Chapter 3: A Prophecy

*****Back in Sunnydale*****

Angel had spent the past few months trying to break through the walls the new slayer kept up. Kendra was so council trained, however, that she couldn't conceive of working with a vampire. He had saved her life now three times, but she still wouldn't contact him when something was happening. Angel was forced to spend more time making contacts and working sources.

When he was back in his room, he reread Buffy's latest letter. It had been strange the first time she'd sent a letter by owl, but he'd enjoyed the novelty and wrote a reply back to Buffy, using the same owl. The letter writing reminded him of the old days before phones and computers—it was romantic. He tried to keep his feelings in check, knowing she needed a friend, not a lover. However, he did love her, and he missed her terribly.

He was patrolling on the opposite side of town as Kendra when he heard a voice he'd hoped not to hear again.

"Look, it's my daddy! He's all alone. The stars told me he would be here."

Angel turned and saw Drusilla with Spike standing next to her.

"Well, I supposed we can see how he's been—it'd be rude to not say hi," Spike said with a smirk. The couple moved closer.

"Hello, my Angel," Drusilla said, a happy smile on her face.

Angel closed his eyes, the site of the mad vampire always pained him—it was one of his most horrific memories. Angelus has tortured her in unspeakable ways. "Hello, Drusilla," he finally said. Then he faces his greatest shame.

*****A Week Later *****

Buffy, Giles, Wesley, and her father were all going to the Forbidden Forest with her, so she could finally practice her new dragon form in battle. The past week had flown by. The Gryffindors were still not going to let it go that quidditch was canceled. Ron and the twins were very glum about it. Buffy was a bit disappointed because this was finally a sport that she would be allowed to play—her father didn't think her slayer gifts were an unfair advantage. Too many witches and wizard used their magic during the game even though they weren't supposed to he'd told her. Giles hadn't been entirely on board, but Buffy knew she could convince him.

Now, though, it was canceled because of this new deadly wizard tournament. Her mother still hadn't stopped complaining about the tournament.

"Why would they hold a tournament that was so dangerous a kid could die? What's the point of that?" Joyce asked. She gave Xander a reproachful look every time she saw him. Xander had taken to avoiding her because he'd decided to put his name in. The twins wouldn't let him chicken out, so he knew he was going to upset Joyce. However, if his name wasn't picked, she would never have to be that upset. The odds were not in his favor anyway as he was just now a wizard.

Buffy was not going to think about the crazy tournament as the thought of using her dragon form was too exciting.

"Tell me again why Professor Wyndam-Price is here?" she asked Giles. Her father was busy pointing out dangers and attractions to Giles' fellow watcher, so they were a few yards ahead.

"He has been asking to come to this forest for a while now as there's magical creatures that no one in the Council has ever seen," Giles explained. "Although I am sending detailed reports to the Council, it's good to have a second person verify my findings."

"Like you can't be trusted?" Buffy asked, outraged on his behalf.

"Well, it's not that so much as his family—primarily his father—has considerable pull and influence. His father is on the Council as my mother is," Giles said. "However, Wesley has never went off course or played around with dark magic like I have. There are some like Roger Price that does not think I should be in charge of an active slayer. My grandfather, however, was too important to the Council for them to dismiss me or be willing to anger my mother."

"When am I going to meet your family? You know everyone in my life, and I just know crazy ex-friends like Ethan Rayne," Buffy said with a pout.

Giles grinned. "My mother would not know how to handle you, my dear. You are so very American," he said. "But she would secretly love you."

Buffy preened happily.

Behind her Severus tried not to be impatient with the new professor. Wesley was incredibly brilliant and only asked intelligent questions, which Severus appreciated. However, he wanted to spend time with Buffy, not play tutor to the new professor.

"Buffy and Rupert seem quite close," Wesley observed.

Severus nodded, keeping his face blank. "They are," he said.

"It was good of you to include Rupert when you brought Buffy here for training," Wesley said.

"I'm not sure that I could've separated them if I wanted to," Severus admitted. "But he's got a keen mind and allows Buffy to be who she is while trying to curb some of her more impulsive desires."

"Americans are often rash," Wesley said.

"So I've realized," Severus said, smiling at his daughter, who turned to wait for him.

