I wanted to get this out as soon as I could so here it is. Let me say I am GRATEFUL for the reviews I received. Thanks to all of you.

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The next day was the first day of the holiday vacation. Harry got up looking very tired. Making his way down to the Gryffindor common room, he saw Ron, Hermione, and Oliver sitting in front of the fire.

"Harry you look terrible," said Ron.

"I didn't sleep to well. Where is everyone?"

"Gone! It's the first day of the holiday remember," said Oliver. "It's nearly lunch time. I'm going to wake Buffy up in a bit. She was out real late patrolling last night."

"No need, I'm up."

Buffy came down the steps wrapping her cloak around her to ward off the cold air. She moved toward the couch kissing Oliver before sitting down beside him. A fair amount of snow had fallen.

"You really don't look well, you know." Hermione said taking in Harry's pale, weary face.

"I'm fine."

"Before we go to lunch Harry, I wanted to talk to you about what you heard yesterday. I want you to really listen because I don't want you doing anything stupid."

"Like going after Black yourself," replied Ron.

"I meant what I said yesterday. I don't feel any evil, which is why I think I can't find him. When I find him, if he is truly guilty then I will make sure he gets what's coming to him."

"You won't will you Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Black isn't worth dying for," said Ron.

"And if I find out you did I'll make Malfoy punishment look like child's play." Buffy said making sure he got the point.

"D'you know what I see and hear every time a dementor gets too near me?"

Ron, Oliver, and Hermione shook their heads no. Buffy had an idea since she seemed to be sharing this with Harry.

"I can hear my mum screaming and pleading with Voldemort. And if you'd heard your num screaming like that, just about to be killed, you wouldn't forget it in a hurry. And if you found out someone who was supposed to be a friend of hers betrayed her and sent Voldemort after her…"

"Guys, why don't you head down to lunch? I want to talk to Harry alone."

"Alright hon. We'll see you there."

She waited for them to leave and then put a silencing charm on the room. She motioned for Harry to have a seat by her.

"What I'm about to tell you, you mustn't tell anyone. Oliver knows and so does Giles but no one else. You swear."

"I swear."

"I know somewhat of what you're going through. I was ten when my mom died. She had been murdered right in front of me. We were in the park and there was gunfire. She threw herself on top of me, screaming, but she hadn't gotten down quick enough herself." Buffy paused her breath turning into a sob. She took a minute to get herself under control. "She was dead within seconds. Till this day I still have nightmares about it. I made it through this with the help of Giles and Oliver. You're going to make it through this too. I promise."

"Thank you Buffy for sharing that with me."

"You're welcome Harry. I just want you to know you're not alone. You have plenty of people who care for you. Come on let's go join the others."

After lunch the five of them went to see Hagrid. They crossed the snowy field and Ron knocked on the door but no one answered.

"He's not out is he?" Hermione asked who was beginning to shiver under her cloak.

"No, he's in there, but I think he's crying." Buffy told them as she listened carefully.

"Hagrid!" Harry called out. "Hagrid, are you in there?"

"I know you're in there Hagrid. Don't make me break your door down!"

Buffy called out to him. They soon heard the heavy footsteps of the giant's start moving toward the door. They heard him unlock the door. Upon seeing his face Buffy knew that something was wrong.

"Yeh've heard?"

Hagrid bellowed as he flung himself at Buffy's shoulder. Buffy put her arms around as much of the giant as she could. She was glad for her slayer strength for if she had been anyone else she would have crumbled. Slowly she began maneuvering him back into the hut and onto his bed. As soon as they had taken a seat Hagrid erupted in tears. Buffy did her best to comfort him. A thought popped in to Oliver's head that she would make a great mother someday.

"Hagrid, what is it?"

Oliver finally asked. Harry had taken a seat at the table spotted an official looking letter.

"What is this Hagrid?" Hagrid begins crying twice as hard.

"Read it to us Harry," suggested Buffy.

