Author's Note:
For those of you not really keen into all of these relationships I'm creating, back away from all weapons now. This chapter contains more mush. Seriousness. It also contains one helluva fun Quidditch game. And another great weekend for characters that've been around the loop and back. This is sort of a surprise since it IS my birthday and everything. I wanted to write a fun, smooshy chapter for all of you to enjoy.
Now, all mush fans must read on. This chapter is dedicated to daydreamers everywhere. Enjoy! :)
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Chapter 33
Here I Am
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"Five minutes. All I want is five minutes."
"Your sister has been missing since last night. She needs peace and quiet, not another row like the one yesterday."
"I don't care! I need to see her for myself. Please, Madam Pomfrey, just five minutes!"
"Now, Harry, no! Elizabeth needs her rest!"
"She's my sister, damn it!" Harry yelled from the opposite side of the hospital doors. Buffy glanced up from behind her curtains. She was sitting on the bed while another one of the attendants was gently cleaning the deep cut on her forehead. Oliver was sitting on the bed next to her, his eyes full of concern. "I want to see her. Now! I promise I won't yell!"
"Fine. You have five minutes. If you cause her any more stress, I will have to escort you out. Could you please remain here, Mister Weasley? Thank you. Harry... Harry, wait."
But the curtains in front of Buffy had opened so violently she gasped, nearly dropping the wand she had been twirling idly in her hands.
Harry was frozen in shock, the fabric falling from his hands and closing in front of him again. Fumbling again, he stepped through. He noticed that Oliver had gotten to his feet and was smiling at her in a very tender manner.
"I'll give you two a few minutes."
"Sounds like all we have is five," she said with a bemused smirk.
After Oliver left, Harry just stared at his sister. She stared right back. The attendant walked out of their small enclosure to get a potion to heal Buffy's wound.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, glancing at the cut, which was smoking slightly from the cleaning solution.
"It's not bad," she said, giving him a weak smile before glancing over his shoulder, watching as the curtains swished shut. Before she could say anything else, however, Harry rushed her, nearly knocking her over as he hugged her.
"I am so, so sorry," he said, tightening his grip around her now that she wasn't in any immediate peril of getting injured from this particular action.
She hugged him back, feeling wave after wave of flooding relief at the fact that he was hugging her in a brotherly fashion and not trying to strangle her. "I really, really never meant for any of this to happen," she said after he'd pulled back. He was slightly surprised to see that her eyes were sparkling with tears. "I love you, Harry, even though sometimes I might seem like a bad sister."
"Last night when I thought that Voldemort might have taken you, I never... I just wanted... to take everything back," Harry said, dropping onto the bed next to her. "I said some harsh things."
"We both did," she said, reaching for his hand and clasping it. He stared at the bruised skin and ran his hand over the various cuts and scratches that marred it. "But I promise that from now on, I am going to make an effort to include you in my life. I don't want to lose you."
"I just felt that I was losing you to him," Harry said, and his eyes traveled over to the door.
"Do you mean Oliver?" she asked, sounding slightly surprised. To his relief, she started giggling. "Oh, Harry..." She leaned over and affectionately messed up his already disheveled hair. "What Oliver and I have is nothing compared to what we share. We're blood. See this?" She placed her bloody hand on top of his, clasping their hands together. "It's Potter blood. Yours is just like mine and that's what connects us, no matter how angry we are at one another."
"So, where do we go from here?" Harry asked her curiously. It'd been a question he was turning over and over on his mind ever since Percy had dragged him up from Care of Magical Creatures.
"I think we'll leave the serious talk for a few days until both of us get a chance for everything to sink in," Buffy suggested. "Is that okay? I mean, I don't want to make these decisions for you, but you put a lot on my shoulders, too."
"That's all right," Harry said, feeling a slight twinge of anxiety melt away with her words. "I should leave you be. You do look sort of banged up."
There was the sound of more shouting from the hallway.
It was mingled with a loud woman's voice, one that Harry didn't recognize. But, apparently, Buffy did.
"Faith?" she whispered.
"You can't keep me out of there! Get out of my way now before I kick your ass from here to New Zealand!"
"Excuse me, but you cannot treat faculty like this!" The voice was Percy Weasley's, and he sounded shocked. There was another sound as though someone had just been pushed over. There was a sharp gasp and then a voice that sounded like Lupin's interjected.
"Now, really, that is quite enough!"
"Get the hell away from me, you animal!"
"Oh, no," Buffy said under her breath.
"What is it?" Harry asked, gazing at his sister.
"It's Faith," Buffy said with a small sigh.
"There was a girl named Faith in my dreams," Harry said, as though he was speaking of an afterthought. She turned to look at him in surprise. "Well, she was. And so was Sirius."
"You were in our dreams?" she asked curiously.
"What, we share dreams now?" Harry asked, feeling equally confused.
The door burst open before Buffy could reply. The sound of clicking boots on cool tile stopped as a shadow was illuminated through the curtains. "Buff, where are you?"
"I'm behind door number three, Faith," Buffy said.
The curtain was pulled back with the sheer force of something Harry wasn't expecting. The entire bar holding up the curtain collapsed on top of the newcomer, who let out a string of such vehement curses that even Lupin looked stunned.
There were three figures standing behind Faith; Oliver, Percy and Remus Lupin. All three of them looked shocked as Faith finally kicked the curtain and its bar aside, admitting a weak-looking Buffy in her dirty clothing.
"Um, hi," she said, flushing slightly as she lifted her wand from beside her. "Reparo." Glancing up, she saw the three were still staring at her even as the curtain was mending itself back onto the bar. "Could you all excuse us for a few teeny moments? Faith, get in here."
Faith quickly took two steps forward as the bar was quickly replaced and the curtain was pulled closed again. Lupin and the others respectfully left, with Madam Pomfrey nearly crying in indignation as Percy wrapped an arm through hers and steered her away from her own hospital wing.
"Next time, why don't you try knocking?" Buffy asked, setting her wand down. Faith caught the movement and moved forward, snatching it right from her hand.
"You use this?" she asked, staring at it. Knocking it a few times against the curtain as though it were a microphone waiting to be tested, she finally handed it back to her. "Can we sharpen it? Make it a pretty Mister Pointy?"
"You can't do that to a wand, Faith."
"Whoa..."
"What?"
