Re-released Disclaimer (from Chapter 1) -- May not follow cannon.
Chapter 10
Settling In
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It was the third lesson that she had announced that a student would face a vampire. Once she had told them the task, only a small handful of hands had gone up, including her own, but Buffy had chosen Hermione Granger who removed her wand and had risen up. She had managed to mutter a spell which shot fire from her wand, which had lit the vampire from within. As it had turned to dust, Hermione merely stared at it before returning quietly to her seat and sitting down.
Since the three classes discussing vampires, Buffy had moved onto jinxes and curses that would be used against them. The class seemed to relax around her, because she really knew what she was doing, and Dawn was glad.
However, she wished that Potions would be going better. She had a strange feeling that Buffy had stepped in and had told Professor Snape something, because he was acting civil toward her, but downright rude to Marietta Edgecombe, her Potions partner. But it was in this class that the Slytherins, which seemed to outnumber all of the houses combined, paid her the most attention, always trying to catch her eye or be friendly to her. She had a feeling that Draco had stepped in there.
The polyjuice potion was almost complete. After Neville Longbottom's disaster, which Professor Snape icily reminded him at least twice each class, there had been none. The atmosphere was extremely tense, which made Dawn even more happy to escape the dungeons.
When word had spread that Neville had been allowed back into Potions, many were surprised. Dawn had heard rumors that Buffy had stepped in and was impressed with the initiative her sister had shown toward the students. But it was common knowledge that Potions was Neville's worst class and Dawn couldn't see how he could have passed the O.W.L., let alone get an Outstanding, in which he would be allowed to take the sixth-year course. He noticed that the Gryffindors all seemed suspicious about it, and the Slytherins questioned it. However, she also noticed that both the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs seemed to want to remain neutral.
The only other class Dawn loathed was Arithmancy, which she had with Hermione Granger. Since there were fewer Slytherins in the class, she often sat next to the Gryffindor prefect. Although Professor Vector was very intelligent and understanding, Dawn found herself over her head in that class. Transfiguration was bearable, but only because Dawn had just had to transform rocks into mice, but that was simple enough. Divination was a nightmare. The longer she laid underneath the starry sky in classroom eleven, the longer she wanted to scream and jump out the window. Charms was fun, in Dawn's opinion. It was the only class that was always rowdy and noisy, which gave her a chance to catch up with whatever the sixth-year Ravenclaws discussed. History of Magic had to be the most boring class, taught by an old ghost who had risen from his chair dead on day, and droned right on. After taking her sixth pages of notes, Dawn had fallen asleep on top of them, waking up to find that the ink had spread and words discussing the torture of hobgobbins was scripted across her face.
Dawn often wished she had Care of Magical Creatures or Herbology, because everytime she walked down the corridor, the students were coming back with some exciting tale on some creature that Hagrid had shown them, or about some new plant that could cure some illness. Dawn decided to take initiative one early October Saturday morning and strolled down to the greenhouses, which she had not yet seen.
It was stifling hot inside, and full of plants she had never seen before. As she rounded one corner, a figure jumped out at her and Dawn shrieked, and then found herself being snapped at by plants with large fangs. The person who had jumped out was none other than Professor Sprout, who became apologetic and even helpful, offering Dawn a tour after she had explained her willingness to learn about these plants.
Even though classes were going well, it was Quidditch that Dawn was most excited for. She had already joined team practices, under the careful supervision of Madam Hooch, who seemed to be the Quidditch coach. Dawn found herself to be competent enough when she focused, and since she had spent years in the same house as Buffy, she knew what that was like.
The first match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw was a month away, and Dawn was ready to show them what she was made of. They all seemed to look at her as she passed on by, as though she were just some pretty object made available for seeing, like in a museum.
But Dawn was out to prove that she had substance.
Her stress had been diminished when Tara and Willow returned, not speaking to each other. When Tara had finally gotten up the nerve to speak, she had said Kennedy had joined them on the trip, not knowing who Tara really was, as long as Willow was going. When Willow had discovered this, she had transfigured into a cat and refused to leave that position until the mission, which took just ten days, was complete.
Willow's story was more mellow and filled with confusion. On a quiet afternoon while Tara was visiting Hogsmeade, she told Buffy that being with Kennedy and Tara at the same time was like being ripped apart. Knowing that she had the love of her life back made things easier, but seeing someone who had been there when Willow had suffered made the case twice as hard. Buffy found there was little she could do except comfort her friend.
The faculty was extemely accomodating to her, she found, one Saturday afternoon that she attended a meeting. Afterwards, the four faculty members of the Order of the Phoenix stayed behind to talk to her. Apparently, they heard more news about what was happening on the front of Lord Voldemort. He had turned his attention first to the Ministry of Magic. The threat of spies was higher than ever, and there now a twelve-code security clearance so that members within could rarely leave.
It was at this meeting that Buffy expressed a new concern. If the Ministry of Magic was being targeted now, then certainly Hogwarts and the ultimate prize of the Potter boy would be next. After asking what the students could do to protect themselves, it was Hagrid who spoke.
