Happy birthday to me. Hey everyone – seventeen today – go team me. Did nothing interesting today so I decided to grace you all with an update (however lame).
Well sorry to leave you all hanging like that. But good news – Exams are over (until two weeks from now when I have another set of exams - bugger). Anyway – here's the next chapter – I do have a plot here. Unfolding slowly and adding to as I go along.
And hey – spread the word. Mention this to your friends – okay, shameless self-plugging, but I'm addicted to reviews. It's like a drug.
Alright- for some of you who were asking – yes, Sirius did not die at the end of the fifth book. (see first chapter notes) – but Anya and Spike DID die – none of that has changed (again refer to first chapter). More to come with that little thing to end some confusion – but be warned that I will be dishing it out slowly. Oh, don't you just HATE me - lol.
Chapter 10
Trains and Troubles
No one knew where the summer had gone. The group was there at Kings Cross train station. 'The group' being Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Dawn. They were there alone, having just taken a portkey in.
Of course Mrs. Weasley would have preferred to take them to the station herself – or at least provide adult supervision. But she was called away, as Dumbledore had asked her to do something for the Order. Mr. Weasley was busy at work – there had been six raids already, and it wasn't even eleven o'clock yet.
Bill and Charlie had both left a few days before – Charlie to Romania and Bill back to Egypt with Fleur to work on something for Gringotts.
Fred and George had a last minute rush in their store to mark the start of school – students loved to stock up on prank-items to use at school, so Fred and George (being the professional pranksters they were) happily lowered the prices of their stuff as a end of summer treat. Needless to say this had attracted so many customers that the twins were pulling overtime.
The five Hogwarts students lugged their trunks towards the nearest carts.
"Wow, check it out, we're early… for once" Ron joked, glancing at the clock on the wall of Kings Cross Station. It read 10:30 – Dawn was all jittery and was the main reason everyone had gotten up so early.
"And we can get a good seat… oof" Hermione grunted, her hands slipping and the trunk landing next to the cart with a thump.
"Here, 'Mione, let me help" Ron said, helping Hermione lift her trunk off the ground and onto the trolley.
"Which platform?" Dawn asked.
"Nine and Three Quarters" Ginny said, "Harry, your owl."
Hedwig hooted in her cage.
"Thanks, Gin."
"I'm sorry – nine and what?" Dawn repeated.
"Nine and Three-Quarters" Harry told her.
"Ummm – hate to break it to ya – but there isn't one" Dawn said.
"Yeah there is – here – Ron, 'Mione, you two go first. Show Dawn how it's done" Harry said.
"Kay" Ron and Hermione shrugged.
"It's easy – just watch" Harry said.
Dawn kept her eyes glued to Hermione and Ron pushing their carts towards the wall between platforms nine and ten. The broke into a steady jog and Dawn forced herself not to yell out a warning when they neared the wall, looking like they were going to crash.
Dawn blinked suddenly and Ron and Hermione were gone.
"Okay – now I'm confused" Dawn confessed.
"There's a barrier between platforms nine and ten" Ginny explained, "Here see…"
And she was gone too – right through the seemingly solid brick wall.
"Here – we can go together so you don't get lost" Harry teased.
"Oh, you're a laugh riot, Potter" Dawn scowled, but lined up her trolley with Harry's anyway.
"It's best to do it at a bit of a run" Harry explained, "And just try not to think about crashing."
"Oh yeah – like that's so easy when I'm running towards a solid brick wall" Dawn said.
"Trust me."
Dawn groaned, "See, it's when you say that that I start to worry."
Harry grinned wolfishly at her – the result of too much time around Sirius and Remus. Then the two teens jogged slowly towards the invisible gateway.
A few seconds later, Dawn opened her eyes.
"I did it!"
Harry chuckled, then he stopped so suddenly that Dawn looked at him strangely.
"What's wrong?"
"It's Cho" Harry said quietly, making it look like he was talking directly to Dawn and not looking at the pretty Ravenclaw.
Cho Chang was among her usual flock of friends, but she was glancing at Harry shyly every so often, with a coy smile on her face directed towards him
"Ohhh… a crush Harry? – or maybe an old girlfriend" Dawn teased.
"You are too damn perceptive – but I don't have a crush on her anymore – and we did date… well, sort of" Harry added after some thought.
"And she's making with the 'I-was-stupid-and-want-to-date-you-again' eyes, you know – though she hasn't noticed that you noticed her" Dawn noted, discreetly looking over at the girl while pretending to check her bags on her trolley.
Harry looked panicked "But I don't… don't want to… I don't like her that way anymore."
"Relax, Potter" Dawn said, grinning mischievously.
"Uh oh – what are you thinking" Harry said, catching the malevolent look on her face.
"Trust me?"
"Yes…" Harry said slowly.
"Yeah – cuz you just sound so convinced there. Just go with the flow, kay" it was a gentle order, she leaned in and whispered softly in his ear "It'll get her off your tail."
Harry shivered involuntarily, "Wha… what are you doing?" Harry stammered, but he didn't pull away even slightly.
In fact he leant closer to her.
"Sending her the 'your-not-interested' message" Dawn, grinning and leaning her head on his shoulder, "Just act like your flirting with me and she'll back off."
Well that wasn't too hard a request, Harry thought, pretty easy to play along with – though a treacherous part of him wished it wasn't just playing. But if she could do this… Harry gave an obvious fake stretch, draping an arm casually around Dawn's shoulders.
Dawn grinned, it was the oldest trick in the book and he'd made it obvious on purpose. "You're good with this, Potter, sure you haven't done this before?"
Harry grinned and a faint blush tinged in his cheeks. Of course he hadn't done it before – but it seemed like a good idea.
"And oooh, look, she's getting jealous" Dawn nuzzled into his neck, having stolen a glance at the other girl.
Cho Chang was scowling in their direction.
---
"Uhh… 'Mione, what are Harry and Dawn doing?" Ron said, pausing in helping to load he and Hermiones' trunks on the train, staring in horror at his friends.
Hermione looked up and blinked, "What the…?"
Dawn was leaning into Harry's shoulder – her lips moving, looking as though she was whispering in her ear.
Hermione glanced around – suddenly spotting the likely reason for Dawn and Harry's new 'closeness'.
Ah, Cho Chang.
"I wouldn't worry, Ron" Hermione said lightly, letting her hair fall over her face to cover a grin as she leant over to check her stuff "He's just trying to keep Cho away."
"Huh?" Ron blinked stupidly.
Harry suddenly stretched very obviously and draped an arm over Dawns' shoulders – an obvious motion of affection. Hermione bit her lip to keep from smiling – it was a sneaky tactic – who knew that Harry had it in him?
"Oh, honestly, Ronald" Hermione sighed exasperatedly, "Look at Cho – if looks could kill Dawn would have her own tombstone."
"What?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Yup – all men are oblivious."
"Huh?"
---
"I think it worked" Harry said, releasing Dawn a little reluctantly.
