Title: A Place For My Head
Disclaimer: I own neither Harry Potter nor Buffy the Vampire Slayer. To those out there that had the creative juice to do so for our pleasure, thank you sincerely from those who have derived much pleasure from these characters and stories. I am not getting any kind of financial profit from this endeavor.
Timeframe and Spoilers: Through Season 7 for BtVS, OotP for HP. Takes place post-Hogwarts and post-Chosen. Harry will be pretty much the only significant HP character. Everything else will pretty much be the Scoobies.
Pairings: Harry/Buffy, others undecided (Note: Giles will get some lovin', I just like the ole chap too much to leave him single)
Rating: PG-13 for some potential language and sexual situations. Nothing too much, though.
A/N: Thank you for the reviews and encouragement. Some people had some questions about timeline, so here's what I put together: HP book 7 would have ended in June 1998. Voldemort was killed (in this chronology) in 2000, and Harry started Oxford Fall of 2001.
By my calculations, BtVS Season 7 ended about June 2003, making this chapter take place just a little less than a year after the series ended. Any questions? On with the show.
==========================================================
Chapter 2
"I want to find something I've wanted all along, Somewhere I belong"
March 1, 2004
As the class dismissed, Harry Potter gathered his papers together and shoved them in his bag. Throwing it over his shoulder, he slowly walked behind the rest of the class as he made his way to exit the classroom.
"Mr. Potter? Could you spare a moment?"
Harry turned to see Professor Giles leaning on his desk, cleaning his glasses and waiting for a response. Harry had spent a good bit of time speaking with this professor about the material of the course, Mythology and Folklore of Ancient Cultures. He had heard that Professor Giles was an expert on demon and monster mythology, a former curator at the British museum, and one of the foremost experts on obscure and ancient relics in the world. Harry had originally signed up for the course since his experience in DADA and History of Magic might give him some previous knowledge in the subject, but he realized just how much he didn't know.
It also made him wonder just how much about the world that this Rupert Giles did know. "Yes, Professor?"
Giles moved over to the door and closed it softly. "Please, sit. I have something I want to discuss with you. And please, just call me Giles."
"Giles?"
"Yes, several of my former students seemed to have an... issue with authority. They refused to call me Mr. Giles, so they just started calling me Giles. I've gotten somewhat used to, and to be frank, fond of it. It's better than Xander's G-man, at the very least."
Moving to his desk, Giles started shuffling some papers to the side, and pulled a large volume from his desk drawer. "How familiar are you with vampire lore, Harry?"
Harry just shrugged. "Not too familiar. The mug..." Harry paused for a second. "Um, I mean, the popular myths, Dracula, and so forth." And the fact that vampires are real, but Harry wasn't ready to share that much information to a muggle teacher.
"Ever heard of the myth of the Slayer?" Harry sat up in his chair a little. That was one myth that was covered in DADA. "By your reaction, I can tell you've heard of it."
"Yes, I've come across it before. In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness."
Giles sat down at the desk, resting his elbows on the desk and folding his hands together. Leveling his stare at the man across the desk from him, he seemed to be trying to read into his soul. "Harry, the reason I asked you to stay after class is that you are the best student in this class. I can also tell you've seen a lot, and you already have a lot of inner strength already built up." Leaning back in his chair, he gazed into the distance for a second, and then turned his eyes back to Harry. "How much do you believe in the supernatural, in the existence of demons, ghosts, and magic?"
Harry thought for a second. "You'd be surprised how much I believe about that, sir."
"Harry, what I am about to tell you must be kept in absolute secrecy. I trust you from the time I've gotten to know you, and believe that you are trustworthy. Do you understand?" At his nod, Giles smiled briefly. "Thank you. My job here at Oxford is really only a front. My purpose is to discover potential recruits for the organization I head up, known as the Watcher's Council. A Watcher's job is simple: to train, teach, and assist the Slayer in performing her divine duty."
Harry sagged in his seat, rubbing at his temples. "So, you're saying the Slayer is real?"
Giles raised an eyebrow. "Usually, most people ask about the vampire and demon thing first."
"Well, I'm not most people."
Giles chuckled. "No, Mr. Potter, you're not. I think you have potential to be a very good Watcher, and we are in desperate need these days. This time last year, in Sunnydale, California, the current slayer, along with a small army we had assembled, confronted the First Evil."
"During the fight, a Wicca we had with us did a spell that activated all the potential slayers in the world. Unfortunately, most of the Watchers around the globe had been killed, and we are trying to rebuild. We have about 50 active slayers found, and only a handful of people qualified to be Watchers, most of whom were either former Watchers or participants in the battle against the First."
Harry frowned. "Why me?"
"Call it a hunch, Harry. I think very highly of you, though I have only known you for a short time. You're bright, you think well on your feet, and you are a natural leader. You're exactly what we need for the new Council."
"May I take some time to consider it?"
Giles nodded, and handed him the large volume he had taken out of his desk. "This is a book on the basics of the Slayer line, the role of a Watcher, and our responsibilities to the world. Some of the information is outdated now that there's no longer only one Slayer, but it will give you an overview. Take your time in deciding."
