Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter is not mine and never will be, but the OC's are and so is the plot concept. I do not own any Buffy stuff either, cause if I did I wouldn't have ended it at season 7.
Notes: A crossover between BtVS & HP. Just an idea that has been pressing on my brain for what seems like forever. This story actually started out as a plain old HP fic, but when the idea to bring in the Buffy cast jumped into my head I couldn't resist. This fic takes place at the beginning of season 7, right after Willow was about to destroy the world. As for the HP time span, this takes place as though they were in their 7th year just to make things run smoothly plot wise. I apologize beforehand for any OOC scenes, and please feel free to critique and comment. I understand that many of you might not understand the story because you don't watch Buffy, but I do suggest you read the fic anyway. I will try my best to answer all sketchy areas, and if you would like to know more about the plot line please feel free to email me at .
Quick Summary: He was tired of living his life for his father, and when the opportunity became available he formed new loyalties. Now he must battle his seventh year and his father, but if that wasn't hard enough he must now battle his dreams. He must battle his future. She was tired of feeling like a void after the destruction she caused. Her punishment was to attend proper training in the most prestigious wizarding school known. Yet the dark power that coursed through her veins continued to resurface; beckoning her to join them. What happens when these two worlds collide? And what happens when the Slayer has no control over the outcome? In one world everything has depended on the Slayer, and in the other everything has always depended on the boy-who-lived. What happens when the future of the world resides in two people who are trying to redeem their ties to dark power? A story of friends, foes and fiascos.
Chapter 6 Hey The Gangs All Here
"You reckon that these visitors have something to do with little miss redhead?" Blaise pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it casually onto the floor.
Draco, upon returning from the escapade in Dumbledores office, had told his friends just the minor details of the evening. No where did he mention the fiasco on the pitch, or the fact that the man who might have polyjuiced himself into Willow was his father. Those details he decided to keep to himself until he could figure them out clearly on his own.
"I suppose it's a possibility. I mean who else would he be bringing here? There's really no reason for some more teachers, and a student. We've already completed four weeks of classes and he expects some student to jump on in without a problem?" Draco shook his head. "Sometimes I really think Dumbeldore is getting to old for his job. The guy is a tad batty."
"So what were you doing with Willow?" Lawrence plopped onto his bed and propped his head up with his hands. "I mean did you get a chance to discuss with her those things that needed discussing?"
"Or did you spend all your time shagging her?" A voice popped up from behind the bed curtains.
"Shut it Haddock. Honestly is that all you think about?" Blaise sneered before climbing into his own bed.
"Actually...yes is it. Is there anything else worth thinking about? I mean come on that new witch is scorching hot." The curtains to his bed were drawn, but when Ethan spoke they fluttered slightly around him.
"Actually there are a hell of a lot of things that are far more important. You're just to daft to actually note them." Draco drawled, slipping into his own bed with a sneer. God how he hated the prat.
"Oh come off it Malfoy. You alone have had your share of girls around here. Don't you tell me that the thought hasn't crossed your mind at least once." His curtains fluttered again and Draco could only imagine the smirk that plastered Ethan's face.
"Sod off Haddock." It was the last words spoken before they heard his muffled snores from behind the curtains. Good, at least now he was asleep.
"So come on...tell us. What happened out there? I mean is she the reason for all your weird dreams?" Blaise quirked his eyebrow. " After all that commotion up by Gryffindor tower there must be some sort of odd vibe about her. Did she really push the weasel down the stairs?"
"No and no…" Draco shook his head, his body leaning back against his pillow. "No she isn't the reason for my dreams, though I still don't understand why her name was in my fathers office, and no she didn't push the weasel down the stairs. Like I said I was with her the whole time."
"So did you push her down the stairs?" Lawrence yawned.
"No." He replied firmly, the questioning from his friends becoming tiresome. "Look tomorrow we are going to have a chat with Mia. We need to discuss future plans and the lot of other things that have been going on. By that time we will see who the new visitors are, and somehow hash out how they are all connected. Till then…" He drew the curtains around his bed. "I'm going to sleep. Night." He voiced out curtly before lying back into his bed and shutting his eyes for the evening.
He was walking again. The corridor dim and cold from the drafty windows. His footsteps echoed in the hall, and he glanced over his shoulder casually for some sign of life. From the look of things he was in Hogwarts, down a corridor he wasn't quite familiar with. It was an odd sensation to be wandering around these halls in his dreams, but anything was better than being stuck in his fathers dreary study.
He turned the corner, heading down a flight of stairs and into another unfamiliar corridor. This one was lit with flickering candles and towards the end he was quite certain there was a figure standing there. A girl. For a second he had hoped that it was the mysterious girl with the brown hair, but as he neared he knew that red hair from anywhere. Willow.
