The aged railing creaks softly as I lay a hand on it to steady myself, venturing out of my room for the first time in two weeks. Voices trail up the staircase from below, the occasional giggle being heard. I don't have anything planned. I don't know what to do once I get down there.

Stepping down the first few steps, I can see flashes of brown hair from below. I try to continue creeping down the stairs, but cringe as they creak loudly, alerting the gang downstairs to my presence. The whole room falls silent and I shut my eyes for a brief moment and take a deep breath. I can feel their eyes on me.

"Hi," I say, offering a weak smile as I continue down the staircase.

Willow rushes over and embraces me tightly once I reach the bottom. I can feel tears well up in my eyes, but harshly force them back. I need to tell them. Now. Or I might never say it.

Xander joins the hug, and so does Giles. We stand there for a minute, reveling in each other until I reluctantly pull back.

"I have some news," I speak quietly, pointedly looking at Giles, "and I need some help."

Nodding, my ex-Watcher guides me to the sofa where both gangs have gathered around and I sit down on the plush seat. I notice that Angel and Wesley are missing. So is Faith. I watch nervously as everyone seats themselves, some of the A.I. gang shooting me discreet smiles that don't reach their eyes. I know they think I'm still mental. Maybe I am.

"I got a letter this morning," I start, shaking my head as Xander makes to interrupt me, "an owl delivered it to me. I heard it tapping on my window."

I look subtly at Giles, noticing that his face seemed to have paled several shades beneath his librarian glasses. I slip the letter out of my jeans pocket and unfold it, handing it to Giles. His hands shake as they take it.

"An owl? Don't you think that's a bit...weird?" one of the girls from Angel's team says tentatively. I think her name's Fred.

A few people nod their heads in agreement. I shrug my shoulders.

"I didn't get any wiggy vibes from it – the owl or the letter. So I think it's okay. Besides, Syrup is pretty cute, and sleeping upstairs," I say.

"Syrup?" Xander asks, raising an eyebrow.

"One of the owls that belongs to Hogwarts," Giles says, his voice trembling slightly.

I frown. He seems to know more than he's letting on.

"What's Hogwarts?" I ask, leaning back tiredly against the couch. Having lain in a bed for two weeks seems to have drained me more than I thought.

Giles removes his glasses and rubs the skin between his eyes, "It's a school for Witchcraft and Wizardry. One of the best in the world. Albus Dumbledore is the Headmaster of the school."

"How do you know this?" Willow beat me to the question.

He sighs heavily, shoulders slumping slightly.

"I used to attend Hogwarts, until my father shipped me off to the Watchers' Council just before my seventh, and last year. I haven't had contact with any one from there since I left."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask softly. Why did he keep this from me all this time? We could have had so many more allies if we had contacted them...

"I left that world a long time ago, Buffy. Their issues do not concern us, neither does ours to them. I am greatly surprised that Dumbledore has written to you, let alone knowing about your work as the Slayer," he replies. I could hear the sadness tinting his voice.

By this time, the letter had circulated through the circle of people. Xander and Willow face me with sad eyes. I think they know what I'm going to say. The rest don't though. Their gazes are a blend of confusion and questioning.

"Do you trust these people, Giles?" I ask, tilting my head slightly.

He turns his eyes to me. They are filled with the same sadness that I see in Xander and Willow's. I can tell that he's reluctant to give me an answer. Just say it, just say it...

Giles gives me a small nod and I slowly sit up from the couch. I clasp my fingers together and gaze intently at the intertwining pattern of skin. Still looking at my hands, I tell the group, "I'm going."

Giles doesn't say anything. Neither does Willow. Xander, though he already knew it was coming, tries to dissuade me. The A.I. team are hesitant, not sure whether to agree or not. Their loyalty lies with Angel, I know, and my leaving doesn't affect them.

I turn to Xander and cover his hands, looking into his unpatched eye, speaking loudly enough that everyone else can hear, "I'm not needed here. Dawnie's gone. Faith can manage well enough. Angel's team is prepared. You don't need me to be here."

Xander falls silent.

"The fight might not need you, but your friends do," Willow says with a trembling voice, her head turned away from me.

I walk over to her end of the sofa and kneel in front of her. Grasping her in a huge hug, I can feel her tears wetting my t-shirt.

"I worried so much about you! You just woke up and now you're leaving!" she cries.

"Wills, I have to. These people need my help and that's what I'm here for. The Slay-Gal, remember? Sent to protect the world. This world needs my help," I speak softly to her.

She gives a tiny nod, drawing her head away from my shoulder and looking at me, her face tear-streaked. I know she understands. She has to.

I stand slowly and face Giles again.

"I'll write my reply to Dumbledore. If anyone wants me, I'll be packing in my room," I say, turning away and heading back to the staircase.

Just as I make to ascend, I turn back and see a group of shocked and saddened people behind me. Funny how life works. Five minutes was all it took to change an atmosphere so dramatically. I hesitate before saying, "When Angel comes back, can you send him up?"

I see Cordelia nod her brunette head just before I turn back and walk up the stairs.

Dear Mr. Dumbledore,

I accept your request to assist the Order of the Phoenix.

Please send me the details on how I'll get to wherever you need me to be.

Sincerely,

Buffy Summers

With that, I roll up the small piece of paper and tie it to Syrup's leg. Opening the window, the owl gives me a grateful peck for the food and water I provided it with before flying off.

I sit down on the bed with a sigh.

I can't believe I'm doing this.

I'm going to the land of Giles. Where tweed and tea rule the land.

A small chuckle escapes and I stand up to pack what I have left from the demolishment of Sunnydale.