The meeting

Buffy knew something was going as soon as she entered the noisy Slytherin dungeons. It wasn't that the fact the House ghost, the Bloody Baron, was present in all his bloody finery and shouting at the poltergeist Peeves for throwing water balloons at the first-year students. It was because the Black family were sitting in a huddle on one side of the Common Room, and they looked at her guiltily when she entered the Common Room.

Orion Black was with them. He had the distinctive black hair most of the Black family sported and a long, pointed nose. Despite him only being thirteen years old, Buffy had never seen him laughing or joking around. There was always a sour expression on his face, as if he'd found something nasty lurking on the bottom of his shoe that he couldn't shake off.

In sharp contrast to Orion, Alphard's face was open and honest. He gave her a warm smile. Lucretia, who was Orion's sister, politely nodded. Walburga just looked bored and vaguely frustrated, which wasn't anything new for Walburga, and the youngest Black, Rigel, waved shyly.

Walburga beckoned to her. "Buffy! Can we have a word, please?"

Buffy hesitated. Was Walburga telling the others that she'd set fire to the Hogwarts library? 'No, it wasn't that bad,' she reassured herself. 'None of the books burned. It was only a table.'

Setting her shoulders back and pasting a bright smile on her face, she changed direction and walked over. "Hi," she said. "Which word were you thinking of having?"

At a nearby table, a group of kids playing a game of Exploding Snap overheard her and snickered. Rigel and Alphard grinned, Walburga scowled, whilst Orion looked stunned. His eyes widened and he stared at her as if she was an outer space alien with two heads. Buffy disliked him already.

Surprisingly, Orion got over his shock and spoke first. With stiff formality, he droned, "Miss Summers, as the eldest son of Arcturus Black, the Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, I wish to extend an invitation to dinner on his behalf. He wishes to thank you for saving my cousin's life," he spoilt the emotionless invite by shooting Rigel a dirty look, "and to discuss the debt now owed by our family."

"Uncle Arcturus," Walburga added, "has already spoken to your uncle -."

"Uncle Peregrine?" Buffy interrupted, screwing her nose up in confusion. Why involve her uncle?

"He's the eldest," Alphard explained, "and that makes him Head of the Lovegood family." When Buffy still looked confused so he explained further, "You're underage and until you're seventeen your elders make all the important decisions for you."

Buffy looked mutinous. "That sucks."

Alphard nodded grimly. "I know."

"Sucks?!" Orion glowered at her for all he was worth. "Is that American slang?" he sneered. " Do try to remember where you are and who you are speaking to and don't be so flippant. Until we're of age, we do what we're told. It's called... having respect for your elders and betters."

Buffy peered at him from under her lashes. She really didn't like Orion. If he was ever attacked by a vampire and turned, she'd have no trouble staking him.

"As I was saying," Walburga continued, "before being rudely interrupted..."

Buffy treated her to a dark glare.

"...Uncle Arcturus has already spoken to your family and the arrangements have been made for this Sunday evening. I'm sure your mother will owl you tomorrow."

"What about school?" Not that Buffy cared about missing school, but she knew the rules stated no home visits during term time unless in exceptional circumstances. She hadn't liked that rule when Dumbledore explained it to her. Her mom had only just left the hospital, and she didn't see why she couldn't have been allowed home at the weekends.

Annoyingly, Orion brushed the rule-breaking away as if it was insignificant. "Father is on the Board of Governors and knows Dippet personally," he replied as if it explained everything. "We leave via the floo in Slughorn's study, stay overnight at our house, and then return by breakfast the following morning. We won't miss lessons."

"It's at your house?" Buffy asked. She'd thought the dinner would be at Walburga's family home. Her gaze became a little sharper. "That's in Grimmauld Place in London isn't it?"

"It is."

"Cool." Buffy tried not to smirk and failed.

"Cool? Is something wrong with my home?" Orion asked, suspicious.

"Nope." Since he was still looking wary, she pasted on an innocent expression and lied. "I've heard a lot of nice things about it. The paintings, art work, and...um, other stuff you have in there. I heard it's almost museum quality. Mom is bound to love I. You know, with her studying art in Europe."

Her explanation mollified Orion, who preened a little at the praise. "The House of Black has indeed gathered many rare antiquities and magical curiosities over the centuries. Few can boast a similar collection." Then he gave her a sharp look, no doubt wondering about the safety of his family heirlooms and added, "I hope you will be on your best behaviour whilst staying with us."

