Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer nor Harry Potter. All of the characters, settings, themes, books, show, titles, worlds, names, demons, witches, slayers, creation, references, and basic gist of the two fantasy worlds all belong the Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Warner Bros., and of course, J.K. Rowling. All rights reserved.

Timeline: Story is set 1 year after Season 7 and five days before Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban. Just for possible future references, the story will be happening during Angel's Season 5.

Author's Note: (Mucho Important) Okay, so a lot of people have been asking me what shippers I'm doing. The truth is, I absolutely DO NOT KNOW! I wasn't planning on making one BUT if I get a vibe from any characters, I MIGHT go that road. But please keep in mind that I will not be keeping any promises with that. Now that's done, thanks for the review, guys! Keep 'em coming!

-

---

Chapter 3—The Proof in the Leaky Cauldron

---

-

Buffy gloomily sat at the table.

Waking up this early in the morning just to check if this Bumblebee fellow wasn't a hoax, should be illegal, she cursed darkly. It didn't help her mood improve either when she realized that London was way over to the eastern side of England while Bath was down in the southwest and she needed to get an early start before the busy hour rush started.

The Slayer looked down at her cold toast before releasing a loud sigh, "Nyeh…"

"Well somebody woke up bright and early," a voice quipped merrily. Too merrily in fact.

Buffy turned to see Xander grinning at her at the door frame. "Its actually foggy outside and I would consider this late. Very, very late," she pointedly told him, before grinning as well. "'Evening, Xand."

It was rare to see Xander around the house during daytime.

After they'd completed renovating the house, he was quickly offered a job by a construction company because of his impressive background experiences and he in turn gladly took it. From then on, there were promotions, job offers, and huge projects that more often than not caused him to work overnight. But Buffy knew she could still count on him to be there when the time grows dire.

Xander smiled at his best friend and sat on the chair next to her. "So what's the what, oh-friend-of-mine? You never wake up this…late."

The Slayer took out the letter and gave it to him. "Got that from an owl yesterday. It sent out some weird vibes, but then again, I've been slaying in the Hellmouth."

Xander's eyes glazed over at the memory of their old home. Buffy suddenly found the urge to smack her head at her friend's quick change of demeanor and hurriedly changed the subject. "Anyways, I'm going to London to check that Bumble guy and see if it's all true."

Her friend's eyebrows shot up after he read the later. He looked up at Buffy and asked, "Have you asked G-man about this?"

Buffy nodded as she took a bite off her toast. "I asked him about it last night. He said he heard about Pig's Boil one time during his Ripper days while doing the 'meddling with dark magic' thing. He wasn't too sure if it was safe for me to go to London all by me onesies, but then again, Slayer," she shrugged as she pointed at herself.

"Are you going to—," Xander started, but Buffy finished for him.

"—this school if it's all real?" he nodded. Buffy sighed as she placed her bread back to her plate. "I really don't know, Xand. I've got tons…loads of tons to do here, but it reminds me so much of our battle with the First. Having to train the Slayers 'til the end of my days is something I just can't…don't want to be doing. Especially when I have to do so many speeches," Xander laughed. "But I don't want leave here. I don't wanna leave home. Do you think that's selfish? Not wanting to do my destiny that is?"

Xander shook his head after contemplating what to say. "No Buff. It makes you human; if there isn't a tiny bit of selfishness in a person, wouldn't the person be bordering masochism? Besides, we all yearn what we cannot have," a pointed look from her made him grin sheepishly. "I've been reading. You'll know what to do, Buff. You always have been and always will be, and rest assure that the Xand-man and the rest of the Scoobs will do the supporting-the-Slayer gig with what you choose. You have a choice here Buffy. All's you have to do is pick one."

Buffy smiled gratefully at him. Xander smiled back and read the letter again. "So…you'll be teaching then, eh? Who would've thunk?"

Buffy smacked him playfully before laughing along with him.

