Chapter 30
Calm Before the Storm
It was the day after Hogsmeade and, once again, Buffy found herself in the Dungeons, sitting across from Draco Malfoy, who was sneering at her thickening potion and ladling bits into clay jars to show her where her spell had gone wrong.
"You know," she finally said, after he'd lectured her for five minutes on the use of her ingredients, "why don't you make it?"
His eyes narrowed dangerously. "You'd like that, wouldn't you, Potter?" he sneered.
"Oh, I'd enjoy it," she said, giving him a sweet smile. "Besides, you understand this rubbish far better than I ever will."
He stared at her a moment before dumping the contents in one of the jars back into her cauldron. "I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me," he said quietly, reaching for the other jar.
"It's probably because it's true," she replied, staring at 1001 Magical Herbs and Fungi. "Okay, you told me that this one isn't as bad as some of my others have been."
"Professor Snape said you managed to make a good swelling solution in class on Friday," Draco admitted. "He said, and I quote, 'you're improvements are slow, mediocre at best'. But, you are improving."
"Good for me," she said unenthusiastically, stirring her potion in a bored manner. "What else can we practice?"
"How about a shrinking solution?" he suggested, reading from a bit of parchment. "If you can do the swelling solution, the antedote is quite easy."
"Right," she said, taking her book in her arms and flipping through it casually. He lifted his wand behind her cauldron, murmured, "Evanesco", and her disgusting potion disappeared.
An hour later, she was stirring a perfect potion, smiling happily.
"You should do that more often," Draco commented slowly as he made a note on his parchment.
"Do what? Finally get something right?" she asked, feeling slightly insulted.
"No," he replied, glancing up at her mockingly. "Smile. I can see why anyone would like you as much as your boyfriend probably does." He was looking sullen again as he dropped his eyes back to her cauldron.
Had he just complimented her? Twice?
"I only smile when I actually feel like it," she replied, glancing at him curiously.
She had been smiling a lot that day, it was true. Not only from a wonderful day yesterday, but from a letter she received at breakfast included with a box packed with the finest chocolates. Buffy had been touched, but then discovered the chocolates had been tainted when Emma's hair suddenly turned into peacock feathers.
OUR Teeny Tiny,
Word has reached our lowly ears that you have been commiserating with a former classmate of Percy's. Do NOT and we repeat do NOT do anything we wouldn't do. That includes touching, snogging and whatever it is you Americans call... but, you wouldn't!
You're still our Teeny Tiny, if you are covered in Quidditch captain germs.
The Two BEST Weasleys
Draco was continuing to scribble on a bit of parchment.
"What are you writing?" Buffy asked, the smile sliding off of her face.
"Your progress," Draco said after a moment's pause in which he lifted his quill slightly over his shoulder, as though determined to fling it into the substance.
"How bad is it?" she asked in a joking voice as she turned back to her textbook.
"Not bad," he said, glancing up at her. "I think you're doing better than Professor Snape even said you were."
Why is he being so nice to me? What happened to that annoying git who was trying to make my life a living hell?
"You're in a good mood today," she said slowly, closing her book when she saw the time on her watch. It was after eight. "We should probably wrap this up soon."
"You're right," Malfoy replied. "I have to get back to being a--"
"Prefect?" Buffy asked with a sharp laugh. "You don't do anything, don't kid yourself. I happen to live with a Head Girl and it's uncommon for her to show her true colors."
"You should have seen Weasley," Malfoy sneered. "Walking around, the little perfect Prefect. Always ordering us around, always bossing around the Gryffindors."
"Percy isn't that bad," she replied offhandedly.
"You've met him?" Draco asked, sneering again.
She nodded. "As a matter of opinion, he used to think very highly of your father before he landed himself into Azkaban."
"But he's out now, Potter, isn't he?" Instead of looking gleeful and malicious, Draco looked troubled, even forlorn as he stared at the now-empty table in front of them. "He'll be coming after your brother, too, since it was Harry's histrionics which sent him to Azkaban in the first place. He may even come after you."
"You do know that I'm not going to let anyone lay a hand on him, right?" she asked, a harsh edge to her voice. It wasn't something she wanted to say and she felt a surge of power within her. Just saying these words made her realize how much of her life she'd already lost.
"I don't think you have much of a choice," Draco said coldly. "Voldemort has risen back to power, Potter, and not even the powers of you can stop him."
"You'd be surprised," she said softly. He looked at her, his silver eyes full of surprise.
"Oh, really, Potter!" he said, sounding maliciously intrigued. "Unless you're hiding behind your own stupidity, which I doubt you are granting that look in your eyes, I'd say you're lying to me."
"You don't want to see my darkness," she said softly, her eyes not leaving his face. "I've lived through more than you can begin to imagine."
"Yeah, like the fact you were dead and everything," he said in an offhand voice. She suddenly gasped and glanced up, trying to catch his gaze, but he was carefully averting it.
"How in the hell..." she started, when his face broke out into a smirk and he stared up at her, eyes dancing with mirth. "Who were you listening to?"
"Weasley and Granger," he said in a bored, drawling voice, enjoying seeing the girl in front of him shifting uneasily in her seat. "They kept going on and on about some prophecy. They're too boring for my tastes, Potter. I can't see why you would entrust those two with anything you'd want kept from Potter junior. He's bound to find out something sooner or later, Potter. He has an affinity for saving people."
