Summer is here! Good god it took long enough! I have finished the 10th grade finally! And now I have Driver's Ed and a job to look forward to. Eek I will be driving soon. Pray for me. My friend got into an accident a last week, but thankfully she and her mom are fine and they are getting big fat checks for pain and suffering. I just think it casts a bad omen, but oh well. I really want to drive.
I did the same thing with writing too much in one chapter, so I split it up again. The second half will take a bit longer to get in, but it shouldn't be too long. Thanks to my reviewers!
"These are your patrol schedules and keep in mind that these can be changed and rearranged and so on and so forth. And may I remind you that none of you are to go off alone when patrolling outside! You must have at least one other slayer with you," Buffy reiterated to the young slayers, her firm voice reverberating off the walls.
"And for the ones that are alone you guys will be patrolling the castle with the school prefects. And some of these are guys and I know it might be tempting, but keep your libidos under control. Slaying can get a girl wicked horny, right B?" Faith told them, her dark eyes glinting with humor.
Faith's remark woke the girls out of their early morning stupor and they giggled scandalously. Hermione reddened slightly when some of the girls winked at her; they knew she was dating a prefect. Jordan was oddly silent when normally she would have nudged Hermione and snickered sardonically. The girl had her head down and was staring at her hands which were folded on her lap.
Hermione had an inkling that Jordan was still reeling from seeing that boy's body last night. Buffy had explained to her about it this morning and she was shamefully relieved that she had not gone out there. If Jordan reacted in such a way she couldn't imagine how she would have reacted had she seen such horrible sight.
"As for these wandless defense classes: if any of you girls want to assist in these just talk to me, Faith, Giles, or Wesley. And please take care around the students; they're a lot more breakable than you guys." Buffy distinctly narrowed her eyes at Jordan and a lot of the slayers snorted remembering how Jordan accidentally decked a boy on Platform 9 ¾.
Hermione frowned when Jordan didn't even say anything to that or look up. Buffy and Faith seemed to notice Jordan's disconnected behavior and they both exchanged worried glances.
"Well, I guess breakfast is just about to start up so why don't you girls go get some grub," Faith said her eyes still intent on Jordan who was rising, her head still turned downwards.
Hermione quickly pulled her friend aside when they stepped out of the slayers' quarters. "Are you all right? You haven't exactly been yourself this morning. I mean, you were quiet last night too during Parvati and Lavender's interrogation."
Jordan took a deep breath and rubbed at her eyes. "I guess I was just tired." Her voice was flat and devoid of warmth.
"Jordan, is it that….boy?" Hermione asked carefully.
Jordan's honey eyes clouded over in pain and she leaned back against the wall. "I saw him last night in my dreams and I couldn't get any sleep. I can still see him now, his empty hazel eyes staring out at me. It was horrible Hermione. It had just hit me right when we got to our dorms what had happened to him; what I had seen," she confided, her voice cracking.
Hermione looked her over in sympathy and she put an arm around her friend. "It must be. I'm so sorry, but you must remember that it's not your fault, what happened to him."
"No, I know it's not my fault. It was just…I was such a wimp. I threw up! What kind of a slayer throws up and nearly passes out when she sees a dead body no matter how young and innocent or how mutilated it was? I mean, I lost it Hermione! Xander had to nearly carry me back to the train and then Aidan practically drags me to the infirmary," Jordan's voice was filled with shame and anger directed at herself.
Hermione's eyes widened in understanding. "Jordan that doesn't make you weak. If I had seen that body I probably would have done the same thing or maybe I would have passed out. It just means you have heart and that you aren't dead of emotion like Buffy said slayers can come to be. Trust me I would be really worried if it hadn't effected you at all," she assured her.
Hermione could feel some of Jordan's tension dissipate at her words and her brows furrowed in thought. "You think so? You think it was normal?" she asked hopefully.
"Well, I don't pretend to be an expert Jordan, but I'm sure Buffy or Faith would say the same thing. Even if it's not normal we all have weaknesses. It's what makes us human," Hermione said wisely.
A wraith of a smile flitted over Jordan's lips. What Hermione had said made her feel a lot better, but that still didn't solve the problem of seeing that boy's glassy hazel eyes. A rumble in her stomach turned her thoughts away from the unpleasant subject and onto one of her favorites: breakfast.
"Think we should check on the boys? Or see if Dawn has kicked the crap out of any Slytherins yet?" Jordan suggested, plastering on a half-hearted smile.
