It's been forever since I've posted a new chapter. Sorry. Work has been complete insanity! Not really an excuse...due to the fact that I'm super ahead in the writing. I mean, I'm in the middle of writing C40 and this is only C27...but I want to stay WAY ahead of what's being posted and I haven't had time to write a damned thing! Again...sorry.

Also...I'm posting this in three different places and updated in one place TWICE, but not the other two! Oops! Again...sorry! I guess I just forgot. Now I owe you two chapters!

Anyway, back to Buffy! Thank you all for your patience, for continuing to read, and for every review that's posted!

Chapter Twenty-seven
"A Short Jaunt in Knockturn Alley"

Reluctantly, Tom followed Buffy into Knockturn Alley, glancing up at the brick arch overhead as he went.

Followed her might be a stretch, as they entered the dismal-looking alleyway side-by-side—for the protection of them both. It was much darker in Knockturn than it had been in Diagon, but he supposed it was because the former was much narrower than the later and the buildings were quite tall. He'd heard many stories about the place—all of them not good—but he was fascinated all the same.

Tom wouldn't admit that he was curious though. As he'd told her, he had Housemates who'd spoken of it. Some had even been there. Many of the businesses in Knockturn wouldn't allow anyone underage to make purchases. This told him it was indeed a dodgy place. But some of his Housemates had older siblings—or went with their parents—and he'd seen some of the dark things that were available there. He wouldn't admit it to Buffy, but he was definitely interested.

Buffy looked up at the signage above the first shop they saw—Msaw Ætare—and frowned. There was one small dark window and a dirty sign on the brown front door reading, By Appointment Only.

"What do you suppose they sell?" she asked, bringing her face up to the window to see if she could see inside, but it was completely blacked out.

Stepping closer, Tom examined the storefront. "I haven't any idea," he said. "Perhaps you could make an appointment and then you'd find out."

Buffy laugh. "Maybe I would...if I knew how." She looked the front of the shop over again, but seeing no other details, she sighed and turned away.

"Hmph. Beard-trimming," Buffy said when her eyes fell on the shop across the alley. "Who knew wizards needed such a place."

Tom eyed her. "Professor Dumbledore could use a trim."

"Very true," Buffy agreed—then examined Tom's baby-smooth face. "But not you." She grinned at him, then reached up and touched his face.

"Stop it," he whispered, glancing around to see who might be there to see them. "You shouldn't do this in public. Perhaps save it for when it's just—"

"Us?" Buffy finished for him, a smirk on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes. "What's the fun in that?" she asked.

"Someone might see," he whispered.

She shrugged. "So. What if someone sees?"

He should back away. He knew he should, but instead he took her hand and held it to his face. As he leaned into it, he said, "You're...a horribly devious female, Buffy Summers."

Buffy chuckled. "And don't you forget it!" she said, staring up into his dark eyes. "You know, I would think the wizarding world would have come up with a magical means of hair removal."

Smirking at the blonde, Tom retracted his hand and rubbed his chin. "Who says we haven't."

"Hmm. I need the secret for myself then," she said with a glance down at her legs, "because the razors here... not up to my standard."

Tom made a show of looking down to peruse Buffy's tanned legs. In his opinion, they were quite lovely. "I don't think you have anything to worry about," he said, his eyes twinkling as he continued to smirk at her. He received a smack to the back of his head for his admiration and feigned insult. "I give you a compliment and I'm slapped for my effort."

Buffy snorted. "You call that a compliment?" she asked, shaking her head. "You have a lot to learn about girls, Riddle." With that Buffy crossed the alley and grimaced at the bones dangling in the window, then leaned in to peer inside. "Is that...a chair made of bones?" she asked, her nose wrinkling up in disgust.

Coming up close behind her, Tom put a hand on her waist and pulled her against him as he looked over her shoulder. Nodding, he pointed up at the sign that read: Dystyl Phaelanges.

"Ew. That's gross!" Buffy exclaimed as she turned sideways and backed away from the shop—and Tom. Narrowing her eyes at her friend, she waved a finger in his direction. "What happened to someone seeing us?"

Tom shrugged. "It's your reputation. If you're not worried about it, then...why should I worry?"

