Disclaimer – I don't own Buffy, Angel, or Harry Potter
Chapter 9 – Settling In
Great Hall
Dawn walked down the hall to her usual spot. She glanced towards the Gryffindor table. Sara was having a very animated conversation with the Golden Trio. Dawn noticed Ginny, who was facing the Slytherin table and sitting next to Hermione, she wasn't a part of the conversation that was going on, and she was glancing around the great hall. Dawn turned her attention back to the Slytherin table; Shannon and Rona were engaged in a conversation with Daphane and Emma. Dawn sat down at her seat, Draco turned slightly away from her, but she paid him no mind.
"So, I don't get it," Shannon said confused. "If she doesn't have 'the sight' what is she doing teaching that class? I mean isn't a requirement to teaching Divination? I don't get it."
"Neither do we," Daphane stated. "She can't see what's in front of her, let alone the future. There's only a couple times you will ever hear me say this, but Dumbledore was crazy for hiring her."
"I thought Slytherins, by nature, didn't like Dumbledore," Missy said sitting down next to Rona. "From what I understand Slytherins call Dumbledore crazy quite often."
"Some do," Emma explained before Daphane could say anything. "But Daphane here, she likes to judge people by skill and talent. If you have that, she'll respect you, for the most part."
"Pretty much," Daphane interrupted. "Dumbledore isn't crazy, normally. Just unusual, but he's the best wizard around." The last comment earned Daphane glares from many of the Slytherins including Millicent and Tracey. Blaise could tell that a fight was going to break out if they let this conversation go on much longer. Apparently, last year Tracey cursed Daphane behind her back when she said that Dumbledore was the best living wizard.
"How is your Demonology paper coming along?" Blaise asked Shannon suddenly. Shannon looked from her eggs at Blaise.
"I'm sorry. What?" Shannon asked.
"Demonology… Paper…" Dawn told her, poking her in the side as she did so.
"Oh Demonology," Shannon repeated, blushing slightly and kicking Dawn's foot under the table. "It's going well. I'm writing about The Master."
"Really?" Blaise asked. "I decided to write mine about Kakistos. I haven't been able to find that much about him though. Best I can figure he was killed a few years back…"
Dawn began to tune out that conversation because she wasn't interested in hearing about Kakistos. Dawn looked around the Slytherin table. Missy and Rona were talking together, while Daphane, Pansy, and Emma were all sharing knowing looks while glancing at Shannon and Blaise. Dawn glanced at Draco who was scowling at Blaise. Dawn's gaze landed, and stayed, on Theodor. He wasn't paying any attention to any of the Slytherins he was looking out across the Great Hall. Dawn tried her best to follow his gaze and was surprised to find that it was focused on, none other than, Ginny Weasley. Ginny abruptly looked up and caught Theo's eye. They held each other's gaze for a moment, but after a second or two Theo looked away. Ginny stayed looking at Theo for a moment longer before turning back to Neville and speaking with him. Dawn smiled knowingly to herself.
"Guys, it's time to head to class." Missy said. The group stood up and walked together to Demonology everyone having an animated conversation with another person. Everyone, that is, besides Draco and Dawn. Dawn was too busy thinking about Theo and Ginny, whereas Draco just seemed to be in a foul mood.
---Demonology---
"Well now," Giles began as the final students trickled into the classroom. "Why don't we begin with a question? Who here has started their homework?" Dawn, Shannon, Rona, Missy, Alison, Sara, Hermione, and (to everyone's surprise) Neville were the only ones in the class to raise their hand. "Okay then, how many of you are having trouble with research?" This time Hermione, Neville, Harry, Draco, Blaise, Pansy, and Theo raised their hands. "Good to know. I have searched your library and have found that much of the books needed for the essays that are required for this class are not in it."
"Because of this," Spike continued, walking towards a bookshelf. "We have stocked this bookshelf with books, manuscripts, and journals to help you."
"Each book has a spell on it so that we can track it if we need to." Giles explained. "The books are not to be taken off the school grounds. If they are, they will end up back here and we will know whom it is that tried to take it off campus. The person that does will be punished with detention and house points being taken away."
