I just finished reading order of the Phoenix for the fifth time and I still love that book! The scene at the end with Harry shouting at Dumbledore is one of the best written scenes, so much better than anything I could write!

I should probably be revising as I write this but I'm not. A lot of people have been getting really impatient about Sirius coming back so I'm just gonna say that wait a few more chapters and then it's gonna kick off.

Hope you like this one, review if you do or even if you don't!

Thanks to:

Dreamer Child – I love protective Scoobies too, it's nice to see them backing each other up, even if they were mean to Buffy in season 7 (grr)

Erak – I won't be brining Jenny back, I never really liked her that much though I felt really bad for Giles when she died and I thought the episode where he went after Angelus was amazing. I don't think it would work anyway because Jenny's death was a natural one (well as natural as getting bitten by a vamp can be) but Sirius' wasn't a proper death

Draco-FutureBF

ScruffyWes

Loki – yeah I just watched Clueless for the millionth time before I wrote this chapter. I loved that line so thought I would include it! I wondered if anyone would pick up on it, so well done!

Miz

NicolaAfyon

Lolly6- I haven't decided how exactly I'm gonna work Xander and Anya in but it will not be like Hell's bells definitely!

Captinuv

Renna – I don't think that Snape will ever be on decent terms with Sirius, they will always hate one another but there will be more interaction between Buffy and Snape and they will come to an understanding (of sorts)

Anne-Marie – I love Snape the character (and also Alan Rickman) but he will not become nice, because I don't think he would do that in canon. I haven't made the decision as to what part he will play yet.

Harmoni

Thorn of Blood – thanks for your review, it really gave me a lot to think about. I appreciate your comments, they help me write better so keep them coming! I see what you mean about the service, though I think I shied away from it a bit because I was afraid of overdoing it and making it maudlin which I think is worse than underdoing it. As for Buffy's speech, I used the Gift because that speech is what sticks with me when I think of sad Buffy. I think at this point in my fic, she's feeling the same way she did then. My words couldn't possibly be better than Joss Whedon's so I used them for guidance. As for Snape, he didn't have any choice, Dumbledore asked all the Order to attend.

Lexinator – I didn't intend for Bill to come off as a freak, he's just got a bit of a crush, but he's too nice to act on it as you will read in this chapter….

Becks89 – mega review! Thanks for all your comments, great TYE update but I need more, you left us just as it was getting good!

Blondi gurl

Kyra2 – Willow has Wiccan magic, this fic is about at the level of season 5 so Willow has a lot of magic, but not any HP magic at all.

Chapter 16 – Letting go  

When Buffy returned to the living room gathering, she discovered that many of the guests had left. The Weasleys were all present, Harry, Hermione, Remus, Tonks, Moody and Kingsley, plus all the Sunnydale visitors. Buffy went over to Faith who was still talking to the two older Weasleys.
 "Faith just told us about the time she beat you up," Bill greeted her with a grin. Buffy threw Faith a sideways look.
 "When exactly was this?" Buffy asked incredulously. "As far as I recall, you never beat me up."
 "Remember the time with the new Watcher and the glove and I thought Angel was evil?" Faith said with a challenging smile. "I seem to remember kicking your ass pretty good that day."
 "As I recall it was the other way round," Buffy said with a smile equally as challenging. Faith raised an eyebrow.
 "Care to go again?" she asked and Buffy laughed.
 "You're on," she said. "Just don't break too much, I own half this stuff."
 "Do I detect a slayer fight?" Xander asked, coming over to them.
 "Let them go," Anya interrupted quickly. "The violence is exciting." Everyone else in the room backed away to the walls while Faith and Buffy squared up to one another in the middle.

Faith delivered a full spinning hook kick to Buffy's face. Buffy took the hit hard, falling to her knees. Faith delivered two roundhouse kicks to Buffy's gut while she was still on the floor. Buffy stood up and uppercut punched Faith's right arm, knocking her back. Buffy backhand punched Faith in the face, and punched her in the chest. She shoved Faith backward and Faith fell backward over a sofa, narrowly missing hitting Ron, who leapt out of the way just in time.

 Buffy flipped over the sofa and leapt into a jumping double roundhouse kick which was blocked by Faith. Buffy tried a backhand punch, but Faith blocked it. Buffy whirled around and punched Faith in the face with her other hand, catching Faith off guard.

Faith leaned in again and tried to punch Buffy, but she blocked it and punched Faith in the gut, sending her backwards to hit the wall. Buffy punched at Faith who dodged it, causing Buffy's hand to punch through the wall. Faith dropped to the floor and quickly tried to sweep kick Buffy's legs out from under her, but Buffy jumped to avoid it. Faith scrambled back up, and the two girls faced off again.

