Lovell walked along the corridor, his pace throwing up dust and sending the tapestry of the dancing trolls stirring against the wall. "Buffy's training room. I need Buffy's training room," he chanted aloud.

In his head, he envisaged the Room of Requirement as he'd last seen it – a Muggle gymnasium with a distinctive arch-shaped window at the far end of the room.

'I never thought I'd pull this bunny out the hat!' Buffy exclaimed, the comment confusing him even more. Bunnies? A hat? What was she talking about?

She walked along, still rambling to herself. 'This place totally has all the Hemery vibes. Not Sunnydale High, Hemery. That's where I got expelled for burning the gym down, remember me telling you?'

He hadn't answered immediately and she'd looked over her shoulder. 'Lovell? Remember? I got expelled from there. It so wasn't my fault.'

'Of course it wasn't' he'd soothed, trying to work out if it was the Hemery from her previous life or the one she'd left in this life. It had to be the Hemery from her past life. Buffy had strong memories of her parents sending her to a mental institute afterwards. He was confident in this life, Aunt Joyce would never have put her daughter into an asylum.

He'd followed her into the room, stopping at the base of a post and staring up at the net. Why was there a hole in the net? What purpose was a net with a hole in it?

Buffy babbled on '...and that part over there, it kinda reminds me of the storeroom at the Magic Box and this... Oh!'

Lovell had turned to find her standing in front of a large cage.

"This could be straight out of Giles' library in Sunnydale. I guess the room pulled a bit of everything out of my head and created the perfect training space for me. Anyway, that's what I think.

There's a pile of training dummies over here and I can use the gym stuff to create an obstacle course, and... Do you think the room provided weapons?'

There had been, and Lovell had soon grown bored watching her cooing over primitive quarter staffs and an ancient crossbow and gone off to explore on his own.

Now, on his second pass of the corridor, Lovell repeated again, "Buffy's training room."

Buffy had to be in there! He'd checked every other place he could think of, even going to Buffy's private spot up on the roof. He really needed to speak to her. He needed to explain what he'd done before someone else did.

"Boo!"

Lovell shrieked, flapped his arms, and swung around – his face blanched. "Buffy!" The Lovegoods were normally pretty unflappable, but his cousin really knew how to scare people.

Buffy smirked up at him, her large eyes sparkling with laughter and her skin holding a glow from her recent workout.

"Uh-huh! That's me – the one and only. Bet you're glad." She paused, taking in his expression. "Okay, what's with the frowny face?" She lowered her voice, "Did I get another owl from Grindy? I can see him sending me a Halloween gift – a box of real human eyeballs or skin, so that I can conduct dark experiments."

Eyeballs? Human skin? Sometimes, it worried him that his cousin had only known magic a few months and here she was knowing far more about dark magic than him. Hurriedly, he shook his head. It bothered him that her father was determined to make contact. Although family was important to the magical, Lovell doubted Grindelwald was courting her company because he wanted her to attend family dinners.

"Lovell? Answer me. Have you heard from your Dad? Is my Mom ok?"

Lovell shook his head again and then nodded. " I mean, ugh, no. No letters."

She was waiting. He didn't think Buffy would intentionally hurt him – not unless he turned into a mindless, murderous vampire. Still, his cousin's death glares had even the most hardened Slytherins twitching in their seats. People were even trying to copy her death glare, they said it rivalled Riddle's.

He needed to tell her what he'd done. With a shaky smile, he said, "I, er, did something you aren't going to like... It was an accident." Honesty, made him add, "At least, the second part of it was. I did the first part on purpose. I had an idea, I didn't think you'd mind and then..." His mouth dried as his cousin's face hardened. He'd never say it to her but – sometimes – she looked as dangerous as her father.

Buffy took his arm and clinging on to it led him to where a bench was set against the wall. "Spill."

He gulped. "Blood?"

Buffy looked at him as if he'd grown an extra head. "Have you hit your brain or something? S'plain." Pushing him down onto the bench, she sat and angled herself so that she faced him.

It came out in a rush. "I told Roz Moody how you planned on sneaking out of Hogwarts. I wanted too know if Alistair had ever mentioned the Fae to her. I thought, maybe, the Aurors would have been taught about them. She didn't know anything."

