Part 15 Girl's Night
Willow was finishing her last letter home when Faith walked in the room. Willow watched silently as the Slayer stormed past her, muttering to herself. Obviously something had not gone well tonight. The real question was should she ask.
"God damn kids," Faith muttered as she searched her trunk for a pair of shorts to sleep in, "It's like being back in the house of little slayers again."
Finally finding the boxers and t-shirt she had been looking for Faith stormed into the bathroom. Willow laughed quietly to herself as she folded the letter to Angel. She was asking him if he and Wesley and Gunn could come for a visit the week before Christmas holidays began. She had a similar letter for Buffy, Dawn and Xander. She had even invited Andrew, though Fred had agreed that it wasn't a good idea to tell Faith about that. She also had a letter for Giles. With any luck he would be able to help her with the spell, to see magical imprints. And more importantly, could it be done from a distance? She didn't want to stumble into a dark wizard camp full of people proudly referring to themselves as Death Eaters.
Fred still hadn't returned the room and it was getting late. Willow decided she couldn't wait any longer to send the letters. She had intended to wait incase Fred wanted to send anything. So she was finishing attaching the letters to the owl's leg as Faith came back in the room, no happier than when she left.
"Is something wrong Faith?" Willow released the bird and watched it fly away so Faith wouldn't see her smiling.
"Why are there so damn many children here?" Faith flopped back on the bed.
"Well, it's a school," Willow sat on the edge of her own bed, "Kids kinda come with those."
Faith didn't answer, she just turned and scowled. Willow would have laughed but unlike Snape and Malfoy, Willow had no doubts about who would win a fight. And the Slayer looked ready to kill right now.
"Your evening not go well? I thought you were spending it with Remus," Willow asked, "I didn't expect you back tonight."
"Everybody in the damn school knows he's here," Faith started pacing in front of the beds.
"Was bound to happen when he showed up in the hall for dinner."
"Half of them showed up in his room."
"So you had to leave?" Willow was finding it hard not to laugh; Faith so rarely let anything really bother her.
"It won't look right," Faith muttered.
"You're worried about the impression you're making on them?" Willow was surprised, Faith had become her friend since leaving prison to help Angel but she usually wasn't concerned with what people thought.
"Me? Hell no!" Faith was now twirling one of the stakes she had made since arriving here, "Remus doesn't want to 'cause trouble'."
At this statement Willow couldn't control her laughter anymore. Faith liked a guy that was worried about what people thought. Faith never bothered with guys who wanted more than sex. If Remus didn't want to 'cause trouble' he was so far from her normal guy.
"Keep laughing Red," Faith was still twirling the stake but was now standing in front of Willow glaring down at her, "Wait until all the kids that love the new Dark Arts teacher find out she's been kissing Professor Bitchy."
"Faith," Willow stopped laughing, "You can not say anything to the students. Do you know how much that would embarrass him?"
"Was goin' for watching you turn as red as your hair. He'd be a great bonus though."
"Faith," Willow warned.
"Gonna help me?"
"What do you want me to do?" Willow sighed; Snape would kill her if the students found out.
"Hell I don't know," Faith sat next to her. "Usually I sleep with them and leave. Never had to work at it before."
"Never had one that actually liked you for you before," Willow smiled, Faith did deserve to be happy, "It's a good thing. Has Fred talked to you about Hermione?"
"Granger right?" Faiths shrugged, "Nope, haven't seen Fred since dinner. She's with Charlie."
"Hermione wants Ron Weasley to ask her to the party," Willow started rummaging through her trunk for her pajamas.
"She want me to kick his ass so he'll ask her?" Faith smiled, Hermione seemed a lot like Willow was in high school.
"Exactly she wants to date a black and blue blob with red hair," Willow pulled out the clothes she needed and headed for the bathroom. "Ron is well, like Xander. He doesn't know she even exists. At least not in the context of dating."
"Doesn't exactly scream Sex Kitten does she?"
"Exactly, anyway Fred and I said we would help her, as you put it scream Sex Kitten," Willow came out of the bathroom brushing her hair, "Well, the much tamer, sixteen year old book worm version of it."
"Might be easier to kick Ron's ass," Faith shrugged, she wasn't sure Hermione had it in her.
