Thanks to all the reviewers:
Tap Dancing Willow: Thanks for reading and reviewing- I love your enthusiasm :)
Lucky Shamrock: This chapters longer as well. I hope you like. Thanks for reading.
Iris Moon: Not exactly soon, but the next chapter's mostly written so it should be up soon. Thanks for reviewing.
The Lady Morgaine (x2): Thanks for both the reviews- this chapter contains the Dawn/ Draco encounter and her first class. I hop you like :)
Charmed-Angel4: It's weird, the bits you pick as your favourites are my fave bits too! The next chapter's mostly written so it should be up soon.
Juzblu: Thanks for reading and reviewing. I hope you like the next chapter.
A/N: I'd like to remind you that Harry only started school two weeks ago so he and Hermione aren't friends yet and she's still in her 'irritating know-it-all' phase
CHAPTER FIVE: YOU THINK YOU KNOW
"You think you know what you are, what's to come. You've only just begun."
The words had been playing over in Dawn's mind since the dream. She knew they meant something important, something really important. But what?
It was fairly ominous. Could it mean the key? But she already knew about that. And she hadn't 'begun' that recently- surely the dreams would've started ten years ago if that were the case? She had a feeling that Hogwarts had something to do with it. It was such a coincidence; start at creepy magic school and then start having creepy unexplainable dreams.
"Good morning Miss Summers!" Dumbledore greeted as she sat down for breakfast. "Did you sleep well?"
"Not really, no."
"Anything I can do to help?" He offered.
Dawn thought about it, and decided she could trust him even though she'd only known him for a short while. "I had a dream, well a nightmare really, and in it I was being chased by something. I fell and it caught up with me. It was about to kill me when it said 'you think you know what you are, what's to come. You've only just begun'."
Dumbledore looked slightly amused; she'd managed to say all of that in just one breath. "And then what?"
"I woke up."
"Ah. Well, have some sausages, cheer yourself up a bit," Dumbledore uselessly suggested, "the house elves have really out done themselves."
Dawn smiled weakly and took a sausage from the plate. She cast a look around the hall, her eyes settling on one of the first years who had been bothering her since their little encounter the night before.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Harry Potter was shovelling food in his mouth, keeping half an eye on Ron and Semus who were having a heated debate over which quiditch team was the best. He'd only been at Hogwarts for four weeks but it already felt like more of a home than Privet Drive did. He felt eyes boring into his back and looked round expecting to see Snape's loathing eyes staring at him. But it was someone else.
The new Professor locked eyes with him and he felt his scar begin to tingle, but not in a bad way like with Snape on the first day. It was warm and comforting. He felt like he knew her, like she knew him, and he offered her a small smile which was quickly returned. He'd felt that there was something odd a bit last night, but it was more intense now. Maybe because he wasn't absolutely exhausted and scared shitless about the three headed dog they're seen the previous night.
Harry's attention was diverted by Ron calling his name. He got the feeling that he'd been calling for a while. "Yes Ron?"
"What's up? You've been out of it for ages!"
"I'm fine." Harry turned back to look at the staff table. The new professor had her head down, but Dumbledore caught his eye and smiled knowingly.
Things were working out just fine.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dawn fretted nervously at her desk. When she'd got here, Dumbledore had asked her to take a regular teaching slot and, like a fool, she'd agreed. She had the first and second years twice a week and the rest once a week as they had important exams which took up most of their free periods.
The first group was Gryffindor and Slytherin first years and from what Hagrid had said there was a bit of rivalry between the two houses. Dumbledore knew about the rivalry, yet he'd put them together for the one class where they could kick each other senseless. Smart man that Dumbledore…not.
A girl with bushy hair stuck her head around the door. "Professor Summers? Can I come in?"
Dawn recognised the girl from the night before. "Sure. You're early; you must have left breakfast the same time as I did."
"I like to be able to prepare for my classes before the class gets here." Hermione said primly.