Faith and Harry were staring hard at each other. Faith was definitely the girl from his dreams, he realized. Dark hair, bad attitude and all. She even looked like Sirius...
Faith was trying to get used to how much these two actually looked like each other. So, he had dark hair and his eyes were definitely a bright, piercing green. He had a funny scar or tattoo or something on his forehead, too. It looked like a lightning bolt or a poorly-done squiggle. He was at least a head taller than Buffy, who was barely Faith's height. But they had the same firm jaw line and the same determination in their eyes. Buffy may have the blonde hair and the hazel eyes, but in their facial features, Faith could tell they were related.
"You really are brother and sister," Faith said quietly.
"Caught on, have you?" Harry asked her coolly. "I'm assuming you're the one who kidnapped Buffy."
She arched her eyebrows in surprise. "Whoa... little P has an attitude."
Buffy's eyes widened in horror as she mouthed, 'Little P?'. Harry just narrowed his eyes. "Well, you took my sister away with a damned good reason I suppose."
"Girl talk," Faith said, eyeing him more carefully now. Buffy recognized the look immediately and gave out a small chuckle.
"Faith, back off. Harry, this is Faith. She's the other vampire Slayer. She's the one who replaced Kendra, who replaced me when I... well, died. Kendra was killed in an attack a year later and Faith here was called in from Boston."
"Hello, Faith," Harry said, sticking out his hand. To his surprise, she shook it. "I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
"So I've been told," she said, pulling her hand back quickly. "What's that thing you have on your forehead?"
"A scar," Harry said bitterly, brushing his bangs aside so that the other woman could see it.
"Weird," Faith said, staring at it closely for a moment before shaking her head and turning her attention back to Buffy. "So, your Headmaster wants me to go to Number Twelve Grumpy Waste and check out my whole bloodline. Apparently it's a family home."
"You... you're a Black?" Harry asked her, gaping.
"That weird moving painting called me Delita Black," Faith said with a casual shrug.
"Delita does sort of translate into Faith..." Harry said slowly, eyeing her up and down more carefully now. "And you do sort of resemble Sirius. Doesn't she?"
Buffy regarded Faith for a moment before nodding. "You do. I have pictures of him."
"I'd love to see them, but for now, I feel like I'm being banished."
"All right now, you two. You've had more than five minutes!" It was Madam Pomfrey in a very bad mood. Glaring at both Faith and Harry, she pushed the curtains aside to attend to her patient. "We'll just have you slip into these pajamas and then you'll be able to--"
"Buffy?"
"Oh, God, will this ever end?" Buffy asked in a dramatic voice as she turned to see two more faces peering curiously at her through the doorway. She felt a slight wave of relief when she saw Harry smile at the two women. "Hello, Hermione, Ginny..."
"We're so glad you're all right," Hermione said, brushing past Faith and hugging Buffy tightly. "Harry and I were so worried about you!"
"We all were," Ginny replied, handing Buffy a box. "It's from Fred and George. When Percy told them you were missing..."
"Exactly how many people did Percy tell?" Buffy asked, a strange expression on her face.
"As many as he could," Hermione said, shaking her head. "I think he wrote to his old primary teachers. Anyway, we've come to collect Harry in case you two were at each other's throats."
"We're not," Harry assured his best friend, taking her hand. The gesture wasn't lost on Ginny, who frowned slightly. "I think we've come to a truce."
"We'll talk soon, I promise," Buffy said, giving her brother a brighter smile. Hermione and Ginny both left with Harry, leaving Faith alone in the room with Madam Pomfrey, who was making soft tutting noises and casting Faith furious glances.
"Why do I get the feeling I'm not wanted here?" Faith asked, tilting her head to regard the woman standing in front of them, with a long nightgown in her hands.
"It could be the fact that you attacked a prominent member of the Ministry of Magic," Madam Pomfrey said coldly, "or it could be the fact that you have no respect for us authority figures."
"I stopped trusting pretty much everyone when I was ten," Faith said, frowning. "I never really had an authority figure to look up to. Till Buffy, of course. And maybe Giles."
"I asked you to please leave," Madam Pomfrey said firmly. "If you do not, I'll have to get fussy and call in the Ministry..."
"She'll leave," Buffy said, placing a bruised hand on the older woman's shoulder.
"Why don't I help her put this on, Mary Poppins?" Faith asked, taking the nightgown from Madam Pomfrey's arms. "After all, I have seen her undressed before. We are both power figures, anyways."
Turning, she helped Buffy strip down from her filthy clothing that she'd been wearing for two days now and into a soft white nightgown that felt almost sheer next to the rough, coarse gritty feeling she was getting from her own clothes.
"Thank you, Faith."
"You're more than welcome, B. And tell little P that he's not bad. But if he yells at you again, I will rearrange his appendages."
Buffy laughed. It was a beautiful sound to her own ears as she sat back down on her bed and moved so that she could pull the single sheet over her legs. "Faith, I want you to promise me something. You came here to find out who you really are. I accepted who I was, the good and the bad. I want you to find you. Even if you are Delita Black..."
"When that painting called me that, I had a memory of my mom singing me a song. Delita and Delia were names she used inside of it. I used to think it was just her drunken rambling, but maybe there's more behind it than I thought." Faith sat down on the end of Buffy's bed. "Will you be all right in here all alone?"
"I'm not alone here, Faith," Buffy said, with a patient look in her eyes.
"Oh, right. Because you have Harry and Oliver and Peter and that other guy who's a werewolf... Grinny and Herm... Herm..."
Buffy snorted as Faith stood up, shaking her head.
"You have the strangest friends," Faith finally said as she walked away. She could hear Faith and Percy exchanging cool words just inside the door as Madam Pomfrey appeared, looking suspicious.
"It's all right, ma'am," Buffy said with a small smile. "She's a friend of mine from California."
"She certainly has an attitude on her," Madam Pomfrey sniffled as she handed Buffy a large golden goblet. "Drink this, dear. It'll make all of your pain go away."
"I'm pretty sure it will," Buffy replied, sniffing the potion. "It isn't poison, right?"
Madam Pomfrey gave her a kind, motherly look. "After all that you've been through tonight, I would think that--"
There was more commotion coming from the hallways.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake!" Madam Pomfrey gasped, running outside the curtains again towards the doors, which were still slightly open. As she disappeared behind them, another figure slipped in.
