Out of the Blue
Chapter 25 – Lucky you were wrong.
DISCLAIMER: Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, and Harry Potter to J.K. Rowling. I don't own anything…
RATING: PG-13 (T) to R (M) - violence, language, angst, horror, mild sexual interactions, etc. If you can watch BTVS/AtS and read HP, I doubt you'll have any problem with this story.
TIMELINE: Takes place after season two in BTVS, and during the marauders last year at Hogwarts.
SUMMARY: BTVS/HP crossover. Life sucked for Buffy Summers. After taking her refuge to LA, she had hoped she would finally have some of that peace the Hellmouth couldn't provide. She should have known she was hoping for the impossible. When she gets propelled into another dimension, her life changes forever - but is it for the better or for worse?
CENTRAL PAIRING: Buffy/Remus
OTHER PAIRINGS: James/Lily, Sirius/Eliza
Special Thanks to: My Beta - CharmedChick
November passed by, and before they knew it, December came, and with it, Eliza's seventeenth birthday. This meant a big party in the Gryffindor common-room. McGonagall wasn't too happy with them when she came in three O'clock in the morning, just to find out the party was still going, and more than half of the Gryffindor population had passed out, either from exhaustion, or from being too drunk from the fire-whisky James and Sirius had nicked from Hogsmeade. No one was even a little surprised they earned themselves a detention every night until Christmas vacation.
A few days before Christmas break, McGonagall gave the Gryffindors a list, on which you would sign if you planned to stay at Hogwarts. Buffy had just been about to do so when Remus had taken the quill away from her, and said she could stay at his place - he'd already cleared it with his parents. Buffy had barely dared to believe it. It was too good to be true, but now, as she sat in a carriage with Remus, on their way of to his home, she realized it actually was happening.
She sighed happily, letting her head fall down on Remus shoulder.
"What are you thinking about?" He muttered. Buffy smiled.
"How happy I am," she said. "When I first got here, I never even dared to believe I'd gain so many friends - or a boyfriend. Definitely not a boyfriend... I didn't even think I'd fall in love - ever again."
"Lucky you were wrong," Remus smiled.
"Mhmm..."
"Why were you so mad before we left?" Remus asked. Buffy squirmed a bit in her seat. Right before Buffy was ready to leave, Peter had come up to her, wanting to talk. What he had to say had left her quite upset.
"Oh, that." She grimaced. "Peter wanted me to go to his place. I declined." She then added.
Remus raised his eyebrows. "He did? I thought he knew about us..."
"Oh, he does," Buffy said. "Or he does now, anyway." She smirked, and Remus gave her a suspicious glance.
"What did you do?"
"Oh, you know, nothing serious. Just broke his jaw..." she said airily.
"WHAT?"
Buffy laughed. "I'm kidding. I just told him that I liked him as a friend, but that my heart belonged to someone else."
"And what did he say then?"
"Well, he said that whoever it was could never be good enough for me, and that I deserved someone better - like him. I think I said something like 'under no circumstances will I ever like you asmore than a friend'. I thought I was quite nice, but then he said I didn't know what I was talking about, and called me a jerk - only in a little more colorful wording, That's when I got mad, and then he tried to grab my ass. I may have happened to slap him."
Remus just stared at Buffy not believing his ears.
"Peter called you a jerk? And he tried to grab your ass!"Helooked really upset, and Buffy gave him a kiss to calm his nerves.
"Relax. Nothing happened. I'm all yours."
"And Peter better remember that," Remus grumbled. "I should talk to him when we get back to school...make sure he knows you're not interested."
Buffy smiled at her boyfriend's possessiveness. It was cute.
"Yeah, you should. But I thought we were gonna meet up at James' placeon Christmas day? Can't you talk to him then?"
"No. Not at Christmas. Plus, Wormtail isn't coming. He said he had to attend to a family dinner. Eliza and Lily come though, and Sirius already lives there."
