Chapter11:

Buffy entered the Great Hall Monday morning for breakfast. Nobody noticed her. She sat down at the Gryffindor table. She was one of the first. The Hall was filling gradually with students. She watched the interaction between the Slytherins and the Gryffindors. She was making notes.

Neville walked by Draco and Co. "Good morning, Mr. Malfoy. Mr. Goyle. Mr. Crabbe."

"Go away, Neville." Draco pushed Neville aside and went to the Slytherin table.

"Your welcome." Neville sighed in relieve and sat down.

The Slytherins greeted the Gryffindors with neutral tones, some with recentness and a few even with contemned. But on the other hand one Slytherin boy greeted a Gryffindor girl by complimenting her hair.

Gryffindors only did a little bit better. Ron snarled 'morning' to Millicent, who ignored him. The other Gryffindors didn't do much better. Hermione said in a polite, but businesslike way good morning to her Slytherin, who politely nodded back. Harry smiled to his charge and waved.

The Weasley's twins had outdone everybody. They stood behind Victoria.

"Morning, Vicky." "Did you have a pleasant weekend?" Their voices were sweet, too sweet for Victoria's concern.

"Yes." Victoria was hesitant. This wouldn't be the first time that they played a prank on her.

"Guys. You're scaring her. That isn't the definition of being nice." Dawn stood behind the twins, with one hand behind her back.

The twins grinned at her and turned their attention back on Victoria. "Here." Fred gave her a small rod. Victoria looked hesitant at it. "It won't bite." George said. Victoria looked at Dawn, who nodded and was almost bursting from excitement.

When Victoria took the rod it changed, she almost dropped it. The rod changed into a silver white rose. Victoria's face changed from shock to amazing. Her face lit up with a bright smile. "It is wonderful."

"We try our best." One of the twins said modestly.

"Look I got one too." Dawn showed her what she was hiding behind her back. It was a golden rose.

Victoria looked at Dawn's rose. "Just wait for while." Dawn's rose changed into a nice red colour.

"Ah." Victoria looked at her own rose and it turned into Slytherin green. "Oh, how pretty." She turned to the twins. "Thanks."

The twins shrugged.

Buffy saw enough and left the Great Hall. When she was sure no one was looking in her direction, she removed the cloak and stored it into her robe. She entered the Hall again and saw Ginny walk up to Draco.

"Mr. Malfoy." Ginny was very formal.

Draco was looking up. "What do you want Weasley?" His tone wasn't nice, but at least he didn't snarl at her.

"My brothers told me you should be nice to me and ignoring me isn't very nice." Ginny noticed Buffy standing behind Draco, but didn't let it on.

"I think ignoring you is the nicest thing I can do for you." Draco retorted.

Buffy bent forward and whispered into his left ear. "It is a nice argument, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco jumped to the right, right into Goyle. "Bloody woman are you trying to give me a heart attack."

"You need a heart first Mr. Malfoy." Buffy changed the conversationback. "It is a valued argument, but not in my book."

Buffy put her hands on her hips and gave Draco a look telling him to correct his mistake.

Draco gave in reluctantly. "Morning Weasley. Did you do something with your hair? It is lovely. Those shoes almost look new." He mumbled it so fast out of his mouth that it was almost not recognisable.

Buffy turned to Ginny. "I think that is the best we can get out of him today. Why don't you go back to your table?" She gave Ginny a small smile.

"Yes, Professor." She gave Draco a wave. "Bye Draco." Who just snarled at her.

Buffy left the Slytherin table while shaking her head in amusement. She walked over to Dumbledore. "Morning, Albus."

"Morning, Buffy. How are you this fine morning?"

"With the antics of the twins and giving Draco a heart attack. It's a bright morning." Buffy showed Dumbledore a silly smile.

Snape puffed. Buffy ignored him as always. "Albus would you mind if I start with a small announcement before breakfast?"

"Of course not, be my guest Buffy." Dumbledore had a twinkle in his eye.

Buffy thanked him and turned to the students. Buffy just stood there staring at the students, who one by one went silence. Buffy smiled to them."Thank you."

Buffy took a notebook from her pocket, leant back on the table. "Let me see. 30, 50, 80, 95, 125 points will be deducted from the Slytherin." Sounds of displeasure came from the Slytherin table. One look of Buffy and they became silence. "Good. 10, 50, 60, 70, 85 points 'for' Slytherin. This means minus 40 for Slytherin. A bad start." Buffy shook her head in disappointment.

