A/N: Guess who's baaaaaaack? And with a new chapter too. Aren't you all proud of me? Okay, I know it's a little late but shrug at least it's up. Anyhoo, thanks to all of the wonderful ppl who reviewed. I just had to personally reply to everybody. Twenty-seven more reviews and I've hit the two hundreds. Think I can make by the next chapter? confused look. No? sigh me either but my goal is to reach it before chapter twelve. Now that I think I can do and I'm counting on your help. So with that everybody read this chapter then click the cute purple button at the end of this page and review! Pretty pwease! makes puppy eyes…………
a month later
A/N: I know, I know, this should've been up weeks ago and as you can see from my old author's note I thought so but then as usual fate stepped in and it just wasn't possible so I'm really sorry bout that. On a lighter note, I've gotten a couple of more reviews since then and now I only have twenty-three more reviews before I hit the two hundreds. You guys are the greatest.
another two months later
A/N: arrrrrrrrghhhhhhh! You know what I can't believe? After all this time, I'm actually updating. After I postponed putting this chapter up due to a few er, complications, I really thought this was it, I was gonna stop writing and leave this fic and my other ones unfinished. I'm sure you thought so too. And that was what I planned to do; unfortunately the plot bunnies in my brain have other plans. So I woke up this morning thinking about this fic and I found myself in front of the computer typing up this author's note and working on finishing this chapter. The replies to the reviewers are old so if I said something weird like I updated this rather quickly, ignore it, I lied. And while I will try to put up the coming chapters as fast as I can (which really isn't all that fast so don't hold me accountable) I cannot give a certain date to when I'll finish this fic. My biggest wish is that I finish this before the sixth Harry Potter book comes out in the summer, so I won't be attacked by new plot bunnies and start a new story and never finish this fic cos I'll be concentrating on the new one and … well you get the picture. I hope ya'll enjoy this chapter. That's if anybody reads it. I know you're thinking what a weird thing to say but I dunno; ever since I kinda lost interest in fanfiction (it shames me to admit it!) I get the feeling that other people have too. Isn't it strange that I can't remember the last time I went on fanfiction and this is coming from the girl who used to go berserk I didn't go on at least twice a day. sigh I need to get some serious help.
Reply to Reviewers:
Kat Hawkins: Thanks for being the first to review this chapter! And as you can see I've updated and hopefully will update eleven soon.
TheCharmedOne: thanks. Me too but I really think that ppl are starting to lose interest in this ship.
Elsawriter: Which leads me to you. WHY ARE YOU PUTTING REDEEMED ON HOLD? WHY? WHY? WHY? That is so unfair. Now I know how other ppl feel when I don't update for a long time and don't worry I'll never abandon this fic. Anyhoo, I really like your other fic, Closer to Darkness, although I would've liked it better if it was Buffy/Sirius. sniffles but I think I can handle it. I would've reviewed and told you all of this but for some reason my stupid computer is refusing to let the little review box open. Oh well. Thanks for reviewing; I hope you enjoyed the last chapter anyway. This chapter isn't action packed since it's sort of an intro to what happens next but I can promise that the next chapter will be full of action. Please update Redeemed soon. I got the feeling that it was drawing to close, is it?
vixen519: ooh close, very close but I'm not saying anything!
Just Me: I'm definitely carrying on this story so you better recommend to your friends! laughs just kidding, thanks for reviewing! Your reviews (for 8 & 9) meant a lot to me and I'm glad you understood my objective for the last chapter.
Mknotr2d2: you have no idea……. Thanks for reviewing!
Grace: hey! I'm glad to see that you reviewed again and don't worry. I promise, I won't make you wait that long. But that doesn't mean I won't make you wait! (I'm kidding, I'm kidding.)
Unforgiven mistress: I'm with you on that one and I have an idea that will work some B/G action in. you'll see in this chapter.
Damia - Queen of the Gypsi's: thanks and double thanks for your review for FEB. It meant a lot to me.
Kara Weasley: don't worry. I promise we'll find out soon then you can see if you guessed correctly. And Sirius will definitely find out, I know I'm going to regret saying this but it's not going to be pretty. You'll see what I mean in this chapter.
Nikki101:Actually, James was a chaser. I know in the movie it says he's a seeker like Harry but J.K Rowling stated in an interview that James was a chaser. And who knows better than her? Thanks for reviewing. Glad you liked the Buffy vs. Hestia scene. But don't worry you haven't seen the last of them.
Libitina De Averna: Thank you!
Charming- witch: thanks, I'm trying!
Ashibabi: True, thanks for reviewing.
KC Oz: I'm updating! I'm updating! It's not soon though, sorry! Thanks for reviewing.