Buffy nodded. Eliza stayed at Lily's for Christmas, as Lily didn't want to leave her at Hogwarts with no one to hang out with. Buffy had been offered to come as well, but then she'd already accepted Remus invitation, and both Lily and Eliza had understood she'd rather stay with him. They'd teased her quite awhile afterwards.
"Remus, my dear!" A woman, in her late forties, with red blonde hair and blue eyes came out to meet Remus and Buffy when they arrived.
"Mother," Remus gave her a quick hug. "This is Buffy Summers, my girlfriend."
Remus' mum gave Buffy a quick look, and smiled - although Buffy didn't think it quite met her eyes.
"Hello. I've heard so much about you - Remus won't shut up about you in his letters," she said, and Buffy smiled back, although she thought Remus' mothermade it sound like it was a bad thing.
"Mum!" Remus blushed.
Remus mother ignored him and shooed them into the house.
"Your father should be home from the bookstore any minute now. Oh, there he is!" The door flew open, revealing a man with Remus' light brown hair. He had chocolate brown eyes, which were glittering in the light. Buffy immediately got a sense of security from him, and she smiled.
"Father, hi!" Remus said, grinning. Buffy couldn't help but notice he seemed more at eased and relaxed with his father than his mother.
"This is Buffy Summers..."
"Oh, yes, of course!" The man grinned at her, and took her hand and kissed it. "Welcome to our humble home, Miss Summers. When Remus mentioned you in his letters, he said you were beautiful - but I have to say you look even more dashing then I imagined."
"Father, stop," Remus blushed again, but Buffy just giggled, realizing where Remus' marauding streak came from.
"Mr. Lupin," she said. "I'm really grateful for yourletting me stay here - your house is very nice."
"Why, thank you!" Mr. Lupin grinned. "But why don't you call me Jonathan? Mr. Lupin won't do, after all you're seeing my son."
"I'd like that...Jonathan. But only if you call me Buffy."
"Of course, Miss Buffy," Jonathan grinned, and Buffy giggled again.
"Buffy," Remus mother spoke up again. "I presume it is a nickname? For Elizabeth, maybe?"
Buffy blinked.
"No, Buffy is my real name." She was sure she saw Mrs. Lupin's lips curl up in a sneer, but she must have imagined it, because when she looked again, it was gone.
"I see. Remus, why don't you take up your bags to your room? Miss Summers, you can put your bags beside the sofa."
"Mother!" Remus looked horrified. "Buffy won't sleep on the sofa, she'll sleep in my room. I'll take the sofa."
"Oh, Remus, it's alright, I can - "
" - No, you sleep in my bed. You're the guest," Remus insisted, giving his mother something akin to a glare.
"Very well," Remus' mother said. "Jonathan, darling, dinner's almost ready."
"Ah, lovely," Jonathan said, and winked at Remus and Buffy. "Don't take too long in your room, son...Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Remus blushed again.
Remus showed Buffy up some stairs, leading her to a room at the end of the corridor.
"Well, this is my room," Remus said nervously.
Buffy took a look around. A wooden desk, full of papers and chocolate-boxes was standing by the window, and in a corner, and a bed with a dark blue bedspread was placed by the wall in the left corner. In front of the bed, stood a bureau. On the walls, there were several pictures of the marauders, and a scarf in Gryffindor colors. By the other wall was a bookcase full of books, and a shelf with a TV and a radio.
"I know it's not much..." Remus trailed off, suddenly feeling very vulnerable. What if Buffy didn't like his room? He didn't have to worry as Buffy turned around, grinning.
"It's great. It's your room. Your room is you. It mirrors your personality."
"Yeah?" Remus looked uncertain. "Is that a bad thing?"
Buffy laughed.
"No! Look, on the walls - photos on your friends - they mean everything to you. The scarf - for being that brave Gryffindor I know and love," Buffy blushed at this.
"The books - you love to read and learn new stuff - finding challenges in everything you do."
