Over the Rainbow

by Lady Jesca

Buffy has just died...again. Dawn is left without a sister or a mother. Her friends are trying to take care of her and the Hellmouth. Suddenly she gets accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. What wonders will she find there?

8. There's No Place Like Home

Author's Notes: This is the eighth chapter in my HP/BtVS crossover. The series is called 'Over The Rainbow' and the chapter is entitled 'There's No Place Like Home'. The rating for this chapter is PG-13. 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, Anya isn't a demon and is with Xander, Tara is alive and with Willow, Spike is NOT souled, and 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 Jesca@comcast.net.

Some notes on the fic:

Thanks to everyone who has been supporting me through this work. I know I don't post as often as I should (or as often as I'd like), but I am glad for your patience and that you still care to read it when I do update. Thanks.you all know who you are.

To answer some questions, the history of Buffy has been changed, what with Dawn leaving and all so things may not go as it did on the show. Tara may not die, Xander may not leave Anya, and so on. Nothing after season five will happen exactly like it did on the show. Also, I have no idea the direction of this story. I just write what comes to me. So as for whether the Dawn/Draco thing will be like Buffy/Spike, I have no idea. To those who wonder if Dawn will be with Draco or with Harry.I have no idea. I guess we'll all just have to see.;)

On with the story!

*~*~*

Dawn had been too shocked to say much of anything. It only just occurred to her that Buffy was serious when Madam Pomfrey gave Buffy permission to take her out of the infirmary.

"Buffy?"

"Yeah?" Buffy smiled at Dawn, seemingly happy to be with her.

"We need to talk."

"What about?" Buffy asked.

"Well," Dawn started feeling unsure how to handle this. She had just gotten Buffy back. She didn't want to fight with her now. But she knew she couldn't leave Hogwarts. "I wanted to talk about.home."

Buffy nodded and waited.

"It's here," Dawn said finally. She didn't know how else to say it than to come out with it.

"What do you mean?" Buffy asked. "What's here?"

"Home." Dawn looked at Buffy's face. She seemed to not comprehend what Dawn was saying, but only for a moment. Then, when understanding dawned on her, her shoulders slumped a little.

"I know this is hard, Dawn, but I can protect you now. The only reason the Council wanted you here was so you'd have protection and now you do, in Sunnydale.where we live." She looked like this should be such an easy thing for Dawn to comprehend. Dawn stopped in the hallway.

"No, I live here." Dawn was getting a little miffed now. It was just like Buffy to not consider her feelings. "You know, when you.left.I thought that there was nothing I'd like better then to stay with Giles and the gang because I didn't really have any family left."

"I didn't just leave, Dawn. I died. I couldn't help that."

"Yes, actually, you could. You jumped off the scaffolding. It's not like I pushed you." Dawn folded her arms in front of her.

"Not the point," Buffy said. "The point is-"

"No, let me finish," Dawn cut in. "Even though none of them really wanted me to come here, they gave me the choice, and I made it. I want to be here. I wasn't just put here. These people aren't my babysitters. They're my friends and I want to be here. I am learning so much here! I know how to turn rats into cups. I know how to brew a potion that makes someone have hiccups for three days straight! I know how to fly and I know how to use this!" she said as she pulled out her five and a half inch Redwood wand.

Buffy looked at the wand in confusion. "It's a stick Dawn. I know how to use them too."

Dawn looked indignant. "It is not a stick! It's a wand. It's my wand." She looked at Buffy who was looking at her as if she were delusional. Dawn looked around for something, anything that was on the ground around them. The castle was impeccable as usual. Dawn sighed and then remembered her Nimbus 2001 that was on her bed.

"Dawn, it's ok, really." Buffy said.

Dawn narrowed her eyes. "Accio Nimbus 2001!" Dawn shouted. The wand glowed for a moment and then nothing.

Buffy smiled a little patient smile to Dawn. "Dawnie, it's ok. Look, I didn't know that this was going to upset you so-" Buffy stopped talking when she saw a broom flying towards Dawn with no rider. Dawn's hand came out to it and it went right to her hand and stopped.

"That spell is used to summon things." Dawn put her wand away. "Could be useful if you're ever without a stake but you know where one is." Dawn watched her sister. Buffy just seemed shocked. "What did you think I was doing here? Buffy, it's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. What did you think I'd be doing if not learning magic?"

Buffy seemed a little bewildered. "I thought they were protecting you. No one told me you were learning magic."

"Buffy, when you saw me I was flying a broomstick. What did you think?"

"Well, Giles told me the place was enchanted. Riding an enchanted broomstick and being able to do magic are two different things."

Dawn nodded her assent to that. "Still, Buffy, I'm not just here lounging around being protected. I'm learning how to protect myself. I'm learning how to duel. I'm learning how to do things that you guys might actually find useful when I do come back to Sunnydale. It's what I wanted."

"This is really what you wanted? To stay here and learn magic?" Buffy seemed a little disbelieving.

"In place of going to Sunnydale and being in your way? Yeah. In place of going to Sunnydale and being told I'm too young to help out? Oh yeah. In place of going to Sunnydale and being a drain on everyone there? Let me see.yes." Dawn said sarcastically. "What am I going to do in Sunnydale? Anya or Xander will be left behind to protect me while you go face life and death every night, that's what. At least while I'm here you can have Anya and Xander as extra combatants while I'm learning something useful. I'm safe here. And happy. I have friends here." Dawn said the last sentence with a little bit of sadness in her voice. She didn't want to leave them.

"Is everything ok here?" they heard. Buffy and Dawn turned to see Harry approaching slowly. He could see sister facing off with sister and was unsure whether he should interfere.

"Hi, Harry," Dawn said. "Have you met Buffy, my sister?" she asked, indicating Buffy.

"Not properly," he smiled and held a hand out for Buffy. "I'm Harry. Harry Potter."

Buffy smiled and shook his hand. He couldn't have been more than fifteen.

"And you've saved everyone from a powerful wizard." she said softly, almost to herself.

"You've saved the world. A few times." Harry smiled.

"I'm sorry. I just thought you'd be a little older." Buffy smiled politely.

"How old do you have to be before you can save the day?" Harry asked. He was half teasing, but Dawn could tell he was also defending himself.

Buffy smiled. "Fair enough." She remembered starting slaying at fifteen and decided to let it drop.

"Well, I didn't mean to interrupt but it's nearing bedtime. I didn't want Dawn to get in trouble for being out of her room past curfew." He looked at Dawn.

Dawn nodded. "I'll be right there."

Harry nodded, turned, and left the sisters alone.

Dawn looked to Buffy. "I have to go."

Buffy nodded. "Help me to the Great Hall? I think I know my way from there."

Dawn nodded and started towards the Great Hall. They walked in silence for the most part. Dawn wondered if Buffy was going to make her leave Hogwarts, but she didn't want to bring it up again and argue some more. So she just let it go.

When they got to the Great Hall, Dawn stopped and turned towards Buffy. She smiled and put her arms around Buffy, hugging her. Buffy hugged her little sister back.

"I love you, Dawn. I just worry."

"I know. And I love you too."

They parted with a quick goodnight and Dawn headed to her room while Buffy went to hers.

