Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer nor Harry Potter. All of the characters, settings, themes, books, show, titles, worlds, names, demons, witches, slayers, creation, references, and basic gist of the two fantasy worlds all belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Warner Bros., and of course, J.K. Rowling. All rights reserved.
Timeline: Story is set 1 year after Season 7 and five days before Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban. Just for possible future references, the story will be happening during Angel's Season 5.
Author's Note: …aheheh…To those who haven't read my notes in my profile during all this time, I'll save you the trouble and just get right on with the story. Oh, and I HAVE been editing the past chapters and I'm done with them. Hopefully forever since I don't plan on looking back and reediting them again. Phew. Nothing major has change, actually…the only thing that can be considered 'major' is the little scene I added on the previous chapter. Kudos to those who find it? Reviews are MUCH MUCH MUUUCH welcomed.
-
---
Chapter Ten—Into the Hogwarts Express
---
-
"So…what are you going to do after this?" Buffy asked conversationally as they strolled through the dark foliage.
A figure came up next to her, shrugging at her question, "What does a person do after this?" then grinning when he saw the blonde's annoyed face.
"You know, Remus, when I ask a question I actually need an answer, not a question in return. It's like an opening act, like the comedian or the host before the real show," the Slayer frowned slightly as if thinking over her analogy, checking if it even made sense. Shrugging, she failed to see Lupin's amused-confused-pointed look, "Or something to the like…"
Patrol had started for almost 2 hours now and things had been going pretty slow, considering this WAS the Forbidden Forest and all. In fact, Buffy hadn't had a 'real' confrontation with any creatures in this oh-so-Forbidden Foliage ever since she started patrolling a month before.
The only situation that got her heart remotely beating faster than normal was the not-so-normal sized spider (holy hell that was HUGE!) she walked by once. And even then it avoided her at all cost afterwards after she gave an un-warrior like cry.
It was quite odd, in Buffy's opinion, that with all the power emanating from this pace, not a single vamp was found. Sure, there were the creatures that made residence out of this spooky forest, like many of the staff said, but they weren't exactly in need of slaying. Okay, so the place needed extreme pest control when it comes to the spiders but who could slay such an ethereal unicorn? It would be like killing the very creature she once fantasized of having when she was a kid!
The whole scenario became quite annoying once she realized that there were no demons to slay. As much as she was reluctant to admit it, Buffy missed the newbie vamps who struggled to get out of their graves. It was such a comical sight when a vampire with a game face suddenly got stuck by a persistent tree root!
But it was all gone now.
Nyeh. Buffy sighed for the umpteenth time that night. "This is boring with a capital 'B'. I don't even know why Dumbledore would think that Voldemort will be trying to stay here. Nothing big and bad will happen!" Buffy paused, leaving her sudden outburst lingering in the air.
Although slightly cringing at Buffy's loud way of saying the Dark Lord's name out loud (for Dumbledore did it too and he was now used to it), Lupin looked around as if something was supposed to happen. Several minutes of silence passed before he was finally fed up and pointedly asked, "Are we supposed to be waiting for something?" waving his lit want to prove his point, annoyed but clearly amused.
Buffy sighed, seemingly admitting her defeat. She turned to the other professor beside her with a childish pout as they started walking again, "See? Even the jinx thing doesn't even work here."
-
---
-
Harry woke up with a tired yawn. He blinked away the lingering sleep and forced his tired eyes to stay open. Why am I so tired? He asked himself before remembering what they did last night. Oh…that.
The Weasleys, along with Hermione, arrived yesterday in Diagon Alley. All of them bought their supplies, but Harry—who already purchased his—merely followed them and talked animatedly about the past month.
After all the items were bought, an exceptionally large feast for all of them followed suit that night. A last celebration before the term starts, if you will. Even though they all knew that tomorrow was going to be a long day, they still stayed up late. But it wasn't the lively celebration for the end of the summer that tired Harry out, but the conversation he overheard between Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Now that kept him up.
-
"He deserves the right to know, Molly!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed to his wife tiredly. Obviously, this had been an ongoing debate between the two of them. And it hadn't just started tonight.
"Arthur, telling Harry will only burden him further more. And the poor boy can't hold on with that around his head; especially with school coming up and all," Molly reasoned back to her husband.
But the other Weasley wasn't easily persuaded. "Dear, I know telling young Potter that Black is out to get him will frighten him a tad bit, but he needs to be up on his guard. The boy needs to know! Sirius Black is on the hunt for him and probably even KILL him for the sake of You-Know-Who's death. Harry needs to stay alert!"
