"Blaise!" Rona, Vi and Kennedy all yell at the same time.
"Guys!" Blaise squeals as they pull each other into a group hug. Blaise looks around to see Buffy and Faith and walks over to give them both hugs. As the group greets each other they are oblivious to the other group that is in the room.
Two claps catch everyone's attention. All of the Slayers and Watchers turn to look at Professor Dumbledore who nods at them. "Mr. Giles, Ms. Zabini and Mr. Weasley it is good to have you back at Hogwarts. I'd like to welcome the rest of you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. The people behind me are the Order of the Phoenix."
Dumbledore continues on with his speech as Blaise looks at the order. Professor Snape is eyeing her. She nods at him to acknowledge that she sees him there. He briefly returns the gesture. She notices most of the other Professors, and Professor Lupin is there too. Most of the Weasley family is there, and eyeing Charlie. Blaise's eyes flick over to her Watcher and notices his tense posture and shifts to stand slightly closer to him, and as she touches her hand to his and hooks her pinkie finger around his (their sign to each other that the other was near without looking like they are holding hands) his eyes look down to her, and she can see the thanks there.
Her lips upturn slightly as she looks back to the crowd. She doesn't recognize many people. But then she gets to two she does. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. They are standing next to Ron Weasley who looks as if he is going to blow a gasket. Hermione is trying to calm him down, and Harry can't figure out what to make of the whole situation.
But one person surprises her. As her eyes meet his, he arches up one eyebrow, and she patterns back a similar expression to him. He cocks his head to the side as if to ask her what is going on. She slightly shakes her head, so slight that no one else would have noticed except for another Slytherin, one that knows the body language used. He closes his eyes slightly in acceptance of that. She knows that they will talk later. He hasn't changed a bit. Still the Slytherin King, she can tell. Still utterly Draco Malfoy.
Charlie grabbing her hand and squeezing it gets her attention back to the situation at hand. Dumbledore has finished speaking and she is kicking herself for not paying attention. It looks as if Giles is going around and introducing all of them. From the looks of it she is next. "And this is..."
"Most of them know who I am Giles," Blaise says. "Yes I'm a Slayer, yes I'm alive, yes I took care of the Hellmouth in Cleveland, and yes Charlie's my Watcher. I think that covers it all. And for those of you who don't know me, I'm Blaise Zabini, pleasure to meet you."
"Yes well, I guess that covers Blaise, to her right is her Watcher Charlie Weasley who has been with her in Cleveland for the past five years," Giles says looking concern about Blaise's outburst, "And that finishes up our introductions."
"You must all be hungry. We will go down into the Great Hall and have supper," Dumbledore says and everyone starts following him out of the office.
Charlie holds back for a moment, and Blaise stays with him, not willing to let her Watcher go through this alone. She motions to the other girls to follow the crowd that she'll catch up with them.
As she turns back around to Charlie she notices Molly Weasley staring at him. "This is what you've been doing? And you didn't bother to tell us? What do you think I was thinking every time that your hand on the clock went into the Mortal Danger part? Do you know how many times that has happened?" Molly is practically shrieking by the end.
Charlie looks his mother. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you."
She looks at him, "At least you are alright. But I have been worried. Especially last week, the hand keep bouncing between Mortal Peril and traveling, didn't know what was going on."
Charlie opens his mouth as his mother hugs him, "Last week?" He asks.
"Yes last week, it was the longest that it happened for," Molly says sternly to him.
Blaise can't contain it anymore, "I told you she was a demon!" She starts laughing at him, "But no you wouldn't listen to me, my spider senses are never wrong!"
"Stuff it Blaise."
"No," Blaise continues to laugh, "Xanders going to be so happy that someone else went out with a demon!"
"You What?" Molly says.
"Mom, I....." Charlie starts, "look I have a lot to apologize for, I know all of you want to kill me and you all think I've abandoned the family, but I haven't. This was something I had to do." He looks at Blaise who's calmed down at this point. "People needed me."