Buffy flipped a page. "And now Gryffindor. 10, 30, 45 points down the drain and adding 10, 20, 40 points for Gryffinor." Buffy winked to Neville, who blushed. "That is a minus 5 for Gryffindor, but I didn't add Fred and George Weasley's points."

There was a moment of silent. "First I thought they would play a prank on Miss. Hallcock." She turned to the Slytherin table and smile at Victoria."I think Miss. Hallcock had the same Idea." Victoria nodded back with a smile.

Buffy turned now to the twins. "I can depend on you guys that the flower won't explode."

"Exploding roses? Fred made a note for future reference." "I'm already on it, George." George already made a note on a parchment.

Buffy smiled. "If you want to give a rose to your girlfriend for Valentines. You better order them now at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and not at the last minute. They might not have the time to make them."

"Thank teach." "We're naming the exploding rose after you. The Buffy rose."

Buffy gave the look that she didn't know what to think about it. "Should I be flattered or insulted, Weasleys?"

"It is always meant as flattery." "We would never insult you, Professor." "At least not intentionally." Both twins had an innocent grin plastered on their faces.

"I expect you two will reimburse the school for any ingredient you borrowed or give the students and faculty a discount."

"No problem, Ma'am." Both twin saluted Buffy.

"For the rose the twins get 40 points."

An applaud went through Gryffindor and the other two Houses. The twins bowed to them.

"That makes it a total of 35 for Gryffindor." Buffy looked up from her notes to Dumbledore. "I think we can start breakfast."

"Food, eat." Albus waved with his wand and the food appeared on the tables.

Rumours started to run through the hall about how Buffy knew whom to deduct take point and whom to give.

"She must have a spy device."

"No, she must have ears like bats."

"Maybe she can turn invisible."

"She can see through walls."

There were even flying more wild rumours. Harry put his head together with Hermione and Ron.

"I really want to know how she did it." Ron asked aloud.

"I think the answer is very simple." Hermione used her know-it-all voice.

"I agree with Hermione." Harry agreed with Hermione.

"My sister has good hearing, but I'm sure she didn't use her bat ears to get the information. So I have to go with H&H here." Dawn put her head with the conspirators.

Ron was getting a little irritated. "Will you three bloody tell me how she bloody did it."

"Don't curse, Ron. The answer is very simple. What didn't she have on Friday and did have on Saturday morning."

It still didn't dawn on him. Dawn had to come to the rescue. "What did she confiscate from Harry?"

"Harry's cloak."

"My sister is playing a little Cloak & Dagger." Hermione and Harry laughed at the joke. Ron didn't understand. "Spying, Ron." Ron made a 'oh' sound.

They were halfway through breakfast when the post came flying in. The Weasley's house owl made a crash landing in front of Harry with a letter directed to him. It was a Howler.

"You got a Howler from Mom." Ron stated the obvious.

"What is a Howler?" Dawn asked suspicious.

"You'll see, Dawn or more correctly you'll hear." Hermione turned to Harry. "You better open it."

Harry took the letter carefully and opened it. An explosion of Mrs. Weasley's voice could be heard clearly in the Hall and outside it.

"HARRY POTTER! HOW COULD YOU BE SO STUPID AND PUT YOUR LIFE IN DANGER! DON'T YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS THE FORBIDDEN FOREST IS?! AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE DRAGON!

IF PROFESSOR SUMMERS AND HAGRID DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THE DRAGON YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN HIS NEXT MEAL!

I HOPE PROFESSOR SUMMERS'S PUNISHMENT WILL BE LONG AND HARD!

CHILD, DON'T YOU KNOW YOUR LIFE IS DANGEROUS ENOUGH WITHOUT SEEKING IT OUT!

I HOPE YOU THINK GOOD ABOUT HOW STUPID IT WAS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE."

Harry was bright red from embarrassment. Normally when somebody who got a Howler got laughed at. But this time the Hall went silence. All eyes went to Buffy, who stood up.

"Oh did I forgot to tell, the creature in the Forbidden Forest was a Dragon?" Buffy played the innocent one. "He won't cause any problems or be a danger for you guys. But to be on the safe side, if you see it don't approach it. Go on. Finish you breakfast and go to your first classes."

They finished their breakfast and went to their classes. They were discussing the dragon among themselves and those close to Harry interrogated him.

After classes Buffy had some appointments with some parents. Her last one was Mrs. Weasley. Who was waiting in DADA classroom. Buffy gave her a big smile.

