Author's Notes: This is the sixth chapter in my new HP/BtVS crossover. The series is called 'Over The Rainbow' and the chapter is entitled 'Family Reunion'. The rating for this chapter is PG. As far as 'spoilers' go, this story takes place after Goblet of Fire and after Season 5 of BtVS. In my world they correspond at the same time. So, Buffy is dead, Tara is alive and with Willow, Spike is NOT souled. Giles is still around.

If you're interested in receiving a copy of this story with a header for posting on a website, email me at jesca10@attbi.com.

Some notes on the fic:

The Latin word 'agitatio' means to move. The Latin word 'praesulto' means to leap or dance before. I use these words together for a spell in the story, but I like to provide translations when I can.

Dedications:

This story is dedicated to my sister Nancy, who keeps me going, and to Elizabeth Lee, who gave me such lovely feedback. Also, I'd like to mention Akalea, Amy, Mary, Faith5321, Slyslayer13, Whitney and the others at ff.net for their wonderful remarks. Thanks all! You've made my transition onto Fanfiction.net a great one!

On with the story.

*~*~*

Dawn,

I was quite pleased to hear from you. Sunnydale isn't the same without you. We are all very pleased to hear that your studies are going well. The others send you their love.

We did, in fact, get an invitation to Hogwarts. I will be going, of course, and bringing with me two of the group. I will not tell you who as of now, for they wish to keep it a surprise. I wish I could bring them all, as you wish, but I also do not want to leave Sunnydale defenseless.

I have actually been to a few Quidditch matches before. I am very proud that you were able to get onto the team your first year there. The Keeper is a very important person in the game. I wish you well in your new post. I look forward to seeing you in action.

I do know Severus Snape. Albus Dumbledore told me that he would be working there. I am not sure that I agree with his decision, but I respect him and his decision. I will tell you about Professor Snape when I arrive. If he is giving you any trouble at all, you should let Professor Dumbledore know immediately, and in the absence of that, let me know and I shall deal with it immediately.

Keep up with your studies. I can't wait to see you.

Love,

Giles

Dawn smiled as she rolled up the scroll. She had gotten the letter the day after she sent hers to Sunnydale. It was amazing, but Sunnydale was starting to feel like a bit of a dream. All that seemed real to here was here at Hogwarts. But she had read and reread the letter many time since receiving it. Each time it gave her a small longing for her friends and it made her more excited to see them.

Tomorrow was the day that family members would start to arrive and everyone in Hogwarts was filled with an excited anticipation. Especially Harry. Harry hadn't received anything about whether the Dursleys would be coming and he was very afraid that they would. Dawn had caught him trying to write to the Dursleys to ask if they received a letter from Hogwarts, but then he admitted to Dawn that he was afraid that if they hadn't that his letter'd alert them. In the end he just decided to wait and see what happened.

Being Sunday, Dawn and the Gryffindor Quidditch team went to practice. The air was crisp and cold, but the sky was clear and bright. Visibility was good, although the chill of the air made people stiff. Flying at fast speeds made their faces feel as if it were going to crack into a million pieces. Eyes were watering, causing a little trouble with sight. Despite the cold, Dawn enjoyed being on her broomstick. She wanted to practice flying in general. Sometimes she would fly from one side of the field to the other practicing quick stops in front of the goals and her maneuvers on the broom. But today she wasn't able to just practice her flying.

Angelina was all business today as she ran practice. She put the team through drill after drill until Fred and George started to make remarks about her acting like Oliver. Dawn hadn't met this Oliver, but she had heard about him before. She knew they were just referring to Angelina's determination to make sure this team did its best against Ravenclaw. Dawn was with Fred and George about not wanting the training to be so strenuous, but she didn't complain because she wanted to win in front of her family. She smiled at that thought and put her full attention back into practice.

After practice she was hot and a little sweaty under he uniform. She walked into the common room and was going to head to the shower when she thought she heard someone crying. Frowning, Dawn looked around the common room, but she didn't see anyone at first. She headed over to the stairs that lead to the bedrooms and went up. She headed in the direction of the boys' bedroom. The door stood open. She could only hear the sniffles of the crying person, but she couldn't hear anyone else. She didn't want to look into the room for fear there would be a boy in some state of undress in there. Her cheeks pinkened and she almost turned to leave but the sound of the crying tugged at her heart. She smiled as she got an idea. She went to her room and scooped up Angel, who was lying in his usual spot on her pillow, and put him on her lap. He purred contentedly and settled himself onto her. She quickly scrawled on a torn piece of parchment, I'm here if you need to talk. Dawn and attached it to Angel's collar.

"Angel, this is very important, ok?" The cat looked at her and she smiled. "Good. I need you to take this letter to the boy who's crying. Can you do that?" She smiled and picked Angel up bringing him to the front of the boy's room. "Go on," she whispered and put Angel down.

Angel looked at her and she nodded. She didn't think that Angel could understand her as much as she figured that Angel would want to explore this room. Meanwhile, she figured the boy would see the cat with a note on it and investigate. She smiled as Angel went inside the room and she waited. It seemed like she had waited for a long time and she worried that her plan wouldn't work. She was about to try knocking on the door when Neville appeared in front of her. His face was tearstained and he held Angel who was purring.

"Are you ok?" Dawn asked just before wishing she hadn't. Of course he wasn't ok if he was crying.

"Were you serious?" Neville asked timidly.

"No. I mean yes. But it was dumb. I shouldn't have asked if you were ok. Obviously you aren't. You're crying," Dawn finished lamely.

Neville looked confused for a moment. "I meant were you serious about talking to me."

"Oh!" Dawn smiled. "Yes. I was.am.serious. I want to help."

Neville smiled, blushing a little. He nodded and Dawn smiled brighter. She led him down the stairs and to a place in front of the fire. She shed some of her gear after sitting down in front of the warm fire. Neville sat in front of her, still holding Angel, who was content to stay with Neville. He watched Dawn get comfortable and pet Angel in silence.

"So what's the what?" Dawn asked.

"What?" Neville said, confused again.

"I meant, what's wrong?" Her face went serious and she waited for him to begin.

"My grandmum is coming tomorrow," Neville said softly, his face turned towards the fire, his fingers intertwining in Angel's hair. Angel just held still and purred in response, his eyes half-closed in a sleepy way.

"Do you not get along with your grandma?" Dawn asked, confused. She knew his grandmother had raised Neville, but she didn't know much more. She had never really bothered to get to know Neville very well. He was quiet and just didn't seem to be prone to sharing.

