Author's Note: I know many fan fics are short stories and quick reads. I tend to be a wordy author and like to be descriptive. So please enjoy but keep in mind this story will have a lot of cliff hangers. Also for those of you who don't know all of the stories and see the hints here and there but not full explanations at times, please understand its part of the story, later explanations will be given in more detail.

Dedication: To Christina, for her everlasting support in all my writings. Here's to hoping both our fan fics and our own stories will move along as the wind does along the sea. Thank you dear…

Chapter 2

Harry stood in the college bookstore the next day, feeling a pain because he missed Flourish and Botts and the whole Diagon Alley. However, he did feel that he needed to be here, in Hope, and taking a breath from the magical world. He had decided to take general studies, most of the group were… well besides Hermione and Ginny of course. Ginny, though was only majoring in Humanities. She thought it would be fun, she had said, to learn more overall about the Muggle world and their society.

All his classes were introductory, thankfully. He remembered, though it had been quite a while ago, what Muggle classes were like. While he'd done way better than Dudley, he hadn't actually enjoyed them. He was pretty sure college classes would be worse not better. Luckily Ginny and him were in most classes together--it was their first year and a small college. Ron and Hermione shared many of their same courses as well, even George had taken a couple of the same courses but he was taking some business courses also. He'd been thinking of selling some of the Muggle jokes to Muggles through their internet and figured he would need to learn something about how Muggles handled business.

Hermione came over with her pile of books, the sales clerk had given her a box to hold them all. Apparently the text books she already had weren't enough. He smiled, "Are you sure all the time turners were destroyed?"

"Ha ha, I am just very good at time management," Hermione bit back. Her curly hair, even more frizzy because of the constant moisture in Oregon's atmosphere, fell over her eyes.

Ron came over, taking the box from Hermione before Harry had a chance. "She had to argue with the counselor so she could take one more course," Ron said holding back a smirk.

"I'm a double major and I want to actually finish them…well at least get a chance to," Hermione murmured but smirked as well remembering her conversation with the Muggle guidance counselor. She could be convincing, even without magic if she wanted to be.

"Are you actually planning on using the degrees?" George asked, as a part time student he had the fewest books in an over the shoulder sling bag he'd brought---Hope College's crest engraved on the front of it. He readjusted it as he joined them in the aisle.

Shrugging Hermione glanced at the paper and pens Harry had been looking at earlier. "Well blimey I can't believe I forgot Muggles don't use ink quills and parchment paper on a regular basis."

Ron did laugh but sighed, "I miss Hogwarts," he whispered to Harry who nodded in agreement as he picked up pads of paper and pens.

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Willow felt that odd sensation she'd been feeling at home since they'd moved to Hope. Except it was ever stronger than what she had felt even last night. She turned into the supply aisle just as a red hair lanky boy took a box from a long curly brown hair girl. There was another boy, he had black hair that unsuccessfully covered an odd looking scar that even from down the aisle she believed it was the shape of a lightning strike on his forehead. They looked like a group of freshmen, basically normal though she heard a British accent in their voices, she couldn't hear exactly what they were saying. She wouldn't even have paid them any mind except they seem to be the source of the strange sensation she'd been having.

She pretended to be interested in the pens and paper, getting closer to them without seeming obvious. She was an impatient women and if these, which she pretty sure they were, were her neighbors she wanted to find out why their magic was so strong that even she felt it when it wasn't being obviously used. She'd gotten closer only to hear them talking about their classes and what other supplies they should get. The black hair boy with the odd shaped scar looked up just as she'd been eying them again. His smile changed as his amazing green eyes caught hers…almost as if he was slightly annoyed.

Harry couldn't believe it, he was miles away from Hogwarts and not even among witches and wizards…well besides his friends, and he was getting stared at. Except those brown hazel eyes of the straight red hair slight woman seemed to be asking many questions.

Ron elbowed his side, "Come on mate, time to head out of this place."

Pulling his gaze from the woman, he followed his friends to the check out counter. He'd have to keep an eye out for that woman, she seemed to know something, though he was pretty sure she wasn't a witch…

"Willow?" Buffy put her hand gently on her friend's shoulder. "You look as if you've seen a ghost?" And in their world it was likely…or at least something similar or worse. "Willow?"

