Chapter 14

Decisions

- - - - -

Several mornings later, Harry woke up early, his scar tingling slightly. He pressed his hands over it, trying to recall the sudden swooping sensation that made him wake up. He felt as though he'd been falling through the air.

Sitting up, Harry pressed his face into his hands, trying to erase the image of his unsettling dream.

He moved quietly through the bedroom, trying not to wake the twins or Ron, who seemed to still be sound asleep. He opened the door and stepped out, moving easily downstairs and out the back door.

He wasn't surprised to see Buffy sitting out on the hill, staring at the sunrise. For the past few mornings, she'd been sitting out there, staring at the sunrises and sunsets, as though she couldn't get enough of them. Or maybe, he figured, she was adjusting to life at The Burrow and needed one thing that wasn't magical to make her day complete.

Every morning there was a pensive look on her face, as though she were thinking something through. When he'd asked her about it, she just shrugged and said it was nothing.

But this morning he was bound and determined to talk to her. He sat next to her and she leaned over, giving him a gentle, one-armed hug. "Good morning, Harry."

"Good morning, Buffy," he said with a smile.

It was their morning routine by now. One week at The Burrow and suddenly they were acting like chummy relatives. The Weasleys took it in stride to tease them about it. Fred had said he found it revolting. The next thing Fred had realized was that he'd been tackled down the Quidditch hill and across the entire front lawn before he relented and gave up trying to tease Buffy.

It was fun watching her interact with what Harry considered to be his real family. Buffy got along especially well with Percy, to his and Ron's chagrin.

He'd asked her about it the day before.

"Buffy," he'd said, sitting down next to her as she watched another sunset with tears in her eyes, "do you like Percy?"

She'd laughed, a rich sound coming from deep within her. "Not like that," she said, still laughing. "No. I think we get along so well because, well, he reminds me a lot of my old Watcher. That and we both have a lot of things we've been working through."

"Like what?" he asked.

"You told me that he and his family have been fighting a lot and that he'd moved out last year," Buffy said quietly. "I remember how that feels... leaving my family behind. I just figured it was something I could talk about. He isn't as bad as you said he is."

"So, you don't like him," Harry said, checking to make certain.

She shook her head. "I'd be dating my Watcher if I even considered it," she said, her chuckle dying in her throat. "Nope. I don't like Percy. Well, I do, of course. But... not like..." She dissolved into giggles again.

And that had been that.

This morning, he had a different question to ask her. Fred and George had been acting awfully strange around her. They probably weren't used to someone being so quiet and polite in their house. And they certainly weren't used to having an American wandering around The Burrow. Two nights ago, the Weasleys and Harry had decided to have another practice Quidditch session.

Buffy had decided to watch, persuading Hermione to join her. The two of them, with Crookshanks, sat on the grassy knoll, watching as they played a harried game with a dozen apples and a few tiny golf balls. Buffy had gotten up to hug Harry when Fred said it was revolting how well the Potter siblings got along.

Judging by the tiny bruises and cuts across his face, he'd paid dearly for that teasing. Of course, he'd given the Slayer a run for her money as well. Her hair had been covered in grass and twigs and her perfect clothes had been grass-stained. She had a small cut across her face, but much to Fred's horror, it was healed the next morning.

"Advanced healing," Buffy had said with a wink, "it's a bonus in my package."

"And what a package it is," someone else had muttered. Harry didn't even want to know who said that. He was just too protective of her.

If Harry hadn't thought any better, he would have thought that Fred had a crush on his sister. He had tried to ask him about it twice, but Fred had always steered clear of the conversation, changing the topics or else popping in one of his famous bits and wretching spectacularly onto whichever surface he was standing on.

Buffy hadn't said much about being attracted to any of the Weasleys, Harry realized that morning. But then again, he noticed she had almost a dreamy look in her eyes.

"What's on your mind?" he asked curiously.

"I was just thinking," she said, grinning at him mischeviously. He knew something was on her mind then. There was that odd twinkle in her eye when she looked at him like that. It reminded him of a picture he'd seen of his father. Both Buffy and their father shared the same hazel eyes, even though there was a bit of their mother's green in them too.

