Chapter One - Plan for Protection
Key- "Blah" = dialogue
        *blah* = thoughts
        [blah] = Author's notes

[set after season 6 Buffy, season 3 Angel, and book 4 Harry Potter. A month after Angel is imprisoned in the ocean, Cordelia realized where he is, and rescued him. Being a true friend to Angel, she sealed his soul forever so he could be with his true love, Buffy, cause she is wicked powerful and this is my fic and I said so, so HA!!! .:sticks out tongue:. Also, I don't know Angel's real last name, so I made one up. O'Donerty (I just threw a bunch of letters together)]

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Buffy sat lost in thought, musing over the past week's occurrences. She remembered it all so clearly. One night, she dreamt everything that had happened to Angel and Connor. She saw him pulled out of the ocean where he lay, and then she saw Cordelia talking to him. The next thing she knew, a white light surrounded Angel, and then the visions stopped, to be replaced with Cordelia standing in front of her. Cordelia told Buffy all about her visions, and how she was now a higher power, and that when she saw the white light, that was when Angel's soul had been bound. She told Buffy that Angel would be coming, and that they would be an unstoppable team. Then she said goodbye, and left Buffy to ponder over this news. Buffy woke up to the sight of darkness in her room, and Angel standing over her.

For the next few days, Buffy and Angel caught up on the news, and Buffy was surprised to hear that Angel Investigations had been doing so well with him missing for a month. Buffy had realized that Angel had changed a lot since the last time she saw him, and she had been afraid that there was no place in his life for her anymore. Angel quickly squashed that idea, and they picked up where they left off.

Buffy's biggest surprise and greatest moment came just the day before. Her and Angel were out to dinner, in a really swanky restaurant. Angel took her back to his place for some 'post dinner training' as he called it. After Buffy got changed into some training clothes, Angel had picked up a knife, to throw it at her, for her to block, as she always did with Giles. Angel instructed her, instead of deflecting the knives, she should catch them. When Buffy caught the knife and looked down at it, she found something attached to it. There was a small claddaugh ring with diamond insets. Buffy looked questioningly at Angel, and he chose that instant to propose to her.

Of course, when her tears subsided, she agreed whole-heartedly.

Buffy was pulled out of her thoughts by a hand on her shoulder. She looked up into the loving face of her fiancé.

"What's on your mind Buff?"

"Nothing. Just thinking about the past week. It all happened so fast, but I remember everything like it was in slow motion"

"I know what you mean" Angel pulled his love into a kiss, but they were interrupted by a tapping on the window. Buffy looked at the window, confused.

"Nobody but you ever uses the window. I wonder who it is" Buffy walked over to the window, keeping a dagger gripped in her hand. The sun had set, so anything could be there. Buffy pulled back the curtains, and was surprised to see an owl. She opened the window and the owl flew in, dropping a letter in her hands. Buffy opened the envelope, addressed to her and Angel, and slowly withdrew the contents. The letter inside confused her even more than the method of delivery.

Dear Mr. O'Donerty and Miss Summers,

We would like to invite you to teach at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You would be teaching a new class: Muggle Defence. A pressing situation has occurred, and all possible precautions must be taken. As you are a Slayer and an ensouled vampire, we believe you would be best able to protect the students. We will agree to any conditions of your stay here, as we are very concerned for the safety of the children. Please reply and send a message with this owl.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbeldore,

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

After Buffy was finished reading the letter, she handed it over to Angel. He seemed less than confused, however, and turned to Buffy.

"Well, do you want the job?" Angel asked her.

"Angel, you might know what's going on, but I'm completely lost. They have schools that teach magic?"

Angel nodded. "I guess you wouldn't know, being a muggle and all. The school is in England. There are actually quite a few of them. This one happens to be the best"

Buffy still looked confused. "Why didn't I know about this school, and what's a muggle?"

"Someone with no magic abilities. And you didn't know, because it's a whole other world. They keep completely separate from this world"

"Then how do you know about it?"

"I was around when it was founded. Before I became a vampire, I was a wizard, fighting evil. So was Spike. He graduated about 30 years after it was founded, but that makes no difference"

"Well, I don't know if I trust these people. When they say 'pressing situation' what exactly do they mean?"

"I'm guessing it has to do with Lord Voldemort's revival, and the fact that Harry Potter is in that school"

"Again with the cryptic. Could you speak American please?"

