Chapter 4: Hogwarts Express

Septermber 2, 2001 – Sunday

Hogwarts Express

Harry and Ron boarded the Hogwarts Express, their excitement for the new school year tinged with curiosity about Hermione's mysterious absence. Ron couldn't help but voice his question once more, his tone filled with a touch of frustration, "Where do you think she's been all summer?"

Hermione had initially been invited to spend a few weeks at the Weasley house and attend the Quidditch World Cup, but she had owled them with her apologies, explaining that something had come up.

Harry, equally puzzled, gave a noncommittal shrug as he replied, "I don't know." His thoughts mirrored Ron's, wondering about the reason behind Hermione's unexpected change of plans. The journey to Hogwarts had just begun, and they were already facing a mystery to solve.

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In their compartment on the Hogwarts Express, Dawn and Buffy sat quietly, observing Hermione as she gazed out the door. Hermione had arranged with Dumbledore for her sisters to meet Harry and Ron on the train, and the headmaster had graciously granted her request, aware of Hermione's desire to introduce her best friends to her family.

Hermione glanced back at her sisters and whispered, "Okay, here they come."

Buffy and Dawn exchanged an amused glance and decided to play it cool, hiding their faces behind copies of the Daily Prophet. Over the summer, Hermione had regaled her sisters with stories of her first three years at Hogwarts and her adventures with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.

As Harry and Ron approached their compartment, Hermione leaned out of the door, waving to get their attention. "Where have you guys been?" she inquired with a playful tone, trying to divert the conversation away from her own mysterious summer.

Harry and Ron entered the compartment, their curiosity piqued by Hermione's question. Ron couldn't help but return the inquiry, his tone light, "We could ask you the same thing, Hermione."

Hermione smiled, not yet ready to reveal the full truth of her summer adventures. "Right here," she replied cryptically, leaving her friends intrigued about what had transpired during their time apart.

"You spent all summer on the train?" Harry asked, his expression a mixture of surprise and skepticism.

Dawn and Buffy couldn't help but share an amused glance, rolling their eyes at the absurdity of such a notion.

Hermione couldn't contain her laughter. "Of course not," she reassured Harry, her voice filled with mirth. "I was staying with family. It's why I didn't accept your invitation, Ron. Sorry."

Ron, ever curious, leaned in, ready to hear more. "When you say family..."

But Hermione interrupted him, her eyes wide with a warning, and she whispered, "Shh!" She pressed her finger to her lips and pointed discreetly toward the compartment next to theirs.

The conversation in the adjacent compartment continued, revealing some interesting family dynamics. "... Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts, you know," the voice from the neighboring compartment said. "He knows the headmaster, you see. Well, you know his opinion of Dumbledore—the man's such a Mudblood-lover—and Durmstrang doesn't admit that sort of riffraff. But Mother didn't like the idea of me going to school so far away. Father said Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not just the defense rubbish we do ..."

Buffy exchanged a conspiratorial look with Dawn from behind the paper, her voice hushed as she whispered, "If he wasn't a student, I would curse him into the next century. He just rubs me the wrong way, him and his father." Dawn nodded in agreement, sharing her sister's sentiments. "Shall we introduce ourselves to 'Mione's friends?" Buffy suggested.

"Might as well," Dawn replied, and they both lowered their papers simultaneously, ready to reveal their identities.

Ron and Harry's eyes widened with shock as they beheld the unexpected sight before them—two Hermione Grangers. Ron's bewilderment was palpable as he stammered, "Two Hermione's?" His gaze darted back and forth between the sisters, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Hermione couldn't help but relish the moment, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she enjoyed the reactions of her friends. "Nope, not two," she clarified, her voice filled with amusement. "And neither of us has been drinking Polyjuice Potion either."

Harry couldn't contain his curiosity and waved at Dawn. "Then how can she look exactly like you, Hermione?" he wondered, his eyes locked onto the twins with a mixture of fascination and astonishment.

Dawn's grin widened as she scooted over to make room for Hermione between her and Buffy. She decided it was time to reveal the truth, holding out her hand and introducing herself, "That's easy. 'Mione's my identical twin sister. Dawn Summers."

Harry and Ron exchanged baffled looks, their surprise evident in their wide-eyed expressions. Harry couldn't help but voice his confusion, asking, "Hermione, since when do you have a twin?"

Hermione decided to share a version of the truth with her friends, her tone carrying a hint of melancholy as she replied, "You're not the only one who's lost parents, Harry." She gave a warm smile to him, her eyes filled with understanding. "When I was a baby, I was given up for adoption. My birth parents told my mum and dad that two children were going to be difficult to raise, three would be impossible."