Cho had spun on her heel and boarded the train in a huff.
Dawn grinned, biting back a sigh of regret when Harry removed his arm from her shoulders "Yep – thank you thank you – go genius me."
"Has anyone told 'genius you' that half the school thinks you're Harry's new girlfriend?" Ginny asked, coming up behind them.
"Dean Thomas came up to me and asked if you two were dating – he also said Dawn was 'a right pretty thing'."
"Dean Thomas, eh?" Dawn grinned.
"I wouldn't get any ideas," Harry warned, trying to mask his sudden flare of jealousy with a teasing smile, "He's Ginny's."
"No he's not" Ginny protested, "I just told that to Ron to piss him off – you know how overprotective he gets. I swear if anyone needs a girlfriend it's him."
"Ron?" Harry snorted, "Any potential candidates?"
"Oh I can think of a few" Ginny grinned, throwing a glance towards Hermione that only Dawn caught.
"You serious?" Dawn grinned back.
Ginny winked, "We'll see."
"Ginny Weasley, you are an evil little matchmaker" Dawn told her.
Ginny flashed a deceptively innocent smile, "Not yet."
"Huh?" Harry blinked, having missed the transition completely.
---
Connor Nelson boarded the Hogwarts Express awkwardly, finding his seat. He couldn't understand this. One minute he's in College with a normal family and the next, he's shoved into some magical world, and to top it all off he'd be going to school for magic and would be in a class with people a few years younger than him. WHAT THE HELL WAS UP WITH THIS WORLD?!?!?!
Wasn't switching countries enough? Just because his parents decided to move to England because of his fathers' job and didn't want to let him get his own dorm room so he could stay home with his friends…
Connor sighed, his head smacking the wall of his compartment – he didn't even flinch. Strangely, he'd always been able to absorb minor pain. The smack against the wood wall hadn't even made his head throb.
"Is this seat taken?" someone asked in a crisp British accent, "Sorry, but everywhere else is full…"
"I… um… yeah… uh… I mean no… the seats not taken – no one in here but me" Connor managed to say– smooth, Connor, real smooth.
The girl smiled and sat down. Connor tried not to stare – but she was beautiful. Her lemony-blond hair fell into waves around her shoulders – complimented of course by a pair of powder-blue eyes, that reminded Connor of… he didn't know what – he doubted he'd ever seen that shade before.
"I haven't seen you around before – are you an exchange student?" she asked.
"Umm… not exactly – I didn't even know I was a wizard until the start of summer. I'm starting as a… Sixth Year, I think it was."
"Oh, really?" she asked interestedly, "You're muggle born are you? I'm pure blood – though I really don't care about that much. Name's Victoria Walters, you can call me Vicky, though."
"Connor Nelson" Connor said.
"So, do you do any magic yet? – I mean if you're starting Sixth Year already…"
"I'm not very good with some stuff" Connor admitted, "I learned it all in a sort of rush – just the basics, y'know… I'm going through the first five years this year, along with my Sixth. I'm also sitting something called OWLs at the end of the year – though why anyone would want to sit on a bird… what?"
Vicky was giggling, "OWLs are 'Ordinary Wizarding Levels' – they're tests. And if you're doing all that this year, it's bound to be hard. You haven't been sorted yet, have you?"
"No, but I read about that somewhere – what house are you in?"
"Ravenclaw."
"Ah… the smart ones."
"In general – but we got out crackpots just like every other house…"
Connor laughed, and smiled one of the first real smiles he'd had in a while. Maybe this school wouldn't be so bad after all.
"You're American, right?"
"Is it that obvious?" Connor snickered, his American accent plain to anyone with ears.
Vicky grinned innocently, "Kinda, yeah…"
---
"Prefects! Prefect meeting everyone, right now!" A voice called down the hallway.
"You'd better go" Harry said, making a shooing motion towards Ron and Hermione.
"So nice to know were wanted" Ron snorted sarcastically.
"Yeah – but he's right – I heard Ernie Macmillan became Head Boy" Hermione said.
"Who's head girl?"
"Got me" Hermione shrugged, "But we'd better go."
"Yeah – see you guys later then" Ginny said, standing and walking towards the door of the compartment along with Ron and Hermione.
"Gin, where are you going?" Dawn asked.
"The Prefect meeting" Ginny said.
"Uh… Gin – there's a reason it's called a 'Prefect Meeting'" Ron said slowly, as if he was talking to a five year old, "See, only Prefects are allowed."
Ginny pulled out a round silver badge from her pocket. "Well it's lucky I'm a prefect, then." And with that Ginny brushed passed her brother leaving him at a loss for words.
---
The Prefect meeting ended, and Draco breathed deeply as he moved from the meeting cart, to the compartment where he left his owl.
"Drake – hey wait up" Pansy Parkinson half-yelled, though it was quieter than one would think.
"Damn, could you walk any faster?" she asked sarcastically.
"I could try" Draco smirked at her.
"You're a pain, you know that" Pansy scowled at him.
"That's the best you can come up with? I must be losing my touch" Draco grinned as both he and Pansy moved into the compartment. "So how was your summer?"
Pansy was already sitting down. She just gave him a haunted look.
"That bad?" Draco asked, concernedly, sitting across from her.
"Worse" Pansy said, looking down at her fists clenched tightly in her lap.
"And your parents…?"
Pansy looked up sharply, "Azkaban – of course – after Potter spilled the beans a few months ago – of course in some ways its better, but…"
"You just don't like staying at home alone?" Draco guessed.
Pansy shook her head, "I stayed with Great Aunt Teeva" Pansy shuddered, "She's creepy."
Draco winced in sympathy, even though he'd never met any of Pansy's relatives, he could only imagine what it was like the way she'd always told him about it.
Contrary to the popular belief of the entire school, Pansy and Draco were NOT dating thank you very much. Nor did they wish to follow in their parents' – or in Dracos' case, his fathers' – footsteps. The only reason Draco and Pansy hung around each other so much – or attended social events together – is because out of all the others in their year (or in all of Slytherin for that matter) they only really knew each other.
What with many of Slytherins' parents being associated with the dark arts sometimes it was hard to tell who was friend or foe. Who wanted nothing more than to plunge into the world of darkness – or avoid it entirely.
All in all, better stick to the ones who you know are on your side. And since many thought Draco was the spawn of all-evil and Pansy was his equally evil girlfriend, well… it was hard to find the right people.
Before anything more could be said, Crabbe and Goyle – the great oxes that they were – stumbled into the room.
"What happened to you?" Draco asked, with that trademark sneer of his.
Crabbe and Goyle both looked extremely proud of themselves, dumping a sack full of goodies from the front of their robes.
"Raided the first years" Goyle grunted.
"Shoulda seen 'em squirm" Crabbe added with a huffing laugh.
Draco smiled, falling into his character easily – sometimes he wondered if he didn't like his other personality, being evil came easily when everyone expected nothing less –sometimes it just felt good to be bad, "Good on ya – did you make the poor widdle brats scream?"