-

---

-

Downtown London, 19th Street

-

The Slayer pulled up her shades and placed it on her forehead before wiping of the sweat caused by the weather with disgust. She was quite surprised when she realized that England was pretty warm during the summer and even more so when there was less rain than she thought there would.

Buffy was cut out of her thoughts when someone bumped into her. The stranger didn't even look back, much less apologize, which made Buffy even crankier.

"Idiot," she muttered lowly under her breath, careful not to be heard by the other passing Englishmen. She sighed loudly and read the letter once more.

"Well I'm right here at the Quagmire's Bookstore and Pullman Records at-," she glanced at her watch"-Oh lookie, a minute late. Where the hell are you, Bumblebee?"

Buffy got a couple of looks from some of the passing people, but she completely ignored them. She finally noticed a small dingy shop between the two stores which took her completely by surprise.

Buffy cocked her head thoughtfully. Was that there before?

Nobody else seemed to notice the small building either so she guessed that this was where Bumble meant. Buffy took a closer look at the sign that was attached to the wall.

The Leaky Cauldron.

Odd. She shook her head at the name but realized she'd seen weirder signs before so she entered to store with a shrug. The Slayer quickly realized that it was more than just a store when she got inside.

An incredible amount of magic quickly overwhelmed her when she went in. Even though she was no Willow, the Slayer part of her could still feel the magic surrounding her and its magnitude shocked her completely.

It was then she knew that everything she read in the letter must be true. There was no hoax, no trick, but the real thing.

She took a good look around her when she finally got used to the power that emitted off the very walls of the bar. The whole room was as dingy as it was outside, although the candles that were floating around considerably brightened up the room.

Wait, floating! How…oh yeah, magic, Buffy reminded herself.

She looked around the room and saw several people-witches and wizards, she corrected-drinking and milling around. Some were even going in and out of the back. But there was one thing that kept going around her head.

Where is this Dumbledore?

Her question was soon answered when an aged wizard came up to her. "Miss Summers?" he asked.

Buffy looked at him, surprised at the powerful energy that came out of him.

She flashed him a smile before raising her hand to shake his. "The one and only. You must Bumblebee."

Dumbledore laughed merrily before shaking her hand. "It's Dumbledore, my dear. Would you like to sit down so we could discuss our…situation?" he politely invited her. Buffy followed him to a table near the fireplace and sat down.

"So, what do you want from me?" Buffy asked bluntly when they settled down. "You know that I only came here just to see if this wasn't a practical joke, and by the looks of things, it isn't. So why me? Why not another wizard or witch to do the gig?"

Although Dumbledore was listening keenly to her question, he was still ordering a couple of butterbeers for him and his hopefully future co-worker. The waitress left after jotting down their orders and went to get their ordered drinks. "It would all be easier for you to understand, Miss Summers-"

"Just 'Buffy' would be fine," she interrupted rudely but Dumbledore ignored her tone.

"-Buffy," he continued. "If you knew the whole story."

He began telling her about one of the most powerful and evil wizard that ever lived. Buffy flinched inwardly at the gruesome details at what he did and became more and more curious at what her place in this whole situation was.

"And where do I fit in all of this?" she asked him after he finished telling about Voldemort. "It looks like this Viddlewart went down 13 years ago, so why do you need me?"

The waitress came back with the amber liquid. "Here you go, Professors. Two butterbeers on the house, Professor Dumbledore, sir."

"Thank you, Miss Julian," Dumbledore handed the blonde her drink, who looked at it curiously before taking a taste test. Finding it surprisingly sweet and tasting more like root beer than actual beer, Buffy proceeded to drink it in larger quantities.

Dumbledore sighed sadly, even after witnessing the amusing sight. "Alas Buffy, this is when it gets complicated. You see, 12 years ago, Voldemort tried to kill the Potters, a very close friends of mine. He only succeeded on killing Lily and James, but failed to murder their year old son, Harry."

"You mean a baby is the reason why Warty's dead?" Buffy asked incredulously.