"A TAD bit, Arthur? Try a whole lot! And I don't know why you're pushing this subject, Arthur Weasley. Hogwarts IS one of the safest places in the wizardry world, not to mention that it is now heavily guarded with spells and charms as well," she retorted back.
"We all thought Azkaban was enough to keep Black locked up but look at where he is now. Escaped! How will we know he won't be able to pass through Hogwart's barriers!"
"Well the dementors for one—"
"—the dementors," Arthur repeated with a snort, "he managed to give them the slip didn't he? Who is to say he can't do it again?"
"—And Dumbledore for the second," Molly continued, ignoring the interruption though giving him a chilly glare, "Arthur we all know that he is the only one You-Know-Who feared. Harry will be safe under his protection."
-
At that point, Harry stopped listening; he heard enough of the conversation to keep his thoughts well occupied for the rest of the night, possibly even through the next few weeks as well. So Black is out to get me, eh? He thought to himself. The dark-haired teenager snorted at his situation. If Voldemort isn't out to get me, one of his servants is.
"Are you going to stare at nothing again or are you actually going to do something worthwhile for a change?" the mirror sneered, bringing Harry out of his thoughts.
With a well-placed glare and a mutter of 'like burning you?' under his breath, Harry quickly changed into some reasonable clothes. Seriously, if somebody told him that a mirror will be insulting him during his vacation in his stay here, he would've checked himself out a long time ago.
A loud knock came at his door, bringing him out of his musings, "Come in."
The visitor was none other than Ron. "You ready mate? Everyone's downstairs with their luggage. We only have half an hour to get to King's Cross and with you still dressing up…well, you get the image."
Harry indeed got the picture and looked sheepish, "Sorry. I guess I overslept."
"Your snores didn't," the mirror added. Harry blushed lightly when Ron looked at him with a smirk.
"C'mon then," Ron said finally, "Mum sent me to tell you to hurry up. I was actually glad; Percy's getting on my nerves about the whole 'Head Boy' thing he has going on. I hope he realizes one day that news do get old."
Harry chuckled at his red headed friend. "Guess I better bring you back down again, eh?" Ron smacked him as they went down the stairs.
"Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Harry greeted, despite the fact he overheard them arguing last night.
"Oh good, Harry, you're awake. Grab a muffin would you? I'm afraid we can't have a proper breakfast with the time pressing and all," Mrs. Weasley stated though not unkindly. But it still managed to get Harry to feel sorry about his tardiness all the same.
"Well kids, the cars are here, so get in!" Mr. Weasley yelled over Fred and George's sniggers at Percy's charmed badge some time later. "Harry, Ron, Hermione, you're up with me," the trio looked at each other with puzzlement but only one of them knew what it really meant. A loud protest suddenly came out of the twins, preventing the other two to ask about it.
"Oi, we're not kids! That is such a generic term."
"Besides, we're already on our fifth year!"
"Which makes us fifteen according to our birth certificates…"
"And thus, we are humanly dubbed as…"
"TEENAGERS!" The twins exclaimed at the same time. Both were glaring at their father, silently demanding to take it back.
"You two are just teenagers and compared to me, you are still kids! Now not a ruckus in the cars, Frederick and George Weasley; and believe me, I will hear about it," their father scolded them sternly before ushering everyone out of the inn.
"Eh, you'd think Dad would be a touch sore 'bout his age…" Fred muttered under his breath while Fred whined, "Why does Dad have to use my full name?" Ron and Harry had to fight off a snigger at the comments whereas Hermione was the only one who rolled her eyes at their antics.
Yet despite of Mr. Weasley's warning of ceasing the trouble, there were much hassle of getting and out of the charmed limos and a mere 5 minutes was left for the group to get into the King's Cross barrier. Funny how they always have to rush to get into the train, no matter how early they left.
When it was almost Harry's turn to pass the enchanted platform, Mr. Weasley stopped him and dragged him to a darkened corner where no one could hear them. "Harry, I need to talk to you. There's not enough time, so please don't interrupt me. It's about Sirius Black—" he started.
In spite of his earlier request, Harry intervened, "I know, Mr. Weasley."
"You know? Harry, I don't think you understand—"
"I know Sirius Black is out to get me, sir. I er, overheard you and Mrs. Weasley talking about it last night," he quickly explained, a sheepish look countering the older man's questioning one. Much to his surprise and relief, Mr. Weasley shook it off.