"I'm sorry for letting you wait Mrs. Weasley. Didn't one of your children keep you company?"

Mrs. Weasley returned the smile in kind. "Please call me Molly. I've sent them away."

"That is the best thing you can do with those brats of yours." An arrogant voice came from the door.

In the doorway stood a man in black robes with blond hair. He had a polite smile, but his eyes told nothing but contempt and sarcasm. Buffy smiled.

"Well, well, who have we here? Big-Spike."

"Big-Spike?" Malfoy looked confused and annoyed.

Buffy ignored him for the moment, while she spoke to Mrs. Weasley. "Molly, and you should call me Buffy and would you mind if Mr. Malfoy goes first. He didn't make an appointment and I want to end the day with a nice talk."

Malfoy was fuming from the inside. He only showed it with the white knuckles from the grip on his cane.

Mrs. Weasley gave Buffy a warm smile. "Of course. I'm in no hurry, Buffy."

"It won't take long." Buffy turned to Malfoy. "Mr. Malfoy why don't you go into my office."

They entered the office. "Take a seat." Buffy closed the door.

Malfoy took the chair in front of her desk and Buffy was sitting behind it."What can I do for you, Lucy?"

"Lucius." Malfoy was getting irritating.

"What ever. Spill."

Malfoy was getting angry and wanted to say something, but changed his mind.He leant back. "So this is the technique you use on my son."

"Yes and it is pretty much working." Buffy also leant back and put her feet on her desk. "Is there something specific you came up here or just to bother me Luck?"

Malfoy was smiling maliciously. "I'm not pleased with the way you treat my son or the rest of the student of his House."

"And I'm not pleased with him or most of his House mates." Buffy retorted back.

There was a moment of silence. "This is not the way to make friends, little girl."

"I'm not here to make friends."

"You need friends, if you want to stay here." Malfoy wasn't liking the way the conversation was going.

"I'm here on a vacation, I got enough friends for a year vacation." She gave him a very faint smile.

Malfoy stood up and planted his hands on the desk. "I don't know what kind of game your playing, little girl. But it is a dangerous one."

Buffy put her feet down and leant back. "I don't play dangerousgames, Lucy. I play deadly games, very deadly." Malfoy could feel the danger radiating from her and leant a little backward.

He stared at her defiantly and sat down back. "Do you know who you just threatened?"

"A lackey, a ass-kisser." Malfoy was getting furious. "A Deatheater."

Malfoy was a little shocked, but didn't show it. "I was cleared of all charges."

Buffy grinned. "The evil I deal with never goes to court. One of the reason is they don't live long enough to appear at court."

Malfoy stood up and walked to the door with his back to Buffy. He opened the door while he still held his cane in the same hand. His free hand went into his pocket and drew his wand out. "Somebody should teach you a lesson, little girl."

He pointed his wand toward Buffy expecting her to be still sitting behind her desk, but she stood in front of her desk with a drawn sword hanging lose at her side. Before he could utter a word she disarmed him or better 'dishanded' him. Malfoy roared out the pain. He went to his knee and dropped his cane to hold his injured arm.

Buffy kneeled next to him with a cloth and wrapped it around the bleeding stump. He looked at her with a shocked expression. "I'm not a little girl. Not since I killed my first vampire. And I'm the teacher here."

At that moment Mrs. Weasley entered the office. "Oh, my?"

"Molly." That got her attention. "Do you see a wand in that chopped off hand?"

Mrs. Weasley looked at the bleeding hand on the floor that was still holding the wand. "Yes."

"Good." Buffy took another cloth and wrapped the hand into it."Could you wait for a few more minute while I bring Mr. Malfoy to Madam Pomfrey to put the hand back." Mrs. Weasley just nodded.

Buffy took Malfoy by his arm and dragged him with her, leaving Mrs. Weasley behind in her office. She saw the blood on the ground and the blood on the sword. She picked out her wand and cleaned the blood of the floor and the sword and laid the sword on the desk. She sat down and waited.

She didn't have to wait long for Buffy to return.

"Sorry that I let you wait."

"You chopped off his hand." It jus flipped out of Mrs. Weasley mouth.

"He was trying to use his wand against me. He was lucky that I didn't think he would use one of those Unforgivable Curses. He might have lost his head." There was no remorse in Buffy's voice.

"I can see now why my children think you are scarier than Professor Snape." Mrs. Weasley was impressed and a little afraid.

Buffy gave her a bright smile. "I normally use it only on bad guys and students who get out of line."

