Author's Note: So, this is an idea that has been done before, but I'm hoping to put my own spin on it and we'll see how it goes (either way my muse has been telling me to write this for awhile). I'm not sure about pairings so I'd love to hear opinions, just remember it is set during the Marauder's era. Lines borrowed from 'The Gift'
Disclaimer: I do not own BtVS or HP. All rights belong to Joss Whedon and J.K. Rowling.
_______________
Buffy and Dawn stood at the top of the crudely constructed tower. It looked as though it would tumble to the ground at any minute but it held firm as a portal swirled in front of them. The energy radiating from it was nearly palpable as it danced across Buffy's skin, causing the hair on her arms to rise.
Creatures that Buffy was slightly terrified of ever having to face began to pass through the portal, including a dragon that soared past the tower and into the night. Dawn moved away from Buffy and tried to make her way towards the portal.
Buffy clasped her hand firmly on Dawn's shoulder, keeping her in place. Dawn looked to Buffy, different emotions playing across her face. "Until the blood stops flowing it'll never stop. You know you have to let me," she said pleadingly, begging her sister to let her do that right thing. "It has to have the blood."
Buffy looked to her sister, everything that had happened to them since Glory's arrival playing through her mind as realization hit.
"It's always got to be blood," Spike explained.
Another moment flashed through her memory; Buffy convincing Dawn she was very much part of the Summers family.
"Summers blood," Buffy said adamantly to Dawn, pressing her hand to her heart. "It's just like mine." Buffy clasped Dawn's bleeding hand, showing her where she belonged.
The memory cleared and another took its place.
"The monks made her out of me."
The next memory was of Buffy and a spirit guide who had taken the form of the First Slayer.
"Death is your gift," she hissed.
The memories cleared and Buffy turned from Dawn to the portal. Out over the portal Buffy could see the rising sun. To Buffy it was a sign that everything would be okay. The world would go on with or without her.
"Buffy...no," Dawn pleaded, realizing what Buffy planned to do.
"Dawnie, I have to."
"No!" she insisted.
Buffy put her hands on Dawn's arms trying to fight back the tears that threatened to escape. "Dawn listen to me. Listen. I love you. I'll always love you. But this is the work I have to do. Tell Giles I... I figured it out. And I'm okay. Give my love to my friends. You have to take care of them now -- you have to take care of each other. You have to be strong. Dawn. The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me."
Buffy placed a tender kiss on Dawn's cheeks, trying to ignore her sister's tears. Turning away she ran at the portal, leaping from the edge in a perfect dive and into the mass of energy.
The energy pulled at Buffy, passing through her and tearing her apart, but she felt no pain. Her last thoughts were of her family.
The portal closed, just as quickly as it had appeared. Buffy was gone. The Slayer no long stood to protect the Hellmouth. Finally, the sun crept over the horizon, banishing the last of the darkness.
___________________
"She has done much during her lifetime," a hooded figure commented.
"She has accomplished more than we had ever hoped," another added quietly.
"She has fulfilled her destiny. She has saved the world many times over. Finally she can rest," the third figure said solemnly.
Three figures dressed in white hooded cloaks stood in a circle. You couldn't see their faces but their voices were warm and instilled confidence. They were the Powers That Be; the beings that watched over the world and ensured that a balance between good and evil was maintained.
The Powers rarely meddled in realms outside of their own but in some cases they had no choice. Buffy had been one of the exceptions. They had taken the young girl and moulded her until she was the perfect champion. Unfortunately despite their efforts she was still stubborn and disobedient, which likely resulted in more pain for the young slayer.
The Powers resided in a stone temple that looked very much like something out of a mythology textbook, with large white columns and engravings of great heroes covering every inch of available space. New images swirled among the old, showing the history of all the champions that had walked the earth.
"Perhaps it is time we gave something back," said one, breaking the serene calm that filled the temple.
The other's nodded their heads in agreement. "I believe that it is time we return the life we stole."
While the Powers That Be maintained the balance they were not to interfere with the lives of mortals, except under dire circumstances. In life the PTB held very little power over mortals, but once they crossed into death, they held endless power.
The three figures separated moving to a pool of water in the centre of the temple. Looming over the water they began chanting in what one would guess to be Latin. Their voices dropped to a low, barely audible, level as the water began to bubble. Images flashed across the water, displaying a life and history of a girl long thought dead, before a flash of blinding light overtook them.