"Lord Voldemort's a _very_ dark wizard. A few years ago he started recruiting wizards to his cause, which was mass destruction and chaos. Nobody lived once he decided he wanted them dead. Lily and James Potter were good wizards fighting against Voldemort. They had a son, Harry. Voldemort saw them as a threat, which they were, so he wanted them killed. When he went after Harry, his curse backfired, and he was gone. Harry Potter is now famous. He was the boy who lived"

"I still don't see why they need us"

"Well, last year, a big scheme went on to get Voldemort back, and it succeeded. Voldemort's back and worse than ever, and he's going to go after Harry, that much is positive. Dumbeldore was smart to ask you to come"

"Big evil wizard. Hmm. That's a new one. This Voldemort, how bad can I kill him?"

"It won't be that easy Buffy, he's got magic. If you snapped his wand, you could kill him as bad as you like, but you'd probably have to get through all of his Death Eaters"

"Death Eaters? That just doesn't sound pleasant"

"Do you want to take the job or not?"

"Well what about Giles? And Willow? And Xander? And Dawn?! What are we supposed to do, just leave them?"

"Do you want to go talk to them? Ask them how they feel about this? I think they've all gone to the Magic Box"

"Yea. But, I think this owl's waiting for a response. Let's just bring him with us"

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Giles looked up from his book as the door opened. In walked Buffy and Angel, along with an owl. Giles knew exactly what was going on. He, too, had received an urgent message from Dumbeldore. However, just to be sure, he questioned the couple.

"Buffy, what are you doing with an owl?"

Angel decided to answer that question. "We got a message from Hogwarts"

"Wait a sec? Is Giles a wizard too?!" Buffy questioned.

Giles nodded his head. "I also received an owl from Dumbeldore"

"Are you gonna teach too?!" Buffy's voice hinted happiness.

Giles shook his head. "No, they already have all the positions filled. Dumbeldore sent me a message regarding you. He knew that you wouldn't want to leave your friends, so he requested that Willow, Xander, Dawn, and I move to England. He even sent the plane tickets"

Willow, Dawn and Xander came up behind Giles. "So, are you gonna go? Do the magic, teachy thing?" Willow asked, a big smile planted on her face.

Buffy looked at Angel. "I guess so"

She scribbled a note back to Dumbeldore, and sent the owl on it's way.

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Chapter Two - Hogwarts Express

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The summer was almost over, and the time was nearing for the scooby gang to set off for Hogwarts. Everyone would be living at the castle, as Dumbeldore saw each one as more protection for Harry and the rest of the students attending Hogwarts.

Buffy and Angel were married mid August. Buffy decided to keep her last name, Summers. Since then, Xander seemed to have warmed up to Angel. He wasn't his best friend or anything, but he didn't hate the guy anymore. Angel was also being decent towards Xander, teaching him to fight, and transforming him into a warrior. Of course, it was probably so Buffy had more back-up, he didn't want anything to happen to her.

Since Tara's death, Willow had turned back to the male species, and Oz had been only too willing to comfort her. They were now back together, and Willow was happier than she'd been in a long time. Buffy had even managed to swing Oz's transportation to Hogwarts with the rest of them.

Dawn and Buffy were getting along great. Dawn's training was going smoothly, and she was almost as strong as Buffy. The council had informed her early August that she was to be a Slayer, and Giles to be her watcher. Unbeknownst to the others, Dawn had secretly been corresponding with Spike, and the two had formed a relationship. She knew he had his soul, but she didn't tell anyone, cause it would kinda tip them off that she'd been writing to him. She figured it was for him to tell, anyway.

Xander and Anya reformed their relationship. Anya was still a vengeance demon, but she realized her love for Xander was just too much to ignore. Xander decided that Anya being a vengeance demon was ok, cause nothing could come between them. They were content just being together. Xander didn't propose, however, in light of the last fiasco that was their attempted wedding.

The Watchers Council sent over the other Slayers to watch the Hellmouth, and they didn't bother the scoobies once.

[by logic, there are now three slayers, cause there was Buffy and Faith, and then Buffy died again, so another one would have been called, right?]

Before the gang knew it, the end of the summer had come, and it was time to go off to Hogwarts. They boarded the plane, and before they knew it, they were at King's Cross Station, ready to board the Hogwarts Express.

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Harry was looking forward to another year away from the Dursleys. He hadn't been able to leave them at all this summer because of Voldemort, and the fact that Dumbeldore had placed an enchantment on the house so that he would be safe.

