Title: Anywhere, pt 1
Disclaimer: I own nothing! JK Rowling owns everything pertaining to Harry Potter and Joss Whedon owns the idea of the Slayer and Watcher's Counsel.
Author's Note: This is the asked for sequel for 'Everywhere'. I think, depending on my muse and where she takes me, that this will be a multi-chapter story. This is set about a year and a half after the ending of 'Everywhere'. This story is obviously AU, so things are going to be different – sort of – but the books will still happen, just a bit differently.
Special Thanks: To the three reviewers that asked for more you know who you are.
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Sirius was doing a routine sweep of the building they'd just captured several death eaters from, when he felt a prickle of pain on his neck. Instinctively he reached for his neck, but didn't feel anything and it was then that he realized his sister was still alive.
She'd lived through the counsel's test, as they were both nineteen now – nearing on twenty. Once finished he went and told Remus, James and Lily the good news. They of course told him their own good news.
He was now the godfather of Harry James Potter, son of James and Lily Potter. He couldn't have been more content, happier yes, but content would have to work.
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Faith sat opposite of an unfamiliar man with sandy brown hair and friendly amber colored eyes. "I'm sorry, I must have missed the point." She retorted. "You're telling me that you're a wizard, from England, a friend to my non-existent brother who was placed in a wizarding prison because he killed your other friend and his wife and that you want me to take care of a baby."
"You really have a brother." The wizard insisted. "You were taken away from your family and it took me long enough to find you."
"You wasted your trip from the mother country." She stated. "I don't believe you."
The man sighed. "What would it take to prove to you that what I speak is truth?"
"Nothing." She answered. "I wouldn't believe any piece of 'proof' that you could come up with. I've been jerked around for far to long trying to be what everyone has wanted me to be." She paused as she bent slightly over feeling a sensation of pain and desperation.
"Faith!" A young slayer called seeing her fellow sister in pain. "Are you alright?" She asked kneeling next to the brunette.
"Five-by-five." Faith grunted.
The young slayer glanced up at the visitor that has been talking to Faith for the last hour and a half about who knew what. "What happened?"
"Nothing, Reggie." Faith assured the slayer she was in charge of. "I'll be out in a moment." She said dismissing the blue haired girl. Reggie was short for Regina, and the two girls had a lot in common mostly in background and style. Reggie had blue hair and hazel green eyes and was a troubled young woman.
"'Kay." Reggie said sending one last doubtful glance at the brunette.
"I'm not asking you to change who you are." The wizard assured her. "Andralyn Siena Black is dead to all but Sirius. I want you to be you."
"You wouldn't want that, Mr. Lupin." Faith retorted. "Have you done your research on me?" She asked before adding, "Because if you did you'd know that I kill at least three men."
"I know." Remus sighed. "But you've been straight from what I understand." At her raised eyebrow he continued, "From killing. You've been helping save the world and you're in charge of your own slayer."
"Minor things." She said. "Reggie understands what it's like to be me." She began. "Not that I should explain anything to you, but we're a lot alike. I don't have to worry about screwing her over."
"I'm sure whatever you can do to help will be beneficial to the boy." Remus stated. "His aunt and uncle aren't fit to take care of him."
"I'M not fit to take care of him." She exclaimed. "Don't you understand? I'm not a good sergeant anything."
Remus sighed. "You'd only have to watch him for a few years."
"Then what?"
"I'd come back and take him home to England for school."
"Then?"
"During the summer I might call upon you."
"How long?"
"Seven years of school." He answered. "He's nearly four."
"Faith, I'm going to patrol." Reggie's voice rang into the room. "Erika is meeting me at St. Aggie's cemetery."
"Okay." Faith called back. "Be careful!"
"I will." The door closed and Faith sighed.
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"I cannot believe you talked me into this." Faith muttered as they appeared into an alley in Surry, England.
"Think of this as your good deed for the day." Remus suggested stepping out into the bright sunny day.
