CHAPTER NINE: THE ARROGANCE
When Percy returned back to the Burrow that evening, he made a point of greeting every single person by name, except for Buffy. To Buffy's credit, she didn't rise to the occasion. Instead, she rolled her eyes and sunk even further into Harry's embrace.
Every single one of the Weasley's and their guests glared at Percy, muttering beneath their breaths about him being a 'git' 'prat' 'wanker' or, in Ron's words, a 'gitty prat of a wanker'.
As they sat down to dinner, Percy spoke loudly about how the Ministry was still searching for any rogue Death-Eaters, and that they would find them given enough time. He spoke pointedly, even though no one was listening to him, the others making a point to scoff and try starting up their own conversations, rather than listen to him.
He was gazing at Buffy with a look that made her horrendously uncomfortable though. She wasn't entirely worried about anything that Percy Weasley could actually do to her. She had proven herself in duels the previous year, so she knew she'd be able to protect herself if Percy actually tried to do anything stupid, but the smug and arrogant look on his face told Buffy that Percy knew something about Buffy that Buffy herself didn't know.
And it was not a pleasant feeling. She'd always hated being in the dark on things, especially things that concerned herself.
Later that evening as she lay on a conjured up mattress in Ginny's room beside Hermione, the three girls were talking in hushed voices.
"Do you think Percy knows something?" Buffy asked, hoping that she was just being paranoid.
"He was probably just being Percy," Hermione assured her best friend. "He couldn't possibly know anything. Not something that you should worry about at least."
Ginny however, made a sound to show her disagreement with Hermione.
"You don't know Percy the way I do," Ginny said, not to sound superior, but just to gently correct the person she considered a sister. "He's a git, there's no denying that, but…he does have connections at the Ministry. And if the Ministry is planning something, then…"
Buffy sighed as Ginny trailed off. There was no real way for Ginny to really complete that sentence, and the unspoken portion of the sentence weighed heavily in Buffy's mind.
"Whatever it is, it's not going to be good," Buffy said. "God, I just wish this was over. Anyone know any spells that could be used to alter people's memories on a global scale?"
Hermione and Ginny chuckled a little, but they could hear the note of insecurity in Buffy's voice. Their friend was worried, and that was never a good thing. They too had hoped for Buffy's sake that the suspicion and distrust would have ended when Buffy had single-handedly killed Voldemort several months ago. Apparently they'd been mistaken.
"Well, whatever happens," Hermione began, "we'll be right beside you. All the way."
Buffy smiled in the darkness and closed her eyes tiredly. "Thanks guys. That really means a lot to me."
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A week at the Burrow had been exactly what Hermione and Buffy needed. They felt rested and relaxed and ready to return to their advanced studies at Hogwarts. With tearful goodbyes to Ron and Harry, and hugs to Ginny, Fred, George, Mr and Mrs Weasley, the two girls were back within Hogwarts grounds.
If it was possible, Snape seemed to be even more arrogant and assigning even harder potions for the girls to try and concoct, while the other teachers continued on in their usual patient way.
Giles seemed keen to get Buffy back into a training regimen, and Hermione had to admit to being somewhat interested in what the 'Watcher' and 'Slayer' did. After sitting in on several sessions, Hermione decided that she wanted to be taught some basic self defence moves.
Both Buffy and Giles had been reluctant, but after some serious pleading on Hermione's part, she had convinced them both to begin training her.
"No, Hermione, you're dropping your left shoulder," Giles chastised.
Hermione sighed, ran a hand through her sweaty hair and tried again.
"Better," he complimented her.
Hermione shot a look to Buffy who was working at her own punching bag. Hermione had to admit that her best friend truly had a knack for fighting and martial arts. She'd never really considered the amount of effort needed to keep fit and be able to perform some of the moves that seemed to come to Buffy as almost second nature, but after trying to learn them herself, she had a new appreciation for the amount of training that Buffy had done over the years.
Their early morning runs around the Hogwarts grounds usually took an hour and a half. Hermione had bullied Buffy into admitting that she was usually able to complete the run in under forty minutes, but she had slowed herself down to compensate for Hermione's speed.
In the three weeks that they'd had between visiting the Burrow and the return of the students, both Buffy and Hermione had pushed themselves to their limits, both mentally and physically, and both felt ready to face any and all challenges that they were faced with.
"What do you think Harry and Ron will do if they make us leave at the end of the year?" Hermione wondered one morning just as they began on the path around the lake.
"Not sure," Buffy admitted. "Hadn't really given it too much thought. I mean, I'm just kinda assuming that Giles will be staying at Hogwarts to teach DADA, so…unless I actually get a real job, which…being who I am, I doubt is gonna happen, I'll probably end up being at Hogwarts for a while. Maybe I could tutor first years or something."
"You'd want to teach?" Hermione asked curiously.
Buffy shrugged in her usual non-committal way. "I dunno. I've never really thought too much about it honestly. I guess whatever happens, happens. And maybe everyone in the wizarding world will get off their 'his daughter' kick, and just see me as me. Buffy Summers, instead of Elizabeth Riddle. What do you think you'll end up doing?"