"The desk and papers - always the studious one, but you're not as organized as everyone would think - the fact that the papers are spread out in heaps everywhere tells me that. That also speaks of your little evil, joking streak."
Remus was gawking now. How could she learn so much just form his room!
"The bureau - I guess it contains your clothes - not much to say about that, or the bed, although I guess you like blue, which is good, because so do I." She grinned at Remus shocked look.
"The TV and the radio - muggle-stuff. I think you've told me you're a half-blood once, and that mirrors that side. The chocolate on the desk - well, we all know you're crazy about chocolate. I love your room, Rem. I love everything about you."
Buffy gave him a kiss, which he answered.
"Merlin, Buffy...did I ever tell you how amazing you are?"
Buffy grinned. "Once or twice. But I wouldn't mind hearing it again."
"You. Are. Amazing," Remus mumbled.
"And don't you forget it. I like your father by the way."
Remus grinned widely.
"Really? I'm glad - so do I." He looked nervous for a while.
"And my mother?"
Buffy looked thoughtful.
"I don't know...I don't think she likes me very much."
Remus smiled sadly.
"Well, she can be...a bit overprotective of me sometimes, I guess. That's what happens when you have a werewolf for a son. She's a muggle as well - she has trouble coping with some things...and she can be quite formal and old-fashioned. She likes being in control."
"What's her name?"
"Dana. But I think it would be best if you called her Mrs. Lupin."
"Yeah, so do I. Shall we go down?"
"Yes, we shall." Remus grinned, and took Buffy's outstretched hand in his.
When they emerged from the stairs, they heard raised voices from the living room.
"Jonathan, don't defend her!"
"Dana, I am not defending anyone. But Remus is growing up, and you just have to accept that."
"She is not right for him! It's obvious what kind of girl she is - she doesn't care about Remus, that much is obvious! She's so...giggly!"
Buffy froze. They were talking about her. She felt Remus grip on her hand tighten.
"She likes Remus very much, can't you see that? And Remus adores her! Don't you want our son to be happy?"
"I do! But she can't make him happy! She will break his heart, and then I will have to be there to pick up the pieces!"
"I trust our son's judgement, Dana. And I do not think Buffy will break his heart."
"See? She has already enthralled you as well! Just her name speaks about what kind of girl she is - Buffy!"
"I can't believe you judge her after her name, Dana!"
"I am not! But I know she doesn't care about him, and she will leave him! I know that kind of people - scarlet women!"
Buffy gasped, hurt by Mrs. Lupin's words.
"Don't listen to them," Remus hissed. "She doesn't know you." He started to lead her towards the living room, making loud noises with his feet so they would know they were coming.
"I should have stayed at Hogwarts, or gone with Lily," Buffy said miserably.
Remus stopped.
"Don't ever say that! Don't let what my mum is saying get to you! She doesn't know what she's talking about - she can be very narrow-minded."
Buffy smiled sadly.
"But I don't wanna cause any trouble..."
"You're not. My mum is. Now come on."
When they stepped into the living room, Buffy plastered on a smile, and they sat down by the dinner table.
"So, Miss Summers," Mrs. Lupin said after they'd started to eat. "I suppose you are a vegetarian?"
Buffy blinked. A vegetarian? Remus spit out his drink all over the table, snorting with laughter.
"Umm...no. I am pretty sure I ate lots of bacon this morning, actually." Buffy felt some sort of satisfaction at shutting Remus mother up. She was barely aware of Remus' father shaking with silent laughter.
"Oh. Then why aren't you tasting the turkey?"
Remus started to gasp for breath, red in the face after all laughing. He'd just been about to contain himself, but when his mother mentioned 'turkey', he burst out laughing again. Buffy gave him a glare.
"Oh, I don't think I'll ever be able to eat turkey again," she said. "There was a bit of an...eh...accident in class a couple of weeks ago. Seeing your Transfiguration teacher as a turkey makes you kinda scarred for life in the turkey eating department."
This time, Remus' father couldn't contain himself, and soon both father and son were laughing, tears of mirth falling down their faces.
