I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or anything associated with it. It belongs to its creator Joss Whedon and whoever else owns it. This piece of literature is simply the work of a humble fan. I don't own Harry Potter neither. It belongs to J.K. Rowling.
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:::Author Notes:::
This takes place during Season Five of Buffy. It's not really after any episode since its pretty much Alternate Universe now. But think along the time frame of The Real Me (where we get an insight into Dawn's head). For Harry Potter it takes place after the events of book five: Order of the Phoenix and the six book whatever its going to be called. Harry's now sixteen and Buffy is 20. The year in case you want to know is 2001.
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Thank you all for your support and dedication you showed when reading Stars Not in Heaven. It's because of your love of the story that I decided to go ahead and decided on the sequel. I can tell you right now that this story won't be as sweet as the last one.
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Stars Falling unto Earth
Chapter One: The Dawn of Ordinary Day
By: Water Mage
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Two Months Ago…
A hallway that seemed to go on and on stretched before two running men. They were wore brown robes of the cloth, standard monk robes of their order. Their breath came in short gasps and pants as they raced down the candlelit corridor. They were both middle aged with brown hair thinning on top and similar facial expressions marred their faces. Fear. Pure and utter fear. The kind of fear that someone feels when they know their very lives are at stake from a great danger. In their hands were clutched religious items: books, candles, incense. One of the monks, the shorter of the two, stumbled and fell with a cry dropping a censer of incense.
"Jacob, come! We must hurry!" said the other monk panicky, helping his companion stand up.
The monks sprinted the rest of the distance coming to the end of the hall, where massive wooden doors guarded the room before them. Careening through the doors, the two quickly pushed them closed with a mighty heave. Together working without words they picked up a beam, the size of trunk, nearby and slid it with a strong shove across the doorway.
Jacob looked to the other monk and said with eyes full of fear, "Nikko, Its coming. It's going to kill us! We cannot hope to defeat it! You better than anyone knows what Glo—"
"Jacob!" interrupted Nikko, trying to look calm but failing miserably. "Our lives aren't important. We have to protect the Key. That is all that matters. It must not get the Key at all cost. If our lives are forfeit for the greater good… Then so be it. Now come!"
They raced to the center of the great room. Columns dotted the room here and there using an architecture style that hasn't been used in centuries. Murals of great battles fought long ago were depicted along the walls using bright paints but were slowly fading and wearing away with time. The ceiling arched high above their heads and with the little light that shown in the room, one could see that the paintings continued onto the ceiling. The two monks joined another monk in the center of the room. He was older than the two of them, where they looked nervous and fearful he was cool and collected. Not fearing the threat that was coming. He was the senior member of their order. An order that was older than most of the greatest cities on Earth. Together they kneeled on the floor in the middle of a circle of several lit candles and magick talismans.
The senior monk bowed his head and said, "Help me perform the ritual."
All three monks bowed their heads and extended their arms outward. Under their breath they began to mutter the ancient words of power. Slowly they built up speed their voices raising and their tone becoming louder. An unfelt wind suddenly picked up in the room blowing their hair wildly about them. Still they continued on throughout this. Blue light appeared on their hands as tiny electric currents danced around their spread fingers jumping around sounding like the sound of crinkling aluminum foil. As the hum of power started to gradually build up in the room a tremendous crash echoed through the monastery and the massive wood door trembled in its frame. Dust rained down from the ceiling as the crash echoed again louder and closer this time. Jacob glanced fearfully at the door bringing the ritual to a pause; the senior monk admonished him.
"Concentrate. Concentrate," ordered the senior monk and the ritual resumed.
The relentless pounding on the door continued, the crossbeam holding the door barred started to splinter. Still the monks endured the chaos brushing away their feelings focusing everything they had on completing their task. If they failed all life would cease. The entire world depended on this mission being successful they all thought as a green light appeared in the middle of their circle of power. The glowing green light gradually got brighter and then slowly started to change shape. The light expanded and lengthened into the form of a glowing, shimmering green woman. Her long hair blew about in the unfelt wind and looking serene she gazed down upon the monks. They stared at the woman before them in awe, although her face was glowing they could see how beautiful she was. The light enveloping the figure flared and the woman stared to shrink. Her body became younger and smaller till she was no older than a babe was. That serene look didn't leave her face even as she was bathed in a bright flash of light that suddenly took her from the circle and away to the other side of the world.
"It's done," the senior monk mumbled.
The two younger monks stared at the door flinching at the insistent pounding. They rose from the floor standing tall before the enemy on the other side. The door finally gave way and shattered, blasting into the room in pieces and splinters. The figure in the doorway was covered in shadows obscuring her form.
"You weren't trying to hide from me were you," smiled the figure. She stepped into the room and the light revealed her to be a young woman with curly, long blonde hair and dressed to kill in a tantalizing red dress and stiletto heels. She was very beautiful, having such a face and body would make any model green with envy.
The senior monk glared at the woman. "It is not for you! Go, and leave this place of faith!"
