Blood of Enemies, Blood of Friends
Chapter 37 – Be My Valentine
Late the next morning Harry and Dawn were discharged by Madame Pomfrey. They returned to Gryffindor tower, having received permission to miss the day's classes. Neither was tired, having slept for several hours in the hospital wing. They decided to play a game of wizard chess in the common room, since they were fairly evenly matched.
As Harry set up the board, Dawn spoke. "I'm still kind of surprised that we got out of there alive. Even with Narcissa helping us, there were an awful lot of Death Eaters there."
"I'm still in shock that she has been working on our side," commented Harry, as he moved one of his pawns.
"I knew before. Giles told Draco and I that she was the one who gave them the book with the spell we need to stop Voldemort's possession by the First," Dawn explained.
"I guess her cover is blown now. I wonder what she will do," said Harry.
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Giles awoke in the early afternoon to find Narcissa sitting beside his bed in the hospital wing. "Cissa? Did everyone. . ."
"Shush," Narcissa replied. "Everyone is fine. Dawn and Harry spent the night here, but Madame Pomfrey released them a couple of hours ago."
"Good," mumbled Giles.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Like I was hit by the Hogwarts Express."
"You were hit by a pretty strong stunning spell, but you should feel fine in a couple of days. Buffy assured me that you are regularly knocked unconscious and that I shouldn't worry."
"Yes, well, it should be written in the Watcher job description," chuckled Giles.
"Would you like something to eat?" asked Narcissa.
"That would be nice."
Narcissa gave Giles some soup that had been brought up earlier by a house elf. He ate it all, as they sat in a comfortable silence. When he finished, he spoke again. "What are you going to do now, Cissa? It isn't safe for you to return to your home."
"I know," she said quietly. "Professor Dumbledore offered to allow me to stay here until Lucius is recaptured."
"It would be nice to have you around," Giles replied.
"Well, it seems that Professor Wilkins has volunteered to give up her quarters and move in with Professor Wood. I was told that they are engaged."
"They were engaged on Christmas," replied Giles with a smile. "She spends most nights with him anyway. Xander and Anya also share quarters. I must admit that I am surprised that Dumbledore allows it."
"Dumbledore appreciates young love, and as they are adults, he probably feels that it is their choice."
"So, are you going to stay?" asked Giles.
"I need to speak with my son first. I do not want to make him uncomfortable, but I do not think he will mind."
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Charlie and Buffy had a late lunch in the Scooby common room, before he had to return to Romania.
"I wish that your visit could have been under better circumstances," said Buffy.
"I'm not complaining," he replied. "I'm just happy that I got to see you again. I'm sorry that I couldn't help with the rescue."
"You were protecting your brother. I would have done the same if it had been Dawn."
"Buffy, I was thinking. Valentine's Day is in two weeks, and I was wondering if you might want to come to Romania for the weekend. I could show you the dragons." Buffy looked slightly surprised. Charlie was worried that he had been too forward. "I'll understand if you have things that you need to do here, and I'm not expecting anything to happen between us. I have a very nice guest room that you are welcome to stay in."
Buffy put a finger to Charlie's lips to silence him. "I would love to visit you in Romania. As for the guest room, let's just wait and see what happens."
Charlie looked happy and relieved. They agreed that Buffy would floo to Charlie's cottage in Romania after her classes that Friday and would return to Hogwarts on Sunday.
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By the middle of the week, everyone had settled back into his or her routine.
Narcissa had decided that she would remain at Hogwarts. Draco was happy that his mother would be safe. Giles, who had been released by Madame Pomfrey after two days in the hospital wing, was thrilled to have another 'adult' to talk with in the evenings. He and Narcissa both enjoyed reliving old times and sharing stories of where their lives had taken them since their own days as students at Hogwarts. Much to Giles' annoyance, Buffy continuously made comments about Narcissa like liking him.
Buffy found herself writing nightly letters to Charlie. Willow was doing the same with Tonks. Buffy and Willow could not help giggling together each morning, when the owl post would deliver letters to them. Buffy told Willow about Charlie's invitation to stay with him for Valentine's Day. Willow was happy for her best friend and for herself. She and Tonks also had plans for Valentine's Day. They would be attending a show in London and then going out for a nice dinner.
The teens were beginning to get into the Valentine's Day spirit as well. This was the first time that they were all in relationships. The girls were especially excited to learn that there would be a muggle-theme ball held at Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore had decided that activities in the school would be safer than having a Hogsmeade weekend. Lavender and Parvati had convinced Dumbledore to do a muggle theme. They had apparently not forgotten about the benefits of muggle apparel, specifically the push-up bra.
