Harry Potter and the Vampire Slayers

Chapter 48 – Between the Worlds.

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:

Katrina Marie Pace: I can't? Why not? I thought I was the author? LOL.

TriguetraWarrior: I surprised you? Yay! And I'm kind of glad I didn't kill off Dawn either!

SiriusSpikeLover: Puh! For awhile there I was worried! LOL.

Nixinox: Nope, not always...but in this story, yes. As for what happenes now...do you really think I'm gonna tell you that?

teisha (ch 46): Of course I plan to finish this, sweets!

TTrunks: One thing at the time you know. I guess I could have done the last fight by now and gotten it over with, but then I wouldn't hit the fifty-chapters line. Anyway, battle in next chap! But no sequel, sorry. I justdon't havethe time. Or energy. Or muse.

Naitch03: Well, keep reading and you'll see!

Moony's Mate: So happy you liked it!

The Lady Morgaine (ch 46-47): Well, that's me. An evil, crazy-girl. LOL. Use Voldemort as sacrifice? I have already gotten that suggestion, but I really can't see that happening. Even if it would be funny and ironic as hell. Being wacky? -Blink- I think you are wacky enough for both of us! I mean, you can be the wacky, but I need to be the crazy, insane and everything else but wacky. And yeah...Andrew is just so cool. I read your story, and left a nice little review - I thought your story was...f-cking great!

etraya: Thanks, hon! I just love being a genius. 'Cause then I can be crazy without anybody saying a word about it! (You know, genius insane) And I think I should stop rambling now...ehrm. Anyway, to answer your questions: you'll just have to read this chap to find out!

Thanks to:

...my beta - Charmed Chick

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Everyone watched in horror as Dumbledore suddenly jumped into the circle, pushing Dawn out, taking her place. Their eyes widened as the light suddenly burst outwards from Dumbledore, in all directions, blinding everyone. As they opened their eyes, they saw the great figure of Albus Dumbledore lying dead on the floor. The ritual was complete.

Dumbledore found himself standing in front of a grey door in a foggy landscape.

'...Hmm...this is interesting...' He thought, and lifted his hand to knock, but before he could, the door opened, and Dumbledore found himself standing eye to eye with Harry.

"I wondered when you would show up," Harry said with a teasing smile. Dumbledore blinked. Whatever it was he had expected Harry to say, it wasn't that.

Harry smirked.

"I guess I finally managed to surprise you, eh?"

Dumbledore coughed.

"Well...eh...yes, I guess you did."

"Right. So I guess you have some questions?" Harry asked. "Why don't we sit down?"

Dumbledore watched as a bench seemingly appeared out of nowhere, along with a bag of...

"...muggle-popcorn, Harry?" Dumbledore asked with a chuckle.

Harry shrugged.

"Well,it'sgood."

They sat there in silence for awhile, until Harry started to speak, a frown of concentration etching his face.

"When I...died, I found myself standing in front of this blinding white portal. I was just about to enter when they- The Powers That Be- told me that I was not yet to enter Heaven because my task was not yet complete. With me so far?"

Dumbledore nodded.

"Good. Well, right after they said that, the white portal disappeared- I felt quite put out about that- and was replaced by that grey door I came out of over there. The PTB's told me it was the door leading to the waiting place, you know, that place for those who's time has not yet come? Anyway, they said that was to be my home until the time came for me to return, and finish the task I was chosen to do. So I entered, and well, for a very, very, very long time for me, and a half-year for you, I was pretty much bored to death. Time didn't exist there, so I just walked around, brooding."

Dumbledore chuckled.

"Not the most satisfying way to spend eternity?"

"No, really not. Anyway, it was good for me - boring, but good. I learned a lesson."

"And what lesson was that, Harry?"

Harry turned to look at Dumbledore, a complete serious expression on his face.

"That no matter how much life sucks, and no matter how hard and difficult it gets, it's way better than a grey, foggy place that reminds me of the soggy bottom of a tea-cup from professor Trelawney's Divination classes."

Dumbledore blinked. And then he burst out laughing. Harry gave him a wry grin.

"Yes, Harry, I really think the time here has done you well..." Dumbledore said, after he finally composed himself.

"I have a question for you Harry. Or more like a last lesson before we depart. It's about love, and life." His eyes started to twinkle. "Although I think you have already figured most of it out by now."

"Probably," Harry agreed.

"You see, life is a wonderful thing. Painful, but wonderful. And even if there are hardships, it can still be wonderful. Life is what you make it. If you are always brooding around, like you did- without us noticing- it is a very painful and sad way to spend it, and you come to wish for something else. Something happier. And in your mind, happier goes hand in hand with death, even if this is far from the truth. If you, on the other hand, finds a balance between both good and bad, life becomes an amazing thing that you never wish to end."

Harry nodded, a smile etching on his face.

"Like a bag of chocolate-frogs. Or in your case, lemon-drops."

Dumbledore laughed.

"Exactly. I really think you have grown up, Harry. Now love and hate. Voldemort's heart has been devoured by the hate he feels for other people and beings. Your heart is surrounded by love for your friends and family. That is what makes you different. And that is what will help you victor. Voldemort has nothing to gain by killing. It gives him a feeling of power, a goal, which, in his head sounds very admirable. But what happens when he has reach his goal? When all people that were opposing him are dead, and left is only those who agree with him. He will have nothing left. When he has reached the highest power, what's next? Nothing. There is simply nothing. Unfortunately, Voldemort has not figured this out."

Harry gave Dumbledore a grin, which he returned with a small chuckle.

"You, on the other hand, have everything to win. When you reach your goal, and Voldemort is dead, you have your friends and family on your side, and you can live a life that makes you happy. Voldemort doesn't have that luxury. And that is why love is stronger than hate. Love is something worth fighting for, while hate is not."

He stood up.

"Now, for the reason I have come...I am here- "

"- To take my place. One life for another. I get it."

Dumbledore smiled.

"Exactly. I wish you luck Harry."

"You too, sir," Harry said.

In front of them, two different portals showed up. One blinding white, and the other in all the colors of the rainbow.

Dumbledore actually let out a squeal of delight as he looked inside the white portals.

"Woollen socks and lemon drops in thousands!" He exclaimed. Harry got an expression on his face that clearly said what everyone really thought about Dumbledore - 'he is crazy.'

Dumbledore turned to Harry with a bright smile.

"We will meet again, Harry Potter," he said. "Although I hope not for a long while yet."

And with that, he stepped into the blinding, white, portal and with a bright flash, it was gone, and so was Dumbledore.

Harry took a deep breath and turned to the rainbow-colored one.

"Here we go..." He muttered, and stepped inside.

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A universe away, in a small cemetery, a buried corpse slowly transformed back into a functional body, and Harry opened his eyes with a gasp.

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A/N: Hope you liked! Please REVIEW! Only one chapter and an epilogue left!

/Ida