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 to 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: Thanks for the reviews! As for Sirius's lifetime info, I just pulled out the year as much as I could infer out of the timeline, so if anybody knows the exact information, tell me and I'd revise the story again. Up next: the Dementors of Azkaban arrive in Hogwarts (hence the name of this chapter) and Buffy receives some interesting effects of their presence. Read to find out more!
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Chapter Eight, The Dementors of Azkaban
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A stray of sunlight managed to pass through Buffy's curtained barriers and into her room. It was a sure sign that morning had arrived and that the person lying across the soft, blue mattress needed to wake up. The said person muttered incoherently as the sun slowly crept up to her face, successfully bringing her out of her deep slumber.
"Stupid sunlight," Buffy cursed under her breath before covering her whole face with the blue blanket, "Nice bed," she added later with a smile as sleep claimed her again. It wasn't until five minutes later when Mr. Gordo suddenly entered her room, squawking impatiently for her to get up.
"I'm up!" she yelled, sitting right up just to prove her point when the bird began ruffling her hair. The Slayer could've sworn that Gordo was smirking at her before she grabbed the package attached to his claws. Not long after, a flock of owls came through her covered window, carrying a heavy duffel back by their feet. They dropped the black bag at the foot of her bed before flying off to the Owlery again.
She shook off the peculiar sight. It's been a week since she came to Hogwarts so the would've-been-odd sight didn't faze her at all. Buffy looked at the letter she snatched from Gordo. It was bound in a manila envelope and by the weight of the envelope it looked like it has several papers in it. Buffy curiously opened it.
A couple of letters came out along with a folder that was simply labeled 'Sirius Black' on the front. Buffy started to read them and realized that the letters were from the gang. Willow sent her a couple of tips on running her class and left a determined note that flying broomsticks do not exist. Faith reassured Buffy that all was well and the slayers took the transition of leaders as well as the gang rather smoothly.
Dawn sent her several papers that she needed to fill out before she was able to go to college and some 'good luck!' notes. Xander sent her several of her favorite swords, daggers, crossbows, and stakes in the duffel bag to which she was grateful for. When Buffy finally read Giles letter, she quickly perked up and all sense of sleep went away:
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Buffy
This was all I could find about Sirius Black. It's not much but I think it's because he was in the 'Wizardry World', as you call it, instead of ours. I dearly hope it would help you find what you're looking for. Best of wishes!
-Giles
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Buffy quickly grabbed the folder. Giles wasn't kidding when he said it wasn't much, Buffy thought dryly. It was only a police record with basic information of Sirius along with his mused picture. She read it over quickly:
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Name: Sirius Black Sex: Male
Date of Birth: March 3, 1969
Height: 5"11'
Weight: 159 lb
Race: Caucasian (English)
Arrest Date: August 10, 1992
Age of Arrest: 22 years old
Charges: Arson and Murder
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That's it? Buffy thought angrily as she flipped the paper back and forth. It doesn't have his address for crying out loud! And what do I need his fingerprint for?
An idea suddenly came forth. Buffy couldn't contain her excitement further so she quickly got of bed and changed to some reasonable clothes. The portrait of Lady Lyra swung open with Buffy coming out of the other side. The Slayer ran towards the Library, hoping that her hunch was right.
"'Morning Madam Pince," she greeted the Librarian.
Madam Pince looked up from the book she was reading and was startled to see the new Professor. "Oh, hello Professor Summers. What can I do for you today?"
"I was wondering if the library has any newspaper article records?"
"But of course! It IS the Hogwarts Library after all. Follow me," Pince stated as she grabbed an oil lamp. "Can I ask what it is for?" she asked conversationally.
"Uh...just wanting to know what's been happening around here," Buffy said vaguely, hoping that she wouldn't ask anymore questions. Luckily, the librarian didn't press the matter.
"I see. Well, here we are. Just come up to my desk if you need anything else," she instructed before she left the lamp with Buffy and returned to her desk.
