Chapter Six - A Prophecy and a Crossbow

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Giles looked up as Buffy, Angel and Spike rushed into his room.

"Spike! What took you so bloody long?!"

"Slayer here had some students in. Seems they just couldn't wait to get detention."

Giles sighed. "I trust you received the message?"

"Not before Spike told everyone I was the Slayer!"

"Spike!"

"I didn't mean to! I didn't know they were there! Besides, it's not like they believed me anyways! Whole bloody lot thought the Slayer was a hoax!"

"Lucky for you," Angel grumbled.

"Can you all please cease and desist!" Giles snapped. The room went quiet. "Thank you. Now, I believe I called you here to talk about the prophecy."

"What's it say?"

"Well, the general idea is that Harry Potter will, will fight a great evil, Lord Voldemort."

"Is that it?"

"Well, the translation was "unto the Lily and her mate, a child will be born. He alone will have the power to defeat the Unnamed. He will fight, guided by the Light and Night, and with the aid of those he holds dear. Be his heart pure, he will be victorious."

"I don't see how it concerns us any." Buffy mentioned.

"Well, I believe 'Light' and 'Night' refers to you and Angel, the warriors of the Light and the Night."

"Ah. Getting it now."

"The Unnamed, does it mean Voldemort?" Angel inquired.

"I believe so. And the Lily and her mate would be Lily and James Potter."

"So, we help the kid, avert an apocalypse, and go home happy? Hmmm... a day in the life of Buffy Summers." Buffy drawled. "And I thought it would be serious."

"Buffy, I am aware that this is an ordinary task for you, but this is new to young Harry."

"Like hell it is!" Spike exclaimed. "That kid's got something trying to kill him every bloody year since he came to this sodding castle!"

"Really?" Buffy asked, interested. "Well then, I guess I can relate to him. So, when are we going to tell him about the prophecy?"

"We wont. Not until he's comfortable with you all. I only hope that it wont be too late by then."

"Oh, that's encouraging!" Spike said sarcastically.

"Shut up Spike," Angel growled.

Giles glared. "I suggest you all get some sleep. The first day of class is tomorrow."

"Ugh. And I thought I finished school. Does the torture never stop?!" Buffy looked around the room. "And, I'm suddenly thinking that torture is not a good subject to bring up around you three. Ok, bed."

She left the room after a quick goodnight to Giles and Spike (extra quick for Spike!), followed by Angel. Spike left after them, and Giles settled down in his bed, truly happy for his Slayer. Happy for his daughter, because that's what she was to him. Perhaps not in blood, but in spirit, and that's what mattered.

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Harry woke at about five in the morning. He couldn't help but think about the new professors. Hermione was right, there was something off about them, but it didn't unnerve him like it did her. In fact, strange as it might sound, it comforted him. And, the young girl, Dawn, she put him at ease. All of these strangers made him feel safe, and almost like he wasn't the only strange person around. He felt a strong connection to both the Summers girls, and he didn't know what to think about it. With such thoughts flitting about in his head, he slowly drifted back to a dreamless sleep.

Harry awoke at seven next, and dragged himself out of bed, slowly getting ready for classes. He couldn't wait for muggle defence, as he was eager to have a new class. He deliberately dawdled, knowing he had time to kill before he had to be in the great hall. After a while, and once everyone else was up, Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way to the great hall for breakfast, and to look at their schedules.

"Ugh," Harry started, "potions with Slytherins, first period. But, hey, we've got muggle defence after that!"

"Oh, but look what's next, Divination with Trelawnly," Ron grumbled. "I wonder if she's still on that death hitch."

"Most likely," Hermione stated. "She didn't give up last year. I just hope I don't ever have to take that again."

"I don't know why I signed up for it," Harry conceded.

"Me neither," Ron followed.

"And then there's Defence against the Dark Arts, with Professor Smith." Hermione said. "I wonder if he'll last longer than the others." She pondered.

"Doubtful. Looked like he just graduated himself!" Ron chided. "Dumbledore *must* be getting desperate!"

"Well, we better get going then. Won't do to be late in Snape's first class. He hates us enough as it is." Harry sighed. The trio started off down the corridors.

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The trio emerged from Potions with frowns on their faces. Snape had his knickers in a twist today, that much was certain. It seemed he was even more upset than before to miss out on the DADA job. It truly irked him that one so young as Professor Smith would get the job, or so it seemed. Unbeknownst to the trio, he was truly irked because a *vampire* had gotten the job!

