Chapter 12

Skeletons

- - - - -

Fred opened the bedroom door the next morning, stretching and yawning. He was slightly surprised to see a blonde-haired girl sitting fully dressed against the wall across from him. She blinked up at him and rose.

"If you're looking for Harry," he said quickly, moving to pass her, "he's in bed, still."

"Actually, Fred," she said, taking him by the arm. He turned to look at her in surprise. "I want to apologize for my behavior last night. I was a bit rude and after all, your parents and family have welcomed me so kindly into your home."

"Yeah?" he said, trying to figure out her true purpose. The door opened behind them and George stumbled out, still struggling to pull on his shirt. He let out a quick yelp when he pummeled into two figures, sending them both against the wall.

Buffy managed to catch herself and quickly leaned over to help Fred up to his feet when George disentangled himself from his top.

"Oh," he said simply, gazing from one to the other. "Good morning."

Fred glanced quickly at her before moving away. Buffy sighed and crossed her arms, tipping her head against the cool wall. "Sometimes I wonder why I even bother."

"Don't take it the wrong way," George told her before following his twin.

"No, of course not," Buffy replied with a huffy sigh before following him resignedly.

In Ron's room, Harry listened to the footfalls disappear before he uncovered his head, looked around, and proceeded directly to Ron's bed. "Wake up," he said, prodding his best friend in the side.

"No," Ron muttered, squirming.

"Wake up!" Harry whispered, more persistently.

"No," Ron muttered again.

Harry tiptoed to the other side of the bed and ripped the blankets off of him.

"Bloody hell!" Ron moaned into his pillow. "What was that for?"

"I need to tell you something," Harry replied, sitting calmly on the edge of Ron's bed. Rubbing his eyes, Ron sat up, attempting to push his wild red hair from his face.

"All right, since you insisted I get up at the crack of dawn," Ron grumbled, crossing his arms, "what is it?"

"It's about Elizabeth," Harry said, dropping his voice.

Ron looked surprised. "You wish to gossip about your sister?" he asked, shocked. "Harry, mate... I'm surprised."

"It isn't gossip," Harry replied indignantly. "It's just... I need someone to talk to about some stuff she said to me last night."

"Oh, right," Ron said, a look of dawning realization on his face.

But before Harry could talk there was a knock on his door. It creaked open and both Hermione and Ginny walked in. They both had a strange look on their faces.

"We were just downstairs," Ginny said in a low voice as she sat on one of the spare beds.

"What happened?" Harry asked, alarmed.

"Percy," Hermione replied simply.

Although the row with Percy and his parents had come to an end after Cornelius Fudge had deduced that Voldemort was indeed back, he still acted slightly out of place at times.

This morning appeared to be no different. They could hear Mrs. Weasley's voice rising from the floors below.

"And she thought this place was so perfect," Harry mumbled, thinking of what Elizabeth must think of the Weasleys' now.

Downstairs, Elizabeth was wedged behind Fred and George, who both wore matching looks of loathing on their faces. Percy was sitting at the table, buttering a bit of toast and was arguing with his mother. She kept walking back and forth, talking at the highest pitch she could carry.

"Let's get out of here," George said with a heavy sigh, turning to walk back up, but there was Elizabeth towering over him, her eyes on the curious scene in the Kitchen. He rolled his eyes comically toward his brother and they both seized one of her arms, marching her backwards back upstairs.

"What... what are you doing?" she huffed indignantly as they reached the first landing.

"You didn't want to see that," Fred said, looking a bit sad.

"Percy can still be a bit of a prat," George explained.

"He really never changed his ways."

"He'd be evil except he's so organized."

"That and he always wears that pride badge."

"The git."

"The stupid git."

Buffy had moved past them and was staring downstairs, where Mrs. Weasley's voice was still floating up. In the back of her mind, she heard an argument from her past.

If you walk out of this house, don't even think about coming back.

She bit her lip and moved down one step. She would have gone further except she could feel a pair of hands holding her back. "No use going down there," a voice came impatiently. "They'll be at it for hours, or at least 'till Percy goes to work."