"No, I do. I love her a lot. She takes good care of me," he said, his voice seeming to be far away. She was confused as to why such a good grandma coming tomorrow should be such a downer. She didn't know how to ask, so she didn't. She just waited.

"You know how many mums and dads will be here tomorrow?" he asked. She got the idea he wasn't really looking for the answer, though. "But not mine."

Dawn looked down, remembering that her own mother and father would not be coming. And although she missed her mother, she wasn't sorry about her father not coming. She figured that Neville's parents were probably dead. Why else would his grandmother raise him?

"You know," she said softly, putting a hand on his arm, "my mom is dead, too."

He flinched when she touched him and she quickly moved her hand away.

"My parents aren't dead," he said with a great deal of feeling. A sob seemed to be boiling inside him. He took a moment and she could see his throat working to swallow back the lump she was sure that was there. After a moment he just started unseeing into the cackling flames of the fire. "They're in a hospital. An institution. They're insane." Dawn put her hand to her mouth to cover a gasp. She had had no idea. "I visit them sometimes," he continued, still absently petting Angel who seemed to also be listening. "Sometimes." he stopped. She could see his eyes watering but the tears weren't quite spilling yet. "Sometimes they think I'm just some boy who comes to visit them. I have to introduce myself nearly every time I see them." He paused and she didn't dare breathe audibly. "They tell me that they have a son named Neville. I used to tell them that I was their son. But they remember me as a baby. They get confused and try to recall what has happened to them in the time since I was born until now. They try to piece together why they don't remember their son growing up and then they remember the torture." She could see a single tear stream down the side of his face that was facing her. He still kept his face to the fire, almost unblinking. He wiped the tear and started talking with much less feeling.

"When You-Know-Who was still very powerful, he had followers called Death Eaters. There were people called Aurors who would find these Death Eaters and bring them to trial. My parents were Aurors. They were some of the best." His voice held pride but his eyes started to water again. "When You-Know-Who was defeated by Harry the first time, Death Eaters went searching for their master. They put a curse on my parents to cause them intense pain. They were trying to find out where You-Know-Who was. They didn't stop until my parents were insane." Dawn didn't know what to say. She would never have guessed that so much sadness was contained within Neville. She didn't move, or say anything. She wanted him to continue. She hoped that he would get all of this out of him and that it would stop hurting him. When she didn't speak, he continued.

"I stopped telling them that I'm their son. I just can't handle putting them through that. So I pretend to be just some boy. Just some boy," he repeated softly. He seemed to have aged in just the time that they sat there talking. Dawn wondered if it was just that her perception of him was changing. "Sometimes when I come, they interrogate me, like I'm a Death Eater. It used to make me cry. But Gran usually tries to get me away from them when they are acting like that. Sometimes I can convince her to let me stay, though. I don't see them very often, so when I can I like to stay, no matter what they are acting like. Sometimes, though, they don't even acknowledge the outside world." His eyes closed. "That's the hardest. I don't even know if they see me. And I keep wondering if maybe they think I've left them or that I don't love them," his voice broke and he couldn't continue. Both hands rose to his face as he sobbed. Dawn wiped a few tears that she had unknowingly shed. She crawled over beside Neville and put an arm around him. Angel scurried off of his lap as Neville leaned into Dawn, letting her comfort him.

He was so busy crying that he didn't hear Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they entered. But they had heard straight away that someone was crying and when they rounded the corner on Dawn and Neville they all stood stock still, not sure what to do. Dawn looked up at them, silently crying with Neville and she motioned her head for them to disappear. Harry nodded and silently herded the group upstairs.

"Tomorrow my parents won't be there either," she said softly. He quieted a little as he listened. "My mom is dead. It hasn't even been a year since she died. And my sister, who took care of me after my mom died, just died too. Like in the space of a few months I lost all the family around me." She wiped her tears away, anger now seeping into her voice. "My father is gone. I don't know where he is right now. He lives in another town with his secretary. He doesn't care about me. He doesn't even call." She calmed herself, remembering that she was there for Neville now. "So tomorrow your grandma's going to be here. The people who are coming to see me are like my family, but they're not blood. But it's ok, you know? Because I know that at least I have someone who loves me. I'm sure your grandma loves you, too. And I guess she doesn't replace your mom and dad, but she doesn't have to. Maybe she's just good on her own, you know? Just like my friends aren't my mom or my sister, but they're good on their own." She paused for a moment. "I think you're a pretty extraordinary person," she said simply.

Neville straightened up and looked at her. "You do?"

"Yeah. I mean, do you realize how many people take their parents for granted? There are lots of kids our age who just wish their parents would leave them alone. I think it's cool that you visit your parents and that they can still kind of be there for you. And you never know, one day it might get better. They might get better." He looked unconvinced. "Plus, I think you're pretty strong."

Neville looked at her in shock. She just smiled and continued. "I think you're one of the strongest people I know, actually. I mean all this time you had something like this inside you and you never gave up or broke down or said 'life's too hard I think I'll chuck it all.' How many people have you told about this?"

Neville shrugged a little and looked down. "Just you."

She put her hand over his, and this time he didn't flinch. "Thank you, Neville."

He just smiled at her, looking cheered. "I should be thanking you.and Angel," he said with a smile. Angel, who was nearby, just meowed, and Neville and Dawn laughed.

*~*~*

After lunch the group had plans to meet in the vacated girls' bathroom where Moaning Myrtle wept. They went in groups of two so that they didn't look too suspicious. When they were together they asked her what was going on with Neville.

"Oh, he was upset," she said evasively.

"Well we gathered that," Ron said sarcastically.

Dawn smiled faintly. "I can't tell you. It's not my story to tell. I came back after practice and I heard someone crying. So I founding him and we talked and he's better now." Dawn shrugged. Harry was giving her an intense look and she turned away. She didn't know that Harry knew what they spoke of or she might have talked with him about it.

"Anyway, we should get to work on this spell for Snape," she said with a big grin.

"I don't know, I still say this is a bad idea," Hermione said as she got her books out of her book bag.

Dawn just nodded and smiled. Hermione had told her this was a bad idea while Dawn was hatching it. Hermione told her it was a bad idea while she helped Dawn research it. And Ron had told Dawn how Hermione complained this was a bad idea all while gathering the little hop toads that were necessary for the spell.

"Ron?" Dawn asked. Ron grinned wickedly. He, unlike Hermione, had no qualms about this particular spell. He was rather looking forward to the whole thing. He could feel himself smiling widely as he took out a box full of hop toads.

"Do we have to.kill them?" Harry asked, bringing out the cauldron he had.

