Book Me!

(Location – Hogwarts' Library

Time – the following Friday afternoon)

"Buffy!" Roz Moody exclaimed in a loud whisper. "What are you doing here?" She rolled her eyes. "Ugh, stupid question! Obviously, you're sat at a desk and writing. What I mean is, I thought you had lessons? Can I join you?" Without waiting, Roz Moody threw her bag onto the table, tugged out a chair and flopped down onto it. She ignored the Librarian's glare as he passed by and began to pull inks and a quill case from her bag.

Buffy quickly moved the books nearest to Roz. Ostensibly this was so the sandy-haired girl had more room to work, though truthfully it was because the Hufflepuff was clumsy and liable to spill her ink.

"What are you working on?" Roz asked, leaning over and trying to see Buffy's essay.

Buffy moved her elbow, to allow the other girl read the title – 'Dragon Blood: Blood-Letting, Storage, and Uses in Potions And Spellwork.

"It's for Care Of Magical Creatures," she explained. "I thought if my homework was done, I'd have more free time during the weekend. I finished Dumbledore's Transfiguration essay last night, along with the Arithmancy Calculus that needs to be handed in on Tuesday. Ancient Runes I did on yesterday, so there's only this to finish."

Roz stopped pulling the books from her bag and gaped at her. "What? You've done all your homework for next week?"

Buffy nodded, a glow of pride warming her at how hard she'd worked. Back in Sunnydale, she'd never had much time for studying and her grades had suffered because of it. In this world, the subjects were much more interesting and, since there was no apocalypse impending, she had plenty of time to spend learning.

"You're telling me... you've even finished Sluggy's Potions assignment?!"

Buffy beamed happily. "Caradoc was in here earlier. He might have given me a few tips..."

"Ah, and there we have it," Roz said with a knowing grin.

"Have it?"

"In other words, you got him to do it for you."

Buffy pouted. "As if!"

Roz opened her textbook and raised a disbelieving eyebrow. "Yeah?" she drawled. "As if you'd ask or as if he'd help you? The answer to both questions is... most definitely.

"I asked. He said no. I pouted. He might have brought over the relevant books and pointed out the sections I needed."

"In other words, he did all the hard work for you."

"It's my writing on the essay!"

Roz let out a grumpy huff. "That's so not fair." After a moment, she asked, "Can I borrow it?"

"Sure." Buffy pulled the scroll from her bag and handed it over. She then selected two volumes from a stack of books. "Here! He found these for me – the chapters are still marked – help yourself. And don't forget to alter the wordage so Sluggy doesn't think we copied."

"Will do." With a grin of gleeful thanks, Roz took the books from her.

Buffy went on, saying lightly, "I'm gonna be free every Friday afternoon and last period on Monday now."

Roz chewed on the end of her quill. "Why?"

"My life is officially Trelawney free." Buffy frowned, knowing it wasn't quite true. "Almost. But that's only..." her voice trailed away, realising that if she admitted to one-on-one sessions with Trelawney, Roz would want to all know the gory details, "...because I'll see her around school. Anyway, no more crystal balls smeared with greasy fingerprints for me. Mom wasn't happy when I told her, but I promised her I'd use my new free time wisely. Purely for studying and homework." Buffy's voice lowered, her smile becoming sneaky. "That leaves my weekends free forhaving fun."

Roz grinned. "Why didn't I think of that?" She wrote the title of her essay neatly on the parchment in front of her, 'Forgetfulness Potions'. Then she began listing each of the ingredients before expanding on their properties.

After a few minutes of scribbling furiously, Roz lifted her head and asked, "Are you going to Merrythought's Duelling class tomorrow?"

"If you are, and only to watch," Buffy warned. The thought of accidentally hitting someone with a Slayer powered hex scared her. Her control over her magic had grown with practice but what if, in the excitement of a fight, she lost control? "With great power comes great responsibility," she mused, more to herself than Roz.

"Eh?" Roz stopped writing to look at her.

Buffy's nose wrinkled in thought. "I think it's called the Peter Parker Principle – ."

"Peter Parker? Is he an American Wizard?"

"Possibly." Buffy tapped her forehead and grimaced. "I'm not sure... gaps in my memory..."

