Sorry bout the lack of dialogue when they explain to each other their stories, but I really couldn't b bothered to repeat all the stuff that everyone knows.
Chapter 2 - Tortfleas?
Morning broke over Privet Drive and Harry was up, preparing for his departure. He had not been able to sleep properly after the departure of Buffy and Giles, too many things were whirling around in his head. He had packed up his trunk, not very neatly, and Hedwig was in her cage hooting softly. Harry was standing in the middle of his room, scratching his head as he tried to recall whether he had everything. The noise of a lot of people disturbed him and he looked out of his window. He saw a taxi pull up and people pile out of it. He recognized Buffy and Giles, and so he ran downstairs to greet them.
Introductions were made by Buffy, but Harry was sure he wouldn't remember all the names, "This is Dawn, my sister and Willow and Xander, my best friends."
"Hi" Harry said awkwardly, "The Weasleys should be here soon, and then we can get going."
As he spoke a loud crack made the group jump, and the ginger haired family appeared.
"Harry, we missed you," Mrs. Weasley cried, grabbing him into a hug. He was greeted in turn by the entire Weasley clan who had shown up to collect him, with the exception of Percy.
"This is Buffy, she's a vampire slayer who I met last night," Harry ventured, "and these are her friends, whose names I can't remember…" The group laughed companionably, and the atmosphere instantly became more comfortable. The Weasleys introduced themselves to the Sunnydale group, Fred and George mixing up their names as usual.
"Well," said Mr. Weasley, clapping his hands together, "We'll be off then shall we?"
"How are we traveling exactly?" asked Willow, with a puzzled expression on her face.
"Dumbledore has prepared us three port keys, which should send us right outside our destination," MR. Weasley replied. Mrs. Weasley fished out three Wellington boots from the large carpet bag she carried, in varying colours and sizes.
"Tortfleas?" said Xander wrinkling his nose and causing his eye patch to scrunch up, "I'm having a Buffy moment."
"Hey" Buffy exclaimed, slapping him on the arm.
"Portkeys allow us to travel to a specified place by just touching them," Mr. Weasley explained. "So everyone make sure your touching part of one of the Wellingtons, we only have about 30 seconds to go."
The group jostled around until everyone was touching a portkey.
"Three…two…one." Harry felt the familiar tug behind his navel, and he was once again jerked into the air, banging against the people around him.
They landed, hard onto the ground in front of 12 Grimmauld Place. A man resplendent in red velvet stood waiting for them outside, stroking his long white beard thoughtfully.
"Greetings" he exclaimed when he saw them arrive, "welcome to our overseas friends."
"Albus, it's nice to see you again," Giles said stepping forward extending his hang, but I don't understand, why are we here?"
Listen very carefully to what I am about to tell you" Dumbledore said, and the group gathered around him, "The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix is at 12, Grimmauld Place." The group stared up at the houses and Harry knew that they were seeing what he saw, number 12 appearing in between number 10 and 14.
"Nifty" exclaimed Willow, as the group trooped up the stairs.
"Harry!" a brown haired girl ran towards him and grabbed him around the neck. "I wanted to come and see you but I've only just arrived myself."
"Hi Hermione," Harry said, "Can you try not to choke me too much?" She loosened her grip and grinned at Harry. Harry looked around the hallway of the large house and saw other friends, Tonks, Moody, Lupin, Mundungus Fletcher and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Introductions were made, and finally the group made its way into the living room. What followed were explanations, firstly from Dumbledore, who explained the world of wizards, Hogwarts and the story of Voldemort, including Harry. The group seemed taken aback by the explanation, but not as much as Harry had expected. Then followed Buffy's story of how she had been chosen as slayer, they story of the Master, Angel, the Mayor, Adam, Glory, and the First. Even Moody was shocked at how little they had known of this other world. The similarities lay between them, the existence of vampires and certain demons.
"It is a pity" Dumbledore said, "that we did not meet sooner. We could have helped each other in many ways."
Harry agreed with this, and he already had an idea blossoming in his head.
"Willow?" he asked cautiously.
"Yes?" she replied.
"You brought Buffy back from the dead, didn't you? See I lost my Godfather, and maybe you could help…."
Harry felt the most hopeful he had in a month, at the idea that his Godfather might return.
"No," Buffy said, "She won't do it." Willow looked at her quickly, with what Harry registered as disbelief.
"When I died I went to heaven, and being brought back from that was the worst thing that I have ever been through," Buffy said, "I can't allow that to happen." Harry felt his hope die, but as he glanced at Willow, he wasn't sure that she agreed with Buffy and made up his mind to talk to her alone later.
Tension filled the room until Dumbledore broke in,
"I would be most obliged if you would stay here tonight, we have the space, so we can talk further. It appears that your problems are somewhat lessened at the moment, so maybe you can assist us."
"We would be glad to," said Buffy. She like the rest of the group was intensely curious about this world.
"Come on," said Ron, "we'll show you to your rooms." The Group left leaving Harry alone with Dumbledore, Lupin, Moody, Tonks and Kingsley.
"Harry, we have much to discuss," said Dumbledore, "firstly the matter of this house. It has been left to you by Sirius."
Harry nodded, "I want it to be used as the headquarters still. It would be useless as anything else."
"I thought you might say that, and you have our gratitude. He, by the way has been pardoned by Fudge and the ministry, who have finally accepted his innocence. I know that it is not much consolation however. "
Harry nodded sadly.
