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 have given a rating of PG due to a swear words,
adult themes and some violence.
This rating may be increased for later chapters.
Luckily for Dawn and the other fourth year Slytherin girls it was History of Magic last thing on Friday afternoon. Since Dawn's return from hospital they had managed to keep the plans for Paige's birthday party secret, and now was no exception. On Friday morning Elsie was beside herself that there wouldn't be a chance to go into town and pick up a cake. Dawn said she would simply conjure one until she found out it was a tradition to get a honeycomb and white chocolate sponge Madam Puddifoot's tea shop. This had been Paige's favourite since she tried it on an outing in first year.
As a result Dawn had to be a little more inventive. As Professor Binns staggered on about the bloodlust of a particularly vicious group of vampires, Dawn, Beth and Elsie sat at attention eagerly taking notes. They scratched away at their parchment as the rest of the class sank in and out of sleep. Fortunately, Gilrean kept Paige busy enough not to notice anything out of the ordinary and Pansy didn't even pick up on anything as she asked Beth for a spare quill. These three had been a tricky little spell from the wand of one real Dawn Summers. She had found the solution by combining a little bit of glamour with a little bit of motion charm and marvelled at her brilliance as herself, real Beth and real Elsie trotted into the main street of Hogsmead.
"I mean," she said thickly winding some sticky marshmallow into her mouth "It wasn't that difficult."
"We bow down to you oh glorious one," said Elsie flailing her arms like a repentant nun.
"We are not worthy," added Beth taking the bag from Dawn and reaching down to her elbow to find one of the yellow ones that tasted like lemon meringue pie.
Hogsmead was relatively busy but none of the inhabitants seemed to pay the girls any real amount of attention. Owls swooped in and out of the post office carrying any number of packages and one middle-aged warlock was stunned as a white screech owl knocked him off his broom causing him to fall flat on his back in the mud right in front of the girls.
"Pass the bag Beth," said Elsie reaching for the packet as the Slytherins stepped around him and continued down the street.
"So where's this padfoot place?" asked Dawn scanning the barn-like shopfronts.
"Puddifoot," corrected Elsie mashing six marshmallows into her mouth at once "It's a bit further on them Aunty Liz's, up past the Hogs Head but before the Shrieking Shack."
"Right," nodded Dawn airily like a girl agreeing with her sister while trying to watch something a lot more interesting on television.
CLANG… CLANG… CLANG
"You can close your mouth now Summers," sniggered Beth.
"Okay," sighed Dawn in much the same way as before.
They were passing by a large open shop with a tall chimney stack billowing grey ash into the sky.
CLANG… CLANG… CLANG
"Can, ah, we just go in here for a minute?" asked Dawn unconsciously taking a few steps towards the business.
Two hands grabbed her and held her back. Dawn stood there looking at him as the sign 'Wedran's Blacksmith' towered above her. All she took in though was a pair of deep sapphire eyes and glowing locks of curly brunette hair.
"Let's go honey," said Elsie.
"But he's so shiny and well proportioned," countered Dawn resisting them.
"Has she been hanging around Professor Jenkins?" Beth asked Elsie.
Elsie rolled her eyes and the two of them finally managed to drag Dawn away.
"Who was that?" she asked with flustered rosy cheeks "With the anvil, and hammer, and apparent lack of shirt."
She turned back but Beth and Elsie still had a firm hold on her.
"He's just a blacksmith," said Beth, although not without a gleaming smile.
"He's done the same to all of us," added Elsie "When Paige and Gilrean actually offered to be his willing sex kittens we figured he must have some Veela in him."
"Vee-laaaa-,"
"You'll be fine soon," said Beth sympathetically putting her hand on her shoulder.
By the time the bell tinkled in the teashop Dawn was back to normal except she had an unexplainable desire to pursue a career as a farrier. There were a few people seated around the shop but this isn't what the girls noticed. It was the third of October but Madam Puddifoot had obviously wanted to get in early with the Halloween decorations. There seemed to Dawn however to be a few mistakes in her design plans. There were lit pumpkins with toothy grins, and bats and skeletons and a few crawling spiders but all of them seemed to be rather pink and fluffy looking. There was no orange or bone or horrible feelers but rather the extras that might appear at a valentines feast for say, Satan.
"What's with the-," began Dawn pointing out the fake cobwebs that seemed to be made of fairy floss.
"Don't ask," said Beth "You should see how it looks normally."
She didn't go on as she, along with Elsie were both giving a forced smile which Dawn conjured too.
"Hello dearies," shrieked Madam Puddifoot at Dawn and Beth.
"Cowen," she said simply at Elsie as though she were a stray cat that had just gone to the toilet on her brand new frilly welcome mat.
She turned back to Dawn and Beth.
"What can I do for you sweethearts?" she grinned welcomingly.
"We would like to get one of your honeycomb and white chocolate cakes please," said Beth reaching for her pocket of silver.
"Right you are," said Madam Puddifoot clapping her hands together "I've just made a fresh batch too, won't be long."
As she walked off she growled out of the side of her mouth at Elsie.
"Don't touch anything."
Dawn said the first thing that popped onto her mind.
"What's her problem?"
"Nothing," assured Elsie "It's more that she hates my Aunty Liz, and I'm her niece."
"How could anyone hate Liz?" asked Dawn as though this was a personal attack on her.
She felt like pulling out her wand and cursing a few cups of tea to give some customers a bout of two of severe diarrhoea.
"Well," offered Elsie awkwardly "Puddifoot's teashop is in direct competition with the 3R's."
"But the 3R's is way better and has way more stuff then this place," said Dawn.
"Right," agreed Elsie "But the thing is this place sells food and so does Aunty Liz's so she sees Puddifoot as direct competition."
"That's no reason for her attitude," scowled Dawn in the direction of the teahouse kitchen.
Elsie and Beth had to hide a smile.
"What?" asked Dawn.
"It's not so much they're in competition," said Elsie.
