Note: OK hope this makes sense!! I've been really busy so I haven't been
able to write often. I only have the weekends. This lowly 8th grader has
end-of-the-quarter exams, debates, and many FUN tests. cough cough but
anyways Review!!
The plane was skidding to a halt; she could feel the speed decreasing and the rubber tires scream against the pavement from inside the compartment. Buffy woke up with Spike's heavy leather duster wrapper around her, and smelled the scent of tobacco mixed with liquor and peppermint clinging to it.
He smirked as he felt the tiny body next to him stir and took hold of the duster she handed to him.
'Have a good sleep there, Slayer?'
'Best in a month actually.' She replied and cracked her back and neck, stretching. 'Thanks for your coat, too.'
'You were shivering.' She flashed him a smile as they both retrieved their carry-ons and checked on the others.
She didn't need to wake up Dawn; she was reading a Rolling Stone magazine and gladly rose from the cramped seat and ready to leave. Willow and Tara were already up and with their bags along with Giles, even thought they looked a little more tired than normal. Anya and Xander both had light purple bags forming under their eyes, and their hair a little mussed.
'I think somebody joined the 'mile-high' club.' Whispered Dawn into Buffy's ear that Spike heard as well and all three let out a small laugh as they shuffled out of the aisle.
'What's so funny?' asked Xander.
'We were just saying how you guys-.'
'Looked so tired. I think we should hail a cab soon so we can relax on the train. Right Dawn?' Buffy saved her friend's dignity once again in front of the others.
'Nice save.' Spike muttered under his breath.
'Shhh.' She swatted him on the arm playfully and the tired friends exited the plane on their way to the baggage claim.
---, ---'---, ---'---, ---, ---'---, ---'---
'Damn the airports and their bigness.' Willow and the others trudged through the crowds as they searched for the nearest exit out of the place.
'Aww Sweetie, we're almost out. I think.' responded with a charming smile.
'I'm sure we're almost there. seems like we've been walking forever.' Groaned Dawn lugging her red and black duffel on one shoulder and a slightly smaller one on the other.
'Come one guys, I see the doors. We just need to hail a cab and get to that place...' reassured Buffy as uncertainty crossed her features and looked to her friends for an answer.
'Diagon Alley.' Supplied Anya. 'Amazing place, lots of shops, a big bank.'
The group carried on as they climbed into the two cabs and arrived at the King's Cross Train station with two hours to spare. Buffy noticed the rather large man standing out near a column in the front of the station. Spike and Xander paid the drivers respectively, and joined the others struggling to drag the luggage over to the man.
He introduced himself as Hagrid and offered them each a ticket. He explained that he'd be taking Dawn to Diagon Alley for her wand, her other supplies had already been taken care of to their convenience, and that anyone could join them if they wished.
Buffy shot her sister a questioning glance.
'I'll be fine by myself, don't worry.' Dawn replied with a smirk.
'Are you-.' Buffy started by was unable to finish.
'Ah ah ah, she has resolve face.' Said Willow with a bright smile.
'Ok. But I'm not a fan of this.' Buffy took her sister into a loving hug.
There were a few murmurs of 'Bye Dawn!' and 'See you on the train!' from the friends. Spike kissed her forehead with a, 'Have fun, Bit.' The two turned to leave but Willow called for her to stop for a second.
'Wait! I have something for you.' Willow pulled a small, white crystal attached to a fine, silver chain from her pocket. 'I want you to have this. It's sort of like a warning spell. If it turns green, run to Buffy, OK?' She beamed as Dawn slid the necklace over her head and thanked the powerful wicca.
Willow squeezed the concerned Buffy's hand and gave her a look that said she'd explain later as Dawn and Hagrid departed for Diagon Alley. The group decided to go ahead and load their luggage onto the train, even though it'd be about an hour and a half until the train would leave.
'Don't worry, pet. She'll only be gone for a wile, and that Hagrid bloke'll take care of Dawn.' Spike reassured the slayer and cautiously put his arm around her shoulders comfortingly. He smiled when she didn't pull away with a caustic remark, but looked up at him and smiled as well.
The scoobies made it to the wall that separated platforms nine and ten. Looking at his ticket once again, Xander scrunched up his face in confusion.