"Didn't draw any blood" Crabbe shrugged.
"Pity" Pansy sneered, relaxing into the personality she was most known for.
"One kid even cried – first year Hufflepuff for sure" Goyle chortled.
Draco laughed right along with him, "Well then, maybe we should pay extra special attention to that one this year."
"What about Potter and his crew?" Pansy asked, "I saw ole pot-face today with his arm around some new girl – she's on the train."
"Brown hair?" Draco asked. Pansy nodded. Draco sneered, "Mudblood scum" he told them, "ran into the Dream Team in Diagon Alley."
"Mudblood? She'd have to be to hang around with Potter – either that or a Mudblood lover like Weasel" Pansy snorted.
"Could we beat them up this year?" Goyle asked.
"Leave it for the Quidditch Pitch, Goyle" Draco said evilly, "If we're lucky, a Bludger will crack Potter's head wide open – though I can't guarantee any brains will come out."
---
"Gin! A prefect?!?" Ron almost exploded after the meeting, as he, Ginny and Hermione walked back into the compartment where Harry and Dawn were playing a game of exploding snap "You could have told us – mum's gonna kill you for not telling her."
"Who said I didn't tell her?" Ginny asked.
"Because she would have decorated the house, thrown a party, and make it known to the whole bloody world!" Ron said.
"Ron, your turning purple" Hermione said calmly, exchanging grins with Ginny.
Ron remembered to breath. While he did, Ginny took advantage of the momentary silence.
"I did tell mum, when you guys were in Diagon Alley – I also told her I didn't want anyone else knowing about it – Fred and George found out though…"
"Fred and George" Ron exclaimed, "You told them?"
"Then I'm surprised the whole house didn't know by dinner" Dawn grinned, "I mean, those two keep a secret like that?"
"They said they would probably die of shame – but I cut a deal with them, so they're happy" Ginny shrugged.
"Deal?" Hermione asked, "What deal?"
"Ten Galleons says it has something to do with Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes" Ron said.
"Even if it did, I'm not telling you" Ginny said dismissively, picking up a chocolate frog.
"But, Gin…"
Ginny sighed, "Look – drop it Ron, alright, see you all later – I'm gonna find Luna."
"You know, every day, I swear she gets weirder and weirder" Ron sighed.
Harry grinned, having been silent until that moment. "Well then at least we know she taking after you."
---
"Drake – you'll never believe what I just heard!" Pansy said, entering their compartment, arms full of drinks from the vendor, "Rumors are spreading like wild fire – there're new teachers at Hogwarts."
"So? We get a new teacher every year since Potter always decides to chase away the Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers" Draco said.
"Which doesn't really matter cuz all of them were hacks anyway," Goyle said.
"Even Umbridge – the bitch – but at least she gave us a bit of power" Crabbe chuckled.
"Not 'teacher' – teachers – as in plural" Pansy said, "And that's not all – two of 'em are supposed to be yanks."
Draco sat upright "You're sure?"
Pansy nodded vigorously.
"Mudbloods?"
"At least one of them – or at least that's what everyone's saying" Pansy told them, "But that's not all – one's supposed to be a Vampire!"
Goyle choked on his pumpkin juice, "Seriously?"
"Now that I don't believe" Draco said.
"Then I won't even tell you what the others are supposed to be" Pansy shook her head, sitting down very suddenly, "You know what – I think Dumbledore's finally flipped his lid."
Draco snorted, "Like we didn't know that already."
---
Ginny sighed, searching the carts for Luna. It seemed that hardly anyone was even in the 'hall' of the train – catching up over the summer and all that must take some time. Especially since the rumors of new teachers had suddenly spread like wildfire, so everyone must have been talking about it.
Ginny looked at the floor as she walked – aside from being alone she was pretty pissed at Ron. She knew that he was happy that she became a prefect – he was just a little pissed that he didn't know about it. But where did he get off? Asking her about her personal life, prying into her business – which, by the way, we her business. Not to mention trying to scare off every boyfriend she'd ever had – which had been only a couple. Ginny snorted to herself – the only boy that Ron probably wouldn't have a problem with would be Harry. But it's not like that would ever happen.
Now Ginny shuddered to think of it – she loved Harry of course, but in the same way she might love her brothers, or her parents or even Hermione she supposed. And of course there was also Willow… and Dawn was becoming a close friend too.
"Hey – watch it!" an angry voice snarled at her.
Ginny looked up from where she'd stumbled back – right into the steely-gray eyes of Draco Malfoy, Hogwarts' resident asshole. Bloody-everlasting-hell!
"You watch it!" Ginny snarled, "I'm walking here."
Draco blinked, seemingly startled that the smallest Weasley had a temper as fiery-red as her hair. He recovered as quickly as he could.
"You're the one not looking where you're going, Weasel-girl" Draco snapped at her.
"Well you're the one in my way, you fuck!"
"Ginny!" Ron's voice almost squeaked from surprise.
Ginny looked around – their argument had seemingly gathered many from their compartments to watch.
Ginny scowled and rounded on her brother, "Yes I swear, Ronald! What? Are you surprised that precious little Ginny is picking a fight with the worlds largest asshole?!? I'm not a porcelain doll, a saint or a little girl, Ron – and it would do well for you and everyone else to remember that."
That said Ginny stormed off, purposefully brushing hard past Malfoy, knocking him into the wall.
Hermione actually glared at Ron, guessing what had made Ginny so mad, "Now you've done it, Ron."
"Yeah, Ron, get a clue" Dawn added, as a girl she was also a bit peeved.
Hermione rushed after Ginny with Dawn close behind her. Ron however turned his dumbfounded look to a glare – on Malfoy.
"What the hell did you do to my sister, ferret-boy!?!"
"I did nothing to her, Weasel" Draco snapped, getting over the shock that he'd been shoved twice in one day – and by the Weasel-girl no less.
"You must have done something" Harry scowled, standing behind Ron, "She was fine a minute ago."
"I find that hard to believe since she was hanging with you lot" Draco snarled, "Maybe she just realized what a fucked-up family she's got."
Ron went crazy – and there was no one to stop him now. He lunged for Malfoy, tackling him to the ground. Draco threw him off and thrust his fist under Ron's chin. Harry raised his wand – no one knew whether he was trying to break up the fight or if he was trying to curse Malfoy.
"Someone get the Head-Boy" Harry yelled to a second year Ravenclaw.
---
"Ginny?" Dawn said timidly, as she and Hermione entered the compartment.
Ginny was curled up on the seat, her knees propped up close to her chest and her head resting on them. She was sobbing violently.
Neville was there, looking panicked.
"I-I-I… s-she just came in crying – help!" Neville pleaded.
Hermione sighed in relief, "Don't worry Neville – it's just a purge – would you mind?"
Hermione gestured to the door – Neville didn't need to be asked twice. He scrambled to his feet and practically flew out the door, forgetting to shut it behind him.
Hermione closed the door before she and Dawn sat on either side of the sobbing fifteen year old.
