Dance
Title: Dance
Rating: Between PG and R or higher... haven't decided yet. Anything higher than R will be posted elsewhere.
Genre: Crossover, from Willow's POV. Otherwise... Angst and Romance are a good bet. Add a bit of Action/Adventure and you have a Willow fic. Not to mention it's magically delicious.
Summary: After graduating from high school, Willow moves to London and attends a university specializing in magic. There she meets the famous Harry Potter and his group of friends, and her life may never be the same. AU/WIP. Critique and Review!
Grand Summary: After graduating from high school, Willow decides to move to London to cope with her newfound witch powers. She attends a Wizarding university recommended to her by Giles. Once there, she meets Harry Potter, who's two best friends are by his side and make living away from home a little easier. On her journey to self-discovery, Willow is introduced to a brand new world where magic exists naturally and discovers that she truly does like her own men a little dark. Completely AU.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter fandom, Joss Whedon owns BtVS. I don't own any of it and I intend no harm to the characters, the fandom or the fans. No copyright infringements are intended. If you think I did something bad, feel free to email me.
Author's Note: This is my SECOND Willow-centric fic dealing with a crossover in London town. This one is more... fun. I fully intend for it to be a gift for someone, which is why I'm asking (and dying) for reviews. A good critique never hurts anyone. I grant cameos to those that inspire inspiration. As for the fic... Harry, Hermione, Ron and a few other Hogwarts others have graduated and have gone onto the Wizarding form of university. On a personal note, I have always wondered what that would be like. So I created this university and I think it'll be a fun place for Willow to discover herself. And we'll look for a few cameos from the Buffyverse people.
Background Info: Willow never registered at UC-Sunnydale. In fact, right before she went to register, a letter arrived from England, asking her to become a student at a new university built in the honor of the fall of the Dark Lord. She decided to go there instead. Harry has been casually dating the past few years, but his eye is currently on his best friend Hermione's new roommate... and the story will go on from there.
This first chapter is PG-rated. It'll probably go up as the chapters go on. I'll warn of any higher rated chapters I've moved elsewhere.
Yet another note... this fic is intended to be a gift for someone. If that someone happens to read it, they will probably not know it's for them. Therefore I have contracted a private beta for this story. I do promise a good deal of romance in this story since most of mine sadly lack in it. I promise good cameos for people that want them. If you want to see a character, I'll figure out a way to move them into this story. Your reviews are like an elixir that's so toxic and delicious... I really live on them. They make my writing better. So if you have something to say, please leave your review. You will be loved and even remembered through many chapters.
I think that's all I have to say... so onto the first chapter! And what do you know... it's a long goodbye.
- - - - -
Chapter 1
The Far Side of the Ocean
- - - - -
Flight 877 departing from Los Angeles to New York, now boarding.
Willow Rosenberg hitched up her backpack over her shoulder and turned to her best friend, Buffy Summers. The two were waiting outside the security gate amongst the long lines of people waiting to get through. Her other best friend, Xander Harris, stood with Buffy's former Watcher Rupert Giles along the wall, both of them looking deep in thought. Xander, especially, wore a deep expression of sadness.
"I can't believe you're going to do this," Buffy said softly as she handed Willow a small bag and her ticket. "Do you have any idea how much you'll be missed around here?"
"I'll be back, you know," Willow replied earnestly, her eyes filling with tears, "around Christmas and for Easter..."
Buffy's eyes were shining and she blinked, looking down. "I love you, Wil... I can't imagine starting at Sunnydale without you."
"I'm only a phone call away," Willow replied, feeling her throat start to constrict. "Please don't make this any harder for me."
"I'm trying," Buffy said, attempting a brave smile. "I just feel for Oz, you know? He had to leave yesterday for a gig. I don't know if he'll be able to make it back."
Willow cast a lingering look at the lines of people still entering the airport. Bit by bit her heart was starting to ache. She knew she had maybe twenty minutes before they closed up boarding calls, but leaving without saying goodbye to Oz was like asking her heart to be ripped out. She forced back her tears and turned her brave face to the Slayer. "See? I can be brave like you."
"God, Wil," Buffy said, a tear trickling down her cheek. "You don't have to be brave. Just write back! Tell them you want no part at this University. Tell them you'd rather stay in California with your friends."
Willow longed to do exactly what the Slayer described. But it was her lust to learn outside the Hellmouth that kept the temptation from waxing. Her eyes drifted to the door again, and finally to the line she was still standing in. "I should probably go."
Xander stepped forward and took Willow into his arms. "I love you, you know. Wherever you are, you'll remember that, right?"
Willow nodded, wiping a tear from his face. "I love you too, Xander. Being across an ocean won't change a thing."
"I hope not," he said, squeezing her hand. "But then you'll change."
"Could be for the better," a deep voice said behind them.
"Oz!" Willow cried out, a swelling of relief flooding her body. As she stepped into his arms, she could feel the tears breaking her control. As she cried in his arms, he kissed her hair, whispering soft words of comfort.
"Wherever you are, I'll be with you," he whispered, stepping back. "I love you Willow. Not even six thousand miles can change that."