Harry spotted Ron and Hermione walking toward him, and ran to greet them. He hadn't been able to even send them owls, for fear of being found by Voldemort. He reached his friends and was buried in hugs. The three friends quickly caught up on each other's summers, and walked off towards the train.

"Hey, Harry, have you seen the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher yet? Apparently he's taking the train. There's gonna be a new class too, Muggle Defence. And people are saying they've seen eight new people on the train, only one looks young enough to be a student, but she's got to at least as old as a fifth year, if not a sixth year" Ron paused in his explanations when a loud voice travelled over the platform.

"DAWN! I can't believe you left your stuff on the platform! How dumb can you get!" The voice belonged to a small blonde girl. Before everyone's eyes, she lifted a trunk (which was presumably very heavy like everyone else's) in one hand and carried it onto the train like it was nothing.

"Whoa!" was Ron's only response. "I wonder if she's a professor. Hey, speaking of professors, wonder how long this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher will last. 10 sickles says he's evil!"

"You're on!" Harry replied happily as he walked to the train with his friends. They boarded the train, and sat in their usual compartment. Before they had a chance to talk, a young brunette bounded in. She sat on the seat next to Harry and instantly struck up a conversation.

"Hi, I'm Dawn! I hope you don't mind me being here. I just heard about this place a few weeks ago and I'm so excited to be going here! I can't believe they have schools to teach this kind of stuff! So, you guys are real wizards and witches?!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared numbly at this energetic girl, before nodding slightly. Hermione was the first to talk.

"If you're a muggle, then why are you on the train to Hogwarts? I mean, the only new students are first years"

Dawn tilted her head to the side. "Well, my sister and her husband are teaching here, and she didn't want to give my dad custody, so I moved with her!"

Ron asked the lingering question. "What about your mum?"

Dawn's smiled faded, and her energy seemed to diminish. "She died"

Harry felt sorry for her. "I know how it feels. My parents were killed before I can even remember. By Volde- You-Know-Who"

"You must be Harry!" Dawn exclaimed, her energy returning. "Angel told me all about you!" Dawn turned her gaze to Ron and Hermione. "You shouldn't be afraid to say the name Voldemort. I'm not afraid to say Glorificus, or Angelus, or apocalypse. But, then again, the meaning of the apocalypse is lost on Sunnydale residents. We've seen too many"

The other three just stared in shock at Dawn. One apocalypse was too many in their minds, but this teen acted as if she's seen a lot more. Before they could voice their thoughts, another man walked in and addressed Dawn.

"Hey Dawnie. Buffy wants to talk to you"

"K Angel. Bye. . .?"

"Ron"

"Hermione"

"Bye Ron! Bye Hermione! Bye Harry! See ya round!" Dawn walked up and left the compartment.

Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other.

"So, are you a professor?" Harry asked the man, but he was gone. "Stealthy" Harry said to no one in particular.

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"DAWN!! HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL ME?!!!" Buffy was infuriated. Not only had she just found out that Dawn and Spike had been writing to each other, she also found out that he had a soul. To top it off, she hadn't found out from Dawn. She found out from the new DADA teacher, Professor William Thyslerin.

Dawn looked at the floor. "I thought you'd be mad at me for writing to him. I'm sorry Buffy. And, he told me not to tell you!"

Buffy turned her angry gaze towards Spike. "You told her! You told my sister to lie to me! How dare you!"

It seemed like tension was building in the compartment, so Angel stepped between the two. "Buffy, calm down. We're going to be teaching in the same school, so we should probably get along. And, I don't think Dumbeldore would like a pile of dust for a teacher"

"Fine. Only for you Angel"

Spike looked on in disgust as the two shared a loving glance. "So, slayer, what are you teaching?"

Buffy looked away from Angel. "Muggle Defence with Angel"

"So what are the rest of your sodding scooby gang doing here then?!"

"Dumbeldore bribed me to come. He knew I wouldn't want to leave them, so he let me bring them!"

"Well, he bloody well didn't let me bring any friends!"

"That's because you don't have any friends, Spike"

"I'm his friend," Dawn piped up.

Buffy looked at her and was about to retort, when she caught something in her younger sister's eyes. "No," she said. Dawn blushed, and Spike had a smug grin on his face. "No. No way! Not you two! Dawn! I thought you knew better! He's too old for you!"

