Disclaimer: Once again a reminder that non of these characters belong to me. ::sigh::

A/N.There have been a few questions, concerns and comments coming to me about this fic. Let me see what I can answer without blowing my plot.

Firstly, if you have not read the warning, please note that this is a *slash* fic. That means same sex relationships. In this case it's two males. Yes, there is likely to be a few sexually explicit scenes. Now, to expand on that. for those reading this on ff.net: I have never, nor will I ever, write Xander as anything but gay. All of the fics I have written center around our dear Zeppo and he remains happily and thoroughly bent in every last one of them. For anyone who takes offense to that, please keep in mind that it was originally Xander who Joss (reportedly) had intended to make the gay character. not Willow. Still offended? Stop reading this fic because it may only serve to piss you off. LOL.

There was one email that stated that if Harry were to make a move on Xander he would freak and be in complete denial. Just remember that, other than a crush on Buffy that would never go anywhere, at the end of season 1 of BtVS (which is when this fic is based) Xander's sexual preferences had yet to be explored.

Now, for the question about the identity of Xander's real father. Let me make this clear in case someone has meissed it. Harry and Xander are going to end up as a couple. Therefore. Xander is *not* his long lost brother. Kind of hard to be if he still has a living father, right? Hey! Lily was *totally* faithful to James!!! Actually, about half the guesses have been for Sirius Black and the other half for Severus Snape. I honestly struggled with that decision before I started writing this fic. Oh. I already know who it is but I will not be giving that away anytime soon. All in due time, people! Trust me on this!!

Um, yeah. I'm done rambling now! Once again. a thank you for all the wonderful feedback I have been receiving. For anyone who doesn't know, feedback and reviews are the key ingredient in every author's diet!! FEED ME!!!

Part 5

Buffy watched her best friend as they walked together toward the Rosenberg's home. She knew something was bothering her and didn't, even for a second, believe it was just exhaustion.

"What's really wrong, Willow? You've been awfully quiet since we left Giles' house and I know it's more than you're letting on."

"I just have a bad feeling. I mean, these two *wizards* just come out of nowhere and tell us that Xander is one of them? What if.what if they're - I don't know - bad or something?! Or. or even if their *not* bad. what if they convince Xander to leave? I don't know if I can handle that."

"Relax, Wills. First of all, Giles wouldn't let anything happen to Xander. He even knows that old guy, remember? And second, why on Earth would Xander want to leave? I mean, he's got two living parents who cared enough to adopt him. that has to be important to him, right?" Off on her reassuring tangent, Buffy never noticed the visible grimace that crossed Willow's face at the mention of the Harris'. "Besides, he's got us and you*know* there's no way he would just leave. See? Nothing to worry about!"

Having reached the french doors that led to her bedroom, Willow turned to the slayer to say goodnight. "I hope you're right, Buffy. I just can't help feeling like things are about to change around here."

"Of course I'm right! And, yeah, if Xander really is a wizard it's going to make slaying a hell of a lot easier for me! And that's a good change, right?"

Willow wasn't sure how to take her friend's cavalier and self-centered attitude about Xander. 'Maybe it *would* be better for him someplace else.' She didn't like that thought, as it crossed her mind, but decided to wait until she could talk to Xander again before giving voice to it.

"Sure, Buffy. maybe you're right." She didn't want the slayer to be delayed any longer by her own insecurities. She was sure it would all be dealt with soon. "Well, thanks for walking me home. Have fun with your dad this summer!"

"Heh. yeah, I'm pretty sure I can milk the whole 'you're *so* far way and I miss you, Daddy' thing for at least a whole new wardrobe! Don't get too bored this summer!"

With that, the slayer turned on her heel and headed home, glad that she had made Willow feel better. She never saw the incredulous look Willow had given her after her comment about her dad or the tear that had managed to escape and fall down her cheek.

'Please, Xander. if you do go. just don't forget about me!'