Wesley was thoughtful as he considered the dynamics. It was clear that Severus was a touch jealous of the slayer's relationship with Rupert, but he did not seem inclined to interfere. That was good—the Council wasn't prepared to go to war with the Wizardry over their slayer. Rupert didn't seem possessive of his slayer, so maybe Travers was worried for nothing. It seemed to Wesley that Rupert knew an American slayer not raised with the Council's teachings just wouldn't be guided as strictly as they were told to train them. Personally, Wesley admired Rupert the more he spent time with him, and he felt guilty for reporting behind his back. Of course, Rupert knew that he was reporting his experiences and observations to the Council as they were trained that way. Yet a sense of guilt still lingered.

"Okay, this is far enough, right?" Buffy asked, looking between her father and Giles. They were in an open field in the middle of the forest. "Can I turn into a dragon already?"

"I think this is good," Giles said.

"I agree," Severus said.

"Okay, so I am going to see if I can shoot fire—just so you know," Buffy said with an eager grin.

"Try not to set the forest on fire," Severus cautioned. Buffy had not gotten a chance to show either he or Rupert her new form. Xander and Cordelia did get to show of theirs in their respective common rooms, but Buffy's form was too upsetting. Albus had forbid her from turning into a dragon unless there was an imminent threat to her or the students.

"No promises," she said with a cheeky grin.

All three men stepped back, awestruck as they looked at Buffy as a dragon. "I almost didn't believe it," Wesley admitted.

"She is magnificent!" Giles exclaimed. "Can you understand us as a dragon?"

Buffy nodded her snout.

Severus was filled with immense pride as he gazed at his daughter. She would be very hard for the Dark Lord to kill.

Buffy found that the legs of a dragon didn't make walking very easy. I thought my human legs were short! This sucks. Then she realized that she had wings, and she stretched out her arms, unfolding them.

"We didn't talk about you flying, Buffy Anne!" Severus yelled as he realized her intentions.

Buffy winked one eye at him and turned away from them, moving her feet and flapping her arms that were now wings.

"How does she look cheeky even in dragon form?" Severus asked Rupert.

Giles chuckled. "Yes, well, your daughter is headstrong," he said.

"I noticed," Severus said. "I blame her mother."

The men shared a look of understanding as they resigned themselves to Buffy going airborne.

Gleefully, Buffy used the space to jump, springing up and flapping her arms hard.

Just like that—she was flying. It was the most incredible, singular moment of her life. At first, she stayed low, but the temptation to test her newfound ability compelled her to go high. Then she tucked in her wings and dived down, slowing her ascent by stretching out her wings.

This is the coolest thing ever! She flew around for ten minutes before landing back on the ground. Desiring to talk, she resumed her human form. "Oh, my God! Did you see that, Father? I was flying!" she exclaimed.

Severus hugged her, beaming with pride. "You were wonderful," he told her.

"Yes, Buffy, that was impressive—most impressive," Giles said, smiling at her.

"I have never seen a dragon before," Wesley said. "Would be all right to take your picture in dragon form for the records?"

"So you can send it to the Council?" Buffy asked, frowning.

"Well, yes," Wesley said, looking at Giles for help.

"Buffy, you know that they like to document as much as possible about their slayers—it's for historical purposes," Giles said. "You are now the most powerful slayer that there has ever been."

"Fine, then," Buffy said. "I want a copy of the photo, though!"

Wesley smiled. "Of course," he said. He pulled out his cell phone, glad that he had thought to bring it. It was fully charged since he hadn't used it since arriving at the school. He was going to record a video of her changing and then take a few photos.

"This time, I'm going to try and see if I can shoot fire!" Buffy said eagerly.

Wesley got his phone ready and began to record as Buffy transformed back into a dragon.

This was a momentous day—one for the records book.

*****The Next Day*****

Buffy and Willow walked into their Divination class with Professor Trelawney. They didn't make it last week to their first day of class due to having to go to the Ministry and register. Harry and Ron and warned them about how lame her class was, but the two Sunnydale kids knew that it was never a good idea to ignore possible prophecies.

