Harry Potter and the Vampire Slayers

Chapter 43 - Countdown.

DISCLAIMER: Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, and Harry Potter to J.K. Rowling. I don't own anything.

TIMELINE: AU. Set ten years before (Around 1988) "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone", during and after Harry Potter book 5, "Order of the Phoenix"(2003). During and after BTVS season 7, "Chosen". Pretend HP book one happened in 1999 during Buffy season three)

SUMMARY: BTVS/HP crossover. There are always 'what ifs', and what 'could've happened'. What if the supposedly dead James and Lily Potter find themselves lyingbeside a shattered hellmouth? What if Buffy Summers and the rest of the Scoobies had found them? Surprised the couple was when they found out that they had unknowingly traveled forward into the future and that they would finally get a chance to see their now grown son. With the Scoobies following them, they have no idea of the impact of what they will find out when they step foot into the Wizarding World after many years of absence. War, love, death, betrayal, happiness, and despair are just six of the many things they will stumble upon.

PAIRINGS: Buffy/Charlie, Ron/Hermione, Harry/Dawn, James/Lily, Oliver/Vi, Faith/Remus, Willow/Tara, Sirius/Amy, etc.

Reviews respond:

Naitch03: Don' we all? LOL. As for being rushed...well, the chapters will be a bit shorter from now on but will come quicker, as I want to reach the fifty-chapters line (the last chapter) before summer's over. I guess that's the reason.

Morange: Yes, doesn't he? -Grin- I've always said Xander is smarter than he seems!

Sailorsaturumon: Well, Wilkins might be powerful, but he's not even half as powerful as Willow, Dumble or Voldemort. Plus, he isn't even a wizard - he's just an ugly demon. -Big smile-

Ellie Ashton: Good for you, because that's what you all will get from now on! LOL.

gabrieldarke: Of course I did, I like 'em all!

Just Me: So glad you liked it! I thought myself it was kind of clever actually. -Grin-

NixiNox: Yep, he sure does...

Papa Wheelie: -Blink- Ummm...that's not going to happen... -sweatdrops- It could, but it won't. I have other plans for our suffering boy-who-lived... -evil grin-

Thanks to:

Chailyn Cole Runewood

clio (for ch 1)

pikeman900

...and my beta - Charmed Chick

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March turned into April, and all the Scoobies and the many other peoplein the castle were in a good mood after finding out what the Ritual was all about - and that the Death Eaters most likely would not be able to use it. That is, everyone except Harry, even though that he kept appearances up. Nobody knew he had happened to overhear part of their conversation, and Harry was determined it would stay that way.

Rightat this moment, Harry was staring dazedly into his cauldron.

'...add salamander eyes...let it simmer...stir six times counter-clockwise...add powdered asphodel...daisy roots... stir three times clockwise...let - "

"POTTER!"

With a sigh, Harry looked up and met the furious eyes of Professor Snape.

"What is this?" Snape hissed.

"My potion, professor," Harry said.

"Really?" Snape said dryly. "More like POISON. Say, did you add hellebore before you added the salamander eyes?"

"Yes," said Harry between gritted teeth. "I did."

Snape narrowed his eyes. Some Slytherin students were snickering.

"And why would you do that, Potter? Hellebore is not to be used in this potion as it is highly POISONOUS! Do you even TRY to read the instructions? Ten points from Gryffindor. EVANESCO!"

Harry watched in seething rage as his potion disappeared. He wished his increasing powers had helped him in potions instead of in everywhere else. It would have been better for him, not only in potions-class, but also because potions would not help him against Voldemort...and then Dumbledore wouldn't think him 'ready' and then he wouldn't have to fight...

"Detention, Potter, sev - "

Snape suddenly stopped, and grabbed his left forearm, hissing in pain.

"Class dismissed," he said. The students started to leave as fast as possible.

"Potter, stay behind."

"Bad luck, mate," Ron muttered.

Harry sighed. He knew the pain Snape had felt was from the Dark Mark, and wondered what this was all about. He doubted his detention was the first on the Potions-master's mind right now...but then again he couldn't know for sure.

As soon as all the students were out of the classroom, Snape closed the door behind them.

"I want you to tell the Headmaster I've been called," he said.

Harry nodded.

"Right. That's all?"

"No," Snape said. "You may not think I don't notice, Potter, but I do. You have not been acting yourself these last few months. And whatever it is that's bothering you...stop being bothered by it."

"What?" Harry said, shocked.

Snape smirked.

"Yes. It is rather annoying watching you moping around like the world is going to end one moment, and the next cheery as the cheeriest thing you can think of. It's unnatural. And very disturbing."

"Right," Harry said through gritted teeth. "Was that all?"

"No. Your detention will be served with me seven o'clock this Wednesday. Have a nice afternoon."

Harry scowled as he left.

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"Welcome, my loyal Death Eaters," Voldemort hissed.

'If only you knew...' Snape thought, making sure his shields against mental attacks were intact.

"I have called you here tonight because of an attack...at Hogwarts."

Snape's insides froze to ice.

"It has always been my goal to conquer Hogwarts. I have always known thatonce Hogwarts falls, it is only a matter of time before the rest of the Wizarding World falls with it."