"Ah well, doesn't matter…but promise me Harry, promise me you won't go looking for Black."
"Why would I go looking for someone who want to kill me?"
Apparently, Mr. Weasley took this as a joke and persisted again, "Promise me, Harry!" Finally, Harry nodded, smiling grimly inside at the irony of it all.
-
---
-
Buffy stared outside of the train, looking curiously at the stream of students that were coming out from the barrier and into the locomotive. It was actually quite fascinating to see students coming out of a wall; like a really cheap magician trick but minus the trick and the cheesy magician and replaced with the real deal. Which, she guessed, made it quite the sight since she knew that it wasn't smoke and mirrors.
But getting back to the point of being in this train on the first place; Dumbledore had asked them (she and Remus that is) to guard the train to make sure nothing unexpected comes from the dementors. With a slightly maniacal grin, she fingered the torch she had on her side while finally moving her attention from the window.
Incidentally, they all (all being she, Lupin, and Dumbledore) accidentally found out that dementors weren't quite so found of fire. It was a major breakthrough for having slight and easier protection on the unwanted guests, but none was as pleased as Buffy was since it was her only way of making any damage at all to the hooded creatures. Hey, throw in some TNT and gunpowder, add a squirt of gasoline plus a lighten match, and voila! Dementor e la roast. It would be graduation all over again.
Downside was, like her pendant, it could only do so much damage with the amount of, hah, firepower that she currently had. Dumbledore raised an amused brow but gave an un-amused answer when she asked if it would be all right to order the big guns. Oh well, life was still peachy with the new information.
So armed with a torch and an enchanted silver Zippo, Buffy was set and ready to defend her reputation AND the train full of kids. The lighter was reasonably charmed so that the precious fuel wouldn't run out, to which the Slayer was grateful; she hadn't planned on spending money on lighters whenever it lost its juice when she joined the staff. Oh, and the cool tricks she learned on flipping the lighter on and off was fun too.
A shrill whistle signaled the train's departure, bringing the slayer out of her thoughts. She smiled amusedly as a skinny boy scurried towards the moving train with his trolley. Loud chattering of the students became the new background noise and needless to say, it made her feel all but fine.
Crap. Term officially starts tomorrow and I'll be teaching them. A sense of dread overwhelmed her.
Sure, bring on the hoard of demons and she can take care of herself, but a group of kids? Oh dear god, she would need all the help she could get to survive the ordeal.
'…Be relaxed and comfortable around them, but still show your authority. Press your foot down at your decisions yet let them have fun. Be understandable and open to all students and they will respect you in no time,' Willow's tip from her recent letter suddenly resounded in her head. Surprisingly, the words suddenly gave her comfort, if only slight.
Having no one to talk to (as Lupin was stationed in the back), gazing at nothing and getting lost in her thoughts was the only thing preoccupying her. Well, that and playing with the Zippo. Hmm, no wonder Spike carried one everywhere. Her door compartment graciously swung open, saving her from the road her thoughts would inevitably lead.
A plump woman carrying the tray of sweets smiled at her, "Good afternoon, Professor. Can I get you anything?"
"Just a couple of those Chocolate Frogs and a bottle of butterbeer, thank you," after paying the required amount, the trolley-woman went back her merry way of selling the treats to the already hyped-up students.
Buffy grinned at the box, recalling on the first time she tried eating one. It was just the day after she was brought in the infirmary and Hagrid came in for a visit, bringing with him several of the delightful treats. To say she was surprised at the charmed chocolate was an understatement but after that first encounter, she had grown to like snacking on them.
Opening the box, she caught the enchanted chocolate before it even had the chance to jump off. Buffy ripped its legs with some kind of unavoidable demented amusement and popped it in her mouth, enjoying the sweet taste of the treat. "Nothing like some chocolate frog legs on a dreary day," Buffy muttered to herself as she looked out of the window.
It was raining outside, horribly in fact. The storm clouds covered the 'should have been' sunny skies and shadowed the lands with rain, rain, and why yes, more rain. So this is jolly ol' England. Buffy sighed, wondering if the other professor was at least having a bit more fun that she was.
-
---
-
Sleep. Oh, dear god it was sleep. Sleep that he had missed during his restless nights he spent as a cursed wolf. So it was no wonder that his head fell soundly while the rest of his body succumbed to that mind-shutting function no one could live without when he and Summers hopped on the train. Hmm, more like ran to, actually.
