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 M due to
Adult themes and some violence.
This rating may be increased for later chapters.
AN: Here it is finally. Hope you enjoy and forgiv
§- sonofgloin
Dawn shook where she was standing. Her jaw was rigid, her eyes ablaze.
"Where is he?" she growled.
No one moved.
"WHERE!"
She turned to Crabbe and Goyle who stood nearby, looking just as shocked as the other forth years. They didn't answer.
"Move," hissed Dawn pushing them both roughly aside.
"Dawn," called Elsie reviving a little "Where are you going?"
Dawn didn't hear her friend though; the Slytherin common room had melted away and all that was left was her grim determination and purpose.
She prowled down the dorm staircase and looked both ways. Then she saw it, saw him sitting in a chair by the fireside.
BOOM!
Leather seating exploded in a burning of ash and flame, with Draco thrown halfway across the room. People screamed and tried to get out of the way as Dawn raised her wand again.
Draco was on the floor struggling to get up; there was a large gash on his arm bleeding all over the floor.
"What are you doing?" he pleaded as Dawn headed toward him.
He struggled to stand but couldn't. Dawn swished her wand again muttering low words and Draco streaked through the air crashing into a table and sliding painfully to the floor. Several people were yelling at her but none of them were distinct enough to answer. She didn't care though; all that mattered was hurting him.
Draco wasn't moving as much this time; he rolled onto his side with a groan and coughed blood over the wooden panelling.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!"
Then he screamed, he screamed so loud people covered their ears.
"DAWN, DAWN DON'T, PLEASE, AAAHHH!"
"Shut up!" yelled Dawn "YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BEG!"
She aimed her wand at Draco and he was hit with a jet of black light, and then fell quite still. He was breathing fast, turning in agony, covered in blood, but made no more attempts to reason with the Slytherin.
Somehow she managed to lift him to his feet and with surprising strength push him into a wall.
"Why did you do it?" she spat.
She hit him when he didn't answer.
"WHY!"
Her wand dug deep into his neck.
"Do what?" Draco screamed.
Dawn took a deadly furious breath and raised her and high over her head.
"Expelliarmus!"
Dawn's wand shot out of her hand and clattered down ten feet away. She turned and saw Elsie pointing her own wand at them.
Dawn let Draco go and he slumped to the floor, shaking with pain.
"What are you doing?" asked Dawn dumbstruck "This pig destroyed everything."
"Dawn, it wasn't him," shouted Beth.
Dawn refused to believe this.
"No, his mother knew about me, it was him."
"Dawn, he's been with us all night," cried Beth who was looking at Malfoy shaking on the floor.
Dawn's stomach fell.
"Then, then he told someone to do it," reasoned Dawn.
But the look on everyone's face told her the truth.
"He didn't do it," she whispered.
Dawn looked Dawn at Draco in his heap.
"Oh god."
Dawn sat in silence in the potions dungeon, two people either side of her.
"So what did you do this time?"
"Nothing," said George Weasley innocently.
Dawn looked to her left.
"I agree," said Fred Weasley "It was nothing."
All three then looked through the open door into the corridor to where there was still a healthy amount of canary cream flooding the hall.
"You?" asked Fred.
Dawn sighed.
"Nearly killed Draco Malfoy."
Fred whistled.
"And they still gave you detention?" asked George.
"It's not funny," said Dawn "I'm lucky I wasn't expelled."
It was now Saturday the 11th of October and the three of them sat awaiting their fate in Professor Snape's classroom.
When Dawn had been stopped from finishing off Draco, the girls with the help of Crabbe and Goyle rushed him to the hospital wing. When Madam Pomfrey, and subsequently Professors' Snape and Dumbledore had asked what happened the Slytherins could do little but tell the truth. As such, Dawn now found herself in detention again, with the Weasley twins… again.
"And Dumbledore didn't chuck you out?" asked George flabbergasted as Dawn told them how she hexed and jinxed Malfoy to within an inch of his life.
"Imagine what his mother will say now," added Fred "Now you've landed her precious in hospital."
For that was where Draco still was. Madam Pomfrey had insisted he stay there until classes on Monday.
"I don't want to think about it," groaned Dawn "I feel bad enough as it is."
"You could always feel worse," mumbled George under his breath looking at Professor Snape as he stormed into the room.