"Let it all out girl" Dawn said, rubbing her back soothingly.
"That whole thing with Ron and the Malfoy triggered it, didn't it?" Hermione asked, digging in her pockets and producing a bar of dark chocolate, "Eat – you'll feel better."
"Chocolate makes the worlds problems go away" Dawn grinned.
Ginny gave a watery chuckle and accepted the chocolate with a murmur of thanks. Her face was red and tearstained.
Suddenly the compartment door slid open and Luna Lovegood let herself in, her silver Prefect badge glinting in the light.
"Oh – I was just down at the snack cart when Neville told me Ginny was in here and was crying – I thought she might have swallowed a Sorrostira.
"Sorro-whatia?" Dawn asked confused.
"Little watery bugs that make you sob for hours if you drink the water they're in" Luna explained, "they make you cry because they can only get out of the body through tears – and you won't stop until they're out."
Dawn blinked, wide eyed "Really – I've never heard of them."
"That's because they don't exist" Hermione said disdainfully.
"They do so," Luna protested.
Hermione sighed, "Anyway – she hasn't swallowed any bugs – Gin's just having an emotional purge."
Luna's face softened after glaring at Hermione for not believing in Sorrostiras. "Oh – well – that's different. What caused it?" Luna asked sitting down opposite the three other girls.
"Ron" Dawn and Hermione said in unison.
"And Malfoy – we think" Dawn added after some thought.
"No – he was just being a bastard – as always" Ginny said, her voice still wavering.
The redhead dried her tears on her sleeve.
"At least I'll live my Seventh year at Hogwarts without much of a hitch since Ron's not gonna be there. Unless he fails and has to repeat the year – Hermione don't let him fail."
Hermione grinned, "Don't worry gin – Ron's a lot smarter than many give him credit for. He just lacks concentration sometimes. Besides, if he wants to become a Watcher I'd imagine that he'd be absorbed in his studies."
"Yeah – but this is Ron we're talking about" Dawn joked.
Ginny, Hermione and Luna giggled.
"Not much of a way to start the year is it?" Ginny asked.
"Hey, it happens" Luna smiled mistily, "It's so we don't go mad and start cursing the ones who wronged us."
"Oh, I don't need much of an excuse to curse Ron" Ginny laughed slightly.
"Or Malfoy for that matter" Hermione grinned, "There was a time when I hopped Malfoy might change."
"And that was probably your hormones talking" Dawn guessed.
"No lie" Hermione snorted, "He may be one of the sweetest things to happen to the female eyesight in our year – and don't tell Ron or Harry that, please – but he's evil, and that makes him ugly."
"To anyone sane anyway" Luna smirked, "I suppose it's too much to hope he's just misunderstood."
"Been there" Hermione said, "And so have half the girls in our year."
Ginny blinked, "You had a crush on Malfoy?!?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "A long while ago, Gin, again – hormones talking."
"And he is cute" Dawn added.
"He's mini-Spike" Ginny grinned.
Dawn, Hermione and Ginny laughed.
Luna looked bemused "SpikeThe boy may be ?"
---
"You feelin' okay, Red?" Spike asked, Willow was practically bouncing up and down in front of the mirror as she brushed her hair.
They were in the Common Room of the Guest wing. Spike tugged his leather duster on and tucked the Dominatus Gem in his possession down the front of his black T-shirt.
"Mm-hmm…" Willow nodded vigorously, "Excited – very – I mean, c'mon, we're teaching."
She herself had on a dark gray pleated skirt and a lighter gray baby-tee. Her robes were a deep/dark green color that would probably look black if one wasn't looking very hard – when certain parts hit the light, it was easy to see a green sort of shine. The robes buttoned fully, but she left the clasp closer to the neck open – unlike professor Snape who, Willow noticed, buttoned his all the way to the top. Only the top bit of her shirt was showing, and her skirt would be seen when she walked and the robes blew back.
"I thought you said Dumbledore had lost his mind for hiring you in the first place" Spike pointed out.
"See this" Willow pointed to herself, "This is me and the hyper super-babbly Willow that comes whenever I'm way beyond nervous."
"You're acting like you've just taken Prozac and ten cups of coffee."
"Hence the hyper-uber-nervousness theory" Willow told him.
Suddenly Nearly Headless Nick and the Fat Friar glided through the nearby wall.
"Ready for the feast?" the Friar asked jovially.
"Oh, are you joining us?" Willow asked, smiling. She was startled talking to ghosts at first – but the past few days found her getting along very well with Nearly-Headless Nick – the friendly sort, was okay really – once you got past the whole my-head-doesn't-fully-come-off-and-oh-I-can-also-walk-through-walls thing.
Nick gave her a broad smile, "Never miss the start-of-year feast. Must support the new Gryffindors you know – even the Baron comes for this, and he hates social events."
"Righ' then, let's get moving" Spike said.
"What about Wes and Faith?" Willow asked.
"The Slayer went in for some last minute training – and the Watcher just hit the bath a minute ago, something about doin' laps."
"We'll be late…"
"They'll make it in time – Watcher-boy said to go without him anyway – and only Faith's in danger of actually getting lost."
"Ah… what the hell" Willow shrugged.
---
"Where do you think the girls are?" Ron asked, nursing an injured could-be-broken nose.
"Staying away from us, I'd imagine, geeze Ron, what did you do?" Harry asked, wincing as his bruised jaw made it hard for him to talk without a little pain.
"I don't know" Ron shrugged, "But who knew Gin had such a mouth on her – god. If mum heard that she'd do this charm that makes your tongue taste like soap. It's what she does when we swear."
"Yuk" Harry said – still remembering the fight vividly.
Draco now had a black eye and Harry had been bruised trying to break up the fight. In the end Ernie MacMillan and Sharina Kyrone (Head Girl and a Ravenclaw) had to stun them all to break them apart.
"You must have done something pretty bad to make her lose control like that," Harry said.
"I didn't do anything…" Ron protested.
"Not much – but you did cause it" Hermione said, coming into the compartment.
"Where were you? Where's Ginny?" Ron asked.
"We're switching compartments" Hermione informed them, grabbing as much chocolate as she could carry and stuffing her pockets, "Neville will be with you guys for the rest of the trip and… what happened to the both of you?"
Hermione eyed their bruises and Ron's nose.
"Scrap with Malfoy" Harry grunted.
"But what's going on with Ginny?" Ron asked.
Hermione sighed, deciding not to chastise them for fighting when she had chocolate to deliver.
"It's called an emotional purge" Hermione explained, "It's a girl thing – we bottle our feelings inside and then sometimes we just can't take it anymore. Any little thing can set it off – which is why Ginny ran into Nevilles compartment and started bursting into sobs. Freaked poor Neville out."
Ron and Harry winced.
"But that's just how it goes for us women. And it's also why women are less prone to heart attacks then men."
"Really?" Ron blinked, "Ooookay then."