"And Angel's not too old for you?! We both know there's a bigger age gap between you guys than me and Spike!"

Buffy searched around for an excuse. "Angel has a soul!" she finally retorted.

"So does Spike now" Dawn said calmly.

Buffy finally gave in. "Whatever. Do what you want Dawn" Buffy turned her attention to Spike. "If you hurt her, you're dust"

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Chapter three - Arriving

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As the train pulled into Hogsmede station, the scoobies stood up. They exited the train, and found the buggies waiting for them. Willow ran up to them.

"Wow! A horse and buggy!" upon closer inspection, however, she found they were not. "Ok, or, a no horse and buggy!"

Dawn smiled at Willow's enthusiasm. She boarded a buggy with Spike, Buffy, and Angel. Willow, Oz, Xander, and Giles entered another. Anya would be teleporting in later.

Angel turned to Spike, "so, are you happy to be home?"

"This isn't my home"

"You spent a lot of time here in your childhood"

"I hated it here, especially in Slytherin house. that bloody poncer was always so bloody conceited. Gryffindor was always the best"

"Slytherin can burn in hell"

"Bloody right, he can!"

Buffy's voice interrupted their trip down memory lane. "Um, guys? What are you talking about?"

"One of the founders of Hogwarts, Salazar Slytherin"

"Slytherin, Thyslerin. They sound kinda um... the same"

"Spike was never good with anagrams"

"So, you're telling me what?"

"Spike is Slytherin's son"

"But he hates him?"

"Yea. Didn't you hate you father at some point?"

"Well, not hate-hate, just, angry/not-talking-to-him-hate"

"Angel! You stupid git! I'm TRYING not to tell anyone!"

"Why didn't you tell me Spike?" Dawn spoke for the first time.

"Huh? Sorry, Bit, guess it slipped my mind"

Before any further argument could be started, the buggy pulled up at the Hogwarts castle. When Buffy, Angel, Spike, and Dawn stepped out, the rest of the scoobies were already at the doors. Standing with them was an elderly man with a long grey beard and half-moon spectacles.

"Dumbeldore," Angel stated simply.

Before Dumbeldore could greet them, a figure appeared beside him, and he turned to face Anya. She looked around, and walked over to Xander. Dumbeldore didn't seem at all fazed by this, and walked down the steps to greet his new teachers.

"Ah, professors. It is a great relief to have you at Hogwarts" he shook their hands in turn, and faced Spike. "I would like to address the subject of your name, Professor. While you are here, will you be going by Slytherin, or Thyslerin?"

"Thyslerin"

"Very well. Please, come in" The scooby gang walked into the castle, and were ushered into their rooms. Buffy and Angel's room was hidden by a wall decoration, which depicted two crossing swords. Dawn's was across the hall and was accessible by speaking the password to a gargoyle. Willow and Oz's room was right beside Dawn's, and was guarded by a statue of a knight. Xander and Anya's room was across from Willow's, and was behind a wall tapestry. Giles' room was to the left of Buffy and Angel's, and the password to enter it was to be spoken to a demon statue. Spike's room was in the dungeons, and could only be reached by passing the dragon in front of it (not a real dragon, a statue).

The gang settled in, and got ready for the feast. Before they entered the Great Hall, Dumbeldore pulled Angel and Spike aside. He produced two small rings, both with a Gem of Amara. [I think there's only one in the show, but I'm not sure, so work with me please!]

"These were brought here for you. We hope you will enjoy the sunlight on the grounds" Angel and Spike thanked him, and proceeded into the Great Hall.

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Harry, Ron, and Hermione climbed into a carriage. On the way to the castle, they discussed the people on the train.

"Maybe they're here because of You-Know-Who," Hermione suggested. "I mean, Dumbeldore would want as many people as possible here to protect you Harry, and the rest of the students, of course"

"But why would he want muggles?" Ron asked. "What good could they do? Without magic, how are we ever going to be safe?"

"I don't know, Ron" Hermione answered. "It was just a guess"

"Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough" Harry interjected, as they pulled up to Hogwarts castle. They climbed out of the coach, and made their way into the Great Hall.

The first thing they noticed was the wondering whispers between the students. There were far too many chairs at the staff table, and a lot of people that none of the students knew. They looked like normal wizards, but anyone with half a brain could tell they weren't [and that rules out Malfoy! j/k, j/k!!]. They also noticed that Hagrid wasn't back yet. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table and waited for Dumbeldore to explain.

