Disclaimer: I don't own BTVS or Harry Potter
Author's Note: remember, a little AU...



Chapter 7: Invitations


"George Weasley! Get your redheaded arse back here!"

"'Mione! That's not George, I'm George!"

"Oh shut up! You're all the same!"

"I'm hurt!"

Willow woke with a start to the screaming echoing through the halls. She groggily woke up and stalked over to the door. Sticking her head out, she watched as a flurry of red hair ran past her. Seconds later, a mass of brown marched past. Willow raised her eyebrows as she watched Hermione chase after one of the Weasley twins.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Ron Weasley! Do not curse!" Willow smirked at the youngest Weasley brother as he rolled his eyes at his mother's comment.

"Seriously, what's going on?" Willow shrugged and motioned down the hall.

"I think you better go save your brother from your girlfriend." Ron glared at her at the mention of 'girlfriend' before blushing.

"Oh be quiet Will." He then stepped completely out of his room to walk down the hall. Willow sighed and followed him. They walked down the hall until they stopped in front of the twins' room. Both immediately tried to conceal their laughter once they saw what was waiting them. Fred Weasley sat on the floor in a full body bind. Hermione stood glaring at him with her hands on her hips. Her chest was rising and falling as she took deep breaths to gain control.

"What happened?" Molly Weasley walked in and her eyes widened. She shoved past Ron and Willow and walked over to her son and Hermione.

"Hermione Granger! What have you done? You know full well that you are not allowed to use magic during break!" Hermione's eyes widened before her face turned to a look of horror. She quickly undid the body bind before bringing her hands up to her face.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry Mrs. Weasley! Please don't tell anyone! I'll never do it again! Please don't let me get expelled!" Willow and Molly's eyes softened as the girl's eyes started to water. Ron smiled and walked over. He patted her on the shoulder.


"It's okay 'Mione. You won't be expelled." Hermione sniffed and Molly walked over to her. She grabbed the girl into a hug.

"Of course not child! Don't be silly! You're Hogwarts top student! If anyone should be expelled it would have been one of the twins."

"I'll choose to ignore that mother." Molly glared at Fred who quickly silenced himself.

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley." Hermione wiped her eyes and Molly's eyes twinkled.

"It's alright dear. Now, what was all the fuss about?"

"Well, you see, I was working on my last essay for potions when Fred here, stole my parchment! He stole it and hid it!" Hermione's horror filled face had disappeared and once again her death glare had returned. She marched over to Fred.

"Fred Weasley! If I don't get my parchment back then I'll- I'll- I'll hex you into bloody-!" Molly gasped and Hermione shut up.

"Fred, don't make me punish you dear! Where is Hermione's school work?"

"Oh, honestly mum, can't you tell us apart?" Willow, Ron, Hermione, and Molly turned to see George standing there.

"What are you going on about George?"

"Mum! I'm Fred, that's George." Willow sighed, but laughed at the twin's antics.

"I'm sorry dear! Now, George, you give back Hermione's paper." George laughed and handing the paper, which had been placed under in his shirt pocket. Hermione grabbed it and stalked out of the room.

"Oh, George! You really shouldn't upset Hermione like that." George laughed before standing up.

"We're only joking mum. I really am Fred." With a laugh the two walked out of the room leaving a frustrated Molly and a humorous Willow and Ron.

"If I wasn't their mum-" Molly muttered as she walked out of the room.

"Good lord! I don't think I would see this much excitement in a whole three years back home!" Ron laughed at Willow and nodded.

"Yeah, you haven't lived with a family until you've lived with the Weasleys." With a smile Ron walked out to go find Hermione.

Willow smiled and sighed. Throughout the past week, she had grown to love the Weasleys along with Hermione and Harry. Their crazy antics never seized to make her laugh and their sweet words of comfort could cheer anyone up. Though, with these thoughts, she couldn't stop thinking about her friends and family back home. If she ever did return, would there even be a place for her? Did she even want to return? With these last thoughts, Willow retreated the twins' room and returned to her own to find Hermione sitting on the bed with tears running down her cheeks.

