Quite a few students were piled into the Great Hall waiting for the Dueling club to begin. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron were up front. Behind them were George, Fred, Oliver, Willow, Xander, and Buffy. Buffy was their only for the laughs. Buffy knew who would be there to teach the class.

"I wonder who'll be teaching us." Hermione asked as they waited. "Someone told me Flitwick was a dueling champion when he was young-maybe it will be him."

"As long as it's not…" Harry groaned when he saw Lockhart coming striding in looking pompously. Snape was right behind him.

"Gather round! Gather round. Can everybody see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent. In light of the dark events of recent weeks, Professor Dumbledore has given me permission to start this little dueling club. To train you all up in case you ever need to defend yourself, as I have done on countless occasions. For full details, see my published works." He paused for a minute. "Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape. He has sportingly agreed to help me with this little demonstration. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry. You'll still have your potions master when I'm through with him."

"Watch this. It should be good." Buffy whispered to the others.

Snape and Lockhart faced each other and bowed. They both raised their wands as if they were holding a sword.

"As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative positions. On the count of three, we'll cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill of course."

"I wouldn't bet on that." Buffy murmured, as she saw Snape snarl. They made eye contact and she knew that this was going to be good.

"One…two…three…" Both men waved their wands but Snape was quicker to get the spell out.

"Expelliarmus!" There was a bright flash of red light that hit Lockhart. He flew back hard, landing several feet away from his original position.

"YES!" Buffy said loud enough that more than a few heads turned to look at her. "I mean are you alright Professor?"

Buffy said as she jumped up on the stage. She looked toward Snape giving him a smile that said he was the best. Moving toward Lockhart she struggled to keep the smile off her face. Lockhart got up on his own very unsteadily.

"Well, there you have it!" He said moving back to his original position. "That was a Disarming Charm…as you see, I lost my wand. Ahh, thank you Miss Brown…an excellent idea to show them that Professor Snape, but, if you don't mind me saying, it was pretty obvious what you were about to do. And if I had wanted to stop you, it would have been only too easy. However, I felt it would be instructive to let them see…"

"Perhaps it would be prudent to first teach the students to block unfriendly spells, Professor."

"An excellent suggestion, Professor Snape."

"Let's show them how it's done Snape. I think people learn better by visual aids. That is if you don't mind Professor Lockhart. I know you would be glad to show them." Buffy told Lockhart sweetly.

"Excellent idea Ms. Summers." Lockhart said thinking that the same thing would happen to her that had happened to him. "Miss Summers has volunteered to show you how to block spells."

Lockhart stepped out of the way. Buffy got into her position. She was grinning madly at her opponent.

"Hit me with your best shot Professor."

"Always. Let's see if you've learned anything since our last match."

Snape said an incantation that flew at Buffy. She quickly raised her wand and blocked the spell sending it back at him. As the spell was going back Buffy sent one of her own. Everyone watched the light show between the two. It was a spectacular sight to watch as spells went back and forth.

"Been taking lessons from Flitwick I see." Snape said with a slight smile.

"Well, I wanted to give you a bit of a challenge." The two dueled a little more before Buffy was knocked on her butt.

"That you have my dear. Are you alright?" Snape asked as he helped her up.

"I'm good."

"That was a fine demonstration. Now I don't expect you to do all that. How about we get two volunteers up here? Uh, Potter! And, how about?"

"Might I suggest someone from my own house? Malfoy, perhaps."

Malfoy stepped up beside Snape. Harry stepped next to Lockhart. Buffy moved to Harry's side to reassure him. She whispered in his ear.

"This is what you've been waiting for. Take the little prat down." Harry smiled. "Good luck Harry."

"Thanks Buffy."

"Bow. Wands at the ready!" Lockhart said as he and Buffy stepped out of the way.

"Scared, Potter?" Draco asked Harry smugly.

"You wish." Harry said just as smugly.

"On the count of three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent, only to disarm. We don't want any accidents here. One…two…"

Lockhart began to count. He had no sooner got to the number two than Draco pulled a fast one.

"Ivertae Estatue!" The spell caught the unprepared Harry. He flew back a little stunned. He recovered quickly and hit Malfoy with one.

"Rictusempra!" The tickling spell hit Malfoy in the stomach and he doubled over laughing.

"I said disarm only!"

Lockhart shouted alarmed over what was happening. That was Harry's mistake as Malfoy pointed his wand and gasped his incantation.