"You two nuisances are to go straight to Mr Filch in the girl's bathroom on the second floor," demanded Snape to Fred and George "Peeves has convinced that simpering ghost who lives in there to flood it once more. There are several deposits that need cleaning by hand."
Fred and George grimaced but got to their feet slowly and left nonetheless.
"A-and me?" asked Dawn.
Professor Snape looked at her and Dawn felt no one had ever looked more disappointed in her then he did at that moment.
"Follow me," he said simply.
Snape swept from the room and Dawn slumped out after him. She was sad to find no wooden furniture about when she thought this night couldn't get any worse.
One thing Dawn had learnt rather fast at Hogwarts was that no matter how bad things were, they could most certainly get worse. And to her dismay she found herself levelling out once more on the seventh floor and stopping in front of the familiar stone gargoyle.
"Acid pop," said Professor Snape and the statue jumped aside.
"After you Miss Summers."
Dawn stepped onto the revolving staircase and cringed inwardly at what was coming next. The door to Dumbledore's office opened and Dawn nearly fell over.
She had not expected this. Narcissa Malfoy and who Dawn suspected was her husband were seated at Dumbledore's desk.
Dawn and Professor Snape walked in and sat next to them. When Dawn took her seat Mr and Mrs Malfoy stared daggers at her.
They were all in silence for a while then Dumbledore spoke.
"Dawn, you have been called here tonight because Mr and Mrs Malfoy here," he indicated to them with a small nod "Wish to question my decision about not expelling you."
"There should have been no question Dumbledore," spat Mr Malfoy "She attacked our son!"
"Thankyou Lucius," said Dumbledore quite calmly "I am well aware of the situation."
Dumbledore pressed the tips of his fingers together and spoke again.
"I have explained the reasoning for my decision-,"
"Explained," hissed Lucius, "Explained why this deviant attacked our son and has had no punishment!"
Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Dawn has received detention-,"
"Detention," interrupted Lucius for the second time "Detention is just punishment for vicious assault?"
The headmaster looked through his half-moon spectacles at Mr Malfoy then at Dawn. She lowered her eyes but wondered intently as Dumbledore reached into his robes.
The Slytherin was just as dumbstruck as Lucius as Dumbledore pushed a folded piece of crisp, white parchment across the table, while Narcissa, who had until now shown her disapproval through severe clickings of her tongue, had fallen quite silent.
"What's this?" asked Lucius indicating the letter "Some miraculous note that somehow justifies this girl's actions?"
Dumbledore smiled.
"Not quite Lucius, but perhaps you would like to read it all the same."
Dawn watched as Mr Malfoy took up the parchment and began to read. As his eyes scanned the page his face got progressively whiter – which amazed the forth year.
"I, I see," stumbled Lucius moving the letter towards his pocket "But that still-,"
It was Dumbledore's turn to interrupt.
"I was quite hoping Miss Summers could look at that first Lucius before it, ah, disappears."
Malfoy practically threw the parchment across the desk and Dawn tentatively picked it up. Narcissa had still made no sound and Dawn was flabbergasted to think that this note had somehow absolved her from expulsion.
It was written in deep emerald ink.
Dear Draco,
I have recently heard that an American has come to Hogwarts and has been sorted into Slytherin. What is worse, and I assure you I do not know how it happened, this girl is a Mudblood. I was not the only one to hear this information and I am warning you now to stay away from Dawn Summers.
You may also do well to tell your fellow classmates of this intrusion. They should be alerted to the kind of filth associating with them.
I will say not more here except that any loyalty you may have had to this girl should be forgotten. Mudbloods and blood traitors will all meet the same end.
Your Mother
P.S. Your Father says hi.
Dawn didn't know what to think. Narcissa had told Draco to spread the word that she, Dawn was Muggle born, and even if he had no physical hand in the destruction on the forth year girl's dorm, it certainly seemed that he had sparked the attack.
Thankfully Dumbledore spoke again.
"So you see, while I will never condone the behaviour of Miss Summers, she was not the only guilty party. Her actions were grievous and warranted expulsion, yet it seems they were not spontaneous, and further, fuelled by the anger of the attack on her and her friends. Therefore that is why she is still at Hogwarts and receiving a month of detention."
Mr Malfoy looked furious.
"And where did you find this letter?" he demanded.
"Oh," chuckled Dumbledore "It just seemed to turn up after the attack."