From behind him, Harry heard a snicker. He turned around to see - who else but - Malfoy.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Potty and his Weasel. I figured you'd be dead by now, Potter. I guess you're just not worth the effort after all"

Before Harry could retort, Malfoy and his cronies went off to Slytherin table, snickering amongst themselves.

The Great Hall quieted as Professor McGonagall entered with the sorting hat. The first years came through the doors, nervous looks on their faces. After the sorting hat sang its song, Professor McGonagall explained what would happen to all the first years. When the sorting was finished, Professor Dumbeldore stood up and addressed the students.

"Welcome, students, to another year at Hogwarts. I would like to start off with a few instructions, and introductions. First of all, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students. Second, I would like to make it clear that students are not, under any circumstances, to be wandering the castle or grounds at night" Dumbeldore seemed to look right at Harry when he said that. "And now, for the introductions. Our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Thyslerin" Spike stood up for a brief moment. "And we have a new class, Muggle Defence, to be taught by Professor O'Donerty, and Professor Summers" Buffy and Angel stood up like Spike, and sat back down. "And I'm sure you are all wondering about the others at this table. Due to recent events," everyone knew he meant 'because Voldemort has risen,' "we have increased our numbers to better protect you. They will be watching the halls at night, and you are to give them your utmost respect. They are," each rose as Dumbeldore called their name, "Miss Summers, Mr Harris, Miss Rauko, Mr Giles, Miss Rosenberg, and Mr Osborne"

[did I spell Rosenberg right?] "now that that is out of the way, let the feast begin!"

Buffy gasped as the food appeared in front of her. She got over her shock quickly, however, and started to eat and drink along with the rest of the scoobies.

Spike heard a voice beside him, "would you like some potatoes, . . .?"

Spike turned to see a man with dark hair, and a crooked nose. "Spike, and, no thank you. You are?"

"Very well. Severus Snape" Spike caught a hint of envy in the man's voice. *so,* he thought, *this man wants something I have. I like this.*

"And you teach?"

"Potions. It really is a fine art-"

"I'm sure it is," Spike interrupted, and then turned to talk with Dawn.

Only Hermione noticed that two people at the staff table didn't eat at all.

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Chapter Four - "I'm telling you.."

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Hermione walked to Gryffindor common room with Harry and Ron.

"I'm telling you, there's something not right about them. They didn't eat at all!" Hermione explained.

"You probably just didn't see them eating, Hermione. You're just imagining things" Ron countered.

"I am not imagining things! I watched them, and they didn't eat!"

"Why were you watching them in the first place?" Harry asked. When Hermione turned a deep shade of pink, he caught on. "Oh. Didn't you learn your lesson from Lockhart?" Ron sniggered.

"Oh shut up, Harry!" Hermione told him indignantly, and rushed off to the common room.

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"I'm telling you, Buffy, something's up with her. She was totally watching Spike and Angel all night!"

"Dawn, that doesn't mean anything!"

"I'm pretty sure she noticed they didn't eat. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that they weren't exactly stuffing themselves"

"It still doesn't prove anything. She could just be curious. Or, she might have been checking them out. Careful Dawn, you might have some competition!" At the look on Dawn's face, Buffy laughed. "Calm down. I was only joking"

"Yeah? Well, what about Angel?" Dawn shot back.

Buffy held up her hand to reveal her wedding band. "Got it covered" They reached Dawn's room, and Dawn spoke the password. "Night Dawnie"

"Night Buffy. See ya tomorrow. Don't kill anyone"

"Alright Dawn" Buffy laughed. "See ya"

Buffy turned and walked to her room.

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"I'm telling you, Xander, there's something up with her. She never stopped looking at either me or Spike. It's like she know's-"

"-what? That Deadboy's really Deadboy?"

"I thought you said you wouldn't call me that"

"Yea, but, I thought it fit"

Angel growled in response. "Well, it still doesn't change the fact that she knows something's up with Spike and me. We should be careful. And so should you if you ever call me Deadboy again"

Xander got the hint. "Ok. I got ya. So, what are you going to do about her?"

"I don't know, but I've got to meet Buffy for patrolling in the forest"

"You do realize that she's only going in there cause it's forbidden, right?"