Ron and Draco began serving their detentions with Buffy. Dawn, Shannon, Andrew, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny joined them. The teens would spend some time on their homework and then play games or watch a movie. It was the easiest detention that the boys had ever served, and they found themselves looking forward to the quiet time they could spend with their friends. There was still much tension between Draco and the trio, but it seemed to be abating slowly.
Ron could not afford a gift for Hermione for Valentine's Day; so, during one of their detentions, when she was busy in the library, Ron bit back his pride and asked Dawn and Draco to teach him to dance. Ron knew that it would thrill Hermione to be twirled around the dance floor. He had noticed her expression, when watching Dawn and Draco at the Yule Ball. With much prodding from Dawn, Draco bit back his usual snotty comments and agreed to help Ron.
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The weekend of the fourteenth of February arrived. Everyone was quite excited. Buffy left on Friday to see Charlie. Willow also left to spend the weekend in London with Tonks. Xander and Anya had made plans to go away for the weekend with Fred, Angelina, George, and Oliver. Angelina's parents owned a small villa in the south of France. Faith, Robin, Wesley, Cat, Giles, and Narcissa agreed to chaperone the ball.
The day of the ball Narcissa pulled Cat aside. "I realize that we don't know each other very well, but I have a rather big favor to ask you," said Narcissa.
"I don't know what I can do for you, but ask away," Cat replied.
"The theme tonight is muggle, and we are about the same size."
"I have the perfect dress for you to wear," replied Cat cheerfully.
"I only have robes," added Narcissa by way of explanation.
Cat led Narcissa to her quarters. She immediately went to the wardrobe and pulled out a little black dress. "Every muggle woman has at least one of these," Cat explained. "You can dress it up or down depending on which accessories you choose."
Narcissa thanked Cat profusely and took the dress back to her quarters to try on.
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Draco entered the Gryffindor common room after being let in by a second year student. He was proudly wearing the silk shirt that Dawn had given him for Christmas with a pair of black slacks. Draco found Harry, Ron, and Andrew playing a game of exploding Snaps.
"The girls aren't ready yet?" Draco asked.
"Girls always take a long time to get ready," replied Andrew. Harry and Ron nodded in agreement.
"Want us to deal you in?" asked Ron.
"Sure," said Draco. He would rather do almost anything else, but standing awkwardly in the Gryffindor common room seemed like a worse alternative.
The boys played several hands, before their dates finally descended the stairs from the girls' dormitory. The card game was forgotten, as each boy starred at his date.
"Wow, muggle clothing definitely looks better than wizarding robes," commented Draco. He never thought that muggle s could do something better than wizards, but seeing Dawn in a form-fitting emerald green silk dress changed his mind. Dawn was happy to see that Draco was wearing the shirt she had given him that matched her dress perfectly.
"Muggle clothes sure show a lot more skin," added Ron. He was soaking in the short length and relatively low neckline of Hermione's red dress. Ron was not sure that he wanted anyone else to see that much of Hermione, though he greatly appreciated seeing it himself.
Andrew walked over to Ginny. "You look pretty, Gin," he said, as she spun around to show off her white dress.
Shannon was the last to descend the stairs, and Harry's full attention was on her. She was wearing a classic little black dress. "Shall we go," she said.
The four couples walked down to the Great Hall together. The small tables were set to accommodate four people each. Shannon, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat together. Ginny and Andrew had begun talking with Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom. They decided to also sit together. Draco and Dawn found a table to themselves. They were used to being outcasts among other members of their houses, because of their dating.
"Would you mind terribly if we sat with you?" a woman's voice asked.
Dawn and Draco looked up to see Narcissa standing with Giles. "It would be nice to have dinner with you," Dawn replied.
"We don't want to intrude," said Giles.
"No, please, sit down. I had hoped that we would eventually have the opportunity to talk," replied Dawn.
Draco had initially worried about sitting with his mother and Giles, but dinner turned out to be pleasant. His mother seemed to get along well with Dawn, and both teens enjoyed hearing about some of the pranks that Giles and Ethan had pulled during their days at Hogwarts.
When the dancing began, Giles and Narcissa excused themselves to talk with some of the faculty members. Draco leaned toward Dawn and gave her a quick kiss. "I thought about what to get for you for Valentine's Day," he said," but after a lot of thought I decided that it would be better to do something for you than to just buy something."
"What should I be expecting?" asked Dawn, concern evident in her voice.
"You'll see," he replied. "For now, let's dance." Draco led her to the dance floor.
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During dinner Shannon, Harry, and Ron had gotten into a very long discussion about quidditch plays. Hermione was trying to follow the conversation, but she simply could care less about quidditch. Ron had noticed her boredom, and when the dancing began he realized that it was his chance to make it up to her.
