Hello everyone! My muse is back full force if you can't tell by my massive update today on all of my fics, plus the addition of a new WIP. Anywho, just wanted to let you know that the next chapter will be up on Sunday March 7. Spring Break starts in a week and I plan on spending the entire week writing and getting ahead so it won't be so long between updates.
A/N: I wrote a Sorting Hat song that took me forever, even though it's pretty short. Yes, I know it doesn't rhyme, but I have rhyming issues. It's not that I can't rhyme, its that I can't make it rhyme and say what I want it to all at the same time.
Review Responses:
PuNKyCoWGiRL, luvin-echo16, Draco-FutureBF, John, Botticelli'sVenus, dancetdplc, Pandoras Box1 , andMegeara Angela Nicole McGwire, thank you guys so much for all of your reviews!
Harmoni9, thanks for the review for this and for She Hated Hospitals. I'm glad I was able to keep you in suspense, it was all part of my master plan.
SPASH Panther, yes you will see more of the ME people, I'm not done with them yet. As for my updates I always inform you when I will update and the very beginning of each update. I almost always update on Sundays, usually in the mornings, so you can always check then if you forget.
My reviewers are just awesome!
I also want to thank PuNKyCoWGiRL because she's my new beta! Plus she came up with the title for this chapter! I'm sure I've nearly driven her crazy with sending her a bunch of chapters this week. Thanx PuNK, you're fabulous!
Chapter Seven
Open Mouth, Insert Foot
The girls were gathered in Dawn and Ginny's room to have a mini-sleepover so they could catch up on everything that had happened since the last time they had seen each other.
"So what was Middle Earth like?" Ginny asked as she started brushing Hermione's hair.
"It was fabulous," Dawn answered with a smile. She opened a bottle of nail polish and started painting her toenails. "I mean we were only in Caras Galadhon, but it was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. It was so peaceful that the days passed by so quickly that our two weeks were over before we knew it."
"What were the elves like?" Hermione asked.
"How does impossibly beautiful sound?" Dawn asked in way of answering. "Beautiful is really the only way to describe them, even the men. And they had this amazing ability to stay neat that I don't think I'll ever figure out how they did it."
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.
"For example, after we had been there a week, a group arrived. They were from all the different races - man, dwarf, elf, and even hobbits. And they were all dirty and worn out - except for the elf. He looked like all he needed was a two-hour nap. I swear there wasn't a speck of dirt on him."
Hermione's brow furrowed. "Didn't you mention once that you had read that elves and dwarves don't get along?"
Dawn nodded. "Yeah, but it turns out that group was on some sort of quest thingy to destroy this evil ring. They stopped at Caras Galadhon for a rest."
"What kind of evil ring?" The bushy haired brunette asked.
"Oh something some big bad made to rule the world, what else?"
Ginny giggled. "I'm surprised you guys didn't stay behind to help."
"Don't think it didn't cross our minds," Dawn said as she closed the bottle of polish. "But we figured we had our own world to save. So we decided to just concentrate on one world at a time."
Hermione nodded and said, "That makes sense. You wouldn't want to spread yourselves too thin."
"Exactly. So how was your guys' summer?"
"Boring compared to yours," Ginny said.
"Oh come on. You guys got to spend time with your honeys. You can't tell me you didn't go sneaking around during the night."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yeah, like it's easy sneaking around the Weasley household. Every time you turn around you trip over one of them. Ron and I even tried hiding in the garden, but Fred and George kept finding us."
"You know they searched you guys out on purpose," Ginny teased.
"I know," Hermione sighed.
"What about you Gin? You stayed at Harry's."
"Their place is small that Harry had to stay in Remus' room... with Remus."
"Sorry," Dawn said with no small amount of sympathy.
**********
Unsurprisingly, the girls beat the boys to breakfast the next morning. They had already filled their plates when the boys entered the Great Hall.
"Merlin!" Ginny exclaimed.
"What?" Dawn asked as she lifted her head to look. As she caught on to what her redheaded friend had seen she whispered, "Oh my god."
After hearing both of her friends' exclamations, Hermione followed their gaze and her jaw dropped.
What was causing their amazement was the fact that Ron and Harry entered the Great Hall laughing and talking with none other than Draco. What was even more surprising was that Draco walked with them over to the Gryffindor table and sat down next to Dawn.
Dawn narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What are you three up to?"
Draco looked at her innocently. "What do you mean?"
"The three of you have never been that chummy before," Ginny said shrewdly. "What's going on?"
The Slytherin looked at Ron. "Is anything going on?"
Ron shook his head. "Not that I know of. Harry, is anything going on?"
"Not that I'm aware of. Draco?"
"I think we're good. See, there's nothing going on. I have no idea what you're talking about."
Hermione said, "So the fact that the three of you were laughing and talking, and that the three of you walked over here and sat down together means nothing is going on?"
The three boys nodded their heads and began filling their plates.