"Right, Hermione, just dump your stuff over there. I'm gonna move the tables to give us more room."
The girl looked lightly appalled. "But what will we write on?"
"This is a practical class, kid. No note taking necessary." Dawn heaved one of the tables to the side, hoping that this would be the end to the kid's questions. Boy was she wrong.
"Why don't you just use your wand for that?"
"Don't have one." Dawn grunted, stacking another table to the side.
"You're a muggle?"
"Did I say that? No, you assumed. And you know what they say…" Dawn trailed off, but apparently the girl didn't know what they said. "Assume and you make an ass out of you and me?"
Once again Hermione looked shocked, presumably at Dawn's language, but the conversation was stopped by a loud chatter announcing the arrival of the rest of the class.
"Hey guys; dump your stuff around the sides and grab a seat on the floor." Dawn said with a confidence that she really didn't feel.
One student with platinum blond hair looked at the floor in disgust after all the rest were seated.
"Problem Spike-alike?"
"You want us to sit on the floor? But it's dirty! I refuse to sit in the dirt and dirty my robes!" He whined.
That made her angry. He was messing up her first class. "Okay, lesson the first, drop the haughty-taughty, holier than thou attitude. I'm the teacher here and what I say goes. Lesson the second, the floor isn't dirty so you precious dress won't get muddy. Now sit."
Miraculously he did, and the giggles he was getting from the rest of the class soon stopped.
"Right, welcome to Muggle Defence 101." Dawn began, not noticing some of the confused looks she was getting from the students who didn't understand her reference. "In the future, don't bother with the dress- err robes for this class. Dumbledore said he'd provide everyone with sweats to wear more confused looks. Also, you won't be needing your wands. You'll be learning muggle methods to defend yourselves. Yes, Spike-alike?"
"We're wizards."
Dawn gave him a patronising look. "I had noticed, what's your point?"
"We don't need muggle ways," he spat, "we've got magic."
"You think you don't need 'muggle ways'? Okay question, wizards duel right? Well what happens if you loose your wand in a fight? You loose, period. But I'm going to be teaching you how you could attack your opponent without a wand or how to try and get yours back. You think you won't get beaten just because you have magic? Well, my sister's a muggle and she could take you and your wands on all at once."
Malfoy snorted. "I still say it's stupid."
"Congratulations, Spike-alike! You've just volunteered yourself to help me demonstrate. That's right Mr…?"
"Draco Malfoy."
"Mr. Malfoy, you've won an all expenses paid ass kicking of a life time! Come on down, Draco, unless you're scared." Dawn taunted.
Draco approached the front of the room cautiously.
"Right kid, what attacking spells do you know? One that you could attack me with and then reverse if necessary." She added as an after thought.
Draco thought for a minute. "A stunning spell."
Dawn nodded. "Right. Now I want you to try and hit me with that spell before I disarm you the muggle way, got it?"
Draco smirked and nodded.
"Hermione, could you be the starter?"
Hermione nodded eagerly. "Ready…steady…go!"
"Stuper-" Draco started, but his wand was snatched from his fingers and he was trapped under his professor's arm.
"And that is why you're taking the class. Drakey boy here can't move without me either breaking his arm or dislocating his shoulder." She released him. "Any questions?"
A forest of hands rose into the air. Dawn sighed when she saw the highest hand in the group. "Yes, Miss Granger?"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Miss Summers!" A voice roared from down the corridor.
Dawn counted to ten mentally before turning to face the fuming potions master. "Professor Snape. How can I help you?"
"You attacked my student!" At this point several students stopped to watch their normally cold potion master shrieking like a little child.
"I did not! And quite frankly I'm offended by the accusation!" Dawn said defensively. "Which student?"
"Mr. Malfoy!" Snape glared in what he believed was an intimidating manor, and it probably was. But when you'd grown immune to Spike and Buffy's glares (and they were a hell of a lot scarier than Snape's) then it took more than a greasy potions teacher to scare you.