"Minerva McGonagall? A turkey!" Jonathan laughed.
"Well, it wasn't my fault!" Buffy said. "Eliza transfigured her!" She frowned. "Or maybe it was Sirius..."
"But you chased her!" Remus said, still laughing. Buffy blushed.
"Well, it was a dare! I couldn't back out!"
"Yes, you could! Why didn't you?"
"Well, the alternative was kissing Filch!"
Remus stopped laughing, and so did his father. They both became slightly green.
"Bad...mental...picture..." Jonathan muttered.
"Oh," Remus said meekly. He took a deep breath. "You know, Buffy, I think you enjoy making me feel bad. I really didn't have to know that."
Buffy grinned triumphantly.
"Well, you asked!" She shrugged, and took a bite out of her pasta.
Remus and his father looked down at their plates, and simultaneously, they pushed them away.
The next day, Buffy woke up in a room unfamiliar to her. Then she remembered. She was at Remus' home. She smiled, jumped out of bed and got dressed, before running down the stairs.
She stepped into the room, which she knew Remus was sleeping in for the moment, walking quietly over the soft carpet up to the couch, watching him sleeping. He looked so innocently sweet, with his lips partly open, light-brown hair framing his face.
She bent forwards, and gave his lips a soft kiss. Remus stirred a bit, but didn't wake up. She gave him another kiss, this time lingering on for a moment, feeling how he subconsciously responded. His eyes fluttered open, and he smiled.
"Morning," Buffy said.
"Morning," Remus said, voice hoarse from sleeping. "What a great way to wake up."
Buffy grinned, and gave him another quick kiss.
"I expect you'll return the favor someday."
"Promise," Remus said, sitting up, revealing his bare torso. He blushed, and hastily grabbed the blanket to cover himself. Buffy grinned, and took the blanket, throwing it to the floor, out of reach from her boyfriend.
"Hey!"
Buffy just smiled, and trailed a finger over one of all the small scars covering his chest.
Suddenly, there was someone clearing a throat from the door opening. Buffy looked up, startled, and Remus turned around.
"Mr. Lup...Jonathan, sir." Buffy said, embarrassed. "We were just..."
"Oh, don't mind me," Mr. Lupin said with a wink. "I was just about to get coffee. Why don't you join me, Buffy, so my son can get dressed?"
Buffy got up from the floor, blushing slightly.
"Of course. I'll see you later," she told Remus, who still sat in the sofa, red all over his face.
Jonathan and Buffy went into the kitchen, and he conjured up two cups, waiting for the coffee-water to boil.
"So, Buffy. Where are your parents?"
"Oh, they're dead," Buffy lied again. She hated lying to Remus' parents, especially his father who'd been nothing but nice, but she couldn't tell the truth either.
"Oh, I am terribly sorry. Was it...you-know-who?"
Buffy looked confused for a moment, before realization struck her.
"Oh, you mean Moldywart? Nope."
Remus father gave her a surprised look at the version of Voldemort's name, and then he laughed.
"Moldywart?"
"Yeah," Buffy said, embarrassed. "I have this trouble with weird names. I tend to mispronounce them."
It took awhile for Mr. Lupin to stop laughing. When he did, the coffee was ready, and they sat there in silence for a while.
"Buffy," he said. "I don't mean to interrogate you, but I need to know what your intentions toward my son are. We can be a little overprotective. I mean, he's our only child, and... there are special...circumstances..."
"I realize that," Buffy said. "But believe me when I say I'd never hurt your son - not intentionally. I know...what he goes through." She looked Mr. Lupin straight in the eyes when she said this, hoping he would catch her meaning. But he didn't react.
"I mean...I love him. We're meant to be. Have you ever heard of love at first sight? Maybe you've felt it? That's what I felt when I saw Remus for the first time. And I still do. I know things will be rough - I can't possibly say things are always gonna be perfect. But I know what I feel for him, and somehow I know that's not gonna go away. And I have two personalities of sorts...but so does he. The full moon draws out the worst in people. In him."