Hermione smiled in return, glad to have her friend back to at least a bit like her former self. "Yes, I think that's a capital idea."
They quickly made their way to the Dining Hall and spotted Aidan, Ron, and Harry sitting with Ginny, Dean, Seamus, and Neville. Hermione greeted Ron with a chaste kiss on the lips. It was a simple gesture really, but it resulted in the spewing of food from Seamus' mouth and Neville gasping in surprise. Dean had the advantage of dating Ron's sister so he was informed of the change in relationship between his two housemates prior to that morning.
"Wait a minute! Are you two…together?" Seamus asked after wiping his mouth.
"Yeah," Ron said the tips of his ears turning bright red.
"When did this happen?" Neville asked.
"Over the summer," Hermione answered before taking a bite of porridge.
"About bloody time too," Harry mumbled.
"I second that notion," Ginny chimed.
Ron and Hermione glowered at the both of them although the corners of Ron's mouth twitched into the threat of a grin. Hermione was now resolving to never get any sleep because on top of her new slayer status, which Parvati and Lavender could not question about enough, she was dating her fellow Gryffindor prefect and best friend. Those two would never let her rest. She quickly sought out a subject change and found one when a platinum-haired Slytherin boy walked in. He was practically stomping to the table and his face was twisted with even more hatred than usual. Something must've really set his temper to be emitting such an aura of rancor; or rather someone.
"Is Dawn in here yet?" she asked.
"Um, I haven't seen her—Oh! There she is!" Ginny pointed to the girl in question as she stepped in the Dining Hall.
Instead of going to the Slytherin table Dawn veered off towards the Gryffindors. She smiled in that mischievous way that spoke of knowing something they didn't. As last night many Gryffindors were sending less than friendly glares to Dawn because of her audacity to actually sit with them. One Gryffindor in particular, however, couldn't wipe the goofy grin off his face while watching Dawn walk towards him. Her shiny brown hair streaked with blonde given it an overall golden appearance was pulled up into a ponytail with silver barrettes holding her locks in place in the back and above her ears. Her lips were the color of pale roses and her sapphire eyes were rimmed with dark eyeliner and eye shadow. Harry never actually cared for the Slytherin uniforms; his natural aversion towards the house made almost anything in the colors of green or silver unpleasant, but Dawn wearing it was a whole other story. She looked glamorous.
"Morning!" Dawn said cheerily as Harry quickly scooted over for her.
"You seem all bright and chipper this morning for having to put up with Slytherins," Dean noted suspiciously.
"Oh, don't worry. I made a lasting impression last night," Dawn assured them, "and this morning."
"Oh, do tell." Jordan sidled over closer to her friend.
"Well, this bitch named Pansy Parkinson—" she paused when a couple people groaned and Hermione nodded grimly in recognition. "So she is normally a bitch? Cuz I thought it mighta been just me," Dawn said.
"Oh no, she's like Malfoy's female counterpart only smaller," Ron told her.
Almost everyone was spewing out food due to severe laughter as Dawn related her dealings with Pansy Parkinson. Harry really wished he had been there to witness it because he could imagine how fierce and lovely Dawn must have looked while defending herself. And seeing all those stunned looks on the Slytherin girls' faces would have been a real treat as well.
"Brilliant! That ought to have taken the stupid bint down a peg or two," Ginny squealed in triumph.
"Wow, I would never have the guts to do something like that," Neville voiced in awe and admiration.
"Really Neville? Because these guys tell it otherwise. They say you really kicked ass at the Ministry," Jordan said.
Neville blushed at the praise and suddenly developed an interest in his pumpkin juice.
"That's not the only person I made an impression on though," Dawn said, her blue eyes sparkling with laughter.
Flashback to Earlier this Morning…Dawn took one last assessment of herself in the mirror in the Slytherin girls' lavatory and declared herself fit to be seen. She straightened down her uniform, which upon first glance made her think it was way too boarding school for her (despite the fact that she was actually attending a boarding school), but it had a subtle air of sophistication. Not to mention, she looked pretty damn spiffy in a silver and green tie.
"Avril Lavigne, eat your heart out," she said smugly. "I make ties look good."