Carosu: Me? Not continue this fic? looks indignant what gave you that idea? Oh is it cos it took me forever to update? smiles sheepishly sorry bout that but don't worry even if it takes me five years, I'm determined to finish this fic. Hopefully it won't come to that.
Water Angel1: thanx for reviewing, like I said before (look at Nikki101) James was a chaser, so that left the seeker position free. What a lucky coincidence!
Grace: Way to work the guilt factor! The minute I read your review, I just knew I had to update, so thanks for reviewing.
Mysticallove Thank you so much for your review; is this your first time reviewing?
Secrets and Lies
Between Quidditch practice, classes and her seemingly never-ending slayer duties, a whole month flew by without Buffy noticing. Now it was Monday morning and Buffy was in the Room of Requirement training with Yolanda. She had been there for over two hours and she was beat. Unfortunately Yolanda didn't care. No matter what Buffy did it wasn't good enough for Yolanda and she always found ways to make the simplest tasks a lot more complicated.
"Now I want you to summon that book to me," Yolanda said nodding towards the table in the corner of the room.
"Piece of cake," Buffy said, taking out her wand and preparing to do a summoning charm.
"Without using your wand," Yolanda added calmly.
"Come again?" Buffy said, not believing her ears.
"Honestly, are you that dense?" Yolanda said with a sigh. "I told you to summon that book without your wand."
Buffy decided to ignore the blunt insult. "What do you mean without using my wand?" Buffy asked. "As far as I know, you can't do magic without your wand."
"Which goes to show how little you know," Yolanda replied. Before Buffy could retort she continued. "While it is true that wandless magic is very advanced and requires years of training and a lot of power, it's not impossible. Both Dumbledore and Voldemort know how to do it and so do a few other wizards, powerful wizards."
"And you think that I'm one of those powerful wizards?" Buffy asked her jaw dropping.
"No, I think you're a whiny spoiled brat but you are the slayer. And rest assured, if it wasn't for your slayer powers, I wouldn't even think about suggesting that you of all people try wandless magic." Yolanda said rolling her eyes. "But since you are a slayer and you have the ability to do magic you automatically have more power than the average wizard which means there's a good chance that you'll be able to do it."
"If you say so," Buffy said reluctantly. "What do I do?"
"How many times do I have to say it?" Yolanda said rolling her eyes. "Summon the book without using-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know without using my wand," Buffy said impatiently. "How am I supposed to do it?"
"Use your mind. Think it. Think about the book lifting off the table and coming towards me." Yolanda said. "Close your eyes and try to visualize it happening."
Now this was the reason why Buffy stuck with Yolanda. Although she was distant, cold and downright rude to Buffy she really was good watcher and teacher. Probably even better than Giles, Buffy admitted to herself. Within less than a month's time she had taught Buffy things that would've normally taken her forever to learn.
"Stop daydreaming and start concentrating or we'll be here for a long time." Yolanda said, snapping Buffy out of her thoughts.
Still it wouldn't hurt if she started acting less like a bitch, Buffy reasoned as she closed her eyes and tried to move the book. It didn't work. Twenty something tries later it still wasn't working and she was starting to get a headache.
"I can't do it." Buffy said rubbing the sides of her head.
"Try harder," Yolanda said without looking up from the book she was flipping through.
"I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I'm starting to get a major headache. I don't have the energy to try again." Buffy said. "Besides, if I have my stake and wand with me I doubt that I'll ever need to use this type of magic."
"Either you're joking or you're even denser than I thought." Yolanda said.
"Excuse me?" Buffy said, starting to get angry. "That was so uncalled for. Do you have to be so rude?"
"If you keep on making stupid comments, I do." Yolanda said as usual getting the last word.
Buffy let out a frustrated scream. At that moment she wanted nothing more than to take that stupid book and chuck it at Yolanda. To her complete amazement, the book rose off the table and flew directly at Yolanda. If she wasn't a ghost and already dead the book would've caused some serious damage.
"I-I did it," Buffy said amazed.
"Only because you were so angry, you need to get a hold of your emotions." Yolanda reprimanded. "But that's enough wandless magic for today. Let's move on to something else." She said.
"What?" Buffy said, collapsing on the floor. "We're not done yet?"
"Of course not." Yolanda said primly.
"Yolanda, I've been here since five in the morning after getting only three hours of sleep because I finished patrolling at two and I have a class in a little over an hour. I don't have the time to do another lesson."
Yolanda was unmoving. "We haven't even started today's lesson." Yolanda pointed out.
"What?" Buffy gasped. "What've I been doing this whole time?"
"Last week's lesson which you so conveniently forgot to attend and while we're on that topic we also have to do next week's lesson because I'm pretty sure you'll forget to come to that one too." Yolanda said.
"But-" Buffy protested.