They made their way to the Muggle Defence class, also a double with Slytherin. They entered the classroom first, and found Professor Summers sitting with her back to them, cross-legged on the floor. They kept quiet, not wanting to disturb her. Directly behind her was an array of weapons. Swords, crossbows, wooden poles, and the like. Anything that anyone could imagine, it was there. Professor O'Donerty was seated beside her in the same fashion. As the room started to pile up with students, the noise level amazingly stayed the same. There was something about the two in front of them that had the students on edge. Malfoy entered the room, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. Even *they* were quiet! However, Malfoy saw the crossbow. He quietly stopped down, and picked it up without a sound.

"Look Harry," Hermione whispered, barely audible, "Malfoy's got the crossbow!"

"Mr. Malfoy," Professor O'Donerty's voice rang through the classroom, piercing the silence. "Would you kindly place the crossbow down." he hadn't even looked at them, his back was still turned. How did he know?

Malfoy aimed the crossbow carefully so that it would graze the top of Professor Summers' head. He pulled the trigger, and the shot zoomed forward. That's when it happened. The class suddenly realized why this slight girl had gotten this position.

Only her arm moved. The rest of her was the same as before. But, clutched in her hand, was the shot. It was about two feet above her head, and way more to the side than he wanted. Malfoy gaped. Nobody should have been able to catch that, let alone a girl like her! She hadn't even looked at him. How did she even know the shot was coming! For God's sake, she was a mud-blood!

"H-how?!" he stuttered.

Professor Summers rose slowly, and turned around to face him. "If you pay *very* close attention in this class, and have the right potential, you can do that too." She started to walk away, but turned around, grabbed the crossbow, and added, "oh, and I believe my husband told you to put that down." At the word 'husband' all the girls' faces fell. They all brightened at the next sentence though (well, the Gryffindor's anyway!) "Fifty points from Slytherin for not listening, and fifty points *more* from Slytherin for firing at a professor." The Professor thought for a bit, before continuing, "And ten points on top of that for crappy aim!"

Malfoy just stared. In one move, he had lost 110 points! "You can't take points off for aim!"

Professor Summers walked slowly over too him. Her voice came out icy and hard. "This class if for learning things like that. I can take points off for whatever I want. I'm the Professor, not you. And unless you can beat me in a sparring match, it'll stay that way." She turned and walked off, but called back over her shoulder. "Oh, and ten more points for talking back."

The Gryffindors' faces all split into wide grins. Not only had Professor Summers taken away 120 points from Slytherin, but she had taken them from *Malfoy*! Thus securing her place as their favourite teacher ever.

This class was going to be interesting.

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Chapter Seven

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Buffy looked out over the assembled students, sizing them up. They looked about average. She'd have to go easy on them. "Alright. Since this is your first class, Professor O'Donerty and I are gonna give you all a demonstration. Tomorrow we'll start the actual classes. So, get out of the way, and watch."

The students moved to the back wall of the class. Buffy turned her back to Angel, who picked up two swords. And then, the fight started. Angel threw the sword at Buffy's back. The students gasped as she flipped around to catch it by the hilt. The fight was on.

Buffy and Angel moved around the room, with neither gaining the upper hand. Their deadly dance continued on, both secretly enjoying it. The students looked on in awe of their new professors. They were *good*!

After almost all of the class had been taken up, it started to go in favour of Angel. He managed to get Buffy's sword out of her hands; the students thought the fight was finally over. But then they saw the professors' faces. They were smiling. Angel's sword went directly at Buffy's face.

The students were amazed. They had expected Professor O'Donerty to stop the thrust, but between Professor Summers' hands was the blade of the sword, mere inches from her face. She pushed the sword back at Angel, and managed to phase him for a bit, getting her sword back. The fight was still going. Finally, they both came to a silent truce, and it finished.

Buffy looked at Angel. "It didn't work the first time, Angel."

"Just testing you."

"Don't."

Buffy and Angel turned to face the class. Most of the mouths were hanging open, and their eyes were the size of saucers.

"Well, that was your demonstration for swordplay. We'll try to teach you that stuff, but it does take a certain amount of skill before-hand. Even so, you should do well." Buffy told them all.

"And, I see we've taken up the whole class, so, you better get going," Angel finished.

The students filed out, each babbling noisily about how great that class would be.

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Divination class ended much like any other. Harry was going to die. He came out of the classroom and sighed in relief. It was over for today. Ron walked out beside him, and they made their way to the DADA classroom. They were all eager to see what the new Professor was like. If this class was anything like they thought Muggle Defence was going to be like, it would be good.

They entered the classroom and found it almost empty. Professor Smith was nowhere in sight. The only other person in the room was Hermione, seated right at the front.

"Hi Hermione." Ron addressed her.

"This is our perfect opportunity Ron!"

"What?" Harry asked her.