*~*~*

Giles heard Buffy's door close softly. He sighed a little. He wished she had come to speak to him. He was suffering from a little bit of cabin fever.

He looked about his room, shuffling some papers and moving some books from the top of his dresser to a stack of shelves that was built into the wall.

"This is fairly silly," Giles said to himself. He gathered his jacket and stepped out of his room, hearing the faint click of the door and the slight buzz of the magical lock as it slid into place. It wasn't late by his standards. Spending time with the gang in California had given him quite an appreciation for night. The sleep would likely be good for him, but at the moment he felt too awake to attempt it. He would have to do with a nap tomorrow.

Giles walked the silent halls for a while until he found his way to an outside courtyard. He ventured out and gritted his teeth against the biting cold of the England weather. California weather had apparently spoiled him.

"There is a curfew, Mr. Giles."

Giles stopped walking but didn't turn. He smiled a little. "I was unaware that the curfew was for the adults, Professor Snape." He waited as Snape caught up with him before walking again. They walked in silence for a moment. Snape seemed to be considering his next words.

"You seem to have done well for yourself, Rupert," Snape said softly, letting his face go slack and his words hold true affection. It was something he was not used to, but Rupert Giles had been such a good friend to him years ago.

Giles looked to Snape, who was staring ahead. "You apparently did not."

Snape looked to Giles in surprise. He was not prepared for the edge in Giles' voice, or the suspicion that was in his eyes. His chin came up and his face became schooled.

"Many would think that the position I hold is an honorable one," Snape fairly hissed.

"The ringleader of a bunch of Death Eater's children?" Giles asked. "I hardly know if that's considered honorable.

Snape stopped and faced Giles.

"You have changed, Rupert. You have grown very cynical and untrusting in your old age, my friend," he said the last word sarcastically. Snape was not used to such treatment. Although he was often treated with misunderstanding and judged, no one usually said to his face what they thought.

"No," Giles said, "I just have a knack for seeing the black in those who surround themselves with it."

"Perhaps you haven't noticed that I am working here with the blessing of Albus Dumbledore, and with his trust. If he can give it, perhaps you should as well." Snape turned to leave, unable to keep from himself the pain that his old friend's treatment of him gave. He was shocked when a powerful hand grabbed his arm. He looked at Giles, his eyes flaring as his robes came up and the Dark Mark was exposed.

Giles looked at the guilty mark on Snape's arm. "You were so quick to brand yourself another man's servant. Are you willing, after all that has happened, to condemn your house to the same fate?" Giles' voice near dripped with venom and his eyes bore heavily into Snape's.

Ordinarily, Severus might have pulled away and grabbed for his wand, but there was something about Giles that kept him from moving. Instead of keeping the shield that he constantly wore, he allowed Giles to see the haunted look in his eyes.

"That is not the path I am following," he said softly.

Something within Giles broke and he could see genuine pain coming from his old friend.

"What path, then, are you following?"

"Redemption." It was said quietly and simply, but the power of the word struck Giles. He let go of Severus' arm. Snape pulled his robe down around the Dark Mark and watched, waiting for Giles to absorb this.

"I had thought it was deception," Giles admitted softly.

"Most do," Snape said dryly. "And in truth, they are right. They just believe I am deceiving the wrong side."

"Who does?" Giles asked.

"Both do." A sparkle in his eyes, let Giles know that Snape was enjoying his slight confusion. "See, the Death Eaters believe I am spying for them and Dumbledore believes I am spying for him. So you see, everyone knows that I am plainly a spy."

Giles smiled at the genius of that. "And who is correct?" he asked, although he already knew the answer.

"Lucius," Snape said a little louder. Giles frowned at that, not understanding until he heard the icy smoothness of the older Malfoy's voice.

"Severus. Rupert. It's like old times." He sidled up next to Snape and looked down his pointed nose at Giles. "It has been awhile," he observed.

"So it has." Giles bristled.

"So what, might I ask, does one Hogwarts' professor," he sneered the word, "and one Watcher have to say to one another in the late hours of the night?"

Giles schooled in his features and looked at Snape with all the contempt he felt for Lucius. "Apparently nothing," he said and started to walk away. Snape's eyes were masks as well.

"Don't be too hard on him, Ripper. At least he's picked a side." Lucius bated him as he was leaving. Giles knew he shouldn't but he stopped anyway, looking at the icy cold eyes of Lucius.

"I have chosen a side."

"Mores the pity," Lucius said with soft disappointment. "The three of us could have made such a mark on this world." His eyes flickered down to Giles' arm, where the Dark Mark would have been if he had listened to Severus' preaching years and years ago. Snape seemed quietly shocked at how brazen Malfoy was being.

"Be careful, Lucius. Only a fool would come any closer to divulging he was on a side opposite of Albus Dumbledore while in the wizard's back yard."

Lucius seemed to brighten, but it was as false as Malfoy himself. "Ah, but I am not fool. And you assume too much. I have been found clean of any wrong doing in connection with the Dark Lord." He gave a pinched smile.

"Then I find it hard to believe that the investigators were truly honest. One doesn't have to look to far-"

"Tut tut, Mr. Giles. You wound me," he said playfully. He seemed to be enjoying the banter.

"I might," Giles said coldly. Giles turned to face Lucius completely. "Let us speak frankly for a moment and then not again, if it can be helped."

Lucius smiled a little and bowed his head in mock defeat.

"Stay away from Dawn. No matter how much power you might believe you have backing your efforts, you could not fathom the protection she has. If you wish to remain intact, then I suggest you and your, lord seek a different route."

"My lord?" Lucius asked lightly, but with much more fire in his eyes. He did not take kindly to threats. "I assume you are speaking of Lord Voldemort. And although I have told you, I have been absolved of any connection to Lord Voldemort, the way I hear it, he might soon be lord of everyone. The will fall in line, or just fall to the power of Lord Voldemort."

Giles' snort of contempt was blatantly disrespectful and for a moment Lucius seemed to loose his cool, but a quick hand from Severus seemed to remind him of himself.

"If he were so powerful a lord, Lucius, he would not have lost to a bit of a boy, not once, not twice, but four times. And that doesn't count the time when he lost to him as a baby," Giles said with laughter in his voice. Lucius' eyes were flashing and Severus was blocking the hand that would hold his wand. Normally, Giles might think twice before enticing Lucius to hex him, but just now he felt very strong here at Hogwarts.

"Cheers," Giles said in a falsely chipper voice and turned his back on the two. He could hear feverish whispers behind him as he walked away. He started to whistle a jaunty tune, just to give a lemon to the wound of turning his back on Lucius Malfoy. Not many would be so brave, or stupid.

*~*~*

The next day of school seemed rather tense. Dawn couldn't help but notice the tired look in Giles' face at breakfast, although he would give no reason why. She also noticed the guarded look she received from Professor Snape when they passed each other in the halls. She had an apprehensive feeling and it was not getting better by lunchtime.

It didn't help that during Magical Creatures the Slytherins were in full form. Dawn wanted to hex every one of them into the snakes they represented by the end of the class and her mind wandered a bit with how to go about learning that spell. When she found herself nearing the Great Hall, she snapped out of her thoughts. The first thing she saw with her re- awakened eyes was Lucius Malfoy, standing idle beside the doors, looking deceptively preoccupied.