"Butts are for ashtrays." Yolanda interrupted.
"So now you're my grammar teacher too?" Buffy said sarcastically.
"Heaven forbid," Yolanda said with a shudder. "Being your Watcher is enough."
That was it. Good teacher or not, Buffy had had enough. She stood up. "You know what? I don't give a damn what Dumbledore says. Enough is enough. I don't have to stay around and take this crap from you and I'm not going to. I don't need your help, I'm leaving." She said. She grabbed her bag and walked out of the room, closing the door with a slam.
Yolanda shook her head. She couldn't contain the small rueful smile that played on her lips. So much like Rowena, she thought with a sigh that sounded more like a sob. It was getting harder and harder for her to keep her distance. She had to be more careful, she couldn't risk breaking her promise. After all, it was for the best.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Buffy walked into her door room with a big scowl on her face. She dropped on her bed and silently screamed into her pillow.
"Back so soon?" Lily questioned, coming out of the bathroom.
Buffy sat upright; she hadn't thought anybody would be awake. "Lily," she stammered.
"Buffy," Lily replied.
"What are you doing up?" Buffy couldn't help asking.
"Uh hello, it's Monday and eight o'clock, we have classes, remember?" Lily answered. "Jaq and Andy have already gone down."
"Eight o'clock, already?" Buffy wailed. She had been hoping that she might be able to catch some zzz's before classes started. While the Refresher Charm Yolanda had told her about worked, it wasn't the same as getting real sleep.
"Yeah, now it's my turn." Lily said putting her hands on her hips. "Where were you all night?"
"What do you mean?" Buffy asked nervously.
"You heard me," Lily said coming closer. "Where were you last night?"
"I don't know what you were talking about." Buffy said.
"I'm not blind, Buffy." Lily said. "It just so happens I was awake last night when you left the room and I know for a fact that it wasn't the first time."
"Who told you that?" Buffy asked stalling for time.
"That's not important. On the other hand, what you were doing outside in the middle of the night is." Lily said.
"I was-"
"And don't say you were with Sirius because I know you weren't." Lily interrupted.
"You told him?" Buffy asked sharply.
"No but if you're in some kind of trouble or hiding something serious, I certainly will." Lily said seriously.
Buffy sighed and buried her face in her hands. She knew beforehand that it would one day come to this. It was becoming a huge burden to keep her slayer duties a secret from her friends and her boyfriend; especially Sirius. He was so honest, so caring, so damn sweet that she felt guilty knowing that she couldn't give him or their relationship her all while keeping such a huge part of her life secret from him. Sooner or later she'd have to come clean. Although Buffy preferred the latter, she resolved to talk to Dumbledore about telling them as soon as she got the chance. After all how bad can it get? She thought.
"What's that?" Lily said interrupting her thoughts.
"Huh?" Buffy asked looking up.
"That bruise on your shoulder," Lily said pointing toward her arm.
Buffy looked down. She had forgotten all about it. She had gotten it fighting a vampire the other day. Thanks to her slayer healing powers it had faded quickly but it was still pretty visible. "Umm, I bumped into a wall?" Buffy said.
Lilly shook her head. "You know what, Buffy. I'm not like Andy, I won't push it. When you feel like talking I'll be more than glad to listen."
Buffy had no idea what to say. "I will thanks." She said.
Lily nodded before heading back to the bathroom. "And Buffy?" she said, turning around. "You know that if you ever need anything, we're all here for you right?"
Buffy smiled even though she felt like crying. "Yeah," she managed. "I know."
At that moment Jaq came running into the room. "There you are!" she cried when she saw Buffy. "We were just about to start a search party for you. Why don't you have your uniform on? We're going to be late for History of Magic."
When Buffy heard that, her mood picked up considerably. For once she was glad that she had History of Magic because it meant that she could catch up on her sleep. Buffy hurriedly pulled on her uniform. She paused to look at the mirror before leaving the room.
"I look like shit," Buffy complained taking in her stringy hair and baggy eyes.
"We don't have time for you to sit down and put on makeup, just do a glamour charm." Jaq said.
"A what?" Buffy said blankly turning to her.
Lily came out of the bathroom. "Here let me," she said taking out her wand. She muttered and incantation. "Now take a look." She said pushing Buffy to the mirror.
"Oh wow," Buffy said. She no longer had bags under her eyes and her blond hair was bouncy and shiny as if she had just washed it. Her whole face had a certain glow to it. "I have got to learn how to do that."
"Yeah but now is not the time." Jaq said practically pushing Buffy out the door.
"Aren't you coming, Lil?" Buffy asked.
"Incase you forgot, little miss smarty-pants here doesn't take History of Magic," Jaq said causing Lily to laugh.
