DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything from Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Harry Potter.

Chapter Eight

Nottinghamshire, England

Potter Manor

February 2nd, 1976

"Dad hasn't been back in three days," Buffy said once her tutor, a stout and energetic man named Robert Wilkins, walked out of the library where she's been having her lessons the past two days.

James shrugged without taking his eyes from the book he read. "He's Head Auror. He's a busy man."

She eyed a book on the pile she was required to read as a house-elf popped into the room with a tray of food. "Espy brings lunch for young Master and Mistress."

"Thanks, Espy," James said.

"Yes, Espy," She smiled kindly at the elf. "Thank you."

Espy bowed and popped out. It was then she grabbed the top book and threw it at her brother with remarkable aim. She couldn't do it with Espy in the room, because the elf would immediately go get their mother before the fight could escalate to destructive levels. The book hit him in the shoulder, causing him to yelp and drop the book he used to ignore her with.

"Bloody hell, Buffy!" James yelled while jumping up to his feet. "You threw a book at me!"

"Be lucky I didn't use my full strength." She crossed her arms over her chest, frowning. "You'd be unconscious now, and then what use would you be?"

He looked at her, eyes filled with caution. "Did I do something to make you angry?"

"Oh, besides lying to me?" Surprise crossed his face. "Since when did we start lying to each other?"

"I don't –"

"Don't lie to me," she snapped at him. "Why hasn't dad come home?"

Realization and then resignation filtered over his features. "We were only trying to protect you." A bitter smile formed. "But I guess that's what our parents were trying to do when we were younger."

Fear lodged in her throat. "Has something happened to dad?"

She breathed again when he shook his head. "I didn't lie to you about dad being gone because of his duties as Head Auror. I just didn't mention the reason why he's working so much."

"Alright, why is he working so hard? What would keep him at the Ministry for days at a time? What are you and mom trying to keep from me? What the bloody hell is going on?" When Jamie still hesitated, she urged, "Jamie?"

"A war is starting, Buffy. A war that the Death Eaters and their leader Lord Voldemort are behind."

A war? Of course, nothing ever comes easy for her. She couldn't just be returned to her family and live happily-ever-after. It never works that way. Why does there always have to be a catch? And by people with stupid names at that. "Death Eaters? Lord Voldlynort? What kind of names are those anyway?"

Jamie cringed. "Voldemort," he corrected her. "And he's the one causing the Auror department and even the rest of the Ministry to spread thin."

"Does the Ministry fear this Voldemort?"

"Everyone fears him."

"Even you?"

Jamie stared at her for a long moment before he said, "Especially me." He ran his hand through his messy hair and turned away from her. When he turned back, he spoke again, "Once I heard about him and his Death Eaters and knew what they were capable of I feared every day that they were the ones who took you. Even now, knowing that they had no part in it, I'm still terrified that our family is going to be targeted next."

"Because of dad's position?"

"That. . . and because we're a prominent Light family. His aims may be to get rid of muggles and muggleborns, even halfbloods, but he's also going after anyone who opposes him." Her silence had Jamie approaching her and lifting her chin when she had let it fall to stare at the floor. "I won't let anything happen to you. Never again."

She smiled. "I'm use to having my life threatened. This may not be my usual kind of fight, but I'll learn. I'll get stronger. And then we can protect each other like always."

"No matter what I say you won't stay out of this, will you?"

"Will you stay out of it?" The silence was answer enough. "Then we fight together."

She lifted her right hand with her pinky extended out, a smile on her face. He looked down at her gesture and smiled himself. He hooked his right pinky with hers. "And we die together."

A pact similar to the one they use to make as kids right before they got themselves in some sort of trouble.

Mr. Wilkins came back into the library, causing Buffy to realize that they talked throughout their entire lunch break. "You two haven't eaten your lunch yet?" He must have saw the full tray on the table. They shook their heads, causing Mr. Wilkins to sigh heavily. "Then hurry up and eat, so we can continue on with today's lesson."

As Buffy went with her brother to sit and eat their lunch she realized something – it didn't really matter what the future held. If war was to come, then she'll do like she's always done. She'll fight and protect the ones she loves with everything she has.

Somewhere in Scotland

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

February 18th, 1976

Lily never considered herself a vindictive person. Yes, she thought about getting even with some people, but mostly she didn't put those thoughts into action. The Marauders did not count though. They deserved everything they got. So if she sat in Potions Class reading the Venenum Fieri with the cover in plain sight of the Slytherins it was out of pure spite. Not only did Severus keep glancing back at her, but most of Slytherin along with Professor Slughorn were also.

Slughorn approached her table she shared with Cassie Clareborn from her year. "My dear, I seem to be unable to contain myself any longer, where on earth did you find that book? I've been looking for a copy for decades."

She stared at the Professor over the top of the book, but she could see out of the corner of her eye that she had the attention of most of the class. "Oh, I received it as a gift from a friend for my birthday."

"A friend? That's some friend you have there, Miss Evans. You by chance wouldn't mind giving me the name of your friend. I would like to know where they might have gotten such a rare find."

Does he actually believe she'll just tell him who gave her the book? He must be really desperate for a copy. "I'm sorry, Professor. I don't think she wants me to broadcast her name. You can understand, can't you Professor?"

"Yes, yes," Slughorn spoke in a rush. "of course. I wouldn't want your friendship to be jeopardized." He turned and took a step to walk away, but stopped and faced her again. "Would you mind if one day I might borrow it?" Really desperate.

She gave her friendliest smile and said, "I'll think about it."

That seemed to satisfy him since he moved back to the front of the class and informed the remaining students working on that day's potion to bottle a sample and place it on his desk.

She gathered all her things and packed them away, even the Venenum Fieri, putting extra protection around her bag just in case. She wouldn't put it past some of the Slytherins to attempt to steal the book in their desire to own it. When the bell rang she was ready to leave. As she past the last table where Sirius and Remus sat, Sirius came up behind her, leaned in close, and whispered, "That was worthy of the Marauders, Lilykins."

Donning an innocent expression, she said, "I have no idea what you're talking about. And don't call me that."

Sirius grinned, clearly not believing her. "James would be so proud." He turned and left, followed by Remus, who gave a nod and smile of acknowledgment, and then Peter.

A smile caused her lips to twitch in its fight to be released and her stomach fluttered. She shouldn't want the Marauders approval, especially James', but the feeling of achievement never left her throughout the whole day.

When she entered her dorm to drop her things off before dinner she saw the Potter's hawk, Adonis sitting on the ledge of the open window. She crossed the room and grabbed the letter from the hawk's leg. It was a letter from Buffy. They had been writing to each other since her birthday. She was pretty sure they were friends now. She smiled at that. Maybe next year won't be as horrible as she thought it would be with Alice graduating. Maybe she actually will have a friend. . .