"These books are for use for students in this class only," Spike clarified. "There are certain documents that are not open for younger students to use. We have multiple copies of most of the books and they are open for you to barrow."
"Now that that's out of the way," Giles concluded, "I guess we will continue class where we left off." Much of the class was spent discussing Dracula and Kakistos. After awhile the discussion changed to identifying vampires.
"Who here can tell me how to identify a vampire?" Giles asked. All the slayers hands went up. "Mr. Malfoy?"
"There is a spell," Draco began, "I believe the incantation is 'malum probatur.' There is also suppose to be some sort of aura that some skilled people can be trained to see or feel."
"Excellent answer," Giles exclaimed. "Twenty points to Slytherin. Ali?"
"If you get close enough to touch one their skin is quite cold," Ali answered.
"Ten points to Gryffindor," Spike awarded. "Neville?" Neville looked up from his desk horrified (he hadn't raised his hand).
"I don't know," Neville, answered.
"Just think about it," Spike explained. "How would you be able to tell if something is undead?"
"Ummm… the vampire wouldn't be breathing?" Neville answered unsure.
"Very good. Ten point Gryffindor," Spike said happily. "Mr. Potter?"
"Pale skin," Harry answered.
"Ten points Gryffindor," Giles said. "Anyone else? Dawn?"
"Bad fashion sense." Dawn stated. Giggles, grunting, and laughter swept through the class.
"Oh bugger," Ron suddenly laughed. "Bad fashion. That's the worst answer I've ever heard."
"That may be true," Giles stated coolly. "But it is still correct. Don't force me to take points from your house Mr. Weasley. Ten points to Slytherin. Dawn, please explain your answer."
"Okie dokie," Dawn replied happily. "Many times when people get turned into vampires they tend to stay, in mindset, within the decade and location of when and where they were turned. So if a guy was turned in Los Angeles in the 80s he will most likely have the same bad fashion that he had back in that time. Also, they will often keep any accents that they had when they were turned. This happens because they will normally hang around in the same group of vampires, so to them, the times never change. Other times they are underground so much they loose touch with the ever-evolving people above ground. This isn't full-proof, to say the least, but it can come in handy if you don't have a wand on hand or you can't see auras."
"Thank you Dawn." Spike said. "I personally know someone whose life was saved because she used this tactic to identify a vampire. As she would explain it, 'only someone living underground for ten years would think that was still the look.' While it is true it may not always work, it is quite helpful." The bell sounded to announce the end of class.
"I expect those essays on Monday," Giles shouted over the packing students. "Be prepared to discuss them as well."
---Potions---
Dawn walked with her friends to the potions lab. They were discussing vampires and identifying them. Pansy was trying to get out of Missy who Spike knew that was attacked by vampires. Missy refused to tell. The group split up as the entered the lab to their respective seats. Dawn walked to the wall and found where hers and Shannon's potion was. Once she got it, she took it back to her desk and they immediately began to work on their potion. Professor Snape walked in just as the bell rang and was satisfied when he walked in and saw that each group was already working on their potions. Halfway through the class there was a loud explosion next to Emma and Theo, Ron and Harry's potion and exploded. Snape stormed towards them.
"Incompetent!" Snape yelled. "I knew you shouldn't be allowed in this class. How sad is it that your potion exploded before Longbottom's. Pathetic! Both of you detention tonight, OUT!" Both boys stormed out of the class obviously pissed off. The class calmed down and got back to work. Twenty minutes until the end of class Snape told everyone to clean up and put their potions back where they found them.
"Mr. Longbottom," Snape suddenly asked. "What have you found out about this particular potion?"
"I…ummm…" Neville tried to begin.
"I…ummm… is not an answer Mr. Longbottom." Snape exclaimed.
"It doesn't alter someone's memory," Neville interrupted. He shut his mouth sheepishly as he realized he had interrupted Snape.
"Continue," Snape snapped.
"It helps someone remember something long forgotten," Neville explained.
"A very average response," Snape responded. "Mr. Malfoy, please explain the potion more thoroughly."
Draco obliged and explained what Snape wanted. Class ended soon after.
