Author's Notes: This is the first chapter in my new Harry Potter/Buffy the
Vampire Slayer cross over. The series is called 'Over The Rainbow' and the
chapter is entitled 'A Taste of the Bizarre'. The rating for this chapter
is PG. As far as 'spoilers' go, this story takes place after Goblet of
Fire and after Season 5 of BtVS. In my world they correspond at the same
time. So, Buffy is dead, Tara is alive and with Willow, Spike is NOT
souled. Giles is still around.
This story is dedicated to Echo. She is the main reason I got into fanfiction both in Buffy and in Harry Potter. She has opened doors for me with her writing and her friendship and she deserves this dedication and much more. I not only dedicate this chapter, but this overall series to her.
If you're interested in receiving a copy of this story with a header for posting on a webpage, email me at jesca10@attbi.com. Enjoy!
*~*~*
She still couldn't believe she was gone. It was all a blur to her. It had only been weeks really. People had just begun to leave her alone. Of course, this was only after she had point blank told them all to leave her alone. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate her friends, but Willow, Tara, Giles, Xander, and Spike were a bit much to handle. They were always come up to her and asking the same thing, "Are you ok?" Of course she wasn't ok. Her sister just died.
She got off of her bed and went to her window. It was colorless. Life was colorless. She just couldn't get over it. When she was at her sister's funeral, she just kept staring at her face. Even though they had tried to give her sister's face a little color, she was very pale looking. It was as if someone had sucked the color out of her. Since then the whole world had seemed as colorless as her sister's dead flesh.
It was nearing night. She heard the door downstairs close and decided to investigate. When she reached the stairs she could hear Giles' voice in the entryway.
"Hi, Giles," she said softly when she was only halfway down the stairs.
Giles turned and smiled at her softly. She had rarely left her room for more than sustenance and he was happy to see her. "Hello, Dawn. How are you?"
"Fine," she said. She came the rest of the way down the stairs, and he just watched her for a moment. Willow and Tara, who had greeted Giles at the door, just watched her as well. Everyone acted as if she was fragile as glass. She just smiled and waited. They waited.
"Well, this is fairly ridiculous," Giles said at last and he chuckled a little.
"That's what I've been saying," Dawn agreed.
Willow and Tara mumbled apologies.
"Anyone up for some tea?" Giles asked brightly. He led them all to the kitchen. Dawn poured herself a Diet Coke while the rest of them waited for the water to boil. "I've been giving some thought to your future, Dawn."
"Color me surprised," she mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Oh. Nothing. What about my future?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, I wasn't sure you had given much thought to what would happen if." he looked down, uncomfortably," if your sister had succeeded in defeating Glory, or if she had.died. Both has happened, though, and I've been wondering, not for the first time, what would become of you."
Dawn's brows closed in on her eyes. "I don't understand."
Giles looked like he didn't know how to reword what he had said. The whistle of the kettle distracted him momentarily. Finally, as he sat down with tea in front of him, Willow, and Tara, he looked at Dawn again.
"There was no reason to think that you would remain a young girl after Glory died. You're the key. I was concerned that the monks would want you back since the person to whom they entrusted you is now dead. But it seems they are not going to demand you back and now I wonder, what will you do?"
Dawn was starting to feel uncomfortable. No one had really ever sat her down as an adult and asked her questions like this. At fourteen years old, she had been burning for people to treat her as an adult.but now that it was happening, she wasn't sure she liked it. How was she supposed to know what to do with her life? Although she remembered having a past, she knew she'd only actually been 'human' for almost a year now.
They were all looking at her. She looked down into her drink. "I guess I pictured myself going to school and living with you guys. Maybe helping you guys slay." She looked up eagerly after the last part.
"Dawn, you're far to young to slay and Buffy would have wanted us to shelter you from that."
She looked down. "Buffy would have wanted a lot of things. But she isn't here."
The silence hung thick in the air.
"Yes, well. The three of us will do what we can to make sure you have what you need. A family, friends, stability, and love. We're you're family now. And I'm certain Xander and Anya will feel the same." Giles smiled as he pat her on the arm. She smiled back to him, and to the others, grateful to them all. "Let's just concentrate on giving you a more normal life."