"You would, but I don't think it's necessary. Hermione's pretty, we just need to help her bring it out, some make-up; can we borrow yours? Do something with that hair. Though I don't know if we have mousse or gel strong enough since we all have straight hair. I'll have to talk to Severus see if there's a potion."
"Don't think he's that concerned with hair care Red," Faith was laughing now, "Can we burn her clothes."
"She doesn't have a lot of choice for classes. She has to wear robes. But I was hoping we could help with clothes for outside of class. So does this mean you'll help? She's coming up her tomorrow."
"I'm in."
**********
Willow didn't have a chance to talk to Snape at all the next day. Someone had mixed a potion incorrectly causing the vanishing potion to explode all over his class room. Causing him to miss lunch cleaning up the mess and dinner because of the detention he had given.
Fred had returned to the room long after both Willow and Faith had fallen asleep. So, Willow hadn't had time to go seek Snape out in the dungeon because she had been much more interested in hearing about Charlie Weasley.
Hermione and Ginny made their way quietly to the portrait guarding Willow, Fred, and Faith's room. It was still before curfew but they were in the teacher's area which was usually off limits to students. Both girls froze when they heard a sound behind them. They knew they wouldn't be in a lot of trouble, they had permission to be here, but neither wanted to explain why they were there.
"Hey," Faith smiled as the younger girls jumped.
"You frightened us!" Hermione gasped when she realized who it was.
"You could make more noise," Ginny nodded in agreement.
"No fun in that," Faith gave the password, and the portrait slid open. "I could just beat Ron into asking you to the party?"
"You are kidding right?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, I'm not bored enough to beat the hell out of kids yet." Faith led the kids into the small sitting room. She motioned them to sit and called for Fred and Willow.
"Hi, Girls," Willow came down the steps first carrying several hangers of clothes.
"Hello," Fred followed Willow with two large boxes, one of make up the other hair products.
"What's all of that?" Ginny asked.
"Clothes," Willow held up her arms full of various items of clothing. Pointing to the boxes Fred was carrying, "Make up and hair products."
They decided to go through the clothes first. If nothing they had appealed to Hermione or didn't fit, they would write to Buffy.
"Are you sure she would have something?" Hermione asked, as she sorted through a pile of shirts in front of her.
"B? girl's got more clothes than a department store," Faith pulled a red tank top out of the pile and held it up, "D'ya like this?"
"Well, I." Hermione was looking at what seemed a very small shirt to her.
"Oh, it would look great with these," Faith still holding the shirt pulled a pair of black jeans out of the pile. "Do you have boots?"
"Snow boots?" Hermione asked her mind still on the tank top.
"No," Willow laughed, "dress boots, but I'm gonna guess no. Since you don't know what she's talking about and they would be silly to wear with the robes."
"Then your tennis shoes are fine. So do you like?"
"I, uh, don't think it's me," Hermione was looking at the clothes. There was no way they would even fit.
"Why don't you try them?" Fred suggested, "If you don't like it, we'll keep looking."
"Well, I guess that would be fine," Hermione took the clothes and headed to the bedroom upstairs to change.
While she was gone the other four continued to dig through the clothes. Pairing up different shirts with skirts or pants that they thought would work. Faith eventually came to the leather pants she had arrived in.
"I don't think she'll wear those," Ginny said quietly.
"And we aren't trying to cause Ron to have a cardiac arrest," Fred pointed out.
Hermione walked down the steps blushing. She couldn't remember wearing little clothing outside of her bedroom. She really wasn't sure this was the right outfit for her.
"You look great Hermione," Ginny said immediately. It was definitely a new look for her, but she did look good.
"You look hot," Faith smiled.
Fred and Willow quickly agreed. Hermione's blush deepening with each compliment.
"I don't know. I mean it's very..."
"Sexy?" Willow suggested, "Tell you what, leave it on for now. Let's do your hair and try some make up and see what you think then."
Hermione hesitated but finally nodded. Ginny smiled, her brother would die when he saw her in those clothes.
"Let's do hair first," Willow suggested, "Cause I think we're going to have to wet your hair. Is it curly or just bushy?"
