Hey I wanted to get this up before the end of the weekend. It's not the best stopping place but it's easy for me to carry on from this. I've just gone on study leave so my updates will be lessening from now on. Review lots though and I'll do what I can. I've got some great ideas for what's going to happen though so once I do write it, hope you'll all like it.
I did ask last chapter but not many people mentioned it so I'll ask again. Would you prefer a sequel to this when I'm done or a new fic, possibly a Marauders one? Let me know please!

Thanks to:

Harmoni9

Lexinator – yeah I'd kept everything so slow for ages that I wanted to get back into action again! I've got some plans for Draco, you'll have to wait and see…..

Sabia

Dreamer Child – there's some stuff you asked for, about their future and also a vague clue as to how the story will go. Hope you like it!

Anipotter3713 – the new DADA teacher will be referred to in the following chapter

Miz – I never write Draco as a good guy because really I don't think he is. I might have some fun with him though

Silver Warrior

Renna

Vampy the chosen one

Lolly6

Kyra2

Anne-Marie

Becks89 – wow two speedy TYE updates, though not very long. I am patiently waiting for a new chapter!

Thorn of Blood

Midnight – the scoobies won't be around for long, just for Hogwarts and then they will go back. I'm trying to decide whether to keep one of them there, I shall decide soon hopefully.

Chapter 24 – Hogwarts

A few days passed and the Scoobies prepared to leave Grimmauld place for Hogwarts. Buffy woke early on the morning they were to leave and listened to the sounds of a storm rage outside, the signs that they were creeping into September. Sirius yawned next to her and opened his eyes, blinking at her sleepily.
 "Morning," Buffy said softly, lying on her side, facing Sirius.
 "Morning," he replied, stifling a yawn. He reached out a hand and caressed her cheek. Buffy closed her eyes and nestled into his touch.

 "Good news about Xander and Anya isn't it?" he said casually and Buffy nodded.

 "Yeah I'm really happy for Xander," she commented lightly, brining her hand up to clasp his. Then after a pause; "Do you think you'd ever want to get married?"

 "Someday," Sirius said thoughtfully. "We will someday." He lightly touched the ring on her finger. "I just don't want you to marry an escaped convict, a wanted man. You shouldn't have to live a secret life like that Buffy, you're better than that."
 "It wouldn't matter," Buffy assured him, clasping his hand firmly. "I mean I'd like the whole big white wedding and all that, what girl doesn't? Well except for Faith. But really, all that matters is us together." Sirius smiled and kissed her knuckles.

 "Someday," he repeated.

Around midday, the Scoobies gathered in the kitchen, luggage repacked, ready to Floo to Hogwarts. They had arranged with Dumbledore, the Scoobies were to stay in the castle, and Buffy and Sirius in the Shrieking Shack which Dumbledore said he had tidied up a little. Buffy could come to the school during the day and the entire group would be passed off as American relatives of Dumbledore, distant second cousins interested in seeing an English magical school. Which meant they all had to pretend to be wizards, much to their worry.

"We all ready?" Buffy said and everyone answered positively. Buffy handed her luggage to Sirius to take straight to the Shrieking Shack and took a pinch of Floo powder, threw the powder into the fireplace, stepped in and said 'Hogwarts' as she did.
She swirled away from the house, gripping her holdall tightly and was expelled out of a large stone fireplace, stumbling onto a thick carpet.
 "Good day Miss Summers," Dumbledore said jovially and Buffy put down her holdall and hugged him.
 "Good day to you too," she said brightly. They watched as one by one the Scoobies tumbled through the fireplace.
 "Guys you all know Dumbledore," she said as an introduction and they nodded and greeted him.
 "I trust you all know who you are supposed to be," Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling at them.
 "Sure do, Uncle Albus," Xander said proudly and Dumbledore smiled.

 "It's very important that we keep up the charade," Dumbledore said, more seriously this time. "Once again, Hogwarts is under scrutiny. Although Minister Fudge is forced to accept the reality of Lord Voldemort, he is still somewhat untrusting of me and my practices. Consequently he has provided us with a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor once again. The new professor isn't a patch on the last, but he is shrewd. While teaching the students proper magical defence, Professor Scrimgeour is keeping a close eye on what I am up to, as well as the rest of my staff. He will be very interested in you since you are related to me. Be on your guard."
 "This guy works for the Ministry?" Buffy asked and Dumbledore nodded, half moon glasses reflecting the torch light.

"He is one of the Aurors still loyal to Fudge," Dumbledore explained. "Frederick Scrimgeour has always been very keen on gaining power through the means many use; aligning himself with who sees as the most useful to him. Fudge has been very helpful to him through his ascension in the Ministry and Scrimgeour knows this. He will not turn from Fudge and he will watch you with a vengeance. Which leads me to my next point." Dumbledore turned and picked up a wooden box on his desk. He opened it and began to pass them wands.

 "You cannot pass as wizards unless you posses a wand," Dumbledore said, as they all looked at them doubtfully. "Unless you posses any magical power, they will not work for you. Unfortunately you all seem to have been party to some degree of magic at some time, Mr Giles I know you are sufficient at Wicca magic, Miss Rosenburg a promising Wicca, Buffy and Miss….Faith both slayers, Mr Osborne a werewolf, Miss Jenkins an ex-vengeance demon and Mr Harris I know you have been involved in many a spell."
  "I was an army guy once," Xander said helpfully.
 "Be careful with the wands," Dumbledore instructed, smiling at Xander. "Don't point them at anyone, it could have disastrous results. If you wish to attempt magic, make sure it is with someone who can help you. Just make sure you keep the wands on you at all times." 
 "What if someone asks us to do a spell?" Faith asked worriedly. Dumbledore thought for a moment.