They finally left the dorm room and literally ran down the stairs to the History of Magic classroom. When they got there they saw their classmates milling in front of the classroom.
"Why aren't they going in?" Jaq wondered out loud.
Buffy shrugged.
"I'll go ask," Jaq said decidedly.
Buffy was about to go with her when somebody snaked their arms around her waist and placed a kiss on her head.
"Sirius," Buffy said happily turning around to give him a proper kiss.
"Morning love," he said. "How are you doing?"
"Good." Buffy said snuggling closer to him, forgetting her earlier problems now that she was with her boyfriend.
"What's going on?" James, who had come down with Sirius, asked nodding towards the crowd. "Why aren't they going in? Is Professor Binns absent?"
"Not likely, mate." Remus said with a snort. "That man wouldn't miss his own funeral."
At that moment Andy and Jaq came storming towards them. Both of them appeared to be very angry.
"I don't believe this," Andy fumed. "Who does he think he is to do this to us?"
"Who?" Buffy asked.
"Dumbledore," Jaq answered.
"Okay, what did Dumbledore do?" Remus asked.
"You remember at the beginning of the school year how he said that if things didn't straighten out between the houses, meaning Slytherin and Gryffindor, he was going to something really drastic?" Andy asked.
"Yeah," Remus said slowly, "but what does that have to do with anything?"
Andy sighed. "Remember last week when those two Slytherins stuffed that 1st year Gryffindor into the Vanishing Cupboard after we won the Quidditch Match and Dumbledore swore that was the last straw?" she prodded.
"Again yes," Remus said. "But also again what does that have to do with anything?"
"Well apparently he wasn't kidding," Jaq said. "Starting today we're going to take all our classes with the Slytherins instead of only Potions and Dark Arts."
"As if it isn't enough that we have to see them everyday in the Great Hall. Now we have to have classes with them!" Andy scowled.
"Classes with who?" Peter piped up from behind them, having missed the entire conversation.
"Your worst nightmare," Andy snarled.
"The Slytherins?" Peter asked, paling considerably.
"Is that why nobody's going in?" Buffy asked.
Jaq nodded. "Professor Binns isn't in there and with all the reports about the Death Eaters in the paper; nobody wants to be alone with the Slytherins in there."
"That's silly, we're in school they can't do anything." Buffy said starting to push her way thru the crowd.
"What are you doing?" Peter called.
"Going in," Buffy said. "Somebody has to."
"I'm right behind you," said James grimly. Sirius nodded. The others followed reluctantly.
Buffy pushed her way thru the crowd and marched into the classroom confidently. Immediately all talk between the Slytherins stopped and they all glared at the newcomer but none more than Belltrix. She still hadn't forgotten how Buffy had humiliated her. Buffy ignored their stares and smiled brightly at them. As an extra barb, she waved at Belltrix who was absolutely seething and plopped down on the table that was closest to the slytherins.
"Good morning," said Ethan taking the seat next to her.
Buffy's good mood instantly disappeared. She groaned and put her head down on the table. "Go away," she said.
"And how are we doing this morning?" he said pleasantly acting as if she hadn't spoken.
"I was doing fine until you came and sat next to me." Buffy said glaring at him. She noted that Giles had also sat down next at the table but unlike Ethan he didn't even spare her a glance. "Why can't you be more like Giles and pretend that I don't exist?"
"Because you do," he said with a grin reaching out to touch her face. Buffy, who had seen it coming, grabbed his hand in midair and twisted it around his back. "Don't even think about it." She warned pinning him against the table.
Ethan winced. "Alright! Alright, I'm sorry, can you let go of my arm now?" he asked.
It was then that Jaq and James came in the room.
"Sorry, there was a huge crowd at the door. So, what did we miss?" Andy asked coming in behind them with the rest of the boys and surveying the scene.
"We missed it too," Jaq said.
"What are they doing sitting at our table?" James asked with a scowl.
Buffy finally let go of Ethan's arm.
"Damn slayer powers," he muttered rubbing his arm.
Buffy froze. For a full two seconds, the world stopped as Buffy tried to comprehend what she had just heard. Did he just say what I thought he said? She asked herself, her heart pounding. Buffy looked at him sharply but he wouldn't meet her eyes instead concentrating on the bruise that was forming on his arm. Maybe I heard wrong, yeah that's probably it, she told herself. There's no way he can know. But Buffy couldn't help feeling sick to her stomach at the thought that somehow Ethan, of all people, might've found out that she was a slayer.
"Buff?" Sirius asked, waving his hand in front of her face. "What's wrong? You just spaced out."
"I'm fine, I'm fine." She answered looking around. Ethan and Giles had left their table and had sat down with some other slytherins meanwhile Professor Binns had entered the classroom.