Slowly he walked towards her, her back to him as he neared. Not wanting to startle her he whispered.
"Willow?"
She didn't turn, instead her back remained to him and he wondered if he should just shout out her name after all. Hell it was his dream. Not like he could be caught by any Professor for being out late.
"Willow?" He called a little louder this time, her figure nearing with each step he took.
Something was strange about this. The finger he couldn't quite place, but something was strange. Wrong even.
The distance between them was merely an arms length, and slowly he reached out and grasped her shoulder. Coldness swept through him and he shuttered lightly.
"Willow, what's the matter?"
For awhile he just stood there, his hand gripping her shoulder firmly. The silence hissed through the corridor and out of fear he turned over his shoulder to check behind him. Nothing.
"He's coming."
Snapping his head back in her direction he frowned. "Whose coming? Willow would you face me for a second."
"He's coming here. Soon. You need to know." And she began to turn.
"Who? Willow what are you-" But his words caught in his throat when she faced him. Her eyes were glazed over with blackness, and the once rosy complexion had turned gaunt. It was as though life had been sucked from her and been replaced by death itself.
"Gods Willow, what the hell-" But he barely had time to get the words out before she pushed him away from her.
"I'm tainted. Cant you see it? Around me…its all around me…." Her voice was frantic and she swatted her hands furiously through the vacant air. "Its black…its power…he's coming for me. Run…" She pushed him further. A fuzzy light began to swarm around her and her plea grew louder. "RUN!"
So he ran. He bolted from the corridor just as he heard her fatal scream. Stopping in his tracks he looked back down the corridor where Willow had pushed him away. She wasn't alone anymore. Standing at her side was another figure, a tall figure masked in black. For a moment it grew far to bright to see where the figures stood, but as it dimmed his eyes adjusted and he took a quick breath. They two stood there facing him, and though he couldn't see who hid behind the dark hood he could clearly see the malicious smile grow on Willows face. He ran.
His footsteps pounded heavily on the staircase and he didn't dare look back to see if they were following. He turned, weaved down a few more corridors before finally making his way to the entrance hall. There was no one in sight, and the beating of his heart was no doubt creating the thudding noise that bounced loudly off the walls. He was trapped.
"Oh Draco…" Willow's voice cooed as she stood at the head of the stairs with the other figure. Her fingers idly twirled her wand and she laughed. "Why did you run off so soon? I have a friend for you to meet." She laughed again, her eyes darting towards the door behind him.
He turned, and there she stood. The brown haired girl that had been plaguing his dreams so often. Her denim jeans were torn and muddy, and her nose trickled with the faintest amount of blood. Still she stood there firmly behind him, a smile creeping to her face as she looked at him.
"You…" Was all he managed to get out.
"You." Willow mocked, throwing her head back in laughter. " Pathetic Malfoy. Truly pathetic. Too bad your slick wit cant save you now." She cackled, the hooded figure beside her cackling as well.
"No!" The brown haired girl flew to his side, and she took hold of his hand. A surge of happiness shot rapidly through his body and he felt his eyes widen. For a moment it felt as though all horrid emotion was washed from his body, and he wondered, was this happiness, could this possibly be undying love? No, how could he have fallen in love with the girl from his dream. It wasn't likely at all.
But as Willow pointed her wand towards the two, he had caught sight of her mouthing 'I love you' before the green sparks shot from Willows wand. The girl threw herself in front of Dracos body, and frozen in place he watched as she fell limp to the floor.
"No!" He shouted, the feeling of happiness slipping quickly away from him.
"Silly silly boy…silly silly boy…silly silly boy…"
Draco shot straight up in his bed, his body dripping with sweat. His hands were shaking terribly, and he had every intention on waking up the boys when something else came to the forefront of his mind. Without a moment of hesitation Draco slipped from his bed and tore from his dormitory. He only hoped that he'd be able to make it to the infirmary without getting caught.
He had been out late before, usually lurking through the dungeons just to blow off steam. However this time he needed to get to the infirmary. He needed to speak to Ginny. His bare feet thudded along, and when a noise sounded at the end of the corridor he jumped behind a statue to keep himself hidden. Professor Sprout hummed casually to herself as she slipped by him, unaware that he was even there. He held his breath until she rounded the corner and then once he regained his confidence he bolted again.
Up the stairs he flew, his body tired and growing considerably out of breath. For the life of him he couldn't understand why he was doing this, but his dream had been so real he needed to know. He needed to be certain.