Not wanting to zone out again, Buffy used her senses to ground herself: feeling the hard wooden chair beneath her, the smell of books and parchment, seeing the coloured spines of books on the shelves facing her, and hearing the soft chatter of students.

Aware of Roz watching her, she said, "Yeah, so... duelling. I've suddenly all this magic and... What if I hurt someone, Roz?"

Roz shrugged off her doubts. "Professor Merrythought is a good teacher. She'll know what to do." She went back to scanning Buffy's essay. "We could be partners. You can take your time and shout out the spell you're going to use before each incantation. That way, I'll be ready for it."

"Is that how duelling is done?" Buffy thought there'd be more spells flying, rolling around on the floor, and kicking furniture at people.

Roz grinned. "Ugh, no. Mostly it's just a few jinxes being thrown and trying to recognise them before they hit you. I'm too slow. I can't seem to recognise spells until it's too late. You'd never guess I'm from a family of Aurors. Alastor says that at my age he had a full repertoire of offensive spells learned off by heart." she sighed, her mouth turning downwards. "Me? I can't even cast a decent Disarming Charm."

"Expelliarmus? If I cast that, they'll be dragged through the window along with their wand," snickered Buffy.

"Violence again, Summers? Who are you plotting against this time?" Abraxas Malfoy's voice came from behind and to the left of the nearest stacks.

Buffy looked up at the approaching Pure-blood. "No one. We're just going over worst-case scenarios." Was he here to blackmail her out of her new broom?It was not going to happen and it wasn't as if it had been returned yet.When she'd asked Slughorn how long it was going to be, he'd muttered, 'These things take time, m'dear, they can't be rushed.'

She gave Malfoy the evil eye. "If you're here to try and sweet-talk me out of my limited edition broom, you're wasting your time."

Roz turned her face away, pretending to study the book and hiding a grin.

Malfoy shuffled uncomfortably. "Actually, I'm here to parley." He gestured to the chair next to her. "May I sit for a moment?"

"Oookay."

Rather stiffly, Abraxas approached her, putting his books on the table and then sitting, fiddling with the edge of his robe. Buffy thought his behaviour odd. She took in his handsome face and pale silky hair – perfectly styled; everything about Malfoy was. As the only son of a rich and well-connected family, Malfoy exuded self-confidence. He hung out with the rich kids and didn't care if his grades were good or bad. He also didn't seem to be in a hurry to talk.

Determined not to be the first to start the conversation, Buffy went back to working on her essay. In her peripheral view, she could see Abraxas absently pulling books towards him, studying their titles and then returning them to the pile. Roz prodded her, asking a question about the potion and, after explaining, Buffy continued writing her essay.

Eventually, Malfoy cleared his throat. "I'm here to apologise. I'm truly sorry that I put you in the way of Dementors, Miss Summers," he said. "In my defence, I had no idea they were in the vicinity. Please accept my most abject apology for my reprehensible behaviour."

Buffy eyed him. She didn't blame him for the Dementors, but she'd proved herself good enough for the team, hadn't she? Shouldn't he have said that? Why hadn't he offered her a place? "Are you gonna admit that girls are every bit as good as boys?"

His face twitched. "Er, I agree, some girls are every bit as good as boys at Quidditch." He cocked his head, regarding her for a moment before adding with a weary air, "Some girls are also very good at fighting Dementors."

Buffy sighed, that wasn't what she'd asked. She decided to draw a line under it for now and move on to her next question. "Have I earned a place on the team?"

"You have earned a place on the team," agreed Malfoy, a little too quickly for Buffy's liking. "With your new broom, I suggest Seeker or Chaser. I can juggle the players around to suit."

That was a surprise! He'd willingly give up his position as Seeker for her? It was almost a shame not to say yes to see if he'd come good on the offer.

"After nearly being kissed by a Dementor, Mom says I'm not allowed to play. I still need to convince her to let me keep the broom after its finished being gutted."

Malfoy, who'd looked quite happy at being told she wasn't allowed to play, winced at the word gutted.

"Mom's not happy that mystery people are sending me expensive gifts."

"It is a rather strange occurrence," Malfoy conceded.

