As Strong As We Are United
Chapter 17 – The Lock-In
The next week or so passed quickly. The students were busy with homework, training, quidditch practices, and planning the lock-in. During lunch on the Thursday before the lock-in, the prefects gathered in the small chamber off the Great Hall for their weekly meeting. As the group served themselves from the platters in the center of the table, Hermione addressed them. "This should be a fairly brief meeting. I just want to review the plans for the lock-ins this weekend. Since this was Shannon's idea, I'll let her give you all the details."
"Thanks a lot," mumbled Shannon so that only Hermione could hear her. Shannon pulled out a muggle notebook and addressed the group. "Okay, the first through fourth years will be having their lock-in in the Great Hall on Friday, and the fifth through seventh years have theirs on Saturday. Ron has recruited several teachers to chaperone. Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, Rosenberg, and Snape will chaperone on Friday. Professors Bolgya, Summers, Weasley, and Wyndam-Pryce will chaperone on Saturday."
"Thank Merlin, Snape isn't chaperoning for us," said Padma Patil more loudly than she had intended. She gave a quick glance at the Slytherin prefects in preparation for a snide comment.
Pansy Parkinson shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not complaining," she said to Padma. "Sounds like we have the more easy-going professors chaperoning us."
"That was the point," said Ron with a self-satisfied smirk.
Shannon cleared her throat loudly to call attention back to herself. She flipped a page of her notebook and spoke again. "We have a couple of activities planned to promote inter-house unity." There was a collective groan from the group, but no one said anything specifically. Shannon chose to ignore them and continued. "First, we have a getting-to-know-you kind of game. Everyone will get a list of fifty statements. They have to find people in the room described by each of these statements and have them sign the list. The people who complete the list before lights out will receive five house points."
"What if someone refuses to participate?" asked Anthony Goldstein, a seventh year Ravenclaw prefect.
"Hopefully, no one will," replied Shannon. "But, Professor Dumbledore agreed that anyone refusing to participate will lose five house points."
"As prefects we must all lead by example," said Ron, casting a look in the direction of the Slytherins.
"Fine," mumbled Pansy, knowing full well that everyone in the room was now looking at her.
"We will also have some other games and things set up around the Great Hall," said Shannon. "People can play chess or exploding snaps. We also will have a few muggle games like Twister."
"Twister?" asked Ernie McMillon. Being a pureblood wizard, Ernie knew very little about the muggle world.
"It's a lot of fun," interjected Dawn. "There is a mat that lays on the floor with large red, yellow, green, and blue circles. Then someone spins. The spinner lands on right hand, left hand, right foot, or left foot and one of the colors. Everyone playing has to put the body part on the color. After a few turns everyone wind up all twisted up with each other. Anyone who winds up with a body part other than a hand or foot on the mat is out."
"And how is that supposed to be fun?" asked a fifth year Slytherin prefect.
Dawn sighed loudly. "Because it is the perfect excuse to get physically close to someone you're interested in," she said.
Pansy's eyes lit up. "Maybe it will be tolerable," she drawled, thinking of the potential the game had for her to get close to Draco. Dawn shot Pansy a warning look, but neither girl said another word.
"There will also be butterbeer and lots of snacky food," said Shannon, ignoring the looks between Dawn and Pansy. "I think that's it," Shannon finished. "Any questions?" No one voiced questions.
"It is your responsibility to have all the students in the appropriate years in the Great Hall in pajamas by 8pm," Hermione told the prefects. "It would also be a good idea to walk the first through fourth years down tomorrow night."
"I think we're done then," said Ron. He began stuffing his mouth with the food on his plate. The rest of the prefects soon were doing the same.
****************
On Saturday evening the students and faculty returned to the Scooby common room after dinner. "I guess we should start getting ready for tonight," said Dawn, looking at Shannon and Hermione. The girls agreed, and the three of them walked toward the stairs to their quarters.
"Why do you need an hour and a half to put on pajamas?" asked Ron, looking at the girls strangely. All three girls rolled their eyes in reply and continued to their rooms. "I don't get it," said Ron to Harry and Draco.
"Me neither, mate," agreed Harry.
Meanwhile, Buffy had turned to Willow. "I still can't believe that you chaperoned last night instead of tonight," Buffy told her best friend.