Willow attempted a shaky smile. "I wish you could come with me."
"You know I can't," he said, resting his forehead on hers. "But when you come back, I'm going to take care of you. In the forever sense."
His words, which would have sounded magical a few months before, now sounded constrictive and possessive. "I know," she said, stepping away from him. "I want you to live, too. Don't be all anti-social just because I'm not around. It'll just make me feel worse."
Oz nodded, his eyes shining with emotion that even he couldn't explain. "Be good."
"Always," she said with a tearful smile.
Giles was next. He walked over and hugged her gruffly, telling her in broken British how much he'd miss her. She knew she would miss him, too.
Buffy was standing behind Giles as he, Xander and Oz drifted away. She was visibly crying and Willow could feel her own eyes tearing. "Three years has been an incredible time, hasn't it?"
"It's been quite a ride," Buffy said, reaching and pulling Willow into a crushing hug. "I'm going to miss you, Wil. First Angel, now you... I feel like I'm losing my best friend."
"You'll be okay, once you get back on your feet," Willow replied, hastily brushing her tears away.
"What you said to Oz," Buffy said, pulling away, "remember that yourself. You're not going to London to pine for someone you may never see again. You're going over there to find yourself, Wil. You need to live. You need to get away from darkness and the vampires and the Hellmouth. You'll be much happier there."
"And you'll be fine, too," Willow replied. "I mean, you have Xander and Giles and Oz. You'll make new friends in college and I'm sure you'll have an amazing roommate."
"I will," Buffy said, glancing at the shrinking line behind Willow. "You'd better go. I'm sure your flight will leave without you if we keep standing here preaching."
Willow cast a look down the corridor past the security check. It seemed to extend forever. She turned slowly back to Buffy. "I'll call Giles tonight. You take care of yourself, Buffy. Watch your back."
Buffy grinned at her and despite the growing feeling of loss inside of her, Willow beamed back.
As Buffy melted back into the crowd, Willow took a deep breath and dropped her luggage onto the conveyor belt. After she'd stepped through Security, she checked her ticket and began walking.
- - - - -
Across the ocean, it was a much different atmosphere within Diagon Alley. Harry Potter was walking with his two best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, through the crowded streets, a large piece of parchment in hand. They were searching through the many stores for items the list required to start their first of two years at the University. Hermione held her own rather longer list, several large bags already being toted around by Ron.
Harry had been pleasantly surprised when Ron and Hermione started seeing each other the summer before their sixth year. While it started out small and private, it had expanded into something so much more. She finally stopped walking and pointed at one of the many clothing stores. "We should probably get our robes from there."
Harry didn't feel like arguing with her. For the past three days, they'd been rooming at The Three Broomsticks. They only had a few precious days of summer left before starting at the University that autumn.
The school had opened just a term before and was a gift from the Ministry of Magic to the Wizarding World attributing to the defeat of Voldemort. Harry had been surprised and quite pleased when every single member of his graduating class had accepted the invitation to join the University. To spread the word, many invitations had been sent out to other Witches and Wizards around the world. From what he had heard, there were several hundred more students attending from other countries, as far away as the Americas and even a few students Dumbledore had told him were arriving from Tibet.
Hermione disappeared inside the shop, leaving Ron and Harry to take a seat on the bench outside. The sun was warm, but welcome after a week of cool showers. She returned a few minutes later with another large bag, casting an annoyed look at Harry. "I got you both your robes too," she announced, stalking past them.
"That's good," Ron said, casting a look at the large amount of supplies he was carrying. "This is the third day we've been here. My feet are going to fall off unless we rest soon."
"Oh, be quiet," Hermione replied tartly, stopping at the next shop and peering inside. "What else is on your list, Harry?"
"Parchment, quills and a few textbooks that were supposed to be in today," Harry said, ticking off the remainder of his list.
"Ron?" Hermione asked gently.
"Just the books," Ron mumbled. "I'm using parchment and quills and stuff from last year."
Harry and Hermione exchanged a quick look. It was no secret that the Weasley family didn't have a lot of money. However, since the defeat of Voldemort and the fall from power of the Malfoy family, Arthur Weasley had climbed positions steadily since. Since then, the Weasley family had been given a new world of wealth and power. Ron himself had been thrilled to have things he'd never seen before. For example, he'd never owned a gold-tipped eagle quill before, and as he looked at the instrument in Hermione's hands, a look of longing spread across his face. "You know you want it," she teased lightly.
Harry let the two of them quarrel it out as he selected his own purchases. Piling them up on the counter, he paid nine sickles and two galleons for the lot and quickly left the shop. Hermione and Ron, looking reasonably happier, came out a few minutes later.
"Before we get to Flourish and Blotts, let's have ice cream," Harry said, stopping in front of Fortescue's. "My treat," he added quickly.
After their chocolate sundaes and a quick trip to pick up their remaining books, Ron pointed out that they hadn't been to Fred and George's shop yet. After dropping off their purchases at the inn, the three made their way across Diagon Alley and approached the shop.