"I know that I didn't get along with you all when I was here at Hogwarts, and you don't know me, but I know I wouldn't have survived this long without Charlie. He not only trained me as a Slayer, but also as a Witch so I could finish my schooling. He's helped me in so many ways, and I just hope you all can forgive him for not being there," Blaise says looking at the Weasley's hoping they all forgive him.
Surprisingly Ginny pulls Blaise into a hug. "Of course we'll forgive him. And I'm also welcoming you to the family, its obvious that Charlie loves you a lot."
"We're not together!" Both of them exclaim at the same time.
Ginny turns red, "I didn't mean it like that, but Charlie thinks of you as family, that makes you family to me."
Most of the Weasleys agree and they all pull Charlie with them out the door. Blaise follows and ends up with Ginny, Ron, Harry and Hermione. She looks at them and they look back at her. Hermione looks at her, "I did wonder what happened to you, and you were my biggest competition to the top of the class."
"Yes I know," Blaise smiles, "I assume you were head girl?"
"Of course," Harry says looking at Hermione, "did anyone doubt that for a second?"
"Yeah my Mia is the brain here," Ron says putting an arm around Hermione and kissing her cheek.
Hermione turns bright red.
Blaise laughs, "Sappy much."
Charlie, who hears this, turns around, "You do sound like a Yank."
Blaise shrugs, "Your point? I had Dawn as a roommate for how many years?"
"Very true," he shrugs then looks ahead in the hall. "Looks like some sort of hold up."
She looks down the hall and sees the other girls standing there with Faith and Wood in the center of the group. All the sudden she sees a cute three year old boy being picked up by Kennedy. She smiles and looks around for his twin sister when she feels a pull on her pant. She looks down to see Faiths daughter, Kayla, staring up at her. "Up Aunty Lai!" Kayla says to her.
As Blaise picks her up she says to Faith, "Hey Fai you let your kid escape!"
"Laugh it up Blaise, when you're a mom you'll understand. Besides, Kayla there is already almost as strong as mommy, aren't you Kay?" Faith says walking over to Blaise. "How you holding up?"
Faith has also become close with Blaise over the years, after being called into help with the Hellmouth a couple of times in the early years when Blaise was unsure of herself. Wood and Faith had settled on Put-in-Bay, an island so that they could raise their kids without some of the worries of Vampires and Demons, they didn't tend to like islands.
"I'm good," Blaise says as she maneuvers Kayla over to Vi to hold. "You? You know, Faith, you and Wood have to visit more with Kay and Robbie Jr over there, I miss them."
Faith puts an arm around her waist as they are able to start walking again. Blaise likes the way Faith has changed over the years, opening up to those around her, and being slightly more affectionate. Since living so close to them, she considers Dawn and Blaise her sisters. "I know we've been lax on that, it was just one of those things. School started for Robin, and the kids have really hit the terrible threes, forget about two. Kayla over there is starting to exhibit her strength, so it's hard to have play dates and things. It's been rough."
As Faith finishes, they see Dumbledore and the rest of the group stopped in front of the Great Hall. "There is the end of the group. You must all know that we are still running a school. There is a visitors table on the left side of the hall, if you will all sit there. The students know that you are here to help protect the school, but that is all. Please don't tell them anything else until we have spoken. After supper I'll have someone show you to your rooms. We will be able to speak more tomorrow, but tonight please rest and relax." They all acknowledge that with a nod and Dumbledore opens the doors to the hall.
Blaise looks around the Great Hall and the first things she notices is that the Slytherin table is nearly empty. She sees that the visitors table is half of the Sytherin table. As people start filing in they sit at the far end of the table. Blaise sees Draco sitting down near the students and follows his example, knowing that since everyone is already sitting down, this would be a good time to catch up. As she slides in next to him, and across from Giles, she smiles at both men.
"Giles didn't know you were one to sit so near the students," Blaise says starting to make conversation as she starts serving herself.
Giles looks at her, "Actually my dear I was hoping to speak to you."
