Buffy stepped into the bathroom of her dorm, pulling out a fresh fluffy towel. She felt the need for a long soak. It wasn't an unhappy soak; it was a happy, resolved-something-that's-been-eating-me type soak.

She had been to the Owlery the day after she had visited Dumbledore's Pensieve – that was two days ago now, on the Wednesday. She had written a letter.

Dear Giles, it read.

Hey! It's me – Little miss Locked-up. I haven't written before now cuz I thought you thought that I killed Kendra. I still say I didn't do it. It was Drusilla. I came too late, and after that I staked Dru and Spike and sent Angelus to hell.

You know that, right? I would never kill a human! Killing Angelus was…it was hard enough. Lately, I've been feeling really crappy because I thought you all hated me. Then, something weird happened Before I get to that, here's what's happened..

I've been at Hogwarts for God knows how long now – it's got to be close to three months I reckon. Dumbledore doesn't seem to like me all that much at all. In the beginning, he got all cold and was kind of intimidating when I was even near him. Now, he just gets kind of sad. Anyway, I've made some friends. I'm in Slytherin, just so you know. I reckon you know a bit about Hogwarts, you being so close to Dumbles and all.

Apparently, there have been other witch/slayers before. Guess who? Darla and Drusilla! When they were humans, they went to the school! So anyway, I made friends with some people – Draco Malfoy first, he's in my house. Reminds me of Spike so much it's scary – except he has a more upper-class accent. And he's not afraid of sun. Then I met this guy called Harry Potter. He's amazing, and he's been up against this evil wizard called Zoltanord ever since he was born! We're dating now. Great guy.

One night, I had a weird dream. It was so wiggy. I dreamt that this Zolretard – whoops, Harry just came up to me and said it's Voldemort – resurrected the Master. I freaked out. Story with the Voldemort guy is that he drank some Unicorn blood. Gives immortality apparently, and can save you from death. Like a hyped-up Gatorade for the Master – being a vamp in the first place, he got really strong on top of all the power he's got going at the mo. Then, I dreamt that he killed Voldemort.

I went to the Headmaster, and it was official – Master's back. I wouldn't be surprised if you already know that. Whoops, I forgot to say earlier: you know how Drusilla and Darla went to the school? Well, their portraits still hang on the walls in the Slytherin section and they MOVE! They also talk. Weird though, Darla didn't seem evil. Nor did Dru. Drusilla was still crazy, and they knew what was going on in the real world because of Dru's ramblings, but they weren't vampires – they just knew that the real 'thems' were.

So a while back, something happened to the portraits – Darla and Dru disappeared from them. Burned in the corner of the paintings was the Mark of the Apocalypse – the Master's Mark. What is it with Big Bads and marks? It's so lame.

You know Faith, right? Well, she got shipped off here as well. She admits that she killed a guy, though. She really did it. She seemed to lose her mind for a while, but she got it together in the end. She's as normal as could be expected now. It's nice – you know, having a slayer around again. Like, a sister I never grew up with.

So just when my life is good, guess what happens? Two people turn up as 'exchange students'. Drusilla and Darla. Except, they're sort of human. I know, I know, I staked them both. I don't really understand how they're back, but they remember being bad and everything, but they aren't all blood-sucking and they can walk in sun and everything. They're alive, and Dumbledore has accepted them as students.

It was Darla's idea, actually, for me to have a Veritaserum. So, I rocked up to the Headmaster's office (which by the way is way better than Snyder's) and asked why I wasn't given one in his trial. He got really sad and kinda angry – not angry at me, sort of more on my behalf? I'm not sure. Anyway, he said I did get a Veritaserum, but the tranquillizer I was under made me forget it. I went for a trip in his Pensieve and saw the whole thing firsthand.

I also saw that you believed in me. I won't forget it. Do Xander and Willow think it was me? My mom, Oz, Cordy? God, I hope not. I think something's missing. The questioning, there was something they didn't ask. I just don't know what it is…

Giles, I promise I will prove I'm innocent. Please, tell the others it wasn't me – it'd mean a lot to me.

Lots of love,

Buffy.

