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Chapter Eight
Secrets “Harry! It’s awful!” Ron lamented as he sat down next to his friend in the Great Hall. The girls had not arrived for dinner yet. “What is?” “Wiccan magic.” He answered, as he dropped his head into his hands. “Why? Tara and Willow seemed like they would be cool professors.” “No, it’s not them. I’m the only guy in the class!” Harry just looked at his best friend for a moment, then started laughing. “It’s not funny Harry. What the hell am I going to do? What was I thinking?” “Why did you take the class in the first place?” Harry asked around his laughter. “To get out of divination.” Ron explained, turning to Harry. “You know that.” “Yeah, but you could have taken demonology with me and Dawn.” Ron sat there for a second, then his face turned the same color as his hair. “That’s what I thought.” Harry said smugly. “You know there are better ways of getting Hermione’s attention than taking class with her.” “What’s that suppose to mean?!” “Why don’t you just tell her that you fancy her?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Harry just looked at him. Ron dropped his gaze to the floor and sighed. “Because what if she doesn’t like me, then it would be awkward between us. I don’t want to loose her as a friend.” Harry nodded his head, he understood what Ron was trying to say. He caught a glimpse of white blond hair, then suddenly remembered Dawn. “Ron, we need to keep an eye on Malfoy.” “What for?” “Because he’s up to something. He never takes his eyes off of Dawn.” Ron’s eyes widened. “You don’t think he knows that she’s the...well you know, do ya?” Ron asked in a hushed tone. “I don’t know, it’s possible. Whatever it is, it can’t be good. But don’t tell Dawn, I don’t want to worry her until we know for sure.” “But Harry, she can take care of herself. I mean, it’s not like she’s never been in danger before.” “I know, but..” Ron started to laugh. “You like her.” “Well of course I do, you guys do too.” “No, I mean you fancy her. Better not let...” Then Ron suddenly remembered Hermione watching the other three leave the Great Hall after lunch. She knew that Harry liked Dawn, and so did Ginny. Ginny loved Harry so much, it must be hard to see him go after another girl. Ron could only imagine the pain his sister was feeling. He only prayed that he would never have to watch someone chase his Hermione. “Better not what, Ron?” “Huh?” “You didn’t finish.” “Nothing, I just remembered something. Besides, here come the girls.” Harry was only able to give Ron a questioning look before the girls plopped next to them. He took a quick glance at the Slytherin table. Sure enough, Malfoy’s eyes were glued to Dawn. Harry seethed inwardly until he felt a hand on his arm. He turned to see a pair of brown eyes looking at him, and instantly he calmed. “Yeah, Gin?” “I asked what the two of you were talking about.” “Huh, oh nothing. Just quidditch tryouts.” Harry said, looking pleadingly at Ron. “What? Oh, yeah, quidditch tryouts.” “When are they?” Dawn asked. “Hopefully next week.” Harry replied. “I want as much practice with the new players as possible.” “Here we go.” Hermione said, rolling her eyes. “I have a feeling Harry is going to be as obsessed with being captain as Oliver was.” “He was not obsessed!” Harry protested, defending his friend. “He was just extremely dedicated.” “If you say so.” Hermione fought from rolling her eyes again. Looking for a way to change the subject she asked, “So what does everyone plan on doing tonight?” “Harry and I have training with Buffy and Spike.” “Don’t you do enough of that in class?” Ginny asked. “They just want us to have extra training.” Dawn said with a shrug. “What about everyone else?” “I’m going to the library to do research.” “On what? Surely you don’t have a paper due already?” “No Dawn, ‘Mione just likes to research. She does it for fun.” Ron explained. “Actually, I was going to look up information on the key.” “That’s nice, but you really don’t need to do that. The need for the key is gone.” “Maybe not. You said Dumbledore told you that the reason you’re a witch is because of the magic of the key, right?” “Yeah, so?” “Obviously there is more to the key than sending Glory home. Wouldn’t you like to know what that could be?” Dawn sat there in silence, she had never thought about being the key since Glory died. The whole reason the key had been created was to send her home, and now she was gone. But Hermione was right. If the need for the key was truly gone, then she wouldn’t be a witch, the magic would have been used