"Settle down, settle down," Professor Binns said taking his place in front of the classroom. "Now I'm sure you've all heard about Dumbledore's decision to have the Slytherins and Gryffindors join classes. I was asked to inform you that this arrangement will continue for the remainder of the year or until he decides otherwise."
There was a chorus of groans from both houses.
"The remainder of the year?" Andy moaned. "I'm not going to last that long."
"Look on the bright side, Ann," James said cheerfully. "Now History of Magic won't be so boring, instead of sleeping we have slytherins to torment."
"True," Sirius said thoughtfully.
"No we're going to get tormented by the slytherins." Peter wailed.
"Shut up, Wormtail." James said disgustedly. "You'd think after all these years of hanging out with us he'd have more of a backbone."
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Pettigrew, if two you two would kindly stop talking and join the rest of the class we'll begin," Professor Binns said tiredly. "Today we'll be talking about the Goblin Rebellions of the seventeenth century."
"So what was the mini fight between you and Rayne about?" Jaq asked the minute Professor Binns started to speak.
"Yeah, what did he do this time?" Sirius said with a menacing look towards the said offender.
"The usual, he was being a jerk." Buffy said, also looking at Ethan who was in a heated discussion with Giles. She couldn't get out of her mind what she had thought she heard. No matter how hard she tired to ignore it and relax she couldn't help but get a feeling in the pit of her stomach that something was going to happen. Something bad, something really bad.
And as usual, her instincts were right on target. They ended up finishing the History of Magic lesson and Professor Binns was letting them go early which was somewhat of a surprise. Buffy figured that he wasn't going to stay in a classroom full of warring Slytherins and Gryffindors any longer than he had to.
"Does anybody have any questions?" Professor Binns asked as he usually did, although most of the students were putting their books away and getting to leave the class.
"What class do we have next?" Buffy asked Remus, ignoring the Professor.
"Actually, I have a question, Professor," Ethan said loudly, standing up after exchanging conspiratorial glances with Giles.
Everybody stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him. Even Professor Binns who was usually so composed managed to look surprised.
"I was wondering if you could tell me-us about The Slayer." He continued.
There were several gasps and mutters.
"Why are you asking about The Slayer? Everybody knows it's just a myth." One of the other slytherins said.
Immediately the students started arguing among themselves if the slayer was a myth or not. Meanwhile Buffy was quietly having a heart attack. So she hadn't heard wrong. Somehow, Ethan had found out about her being a slayer and was using that fact to torment her. She forced herself to calm down which was a pretty hard feat considering. She doubted that Ethan would announce to the class that she was a slayer and even if he did she didn't think anybody would buy it since he didn't have any proof. The thought did little to reassure her.
"You know, that is the first smart thing Rayne has said all day." James commented. "Yeah, I got to give him props, looks like for once we're going to have an interesting History of Magic class." Sirius said leaning back in his seat.
"I'm with that slytherin girl." Jaq said. "Slayers don't exist, and I think we're wasting our time talking about them."
"Me too," Andy chimed in.
"What do you think, Buffy?" James asked turning to her.
"What?" Buffy asked, startled. "Oh about slayers. Umm," she paused racking her brain for something to say. "Well, this – I mean - the thing is I've only come across that word once in a book, when I was doing some research for DADA, so I'm not altogether sure what exactly a slayer is?"
"They're supposed to be these super strong immortal girls who kill vampires and other big bads and save the world." Sirius said with a smirk and Buffy could tell from the look on his face that he thought it was nothing more than a big joke, seconds later he confirmed her thoughts when he said, "It's a nice fairytale but I'm not buying it-"
"Why?" Buffy interrupted trying to remain calm.
"What?" Sirius asked.
"Why don't you think it's true?" Buffy asked. "Why don't you guys think slayers exist?" She added to the rest of her friends.
She got blank looks from most of her friends. "They just don't." Sirius said at last.
"Well I think Buffy's right," Remus announced after a moment. "There's no proof that they don't exist, so there's a very good chance they do."
"You know in a weird way, that does make sense." James said.
"Well even if the do exist, I hope I never come across one, I can just imagine what would happen." Peter said with a shudder.
Buffy turned around so that they couldn't see the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Yeah, she'd beat the crap out of you and you'd have to move to another country and change your name just so no one would know you'd been had by a girl." James teased.
"Oh please," Jaq said, rolling her eyes, "You don't have to have any super powers to do that."
Peter was about to make some indignant remark when Professor Binns started to speak. "Quiet down, quiet down." He said rapping a ruler on the desk. "Contrary to the popular belief, Slayers do exist."
This got everyone's attention including Buffy's. Aha, she thought. Let's see what the Professor has to say about this.
