Chapter Five
After Buffy had gotten back last night she'd gone straight to bed. Only Giles' light had been on and she figured it would be better to speak to everyone in the morning.
The next morning she was the last in the kitchen. Dawn was making breakfast and mostly everyone else was mingling around or sitting at the breakfast nook talking about their classes for the day and other random Scooby Gang topics.
She grabbed a glass of orange juice that had been set out, leaned against the counter and said quite bluntly and suddenly, "Hey guys so I went on patrol last night and killed a vampire."
Giles took off his glasses, rubbing them with his shift, an hobby of his, as he leaned against the doorway separating the kitchen and dining room. "It wasn't a Cullen family member was it?"
"No, don't think I could successfully do that without help, but one was there," Buffy said causing those who had ignored the first statement to take notice. Killing a vampire was common occurrences among the group, but seeing a new breed of vampire...one that the slayer doesn't think she could kill by herself, was quite another thing all together.
She told them about Harry showing up, how he'd given her space to fight, she didn't think it important to mention that she'd enjoyed fighting the vampire. Giles would be worried for some reason.
Buffy continued to tell them how the Cullen member, Edward, had shown up and distracted her enough for the other vampire to get a good hit in. Then how the vampire had warned there were more of both types of vampires and also more of Harry's type of witches and wizards. That this bunch didn't know of the good side being in Hope yet, but they would.
"Then Harry said something, waved his wand and the vampire froze. I think Edward and I were a little shocked because Harry had to yell "Kill him" for me to actually react--"
"--He froze a vampire?" Willow said with a little awe in her voice. "Wow!"
Buffy laughed, "He said Blimey when I dusted the vamp."
They all chuckled. Giles put his glasses back on, "Dawn you might want to take the cinnamon buns out of the oven."
Dawn gave a little squeak and turned immediately to the oven, pulling out an only slightly crispy tray of cinnamon buns. Everyone grabbed one, devouring them with murmurs of thanks and 'mmm's'. Dawn smiled her welcome to everyone's appreciation. "What about Edward?" She asked, putting the now empty tray into the sink and turning off the oven.
Buffy licked her fingers of sticky cream before she answered, "He told us who he was, saying something about his family being vegetarians. He said something about his um sister being a person of second sight. Then said we had a lot to talk about this Sunday then he went off in a blur..." she paused, remembering. "Giles, he was faster than any vampire I've ever seen."
Giles, now sitting on the bench at the breakfast nook, looked to be pondering this for a moment. "I think we have a lot to learn about these vampires."
"Oh that reminds me, Harry and I thought it would be good for their group to come over and do a research session. Apparently their old school has many books on different things that Hermione is going to go ask to borrow. They apparently have better standings with their old school then," Buffy smiled, "us."
"Well considering the school doesn't exist anymore," Willow murmured.
"The town doesn't exist anymore," Xander added.
The whole group kind of chuckled half-heartedly and agreed with Buffy and Harry's idea.
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Harry didn't get to tell his friends about what he'd seen the night before until they were home that night.
"Chemistry is going to be interesting, eh?" Ron asked. They walked into the house welcomed by smells of dinner. "I could get use to Mum being here," he murmured appreciatively.
Harry smiled and agreed Chemistry would be "interesting" though he had a feeling his version of interesting was more along the lines of Ginny's and Hermione's then Ron's.
They were sitting around the table eating Molly's corned beef and potatoes when Harry finally found a chance to bring up the night before.
"Are we all nervous about Sunday night, or is it just me? George said after a slight lull in the conversation of the day before yesterday's meeting of the Scoobies.
After several nods of ascension, Harry spoke up, "Actually not as much as I had been." The table became quiet as all eyes turned to him. "I went on that walk last night," everyone nodded in remembrance. "Well I caught up with Buffy and she was fighting one of her vampires--" he paused picturing the fight in his head. "She's super strong, flexible and fast. Her fighting skills were amazing. I actually think her and the vampire were both enjoying themselves a little."