Blaise raises an eyebrow, "What about?"
"You know I trust you, you are one of my best slayers," Giles starts, he takes off his glasses to clean them, and Blaise knows he is nervous, "Blaise, no matter what I just want to let you know that you can refuse what is being asked of you."
Blaise looks up sharply at him. She figures that she is going to be doing something a little more then the other girls. Her history in this world made it such that if she wasn't, it would have been idiotic for them. "Of course Giles," she says.
He nods and gets up to leave the table walking up to the head table and sitting next to Professor Snape, who looks at Blaise and Draco and nod. They respond the same way.
"So Blaise," Draco drawls, "I wasn't expecting to ever see you again after that performance in Hogsmeade."
Blaise thinks back to that day. "Yes well, I wasn't expecting to ever be back, so you are in good company. And when I heard I was going to have to come back, I most certainly was not expecting to see you."
"Most people aren't."
"Although I should have expected it. I know you Draco, you forget that I do. We have spoken of this all. I'm only surprised they let you eat in the open."
Draco looks over at the girl that knew him better then he knew himself all those years ago. Blaise had been his confidant, not that there had been anyone else in his house to talk to, but he had been drawn to Blaise from the first night. "So you have it all figured out do you?"
Blaise shrugs, "no, but am I doing a good job trying to convince you of the fact that I do know what is going on?"
"Pretty much," he raises an eyebrow at her.
"Slayer trick, always make the opponent think you know what's going on, they are more likely to let something slip that way," she takes a small bit of her food and flicks her hair behind her shoulder.
Draco leans in and whispers into her ear, "I am glad you are here Blaise, I missed you. I'll arrange it so that I'm showing you to your room so we can talk, nod and look like I'm flirting with you when I pull away."
She does as he asks adding a little giggle and a light slap to his shoulder. He laughs at her, and for Blaise it feels good to be back.
Charlie looks down at his slayer and sees her flirting with Malfoy. He knows that they were close while Blaise was at Hogwarts, but makes a mental note to keep a closer eye on her.
"Guys!" Blaise squeals as they pull each other into a group hug. Blaise looks around to see Buffy and Faith and walks over to give them both hugs. As the group greets each other they are oblivious to the other group that is in the room.
Two claps catch everyone's attention. All of the Slayers and Watchers turn to look at Professor Dumbledore who nods at them. "Mr. Giles, Ms. Zabini and Mr. Weasley it is good to have you back at Hogwarts. I'd like to welcome the rest of you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. The people behind me are the Order of the Phoenix."
Dumbledore continues on with his speech as Blaise looks at the order. Professor Snape is eyeing her. She nods at him to acknowledge that she sees him there. He briefly returns the gesture. She notices most of the other Professors, and Professor Lupin is there too. Most of the Weasley family is there, and eyeing Charlie. Blaise's eyes flick over to her Watcher and notices his tense posture and shifts to stand slightly closer to him, and as she touches her hand to his and hooks her pinkie finger around his (their sign to each other that the other was near without looking like they are holding hands) his eyes look down to her, and she can see the thanks there.
Her lips upturn slightly as she looks back to the crowd. She doesn't recognize many people. But then she gets to two she does. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. They are standing next to Ron Weasley who looks as if he is going to blow a gasket. Hermione is trying to calm him down, and Harry can't figure out what to make of the whole situation.
But one person surprises her. As her eyes meet his, he arches up one eyebrow, and she patterns back a similar expression to him. He cocks his head to the side as if to ask her what is going on. She slightly shakes her head, so slight that no one else would have noticed except for another Slytherin, one that knows the body language used. He closes his eyes slightly in acceptance of that. She knows that they will talk later. He hasn't changed a bit. Still the Slytherin King, she can tell. Still utterly Draco Malfoy.
Charlie grabbing her hand and squeezing it gets her attention back to the situation at hand. Dumbledore has finished speaking and she is kicking herself for not paying attention. It looks as if Giles is going around and introducing all of them. From the looks of it she is next. "And this is..."
