Catlimere you have got to be the sweetest reviewer ever so this chapter is dedicated to you!
It's also dedicated to Surka who was the first to mention the fact that they used a portkey in the first chapter. Sadly it has nothing to do with the apparation because she and Dumbledore used the portkey to go just outside of Hogwarts (as far as I know you can't use one to get into the school). She apparated inside the school after they used it. And now the chapter you've all been waiting for – I'll explain how she did it!
Chapter Six: Answers
For Buffy, dinner passed much too slowly with all the students staring at her. She found that it didn't bother her as much as it did when she'd been in school. Those two deaths must have really put things into perspective. She'd been trying to catch Severus' eye but he seemed to refuse to look at her. She'd spoken with Albus briefly about meeting with him later; he'd suggested they go to his office.
Minerva looked at her new colleague intently. The girl didn't seem special at all. Buffy'd been speaking to Albus before they began to eat and as far as Minerva could tell, she was American. A young, blonde, beautiful, American – just what was Albus thinking? She also noticed that Potter was interested in the Summers girl. Minerva could only hope the interest wasn't romantic or the poor boy would be crushed. Buffy seemed interested in Severus of all people.
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Buffy was fascinated by the moving staircases in the other parts of the castle, but the one she and Albus were currently on was simply amazing. After all the students had retired to their common rooms, Dumbledore'd led her to an exquisite statue, whispered 'gumdrops', and waited while the statue moved to reveal a spiral staircase. She's never been somewhere with so many wonderful things; not even Dracula's castle could compare.
They then entered a room filled with moving portraits, all of the past headmasters or the late upper crust of the wizarding community. Albus motioned to a chair before his desk and Buffy slowly slid into it, distracted by the noise of the talking photos.
"Buffy, I believe you have a few questions…" he started, with a tinkle in his eye- most assuredly amused by her bewilderment.
"I… yes," Buffy pulled her focus back. "I've been wondering about apparating into…"
"I've been waiting for you to ask, my dear. You see to get here we used a portkey that was supposed to transport us just outside the school, which it did. However it seems as if you never even stopped. It's partly my fault, telling you to focus so clearly on Hogwarts. I just assumed that since you'd never been here nothing would come of it. I have a feeling that since so much magic has been performed on you, especially the spell that pulled you from heaven and the one that transferred your power to the other slayers, that as the slayer you've perceived it as a threat and become immune. The charms and spells protecting the school therefore held no influence against you. I should like to try this further, if you would let me…"
"Are you saying that I can't be hurt by magic anymore?" Buffy blurted.
"I'm not exactly sure, for the unforgivables may still be powerful enough. I doubt that you would feel the full effects, but something like Cruciatus would make your skin tingle," he smiled.
Buffy smiled as well. This was the best thing to happen to her since before her death – the second one. Although Albus was still speaking, Buffy was lost in her thoughts. She now had an advantage over the big bads, a secret that could end up saving her life. For the first time since arriving, Buffy felt relaxed and at home.
