Meeting the Students
"Do I have to?" Dawn whined, earning a 'look' from Buffy.
"It's only a few hours, and it'll give you a chance to get to know the kids you'll be bunking with."
"But what if I meet people that I won't be bunking with? What if I make friends with people in Hufflepuff?"
"Then you sleep with Gryffindors and hang out with Hufflepuffs. You need to meet these people, Dawnie. Try to find out which one Harry Potter is, and keep an eye on him in the train."
"Then can I at least have someone with me when I go?"
"Like who? We all look like teachers."
"Spike doesn't," Dawn pointed out.
"Spike also has a tendency to burst into flames when exposed to sunlight, which is sure to happen on a train. If you need to take someone with you, you may take either Andrew or Fred."
"Why them?"
"Andrew still acts like he needs to be in school, and we can trust Fred not to say anything about who we really are."
"I'll go alone, but only if someone comes with me to King's Cross."
"Don't worry, B; I'll take her."
"Thanks, Faith. I never thought I would have this much trouble convincing her to take the train like the normal students."
"Yeah… but at least she won't have to be sorted tonight."
"Buffy?"
"Yeah?"
"Am I allowed to tell them that I'm related to or know all of you?"
"Sure, so long as you don't tell anyone what we are."
"You mean like Slayer, werewolf, vampire; things like that?"
"Yeah…"
"Okay, thanks!"
… … …
"Hi; can I sit here with you?"
"Sure. My name's Gred Weasley. This is my brother, Forge."
"No, I'm Gred and you're Forge."
"Hi, and I'm assuming it's Fred and George? My name's Dawn Summers."
"Nice to meet you. Are you new this year?"
"Yeh… I just transferred from America with my family."
"Your family?"
"My sister and her husband, along with my cousin and all of our friends."
"How many of you are there? And where's your parents?"
"Altogether, I think there are seventeen of us. I'm the only student, though. My mom died two years ago, and I haven't seen my dad in over seven years. What houses are you in?"
"We're both Gryffindors."
"Just like our entire family."
"Even Ron and Ginny."
"And Mum and Dad."
"What do you want to be put in?" The twins both turned to stare at her, trying not to feel sorry for her about her losing her parents like that.
"I was sorted into Gryffindor two weeks ago."
"But that was summer break!"
"My family had to get settled in and learn what their subjects are."
"Wicked."
"What year are you?"
"Sixth. You?"
"Seventh. It's our last year here."
"Fred? George? Are you in here?" A raven-colored head popped into the compartment, followed by glass-covered green eyes and the body belonging to them. The boy was followed in by another redheaded boy and a brown-haired girl.
"Hello," the girl greeted. "My name is Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley. I assume you've already met Fred and George?"
"Yes, but I think you're leaving someone out of your introductions," Dawn pointed out.
"This is Harry."
"Harry Potter?" Dawn asked, no trace of awe in her voice. Everyone nodded with baited breath. "Nice to meet all of you. My name's Dawn Summers."
"She's new to England."
"Moved over with this year's new teachers."
"Really?" Harry asked, looking at the gangly girl. "I heard that they've got more than just a new DADA teacher this year."
"Yeah; Grandad said that it was time for Trelawney and Filch to go, too. He wasn't happy with it, but that's just because he hates to hurt people's feelings. It's just too bad Fred couldn't replace Snape completely."
"Fred?"
"Grandad?"
"Fred's my… I guess you could call her my sister-in-law since Angel treats her like a sister… And Grandad… he chose my family to be the new teachers."
"But only the Headmaster can do that," Hermione countered. Dawn shrugged, making a 'duh' face.
"Professor Dumbledore is your Grandfather?" Ron asked, amazed.
"Uh-huh." The conversation slowly reached a point that Dawn wasn't too happy with, i.e., who the new teachers were and what qualified them for the job. "I can stick my whole hand in my mouth," Dawn blurted. (1) The twins immediately wanted it proven to them. Dawn was only too happy to oblige.
… … …
"Welcome students to another year at Hogwarts. Before we start the feast I have a few announcements to make. First is that the Forest is off limits to all students, regardless of age. Second, the Third Floor Corridor is once again off limits to everyone. Third, as the more observant of you may have noticed, there are quite a few new teachers this year.
"Teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts will be Professors O'Conner and Summers. Divination will be taught by Professors Rosenberg and Chase. The role of Caretaker has been passed on to Mr.'s Osborne and Wells. Professor Maclay will be helping Hagrid in Care of Magical Creatures, and Professor Burkle will be assisting Professor Snape in Potions. Professor Giles will be covering some of the material for Professor Binns in History of Magic. Professors Harris and Jenkins will be teaching a new class called Demons 101, and Professors Gunn and Faith Summers- "
"Call me Faith," the dark Slayer interrupted, smirking at the students.
