One thing I didn't miss about school was waking up at a godforsaken hour of the morning. I'm more of a night person being the slayer and all. It wasn't until I had a cup of coffee that I was even awake. I know my friends are a little weirded out by my silence act. I'm not surprised they're staring at me though since even in my tired stupors I ramble on and on and on.
Eventually I'm awake and yawn, "I hate mornings."
"You're not normally this tired," Angel frowns.
Seamus snorts as he puts a piece of bacon on his plate. "And we know it has nothing to do with being up all night with Angel since we share a room and he was next to me snoring all night."
"You do snore," I tell him and he ignores me.
"They didn't do anything all summer either," Ron laughs. "Trust me they were staying at my house and they were completely appropriate."
It may be my imagination, but I think I hear disappointment. If I was awake I would have come up with a snappy retort, but I'm too tired. To my surprise it's Angel that responds, "That you know of."
We all laugh and Sir Nicholas shakes his heads at us, "Youth is getting more outrageous and indecent as time goes on."
He floats away and we laugh some more. As true as he is I think it also has to do with my influence saying that I'm not 12. Hell I'm not even a virgin! Wait am I since I'm 12 again? Eew did I lose my V-card before I even technically went through puberty? I shake the disturbing thoughts out of my head. Nastiness is not a good way to start out the morning.
"Not our fault Buffy has a nice rack," Ron whispers and Angel glares at him.
"Are you all always this crude?" Hermione rolls her eyes.
Harry pretends to think about it for a moment, "Actually we are." Hermione glares at him after that and we all laugh. I don't know why she's mad at the answer though. We're just being honest.
McGonagall comes over and hands us our schedules. The second I look at it I get angry and start to ramble, "This is ridiculous! We have double history of magic first thing on Monday mornings. How am I supposed to stay awake during that?"
Everyone nods in agreement and I look at the rest of my schedule. It's not too bad besides Mondays when we have double potions after double history. More reason to hate Mondays. Ugh and if today was a Monday and the first day that would be terrible. But nope, our first class today is transfiguration. And then we have Herbology before ending the day with double DADA.
Not the worst day in the world, but not the best either. Transfiguration is fine and all, but Herbology, ugh. Plants just don't like me, plain and simple. Double periods suck in general, and DADA might be great or it might well suck.
From what I know about this Lockhart character it's going to suck. Ginny made me read a few of his books, I only caved so she would shut up and to see if he's evil, and there's no way he did any of that stuff. The technique he used to kill a mummy is the exact opposite of how he got rid of a werewolf. Do systems vary, of course, do they change, definitely; but nobody switches as drastically as he apparently did. I just don't get how more people don't realize this.
As the first bell rings, at least I guess it's a bell even though it sounds like an organ, all us Gryffindors slowly get up, too annoyed that summer's ending to worry about making it on time to McGonagall's class. Well at least nobody was until we notice the time. Everyone starts to run, except for me. I figure I'll just stroll until the last second and break out in a sprint.
With everyone else gone I look around to make sure nobody is around and start to sprint the remainder of the way, making sure I go around the long route to avoid my friends. Reaching class first, I sit down and save a few seats. When the walk in Angel sees me and smirks as he's shaking his head. Everyone else is staring at me with wide eyes and gasps. "How did you get here so fast?" Ron asks.
I shrug, "What can I say, I found a shortcut."
They're all used to me making excuses like that and believe it without a second thought. Err, everyone except for Angel that is who sits next to me and pretends to look at me sternly, "That wasn't a good idea you know."
"You say that," I smile, "but your laugh says differently."
This makes him laugh more and we banter back and forth until McGonagall comes over and tells us to be quiet so that she could start her lesson. I think she said more about us being more mature now and stuff, but I totally ignore her. In my opinion it isn't worth listening to her lecturing us when it has nothing to do with the class. Hell it has nothing to do with anything at all especially since I know for a fact that as you get older, in your teen years, that you just get more immature. So why pretend it won't happen.
Hermione looks mad at us for some reason. Maybe it's because we're the cause of a non-educational lecture. But that's just a guess.
By the time lunch rolls around I sit down and sigh in relief as I put a giant pile of food on my plate. The twins look at me and one of them, who I think is George, chuckles. "Damn Buffy I forgot how much you eat."
I glare at him, "What can I say, fast metabolism and all."
Ron comes over next to me and groans, "I hate school, why did summer ever end?"