"Hermione? Sweetie, what's wrong?" Willow walked over to the girl and sat down next to her. She put her arms around her back and massaged her shoulders. Hermione tensed and looked up sadly at Willow.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Willow. I'm just being so stupid. I think the whole summer has finally just taken its toll on me. First, I have to deal with Viktor Krum contacting me." Willow nodded. She had learned about Viktor, or "Vicky" from Ron. The whole thing had just been pure jealousy, which Willow had found rather cute. "I haven't talked to him in almost a year and he wanted me to come visit him. Well, stupid ole' gullible me went and it turns out that he didn't even want to be my friend! He just wanted to snog the whole time." Willow frowned at the word snog. 'What is that?' She shrugged and listened on. "So, I came back to find out that I might not even be a prefect next year because of my traipsing around with Ron and Harry. Of course, I won't tell them that. They have enough to think about let alone a guild trip from me. Then, I was worrying about my work load over the year and I guess, this last stunt from the twins, just did it for me." Willow smiled sympathetically at the girl and took her into her arms.

"Hermione, it'll be okay. I promise. I was exactly like you. I used to get so stressed out because of the size of the workload I put upon myself in school. Then, I would go out and help Buffy slay and it all was a lot to do." Hermione raised her eyebrows at the word 'slay', but decided against questioning Willow about it. "You just have to stop putting so much pressure on yourself. Loosen up a little. School isn't everything. Be with your friends and do the most of it." Hermione smiled and wiped a tear away. She reached over and hugged Willow.

"Thanks Wills. Though, I hardly think I'll pull through with the 'lay off of school work' advice." The girls laughed and shortly after, Hermione left.

Lying back, Willow smiled and soon she was asleep.

****

Harry sat in the living room of the Burrow reading the Daily Prophet, catching up on what was happening in the Quidditch world.

"Lo' Harry." Harry looked up and smiled at his best friend who had walked in with a piece of toast in his mouth.

"Hey Mate." Ron walked over and sat down. He pulled out his chessboard and started to play against himself. Seconds later, Hermione entered and she rolled her eyes.

"You know you can't play that barbaric game against yourself." Ron narrowed his eyes and his face grew white.

Harry, sensing an argument, he threw his paper down and moved to sit opposite Ron. "Let's play." Ron's anger deflated and he started a game with Harry. Hermione sighed and walked over to Harry's vacated seat. However, before she could sit down, a knock sounded at the door. She raised her eyebrows at Ron and Harry before standing up to answer the door.

She opened the door and her eyes widened. Her cheeks blushed red as she stared at the stranger. He stood about 6'2. He had grayish hair and a pair of glasses on. The man wore a nice pair of black trousers and a dark brown leather jacket. He had black boots on which made him look even more handsome. Hermione's blushed deepened.

"Hello. May I help you?" The man smiled and her knees felt weak.

"Hello, Miss Weasley?" Hermione giggled and shook her head.

"No. No. I'm Hermione Granger." She held out her hand and he took it gently.

"Oh! Of course! Hermione Granger! I should have known! You are definitely not a red head. I've heard a lot about you from your headmaster." If her cheeks could have turned redder, they would have at that moment.

"You know Professor Dumbledore? May I ask your name?"

"Oh! I'm sorry Miss Granger. I'm Rupert Giles." She smiled and ushered him inside.

"May I ask who you are here to see? Miss Weasley perhaps?" He shook his head and looked around at the homey house with a smile.

"Actually, I would love to see Molly, but I'm here to talk to Willow." Hermione's eyebrow furrowed in confusion.

"You know Willow?" Giles nodded and smiled.

"Yes, I'm a actually rather good friend with her. Is she here?" Hermione nodded and ushered him into the living room. Ron and Harry looked up in surprise at the new stranger. Ron really didn't like the way Hermione was blushing or the way she kept on stealing glances at the strange man. Ron's anger boiled and he shook his head trying to hide his red face.

"Mr. Giles, these are my best friends Harry Potter and Ron Weasley." Giles walked over to the two boys. He took Harry's hand and then Ron's.

"It's nice to meet you two. I've heard a lot about you all. It's very nice to meet you." The boys nodded.

"Yeah, its nice to meet you too, sir." "Yeah, same here." Giles laughed.

"Please call me Giles." They nodded and Ron coughed before talking.

"I'm sorry to be rude, but why exactly are you here?" Hermione glared at Ron and he glared back.

"Oh, I'm just here to talk to your guest, Miss Rosenberg." The boy's eyes widened and they turned to look at each other. Willow had never really mentioned her friends, family, or anything having to do with the years before she had come to stay at the Burrow.

"Well, come on Mr. Giles. I'll take you to Willow's room." Hermione grabbed Giles arm and ushered him up the stairs. Ron glared at Giles' arm as Hermione clutched onto it. She giggled at something he had said, which only caused him to glare even more.

