Disclaimer
All names, places and concepts related to
Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of Joss
Whedon.
All names, places and concepts related to
Harry Potter are the property of JK Rowling.
This applies to the entire work.
I own none of the songs that appear in this chapter:
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" Belongs to Green Day
I have given a rating of PG due to a swear words,
adult themes and some violence.
This rating may be increased for later chapters.
Albus Dumbledore looked down at the four girls through his half-moon spectacles. He didn't look angry but rather stern and definitely not surprised. It looked to Dawn that the headmaster had somehow known he would be meeting the four here at this specific moment.
Dawn was breathing heavily and her hand shook around her wand. She was sure that in the morning her and her friends would be taking the first Portkey back to Sunnydale. She shot quick looks at the Potentials but Amanda, Kennedy and Rona weren't moving at all.
"You may return to the kitchens Dobby," said Dumbledore softly.
The creature at his feet looked up apprehensively but nodded.
"Yes sir, Dobby will help clean up sir."
As the Dobby demon ran past Dawn it gave a small squeak of terror and trotted off.
Dawn didn't know what to say – she didn't plan on getting caught. One thing she did know though was that she just wanted someone to say something. When she had gotten in trouble back home her mother or sister would have yelled or screamed or blamed someone else for having Dawn as family. She was unsettled that Dumbledore just stood there looking at them.
He sighed slowly and took his hands from behind his back and pressed his long thin fingers together.
"It is late," he said calmly "You will return to your dormitories now and come to my office before breakfast in the morning."
The girls stayed on the ground.
"Off you go."
With that he turned around and walked the opposite way down the corridor. Dawn got up slowly helping the others to their feet. Amanda who looked on the verge of tears summed up all their feelings in six little words.
"We are in so much trouble."
It was now six-thirty – Dawn had gotten back to Slytherin common room at four but hadn't got the smallest amount of sleep. She was so worried about what was going to happen she felt sick. Any number of things were rushing through her head, like running away from school and living in a nice cave in the hills with a convicted fugitive.
No thought Dawn biting her lip Dumbledore knows Sirius is there.
Or perhaps killing the lead singer of the Weird Sisters and using one of Kennedy's advancement glamour's to assume her identity.
That won't work either idiot she thought again You can't sing.
She was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed with the hangings drawn. Her knee shook nervously as she ruined the polish she got at the 3R's by biting her nails.
BUZZZ!
Dawn jumped and kicked her foot on one of the bed posts.
"Silencio," she winced.
She had to use a silencing charm on herself because if she didn't the tremendous string of profanity she was screaming would have not only woken the castle but gotten her a fine for air pollution.
"It's six-thirty and you're here with Joey on the Wizarding Wireless Network. Here's the latest hit from Stubby Boardman and the Hobgoblins, I'm Innocent."
As the music started the girls began to stir and Dawn slunk back on her pillows sobbing tearlessly at her helplessness.
Out of the shower and silencing charm removed Dawn was in two minds about that to wear. She could return the Slytherin uniform to its original state and act all good and proper, but this would defeat the purpose of making the change in the first place and would most probably make Dumbledore happy – something she definitely didn't want no matter her predicament. Alternatively she could wear the hot little school girl uniform to the meeting with the headmaster and risk a bigger punishment. The worst of it was she couldn't ask her Slytherin friends for advice because none of them knew she left the night before and all of them were asleep when she got back. In the end she decided to go with the altered uniform and do a bit of quick wand work if Amanda, Rona and Kennedy weren't in the same. The last thing she wanted was to implicate anyone she didn't have to – with that thought she wondered if she could somehow tie Draco Malfoy in.
As Dawn walked towards her doom all alone – she had told the Slytherins she had to see Anya again – the weather outside reflected her mood. The skies were lead-grey like the sizeable weight in her stomach and were open and pouring their icy rains onto the lake and grounds of Hogwarts. The halls were so dark that the torches were alight in their brackets and not even the periodic tears of lightening could shock Dawn out of her stupor.
Fortunately she remembered the way to Dumbledore's office from the night she arrived and was spared the embarrassment and resultant questions of being asked why she needed to go there. As she approached the stone gargoyle three other forms walked up as well from three different corridors. This time thought the Potentials hadn't used the slightest spark of magic, not even a cheering charm to take their frowns away.
"Here now," barked the gargoyle "Dumbledore's expecting you four, hurry up."
As the girls took the last steps a bell chimed seven times marking their fate. They didn't even have to say a password; the gargoyle jumped aside to reveal the spiral staircase slowly moving upwards to the headmaster's office.
They all looked sympathetically at each other on the ride up but couldn't bring themselves to talk. Dawn was glad of this though because she thought that if they opened their mouths a wave of vomit would come splashing out. Her only thread of microscopic joy was that the other girls had left their uniforms altered. She concluded though that that was because each of them was too nervous to remember to change it back and not that they considered leaving them that way.
They reached the outer office and Dawn expelled a lot of air. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and opened the door. When she took the first step in and opened her eyes again it was worse then she could have imagined. Not only was Dumbledore sitting at his table looking extremely grim but standing beside him on the right and left were the four heads of house: Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, Daisy Sprout and Thomas Flitwick.
The feeling left her lips and hands first and it spread rapidly to her feet. By the time Dawn took her seat in the high-backed chairs set out for them she had no feeling left in her entire body. What made it worse again was that as she glanced at the portrait wall where before she and her friends were looked on with pride, friendship and happiness, all that looked back at them now was severe disappointment. Dilys, Everard and Armando looked pale and grief stricken and even Phineaus looked angry. Dawn knew his disappointment came for a different reason though. His disappointment was because seeing Dawn was in such serious trouble it conclusively proved that she must indeed be a Slytherin.
"You know why you are here," said Dumbledore in that same soft voice he had used the night before.
Dawn longed to rise up and say no but thought better of it and said nothing.
"The headmaster has asked you a question," snapped Professor McGonagall.
"Minerva please," said Dumbledore raising a hand to silence her.
Dawn saw her purse her lips again and stare daggers at them.
Dumbledore looked at each of them but Dawn made sure she didn't look into his eyes – she didn't think she could take it.