Willow smiled. "I haven't been meditating like I should lately. I figure that with all of you gone, I'll be able to enjoy the quiet and focus on my meditation," she explained.
"Well, at least come help me figure out what to wear," replied Buffy. The two women retreated to Buffy's quarters in the midst of giggles.
"What is it with girls?" asked Draco, noticing that his professors were acting very much like the teenage girls had only minutes before.
Charlie threw himself down in a chair across from the boys. "My best advice is to not even try to figure them out," said the older man. "Some things are just meant to remain a mystery."
"So, you're saying that we have no hope of ever understanding them?" asked Harry incredulously.
"Yup, that's exactly what I'm saying," replied Charlie, pulling out some papers to grade.
"I still like my idea from fifth year," Ron said to Harry. "Someone really should write a book about mad things girls do and what they mean." Harry and Draco both laughed.
****************
At 7:30pm the Head Boy, Head Girl, their staff, and the faculty chaperones arrived at the Great Hall to see that everything was ready for the night's activities. Three of the student tables had been pushed to the sides of the room and filled with snack foods and drinks. The fourth table divided the room down the middle and was laden with various wizarding games and the stack of getting-to-know-you sheets and self-inking quills. In the front corner there was a large pile of purple sleeping bags, ready to be grabbed and arranged before lights out. Toward the back of the room several Twister mats lay on the floor.
"It looks like everything is ready," said Shannon, glancing around the room. "We just need the people."
No sooner had Shannon spoken than students began to trickle into the Great Hall. Everyone was dressed in their nightclothes and stood in small groups chatting with friends. "This is going to be harder than we thought," Dawn whispered to Shannon and Hermione.
"What do you mean?" asked Hermione.
"Look at them," replied Dawn, tilting her head in the direction of the assembled student. "Unless we intervene they'll all just stay in their own groups for the night."
"Well then I say we make a point of intervening," said Shannon. "Let's try to get some of them talking to each other while we wait for everyone else to get here." The three girls headed off toward the other students.
"Oh yeah, like that's going to work," mumbled Ron. Harry and Draco could not help but chuckle.
****************
Dawn, Shannon, and Hermione succeeded in getting some of the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws to talk, but the Slytherins were still keeping their distance from the other students. Realizing that it was now 8:00pm and that all the students had arrived, the three girls headed to the front of the Great Hall.
Shannon whistled loudly to get everyone's attention. She briefly explained the getting-to-know-you game and the points that could be earned by completing it. She then indicated that everyone should take a sheet of parchment and a self-inking quill and get started. The gathered students did not look happy, but were eager to earn points for their houses.
"I guess we should get started too," said Dawn after the last student had taken a parchment and quill from the center table. "We wouldn't want to be the ones to lose points for Gryffindor." The three girls took their parchments and split up to talk to various students.
Before Dawn got far, she was stopped by a Hufflepuff girl. "Hannah, right?" Dawn asked.
The girl nodded her head. "Rumor has it that you've fought some battles with your sister." Dawn nodded. "Do you have any battle scars?" Hannah asked shyly, staring down at one of the items on her parchment.
"Oh yeah," replied Dawn. "The big bads always seem to mark up my stomach. At this rate, I'll never be able to wear a navel ring." Hannah giggled and handed her parchment to Dawn, who happily signed her name next to the item, "I have battle scars."
As Hannah turned to leave, Dawn called to her. "Um, Hannah, does anything on the list apply to you?" Dawn asked.
Hannah smiled. "Well, I am actually afraid of flying on a broom." Dawn smiled, and Hannah signed her name next to that item.
As Hannah walked away, Shannon came up to Dawn. "Hey, know anyone who has to share a birthday?" Shannon asked her best friend.
Dawn laughed. "Did you try one of the Patil sisters?" Dawn asked.
"Duh," replied Shannon. "I think my brain's on vacation."
As Shannon began to walk away, Dawn called to her. "Wait a minute. Sign the battle scars item on my parchment." Shannon shook her head and signed Dawn's parchment.
"Now sign mine," said Shannon. Dawn did, and Shannon took off to find either Parvati or Padma.
Dawn stared down at her parchment. She jumped slightly, when Draco slid his arms around her from behind. "How are you doing with your list?" he asked.
