I've been TRYING to post this since yesterday and every time I try, the formatting is all wacky! Boo ffn!

Chapter Twenty-one

Dinner at Home

As the trio maneuvered through London, getting on the first train to Leicester Square—it was just two stops from where they were—Tom positioned himself between Buffy and the other boy. While he didn't like the idea of Edmund Giles being near Buffy—as he was sure the other boy fancied her too—this wasn't the reason for his positioning. He couldn't help being leary of all the Muggles and the train was packed with them! One would think that, after living nearly twelve years of his life with just Muggles surrounding him, he'd be used to them by now, but the last four years of being a Hogwarts student who'd been sorted into Slytherin House had given him a different view.

On the train—it was a crowded train and much too close for comfort—he'd been forced to stand next to a couple of young women who were talking and laughing at something and not paying mind to the movement of the train as it bounded around a bend, causing one of the women to wobble and the other to bump into him.

"Watch it!" he snarled and glowered at the woman in question.

The woman and her friend turned and glared at him, then huffed and made their way toward a couple open seats at the other end. Tom could hear them say, "Rude boy!" as they left.

Buffy, who'd taken the only seat available on their end, stood up and elbowed Tom. "What's your problem, Tom? It was an accident."

"It's these...clothes," he grumbled, pulling once again at his collar.

Buffy looked him up and down. "To be honest, they're not much different than what you were wearing. Just...slightly more drab brown than drab gray," she said, her shining eyes going up and connecting with his dark ones. "You need to relax."

Tom snorted—as did Edmund. Neither, it seemed, agreed with her. There was a significant difference in quality, but maybe Buffy just couldn't tell—which Tom was grateful for despite it all.

"And the Muggles," he continued, glaring the length of the train at the two women who'd gone back to their conversation—and laughing loudly—and paying the other passengers no mind. "I don't like them. They're so...filthy. Muggles," he said under his breath. He would have hissed it out, but he knew Buffy would understand him anyway—not that she knew it yet—so why bother.

Buffy laughed. "Don't be silly. The poor wittle Muggles can't hurt you, Tommy," she said teasingly.

"Shut it!" he hissed, despite his thoughts about not doing so, his eyes black now and flashing angrily at the girl who was his only friend.

Buffy's eyes flew open. "I'm not sure about this sudden turn around, Tom Marvolo Riddle, but I have to say that I don't like it." She shook her head. "Not at all."

Tom huffed. "You don't understand," he said. "But you will when you get to Hogwarts."

Buffy frowned. "If Muggles are a problem for those at Hogwarts, then I'm not sure I want to go there."

This instantly stayed Tom's next comment. He wanted her to be prepared for what was to come, but he didn't want Buffy to change her mind about Hogwarts or about him. Sighing, he looked down. "I apologize. I'm just...uncomfortable...being packed in here with strangers...and dressed like this."

Edmund hadn't spoken yet, but found his tongue. "You know, it's going to be just as packed inside while we watch our film," he said.

Tom looked up at the other boy and glared again.

"We could do something else," Edmund suggested.

"What?!" Buffy burst. "No! I want to see a movie."

Edmund grinned. "We don't even know what's showing."

"I don't care what's playing!" Buffy protested.

"Could be some documentary produced by the government," said Edmund.

Buffy grimaced. "Oh my god! Are we in school?!"

Edmund chuckled. "The Ministry of Information likes to keep us informed."

Buffy scoffed. "With its propaganda," she said snidely.

Edmund blinked at her obvious disdain.

"I mean, I get it," Buffy continued. "Keep Calm and Carry On and all that jazz. It's what you're known for."

Edmund frowned. "Are we?"

Buffy shrugged. "Giles has a poster."

Edmund's eyes widened. "Mother has one. The poster. Though she thinks it patronizing."

Buffy snorted. "Of course she does," she said—then frowned. "You know, Giles never talks about family. I wonder why that is. I mean, obviously you all exist, so..."

Edmund adjusted his glasses, then frowned. "Do you suppose we're...estranged?" he asked, looking concerned.

Buffy shrugged. "I really don't know, Edmund," she replied quietly. "It's possible."

"Maybe we're no longer living," Edmund continued, becoming even more upset.