"Well," sighed Dumbledore shaking his head "It seems you are all remorseful for what you have done, but I must impress upon you the reasons for rules."
Against her will Dawn felt a snake slither up inside her.
"These rules are put in place for your own protection, and for others'. The halls can be a dangerous place at night."
The words had turned to ringing in Dawn's ears and she stared at a spot on the floor furious that Dumbledore could tell them to be good, proper girls while he broke into people's minds and made them study subjects that didn't want to do for no good reason.
"As for punishment."
Dawn looked up at this word and felt that finger inside her thoughts again. She tried to fight it but Dumbledore's blue eyes held hers an every pit of her mind was open to him.
"I have conferred with your heads of house as you can see. We have decided that each house will lose fifty points and you will each receive detention."
Dawn couldn't believe she was the cause of all this trouble; losing important points for not only her own but every house, all because she wanted to make the headmaster angry. The next few words washed over her as she felt sorry for herself and only listened again when Professor Snape was referred to.
"Your heads of house will decide what task you will undertake during detention."
Of all of then Kennedy seemed the most worried to Dawn.
"Before you go I have one last thing to say."
Dawn couldn't help it; she had to look at him again.
"No matter your circumstances you are guests in this castle and must conduct yourselves in an appropriate manor."
Again the fiery bile rose in Dawn.
"If any of you break the rules this seriously again it will grieve me to have to consider sending you back home."
"Evening Liz," smiled Dawn.
"Hi Dawn, good to see you back again."
The six Slytherins walked into Ramsey's Rest and Relaxation soaked to the skin. The rain hadn't let up all day and the streets of Hogsmead were like little intersecting rivers. As tradition stood the girls were back for their Tuesday ritual and were very grateful for it.
"Break out the chocolates Aunty Liz," pleaded Elsie "We're starved."
Elizabeth looked puzzled.
"Why's that dear?" she asked.
Only Dawn thought she knew the true reasoning behind the hunger.
"We think there's something wrong with the house elves," said Beth "Usually their food is terrific but today it was like they were off their game."
"That's right," agreed Pansy as she screwed water out of her T-shirt "Runny eggs and burnt bacon for breakfast, dry beef sandwiches for lunch and cold beans on toast for dinner."
"Goodness," said Liz "We can't have that."
The hostess walked to her bar and returned with a sizeable tray of deliciously hot pastries. The girls took about six each for starters and began to get changed.
"You're sopping," observed Elizabeth "Give your wet things to me and I'll have them good and dry and pressed in no time."
As the shop keeper took the squelching bundle away the Slytherin girls settled into the boiling spa with sighs of contentment. They were all talking happily but Dawn was rather quiet. She had been so close to being expelled it wasn't funny, then warned against being bad again, but yet here she was not only out of bed after curfew but out of Hogwarts grounds altogether. She hadn't felt torn like this for a long time; Hogwarts had given her so much but it seemed to her she was doing everything she could to ruin it. She knew she should have been in bed in her dorm but there was nothing for it.
"Cheer up Dawn," said Gilrean biting into her chicken and ham pie "Who could look gloomy in a place like this?"
Looking up as Seth and his companions arrived carrying tall flutes of alcohol free cocktails Dawn couldn't help but agree. After three mango and banana drinks she felt a lot happier and a lot better about breaking the rules. She had by no lengths decided to become a Hermione Granger but would try not to test the springs of authority to their limits - and if she did, try harder not to get caught. There was one thing Dawn needed to clear the air about though.
"Guys," she said putting down a shaking glass.
They were all looking blandly at her enjoying their fruity beverages.
"I'm why Slytherin was fifty points down today."
Dawn lowered her eyes and continued.
"Me, Rona, Kennedy and Amanda were out of bed after curfew and Dumbledore caught us. I- I don't know what to say."
She looked up and saw many vacant expressions.
"So?" asked Elsie "What's your count Beth?"
Beth gave a pensive look.
"Two hundred and eighty-seven to date," she smiled proudly.
"I don't," began Dawn.
"It doesn't matter," broke in Paige "Collectively we have lost about eight hundred points for Slytherin over the years. This just reaffirms that you are one of us."
Dawn was extremely pleased that the girls weren't angry at her. She had expected them to be furious and to tell the other Slytherins which would probably culminate in hexes and jinxes galore.
"Another drink?" said a deep husky voice in Dawn's ear.
"Why not Seth," smiled Dawn.
When the glasses were full again the six made a toast.
"To us!" cheered Elsie.
"And Liz," nodded Gilrean
"And Liz."
"And the boys," added Beth.
"And the boys."
"And to friendship," said Dawn.
Elsie looked at Dawn and the others.
"The most important thing to toast to of all."
By the next morning the clouds had blown away and it was sunny again outside. The worst part for Dawn of a Wednesday at Hogwarts was that now she had been completely pampered at the 3R's she didn't feel the slightest bit like getting out of bed.
"C'mon Dawn, you'll miss breakfast," pleaded Pansy as she searched through her trunk for a missing sock.
"No," groaned Dawn sleepily "You go, I'll conjure something later."
She wasn't very pleased as her quilt was torn off her but she still wasn't moving.
"This won't get me out of bed," she sighed.
"Precipitus!"
"AAAHHH!"
Dawn screamed as three jets of icy water covered her and her bed turning it into something that resembled a big wet sponge. She sat up sopping with hair in her eyes and her pyjamas clinging to her skin. She spat out a large spray of water and growled.
"You guys are dead! Where's my wand?"
Elsie, Beth and Gilrean were laughing their heads off while Paige twirled Dawn's wand between her fingers.
"You wouldn't want to hurt us would you?" she smiled.
"Yes!" said Dawn jumping off her bed with a sizable splash, every inch of her dripping water over the stone "Give it back and I'll only hurt you a little bit; perhaps surgically attaching you to Weasel before Kennedy comes in the room."
The other girls cackled as Dawn slowly stalked towards them.
"Run!" shouted Beth, and before Dawn could stop her Paige was out the door and down the stairs.
"Come back!" yelled Dawn leaving a trail of water behind her as she ran.
