I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or anything associated with it. It belongs to its creator Joss Whedon and whoever else owns it. This piece of literature is simply the work of a humble fan. I don't own Harry Potter neither. It belongs to J.K. Rowling.

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:::Author Notes:::

This takes place during Season Four of Buffy. It's after the episode Restless (Where the First Slayer killed all of them in their dreams). For Harry Potter it takes place after the events of book five: Order of the Phoenix.

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Some of you had questions in your reviews. I don't like people being confused so here are your answers.

Q&A

Will Harry's powers be explained soon? — If my outline is correct. I think it will explained in chapter nineteen.

Who was the dark haired man in Buffy's dreams? — Not telling ^_^ There is a reason I didn't give a name. Buffy will have some romance. It just won't be in this story.

Will you give Xander some powers? — Good question. If you have read my story, Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Then you know that I have a thing with giving Xander some powers. All I can say now is maybe he's get some in the sequel.

Were you just kidding about Sirius and Remus? — Actually I was. I'm glad that someone knows that I have an off sense of humor. Some people were really spazing out about it, which confused me for the longest time. I've never seen anything wrong with slash, so I wrote it down as just a little joke. If I wanted to make a pairing like that trust me, it would never be that obvious.

Long time no see, huh? I'm so sorry for the long wait. I've been so tired lately. I don't even know why, probably its because I have to wake up at 6 a.m. now for school. I hope you guys are still interested in the story. Again, thanks for the massive amounts of reviews you guys have sent me. I can't believe that with just 200 more I'll be in the thousands, which is amazing.

Stars Not in Heaven

Chapter Seventeen: Blessed Be Reunions

By: Water Mage

"What!??!?"

"Me and him!?!?!"

Harry glanced between Remus and Sirius, suddenly regretting his judgment. Buffy watched the alarmed pair with a smile playing on her face. If someone at Hogwarts told Buffy her vacation would go the way it had, she would have laughed in their face. But nothing was too impossible or implausible in the life of Buffy Summers. She shook her head and thought back on her memories that lead up to this moment…

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Those gathered in the doorway watched as the once deceased-Godfather and joyful Godson reunited after months of separation. Harry felt as if he never wanted to let Sirius go or this one truly blissful moment in his life would be but a dream, which was why a cry of exclamation tore from his throat as he felt himself being pulled from Sirius' arms. Buffy had separated the pair and now stood protectively in front of her brother.

Quicker than any of them could even comprehend, Buffy had her wand drawn from her pocket and pointed between Sirius' eyes. Her green eyes glittered with distrust and a fierce determination that made Sirius speechless. By studying her features that were so similar to her parents, without a doubt Sirius knew that this was his best friends' child.

"Who are you?" Buffy asked coolly.

Harry's mouth dropped open in shock at Buffy's actions. He opened his mouth and said, "That's Sirius, Buffy! I've shown you his pictures before. Remember?"

Buffy shook her head. "Harry, you don't understand. This can't be Sirius. People who die just don't suddenly reappear. As far from what I can tell he's not a vamp or a zombie— so what are you?"

Sirius held his hands up defensively and said to Buffy seriously, "I swear on everything that I hold dear that I am Sirius Apollo Black." He smiled at her softly. "You need no introductions. Professor Dumbledore told me all about you, Elizabeth."

"Buffy," she corrected automatically without even thinking. Still the wand remained in position, never wavering once from its target. "So you know my name big whoop, but that's not good enough."

Harry narrowed his eyes giving Buffy a sharp look. "Buffy! That is Sirius. I know it is!"

"Harry," said Buffy not taking her stare off of Sirius. "We are fighting a war now. The worlds most psychotic, evil dark wizard gets a hardon thinking of killing you— Instead of being cautious you want to run into the arms of some man who looks and claims to be your DEAD Godfather. Hello, can we say trap!"

Remus whom stood in the doorway with Willow had closed his eyes during the duration of the conversation. Hearing the commotion in the living room, Tara had also come down the stairs and joined her girlfriend in the doorway, watching the scene with curiosity. Slowly he had opened his senses and everything around him suddenly became much more vibrant and real. His nostrils flared as the unique scents of all the people near him assailed him. With much carefulness, Remus separated the unique scents of each person till only Sirius' scent filled his nose.