Willow turned her gaze away from the group. "No, but I think that group at the register is our across the street neighbors."

Buffy followed her gaze, catching the eye of a younger red hair woman. She raised her brows as if asking "What?" with just her expression. A black hair young man at her side turned, Buffy caught the lightning shaped scar right away, and whispered in her ear while avoiding Willow's and Buffy's eyes. The young woman's eyes turned bitter with annoyance and she turned her back on them.

"I think the black hair guy spot me staring earlier, he wasn't happy," Willow said in way of explanation.

"His unusual shaped scar probably causes stares and he's probably bitter," Buffy said feeling empathy. She might not scar but she'd sure had her share of stares in her lifetime.

"Wonder how he came about the scar?" Willow asked though obviously not expecting an answer from Buffy herself and wasn't sure if she'd get that answer if she just came out and asked when they went over tonight.

They bought their schooling supplies, wondering idly if they could actually make it through a school year without another apocalypse happening. But with all the new slayers awakened at least they had even more of a fighting chance. As they headed out the bookstore doorway, Willow thought of something and grabbed Buffy's arm… "Hey, you remember after defeating The First and we had just gotten out…remember when I said I could feel the new slayers being awakened?--What if that's the reason?"

Buffy thought for a moment, but then shook her head. "No, that can't be right, you said you recognized this feeling from even before that…you've had it even back in high school. Plus you had the feeling even before there were signs of life around the house, you said it felt like the house was wrapped in powerful magic…not evil magic you assured us but powerful."

Shrugging, Willow said, "Well there's definitely something about them and I'm going to figure it out."

"I'm sure you will, Wil. You're good at that sort of stuff."

Willow just smiled, her brow knitted in concentration.

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Later that day Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were all gathered around the fire place in the living room. They'd just received a Patronus message from Arthur Weasley, Ginny, Ron, and George's dad, that their mum and himself would be arriving shortly via the Floo network set up in advance by the Ministry in the house's fireplace. They had decided that Patronus messages would be more reliable then owls considering the distance. George walked in with the tray of tea and crackers Ginny had been preparing before the message had arrived. "Anybody…"

Suddenly a burst of flames engulfed the barren fireplace, yet to be lighted since their arrival, it might be dreary but there had been no need for a fire for warmth. The flames dimmed and two people appeared in the fireplace's hearth. Molly Weasley wiped off the ashes from the trip before she stepped into the room, Arthur was too entranced by all the Muggle artifacts being used in their actual places. "Oh look at all the plugs, wonder why the Potters went through so much trouble to make this place look like it was a regular Muggle home?" he mumbled.

Figuring he deserved his fun after the past year, Molly left her husband to enjoy his life's passion and walked over to the kids, giving them all hugs. They each held a special place in her heart. Blinking back tears, she surveyed her surroundings. "Kreacher and his team did well," she finally said, nodding approvingly. "So have you been to the college?"

They sat in the spacious but at the same time modest living room, each grabbing a cup from the tray George had brought in, as Ginny answered, "Yes, we bought out books and supplies, we almost forgot to get pens and paper."

Molly giggled, noticing for the first time that their books were piled on the dining room table that you could see from the living room. "Wow," she rose up and walked over to the table, glancing idly at the book titles. "Mythology?"

"That's a study on different Muggle believes throughout the ages," Ginny said, picking up her book. "Its amazing some of the things they believe and how close it coincides with some of our world. Such as vampires, werewolves, and many other things."

Hermione finally glanced up from her book she'd only put down for a second at the Weasley's arrival. On the front of her paper bag cover she'd been eager to make because it had reminded her of the good parts she remembered before Hogwarts, it said "History of Society." "They even talk about witches being put up for trial and burned at the stake, which I knew of, but not many Hogwarts' books explained that there might have actually been Muggle witches, or if they had, had discredit the rumors as Muggles misconstruing actual Wizarding magic done around Muggles who'd been accused."

Ginny and Molly scrambled to sit by Hermione, each ending up on one side glancing over her arms to read the page she'd just read. "There's been folklore all through many societies of witches being born with powers and others realizing they have it within themselves later in life. "Spell books" made by Wicca and other "witches, wizards, sorcerers, etc" have existed throughout the history of mankind." Ginny read out loud then giggled. "Does the Ministry know about this?"

