The Scoobies were all assembled in the entrance hall of the New Council of Watchers, waiting for their guests to arrive

The Scoobies were all assembled in the entrance hall of the New Council of Watchers, waiting for their guests to arrive. Dawn and Faith were seated on the first few steps of the sweeping stairs, Xander leaning on the banister opposite them, the two girls laughing at his jokes. Willow and Buffy were over by the desk, Willow sitting cross-legged on the top, Buffy swinging her legs from her perch on the side. Giles and Andrew stood at the opposite side of the hall, discussing the latest shipment of books to be added to the already extensive library.

A faint 'popping' sound caused all seven to look up, swiftly finding the newcomers, all huddled round. As they turned, the Scoobies gathered together, Giles saying:

"Welcome to the New Council of Watchers. My name is Rupert Giles, although the children – " he glanced around at the six others fondly " – tend to just call me Giles. This is Willow Rosenburg, Xander Harris, Andrew Wells and Faith Lehane. Of course, you all know Buffy and Dawn."

"A pleasure to see you again, Rupert," Dumbledore began, "May I present…."

The long process of introductions complete, the Scoobies had begun their tour. Buffy and Faith had immediately led the group down to the lower levels of the building, around the number of training rooms they had set up, before Giles took over to show the 'official' areas, meeting rooms and such. Hermione had to be practically dragged out of the library Andrew showed, Ron had a similar reaction to Xander's tactical base. Willow spent her time explaining Wiccan magicks to the group, all fascinated by the existence of a different form. Finally, it was Dawn's turn.

"Last, but not least, Dawn's section," Willow finished, turning to the girl.

"Wait, your section?" Remus repeated, looking quizzically at the seventeen year old Potter.

"Hey, I was surprised too," she replied, before Faith responded:

"She proved she knew what she was doing, so, yeah. D's one of us."

"Anyway," Dawn cut in, realising more than a few people had very strong opinions on the matter, "I deal with something we call Combined Force. My job is to mix magic of both kinds with the more hands-on stuff, so anyone gifted with either magic can work with all they know."

"Dawn also serves as our ambassador to the Ministry of Magic," Giles added, looking over to Buffy as he finished, "because of - prejudice, was it? – the Ministry wouldn't accept myself or Willow, the usual ambassadors, we settled on Dawn as our link to the magical world."

"Why not Buffy?" Sirius asked, frowning.

"'Cause I'm way to impulsive and violent," Buffy replied happily, before adding, "and as I said to Dawn, she knows the business, the facts, and doesn't have as much chance of being injured or exhausted post-Slaying. We don't let Dawnie patrol alone – much. Not on the most dangerous routes, anyway."

"Somehow, that isn't as reassuring as it could be, princess. I would have hoped you didn't let Dawn patrol at all," Remus replied wryly.

"Hey, D's a Scooby. One of us. That means the good and bad. So she has to research too, which is the bad." Faith returned.

"Well, the research-party doughnuts help even the score a little," Xander put in, grinning slightly.

"Traditions should always be respected," Dawn quipped, before continuing, "so, yes, I patrol. But I'm totally careful!"

"Oh yeah? So no more Dawn's-in-trouble-it-must-be-Tuesday?" Willow grinned, poking Dawn in the ribs.

"Hey, most of that was completely coincidental and not my fault. And I've matured since then."

"You've matured since last week?" Buffy asked, raising one golden eyebrow.

"Yeah, 'cause I planned that one, Buffy. I just knew that Tube station was going to be attacked, and made sure I'd be there. Really." Dawn drawled sarcastically.

"Touché."

"Anyway," Giles said, mock-glaring at the bickering siblings, "for the same reasons Buffy gave, we have selected Dawn as the Council's liaison with the Order of the Pheonix."

Five, four, three… all seven Scoobies mentally grinned in response to Willow's projected countdown to the expected outrage. Two, one… here it comes…

"What?"

"You can't be serious!"

"She's seventeen!"

" - a child as a member!"

" - still in school!"

" - If she's joining, so are we!"

"This is ridiculous!"

" - barely of age - "

" – too dangerous – "

The loud protests continued, the speakers repeating themselves until they felt their points had been made. A small group stood off to one side, not speaking, merely smiling blandly towards the ranting group. This group contained all of the Scooby gang (of course), Professor Dumbledore, Remus, Sirius, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. (The twins were busy protesting that they wanted to join too.)

As the noise level dropped, this group started their, rather more civilised, discussion.

"Well, I can't say we didn't expect that," Giles said ruefully, gesturing towards the source of noise.

"A controversial appointment, to say the least. Yet, I believe one well made," Dumbledore replied, gazing through his half-moon glasses at the young girl.

"Professor, she's seventeen, the Order – " Sirius began, before being cut off.

"Siri, at Dawn's age we were in the Order as soon as we left Hogwarts, and had less idea of the danger we would be in," Buffy cut across softly.

"Dawn survived life on a Hellmouth, and for all our jokes, she knows what she's doing." Willow put in.

"Just take a look at her training history. Three Slayers, Buffy, Kendra and Faith have all taught her to fight, as well as Angel and Spike, both Master Vampires. Add on the lore from Giles and, well, Spike, Wiccan magicks from Tara and Willow, the magic she learnt as a kid, and the wand magic as soon as she gets a wand – tomorrow, you're going right?" Xander finished, glancing to the brunette Potter, remembering a conversation of the past, not special, extraordinary.

The four younger teenagers looked at Dawn in shock, her training instructors had never been spelt out before.

"As leader of the Order of the Pheonix, I accept your choice," Dumbledore said formally, before smiling at the other group, now in shocked silence, eyes twinkling mischievously, adding, "She will be inducted before our next meeting."