"Yea. But I'll go along with her. She needs a good fight"

"K. See ya later Dea- Angel"

"Bye Xander"

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"I'm telling you, Oz, she knows something. She didn't stop looking at me or Angel all bloody night! Like she was watching us every time we lifted our sodding cups to take a drink! She probably knew it was blood in there! And did you see the way she was staring at Angel? Everybody always likes him better than me! First the Slayer, and now her! At least I know I still got the little Bit, but how long will that last! The whole bloody world's against me! And this new girl, she won't stop till she's proven I'm dead! It's put a whole new spin on this whole bloody mess! I wouldn't have even come to this sodding castle if I knew people were trying to prove I'm dead! She must be stopped!"

Oz nodded. "You might have a point"

"Bloody right, I do!"

Spike continued his rant, and Oz continued his typical Oz silence.

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"I'm telling you, Hermione, you're just imagining things!" Harry's attempts to calm his friend were futile, but he wouldn't give up.

Ron chose this moment to interrupt. "You were probably too busy daydreaming about Professor O'Donerty to notice he was eating" he ducked as a book came flying at his head.

"Guys, why can't you see! There's something not right about him! I don't know exactly what it is, but did you see how pale he and Professor Smith were? It's almost as if they're-" Hermione stopped, quickly dismissing the thought.

"Almost as if they're what?"

"Well, dead"

"WHAT?!"

"Think about it, they didn't eat at all, and they're really pale. They only ever drank. Like they're vampires or something"

Harry dispelled the idea with ease. "They couldn't be Hermione. Dumbeldore wouldn't let vampires into the school. He has enough to deal with, with Voldemort coming back. He's smarter than that"

Hermione gave in. With a hint of doubt in her voice, she answered, "I suppose you're right Harry. Well, I'm off to bed.

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"I'm telling you, sir, this is not a good idea! They're vampires. I thought you wanted to protect the students, not add more threats! They could just go off and have a midnight snack whenever they please! You must get rid of them!"

Dumbeldore turned and looked Snape in the eye. "I am quite aware, Severus, that they are vampires. I am also aware that they have souls. And as long as they and their companions are here, Voldemort will not attempt an attack on the school"

Snape was unconvinced. "How can you be so sure?"

"Severus, would you willingly attack the Slayer, the oldest Slayer in history, the one who has saved the world more times than you can count on one hand? Would you attack Angelus, the Scourge of Europe, who has killed six Slayers, has been given a soul, and saved the world alongside the present Slayer? Would you attack Willow Rosenberg, who, if pressed, could easily bring about the end of the world? Would you attack Anyanka, who would need only a wish to condemn you to any fate possible? Would you attack William the Bloody, who was taught by Angelus himself, and sired by Drucilla? Would you attack Xander Harris, an ordinary muggle with no great power, who has nonetheless stopped the world's end? Would you attack Rupert Giles, a powerful wizard with knowledge that rivals even my own? Would you attack Dawn Summers, sister of the Slayer, and Slayer herself, trained in the art of fighting? Would you attack anyone that these people are protecting, and face their wrath?"

Snape hung his head. "No, I would not"

"Then, Professor, I ask that you trust my judgement in this matter, and keep it to yourself"

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"I'm telling you, Buffy, I'm NOT overreacting! She had that look in her eyes that says she's going to prove this, no matter what. She'll be looking for every possible sign. We should be extra careful around her"

"I'm telling you Angel, there's nothing to worry about. She's only a student" In the midst of their conversation, Buffy staked a vamp. "FINALLY!! Some action!"

Unbeknownst to the couple, three pairs of ears listened intently, interested to find this new information.

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Chapter Five - A Little Chat

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Hermione, Ron, and Harry stole silently away from the scene before them. Hermione was right, something was up with the new professors, and they had just confirmed their fears. When they were about twenty feet away from the scene, Ron stepped on - and snapped - a twig.

Buffy suddenly turned around to face directly towards the three. Angel noticed the action, and took care to speak loud enough so that only Buffy's acute hearing would know he was talking.

"What's wrong?"

Buffy answered in the same volume, "I heard something. There's something out there, what are you picking up?"

"I can smell the blood"

"Let's go" They stole off in silent pursuit of their unseen prey.

Hermione stole a backward glance and saw that they were being followed. She thought nothing of it however, and assumed they were simply leaving the forest. Turning back a second time, however, she realized that they were definitely being followed.

"Harry," she whispered "I think they know we're here"

Before Harry or Ron could reply, a figure lunged at them, and tore the cloak off of them.

