Chapter Five - Muggles, Mudbloods, and Malfoys

Ron, Harry, and Hermione stared blankly at the closed door. When they were sure Professor Summers was already down the hall, Ron dove for the pass on the floor.

"She wasn't kidding! Look! Signed and everything!" He showed the pass to Harry.

"A bit odd isn't it? She literally gave us permission to sneak around behind her back"

"Why are you complaining, 'Mione? We HAVE HER PERMISSION to snoop around. What's so bad about that?"

Hermione glared. "I never said it was bad. I just said it was odd"

Harry grinned. "Fancy seeing if it works?" They grinned and practically ran towards the library -

Right into Professor Snape.

"Now, where would three Gryffindors like yourselves be headed so quickly this early in the morning? And not from your Common Room" Snape smiled maliciously.

"They're with me Professor.'

Snape scowled. "And why, praytell, were they with you Professor Morgan?"

"They needed information for their Defense Against the Dark Arts homework, which I was more then happy to help them with. They were on their way to the library to answer any questions I couldn't. As a matter of fact, I'm headed there myself right now"

She put her hands on both Ron and Harry's shoulders and ushered them along.

"Thanks for your time" She smiled and rolled her eyes as they turned the corner.

When they neared the library, Ron let out his breath. "Professor Morgan, that was bloody brilliant thinking!"

Faith grinned. "You're welcome. Professor Summers informed me of her little chat with you"

Ron's face fell.

"Don't look so down. I agree with her - they're with me Madam Pince" They were about to enter the Restricted Section and Madam Pince had cut them off. She nodded curtly and let them through.

"Did you really have to come to the library?" Harry asked suspiciously.

Faith sighed. "Alas, yes. Professor Giles asked me to get a book for him. He has the first volume he just needs the second and - Ah, here it is" She pulled the book off the shelf. It was an exact duplicate of the one they had seen on Professor Summer's desk.

"Well kiddies, my work here is done. Enjoy your research. Better you then me. Hey Dawnie"

Dawn's face was anxious. "Dawnie, what's wrong?"

She eyed the book in Faith's hand. "Professor Giles needs to see you"

"Dawn is everything ok?" Harry asked, concerned.

"Everything's fine"

"You don't sound too convincing" Hermione elbowed him in the ribs and mouthed 'stop'.

"What is this about?" Faith asked, a bit worried.

Dawn pulled something out of her pocket and threw it to her. "A key? What - " the idea finally registered. "Shit. I'll see you three in class later - Dawn!" Faith caught up to Dawn and sped out of the library.

"A key? What key? A key to what?"

"Like I know Ron" Hermione went straight to the section where Faith had been and pulled out the same book she had. "Just our luck - Volume Three. Let's go"

"Go where?" Harry asked confused.

Hermione pointed to a table. "There. We're going to fond out what these new professors are hiding if it's the last thing I do"

Harry and Ron eyed each other nervously.

~*~*~*~*~*

"Giles, what is this about? Dawn said something to me about the key?"

Giles nodded grimly. "The book that I've been researching mentions a key of glory. I don't know if it speaks of past or present, but either way, I want you to keep a close eye on Dawn for now. The rest haven't been informed. Dawn?" Dawn looked up. "I want you to stay in Faith's classes today that way she can keep a close eye on you"

For once, Dawn didn't argue.

"Do me a favor though? For her sake as much as yours - "

"Don't tell Buffy. I know"

Giles smiled as best he could. "Try not to looks so grim. Don't want to give anyone any ideas. Faith, I believe you have a class with the first years now" Faith nodded.

"We have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore in Buffy's office tonight at eight. Oh, and Dawn?"

Dawn turned around. "Don't worry so much"

Dawn smiled slightly and walked off with Faith to class.

"So you haven't told her yet?" Angel stepped out of the shadows.

"No. Dumbledore knows because he was helping me translate it. I'm worried Angel. This prophecy is - well, I'm not quite sure what it is exactly but it's definitely not good. I need Dumbledore to clarify some of it for me. The rest is pretty clear"

"What is?"

Giles shook his head. "Buffy is going to aid Harry in defeating Lord Voldemort"

Angel ran a hand through his hair. He didn't know what to say. One word pretty much summed it up.

