Disclaimer: If the HP world was truly mine, I would not have left my readers in suspense waiting for the next darn book to come out! And in Joss's case, the original Scoobies would still have ALL their body parts. Grr!

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Chapter 3: Secrets and Revelations.

Hogwarts

'The very latest article in Transfiguration Today – " Multiple Transfiguration: The Finer Points" – brilliant, just brilliant. They say old Bigglesworth is past his prime, but the man knows his incantations, I tell you….."

  Professor Flitwick's piping voice could be heard clearly above the unusual racket in the teacher's common room. At the Headmaster's request, the entire teaching staff had gathered, awaiting news which was apparently urgent. All students were (presumably) safely tucked in bed, and Filch was lurking in the hallways, waiting to catch anyone daring to leave their common rooms.

Dumbledore himself was conspicuously absent, and many of the Professors were taking advantage of this. Professors Sprout and Flitwick were engaged in a loud and heated debate that switched from topic to topic so fast the other staff were becoming slightly dizzy. Madame Hooch was hunched over a tiny Quidditch field, feline eyes watching in interest as the figures darted around, shouting abuse at one another in mouse-like voices.

Professor McGonagall, armed with fiery red quill, was poring over third year essays, frowning as she coated parchment after parchment with red strokes, occasionally muttering to herself. Hagrid, his bushy beard slightly singed after an incident with one of his infamous Blast-Ended Skrewts, occupied an enormous chair in front of the fire. Holding a thick branch, he was toasting an unidentified lump in the roaring flames.

Snape, as per usual, was glowering in a corner, clearly annoyed at being forced to leave his dark and unpleasant dungeon to congregate with the other members of the staff. Said staff members, used to his foul moods, were keeping their distance.

With a screech, one of the tiny Quidditch figures left the pitch and dove toward Snape, eyes fastened on a tiny glittering object hovering just above his left ear – a miniature Snitch.

Snape, feeling a small object whiz past his ear, batted it away impatiently, sending the figure to the ground. Instantly, outraged cries came from the other team members, who began to assault him with tiny fists, darting around his head. Snape rose in anger.

"Hooch! Kindly encourage these infernal creatures to desist at ONCE!" he roared, only to be cut off by one particularly irate figure flying into his mouth. Spluttering, he stumbled, upsetting a jar of red ink onto McGonagall's robes.

Utter chaos erupted among the usually restrained staff. McGonagall stood, trying her best to preserve the newly marked essays, spraying a fine shower of red droplets in Flitwick's face. Hagrid dropped the charred object into the fire, which promptly exploded, shooting small fireworks around the room. Several staff members immediately conjured streams of water, one of which unfortunately drenched Snape from head to toe. Roaring, Snape made toward the culprit, red-faced and furious.

It was at this very moment that the Headmaster chose to make his entrance. Surveying the room, he did nothing, simply stood near the doorway wearing lurid green robes and a huge grin. One by one, staff members realized he had arrived, seating themselves quickly, until only Snape remained standing, dripping water and swatting at small flying figures.

"Severus – if you would be seated, we do have a lot to discuss tonight." Dumbledore said quietly, pointing his wand at Snape's robes and muttering 'infierni'. Cool blue flames shot from his wand, and in an instant Snape was dry and back in his corner, glowering.

Dumbledore suppressed a chuckle, and addressed the room in a calm voice.

"First of all, I have had reports from Argus that several students have taken it upon themselves to charm the suits of armor on the third floor into a constant duel with each other. The suits have been removed until further notice, or until we stop them creaking - it does disturb one's sleep. Second, several members of Slytherin house have complained their quarters are not properly being maintained." At this, Dumbledore paused, a twinkle in his eye.

" I have notified Slytherin house that in future, if their quarters are not to their liking, they are free to change them in any way they see fit. However, I have forbidden the use of magic in doing so – students must rearrange things with their hands, not their wands. I doubt they will be complaining in future."

Most of the occupants of the room hid a smile at these words, believing the occupants of said house would benefit from this. Snape's face went rather purple, but he said nothing.

Dumbledore poured himself a glass of water from the silver pitcher by the door, his expression now serious.

" The final item of business tonight, and I do thank those of you who attended, is one I believe is of great importance – to this school and to the wizarding community. I will be announcing at breakfast tomorrow the arrival of a new student – a guest, if you may." Ignoring the startled looks, Dumbledore continued, "At this stage, there is not much I can tell you. She will be called Lily Asher for the duration of her stay, and she will be attending classes with our sixth year students to give the appearance that she is a normal exchange student."

Raising a tiny hand, Professor Flitwick spoke. " 'Called' Lily? But Albus – how can you not know her real name, not to mention her origin? Surely you can find out from the girl herself?"

Dumbledore shook his head. " The issue is a complicated one. Lily has no memory of her life before being found on the Hogwarts grounds by Harry Potter. Perhaps her memory will return in time. Until it does, I believe it is safer for her to remain at Hogwarts. She may be an asset to us in the future. I will inform everyone at once should new information arise. Now, if you will excuse me, I have urgent Ministry matters to attend to."

With that, Dumbledore was gone, leaving behind him a room of rather confused teachers. Voices raised as all bar Snape and McGonagall digested this new information.

"What does he mean, an asset? She's little more than a child!"

 "Ah, but so is Harry Potter – and just look at all he's faced"

 " You CAN'T apparate into Hogwarts – its impossible!"