"Serpensorsia!"

A spark of light came from the wand followed by a long black snake. There were screams from the student body. Harry was eyeing the snake.

"Don't move, Potter. I'll get rid of it for you." Snape said dully.

"Allow me, Professor Snape. Valatae Assendalae!"

Lockhart used his wand before anyone could protest. Once he had said the spell the snake shot up in to the air and had doubled in size. When it landed the snake was furious at the loud smack that was made from his body. It moved toward one of the students. Justin Finch-Fletchley. It raised itself to attack.

"Leave him alone!" Harry commanded the snake. To his surprise and many the snake held its ground. "Si-hass-sa-she! Si-hass-yeth! Si-hass-yeth!"

"Keep it up Harry. Keep it distracted." Buffy asked gently.

She moved cautiously. With a mighty leap Buffy jumped toward the snake grabbing it around its head and tail. She rolled and threw the snake high in the air. Snape used his wand.

"Ipera Ivanesca."

The snake vanished in a black puff of smoke.

"What are you playing at?" Justin asked, but didn't wait for an answer. Oliver, Willow, and Xander checked on Buffy.

"You speak Parselmouth Harry." Buffy told him from her position on the floor.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Ron asked.

"I'm a what?"

"A Parselmouth. You can talk to snakes." Hermione told him.

"I know. I mean that's only the second time I've ever done it. I accidentally set a boa constrictor on Dudley at the zoo once-long story."

"I knew there was another reason you and I get along so well. I can see Duddy's reaction." Buffy said laughing at the thought.

"Loads of people here can probably talk to snakes." Harry hoped.

"I hate to tell you Harry but it's a very rare gift. You've once again have been singled out amongst the schools population. You and I Harry are two peas in a pod."

"This is bad," said Hermione.

"What's bad? If I hadn't told that snake not to attack Justin…"

"Oh, that's what you said to it?" Ron asked.

"You were there! You heard me!"

"We heard you speaking Parsel tongue, snake language." Buffy told him.

"I spoke a different language? But I didn't realize…. How can I speak a language without knowing I am?"

"I don't know, Harry, but it sounded like you were egging the snake on or something." Xander finally spoke.

"Harry, listen to me. There's a reason the symbol of Slytherin house is a Serpent. Salazar Slytherin was a Parselmouth. He could talk to snakes, too." Willow informed them.

"Exactly. Now the whole school's gonna think you're his great, great, great grandson or something." Ron said feeling sorry for his friend.

"But I'm not. I can't be."

"He lived a thousand years ago. For all we know, you could be," said Hermione.

"He's not. If it's one thing I'm sure of Harry's not the heir. Just, be careful Harry."

After dinner a lot of people went to study in the library. Harry, Ron, Hermione, were all studying. Harry found he couldn't concentrate because people were whispering and staring at him. He even found Ron's sister Ginny staring at him.

"See you back in the common room."

He got up leaving the room. Once out of it he began hearing the voice again.

"Aahhh…kill…kill…kill…time to kill…."

Harry followed it once again. When it stopped he found Justin petrified on the floor a look of shock on his face. Above him was Nearly Headless Nick wearing an almost identical expression.

"Caught in the act! I'll have you out this time, Potter, mark my words." Filch said when he came from a different hall.

"No, Mr. Filch, you don't understand…."

Filch ran to get McGonagall. The two came back and McGonagall took in the scene with a worried expression.

"Professor, I swear I didn't."

"This is out of my hands, Potter. Professor Dumbledore will be waiting for you." She walked Harry to Dumbledore's office door.

"Lemon drop."

Harry walked up the winding steps to Dumbledore's office. He looked around and saw the picture of old Headmasters and Headmistress were asleep. Looking around the room, he saw the sorting hat sitting on the shelf. He looked at it wandering if he was placed in the right house.

"Bee in your bonnet, Potter?"

"I-I-I was, I was just wondering if you put me in the right house."

"Yes, you were particularly difficult to place. But I stand by what I said last year. You would have done well in Slytherin."

"You're wrong."

"No Harry, it's right. You would have done well in Slytherin, but you're doing great in Gryffindor."

"What are you doing here Buffy?"

"Dumbledore and I were talking. He should be down soon." They looked at the sickly looking bird that sitting on its perch. The sickly bird burst into flames.

"Harry?" Dumbledore said from atop the stairs.