"It's more what Liz has done to try and end it," finished Beth.
"Like?" asked Dawn, the sides of her mouth threatening a most inappropriate smile.
Beth and Elsie looked pensive but Dawn knew they didn't have to search far or long for the answer.
"She let twelve nifflers loose," counted Elsie on her first finger.
"In here!" said Dawn a little too loudly, her eyes ripping open in shock and closing again at the walls of blindingly shiny antiques.
"She put a glamour on Puddifoot to make her look like a troll," added Beth.
"Put a repelling charm on the front door which catapulted a few senior citizens into the front display cart of Green's Dung and Other Animal Excrements," Elsie went on.
"My favourite was the perpetual darkness Liz cast in the shop," said Beth "Had this place filled with a crowd worse then the Hogs Head gets."
"And it goes on," Elsie finished "What can I say, Aunty Liz is very business minded."
"There we are dearies," sang Madam Puddifoot returning with a large white container tied with pink string "That will be eight sickles and six knuts."
Beth payed then took the package before heading for the door.
"Have a good day," Puddifoot called at their backs as the shop bell tinkled again.
Dawn looked at the box in Beth's arms and bit her lip.
"Should we be checking for magical loogies?"
"Oh no," said Elsie waving Dawn's concerns away "She'd only spit in an order for Aunty Liz. We just get the overwhelming contempt."
For Dawn's sanity the girls took a detour staying away from the Veela blacksmith. This however led them past the 3R's where Elizabeth Ramsey was manoeuvring a broom with her wand to sweep the front porch.
"Hey Aunty Liz," said Elsie giving her a kiss.
"Hello girls," smiled Liz without even asking what the girls were doing here at two forty-five on a Friday afternoon.
Dawn waved but Beth struggled awkwardly with the package in her hands.
"What do you have there Beth?" asked Liz stopping the broom and coming down into the street.
Beth tried to lie but came up with nothing so thought if she said what it was really quickly it might lessen the pain.
"It's-a-cake-for-Paige-for-her-birthday, bye then."
Beth turned but she couldn't get away that easily.
"Oh how sweet of you girls', but where did you get it from? The only place that sells cakes around here is-,"
Liz stopped and slowly scowled as the realisation hit her.
"Puddifoot's," she growled.
Dawn gulped but Elsie just rolled her eyes.
"You know it is the only place that sells cake Aunty Liz and it's Paige's favourite."
"Fine, fine, off with you lot," said Liz "I expect you'll want to be getting back to class."
All three of them said goodbye and realising the time quickened their pace on the way back to school. By the time they reached the door of History of Magic there was about three minutes till the bell. Elsie, Beth and Dawn were still scribbling away on their parchment and it seemed that Pansy was telling Beth all about the reasons why she liked walnuts over peanuts. Binns was still regurgitating his eight-hundred year old notes and was up to the part where one vampire drank so much blood it was secreting from his skin. Even Draco Malfoy didn't look up at this who was drawing absentmindedly on his paper.
"How are we going to get in there?" asked Elsie two minutes before the bell, the second in the totem by the crack in the door.
Dawn smiled.
"Elsie dear, never underestimate the power of television."
She took out her wand and aimed it squarely at the back of her replacement's head.
"Sponterentii."
A stream of emerald smoke jetted soundlessly across the room hitting its target. That second Dawn put down her pen, pointed at the wall, and spoke.
"Hey Pansy, look over there."
Pansy immediately turned in wonder.
"C'mon," hissed Dawn.
A rampaging elephant couldn't have roused that class; however the three crept in as stealthily as they could. Dawn dispelled the extras and settled in her usual seat with Elsie next to her and Beth behind.
"I don't see anything," said Pansy turning back.
"Never mind," said Dawn sharing in a group smile "There's the bell anyway."
Binns was gone by the time the class realised the lesson was over and looked up. Dawn wondered then if even the teacher was bored by his material and wanted even more then his students to escape the daily torment. Half the class was gone when Dawn turned for the door with the other girls in toe. Pansy was back on the subject of nuts with Beth like no time had passed and for some reason Paige and Gilrean were very giggly.
"Oh no, my potions essay."
Dawn smiled. That was the cue.
"What pot – oofft -," began Pansy but Beth literally cut her off pushing her into the background.
They had the cake and they had the girl and they had the plan. All they needed now was to pull it off. Gilrean was at that moment meant to conveniently forget about her potions essay and ask Paige to go to the library with her.
"Paige, can you come with me to the library?"
Then Elsie would offer her help while Beth looked indifferent.
"Do you want some help?"
Gilrean would then say no and that she was stupid not to have remembered it till now to which Beth would agree.
"I can't believe I forgot to do it, and it was due before dinner and all. Am I not the biggest git ever?"
"Yes," agreed Beth.
The last thread, Pansy, would be taken care of by locking her in a cupboard until the party started. After all she couldn't blab if she didn't know.
"C'mon guys let me out, this isn't funny."
Dawn pocketed her wand after hexing a broom cupboard on the sixth floor.
"Guys, it's dark in here and smells funny."
She turned and clapped her hands together. Elsie and Beth beamed back at her and their own mischievous brilliance over the suffocated hammering.
"Right," said Dawn "To work."
They had three hours before dinner to get Slytherin common room looking perfect. They had no fear that Paige would suddenly turn up because they trusted Gilrean's skills. Dawn's only fear was Minerva McGonagall.
"I told you-, no higher and to the right," flustered Elsie, explaining while giving instruction "It's none of her business and Snape already agreed."
Dawn leant precariously back on her ladder to straighten the banner with Beth on the other side.
"But you don't know," grunted Dawn checking with Elsie again if it was straight "She could dob to Dumbledore."
"Higher," said Elsie while Dawn and Beth scowled "Dawn, she won't even know, oh, oh, there, perfect."
While Dawn and Beth held the sign Elsie fixed it to the wall above the hearth with a temporary sticking charm. The two on the ladders climbed down to gauge their work beside Elsie. The huge coloured banner read 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAIGE'.