"I think Giles would have said if his family was dead," she said. "I mean, maybe your parents are...it is over fifty years from now, but...I hope you're not."

Edmund nodded, as if he agreed, but not really knowing. "It's very odd, to hear you talk about your Watcher and knowing he's...my son."

Buffy reached out and laid her hand on Edmund's arm. "I understand. It's strange talking about him too. He doesn't exist yet for you, but...he does for me." She smiled. "Anyway, we're going to the movies!" She turned to Tom. "You're gonna love it!"

Tom was frowning. "If you say so."

Buffy nodded. "I do say so!"

Grinning, Edmund shrugged. "All right then...let's go!"

~oOo~

A couple hours later—their movie done—the three teens exited the theater and started down the street.

"Well, what did you think?" Buffy asked, her green eyes on Tom Riddle. He'd been silent since the movie ended. He'd been silent since they'd sat down for it, then entranced throughout. Now he looked thoughtful.

"It was...interesting," he conceded quietly. "I never imagined what seeing a film would be like before. I never thought I'd get the chance."

"You liked then?" Buffy asked, smiling.

Tom shrugged. "It was...decent. Entertaining."

Edmund laughed. "You're allowed to have fun, you know," he said.

Tom glared at the other boy. "That coming from the Watcher's son!" the dark-haired boy snapped.

"Gawd. Nasty much?!" Buffy said to Tom as she rolled her eyes. She then glanced up at the boy with lighter hair. "Though, he's got a point there."

Edmund just chuckled. He'd never really thought much about his mother's disposition, but now that he'd met Buffy Summers—and was seeing and hearing how his mother was reacting to the Slayer—he could see another side to his mother. The mother side of her was strict, but had always been loving and kind. The Watcher side of her...not so much! His mother, the Watcher, was a bit cranky.

"Just make sure you're nicer to the Slayers than your mom is," said Buffy, "cuz, you know, we're important too."

Edmund nodded. "Of course you are."

Buffy grinned up at Edmund, then turned her head and looked at Tom. He was scowling at the light-haired boy. "Geez Tom, if you keep making that face all the time, it's going to get stuck that way," Buffy teased.

Tom turned his glare on the girl—causing her to roll her eyes again.

"You know, when I get back to my time, the first thing I'm going to do is look you up," said Buffy. "See what happened to you. I bet I find a picture of you and that frowny face you have there." She wiggled her fingers around in his face and laughed when he attempted to swat her hand away. "It's a handsome face," she continued. "but...not so much when it looks like that. Go on, glare some more. Let's see if we can get it stuck like that right now!"

And he did...continue to glare at her.

"So, what now?" Edmund asked to move the conversation along.

"We need to go back to yours...to get my clothing," Tom said quietly, shifting his gaze to Edmund Giles.

Buffy shook her head. "Naw, I bought them with me." She patted the bag Edmund had given her before leaving his house. It was a good-sized purse-like satchel thing that his mother never used anymore. Tom hadn't questioned where it had come from before.

Tom glanced down at the bag and frowned. He'd been thinking about his clothing since they left the Giles' home and wished he'd known his belongings hadn't been left behind. It was odd that Buffy had been carrying them around the entire time they'd been out. Either way, he was relieved.

"We could stop by my uncle's bakery," Tom said. "Things are limited, but they'll make sure we have a treat or two."

"Ooo. Treats. Sounds tasty," said Buffy, her eyes going to Tom.

Tom shrugged. "All right."

Buffy grinned and clapped her hands. "Yay." Getting Tom to agree to anything was like pulling teeth, so this felt like a victory.

~oOo~

Loaded up with more than anyone had a right to have, Buffy stepped over the threshold of Vin and Sophie's house, leading the boys inside. It was approaching evening at this point, but still early.

"Let's go down to my room," she said, head for the stairs. "So we don't wake up Vin or Sophie...if they're still sleeping." The house was quiet, so they might just be.

"I don't know, Buffy," said Edmund. "It's not really appropriate...to have boys in your room."

Buffy rolled her eyes—again. "Did you two not just spend the night here on the couch with me?" she asked. "I am so not concerned."

Both Edmund and Tom blushed.

"Besides, who's going to even know?" she continued.