"Professor, Sir, your bird…there was nothing we could do…he just caught fire!"

"Oh, and about time, too. He's been looking dreadful for days. Pity you had to see him on a burning. Fawkes is a Phoenix, Harry. They burst into flame when it is time for them to die, and then they are reborn from the ashes."

The three watched as a baby phoenix was formed from the ashes.

"Ah, fascinating creatures, Phoenix's. They can carry immensely heavy loads, and have tears of healing powers."

"It's such a beautiful thing seeing life being born." Buffy said as the little bird moved toward her.

No sooner had she gotten the words out than Hagrid came bustling through the entrance.

"Professor Dumbledore, Sir, wait, listen! Professor Dumbledore, Sir, it wasn't Harry."

"Hagrid…" Buffy tried to get his attention.

"I'd be prepared to swear it in front of the Ministry of Magic!"

"Hagrid! Relax. I do not believe that Harry attacked anyone." Dumbledore told him.

"Well, o' course you don't. And…oh. Oh, well…I'll uh, I'll just wait outside then."

"Yes."

Buffy laughed slightly at the confused giant.

"You don't think it was me, Professor?"

"No, Harry, I don't think it was you. Buffy and I were just discussing it when you came in.

But I must ask you, is there something you wish to tell me?"

He asked Harry though Buffy had already told him about Harry speaking Parseltongue.

"No, Sir. Nothing."

"Very well then. Off you go" Harry nodded and made his departure.

"Not to worry Headmaster. Rest assure I will stop this before history can repeat itself."

"I hope that you can Buffy. I hope that you can."

Everyone was getting geared up for the holidays. The halls were decorated in festive Christmas colors. Brightly decorated trees were placed around the school. Buffy, Oliver, Harry, and Ron were making their way toward the Great Hall the following afternoon. The quartet was talking about their holiday plans.

"Buffy?"

Buffy stopped at the sound of the voice. She took a deep breath and slowly turned. He stood before her looking about how she remembered him.

"Hank."

"Is that anyway to greet your father? How about a hug?" She didn't move and he looked hurt.

"What did you expect that I would greet you with wide open arms? That I would take you back as if you had never left me? I don't have a father. My father died five years ago when my mother did." She told him and then turned to address Harry and Ron. "Will you two go get Giles and the others?"

"Sure Buffy." Harry replied as he pulled Ron toward the Great Hall.

"That's not fair honey." Hank started.

"No, what wasn't fair was abandoning your eleven year old daughter, and not even checking to see that I was alright. Grandma DeWinters died six days before you left me. I was so scared. I didn't know what I was going to do or where I was going to go."

"You don't understand Buffy. I was grieving. Your mother's death hit me hard."

"I was grieving too but instead of losing one parent I lost two. I couldn't help the fact that I look so much like her but that wasn't my fault. Your leaving me however was yours."

Giles and Snape came running down the hall. Ron, Harry, McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Hagrid followed them more slowly.

"Buffy? Are you alright?" Giles asked putting a protective arm around her.

"I'm okay Giles. Everyone meet Hank Summers. Hank, meet Professors Snape, McGonagall, and Hagrid. Over there is the Headmaster of the school Albus Dumbledore. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley are the two students, and the last two are the two most important men in my life. Without them I don't know where I would be. My boyfriend Oliver Wood and Professor Rupert Giles. He is the one that has custody of me. He's the closest thing I have to a father."

"Ah, Mr. Summers. We were not expecting you so soon."

Dumbledore said coming up to shake Hanks hand. Buffy noticed that the usual twinkle that was in his eye was gone.

"Yes, I was in the neighborhood on some business. I wanted to see my daughter so I thought I would stop by."

"Why now?" Giles asked in his Ripper voice. "You haven't made contact with Buffy in five years. Why now?"

"Christmas is right around the corner and I realized I have missed far too many of Buffy's Christmas's already."

"You have never been the perfect father before why try now? It took me along to get over you abandoning me, but you know what I have because of these people. They are my family."

"And we won't let you hurt her again." Snape snarled.

"Buffy, sweetheart please give me a chance."

"There's another reason isn't there?" Hank didn't answer. "I can see it in your eyes. When you're ready to tell me ask someone they will know where to find me."

With said she took Oliver's arm and headed for the stairs. Giles quickly followed wanting to make sure Buffy was really all right.

"Mr. Summers, if you'll follow Hagrid here he'll take you to your room." Dumbledore told Hank.