Dawn was sure she cause the word 'ridiculous' under Mrs Malfoy's breath.
Lucius stood up and so did his wife.
"Good evening Dumbledore."
"Lucius," nodded the headmaster "Narcissa, always so nice to see you."
The Malfoy's turned and stormed out of the office.
Dawn couldn't tell if she was thankful or ready to explode. She lowered the letter.
"Draco told people to do this?" she asked.
Dumbledore sighed.
"Mr Malfoy did in fact tell several students of your parentage yes, but I feel those responsible acted of their own will."
"How do you know?" asked Dawn rather impolitely "Sir, I mean."
"Well," said Dumbledore airily like he was discussing the weather over pumpkin juice "When this letter turned up several others found their way to my desk also, some I am afraid to say that were a lot more colourful then this."
He took the parchment off Dawn, stood, and went to the handsome fire by his far wall.
"The students responsible have been suspended. That kind of attack is unacceptable from any Hogwarts student."
He threw the parchment into the flames.
"And Malfoy?" asked Dawn despite herself.
Dumbledore smiled.
"Well," he said "I think you have punished him quite will enough don't you?"
Dawn suddenly felt rather guilty, as the headmaster warmed himself by the flames.
"And, and me?"
Dumbledore nodded towards Professor Snape.
"Severus will be responsible for your punishment. Off you go."
Both Snape and Dawn stood and left the office. He said nothing as they descended the stone spiral steps and moved out into the corridor.
"Sir?"
"I'll see you in my office Monday night Miss Summers."
And he walked off down the nearest staircase.
Draco opened his eyes and would have laughed if he wasn't in so much pain. Framing his sight was the biggest teddy bear he had ever seen – and he had been to Madam Puddifoot's on Valentines Day – slowly moving towards him making several grunting noises.
The bear stopped and flopped to the floor and Dawn popped out from behind it levitating a large breakfast tray with her wand and several bags of Liz Ramsey's best imported sweets.
"Morning,' said Dawn setting down the tray which held mounds of pancakes and eggs and bacon along with about a gallon of pumpkin juice.
"Hi," said Draco, groaning under the tray's weight but trying not to show it.
Dawn gave a nervous smile not really sure what to say. She had only three days ago nearly killed the boy lying in the hospital bed in front of her.
"I would have been to visit before now," reasoned Dawn "But Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let us in. I think she thought I'd come to finish you off or something."
Draco dropped his fork of eggs and looked at her rather alarmed.
"You haven't have you?"
"No!" said Dawn rather defiantly, to which Madam Pomfrey stuck her head out of her office.
"Miss Summers, do keep your voice down, other patients need their rest."
Dawn apologised and looked around the room.
Across from Draco was a first year Huffelpuff that had a carrot growing out of his left nostril, and next to him a third year Gryffindor that had his whole fist in his mouth. It looked as though someone had dared him to attempt the feat then for a joke had applied a permanent sticking charm and ran when they couldn't pull off the counter jinx.
"I guess you don't have it so bad," commented Dawn, but Draco didn't seem to share her sentiments.
Dawn stayed with Draco for about half an hour by which time he had only made the smallest of dents in the mountain of food. Between each mouthful she was telling Draco about all he had missed, but in a rather polite way.
"Granger cried again in potions because I got the top mark for our forgetfulness potion, then again in Arithmancy because Professor Vector gave Amanda the 'Award for Arithmetic and Grammatical Skill in Ancient Mathematical Computations'."
Draco stared blankly at her.
"I don't get it either," said Dawn "But Amanda seemed happy."
Draco suddenly smiled.
"What?" asked Dawn.
"Maybe Granger should take Magical Cookery. Then she could have a chance at beating the firestorm that is Dawn Summers."
He shrugged.
"Or contribute to the one she caused in the kitchens."
Dawn's eyes narrowed as Draco burst out laughing.
"You heard about that?"
"Of course,' said Draco, tears streaming out his eyes "Pansy came to visit about an hour ago."
Dawn flushed.
"So I left the oven door open. So it sparked a small yet containable fire-,"
"Which caught onto a few tapestries and a cleaning store cupboard," added Draco clutching painfully at his side.
Dawn pulled out her wand and swished it abruptly. All the food in front of Draco vanished and was replaced with a pile of school books. Dawn stood up.
"Come on Summers," pleaded Draco "It was only a joke."
Dawn gave a false laugh.