"Yeah mate, you say you don't like her." Harry laughed. Ron rolled his eyes and grabbed Harry's arm.

"Come on mate." He and Harry ran up the stairs after Hermione and Giles.

*****

Hermione opened the door and she, Giles, Ron, and Harry entered the room. Giles turned to look at the three teenagers and he smiled at them. Hermione blushed, Harry gave him an unsure gaze, and Ron glared. Sensing that the boys didn't completely trust him, he decided against asking them to leave.

Walking further into the room, he smiled at Willow's sleeping form. He walked over and patted her shoulder. She flew up and rubbed her eyes. "I'm up!" Giles laughed. Her eyes widened and in a second, she had attacked him with a hug.

"Giles! What are you doing here? Oh gosh! It is so good to see you! Wait, what are you doing here? Did something happen? I haven't done anything. Oh god. It was Buffy, or Dawn, or Xander! Was it Xander? Giles! What-" Her last statement became muffled as Giles' hand flew to her mouth. After a second, he let his hand down and she gave a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, old habits die hard." He laughed and gathered her into a hug.

Hermione looked over at Ron and Harry and they burst out laughing. Willow looked up and she smiled. "What?"

"Well, it's just that we've never thought you would be one to babble." Ron and Harry laughed while Hermione giggled. Willow rolled her eyes and threw a pillow at the boys' heads.

"Oh shut up you two. Now, get out of here will you?" Harry and Hermione walked out, but Ron hung back.

"What's up Ron?" Willow raised an eyebrow at the boy and he sighed.

"You'll be okay alone, Will?" Willow smiled and hugged him. This boy reminded her so much of Xander. She looked over at Giles and she could tell that he was thinking the same thing. He had a soft, yet sad smile on his face. Turning back to Ron, she patted his arm.

"I'll be okay Ron. If he tries something, I'll scream." Ron laughed at her teasing and nodded.

"Okay. Okay." With one last warning glare at Giles, he turned and left. Giles laughed and patted the seat next to him. Willow walked over and sat down.

"You sure have gotten some new friends, huh?" She nodded and sighed.

"Yes, I do."

"I've missed you sweet child."

"Me too."

They sat on the bed for what seemed like hours just talking about the things that had happened over the past week at the Burrow. Giles found the Weasleys to be the most amusing family he had barely even met.

"Giles, why are you here?" Willow looked up at him with curious, almost fearful eyes.

"Well, as you know, the kids will be off to Hogwarts next week." She nodded sadly.

"Yes, it's dreadful! I'll be stuck here all by myself with Molly and Arthur. Don't get me wrong, I love them, but it will be awfully lonely." Giles smiled. He had hoped she would feel this way. Now, she would be a little easier to convince.

"Well, I have been talking to the headmaster and we have accessed your situation. Well, he said that you could come teach at Hogwarts." Willow's eyes widened in horror.

"What? Are you serious? Are you kidding me? I can't! I can't be around all of that magic...let alone teach it! So much could go wrong! What about the kids? I can't put them in danger. I would kill myself if I ever let that happen. So much could go wrong." She shook her head and Giles put his hand under her chin. He brought her head up so that she was looking straight into his eyes.

"Willow, over this past summer, you have shown so much strength that I never thought I would see from anyone. Anyone, Willow. I know you're scared. You became powerless. You almost destroyed the world. You can't run away, though. The power isn't something you can give and take. It's within you. You, Willow Rosenberg, are one of the strongest witches in the world. You are strong. You can do it."

"Giles, I- I can't." A tear fell down her cheek and she stood up and walked over to the window. Still sitting on the bed, Giles turned to look at her with a sad smile on his face.

"Willow, you have the biggest heart. It pains me so much to see you in so much pain. You are truly my daughter. I can't stand seeing you hurt. You will make it out of this. Trust me. You are strong; your heart won't let you give up. It won't." Willow turned to him with a look of anguish.

"I can't do it alone." She whispered. Giles stood up and pulled her into a hug. Her kissed her forehead and rested his head on top of hers.

"You won't. I promise. I'll be there. Your friends, family, and the professors at the school will all be there." She nodded and he smiled. She looked up at him with uncertainty in her eyes.

"A teacher, though? I don't know anything about the Wizarding world." He smiled and nodded.