But in any case, guarding the train can be put off for awhile for surely, even the presence of children (much less the dementors) would wake him up before anyone catches him either snoring, drooling, or both with his mouth wide-open.
At least, that was what Lupin told himself. His theory fell graciously apart when the well-known trio hushed into silence when he himself stirred sleepily to find a better position, oblivious that the train was already heading back to Hogwarts, bringing the noisy student body with it.
"Who'd you reckon he is?" Ron whispered to the other two. After finding that every compartment was filled with gawking students when they saw Harry, they retreated to the one occupied by a snoring professor. A small price to pay for privacy, he guessed.
Hermione shrugged, "It should be one of the new professors. But I highly doubt that he's the one for Physical Defense."
"The bloke doesn't even look like he could teach a class, let alone teach Physical Defense. By the way, do you have any clue what the subject would be like?"
"Honestly Ron, the subject basically gives the idea. Physical Defense…we'll have to defend ourselves without any means of magic," she replied back, almost chastising-ly.
"I knew that," though his face clearly stated otherwise, "What do you think, Harry?"
They simultaneously looked at their best friend who hadn't even spoken a word since they came in the train. The two gave each other questioning looks. "Erm, Harry?" Hermione asked, waving a hand over his face, checking if his mind was even anywhere close where his body resided.
Although he didn't even bat an eye, he did finally acknowledged their presence, "I need to talk to both of you." He then went off to tell about what he overheard last night between Ron's parents, as if he had been meaning to tell them for much longer. The receiving end of his ill news stared at him with awe and concern after he finished his tale.
"Oh Harry, that's just horrible!" exclaimed Hermione, looking at him with sympathy.
"Yeah, mate. Sucks to be you."
"Ron!" Hermione started, incredulous at her friend's tactlessness.
"What? It is," Ron added under his breath when she finally looked away with a huff. Harry gave a grin at his friend's antics, obviously amused at the dry humor; it lifted up the situation slightly, so to speak. His red-headed friend turned to him and gave a reassuring look, "Don't worry Harry. Dumbledore would've already gotten the place bombarded with security if that's the case."
Before Harry could response to that, the compartment door flew open, revealing the group of Slytherins they've come to despise. "Malfoy," he grounded out through gritted teeth.
Waay to be a mood-killer.
"Oh lookie here, boys. If it isn't the Stinking Trio. No wonder this part of the train was positively reeking of your grime," his rival sneered. Crabbe and Goyle sniggered at his small jeer, although it sounded more like grunting pigs to the opposite three.
Hermione stood up, clearly infuriated, while her eyes blazing with anger at the intruders. "Well pardon our 'reek' but you three aren't exactly a sight for sore eyes," she snapped back, body poised at a cocky manner.
"Oh, do learn to know your place, Mudblood," Draco retorted aloofly at the Gryffindor. Ron made a move to lunge at them to defend his friend, but Harry and even Hermione held him back.
"Take that back, snake," Ron icily demanded, his new and better wand pointing at him. In an instant, Malfoy's cronies whipped up their own, spells already forming at the tip of their tongues, ready to shout them at any other movements.
Malfoy on the other hand, didn't seem to take the situation as a threat, "What are you going to do, Weasley? Make yourself eat slugs and barf all over yourself?" Ron blushed scarlet at last year's incident, serving to make the Slytherins laugh even harder than they were before.
Ron glared angrily as red-hot fury coursed through him, burning his insides with the indignity that always came at the mention of last year's embarrassing memory. With gritted teeth, Ron repeated, "I said: take that back. Snake."
"Pah. Don't let your lucky win this summer get into your head Weasley. Do you think just because that that pathetic excuse of a wizard you call your 'Dad' won that Galleon Prize at the Ministry that you think you're better from what you were before? Hardly. You'll always be that poor little weasel like the rest of your family forever," Draco sneered.
Oh hell.
Harry knew the Slytherin pushed a spot in Ron, but he wasn't about to let him have the satisfaction of knowing it. His hand found Ron's shoulder and gripped it reassuringly while preventing him from lunging out again at Draco. He wasn't worth a detention at the beginning of the year, anyways. Before he could say anything else, however, a loud grunt of a snore resounded from the corner, and everybody went quiet.
"What's the lump?" Crabbe finally grunted stupidly after a minute.
