Thank you to all who have left reviews on the last chapter.

I felt a little down this week about my writing, but here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

…...

Meetings and Greetings

With her map in hand, Buffy left the Slytherin dungeon for her appointment with Dumbledore. She was running slightly late, the deputy headmaster had agreed to meet her in his office at seven-thirty, and it was already quarter past. Her mind on the interview ahead, Buffy hurried up the stairs and had just stepped onto the first floor when something hurtled out of a nearby room. It crashed into her, and she fell back, landing against the newel post, to the sound of splintering wood.

As she lay on the floor, half-dazed, she heard a voice cry, "Oh, fer Merlin's sake! I'm such a clumsy oaf. I'm so sorry!"

An enormous boy peered down at her. Shaggy dark hair half-hid his red face and beetle-black eyes regarded her with a mixture of concern and embarrassment. "Are yeh alright? Are yeh injured?"

"I'll tell you in a minute," Buffy replied, "When the lower limb paralysis wears off."

It was a joke, meant to lighten the situation, but the boy's blush deepened. Shuffling his large feet awkwardly, he mumbled, "I'm sorry. If yer legs 'urt, I'll 'elp yer to the nurse."

Buffy took pity on him. Despite his great size, he was little more than an overgrown child who'd accidentally crashed into her. "I'm fine," she said, climbing to her feet and rubbing her hip which had struck the post. "Look, nothing's broken."

There'd be a bruise later, but by morning any signs of the encounter would be gone. She wondered if the same could be said about the broken newel post. As she dusted herself off, she asked, "So, what are you?"

"Eh?"

"I know you aren't fully human," Buffy explained. "Even if I wasn't getting the non-human vibes off you, the immense size would be a big clue."

He gaped, then quickly shut his mouth. Not meeting her eye, he mumbled, "Drunk too much Skele-Gro as a kid."

It was a lie. Buffy circled him, the Slayer aspect of her sensing magic and his difference. "Yeah? Then what's with the non-human vibe."

The boy crumbled. "It was me Mam," he whimpered. "She's a giantess and she ran off when I was a nipper."

Buffy winced, she knew all about parental abandonment.

"Me Dad's a Wizard an' he raised me," the boy continued. "He says Giants have a bad reputation fer... killing and eating people. He said that some people will look down on me fer what I am, an' I shouldn't tell anyone."

She looked up at him, flashed him a smile, and joked, "I don't think people will ever look down on you!" Since he still looked worried, she added, "Listen, you can rely on my discretion. That's a Buffy-promise."

He screwed his face up. "A buffy-promise? Does that mean yer won't tell?"

"I know how to keep secrets," she replied. "I promise not to tell anyone your Mom is a Giant." It was no wonder his father was worried about prejudice. She hadn't been in the Wizarding world long and so far she'd been called a Mudblood and a Squib-brat. The insults were annoying but they didn't bother her. For some kids, like the Muggleborn witch Crabbe and Goyle had told her about, taunts and abuse drove them to suicide.

The large boy screwed up his face with confusion. "How did yeh know I was telling lies about the Skele-Gro? What do yer mean 'yeh got a vibe'? What's a vibe?"

That question was going to be hard to answer. "Um, a vibe is, er... sometimes I get these feelings..." Think Buffy think!

"My uncle says that I have the Fourth Sight and can see things others can't." It had more to do with being a Slayer than being a Seer, but it was as good an excuse as any. She purposely changed the subject. "Why did you crash into me? Is the castle on fire?"

The kid grinned. "Professor Kettleburn has imported a fire crab an' it arrived today. He told me I was welcome to go an' look at it. It's come all the way from Fiji." The smile on his face was like a kid's on Christmas day. He added happily, "They shoot fire out of their bum."

Crabs shooting fire from their bottoms? Buffy wasn't sure how to respond to that.

"Care of Magical Creatures is my favourite subject," the boy went on. Buffy recognised the gleam he had in his eye. It was the same one Lovell got when his monthly moth magazine arrived. "Me an' animals get on. They aren't complicated yeh see, not like people are. I'm Rubeus Hagrid, by the way."

"I'm Buffy, Buffy Summers," she replied. A group of older Gryffindors walked past, and she suddenly remembered her appointment with Dumbledore.

"Nice ter meet yer, Buffy. Didn't know as you'd wanna talk to me, seeing as I'm a Gryffindor an' yer one of them snakes."

"Snakes?" Buffy replied distractedly.

"Yeah, human snakes."

Buffy's eyes shot to his face, her stare hardened, and Rubeus dropped his eyes to the floor.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. "Slytherins don't talk ter the likes of me. They usually glare, and twitch their cloaks away."