*~*~*
"Quinton, I'm fairly certain she." he listened in frustration to the man on the phone. "Yes but." again he was cut off. He closed his eyes to regain some control over his shaking voice before he continued. "This is not exactly the normal life I pictured for her, Travers," he hissed into the receiver. "She deserves normality."
"Rupert be serious," said the voice on the other end. Giles knew Quinton Travers to be a pompous, overbearing, extremely bossy individual. Those were practically the requirements to be in a top position of the Watcher's Council. "The girl is the key. She needs to be protected. She needs to be in a place where she'll be safe from harm. I can think of no one better."
"Well I can!" Giles bellowed. "I've done a pretty good job of keeping her safe up until now and I intend to continue." His voice was raised to a shout and there was a moment of silence on the other end. He had lost his job over being too close to Buffy and now he may lose it again for being too close to her sister, but at this moment he didn't care. He had just promised Dawn he'd be there for her. He most certainly did not intend to send her away now.
"Rupert," Quinton started in a calm but strained voice, "I know you feel close to this girl. Fatherly. It's very noble of you. But you are not her father. As a matter of fact her father agrees with me on this.
It was a moment before Giles found his voice. "You spoke to her father?"
"Yes. He seemed quite interested in this idea."
"What did you tell him?" Giles willed the panic out of his voice. They hadn't told Hank Summers about Buffy's death. He wasn't around, he was barely a father to his children, and the council had been in agreement with him not to spread the news of Buffy's death.
"We told him that would be a great opportunity for her. He believed I was part of her school," his smug voice came through to Giles.
"I should be more surprised that you would go over my head in that fashion. Do not forget, Travers, if you make him suspicious that Buffy is not alive, demons will start to get wind of the unprotected Hellmouth. Was the dolt perhaps even a bit confused on why you weren't calling Buffy, who is her guardian? Did you even think about the consequences? You're so consumed with forcing me to play into your hand, do you think past that?" He was seething.
"Mr. Giles, I'm going to pretend you didn't just insult my intelligence. And instead of yanking away that paycheck I send you every month, I'm going to give you a chance to calm down. But, Rupert, this patience will not last long with your insolent outbursts, I warn you." Travers' voice was thick with forced calm and laced with warning.
"Travers, there is something we need to get perfectly straight between us. Although I work for you, you also work for me. Until you can send a new slayer to the Hellmouth, it's unprotected. I, alone, can keep it safe for you. These kids aren't going to follow just anyone you send down here. What Buffy says still applies. If you want a job, if you want to effectively be the Watcher Council, you need this team, not vice versa. So you can take your idle threats and shove them." Giles slammed the phone down with a very satisfying clank. Although he still was angry, putting Quinton in his place certainly helped calm him.
He sat down with a cup of tea and allowed himself to rethink all that Quinton was suggesting. He had wanted Dawn's life to be normal, but was that even possible? With her sister dead, the whole group was going to have to work twice as hard to keep the vampires and demons at bay. She wasn't really going to be able to help. Although he thought her too young for this kind of thing, he knew that she would be behind schedule where Quinton wanted to send her. With everyone so busy in Sunnydale, would it be such a bad thing to have her in training? She had Willow and Tara here, but they could teach her so much there.
Giles frowned as he argued with himself well into the night. Whatever happened to her, it should be her choice. In the morning, Giles picked up the phone and dialed. When he finally got a hold of Quinton he made his decision known.
"If she agrees, than I do."
*~*~*
Dawn lay on her bed, journal open to a blank page. She had so much to say. She was doing so well at keeping her journal. She had always been good at keeping one. But lately, in all of the fuss that was Glory and finding out she wasn't really real, she let her habit slip. Of course, now when she had the time and so much to say, she just didn't know where to start. She continued to stare at the blank page, her purple pen posed and ready.
"Dawnie?" There was a knock on her door. She turned around on her bed, facing the door.
"Yeah?"
Willow walked in smiling. For a moment Dawn thought she saw worry in her eyes. And hesitation. What was going on?
"What is it?"
"Mail."
Dawn frowned and sat up on the bed. "What's wrong, Willow?"