'Nine and three quarters?'
'Were you not listening to Giant-man at all?' His girlfriend replied and boldly walked up to the wall with her bags, disappearing from sight once she reached it.
'Raise you hand if 'huh?' pops into mind.' He stated jokingly. Buffy and Xander were the only ones to raise their hands.
'Quite right, now that we know who pays attention.and who is so immature that they focus all energy at the fact that Hagrid is indeed a giant and paid no attention to what he was actually saying at all, I say we find a compartment on the train and maybe get some rest?' Giles half laughed as he followed Anya's example.
The two witches went next and then Xander, Buffy and Spike bringing up the rear of the friends. Once she arrived on the other side, the extremely large train came into view. Puffs of black smoke billowed from it; they were the first ones there. There were a few hands and a conductor, but that was it.
The hands came over to greet them, courteously taking their luggage to the end of the platform and hauling them into the storage area. They were just glad they didn't have to lug them around anymore.
Once on the train, they noticed that each compartment held only four passengers, so they split up but left both doors open so they could still chat with each other. Willow, Tara, Buffy, and Anya all sat in a compartment while the guys sat in an adjacent one, each in their own conversations.
Twenty minutes later, a few of the Hogwarts students started boarding the train. All passed by in silence with questioning looks on their faces. The group just stared back, unaffected.
'Buffy!'
Dawn came running up to the girls' compartment and gave her sister a hug, showing everyone the new wand she had bought.
'And there was this goblin bank, with a roller coaster.' she rambled on excitedly about her time in Diagon alley with Hagrid.
'Take it you had a great time then Dawnie?' Tara spoke up.
'It was a blast! He told me all about Hogwarts. I'm going to be in the. Gryffindor House, I think he said. Anyways, there'll be a big feast when we get there in honor of the students' first day back at Hogwarts and 'The Americans'. I can't wait!'
'The Americans?' Xander asked, leaning into the aisle from the compartment across the hall.
'Yeah, everybody knows were coming. All they know is were American, and not magic. At least, that's what Hagrid explained.' Dawn replied with a smirk.
'Well, aren't they gonna be surprised!' Willow said mockingly and flashing a smirk at Tara, who returned it.
'Not magic, huh?' Tara retorted, 'We'll show them.' She said with a laugh.
'Hello, British here. Bugger them if those wankers think I'm American. it's insulting.' Spike joined in.
'Likewise, Spike.' Giles simpered.
'Hey you stuffy Brits, you're outnumbered six to two. Better watch your tea and crumpets.' Xander joked with a mock glare at the two.
'I was thinking more. Surprise! We're a Key, Slayer, Vampire, Demon, Wicca. but whatever sinks your titanic.' Said Dawn, plopping down in the boys' compartment next to Xander.
'Hey, what time is it? I wanna know when we'll get going. I'm starved.' Dawn pouted when everyone either ignored her and had absorbing conversations or pretended to be asleep.
'Hardy, har, har. You guys are hilarious!' she deadpanned. 'Aright fine, I'm going off all on my lonesome to find a clock. Bloody friends..' She said in a mock British accent, causing Spike to open one eye and glare at her. She didn't notice, well on her way in search of somebody with the time.
Dawn strolled down the hall, not really caring about the time, just wanting to make some friends. Just because she wasn't with Janice and the rest of her Sunnydale friends, didn't mean she couldn't have a social life. Most of the compartment doors were shut, deciding on not just barging in on something she didn't want to see, she explored the train in search of an inviting compartment. She spotted an open one and peeked inside.
She saw a girl with curly, brown hair sitting in the corner, leaning against the opposite wall, reading a book. Dawn politely knocked causing her to look up. The girl flashed her a smile before placing a bookmark in her book and setting it beside her.
She immediately got up and held out her hand. 'Hey, I'm Hermione Granger. You must be on of the Americans coming this year.' The girl seemed nice enough, Dawn reached out to shake her hand.
'Word gets around fast here, huh? Yeah, I'm Dawn Summers. Guess we're already famous around here.' She replied with a smile. She heard snickering behind her and pivoted to set eyes on a boy who remarkably looked like a sixteen-year-old Spike. She let out a choked laugh at the sight.