Molly gasped, Harry moved quickly on, not meaning to worry the woman.
"Anyhow, she was holding her own, winning when a noise in the trees distracted us all." He continued to tell them the rest of the story, about what the first vampire said, how he froze him, then how Buffy killed him and how they sort of met Edward Cullen. "Buffy and I decided we should de a research session over at their house. Hermione can you use that interesting bag of yours and get some books from Hogwarts--mostly on anything to do with vampires and if anything is there hidden about muggle magic, mysteries, etc."
Ron hid a laugh then blush when everyone looked his way. "Sorry but isn't that weird sounding--muggle magic?"
The others chuckled half-heartedly. They knew Ron was just as confused about all of this as they were.
Ron and Hermione disapparated to Hogwarts after supper. The others worked on cleaning some of the rooms in the house that hadn't been worked on by the house elves who had just worked on a few main rooms and bedrooms enough for those coming and a couple of visitors as Harry had asked them to...though they were still working hard on the front yard...enjoying themselves actually, if Harry had to guess.
Ginny and Harry, wanting to enjoy some alone time went up the attic of the house. After Hogwarts nothing was really too scary. They'd seen ghosts, they'd seen dungeons, trolls, and even spiders...what could be up in the Potter's attic but dusty old items left behind from years past.
They walked up narrow steps which creaked underfoot. The house was really old, so old that Harry had this feeling it was somehow moved by magic at least from the other side of the states--if not from England itself. He knew enough about Muggle history, even American history, to know that Oregon hadn't been settled before this house had been built. Harry opened the attic door and immediately was surrounded by cobwebs.
With amusement that it was lucky Ron wasn't with them, he pulled out his wand and murmured "Tergeo", the cobwebs disappeared around him, his cleaning spell working well. Ginny and him worked quietly like that for a while, cleaning the dust and cobwebs from the surfaces they could see. Even with magic it took them about an hour before they finally could settle on a couple of chairs, pulling a box over to go through it together.
"Accio, water," Ginny murmured, and within moments two bottles of water came into the attic. They drank hungrily then started in on the box, both murmuring "Lumos" so they could see better. They lost track of time as they went through boxes. Not really looking for anything in particular just enjoying looking at the past. They found old muggle clothes of ages past and even old muggle pictures but figured it was just cover clothes witches and wizards had back when. It probably would have been easier for them to fit in, in some ways. However, people who were different were even less accepted back when for any differences besides the standards.
"Harry," Ginny said softly. Surprising him enough he jumped and banged his head on top of the trunk he'd been digging in. He rubbed the top of his head gingerly and lifted his wand so he could see where Ginny was.
Harry looked over at Ginny from his corner he'd taken residence in. On her lap was a small chest she had dug out from a box labeled "Lily". She was holding a picture in her hands, a small tear trickling down her cheek. "I think I know who's house this was."
Harry walked over and knelt by Ginny ignoring the dust on the ground. There in her hands was a still picture of his mum, at least he thought so at first. Until he realized that it was actually his grandmother and the two girls standing in front of her...in front of the house they currently were sitting in...was... "That's my Mum and Aunt Petunia," Harry exclaimed gently taking the picture out of Ginny's hands. There, he was sure, were his mum and aunt when they had been very young. As always his aunt didn't smile but his mum was showing the love in her green eyes as she smiled for the camera, showing off some missing baby teeth. He figured if the picture was like the wizardry world pictures he'd grown use to his mum wouldn't have stayed still for long.
"She looks like she's just waiting to get on the swing set," Harry murmured. Ginny put her hand on his shoulder, he sat down and leaned his back against her leg as he looked through the rest of the pictures. All of them were from when his mum had been a little girl...before she found out she was a witch. They saw her swinging on the swing, going to the zoo in London, making cookies with her mum, a whole bunch of activities that Harry had never thought about his muggle born mother doing. "I never really thought of her as a muggle born witch...didn't really think of her as a child period. Her or dad."