"Shit"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Can someone please tell me how to kill a vampire?" About a dozen hands shot into the air and Giles smiled. "Mr. Longbottom"

"Decapitate it?"

"Yes, that is correct. Anyone else? Mr. Weasly?"

"Stake it through the heart. What happens to a vampire after you kill it?"

"A vampire will turn to dust"

"Unless you're the Master, in which case you have the slayer sledgehammer his bones to death" Buffy smiled. "Professor O' Flaherty," Buffy smirked. It was odd calling Angel by a last name he hadn't used in over two hundred years. And also somewhat comical. "May I speak with you for a moment?"

"Of course Professor Summers" Buffy almost laughed out loud. Giles rolled his eyes.

They stepped into the hall and Buffy slapped Angel's arm. "Don't do that!" She smiled. Angel loved it when she smiled.

"Hurry up. I have a class to teach"

Buffy mock scowled. "Dumbledore wants us in his office, not mine. Said it was bigger and would be more comfortable with all of us" Angel just nodded and stared at her.

"What?" Angel pulled her to him and kissed her. Buffy sighed. This was what she had been waiting for. He pulled away and she smiled. "Go teach your class Deadboy"

Angel went to hit her and she dodged and walked away giggling.

Angel smiled and walked into the class smiling. All of his students were just looking at him and Giles had a deer in the headlights look on his face. Angel shook his head grinning.

"Let's continue, shall we?"

"Professor, I do believe class is over" Giles said smirking.

"Oh" Angel thought for a second. "Alright. Five points to Gryffindor for every correct answer. Remember your homework is due in a week. Class dismissed"

~*~*~*~*~

"Today, we're going to start simple warm-up techniques, and maybe begin punching. I'm going to put you in pairs of two. Uh, Dawn?"

Dawn looked up at Faith. "We need another student. You mind?"

Dawn grinned. Faith knew very well that Buffy had started to teach Dawn how to fight.

"No problem"

"Alright. The pairings are as follows - Weasly, Summers" Dawn looked alarmingly at Buffy who suppressed a laugh. Oh, that face was priceless. 'Where's a camera when you need one?' Buffy shrugged and Dawn glared.

"Granger, Parkinson" Hermione groaned and shook her head.

"Potter, Malfoy" The two looked at each other with loathing.

The professors finished pairing off the rest of the class ("C'mon Neville, my sister's not THAT bad" "Oh, shut up Ron") and began instructions. After showing them various moves, the two professors stepped aside and allowed the partners to work with each other.

Ron threw a punch at Dawn, who blocked for dear life. "Ron watch that thing" She laughed. "Watch" Dawn threw a punch that purposely barely missed his shoulder. "You try" He tried again. "Ow!" Dawn groaned. "OK, maybe not"

"I'm sorry!"

"No, it's fine. I've had worse wounds then this, believe me. Here" Dawn moved behind Ron and positioned his arm so that he didn't drop his shoulder. She kept her hand on his shoulder while he tried again.

"Awe, does the Weasel need help from the Mudblood?" Malfoy laughed.

Ron was about to lunge, but Dawn's hand held him back. "Let me" She hissed.

"I'll knock that smiled right off your face Malfoy"

"Oh, now the Muggle has Potty sticking up for her too? This is rich"

Dawn tapped his shoulder and he spun around - just to be met with a severe punch to the jaw.

"Look Draco, you may think you're hot shit, but news flash, you don't scare me. I've met demons a hell of a lot more scary then you, so don't think you're bullying me with this holier-then-thou bullshit" By now, a large crowd had begun to form around them.

"Is that right Summers?"

"Did I stutter?"

Malfoy grinned and launched a punch for Dawn's shoulder. She had anticipated it and, seeing it coming, blocked it, throwing Malfoy completely off balance and sprawling to the floor.

The whole of Gryffindor laughed hysterically when a shrill voice filled the room.

"DAWN MARIE SUMMERS!" Dawn gulped.

Malfoy took her distraction as his chance for revenge. He grabbed Dawn's ankles and brought her tumbling down on her back. Her screech pushed Harry into action.

As Malfoy got up, Harry rounded on him. "Didn't you learn anything from your time as a bouncing ferret?"