'Ooh, Potter'll have some competition this year won't he?'
'Draco, get out of here.' Hermione nearly shouted with disgust.
'Take it you guys aren't the best of pals then.' Dawn whispered, but apparently he'd heard anyway.
'Me, pals with a Mud blood, I would never.' Draco scowled, backed up by two hideous looking cronies leering from either side of him. Each shot a vulgar glare at the two girls; one pounded his fist into his other hand.
'I can see you need your bodyguards with you before you go and pick on people. Getting your cronies to intimidate us while you spit out insults doesn't show much courage.' Dawn snottily retorted with a coy smirk. Even though she didn't know was a 'mud blood' was, didn't mean she couldn't tell it was offensive by the way he said it right in front of her new friend's face.
Hermione smiled approvingly at Dawn, she had set Draco in his place with one remark. He was at a lost of words and stalked off with a scowl, his two cronies on his trail.
'He's bad news, all up with the 'bad magic' and all. I'd stay away from him if I were you.' Hermione warned.
'Yeah, I was totally getting the 'bad guy' vibe from that guy.' She shivered. 'What was he saying about Potter? Is there somebody famous coming?'
'Harry Potter, I suppose you haven't heard of him. He's one of my best friends. He's sort of a hero in the wizarding world. There's a big story behind it all, wouldn't want to bore you.' Hermione answered, sitting back down and gesturing for Dawn to sit as well.
'Whoa, I never new there was a whole other world I never knew about, on Earth I mean. Anyways, what's the story? I got time.'
Hermione explained the Harry's story and Dawn listened with interest. The thought of someone her age who'd been through danger and pain just as she, even Hermione and her other friend Ron had been there with him.
'Well, I'd better get back to my sister. She'll be pissed if I'm away too long, but I'm going to be in Gryffindor with you guys so I'll see you at the feast. Bye!' Dawn waved goodbye to her newly found friend and headed back to her family.
Half an hour later, the train began to move. Half of the scoobies were sound asleep. Buffy and Anya were leaning back to back on each other, Willow rested her head on Tara's shoulder, Giles, Xander, and Spike and Dawn were awake, playing a game of poker in the other compartment.
She felt the train slow its pace and began to stir. Opening her eyes, she took in her surroundings. The black leather duster was draped around her once again, Willow and Tara was sharing a blanket, and Anya lay next to her leaning against the window. They were all awake but still a little groggy.
'Looks like somebody get a present.' Willow teased, gesturing towards Spike's leather duster. Buffy sat up and draped it over her crossed legs.
'He is sweet isn't he?' Buffy sighed. It wasn't that he didn't like the guy, he was caring, dependable, and mostly honest. She just had this pesky new problem of not being able to show her emotions.
Being hurt again, being left. It was an unbearable thought that she didn't want to dwell on. She dismissed it whenever it crossed her mind, and that was nearly every time she saw Spike. She knew she had feelings for him. She didn't know what kind. She did know they were friends now, always will be no matter what their relationship would turn into.
Buffy was pulled back to reality as the train came to a full stop. Standing up to stretch, the four girls stood up to check on the rest of the gang. Anya pulled their compartment door open to find they were awake as well and standing in the hallway, minus one Giles.
Anya flounced over to Xander and intertwined her fingers with his, giving him a sugary smile. Buffy walked towards Spike and stood next to him, Willow and Tara standing to her left, holding hands.
'Where'd Giles run off to?' Buffy asked Dawn with a questioning look.
'Scoping out the babes, no doubt.' Xander snickered.
'Quite the ladies' man.' Willow deadpanned but couldn't suppress her giggles. Buffy, Tara, and Spike joined in. 'Hey, Giles probably has women swooning over him. The ladies seem to like the accent.' He discretely wriggled his eyebrows glancing at Buffy causing her to blush.
Thankfully, no one seemed to notice. She suddenly became very interested in the black flip-flops she was wearing.
Giles cleared his throat, apparently he had been standing there long enough to hear them talking about him. He had a mock sour look on his face but with a twinkle in his eye.
'Right, well if you all are done poking fun at the middle-aged, British man, I have some news.' He grinned, but his mood soon turned to serious.
'Doesn't sound good, is it serious?' Buffy questioned her Watcher wringing her hands.
