Thanks for the reviews. This is set beginning of season six Buffy and season 3 Angel, and season four of charmed - mainly because I've only seen a few episodes of season five because they stopped showing it. I know what happens in season five and six, but I don't know enough details to write a fic based in those season's. I hope the DVD's come out soon coz I love the show. Without spoiling the story I'm not sure about couples yet. I generally don't write Angel/Buffy stories, so to keep the peace I might leave it couple free! It's up to you. Oh yeah - it's set after The Order Of The Phoenix. For the plot to work in this chapter I'll say that Giles is in his late 40's and Wesley's in his early thirties - just in case you wanted to know! Hope you enjoy.

Chapter Two

A History Lesson

The Scooby gang sat and listened to Giles's every word in stunned silence as he revealed a hidden world to them.

He told them all about Hogwarts, Albus Dumledore, and Voldemort. He told them how important Harry potter really was and what had happened to make him that famous.

When Buffy heard the news that his parents had been killed trying to protect him, she felt an instant sorrow in her heart. She knew what it was like to loose family.

"So, these guys want us to go to protect Harry - disguised as teachers?" said Xander. "I think I liked being a soldier better!"

"How come we never knew any of this before?" asked Willow.

Giles sighed. "If you'll let me explain…." he started, but was interrupted by Dawn.

"And how come you know so much about this?"

Giles held up a hand. "One question at a time please. They're both excellent questions that I agree you need the answers to, but both are long stories. Now, let me take you back to the beginning, when I first met James and Lily Potter….."

Los Angeles

"It was sixteen years ago, so I was only eighteen years old," said Wesley, in reply to Angel's question of how this Dumbledore guy knew him.

"Mr Giles and I had been training for most of the day and I had eventually persuaded him to take a break. I had only just been initiated as a watcher - eighteen is the rightful age. Giles was a great teacher to me, a watcher's watcher if you like. We came upon a pub called The Leaky Cauldron. It was a very strange pup - with a name like that I guess we should have been warned. And as soon as we entered we kept on receiving the weirdest looks, as if we didn't belong there".

"I can't imagine why!" laughed Cordelia.

Wesley ignored her and went on with his story. "We sat down and ordered drinks, when we heard a group of people talking. They were talking about magic, of all things, so of course we were intrigued. We learned that they had gathered for a reunion. Their names were Lily and James Potter, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. This all takes place of course, a few weeks before the dark wizard killed James and lily and all hell broke loose".

He took a deep breath.

"It's awful what happened to your friends Wes," whispered Cordelia. "I'm so sorry".

He nodded and smiled at her concern. "So, on with the story…….."

Sunnydale

"When they got up to leave, we both stood as one,. We followed them - intending to ask questions - or at least overhear what they had to say. If they were a threat to the council we had a right to know, that was our excuse anyway. Really we were just curious. They lead us out the back of the pub into what looked like a dead end. So of course our secret of following them was over. James turned to look at me, but instead of being suspicious, he smiled. "Are you here for the reunion at Hogwarts?" he asked. We looked at each other uncomfortably. In the end I came up with the idea that we were just visiting some friends. Even I admit that was lame - but they seemed to by it. What happened next however, drove all thoughts from my mind. Sirius tapped the wall in a special pattern, and the wall folded back to reveal an alley. But it looked like we were stepping into another time!"

"We looked round the shops in wonder. Full of spell books and magical animals. Wands and crystals and actual broomsticks for sale. It was another world - and I was beginning to think someone had spiked my drink! As we were walking we bumped into a man with long dark hair and almost black eyes. "You had to come back didn't you potter? Couldn't stay away and make the world a better place for the rest of us?"

"All alone as usual Snape?" James had shot back. It was obvious the men hated each other. "Stop it! You're acting just like you did in school all those years ago. We're not seventeen anymore James," said Lily. "I agree," interrupted by a man with long white hair and beard. He beckoned to us as the others walked on. I'll never know if they ever saw us leave, but Snape gave me a dark look, as if he knew who we were. Dumbledore politely said that we had better leave now before the Ministry of magic found out we were there and threw us into the Prison of Askaban! We explained to him who we were and he told us that he had heard of the council and our deeds. He also said that if he ever needs help that he would contact us. And that is the conclusion to my story".

"I guess he needs help now," murmured Buffy.

"It would seem so," Giles answered her.

San Francisco

"Well, it's the real deal," Leo confirmed to the sisters a few hours later. They had been staying awake purely on coffee. The owl on the table hadn't moved and had been watching them all the while.

"You mean, it really is a school for witchcraft? How come we didn't know? I should have gone!" exclaimed Paige with a grin.

Piper rolled her eyes at this.

Leo smiled. "Hogwarts is real. Apparently there are schools of magic all over the world. And Hogwarts is in danger".

"From this Voldemort guy," said Piper, who was having a hard time dealing with this.

Leo nodded again. "And I can only guess why you didn't know about all this and they knew about you. Maybe it's because you don't really mix with the wizard world. You're on a different level of magic. And you're so busy saving the world all the time, maybe you've just been left out of the loop! And obviously, until you ask us white lighter's something, we can't give it to you. Even I don't know things In advance. Only the Elders know about future events".

Piper sighed. "We're always out of the loop," she muttered.

"So they want us to pose as undercover teachers to protect this kid?" asked Paige.

"That's about the gist of it," answered Leo.

"Then lets pack our bags!" said Paige abruptly.

Piper shook her head. "Hold on a sec people. they want us to go to the other side of the world to help out in a battle that we don't know a lot about and might die in. And how long will we be gone? Who's gonna look after our innocents? Not to mention The Source…."

"Daryl and I will be able to handle it. Not to mention Cole," said Leo, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder.

"Leo! I thought you'd back me up on this!" she said.

"Usually I'd be hesitant. But I've just got a feeling about this one. It's basically on the end of the world level and Voldemort might pull it off. I say go for it".

"Fine," grumbled Piper. Then she looked sideways at the owl. "This guy hasn't budged in the last couple of hours. I guess he wants me to send a reply!"