"Or course," she chirruped back, knowing it would irritate him. "I'm always careful and rarely break stuff."

Buffy watched with glee as Orion gave Walburga a horrified side-long glance. To her credit, Walburga pretended not to see it.

As she turned the dinner invitation over in her mind, Buffy spotted a potential problem. "What should I wear?" Her eyes darted from Walburga to Lucretia. "Is this gonna be a formal or informal dinner?"

During their nightly conversations in the dormitory, Uma and Fiona had filled her in on a lot of the Pureblood wizarding customs. She knew when an old-fashioned family like the Blacks invited your to dinner, you dressed for the occasion. How would she be able to do that? All she had with her was her uniform, a few casual clothes for Hogsmeade trips, and her 'sneaking out' boy's outfit. If the dinner was this Sunday she didn't have time to buy something.

"It's semi-formal," the doe-eyed Lucretia Black replied softly. Seeing Buffy's growing panic, she went on, "Don't worry. Mother always packs far too many clothes for me and most of it is has never been worn. I can easily find something in my wardrobe to lend you, and if it doesn't quite fit, a Charm will ensure that it does."

Buffy smiled her thanks. Clothing Charms were one of the things she was good at. Dumbledore had been surprised how fast she'd picked up the ability to change the colour and size of a pair of shoes. "Thanks. Can I come by tomorrow and try them on? I'd come later, but I'm meeting some friends in the library."

"Of course," Lucretia replied sweetly. "It'll be a pleasure." She stole a look at her brother as if expecting him to say something.

Orion ignored her and stared off at the painting of the giant snake above the fireplace. There was an awkward silence in which everyone fidgeted and gave each other sidelong glances. Buffy took it as a bad sign. It was as if they knew about something she would dislike, and no one wanted to tell her in case she freaked.

Finally, in a high squeaky voice, Rigel said, "If Uncle Arcturus asks if you'd like to marry me, don't say no!"

Buffy gaped at him. "What the huh?"

Rigel paled.

Alphard took pity on his brother and explained, "There is a slight chance that Uncle Arcturus might bring up the subject of marriage as payment for the Life Debt. If he does, please don't outright refuse."

Buffy was bewildered. She'd thought this dinner was to thank her, not force her into marriage. Why did they think she'd go along with this? "I don't want to-."

"I know you don't want to marry me," Rigel blurted, "but I don't want him forcing me into an arrangement with someone else. Like he did with Orion and Walburga!" Realising what he'd just said, and in front of them, his face turned fiery red.

Buffy noticed neither Orion and Walburga defended their match. She decided, then and there, that the entire family were crazy and she wasn't going to be drawn into their schemes.

"We don't want you agreeing to it either," said Alphard, before she could object. "Simply say that you are too young but will give it consideration. That will take the pressure off Rigel." His lips curled upwards in a parody of a smile. "I've already drawn Pater's wrath by saying I'm not interest in witches. He's still hoping I'll have come to my senses."

Orion unfolded his arms and looked down his long nose at Buffy. "There's no need for you to look so horrified. You should be grateful. Everyone knows your family is bonkers and has tainted blood flowing through it." He continued, "We, on the other hand, do not. The Black family motto is 'Toujours Pur' which translates as 'Always Pure'. There is no stain of Squib, Muggle, or Mudblood filth on our family tree."

Buffy dropped her eyes, silently fuming. Was it wrong of her to hope Orion fell out of his tree and was eaten slowly and painfully by a dragon?

"Of course," Orion continued, unaware that he was annoying her, "Father won't like the idea of our family owing the daughter of a Squib and Muggle a Life Debt. He might push for the arrangement and then blast you both from the tree once the dreadful deed is done."

Buffy looked at him from under her lashes. Yeah, she REALLY didn't like Orion Black or his stupid tree.

Walburga cleared her throat delicately and, using a mild tone Buffy had never heard her use before, quietly suggested, "Her father could be a Pureblood. Lots believe that since her Patronus is..." her voice trailed away as she caught the repressive look Orion gave her.

"Father will say it is irrelevant what anyone else believe," Orion said shortly. He nodded towards where Buffy stood. "Possibly she is. But what wizard would admit to siring her? As for it being Dumbledore -."

"You know, I'm standing right here!" Buffy had had enough. If she didn't stand up for herself, the entire un-noble House of Black would walk all over her without a second thought. "Don't worry about your tree being polluted. Buffy Black is not gonna happen because Cinderella is not going to your ball."

That had them panicking.