Her gaze softened. "I'm not your usual Slytherin." She checked her watch and found she had less than four minutes to find the deputy headmaster's office. "Rubeus, is Dumbledore's office near here?"

"Aye," he pointed in the direction she'd been heading before he'd crashed into her, "it's straight down to the bottom. Open the door, an' it that takes yer into the DADA tower. Second door on the right, overlooking the training grounds."

"Great, thanks," she replied. "See you around, Rubeus,"

She took off and was at the door when she heard the half-giant call after her, "Glad to see yer leg paralysis wore off, Buffy!"

She grinned back at him as she opened the door to the DADA tower and was still smiling when she entered the Dada Tower. There, she spotted a familiar figure waiting on a bench outside of Dumbledore's office.

Caradoc had risen to his feet when he saw her enter. His eyes went from her Slytherin tie to the smile on her face. "Buffy?"

"Yeah, it's still me." She hurried past him, intending to knock on Dumbledore's door.

"He isn't in," Caradoc Dearborn said.

"Oh! Do you have a detention?" Buffy wondered what he'd done to merit detention on the first day.

"No," Caradoc laughed. "I'm only here to borrow a book."

The conversation dried, and they stood there looking at each other. Spotting Caradoc's crooked tie, Buffy stepped closer and, without thinking, began to straighten it.

"You suit these colours," she said, holding the collar and tugging the tie back into position. It had somehow worked its way to the left, making Buffy wonder if he'd been wrestling with friends before coming here. She'd noted it was a thing sometimes guys did that and had no awareness of their clothing afterwards. Once she'd straightened the tie, she tucked it into the 'v' of his sweater. "There, that's much better. Dumbles would not have been impressed with the rumpled look."

Buffy was suddenly aware that this wasn't her cousin Lovell, who'd soon gotten used to her straightening his clothing and making sure he looked neat and tidy. Caradoc's bright blue eyes were on her face, she was aware of the rise and fall of his chest and the proximity of her fingers to his face. Heat rose in her cheeks, she dropped her hands and stepped quickly away.

"Um, thank you." Caradoc replied thickly before abruptly sitting on the bench behind him.

Feeling a little embarrassed at what she'd done, Buffy looked away. There was a small window set into the tower wall and outside she could see kids flying past on their brooms. She wondered what it felt like flying on a broomstick. Would she find it terrifying or exhilarating? Maybe, she should learn how to fly. She was a witch now, witches and broomsticks went together like... Slayers and stakes.

"Do you like being a Gryffindor?" Buffy asked now the awkward moment had passed. "Wasn't Gryffindor your parents' House?"

"It was. I like it." He motioned at the green and silver stripes on her tie. "What about you? Are you happy to be a Slytherin?"

Buffy shrugged. "I would say it's kinda cool to sleep in a room under the lake, but this morning I woke up to Grindylows banging on the window." She sat on the bench beside him. "I think they were annoyed I stole supper last night and came to get their revenge."

Caradoc smile was tight, his mind elsewhere. "Are they..." Caradoc began. He half-turned, lowered his voice, and said, "The Gryffindors say that most of the Slytherins are arrogant and difficult to get deal with."

Buffy had a feeling that the Gryffindors had said a lot more than that and he was being polite.

"Have they been nice to you?" he asked, concern in his eyes. "Your upbringing is different to theirs. Back in Durmstrang many of the Pure-bloods there were rather... intense." His expression hardened, the slight accent he had becoming more pronounced. "Their families backed Grindelwald whole-heartedly and they did not care who knew of it."

"So far, all's good." Buffy fake smiled and then stared down at her uniform-compliant Mary Jane shoes and grey socks.

It was already obvious that the Slytherin House had more than their fair share of crazies. Dolohov had seriously wigged her out, Walburga was odd, and she had no idea what to do about eleven-year-old Rigel's marriage proposal or Tom ignoring her. Her mind drifted to an image of Riddle in his Hogwarts uniform and the simmering anger she'd seen in his eyes when he looked at her. How was that going to pan out? Should she ask him outright what his problem was? Did she even want to know? Maybe they'd never been friends at the orphanage? Maybe he'd hated her all along? She was such a dork at times.

"Buffy?"

"Honestly, it isn't so bad. Walburga introduced me to everyone, and I'm rooming with two girls called Fiona and Uma. As for Big Bad Grindelwald, no one has even mentioned him to me." Wanting to take Caradoc's attention off her, she asked, "What's the sixth year shaping up to be like?"

"We have no exams this year," he replied with a smug grin.