 " Well how DID she enter then?"

" What if this is a trick? You-Know-Who could be using her to get information!"

 " After last year, I don't think we should be taking risks – what if…."

Professor McGonagall stood up calmly, waving for silence. "We have no choice but to trust Albus on this matter. There is indeed something about this girl unlike anything we have seen before. Albus is confident she will benefit greatly from her time here, and will not be a threat. Let us have faith in his decision."

Sobered, the staffroom emptied quickly as professors hurried to their own quarters. In his office, Albus Dumbledore smiled to himself at Minerva's words. Indeed, this lost child had much to gain – and much more to give.

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Sunnydale

In one of Sunnydale's many cemeteries, all was not still. A strange scraping disturbed the supposed rest of the dead. Two shadowy figures watched from the shelter of a large marble headstone as a newly-filled grave began to undulate. A snarling vampire emerged from the earth, sniffing the night air for fresh human blood. Yellow eyes narrowed as the vampire caught sight of potential prey.

'Ahh……fresh meat…. Nothing smells better,' it hissed, springing toward the headstone. A non-heartbeat later, it was dust.

Rising from their hiding place, Xander and Willow brushed vampire dust from their clothes. Willow sneezed loudly. " Note to self: Don't hide downwind" she muttered ruefully, shaking dust from her hair.

"Ahh….the freshly dusted…..nothing smells more foul,' Xander quipped, reloading his crossbow clumsily.

Without a Slayer to protect the Hellmouth, the original Scoobies had taken it upon themselves to patrol each night, tackling only the newly-risen fledglings. Although both Xander and Willow had gained considerable field experience since the summer when Buffy had run away; the larger and stronger looking demons were left to Spike, who usually patrolled well after the Scoobs had returned to the Summers' residence. Anya and Tara, who preferred research to slayage, usually remained at Revello Drive to keep an eye on Dawn.

'So that's – uh – three vampires to me….. and five to you. Damn – foiled again. By a girl no less, who is much weaker than – Ouch! Will!' Xander exclaimed, rubbing his arm, which had 'run into' Willow's hand.

'Oh shush you, I barely touched you. Besides, it doesn't really count as a staking when a vampire FALLS on a pointy tree branch. Although….I'm ahead? Really? Yay me!' Willow did a little dance of glee, red hair flying. Sobering, she turned to Xander. ' Xand? Have you noticed that since – that night- there's a lack of nasties in town? Wouldn't it make more sense for the "big, ugly and undead" tally to rise without  Bu – without a slayer here? Mystical Mouth of Hell energy and all that. Where did all the Big Bad Evil things go?"

Xander paled, glancing over her shoulder. He gulped. 'Wills? Best-bud-o-mine? I think they're standing right behind you."

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Hogwarts

In the sweltering hot History of Magic classroom, eyelids drooped as Professor Binns droned on.

 "……And that marks the end of the seventy-fifth Great Goblin Rebellion. Now class, for homework……."

Harry, Ron and Hermione did not linger to hear their assignment, racing from the classroom and heading toward the fourth floor. Eager to tell Lily all about their lessons, they turned the corner and were about to provide the password to the tethered werewolf when a familiar voice rang out from behind them.

"Well, what ARE we doing here? As I recall, Potter, sixth years are no longer required to take Astronomy – and yet, here you are, complete with Weasel and Mudblood. How interesting. Could it be you are looking for trouble?"

Malfoy stepped from behind a thick wooden pillar, smirking, Crabbe and Goyle close behind him. The rivalry between the smug Slytherin and Harry had only increased over the years, if that was possible. It seemed to the Trio that Malfoy's main reason for living was finding reasons to deduct points from Gryffindor house, a hobby that Snape was more than willing to aid.

Harry felt Ron tense beside him, and shot him a warning look. Hermione too, looked torn between turning Malfoy into a familiar ferret and keeping her cool. The last thing they needed was for Snape to show up.

Malfoy was still waiting for a reaction, his eyes drifting to the snarling werewolf painting. "Well, Potter? I can have Snape here in an instant. What are you doing here?"

Harry opened his mouth to lie, when suddenly an amused voice sounded behind them.

"Actually, Mister Malfoy, they are here at my request. If you would be kind enough to return to your common room, I can begin their detention. Unless of course you want to join us?"

The Trio whirled around to see Dumbledore emerging from a dark corner. Malfoy looked ready to argue, but suddenly turned on his heel and stalked away, Crabbe and Goyle lumbering behind him.

Harry hesitated a moment before speaking. " Professor – now that Malfoy is suspicious, what's to stop him poking around here? The entire school will know by tonight!"

Stroking his considerable beard, Dumbledore seemed to consider this for a minute.

"Well Harry, I believe you have a point. However, as Lily's presence is to be announced to the student body tonight at dinner, Master Malfoy will find much of the wind gone from his sails. Now, I'm sure Lily has been waiting for your company. Let's not keep her waiting."

Harry was fairly sure his jaw had just hit the ground. A glance at Ron and Hermione revealed their mouths were in a similar position. Amused, Dumbledore gave the password and the portrait hole slid open. He climbed through, motioning for the Trio to follow. His voice echoed from above.

"Master Weasley? Please watch your step this time – I hear the floor is rather hard."

Ron cursed under his breath, muttering to Harry.

"Is there anything that he doesn't know?"

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