 "I could help out," Willow offered. "You do the pointy and I'll fill in the rest." Dumbledore nodded satisfied.
 "That's everything I think," he said carefully. "I'll introduce you at lunch, which is about now. You'll be able to visit lessons, do what you like. You can show recognition to Harry, Hermione and Ron but not overly. Almost all of the staff are in the Order; you will have seen them at Grimmauld Place so you can ask any of them for help."
Dumbledore led them down the staircase and through a stone hallway. Buffy barely noticed her magnificent surroundings; she was so busy shooting alarmed glances at her friends. She hadn't realised how much scrutiny they would be under during their visit.

Dumbledore led them towards a grand open hallway where there were two huge open doors. Students wearing black robes milled around, generally moving in the direction of the doors. Dumbledore cleared a path through them and they were rewarded with openly curious stares.
They passed the threshold and they were in the hall and for the first time Buffy's attention was captivated by her surroundings. The hall was huge, the ceilings infinitely high added to by the ceiling which was apparently the open sky. There were four large tables with students seated around them, and another at the top which seated what appeared to be the teachers.

 "The sky is enchanted to look like the sky outside," Dumbledore explained as they walked up the aisle between the tables, towards the top table. Buffy looked up, the sky was a steely grey. They reached the top table and Dumbledore guided them to seats in the middle of the top table, on either side of him and they all sat down. Buffy was on Dumbledore's left, sitting next to Faith who had Giles on her other side. Willow, Oz, Xander and Anya sat on the other side of Dumbledore. They talked quietly and avoided the stares of the students until it appeared all the students had arrived for lunch and Dumbledore stood up.
 "I am very pleased to welcome some guests to Hogwarts," he said, looking round at the students. "My second cousin, Rupert has come to visit from California and has brought his children and the children of my second second cousin, Alice. They will be staying in Hogwarts for a week to see the differences between English wizard schools and American." He cleared his throat and looked down the Scoobies.
 "This is Rupert," he said, pointing them out. "And his daughters, Faith and Buffy. Alice's children, Xander and Oz and their partners, Anya and Willow. I expect you all to treat them with the same respect you would show any member of staff at Hogwarts and perhaps you can learn something from them about life in an American Magical School." He sat down and immediately food appeared on the platters in front of them which they tucked into noisily.
 "That was relatively painless, Dad," Buffy murmured to Giles who nodded which a grin. They began to eat the food laid out around them. Buffy looked down the staff table and caught the eye of Professor McGonagall who nodded. She noticed another man, a tall, well built man with dark, neatly trimmed hair, a pointy nose and sharp eyes. He was staring at her intensely and Buffy, freaked out but resisting the temptation to poke her tongue out, moved her gaze onwards. Scrimgeour, she decided uncomfortably.  She briefly caught the gaze of Snape, who she hadn't seen since the funeral but she moved on from him, he still made her skin crawl with dislike.

Buffy moved her gaze to look over the students. She caught Harry's eye and winked, also nodding imperceptibly to Ron and Hermione who he sat with. Not wanting to linger on him, she moved on, past the table wearing eagle insignia, and the table wearing badger insignia to the table with the snakes on their badges. Slytherins, she guessed correctly. She scrutinised them with distaste, remembering what she had heard about them as a collective from Sirius and Harry. She wondered briefly if many of them knew they would grow up to become murderers. Perhaps some already were. Her eyes rested on a boy with platinum blonde hair, which had caught her eye as it reminded her of Spike. She noticed to her astonishment that the boy was staring at her. She stared back as he muttered something to his companion and they both laughed. She scowled, recognising the feeling of someone laughing at her and stuck her tongue out at the boy, all the while realising the inappropriateness and immaturity of her actions. He narrowed his eyes at her, as if checking that she had actually just done what he thought she had. Then he promptly gave her the finger before turning away to talk to his neighbour.
 "Check out the bad boy," Faith commented dryly. "Looks like you've already made a friend sis." Buffy grinned ruefully.
 "I can't believe a teenager just gave me the finger," she chuckled. "No wait, I can't believe I just stuck my tongue out at him. I should've just impaled him on my fork."
 "Always a winner," Faith commented. They got up as everyone around them began to leave the tables.
 "You can go where you want," Dumbledore informed them. "Feel free to explore the castle, the grounds, or attend a lesson. If you wish to go to your quarters then just snap your fingers three times in quick succession and a house elf will show you how to get there. Your luggage is already there." Dumbledore swept off in a whirl of coloured robes and the Scoobies looked at each other expectantly.
 "My votes for exploring," Faith said immediately and Buffy nodded.
 "I'd kind of like to see a lesson," Willow countered, holding Oz's hand.
 "I'd like to try out the beds," Anya announced importantly. "I haven't had an orgasm since last night."

 "Looks like we're all going separate ways then," Buffy said with a smile. "Xander and Anya can check out the rooms, Wills and Oz can join a lesson and me and Faith are exploring. Giles what are you wanting?"

 "I'll explore with you I think," he said and Buffy nodded.
 "Later guys," she called as she, Faith and Giles crossed the hall.