Finally, after it felt like years had past, he reached the door to the infirmary and gripped the handle. By now Pomfrey would be asleep, and with any luck Ginny would be the only patient in the hospital at all. He didn't feel like tiptoeing around other sick students in the process of his mission. So slowly he slipped inside the infirmary, his breath caught in his throat. Just like he had hoped she was in there alone, sleeping peacefully in the second bed on the left. He shuffled quietly along the floor, his eyes darting across the room just to be sure of its vacancy. When all was confirmed clear he picked up his pace and ran to her side.
Her face was bruised slightly on the left side, and her right arm was bandaged and placed in a sling. From the looks of it she didn't seem as badly beaten up as he would have expected. The way her body was sprawled at the bottom of the stairs he was sure both legs would have been broken, but they seemed to be castless and moving as she turned on the bed.
Course he felt sodding awful to wake her up in such a state, but this was a matter of life and death. Normally he'd rather die than ask a Gryffindor for help, but what choice did he have really? He needed someone to get into the Gryffindor dormitories and Ginny was his only hope.
"Hey Weas- hey…Ginny….wake up" He nudged her slightly with his finger. She groaned, rolled over and continued to sleep. "Ginny, please wake up." He whispered a bit louder, and poked her a bit harder.
Ginny's eyes fluttered open slowly, and as she yawned she let out a squeak at the sight of him. "What!" But he had placed his hand over her mouth so quickly that she didn't have a chance to scream.
"I need your help. Now don't scream." His eyes pleaded with her own, and she nodded mutely. "I'm going to remove my hand now, but Ginny, this is a matter of life and death and I truly truly need your help. I wouldn't be here right now if this wasn't serious." And slowly, praying to Merlin that she wouldn't scream, he removed his hand.
"What do you want?" She hissed, slowly bringing herself up to a sitting position. "What sort of sick trick is this Malfoy?"
"It's Willow…I need-"
"I told Dumbeldore a thousand times. Willow didn't do it…why do you care? God if you came down here to interrogate me about the topic well go back to bed. I need my rest."
"Listen!" His voice grew firm. "I know Willow didn't do it. I was with her the entire time it happened. Now this is something completely different, so shut up and listen ok?" He didn't mean to be so harsh but time was growing short.
"Ok ok ok I'm listening ferret, go on."
God how he hated himself for coming to her. " I know this sounds funny, but I just had a dream. Don't roll your eyes, listen to me…Willow, she went all funny in my dream. Did some odd stuff, and well, look Ginny this was frighteningly real. I mean she went insane and - and killed someone. After everything that happened today…look can you walk?" She nodded. "I need you to come with me to Gryffindor and check in on her. Make sure she's still there. Ginny if my dream was some sort of window into reality Willow could be in grave danger."
"So you want me to check in on her? God Malfoy how daft do you think I am? You want me to waltz out of here with you in the middle of the night to check on Willow? You're off your rocker." She rolled her eyes.
"Ginny…please."
She paused, her eyes taking in the serious look in his. If it had been anyone else she would have agreed without a second thought, but this, well this was Malfoy. When did he give a damn about anyone unless it somehow benefited him? But that look, she had never seen him look so distraught over something. She had never seen him so concerned over someone else. Hell she had never EVER seen him ask a Gryffindor for help. Her heart sighed. "Ok, ok I'll go with you. But I swear if you breathe a word of this to my brother he will kill you and then he'll kill me. Honestly, me helping you is his worst nightmare. I can see it now…" she slipped from her bed and headed towards the door. " it wouldn't be pretty mark my words."
Together, in silence, the two unlikely pair crept up the stairs towards Gryffindor tower. Not wanting to stress any of her injuries he tried to keep his eagerness to a minimum but couldn't help the swiftness in his step. For awhile Ginny struggled to keep up, her legs still shaky from the fall, but she held her own, muttering to herself about helping the ferret. Draco smirked every now and then, wishing for a fleeting instant that Potty and Gang could see him walking the halls with the youngest weasel. Oh how heads would roll!
"Ok, now what?" She halted at the Gryffindor portrait. "You just want me to check in on her?"
"Yes, just look in and see if she's there. If she isn't then…well I'm afraid we will be heading to Dumbledores office."
"Yeah yeah yeah….turn around and cover your ears, will ya. I don't need you listening in to our password." Ginny shooed him away and then walked back towards the entrance. Whispering to the fat lady, 'Prior Incantato', she turned to him as the portrait swung open. "Just wait here." And then she was gone.
So he waited, and being the impatient person that he was, that wasn't easy. He began to pace the corridor, deciding what the best tactic would be if indeed Willow had disappeared. Hell he still didn't have a clue what it all meant if she was gone. Would it mean she had gone over to the dark side? Did his father get to her? Would she spill his secrets to his father? His mind spun a mile a minute that he didn't even notice Ginny's return.
"She's not there…"
"Huh?" He turned towards Ginny, his eyes struck with horror.