*******

"Um. it would probably be best if you two come in." Xander didn't like the thought of Harry and Professor Dumbledore meeting his parents but. "It's really not safe around here at night. It shouldn't take me long to get my things. Do you.do you need to talk to my parents?"

"I believe it would be a good idea for me to try to explain that you'll be leaving." Albus could see, from the look on Xander's face, that these would not be pleasant people. "Not to worry, my boy! I'll make sure they know nothing of your magical gifts. just that you are being returned to your true family."

"Er. Professor?" Harry was glad he'd managed to stop them before they entered Xander's house. "Perhaps. I mean. can you transform our robes somehow? They are rather obvious!"

"Oh! Right you are, Harry! Wouldn't want to arouse suspicious, do we?" A quick wave of his wand and both his and Harry's robes were transfigured into Muggle jeans and oxfords.

"Wow. will I learn that?" Xander was starting to like the idea of learning to do magic. He'd talked with Harry on the short walk to his house and it seemed like nothing was impossible for a wizard.

"All in due time, Alexander!" The headmaster's eyes twinkled brightly at the boy's apparent excitement. "Now. let's get your things and be on our way."

Just as Xander was about to unlock the door, he saw movement from the corner of his eye. He knew he wouldn't have time to get the door open and everyone to safety if his suspiciouns were correct about what was hiding in the shadows.

"Sir. I need you and Harry to stay right here. *Please* just trust me on this."

Without waiting for an answer, he pulled his stake from his pocket and jumped over the porch railing toward the bushes. Within seconds, he was caught in a fight with a vampire that had been seeking a quick meal.

Seeing this, Harry immediately went for his wand. Before he could get it drawn to help his new friend, Dumbledore motioned for him to stop.

"But. Prof-"

"Just watch, Harry." Albus interrupted his quiet plea. "There is more to this boy than you know."

Confused, Harry could do nothing but watch the fight. His eyes widened as he watched Xander fight.

"Don't you guys ever pay attention?!" Xander asked the vampire with a sharp thrust of his fist. "Surely, you know by now," then a kick to the midsection, "which houses the slayer's friends live in!" He was knocked back a bit from the upper cut the feral vampire delivered. "You'd think," Xander made his final approach by feinting to the left before driving the stake through the vampire's heart from the right, "*some* of you would smarten up!"

Brushing the dust of the defeated vampire off, Xander heard the happy applause behind him.

"Well done, Alexander!"

Harry could hardly believe what he'd just seen. "What the bloody hell was that?!"

Red faced, Xander joined them again on the porch. "That was a sorry excuse for a vampire. Heh. he didn't even put up much of a fight. My guess is he was fairly young. Not many vamps try attacking us around our homes."

"*That* was a vampire? But. how did you." Harry was more confused about Xander than ever.

After a nod from Dumbledore, Xander explained, "Buffy is the Vampire Slayer. She was destined to be the chosen one with superhuman strength and abilities. Giles is her Watcher. he records her activities and trains her. When Willow and I met them earlier this year we started helping out with slaying and researching around the hellmouth. That's why it's so dangerous in Sunnydale. This town is over run with vampires and demons."

Xander took a quick look around them. "We should probably get inside before we attract anymore unwanted attention."

After unlocking the door and leading the two wizards inside, he quickly made introductions to his parents before heading upstairs with a still stunned Harry in tow.

"That was really amazing what you did out there," Harry knew he must have sounded like a total git but he couldn't keep the awe out of his voice.

Xander blushed at the compliment. "Thanks. that really wasn't anything special. I mean, you should see Buffy when she slays. now *that* is cool to watch!"

"But, from what you said, she's got super strength or something. You don't, do you? And how *did* you kill that vampire?"

Xander laughed while packing his duffle bag. "No. I don't have any kind of extra strength. I've just learned enough hand to hand combat skills to keep me alive in a fight. And around here, those fights are to the death. We either get the stake through their heart or end up as dinner."