'No danger to speak of.' Giles trailed off and removed his glasses to wipe them off with a cloth he pulled out from his pocket.
'Well?' They all just stared.
'Ah, the headmaster here, Professor Dumbledore. He asked us if we'd like to teach classes here.' Buffy couldn't read Giles' expressionless face. She squeaked.
'Raise your hand if no.' Xander quipped. They all raised their hands this time, with the exception of Giles. He just sighed.
'He only asked if we would like to, he's not forcing us. I thought it'd be a good idea.' Giles explained, finally returning his well-polished glasses to his face.
'I see, to keep suspicions down.' Spike rationalized, understanding. 'All of us just showing up at the school for no apparent reason wouldn't set well.'
'So if we teach. to them, that's our reason for being here.' Buffy caught on.
'Well the students know we're American, and non-magic and they haven't even seen us yet. Nothing's going to stay a secret for long.' Anya added vaguely worried.
Giles coxed most of the group to become at least an assistant to a class. Tara volunteered for potions, Spike and Buffy chose defense against the dark arts. Xander picked care of magical creatures, thinking he was on the safe side.
Willow insisted that she'd rather not teach due to her rambling and sheer nervousness in front of crowds, but she was talked into becoming a nurse with Anya and assistant librarian to Giles, to her enjoyment of avoiding actual teaching duties.
Nearing the end of his, 'evil negotiations' courtesy of Buffy, they approached the magnificence that is Hogwarts. The building was enormous, faintly resembling Dracula's castle.
Buffy shivered slightly at the thought of the vile vampire she had the un- luck of meeting maybe two years ago but chuckled quietly at reflecting Xander's 'butt monkey' story.
She was pulled from her inner thoughts as the immense wooden doors were shoved open by no one in particular. They seemed to open on themselves. On the inside of the fortress, she could see long stone hallways straight ahead lit by torches on the walls. They kept following Hagrid's massive figure through another set of immense wooden doors, this time leading to the Great Hall.
There were four long tables with golden plates and utensils laid out and beautiful candelabras to their left. A table at the near the door they had just walked in from was perpendicular to the other four, and slightly higher.
She noted it as the teachers' table as they proceeded on into the room.
The plane was skidding to a halt; she could feel the speed decreasing and the rubber tires scream against the pavement from inside the compartment. Buffy woke up with Spike's heavy leather duster wrapper around her, and smelled the scent of tobacco mixed with liquor and peppermint clinging to it.
He smirked as he felt the tiny body next to him stir and took hold of the duster she handed to him.
'Have a good sleep there, Slayer?'
'Best in a month actually.' She replied and cracked her back and neck, stretching. 'Thanks for your coat, too.'
'You were shivering.' She flashed him a smile as they both retrieved their carry-ons and checked on the others.
She didn't need to wake up Dawn; she was reading a Rolling Stone magazine and gladly rose from the cramped seat and ready to leave. Willow and Tara were already up and with their bags along with Giles, even thought they looked a little more tired than normal. Anya and Xander both had light purple bags forming under their eyes, and their hair a little mussed.
'I think somebody joined the 'mile-high' club.' Whispered Dawn into Buffy's ear that Spike heard as well and all three let out a small laugh as they shuffled out of the aisle.
'What's so funny?' asked Xander.
'We were just saying how you guys-.'
'Looked so tired. I think we should hail a cab soon so we can relax on the train. Right Dawn?' Buffy saved her friend's dignity once again in front of the others.
'Nice save.' Spike muttered under his breath.
'Shhh.' She swatted him on the arm playfully and the tired friends exited the plane on their way to the baggage claim.
---, ---'---, ---'---, ---, ---'---, ---'---
'Damn the airports and their bigness.' Willow and the others trudged through the crowds as they searched for the nearest exit out of the place.
'Aww Sweetie, we're almost out. I think.' responded with a charming smile.
'I'm sure we're almost there. seems like we've been walking forever.' Groaned Dawn lugging her red and black duffel on one shoulder and a slightly smaller one on the other.
'Come one guys, I see the doors. We just need to hail a cab and get to that place...' reassured Buffy as uncertainty crossed her features and looked to her friends for an answer.