Buffy harrumphed. "You're very confusing, Tom."

"As are you," he countered.

She grinned. "Good. Keeps you on your toes."

"Is your house in need of a chimney sweep, Miss?" a man asked, creeping up behind them. "Rent a house-elf to do your dirty work."

Buffy turned to see a filthy man with horrible teeth roughly shaking a small pale humanoid being. The skinny creature was about two and half feet tall, had an oversized head, with big floppy bat-like ears and googly, almost glowing, blue eyes. Buffy looked it over, her head cocked to the side. It wasn't even wearing proper clothing. Just a shapeless brown burlap sack or something.

"Is it a goblin?" she whispered to Tom.

"Smudge is not a goblin!" the little thing squeaked, one of its ears perking upright—very much like a dog's would, Buffy thought—causing the man holding it to give it a kick.

Tom shook his head. "No. It's a house-elf. They're quite different."

Buffy turned and looked at the small creature again and frowned, then glared at the grubby man who was still shaking it. "What do you think you're doing to the poor thing?" Buffy questioned the man.

He stared at her. "How I treat my property is of no concern to you, young lady," the wizard snapped, giving her a fierce glare.

"Property?! So what, he's like...your slave or something?!" Buffy said with indignation. "That's disgusting!" Reaching out, she physically disentangled the small creature from the cruel man and put herself between them.

The wizard's eyes widened with surprise, but he quickly brandished his wand and pointed it at her. "See here, girl. You will return my property at once! Or you will be sorry," he threatened.

Buffy snorted.

Beside her, Tom leaned in. "Buffy, you mustn't interfere with the man's business. He's within his rights to treat his house-elf as he sees fit," he said, eyeing the man's wand—then whispering, "And you're defenseless without a wand."

The man chortled. "No wand, eh?"

Buffy snorted again. "Have you somehow managed to miss my skillset?" she asked her friend without looking at him. Instead, she kept her eyes trained on the offensive man causing hurt and humiliation to a small defenseless creature. "Look here, buddy, I may not have a wand, because...you know, I'm new to all this and haven't gotten one yet, but guess what I do have?" With that she pulled out a stake and held it up threateningly. "Yeah, it's a stake! That I use to vanquish evil. And it's very pointy. Would you like to be the next evil to go bye-bye?"

The wizard glared at her—then slipped his wand into his pocket. "I can see that you don't require a chimney sweep today. If you will just step aside, I will take the elf back into my shop," he said. "Come Smudge!"

Buffy glanced down at the house-elf and frowned. It was shaking. It looked terrified. But it wasn't moving to follow the man.

"Buffy, you have to let it go," Tom whispered—causing her to realize she was still holding onto the elf with the hand not grasping her stake.

Huffing, Buffy released the elf, then knelt down next to it. Despite being manhandled and kicked, it didn't actually appear to be hurt. "Are you okay?" she asked, looking into its glassy blue eyes.

The house-elf glanced up at the wizard, then back at Buffy and nodded. "Smudge is fine Miss."

Buffy was disbelieving, but came to the conclusion that she had no choice—at the moment. Standing, she glared at the wizard again. "You're a horrible man! Treating another living thing like property is sickening!"

The man sneered at her—then turned away. "Come Smudge!" he ordered.

The house-elf gave Buffy and Tom one last look, then followed the awful wizard.

Buffy watched them leave, then shook her head. "I don't know what just happened here," she said. "These... house-elves? They're slaves?"

"House-elves are much more like servants," drawled a voice from behind Buffy and Tom.

Turning, Tom recognized the white-blond hair of his Housemate. "Malfoy," he said with a stiff nod.

"Riddle. I don't recall ever seeing you in summer," he said, his gray eyes going to the golden blonde-haired girl standing at Tom's side. "And...you are?"

"Oh. I'm Buffy," she responded cheerfully, stowing her stake and looking the robed boy over. He was quite a bit taller than she was, but not as tall as Tom, had icy gray eyes, and shoulder-length hair that was as pale as Tom's was dark. He was quite attractive, but had an air about him that reminded her of Cordelia Chase.