"My aunties will know," said Edmund.

Buffy scoffed. "As if they'd care."

"True, but...mother wouldn't like it—"

"Okay, Edna," Buffy said, cutting him off.

Edmund laughed.

"You keep forgetting I'm from a different time and place. In my time, society's much less concerned about propriety. Americans are anyway," Buffy said—then paused. "Hmm. Come to think of it, Giles is a bit...in between. After all, his is old." She laughed—then continued. "I mean, mom probably wouldn't be overly pleased if we all partied up in my room at home, but...I'm not worried about my rep here, so..." She shrugged. "Besides, who else is even going to know?" she asked as she tromped down the stairs.

Edmund glanced at Tom, who was frowning—surprise, surprise—then shrugged.

"Okay. If you're not concerned, then I'll try not to be."

"Just, you know, behave yourselves and we'll be good," Buffy ordered.

"I promise to be a perfect gentleman, Buffy," Edmund replied—at the same time that Tom snorted and said, "I'll try."

"Try not. Do...or do not. There is not try," Buffy quipped—then laughed at the quote that only she understood.

Inside Buffy's bedroom the boys just stood there watching her. She yanked off the hat Edmund had given her and dropped it on her bed and kicked off her heels, then handed her bag to Tom. "Clothes," was all she said to him. He immediately took the bag and glanced inside—as if to make sure his belongings were there.

"What I wouldn't give for a decent halter," Buffy said as she started going through her own clothing. Again, within moments, her bed was covered in clothing. "What time is sunset here?" she asked.

"About 9:20," said Edmund as he looked at his watch. "About an hour later if you're asking for total darkness. Why?"

Buffy stopped shuffling things around and looked at him. "I need to go out. It'll be time for slayage in a few hours."

"Again?" Tom and Edmund said in unison—then frowned at one another.

"What do you mean, again?" she asked. "There are no nights off for the Slayer, guys. I've already had a few off days. And, as much as my teenage self would love it, I can't just sit around listening to music, hanging out with friends, and/or drinking tea." She grimaced at the tea part. She'd consumed far too much tea! "I think I need some coffee. And some slaying fuel."

"You're not going to leave before Auntie Vin and Soph wake, are you?" asked Edmund worriedly.

Buffy cocked her head. "They're up. And no."

Tom narrowed his eyes. "You can hear them?"

Buffy shrugged. "Uh-huh. Super abilities, remember?"

"We should go upstairs," Edmund said, not wanting to be caught in Buffy's bedroom.

Buffy smiled at the lighter-haired boy. "You're just...adorable."

Tom didn't seem to like her statement. Scowling, he turned and headed out of the room.

~oOo~

"Oh. Tom. Don't you look smart!" Sophie said the moment she saw the boy. She was in the kitchen throwing a meal together—stirring a pot of something, using her wandless magic—when he walked into the room, but was now grinning at him.

For a moment Tom didn't know what to say. He wanted to turn back around and walk out again, but he forced himself to respond. It wasn't that either of the sisters had been unkind to him—which, Salazar knew, he was grateful for—but they were extremely odd. It was...unsettling.

"Thank you, Sophie," he forced himself to say, tugging at his sleeve. "I...borrowed some of Edmund's clothing for the film. Buffy insisted when he offered." It was sort of the truth.

Sophie laughed. "Well, you look quite handsome."

Tom glanced down at himself and fiddle with his sleeve. "Thank you."

"So, did the three of you have a good time?" Sophie asked.

Tom's dark gaze came up and connected with that of the silly witch. "Yes. I think we did." He was unused to someone asking questions about things he may or may not find enjoying. It was strange to have someone care. Did they care? he wondered.

Sophie snorted. "There's a lot of room in there for contradiction, Tom."

He pursed his lips. "I had a good time, yes. I can't answer for them."

Sophie chuckled, then turned back to her cooking. "Despite all the upheaval, Buffy always seems to enjoy herself. I would guess that Edmund did too. This is different for him as well...spending time with people his own age. My sister isn't fond of allowing him free time like this. It's a shame, really. I think it's good for young people to share their experiences. Edmund needs this."