She rocketed down the stairs and ran headlong into Draco Malfoy. He fell painfully backwards and Dawn landed right on top of him. His look of horror and surprise turned to disgust as the wet figure soaked him and splattered water all over his face. Dawn gave him little heed and got up stepping hard on his stomach.
"Paige-.'
But Paige had stopped only a few feet from the entrance portrait. Dawn walked up beside the girl pushing the sopping hair out of her eyes and off her forehead. Professor Snape was standing in front of the two looking somewhere in-between amusement and confusion.
"Have your dorm pipes sprung a leak Miss Summers?"
"No sir," said Dawn slightly embarrassed "We, I mean I, just, um."
"No matter," said Snape seeming not to mind "I simply stopped by to tell you your detention will take place tonight. You will come to my office after dinner."
"Yes sir," said Dawn.
"Good day to you both."
Snape's upper lip formed into a grin as he looked at the saturated student and walked off shaking his head. When Esmeralda had closed back of the entrance of Slytherin dungeon Dawn grabbed her wand out of Paige's hand.
"You better run girl," she laughed sending charms at nearby pillows which zoomed into the air.
Paige squealed and ran off back up the stairs being bombarded by the cushions. Dawn started back as well but halted at the moaning form of Draco lying in a pool of water. Crabbe and Goyle were hovering over him like worried parents that weren't sure what to do.
"Morning Draco," sighed Dawn as she passed but he was too winded to answer.
At breakfast the girls – including Dawn – were still laughing over the wake-up call.
"You have to admit it was effective," said Beth taking a bite of her marmalade toast.
"So would have been a gentle shake," glared Dawn, though only jokingly.
She was much more worried about the detention with Snape. She had no idea what she would be doing and neither did the other girls.
"I don't think he has ever given a Slytherin a detention," thought Elsie "That's not to say he hasn't given them to other houses."
"Do you remember when he made Terry Boot clean the Hippogriff stalls alone?" snorted Gilrean "And, he, haha, was running from them crying for his mother. Hahaha."
"Or, or," gasped Pansy "When he made those sixth year Gryffindors get the ingredients for a paralysing potion for him."
Dawn cringed as she knew all paralysing potions had three main ingredients: poison oak, Thestral scale and hill troll faeces – The last of which you couldn't buy in any shop.
"My favourite," said Elsie choking on her cereal "Was when he couldn't be bothered dealing out the detention to that first year Huffelpuff who turned Mrs Norris blue by accident so he left it to Filtch."
Beth, Pansy, Paige, Elsie and Gilrean roared with laughter.
"What?" sniggered Dawn.
"He, he, haha, he made the kid clean the trophy room without magic but the fumes from the polish were so strong he vomited all over Filtch."
Dawn joined in the laughter but suddenly didn't feel too will herself. These things might have seemed funny happening to other people, but she wasn't sure she would feel the same if the same or worse was happening to her. At this point she could be waxing banshee backs.
Her thought was broken by a familiar sound but Dawn hadn't got any mail in her stay so didn't bother looking up. She assumed Buffy was too busy to reply but understood. A screech owl dropped the new issue of the Quibbler in Beth's lap and the Daily Prophet into Elsie's who had a subscription. A prestigious looking Tawney owl brought a package to Paige which contained a well wrapped box in birthday paper.
"It's your birthday?" asked Dawn.
"Not till the twentieth," answered Paige "I guess my Grandma is just getting in a little early, or more likely she forgot… I hope it's nothing alive," she added giving the carton a little shake.
Dawn had just polished off her French toast when there was a gust of wind and a letter fell gracefully onto her empty plate. She looked up to see a gigantic barn owl sore off through an open window in the roof of the great hall. Dawn turned the letter over to read the address.
Dawn Summers
Great Hall
Hogwarts Castle
Her stomach leapt as she recognised the handwriting as Buffy's. She hastily tore open the envelope and began to read the single piece of paper that fell out.
"Who's it from?" asked Elsie.
"Buffy," grinned Dawn "Ah, m-my sister."
Dear Dawnie
Grats on the mark. The kitty was sad at leaving the fridge but found a new home on Xander's. I could have told you you were smart, I mean, you had to be, you're a Summers. Your letter got here last Friday which makes it next Thursday when you should get the reply our time, or last February yours. I am still trying to get this time zone thing down.
We are all great – especially seeing Andrew is gone – but we miss you all lots. We don't know how long it will be till you can come home, although the two things Giles said I'm not to mention seem to be on hiatus. That's good for sleep and nourishment.
Most of all I am glad the four of you are staying out of trouble. It really makes me proud to know you are all doing well and respecting the rules. Giles made Dumbledore assure him that if you were playing up he would let us know. I told him not to worry and that there was no way any of you would be so stupid as to misbehave and risk getting expelled, mainly because yo know I would kill you.
Anyway I have to go. Willow and Giles are yelling at me about some question mark thingy. You've just got to love the research.
Take care
Love Buffy
Dawn put the letter back in the envelope and pocketed it.
"Good news?" asked Pansy wiping her mouth on a napkin.
"In a way," squeaked Dawn "We'll have to wait for the next instalment to make sure."
To calm herself she reached down the table for the buttered bagels with honey and saw Draco stumble into the great hall. He was walking kind of strangely which made Dawn realise she may have stepped and kneed on more then just his stomach. For some unfounded reason she felt guilty and remorseful and put down her breakfast to go and apologise. Malfoy had just grimaced and sat at the table when she walked up to him.
"Listen, Draco, about this morning,"
"Just leave it Summers."
"But I just wanted to say I'm sorry if I hurt you."
Draco looked up at her significantly and shook his head looking rather helpless.
"Just leave it," he said quietly and reached for the toast.
"Okay," said Dawn "I'll go then."
From all accounts from Xander she knew injuries of that kind could hurt but Draco seemed to be hurting on a different level. There was nothing Dawn could do though, he wouldn't talk to her.
After the bagel and a spiced apple and apricot muffin the bell rang for class. Elsie and Beth were headed for Arithmancy and Pansy, Paige and Gilrean for Muggle Studies. Dawn however wasn't sure if she wanted to go to class though. She had magical cookery which she found out was down in the kitchens and what made it worse, was taught by a house elf.
