Author: emptyfirefly
Summary: With her father's abandonment leaving fresh tears in her eyes, Buffy sets out to find the family that she never knew. But what she'll find in this journey goes far past blood kin, but to respect for life, pain, and understanding when the triumph is complete. Perhaps while defeating a baddy along the way!
Rating: PG13
Timeline wise: Just after "Dead Man's Party" in Season 3 of Buffy, and after book 4, the book 5 stuff is yet to happen!
Spoilers: Season 2, some for future seasons, on Harry Potter anything before book 5, however I am ripping the book to shreds; don't rely on anything!
Warnings: Violence, bit of language
Pairings: Buffy/Weasly(but which one. Which one.) Xander/Cordy, Willow/Oz, Ron/Hermione, Harry/wouldn't you like to know?
Disclaimer: Don't own anything but the plot (which rocks, by the way)
Reviews:
Toniboo: hey - this is a really gd idea (and fic!) omg - snape and jams/harry r related - ragin 4 them! please please please update soon!
spikeywolvie494: hey this is really cool. I cant wait to see more of it. I love the idea and am looking forward to seeing what happens during the story. BTW wil she be kickass Buffy? coz I love it when she gets underestimated and then kick (omg i nearly wrote KISS by accident!)their asses hence 'kickass' Buffy. lol
radiofreegirl: MORE CHAPS
BkwrmDancer: This is a really interesting idea, and I'm really liking where you're taking it. I think she should be with Bill or Charlie, I really can't see her with any of the others, maybe Fred or George but they're so hard to distinguish that it could be difficult. Anywho, I just wanted you to know that I'm enjoying your story so far, and I hope you keep with it.
Damia - Queen of the Gypsi's: I just thought it was sad the way Buffy's dad was acting and then the way Joyce was all "I'm your mother" and Buffy was too shocked to see how much she hurt her mother. It made me sad.
This one was interesting though. You've definately got Oz down to a T. He's always so calm. Unruffled. Write more soon.- Damia -
Just Me Prime: Great chapter, love the idea of the spell, can't wait to see where you have her appear
Emptyli'lfirefly: Sry it took me so long to post more, stupid internet connection and Telstra! DAMN YOU TELSTRA! Anyway, thanks for all the reviews, can you see me glowing? I reckon she won't be TOO kickass Buffy, but, you know, Malfoy must suffer in some way or another. In terms of pair-a-thons, Bill and Charlie are looking a bit unlikely because there'll be quite an age difference, plus she's heart broken over Angel, so she'll need some light-hearted romance. That's a hint people! I thought I'd also mention that I'm gonna try to keep Snape in character, it'll be difficult, but worth the effort! I hope… And now, read on!
Chapter Three. No Place Like Home
Willow drew a breath of air in and instructed Buffy to stand in a spot a little way from her. She then picked up the bottle of brown sand and began pouring it as she walked in a large circle around both her and Buffy.
"Goddess Maiden, Mother and Crone,
Help me in the ways of known,
Protect this circle and my plight,
To take what's wrong and make it right,
Allow me to trespass space and time,
Forgive me now for this crime,
So is my will,
And Mote It Be."
Willow then set down the nearly empty bottle of brown sand and picked up the bottle of magenta sand. She poured this in a circle around where just Buffy was standing.
This done she pulled the other materials closer to her and set up a circle of candles around her person, she began lighting them one by one with a lighter.
"A lost kinman now sits surrounded by power," Willow had finished the first half of the circle and began now from the beginning going the other way.
"Send her back to her to her ancestor closest," Willow began burning the Lobelia Inflanta leaves one by one in the candle closest to her as she sat down.
"Ignoring all distance and opposition," She then began burning the basil and comfrey together, the smell filling up the room.
"For all kinsman deserve companionship," She wrapped the now burnt leaves up in the yellow material, and placed the stone in it also.
" Carrying her faster than the winds will go," Willow lit the lavender incense and passed the sachet to Buffy.
"With a drop of her blood, by my will it shall be so!"
Instinctively Buffy know what to do, she pulled out her hunting knife and let one droplet fall on the stone.
There was a small pop and suddenly Buffy was gone.
However Cordy just frowned, "Does anyone else think that that was a bit anticlimactic?"
Willow rolled her eyes, did a finishing incantation, and began blowing out the candles. She hoped Buffy was alright.