"You're so sneaky," she said when she saw the shadow of the figure on the other side of the curtains.
"What can I say?" Oliver replied with a teasing smile as he walked over and sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?"
Buffy tipped the edge of the goblet toward her mouth and allowed herself a tiny sip of the potion. It didn't taste too terrible. It reminded her of cherry cough syrup. She took a large gulp and started to gag.
"Here," Oliver said, laughing as he set the goblet on the small table next to her bed, where the box from Fred and George had been placed. "It looks like your other boyfriends sent you tokens of their affection."
Buffy was still choking as she turned to him with tear-filled eyes. "Did you want me to hit you?" she managed to cough out.
He gently wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back down. "Shhhh," he said in a soothing tone. "The last thing you need is to get Madam Pomfrey all in a net again."
"She's going to freak when she sees you here," she said, suddenly feeling drowsy. "Oi, that was some goblet..."
"It's more than likely a sleeping potion," Oliver said, glancing at a large red bottle next to the golden goblet. "It's for dreamless sleep."
"Exactly what I needed with my own Knight holding me," Buffy said softly, looking up at him as she settled down. "Will you stay here with me for a little while? I'm not ready to be alone yet. And if that bat forces you out, I'll sick Faith on her."
"She's such a charming girl," Oliver said, feeling his own body start to relax as she laid her head against his chest, closing her eyes. They were both laying down now.
"Thump thump," she said, her hand gently passing across his chest. "Thump thump. It's so nice to hear a heartbeat."
"It let's you know I'm still alive," he said lightly, his fingers tracing circles on the back of her nightgown. "Is that potion working yet?"
"Yeah," she said, with a trace of a yawn. "But I think it'll work even better if you tell me a story."
"A story? What type of story?" he asked, glancing down at her. She looked up at him and smiled sleepily.
"Something funny and preferably with your siblings in it," she replied, her hand coming to a rest on his side. "Laurel told me you all went to some Quidditch World Cup match two years ago. She said it was one of the best days of her life. I want to hear your opinion. After all," she said, yawning loudly, "we both like the sport."
He smiled, his eyes twinkling as he settled back, eager to tell the good story.
Out in the hallway, it was a very different scene. Percy Weasley had just cut off Faith with several armed Ministry representatives. They were all scowling at Faith, believing that she really had dared knock over a very important person.
"Look, Peter, I already apologized!" she said, forcing a smile on her face and fluttering her eyelashes.
"It's Percy, you twit," Percy snapped. "And you kidnapped Elizabeth Potter."
"We go way back!" Faith said impatiently. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have someplace to be."
"No," Percy said, giving her a triumphant smile. "You really don't. You're coming to the Ministry and you'll have to answer for kidnapping someone I consider to be one of my very dear friends."
"You made your feelings for her perfectly clear about an hour ago, didn't you?" she asked, smirking. He flushed slightly but held his ground. They were starting to attract the attention of students going to classes. Katie Bell and Emma Vance, who were sneaking down to the hospital wing to see their roommate, both froze when they saw Percy cornering a dark-haired woman who haughtily glared at them back.
A moment later, twelve more Ministry officials, obviously Aurors, arrived, all with their wands out and pointed at Faith.
"Wicked," a voice behind the two girls said. They both turned around and saw Ron Weasley, with Neville Longbottom and a few other sixth years staring at the scene unfolding before them.
"What in the blazes is going on here?"
"It's Professor Pryce," Emma whispered. "Oh, we are so dead."
The students quickly scattered as Professor Pryce arrived on the scene, looking exhausted, yet tense. He frowned when he realized that there were over two dozen Ministry guards, half of them Aurors, pointing their wands at a terrified person standing alone in the corner. "Excuse me," he said coolly, turning to Percy Weasley, who glanced defiantly at the older man. "What is going on here?"
Crap. It was Wesley's dad, Faith realized, biting her lip. "They were about to arrest me, sir, because I kidnapped B and because I accidentally may have knocked down this dork here." She jerked her thumb towards Percy, who scowled. "Well, I can't help it that you're a dork."
"Percy," Professor Pryce said with a heavy sigh, kneading his forehead with his knuckles, "I will happily allow you to take her into Ministry custody, but I need a word with her first."
"All right," Percy said, giving Faith one last scathing look before turning his back. Professor Pryce took Faith's arm in a surprisingly firm grip and led her back towards the hospital wing.
"Do you realize what you've just done?" he asked incredulously. "You've insulted one of the most prominent, up-and-coming--"
"He's a bully," Faith said, as though this were the most obvious thing in the world. "I mean, hello! Glasses, a robe, a wand? Complete dork. Not to mention he's all mooning for B."
"Faith, Buffy gave her own skills up at great risk to come to this school," Professor Pryce said even more urgently. "You must do the same. If the Watcher's Council were to discover that you are here, your life would be in serious jeopardy. And so would hers. Do keep your mouth shut and your temper in check or you will find yourself in prison. Do you understand?"
Faith nodded. Before he could walk away, she spoke up to his back. "You remind me of your son when you do that... reprimand me."
"My son is a lazy moron who couldn't be a good Watcher even with the usage of magic," Professor Pryce said dryly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a group of sixth years to teach."
Faith sighed as he disappeared, and didn't even try to retaliate when she felt the Ministry officials closing all around her. "All right, take me in. Just know that I have to be at Number Trouble Grumpy Place soon."
But her protests fell on deaf ears as they marched her to the fireplace in a small classroom off of the hospital wing.
"Now, this is unfair," she muttered angrily. "My first day in civilization and I'm already arrested."
Madam Pomfrey watched with some satisfaction as Percy Weasley managed to get the dark-haired woman through the fireplace with the Aurors before retreating out to the corridors. "Are you all right, Poppy?" he asked her in a concerned voice.
"I'm fine, Mister Weasley. Thank you for that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to my patient."
Turning on her heel, she walked back inside the hospital wing. She moved toward the Potter girl's bed and pulled back the wrappings surrounding the bed. And she gasped when she saw that there was a male, Oliver Wood, in the same bed as she was. Her head was on his chest. His head was on top of hers. And their arms were wrapped comfortably around each other. They were both sleeping.
Not wanting to disturb her patient, she smiled and lifted the wand, dimming the candle light around them. "Get some sleep, Miss Potter," she said quietly as she pulled the curtains shut again. "You're going to need it."