"Kind of," Dawn said weekly. "They go in the mixture.alive."

"But they come out quite dead," Hermione said, not looking like she was loving the idea.

"Look, you guys don't have to help me with this, if you'd rather not." She didn't relish the idea of being left alone with Myrtle, who was crying above her stall ignoring them, but she didn't want to force her friends to help.

"I'm staying," Ron said enthusiastically.

"I'm in," Harry said with a sly smile.

"Well, I still think it's a bad idea." She looked at Dawn. "But I'm in," she grinned. Dawn returned the smile.

"Ok, let's get to work." A spell was cast so that one of the toilets had a suspended fire within it and the cauldron was placed on that toilet. In the cauldron Hermione mixed a blend of herbs that were swiped from Herbology, and brought them to a boil. Dawn then added some potions she had put together a few days ago. They had to go in the cauldron at a certain time in a small, complicated series of amounts. Once they were in, Hermione stirred up the concoction. Hop toads were then added straight in the bubbling mixture, giving it a muddy brown color. The toads disappeared into the mixture and it became very thick.

"It looks like the recipe for mud," Harry joked when he took over the mixing from Hermione.

Dawn smiled. "Get back, everyone." They all complied, letting her into the stall. "Agitatio Praesulto!" she said sharply. The mud mixture bubbled up quickly and then started to slowly simmer into stillness. Once it was still Dawn breathed out. She had read a lot about this spell and she knew that when done wrong, it would blow up. When it had bubbled quickly she worried that it would do just that. But now, sitting in stillness, she smiled in relief.

"Did you bring a container?" she asked Harry. He nodded and took out a cup and filled it with the mixture.

"Tomorrow Snape will get his," Dawn said with an evil smile.

*~*~*

Dawn carried the container of her muddy potion in her backpack. After supper, she was supposed to put it into position. She smiled as she thought about tomorrow's Dark Arts class.

The group walked into supper early. None of the teachers were yet at their table, but a few of the students were there. Sometimes the students liked to hang out in the Great Hall. Tonight, most of the students in the Great Hall were huddled over by the end of the Slytherin table. Dawn frowned as she saw Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws there as well as Slytherins and Gryffindors. It looked like maybe there was a fight going on, but there was no sign of violence. Harry hurried to see what was going on and Dawn followed him. She tried to get through the crowd and although she couldn't see the center of the circle yet, she could hear the ringleader.

"Must be hard knowing that everyone's going to know you're a loser when your parents don't show up to visit you this week," she heard Malfoy say nastily. He seemed to Dawn to be agitated beyond normal. Slytherins around him snickered at his comment.

Dawn heard Ron's voice cry out, "Lay off, Malfoy. He hasn't got parents and you know it." A student moved after he felt Dawn pushing through and she could see Malfoy in the middle of the circle with a shamed looking Neville standing there trembling. Anger surged through Dawn like she had never felt before. She saw Malfoy's face break into an evil grin.

"Hasn't he?" Malfoy asked. Dawn's eyes widened in horror. She started to struggle to get forward when she saw Harry approach.

"That's enough, Malfoy."

"Last time I looked, you were lacking in the parental department as well." Crabbe and Goyle snickered. "Oh, poor poor Harry Potter. He doesn't have any parents. Please. Does it keep you up at night to know that if you're parents were just a bit smarter, like mine, they'd still be alive? But I guess you probably are better off without them, eh Potter? At least your parents aren't lying in a loony bin quivering at their own shadows." Malfoy and the Slytherin's within ear shot all started laughing.

Harry's color was a dangerous red and Dawn felt this had gone on long enough. She pushed through the crowd and emerged in the center of the circle. She looked like she was going to hit Malfoy. Some of the Slytherins laughed and egged on her anger, trying to get her to take a swing, but she didn't really register them. She was seeing red and her target was set for Draco Malfoy only. He looked surprised and almost nervous to see her, but she didn't care to wait to find out why.

"Is that what this is about Malfoy?" She stepped up into his line of sight, effectively taking his mind from his other two targets. "Are you feeling just a bit envious?"

"Envious?" His face was contorted with indignation. "At least I've got a father."

"Yes. You've got a father. Big deal. From what I hear, he's no prize. I think you're a little bit envious that Neville and Harry will be enjoying themselves this next week while you'll be struggling to please your father. What's the matter? Never quite make the grade, Malfoy?"

There was a hushed silence in the Great Hall for a moment. Draco's eyes were wide and his face was a pale white, splotched with pink and red. He looked like he wasn't sure whether to be angry or embarrassed. He looked like he'd run if it weren't for this crowd. Dawn felt like turning and getting Neville out of here was a good idea, but when she heard his sniffles and remembered earlier today when he confided in her, she knew she couldn't spare Malfoy. It was the least she could do for him not sparing Neville.

"Thought so. You bring down boys like Neville and Harry because deep down you want to make yourself feel better about having a father. Even if yours is a prick, at least he's there, right?" Malfoy's eyes were widening and narrowing in anger and disbelief and his lips were pushed together as if he had never been so unmasked before. "Well, believe me when I tell you this: you can have a father without really having a father." Dawn turned and put her arm around Neville and led him away, not seeing the way Draco's eyes followed her murderously.

"What is it with you getting smacked down by girls, Malfoy?" Ron said, gloating. He took a deep happy breath at the look on Malfoy's face and turned to follow Dawn. Harry and Hermione also followed Dawn to the Gryffindor table. Although most of the students were whispering about the incident, they all dispersed to their seats. Dinner was a quiet, somber affair.

*~*~*

Dawn immerged from a girl's bathroom, the remnants of the muddy potion rinsed from her container, but her mind was on dinner. Half way through dinner she had finally let go of her rage, but she still simmered with feeling. She had been feeling so taken with Malfoy lately. How could she have forgotten how nasty he could be?

She made her way up the stairs, heading for the Gryffindor common room. She was just musing on how quiet the hallway was when she heard something behind her. Turning quickly, her hair fanning out around her, she whirled to see Draco Malfoy, perched against a wall, watching her. He was alone. Dawn's arms folded in front of her and she waited. She felt the anger in her start to swell, but she waited still. He looked like he had something to say.

"At least my father still lives with me. At least he buys me stuff."

Dawn almost laughed. "At least he still buys you stuff? You think that's the measure of love, whether he buys you stuff?" She shook her head, but then stopped with a slight frown. "No. You know it isn't and that's what bothers you."

Malfoy pushed off the wall and looked around to assure himself they were still alone. "I don't have a clue what you mean."

