Chapter 3

Buffy landed hard on her feet and caught a chair in front of her to stop her from falling over, dropping her duffel bag and spilling her new packages all over the floor. She picked them up and brushed off her clothes and looked up to see a tall black haired woman with a stern face standing before her. She smiled at her, and the woman smiled back slightly.

"I am Professor McGonagall, I teach Transfiguration here at Hogwarts," she informed Buffy. "I am also head of Gryffindor house, Harry Potter's house."

"I'm Buffy Summers," Buffy said, extending a hand. Professor McGonagall shook it.
 Behind her, Dumbledore came through the Hogwarts fireplace. He too brushed himself down, and then gestured for Buffy and Professor McGonagall to sit down in front of his desk, which he himself sat behind. Buffy looked around the circular room that was apparently Dumbledore's Office. It was night and the large windows took in spectacular lunar sight. The room itself was filled with a variety of gadgets which Buffy was itching to examine. Her eyes also fell on a grand sword that was inlaid with rubies.

"Welcome to Hogwarts Buffy," Dumbledore said. "I am hopeful that you will be happy here. I see you have already met Professor McGonagall. She and the other staff have been informed of your true identity, it was imperative if you are to attend classes with Harry Potter." Dumbledore stood up.

"I am sure that you are anxious to get to bed and get settled in but I would like for you to be sorted first." Dumbledore said, picking up a battered black hat from behind him. Buffy looked at him quizzically as he placed it on her head. A small voice sounded in her ear, making her jump.

"A slayer eh?" it said. "Well that's interesting. There's bravery, boundless bravery, and strength my goodness yes. Where to put you? Slytherin would be good, the power is rooted in darkness and you are cunning indeed. But the bravery and goodness outshines everything, I think GRYFFINDOR!" Professor McGonagall smiled at Buffy, and Dumbledore visibly relaxed. He removed the hat from her head.

"I had hoped it would be so, it would've been difficult if you weren't in the same house as Harry," Dumbledore said. "You best get to bed, you've had a very long day. Professor McGonagall will take you, and I will see you tomorrow." Buffy smiled at him, slightly shaky at leaving the only person she knew at the school.

She followed Professor McGonagall out of the office, and down the moving staircase. Buffy was led down countless stone hallways, making her realise just how big the castle actually was. She couldn't wait to properly explore it. Finally the two reached a portrait of a lady in a pink silk dress. She eyed them casually. Buffy just stared, thinking her eyes deceived her as she thought the painting had moved.
"The password is 'kneazle'" Professor McGonagall said, and at that the portrait swung open. "Through the hole you will find the common room, and the staircase to the left leads to the girl's dormitories. On the top floor you will find your dormitory, where there will be a spare bed for you. One of Harry's two best friends, Hermione Granger knows who you are. She will help you with anything you need; she is a very sensible girl. At breakfast tomorrow you will be told what to do." Buffy nodded, feeling even more nervous. Professor McGonagall smiled at her again, and then left. Buffy climbed through the hole pulling her duffle bag behind her and juggling with all her packages. She landed in a circular room, filled with mismatched armchairs and sofas, and a large roaring fireplace. The room also held a few people. As Buffy entered the common room, conversations halted as they all turned to look at the stranger. Buffy smiled awkwardly, her face burning, and then quickly sped up the left staircase, and up the stairs away from the prying eyes. She climbed all the way to the top and then pushed open the door. A lone girl was in the room, sitting on her bed reading. She looked up when Buffy entered.
"Buffy right?" she said, friendly. Buffy nodded and then smiled at her gratefully when she came forward to help with her bags.
"I'm Hermione, Hermione Granger. Harry's my best friend, so they thought it would be a good idea to tell me about you." She said quickly. "The Slayer, it's fascinating really." Buffy put her duffle bag on the only unused bed and looked around at the room.
 "This place is incredible," she exclaimed, "There's nothing like this in America."

"We're lucky to be right at the top," Hermione informed her. "There are three of us in here already, four now you've come. The other two girls are nice, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. Of course they think you are just an exchange student."
Buffy began to unpack the few muggle clothes she had, and her new Hogwarts robes and possessions.

"Are you in all Harry's lessons?" Buffy asked.
 "No but I think Ron is, our other best friend." Hermione said. "We did our OWLs last year and now we are studying for our NEWTs so the amount of subjects we do is reduced to five at most." Buffy nodded.

"What's Harry like?" she asked curiously. "I mean I've heard about what he's done from Dumbledore, the 'Boy-who-lived' thing and how important he is and all, but what's he like?"

"He's really great." Hermione said honestly. "He's a bit unhappy at the moment, his Godfather was just killed, and he was the closest thing he had to a father. But he's a lot of fun, and a good friend." Buffy swallowed hard, she could relate to Harry's issues.

"I'm going to be honest with you," Hermione said carefully. "Harry isn't too thrilled that you are here. It's got nothing to do with you personally, but he is angry about being given a 'babysitter' as he calls it. Harry has a tendency to take his anger out on the people closest to him, so if he doesn't seem overly happy when he meets you, don't worry. Personally I'm thrilled that you're here," she added quickly. "I think it's a great idea, Harry is so important to the world and to his friends that we want all the protection he can have." Buffy nodded.
"I can understand that," she said thoughtfully. "I'm just glad to be here, its doing me as much of a favour as I'm doing for you." She stopped talking when she saw Hermione's curious expression.  She looked away.
"Let's just say I didn't leave Sunnydale in the best way," she said in a controlled voice and Hermione got the picture and didn't question her further. Hermione told her about Hogwarts, and Harry and Ron as she helped her to unpack. After half an hour, the door to the room burst open.
 "Herm, did you see the new-" a girl exclaimed excitedly, but stopped as she saw Buffy. She turned red, as did the girl behind her. Hermione laughed.
"Buffy, meet Lavender and Parvati. This is Buffy Summers; she's an exchange student from a wizarding school in America." Still blushing, the girls greeted Buffy.