Dear Mr. Hagrid,

Further to our inquiry into the attack by a hippogriff on a student in your class, we have accepted the assurances of Professor Dumbledore that you bear no responsibility for the regrettable incident. However, we must register our concern about the hippogriff in question. We have decided to uphold the official complaint of a number of parents, and this matter will therefore be taken to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. The hearing will take place on April 20th, and we ask you to present yourself and your hippogriff at the Committees' offices in London on that date. In the meantime, the hippogriff should be kept tethered and isolated.

Yours in fellowship…

A list of governors name finished the letter.

"Oh," said Ron. "But you said Buckbeak isn't a bad hippogriff, Hagrid. I bet he'll get off-"

"Yeh don' know them gargoyles at the Committee fer the Disposal o' Dangerous Creatures." Hagrid was trying to get himself under control. "They've got it in fer interestin creatures!"

A sound from the corner made all eyes turned to the poor creature tied up in the corner. It was apparent that Hagrid had just fed him as munched on something that was oozing blood.

"You'll have to put up a good strong defense, Hagrid," said Hermione.

"He'll have the best defense possible. Me. I'm going with you Hagrid to plead Buckbeak's case. I'm the most interesting creature of all. I'll be able to persuade them, and if not I promise you I'll take Buckbeak someplace safe." Buffy soothingly.

"They'll take yeh to Azkaban, Buffy. I don' want you to ever hafta go there."

"I won't go to Azkaban, Hagrid. Trust me."

"Er-shall I make a cup of tea?" Ron asked. Harry just stared at him. "It's what my mom does whenever someone is upset."

"Giles does too. I think they must think it's some kind of cure all."

They all had a cup of tea before they departed and headed back to the school.

That night Oliver had insisted on going patrolling with Buffy. They were both wearing heavy sweaters and cloaks. As they entered the forest Oliver had his wand in one hand and a cross in the other. He and Buffy hadn't been two minutes into the woods when vampires attacked them. Standing back-to-back Oliver and Buffy began fighting and staking the vampires. They were both holding their own and Oliver was doing some very impressive moves. They were down to a vampire each when they heard someone clapping. Everyone turned and stopped to see Angelus, on an incline, leaning on a tree clapping.

"Everything I thought you would be Slayer."

"Like this one daddy. Can I keep him?"

On the other side of Oliver was Druscilla. She was licking her lips, as she looked Oliver up and down.

"Keep away from him Bitch or the ground is going to have a fresh layer of dust."

Buffy said still keeping an eye on Angel. Oliver raised the wooden cross and Druscilla shrieked back.

"So are we going to do this or are we just going to stand here gaping at each other?"

"In a hurry to die Slayer?"

"I've got better things to do than kick your ass, and they are definitely more fun."

The two vampires that they were fighting earlier didn't even know what hit them. Buffy had plunged the stake in their hearts quickly. Angelus jumped down and began attacking the Slayer. Oliver still held Druscilla at bay with his cross. Buffy had hit him hard in the chest.

"That was for Kendra." Hit him again. "That was for her watcher. This one is for my watcher."

Oliver had made the stupid mistake of making eye contact with Druscilla and she had gotten him into a trance. Just as she was about to sink her teeth into his neck a huge black dog knocked Druscilla down.

"Daddy!"

Both Angelus and Buffy stopped and looked. Angelus was the first to recover from the distraction and grabbed Buffy quickly and throwing her as hard as he could toward the black dog. Buffy hit the dog and they both fell to the ground hard. Angelus moved quickly scooping Druscilla up in his arms.

"We'll meet again Slayer. The next time will be your last."

Angelus said as he hurried away. Buffy shook her head slightly to clear it. She heard the dog groan. Looking up she saw that Oliver had finally shaken off his trance.

"Buffy?" He looked a little confused. "Are you alright? What happened?"

He asked as he helped her to stand up.

"You almost became Druscilla next meal. If wasn't for him," Buffy pointed to the dog behind them, "Druscilla would have had her fangs into you. I'm so glad you're alright."

Buffy hugged him as tight as she could without using her strength. Then she gave him a quick kiss. She turned to thank the dog to find it gone.

"Where did he go?" Buffy said looking around. Oliver just shrugged. "Come lets head back. I need to tell Giles about what happened."

