mr. Potter. I hope only that you will heed my words." With a slight pop, the man was gone.

Harry took a calming breath, still not sure how to interpret what had just happened. Interpret? What is there to bloody interpret? He told you what he wanted pointblank. What was the Ministry playing at? And was Tackleby really from the Ministry? Harry still didn't know what thought disturbed him most.

"Hey" Buffy said, coming back with two delicious looking slices of cake in her hand. "Dessert is served."

Buffy clicked her new cellphone shut as she and Harry stumbled into the house laughing. "Oh man, that was great" Buffy said, doubled over with laughter.

"So you knew them at school?" Harry asked.

"Well, I knew one of them. Jonathon. They're all total nerds though. I can't believe that they think they're my evil nemesis-s-s now. Or that they were the ones who've been playing those lame tricks on me for the past couple months."

"So how did Willow discover them?"

"That's the funny thing. Anya decided that the Magic Box's new thing should be home deliveries. And she asked Willow to drop some things off at one of the customer's houses. The lady let her into the house and said her son wasn't there, but she could leave it in the basement. And in the basement, apparently they have like a big laboratory type thing. And—and—A BIG BOARD!"

"A big board?" Harry questioned, not quite getting it.

"Yeah, like a big dry-erase board. And they wrote all of their 'evil' plans up there. I think she said that one of them was turning me into a monkey or a slave, or something." Buffy wrinkled her nose before bursting into laughter again.

The pair wandered towards the kitchen. As they were just about to lower themselves onto the kitchen seats, a tapping noise at the window interrupted.

Buffy whipped around, grabbing her stake. "What was that?"

Harry looked out the window. "Don't worry, it's just an owl. It's probably for me."

"Um, is that normal?"

"Perfectly" Harry responded, grinning as he lifted the window.

The owl hopped demurely onto Harry's arm as he undid the parchment scroll.

Harry, mate, hope you've been enjoying your vacation on the hellmouth. Hermione told me that you're living with some girl now. Don't worry, I'll slap you when I get there for never telling me about that little development. Something that I'm not gonna write down might happen soon. Near you. Right, so be a dear and write back immediately. I need some apparition coordinates. I'll be there as soon as I get your reply.

--Ron

A/N: That's right people, Ronnie-kins is a-headin' to the hellmouth! I'm excited. Are you excited?