Buffy pouted. "Lucky you. Exam talk is all that I've heard today. I've no idea how I'm supposed to catch up with all the subjects, do the extra reading, and then hand in the homework on time."

"If you need any help..." Caradoc began,

"Have you been to the library yet?" she asked at the same time.

They smiled sheepishly at each other.

"You go first," said Buffy.

"I was going to say, if you need any help, we can study in the library together. If you don't wish to be seen at the Gryffindor table, owl me."

"Sure, I'd like that." Her smile dissolved into a frown. "But why shouldn't I see you at the Gryffindor table?" That puzzled her. It was only the first day, but no one seemed concerned when she stopped at the Ravenclaw table to chat to Lovell.

Caradoc looked surprised at the question. "Because of the rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The two Houses are at loggerheads with each other, some might-"

"I'm sorry to keep you both waiting." Dumbledore called. He'd sneaked right up to them without them knowing.

They jump apart, guiltily. Buffy wasn't sure why, they'd only been talking. She guessed neither of them wanted Dumbledore to think they were about to get smoochy outside his office. Teachers always thought teenagers were full of raging hormones and desperate to lock lips at any opportunity.

Dumbledore unlocked his office door. "Come along inside, both of you." His eyes twinkled as they moved from Caradoc's face to Buffy's, then back to Caradoc. "I'll get that book I promised you, my boy."

Inside Dumbledore's office bookshelves covered the walls. The only relief was a low fire burning in a carved stone fireplace to her left, and directly in front of her a desk covered in paperwork, quills and silver orreries. Buffy followed the wizard and Caradoc into the room, heading to the right-hand side as they veered left. Dumbledore took out a pair of glasses from his pocket, pushed them onto his nose, and leaned in to examine the shelves carefully.

"Now where did I put it?" he trailed a finger across the books' spines. "Transfiguration Through The Ages, 1901 edition, it should be here with all the rest..."

Something scuffled behind the bookcase next to Buffy. She glanced over at Caradoc, to see if he'd heard it, but his back was to her, and his attention was on Dumbledore. Buffy turned back to the section of shelving in front of her. This time, she spotted a gap set between the bookcases. Where did it lead? Was there a hidden room back there? When the scuffling sound came again, she didn't hesitate, she slipped through the gap to investigate the noise.

The gap between the bookcases led into an informal room. Two comfy armchairs were set by a low coffee table, there was a towering stack of periodicals (Transfiguration Today) piled beside one of the chairs, and over in the corner sat a scruffy parrot.

As soon as the bird saw Buffy, the red feathers on its head lifted and it let out a low call of greeting. It looked more cute than dangerous. Cautiously, because she hadn't forgotten Hagrid and his crab with a fiery bottom, Buffy moved closer. The bird cocked its head, its small reptilian-like eyes watching her.

She'd gotten as far as the armchairs when it suddenly, let out a loud shriek and took off. Buffy panicked. Was it attacking? What if it wasn't and she killed Dumbledore's pet bird? Instinctively, she ducked her face and raised an arm to protect her head. The bird hovered above her, flapping its large wings, the heat from its tail feathers warming the air around her before dropping down to land on the arm she had raised above her head.

Buffy let out a sigh of relief. It was just a tame and friendly bird. "Nice birdie," she said, lowering her arm and slowly reaching up to stroke its chest feathers. It trilled delightedly, pushing its head beneath her chin and crooning softly to her.

"I see you've found Fawkes," Dumbledore said from the opening between the bookcases.

"Is that his name? Fawkes." Buffy continued stroking the bird. It pushed itself against her, tilting its head and enjoying the attention. "I conjured up a Patronus parrot today that looked just like him."

Fawkes gently nipped her fingers with disapproval at being called a parrot.

Dumbledore was dumbstruck. He didn't know what shocked him more, that she'd cast a complicated Patronus during her first DADA lesson or that she thought Fawkes was a parrot. "Fawkes is not a parrot, Miss Summers. He's a very rare Phoenix."

"Is he?" Buffy rubbed a finger along the bird's beak. "I thought he was a parrot. Sorry, Fawkes, my mistake."

Dumbledore leaned against the back of the chair, folding his arms and watching the bird interact with her. "Phoenixes are magical birds. They burst into flames when it is time for them to die, and then they are reborn from the ashes."

Caradoc stepped out from the bookshelves, drawing Dumbledore's attention. "Caradoc, there's not rush to return the book. I hope you will find it useful."

Realising it was a dismissal, Caradoc pulled his eyes away from Buffy and the Phoenix. "Of course, Professor. Thank you. Goodbye, Buffy."