For the most part Buffy found zipping through a white vortex a very unnerving experience. In fact, she quickly began muttering to herself about her stupidity.
"Should've asked Willow for more info… stupid Buffy… should've brought a weapon… really stupid Buffy… what if I just appear in front of them?… God, I'm an idiot!"
Ignoring her complaints, however, Buffy continued to move with unnatural speed until she stopped dead. If Buffy had been able to see outside perhaps she could have dealt with this, but all that Buffy could see was the white of the vortex, so who knew what the heck was going on.
The vortex appeared to be pushing against something and for a moment there was a struggle before there was a short moment of zipping before Buffy was dumped unceremoniously in a huge dungeon.
The dungeon itself was not unusual Buffy had to admit, it was what was in it that was so strange. There were rows of cauldrons, and all the walls were covered with information or shelves full of strange herbs. Ahah! This must be a cooking class! A really… weird cooking classroom!
But that was not where the strangeness ended, the room was empty except for a man with black hair, wearing a look of contempt and weird black robes.
There was a pause of confusion before the man pulled out… A really long pitiful stake? Buffy wondered, the thing looked like it would break with a flick, how in the world could they hurt someone?
Buffy looked down at her clothes carefully, pleased that they were only slightly dirty, probably only from the landing though. She still held the sachet but…
"Oh shit!" Buffy muttered, reaching down to pat her calf in hope that she had put her dagger there. No such luck.
Finally the teacher seemed to wake up from his surprise and he swept closer, pointing his stake-y thing at her.
"What were you thinking, playing a stunt in MY classroom?" He hissed angrily, something about him seemed slightly familiar to Buffy.
"Sir, I think there might be a slight mis-understanding." Buffy suggested tentatively, this guy looked like he was about to snap.
"There is no such thing, YOU are going to go and talk to the headmaster." The man pulled her up by her arm and she immediately shook her arm away, possibly with more force than necessary.
"Listen buddy, I don't know who the Hell you are; but I don't take kindly to anyone dragging me anywhere! So if you'll just tell me where the heck I am, I can get gone!" Willow's spell must've stuffed up, there were no women in this room, therefore her mother wasn't there unless… "Oh no." Buffy muttered, completely forgetting about her little tirade as the thought struck her. "No, don't tell me that."
She stared carefully at the man's face and saw, much to her disappointment and sadness, that there were indeed a general likeness. What is it with me and having a father who's an asshole? Buffy wondered as she stepped carefully back.
The man seemed to grow even angrier, but before he could say anything she interrupted once more. "You're not my birth father by any chance are you?"
He just gaped at her.
"Miss…" Professor Dumbledore paused in his sentence before it barely began.
"Buffy Summers."
"Summers, do sit down." Dumbledore suggested, sitting behind his desk.
He had to admit that this girl was certainly a strange one, of course when he said strange he really meant rare. The girl was about 17 years of age, short, petite and pretty; she ought not to be worth anyone's bother except for the fact that she practically glowed with power.
There were many different types of talents that could cause a cloud around one's aura, being a werewolf or a Metamorphmagus could, not to forget being a witch or a wizard, but that certainly didn't explain her colour. The above would've have lead to a grey or green cloud, hers was a dark navy blue.
Of course the other thing about her that immediately caught attention was the fact that she had fallen from a portal into the middle of Hogwarts.
"Thanks, but um… I really need to get going." The girl (Buffy? What an odd name) replied, already attempting to leave.
"Please take a seat Miss Summers, there has clearly been some error made, and the sooner we understand it the better." Dumbledore reasoned, slightly enjoying the blonde's quick reactions.
Buffy thought for a second before sinking back into the chair and began muttering to herself. "Stupid spell… didn't even work… I wouldn't care if they were here… Giles… it's all that foolish Watcher's fault… sushi…"
Before Buffy could continue complaining Dumbledore's eyes widened and he interrupted, "I apologise, but did you just say you have a Watcher?"
Buffy looked up and her face froze comically in an expression of either; 'oh crap', or 'oh shit, I'm so dead'. She quickly stood up and pushed the chair between herself and the old man, Dumbledore could tell she was ready for a fight and he would need to diffuse it quickly.
"Miss Summers, I begin to wonder how you ever manage to watch a movie if you are so constantly jumping up and down! There is no need for any violence here, I am well aware of the existence of Watcher's and Slayer's."