"It's something that runs in the family," she snarled, still unwilling to believe that Draco Malfoy, of all people, had listened to a conversation between Ginny and Hermione. "How dare you listen in on their private conversation?"
"For a Wood wannabe, you have a lot of backbone," he retorted back. He suddenly wished he hadn't said that. She turned to him with a gaze not unlike molten lava. There was an eruption behind her eyes that intimidated him. It did worse than that, he realized as her eyes darkened in anger. It scared him.
"What did you hear?" she asked in a dangerous, low voice. It sounded almost like the hiss of a snake.
"They were talking about a prophecy concerning Sirius Black, blah blah blah," he said, waving his hand dismissively as his mind struggled to recall of the precious details he'd spent hours mulling over. Buffy felt her fists clenching in the sleeves of her robes, but refused to give into her anger until she knew exactly what the boy had heard. "There was also this interesting tidbit about the fact that this escaped convict is still alive, even after my Aunt killed him last--"
He didn't get a chance to finish his words. Buffy had risen to her feet so quickly, her wand whipping out and aimed straight at the center of Malfoy's forehead. "Say it," she snarled, anger flashing in every line of her face. Her hand was steady, as though her powers were radiating to the tips of her fingers, fusing her emotions and her physical control into one. "Just say it. I dare you."
His gaze was defiant as his eyes met hers. "Why don't you tell me how you died? They know that either you died or this other girl did, and that it had to be you, since you were so vague about it."
"Malfoy, stop playing games," she snapped, keeping her wand aimed at his head, not caring if anyone, including Snape, was watching. She just felt a sense of vindictive pleasure at watching this boy stare at her with all the hatred he was so keen on releasing.
"Do I look like I'm playing?" he asked her, sounding nervous for the first time, probably because she hadn't yet dropped her wand arm. It was still perfectly aimed at his face. After releasing a long, pent-up breath, she tucked her wand back inside her robes and sat down again.
"You're right," she said softly. "I died. It was not three years ago. It was a mistake. There was a prophecy about me and it came true that night. I was only dead for two minutes. My best friend brought me back to life. And since then..." She stopped, noticing the look on her face. Far from being malicious and cruel, he looked interested and, if she dared believe it, awed.
"Harry will find out when the time is right," she said firmly. "Don't even think you can blackmail me into doing anything for you, because we both know I'm better than that. I offer you nothing short of endless pain and suffering. If you heard them talking about me, then you already know I'm powerful."
"Powerful, maybe," Draco said, the sneer returning fully to his face, "but magically, not a chance, Potter. I still own your ass."
"Care to make a bet on that someday?" she asked him coolly. She met the challenge in his eyes with a smirk of her own. "You're not the twitchy ferret I've been hearing about, are you Draco? You've got a backbone dear Daddy didn't buy you."
"My life has been hell since my Father got locked up," Draco spat in a cold voice. "I'm a lot tougher than you give me credit for. I may be able to kick your ass someday."
Buffy glanced at the clock above the door as she rose, dragging her cauldron back to its position on the shelf. "Dream on, Malfoy," she said with a sweet, infuriating smile. "Even if I were a simple Muggle, I'd still be able to kick your ass."
"As long as you smile when you're doing it," Malfoy said, lifting one eyebrow suggestively.
She frowned and crossed her arms. "I thought we already covered this. I smile when I want to smile."
"Deal," he said, giving her a last parting smirk as she swept regally from the room. "Oh, little Potter," he said with a sigh as the door slammed shut behind her. "You have no idea what's coming, what they're planning. When they're done with you, you'll wish you never came back."
"So the little maggot actually knew?"
"He did, Perce. I'm telling you, I was scared," Buffy said, crossing her arms in front of her. They were walking around the lake the following day at lunchtime. The weather was much cooler than anything she'd ever experienced in California. Although she was dressed in layers and her leather Quidditch gloves, she was still freezing. "I threatened him if he ever opened his fat mouth. I might even turn him back into a ferret."
"But, Elizabeth, that's illegal!" Percy said indignantly, seeing the cool look on her face.
"So?" she asked, sounding bemused. "It'd be well worth it. Even if it lands me an empty cell in Azkaban, well... you know how it goes, right? You are a Ministry employee, after all."
"Things have been more than tense," Percy admitted in a low voice as they stopped, staring out over the calm waters. "I'm beginning to think that this is a losing battle. People are going to die, Elizabeth. I'm quite scared now."
"So am I," Buffy admitted. "I'm usually not scared of anything. But in this world, it seems all bets are off."
"They are," Percy said in his rigid, inflexible tone. "But it seems as though you've found your own happiness here. I heard of you and your Quidditch player from my brother."
"Oh, my God, Perce. We're not getting married!" she insisted, blushing a bright shade of pink as she stepped up next to him. "Although sometimes I wonder what it'd be like, three or four years from now. The war would be over. I would be able to see my friends again without having to worry about the Watcher's Council..." A sad look suddenly crossed her face. "Percy, don't you ever wish you could go home again, without anyone judging you for your mistakes or thinking badly of you? Do you ever wish you could turn back time to take back something you never meant to happen? Do you ever wish..."
