Chapter Eight: Lessons

Soon the classroom filled with students and Snape could only cringe at their excitement about having Buffy there. Well actually only the Gryffindors were excited. The Slytherins all whispered among themselves and glared at the blonde while she talked to Harry. When he'd had enough, Severus moved to the front of the class and everyone immediately quieted down.

"Today we're going to redo the fire potion that Mr. Longbottom so studiously blew up yesterday," he snarled while glaring at the uneasy student.

Buffy caught Neville's eye from her spot behind Severus and winked to calm him. She felt bad for the poor kid who obviously was so terrified of his professor that he couldn't remember what went into his cauldron.

Seeing where Buffy's attention landed, Draco shot his hand in the air, intent on catching Snape's notice before the lesson really began.

"What is it Mr. Malfoy?" Snape acknowledged.

"Why is the muggle here, Professor. Surely she's not intelligent enough to understand anything we're saying," Draco smirked, glad to see the color rise in Buffy's face. What he didn't know was that the redness wasn't embarrassment, it was anger.

"Draco…" Snape began to caution, but Buffy just waved her hand in annoyance.

"Malfoy, was it? Drake? You don't have the first idea about real magic. Real magic involves spells so powerful that they can destroy the world. You're right, I've never had to make a snake appear out of thin air, but I'd love to see you stop a Hell God with the trivial little spells you can do. I'm sure it's great and all that you can levitate a pencil with your wand but my best friend could do it with her mind. So next time you decide to open your mouth, Mr. Malfoy, I'd suggest you know who you're trying to insult." While the whole class stared dumbstruck by her words, Buffy merely glared at Draco hoping he'd retort. She'd forgotten how much fun bantering was and now sorely missed those nights in the graveyard with the vamps.

Dumbledore chose this moment to interrupt, for he always did know just when his arrival was the most inconvenient and most needed. He took only a minute to survey the class's awed expression and the triumphant look on Buffy's face to figure what had happened. He then spied Snape's guise and was surprised to see that it almost looked as though he wished to laugh. Surely Albus must be seeing things for he hadn't seen Severus look like that since before James started pestering him.

"Buffy, if I may, I'd like to speak with you in my office," Albus gently questioned, remembering his purpose for interrupting.

"Of course," Buffy agreed, instantly somber. "I'll be right there."