"Yeah I bet. It's so very obvious, Draco. You can lie to me, but you can't lie to yourself. That's why you came alone tonight, isn't it?" She looked slightly smug. "Because I hit a nerve and I was right."

"You're a loon."

"Am I? Well, let me run this past you and you tell me how much of a loon I am afterwards. Your father buys you stuff. He's spent his whole life comparing himself to those around him, but now he is measured not only by himself, but by you as well. Not only does he have to be the best, but you have to be the best as well. Daddy doesn't take well to second place, does he?" She didn't wait for him to answer but took his paling face as an affirmative. "So he makes sure you're outfitted with whatever his money can buy you. But he doesn't do that for you, and you know it. You've already figured it out. It's for him. He relives all his glory days through you, right? But instead of succeeding you fail. You fail and piss him off. So when he buys you all the things you've come to expect you know it's not because he loves you, but because he's trying to make up for what you lack. How far am I?"

Draco swallowed. He opened his mouth but then closed it again. He didn't seem sure what to do, or say. He looked down to the ground. For the first time Dawn thought she saw shame from Draco. Shame for his father or shame for his own actions, she wasn't sure. Suddenly she wasn't angry anymore.

"It's not your fault," Dawn said softly. "It's not your fault that he wants you to be Harry." Draco's eyes shot sharply to hers. "Isn't that what he expects? For you to do all the things that Harry can do? Isn't that who your prime competition is with? If only you could ride like Harry, if only you could catch the snitch like Harry."

"Shut up." Draco took a few steps closer, but she didn't stop. In fact she started to feel a little upset for Harry and Neville again.

"Isn't that what he says? Doesn't he ever tell you that with all you have and all he can give you, you should be able to run circles around that orphan who lives with Muggles and has nothing compared to what you have?"

"I said shut up, Dawn." He moved dangerously closer, but it only spurred Dawn on. She was faintly aware of the way he used her name, but she didn't stop to think on it.

"If you have a problem with your father, you should take it up with your father. But stop tormenting Harry or Neville because you find your home life unsatisfying."

"I SAID SHUT UP!" He grabbed her and flung her against the wall, quickly advancing on her as she stood, stunned, against the wall. He got very close to her and his eyes had a wild look to them. She didn't try to struggle; she just met his eyes as best she could.

"This is an example of how the truth hurts," she simply said. The moment it was out she could tell she burst a dam inside him. With a mixture of fury and hurt on his face that was making his whole body shake as it pressed nearer to hers, he quickly and forcefully pressed his lips onto hers.

Dawn was expecting him to hit her, but the kiss was completely unexpected. So the first moment she just stood there in stunned stillness while his lips were pressed against hers. His lips were hard and sharp and she longed to soften the blow of the kiss. Letting her instincts take over, Dawn slowly turned her head to the side and started to move her lips a little. She felt Draco's body shiver and move slowly closer to hers. One of his hands landed on her hip as his lips did indeed soften and start moving a bit on their own. She felt her own body start to lose all function as his tongue slightly grazed her lips. She moaned breathily as she parted her lips, allowing him entrance.

With a gasp, Malfoy pulled away. His eyes were wide and his lips were blushed from the kiss. His tongue darted out to trace his lips while his eyes seemed to want to beg for the scene to have not happened. Dawn just stood there motionless. At first she was a bit dazed, but as she started to realize his dilemma, she remained glued to the wall.

"This didn't happen, Mudblood. It didn't happen." Malfoy stumbled off down the hall, and rounded the corner, almost running. She stepped away from the wall and watched him until he disappeared.

"Oh but it did," she whispered to herself as she touched her fingers to her lips.

*~*~*

Dawn told no one about running into Draco after dinner. She didn't know what to make of it. But with the excitement of the coming day, the prank she was playing on Snape, and the thoughts that haunted her about Draco's kiss, she was unable to sleep that night. She lay awake in bed, tossing and turning. Every time she seemed to get comfortable, she would feel his lips softening against hers or his hand resting on her hip, massaging gently.

At breakfast she picked at her food. She wasn't really hungry; her stomach was tied into knots. She often felt like someone was watching her, but when she looked up no one was.

The parents were arriving at eleven o'clock and the only thing that seemed to be able to keep Dawn from pacing a hole in the ground was the prank. Classes were being re-arranged today and it just seemed to add to the apprehension of the day. Instead of taking Herbology like she did every other Monday morning, they were taking their afternoon block in the morning, which meant Defense Against the Dark Arts first thing. After the parents got in the rest of the day's classes were canceled.

She and her friends filed into the classroom right towards the end, like usual. They had been ready for class for a while, but they didn't want to appear suspicious by coming early. Snape looked up as they entered and stood up from where he was sitting which was on the front of the desk. He went around to his chair and sat down while the class took their seats.

"Undoubtedly you are all excited about the parents that will be arriving soon," Snape begun, his voice low. "So I've prepared a pop quiz for you to take." He smiled when half of the class groaned. He stood up and began to pass out quizzes. Ron and Harry looked at each other in horror.

"Try not to look so glum, Mr. Weasley. If you don't pass it, you can always stay with me for detention to discuss the wrong answers," he said nastily.

Ron snapped to attention and took the quiz that was handed to him. Dawn took her quiz and felt someone staring at her again. She looked over to Draco's seat in time to see him look away quickly. She watched him try to look like he wasn't watching her.

"Eyes on your own paper, Miss Summers," Snape's voice floated above her. She looked up at Snape and then put her eyes to her paper. After Snape passed by her she immediately started to watch him. She could see her friends doing the same. When he turned around the four of them snapped their eyes to their papers, wondering if he had seen them all do that. Dawn tried to concentrate on her quiz, or at least look like she was. She filled out the first two questions when a desk being kicked made her jump a little and look up, startled.

Snape was looking in confusion at the desk that happened to contain Neville. The desk was off center and Neville was looking at Snape with fear in his eyes. Snape opened his mouth to say something when he spontaneously jumped away from the desk. His eyes widened in alarm. Suddenly he was jumping all over the room. Giggles started sounding.

"Eyes on your papers!" Snape yelled as he tried to regain control. He grabbed a hold of his desk but nearly upset it as the force of his own jumping brought it up and over. A few more giggles escaped. Snape grabbed his wand to fix his problem but as soon as he swished he started to move as if doing some sort of strange dance and he missed his mark, hitting the floor instead of his feet. The sight of Snape dancing around the room, looking as if he had no control over what was going on made more than one person break out into laughter, Dawn included. Pretty soon the whole room was laughing as Snape struggled to try to gain control of him and his class. His mouth was open and words were coming out, but no one could hear him with the sound of laughter filling the room.