"Oh that? That's the new DADA professor," Harry said as he turned around slowly, "Would you like me to wake him for you? Although…he might be wondering why a bunch of no-good-doers are here, wands out and ready to attack some Gryffindors."
Malfoy glared at him, but knew better than to attack a student right down a professor's nose. No matter how…dirty they looked. "You got lucky this time, Potter. Just don't expect to be when we get back to Hogwarts," Malfoy signaled Crabbe and Goyle to put down their wands and left the compartment.
It was only after a minute or so when Harry and Hermione finally let their hold on Ron go. "That GIT!" he seethed, positively boiling at that point. He was still red in the face, almost matching his trademark hair. Hermione and Harry looked at each other, knowing it would be better if their friend would just let the built up anger out.
"How dare that…self-important, idiotic, moronic, pompous git come in here, parading like he bloody owns the damn train?" Ron fumed, walking around in the restricted apartment.
"Ron…don't curse," Hermione chided albeit meekly. Sure, she too would have been infuriated if Malfoy's insults was directed at her, but she had never seen her friend like this before and it unnerved her quite a bit.
But her best friend didn't seem to have heard her at all as he continued to rant without stopping a beat, "When I get my hands on that bloody Slytherin he'll wish he was dead!" then went off fuming incoherently on ways on how he was going to do just that. Harry saw Hermione stand up to try and calm him down but shook his head. As if reading his thoughts, she sat back down, trying to block away Ron's mutterings as they grew darker and much more…inventive.
It wasn't until several long minutes later when Weasley finally calmed down enough to stop his mutterings, although Harry noted that he was still a little red. From anger or lack of breath, no one would ever know. With a dry grin, he asked, "Better?"
"Oi, much," Ron replied back with a sigh, "I just don't understand how the professors still keep him around Hogwarts with that attitude. Isn't there some kind of rule about harassing other students? Really, how blind can they be?"
"Oh I don't know, maybe because his father has so much influence in the Ministry, much less the school might be one," Hermione pointedly told him, "AND the mask of deception. Malfoy puts on a façade for the teachers, another for the rest of us, while he wears another one for the rest of the Slytherins and his groupies," she added with a scoff. "Everyone does it; it's an immediate impulse to most people, while others can hide it a bit better—having a mask that is."
The brunet finally realized the questioning stares directed to her by both of her friends and flushed, "What? I read about it while I was in France. Psychology of the Mind. I could lend it to you if you'd like."
Both Harry and Ron declined the offer almost immediately, using the thought of future homework they were bound to receive as an excuse while thinking internally: 'is she NUTS?' But before Hermione could reason with them, a slow screeching sound made them suddenly notice that the train was pulling over to a stop.
"Finally! I am positively starved—erm, Harry? 'Mione? Aren't you guys coming?" Ron noted when he was the only one standing up from the three of them; well, four, as the professor continued to sleep away.
"Ron, don't you think it's a bit strange we arrived here this fast? I mean, I don't recall Hogwarts being this near…" Hermione mused as she tried to peer through the dark shroud as rain poured down.
Ron was about to retort when a sudden cold draft swept through the room. All of them turned towards the window, somehow expecting it to be open. However, they only found signs of frost claiming the glass, as it usually would do during mid-Winter. And it was anything but. As their breathing became ragged, they idly wondered why they suddenly saw their breath in the compartment when it's just past summer.
While the train suddenly wobbled into a full stop, Harry had to stop himself from lunging out of his seat. "What's going on?" he whispered, not daring to break the eerie silence that covered over them. Like in a horrible horror-movie, the lights above them gave a flicker before dying out on cue.
Several started screams resounded throughout the whole train as loud bangs of closing and opening doors reinforced it. The trio heard their door open, "Harry, Hermione? Ron?" a voice called out through the almost blinding darkness.
"Ginny?" Ron called, recognizing his sister's voice, "Where are you?"
"Ouch! Ron, I have a face you know," Hermione muttered under her breath as his searching hand accidentally hit her face.
"Sorry. Ginny where are you?"
"Right here," Ginny assured his brother once their hands found each other. Harry yelped when she stepped on his foot, making the youngest Weasley apologize profusely.
"Quiet," a small but strong voice suddenly commanded. They all hushed in silence and looked over at the corner of the compartment. The unknown professor finally got out of his makeshift blanket (his tattered coat), his face illuminated slightly by a single ray of moonlight that managed to break through the frost covered window.
"Sorry Professor! We didn't mean—" Hermione started.