"Not teaching, I can assure you of that," Hermione replied.
Buffy looked at her curiously.
"Why not? I mean, you're way smart. You could teach if you wanted to," Buffy said.
Hermione sighed. She had given the profession of teaching some serious thought over the years, but after trying to tutor both Harry and Ron over the years, she had learnt that she lacked something important.
"I don't have the patience," Hermione admitted. "It would annoy me too much to have people not trying their absolute hardest."
Buffy laughed a little. Now that Hermione had explained it, she could understand why Hermione was reluctant about teaching.
"I'm just glad that we met last year and not about three years ago. You probably would have hated me and my lack of work ethic," Buffy said.
"I can't imagine you not being studious," Hermione said, trying to conjure up the image of Buffy being a slacker.
Ever since Buffy and Hermione had met, the muggle-born witch had always been impressed by Buffy's thirst for knowledge. Just the fact that Buffy had been able to catch up on four years worth of learning in a little over a month had been astounding.
"That's just cos all this magic stuff is pretty damn interesting," Buffy explained. "You should have seen me back in California. I was the official slacker of Sunnydale High."
"Well, you can't be horrendously stupid or anything," Hermione said. "You managed to beat me in two exams last term, and…"
"And you used to be the smartest cookie in the barrel, I know," Buffy replied with a grin.
Hermione chuckled and they slowed their pace down to a slower jog, making their way back up the slight incline returning to the castle.
"Do you think we could convince Ron and Harry to come on runs with us when they come back?" Hermione asked with a smile. The thought of her boyfriend slick with sweat was something that she would definitely love to see.
Buffy returned the grin, thinking of Harry having similarly sweaty problems.
"We'll ask them," Buffy said. "Maybe we can convince them to run shirtless."
Hermione went even more red than she was. Her already red-face that was flushed from the run went even brighter. Buffy couldn't help but laugh at the innocently shocked look on her face.
"Don't tell me that you're still shocked by something like that."
Hermione just shrugged. "We haven't really gone very far," she admitted. "The farthest we've got has been kissing."
"Yeah, same with me and Harry," Buffy said, a note of disappointment tinging her voice. "Have you and Ron discussed it or anything?"
"No!" Hermione exclaimed. "You don't…we can't…I couldn't just ask him something like that."
"Why not?" Buffy asked curiously.
They stopped just outside the entrance to the Great Hall, stretching out their muscles in order to cool down properly. Buffy pulled her wand out one of the many pockets in her cargo pants and conjured up two towels for herself and Hermione.
"Well…have you and Harry spoken about it?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Yup," Buffy replied.
Hermione's eyes nearly bugged out.
"You have?" she exclaimed. "What did you guys talk about? I mean, are you going to…well, you know."
Buffy grinned. "Hermione, if you're old enough to be thinking about it, you're old enough to say it."
Hermione rolled her eyes. She was fairly certain that her best friend loved to torment her through eternal embarrassment.
"Have you and Harry…made love?" she asked, whispering the final two words so quietly that Buffy had to strain to hear them.
"Not yet," Buffy replied. "But we've talked about it. And trust me, you and Ron probably should at least talk about it as well. Otherwise it'll end up coming between you. The proverbial elephant in the room. Or castle, I suppose."
"But…how do you know if you're…y'know. Ready?" Hermione asked shyly.
Buffy smiled and considered her response carefully.
"Believe me, you'll know when your ready. Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Do it because you both need it to happen, not because you feel pressured into it," Buffy advised.
"Ron would never-"
"I know," Buffy jumped in. "I didn't mean to imply otherwise, but…if you love him, you'll know when it's right."
Hermione nodded and considered Buffy's words carefully.
"I just don't know that I'm ready," she admitted.
"There's nothing wrong with that 'Mione," Buffy assured her. "You and Ron are only sixteen, so it's not that unusual for you to not be ready. Some people are ready at fifteen, others aren't ready until they're I their twenties."
Hermione smiled somewhat thankfully.
"Feel free to tell me to keep my nose out of your business, but…are you and Harry…well…ready?" she asked as they towelled themselves dry from the cooled down sweat on their bodies. They entered the Entrance Hall and made their way up to their dorm room.
"I think we are," Buffy admitted. "We've both had to grow up a lot faster than either of us would have liked so we both feel a lot older than sixteen, or seventeen in my case, and…we love each other. Our only problem is finding somewhere private within Hogwarts. But…we'll work something out I guess."
They entered their dorm room and Buffy flopped gracefully down onto her bed and kicked her shoes off her feet.
"Tonight's the last night that we'll have this room all to ourselves," Buffy commented.
"I know," Hermione replied. "I'm torn between wanting to see everyone else and wanting to keep the room just ourselves. Lavender and all her dirty socks are just annoying."
Buffy grinned and sat up on the bed, running a hand through her hair.
"Well, just do what I do," Buffy advised. "Whenever Lav leaves her socks lying around, either make them invisible or shrink them."
Hermione laughed loudly and couldn't help but grin at her friend.
"I knew I liked you for a reason."
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