Thanking his professor, Harry scooped up the book and moved towards the door. Pausing, he turned around. "Why do you do it? What motivates you to fight?"
Pushing his glasses up his nose, Giles considered the question. "It used to be because it was my duty. The Council relieved me of those duties, but I kept fighting. Why keep fighting? Because those I loved would be in even greater danger if I didn't. So, I guess I fought because I love."
Harry got a far-away look in his eyes for a second, and then nodded. "Thank you, I'll let you know."
Giles watched the young man leave, wondering what his answer would be. He opened a file, and pulling out a letter written on wrinkled parchment.
Rupert,
I hope this letter finds you well. If you are reading this, then I am
dead. Do not grieve for me, for I have lived a full and happy life.
For the well-prepared, death is just the next great adventure.
I have arranged for a young man from my school to attend Oxford. I
know what you do and the fight you fight and I believe he could be a
great asset to your cause. His name is Harry Potter, and he will be
attending there through the 2004 academic year.
Do this for me, and the favor you owe me will be paid. Peace be with
you.
Albus
Giles folded it back up, and slipped it back into the file. Gathering his things, he slipped into his tweed jacket and turned the classroom's lights out. Striding through campus, he didn't notice the emerald green eyes scrutinizing him from an upstairs window.
==========================================================
A few hours later, Harry Potter found himself in a pub nursing a beer and pondering his life. He was happy at Oxford; it had been a wonderful break from the hectic life he had lived at Hogwarts. But he acknowledged his restlessness, and the fact that he truly could never be normal. All the years of war had instilled him a need to fight, for action, that couldn't truly be satisfied with a normal job.
He had thought about being an Auror, and knew he would probably have been very good at it. On the other hand, he still felt cut adrift from the wizarding world, and knew that he never could truly be effective as an auror: kind of hard to be secretive and undercover with the a sign on etched into his forehead saying "I am Harry Potter, Conqueror of He-Who- Must-Not-Be-Named."
This was his chance. It was a chance to fight, not just for wizards and witches, but for everyone. He wouldn't be expected to be the savior, the one to end it all, just one part of a group of people fighting for good.
And it would prove another thing to him. For a long time, he had wondering if the only reason he would have been able to defeat Voldemort was because the snake had transferred so of his powers to him on the distant Halloween night. This would be a chance to prove that the reason he could fight evil, to be able to win was because of his own abilities, not Riddle's.
"All right then, Harry. Let's see if the Boy-who-Lived can truly handle a life of vampires, demons, and the forces of evil."
A/N 2: Thanks again for all the reviews and encouragement. I hope you enjoyed.
Disclaimer: I own neither Harry Potter nor Buffy the Vampire Slayer. To those out there that had the creative juice to do so for our pleasure, thank you sincerely from those who have derived much pleasure from these characters and stories. I am not getting any kind of financial profit from this endeavor.
Timeframe and Spoilers: Through Season 7 for BtVS, OotP for HP. Takes place post-Hogwarts and post-Chosen. Harry will be pretty much the only significant HP character. Everything else will pretty much be the Scoobies.
Pairings: Harry/Buffy, others undecided (Note: Giles will get some lovin', I just like the ole chap too much to leave him single)
Rating: PG-13 for some potential language and sexual situations. Nothing too much, though.
A/N: Thank you for the reviews and encouragement. Some people had some questions about timeline, so here's what I put together: HP book 7 would have ended in June 1998. Voldemort was killed (in this chronology) in 2000, and Harry started Oxford Fall of 2001.
By my calculations, BtVS Season 7 ended about June 2003, making this chapter take place just a little less than a year after the series ended. Any questions? On with the show.
==========================================================
Chapter 2
"I want to find something I've wanted all along, Somewhere I belong"
March 1, 2004
As the class dismissed, Harry Potter gathered his papers together and shoved them in his bag. Throwing it over his shoulder, he slowly walked behind the rest of the class as he made his way to exit the classroom.
"Mr. Potter? Could you spare a moment?"
Harry turned to see Professor Giles leaning on his desk, cleaning his glasses and waiting for a response. Harry had spent a good bit of time speaking with this professor about the material of the course, Mythology and Folklore of Ancient Cultures. He had heard that Professor Giles was an expert on demon and monster mythology, a former curator at the British museum, and one of the foremost experts on obscure and ancient relics in the world. Harry had originally signed up for the course since his experience in DADA and History of Magic might give him some previous knowledge in the subject, but he realized just how much he didn't know.
It also made him wonder just how much about the world that this Rupert Giles did know. "Yes, Professor?"
Giles moved over to the door and closed it softly. "Please, sit. I have something I want to discuss with you. And please, just call me Giles."
"Giles?"
"Yes, several of my former students seemed to have an... issue with authority. They refused to call me Mr. Giles, so they just started calling me Giles. I've gotten somewhat used to, and to be frank, fond of it. It's better than Xander's G-man, at the very least."
Moving to his desk, Giles started shuffling some papers to the side, and pulled a large volume from his desk drawer. "How familiar are you with vampire lore, Harry?"