"Simple yet effective," admired Beth.
"Agreed," said Dawn moving over to a pile of balloons and charming them to fill with helium.
Elsie joined her but Beth pouted as Dawn handed her the first dozen to be tied to respective furniture.
"Couldn't you just do this ALL with magic?" she asked.
Dawn thought for a moment.
"Probably sweetie, but where would be the fun for you in that?"
Beth smiled dryly and mimed her hilarity.
Paige's favourite colour was purple so the three girls decorated the common room with appropriate hangings. The balloons they hung were purple and silver and gold tied with silver string. They floated above tables and off chairs and lamps, and if any Slytherin was sure to stand still too long to admire the work then they too would find a hundred or so tied to them. The food tables were covered in crisp white tablecloths and bound with lilac ribbon that met in the front in an enormous bow. Huge vases sat on the tables in elaborate arrangements of lavender and purple roses, with mauve babies-breath to accent. The cutlery was pewter with vermillion china with gold pattern inlays. Miniature Jackeranda trees were conjured to accompany the decorations as a last touch the girls scattered violet petals around the floor that felt like walking on silk.
"Pwoh Summers, go easy on the perfume."
Draco, Crabbe and Goyle had come down the stairs headed towards the entrance. The two bigger boys looked on in awe but Draco just cringed.
"It's a bit much isn't it, what's it for?"
But then he saw the banner.
"Its Write's birthday?" he smiled, Dawn seeing the evil idea starting to form in his head "It's not a surprise is it?"
The girls said nothing.
"Interesting, wouldn't want her to find out now would we-,"
CRACK
Dawn was about to reach for her wand but Elsie beat her to it. Forgetting magic altogether she grabbed Draco by the front of his robes and walked him forcibly backwards slamming him into the wall. Dawn was even sure she saw him lift off the ground.
"Listen here you little turd," she growled "We haven't worked on this for the past two and a half hours to have you ruin it. If Paige hears a word of this I'll personally break both your legs off and beat you to death with them."
Draco looked terrified.
"O-okay," he whimpered.
Elsie gave him one last scowl then let him go. The three fourth year boys bolted. She turned and shook her head angrily.
"Well done," applauded Dawn.
"Thanks," smiled Elsie as though her fury had just been turned off at the switch.
Before they went to dinner they brought out the cake and put it delicately on a gigantic silver serving platter. Candy violets and gold leaf surrounded the intricate writing of 'Happy 16th Birthday Paige'. The three stepped back and looked around.
"I think we're done except for the invitations," said Beth.
Dawn nodded but added one last thing. She wiggled her wand so that an invisible magical barrier rose over all the decorations that made it impossible to come within three feet of them. This proved hazardous when a first year girl leant in to smell the flowers and landed on her back ten feet away. As Dawn helped her to her feet she assured her it was because she wanted everything perfect. As for the invitations Dawn had an ingenious plan but it had to wait until dinner.
The great hall was packed as usual and everyone looked especially hungry. This meant Dawn had to work fast. As she sat at Slytherin table she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of parchment. Paige and Gilrean hadn't arrived yet, but she was sure to keep what she was doing secret. As the ham and turkey and baked vegetables materialised Dawn put wand to paper and spoke to herself.
"Invitus despartum reperae enditum."
The parchment glowed red for one second then Dawn looked around for results. As students' reached for their napkins they looked curiously at them because a message had just appeared on them in thick purple ink.
Elsie Cowen, Pansy Parkinson, Gilrean Plumber, Dawn Summers and Beth Wilks hereby invite you to the 16th birthday party of Paige Wright.
The gathering is to be held at seven-thirty sharp in Slytherin common room. So don't fill up on dinner! The password for the night will be 'Yummy Blacksmith'. Come in muggle dress and don't worry about presents, your company is gift enough.
Eagerly awaiting your arrival
Forth Year Slytherin Girls
P.S. It's a surprise. Say anything and we'll feed you to the giant squid.
The only people not to be seen reading were the Creevy brothers and the tragic trio. One by one Dawn was shot with toothy grins and thumbs up. People in every house seemed to be excited and this made for great atmosphere. Harry Potter was turning his napkin over in his hands and looking perturbed. He then snatched Fred Weasley's but it offered no solution.
"You made them individual?" asked Beth laughing quietly as Hermione Granger took out her revealer and Ron Weasley held his up to the candle light setting it on fire.
"I had to," said Dawn "Couldn't have any gate crashers."
Just then Paige and Gilrean walked in and the hall, as if on cue, looked like it always did. There was even the distinct brooding of Slytherin table and their palpable dislike filtering around the room.
"Get it done?" asked Elsie as the two girls sat down
"Yeah," said Gilrean "It was surprisingly easy."
Paige was looking up and down the table as she reached for a bread roll.
"Guys, where's Pansy?"
Dawn, Elsie and Beth stopped. Then Dawn shrugged.
"Eh, she'll be alright."
As dinner ended at seven o'clock Dawn began to notice the excited faces and many grumbling stomachs. Gilrean had again managed to get Paige out of the way but Dawn had absolutely no idea how. She had whispered something in the belated birthday girl's ear and they were both off in a shot. By one minute past seven there was not a soul left in the hall except the teachers, and indeed ninety-eight percent of the girls had left before the last plate of mashed potato had even appeared to get ready.
"So what have we got to do?" asked Elsie on the way out as though she didn't already know but knowing asking would make her feel better.
"When we get back all I have to do is conjure the food dear. Settle down, you sound like my sister."
Elsie in her tether completely missed the meaning.
"Miss Summers, Cowen, Wilks! I want a word."
They stopped dead in their tracks at the voice of Minerva McGonagall. Dawn elbowed Elsie as the three turned to meet her. To Dawn's dread she held a napkin firmly in her hand. Dawn's eyes shot open. Had she been so stupid as to send invites to the Hogwarts teachers?
"It is about Miss Write's party," said McGonagall.
