Disclaimer: See chapter 1 for full disclaimer and notes.
Thanks to my reviewers from ff.net and Twisting the Hellmouth. (you rock, CinnamonGrrl ) I'm glad you guys like the story so far. The next chapter should be up next weekend Next chapter- the students return.
Chapter 11: One Last Reprieve
A few weeks later found Tara sitting in front of the dying fire, rereading a short note in her hand for the tenth time. She put it down, sighing, as she realized that reading it again wouldn't change what it said. She glanced over at the large package it had arrived with, a frown on her face. The frown was quickly concealed as the portrait covering the doorway opened and Dawn stepped into the room.
"Hey Dawnie," Tara greeted her, as Dawn immediately headed to the package, studying the writing on it.
"Is this from Buffy?" the younger girl asked, frowning and holding it up to further inspect it.
"Yes," replied Tara, "it came with this." She held the note up for Dawn, who grabbed it and quickly read it.
Tara was surprised at Dawn's reaction, or rather lack of reaction, to the new information. She looked questioningly at the teenager, who shrugged.
"So we have to stay here awhile. No big. I mean, sure, I miss tv, but I have a feeling that once the students return, real life will be more interesting."
Tara gave her a small smile. Dawn grinned back and tore into the package from home, muttering "oh thank god" when she discovered that it contained most of her wardrobe and a few odds and ends that she had begun to miss desperately.
"Just in time for cute boys," she said to herself as she found a bag full of her makeup and hair products.
Tara had turned back to the fire when Dawn got her attention and handed her an envelope.
"I think it's from Willow," she said, grabbing her pile of clothing and leaving the room, giving the older girl some privacy.
Tara looked at the envelope in her hand with a mixture of curiosity and dread. Finally, she jumped up from her cozy seat by the fire and went to her large bedroom, shutting the door and collapsing against it. She turned the envelope over and over in her hands, still contemplating opening it.
"Too soon," she muttered to herself, hiding the letter in her nearby desk drawer.
When it was finally out of sight, she sat heavily in her plush desk chair, letting out a breath she didn't even know she had been holding. A quiet knock at her door brought her out of her thoughts.
"Tara," Dawn said in a hesitant tone, "are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Dawn," replied Tara, grinning despite herself at the younger girl's concern.
"Dumbledore is out here. He wanted to talk to us," Dawn continued, her tone relaxing a small amount.
Tara frowned before leaving the safety of her bedroom to see what the Headmaster wanted.
"I hope your stay has been pleasant thus far," Professor Dumbledore began, once they had all taken a seat around the revived fire.
Tara and Dawn nodded their affirmation, Dawn biting her lip with curiosity while Tara just looked concerned.
Dumbledore sipped his glass of hot tea that Tara assumed had been delivered before she returned to the common room.
He finally set his drink down and turned his attention back to the guests, his expression serious.
"Now that you will be staying for an undetermined amount of time, I feel that it is best you be informed of a few things going on in our world that may present a problem at some point in the future."
Tara's stomach started to protest as her nervousness at the Headmaster's words grew.
"I was first hoping for any information you may have found concerning young Mister Potter."
Tara tried to remember what she had read about him when they had been researching one demon or another a few months prior. "Um, I remember that he was involved in a prophecy. I can't remember the exact wording. I'm sure Mr. Giles could look it up for you if you contacted him-"
Dumbledore held up a hand, "no, no, that won't be necessary. I believe I already know of the prophecy of which you speak, though I will ask him about it when I next see him. Is that all?"
Tara looked at Dawn, who shrugged.
"Yes, I think so. I only remember reading about him a few times. The prophecy and a few books on the recent history of the wizarding world. The information about how he got his scar."
Dumbledore nodded, still serious. "Yes, then I believe you know everything about him you need to know. Although, there is another matter related to Harry that you should be informed of."
Tara and Dawn looked at him questioningly.
"Recently, a man escaped from a wizarding prison who was responsible, in part, for the deaths of Harry's parents. He is currently a fugitive and believed to possibly be looking for Harry."
The girls gasped, obviously concerned for their new friend.
Dumbledore gave them a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, as long as he is in my care, I shall do everything in my power to ensure his safety. I am, however, leaving a picture of the man with you, and I ask that you report anything out of the ordinary that you may witness during your stay."
Tara was tempted to laugh at his last statement, considering how out of the ordinary the whole situation was. Although, considering they were the guests, she could imagine quite a few students reporting her and Dawn and suspicious.
Dawn took the picture and placed it on a table near the sofa for later inspection.
Instantly, Dumbledore's entire demeanor changed, and the tension dissipated from the room.