Remus' eyes snapped and they glowed gold for a brief moment as he pulled the wolf senses back inside him. Blue eyes filled with renewed wonder as they gazed upon Sirius. "Buffy, put the wand down," he said softly. "It's really Sirius… I can smell him."

"Are you sure?" asked Buffy skeptically.

Willow bit her lip wondering if she should add her input. "Remember Buffy that Oz had werewolfy senses that picked up on things we never could. Remus would know better than any of us if that person is really who he says he is."

Slowly, Buffy lowered the wand but still kept it in her hand. She looked to Sirius neutrally. "If you really are Sirius Black then I think that we're going to need an explanation on how come you're not somewhere else playing the harp."

Sirius nodded letting out a relieved sigh as he began his tale. "When I fell through the veil in the Department of Mysteries, I don't know if I died or not, but I do know that I wasn't on Earth. I'm not sure, but… I think I was heaven. I don't remember much, only bits of pieces that come to me at random times. What I do remember is lots of white light, a feeling love and warmth, and singing…"

"Si-Si-Singing?" questioned Tara stuttering lightly.

Sirius nodded. "When the nine angelic choirs get together… their music is unlike anything that could ever be made on earth. Its heavenly." He got a far off look in his dark eyes and softly started to sing as if not even realizing what he was doing—

"Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the pains, And the mountains in reply, Echo back their joyous strains, Gloria O Gloria in excelsis Deo…"

Everyone glanced at each other, confused by Sirius' sudden singing of an unforgettable melody. Harry looked at his Godfather for the first time wondering if he had gone mad during their time apart. Harry looked into Sirius' eyes, but their brown depths didn't look to him they seemed to look through him at something beyond.

"Sirius!"

Sirius shook out of his trance state at the sound of Harry calling his name. He gazed around the room feeling the questions and confusion that seemed to float through the air. Sirius smiled thinly and said apologetically, "Sorry, I get like that sometimes. My memories are all jumbled and incomplete. Dumbledore suspects that with time, I'll remember more, but for now there is nothing that can be about the gaps in memory. So, sometimes I just kind of drift off in my own memories."

"So, you were in heaven and then what?" asked Buffy. "Batta bing and boom— You get a 'Get Out of Heaven Free Card'."

Sirius smiled a little out her analogy. "No, it wasn't like that. Time passed differently where I was. It had no meaning. The sense of it was completely foreign there. My last clearest memory is of someone telling me that I wasn't done yet. And that I'm still needed for something bigger than I can even imagine. The rest of what was said is hazy. I can remember a great yanking and falling… then I was back. Everything seemed so different. The ground seemed hard. The colors of everything, dull and plain. Less bright…" he trailed off looking distant again.

"Is he high?" asked Buffy aloud.

Remus shook his head. "No, I think he's still disoriented," he answered, walking forward to stand next to her. He looked to Sirius his expression hopeful. "It's really you and you're back for good, right?"

"It's really me, Moony. And yes, I'm back for good. At least I think am."

Without further ado the two long time, childhood friends embraced in a tight hug. It was a heartwarming scene that would have even melted the coldest heart. Seeing the scene caused Buffy to reevaluate her judgment and lower her guard. The men broke the hug, both wearing identical large grins on their faces, looked to the gathered group of watchers. Sirius stepped forward his smile turning melancholy as he gazed into Buffy's green eyes. Green eyes that were strikingly familiar to Lily's.

"You look so much like your mother, Buffy," said Sirius softly. "But I can see James mixed in there as well."

"I've noticed the same thing also, Padfoot," commented Remus.

"She has Mrs. Potter's blond hair," replied Sirius smiling at Buffy fondly.

Buffy fidgeted slightly having the two men stare at her commenting on her features. Harry coughed getting their attention, seeing how annoyed Buffy was getting at the open gazing. Sirius and Remus stopped their commentary and blinked at Harry.

"We've been rather rude," stated Harry, turning to Willow and Tara. "Forgive me for my manners." Buffy snorted slightly, mumbling something that sounded like English tweedboy. Harry gave her a mock glare then continued. "I would like to introduce my godfather, Sirius Black. Sirius this is Willow Rosenberg and Tara McClay."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Sirius.

"You too," replied Willow, while Tara just smiled in greeting. "Its nice to actually see you in person."

