Order of Things


Summery: It's been 5 years since Buffy Summers and co. fought the First Evil in Sunnydale. So, maybe it's high time she wound up in another adventure. But the rules have changed without her realizing it, and where once it was the slayer's job to save the world, it now falls to another. Buffy will have to find out just what her part in this apocalypse is, before it's too late. btvs/HP

Pairings: Remus/Buffy (the only pairing going at the moment.)

Timeline: Set before the beginning (during the summer) of the 5th book for the Harry Potter universe and 5 years after the final episode of season seven for Buffy.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Buffy belongs to someone other then me and even the plot of this Fic is intersected with actual dialogue and situations from the book "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." All I ask is that you don't sue me. Thank you.

Concerning the Buffy and Harry Potter Universes: Buffy is 27 years old, and Remus is (only just) 37, Sirius (who is the older of the two) is 37 as well. Buffy is spending the majority of her time in the Wizarding World, so the others (Willow, Xander, Giles, Dawn, ect.) aren't going to be around much. As for Harry, this fic takes place parallel to the fifth book, following the adventures of Remus and Buffy as they work for the order. At certain times the two 'stories' will connect and things will start sounding familiar as I start taking bits and bites out of book 5. Some things are going to change, others will stay the same. On an important note, I love Sirius Black, I love Remus Lupin, I love Buffy Summers and I love Harry Potter, these are my Now, finally, let'smain characters. Lets all be clear on that from the start! get on with the fic!

Note to my Beta Reader: I've been informed that I didn't give my 'fabulous' absolutely 'spiffing' beta reader any love. So here is her love. Kim, my sister is my beta reader. She is wonderful and I thank her very much. Even if she is an opinionated, bossy, stubborn bitca of a sister. So thanks.


Chapter 8

Check Mate


Around 11 in the afternoon the next day Snape made a rather sudden appearance while Remus was trying –without any real success- to teach Buffy the basics of wizard chess. These chess pieces, unlike their muggle counterparts, moved independently at your command. But because of Buffy's beginner status they spent a lot of time arguing amongst themselves, which confused the Slayer even more when it came time to make a move.

Remus's rook had just beheaded the blonds queen when the potions master had swept into the room looking more foreboding then ever and caring a steaming goblet. Buffy was silently wondering who the poor sod was who would have to drink the concoction when it was placed unceremoniously in front of Remus. Buffy gaped in stunned silence.

"It should be taken immediately, Lupin."

For his part, Remus looked utterly unmoved by Snape's appearance or the goblet that had been placed under his nose.

"Thank you Severus," He said courteously. "I will."

Buffy expected Snape to leave then, but he did not, instead he remained standing were he was.

"You must 'drink' it for it to be effective." The potions master said sourly, after a few minutes, eyeing the werewolf with contempt. Remus barley acknowledged the man and instead motioned to her that it was her move.

Buffy started, having forgotten about their game for a moment. The board was starting to seriously look like a massacre had taken place. Quite a few of her white pieces were lying in a broken pile off to the side and his black pieces were soon to out number hers 2 to one. He had most defiantly broken through her front lines. With a sigh of resentment, and not a little embarrassment, Buffy moved her queenside castle and watched it devastate one of Lupin's pawns.

Remus remained as inscrutable as ever and took his move, which, miraculously, did not cost her another piece. Snape snorted above them, which proved her suspicion that Remus going easy on her.

It had become obvious that Snape was not going to leave until Remus had drunk whatever potion was in the smoking brass goblet, and just as clear that Remus did not intend on drinking it in his presence. Which meant, as her attention was not anywhere near a game of chess, that if Buffy was not losing there game before, she certainly was now. When the softy uttered, 'check' came from Remus, Buffy sighed and leaned back.

"Pathetic" Snape commented.

Buffy made a rude gesture at Snape who sneered in return. Remus waved his wand at the chess set, and the pieces pulled themselves back together.

"I'm more a checkers person myself." She said flippantly and Remus smiled at her. Buffy's heart skipped a beat. Snape looked utterly disgusted by this display.

"Your potion-" The grease ball said.

"I am more then capable of taking my potion, Severus." Remus stated firmly.

"See that you do," Snape said. "I would hate for a repeat performance, your little Slayer may not be so keen to spend time in your company if you should fail in such a simple task, again."

Remus didn't look at him, but it seemed Snape had hit a nerve.