"Most of them know who I am Giles," Blaise says. "Yes I'm a Slayer, yes I'm alive, yes I took care of the Hellmouth in Cleveland, and yes Charlie's my Watcher. I think that covers it all. And for those of you who don't know me, I'm Blaise Zabini, pleasure to meet you."
"Yes well, I guess that covers Blaise, to her right is her Watcher Charlie Weasley who has been with her in Cleveland for the past five years," Giles says looking concern about Blaise's outburst, "And that finishes up our introductions."
"You must all be hungry. We will go down into the Great Hall and have supper," Dumbledore says and everyone starts following him out of the office.
Charlie holds back for a moment, and Blaise stays with him, not willing to let her Watcher go through this alone. She motions to the other girls to follow the crowd that she'll catch up with them.
As she turns back around to Charlie she notices Molly Weasley staring at him. "This is what you've been doing? And you didn't bother to tell us? What do you think I was thinking every time that your hand on the clock went into the Mortal Danger part? Do you know how many times that has happened?" Molly is practically shrieking by the end.
Charlie looks his mother. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you."
She looks at him, "At least you are alright. But I have been worried. Especially last week, the hand keep bouncing between Mortal Peril and traveling, didn't know what was going on."
Charlie opens his mouth as his mother hugs him, "Last week?" He asks.
"Yes last week, it was the longest that it happened for," Molly says sternly to him.
Blaise can't contain it anymore, "I told you she was a demon!" She starts laughing at him, "But no you wouldn't listen to me, my spider senses are never wrong!"
"Stuff it Blaise."
"No," Blaise continues to laugh, "Xanders going to be so happy that someone else went out with a demon!"
"You What?" Molly says.
"Mom, I....." Charlie starts, "look I have a lot to apologize for, I know all of you want to kill me and you all think I've abandoned the family, but I haven't. This was something I had to do." He looks at Blaise who's calmed down at this point. "People needed me."
"I know that I didn't get along with you all when I was here at Hogwarts, and you don't know me, but I know I wouldn't have survived this long without Charlie. He not only trained me as a Slayer, but also as a Witch so I could finish my schooling. He's helped me in so many ways, and I just hope you all can forgive him for not being there," Blaise says looking at the Weasley's hoping they all forgive him.
Surprisingly Ginny pulls Blaise into a hug. "Of course we'll forgive him. And I'm also welcoming you to the family, its obvious that Charlie loves you a lot."
"We're not together!" Both of them exclaim at the same time.
Ginny turns red, "I didn't mean it like that, but Charlie thinks of you as family, that makes you family to me."
Most of the Weasleys agree and they all pull Charlie with them out the door. Blaise follows and ends up with Ginny, Ron, Harry and Hermione. She looks at them and they look back at her. Hermione looks at her, "I did wonder what happened to you, and you were my biggest competition to the top of the class."
"Yes I know," Blaise smiles, "I assume you were head girl?"
"Of course," Harry says looking at Hermione, "did anyone doubt that for a second?"
"Yeah my Mia is the brain here," Ron says putting an arm around Hermione and kissing her cheek.
Hermione turns bright red.
Blaise laughs, "Sappy much."
Charlie, who hears this, turns around, "You do sound like a Yank."
Blaise shrugs, "Your point? I had Dawn as a roommate for how many years?"
"Very true," he shrugs then looks ahead in the hall. "Looks like some sort of hold up."
She looks down the hall and sees the other girls standing there with Faith and Wood in the center of the group. All the sudden she sees a cute three year old boy being picked up by Kennedy. She smiles and looks around for his twin sister when she feels a pull on her pant. She looks down to see Faiths daughter, Kayla, staring up at her. "Up Aunty Lai!" Kayla says to her.
As Blaise picks her up she says to Faith, "Hey Fai you let your kid escape!"
"Laugh it up Blaise, when you're a mom you'll understand. Besides, Kayla there is already almost as strong as mommy, aren't you Kay?" Faith says walking over to Blaise. "How you holding up?"