---Great Hall---
Dawn walked into the Great Hall with her new friends. Her eyes automatically went up to the Head Table. She saw Buffy laughing at something Charlie had just said. Buffy leaned in to tell Charlie something, he bursted out into laughter. Dawn smile grew wider, happy that her sister seemed to be enjoying spending time with the attractive wizard. Her thoughts automatically traveled back to the last conversation Buffy and Angel had, it was right after the fight with the Black Thorn.
---Flashback: Hyperion Hotel---
There were Slayers sprawled out everywhere. Shannon was cleaning up Dawn's wounds while Dawn cleaned up Missy's. The doors to the kitchen swung open and Buffy, very aggravated, came out. Angel wasn't far behind her, looking just as angry.
"Why won't you just admit it!" Angel shouted. Everyone in the lobby became ghostly quiet.
"Admit what!" Buffy yelled back. "I'll admit that you're insane."
"Admit that you love him," Angel said seething.
"I do love him," Buffy defended. Angel took a step back, obviously not expecting that answer. "I love him just like I love you. I learned a lot when we were searching for the other slayers. I love you both; you have both been a huge part of my life. (She paused) But no matter what you may want, or what he might want for that matter, I'm not in love with either of you. I honestly don't think I ever will be again."
"I don't believe this," Angel shouted. "I knew it, I told you to stay after Sunnydale, not to run off. But no, you just had to ruin everything, by finding those stupid slayers."
"Stupid!" Buffy screeched. "There were more important things going on at the time than us. These 'stupid slayers' as you like to call them saved your ass tonight. What is wrong with you?"
"Screw it." Angel yelled. Walking to the lift that would take him down to his room. "I'm leaving. I can't stay here with you, not if it's going to be like this."
"This is how it's going to be," Buffy stated plainly.
"Then I guess I'm leaving."
---End Flashback---
Angel just couldn't take being with Buffy without being with Buffy. Spike took the news much better than Angel had. Last they had heard Angel had gone back home to Ireland. When Dawn came back out of her thoughts she noticed that she was sitting at the Slytherin table with all of her friends. She began to dish up her food. Next thing she knew someone was trying to squish between her and Shannon. Blaise began to get up, to make the guy leave when Shannon suddenly scooted over making room for the stranger, at this Blaise backed down.
"Hey Andrew," Dawn greeted with a half-hug. "What's up?"
"Nothing," Andrew replied. "I'm just sick of sitting at the Head Table. Their conversations are so boring. All about school and junk."
"Oh no one will talk Magic with you?" Rona teased.
"Don't talked crap about Magic!" Andrew declared.
"Wait why wouldn't anyone discuss magic with you?" Emma asked. "This is a magic school."
"No, you see Magic, or Magic the Gathering, is a card game," Missy explained. "A very dorky card game that Andrew loves."
"A dorky card game that you've played on occasion," Shannon pointed out.
"Hey now," Missy defended. "Those were hard times. And if I recall correctly you were the one who stayed up play Dungeons and Dragons that night. (Off Shannon's embarrassed look) Exactly, that's what I thought."
"We're all guilty of playing D&D at some point or another," Dawn pointed out. "It was the only way to pass the time."
"It's not just for passing time," Andrew defended. "It is a very strategic, thoughtful game."
"Sure it is," Missy said.
"Oh, guys this is Andrew," Dawn introduced Andrew to the group of Slytherins. The Sunnydale crew talked about nothing in particular as the Slytherins listened. Andrew left a bit before the bell rang so he was early for class. The group headed to Muggle Studies once the bell had rung.
Muggle Studies
This time the group got to the class early; there were only a couple of students in there, one of which was Ginny Weasley. Dawn, Shannon, Rona, and Missy all walked in heading straight for Xander and Andrew. The Slytherins waited tentatively at the door, not sure what they were doing there, all rethinking the idea of sitting in on the class. Xander and Andrew were arguing in the front of the class.
"We are not watching any foreign movies," Xander said sternly. "And that's final."
"But it's a different spin on a classic story," Andrew defended. "Who doesn't love Alice in Wonderland?"
"Oh no you don't," Dawn interrupted, startling both Andrew and Xander. "No way are you making these kids watch that crazy movie. We want them to embrace muggles not think they're evil."
"It's not crazy," Andrew stated. "It's a great artistic endeavor of stop motion and live action."