'Diagon Alley.' Supplied Anya. 'Amazing place, lots of shops, a big bank.'
The group carried on as they climbed into the two cabs and arrived at the King's Cross Train station with two hours to spare. Buffy noticed the rather large man standing out near a column in the front of the station. Spike and Xander paid the drivers respectively, and joined the others struggling to drag the luggage over to the man.
He introduced himself as Hagrid and offered them each a ticket. He explained that he'd be taking Dawn to Diagon Alley for her wand, her other supplies had already been taken care of to their convenience, and that anyone could join them if they wished.
Buffy shot her sister a questioning glance.
'I'll be fine by myself, don't worry.' Dawn replied with a smirk.
'Are you-.' Buffy started by was unable to finish.
'Ah ah ah, she has resolve face.' Said Willow with a bright smile.
'Ok. But I'm not a fan of this.' Buffy took her sister into a loving hug.
There were a few murmurs of 'Bye Dawn!' and 'See you on the train!' from the friends. Spike kissed her forehead with a, 'Have fun, Bit.' The two turned to leave but Willow called for her to stop for a second.
'Wait! I have something for you.' Willow pulled a small, white crystal attached to a fine, silver chain from her pocket. 'I want you to have this. It's sort of like a warning spell. If it turns green, run to Buffy, OK?' She beamed as Dawn slid the necklace over her head and thanked the powerful wicca.
Willow squeezed the concerned Buffy's hand and gave her a look that said she'd explain later as Dawn and Hagrid departed for Diagon Alley. The group decided to go ahead and load their luggage onto the train, even though it'd be about an hour and a half until the train would leave.
'Don't worry, pet. She'll only be gone for a wile, and that Hagrid bloke'll take care of Dawn.' Spike reassured the slayer and cautiously put his arm around her shoulders comfortingly. He smiled when she didn't pull away with a caustic remark, but looked up at him and smiled as well.
The scoobies made it to the wall that separated platforms nine and ten. Looking at his ticket once again, Xander scrunched up his face in confusion.
'Nine and three quarters?'
'Were you not listening to Giant-man at all?' His girlfriend replied and boldly walked up to the wall with her bags, disappearing from sight once she reached it.
'Raise you hand if 'huh?' pops into mind.' He stated jokingly. Buffy and Xander were the only ones to raise their hands.
'Quite right, now that we know who pays attention.and who is so immature that they focus all energy at the fact that Hagrid is indeed a giant and paid no attention to what he was actually saying at all, I say we find a compartment on the train and maybe get some rest?' Giles half laughed as he followed Anya's example.
The two witches went next and then Xander, Buffy and Spike bringing up the rear of the friends. Once she arrived on the other side, the extremely large train came into view. Puffs of black smoke billowed from it; they were the first ones there. There were a few hands and a conductor, but that was it.
The hands came over to greet them, courteously taking their luggage to the end of the platform and hauling them into the storage area. They were just glad they didn't have to lug them around anymore.
Once on the train, they noticed that each compartment held only four passengers, so they split up but left both doors open so they could still chat with each other. Willow, Tara, Buffy, and Anya all sat in a compartment while the guys sat in an adjacent one, each in their own conversations.
Twenty minutes later, a few of the Hogwarts students started boarding the train. All passed by in silence with questioning looks on their faces. The group just stared back, unaffected.
'Buffy!'
Dawn came running up to the girls' compartment and gave her sister a hug, showing everyone the new wand she had bought.
'And there was this goblin bank, with a roller coaster.' she rambled on excitedly about her time in Diagon alley with Hagrid.
'Take it you had a great time then Dawnie?' Tara spoke up.
'It was a blast! He told me all about Hogwarts. I'm going to be in the. Gryffindor House, I think he said. Anyways, there'll be a big feast when we get there in honor of the students' first day back at Hogwarts and 'The Americans'. I can't wait!'
'The Americans?' Xander asked, leaning into the aisle from the compartment across the hall.
'Yeah, everybody knows were coming. All they know is were American, and not magic. At least, that's what Hagrid explained.' Dawn replied with a smirk.
'Well, aren't they gonna be surprised!' Willow said mockingly and flashing a smirk at Tara, who returned it.