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That night, Harry was sitting by the fire, trying to focus on a Transfiguration essay, but his thoughts kept dwelling back to the other woman. Faith.
"Harry?"
"Hello, Hermione," he said, glancing up at her. His eyes were reflecting the flames dancing in the fireplace next to him. "I didn't hear you. I'm not disturbing you, am I?"
"Oh, no," she said, shaking her head quickly. "I was just checking up on you, Harry."
"That's nice, Hermione," he said, feeling as though his mouth had suddenly gone dry. "Thank you."
"Are you all right?" she asked him softly as she sat down on the chair next to him. Her brown eyes held nothing but concern, and it was all focused on him. "You seem a little tense."
I am now, he thought. "I was just thinking," he managed to say, although his brain wasn't registering his own words.
"Oh... I'm sorry. I'll go," she said, making to stand up. He glanced at her, and surprising himself with his own daring, took her by the wrist.
"Don't," he said quietly. "Don't leave yet. I mean... I like your company."
Hermione gave him a soft look as she sat back down again. "Are you sure? I could be nagging you about that unfinished essay."
"But you won't," Harry said teasingly. "You know my mind's been off since--"
"I know, Harry," she said, interrupting him. She was watching him pensively as he tucked his belongings back into his bag. "That is due on Friday you know."
"Hermione!" Harry said, laughing as he turned to his best friend. She stared at him with a different expression in her eyes. "I don't think you'll ever lose your spots," he finally said, sitting back and drawing his knees to his chest.
"More than likely not," she said, leaning her back against the arm of her chair so her hair was gently brushing over his arm. Her head was relaxed on his shoulder. "Is it all right if I do this? I'm going to read this before tomorrow. Besides, I'll have more to do to get Buffy caught up on her--"
His hand had suddenly found its way to her mouth and clamped over it. "Shhhh," he said, grinning as she turned her head around to glare up at him. "Don't talk so much."
She shrugged as she turned back to her Ancient Runes text. "If it appeases you..."
"It does," he said, interrupting her thoughts again. She turned her head and gave him an exasperated look.
"You're going to hurt my neck," she said in a nagging voice as she straightened up again. Harry frowned slightly at her as she marked her book and set it aside.
"I'm sorry," he said in a genuine voice. She glanced at him in surprise. "Come here."
He was patting the chair in front of him.
"What are you going to do?" she asked him suspiciously.
"I'm going to give you a neck rub, unless you want to go to bed with a crick," he said. "Now, come on. I won't hurt you."
Hermione sighed and moved to a position on the floor in front of Harry's chair. It was odd sitting here, but when his hands touched her, she flinched slightly.
"Oh," he said, pulling them back quickly. "I'm sorry."
"It's all right," she said quietly, smiling as he gently pushed her wavy hair from her face. She had felt a strange sensation when he had touched her shoulder like that. It was definitely something far beyond a friendly gesture. Her hand was shaking slightly as she reached up and pulled her hair on top of her head. After twisting it into a makeshift bun, she leaned against his leather chair, her arms folding into her lap.
His hands found her tense shoulders and began kneading them. She closed her eyes as wave after wave of pleasure filled her. "Wow," she said softly. Harry was certainly good at this. She began wondering if he had ever done this for Cho.
Her eyes flew open. His hands were working underneath her robes towards her blouse. Her muscles, which had once felt tense and knotted, her now feeling warm and relaxed. "I could fall asleep here," she murmured.
Harry laughed, sounding as though he were right next to her ear. "It really is my pleasure, you know. You should try carrying fewer books. You're going to do a lot of damage to your neck."
"As long as you're there to help ease my knots," she said, before she realized what she said. "I mean, if you don't mind..."
"Hermione," Harry said, his hands pausing. She felt her breath catch into her throat. She turned slowly to look at him. He was staring at her. The firelight was reflecting in his green eyes again. She offered him a small smile and he gave her one back.
"I should probably go to bed," she said quickly, jumping back to her feet. She reached for her bag and turned to see Harry standing in front of her.
"I'm sorry," he said, apologizing for the fourth or fifth time since she'd joined him. "I shouldn't have done that. But I will do this." He reached up and released her hair from the knot on top of her head. As his hands ran through the wavy locks of her hair, he smiled at her. "It looks much better down."
She found her knees were starting to quiver slightly as she stared back at him. She wanted to do something, but she didn't exactly know what she could do. Before she could do anything, however, he patted her shoulder in a friendly way and turned his heel, heading back towards the boy's dormitory.
Tears of disappointment sprang to her eyes. She had no idea why. What had she been expecting? He had been a good friend to give her such a wonderful massage, even though she thought she had felt something when he had touched her.
Was there something there that hadn't been there before?
Harry opened the door to his room and walked inside. Ron was the only other one awake. He was going through his trunk, as though looking for something.
"You all right, mate?" Ron asked Harry curiously.
"Yeah," Harry said, undoing his robes and gently laying them across his trunk. "I'm going to bed though. I'm dead tired."
But once he was behind his bed hangings, he found his face breaking out into an ecstatic smile.
She had felt something. He could see it in her eyes. There really was something there between them that he felt shouldn't be there, but it was something that felt so wonderful. He'd felt it when he'd seen her that one night at Quidditch practice. And now she felt it tonight.
The more he thought about it, the more he liked it.
He grinned up as the last candle was extinguished. Soon, he would be able to see if there really was something there.
x.0.x.0.x
Two days after Buffy returned from her exclusion with Faith, she was released from the hospital wing. She was startled by the large amount of homework she had to do and found herself shaking at the size of some of the essays she had yet to write. What made her even more panic-stricken was the fact that their first Quidditch game was only a week away.
Her first day out of the hospital wing was spent in the library, working hard to catch herself up in both Charms and Transfigurations, easily her two most challenging classes. Floating a feather didn't seem as important anymore. But transfiguring a small animal into a water glass seemed to be hard. Working on a singing charm seemed almost as hard as transfiguring her own arm into a Quidditch bat.
Faith was still being held by the Ministry of Magic. Buffy had asked Percy to apologize to her, but she was surprised by how affronted he was by this. Percy claimed Faith attacked him, something that Oliver confirmed.
She was going to have to work on the other Slayer.
Oliver hadn't left her side at all except when Madam Pomfrey finally threatened to bring Professor Dumbledore into the middle of it. He was there the day she was released and for this, she was thankful.