"Professors Gunn and Faith will be teaching the new class of Muggle Defense, and Professors Krevswath and Wyndam-Price will teach Muggle Studies." Dumbledore grinned at Faith, not at all upset by her interruption, but rather amused with the connection she had unwittingly made between herself and her students. Then he noticed the whispering about his forgetting the 'Malfoy-look-alike'.
"I realize that there is one more staff member than I introduced. This is Professor Lystra, who will be our first substitute professor in over two hundred years. Please make all of the new professors feel welcome. And without further ado, let the feast begin." He clapped his hands together and the food appeared on the table.
Buffy sat next to Angel, who was beside Xander and Spike. The four of them kept a close eye on Dawn the entire time, noting how friendly she seemed to be with Harry Potter's close friends. Suddenly, a blond boy stood up from the Slytherin table and began to make his way to the Gryffindors. His sneer was visible from the Staff Table, and Buffy held her breath, not liking the idea of confrontation, but knowing that Dawn would have to deal with it eventually.
"And who are you?" a cold voice sneered from over her shoulder. Dawn turned in her seat to face a younger version of Spike. Or rather, what Spike would have looked like if he thought the world revolved around him.
"A student who happens to be trying to enjoy her meal, and yourself?"
"Don't act so high and mighty just because you're sitting with Harry Potter."
"Actually I'm sitting with Fred and George Weasley; Harry's just a bonus. Now if you'll please leave before I get too ill to finish my meal?"
"Excuse me?" Draco asked, looking at the girl in something akin to shock.
"You heard me. Your face and voice are making me sick. Please leave, or I might end up turning your nice, black robes a lovely shade of puke." Draco's face contorted in anger and changed color a few times before he turned on his heel and stalked away. Dawn turned and raised an eyebrow at the staff table, where she could feel four sets of eyes following her every move.
She turned back around as two hands began pounding on her back. Fred and George Weasley were laughing and 'patting' her on the back in congratulations for running 'that Malfoy prat' off.
… … …
Monday morning came bright and early; Faith considered staking whoever thought it would be good to have the sun rise at six in the morning. She, along with the rest of the school, trooped into the Dining Hall to have breakfast. She snorted when she saw Spike's head drop into his breakfast. Xander wearily reached over and pulled his boyfriend out of the cereal; Spike didn't even stir.
Dawn and her new friends walked into the Dining Hall together and sat down for breakfast. Of her original family, she was the only one who could be described as a morning person. She looked up and laughed as Buffy shuffled into the room, her eyes still closed. Angel was nowhere to be seen. Dawn stood and made her way to the staff table. She stopped by Spike and Xander first.
"Is he…?"
"He'll be fine, Dawnie. You know his medical aversion to mornings. I think it's genetic, considering Angel has it, too." They had decided to call it a medical condition when talking about their group in public. There was no reason to blurt out that the school was suddenly playing host to demons, vampires, and werewolves.
"Is that why Buffy's here alone this morning?"
"I think that has more to do with stamina, really…" Dawn screwed up her face in disgust.
"Okay, I was hungry…"
"Sorry, but you know it's probably true."
"Just like the two of you?"
"Hey! All we did was sleep last night."
"As opposed to the night before?"
"And you would know because…?"
"I needed to talk to Cordy. You guys are right across the hall."
"Right… Sorry."
"No problem. Spike just fell into his cereal again…"
"This is why we didn't go with your normal," Xander muttered to his boyfriend as he – again – lifted the vampire's head out of the bowl. "You might want to get back to your table. Class schedules will be passed out soon."
"Thanks, Xander." Dawn turned and headed back to her seat.
"No! Starting the day with Divination? Then… Potions and History of Magic… Mondays are not my days!" Ron complained, staring down at his schedule.
"But you have Cordy and Willow for Divination now," Dawn reminded him.
"Who?"
"Uh… Professors Rosenberg and Chase."
"Right, but Snape's still teaching Potions, and I don't think anything could make History of Magic less boring."
…
"Good morning and welcome to Divination. As you have probably noticed, we're not up in that tower place anymore," the redheaded professor announced as the class settled into their seats. Sure enough, the class was being held on the first floor.
"That's just because all of that incense made your roots turn black," Cordelia snapped.
"Admit it; you were afraid of the height. If it was Gunn you'd admit it," Willow wheedled. The class looked on in shock; their teachers were behaving like children.
