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Chapter Thirty-Five
About Love Buffy and Spike stood with grim faces in front of the students who were waiting for their extra training session to start. They all sensed that what the two instructors were about to say was serious. “We’ve talked to the headmaster and he’s letting us alter these sessions slightly. Ron and Dawn, from now on you’re here with us every night. You’ll need to talk to Willow about your other extra training,” Spike said. “We gave each of you a dagger for Christmas,” Buffy continued. “We’re going to start training you with those and other weapons. And when the opportunity arises, you will have other opponents.” “Ones that you don’t have to worry about being gentle with. Like this one here,” And Spike pulled a medium sized scaly demon out of the shadows. Spike must have put some sort of binding spell on it cause it didn’t move. The students, for the most part, didn’t make a sound at the sudden appearance of the demon. Although Neville and Hermione did jump a little. Ron stared at the demon with wide eyes. “You want us to fight that thing?” “Yes, and others like it,” Buffy answered. “Why?” “Because you never know what you’ll be up against in the real world. This is an excellent opportunity for those of you who are thinking of becoming aurors,” Spike told them. “When you face a demon, or anyone else, don’t judge solely on what you see. If you do that, you’re dead,” Buffy said. “It’s one of the things Buffy has goin’ for her. They see a tiny girl, an easy kill. They don’t realize until it’s too late the power she packs in her small frame,” Spike said. “Now, whenever we have you fight one of these demons you’re allowed to use whatever you think is necessary, this includes weapons and magic.” “Since Dawn and Draco have the most experience because they have been patrolling with us, they’re going to be the ones to fight tonight. I want the rest of you to watch and learn.” Buffy motioned the two to stand and approach the demon. She continued, “You have to know your strength and weaknesses along with your partner’s.” Dawn and Draco pulled out their daggers that they had been told ahead of time to bring. Spike released the spell holding the demon and it attacked. The two began moving in sync attacking and ducking. “The rest of you aren’t as lucky as these two,” Spike said as they continued to fight. “You aren’t linked, but if you do know each other, then it won’t matter.” “You can’t think too much, reacting is better. You need to know your environment,” Buffy instructed as they watched. “Know what’s around you and how to use it.” ~Damn, he’s a tough bugger.~ ~Screw this.~ Dawn said. ~Draw his attention for a moment.~ ~Can do.~ Draco landed a punch pulling the scaly demon’s attention to him. Dawn took advantage of the distraction to access her powers. She held out her hand and said, “Macil.” One of the swords flew off the wall and into her outstretched hand. She quickly decapitated it. “Ewww,” Hermione said as she scrunched her nose. Dawn and Draco crossed over to the others. “Nice choice,” Buffy commented. “Daggers weren’t getting it done; the skin was too tough,” Dawn said with a shrug. “Always expect the unexpected,” Spike said as the demon grabbed Dawn and threw her across the room. “We just saw her kill it!” Ron yelled. “Funny thing about Burak demons, they grow back missing body parts, even heads, in a matter of minutes,” Spike said drolly. “Thanks for the heads up!” Draco called as he pulled the demon off of Dawn. “Any hints on how to kill the bastard?” “Think boy!” Spike barked. “I won’t always be there to help you! What else will kill it?” Draco wrestled with the demon as he racked his brains for answers. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dawn stir from where the demon had knocked her out. He doubled his efforts to give her time to fully come to. He ducked a swing and somersaulted over to the sword. He picked it up and turned in time to stab the demon in the gut. The answer suddenly came to him. ~Fire!~ ~Huh?~ She asked groggily. ~Set the bugger on fire!~ ~Oh. One crispy demon coming up.~ She squinted her eyes in concentration then called out, “Usteä.” The demon burst into flame and then fell to the floor in a pile of ash. Draco turned to the severed head to see that it had grown shoulders and a torso. He pulled out his wand and said, “Incendio!” It quickly burned and turned to ash. He rushed over to Dawn, “Are you ok? Do you need to go see Madam Pomfrey?” He asked with concern written on his face. “Nah, just a little bump on my head. I’ll be alright.” Once he was assured of Dawn’s well-being, Draco turned to glare at his uncle. “You could have told us.” “And what would have happened if you met him one night when I wasn’t there to tell you? You always have to be on your guard and know your options. If not, you’re dead,” Spike said evenly. “We had warned you about misjudging others,” Buffy reminded him. “I think that’s enough for tonight. Remember to bring your daggers from now on. You guys can go. Dawn and Draco need to stay though.” “What’s up?” Dawn asked after everyone else had left. She gently touched the bump on the back of her head and winced. “You sure you’re ok?” Draco asked. “Yeah.” “Thought maybe we’d work on our connections,” Buffy said. Dawn nodded and the three sat down on the mats. “What part of our connections did you want to work on?” “To see if Draco and I can connect, and to see how deep they go,” Buffy said. The three seemed to instinctively shut their eyes as one and took a deep breath. Dawn reached out to Draco first and instantly connected. She then reached out to Buffy; the connection came a little slower than Draco’s, but came quickly enough. Inside the connection Draco and Buffy could communicate but as soon as Dawn would pull her awareness from them, they lost it. ~It seems you are the key to our connection.~ Buffy said dryly. ~Ha ha.