Buffy blocked two roundhouse kicks from Faith and then tried a high spinning kick, which Faith easily ducked. Faith rose back up and did a spinning back kick that hit Buffy squarely, sending her flying back over the sofa. Buffy quickly flipped up, catching Faith as she leapt over the sofa, sending them tumbling to the ground. They rolled over and when they stopped, Buffy was astride Faith, pinning her to the ground.

The small audience applauded and Buffy reluctantly climbed off of Faith, panting hard. She extended a hand and pulled Faith up, who was also panting.
 "Haven't been out much recently huh?" Faith said with a grin and Buffy shook her head, stretching out her tired limbs. "You had so much pent up aggression." Buffy grinned.
 "I haven't had a decent fight in ages," she exclaimed. "That was so relaxing!"

 "Relaxing?" Ron asked incredulously. "If that's you idea of relaxation, I'd hate to see your idea of exercise!" Buffy grinned.
 "Sorry we nearly got you," she said apologetically. "I just get into the zone, and everything else sorta fades away."

 "I thought you were fast against the vampires," Moody growled. "You were holding back." Buffy smiled modestly.
 "Sort of," she admitted. "I wasn't over extending myself because they weren't that difficult. Faith, on the other hand, is one of two people that can beat me so I have to put my all into it."
 "You were lucky," Faith teased her and laughed.
 "I was," Buffy answered. "Could've gone either way."

 "Who's the other one?" Fred asked curiously. "The other person that can beat you?"

 "Not so much a person as a vampire," Buffy explained. "Angelus. He was nearly as good as Faith, but unfortunately for him, you just can't beat a slayer."
  "You speak the truth B," Faith confirmed. "I'm all with the buzzing now. Wanna patrol?" Buffy considered and then nodded.
 "Can we come?" Fred and George asked in unison. Buffy shrugged.
 "Not up to me," she said and the twins looked at their mother hopefully.

 "Well, if you really want to…." She said grudgingly and the twins grinned.
 "Thanks mum," Fred said, kissing her on one cheek.
 "Yeah thanks," George said kissing her on the other cheek. Molly smiled despite herself

 "Mum can I go?" Ginny asked pleadingly but Molly shook her head firmly.
 "I'd prefer if only two of my children risked their lives at once if you don't mind," she replied. Ginny scowled but the twins were still beaming.
 "Any more takers?" Faith asked and Moody and Kingsley said they would come.
 "I'm in," Xander said and the rest of the Scoobies, minus Giles who was going home to collect his things, decided to join them.
Once again Buffy handed out stakes and wryly told Moody that she expected him to actually join in with the slaying.
They set off into the balmy summer night, Buffy and Faith at the head of the group.
 "Got the deal on the two hotties," Faith said conspiratorially.

 "I've been living in the same house as them for over a week and I don't even have the scoop," Buffy laughed. "You work fast." Faith grinned mischievously and then launched into what she had found out.
 "Well, older and taller Bill works for a bank, used to live in Egypt hence the scrummy tan," Faith began. "Used to date a French girl but they broke up, think he dumped her but not sure. Anyway, he's free but I noticed him eyeing a certain blonde slayer so I'm not gonna go there." Buffy blushed.
 "But I wasn't….I don't….I wouldn't," she stammered and Faith eyed her in amusement.
 "Don't freak out," she said calmly. "I know you're not interested. So does he, and he's too much of a gentleman to do anything about it anyway so you're safe. I could bring him round anyway; show him that the non-grieving slayer is more fun."

 Buffy half-smiled. She definitely wasn't ready for another relationship, she wasn't sure she'd ever be, she couldn't think of anyone who could measure up to Sirius.
 "The younger one, Charlie, he's cute too," Faith continued breezily. "More my type I think, a little less with the serious and I like the muscles look. Not dating anyone either, but lives in Romania most of the time which is a bit of a downer. Has potential though."
Buffy grinned.
 "Nice work," she commented. "When the house empties out you'd better come and stay."
 "Sounds cool," Faith said musingly. "The tall silent one's pretty cute too."
 "Kingsley?" Buffy asked in amusement. "I beat him up a couple of times."

 "Perfect," Faith said brightly. "Works for me."

The twins caught up with the two slayers.
 "Where exactly are we going?" Fred asked.
 "And when do we get to use this?" George added, brandishing his stake wildly.
 "Careful, you'll take someone's eye out," Buffy said with a giggle. "Okay, I'm channeling my mother." Faith nodded succinctly.
 "We're just gonna walk, there was a signpost back there for a cemetery so I figure we'll go there," Buffy continued.
 "Is there any chance we'll get bitten?" Fred asked hopefully. "Battle scars are so cool." Faith and Buffy exchanged looks.