up with the portal. Dawn’s forehead crinkled. “Maybe you’re right. But you don’t have to do the research for me.” “I don’t mind, it’s a challenge.” Hermione said with a smile. “Well, I don’t have anything else to do, mind if I join you?” Ron asked with a hopeful look on his face. Hermione just blushed and nodded. ********* Draco sat by himself in the Great Hall eating dinner. He had purposely sat away from his so-called friends so he could think. So the DADA professor was a vampire. Not only was he a vampire, but he was one who worked beside a vampire slayer and for the PTB, whoever they were. But the point was he was an evil creature who was a white hat. Maybe there was hope for him yet. There had to have been some reason that Spike had switched sides. And whatever it was, it had to be big in order for him to go against his nature. If a vampire could go against his very being, Draco was sure he could go against his father and Voldemort. But how could he do that and not get killed in the process? He felt a pull on his senses and looked up to see his angel enter the Great Hall flanked by two famous female Gryffindors. He sighed, he doubted that would ever get her, no matter how much he changed. He frowned as she sat next to Potter. Shit! Potter caught him staring again. This was madness! Too many problems to deal with at one time. He needed to deal with his father first, but how? How would he be able to hide from him once he turned on him? Obviously he couldn’t go home, or to any of his relatives, they all practiced the dark arts. He couldn’t tell any of his fellow Slytherins because most were destined to be death eaters. His house head, Snape, was high in the ranks of the death eaters himself, so that left him out. Potter would never believe him, would think he was a spy for Voldemort. That left only one possibility. Dumbledore. Draco hated the thought of going to the old man, but didn’t see where he had much of a choice. The fact that his father hated him probably meant he had a lot of power and would be able to defeat him if necessary. He had no other choice, he had to go to him for help. ******* Hermione was finding it hard to concentrate with Ron sitting across from her. The candles in the library created a soft glow around him and his red hair glowed. She kept finding herself staring at him, just drinking in his handsome features. He had changed quite a bit since she had met him their first year on the train. He had grown quite tall and thanks to all the quidditch playing, he had a lean muscular frame. She began to wonder how it would feel to be held in his arms. He’s just a friend! She reminded herself as she dropped her gaze back to the tome in front of her. Besides, why would he find you attractive? She asked herself as she ran her hands through her bushy hair. True, over the years she had filled out nicely, getting the right amount of curves. But her hair was still just as unruly. Concentrate! She chastised herself and looked back to the same passage she had already read a half a dozen times before. “’Mione, is there something wrong?” “No, why?” “Did you find something then? You’ve been on the same page for nearly half an hour.” “No, nothing yet.” They sat in silence again as they turned back to their respective books. “It’s about Harry and Dawn isn’t it?” Ron asked suddenly. “What is?” “What you couldn’t tell me this morning.” “Why do you say that?” “I just noticed the way he looks at her, plus he doesn’t want to tell her about Malfoy staring at her.” “Why would he be staring at Dawn?” Hermione asked curiously. “We think it’s about this.” He said, gesturing to the books. Her eyes narrowed and she nodded. “All the more reason to find out all we can about the key.” With that she turned back to the book with renewed vigor. ************ Now that he was starting to get the hang of it, Harry was beginning to enjoy his training sessions with Dawn. Spike was overseeing their sparring that evening and giving pointers while Buffy was working with Neville. He was glad to see someone helping him, hopefully he would get more confidence. “Bit, you’re dropping your shoulder again.” “Sorry Spike.” Dawn said as she corrected the problem. Harry chanced a glance to see how Neville was doing, but it was enough for Dawn to land a solid punch on his chin, knocking him to the ground. “Pay attention to the fight at hand Harry! If you let yourself get distracted you’ll be dead.” “Yes Spike.” Harry humbly said as Dawn helped him up from the floor. Spike nodded for them to continue. The two began sparring again and Harry couldn’t help