"What is it?" he asked. He didn't want to play twenty questions, a game she'd told him about the previous morning when they'd been talking. Her conversation had steered to the weather.

That was two people steering clear of conversations. It was definitely intriguing.

He noticed that she was still grinning. It was a silly, dopey smile. It warmed his heart. "Who are you thinking about?" he asked, nudging her in the ribs.

She clutched her side, turning to him in surprise. "What makes you think I'm thinking of someone?" she asked, her voice slightly confused.

"You have a really dopey smile on your face," he replied, teasing her.

She gave him a strange look, as though demanding to know why he was asking for it. "You know that's not the route to go," she said in a sing-song voice. She looked as though she wanted nothing more than to tackle him down the hill.

"I could say it's revolting," he said, arching one eyebrow in suspense.

Her eyes widened suddenly as she realized what he was getting at. She suddenly started laughing. And then, without warning, she tackled him, the siblings rolling nearly halfway down the hill before they paused. Now lying on her side, Buffy propped up her head with her hand. "You are truly precious, you know that?" she asked, still laughing.

"What of it?" he breathed, one hand on his still small stomach. "You're not so bad yourself."

She leaned over, playfully punching his shoulder. Then she rolled over onto her back, the memories for that night two days ago coming to her.

Harry had just finished a deep dive and had swooped around a few trees before landing hard. Buffy had run to him, patting the dirt off of him and making certain he was all right. Ron found himself looking at a younger version of his mother.

"Oh, my," Ron said snarkily.

"It's Mum!" Ginny cried in mock-alarm, giggling.

George had been laughing too hard to say anything.

And Fred had said, "The ickle Potter siblings... it's so revolting!"

Buffy had looked up at him, sensing a challenge behind those words. His eyes had widened slightly as she came and stood face to face with him, which was something, since she was quite a few inches shorter. She drew herself up to her full height, tossed her blonde hair back over her shoulder, and said, a challenge in her own words, "I'll show you revolting."

He'd pushed her. She pushed him right back.

The next thing any of them knew, there was the sound of laughter and the sound of bodies thudding heavily onto the ground. She'd finally pinned him after they'd been rolling about for a while. He lay underneath her, his eyes wide in shock. Her eyes still had that brilliant sparkle in them, as though daring him to dislodge her.

He'd managed to throw her off after a few seconds of intense breathing from the both of them. When they'd both risen to their feet, he had gone up to her, offering her his hand. "Truce?"

"Truce," she said with a friendly smile. "Thanks for the workout."

As she turned her back, she was fully aware they were all looking at her. But she didn't care. She moved to the steps and sat down, her fingers gently probing the cut above her eye.

"You're bleeding," Fred said quietly, moving to her side.

"I'll be okay," she said hastily. "You haven't made me bleed to death yet."

"Now that's revolting," George said in mock horror as he'd shown up. He was glaring at his brother but kept a concerned eye on the other girl as well. Buffy finally just stood up, smiled at them both, and returned inside.

"Does that make us even?" Fred asked quietly next to his twin.

"I'm not sure," George said, looking just as confused.

She couldn't help the strange feeling inside of her as they'd tumbled. It was completely spontaneous, and she really hadn't meant for it to happen. It just sort of did. But now, whenever either of the twins would look at her, she had the grace to simply blush. They'd gotten her back in good order for her trick their first day together.

She sighed, laying a hand dramatically across her eyes.

"Do you like him?" Harry asked from somewhere below her.

Buffy pulled her arm away. "Do you want to go rolling again?" she asked in a teasing voice.

"Buffy, I'm being serious."

The smile died right from her face. "I don't know," she said honestly. "What happened that night shouldn't have happened. I was just being silly, I think."

"You showed him up is what you did," Harry pointed out.

"I don't think I like him that way," she finally said after a few moments of pensive silence. "Do you think...?"

"I think he does like you," Harry said, remembering their conversation the night before. He, Ron, Fred and George had gone to bed. Harry was still teasing Fred about his fight with a true Slayer. Of course, Fred didn't know she was a Slayer.

Fred was checking his bruises in a mirror that was wheezily laughing at him. George sat next to him, mocking him. Ron had finally asked what they were talking about.

"His sister, of course," Fred said, swallowing and putting the mirror aside.