"And speaking of that," Dawn said as she studied her boyfriend. "What are you doing over here? Shouldn't you be sitting at the Slytherin table?"
"Do you not want me to sit next to you?" Draco asked.
Dawn could see hints of the pain her question caused in Draco's gray eyes. "It's not that I don't want you to, but aren't you suppose to sit at your house table?"
Draco shrugged. "There's no rule saying I have to sit there for every meal. Besides, a little display of unity between the houses could be helpful."
Hermione's eyes brightened as she energetically nodded her head. "That's a good idea, Draco. We should split up every once in a while and sit at other tables."
Ginny sent a mock glare to Draco. "Now see what you have done?"
He just shrugged as if to say, who me?
"But this still doesn't explain why the three of you are actually being civil to each other. You're almost.... friendly."
"It's simple," Ron said. "Harry and I decided that since the three of you are the best of mates that we were going to have to get along with each other somehow. So we decided to bury the hatchet, so to speak. Besides, we guys need to escape from you women from time to time."
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "You need an escape from us?"
Draco muttered under his breath, "Weasley, you stupid git."
"Well not so much escape, it's just us guys need some man time together away from you prissy girls."
Ginny arched an eyebrow. "And now we're prissy?"
Harry started whispering feverishly. "Shut up, Ron. Shut up."
"Well, yeah. You girls can't expect us to hang around you all of the time. And besides, the three of us gives us better odds."
"Better odds against what?" Dawn asked coolly.
"You know, whenever you guys gang up on us. Like what you're doing right now!" Ron said indignantly.
"Oh, we're ganging up on you now?" Hermione asked in fake surprise.
"Weas-Ron, will you just stop and think before you open your mouth to speak?"
The girls all turned to Draco. "Did you just call him Ron?" Dawn asked.
"Yes."
"Huh," was all she could say.
They turned their attention back to Ron, who had by this time realized what he had been saying. He smiled nervously. "I'm sure you girls understand. Sometimes, you know - like last night - you girls do your... girl thing... so we were off doing our... guy thing..."
"Uh huh," the girls said as the three looked at each other, stood up, and took their plates to another spot at the table.
Ron looked at Draco and Harry, "What did I say exactly?"
"You wouldn't understand," Draco said with a shake of his head.
As Buffy walked by the boys she stopped and asked. "What did you guys do?"
"Why does it always have to be us?" Harry asked in exasperation.
"Because I noticed that the girls got up and walked away from you, not the other way around."
"Weas-Ron just shoved his foot in his mouth, that's all. It's nothing to worry about."
She lightly nodded her head. "Yeah, you guys are good at that."
"Dawn and I need to talk to you and Spike later," Draco said.
"Not a prob, you know how to find us," she said as she continued to the professor's table.
********
"What did Dumbledore say about Blaise's parents?" Buffy asked as she and Spike were patrolling the dark forest that night to see what had changed over the summer.
Spike shrugged. "Said she was telling the truth. Her parents have been spies from the beginning. They were never true members of the order, like Snape was."
"But do you really think we should train her?"
"Luv, I think we should do whatever we can to help her. She's already taking Muggle Defense, what's the harm of the extra sessions?"
"But I feel like that is encouraging her to fight. These kids are too young to involve themselves in this war," Buffy argued.
"Buffy, these kids are already involved whether you want them to be or not. And even if they aren't now, they will be once they leave this school. Blaise is a seventh year, it's her last year here, and she's worried about her parents. We either help her or she'll find help somewhere else."
Buffy sighed. "I guess so."
"When do..." Spike began before something sprang from the bushes and landed on top of him, knocking him over.
The slayer went to grab Spike's attacker, but stopped when she realized what it was.
"Bloody hell! Fang, get off me!"
Buffy laughed as she watched Hagrid's dog lick Spike's face.
"Sorry abou' tha'," came Hagrid's voice from behind her.
"It's ok," Buffy said between giggles. "What are you doing out here this late, Hagrid?" She asked as she calmed down.
"I was out lookin' for Firenze. Thought we could catch up."
"We saw him on the path about fifteen minutes ago."
"Thanks. It's good ta' see you're back, Spike. I like knowin' that the Dark Arts class isn't cursed like the kids say it is. Come on, Fang," he called as he started down the path.
After giving Spike's face one last lick, Fang jumped off and followed his master.
"Bloody dog," Spike grumbled as he wiped the dog slobbers off his face.
"I don't know," Buffy said lightly. "I think he's kind of sweet."
"What was all that rubbish about my position being cursed?" He asked from the ground.
"You honestly never heard the kids talking about it?" Buffy asked incredulously.
"No, what?"
"Ever since Harry started school here, no DADA professor has lasted longer than a year. The fact that you are here for a second year proves the theory wrong."
"You know me, luv. Always liked breakin' the rules," he said as he stood and dusted himself off.
As they started down the path, Buffy asked with a little giggle, "What were you going to say before you were so viciously attacked?"
"I was going to ask when you wanted to start the extra training," he answered darkly.