"Can anyone tell me who or what the Slayer is?" Professor Binns asked.
Everybody looked around without saying anything. At long last, Giles stood up and said, "In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires,-
"The demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer." Buffy muttered along with him. "Blah, blah, blah."
"Did you say something?" Andy asked.
"Me? No." Buffy answered innocently.
"That's right. Five points to Slytherin," Professor Binns said with a nod. "For as long as there have been vampires, the Slayer has existed. She is born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires and any other creatures of darkness. Technically, there can only be one Slayer, as the next is called only when the previous Slayer has died.
"If they exist then how come the Ministry doesn't know about them?" somebody asked. There were murmurs of agreement.
"Oh but the Ministry does know. They don't like to make it public knowledge but they are very much aware of the fact that Slayers exist and if you every get the time to look in their previous records, you'll find The Slayer listed under Magical Creatures-"
"What the heck?" Buffy said loudly and found herself the object of scrutiny of the class. She immediately started to blush. She hadn't realized she spoke so loudly. "Sorry Professor. Umm, what do you mean The Slayer is listed under Magical Creatures?"
"I mean, Ms. Summers, just that." He replied looking annoyed. "You will find The Slayer listed under the Heading of Magical Creatures along with veelas, werewolves and-"
"But Professor I-she's not a creature, she's a person, a girl, you just said so yourself a minute ago." Buffy protested. "And the same goes for werewolves, they're people too." She added remembering Remus.
"People?" one of the slytherins scoffed. "They're monsters." Some of the slytherins laughed.
"That's not true," Buffy argued. She darted her gaze to Remus, who sat stonily gazing at the blackboard, his hands gripping the desk so hard his knuckles had turned white.
"Oh yeah, what do you call someone or should I say something that turns into ravaging beast once a month?" the slytherin challenged.
"You just said it. They only turn into a beast once a month thru no fault of their own. And it's only for three days or should I say three nights at a time. That's like less than a tenth of the month. What about the rest of the time? Should they still be considered monsters?"
"Yeah, they should." He answered evenly.
Buffy shook her head disgustedly. It was amazing how close-minded some people could be. "And who are you to judge?" she asked. When he didn't answer she said, "You heard me, what makes you so different that you have the rig
"Ms. Summers, will you please refrain from disrupting my class? If you interrupt me again I will be forced to give you detention." Professor Binns warned. "And as for your question, not only is The Slayer a magical creature, she is considered to be one of the most dangerous creatures in the world."
It was a minute before Buffy was able to speak, that was how shocked she was. "WHAT?" Buffy asked incredulously. "Dangerous? You've got to be kidding me. Her whole job is to save all of your asses from the big bad guys, how is she dangerous?"
"Ms. Summers, you have detention. Meet me after class and we'll work on the details then. Now in answer to Ms. Summers' question, does anyone know how the first Slayer was created?" Professor Binns asked impatiently.
A Slytherin answered. "She was created-
"Yeah, yeah," Buffy continued without giving him a chance to finish. "Some guys sliced her open and stuffed her with the heart of a demon. Pretty brutal but then how else was she supposed to get the strengths and skills to slay vampires?" she added rhetorically. "And it's not like she chose to have that happen to her."
The whole class including the Professor stared at Buffy with openmouthed shock. Buffy shifted uneasily under their gaze, me and my big mouth, she thought with an inward cringe.
"That Ms. Summers is correct but you have once again interrupted a student. Since you answered correctly I won't take off points but this is your last warning if you do interrupt me again I will give you another detention and kick you out of my class."
Buffy clamped her mouth shut but she still looked furious.
"What in the world is going on? I thought she said she knew nothing about Slayers but one word against them she gets wound up as if she's personally been insulted." Andy whispered to Sirius who shrugged, he was also baffled by his girlfriend's behavior and had no answer to his cousin's question.
"In the year of 1349, the Ministry put up a new law which banned slayers from the magical world." Professor Binns said. "Before that slayers where pretty much allowed to do whatever they wanted. They were a part of our magical communities and considered by most a friend and an ally. Then in the winter of 1348, one of the most prominent figures in the ministry and his family were found in their home dead. Slain, and in the most horrible ways you could imagined. It didn't take long for the ministry to find out that the slayer of that time was responsible for it. She herself publicly announced that she had killed them without an ounce of regret. The ministry condemned her to death and took all the necessary precautions to make sure that something like that didn't happen ever again. The Watcher's Council was given the power to do whatever they wanted with the Slayers to as long as they kept them separate from the wizarding world. No Slayers were seen or heard of in the wizarding world again." The professor finished and the class, which had been so quiet during the story, immediately began to buzz.