She had.
"Y-yes?" asked Dawn fearful she would get detention till she was eighty-three.
Professor McGonagall sighed then sized the three girls up.
"Thankyou so much for the invitation girls but you don't want a bunch of old fuddy-duddies like us at the party."
Dawn actually laughed out loud in relief.
"You're sure?" asked Beth for good measure but not without a hidden furrowed scowl at Dawn.
"Oh yes," assured McGonagall "I have marking to be done."
"Hurry up Minerva!"
Dawn looked out from behind the teacher to see Anya and the rest of the teachers leaving in a big group. Hagrid had with him a large keg that was hidden beneath the table linen and Dawn doubted if there would be any marking tonight, or indeed tomorrow morning.
"Yes, well," coughed McGonagall taking three steps back "Off you all go, have fun."
The girls looked at each other and came to the consensus that the teachers just might be having a party of their own.
The three reached Slytherin corridor with the first wave of partygoers. Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones, and Rona were all looking rather pretty and were at the portrait of Esmeralda.
"Yummy blacksmith," said Hannah as Dawn came up beside her "How did you think of this?"
"Wedran's," informed Beth.
Hannah and Susan looked at each other and smiled blissfully.
"Mmm, Wedran's."
"Damn," added Rona at their expressions "I'm gonna have to get me a look at him."
The portrait opened and they waked in.
All the Slytherins were out and ready but were standing awkwardly or all pushed together as to avoid Dawn's barrier charms. Seeing this Dawn took the invisible fields down and the students could relax. The Huffelpuffs went off to sit with some fifth years which left Dawn, Elsie and Beth to get ready. It was a unanimous that this was the fastest any of them had ever gotten ready and they were just glad they were witches because without magic they would have looked like hill trolls.
Dawn was down first and conjured all the food which was well met. There were not only assorted crisps and soft drink but punch and a hot selection of finger food. There were sandwiches and pasties and an ice sculpture of a unicorn that shot chilled butterbeer out of its horn. The best part was that no matter how fast the food went it simply replenished itself. Everyone was telling her how beautiful the decorations were and even Crabbe and Goyle agreed over mouthfuls of chocolate chip and banana muffins that Goyle's mum had sent in a care package that very night. Dawn was amazed because they had also had six helpings of dinner and three of desert. Through all this though Dawn was distracted by something at the door. There seemed to be a huge crowd of people fighting to get in but for some reason they couldn't.
"What's up Millicent?"
But Dawn didn't have to ask any more. Standing in the entrance was Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
"What are you three doing here?" asked Dawn sure not to add politeness.
"There's a party on," said Harry.
"That you weren't invited to," yelled a seventh year Ravenclaw from somewhere near the back.
"Move," added some fifth year Huffelpuffs who were led by Cedric Digory the Huffelpuff seeker.
"We're coming in," said Ron "Everyone else in the school is here."
"Hi Ron," Ginny Weasley called from inside the common room, walking past the opening, talking with a Slytherin in the same year.
Millicent however had positioned herself so they couldn't get through.
"Look," growled Dawn "Paige will be here in five minutes and if people are still in the corridor someone is going to be losing something important."
"We don't even know how they got here," called Kennedy who had been edged to the back with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil "We lost them on the third floor but somehow they found us again."
"I'll give you to the count of three," warned Dawn.
Harry looked back defiantly but Ron and Hermione looked rather worried.
"Sure, whatev-," Harry began unworried.
"Three, Discede!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't even have time to look surprised as they vanished in a hail of sparks.
"Hmm," huffed Dawn satisfied "Works well against hell gods and annoying Gryffindors.
"Where did you send them?" asked Cedric Digory as the waves of people spilled in.
"Not quite sure," admitted Dawn.
Although if anyone had been outside they would have heard three distinctive splashes in the Hogwarts lake.
Because so many people were in the common room there wasn't enough space to hide everyone so Dawn and the Potentials devised a timed invisibility charm: As soon as Paige looked in the room everyone would appear. At seven thirty-five, Elsie who had her ear pressed to the door yelled that they were coming. She sprinted back into the room and the charm was applied. They all heard a muffled call of 'Yummy blacksmith' and the laughs of Paige.
"What is with that password?" she asked Gilrean "I thought it was-,"
But Paige stopped.
"SURPRISE!"
Three hundred faces melted into view and all Paige could muster was a vacant look of astonishment.
"How, what-," she mumbled out but soon fell silent again.
Paige took in the decorations until her eyes fell on the gigantic banner. In that instant she did the only thing she could… she cried. Dawn, Elsie and Beth rushed forward to give hugs and well wishes and in her state Paige noticed on thing once again.
"Where's Pansy?"
"I'll be right back," gulped Beth after a significant look at the other organisers.
When Beth got back with a hysteric Pansy her mood soon changed, and anyone would have thought it was her birthday. Dawn was busy going among guests to see they had everything they needed but found time to get to the dance floor that she had conjured in the middle of the room. Most of the wizards and witches there were fascinated by the disco ball and strobe lights and Dawn assured many of them she would show them how to conjure the same for their own birthday parties.
The six girls were happily dancing in a group and all were very jealous when Cedric Digory asked Dawn to dance on a particularly slow song. The others then found it imperative that they all had liquids before they took another step, leaving Dawn and the Huffelpuff alone.
"So you're from California right?"
"Yeah," said Dawn "Born and bred."
She was glad he didn't know better.
"Cool," answered Cedric moving his hands just a little lower on Dawn's back.
She raised an eyebrow at him but he didn't notice.
"So what Quidditch team do you support?"
Dawn was here with possibly the cutest boy at Hogwarts and all he could ask her about was sport.
"None," said Dawn a little bored and dejected "It's just a bunch of guys flying around playing with their balls isn't it?"
"Oh no," assured Cedric stopping to explain.
Dawn let her mind wander as the seventh year went on and on. She didn't even worry about her eyes wandering as she sought for a Slytherin forth year girl for a rescue plan. Twelve minutes and eighteen seconds later – that's just how bored Dawn was – Gilrean caught her glares and ran over.