"I can't," Percy said, giving her a sideways glance. "There are things in this world that wishing and hoping will never change. How can you see anything good unless there's some darkness?"
"Things have been dark for so long," she said, her voice still full of grief, her eyes never leaving the misty surface of the water. "I've forgotten that sometimes, there really is light." She took a deep breath. "I'm going to tell Harry the truth tonight. I'm not going to chicken out. I've always faced my battles head on. Facing one against my brother should be no different, no matter how much it scares me. This is one thing I refuse to let break me. He's my only family, no matter what happens..."
The time had come, she realized. There were other students who knew about the prophecy and her death now. Harry had to find out or else the consequences would be dire.
She couldn't imagine withholding the truth from him a moment longer. The only thing that kept her from running and divulging everything now was the fact the bell had just tolled, signalling they had only a few minutes to get to their next lesson.
Buffy pulled her bag over her shoulder and turned to Percy, who was looking at her with eyes filled with concern. "Don't worry about me," she said with a bright smile. "I should probably get to Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'll see you."
"Right," he said, watching her jog back towards the school, her robes billowing and swirling around her.
She reached class just as Emma, Katie and Tess did. They looked surprised to see their new friend looking windswept and harried as the four walked inside Professor Pryce's classroom. Buffy took her usual seat next to Emma and the group waited for Professor Pryce to walk in.
He did, looking deeply troubled about something. Before one of the Hufflepuffs to their left asked him what was wrong, he finally held up a copy of that day's The Daily Prophet. There was a large moving image of an arguing group of witches and wizards on the front. Some of the other students who had seen the article fell silent, while those, like Buffy, who hadn't seen the article started whispering loudly.
Professor Pryce lifted up his hand and gave them all a stern look. Everyone quieted down, looking at each other.
"Professor," Emma said, finally lifting her hand in the air. "Could you please tell us about the article?"
"Of course, Miss Vance," Professor Pryce said, fixing her with his piercing gaze. "As some of you may know by now, the Ministry has been in disarray since the arrest of a rather high official late last night. One of the members of the Wizengamot was arrested last night after confessing that he had been spreading Ministry plans and secrets to known Death Eaters who escaped earlier this month from Azkaban. This is a very serious situation because the Death Eaters now know what the Ministry is planning in order to protect the most vulnerable student. I am speaking, of course, of Harry Potter."
Buffy tried vainly not to roll her eyes, but it was difficult.
As Professor Pryce continued talking about the difficulties ahead, Buffy felt her mind wander. Had it only been two days since she last saw Oliver? She smiled, resting her chin on her fist, daydreaming. She only snapped out of it when a hard elbow collided with her ribs.
"Honestly!" Emma muttered next to her, while Katie hissed her name from behind her. Buffy turned guilty eyes to the Professor, who was giving her a patient smile.
"Miss Potter, I am glad you could join us. I was just enlightening the class on the dangers of self-transformation. If you have read the eighth chapter as I had assigned, then you can answer my question: what do you believe is the worst consequence of self-transformation?"
"Splinching," Buffy said, the smile sliding off of her face. Folding her hands in her lap, she felt herself reverting back to being a plain student. "One of the worst things that could happen is that you could leave part of yourself behind somewhere else."
"Very good," Professor Pryce said, giving her a meaningful look. "However, I cannot look past the fact that you were indeed daydreaming in class. That'll be ten points from Gryffindor. And I'll add back the ten you've just lost for your answer. So I believe we are at an equilibrium. Miss Vance, another opinion?"
As Emma answered enthusiastically, Buffy studied Professor Pryce a little bit closer. There was just something a bit off about him today. If she didn't have Charms immediately following class, she would pursue her suspicions. Unfortunately, they would have to wait for another day.
Class ended a half hour later. After scribbing down the assignment in a small book that Hermione had given her, she tucked it inside her bags.
"Miss Potter, could I ask you to remain behind for a moment?" Professor Pryce called out over the heads of departing students.
Cho passed by Buffy as she was leaving. The two exchanged a quick glance and a slight smile as Buffy walked over to the Professor's desk, where he was gathering his materials.
"I just wanted to congratulate you on your latest paper," he said, since there were still students in hearing distance. "What class do you have next?"
"Charms," Buffy replied, pulling her heavy bag higher on her shoulder. "Professor, is there something bothering you?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," he said, inviting her over to the table where Cho and her other Ravenclaw partner sat. It was one of the few tables out of sight from passing students. "I am concerned for your safety as well as your brother's. Not only was there a spy within the Ministry of Magic, but there was an arrest last night in the Council as well. Aurors showed up on the scene and the room was blasted to hell. Two of them were killed. I am quite surprised that this wasn't mentioned in today's paper, but then again, no one really knows about the Watcher's Council now, do they?"
"Who was the spy?" Buffy asked curiously. "Did I know him?"
"I'm afraid not," Professor Pryce said heavily. "But that doesn't mean that things won't be getting worse for you, now. I have a bad feeling that someone is aware of your presence here, no matter how quiet you have kept your life. They will hunt you down, and since Faith left..."
"What?" Buffy gasped, clapping her hand over her mouth in horror as she stared at the man staring severely at her. "Faith... left?"
