Title: Shadows in the Dark

Author: txalb

Rating: PG-13 (to be safe)

Summary: Post Chosen. Buffy finds a place to recuperate and rest…but there's a catch.

A/N: This is a BtVS/HP crossover. I've never done one of these before and would really like to know what you think. I'm especially concerned with my characterization, so please let me know what you think.

A/N 2: There will be some serious messing with timelines here, but basically when Buffy was making her attack on the First in Chosen, Voldemort was making his attack on the Potters.

xoxox

England, June 2003. Three weeks after the collapse of the Hellmouth.

She warily looked around the room, taking in the sparse furnishings, frigid air, lack of light, and sighed contentedly. Finally, a place to escape my troubles…at least for a little while.

She sat her bags down and turned to her companion. "Thanks again for the space. You have no idea what it means to me, not being locked in a house full of girls."

The older man gave a soft chuckle, "I can only imagine…thank God. You know you are welcome to stay here as long as you feel necessary. The students do not know about this place and you are safe from inquiring eyes, although," he said with a wry smile, "I feel somewhat hypocritical offering you any kind of protection."

She couldn't help but grin at that, "Eh," she shrugged, "it's the thought that counts."

He had a knowing gleam in his eyes, "Yes well, when you find yourself settled, I would be delighted if you would join me for tea. Take as long as you like." His jolly demeanor faded into a more serious mask, "And I mean that, take as long as you like."

"You goin' all Giles on me? I swear, what is it with you Brits and your tea? I think they put something in the water."

He straightened in mock indignation, "Tea is the essence of civilization, in my humble opinion."

"That so?" She shrugged, "I'll probably be addicted to the stuff by the time I leave."

He smiled, "I'll leave you to yourself, and never hesitate to let me know if you are in need of anything."

"Thanks Dumbledore. I don't think you know how much this means to me."

"I think I do. Good day Buffy," and he left.

She hadn't brought many belongings along with her, which made unpacking almost irrelevant. But the decision about what to do first was taken from her when she heard the slight taping on the window in the kitchen. She made her way over and opened it to allow the black owl into her home.

She shook her head. This is gonna take getting used to…again.

Mrs. Summers,

You are cordially invited to attend the celebration of you-know-who's downfall-

She stopped reading, her decision made. Sure the purpose of her coming her was to get some rest and relaxation, and sure she definitely earned it, what with the big crater in the earth that was now Sunnydale, but she was needed out there. Now was the time that the death eaters would be at their weakest. With their leader defeated, and the aurors after them, they were vulnerable, easy pickings.

She probably couldn't do much, but she knew that she would hate herself later if something happened that she could have prevented.

She quickly pulled a black cloak from one of the bags on the floor and wrapped it around herself. In addition, she grabbed the scythe from her weapons chest, which was already placed at the foot of her bed. After grabbing rope she was ready to go. She quietly maneuvered out the door, careful not to make any noises.

She slowly opened her senses, searching for any type of evil that might be near her. After a few seconds of fruitless searching, she opened her eyes and began to run. Hogsmede was the nearest wizarding community and it was there she headed.

It wasn't hard to see with all the fireworks and shouting in celebration. She ignored the partygoers and continued her silent trek through the town. She was so concentrated on keeping herself undiscovered that she almost missed the dark figure ahead of her who was trying equally hard, however unsuccessfully, not to be seen.

Well isn't this my lucky night.

She moved closer to the wall, blending in with the shadows, and waited for the unsuspecting figure to pass her. She was fully focused on the figure and could sense the evil emitted by the mark on his arm.

The figure passed by without seeing her. As it passed she grabbed it by the back of its cloak and flung it against the wall, knocking the person unconscious. She quickly made sure they were still alive and pulled back the hood of the cloak.

It was a man who didn't look much older than her. He had dark hair and a nasty looking bump on his head from where it met the wall. She thought he might actually be attractive if his face wasn't marred by a frown. I guess being knocked out will do that to you.

She reached around for his arm and pulled back the sleeve to reveal the dark mark, and looked it over, interested. She had previously only heard about it and this was her first time to see one. A frown crossed her face as she looked closely at it. She was only feeling evil from the mark, not the man, and it was a strange, almost recognizable, evil. Confused and more than a little troubled she searched her mind for the reason the evil felt so familiar. She racked her brains but it wasn't enough. She sighed and moved away.

After deciding that the man was definitely a death eater she pulled the rope out of the back pocket of her cloak and quickly tied him up, deciding that the best thing to do would be to leave him there for one of the Aurors to find.

After looking around to be sure she wasn't seen she moved away from the man and concentrated once again. After having something to focus on it would be easier to find more, although she knew that the likelihood of actually finding anyone else was slim to none.

She made her way through the darkened streets following the call of darkness and magic, easily avoiding the people shouting for joy for the Boy Who Lived.

Tbc…