Finally, after Snape had charged a few desks, making students hop up and make their way to the back of the room, Snape fell over. Even while he was on the ground his feet still tried to move. With some difficulty he was able to remove his boots. There was a bit of a silence and then the whole class burst out into gales of laughter as the animated boots started dancing around without Snape.

Dawn looked at Snape's face, and nearly choked on her laughter. She knew Snape was going to be angry but he looked as if he could gleefully kill off every student in the room. A few other people noticed as well and laughter started to die away.

Snape took up his wand and there was a loud snap. The boots lay still on the floor and Snape's eyes roamed over the now silent room.

"Take. Your. Seats." He seemed like he was going to explode any moment and everyone hastily took their seats and started working on their quizzes. Snape quietly set about putting his boots on and setting the room to right. He seemed to be trying to calm himself and everyone in the room could feel his anger seeping off of him.

Dawn didn't care though. She had enjoyed seeing Snape finally get his. She shared a look with Ron. The look on his face mirrored the look he was wearing right after Dawn told Draco off before supper the night before. She smiled and looked back at her test, checking over her answers. She turned it over and sat up straight, her eyes meeting Snape's at once.

She quietly folded her hands on her desk and waited. She didn't avert her eyes because she didn't want to look guilty, but he kept staring at her. Finally he made his way over to her and snatched the sheet of paper out from under her hands. She looked up and his eyes narrowed as if trying to see through her. Dawn just let her eyes go big and innocent looking as she looked towards the front of the class. Her eyes feel to his desk. It was still crooked from when Snape knocked it to one side. A thick layer of a muddy looking paste could be seen peeking out from under it.

"Professor Snape?" she heard Draco say. She looked over to Draco, as most of the class did. Snape took a moment before looking over to him. "Professor Snape," he said respectfully," I think I found the reason for your.trouble," he finished awkwardly. He pointed at the muddy substance and Snape was on it immediately.

He stared into it for a moment almost as if he was trying to will it to tell him something. Dawn snuck a look at her friends and then to Draco, who was watching her.

"Longbottom, come here," he ordered.

"What?" Neville squeaked, rooted to his chair.

"I said, come here." Snape's voice was dangerously low. Neville quickly stood and walked over to Snape. "Now, step in this." Snape stood up to his full height and waited for Neville to comply. Slowly, Neville tentatively stuck one foot onto the muddy mixture and then back out. He went to stick his other foot in it when Snape held out a hand, making Neville freeze. For a moment there was nothing, but then suddenly Neville's leg started to jerk around. One leg started hopping around, throwing Neville quite off balance. He nearly knocked into Dean Thomas' desk before Snape cured his shoe of the spell. "Back to your seat." Neville did as he was told, quickly.

Snape looked out among the Gryffindors in the room. "Who is responsible for this?" Snape said, his eyes flashing. Dawn looked around just like the rest of them did, not wanting to look suspicious. No one came forward. "Empty your bags, all of you," he said angrily as students started to grab their school bags.

Books, parchment, quills and ink, exploding snaps cards, and other things were found, but no one had the ingredients or any container that would hold this mess on them. Snape seemed to be glowing he was so red by the time he got done with the last bag.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor," he croaked out. There were a few gasps in the room but no one dared to challenge him just now.

When it was time to leave, everyone scrambled to get out as if they were being chased by a herd of wild hippogriffs.

The four waited until they were well away from class before they started talking to themselves in hushed voices.

"Did you see his face?" Ron was smiling. "This has been the best two days ever. Well, wait. I guess they tie with the day that Moody turned Malfoy into a ferret and bounced him all around the school!" He dissolved into laughter over that and Dawn begged to hear the story. He retold it and before he was done they were all laughing.

"I think he's really upset," Hermione said, sobering up. "He may really try to find out who did this."

"Let him try," Dawn said. "I'm not worried." And she wasn't. She was feeling on top of the world at the moment.

"That could change," she heard a voice from behind her say. The four swiveled around to find Draco in front of them, alone. The look on his face was odd as he looked at Dawn.

"What could change?" she asked, trying to cover.

"I know you planted that spell for Snape, Mudblood." He didn't even seem to be registering the others, but when he called Dawn a Mudblood both Harry and Ron reached for their wands.

Draco's eyes were the only things to move as they glanced at both Ron and then Harry before settling back onto Dawn.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Dawn said. "Besides, even if I did, what proof do you have?"

"It explains why you were wondering the corridors alone last night," he said and her eyes widened. Hermione saw the look on Dawn's face. Harry glanced at Dawn and also saw an odd look on he face.

"How does he know you in the corridors?" Harry asked.

"Well I obviously wasn't alone, Malfoy. You could have easily been slipping the spell into the room last night. You were wandering around too." Harry glanced back and forth between Dawn and Malfoy.

Malfoy smiled a small smile. "So I was. Of course I guess neither of us were really alone, were we Dawn?" All eyes were now on Dawn. It wasn't like Malfoy to call anyone by their first names. It seemed kind of intimate and Dawn involuntarily blushed. She was so sure he'd keep this a secret. He was the one who had freaked out when they kissed. Otherwise she would have said something to her friends. Now it just looked like much more than it was.

"What's he mean, Dawn?"

Malfoy's eyebrows raised in mock surprise. "You haven't told your boyfriend about us yet?"

"There is no us," she bit out. She looked at Harry and Ron. Ron had a look of horror on her face and Harry was just staring at her intensely. Apparently she wasn't fooling them. "Really, there is no us," she repeated, looking at Harry.

"Yeah, if you say it over and over, Summers, you may convince yourself," Malfoy said and started walking towards her. Immediately Ron stepped in the way and Malfoy's face contorted into a malicious grin as he slammed his shoulder into Ron's passing by him and leaving. Ron watched him go, his eyes narrowed.

Dawn's face was flush with embarrassment. She didn't know what to say. She hadn't expected to be so unmasked.

"We better get to class," Hermione said quietly. She gently hooked an arm through Dawn's and steered her towards the class. Dawn let herself be lead. Part of her felt hollow. It was a while before she realized the boys weren't following.

"What happened?" Hermione asked quietly.

"It wasn't like he said," Dawn started, feeling helpless. "We were fighting because he was upset about what I said at supper. Then I started saying stuff that was getting under his skin and he kissed me! It was so out of the blue I didn't know what to do. Then he pulled away and said it didn't happen and left. I didn't think that he'd say anything so I didn't either." She looked down. "Harry hates me know."

