Hey thanks 2 everyone that reviewed. I know I sed that I wld update about once a week, but at the moment I'm having such a good time writing this that I'll be updating more often.

Chapter 6 - Hogwarts

The next morning came and Grimmauld Place was in uproar. It had been decided first thing that morning that Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny would go back to school at the same time and the others to make things easier. People were rushing around the house, trying to get everything packed before they had to leave, which was very shortly.

"Dawn!" Buffy yelled, "Where are my light blue jeans?" Dawn poked her head around the door.

"You mean these ones/" she said innocently, stepping in so Buffy could see what she was wearing, " Oh sorry, I forgot to ask….."

Despite all the worries, the group set off for Kings Cross on time, with Tonks and Moody as protection. Since there were so many of them, Dumbledore had commissioned the Hogwarts Express to take them. They arrived at Hogwarts with five minutes to spare, and passed through the barrier, to the amusement of the Scoobies. After they had said their goodbyes, in particular to Mrs Weasley, who told them tearfully 'not to do anything stupid this year,' they climbed onto the train. There were too many for just one carriage, so Dawn, Harry, Ron and Ginny sat in one adjacent to Lupin, Sirius, Buffy, Willow, Giles and Xander.

"Wow, I've never been on a proper train like this," Dawn said in amazement.

"It's much better now," Ron said, "There's no gits like Malfoy wandering around looking for a fight."

"Who's' Malfoy?" Dawn asked.

"Only our worst enemy," Hermione said with a smile, "he's in Slytherin, and they have always not got on well with our house, Gryffindor."

"How do you decide what house you're in?" Dawn asked, "I mean do you just pick?"

"No, we use the sorting hat," Harry answered, "Hogwarts was built by four wizards, Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw. They all put a bit of themselves into this hat and you put it on and it decides which house you are best suited for. Gryffindors are supposed to be brave and bold, Slytherins cunning and quick, Ravenclaws clever, and Hufflepuffs hard-working."

"Will I be sorted do you think?" Dawn asked. She felt uncomfortable about being divided like that.

"Dunno," Ron said, "Maybe. You're taking some lessons right. How old are you anyway?"

"Sixteen," Dawn said, "Yeah, I'll be taking Potions with the first years to start with, Dumbledore said, to see how I get on. I've done some of that before. But me, Buffy, Xander, Giles and Willow will be taking separate lessons with the Professors in our free time. " The others nodded.

"So what's America like?" Ginny asked.

"Well I'm not the best person to ask," Dawn said, "I mean I'm not exactly the right person to ask. Formerly a key of the Gods, so I've only really lived for a couple of years, though I have all the memories and everything. Oh and living on the hell mouth isn't exactly normal is it? I mean, my first day at high school, I was attacked by zombies."

"You'll fit right in at Hogwarts then," Harry laughed, "Strange stuff happens there all the time. We have a ghost that teaches History of Magic, and a centaur teaching divination. Its not very normal either."

"Got any advice for a Hogwarts newcomer?" Dawn asked apprehensively.

"Avoid Snape," said Ron straight away, "He's the head of Slytherin and he hates everyone who isn't in his house, especially Harry." Harry grinned sheepishly .

"I can give you some advice on what to read," Hermione said, while Harry, Ginny and Ron rolled their eyes, "Hogwarts, a History for a start…." Dawn grinned at Hermione.

"You and Willow are definitely kindred spirits," she said.

The train pulled into Hogsmeade Station hours later, and the group climbed out of the carriages, stretching their tired limbs.

"This place," Willow said, "so much magic, I can feel it on my skin, its in the air. Its incredible."

Three carriages awaited them group, to take them up to Hogwarts.

"What are those things?" Dawn asked Harry curiously, "Those big horse things."

"You can see them?" Harry asked, "Of course, you saw Buffy die. They're Thestrals, you can only see them if you've seen death, seen someone die." It appeared that all the Scoobies could see the Thestrals, having been around death so much. Dawn went up and stroked the nearest one.

"Its kinda cute really, aren't you?" she crooned.

They all got into the carriages, and trundled up to the school. Harry was travelling with Buffy, Xander and Dawn. As they came up the drive, he showed them the view out of the window, of the castle in all its beauty. He didn't forget the look of wonder on Dawns face for a long time. They pulled up outside the castle, and the Scoobies looked up at it in awe. They lugged their trunks to the front door, and Buffy banged on it. A sharp looking witch opened it, her hair tightly pulled back.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said.