Chapter Nine

Trip To Hogsmeade

"Well, of course there's something going on with the new teachers," said Hermione as they sat in the gryffindor common rooms. Luckily Dawn wasn't around, so they were able to speak in private. "Unless you've been living under a rock for the past month," she continued, "any one would have guessed it".

"Besides, we've known for ages," added Harry. "It's just Dawn's always been hanging around so we haven't been able to do anything. There was the letter from Hagrid over the summer, the fact that all the other teachers haven't said anything about them, and how they seem to be in every lesson that we have".

"But you know what's even more strange?" said Hermione. "They always seem to be surprised by something. If they're teachers here, you'd think they'd know something about magic wouldn't you?"

"Right," agreed Ron. "Remember with the sorting hat? They acted like they'd never seen it before. And the other day I saw that Angel guy walking around near the hall and he ran into Dobby the house elf. You would have thought he'd been hit by a truck or something, the look on his face! I mean, everyone's heard of house elves, right?"

They paused a moment lost in their thoughts. "Hermione, you have Hogsmead today don't you?" asked Ron unhappily. Unfortunately he had earned himself a detention with Professor Snape and so had not been able to go.

She looked up and smiled at him. "Yes, in another fifteen minutes actually, glad you reminded me. We're still meeting up afterwards, right?"

Ron nodded, going red. Harry looked at him in surprise.

"Ok good. Look, Harry why don't you use your head while I'm gone ok? Sneak around, use the invisibility cloak and overhear one of their conversations".

They stared at her in shock. "Where's the real Hermione?" asked Ron.

She laughed, a little embarrassed. "I'm not saying I approve of you guys doing that. But it's what you should have done in the first place".

"It's not like we've had much of a chance is it?" asked Harry. "I mean, they've practically been watching my every move haven't they? That's another thing I'd like answers for. Doesn't anybody get by now that I hate secrets?"

"Don't worry mate. We do. You tell us practically 24/7," said Ron.

Harry grinned suddenly and looked at his best friends. "So if you already know that, would you like to tell me what's going on with you two…."

"And on that note…I have to go now," smiled Hermione and she was out of the door before anyone could stop her.

Harry turned on Ron. "Well?"

His friend looked even more embarrassed then he had when his mum had sent him the howler in their first year. "I have to get to detention," he mumbled and also jumped up, leaving the room.

………………………………............................................................................................................................

Buffy, Piper and Wesley followed the students down to the nearby village at a safe distance. It seemed to have gotten even colder outside the castle. I guess it is England, thought Buffy as she wrapped her robes tighter around her. "You know, I hope they change the dress code soon," she muttered as they walked. "It's freezing!"

"Is it me or is this a really bad idea," said Piper, who was in the middle of the two. Buffy liked Piper. They had talked often while they had been here and become as close friends as she was with Willow. "It's what I've been telling Dumbledore for days now," answered Buffy. "But he keeps saying about them not finding out yet that there's going to be danger".

"Apparently the Ministry of Magic has covered things up so that the Daily Prophet doesn't report any sightings of Death Eaters," put in Wesley. "To be honest I'm not feeling that we're doing much by being here. Angel's feeling the same way".

Buffy glanced up at this. "Really? What's he said?"

Wesley shook his head. "Just that Dumbledore's not telling us everything. We're supposed to be protecting Harry from Voldemort. But we've been here a month and we haven't seen anything suspicious. Dumbledor hasn't told us hardly anything about this so called Dark Lord. Only the basics".

Buffy sighed. "Maybe he thinks if we know too much too soon we'll blow our cover," she replied thoughtfully. "We know enough that There's gonna be a big fight to the death, we just don't know when".

"Don't know about you guys," said Piper. "But I'm about ready to do that anyway. Blow our cover i mean. I'm already feeling guilty as it is. Haven't you heard Harry talking about secrets and how he doesn't like them?"

"Well…nobody likes secrets…" started Wesley, but Piper interrupted him heatedly.

"And, not being selfish here…maybe I am just a little. But…I'm willing to see this through to the end. Of course I am. I'm not about to abandon someone when their in trouble, but…it's just - are we here forever? We do have innocents at home. I have a husband at home - who I would like to see again before the years out!"

There was a silence after Pipers little speech. It had hit a nerve with all of them. "We speak to Dumbledore as soon as we get back," decided Buffy. "He said he would explain everything soon anyway, but he also said something about Harry not being ready yet for any more information…."

Hogsmeade looked like it had come straight from the scene on a postcard. It was perfect, with the rolling hills surrounding it and the tiny houses with thatched roofs. The shops were amazing. They passed the sweetshop honey dukes and the post office with owls flying in and out carrying letters. They passed the Three broomsticks Inn.

For a moment they forgot their fears as they stared around the village. It was amazing to them how many things could still surprise them. But then it was once again back to business as they followed the children around. They had to split up at one point to follow the different groups.

Buffy sat in the shadows of the Inn, Piper followed a group to the Shrieking Shack and Wesley patrolled the main village.

Hermione Granger stood by the group of students by the Shrieking shack. Several teachers stood in a group watching them, and she didn't see Piper hiding in the shadows of the nearby trees. She heard a voice behind her and silently groaned. Malfoy. Just what she needed. She was already nervous enough as it was going back to the castle to meet Ron, she didn't need this too.

"What's the matter granger," he said rudely. "You're friends abandoned you have they? I see they're more interested in that American girl these days. You miss being the bell of the ball?"

"Shut up," she told him sharply, wishing he'd go away.

"Stupid mud blood," he snarled then. "You'll regret everything you've ever said to me soon enough I'll bet. Dark times are coming".

She whirled round on him. "What would you know about it?" She snapped. He looked like he was regretting his slip of the tongue already.

"Nothing. It's obvious though isn't it? It's been quiet for too long. Only last year Voldemort was going to destroy you all and now his just vanished? Into thin air? He always comes back you know".

"You sound like a death eater," she countered. "I'm sure Dumbledore would love to know what you just said Malfoy".

His face paled a little at this. "I see you've been hanging around with Weasley," he said lightly. "Big mistake Granger. You can to better then that. Maybe not. You are a mud blood after all". With that he turned away, leaving her furious and on the verge of tears she was so angry. How dare he……

The wind started to pick up and the sun disappeared behind a cloud. "Time to get going students…" called one of the teachers.

.In the shadows, Piper felt icy cold. Something's out there, she thought. I knew this was a bad idea. But she couldn't see a thing.

Buffy walked out of the three broom sticks as the rain began to fall and looked wildly about her. She had felt something had gone wrong, horribly wrong…but there was nothing.

Wesley stood suddenly still, as if trying to hear something. But all he could hear was the rain.

As they followed the students back to the castle, the rain started to fall even more heavily. Buffy kept looking back to the village uncertainly.

"I know," said Piper. "I felt something to. Something was watching us".

"We really need to speak to Dumbledore," said Wesley. "As soon as we get back".