Faster than he could even blink the woman was in his face. She had ran so fast it seemed she had merely transported from one spot to the other. The woman reached out lightning quick grabbing his neck in her hand. She smiled at him then lifted him another meter into the air then with a strength that was inconceivable she launched him upwards. The last thing the senior member saw was the stone floor as he rushed toward it, a sickening splat was heard as his head was crushed in.
Blood splattered through the air drenching the two stunned junior monks. They stood shocked blood completely covering them and the area around them. Thick and still warm it dripped from their faces. They looked to the woman whom was laughing. Almost too quickly to be humanely natural the laughter vanished from her face and her features turned cold, eyes glinting maliciously.
"Now," she began coldly. "Anyone want to tell me where my fucking Key is?"
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Two Months Later…
Harry grumbled as he hefted up Dawn higher on his waist. He couldn't believe that he was stuck baby-sitting again. Seemed that Buffy had other plans today and since Harry was just going to see his friends he was given the joy of watching Dawn. His niece gurgled happily muchinng on a lock of his hair that he hadn't had a chance to cut yet in months, so it was longer than he usually wore it. Harry kept himself alert as he walked down the street. It wasn't dark or anything. It was mid day outside but still the town of Sunnydale does sit on top of the Boca Del Infierno or the Hellmouth as it was most commonly called.
"Haw'y" giggled Dawn.
Harry smiled at her fondly. He loved when she said his name. She couldn't say it fully but could say it well enough that people could understand. Harry tickled her belly and she squealed loudly laughter echoing. The people who walked past him on the street wore smiles as they saw Harry playing with Dawn. Looking both ways, Harry walked across the street and to the two-story house nestled between two bigger even larger houses. This was the rich part of Sunnydale. Nestled near the high school Preston Falls were where the upperclass Sunnydale residents slept at night. All the houses were big and parked in front of the houses were shinny cars not marred by any imperfection.
Harry walked up to the house glancing at his watch. It was noon and most people were at work, he knocked and waited. The door opened and a girl, his age, with dark brown hair and blue eyes smiled at him. She flicked back her hair and giving him a frown of annoyance.
"Damn, what took you so long? You said you would be here at eleven."
Harry raised his eyebrow and sighed. Genesis Davis. His current friend in this town of evil. "I know what time I said, but guess what—"
Genesis' eyes widened at the sight of Dawn. She squealed gleefully pulling the baby from Harry's arms. Harry rolled his eyes; Genesis could go from zero to bitch in one-point two seconds. Then back to hyper and excited in another. Her moods were constantly changing and switching that Harry thought brought on a whole new meaning to mood swings. Genesis and Harry had met a week after he had been in town. He was coming out of the store and Genesis was getting written up by a meter maid for double parking. She tried to reason with the man, trying to talk her way out of the ticket. The man told her to 'Stay back and let him do his damn job'. Harry had stopped watching the scene unfold, then as Genesis reared back her arm Harry caught her elbow just as she was about to hit the guy. Harry talked her down and long story shot. Genesis didn't get a fine and a court date for hitting the cop and Harry got a ride home from her. They had agreed to met up again and had been friends ever since.
Harry shut the door behind him as he walked into the house. They walked into a large entree fore. Black marble floors were under them. Off to the side was a living room. A furniture group with a table and very comfy couch took up much of the space in the middle of the room. Genesis plopped down on a couch and Harry sat down next to her.
"Who my favorite girl?" she asked Dawn in a baby voice. "Who my favorite girl?"
Harry faked vomiting over the side of the couch. He hated when people talked in baby voices. It was so annoying. Dawn seemed to love it though for she giggled and laughed like a patient junked up on laughing gas. Genesis saw his pretend vomiting and gave him the finger.
Harry smirked. "No, thank you. I wouldn't want to do that with you."
"You know you do," laughed Genesis. "But as you know it would only happen in your dreams."
"More like worst, twisted nightmares," Harry muttered giving her a smile to show he was just playing.
She laughed bouncing Dawn on her knee. This was normal in their friendship. Their constant teasing and jokes that bothered on insane. Harry had been rather shy when first hanging with Genesis. Then that changed after a few weeks of hanging together. Harry had watched more TV and learned more of pop culture in one in a half month than in the sixteen years of his life.
"Oh yeah! Wait here!" said Genesis suddenly, dropping Dawn in his lap and sprinting off.
Dawn looked confused and Harry rubbed her brown, soft hair. "Don't worry, Sunshine. I'm confused too," he told her using his nickname for her. He called her sunshine sometimes because her name was Dawn. It seemed to fit her bright personality.
Genesis came back into the room carrying a box. She sat down and opened the box pulling out baby T-shirts. "I picked these up at the mall. Aren't they cute?"
Harry picked up the various shirts and his mouth dropped open. "These are baby shirts!?"
"I know right. They're so cute."