~ Dawn sent back. ~Let’s find out how deep this goes.~ Buffy said. Dawn reached into Buffy first. As she concentrated she became aware of yet another presence. It wasn’t as strong as Buffy and Draco’s, but was still there. She opened her eyes and gasped when she figured out who it was. “What?” Draco asked. “You didn’t tell me about that,” Dawn accused Buffy. “Didn’t tell you what?” Draco asked. The brunette turned her attention to her boyfriend. “That she and Spike are linked.” He turned to face Buffy, “Like the way we are?” “Not quite,” Buffy said uneasily. “We do have a connection through the claim.” “Claim? What claim?” Draco asked. “Yeah, you never did fully explain it.” Buffy sighed. “It’s a ritual commonly performed between vampires who are not in the same line.” “Line?” Draco asked. “Family line. Kind of like Malfoy or Weasley. Spike is in the Order of Aurelius. The claim is a blood bond, which involves a blood exchange.” “You exchanged blood,” Dawn said incredulously. “Does that mean you drank his?” She just nodded her head. “Wait! You drank from Dracula, doesn’t that mean the two of you were...whatever?” “No. There’s this whole ritual thingie involved. It’s actually a long process. In the end we’re bound together. We can’t talk to each other in our heads, but we are always aware of where the other one is.” “Cool,” Dawn whispered. “We are able to pull from each other and as a result we’re both faster and stronger. I’ll also age slower.” “What if you suddenly decide you don’t want to be together anymore?” Draco asked. “We’d stay bonded. The only way to break it is if one of us dies and even then it’s not a pretty picture.” “Why?” “The other one may not survive cause in reality it feels as if part of you has been ripped away,” Buffy told him seriously. “Must really love him, huh?” Draco said quietly. “Yeah, I do.” They sat there in quiet contemplation for a while. “Why don’t you two go on back to your rooms. I think we’re done for the night,” Buffy said finally. The two nodded and went to their separate houses. ********** That Saturday, Ron walked into the scooby room after he had finished his transfiguration homework. He absently noted that he was the last one to arrive for that day’s research party. He didn’t think much of it since he was usually late. An idea popped in his head when he saw that Hermione was sitting by herself on one of the smaller couches. He picked up a random book off the table and sat close enough to her that whenever she turned a page her arm brushed against his. She looked up at him and gave him a soft smile, which he gladly returned. She turned her attention back to the book in her lap and he opened his and started reading. Some time later, Dawn nudged Harry with her foot. When he turned to look at her, she gestured her head in the direction of the couch. A huge grin broke out on his face when he saw his two best friends. At some point in time, Ron had put his arm around Hermione’s shoulders and she had snuggled up to him. He was absently playing with her hair as the two continued their reading. They were completely oblivious to the others’ stares. Harry and Dawn exchanged triumphant looks then resumed their own research. Hermione was finding it hard not to fall asleep she was so warm and relaxed. She had no idea that just sitting in his arms could make her feel so safe. She no longer doubted that he like her too, but she needed to let him know that she reciprocated. She discreetly looked around at the others and saw that they sere all deeply immersed in their books. Making a decision she twisted so she could look up into Ron’s face. “What?” He asked softly. “Can we go somewhere and talk?” Surprise was in his eyes as he asked, “Now?” “Yes now,” she whispered. “But we’re researching.” “So?” Ron opened and closed his mouth several times in shock before finally saying, “Okay.” Dawn observed them while surreptitiously looking over her book. When they had left the room she squealed. Buffy looked up, “What? You found something?” “Umm, no.” “Then what?” “Nothing. Just felt like squealing.” ~What’s going on?~ Buffy asked. ~Don’t worry about it.~ The slayer gave her a look that clearly said she didn’t believe her but she wasn’t going to push. In the corridor Ron and Hermione were walking in silence, both blithely unaware that they were holding hands. Now that they were alone they were suddenly unsure of how to proceed. “How are your wicca sessions going?” Hermione asked. “Good. Willow and Tara said that I’m balancing my powers well.” “That’s great, Ron. I’m really proud of you.” “Thanks. It’s a lot of fun.” They walked in silence again until Ron stopped and turned so they were facing each other. “’Mione.” “Yes?” She asked softly. “I want to tell....you that, umm...” “What?” She asked with interest. She could feel her heart start beating faster. Ron stared into her brown eyes and he lost all hope for speech. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him and that he was pretty sure that he loved her. “Tell you that... I....I...” Hermione realized that he was trying to tell her what she wanted to say to him. She found herself tongue-tied for the first time in her life. She decided to act on impulse and pulled him down for a kiss. His eyes opened wide in surprise. But once his brain caught up he closed them and wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her close and deepened the kiss. She responded by wrapping her arms around his neck. She realized she was in heaven. The kiss was everything she had hoped for and more. When they finally broke the kiss they stayed close. Ron rested his forehead on Hermione’s. “You were saying?” Hermione asked. “Merlin, I’ve dreamed about doing that.” “Really?” “Yeah.” He pulled back enough so he could look into her eyes. “’Mione, would you be my girl?” “I thought you’d never ask,” she replied as she reached up for another kiss. Previous Chapter The Slayer... Menu Next Chapter |