Talk about major power.

"Indeed. Though young Harry is known to be the defeater of the Dark Lord, in truth, he didn't entirely kill him, more like disembodied him from his power."

"How?"

"It's a tale for another time and for someone else to tell, I'm afraid. Anyways, I've found proof that Voldemort is trying to regain his lost power for the last couple of years. His attempts are growing ever more strongly and this is where you come in."

"Do I now?" Buffy said mildly, fingering her butterbeer bottle with interest.

The wizard nodded, eyebrows quirking at her attempt to look casual. "His attempts to regain power happened both times in my school. Though the School Council still believe that Voldemort is dead, they think that stronger reinforcements are necessary to keep the students safe, but some of their suggestions are far too dangerous and farfetched to even think about doing.

"So I came up with the idea of having you, the Slayer, to be at Hogwarts in case another attack happens. You're extraordinary power and legendary skills have almost been reduced to a myth, but there are those who know better." A slight twinkle glinted in his blue eyes.

"Aww, shucks," Buffy blushed, "but what makes you think that I'll even accept at going to Pig's Boil?"

Dumbledore chuckled at the unusual names she keeps on coming up with. "I've heard of what you and your friends have done in the Hellmouth. Your friend had activated all of the Potential Slayers in the world, but there are still some key parts to your school that are lacking. The old Watcher's Council had a significant amount of Watchers and resources, to train the Chosen One but now that it has been destroyed, much of those resources are lost.

"I know several ways and many contacts that will be able to help you with your predicament. Help me protect my school and in return for your cooperation, I will be more than happy to help the Slayers in whichever way I can. I assure you, I repay everything I am indebted to."

Buffy thought it over. Maybe going to teach in Hogwarts may not be such a bad idea after all. True it's a 'you'll scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' situation, but it's also a win-win situation, isn't it?

Plus, it's just teaching and protecting a school. How hard could that be? Granted, she DID blow up a gym, a school, and a whole damn town during her duty as a Slayer, but really…

Buffy suddenly froze. Taking this job would mean that she would have to leave her old one. Could she just leave her friends like that? Dawn? And what about the others? How would they deal with her absence?

Feelings of turmoil began to appear and Buffy nearly groaned with annoyance at her confusing feelings. To be, or not to be? That IS the messed up question.

You have choice… Xander's voice suddenly echoed in her head.

Buffy looked at Dumbledore who was looking at her with trusting eyes and suddenly everything became clear. With their earlier conversation ringing in her head, she realized what she had to do and with a resolved face gave out a nervous sigh. "Okay I'm in. You've just gotten yourself a Slayer, Professor. Quick question though, what am I teaching? I'm sure that you know I have never taught an actual class before. And foreign language isn't exactly my forte."

The old wizard laughed. "Physical Defense, a new subject that I set up that will better suit your capabilities. I'm quite sure that you are no witch yourself, and I highly doubt you would want to be cleaning the castle as a job, so why not teach the students something new?"

"True…but how do you know I'm not a witch? I could be just late in the magic arena, you know," Buffy pointed out to him, slightly miffed.

"It is a possibility that you have received you magical abilities a little late, though highly unlikely. Second, it is extremely rare for a witch to become a Slayer. In fact, the last witch to be Chosen was over a century ago and it didn't end well for her either.

"Since the power of the Slayer was forged out of darkness," Buffy slightly flinched when she remembered the Dracula incident, "the Slayer part of the witch will want to dominate over her Magic side and it will be an ever going battle between the two. This will put her humanity in a precarious situation and the ending, suffice to say, is never well," he quickly explained.

Buffy nodded in understanding.

"Now, I assume that you will need to close some matters back in Bath, correct?" Buffy nodded again. "Why don't you come back here on Saturday to buy your necessities for the school year? One of my colleagues will be able to meet here and will be happy to assist you."