'Not magic, huh?' Tara retorted, 'We'll show them.' She said with a laugh.
'Hello, British here. Bugger them if those wankers think I'm American. it's insulting.' Spike joined in.
'Likewise, Spike.' Giles simpered.
'Hey you stuffy Brits, you're outnumbered six to two. Better watch your tea and crumpets.' Xander joked with a mock glare at the two.
'I was thinking more. Surprise! We're a Key, Slayer, Vampire, Demon, Wicca. but whatever sinks your titanic.' Said Dawn, plopping down in the boys' compartment next to Xander.
'Hey, what time is it? I wanna know when we'll get going. I'm starved.' Dawn pouted when everyone either ignored her and had absorbing conversations or pretended to be asleep.
'Hardy, har, har. You guys are hilarious!' she deadpanned. 'Aright fine, I'm going off all on my lonesome to find a clock. Bloody friends..' She said in a mock British accent, causing Spike to open one eye and glare at her. She didn't notice, well on her way in search of somebody with the time.
Dawn strolled down the hall, not really caring about the time, just wanting to make some friends. Just because she wasn't with Janice and the rest of her Sunnydale friends, didn't mean she couldn't have a social life. Most of the compartment doors were shut, deciding on not just barging in on something she didn't want to see, she explored the train in search of an inviting compartment. She spotted an open one and peeked inside.
She saw a girl with curly, brown hair sitting in the corner, leaning against the opposite wall, reading a book. Dawn politely knocked causing her to look up. The girl flashed her a smile before placing a bookmark in her book and setting it beside her.
She immediately got up and held out her hand. 'Hey, I'm Hermione Granger. You must be on of the Americans coming this year.' The girl seemed nice enough, Dawn reached out to shake her hand.
'Word gets around fast here, huh? Yeah, I'm Dawn Summers. Guess we're already famous around here.' She replied with a smile. She heard snickering behind her and pivoted to set eyes on a boy who remarkably looked like a sixteen-year-old Spike. She let out a choked laugh at the sight.
'Ooh, Potter'll have some competition this year won't he?'
'Draco, get out of here.' Hermione nearly shouted with disgust.
'Take it you guys aren't the best of pals then.' Dawn whispered, but apparently he'd heard anyway.
'Me, pals with a Mud blood, I would never.' Draco scowled, backed up by two hideous looking cronies leering from either side of him. Each shot a vulgar glare at the two girls; one pounded his fist into his other hand.
'I can see you need your bodyguards with you before you go and pick on people. Getting your cronies to intimidate us while you spit out insults doesn't show much courage.' Dawn snottily retorted with a coy smirk. Even though she didn't know was a 'mud blood' was, didn't mean she couldn't tell it was offensive by the way he said it right in front of her new friend's face.
Hermione smiled approvingly at Dawn, she had set Draco in his place with one remark. He was at a lost of words and stalked off with a scowl, his two cronies on his trail.
'He's bad news, all up with the 'bad magic' and all. I'd stay away from him if I were you.' Hermione warned.
'Yeah, I was totally getting the 'bad guy' vibe from that guy.' She shivered. 'What was he saying about Potter? Is there somebody famous coming?'
'Harry Potter, I suppose you haven't heard of him. He's one of my best friends. He's sort of a hero in the wizarding world. There's a big story behind it all, wouldn't want to bore you.' Hermione answered, sitting back down and gesturing for Dawn to sit as well.
'Whoa, I never new there was a whole other world I never knew about, on Earth I mean. Anyways, what's the story? I got time.'
Hermione explained the Harry's story and Dawn listened with interest. The thought of someone her age who'd been through danger and pain just as she, even Hermione and her other friend Ron had been there with him.
'Well, I'd better get back to my sister. She'll be pissed if I'm away too long, but I'm going to be in Gryffindor with you guys so I'll see you at the feast. Bye!' Dawn waved goodbye to her newly found friend and headed back to her family.
Half an hour later, the train began to move. Half of the scoobies were sound asleep. Buffy and Anya were leaning back to back on each other, Willow rested her head on Tara's shoulder, Giles, Xander, and Spike and Dawn were awake, playing a game of poker in the other compartment.