"Let's start the day after classes begin. We've got enough things to take care of this first week without adding this on top of it."
"Sounds good to me."
**********
True to Buffy's word, between the prefects meetings, creating duty rosters for hall patrols, and learning the duties of a prefect, the week passed quickly. Before they knew it, they were sitting with the rest of the students in the Great Hall waiting for the first years to enter and be sorted. Because of the formality of the evening, Draco was sitting at the Slytherin table next to Blaise.
At the Gryffindor table, Dawn sighed.
"What's wrong?" Ginny asked.
"I feel like a dork."
"Why?"
Dawn gestured tot he pointy hat sitting on top of her head. "No wonder muggles have such crazy stories about us. You know - pointed hats, riding around on broomsticks - really! I feel like I'm a walking cliché. Might as well call me the Wicked Witch of the West and I should be going around threatening dogs and trying to steal ruby slippers."
Hermione and Harry laughed, as they were the only ones to understand Dawn's references.
Before Ron and Ginny could question them, Seamus leaned over and asked, "Are ya guys havin' those special trainin' sessions this year?"
"Yeah, why?" Harry asked.
"I was wonderin' if I could join."
"I don't see why you can't," Hermione said. "Might want to ask Buffy and Spike though."
"You're going to be joining us, aren't you Neville?" Ron asked.
"Yeah. I've been practicing over the summer," Neville answered.
Further conversation was prevented by the entrance of the first years, led by Professor McGonagall.
"They all look so scared," Dawn whispered. "Did I look like that last year?"
Ginny smiled and said, "No. But you did look a little green in the face when the sorting hat started to talk."
"Well it's scary, it gave me the wiggins. Hats shouldn't talk."
McGonagall gave her short speech about the sorting ceremony as the stool and the hat were placed in front of the first years, who stared at it with wide eyes.
Dawn actually paid attention to the song the hat sang this year since she really had nothing to be nervous about.
Come closer all you first years
There is nothing here to fear.
Just place me on top of your head
And I'll tell you where you belong.
Perhaps you should be in Gryffindor
With the others who are brave and daring.
If you are loyal and just,
Then it is to Hufflepuff you'll go.
Ravenclaw will be perfect for those
Who value learning the most.
Only one other house to be placed in,
That the past year has wrought changes in.
The Slytherins are cunning and shrewd
But there you might find your real friends.
But from deep inside my brain comes a worry,
That the year will be filled with danger.
And evil hand that stretches out
Will bring two worlds together.
Inside the walls of Hogwarts
We must band together as one.
However, those few who once were solid
May be stronger when they become divided.
Hopefully you've listened to all I've said,
Let the sorting now begin.
After all the first years had been sorted, Dumbledore stood and said, "I have a few start of the term announcements. As usual, the forbidden forest is strictly that - forbidden. No magic is to be performed in the hallways. Professors Summers and Spike would like for you to know that they offer extra training sessions in the evening for any of you who wish to have more practice outside of class. My final words are woogedy, persnickety, and kadoo. Let the feast begin."
As he sat down the food appeared in front of them. Dawn smiled at the wonder on the first years' faces, but her expression quickly became serious as she turned to talk to her friends about the sorting hat's song.
"It sounded fairly ominous, don't you think" Hermione said. "I don't think I've actually heard it warn us before."
"Things must be getting pretty bad for it to do that," Dawn said as she filled her plate.
"Guess we should stay on our guard then," Harry said with a sigh.
"When are we not?" Ron asked around a mouthful of food.
**********
The following night, Blaise entered the muggle defense room for the extra training with Dawn and Draco. Once Dawn learned that Dumbledore confirmed the Slytherin girl's story, she easily accepted Blaise's friendship. She had found her to be a quiet, but extremely witty girl.
As usual, they were the first to arrive, so they began stretching as they waited for the others. Seamus and Neville walked in shortly after that and Dawn and Draco braced themselves for the inevitable outburst.
But Seamus surprised them by turning to Neville and muttering, "I still don't understand how we didn' know she was on our side."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Because, you stupid git, that's one of our traits. Remember - sly, crafty, devious. You weren't supposed to know, that's part of the idea of being a spy."
"He's right," Spike said as he and Buffy entered at the end of the conversation. "If she had said anything before it could have blown her parents cover and have serious repercussions for them."
"Oh, like she's not blowin' it now?" Seamus exclaimed.
"Things might be a little tough for her parents now, but the fact that so many Slytherins are defying their parents it's not singling the Zabinis out. Their cover is safe."
The rest of the Gryffindors arrived a few minutes later and Buffy and Spike called for their attention.
"Now I hope none of you forgot what we taught you last year," Spike said. "But just in case, we want you to take turns sparring."
"I want to see Ginny and Blaise first," Buffy said.
When everyone had had a turn, Buffy and Spike smiled at them. "Not bad guys," the petite slayer said. "You didn't forget that much. We'll start the more serious stuff tomorrow. You can go."