Ethan glanced at Buffy with a smug look on his face which infuriated her to no end. Buffy stood up. "That doesn't mean they're all like that." She said with a determined look on her face.
"Excuse me?" Professor Binns said.
"Just because that slayer turned out to be messed up doesn't mean that all slayers are like that." Buffy said standing up.
"According to a research conducted by Quentin Trimble, less than half of the slayers that are called do their job like their meant to."
"Meaning?" Buffy said crossing her arms.
Professor Binns sighed. "Meaning that they don't use their powers to prevent mayhem and eliminate dark forces. They either use it for their own good to gain power, status or wealth or use it to wreck havoc on other people's lives."
"That's just a load of bullshit." Buffy said without thinking. If it was possible the class grew even quieter. From the way Professor Binns stiffened up, Buffy realized that she had just insulted him but she was too angry to care. "Slayers risk their lives on a daily basis to save your sorry asses and this is how you repay them? You spread lies about them?"
"Ms. Summers that is the last straw, not only have you disrupted my class once again, you've also accused me of being a liar. Please show yourself out." Professor Binns said firmly.
"Fine," Buffy said picking up her bag and preparing to leave.
"And continue on to the headmaster's office," Professor Binns said when Buffy opened the door to leave.
Buffy didn't answer but she made sure to close the door with a bang. She was so upset she couldn't think straight.
Those ignorant- closed-minded- brainless – idiots! She fumed. She spent most her nights slaying, jeopardizing her life for their sakes and did they appreciate it? No, instead they considered her some kind of monster. And to believe that just a couple of hours ago she was considering telling her friends about her slayerness. After what they heard today, she couldn't even imagine how they would react if they found out. That thought upset her the most, she didn't want to think about what would happen between Sirius and her if he found out. As she came to the hall that led to Dumbledore's office, her anger flared to replace her sadness. If only Dumbledore had told her from before, she wouldn't be in this mess right now. She halted to a stop in front of the gargoyle that guarded the headmaster's door as she realized she didn't know the password. Usually she enjoyed guessing but today was not one of those days.
"MOVE!" she barked to the gargoyle. The gargoyle perhaps sensing her anger sprung to life and jumped to the side. Buffy went up the stairs and walked into Dumbledore's office without knocking. He was sitting at his desk reading a book.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she said thru clenched teeth.
"Hello Buffy," Dumbledore said pleasantly as if a person barging into his office was an everyday occurrence. "Care to sit down?"
Buffy didn't budge. "Why?" she repeated.
"Would you like a lemon drop?" he offered, looking at her over the top of his half moon glasses.
"I don't want a bloody lemon drop," she snarled. Dumbledore stared at her amusedly.
"What?" Buffy asked. "Oh my god, did I just use the word bloody as a curse word? You brits are seriously rubbing off on me." She said clasping her hand on her forehead.
"Have a seat Buffy," Dumbledore said gently. "I assume you want to talk to me about what happened in History of Magic Class." It was a statement not a question.
"I'm not even going to ask how you knew," Buffy said wearily dropping into the chair, her anger starting to fade. "Why didn't you tell me before that you wizards had something against slayers?"
"I wanted to give you the opportunity-
Buffy didn't give him a chance to finish. Nothing bothered her more than having people make choices for her. "That should've been my choice to make," she snapped.
"True, but had you known then what you know now would you have stayed?" Dumbledore asked.
"Probably not." Buffy said with a shrug. "I don't see any point in staying around a bunch of people who hate me and consider me a monster just because of what that one slayer did."
Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"What?" Buffy asked suspiciously.
"The story that Professor Binns told you it wasn't-"
"I knew it," Buffy interrupted jumping up. "It was lie wasn't it? And Professor Binns just made it up so he could-"
Dumbledore cleared his throat again. "Actually what Professor Binns told you was true. The Massacre of 1348 did take place but what the Ministry left out of their report was the fact that the Noirs- the family the slayer killed- were involved in the dark arts and were trying to bring forth an apocalypse."
"What?" Buffy said, shocked. "But why-"
"Why did do it? Because it was the opportunity they had been looking for. The Ministry was aware of the power the slayer possessed and frankly it scared them. They used the Noir incident to turn the community against the slayer and well you know the rest."
"They killed her," Buffy said softly. "They murdered her for no good reason."
"It wasn't the first time the Ministry did something like that and it wouldn't be the last." Dumbledore said.
"What am I supposed to do now?" Buffy asked as she slumped in her seat. "Everybody's going to hate me when they find out. I'm going to become an outcast."
"What do you mean when?" Dumbledore asked sharply.
"Ethan and Giles know I'm the slayer. That's how the whole topic got started. I don't know how they found out but there is no way they're going to keep it a secret for long. My friends are going to hate me when they find out. Even worse they're going to fear me. I'm starting to think Yolanda was right, slaying and friends don't mix."