Once Caradoc had left, Dumbledore sank down into his favourite chair and watched Buffy place Fawkes back onto his perch.

"Do sit down, Miss Summers." He gestured to the empty chair opposite him, waiting for her to sit before continuing, "I must say, you are full of surprises. First you discovered my room with it's Disillusionment Charm and they you tell me that you summoned a Patronus in your very first DADA lesson?"

"Uh-huh, Professor Merrythought was surprised." Buffy didn't add that everyone else had muttered and given her side-long looks. Only Roz had seemed genuinely pleased for her. She'd kept nudging Buffy and saying she couldn't wait to tell Alastor as he'd only learned how to cast an Anti-Dementor spell after he'd left school.

Dumbledore gazed at her, his face impassive. Finally, he asked, "Are you sure your Patronus was a Phoenix?"

Buffy thought back and nodded. "Yeah." She wrinkled her nose. "Professor Merrythought said you'd be interested. What's the deal?" Dumbledore looked perplexed and she translated, "Is there a problem with that?"

"No, simply that my own Patronus is a Phoenix," he replied, adding, almost under his breath, "Like the bird, they are rare."

"Cool." She looked back over at Fawkes thoughtfully. "That's interesting how they rise from the ashes. When Professor Merrythought told us how to summon a Patronus, she said that we were to think of a single happy memory, to hold onto it, and then summon my magic at the same time. My happy thought was emerging from the rubble and ash after Von Kendrick's attack. Do you think that's why my Patronus is a Phoenix? Because we both rose from the ashes."

Dumbledore steepled his hands beneath his chin, his eyes never leaving hers. "Possibly. The Phoenix is synonymous with rebirth, it may somehow have resonated with your subconscious."

"My uncle thinks my magic sprang to life that day." Buffy thought Uncle Peregrine was right. That the near-death experience she'd had unbound her magic. That reminded her. "Professor, Nurse Bones did a rune diagnostic on me and thinks someone bound my magic when I was a baby. Why would anyone want to do that?"

A shadow crossed Dumbledore's face, no sooner there than it was gone. "I've no idea. Perhaps she is mistaken? I shall have a word with her the next time I see her."

Buffy tilted her head, silently examining Dumbledore. Why doubt what the nurse had seen in the rune cast? He'd told her himself that it was rare for a child to develop magic in their teens so why dismiss it? Maybe, he didn't care that someone had cast a dark spell on a baby? Buffy concluded that all those times he'd told her to come to him if she had a problem had been hot air. The Wizard simply had too much going on to care about her or what had happened to her in the past.

Across the room, Fawkes shook himself and trilled sadly. The haunting sound distracted Dumbledore from his reminiscing, and he broke the silence.

"Do you realise, how special being able to produce a fully corporeal Patronus makes you?" he asked, rousing himself to take charge of the conversation. "It's a sign that your magic will become very powerful, once you've learned how to master it."

The speculative look he was giving her made Buffy's anxiety levels rise. She knew the real reason why the Anti-Dementor spell had come so easily to her. It was less about having a powerful magic core and more to do with her Slayer side seeing the spell as a weapon.

To change the subject, Buffy asked, "Sorry to bug, but can I speak to the hat now?" She mock shuddered. "Not that I'm looking forward to having it investigate my brain... last time it totally wigged." Buffy flashed a mega-watt smile at the wizard. "I'm hoping it will jog a few memories. It kinda sucks to have holes in your past."

There was frustration on Dumbledore's face. The valley-girl diversionary tactic hadn't worked. Buffy decided she must have overdone it.

"You don't wish to talk of the Patronus," he said shortly.

"I might never be able to summon it again." She couldn't quite meet his eyes. After all, she was a Slayer, and Slayers don't forget how to use weapons.

He didn't reply, merely sat in his chair watching her closely and waiting. Buffy knew he was using the silent approach, hoping to make her feel nervous and start talking to fill the void. It might work on his other pupils, but it wouldn't work with her. She gave a small smile, sitting back in the chair to watch Fawkes and listen to the sound of the fire crackling on the other side of the room.

After a short while, Dumbledore sighed. "Very well, Miss Summers, let us proceed with your second interview with the hat."

He rose, disappearing into the front part of his office and returning a short time later with the Sorting Hat. Today, the creases on the hat's surface made it look grumpier than ever. Buffy was sure its eyes narrowed and it scowled as Dumbledore carried it towards her.

She closed her eyes, tensing as the wizard dropped the battered old hat onto her head. This was it. Now she might find out why she had all those strange memories and what the hat knew about Slayers.