"That's quite alright, Miss. But please, do be silent," his voice was still raspy from his recent nap, "Now, is everybody seated?" a chorus of 'yes' came from the students, but before he could answer back, the temperature felt like it suddenly dropped several more degrees.
The whole train became quiet, too quiet for everyone's tastes. They felt coldness seep into their very bones, chilling them inside out. Harry felt fear blossoming from his very heart; as if every nightmare he had, both recently and when he was young, would come. His palms became clammy with cold sweat as the frightening situation lasted. They suddenly saw a dark figure pass by the translucent doors of their compartment.
Harry felt his fear grow even stronger as his breathing became even more labored. A mangled hand slowly opening the door was the last thing he saw before the darkness from his own sub-consciousness surrounded him this time.
-
---
-
Buffy almost spilled the amber liquid on herself when the train hauled into the inevitable stop. She heard students wondering loudly at the odd turn of events before the lights went out and she cringed when the loud shrieks and startled yelps from them disturbed her heightened hearing. With a sigh, Buffy rubbed her ears to cease that annoying ringing.
Ah, so the inspection came at last, Buffy dryly thought, finding the experience absolutely detestable. They had a similar one when they were on their way to King's Cross before, but it didn't make the situation any more comforting. If anything, it only served to make Buffy hate it even more. Sure she had the needed weaponry, but to fight an opponent that brings out the worst of her experiences coming back at full flight was something no one, not even the Slayer, could look forward to.
Outside, the loud murmurs from the students were getting in even louder, signaling Buffy to come out of her compartment. Fingering her torch and the smooth, metallic Zippo, Buffy muttered, "Showtime," before making a mantra of 'think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts' in her head.
With a determined stride she had used countless times, the Slayer got out of the teacher's compartment and into the students'. Like the she predicted, students were running around, confused at what was happening. A grin formed on her face when she flicked her lighter with one hand and lit the torch, bringing some attention towards; some.
"Listen up! I want everybody in their compartments. No running, pushing, yelling, and even talking for that matter; absolute silence, do you hear? I know you're all confused, but trust me, all of your questions will be answered back in the comfort of old Hogwarts. By the time this whole inspection is over, call me or one of the other wizards here in the train if anything wrong happens." A pregnant pause followed suit. She eyed them critically, noting that some of them were already experiencing the effects of the dementors, "Now would be much preferable," Buffy added forcefully and the students were snapped into life again and did as they were told.
Walking towards the end of the first compartment, Buffy went to the next one as she picked up hushed whispers about her. Although it did not falter her steps, it did however managed to creep a prideful smirk unto her face; whoever said Slayers were humble was a certainly mistaken. The smirk promptly fell off when she saw a dementor was hovering inside the next compartment.
Thankfully, the students here had enough sense to keep quiet and reside inside their respective compartments.
The Slayer felt a faint pulse around her neck, surprised to see that the necklace Willow gave her was alternating with a faint red warning with its original clear color at a steady beat. She grinned at the small crystal, thanking the Wicca mentally for a smaller and quieter version of an alarm.
Buffy looked back at the dementor, her torch high and proud by her side, "Sirius Black isn't here, dimwit. So leave the students and the train and bring the draft with you."
Thankfully, there was only one dementor in this section of the train, which made everything so much easier to a point where Buffy almost thought it was too easy. It turned towards her, sniffing the wanted criminal out as it came closer. Finally, it gave a terrible shriek as if it suddenly got insulted (although she highly doubted it was from her earlier slander) and began gliding towards her at a frightening pace.
Although blanching from its unexpected move, Buffy held her ground and warned it once again to leave the train, but as expected, the dementor ignored her advice. The frightening creature drew out its equally frightening hands, trying to grab its not-as-frightened foe.
She instinctively bristled when she saw the dementor lunging out to her but she hadn't forgotten the weapon she currently held on her right hand. With a feral grin, she too made a lunge and a mad swipe with the torch, having every intention to maim the wretched wraith. Her strength and speed proved to be greater than the dementors and it exited the one of the open widows with a howl.
The heart-stopping shriek was apparently some kind of signal and it was soon met with the rest of the dementors. They all left after a moment or two, leaving with them the unnatural coldness they brought by their mere presence.
As the adrenaline rush began to fade away from her body, the train instantly began coming back to life (so to speak), and it went back to its merry way of traveling towards Hogwarts. She gave out a tired but satisfied grin when the dementors were now, nowhere in sight.