It took everything in Tom not to scowl at the woman's statement. Instead, he turned his head and looked at something else—the clock, the tea kettle, the knob on the cupboard door—anything else, but the blonde woman in the room.

Stirring by hand now, Sophie looked back at him and narrowed her eyes. Despite the boy's straight face, she could feel his emotions. "As I think you do too, Tom," she said.

Tom's gaze snapped to Sophie's. "I don't need this!" he all buy snarled.

Sophie snorted. "I have no wish to upset you, but you do, Tom...you really do."

Tom opened his mouth to argue, but found himself silenced by the spoon Sophie Fairweather was holding.

"Taste!" she said—insisted, really—as she bumped it into his lips.

Tom blinked, then opened his mouth to do as she'd instructed. Allowing her to hand-feed him felt ridiculous!

"Good?" she queried.

Tom nodded. "Very. What is it?"

Sophie shrugged. "A little of this and a little of that." She grinned. "Now, why don't you go downstairs and gather the troops. I'll have supper on the table shortly."

For a moment Tom just stood there—then he walked out of the kitchen.

~oOo~

Within ten minutes, the five of them had gathered in the dining area, the table slathered with food.

"Mother would be appalled by this," Edmund said with a gesture at the grand table that had been set. He been eyeing the food as it was placed on the table, wondering where it all had come from.

Vin snorted. "She will be, I suspect," she said as she stabbed a tender slice of meat on her plate. "Mmm. Delicious, Sophronia! You've out done yourself."

"Why thank you, Lavinia," Sophie said with delight.

"Will be?" Edmund prompted.

"Oh. Yes. I'm sure your parents will be here shortly," Vin said, with a quick gesture at the sideboard—and the two other place setting that were there.

Edmund glanced at them and frowned.

Buffy grimaced. "Ahh. Do they have to?" she asked. Then she looked at Edmund. "Um. I mean, you father's not so bad, but your mother is just...argh!" She bunched up her nose and shuddered.

Edmund gave her a tight smile, but Sophie chortled—then pointed her fork at Buffy. "Don't do that with your face, dear. It causes lines that require a lot of magic to correct."

Vin barked out a laugh. "And favors to demons that you do not want to owe."

Sophie pursed her lips. "Very true. Though I'm not sure which is worse."

"Also very true," Vin agreed.

Buffy ignored the sisters' comments about wrinkles and demons—though she might inquire about the demons at a later date—and instead said, "Can we ignore the doorbell?"

"Not unless you'd like to hear the bell chiming all evening," Vin said.

Buffy grimaced again, but didn't think it would matter. She planed to go out!

"Besides, she has a key," Sophie said with a sigh. "We really ought to change the locks."

"Or perform a spell," said Vin. "I know this great little repelling charm."

"Ooo, that sounds fun," Sophie said as she rubbed her hands together. "We really need to do something. Be prepared, at the very least, for when she calls us sluts again."

Buffy giggled, then pushed another bite of food in her mouth, groaning at the deliciousness of what she was chewing. It really was good—better than it had any right to be when so many people were suffering from rationing. But it was here and shouldn't be wasted, Buffy told herself. Besides, she needed the sustenance for slayage!

Edmund blushed and moved to wipe off his glasses. He was torn. He could understand his mother's frustration with her sisters' behavior. They were flippant, immature, and self-indulgent! But he was also not blind to how rude his mother had been to Buffy. He'd never seen his mother treat another person the way she'd treated Buffy and it was...eye-opening.

And Tom just listened to them talk about using magic. He knew some great spells too, but...he wasn't allowed to use them! Some of them he'd like to try definitely wouldn't be appreciated by anyone.

"This really is good," Buffy interrupted. "Dare I asked where it came from?"

Everyone turned to look at Sophie. The blonde shook her head. "You may ask, but I'll never tell." She chortled with glee.

Vin rolled her eyes.

"Well, it's really yummy!" Buffy reiterated as she shoveled in more food.

Vin frowned. "Are you in a hurry, dear?"

Buffy tapped her watchless wrist and nodded. "Time is money," she said. "There's vampers to slay, so..."

"Again?"

"That's what we said," Edmund put in, making a gesture between himself and Tom.

Tom sent Edmund an unreadable look. He didn't like being lumped in with the other boy.