"Sorry Cedric," she said grabbing Dawn by the arm "Present time."
"That's fine," called the seeker at the retreating pair "We'll talk later."
"Thankyou," sighed Dawn when they were out of earshot.
"What?" asked Gilrean "That looked promising. Tall, handsome, and I hear hung like a walrus."
Dawn laughed.
"They can be good big and dumb but there is a fine line between big and dumb and a rock that can talk incoherently."
Everyone had been told no presents but despite the lack of time Paige had received a considerable haul. Mostly it was money and at final count she had over one hundred galleons to spend; but there were also chocolates and cosmetics and a cute little blouse that Gilrean had gotten her; there was even a prototype of a skiving snack box that the Weasley twins had lovingly wrapped. The present from her grandma had turned out to be an antique muggle music box that had been passed down through the Write family women. Through her tears Paige managed to joke that she was just glad it wasn't a puppy.
By ten-thirty the party hadn't died down in the least. In fact every single person there said it was the best party they had ever been to and it would be extremely hard to top. As a result when the music stopped it was with a mash of boo's.
"Oh shut up," yelled Gilrean comically "It's time for speeches."
She stood up on a chair bringing Paige with her and called out to the group.
"As you know it is Paige Write's birthday."
There was a wave of cheers and applause to which Gilrean shushed and Paige got teary at.
"Paige has been on this earth for sixteen years and she has been my best friend for most of them. I don't know any sweeter girl and if there are any out there I'll be sure to kill them so Paige can have the title. I just want to say on behalf of everyone here that we love you and we hope and wish you the best in your life and everything that is to come."
Gilrean kissed Paige in the cheek and everyone applauded for the birthday girl.
"Thankyou," said Paige "You don't know what this means to me to have you all here. But a person can't be all Gilrean made me out to be without the support and love of all her friends. We may not see eye to eye all the time but I know they are always there. There have been times in my life-,"
Paige's voice broke with emotion and Gilrean rubbed her back. She breathed out slowly to compose herself.
"There have been times in my life where I have wanted nothing more then to run away and hide but these girls have been my everything and kept me grounded. All I can say is thankyou."
Half the crowd was also in tears by now and wiped their eyes between clapping. Dawn made to move off towards the cake but Paige wasn't finished.
"But tonight isn't just about my birthday."
Dawn looked up at her in wonder.
"Exactly one month ago today our family was increased by one and without her this night wouldn't be possible. Dawn Summers-,"
Dawn turned scarlet. She had no idea it had been exactly one month since her arrival at Hogwarts.
"Has done more for us then anyone, and not only Slytherin but all the houses. C'mon, when in the past have the four Hogwarts houses been together for a party? Well except the time Professor Binns was away sick."
There was movement in the crowd and Beth, Pansy and Elsie stepped out carrying a large strawberry cake in the shape of two joined hearts.
"Dawn, we just wanted you to know how much you mean to us, how much we love you, and how much we never want you to go away."
Dawn frowned in the candlelight taken back by the gesture. She looked at her five sisters and said the only thing that came to mind.
"Ditto."
The girls put the cake down and it was hugs galore. Even the Weasley twins who had tearstained faces jumped into the group hug. Luckily for the mood of the party though the music started up again and everyone was happier then they had been in years.
"You guys are pretty good to pull this off right under my nose," said Dawn as her and Paige cut into the cakes.
"We learned from the best," smiled Beth handing her plate over for the first slice.
When everyone had a piece of each strawberry and white chocolate and honeycomb sponge there was still a mountain left. Even the seventh year boys were having trouble getting through the delicious food.
"Don't look now," whispered Elsie in Dawn's ear "But someone is looking at you."
She beamed at Dawn and gestured over her left shoulder. When Dawn looked she lowered her head in defeat. Cedric Digory was standing on the other side of the dance floor staring right at her.
"I am so not going over there," said Dawn busying herself with handing out more cake.
"Walrus," sang Gilrean again as her and Paige cut their way across the crowd spinning like hyperactive toddlers.
"Oh he's coming, he's coming," squeaked Elsie excitedly.
Dawn however was distracted by something at the back of the room. Draco Malfoy was sitting all by himself with his head buried in the Daily Prophet. Without really noticing she had picked up two plates and was on her way over before Digory even reached the air she was breathing.
"Cake?"
The paper with the headlining story about Fudge's new haircut – continued page three – didn't even move.
"Hello?" asked Dawn
"No thankyou," said Draco lowering the paper just long enough to speak then bringing it back up again.
Dawn put the plates down and sat beside him looking at the back page which was the current Quidditch scores.
"What do you want Summers?" came Draco's voice from behind the pages.
"Where's Vincent and Gregory?"
He sighed.
"Goyle's mum's muffins gave them both violent diarrhoea, so I'm guessing they are hovering over a brown puddle somewhere."
"Lovely," grimaced Dawn "But that won't get rid of me. You're missing the party."
Draco folded up the paper and looked blandly at her.
"I'm not interested."
"Then why are you here?" reasoned Dawn.
Draco actually stood up till Dawn grabbed him by the wrist. He looked at her hand then at her.
"Sit down Malfoy and stop being such a pain in my ass."
Draco sat down but didn't look at Dawn, rather across the room at a heated looking Cedric Digory dancing extremely closely with Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw seeker, who didn't seem to be minding in the least.
The two of them sat there silently, Draco crossing his legs, then uncrossing them, then crossing his arms, then uncrossing them, then deciding to slouch on the lounge and look broody. Dawn nodded to the music and picked stray fluff and corn chip crumbs off her shirt. She chanced a look at Draco though he didn't return it but looked at his watch instead.
"You got somewhere better to be Malfoy?"
"Yes," said Draco simply "But an annoying American won't let me leave."
Dawn was tempted to tell him to bugger off then but tried a different approach.
"You know, you're insufferable."