"She attacked her Watcher and left in the dead of night," Professor Pryce confirmed with a heavy sigh. "It looked like a bloody heist, since certain items were taken; jewels, money, priceless antiques... but there were also Council diaries missing. The ones belonging to your former Watcher were recovered mere hours after Miss Mann was awakened."
"But... if Faith left California... that means... oh, God... oh my God..."
"She's coming, Elizabeth. She is coming and you must prepare yourself for that."
"I have to tell Harry," Buffy said in a simple voice. "There isn't any way around it. I have to tell Harry everything. The prophecy, my death... everything."
Buffy was still in a daze as she walked to Charms, feeling as though she'd never be warm again. There really was no turning back. It was now or never.
She passed Harry, Ron and Hermione on their way to Potions. Harry looked slightly put out by his sister's angst-filled expression, but didn't have the time to call her aside and ask her about it.
"What do you suppose that was about?" Harry asked Ron quietly as the two took their usual table with Hermione.
Hermione pulled out The Daily Prophet and spread it between the three of them. "I bet you more than anything that it was this."
"I still can't believe this happened," Ron said in a low voice as Hermione quickly put the paper away as Professor Snape walked in, commanding their complete, unwavering attention.
Even Professor Snape looked as though something serious was on his mind. He gave them their usual assignment, but instead of walking amongst the desks and sneering at the students he didn't favor, he sat behind his desk. He appeared to be deep in thought, frown lines appearing on the small bit of forehead they could see that wasn't hidden behind oily black hair.
"Sir," Malfoy said, glancing at his favorite Professor in surprise. "Is there something wrong?"
Professor Snape looked up, slightly surprised to notice that there was still a full class in front of them. "You will have no doubt heard by now that Azkaban was broken open last night."
Harry saw Snape reach inconspicuously for his left arm with his right hand, looking as though something was burning him.
"What you may not have yet realized, being as small-minded as I know all of you most certainly are, the Death Eaters were summoned to the Dark Lord minutes before their escape."
This was news to Harry, who immediately felt his stomach drop. He knew that he had been among that discussion of Voldemort and his remaining companions. Now he had dozens of Death Eaters back in his care, and who knew how many countless more.
This was the moment, Harry realized. This was the moment he needed. Buffy had to know the truth. Voldemort had grown even more powerful now. She had to know that Harry was being forced to kill the same Wizard who had murdered their parents. Buffy had to do the exact same thing. She was like him, probably more than she even knew.
Yes. Tonight at dinner, he was going to tell his sister everything.
Quidditch practice started promptly at seven. Buffy ran there from her late Charms tutorial, where she'd been sitting in with a group of fourth-year Ravenclaws who had been quite helpful in teaching her the finer tricks of floating a feather and charming her feather to dance across the tabletop.
She was really grateful to the three students who gave up half of the dinner period every Monday night to help her with Charms. She managed to finish her latest assignment, too, with their assistance.
The only problem was, it was making her late for practice.
She raced onto the pitch, feeling the glares of both Ron and Katie on her as she threw her bookbag onto the ground and mounted her Nimbus, which carried her wildly into the air. Still struggling to get into her robes, she finally managed to look like a halfway decent Chaser before Ron started practice, again.
As usual, they were training the Chasers to continue their best moves. Buffy worked best if she was below Katie and Ginny, and they practiced this tonight. After scoring a good dozen goals against their fastly improving Keeper, Ron decided to use the rest of their practice to train Spencer and his friend, the little Euan Abercrombie.
Harry was sitting below her, the snitch in his hand. Occasionally he would let it go and then reach out and catch it again. Since it was getting rather dark and the floodlights had not yet come on, he was holding onto the struggling ball, looking as though he'd done it many times before.
His reflexes were incredible, she thought with a fond smile. Professor Dumbledore had said her father had been one of the best Quidditch players in his day, very speedy and everything. Buffy was just hoping that wherever he was, she would be able to make him proud.
But, once again, she was feeling stupid. She had jumped on the opportunity to miss dinner so that she wouldn't have to tell Harry everything. Studying was somehow more appealing than looking Harry in the eye and confessing things to him. In fact, she would have rather gone another week in detention with Professor Snape than face the terrifying prospect of it all.
She landed and dismounted easily, Katie sliding off of her broomstick next to her.
"Hey, Buffy," Katie said, immediately pulling Buffy away from the others just as the blinding floodlights came on. "You got a letter before dinner. I put it on your bed. It's from you-know-who." With a wink, she bent down, picked up her broomstick, and marched towards the castle.
It had been the first time Buffy had heard from Oliver in the two days since their perfect day in Hogsmeade. Completely forgetting her promise to herself, she ran after the other girl. "Katie! Wait up!"
Harry and Ron fell back as the other members of the team ran ahead. Even Ginny was keen to get off the field, since it was getting quite cool and they could see their breath mist everytime they released a breath.
"You didn't tell her, did you?" Ron asked, seeing the frustrated look on Harry's face.
"Everytime I get near her, she just runs the other direction," Harry said, gritting his teeth. "She missed dinner so she could go and study with the Ravenclaw, of all people. And then she runs away from us the second we're done with practice... and look, she even forgot her bag."