"Don't be silly," Hermione said unconvincingly. "He's just in shock. We all are."

"Mione, please believe me, I didn't say anything because it wasn't a big deal. There is nothing going on between Malfoy and I." He looked into the eyes of one of her best friends, pleading.

"Mione?" she said, puzzled.

"Yeah," Dawn said, shrugging. "Short for Hermione."

Hermione smiled a little. "I believe you Dawn. And the guys will too. They're just surprised is all. Even after all that Malfoy said, when he came towards you Ron stepped in the way, didn't he?" Dawn nodded, thinking on that. "It'll all turn out."

Dawn took her seat at History and just before class started Ron and Harry finally stepped through the door. Harry looked at her but then avoided her eyes. He made his way to his seat and sat down, not looking at her once. Dawn looked over at Hermione, who gave her a sympathetic look. It was the longest Charms class Dawn had ever had.

After class she tried to get Harry's attention but he was ready and leaving the class before she knew it. Ron lingered a little, looking at Dawn oddly. He seemed to want to say something to her but then he just turned and walked away after Harry.

"Great," Dawn said aloud. "My friends are all coming and looking forward to meeting the Harry Potter who currently isn't speaking to me."

"I'll talk to him," Hermione said softly, putting an arm around Dawn as they walked out of the classroom.

Dawn walked across the courtyard and happened to see Malfoy watching her. She glared at him but his expression was blank. After a moment a tall version of Draco came up behind him, his white blonde hair flowing down his stiff neck. It could only be Lucius Malfoy and Dawn only found a reason to glower harder at them. She turned from him, not even wanting to look at him again.

The only good thing about seeing Lucius Malfoy was knowing that the parents were here! She grabbed Hermione's hand and they ran to the Great Hall. Hermione ran straight into the arms of two people that Dawn assumed were her parents. Dawn looked around for Giles but she didn't see him. She turned to walk out to check the hallways and ran smack into a familiar chest.

"Well now, that's not quite the greeting I was after," Spike said with a hint of amusement.

"Spike!" Dawn threw her arms around him and he stiffened a little before putting his arms around her.

"Nice to see you too, Lil Bit," he said affectionately.

"Now, see here," she heard Giles say. "Don't monopolize all of her affection."

Dawn grinned and threw herself into Giles' arms. Giles hugged her tightly for a moment and she hugged him back. She didn't want to let go. She just wanted to hold onto this moment for a moment.

"Not gonna forget me, are you Dawnie?" she heard Willow say.

"Willow!" she squealed and threw herself at the redhead. She heard an "umph" come from Willow and they stumbled a little bit before regaining their balance.

"Didn't miss us at all, did you, pet?" Spike joked and she grinned over to him. She looked at the three of them and could hardly believe they were standing in front of her. Giles looked exactly the same as usual. He was dressed in a tweed suit of tan and his tie was a dark brown. Spike looked exactly the same as well. He was still sporting the black tee shirt, black pants, and black duster look. His hair was slicked back and it reminded her of Draco's hair. She shoved the thought out of her mind as she looked at Willow. Willow had definitely changed. Her hair had grown a little and she was wearing it straighter. Her make up was a bit more showy than it used to be and her outfit revealed her curves very nicely. She was wearing a black skirt that fell to the middle of her thighs with black tights that disappeared under her skirt. Her purple button down top fit tight across her chest and accented her tiny waist. She looked good. Definitely not the meek Willow she was more accustomed to.

"You get your fill?" Spike asked and she realized she was staring.

"Sorry, but it's so good to see you guys," she said beaming.

Dawn looked around and spotted Hermione. She waved her over and Hermione came, bringing her parents.

"Dawn! This is my mum and dad, Mum, Dad, this is Dawn." Dawn shook hands with the two. They seemed a little bit out of their element here at Hogwarts and Dawn knew they were not magically inclined.

"Hermione Granger meet Willow Rosenberg, Rupert Giles, and Spike," she beamed as she pointed to each of her friends. Hermione smiled, shaking each hand, but when she got to Spike the blood rushed out of her face and she stammered a little. The blood that left her face returned quickly and her face flushed. She mumbled a hello to Spike and pulled her hand away, looking embarrassed. Dawn looked at her oddly.

"You ok?" she asked quietly. Hermione just nodded and she made an excuse to leave quickly after that, taking her parents with her. Dawn just shrugged.

"So?" Willow asked expectantly.

"So.what?" Dawn asked, confused.

"Where is he?" she said excitedly. Dawn knew at once who she was talking about. Her eyes feel downwards. Willow lost her smile and looked at Giles and Spike.

"He.he and I are kind of not talking," Dawn said quietly.

"Dawnie! Why?" Willow put a hand on her arm, comfortingly.

"This really awful boy made him think there was something between us when there so is not! Harry didn't believe me and now he won't talk to me."

"Who's the boy, love, I'll give 'em a good lesson." Spike popped all of his knuckles in one practiced motion and Dawn smiled weakly.

"Thanks, Spike, but if you go beating up the students you'll probably be asked to leave. Anyway, it's a big misunderstanding. It was one kiss and it wasn't like I wanted it."

"You kissed him?" Willow asked.

"So not the point," Dawn said quickly.

"What about Ron?" the redhead asked.

"I guess he's on Harry's side." Dawn looked miserable.

"Well have you tried talking to them?" Giles asked.

"I kinda thought they'd know me better than that by now. I mean, we've been friends for a little while now, and the only one who thought to ask me was Hermione." Dawn straightened her shoulders, starting to get a little upset.

"Word of advice, pet," Spike said. "Men don't ask. They assume. They get in trouble. You forgive them. End of story. It's the way it goes. Don't go messing with nature."

Dawn smiled a little. "Well, if they aren't even going to listen to my side of the story, then I'm not going to worry about them." She grinned at her family. "I'm so glad to see you three."

*~*~*

Lunchtime was a tense affair. Harry didn't have any family with him but Ron's mom, dad, and what was unmistakably an older brother had apparently adopted him. He didn't seem to be left out. But unfortunately they were seated on the other side of Hermione and her parents and Dawn tried to avoid them while Hermione tried to keep the peace.

Dawn involuntarily looked over at the Slytherin table just in time to see Draco point her out to his father. Dawn's chin came up and her eyes narrowed. Lucius looked at her with a bit of a smug smile when she met his eyes.