"Harry, Love, I really don't think any of us think about how our parents grow up...maybe once they hit Hogwarts...you've seen it through memories and pictures, but before. Bugger, I can't imagine my mum being anything but a mum and my dad being anything but my dad who's crazy about muggle things," Ginny said quietly. "You've gotten a opportunity now to think about it and maybe learn more about both sides of your family while you're here," she looked about her. "I think this house was in your mum's side of the family and when her parents died they gave it to her and your dad so she would have a way to remember who she'd once been. I think its cool they brought the house out here as kind of a vacation home," Ginny said, hugging Harry from behind. "A place to keep both your heritages alive in one place."
Putting down the box, a smile growing on his face as he realized what Ginny said was true, he turned around and looked into her loving brown eyes. "I love you Ginny, you know that, right?" he asked softly as he cupped her face in his hands.
Another tear escaped as she nodded and they kissed...
"Oi! Harry stop snogging my sister!" Ron exclaimed, breaking the couple apart, blushes both showing on their faces.
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, running up behind him in the narrow attic stairs. "Will you leave them alone? You were snogging me at the Hogwarts' library all night long, so you have no room to talk," Hermione tried to pull Ron back down the stairs, but his feet were planted and his angry eyes were on his sister and best friend. "Ron, seriously, you've already accepted Harry and Ginny going out a long time ago. Its not any different this time around, except perhaps more serious as you and I are." She tried again, then threw up her hands in the air in exasperation. "Sorry Harry, I tried. We just came up here to let you know you two have been up here all night and Molly is wondering if you were coming down for breakfast."
Harry had stood up at the surprise intrusion, he pulled his eyes from his best mate...and brother of the woman he loved, to look out the windows to see that indeed the sun was rising, an orange glow on the distant eastern skyline. "We didn't know we'd been searching that long," he helped Ginny from the floor where they'd been "snogging" quite beautifully before Ron had so rudely interrupted. Though Harry didn't blame Ron, if he had a sister he wouldn't let her kiss someone like him either--he did kind of attract danger to those he cared about. He stepped away from Ginny, missing the hurt and confused look on her face, but grabbed her hand nonetheless to help guide her through the grime and mess they'd created in their search. He let go of her hand after they were standing next to Ron and Hermione.
Harry ignored Ron, not wanting to start something since he was unsure about his own view of whether he should be going after Ginny or not. "Molly is already up making breakfast?" he asked instead.
"Yes, between us out at Hogwarts and you searching the whole night up here, she couldn't sleep with nothing to do. She's trying her hand at some of Fleur's recipes, they smell good," Hermione explained, pulling Ron's hand again so maybe the tension will be not so focused on Harry.
"Okay, Ginny, go ahead and head down with them. I'm going to grab the chest, I want to look at it some more in better light," Harry turned away from the group, leaving no room for argument or conversation.
"Oh Bugger Ron, why do you always have to Bloody get involve with my business?" Ginny asked, her voice filled with hurt once they were in the hallway away from the attic. Her angry brown eyes shouted out many more accusations that she didn't voice but instead turned angrily on her heal, running down the steps to help her mum with breakfast.
"You know Ron, she's right," Hermione murmured.
Ron sighed, "Yea I know." He didn't say anymore, Hermione grabbed his hand and squeezed supportively before she followed Ginny down the steps. Ron waited in the hall, not wanting to leave things like he had with Harry. He really didn't think there was anybody better for Ginny then Harry, in fact he was pretty sure they were meant for each other. But a combination of jealously and protectiveness seemed to always kick in when he saw the two together.
Halting when he saw Ron, Harry considered going back up the attic stairs or even apparating away. However, Gryffindors weren't built like that. He was pretty sure a true witch or wizard wasn't built like that...no matter what house or even school they came from. So he haltingly walked towards his best mate, not sure what to say or even if he should say anything.