Dawn shrugged. "Could be better," she replied. "Oh wait, sign the one that says you play Seeker on a house team."
"Can't," replied Draco. Dawn looked puzzled. "Don't ask. Just get Potter to sign that one."
Dawn still looked puzzled, but stared back at her parchment to find something else for Draco to sign. Her eyes fell on an item toward the bottom, "My favorite color is green." She looked at Draco and smiled. "I won't ask, but sign this one." He did.
"Well, I need to get back to this," said Dawn, pulling away from Draco.
"Wait," said Draco. "Sign the battle scars item." She did as asked. "Oh and do you know anyone whose father is a muggle and mother is a witch."
Dawn began to walk away. "Ask Seamus Finnegan," she called over her shoulder.
"Great," mumbled Draco.
Dawn wandered around the Great Hall. She met back up with Shannon and Hermione, who both were having Ginny Weasley sign next to the item, "I am the youngest in a large family."
"Hey, Gin, sign mine too?" asked Dawn. Ginny smiled and did. "So how is everyone doing with their lists?" Dawn asked the three girls.
"The 'I keep a diary' item is a little creepy," said Ginny, thinking back to the only time in her life that she had done so.
"Sorry, Gin," said Shannon. "I didn't think when I put together the list. I was just trying for some items that lots of people could say, 'yes,' to."
"It's okay," replied Ginny. "So, do any of you keep a diary?" she asked.
"I do," replied Hermione. Dawn and Shannon shared knowing looks, having given the diary to Hermione for Christmas the previous year.
"That doesn't help me though," said Dawn. "I already had you sign that you've actually read Hogwarts: A History from cover to cover." Hermione smiled.
"This is hard," said Ginny. "Who else has read that book?"
"I have," said Dawn.
Ginny looked down at her list. "Okay," she said. "Hermione sign that have a diary. Dawn sign for Hogwarts: A History. And, Shannon sign that you have battle scars." The three girls did so. "Only four more to go," said Ginny, excusing herself from the group.
Dawn turned to do the same and came face to face with Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, and Blaise Zambini. "I just overheard you talking. If you three sign the same things on our parchments that you did on Weasley's, I'll sign that I keep a diary for anyone who needs it."
"You keep a diary?" asked Hermione. She sounded surprised.
Pansy rolled her eyes. "Girls keep diaries, Granger. In case you didn't notice, I'm a girl. Ergo, I keep a diary."
"Hey, no need to argue," said Shannon, signing her name to Pansy's parchment.
"I agree," said Pansy, though she did not look as if she did. "Let's just get this over with."
Dawn looked at the other two Slytherin girls. "Can either of you sign anything left on my list?" she asked, figuring that the worst they could say was, 'no.'
Millicent blushed deeply. "I regularly listen to muggle music," she confessed. Pansy looked at the other Slytherin in disgust. "What?" Millicent asked Pansy. "It's actually really good."
"And I don't eat chocolate," said Blaise. The Gryffindor girls looked at her strangely. "I'm allergic which totally sucks."
"Yeah, that really does," agreed Shannon, handing the dark haired Slytherin her parchment to sign.
When all of the signatures had been exchanged, Pansy addressed her two friends. "Glad that's over with. Let's go." The swished away without another word.
"That was weird," said Shannon.
"Yeah but now I understand why Blaise can be such a bitch," commented Dawn. Shannon and Hermione looked puzzled. "Well, I'd be a total bitch if I couldn't have chocolate," Dawn explained. The three girls dissolved into a fit of giggles.
They approached Harry to sign beside the Seeker item. He looked surprised. "Why didn't you ask Malfoy?" he questioned.
"He signed something else for me," said Dawn with a shrug. She still did not understand why Draco would not sign that item, but decided that there was no reason to cause Harry to become overly suspicious of the Slytherin who now worked at their side.
After signing the girls' parchments, Harry turned to Hermione. "Sign that you're afraid to fly?" he asked.
"I am not afraid to fly," huffed Hermione. "I'm just not as over-enthused about it as you and Ron." Harry looked taken aback, and Hermione felt bad. "I can sign that I keep a diary," she suggested.
Harry shook his head. "Ron already signed that one."