"Forgive me. This is Buffy Summers. She will be attending Hogwarts with us next term," said Tom. "We are here with her aunts...to purchase her supplies." He intentionally left out that Professor Dumbledore was also with them. Malfoy didn't need to know that part. Not that his Housemate would care. No one seemed to dislike the old man as much as Tom did. In the eyes of most others—even the Slytherins—Dumbledore was just another professor at the school. Tom knew better though. Dumbledore was dangerous—to him, at least.

"I see," the blond boy said, as he looked Buffy up and down, scrutinizing everything from her golden-blonde hair to her sun-bronzed skin to her strange clothing. "Summers. I don't recall anyone by that name. You sound...foreign." He turned his nose up slightly—after looking her over—as if he found her wanting.

Buffy snorted. "You could say that. I'm from America," she said with a glance at Tom. "And I've never heard the name Malfoy before either, so...we're even, I suppose." She shrugged.

Tom nodded. "My apologies, Buffy. This is Abraxas Malfoy. He is a Housemate of mine. We are in the same year."

Buffy hmm'd, then gave the boy a nod of acknowledgement, but nothing more. If he could be cold, then so could she, she decided.

Abraxas narrowed his eyes and ground his teeth, then looked back at Tom. "Bit early in the summer for school supplies, isn't it?"

Tom shrugged. "Buffy's previous education was quite different than ours. She wanted to get an early start to catch up."

"Hmm. The need to catch up is quite clear, starting with the proper clothing, I should hope," Abraxas commented.

"Hey! Rude much?!" Buffy snapped. "What's wrong with my outfit anyway? I thought it was rather creative considering the crap that exists here."

Abraxas bristled at her comments, but ignored her question, instead looking at Tom. "And how do you two know one another?" he queried.

"I am acquainted with her aunts," Tom lied. Well...half lied. He knew them now. "And I agreed to accompany them to help them find the things Buffy will need."

"Interesting," he drawled, obviously bored. "And what was that business with the chimney sweep elf?"

"You sure ask a lot of questions," Buffy said.

Tom cleared his throat, hoping to shush Buffy up—but it didn't work.

"We were set upon by that awful man," Buffy continued. "He wanted us to rent that poor abused creature. Can you believe that?"

Slowly, Abraxas turned to look at the foreign girl again. "I can, actually, as it would happen, we have multiple house-elves at Malfoy Manor. I even have one of my very own," he told her. "Not very bright, those creatures, but good for the menial tasks."

Buffy snorted, then opened her mouth to toss out a scathing remark about boorish and lazy wizards, but was halted by Tom's firm grasp on her arm. She'd have easily been able to pull away, but she didn't. This was not exactly the first impression she'd like to leave with someone from Tom's House, but again her tongue had a mind of its own.

"What brings you to Knockturn Alley this morning?" Tom questioned his Housemate.

Abraxas rolled his eyes. "Mother was taking Honorine to Twilfitt & Tattings to have a new dress fitted, so Father, Uncle, and I decided to visit Knockturn. There were a few items they needed..." He slid a glance over at Buffy, not wanting to divulge any more information about his father's dealings. "And I needed to pick up a new quill and some fresh ink. I've just made my purchases and thought I'd go to The White Wyvern for a drink since I have time before I'm supposed to meet Father again. If you're interested, you could both join me?"

Frowning, Tom glanced at Buffy to see what she thought—her face was blank, but he knew she'd rather not—then back at Abraxas. "I'm sorry, we don't have much time," he said. "Buffy's aunts are at Gringotts and told us to meet them again in thirty minutes. We were just wandering to use up the time. I wanted to show Buffy around," he finished, making it sound like he was there all the time—which he wasn't.

Abraxas shrugged. "Suit yourself."

"You two could go without me," Buffy offered. She could see that Tom was interested in the other boy's offer. "I could just keep looking around, then go back."

Both boys frowned. "Look around Knockturn by yourself?" Abraxas said with disbelief.

Buffy shrugged. "You were alone," she pointed out to the blond, annoyed that he clearly thought her incapable.

Tom shook his head. "I'm not leaving you in Knockturn alone, Buffy," he said, then looked at his Housemate again. "Maybe next time, Malfoy."