"Anyway – like I said, we're switching compartments. Me, Ginny, Dawn and Luna are taking over Neville's compartment and he'll be here in a minute. Oh, and I have a wiggenweld potion in my bag – take a sip, it should heal that nose."
With that said and her pockets filled with all the chocolate she could carry, Hermione turned and left, leaving both Harry and Ron at a loss for words.
---
Faith closed the portrait to her room quietly behind her.
"Hey."
Faith jumped, "Don't do that," she snapped quietly at her Watcher.
"Surprised you, did I?" Wes smirked in a hushed voice, "We'll have to work on honing that Slayer Skill of yours – and why are we whispering."
"Bandits asleep – I didn't want him coming into the Great Hall for dinner. He might snap at somebody – I'm working on that."
Wes grinned at the mention of the Griffin and his temper.
"Shut up" Faith said before he could make some smart-ass comment, "C'mon I'm starved."
Watcher and Slayer made their way down to the Great Hall.
"So did Hagrid find a way to help him be less aggressive?" Wes asked when they were clear of the Guest Wing.
Faith shook her head, "Not really – I mean I kind of like his balls-to-the-wall attitude – Bandits not Hagrids" Faith snapped when Wes raised a mocking eyebrow, "I don't want his personality altered in any way, so I won't let Hagrid use a potion on him."
"You could use a charm to temporarily glue his beak shut" Wes suggested.
"Hmmm… would that work on you too?" Faith smirked at him.
"Hah hah" Wes said sarcastically.
"Nah, I wouldn't do that – besides he's got claws, Watcher-boy" Faith said in a duh-how-dense-can-you-be sort of way.
"Only a suggestion" Wes shrugged.
"Anyway – Hagrid said I should just be patient – apparently he's at that age, just before he can fly, where he'll bite anything and everything because he's bored and he just can."
"Makes sense" Wes nodded, "Griffins are rarely bored when flying – a little restless on the ground when they're young though. But speaking of flying, no more bowling me over with the Hippogriff."
"As you've said a million times since I did it" Faith smirked, "I think Arrow enjoyed our little game."
"Bonding with the Hippogriph?"
Faith shrugged, "I like flying – it just makes me feel like…" she stopped and looked away, not wanting his pity or anything, "…nevermind."
"It makes you feel like for the first time in your life your so high up that no one will be able to push you down" Wes said knowingly.
Faith looked at him sharply. Suddenly seeing him on a whole knew level.
"Know the feeling" Wes smiled, recalling his first time on a broom, "trust me on that."
---
"Firs' years" Hagrid called, "Firs' years this way!"
Everyone shuffled forward on towards the nearest exit, now all decked in black robes.
"Well, looks like I gotta go" Dawn sighed, "Wish me luck."
"Future Gryffindor if I ever saw one" Harry winked at her.
Dawn just grinned back. And followed Hagrid.
Harry and Ron met up with Ginny and Hermione.
"Look, Gin, I…" Ron started.
"Forget it" Ginny said calmly.
"But…"
"Drop it, Ron, I'm fine – see you at the feast."
Ginny and Luna took off into one of the carriages with Neville and a fifth year Hufflepuff..
---
"Hi, I'm Dawn Summers" Dawn said, sticking out her hand to the tall, shaggy haired boy that looked a year or so older than her.
"Connor Nelson" the boy replied with a smile.
"So – new at Hogwarts too – and I thought I was the only one – you starting Sixth year too?" Dawn asked.
"You know it – this just kinda got dumped on me – I don't know why, but it did."
"You didn't grow up with magic did you?'
Connor shook his head, "No - it's a long story – what about you."
"Most of my life – but that's a long story too."
---
All the carriages pulled up in front of Hogwarts and everyone let themselves into the Entrance Hall.
"Potter, Weasley, Malfoy – come see me at once!" that was McGonagall.
Hermione just shook her head at them, with expressions that clearly said 'your fault, not mine'.
"Move along there, Miss Granger" McGonagall said briskly.
Hermione followed the sea of students with one last reproving look over her shoulder.
Ron, Harry and Draco were all but dragged into the nearest empty room.
"The term hasn't even begun and already you three are fighting – this will stop now!" McGonagall said sharply, "Detentions for all three of you – and if you three are caught fighting again the penalties will be much worse – it might even involve your spots on the Quidditch team" she glared at Harry and Ron, "And Mister Malfoy – I will be speaking to Professor Snape about this too – I will recommend that certain privileges be revoked for you as well if you are caught fighting again. That is all – I want all three of you returning to the feast immediately. I still have to tend to the first years."
It was short and brutal. But McGonagall was in a hurry so it could have been ten times worse. All three boys made their way to the Great Hall without a word.
---
"This is it" Dawn said, rubbing suddenly sweaty palms on her robes, as McGonagall came to collect them.
"I never thought it would be this nerve-wracking" Connor admitted.
Dawn grinned nervously "You and me both."
---
Harry and Ron took their seats and glanced at Willow, Spike, Faith and Wes as the first years came in.
Faith caught Harry's eye and winked, all before mouthing 'in trouble already?'. Harry grinned and nodded. Faith smirked at him in a way Sirius would have – a smirk clearly saying 'good on ya'.
Suddenly Harry jerked back, seeing another familiar face at the teachers table.
"Lupin!" Ron and Harry said, though their voices were hushed.
Hermione just sat there grinning.
"You knew" Ron accused Hermione, scowling, "You knew and you never told us!"
"I formed a well educated guess – and then got him to admit it" Hermione grinned.
Before either Harry or Ron could say anything more, Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on the small stool. Harry glanced at Dawn amongst the First Years and gave her an encouraging smile – she was shaking slightly, he noticed. He also noticed a brown haired boy standing next to her – entirely too old to be a first year.
"Who's that?" Hermione asked, looking up at the guy standing next to Dawn.
Ron shrugged, "Beats me – but I'm hungry. Just get the bloody thing to sing already!"
Everyone stared at the Sorting hat, as it opened its' 'mouth' and began to sing.
--'Welcome to Hogwarts' They like to say
When you walk through those doors
But while you're here, you have to know
What hides beneath these floors
Within these walls, as well you know
Lies mystery in depth
As they were built both strong and tall
Guarding secrets that were kept
Yes there's a story to be told
That you may not have heard
It may sound strange, it may sound false
But true is every word
Four Founders built these sturdy walls
Their names are houses, four
And as I said, you'll learn great things
When you walk through those doors
Gryffindor, I must say
Was always strong and brave
And Slytherin, sly as he was
Would be nobody's slave
Ravenclaw, she had the brains,
Would do the major thinking
But Hufflepuff, perceptive wise,
Could see their friendship sinking
Fights broke out amongst the four,
No one could quell their rage
And because of this, were sadly cursed
By a great and powerful mage
He was tired of their bickering
Of their loud and constant yells
Only when they did agree
The 'friends' could break the spell
The only way to break the spell
would be to quell the fighting
Then peace would reign over the land
The future then be brightening
Alas, the curse could not break
Slytherin would not agree
He left the school, left the quarrel
To the other three
And due to this, their curse remains
It has not yet been broken
Waiting for a chosen four
On which to pass this token
The four will come, houses matched
To save us from the dark
But come now, it's another year
The sorting must now start
All of you will now be placed
In one of houses, four
I did not jest when I said
Great things are through those doors
So come along, don't be afraid
I feel the time is near
We need not fret anymore
The Chosen Four is here--
The Sorting Hat fell silent. So was the Great Hall. Dumbledore's applause was the only one at first but then the teachers and the rest of the students started clapping. The Sorting Hat bowed to all four tables and turned back towards the first years. Who were looking more nervous then they had before if that was even possible.