"Ron keeps a diary?" asked Hermione. She was obviously surprised.
"Yeah, but don't tell him I told you," replied Harry with a shrug.
The girls once again dissolved in giggles. When they regained their composure, they each signed their names next to an item on Harry's list, before moving on.
"Finished," said Ginny loudly, bounding up to the other girls. "What do I do with it now?"
Shannon again whistled loudly. Everyone turned to look at her, as she leapt onto the center table. "When you finish with the lists, please give them to Professor Bolgya. She'll be checking them to make sure you each earned your house points."
Shannon jumped back to the floor and smiled at Ginny. "Does that answer your question?" she asked. Ginny laughed and headed off to find Cat to turn in the parchment.
"We better get back to this," said Hermione. The three girls separated again.
****************
After another hour of the students asking each other questions, most people had completed the getting-to-know-you exercise. Several students had begun playing chess and exploding snaps. Others were sitting in small groups talking.
"Hey, anyone up for Twister?" asked Dawn.
"You are way too into that game," commented Hermione.
"She just wants a chance to fall all over Draco," explained Shannon. Dawn tried to look indignant but soon found herself overcome by giggles.
The three girls wandered over to one of the Twister mats. They had managed to pick up Draco, Lavender Brown, Parvati and Padma Patil, Hannah Abbot, Ernie McMillon, Susan Bones, and Terry Boot. Ron had also agreed to play, but only because Hermione had taunted him into it.
As Dawn explained the rules, Pansy Parkinson joined the group. "I want to play too," she said, sneering at Dawn and then looking appraisingly at Draco, who visibly shrunk back.
"Okay," replied Dawn, thinking that if Pansy tried anything she would regret it. "Who wants to spin?"
"I will," came a quiet voice from behind Dawn. Everyone looked at the girl, who smiled.
"Mandy right?" asked Ron, extending a hand. "We've never really met." Hermione glared daggers at the girl whose hand was in Ron's.
"I told you she still likes him," Lavender whispered to Parvati, who nodded in agreement.
Before Hermione had the chance to say anything rude, Shannon put out her hand. "Hi, Mandy. I'm Shannon, and this is Dawn." Dawn smiled at the Ravenclaw.
"Let's get this game going," said Pansy loudly.
Mandy spun. "Right hand, red," she called a little more loudly than anyone expected.
The game progressed over the next twenty minutes. Only Dawn, Shannon, Draco, Pansy, and Padma remained. "Left foot, blue," called Mandy.
Pansy went to make a move that would cause her to drape her body across Draco. Dawn, who was having none of it, moved her own foot and accidentally on purpose tripped Pansy. Pansy stumbled off the mat and almost landed flat on her face. Everyone, including Pansy, was surprised when Ernie McMillon lunged forward from his place on the sideline and caught her in his arms.
As Ernie set Pansy back on her feet, she blushed slightly. "Thank you," she stammered, trying to regain her usual cool tone.
Ernie shrugged. "It isn't everyday that a Hufflepuff gets to play the hero and save the girl," he kidded. Pansy and everyone else could only stare at him.
The tension was broken, when Shannon yelled out from beneath several people. "Can we please finish this game? This isn't exactly the most comfortable position."
Everyone laughed, as Mandy called out, "Left hand, green."
Several minutes later, Draco, who was stretched over the girls remaining in the game, lost his footing. The entire group fell to the floor.
****************
The professors who were chaperoning the activity sat together at the staff table, which remained in its usual position. Cat was bent over the stack of parchments that all the students had completed.
"How did they all do?" asked Buffy, pulling her attention away from a conversation with Charlie.
"Surprisingly, they all completed them," said Cat. "I never would have thought that some of these students would speak to the people they had sign their parchments."
"You'd be amazed what students from all houses are willing to do, when house points are on the line," said Charlie.
"I think since they all did so well, we should just award 150 points to each house, plus ten to Gryffindor because Ginny Weasley finished first," said Cat.
"That sounds fair," agreed Wesley. "Why don't you go ahead and make the announcement?"
Cat turned back to Buffy. "Can you whistle like Shannon did earlier?" she asked.
"Nope," replied Buffy.