"Okay," she said slowly, allowing herself to be dragged backwards for the second time that morning.

They were soon joined by Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, all who wore concerned looks on their faces as they peered over the landing. There was one last bit of shouting, followed by the slamming of a door and then complete silence.

Buffy hung back as the Weasley children exchanged exasperated looks before walking downstairs. Harry joined her and reached for her hand. "You all right?" he asked.

"I'll be okay," she replied.

He eyed her clothing, which was quite formal for a casual day at the Weasleys. "Are you going somewhere?"

"I'm going to go and meet your Minister of Magic," she said, flashing him a quick smile. "Oh, don't worry, Harry! I promise I won't embarrass you in the least!"

With that cheerful attitude, she descended the stairs, bouncing slightly. She may have fooled Harry for the time being, but she was far from fooling herself. She was damned nervous about this meeting. It was almost as though her insides were being ripped to pieces.

Percy was still sitting at the table when everyone entered, glaring at him. Buffy took a more noble approach and took the seat to his left. She didn't reach for any of the food that was piled on the table.

A moment later, the door reopened and Mrs. Weasley returned, carrying a basket of eggs. "Oh, good!" she said, using her wand to direct a line of eggs to a waiting pan on the stove top. "You lot are all awake!"

"Arthur was called to the office early this morning," Mrs. Weasley told Buffy as she poured a glass of juice and handed it to her before handing the pitcher to Ron. "Percy will accompany you to the Ministry of Magic later this morning. Bill and Charlie are still asleep... having a bit of a lie-in, I suppose." She used her wand to magic a pile of plates and silverware to the table and quickly began passing it out.

Buffy appeared even more nervous, her hands shaking as she began adding marmalade to her toast. Harry noticed it immediately. She was scared. He supposed she was. He had told her a few stories on why the Ministry didn't trust him, but he figured his sister would be able to handle anything.

She flashed him the sunniest of smiles. He was beginning to see right through them, because her eyes still held apprehension. "You'll be all right," he said quietly. He reached over and gently detached the knife from her hand and finished adding her spread for her. "Just be polite, say your pleases and thank-yous and Fudge'll love you."

"Or," Fred said, halfway through his plate of eggs and bacon, "he'll write in his famous paper you're a raving lunatic."

"That you're all mad and deranged," George added, his eyes sparkling as he lifted his mug to her. "Cheers."

"Thanks," Buffy said gloomily, staring at her own plate and forcing down a bite of toast.

Harry could only sympathize what she was going through. This time last year he was worried about a disciplinary hearing he'd had to face for abusing the Decree for Underage Wizardry. He'd had been forced in front of the Wizangamot, the magical High Court and had finally been freed of all charges.

He watched her take another bite before dropping the toast. Her eyes were on the ceiling now and she appeared to be thinking hard, as though willing her stomach to calm itself.

After she'd finished eating, she stood up, smoothing her long pants and neat sweater top. She tucked her long, fair hair behind her ears and turned to Percy, who was looking at her oddly. "Shall we go?" she asked.

Harry stood up, too, followed by Ron, who looked almost embarrassed.

"You'll be okay," Hermione said to her. "Don't worry. They can't hurt you."

"Who says they --"

"Fred, shut up," Ginny said cheerfully as she turned to the older girl. "You'll see. Not every government office is corrupt and evil..."

Harry almost burst out laughing as soon as she'd said that. Even Ginny looked surprised at her own words. Fred and George were sniggering into the tea mugs.

Percy stood up and acknowledged everyone, ignoring his Mother as he turned his back to her. "Let's go." He turned to Ron. "Can you make sure that Bill and Charlie are on time?"

"Save your breath, Perce," came a voice behind them. "We're ready now."

The two eldest Weasleys had arrived, both wearing long, billowing robes.

Buffy took a keen interest in the robes, but was jolted from her thoughts when Percy's hand clapped over her elbow. "We should probably go," he said, an air of aloofness in his voice. Harry narrowed his eyes at the older boy, almost dangerously. "We'll go by Floo, since we both know that is your preferred method of travel."