Snape's heart started to beat quicker and quicker.

"A surprise attack would give us what we want - Hogwarts. By actingas wenormally do, by attacking other places, the so called 'light-side' will have no reasons to believe our true goal is Hogwarts. Well, I am sure Dumbledore knows that sooner or later I will come for his precious castle, but he will not realize that 'sooner or later' will be sooner than he thinks...'

"I plan it to take place in the end of May, right before they close for the summer...after all, every show down I have had with the Potter boy has happened during this time, and I have always said it is a shame to break tradition...and this way, it will give me a certain closure for all the other times I've - well, I hate to say it but I can't come up with a better word - failed.'

"It would be the perfect time to finish off the old fool and the brat as they are both in the castle - completely unprepared. And with them both gone, nobody will have the power to defy me!"

Voldemort's laugh echoed across the room, and the Death Eaters followed.

"SILENCE!" Voldemort roared. "Who said you were allowed to laugh?"

The laughter hastily came to a stop.

"Severus," Voldemort said silkily. "Come here."

Snape stepped forward, and bowed deeply in front of the Dark Lord.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"What can you tell me about the people in the castle right now?"

"They are in a good mood my lord," Snape answered. "Because it has been some time since they have had to deal with your wrath."

Voldemort chuckled.

"Well, we'll just have to change that, hmm? What of the old fool?"

"He is mostly in his office, eating lemon-drops, my lord," Snape drawled. "Having seemingly no worries in the world."

Voldemort let out an evil cackle.

"Excellent, excellent...it will be nice to disturb their peace...and the Potter boy?"

"Acting like a normal teenager with mood-swings and crushes," Snape said.

Voldemort chuckled again.

"Oh, everything you say makes me happy today, Severus. To bring them down will be a big pleasure... say, who is this girl that has caught the boy's eye?"

"Oh, I'd say it's many," Snape lied. "His teenage hormones are running high, and there are many girls in the castle - he would be unnatural not to notice them all. But he is currently dating Dawn Summers."

"The Slayer's little sister? Interesting..." Voldemort thought. "Tell me, Severus, do you think his current little 'crush' will last?"

"Not likely," Snape lied. "To me it seems the girl is more interested than Potter - I'd say he is merely using her as a snogging entertainment."

Voldemort laughed.

"Oh, the Potter boy is acting...well, like a boy! Nothing could please me more! There doesn't seem to be anything bothering him?"

"Except his detention with me, no," Snape drawled, earning himself another chuckle.

"You have done well, Severus," Voldemort mused. "I will give you a certain mission: I want you to find out exactly how many Slayers there are inside the castle walls, and the entire student and faculty bodies' talent and power. I want to know what to expect."

Snape bowed.

"It will be done, my lord."

"Good, good." He smiled a cruel smile.

"Bring me the...entertainment, will you?"

A Death Eater stepped forwards, dragging a naked, crying and whimpering woman into the middle.

Voldemort grinned.

"Let's see if you can scream...CRUCIO!"

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Later that night, Snape finally managed to get back to the castle. He was glad he had not been on the receiving end of Voldemort's wrath this time - usually, he was never let off without having been under Cruciatus at least one time - he must have been in a good mood.

Snape hastily gave the passwords to the Gargoyles, and stepped into Dumbledore's office, doing his best not to roll his eyes at his night-outfit: A polka-dotted dressing gown, clown striped socks, and his beard carefully knotted in a braid, with a lime green bow as the big finish.

"Severus, I trust the meeting went well?"

"Well, I was not tortured to insanity," Snape said dryly. "So I'd say so. But the news I got could have been better."

He hastily lapsed out what he found out at the meeting and with every word, Dumbledore looked graver and graver.

"It is as I have feared," he said. "We have always known Voldemort would attack Hogwarts...but we will be ready for him. And this time, Harry will be ready for him as well. With his new powers, I don't doubt Voldemort will get quite a surprise when they meet. And that surprise may bejustenough for Harry to be able to take him out. Yes, maybe this attack is for the best...it is finally time to finish the battle with Voldemort once and for all..."

He clasped his hands together.

"Now, to the information Voldemort wanted: Don't tell him the truth. Tell him about our talents and powers, but make it seem like they are much, much weaker than they truly are. Don't give him the entire Slayer-number, but not too few either - He might call that bluff. But you could say most of the Slayers are far from fully trained, as they just arrived here this year. Tell him you do not expect them to be a match until next year,at the very least."

"As for Potter?" Snape asked.

Dumbledore's brow furrowed in thought.

"You may tell him...that Harry has done better in his school-work, from what you've heard from Minerva...but his practical skills leaves much to be desired."

Snape nodded.

"I understand."

Dumbledore nodded back.

"I wish you good luck, Severus, for whenever Tom might call you again..."

"What will you do, Headmaster?" Snape asked.

"Me?" Dumbledore's eyes started to twinkle. "I will make sure we are ready to meet Voldemort when he comes...in whatever way he comes."

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A/N: Evil, evil... -rubs hands in anticipation- Hope you enjoyed! Please REVIEW!

/Ida