"Genesis," began Harry. "Let me read you some of the phrases on the front of these shirts." He picked up a black shirt and read, "I'm stupid." He raised his eyebrow and picked up another. "Punching bag." He picked up another one. "Demon Seed." He picked up shirt after shirt reading the front, "… My mom f---ed the Mailman, and all I got was a lousy T-Shirt… Loser…. Crybaby…"
Genesis was grinning now. "I know right. Those are so cute. I really like this one," she said picking up another one.
Harry read the title and groaned. "Dawn is not wearing this. Genesis it says, 'Little SOB'."
She nodded. "That's hot right?"
Harry couldn't help it. He started laughing. It was just too funny. The whole situation would never have happened with anyone else but Genesis. The girl was out there. Rich, quirky, and hyper was a dangerous combination of traits for one girl to have. And Genesis unfortunately had them all. But Harry was lucky she was a friend. Underneath the crazy personality was a heart of gold. Dawn didn't know what Harry was laughing at, but she started to laugh along with him clapping her hands together with all the excitement of someone her age.
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Harry walked into the house right as the sun started to descend. He strolled into the living room where Buffy was curled up reading a book. No doubt reading another book that followed the adventures of people in Middle Earth. Tolkien had become her favorite author last year ever since reading Lord of the Rings at Hogwarts. Harry plopped Dawn on her chest and sat down on the armrest of the armchair.
"Hey, baby," said Buffy in her baby voice. "How's Mama's girl doing?"
Harry rolled his eyes feeling the urge to vomit come over him. Buffy saw his expression and grinned. She knew that it got on his nerves.
"You have fun today? She wasn't trouble was she?"
Harry shook his head. "No, we had a blast. Didn't we Dawn?"
Dawn wasn't even awake anymore. She had curled up in Buffy's arms and fell asleep. Harry's lips quirked into a smile. Buffy smiled too rubbing circles with her hand on the small of Dawn's back. This action always seemed to comfort her.
Buffy blew a lock of her hair from her face, tucking it behind an ear. "Thanks for watching her today, Har'. Giles really needed some help running the Magic Box today. Business is really stating to take off for him. Then after that we trained some."
Harry gave her a mock look of sadness. "Even in the summer you get no rest. What a sad, lonely life you must lead."
Buffy laughed and Harry along with her. He was laughing so hard that he didn't see the pillow that smacked him in the face. The force behind the blow caused him to lose his balance on the armrest and go tumbling to the floor. Buffy laughed hard as Harry glared up at her from his position on the floor.
"Harrrrrryyyyy," sang song Buffy stretching his name out nice and long with a sweet smile on her face.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "What do you want, Linda Blair?"
Buffy ignored the retort handing Dawn to him instead. "Go please put Dawn in her crib. I want to finish up this last chapter. I'll be up there in a few minutes to check on her."
"Lazy ass blond," muttered Harry taking Dawn in his arms.
"What was that?" asked Buffy cocking her head. She had Slayer hearing of course she knew what he said.
"I said" smiled Harry. "Exercise more. I have to exercise more."
Buffy nodded. "Thought so."
Harry grinned knowing she had heard him as he walked up the stairs. He hoped Buffy didn't get back at him by doing something to his breakfast tomorrow. He could clearly recall the time she had laced his orange juice. The next thing he knew he was waking up in the bathtub with the shower turned on, water spraying all over him. That ended up starting a Prank War that lasted for days. Harry walked into Dawn's room careful not to wake her up as he sat her in the crib. Unfortunately, Harry accidentally stepped on a squishy toy in the process. The toy let out a loud squeak and Dawn woke up just as her head hit the pillow.
Harry swore under his breath, stepping back hoping he could just leave and she would fall back to sleep. That plan didn't work too well. As he stepped backwards he stepped on a toy baseball and fell backwards. His body hit the floor with a thud and his head hit the floor even harder than his body did.
"Ow, son of a bitch," whispered Harry standing up, holding his hand.
His vision blurred as he looked around Dawn's room. The pictures hanging on the wall blurred and vanished then appeared again. The toys and furniture in the room dissolved replaced by boxes and other useless junk. All these things flashed in and out neither appearing quite solid and real. Harry looked to Dawn and gasped. In the place of his niece was a glowing, shimmering green light. Harry backed up quickly.
"What the fork?" he said feeling his breath leave him. "What are you? Who are you?"
Dawn and Harry's eyes met in an unwavering stare. They sat there staring at each other for almost a minute till Harry shook his head, blinking away his distorted vision clearing his senses. He touched a hand to his head, realizing that it wasn't hurting anymore.
"What was I saying," he muttered in confusion.
Harry shrugged and walked to Dawn's crib smiling. She smiled back as Harry tucked her in and kissed her forehead.
"Good night, Sunshine," Harry whispered, exiting the room. Not remembering the incident that had just taken place not even two minutes ago. His mind not recalling that Dawn Potter was someone else. Or something else entirely not human.
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I hope you all liked this chapter. I introduced one new character and we got a glimpse into how Harry spends his summer. Focused mainly on Harry for a reason. Everybody else will get some spotlight too, since they're in Sunnydale now. Not much of Buffy, but this is more of a prologue then anything. Anyway, review and tell me what you think. Pretty please.