"Uh.nothing. I'm just bringing up your mail, that's all. Nothing wrong with that, is there?" she smiled nervously as she handed a square envelope to Dawn. Right away the letter sent a shiver down her spine. It didn't feel right. The envelope was heavy and the material was unlike Dawn had ever seen before. The address was green and looked like it was laser printed on the page. There was no return address and no stamp. When she turned it around it looked sealed in wax. Dawn looked up at Willow in confusion. She just shrugged.
Slowly, Dawn opened the envelope and withdrew two pieces of heavy paper, made from the same material as the envelope. Her eyes widened as she read the top sheet.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL Of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Miss Summers,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. The term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Finally Dawn smiled. She just stared at the paper and smiled. Then her smile turned into a chuckle. Finally she was laughing. She looked at Willow and just laughed. Willow smiled and giggled a little to see Dawn laugh but she was confused as to what they were laughing at.
Dawn looked at the second page. This page told her all of the things she needed to start school. She laughed again when she read the words 'cauldron', 'dragon hide gloves', and 'winter cloak'. She ended with a chuckle over books that were entitled Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4 and Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection.
"Good one. Very good one," she said as she folded up the papers and put them in the envelope. "What is this, parchment? It's very authentic. And the letter was very nice. I hope that didn't cost you too much just to get me to smile." Dawn shook her head, a smile still on her face. "I needed that. But I really am ok."
Willow looked like Dawn suddenly started speaking Japanese. Dawn got up and gave her hug, which Willow accepted but only after a moment's shock.
"Dawn, what did it say?"
Dawn snorted. "Like you don't know. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Yeah, right. See, if I were you I'd worry that I would go there and turn you into a hog's wart." She laughed and went back to sit on the bed.
"Dawn, I'm serious, I don't know what you're talking about."
Dawn's face changed slowly to a huge smile to a half smile and frowning eyes. She was confused why Willow wasn't fessing up. "Was it Tara?"
Willow shrugged slowly but then held her hand out for the letter. Dawn handed it to her. Willow opened it and read it carefully, frowning. When she was done she went to the stairs and yelled down for Tara. After Tara had read the letter and swore that she didn't make it up Dawn started to feel a bit edgy. The same uneasy feeling she had when she first saw the letter was starting to creep back into her stomach, making her a bit queasy.
"I'm going to call Giles," Willow announced and then left to do that while Tara was skimming over the letter again.
"Giles says he's coming over. He didn't really seem surprised, though. I think he knows what's up."
The way Willow said that just seemed to make Dawn more apprehensive.
"It's not fake," Giles said softly after they all were seated in the living room. Xander and Anya were there as well. Giles had thought it be best for everyone to be present. Dawn kind felt the hole created by her sister and Spike missing, but she didn't say anything. She just turned her eyes to Giles and he could see there was still disbelief in them.
"But, how come no one's ever heard of Toadwarts?"
"That's Hogwarts, Xander. And I've heard of it," Anya said brightly. "It's a school for witches. But it's for little kids. I mean, Dawn's not too old, but they usually start them out at eleven years old. She'd be a little old for a first year."
"Well, in Dawn's case, they are willing to overlook the age difference. She will be starting out at the fifth year level, but she will be privately tutored for a while until she gets the hang of things." He looked at Dawn, "That is, if you decide to go. No one is forcing you too."
Dawn looked at everyone. "I don't understand. Where is this school?"
"England," Giles and Anya answered at the same time. Giles looked at Anya. "May I?"
"Oh. Right. Sorry." She smiled sheepishly. Giles looked at Dawn.
"And how long does it go for?"
"Well it's from September until June. You get two months off in the summer, and it's a seven-year program. But since you're starting out in the fifth year, it'll only be three years for you."
"And what kinds of things do they teach?"
"Well.witchcraft for the most part. Astronomy is probably the most 'normal' class there. There is also Herbology, Divination, Transfiguration, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and other such classes."
Dawn's eyes widened. "What about Math, English, and stuff like that? When do I learn that?"
"Well," he smiled, "Hogwarts doesn't teach that. Although I agree that you should have it. If you went, I think it would be a good idea for you to use the remaining two months with a tutor. That way you don't fall too far behind here in America. Or, possibly, get your G.E.D., although I like that idea less," he said with a little distaste.
"What about summer vacations?" Xander said incredulously. "The girl needs a break!" He seemed astonished that even Giles would consider a year-round school regiment.