"Snape says since you have regained consciousness you can do your homework again."
She turned and walked towards the door.
"Dawn?"
"See you Malfoy."
Draco slumped into his pillows shaking his head and was unable to see the substantial smile lining Dawn's face as she walked down the hall back to Slytherin common room.
When Dawn stepped back into the long, low room there seemed a sudden abundance of free chairs. Where moments before she was convinced she saw a gaggle of green and black, when her eyes swept the space again there was nothing but a few stray bits of parchment or a half played game of Gobstones.
Dawn headed towards the stairs but was stopped by Millicent Bulstrode.
"Hey Millicent, have you noticed – ooph!"
Millicent pushed a hurriedly wrapped parcel into Dawn's chest.
"Hi," said Millicent "Um this is for you; I have to go now."
The fifth year hardly made eye contact and sped off again.
"What's going on?" Dawn asked herself.
Shaking her head she made her way up the staircase and met only retreating backs where before the Slytherins had been coming towards her.
She opened the dorm door confusedly and stopped on the threshold.
The room was full of commotion, not to mention house elves. After the attack the forth year girls had camped out in sleeping bags in the common room while investigations had been made. With all that had been going on that day Dawn had forgotten all about it, and the remodelling.
Sawdust and screws were flying through the air. Bedding was being resewn and a grizzled looking house elf was barking orders at another elf carving a new bed head with a flame wreathed saw.
"What is Miss doing here? Is she not seeing the note?'
"Yes but-," began Dawn.
"AAAHHH!"
The house elf with the saw caught sight of Dawn and sped off through the room, finally upending a bucket of water and hiding under it.
"Dobby get out of there!" yelled the old elf.
"NO!" screeched Dobby "Dobby is not coming out now, not with the Summers here."
CLANG
"Dobby is being-,"
CLANG
"Silly. Dobby must-,"
CLANG
"Winky stop it!"
Dawn now watched as another house elf banged waywardly on the bucket with a hammer while taking swigs of butterbeer and swaying dangerously.
The old house elf was trying not only to pry Dobby from the bucket but fend off the stonkered Winky and duck the now loose magical saw.
"Is there something Miss was wanting?" he yelled.
"Oh, um, n-no," said Dawn "I'll just go."
She slammed the door to hear a tremendous crash from inside the room and the cries of many scurrying house elves.
After a hurried and lonely search of the castle – If Dawn didn't know Apparating wasn't possible at Hogwarts she would have thought most of the students and half the staff were achieving the feat in front of her – she found the other forth year girls huddled in one of the last sunny alcoves in a busy courtyard.
Dawn watched as several students shifted their weight between feet and gave furtive glances to the only entrance to the courtyard that Dawn had just come through.
"Okay, what's going on?" asked Dawn as three Gryffindor second years backed slowly towards the exit.
Beth looked at the others then at Dawn.
"Threre frad oo."
"What?" said Dawn.
Beth unravelled the green and silver scarf that wrapped nearly her whole head and spoke again.
"They're afraid of you."
"What? Why?" asked Dawn, although she thought she may be repressing the knowledge of the fact.
"Draco," said Pansy "You nearly killed him."
Dawn thought she caught more then general disapproval in the girl's voice.
"And now people are scared of you."
"Terrified," added Gilrean.
"To the point of defecation," helped Beth.
Dawn shook her head.
"Well-,"
She paused.
"What ever happened to the enemy of my enemy is my friend, huh?"
"When said enemy one doesn't just decide to take on said enemy two, who by the way happens to be a member of one of the richest and most politically powerful families in the wizarding world, but knowingly hexes him nearly to death anyway-,"
Elsie took a breath.
"Awe and admiration soon turns to 'Oh my god, please don't point your wand at me'."
Dawn sat down and put her head in her hands.
Beth patted her shoulder.
"There is an upside."
"What?" asked Dawn.
"We're getting some of the fear flow-over," she smiled "Terry Boot in Ravenclaw gave me a whole box of sugar quills as a protection payment."
Beth rummaged in her bag then shoved the box under Dawn's nose.
"Want one?" she asked.
Dawn looked at the box then the girls.
"I suppose so," she said dismally, choosing a green and black one.
She sucked the liquorice-mint for a minute then spoke again.
"That still doesn't solve my Draco Problems."