"I'm sorry mate, you know I think you and Ginny make an awesome pair, right?" Ron said awkwardly while trying to look his friend in the eye, letting Harry know that what he said now was the truth...not what he had spatted out up in the attic...which luckily hadn't been too much, but Ron knew his actions had spoken louder than his lack of words.
Harry wasn't sure what to say. He knew Ron was speaking the truth, he could see it in his friend's eyes. But his own doubts had clung on in him since the untimely intrusion.
"Look mate, I know you," Ron continued at Harry's silence. "You're going to get some idea in your head that Ginny deserves somebody better. But listen to me, hard, nobody else could be better than you for her. She loves you man, and I know, even if I sometimes don't act like it, know you love her..." Harry's green eyes finally connected with his friend's. He saw truth in what Ron said in those eyes.
"--Why don't you go downstairs and give Ginny a nice big snog and kiss? I think I accidentally caused you to hurt her by my words," Ron said before Harry could say anything.
Harry's eyes grew wide. Ron was actually telling him to go do what started all this anyway? He hesitated, then smiled gratefully and turned, turning around after he'd walked a few steps. "We're growing up Ron, aren't we?"
Ron chuckled, "Blimey Harry. You can ask that after all we've been through? Of course we're growing up." Ron stopped himself from going on, otherwise he was going to get emotional and none of them needed that.
"Thanks mate," Harry chuckled too, putting thoughts of what they'd all been through and his doubts away for awhile at least. He had a make-up kiss to attend to.
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"Er, mate, I didn't mean snog her in front of mum," Ron said as they walked, together, as a group across the street. Molly, Ginny and Hermione carried covered dishes of food and Arthur was carrying Hermione's suitcase of books--even magical it was a heavy load.
Harry felt his cheeks blush, "She was crying Ron, I made her cry..."
"We both did," Ron reminded him.
"Yea well, I wasn't about to let her keep crying like that. So yea I kissed her there in front of Molly," Harry murmured, his voice filled with embarrassment. Though it had worked Ginny had smiled, then kissed him back fully...it had been quite a kiss, more in depth then either of them had experienced. He still felt it deep in his soul.
"Yea," Ron chuckled, though he tried to cover it up with a cough. "But you now got mum making wedding plans. That must have been some kiss. She's known you two have liked each other almost as long as I have...possibly longer with her mother intuition. However now she's got it in her mind that a summer wedding at the Burrow will be perfect for you two--and she's even thinking about a double wedding," Ron's voice sounded kind of scared, as his eyes looked over at a smiling Hermione. The girls were deep in conversation with Molly, but luckily not about the wedding plans Molly had been trying to discuss all day long.
"You love her right?"
"Of course I do, but marriage?"
Harry had to admit that the thought scared him too. Though in some deep part of him, he did want what his parents had, and he wanted it with Ginny. Luckily, their arrival at an already open door to the Buffy house saved Harry from answering Ron's question.
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Weddings and lack there of were forgotten as they all sat, a little more close together then in the Potter house, in Buffy's house. Not much talking was going on. Research involved lots of books, and each group decided to pair up, one scooby and one of the witches and wizards together. So as they could get a new perspective on what they were reading but still have someone who knew what it meant close by. Dawn and George were on the computer, Dawn slowly teaching George about the weird muggle artifact that he was very interested in. Giles, Molly and Arthur were pouring over the journals written by the squib watcher together, trying to see if anything mentioned anything else that Chet would have been more open to seeing then other watchers. Buffy and Harry were talking about the vampires they knew and both agreeing that Harry's was indeed a kind of mix between the two--at least it seemed on the information they knew. The wizardry world knew that vampires could co-exist among humans, so they couldn't burn in the sun, but yet the vampires Harry had met hadn't seemed awfully strong or fast.
