To anyone whos concerned about Xander don't worry nothing bad's gonna happen to him and he'll probably be involved soon. I just couldn't bring him to Hogwarts 'cos he's muggle and muggle's can't see it. Neways please please review!!!!

To the person who pointed out my mistake with the age in this chapter: Thank you it has been corrected!

Three weeks later Dumbledore arrived in Buffy's house in a flash of green flames, Xander was in the room at the time.

"Holy macaroni" he cried jumping backwards as the tall, thin man stepped out of the fireplace. "Oh man wizards can travel by fire but haven't learnt to knock."

"My apologies Mr Harris I didn't mean to startle you. Are Buffy, Dawn and Mr Giles ready?"

"Uh nearly I think but listen Professor, you let anything happen to my friends and I don't know what magicy things you've got round your school but they're not gonna stop me hurting you and believe me I may not be the slayer but I can still do that."

"Duly noted Mr Harris. Naturally I will not pretend to guarantee the safety of the slayer, one has to be realistic but I can assure you that every effort will be made to assist her and to ensure that she and the others enjoy they're time at Hogwarts."

Dawn entered the room just then dragging her Hogwarts trunk. "OK Xander little tip. When a girl goes "oww" and is trying to move a 300lb trunk that's when you might manna help."

"Sorry Dawnie, need a hand?"

"No I'm good."

"Really, cos you know the Xan man's been working out."

"Seriously Xander its cool. Oww Ok you can take it. Oh hey Professor."

Dumbledore greeted Dawn as Xander dragged her trunk over to the fire next to Giles' slightly shabby but perfectly matching set of luggage. Xander's grin at Dawn's inability to handle the trunk was soon replaced by look of intense effort.

"Firecrackers and flying frogs what have you got in there Dawn?" Xander asked as he huffed his way across the room.

"Do you really want to know the entire contents of my wardrobe?" Dawn asked smiling smugly. "This trunk is wicked it takes almost anything."

"Question withdrawn" muttered Xander standing up slowly rubbing his shoulders as Giles entered the room engrossed in a musty looking book. "Yo G-man we got company."

Giles looked up from the dusty tome on Xander's interruption to his train of thought. "Huh? What? Oh, sorry. Good to see you Albus. Dawn is Buffy ready?"

"Buffy, ready? On time? I doubt it." Dawn sniggered at the thought of Buffy deciding which shoes to take with in less than a day or so.

"Yes well I didn't expect her to be but go and check will you."

"Aye aye sir" Dawn saluted Giles as she marched from the room.

"She's in high spirits today." Giles remarked as soon as Dawn had left the room. " I wonder how much is real. She's going to miss you Xander and everything here."

"I'm I'm gonna miss her too Giles and you and Buffy, man it's gonna be lonely here, wonder what the newbies will be like. They sure can't beat the good old scoobies."

"Well I spoke to the council this morning and it seems that there is a new slayer arriving shortly."

"Hang on first there was one, then two, did Buffy die again? Is Faith dead?" Xander couldn't help but look slightly hopeful at the latter option. "Or is the one chosen one thing seriously over?"

"Faith is not dead Xander, and I sincerely hope Buffy isn't because g-d knows what's upstairs if she is.  I meant a potential slayer.  She has yet to be called and it seems unlikely she will be but she has received full council training and is reputedly a very good fighter. Give her a nice welcome wont you."

"What as opposed to welcome to Sunnydale where a big evil is always brewing?" but Xander nodded as Buffy came downstairs laden with bags, Dawn following close behind. He turned to give Dawn a hug squeezing her tightly. "I'm gonna miss you Dawnie" he whispered "but you know whatever happens, you ever need anything, I'm right here."

"I know Xander but it'll be fine and you'd better bet this isn't the last you'll hear of me."

"I know you'll be fine Dawnie, you always are, you're incredible." Xander stopped talking as a lump rose in his throat and he pushed a small package into Dawn's pocket. He and Giles shared a much manlier goodbye, a brief hug and Giles imparted his farewell words of wisdom.

"Xander try not to hit on the newcomer as soon as she comes." Xander could only goggle in disbelief as the Summers sisters tried to hide their laughter. At least the awkwardness that always accompanies good byes was broken if only until Xander turned to Buffy.

"Bye Xander" she whispered stepping into his embrace. Xander looked into the slayer's eyes, into the eyes of the person dearer to him than almost any other and gently kissed her cheek.

"Uh I gotta go," he muttered as he rushed from the house only allowing the silent tears to fall when he was out of sight.

Inside the house Dumbledore had re-lit the fire and was demonstrating the use of floo powder. He threw a pinch of the silver powder into the flames causing it to turn emerald green. "Dawn if you step in now and say "Hogwarts" you should find yourself in my office."

"Tuck your elbows in." Giles advised "And keep your eyes shut." Dumbledore loaded Dawn's trunk into the fire with his wand and she cautiously went to join it.

"See you in a bit guys." She said with a slightly nervous smile and "Hog-hog-hogwarts" she choked as she received a mouthful of ash. Buffy gripped Giles tightly as Dawn spun away from her.

"Its alright Buffy Dawn will be perfectly fine. Do you want to go next?" Buffy nodded and took a pinch of powder. Five seconds later, and feeling rather nauseous she fell out of a second fireplace only her slayer reflexes stopping her from joining her bags in a pile on the floor. She looked around Dumbledore's large circular office barely registering all the magical objects and moving paintings. Giles arrived at the instant she confirmed in her mind that Dawn was most certainly not in the room.