Dawn nearly slowed to a stop, but she decided to continue on, knowing that Spike, Giles, Buffy, and Willow were near. She would not think that even he would be so bold as to grab her arm as she passed, her head held high.

"Let go!" Dawn said, surprised.

Lucius said nothing as he dragged her a short distance to a small alcove. She felt the tingle of a spell as she passed through a warded area. She noticed Ron pass by without even looking her way and she knew that they were cloaked somehow.

"Now then," Lucius began, "let's take a peek." His malicious smile was close to her face. She stood there, gripped with fear and something else, something that kept her from moving at all. And then she felt a sharpness in her head and felt Lucius Malfoy's presence in the deep recesses of her mind, probing her.

"Interesting," he mused as his eyes closed. He seemed to shimmer slightly, as if magic were washing over him. She tried to struggle but she could not even find a voice. Worse yet, all that he was accessing was being brought to mind as he could see them.

Malfoy seemed less interested in her time here at Hogwarts, but very interested in Willow's ability to resurrect a person. He scanned briefly the time with the Scooby Gang but found Spike's chip a very interesting subject. He seemed to study Buffy for moments and rested a little on conversations surrounding Angel and his soul. He smiled a little as he noted how Willow could restore a soul.

A plan seemed to be forming as some of her memories were intruded upon and others weren't. Dawn tried to keep clear in her mind what he was accessing so she could tell the others.

It was when Dawn suddenly found herself in memories she didn't remember that she lost all thoughts of struggling and began to watch, in startled confusion, people and places take shape that she had no memory of before now. She saw herself amid a flash of light. Her mind played the scene backwards as she then saw herself as a bright white light amid a circle of monks. She could hear the banging on the door and see the fear in their faces as they chanted the magic to make her a person.

As her life played more into history she saw herself as another girl, similar in appearance but not exactly right. She was called something else.Aurora. She felt jarred as the rewinding life suddenly stopped. Aurora stood among the monks, scared of what was to happen. One cooed softly to her that it would all be over soon and things would be restored to their rightful state. The monk's smile was kindly and Aurora was calmed by him. Other monks came out from around her, closing ranks on her. They all started chanting similarly and the girl whirled around, her peasant clothing swirling around her as she listened in wonder. As she was trying to piece together what this might mean, the monk who had calmed her earlier plunged his hands into her stomach and Dawn could feel the pain of the intrusion. She wanted to call out but she could not. Tears streamed down her face as she watched the girl transform into a ball of light, restored to her first state.

Life seemed to speed up in a sickening way as she relived her own familiar experiences which rushed her back to where she was now, standing in front of Lucius Malfoy as a sickening leer was disfiguring his face. She felt as if she might be sick, but she still could not move, or speak.

Lucius' tongue trailed his thin lips. "That was delicious, Miss Summers." His eyes were alight with an unnatural flair. Suddenly an image of Draco came to her mind unbidden and Lucius chuckled as Dawn blushed. "Ah yes," he mused. "The boy does have some charm. All of us Malfoys do." He let his gaze travel over her for a split second and her need to be sick renewed. "Now be a good girl and hold still," he smiled, knowing that she couldn't move if she tried. Her breath was coming in jagged gulps. She heard her name being called and she was able to look over at Buffy as something flashed in front of her face.

"Aaah!" she yelled as one foot seemed to fall over another. She was confused for a moment. She couldn't remember what had had her mind so occupied a moment ago, but she found the floor rising up to her swiftly as she fell. Before she hit, though, she felt large hands reach for her, pulling her straight. She found herself being steadied by Lucius Malfoy and gasped.

A sudden flash of pink and black moved in front of her eyes as Malfoy's hands were wrenched from her and she was again heading to the floor.

"Get your hands off of her," Buffy said menacingly as she slammed the elder Malfoy against the wall. He looked quite surprised, but amused when Dawn turned and could see his face.

"Buffy!" she said, incredulously. It wasn't as if she needed any help being embarrassed.

"Miss Summers. The other Miss Summers. Delighted to meet you. I'm Lucius Malfoy," he said as he was pinned up against the wall. His smile was the same as it might have been if he were being introduced to her at a party, rather than pinned against the wall by the smaller girl.

"I know who you are, and if you want to keep those hands, you'll keep them off of my sister." Buffy seemed like she wanted to stake him, but was restraining herself. Dawn leapt to her feet.

"I was merely keeping the girl steady.for all the good it did," he drawled, commenting on Dawn's fall to the ground.

"Buffy, it's ok. He's telling the truth. I tripped and he just grabbed me to keep me from falling," she said repeating the false memory that had been planted in her head. She remembered nothing of the invasion in her mind, but when she looked at the pleased expression on Malfoy Senior's face, she felt inexplicably violated by him. She just wanted to put some distance between him and herself.which she could not do if Buffy wouldn't let the man go.

"Buffy?" Dawn asked impatiently.

Buffy's hazel eyes met his icy blue ones. The warning hers held was clear, although his looked sociable and full of mirth. She slowly let him go and backed away. He held her stare for a moment before he set about to making his robes straighten the way they were meant to. When he was done, he looked at the Summer sisters with a smile and nodded before going into the Great Hall.

"You ok?" Buffy asked Dawn.

Dawn felt funky, as if she had slept all night in her clothes, but she couldn't explain the feeling. Finally she just nodded to Buffy.

"It's a good thing no one called you Grace," Buffy teased, bringing a smile to Dawn's lips. She playfully pushed Buffy as they headed into the Great Hall for lunch.

*~*~*

Dawn wasn't able to shake the mucky feeling inside before Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Hermione asked her for the dozenth time if anything was wrong.

"No, not since the last time you asked," she teased. Hermione smiled.

"You seem to be distracted," she said.

"I'd get over that real quickly. Snape has a sixth sense about whether someone is distracted or not," Ron said with a hint of personal knowledge. "And when he finds you distracted, the git will pounce on you!"

Dawn chuckled. "I'll remember that." She smiled as she entered the room. The four found their seats quickly, not wanting to wait for the back rows to fill and be stuck with only the front row. Harry and Dawn were talking about practicing flying after supper when a gasp and a hush filled the room.

Dawn looked up sharply, as did the other four, and the heads of every Gryffindor and Slytherin craned to the entrance.

"Well now, let's get this party started," Spike said as he slapped his hands together. Dawn stared in wide-eyed shock as she watched him saunter over to the teacher's desk and sit on it. He was dressed as he always was, black on black. Dawn heard Hermione give a strangled gasp as she saw Spike and it brought to Dawn's mind the time she met Spike. She smiled as she realized what Hermione's problem was.

"See here!" Draco protested as he stood up. Spike's eyes sparkled as he looked over at him. "Professor Snape would not appreciate you sitting on his desk!"

"Hmph. Luckily for that git, he's at his own desk."

There were gasps of surprise and anger from the Gryffindors and the Slytherins respectfully. Dawn's face burned red as she anticipated Snape's anger when he came in and saw one of her guests sitting on his desk. When the door opened again, she cringed. But instead of hearing a bellow of anger, she heard the sweet and familiar voice of Willow.