George was sniggering into his hand as he changed.

"You like her?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Who doesn't?" George asked easily, sitting down on his bed and tucking his legs beneath his blankets. "I mean, I like her. She's fun. And she plays rough." He started sniggering again.

Fred hit him with his pillow. "At least now we're even," he said, sounding happy.

"About what?" Ron asked, also getting under his own covers.

"Do you remember that first day when she springed that jump on us?" George asked. "I mean, have you seen anyone so athletic before?"

Harry started coughing, feeling like Fred and George were among the very few in The Burrow who didn't know Buffy was a Slayer.

Buffy sighed above him. "See... not that he isn't... not that they aren't... but... damn."

"Who is it?" Harry asked, rolling over to gaze up at his sister. "Someone has definitely got your Slayer blood charmed."

She swatted at him, but he was thankfully out of reach. "Maybe someone does," she said under her breath, finally sitting up.

There was an awkward silence between them for a moment. Finally, Harry thought of something he'd been wanting to say for awhile and just said it. "I need to tell you about Fudge."

She nodded, gazing at him. "It's about time I heard another point of view," she said quietly. "I think he's a bit of an idiot. Percy thinks he's a god."

"I'd call him the devil," Harry grimmaced. He spent the next quarter hour talking about how the Minister of Magic had set out to destroy his life by calling him a liar and mocking him in front of the entire Wizarding community.

She was angry when he stopped talking. There was a definite light of fury in her eyes. But she seemed to swallow it down. "I guess we'll have a bit to talk about the next time I see him," she said darkly.

There was movement inside The Burrow. She stood up, extending her hand down to Harry, who took it. She hauled him up and they both walked into the Kitchen to find Mrs. Weasley already cooking.

"Oh, good, you're up, dears," she said, ushering them both to the table. "Eliza... er, Buffy... there was an owl for you this morning from the Ministry of Magic. It's quite urgent I'm afraid."

"Right," Buffy said, taking the envelope the woman handed her. She quickly opened the letter and read it. "Oh."

Mrs. Weasley waved her wand and a large stack of plates landed neatly on the table, followed by a tray of toast and a smaller tray with fried sausages. "Eat up, you two, eat up." She paused. "Arthur will take you in on the way to work."

"Fair enough," Buffy said, stuffing the letter back inside the envelope.

Harry was openly curious, but he knew by now that asking Buffy to divulge information she wasn't willing to talk about was about as safe as poking a sleeping dragon in the eye.

As they started eating, there was the distinct sound of shouting above them. Mrs. Weasley sighed, her hands on her hips as her eyes drifted to the ceiling. "That'd be Percy and the twins at it, again."

She walked toward the stairs, yelling upwards, "Breakfast, you lot!"

There was a sound of thundering footfalls as four Weasleys walked into the Kitchen, taking up most of the remaining chairs. Arthur was last, already clasping his robes. "Morning, kids... and Potters. Good morning, dear." Molly had walked over, kissing his cheek and pushing a steaming cup of liquid into his hands. "We'd best be off in a few minutes," he said, glancing at the one girl sitting down and eating quickly.

"Yes, Sir," she said quietly, finishing the last bite of toast. "I should probably go and get cleaned up a bit. I look like I've been rolling down that hill again."

Harry snorted into his glass of juice. Fred was blushing across the table as her eyes met his. She rose and brought her dishes to the counter before running upstairs, taking them two at a time.

"I think she's still winning," Harry said with a quiet grin. George grinned at him while Fred tried to cool off his warm cheeks by sipping the cold pumpkin juice.

She returned less than five minutes later, looking neatly in place. Her hair had been pulled back from her face and twisted up. She wore her freshly-laundered black skirt and a neat white blouse. She actually looked less like a Muggle and more like one of them. Except for the fact she was wearing those ridiculous boots, Harry realized.

Buffy gave him a quick hug from behind. "I'll see you all later," she said, giving the rest of those sitting at the table a quick smile. "Thanks for breakfast as always, Mrs. Weasley."

"It was nothing, dear," she said, smiling kindly as both Buffy and Arthur moved to the fireplace. Percy finished up his breakfast and practically ran after them.