"Well, there was Dumbledore's Army," he said in his ragged voice, turning to Professor Dumbledore. "T'was started by Harry, and if anyone knows about protectin' themself, its him."
Buffy had turned expectant eyes to the Headmaster, who explained what had happened to Dumbledore's Army the previous year. But the more Buffy heard about it, the more she believed it was a good idea.
"Is there anyway possible to reinstate Dumbledore's Army, open it to all students, no matter their House, and give it faculty support?"
Professor Snape had been watching her through his curtain of black hair while she spoke, before shaking his head and saying in his cold voice: "This is the last thing we need, Headmaster, to give the students this type of power."
"What power do they have when they're unprepared for an attack?" Buffy asked archly.
"They would have a better chance if they use the practical lessons being taught to them," Snape replied, his eyes narrowing.
The cat in Buffy's lap hissed.
"Sir," Buffy said, appealing to Professor Dumbledore, "the students need to know what they're facing. If the war were to come to Hogwarts, you would be able to control Voldemort, and I would take on the ubervampires, but I highly doubt that the giants, the dememtors and the rest of dark creatures out there would be held back."
Professor McGonagall had been staring at her, hands neatly folded under her chin, her eyes stern but thoughtful. "Are you saying that the school would be unprepared for such an attack?"
"No," Buffy said apologetically. "I'm saying that you have hundreds of students that are easy targets to be picked off one by one." As she said this, memories of burying dead potentials came to mind and she shuddered, looking down and absentmindedly stroking the Willow cat. "They have to be prepared if they face what the darkness brings."
"And so they will," Dumbledore said in a quiet voice, his blue eyes twinkling behind his spectacles. "Professor McGonagall, you will speak to Harry Potter about restarting the defense group."
"Yes, Headmaster," she concurred, before rising and in a flash of tartan had disappeared from the room.
"Severus, would you be so kind as to take Professor Summers to your office and discuss with her the latest in your research?" Dumbledore asked kindly.
He nodded, his eyes never leaving Buffy's face.
"Hagrid, you and I have another matter to discuss," Dumbledore finally said as Buffy and Snape rose and left the office, leaving Hagrid and the Headmaster behind.
Buffy had retreated down to Snape's office, where she had spent the rest of a glorious Saturday afternoon listening to Severus recount the latest details of what was happening. When she asked how he knew all this, he had rolled up the sleeve on his left arm and had shown her the dark mark. That prompted another discussion which lead to both of them being reasonably late to a Staff dinner.
As much as she hated to admit it, she was growing fond of the time she spent with the faculty, especially Hagrid and Snape, even though she would die before she admitted she wanted anything to do with Severus. Hagrid, although intimidating at first, had given her a true welcome, introducing her to rock cakes and even his brand of single malt scotch.
But what surprised her more was Severus Snape. Since she had spoken to him about Dawn's welfare, he had been accomodating, even lighthearted about it. Although she couldn't deny his interest in the dark arts, she was still happy to have found someone to talk about it all too. Buffy knew she didn't understand many things, and Snape provided everything she had a question to.
As mid-October approached, Buffy spent the entirety of a Saturday in Snape's office, discussing the dark arts. She always went to Snape in the company of Willow, who usually sat on Buffy's lap, lounging in luxury.
Now, standing, staring out the window toward the Quidditch pitch, seen barely through the haze in the distance, she could feel an emptiness growing inside of her. It was strange, teaching defense to students and learning about the faculty as well. Hearing a footstep behind her, she saw Willow, talking on the phone Angel had given her, a strange look on her face as she ended the call.
"Who was that?" Buffy asked softly, letting the curtain close behind her.
"Angel," Willow replied. "Buffy, you'd better sit down."
"What is it?" Buffy asked, a note of panic in her voice. "Did something happen to him? Cordelia?"
"No..." Willow said, her voice trailing off. "It's Spike. He's alive."
Confused, he found himself at her office. She beckoned him in warmly. "Sit, Potter."
He sat.
"It has been decided that your defense group that you started last year be reinstated," she began.
Harry felt his jaw drop. "Professor, are you serious?"
She seemed to be releasing a huge breath. "Yes, Potter, I am. Fortunately for you, Professor Summers has agreed to oversee the group, but only under the conditions that you open the group up to all students, including those of Slytherin," she added, seeing the mortified look spread across his face, "and that you consent to practice within the guidelines set by the Ministry."
Harry opened his mouth, then closed it. He seemed to be unable to speak.
"I know that this may be troubling for you, considering the amount of coursework, your Quidditch, and everything else happening this year," Professor McGonagall said softly. "But in my understanding, it is the right thing to do."
"What sort of guidelines would we have to follow?" Harry asked tentatively.
"There will be no guidelines to the extent of what you practice, it's how the procedure works," she replied. "It will be how long you can practice, if you can practice a particular jinx on someone or have to use an object like a cushion, those types of guidelines." She stood up, indication that the meeting was over.
"Harry, I know you can do this. It is the type of thing that your Father would have done," Professor McGonagall said to his retreating back. "Sirius Black would be proud of you."
He was lucky his back was turned so she wouldn't be able to see the tears in his eyes.