Spike watched Dawn's body language as she stiffened and her chin came up. He turned in his seat and his eyes connected with the steel gray eyes of Lucius Malfoy. Lucius' eyes shifted from Dawn to Spike and for a moment they seemed to be having a stare down. The moment passed and Lucius looked down at Draco, talking to him. Spike turned back around and looked at Dawn.

"Friend of yours?"

She heard a snort and she looked over to Harry who was looking at her accusingly. She frowned and shook her head. "No. No friend of mine." Harry looked away, obviously angry.

Dawn looked down at her plate, only now she was angry too.

"Don't let him get to you," Hermione whispered to her.

"Get to me?" Dawn said, her head shooting up. "No, I wouldn't want to make it harder on him. Maybe make him see what a jerk he's being and how he's hurting me. Why would I want to do that? Oh, maybe because he deserves it." She stood up. "Excuse me," she mumbled before storming out.

Hermione looked over at Willow, Giles, and Spike a moment before looking over at Ron and Harry. "Least you could do is ask her side of the story before you assume you know everything, Harry Potter." She stood up and excused herself as well as she went to find Dawn.

Dawn was leaned up against the wall, not far from the doors to the Great Hall. She wiped at her eyes, not wanting the tears to even fall.

"Dawn?" she heard Hermione's voice. She wiped at the tears one last time before turning a weak smile to her friend. Hermione knew she was crying but she didn't mention it.

"He's a stupid boy, Dawn. He'll get over his temper tantrum sooner or later."

"I guess."

"It's just that you're such a good friend, the idea of you and Draco Malfoy." she stopped. "Well you can see how that would be upsetting, can't you?"

"What about me, though? It's not like I'm dating Malfoy!" She lowered her voice. "He kissed me. It was nothing. Then he ran away. I don't see what there is to be so upset over. This isn't the first time Malfoy's made it seem like he and I were hot and heavy and it just isn't true. Harry believed me more the first day he met me than he does now and now I'm his friend and have been for a few months."

"You're right," she heard him say behind her. Dawn whirled on Harry and Ron. Harry watched her face as he spoke. "I should have asked you what happened instead of listening to that git." Harry glanced at Hermione a moment before turning his gaze back to Dawn. "Forgive me?"

Dawn looked at him for a moment. "Aren't you even going to ask what happened?" Dawn asked. "Or is it that you're willing to look the other way." She saw his eyes flicker and anger registered in her own eyes. "Well don't do me any favors Potter." She glared at him. "I can't believe you're going to believe that slimy Slytherin over your own friend."

"Well, why didn't you say something sooner?" he asked unsure.

"Because I didn't think it was such a big flipping deal," she said, her voice rising again. "It happened. I didn't want it to. It just did. I didn't think he was gonna say something about it and I just didn't want to tell anyone because I was so embarrassed." She paused, breathing heavily. Was it because she was embarrassed? Maybe she just didn't want *this* situation happening.

Harry and Ron wore similar expressions. They should have believed her. Harry hung his head. "I'm sorry, Dawn. Really."

"Yeah, Dawn, me too," Ron said, looking ashamed.

"How quaint," they heard. All their attention was turned to Lucius Malfoy who was watching them with a slight smile. Next to him was Draco. Draco's eyes flitted over Dawn a moment before landing on Harry. When his eyes reached Harry they hardened and his features became very much like his father's.

"I think we should go back," Harry said, not taking his eyes from Lucius.

"Perhaps you should run along, Harry," Lucius said, dismissing him completely. His eyes were on Dawn alone. Harry stood his ground and Dawn tried not to let the chill that was tickling her spine show. "You are quite the word around town, Miss Summers," he said, his smug look never leaving his face.

"Oh?" Dawn said, trying to look unafraid.

"Rumor has it that you're a Slayer's sister." Draco's eyes snapped to Dawn when his father said that. Suddenly a few of her outbursts in class made a little more sense.

"Well, you know what happens when you listen to rumors," Dawn said bravely.

"No, what happens?" Lucius seemed to be daring her.

Dawn swallowed to wet her dry throat. "People who listen to rumors seem to be unable to do anything but turn around and spread them, turning into the gossiping ninnies they heard the information from in the first place."

His eyebrows rose slowly. He seemed impressed.

"Touché."

"Is everything alright out here?" Giles said, coming around from behind Lucius and Draco. Lucius' eyes lit up when he saw Giles.

"Ripper," his voice was soft and nearly inaudible. "Well, well. I had heard you became respectable."

"Lucius. I had heard you were not." Giles didn't smile. He made it clear that he was not afraid of Lucius Malfoy. For once, the smug look left Lucius' face and in its place was a small glare.

"We'll see each other again."

"Looking forward to it," Giles said, standing his ground. Lucius put a hand to his son's back and led him away, giving one last glance to Dawn before going into the Great Hall.

"You can never be too careful around that man, remember that." Giles relaxed a little and turned to Dawn and her friends. "You must be Ron Weasley," he said, holding his hand out for Ron. Ron smiled and shook his hand, nodding. "And Harry Potter," Giles said in awe. He tried to keep it from his voice, but he couldn't help it when he thought of all this particular boy had been through. "I'm Rupert Giles, Dawn's guardian."

After pleasantries were exchanged, Giles led the children back into the Great Hall. Dawn avoided looking at the Slytherin table, but instead focused on her table. All of the adults seemed to be pleased when they saw the smiles on everyone's faces.

Dawn fidgeted through lunch. She wanted to get Giles alone to ask him how he knew Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape. She wondered if they were a connection to Voldemort. She started to feel really antsy. She noticed that Giles glanced at the teacher's tables more than a few times. She saw Snape glancing at Giles as well. She frowned.

Lunch was painfully slow but finally it was over and people started to scatter.

"Let's go outside for some fresh air," she said to Giles. He nodded. She, Giles, and Willow all stood up. Spike excused himself, saying he had stuff to do. Dawn smiled, figuring he was off to start some trouble. Hermione told her she'd catch up and Ron stayed behind with his family.

Once they were sure they weren't going to be overheard, Dawn turned to Giles.

"What do you know about Snape?"

Giles looked startled at her directness. "Well," he took his glasses off, cleaning them, "Severus and I knew each other when we were younger." Giles didn't look up at her as he said those words. He refitted his glasses on his face.

"You knew Snape?" Harry asked.

"Yes. We used to run around together before I went to college."

"Come on, Giles. You promised you'd tell me about him when you got here. You're here. Spill!"