"She's gone. Her bed is empty and everything is tossed around like there was a struggle." She stepped out of the entranceway and took a few steps towards him.
"God…we need to go to Dumbledore. We need to warn him. Willow could be- why are you laughing?"
"Oh…oh you should see your face. Its priceless!" She chuckled, throwing her free arm to her forehead in laughter.
"What are you laughing about!" He advanced on her.
"Oh cool off Malfoy, Willow is sound asleep in her bed." She rolled her eyes. "You know if I had an icy bone in my body I'd report you in the morning, but since I'm far to tired, and could careless about your little relationship with Willow I'll let it slide. It's nice to see you care about someone beside yourself for once anyway." She shook her head, and then without a glance back she started down the stairs. "Goodnight Mal-Ferret."
"I hate that blasted family." He hissed through gritted teeth. Hell it was bad enough he had to put up with one Weasel, but why did the gods have to curse him with a gaggle?
Trudging barefoot down the stairs Draco scratched his head. Well, he was wrong about his dream, and Willow, though the dream had felt so real, was sound asleep in bed. The images in his head still remained unclear, but for now he decided that some sleep, minus the dreams, would really do him good. He'd deal with this in the morning. Perhaps after a nice breakfast….
Up in Gryffindor tower the dormitories were full of light snoring. Boys and girls alike were tucked tightly in their beds, dreams and visions whisking them off to far away places. It was deadly quiet, except of course the faint crackling of the dying fire. It was the only time when the Gryffindor tower was actually dull. It was the only time when the students could cast aside their worries for the time being and fall into a peaceful sleep. However Willow stared at the ceiling of her room with glassy eyes. True she could have said something to Ginny when the girl came in moments ago, but she had chosen to pretend she was asleep. After all how could she tell the girl that the nightmare that woke her was plagued with death. Death that she had once again caused.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"Would you hurry up." Buffy dragged her suitcase along the platform with a sigh. The evening had consisted of much running around and she was in much need of a soft comfy bed.
Calling Angel and asking him to watch over Sunnydale for awhile was a chore. The vamp had huffed about leaving LA for a good half hour before she was able to convince him to take the job. Hell she was beginning to think that this idea was stupid after all. After Dumbledore had left in such a hurry she had helped Dawn and Xander pack their bags, packed her own things, and then rushed off to the crypt to find Spike. He, though she dreaded the thought, was invited for the getaway as well. Dumbeldore had insisted that they bring some muscle and knowledge, and since Spike was British, old, and well, vampy he would definitely be an asset to them. Still she hated the thought.
"We're moving as quick as we can Buff…" Xander huffed, his own trunk dragging behind him.
When they had finished gathering all there things together, and Giles gave the go ahead, the lot of them, including Spike flooed over to London in order to pick up a few essential things. Dawn for instance needed school books, Xander needed to exchange his American money and Buffy was instructed to check out a few of the local hangouts before they all went to get their wands. Mr. Ollivander, a terribly kind old man, had managed to find Dawns wand without a problem. However Buffy and Xander were a bit of a challenge. Forty seven boxes later, the three of them stuck their wands in their pockets and met up with Giles and Spike. Spike had been extremely jealous, claiming that he needed a wand more than anyone else, but after Buffy reminded him that a slip could cause it to pierce his heart the vamp scowled and remained quiet for a good ten minutes.
Things were rushed, but after it was all said and done they were ready to head to Hogwarts. Dumbeldore had said the train ride would last through the night, and by the time they arrived in the morning they would be introduced at breakfast.
Which brought them to now. The train had arrived late in Hogsmeade, and in the commotion of changing and grabbing their things the sun was already beginning to rise over the hills. The town of Hogsmeade was a quaint little town, and Buffy had to admit it seemed like a wonderful place to settle into. Then again anything was better than Sunnydale.
"Couldn't they have sent someone to pick us up?" Dawn whined, her newly bought robes billowing in the wind.
"Dumbeldore said that there would be a carriage at the end of the platform. If you'd all just calm down and carry your things we should- ah there it is." Giles grinned, nodding towards the end of the train platform.
A large carriage sat at the far end of the platform, and the group of them, even Spike gasped at the sight. Though it was rather hard for him to see from under the heavy black cloak he wore to keep his body hidden. Large horses with large wings stood at the very front. Their eyes were chalky white and the little skin they had clung to their bones. Dawn was the very first to speak.
"Oh! Thestrals!" She clasped her hands together and pointed. "I read about those too! Only people who have seen death can see them. Apparently they are really rare."
Buffy quirked her eyebrow at her sister. "When did you find the time to read up on all this mumbo jumbo?"
Dawn smiled. "Impressed?"