"Yeah." Buffy hadn't mentioned the sender's card to anyone but Lovell. Every time she'd tried writing to her mom about it, she'd ended by ripping the letter to pieces. She'd resigned herself to waiting until the Christmas holidays to bring up the D-A-D question.

Malfoy smirked. "You can always give it to me if–."

"Nope. Never gonna happen. The broom is mine – when I get it back."

Malfoy pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. " If you change your mind..."

Buffy merely huffed and returned to her work.

….

A little while later, Roz and Buffy had another visitor when Marcus Lestrange rounded the corner of the stacks and dumped the pile of books he was carrying onto their table. " Mind if I sit here?"

Roz sat straighter, a smile lighting up her face. Buffy glanced over at her and then at Marcus. She'd noticed the way Roz acted around Lestrange before and had already asked the other girl if she liked him. Roz had hotly denied it, saying that the Lestranges moved in different circles to her and why would she like him? Buffy didn't see how that mattered. Lestrange wasn't the weirdest of the Slytherins. If he was cute and available, surely his family shouldn't matter?

"Sure. The seat is empty. Unless the invisible man is sitting there?"

Weirdly, Marcus waved a hand across the empty seat before sitting.

"You know, that was a joke, right?" said Buffy.

"Invisibility cloaks," muttered Roz.

The Slayer side of Buffy tensed, suddenly alert. "Invisibility cloaks? What are those? If the Invisible Man really exists, I want to know!"

"Cloaks that turn you invisible," Marcus deadpanned. While Buffy rolled her eyes at him, he winked at Roz, who turned bright red and lost the power of coherent speech.

"Want. Where do I get one?" Buffy knew she could have a lot of fun with an invisibility cloak.

Marcus shrugged. "They rarely appear on the open market. Rumour is, the Potter family own one, but no one's ever seen it."

Buffy groaned. "Har, har, very funny."

"I thought so too." Marcus gave her a smile that was bordering on flirtatious. "I honestly have no idea where you'd obtain one. I suppose you could start by asking in Knockturn Alley. Borgin and Burkes pride themselves on finding their clients the more unusual magical items.

So... are you attending the Duelling Club tomorrow night? Any idea who you'll fight?"

"Anyone who gets in my way," Buffy replied sweetly.

"Buffy is worried she'll accidentally hurt someone," Roz explained, now that her fiery colour had died away.

"Are you?" Green eyes regarded Buffy from under speculative auburn brows. "Would it really bother you?"

She paused, shocked at the question. "Well yeah, I'm not into hurting people. How about you?"

He grinned at her. "Of course not. I just wondered... considering the way you threatened Abraxus."

Buffy groaned. "And they say girls gossip."

Marcus just grinned. "We Slytherins like knowledge. It comes in useful sometimes. What was it you said to him? 'Avoid dark and lonely corridors in case something nasty leaps out at you.' Now the poor boy won't visit the bathroom on his own."

Buffy and Roz exchanged looks and burst out laughing. The idea of Malfoy asking one of his roommates to accompany him to the toilet was too funny. No wonder he'd come over and apologised.

"Have you done with 'Potions For The Prudent'?" asked a boy's voice from nearby.

Still giggling, Buffy and Roz turned to see Travers standing nearby. At the sight of the laughing students, his dark eyes darted nervously from each one of them and over to the stack of books in front of Roz. "Professor Boar said that you had it. Only I need it... to complete my homework."

"Get lost, grease-boy," drawled Marcus. "Miss Moody is using it."

Roz looked a mixture of horrified at the casually cruel comment and flattered that Marcus knew her name.

Buffy poked a finger into Lestrange's side – making him wince – before turning to Travers. "Ignore the ginger-ninja by my side. I'll bring it over, once Roz has finished with it."

"It's fine. I've done. See? I've already put it with the others." Roz grabbed for the book and succeeded in tipping the pile onto the floor.

Knowing the librarian would use it as an excuse to throw them out of the library, they hurriedly began picking books up. When Travers went to pick up 'Potions For The Prudent' Roz grabbed for it at the same time, creating a burn of shame in his cheeks.

"Here." Roz handed it to him. "It's chapter ten that you need. The page is marked."

He nodded, taking it from her and mumbling his thanks before darting away in a swirl of black robes.