Hermione, Ginny and Willow were trying to read and tell each other about the differences between their witchcraft. They found out that some spells were essentially the same, but Willow admit that she rarely did magic because she was afraid it would make her evil. "Even after my very good moment in the last battle, I'm still hesitant to use magic. Your magic seems strong, yet it doesn't seem to sap your strength at all?" her statement was also a question, her eyes gazing admiringly at Hermione and Ginny.
Ginny smiled, "Like Harry said, I guess even the small stuff would seem like powerful magic. We're just so use to it that we don't think about it. If we use really big spells and have to fight to use them...like in dangerous situations, our energy is sapped but not dangerously so, at least not usually."
Hermione explained that it was kind of like a muggle fighting. Two muggles could keep up the fight, but it helped to have rest and help from others to defeat the one you dueled against. "Harry rarely had help when he was dueling with Voldermort. He's a powerful wizard, Harry is. Voldermort was too, but he missed one very important factor in his fight. Love--he didn't have love of his friends, the desire to make sure they were safe, to keep him going again and again. He only liked himself--not love, but he thought he was this great powerful wizard that all others should follow--but he didn't love himself...no one could truly love themselves when they are that evil. So when he was starting to lose himself, he couldn't draw on that love to help him win the battle he'd been fighting all his life to win," Hermione explained.
Willow didn't ask anymore details, tonight was not the night for a full story. "I understand, I was full of hate for awhile. I thought I was doing it out of love for Tara--she was killed, and she was someone I had loved very deeply--I was trying to revenge her deaths...but then it soon became more about me and showing my powers, then about her...I knew she wouldn't have wanted me to do the things I had done. That was a dark time in my life, but Xander and the rest of our family," she nodded to the scoobies spread about the kitchen, dining room and living room. "They reminded me what true love was, that even when everything seemed so wrong, there was good in the world--a world I almost destroyed--I almost destroyed my friends and everything--Tara loved this world--and I almost destroyed it all, but Xander's love--he was the first one there, saved me from doing that. Everyone's support helped me through that--but I don't use magic, that often, if I can help not to, I don't."
Hermione and Ginny both reached for the older woman's hands. Ginny was the one to speak, "We all have our times where magic controls us in evil ways," she thought of the Chamber of Secrets and everything that happened that year--even then Harry had fought to save her, and he had barely known her. "Harry has even had his moments, however he has this undying love within him that fights through it. He's one of the few wizards out there that at a young age was impervious to the Imperius curse...which is a mind controlling curse--I think that's because he fully knows who he is--a good man, and what he wants--for is friends and family to be safe. Which considering he can be friendly to most people is saying a lot. He might not think he's a good man, he blames himself in so many ways, but that, to me, makes him only that much a better man--though I do hope he sees the good in himself some day," she ended her little speech with a sigh, her brown eyes looking towards where Buffy and Harry were researching.
"Give him time, Ginny, I think today was a good start," Hermione murmured encouragingly for her friend.
They returned to their research, all three of them feeling the bond that had been created in their shared moments.
Ron and Xander were having a little less serious time of it. They were trying, they'd been given some books to look over. But they easily got diverted when they commented something funny on a demon's attributes or lack there of. They two were becoming friends, though their laughter was getting dirty looks and rolling eyes from the rest of the room.
All in all it was a successful research meeting in that they'd grown closer during it. They'd learn about each other a little more. However, in the end, they found nothing concrete about vampires who could stand in the sunlight and moved so fast you could barely see them.
"Well I guess we'll have to wait till tomorrow after all," Buffy said to the group as they ate their dinner around the cramped dining room table.
"Yea, but I'm glad we did this," Harry said and everyone agreed. Then they all agreed they'd drive together to the Cullens tomorrow afternoon.
And yes, Buffy was still coming armed with her stake--though after what she'd seen the night before she wasn't sure how effective it would be with this bunch of vampires if it needed to be used. However, she figured bringing anything heavier, like the slayer's scythe would be a bit much--though she hope she wouldn't need it.