"Yeah, yeah; I hate heights. But that's only because I fell off that ladder that one time and bruised my side. I couldn't cheer for a week!"
"I know. And class, please don't call me Professor Rosenberg; it kinda reminds me of my mom. I'm Willow, and this is Cordelia."
"And get used to the rest of the new professors asking you the same thing. We've all gotten to the point where titles equals bad, especially since one of our principles was eaten, and the other turned into a giant snake thing..."
"Right, and since this is really just a kind of introductory to the class type of thing we'll really only be going over the basics today." Just then one of the boys near the back raised his hand. "Yes?"
"Are you going to tell Harry he's going to die?" Neville asked, his voice quivering a little.
"Probably not." Cordelia turned to look at Harry. "If I actually see your death, would you like to be saved from it with or without warning?" Harry's eyes widened in shock at the question. Someone willing to save him?
"Um… with, please?"
"Cool. Got that, Willow?"
"Yep! You see Mr. Potter die, then he wants us to let him know before we save him. Check!"
"Great, now on to the class syllabus thing. In this class we will be trying to see the meaning behind the arrangement of soggy weeds and smoky clouds in a glass sphere. I hate to break it to you, but I think this class is a load of crap. The only reason Willow and I got the job of teaching it is because we've both had visions in our lives. So if either of us suddenly pass out in the middle of class just sit tight while we come to. That's all the time we have today. Bye." Cordelia whirled around to face her desk and began arranging her things. Willow just sat cross-legged in the window. The class exchanged looks and stood up to go.
…
"As you all have had this class for four years now there is no reason to explain my expectations, however, my new… assistant would like to say a few things to you." Professor Snape folded his arms over his chest and motioned for Fred to take the floor.
"Hello, class. My name is Professor Burkle; please call me Fred. I hope you all manage to enjoy this class this year, as the potions you will be making will be difficult, time-consuming, and more potent than the ones you have made in previous years."
"Now copy the instructions on the board and get your ingredients prepared. I will not be wasting time on catching you up if you felt that the assigned homework over the summer was not worth your time."
…
"This year's class will be taught by Professor Giles for as long as he feels it to be his duty."
"Yes, thank you. Millie Magicacia first discovered magic with wands in the year 318 BC. Since that time, there are millions born each year who possess the ability to work magic with wands. Of those children, one-tenth never learn how to control their powers…"
… …
"Wow… I never thought I would stay awake through History of Magic!"
"I know! I think it has something to do with not learning the same wars over and over again. Professor Giles actually taught something inter…es…ting…?" Ron trailed off as Professors Summers and Jenkins helped a severely bleeding Professor Harris to the hospital wing. Professor Lystra followed behind him, a look of concern and worry fighting with one of uncontrollable… hunger? Professor Harris had a large cut over his eye and his arm was only hanging on by two centimeters of flesh and muscle. The students caught part of the professors' conversation.
"Well if Anya hadn't summoned him…" Xander was saying.
"How are we supposed to teach about Fyorl Demons if we can't show them how things work?"
"Did you forget that Spike is the only one of us who can speak Fyorl?"
"Giles did…"
"Yes, but not only was Ripper teaching his own class, but he actually was a Fyorl demon when he spoke that language. The knowledge didn't carry over when he was turned back into a human," Professor Lystra spoke up; the students exchanged confused glances. Who were these people?
"Less talking; more walking please?" Xander asked. "I, unlike Buffy and Faith, do not heal at the speed of light. I need a doctor to sew this arm back on."
"Why do you want it sewn back on? We could just get you a new one?"
"I'm not Adam. I'm happy to only have a replacement eye. I don't need a new arm, too."
"At least they got the right color," Spike pointed out. "If it had been anyone but Albus, you probably would've ended up with one brown eye and one blue eye."
"Yeah, I know." The group turned the corner and continued their trek to the hospital wing. The students were left utterly confused.
… Tuesday …
"A'right… Since Miss Maclay 'asn' been in our class before, we're jus' goin' with some basic study today. All of ye remember the flobberworm's from two years ago, righ'? Now, 'oo can tell me what ter do about feedin' a flobberworm?"
Care of Magical Creatures went by quickly for all involved, especially since the quiet, new teacher seemed to have a knack for animals. She took off five points from Slytherin for hurting one of the worms. Malfoy continuously prodded the worm in front of him with his wand, causing Tara to deduct the points and fail him for the day.
…
"I'm Gunn and this is Wesley. We're teaching Muggle Studies. I know that some of you come from Muggle families, so I expect better from you than from those from pureblood families."
"Right, now who can tell me the typical Muggle form of transportation and how it works?"