"Oh, for heaven's sake! You two can be so thick! This is perfect time to prove there's something up with Professor Smith!" the boys just stared at her. "Well, don't just stand there! Sit!" The two sat down with Ron beside Hermione, just as the rest of the students began to enter the classroom. The noise level was considerably high when Spike entered the classroom.

"Shut up!" he yelled. He smirked at the shocked looks on their faces. "No, I'm not like other teachers in the least." He looked at the time, and decided to start class a few minutes early. "Ok, if you're not here, say so." When nobody spoke, he started the class. "Ok then, well, our first unit will be trolls." Before he could get any farther, Malfoy came into the class. "You're late," Spike pointed out.

Malfoy checked the time. "No I'm not! I'm right on time! You just started class early!"

Spike glared daggers at Malfoy. "This class starts whenever I want it to start. I'll be here five minutes before each class is scheduled to start. I suggest you be here then too, if you don't want to be late. Five points from Slytherin for being late, and ten points for talking back." [AN- can you tell I don't like Draco? Wink!]

Malfoy sat down in his seat, completely peeved off. First, Professor Summers, and now Professor Smith! This was not going to be a fun year.

Spike started up the class again. "As I was saying, we will be researching trolls first. Our next unit will be Gods. We will then move on to other demons. Our last unit will be vampires. Part of this unit will be Slayers. Yes, Ms. Granger?" Hermione's hand was straight up in the air.

"Slayers aren't real."

"Yea." Draco chimed in. "They're a myth."

Spike glared at them. They would be trouble. "Five points off each of your houses for pure insolence!"

Hermione and Draco gaped. Hermione had never - NEVER - lost points in class before. It just didn't happen! And so far, Draco had lost 140 points in one day! From only two classes! This was *definitely* not going to be his year.

Professor Smith started the class again. "Is there any other objections to my teaching? No, good. Then let's get started. Ho, and if you're lucky, we might get a troll hammer in, but that depends on whether or not Professor Summers will let us use it."

"Professor Summers has a troll hammer?!" Hermione screeched.

"Yes. Now, open your books to page one-seventy-three and we'll get started."

The class went on, and Spike managed to extract the right amount of fear from each student before it was time for them to leave.

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Willow looked up as Dawn entered her room. "Ok Will, here's the homework. I still can't believe you're teaching me!"

Willow smiled at the young brunette in front of her. "Thanks Dawnie. Now, go have fun or something. You don't want to hang out with your sister's friends, do you?"

"Nope! I'm gonna explore the castle grounds or something. See ya later Will!"

Dawn left the room, bumping into Oz on her way out. "Oh, hi Oz! Bye Oz!"

"Later."

Dawn went out to the back of the castle and looked around. There was a small hut in the distance, and a field slightly closer. It looked like there was someone in the air. *probably flying on a broom* she thought to herself. *they're just proving that all the stereotypes are right.* she made her way to the field, wondering who it was.

Unbeknownst to Dawn, it was the Quidditch pitch, and it was Harry flying around on his broom. As Dawn got closer, she saw the messy black hair, and assumed it was Harry up there. She'd been told that he was really good at flying, and this guy was the best flyer she'd ever seen. Of course, he was the *only* flyer she'd ever seen... but, oh well. She stood by the pitch and watched as he flew around fast. He slowed down, and seemed to finish his flying, when he noticed her.

Harry flew down to meet Dawn. She had a wide grin on her face, that told him she had seen him flying for a while.

"Hey," was all she said.

"Um... hi," he answered back. "How long were you standing there?"

"Long enough. You're good. In fact, the best I've ever seen!"

"I'm sure I'm not *that* good."

"Oh, but you are. Between you and me, though, you're the *only* I've ever seen." Dawn winked.

Harry laughed. "Well then, I guess I am the best. So, why are you here?"

"Just exploring."

"Well then, let me show you around. You should come meet Hagrid! He' the keeper of key's and grounds here."

Dawn's head snapped up. "Keys?"

"Yea, you know, to locks."

"Right. Key's to locks. Which is what most of them are for. Locks. With keys. I'm babbling. Let's go see Hagrid."

Harry gave her a strange look before leading her to Hagrid's hut. Soon after he knocked on the door, it opened. Hagrid stood there, a broad smile on his face.

"Well hello there Harry. I was wonderin' when you'd come ta see me. Oh, and young miss Summers, how do y'do?"

"Just call me Dawn. And, uh, great... I guess. I was just looking around a bit when I found Harry here."

"Well, come in. But it's goin' ta have ter be a quick visit. Sun's goin' down soon."

"And I'll have to go see Buffy." Dawn mentioned as they came in.