Dawn looked around from face to face. She saw the pensiveness to Willow's eyes, the gentle prodding of Tara's expectant face, the astonishment in Xander's, as well as the plastered smile on Anya. She looked at Giles and saw.hope.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Everybody's shoulders dropped at once and Dawn would have smiled in triumph had she not been so worried.
"A great evil has risen, Dawn. This evil is made far greater without your sister here to kill it. Although.wizards are not her specialty," Giles gave a ghost of a smile. "But after Glory." his voice caught a moment and he waited until his feelings were in check again. Dawn waited patiently. "This wizard is so foul that they among the wizarding world fear to say his name. Only a few will do so. He is usually called He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named, or You-Know-Who. His name is Voldemort and thirteen years ago he tried to curse a small boy and kill him after he killed his parents. Instead of succeeding in killing this boy, the unthinkable happened and the curse was reflected. The only harm done to the boy was a lightening bolt scar on his forehead. His name is Harry Potter. He's kind of like a slayer for wizards, only he has no official title such as that. He is a student at Hogwarts. He is your age. Not counting the time when he was a year old, Harry has faced and defeated or escaped Voldermort or his followers four separate times. But still Voldermort has risen. This time his followers mean to see that he is put back into power, for good. And the people without magic or without pure magic blood will be the first to go."
"That's not good," Xander said and slumped lower in his chair, almost as if to make himself less seen.
Giles looked his way. "No it's not." He focused his eyes back onto Dawn. "Voldermort needs power. The Watcher's Council has determined that you could be of some help to him, but they aren't sure how yet." Everyone bristled when he mentioned the council. "They believe you'll be safer with a wizard named Albus Dumbledore as well as Harry Potter." She looked like she was processing this information, so he waited. "I won't force you to go. We all will protect you here, if you stay."
Dawn nodded slightly, her eyes not seeing the face in front of her but rather she saw a chance. Here she'd be in everyone's way. Here she'd be a tag-a-long. They'd make someone stay behind and watch her because they wouldn't want to leave her alone. But there she'd get to research magic. She'd get to learn it and use it. This Harry Potter was her age and he's seen more action than she could ever dream to here under the thumbs of these people.
"You may take as much time as you like to think about this. I know it's a difficult-"
"I'll do it," she interrupted. Everyone's heads shot to her. "I'll go."
This story is dedicated to Echo. She is the main reason I got into fanfiction both in Buffy and in Harry Potter. She has opened doors for me with her writing and her friendship and she deserves this dedication and much more. I not only dedicate this chapter, but this overall series to her.
If you're interested in receiving a copy of this story with a header for posting on a webpage, email me at jesca10@attbi.com. Enjoy!
*~*~*
She still couldn't believe she was gone. It was all a blur to her. It had only been weeks really. People had just begun to leave her alone. Of course, this was only after she had point blank told them all to leave her alone. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate her friends, but Willow, Tara, Giles, Xander, and Spike were a bit much to handle. They were always come up to her and asking the same thing, "Are you ok?" Of course she wasn't ok. Her sister just died.
She got off of her bed and went to her window. It was colorless. Life was colorless. She just couldn't get over it. When she was at her sister's funeral, she just kept staring at her face. Even though they had tried to give her sister's face a little color, she was very pale looking. It was as if someone had sucked the color out of her. Since then the whole world had seemed as colorless as her sister's dead flesh.
It was nearing night. She heard the door downstairs close and decided to investigate. When she reached the stairs she could hear Giles' voice in the entryway.
"Hi, Giles," she said softly when she was only halfway down the stairs.
Giles turned and smiled at her softly. She had rarely left her room for more than sustenance and he was happy to see her. "Hello, Dawn. How are you?"
"Fine," she said. She came the rest of the way down the stairs, and he just watched her for a moment. Willow and Tara, who had greeted Giles at the door, just watched her as well. Everyone acted as if she was fragile as glass. She just smiled and waited. They waited.
"Well, this is fairly ridiculous," Giles said at last and he chuckled a little.
"That's what I've been saying," Dawn agreed.
Willow and Tara mumbled apologies.