The Slayer thought over it carefully. Saturday...today's Thursday, so that would mean... "ONE DAY! You're giving me a day to say goodbye?"

Dumbledore flinched at the volume of her voice but was unfazed at the icy glare he received. "I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience, Buffy. But you will need time to create a lesson plan, settle down in Hogwarts, and learn the Wizard World."

Buffy pouted but she knew Dumbledore had a point. "Fine. I'll be here in a couple of days. Who's my guide?"

"His name is Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts. He knows of your situation as well as the rest of the staff at the school, though I would still suggest you'd avoid openly telling everyone of your position just yet," he instructed.

Dumbledore suddenly looked like he remembered something and took out a small golden key. "This is your key to your Gringott's Vault. I believe the Council has a bank account over there and it will certainly make things easier for you on Saturday. Hagrid will help you get your money to buy your necessities."

Buffy took the key and looked at it curiously. "Anymore things I should be getting?"

Dumbledore pondered for awhile before he asked for the letter. The Slayer gave it to him, wondering what he was going to do with it. The wizard took out what seemed to be his wand and muttered, "Portus" before giving it back with a smile.

Buffy took it warily and gave him a look. "This will take you to your front yard in, ahh…right about now," he replied quickly.

The Slayer was about to ask him about it when a sudden tugging sensation on her navel happened. A blur of colors passed her by and the horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach grew steadily.

It ended as soon as it started and Buffy found herself landing ungracefully on their front yard, even with her Slayer reflexes.

Buffy turned herself around so she was lying on her back. "I'll get you for that one, Bumble," she muttered under her breath before pushing herself up.

-

---

-

Bath, England. Home Base

-

"Yo Dawn!" Faith called out to the young brunette. She just arrived from the airport along with the new Slayers when she heard that Buffy wasn't here. Dawn turned around and stopped walking when she saw the Slayer.

"Hey Faith. How was your flight?" Faith quickly caught up with her and they started walking once more.

"Five by five, little D. Anyways, I heard Buffy was gone. You know where she is?" Dawn nodded.

"She went to London to check something out. She'll be probably back around—huh, now," Dawn suddenly added when her sister came out the door, surprised at how quickly her sister came back home.

Faith also looked at the door and found the blonde Slayer looking at them with uncertainty.

…

Here goes nothing. Buffy took a deep breath and walked towards the pair. "I need to talk to you. In my room," she added hastily, when a couple of newbies passed by them.

Faith and Dawn looked at each other before following Buffy up the stairs. They passed Giles along the second floor and Buffy also dragged him along. The group finally made up to the Slayer's room and all were curious at Buffy's strange behavior.

Buffy closed the doors and all the questions they were dying to ask finally erupted.

"Buffy, what is this all about?"

"Something happened B?"

"Oh, please don't tell me it's another apocalypse?"

But she ignored them all until the questions died down.

It's now or never.

She took another deep breath and finally said. "You guys know of the letter right?" A couple of nods and a shake of the head was her answer. "Well, I took the job."

Another round of questions erupted and the blonde slayer had to wait longer than last time before it all eventually died down. Buffy explained everything to them, from the letter to Dumbledore, from the school to what she was teaching, and to Voldemort and how the Headmaster was going to help their training.

An awkward pause followed afterwards and Buffy didn't know how to break the silence.

"So, you're leaving. On Saturday," Dawn finally said quietly. Her arms were crossed and her green eyes looking at hers for the truth.

Buffy nodded slowly, not breaking the eye contact from her sister. "I am. I don't want to leave so soon, Dawnie, but I have to. I wish you could come with me to this Hogwarts school, but you've got Oxford."

It was Dawn's turn to nod slowly. Before she could say anything else, Dawn flung herself at her sister and gave her a crushing hug. Buffy closed her eyes and hugged her back.

"You know I'll miss you, right?"

Dawn nodded again. "Write tons, okay?" Buffy promised before releasing her.