Well, that was the letter. She hadn't got a reply yet, but she figured it could take a while for the school owl she borrowed to fly around the world and back. That birdie was SO getting some of those owl treats when it got back.

After writing it, Buffy felt much more at peace. Okay, so now most of her issues were resolved. The concerns she had when she first came here – and since then – were being fixed up nicely.

She had friends, for starters. Okay, so she only really had five – three of which were murderers. They were still friends. She had a boyfriend: that one was a huge Godsend. She really didn't know what to do if it weren't for Harry. She had a new start, and the people she loved back home were going to believe her. Oh yeah, life rocked.

She only hoped that the whole Angel thing would pan out okay. What would Harry say if Faith or one of the others let slip that she slept with a vampire? He'd hate her…It wouldn't happen. No one would spill her secret.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lunch time at Hogwarts was a loud affair. Buffy sat with Malfoy, Faith, Darla and Drusilla at the Slytherin table, making faces at Harry who still sat at the Gryffindor table. Harry was blowing kisses to his blonde girlfriend, and Buffy was teasing him by draping her arm across Malfoy's shoulders. When Harry looked properly cut, she winked at him.

It was all a lot of fun. Harry was joking with Seamus and Dean while Ron and Hermione looked on hopefully, praying that they were getting their friend back. In the last week, he was getting more and more like his old self.

Buffy was about to stand, wanting to talk with Harry at his table. Just as she was putting down her fork, there was a small shriek from behind the door that led to the dungeons. She whipped around, but there was no one there. The rest of the Hall carried on eating as if nothing had happened. She turned to Faith, who was next to her.

"Did you hear that?" she said in a low tone. Faith looked concerned.

"You too? I thought it was just me."

Darla tapped Faith on the shoulder. "Sounded like a young girl. You'd better go find out who it is."

Buffy nodded, standing up. She strolled towards the door with Faith, both looking like they had finished their meals and were going back to their rooms. They opened the door and walked a few steps before a tiny first-year Gryffindor came racing up to them, throwing her arms around Faith's midsection.

"Help me, please," she whimpered. "There was a – a -"

Buffy narrowed her eyes, feeling for the stake she always kept in the waistband of her skirt, hidden under the expansive robe. "What was it, sweetie?" she said encouragingly.

The girl swallowed. "It was a big, big spider thing. As big as a dog, with sharp claws and teeth. It looked like a spider, but it was hard like a crab's shell. And it was fast. It almost bit me. I ran away, and then there was another one, and another, and…" She broke off, shaking. Buffy caught a look at the girl's face; she was totally white. The spider thing must have frightened her a lot.

Harry appeared out of nowhere with Malfoy in tow. "It's okay, Sarah," he said comfortingly, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder. The little girl let go of Faith like she had a disease and clung on to Harry's robe.

"Harry, you have to kill it! Please, please help me…" Faith raised an eyebrow. Harry was the wizard hero, obviously. He rubbed the girl's back.

"It's okay, Sarah. I won't let it hurt you. You should go inside now with everyone else."

Sarah nodded fearfully, sniffing. "I've seen them before, in a book," she said in a shaky voice to her saviour. "I've had nightmares sometimes. But I've never seen one real before. I opened a cupboard, and it jumped out at me." With that, she scuttled off into the Great Hall.

Buffy ran a hand through her hair. "Wow. The thing must have scared the crap outta her."

Harry nodded. "Yeah. Sounded like a Boggart to me. Jumped out of a cupboard? And if she's having nightmares, then it's probably what it is."

Faith screwed up her nose. "Boggart? What's that?"

Malfoy shrugged. "It's a magical creature that's kind of evil. It takes on the appearance of the greatest fear of the person it's closest to."

Buffy narrowed her eyes. "A fear demon? I've fought a fear demon that preyed on little kids before. That one was invisible to everyone but the kids who were sick with fever. Those were his victims."

Harry shook his head. "It isn't a demon, it's a magical creature. There's a difference. And this one takes on different appearances, so it could be anything. So, if you see your greatest fear at any given stage, give us a yell. That'll be the Boggart."

Faith shivered. "Creepy. Let's beat this thing to the ground."

