Chapter 12: Lockhart
July 27, 1992 – Diagon Alley
Voldemort walked down the streets of Diagon Alley. No one recognized him of course, no could as he now shared the body with that of a 12-year-old pureblood girl. He turned down Knockturn Alley and entered Borgin and Burkes. He looked at the proprietor and smiled as the man asked. "Can I help you miss…...?"
Voldemort smiled, "You can address me as the Dark Lord."
The man shook his head, "Excuse me?"
Voldemort grabbed the man's left arm and touched the girl's wand to the man's skin causing the dark mark to appear. The man looked afraid; he knew only the Dark Lord could make the Dark Mark appear. "My Lord, forgive me. I did not recognize you."
"That is fine; I didn't expect you to, since I have to share this body. Anyways I want the book I left with you all those years ago. I have a plan. Also tell me where I can find Lucius Malfoy," Voldemort replied.
A voice came from behind Voldemort, "He is behind you…." The proprietor held up his arm to show Lucius the dark mark. Lucius Malfoy stared at the dark mark on the proprietor's arm. He knew what it meant for it to appear, that Voldemort wanted something. He also knew that Voldemort was the only one who could make it appear, which meant that the dark lord had to be sharing this girl's body for it to appear. "My Lord, how can I be of assistance?"
Voldemort smiled at Lucius Malfoy and motioned for him to come closer, "With the help of this book I shall be able to return in my own body. I want you to find a way to give the diary to Ginny Weasley. I will send you an owl when the Weasley family intends to buy their school supplies for the coming year. That will be I believe the best time to give it to her."
Lucius nodded as he took the book out of the girl's hands, "Yes, My Lord."
Voldemort turned to leave, "Now I must get back before the girl's parents wonder where she has gotten off to."
July 31, 1991 – Potters' Home
Buffy and Harry sat on the front porch watching as Ron and Willow came up the steps, not far behind them was Ginny, Fred, George, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were carrying several packages and went on into the house as the others sat next to Harry and Buffy on the porch.
Ron was the first to speak up, "So Harry how does it feel to have a real birthday party."
"Well I will tell you after it's over. But I can tell you this having family who wants to celebrate it with you is a wonderful change. It doesn't hurt to have a sister that is turning 12 the same day you are either." Harry replied.
Buffy hopped up as she saw Hermione with her parents, she ran to the girl giving her a hug, "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Granger. My mom is in the kitchen with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Dawn. You can put the presents in the living room."
"Thank you, dear. So, you must be Buffy. Hermione has told us a lot about you and Harry. She has told us plenty of times she considers you, Harry, Ron and Willow her best friends." Mr. Granger said just before they went inside, leaving their daughter to be thoroughly embarrassed.
Hermione shook her head, "So I gather your Aunt and Uncle likely aren't coming."
The twins simply nodded. "Of course not," they both said at the same time.
"I wouldn't invite them if they were the last people on the planet. Just go ask, mom, she'll tell you what their like. She met them when we were in Diagon Alley last summer getting our school supplies. They make Malfoy look like a saint." Harry stated.
It was at that time that they were called in for lunch. Joyce had magically altered the dining table so that it could fit all those assembled. The group talked about many things, including returning to Hogwarts in a month. After lunch, the Granger's helped Joyce clean the table while Mr. and Mrs. Weasley brought out the birthday cake and set it on the table. It was larger than anything Harry had seen in his life, larger than any his cousin Dudley had gotten. When the Grangers and Joyce returned to the dining room, everyone gathered round and sang 'Happy Birthday' to Harry and Buffy. "Make a wish you two, and blow out the candles." Joyce said.
Harry and Buffy looked at each and smiled as Harry spoke up, "I think Buffy can agree with me that we got our wish, last year. My wish had always been to have friends and a loving family. Something I never got at the Dursley's house. But now I have all that and I couldn't be happier. So I already have my wish."
Buffy nodded in agreement as they blew out the candles.
