Fic: Hellmouth High Schools Don't Have Reunions (2/20)

[moragmacpherson]

Title: Hellmouth High Schools Don't Have Reunions (2/20)
Author: MoragMacPherson
Rating: PG to PG-13
Timeline: School Reunion for DW. Between Homecoming and Band Candy for BtVS
Disclaimer: If it's a character or a place, I don't own it.
Archive: Here, TtH, Teaspoon, the pit, I think. If you'd like it, let me know.
Author's Note: Response to challenge 3108 by Winterd at Twisting the Hellmouth. Un-beta'd. Oooh, and it also got recced on Calufrax, which made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Summary: What if "School Reunion" took place at Sunnydale High?

Mounting Problems

“I’m afraid I’m not certain what you’re getting at.” Giles continued shelving. “I’ve been keeping an eye on this new administration myself and I haven’t noticed any thing wrong or suspicious about them. And I have to say, the food in the cafeteria’s improved remarkably.”

“Yeah, none of it’s turned into snakes lately.” Xander snickered.

“But, Giles, I’ve checked everyone’s homework. These new books, they’re going into way more complicated math and science than normal, and everyone’s getting the answers right.” Willow shoved a sheet of paper into his face. “Xander’s halfway to resolving Hilbert’s eleventh open problem. In the margins of his English essay!”

“Well, I should think in this climate of ever declining test scores and interest by young people in maths and sciences that you of all people would be happy to see this. Not to mention that our research sessions have been going much easier lately.” Giles kept moving away.

Buffy planted herself in front of him. “Giles, I don’t care if this gets us all into Harvard, there’s got to be some mojo going on. And I don’t like unknown mojo. It’s never good mojo.”

“Buffy, please. We have much larger concerns than Xander’s improving grades.”

“And mine!”

“Don’t you think this is just you being self-defeating? I understand that you’ve had to divide your attention between slaying and school work, but I’ve always known you’re all very bright.” Giles’ gaze lingered on Xander for a moment, but he stopped his head from shaking. “Just take this as something positive that allows you to concentrate on the Hellmouth and your duties and frees you from being so concerned about graduating.”

The bell rang, and the trio scooped their books off the table. “This isn’t finished, Giles.”

“I can’t possibly comprehend why, but fine. I’ll look into any math demons I can find in the literature, but it sounds far-fetched at best.”

Once out the door, Xander and Willow turned to Buffy, and all three whispered, “They’ve gotten to him.”

“Yup.” Buffy looked around. “I’ve got English next with Mr. Nash, if he was a demon I'd have slayed him by now. How about you?”

“American History with same old Mrs. Weinheimer,” replied Xander with a shudder.

“Physics with the new guy.” Willow smiled, but it quickly faded. “Stupid cute demon people-eating teachers.”

“Okay, let’s see if we can figure out what we’re dealing with. Strike up a conversation with him if you have to, but don’t let them know we’re on to them. And let Oz and Cordelia know.” Buffy paused and turned to Willow. “At least let Oz know.” Xander scowled and Willow snorted.

“Will do. He’s in that new advanced computing class next.”

Next