The smile on Harry's face seemed permanent as he stared at Sirius. The man in question looked better then Harry had ever seen. Sirius looked like he did in his dream he had months ago. The haunted look in his eyes that Azkaban had put there was now gone and in their stead was a genuine happiness. Unconsciously, Harry touched the feather that was tied to a cord, lying against his chest tucked under his shirt. Maybe the dream he had had was real…

The afternoon passed within a blur of ever-present laughter and talking. Giles, Xander, and Anya had shown up to the Summers' residence joining in on the reunion. It was almost like a mini celebration. Even though the Sunnydale residents didn't know Sirius personally they still celebrated his return. After all it wasn't everyday that someone is allowed to leave heaven and return to the mortal coil. They, who didn't know Sirius, quickly got to know him throughout the day. His outgoing personality drew them in as he engrossed them all in on stories from his younger days. Remus joined in also providing details that had slipped his friend's mind, but overall he was content to just sit back and let Sirius do the storytelling. Harry and Buffy were completely entranced by the tales since most of them including either one of their parents in something.

As the sun went down and the stars and the moon became clear in the darkened sky, Buffy stood up to address the gathered group. She glanced out the window to the outside sky.

"Sorry guys, but I have to go patrol. Vamps probably forgot that there even was a Slayer living here. I need to remind them I'm still alive."

"I'm coming too," declared Harry suddenly.

Buffy rolled her eyes heavenward with a sigh of frustration. "Harry, we've talked this over before. You. Don't. Go. With. Me. On. Patrol. Its way too dangerous for you."

Harry waved his wand around. "Hello, can we say wizard?"

"More like wizard in training," replied Buffy.

"Maybe Buffy is right, Harry," said Sirius coming to the defense of Buffy. "She was born to be able to fight what goes bump in the night. You still have a long way to go before you are ready to take on a vampire in combat."

Giles nodded in agreement. "Harry, it might seem easy to fight the way Buffy does but it is not. Vampires have superior strength and agility. All they need do is separate you from your wand and that would be it. We as a group go with Buffy patrolling sometimes and I assure you it's not the most easy task."

"And that's why I'm going alone tonight," said Buffy, going to the coat rack and putting on her white jacket. "You guys need a break. You've been patrolling for me since I went to England."

"If your sure…" began Xander. "Me and Anya could use a break. Plus we've been wanting to checkout that new restaurant downtown."

Buffy waved her hand dismissing his concern. "Don't worry, Xander. Go out and have fun. You've earned it."

"You too," chirped Anya smiling. "Go out and slay those vampires. You Slayer you."

All anyone could do was blink at Anya's offhand sentence. Sirius looked to Remus cocking his head in her direction with a questioning look. Remus gave him a small smile and shoulder shrug. Buffy said goodbye to everyone, grabbed a short dagger, and a stake then she was out the door. As she walked down the street towards one of Sunnydale's multiple cemetery's she took in the scenery. Nothing had changed in the months she was away. Buildings still stood, people were still alive, the world hadn't ended. In her absence, Sunnydale had survived in tact. Often times it seemed the town would sink into Hell if she took a day off, but it had held up fine in her leave.

The snow crunched lightly under her black boots, as she walked across the snow-covered grounds of the cemetery. Buffy hummed softly, keeping her senses open to any threats nearby that might be lurking in the shadows of the trees or mausoleums that stood on the grounds.

"I will remember you," sung Buffy under her breath. "Will you remember me…"

"Awww!" a voice screamed from the shadows. "Slutty, will you cut that god awful singing."

Buffy spun around facing the voice with an irritated expression worn on her face. She crossed her arms glaring at Spike with a look full of contempt and annoyance. The vampire stepped out of the shadows dressed in his usual all black attire.

"Don't you have anything better to do than hanging around cemeteries, Fangless?"

Spike's face shifted as he moved into his true vampire face. "I'll show you fangless!" he roared, leaping forward at her. Buffy just raised her eyebrow as he stopped mid attack holding his head and yelling at the top of his lungs in pain.

Buffy smirked. "That's what I thought."

Spike resumed his human face, the heel of his hand rubbing his forehead with intensity as it was the only thing keeping his head from splitting in two. He glared at Buffy with matching contempt and annoyance. Spike opened his mouth to retort, but Buffy beat him to a remark:

"What are you even doing here? Don't you have otherwhere to be? You know, someplace that's away."