Buffy tilted her head to the side thoughtfully. "Last time I was fighting the Master, there was a thing where everyone's worst nightmares were coming true. A little boy was stuck in his own nightmare, and everyone else's worst fears came true."

Harry looked at her over his glasses. "Buff, chill. It's a Boggart. No big."

Buffy coloured. "Okay, it's just…I've been through the whole 'fear' thing before, is all."

The four of them started a search of the dungeons. As they walked, Buffy talked with Harry. "Why do I get the impression that you've battled one before?"

He nodded with a smile. Buffy was so perceptive of others. "Yeah. In my third year, we studied them in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Mine turned into a Dementor."

Buffy felt a chill. If Harry's greatest fear wasn't Zoltanord, the guy who killed his parents, then the Dementor would have to be pretty scary. "What's a Dementor?" she said, hesitant to ask.

Harry paused, swallowing. "They're these magical creatures. They looked kind of humanoid, with arms and legs and heads the same. But they wear these long robes, with hoods that cover their faces. Basically, what they do is suck out happiness from people. They can do that just by being in the same building as you. They don't ever make a sound, it's unnerving."

Buffy shivered, rubbing the goosebumps that were up and down her arms. "That's tough."

"They take away every single memory you have of being happy and warm and loved, and all you can do is remember the bad things. The people who died, how you were to blame, the falling-outs with friends, the bad things your family says to you…you dwell on the bad things."

Buffy felt a lump in her throat. "But they're not demons? You can't just…kill them?"

Harry shook his head heavily. "No. And when you actually see what's under their hoods…" he shuddered. "They're just disgusting. Their skin is all scabby and rotting, and they don't have faces. Just a big, gaping hole for a mouth. They don't use it to speak or eat. They use it for the Dementor's Kiss."

Buffy was getting a bit wigged now. "What's that? Cuz I wouldn't want to be kissing anything like that."

Harry smiled grimly. "They perform the Dementor's Kiss in Azkaban, for those who've really, really done wrong. It's when the Dementor lifts his hood and puts his mouth on a human's, and sucks out their soul. It doesn't kill you, but you're left just as…just as a shell. That's it. Not moving, talking, feeling. Just being."

Buffy felt like she was going to pass out. They actually did that? How terrible!

Harry shook his head, trying to clear out unpleasant thoughts. "So, that's my fear. What about you, Buffy?" she felt herself going pink.

"Bats. They scare the hell outta me," She zinged, and didn't elaborate. Harry laughed uncertainly. Was she serious?

A voice came out of nowhere and Buffy nearly wet herself, she was so on edge. It was Professor Dumbledore, magnifying his voice.

"Would all students please come to the Great Hall immediately."

Buffy glanced at Harry, and they both sped into the Great Hall. There was a fourth-year boy looking like he was in shock. Someone was holding a bandage to his throat, where a trickle of blood was staining his white school shirt. "A vampire," he said tonelessly, like he dare not believe it himself. "He just appeared. I in the forest, and he bit me…"

Harry pulled Buffy towards the Headmaster, who was looking concerned. "That's why the forest is forbidden," he was muttering to himself as the seventh-years showed up.

"Professor," Harry said smoothly. "I think there's a Boggart loose on the grounds. A first-year Gryffindor saw something she's been having nightmares about just before now."

Dumbledore nodded. "I know, Mister Potter. Professor Wilkins has been out for the last half hour trying to catch the Boggart."

Buffy slowed. A vampire? Okay, the boy said 'he' quite clearly. Darla and Dru were in the clear. It must have been a Boggart, then.

"Professor Dumbledore," Buffy said in a straightforward manner, "Harry and I could help catch it. May we have permission to hunt for it?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I was hoping you two'd offer to assist us," he said seriously. "Very well. You two see if the Boggart is still in the forest."

Harry nodded. He took Buffy's arm and together they walked towards the door leading to the Entrance Hall. They were about halfway there when the door creaked open.

The Hall fell silent as they looked towards to newcomer. Some of the girls started giggling. He was hot! Strong, well-built…looks like an angel. Buffy froze.