"Oh, God," Buffy groaned as Percy lifted the pot and took a small bit into his hands. He offered her the pot.

Bill and Charlie came up behind them, each taking their own handful. "We'll bring some home tonight before dinner, Mum," said Charlie, noticing the pot was nearly empty. Standing next to the second-eldest Weasley, Buffy finally got a sight of the man that Harry said worked with dragons. He was shorter than Bill, with shorter hair but the same dancing brown eyes. He was sturdier than the others, she saw, and there was a faint trace of a burn on his hand.

Bill stepped into the fire first, throwing down his handful and saying, in a very clear voice, "British Ministry of Magic." Charlie followed right behind him.

"Go on," Percy said, practically shoving her into the fireplace. She turned and saw Harry smiling at her. She smiled back before dropping her own handful and echoing the words from Bill.

Once again, she was spinning amongst flashes of green. She felt the little she had eaten spinning in her stomach as waves of nausea overcame her. Finally, she arrived at her destination and stumbled out of the fireplace. But, she realized happily, she didn't fall over.

She managed to move out of the way as Percy reappeared, stepping neatly out of the fireplace, brushing a bit of soot off his pointed black hat.

Buffy was looking around in shock. There were banks of fireplaces on either side, with small queues of people standing in line, waiting to use the fireplaces for their own means. The ceiling was gold and from what she could see, there were windows. She moved toward one of them, suddenly surprised. "What is this?" she gasped.

"Enchanted windows," Bill said, grinning as he looked through them over her shoulder. "We can magic them to look like the real London or however those who control them want, really."

"Wow," she said softly, pulling away. Her hand was drifting along the cool wall, which seemed to be made of gold. "This place is incredible."

"Yeah, yeah," Percy said irritably, joining them, his hat finally jammed on his head. "Let's get her up to the Minister's office. We only have about ten minutes."

Buffy followed the three Weasley brothers through the most enchanting place she could ever have imagined. Many Witches and Wizards paused to say hello. Buffy could understand why. She was the only person in this place dressed like a Muggle.

They paused at the security desk, presenting the younger girl to the Wizard sitting behind a crude wooden table with a small gold instrument on top of it. Deep black scorch marks lined the floor beneath the chair where the Wizard sat. He just blinked and listened as Bill explained her reason for being there. Since she didn't have a wand, she didn't need to go through that particular checkpoint. After saying their goodbyes, they moved on.

They finally reached another queue and soon were inside an elevator. Buffy looked around as they waited. They were walking on what appeared to be marble and just a few feet ahead, there was a large fountain with several large figures. Buffy smiled. This place really was incredible.

Ten minutes later, she was standing in a small area near the office of the Minister of Magic. Arthur Weasley joined them, looking harried. "Oh, good, she's here," he said in relief, quickly rounding up his three sons and they all disappeared, leaving Buffy to stand alone.

A door suddenly opened and a man appeared, looking rushed and cantankerous. He suddenly noticed someone standing there and looked up. "Oh!" he said, with an air of surprise. "You would be..."

"Elizabeth Potter," Buffy said quietly, extending her hand. His grip was strong, she realized, but she knew her grip was firmer judging by the wince on his face.

"Cornelius Fudge. Come in, my dear, come in," he said, gesturing inside his office.

His windows, too, were enchanted to look like the sky outside. Brilliant sunlight spilled into a large office, which looked as though it were designed with marble. He pointed to a chair and she sat, relaxing slightly.

"I doubt it would surprise you, Miss Potter, if I had doubts of your lineage," said the Minister, getting straight to the point.

"I imagine you would have doubts," she said, tugging her purse off the floor and opening it, pulling out her folder. She handed it to him. "I also hope this would help ease them."

He gazed at her a moment before looking at each of the papers inside. Finally, with an air of a man who'd been defeated, he handed her folder back to her. "All right, Miss Potter, you have me convinced."