"Not really." Buffy chuckled and stepped down off the platform.
Once they loaded their belongings in the back of the carriage they climbed inside. Once they had settled into their seats barely a second past before the horses started off towards the castle. Buffy, Dawn and Xander squeezed onto one side of the carriage while Giles was stuck sitting next to Spike who had taken the liberty to feed at a pouch of blood he had brought along.
"You do realize that's disgusting?" Buffy sighed, shaking her head as he continued to eat.
"And you do realize that if I don't eat from this bag I'll be sucking at your neck tonight." After the words had left his mouth he quickly looked away.
"So, what did Dumbeldore say you will be teaching then?" Dawn flipped through one of her new Charms books, her wand spinning casually between the fingers of her right hand.
Xander puffed out his chest. "Well apparently old Dumblie thinks I'll make a nifty assistant to the potions Professor. He said since we've brewed our share of witchy potions with Will that I could help out there for the time being." He grinned, running his knuckles over his shirt.
"And I'll be book keeping in the library." Giles shot Xander and Buffy a look as they chuckled under their breath. "Seems as though wherever I go its always the library. Still I suppose I'll have ample time to catch up on my reading. Heaven knows its been years since I've been in the wizarding world."
"What about you Buffy?" Dawn flipped the page of the book, her eyes settling down on glamour charms.
"Well there's this class that the kids take. Defense Against the something or other."
"Dark Arts." Dawn corrected.
"Yeah whatever. Well he said that they learn defense spells and things in there, but he wants to take their double class and split it into two. The first half of the class will be spent learning the magical parts and the second half, which I will be teaching, will actually be combat." She grinned, "Should be fun kicking some kids around." But her laughter faded as Giles gave her a stern look. "Joke Giles, ha ha, get it?"
"Sounds fun." Dawn tapped her fingers along the edge of the book. "He never actually said where I'll be placed but I guess he'll let me know once we arrive…which it looks like we just have…woah…" Dawn stuck her head out of the carriage window. "Pictures don't do it justice."
Xander whistled, his eyes widening as the castle came into view. "Holy underwear batman."
"Wonder what the property tax is on this place?" Buffy murmured as the carriage came to a halt. The doors opened magicaly on their own and they stepped out into the morning sun.
"Welcome, welcome, honored guests." Dumbledore clasped his hands together and descended from the staircase. "I do hope your journey wasn't too tiring." his eyes twinkled.
"Quite pleasant Albus, thank you." Reaching for his bag Giles smiled.
"Oh no, wait wait wait. I'll help you with that." A tiny little man rushed out from behind Dumbeldore and whipped his wand from his pocket. Muttering some words they watched as their belongings rose into the air and headed into the castle on their own.
"You definitely will have to teach me that one." Buffy grinned at the tiny figure.
"Professor Flitwick, meet Alexander Harris, Dawn Summers, Rupert Giles whom you already know, and of course the slayer herself, Buffy Summers." Dumbeldore grinned.
"What about me?" Voiced a figure from beneath the heavy black cloak.
Dumbledore smiled. "And under there we have William, or well better known as Spike."
"Oh!" Flitwick squeaked disregarding everything Dumbledore had said about Spike, "The actual slayer! How exciting!" Rushing towards her he extended his hand. "it's a pleasure to meet you Miss Summers."
"Yes, painfully exciting." Another voice hissed from Dumbledores side. Snape stood there, his arms folded tightly across his chest. "Not that I want to break up this little hoopla but the children are beginning to come down into the hall."
Buffy eyed the man suspiciously. Hell she had encountered a lot of funny looking fellas in her life, but this one definitely took the cake. Every inch of him oozed with the look of evil, but Dumbeldore had done nothing more than smile at the man.
"Very well Severus, we will be in momentarily." He ushered Snape away, and chuckled as Spike took off after him, a slight amount of smoke beginning to appear from beneath the cloak. "Now, you will all join us in the Great Hall before I give you the itinerary for the day. Dawn you will follow us in and feel free to take a seat at any of the tables. I will address the school to your arrival and I trust you will be able to keep up with the little story I've concocted." He grinned.
"Of course, sir." Dawn nodded eagerly.
"Then follow me please."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Harry yawned as he took his seat between Ron and Neville at the Gryffindor table. The night had been restless as his dreams were once again plagued by Voldemort. At least when he woke this morning his scar didn't throb with enormous pain. No, instead he was just incredibly tired and he scratched his head before reaching for the container of pumpkin juice.
"Rough night, Harry?" Hermione questioned as she sprinkled her oatmeal with some cinnamon sugar.
"Just a bit." Pouring himself a glass of the juice he took a quick sip as some distant hooting grew louder.