Buffy muttered thanks before completely going to research mode. She scanned the spine of the binders, looking for the exact date. Finally, after several minutes of looking through them, she found what she was looking for: Wizardry News Around Britain-1991 to 1992
She took out the huge binder and set it down at the nearby desk. Buffy began to flip through the pages until she found what she was looking for. The pages were old but the bold letters printed were clearly eligible. Buffy wasn't surprised of the celebratory shouts the wizards were saying in the newspaper. She ignored the cries of happiness and began to read the Daily Prophet:
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Vengeance After the End of His Reign?
It's a week since You-Know-Who's power has fallen and many witches and wizards are still celebrating—celebrating for the end of the War many has suffered for. Unfortunately, there are still some hostile activities coming from the Death Eaters when they were taken to custody and to Azkaban. Though many claim that they were under the Imperious Curse, there are still witches and wizards that are openly proclaiming their unending allegiance to him. Some are even causing a riot; clear evidence of their strong belief to You-Know-Who's practice.
One such example is the case of Sirius Black. His attack against muggles and even a wizard in August 10, 1992 killed 13 muggles, injured ten Aurors, and killed a brave young man named Peter Pettigrew. There were many witnesses to the massacre—mostly muggles and wizardry civilians. The muggles were of course, given Memory Charms and was explained by a gas explosion caused by Sirius himself. The wizards and witches on the other hand, needed more explanation; especially on Peter Pettigrew's part. He was a friend of Sirius Black during his years in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Only a small part of Mr. Pettigrew was found after the massacre—his finger to be exact.
It was said that Pettigrew attempted to calm down Black and bring him to the right sense of mind, but his actions proved to be futile. Mr. Pettigrew was blown into smithereens along with the street full of muggles by Sirius Black causing riot amongst the busy street. After all was settled, Peter was later awarded the Order of Merlin First Class by the Ministry because of his heroic actions.
A memorial service will be set up for those who died that fateful day...
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Buffy closed the book furiously. It still doesn't make sense! Though the facts in the newspaper were clearly stated, the man in her dreams proved otherwise. She groaned when a slight headache came. Buffy wasn't used to going full research mode, having the Scoobies to them while she went slaying for the nasties. In fact, the last time she was fully researching was when something was wrong with Mom.
A pang of loss suddenly came over, and Buffy had to shake away the lingering emotion. "Maybe I'll get something later," Buffy muttered to herself before checking out the huge binder out of the library. She walked towards her room, oblivious to the professor trying to catch up with her fast pace.
"Buffy!"
The Slayer turned around as she recognized the voice. "Remus. What brings you in this neck of the woods?" Lupin raised his brow at the saying, quietly asking where it came from. Buffy completely understood his look and quickly added, "Sorry. Old habits die hard."
"And one of your habits is using random sayings?" Lupin retorted dryly, a small grin forming on his face.
"Watch it. Remember what happened the last time you did that?" Lupin flinched at the memory and shook his head, as if it will clear it away. Buffy looked amused at his horrified face. They'd become closer friends in just a few days, though each one was doing all they can to avoid the somehow taboo subject. "So, what are you doing here? And note the lack of the pun."
Remus chuckled. "Duly noted. I'm here to get you. Professor Dumbledore's gathering the staff to see if anything goes wrong."
"Goes wrong with what?"
"The dementors. Fudge is bringing them today," Lupin grimaced at the mention of the creatures.
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Everyone in the school staff seemed to have come to the gathering, Buffy noted. There were some professors that she hadn't even met yet, but all of them had the same grim look on their faces. Strict features, lips pursed into a thin line, and rigged forms, as if readying themselves to spring out their wands as soon as the situation was dire. Buffy suddenly realized how much despise they have against these dementors was. It even took out the slight twinkle she always found in Dumbledore's blue eyes.
They were just outside of the main entrance to Hogwarts. The professors—even Remus—were looking towards the road as if the dementors themselves would arrive there. Buffy shook the ridiculous thought away. '...I firmly pressed to Cornelius Fudge-the Minister-that the dementors cannot pass within the school's boundaries...' Dumbledore's reassurance suddenly found its way through her head and comforted her.