"Thank you, sir," she said, tucking her folder back inside her bag. "I was told you requested to see me."

"Actually, I was invited to have the chance to get to know you," he said, smiling at her as though he were a kind grandfather smiling at his granddaughter. "I have known your brother Harry for quite some time now."

"He is an extraordinary boy," Buffy said with an air of quiet resilience about her. She shivered slightly at the words the Minister had used. There was a hard look in his eyes that was making her feel as though she were being inspected under a microscope.

Minister Fudge smiled again and turned his back to a small coffee cart. "Tea? Coffee?"

"Coffee, please," Buffy said quickly. "I'm really not all that warm to tea yet."

"Your accent is quite striking," he said, turning back to the cart. "American, isn't it?"

"I was born and raised a Muggle," Buffy replied. "Not that it really matters. I just found out I'm the sister of the boy-who-lived."

"It's a large amount of responsibility," Minister Fudge replied, turning back and handing her a mug of coffee. "Considering all of the most recent events."

"I beg your pardon?" Buffy asked, confused. "What events are you speaking of?"

The Minister shifted slightly behind his desk, looking uncomfortable. "I see that you and your brother still have a lot to discuss. I was referring to the return of Lord Voldemort."

This Harry had failed to mention.

"That... that man... the one who killed our parents... is back?" she whispered, her eyes wide.

"Yes," Fudge said shortly, watching as she took an anxious sip of her coffee with a tiny whimper. "I saw him myself not two months ago." He paused awkwardly. He had failed to mention the fact that he had ignored his return for a year.

"Oh, dear God," she said, setting down her cup and looking away. "Harry never told me. He told me that Voldemort was gone..."

"I can see that we, too, have a lot to discuss," Minister Fudge said warily. "I hate to say it, but we may be here awhile."

"Story of my life," Buffy said heavily, reaching for her cup again. "You might as well start at the beginning."

- - - - -

When Harry and Ron finally had a moment alone that morning, Harry told him that his sister was a Slayer. At first, Ron thought that Harry was pulling his leg.

"A Slayer? A real Slayer? Come on, Harry! You know they don't exist!"

But Harry held his ground. "You can ask her yourself."

Ron was still stunned, repeating his words again. He finally shook his head. "Why tell me?"

"I figured that if someone else knew, it would seem more real," Harry replied. "After all, Slayers haven't really been proven to exist. And you know how much time Professor Quirrell spent on vampires."

Ron shrugged, not really remembering anything taught to him by a Professor he'd thought was more of a crackpot. Something suddenly dawned on him though, and he turned to Harry. "Oh... oh. Oh! Do you remember when Professor Quirrell was talking about the whole one-girl-in-all-the-world thing? Moody mentioned it back in fourth year!"

"He did, didn't he?" Harry realized. "And Snape mentioned it when he was going over werewolves in Professor Lupin's class..."

Suddenly, it was making a lot more sense to the both of them.

"Wow," Ron said, his voice still laced with awe. "Your sister is an actual, genuine Slayer."

"I know," Harry said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I'm glad I told you, though."

"What about Hermione?"

"What about her?" Harry asked, glancing at Ron.

"You told me about Elizabeth," Ron explained half-heartedly. "But Hermione's our best friend, too. She needs to know. That girl craves knowledge."

Harry smirked, nodding. "I know... I guess... it's just something I want to keep quiet, you know? For some odd reason, I think she didn't want me to tell anyone."

"I wonder how her meeting with Fudge is going," Ron said as the two walked outside.

"He's probably keeping her well entertained with stories about my famous lying ways," Harry said through gritted teeth. "I can just see her freaking out about something like that."

"She really isn't a part of this world, isn't she?" Ron replied sadly.

"No," Harry replied, sitting on a patch of grass, "she really isn't."

Hermione and Ginny soon joined them, Hermione dragging along Crookshanks. "What's going on?" Ginny asked, dropping down beside Harry. Hermione sat in front of them, scratching her purring cat behind the ears.

"We were just talking about his sister," Ron said, throwing a teasing grin in Harry's direction.