Draco looked at her as if Dawn had attempted to insult him but in stead had given him a lame complement.
"Thankyou," said Draco "Is this where I'm meant to ask why?"
Dawn mirrored his look.
"You can if you want but I'm going to tell you anyway."
Draco shifted in his seat propping his elbow in the back of the lounge, resting his chin on his hand.
"Enlighten me Summers."
Dawn turned to look at Draco, crossing her legs on the lounge and folding her arms. Draco simply cocked an eyebrow as to hurry along her analysis.
"You act like this big bad-boy with the hair and the sneer and the lickspittles, when really you're nothing like that."
Draco's eyebrow rose a little further.
"You put up these barriers so no one can get close to you; not because you don't want them to but because you don't want to get hurt. And then when someone tries to get close you turn into a complete git. You just have to learn Malfoy that not all people are jerks and there are a few that are worth knowing and want to get to know you too."
"Are you finished?" asked Draco.
"Yes," frowned Dawn.
"Then it's my turn," said Draco "So try to keep your mouth closed for a second-,"
"There's that defensiveness again," interrupted Dawn.
"And give me a chance to have my say."
Dawn moved an open palm in welcome of his rebuttal.
"You're afraid you won't be liked."
Dawn clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes but fell quiet again remembering their agreement.
"You turn up at a new school and will do whatever you can to fit in. Most would think this was from a popularity standpoint but we know better don't we Summers?"
Dawn shifted a little uncomfortably.
"You do what you do because you don't want to slip into the shadows. You don't want the limelight, you just don't want to be forgotten or ignored. You need the attention."
"Whatever," said Dawn turning back around.
"See," smiled Draco "I'm right."
"You so are not."
"I'm right."
"Shut up."
"I'm right."
"See," yelled Dawn jumping up "Insufferable. I try to talk to you but you're not worth it. Malfoy you really need to get over yourself. You are a super grade-A butt monkey."
"I don't know what that is," called Draco at Dawn's retreating back.
She was furious however and didn't look around. If she had she might have caught the beginning of a genuine friendly smile.
By six the following morning Paige and the other Slytherin girls were saying goodnight – or should it have been good morning – to the last stragglers of Paige's party. Dawn was quick to notice that Cedric Digory was third last out the door with a very pleased looking Cho Chang snuggled into his shoulder. The Huffelpuff seeker shot a winning look at Dawn but she just smiled blandly and waved him off. The most curious and amusing site came from the bowels of the castle where a bleary-eyed Rubius Hagrid and Professor Snape were stumbling towards the entrance hall.
"M-morning ladies," Snape hiccoughed in their general direction before shielding his eyes from the light of the common room.
Dawn looked curiously at Hagrid who had a very red face and distinctive wobble.
"All righ' girls?" he asked placing a huge hand on the wall for balance "Just help'n Severus ere back to 'is office for a quick kip. I gotter get back down there to help Dumbledore with Minerva. Poor woman tho' she could drink Trelawney under the table, she 'ides more in those shawls then Divination supplies, I'll tell you."
Hagrid stopped as each of the girl's eyebrows was so high in their hairline they were no longer visible, and their mouths were so wide they could have swallowed a flobber worm whole.
"Er, best be off," added Hagrid with another shade of red applied to his already scarlet cheeks "Mornin'."
He stumbled off hastily, stopping more then once to help the potions master back to his feet.
"Looks like a good night all round then," said Elsie as she closed the portrait where Esmeralda lay in an unconscious state with the Fat Lady and Lady Vi snoring beside her, half in the common room keeper's frame and half in the next with their heeled shoes splashed in a deep blue lake on the one side and a snooty lord's soup on the other.
The next part was the worst part of any party. The six girls looked on the room and sighed dejectedly as though it were a particularly difficult transfiguration question.
"Leave it," droned Dawn looking at their surroundings.
The room was nothing short of a hurricane disaster area. Chairs and tables were overturned – Dawn remembered at one point the Weasley twins needing to make a fort – the room hangings had fallen down as the sticking charms wore off, and the food table looked as though ravenous vultures had had their fill and left only the dregs behind.
"But-," started Elsie reaching towards her pocket.
"Leave it," said Dawn again as though one flick of her wand after a night like that was way too much effort.
All agreed they headed off towards their dorm stepping over random Slytherin bodies and one unfortunate Ravenclaw that had accepted a black chew from Fred Weasley. Paige slapped him on the way through but there was no movement at the station.
The warm Saturday sun was streaming into the room with a soft sweet Autumn breeze flowing through the window. The distant forest swayed and brought with it the calming sound of its yellow and gold leaves, birds singing softly and the sky a crystal-blue with not a cloud in sight.
BANG!
As soon as the girls entered the room Dawn's wand shot out and the shutters and blinds clattered closed.
"That's better," yawned Gilrean flopping onto her bed.
The others would have agreed but all except Paige, Gilrean and Dawn were fast asleep still in their party clothes, Beth already working up an a Capella concert of snores and grunts. Dawn couldn't be bothered changing either, so simply pulled back her bedding and snuggled down in its warmth.
"N-night," she yawned "And thanks guys."
"ThankYOU," smiled Paige who was standing up and getting changed.
Dawn settled down and closed her eyes.
"Happy birthday," Dawn heard Gilrean say which made her open her eyes.
The dark-haired Slytherin was leaning over Paige's bed saying goodnight.
Aww, how sweet thought Dawn as she watched from beneath the blankets smiling at her friends.
How cute she thought again as Gilrean leant in and kissed Paige on the forehead.
That's so nice how they can be such good friends with the kissing and the hugging and the open mouths… and the tongue… holy crap!
The scene before Dawn had changed so rapidly she didn't know what to do. Gilrean had moved from Paige's forehead to her lips and both were now involved in a deep loving kiss. Dawn didn't know how she could have been so stupid. She had been around lesbian witches before, lived with them, even encouraged them, but for the life of her she could not figure out how she didn't pick these two. It was so obvious when Dawn thought about it, with the late night study, the birthday speech, Stan Shunpike and sexy application of back lotion.