Draco and Crabbe were a step behind them. Both considered the class a joke and a chance to goof off. However, Draco's mind was always too distracted when he was around his cousin or god-cousin. The women had easily taken a prominent place in his house even though they were Americans and not exactly purebloods. Cordelia, of course, fit so much better than Buffy as Cordelia had the haughtiness and biting tongue that Slytherins were known for. However, Buffy could more than hold her own. Strangely enough, though, she was more likely to attack someone physically rather than pull out her wand as Vincent Crabbe found out when he foolishly grabbed her from behind the day before. Buffy had flipped him over her shoulder so quickly that everyone was stunned at her strength and skill. Draco, though, had found her magnificent.

Cordelia had just rolled her eyes. "Why do you have to show off, Buffy? You know these spoiled princes haven't had the type of self-defense classes you have," she said. Then she winked at Buffy, who grinned.

It was the wink that puzzled Draco. What were they hiding? He had a feeling it was a big secret, and he wanted to know. Not for his dad but for himself.

Cordelia was amazing, but he had a serious crush already on his god-cousin. Of course, Buffy treated him like a little brother, but there was only a two-year difference between them. One day, he wouldn't seem so young.

It was ten minutes into the class when it happened. Professor Trelawney was teaching them how to read tea leaves, which Willow and Buffy both found fascinating. She was walking around monitoring the students when she put her hand on Buffy's shoulder.

Her gasp drew Buffy's attention, and she looked up. The Professor's eyes were a filmy white, and she began to speak:

"The Slayer, who has defeated death and the Master, stands at a crossroad. With fire, she can consume. With strength, she can destroy. With heart, she can unite. Her future, though, is uncertain for she is marked. They will come at her from below. They will come at her from behind. The face of an angel will pull her close and seek her doom. Those marked by the Dark One will covet her and seek her power. Darkness is all around her. She can survive death if she is willing to give up everything."

Professor Trelawney blinked and looked down at Buffy in surprise. "I'm sorry, Buffy. What were you saying?" she asked.

"What?" Buffy asked incredulously.

"She just had a vison about you!" Willow exclaimed. She quickly grabbed a pen—she refused to use the ridiculous quills and ink—and began writing down everything the professor had said.

"I'm sorry," Professor Trelawney said. "Sometimes, I see things and remember, and sometimes the visions take me over."

"Okay," Buffy said, trying to decipher what she said. She named her a slayer. Did she know? The other students were staring at her, including her housemates in the class. This was not good.

Right after class, she went to see Giles while Willow went to Professor Snape. Neither noticed that Draco was following Buffy. He hid on the other side of the pillar when he saw Willow with Professor Snape. They entered Professor Giles' classroom but left the door open. Eagerly, he moved closer to the doorway, so he could hear what they said.

Severus was annoyed that his daughter's first instinct was to go to her Watcher, but he followed Willow into Rupert's classroom, which had just let out as it was time for lunch.

Willow showed the two men what she'd recorded. "I think I got it pretty close to what she said," Willow said.

"It was freaky," Buffy said. "How could she know that I'm a slayer?"

"She does have a touch of the second sight," Severus said.

"She'd have to if she knows Buffy died fighting the Master but came back and defeated him," Willow said.

"We know that the Dark Lord would love to have someone with Buffy Anne's skills," Severus said. "She is only one of two witches in recorded history, who is also a vampire slayer. And now she can turn into a dragon—she'd be a worthy asset."

Buffy scoffed. "Like I'd ever follow anyone," she said. "I'll kick his ass if he had an ass that is."

"Let's not underestimate him," Severus said.

"Do you think the face of an angel is referencing Angel?" Willow wondered.

"Why would it? Angel's back in Sunnydale, helping the new slayer keep the hellmouth under control," Buffy said. "Not that she's letting him do much. She doesn't trust him yet just because he's a vampire. She's so judgmental! I told her that Angel had a soul and wasn't evil!"

"It might not mean Angel," Giles said. "A face of an angel could be anyone that appears attractive."

"Well, Angel would never want my doom," Buffy pointed out.

"I will speak to Albus," Severus said. He looked at Willow. "May I have that?"

Willow gave it to him. "Can you copy it, so I can have it back?" she asked.

"Of course," he said, taking it from her.

Draco knew that was his que to take off. His mind was racing as he thought of all he'd heard. Buffy's a vampire slayer? What the hell is that? She and Cordelia lived on a hellmouth! For once, Draco would beat Hermione to the library.

*****The Next Day*****

Xander greeted Harry and his two sidekicks as they returned from the Care of Magical Creatures. There was a lot of commotion at the front of the entrance.