Slinging her purse over her shoulder and tucking the books for her morning classes under her arm she stepped out the door and walked downstairs to the common room. The roommates of hers that were awake didn't say a word to her as she passed through the dormitory. They stared at her loathsomely and Dawn felt the heat of their stairs, but paid them no notice. At least they were staying out of her way. Clinking down the steps down to the common room she hummed to the tune of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" while mouthing the chorus. She instantly became silent and halted in her steps when she spotted the boy in the common room. White-blonde hair crowning a handsome face sent her to an emotional crossroad. She was caught between feeling glee that she would be able to prove herself to this malcontent and dread for having to do it so early in the morning. At least he appeared to be alone.
He turned at the sound of her steps and a sneer formed on his face. Here we go, she thought in exasperation.
"So, it's true then? A little Mudblood has finally clawed her way into Slytherin. The hat must be off its rocker," he snarled.
Dawn rolled her eyes and bounded down the rest of the steps. "Actually, you're wrong there Drakey. My blood was red the last time I checked it and I don't recall there being any mud," she retorted.
His face contorted into extreme distaste as if something rotten-smelling had been shoved under his nose. "Don't you dare call me that. If you must call me anything it will be Master Malfoy, as that is the way to respect your superiors," he growled.
"Superior? Master? Puh-leese! The only thing you would be superior to me in would be peeing standing up," Dawn countered while casually cleaning under her fingernails determined to show Master Malfoy how superior he was to her.
Draco's jaw dropped in abject shock. Having not expected a retort of that nature he was struck speechless, which was like music to Dawn's ears. She filled in the silence perfectly.
"Okay, I'm only gonna tell you this once. I don't like you and it's pretty obvious you don't like me. I already showed one girl that I mean to stay here and I will not put up with any of your Mudblood whiney crap. The hat put me in Slytherin so deal with it. I see that it's really hard with you guys to deal with anything that doesn't go your way. Well, tough. And don't even think of attacking me because I grew up with a vampire slayer for an older sister. You don't do that without learning moves." Dawn's voice had hardened and had successfully gotten Malfoy's full uninterrupted attention. "Oh and the intimidation stuff really doesn't work on me cuz I have faced things way way way scarier than you times ten on the Hellmouth," she added while smirking at his stunned face. She glanced at her watch and then back at Draco. "Toodles, Drakey," she said rather good-naturedly and left him standing there speechless.
End Flashback"Well that explains his storming in here earlier," Hermione remarked after regaining breath from laughing so hard.
"Peeing standing up! That was good!" Ron guffawed while slapping the table.
"Drakey? Oh I can just imagine the fun I will have with that name," Harry said dreamily.
"You, Summers, are my new best friend. Or even better, will you be my girlfriend?" Seamus asked. He missed Harry's scowl, but Dawn respectfully declined the latter offer.
Jordan was silent at first, but was just as pleased as everyone else that Dawn was able to knock that jerk off his soapbox. "Well done Summers. I can teach you no more," she told her.
Dawn beamed and took a deep draught of pumpkin juice. "I just hope all this doesn't come back to bite me in the ass."
"Well, considering that your older sister is a vampire slayer not to mention you're pals with a couple other vampire slayers, a vampire, a powerful Wicca, and erm…Xander, you can be pretty scary yourself. I think this has bought you at least two months of solitude," Aidan assured her.
Word of Dawn's stand against two notorious Slytherins quickly spread and many who had been oppressed by said notorious Slytherins (which there were quite a few) were flocking to meet the strange American Muggle-born witch. Sitting in her third-year Defense Against the Dark Arts class she was surrounded by clamoring young students, who while being in the same house as Draco were often ridiculed by him anyway. Professor Pennison smiled strangely at her and commented on her actions.
"I hope you're not too hard on him, though. He's only the product of a bad home-life, but good show nonetheless," the young woman said.
Dawn wondered briefly why Pennison was defending the insolent brat, but waved it away. She was a teacher after all and couldn't be expected to favor one student over the other. Sure, Professor Snape favored the Slytherins over just about anyone else, but Jordan said he was actually not that bad in his conduct towards her. Of course Jordan was extremely gifted in the potions area, even more so than Hermione it was rumored, so that may have been a factor. Dawn didn't think he was so bad either. Once one got past that really greasy and cold exterior he was actually somewhat pleasant. Harry, Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville continued to profess their abhorrence (or in Neville's case fear) of the potions master despite what Dawn said.