Buffy chewed her bottom lip and eyed him. She wondered if this had more to do with Lovell trying to impress Roz than her trip too the Fae. Was Lovell sweet on Roz? Roz had been crushing on Marcus Lestrange for ages, but recently Buffy had found Roz and Lovell sharing books in the library.

"Oh, okay, it's not bad," she replied. "There's worse people in Hogwarts you could have told than Roz Moody. I mean, the girl chatters, but she isn't the type who'd spill a secret if you asked her not to." She paused. "You did tell her not to, didn't you?"

He nodded.

Buffy smiled at him. "See, no harm done. I bet she'll talk my ear off in Potions and we end up with a detention, but I–"

"We were overheard," interrupted Lovell. "Someone overheard us. He said he was searching for...I don't know, beetles or something in the bushes. I'm sorry, Buffy. He kept asking me all these questions and... I didn't know how to shut him up. He knows all about the Pouka and your trip to Faeland."

Buffy blinked.

"I asked him to not to say anything, but Roz isn't convinced that he will keep quiet. He's got a reputation."

"Who is it?" Buffy asked, her voice tight.

"Hagrid."

Buffy closed her eyes with exasperation. Then snapped them open. "When did this happen? Don't tell me this afternoon and you've only just come to tell me now."

Lovell shook his head. "Less than an hour ago. I came looking for you as soon as it happened. I even went up to the Astronomy Tower to see if Walburga had seen you. Only... she wasn't very happy because I walked in on the middle of her ritual." He didn't want to think about the foul names Walburga had called him in front of Roz, or the way she'd threatened to turn him into a flobberworm.

"Ritual?" Buffy jerked her head, momentarily distracted from her thoughts of Hagrid. "What kind of ritual? Demonic?"

"No, just a Samhain Remembrance Ritual." That's what had made it so much worse.

"Ah, yeah. I forgot," Buffy was saying, "she invited me to that andthe Halloween party she's organised later. She's sulking because I said I wouldn't go and Spikey wasn't to go either. As for Rubeus..."

Her nose wrinkled. Hagrid wouldn't purposely tell, what would happen is he'd accidentally blurt it out and then say, 'I wasn't meant to say that'.

"Don't worry about Hagrid. I'll change and be away before he can tell Kettleburn or Dumbledore or anyone else what I'm doing."

…

Down in the Slytherin Common Room, a fancy dress party was in full swing. Fake skeletons and gauzy cobwebs hung from the walls and out of a magical gramophone came the sound of a haunting melody sang by a famous witch and her band. Most of the sofas had been cleared and couples dressed as dragonflies, phoenixes and butterflies tripped over one another's feet and costumes, alternately arguing or laughing about the ensuing mayhem.

On one table, stood a large punch bowl filled with a non-alcoholic beverage – a Replenishing Charm keeping the bowl constantly filled. In one alcove, Buffy saw a group of sixth-years opening bottles and pouring the smoky liquid into glasses for older students. She paused, before remembering that it was legal to drink at seventeen in the wizarding world and as long as no one gave it to younger students the teachers wouldn't complain.

Keeping to the edge of the room and avoiding Fiona and Uma – dressed as large pink butterflies and trying to persuade Orion and Alphard Black to dance with them – Buffy slid through the groups of students until she reached the safety of the girls' corridor.

Once in her room, she grabbed together an outfit she'd put together earlier. She'd chosen a long-sleeved cotton top covered by a thigh-length suede tunic of grey and lavender, and a pair of soft dark green leggings that enabled her to move easily. The knee-length boots she wore had just enough of a heel to stop her being mistaken for a lawn ornament and yet short enough so she could run and fight. In her belt, she wore the black-handled silver knife, her wand and a flask of holy water. The flask of water she'd had for a while, one of many she'd brought with her from the small, unlocked church near her cousin's house in Devon.

Did holy water affect the Fae? Some said it did and others said it didn't. Buffy wasn't about to pass up even on a slight advantage. The Fae were dangerous and no matter how much research she'd done information had remained scarce. Anyone would think that they didn't want to be found – or have their weakness become general knowledge.