Oh Dawn jumped Now I know what Gilrean meant when she said she was keeping Paige busy before the party.
Dawn wasn't weirded out though or even particularly worried. She actually thought it would be nice to have her own little Willow and Tara back again. The curtains closed around the distant bed and Dawn was sure she heard a charm or two coming from behind the fabric. She sighed and turned over in bed sinking even deeper into the soft feather downing.
"I love it here," she whispered to herself before like the others – excluding two – fell into a long, contented sleep.
Dawn was the first awake after the night before. The room was dark and chilly and as she sat up blearily, hair tussled and bedclothes in disarray, she just as quickly flopped back down again with a groan. None of the others stirred as she used an 'incendio' charm to light their small fire or as she kicked her toe on Elsie's bed chest and swore rather loudly. With fire burning Dawn thought it best to see what the weather was like before the day started. As she pulled open the curtains she was surprised to see a purple sky and a dark Hogwarts lake reflecting the first few stars of the evening. Obviously the six of them had slept the whole day away and most of the evening. Dawn shook her head and closed the blinds going for the only outfit she had for this occasion. From her draws she pulled out yet another pair of winter pyjamas – these sporting silver clouds on an emerald fabric – her Slytherin dressing gown and her large puppy dog slippers. With toiletries under her arm Dawn went into the bathroom and closed the door with a snap.
Twenty minutes later Dawn was out of the shower and rugged up against the cold. She sat on her bed brushing her wet hair as the others finally started to wake up. At seven o'clock all of them had showered and like Dawn had only the energy to choose the closest clean pair of pyjamas to wear. The six of them sat looking at each other till Beth solved their lazy problem.
"Dinner?"
They each grabbed their huge silver doona and followed Pansy down the stairs. In the common room not one streamer had been touched or one plate scrubbed clean. The only thought the girls gave the mess was that the house elves were really off their game. In the corridor they saw Professor Snape walking towards them but before any of them could speak he pressed a finger to his lips silencing them in their tracks. The bags under his eyes were blacker then his hair and there was a distinct green tinge to his skin.
"Poor Professor Snape," said Pansy as the girls reached the entrance hall.
They had all stopped to see several Hogwarts teachers holding their heads and shielding their eyes.
"Out of my way girls!"
Little Thomas Flitwick sped past their knees in the direction of the male lavatory.
"Poor Professors in general," concluded Beth.
The great hall was full of activity, most of which was discussions of Paige's party. The first thing Dawn noticed was the number of mixed housed groups dotted around the room, each laughing loudly and enjoying their dinner. The biggest clump of one colour she saw was three streaks of red with disapproving raised eyebrows at the addition of the girl's bedding.
"They're looking over here again," said Ginny Weasley who was positioned between Kennedy and Susan Bones.
"What's his problem?" asked Susan as she deflected Ron Weasley's glare with one of her own.
Ginny looked across the room to where Fred and George were juggling salt and pepper shakers between them.
"It's a genetic defect in the males of my family," she sighed.
The girls laughed.
As Dawn reached for the mashed potatoes she looked to the staff table and indeed saw only three teachers. Hagrid was in his usual spot happily feasting and talking down the table to the second, Dumbledore, who looked equally as cheerful. The last was Professor McGonagall who was not eating a thing and had a cold compress resting on her eyes and a hand on her stomach.
"Why couldn't-," Dawn began.
"Madam Pomfrey help them?" finished Kennedy.
Dawn nodded.
"Amanda told me she went to the hospital wing on an errand for Professor Vector, for a headache elixir or something, and apparently Madam Pomfrey was so sick she had admitted herself into a bed."
The Slytherins leant back.
"You know," said Paige "No offence girls but I'm starting to wish I went to their party instead."
On Dawn's second glass of chocolate milk Draco Malfoy and associates walked into the great hall. He looked in her direction and Dawn ran through all her stored wit to retort his imminent sarcastic remark. Dawn cleared her throat and wet her lips in preparedness, like a cat waiting to pounce; he hadn't taken his eyes off her.
"Summers," said Draco with a small nod.
"Yeah, well you're a-, hang on."
Dawn's face dropped as she looked at the boy's retreating back. Draco had simply said hello and kept walking.
"What was with that?" she asked herself.
Dawn reached for her goblet again shaking her head, but something caught her eye. There was a fifteen year old blonde girl sitting across from her with a strange smile playing at the edges of her mouth. Dawn rolled her eyes.
"Shut up Elsie."
The rest of the weekend went rather quietly with few sightings of teachers and a freak heatwave that found most of the school out in the grounds yelling and screaming. That afternoon as Dawn packed away her bikini and threw on a T-shirt she wondered if somehow the Professors at Hogwarts had by some combined effort purposefully changed the weather.
"I bet you they did," sneered Beth thinking back "Like in first year and that huge out of season blizzard when the Weird Sisters were in Hogsmead. I bet they did that to keep us away."
"Yeah," agreed Pansy as expressions come with new realisation "Or that tornado when Professor Trelawney had organised that seer rally on the front lawns."
Elsie just rolled her eyes.
"Next you'll say one of the professors is some kind of whacked-out serial killer bent on revenge."
"Well I haven't known Professor Jenkins that long," Dawn offered.
All except Elsie looked terrified.
"Ah, joking ladies," laughed Dawn "I know for sure she's a whacked-out serial killer bent on revenge."
When Monday and classes came it was back to their usual routine. Dawn missed twelve minutes of defence of the dark arts because Pansy refused to go and needed an escort to the recently reopened hospital wing where she told a good as new Madam Pomfrey she had stomach cramps. As much as Dawn told her she was joking about Anya Pansy wouldn't accept it, and to make matters worse the former demon was acting out scenarios before class of eviscerations she had done, telling them in the third person using students as victims. Pansy's protests had begun shortly after Professor Jenkins had just strangled Lavender Brown with her own imaginary intestines and asked for another volunteer.