"That's not true." Dumbledore said firmly. "True friends stick by you no matter what and with friends like Mr. Black and Ms. Evans you can rest assured that you have nothing to worry about."
"Do you think I should tell them?" Buffy asked after a moment's hesitation.
"It'll be better if they find out from you instead of somebody else." Dumbledore replied gently.
"Does that mean that you're okay with me telling me them?" Buffy asked.
Dumbledore nodded.
"Damn. I was hoping you'd say no so when they find out I can blame it on you." Buffy said.
Dumbledore chuckled.
"Well, I should wait a while; you know let things calm down a bit before I mention anything. Meanwhile I should stay the heck away Giles and Ethan. Don't want to give them a reason to blow my cover."
Dumbledore winced. "I'm afraid that won't be possible." he said.
Buffy groaned and buried her face in her hands. "And the torment continues," Buffy said. "And pray tell why won't it be possible?"
"Well, I've been busy the past couple of weeks so I wasn't able to fully concentrate on searching for the book. However, I had a bit of extra time on my hands last week and I spent most of it looking for the book."
"You found the book?" Buffy said anxiously, her heart leaping in her throat.
"Patience Buffy. I did a locater spell for the book a couple of days ago and it confirmed my suspicions that the book was somewhere in the castle." Dumbledore said.
Buffy gave a huge sigh of relief. "Here? In the castle?" she repeated. "Where? When can I get?"
"You're getting ahead of yourself. Now where was I? Ah, yes my first guess to its whereabouts was the library. I asked Madame Pince to conduct an intensive search for it." Dumbledore paused.
"And?" Buffy asked restlessly.
"And unfortunately she couldn't find it." Dumbledore said with a sigh.
Buffy let out a frustrated sound. "Is there a chance she might be wrong?" she asked.
"Not likely. So I decided that it must be with one of the students." Dumbledore said.
It took a while for Buffy to comprehend what he meant. "And you think those students are Ethan and Giles?" she said slowly.
"Actually, I'm pretty sure it's with Mr. Giles. He's a descendent of the man who wrote the book, the only living one, so it makes perfect sense that he'd have it."
"Great," Buffy said without much enthusiasm. "What do you want me to do? Steal it from him?"
"I'd rather you ask him." Dumbledore said.
Buffy stared at the headmaster as if he just lost his mind. "Ask him? Can you just picture that conversation? 'Heya Giles, you know me, the blonde Gryffindor you hate so much and love to annoy for some unknown reason. Well I'd like to borrow your highly valuable book of portals, which I'm not supposed know about but do.' He'd probably use the situation as an excuse to hex me."
"If you put it that way," Dumbledore answered. "You should be more tactful and not so outright."
"I don't get why you can't just ask him. You're the headmaster." Buffy said, frustrated.
"I tried," Dumbledore replied calmly. "But he pretended he didn't know what I was talking about."
"If he wouldn't give it to you why the hell would he give it to me?" Buffy asked.
"He would if he considered you a friend." Dumbledore said.
"Have you heard a single word of what I've said?" Buffy asked. "The boy hates my guts. Unless I put a spell on him, there is no way he would consider me a friend."
"Not at the moment," Dumbledore agreed. "But after a substantial amount of time and work, the two of you might just become friends. After all he's already quite taken with you." He added with a wink.
It took a moment for the meaning to sink in. "Oh sick. Sick, sick, sick." She said screwing up her face. "Giles taken with me? Why'd u have to tell me that? Now I'm going to have nightmares for the rest of my life."
"I told you to point out that you have an advantage over him," Dumbledore said. "And besides he'd make a good ally."
"Ally? Against what, or should I say who?" Buffy asked then she shook her head. "You know what? Never mind, I don't wanna know, I've had enough bad news for one day."
"Giles really isn't all that bad. He's just a bit misguided and angry at the world. He hasn't had the easiest life, you know." Dumbledore said.
"Really? What happened?" Buffy asked curiously. In all the time she had know Giles she had never heard him talk about his childhood.
"You'll have to ask him yourself." Dumbledore said secretively.
"You really are serious about this whole friendship thing," Buffy said. "Fine, I'll do it." She said standing up.
"Good." Dumbledore said with a smile. "Now I've arranged for your detention to be at the same time as Mr. Giles. It'll be easier that way without any of the Gryffindors or Slytherins to interrupt you."
"Just great my first detention and I get to spend it in the company of my least favorite person," Buffy said, her shoulders slumping. "Can my life get any worse?"
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A/N: Well. There you go. Chapter ten up, I can now finally sleep guilt free, I hope you all are happy. (Don't forget to review!) Oh and enjoy the rest of your Spring Break.