"Just like I told them. No rest for the wicked," Buffy said.

Vin glanced at Sophie, who looked much more serious now, then looked back at Buffy. "We should talk logistics."

Buffy blinked. "This is not some complex operation, guys," she said. "Really, I dress appropriately for slayage. I go out and patrol, looking for something to slay. I slay the baddie, if said baddie is found. Then a I come home, get in my jammies, and go to bed." She shrugged. "Same ole, same ole."

"There is no...organized plan?" asked Vin.

Buffy shook her head. "Not usually, no. Unless Giles has something specific for me to hunt. Do you have something you'd like me to go after?"

Briefly, Vin and Sophie shared a look, then they glanced back at their young guest. "Not today," they said in unison.

"Maybe mother could help here," Edmund suggested.

At this, Vin and Sophie snorted.

"Pfft! I think not," Buffy said.

Edmund frowned. "I know she's not been very nice to you, but...she really is a good Watcher. Extremely dedicated."

"Yes, to the Council," Buffy put in snidely. "Sorry, Ed, I'm not a fan."

Sitting back in his chair, Edmund pulled out a cloth then took his glasses off and started cleaning them—again.

Buffy watched him, nearly laughing.

~oOo~

For the time being they dropped the discussion of Slaying and instead talked about the film the three youths had gone to see.

"So, what did you see?" Vin asked the trio.

"Major Barbara," Edmund said.

Sophie grinned. "Oh. I liked that one. What did you think, Buffy?"

"It was nice. Entertaining, even without color," Buffy said. "I mean, I'm used to color, but..." She shrugged. "Still good. The lead actress was strong. I liked that. And I recognized the main actor from other things."

Vin nodded. "Hiller and Harrison are good," she said—then looked at Sophie. "We saw her in Shaw's stage of Saint Joan. Do you remember?"

Sophie eyes lit up. "I do," she said—then cleared her throat.

"You think that life is nothing but not being dead? It is not the bread and water I fear. I can live on bread. It is no hardship to drink water if the water be clean. But to shut me from the light of the sky and the sight of the fields and flowers; to chain my feet so that I can never again climb the hills. To make me breathe foul damp darkness, without these things I cannot live. And by your wanting to take them away from me, or from any human creature, I know that your council is of the devil."

Edmund smiled at his mother's sister. "I'm impressed, Auntie."

"I enjoyed it quite a lot," Sophie said, grinning. "Though Joan was portrayed quite differently than I'd read in books, Hiller was very good."

"How long ago was this?" asked Edmund.

Sophie frowned. "Hmm. Almost twenty years?" she said, her eyes going to her sister questioningly.

Vin nodded. "I believe it was 1924, yes. Much more recent, I remember enjoying her in Pygmalion."

"Oh yes! Of course," said Sophie, nodding. "I like her. A bit plain, but very strong."

"I have to agree," Vin said.

Edmund chuckled. "Everyone is plain compared to the two of you."

Buffy grinned.

As did Tom—he couldn't seem to help himself. "Except for Buffy," he said quietly, his eyes on his plate. His comment was heard by all, but ignored.

Vin turned to Buffy. "Pygmalion was a film that came out in 1938, based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play with the same title. Hiller played the lovely Eliza Doolittle in the film."

Buffy's eyes lit up. "Oh! I know her," she said. "I mean, not Hiller. I know who Eliza Doolittle is. She's a character in a musical film called My Fair Lady. It came out in..." She paused. "I mean...it comes out in the 60s. Lovely movie. My mother loves it. About once a year it airs on TV." Buffy stopped for a second then continued. "That guy...Harrison...he's in it too! I don't know why I didn't realize it. Sometimes I am so mentally challenged. Though, I suppose it's because he looked so young in Major Barbara. In My Fair Lady, not so much. Yeah, I'll blame it on that." She grinned.

"I wish I could see it," Sophie said.

"You'll have to wait another twenty-ish years, but..." Buffy shrugged. "Eventually you can."

While they were chatting, the wall clock announced that it was six in the evening—and immediately following its chimes, the front door did the same.

"Ahh. Edmund. Your parents," Vin said. "Be a dear and let them in, please."

Sighing, Edmund got up and left the room.