The first Defence against the dark arts lesson was that afternoon, and Dawn had cracked up at random points during the day, just thinking about Wesley teaching defense against the dark arts. Thankfully she managed to keep a straight face in Potions, even when Draco floated her a note under the table, which contained the line, 'Did you see the new DADA teacher? Looks like a right ponce…'
So that afternoon, Dawn sat with the others and hoped she'd used up enough of her initial reaction to not laugh in his face. When he entered, Dawn had to admit that up closer he looked a lot better than he used to. He'd lost the glasses, and his hair was wilder, and oh my god! Dawn thought, is that stubble!? The new improved version of her sister's stuck up watcher was astonishing. Wesley stood at the head of the class, and, head raised, chest puffed out, at that moment he reminded Dawn way too much of the old Wesley. She held in the laughter, but Hermione, beside her could feel her shaking with it.
"My name is Professor Windam-Price." Dawn nearly popped at the word 'professor'. "I drive a hard course, and expect you all to pay attention at all times. Slackers will not be tolerated." Dawn felt herself swallow. There was an edge to Wesley's tone that took the amusement out of the situation. As he spoke, Wesley was scanning his first class. Some of them rang a bell from the list with pictures he'd been given, but he'd only looked briefly, so when his gaze fell on the girl with the reddish-brown hair at the back of the class, his words stumbled. Dawn gave him a little wave, little smile, and he forced himself to continue. As soon as he had a chance, he looked through the list again and found her, 'Dawn Summers', beneath the only picture that was not moving. At the end of the class, he called Dawn to the front. Hermione promised to wait outside, and Dawn did as she'd been asked.
"Dawn!" Wes greeted her warmly.
"Hey Wes." Dawn grinned. He pulled her into a hug, and she didn't resist. A familiar face was always a good thing. "I'm getting you didn't realise I was here."
"No! What are you doing here? I was told there was a new girl who'd need some tutoring, but I never guessed…"
"Yeah, well here I am." She shrugged. "Did Giles fill you in on the whole 'key' dealio?"
"Yes, but…?"
"Well, apparently there's this ancient prophecy that the 'child of the key' would be a witch or wizard. So, here is me."
"Wow. That can't have been an easy transition."
"I've been here half the summer, catching up."
"Really? That can't have been to great, all on your own."
"There was another student here, so it was ok. What I want to know is what the heck you are doing here!? Are you a wizard?" Wesley reddened,
"Yes, technically."
"Technically?"
"I came to school here, but I was never so brilliant at the actual magic, more the books and the mystical side, rather than the magical. So I ended up getting handed over to the watchers council."
"Cool. But you have a wand and everything?"
"Yes." Dawn nodded at this,
"Cool. Well, I'll see ya later. I gotta go." She waved again, and he nodded,
"Bye."
Outside, Hermione was waiting with Harry and Ron.
"Well?" Hermione asked. Dawn looked a little worried,
"He's changed. I dunno what musta happened, but he is so much less… British." She saw the looks on their faces, and cringed, "Ok, bad choice of words. Sorry, no offence." Hermione punched her playfully, and Dawn covered her face in mock shame. As they were walking down the corridor, all of them gently teasing Dawn in retort, three people reached the top of the stairs just in front of them. Ron groaned quietly, and Dawn nearly laughed, seeing Draco flunked by two huge boys.
"Hey, Potter." He spat the words. As Dawn caught his eye, the tone became very slightly more playful, "Weasley, Granger… Summers. I see you've fallen in with a bad crowd now." Dawn raised her eyebrows, a smile playing on her lips. Teasing Summers girls was a bad idea.
"Depends on your definition of bad." She purred. Hermione tried not to laugh, as she realise what Dawn was doing. Harry, Ron and Draco's flunkies just starred in amazement. Draco swallowed, knowing he was going to regret taunting her. Dawn stepped closer to him, so that any movement on his part might turn it into a kiss. "Watch it, bad boy." She said in a voice only he could hear. Then she smiled, grabbed Hermione's hand and skipped off down the corridor. The boys were left standing there, all gob smacked. Draco was turning very pink.
Bit of a short pointless chapter, but hey…