"Thanks," Harry said in a low voice, "that's exactly what we needed to discuss."

"I think she's quite nice," Ginny said with a grin. "Even Bill thought so."

"When did she ever talk to Bill?" Ron asked in confusion.

"Last night when you were all sleeping," Hermione replied, letting Crookshanks run off. "She asked us about him this morning."

Ginny started giggling and Harry stared at her. "She was asking what about your brother?" he asked in mock horror.

"Oh, relax, Harry," Hermione said, joining in on the laughter. "I think she just wanted to know what it was he really did. Although she did ask if he always wore that... what did she call it?"

"I think it was 'icicle' earring," Ginny said, her giggles dying away. "That was brilliant."

"What was I thinking, bringing her into a house with six single men?" Harry asked, his voice really reflecting his horror at that.

"Well, Bill's really not single," Ron pointed out. "He's still with Fleur, so at least he's out."

"Not if she's been asking about him," Harry argued back.

"I don't think she thinks of him that way," Ginny pointed out quietly.

"She doesn't?" Harry said, relief sweeping his body. "That's a relief."

"There's still five of us left," Ron said indignantly.

"Five of who left?"

The twins had arrived, both of them sporting evil grins. They held their broomsticks over their shoulders and were gazing at the grassy hill longingly.

"We were just talking about Elizabeth," Harry said, easily.

"Yeah?" George asked.

"She apologized to me this morning," Fred replied, still looking confused at this.

"And that's something I'm sure you're not used to," Ginny teased.

"Hey," Fred said, easily joining them on the grass. "It was a nice gesture for a change."

"One you didn't deserve," George replied, dropping on Harry's opposite side.

"All I did was want to talk," Fred said lightly. "What's wrong with that?"

"You were probably hitting on her," George teased.

Fred at least had the grace to blush slightly. "Well, she is the cutest thing to walk through our fireplace... no offense," he said hastily, adding that last bit on for both Harry and Hermione, who scowled.

"You are not going to hit on her," Harry said, his eyes narrowing. "In fact, you're not even going to talk to her. She's my sister and you just... eww."

"You have to admit, Harry," Ron said, leaning over to Harry's shoulder, "she's quite cute."

"She's my sister!" Harry replied indignantly. "Quit seeing her as anything else!"

"You really are her brother," Fred said, revolted.

"Strange," George said, his eyes wide. "Very, very strange."

The twins collected their brooms and rose. "We're off to play a bit. Want to join us, Harry?"

Harry looked longingly at the patch behind the house and grinned. "Sure, why not?" he asked. Ron and Ginny decided to join them, and Hermione sat on the grass, looking slightly left out, but she was smiling all the same.

As Harry collected his broomstick and joined the others outside, he felt a strong sense of freedom inside of him. The last time he'd ridden his broomstick was the last Quidditch match he'd been allowed to play in before he'd been kicked off the team. His broomstick had been returned to him at the end of the year by Dumbledore and for this, Harry was most grateful.

Yet, he couldn't help wondering what his sister was learning at the Ministry of Magic. He felt a slight sense of trepidation and told himself he was going to tell her the real truth about Fudge.

- - - - -

Two hours had passed since Buffy had sat down in the Minister's office. During his long talks, she hadn't interrupted but kept her gaze focused on a man who explained the past five years to her.

Harry was apparently something of a trouble maker, she realized with a small smile. At least they had something else in common.

She had the feeling he was hiding something else under his words. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she made a note to ask Harry about him later. He really hadn't told her much about Minister Fudge. Maybe it was high time he started.

He had then gone on to explain Voldemort's original rise to power and the events that had led to her parents death. With tears coursing silently down her cheeks, he finally paused and offered her a tissue.

"I'm not sure Harry would have ever told me that," she said, dabbing at her eyes.

"I would have expected an authority figure to speak of this to you," Minister Fudge replied, looking uncomfortable. "I can understand why your brother has told you so little of us."

"He probably did it because I've barely said two words about where I've come from," she replied, discarding the small lump of tissues sitting on the edge of his desk.