"Don't worry,' said Paige pulling her jacket around her as the sun disappeared behind the battlements of North tower "When Draco gets out of the hospital and everyone sees he's okay they'll forget the Slytherin fear and go back to plain old Slytherin loathing."
"Yeah," added Elsie "Probably because they realised they would have been better off if you finished him off."
"They keep smiling and waving," hissed Dawn through gritted teeth.
"Just smile back and eat your breakfast,' advised Elsie who was hiding behind a large cereal box.
Dawn tried to smile but only managed a look of a painful wince.
Despite the fear and enmity from the school, Dawn found this last effect of the 'Draco Incident' – for that is what they now called it – most disturbing of all.
The Tragic Trio had overnight wanted to be her best friends.
The night after the incident happened Hermione Granger actually hugged Dawn as she left the girls bathroom on the third floor and since then had been waylaying her at every opportunity to talk potions and enchantments. At first Dawn thought she could escape back into the bathroom but it was no use; the Gryffindor stood outside the stall waiting for the Slytherin and hardly took a breath.
Ron Weasley was just as bad. Every time Dawn turned around she found the ginger forth year at her shoulder wanting to carry her books for her and laughing hysterically even when she told him quite forcefully to go away.
The worst however, thought Dawn, by far, was Potter. She was sure he had developed a crush on her, which was confirmed by all Slytherin forth year girls. It seemed each in turn had been asked, and Elsie twice, if Dawn was still going out with Cedric Diggory.
"What does he mean 'still'!" yelled Dawn when she heard the news "I never was!"
It was now Monday and Dawn didn't think she could take classes with the three of them wanting to sit next to her. Pansy came to the table and sat down.
"Thank goodness," sighed Dawn as the girl blocked her view of the Tragic Trio and their overwhelmingly inviting gestures.
She looked at Elsie.
"I can't take much more of this."
Elsie however was distracted by something.
"Don't worry Dawn, I assure you your troubles will be over in three, two, one…"
"DRACO!"
Pansy shrieked and ran from her chair as Malfoy came into the great hall, flanked again by Crabbe and Goyle.
Dawn's eyes moved from the entrance to where the Trio sat. Their faces turned from the now healed boy to her… Each wore thunderous contempt.
"See," whispered Elsie in her ear "What did I tell you."
Dawn smiled weakly as Hermione Granger briskly opened the Daily Prophet in front of her, and with a last sour look on their faces, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter joined her behind it.
"Feeling better are we Draco?" asked Elsie as Pansy helped him into a seat and piled sausages onto his plate.
"Yeah, I guess," said Draco not stopping the forth year Slytherin as she began to cut them up for him.
"Tremendous," said Elsie with little enthusiasm, then grabbed her bag and headed off to transfiguration with Dawn.
Dawn and Elsie took seats in the middle of the room as the rest of the class thundered in around them. Draco, Crabbe and Goyle strolled in five minutes later, and a flustered looking Pansy stumbled in after them, carrying not only her own bag and books, but the three boys' also.
"You know he really is a git," growled Dawn as Pansy fell face first into the transfiguration room's floor.
"I've been telling people that for years," sighed Elsie as they watched Pansy struggle to get up.
"Good morning class."
"Good morning Professor McGonagall," they echoed.
"Ah Miss Parkinson, do find a seat, we have a lot to get through today."
Pansy finally extricated herself from the tangle of luggage and took her seat next to Beth.
Thirty minutes into the lesson Dawn was the only person to have transfigured her pudding into a platypus. Elsie was having issues with hers where its beak was still made of chocolate frosting and Beth's kept leaking syrup. The best Crabbe had done was take a bite of his confection when no one was looking, and Draco's desert simply blinked up at him morosely.
The blonde haired boy's mood did not improve as Dawn moved onto soufflés into salamanders, tarts into tarantulas – half the class screaming in unison – and éclairs into echidnas, which she succeeded in transfiguring in quick succession.
"Well done Miss Summers," said McGonagall with a faint, and rarely Slytherin-directed, smile "Take ten points."
"Well that wasn't too bad was it?" said Dawn as they headed towards Defence Against the Dark Arts, propped up by her latest points acquisition.
Draco pushed past.
"Whatever you say Summers," he said bitterly, having not transfigured a thing "When will we need to turn cakes into cows or some rubbish like that anyway?"
The Tragic Trio walked past going the opposite direction, glaring poignantly between Malfoy and Dawn.