"Please, Buffy," Rigel begged. He made sad puppy eyes at her, "the dinner is being held in your honour. You've got to come."

"It's been arranged," Walburga pointed out. "Your uncle and mother will be there. If you don't show up it will only embarrass them."

Buffy pouted, still annoyed. She knew Walburga had a point. If she didn't go her mom would be upset. She held up her hands in defeat. "Okay, okay. I'm convinced. I'll go." She held up a quietening finger when Rigel opened his mouth. "But I'm not agreeing to marrying anyone."

Over on the other side of the room, Fiona and Uma were shooting curious glances at her. Beyond them, in one of the work alcoves, Travers sat with his homework laid out in front of him watching her. He hastily looked away when she met his eye.

Since there was no more to say, Buffy left the Black family and crossed the room to where her friends were sitting. Plopping down on the comfy green velvet sofa next to Uma, she said, "Sorry for the lateness. I was apprehended by the mob wanting my blood."

"We noticed," replied Fiona drily. Then, realising what Buffy had said, squeaked, "What do you mean, blood?" She shook her head. "No, don't do it, Buffy. They use it in Blood Magic ceremonies that can be really dark!"

Before Buffy could explain, the door leading to the boys' dormitories opened and out streamed an odd procession. Tom led the way with Abraxas Malfoy at his side, behind them came Mulcibar and Dolohov, Nott and Avery, Yaxley and Marcus Lestrange. Apart from Dolohov, who winked cheekily at Buffy when he saw her looking, the group looked neither to their left or right or spoke to anyone in the room. They passed through silently, marched up the steps to the entrance, and then disappeared through the doorway that appeared in the dungeon wall.

Seeing Buffy's astonished expression, Uma murmured, "It's only Tom Riddle's study group."

"Looks as if they take their studying seriously," replied Buffy, watching the dungeon wall close behind Yaxley. She wondered where they were heading and hoped it wasn't the library.

Fiona let out a sarcastic snort. Leaving her seat, she moved across to the sofa where Buffy and Uma sat. "Budge up," she said, dropping down next to Buffy. Keeping her voice low, she whispered, "I overheard them talking back in my third year. They swear oaths and call themselves the Knights of Walpurgis. I think it's more of a gang than a homework group."

"Tom's in a gang?" Buffy asked. That surprised her. Although she knew he had friends here, she had the impression Tom wasn't a team player.

Uma picked up the book she'd left lying on the arm of the sofa. Another of Uma's trashy, romantic novels, Buffy decided. The girl had a fixation for soppy love stories.

"Yeah," Uma replied, pocketing the book. "I think Riddle formed it back in his first year after he proved he wouldn't be bullied. Lots want to join it but he's very selective who he lets in. Some of them aren't nice, not like Riddle. He's different to the others – kind and, sort of, shy."

"'Kind and sort of shy' doesn't sound like Tom Riddle," Buffy retorted sharply. She was still annoyed that he'd glued her homework to the desk and told her she should avoid Caradoc Dearborn. She wasn't buying the 'I'm only warning you because dark wizards come from Durmstrang' excuse he'd given her. She thought he was sulking because she said Caradoc was her friend.

"He's a dreamboat," Uma replied, misty-eyed.

"Ugh, more like the ship of nightmares," muttered Buffy. Last night she'd dreamt that she'd been called to the Headmaster's office for burning school buildings down. She'd argued that she'd had to do it as the vampires had glued her homework to the desk. Her father had appeared (who looked like a young Dumbledore) and said she was lying and needed sending back to the orphanage for treatment. She'd woken up in a cold sweat with Spikey sitting on her bed.

And then, because she was fundamentally honest and possibly stupid, she added, "I suppose Tom's drool-worthy enough to keep a girl's interest."

It wasn't the best thing to admit within Uma's hearing. The plump girl looked at her, her eyes sharp.

"Not that I'm interested," Buffy added quickly.

Fiona and Uma exchanged knowing looks. Buffy was getting used to that. She decided that they both needed love lives of their own - instead of constantly speculating on hers. This morning they'd even tried pairing her with Travers!

"Nope, not interested in any boys," she repeated firmly. The look became more speculative and she added, "Or girls! Buffy is not boyfriend hunting this year. Mom told me I need to skip all the girl/boy stuff and concentrate on my exams, and I always do what my mom tells me..."

She thought that might be pushing the boundaries of belief and hurriedly changed the subject. "Tell me more about Tom's 'study group'. Are we talking Potions homework here or are they summoning Eyghon?"

Okay... who wants more Tom?

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