"I can," said Charlie. He whistled loudly, causing the students still playing Twister to fall to the ground. "We need your attention," boomed Charlie's voice.
Cat stood. "We are happy to say that everyone completed the getting-to-know-you exercise. Therefore, we have decided to award 150 points to each house." The students applauded. "Also, Gryffindor will receive an additional ten points. Ginny Weasley was the first to complete the task." The Gryffindors cheered more loudly than the rest.
Buffy rose from her seat beside Cat. "It's nearly midnight. I suggest that you all begin to get ready for bed. The candles will be put out in a half an hour. You don't have to go to sleep, but you should at least have quieted down a bit."
Wesley stood as well. "Boys will be sleeping on this side of the room," he indicated with a wave of his right hand. "And, girls will be sleeping on this side." He motioned with his left hand. There was a collective groan from the students.
Buffy laughed. "This is what you get for asking some of the younger staff members to chaperone. We weren't students that long ago, and so remember exactly what we would have done in this situation." Several giggles greeted this explanation.
****************
A half an hour later the Great Hall was filled with fluffy purple sleeping bags. Several of the boys were grouped together playing exploding snaps. The girls had also arranged their sleeping bags in several large groups, but most of them were just talking. Cat stood up from her place on the floor and flicked her wand. All of the lights dimmed. There was still enough light to see by, but it was soft enough that those who chose to do so could sleep.
Most of the seventh year girls had placed their sleeping bags with their head pointing into a large circle so they could talk. It had started out as the Gryffindor girls, but Parvati had dragged her sister along, who had Lisa Turpin with her. Mandy Brocklehurst, Hannah Abbott, and Susan Bones, having enjoyed their time playing Twister with the Gryffindor girls, pulled up their sleeping bags as well.
The seventh year Slytherin girls were in their own small group a few feet away from the other seventh year girls. "It's amazing how none of them have any house pride," Pansy was saying loudly to the other Slytherin girls, who were laughing.
After several progressively nastier comments, Hermione turned her attention to the Slytherins. "Just because we're in different houses doesn't mean that we can't find things in common," she called over to Pansy.
Pansy rose and walked over to the other seventh year girls, followed closely by Millicent, Blaise, and Morag MacDougal. Pansy sneered down at Hermione. "Name one thing you have in common with me, mudblood?"
"Besides all of us being witches?" asked Hermione scathingly.
"Some of us are more deserving of magic than others," replied Pansy coolly. Her friends were beginning to look slightly uncomfortable as they realized that they were totally outnumbered.
"How about the fact that we're all girls?" asked Dawn. She was thinking back to the time, when all the potentials had been staying at the house on Revello Drive. Even though Dawn was not a potential, she still found that she had many everyday girl things in common with the potentials.
"Yeah, like you said about the diary thing," commented Shannon.
"Oh so just because girls keep diaries we should all just be best friends," said Millicent sarcastically.
"No," said Hannah Abbott quietly. "But I'm sure even Slytherin girls have problems with boys. Like how do you tell if a bloke likes you?"
"Or what do you do even when you know he does, but is too scared to approach you?" added Parvati Patil.
Hermione looked over at her fellow Gryffindor in shock. "You always seem to know what to do with boys," she said.
"Please," said Parvati. "I talk a big game, but when it comes to action. . ."
"She's as confused and scared as the rest of us," finished Padma.
"You're telling me that a big brave Gryffindor is afraid of approaching a guy?" asked Pansy, momentarily forgetting to sneer.
"Do you know what to do in that situation?" asked Lavender. "Because if you do, Slytherin or not, I want to hear it."
"Why don't you ask someone with a boyfriend?" replied Pansy, glaring at Dawn.
"I only approached Draco because he reminded me of someone I thought I lost," replied Dawn.
"She means Spike," Shannon informed the other girls.
"Professor Sanguine?" asked Lisa. Dawn and Shannon nodded. "Now he's a hottie."
"Oh yeah," agreed several of the girls. All of the seventh year girls began giggling, breaking the inter-house tension.
"Why don't you three pull up your sleeping bags; so, we can keep talking boys?" Mandy asked the Slytherin girls in her usual quiet voice.
The Slytherin girls looked at each other and shrugged. "What the hell," said Pansy. As she and the other Slytherin girls pulled up their sleeping bags, Pansy glared at the Gryffindors in attendance. "I still don't like any of you."