"Right. Your sister. What's she teaching again?"

"Muggle Defence," Harry supplied. "With Professor O'Donerty."

"And how'd that go Harry?"

"Well, they put on an amazing sword fight. Those two are good!"

"Has yer sister been teachin' you Dawn?"

"Um... yea. But I'm not as good as her. She's been doing that stuff for years! And Angel, well, again, years." Dawn replied. "Many, many years," Dawn added under her breath.

"Oh, and Malfoy got one hundred and forty points away from him!" Harry quickly recounted the events that led up to Malfoy's points being taken away. Hagrid laughed loudly.

"That sounds like them alright. Which reminds me, I better get going to meet them. I've gotta train and stuff."

"Me too," Harry added. "Not training, but going. The sun's going down, and I already got caught last night." He groaned. "Bye Hagrid!"

"See ya!" Dawn called out, rushing out the door.

"Come back soon!" Hagrid replied.

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Buffy looked up as Dawn entered the room. She checked her watch. "You're late."

"One minute!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Hey, it's still late," Buffy replied, a grin on her face.

Dawn laughed. "So, what's the plan for tonight?"

"We go, we slay, we come back. Pretty basic."

"Anyone else coming?"

"Nope. Sister bonding time."

"Yes, and no other bonding activity can beat turning things to dust."

"Except maybe decapitating a demon."

"Or pounding a hell god with a troll hammer," Dawn suggested.

"Or grinding our enemies bones into powder with a sludge hammer."

"Ah, memories." Dawn sighed jokingly.

Buffy laughed. "Ok, let's get going! Forbidden Forest, here we come!"

The girls headed out, chatting loudly so the vamps would know where they were, and so they wouldn't have to hunt. It was a lazy night. Usually stake, and continue with the conversation. Some of them put up a fight, but not most.

"Man, is it me, or are the vamps not trying?" Dawn asked.

"I think it's just that you're used to Hellmouth vamps, Dawnie."

"Probably." Dawn conceded. "Are we done here, I was gonna go meet Spike."

Buffy eyed her sister. "I still can't believe you two. But yea we're done. Go have fun with your boyfriend."

"See ya Buff!"

Dawn ran off, and Buffy followed slowly. The night was over. All she had to do was gain the trust of Harry Potter. That prophecy sounded serious.

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Chapter Eight

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Buffy's eyes flickered open. She was in her bed at Hogwarts, Angel resting beside her. Careful not to rouse him, she slipped out of bed, and walked through the door.

Buffy found herself in a dimly lit chamber, presumably underground. She could only assume that anything above them was dead at the moment, because with her in the chamber were three other figures with no eyes: The Bringers.

They didn't seem to notice her as she walked around the room. They continued their chant, and a dark shadow appeared: The First. Another figure appeared, cloaked in darkness. It seemed to be following The First, waiting for something.

*it was called* Buffy realized about the figure. *like Angel. Only, this one didn't resist.* Buffy's eyes saddened, as she thought of the time when The First had tried to take Angel - her Angel - away from her. And the sadness only grew, when she realized that she wasn't able to help this other person, that had fallen into darkness. She couldn't fight The First, and this was proof.

"You couldn't have helped him," came a voice from behind her. Buffy spun around, and faced a figure of a young woman. Brown hair framed her face, and emerald eyes stared back at her. Buffy jumped back. *those eyes...*

"Potter," she breathed. "You're Lily Potter."

The woman nodded. Her gaze returned to the others in the chamber. "You couldn't have helped him," she said again. "He chose his path long before you began to travel down yours."

"But, who is he? Why does The First want him?"

"Tom Riddle," Lily spoke the name with a mixture of disgust, sorrow, pain, and... was that pity? "The living Heir of Slytherin. A truly evil soul, corrupted by his own power and anger."

"Why are you showing me this?"

"You have to protect my son. I died to give him a chance to fulfill his destiny, now you must do the rest. Creatures of destiny, you both are. You can help him, guide him, show him his path. Show him hope."

The scene faded as Lily's last words floated in the air. "Hope is all we have left."

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Buffy awoke to the sounds of Giles and Angel talking. She opened her eyes, and, sure enough, they were too deep in conversation to notice her. She listened quietly, thinking also about her dream.

"Rupert, this is big. He was called by The First. Do you have any idea what that means?!"

"I'm afraid, Angel, only you can tell us that for certain. What did The First want with you, do you know?"

"Mass destruction and chaos. It wanted evil. It wanted me to lose my soul and become evil again."

"Oh dear. So, you're saying th-this Tom Riddle was called by The First to create mayhem on Earth?"

"Yes."