Indeed, she had. Harry bent down and lifted the bag, wincing when he realized how heavy it was.
"Do you realize how much she's trying to accomplish in a single year alone?" Ron asked tentatively as they walked back to Hogwarts. "She's trying to become as powerful as your sorry ass so she can protect you." As soon as he said this, he looked away, realizing what it was he truly said. "I'm sorry," he finally muttered, not willing himself to see the pained look in Harry's face.
"No, I deserved that," Harry replied sadly as they walked into the comforting warmth of Hogwarts. "I'm the one who hasn't been entirely honest with her. I should get hackled until I do. I'll just have to tell her tomorrow, I guess."
"You will," Ron said, giving him a firm look. They walked quietly back to their Common Room, until Ron finally said, "Do you think something was up with Snape today?"
"Yeah," Harry said, a dark look crossing his face. "It's the only time I have ever seen him look worried. I think he knows more than he's letting on."
"It wouldn't be so bad if we didn't know he was a dark git already," Ron said. "Mimble-wimble."
Ron and Harry waited for the portrait door to swing open. What they didn't expect to see was Hermione sitting by herself by the fireplace, one of the few students in the Common Room. It was unusual for the Gryffindor room to be so empty so early. She glanced up when she saw them and rose, carefully setting her Arithmancy book aside.
"Professor Dumbledore has called an all-school meeting," she said urgently. "He said it was to discuss the safety concerns that will be put in place. He was going to have the Heads of House do it, but he wanted to get the point across himself. We should go. It's down in the Great Hall."
After depositing his sister's bookbag, their Quidditch robes and their broomsticks, Ron and Harry hurried with Hermione to the Great Hall, where all of the students were gathering at their tables, talking in quiet, hushed voices.
Professor Dumbledore was standing with the others Heads of House, McGonagall, Flitwick, Snape and Sprout. Harry didn't see Professor Pryce there and, upon looking carefully up and down the Gryffindor table, his sister was missing as well.
"Where's Buffy?" he asked Hermione, but it was Ginny, who was sitting across from them, who answered.
"Professor Pryce said he needed to speak with her immediately. They left not five minutes ago!"
"We probably passed them," Ron muttered as Harry groaned inwardly.
"Quiet down, please, quiet down!" Professor Dumbledore said, standing up, an air of electricity crackling around him, commanding great power and respect. Everyone fell silent and their eyes turned, enraptured, onto their Headmaster. "I am not going to repeat what has happened at the Ministry or at Azkaban for anyone who does not yet wish to hear it... but nevertheless, we will be placing precautions down for you students, especially those of you whose lives are now in gravest danger." His eyes met Harry's and he gulped, knowing what was coming.
"We must all exercise caution because in these dark times, there are so infrequent moments such as these in which we can pause and reflect upon all of which our world has given us..."
"... in retrospect, you have given a lot to the world, Buffy. You died to save the world. This is far too much that has been already asked of you. And yet you took the challenge and you gave it your greatest fight yet."
"Why are you telling me this?" Buffy asked softly, glancing up at Professor Pryce. They hadn't even made it back to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. They were standing in the landing above the Entrance Hall on one of the moving staircases. It had moved twice now since they stopped to talk, and Buffy found herself getting a little nervous. It was just odd for the stairs to be moving this much without her actually doing any movement.
"Because this may very well be the end of all good things in this world, Buffy."
"I've heard that before," Buffy said with a sad smile. "But trust me, not all light in this world can easily go out. There is still good in this world, Professor. I can see it in my brother. He's a fighter, just like us. He's a hero to so many people that if I failed and gave up now..."
"... you would be risking open exposure and would put yourselves in emminent danger," Professor Dumbledore said serenely. "Therefore I have asked that more Ministry representatives be placed around the school for your protection and I have invited previous classes to return and assist us at their own choice, of course. This has become a dangerous time for all."
Professor Dumbledore paused for a moment and glanced at the sea of facing eyeing him with various reactions of anything from panic to pensive thought.
"There are those who have been chosen to fight this evil should it ever darken our doorstep..."
"... and you can't risk it, Buffy. Not now. Not while Voldemort may have a spy at the Watcher's Council! If you come out now, they will know. They'll track you down. And they will kill both you and Harry, and you have no idea how big his role is in this war."
"He's already the hero," Buffy replied swiftly. "He can run, too."
"No, Buffy. He cannot run. His fate is tied to the end of the world just as yours is. I have only been made recently aware of this and I can tell you now that if Harry runs, the world will fall and the Muggle world along with it. Harry must stay and fight this war, or he will die."
"He'll what?" Buffy gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth. The staircase shifted again and she reached out to grab the banister as she slid to a seated position, her eyes widening. "Oh, my God..."
Professor Dumbledore carried on with the conclusion of his speech.
"You will not be asked to fight. If war approaches this school, you will be asked to walk away. Not many of you have neither the strength or skill to defeat what is to come. Those of you that do already know who you are. That is all I have to say on this matter. You may attend Hogsmeade and Quidditch games and practices, but if the battles should draw nearer, we will have to restrict these privileges. Do not panic with this information I have given you. There are not many within the Ministry who will be happy I have divulged this much to you. I ask you now to return to your Common Rooms. The Head of your House should be there momentarily to make certain my guidelines have been followed. Good night to you all."