Christmas morning had come and the common room tree was filled with so many presents that it was overflowing. Buffy, Giles, and Xander had wanted this Christmas to be special for Harry. It was the first one he was having with a real family. Ron had been the first one down that day. He excitedly began looking for one with his name on them.

"Uh-huh Ron, no peeking."

Buffy said when she and Oliver entered through the picture. They had just delivered presents to the teachers.

"You know how we do Christmas. Willow will be down in a minute and Giles and Xander will be here soon. Go wake up Harry."

Ron nodded and ran upstairs. Buffy and Oliver both wore matching grins as they soon heard an "oomph" and Ron saying something about presents. All too soon Ron and Harry were down the stairs. The only time Harry had ever seen a Christmas tree this full was usually at the Dursley's and they were all for Dudley. Willow and Hermione had come down just as Giles and Xander were coming in.

"Merry Christmas everyone." Giles said.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" The group responded rather loudly.

"Harry, why don't you play Santa?"

Buffy told him and he nodded eagerly. Harry passed out the presents. Each person had at least five presents in their pile. It had taken them almost an hour for everyone to finish. Buffy had insisted that Giles, Xander, and Willow go ahead and go to breakfast. There were still some things to clean up that the rest of them would take care of. Just as they were about to leave an owl flew in carrying a package for Harry.

"What's that?" Ron asked.

"Dunno…"

Harry quickly began to rip off the paper as one thought ran his mind. He had gotten a package like this his first year.

"I don't believe it."

Before them was the new Firebolt broom. Everyone seemed to stare at it in awe. The handle glittered in his hand. Everything about it seemed perfect.

"Who sent it to you?" Oliver asked her.

"Do you guys see a card anywhere?" Harry asked. Ron began ripping through the paper the broom was wrapped in.

"Nothing! Blimey, who'd spend that much on you?"

"Ron!" Buffy gave him a look that said 'I can't believe you just said that.'

"I didn't mean it like that. I- I mean-"

Ron just seemed to go quiet at the slayer's glare. Harry had seen it but knew that Buffy had been as shocked about the broom as he was.

"Could it have been Giles?" Harry asked her.

"I don't think so he would have mentioned it."

"I bet it was Dumbledore," said Ron. "He sent you the Invisibility Cloak anonymously…"

"That was my dad's though. Dumbledore was just passing it along to me. He wouldn't spend hundreds of Galleons on me."

"Harry's right. Dumbledore can't go giving students stuff like that-" Oliver told Ron.

"That's why he wouldn't say it was from him!" Ron replied. "In case some git like Malfoy said it was favoritism. Malfoy! Wait till he sees you on this!"

Ron started laughing at what he imagined Malfoy would look like. Soon everyone but Hermione was laughing. Before anyone could respond any further Crookshanks appeared. She picked him up and gently hugged him.

"Don't bring him in here!"

Ron said grabbing Scabbers from off the table and putting him in his pocket. Hermione ignored him and sat Crookshanks on the floor in front of the fire.

"Listen, Harry," said Ron. "Can I have a go on it? Can I?"

"I don't think anyone should ride that broom just yet!" Hermione said sharply.

"What d'you think Harry's going to do with it-sweep the floor?" said Ron.

"Chill you two. Ron, I think Hermione is right." Hermione gave Ron a triumphant look at Buffy saying she was right. "Only partly though. Some test need to be run. Until we know who sent it we need to precede with caution. Harry mount your broom and hover for me."

Harry did as Buffy had said and hovered without any incident. He landed when Buffy nodded. She had had her wand out ready to stop the broom should something go wrong.

"GET-HIM-OUT-OF-HERE!"

Ron yelled as Crookshanks pounced on him and clawed at the pocket Scabbers was in. Buffy intervened by grabbing Crookshanks.

"Hermione, please take him back to the dormitory and make sure he doesn't get out." Buffy handed the cat to her. "Ron, let me see Scabbers."