"Ginger Ninja?" Lestrange asked once he'd gone. "Should I be offended?" He put a couple of the books back into the centre of the table, then smoothed his auburn hair with a hand.

Buffy's eyes misted. There'd been another red-haired boy in her past – Oz. "There's nothing wrong with being a ninja or having red hair. I happen to like it, but you shouldn't talk to Travers like that."

"Why not?" he challenged. "He's a Muggleborn."

"Does it matter? He has magic, the same as you and me, so he's every right to be at Hogwarts."

Lestrange stretched back in his chair, putting his arms behind his head and watching Buffy from half-closed eyes. He looked every bit of the well-to-do Pureblood, handsome and brimming with self-confidence. Roz stared at him, eyes wide – entranced. Buffy... not so much.

"You really believe that?" he asked.

Buffy nodded.

"Sometimes, Buffy, I wonder if you were a miss-sort. You must know by now that our Founder, Salazar Slytherin, hated Muggleborns."

"Guy has been dead for the best part of a thousand years. Why should I care what he thought?"

"The purest blood is always the strongest –."

Buffy held up a warning finger. "One word that destroys your argument completely: – Malfoy. "

Lestrange let out a good-natured laugh. "Touché!" He sat back up, the laughter suddenly gone and his gaze keener. "What do you believe in, Buffy? How do you stand on the Muggle and Wizarding issue? Are you for, or against Grindelwald's ideas?"

A group of second years wandered into their section, whispering about a Herbology test and looking for books.

Lestrange pointed. "Three sections on." The group thanked him and left.

"So... are you going to answer me?" he asked again when Buffy remained silent.

Buffy glanced at Roz., This was a dangerous subject for discussion, but she couldn't lie about something so emotive. "Do I agree that the magical world should hide away? No. I mean, I understand why we are doing it – no one wants to be burned or experimented on – but I think, these days, we should be more open.

As for your other question... Do I think we're better than Muggles because of our magic? No. Mom is a Squib, remember? And I was a Muggle until recently. Neither of us are or were lesser people because of it."

Roz's face was open, listening, understanding, and agreeing. Marcus was being a true Slytherin and keeping his real feelings tucked out of sight.

"Are those the answers you didn't want, Marcus?" Buffy asked.

"I asked because I truly wanted to know your views on the matter," he replied silkily.

Buffy crooked a finger, drawing him closer. Marcus leaned in, so close that Buffy could feel his breath on her face. She said slowly, "Tell whoever told you to question me, to ask me himself next time."

Lestrange blinked in surprise. "I'm not–."

"Save it." Buffy pulled her dragon blood essay to her and picked up her quill again. "I'm not flattered at being sounded out for a place in the cool kids gang."

He gave her a tight smile. "Cool kids gang? You'll find life is a little more complicated than that. However, I doubt you're going to be offered a place in the 'cool kids gang'."

Buffy dipped her quill into the ink. "Boo hoo, did I fail the gang's initiation test?" she asked, sounding as uncaring as she felt. She was a Slayer, Slayers didn't do politics or gangs, but they sure as hell stuck up for the underdog.

Marcus examined her face. "No. There wasn't one. I think you're already a good way to running it." And then he took out an essay of his own, dipped his quill into the ink, and began to write.

Roz nudged Buffy. 'What's he talking about?' she silently mouthed.

Buffy shrugged and went back to her work. She had no intention of asking Marcus Lestrange what he meant, she wouldn't give him the victory of knowing he'd confused her.

…

Lovell found her not long after the final bell. He slipped into the seat Marcus had recently vacated and nodded to Roz, who was busy gathering her things together.

"Sorry, gotta go. I'm in a rush," said Roz who always got on with Lovell."I forgot I'd arranged to meet Marlene in the Astronomy Tower. She borrowed my homework last night and offered to set up my telescope in exchange."

"Leave your books, I'll put them away," Lovell offered.

"Ta." Roz darted off, almost tripping over her robe as she set off at a walking-jog.

Lovell began gathering the books, taking them over to the relevant sections, and used his wand to flick them back into place. He came back to her, and asked, "Any more?"

Buffy looked up, from putting the final lines to her Herbology homework. "Nope. The rest are all mine." She put her head down and scanned the last few lines.