"Morning post…" Neville mumbled, his mouth partially full of toast.
It was airborne chaos as the owls swooped through the air and delivered the packages and letters to there rightful owners. The letters and packages soared through the air, and Neville groaned as he was given a letter from his grandmother.
"Thought she sort of ease of sending these letters since we're seventeen now…." He rolled his eyes and unfolded the parchment.
"Hey Harry….isn't that Hedwig?" Ron pointed through the mass of owls towards the white snowy one that had just flown through the window.
"Reckon it is…" Harry placed his fork down and smiled as Hedwig came to land on his shoulder. Reaching up and untying the parchment from his leg Harry tossed Hedwig a bit of toast before the owl flew off into the air again.
"Who is it from?" Hermione leaned over, her chin pressed into the palm of her hand.
Harry didn't waste a moment unfolding the parchment and reading the contents. " Its Sir- Snuffles."
"What's he want?" Ron's eyes grew wide, the piece of bacon in his hand dropping to the plate.
Before Harry had a chance to answer the doors to the Great Hall flew open and Dumbledore stood smiling in the entranceway. He couldn't make out the faces behind him, but it was clear that the visitors he had mentioned last night had finally arrived. As they made their way up the center aisle towards the head table, Harry observed the girl to the very front. Blonde, petite, hell she looked about Willow's age, and he was certain he recognized her from somewhere before.
"Do we know her?" Harry pointed to the girl in the front.
"Don't think so." Ron shrugged, pointing to the girl with the brown hair. "Wish we knew her though." Hermione elbowed him hard in his side. "I was kidding Hermione." He rubbed at his side.
"No kidding." Harry watched as the younger girl split from the group and took an available seat at the Hufflepuff table next to Hannah Abbot.
The rest of them made there way to the front of the room and took the three available seats at the end of the head table. Dumbeldore smiled at Professor McGonagall and picking up her spoon she tapped on the side of her glass.
"Attention please." Her voice rang through the hall and everyone's eyes eagerly darted towards Dumbeldore.
"Students if you would all settle down I'd like to make an announcement." Clasping his hands together Dumbeldore nodded his head towards the visitors. "Students I'd like for you to greet a few new additions to the Hogwarts staff. Please give a warm welcome to Rupert Giles, Alexander Harris and Ms. Buffy Summers. Mr. Giles will be assisting Madam Pince in the library for the duration of the school year. While Mr. Harris will be assisting Professor Snape in the potions lab." There were a few muffled groans. " And finally Ms. Summers will be starting a new lesson plan in your Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. As you all know Professor Jansen will continue to teach the first portion of the class in which you will learn your magic work, while the second class will be taught by Ms. Summers where she will teach you simple combat tactics. " The whispering among the students picked up, and McGonagall tapped the side of her glass again. "Now now, one more moment please." Dumbeldore grinned. " I would also like to extend a welcome to Ms. Dawn Summers, sister to Ms. Summers, previously she has attended the Salem Institute for Witches, but due to her sisters gracious acceptance to Hogwarts she will be finishing the school year here as a sixth year. She will not be sorted into a specific house, instead she will follow the curriculum that I have created and dorm in one of our guest areas with her sister. "
Hannah Abbot had already taken the liberty to shake Dawns hand, and Harry could see the sheer excitement plastered along the girls face. In a way he wished the girl had come and taken a seat at the Gryffindor table. Something like this was a nice change of pace at Hogwarts, and Harry wouldn't mind killing the thoughts of Voldemort for a little while.
"Wonder what American witchcraft is like. I mean I hear they do things quite different over there." Hermione had whispered softly.
"Well once Ginny gets out of the infirmary we'll ask her to bring the girl around. I mean they're in the same year so I'm sure Ginny wont mind. Besides that girl loves to make new friends." Ron went back to eating as Dumbledore finally took his seat.
Harry watched as the teachers became instantly engulfed in conversation and he wondered what exactly they could be talking about. What in the world had possessed Dumbeldore to bring in a combat teacher? If the war between the light and dark ever broke out there wouldn't be a need for physical combat. They'd just need to have the strength to perform the unforgivable curses and hopefully they'd all live.
"Guess we'll have our first dose of combat class today." Hermione brushed the crumbs from her robe and stood from the table. " I don't know about you guys, but I'm actually looking forward to it. I mean if your going to learn from anyone you might as well learn from the best."
"And how do you know she's the best?" Ron challenged her.
"I swear. Sometimes I think I'm the only one who pays attention in class. " She rolled her eyes. "Last year in Professor Binn's class we spoke about her, honestly you'd think you'd remember someone as important as the slayer." She shook her head in disapproval. "We even mentioned her two weeks ago in Jansen's class. He said she is the oldest slayer in history. She's the only one to ever survive three apocalypses, defeat a God, and conquer the Gentlemen, you do remember when we spoke about them don't you?" She eyed them both. " Oh and she's come back from the dead twice. Well see you all in Charms, Im heading off to Ancient Runes."