"It kind of has to," Angel tells him slowly as if Ron was a little child (technically he is). "And what's so bad about class? Personally I thought our lesson today was interesting."
"That's because unlike us you managed to turn your animal into a goblet," Harry reminds him.
"Which is also because I didn't step on my wand and have it break in half over the summer."
Ron starts mumbling under his breath and I'm pretty sure he's cursing Angel out, but I can't be sure. "Isn't it your fault he broke it though?" I ask Angel. "You know saying that it happened when you made him fall off the broom."
"I was scared!" he exclaims and we all laugh as his face turns the shade of Ron's hair. Angel despises being embarrassed. He says that it's a normal human reaction, but I'm positive it's still residual from being a prideful demon. "If we were supposed to fly we would have wings."
"You sound as if you're from the 1700's or something," Harry chuckles.
"Wizards have been flying long before that," Ron points out.
"Muggle thing Ronald," I inform him and look over at Angel to find him taking a deep breath before going off on them in Gaelic. People all around us turn to stare at his rant even though they don't really understand him. And the few that are from Ireland probably only understand a phrase here and there since his tongue is from, well the 1700's.
I roll my eyes at him, "Angel shut up, people are staring. And Harry didn't mean anything by that, it's an expression."
"Fine," he says with a humph and looks down at his food. From across the hall I see Malfoy stare at us and whisper something to his friends who all snort. Ugh I really hate that guy. And after meeting his Father I can see where he gets is.
"Will he ever leave us alone?"
"I doubt it," Harry sighs. "I doubt we're ever going to get rid of them."
"And I wouldn't want to after what he did to my family in Diagon Ally. How dare he pick on my sister!"
"What was he saying about an earthquake thing?"
"Oh Buffy told me he looked really weird when I was in the hospital wing last winter, maybe he thought I cursed him," Angel suggests even though he knew the truth."
"I did no such thing," I put my hand over my heart as if they're accusation really hurt me. "Why would I ever do anything to ruin his life?"
They all give me an incredulous look and I sigh, "Okay so I may like nothing more than having that git get his just desserts, and that's putting it mildly."
Of course after I say that we all look back over at Malfoy and see him yelling at Crabbe and Goyle for something. I laugh at them and return to my food.
After lunch we head upstairs to the Defense the Dark Arts Classroom, only to find it empty. The room feels, I guess the word would be morbid. It's just a little strange to think that this is the same classroom we spent hours in last year with a teacher who is now dead, twice. Lockhart redid the room so that it now has little knickknacks all over along with pictures of himself. But there was still a sense that this was Jenny's classroom.
When she died in Sunnydale by the hands of my psychotic ex-boyfriend of sorts I didn't care so much. Was I sad she died? Of course, but more than sadness I felt guilty. It was my fault Angelus was there to kill her. This time I don't feel guilty, just really empty inside. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to feel. Regret? Angry? Depressed? Being back in this classroom brings emotion though, it brings pain.
Years of practice have taught me how to hide things well though, and I find it helpful right now. I don't really want anyone, AKA Angel, to know how upset I am right now. There's no reason for them not to, but there's something about the feeling that I want to keep private.
Just then the door blasts open and Lockhart walks in. Why do people find him so attractive, because really all he looks like is a poser? His smile alone makes me want to barf. For one, no one's teeth are that white. Second of all, it's obviously so practiced that it isn't naturally that big and bright. Apparently the girls just love it though. Personally as celebrities go I prefer movie stars to fake heroes.
"Welcome," he smiles with those disgusting pearly white teeth. "Welcome to a great year of Defense Against the Dark Arts with me, Gilderoy Lockhart."
The girls in my class swoon and I snicker a little bit at them. Ron pretends to hurl next to me and I roll my eyes at him even though I am thoroughly amused. Harry gestures over to Hermione and I burst into laughter. For such a conservative person she is definitely batting eyes at him, a teacher. Angel just glares at the guy and I don't exactly know why. I'll make sure to ask him later.
"I know it might be weird having such a handsome celebrity such as myself teaching you, but I'm just a normal teacher. One who happens to have won multiple awards, but a teacher nonetheless. So of course this year we will be looking at many of my accomplishments. You all bought my books for this year and for homework I expect you to look at chapter one of my autobiography. But for now we're going to do something a little more hands on."
This does pique my interest a bit and I try to look back to the movie I saw years ago to figure out what he does. I can't remember anything though. I'm pretty sure I only saw the movie like once so it's not surprising but a little annoying. As long as he doesn't let loose a bunch of vampires which isn't likely saying there's some law against that in the wizarding world. Slaying vampires might just make me have to admit my secret identity.