"No," Dawn corrected. "It's a crazy movie where Alice turns into a creepy porcelain doll, the white rabbit is creepy and always sticking his tongue out, and she doesn't go down a rabbit hole but into a desk drawer. You are not making them watch that. You only got me to by telling me we were watching Alice in Wonderland."
"And that's exactly what we watched," Andrew said.
"No," Dawn argued. "We watch an insane cracked-out film that I still get nightmares about. There's no way you are showing it."
"Fine, but when these children get no culture, that's all on you," Andrew stated defeated. Xander gave Dawn a smile for the help she gave talking Andrew out of the bad idea for a movie. Xander then looked towards the door.
"When did you guys get cool enough to have a posse?" Xander asked motioning to the door.
"Oh," Shannon stated. "We were wondering if they could sit in on the class with us. They're in our year and they're actually interested in what muggle culture is about."
"Not a problem," Xander said. "They are aware they can come in, right?"
"They're just a little slow," Missy, laughed. Then turning to the group of Slytherins. "You can come in you know."
"What? Oh right," Daphane said as she slowly entered the room, walking to the front where the others were. Emma walked in next to her with Pansy, Draco, Blaise, and Theodor following behind.
"Xander, Andrew this is: Daphane, Emma, Pansy, Draco, Blaise, and Theodor." Shannon introduced. "They are in Slytherin with us. And guys this is Xander and Andrew, they are the Muggle Studies teachers and good friends of ours." Everyone shook each other's hands.
"You guys can just take a seat on the couches around the room," Xander said. "Class will be starting soon." The group of Slytherins took seats on three couches that were close to each other and near the front of the class. As they walked to their seats some of the Slytherins in the class were giving Draco, Pansy, and Blaise strange looks, wondering why they were in their Muggle Studies class. As the group settled themselves, Xander began class.
"Hope you guys enjoyed watching Spiderman last week," he began. "We will watch the sequel some time soon. Does anybody have any questions about the movie?" Shannon smirked and raised her hand. "Shannon?" Xander asked reluctantly.
"What, in your opinion was better?" She asked with a wicked grin on her face, "Spiderman 2 or X-Men 3?" Xander groaned, knowing the fight that was about to break out. You see, Andrew loved X-Men 3, while Dawn absolutely hated it. But she loved Spiderman 2, which Andrew didn't like very much. It was amazing how many fights there were about this topic.
"X-Men 3," Andrew stated. "Hands down, no comparison. And anyone who says otherwise is delusional"
"What!" Dawn shouted standing up. The group of Slytherins looked at her as though she had lost her mind. She walked towards Andrew. "You've got to be kidding me? You've gone way too far this time. Delusional? I think you're the one who's delusional. Spiderman 2 all the way. X-Men 3 could have been great, but it was a huge let down."
"Let down?" Andrew said shocked. Circling with Dawn, it almost looked like they were going to fight right there in front of the class. The Slayers and Xander all knew it was quite possible for a fight to break out; it had before over a simple argument like this. Rona punched Shannon in the arm as she smiled at the argument in the front of the class. "It was great! The story worked so well, along with the flawless graphics. How could someone who claims Phoenix as her favorite character be let down by this movie?"
"Because Phoenix did nothing!" Dawn argued. "She just stood there and looked confused. For someone who's supposed to live off her impulses why would she ever follow Magneto? That and why didn't she fly? Oh and then the end with Wolverine? What crap. Don't even get me started on Angel and Rogue."
"What about Angel?" Andrew defended. "He was great! I think they got a great actor to play him. Rogue made a huge decision, she was great the whole movie. And as for Phoenix, how can you say she did nothing when she tried to kill everyone?"
"Yeah," Dawn said sarcastically. "Angel was great in the two scenes he was actually in. They marketed it as if he was going to be a huge character and he had like two lines. All he did was fly out a building, ask the X-Men for help, and fly in and save his father. That's it. And Rogue was great, until she got rid of her powers! That was CRAP! What is wrong with you Andrew? Why can't you just see how bad of a movie it was?" Dawn and Andrew were getting closer both beginning to take fighting stance.