Bending over her Transfigurations essay, Buffy sighed as she turned to a large stack of books in front of her, eyeing them warily. This wasn't what she had expected at all when she'd agreed to become a student again. She was expecting a little wand waving and many some odd incantation like the ones both Giles and Willow had made.
She also was getting the feeling she was being watched.
"Who's there?" she asked.
"All right, you caught me."
"Malfoy?" she asked in disbelief, watching as he had the guts to sit at the table across from her, as though this was something normal he did everyday. "What are you doing here? I'm surprised you even knew your way here."
"It helps to have a map," Draco replied slowly, watching her face. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm going to start charging money to anyone who asks me that," she said with a frown. "But I'm all right."
"When... when you disappeared..." Draco started, his face draining of what little color he had. Buffy set down her quill and glanced up at him in surprise. "I was so worried it was my Father..."
"It wasn't," she said, trying to restrain her anger towards the other boy.
"He would kill you," Draco said, meeting her eyes at last. "I d-didn't want that to happen."
"Don't worry about it," she said in a cool voice as she dipped her quill in ink and frowned at her half-finished essay.
"I'm sorry you got hurt," he said, as though he were trying to start up another conversation. She didn't say anything for a moment and he sighed. "You're mad at me."
"No," she finally said, meeting his gaze swiftly. "I'm not angry at you. You have hated my brother for so long that you felt you could use me against him. Congratulations, it worked. I'm not mad though, because it was something that needed to come out into the open. No matter how much I love my brother, I should never have entrusted the truth with you. I'm disappointed in you, Malfoy. I thought you were mature enough to show better judgment. I guess vendettas are a bitch, right? You proved to me that there is a reason why I can't ever trust a Slytherin." She glanced down at her paper for a moment. "There was something that the sorting hat said about inner-house unity. I know how that is." A shadow passed over her face. "Just remember that if something happens that you never expected, the only thing you can do is trust the one person you can't. I learned my lesson now. You hurt me, Draco. It's not something I can just forgive and forget. If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to this."
"Buffy," he said, glancing at her in alarm. This was something he had never seen before.
"Just go," she said quietly, without looking at him.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but shut it quickly. The last thing he really wanted to do was make her angry. He left. As he did, she looked at his retreating back.
"Goodbye, Draco," she said softly, before returning to her work.
The week seemed to fly by quickly. Buffy was startled to see that security had been added throughout the castle. It didn't help that she was always surrounded by a vast crowd of chattering seventh years. She was also spending more time around her brother, which seemed to lighten the mood around both of them.
They had yet to talk seriously about everything that had happened.
She finally opened the box from Fred and George. The letter inside nearly made her cry.
Dear Buffy,
We hope you know that we were sincerely concerned when you disappeared. We have never seen Mum so frightened. We are all glad you made it back safely, although we're certain Wood has been taking good care of you. If he hasn't been, let us know and we'll hex him.
Enclosed are our 'get well soon' gifts. Use them wisely.
All our tokens,
The two BEST Weasleys
Inside the box were chocolates. They were true, genuine chocolates. With a touched smile, she lifted out a small bag of chocolate sugar quills. Whipping one out and nibbling on the end, she squealed with laughter. They really were something, those Weasley twins.
Her first Quidditch practice was on Wednesday night, four days before their first game. Ron seemed almost beside himself when Buffy showed up late from her latest tutoring session. She was glad she had asked Professor Snape to supervise her Potions tutoring for awhile. She wasn't quite ready to forgive Draco yet for what he had done to her.
Unfortunately, it cut into Quidditch practice.
Oliver was accompanying her down to the pitch. They were walking hand-in-hand, as they were usually seen around the school. There was a little teasing, but Buffy really didn't notice. Ever since she woke up in his arms the morning after, she had felt refreshed. There had been something else, too.
She really adored Oliver Wood.
He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before handing her the Nimbus and heading towards the stands, where Buffy's roommates and a few other Gryffindor fans had gathered to watch their House team practice.
Buffy was pleasantly surprised to see a group of fans that were singing their own version of a song that Harry told her Malfoy had came up with the year before, 'Weasley is Our King'.
"Hey, Ron!" she shouted as she jogged towards the other six. Spencer looked slightly put out when he had noticed his brother walking with the pretty seventh year. "What's with your fan club?"
"They've been doing this for a week now," Harry said, grinning at his best friend, who glared at him, the tips of his ears turning pink.
"Glad to finally see you back at practice, Potter," Katie said with a wide grin, hugging her roommate tightly. Buffy hugged her back, giggling. "But you have a fan club of your own. If you want to start mocking Ron, you'll have mock yourself."
"I get enough teasing from Fred and George," Buffy said, her face turning as pink as Ron's ears. "I don't need this from all of you, too!"
Harry snorted into his fist while Ginny giggled.
"All right... can we practice already?" Buffy asked, trying to keep the sarcasm from her voice. As one team, seven figures rose into the air and began their practice.
x.0.x.0.x
"I think I'm going to be sick."
"Come on now, Buffy. It isn't that bad."
"Come on? Come on? Oh, God, what was I thinking? Am I insane?"
"Which one of those do you want me to answer first?" Oliver asked with a playful smile. She turned to him, a dangerous glint in her eye as she smacked his shoulder. "Hey, that hurt."
Grinning slyly, her arms twisted up around his neck. "I can make it better..."
"You're supposed to be getting ready for your Quidditch match..."
"I just thought we could have a match of our own right here."
"Buffy..."
"Oh, all right," she said, trying to break away. He held onto her arms a moment, kissing her briefly before releasing her. She was still pouting as she pulled her Quidditch robes on and stared at the broomstick lying on the bench before her. "But I still think I'm going to be sick."
"You'll be all right," he said softly, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "Just focus and keep moving. You'll be brilliant." He leaned down and kissed the back of her neck, earning a sharp giggle. "I'll be watching you."
"You and everyone else," she said, her giggles dying away. "I must be insane."
"You are, but maybe that's why I like you so much," he said, chuckling into her hair as he pulled her against him. She relaxed into him, closing her eyes.
"I could stay here all afternoon," she said, smiling at the thought.
"Buffy! Hey, Potter! Where are you?"
"Or maybe not," she said, her face twisting into a grimace as she saw Katie walk around the corner. When she saw the couple, her eyes widened and she gasped, nearly falling backwards.