The poor rat was looking skinnier and just plan unhealthier than Buffy had ever seen him. She also noticed that Scabbers hadn't calmed down yet. Buffy was getting a strange feeling from all of this. There had to be a reason Crookshanks seemed to be to going after Scabbers when there were tons of other rats he could go after.

"Come on let's go to breakfast. The others are waiting for us. We'll finish the broom matter later."

At lunchtime Buffy and the gang took a seat at one of the two tables that been set up for the few teachers and students that had remained. Buffy and Oliver were sitting in between Snape and Giles. McGonagall was of course sitting on the other side of Giles. Dumbledore and Flitwick were sitting across from them. Professor Sprout was sitting next to Xander and Willow. Hermione, Harry and Ron sat next to McGonagall followed by the other twelve students.

"Merry Christmas!" Dumbledore said to everyone. "As there are so few of us, it seemed foolish to use the House tables...Crackers!"

He offered a silver platter full of the large noisemakers. Buffy watched as Snape took it reluctantly. When he pulled it a large floppy hat with a stuff vulture on it. Buffy fought hard to keep herself from laughing. She saw that Giles had his hand to mouth trying to cover his chuckles. Buffy taking pity on him swapped it for her simple wizarding hat. He smiled gratefully at her. Once Dumbledore was sure he could speak without chuckling he did.

"Dig in!"

As everyone began to fill their plates with food, they looked to see Professor Trelawney entering the Great Hall. She was wearing a green sequined dress that glittered brightly.

"She looks like an oversize dragonfly." Buffy whispered to Snape who chuckled, as did Oliver.

"Sibyll, this is a pleasant surprise!" Dumbledore said as he stood up.

"I have been crystal gazing, Headmaster," said Trelawney in her most mystical, faraway voice. "I saw myself abandoning my solitary luncheon and coming to join you. Who am I to refuse the promptings of fate? I at once hastened from my tower, and I do beg you to forgive my lateness…."

"Certainly, certainly," said Dumbledore with eyes sparkling. "Let me draw you up a chair-"

"Yeah the mystic powers of her stomach growling told her to come." Buffy rolled her eyes while Oliver held his laughter back.

"I dare not sit down, Headmaster! If I join the table the first one to rise will certainly die."

"We'll risk it, Sibyll," said McGonagall with annoyance. "Do sit down, the turkey's getting stone cold."

She lowered herself into the chair and everyone began filling their plates once again.

"Tripe Sibyll?" Giles asked with a slight look of Ripper on his face. Trelawney ignored him.

"Where is dear Professor Lupin and his nephew?"

"I'm afraid that the poor fellows are ill again," said Dumbledore. "Most unfortunate that it should happen on Christmas day."

"But surely you already knew that, Sibyll?"

McGonagall said with a raised eyebrow. Buffy found it was very hard keeping a straight face. If looks could kill McGonagall would have been dead and bury from the one Trelawney was giving her.

"Certainly I knew, Minerva," she said quietly. "But one does not parade the fact that one is All-Knowing. I frequently act as though I am not possessed of the Inner Eye, so not to make others nervous."

"That explains a great deal," said McGonagall sarcastically.

"If you must know, Minerva, I have seen that poor Professor Lupin will not be with us for very long. He seems aware, himself, that his time is short. He positively fled when I offered to crystal gaze for him-"

"Smart man," said Buffy quietly to Snape. He nodded slightly.

"I doubt," Dumbledore said with a slightly voice, "that Professor Lupin is in any immediate danger. Severus, you've made the potion that they will need?"

"Yes, Headmaster."

"Good. Then they both should be up and about in no time…Oliver have you had any of these chipolatas? They're excellent."

"No, I haven't." He said taking the plate of sausages. "Why thank you Headmaster."

The rest of lunch went on quite well with everyone getting along and eating his or her fair share. Before anyone else could get up Buffy purposely stood. Trelawney shrieked.

"My dear, you were the first to get up from the table. I'm very sorry."

"Don't sweat it. You know me. I make my own destiny. Now if you all will excuse me I need to work a little of this dinner off. I'll be in the training room should death come looking for me."

"Wait up. I'll come with you." Buffy knew Oliver was coming because he liked to watch her in her tight workout suit.