As soon as the three had left, Molly sat down with a small sigh. There were more footfalls on the steps as Bill, Hermione and Ginny came down, still in their nightclothes. Charlie was still at the Ministry and would only be staying with the family for a few more days.

Molly was eyeing her twin sons shrewdly. "I hope you're making our guest feel right at home," she said.

"I know George is," Fred said as his twin kicked him from under the table.

"Well, at least I hope you play nice," she said heavily, rising to give her seat to Ginny and to serve breakfast to the other three.

"Nice? She wants us to play nice?" Fred asked, his voice wounded, yet his eyes sparkled with mischief. "Does Buffy even know the meaning of that word?"

- - - - -

Buffy reopened her letter and reread it as soon as she stepped into the Atrium. Both Mr. Weasley and Percy were walking ahead of her, moving toward their respective offices. They stopped and asked if she could find the way to where she needed to go. She said that she could and they both left.

The letter was slightly disturbing to her. She had been asked to attend a meeting between the Minister of Magic and one of his advisors. Percy volunteered to take her up, since he, too, worked in Minister Fudge's office.

Once inside the elevator, Buffy showed him the letter. She was beginning to realize that she could trust the older Weasley.

She'd given him a fair tale of her life story, including some of her trysts as a Slayer. He had returned the favour and had gone through the entire spat of the previous year. He seemed almost guilty about some of the things that had happened.

"I wonder if they're going to ask about Hogwarts," Percy said, handing her back the letter.

"I hope it isn't about that prophecy," Buffy said quietly, so that he couldn't hear. The only people who knew about that were Percy's parents and his eldest brother, who'd actually told her to go to the Department of Mysteries to begin with.

They soon reached the area where Minister Fudge's private office was. Percy left her there and went into his own, which was filled with those paper airplanes again.

This time, Minister Fudge wasn't as surprised to see her. "Ah, Miss Potter," he said, beckoning her to enter his office. "Do come in, do come in."

Once inside, she noticed that there was someone else there. It was a woman in a long set of billowing emerald robes. She wore square-spectacles and her severe bun was almost worthy of a Watcher. Both adults glared at each across his desk, the woman wearing the fiercest look, one worthy of Principal Snyder or even Quentin. Before she could open her mouth to introduce herself, Minister Fudge starting speaking.

"Miss Elizabeth Potter, this is Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Hello," Buffy said, offering a smile to the Deputy Headmistress.

"And Minerva, this is the girl that Dumbledore and I have both told you about, Elizabeth Potter."

"Of course," she said, her accent crisp as she held out her hand. Buffy shook it, grinning. The woman had a very firm grip and it was something Buffy appreciated. It showed the woman had a bit of class.

"We wanted to discuss your future part in the Wizarding world," Minister Fudge said, sitting down with an uncertain look at the other woman. "Or at the very least, this is what Minerva wished to discuss with you."

There was a strange look on her face as she stared at the firstborn of James and Lily Potter. "I never thought I would believe either one of you," she said, her voice oddly muffled, "but she has James' eyes. I don't even need proof of her birth, because I know that she existed. I may be one of the only people who knew... but I knew." She turned toward Buffy and smiled again. "I taught your parents back when they were students at Hogwarts. I am certain by now that your brother has told you that much."

Buffy nodded. He'd mentioned it in the past week that their parents had been students at Hogwarts.

"I have been discussing your situation with Professor Dumbledore," the Deputy Headmistress said, "and we have decided that we would leave this decision up to you: to become a student or else be a general observer."

"With all due respect... er... ma'am," Buffy said, coughing slightly, "I don't have the first clue about magic."

"From what I have heard from these two men, I have heard otherwise," she said, an odd sparkle in her eyes. "We decided that instead of forcing you to become a student when you have clearly graduated high school is a choice best left to you. If you were to become a student, we would gladly have you in seventh year. We could set you up with tutors and private lessons. This way you would get a chance to socialize with other students. This would probably help you understand your brother better as well."

"I'll have to think it over and let you know," Buffy said slowly. "Because I think that going someplace my parents loved is a great idea. I never knew them and I think that maybe by going to this school, it'll bring a little bit of them back."

"There is another matter to discuss," Minerva said kindly. "You must know that by now your brother's life hasn't been very easy."

