Chapter Two

When the boats finally reached the shore leading up to the gigantic castle, Buffy had everyone hang back until the rest of the first years had gone somewhat ahead.

"What are we waiting for?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Xander's girlfriend, Anya. Her boss said she could come as long as she met her quota before the start of classes." Willow piped up.

"Boss? You mean she has a job? How old is she?" Harry asked.

"1142." Xander said with a big grin on his face.

Harry and Hermione's jaws dropped, "Ya, who knew the Whelp liked older women." Spike chuckled.

"How is that even possible? I mean, Merlin himself only lived to his 600's!" Hermione gasped.

"Well that's simple," chirped a new, happy voice, "He was human. I'm not, thank DeHoffrins. Hi everyone, sorry I'm late, my last client was a little beat up, it took a while to calm him down." The blond, who Harry and Hermione assumed must be Anya, explained, as she was tucked under Xander's arm.

"Anya, I'd like to introduce you to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, the two latest additions to the Scoobies. Guys, this is Anya Jenkins." Buffy introduced with a smile before turning to everyone and going into general mode.

"I know we have a lot to talk about, and some of you may have questions. Everything will be answered later, for now, stick together. We present a united front." Then Buffy's shoulders sagged a little bit and gave a winning smile, "and let's just hope we don't get in too much trouble when this thing blows up in our faces." Buffy giggled, as the others chuckled.

"Uh, Buffy, I can hear them opening the doors, we should probably get up there." Oz suggested from his place beside Willow.

"Right, lead the way Spike; you have the best night vision out of all of us." Buffy said, as they started their trek out of the dark caves.

"So it's true then." Came a sneering voice from the main crowd of first years as the Scoobies approached. "Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."

"What's it to you Ferret-boy?" Spike sneered in return, taking a step forward.

Everyone was slightly taken aback by the two boy's similar appearance, and wondered if the two were related.



"My name," the boy gritted out, before turning his attention back to Harry, "Is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Spike smirked in amusement and Buffy rolled her eyes as Xander and a few others snickered.

"Think my name's funny do you?" Draco asked angrily, to which Xander and Willow just giggled harder.

"Well, it's just that, you don't sound anything like Sean Connery." Xander joked, throwing himself into hysterics and making the other muggle-borns laugh out loud.

Face going red with rage, Malfoy straightened. "How dare you talk to me like that! My father-"

"Your father? Oh, don't tell me you're still playing that 'my dad can beat up your dad' game. I mean seriously, how old are you?" Buffy said, flipping her hair over her shoulder and leaning into Spike. Luckily for Malfoy, a tall black haired witch in emerald green robes entered before he could say anything more.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said in a strict manor. "My name is Professor McGonagall. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family here at Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common-room.
The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each have produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. Now, if you will please form a line in pairs and follow me, the Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."

As the rest of the first years proceeded into the Great Hall, the Scoobies waited till the very end. Buffy and Spike, Oz and Willow, Harry and Hermione, and finally, Xander and Anya brought up the rear.

The Great Hall was one of the most brilliant things Harry had ever seen: it was lit by thousands upon thousands of candles which were floating in mid air over the four house tables, where the rest of the students sat. The tables were lined with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.

Hearing Hermione gasp, Harry turned his head to see Hermione staring up at the ceiling. Curious, Harry stared in amazement at the velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. "I've read about this in Hogwarts, a history. It's bewitched to look like the sky outside." Hermione whispered just loud enough for the family to hear.

Professor McGonagall led the first years up to the front of the dais where she placed a four-legged stool in front of them. On top of the stool McGonagall placed an extremely old and dirty pointed wizards hat.

For a few seconds, there was silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth – and the Scoobies watched in surprised amusement as the ratty old hat began to sing.



The whole hall erupted in applause when the hat had finished, and it bowed to each of the four tables in turn before becoming still once more.

Professor McGonagall then stepped forward with a long roll of parchment.

"When I call your name, you will take a seat, I will place the Sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your new houses.

One by one McGonagall went down the list starting with Hanna Abbot and going down the list in alphabetical order.

"Giles, Buffy." McGonagall called.

With a careless shrug Buffy strode forward. Looking at the head table for the first time, Buffy was pleasantly surprised to see a familure face. With a bright bubblegum smile, Buffy waved happily to the Professor with long greasy black hair and a pointed face. The Scoobies that knew who the man was chuckled and waved as well; while the man just glared back, making Buffy giggle, and the rest of the school, including some of the faculty, stare in amazement.

Turning her attention back to Professor McGonagall, Buffy sat on the stool and reluctantly allowed the Sorting Hat to be placed on her head.

'Right then, let's have a look see. What's this? Blocked?' Buffy heard the hat's voice in her head.

'Damn straight, you're filthy! If you want to read my mind, you had better have a bath first, because there is no way I am letting you into my head looking like that.'

'Excuse me? Just who do you think you are, girl?'

'I'm the girl who's head your trying to pry into, so if you want admittance to this theme park, you had better exercise hygiene before I do it for you.'

The hall watched as Buffy put her hands on her hips and squared her shoulders.

"She's not..."Xander said starting to chuckle

"She is..."Willow said, also starting to laugh.

"But, she can't, can she?" Hermione asked.

"Looks like she can." Harry smirked, his eyes shining with amusement.

With a sudden puff of dust, the hat blinked out of the great hall and back in again. When it settled its self back on Buffy's head of its own accord, the entire congregation of students and faculty were amazed to see the hat in near perfect condition. The patches and stitching were gone, and it was a soft chocolate brown instead of brownish grey.

"Man I love that girl." Spike grinned, puffing his chest out. As the others chuckled and shook their heads.



"Classic Buffy." Oz smirked, shaking his head as well.

'Right then, now that I have done as you asked, will you please lower your shields.' The hat requested.

'Anything you find stays strictly between us right? No gabbing to the head master, or teachers or anything, right.'

'If that is what you wish.'

'Alrighty, dig away.' Buffy said, finally allowing the hat to read her mind.

'This, this is incredible! Simply extraordinary! You know who you are, I see. But you do not know about your family...'

'My family? What about them?'

'A prophecy, Golden One, holds the story-but not the fate-of your family. Look for what is to come, and expect nothing.'

'Thank you. I will be sure to tell the rest of my family what you said. Now, how about those houses?'

'I'm afraid, Golden One, that you and your family could never truly belong to any one house. No, I have something special in mind for you...'

'Why am I not surprised?' Buffy sighed.

The crowd watch with bated breath as Buffy's shoulders sank and the Sorting Hat finally opened its mouth.

"Gryffindor!"

Loud cheering erupted, but just as McGonagall raised her hand to remove the hat it spoke again:

"Hufflepuff!"

The cheering stopped and everyone was silent. Another beat, and then;

"Ravenclaw!"

No one moved a muscle;

"Slytherin!"

Once again, Professor McGonagall raised her hand to remove the hat when it tossed its 'head' back and yelled as loud as possible:

"APOTHARNI!" (Pronounced: Ap-o-thar-n-ee)



As the name was shouted over the shocked and silent crowd, Hogwarts herself seamed to quiver and the ceiling that had previously shon with a thousand twinkling lights erupted in a show of spectacular shooting stars and the house tables began to shift over to one side, allowing another, shorter table to materialise. The crowed watched as a shining white banner with the image of a battle ready Centaur in the center, hung it's self from the ceiling over the new table.

"Well luv," a single voice broke the stretching silence.

"Don't say it Spike." The Scoobies chorused.