Harry's mouth was gapped open and he tossed a look towards the Professors table. That was the slayer? The chosen one? She was here in Hogwarts and she was going to teach them how to fight?
Harry couldn't even find the words to express the mixture of emotion he was feeling. In fact the only thing he heard as he stared at the girl was Ron mumbling 'wicked' repeatedly under his breath.
Draco was far to busy discussing the idea of running to India with Mia when the visitors first arrived. When the owls had arrived seconds earlier she had received a letter from her father instructing her that her initiation would be over the holiday break. Draco had tossed out the idea that they all take off for another country just to buy some time, but Lawrence and Blaise didn't think that was such a good idea. After all if their parents eventually found them they'd be in for it ever more than they'd be if they just turned down the dark mark.
"Woah." Blaise nudged Draco in the side. "Forget about India mate, check out our new teacher."
Draco lifted his eyes towards the front of the room and whistled under his breath. "Well it looks like I'll be getting a bit of- wait a second. I know her." Draco squinted his eyes at the girl. He had definitely seen her somewhere before. The blonde hair, the tiny frame, hell even the chap who was sitting next to her looked familiar. Then it dawned on him. "Hey, those are friends of Willows."
"How do you know?" Lawrence quirked an eyebrow towards the front of the room, his eyes flickering over towards the older man who continued to clean his glasses as though they were continuously dirty.
"Oh - I- well there were pictures she had with her yesterday. I saw a few and well-" He broke off again as Armina gagged.
"Holy Merlin above, that girl is the slayer!" She covered her mouth quickly, not realizing how loud she had just spoken. " Don't you remember Binns talking about her last year? Kept going on and on about her and in fact he showed us that blurry American muggle photo of her. Course that photo made her forehead really wide and gave her a lot of fuzzy gray spots on her cheeks…"
"Wait," Draco looked at the girl then back to Mia, "Your positive that she is the slayer? You're telling me that Willow was friends with the slayer?"
Mia nodded mutely.
"Well it explains a lot." Draco wiped his hand across his face.
"And the new student…she's the slayers sister?" Lawrence pointed through the heads at the Gryffindor table towards a brown haired girl at Hufflepuff.
"Reckon that's who Dumbledore is pointing to. Must be a something to have your sister the slayer and be a witch. Lots of magic in that family." Armina shrugged, picking up an apple and taking a bite.
Draco craned his neck towards the girl. Hell he gave her a lot of credit for switching schools in the sixth year. It must have been hard to leave her friends behind and start over in a completely different country. He watched as she flung her hair over her shoulder, casting her head back and laughing with some stupid Hufflepuff. God she was beautiful. And at that, a pang in his stomach caused his jaw to drop slightly.
"Gonna stare at her all day?" Blaise chuckled.
"Huh?" He tore his eyes away from her and gave Blaise a look.
"You're drooling over that girl."
"I most certainly am not." Draco leaned over and grabbed his bag from the floor. "Look you guys can laugh all you want but I'm heading out of here. See you all in Potions." And with a swift movement he was through the doors and gone. As they closed behind him he leaned back against the wall and let out a breath. It was one thing to learn that the friend Willow was so fond of was the slayer. It explained so much of the visions he saw when she forced them through his eyes. He was prepared for a surprise when the visitors arrived this morning, but what he wasn't prepared for was the sister of the slayer to end up being the girl that had been plaguing his dreams each night.
"Draco?"
"Willow!" He snapped his eyes to the side, Willow standing there beside Professor Trelawney.
"I- um well Professor Trelawney says that Dumbledore has a surprise for me. Says I cant go inside till he says so."
Draco smiled, his heart going out to the defeated girl. This would be good for her. This would be a blessing. He just couldn't stick around to see that girl. At least not now.
"It's a grand surprise. You wait and see." He gave Professor Trelawney a slight nod before heading back down to the dungeons.
Dawn was glad that she chose the Hufflepuff table to sit at. The girl to her left, Hannah Abbot, was extremely nice and had already offered to take her around the school once they had a break from classes. True the girl was a year older, and finding a break together would be a nuisance ,but Dawn was happy regardless of the situation.
When they had first entered the Great Hall she stole a look towards Gryffindor and caught sight of the infamous Harry Potter sitting there with his friends Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. It took all of the strength not to run to him and ask him to sign her arm in permanent quill ink. She could only imagine the look of horror Buffy would have given her if she had done that.
