Chapter 22

All we heard that night at dinner was how Faith and I took on the entire DA class. The story was stretching thin with every telling. The upperclassmen were trying to scare the first years. Apparently I can breath fire and Faith has these metal claws that extend from the back of her hand; though the latter was disproved by one of the kids saying that they saw the new X-Men movie that summer. So Faith had to have some other mutant ability.

"Looks like you guys were a hit," Buffy said with interest.

I narrowed my eyes. "Don't laugh. We told them you and Xander would be in the next class."

"I can dazzle them with my hulking brutness," Xander laughed.

"Maybe you can pick up one of the seventh years. I got my eye on Freckles over there." Faith gestured.

Xander looked across the table. "Can you say statutory rape?" He shuddered violently.

"We're in Scotland, X-Man. Age of consent is sixteen here."

Xander waved her off. "Uh, no thanks. I like my women aged, like Buffy and Willow."

Buffy slung a roll at his head and it bounced off, rolling down the table. Xander acted all innocent. "What?"

"We're not aged. Makes us sound like a hunk of beef." I replied sourly.

"Moo." Buffy Mooed.

I picked up my napkin and patted either side of my mouth as I stood up. "I'm gonna go back to the room and study that spell for Harry. I think the Headmaster wants it done ASAP."

"'kay, see ya later." Buffy mumbled through a bite of pumpkin pie.

This place was gonna pack on the pounds if we weren't careful. I don't remember ever eating this good since Buffy's mom died.

Later, I had the book propped up on the pillow while I lay on my stomach to read. I had changed into my shorts and tank top because the fireplace had been roaring when I arrived in the room. Nothing like sticking to your clothes to make you feel really icky.

The spell wasn't very hard , just involved. I didn't think there would be any trouble doing the actual casting. I made a few notes and flipped the book closed. A small rack of test tubes and various packets of spell components were piled on my nightstand of which I had to divvy up in their proper bowls and cast incantations. It was kinda like a marinade. they had to stew in there own juices for a certain amount of time before they were effective.

I was about halfway through when I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," I called out.

The door cracked open. It was Sirius. "Hi, am I disturbing you?"

I smiled and shook my head. "Not at all. Come on in. You're just in time for the smelly stuff."

He returned my smile. "Oh good. I was hoping to see you in action again."

I shrugged. "Not much magic to see here. Just grinding roots and smashing newt eyes for a simmery sauce. More like potion making than anything else, I guess."

He nodded.

I pointed at the little caldron. "I have to pick one of these up to take back with me. They are too cool. I usually have to use Tupperware bowls or something and those melt rather easily."

He sat down cross-legged near me and watched. "I'm sure we can pop over to Hogsmeade and find one for you."

"Cool," I replied. Okay, somebody put tape over my mouth; I just said the word 'cool' twice in as many sentences.

I finished the mixture and added it to the caldron, stirring it until it blended well. "Okay, that should do for now. It has to simmer overnight and cool in the morning then it will be ready.

Sirius stood while I was brushing my hands off and offered me a lift up. I accepted and nearly fell over. I hadn't realized that my legs had fallen asleep. He caught me after I stumbled and held me a bit closer than I was comfortable with. Not that I wasn't comfy around him ... um ...

"Better?" He asked before the scene turned embarrassing.

I nodded and he released me to my own wobbly legs. It's weird knowing that there is someone that likes you. I don't mean like; I mean like like. It always made me nervous and uncoordinated. I looked at the floor, not wanting to meet his eyes and saw what I was wearing.

Now in my world it was nothing out of the ordinary, but here women seemed to dress head to toe in loose fitting clothes, robes, what-have-you. And here I was barring skin at every turn down to my rose colored toenails.

"Sorry ... um ... I should get dressed."

I could have sworn I saw a slight frown pulling the corners of his mouth downwards, but it was quickly replaced by a firm nod and he turned.

"Of course. I'll wait outside."

Gentleman to the end.

He stepped out and I pulled on the forest green robes that I thought flattered my eyes the most. Not for the reason you are thinking. I just like to be pretty ... really. I left a note for Buffy not to drink what was in the caldron, you can never be too careful with Xander around, and slipped on a pair of sandals. Now I was clothed and demure for my nighttime rendezvous.

What was I saying?