"Hello class. I see you've met Spike. I'm Willow Rosenberg. I'll be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts for the rest of this year." She smiled sweetly as she put a small briefcase beside the desk. She frowned at Spike who was having a staring contest with a young Slytherin and still sitting on her desk.

Dawn's surprise at seeing Willow delayed her brain. It was a moment before she realized that Willow was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher. The year was starting to look up for her.

Malfoy seemed to be slow in processing this information as well, but soon his gaze fell on Willow and he slowly took his seat.

Dawn couldn't help but stare. The red-head was in the traditional garb of a professor, but her robes and hat was anything but traditional. The long flowing robe was worn tight around the chest and waist and flowed down to pool around her feet almost as a gown would. It was a deep burgundy color with different sized pink dragons adorning it. Her hat came up to a small point and was the same pattern of material, but she quickly discarded it, giving it a disgruntled glare. Dawn remembered a Halloween when Willow had gone on a rampage about witches being portrayed as wearing pointed hats and flying brooms. She tried her best to stifle a giggle.

"Can anyone tell me what Professor Snape had been covering? When I asked him, he.didn't say," she finished lamely. A few snickers came from the Slytherin side of the room.

"Anyone?"

Ron raised his hand. The mere fact that his hand came up in class made Hermione eye his suspiciously, but only Dawn seemed to see that.

"Yes, Ron?" she said brightly. He flushed when she used his given name. Most of the teachers called them by their last names, a tradition Professor Rosenberg didn't seem to hold to. But he didn't seem to mind.

"He was teaching us about vampires. Chapter 31," he said with a smile. Harry shot his friend a confused look. There was more snickering from the Slytherin side of the room.

Spike seemed to perk at that bit of news. "Was he now? And what did he teach you about vampires?"

"Spike," Willow hissed and tried to push him off her desk. He didn't budge and she sighed exasperatedly. Dawn was all smiles. "Get off my desk, Spike," Willow whispered as if she hoped to keep the struggle to regain her desk a secret from the class, who's eyes were all riveted to the front of the room.

"It's half my desk too, now isn't it? I'll take this half," he said with a smile indicating the top half of the desk.

"And I get the legs?" Willow asked incredulously, not even trying to whisper now.

"Well, you do need them, pet," he said. Her eyes narrowed sharply and she started to reach for something within her robes. When she pulled out a long wand, Spike's eyes bugged. "You wouldn't."

Willow opened her mouth to speak the spell just as Spike stood up. "That's alright, pet, I'll save you the trouble." He moved to the other side of the desk and Willow smiled triumphantly.

"Alright then," she said smartly, taking a seat behind the desk. "We'll continue Professor Snape's lesson then, and move on from there-" Willow stopped as Spike make a loud noise from his throat. She looked over at him. He nodded his head meaningfully to the class.

"Oh! Right!" Willow said. She addressed the class, "This is Spike, he'll be helping me."

"That's Professor The Bloody to the lot of you," he said haughtily, tugging the collar of his leather duster up.

"What kind of name is 'The Bloody'?" Draco asked with distaste.

"The kind of name my sort acquires with a good reputation," Spike said in a low warning voice. Dawn was transfixed by the subtle threat.

"Spike, don't threaten the students," Willow said brightly. "You all can call him Spike." Spike looked over her way, frowning, but didn't correct her.

"Ok, can anyone tell me what you've gone over?"

Ron's hand shot into the air. Hermione rolled her eyes and whispered, "Honestly, Ron." Ron didn't even pay her any mind as he waited to be called on. Hermione's hand shot into the air as well, glaring at her unlikely competitor.

"Hermione?" Willow asked, giving Ron a smile as his hand lowered. Hermione didn't miss the smile.

"We've gone over the ways a vampire can be killed, Angelus, Slayers and the Watcher's council," she said primly.

"Did you go over any other vampires besides Angel the Poof?" Spike asked Hermione. Hermione's voice seemed to fail her and she paled a little bit as she stared at him and shook her head. "Figures," muttered Spike. His eyes didn't leave Hermione's though. His cheekbones seemed to jut out a little and his eyes became heavily lidded as he assessed her. He totally missed Willow until she had stomped on his foot.

"Ow, woman!" He glared at Willow. Her eyes flashed at him and he frowned at her.

"Very good," she said to a now blushing Hermione. "Ten points for Gryffindor."

"That's not fair!" Pansy's shrill voice filled the room. "You're only giving them points because you know Dawn. Everybody knows you came to see her. I think you're biased and I intend to talk to the Headmaster about it," she announced. A few of the Slytherin's heads bobbed in agreement.

Willow just smiled. "Well I'm sure he'll tell you that turn about is fair play," she said lightly.

"What's that mean?" Pansy said snottily.

"Am I right in guessing that Professor Snape has taken a lot of points from Gryffindor and given lots of points to Slytherin?" she asked the Gryffindors. Murmurs and nods filled half the room. She looked at Pansy as if that should be explanation enough. When the girl didn't seem mollified Willow continued. "I will be as fair to you as he was to Gryffindor."

"Then we'll never get any points!" she screeched and then yelped when Draco kicked her under the desk. The Gryffindor's chuckled.

"Alright. How would you tell a vampire apart from other people?" she asked the class. Hermione's hand shot up but Willow waited for other people to raise their hand as well. Finally she called on Ron, who was surprisingly attentive today.

"Well, they're pale.and.they sleep during the day." Spike rolled his eyes and started biting his nails while Ron tried to think of other identifiers. "They drink blood."

"Yes, but how would you recognize them in a crowd of people if they weren't drinking blood? Being pale helps, but I'm pale and I'm not a vampire, so that doesn't always work."

Ron thought hard on that for a moment before finally looking to Willow for the answer.

"The answer is, you can't, mate," Spike said from his side of the room. "Vampires look like every other bloke, unless they've got a death wish, that is."

"Right," Willow agreed. "Although some vampires don't seem to care about the dangers of revealing themselves so they'll be fang-y. Those are easy to tell from humans."

"Excuse me," Malfoy cut in sarcastically. "Fang-y?" he said distastefully.

"Yeah," Spike said. With lightning quickness he was in front of Draco's desk, his hands spread out on the desk and his face in full vampire form. "Fang-y."

All of Slytherin and most of the Gryffindor's screamed and backpedaled to the back wall of the room. Draco, who's face was inches from Spike's when he changed, cried out in a girlish way and pushed his chair back so quickly he fell backwards in it. Spike leaped to the top of the table and crouched down in a predator's stance, faintly growling at him. It was all Draco could do not to soil himself.

"Spike!" Willow reacted too late. "Get off the desk this instant Mister or else you're being sent out!"

Spike smiled widely, his elongated teeth making the smile seem frightening. "I was just illustrating your point, Professor Rosenberg," he said cheerfully.

"And scaring the wits out of the class!"

Dawn blinked back surprise and giggled at the expression on Draco's face. It had startled her too when Spike charged the boy, but knowing that he wouldn't hurt anyone made the situation seem very comical. She looked over at Hermione, whose eyes were bug-wide and trained full on Spike. Ron and Harry had stood up from their seats, but they didn't cower behind the wall. She was actually quite proud of that. Harry had an odd look of resignation on his face and he stepped forward.

