 |
|
Chapter Eighteen
Hugs All Around Ron left the room and began to wander aimlessly around the castle, lost in his thoughts. What Willow and Tara had told him, scared and excited him all at the same time. It scared him because he had heard how easily that kind of power could corrupt. To do more training brought a greater risk cause the more he learned the more likely he would want to use it. He could become as feared as he-who-must-not-be-named. But on the other hand this was something that he could be good at. He never mentioned it but he was jealous sometimes of his best friends. Harry was a natural at quidditch while he struggled to become good enough for the team. And Hermione was so smart and mastered spells with her wand easily. Wicca could be something that he alone could shine at on his own. He soon found himself standing in front of the fat lady. He absently whispered the password and entered the Gryffindor Tower. He didn’t even see Hermione until she lightly grabbed his arm to get his attention. “Are you ok?” Ron looked down into her soft brown eyes and saw the concern in them. He remembered that Willow told him to talk to his friends. He gave her a small lopsided smile, “Can we talk privately?” She nodded and pulled him into a secluded corner of the common room. After they sat down she asked, “What’s wrong?” “Willow and Tara want me to get special training cause apparently I’m pretty strong.” Ron said quietly as he played with the fuzz on his sweater. “Ron, that’s great!” He lifted his gaze to meet hers and said, “Are you sure? I mean what if I get really strong and can’t resist the dark magic? What if I became more feared than you-know-who?” Hermione had an exasperated look on her face as she said, “Ron, the more support and training you receive, the less likely that will happen.” The red head looked at her curiously, “How would you know that?” “I talked to Willow one day. She told me that she had never received any training until after she had tried to end the world. She thinks that her lack of training was the cause of her problems. She also told me that Tara is just as strong as she is but never dabbled in the dark arts.” “Cause she had training.” Ron finished for her. “But how can I fit that training into my schedule? I have almost no free time now as it is.” “Drop something,” Hermione said simply. “It’s not that easy ‘Mione.” The brunette rolled her eyes. “Why not replace some of your training sessions with Buffy and Spike for ones with Willow and Tara. That way you still get to do everything.” Ron smiled and hugged her. “You’re a genius! I’ll tell them tomorrow! Thanks for listening.” He let go and ran to his room with a lighter heart. Hermione sat there in stunned silence. He hugged me! She closed her eyes as she remembered the feel of his arms around her. She wished she had had enough sense to hug him back. It just happened so quickly that she had barely been able to register what was happening before he had pulled away. She sighed and locked the feeling away to treasure it since it would probably never happen again. ******** The next morning Ron went to talk to Willow, Tara, and Buffy about adjusting his training schedule. For some reason that he couldn’t figure out, the two witches kept exchanging knowing looks as he explained how he came to his decision. He would now be training with Buffy and Spike on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, then with Willow and Tara on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The rest of the week passed quietly as the students immersed themselves in their studies and training. Soon, Draco and Dawn found themselves in the forbidden forest again. This time, in addition to her stakes, Dawn carried her wand and a short sword. She had even convinced Draco to forgo his robes for clothing that he could more easily move in. He also carried a dagger tucked into his belt. Dawn kept looking at the youngest Malfoy and had to admit he looked quite yummy in his black t-shirt and jeans. She could tell now that he was definitely related to Spike, if by his wardrobe preferences alone. The shirt clung nicely to his lithe figure and Dawn had to keep checking her chin for drool. Since her conversation with Ginny two weeks ago, Dawn had spent a great deal of time sorting out her feelings for Harry and Draco. While it was true that Harry was quite adorable and she felt a strong connection to him, it was not romantic like she had originally thought. The feelings had evolved into a love for a brother. Draco, on the other hand, was an entirely different matter. While she knew little about his past, she did know his present. She saw someone struggling to change his previous path, and wanting help to do it, but had too much pride to ask for it. His strength of character was what was enabling him to continue on. She kept trying to come up with a way to get to know him better