"Anyone up for some tea?" Giles asked brightly. He led them all to the kitchen. Dawn poured herself a Diet Coke while the rest of them waited for the water to boil. "I've been giving some thought to your future, Dawn."
"Color me surprised," she mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Oh. Nothing. What about my future?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, I wasn't sure you had given much thought to what would happen if." he looked down, uncomfortably," if your sister had succeeded in defeating Glory, or if she had.died. Both has happened, though, and I've been wondering, not for the first time, what would become of you."
Dawn's brows closed in on her eyes. "I don't understand."
Giles looked like he didn't know how to reword what he had said. The whistle of the kettle distracted him momentarily. Finally, as he sat down with tea in front of him, Willow, and Tara, he looked at Dawn again.
"There was no reason to think that you would remain a young girl after Glory died. You're the key. I was concerned that the monks would want you back since the person to whom they entrusted you is now dead. But it seems they are not going to demand you back and now I wonder, what will you do?"
Dawn was starting to feel uncomfortable. No one had really ever sat her down as an adult and asked her questions like this. At fourteen years old, she had been burning for people to treat her as an adult.but now that it was happening, she wasn't sure she liked it. How was she supposed to know what to do with her life? Although she remembered having a past, she knew she'd only actually been 'human' for almost a year now.
They were all looking at her. She looked down into her drink. "I guess I pictured myself going to school and living with you guys. Maybe helping you guys slay." She looked up eagerly after the last part.
"Dawn, you're far to young to slay and Buffy would have wanted us to shelter you from that."
She looked down. "Buffy would have wanted a lot of things. But she isn't here."
The silence hung thick in the air.
"Yes, well. The three of us will do what we can to make sure you have what you need. A family, friends, stability, and love. We're you're family now. And I'm certain Xander and Anya will feel the same." Giles smiled as he pat her on the arm. She smiled back to him, and to the others, grateful to them all. "Let's just concentrate on giving you a more normal life."
*~*~*
"Quinton, I'm fairly certain she." he listened in frustration to the man on the phone. "Yes but." again he was cut off. He closed his eyes to regain some control over his shaking voice before he continued. "This is not exactly the normal life I pictured for her, Travers," he hissed into the receiver. "She deserves normality."
"Rupert be serious," said the voice on the other end. Giles knew Quinton Travers to be a pompous, overbearing, extremely bossy individual. Those were practically the requirements to be in a top position of the Watcher's Council. "The girl is the key. She needs to be protected. She needs to be in a place where she'll be safe from harm. I can think of no one better."
"Well I can!" Giles bellowed. "I've done a pretty good job of keeping her safe up until now and I intend to continue." His voice was raised to a shout and there was a moment of silence on the other end. He had lost his job over being too close to Buffy and now he may lose it again for being too close to her sister, but at this moment he didn't care. He had just promised Dawn he'd be there for her. He most certainly did not intend to send her away now.
"Rupert," Quinton started in a calm but strained voice, "I know you feel close to this girl. Fatherly. It's very noble of you. But you are not her father. As a matter of fact her father agrees with me on this.
It was a moment before Giles found his voice. "You spoke to her father?"
"Yes. He seemed quite interested in this idea."
"What did you tell him?" Giles willed the panic out of his voice. They hadn't told Hank Summers about Buffy's death. He wasn't around, he was barely a father to his children, and the council had been in agreement with him not to spread the news of Buffy's death.
"We told him that would be a great opportunity for her. He believed I was part of her school," his smug voice came through to Giles.
"I should be more surprised that you would go over my head in that fashion. Do not forget, Travers, if you make him suspicious that Buffy is not alive, demons will start to get wind of the unprotected Hellmouth. Was the dolt perhaps even a bit confused on why you weren't calling Buffy, who is her guardian? Did you even think about the consequences? You're so consumed with forcing me to play into your hand, do you think past that?" He was seething.
"Mr. Giles, I'm going to pretend you didn't just insult my intelligence. And instead of yanking away that paycheck I send you every month, I'm going to give you a chance to calm down. But, Rupert, this patience will not last long with your insolent outbursts, I warn you." Travers' voice was thick with forced calm and laced with warning.