"Whatever." Faith glared at the werewolf. "Lets get this over with. Reggie will flip if I'm not home when she gets there."
"This way." Remus waved as he began to walk away. "Here we are. Number 4 Privet Drive." He stopped in front of a house, with a neat looking lawn, trimming and flowerbed. It was basically a perfect looking house.
"So now what?" Faith asked.
"We knock on the door." Remus said walking with confidence towards the door and ringing the bell.
"Yes?" A woman asked opening the door partly. She had medium colored brown hair and blue eyes, she wasn't thin but she wasn't fat either.
"My name is Remus and this is Faith." He began. "We'd like to see your nephew Harry."
The woman's lips thinned and she shut the door in their faces saying, "He's dead."
Faith sighed angrily and kicked the door open. "Now I hate to kick the door down and enter but you really left us no choice." Faith smirked at the shocked look of the woman. "Now, let us see Harry."
"I'll call the bobbies." The woman threatened.
"And I could snap your neck before you could move." Faith shrugged, sounding as if she was talking about the weather. "Do I have to ask one more time?"
"Harry!" The woman yelled banging on the door under the stairs.
"I'm sorry." Harry said immediately.
"Visitors." She snipped hiding behind the boy.
Faith took one look at the boy with messy black hair and emerald eyes, who was far too thin for his age and knelt down. "Hello Harry." She began. "My name's Andralyn, but you can call me Faith."
"Hello." Harry said shifting his weight between his bare feet.
"This is Remus." Faith added gesturing towards the man behind her, still standing in the doorway a bit shocked by her actions. "Do you like it here, Harry?"
"Sorta." Harry answered glancing nervously towards his aunt.
"If you'd like to come, we'll take you with us." Faith offered, still kneeling a few feet away from the uneasy boy.
"Where?"
"Some place you can call home." Faith answered after glancing up at the woman who was cowering near the door to the other room.
"Really?" He looked so hopeful that Faith couldn't deny him.
"I wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it, Harry." Faith smiled, she was positive it looked unsure and a bit forced. "If you have anything you'd like to take, go get it. I'm going to talk to your aunt."
"'Kay." Harry complied moving back towards the room underneath the stairs.
"Now." Faith said standing.
"I'm ready." Harry exclaimed rushing towards Faith and Remus.
"Would you go wait outside with Remus?" Faith asked.
"Sure." Harry agreed moving towards the man.
Faith approached the woman. "This is how you treat your nephew?" She growled. "People like you should be taken into the streets and shot." She stopped just short of the woman who was shying away from her. "But you did take my brother's godson in so I'm sure that I can make a small exception."
The woman, her blue eyes were wide with fear and had a flicker of hope, stayed as still as she could feeling the power that flowed off the woman in front of her.
"So you'll forget that we ever showed up here to take Harry away." Faith flatly stated. "No one is to know that Harry is still alive."
The woman nodded vigorously.
"So glad we understand each other." Faith said and punctuated her unsaid threat by slamming her fists against the wall next to the woman's head. Then she turned and exited the house and picked Harry up placing him on her hip. "Come on."
"Where are we going?" Harry asked as they entered an alley.
"Close your eyes, Harry, you might get dizzy." Faith suggested pulling the boy closer. The boy did as suggested and Remus grabbed a hold of the pair and apparated back to Faith's home in Cleveland, Ohio.
"Faith?" Reggie called. "Are you home?"
"Yes." Faith called back. "You can open your eyes Harry." She whispered. "Reggie, this is Harry."
The blue haired slayer looked at the boy before smiling. "Hiya Harry, I'm Reggie."
"Hello." Harry smiled.
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"Thank you Faith." Remus replied as he prepared to leave once Harry was curled up in bed. Remus had stayed for the week, helping Faith and Reggie adjust to having Harry and helping Harry adjust. He even went with them to buy Harry new clothing.
"Whatever." Faith retorted. "I don't know why."
"Because you looked into his eyes and saw he wasn't happy."
"Maybe." Faith sighed. "Thanks for your help."