"Get away from him," he said clearly. Spike looked over at Harry and smiled.

"Best-mate?" he inquired.

"No," Harry said, looking as if the prospect made him sick. "But I can't let you hurt him either."

"No worries, then, mate. I was only having fun." He pulled his human visage back on and gracefully climbed off of the desk, wagging his eyebrows with a smile. Dawn put her hand on Harry's shoulder and was surprised at the tension there. She felt it release though, as he looked at her.

Slowly, the class all began to take their seats, at Willow's insistence, but all of them kept wary eyes to Spike. Spike seemed to enjoy every minute of it.

It took a moment to get the class under control again. "Uh.ok everyone?" Willow seemed to be losing her confidence. Her hands rung together more and her eyes started glancing furtively over to the Slytherin side of the room. Dawn looked over at Draco. Like a shark to blood he seemed to sense her growing unease. He wore a predatory look that was not too unlike Spike's look a moment ago.

"You ok, Will?"

The class turned for a third time with surprise at the door. In all the craziness that Spike had created, no one saw Buffy walk in. Dawn smiled to her sister. She looked at Willow, who seemed to be drawing strength from the blond.

"Just fine," Willow assured. Dawn looked over to Draco. He seemed to be eyeing her sister with suspicion.

Buffy made her way to the front of the class. Everyone watched her. The slayer. A few whispers could be heard.

"Ok, now comes the fun part," Willow declared. "A demonstration. Since all of you have heard of the slayer, and seem to know about how a vampire dies, I wont go over it again. But you can always ask questions afterwards."

"You're going to kill him?" Hermione asked in a high-pitched tone. Ron glared at her and then at Spike. Spike noticed the exchange and smiled knowingly to Ron.

No one seemed to answer Hermione. Willow started moving desks back and some of the Gryffindors helped her. None of the Slytherins lifted a hand to help. Buffy and Spike also moved desks aside until there was a nice sized area in the front of the class.

Spike smiled at Buffy. "Ready for the fight, Slayer?"

"I was born for it."

It happened in a quick swirl of color. They moved so quickly that it was hard to keep up. Spike would punch at the slayer while Buffy would kick at the vampire. Not many people could tell that this whole production was staged. Dawn knew that Spike couldn't really be trying to hit Buffy, because of his chip. She had also seen Buffy and Spike fight more viciously than this before. Those who hadn't seen it all before, such as Hermione, was on bated breath, watching the blurring figures. Ron and Harry were watching as well, following every move with the apt attention they gave Quidditch. Dawn looked over at Draco. He seemed to be disbelieving what he was seeing. Most of the class wasn't sure what to make of this scene in the middle of class.

During the fight Buffy back flipped twice to avoid a punch, but to also put some distance between her and Spike. She grabbed out of her pants a stake and held it ready. Spike smiled manically. She came towards him and Spike was able to spin out of the way, knocking his arm into her back, sending her sprawling. Buffy regained her balance in time to see Spike's fist. She moved back a hairs breadth saving her face from the punch. She let her momentum carry her backwards where she flipped onto one hand and kicked Spike in the face. He staggered back as she pushed off of her hand back onto her feet in a very spry move. While Spike was off center, Buffy brought the stake forward and plunged it in Spike's heart.

"No!" Dawn and Hermione said at the same time. Dawn had allowed herself to get lost in the fight, but she never expected her sister to stake Spike! Then she noticed that Spike wasn't dust.

Spike gritted his teeth in an effort not to cry out in front of the kids.

"Compliments of Riley," she whispered to him, grinning. He smiled back a little.

"I'll have to thank the wanker properly," he said, pained.

Buffy quickly pulled out the stake while Spike gripped a table beside him. She looked at the astonished class.

"It's not really wood. It's plastic." She smiled. "If it were wood, we'd need a dustpan." She did her best impersonation of a gunslinger, twirling the stake in her hand and bringing it to her lips to give a slight blow.

"Ok, class. Please read the section on vampires if you haven't already. And if you have, it'll be good review!" Willow said cheerfully, signaling the end of the class. Some of the students slowly filed out, their eyes on the front of the class until they left it, while some couldn't get out of there fast enough. Dawn and her friends stayed behind until they were the last students in the class.

"Why didn't you tell me you were teaching here?" Dawn asked accusingly.

"Well now, if I would have done that, I would have spoiled the surprise."

"Well, we're real glad you're teaching this class the rest of the year. You're loads more fun than Snape," Ron said.

"Thanks, Ron," Willow smiled to him.

"Yeah, well, fat lot a good this demonstration would have been if not for me, don't forget," Spike said as he gingerly walked over.

Buffy rolled her eyes and came up beside Spike, slapping him in the stomach and making him cringe as pain shot up his body. "You lost, Spike. You're hardly the star of the show."

"I lost, did I?" He swung Buffy around, holding her by the neck, his vampire face out. He came down close to her neck, but then stopped. Hermione gasped beside Dawn. "Well if I didn't have this chip in my head, things might have been different."

Buffy looked bored, even as she was in the death grip of the deadly vampire. "Spike, when are you going to stop singing that old song?" She pulled herself out of his grip and his face went back to normal. His eyes traveled over to Hermione, who was breathing as if she had been in the fight rather than a bystander.

"Stop picking on Spike, Buff," Dawn said with a smile.

"Thank you, Lil Bit," he said, although his eyes didn't leave Hermione's. His eyes narrowed a little and he leaned forward a bit. Her eyes widened and finally she looked away, blushing profusely. When her eyes were averted Spike grinned devilishly.

"Well now, I've had just about enough excitement for one day." Spike grabbed his duster and started for the door, brushing past Hermione purposely.

"Lightweight," Buffy muttered.

"Bitch," Spike retorted.

Ron burst out laughing. "Are they always like this?" he asked Dawn.

"Usually, only with less laughter and more fighting. What is with you two anyway?" she asked her sister. Buffy only shrugged.

*~*~*

"Can I talk to you?"

Hermione's shoulders slumped as if she had been expecting this. She looked over at Dawn and then around, noticing that they were in an empty bedroom.

"Ok," Hermione said as she trudged over to Dawn's bed. Not used to the adornments of the bed, Dawn had tied her veils back so that she could easily sit on it without harming it. Hermione sat beside Dawn on the bed.

"It's really not that difficult to understand, Mione," Dawn said with a smile. She had noticed Hermione's strangeness during the last class and she knew that Hermione didn't require further explanation as to the subject of this talk.

Hermione was looking at her hands, her cheeks burning. "It's just the first time I really felt like this."

"Well, the first time is always the best. You know, my first crush was actually just like him. He was Buffy's best friend. Remember me telling you about Xander?" Hermione nodded and then looked up at Dawn. The other girl's eyes had gone to a far away time. "He was big and muscular and worked with his hands. He was funny and charming and very handsome."

Hermione pictured this man who Dawn described and although Dawn's description was less visual, she started to paint the pale blond hair and piercing blue eyes of her crush onto him.

"It's highly improper," Hermione said finally.

"Oh it's not that bad. And you never know.he might feel the same for you."