With her dark cloak folded neatly over her arm, she headed back to the Common Room, remembering she was a witch and casting a Disillusionment Charm at the entrance. The sensation of magic settled over her like walking into a fine mist. She took a deep breath and moved into the centre of the doorway, waiting to see if anyone noticed. When no one spotted her, she wended her way through the dancers, heading straight for the exit. There was no time to delay, it was soon going to be midnight and she didn't want to be late.

When she reached the outside door, something white floated past her. Buffy looked up – surprised. Snow? In October? What the hell? It wasn't even winter and it was snowing already? A large flake landed in the centre of her forehead, melted and slid along her cheek. It made her tug her hood over her head and cast an extra-toasty Warming Charm over herself. She might always be a sun-loving California girl at heart, but she was witchy enough not to let a few snowflakes stop her.

She set off down the nearest path, taking a fork that led past the pumpkin patches and on to where the roofs of the greenhouses glowed a soft green against the night sky. Instead of continuing on that path, Buffy chose one less well-travelled – one that would bring her out behind the greenhouses, confident Rory would prefer to meet her somewhere more secluded. As she made her way towards the rear, her slayer senses pinged and she stopped – and then crept forward again, hugging the building until she reached the corner.

Peering around the edge of the building she saw a line of hunched, hooded figures sitting on the low stone wall that separated the greenhouses from the forest. From the easy way the group talked amongst themselves, they were confident that no one would overheard them. Someone must have cast Charms to hide them. No one but a Slayer – an experienced slayer – would have guessed anyone waited there.

A hot wave of anger surged through Buffy and she stepped out from the hiding spot, her wand slashing at the air and a Finite erupting from her lips.

The Concealment spells shivered in the air, like heat rising on a summer day, yet they didn't break. Buffy scowled, getting ready to throw something stronger at them, when the tallest figure leapt to his feet and strode over, pushing back his hood to reveal black hair. He waved a yew wand and banished the spells he'd cast.

"Buffy!"

"Don't you dare Buffy me, Tom Riddle! What do you think you're doing?" she hissed right back, marching to meet him partway. Standing toe-to-toe, Tom towered over her, but Buffy wasn't put off her righteous indignation – she was well used to Tom Riddle. She jabbed a finger into his shoulder, making him wince. "The deal was, you kept my secrets and I kept yours."

Tom's cheeks darkened. Was that a blush? Ha! He should be ashamed! He had no right to tell his friends about her plans.

And then he shrugged as if none of it mattered. Buffy had the urge to slap him. She'd trusted him. How could he have done this to her? And to think, she'd been panicking about Hagrid's mouth.

"Don't blame Riddle, Summers," drawled Yaxley. "He cares about you for some reason."

Buffy blinked. Yaxley barely recognised that she existed and here he was lecturing her on what she should and shouldn't do. What was Tom thinking – bringing Yaxley here? His dad was something high up in the Ministry , he was always bragging about it.

Yaxley continued – in the sort of voice you used on disobedient children. "You might have had the misfortune to have been raised as an American, but, remember, you're one of us now.

Buffy swore under her breath. Maybe she should have sworn a bit louder, as Yaxley went on, "We can't let one of ours face a bunch of fairy boys on her own. It simply isn't done."

"Done?" Buffy repeated. They were all gonna feel well and truly 'done' when she'd finished with them. "Wait! What do you mean, you can't let me face the fairies on my own?" She shot Tom a hard look and he refused to meet her eye. "You're not coming with."

"Of course, we are." Yaxley beamed at her. "It's far too dangerous for you to go there alone."

"Um, let me see." She pretended to think. "Nope, it's still a private party and I'm not handing out invites. Go back to your Halloween party and go get drunk or something." She shot Tom another glare. Not that he seemed to care, he'd folded his arms and was looking straight over her head.

Abraxas came over to join the conversation. Buffy was relieved to see that it was Victor Avery and not Marcus Lestrange behind him. "Buffy," Abraxas began, "if you were my sister, and thank Merlin that you aren't, I'd lock you up in the west wing for even thinking of going anywhere near those things. I've read a book –."

Buffy snorted.