Buffy bristled slightly. She was half wondering whether or not the woman was going to completely slam her brother, as Fudge had tried to do yesterday. "I can understand why," Buffy murmured, trying to keep the underlying anger from her voice.

"This isn't going to be easy to explain, but your brother has been a target for some years now by... Voldemort."

"Minister Fudge told me this yesterday," Buffy explained with a chuckle. But even her light-hearted laugh didn't relax the tight muscles around the Deputy Headmistress' face.

"That's just half of the story, Miss Potter," Minerva replied quietly. "There's a different half to it. Harry has been through his fair share of pain, but it's nothing compared to what your parents went through. We have a way of... bringing back a bit of their history."

"That sounds major," Buffy said, and immediately kicked herself for saying those words. Ron was right. She was starting to sound British.

"Your brother has a very difficult year ahead, Elizabeth," Minerva continued. "There are many who would like nothing more than to see the Potters extinguished. I realize this means that your life will also be at risk."

"I can handle my own," Buffy replied.

Minerva glanced at her, a question mark dancing in her gaze.

Buffy sighed and decided to kill two birds with one stone. "I'm a vampire Slayer. I think the both of you know what that means. I'm not some mythical person. But just saying that probably can tell you I can hold my own."

"Good gracious," Minerva gasped. "Are you really?"

Buffy nodded. "So, as you can see, I can hold my own... but..." She bit her lip again. "I think Hogwarts would be the safest place for both Harry and I. But I can't help but feel that --"

"You're a wanted woman, Miss Potter," Minerva said quietly. "The Watcher's Council has sent out nearly all of their special stealth team to track you down."

"How do you know that?" Buffy gasped.

"The Watcher's Council and the Ministry of Magic have worked together for many, many years," Minister Fudge replied, finally adding his input to the conversation. "In fact, when you told me yesterday, it was on the tip of my tongue to inform you of the same thing."

"Oh, my God," Buffy breathed, settling back. The anger she felt towards the Minister seemed dimished somehow by the fact that the Ministry and the Council were connected.

"You will not have to worry," Minerva said gently. "There is no one in this office that will inform the Watcher's Council that you have taken refuge here. Perhaps this is why you're considering Hogwarts. Your life is in danger with the Council around and I know that if worse comes to worst, Harry's life could be in danger and in this world, we cannot afford that. You are going to be tracked on both ends. Once... err... he-who-must-not-be-named realizes that there is a second Potter, your life may no longer be safe. This is why we ask you to be a student at our school for one year and one year alone."

"I'm eighteen years old," Buffy said with a sharp laugh, "and I'm considering going back to school." She leaned over, pressing her face into her hands. "As I've said before, I'll have to think about it." A strange look came over her face. "In fact, you've given me a lot to think about." She sighed, staring down at her shoes. "I wish my Mom was here."

Both adults glanced at the young woman, feeling slightly sorry for her. She'd been ripped from her home after defying a brutal power. And this was the result.

She glanced up suddenly, taking a great breath and forcing her face into a mask of determination. "Is this all you needed to speak to me about?"

"The terms of this prophecy can wait for another day," Minister Fudge told her gently. Buffy turned and stared at him reproachfully.

"I'll inform you of my decision then," Buffy said standing up and holding out her hand to the Deputy Headmistress one last time. "It was good to meet you, ma'am. I can see why Professor Dumbledore holds you in such high regard."

Minerva smiled at the younger woman as she collected her things and left the office on watery legs.

"Well, that wasn't hard," she said quietly.

"I can't imagine telling her the hard part," Minister Fudge said under his breath.

"Thank you for inviting me to speak with her today," she said, turning back to him. Her eyes held none of the contempt she'd felt for the man last year. Ever since he had conceded and had said there was still a war, the Professors from Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic were working closely again. Although she still didn't trust the man, he still had an important role in the upcoming year.

"I don't suppose that mentioning a former Watcher with magical powers was hired to teach their Defense class," Minister Fudge said, a few worry lines snaking across his forehead.

"She'll find out soon enough. That, she will. She's a bright girl. It must come from her Mother."

- - - - -

Buffy moved back toward the elevator, sticking the envelope back in her purse.