"So, how are you getting on with the remaining students? I daresay a few young Gryffindors have taken a liking to Miss Summers?" Dumbledore asked, with what could almost be called a cheerful smirk on his face.
Dawn grinned, "Harry and Ron are cool. I can't wait for the students to come back, though. It'll be great to meet some people my age."
Tara laughed, "Dawn, they're barely younger than you."
Dawn pouted, "Girls mature faster than boys."
"So why don't you try talking to Hermione?"
"She's never around," Dawn replied, shrugging, "and when she is, she's always got her face in a book."
The Headmaster laughed, "Yes, that does sound like her. You will be pleased to know, then, that the students return very soon."
"How soon?" asked Dawn.
"Tomorrow," Dumbledore replied.
Dawn gasped. "Tomorrow?!" she squealed, causing Tara to cringe. "Oh my god, I have to go figure out what I'm gonna wear!"
She jumped up from the sofa and disappeared into her bedroom, letting the door slam shut behind her.
Tara smiled at Professor Dumbledore apologetically.
Dumbledore just chuckled quietly at Dawn's display. He turned to Tara. "And you, Miss Maclay, I daresay you will be relieved to have the school bustling with activity?"
"It will be nice to have more people around," Tara replied. "I was starting to get kind of stir-crazy."
Dumbledore smiled at her, "it will be hard for you, since you are slightly older than even the oldest students. Perhaps we can find something to occupy your time."
Tara shrugged, "no, it's okay. I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm just frustrated that I can't do anything to help Dawn. I guess I'm used to demon fighting involving actual fighting rather than waiting."
Dumbledore gave her an assessing look, almost to the point of making Tara uncomfortable.
Finally he spoke, "perhaps you would like to learn some of our ways of performing magic. You cannot use a wand, but there are other skills to be explored."
Tara found herself excited for the first time in weeks. "Like what?"
"What do you know of potions?"
"Oh," Tara said. She studied the Headmaster for a moment.
Dumbledore looked back at her calmly, though there was what could possibly be the slightest hint of mischief in his eye.
"Potion making sounds interesting," Tara finally answered, smirking.
The Headmaster looked surprised for a second, before he covered it with a serious expression. "You would have to work with Severus. He has been busy with a project, but he will be finished in time for his first classes."
It was Tara's turn look surprised.
Dumbledore smiled. "Perhaps you thought he was avoiding you?"
"Now why would I think that, Professor?" Tara asked, the smirk returning.
The Headmaster winked at her. He nodded and moved to leave. Just as he was stepping outside, he turned back to Tara.
"I do believe this may prove to be an exciting school term," he said, leaving the blonde girl with a bemused expression on her face.
~-~-~-~-
When Tara walked into her and Dawn's living area the next morning, she was pleasantly surprised to discover a watcher in wrinkled clothes asleep on their sofa.
Giles opened his eyes as she took a seat in a nearby chair. He cleared his throat and wiped his mouth, grinning sheepishly.
"Good morning. I didn't realize I was so tired."
Tara smiled, "it's okay. I'm glad you're here. Dawn will be happy to see you."
Giles sat up and stretched, rubbing his eyes under his glasses.
"Um, did you find out anything about Dawn's situation?" Tara finally asked, cringing at how loud her voice sounded in the quiet room.
Giles sighed, "Unfortunately, no. But Buffy is still working on it, and I have several sources researching for us. We'll find him soon enough."
Before Tara could reply, Dawn trudged out of her room, stopping when she saw Giles. A smile lit up her face as she greeted him.
"You came back just in time!" she exclaimed, dropping down into the seat next to him.
"Just in time for what?"
"The students return today," Tara informed him.
Giles nodded. "and what do you two plan to do once classes resume for everyone around you?"
"I'm gonna ask Professor Dumbledore if I can sit in on some classes," Dawn replied, clearly excited at the prospect of witnessing wizard training.
Giles laughed, "just stay out of trouble."
Dawn glared in reply.
"And you?" Giles asked Tara, ignoring Dawn's irritation.
"I was thinking about private tutoring of sorts. The Headmaster suggested I spend time with some of the Professors who teach magic that doesn't require a wand. It could be fun, and maybe even useful for when we get back to Sunnydale."
"Indeed," Giles replied. "That sounds like a good plan."
Dawn yawned and hopped up from her seat, heading off to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
"Did you want to go down to breakfast with the others?" Tara asked Giles after his stomach made a particularly loud grumbling noise.
He smiled ruefully, "I was rather hoping I could persuade you to have breakfast here this morning."
"Why here?"
"Well, for the next few months, assuming you are here that long, there will be dozens of children everywhere you go."
Tara nodded, rolling her eyes in agreement.
Giles grinned. "Let's just call it a last bid for peace before the headaches set in."