Buffy leaned towards Lupin. "This does include the school's boundaries, right?" she whispered lowly. Lupin frowned at the unexpected question but nodded anyways.
After several minutes of looking at nothing, several carriages pulled by the thestrals came into view. The vehicles halted in front of them and out came the Minister along with a handful of Aurors.
"Why, Dumbledore!" a short man with a green bowler hat suddenly exclaimed when he took sight of the professors. "Have you no trust with the aurors and the Ministry?"
Dumbledore managed to give out a thin smile. "I think it is best the more wizards and witches there are involved who are capable of helping the better if the situation grows dire." Buffy had to hide her smirk at the unmistakable annoyance at Dumbledore's voice. The Minister however, seemed to have missed it.
"Ah, well yes. Of course," Fudge stuttered out. "And a fine group of professors there are too. But you do know that I am doing this from the best of intentions—for the students, you know." An auror came up to Fudge.
"Minister, they're coming." Fudge nodded.
"Make sure the wizards hold their ground, McNeil." The auror nodded in agreement before sending out a signal to the fellow wizards.
"We shall see, Minister," Buffy heard Dumbledore mutter while Fudge gave out the orders.
She overheard the whole conversation, and wondered where the dementors were coming. Stifling a yawn that was urging to come out, Buffy thought that it would have been arrogant of her if she did otherwise. A sudden feeling suddenly gripped her heart. Such coldness consumed her that she felt as if she'll never feel the warmth of day.
Coldness surrounded her. Everything felt dead. Even the very air around her seemed to stop moving; as if something has hindered the soft breeze and replaced it with a cold, stagnant chill. Buffy looked over to the other professors to see if they felt it, but they showed no sign. Slowly but surely, she felt the coldness grow persistently.
A shiver ran through her spine and her hands suddenly became numb from the cold. Terror crept into her mind at what was making all of this silent attack. Buffy's instincts screamed for her to run, her Slayer side telling her to kill the source, but her feet on the other hand were glued to the ground, ignoring her minds protests.
Buffy gasped as a flicker of an image passed through her mind.
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A wrinkled hand shot out of the darkness and grasped her neck, its sharp claws digging into her soft flesh. The bearer of the hand came out of the shadows, and Buffy's heart started beating faster. The contorted face of the man smirked sadistically at her, the lust for her blood glimmered brightly in his yellow, demonic eyes.
The vampire opened its mouth and Buffy saw His sharp fangs. She whimpered as the Master lunge for her throat to suck her blood dry...
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Buffy immediately shot her hand towards her neck (effectively ending the vision) but felt nothing except the scar she received from long ago. She shook her head, attempting to clear her mind from the past memory. Her breathing was short and shallow as if she'd been running for an hour. The professor looked at the rest of the staff, but they were still transfixed at the sky, searching for something.
Before Buffy could follow suit, another terrifying memory flashed through her head. The Slayer cried out of the pain, bringing her down to her knees and dropping the binder she borrowed from the library.
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Darkness filled her vision once she opened her eyes—the shadows almost suffocating her. Buffy thrashed her hands, attempting to get out of the case she was in. There was barely any room to move, which made her even more claustrophobic. It was nothing but blind panic and pure fear that fueled her actions. Tears started to form at the corner of her eyes, asking the heavens silently what she'd done to deserve this.
She was finally in a happy place. No rules, no pain, no worries, hell, even no duty to do. Buffy was finally content, as if a piece that she just realized was missing in her heart was found. She even saw Mom, glowing in her own beauty before she was suddenly ripped out of the heavenly plain.
Buffy cried out once more when she saw dirt come in after she broke through the wooden casket. The smell of fresh soil filled her nostrils and it was almost nauseating. Instinctively she knew that the only way out was up so she began digging her way through the compact dirt. Buffy closed her eyes shut as she came in contact with more soil and furiously began clawing her way up.