When she came close enough to hit the dementor, the sudden feeling of complete and utter fear closed in on her and it was only through sheer will and the countless meditation sessions she had that stopped her from fainting. Plus, the built up momentum, of course. Yet needless to stay, the close encounter still took quite a bit of her strength from her, leaving her a little bit more than breathless.
"What…exactly did you do to those dementors?" a student piped up from behind her, and Buffy realized that several curious students were surrounding her. The question came from a boy who remarkably looked a certain vampire.
Again shaking that nostalgic feeling, she gave another tired grin and answered back, "Oh you know, just a little show of who's boss around here. You are?"
"Draco Malfoy, Professor. These are Crabbe and Goyle," the kid introduced himself as well as the students that looked like his friends. A short smirk formed at the corner of his mouth when he realized that she was an American. An American professor…teaching at Hogwarts.
"Well then Mr. Malfoy," obviously oblivious to the suspicious grin, "I would suggest that you, along with the rest in this train, on going back to your compartments and change into your uniforms. We'll be arriving at Hogwarts a little later than the norm, but I think that a nice warm castle will be better than here, wouldn't you all agree?" several dry chuckles were heard throughout the section of the train.
"Now, I'd say goodbye, but you'll see me later at the feast, so I guess it's a simple 'tah'!" Buffy waved her hand as she walked towards the train, careful to not burn any hair along the way. As she was about to open the door to the next compartment, a distraught student from the other side flung it open.
Behind her, she heard Draco mutter spitefully, "Granger," and wondered what caused the animosity between the two.
"A-are you…Professor Summers?" Granger stuttered between pants of breath, barely giving the still-flaming torch a flicker of a glance.
"The one and only. Now what happened?"
"Professor Lupin asks for your help."
In a second, she and the Professor were out of the compartment and heading for next one. As worry thumped beneath her chest, Buffy began to see multiple scenarios of what happened. All of that changed of course when they saw the other professor looking back at them calmly.
"Professor Summers," he greeted almost cheerily, and even Buffy had to raise a brow at the startling behavior. Students all around them were looking at the two quite curiously, chatting amongst themselves of either who was teaching what or what in the blazes just happened.
A suspicious look formed on Buffy's face. "What happened, Lupin? This girl—Hermione, was it?—told me you needed help. And way too cheerful after an inspection, Rem."
"Well, pardon me if I attempted to lighten up the mood, Summers, but I just needed you to stay here while I talk to the conductor. So if you please?" Buffy rolled her eyes and signaled him to go. "Oh, and Harry, do eat that chocolate. It'll certainly make you feel much better."
Before he turned to go, Buffy gave a fake cough to get his attention, "Uh, Lupin. Would you mind?" she waved her torch around carefully and had to endure a pointed look from him before he waved his wand and extinguished the fire. "Thank you."
As Lupin turned to leave, Buffy on the other hand entered the small compartment after telling the other kids to dress up since they were nearing Hogwarts. She set the unlit torch next to the door and scanned the group in front of her with interest.
Although she wasn't exactly here when the apparent trouble began, Buffy had a pretty good guess when she looked over at the black-haired kid who was holding a chunk of sweet-chocolatey goodness while staring off at god knows where. Hmm…he almost looks like he's brooding.
"You know, it's scientifically proven that chocolate doesn't really give you pimples, kid," Buffy started conversationally, bringing Harry out of his thoughts as well as gaining all of the uneasy attention towards herself.
She suddenly got the feeling that all they wanted to do was talk about what happened and she was only in the way. Ouch—but hey, would anyone really talk openly when a stranger right there in clear hearing shot? Thought so.
The dark-haired boy blushed embarrassingly, "Sorry Professor. I guess I'm…still dealing with those…creatures."
"Don't worry about it. And take out the professor when we're out of classes; formalities are so not my forte. Call me Buffy…uhm…okay, I don't posses the ability to suddenly go 'poof' I know your name," she quipped, more for lightening up the mood than being her goofy self. Remus was right, this DOES need some serious mood lifting.
Harry looked at her with some kind of amusement, not being used to having a young and bubbly person as a professor at Hogwarts. Or not being recognized immediately by people of her stature. "Ah…my name's Harry Potter…Buffy," he introduced himself and was quite glad she didn't become different stiffen with awe. Instead, she just turned to the rest of his friends while they to presented themselves.
"Hermione Granger. Pleased to meet you."
"Erm, Ronald Weasley, sir. I mean ma'am! I mean…ugh," Ron trailed off, visibly embarrassed at his tongue.