This launched another explanation as Buffy told the Minister of Magic that she already knew some of her own powers. She also explained to him the grimness of the situation she was in and that she was inclined to protect her brother. She finally paused as she reached the part where she wanted to tell him about the dreams. He was looking at her, almost thoughtfully. Figuring she didn't have a whole lot to lose, she explained to him that sometimes Slayers had prophetic dreams and asked if he knew of anyone who could determine whether or not it was a true prophecy. Of course she did all of this without mentioning the fact she was a Slayer.

"You don't happen to be a seer, do you Miss Potter?" he asked with great interest. "I do believe I can help you there. An Unspeakable by the name of Meier. He will speak to you in a few minutes if you prefer." He bent down, reached for a quill and scribbled something on a scrap bit of parchment. And then, touching the parchment with his wand, it formed itself into the shape of a paper airplane and soared out the door. "We'll be receiving his response within a few moments." He paused, almost curiously. "What sort of prophetic dream have you been having?"

"I'd tell you," she started, flushing slightly, "but you're going to think I'm completely mad."

"If you cannot trust the Minister of Magic," Minister Fudge said in what he hoped was a kind voice, "who can you trust?"

Who could she trust? She had once trusted the Council with her life, but that was until her own mother, or Joyce, had been threatened by that seriously unstable vampire. Her mother had nearly died. It had been the last straw of a long series of straws drawn. The Council had finally become untrustworthy.

She could almost trust Harry, although they'd only known each other a little over a week. He was her brother, after all. They both had serious skeletons in the closet they were unwilling to just pull out, but that was the reason why she wanted to get to know him better. Besides, Minister Fudge had just given her the highlights and lowlights of what the government in this world had been going through. Before Harry's time, things had been bad. And, in the past year, things were growing worse.

The only people she could really trust were the people back in Sunnydale. Giles, certainly. She could trust him without a doubt. He'd stood by her so many times. There was Willow, Xander and the rest of the gang, certainly. Faith was almost like a sister to her. And Joyce Buffy knew she could trust with her life.

Angel was a different story. Buffy knew she could trust him with her life, the same way she entrusted her life to Faith, but things were different now. Complicated. Almost... warped, she thought sadly.

And now here was this man who ran the entire government of this Wizarding world. He was asking her to divulge her deepest secrets. He was asking her to tell him her dreams, the dreams that revealed to her that Sirius Black was still alive.

She couldn't trust him, she decided. There was an innate sense of fear within her, almost begging her to keep silent. She decided to listen to this voice.

She forced herself to shake her head. "I'm sorry, Minister, Sir. I just wouldn't feel comfortable. I hope you'd understand."

"I do, my dear," he said, and to her relief, he, too, looked relieved.

A second bit of parchment flew back through the small crack in the open door. It landed suddenly in front of the Minister and he read it. For a moment, he remained silent. He then glanced up and looked at her.

"It was a great pleasure meeting you, Miss Potter," he said, offering her his hand again. "The Department of Mysteries will see you now. And I am certain you will be able to find a Weasley to escort you."

Buffy shook his hand and thanked him, leaving the office with the bit of parchment Minister Fudge had handed her. She made her way back to the main hallway and looked around. None of the Weasleys were there, leaving her to figure out where she needed to go on her own. She found her way to the golden elevator and waited until the doors opened before stepping in. It was empty except for one person standing in the far corner, his eyes on the ceiling.

Buffy nearly did a double take. He was maybe a year or two older than she was. He wasn't that tall, but he was had the build of an athlete. "Hello," she greeted him quietly as she read off the bit of parchment to get the cage moving again. "Department of Mysteries."

He was looking at her now, curiously. She knew she must look strange since she was in plain Muggle clothes. "Hello," he echoed softly.

She gave him a half smile before leaning against her corner in the opposite end. There was a long awkward pause before she gazed at him again. "Do you work here?" she asked, trying not to sound as daft as she felt.

The man shook his head. "I'm here for the International Quidditch league."

