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Destiny's Dragon

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Chapter 15 – Ron and Hermione

Buffy awoke early the next morning, bleary eyed from her struggles with sleep. Peeking in on Sirius and seeing he was still asleep, she hurried downstairs to heat some water for a bath. While the cauldron hung over the flames, Buffy opened the door from the Shrieking Shack and pushed through the ivy to stand in the neglected garden. The pale autumnal sun shone down on her, just creeping its way above the horizon and lighting up the icy sky. Buffy shivered; the air was frosty and cold, the dead plants tipped with frost and the patchy lawn dew laden. She gazed across the country said, across fields into the nothingness of the Scotland countryside. The only noise was that of the birds, chirping and greeting the morning. Sighing deeply Buffy breathed in the air, clean and crisp. She would miss this place, despite all her original misgivings about the tweed, she had grown to love England, and the way it felt, so different to California and everything she had left behind.

 And regardless of her conflicting emotions, she would miss Sirius; he had become a good friend to her, a confidante. In fact, she felt like she had told him more than she had told anyone, even Willow and even Angel. He was so separated from everything in her life; he could listen to what she said without any bias or hurt feelings. And he understood her, understood what it was like to be separated, to give up everything in the quest for something better. She had sacrificed her life at the hands of the Master, and Angel, for the safety of the world. He had lost his own life at the hands of he who he called friend, and still fought to protect the legacy of a man who had been a brother to him.

Buffy turned from the garden, sighing deeply again, and went back into the kitchen.

Buffy was making breakfast when Sirius finally showed his face in the kitchen, tousle haired and looking as weary as Buffy felt.
 "Made more toast," Buffy said waving a piece covered in jam at him.
He sat down and helped himself.
 "Feel like going into Hogsmeade again?" Sirius asked, applying liberal amounts of jam to his own piece of toast. "The students will have the day to go out, they always do on Halloween. Maybe you can hear something again, or maybe even catch a glimpse of Harry."
 "Wanna come?" Buffy asked attempting to sound casual.

 "Well I don't know, I mean Remus could be out again…" Sirius said, his head fighting his heart. In the end his heart won. "Yeah, I don't see why he would be out twice in two days, probably has to stay in to work anyway. Yeah I will."

 "Cool," said Buffy, delighted. "I found some old rope in the other room, could make it into a lead. Know it's kind of demeaning, but it would make it look more realistic."
 "S'ok," Sirius said with a grin. "Figure I need domesticating."

Later that day, at about eleven, Buffy, wearing her cloak, and Sirius, wearing his rope lead, left the Shrieking Shack. At Sirius' guidance they walked out the back, away from Hogsmeade til they hit a lane, then they walked back into Hogsmeade. Buffy could see the reasoning for this, as they walked back into Hogsmeade she saw the gathering of students at the fence in front the house, gazing at the blackened bricks, peering and the grimy windows and joking about the ghosts that supposedly lived inside. Buffy passed them with a tiny smile on her face and Sirius eagerly pulled her along the streets. Hogsmeade was alive and bustling with the huge quantity of Hogsmeade students, all wearing identical robes. She listened to their conversations as she passed, picked up strange words like 'devils snare' and 'expelliarmus.' When she heard the name 'Harry' though, she pulled Sirius back, much to his distaste, if the look on his doggy face was anything to go by, and began to surreptitiously follow the boy and the girl who had mentioned him.

 "I'm sure Harry doesn't want anything from Zonkos," the girl was saying, irritated clearly.
 "Well I want to have a look," the red haired boy insisted and together they walked down the street.
 "Poor Harry," the red haired boy commented. "I'm sorry he has to miss this."

 "Me too Ron, but you know there's good reasoning behind it," the girl said. "I mean, if Sirius Black is anywhere near Hogwarts, and everyone seems to think he is, then harry could be in danger."
 "He'd be alright, we'd be with him," Ron replied, somewhat uncertainly. "Harry knows what he's doing, it's not like he hasn't faced anyone like this before, is it Hermione?"

 "It's a bit different this time though, isn't it?" Hermione said with a sniff. "I mean before he just seemed to walk into trouble, it was kind of an accident. But this time troubles after him. Sirius Black is mad and he wants to kill Harry. Only Dumbledore would have a chance against someone like that." Presently, the two reach Zonkos joke shop and headed inside, into the crush of students buying magical pranks and tricks.