Buffy was still sitting on the staircase when Professor Pryce reached his hand down to her. "I can't leave him, Professor... I just can't! He's my brother."
"You may be one person in all the world that can fight demons, Buffy, but this is over your head," Professor Pryce cautioned her as they finally made their way upstairs towards Gryffindor Tower. "That is all the advice I can give you now before this all begins. Who has the power to stand up and take this fight? I know you do, Buffy, but you're going to have to walk away from it all. You have to let Harry take this on by himself. You're going to have to not care for once what happens to this world."
It was nearly the same advice Ron was giving to a shaken Harry at that very moment. Hermione was still too stunned to speak or even make eye contact with her two closest friends. "Look, mate, if the war comes here, you're going to have to fight it. Until then, you really don't have to care what happens until the time comes."
At the exact same moment, each one of the Potter siblings said, "But I do."
By the time Buffy walked back to Gryffindor Tower, everyone else was already inside. Professor McGonagall gave her a stern look as she brushed past her. The students, all with dazed, confused looks in their eyes, were already gathering their things to call it an early night.
Buffy saw her bookbag near Hermione's things and lifted it. It was then she saw Hermione standing by the fire. The other girl was just staring into it, not really feeling the heat nor relishing in the warmth. She looked as pale and cold as frozen death might seem.
"Hermione, what is it?" Buffy asked, touching the girl's shoulder.
"Fate," Hermione said slowly, "destiny... that's what it comes down to, isn't it? Prophecies are just little bits of destiny no one can understand." A shadow fell across her face. "I guess what it all comes down to is how strong you really are."
"It has nothing to do with strength, Hermione," Buffy replied bluntly. "It's power. Who has it and who doesn't. The only reason I have any power here is because of my blood. I'm strong because I was chosen for something not a lot of people know exists."
"Why does it have to be so dark with the Potters?" Hermione asked her suddenly, and Buffy was stunned to see tears in the other girl's eyes. "I mean, you died and Harry has been targeted for so long, and now he has to--" Her voice was cut short as she realized what she had almost done.
Buffy was giving her the most curious expression. "What is it, Hermione? Something's bothering you."
"Harry should really be the one to tell you," Hermione said, pleading for the other girl to understand with her sparkling eyes. "But I'm sure you'll find out soon enough that there's not only a Prophecy for you, but one concerning him and the reason why your parents died as well."
"What?" Buffy asked in a weak voice. "Hermione... no, wait... what is going on? Harry has a Prophecy? I-I don't understand!"
"You will," Hermione said, giving her a sad smile. "There are only so many things a book can teach you about life, Buffy. If we dwell on the things that shape our lives, we forget to live. Harry nearly lost his life last year. I just ask that you don't get too angry with him. I love Harry..." A strange look passed over her eyes as she averted her gaze. "He's my best friend. I am going to ask that you tell him the truth or else I will. I'm done keeping secrets from him. He has so much to worry about in the near future that I refuse to keep such good news from him. Your prophecy will bring him a joy he hasn't known since the night we helped Sirius escape. If you want to tell him about your death, that'd be wise. We have to so much to say to those we love. Please don't leave Harry in the dark anymore. Please!"
With tears sliding down her cheeks now, Hermione turned and bolted up the stairs for the girl's dormitory.
Buffy swallowed hard and followed her, opening her own door and walking inside. The letter from Oliver was still on her bed. She opened and read it, hoping to use his support to do what she needed to do.
Dear Buffy,
It's been two days since our unbelievable day together. No matter how much I think about it, I can't stop. I want to see you again, soon, if we can manage it. I was just sent a letter from Professor Dumbledore asking all former alumni to come to the school in case something bad should happen. Since Laurel and Spencer are both there, my parents think it is a fantastic idea for me to return there. Of course, they know about the bonus I'd be getting in return. I think my Mum's head nearly imploded when I told her my girlfriend was none other than Elizabeth Potter. I have a feeling she'll be writing to you soon, once she figures out your location.
I cannot wait to see you again. I am hoping to return in time for your first Quidditch game. I figure the least I can do is be there to show my support since I cannot play the sport I have dedicated my existence to. Luckily, I have a new dedication now.
Until some other time,
Oliver
Buffy set the letter down in her lap and smiled, feeling her heart lift and melt at his tender words. He wanted to be there for her at her first Quidditch game. He wanted to see her make a fool of herself. It would prove she was only human anyway.
The next morning was dark and rainy. Thunder could be heard in the distance and lightning flashed across the enchanted ceiling.
Harry was one of the first people down to breakfast. Hermione was already there and she gave him a tentative smile as he sat down next to her. "Good morning, Hermione!" he said cheerfully, reaching for a tray with several different bowls of cereals on it. He selected one and set it down in front of him.
"Good morning, Harry," she said, gazing at him as he ate. "Did you sleep well last night?"
Harry swallowed hard before answering. "I had another dream last night. You know, the one with Sirius and Buffy and the other girl... it was so weird. They kept talking to Buffy as though she were some medical miracle brought back to life."
Hermione smiled darkly as she reached for the coffee she had just poured herself. If only he knew...