The joke lightened the mood a little. "Before we start I want to tell you how glad I was with your letter. It was a lifesaver."

"It was a pleasure." Mrs. Weasley was pleased that Buffy liked her letter.

"So, was there any specific reason you are here or is it just a social visit?" Buffy asked.

Mrs. Weasley's face turned quickly. "It's Fred and George, the twins."

"The twins? They're doing quite well. They could do better, but nothing to worry about." Buffy was a little confused.

"Their O.W.Ls. They don't have enough O.W.Ls to get a good job in the Ministry."

This confused Buffy even more. "They don't seem to be the type to be Ministry men. Dawn told me they wanted to open a joke-shop after school."

Mrs. Weasley as seeing a little red. "A joke-shop. I hope they didn't try to convince you about this ridicules idea."

"No. But I don't think it is a ridicules idea." Buffy told her with all honesty.

Mrs. Weasley looked startled. "You don't?"

"You know them better then me. You really think they would be happy with a Ministry job."

"Now that you say it. You could right." Mrs. Weasley didn't want to let it go. "But I want them to have a secure employment. I don't want them to turn every knut twice."

"Like you and Mr. Weasley do?" Buffy offered.

Mrs. Weasley smiled a little ashamed. "Arthur. Yes, you're right."

"Are you happy with your life?" Buffy looked her in the eyes.

"Yes very." Mrs. Weasley was quickly to answer.

"Then I wouldn't worry about the twins, Molly." She took something out of a drawer. It was a rod. "Look at this." And she gave it to Mrs. Weasley.

The rod turned into a rose in Mrs. Weasley's hand. "Aah." She was amazed. The rose had golden colour with shining aura. "This is beautiful. Where did you get this?"

Buffy grinned. "Your sons made it."

"No?" Buffy nodded with a big smile. "They couldn't?"

"Just wait for a moment."

The rose turned black. Not any kind of black. But black as the night sky with sparkles as starts.

"I didn't know they could make something beautiful like this." Mrs. Weasley was very surprised.

"I know. But I should warn you, I made the mistake to give them the idea about exploding roses. I should be careful with the next flowers you get from them."

" 'Those' are the sons I know." Mrs. Weasley laughed.

"You should let them do what they are best at and that's making jokes." Buffy gave her a sympathetic look.

"Yeah, you're right, but it is hard to let them go." Mrs. Weasley was looking rueful.

Buffy gave her the same look. "I know about that. I've had to raise my sister after my mother died."

"Oh I'm so sorry and what about your father?"

"He was ... is absent. Didn't even come to the funeral." Buffy face went a little grim. "It might have been best. I don't think he could have handled or protected Dawn."

"Why not?" Mrs. Weasley was curious.

"He's a Muggle and he only knows about the Muggle world. And he really doesn't know about my 'night job'. He probable still things I'm a juvenile delinquent." Buffy gave her a weary smile.

"Juvenile delinquent?"

"A young person who gets in trouble with the law." Buffy explained to Mrs. Weasley.

Mrs. Weasley took pity on the girl. "It must be hard to work in secret and not getting recognition for your work."

"I got friends and family who help me through it." Buffy reassured her.

"That is good to hear." Mrs. Weasley smiled and then she change her expression. "About Harry."

Buffy interrupted her before she could speak more. "Nobody is going to harm a hair on his head as long as I'm around." Buffy's look went dangerous dark.

Mrs. Weasley understood it and let it go. "That is all I wanted to discus with you. If you have nothing else to tell me about my other children?"

"No. Ginny is nice and a little shy, but you already knew that." Mrs. Weasley smile back at Buffy. "And Ron has a problem controlling his temper. I'm working on that."

"That temper of his will get him in trouble one day." Mrs. Weasley said it knowingly.

"There is hope for him. Shall we go the Great Hall for dinner. I'm sure Albus wouldn't mind you dining with us. Your children might."

Mrs. Weasley laughed and stood up. "It seems Mr. Weasley has to make his own dinner for tonight."

They had not walked out of the office before Buffy stopped her. "Can I have my rose back?"

Mrs. Weasley looked at her hand and saw that she was still holding the rose in her hand. "I'm sorry." She gave the rose back to Buffy.

"No harm." Buffy smiled at her. "And thank you for cleaning up the blood."

"Oh you are welcome."

"Do you know a way to get blood and demon slime out off clothes? You can't believe how many outfits I ruin that way."

While they talked, they walked to the Great Hall together and after dinner Mrs. Weasley went home.

End Chapter 11.

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