Prologue

Harry Potter (c) JK Rowling

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (c) Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy

[Just to be clear, this is a Dramione/Spuffy.]

As a child, Hermione knew she was different from other girls. She was always an outcast, not getting along with other children in pre-school. She was often ridiculed in elementary school for talking about things that other children couldn't see or understand. As she got older, it got worse. She started having dreams about horrifying things that couldn't possibly be real. When she got accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, everything stopped...for a short while.

The dreams started getting worse. She would wake up with scratches and bruises marring her skin from things that had happened in the dreams. She found that her strength was increasing to the point of superhuman. Her senses got sharper with every day. She began to freak out and finally told her parents after months of hiding what was happening to her. Her parents thought she was going mental, so they began looking into getting their daughter psychological help. The place that had the highest success rate was a small private practice in a place called Sunnydale, in California. So, in Hermione's fifth year at Hogwarts, she was pulled from school and flown around the world to the one place her parents thought could help make her better. They were wrong...

In Sunnydale, there wasn't much to do. Hermione went to school during the week, had her weekly counseling session on Wednesdays, did her homework as soon as it was assigned, and occasionally went to the Bronze to hang out with the few friends she had. One of those friends was a girl named Dawn Summers. She was one of the few people who hadn't ridiculed Hermione for her name or foreign accent and customs. Dawn had been very open and friendly to Hermione, instantly gaining the role of best friend. The two could talk about anything...except Hermione's dreams. It was the one thing Hermione kept from her new best friend, and she was always feeling guilty about it.

Finally, after one particularly bad dream that had left deep gashes down the side of her neck, Dawn confronted Hermione, thinking that her parents had been abusing her. Hermione fessed up and told Dawn about her dreams and that sometimes they came true in gruesome ways. Dawn recognized the signs of Slayer dreams and told Hermione that she should meet her sister, Buffy. The two went to Dawn's house after school that day. Dawn had Hermione wait in their living room while she talked to Buffy. A few minutes later, Buffy walked into the room.

"Dawn told me you've been having Slayer dreams. Pretty bad ones from the look of your neck. How long?" Buffy asked quietly.

"For most of my life, really. They've only gotten this violent in the past few years. My parents think I've been hurting myself; that's why they brought me here. They're making me see the psychiatrist in town," Hermione admitted with a grimace. "I'm not crazy!"

Buffy gave a little grimace. "I know you aren't crazy, Hermione. I think you're a Potential Slayer."

"Potential Slayer? Of what?" Hermione asked.

"Of vampires. And demons. And basically anything bad that comes through town," Buffy informed her.

Hermione blanched and sat back into her chair. "So...they really exist? I haven't made it all up in my head?"

Buffy shook her head and said, "No, Hermione. They're real. And they're a very real threat to all the humans in this town, and others if they get past us." Buffy glanced at the clock and turned to Hermione again. "Look, it's getting late and I know this is a lot to take in at once. Would you like to spend the night here? I don't mind at all."

Hermione thought about it for a moment, then slowly nodded. "I don't really want to go home right now. My parents still think I'm crazy and I now know what exactly goes on at night."

Buffy smiled and nodded. "Okay. That's fine. You can sleep in my old room tonight. I think Dawn might have some clothes that'll fit you, too."

Gratitude filling her, the British witch/Potential Slayer smiled up at Buffy in thanks. That night, Hermione slept dreamlessly and peacefully for the first night she could remember.

[-.-][-.-][-.-][-.-][-.-][-.-][-.-][-.-]

Back in England, Draco Malfoy was not a happy camper. Not only was the Dark Lord living in Draco's own home, the bloody git was turning his own parents against him! Lucius and Narcissa were beginning to keep things from their only son, things that they had before shared without thought. He was asked to leave the house more and more because of "private meetings" with Voldemort and his "loyal subjects."

Draco had finally had enough. He was leaving tonight. The Death Eaters were having another meeting, but Draco wasn't going to return to his home afterwards. He was leaving everything behind, even his wand. He was only taking as many clothes as he could carry, and some food to eat on the way. As he left the house that night, he silently bid farewell to the life he had always known and stepped across the threshold into the life he was prepared to make for himself.

A few days later, Draco stumbled out of the tavern he had just been kicked out of. Because of his distinctive hair and face, he had been turned away from all of the respectable places because of the Death Eater stigma attached to his family's name. Now, even the disreputable places were turning him away because of his defection from the Dark Lord's army. But, as many taverns as he had been kicked out of, he had been able to get at least somewhat hammered. As he wobbled down the street, a boisterous couple brushed past him. Losing his balance, he took a few steps sideways and ended up in a darkened alley outside the tavern. Cursing everything he could think of, Draco righted himself and brushed his clothes off.

"Look, poppet. A midnight snack," drawled a man.

"Oh, but, William. He's special, this one. The dollies have been talking of this one. He's not meant to be our dinner," said another voice, this one female.

"What's that, Dru?"

"He's yours, dear William. Like I was Daddy's, and like you're mine. This little bite is yours."

Barking laughter echoed through the alley. Draco scowled. "What the bloody are two talking about?"

Cold fingers trailed across Draco's nape. A shiver of dread rushed down his spine. The woman, Dru, spoke from behind him. "Come, William. Don't make Mummy wait. It's your turn now."

From the darker recesses of the alley, a man swaggered forth. Bleach blonde hair, chipped black polish on his nails, Doc Marten boots, and an ankle-length leather coat adorned the man. "What is it, pet? You want me to turn this one? He doesn't look like much."

"What's that supposed to mean? I'll have you know I'm a wizard," Draco said, rushing to his own defense.

"A wizard, eh? Well, guess what, kid?" the man called William asked as he slowly walked forward.

Dru's hands tightened on Draco's arms as William's face morphed into a demonic visage. "I'm a vampire!" he snarled as Draco's head was yanked to the side, exposing his neck to the oncoming attack. Draco felt the blood rushing from his veins as his heart slowed, then finally came to a stop. His eyes closed and he knew no more...

So...Not sure how this is gonna turn out...but it's worth a shot. Let me know if you think it's worth continuing or just meant for a scrap heap. XD