"Tom Riddle. I seem to remember that name from somewhere before. I'll talk to Professor Dumbledore about it. And you had better tell Buffy, I'll imagine she'll want to know."

Buffy lifted her head to look at them. "Too late. I got a creepy dream message from our dearest friend Lily Potter. How bout you, Angel?"

"James. Told you to protect Harry, and guide him?"

"Yup. Glad we could compare notes like this. Puts a whole new spin on things."

Angel chuckled. "I guess you're right. Not much diversity."

"So, do you think we should protect Harry and guide him?"

"I'd say it's a plan."

Giles shook his head, "well then, I suggest you go to class, and earn his trust."

"I gotta talk to Willow. Just making sure that she doesn't go overboard. It's great that she's trying out magic again, and starting small, but, I don't want her to go all psycho-Willow on us again."

"Yes, I completely understand," Giles answered. "I'll see you after, for some training?"

"You bet."

Giles left as Buffy dragged herself out of bed. She turned to Angel, and noticed the panic in his eyes. He was scared.

"Angel, are you ok?"

"Buffy, whoever this Tom Riddle is, he's dangerous. And, I think Harry might know who he is. Whatever is going on here, Potter is caught right in the middle of it."

"I know. But right now, I need to worry about what to wear to class. Do we even have a day plan? What are we teaching them?!"

"Physical training. We want them to be able to throw a punch before they try to throw a dagger."

"You have ths all planned out, don't you?"

"I like to be prepared."

"I knew there was a reason I married you!"

Angel moved over to her, and engulfed her in his arms. "Is that the only reason?"

Buffy leaned up to kiss him. "No."

After a second, Angel pulled away. "We really have to get ready for class now."

Buffy pouted. "Ruin my fun."

Angel just chuckled. "Later, Buffy, later."

Buffy smiled and set out getting ready for class. Angel left the room to go talk to Oz. In a few minutes, they were both ready to go and kick some student butt! But first, they had to go to breakfast.

"Angel, you have to remember to eat!"

"But Buffy-"

"No buts, mister! We already have a prophecy on our hands! We don't need any nosy students!"

"We already have nosy students," Angel pointed out.

"Good point. But we don't need nosey-er students on our case, ok?"

"Only for you, Buffy, only for you." Angel conceded.

Buffy smiled as they walked into the Great Hall, already buzzing with students. The Gryffindor table seemed to be full of people awaiting their first class, Muggle Defence. Buffy sat down between Angel and Spike.

"Spike, eat!" she hissed.

"What?" Spike wore a confused look on his face. "Why would I want to do that, Slayer?"

"Cause there's a certain brunette that would go to any lengths to prove you're not what you seem."

"So?"

"Dawn! Make him eat!"

Dawn put on her best face. "Spike," she began, "please e-"

"Fine," Spike sighed. "For you, Bit."

Dawn smiled triumphantly. Buffy flashed her a thank-you grin. Just then, Giles came over with Dumbledore in tow.

"Buffy, that dream you had was serious. You have to remember the exact details."

"Dream," Dawn asked. "Please say it wasn't a prophetic dream with the First Evil and a dude in creepy robes, and maybe a Potter relative."

"No, I'd say it was more of a past-etic dream with the First Evil, a dude in creepy robes and a Potter relative." Dawn sighed. "You too?"

"Yup."

Spike looked around. "Cripes, not you too!"

Angel looked at him, incredulous. "You had the same dream?!"

"Believe me, mate, the last thing I want is to have an connection to the likes of you!"

"Buffy," Giles started. "I need to talk to you after class. That dream is very important."

"Well, as you heard, everyone had the same dream. So, if Dawn's not busy with school, you can talk to her. Check it with Willow first."

"Yes, that would be best, I suppose." Giles went over to talk to Willow, as Buffy and Angel finished off their meals. They left quickly to go to their class, hoping that they wouldn't have any problems with Malfoy today.

As Buffy and Angel entered the class, they noticed only one student in the room, and it wasn't Hermione.

"Harry?" Buffy asked. "Something the matter?"

Harry looked up. "I know this is going to sound weird, but, I had a dream - "

Buffy sighed. "Trust me, you're in good company."

"Well, there was this thing, called The First - evil, that is. It was helping... Tom Riddle, I suppose he was called back then. I thought you might be able to help me."

Angel looked serious. "And why would you think that?"

"She told me to ask you."

Buffy looked like she knew it was coming. "You had a little spirit guide, huh? Well, who was it?" Buffy fully expected Harry to say it was one of his ancestors, or a family member, but she never expected the next words out of his mouth.

"She said her name was Jenny Calendar."

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Chapter Nine

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