"Oh, you mean Spike-alike? Actually he attacked me as part of my class. I just turned the tables." Dawn replied cheerfully, knowing to well that this would annoy the potions master even more.
"He says that you grabbed him."
"Yup. Part of my demo." She grinned.
"He says you threatened to break his arm."
"No, I said I could break his arm, not that I would. There's a difference."
"You can't threaten students!" Snape shouted, seemingly unaware of the crowd watching him.
"Wait a sec, I just told you that I didn't threaten him. He's playing you, can't you see? Or is that stick up your ass too distracting? I'm only gonna say it one more time, but I'll say it slowly just for you; I did not threaten any students! Not Drakey or anyone."
"Do not insult my intelligence." Snape snarled. Then he spotted Harry and Ron watching, looking amused and his scowl deepened. "You do not listen in on personal conversations! Fifty points from Gryffindor!"
"You've got to be kidding? They aren't the only people here and they couldn't exactly help but listen what with you being all yell master general!"
"Fifty points from Gryffindor." Snape repeated venomously.
"Fine. Fifty points from Slytherin too." Dawn countered.
"You can't do that." Snape spluttered.
"I think I just did."
"There aren't any Slytherin's here!"
"Sure there is, her. Parkinson isn't it? Nothing personal kid." Dawn said apologetically to the stunned girl.
Snape growled and stormed off. Dawn smirked after him.
"That was bloody brilliant." Ron exclaimed as Snape disappeared from view.
"Thanks. I do my best. Is he always like that?"
"All the time." Harry said gloomily.
"Man, what a bastard…but he's a professor and should be treated with respect." Dawn corrected.
Ron started to roll his eyes, but then realised that this was too a professor and if his Mum found out he'd got detention for being rude to a teacher there'd be no end to the lectures and degnoming duty.
"Now what to do about those points…Oh I know!" Dawn tipped the bag she was carrying and a notepad and pen fell out. "Harry could you please pick those up for me?"
Harry looked at her strangely. "Err…Sure."
When Dawn had her belongings back she beamed at Harry. "Thanks. Fifty points to Gryffindor for being so helpful. And I cancel the points that I earlier took from Slytherin. Can I do that? Is that alright now? Oh well, it'll do. See ya in class!"
Ron, Harry, Pansy and the other students watched her go open mouthed. She was nothing like the other professors they had, she was more confusing for one thing.
"She is my favourite professor here." Ron declared.
"Yeah." Harry agreed. He still felt strange around her, like he should know her.
"We're lucky she gave us those points back. Fred and George would have slaughtered me if I'd lost fifty points in one go."
"Yeah." Harry said again.
"Pity she gave the Slytherin's their points back too though."
"Umm." Harry responded automatically. What was it with Professor Summers?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"I don't see why I need a wand." Dawn whined.
Professor McGonagall bit her tongue to stop her scolding the young woman. "Professor Dumbledore feels that you have a potential for magic. He wishes to see if this talent will help you."
"Fine, but Buffy won't be happy when she hears you're letting me do magic." That thought seemed to perk her up a bit and they arrived at Oliviander's without the deputy headmistress wanting to sew Dawn's mouth shut.
An old man came out from behind a shelf. "Ah, I didn't think I'd be seeing you again, my dear…"
"Seeing me again?"
"Mr. Oliviander, this is Dawn Summers. She's shopping for her first wand."
Oliviander gave McGonagall a look that clearly said he didn't believe her but started rummaging through the shelves muttering to his customers.
"I've remembered every wand I've ever sold, make no mistake I remember you…If I tweaked the original…Ah yes, a special wand for a special girl; Willow, 9⅓ inches, hair of a slayer."
Dawn shifted so that the dagger she kept at her waist was in easy reach should she need it. This old man was making her very uncomfortable and McGonagall too by the looks of it.