"Oh, my... I'm s-sorry... but... Ron's ready..."
"It's about bloody time," Buffy said with a sigh, lifting up her broomstick. Before she could follow Katie, Oliver pulled her back.
"How about we make a little wager so you don't go out there and pass out on your team?" he asked, breathing into her ear. "I'll take you out tomorrow if you promise me you'll play your best... and score a few goals, of course. I don't want my girl to be all humiliated by those evil Ravenclaw."
She turned in his arms and glanced affectionately up at him. "All right," she said, beaming. "But if I score five goals, I want to pick the activity. And it'll be tonight." Before he could argue, she kissed his lips and turned, walking away.
He shook his head in wonder as he backed out of the area. "There is just something about her..."
Buffy sat down next to Harry as Ron turned around, looking pale. "All right, team. We know what we're doing. We know we're good. We just have to prove we can do it against seven other players."
"We will," Ginny assured her older brother with a smile.
Ron still looked as though he'd love nothing more than to bash someone with his broomstick.
"Let's do it."
"You ready for this?" Harry asked Buffy as they moved behind the others.
"I'll be okay," Buffy said in a strained voice. "I just can't freak out... I won't freak out. I won't freak out."
The doors opened as they walked out onto the pitch, Buffy still chanting under her breath.
There was an explosion of applause as both teams lifted into the air. "I am not going to freak out," Buffy muttered under her breath as she settled into her part of the half-circle on the other side of Katie. Ron flew forward, shaking hands with Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw captain.
The game suddenly began. Buffy blinked as she noticed a bludger aiming straight for her. Lifting into the air and swooping sharply downwards, she moved into position as Katie zoomed above her, Quaffle in hand.
This really was like practice.
Harry and Cho both pulled away from the pitch, flying above the action. There was a loud roar from the crowd as Katie scored the first goal of the game for Gryffindor.
"Your sister flies pretty well!" Cho shouted from her spot as she eased her broomstick next to Harry's.
"She does," Harry said with a firm nod, distracted; two Ravenclaw Chasers were going towards Ron's end. He was poised above the left ring, but, with an agility Harry knew Ron had just established as part of his rhythm, he swooped down, saving the score.
There was another loud roar as the faint strains of 'Weasley is Our King' reached their ears. Pulling apart, Harry and Cho started circling, looking for the golden snitch.
Buffy took her pass from Ginny and ducked one of the Ravenclaw Beaters. Lifting into the air, she saw the Ravenclaw Keeper sitting right over his center ring. He wanted to play, did he? She was going to show him that she wasn't about to dance with any idiot. Passing the Quaffle over the Ravenclaw Seeker's head to Katie, she dipped down, spiraling around the base of the rings and coming through the backside. As Katie passed below the rings, Buffy caught it and came from underneath the ring. As the Keeper darted to block her shot, she added one last burst of speed, easily putting the Quaffle through the left-side ring.
There was another roar from the crowd. In the stands with the rest of the Hogwarts faculty, Oliver cheered hard as the three scarlet blurs of the Gryffindor Chasers whipped by.
Buffy stayed on the Ravenclaw end of the pitch, doubling back as the three Chasers kept darting in and out of the Gryffindor defense. There was a loud groan from the Gryffindor crowd which could only mean one thing: Ravenclaw had scored.
It was only twenty to ten, Gryffindor favor. Ginny was coming back towards her now, using another one of their moves. Buffy crossed underneath her, her eye on the rings in front of her. She didn't see the bludger coming until it clipped her in the side.
There was a collective groan from the Gryffindor stands as Buffy twisted over in midair, feeling as though she were perilously close to drop forty feet to a ground that didn't look so solid from her distance. Gasping with indignation, Ron called for time as Ginny and Katie quickly flew to check on their fellow Chaser.
"Are you all right?" Katie asked breathlessly.
"Ow, ow, ow," Buffy moaned, clutching her hip. "That thing was trying to kill me!"
"That's basically what they do," Ginny said in a small voice. "Are you all right though?"
"I'm fine. Let's just get this game over with."
It was easier said than done. For the next half hour they traded blows and goals, while both Harry and Cho soared everywhere, searching for a hint of gold. The score was one hundred and thirty to one hundred and ten, Gryffindor lead. The game was starting to have its toll. Ginny had been attacked so viciously by a bludger that she had fallen thirty feet to the hard ground below. Gryffindor had been forced to call its third time out of the game to make certain she was all right before they continued play.
The Slytherins were starting to get agitated, and their own refrains of 'Weasley is Our King' were echoing through the crowded stands.
Buffy turned on her broomstick, happily accepting the Quaffle from Katie as Ginny lifted back in the air, looking shaky but all right.
They darted forward again, using their three-pronged attack, tossing the Quaffle easily back and forth to each other as they darted the Ravenclaw team and the dreaded bludgers.
Harry finally saw a glint of gold near the ground near the Ravenclaw end. He saw that Cho was speeding towards it and aimed his Firebolt for the spot, urging it, "Go, go, go!"
He heard the Gryffindors cheer loudly and an even louder roar erupt as they scored. The crowd had also realized that the snitch had been sighted at last. Buffy heard a roar in her ears and turned her own broomstick to see Cho and Harry streak past her. Since Ginny had just scored, the Ravenclaw Chasers had picked up the Quaffle and were working back down in the opposite direction. Luckily, the two Beaters were there and managed to slow them down, but since everyone had been playing for hours already, they all turned expectantly to the two Seekers who had spotted the golden snitch.
Within seconds, it was over. Harry had gotten the snitch and Gryffindor had won, two hundred and ninety points to one hundred and thirty. Ravenclaw had scored twice during the time the Gryffindor team had been frozen in place, watching Harry move.
Hermione was standing with the group of hardcore Quidditch fans, including Lavender Brown, who had borrowed Dean Thomas's drawing skills to construct a large banner, bestowing Ron riding on the back of a lion wearing a crown and boasting the words, Weasley Is My King.
Hermione had snorted when she read it. Yet all of the Gryffindor girls, along with a few from other schools, had decided Ron was something worth valuing. There was another loud chorus of the same song and Hermione put her hands over her ears, trying to block out Parvati's off-key tune next to her. Hermione's eyes sought out Harry on the pitch as he was practically pounded into by both Katie and Buffy as the three of them collapsed. Ron, Ginny and the two Beaters landed on either side, all of them screaming with triumph.