"Is that the only way to kill a vampire, then? A wooden stake? What about garlic and sunlight?" Harry had seen enough vampire movies to know the rumors but his Defense Against Dark Arts classes had yet to require study on them.

"Um. let's see. Stake though the heart, sunlight, beheading and fire will kill them. Garlic, holy water and holy relics, like crosses, burn them and can incapacitate them."

"Do those things kill other demons too?"

"Not most of the time. Sometimes it takes a special sword or a spell. One time there was this." Xander blushed. He liked talking to Harry but he was sure the other boy would get bored if he started rambling on. It was likely, he figured, that Harry knew more about all this than he did. The last thing he wanted was to push the boy away by talking to much about life on the hellmouth. "Y-you don't want to know about all this. I mean, you know all kinds of stuff, right? About magic and demons and evil?"

Harry shuddered at the thought of the evil he had faced. "I know a bit about evil, that's for sure. But I don't know half of what you must. Will you.will you tell me more?"

Xander picked up his bag and motioned toward the door. "I can tell you more about it when we get. where ever we're going. Most people in this town, including my parents, don't have a clue about all that so it's best not to talk about it anymore until we're gone."

Nodding in understanding, Harry followed Xander back downstairs to find Dumbledore. He was anxious to learn whatever he could from him and was looking forward to their study sessions together. 'Maybe, while I'm helping him, he can teach me too. Definitely couldn't hurt to be prepared for anything Voldemort might decide to throw at us next.'

Once Xander said goodbye to parents that didn't seem too distraught at seeing him go, he turned to the headmaster.

"So. how are we getting there? You got here really fast so there's got to be some kind of trick to it, right?"

Albus chuckled. "A bit of a 'trick', yes. You and Harry will be going to Hogwarts by means of a portkey."

Harry paled at this news. "Isn't there a way that we can apparate with you, Professor?"

"There's nothing to worry about, Harry. I know it's been quite sometime since you've used a portkey and that you've been avoiding it since then but you need to get past that fear." Albus looking kindly at his student. "I've charmed it myself, Harry. It will take you straight to Hogsmead."

"Y-yes, Professor."

"Now, Alexander, all you have to do it hold on to this," the old wizard transfigured his Muggle clothes back into robes, as well as Harry's, and pulled out a rusted soda can. "Once I set the time on it, just hold on and you will be pulled to your destination. It's completely safe, I assure you."

Xander had his doubts after seeing the look on Harry's face but knew he had little choice in the matter. He watched as Dumbledore waved his wand and whispered over the old can.

"Now, I'll meet you boys back at Hogwarts. Harry, why don't you take Xander on a tour and then meet back in my office for tea?"

"Sure, Professor." Harry took the portkey from the headmaster. "If I may ask, sir, why aren't you going back with us?"

"I'll need to start making arrangements for Alexander's lessons and collect the books he will need for his studies." Harry noticed the old blue eyes twinkling slightly more than normal as Dumbledore continued. "And I'm sure you boys would enjoy some time getting to know each other."

Neither boy could see the blush on the other's cheeks since they had both chosen that moment to study their shoes.

Albus chuckled, knowing full well that fate had lent a hand in sending Harry to Sunnydale. He knew beyond any doubt that both boys had found exactedly what they needed.

"The password for the Gryffindor tower is 'bravery' and 'lollipop' for my office. Now, I'll be off. The portkey will activate in one minute. See you both soon."

Xander watched as Albus Dumbledore disappeared from sight.

"It won't be long now. you'll want to hold on tight to your bag so you don't drop it."

Xander did as he was told and attached his free hand to the can Harry was holding. Feeling his fingers brush against the other boy's, Xander swallowed heavily and met Harry's eyes.

Neither boy could look away as Harry quickly explained how it would feel to transport with the portkey. Xander tried desperately to listen but couldn't quite get past his own thoughts. 'What a beautiful shade of green.'

A moment later he felt as if he were being pulled away by a hook latched on to his navel.

TBC