Spike pretended to think over the statement. "I think I do. Wait, let me think… Oh yeah, my crypt! Which is bleedin' why I'm in this cemetery. So that means you're the one that's harassing me. I'm just trying to get to me home."

"Well then take a walk, overbite."

"I don't think so. I'd rather stay here and annoy you. Seeing as how I can't hunt with this soddin' chip in me head, I need to get my kicks somehow."

"Joy," muttered Buffy, voice complete with the emotion opposite of the stated one.

"Well, well, what do we have here…"

Buffy assessed the newcomers whom had appeared much the same way Spike had. There were four of them, all male, and all vampires judging by their gamefaces they wore. Buffy readied her stake and quickly crouched down into a fighting stance. Out the corner of her eye in her peripheral vision she could see Spike doing the same movements also ready for battle.

The tallest vampire, obviously the leader because he stood in front, smirked at the two blondes. "It's four against one. What do you two plan on doing? All you've got is one disgraced vampire and a little girl."

Buffy narrowed her eyes at the vampires tone. He must have been a newly risen fledgling if he didn't know who she was. "I have a title you know."

"What's that?" one of the four said mockingly.

"Slayer."

With that spoken word both Slayer and chipped vampire attacked. Buffy quickly got the jump on one, immediately roundhouse kicking it in the head and stabbing it through the heart with the stake. Spike got one and the last two focused their energy on taking her out. Buffy weaved and dodged between punches and kicks like a seasoned warrior. She backhanded one vampire barely noticing him hit the ground and Spike staking him once it landed on his back.

"Didn't expect a Slayer did you?" questioned Buffy, smirking at the gang leader.

He growled at her revealing two sharpened, elongated teeth protruding from his gums. "Slayer or not, I'll still kill you and when I'm done, I'll bathe in your blood."

Buffy made a disgusted face. "Ewww much? You've obviously forgotten me Slayer and you are the Slayee." She punched him in the face sending him crashing hard to the ground. She placed her foot on his neck holding him in place as she briskly staked him.

"Thanks for the help, Spike," said Buffy.

Spike nodded uncommonly silent, not gloating or making some snide comment as he usually would at a moment like this. Buffy didn't question his silence, instead taking advantage of it by walking forward continuing her patrol. Spike silent as he was, didn't leave her side however. The vampire stayed around helping her dust the stray fledgling vampires they came across which weren't many. Close to dawn Buffy decided that it was time to call it quits and go home.

She paused not sure what to say. An awkward silence filled the quiet air. "Umm…" she said trailing off. Buffy looked to the vampire then back down at the ground unsure of what to do now. "Thanks for helping. It was nice of you."

"This is only the first battle," said Spike monotonously. "Soon she will come."

Buffy snapped her head up quickly, looking up at Spike. Those were the same words spoken to her in her dream. Spike seemed to look not at her but through her as if something was holding him within a trance. Coming to suddenly, Spike shook his head, snapping himself from his odd trance that he had slipped into. He blinked rapidly before glancing down giving Buffy a confused look.

"What in the bloody hell are you looking at Slayer?" snapped Spike.

"What did you just say?" demanded Buffy.

Spike frowned in puzzlement. "What are you talking about, bint? I didn't say anything. Have you drinking… Can I have some?"

Buffy was about to bash Spike around the head for lying, but she looked closer into his eyes. There was a genuine confusion swirling in their blue depths. Spike was telling the absolute truth. He really didn't know what he just said. Buffy wondered if she was going crazy for hearing things or was it that Spike really didn't remember that he had just said the same exact words that were spoken to her in a dream.

"I've got to go," Buffy said absently, turning around and walking towards the gates that served as the entrance and exit in and out of the cemetery.

Buffy's mind was full of images from her earlier dream as she walked the silent streets to Rovello Drive where her house stood. Just as she expected, when she walked in the lights was turned off and everyone was fast asleep. Buffy hung up her coat and silently trekked to her room upstairs that was close to Willow and Tara's own bedroom, which was once her mother's room, but the witches had converted it into their own little homely getaway with Buffy's permission.

Buffy changed from her clothes into her sleeping clothes. It wasn't a minute after her head hit the pillow that she was fast asleep.