It was probably the best game Ron had ever played, even if he did let thirteen goals in. The three Chasers were superb, considering two of them had never played as Chaser before.
The victory party started to move towards the Common Room. Buffy held back as she saw Oliver running up to her, sweeping her into a tight hug before spinning her around. She laughed as she held onto him, feeling relieved as her feet touched back onto the ground, her broomstick lying forgotten next to her.
"Not bad, Potter," he said with a wicked grin.
"Why thank you, Wood," she said slyly, grinning. Wrapping an arm around her, he pulled her away from her crowd.
"Since you did happen to score six times, I do believe you won our bet, Miss Potter," he said easily as they stopped.
"Let's see," she said playfully, tilting her head and thinking, walking away a few steps until he gave a wrench on her hand, pulling her back into his arms. "I think we should fly... I've never ridden a double and I hear tonight will be a pretty full moon..."
"I like that idea," he said into her ear, sending a strange shiver down her back. "Besides, I haven't flown in ages."
"You could come down and practice with us anytime," she said as they started following the large, singing Gryffindor crowd back towards the school.
"There's only one person I'd like to fly with," he said, wrapping a possessive arm around her shoulder. "Come on. I don't want you to miss your party."
They stopped to collect her broomstick. He gently took it from her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as her hands probed her bruised hip.
"Damn, those bludgers bite hard," she muttered as she paused to slip off her Quidditch robes. Lifting the side of her blouse, she winced when she saw the dark blue bruise marring her perfect skin. "At least it makes a pretty color."
"That looks painful," Oliver said, gently walking to her other side and staring at her hip. His fingers reached for the skin but stopped short of touching it.
"It'll fade," she finally said, tucking in the edge of her blouse back into her trousers before taking her robes from Oliver, who had caught them when she threw them hastily to the side. "Let's go."
An hour later, Harry was sitting in a corner, a bottle of butterbeer in his hand, feeling as though the day couldn't get any better.
That was before Hermione approached him. Her hair had been pulled back, a scarlet scarf wrapped around it to make more of a makeshift ponytail. There was a small lion painted on her face, magically, Harry assumed. She dropped onto the arm of his chair, grinning at him. "Brilliant game, Harry!"
"I know," he said with a flicker of a smile. "And... thank you."
Across the room, Ron was describing his tenth save in vibrant detail, surrounded by a large group of girls, including Emma Vance and Tess Austin. Parvati and Lavender were at his feet, staring up at him adoringly. They wore large crowns on their heads and also had lions painted on their face. The large banner Lavender had had made was wrapped tightly around Ron.
Buffy had just walked in, looking brilliantly happy. Oliver wasn't with her, but he would be waiting for her come sundown. She walked through the crowded Common Room, stopping a few times to talk to students. Laurel Wood disentangled herself from her group of friends and walked over to hug her brother's girlfriend tightly. Buffy hugged the girl back and gave her a huge smile, chattering for a minute before disappearing into the girl's dorms.
She passed by Ginny, who was sitting quietly in her own corner. Dean Thomas, who was known by all as her actual boyfriend, was sitting next to her. Seamus Finnigan, Dean's best friend, was sitting across from them, offering them each a butterbeer. As she uncapped her drink, her eyes fell on Harry. Hermione was perched on his chair and they were both laughing. Her lips curved into a smile. Harry looked relaxed and happy. Hermione was glowing.
She was beginning to think there was something there that wasn't there before.
Buffy closed her door behind her and ran to her bed, discarding her robes and her broomstick. Pulling out her trunk, she grinned as she pulled out her best purchase yet. It was a stunning set of emerald-green robes she'd bought just for the occasion that she was about to embark on. Grinning, she undressed and found herself staring at her reflection in the mirror fifteen minutes later. She'd added a bit of makeup to her face, which appeared to be glowing. Her wild hair had been tamed with a flicker of her wand and was now lying perfectly straight down her back. There was a strange glow in her eyes as the mirror started murmuring appreciatively.
It had only been two weeks since they had declared themselves an official couple, or whatever, she decided, smoothing her robes. She took a deep breath and tried for a nervous smile in the mirror. She had just pulled away when the door opened and Katie walked in, calling that she'd be right back before closing the door.
She froze when she saw Buffy standing there, looking simply stunning in a sheer robe of a deep emerald green. Her hair was tamed and somehow sparkled under the dim lights in the room.
"Aren't you a vision?" Katie asked blithely as she carefully set her broomstick against her bed.
"I just wanted to look nice, tonight," she said, blushing slightly as she admired the way the robes shimmered when she moved to and fro.
"You definitely do," Katie said, turning back to look at her. "I can see why Wood's falling for you."
Buffy blushed even more pink and smiled at the other girl. Katie was looking a little sad as she stood up. "I think the feeling's mutual," she finally said, a smile nearly splitting her face.
"Well, then, there's just one thing you can do, Buffy. Go to him."
Buffy took her advice and walked downstairs. The loud chatter seemed to subside slightly as they saw Elizabeth Potter walking through their numbers in stunning dress robes. Harry even glanced up when he saw Buffy pass and walk out.
"Wow," he said under his breath.
"Oliver's a lucky man," Hermione said quietly from above him.
"He's not the only one," Harry said boldly, managing to glance up at her. There was a look of surprise in her eyes. For a moment, neither one of them could speak.
As Buffy walked past the Great Hall, there was a sneering voice which held her back.
"Malfoy, I'm really not in the mood for your sick little games," she said with a heavy sigh, turning to face him. His silver eyes had widened when he saw her standing there, looking almost regal in her robes.
"You're wearing dress robes," he said quietly, sounding confused.
"I'm going out," she said with a bright smile. "And you are not invited. Good night, Draco." Turning her back on him, she stalked away.
She was still smirking as she swept down towards the Quidditch pitch. There were lights that magically appeared, flooding the greens with their magnificent light. Oliver was waiting for her, his Firebolt in hand.
"I haven't ridden Sadie Mae since I was asked not to play this year," he said in a teasing voice, and was about to continue when she stepped into the light. "Wow... you look..."
"Yeah, I know... I'm still the pretty Yankee girl," she said, rolling her eyes comically as he moved towards her.
"You are my pretty Yankee girl, I'll have you know," he said, reaching her. She grinned as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his. For a moment, she couldn't think of anything else. Until oxygen became an issue and they both broke away, smiling slyly at each other in the bright lights.