Ron stood and extended his hand to her. "Mione, would you dance with me?" he asked. Hermione smiled happily. She knew that Ron hated dancing.
Ron lead her onto the dance floor and put his hand on her waist, never releasing the hand he still held in his. Ron began moving Hermione to the music. He was nervous and a bit awkward at first, but in no time he had found his rhythm.
"You can dance?" Hermione asked, surprise evident in her voice.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Mione," Ron said. "I suffered through learning to dance with Malfoy for you."
"Draco taught you to dance?" If possible, Hermione sounded even more surprised.
"Well, Draco and Dawn," Ron replied.
"Thank you."
"I love you, Mione. I would do anything for you, even suffer through dance lessons with Malfoy."
Hermione smiled broadly. This was her best Valentine's Day ever. Ron said he loved her, and they were dancing rather well together. "I love you too, Ron." Hermione stood on her tiptoes and kissed him softly
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Luna and Andrew had gotten into a discussion about Crumple-Horned Snorkacks during dinner. When the dancing began, they were still talking animatedly. Neville asked Ginny if she would like to dance. Though she worried about her feet suffering from Neville's lack of dancing ability, Ginny agreed. She needed an excuse to escape the Snorkack conversation.
Ginny was surprised that Neville had actually improved. He only stepped on her foot once. "Gran made me take lessons," he explained. Neville seemed to constantly surprise Ginny. He had shown a great deal of bravery in the Department of Mysteries the previous year, and now he was dancing passably well.
Andrew and Luna eventually finished their conversation and joined their dates on the dance floor during one of the faster songs. Everyone around them backed away from the flailing arms and legs.
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Draco excused himself from Dawn for a few minutes. She wandered over to the refreshment table to get a drink. Shannon and Harry were there as well, avoiding dancing as much as possibly for Harry's benefit. Ron and Hermione had not left the dance floor once.
"You have to dance with me during some of the fast songs," Shannon was saying to Dawn, but Dawn had stopped listening to her best friend, when she heard a very familiar voice coming from the speakers around her.
"This song is for a very special girl. British or American, Pureblood or Muggle-born, Slytherin or Gryffindor, all that matters is that it is you." He then began to sing.
Don't ask me, what you know is true.
Don't have to tell you. I love your precious heart.
Dawn turned to see Draco standing on the platform with the band and singing directly to her. She had never realized what a beautiful voice he had.
I, I was standing. You were there.
Two worlds colliding, and they could never tear us apart.
She had to giggle at the way he moved his hips to the beat of the music. "I think someone is in love," commented Shannon.
I told you that we could fly.
Cause we all have wings, but some of us don't know why.
Some of the boys were laughing, but every girl looked enviously at Dawn, especially Pansy Parkinson, who finally stormed out of the Great Hall.
I, I was standing. You were there.
Two worlds colliding, and they could never, ever tear us apart.
When the song ended, Draco bound off the stage and directly into Dawn's arms. He kissed her deeply, and then led her back onto the dance floor.
Narcissa was laughing and shaking her head. She had a far away look in her eyes.
"What are you thinking?" asked Giles.
"I'm thinking about a certain Gryffindor, who did the same thing during his seventh year," she replied.
"Ah," said Giles, "but I also had a guitar."
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On Sunday night, Buffy, Willow, Xander, and Anya returned to Hogwarts. They sat in the common room discussing their weekends.
"We had a great time," Willow said. "Tonks has never been to a muggle musical, even though her dad is muggle-born. She thought it was the coolest thing."
"So, Buffy, how was the romantic weekend?" asked Xander.
"It was great. He cooked me dinner both nights, and yesterday afternoon he took me to see the dragons that he works with. They are huge."
"So did you sleep in the guest room?" asked Willow.
"Actually, I did," replied Buffy. "We're taking it slow, and Charlie seems ok with that."
"That's because Spike and Angel threatened him," Anya informed Buffy.
"What?" Buffy, Willow, and Xander practically shouted.
"Before you went to rescue Dawn and Harry, they had a 'talk' with him – something about not hurting you," Anya explained, happy that she knew something that the others did not.
"I'm going to hurt both of them. They need to stay out of my relationships. This jealousy thing they do is annoying," Buffy practically shouted.
"Well, it didn't seem to scare off your dragon man, so don't worry about it," said Anya.
"Um, so, Xander, Anya, how was your weekend?" Willow asked, hoping to change the topic.
"It was great," said Anya. "We had lots of sex."
Xander rolled his eyes. "We also had a really good time with Fred, Angelina, George, and Oliver. Fred and George showed us some of their newer products for the joke shop."
"True," agreed Anya, "but we also got to have lots of sex."