"I don't know. I never. I never really tried to do anything with it," Hermione said, "Well, fourth year, I put some straightening stuff in it from Madam Pomfrey but."
"Let's go wash it and I'll see if any of this stuff can tame it. We can maybe get it to look curly," Willow said taking her hand and leading her back upstairs. "Be back in a few."
Once upstairs Willow quickly helped Hermione wash and brush her hair. Wet it looked like it was probably very curly. It just needed some serious product. As she brushed the girl's hair she continued to reassure her about the clothing.
"It looks great really," Willow watched her fuss with the low neckline again, "Damn, I guess we should have left all that other stuff up here."
Willow grabbed her wand and waved it lightly at the door, "Accio boxes."
"I love it here," Willow said dropping the wands at the two boxes settled themselves next to her. "If none of this stuff works I'll talk to Professor Snape about a potion."
"Snape?" Hermione smiled, "I don't think he'll agree to make me a hair potion. He doesn't like me much you know?"
"Don't worry about it," Willow plucked a bottle of gel from the box and poured a small amount in her hand.
"Want me to do the make up?" Faith called from downstairs.
"I can handle it thanks," Willow laughed. Faith's idea of subtle colors may cause Hermione to go into shock.
Willow worked the gel through the younger girl's hair. Occasionally pouring more into her hand and crimping the hair with her fingers. After several minutes Willow held her hands over Hermione's head and muttered something Hermione couldn't hear, but quickly dried her hair. Willow picked up a small mirror and handed it her.
"Professor Rosenberg its." Hermione couldn't form the words to describe how much she liked her hair; it was now lying in soft curls around her shoulders. "Can I do this myself?"
"Sure, you can keep the gel," Willow smiled and handed her the bottle. "Use a little at a time, and add more as you need it. Do you have a way to dry your own hair?"
"Yes. There's this easy spell that does it in seconds."
"Okay, do it everyday. Now for make up," Willow looked into the box of cosmetics. Most of this was Faith's and way to dark for the teenager. It was also unlikely Faith would give up any of it since she couldn't purchase more anytime soon.
"I looked into the spell you said some of the other girls use," Willow explained, "I'll teach it to you."
Willow explained the new spell to Hermione who caught on quickly. They spent the next thirty minutes trying different colors on her, until they found the combination Willow said was perfect.
"Ready to go show them the new look?" Willow asked.
***********
Fred and Ginny were talking about some of the 'muggle' items that Mr. Weasley had acquired over the years. When there was a knock on the door.
"Got it," Faith said already on her feet.
A few seconds later Faith returned to the room with Charlie. Fred had told Charlie about Hermione, and he had agreed that Ron did like her and just probably needed a push to realize it. He had then decided to use this as an opportunity to see Fred again.
"Hi," Fred and Ginny both said when they saw him.
"Hello, thought I'd come to see how the make-over is going," Charlie took seat next to Fred.
Before anyone could respond Willow came down the stairs followed closely by Hermione. She was once again blushing, which deepened to an even darker shade of red when she spotted Charlie on the couch.
"You look.great," Ginny finally said after taking in her friends new look.
"Wicked," Faith agreed.
"Hermione you look wonderful," Charlie offered, "If my brother doesn't notice that now, he may be every bit the git Fred and George keep saying he is."
"T-t-thank you Charlie," Hermione smiled. Willow glanced at the small clock on the wall. It was way past curfew now. The girls had to get back to their dormitory. She would walk them back; they didn't need to risk detention because she had kept them too long. And she was sure Fred could use the time alone with Charlie.
"Girls, Um, I think you need to get back," Willow said, "I'll walk with you incase anyone sees you."
Faith picked up several outfits they had decided Hermione should try in the next few days, and handed them too Willow.
"I'm outta here too," Faith said. Turning to Hermione, "If you want me to use the other."
"I'll let you know," Hermione smiled.
Faith smirked and headed out the door. It was after curfew, Hermione had Harry's invisibility cloak so Remus should be alone.
Ginny and Hermione gathered the cloak and the rest of their stuff and followed Willow to the door.
"I know we don't need the cloak, because hey, a teacher, but can we use it anyway?"
Both girls agreed and they pulled the cloak over them and headed toward Gryffindor tower.