It seemed like an eternity but her hand finally came in contact with the cold breeze from above. With a grunt, Buffy clawed herself out, suddenly hearing her name being called.
"Buffy..."
It was like a beacon of light through all the despair. Warmth began to fill her again, and the thought of never feeling it once more scared her.
"Buffy...!"
The voice was becoming more urgent. She finally got herself out of the ground, and everything felt better despite her recent mishap. But still, Buffy couldn't bring herself to open her eyes, too content of just breathing the warm air and feeling the life around her.
"Buffy!"
The Slayer's eyes snapped open, only to be met by several anxious faces and immediately closed her eyes. She was lying down on a soft mattress—wait, mattress? Where am I? Buffy groaned and tried to sit up but was pushed back down by someone. She struggled to keep from growling out when a round of dizziness hit her.
"You are not getting out of that bed, young lady. Professor or not, your health is in serious jeopardy," a firm voice came from the hand. Buffy was about to tell her that super fast healing was part of the Slayer package but a soft voice to her side interrupted her.
"Madam Pomfrey is right. You did give us quite a scare," Buffy turned to the voice and wearily opened her eyes. The Slayer was taken aback at Remus's paled features.
His face was paler and his eyes were dulled from an unknown pain, wondering why she didn't see it before. Must be nearing the full moon then. Buffy shook away the shock when a round of nausea hit her. She suddenly realized how tired she was making her ever more curious. What happened?
"Remus? What the hell happened?" Buffy moaned as she tried to sit up again but felt the firm hand of Madam Pomfrey on her shoulder trying to put her back down. Fortunately for Buffy, much of her Slayer strength she already recovered so she merely batted the becoming annoying hand away.
"Its fine, ma'am," she said politely. "Other than the fact that I don't know what's going on, I am just peachy." Buffy turned to an older woman dressed in what looked like 18th century nurse garb. Madam Pomfrey still didn't look convinced but she too knew who Buffy was and just let out a sigh.
"Fine. But you'll have to drink and eat this," the nurse produced several chunks of chocolate and a steaming mug of hot chocolate on a tray. What kind of hospital is this? she mused, but she wasn't complaining. Hell, replace the antibiotics and IVs any day with this!
With a grin, she took the tray happily and started munching on the chocolate. Surprisingly enough, the sweet snack gave her another surge of warmth and immediately felt a whole lot better.
"So, care to...tell me...what happened?" Buffy asked between bites. Lupin stood aside and Buffy saw several other wizards, mostly the professors looking almost as worried as Lupin was.
Dumbledore caught sight of her and smiled.
"Ah, Buffy. Thank goodness you're fine," McGonagall sighed with relief.
Buffy grinned at the older professor. "Not fine, just peachy," she corrected before taking a swig of the hot chocolate, "are guys telling, or do you want me to ask again?"
Before they could launch on to an explanation, the Minister came in the room. Buffy heard Madam Pomfrey next to her sigh agitatedly at the added guest but kept silent. It was the Minister after all. "Well there you are! It's a fine thing you're awake. Wouldn't want to have to explain why you suddenly thrashed around when the dementors were at least a hundred, fifty feet at the least, away from us, you know."
"…What?"
"It's true, Buffy. We were watching the dementors gather up in the sky, but they weren't in the school boundaries. We never even felt them. Just saw them," Lupin explained to her.
"So, you didn't feel the cold, cold, and dreary thing they had going on?" Buffy asked confused why she was the only one who felt it like that. She could have sworn those dementors were nearer. If that was the effect of those ghastly things were anyways.
Everyone shook there heads. There was an uncomfortable silence that followed forth, and Madam Pomfrey took the silence to her advantage. "Well, if you lot have nothing else to do here, I suggest getting out of here. Professor or not, Miss Summers is still a patient and needs all the rest she could before the term starts. So everyone, out!"
