Sorry it's taken so long for this chapter, been kinda caught up in Changes, and then Redemption. Go read them if u haven't, especially Redemption, I'm really proud of it.

Here you go, Foxyloxy, now u can keep reading my fanfics!

Chapter 21 – Confrontations

The night of the dinner party came, and Buffy and Lily were cooking frantically before everyone arrived. The party was also to be a farewell party, as Joyce was going back to America for a short time to sort out her affairs and to visit some old friends. Joyce turned up a little early, and seeing Buffy in a panic, sent her off to get ready, while she continued cooking with Lily.

At seven thirty, Buffy emerged from her and Sirius' room, having bathed, wearing pale pink dress robes. Sirius kissed her gently on the cheek when he saw her, and she followed him into the recreation room, where he and James were playing pool. Sirius had got the hang of the game and was delighted to have James to play against, a person he could easily beat. Buffy watched them peaceably for a while, before heading to the kitchen to help Lily and Joyce.

"How does it all look?" she asked them, walking into the basement kitchen. They had decided on a menu a week previously. Lily was stirring a sauce on the stove, using her wand to move the spoon.  "Sorry," Buffy answered, breaking into a smile. "It's just I've not done this hostess thing, other than my wedding. It's strange and makes me feel like I'm mature. Weird." Lily and Joyce laughed and followed Buffy into the hall to greet the guests.

Giles had arrived, along with Faith, Robin, Willow, Oz, Xander and Cordelia. Buffy kissed cheeks and led them into the formal living room. Everyone settled down and began to chat. After a short time, the Weasleys turned up, followed by Hagrid and Madame Maxime whom Sirius had invited. Buffy and Sirius led their guests into the dining room and they began the meal. Buffy's cooking, aided in a big way by Lily and Joyce was delicious and the group discussed developments in the Wizarding world.
 "The Slayers Academy is a revolution in the Slayer line," Buffy told Arthur Weasley, who was seated next to her. "Since the beginning, the Slayer has been forced into a life of solitude from an early age, forced to defend the world and die young. We want to make sure that no Slayer goes through that again."

 "I think we need to look at some of the more old fashioned practices in the Ministry also," Mr Weasley replied thoughtfully. "So many of the high officials place a great deal of emphasis and importance on Pure Blood. If the Ministry could undergo the same kind of revamp, then perhaps the divisions which divide us would dissolve."

 "The Watchers Council didn't deserve the death they received but the way they treated the Slayer line was atrocious," Buffy declared forcefully. "With our work, no young girl will be forced to fight if she doesn't want to, and no Slayer will be on active duty until eighteen."

 "Let me know if there's anything my department can do to help your cause," Mr Weasley replied. "I find it very interesting."
 "Thank you," Buffy said graciously. "Right now we are working on Watcher recruitment. It's a difficult matter, we have over seventy slayers now, and five watchers living from the purge the First Evil did. Then we have Giles and Wesley who are obviously perfect for it, Dawn who is desperate to act as a Watcher after Hogwarts, Xander and Willow who can take a slayer each, myself and Faith, Robin who being the son of a Slayer is perfect, and perhaps Oz and Cordelia. Some Slayers can go to LA, work with Angel, Gunn and Fred. A few students have expressed interests in continuing their studies from the classes we have provided."

 "I know a few people I can put you in contact with," Mr Weasley offered and Buffy nodded eagerly.

Further down the table, Joyce was in conversation with Xander, Robin and Lily, Hagrid and Madame Maxime were talking to Mrs Weasley, and Cordelia talked with Faith, Willow and Oz. Sirius and James were also deep in conversation about Harry. Buffy poured coffee for all the guests after they had eaten dessert.
 "Dumbledore thinks it will be soon," Sirius said, frowning deeply. "He wants Harry to train with Willow now, learn more about wandless magic."

 "How will that help?" James asked. "I don't see that the magic is similar at all. Willow's is Wiccan and Harry's, well no one knows where that comes from."

 "It's not about the magic and what Harry can do, it's about control," Sirius explained. "Willow knows what its like to kill someone, to lose control with the magic. Harry has a lot more to deal with than just having to kill Voldemort; he has to deal with the implications after that."

 "I have faith in him," James said boldly. "I don't doubt him at all."

 "Neither do I," said Sirius, slightly defensively. "I'm just looking out for him, looking out for his best interests."

 "Well, he's got me and Lily now," James said, also defensively. "I can look out for him now."
 "I don't doubt that," said Sirius, his voice rising a little. "But Harry is important to me too, I've looked out for him for a long time."

 "And we appreciate that, but he's my son," James said quietly.
 "And he's my godson," Sirius answered. "Who has only had me for the last four years. Believe it or not James, I care about him a lot, and I know what's best for him."

 "But you're not his father Sirius," James replied coldly.  Sirius looked taken aback.
 "James," Lily said, from his other side. "Drop it."

 "No Lily," Sirius said angrily, loud enough for the others to look around. "You want me to ignore Harry, is that it? He doesn't even know you James; your son doesn't know you. But he knows me; I've helped him make his choices and taken care of him for four years."

 "He's my son," James replied bitterly. "You may have taken care of him but he's not yours."
 "Well, it's been fun, but we'd better get back," Xander said, clearing his throat in attempt to break the tension. James and Sirius glared at one another. The others said their goodbyes, and then used the fireplace in the kitchen to Floo back to Hogwarts.
 "We'd better go too," Lily said to Buffy. "I'm sorry; I don't know what has got into the two of them." Buffy shook her head, and threw Lily a weak smile. She kissed her on the cheek, and then kissed James on the cheek. With one last backwards glance at Sirius, he followed Lily, through the fireplace back to Hogwarts.
 "Sirius," Buffy began, but he walked out of the room, and headed up the stairs to their room.