Buffy and Dawn exchanged a knowing glance, realizing that Hermione was crafting a story to protect Dawn's true nature. Just a year ago, Dawn had never existed in this world, and for her safety, they had decided to keep her origins hidden from all but a select few, including Dumbledore.

Hermione continued her tale, her hand resting gently on Dawn's arm as she explained, "So my birth parents gave me up for adoption. They told Mum and Dad that should I choose to, I could contact them. If they were financially secure, I could even go live with them, assuming, of course, I wanted to."

Ron raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued by Hermione's revelation. "So that's where you've been all summer?" he inquired, clearly interested in hearing the details.

Hermione nodded, her expression reflective. "Not all summer," she clarified. "Only about half of it. Not long before your birthday, Harry, Mum and Dad decided to tell me that I was adopted. They thought I was finally old enough to know the truth." She took a deep breath before continuing, "So I called the number that the adoption agency had given my Mum and Dad, wanting to speak to my birth parents. But the person who answered the telephone was my sister."

Harry and Ron turned their attention toward Dawn, who shook her head. Buffy, taking the lead, introduced herself, "My name is Buffy Summers. When 'Mione called looking for Mom, I was a little shocked. Then she told me who she was, and I knew instantly that she had to come see me and Dawn."

Harry's brow furrowed in confusion, and he sought clarification. "Back up a minute," he said, trying to understand. "You said I'm not the only one who's lost parents. What did you mean, Hermione?"

Buffy answered on Hermione's behalf, her voice carrying a sense of sadness. "Our parents are divorced," she explained. "When 'Mione called, our Mom had just passed away two days before. And our Dad, last we knew, was in Spain. We've been unable to find him to even notify him of Mom's passing. We called everyone who knew him, but no one knew where he was."

Harry's expression softened with empathy as he looked at Hermione. He could relate to the pain of not knowing one's parents, even though his circumstances had been quite different. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he said sincerely. "I know what it's like to not know who your parents are."

Hermione nodded in acknowledgment of Harry's situation. "I know, Harry. His parents were killed when he was a year old," she explained to her sisters, wanting them to understand the context.

Buffy's empathy shone through as she addressed Harry directly, her voice gentle and sincere. "I'm sorry if we brought up a painful memory for you, Harry," she expressed, her gaze filled with compassion.

Harry appreciated the genuine concern and kindness in Buffy's words. "Thank you," he replied, truly touched by her empathy. He knew that not everyone would have handled the situation with such care.

Curiosity about Buffy and Dawn's presence at Hogwarts continued to pique the interest of their new friends. Harry asked the question that was on everyone's minds, "So how come you are going to Hogwarts?"

Dawn took the lead in explaining their decision. "When Buffy and I found out about Hermione, we immediately put in a request so that I could transfer to Hogwarts. That way, we could be closer to our sister," she revealed.

Buffy picked up the narrative, elaborating on their unique circumstances. "When Professor Dumbledore saw the request and then saw who was making it," she continued, "he visited us personally and asked me to teach a class. I accepted. It was a chance for both myself and Dawn to get to know 'Mione."

Ron, always curious, couldn't help but wonder about their upbringing. "Were you guys raised by Muggles like Hermione?" he inquired, seeking to understand more about their backgrounds and experiences in the magical world.

"Yes," Buffy answered.

Ron's astonishment was evident as he surveyed the three girls in front of him and Harry. "And you're both witches," he remarked, still processing the information.

Dawn couldn't resist a little bit of dramatic flair as she explained, "Well, Buffy is more than just a witch. She's the Vampire Slayer."

Ron chuckled, seemingly thinking Dawn had made a jest. "That's not possible. The Slayer is a myth," he asserted confidently.

Hermione, with a knowing smile, provided the confirmation they needed. "Not a myth," she stated firmly. "Buffy is indeed the Slayer. Dumbledore confirmed it."

Harry's eyes widened in realization, and he couldn't contain his excitement at the revelation. "If Dumbledore confirmed it," he began, "that means the Wizarding World knows that the Slayer is real, right?" His question hung in the air as he sought confirmation from the trio.

Buffy, Dawn, and Hermione all nodded, confirming that the Wizarding World was aware of the existence of the Slayer. Harry, always curious, delved further, "So how come in our school books, the Slayer is listed as a myth?"