Hermione frowned in thought. She pictured herself standing next to Spike. The image didn't come very well, so she pictured Dawn and Spike. Dawn was her age. The two of them could never really look romantic.not at this age. She tried to picture herself a bit older and with Spike. Because he would never age, it wasn't hard to picture him, but it was difficult to see Dawn's wishful thinking as reality.

"I somehow doubt that," she said finally. "People like him don't choose people like me. And you would think that I would not be interested in someone like him."

"Why not? It actually does make perfect sense. You're a very smart girl, Mione." Hermione smiled at the familiar compliment. "And you're kind of competitive about that." Hermione's eyes showed her confusion at the turn of conversation. What did one have to do with another? "It would go to reason that you wouldn't want to compete with your partner for who was the smartest." Hermione guessed that made sense. "And he wouldn't compete with you there." Dawn smiled a little. "Also, he's very appealing when you overlook things like his personality," Dawn chuckled. "But I don't suppose you'll have a hard time keeping him in check."

"You think so?" Hermione said.

"Oh yeah. He'll have met his match in stubbornness." Dawn's eyes danced with mirth.

"Thanks," Hermione said dryly. "I don't know if that's a compliment or not, but I'll take it." The two girls shared a private smile. After a moment, though, Hermione's smile faded and her eyes went reflective.

"So why would he be interested in me?" she asked tentatively.

"Are you kidding me?" Dawn said. "You're beautiful for one, smart, and a strong young woman. Anyone who is going to put up with him for very long will have to be a strong woman."

"Like your sister?" Hermione asked.

Dawn frowned as she thought on this. "Yeah, I guess, although thinking of the two of them together has given me a new mental image I shall try hard to never revisit," she said with distaste.

Hermione giggled a little at Dawn's reaction. "You don't think there was a little bit of flirting going on between them?" she asked.

"No way," she said firmly. "The age difference alone would be enough to stop that before it started." Dawn got off the bed and went to the chest at the foot of her bed to rummage in it, looking for her brush.

Age difference. Hermione puzzled over this.

"You don't think that'll stop us?"

Dawn looked over the chest with a confused look. "What are you like months apart?"

Realization flooded Hermione's mind and her face in turn flooded with blood. She shrugged and looked into her lap. All this time she had been talking about Spike, and Dawn had been talking about Ron.

"You ok?" Dawn asked.

"Yeah. We better get ready for supper."

*~*~*

"A few words before we sup," Professor Dumbledore's clear voice rang out in the overcrowded hall. With all the parents there, it was much fuller than normal. "Astronomy will be canceled this night but will resume next week. Those of you who have that class tonight can pick up the homework you will still be expected to finish by visiting the good professor's office." A murmur went through the Great Hall. The students were collectively wondering about what would cancel class. They didn't have to wonder for long. "Tonight, I am happy to announce, Professor Snape will be picking up where Professor Lockhart left off with the Dueling Club."

Whispers filled the hall and Dumbledore allowed them to continue a moment before holding up his hands to signal quiet. The hall hushed quickly. "Anyone interested in participating may meet in the dueling hall directly after supper. Parents are invited to join their children. Anyone not interested would then have the night off to enjoy." He smiled and then sat down, signaling the end of his speech while food springing out of the tables signaled the beginnings of supper.

"Well, Dawn, what do you think of that?" Giles asked her.

Dawn shrugged. "Sounds like fun except for Snape," she said sourly.

"Professor Snape, Dawn." Giles quietly chided her.

"Right," she said softly, poking at her food.

"Well I'm going, Professor Snape or not," Harry announced. "It proved to be useful before."

"And no doubt it would again," Giles predicted. "Possibly for you as well, Dawn, given your new threat."

Dawn cast a look at Buffy. She grimaced when Buffy's head shot to Giles. She had been hoping that Buffy wouldn't be reminded of threats to her while she was at Hogwarts. She desperately did not want to go home.

"Threats? There is no threat, Giles. Not if she isn't here."

Hermione, Ron, and Harry all gasped at this.

"You aren't taking her home, are you?" Ron asked incredulously. "The year's not yet done!"

"I know," Buffy said carefully, "but she's not safe here. Being in England just brings her closer to Voldemort and closer to danger." The occupants of the table who were not used to people using the name so candidly gasped when Voldemort was said so plainly. "You wouldn't understand," she said simply to Ron. Ron's ears started to pinken.

"But I bet I would," Harry said, his fork clinking as if fell to the plate. Buffy looked at him in surprise, as did the rest of them. The words came out more forcefully than he had intended, but it upset him when she patronized Ron. "And I bet he knows a lot more about it than you do," Harry finished, jutting his head to indicate Ron. All of the adults looked more or less scandalized by Harry's outburst, except for Spike who was looking at Harry with a new respect.

"Look, I don't mean anything by it, but I don't know you all very well. I don't know Dumbledore, even though everyone is quick to sing his praises. But I do know me and I know what I'm capable of. And after six years of demon fighting, I think I can protect her against one rogue baddie."

"Pardon me but it would appear as if you are the one who doesn't understand then," Harry said darkly and then without another word he stormed out of the Great Hall. Buffy was left gaping after him.

Ron excused himself, grabbing a roll of sweetbread to take with him. Hermione also left with mumbled excuses.

Dawn shot a look to Buffy, who looked like she felt bad, but not like she had changed her mind.

"Willow's going to be here, Buffy and we'll need more magic than I've learned to fight this guy. I know you don't like when things are taken out of your hands, but maybe you need to learn to let go." Dawn stood up and followed her friends.

The last outburst only made Buffy's eyes narrow and her face redden with anger. She was sorry she hurt the children's feelings, but she did not like being brought to task by her little sister. She glared at Giles, who was pointedly looking away.

"Oh yeah, this was a good idea. Bringing her to England so she could make friends and not want to leave again. Good move."

"Buffy, the Council was concerned that without you in Sunnydale we would be unable to protect her, especially since we'd be using a lot of our time fighting the usual element that seeks out Sunnydale."

"The Council," Buffy scoffed. "When have they ever had anything useful to say?"

"Oh go blow off steam some other way, Slayer," Spike said, getting suddenly tired of the misfired anger. He loved to see Giles taken down a peg or two most days, but in this he agreed with Dawn. While Willow and he were going to be in England, Dawn very well could be and should be. He didn't hesitate in telling Buffy so, either.

"Well, that's fine." Buffy said. "No offense.well ok, some offense, but I don't exactly think you'd do a better job at protecting her than I could."

"Oh but I was a good substitute when Glory was kicking your ass around town, is that it?" Spike replied angrily, his voice starting to rise.

Buffy looked around at the attention they were gathering. "Look, Spike," she hissed to him, "this isn't the time or the place. I can protect Dawn. I've been doing it for the last year and I will continue to."

Spike shook his head and got up. He placed one heavily muscled arm on the table as he got very close to Buffy's face. She didn't flinch at all.

"You've been protecting her for the last year. Yah, so what? You haven't been doing it alone, pet, and you remember that. If you take her to Sunnydale, that's what you will be. Alone." Spike nodded his head at the finality of what he just said and sauntered off, already readying his cigarette before he left the Great Hall.