but be taken in by her simple beauty. She moved easily as she threw and blocked punches. Even her sweat made her skin glisten and glow. He was still amazed by the power hidden in her delicate frame. Dawn had told him that since she had been made from Buffy that she obtained some slayer strength and speed. While she would never be a match for Buffy, she did have an extra edge over others. Harry threw a punch which Dawn easily ducked and in one swift motion kicked his legs out from under him. He once again landed hard on the mat. “I think Harry’s had enough, he’s clearly not with us tonight. Why don’t you two run along and do your schoolwork.” Spike told them, helping Harry to his feet. “All right, night Spike! Night Buffy!” Dawn said as she and Harry ran out of the room Spike turned to watch Buffy finish up with Neville. She was taking a different route with him. Instead of throwing him into sparring sessions like she had with Harry and Dawn, she was starting with co-ordination and self-confidence. From what Spike had gathered, Neville was a rather nervous and klutzy boy who was continually picked on. Buffy said the boy had approached her with wide eyes and asked if he would really be able to do what she did. She had decided then and there to take the boy under her wing. Spike smiled at the amount of compassion his mate showed for others and how she was always helping those around her become better people. Himself included. Buffy’s movements were like flowing water compared to Neville’s jerky movements as she taught him a simple kata, but at least the boy was trying. Spike could spend the rest of his life watching her move and be perfectly content. Buffy gave Neville a light hug as she said bye, then turned to Spike. “Ready to patrol?” “Always luv.” ************ Later that evening the scooby gang gathered in the common room that joined their rooms together. Dumbledore had wanted them to have a meeting place of their own. “Something’s coming Giles, my spidey sense is going wacky.” “Yeah watcher, there’s definitely something brewin’.” “Is it anything you’ve seen, or is it just a feeling?” Giles asked as he cleaned his glasses. “Just a feeling so far, the dark forest hasn’t changed really since we got here, same old demons and whatnot. Spike and I were thinking of looking around Hogsmeade this weekend.” “Fine, fine, good idea. Maybe you’ll pick up some information there. Has anyone else noticed anything?” “Nothing more than first day jitters.” Willow piped up. “How did everyone’s classes go?” Buffy asked. “Not too bad. Hagrid’s got some cool creatures for class this year. He’s actually getting a griffin for the sixth years!” Xander said excitedly. Buffy looked curiously at Xander. “A griffin?” “Yeah, it’s half lion, half eagle.” “They also have the potential to be vicious.” Spike said skeptically. “I hope he finds a friendly one, or there’s gonna be trouble.” “Our girls are wonderful.” Willow said with tears in her eyes. “They were very supportive even when they had heard about what she had done.” Tara said with a smile as she put her arm around Willow, then she giggled. “Although, poor Ron, he’s the only boy in the class.” “I take it things went well with your class Buffy, at least by judging the reactions of the Gryffindors I had in class.” Giles said after the laughter had died down. “Yeah, they totally freaked when Spike morphed, especially since he was standing in the sun.” Buffy said with a mischievous smile on her face. “But they settled once they realized he wasn’t going to hurt them. What about your class?” “They freaked out about Spike?” Anya exclaimed. “Yeah demon-girl, why?” “They just sat and looked at me. That sucks! I’m way scarier than Spike.” They looked at her. “Well I could be.” “How’s Dawn doing?” Tara asked. “Fine, she’s already made friends with students in her house. Although, I think being friends with Harry helped.” “That’s good.” Willow said with a yawn. “Guess I’d better get to bed. Coming Tara?” “Yeah, night everyone.” They all realized how late it was and headed to their own rooms. Spike turned to Buffy as they were getting ready for bed. “I think Harry likes Dawn.” “So?” “I don’t like it.” Buffy laughed. “Spike, she’s sixteen years old, it was bound to happen. You can’t protect her from everything, believe me I’ve tried.” “He could hurt her, I don’t like it.” “It could be worse you know. It could be Draco Malfoy after her.” “True,” Spike said as his eyes darkened. “It could be worse. Still doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Previous Chapter The Slayer... Menu Next Chapter |