When it cleared the figures straightened and moved back to where they had originally stood. They once again looked out over the world they were sworn to protect.
"We have done all we can," they said together.
________________
James Potter sat at the Gryffindor table surrounded by his best friends and fellow Marauders; Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. It was their first day back at Hogwarts and they were all talking animatedly while they waited for the first years to be sorted.
Already James and his friends were making plans for their pranks. It was their seventh year and they planned to make the best of their last year at Hogwarts.
"So you think you can finally get Lily to go out with you Prongs?" Sirius asked teasingly.
James smirked confidently. "This is definitely the year. There is no way she could ever resist me."
"And she hasn't agreed to go out with you yet because...?" Remus asked. He smirked at his friend who scowled.
"She's just playing hard to get."
Suddenly Lily Evans turned from her conversation and faced James. "I am doing no such thing. I wouldn't go out with you if you were the last wizard at Hogwarts."
"I could arrange that if you want Lils," James offered while he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Lily flushed and turned away, muttering something about his arrogance under her breath.
"See! She wants me!" he cheered.
The three Marauders exchanged looks before bursting out laughing at their friend's behaviour.
"James, you're captain of the Quidditch team. You could have any girl," Remus scolded.
"You could have many girls," Sirius added with a wolfish grin. "I don't understand why you'd continue to pursue the unattainable."
"I'm not listening, Padfoot. This will be the year! She's the Head Girl and I'm Head Boy. That means we'll be spending lots of time together. It won't take long until she falls for my charms and incredible good looks." James turned and winked at Lily.
James Potter was known throughout Hogwarts for his arrogance and cocky attitude. Most girls loved it. Maybe that was why James felt so drawn to Lily Evans. She was the only one who wouldn't put up with his attitude. She kept him grounded and put him in his place. Only one other person had ever known how to handle James like that, and she was gone.
"Prongs!" Remus called, waving his hand in front James' face.
James blinked and refocused on his friends. "What?"
"Were you daydreaming about Lily?" Peter asked with a blush.
James shook his head sadly. "Not this time."
Sirius put a comforting hand on James' shoulder. "We all miss her. You're not alone."
Peter and Remus both nodded sympathetically.
"You'd think it would get easier. It's been six years," he sighed. "Sometime I wake up at night and I think it's just all a bad dream and that she's still here; that she'll come running into the room and scream at me for some prank I've pulled on her."
Remus nodded. "I've had similar dreams. But she wouldn't want us moping. You know that."
Sirius decided it was time for change of topic. He didn't like the sullen mood that had taken over. "So James, do you think Gryffindor will take home the Quidditch Cup this year?"
The young wizard instantly brightened. "Of course! We're the best team at Hogwarts! I've already worked out a training schedule." He reached into his robes and pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment. He smoothed it out on the table. "You see, I figure that what's left of last year's team can meet at the Quidditch pitch tomorrow morning and then once we have the first meeting we can have tryouts! This is my last year and I will not rest until the Cup belongs to Gryffindor."
The surrounding Gryffindors who had heard this cheered loudly and Sirius groaned. "You expect us to get up early on our first full day back?"
Peter chuckled. "You knew what he was like when you all voted for him as Captain," he reminded Sirius.
Sirius just shrugged. "I was focusing more on winning at the time."
"And since when does Sirius ever think about things long term? He can't even keep a girlfriend for more than a week, at most." Remus ducked his head as Sirius tried to playfully swat him. "Missed me."
"I'll get you yet," he promised. He turned the conversation back to Quidditch. "So you're sure there's no way we can have a practice in, say a week?"
James just smirked. "Nope. We need to start practicing now if we're going to wipe the floor with Slytherin."
____________________
Outside the castle the winds picked up until they howled angrily, whipping the trees in the Forbidden Forest and clearing the sky of clouds. With a sharp crack a portal came to life, growing like a swelling balloon directly over the Quidditch pitch.
Even though what was happening outside could be seen from the windows in the great hall, the portal went unnoticed, as did the tiny blond that fell from it. She landed on the damp grass with a thud and the portal disappeared once more. Inside the feast continued.
___________________
Well, not really sure when I'll continue this since I want to finish TDLD first but I will continue (promise), especially if I get some good reviews, so let me know what you think.