He removes a sheet from a giant cage in the front of the classroom and everyone screams in terror. Me, I just laugh. Angel looks over at me and shakes his head at either my amusement or everyone's reactions; knowing him it's both. Inside of the cage are many brown, furry beasts. They seemed to be pretty small, but one snarled and I caught sight of many rows of sharp and deadly teeth. I'm not completely positive what they were, but whatever.
Lockhart smiles at everyone, "These little creatures are called bestiolo. Very small, but watch out because their bite packs a big punch. One bite could mean sudden death of you're allergic to their venom. You're job is to stop them."
After that he opens the cage and as soon as the monsters burst through the opening. Lockhart squeals quietly, soft enough that I doubt anyone but Angel and I heard it. He looks out at all of us before rushing to his office with enough fake grace that it's obvious he practiced the art of looking suave and confident. That little jerk, pretending to be all macho then leaving us to defend ourselves.
Thankfully I'm used to situations like this and immediately take out my wand. I attempt to petrify one coming near me, but it seems to be immune to it. Great, so now the venomous creatures are immune to one of the only spells we know that could be useful.
Once everyone sees that the spell doesn't work, panic sets in. The people around me start grabbing their textbooks and hitting the creatures to try and squish them. Me, well I look at Angel to see what he's doing. He to is taking a textbook and trying to hit them.
"What are you doing? That obviously isn't going to work."
He shrugs, "Obviously magic isn't working and if we take out our daggers it may look a little suspicious."
"Since when have you cared about people seeing you?"
He doesn't answer and I roll my eyes at him. Looking around I see Harry and Ron struggling to keep the creatures away from them. Apparently the training we've been doing is working though. They're able to hit them away with enough strength unlike the majority of everyone. Hermione sits there, completely still, and starts mumbling spells, trying to find the right one. I laugh at her, if it wasn't for everyone else swatting the things away she would be bitten by now.
I do have to give her some props though, at least she's trying and doing something that could help.
Figuring that thinking of spells wouldn't work I run over to the cabinet at the back of the room and groan as I open it. Last year Angel and I had done some recon and found a bunch of potions in here that could stop these things. Apparently Lockhart found no reason for these and filled it with hair care products. Seriously I think this guy puts more product in his hair that Angelus, Spike, and Angel combined!. Sadly, these things are extremely fast and rush over to me, obviously sensing the threat I posses. Good let them be scared.
Someone screams and I see Neville fall to the ground, I guess he's allergic to these things. This is Neville, so it wouldn't surprise me. Suddenly I see Hermione's eyes light up and she points out her wand, screaming "Locomotor Mortis!"
The bestiolo freeze before all falling to the ground. We all look at Hermione with wide eyes, most filled with gratitude. Me, I'm still anxious. Something still doesn't feel right, there's a crackling energy that's threatening to explode. A low buzzing sound makes it's way through the classroom and I purse my lips. Before I can even think about what was going on the bestilo stand up and all rush towards Hermione, apparently they don't enjoy being bested.
From what I know about venom, even if Hermione isn't allergic to these things so many of them attacking at once could cause a lot of harm. Angel seems to sense the same thing and runs to her. I stay where I am, I'm fast and all but these things are faster. A feeling of hopelessness runs through my veins. I just don't see what I can do to hep.
That feeling does not last long however and out of nowhere anger spreads form head to toe. How dare these creatures attack on my territory? How dare Lockhart allow this to happen? How dare they hurt any of my friends, Neville, or kind of friends, Hermione. On its own accord my hand reaches up and tingles start at my head and make it's way to my fingertips. The static escapes my body and as if becoming a tangible cord I feel it reaching out of me, grabbing the bestilio and chocking them. All of them collapse and this time I just know that it's for good, but just to be safe I wave my wand and send them all back into the cage before locking it.
None of them wake up and with a sigh of relief the kids who had hidden under desks stand up and those who were attacking put there makeshit weapons down. Lockhart comes out of his office and smiles his fake smile at us. "Well done, well done all of you. Each of you obviously has what it takes to go far in this subject. Now before our next class I want all of you to fill out this pretest that I have put together. It's sitting next to the door. You are all dismissed."
Every male in the class, plus me, doesn't waste a second to get out; the girls on the other hand stay around gazing longingly at him as long as possible. I snort at their absurd attitude, I mean why does a guy have to ruin any ounce of anything they have. On the way out I grab the piece of parchment and snort at the homework we have. Is this guy for real?
