First of all, thanks so much for the awesome reviews. It was really great to hear from you all. I know how some of you feel, as I've had a small (cough) obsession with the Buffy verse since I watched the episode "Angel" which was the first Buffy episode I saw. Fanfic was, for a long time, a way for me to keep it going (reading as well as writing) but for now this will be my last one. I have a few ideas for new ones that may happen eventually- just not any time in the foreseeable future. Thanks for sticking with this story (p.s. Thanks to those who showed concern, but the boyfriend is long gone and this husband is very supportive )

As previously discussed, these next few chapters are to pass time. Snippets, scenes and extracts of dialogue will be used but not full on chapters. I promise they'll still be interesting and full of action and fun. We are pretty much in Book 6 now, and Buffy's going to be all up in their way as events happen.

Chapter 10

Buffy sighed with happiness and relief. What a nightmare that had been. She was certain most of the class was doing the same thing she was right now- resting sore muscles. As first real lessons went, though, it wasn't too bad. She'd taught them a basic block today, had them repeat it over and over again. How Neville had manged to strike Ron was a bit of a puzzle.

She shook her head, a smile playing across her lips- the incident was as funny now as it was eight hours ago. Poor Ron looked so… shocked… and Neville? The kid looked ready to hide somewhere and never come back out. Maybe she could offer some extra off-the-books training. Something none of the other kids would find out about and was just for him. It would probably increase his confidence.

She made a mental note to speak to him later and slid down further in the hot bath, melting into a puddle as the heat worked loose the tense muscles.

'Okay, Guys and Girls… you've worked really hard the past few weeks and you've got the first set of blocks down pat. Remember, the hardest part is not learning the step- it's doing it over and over again until it's a muscle memory and something you can do without thinking. To help with that, we are now going to start with proper form punches.'

A few of the kids sat up straighter, smiles of delight on their faces- a few showed signs of wariness. A couple, like Mr. Malfoy, showed disdain. Probably thinks he knows all about punching. 'We will split into pairs as usual and I will perform the move. You all watch carefully and copy as best you can.'

Raising her hands, she assumed the fighter stance and with a quick arm extension, performed a jab at face level. 'Looks simple, yeah? Let's see you try it then. Begin,' she said as she scanned the room to make sure they were all doing what they were supposed to.

'Bring those hands up, Miss. Granger. They need to be in position so you can block or punch with ease.'

'Miss. Parkinson, you are practicing a punch in the air, you should not be touching any other students.'

'Straight back, Mr. Potter. Strength comes from a good form- a solid foundation. You're leaning too far over. It should just be your arm that performs the manoeuvre. If you did that in a real fight, you'd be knocked off balance very quickly. Again… Much better,' she nodded and glanced at his determined face. Out of all the other kids here, Potter and pals and two other boys in this class seem to be more dedicated than the others. There was a kind of… drive there that the others didn't possess and Buffy figured it had something to do with their "challenging" lifestyles.

Dumbledore still hadn't gone into detail, but it was hard to not hear things around the halls. From the gist of it, she got that Harry is being hunted by an evil wizard. The same one Dumbledore hired her to help with. Not only that, but there was a prophesy (yay! More prophesies) that said Harry and Voldy had to fight and that only one would come out the other side. That was something she was going to discuss with the old wizard. If it was true, maybe there was something more she could do to give Harry the edge.

She wandered the room, fixing stances and positions where needed and then stood back to watch. 'Okay, listen up. Now, using those blocks we've already learnt, one of you will block, the other will punch. You have 5 minutes left 'til end of class, so use them wisely.'

'Yes, Mr. Weasley, you have to close your fist to punch. If you don't, it's a slap…. I thought you had, like, six brothers?"

'Four brothers, one sister, Professor, and I think Ginny hits harder.'

Buffy snorted. 'Of course she does. She has five brothers.' Buffy observed him a moment more, noting his new closed fist technique, then shook her head and moved on. 'Nice jab, Harry.'

Before he had a chance to comment, Buffy heard a scream and spun around, her eyes quickly alighting on a prone figure on the ground.

'Neville!' she ran over and touched his still shoulder gently. "Are you okay, Mr. Longbottom?'

'He'll be okay, Professor,' the loud, dark skinned kid with the awesome hair was crouched beside him. 'He was trying to block a punch from one of the Weasley twins and punched himself in the face.'

'…but how?' Buffy was stymied. 'It was a block!'

'Because it's Longbottom,' a slimy voice chimed in, full of glee. 'If there's a way to bugger something up, he'll manage it.'