0 – 0 - 0 – 0 – 0
Later that night after everyone had gone home. Harry, Buffy and Dawn sat in Buffy and Dawn's room talking about the day when they heard a sudden crack and noticed a house elf standing next to them.
The creature slipped off the bed and bowed so low that the end of its long, thin nose touched the carpet. They noticed that it was wearing what looked like an old pillowcase, with rips for arm- and leg-holes.
"Er—hello," said Harry.
"Harry Potter! Isabella Potter! Dawn Potter!" said the creature in a high-pitched voice. "So long has Dobby wanted to meet you the three of you, though Harry and Isabella Potter the most… Such an honor it is…"
Since Joyce had moved back to England, she had returned to using her maiden name of Potter. She had also changed Dawn's surname to Potter as well.
"Th-thank you," said Harry, Buffy and Dawn.
"Who are you?" added Dawn.
"Dobby, miss. Just Dobby. Dobby the house-elf," said the creature.
"Not that we're not pleased to meet you," said Dawn as she looked at her sister and brother and noticed the frown creasing their faces, "but, er, is there any particular reason you're here?"
"Oh, yes, sir," said Dobby earnestly. "Dobby has come to tell you… it is difficult… Dobby wonders where to begin…"
"Sit down," said Harry politely, pointing at the bed.
To his horror, the elf burst into tears—very noisy tears. "S-sit down!" he wailed. "Never… never ever…"
"I'm sorry," Harry said, "I didn't mean to offend you or anything—"
"Offend Dobby!" choked the elf. "Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a witch or wizard—like an equal—"
"You can't have met many decent witches or wizards," said Dawn, trying to cheer him up.
Dobby shook his head. Then, without warning, he leapt up and started banging his head furiously on the window, shouting, "Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!"
"What are you doing?" Harry asked, springing up and pulling Dobby back onto the bed.
"Dobby had to punish himself, sir," said the elf. "Dobby almost spoke ill of his family, sir…"
"Your family?" Buffy asked.
"The wizard family Dobby serves, miss… Dobby is a house-elf—bound to serve one house and one family forever…"
"Do they know you're here?" asked Harry curiously.
Dobby shuddered. "Oh, no, sir, no… Dobby will have to punish himself most grievously for coming to see you. Dobby will have to shut his ears in the oven door for this. If they ever knew—"
"But won't they notice if you shut your ears in the oven door?" Dawn asked.
"Dobby doubts it, miss. Dobby is always having to punish himself for something, miss. They let Dobby get on with it, miss. Sometimes they remind me to do extra punishments…"
"But why don't you leave? Escape?" Buffy asked.
"A house-elf must be set free, miss. And the family will never set Dobby free… Dobby will serve the family until he dies, miss…"
Buffy, Dawn and Harry looked at each other. This sound all to familiar to them. After all Harry had to deal with being a servant to the Dursleys before Joyce had gotten custody.
"Can't anyone help you?" Harry asked. "Can't we?"
Dobby dissolved again into wails of gratitude. "Harry Potter asks if he and sisters can help Dobby… Dobby has heard of the greatness of the Potter family, but of your goodness, Dobby never knew…"
"Are you referring to how we defeated Voldemort?" said Buffy.
Dobby clapped his hands over his bat ears and moaned, "Ah, speak not the name, miss! Speak not the name!"
"Sorry," said Buffy quickly. "We know lots of people don't like it. Our friends Willow and Ron—"
Dobby leaned toward them, his eyes wide as headlights. "Dobby heard tell," he said hoarsely, "that Harry Potter met the Dark Lord for a second time, just weeks ago… that Harry Potter escaped yet again. And that Isabella Potter protected Dawn Potter from the hell god Glorificus."
Buffy and Harry both nodded.