"You're sure you'll be fine with him?"
"As sure as one can be." Faith shrugged.
"You'll do fine."
"I'm calling Giles in the morning."
"Giles?"
"Head of the Watcher's Counsel."
"Whatever you think will help you." Remus smiled before saying one last good-bye and apparating out of Faith's home.
The next morning Faith was true to her word, she called Giles after Reggie had left for school. It was one of the rules of the counsel. The younger slayer's should and had to stay in school. It was to keep them on the ground and their heads out of their destiny.
"Giles? It's Faith." Faith said once the older man spoke into the phone.
"Is there something wrong, Faith?"
"Plenty of things." Faith muttered. "Could you make a stop at my house please?" She asked hearing him mutter a reply before adding, "It's really something you should see."
"Of course, I'll be there for lunch." Giles said.
"Thanks Giles." Faith smirked before hanging up the phone after hearing Giles' good-bye.
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The next few months were the hardest for the two slayers and the young wizard. Harry had the hardest time adjusting to the new home, as it was very different from his previous one. The hardest thing for him to learn was that he was able to eat the food on the table that he could eat until he was full and still have some downstairs.
The work inside the house was equal share, which also confused Harry, as his cousin Dudley never did any housework. It was balanced between Faith, Harry and Reggie because they all lived in the townhouse, but Faith and Reggie did most of it because that's what they were used to.
It seemed nightly for the slayers to find Harry curled up in a tiny ball at the edge of their beds in the mornings. Neither minded much, but it was hard to keep their nocturnal habits a secret from the boy – having no desire to burdened the boy with their world.
It took almost a year for Harry to start sleeping in his own bed all night long.
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"Rise and shine, Harry." Faith called entering Harry's room.
The boy in question yawned as he sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "What are we going to do, Aunt Andra?"
"Well, Giles and I are going to register you. Remember I told you we were going to go to that place so that I can keep you here with me?" Faith answered sitting on the twin-sized bed that had gray sheets on top.
Harry yawned again, nodding as Faith ran her fingers through his hair. "I remember now. That's the place you said I needed to tell the truth."
"That's right." Faith agreed. "Now, why don't you get dressed in the clothes we bought, while I make breakfast."
"Kay." Harry agreed standing. "Is Reggie coming with us?"
"If you'd like her to."
"Yea!" Harry excitably answered.
Faith nodded before exiting his room to both call Reggie out of school and to make breakfast.
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Harry Potter stared at the white frosted cake that had 'Happy Birthday Harry' written on it along with eleven candles that had yet to be lit.
"Ready, Harry?" Faith asked.
"Yes, Aunt Andralyn." Harry hadn't liked to call her 'Faith', preferring 'Andralyn' and liked to call her 'aunt', though he knew she wasn't. He'd grown into a handsome pre-teenager with his ever-present messy black hair and green eyes that were hidden behind his wire framed glasses.
The now thirty-four year old slayer rolled her eyes at the excited look within Harry's eyes, though his voice sounded bored. She knew the first four years of his life had been hard, but looking back it was nothing in comparison to after they returned to Ohio.
It was unfortunate how well Reggie and Harry got along before she passed away a few months ago, but Harry understood that they were a different sort of family.
A tapping noise was heard and Faith glanced up to see a white owl standing on the sill. Standing she moved towards the window to let the owl in. "Whatcha got?" She asked softly. Her eyes widened slightly at seeing,
'Harry Potter
341 S. Riverside Road
Cleveland, Ohio 24653'
"What is it, Aunt Andralyn?"
"It's for you." She said turning towards the preteen. "Harry," She began uncertainly. "Actually, just read it and we'll talk about it."
Harry took the envelope and looked at it before opening it. Pulling out the sheets of parchment he read aloud,
"'Dear Mr. Potter,
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 the necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. Because of the distance you are we'll await your owl no later than August 8.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress'"Harry glanced up at Faith to find her leaning against the counter. The pair was silent for a long while before Faith pleaded, "Say something."