*~*~*

"No doubt you all believe this will be a fun filled way to spend a few afternoons. I would even guess that a few of you intend to use dueling to elevate yourselves to the status of a star," Snape's eyes flickered over to Harry with contempt. "Well, were I you, I'd get those thoughts out of your uncrowded heads." Snape paced back and forth on the long stage that elevated him in the middle of the room. "If you're looking for fame or fun, I invite you to leave now." He stopped and scanned the room.

It was filled with Slytherins and their parents but amid the sea of green Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and many Gryffindors made a good showing. Dawn, Harry, and Ron had also shown up. Ron's brother, who by now Dawn knew as Bill, accompanied them along with Spike and Giles. Willow had excused herself right after dinner to study the book she'd be teaching from while Buffy had gone to her room, feigning a headache. Dawn looked around to see if Snape was successful in scaring anyone away. When no one left, Snape started again.

"Well then. For those of you who take seriously the instruction I will give you, you'll learn how to properly protect yourselves should a duel be the order of the day." Snape walked to one end of the table. He spent some time showing everyone some basic defense and attack spells. His wand moves quickly and he was obviously very skilled. Giles watched in appreciation, noting this fact.

When Snape was reasonably assured that his lessons had penetrated some of the people in the room, he called for some volunteers. When no one's wand was raised, Snape sneered at the group. "How you all expect to learn anything without attempting it is beyond me," he muttered. "Potter! Malfoy! I expect the two of you remember the failure of the last duel you two fought. Let's try not to repeat it."

Harry's mouth was set in a grim line as he climbed the stage. Malfoy's smirk was in place. Dawn looked over to Lucius Malfoy who was watching his son with a bit of pride but also some concern. It was concern not for the well being of his child, but for the Malfoy reputation, which was repeatedly stained by Harry Potter. Dawn shot the man a look of disgust before she turned her eyes to the stage.

Malfoy and Harry faced each other and brought their wands to the ready. The unbridled hatred was so thick those who watched on in fascination could taste it. Nothing drew a crowd like watching these two adversaries facing off. Both wands swished away and both turned, silently and simultaneously disregarding the respectful bow that usually came before a duel. After taking a few steps away from each other they both swirled to face one another.

And then it was on. With no one there to try to hamper their movements, Draco and Harry spit spells back and forth at each other with all the feeling that they usually left in the darker recesses of their minds. Short of using the three forbidden curses, they spat spells that had all of the students, and adults, wide-eyed and nervous. Many eyes shot to Snape, wondering if he would stop this fight, but he just stood there, a smirk on his face, and concentrating on staying out of the way of rogue spells.

At one point Draco used a dazing spell that landed on Harry, but only just barely. Harry was able to shake it off pretty quickly, but not before Draco landed in another 'punch'.

"Spliatia!" Draco shouted, and a puff of smoke raced towards Harry just as he was coming to. The smoke took substance and slammed into Harry's stomach so hard that blood trickled out of the side of his mouth. Harry fell with a thud and the Slytherins cheered. And then the oddest thing happened. Draco looked over at Dawn, almost as if he expected her to be pleased at taking the top, but his self-assured smirk turned into a confused stare when Dawn's horror was clearly portrayed on her face. It was all the time Harry needed before landing a blow that sent Draco to his stomach, where he laid there unmoving.

Snape rushed over to Draco and knelt down to check on him. His eyes flashed cauldron fire as he glared at Harry. Harry just watched, panting as if he'd run a race.

Dawn looked a little pleased to see Malfoy get some of his own. She looked over to Lucius and the smile faded, quickly. She saw traces of loathing in the face of a father that should have been concerned for his son's welfare. Dawn found herself almost wishing that his electric stare was pointed at the boy still standing. Instead it was directed at his own. She felt a sense of dread pit in her stomach and looked with more concern at Malfoy while the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws cheered the winner.

*~*~*

Draco sat as straight as he could in his father's room. He was in pain from the dueling match with Potter, but he tried not to show it. Afterwards, when the stretcher came, his father had waited until they were out of sight of the rest of the parents and near dragged him off of it, making him walk to Lucius' private chambers while house elves looked on in fright.

"It is inconceivable to me how you could fail so miserably," Lucius spat out. When Draco opened his mouth to speak, Lucius' hand was swift as it slapped him hard against the face, making a resounding popping sound in the room. Draco didn't have the heart to feign surprise at his father's physical outburst.

"Not only did you let that Potter show you for a fool in front of the bulk of the student body, but you let it happen because you wanted to ogle a Mudblood in the middle of your fight."

Draco stared straight at his father, not saying anything. He knew if he did, he'd feel another slap, and his jaw was throbbing already.

Lucius threw him a last contemptuous look before he went over to a globe set up on a small table. It was sitting on a piece of red cloth that was inset with beaded runes. The runes glowed as his hands neared the globe and a magical scan went over Lucius. Satisfied, the runes quieted.

"Luckily for you, I have the solution to both problems."

Draco didn't need to ask what, or rather who, the problems were. He watched on in wonder as he touched his wand to the globe and said clearly, "Scry Voldemort."

It was merely seconds before the ghostly white parlor of Voldemort, mostly hidden by robes, shown through the globe. Draco looked in surprise.

"Is it safe?" Voldemort hissed after Lucius said his formalities.

"Yes, my lord it is very safe. I spent a great deal of time while the students and professors were in class creating this device so that we may speak. I did not bring it here, but rather made it here. I knew that if I brought a scrying globe, it would be found and questions would be asked."

"Very good my loyal Death Eater."

"All I have is at your command, my Dark Lord." Lucius spared a meaningful look at Draco, who sat there as still as he could.

"What news do you bring me of Hogwarts?"

"It is the same as usual. Filled with Mudbloods and filthy Muggles. Even some that are pure of blood are poor excuses for the magic they hold."

"If news is usual, then why risk the contact, Malfoy?" Voldemort seemed irritated by Lucius' hesitation to tell all right away.

"I have found your power source."

Voldemort's eyes glowed unnaturally from the globe. "And what of her protection?"

"The usual sort, but not a problem. I know a way to bypass the 'security'," he smirked.

"Excellent."

"There is more." Voldemort waited. "I know how to harness this power as well. I know how to undo the girl."

Draco's eyes opened widely but then he tried to mask the surprise in case his father looked over. He felt relieved that his father no longer paid him any mind.

"I believe we can harness the power in a person to be delivered to you. I will test this out shortly and give you my findings."

"Good. And if it fails?"

"Then we snatch the girl and take her to you. We can turn a possession into a portkey and get her to you quickly so that you may harness it. But I do believe my plan will work."

"You better do more than believe, Malfoy."

"Yes, my lord. It will work as planned and by next week you could again be so powerful you could take the wizarding world down to their knees."

Voldemort smiled at this. "And what vessel will you use?"

"My son."

Draco swallowed hard.

*~*~*

"Come in," Buffy said after she heard someone tap on her door. She was quite surprised to see, not Giles, but Harry Potter. Buffy put down her book and guarded her face. She stood up and offered him a seat. He took it.

"I suppose you're wondering why I came."

"It crossed my mind," she said dryly. He smiled a little.

"Part of it is to apologize. I don't regret what I said, but rather how I said it. I like Dawn a lot and I don't want there to be badness between us because of this."

Buffy nodded with a smile but she sensed that there was more to this.