Buffy and Dawn shared a knowing look as Buffy began to explain the mystery surrounding the Slayer's status in the Wizarding World. "We think it has something to do with the Watcher's Council," Buffy revealed. "The Watcher's Council is a group that trains the Slayer. Suffice to say, all girls who have the potential to become Slayers are generally under their control." She continued to shed light on her own history, adding, "I actually fell through the cracks and wasn't identified until after I was called. I played the nice Slayer who reluctantly followed the rules until I turned eighteen."

Dawn chimed in with her own experience, providing further context. "They gave Buffy this test that stripped her powers and got me and Mom kidnapped by a vampire," she shared, her voice carrying a hint of resentment for the Watcher's Council's actions.

Buffy resumed, explaining her decision to break away from the Council after the traumatic events. "It was after then that I broke away from the Council," she said. "We believe that all Potentials and Slayers are forbidden by the Council to be trained in magic. So since I am no longer affiliated with the Council, well..."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy continued to regale Harry and Ron with stories of the Slayer and her various battles, providing a glimpse into her unique world. However, their conversation was soon interrupted when Harry, Hermione, and Ron's friends joined them, leading to introductions and a brief recap of the Slayer's existence for those who were previously unaware.

As the discussion shifted away from Buffy and Dawn, it centered on the recently held Quidditch World Cup, sparking excitement among the group. Dawn and Hermione, both diligent students, took the opportunity to study, their school books open and ready.

Observing the two girls, Buffy couldn't help but notice the similarities between Dawn and Hermione. Both were academically gifted, excelling in their studies. Hermione's reputation at Hogwarts preceded her, and it seemed that Dawn shared her sister's commitment to education.

Neville Longbottom, feeling left out of the Quidditch World Cup discussion, chimed in with a hint of envy. "Gran didn't want to go," he lamented. "Wouldn't buy tickets. It sounded amazing, though."

Ron, eager to share his experiences, pulled out a miniature figure of Viktor Krum from his trunk and displayed it for Neville. "It was," he enthused. "Look at this, Neville..." He rummaged in his trunk up in the luggage rack and pulled out a miniature figure of Viktor Krum.

"Oh wow," said Neville enviously, his eyes widening with a touch of admiration.

"We saw him right up close, as well," said Ron, his voice tinged with excitement and a hint of pride. "We were in the Top Box -"

"For the first and last time in your life, Weasley." Malfoy had appeared in the doorway, his tone dripping with disdain. Behind him stood Crabbe and Goyle, their presence looming like a dark cloud.

Evidently, they had overheard the conversation through the compartment door, which Dean, Neville, and Seamus had left ajar. Harry's gaze met Malfoy's, his expression calm and collected despite the tension in the air.

"Don't remember asking you to join us, Malfoy," said Harry coolly, his voice laced with a touch of defiance.

"Weasley… what is that?" said Malfoy, pointing at Pigwidgeon's cage. A sleeve of Ron's dress robes was dangling from it, swaying with the motion of the train, the moldy lace cuff very obvious. A sense of embarrassment colored Ron's cheeks as he fumbled to hide the tattered robes.

Ron made to stuff the robes out of sight, but Malfoy was too quick for him; he seized the sleeve and pulled.

"Look at this!" said Malfoy in ecstasy, holding up Ron's robes and showing Crabbe and Goyle, his voice dripping with mock enthusiasm. "Weasley, you weren't thinking of wearing these, were you? I mean - they were very fashionable in about eighteen ninety…"

"Eat dung, Malfoy!" Ron retorted, his face flushed with frustration and anger.

Buffy, who had been observing the exchange, had pretty much had enough of the Spike wannabe. Her tone was firm and commanding as she addressed Malfoy, her voice cutting through the tension in the compartment.

"Mr. Malfoy!" she snapped, her eyes locking onto his with a determined gaze.

Malfoy looked to Buffy and glared at the Slayer, his usual arrogance somewhat dampened in the presence of her authority. "Professor," he replied, a touch of begrudging respect in his tone.

"You will go back to your compartment, or you will start school with detention," Buffy informed the Spike wannabe, her voice commanding and unwavering.

Malfoy, ever the cunning Slytherin, tried to play his cards. He smirked, thinking he had her over a barrel. "You can't do that, Professor," he retorted with false confidence. "You can't deduct points or give detention till after the start of the term which is at the feast tonight."

Buffy chuckled in response, her laughter holding a touch of amusement and authority. "Gee, someone didn't tell me that," she stated, her eyes narrowing as she locked onto Malfoy's with a glint of determination. It was the only sign that the Slayer was in charge. "That means either someone didn't do their job or you're lying." Her words hung in the air like a verdict.