Shannon shrugged. "That's fine. We don't like you either."
"So could someone please tell me how to approach the boy I like?" asked Parvati in an exasperated tone. The girls all giggled.
"Who is it that you like?" asked Millicent. She did not particularly care for Parvati, but was always interested in gossip.
"Promise not to say anything?" asked Parvati.
"Actually before anyone says anything," interjected Dawn. "I think we should set some ground rules. Out of respect for females everywhere, no girl talk leaves this circle." Everyone quickly agreed.
Parvati smiled. "I kind of like Terry Boot."
Lisa smiled. "Terry and I have been friends for ages. I'd be happy to casually find out what he thinks of you, if you would be willing to do me a favor in return."
"What favor?" asked Parvati skeptically.
Lisa blushed. "Could you maybe find out what Dean Thomas thinks of me?"
Parvati put out her hand giggling. "Deal." The two girls shook on it.
"Speaking of blokes you all know," said Pansy hesitantly. "What do you know about Ernie McMillon? He's a pureblood right?"
Everyone looked surprised. "He is," confirmed Hannah Abbott. "Do you like him?"
"No," stated Pansy firmly. "I just have to do my prefect patrol with him; so, I figured that it would be good to know things about him."
"Well," said Hannah. "Like I said, he's pureblood, comes from an old wizarding family. He's overly driven with his schoolwork. He can come off a bit arrogant sometimes, but deep down he's a really nice guy. Oh, and he's not dating anyone. I don't even think he particularly likes anyone at the moment. If he does, he's never mentioned it."
"Great, so like every wonderful guy, he's gay," stated Shannon. Her comment was answered by several giggles.
"I don't think so," replied Hannah. "I've seen him checking girls out. I think he's just picky – waiting for the right one." Pansy nodded in understanding.
"Ooh," said Lavender. "Who else's love life can we help?" She was looking straight at Hermione.
"Not mine," said Dawn, attempting to take the focus off her friend. "For the first time in my life, I'm good in that department."
"You didn't date before you came here?" asked Millicent, again interested in gossip. Dawn told them the story of the only guy she ever kissed, how he became a vampire, and how she was forced to stake him.
"That sucks," said Morag.
"Literally," replied Dawn. The entire group of seventh year girls dissolved into another fit of giggles.
****************
After having his cards explode in his face yet again, Seamus Finnegan finally gave up playing exploding snaps. He looked at Dean, Neville, and Ron. "What are they giggling about over there?" Seamus asked.
Ron thought back to the previous year, when Charlie explained to him, Harry, and Andrew that girls always talked about blokes during a slumber party. Happy that he knew something about girls that they others did not, Ron laughed. "They're talking about us, mates."
Seamus looked suddenly ill. "What do you mean they're talking about us?" he asked. "Like individually?"
Ron laughed again at the looks on his friends' faces. "Exactly. They're probably dissecting everything we've ever said and done."
The boys heard another bout of giggles from the other side of the Great Hall. "This can in no way be a good thing," said Dean.
Neville shrugged. "I'm not worried. Ginny's the type that if she had some issue with me, she would say it directly to me."
"That's for sure," agreed Ron.
"Lavender could be telling them all kinds of things about me," moaned Seamus.
Ron raised an eyebrow. "And, what exactly does she have to say about you?"
****************
The seventh year girls were all enjoying themselves. They progressed from discussing boys they like to complaining about men in general. "And why is it that they think they have to protect us?" asked Shannon. "Hello, I'm a Slayer. I fought against the First Evil. I'm pretty sure I can handle some idiot flirting with me."
"I don't mind the protective thing so much," said Lavender. "I think it's the only way they know to show they care."
"Well, it's not very original," complained Hermione.
"What's worse is when they think you can't do something just because you're a girl," said Blaise. It was the first time she had spoken since joining the large group of girls. Everyone grew silent, waiting for her to explain further.
"In case none of you have noticed, the Slytherin quidditch team never has any girls on it. They simply won't let us play. I tried out third year. I'm a better Chaser than any of the guys they have had on the team since, but Flint flat out told me that as a girl I wasn't wanted on the team."