Faith grinned as the little midgets (sans Dawn and that brown haired boy) stumbled forward to put on a hat that fell right over their eyes. She glanced to her right where Wes sat. He was frowning – his I'm-thinking-don't-bother-me face. Tough.
"Wes?" Faith asked.
"Hmm…?" Wes blinked.
"You've got deep-in-though-face" Faith said, "The term hasn't even officially started – now relax before you blow a gasket."
Wes raised an eyebrow at her "It's not that, it's just… see that kid over there next to Dawn?"
"Brown hair – looks entirely too old to be there" Faith nodded.
The boy – Connor Nelson, McGonagall now announced – walked forward with entirely too much grace and sat himself on the stool.
"It's just… nah it's nothing" Wes shook his head, as… Connor took his seat and McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head "Nothing at all."
After about forty seconds the sorting hat announced at full bellow "SLYTHERIN!". There were roaring cheers from the Slytherins after that and several gasps from the others including Dawn who thought that he'd been pretty civil – something that normal Slytherins apparently weren't. Dawn winced when she saw that Connor sat next to Draco Malfoy.
Faith glanced at Wesley again – nothing was wrong? – she wasn't so sure about that. She glanced at the newest Slytherin again. Something in the back of her mind sparked – it's like when you sit a test and you look at a question that you know you know the answer – you studied it and it's there but its as if a wall in your mind is separating you from the information.
Faith glanced at Wes again. He saw her looking.
"I'm fine" he insisted.
Faith just gave him an incredulous look, Wes shrugged in response before motioning to the sorting ceremony where Dawn walked forward and took her place on the stool. Her name had been called and Faith hadn't even noticed.
The Slayer turned her attention to Dawn who was now wearing the hat.
Five seconds before…
"GRYFFINDOR!"
There was an uproar – a good one – at the Gryffindor table. Harry was cheering the loudest, Ron gave a sharp whistle of encouragement, and several boys catcalled making Dawn blush faintly. When she took her seat between Hermione and Ginny – the youngest Weasley slapped her on the back in a friendly gesture.
The rest of the Sorting Ceremony continued and ended soon after – Dumbledore announced the start of the feast.
Faith glanced down at the plates that were now full of food. She and Willow exchanged glances and shared knowing grins. The first time they saw this when they came into the castle Willow had almost fallen off her chair and Faith had jumped – it wasn't as startalling as apparating, but she'd been a little surprised.
Faith sighed reminding herself that as a Slayer she should be surprised so easily – that'd probably get her killed one day and… holy shit, she was thinking like a Watcher. Faith shook her head.
"Are you feeling okay?" Wes asked, seeing the motion.
"Five by Five, watcher-man" Faith shrugged.
---
He was doing it again! Willow focused every ounce of thought she had on the piece of beef she'd been stabbing at with her fork for the last five minutes. Every time her eyes flickered up and to the side a bit she still saw the same thing.
Severus Snape.
The cranky not-so-old Potions Master was staring at her. With an expression that was not quite mocking and not quite an I-know-something-you-don't-know look. But whatever the look was, it was unnerving.
The whole experience made Willow a little self-conscious – worried, just as she had been when Dumbledore had asked her to teach – because of the guilt at what she had once done. And the constant paranoia that she'd go all black-eyed-baddie and all that would be left of Hogwarts would be a pile of rubble.
Willow was trying to think of something else that would make him stare at her in that way with that scowl on his face (which she had been assured was his usual expression). Then a thought struck her.
The Sorting Hat. (Which had really creeped her out – what with the mouth and the singing…)
The 'Chosen Four'… Willow had at first thought of Buffy being part of that, maybe perhaps four Slayers (with the 'chosen' part an all) – but the Sorting Hat said they were already present. Willow's thoughts turned on Harry and his crew, which now included Dawn. They were a team… sorta.
But damn… herself, Spike, Faith and Wes were four – they were new. But they weren't a team either – not really. The song said something about getting along. None of them really… it was complex.
From Willows view, Spike had always been closer to Buffy and Dawn then anyone else.
Faith – well, with that whole trying to kill her thing – they were on civil terms but no big girly friendship thing that would make them bestest best friends or anything – it might actually be a little late for that.
And Wes… was Wes. It was still startling to see a change in him – especially since his whole escapade in Sunnydale proved him all talk and no experience. Even that whole thing with Angelus hadn't really made them anything more than friendly but not quite friends.
Willow took a chance and looked up again. Snape wasn't looking at her anymore – thank god. But Dumbledore was – he gave her a knowing look and Willow nodded. He wanted to see them all after dinner.
---
Dessert was over quickly. As the last of the plates were cleaned Dumbledore stood up and everyone fell silent as always – Harry marveled at how Dumbledore had a presence that could command complete silence without actually 'commanding' anything.
All eyes – both student and teacher – were glued to the Headmaster.
"Welcome" the Headmaster said with that familiar smile and twinkling eyes "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. And welcome to those of you who are just beginning – Welcome to Hogwarts.
"Now, those of you who are not First Years, you may notice the changes in our faculty and our curriculum. Let us all welcome back Professor Lupin, as our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
The Great Hall erupted with cheers – after Umbridge last year even the Slytherins were cheering whole-heartedly. Harry was surprised to see that Draco Malfoy was applauding along with the rest of them – though he was not nearly as rowdy. Dumbledore raised his hands and everyone settled down.
"Several new subjects have been added to the syllabus which is why we have four new teachers. Professor Rosenberg will be teaching Wiccan Magic…"
Willow stood shyly as the hall applauded – the loudest cheers coming from Dawn, Hermione, Harry, Ron and Ginny. Harry glanced at Malfoy again – he was clapping but he had his eyebrows raised in surprise. Several people were also muttering things like 'Rosenberg?', 'Where have I heard that name?', 'Sounds familiar…'…
"…Faith Black, who will be teaching Physical Defense…"
Willow sat and Faith stood. More clapping – again the loudest from those who knew her. Though there were several whispers 'Black – as in Sirius Black – any relation, you think?'. Another quick glance at Draco. Now Harry really didn't like his expression – what was he up to?
"…Here we have Professor Wyndam-Pryce – Professor of Demon Anthology…"
Wes stood. There was more clapping and less muttering this time – though Harry could tell a few people had heard his name before. How common was a name like Wyndam-Pryce, anyway?