"Back to your compartment, now!" she commanded, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Ron, relieved to have his dress robes back, snatched them as Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle left the compartment. He got to his feet and slid the door shut, turning to Buffy with an appreciative smile. "That was bloody brilliant. But how did he know you were a professor?"

Dawn chimed in, offering an explanation. "We ran into him and his father over the summer when we were getting our robes," she informed him. "Buffy told him and his dad that if anyone so much as disses me or Hermione, they would have to answer to her."

Harry, Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville exchanged surprised glances, then burst out into laughter at the revelation. Their admiration for Buffy had just skyrocketed, and her confident handling of Malfoy had left them thoroughly entertained.

Hermione smiled at her sisters, a warm and affectionate expression that conveyed her fondness for them, before turning her attention back to the boys. "Boys, I do believe it's time to get changed. We will be at Hogwarts shortly."

Seamus, Dean, and Neville nodded, excusing themselves from the compartment, and made their way back to their own. Ron and Harry followed suit, grabbing their robes before exiting.

With the compartment now to themselves, the girls efficiently and with a touch of excitement changed into their Hogwarts robes, anticipation building as the train drew nearer to their destination.

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"Talk about the Catholic schoolgirl look," Buffy quipped with a playful smirk as she observed the school uniform that Hermione and Dawn were wearing.

Dawn offered a gentle correction, her tone light-hearted. "Well, technically, Hogwarts is an exclusive private school," she pointed out. "At least you don't have to wear the uniform, just the robes."

Buffy nodded in agreement, relieved. "Thank goodness for small favors," she said, letting out a sigh of relief. She then turned her attention to the twins, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Now you two aren't going to give me any trouble, I hope."

Dawn and Hermione exchanged mischievous glances before Dawn replied with mock innocence, "Who, us?"

Hermione chimed in, her tone equally innocent, "We wouldn't think of it."

A moment of silence followed, during which an unusual connection seemed to flicker between the twins. They exchanged looks, their surprise evident.

"No offense, Buffy," Dawn began after the brief pause, her tone sincere, "but the twin thing is a riot. It's going to be fun to tease the professors a little."

Buffy's expression softened as she gazed at the twins. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of longing. "I bet it would," she agreed wistfully, her voice tinged with a touch of envy. Buffy had always wished she had been lucky enough to be born with an identical twin sister, someone to share her experiences and secrets with.

Hogsmeade Station, Hogsmeade

As the train doors opened, there was a rumble of thunder overhead, and the rain came pouring down, drenching everyone from head to toe. It was a dramatic start to their arrival at Hogwarts.

"Hi, Hagrid!" Harry yelled over the downpour, raising his voice to be heard.

Hagrid, a giant of a man, bellowed back, waving enthusiastically despite the rain. "All righ', Harry? See yeh at the feast if we don' drown!"

Hermione, shivering from the sudden drenching, chimed in with a concerned tone, "Ooh, I wouldn't fancy crossing the lake in this weather."

Dawn nodded in agreement, her hair and clothes soaked. "Quick way to catch a cold."

Hagrid, soaked himself but seemingly unfazed, turned to Buffy with a friendly grin. "Evenin', Professor Summers," he greeted her warmly. Then, he shifted his gaze to Dawn, his smile widening. "Hello, Dawn."

Hermione smiled mischievously, deciding to have a little fun with Hagrid. "I'm Dawn. She's Hermione," she said, watching as Hagrid looked between her and Dawn, clearly trying to discern the difference.

Then she couldn't contain her laughter any longer. "I'm teasing you, Hagrid. I'm Hermione, and she's Dawn."

Hagrid joined in the laughter, his hearty chuckles echoing in the rain. "Tha's a good one, Hermione. Yeh better get along. Don't want to miss the feast unless yeh want to ride in the boats."

As Buffy and Dawn continued on their way to the carriages, a puzzled expression crossed Dawn's face. She stopped short, her eyes widening in surprise. "What are those?" she asked, pointing toward the carriages.

Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Buffy turned to see what Dawn was referring to but found nothing unusual. Hermione furrowed her brow in confusion. "What is what?" she asked, glancing at her sisters.

Dawn pointed again, her voice tinged with curiosity. "The horse things pulling the carriages."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged baffled glances, realizing that Dawn was seeing something they couldn't. Hermione gently placed a hand on Dawn's shoulder. "There is nothing there, Dawn," she informed her sister, concern in her voice.