The newcomer folded his arms across his chest, smirking smugly. Not even Malfoy could beat that smirk. It was just so…so…cold. At the same time, incredibly seductive.

Harry narrowed his eyes as he noticed his girlfriend's reaction. "Who's this guy?" he asked, as the rest of the school watched.

"My ex. The Boggart."

The stranger smirked even more so. "Hello lover," he drawled.

Harry reached for his wand and realized with a lurch of his stomach that it was missing. Damn! How come every time he really, desperately needed it, he was without it?! He looked back at the stranger, Buffy's ex, and felt another lurch when he saw the long, brown wand in his hand. Oh yeah. Déjà vu. This was uncannily like that time in second year with Tom Riddle. Except, he knew what the deal with Riddle was. This guy, he had no idea.

Buffy shook her head. "No," she whispered. How many nights had she woken up in a cold sweat, shaking all over after a nightmare? They were always different.

Sometimes he was dancing with her, and he would turn. In others he would stake Harry, and Harry would turn to dust. In some, Harry would be laughing, and then his face would morph into Angelus' game face.

She felt her breaths coming faster. "No. No, no, no." she took a step backwards, her eyes wide. "This isn't happening. You're a Boggart."

Angelus shrugged, twirling the wand expertly between his fingers. "What's wrong, Buff? Do I scare you?"

Dumbledore stepped forward. "Miss Summers, it is only a fear. DO not let it overtake y-"

"Petrificus totalus!" roared Angelus. The Headmaster stopped mid-sentence, shock on his face. He completely froze, from head to toe, and toppled over. There was a loud thumping noise like dominoes as every single person in the Hall save Buffy and Angelus froze. Several people who were standing fell to the ground, frozen also. Harry watched helplessly from the ground as the stranger smirked smugly. The whole Hall stared frozen at the two people left.

Buffy blanched. "Oh my God. No way. This is not happening. You're not even you!"

Angelus sighed with a beatific smile. "Aren't I?" he asked winningly. He pointed his wand over at the Slytherin table. "Finite Incantatem." Two figures emerged.

"Well, my boy, it's good to see you again." Darla purred. She looked him up and down. "Been awhile, hasn't it?"

Angelus licked his lips hungrily, his brown eyes boring into hers. "It's been a lifetime."

Dru stepped forward. "Oh glories! My daddy has returned! What marvelous games we shall play."

Angelus smiled at his favourite daughter. "You know it, sweetheart."

"So, Buff. Here we are. It's passion that rules us. We've had a lot of passion togeth-"

He ducked to avoid Buffy's swipe at his head. He took a step back, started, as the slayer hefted a sword she had transfigured. "Don't you DARE," she hissed.

Angelus' eyes narrowed. "Hell hath no fury, Buff," he taunted, and grabbed a sword that before now was decoration on the wall.

He swung towards her and thrusted forward, only to have the small slayer parry his move. She pushed his sword aside and slashed diagonally, but again he defended her attack. They began the dance once more.

Buffy and Angelus were completely ignorant of everyone in the hall watching them as they reenacted their last fight. Their blades hummed a deadly rhythm as they thrust parried, slashed and hooked; each seemed to know the other's move before they made it. They manoeuvred each other round and round the tables. Angelus pushed her thrust aside and held her sword down with his own as he punched out viciously at her face. She recoiled with a hand to her cheek, tasting blood.

'It's blood that makes us, it's blood that binds us.'

She hadn't tasted her own blood for a while now.

Slayer's blood.

She scowled. "You know, Angel, this is really getting old. Move on!"

Angelus snarled, leaping up onto a table and slicing down with such force that the sword in Buffy's hand shuddered upon impact. She tried not to gasp as the shuddering jarred her arm to its core. "My name is Angelus, slayer," he laughed.

Buffy winced as his blade nicked her shoulder. "Come off it. I killed you, buddy. I sent your sorry ass to hell!"

He snorted. "No way. You used magic, lover. It wasn't you. It was something else."

Darla looked pissed. "Oh yes, and I'm ever so pleased you had to bring that up. "

Angelus looked towards her, and blinked. He lowered his sword in puzzlement. "Huh?"

