Thanks to Destiny's Dragon, Bunny-Butler, Vld, Gen, Suteben, Sean Malloy-1, Alyssa, Carla, and Saphrine for the reviews, I love all the feedback. When I started writing this story I never imagined that I would get over 100 reviews and my alerts lists would sell to the numbers it has. Speaking of which, all of you whose names are on that list, please leave a review I'd love to hear your feedback.
Bunny-Butler: Nah, Dawn was always going to get a car because she might need it later...
Vld: Actually the host is never "dies" as the Goa'uld claim. They are all-too painfully aware of what is going on around them and what they are being forced to do.
Suteben: Very true, though the reason they would be the first to get involved is because the war with Voldemort is centered around the UK.
Carla: Well, I did already mention that Fred was involved with the creation of a new defense weapon that Felger was working on, though it might be a good idea if she were to turn into Illyria down the road.
Saphrine: Actually I took the third kind of magic from a video game called Ninja Gaiden. However, I think it will be too confusing to add characters or depth from it because it's a little obscure. Besides, it's hard enough keeping three fandoms straight.
Anyways, that's all I have to say so on with the story!
Chapter 17
Students flooded the Hogwarts Great Hall, taking their seats and talking amongst themselves about the holidays, the rise of Voldemort, and of course, the men in green fatigues that proliferated the school grounds. The talk was relatively consistent throughout the sorting, only broken for applause for the new housemates. Finally, the sorting ceremony ended, and Dumbledore stood up.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts, all of you. I would like to begin the year with an announcement from the Ministry of Magic. Educational decree number thirty."
A collective groan went through the room. "Educational decrees twenty-two through twenty-nine are hereby rescinded, as are all lasting results caused from them."
A cheer went through the crowd and Ron nudged Harry. "Guess that means you're officially back on the Qudditch team." He said brightly.
"Now to a more serious matter. As you all probably know, an alien named Anubis has arrived on Earth to start a war. The timing could not have been worse, and we believe that Anubis may have an alliance with the Dark Lord."
Hushed whispers of worry again broke out, but Dumbledore raised his hands to stop them. "However, I believe that regardless of this we will still emerge victorious, so long as we band together. Not just between houses, but between all ways of life. Bearing that in mind, it is with great pride that I introduce to you the first muggle member of our staff, Colonel Jack O'Neill. Colonel O'Neill and the marines under his command will be overseeing security, as well as helping with the classes of Muggle Studies and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Now, the Colonel has a few words to say."
Dumbledore sat back down and Jack, sitting beside him, stood up. "Hi." He greeted. "I'm really not big on speeches, so I'll try to keep this quick. I worked for Stargate Command up until now, and I am very qualified for at least the security part of this job, I don't know about the teaching though. Anyways, my men and I are here for your protection. I don't ask that you like us, but I do ask that you respect us and our wishes. Trust me, I've been doing this for a few years now and I know how our enemies work."
A hand at the Slytherin table went up, belonging to Pansy Parkinson. "Yes?" Jack asked.
"You have no magical abilities and according to 'Hogwarts, A History' there have been spells to prevent muggle firearms from working here since the 1800s. What can you possibly do to defend us?"
"That's a good question." Jack admitted. "It's true, muggle technology does not work here unless it's really, really charmed. But, the same isn't true for alien weapons and technology. So, we're using Goa'uld weapons to protect the school, as well as certain muggle weapons that aren't affected by the magic. Speaking of which, you may have noticed a strange shape outside the entrance to the castle, which would be my fighter. Don't touch it. Really, it's protected by both some spells and a shield. If you get too close, you'll get a painful shock."
Snorts of disgust were emanating from the Slytherin table, and Hermione rolled her eyes. "In the hopes of helping to tear down the wall between wizards and muggles," Jack continued, "this year a new sport will be introduced. This year as well as the Quidditch teams, there will be Hockey teams." Jack said with a smile.
"Why would we want to play a stupid muggle game?" Malfoy asked contemptuously, gaining shouts of agreement from his housemates and members of some other houses as well.
"I thought many of you might ask that." Jack said with a wry smile. "That's why I've prepared this. Professor Flitwick?"
Flitwick waved his wand, and a large screen appeared above the staff table. Images suddenly flickered onto it, highlights of hockey.
"Hockey is a game played on ice." Jack explained, as an image of Peter Forsberg cutting through three Boston players to score a goal was displayed above him. "Five players and one goalie are on the ice for either team, the objective is to put the puck into the other team's net as many times as you can in sixty minutes. The team with the most goals wins."
An image of Roberto Luongo making a huge glove save appeared above him. "It's not as easy as you might think." Jack said. "In addition to being a fast paced, exciting and just generally cool sport, there is one other reason to play."
An image of Bryan McCabe hip-checking an Ottawa Senators forward into the Toronto bench appeared. "Hockey is full contact, which at the very least means you get to hit the players from the other houses." A cheer went up at that part, especially strong from the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables.
After a few more highlights, the reel finished and the screen went blank, then vanished. "Tryouts start in October." Jack stated. "I'll be coaching the Gryffindor team, Lieutenant Weatherly will be coaching the Hufflepuffs, Captain Francis will be coaching the Ravenclaws, and Lieutenant Roberts will be coaching the Slytherins. Hope to see you all there."