"And why can't you just admit it was a good movie?" Andrew asked. Andrew took a step towards Dawn. This is when Xander stepped in. Pushing Dawn to one side and Andrew to the other. The students were looking on in shock; they couldn't comprehend why people would be so worked up over a stupid movie. Xander glared as Shannon.
"This is your mess," he stated, pushing Dawn towards her. "You're lucky it didn't end like last time." Shannon, Rona, and Missy all couldn't help but snicker. As Dawn walked back to her seat she got extremely embarrassed when she realized she'd had that fight in front of the whole class, it's one thing when it's all your friends and family, but quite another in front of a bunch of strangers.
"This is a great example about how much the cinema is engrained in muggle culture," Xander explained. "People will get this worked up over fictional characters."
"But why?" A young Slytherin asked.
"Because…." Andrew tried to answer, now that he too had calmed down. "It's because…"
"It's just like Quidditch here," Shannon explained standing up and facing the class. She was again very glad that they had learned the basics of the Wizarding World. "Think how worked up people get over a stupid game."
"It's not stupid!" A Gryffindor yelled.
"You're right, to you it's not," Shannon said calmly. "But to an outsider, it might seem silly that people get so worked up over a game. It's the same for movies, to an outsider it seems silly, Hell to some insiders it's silly, but still people can get very worked up over movies."
"Especially ones that are so engrained in muggle culture," Missy went on to explain. "You see both of these movies are based on comic books, within these comic books they created a whole history for these worlds that the characters live in…" Missy, Andrew, Xander, and Dawn went on to explain some about the history of comic books. When they were finished the class was about to be finished.
"Well," Xander said after concluding the previous conversation. "That's not quite how I expected this class to go, but it was a good discussion and I'm glad you guys participated. Next week I want each of you to bring in a comic that you have made. It doesn't have to be long, just one that tells a short story that means something to you."
"Don't worry if the drawings aren't perfect," Andrew said. "We just want to see you put what you've learned about to good use. Class dismissed."
In Transfiguration, the group learned the basic history and application of Aguamenti, which makes a jet of water come out of the tip of the casters wand. It was a rather uneventful class except when Shannon finally got some water to come out and it soaked Professor McGonagall. The rest of the night passed quickly. It was the Slytherin girls turn to patrol the forest. They found nothing, but Andrew was able to map out quite a bit more of it.
---Slytherin Common Room---
"What are you guys still doing up?" Dawn asked Emma, Daphane, and Pansy.
"Just thought we'd wait for you guys," Emma said honestly.
"What do you guys do when you aren't here?" Pansy asked. "I mean where have you guys been?"
"We would tell you, but then we'd have to kill you." Shannon joked.
"We're just helping out the new teachers," Missy answered.
"Right, sure you guys are." Daphane said. "Doesn't matter anyway, we were just wondering. We actually wanted to talk to you guys about Muggle Studies."
"Yeah, about that," Dawn explained quickly. "I'm so sorry. That wasn't supposed to happen. It was actually supposed to be a very interesting conversation about something else."
"No," Emma explained. "It was great. We didn't understand half of it, but it was funny."
"We like the fact that it's obviously unpredictable," Pansy said.
"We just wanted to make sure that it would continue to be like that," Daphane continued.
"With Andrew and Xander teaching, we can guarantee it." Rona laughed.
"I already stared my comic," Emma said happily. She showed them her comic. It was of a girl with super powers to fly. There were only a few frames drawn, but there were two people dressed in black hooded robes scolding the super girl. The slayers didn't understand the significance of the comic, but Daphane and Pansy did. Emma's parents were both Death Eaters and by all standards, Emma should be just as evil as them. But somehow, Emma grew up to be a very nice, quite, shy person.
"I know it's not great," Emma continued.
"No, I love it." Dawn interrupted. "I can't wait to see the rest."
Shannon suddenly yawned, and as yawning often does, it became contagious and soon each girl was yawning. They all said their goodnights and went off to bed.
------ ------ ------ ----- ------
Author's Note: I am so sorry this took so long. Went to Mexico and came back with the full intention to write a couple of chapters, but time went by and I didn't write. I'm so sorry; I hope to have the next one up in a much quicker manner. "Malum probatur" means "evil examine." I know not very exciting, but oh well.