Oliviander stopped looking through the boxes on the main wall and went over to a dustier shelf towards the back of the shop. He looked around. These were his 'special' wands. Their core's were very unusual- demon blood, hippogriff hair, troll mucus, and much more. He pondered what wand to pick out.
The first time she'd been in his shop, he'd used the hair of a slayer, but he had no more wands with that core, or any other slayer core for that matter. The last had been sold to Tara McClay sixteen years ago and what a waste that was- her father had snapped it before she could do three spells.
He stuck with the Willow combination with the original length. That had worked well for her when she'd come into his shop sixteen years ago. It was lucky he didn't get surprised at anything or he'd have died of a heart attack when he saw her again. She looked different, but there was no mistaking her aura.
He felt inexplicably drawn to one box and pulled it out, not questioning his instincts although the choice interested him. "Give it a wave, my dear."
Dawn took the wand cautiously and waved it though the air. A shower of green sparks flew out the end and they were accompanied by a low humming sound that a generator might make.
Oliviander smiled gleefully. "A match first time. Willow wood, 9⅓ inches, blood of a vampire."
"A vampire?" Dawn yelped.
"Yes, but this was a vampire unlike any other. He donated his blood about fifty years ago. That would make it about one hundred years after he was blessed with his soul, or cursed with it you might say. He fed upon the wrong girl and was-"
"Cursed by gypsies." Dawn groaned.
"You've heard of it."
"Only a million times and I lived through the second re-ensouling spell…kind of. Besides, I know the vampire."
Oliviander's eyes opened wide in wonder. "You know the vampire Angelus?"
"Yes, well no. I knew the vampire Angel. He died about seven years ago." Dawn said sadly.
Oliviander smiled with sympathy. "I'm sorry."
"S'okay. So this has Angel's blood? Buffy's gonna freak."
"About the blood?"
"About the vampire."
"I see." Oliviander said although he clearly didn't.
Dawn looked down at the wand in her hand. It was rather plain but she was pleased to see that the end of it had been tapered into a point that would make a great stake. She thought about the contents. Angel's blood. Angel was Spike's grand-sire, even if they tried to deny it so that meant it had Spike's blood too. She sighed. "It's always about the blood."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Dawn swished and flicked her wand, but once again the feather zoomed out of control. A week after she'd arrived at Hogwarts Dumbledore had suggested giving her magic lessons. Dawn had gladly accepted and a couple of days after that he'd set up a timetable. This was her first lesson and it wasn't going so well.
"What am I doing wrong?" She asked as the feather continued to zoom.
It had already done two laps of the classroom and looked like it was about to join the others stuck in the ceiling when it took a steep dive towards Professor Flitwick. He jumped aside and narrowly avoided having a feather up his ass. The feather finally stopped as it crashed into Dawn's desk.
Professor Flitwick scratched his head in confusion. "You're doing everything correctly. It should be working. The incantation is right, the wand movement is correct and you obviously have magic within you, you just can't seem to access it. Still you've set two feathers on fire, embedded three in the ceiling and I am covered in injuries. Hmmm, maybe you should try it again?"
Dawn raised one eyebrow. "Sure you wanna risk it? Okay, but remember I warned you. Wingardium Leviosa!"
Once again the feather rose. But this time it only went about two feet and then imploded into a cloud of gold dust which fell on them.
Dawn clapped her hands like a delighted schoolchild, much to Flitwick's amusement; he'd seen more mature first years! "Oooh; feather go poof!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Postulo Transformus!" A flash of light then nothing. "It's not working."
"I can see that Miss Summers." McGonagall said irritably.
"The same thing happened with Professor Flitwick." Dawn twirled her wand around in her hand.
"What?"
"He said I was doing everything right and I and the power but I couldn't access it. Or something like that."
McGonagall frowned. Could this have something to do with the transformation? "I wouldn't worry Miss Summers, it's only your first lesson and you only picked up a wand for the first time last week. Are you having any problems with the incantations?"