Dobby's eyes suddenly shone with tears. "Ah," he gasped, dabbing his face with a corner of the grubby pillowcase he was wearing. "Harry and Isabella Potter are valiant and bold! They and Dawn Potter have braved so many dangers already! But Dobby has come to protect the Potter family, to warn them, even if he does have to shut his ears in the oven door later… Harry Potter, Isabella Potter and Dawn Potter must not go back to Hogwarts."
"Why should we not go back?" Buffy asked. "We have to go back; school starts in a month."
"No, no, no," squeaked Dobby, shaking his head so hard his ears flapped. "Harry, Isabella and Dawn Potter must stay where they are safe. Harry and Isabella Potter are too great, too good, to lose. And Dawn Potter must protect that which she possesses. If Harry, Isabella and Dawn Potter go back to Hogwarts, they will be in mortal danger."
"Why?" said Harry in surprise.
"There is a plot, Harry Potter. A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year," whispered Dobby, suddenly trembling all over. "Dobby has known it for months, sir. Harry, Isabella and Dawn Potter must not put themselves in peril. They are too important!"
"What terrible things?" said Dawn at once. "Who's plotting them?"
Dobby made a funny choking noise and then banged his head frantically against the wall.
"All right!" cried Harry, grabbing the elf's arm to stop him. "You can't tell us. We understand. But why are you warning us?" A sudden, unpleasant thought struck him. "Hang on — this hasn't got anything to do with Voldemort does it?"
Dobby flinched at the use of Voldemort's name but didn't answer the question, "You cannot go back. Please take my warning and don't go back." With a crack Dobby vanished.
August 1, 1992
Buffy, Harry, Dawn and Joyce were cleaning up after the party the day before when they heard a knock at the door. Buffy being closest to it went to answer it. She saw it was a tall man wearing glasses and a Muggle suit. "Yes, can I help you?" she asked.
The man smiled, "Are you by chance Isabella Potter?"
"Mom!" Buffy yelled back into the house.
Joyce stepped up behind Buffy and looked at the man, "Good day sir, can I ask what you want with my daughter?"
The man smiled, "It would be best if we talked about this inside."
Joyce hand slipped to her wand as she nodded. The motion of her hand did not go unnoticed by the man. "You won't need your wand, Ms. Potter," the man said.
Joyce looked at Buffy for a moment and then they showed the man into the living room, "Sorry about the mess. Buffy and Harry had their birthday party yesterday and we were just cleaning up."
The man nodded, "That's quite alright. Now let me introduce myself. I am Rupert Giles."
Joyce's hand went to her mouth. She remembered the man; he had been in her year at Hogwarts. "Rupert Giles, I remember you. You were in my year at Hogwarts. Though last I knew you had been pulled by your father. "
Giles sighed and nodded. "I was," he said. "My father told me that I was destined to be a Watcher and pulled me out of Hogwarts."
"A Watcher?" Joyce asked.
"That goes hand in hand the reason I am here today," Giles explained. "You see Isabella here has been called."
Buffy blinked and frowned, "You mean I'm a Slayer?"
Joyce looked at her daughter and tried to remember the origin of the word. Then it clicked, the young woman who protected Dawn last year had been a Slayer. It had also been when they had learned that Buffy was a Potential. "I thought there could only be one Slayer at a time. Isn't that what you told me, Buffy?"
Buffy looked at Joyce and nodded. "It's true," she said before looking back at Giles. "So, does that mean Faith is died?"
"That is a long story," Giles started. "A few years ago, Faith drowned and was resuscitated by a friend of hers, Xander Harris. Technically she was dead for less than a minute. But it was long enough for a new slayer to be called. Kendra Young in Jamaica was that new slayer; she died recently at the time you were called. It took us some time to locate you. This house is shielded isn't?"
Joyce nodded, "Yes, it is, it's so that Buffy and Harry can be protected from He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named. So, you were saying Buffy is a Slayer now?"
"Yes, the Watcher's Council sent me to train Isabella. By the way why do you call her Buffy?" Giles said.
Buffy laughed, "Because that's my name. Haven't gone by Isabella since I was about a year old. Mom changed my name when she adopted me after my birth parents died."