Finally Snape left, and Buffy felt herself exhale. Somewhere along the line she'd begun to hold her breath.

"You think he was born with that broomstick up his butt?" Buffy asked.

Remus chucked softly. The potion continued to bubble and steam between them, as if it was still simmering over an open flame.

"What is that?" She asked finally.

"Wolfsbane potion." He told her, studying it. "It enables me to keep my mind during the transformation. It makes me safe."

Buffy nodded. "What was Snape on about, then?"

"I told you of my year at Hogwarts, yes?" Again Buffy nodded.

"Well, at the end of term, the night that I met Sirius again in the Shrieking Shack, I forgot to take it in my hasty rush out of the castle. You see, for the Wolfsbane Potion to be affective it must be taken every day of the week preceding the first night of the full moon. So, when I transformed that night…"

"You weren't safe."

"No, I wasn't. I was very lucky Sirius was there that night. If…" he shuddered. "If I had bitten one of the children…"

"But you didn't" Buffy reminded him softly.

"But I could have." Remus responded darkly, and then drowned half the goblet in one go. "gauh." He made a face, "Disgusting."

It was Buffy's turn to chuckle.

For a few minutes they sat in silence. Remus polished off the last of his potion and then proceeded to put the Chess set away. After a few more moments of silence the thing that had been on Buffy's mind all morning burst free.

"How did they know?" She blurted.

Remus blinked, not having been expecting the question.

"How did who, know what?" He asked cautiously.

Buffy sighed, looking away. The night before Ron, Ginny, Snape and Tonks had known things, they'd known about her death. About Angel, or had that been about Spike?

"About me, how did they know about me… my past?"

Remus sat back; his eye's drifting away from hers.

Oh my god, he knew. How dumb was she? Here she was thinking only they'd known, but what if… what if they all knew?"

"You know, don't you." It was a comment, not a question.

"Yes, some." He said. He glanced at her again. "Most of the Order will have heard of you, and your… exploits" Buffy winced. "Sirius I'm sure hasn't yet, but he knows the significance."

"How?" She asked.

"It's hard to say." Remus said. "The ministry has been known to keep tabs on the demon population and the hellmouth to be sure. It is likely that if there where a leak, that is where it would have come from."

Buffy wanted to know what he knew. She wanted to be able to defend her actions. But in another way, she didn't want to know. She didn't want to know what this kind, warm individual knew about her freak show life.

Abruptly she stood, refusing to meet his eyes.

"I have to… I told Ron and the others that I'd…. yeah… I have to- bye.' And she ran.


Buffy set off that night with Snuffles, or Snuggles as she liked to call him, as soon as the sun fell below the horizon line. Reds, oranges, and purples smeared across the sky as if painted with watercolours. Snuggles kept throwing her these curious looks as they walked, and Buffy wished he would quit it. There'd been no time to chat before they'd left the house, but she was relatively sure that Sirius had talked to Remus before they'd left.

The walk was pleasant enough, and it didn't take too long. By the time that they hit the first demon bar, night had truly descended on them.

"Stay close." Buffy said under her breath to Snuggles, trusting that his K-9 ears would hear her barely their words. The big black dog nodded, only just, and they entered.

Beluosus was a hole in the wall that attracted all sorts of beasts besides the regular Vampire or demon. The odd regular old human might enter but it was unlikely that they would exit safely. Buffy would have closed the place down years ago but for the knowledge that it would simply change hands and locations. Better that Buffy knew where it was in case they ever got too over zealous.

The interior didn't differ much from any other bar of its kind. Cookie cutter demon bars could be found all over the world. The decor was shabby and well worn, half a dozen booths, a pool table loosing its carpet and a jukebox tucked in one corner. There was a decidedly shifty looking barkeep named Clive that had half a head of greying hair and a square face that was rough and scared. He was standing behind a counter that could have used a good rub down or five.

A few of the patrons tuned to look when the two of them entered, but they knew better then to draw attention to themselves. A few vampires slipped out back when they thought Buffy wasn't looking.

"Clive!" Buffy greeted cheerfully. The man cringed as she approached.

"Slayer." He greeted in a monotone. His accent wasn't English, but American. His eyes dipped down, taking in the huge black beast that was sitting obediently at her heels. "We got rules Slayer." He said gruffly, eyeing the dog wearily. "Ain't no dogs allowed."

Buffy shrugged, but didn't lose her smile. "You let in Vampires, I brought my dog. Deal with it." The man eyed her, looking for a moment like he would challenge her. But didn't.

