Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and Harry Potter belong to Joss Whedon and JK Rowling.

August 20 1998 London, England.

Hermione Granger sat alone in the Leaky Cauldron. This year would not be like others. Both of her best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley would not be coming back to Hogwarts this year. It was strange; the two people she had spent the most time with at school would not be coming along with her on the Hogwarts Express. But she knew she would not be alone, for most of the year. Sipping away her Butterbeer she noticed a girl with dirty blond hair and protuberant silver eyes. Her wand was tucked behind her ear and was she wearing a butterbeer cork necklace.

"Luna!" Hermione called.

The blond girl turned. "Hermione" she said as she skipped over towards the bushy haired girl.

"So how have you been?"

"It's been quite a lovely summer actually. What about you?"

"Well nothing very exciting. I'm coming back to Hogwarts this year."

"That sounds lovely. I know I'll have one more friend then."

"So what are you taking Luna?"

"Defence against the darks arts, potions, charms, transfiguration care of magical creatures, herbology, muggle studies, divination and ancient runes."

"That's quite the schedule."

"I was thinking of taking History of Magic, but I couldn't fit it in because of divination"

Hermione gave a small cringe, as the divination was the only subject she had ever failed, but knew that her friend would not be swayed to study a more logic bound discipline .

"So tell me more about you Hermione. What are your plans for the year?"

"Well Classes and I'm doing an exchange program after Christmas."

"That sounds exciting. Maybe you'll find the Crumple-Horned Snorkack"

"Still haven't found it?"

"No. But I'm sure someday we'll find it. Daddy came shopping with me today to find some leads. Tell me more about your exchange."

"Well, officially I'm going to Sunnydale Institute of Sorcery after Christmas. I'll-"

"Sunnydale?" Luna interrupted "I'm envious! The place is crawling with mysteries waiting to be uncovered."

A man with long white hair came to the table. In his hands he had a copy of the Quibbler magazine."Well here it is sweetie. Latest edition" he said handing his daughter the magazine, "hello, Miss Granger."

"Hello Mr.. Lovegood."

"Please call me Xenophilius"

"Daddy! Hermione is going to Sunnydale this winter. Isn't that wonderful?!"

"That is exciting news," responded Luna's father "but I would careful. The place is a little less safe than before."

"Why would it not be safe now?" asked Hermione

"The Slayer," stated Mr. Lovegood "she's no longer there."

"Slayer?" said Hermione looking at Mr. Lovegood as though this was another absurd thing that came from the Quibbler.

"Yes, The Slayer is gone," re-explained Mr. Lovegood "I got an article from one of my American correspondents."

"Would you like to read the article Hermione?" interjected Luna.

"Yes," answered Hermione "thanks, Luna."

Hermione opened The Quibbler to the page that had the scoop on The Slayer; the pages were littered with images of vampires and demons Hermione had never encountered in her Defence against the Dark Arts classes. Yet there were no picture of the slayer. After sifting through the pictures Hermione read the article.

The Slayer: Gone

By Andrew Wayne

Sunnydale California has been the home of the slayer for the last two years. However, this summer an increase in Vampire activity has caused the magical community of Sunnydale to suspect she has vanished. The slayer is a muggle from a line of chosen ones, destined to fight the forces of darkness such as vampires and demons. There is only one slayer and the only way for a new slayer to be called is for the current slayer to be killed. However, with the departure of the current slayer there are greater risks involved for both the magical and muggle community of Sunnydale. Despite the danger the forces of darkness pose to Sunnydale Institute of Sorcery, the principal, Mr. Randy Hopkins has taken precautionary measures and will provide a more thorough curriculum in defence against the dark arts to ensure that students will be prepared to face potentially increasing threats. The departure also affects a muggle organization known as the watcher's council: a group who aids The Slayer. Efforts by this group have been made to find the slayer, but to little avail thus far.

Hermione was in shock as she read this. She was going to a school where danger might be looming about. Even if this was in the Quibbler, which she thought often invented or exaggerated matters, the magazine's scoop was the only source she had that could help her picture what this exchange in Sunnydale would look like. She knew that even with Voldemort gone, there would be residue of his evil abroad that the other magical governments might not be aware "thank you," Hermione sad handing Luna her magazine.

Hermione left the Leaky Cauldron knowing there was only one thing for her to do: start researching Sunnydale and the Slayer. She would have four months to prepare for the journey she was embarking on.