that wouldn’t hurt his pride. “I hope this turns out better than last time,” she heard Draco say. “No kidding. I don’t want to spend any more time in the hospital wing than necessary,” Dawn said with a chuckle. “That, and no more visits from demons in my dreams,” he said absently. Dawn stopped in her tracks and stared. When Draco realized she was no longer walking beside him, he stopped and turned around. “What?” In a voice barely above a whisper she asked, “You had one too?” The blond’s eyes widened and he took several steps towards her. “From the Powers That Be?” “As a guide?” “And some strange guy talking about cheese?” “He’s appeared before in Buffy’s dreams.” “What did Buffy say when you told her?” “I haven’t told her.” “What?! I at least told Spike!” By this time Buffy and Spike had noticed that they no longer had their charges behind them. They had retraced their steps back in time to hear Draco’s cry. “You told me what?” Spike asked. Never tearing his eyes from Dawn, he said, “About my dream of Whistler! Apparently she had one of her own and didn’t tell anyone.” “Is that true, Dawn?” Buffy asked. “Excuuuse me for forgetting about it!” Dawn yelled, also keeping her gaze on Draco, but stepping closer until she was standing almost nose to nose with him. “But I had other things occupying my mind. Like learning that the key is still active, Spike is your great uncle many times removed, and my first quidditch game!” “I think I would remember to talk about a demon in my dreams!” “Draco...” Buffy started. “Yeah, well this is the first I’ve heard about yours! Who’s not been talking now?!” “Bit...” “I said that I told Spike!” “And what did he have to say?” “He...He...” “Ha! You didn’t tell him did you?” “Actually, he did Bit.” The two students suddenly remembered that they were no longer alone. “Well. That was...enlightening.” Buffy began. “Since you two have now scared off any demons lurking around, we might as well go inside and talk about these dreams.” ********** Dawn and Draco sat on opposite ends of the couch in the scooby’s common room studiously ignoring each other. Buffy and Spike had seated them there and gave them strict instructions not to move until they returned with the others. In all honesty, Dawn had forgotten to tell Buffy about her dreams. So much had happened at once that it had slipped her mind. What had made her mad was that Draco had talked to her like she was an idiot. Draco sat there worrying about whether or not his angel would figure out why he had gotten so upset. What if that dream had a warning about something trying to harm her? Something that could seriously hurt her or even kill her. His outburst had stemmed from worry and fear rather than anger. In short order the rest of the scooby gang had found their way into the room and seated themselves anxiously awaiting the recent news. Giles had a notepad and pen ready to take notes. “Draco, why don’t you tell us about your dream first.” The blond nodded and began describing the desert landscape. When he started to describe the woman he noticed that Spike went white as a sheet and became visibly shaken. “Are you sure that’s what she looked like?” Spike whispered. “Yeah, why?” It took Spike a moment before he could answer. “She’s my mother, Elise Malfoy.” Draco had to force his jaw not to drop. “That would explain why she seemed so familiar and knew about the Malfoy history.” “What did she tell you?” “That my ancestor would explain the past. I’m guessing that’s you. Then she said that you and Buffy cared about me and I didn’t know much about the people around me.” Draco paused for a moment before muttering, “She wasn’t lying about that last bit.” Spike winced, being the only one in the room who heard the last comment. “Then there was this bloody annoying bald git going on about cheese.” “Oh! You saw him too!” Willow squeaked. “I think most of us have seen him Wills.” Xander said. “Of course, I don’t like to recall that dream since I ended up with a gaping chest wound.” Draco looked around confused. “Were stalked in our dreams by the first slayer. Tell ya the whole wiggy story later.” Willow explained. The blond slowly nodded and continued. “Then this Whistler guy...” Buffy snorted. “Is he still extremely annoying?” He chuckled. “Yeah. Told me I could be someone who could be counted, that something was comin’, and that the dawn will bring about a new day. Then I woke up.” “It sounds as if your dream is just reconfirming most of what we already know. That you are changing for the better and that once again evil is at foot.” “What about the stuff about a dawn bringing about a new day? That sounds new.” Xander pointed out. “It sounds like some sort of clue.” Tara said thoughtfully. “Most of what he said was to give Draco some encouragement to continue his change. That last statement could be a hint on how to beat whatever it is that’s coming.” “That sounds quite