"What's going on?" Ron asked.

Xander grinned. "It looks like the day before Halloween, there's going to be some other schools coming here for the official start of the tournament," he shared.

"Really?" Harry said. They made their way to the notice, so they could read it for themselves.

"No classes October 30th!" Ron said excitedly.

"The Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and the Durmstrang Institute both will be here," Hermione read.

"The competition is nearly here," Xander said with a grin.

The twins came up to them. "Did you hear the news?" Fred asked.

"We're going to have some French beauties in just a few short weeks!" George added.

"I'm going to tell Cordy you're thinking of checking out other girls," Xander said with a grin.

Fred scoffed. "Like they could compare to the fair Cordelia," he said.

They headed to lunch. This time Xander's friend joined him at their table. The school had been quite scandalized to see that the Americans didn't stay at their own table during lunch time. They rotated between Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor's tables. Xander's housemates didn't mind as they all liked Buffy and Willow. Cordelia only joined them when they were at the Gryffindor table as she enjoyed the Weasley twins.

Complaints to Dumbledore had gotten nowhere as he just smiled and eat a piece of candy when a brave student dared to share their objections. Professor Snape didn't tolerate any criticism of his daughter, so the Slytherins just wrote home to their parents, who had already started the letter writing to Albus. Naturally, Albus ignored the complaints or simply stated they were Americans and didn't respect tradition.

Hermione was spending the time trying to recruit for her S. P. E. W. group, whose goal was to help liberate the elves.

"I've told you, Herm, that elves enjoy their work," Harry said.

"They're slaves, Harry!" Hermione said. "It's not right!"

"Actually, Hermione, it's not as simple as you make out," Willow said.

"How can an American say that?" Hermione said, outraged. "I thought you'd for sure be on my side!"

"The house elves were created to serve, and they are bound by magic to their owners," Willow said. "It's a symbiotic bond. To try and sever it would be unbelievably cruel. It would be better to advocate the humane treatment of elves, not the freeing of them. Some masters can beat them or whatever. That's not cool. But trying to break the ancient magics that their entire existence is based on is just as cruel, I think."

Hermione deflated. Willow Rosenberg was probably the only person in the school who read as much as she did, and Hermione both admired her and resented her.

"See, Hermione," Ron said with a smug smile. "They don't need to be free."

"What's wrong is this entire class system you guys have based on pure magic bloodlines," Willow said. "Advocating for the rights of muggles is a much better cause. The Ministry thinks nothing of tampering with the minds of muggles. Giles' coven said that is totally wrong." Giles had decided that Willow's natural affinity for Earth magic would garner her a weekly lesson with the Devon coven. They went on Sunday afternoons.

"We can't have muggles know about us," Ron pointed out.

"Why not?" Willow asked.

Ron frowned, unprepared with a response, so he looked at Harry for help.

Harry shrugged. "My aunt and uncle are muggles, and they know about us. They don't go around sharing it, though," he said.

The group had a good-natured debate while Buffy was preoccupied with her recent prophecy.

Xander noticed her preoccupation. "You okay, Buff?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes. I was just thinking about what happened in divination yesterday," she said.

"You know whatever is going to happen, we're here for you," Xander told her. "We have your back."

Buffy smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. "I know," she said.

She didn't notice how unhappy her fellow Slytherins were at her clear affection for a Gryffindor.

"What's wrong with those girls?" Pansy asked Draco. "Buffy seems like she's sweet on Alexander."

Draco glared, not liking anyone criticizing his family. "Cordelia and Buffy spent the summer with those Gryfs and don't pay much attention to house divisions—you know that," he said. It bothered him to see Xander so familiar with Buffy, but he knew that the two were only friends. Xander had told him he was perpetually friend-zoned. It had taken him a long moment to figure out what Xander meant, but his confused expression had caused Xander to explain. "His name is Xander—he hates being called Alexander."

"So? Why do I care?" Pansy asked.

"A better question is why does Draco care?" Marcus asked.

Draco didn't reply—he just glared. They had no idea what Buffy was or just how extraordinary she was.

But he knew, and he wasn't about to alienate Buffy by criticizing who she was friends with or where she at lunch.

His housemates had no idea how special she was. No idea at all.

******Chapter End******