"Travers, there is something we need to get perfectly straight between us. Although I work for you, you also work for me. Until you can send a new slayer to the Hellmouth, it's unprotected. I, alone, can keep it safe for you. These kids aren't going to follow just anyone you send down here. What Buffy says still applies. If you want a job, if you want to effectively be the Watcher Council, you need this team, not vice versa. So you can take your idle threats and shove them." Giles slammed the phone down with a very satisfying clank. Although he still was angry, putting Quinton in his place certainly helped calm him.
He sat down with a cup of tea and allowed himself to rethink all that Quinton was suggesting. He had wanted Dawn's life to be normal, but was that even possible? With her sister dead, the whole group was going to have to work twice as hard to keep the vampires and demons at bay. She wasn't really going to be able to help. Although he thought her too young for this kind of thing, he knew that she would be behind schedule where Quinton wanted to send her. With everyone so busy in Sunnydale, would it be such a bad thing to have her in training? She had Willow and Tara here, but they could teach her so much there.
Giles frowned as he argued with himself well into the night. Whatever happened to her, it should be her choice. In the morning, Giles picked up the phone and dialed. When he finally got a hold of Quinton he made his decision known.
"If she agrees, than I do."
*~*~*
Dawn lay on her bed, journal open to a blank page. She had so much to say. She was doing so well at keeping her journal. She had always been good at keeping one. But lately, in all of the fuss that was Glory and finding out she wasn't really real, she let her habit slip. Of course, now when she had the time and so much to say, she just didn't know where to start. She continued to stare at the blank page, her purple pen posed and ready.
"Dawnie?" There was a knock on her door. She turned around on her bed, facing the door.
"Yeah?"
Willow walked in smiling. For a moment Dawn thought she saw worry in her eyes. And hesitation. What was going on?
"What is it?"
"Mail."
Dawn frowned and sat up on the bed. "What's wrong, Willow?"
"Uh.nothing. I'm just bringing up your mail, that's all. Nothing wrong with that, is there?" she smiled nervously as she handed a square envelope to Dawn. Right away the letter sent a shiver down her spine. It didn't feel right. The envelope was heavy and the material was unlike Dawn had ever seen before. The address was green and looked like it was laser printed on the page. There was no return address and no stamp. When she turned it around it looked sealed in wax. Dawn looked up at Willow in confusion. She just shrugged.
Slowly, Dawn opened the envelope and withdrew two pieces of heavy paper, made from the same material as the envelope. Her eyes widened as she read the top sheet.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL Of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Miss Summers,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. The term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Finally Dawn smiled. She just stared at the paper and smiled. Then her smile turned into a chuckle. Finally she was laughing. She looked at Willow and just laughed. Willow smiled and giggled a little to see Dawn laugh but she was confused as to what they were laughing at.
Dawn looked at the second page. This page told her all of the things she needed to start school. She laughed again when she read the words 'cauldron', 'dragon hide gloves', and 'winter cloak'. She ended with a chuckle over books that were entitled Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4 and Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection.
"Good one. Very good one," she said as she folded up the papers and put them in the envelope. "What is this, parchment? It's very authentic. And the letter was very nice. I hope that didn't cost you too much just to get me to smile." Dawn shook her head, a smile still on her face. "I needed that. But I really am ok."
Willow looked like Dawn suddenly started speaking Japanese. Dawn got up and gave her hug, which Willow accepted but only after a moment's shock.
"Dawn, what did it say?"
Dawn snorted. "Like you don't know. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Yeah, right. See, if I were you I'd worry that I would go there and turn you into a hog's wart." She laughed and went back to sit on the bed.
"Dawn, I'm serious, I don't know what you're talking about."
Dawn's face changed slowly to a huge smile to a half smile and frowning eyes. She was confused why Willow wasn't fessing up. "Was it Tara?"
Willow shrugged slowly but then held her hand out for the letter. Dawn handed it to her. Willow opened it and read it carefully, frowning. When she was done she went to the stairs and yelled down for Tara. After Tara had read the letter and swore that she didn't make it up Dawn started to feel a bit edgy. The same uneasy feeling she had when she first saw the letter was starting to creep back into her stomach, making her a bit queasy.
"I'm going to call Giles," Willow announced and then left to do that while Tara was skimming over the letter again.
"Giles says he's coming over. He didn't really seem surprised, though. I think he knows what's up."