"Oh," she said, her face falling slightly. He looked at her again. She was quite pretty, even though she appeared soft-spoken and shy. "I was just hoping you could tell me where I was going, because I haven't a clue."

He took a few precarious steps toward her and held out his hand. Buffy gingerly held her own out and took it. His eyes appeared startled. They were on her face and then darted down to the paper in her opposite hand. With a sharp gasp, Buffy handed him the paper. "So sorry," she muttered, letting go of his hand quickly.

"Department of Mysteries," he said quietly. "They're near the dark levels, where the courts are. You shouldn't have a problem riding this gate to get there."

"Thank you," she mumbled, not lifting her face. She didn't want him to see how badly she was blushing.

He gently reached over and touched her shoulder. "It's all right," he said kindly. "I'm Oliver Wood."

"Elizabeth Potter," she said, forcing herself to look up at him, her hazel-eyed gaze meeting his blue eyes. Her eyes widened slightly as she broke eye contact, looking down at her feet again. This Oliver was gorgeous.

He seemed to be confused as the doors opened and another few wizards and witches swept in. A few of those paper airplanes soared in, too, hovering around the lights.

"You're a Potter?" he asked quietly. "Are you by chance related to Harry?"

"I am," she replied, giving him another shy smile. "I'm his sister."

He looked even more confused. "You're going to have to explain that to me further some other time," he said as the cage doors opened, spilling into a corridor filled with sunlight. "I'll be late for my meeting if I don't hurry."

"It was... good to meet you..." she said, watching as the doors closed, shutting him out of her sight. With a sigh, she leaned back against the cool wall. She brought a hand to her flushed cheeks, smiling in spite of herself.

It was going to be a long afternoon.

- - - - -

Chapter 13... the prophecy comes true?

Chapter 14... Buffy makes a life-altering decision for both her and Harry...

Author's Note / To the Reviewers:

I added Wood! I'm so thrilled I could do that! This leaves a lot of potential... no? Actually... this chapter provided a wonderful direction in the love life of our young tragic heroes. Heh. Oliver will return... sometime... like next chapter.

I kept things civil for the moment between Fudge and Buffy... because she doesn't know what he did to her brother yet. And he is going to find out that she's a Slayer. The sparks will fly later once she gets the entire story of what the Ministry did to her precious brother. Ala the latter teen chapters. And to the reviewer who says she's a tool... have you been reading my notes? And I don't think he'd sell her out, persay. He'd use her as a tool.

John, I know you said that Buffy knows what the Council is capable of. She's not weak by being weak. She has a brother now. And it is changing the way she sees the Council. If she were alone, she'd be in there kicking ass. But now she knows that Harry has had a difficult life and adding the Council to it increases a weakness for her. And the angst will melt away, as soon as certain things happen. I hope you'll see where I'm going with this character. That's all I want to say about that.

Faith and Sunnydale crew return in Chapter 17. Angel will promo there and then later on in this story.

Buffy will still be known as Buffy. For formal introductions and such, she's Elizabeth.

Fact Person, I'm sorry for making these presumptions. I'm not creating a transcontinental Floo network because that wouldn't make sense. She can't Apparate because she doesn't know how. If she were to return to California, she'd get on a plane and fly there. Why won't she return? Simple. She's learning more and more about the dangers Harry has faced and she knows that if she leaves him now after he's lost so many, it would be a bad thing.

mj-- I slowed this down slightly... and trust me. The entire month of August is around ten chapters long. I don't think it could get any slower than this. And Buffy is slowly returning to normal... really. I hope so, anyway.

{loves Joahn} Thank you for that... I needed that rant.

As for Quentin, he'll get his just cause and his eternal reward. I can't say what it is yet, because that would spoil this thing. As for Watchers, only one will know she's at Hogwarts at the beginning, but it's a Watcher that won't sell her out to Quentin and his thugs.

Next chapter posting is on Thursday!

My author's notes need a chapter of their own :) Thank you guys SO much for reading, and if you reviewed, for reviewing! It totally makes my night to read these!