She felt the train slow its pace and began to stir. Opening her eyes, she took in her surroundings. The black leather duster was draped around her once again, Willow and Tara was sharing a blanket, and Anya lay next to her leaning against the window. They were all awake but still a little groggy.
'Looks like somebody get a present.' Willow teased, gesturing towards Spike's leather duster. Buffy sat up and draped it over her crossed legs.
'He is sweet isn't he?' Buffy sighed. It wasn't that he didn't like the guy, he was caring, dependable, and mostly honest. She just had this pesky new problem of not being able to show her emotions.
Being hurt again, being left. It was an unbearable thought that she didn't want to dwell on. She dismissed it whenever it crossed her mind, and that was nearly every time she saw Spike. She knew she had feelings for him. She didn't know what kind. She did know they were friends now, always will be no matter what their relationship would turn into.
Buffy was pulled back to reality as the train came to a full stop. Standing up to stretch, the four girls stood up to check on the rest of the gang. Anya pulled their compartment door open to find they were awake as well and standing in the hallway, minus one Giles.
Anya flounced over to Xander and intertwined her fingers with his, giving him a sugary smile. Buffy walked towards Spike and stood next to him, Willow and Tara standing to her left, holding hands.
'Where'd Giles run off to?' Buffy asked Dawn with a questioning look.
'Scoping out the babes, no doubt.' Xander snickered.
'Quite the ladies' man.' Willow deadpanned but couldn't suppress her giggles. Buffy, Tara, and Spike joined in. 'Hey, Giles probably has women swooning over him. The ladies seem to like the accent.' He discretely wriggled his eyebrows glancing at Buffy causing her to blush.
Thankfully, no one seemed to notice. She suddenly became very interested in the black flip-flops she was wearing.
Giles cleared his throat, apparently he had been standing there long enough to hear them talking about him. He had a mock sour look on his face but with a twinkle in his eye.
'Right, well if you all are done poking fun at the middle-aged, British man, I have some news.' He grinned, but his mood soon turned to serious.
'Doesn't sound good, is it serious?' Buffy questioned her Watcher wringing her hands.
'No danger to speak of.' Giles trailed off and removed his glasses to wipe them off with a cloth he pulled out from his pocket.
'Well?' They all just stared.
'Ah, the headmaster here, Professor Dumbledore. He asked us if we'd like to teach classes here.' Buffy couldn't read Giles' expressionless face. She squeaked.
'Raise your hand if no.' Xander quipped. They all raised their hands this time, with the exception of Giles. He just sighed.
'He only asked if we would like to, he's not forcing us. I thought it'd be a good idea.' Giles explained, finally returning his well-polished glasses to his face.
'I see, to keep suspicions down.' Spike rationalized, understanding. 'All of us just showing up at the school for no apparent reason wouldn't set well.'
'So if we teach. to them, that's our reason for being here.' Buffy caught on.
'Well the students know we're American, and non-magic and they haven't even seen us yet. Nothing's going to stay a secret for long.' Anya added vaguely worried.
Giles coxed most of the group to become at least an assistant to a class. Tara volunteered for potions, Spike and Buffy chose defense against the dark arts. Xander picked care of magical creatures, thinking he was on the safe side.
Willow insisted that she'd rather not teach due to her rambling and sheer nervousness in front of crowds, but she was talked into becoming a nurse with Anya and assistant librarian to Giles, to her enjoyment of avoiding actual teaching duties.
Nearing the end of his, 'evil negotiations' courtesy of Buffy, they approached the magnificence that is Hogwarts. The building was enormous, faintly resembling Dracula's castle.
Buffy shivered slightly at the thought of the vile vampire she had the un- luck of meeting maybe two years ago but chuckled quietly at reflecting Xander's 'butt monkey' story.
She was pulled from her inner thoughts as the immense wooden doors were shoved open by no one in particular. They seemed to open on themselves. On the inside of the fortress, she could see long stone hallways straight ahead lit by torches on the walls. They kept following Hagrid's massive figure through another set of immense wooden doors, this time leading to the Great Hall.
There were four long tables with golden plates and utensils laid out and beautiful candelabras to their left. A table at the near the door they had just walked in from was perpendicular to the other four, and slightly higher.
She noted it as the teachers' table as they proceeded on into the room.