That had been a thoroughly depressing meeting, she decided dolefully as she stepped inside. "Atrium."

She could feel the cage start to lift. It stopped on the next level, letting in another large group of witches and wizards, along with five figures in long purple robes.

Buffy had a sudden idea. They were holding broomsticks. Maybe this league on international Quidditch, or whatever it had been called, were still meeting to discuss canceling the season. And that boy she'd met the week before, he'd been a Quidditch player.

When they reached the floor for the Quidditch stuff, Buffy tailed the five players. They were talking amongst themselves, and none of them sounded happy.

She stopped suddenly when she realized that she really didn't belong there. Large banners and posters of moving teams and waving players covered every inch of the walls. Large flags and smaller banners hung from the ceiling, which was a paved, misty gold.

Since it was a cooler, drizzly day in London, there was no bright sunlight filtering into the large room. Buffy leaned against the wall, trying not to faint. She was definitely out of her league.

Seven figures in long golden robes swept past her, all carrying broomsticks. Bringing up the rear was what appeared to be the youngest player on the team.

It was him.

Her mouth was suddenly dry and her stomach was doing those weird flips again. But he didn't even notice her as he joined the others.

Biting her lip, she turned away. It had been well worth a shot. She felt slightly strange that she was up here, hoping to glimpse someone that probably didn't know she existed.

She turned to leave when she collided hard with someone. She felt herself lose her balance on her high-heeled boots and let out a small cry of alarm as she hit the floor, hard.

"Oh, goodness, I'm so sorry," a quiet male voice said, a hand gently pulling her back up.

"It's all right, really," she said, suddenly noticing that they were attracting a lot of attention. She was really blushing now, and she hid her bright face behind a shaking hand. "You can go on," she said, her voice little more than a whimper. "I'm alive, all right?"

The boy gave her one last concerned look before taking off with the rest of his teammates. As she turned to leave, visibly shaking, a gentle hand touched her elbow.

She gasped and turned around, nearly falling over again. "Oh, my God," she whispered. And then her voice caught in her throat. She tried to make some sort of audible sound, but she couldn't.

"It's you," Oliver Wood said, releasing her and looking her up and down. "I didn't expect you'd know the first thing about Quidditch."

Buffy wished she had a snarky remark, anything to wipe that smile off of his face. But she knew she was flushed again and she gave him a shy half smile. She tried to draw in a bit of confidence, but felt that she failed miserably. "I really don't," she admitted in a soft voice.

Glancing around to make sure that the others had gotten back to their shouting match, he took her elbow again and escorted her to the elevator. "Were you looking for someone?" he asked.

Yeah, she thought. You. "No," she said, her mouth dry. "No one in particular."

He gazed at her, his blue eyes calculating, yet soft. She dropped her gaze first. "I'm sorry," he said suddenly. "I have to get back."

It was ending exactly as it did the last time. Before he could move away, she did something she never thought she would do. She took him by the arm. He turned back to her, his eyes full of surprise. But they did nothing to match the surprise in her eyes. She gave him another smile and dropped her hand. "I guess I just wanted a proper goodbye," she said boldly.

He looked at her, really looking at her. "I guess I kind of did walk out on you the other day," he said vaguely.

His accent was so charming, she realized. "It gave me a reason to come back here," she replied.

There was no doubt about it, he realized. She had been looking for him. "You were looking for me," he finally said, understanding.

She nodded. She couldn't deny it now. "Or maybe I just wanted to know more about Quidditch," she quipped.

They both heard his name being called again. "I really should get back," he said quietly, turning back to her. There was disappointment in her eyes, certainly.

"I understand," she said, drawing herself up to her full height. "I guess this really is a proper goodbye, Oliver Wood."

"Yeah," he said, gazing at her one last time before she turned away. "I guess it really is."

The cage doors opened and she stepped inside of them. She didn't even turn around again until the doors had closed.

He shook his head, feeling even more flabbergasted. She was unique, he had to give her that. She risked her own humiliation to search for him here, at a hall filled with dozens of squabbling Quidditch players. That took a fair bit of courage.

And yet, there was a look in her eyes when she looked at him. He smiled, recalling the way she'd suddenly taken his arm to pull him back around.