Buffy was feeling refreshed from her dreamless sleep, as though she could run a marathon. The only problem was, they had just over an hour before the first lesson began, and she wanted to talk to Harry before too many people were in the Great Hall. Shoving her large Ancient Runes text and her completed runes translation inside her bag, she pulled her extremely heavy bag on her back and ran downstairs into the Common Room, past the portrait hole and down towards the Entrance Hall.
She had to do it. She had to be rightfully honest and just do it.
She was going to do it. She just had to convince herself it was the right thing to do.
She just had to--
Her thoughts were interrupted by a cold, drawling voice behind her. She froze before she could run into the Great Hall and turned, out of breath, to see Malfoy standing behind her, surrounded by Crabbe and Goyle, who scowled at her.
"Not now, Malfoy, I'm not in the mood to play," she said with a sigh, trying to catch her breath.
"Then maybe you'll like what I'm about to say," Draco said in a lazy voice, not caring that they were within hearing distance of those that were already eating breakfast. "Or are you too busy playing undead American you cannot afford me a second of your precious time?"
"Fine, talk," she said, gesturing to a corner. But he didn't budge and she realized that the only direction she could technically walk in would be behind her and inside the Great Hall. She didn't hear an uneasy hush fall over the large room as many heads turned to see who was talking very loudly outside the opened double doors.
"Why are you so lost, little Potter?" Draco drawled, noticing her disheveled appearance. "You might actually make someone like Weasley like you."
Her hands tensed underneath the sleeves of her robe. She had half a mind to whip out her wand and stun him, but she held true to her word. She had promised Professor Pryce as they had said goodbye she wouldn't resort to revenge. It wasn't in a Slayer's nature, to begin with.
But Draco was grinning at her now, a cold grin that didn't reach his eyes, which were mocking her. "Now, really, Potter. Is this any way to treat someone who hasn't died?"
"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked, the promise sliding from her mind as her hand reached inside the pocket of her robes and gripped her wand tightly.
"Even corpses still have a better grip on reality than you," Malfoy sneered again. "You were dead, Potter. Just like your little brother will be when his prophecy comes true. Little baby Potter and little tiny Potter will be nothing more than a memory."
There was dead silence in the Great Hall as Buffy finally found her voice again. "What are you talking about?" she asked, trying for a haughty laugh, only to find the sound dying in her throat.
"Baby Potter's prophecy, Elizabeth," he said, smirking. "Don't tell me you didn't know. Everyone knows after last night. Dumbledore practically wrote it on the ceiling..."
Oh, dear Merlin, no, Hermione thought, her blood turning to ice as she stared at the open doors, her heart thundering painfully loud in her ears.
"Your brother has to face the Dark Lord or die. That's the reason why you're such a pathetic orphan. Harry was chosen before you ever had the choice of being chosen by whoever picked you. That's the reason why he'll never accept the fact you're dead. The only thing he has to look forward to is your little prophecy. Yes, the one about the escaped convict still being alive..."
Buffy closed her eyes. This wasn't happening. There were students now gathering on the stairs behind them. Neville Longbottom was among them. He was very pale and his eyes were wide.
"So, tiny Potter, is that why you look so lost? Is it?"
"You little--"
"Harry, no!"
A figure launched out of the Great Hall, knocking Buffy into it as Harry fell into Draco, both of them crashing down on the floor. Buffy pushed herself up, eyes wide with terror. Flipping to her feet, a feat not made easy wearing long, flowing robes. Buffy found herself struggling to hold her emotions together as several more figures came forward. Katie Bell and Emma Vance ran downstairs, both of them staring at Buffy, horror-struck.
"He knows," she whispered under her breath. This wasn't the way he was going to find out. This wasn't the way!
She ran forward and grabbed Harry roughly, her arms wrapping around his waist as she pulled him off of Malfoy. Pulling out her wand, she aimed it at Draco. "You bastard," she said in a low, hissing voice.
He smiled up at her. It was cruel and cunning. "This is the only beginning, Potter." His eyes flickered towards Harry. "I hope you enjoyed your little chats, Elizabeth. He's not going to want anything to do with you once he finds out what you have been hiding from him all along."
Harry's eyes showed his anger at this betrayal as he reached out and grasped Buffy's arm. "Tell me it's not true," he said in a low, pleading voice. "Please tell me it's not true."
"What part?" she asked, turning to him, her wand arm lowering. Realizing he was off the hook, Malfoy and his other Slytherin companions ran into the Great Hall.
"The part about the prophecy and the escaped convict being alive..." Harry said, trying to breath. "What Malfoy said..."
"That part is true," she revealed, tucking her wand away. "There is a prophecy that tells us that Sirius Black is still alive." She was speaking so quietly that only he could hear.
Harry felt something warm hit him first. But there had been something else. Something worse...
"And what about the other part? Are you really a corpse? Are you really dead?"
She turned to him, meeting his gaze with haunted eyes. "I was."
"What?" Katie gasped from behind them.
"It's true?" Harry asked, the feeling of intense happiness fading away as reality closed in around him. "It's true? It's bloody true?"
He was yelling now, but he didn't care. He backed away from his sister in horror. "How did he know about you? How come he knew and you never once considered telling me?"
"Harry," she said, reaching for him, "I'm sorry, but he overheard..."