The way Willow said that just seemed to make Dawn more apprehensive.
"It's not fake," Giles said softly after they all were seated in the living room. Xander and Anya were there as well. Giles had thought it be best for everyone to be present. Dawn kind felt the hole created by her sister and Spike missing, but she didn't say anything. She just turned her eyes to Giles and he could see there was still disbelief in them.
"But, how come no one's ever heard of Toadwarts?"
"That's Hogwarts, Xander. And I've heard of it," Anya said brightly. "It's a school for witches. But it's for little kids. I mean, Dawn's not too old, but they usually start them out at eleven years old. She'd be a little old for a first year."
"Well, in Dawn's case, they are willing to overlook the age difference. She will be starting out at the fifth year level, but she will be privately tutored for a while until she gets the hang of things." He looked at Dawn, "That is, if you decide to go. No one is forcing you too."
Dawn looked at everyone. "I don't understand. Where is this school?"
"England," Giles and Anya answered at the same time. Giles looked at Anya. "May I?"
"Oh. Right. Sorry." She smiled sheepishly. Giles looked at Dawn.
"And how long does it go for?"
"Well it's from September until June. You get two months off in the summer, and it's a seven-year program. But since you're starting out in the fifth year, it'll only be three years for you."
"And what kinds of things do they teach?"
"Well.witchcraft for the most part. Astronomy is probably the most 'normal' class there. There is also Herbology, Divination, Transfiguration, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and other such classes."
Dawn's eyes widened. "What about Math, English, and stuff like that? When do I learn that?"
"Well," he smiled, "Hogwarts doesn't teach that. Although I agree that you should have it. If you went, I think it would be a good idea for you to use the remaining two months with a tutor. That way you don't fall too far behind here in America. Or, possibly, get your G.E.D., although I like that idea less," he said with a little distaste.
"What about summer vacations?" Xander said incredulously. "The girl needs a break!" He seemed astonished that even Giles would consider a year-round school regiment.
Dawn looked around from face to face. She saw the pensiveness to Willow's eyes, the gentle prodding of Tara's expectant face, the astonishment in Xander's, as well as the plastered smile on Anya. She looked at Giles and saw.hope.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Everybody's shoulders dropped at once and Dawn would have smiled in triumph had she not been so worried.
"A great evil has risen, Dawn. This evil is made far greater without your sister here to kill it. Although.wizards are not her specialty," Giles gave a ghost of a smile. "But after Glory." his voice caught a moment and he waited until his feelings were in check again. Dawn waited patiently. "This wizard is so foul that they among the wizarding world fear to say his name. Only a few will do so. He is usually called He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named, or You-Know-Who. His name is Voldemort and thirteen years ago he tried to curse a small boy and kill him after he killed his parents. Instead of succeeding in killing this boy, the unthinkable happened and the curse was reflected. The only harm done to the boy was a lightening bolt scar on his forehead. His name is Harry Potter. He's kind of like a slayer for wizards, only he has no official title such as that. He is a student at Hogwarts. He is your age. Not counting the time when he was a year old, Harry has faced and defeated or escaped Voldermort or his followers four separate times. But still Voldermort has risen. This time his followers mean to see that he is put back into power, for good. And the people without magic or without pure magic blood will be the first to go."
"That's not good," Xander said and slumped lower in his chair, almost as if to make himself less seen.
Giles looked his way. "No it's not." He focused his eyes back onto Dawn. "Voldermort needs power. The Watcher's Council has determined that you could be of some help to him, but they aren't sure how yet." Everyone bristled when he mentioned the council. "They believe you'll be safer with a wizard named Albus Dumbledore as well as Harry Potter." She looked like she was processing this information, so he waited. "I won't force you to go. We all will protect you here, if you stay."
Dawn nodded slightly, her eyes not seeing the face in front of her but rather she saw a chance. Here she'd be in everyone's way. Here she'd be a tag-a-long. They'd make someone stay behind and watch her because they wouldn't want to leave her alone. But there she'd get to research magic. She'd get to learn it and use it. This Harry Potter was her age and he's seen more action than she could ever dream to here under the thumbs of these people.
"You may take as much time as you like to think about this. I know it's a difficult-"
"I'll do it," she interrupted. Everyone's heads shot to her. "I'll go."