Abraxas nodded. "Well then, I will let you both continue with your wandering. It was certainly interesting meeting you, Summers," he said, giving Buffy a stiff nod.

"Likewise," she responded, the nod she gave him equally chilly as she considered his interesting word choice. It certainly hadn't been nice to meet him either.

"I'll see the two of you on the train then," Abraxas said, eyeing them both, then backing away.

Tom nodded. "Of course," he said—then faced Buffy and took her elbow and waited for Abraxas to disappear into the crowd.

"Is he gone?" Buffy asked without looking—because she knew that Tom was.

He nodded. "I believe so."

Buffy grimaced. "I didn't like him," she admitted.

Tom snorted. "Really? I couldn't tell."

Buffy grinned. "Total snob. We have those in Sunnydale too. I'm not a fan."

"The Malfoys have more money than Croesus," said Tom, trying desperately to hide his disgust. After a moment, he shook his head. "You know, I have serious doubts about you being sorted into my House. You are not subtle at all!"

"Hey, I can be sneaky! If I need or want to be. And I didn't want to be. He was a jerk! Being all uppity and... questiony, then talking to you as if I weren't standing right there," Buffy huffed. "Two can play at that game, you know. Besides, subtly is an art. If I weren't capable of it, I wouldn't be good at the slayage. And I'm very good at my calling."

Tom frowned. "Yes. I've seen." He sighed, still worried. "We haven't much time left, we ought to go back, so we don't keep them waiting."

"What?! No!" Buffy exclaimed. "Let's keep looking. Just a few more shops." She pouted—just a little. "I want to see more creeptastic things before we go shopping in earnest." She grinned.

Tom kept his face straight. He would not allow her to see that he was amused by her—or that she was swaying him.

"Like...those things," she said. Turning abruptly, she pointed across the alley. "Are those...shrunken heads?"

With that she darted away from Tom and toward the shop called Noggin & Bonce.

Tom watched her go for only a moment—she was like a whirlwind—then followed her.

"It's a bit disgusting, don't you think?" Buffy said as she leaned in close and examined the jars of heads floating in some sort of liquid. Her guess was formaldehyde, but it could be anything! The jarred heads were on display on a shelf in the window. Frowning, she looked up. There were also a few dangling above the jars. "What a freak show."

Then she noticed one hanging outside near the shop's door and went to inspect it.

"CLOSED TODAY!" it shouted at Buffy when she was about two feet away.

She jumped. "Holy crap!" she exclaimed. "Is it alive?"

"Used to be!" it answered as it bounced and wiggled about. "But not anymore!"

Buffy glanced with horror at Tom—who explained. "They're enchanted."

"Definitely not enchanting," she said as she turned her back on the talking head and started away. "More like gross!"

"COME BACK TOMORROW!" it yelled after them—causing Buffy to grimace.

"I think not," she said, looking up at Tom. "What do you suppose someone would want a shrunken head for?"

Tom gestured behind them. "To tell shoppers their store's not open."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Not the enchanted ones. I meant just...in general. It's totally barbaric!"

Tom shrugged. "I don't really know the history of it."

"You don't know?" Buffy exclaimed with mock surprise, her eyes wide and her mouth open slightly. "So there is something you've not read about?" She grinned at him—and Tom glared back.

"It's a Muggle practice. Specifically, a group called the Jivaro, in South America," he said. "And yes, it is rather barbaric."

Buffy stared at him. "So you have read about it."

"I've read a lot about the wizarding world and...a little about everything else," he said, then glanced around to see that no one was listening to them. "You must remember," he continued quietly, "I lived my first eleven years out there, in..." He gestured about, as if mentioning the Muggle world might kill him. "The same as you have. I don't talk about it, because...well, you'll see when you get to Hogwarts...especially if you're sorted into my House."

"You're really not making a very good case for Slytherin, Tom," Buffy said. "I mean, I'd like to be where you are, because you're like... literally the only friend I have. But then I'd be where that Malfoy guy is and he's just...blech!" She shuddered. "Who names their kid Abraxas anyway?"

Tom smirked and opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off.

"Don't even make a disparaging comment about my name, Riddle!" Buffy snapped, giving him a firm poke in the chest. The jab was hard enough that he winced, then reached up and grabbed her hand and held it away from him.