"Are you serious?" asked Shannon.
Blaise nodded. "You have no idea how lucky you are to be in a house that lets you play. It's the one thing that makes me regret being sorted into Slytherin."
"That is just wrong," said Padma, feeling indignant on behalf of her entire gender.
"Yeah, but there isn't anything I can do about it," replied Blaise defeatedly. All of the girls looked at her with sympathy, many surprised that they were feeling such an emotion for a Slytherin.
Pansy's eyes lit up. "There is something we can do," she said quietly.
Blaise turned to her friend, "What?"
"Well, for starters Draco is so getting a piece of my mind," said Dawn.
Blaise shook her head. "Please, don't. Even if he's good about it, I'll be taking abuse for months from every other male Slytherin."
"Forget the house teams for a minute," said Pansy, sounding annoyed. She turned her attention to the Head Girl. "Granger, you said that we still need some more activities for the last few months of the year."
"Yes," replied Hermione skeptically. "But don't forget that the purpose is to promote inter-house unity."
"This will," said Pansy, "sort of."
"Sort of?" asked Shannon, her skepticism equal to Hermione's.
Pansy ignored the question. "There isn't a house match in March because of the Easter Holidays," Pansy continued. "So, let's have a game – girls versus boys – a battle of the sexes."
All of the girls looked shocked. "That's a fabulous idea," said Hermione.
Blaise threw her arms around Pansy. "I love it."
Pansy smiled, enjoying the attention of all the girls. "The way I see it, we could put together a formidable team. Blaise can play Chaser along with Andrea McKinna from Hufflepuff and Ginny Weasley from Gryffindor. I hate admitting that Gryffindors are good at anything." Pansy gave the group her trademark sneer. "But, Summers and Crawford would have to be the Beaters. I'm not sure about the Keeper or the Seeker. We'll hold tryouts or something for those positions."
"I have another idea," said Mandy quietly. Everyone turned to her. "In muggle sports, there are always cheerleaders, pretty girls in skimpy outfits who cheer and dance and stuff. I think that the girls' team should have cheerleaders. It would be a nice distraction for the boys."
"I'm all for using our womanly wiles to win," commented Parvati. She and Lavender giggled.
"You would be," said Hermione. "I don't know that I agree with that approach, but it would be nice to put the boys in their place." The seventh year girls all giggled yet again.
****************
It was nearly 2:00am, and Buffy found herself tossing and turning. She wasn't sure what was causing her restlessness. It could be that sleeping on the floor did not agree with her, or it could be that she had grown accustomed to sleeping with Charlie curled up against her. Unfortunately, he and Wesley were sleeping at the other end of the Great Hall.
Buffy finally drifted off to sleep. She found herself in her room at Hogwarts. She and Faith were standing on opposite sides of the large four-poster bed, smoothing down a light pink comforter. "Oh no, not this dream again," said Buffy.
Faith smiled. "You know that we have this dream whenever something big is coming," replied Faith.
The two Slayers turned toward the door to the room to see Voldemort staring at them with his glowing red eyes. "I know," agreed Buffy. "He's the big bad that's coming."
Faith shook her head. "No, he's not our fight. We are only meant to train those whose fight he is." Voldemort nodded at the Slayers and Disapperated."
"I thought Hermione said you can't do that at Hogwarts," mused Buffy.
"But this isn't really Hogwarts. This is your dream," explained Faith.
The two Slayers turned their attention back to smoothing out the pink comforter. From outside the room came the sounds of a battle. Buffy began to move away from the bed, but Faith intercepted her. "This is their battle. We must continue to prepare for what is to come."
"What's coming, Faith?" Buffy asked, as the dark-haired Slayer again smoothed the comforter.
"The babies are coming," said Faith.
"What babies?" asked Buffy.
"Huh?" asked Cat, who was laying in her sleeping bag beside Buffy.
Buffy shook her head to clear it. "Must have been having a dream," she mumbled. 'I really have to remember to ask Faith if she dreamt it too,' thought Buffy, before drifting back to sleep.
****************
Author's Note: I still need two more activities for April and May. Thankfully, it will be awhile before I am at the point of writing those chapters. However, I would be thrilled to get some suggestions from my readers for two more activities that would promote inter-house unity.