Buffy stared into his eyes for a moment, searching for a form of reassurance, however she clearly found it because she sat down once more. Her face wore a guarded, but slightly more friendly expression.
"I admit that I am curious," Professor Dumbledore admitted, his penetrating gaze staying on her face, "of whether you are a Slayer or a Potential Slayer." Perhaps he would find the reason for her curious aura.
"It depends, who are you?" Buffy may have liked the man, but she wasn't about to let her guard down that quickly.
"Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He promptly provided, willing to show no reservations in order to melt hers.
Buffy blinked and allowed the information to process through her brain until she found a word she recognized; witchcraft. This must be where they made professional Willow's. "I'm the Slayer." She hoped that he wouldn't ask too many questions about her past, the grief over Angel was still so near.
"Ah, that leads me to my next question; exactly what are you doing appearing on our property and asking whether faculty members are your father?"
Buffy sighed lightly before launching into the tale of the discovery and the spell, leading to how she came there. However there were some parts that she edited out; she may like this old man, but she was no fool. She found it surprisingly easy to talk to him and had a feeling she could tell him everything and walk away lighter. Only her self-control and Giles' warning stopped her.
However, just after her tale had ended and before their discussion could continue, Snape swept into the room, his cape billowing behind him.
"Well, Dumbledore? What is going on? Who is this blonde bimbo?"
Buffy rolled her eyes, hoping once again that this man was indeed not her father.
"It's quite simple," Dumbledore reassured him, petting Fawke's head fondly. "This young lady did a spell to send her to her closest relative, and she appeared in your classroom."
Snape quickly shot her a glare, "But why my classroom? I was the only one in there, and I've never had any ch…"
There was a pause and Snape sank down into the seat next to Buffy. "What's your name?" He asked, making it sound as if this were the hardest thing in the world (although for him it was).
"Buffy Anne Summers." she replied, glaring at him angrily.
Snape's back stiffened as he reached the possibility and began shaking his head. "This is not good."
"What Severus?" Dumbledore asked, mirth reaching his eyes at the overdramatic performance being given by the feared teacher.
"Wait, are you adopted?" Snape paused once more; maybe he was reaching an incorrect conclusion.
"Yeah, why? You're not saying that you are my father are you?" Buffy asked, panicking slightly.
"No, the point is… it is highly probable that you are my niece, therefore daughter of Gillian Snape and Diggory Potter."
Buffy was not the only one to gasp in surprise, Dumbledore was not far behind her, while Snape just shook his head again.
"This is really not good."
Next Chapter: Buffy meets the Weasleys.
Chapter Four. Some Assembly Required
"Miss Summers, I have a proposition for you," Dumbledore began, leaning forward to show her he was completely serious.
"What kind exactly?" Buffy's voice shook slightly, much to her discomfort and Dumbledore's relief; perhaps she felt more than she let on.
"I would like you to come and stay with a valued Wizard family I know until the new term of school starts, so that you may see how we Wizards live. Then you could come back and we do a more exact spell to find your relatives."
"Why?" she asked bluntly, she flushed slightly upon realizing how rude that sounded. "I mean, why do I need to find out about how Wizards live first? Why can't we do the spell now?"
Dumbledore gave a slight sigh, and took his glasses off. "I am sorry to tell you that you have stepped right into the beginning of a war among our people. There is a man, with many followers, who that believes that any witch or wizard that are part muggle, non-magical person, should be culled."
"Oh! Like Hitler! Sounds like a waste of time to me!" Buffy exclaimed, her facial expression unimpressed.
"To a point, however, myself and certain others have been working hard to stop him. However, with hardly anyone believing that he is once more a threat, it is difficult to find many to help us. I would hope, that perhaps after seeing how we live you would choose to help us." Dumbledore kept his eyes carefully centred on Buffy face, he had a feeling that if she said no now she would never change her mind.
Buffy, for her own part, rubbed her forehead with her hand. "Great, so I've hopped from one war, to another. How do I know that you're on the right side?"
"I would hope, Miss Summers, that if you do not already trust me, you will by the end of your stay with the Weasley's."
She bit her lip and thought momentarily, "Could I call Giles, my Watcher, before I make any decisions?"
Dumbledore nodded and was about to wave his wand when he turned back to her, "Giles? Rupert Giles?"
"Yeah, wait…" Buffy gaped as the possibilities dazzled before her. "You mean to tell me that Giles went here?"