By Tuesday all was well again but mainly because Dawn and Elsie had brewed a calming draught after charms on Monday and slipped it into Pansy's pumpkin juice at dinner. Classes were going like clockwork for Dawn as she floated, fed, transfigured, noted, grew and blasted her way to the top of every class. The part that she delighted in the most was that for every 'O' she got and every 'E' Hermione Granger got, another of the Gryffindor's tickets flew away and the more dishevelled she became after each additional hour of study. This was the main topic of conversation for the girls in Herbology on Tuesday.
"She cried again in Arithmancy," said Amanda who was de-pusing bubotubers at a palate with Dawn, Elsie and Padma Patil.
"Really?" asked Dawn.
"Yeah," affirmed Elsie "I forgot to tell you."
Dawn looked scandalised but probed further.
"It was no big deal," assured Amanda "I got a ninety-three in a test we had on the differing equations of mystical physics and its relation to muggle mathematics and perpetual relative motion."
Dawn just stared.
"So anyway," continued Amanda "She got a ninety-two and had this huge fight with professor Vector and I swear she said she was going to get me back through all her blubbering."
"What!" demanded Dawn beside Elsie's nodding head.
"Don't worry," assured Amanda "I just told her I'd slam her stupid-ass insecure face into the pavement if she tried anything."
"Then what happened?" queried Dawn popping each pimple faster and collecting the oozing liquid.
"Well that's when she really lost it and ran out of the room."
"Did you get in trouble?" asked Padma shocked.
"No," said Elsie grinning "We applauded her."
The girls laughed.
"Okay class," called Professor Sprout "There's five minutes left so I want all your pus to the front and everyone cleaned up."
"Eww," said Dawn pulling off her dragon-hide glove "My nails are so disgusting. Luckily it's Tuesday."
Tuesday it was and at eight-thirty, chameleon charms in effect, the six Slytherins were crossing the train lines adjacent to Hogsmead station. Gilrean and Paige were leading the pack – or so Dawn concluded – with Beth and Pansy in the middle and her and Elsie behind. As they got to the 3R's Liz Ramsey was just seeing off her last customer down the porch and into the street. She looked in her forties to Dawn with brilliant red hair, acid-green nail polish, and an alligator-skin handbag.
"Ding-dong," whispered Elsie at her Auntie's back.
"Hello girls!" she shouted "Come in and take those silly charms off."
When Liz had closed the door each girl had the cloak removed and their coats were taken by the hostess.
"Was that Rita Skeeter?" asked Beth untying a scarf and hanging it on a hook.
"Oh yes," said Liz giving each girl a hug "Bit loud but always good for a gossip."
"Anything juicy?" questioned Pansy like gossip was a glass of water to a person dying of dehydration.
"Well," shrugged Liz "Greta Garble my eleventh husband's second wife just divorced him and took him to Mrs Scowers."
Her face broke into a huge grin.
"So yes, I'd say good and juicy."
She clapped her hands together.
"But enough of that, time for pampering."
Liz had ordered a new skin balm and needed the girls' opinion. Because of this they all found themselves being massaged once again by Liz's studly helpers.
"Lower," grunted Beth as Aiden worked the vanilla smelling cream into her back.
"Now girls," said Liz "What would you like tonight? I can whip anything up you want."
"Nachos, Mongolian lamb, cake, tomato soup, spaghetti, hot chips," said the girls all at once.
"Chocolate, cheese and meat platers it is then," smiled Liz "I'll just be a jiff."
Liz headed off to the kitchen and Dawn saw her chance. She stood up and pulled her robe around her.
"Where are you going my lady? Do I displease you?"
"No, no Sebastian," assured Dawn "I just have to use the loo."
Beth whistled loudly.
"I could use another pair of hands. Come over here till Dawn gets back."
Dawn didn't go to the toilet though but through the same entryway as Liz which led into a long hallway. On the left was the office and at the other, further end the kitchen and back exit. When Dawn got to the kitchen she knocked quietly.
"Do you need any help Liz?"
Liz turned around in surprise ducking two knives and an egg-flip.
"Oh no dear don't be silly, you go off and finish your massage, I'm fine here."
She turned back around with a smile and pointed her wand at a cupboard of serving plates which flew about several times before floating effortlessly into place on the bench. Dawn however hadn't moved and was biting her bottom lip. Liz looked over her shoulder.
"Was there something else Dawn?"
"Well," began Dawn "I kind of had a question I needed to ask you."
The utensils stopped immediately and Liz looked at her.
"I was wondering if it would be possible, but I understand if it's not," added Dawn hastily "If I could maybe get some kind of part-time job here."
Liz frowned.
"That's okay," said Dawn quickly "Don't worry about it, it was just I had to repay Elsie for Paige's gift and it's kinda hard being here without money but it's fine I'll work something out."
Dawn turned to go, rather red.
"I'll give you Saturday and Sunday with one night during the week."
"I-," began Dawn.
"Just want something casual that won't interfere with your studies," finished Liz.
"But I-," began Dawn.
"Don't want the girls to know just yet because you don't want them to know you need money," finished Liz.
"I-," began Dawn.
"Don't know what to say but will settle for a hug," finished Liz with a smile.
"Thankyou," sighed Dawn in Elizabeth Ramsey's arms.
"You are very welcome dear," said Liz as they broke apart "I'd give you a full-time job if you wanted it. Merlin knows I need the extra wand around here sometimes. But you just remember if you need anything Dawn, don't be afraid to ask. That's what Aunty Liz is here for."
Dawn beamed.
"But seeing you are here, take this."
Liz piled two trays into Dawn's arms.
"When do I start?" asked Dawn.
"How does tomorrow night sound?" asked Liz.
"Excellent," said Dawn.
She turned to leave but Liz put a hand on her shoulder. The owner dove into her pocket and pulled out five galleons and three sickles.
"And there's your first nights pay in advance."