As the first week of the first term at Hogwarts came to a close Dawn was pointedly avoided and ignored in Slytherin by anyone in years four and up. Some third-years also made it a point to walk the other way when she came around, but the majority of younger students adored her. Most were from families that placed far more emphasis on appearance and status than love so Dawn was a breath of fresh air to them. And they were so gosh-darn cute in their little Hogwarts outfits that she was hard put not to want to coddle some of them.
"As the two eldest members of the team I shall leave it up to the both of you to decide who will be team captain," McGonagall told Harry and Ron in her office.
It was Thursday evening of the second week and the tryouts for the Gryffindor Quidditch team were on that coming Saturday morning. All three of their chasers had graduated so that left all Chaser positions open. The two Beater positions were taken, but it was still open for tryouts because the two boys in the position had only started in the middle of last year after the Weasley twins' now famous escape from Hogwarts. Ginny had graciously agreed to relinquish the Seeker position for Harry's sake. She had wanted to try out for the Chaser position anyway.
The two boys glanced at one another, both pairs of eyes full of indecision.
"Should be you mate, you're the best player on the team," Ron said.
"Yeah, but you're really good at strategy Ron. You could come up with some wicked game plans," Harry countered.
"Thanks," Ron replied.
Suddenly an idea formed in Harry's head and his gaze shot back to McGonagall who sat at her desk awaiting their answer patiently.
"What if we were both captains?" Harry suggested.
McGonagall adjusted her glasses. "I beg your pardon?"
"Well, Jordan and Aidan said that that was how their school did it for their teams. Aidan was a co-captain with some other girl. We could do the same, you know, me and Ron. If not, then I think Ron should be team captain," Harry said.
Ron grinned at the idea. "I think it's a good idea."
The head of Gryffindor House scratched her chin thoughtfully. "I don't see why we can't do it that way. If Professor Dumbledore doesn't object then I shall allow it." She gave a small smile to the boys that let them know she was pleased with their thinking. "That is all, boys. I suggest you get back to your dormitories."
"Oh…erm…okay. Night Professor," Harry mumbled.
"Night," Ron echoed.
In the corridors Ron nudged Harry saying, "Brilliant idea, mate. Wish I'd have thought of it."
"Hey guys!" came Dawn's voice.
She was coming the way from the library and was headed back to the Slytherin dorms. She quickly ran up to her two Gryffindor friends.
"Hey Dawn, what are you doing out of your dorms so late? Something might eat you," Ron teased.
"Oh I was just in the library finishing up my homework for History of Magic. I passed by Hermione patrolling and she told me to give you this—" Dawn blew him a kiss and Ron's face turned the same shade of red as a tomato. He really needed to stop blushing so easily. "And she said for me to tell you both not to fight over captain position or she'll thrash the both of you. Which technically she is capable of so I'd listen to her."
Harry snorted. "Well, Ron and I are hopefully going to be co-captains like they do it at Jordan and Aidan's school. McGonagall is going to ask Dumbledore if we can do it."
"Oh that's cool," Dawn replied.
"So, are you going to be trying out for Slytherin? Going to give my team a run for its money?" Harry asked.
"Yeah right. Could you imagine me on a broom?" Dawn laughed and then added softly with the faintest hint of a blush, "Without you there that is."
"Right…erm…right," Harry mumbled, slightly embarrassed.
Ron watched the interaction between the two and smiled a knowing smile. He slinked away without the two of them noticing secretly hoping that the two would quit kidding themselves like Jordan said they were.
"So the first Hogsmeade trip is next month. That should be lots of fun," Dawn said and she looked away from his face. His eyes were too damn distracting.
"Yeah it is. I mean, you already know what it's like because we went there during the summer. But it's really pretty during autumn and winter," Harry replied.
They were both caught at a loss for words, not able to say what they really wanted to say until Dawn mustered up her courage and blurted out, "Do you wanna go with me?"
Harry blinked and not entirely sure he heard right eloquently responded, "Huh?"
Dawn took a deep nervous breath. "I meant did you wanna go to Hogsmeade with me? I mean not just to hang, but—" she trailed off as her courage deserted her.
"Date?" Harry tried feeling his heart start to thump faster than was healthy.
Dawn offered him a shaky smile and nodded. She was almost caught in a trance-like state by his deep green eyes. Had she ever seen eyes so purely green and beautiful? Or was it just the boy behind them that entranced her?
"Wow, Dawn, I…would love to." Harry's found it was hard to breathe when Dawn was staring at him so intently, her sapphire irises boring right into his emerald ones.