'Shove off, Malfoy!' Potter was instantly in between Longbottom and Malfoy.

'Enough!' Buffy glared at both of the boys. 'Back to your positions, now. Mr. Malfoy, you insult another student in my presence and you'll have detention with me,' she smiled sweetly at him then turned back to the class. 'Continue practicing your blocks and punches. Do it ten times then swap with your partner.'

She picked Neville up easily and carried him to the hospital wing.

'Miss Weasley!'

'Yes, Professor?' the young girl bearing an uncanny resemblance to Willow stopped beating the tar out of-I mean- punching the dummy and it swung precariously for a moment.

'You're a natural,' Buffy smiled proudly.

'Older brothers, Professor,' she grinned in return.

'Longbottom, you cannot punch while lying on the floor with your eyes closed. You will hit literally only air.' The classed giggled quietly. 'On your feet.'

The hall was filled with the sound of noisy students. Bright lights, laughter and good food made the mood merry and Buffy couldn't help the smile on her face as she headed to the front to take her seat. It was the last night of school before Christmas and everyone was headed home tonight or tomorrow to be with their families. Buffy was looking forward to the peace. There really were a lot of kids here. It was slightly exhausting.

'Good evening, Professor,' Granger and pals beamed as Buffy went past and Buffy smiled back warmly.

'Miss Summers,' Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. 'You seem to be very popular with the students.'

'Well,' Buffy grinned happily as she took her seat. 'I AM teaching them how to beat the crap out of each other… it's only natural that they'd like me.'

'So… eloquently put, Miss Summers,' the especially greasy looking Snape sneered. 'You sound just like the rest of the students here.'

'Well, I am closer to their age than you will ever be again,' Buffy grinned and began to load her plate with the gorgeous looking Christmas feast. 'It's good to keep your inner child alive. Keeps you young. Yours must have died a very lonely death.'

'No plans for the Christmas break, Miss Summers?' McGonagall interjected before Snape could do more than sputter indignantly.

'Not really, no. I thought about going home. I do miss my family, but I don't think I'm ready yet. I'm just gonna chill here and explore some more. I'm sure there are still secrets about this place I haven't found yet.'

Dumbledore's wide smile lit his whole face as his gaze swept the room to land on Buffy. 'I have been here at Hogwarts for many, many years, Miss Summers and I have still not learnt all the secrets of this fine castle. It is a force unto itself and I do not believe we are capable of doing more than scratching the surface.'

'Oh, I know,' Buffy said as picked her drink up. 'After all, it's magic. The castle itself is probably messing with me.'

'I don't believe that Hogwarts is a sentient being,' Snape didn't even glance her way.

'Never said it was,' Buffy said lightly. 'But then you don't need to be sentient to function. This is a magical castle… anything is possible.'

'Yes, anything is,' Dumbledore said as he rose to conclude the feast.

'I miss you,' Dawn's voice was slightly muffled as Buffy held the phone to her cold ear. She'd found a passageway that took her to a small village near Hogwarts- Hogsbead, I think- and decided to take the time out of the school to call her sister. She was not prepared for the feelings of loneliness that assaulted her at the sound of Dawn's voice.

'I miss you, too,' she sighed as she stamped her feet. Snow covered the ground and her toes were already numb. She needed to move on or possibly face losing a few toes. Pfft, I live in a magic castle. I'm sure someone will be able to stick my toes back on. She snorted a laugh. That was absolutely a normal thought. 'But I just can't come home yet. I'm needed here.'

'But we haven't seen you in months. You said you'd visit... or I could visit… can I visit?' Dawn's voice rose with excitement. Buffy hated to have to crush her hopes.

'Not just yet,' Buffy mumbled guiltily. 'Ever since Christmas Dumbledore's been acting weird. I think something is happening. I need to be here in case I'm needed and I don't think you should come. I don't need the distraction if something is going down.'

'Oh, okay,' Dawn said sadly. Buffy felt bad, but it was better to keep her away, just in case. 'Be careful, yeah? Call me if anything happens and you need help. I can rally the cavalry if needed. Giles knows England.'

'Thanks, Dawnie. I'll remember. Bye.'

'Bye, Buff. Love you.'

'Love you, too,' Buffy slowly hung up the phone and huffed out a frustrated breath. That was harder than she thought it would be. Still, it was for the best. Putting her sister in a situation that could be trouble was not something she was going to do. It was her job, not Dawn's. She just needed to work out where to start to find out what was really going on.

Sorry about the time it's taking to write and load- we're having some issues at home and I'm just not finding the time. I am still writing, though. I have lots of notes on the ipad. :)