Chapter Eight

Changes

Over the next few weeks, Buffy had little time to remember the disturbing dreams she'd been having, and whenever she finally did remember, something always came up to make her forget. And she hadn't had a chance to tell anyone either - When Cordelia and Angel had asked her about it, she'd been interrupted by another question from Willow.

Her And Angel's classes were enough of a distraction. They were proving a big success with the rest of the school, as were all the new teachers.

Thanks to a spell provided by Dumbledore, she had managed to contact Spike, Anya and Tara back in Sunnydale, to see how they had been coping.

"Look, if we really need you guys, we'll find a way to get you here ok? But only in an emergency!" this she'd told to Anya, who had been pissed they'd been gone so long and had wanted to see Xander.

Angel had also contacted Gunn, Fred and Lorne in LA. He had seemed concerned about someone named Connor - but he had been very reluctant to give her any information on him. Some baby he was looking after as part of a case….maybe she didn't want to know.

It had been strange talking to her other friends again. She'd almost forgotten that Sunnydale - or any of the real world even existed - almost. It was even stranger to be talking through a mirror. Her problems back home had seemed so far away. It was as if all the dark fears and doubts and sadness she'd held within her since coming back from heaven had eased the moment she'd first heard of Hogwarts. This was what she needed. A chance to gain a little perspective.

"Buffy?" said a voice behind her, disturbing her thoughts. "Are you ok?"

"Fine. I'm just thinking," she answered her sister.

"Just thought I'd let you know I'm studying by the lake with Harry…and his friends," she continued, adding the last part about his friends as if she'd only just thought of them. "In case you freak out that I'm missing or something".

Buffy laughed. "Why would I do that? I know you're safe here. I know I've been freaked out about you patrolling and everything, but I guess I can see now that you can look after your self. Just stay away from the Forbidden Forrest and you'll be fine," she paused for a moment. "So, how are things with you? Sorry I haven't talked to you much. Been busy. Teacher stuff".

Dawn's face lit up. "Oh, it's been so great. This is like a holiday or something. I've learned so much stuff too. How to become invisible and how to fly! I can actually ride a broomstick Buffy! Quidditch is fun…..I'm not actually on the team like Harry - who's a seeker. But I've practised some. Harry says I'm good - they might need someone else on the team soon. And the Gryffindor rooms are just amazing. Definitely best holiday ever".

"You talk a lot about Harry," teased Buffy. Dawn went quiet and looked away. "You know, you're studying with him, playing Quidditch…" Buffy continued, curious now. She'd only been joking before.

"The rest of his friends have all been there too. Don't go making this into a big deal!"

"Ok, ok. Saying no more about it," Buffy answered her with a smile.

"It wouldn't work anyway," Dawn muttered. "We live in different countries. His a famous wizard and I'm just me. Besides, he can't know anything about me, right? About us or what I've been through? Coz in that sense we have a lot in common".

"You'll work it out," was all the advice Buffy could offer her. "Hey, at least he isn't a member of the undead. Gotta be a plus right?"

Dawn abruptly changed the subject. "It's a shame only third years get to go on the trip to Hogsmeade this year," she said a little too brightly.

Buffy's eyes narrowed. She'd forgotten about that insane idea. "About that…I have to go now Dawn. I'm sorry, I'll talk to you later ok?"

Buffy practically ran up to Dumbledore's rooms. "Have you gone mad or something?" she asked him.

He looked up at her with a calm smile. "Hello Buffy," he said to her. "I wondered how long it would take you to see me after you'd heard the news".

"You realise it's crazy, right? What happened to keeping the students safe? And you're just letting them outside?"

"They will be safe. Would you care for a seat?" He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. Buffy hesitated, rolled her eyes and then sat down.

"I know that it seems - crazy. But I'm doing this for their own good. Now, there have indeed been signs in the world outside. Signs and clues that the Dark Lord is growing stronger again since my last meeting with him. Death Eaters have been seen around once more. Since I weakened Voldemort last year, they have been scarcely seen. In hiding no doubt".

"Death Eaters," murmured Buffy as something stirred in her memory. "But the children are not to suspect anything - at least not yet. Especially not Harry and his friends. They are not ready for another confrontation. Harry's next fight may well be his last. I am not ready for that. That is why I was about to send for you. You and one from each of your groups can follow the children at a distance. They will be supervised by prefects and teachers, as well as the good people of Hogsmead. Do you now trust my decision?"