"You killed me. You slept with the enemy. You owe me." Angelus looked almost…remorseful. "Every time you call her lover, you're getting yourself in deeper shit with me. And don't fight Buffy!" She commanded.

In all the years he had lived/unlived, Darla was the one person/creature of the night that he always listened to. She was his goddess, and now his goddess was confusing him. "Okay, I get that you're pissed because of me killing you and sleeping with the slayer, but why can't I fight?"

Darla put out her hand, eyes narrowed. Angelus glared at the slayer furiously and handed over his sword. "Because I say so. We're on the same page. Buffy and I are…" She looked towards Buffy, who had the beginning of a smile on her face.

"We have a some things in common. A lot, actually. We're friends."

A pin could have dropped and been heard. Angelus blinked. "Really? You're not just shitting me?"

Buffy shrugged. "We get on pretty well, actually. So, yeah."

Angelus looked unconcerned. "Suits me. I'm so over the whole 'kill the slayer' thing. I just wanted a good fight. Haven't had one since last week with that Hell Goddess." He shoved his hands in his pockets, standing arrogantly. "Funny story. Involved a crusade."

Buffy was now starting to look confused. "Okay," she said uncertainly, "Can you please let my friends up? Harry, the blonde guy down there and the brunette girl he's next to?"

At Darla's nod, Angelus released them from their body bind. None seemed too eager to do anything. "So! Um…this is Harry, he's my boyfriend, blonde's Malfoy and she's Faith, the other slayer. People, meet my ex. Angelus."

Harry was frozen. "Only you, Buff. Bats my ass."

Darla looked pleased at how the situation was going and stalked over to her childe. "Liam," she said with rapture. "I think it's time we had a proper reunion, darling boy."

He growled deep in his throat and grabbed her with one hand, pulling her viciously towards him. His other hand was weaving through her strawberry blonde hair, and he bent her backwards as he assaulted her mouth. He bit almost clean through her bottom lip, and she just moaned. He paused only to rearrange himself and start sucking on her neck.

Buffy noted carefully that he didn't vamp-out: this was among the good. Still, seeing her ex-honey totally necking Darla was something she could have done without.

She coughed awkwardly. "So…um, I'm guessing he's not a Boggart."

Harry had his eyes narrowed. "Apparently not."

Faith looked impressed. "Damn, he really knows how to push a girl's buttons," she said, winking at Buffy. Harry scowled deeper. "How'd they stay together for so long? I eman, they must have been together now for, like, hundreds of years. It's a marathon romance."

"Simple, kiddies," came an arrogant drawl from behind her. "She gave him part of herself, he gave her a lot of himself. They've shared each other's life. It's the same with Dru and I."

Drusilla whooped as Spike stood leaning casually against the Entrance Hall door, arms folded across his chest. The cockney vampire was wearing his trademark outfit: black t-shirt, red shirt hanging open, long black leather jacket, tight black leather pants and combat boots. He had recently acquired a silver necklace that hung down his chest. Spike was standing next to the newly-appeared Professor Wilkins, who was grinning as always. He waved his wand, and memory-charmed everyone in the Hall who was still frozen. Buffy put down her sword as Spike leered inside.

"Love isn't brains, children, it's blood."

&*&*&

A/N

Okay!! This is dedicated to ashenem, who chastised me into moving my sorry ass and finish writing this. Really, I just had a bit to go, but then he/she reminded me how late I was and I wrote it sharpish.

Thanks also to Justine Tiamat, Reese, Deke777, freewheeler30 (uh…okay…thanks) and to Shy. Yo, Shy! It's a fanfic! And I said in the summary that Harry was OOC. Thanks loads guys! I made it to 100 reviews!

Cutiepie: you said some things about Harry never acting as mean as he is. I have a plan to explain that; it's part of the plot. It's actually a large feature, so watch this space! If you're concerned about him being OOC, and other people who are as well, just wait a while. It'll be made clear at some stage…when I get round that that part of the story….

So thanks to everyone who reviewed! Come on people at TTH, I value your opinion! Hey, if anyone else has a question, don't hesitate to ask.