 "Not when you have them," Buffy commented mildly.
 "Can you show us?" Fred asked eagerly. Buffy and Faith exchanged another look and Buffy lifted her hair to show them the bite mark left by Angel.

 "Vampire right?" Fred said in awe and Buffy nodded.
 "Where's yours?" George said cheekily and Faith lifted the bottom of her vest top to show them a thin white line on her stomach.
 "Stab wound," she explained at their bemused faces.
 "Demon?" Fred asked brusquely but Faith shook her head.
 "As if a demon could do that to me," she said with a smile. "Nope, this one was down to B." Fred and George stared at Buffy.
 "You stabbed her?" Fred said incredulously. "But she's a slayer!"

 "Didn't always make her a good person," Buffy said firmly. "People aren't automatically good because they don't belong to the bad team. Fudge was supposed to be a good guy but he turned out to a major jerk."
 "I was bad for a while," faith clarified. "But not anymore. I reformed."

 "Kind of like Sirius," George said tentatively.
 "Not really," Buffy said thoughtfully. "Sirius never did anything wrong except trust Wormtail. And I never stabbed him."
 "I nearly did once," Faith said reflectively. "We were fighting a big gooey green demon and I thought he was one." Buffy nodded thoughtfully.
 They reached the graveyard that Buffy had chosen and entered.

Immediately they were attacked; a group of over a dozen vampires had gathered and besieged them as they entered.
 Buffy and Faith took most of the action, taking on four each. Willow, Oz, Xander and Anya, all experienced with slaying three between them, leaving three for Kingsley, Moody and the twins.
Buffy fought four at once, delivering a roundhouse kick that hit all four at once. She brandished the axe she had brought with her and beheaded one, hitting another with the hand, causing it to fall backwards and hit a gravestone. She ducked a punch, hitting the vampires jaw with the top of the axe, then flipping round and kicking it. She withdrew a stake from her coat and staked it deftly before ramming the axe into the chest of one of the two vampires left. She quickly pulled it out, beheaded it and tossed the heavy axe to Faith who caught it and spun into a spinning kick, before turning to the final vampire. It punched her, causing Buffy to stumble, but she regained her footing and leapt into a high spinning kick which flipped the vampire over. It leapt up quickly and tried to kick Buffy which she dodged nimbly. Buffy stabbed her stake into its heart and watched as it crumbled into dust.

Buffy looked over at Faith who had one vampire left, then looked to the Scoobies. They had killed two of their three vampires and Xander was holding the third for Anya to stake.
Buffy moved over to the magical fighters and saw the brightly coloured beams of light which told of spells being fired. A red beam to light fired by Kingsley hit one vampire and froze it, causing it to fall stiffly to the floor. One of the twins darted forward and staked it, taking two attempts to find the heart.
 "Petrificus totalus!" Moody growled and another vampire's arms and legs snapped together and it fell, stiff as a board to the ground. The other twin staked that one quickly. The twins faced the third alone, both yelling 'expelliarmus' simultaneously and sending it flying backwards into a tree, where Buffy staked it.
And it was over; the group gathered together, the dust around them showing the success of their fight.

"We have to say-" Fred began solemnly.
 "-That you are our goddesses," George finished solemnly.
 "You have single handedly become the coolest two women in the world," Fred commented. Faith and Buffy exchanged amused looks and began to laugh.
 "Hey, aren't we cool too?" Xander interjected. "Anya used to be a demon, Oz is a werewolf, Willow can float stuff and give people their souls back and I, well I am a carpenter."

 "Don't worry Xander," Buffy said quickly. "You can be my goddess." Xander looked momentarily pleased before he realized what she had said.

The group began to walk back to Grimmauld Place, all recounting the battle.

"That was interesting," Moody commented as he limped along next to Buffy.
 "It was easy," Buffy admitted. "They were amateurs. Me and Faith could have taken them between us easily." Moody nodded thoughtfully.
 "She's a very – colourful girl," Moody growled and Buffy nodded, both watching as Faith back flipped down the road at the request of the twins.