plausible.” Giles said. “Let’s wait until we hear Dawn’s dream before we make anymore conclusions. The fact that they both received messages at the same time signifies that they are related. Dawn.” The brunette gathered herself for a moment, recalling everything that happened in her dream. “I was in a field of flowers and I finally got to meet Doyle.” “Cute wasn’t he?” Buffy asked with a mischievous grin. Spike scowled at her and she chuckled. “Relax, he died several years ago.” “Who was the bloke?” “Angel’s seer before Cordelia. I believe you met him when you went to steal the Gem of Amarra.” “Can I continue?” Dawn asked impatiently. At Buffy’s nod she said, “Then that cheese guy appeared. Doyle told me we wouldn’t understand him even if he explained.” “Well that’s a comforting thought,” Xander muttered. “Told me that something is coming in the usual PTB vague way and that I had to be the one ready.” “No!” Buffy yelled. Dawn turned to her sister. “Doyle kind of intimated that I was the only one who could do it. You’re suppose to help and one other.” “Who’s the other?” Spike ground out. “I don’t know, he wouldn’t say.” Dawn purposely left out the part of opening heart. She was pretty confident that he had been talking about Draco, but she didn’t want to scare him or upset the others. She reckoned they would figure it all out later. “Anything else?” Giles asked. “Yeah. He asked if I knew what I was and I said the key, then he told me that I haven’t even begun. And then I woke up.” Buffy looked like she was trying to remember something. “Buffy, what is it?” “I’ve heard those words before. In my dream about the first slayer. The dream Tara told me that ‘you think you know what’s to come what you are? You haven’t even begun.’ The last thing I heard before switching locations was ‘be home before dawn’.” Giles stood, took his glasses off, and then began pacing. “From our own calculations Dawn appeared several months after that. It would seem that the dawn Tara was referring to was your sister. We can then also infer that the dawn Whistler mentioned would also be her. Which means that there is a double reference to this being Dawn’s battle.” “English G-man, English.” “Dawn will be the one to fight and she’s going to need the key’s power to do it.” Willow gently explained. “No!” Buffy yelled. “The last time that happened she nearly died!” “But luv, remember what Dumbledore said that the key could be used for more than it’s original purpose.” “I don’t care Spike! She shouldn’t have to do this! I’m the chosen one, not her! This is my responsibility!” During the argument, Draco had been carefully watching Dawn. He saw fear and then grim determination cross her beautiful face. He could tell that no matter what the others decided, she would do what she thought was right. Despite the fact that intense fear gripped his heart when he thought about her placing herself in danger, he decided that she wouldn’t have to do it alone. “Why don’t you ask Dawn about what she wants?” Draco heard himself ask. All eyes turned to Dawn and she began to squirm under their expectant gazes. Before she could say anything though, Giles interceded. “I believe that we’re all very tired and we should at least sleep on this. Maybe the morning could shine some new light on the situation.” “But tomorrow is Hogsmeade!” Dawn exclaimed. “I wanted to go.” “Very well. I don’t thing we are in any immediate danger. Why don’t we discuss this after Halloween on Tuesday.” Everyone nodded their heads in assent then headed off to their respective rooms. As Dawn and Draco walked through the halls on the way to their houses, Dawn had an idea. “So, are you going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?” She casually asked. “I guess so, why?” “Just wondering. I’ve never been to a wizarding town before. I was hoping someone could show me around.” “Why not ask Potter?” “I’m not even sure if he’s going. Buffy and Spike haven’t convinced Dumbledore on whether or not it’s safe for him yet.” “What about the Weasleys or Granger?” “I think they already made plans,” she said, knowing full well that they hadn’t. If her plan worked they would all freak out. Draco stopped and looked at her closely, not daring to hope. “What are you up to Dawn?” She placed as an innocent look on her face that she could muster and said, “Nothing. I was just hoping for a tour around Hogsmeade.” He hesitated before asking, “Would you like me to show you around?” Dawn squealed and threw her arms around him. “I thought you’d never ask! Meet me outside the tower at nine tomorrow.” Then she practically skipped down the hall. Draco stood there with an astonished look on his face. First I get a date with her, then a hug? This turned out to be a better night than I thought it would. He then headed off to his house with a little spring in his step and his hopes soaring. Previous Chapter The Slayer... Menu Next Chapter |