He had to admit, she looked a lot better when she didn't stick out so much, like a Muggle.

Buffy stood in the queue, waiting for her chance to return to The Burrow. Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, she sighed. "I'm a groupie," she sighed under her breath.

There was no two ways about it, she thought dejectedly. He'd probably seen her as a squealing little fan girl. Besides, he had that attractive brunette to talk to. She knew things like magic and Quidditch and broomsticks. Buffy could barely even pronounce some of the things she'd been learning, let alone talk about them so freely.

She stepped toward the fireplace, feeling slightly happier now that she was returning to the familiarity with The Burrow.

She collected her bit of Floo powder and wrapped her arms around herself, willing to feel comfort. She felt so cold when she was at this place, she decided, shaking her head in disbelief. It felt powerful and yet... she felt cold.

The group in front of her moved toward the fireplaces and prepared to depart.

Hopefully, with any luck, she'd have one last meeting at this building and then she'd never have to set foot in it again. She kept trying to force her thoughts out, but the tears were already threatening. By the time she reached a fireplace of her own, she barely managed "The Burrow" before she realized that now that she had gone this far, there was no turning back.

Her old life was truly dead.

She stepped out of the fireplace at The Burrow. She felt blind, mostly because her vision was obscured by tears. She finally found the floor and sat, feeling a deepening sense of loss overwhelm her. But embedded in that loss was a sense that she'd just found herself.

She didn't realize that someone was looking at her.

"Are you all right?"

It was one of the twins. She frankly didn't care which one it was. She glanced up at him, tears dripping off her chin. "Do I look all right?" she asked in a tearful voice.

He looked concerned as he gently helped her to her feet. "The floor is no place for someone like you." He helped her over to one of the overstuffed chairs in the corner and sat her down. "Obviously, it wasn't good news."

Buffy swallowed hard and shook her head. None of it was good. Both she and her brother were in mortal danger and the one person she actually thought she had a crush on probably thought she was nothing more than a mindless stalker. "Do you mind if I had some time to myself?" she asked in a tight voice.

"Sure," he said, moving away. As soon as she heard his footsteps echoing on the landing upstairs, she broke down completely.

Curling into a tight ball, she felt all of the anguish, the fear and the pain coming out. She had lost so much in the past two weeks. Her Mother wasn't her mother. Her parents were dead. Her brother was in such mortal peril she was amazed he was still alive.

She didn't realize someone was next to her until she felt cool fingertips touch her hair. "It's all right," a gentle voice said. "It's all right."

She felt almost drowsy, her cheek pressed to the cool material. She felt drained, as though there was nothing left to fight for. She had been hoping her family was away from all the misery and pain she'd been forced to endure for how many years now. Instead, there'd been more.

Harry watched from the Kitchen as Mrs. Weasley walked back toward him, pressing a finger to her lips. "She'll be okay," she said, finally closing the door behind her. "She's just adjusting to things is all."

Harry was really starting to get worried about her. She looked so distraught and there had been so much pain in her eyes.

She had woken up on her own and had gone straight to bed without dinner. Hermione and Ginny had both checked in on her all evening and they both reported that she was sleeping.

Harry had problems sleeping that night. He had just found his sister. It had been a delightful, happy reunion.

Now things had changed. She was beginning to understand his life. He was starting to get hers. No matter how tough things seemed to get though, they always managed to relate to each other. He had a feeling she would die fighting for something she believed in.

Hermione and Ginny went to bed late, seeing that the other woman was still sound asleep.

Early the next morning, she awoke, leaving her room fully dressed. She moved outside to her regular spot and sat down. She didn't expect anyone to come for her this morning. She had probably freaked Harry out.

Her eyes stared at the pink on the horizon as tears filled her eyes. Of all the times she'd enjoyed Slaying, sunrise had been the most beautiful. She wondered if it would look anything like this hours later in Sunnydale. Part of her wished she was in California to see it. The other part of her was happy she was here at this very moment to see it. The tears slid away and she found her gaze stronger and more persistant.

With a sigh, she wrapped her arms around her knees and kept her gaze firm and steady.

She didn't see Harry walked toward her hesitantly. She didn't even know he was there until he touched her arm. She knew it was him. She could feel that touch.