… …
"Can you believe that box?"
"I know! And it looks like a picture!"
"But the people in it were recorded…"
"I can't wait to come back to that class!"
… Wednesday …
"Hi, my name is Professor Harris, and welcome to Demons 101, where we will be teaching you about various demons, but not," here Xander glared pointedly at Anya, "actually summoning any to show off."
"It was only your arm," Anya complained.
"And my stomach! Or do you forget that it shoved it's hand through me?"
"I didn't think it was that important. You didn't even die from it."
"Why are you trying to kill me? You're married, remember?"
"Yes, and I would have been married two years earlier if you hadn't left me at the alter!"
"But then you wouldn't have gotten Giles. And please do NOT comment on that relationship!"
"But he still gives good orgasms." Xander and half of the class looked as though they were a second from throwing up. They knew who Professor Giles was, and he looked much too old to be with the female professor. "By the way, my name is Professor Anya Christina Emmanualla Jenkins Giles. You may call me either Professor Jenkins or Anya. You can call him Xander."
"Now, we'll be starting with a group of demons known as the Gentlemen. Can anyone tell me anything about them?"
"They're not real," Draco scoffed from the back of the class. "Everyone knows they're just a fairytale."
"Oh, they are very real. Just ask Professor Maclay. The Gentlemen are demons who wear suits and steal the voices from entire towns. Then, in the night, they come around the town, cutting the hearts out of their conscious victims. The victims are unable to scream for help because their voices have already been taken by that time. The only way to kill the Gentlemen is a human scream."
"That's right," Anya broke in, smiling. "But most people don't know that, even if they get the warning."
"Yeah, that's true… How did the warning go again?"
"Can't even shout.
Can't even cry.
The Gentlemen are coming by.
"Looking in windows.
Knocking on doors.
They need to take seven and they might take yours.
"Can't call to mom.
Can't say a word.
You're gonna die screaming
But you won't be heard."
"That's a… pleasant little ditty, isn't it?" Harry whispered to Ron. The redhead nodded his agreement at the sarcasm in Harry's voice. Xander and Anya continued the class without many further interruptions.
…
"Alright, kiddies, in this class you'll be learning how to defend yourselves."
"Aren't you going to introduce yourselves?"
"Why should we? Big D did Sunday night."
"We already know how to defend ourselves."
"Really? Okay, what will you do when someone's runnin' at you?"
"Create a block spell."
"Right… and if you don't have a wand?"
"We always have our wands." Faith walked up to the impertinent blond boy. She reached out and grabbed his wand out of his hand before bending and aiming a roundhouse kick in his direction. Her foot stopped less than a centimeter from the boy's face.
"And if I hadn't known when to stop, would you have let me kick you?" Faith asked, still holding her foot in the air. Gunn stepped away from the wall.
"In the real world, you can't always depend on your opponent to play fair, as I'm sure some of you have discovered already. You may have your wand taken, leaving you with only yourself as your defense. It is our job to get you prepared. When someone aims a kick like that at you, it is best to either duck, step back, or grab the foot. Watch."
Faith turned and, running toward him, aimed another roundhouse kick for his head. Gunn ducked his head as he moved it sideways, and grabbed her foot. He used her own momentum to toss her backwards. Only her slayer-reflexes allowed her to flip and land on her feet. The duo fought for a few minutes, showing the class what they would eventually be learning.
… Thursday …
"We only have double Charms and Transfiguration today."
"So we're back to normal classes?"
"Only for today."
Both of the classes followed the curriculum that had been set up since the first year. The teachers added in some things that would help the newer professors, but for the most part, Thursday was business as usual.
… Friday …
The day started with flying lessons from Professor Hooch. It had been decided that all grades should take flying etiquette lessons along with their other classes. When that was over the fifth year Gryffindors and Slytherins headed to Defense Against the Dark Arts. On their way, they saw two young men arguing with Peeves. They had time, so Harry, Ron, and Hermione stopped to listen and possibly help.
"Peeves, if you don't leave right now, you will regret it," Andrew tried to threaten the ghost.
"And what could a little human do to me?" Peeves cackled. Oz growled low in his throat. The growl sounded suspiciously like Lupin did the night they saved Black. Peeves' eyes widened in fear and he flew away.
"That was cool," Andrew breathed, bouncing along behind Oz.
"Hn…"
"Can you teach me to do that?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"You're human."
"So? Willow can growl like that."
"She could without me. Check the third floor for students."
"Okay!" Andrew bounded away, happy to help out with something.