Five minutes later she found herself outside the kitchens with people from every other house. Seeing the class was so small and fell in a time when every forth year had an elective unit the students were combined.
"Hi Dawn."
Dawn saw who called to her and smiled. There were no other Slytherins in this class but she did see friendly faces.
"Hey Hannah, hey Susan."
Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones were two forth year Huffelpuffs who Dawn had met through Rona. They had walked up the corridor with a few others but left them to speak to Dawn.
"I'm a little nervous," admitted Dawn "I don't know how I'll go."
"You'll be fine," said Susan "You ace everything else."
"And Tiny is a great teacher."
"Tiny?" asked Dawn.
"The house elf who takes this class," answered Hannah.
The fruit portrait opened and the students stepped in.
"I wonder where the house elves are?" asked Susan confused "They're usually getting lunch ready."
The kitchen was empty and Dawn thought she knew why. The house elves must have been tipped off and fled the scene before she arrived so as to not cause a panic in the rush for the exit.
It was two to a workstation and Hannah was kind enough to stay with Dawn while Susan went with a Ravenclaw boy.
"She's had a thing for him for a while," whispered Hannah in Dawn's ear "Now she has an excuse to say hello."
Their conversation was interrupted by a sound like a wet shoe being squeaked on a wooden floor. Looking up Dawn saw it was actually the teacher clearing her voice to gain their attention.
"Good morning class," said Tiny.
Dawn was glad the house elf wasn't any smaller because that might have made her voice even higher taking it out of the range of human hearing. She looked very old but no less nimble because of it. The elf had a large amount of curly silver hair and a long pointed nose. Her eyes were deep blue and about the size of small dinner plates.
"Today we will be going on with banana and peanut butter quesadillas."
Dawn actually laughed and felt a rush of relief. Unfortunately Tiny had not finished giving instruction.
"This of course being just one of the dishes in out twenty-nine course royal feast which you all should have made a start on by now."
Dawn's jaw dropped. Beside her Hannah was stuffing a Transylvanian turkey with one hand while mixing French eggwhites with the other. She only stopped to add Italian field mushrooms to a boiling pot of some thick creamy sauce. When Dawn looked down every utensil was a blur. She couldn't tell the difference between a fork and a skewer and there was not a can of anything anywhere.
"Hem, hem."
Dawn's eyes lowered onto the kindly stern face of the teacher.
"Miss Summers, are you having trouble?"
"Help me," winced Dawn.
By the end of the class she had cooked her turkey so long it had disintegrated after its first basting, the eggwhites had become so thick they could have been used as bricks in a house, and the mushrooms she added to the white sauce had turned it black. To top it off she was covered from head to toe in flour and had small burns to ninety percent of her body. She had expected magical cookery would be as easy as conjuring a banquet but found out that the magic part only extended to the utensils such as auto-chop knifes – she nearly lost a finger when she started one by mistake – and ovens with mystical fire that could reach over one thousand degrees – that was a main cause of her turkey dilemma.
"Magical cookery isn't for everyone dear," said Tiny with an obvious smile.
Dawn couldn't blame her for being a little happy, she had tried to kill all of them two nights ago, but that didn't stop her bottom lip from quivering.
"Clear up this mess and you can go."
"Okay," simpered Dawn with a blubbering sniff.
She reached for her wand.
"The muggle way," said Tiny in a high sing song voice and an unmistakeable vengeful giggle.
Wednesday night was a sombre affair in the Slytherin common room. Most of the students were completing homework or else paying someone else to do it for them. Dawn had spent the first half hour after dinner soaking in a bath of third degree burn heal that Madam Pomfrey had prescribed to her after the magical cookery incident.
By seven thirty she was as good as new and just about to leave the dorm for her detention. What made it worse was that the other forth year girls were still discussing and roaring with laughter about Snape's encounters with students who had received detention.
"You'll be fine," said Beth with a look of sympathy while having just ended a story including a whip, a Ravenclaw and blind goblin and falling on the floor in tears of mirth.
Dawn looked around for Elsie for some encouragement but couldn't see her anywhere.
"If I'm not back in two hours, I'm dead," informed Dawn.
When she got to Snape's office she didn't have to knock. The potions master was waiting outside for her and he wasn't alone. Standing next to him were two boys that Dawn had never seen before but both seemed somehow familiar. They had to be in sixth or seventh year by the size of them and even though they both must too be receiving detention they didn't look nervous but rather horribly bored.
"Good evening Dawn," said Snape.
"Hello sir," mumbled Dawn.
"These nuisances will be serving detention with you tonight," informed Snape.
"We have names," said one of them.
Professor Snape turned and looked at them as though they were something mildly interesting then turned back.
"And they will now be doing the same tomorrow night as well."
Dawn gulped and looked at the boys who seemed to want to do nothing more then hex Severus Snape into a hundred individually packaged pieces.
"Follow me."
The three followed the Professor through the halls of Hogwarts until the came into the entrance chamber. In the centre were three buckets of soapy water and three mops.
"Your task is to clean the hall the muggle way, every last stone."
Dawn saw the boys gape and answer as one.
"But it's clean already."
"And it will be even cleaner still after a third night of scrubbing now wont it?" smiled Snape.
Dawn was seconds away from agreeing with the boys but her mouth had closed faster then a bear trap at Snape's reply.
"I will return in one hour to see your progress, and if your work is not satisfactory Mr Weasleys' then perhaps we can make your punishment streak and even four."
Snape walked off back towards the dungeons but Dawn wasn't paying attention.
"Weasley?" she asked "You're not Ron Weasley's brothers are you?"
"Yeah," said one "I'm Fred and he's George."
Dawn knew now why they looked so familiar and wondered why she hadn't picked it before. They had the same flame-red hair like their younger brother and the same numerous freckles, not to mention the distinctly shabby muggle clothes.
"I'm,"
"Dawn Summers," said George "We know."
"Not too popular with Ronald I don't think, you and your friends," added Fred.
"Well he can kiss my ass," said Dawn "He can step up and say it to my face or get over it."
The Weasley twins looked on her with awe.
"I like her Fred."
"Me too George."
Dawn smiled back at them then frowned at the mops and buckets. Fred and George looked too and sighed.
"We better get started then," huffed George.