Buffy and Sirius loitered outside inconspicuously. After about ten minutes, Hermione and Ron emerged, Ron carrying a small parcel and Hermione eyeing it with distaste.

At once, Hermione's eyes fixed upon Sirius. Buffy drew in her breath as Hermione pulled Ron over to them, her eyes still fixed on Sirius. Buffy contemplated walking away but instead she was rooted to the spot, watching the boy and girl approach.
 "Your dog is lovely," Hermione said to Buffy, causing her to release her breath in a big sigh. "Can I stroke him?" Buffy nodded, unable to speak and Ron and Hermione began to stroke Sirius and pat his head. He played along, barking a little, licking their hands and chasing his tail for them.
 "What's his name?" Ron asked Buffy, looking up at her.
 "Um….Snuffles," Buffy decided out loud, putting on her best English accent. "Yes, his name is Snuffles."

 "He's lovely," Hermione said, reluctantly pulling away. "Well, thanks." Ron and Hermione sauntered off down the street.
 "Well that was a close one," Buffy murmured to Sirius. "We'd better not follow them now, they've seen us." Sirius barked in agreement, and they set off back towards the Shrieking Shack, going the long way round again and picking up a paper on the way.

On returning to the house, Sirius transformed back into a human.

 "They must have been Harry's friends," he said delightedly. "They thought I was mad, but they seemed nice, concerned about him at least. He's gonna need friends like that."
 "Yeah they did seem nice," Buffy commented. "Though my head nearly exploded when they came up to us."

 "Hey I can't help it if I'm that attractive," Sirius said jokingly.
 "Puhlease, you wish! Buffy exclaimed. "So Mr Modesty, you ready for later?"

 "Later, oh right, Pettigrew," Sirius said. "I can't believe that's tonight." He scratched his head thoughtfully.
 "Sirius," Buffy said suddenly. She stood up and went over to him. "You might need this." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a knife, Faith's knife to be exact.
 "Isn't this?" Sirius said, eyes widening.
 "Faith's knife, yes," Buffy filled in. "You might need some protection, and I want this knife to be used for some good. So far all it's done is hurt people. So, keep it, it's yours." Sirius took the knife, a look of awe in his eyes. He examined the blade, looking at the intricate design.
 "Thank you," he said hoarsely. "I know what this means to you."

 "Yeah, well, you mean a lot too," Buffy said, trying to keep her tone light. "Consider it a goodbye present, tomorrow I'll be heading back to good ol' SunnyD." She stood in front of Sirius and he stood up too. One calloused hand reached out to touch her face, almost wonderingly. She reached up her hand and gently placed her hand on top of his. He took it and squeezed her fingers.
 "Buffy, I," Sirius began but he was silenced by Buffy's kiss. She pulled away slightly, and he felt her breath on his cheek before pulling her back to him, wrapping his arms around her. All at once it felt like hours and seconds before they were apart.
 "Wow," Buffy said breathlessly. "I've had some goodbyes, but that just beats all of them." They both laughed.

 "I'd better go," Sirius said reluctantly. "Seven o clock, everyone will be in the hall. We'll talk when I get back okay?" Buffy nodded and walked him into the living room.
 "Good luck," she said. "Make them listen." Sirius nodded at her and transformed. He climbed through the hole and was gone.

Once Sirius had left, Buffy flopped backwards onto the dilapidated sofa, ignoring the cloud of dust that rose from it. Her brain was whirling, she knew she should be focusing on Sirius finding Peter, but she couldn't. they had kissed and he had been amazing. Buffy shivered, still buzzing from the feeling. But then she frowned. He had said that they would 'talk.' In relationship code that meant break-up. But they weren't in a relationship. Did that mean he wasn't interested? Buffy began to curse out loud, damning herself for being so forward. She shouldn't have kissed him, what if he was just waiting to let her down gently. But then he had kissed her and it had been incredible. You couldn't feel half hearted about a person and kiss them like that.
Still frowning Buffy sat up and twisted her hands together nervously.
That really wasn't important now, however much her heart told her it was. What was important was the fact that Sirius was heading into Hogwarts, possibly towards his recapture, and perhaps his death.

****

There you go, that's for everyone who wanted Buffy Sirius action. But don't get too excited, it won't be that simple…….