Jack sat back down and Dumbledore stood back up. "I again want to remind you that you are to treat the Colonel and his men as members of the staff. They have the ability to give and take points, and any derogatory or insubordinate comment will cost the offender fifty points. As always, the forbidden forest is just that, forbidden. I can't stress enough how important it is that you obey this rule, the forest could be crawling with Death Eaters or other enemies. This year, the boundary line extends 100 yards out past the forest. It will be clearly marked. Once you are across that line, we are no longer responsible for your well-being. Now, tuck in!"
Plates of food appeared on all the tables and the students began to chatter again while they ate. "Why do you think the line goes 100 yards past the edge of the forest now?" Ron asked.
Hermione shrugged. "Probably just so nothing hiding at the edge of the forest can grab you."
Harry shook his head. "No, I heard Colonel O'Neill say something about planting Bouncing Betty's, whatever that means."
"Harry, what do you think of hockey?" Ron asked. "Just think, if you joined and the Slytherins found out Malfoy would probably join too, then you could smash him on the ice."
Harry smiled contently, imagining crushing Malfoy's face into the boards. "Yeah, that would be nice. Wouldn't mind giving Malfoy a new nose."
"And we need to worry about quidditch too." Ron added. "All three of our chasers graduated last year. And our beaters are gone too."
Harry grimaced. "Don't remind me."
"I can play chaser!" Ginny called from down the table.
"Well there's one." Ron said.
"Not yet she's not." Harry replied. "We don't even know who the captain is."
"Well it's got to be one of us." Ron replied. "Besides Ginny we're the only members of the team left."
As if on cue, Jack wandered up to the group. "Hey." He greeted. "Dumbledore wanted me to mention that he's leaving the decision of who will be Captain of the Quidditch team up to you. Just tell him when you decide."
"Thanks Jack." Harry said.
"So, will I see you guys at the hockey tryouts?" Jack asked.
"As long as we get to pound the snot out the Slytherins, count me in." Ron said.
Harry nodded. "Hear hear."
Jack looked at his pocket, which appeared to be rattling. "Looks like it's time to talk to the General. See you later." Jack walked out of the hall, leaving Harry and Ron to decide who would be captain.
Dawn was practically skipping as she, Buffy and Xander approached the dealership. "I can't believe it, when I leave here I'm going to have a car!" She said excitedly.
"Let's hope you're a better drive than me." Buffy mumbled. "Now here are the rules. One, you have to make a sensible car choice, not one you have to put in the garage during the winter. That's why Xander is here."
"Because you know nothing about cars." Xander added, adjusting his sunglasses.
"Right. Hey!" Buffy said, lightly swatting Xander. "Two, if I find out you drive like a maniac I'm taking the car away. I remember what magazine you were holding when you asked me about a car, so you better not get a ticket."
"Anything else?" Dawn asked.
Buffy looked to Xander, who shrugged. "I guess not." Buffy said.
Dawn grinned and walked onto the large used cars lot. A salesman approached her. "Hi, can I help you?" he asked.
"I'm looking for a manual 2 door car, preferably something with four wheel drive." Dawn said confidently. "Maybe a Subaru?"
"Buffy, I think you may be in over your head here." Xander said with a smile. "Looks like Dawn did a little research."
"Just because Buffy can't drive doesn't mean I haven't been looking forward to it." Dawn retorted without looking back.
"What is it, bash Buffy day?" Buffy grumbled.
Two hours later the group drove off the lot, all packed together in Dawn's new Subaru Impreza RS. Before they made it to the first street light, Dawn stalled several times. But more importantly, Buffy's new cell phone, given to her by the SGC, began to ring. "Hello, Buffy Summers." She answered.
"Ms. Summers we need you back at the SGC ASAP. We have an off-world situation and I am deploying SG-Slay to deal with it, should be a good trial run." Hammond said over the phone. "Pick a group of five and report for duty."
"Yes sir, I'll be there as soon as possible." Buffy replied, before hanging up. "Dawn, head back to the SGC. The general's deploying the team."
Half an hour later Buffy, Xander, Faith, Vi and Shannon were seated in the briefing room. Hammond sat at the head of the table and after checking Buffy's selections he began the briefing. "A team we have off-world at P4X-792 ran into trouble this morning. A small group of Jaffa, belong to a minor Goa'uld attacked their site. P4X-792 is being checked out as a potential naquadah mine site, so the team their was mostly scientific. The group managed to evade the Jaffa and is holed up in a cave near the gate. However, we need a team to go in and extract them."
"How many Jaffa are we talking about?" Buffy asked.
"Aproximately ten to twelve." Hammond replied. "Though they outnumber you more than two to one, Jaffa in the service of minor Goa'uld get little to no training, so dealing with them shouldn't be a problem."
"So we just go in, take care of the Jaffa and get out?" Faith asked.
Hammond nodded. "Simple and quick. Just in case you get into trouble though, I'll have SG-3 on standby. Dismissed."
The group got up and the members of SG-Slay went to suit up.
Ten minutes later they were standing in front of the Stargate. "MALP indicates the area around the gate is clear. SG-Slay you have a go." Hammond's voice boomed over the speakers as the Stargate whooshed to life. Buffy walked up the ramp with her team in tow, and stepped through the Stargate into a whole new world, and a whole new war.
End chap 17
Sorry for taking so long to get this chapter out. To be honest I'm sruggling a little at this point because I have ideas for down the road but I'm drawing a bit of a blank for how to fill the gap. Anyways I hope you liked this chapter, and I promise action and adventure galore next chapter, which by the way I promise will be soon. Thanks for reading and please leave a review!