As soon as we're sure we are out of his earshot we all start cracking up. Dean and Seamus who are next to us start laughing as well. Everything about this DADA class is ridiculous. Glancing at who else is near us I groan, we forgot Neville and I doubt Lockhart will know what to do with him. I tell this to Angel who shakes his head and we make our way back to class to find that Neville is still lying on the floor.
Lockhart spots Harry and smiles, "Ah Harry how are you?"
He inconspicuously rolls his eyes, "Good Professor, I um enjoyed your class today."
"Yep," I agree sarcastically. "You know a lot about your dark arts."
My friends laugh at this, but he doesn't seem to notice my tone. "Why thank you, Ms…"
"Summers," I smile widely. "Um we'd talk but we should bring Neville to the hospital wing."
"Of course, of course, run along. And I expect all of you to do well on this pretest."
Angel grabs Neville out of Harry's hands since he is struggling with his weight. Guess our training didn't help as much as I first thought it did. Whatever, we'll just go and train more. Actually we got out of class early, so we should have plenty of time this afternoon to chill.
Madame Pomfrey is not surprised to see that the four of us are in the hospital wing, or the fact that Neville was injured in class. Apparently a year here and teachers already get the impression that we get into trouble a lot. But we don't really…trouble just happens to find just wherever we go.
After Neville is safe in Madame Pomfrey's care we head up to the room. Making sure no one is following us we walk in and I grin when I see all the stuff that is in here. Nothing really changed. There's still the library, the weapons closet, the couches, the changes of clothes, and there's even a bunch of snacks waiting for us at a table. None of us waste a second and go straight towards the food.
As I take in my surroundings I can't help but realize the parallels between this place and the Sunnydale High library. I mean both have that dark and drab feel to them. There's books, weapons, and
A round table for us to sit at. The area starts to shimmer and the room transforms into Sunnydale. I shudder and as if sensing my mood it switches back. Harry and Ron look around in confusion while Angel looks at me and silently asks me if I'm okay. I just nod and cough awkwardly, "Um so do we train or do our work?"
Ron looks at me as if I've grown horns, "Buffy are you crazy? Homework? Really?"
Harry rolls his eyes, "I think that was sarcasm Ron."
He mumbles something unintelligent and stomps over to a bean bag chair before collapsing and gesturing us to go ahead. Ron could be such a drama queen when he wanted to be. Just shaking my head at him, I go over into the weapon closet and change out of my uniform before making my way out and run into a round-off, double back handspring, whip. When I land I bow and watch my friends start to clap.
"Hold your applause," I smile. "I mean it wasn't that amazing, I could do a full if you want?"
Of course no one knows what that is and we crack up. I don't know what possessed me to show off my mad cheer skills, I really have no clue. Scratch that, I do know. Whatever happened in DADA really freaked me out. I didn't do anything, yet I managed to use magic to subdue the monsters. Magic that didn't use a wand, err at least I don't think it did, and I've never heard of. Magic that worked on magic resistant creatures. Magic that seemed to be buried deep inside of me.
Cheerleading was such a part of my old normal life that when I'm in a wigged out mood I tend to start tumbling for no apparent reason.
Sparring is exactly what I need to take my mind off of weird occurrences. Stepping into the familiar routine of sparring with Angel and teaching Ron and Harry how to fend off enemies and fight definitely calms me down. Nothing gets rid of tension as well as literally beating the tension out of you. Well maybe not literally since I'm not hurting myself, but the point remains the same.
Once we are all tired and sweaty we actually sit down to do our homework. Err let me restate that; Angel, Harry,and I start our homework while Ron just sits there looking bored to death. Really has anything changed since last year?
We head down to dinner after a while and I sit there with a Cheshire grin. For some reason I'm just in a good mood, even considering all the work I still have after dinner and the terrible DADA class I had. Something about being in school is just nice. I'd love to see Willow's reaction to me right now.
Dinner comes and goes and by the time I'm lying in bed getting ready to go to sleep, all I can do is smile. I love being back home. And I feel as if Hogwarts really is home. As I drift into unconsciousness I can't help but keep smiling.
Sorry for the long wait and the not so great chapter. I was having insane writer's block and kind of lost all inspiration for this story. Because of that I am revamping the story and changing the summary as well, so if you see a different summary under the same title, it's because I'm changing the plot a little. This won't effect what you have read so far, but it may mean irregular updates for a while.