Harry just shrugged. "Not too familiar. The mug..." Harry paused for a second. "Um, I mean, the popular myths, Dracula, and so forth." And the fact that vampires are real, but Harry wasn't ready to share that much information to a muggle teacher.
"Ever heard of the myth of the Slayer?" Harry sat up in his chair a little. That was one myth that was covered in DADA. "By your reaction, I can tell you've heard of it."
"Yes, I've come across it before. In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness."
Giles sat down at the desk, resting his elbows on the desk and folding his hands together. Leveling his stare at the man across the desk from him, he seemed to be trying to read into his soul. "Harry, the reason I asked you to stay after class is that you are the best student in this class. I can also tell you've seen a lot, and you already have a lot of inner strength already built up." Leaning back in his chair, he gazed into the distance for a second, and then turned his eyes back to Harry. "How much do you believe in the supernatural, in the existence of demons, ghosts, and magic?"
Harry thought for a second. "You'd be surprised how much I believe about that, sir."
"Harry, what I am about to tell you must be kept in absolute secrecy. I trust you from the time I've gotten to know you, and believe that you are trustworthy. Do you understand?" At his nod, Giles smiled briefly. "Thank you. My job here at Oxford is really only a front. My purpose is to discover potential recruits for the organization I head up, known as the Watcher's Council. A Watcher's job is simple: to train, teach, and assist the Slayer in performing her divine duty."
Harry sagged in his seat, rubbing at his temples. "So, you're saying the Slayer is real?"
Giles raised an eyebrow. "Usually, most people ask about the vampire and demon thing first."
"Well, I'm not most people."
Giles chuckled. "No, Mr. Potter, you're not. I think you have potential to be a very good Watcher, and we are in desperate need these days. This time last year, in Sunnydale, California, the current slayer, along with a small army we had assembled, confronted the First Evil."
"During the fight, a Wicca we had with us did a spell that activated all the potential slayers in the world. Unfortunately, most of the Watchers around the globe had been killed, and we are trying to rebuild. We have about 50 active slayers found, and only a handful of people qualified to be Watchers, most of whom were either former Watchers or participants in the battle against the First."
Harry frowned. "Why me?"
"Call it a hunch, Harry. I think very highly of you, though I have only known you for a short time. You're bright, you think well on your feet, and you are a natural leader. You're exactly what we need for the new Council."
"May I take some time to consider it?"
Giles nodded, and handed him the large volume he had taken out of his desk. "This is a book on the basics of the Slayer line, the role of a Watcher, and our responsibilities to the world. Some of the information is outdated now that there's no longer only one Slayer, but it will give you an overview. Take your time in deciding."
Thanking his professor, Harry scooped up the book and moved towards the door. Pausing, he turned around. "Why do you do it? What motivates you to fight?"
Pushing his glasses up his nose, Giles considered the question. "It used to be because it was my duty. The Council relieved me of those duties, but I kept fighting. Why keep fighting? Because those I loved would be in even greater danger if I didn't. So, I guess I fought because I love."
Harry got a far-away look in his eyes for a second, and then nodded. "Thank you, I'll let you know."
Giles watched the young man leave, wondering what his answer would be. He opened a file, and pulling out a letter written on wrinkled parchment.
Rupert,
I hope this letter finds you well. If you are reading this, then I am
dead. Do not grieve for me, for I have lived a full and happy life.
For the well-prepared, death is just the next great adventure.
I have arranged for a young man from my school to attend Oxford. I
know what you do and the fight you fight and I believe he could be a
great asset to your cause. His name is Harry Potter, and he will be
attending there through the 2004 academic year.
Do this for me, and the favor you owe me will be paid. Peace be with
you.
Albus
Giles folded it back up, and slipped it back into the file. Gathering his things, he slipped into his tweed jacket and turned the classroom's lights out. Striding through campus, he didn't notice the emerald green eyes scrutinizing him from an upstairs window.
==========================================================
A few hours later, Harry Potter found himself in a pub nursing a beer and pondering his life. He was happy at Oxford; it had been a wonderful break from the hectic life he had lived at Hogwarts. But he acknowledged his restlessness, and the fact that he truly could never be normal. All the years of war had instilled him a need to fight, for action, that couldn't truly be satisfied with a normal job.
He had thought about being an Auror, and knew he would probably have been very good at it. On the other hand, he still felt cut adrift from the wizarding world, and knew that he never could truly be effective as an auror: kind of hard to be secretive and undercover with the a sign on etched into his forehead saying "I am Harry Potter, Conqueror of He-Who- Must-Not-Be-Named."
This was his chance. It was a chance to fight, not just for wizards and witches, but for everyone. He wouldn't be expected to be the savior, the one to end it all, just one part of a group of people fighting for good.
And it would prove another thing to him. For a long time, he had wondering if the only reason he would have been able to defeat Voldemort was because the snake had transferred so of his powers to him on the distant Halloween night. This would be a chance to prove that the reason he could fight evil, to be able to win was because of his own abilities, not Riddle's.
"All right then, Harry. Let's see if the Boy-who-Lived can truly handle a life of vampires, demons, and the forces of evil."
A/N 2: Thanks again for all the reviews and encouragement. I hope you enjoyed.