He looked at Dawn and smiled a little. "Quite right. We were a bunch of troublemakers. Snape, Lucius, and I." Harry and Dawn both looked surprised at that little revelation. "All three of us were young and loved to dabble. Unfortunately I didn't learn my lesson and I ventured onto college and met Ethan. But before college, when I was on break from school, I met Lucius and Severus in a pub. The Leaky Cauldron. They were both graduates of Hogwarts and I had only heard of the school in my studies. They fascinated me, and they, in turn, were fascinated by me. I showed them some potions I had learned and they balked at my use of magic without a wand. They showed me some of their brand of magic. Severus was very interested in my potions and had been ever since. Lucius was less impressed after a while. Lucius was really the leader of the group. Severus and I were friendlier than Lucius and I. Lucius always seemed to have a barrier between him and the world. His heart was ice and he only seemed interested in new ways of causing trouble. Severus, on the other hand, was truly a good friend to me, back then."

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"Time. I went off to college. Severus and Lucius went their separate ways. I tried keeping in touch with Severus, but after a while he changed. See, when I knew him, he wasn't like he is now. He was cool," Giles smiled. "He was posh. There really isn't a better word."

Harry and Dawn exchanged looks that clearly said they couldn't picture Snape as posh. Willow giggled when she saw their disbelieving look.

"I had heard of Lucius and Severus becoming Death Eaters."

Dawn frowned. "What the heck is that?"

"A Death Eater is a follower of Voldemort," Harry said quietly. Giles looked at him in surprise. He wasn't surprised that Harry knew the information, but that Harry had spoken his name. Harry didn't seem to notice. He seemed to be haunted with his own demons and was deep in reflection.

"Right. Well, you can imagine how I felt. Severus and I had truly been good friends. Lucius tried to convert me into a Death Eater, but I wasn't interested. I had finally learned my lesson in meddling with magic and I was becoming more serious about my studies and my duties as a Watcher. Lucius and I had a.disagreement. In the end he left unsuccessful." The way he said that made Dawn think there was more to it, but she didn't ask.

"Earlier when we were talking to Lucius Malfoy, he dismissed me," Harry said. Giles looked at him thoughtfully. Harry smiled, "I'm just not used to Voldemort's followers doing that. Usually they are very interested in me." He looked at Dawn. "They're interested in her now, aren't they?"

Dawn looked to Giles, although she knew the answer already. She had known before she came to the school.

"Yes," was all Giles said. Harry took a deep breath and then nodded.

"He won't get her," he said with feeling. Dawn smiled at Harry and took his hand in hers. She almost dropped it after she had realized what she had just done, but she didn't. It had seemed so natural and Harry squeezed her hand reassuringly and she smiled at him.

"Thank you, Harry. She means a great deal to us all. I feel better knowing that you'll be watching out for her."

"I can watch out for myself, you know," she said to Giles. She wasn't mad, but she felt like she should point this out to him.

"Of course you can, Dawnie," Willow said. "But it's best to have as much help as possible." She smiled to Harry who smiled back.

"So why is it that Snape seems out to get me?" Dawn asked.

"Well, like I said, he's changed. I don't know the circumstances but I do know that Professor Dumbledore respects him a great deal. I suspect he's turned over a new leaf. I think he has been checking on me and I believe he knew about your connection to me well before I showed up here. It is possible he associates me with a time in his life in which he'd rather not revisit. Perhaps he treats you like he does because of your affiliation with me, and for that, I'm sorry."

"That's British for, 'He doesn't like you because of me,'" Willow chimed in. Dawn laughed lightly.

"Yes, well, I think you should be careful around him. I don't know how trustworthy he is."

"I am not usually someone who sticks up for Snape," Harry said, smiling wryly, "but if he were still a Death Eater, he wouldn't be here."

"Lucius is a Death Eater, and he's here," Willow pointed out.

"No, I believe he's right," Giles said. "Lucius is here, yes, but he's being watched. As is a few other Slytherin parents. I don't think Snape would be allowed to interact with the children like he can if he were still a Death Eater. Still, I am not totally satisfied that he is tame."

"Color me surprised," Dawn said sarcastically. Giles smiled to her.

"So.why does Voldemort want Dawn?"

Giles looked at him in awe again. "It's extraordinary how you so candidly say his name," he said. "I should think you most of all would fear him."

"I do fear him, Mr. Giles." Harry smiled a little. "But I don't fear his name."

Giles nodded. "I believe they believe Dawn could be of some use to the Dark Lord. She is pure energy. If she could be harnessed.well, I am unsure what they could use her energy for. She's a key. I know that she, on a certain day and time could be used to unlock dimensional walls. It's hard to know what else she can do."

Dawn looked uncomfortable. "Can we stop talking about me as if I were, one, not here and, two, not a person?"

"I apologize, Dawn." Giles smiled and looked around them. He frowned. "I believe we're being watched," he said simply.

Dawn, Willow, and Harry started to look around discreetly.

"Don't look around," Willow said. "Just continue talking like we were actually having a conversation." She lowered her head and started to chant in Latin. The other's talked to each other uneasily. They were all unsure what she was doing. Suddenly she whirled to her left and looked up. Her eyes were dark black and they met the equally black eyes of Severus Snape.

He looked surprised at her sudden movement, but he didn't move away like he was guilty. Instead he continued to watch the group, although at the moment he was very intrigued by the redheaded girl. Giles put a hand on Willow's shoulder, looking up at Snape. By now, Harry and Dawn were looking up at him too. Snape was on a third floor balcony, just watching the group. He couldn't hear them from there, but it was unnerving to be watched over by him in this way. After a moment, his eyes on Giles, Snape bowed his head and then turned, his black robes flicking around him, and he left their sight.

Dawn breathed a little easier with Snape gone, but Giles and Willow both seemed deep in thought. Dawn looked at Willow's face and was shocked to find her smiling at where Snape used to be. She looked at Harry and discreetly pointed it out to him. Harry looked at the pretty redhead and then got a disgusted look on his face and mouthed 'ew' to Dawn. She giggled and Willow snapped her head to Dawn.

"What? What's funny?"

Dawn burst out laughing. Willow's cheeks flamed as if she had been caught being naughty and that just made Dawn laugh all the more. Harry joined in on the laughter, which made Willow try to hide her flaming cheeks.

Giles shook his head at the whole bunch. "I will never come to understand you children," he said in bemusement, but he smiled as well, just happy to see them happy. He watched Dawn as she teased Willow. Tomorrow, if all went well, he'd be seeing her smile again. He had already spoken to Dumbledore. Now all he had to do was wait.

Dawn looked over at Giles.

"What's got you smiling?" she asked suspiciously.

He smiled to her. "You'll see."