Thanks to my reviewers from ff.net and Twisting the Hellmouth. (you rock, CinnamonGrrl ) I'm glad you guys like the story so far. The next chapter should be up next weekend Next chapter- the students return.
Chapter 11: One Last Reprieve
A few weeks later found Tara sitting in front of the dying fire, rereading a short note in her hand for the tenth time. She put it down, sighing, as she realized that reading it again wouldn't change what it said. She glanced over at the large package it had arrived with, a frown on her face. The frown was quickly concealed as the portrait covering the doorway opened and Dawn stepped into the room.
"Hey Dawnie," Tara greeted her, as Dawn immediately headed to the package, studying the writing on it.
"Is this from Buffy?" the younger girl asked, frowning and holding it up to further inspect it.
"Yes," replied Tara, "it came with this." She held the note up for Dawn, who grabbed it and quickly read it.
Tara was surprised at Dawn's reaction, or rather lack of reaction, to the new information. She looked questioningly at the teenager, who shrugged.
"So we have to stay here awhile. No big. I mean, sure, I miss tv, but I have a feeling that once the students return, real life will be more interesting."
Tara gave her a small smile. Dawn grinned back and tore into the package from home, muttering "oh thank god" when she discovered that it contained most of her wardrobe and a few odds and ends that she had begun to miss desperately.
"Just in time for cute boys," she said to herself as she found a bag full of her makeup and hair products.
Tara had turned back to the fire when Dawn got her attention and handed her an envelope.
"I think it's from Willow," she said, grabbing her pile of clothing and leaving the room, giving the older girl some privacy.
Tara looked at the envelope in her hand with a mixture of curiosity and dread. Finally, she jumped up from her cozy seat by the fire and went to her large bedroom, shutting the door and collapsing against it. She turned the envelope over and over in her hands, still contemplating opening it.
"Too soon," she muttered to herself, hiding the letter in her nearby desk drawer.
When it was finally out of sight, she sat heavily in her plush desk chair, letting out a breath she didn't even know she had been holding. A quiet knock at her door brought her out of her thoughts.
"Tara," Dawn said in a hesitant tone, "are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Dawn," replied Tara, grinning despite herself at the younger girl's concern.
"Dumbledore is out here. He wanted to talk to us," Dawn continued, her tone relaxing a small amount.
Tara frowned before leaving the safety of her bedroom to see what the Headmaster wanted.
"I hope your stay has been pleasant thus far," Professor Dumbledore began, once they had all taken a seat around the revived fire.
Tara and Dawn nodded their affirmation, Dawn biting her lip with curiosity while Tara just looked concerned.
Dumbledore sipped his glass of hot tea that Tara assumed had been delivered before she returned to the common room.
He finally set his drink down and turned his attention back to the guests, his expression serious.
"Now that you will be staying for an undetermined amount of time, I feel that it is best you be informed of a few things going on in our world that may present a problem at some point in the future."
Tara's stomach started to protest as her nervousness at the Headmaster's words grew.
"I was first hoping for any information you may have found concerning young Mister Potter."
Tara tried to remember what she had read about him when they had been researching one demon or another a few months prior. "Um, I remember that he was involved in a prophecy. I can't remember the exact wording. I'm sure Mr. Giles could look it up for you if you contacted him-"
Dumbledore held up a hand, "no, no, that won't be necessary. I believe I already know of the prophecy of which you speak, though I will ask him about it when I next see him. Is that all?"
Tara looked at Dawn, who shrugged.
"Yes, I think so. I only remember reading about him a few times. The prophecy and a few books on the recent history of the wizarding world. The information about how he got his scar."
Dumbledore nodded, still serious. "Yes, then I believe you know everything about him you need to know. Although, there is another matter related to Harry that you should be informed of."
Tara and Dawn looked at him questioningly.
"Recently, a man escaped from a wizarding prison who was responsible, in part, for the deaths of Harry's parents. He is currently a fugitive and believed to possibly be looking for Harry."
The girls gasped, obviously concerned for their new friend.
Dumbledore gave them a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, as long as he is in my care, I shall do everything in my power to ensure his safety. I am, however, leaving a picture of the man with you, and I ask that you report anything out of the ordinary that you may witness during your stay."
Tara was tempted to laugh at his last statement, considering how out of the ordinary the whole situation was. Although, considering they were the guests, she could imagine quite a few students reporting her and Dawn and suspicious.
Dawn took the picture and placed it on a table near the sofa for later inspection.
Instantly, Dumbledore's entire demeanor changed, and the tension dissipated from the room.
"So, how are you getting on with the remaining students? I daresay a few young Gryffindors have taken a liking to Miss Summers?" Dumbledore asked, with what could almost be called a cheerful smirk on his face.