Around noontime the next day Buffy was woke and downstairs, sitting with Remus, Sirius, and Harry. Willow and Tara were out. They went to gather magic supplies so they could attempt to do a protection spell on Harry. It was a surprise and the only people who knew were Giles and Buffy. The four gathered were seating around the living room in various spots, each looking quite comfortable in their chosen position. The mood in the room had turned somber as Buffy and group discussed news of the Second War and Voldemort's latest moves.

"The Order is recruiting more and more people everyday," said Remus, sipping from his cup of hot cocoa.

Sirius sighed tucking a strand of his long, black hair behind his ear. "That's good. I was worried when no one believed Dumbledore or Harry that he had returned. I'm glad that something good came out of Voldemort's siege of the Ministry of Magic."

"The time of the Great Conjunction, the day the planets align, and the day Voldemort attacks is only three months away," observed Harry quietly.

Buffy nodded. "I know. This is it. The last battle between Voldemort and the light side. This battle will decide the fate of the wizarding realm. I can feel it…"

"So like James," said Sirius a smile forming on his face. "He could…" Sirius looked to Remus for help.

"See the Unseen," supplied Remus.

"Yeah that's it. I can say there were plenty of times when his Second Sight saved lives."

Harry sat up a little straighter in his squishy armchair. "Really, like how?"

Sirius smile turned saddened. "I wasn't always the most honorable Gryffindor in my youth. When we were kids I pulled a really bad prank on Snape that I regret to this day. I tricked him into going through the tunnel under the Whomping Willow, during the full moon knowing that Remus fully transformed was on the other side. James found out about the prank and saved Snape just in time. Snape came out alive, but he suffered a broken arm, a broken wrist, and a concussion. It was because of your fathers Second Sight that he knew Snape was in trouble. If he hadn't had came, Snape would surely have died…"

"I never knew that," muttered Harry.

Remus shook his head slowly gazing into his cocoa. "He never fully forgave any of us for that. He felt that since we were all friends that we all somehow knew about it."

"Damn," said Buffy softly thinking of how close her fellow coworker was to death. "At least now that you have a second chance at life Sirius, you can try to earn his forgiveness."

Harry grinned suddenly causing Buffy to give him an odd look. "Speaking of second chances," he began addressing Remus and Sirius. "Are you two going to get back together?"

His question was met by two blank looks. "Back together?" questioned Sirius.

Harry nodded. "I thought now that your back alive, you and Remus would restart your relationship."

Buffy's eyes damn near bugged out of her head. Remus and Sirius' expressions were similar to hers. Only much more extreme.

"What!??!?"

"Me and him!?!?!"

Harry glanced between Remus and Sirius, suddenly regretting his judgment. Buffy watched the alarmed pair with a smile playing on her face. Sirius stood up quickly an indignant look on his face. Remus just sat in his seat on the couch looking like he was going to be sick.

They pointed to each other simultaneously. "How could you think that? He's like my brother! He might as well be brother!"

Harry began to play with a stray thread on his sweater. It was frayed and coming loose. At the moment it was the only thing to focus on besides two alarmed faces and one laughing one. Harry's whole face burned as he turned many different shades of red in seconds.

"You always give each other these… looks," said Harry trailing off in a small voice trying unsuccessfully to defend himself and his suggestion.

Remus raised his eyebrow at Harry, his face still looking quite green at the thought of him and Sirius involved in anyway that was beyond friendship. "How are we supposed to look?"

"I don't even want to know!" said Sirius loudly. "I think I'm going to be sick."

Buffy watched as he raced from the room with Harry behind him, apologizing as he ran. Buffy could only shake her head, watching Remus pinch himself repeatedly making sure he wasn't in some kind of dream or weird hallucination.

'Its only noon too!' Buffy thought silently. 'Only in Sunnydale can I have witness such drama even before lunch.'

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Again sorry about the late update (See above Authors Note). According to my outline here there is only three more chapters plus the epilogue left. Thanks to those who read Behind the Scenes: Making of Stars Not In Heaven. I really appreciated the feedback on that. For those who want to read it be warned there is a lot of swearing. Which one reader was nice enough to point out? Like I didn't know it already. I'm the one who wrote it. Don't like swear words, don't read it.