Willow was finishing her last letter home when Faith walked in the room. Willow watched silently as the Slayer stormed past her, muttering to herself. Obviously something had not gone well tonight. The real question was should she ask.
"God damn kids," Faith muttered as she searched her trunk for a pair of shorts to sleep in, "It's like being back in the house of little slayers again."
Finally finding the boxers and t-shirt she had been looking for Faith stormed into the bathroom. Willow laughed quietly to herself as she folded the letter to Angel. She was asking him if he and Wesley and Gunn could come for a visit the week before Christmas holidays began. She had a similar letter for Buffy, Dawn and Xander. She had even invited Andrew, though Fred had agreed that it wasn't a good idea to tell Faith about that. She also had a letter for Giles. With any luck he would be able to help her with the spell, to see magical imprints. And more importantly, could it be done from a distance? She didn't want to stumble into a dark wizard camp full of people proudly referring to themselves as Death Eaters.
Fred still hadn't returned the room and it was getting late. Willow decided she couldn't wait any longer to send the letters. She had intended to wait incase Fred wanted to send anything. So she was finishing attaching the letters to the owl's leg as Faith came back in the room, no happier than when she left.
"Is something wrong Faith?" Willow released the bird and watched it fly away so Faith wouldn't see her smiling.
"Why are there so damn many children here?" Faith flopped back on the bed.
"Well, it's a school," Willow sat on the edge of her own bed, "Kids kinda come with those."
Faith didn't answer, she just turned and scowled. Willow would have laughed but unlike Snape and Malfoy, Willow had no doubts about who would win a fight. And the Slayer looked ready to kill right now.
"Your evening not go well? I thought you were spending it with Remus," Willow asked, "I didn't expect you back tonight."
"Everybody in the damn school knows he's here," Faith started pacing in front of the beds.
"Was bound to happen when he showed up in the hall for dinner."
"Half of them showed up in his room."
"So you had to leave?" Willow was finding it hard not to laugh; Faith so rarely let anything really bother her.
"It won't look right," Faith muttered.
"You're worried about the impression you're making on them?" Willow was surprised, Faith had become her friend since leaving prison to help Angel but she usually wasn't concerned with what people thought.
"Me? Hell no!" Faith was now twirling one of the stakes she had made since arriving here, "Remus doesn't want to 'cause trouble'."
At this statement Willow couldn't control her laughter anymore. Faith liked a guy that was worried about what people thought. Faith never bothered with guys who wanted more than sex. If Remus didn't want to 'cause trouble' he was so far from her normal guy.
"Keep laughing Red," Faith was still twirling the stake but was now standing in front of Willow glaring down at her, "Wait until all the kids that love the new Dark Arts teacher find out she's been kissing Professor Bitchy."
"Faith," Willow stopped laughing, "You can not say anything to the students. Do you know how much that would embarrass him?"
"Was goin' for watching you turn as red as your hair. He'd be a great bonus though."
"Faith," Willow warned.
"Gonna help me?"
"What do you want me to do?" Willow sighed; Snape would kill her if the students found out.
"Hell I don't know," Faith sat next to her. "Usually I sleep with them and leave. Never had to work at it before."
"Never had one that actually liked you for you before," Willow smiled, Faith did deserve to be happy, "It's a good thing. Has Fred talked to you about Hermione?"
"Granger right?" Faiths shrugged, "Nope, haven't seen Fred since dinner. She's with Charlie."
"Hermione wants Ron Weasley to ask her to the party," Willow started rummaging through her trunk for her pajamas.
"She want me to kick his ass so he'll ask her?" Faith smiled, Hermione seemed a lot like Willow was in high school.
"Exactly she wants to date a black and blue blob with red hair," Willow pulled out the clothes she needed and headed for the bathroom. "Ron is well, like Xander. He doesn't know she even exists. At least not in the context of dating."
"Doesn't exactly scream Sex Kitten does she?"
"Exactly, anyway Fred and I said we would help her, as you put it scream Sex Kitten," Willow came out of the bathroom brushing her hair, "Well, the much tamer, sixteen year old book worm version of it."
"Might be easier to kick Ron's ass," Faith shrugged, she wasn't sure Hermione had it in her.