Giles nodded, "Ah! Then I will endeavor to call you Buffy. Anyways I was sent to train you. Seeing how you're only 12 years old, the Council decided you should get training before you're put out in the field. Normally that would mean taking you out of your home to a Council facility. But I am going to go against Council policy, since you are also a witch. I feel being trained as both will increase your potential as a Slayer."
Joyce obviously didn't like it one bit. She had heard about the Slayer from Buffy and knew that they were destined to die young and fight demons and vampires, and other dark creatures. But she knew that her daughter would want the training anyways, and would want to do what was right. "Very well, I have my objections of course - what parent wouldn't. But I know Buffy she will want to do this if it meant protecting the people she loves. I would suggest you contact Dumbledore though."
Giles smiled. "One step ahead of you. I have already sorted all this out with him."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
As the days went by Giles trained Buffy. Harry and Dawn had joined in on the training sessions, they had been adamant about training and nothing Joyce or Giles said could change their minds. And so, Giles set up a training regimen for all three children.
It was while one such training session that an owl flew in dropping 3 envelopes. The each grabbed the envelopes and opened them. Dawn blinked as she read hers and showed it to Buffy and Harry.
Miss Dawn Summers,
It is our privilege let you know, that due to your outstanding scores from the previous year that you will be allowed in second year classes this coming term, instead of first year classes with others your age.
Enclosed is a list of what you will need for your second year.
I would personally like to say congratulations as you're now officially the youngest student to ever attend Hogwarts.
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry and Buffy hugged Dawn and smiled at the girl. "Good going, Dawnie. I knew you could do it." Buffy said.
Joyce walked in from the kitchen and looked at the three children before Dawn handed her the letter. "Dawn, that's wonderful. I will have to get you something special from Diagon Alley when we go to pick up your supplies. Which will be tomorrow, I just talked to Molly by Floo. She said they got their letters also and would be going to Diagon Alley tomorrow to pick up supplies."
Buffy and Harry looked at each other and smiled, "Mom, we would like to do something for Dawn too."
Buffy and Harry pulled Joyce aside so that Dawn couldn't hear. "We want to open up an account for Dawn. Between the two of us we have more money at Gringotts than we really could need, and would like to give her some." Buffy whispered.
"There is no need," Joyce said as the twins looked at her with confusion. "You remember that I too am a Potter. It was not your father that earned the money in your vaults. He actually inherited it from our father, your grandfather. Father invented Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, which he made his fortune with. James and I being his only children inherited his entire wealth split evenly between us. And of course, Dawn as my daughter will inherit from me. I know something you can get Dawn though."
August 19, 1992
When the Potters, Weasleys and Grangers had arrived in Diagon Alley; Buffy and Harry made an excuse of having to use the bathroom. They made their way, following Joyce's directions, to Magical Menageries. Inside the pet shop the browsed all the pets till they found the perfect pet for Dawn. They bought a Siamese cat.
When Buffy and Harry rejoined the group, they were in front of Flourish and Blotts. Buffy smiled at Dawn as Harry handed Dawn the cat carrier. "She's for you, Dawn."
Dawn looked into the cage at the Siamese cat and smiled. "She's beautiful, I think I will call her Joy."
"Give her to me, Dawn," Joyce said. "I'll wait out here with her till you're done."
"Thanks, mom," Dawn said as she handed the cage to Joyce. She didn't mind of course carrying the cat cage with the cat inside, but with her new cauldron in one hand and the cage in the other, her hands were quite full.
An hour later, they headed for Flourish and Blotts. They were by no means the only ones making their way to the bookshop. As they approached it, they saw to their surprise a large crowd jostling outside the doors, trying to get in. The reason for this was proclaimed by a large banner stretched across the upper windows:
GILDEROY LOCKHART
will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
today 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"We can actually meet him!" Hermione squealed. "I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!"
