Chapter 12

I have made some changes to chapter eleven as i have noticed several mistakes - just to let you know if you were confused. Hope you like it so far.

Vision Girls

Hermione was waiting with Ron outside their Divination class, while they waited for the teacher to show up.

At first Harry wondered what Hermione was doing here, having walked out of the lesson two years ago, claiming it was a loud of rubbish. Then he noticed that she was holding Ron's hand and he understood. He wasn't the only one who'd noticed. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil were whispering together and looking their way. At breakfast Malfoy had made several comments which had nearly led to a fight between him and Ron right in front of the teachers!

Hermione turned to him suddenly, looking a lot more cheerful then she had been this morning. "So, did you find out anything about the new teachers yesterday?" she asked brightly.

Harry raised his eyebrows. Something was wrong. "Look," he said to her. "I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to avoid the subject of you and Ron. But you know what? I understand. I'm not going to be mad or act strangely because of it and I'm not going to stoop to Malfoys level and shout at you for not telling me straight away because we're friends. That is what you're worried about right?"

Hermione and Ron glanced at each other guiltily. "Well…how did you know?" asked Ron finally.

Harry smiled. "it's really not that big a deal. I'm happy for you guys".

Hermione beamed at him. "Well, now we've got that sorted, what about my earlier question?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I found out loads," he said. His voice was a little bit darker then he'd meant it to be. "Sorry," he muttered quickly. "I did find out stuff. Something about a slayer and the Charmed Ones. But I don't know who we'd ask about them. Ever heard of them before?"

Hermione shook her head, which kind of shocked Harry. She normally knew all about this. "I would say we could look it up," she answered him. "But I have a feeling they wouldn't be in any books in this school, if they are at all. If Dumbledore wants their identities secret……" she frowned in concentration.

"Hey guys," said Dawn brightly as she joined them. Harry glanced up as she approached their group. A tense silence fell about them. Dawn couldn't have failed to notice it. "Well," she continued a little more awkward. "I'm so glad no ones here yet. I've been here a month and I still get lost! Hey Hermione, what are you doing here? I mean - oh…" her voice trailed of as she remembered what had happened that morning. "Right, I remember. So….we've got a free after this and then it's Dark Arts. You guys want to do something?" she paused again.

Harry looked at his friends warily. "Sorry - I've got a last minute quidditch practice before this afternoons game," he told her.

"And…we really need to do some homework," said Hermione, taking Ron's hand again.

Dawn looked a little hurt. Harry felt a little guilty that they were shutting her out. But he really did have to practice because once again they were facing slytherine and he couldn't afford to loose. And he knew Ron and Hermione were looking into the new teachers and they didn't want Dawn hanging around. But why should he feel guilty? Dawn was the one keeping secrets. All she had to do was tell them the truth about who she was and it wouldn't be like this.

"Oh. Fine…I get it. I'm not stupid you know," laughed Dawn. "You guys want to be alone and…." she turned to look at Harry. "look…I'm sorry if I've done something to upset you. You seem to be avoiding me ever since that day at the lake. I just….I thought we were friends. I could come to practice? I was thinking about trying out for the team…."

"Do you think you've done something to upset me?" he returned her question. "If you've been truthful with …all of us…then you wouldn't be thinking that. So….in that case everything's fine!"

Dawn looked at him doubtfully. "Right. Fine". With that she moved across the corridor to speak with Lavender.

"Are you crazy?" said Ron.

"Yes Harry," said Hermione. "Remember what Hagrid said? We should stay on their good side? And I though you liked Dawn".

"I do. But until this is cleared up, I don't think I can like any of them right now. Even if they are trying to protect me".

"Hello class," said a voice from behind them. "your teacher is going to be a little bit late today. Actually - I'm teaching this class this morning".

As the class began to move Hermione waved goodbye and headed to her extra ancient Runes lesson.

Cordelia looked at the class sitting waiting expectantly for her to start and she wished she was back in LA. Why did I think this was a good idea? She asked herself.

"Ok," she said. "I know this is a bit of a change for you. But we're going to be looking at the gift of second sight in a different way then you're used to…" she cringed at how lame that sounded. She had only just had time to briefly put this class together.

"Miss Chase, can I ask you something?" said Harry, feeling suddenly reckless. She looked up and nodded. "Have you ever heard of a vampire slayer?"

Cordelia tried to mask her shock at this question. why did this always happen to her.

Dawn's eyes widened and she tried to stifle the gasp that came from her at this question. How had Harry even heard that term before?

How to handle this, thought Cordelia desperately. "Yes," she said finally. The whole class was listening in rapt attention. "Yes I have," she continued. "But it's a myth. A legend. No proof has ever been found to support it".

Ron was looking at Harry in amazement. "Tell us about the legend," Harry pressed on relentlessly.

"It's about a…person gifted with supernatural strength, speed and healing powers," said Cordelia hesitantly. "Supposedly they work for some higher power to rid the world of evil. Like I said, a fairy tale. Created to scare the forces of evil so that we can have a chance at them. Now…let's continue with the lesson".

The subject was closed. Harry frowned. He had noticed how Cordelia had said person instead of boy or girl. But Buffy had said she was the slayer. And it certainly fit. Supernatural speed and strength - where else had she learned all those fight moves she taught them in class? So, at least he knew a little bit more about her.

As the class drew to a close and they began to file out of the room, Harry hesitated and turned back to face Cordelia. "What's up Harry?" she asked tiredly.

"Are you sure it's a legend?" he asked earnestly. She met his gaze and he thought he detected a little sadness within her eyes.

"Yes Harry. A fairy tale. Nothing for you to worry about. I don't know where you even heard about it…."

Suddenly she was cut off as she collapsed. It took Harry by surprise as she fell behind her desk. He heard her cry out in what definitely sounded like pain. "Are you ok?" he asked, moving forward to get a better look.

As soon as he started to move forward, she stood up again. "Sorry," she murmured softly. "Just felt a little dizzy. Headache…I have to go see the school nurse. Why don't you get to your next class ok? Go on, don't worry about me".

As Cordelia watched him go she groaned in pain. After painkillers, she had to find Angel. That had been a pretty bad vision.

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

"Phoebe, what's wrong?" asked Piper in alarm. They were in the staff room for a quick break before Piper had to get to another lesson in hell - otherwise known as potions.

Her sister had sunk down onto a chair with a worried look on her face. "I just had a vision. Of Harry".

TBC