"What can I do for you today?" He asked, "Drink?"

Buffy snorted, glancing at the row of unwashed, dusty glasses on the counter. "I'll pass." She said dryly.

The bar didn't make its money on liquor; it specialized in the more, uncommon. Blood for one; Vampires that wanted a quick feed before bed, the buying, selling and stockpiling of it was a diverse trade in this part of the world. The bar offered other, more disturbing concoctions as well, beside your run of the mill O positive. It wasn't something Buffy liked to dwell on.

"How's business been Clive?" Buffy asked, "booming?"

"I can't complain."

"Any idea where all the traffic is coming from?"

Clive looked suddenly very nervous, looking around a few times, to see if anyone, or anything was eavesdropping.

"Not… not sure what you mean Slayer." Buffy sighed shaking her head in mock disappointment.

"We've been through this before Clive," she said. "You tell me what I want to know, and I don't tear this place, and your consumers, apart."

Clive shifted nervously, his eyes flickering around the room. "Bad business, Slayer." He grunted. "I ain't got nothing to tell you anymore." Buffy blinked, honestly shocked.

"Nothing to tell me?" she said incredulously. "That's not the deal-"

"The word on the street is you've gone rogue. Not got the councils backing anymore. My deal is with the NWC, not with you, you get me?"

Buffy's breathing had become erratic. Snuggles whined at her feet but she didn't hear it. Rogue? She'd gone rogue? Since when had the bloody NWC started calling the shots over her head? She was The Slayer for gods sake!

"I don't think you quite understand." She breathed. Turning in a swift movement, her stake instantly in her hand, she threw it at the retreating back of a Vampire that had just been sneaking out. The vampire burst into dust. Two others, one big and lumbering, the other small and wiry, snared and ran at her. Clive yelped as she heaved the big one up onto his counter and sent it flying down the length. Bottles, glasses and containers smashed every which way. Clive bellowed at the loss of a few hundred dollars worth of stock. The second got too close while her back was turned and Padfoot charged it. Sirius's massive jaws closed over its arm, making the vampire scream. Buffy whirled and put the thing out of it misery. Snuggles gagged off the dust that had once been the vampires arm. The last vampire ran for the door, but another well-thrown stake proofed him but good.

Clive gazed at the destruction that had been caused by the minute Slayer. Demon and Vampire alike froze in there seats.

Buffy reached over and hauled the man off his feet, holding him by the throat. Sirius, as Snuggles, barked in surprise.

The pissed Slayer hauled back her fist and hit the balding man with all the strength she could muster. Clive's head flew back; an ominous crack filled the room. Buffy huffed and dropped him. Snuggles was silent at her side, shocked, having just witnessed the Slayer deliver a killing blow to a man.

But he was not a man.

"God damn it Slayer." He groused, as he pulled himself up off the ground, his head at a grotesque angle. Buffy raised an eyebrow at him, not in the least bit sorry. The man, that was not a man at all, threw his head forward with another crack. Rolling his shoulders the barkeep eyed the blonde.

"Our deal?" She said calmly.

"Course." He said begrudgingly.

"What do you know about the recent demonic upheaval? And it had better be the truth."

"Been talk, you see, about something big going down. Nobody really wants to chat about it. Those who talk don't talk for to much longer, if you get my meaning. Some big master Vampire is on the move, they say he's recruiting."

"Any idea who this 'master' is?"

"I haven't heard, and that's the truth so don't go looking at me like that, Slayer! Like I said, nobody's takin'."

Buffy sighed. "Very good. Stay outa trouble Clive..."

Buffy turned and walked back out the door.

"Only if you stay out'a my bar, Slayer."


In a cemetery two blocks over Buffy gave Sirius the okay to transform.

"Nobody in here but the undead, it's safe enough." Buffy explained.

Sirius was gazing at her with open-mouthed awe. "That was ruddy amazing." Sirius told her.

Buffy laughed and tossed him a stake. "Not over yet." She said smiling warily, "hope your ready, 'cause they seem to be."

Sirius blinked and turned; three newbie Vamps were coming their way.

"Ruddy amazing" Sirius repeated softly.


Note: Alright! Take a sec and tell me what you thought of this chapter and head on over to my Live Journal if you're interested in the reviewer responses. The next chapter is a big one, guys, I'm so stoked! I'm hoping to have it out by Sunday, so sit tight! ttfn