"Come out now," Oz demanded, not looking at the trio, but aiming the command at them anyway. They stepped out from the shadows. "What class do you have next?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Buffy'll be mad if you're late. Hurry up." And with that, Oz walked away from them, heading in the direction of the Divination classroom. The trio shared a look and ran off to their class, sliding into their seats just in time.
"You left off last year with werewolves, correct?" Buffy asked, walking up to the front row of desks. The windows in the classroom were wide open, and everyone noticed Professor O'Conner fidgeting in the sunlight and playing with a ring on his left hand. Hermione nodded to Buffy's question when no one else did.
"That's good. Most of the creatures we would be covering in this class will be covered in Demons 101 and Care of Magical Creatures this year. That means that we will be doing mostly spell work. However, we will expound on some of the theories you have learned about them; namely, how to kill them. What have you studied so far in your other classes this week?"
"The Gentlemen and Flubberworms," Hermione responded.
"Alright. The Gentlemen, as I'm sure you have been told, can be killed with a human scream. However, there is no way for a human to scream if all of the town's voices have been taken, right?" Buffy waited for the class to agree with her. Angel continued to fiddle with his ring.
"Right, so first you need to get your voice back. The easiest way to do that is to break the box. However, even that is not so easy. The Gentlemen are big on not having to do grunge work, so they have lackeys hold people down and attack them. So if you go after the Gentlemen, you'll really have fourteen threats to deal with. Those are some pretty difficult odds, so I wouldn't recommend it."
Buffy continued to teach the class about how to kill the Gentlemen and their minions. She dismissed the class five minutes early, thinking that they would be about ready to finish their first week back at school and start pretending to work on their homework.
… …
"How was your first day, Niblet?" Spike asked as he walked down the Gryffindor table to the Staff table.
"It was pretty fun. I don't like Professor Snape too much, though."
"Just think of Fred. All day every day with him…" Both failed at repressing a shudder.
"Can I come over later?"
"I don't have a problem with it, but you might wanna ask Big Sis."
"Okay… When are you going to be subbing for someone?"
"When they need me; not until. I'm getting paid to wander around the castle and sleep."
"Lucky," Dawn grumbled. Spike smirked and continued toward the Staff table. Fred and George both raised their eyebrows at Dawn.
"Are you going to explain that?"
"Or leave us to wonder?"
"Spike's one of my family members…"
"How?"
"His… cousin… is my sister's husband."
"Professor Summers is married?"
"To who?"
"Professor O'Conner, or Angel, as we call him." The twins were about to comment when Faith plopped down next to Dawn.
"Hey kid. What'd Captain Peroxide want?"
"That's Xander's nickname for him," Dawn pointed out.
"Right… what did the second world wonder want?"
"To check on my day. Oh! This is Fred and George Weasley. They were the first friends I made."
"Hi guys. You two were the first ones to start throwing punches when I told you to. You have good taste in friends, kid."
-
(1) - I got this idea from a fic based on 'Conversations with Dead People'. I can't remember the title or author, but basically, a young Dawn is hanging out with an older Dawn during that episode. It's cute and cool. If you find it, I recommend reading it.
Thankyous:
UK All The Way - Thankies much! Sorry it took so long... I now have to worry about my Senior Portfolio. It could be awhile before the next chapter comes out... or until I decide I don't want to bother with the portfolio for awhile... whichever...
General Mac - Here you go.
gyver21 - One of my best friends had the story saved on her computer to read at a later date. Luckily she found it and sent it to me... Three cheers for Flour Chief! And thanks; I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Goddessa39 - Just chacking, and that does help alot. What do you mean about Giles and the wavelength thing? They didn't know about Spike and Angel because sensing it is a vampire thing I guess... and would Spike and Angel really share something like that with the Scoobies? They both seem pretty close-mouthed about their pasts. And I'm glad the pairings both squigg you out!
torian Princess - I'm glad you like it! And, at risk of possibly ruining the story, Harry and Dawn do both get hooked up, but not necessarily with each other. If I remember correctly, just about everyone that I make a point of introducing/showing gets hooked up with someone...If I remember correctly... But my mind's been on a funk lately, so who knows!
Kyra2 - If I knew some way to help you with that one, I would. If you want I could just email you whenever I post something new for this story. I plan on having more of the Sev/Buffy thing, but maybe not in the next few chapters. I love seeing them at odds. There's a fanfic, 'Stars Not in Heaven' that has great Sev/Buffy arguments. You should really read that; it's amazing... And I seem to love being the commercial for other fanfics... Meh.
xoxox-xoxox - Thank you. I hope I was included it that second comment? Hope you enjoyed this one!
liza123 - Here's the next one. It could be awhile for the one after this, though.