"Don't want old Snape catching us slacking," added Fred.
Dawn really didn't want to do manual labour and pulled out her wand.
"Um, I wouldn't do that if I were you," said Fred nervously "Not unless you want to join us in the same tomorrow night."
"Don't be a wuss," jeered Dawn looking at one twin "He won't know."
"What about the distinct lack of sweat and tiredness?" asked George.
Dawn bent down and picked up a bucket. Before George could move he was saturated from head to toe in soapy water. Fred roared with laughter.
"I really like her."
"See," said Dawn "Instant sweat, even if is a little lemon scented."
She put down the empty pail and took out her wand again.
"Scourigify!"
A jet of radiant light left her wand and hit the floor spreading over it like a bright afternoon shadow. It flowed over the flagstone and up the walls to the roof, even going over the Weasley twins and removing the dirt from behind their ears. When the light had gone the room actually gave off a soft pine-fresh gleam so that most onlookers would have to wear sunglasses.
"That was bloody brilliant," stated George who was now dry and exfoliated.
"See," said Dawn pocketing her wand "Easy."
"But what now?" asked Fred "Snape's usual detentions take all night even with magic."
George was looking suspiciously at Dawn.
"I bet our new best friend had a hand in the sentence."
"What?" asked Dawn "What's wrong with a little favouritism? You want to thank me I was here otherwise Professor Snape might have had you washing Filtch's undies again."
"You heard about that?" gaped Fred.
"Honey, we all heard about it," smiled Dawn.
The three sat on the marble staircase which now glinted like diamond and relaxed after a hard days nothing. Dawn saw Fred and George were debating over a piece of parchment and took it off them.
"What's this, this Weasley's Wizard Wheezes?"
"Our business," said George proudly.
"Our livelihood," added Fred "When we don't get boils or lose our eyebrows."
He rubbed at his left which Dawn thought looked a little thin.
"So this is your product list?" she asked scanning the items and the cost of each.
"Yeah," said Fred "Most of our stuff. We have other things but are still working out the kinks."
"Like what?" asked Dawn.
"Well," said George "We are working on these invisibility hats that enchant your head so both it and the hat disappear. But all that seems to happen at the moment when you put them on is you break out in scales and your breath smells like sardines and onions for a week."
Dawn thought for a minute.
"My guess is the spell's not strong enough. It's simple to enchant something invisible but to extend it past the object takes a bit of juice. If you had some kind of catalyst like dracon's tooth it could accelerate the process. Or else you're using polyester hats, not too good with the magic absorption."
It seemed that a light went on in their heads.
"Of course," gasped Fred "How could we be so thick?"
"Don't forget you're related to Ron," joked Dawn.
The twins laughed.
"You haven't thought of a career in the joke shop industry have you Dawn?" asked George "We could use a girl like you on the team."
"I better not," said Dawn remembering how much trouble she was in, and considering Argus Filtch's lists of forbidden objects posted on every wall how much more she could get in "If you need any more help but I am only too willing to give you a hand."
"Thanks," smiled Fred "See George, she's not a feral banshee like Harry said."
"He what!"
"It was just a passing comment," assured George "Nothing to go hexing about."
Dawn wasn't so sure though. She might be sending some of that purple mystical fire Potter's way. Something else caught her attention though: the heavy footfalls of an approaching potions teacher.
"Snape, quick!" hissed Dawn throwing mops at the twins and succeeding at hitting George in the head.
The three were busily mopping when Snape emerged from the dungeons. The teacher was looking at the room with disbelieving interest seeing that century old paintings and tapestries were looking as though they were hung last Tuesday.
"You did this all the muggle way in one hour?" Snape asked Dawn.
"Yes," said Dawn simply looking straight into the potion master's eyes.
His lip curled into a grin as the Weasley twins cowered behind finally looking nervous at the prospect of being found out and the possibility of being locked in some deep dungeon of Hogwarts.
"Very nice work," said Snape.
Dawn thought she knew he knew she was lying about not using magic though. Maybe the whole thing about Snape favouring Slytherins was true, not that she was minding.
"You two may return to Gryffindor tower."
Fred and George beamed and turned up the marble staircase. Snape called to them as they fled.
"Be sure to report to Filtch's laundry at eight o'clock tomorrow."
Dawn saw their heads and shoulders fall in defeat and they stumbled away as though they were about to be sick.
The weekend came faster then Dawn could have imagined. This was mainly because of two more classes of magical cookery and two more culinary disasters. She had managed to salvage one dish but the Slytherin forth year girl didn't seem too quick to take a bite. The one thing that Dawn did notice though through all the mayhem was an apparent lack of Elsie. She had been in class with them, although rather quiet, but out of class Dawn had scarcely even seen her.
Saturday was warm and clear so she decided to go for a walk and try to find her friend. On the way she stopped by the lake and saw a Ravenclaw fifth year called Cho Chang surrounded by a group of boys, the tragic trio going down towards Hagrid's cabin, and Argus Filtch hanging out large, crisp, white underwear on a small clothesline. Dawn searched for about an hour but couldn't find her anywhere. The bell had rung for lunch so she headed back up to the castle.
"Have you guys seen Elsie?"
Beth, Pansy, Gilrean and Paige stopped, looked at each other, then continued as though nothing was said.
"No," said Beth "Haven't seen her. I'm sure she's fine though."
"C'mon guys, what's going on?" asked Dawn "She's been acting all strange since last week when Hagrid mentioned her father and his job."
The girls all looked sad.
"Dawn," said Gilrean calmly "It's not for us to say. Elsie has and is going through some things. She just needs some space."
This wasn't good enough for Dawn though. Her friend was hurting and she wanted to help. The girls weren't talkie with the information though so it was up to Dawn to find out herself.
Dinner came and went and there was still no sign of Elsie. By this time Dawn was really worried. She was about to fire up a locating spell when Esmeralda's portrait opened and Elsie walked in.
"Elsie," gasped Dawn "Are you okay?"
"Fine," said Elsie taking off her jacket "Hey guys."
The other girls returned quiet smiles from their leather seats.
"I'm tired; I might go up to our room."
Elsie walked off leaving the others silent and looking into the fiery hearth.