When Dumbledore announced that she had attended the Salem Institute Dawn chuckled briefly to herself. It took only a moment before two boys across from her began interrogating her about going to an all girls school. Perverts.
"Oh, it's a shame you'll be in sixth year." Hannah sipped at her butterbeer. "It would have been fun to show you around between classes. No bother though, " She threw a piece of bread towards a figure not to far down. " I'll have Terence show you around." A boy with messy blonde hair lifted his head up from his hands.
"What?" He yawned, wiping at the drool that had collected in the corner of his mouth.
"Terence Gafferty, meet Dawn Summers…the new sixth year. I figured you could show her around since I have a lot of classes today." Hannah smiled.
"Uh yeah, I guess I could, sure." He replied before placing his head back down and closing his eyes.
Dawn dropped her head back in laughter and after a moment Hannah was caught up in the giggles as well. "Is he always that friendly?"
"Oh haha, Terence doesn't understand that if he goes to sleep at a normal hour he wont be tired in the morning. He's had more detentions for sneaking about the castle then all of us Hufflepuffs had put together. I reckon he knows this castle just as well as the Weasley twins did. Too bad they're not around anymore…Terence idolized them." Hannah shook her head.
A ruckus on the other side of the room cause the two to pause their conversation and watch as a boy stumbled across the hall and out the door. The only thing Dawn caught sight of was his blonde head slipping through the door just before the hall went back to being noisy again.
"Draco Malfoy." Hannah had noticed Dawns eyes on the door. " Don't want to mess with his lot. Believe me all bad news. Hear his father is in cahoots with You-Know-Who."
"Voldemort?" Dawn questioned, completely oblivious that she had said anything wrong.
"My dear lord, don't do that Dawn." Hannah's hand was placed over her heart. "You say that name in front of the wrong person and it will get you into trouble, it will."
Dawn's eyes were still fixed steadily on the door. "Sorry…forgot. I'll have to get used to watching my mouth…"
Hannah followed Dawns gaze and placed her hand on the girls shoulder. "Really, Dawn. Don't get caught up with him. Not worth it at all, and you see…" She pointed across the room towards three figures at the far end of the table. "Those three are glued to his hip. Nasty bunch."
"I can take care of my own. I mean my sister has taught me a lot about defending myself."
"Look, defending yourself against Malfoy and his gang is like defending yourself against a chimaera, not likely a wonderful outcome, ya know?" Hannah shook Dawns shoulder. "So just forget about him, yeah yeah he is a looker, but mark my words he'd throw you to a manticore if it would save his own ass."
Dawn nodded, her eyes still lingering on the door. She held herself back from leaving the hall herself, perhaps drifting through the corridors and finding the boy who had just left. Something about him called out to her. Something strange but definitely intriguing. Oh she'd make it a point to see him again. Regardless of how dangerous Hannah claimed he could be.
"Professor Trelawney, if you could." Dumbledore called across the room.
All heads snapped towards the door and Dumbledore passed a smile onto Buffy as the doors slowly opened. Willow stepped inside with Professor Trelawney, her hands twisting nervously as the faces all seemed focused on her.
"Willow!" Dawn couldn't contain herself any longer, and she sprung from the Hufflepuff table.
"Dawnie?" Willow turned at the voice, her eyes filling with tears. It was like a dream, a perfect dream that she had so desperately wanted to come true.
"Willow we've missed you. We missed you so much." Closing the distance between them she wrapped her arms around Willow and began to cry. "It's so good to see you. So great! And guess what, I'm going to be going to classes here. They accepted me here! Ts great isn't it?"
Willow cold barely manage finding the strength to speak. Dawn being here with her was just what she needed. "And Buffy agreed with this?" Willow laughed, her hands rubbing Dawns back.
"Course I did, but you didn't think I'd let her come alone did ya?"
Willow pulled away from Dawn, her eyes misting over even more. For everything that had been wrong these last few days, well it all just seemed to instantly melt away. Xander and Giles stood at the Professors table, both grinning madly. Willow laughed, waved to them both, then turned her attention back to Buffy.
"I don't- you're here…" She wiped at her eyes. She could feel the stares from the other students but at a time like this she just didn't give a damn.
"Yeah, I'm here. We tried to find a couple of replacements for your Scooby spot, but none of them cut it. So we came to you instead. Besides Giles had an itching to get back to his homeland. You should have heard him on the way here…..he practiced all his bloody British words." They both grinned, wrapped their arms around each other and hugged.
Well what do you think? I could have made this chapter way longer cause I had so much left to say, but I figured I'd just save it for next time. Please please please review! I really appreciate them! Thanks to all of you that did review. You guys are awesome!!!!!! Next update will be soon.
Another note: Sorry I had to fix up this chapter so a few things were changed if your reading it again.