"Who else knew?" he demanded angrily. "Who else knew?"
She winced as she heard the rage in his tone. "No one," she whispered. As he gave a disgusted snort and turned around, marching back into the Great Hall, she followed him, the others coming in around them. "And don't pretend to be all righteous on me, little brother, because you didn't tell me your Prophecy either. I had to hear about it from him, too."
When Harry suddenly turned, she gasped, seeing the look on his face. "Who are you?" he asked in a weak voice. "Who are you? You say you're my sister, my flesh and blood and I believed that. I loved you. I trusted you! And you didn't even think you could tell me that my godfather was alive? Or anything else?"
"It works both ways," she whispered, anger flashing in her eyes. "I didn't mean to lie to you, Harry, but..."
"I don't believe this," he said angrily, turning away from her. "I don't get you, anymore... you've been pulling away from me. As far as I'm concerned, my sister is truly dead."
"Don't say that," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with tears.
"Why did you have to hurt me like this when you know how bad I've had it?" he demanded.
"Because I don't know," she replied bitterly. "You've been shutting me out, Harry. You've been shutting down!"
"Look who's talking!" he yelled back.
Professor Pryce was the first of the faculty to enter into the Great Hall. His eyes widened when he saw the scene stretched before him. The Potter siblings were standing on either side of the Gryffindor table, glaring at each other and looking as though they'd love nothing better than to throttle one another. But before he could intervene, Harry sat down, reaching for his cereal calmly.
"I never thought I'd ever say this to you," he said, looking up at her as she sat down, glaring at him. "But, right now, I wish you never had been born."
Far above them, in a dimension in another time and place, two women sat giggling over the conversation, twisting their pina coladas around.
"He made the wish," one said to the other.
"We just have to wait for her to do it," the other one said with a giggle.
"I'm going for a 'not going to happen' there."
"You never know. If he pisses her off badly enough, she can do it."
"I was hoping we would be able to rip off that platinum duckling."
"Too bad she actually likes him."
"Not like that she doesn't."
"So she pities him. Let's just wait for her to make a wish. And then our doors will be wide open."
Chapter 31... the aftermath.
Chapter 32... kidnapped.
And Chapter 33... Quidditch game; Buffy and Oliver get to spend some time together.
To the Readers / Reviewers:
Oliver returns in two chapters and will be in throughout the rest of the story! The last scene was an attempt to bring some humor to an otherwise dark chapter. They were vengeance demons. Nothing will ever come of their idle threat, but it sort of gives the impression of how Buffy feels about Draco. She pities him. She sees him as another bullied Wesley.
And Harry didn't really mean what he said, truly.
kped -- I knew I was going to mess up... that was almost as bad as bringing Luna into their sixth-year classes! Oops. I'll change it once I get my hands on the final copy again. It's floating around on a zip disk somewhere. The Hermione part of the brief interlude between Harry and Hermione is coming up, soonish. So, you like the BEST Weasleys, too. Oh, are they going to have fun on break... they have two siblings to tease the heck out of, and not to mention the Potter siblings. I'm almost desperate to write that chapter because it'll be one of the most fun... but I'll wait until I get through some more first. Mrs. Black will get what's long overdue. I just need her for one more scene. And then she's "toast". :) Lastly, Draco. Does he seem jealous? Or resentful? Or mysterious? Or does he pity her? I hope this chapter helps that opinion of him!
BA Shipper -- I'm glad you like this, even though it isn't a BA! As for the Sirius/Faith thing, it was only to say that his blood kin could return him from the veil. That introduces Faith into the story. I could have used animals for this one. Like... the serpent will return to expel the dog from the land of everlasting mysticism. Something like that. As for how fast I'm writing these, I waited until I was about seven chapters into this story before posting the first one. And then I worked on making sure I was able to keep ahead. I know where the plot is going, so it makes sense to me. I usually only do minor edits, unless my beta tells me something is completely off, in which case I'll work on rewrites. And if you want to edit something, sure! I'd always love another set of eyes on this. I know my beta so well we start thinking alike and miss certain things (like the mistake that Luna was in Harry's Potions class!). Besides, this way you'll KNOW what's happening sooner than later.
DarkAngelMali -- I'm glad you're enjoying this! I do promise more romancy smooshy stuff in the future!
electric pancake -- Fluff is never harmless? I suppose not... I could attempt to make some harmful fluff... but it wouldn't do any good. And I think our little Harry does have a wittle crush. It'll all play out in the chapters ahead. Lastly, I'm not a Ron basher unless he does something incredibly stupid. I think the term 'alcoholic' was a Muggle one, which is probably why he didn't "get" it.
CodeName -- It's not serious things... Hermione just wanted to "girl" talk. The reason why is coming soon.
Currently finishing up Chapter 34. It's another time travel chapter, just so you know.
Since Chapters 31 and 32 are so short, I'll probably post another double update. Well, considering I think of any chapter (without the notes) of 6,000 short, anyway. And this story is about to celebrate it's 200,000 words anniversary! Hail the conquering story! I think this is closing in on the longest thing I ever wrote, including my exit paper for university, which was around 60 pages.
PS: I miss my hyphens... these horizontal bars are sort of annoying, but I can't find anyway to separate anything otherwise!