Author's Universe

Thought this would be...interesting.

He left them all behind.

Buffy. Angel. Faith. Dawn. Xander. Anya. Giles. Willow.

Gone.

More than once, they've told him how no one could love him. He was a monster. A monster with a useless soul. He left California and returned to London. The only place he could really call home.

He was no one. Just a vampire who couldn't even kill. He ran a hand through his white-blond hair and sighed. Bloody Hell.

"William?"

He turned around to see an old man standing in his crypt. He had a long gray beard and laughing crystal blue eyes. A power that he'd never felt before was emanating from him. The younger man swallowed and took a step back. He was rarely nervous around anyone.

"What do you want old man?"

He smiled, "My name is Professor Albus Dumbledore. May we talk?"

He waved his hand nonchalantly in the direction of the chair.

"Go ahead and sit. I've got nothing better to do with my time."

Dumbledore sat down and smiled.

"William."

"Spike."

He tilted his head slightly to the right "Pardon me?"

"Call me Spike."

Dumbledore nodded, "Spike then."

Spike settled in across from him, loudly propping his booted feet on the crate he used for a coffee table. He crossed his leather-clad arms across his chest and stared at the old man. He knew of Albus Dumbledore. Anyone who knew of magic knew of Dumbledore. He was the most powerful Wizard in London and possibly the world. But why was he sitting in Spike's crypt? And why did he keep that stupid grin on his face?

"Speak old man!"

Dumbledore laughed quietly to himself.

"Yes. My apologies. I shall get right to the point. I am the Head Master of a school. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to be exact. We teach young men and woman how to use and control their power. There was a young woman you knew once by the name of Tara. She used to be a student. Her ghost roams the halls of our school. Aside from the Bloody Baron, she is the only one that can control Peeves, our resident Poltergeist."

Spike became quickly frustrated as Dumbledore spoke of Tara, a girl from the past he tried to forget religiously.

"On with it man!"

Again, Dumbledore chuckled to himself.

"Yes. Yes. Well, we have a position open. Defense Against the Dark Arts. Tara insisted you take the job. Apparently, she's been keeping tabs on you from the afterlife and feels this would be good for you. I realize the difficulties of searching for robes and supplies so I will assign you a student helper. I have a perfect student in mind. What do you say Will. Uh, Spike?"

Spike couldn't help but look at the man as if he was crazy.

"You want me to teach...children?"

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes."

Spike opened then closed his mouth. This man seriously wanted him to teach young children. Spike laughed.

"Old man, you realize that you are asking a vampire to teach your young right?"

Again, Dumbledore nodded, "I know this. Spike, I know much about you. I know of your life before you were turned. I know of your life as William the Bloody. I know your life as the vampire Spike. I know of your love for Buffy Summers. I know of the chip that was placed in your head to keep you from harming humans. I know of the sacrifice you made in Sunnydale. You are not a mystery to me. I also know that if you come to work at Hogwarts and your chip stops working, I can stop you."

Spike was speechless. How could he say no?