"I know. Which is why you won't be teaching anything involving that. A job opening just opened up for Muggles Studies." Willow's face lit up.


"Giles! Perfect! I'll get to teach about muggles and I'll learn about the Wizarding world in the process!" At Willow's excited gaze, Giles sighed in relief.

"Oh, this is so exciting! I'm going to be teaching! Wait till I tell Ron, Hermi-- oh no. What will they think of me? They'll hate me when they find out! I can't tell them. They'll be scared of me." Giles shook his head.

"Willow, please don't say that. Those kids, I've heard, love you."

"How do you know?" She questioned cautiously.

"I've been checking up on you with the headmaster. He and Molly are quite good friends."

"Oh." Giles smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Oh, Giles. There's so much I have to do! I haven't even been to Hogwarts yet and I will be a teacher there in a week! I have to get things together! Giles, you're not leaving are you?" He laughed at her panicked look and shook his head.

"No, Willow. Actually, I will be there to help out. I'll be staying there, but I will be doing errands for Dumbledore a lot of the time. However, I will always be in direct contact. As will the rest of the professors who, I think you will love. Well, most of them anyway." Willow smiled and hugged him once more.

"Thanks Giles. For all of this. I know it's sappy, but I really do appreciate it." He smiled and nodded.

"I know Willow. I know."

*****

In the Weasley's living room, a fight had occurred between Ron and Hermione. Ron had come back in and spotted Hermione with a bright smile on his face; Ron had insulted Giles, which resulted in Hermione blowing up. Now, they sat on opposite ends of the couch with Harry in the middle.

Harry sighed and rolled his eyes at his best friends. 'Where the hell is Ginny? This is bloody annoying.'

"Where are they? This is taking forever!" Hermione let out a frustrated sigh and flipped open her book.

"Are you jealous of Willow? She gets to spend more time with the old man than you." Ron glared at Hermione and she slammed the book closed.

"Shut up Ron! You are such an arse!" Ron glared at her and sat back.

"He's probably killed her." Ron muttered. Hermione gave a frustrated growl and jumped up.

"Ron! Just- shut up." She stalked out of the living room and walked up stairs. About seconds later, they heard a door slam.

"You know, you're a prick right?" Ron sighed and nodded at his friend. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

"Yeah, I know. Damn."

"Hey guys!" Harry and Ron jumped up to see Willow standing there with Giles standing behind her. She had the brightest smile on her face.

"Hey Wills. What's going on?" Harry walked over to his newfound friend.

"I'm going to be your new Muggles Studies professor!" She cried. Ron and Harry looked at each other and smiled. They ran to her and hugged her.

"That's bloody cool Will! Wait till 'Moine hears about this!" Ron cried excitedly.

Hermione, who had heard the commotion, ran down the stairs. Ron, who immediately knew of Hermione's entrance looked up to see her wipe away a lone tear. 'God, I'm such a bastard.'

"Hermione! Willow is our new Muggles Studies professor." At Harry's statement, Hermione squealed and ran to hug Willow.

"That's great Willow! Wow. You'll be a professor! This is amazing. I'm so glad this course has been made mandatory. Wow." They all laughed at Hermione's excitement.

"What?"

*****

"Spike, you in there?" Buffy pounded on his bedroom door. She clutched the letter in her right hand. Dawn stood behind her.

The door opened and Spike stood there. He raised his eyebrow and she thrust the letter at him.

"Here. What is this? Explain this." Spike opened the letter and skimmed over it. With a smirk he crossed his arms.

"Well, I'm so glad privacy is a plus in this house." Buffy raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, also.

"Not when I'm letting you live in this house, it's not." She smiled at him cheekily. He rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Oh bloody hell, fine. There is a Wizarding world, I used to go to school at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, I left, got bit, became a vampire, end of story. Now, I'm being invited to be a professor there."

"Wait. What?" Dawn who had been listening just looked dumbfounded.

"I think we have a lot to talk about." Spike nodded.

"Yeah, I guess so."

*****

Okay, was that long? It doesn't seem longer. I know some of this was pointless, but it was very fun to write. All you other authors know what I'm talking about.

Thanks to my wonderful beta, Laura! You're awesome!

Thanks to my wonderful reviewers:

SpitefulHope
cat
Angel of the Dance
smile7499
Angus Hardie
Spuffy the Witch
X-lander
Witchy-grrl
Sammy

You all are awesome! Thanks for the wonderful reviews. I really appreciate them.