"You would, but I don't think it's necessary. Hermione's pretty, we just need to help her bring it out, some make-up; can we borrow yours? Do something with that hair. Though I don't know if we have mousse or gel strong enough since we all have straight hair. I'll have to talk to Severus see if there's a potion."
"Don't think he's that concerned with hair care Red," Faith was laughing now, "Can we burn her clothes."
"She doesn't have a lot of choice for classes. She has to wear robes. But I was hoping we could help with clothes for outside of class. So does this mean you'll help? She's coming up her tomorrow."
"I'm in."
**********
Willow didn't have a chance to talk to Snape at all the next day. Someone had mixed a potion incorrectly causing the vanishing potion to explode all over his class room. Causing him to miss lunch cleaning up the mess and dinner because of the detention he had given.
Fred had returned to the room long after both Willow and Faith had fallen asleep. So, Willow hadn't had time to go seek Snape out in the dungeon because she had been much more interested in hearing about Charlie Weasley.
Hermione and Ginny made their way quietly to the portrait guarding Willow, Fred, and Faith's room. It was still before curfew but they were in the teacher's area which was usually off limits to students. Both girls froze when they heard a sound behind them. They knew they wouldn't be in a lot of trouble, they had permission to be here, but neither wanted to explain why they were there.
"Hey," Faith smiled as the younger girls jumped.
"You frightened us!" Hermione gasped when she realized who it was.
"You could make more noise," Ginny nodded in agreement.
"No fun in that," Faith gave the password, and the portrait slid open. "I could just beat Ron into asking you to the party?"
"You are kidding right?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, I'm not bored enough to beat the hell out of kids yet." Faith led the kids into the small sitting room. She motioned them to sit and called for Fred and Willow.
"Hi, Girls," Willow came down the steps first carrying several hangers of clothes.
"Hello," Fred followed Willow with two large boxes, one of make up the other hair products.
"What's all of that?" Ginny asked.
"Clothes," Willow held up her arms full of various items of clothing. Pointing to the boxes Fred was carrying, "Make up and hair products."
They decided to go through the clothes first. If nothing they had appealed to Hermione or didn't fit, they would write to Buffy.
"Are you sure she would have something?" Hermione asked, as she sorted through a pile of shirts in front of her.
"B? girl's got more clothes than a department store," Faith pulled a red tank top out of the pile and held it up, "D'ya like this?"
"Well, I." Hermione was looking at what seemed a very small shirt to her.
"Oh, it would look great with these," Faith still holding the shirt pulled a pair of black jeans out of the pile. "Do you have boots?"
"Snow boots?" Hermione asked her mind still on the tank top.
"No," Willow laughed, "dress boots, but I'm gonna guess no. Since you don't know what she's talking about and they would be silly to wear with the robes."
"Then your tennis shoes are fine. So do you like?"
"I, uh, don't think it's me," Hermione was looking at the clothes. There was no way they would even fit.
"Why don't you try them?" Fred suggested, "If you don't like it, we'll keep looking."
"Well, I guess that would be fine," Hermione took the clothes and headed to the bedroom upstairs to change.
While she was gone the other four continued to dig through the clothes. Pairing up different shirts with skirts or pants that they thought would work. Faith eventually came to the leather pants she had arrived in.
"I don't think she'll wear those," Ginny said quietly.
"And we aren't trying to cause Ron to have a cardiac arrest," Fred pointed out.
Hermione walked down the steps blushing. She couldn't remember wearing little clothing outside of her bedroom. She really wasn't sure this was the right outfit for her.
"You look great Hermione," Ginny said immediately. It was definitely a new look for her, but she did look good.
"You look hot," Faith smiled.
Fred and Willow quickly agreed. Hermione's blush deepening with each compliment.
"I don't know. I mean it's very..."
"Sexy?" Willow suggested, "Tell you what, leave it on for now. Let's do your hair and try some make up and see what you think then."
Hermione hesitated but finally nodded. Ginny smiled, her brother would die when he saw her in those clothes.
"Let's do hair first," Willow suggested, "Cause I think we're going to have to wet your hair. Is it curly or just bushy?"