Malfoy hit Harry in the face and Harry responded by kneeing him in the stomach. Before either one could make another move, Professor Summers and Professor Morgan were between them. Hermione and Ron were helping Dawn to her feet.

"You three," Professor Summers said gesturing to Malfoy, Harry, and Ron. "In the hall" She ushered them out. "Mr. Malfoy, that corner. Mr. Potter, that corner. Dawn, over there. Now. The rest of you practice your warm ups with Professor Morgan"

Dawn couldn't remember the last time she had seen Buffy so angry, although any type of emotion was better then the emotionless façade she had been putting up lately. Did Dawn regret what she did? Nope, not one bit.

Buffy walked back out into the hall. She was livid. Worse yet, she was unbelievably pissed off.

Buffy plus pissed off meant trouble. And they were in some major trouble.

Malfoy was standing in his corner with his arms around his stomach. Harry had the beginnings of a black eye and Dawn was rubbing her left shoulder.

When Professor Summers finally spoke, it was with an authority she had never expressed before.

"I want to know who started this, and so help me God if I find out that you're lying"

Malfoy gulped. "I - I did Professor. I called Dawn a Mudblood"

"Mhm. And so you took it upon yourself Dawn to punch Mr. Malfoy in the jaw?"

"Yes" Dawn said quickly.

"And then you attacked Ms. Summers with her back turned, which riled Mr. Potter up, and resulted in the three injured students standing out here with me?" They all nodded.

"Fine. Draco, fifty points from Slytherin for starting a fight that could have been avoided and attacking your opponent with her back turned. Harry, fifty points from Gryffindor for attacking Draco when you didn't need to get involved. Dawn, since you're not in a house per say, I'm giving you a detention"

Dawn glared but didn't say anything to rebut.

"Now the three of you go see Madame Pomfrey and get yourself checked out. And try not to kill each other on the way there" Professor Summers walked back into the classroom, leaving the three grumbling students to make their way to the infirmary.

They didn't say a word because one word was all that was needed to light all three of their short fuses.

~*~*~*~*~

"I still can't believe you punched Malfoy. I don't think I'll ever forget the look on his face when his jaw met your fist" Ron sighed with delight.

Dawn blushed slightly. "That'll teach him to call me a Mudblood, asshole that he is. I could have strangled him"

"I don't think I ever expected to see your sister THAT angry. As soon as we heard her scream your name, we thought it was over" Harry said, grimacing with the memory.

Dawn laughed. "Yup, my sister has a temper alright. Well, I escaped the fire-that-is-Buffy with nothing more then a detention. I'm feeling pretty good right about now"

"I haven't seen Malfoy THAT upset since Hermione slapped him back in third year"

"You just won't let me live that down will you Harry?"

"Live it down? Yeah right"

Dawn laughed and glanced at her watch. "Shit! It's eight o'clock already? I have to see Dumbledore"

"What for?" Hermione asked as Dawn stood.

Dawn shrugged. "The key" She left with those words. Buffy had told her all about her little chat with them in her office. Oh, Dawn was going to have FUN playing with their minds.

"The key. What is it with this key?"

"Once again Ron, I have no idea. Looks like we're going to the library. Again"

~*~*~*~*~

"Did you find anything yet?"

"No Hermione, for the last time, I didn't find anything yet"

"Sorry Ron"

"Wait - I found it!" Harry smiled proudly.

"The key is an immortal energy force. It has no real form or identity. The key can open the door to other dimensions. It is highly powerful and, when fallen into the wrong hands, can bring about the next apocalypse. Well that's not good"

"Look at this. The key needs protection from someone mightier then normal mortals, but also unknowing of what it is they are protecting. The key shall be sent to the slayer in the form of a sister. Memories of her shall be implemented into her mind and the minds of her family and friends. No one will know the truth. That doesn't sound too happy" Ron added.

"But the slayer is a myth for Merlin's sake!" Hermione stated somewhat angrily.

"Obviously less of a myth then we've been made to believe. Maybe that's part of this whole key business - thinking the slayer is a myth. But what does all of this have to do with Dawn?"

Hermione sighed. "I wish I knew Ron. I wish I knew"