"Like what?" Harry asked. "I'm a wizard?"
Faith sighed and began her story. She told him about the horrors she had to face growing up. About her jail time to the final battle on the hellmouth in which raised the slayers, and finally to Remus' visit. "He said that when you turned eleven, he'd come for you."
"Why?"
"For that reason." She said gesturing towards the letter. "Remus didn't tell me much, but he did say that there was an evil wizard, he-who-must-not-be-named – or something like that –, that is responsible for your parents death."
Harry gave her a doubtful look causing the older woman to laugh.
"Don't give me that look." Faith scolded playfully. "It's not like I believed it either." She paused. "I'm always going to be here if you want to come back, Harry."
Just then there was a knock at the door. Both slayer and wizard glanced at each other before heading to the door. Once there Faith looked out through the peephole. Grinning she opened the door.
"Where's my favorite nephew?" Xander asked holding out his arms. After Faith talked to Giles, they called upon the help of the Scooby's to help raise the boy. Xander had taken to him immediately followed by Willow and Giles.
"Hey Uncle Xand." Harry grinned. Silently the pair decided to wait until after the birthday party to talk about the witchcraft school. "Aunt Willow." He added as he was pulled into an enthusiastic hug from the petite redhead.
"How are you doing, Harry?" Giles asked entering the medium sized town home that the reformed counsel paid for.
"Good, Uncle Rupert." Harry smiled, before racing up the stairs.
"He wants to show you something." Faith answered seeing the puzzled expressions upon the Scooby's faces. "Where's Buffy and Dawn?"
"Flying in from Italy." Willow said. "Dawnie said she wouldn't miss this party for the world."
"Good, good." Faith muttered hearing Harry clambering down the stairs. "One day, Harry you're going to fall down those steps and brake your neck." She warned the adolescent boy causing everyone to chuckle.
Faith had been so worried about not being able to raise Harry properly, but he was a fine young man. He went to school earning good grades and helped with research, understanding the forces of darkness. The boy in question was really well adapted to everything and caught on quickly, which surprised her because she wanted to keep him away from the vampire/demon side of life.
"These are outstanding grades, Harry." Giles commented on seeing all A's on his last report card. "Good show, Harry."
"Thanks, Uncle Rupert." Harry grinned proudly.
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Faith was standing at the sink washing the dishes when she heard Harry enter. She held her breath, knowing that her time was short with Harry. Giles commented, while the others were laughing and playing around that he thought she did an extraordinary job of raising him.
She was still worried that she'd damaged the boy in a way that he'd hate her in a few years, when he became aware of the life he could have had – and she voiced that thought to Giles, who quickly dismissed the idea.
She told Giles about the letter, he'd known from the moment that Harry came into their lives about Remus and the awful caregivers he had previously. In an effort to help her, Giles looked in old Counsel records and found out that her name was, at one time, Andralyn Black, which is why she allowed Harry to call her that.
"I'd like to go."
"Figured you would." Faith said.
"It's not that I want to leave you Aunt Andralyn." He insisted moving closer. "I feel that it's the right thing to do." He said softly.
Faith turned to him. "Then it's what you should do." She replied earning her an excited hug, which she returned.
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"You want me to touch that." Harry inquired skepticism evident in his voice causing Faith to laugh. "It's not funny Aunt Andralyn."
"But your face, Harry." Faith laughed. "It's priceless."
Harry stuck his tongue out at the laughing slayer before glancing at the wizard once more. "Okay, so I touch that and then we travel to --- London?"
"Exactly." Remus smiled, he could see so much of James and Lily but Faith's influence changed him for the better in his opinion.
"Aunt Andralyn, are you coming?" Harry asked turning to his 'aunt'.
"If you'd like me to." Faith replied. "I can come and see you off." Harry nodded so Faith excused herself to pack a bag of clothes before returning downstairs. "Let's do it." The three people touched the dusty item before feeling a pull to their navels and exiting Faith and Harry's home.
End pt 1