Dumbledore gave her a little smile, "When he went here he actually went by 'Ripper', I would assume he is over that stage?"
"Yeah, but there is the occasional reanimation." Buffy giggled slightly on remembering Ethan's face as Giles offered to rip off his ear.
Suddenly a phone appeared before her and Dumbledore gave her a nod. "Just give him a call while I converse with the Weasley's on your visit."
Buffy nodded and quickly picked up the hand piece. She hesitated slightly before dialling in the well-remembered number.
Bring, bring.
For her second phone call to a father figure in two days she hoped this one would be more satisfactory.
"Hello, Rupert Giles speaking."
"Giles? It's me!"
"Buffy! It's good to hear your voice! How did it go?"
"Well, there was a slight issue, I turned up in Hogwarts and the only person there was someone that could be my Uncle."
"…"
"Giles?"
"… Hogwarts? Good Lord Buffy! Did you know that I-"
"Went there? Yeah, Dumbledore mentioned that. The thing is, he wants me to stay with a wizard family he knows for about a month, and then come back and do a more exact spell."
"Which Wizarding family?"
"Um… the Weasles?"
"The Weasleys! Well, if they're the ones that I think you are you won't need to worry! Arthur Weasley is… Well, I didn't really know him, but he seemed very…"
"You were an arsehole to him weren't you?"
"I was an arsehole to everyone back then if I remember rightly."
"… Giles, I'm not sure about this. I barely know these people! I don't like the idea of being just thrust into their world like this!"
"Buffy, Dumbledore is the most trustworthy man you will ever meet. As long as he is around you will be safe. Besides, you are incredible at surviving in the worst of situations Buffy; I doubt this will be the slightest of issues. Of course, if you want me to come over…"
Buffy thought for a moment, she did wish that her mentor was here, but she could tell this was something she had to do alone.
"No, Giles, I'll be fine. I'll call you again when I'm settled in, or if there's a change of plans."
"Okay, Buffy. I'll send the others your love."
"Go for it, and send some to yourself while you're at it."
"Goodbye Buffy."
"Seeya Giles."
"Don't forget Buffy; we all care about you so much."
"Aw shucks Giles… I know."
Beep, beep, beep.
Buffy turned to where Dumbledore was standing, "I'm in Double D!"
Dumbledore nodded, his eyes twinkling with good humour. "Good, so are the Weasleys. So, if you'll come with me, we'll find some clothes, then make our way to their home."
Buffy nodded gravely, then gave a little victory dance as Dumbledore turned his back; she got new clothes!
Buffy was greatly disappointed when she did receive said new clothes, Dumbledore had just tapped his wand three times and three sets of clothing (all far too similar to what she was currently wearing) appeared. There was none of the enjoyable 'trying on' stage of the clothing/owner relationship, something that she surely missed. But, in the clothing's defence, the colouring was nice and ordinary. They were all black, darker green, or darker blue, no orange or fluoro.
She quickly got changed in the nearby bathroom, and came out to find Dumbledore standing with a redheaded man. They were talking quietly, and seemed completely engrossed until Buffy gave a little cough and they both looked up. The man (Arthur Weasley perhaps) gave her a quick questioning look and Dumbledore gave him a nod.
"Miss Summers, I would like you to meet Arthur Weasley; it's his family you'll be staying with."
Said Arthur stepped forward and shook her hand, his face smiling, friendly. "Miss Summers, a pleasure. I hope that you'll find my home comfortable. I hear you live as a Muggle; there's a few questions I would like to ask you later about this thing you call the telephone!"
He stepped back and Buffy couldn't help smiling at his jolly, though slightly confusing, manner.
"I should warn you that I'm not an expert on how telephones work, I just use them! And please, call me Buffy!"
Dumbledore gave her a quick wink and drew her to the side while Arthur went to look at the telephone that Dumbledore was yet to get rid of.
"Miss Summers, Arthur only knows that you need a place to stay for the Summer." Dumbledore murmured, his voice so quiet that only through her spectacular hearing could Buffy understand him. "I have assured him that for now he doesn't need to know much more about you. What you tell him is entirely up to you."
"Cool!" Buffy allowed herself to be taken back over to Arthur.
Arthur placed a hand around her shoulders and the other around a marble. Just as they were disappearing a though occurred to Buffy; how was she going to contact Giles if they didn't have a phone?