'I could think of somewhere' thought Dawn as Ron Weasley pushed several Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans into his mouth.
"Settle down, settle down," called Andrew as the Slytherins clambered into the room.
It had little effect.
"SHUT UP!"
The class fell silent at once.
"Effective management technique Professor Jenkins," commented Gilrean smiling.
"Why thankyou little girl," called Anya "Now please, shut up."
Gilrean's face dropped.
"Don't worry," whispered Beth in her ear "I heard the sixth year Ravenclaws wouldn't be quiet the other day so she took her top off."
Dawn leaned over sniggering.
"Did it work?"
"Roger Davies is still smiling," answered Beth.
Professor Moody clunked into the room.
"Wands out everybody."
The class obliged and Andrew slumped into the nearest chair having been denied a wand yet again after his forty-eighth request.
Beth leant in again surrounded by the other girls.
"Esmeralda told me she overheard Professor Wells and McGonagall talking about it. Apparently," she went on knowledgably "McGonagall said if he asks her one more time, she'll give him a wand, but not particularly where he wants it stuck."
She paused for effect.
"But from what I've heard about him that might not necessarily be true."
Anya swept past and all three girls instantly had focused looks on their faces as though they had been listening intently for hours.
"Now!" boomed Moody "We've looked at the Unforgivable Curses, seen what some of the more nasty hexes can do to you-,"
Andrew rubbed his forehead unconsciously.
"But now you need to learn how to fight it."
"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"
Everyone jumped.
"Ah, yes," growled Moody "Thankyou Professor Jenkins."
Anya smiled at her co-worker then glared at the class for quiet.
"So," began Moody again "The most basic way to repel an attacker is the shield charm. Can everyone stand."
All the Slytherins stood and Moody waved his wand. The tables flew to the sides of the room leaving a large space for them to practice.
"Now the charm is quite simple… Protego… but we can't make it too easy."
Beth moved nervously beside Dawn.
"You see shield charms are short lived so timing is important. It's no good trying to summon a barrier once you've been turned into a trout."
Moody nodded towards Anya and she ushered the class into a line.
"Now, I'm going to try and jinx each of you in turn and your job is to repel the attack."
More then just Beth looked nervous this time.
"You'll get a couple of goes at it," smiled Moody looking at the stricken faces "And I'm not going to get you with anything… too nasty. So don't worry!"
Moody cleared his throat.
"Miss Parkinson you first."
Pansy let out a small whimper but stepped up. Dawn and the others had formed a semi circle looking on at teacher and student.
"C'mon Pans," shouted Paige "You can-,"
THUD
Pansy hit the floor in a full body bind. Professor Moody stepped over her and addressed the class.
"You think a dark wizard will wait till you've stopped talking to your friend? I don't think so! Miss Matthews your turn."
Paige took Pansy's place, looking apologetic, as Moody removed the curse.
Dawn heard Malfoy snigger as Pansy got back in line, rubbing her backside. Paige had hardly settled into place when Moody struck.
"Incarcerous!"
But Paige barely got the first syllable out. She too hit the floor, struggling against the black cords holding her.
One by one each of the Slytherins were tested. Some managed to produce a shield, but most were not strong enough to deflect or repel the hex. Elsie succeeded against Moody's stunner but as she shouted excitedly that she'd done it, and the class had cheered, Moody hit her with another that sent her sliding across the floor.
"What was that word Professor Wells?"
"Constant vigilance," droned Andrew from the corner in a huffy sort of way.
Moody glared at him.
"Miss Summers, I believe you're next. Miss Cowan hurry up and get off the floor."
Beth and Gilrean helped Elsie up and Dawn stepped into position.
She stared at Moody. She would be ready. She gripped her wand tight and steadied her feet. She'd watched Buffy too long to not know when she would be attacked. It happened in an instant.
"PROTEGO!" she yelled.
The class screamed, Anya ducked, and everyone picked themselves up off the floor; Andrew struggled to pull his robes down off his head.
Dawn looked around sheepishly, though no one looked angry; more stunned then anything. The force of her charm had been enough not only to deflect Moody's leg locker, but to knock everyone off their feet.
Moody's magical eye was spinning very fast and he looked at Dawn quizzically.
"Constant vigilance," he sighed.
Knock, Knock
"Enter."
