Once Upon A Time

Author: emptyli'lfirefly

Summary: Lupin has to tell the younglings a story, so he tells them one that people forgot a long time ago.

Rating: PG 13

Time line wise: a bit into Book 5 of Harry Potter, after he got off. I fiddled with the Buffy timeline a bit, but I won't tell you how because that'll ruin everything! Okay, when I say a bit; I mean it doesn't even make sense to me and I'm the one writing it!

Spoilers: A bit from four of the Harry Potter books, anything from Buffy could be referenced. By the way, in this version Neville is part of the kid's of the order, because of his parents.

Warnings: Language, violence, not too bad.

Pairings: Not telling you anything except… nope, you can suffer! Mwhahahaha!

Disclaimer: Umm… I… come on Firefly you can do this! I… don't own… Buffy or Harry Potter! Yes! I finally admitted it, goodbye rehab, hello world! Right yeah, so plot's mine, OC's mine, basis not mine.

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH

Prologue

"Lupin, we're bored, tell us a story!" Remus Lupin looked up from his cleaning to find that the children of the Order of the Pheonix had come to bother him. He wasn't really surprised, Mrs Weasley's overzealous cleaning method's could put anyone to sleep. He wasn't surprised that they were picking on him either; he was one of the most easy-going adults in the house. And Sirius wouldn't tell them a story that was rated PG.

The dear child that had whined the request was of course Ginny; for who else could say it with such mature immaturity?

"I'm sorry, but now isn't the best of times; you know that we're expecting a very important visitor-" Lupin attempted to talk himself out of it with great failure. He wasn't lying, of course, he was just embellishing on how important the guest was.

"Now, now old chap!" George interrupted,

"Let's have none of that defeatist attitude!" Fred picked up his identical twins frame of mind and the pair put comforting hands on his shoulders, making him feel more trapped than ever.

"Is that even the appropriate use of that word?" Hermione asked, quickly earning a light swat over the head by Ron.

Fred and George majestically ignored her 'equally defeatist attitude' and guided Remus into the nearby black, of course, squishy, of course, chair.

"We just want you to tell us a little story! If you do-"

"We won't even think about mentioning the idea of you and Tonks getting married-"

"To Mum."

Lupin was often amazed at how quick they could bounce off each other with quick repartee, but clearly this wasn't one of those days.

"Well, obviously we will have thought about it."

"Well yeah, otherwise we wouldn't be here."

"Right, but the point is that we won't actually mention it."

"Unless."

"Yeah, unless."

There was a pause as Lupin just stared at the twins in slight bafflement and amusement. His eyes sought out Harry's, which were laughing and twinkling so akin to Lily's, and with a little sigh he put the cleaning products and his wand down.

There was a little cheer from the kids as they quickly sat on the, slightly, clean floor and gazed up at him like kindergarten children.

Lupin dusted his hands on his robes and tried desperately to think of a story to tell them, unfortunately all his childhood stories included the Potter's and Peter Pettrigrew, and he wasn't sure if that was the right way to go.

Noticing that he was lacking in inspiration Ron yelled out, "Make sure it has adventure!"

The other's quickly joined in.

"Yeah! And brave heroine's!"

"Who cares about heroine's Hermione? Make sure there's heap of duels!"

"Stuff you Ron!"

"It… needs…" Neville yelled out the beginning haltingly, but lost his words in the others.

"Pranks!" (George)

"Secrets!" (Ginny)

"Power!" (Hermione)

"Friendship!" (Harry)

"Marauders!" (Fred)

"Slayage! Lot's of death and carnage!" (Ron)

"Make sure it has-"

Unfortunately, just before Neville could finally mention what he wanted in it Lupin interrupted all of them.

"Don't worry, I've thought of a story. Would you like to hear it?" Lupin smirked slightly as his brain worked hard.

"Well duh! Why do you think we're here?" Ginny sighed, growing slightly impatient.

"Okay, the story I'm going to tell you, is…" The group leant forward slightly inanticipation. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Marauder's of Hogwarts."

Harry grinned, knowing this was going to bring up Prongs, while none of the others, not even Hermione and Ron, made the connection.

"Whatty the whatty Slayer?" Ron asked, the curiosity already growing inside of him.

The other nodded in agreement, staring at Lupin in anticipation, again.

"Well, you'll just have to wait and find out!"

And with that, Lupin began the story he never thought he'd repeat.