"Ok, spill." When Harry just looked a little confused she smiled. "I mean, talk. You obviously want to say something.

"It's just.I think I was right back there. You don't understand Voldemort and you don't understand his particular brand of evil. I mean, being able to use your stake is great and all, but Voldemort's not going to die if you did manage to shove some wood at him. In fact, he might just let you get closer just so he could put his hands on you and work some powerful spell. Buffy, I know you care about Dawn. But if you really want her safe, you'll leave her with wizards who know Voldemort. We know his weaknesses and his strengths."

"I could learn that," Buffy said simply.

His expression was pained. "No, you couldn't. Not without experiencing it first hand. Not without him ripping your heart out and letting you watch as he puzzles over which end to take the first bite out of." It was a lot more descriptive than even he intended, but Buffy did frown in thought at his words. "Dumbledore has faced him. I have faced him. Ron has faced him. Hermione has faced him. We wouldn't.I wouldn't put Dawn's life at stake if I didn't believe I could protect her."

Buffy just watched him. She was startled at how old he seemed at this moment.

"I believe you."

"You do?" he asked, astonished.

"I do."

There was a silence that hung thick, but Harry didn't want to break it because the Slayer was obviously trying to form words.

"Nothing is more important to me than her. I'd feed myself to Voldemort if I thought it would save her life."

Harry nodded, understanding the magnitude of such a statement, even as he considered that maybe she did not.

"So.I guess if I'd be willing to die without her.I should be willing to do without her." She smiled a little to the boy, but her smile grew when his infectious grin split his face and lit his eyes.

"So she can stay?"

"Why don't you go tell her?"

*~*~*

Dawn paced in the halls that lead to the Slytherin common rooms. She didn't dare go too close to them for fear that she would be caught and not be able to answer why she was in that section of the building. Three times she had to pretend to be going to her own chambers when teachers or students happened by. But really she was waiting for Draco. She couldn't help it, but part of her felt really bad for him. She knew he'd be getting a stern lecture, if not much more from the older Malfoy. It just didn't sit right with her, so she waited.

The waiting was torture. It gave her time to think, though. What in dragon's fire was she doing? And why? Why would she risk the wrath of her friends to find out if some boy she detested was ok after a failure that should have brought her a measure of victory? Would he do this for her if she lost and was obviously going to get punished for it? She wasn't quite naive enough to think so. She pictured the way the Slytherins would tease her the next morning, egged on by Pansy Parkinson and at the lead would be Draco Malfoy, yelling louder than the rest the words that would hurt the most.

The thought almost made her turn away and leave him to his punishment. But she didn't go. Instead she wondered longer about why she was here when he would obviously not be. Finally all she could think of was that it was right.

Although Draco left in a stretcher for the Hospital Wing and Dawn fully expected him to be recovered when he came back to the Slytherin commons, when he finally turned the corner he looked bedraggled. He looked almost as if he might if he never visited the hospital wing. When she saw a spot of blood on his lip that she was sure was there for the fight, she knew in an instant that somehow he hadn't.

He was looking to the ground, keeping his head low, while walking the last hallway that would take him to his blessed bed. He could think of little else that would be so welcoming. When he noticed someone standing in the hall and looked up, he couldn't have been more surprised to see Dawn Summers.

"Come to gloat?" he asked, suddenly and efficiently masking himself in the usual sneering visage.

"No," she answered softly and honestly. Now that he was closer she could see tears in his robes and a bruise or two that she didn't think was caused by the fight. She had a sudden instinct to touch her fingers to the bruise that was purpling his usually pale cheek, but she resisted.

"What then?" he asked bitterly.

"I.wanted to see if you were..ok."

He snorted. "Do I look ok, Summers?" He gestured down at himself and she noticed he was favoring an arm.

"Why didn't you go to the hospital wing? Couldn't Madam Pomfrey do something for.those?" she asked, gesturing to his wounds.

For a long moment he was silent. His sneer was gone and he seemed to be considering her. Finally he spoke, "I suppose she could have." It came out softer than she thought it would.

Dawn took a tentative step closer, but he didn't move. "Then why?"

His chin came up. "Malfoy's don't feel pain. Malfoy's don't need healing. Malfoy's don't." he broke off. He almost said 'lose'; repeating the words his father had just beat into his head.

"You sound like your father," she said plainly. He saw softness in her eyes. Caring almost. It was frightening. He didn't know how to deal with this right now. So he fell back on what he knew. He forced his pained chin up sharply.

"What would you know about my father?" he spat.

"Enough," she answered. She wasn't trying to fight with him right now, but she could not hide what she felt for the Malfoy Senior.

"My father is a great wizard. If I am lucky I will turn out just like him," Draco said, trying to brush past her. She reflexively tried to stop him by grabbing his arm. He winced in pain. He brought his eyes to hers.

"For your sake, I hope you end up nothing like him." It was meant to be a compliment of sorts, but he apparently didn't want to take it that way. Both hands came up to grab her arms in a lightening flash move that she would have bet he couldn't have mustered at this point. He pushed her roughly against the wall.

"My father is a great and powerful wizard," he repeated. "He is great."

Dawn, despite her precarious position couldn't help her actions. Her eyes were soft and caring as she brought one hand up to his face. She could only barely reach with the way he had her arms pinned, but she was rewarded when her cool fingers touched the angry bruise. His grip lessened and he stood stock still as if he was being held by the glance of an unfriendly cobra. She could see the pain he was feeling and could sense the betrayal he felt at his father's harshness. She sensed he needed someone's arms to fall into and instinctively knew he wouldn't find that in the Slytherin Hall.

He wavered for a moment, obviously weighing the great confusion he felt in himself. Slowly he leaned towards her and she thought he might kiss her again, but when his head dipped down and his forehead was touched to her shoulder, she was shocked. She gently pulled her arms around him and he let her. They stood there, silent. Anyone who came down the hall would see them like this, but if someone just passed the crossroads of the hall, Dawn knew they'd be sheltered by the statues that were on both sides of them. In this little spot of semi-privacy, things were different, and walls came down.

Dawn didn't try to coax him or get him to move or talk at all. She let him stand there, his head on her shoulder, his arms at her hips, while she gingerly hugged him. She closed her eyes and tried to will some of her strength to him and he seemed to be a sponge, soaking it up, finding that her strength was tinged with kindness and caring.

They stayed like that for nearly five minutes, just listening to each other breathing when Draco finally spoke.

"I don't know why you're here. And I don't care at this point. I'm glad you are." Dawn smiled a little with joy that surprised herself. "But don't ever come back to me like this again, Dawn." It was so sudden she wasn't sure she heard him right. When his eyes finally met hers again, while they were still in a half embrace, he could see the uncertainty there. "I'm dead serious. If you come back to me I will be forced to hurt you." He let his arms drop and stepped back away from her. "Go."

Dawn willed herself to move. She put an unsteady foot in front of the other until hurt and anger gathered speed in her limbs. Soon she was a distance from the source of her pain. Only then did she let the tears she felt fall.

Draco watched her go and knew that everything he had spoken was the truth. He was glad she came to him. He was glad she cared. But he would be forced to hurt her and at this point he didn't know if he could.