Hermione and Molly laughed.

Hermione read a little more. "I think the Ministry of Magic didn't want to believe that they didn't have power over all the magic in the world. So if they did know they wouldn't have announced it in the "Daily Prophet"".

"Well that is certainly an interesting point of view, I wonder what is true and not?" Molly said, reading over Hermione's shoulder.

George snorted, "I wonder if the "Quibbler" ever mentioned it."

Hermione and Ginny actually considered it for a moment. "I don't know," Hermione said after a moment of trying to think back on the few Quibblers she had read in past times when Luna had given her a copy here and there.

"Hey what's this?" Arthur interrupted their talk holding up a black and silver flat object with a white string hanging from it.

Ginny rushed over, "Oh that's mine, its what they call a Ipod. It holds lots of Muggle music on it so you can choose whatever you want to listen to whenever. Harry bought it for me the other day, we've been trying to figure out how to get Wizarding music on it as well as Muggle songs." Her red hair went well with her sudden blush, but she obligated her dad's curiosity showing him how to move your finger across the board and change music.

A few moments later he murmured, "Its magic!"

It was now his turn to blush as they all laughed.

*****************************

Willow glanced agitatedly out the window yet again at the house across the street. "It looks like they're home," she said yet again, realizing she was repeating herself and being silly she forced herself away from the window and planted herself in front of the computer.

Kennedy, who had popped in for a quick surprise visit that day, taking a breather from fellow slayer searching, rubbed Willow's shoulders. "I gotta get back on the road dear, there's a couple of new slayers in Alaska that need some help and I volunteered to help them," she said.

Willow turned around and hugged her. "Be careful. Stay in touch," she said. They embraced for a few minutes until a polite cough interrupted them. They turned to see Xander who'd just entered the room.

"Sorry ladies," he said. "But Giles said it looks like a good time to head over." Smiling as Willow popped out of her chair excitedly. Kennedy said goodbye and promised she would keep them up-to-date.

A few minutes later, Buffy, Willow, Dawn, Xander and Giles were walking up the Potter drive. Willow was feeling the combination of the power she felt from the house itself and the people inside. She tried to sense what it felt like but couldn't place her witch sensors on it.

Xander knocked on the door, as he and Giles were the only ones who weren't carrying a platter of food…Giles was carrying a couple of books. He stepped aside though not wanting to be the first thing his new neighbors saw, people tend to stare at the eye patch over his left eye instead of actually talking to him.

Harry opened the door wondering who could be visiting only to find the two women from the bookstore on his front step with three other strangers. He opened his mouth to ask them, probably quite rudely, why they were here when Molly stepped up behind him asking, "Who is it Harry…ohhhh look a neighborhood welcoming party, how sweet," she said excitedly brushing past him so she could welcome in the group. That was when Harry noticed the pile of covered food dishes the girls were carrying. He automatically took them from the red head he'd spotted earlier in the day. Just because he wasn't very happy with the sudden visit and by whom it was from didn't mean he couldn't be gentlemanly and take the dishes off her hands. Though he really didn't have a choice with Molly standing near by.

"Come in, Come in," Molly gestured towards the others who'd stood up at the entry of the strangers. Arthur still had the Ipod in his hand and was in fact listening to "Celtic Woman", he tugged the ear buds out, handing the Ipod back to his daughter when he saw the newcomers. "My husband and I just were stopping by for a quick visit to make sure the kids had settled in okay. Do make yourselves at home," she added when they remained standing there. "Do you folks live across the way?" she asked after they all had found a seat. However modest the house was in size to someone as rich as the Potter family, it did offer a lot of comfortable options for seating in its living room.

The oldest person, Harry noticed, placed his books…upside down with their book bindings facing him on the coffee table, spoke first. "Well I guess local folklore on the house forgot to mention that the Potters were from England," the man said, his own voice indicating his British roots. Harry surveyed the man as he sat on the long sectional couch where Ginny, Hermione, and Ron all sat. Ginny was on his right side, she grabbed his hand as he sat, he smiled at her, grasping her hand.