Dawn knocked on the dorm door and it squeaked open. Elsie was sitting cross legged on her bed with a photo frame in her hands. She didn't look up as Dawn walked in; she just ran her finger over the glass. Dawn walked up to her bed and sat on the mattress.
"She's beautiful."
Elsie looked at Dawn with red eyes but smiled softly.
"She was," said Elsie looking at the photo.
Bound by the frame was a moving picture of a beautiful woman with hazel eyes and honey-golden hair. She smiled up at the two and waved as though she was looking at a long lost loved one standing in front of a waning sun.
"Was?" asked Dawn quietly, not sure if she should.
"She died," said Elsie with a remembering sigh "When I was little."
"I'm sorry," said Dawn placing a hand on Elsie's arm "Is this why you've been gone today?"
"Yeah," said Elsie "I went with my dad and brother to see her, her grave I mean."
Dawn's heart broke. She felt everything Elsie did. Elsie spoke with the pain that Dawn had; looked with the eyes that Dawn had seen her dead mother with; and shook with the hurt that all people do who had lost the one person in the world they loved the most.
"I know how it feels," frowned Dawn "I lost my mother too, three years ago."
Elsie looked at her as a single pearl tear ran down her powder cheek.
"I'm sorry," sniffed Elsie wiping her tear away "H-how?"
"A brain tumour," said Dawn "There was nothing the doctors could do."
Dawn wanted to ask Elsie how her mother died but wasn't sure she should reopen the wounds again.
"Can I ask how she died?" questioned Dawn sadly.
Elsie looked down at the picture of her mother and gave a steadying sigh.
"She was murdered by Voldemort."
William Cowen walked down the wooded stairs where the portkey had left him moments before. The icy wind still blew in the ash leaves from the force of the travel. The moon was full but hidden behind black clouds and grey mist. He stepped over a small stone wall with a thousand things rushing through his mind at once. In one hand he carried a leather briefcase and in the other a single piece of parchment dated Saturday the thirteenth of September that he was reading. The last line struck terror in his heart:
Evan Rosier is working for the Dark Lord.
His pace quickened down the street, empty to all but him.
It can't be right he thought It can't be Evan, we questioned him, he couldn't have lied.
His next few steps fell to nothing. The parchment dropped from his hand like a dead leaf and his briefcase crashed open on the stony road.
"No," he gasped "No."
He stood on a hill before his house, illuminated in acid-greed light. He looked into the sky and choked on his fear. The dark mark was revolving slowly over his roof.
"No!" he yelled.
His hand dove into his robes pulling out his wand. His legs didn't want to move but he commanded them to. William streaked down the path crashing through his gate and up to the door which stood open. The house was completely dark.
"Sarah!" he roared "Sarah!"
He checked the lower floor and found nothing and doubled back to the stairs. He ran up them with dread streaming through his veins. There was no one here. On the landing he stopped and listened but there was nothing. He took each step slowly towards his bedroom too scared to open the door and see what he would find. His hand shook around the silver handle and it pushed open soundlessly.
"Sarah," he whispered.
William walked up to the bed and looked into the open eyes of his wife. The wand fell from his hand and he dropped hopelessly to his knees. A tear lined his face in the moonlight which lay upon his love. He reached out and took her cold grey hand. It was lifeless. He wouldn't believe it but, he couldn't. He put her hand to his cheek and brushed her hair back behind her ear.
"Wake up honey," he cried "Please wake up, you can't be gone."
Sarah didn't answer though. Her eyes stayed open without blinking and her chest never rose again with life. There was no spell to bring back the dead.
"Sarah," William choked defeated, shaking "Please don't leave me."
"My father was an Auror," said Elsie "He was next in line to head the department. The only trouble was he was a double agent. He was helping Dumbledore to spy on Voldemort and Voldemort found out. That night he came to the house himself and murdered my mother. He left me and my brother alone of course, asleep in our beds. He wanted to hurt my father just enough to feel the pain, not enough to kill him completely."
"Oh god," sighed Dawn in disbelief.
"After that he had had enough, he couldn't risk anything else. He resigned as an Auror and took up a position in the Wizengamot."
"Your dad told you all this?" asked Dawn.
"He had to," said Elsie "He wouldn't let us think our mother's death was something else; it was too dangerous to believe the lie.
Elsie gave the photo to Dawn.
"This was taken a week before she died."
Dawn's stomach fell.
"Oh my god, she was pregnant."
"Eight months. She would have been my little sister, Gail. When my mother died it killed her too. It just left me and Marcus with dad.
Dawn then realised something.
"You said Voldemort. Isn't it a thing that people don't say his name?"
Elsie's demeanour changed.
"That bastard killed my mother, how could I not call him what he is?"
Dawn handed the frame back.
Elsie;
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
Wake up when September ends
Tears didn't only well in Elsie's eyes but in Dawn's too.
Elsie:
Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars
Drenched in my pain again
Becoming who we are
The two lie back on the pillows and Dawn put her arm around Elsie.
Elsie:
As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost
Wake me up when September ends
They were doing more then sharing a story; they were sharing the pain, taking each other through the hurt.
Elsie:
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends
Sarah Cowen looked at them though she had not a care in the world; that she would grow old and happy and see her children do the same. But the others knew rightly, as did the droplets of tears falling on the clear blue glass.
Elsie:
Like my father's come to pass
Thirteen years has gone so fast
Wake me up when September ends
Wake me up when September ends
Wake me up when September ends
Elsie rested on Dawn's shoulder with both of them looking at the frame's occupant.
"I was only two when she died," said Elsie slowly "The saddest part is I don't remember things like her voice, or her laugh, or her smile.
Dawn felt Elsie move and saw a loving daughter reflected in the mirrored picture.
"I remember little things though; like the way she used to brush my hair behind my ear; the smell of her perfume; the way she used to kiss me on the forehead every night before bed; and just this safe warm feeling whenever she used to hold me."
Dawn didn't know how long the two sat looking at the photo but when she woke up the sky was becoming light and the girls were asleep in their beds. Dawn and Elsie however were still next to each other having been covered in a soft warm blanket. Dawn moved away slowly so as not to wake Elsie, but before she went to her own four-poster she leant down and kissed Elsie softly on the forehead.