"Now, I am attempting not to make the same mistakes as last year, and therefore I want to keep you well informed. Voldemort has been keeping a low profile since the incident at the Ministry, since finally they have accepted his return. Fudge is doing all he can to try and find out where he is, but so far he has been unsuccessful. We do not know what he is planning, but we know that he has been in contact with a few; in fact a death eater was sighted in Sunnydale, where Miss Summers and her friends came from. We think he may have been trying to contact the First, but was unsuccessful after the work of the slayers. However we do know that he is gathering an army, of vampires, demons, dementors and giants, to take on the ministry. We do not know what his next move will be, but it is vital that we can make these bonds with the Sunnydale group - what were did the call themselves - the scoobies, so that we have their assistance. I feel they will be imperative to our battle."
"I like them," Harry said truthfully, "I think they will help without even being asked."
Dumbledore smiled, his moustache lifting at the ends, "I feel the same way, and after magic that Miss Rosenberg did, we will have an army of slayers at our use."
"You know of your prophecy now," Dumbledore continued, "And I feel the time is coming near. We need you to be as prepared as possible, so on top of your classes you will be having extra dueling classes."
"Who will be teaching me?" Harry asked quickly, hoping the Professor wouldn't say Snape.
"I will, laddie, so you'd best work hard," growled Moody from behind Dumbledore, "Looks like I'll be back, taking that teaching post. I should be able to teach this time."
Harry grinned at Moody, glad to have such a professional helping him to prepare for what would inevitably be his destiny.
"You will also be continuing with your Occlumency lessons, but this time I will be teaching you," Dumbledore said, smiling slightly. "When you have become accomplished enough, we will be attempting leglimency, in the hope that we may be able to find out what Voldemort is doing."
Harry nodded, "I've been practicing clearing my mind before I sleep to prevent any more dreams about Voldemort."
"Good, we should not be long before you are sufficient," Dumbledore said, "Now, you must go and get settled in, and perhaps spend some time with our new guests. Tell Mr. Harris to come and see me and I will see what can be done about his eye."
Harry bounded upstairs and found everyone settling in. Buffy, Willow and Dawn were sharing a room, as were Giles and Xander. Ron and Harry's room was on the same floor, and then up a level were the rooms of the twins, Bill and Charlie, and Ginny and Hermione. Harry knocked on the door of Xander's room and was called in. He conveyed Dumbledore's message and so Xander headed downstairs. Harry remained and began to discuss magical life with Giles.
"So Willow's a witch without a wand? I've never heard of anyone with that power" Harry admitted.
"Willow's a Wicca, which is a different kind of craft. Wicca's don't use wands, but their power is not greater than anyone with a wand, just different," Giles explained. "It involves channeling nature."
Harry nodded, though he was not sure he fully understood. Downstairs there sounded a loud whoop, and someone came thundering up the stairs.
Xander burst into the room, now with two good eyes,
"I can see, I have two eyes! No more eye of the beholder or eye socket party jokes!" Xander jumped around like a small child, and Buffy, Dawn and Willow appeared at the door.
"Xander, you have two eyes," Dawn exclaimed. "Wow is one of them glass?"
"Nope," he replied proudly, "the real McCoy!"
They all jumped on Xander in a giant hug. Harry watched them amusedly, thinking that this had to be the craziest family ever.
"Come on Harry, join the group hug" Buffy called, and she pulled him in. He laughed out loud at the madness, until finally the group settled.
They sat around Giles' and Xander's room and began to talk.
"So what's it like being a slayer Buffy?" Harry asked.
"Kinda cool," she replied, "It has its moments, but the super strength is fun. Most people think I'm weak, because I'm so tiny, but I like to surprise them." She grinned and flicked her hair back.
"Try being her sister though," Dawn added, "She used to pinch me all the time when we were young. I still have the bruises." She grinned at Harry and Harry thought how pretty she was.
A knock sounded at the door, and Hermione and Ron poked their heads around the door.
"Can we come in?" Hermione asked shyly.
"Sure!" Buffy jumped up and ushered them in, "The more the merrier!" At this Hermione and Ron entered, followed by the twins, Bill, Charlie and Ginny. The group just fitted into the room and they all began to talk amongst themselves. Willow and Hermione talked, discussing witchcraft and the differences between their types. Their similarities meant they got on well. The twins and Ginny were talking with Xander, discussing their new joke shop, and Xander was delighted when they offered to show him some of their newest products. They showed him the newest Skiving Snack box, called measles mints, guaranteed to give you measles until you ate the antidote end of the sweet. Harry, Ron, Charlie and Bill were talking with Buffy, Dawn and Giles, marveling at the tales they were told or demons and the like, and in turn surprising them with tales of Hogwarts.
"We have absolutely got to visit" Dawn declared, and the others fervently agreed. Harry was amused to see the love struck look on Ron's face, when he looked at Buffy. Harry thought it resembled the look he'd displayed in the presence of Fleur, two years ago. However, when Dawn smiled at Harry, he felt his mouth dry out as he attempted to smile back without looking like a complete loser.
The group continued their tales until a bell rang signalling dinner, and the group jumped up to go and devour whatever Mrs. Weasley had prepared. Harry found himself at the back of the group, next to Willow.
She glanced around then whispered in his ear, "I can help you," before darting downstairs.