Taking her by the hand, he walked her out to the middle of the pitch.
In his mind, he saw the day nearly three years ago, his finest moment of triumph ever, when he had carried the Quidditch Cup. Little did he suspect back then that his girlfriend would be in the best position to follow in his footsteps just three years later. He released her hand as they stopped walking.
"So, how does this work?" she asked conversationally as he mounted his broomstick.
"Come here," he said, sliding back slightly and gesturing towards the broomstick. "Mount it."
"You know," she said, turning a fair shade of pink as she mounted the broomstick in front of him. "Taken in a different context, that could have serious consequences."
He chortled as the broomstick lifted an easy six feet from the ground. Buffy gasped and gripped the broom, feeling as though she were about to fall off.
A pair of solid arms encircled her from behind, pulling her back slightly. She relaxed into him, her head falling against his shoulder as the spastic broomstick gently lifted above the lights, which magically switched off, and towards the thousands of stars twinkling above.
"This is incredible," she said dreamily, closing her eyes.
"Want to see a trick?" he breathed into her ear. "Hold on tight."
Her arms tightened around his as the pitch of the broomstick changed, aiming downwards. With a sharp gasp, they were plunging downwards, taking large, sweeping motions around the different stands before lifting even higher into the air.
Her heart was still pounding as blood rushed from her brain. She struggled to catch her breath at the exhilaration that she felt in her stomach. It was even better than some great things, she realized. It had felt so wonderful.
She let out a long breath as they started making lazy high circles.
"I've never felt a rush like that before," she said lightly. "It just felt... so right..."
She heard him laugh behind her as he pressed a kiss into her shoulder.
His arms went even tighter around her and she found herself relaxing even more, as they doubled back and headed towards the ground. Neither one of them was in much of a hurry, she realized. She just wanted to stay here, lost in this perfect moment, when someone she liked had taught her how to truly fly.
x.0.x.0.x
Chapter 34... Faith's story.
Chapter 35... The start up of the D.A. ; Faith gets her own chance to shine.
To the Readers / Reviewers:
I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter! It has sweet moments for all of my favorite couples! More Oliverness lies ahead, I assure you!
lostangel92 -- I hope this qualifies.
manticoregurl -- I can't promise I won't hurt her, but... it just brings light onto WHY she's a Slayer and here (at Hogwarts) at that particular moment... plus it gives her sympathy points, something we know pisses her off... I don't know.
Panther28 -- You know Faith, always going for flair. She wanted to kidnap Buffy out of the castle in the sort of way Cordelia said she should, to kidnap her and get her out of the castle. She could've gone to Dumbledore except she has no idea who he is, until now. And yes, they're back on speaking terms. Wouldn't you say?
PreCarIouSpErsOnaTa -- Thank you, dear! That honestly cheered me up to read that!
wizathogwarts -- No, Buffy hasn't ever been a whimp. But she has been helpless. And now that Faith's around, the original Buffy's about to come on back. She's just being reactive to her surroundings, but you are correct: it's time she takes a proactive stand!
StarBella -- I smirked when I read your review... also doing its bid to cheer me. I'm sorry you're going through family stuff now, because that ALWAYS sucks. I know I take forever to update (it's usually two to three days), but I like it that way. That way, I can attempt to keep up writing these chapters. I'm only on 35 now... so not that far ahead! You've actually inspired a parody of sorts. I won't write it here since this is getting seriously more so... but you just got me thinking. Bad! I'm not supposed to think this much!
AnitaBlake-- It took me FOREVER and a day to find a name that roughly translates to "Faith". In her history chapter (which would be the next one), you'll see why her name was 'Delita'. And you are correct, the prophecy stuff will jump into some action after the next Faith's-history chapter.
DarkAngelMali -- As I've said before, Draco has been jealous of Harry. Harry suddenly has a sister. Draco decides to get on her good side and then wants to destroy his nemesis using her. And it would have succeeded had Harry and Buffy not had any brains to use. The next chapter should pretty much cover all of the Faith stuff. Really.
kped-- I'm glad I didn't kill you then! My jaw just DROPPED when I read those three little words. It either meant you despised it or you couldn't believe it. And two long reviews for my double update? Thank you, thank you, thank you!I like this snarky Draco, but there's rougher waters for him ahead. Harry from OoTP was irritating, but in this chapter, he served his purpose well enough, I suppose. For your second review, I think Buffy butchered Acathla in one of the late Season 2 episodes (it could have been Becoming), but it made sense to use it here again. And, yes, there is a reason for why the Ministry would want to protect Buffy, although Harry is their golden boy. Reasons will be discovered in the future someplace. Buffy will stand by Faith no matter what, especially once she sees how bad Faith had it. Sunnydale will be brought up on occasion. Especially when the Watcher's Council comes into play again. I think I already tried to explain the reason for the drug in one of the previous chapters (25 or 26, I cannot remember). It was sent to her as a failsafe in case she couldn't "behave". But she's doing quite well, for now... Faith will talk to Harry, and she'll have fun with it. Typical Faith style. I think Oliver would be a better choice, but it has to be Faith. And I'm really loving my version of Percy. Lastly, this chapter wasn't REALLY about Quidditch, or not completely so, as you can see. It has more Oliver! It was a way to bring him into the story without completely destroying it. Wow, this is a long note, but I wanted to cover everything. I hope I did it! Thank you again!
iceeblue-- I think Buffy didn't really brush off her old life. She had a great life back there and it's starting to return to her (the homesickness, the stuff about Joyce, etc). She didn't want to be reminded of all she'd left behind, because she left a lot behind. More SunnyD and Hogwarts intervention will be coming, especially in the chapters concerning the prophecy and the Council.
Okay, so the next chapter is pretty dark... just want to forewarn you. And Chapter 37 will also be, since I have it planned out AND everything. Next update will be on Monday, but I won't be updating again till Thursday. Sucky routine, I know, but I have some catching up to do! That and with my beta is starting school again, she can't get my chapters back within a day like she used to.
Thank you so much for your reviews! Instead of offering chocolate, I offer my everlasting gratitude and platonic affections! And if you want birthday cake, go for it. I have far too much left. I'm also apologizing for how late this chapter got out! Long meetings and such, not to mention broadband problems have led to some dottiness!