As they entered, a loud explosion sounded in the back. Fred was standing near the counter, a crowd of children before him, all looking on with impressed eyes as Fred demonstrated an exploding sucking candy. George came from the back, a large box of exploding suckers in his arms, looking relieved to set the heavier package down. As he glanced up, he spied his younger brother, his girlfriend and Harry in the doorway. "Oy!" he shouted, waving his arm. "Hey, Fred, look! It's little Ronnie icklkins."
"You two stop, it's embarrassing," Ron said in a dry voice, as he and the others parted their way through the thongs of children all eager to accept an exploding sucker before reaching the counter. "Another demonstration?"
"We needed a new market to test these on," Fred said, arriving and looking exhausted. "We spent nearly a year on these. We couldn't figure out the correct ingredients to make the sugar crystals blast just right. Want a sample?"
Despite his reservations about anything Fred and George Weasley could come up with, Harry accepted a sucker and quickly ran his tongue along the sweet bulb. "It's good," he observed.
"Just give it a few minutes," George said with a wink as Fred returned to his customers. "Actually, I'm glad you lot came. Fred and I have been preparing a few packages which should arrive at your new rooms within a few days, but I thought you could use some snacks to start with." From underneath the counter, he pulled out a large, brightly wrapped basket full of candies and sweets.
"Wow," Ron commented, accepted the basket and turning it over in his arms. "It's... huge."
"Exactly what Ronniekins deserves, I'm sure," Fred sniggered. He quickly waved as the rest of the children exited the shop. "Did you tell them about the other basket?"
"I did," George replied. "We also sent one to Ginny at Hogwarts. A pity she won't get to that University this year."
Hermione shrugged, taking the large basket from Ron. "We just wanted to come and say hello as long as we're in Diagon Alley," she admitted.
"I'm glad you did," Fred said honestly. "We haven't seen you in months."
"Years, even," George replied.
They both broke into laughter.
Hermione, of course, had spent the summer with Ron. Since Fred and George lived at their family's home, they had seen her everyday.
"As long as you two aren't snogging in some poor innocent's doorway, I'm sure you'll be welcome anywhere," Fred replied in a serious voice.
Ron and Hermione exchanged an embarrassed look.
"I think this is where we say goodbye," Harry said quickly, taking the basket from Hermione. "Thank you for the sweets, Fred, George. If we ever need anything, I think you left enough advertisements in our bags to paper the dormitories."
"That was the idea," George said, sounding delighted. "Take care, you lot. And remember, a little mischief never hurt anyone!"
Once outside the shop, Hermione started breathing again. "That was different."
Ron was gazing at her with newfound respect. "I think you've been living with them too long. You've accepted them as brothers."
Hermione's face tinted pink. "Is there a problem with that?"
"Not one I have," Ron replied, glancing at the basket in Harry's arms. "I'm torn."
"About what?" Harry asked, his voice muffled behind the bright cellophane.
"Whether or not to keep the basket," Ron said, looking almost hesitant to even touch the basket again. "You never know what they put in there."
"Let's keep it," Hermione replied, touching the shiny plastic. "At the very least, it makes a good centerpiece."
At that precise moment, the exploding sucking candy in Harry's mouth shattered and expanded, leaving him with the definite desire to dump the basket in the nearest trash can.
- - - - -
After twenty one hours, two delays and a missed flight from Iceland, Willow finally stepped out into the airport in London. Glancing around, she took a deep breath. It looked like any other airport, really. It was large and crowded.
Yet it had a different atmosphere. It had an environment she found almost intoxicating. As she collected her baggage, she found herself full of excitement as she wheeled her suitcase into line to wait in a long queue for a taxi. Although she was to meet someone to take her to the Ministry of Magic, she waited patiently to get transportation.
"Miss Rosenberg?"
Willow nearly jumped as she turned. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Wesley?" she gasped.
He grinned at her, looking like he had never been so happy to see anyone in his life. "It's me!"
"Why didn't you just call me Willow?" she asked in confusion, after hugging him tightly.
"I didn't," Wesley said after releasing her. "He did."
Willow turned completely around to see a man standing patiently in wait behind them. "Hi."
"I have specific orders to deliver you safely to your destination, Miss Rosenberg," he said pointedly, his eyes on the former Watcher standing behind her.
"One second," she said quickly, turning around to face Wesley. "You should have told me you were flying back to London!" she teased. "I would have at the very least said hello or-or something."
"I just came back to get a few things," he said, his face taking an unpleasant twist. "It seems as though the Council has decided that I am not a suitable Watcher and have released me from their services."
Willow smiled sympathetically. "I'm sorry to hear that. I'm glad you're back though... I at least have someone I recognize to talk to."
"Not for long, you won't," Wesley replied apologetically. "I'm leaving in a few days. I'm going to try my luck out as a demon hunter."
"You're going rogue?" Willow asked, leaning closer to him. Behind her, she could hear the man shuffling his feet. "Well, if you ever want to come back and hang out, I'll be... around," she answered vaguely.
"I'm glad to hear it, Willow," Wesley said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Good luck to you."
After he disappeared from sight, she turned to the man still waiting behind her. "There's nothing to it," she said to herself as she followed him out into brilliant sunshine. "Welcome to London, me."
- - - - -
To be continued.