 "Faith doesn't consider it a proper day if se doesn't toe the line at least once," Buffy said fondly. "But she knows now, she knows where to stop. She didn't always but she's a fantastic slayer and now she's my friend as well." Moody nodded.
 "Lord Voldemort would've liked her if she was as bad as you said she was," Moody said reflectively. "He had skill at bringing out the darkness in people. We don't have anything to worry about do we?" Buffy shook her head.
 "Absolutely not," she said firmly. "I would trust Faith with my life now. When she made the choice to sort out her life she made a promise to me that she would try to be what she was worthy of and I promised to help her with everything I had. I will never break my promise to her and I know that she would never betray me. She pisses me off sometimes, I can't deny that, and I know I must bug her, but she's like my sister. We live together and she loved my mom and my mom loved her like another daughter."
Buffy looked up at the half moon that shone above them and thought of her mother. Her mother had cared for Faith, had wanted to help her when Buffy explained the situation. Faith had been the company Joyce had needed while Buffy was in England and Buffy knew Faith missed her almost as much as herself. Joyce's funeral had been one of only two times Buffy had seen Faith cry.


The group reached Grimmauld Place shortly and crowded into the drawing room t so the twins could eagerly tell the tales of the patrol.
 "Of course we handled most of the vampires," Fred said, straight faced, chancing a glance at Buffy.
 "Buffy punched one at first but she broke a nail and decided she didn't want to fight anymore," George explained gravely. "Of course we stepped in to take over."
 "There was about fifty of them," Fred said musingly. "We had to do some pretty quick wand work let me tell you. But of course we were fine."
 "So much for being an Auror," George said, glancing at Moody and Kingsley. "They were utterly useless. And living in Sunnydale doesn't really do much for your fighting skills, eh Xander?"
 "Faith even went as far as to say that we were like the male equivalent of slayers," Fred said modestly. "She said even she and Buffy couldn't take fifty vampires in one go. But when you're good…."
The entire room broke into warm laughter, including the twins.
 "I take it the patrol was successful?" Giles said between chuckles and Buffy nodded.
 "You get your stuff?" she asked and Giles also nodded. Willow came over to the two of them and touched Buffy's arm gently.
 "Sweetie, we have to go," she said softly.

 "So soon?" Buffy asked, her face clouding over. "But you guys only just got here."

 "I wish we could stay longer too," Willow said sadly. "But we've got to get back to Sunnydale." Buffy nodded understandingly.  She led the Scoobies into the kitchen after they said their goodbyes to the occupants of Grimmauld Place.
Buffy hugged all of her friends in turn.
 "This is worse than before," she said as tears dripped down her cheeks. "I miss you guys already."

 "Find a new orgasm friend," Anya advised. "That might cheer you up."
 "Sunnydale isn't the same without you," Oz said with a reassuring smile. "I think even the hellmouth misses you." Buffy smiled sadly.
 "I miss your offbeat statements," she said wistfully. "And Willow, I miss your babbling, and Anya talking about money and orgasms and Faith being wild. And Xander and how funny you are. How am I supposed to go through everyday life without you guys making it easier?" Buffy smiled, eyes shiny with tears.
 "You'll manage," Xander said gently. "Like we have to manage without crazy old Buffy. And you have great people here taking care of you."
 "I do," Buffy said nodding. "I want you to come and visit again soon, promise me."

 "We promise," Willow said, eyes also shining with tears. "Write as much as you can."

 "I will," Buffy vowed. "None of you get killed okay? I can't go through that again." They all nodded and hugged her again. One by one they filed through the fireplace until only Xander was left.
 "Good luck," Buffy murmured and Xander nodded in understanding.
 "I want to be bridesmaid," Buffy added and he grinned before stepping into the fireplace to be whisked away to Sunnydale.

Wearily Buffy and Giles sat down at the table in the kitchen.

 "It's been a long day," Buffy said, putting her feet up.
 "It certainly has," Giles affirmed.
 "You don't mind staying do you?" Buffy asked suddenly, concern clouding her pretty face. "Because I know you have stuff in Sunnydale."
 "Nothing that can't be left," Giles assured her. "Anya can take care of the Magic Box, and the flat has been shut up. The others can take care of it. My place is here. I'm glad to be back in England, it feels like home."
 "It's nice to have a touch of Sunnydale here," Buffy said with a chuckle. "I've missed America. Try not to revert too much." Giles smiled.
 "I'm interested to learn about the Wizarding lifestyle," Giles said thoughtfully. "Sirius told me about it in quite a lot of detail but it'll be fascinating to actually live it, to see the spells and wands and potions. Quite fascinating."

 "Okay Mr. Watcher," Buffy said stifling a yawn. Her expression suddenly turned serious. "Am I doing the right thing here Giles? Am I wasting my time on something that I should let go?" Giles looked into her eyes thoughtfully as he considered.
 "I don't know," he said finally. "It could be suicide to go through the Archway. I don't want you to die; I care about you too much for that. I don't know if we could all bear to lose you. But I know that when you love someone, you can never let go. You shouldn't have to. "
 "I never want to let go," Buffy murmured, absently running a finger over her lips.