Dawn grinned, "Harry and Ron are cool. I can't wait for the students to come back, though. It'll be great to meet some people my age."
Tara laughed, "Dawn, they're barely younger than you."
Dawn pouted, "Girls mature faster than boys."
"So why don't you try talking to Hermione?"
"She's never around," Dawn replied, shrugging, "and when she is, she's always got her face in a book."
The Headmaster laughed, "Yes, that does sound like her. You will be pleased to know, then, that the students return very soon."
"How soon?" asked Dawn.
"Tomorrow," Dumbledore replied.
Dawn gasped. "Tomorrow?!" she squealed, causing Tara to cringe. "Oh my god, I have to go figure out what I'm gonna wear!"
She jumped up from the sofa and disappeared into her bedroom, letting the door slam shut behind her.
Tara smiled at Professor Dumbledore apologetically.
Dumbledore just chuckled quietly at Dawn's display. He turned to Tara. "And you, Miss Maclay, I daresay you will be relieved to have the school bustling with activity?"
"It will be nice to have more people around," Tara replied. "I was starting to get kind of stir-crazy."
Dumbledore smiled at her, "it will be hard for you, since you are slightly older than even the oldest students. Perhaps we can find something to occupy your time."
Tara shrugged, "no, it's okay. I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm just frustrated that I can't do anything to help Dawn. I guess I'm used to demon fighting involving actual fighting rather than waiting."
Dumbledore gave her an assessing look, almost to the point of making Tara uncomfortable.
Finally he spoke, "perhaps you would like to learn some of our ways of performing magic. You cannot use a wand, but there are other skills to be explored."
Tara found herself excited for the first time in weeks. "Like what?"
"What do you know of potions?"
"Oh," Tara said. She studied the Headmaster for a moment.
Dumbledore looked back at her calmly, though there was what could possibly be the slightest hint of mischief in his eye.
"Potion making sounds interesting," Tara finally answered, smirking.
The Headmaster looked surprised for a second, before he covered it with a serious expression. "You would have to work with Severus. He has been busy with a project, but he will be finished in time for his first classes."
It was Tara's turn look surprised.
Dumbledore smiled. "Perhaps you thought he was avoiding you?"
"Now why would I think that, Professor?" Tara asked, the smirk returning.
The Headmaster winked at her. He nodded and moved to leave. Just as he was stepping outside, he turned back to Tara.
"I do believe this may prove to be an exciting school term," he said, leaving the blonde girl with a bemused expression on her face.
~-~-~-~-
When Tara walked into her and Dawn's living area the next morning, she was pleasantly surprised to discover a watcher in wrinkled clothes asleep on their sofa.
Giles opened his eyes as she took a seat in a nearby chair. He cleared his throat and wiped his mouth, grinning sheepishly.
"Good morning. I didn't realize I was so tired."
Tara smiled, "it's okay. I'm glad you're here. Dawn will be happy to see you."
Giles sat up and stretched, rubbing his eyes under his glasses.
"Um, did you find out anything about Dawn's situation?" Tara finally asked, cringing at how loud her voice sounded in the quiet room.
Giles sighed, "Unfortunately, no. But Buffy is still working on it, and I have several sources researching for us. We'll find him soon enough."
Before Tara could reply, Dawn trudged out of her room, stopping when she saw Giles. A smile lit up her face as she greeted him.
"You came back just in time!" she exclaimed, dropping down into the seat next to him.
"Just in time for what?"
"The students return today," Tara informed him.
Giles nodded. "and what do you two plan to do once classes resume for everyone around you?"
"I'm gonna ask Professor Dumbledore if I can sit in on some classes," Dawn replied, clearly excited at the prospect of witnessing wizard training.
Giles laughed, "just stay out of trouble."
Dawn glared in reply.
"And you?" Giles asked Tara, ignoring Dawn's irritation.
"I was thinking about private tutoring of sorts. The Headmaster suggested I spend time with some of the Professors who teach magic that doesn't require a wand. It could be fun, and maybe even useful for when we get back to Sunnydale."
"Indeed," Giles replied. "That sounds like a good plan."
Dawn yawned and hopped up from her seat, heading off to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
"Did you want to go down to breakfast with the others?" Tara asked Giles after his stomach made a particularly loud grumbling noise.
He smiled ruefully, "I was rather hoping I could persuade you to have breakfast here this morning."
"Why here?"
"Well, for the next few months, assuming you are here that long, there will be dozens of children everywhere you go."
Tara nodded, rolling her eyes in agreement.
Giles grinned. "Let's just call it a last bid for peace before the headaches set in."