"Ginny Weasley, Ron's sister."
"Pleased to meet you," Buffy smiled at them.
"Will you be teaching Physical Defense then, Buffy?" Hermione asked curiously, already getting used to the first name basis.
"Yup. Hardly doubt Professor Lupin could do it," she added laughing jokingly, "Really, no offence—the brains, the personality, and the magical talent he has down to a 'T'. He even has a temper when riled up to it…but in his condition…nah, he's much better at teaching the other position. Besides, I heard he was really good at it when he was in Hogwarts."
The train slowed to the another, and final stop, signaling their arrival at the Hogsmeade station, "Well, this is our stop. See you all at the Great Hall and Harry, really, the chocolate is not poisoned and it works like magic. And pardon the pun," the eccentric, though in a good way, professor added with a wink before heading out, torch and all.
"That was…interesting," Ginny commented loudly, staring at the professor's retreated form after several minutes passed.
"A bit unorthodox from the usual professor, if you ask me," Hermione stated though not unkindly, "but I'm curious to know why she has that torch. It's not like the train needed anymore light…"
"Who cares? I like her," an admiring glint appeared in Ron's eyes as he ignored an annoyed look from her.
"At least she's no Snape."
"Or Lockhart." A shudder ran through them as Harry added the last bit. He finally took a bite from the chocolate and felt an immediate sense of warmth; any lingering effects of the dementors had disappeared (or in the process of) and left an almost cozy feeling.
The shrill whistle signaled them to get out of the train and into…rain, mud, and fog. Oi. What a nice cheery way of starting off the new term. Ginny had already left the trio for her own friends, leaving them to find their way to the carriage.
"Potter!" a loud (and painstakingly familiar) voice called out, breaking Harry out of his thoughts. Suddenly aware that everyone was looking at them, he tried to ignore their curious faces, just like he ignored the Ministry's men who tailed behind him.
"Malfoy." Really, of all the times he had to pick up a fight, it had to be out here and with him and most definitely Ron (who stiffened right next to him) at the end of their patience.
"Was it true? Did you really faint when the dementors came?" Draco said in a baby-ish tone while he dramatically mimicked a faint, "Too weak to handles some prison guards, Potter?"
"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry snapped, unable to hide the furious blush of embarrassment that came.
The beginning of an ill-timed argument was mercifully stopped as a familiar gruff voice broke through the air. "Firs' years! Firs' years! This way! Follow me," the Keeper of Keys called out, shifting the majority of the attention from Harry and Malfoy to the calling giant, and gaining a large part of the student body. Without a group of students to give a scene to, Malfoy shot the three a spiteful yet prideful smirk before heading towards the carriages.
"C'mon, mate; let's just go," Ron ushered him out, taking note of his friend's discomfort. Harry just gave a stiff nod before walking briskly towards an empty carriage, trying to avoid the questioning glances and to blur the gossiping murmurs that seem to come faster than the rain was pouring.
Ah, the unwanted celebrity-like life of a teenager.
Anger and something akin to self-disgust coursed through Harry as he kept asking himself the same question even before Buffy came into the room. Why was I so affected by the dementors? He glanced through the windows with in a sullen mood. As far as he heard, no one had fainted like he did when those guards came near.
A sardonic chuckle suddenly made its way through his throught.
Somehow, Harry found dry (and really dry) humor amidst all of this. Sirius Black was out there, planning ways on killing him yet he didn't even so much as gasped at the thought, while here he was, flushing with embarrassment just because of a new found weakness against the dementors. Pride just became more important than life, apparently.
Life was so full of irony.
Yet when they arrived in that warm, stone halls that made up Hogwarts, all sense of self-humiliation left him. Out of the cold and muddy streets, Harry felt his mood increase dramatically and not even Filch's incessant protests of how muddy the floors were turning out dampened his spirit.
For what seemed like the hundredth time, Harry was more than happy to be here in Hogwarts when he took in the majestic sight of the castle. It was truly a pleasure to call it his home away from 'home'.
-->
A/N: Extra long chapter for the extra long wait. :D
-->
Special Thanks To:
sparky24 well, I admit that it would have been better to put what Buff said in the early season, but having missed that singular episode…I wouldn't have been able to even if I could.
spike10101 for the moment, I haven't been able to decide in any pairings, but it is most likely that this story would have none.
And even more thanks to: lil-sis4556, Caz92, and zayra.
-->
(unedited version)