Faith has also become close with Blaise over the years, after being called into help with the Hellmouth a couple of times in the early years when Blaise was unsure of herself. Wood and Faith had settled on Put-in-Bay, an island so that they could raise their kids without some of the worries of Vampires and Demons, they didn't tend to like islands.
"I'm good," Blaise says as she maneuvers Kayla over to Vi to hold. "You? You know, Faith, you and Wood have to visit more with Kay and Robbie Jr over there, I miss them."
Faith puts an arm around her waist as they are able to start walking again. Blaise likes the way Faith has changed over the years, opening up to those around her, and being slightly more affectionate. Since living so close to them, she considers Dawn and Blaise her sisters. "I know we've been lax on that, it was just one of those things. School started for Robin, and the kids have really hit the terrible threes, forget about two. Kayla over there is starting to exhibit her strength, so it's hard to have play dates and things. It's been rough."
As Faith finishes, they see Dumbledore and the rest of the group stopped in front of the Great Hall. "There is the end of the group. You must all know that we are still running a school. There is a visitors table on the left side of the hall, if you will all sit there. The students know that you are here to help protect the school, but that is all. Please don't tell them anything else until we have spoken. After supper I'll have someone show you to your rooms. We will be able to speak more tomorrow, but tonight please rest and relax." They all acknowledge that with a nod and Dumbledore opens the doors to the hall.
Blaise looks around the Great Hall and the first things she notices is that the Slytherin table is nearly empty. She sees that the visitors table is half of the Sytherin table. As people start filing in they sit at the far end of the table. Blaise sees Draco sitting down near the students and follows his example, knowing that since everyone is already sitting down, this would be a good time to catch up. As she slides in next to him, and across from Giles, she smiles at both men.
"Giles didn't know you were one to sit so near the students," Blaise says starting to make conversation as she starts serving herself.
Giles looks at her, "Actually my dear I was hoping to speak to you."
Blaise raises an eyebrow, "What about?"
"You know I trust you, you are one of my best slayers," Giles starts, he takes off his glasses to clean them, and Blaise knows he is nervous, "Blaise, no matter what I just want to let you know that you can refuse what is being asked of you."
Blaise looks up sharply at him. She figures that she is going to be doing something a little more then the other girls. Her history in this world made it such that if she wasn't, it would have been idiotic for them. "Of course Giles," she says.
He nods and gets up to leave the table walking up to the head table and sitting next to Professor Snape, who looks at Blaise and Draco and nod. They respond the same way.
"So Blaise," Draco drawls, "I wasn't expecting to ever see you again after that performance in Hogsmeade."
Blaise thinks back to that day. "Yes well, I wasn't expecting to ever be back, so you are in good company. And when I heard I was going to have to come back, I most certainly was not expecting to see you."
"Most people aren't."
"Although I should have expected it. I know you Draco, you forget that I do. We have spoken of this all. I'm only surprised they let you eat in the open."
Draco looks over at the girl that knew him better then he knew himself all those years ago. Blaise had been his confidant, not that there had been anyone else in his house to talk to, but he had been drawn to Blaise from the first night. "So you have it all figured out do you?"
Blaise shrugs, "no, but am I doing a good job trying to convince you of the fact that I do know what is going on?"
"Pretty much," he raises an eyebrow at her.
"Slayer trick, always make the opponent think you know what's going on, they are more likely to let something slip that way," she takes a small bit of her food and flicks her hair behind her shoulder.
Draco leans in and whispers into her ear, "I am glad you are here Blaise, I missed you. I'll arrange it so that I'm showing you to your room so we can talk, nod and look like I'm flirting with you when I pull away."
She does as he asks adding a little giggle and a light slap to his shoulder. He laughs at her, and for Blaise it feels good to be back.
Charlie looks down at his slayer and sees her flirting with Malfoy. He knows that they were close while Blaise was at Hogwarts, but makes a mental note to keep a closer eye on her.