Dawn pushed open the door to Snape's office feeling extremely apprehensive. She had not spoken to her head of house since the meeting in Dumbledore's office with the Malfoys', and then he had been extremely disappointed in her.
"Professor?"
Snape was in his store cupboard placing a large jar of some yellow liquid back on its shelf.
"Sit down Miss Summers," said Snape looking at her for the briefest of moments "I'll be with you in a moment."
Dawn nodded and cringed inwardly. He had called her 'Miss Summers'. That couldn't be a good sign.
She sat at his desk and heard the latch to the store cupboard close. Professor Snape sat down opposite her and folded his arms across his chest.
"Sir I-,"
But Snape raised a hand to silence her.
"Last time we met under these circumstances something terrible happened."
Dawn's stomach plummeted. Here came the reprimand about Malfoy.
"I know, Draco, I'm, he," mumbled Dawn into her chest.
"You misunderstand me Dawn, I was not talking about the incident involving Mr Malfoy."
Dawn looked up frowning. One, he had called her Dawn; two, she could not now think what Snape was talking about.
"Last time this happened you ended up in St Mungo's."
Dawn didn't know what she was hearing.
"Professor?"
"Do you still wish to study Occlumency?" asked Snape firmly.
Dawn's eyes opened in shock.
"But, but, trouble, Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore."
Her thoughts sped from her mouth before she could make any sense or order.
Snape sighed.
"Do you deserve to be punished, perhaps. Do you wish to be punished, I don't think so. So we can spend this month of detentions wasting both of our times, or use it to accomplish something you begged me for help with over a month ago now."
Dawn shook her head trying to gain composure.
"But the attack," she reasoned "Surely Dumbledore would want me to be punished."
"Professor Dumbledore," said Snape "Left your punishment to me. Some would say learning Occlumency would be worse then cleaning the hippogriff stalls or pickling eel liver."
He leant forward.
"Do you still wish to learn it?"
Dawn nodded.
"Of course."
"Then stand and take out your wand."
Both of them stood and moved around the desk to face each other.
"Last time I attempted to gain access to your thoughts the consequences were, terrible, for both of us."
Dawn nodded. Unlike Buffy, she did not fancy dieing more then once.
"I do now think," continued Snape "That I have solved that particular problem."
"What do I need to do sir?"
"Concentrate," said Snape "You may use your wand to block my attempts, but that will help you little when you are defenceless, alone, and cornered."
Dawn thought he was sounding very much like Professor Moody.
"Repel me with your mind Dawn. Block me out. Ready?"
Dawn sighed, steadied herself and nodded again.
"Legilimens!"
A hundred scenes flashed through Dawn's mind: Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, then her mother, Tara, Riley.
"No," muttered Dawn
The Master, Glory, Adam, Faith.
"NO!"
The room swum back into view as Snape reached out a hand to help Dawn to her feet.
"They were bad images?" asked Snape "Something you didn't want me to see?"
"Not really," answered Dawn "More things I didn't want to see."
Snape moved back across the room.
"Again."
Dawn looked at him, preparing to fight.
"Legilimens."
She was tied to a tower, bleeding into nothingness; she was standing at the grave of her sister, her mother.
Again Dawn picked herself up off the floor.
"Why are they always bad memories that surface, sir?" asked Dawn shaking a little "Why not good things that have happened?"
Snape considered this for a moment.
"Occlumency is used most often to find those things that the mind wishes to hide, to not give up freely, like lies or heartache, something we push deep within ourselves and hope not to remember so easily."
He sat on his desk.
"We keep our happy memories on the surface, closest to us, and are only too willing to share them without the use of magic. Occlumency is a magic that runs much deeper then this. A dark wizard will not value laughter, or family, or marshmallows."
Dawn smiled
"Once more sir?"
"If you feel up to it," said Snape.
Dawn raised her wand again and cleared her mind.
"Legilimens!"
Once again images rushed through her head, but this time they were somehow shadowed, blurry, and out of sequence. Dawn even thought she could see Snape staring at her in the distance. Then suddenly everything came back into view.
"Good Dawn, you fought it," smiled Snape "Well done."
"Thanks," smiled Dawn back, swaying slightly, but feeling happy.
"That will do for tonight," said Snape "Go to bed now and clear your mind before you go to sleep."
Dawn nodded.
"Goodnight sir," said Dawn walking towards the door.
"Goodnight Dawn. See you here again next week."