Turning back to the man who was talking, Harry realized he faintly resembled Dumbledore in character. As if. at least at one time, he'd been the leader and teacher of the group, still was in some aspects, but also a father like figure though Harry was pretty sure none of the younger adults were his children. He wasn't too tall, had a hidden strength in him that Harry was sure he could use when needed, his hair was a dark brown almost black, slightly receding, slightly unruly, with gray highlights. He had on glasses that gave his otherwise rough appearance a distinguish look that placed Harry in mind of Muggle professors and teachers he'd seen. He was adjusting those glasses, glancing at Harry as he did so, when he continued talking. "But considering the fact I don't hold truth to guessing rumors people make up about that of the unknown, I would be surprise if any of it were true. However, that's besides the point. I'm Rupert Giles, I prefer to be called Giles, and yes.." he paused glancing at Molly.

"Oh my name is Molly Weasley, I'm Ron, George and Ginny's mother," she indicated each person with her hand, they nodded in acknowledgment in return. "Harry," he nodded to Giles, still trying to figure the man…and the group out. "Well he's sort of an adoptive son," she gave a little laugh. "He's a Potter, and his father…is the author." Molly didn't like lying but she knew it was necessary, still her words sounded too forced even to Harry's ears. "The girl sitting next to Ron is also kind of an adoptive child, her name is Hermione and my husband's name is Arthur."

"Nice to meet you all," Giles continued, the others around him nodded and murmured in agreement. "This here," he indicated the blonde athletic looking woman, "is Buffy Summers and her sister," Giles continued, indicating the younger long brown hair woman…the two really didn't look much alike, yet there were enough similarities to not question the sisterly relationship, "…Dawn. Next to her is Willow and at the end is Xander…Yes we are your across the way neighbors. We just moved here ourselves about a month ago. We're taking a holiday from…the norm and most of them are going to the local college for at least a little while."

The atmosphere was tense in the silence after the introductions. As if now that they'd met, neither side could displace the absolute certainly that the other wasn't telling the whole truth.

Molly, in her ever welcoming manner, was the first to speak again, "Well would you care to join us in the dinner you so kindly prepared?"

Expecting the man named Giles to speak, Harry was surprised to hear the blonde woman, Buffy say, "Actually yes we would. I think strangely enough we have a lot to discuss but before that we need to gain each others' trust. And what better way then sharing a nice dinner. Willow and Dawn are excellent cooks and bakers…I've tried but seriously lack the skill it takes to make flour, eggs, and sugar become cake."

The whole room gave a soft laugh at Buffy's attempt to lighten the mood. After that, while still hesitant, the room of people rose as a whole and went towards the dining room, Molly asking about what everyone wanted to drink, Ginny helping her mum since Molly had no clue what they had.

The woman named Willow came over to Harry, helping him with setting the table…an awkward chore for him since he hadn't done it since staying with Dursleys, even then it hadn't been in awhile. Usually the Hogwarts table had been set magically in front of them with all their favorite dishes for the picking, or he'd eaten in his room the last few summers at the Dursleys, barely eating at the table, or Molly had magically set the table though he did remember a few times she had made the children do it…without magic. Maybe it had been in preparation for times like this.

"Sorry we invaded your house Harry, we tend to be a curious bunch and we tend to stick together," Willow said, her voice soft under the undercurrent of mundane conversation around them. The man named Xander was helping Hermione uncover the dishes of food that he had to admit smelled quite appetizing. Buffy, Ron and Ginny were busy in the open kitchen with Molly pouring everyone drinks. Giles and Arthur were trying, unsuccessfully to help.

Harry turned back to Willow, realizing that his anger from earlier hadn't really been valid. "You knew I was your neighbor back at the bookstore, didn't you?" he asked, surprising both of them "You weren't staring at me, but all of us?"

"Well actually yes, its something that we're going to explain. I have this feeling both of us have a lot to explain. Probably only the general of who and…"she paused, her brown-golden eyes questioning, "what we are will be explained tonight, the rest we'll learn after we've learned to trust one another."

Ginny handed them each a cup of tea, then hurried on to the rest of the crowd.

Harry, though cautious, smiled in reply to Willow's statement, "To potential friends." He tapped his cup to hers, then sipped the hot brew.

Her shoulders visibly relaxing, "I'll second that," she replied and sipped her tea as well.

Tonight, to say the least, was going to be an interesting night.