He was amply rewarded with a gorgeous smile that lit up her entire face. "Great! God you have no idea what a nervous wreck I've been over this. You're a really great guy and I really want to get to know you more," she said softly.
Harry appropriately blushed but he was beaming with uncontained glee. "Thanks, I mean…I really want to get to know you more too."
Dawn smiled and said, "So it's a date then?"
Harry nodded emphatically. "Definitely."
"Great! I better get going before I get caught outside before curfew," she remarked while peaking at her watch. "Goodnight, then."
"Goodnight." Harry watched her walk past him and further away until she turned on her heels, ran back to Harry, kissed him on the cheek so fast that it hadn't hit him until after she had waved and ran down the corridor what had happened. He stood stark still, completely dumbfounded in the corridor until laughter and whoops of triumph echoed down the halls. He looked around and caught Jordan, Hermione, and Vi standing at a corner. All three of the Slayers had self-satisfied smirks on their face that made Harry very uneasy.
"Were you watching?" Harry questioned.
"Chill, we just got here in time to catch the final show. So what went on between you two?" Jordan asked, her honey eyes glinting ironically.
"So are you two a couple now?" Vi asked eagerly.
"Well, we're going on a date to Hogsmeade," Harry replied, rather smoothly for the way his blood was pummeling his veins.
"Oh that's wonderful, Harry. You and Dawn make the perfect couple. You could double-date with Ron and I," Hermione said.
"Whoa! We're just going on a date. It doesn't mean she's my girlfriend," Harry insisted.
"Yet," Jordan muttered slyly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked.
"Remember that conversation we had back like two—three months ago? You both are so totally into each other that you're both blind to it. Who do you think egged Dawn on to ask you out? Trust me, it won't be long before I accidentally walk in on the two of you making out in the Room of Requirement or some other place," Jordan told him.
"I should have known," Harry mumbled, trying to put up a pretense of anger but he was secretly thanking the girl.
Hermione, Jordan, and Vi filled the corridor with uproarious laughter. Harry failed to see the humor in this situation, but then girls often found things funny that boys didn't.
"Come on Jordan, we got to get patrolling," Vi reminded her.
"Yeah yeah. Oh Harry, I may be protecting you and all, but you hurt Dawn…well…I don't think I have to remind you that there will be many people coming after you," she warned him.
Harry gulped. "I would never hurt her," he declared after the tiny shiver of fear dissipated.
"I know," Jordan said. "Catch ya later."
Vi and Jordan left Hermione and Harry standing in the corner.
"So, how did the meeting with McGonagall go? Who gets to be captain?" Hermione asked.
"Erm…well…Ron and I decided to try it the way Jordan and Aidan's old school did it. We're hoping to be co-captains," Harry told her.
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise and relief. "That's a brilliant idea, Harry!"
"McGonagall just has to get Dumbledore to approve it and then we'll both be captains," Harry said.
"Well, that's great Harry, but I've got to finish my prefect rounds. Tell Ron—"
"Don't make me blow him a kiss!" Harry pleaded.
Hermione looked confused, but then smiled in understanding. "Oh, well I was just going to say to tell him not to wait for me. He needs his sleep."
"Oh. Yeah, I can do that," Harry told her.
Hermione bid him goodnight and before leaving she said, amusement plain in her tone, "You might want to wipe that lipstick off your cheek."
Silver Warrior: Glad you liked it. Yeah, he is batty. But they say there's a fine line between genius and insanity. Malfoy being the next big evil? That's interesting, but I don't think he's smart enough for that. Of course not all the big evils have been really smart have they?
matt: So I pulled it off alright? Good. I was kinda thinking about how I would react to seeing something like that as reference.
Jamie Black: Don't fret he will show! Wait a while though, he's been busy.
Chrios: Hastemire is a complete product of my imagination. I thought it would be interesting if he had some different types of allies and a Wiccan Warlock came to mind. And that is so not fair! I have to share this damned computer with four other people!
CharmedChick: So that's Faith's last name? Hmmm…never heard it mentioned before. Well, I'm just gonna keep it Alders because she will just prefer to go by Faith anyway.
Chaotic reign: Oh just you wait to see the hell I will put him through. We can't very well overlook his behavior over the past five years now can we? Not that he won't give a little hell back.
vampy the choosen one: Very true he did have it coming and I'm glad you liked it.
Thanks also to coffeeaddict14, Kiara-Zzyopen, blondi-gurl, Vld, and Fianna.