"…and last but not least, Professor Winters."
It was Spikes turn to stand and give that smirk. More applause for him and the other teachers. Several students commented on how young the new faculty members were. Harry grinned as 'his group' was the last to stop clapping for the new teachers.
After a few more announcements Dumbledore bid them all goodnight and instructed the Prefects to lead the First Years to their common rooms.
"Come on – I'll show you the way" Harry offered, smiling at Dawn. "Hermione, Ron and Ginny have work to do."
"Duty calls" Ron shrugged, to the new first years he yelled, "Oi! Midgets – this way!"
"Ron!" Hermione scolded.
Ginny rolled her eyes, "And I'm stuck with them this year."
"Good luck" Harry grinned.
"Yeah, I think I'll stick with you" Dawn decided, looking over at the First Years "I don't think I want to be anywhere near Ron or Hermione right now – never disturb a Prefect on the job."
"Good call" Harry grinned, "C'mon – this way."
---
Connor trudged into the Slytherin Common Room. The place was a little drab but it was warm – and he had to admit that the whole thing with the Gargoyle and the password was pretty cool.
Connor was an observer by nature – or at least he thought of himself in that way. It was this little thing he'd always had where he'd just keep quiet and watch. He found he learned more about everything that way. His father had once said it was almost like the skill of a hunter – just watching and waiting for the right moment to pounce.
But Connor wasn't planning on pouncing on anything right about now. He knew all about Slytherin – all that he'd read and heard. Slytherins were supposedly evil and he'd been nothing short of shocked when he was put into this house. What had the sorting hat seen in his head that he didn't know? It was strange – he couldn't think of anything he'd done that would warrant him to be put into this house. And he was completely Muggle Born (what some might call a Mudblood as an offense). There were Muggle Borns, Half Bloods and Pure Bloods. And apparently everyone in Slytherin was pure – except for the Dark Lord himself, who'd been Half Blood himself but undecidedly evil.
That thought made Connors blood run cold. Was that him? We he another Voldemort? Is that what the Sorting Hat saw in his mind when he put it on his head? No! Connor shook himself mentally – it wouldn't happen – he wouldn't let it.
It might take a few more days of observation to come to any sort of conclusion about his new house. In fact – more observation was needed about this place in general.
For instance tonight, when he'd looked up at two of the teachers at the table he could have sworn something sparked in the back of his head.
Anyway – like it or not, he was stuck in his new house. It wasn't so bad really – he'd been watching his year mates all night. He'd already concluded that the blond one – Draco Malfoy – was ringleader. And evil – yep – very dark. Connor made a mental note to keep his distance – no tangling with potential evil wizards – he would NOT be one of them.
---
"This place is incredible!" Dawn exclaimed, doing everything short of jumping up and down.
"Pretty much my first reaction" Harry smiled, as he led her towards the stairs of the girls' dorm. It was funny – showing Dawn around was like getting to experience to pure joy of coming to Hogwarts all over again. "This leads to the girls dorm – your room with Hermione should be about six levels up and your stuff should already be there. Hermione will be able to show you."
"Can't you?" Dawn asked.
"Firstly – that's the girls dorm – and as much as I'd love to, if any boy were to so much as set foot on those stairs they'd sorta collapse into a slide… the stairs I mean."
"Care to demonstrate?" Dawn grinned.
"Better not or you might have a hard time getting up there" Harry grinned.
"I'm here," Hermione announced, as Dawn and Harry moved aside to let the other girls get to their dorms.
"Oh – well, Ron'll be waiting for me. Good night."
"Night" Dawn and Hermione said in unison, both quite tired.
Harry smiled and made his way to the boys' dorm.
---
Harry let himself into the room he shared with the other sixth year Gryffindor boys just in time to see Ron chuck a pillow at Seamus Finnigan.
"Whoa, what happened in here?" Harry asked, as feathers flew around the room.
"There's Harry!" Ron shouted.
"Get him!" Dean and Seamus said in unison.
Harry suddenly found himself on the receiving end of three pillows.
"Ow! Hey – what gives?" Harry asked.
"Just funning" Ron grinned.
"And we were on the topic of your new girlfriend" Dean Thomas added with a grin.
"Girlfriend?" Harry blinked, genuinely perplexed.
"The new girl – 'bout yay-high – brown hair – very cute – the one who you had your arm around today on the platform" Seamus grinned.
"Oh Dawn – we're just friends" Harry said.
"Sure – her nuzzling into your neck is real friendly" Seamus grinned.
"She's not my girlfriend – we're just friends" Harry insisted.
"In that case, can I date her?" Dean asked.
"NO! Um… I mean…" Harry trailed - he looked at Ron pleadingly.
"Oh, don't look at me" the redhead raised his hands in surrender, "best buddy you may be, but you have to get out of this one on your own."
"Humph… some friend" Harry grumbled, he turned to Dean the blood in his veins suddenly running very cold, "Fine." And if you so much as come near her I'll break both your arms – Harry added silently to himself.
Suddenly Neville walked into the room – coming back from brushing his teeth as the toothbrush in his hand told him.
"There's Neville!" Seamus yelled.
Ron tossed a pillow towards Harry, and they all yelled, "GET 'IM!"
---
"Well – this is – unexpected" Dumbledore said as Spike, Willow, Wes and Faith along with Professors Lupin, Snape and McGonagall met in his office.
Remus had his usual neutral werewolf look. McGonagall had the Sorting Hat in her hands. Snape was scowling – so, there was no way to tell if what he was thinking.
"Unexpected?" Spike repeated, "Bloody understatement – this was not in the job description."
"But you would have taken it anyway" Willow smirked.
Spike stuck his tongue out at her.
"Mature" Willow raised an eyebrow.
"Bite me, Red" Spike scowled.
"Albus – I must confess to some confusion" Lupin wisely cut in, "The Sorting Hat… what legend was it speaking of?"
"There are many different theory's to the story" Dumbledore sighed, leaning back into his chair, "The four founders of Hogwarts had much to fight over. Differences of opinions – people can't always just get along forever. But in all different stories concerning this, they all say the same thing… the founders had a disagreement that became larger. They were cursed – in one of the legends it was a mage… as in a wandless wizard… others it was a natural curse. Some even say that Salazar Slytherin cursed them all himself so darkness would reign…"
"Others say Gryffindor might have done it to make them all get along" Snape put in.
"Well, so much for that, what was the curse exactly?" Wes asked.
"There are many theories to that too" Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, "Though they all revolve around the fact that the world plunged into an era of Darkness…"
"Darkness?" Willow asked.
"That's unclear too – though one might assume that it was because of that whole issue with muggle borns, half bloods and pure bloods."
"So this was a last ditch attempt to get them all to get along?" Faith snorted, "Because of your background – now I don't for one second believe that was all there was to it."
"Unfortunately any documents or records we have on this are either lost or destroyed so we may never knew for certain" Dumbledore told them, "But we do know that the Wizarding World won't find any sort of peace until this curse is lifted."
