Authors Note: Thanks for the reviews! See the end of the chapter for my responses. (EDIT: Actually don't, I deleted them because I had know idea what I was talking about in them when I responded two years ago! Sorry!)

For some reason unknown to me, the events in this chapter read better out of time order. Which is ok, because they take place in entirely different places, but the first part is supposed to be around 4:30ish the afternoon before the events of the first chapter. The second part of this chapter continues right after the end of the last chapter, approximately 1 in the morning-ish after the first part of the chapter. Hope this authors note clarifies everything rather than confuses you all!

Hermione collapsed next to Ron, both thoroughly exhausted. They had been cleaning up the dining room in the Order of the Phoenix all day for the big party that would occur in two days time for the initiation of new members to the Order. Fred and George were now old enough to join, as were a handful of other recent Hogwarts graduates. Fleur Delacour, Fillius Flitwick, a young Australian witch named Maddie Fisher, and a middle aged muggle-born wizard with black hair and a fully gray mustache named Maurice Knuckleworth would also be joining. Three or four other witches and wizards whom the two teens hadn't yet met were also joining. Normally, when a new member was initiated it wasn't such a big deal, but since so many people were joining at once, the members of the Order decided to make a party out of it. It also gave them an excuse to get Harry away from the Dursleys a bit sooner than planned.

So, after all the tedious cleaning, Hermione and Ron snuck upstairs and collapsed on Ron's bed, laughing at how thankful they were to finally be done working for the day. Ginny had slept in a few hours that morning, claiming she was sick so she wouldn't have to work, but when Mrs. Weasley found out, she made Ginny scrub all of the plates and goblets (there were several hundred) and she still wasn't done, while Ron and Hermione were upstairs relaxing. They had to laugh at their luck.

"Ha, I can't believe Gin tried to pull that on Mum, she should now by now that Mum never falls for it for that routine for too long…"

"Yes, nothing gets past your mother…" Hermione responded tiredly, her eyes fluttering closed as she snuggled up on the bed.

"Yea, but you must admit, that was a great try, especially when she was trying to pin it on Fred and George for corrupting her; that was bloody hilari…Hermione?" Ron asked, noticing she hadn't chastised him for cursing. He looked over at her lying on the bed beside him on top of his arm and noticed she was fast asleep.

"Geez, I didn't know I was that boring…" he muttered while smiling at the sleeping form beside him. He yawned loudly and tried to get up to go to Harry's bed to take a nap himself, when he realized his arm was stuck. He gently tried to shove Hermione off without waking her up but she just rolled over and clung tightly to him. Ron yawned again before giving up and falling asleep right in Hermione's grasp.

Harry awoke suddenly to the sound of his name being called. Mom? He thought. Is that you? Did you come out from behind the veil? For he had been having a terrifying dream that was a twisted combination of Sirius' murder, the figures coming out of Voldemort's wand, and his parents' death. Then, as he began to wake up, he realized that there was no way that was true. He was in his room at the Dursleys' and his mom was still dead. As he fully opened his eyes he realized that only one of the two was correct, he was actually lying on the ground outside with some sort of creature staring down at him. Harry looked around in extreme confusion, freaking out. Then he realized that half the problem was that everything was so blurry, so he pressed his back harder against the tree he realized he was leaning on and away from the creature crouched over him and searched frantically for his glasses on the ground beside him. He could not find them and kept staring at the creature before him in confusion, realizing she was actually a young woman. She smiled and handed him his glasses.

"Looking for these?" she asked in a calm voice. Harry slipped on his glasses as the words instantly calmed his nerves. He looked at her again and realized she was possibly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, including veela. Blushing, he asked:

"Er, where am I? And who are you?"

"One, Magnolia Crescent, two, I'm Buffy. You must've fallen asleep here reading that funky photo album over there," she said with a smile, knowing he would be worried about her finding out about magic.

"It's ok," She said quickly, as the pieces formed together in Harry's mind. He had been looking through the photo album Hagrid had given him and must've drifted off…"I know about magic." She added, in a hopefully reassuring way.

"But, wait, you're a muggle! Or…oh no…a deatheater!" Harry said, grabbing his wand and pointing it at her face, suddenly very freaked out. Buffy backed up looking puzzled and a little freaked out herself.

"Ok, woah there, don't you go pointing that stick at me! And what is with the weird British insults, kid? Ugh, and Giles said Americans had no manners…" She said trailing off and looking warily at the stick the boy was clutching, deciding if she should knock it out of his hand or not.

"Wait, you're American?" Harry asked, lowering his wand slightly.

"Yes, Mr. State-the-obvious," She said, still angry about being threatened with a stick. Noticing her brisk tone, she said more calmly, "Look, how about you go home because your parents are probably worried about you, and then in the morning we can discuss this nifty magic book, kay?" She suggested gently, offering him a hand to help him up.

"Er—" said Harry, still unsure if he could trust her or not. One look at her kind and tired beautiful young face told him all he needed to know. He allowed her to help him stand up and gather his things. "I'm Harry, by the way." He concluded, somewhat awkwardly after pocketing his wand.

"I know, I saw it in the cover of that photo album. I have to ask, what's the deal with the stick you've got there?" She asked, curiously.

"Well, I'm not really supposed to tell, but I guess since you already know about magic…" Eyeing her agitated and impatient look he continued. "Well, I'm a wizard, and this is my wand." He said, realizing how stupid the words sounded as he said them.

"Hmm," Buffy said, pondering. "So you have like, pointed hats and ride brooms and stuff?" She said giggling, assuming the stereotype was untrue.

"Well, actually" Harry responded, feeling his cheeks burn once again, "well, yeah…" He smiled weakly.

"Huh, awesome, so what do you…"she trailed off realizing how late it was, though still burning with curiosity. "Why don't we meet up again tomorrow and share our types of magic. Same place, but noon-ish, sound good?" She asked.

"Yea, ok. But I'd better get home, my aunt and uncle will kill me when I get there" He said, checking his wristwatch.

"Alright, maybe I should walk you, you never know what's out at night…" she said, looking around suspiciously as if a group of vampires were standing around about to attack.

"No, I can take care of myself, you know!" He said, getting irritated at always being treated like a child. Seeing her face fall, he added softly, "I only live a few blocks away, thanks though. I'll see you here tomorrow!" He said before walking home.

Huh, I guess something interesting will finally happen. She thought, before heading home to report to Giles, humming the song "Do you believe in Magic" softly and tossing and twirling her stake from hand to hand.

Author's Note-- One month till Harry Potter! Woo-hoo! Schools out so I should finally be able to get a few more chapters up this week and next before I go away for the summer. [EDIT: Tee hee! Current me knows what happens in book 6, AND 7, but past me doesnt. HA HA.

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