A harassed-looking wizard stood at the door, saying, "Calmly, please, ladies… Don't push, there… mind the books, now…"
"Oh, you got to be kidding me, all this to see some idiot." Buffy said as she, Dawn, Willow, Harry, Ron, and Hermione squeezed inside.
A long line wound right to the back of the shop, where Gilderoy Lockhart was signing his books. They each grabbed a copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 and sneaked up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys were standing with Mr. and Mrs. Granger.
"Oh, there you are, good," said Mrs. Weasley. She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair. "We'll be able to see him in a minute…"
Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd.
A short, irritable-looking man was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash.
"Out of the way, there," he snarled at Buffy, moving back to get a better shot. "This is for the Daily Prophet—"
"How rude can someone be?" Harry asked as he looked at his twin.
Gilderoy Lockhart heard Harry. He looked up. He saw the twins. He stared. Then he leapt to his feet and positively shouted, "It can't be Harry and Isabella Potter?"
The crowd parted, whispering excitedly; Lockhart dived forward, seized Buffy and Harry's arms, and pulled them to the front. The crowd burst into applause.
"Nice big smile, Harry, Isabella," said Lockhart, through his own gleaming teeth as he positioned the twins on either side of him. "Together, you two and I are worth the front page."
When the photographer was done with the pictures the twins tried to sidle back over to the Weasleys, but Lockhart threw an arm each around their shoulders and clamped him tightly to his side.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said loudly, waving for quiet. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! When young Harry and Isabella here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, they only wanted to buy my autobiography—which I shall be happy to present them now, free of charge—" The crowd applauded again.
"They had no idea," Lockhart continued, "that they would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. They and their schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
The crowd cheered and clapped. Harry and Buffy found themselves being presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart. Harry staggered slightly under their weight; Buffy had no such problem thanks to her recently being called as a Slayer. They made their way out of the limelight to the edge of the room, where Ginny was standing next to her new cauldron.
They walked over to Mrs. Weasley who took the books from the twins. "Harry, Isabella, now you give me those, and I'll get them signed. All of you wait outside."
"Of all the idiots in the world. That guy just ticks me off," said Buffy as she, Harry, Ron, Dawn, Ginny, Hermione and Willow headed for the door.
Just then they heard a voice, they had no trouble recognizing. "Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potters?"
Buffy and Harry turned to face Malfoy, wearing his usual sneer.
"Famous Harry and Isabella Potter," said Malfoy. "Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."
"Leave them alone, they didn't want all that!" said Ginny glaring at Malfoy.
"Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!" drawled Malfoy looking at Harry.
Behind Buffy and Harry; Dawn went scarlet at the thought of Ginny being anyone's girlfriend but her own.
"Bet you're surprised to see Harry and Buffy here, eh?" said Ron.
"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," retorted Malfoy. "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those."
Ron went as red as Ginny. He dropped his books into Ginny's cauldron and started toward Malfoy, but Harry and Hermione grabbed the back of his jacket.
Buffy stepped forward as she balled her fists. She hit Malfoy doubling him over from the Slayer strength punch.
"Now, now Draco, play nicely," they turned at the sounds of the new voice, Draco's father. "Mr. Potter, Ms. Potter... Lucius Malfoy. We meet at last. Forgive me, your scars are legend, as, of course, is the wizard who gave them to the two of you."
Harry shook with rage, "Voldemort killed our parents. He was nothing more than a murderer."
Mr. Malfoy dismissed it and while they had their attention on his face they didn't notice when he slipped a black book into the cauldron Ginny Weasley was holding. "Hmm. You must be very brave, to mention his name...or very foolish. Regardless, Draco we must be off."
When Mr. Malfoy and his son were gone, they made finally their way outside to the waiting Joyce.
Author's Note: Next chapter will see the introduction of a BTVS character. Only one person knows who it is, besides myself, and I implore that person not to reveal it. I look forward to seeing who everyone things is the character I am introducing.