This is post season 7 for Buffy and post OoTP for Harry Potter.

Chapter Three: Professor Snake?

"I… I don't know," Buffy stuttered. "I was coming with Albus and…"

"You were with Dumbledore? What have you done with him?" Severus demanded, harshly shaking her by the shoulders.

Were it a few days ago, Buffy would have simply pushed him away and muttered a witty retort under her breath; but with the events of the past two days and her surprise at doing what was supposed to be impossible, she could only stare blankly at the slightly taller man.

Severus was in near panic. He'd been heading to his dungeon, intent on seeing just how badly Potter had done on his last potion, when a strange blonde girl had bloody well apparated into Hogwarts. Apparated! Not even Dumbledore himself could do such a thing. Then to hear that she had been with the headmaster severely worried him. Dumbledore was by no account his favorite person, but was one of the only few who trusted him, and having him missing greatly distressed the former death eater.

"Calm Severus, I am right here," Dumbledore's voice floated from the doorway. "Now, if you would please let Miss Summers go, I'd like to show her around."

Severus slowly released the girl, still staring at her intently, as if quite sure that she would somehow bring harm to either he or the headmaster. Buffy had the urge to either take a few steps away from the man who'd practically just attacked her or to give him a withering glare. She supposed that both would be in bad taste and instead looked pointedly at Albus, hoping to trigger the need for an introduction.

At seeing the girl's look, comprehension washed over the wizard and he nearly laughed; having this girl at Hogwarts would be fun. "Ah yes, Buffy Summers meet Professor Severus Snape. Severus this is Buffy, she's had some troubles lately and as a result will be staying with us a while."

Snape turned his gaze on the blonde woman beside him, "Why can't she just stay with family?"

"They're all gone now," she uttered softly. "Albus, can I please go to my room?"

"Yes Buffy, have Dobby there take you," Dumbledore motioned to the house elf that appeared by her side. She nodded sadly and walked off. Albus then turned to look at the man he considered a friend. "Severus please try to be more considerate next time you speak with her. She's been through a lot these last few years." Then he too left in the direction Buffy'd gone.

Snape could only wonder what could have possibly gone wrong in the young woman's life. She hadn't looked sick or hurt at all, but something in Dumbledore's look had implied that maybe the ache was far more hidden, like his own.

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The next day started normal enough for the-boy-who-lived. He woke to hear Ron still snoring and found that Seamus had already headed off. That wasn't anything out of the ordinary in the sixth year room. No, what startled him was the smiling house elf sitting neatly on his chest.

"Dobby, what are you doing in here?" Harry asked, still slightly asleep and not wanting to get up.

"Harry Potter must come and see. Buffy Summers arrived last night. Harry Potter must get up and meet her."

"Buffy Summers? Dobby slow down and explain it again, I don't…" Harry started but the elf had already vanished off to the kitchen again.

Moaning, Harry put his glasses on and set about getting ready. He thought about going to the library, maybe Hermione would be there and he could find out what Dobby had been saying. As he started down the hall, just past the common room, he was nearly slammed against the wall by a blur of blonde.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry. I was just in such a hurry because I don't know where I'm going and I have to find him and you don't really care about this do you? Are you all right? If Willow were here she'd think this was so funny. I asked if you were all right, are you?" the woman before him rambled.

"Fine," Harry muttered. "Who were you looking for?"

"Professor Snake. Do you know where he is?"

"Professor Snake?" Harry was thoroughly confused. The woman had to be the Buffy Summers that Dobby was talking about, but who was she asking about.

"Severus. His name is hard; I made it easier. I'd call him Sevy, but I think he might actually cast something on me if I did. Do you know where he is?"

"He should be getting ready for potions, I think. Why do you need to see him?"

"I need to know why I can apparate into the school and Albus is … oh there he is. Thanks for your help!" As she sped away in the direction of the dungeons, she nearly ran into four other students in the hall.

"What?" Harry blurted. "She apparated where!"