"Wait, if you're leaving, who's staying here to train the Slayers?" Buffy looked at Faith pointedly. The brunette Slayer got the meaning and went into denial. "You're shitting me right! I have Cleveland back in the States, B! And I can't train the Slayers! The last time I did, I almost killed them! I'm not ready for this! Holy shit."

When Faith finally calmed down, Buffy pointedly told her, "You're the one who's been complaining every time at how the Hellmouth in Cleveland was completely dead, remember? You can train the girls, Faith. You helped lead the girls that saved the world. You can do this. Besides, its your turn to make the speeches."

Faith chuckled before nodding. However, she was still uncertain at the sudden turn of events. "I don't know, Buff, but you're the boss."

"Not anymore," Buffy replied with a smirk. "You'll do fine, Faith. I trust you."

The other Slayer smiled at the reassurance. For so long she'd tried to gain the older Slayer's respect and trust and now that she got it, it felt like a heavy weight was lifted off her shoulders.

No more guilt, no worries, just the feeling of reassurance.

"And I got your back."

Buffy turned to her Watcher who was standing in the back. "Giles I—"

"I'm extremely proud of you, Buffy," Giles interrupted. "Know that I will be here for you, even though I wasn't always. No matter what you do, what you choose, what you end up with, I'll be here no matter what. You've made me grateful more than once that I became a Watcher. But for God's sakes, be careful there."

Buffy grinned and hugged Giles. "Oh, you know me Giles. Danger never comes looking for me. I'll be back before you know it."

-->

A/N: That, ladies and gents, is one of the longest chapters I've ever written. Anyways, expect Buffy to see the real deal in Diagon Alley next chapter. Until then, review as always!

-->

Special Thanks To:

anjela wolfe You've brought up some pretty interesting points that I have not even paid close attention at. One of them is that I didn't even know, much less realize, that Harry and Buffy would be the same age at this time. I would blame it on the time difference of the release of the books and the release of the episodes on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. However, since it works out fine in this story, I'm just shrugging it off. The other one is that you've said that the Leaky Cauldron was probably located at Chaffing Cross in London. Again, I wouldn't have known this because it was never truly said in the books. I just :smiles sheepishly: made up the name of the stores that it 'supposedly' surrounded the pub. It said in the Sorcerer's Stone (pg. 68; Ch5) that "Their eyes slid from the big book shop on one side to the record shop on the other as if they couldn't see the Leaky Cauldron at all." This was as far as J.K. Rowling described the Leaky Cauldron's location in London. Anyways, thanks for the review, and it really did put out some points I didn't even notice. Thanks!

Eden's Echo I hope the scene with Xander answered your question. To tell you the truth, I wrote that scene to actually answer it plus, I guess I needed it as well. Like I said before to other reviewers, I am not entirely sure on making a shipper, for anyone in the matter. Though I am a spuffy shipper like you, I am still open to doing other ones such as Buffy/Sirius or B/Remus and other suggestions. True that too many authors do that kind of romance thing, but I am planning (and hoping) that I wouldn't do it. It just wouldn't be…believable, you know?

mj okay…I'm getting asked by this too many a time. I am not sure on making any shippers for the story, but if I do get something with Spike again, I might go on that road. Though I am still not making any promises. I hope that a couple of the scenes with Dumbledore answered your last few questions plus, if you have watched Angel, you would know that Spike is indefinitely back. Good ol' vamp.

Jay thanks! Click the review button so I would know what you think of this chapter, k?

sonofgloin lol! Well, at least I've got the proof that my writing skills HAVE been improving. Anyways, I'm happy that you liked the Dawn and Buffy scene from the last chapter. I just hope that it'll be the same with Buffy's interaction with Dumbledore. Okay…so I admit it that Dumbledore blackmailed Buffy a little bit, but that doesn't mean he's evil…sorta…

And to charmedfanatic3000 and manticore-gurl071134 thanks for the review guys! Really appreciate your reviews!

REVIEW!

-->

edited on 8-17-05