Lovell sat beside her. "Was Roz helping or a hindering?" He'd studied before with Roz and knew the girl was a chatterbox.

Buffy amended the final sentence of her essay and waved her wand across the ink, drying it. "Done! Roz was quiet."

"Is she ill?" Lovell asked.

That made Buffy chuckle. "Nope, unless lovesick for Marcus Lestrange counts as an ailment." She rolled the essay up and tied it with a green ribbon before slipping it into her bag. "She's in denial, but she's got it bad."

"She's too nice for that family," Lovell said firmly. He picked Buffy's Herbology textbook, 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi,'and began flicking the pages. "So are you," he muttered.

Buffy picked up a roll of parchment and batted him lightly over the head with it. "I am not interested in Marcus Lestrange," she said firmly. "He asked me how I felt about Grindelwald and Pureblood supremacy."

"What?!" Lovell yelped, and then sheepishly looked around as students frowned over. He lowered his voice. "Why ask you that? He must know the Lovegoods have never gone in for politics or cared about someone's blood status."

"I think he was put up to it. He said something that was also in the weird zone. I asked if I'd failed the test to get into the cool kids group. He said no, that I'm virtually running it already."

Lovell examined Buffy carefully. Had she turned into a leader of Purebloods whilst he hadn't been looking? Although she'd made more friends in weeks than he'd made in years, she didn't look any different. Right now she'd tucked her wand behind her ear, a dirigible plum hung from a buttonhole, and there were butterbeer corks in her hair. He felt reassured. There were no outward signs that his cousin had become an icon for Slytherin worship. She was still the feisty individual he'd felt drawn to on first meeting her.

"He was being sarcastic," he said firmly. "Ignore him. Apart from his father, the whole family are Dark Wizards and are into dubious practices. You don't need him or his pathetic gang in your life."

He picked up the remaining books and began handing them over one at a time. His hands lingered when it came to the last one.

"Buffy!" he gasped. "What's this?" His fingers traced the silver letters embossed onto the jet black cover.

Buffy barely glanced from trying to jiggle the previous book into her bag. "Huh? I don't know. I don't recognise it. What's the title?"

"'Rarity'. It was with the rest of your books."

She forced the book into her bag, looked up again and shrugged. "It must be a fashion book.

Lovell frowned. "Why a fashion book?

She pointed at the interlocking 'C's, one reversed. "That's the logo for Coco Chanel's company. I guess her fashions are hard to get a hold of with the war."

"These aren't 'C's, they are 'G's," Lovell corrected, his voice low. "And that's a wand between them. Buffy, did Lestrange see this book before questioning you about Grindelwald?"

Buffy stopped pushing the book into her bag and scanned his troubled face. "I... I don't know. Maybe."

Lovell turned the book around so that she could read the front cover better. When she still frowned, he opened the title page and flashed the full name of the author at her before snapping it shut. "The author is Gellert Grindelwald," he whispered. "If Lestrange saw it amongst your things, no wonder he asked if you supported him. Where did it come from? Hogwarts wouldn't have a copy for students to read."

Buffy took it from his hands and rubbed her thumb over the cover. It looked... kinda interesting. Giles had always told her to broaden her reading. She felt tempted to look through it, just to see what the fuss was about, but now wasn't the best time or place. "I honestly don't know where it came from. Someone must have left it behind."

A thought struck her. "Caradoc? His parents were fighting against Grindelwald in Europe. They'd want to know what agenda he was pushing. Maybe this is their copy?"

"Possibly. Who else was here?"

"Besides Caradoc? Roz Moody, Abraxas Malfoy, Marcus Lestrange, Travers... and Tom's friend Avery. He spoke to Marcus for a while and then they left together."

"Then... any one of them could have left this book behind," said Lovell thoughtfully. "My guess is they'll come looking for it and ask you if you still have it. Better keep it with you." He hesitated. "I don't know if Grindelwald's books are illegal to own or not. It might be wise not to let the teachers see it."

…...

A/N;

Thank you so much to everyone who has left a review. I had a great response to the last chapter. I hope you enjoy this one.

I spotted the book 'Rarity' by Gellert Grindelwald on pinterest. I knew as soon as I saw it that someone would want to send her a copy.

Obviously, NOT Dumbledore. ;-) Any guesses?