This time, Mr. Lupin did react. He stared at her in something alike to shock.
"You...know?"
"Yeah," Buffy looked down. "Nothing of that matters to me. He can't help what he is. And he's just as human as you and me. That he transforms into a wolf once a month - it doesn't matter. It doesn't change the man he is. The man I love. The man I wanna be with."
Buffy met Remus' father eyes. For a moment, they just watched each other. Suddenly, Jonathan broke into a grin, and he engulfed Buffy in a hug.
"You have my blessing," he said. "I know you'll make Remus happy, I can see that. And I believe every word of what you've told me. He loves you back, you know," he then said. "The way he speaks about you in his letters...you can almost feel what he feels for you by just reading them."
Buffy smiled. Somehow, this was the confirmation she'd been looking for. She and Remus were truly meant to be. They loved each other. Even if they were mated...she felt like she knew Remus loved her for her. And she loved him for him.
That evening, Buffy decided it was time to talk to Mrs. Lupin as well. She didn't want the woman to hate her. The chance came as Mrs. Lupin went into the kitchen to make dinner. Buffy followed.
"Can I help you with anything?" She asked. Mrs. Lupin stood by the stove, pretending not to notice her presence.
"Mrs. Lupin?"
"You can chop the vegetables," Mrs. Lupin finally said. Buffy obeyed, and as she started on the tomatoes, she spoke up.
"Your son is amazing," she said. Mrs. Lupin still pretended not to hear, but Buffy knew she was listening.
"He's everything I've ever dreamed of," she continued. "He's always kind to everybody. And he's really funny. And he's very studious, always looking for new things to learn, new experiences, new challenges... And he's helpful toeverybody, sometimes forgetting himself on the way. He's really brave."
Buffy quieted down.
"I don't know if I could do it," she then said. "Going through what he goes through, and still manage not to lose myself. He's just fantastic."
Buffy was sure she heard a sniff from the stove where Mrs. Lupin was standing.
"I really love him. Everything about him is just incredible. And that he's...going through these...changes..." Buffy heard a gasp.
"It doesn't matter to me either. He's still Remus. So what if he got bit as a child? He's not a beast because of that. I love him for him. I love Remus. The wolf is a part of him, and it doesn't bother me. Remus doesn't let it rule his life. And it shouldn't rule yours either. He's grown up - he can make own decisions. He might be a werewolf, but he's not stupid. In fact, he's smarter than most. He knows more than most. He feels more than most."
Remus' mother let out another sniff.
"I realize this must be hard for you, Mrs. Lupin. Letting your son go. But that's something every parent has to go through, even if I guess it's harder for you, just because of what he is. What mother isn't protective of her child? It doesn't matter if the child is a werewolf; it is the same for everybody. But I also know every parent wants their child to be happy. Do you want Remus to be happy, Mrs. Lupin? Maybe you should just accept the things that make him happy. I know you don't like me. I don't know why. Maybe you find me as being a scarlet-woman."
Mrs. Lupin flinched.
"But I love your son. And I'm not going anywhere. I'll hang around. I love him more than anything. Do you believe in true love? I do. And that's what I feel for Remus."
Mrs. Lupin sniffed again, and then she turned around. Silent tears were falling down her cheeks, eyes red and puffy.
"I am sorry," she said. "I should not have judged you."
Buffy grinned.
"No problem. It's the name, isn't it? Buffy. I guess it sounds a bit weird. And my height isn't the best either. I am way too short."
Mrs. Lupin laughed. She had a nice laugh, Buffy noted. Now when she thought about it, even Mrs. Lupin was a lot like her son - The insecure, withdrawn, and suspicious side of him.
"Truce?" She asked.
"Truce," Buffy agreed. "And call me Buffy. My mother is...was...Miss Summers."
Mrs. Lupin smiled.
"Alright. And you can call me Dana."
A/N: So, what do you think?
/Ida