Malfoy tossed his blonde hair and glared. "A book that says the Fae should be avoided at all costs. We don't want a girl going there and getting lost."

Tom seemed to shake himself. "We aren't letting you go alone, Buffy. We want to help."

"Oh-no," Buffy took several steps back, heading for the gap in the wall. "Buffy and outside help, is non-mixy. I'm not dragging you into a fight. Any of you. Tom, I'd appreciate it if you stayed fray-adjacent in future – ."

"Are you going to say that to the others?" Tom nodded to something over her head and Buffy turned, rolling her eyes as she watched a group of students emerge from around the side of the greenhouse.

Lovell led the way, followed by Fiona, Uma, Roz and... Oh yeah, there was Hagrid at the rear. Buffy swallowed. So much for quietly slipping away before anyone noticed!

Fiona waved, sending a large pink gauze butterfly wing bouncing as she moved her arm. "We're coming with you, Buffy! We want to help!"

Hagrid lumbered forward, looking far too eager. "I'm going to come with you and look for the cryptoids!" his voice boomed. "It's want I've always wanted to do! I want to be a cryptorchid!

Roz giggled, and so did Malfoy. Tom just stared at Buffy who pretended not to know what Hagrid was talking about – which wasn't very difficult.

"You mean a cryptozoologist," Lovell corrected. He felt sorry for Hagrid. He understood what it was to have the drive to discover a new creature – something others dismissed as a myth. "A cryptorchid means something," he lowered his voice and whispered. "Something you don't want to be."

Hagrid scratched at his head through the halo of dark curls. "Is it? I don't rightly know. Only thing I know, is that I want to find and keep any creature, mythical or not, that could be in hiding. Um, undiscovered, like. We can come all with yer, Buffy. It'll be a grand adventure."

Buffy shook her head and began backing away again, only stopping when her back hit a tree. She jumped when the tree snorted in her ear. A man's hand dropped on her shoulder holding her steady.

"Is there something about me looks that makes yer all think I'm the Hogwarts Express?" Rory asked, moving around from behind her and coming to stand by her side.

Buffy was relieved to see that he wore a smirk on his face. She'd been worried in case the fairy offence and had disappeared into the night, never to be seen again.

"How am I supposed to carry you all?" the Pouka asked, gesturing to all those standing there. "Carry you? Me and my poor back are already aching at the thought of all that weight."

"Who's he?" whispered Malfoy to Avery. "Is he that Pooky guy Tom was so worried about? He doesn't look that dangerous to me."

Rory laughed. "He doesn't look that dangerous to me, he says. An' him standing there, looking more dangerous than most with his pants around his ankles."

Malfoy looked down and let out a horrified cry. He crouched down, trying to hide his naked legs and pulling at his trousers that lay pooled around his feet. No matter how hard he tugged, the trousers remained firmly stuck to the ground. Malfoy whimpered and Avery did his best to hide his naked bottom from Roz, Uma and Fiona.

Rory put his hands on his hips and let out a belly laugh. "An' what about you, giant boy?" he asked, turning his attention to Hagrid. "Yer still of a mind to come with me?"

A huge grin split Hagrid's face. "If it please you, sir, yes I would."

Buffy put a restraining hand on the Pouka's arm. Hagrid wasn't the brightest button in the box but she didn't want to see him hexed. Rory's mischievous eyes went to hers, and he sighed. "The big one has manners at least. Stay home, Hagrid, and spin your web with another. You wouldn't want her to escape."

To everyone's surprise, Hagrid's eyes widened and he took off running in the direction of the castle. Tom watched him go, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Now," Rory strode forward and addressed the remaining students. "I'm not here to act as yer pack horse and Buffy has made it clear she wants none with her." He raised a finger. "But, as it happens, I agree that a quest should not be undertaken alone." His eyes rested on Tom and he switched to parseltongue. "So... who better to accompany the Lady of Light than a Dark Lord? Come with me, snake boy. Let's see if you can be any use to the lady."

A/N;

Sorry no beta and I have been ill with flu (not covid this time) and a vomiting bug. After having double pneumonia it was not welcome. It feels like I am lurching from one illness to another.

So apologies for mistakes and hope you like this.

The land of the Fae next.