"Good morning, Harry," she said quietly.

"Good morning, Buffy," he replied.

This time around, he hugged her. She held him back, tightly, laughing slightly.

By the time she pulled back, she wasn't the only one with tears in her eyes.

"How was your meeting yesterday?" he asked her.

"I met with Minerva McGonagall," she replied. "She was trying to talk me into going to Hogwarts."

"Really?" Harry asked, his voice full of hope.

Hope. It was one little thing she had never really felt, because it had been lacking so much lately. But it had been there in that embrace. Just one little hug had given her a small step to want to move on.

She took a deep breath. "I think it's a great idea, don't you?" she asked cheerfully. "I mean, I'll be a year above you, if you wouldn't mind."

"This is something I've wanted for a long, long time," Harry said, giving her a genuine smile before hugging her again, tightly.

"I'm going to Hogwarts," she said, more to herself. It sounded good. She was going back to school.

The idea was slightly weirding her out.

"My sister is coming to school," Harry agreed, his eyes shining.

As Mrs. Weasley called them down to breakfast, Harry and Buffy stood up, brushing the dirt and bits of grass from their clothing.

"Go ahead," Buffy said to her brother. "I'll be right there."

As Harry walked away, Buffy could still feel her heart fluttering. She was going to a place her parents had loved so much. She was going to a place where she could find her own voice. Smiling, she glanced down, and was surprised when a single tear trickled down her cheek.

As for Oliver Wood, she tried to force him out of her mind. He was just a handsome boy who had captured her eye from the start. If she was as hot as Ron and his brothers kept telling her she was, then maybe she really was and he couldn't see it.

She tried not to think about how it felt to have him touch her like that. She had to get it out of her mind. It had been a chance meeting. It couldn't happen again. She wouldn't allow it.

She didn't think her heart could handle it.

She heard her name again and walked inside the house. The majority of the Weasley household was eating breakfast in a loud and noisy kitchen. There was a bit of a look of reservation on some of their faces since Charlie was leaving back for Romania.

Buffy realized that she barely knew this elder Weasley brother. She had taken time to get to know each of the Weasley kids. She realized she probably knew Ginny and Ron the most, because Harry had the most contact with them. She felt slightly sorry to see another one go.

"Are you going to the Ministry again?" Ron asked her as she took her seat.

She glanced questioningly at Mr. Weasley, who shook his head.

"I guess not," she said, sounding a bit happier. She could resist the temptation as long as she stayed away from that place.

"She'll have to go back later in the week, but until then, she's free to do whatever she wants," Mr. Weasley said, swallowing his last bit of toast. "Ready, Percy?"

The two men turned toward the second eldest son, who was gazing at his family with a soft look on his face. "I think everyone deserves a family like this," he said, swallowing hard.

"Everybody does," Buffy echoed softly.

His eyes met hers. He really hadn't gotten the chance to get to know her and for this he was sorry. From what the twins had been telling her, she was something incredible.

Mr. Weasley and Percy left, heading for work at the Ministry. Fred and George Disapparated to their shop in Diagon Alley. The Weasley kids and Harry set off to go into the gardens. Buffy was left alone in the Kitchen with Molly.

She was gazing fondly into the gardens, hugging herself. She smiled when she thought back on what Charlie had said. Everyone did deserve a family like this one. They were all really incredible. She was beginning to really feel at home here.

"Are you sure you're all right?" the older woman asked with a hint of concern in her voice.

"Not yet," Buffy said, her old confidence starting to return, "but I will be."

- - - - -

Chapter 15... Buffy reaches a crossroads and begins to understand that she needs to live her life directly...

Chapter 16... Buffy takes on London, with flourish and her usual stylish happiness.

Chapter 17... Meanwhile, in Sunnydale...

To the Reviewers:

More angst! More! Heh. We'll be seeing more of Harry soon, I promise. I just wanted to get these complicated Buffy chapters out of the way first. I think she has a wittle crush. And, ahem... these past few chapters have hinted at what is to come.

This is the last insecure Buffy chapter. I promise. I almost laughed at the different between her in chapter 14 and her in chapter 15. It was surprising.

I hope you enjoyed this doublet. I'll hopefully be posting again Sunday night.