Buffy shook her head. "Not really. I have a really, really bad feeling about this that's all. But I guess if Harry's staying at the castle…and we're watching the children…" she sighed.

"We have an agreement then?" asked Dumbledore.

She nodded reluctantly. "I just don't know if we can keep up this secret identity gig anymore, you know? I mean - Harry's not stupid. His gonna figure it out soon".

"Yes," said Dumbledore. "I know".

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Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dawn sat on a blanket under the shade of a huge tree by the lake. They ate from a picnic as they studied. "So, Dawn," said Ron. "You've been here a while and we still don't know much about you. Where are you from again?"

"What's it like in America?" asked Harry, trying to lighten his tone of voice. He'd been so angry at everyone last year - even before Sirius. It had started with people keeping secrets from him and Cedrics death. He was trying to change that now, as he'd learned that once you'd said something, sometimes it was too late to take it back. "What about your sister? How come she can fight like that?" he continued.

"Oh, she's just real into martial arts, and homes pretty boring," she answered vaguely. If you don't live on a hell mouth, she thought.

"Oh, goody," said Hermione, snapping a book shut suddenly. She made them all jump.

"What?" asked Dawn, surprised. Hermione had been acting strange lately, especially around her. Which was weird. She had seemed so nice at the start of term, Dawn had thought they were friends.

"Is it another 20 questions session on everything there is to know about Dawn?" Hermione continued. "Because if it is, that's it. I'm out of here," and with that, she got up and stormed off.

For a moment, the rest of them sat in silence. "I'd better go after her, right?" asked Ron and Harry nodded.

Soon, it was just him and Dawn. Dawn was staring hard at her book, occasionally looking up at him. Harry sighed. There was something that she wasn't telling him. Something about why she and the rest of the new teachers had suddenly turned up, and why Dumbledore and the rest had been so secretive. "So, if you can't tell me about where you're from, at least tell me about your family. What's it like to have a normal family? You obviously know my history. It's only fair".

Dawn hesitated. "Well, I wouldn't call my family normal. My mother…she died last year and my father ran out on us when I was little. So normal is definitely not the word. But I still have Buffy - and her friends. Giles is like a step father, and Willow and Xander and people back home are like sisters and brothers to me".

Harry looked away. "Sorry," he murmured. "So I guess you know what I feel like most of the time," he added as an after thought. Dawn nodded. "Yes, it's hard to loose someone you love. But at least I knew my parents. It must have been worse for you".

He looked up at her then in astonishment. Because that was exactly how he had been feeling. Those exact words summed it all up. We're definitely going to have to start looking into what's going on, he thought. Because it's obvious something is and it's driving m crazy trying to figure out what!

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Hermione didn't know why she was angry. She really had no idea. She liked Dawn. She had been the one to introduce Dawn to everyone, because Dawn had been new and she seemed nice. The answer came to her simply. She was jealous of the attention Ron and Harry had been giving Dawn. She was so confused she couldn't make out her own feelings.

She felt the presence of someone behind her and looked up quickly. It was Ron. Ron who had been her friend it seemed like forever. He was kind and he made her laugh and would do anything for her if she was in danger. And now he was paying more attention to someone else then her - why did that annoy her so much? "What do you want?" she snapped.

"Look, I'm sorry if me and Harry made you mad, Hermione. But we're just curious that's all. You know there's something going on we don't know about, we're just questioning her, that's all.

Hermione sighed. "Yeah, I know that. I'm not sure what's wrong with me ok?" There was a silence. "I guess I should go apologise or something. You guys don't seem to care about me anymore!" She added suddenly.

Ron stared at her in shock. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing," she said hurriedly. "Forget it". Ron watched her go back to the lake, not knowing what had happened. She's gone mad, he thought. She must know I'd care if something happened to her, right? I'd care more then anyone.

"Hermione," he called out. "When you get back from Hogsmead….do you want to…." his voice trailed off. He'd been too late to ask her to the ball two years ago and now he couldn't even do this. She smiled at him.

"Sure, sounds like fun!"

TBC

Not sure what you think of Hermione and Ron together. Let me know. Dawn and Harry or Hermione and Harry? I like Hermione and Harry myself but i also like Dawn/Harry stories, so i couldn't decide. So for the moment it's Hermione/Ron.