"Ooo! Cool cloak!" Buffy put the cloak on, like a child who received a new toy. She stalked around, and none of the three friends knew where she was. They saw Professor O'Donerty walking towards them.

When he was about ten feet away, he turned to face thin air and said, "Buffy, take the cloak off. It isn't yours" To the astonishment of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, the cloak moved and Buffy appeared EXACTLY where Angel had been facing.

"You're no fun" Buffy pouted. "And as for you three, I believe this is called the Forbidden Forest, because it is FORBIDDEN! Our office, NOW!"

"You share an office?" Hermione didn't mean to say it, it just spilled out. She blushed a deep red, and Buffy caught on immediately.

Taking Angel's arm, she responded, "yes, I share an office with my husband" Hermione looked up with a shocked look on her face. "Now, our office, let's go.

Harry, Ron and Hermione followed ruefully, faces toward the ground.

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As soon as they were in the office, Hermione started rapid fire questions at Buffy. "What happened in there? Why did that guy turn to dust? How did you know how to do that? Was it magic? Why didn't you have a wand? How did you know we were there? How did he know where you were? Why were you in the Forest? And *why* didn't Professor O'Donerty *eat* at the feast?!"

Buffy smiled. "In order, none of your business, he was a vampire, none of your business, no, none of your business, you snapped a twig, he's my husband: he knows these things!, none of your business, and, um... none of your business?"

Spike walked into the room, and, not noticing the trio, addressed Buffy by the name he commonly calls her, "Slayer! We got tr-" Spike noticed the glares he was getting from Buffy and Angel. "What? I didn't *do* anything!... this time" In response, Buffy pointed to where the three friends sat. Spike followed her hand, and saw the kids, who just heard who Buffy was. "Oops. Sorry, luv. Didn't mean to go tellin' everyone who you are, but, I didn't see them!" Angel growled. "Easy there, Peaches! If what I've heard bout that brownie there is true, she'd have had it figured out for herself in no time! You just calm down! That temper of yours is a killer" Spike winked.

Angel was about to pummel Spike into oblivion, when Buffy stepped between them. "That's ENOUGH! For heaven's sake, Angel, they already heard Spike, and killing him - as much *fun* as it may be - will not *help* any" She glared at them both until they sat down. "Now, let's deal with *these* three"

Hermione looked at Spike, "I read about Slayers once," she said.

Spike looked uninterested. "Really?" he drawled.

The next comment interested Spike in a second. "Yes, they're a myth" Spike snorted, Buffy laughed, and Angel... he stayed very Angel-y... quiet. "What?" Hermione asked indignantly.

Buffy looked at her, "well, it would have saved me a lot of trouble if that were true"

Ron sided with Hermione. "The Slayer is just something muggles made up so they could feel safe. She's not real!"

Spike had the argument there. "They why don't muggles know she exists?"

"Well, uh, er.." he trailed off, realizing he'd lost.

"Exactly my point. As for you, luv, you better do better research"

Hermione didn't back down. "There's no proof anywhere that there is really 'one girl in all the world to find the vampires where they gather and-"

"-stop the swell of their numbers" Buffy finished the line for her.

"You know the prophecy?"

"I'm pretty familiar with it. That's just one of the variations I know. Now, I believe we were here to discuss a punishment" Buffy eyed the trio suspiciously. "What *were* you doing in the forest anyway?"

"Well, we, uh, were, er, walking, and, um.."

"Following us, huh?" Angel picked up right away. "If you were so suspicious of us that you broke not only one rule but *two* I'd say it would have to be very important?"

Hermione looked at the ground, and Ron and Harry exchanged a look. "We weren't following you" Ron stated.

Spike looked at him. "Not only do you suck at stealth, but you also suck at lying. So, I guess we were right bout you little friend there"

Buffy just sighed. "Spike, shut up. You three, fifty points for being out after dark, and fifty points for being in the forest. My God, it's not even the first day of classes and you've already managed to get in trouble. I guess that Snape guy was right about you. Now, go to bed!"

The three students left and Buffy turned to glare at Spike. "Next time, look around before you open your big mouth! We could have been in trouble there! Have you ever heard of a secret identity?!" Buffy calmed down while Angel asked the nagging question.

"Why did you come here in the first place, Spike?"

"Watcher found a prophecy. Involves the Potter kid"

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