"Ouch, woman!" he growled. "Watch where you're stabbing that pointy little finger of yours!"

Buffy grinned. "If you think that's a stab, I've got something super pointy that I'd like to show you," she said threateningly—then winked at him.

And then she was suddenly distracted. Pulling her hand from his and peering around him.

"What did you see?" he asked, turning around.

"A shadow," she said. "Down that alley. Someone is watching us."

"I'm not surprised, Buffy. You're rather conspicuous." He gestured at her. "The way you're dressed...very noticeable here. We need to purchase your robes so that you don't stand out as much." He frowned, thinking that would only help some. Buffy would stand out no matter what she wore.

Buffy rolled her eyes. "You like the way I'm dressed, don't even try to deny it," she said—then shook her head. "And no. It was more like..." She let her words trail off as she moved to enter the extremely narrow alley off Knockturn. She'd gone just four or five steps into it when Tom grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Buffy!" he hissed. "You can't just go rushing off into alleys after seeing a shadow. It could have been a cat, for all you know."

"If it was a cat, then it was a very large one. It wasn't a cat!" she hissed. "And who's rushing? Skulking, maybe, but not rushing." She smirked. "Besides, I think it was a vampire!"

Tom snorted. "I wouldn't be surprised. This is, after all, Knockturn Alley. They probably have their own pub somewhere around here." He glanced behind them, then turned his eyes back on his friend.

Buffy's eyes were wide. "And the Ministry knows about this?"

Tom sighed. "The vampires in the wizarding world aren't the same as yours, I'm sure. They're not soulless monsters and can lead normal lives."

Buffy snorted. "Lead normal lives," she repeated. "I'm not sure which word concerns me the most...normal or lives. No vampire is normal. And...they're not even alive. I should investigate and let the Council know about this. Oh my God! I cannot believe I just said that! Giles would be shocked." She frowned. "I wish Giles was here," she said quietly. "Not the knockoff Giles that is here! Edna is just...blech! My Giles...he'd be able to instruct me." She nodded.

"I'll instruct you," Tom said. "Help you along, if you'll allow it."

Buffy nodded again. "All right. I'll allow it," she agreed. "I'm going to need some help here."

"First thing, we're leaving this alley and we're not hunting vampires today," he said.

"But—"

"I must insist, Buffy," he said, cutting her off.

She pouted.

"Secondly, once you have your books, you can read about these vampires for yourself. And everything else in our world. And you'll see that not everything is black and white."

"I'll be sure to," she said with a determined nod as she reluctantly allowed Tom to firmly pull her out of the alley. "Are you sure I shouldn't at least go have a look?"

"Quite sure," he said. "Besides, don't you want to see a little more of Knockturn alley before we have to go back."

Buffy sighed. "Well yes, but..." She looked behind them again, still thinking she should hunt down and slay certain evil.

"Come on. Let us see what's next," he coaxed. "Look at this. The Spiney Serpent. I've heard about the place...and that they have the best Butterbeer in Knockturn Alley."

Buffy frowned. "Butterbeer?" she asked. "Beer is...bad. I tasted my dad's beer once and..." She shuddered.

Tom smiled, glad he'd managed to dissuade her from the hunt. "It's not beer, exactly. They serve it at Hogwarts. It's a very sweet drink. No alcohol. Would you like to try it?"

Buffy frowned, her eyes going back to the alley behind them—then she shrugged and nodded. "Sure. Why not? Would be good to try something wizarding before we go off to school."

Tom sighed with relief and took her arm again. There'd be no more Knockturn Alley today if he could manage it. He'd get her the Butterbeer and they'd go back to Diagon Alley and do their shopping—then go back to Vin and Sophie's house. End of day.

A very odd day. Why did everything with Buffy have to be just a bit mad. It was as if he was in another world—one he didn't understand and needed to learn to comprehend. It was almost like being introduced to the wizarding world for the first time. Everything was new—and a bit exciting.

And then he looked at her as he opened the door to The Spiney Serpent. As she passed him, the blonde grinned up at him, causing his world to tilt. He needed to get away from her and yet there was nowhere else he wanted to be than by her side. It was all simply madness!