The forth year Slytherins spent all day Sunday outside. They were still only in the first month of Autumn so the sun still had some warmth in it. Dawn had conjured some lawn chairs and the six sat in the sun in their bikinis. The real reasoning behind it was to keep Elsie's mind off things – which she secretly knew and loved her friends for it.
They were positioned between the lake and Hagrid's cabin and for the time they spent outside there seemed to be an unusually large amount of traffic, which happened to be a majority of boys.
"Can we join you?"
The girls looked up and saw Amanda, Rona and Kennedy.
"Sure," said Gilrean "Pull up a chair."
Three wands whipped out of sun bags and three chairs were conjured.
"I could get used to this," sighed Kennedy taking the sun block off Amanda who was in a much more respectable one piece.
Dawn heard heavy feet on grass and expected more pervert Gryffindor first years to walk by or the Creevy brothers and their camera.
"Hi Draco," squealed Pansy.
"Hi," he huffed on the way to the lake with Crabbe and Goyle.
"Draco?" called Dawn at his back "How bout you get your gear off and join us?"
He didn't even turn around or answer.
"You're such a tease,' laughed Beth "I love it."
"I'm a Slytherin babe," corrected Dawn.
The Slytherin girls were playing beach volleyball on the sand Dawn conjured which left her and the Potentials alone.
"So how's things?" asked Dawn while being fanned by a half-naked male model.
"Fine," said Amanda "Um, Dawn, is there anything you can't conjure?"
"About the same as you I guess," answered Dawn.
Seconds later each Potential had a glistening god fanning them and Kennedy a much more preferred goddess.
"Classes good?" asked Dawn.
"Can't complain," said Rona "Got six hundred percent for my muggle studies assignment."
"Granger wasn't pleased," groaned Kennedy turning onto her stomach to tan the other side.
"Well good," laughed Dawn.
She took a sip of iced butter beer and whispered to the Potentials.
"Listen, guys, I've been thinking about Sirius."
"That's okay," said Kennedy "I was just thinking about Willow."
"Eww," said Dawn "No, I mean about visiting him again."
Amanda and Rona coughed on their drinks and Kennedy propped herself up.
"Are you insane?" asked Rona.
"This won't lead to hugs and puppies," added Amanda.
"You're on your own if you go Dawn," said Kennedy lying back down "You might have a get out of gaol free card with Buffy and Snape but not us. McGonagall had me polishing doorknobs and stood there and watched so I couldn't use magic. I'm not doing that again any time soon."
"Guys?" asked Dawn turning to Rona and Amanda.
"Sorry Dawn," said Amanda going back to her book.
"Rona?"
"I would, but not just now," said Rona "Give it a while; wait till the heat is off us a bit. I'm sure there are about twelve teachers watching us now just itching to come down on us as soon as we conjure an open fire… Or a lion."
Dawn huffed.
"Fine, I won't go."
"Sirius?"
It was one in the morning Monday and Dawn was at the entrance to Sirius' cave. She had looked up Kennedy's advancement glamour and enchanted a potted fern to take on her shape, then put it in her bed and told everyone she was going to sleep early. She just hoped no one spilled hot chocolate on it though because that would dispel the magic and leave her bed rather soily.
"Sirius?"
The cave was dark and she didn't want to go too far in, in case she was going to be meant for the hippogriff. She called again then heard a snuffling behind her. She gasped as a huge black dog came up behind and nuzzled at her leg then entered the cave.
"Incendio!"
Dawn pocketed her wand and turned around as Sirius changed.
"I assume you have pants on this time?"
"I usually like to hang free but one can't be too careful, what with all the new inhabitants," Sirius joked.
Dawn looked back at the fugitive and smiled. He looked a little better then the last time she saw him – she thought the food she left must have helped.
"How are you Dawn?"
"I should be the one asking Black, but good… You?"
"Chipper," he barked.
Dawn took out her wand and summoned a table that groaned under the weight of its yield.
"Shut up and eat."
Half the food was gone in under six minutes but there were no signs of Sirius stopping eating. He had finished a whole ham, turkey and sponge cake to himself in the first minute alone and Dawn was just thankful she hadn't prepared it herself or had a hand in the way.
"Good food," Sirius grunted hungrily over a mouthful of mashed potato.
"Not like you're tasting it," mumbled Dawn.
Beside the normal small talk Dawn had a question in her head.
"Sirius?"
"Mmm?" he asked before diving headfirst into a pint of butter beer.
"Do you know Evan Rosier?"
This made Sirius stop. He wiped his mouth on his sleave and looked at Dawn questioningly.
"Why do you want to know about him?"
"No reason," she lied "Just heard the name and was wondering."
Sirius sat back and sighed.
"Did I know him is a better question, he's dead; killed by an Auror, Moody actually. He was a death eater."
"Bad?" asked Dawn.
"One of the worst; right in Voldemort's inner circle."
Dawn gritted her teeth. Her hand shook around her wand and her grip was so tight the wood nearly snapped in two. She however kept a relaxed face and questioned again.
"Did Dumbledore know?"
Sirius frowned even more but answered anyway.
"I've only heard things since it happened; I wasn't in the Ord-… I wasn't near Dumbledore then."
"Did he know?" growled Dawn too animal for her liking.
"He had his suspicions."
BOOM!
A serving platter in the centre of the table exploded in a hail of glass and various meat products. Sirius fell backwards off his chair and onto the floor. Dawn got to her feet and vanished everything.
"It's late, I have to go."
"Okay," said Sirius standing up "If you have to."
"I do," said Dawn.
Before she left however she summoned a pile of dead ferrets for Buckbeak and left some less glass embedded food and drink for Sirius.
Dawn was shaking with fury all the way through Hogsmead.
"That son of a bitch," she spat "He knew about Rosier and he did NOTHING!"
A jet of sapphire light hit a boulder and turned it to dust.
"Sarah's dead because Rosier betrayed William to Voldemort, and Rosier betrayed William to Voldemort because Dumbledore let him."
What are you going to do then? said a voice in the back of Dawns head Kill Dumbledore?