"Nope. They're mostly Latin so I get them. Plus they all seem kinda familiar. Stupid I know…maybe I've heard Willow do them or something."
McGonagall smiled weakly. She had a feeling that that wasn't why they were so familiar to her, but it wasn't time to tell her that yet. "Maybe."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"I'm so sorry!" Dawn gushed as she ran into Dumbledore's office where McGonagall and Snape already sat.
"You're late." Snape snarled at her.
"My class overran; I said I was sorry, okay?" She'd been at Hogwarts for two weeks, yet she'd found out very little about Voldemort. Dumbledore hadn't told her anything of any use and she was beginning to have more suspicions about why she was there. But this was the first time Giles had let her do something major by herself and she wasn't going back until she knew a bit more about the situation.
"Perfectly alright Miss Summers. The reason I asked you here is because I have heard you have some experience with the issue I am about to tell you. Minerva and Severus are here as members of the order of the phoenix."
"Okay. So, what's the what?"
"We have found a prophecy-"
Snape snorted. He still hated her even after a fortnight of sucking up. Now Dawn had just given up. It wasn't like she really wanted to be friends with the slime ball anyway. "What could she know about prophecies?"
"Well, I've been around them for fifteen years and I've constantly been decrypting them for the last eight." Dawn boasted.
"Indeed. This prophecy was spoken by a member of our staff only hours ago. She, of course, remembers nothing but I am convinced it is true." Dumbledore said.
"It might be true, but it's not necessarily the whole truth." Dawn pointed out.
McGonagall snorted. "It might not be true at all."
Dumbledore shot her a reproachful look. "It is unlike any prophecy I've ever seen. It is in verse and longer than most, but I have heard it before. When I was first teaching here, Professor Trawnely's ancestor was our divination professor and she told me of it then, but as the years went by I forgot it. However I believe it may help us fight Voldemort."
Snape eyed him curiously. "How?"
"It speaks of a team of fighters; that much I can tell. But the rest is in riddles."
"All true prophecies always are." Dawn commented, dreading the moment when Dumbledore read out the prediction.
Dumbledore nodded. "It's just up here…" He turned away from the group and started rummaging through a sheaf of papers on the shelf behind him.
Snape caught Dawn's attention and rolled his eyes at her. She glared back. He then, in a very immature moment, tried to mimic her silently. 'All true prophecies always are!'
Dawn glared harder. "Professor Dumbledore, I accidentally killed Snape. That's okay, right?"
"Just a minute…Ah, here it is. I shall read it through first and then we shall try to decipher it."
The other three occupants of the room nodded and Dumbledore began.
xxx
"She who springs from tears of Eve is born again,
But the connection stays and the line must remain.
This is the last, yet never before
'Tis power so bright, so strong and so pure.
The witches' saviour, the wizards' knight,
The Trojka shall fight for all that is right."
"But for the light to come to pass,
She must be found in shadows evil doth cast.
When she is restored, the power unlocked,
Her comrades shall come and the rest will flock."
"The first is chosen, the second is fate,
The third is the link whom carries a freight.
Thrice the blood of a champion, Thrice have evils mark,
Thrice the hero, thrice the sin and thrice the touch of the dark."
"The identities of Trojka you must discover
Look through this puzzle for clues to uncover.
Heed my words and learn them well.
As for riddles spoken, only time shall tell."
xxx
As the prophecy ended, the grouped looked at each other, none of them really knowing what to say; none of them really knowing what it meant. How were they supposed to figure that out? How would it help to defeat Voldemort? Dawn looked around the confused professors and managed to sum up the way they were all feeling in only two words:
"Oh shit."
What do you think of the prophecy? Is it okay?
Surely everyone must be able to guess who the vessel is now! I've dropped enough hints! You'll find out for certain next chapter…probably. Until then, please Review!