"I don't know. I never. I never really tried to do anything with it," Hermione said, "Well, fourth year, I put some straightening stuff in it from Madam Pomfrey but."
"Let's go wash it and I'll see if any of this stuff can tame it. We can maybe get it to look curly," Willow said taking her hand and leading her back upstairs. "Be back in a few."
Once upstairs Willow quickly helped Hermione wash and brush her hair. Wet it looked like it was probably very curly. It just needed some serious product. As she brushed the girl's hair she continued to reassure her about the clothing.
"It looks great really," Willow watched her fuss with the low neckline again, "Damn, I guess we should have left all that other stuff up here."
Willow grabbed her wand and waved it lightly at the door, "Accio boxes."
"I love it here," Willow said dropping the wands at the two boxes settled themselves next to her. "If none of this stuff works I'll talk to Professor Snape about a potion."
"Snape?" Hermione smiled, "I don't think he'll agree to make me a hair potion. He doesn't like me much you know?"
"Don't worry about it," Willow plucked a bottle of gel from the box and poured a small amount in her hand.
"Want me to do the make up?" Faith called from downstairs.
"I can handle it thanks," Willow laughed. Faith's idea of subtle colors may cause Hermione to go into shock.
Willow worked the gel through the younger girl's hair. Occasionally pouring more into her hand and crimping the hair with her fingers. After several minutes Willow held her hands over Hermione's head and muttered something Hermione couldn't hear, but quickly dried her hair. Willow picked up a small mirror and handed it her.
"Professor Rosenberg its." Hermione couldn't form the words to describe how much she liked her hair; it was now lying in soft curls around her shoulders. "Can I do this myself?"
"Sure, you can keep the gel," Willow smiled and handed her the bottle. "Use a little at a time, and add more as you need it. Do you have a way to dry your own hair?"
"Yes. There's this easy spell that does it in seconds."
"Okay, do it everyday. Now for make up," Willow looked into the box of cosmetics. Most of this was Faith's and way to dark for the teenager. It was also unlikely Faith would give up any of it since she couldn't purchase more anytime soon.
"I looked into the spell you said some of the other girls use," Willow explained, "I'll teach it to you."
Willow explained the new spell to Hermione who caught on quickly. They spent the next thirty minutes trying different colors on her, until they found the combination Willow said was perfect.
"Ready to go show them the new look?" Willow asked.
***********
Fred and Ginny were talking about some of the 'muggle' items that Mr. Weasley had acquired over the years. When there was a knock on the door.
"Got it," Faith said already on her feet.
A few seconds later Faith returned to the room with Charlie. Fred had told Charlie about Hermione, and he had agreed that Ron did like her and just probably needed a push to realize it. He had then decided to use this as an opportunity to see Fred again.
"Hi," Fred and Ginny both said when they saw him.
"Hello, thought I'd come to see how the make-over is going," Charlie took seat next to Fred.
Before anyone could respond Willow came down the stairs followed closely by Hermione. She was once again blushing, which deepened to an even darker shade of red when she spotted Charlie on the couch.
"You look.great," Ginny finally said after taking in her friends new look.
"Wicked," Faith agreed.
"Hermione you look wonderful," Charlie offered, "If my brother doesn't notice that now, he may be every bit the git Fred and George keep saying he is."
"T-t-thank you Charlie," Hermione smiled. Willow glanced at the small clock on the wall. It was way past curfew now. The girls had to get back to their dormitory. She would walk them back; they didn't need to risk detention because she had kept them too long. And she was sure Fred could use the time alone with Charlie.
"Girls, Um, I think you need to get back," Willow said, "I'll walk with you incase anyone sees you."
Faith picked up several outfits they had decided Hermione should try in the next few days, and handed them too Willow.
"I'm outta here too," Faith said. Turning to Hermione, "If you want me to use the other."
"I'll let you know," Hermione smiled.
Faith smirked and headed out the door. It was after curfew, Hermione had Harry's invisibility cloak so Remus should be alone.
Ginny and Hermione gathered the cloak and the rest of their stuff and followed Willow to the door.
"I know we don't need the cloak, because hey, a teacher, but can we use it anyway?"
Both girls agreed and they pulled the cloak over them and headed toward Gryffindor tower.