She stopped at the Hogwarts gates and thought about it. What could she do? Nothing. That's what she could do. Dawn stormed up the path to the castle and opened the front doors. She closed them silently and turned around. Her eyes lowered and she shook her head at the Professor standing right in front of her.
"Not again."
This was it. Dawn was gone. There was no way she could survive this now.
"Do you have any idea of the Seriousness of this Dawn?"
"Yes Professor."
"Then why do it? Why risk expulsion?"
Dawn didn't answer. Professor Snape looked back at her worriedly.
"I cannot protect you from the headmaster," pleaded Snape "He has ways of finding things out. Out of school this time of night; I'm, I, I don't know what to say."
Dawn tried to fell remorseful, or even tried to care, but the only thing fuelling her emotions at the moment was hate for Dumbledore.
"Why do this?" asked the potions master "You are the best student the school has seen in two hundred years but you insist on breaking the rules."
Dawn didn't know what to say.
"If Dumbledore finds out you will be expelled."
Dawn was gone. She looked at the floor in defeat.
"That's why we can't let him."
Dawn looked up at the Professor.
"What?"
Snape looked more serious then Dawn had ever seen him.
"I have been considering this for a while now. The headmaster is keeping something from his teachers and he has a strange effect on you."
"What?" asked Dawn in disbelief "What are you saying?"
"I am going to teach you Occlumency."
A rush of a hundred good emotions filled Dawn. In this past week she had heard things she didn't want any other person to know. Dumbledore would never enter her mind again. She was saved.
"This you could never tell anyone," said Snape lowering his voice "No one, not even your Slytherin friends or American colleagues."
"R-right," said Dawn.
"And you would have to still undertake studies of magical cookery on top of the new demanding subject."
"Anything," said Dawn sitting up a little straighter "What else would it involve?"
"Strict training," said Snape "And meeting me once a week for your lesson. Remember Dawn, no one can know."
"Sure," she assured "Th-thankyou."
Snape gave a nervous half smile.
"When's our first meeting?"
"Wednesday night," said Snape "Nine o'clock here in my office. It is best we start soon and by then preparations should be completed."
Dawn could have floated off the chair and up to bed.
"You may go," said Snape.
At the door Dawn turned back with a burning question.
"Sir, how did you know I was outside?"
Snape Grinned.
"Miss Parkinson came to me. She was a little worried when she brought you a drink that turned you into a pot plant.
Wednesday night didn't come quick enough for Dawn, although, the time in-between was punctuated with a wonderful magical cookery lesson that didn't involve her burning things, another visit to the 3R's and possibly one of the finest Ron Weasley robe burnings she had ever been at. She wouldn't lie to her friends about where she was going and couldn't tell them the truth so just left.
When she got to Snape's office she knocked apprehensively.
"Enter."
Dawn stepped in and closed the door. Snape was at the back of his office looking in a cupboard.
"Hex the door shut please Dawn, we don't want to be interrupted."
Dawn administered the hex and then sat down at the desk. Snape had taken a small box out of the cupboard and put it on his table. It was made out of some type of wood and had many runes burnt into its lid. On top was a single red jewel the size of a small coin. The Professor put his wand to it and muttered words under his breath. Dawn saw the crystal glow and heard a small click. Snape put his wand away and opened the box. She looked in as the lid was taken away and saw a small bass spinning top that didn't look particularly special.
"What is it?" asked Dawn curiously.
Snape took it out and walked with it carefully to the empty space in front of his desk.
"It is called the Dradle of Illusions, one of only a few mystical objects that can alter an outsiders perception of what is going on inside a room."
"Why do we need it?" said Dawn standing up and following the teacher for a better look.
"If we are somehow observed we don't want those people to see our true activities."
Dawn nodded as he placed the artefact on the stone. It stood on its tip without support and as they stepped away it began to spin. Before long it was spinning so fast it made Dawn dizzy and began to glow with a white light. From its tip spread out a white wave much like her cleaning charm though this was much older and much more powerful.
"It's done," said Snape as the light faded into the last stone in the roof.
Dawn turned to look at the teacher.
"Have you been doing what I told you to do Dawn?"
Dawn snorted.
"Emptying my mind of all thought, believe me, it's not an issue."
"Good," said Snape "Take out your wand."
Dawn did and positioned herself at one end of the room with Snape at the other.
"Now Dawn," he said "I am going to use a spell to enter your thoughts. You must try to repel me with your mind."
"Kay," Dawn squeaked.
"Don't worry," assured Snape "It doesn't hurt. Ready?"
Dawn nodded.
"Legilimens!"
"AAAHHH!"
Dawn's mind was on fire. Her head felt like it was going to explode. Through her blurring vision all she could see was Snape in the distance on his knees in the same agony.
"What's happening?" she managed to scream through the fiery daggers of torture.
But Snape didn't answer.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!"
A green ball of mystical energy.
A small boy being beaten with a belt.
Monks gathered in terror for a powerfully magical ritual.
A teenage boy standing alone in front of a coffin.
"Stop it!" bellowed Snape "STOP IT!"
A hell goddess seeking to end the world.
A teenage boy being assaulted by a gang at Hogwarts.
A girl jumping from a tower.
"NOOO!" screamed Dawn.
But the connection couldn't be broken.
A girl lying shot on the floor of a bedroom.
A man kneeling before a pair of red snakelike eyes having a skull burnt into his skin.
A demon of terror more horrifying then the pits of hell itself… The First evil in its true form.
BOOM!
Dawn and Snape were thrown across the room. The Slytherin girl crashed into the potion shelves being sprayed with burning liquid and cut by shards of glass. The potions master was catapulted into the cupboard that held the Dradle of Illusions, reducing it to kindling.
Dawn fell to the floor in a crumpled heap unable to speak. The last thing she saw before falling unconscious was Snape knocked out on the stone floor, a steak of wood through his shoulder and a river of blood streaming from his head.
The Dradle of Illusions was spinning to a halt like a lost coin that loses momentum.
Another chapter down and I hope some more to go. I had something else to go here but decided to leave it for next time. University has started back in full force so that might limit my updates even more. I promise that I will post as soon as I can though. I'd ask you to review but it's up to you. If you think it deserves it then review away.
§- sonofgloin