Wes looked thoughtful, "Perhaps this all could have something to do with Voldemort – they key to defeating him, perhaps."
Professor McGonagall and Snape flinched at the name.
"That would make sense" Albus nodded, "The Song last year spoke of school unity – between all the houses. Perhaps if you find some way through this it will bring us closer to a school union and Voldemort's defeat."
Again – more flinching.
"Another thing though, what makes you believe this … 'Chosen Four' is us?" Wes asked.
"Brains of the team my ass" Faith muttered, she started with herself and pointed to all of them in turn, "One… two… three... four" she said slowly in an I'm-talking-to-a-five-year-old voice, "C'mon I can't be the only one who's thinkin' it."
"Well…" Albus said again, then he looked thoughtful "We can only assume – that is to say, it's not the only possibility – however… to be sure" Albus gestured to the hat.
"Oh no" Willow shivered.
"Creeped?" Faith asked.
"You might say that" Willow admitted.
"You and Wesley might have already been sorted" Dumbledore nodded to Spike and Wes, "But Willow and Faith have not.
"So if Spike's Hufflepuff and Wes's a Ravenclaw that leaves Gryffindor and Slytherin" Lupin realized, "Faith could be a Gryffindor because Sirius was."
"Then again, dad said that most Blacks were Slytherins" Faith shrugged, "and I honestly wouldn't be too surprised if I was."
"Then again, neither would I if I was sorted into Slytherin" Willow shrugged, "Trying to end the world doesn't exactly fall into the 'heroic' category."
"Then again – Spike could have changed houses," Wes said, "Now that he's a vampire…"
"Being sorted twice has never been done" Snape said, "Ever – and I don't think the hat's gonna start now."
"Well it never hurts to try" Willow said directly to him.
Snape blinked; seemingly surprised that he'd been addressed at all.
"Be that as it may it's never been done – never in the history of Hogwarts" Snape said coldly.
"Don't you think History gets rewritten sometimes," Spike asked snidely, "Take it from someone who knows – I've seen it happen."
"Only one way to find out" McGonagall said, placing the Hat on Spikes head before he could protest.
Faith snorted – he looked ridiculous! Willow giggled and Wes suppressed a smile with little success. Others in the room were showing forms of hidden amusement.
"Oh, sod off" Spike scowled, then he fell silent – obviously listening to the sorting hat.
A few seconds later Spike took the hat off, "It was pretty pissed at sorting me twice – I'm still a Hufflepuff."
"Wesley…" Albus nodded.
Wes took the hat from Spike. Put it on his head and two seconds later ripped it off.
"It's a little pissed" Wes said, "still Ravenclaw – it wont sort me again. It doesn't need to."
Faith swallowed and took that Sorting Hat when Wes held it out to her. She put it on her head knowing it must have looked as ridiculous as it felt.
'Watch who you're calling Ridiculous' The Sorting Hat said to her, 'At least you've never been sorted – no one need be sorted twice… ever… no matter how much they seemed to have change the end result is always the same. Hmm… alright then… a Slayer? A rare privilege indeed – though that Wesley became your Watcher I can't say I'm not surprised – A Black too? Well that does mix things up a bit. Now there's a dark period. You do have both traits. What would you suggest…?'
'What would I suggest – you're giving me a choice?' Faith thought back.
'Of course – we all have the right to choose – if only we ask. Harry Potter was one who would have done well in Slytherin – but he has done better in Gryffindor and is growing to be the man he was destined to become.'
'When was the last time you read Harry to know any of this?' Faith demanded.
'Years ago – I'm seeing all this through your head. Now choose – you have the traits of both a Gryffindor and Slytherin. You would do well in either.'
Faith considered this, 'Put me where I'll be the most useful.'
'Very well.' "SLYTHERIN!"
The shout made everyone in the room jump. Faith jerked the hat off the handed it to Willow. Willow still found the hat creepy, but forced herself to take it and put it on her head.
'Relax, Miss Rosenberg' the Hat said in her ear, 'I don't bite. Now let's see – you are a mixture aren't you.' Rhetorical question.
'Mixture?' Willow asked.
'Had you come at the right age – eleven – you would be a Hufflepuff. You were always studious but even more so in High School – so then you would have been Ravenclaw. Your early years with Miss Buffy Summers have given you Gryffindor traits, and were you sorted during the time of your Magical Addiction you would have been a Slytherin.'
'And now?' Willow asked.
'Hmm…Weasley' "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Figures" Spike snorted.
"Well – that's all the proof I need" Lupin said, his voice slow and good-humored, "Ladies and Gentlemen – the Chosen Four."
"And no matter how much you say 'Chosen Four' it still sounds cheesy" Faith snorted.
"Glad we agree on something" Spike sniffed.
"Well – I must inform the house elves that your new room locations will be changed" Dumbledore said.
"How so?" Wes asked.
"At first I was going to give you all rooms near the north tower" Dumbledore said, "But I think it might be nice to give you individual rooms near your houses – so that you may get acquainted – or in some cases reacquainted with those in your selected house."
"Sounds like a plan" Wes said.
"The rooms should be ready by tomorrow evening" Dumbledore said, "Though I suppose you might all want to get a good nights rest" he smiled wickedly, "Students to teach and all that."
Faith groaned, "Ugh… thanks for reminding me."
---
The death eaters formed a circle, the hoods of their cloaks up and masks in place. They chanted words that could have been Latin, but it was too slurred and said too fast for anyone to make out those words clearly.
The lifeless form of the Demoness Anyanka was crouched in the middle of a pentagram drawn with a stick in the dirt.
Voldemort and D'Hoffryn stood just outside the pentagram across from each other next to the shell of Anyanka.
They too were chanting, they raised their arms in unison as the wind started speeding up, sending robes billowing around the legs of the wearers.
The pentagram started to glow. Anyanka stood eerily as if an invisible rope was holding her up. Suddenly the middle of the pentagram glowed even more brightly, and the light was suddenly shoved up raising Anyankas' arms as her scream filled the night.
The light ended, she collapsed. D'Hoffryn moved forward, knelt, and took her head in his hands. Anyanka opened her eyes and blinked as her pupils slowly came into focus as the black melted out of them.
"W-where…" she coughed as if she had a throat-full of dust; she tried again, "w-where am I?"
D'Hoffryn looked up and Voldemort who stood over them.
The Dark Lord smiled cruelly.
"It is done."
Well, that's done. I hope to have the next chapter up sooner but I can't make any promises because I have the next set of exams coming up in a week and a half.
I'm sorry if the Sorting Hat's song was kinda stupid. I'm no poet – and I'm not very good at this kinda thing anyway, but a do try.
Criticism welcome as are Flames (but they will be used to toast marshmallows).
I'm sorry for any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Sometimes when I try to get everything down at once I make stupid little mistakes that my spell check doesn't pick up. For this I apologize and I will try to do better.
Review (I'm an addict).