The professors and even the Minister left at her sharp bark. Fudge sent her a wary glance before closing the door. It was then that Buffy realized the Dumbledore stayed behind.
"When I said 'everyone' Albus, I do mean everyone," Pomfrey sighed exasperatedly.
Dumbledore chuckled at her attitude. "Don't worry, Poppy. I just need a quick word with Buffy here," the Headmaster pointed at Buffy who looked at the nurse pleadingly. Pomfrey glared at her attempt to sway her decision but went off in a huff anyways.
When she finally went inside her office, Dumbledore closed in on her. "How are you really doing, Buffy?"
Buffy shrugged. "I'm fine, though not in the mood I was before they came in. I could still feel them, Dumbledore. It's faint, but I know they're still there," Buffy added solemnly. It was true. Even after she was brought up here, fed with all the yummy goodness, the unmistakable feeling of the dementors lingered. A taunting feeling that mocked her weakness.
The Headmaster sighed as he took a seat on a chair near her. "It's probably because of your Slayer abilities. I assume that you could 'sense' demons and monsters of the like when you go off in patrol, right?"
The Slayer nodded. "Hell, I can even sense the magic you have going on in your castle, much less the creatures you have in your own backyard," Buffy pointed at the window that opened to the Forbidden Forest.
Dumbledore ignored her language. "Like I've said before, the dementors are one of the foulest creatures that stride amongst the earth. Even muggles can feel them so it's only natural that you'd be able to sense them better than most could. I'm afraid of your well being for the rest of the year, Buffy; especially since you are sensitive to their presence. I honestly don't want to think about your nightly patrols when they are hovering around," Dumbledore pointed out to her.
Buffy glared at the subtle hint of taking away her privilege of doing her patrols. It was the only thing that she held onto that reminded her of the good old days. "I'll find a way around them, Dumbledore," she said determinedly and he was taken aback at the fiery look she on her eyes.
Inwardly, he smiled at her determination. "If you say so, Buffy. But you need to rest for now. I don't want Poppy yelling at how I kept you up too long. Goodnight."
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It's a couple of days after the incident when Madam Pomfrey finally let Buffy out of the hospital ward. But even then, Buffy had to do a lot of convincing. There were signs on her face at how the dementors have been affecting her. Her features were paler and there were slight bags under her eyes; sure signs of the restless nights she had.
Buffy had been having recurring nightmares every time she slept. Madam Pomfrey was forced to give her a Sleeping Potion so that Buffy could actually rest without the haunting memories. The potion quickly became the Slayer's new friend despite the fact of hating on being dependent on drugs. When the nurse finally let her out, Buffy was sent with a bag full of chocolates.
She quickly walked to her room, wanting to avoid the staff as much as she could. The task was nearly impossible when she realized that there were ghosts and Mr. Filch walking around the school. Buffy cringed when she heard the voice of a particularly nasty poltergeist.
"Ooh! The new professie already lost in the big, big castle?" Peeves the Poltergeist cackled at her.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Go away Peeves, else you want me to tell on the Bloody Baron that a certain ghost wouldn't keep his mouth shut?" Buffy warned him, just like what Lupin told her to do so when Peeves came to them one time.
Peeves only laughed at her. "Looks like little blondie has some bark! As if the Baron will listen to you. A Yankee and a newbie," Peeves snorted arrogantly.
So, he doesn't know, does he? This might be interesting, Buffy grinned. "I see. Do you want to know a secret, Peeves?"
Peeves smiled maliciously before schooling his features in what he thought was an innocent face. "Of course, Professor Ma'am. This Peeves can keep his secrets." Peeves leaned in closer to her when she beckoned him.
"Ever heard of the Slayer?" He shook his head. "Well, a Slayer is like this. She was born to fight evil nasties in the world, including demons, monster, ghosts, and even annoying little poltergeists. They're so strong, that it was said that they had the strength of ten fully grown men. One particular Slayer managed to defeat a god once and do you know where she is now?" Again, he shook his head. "Right at you."
If ghosts paled, Peeves would have been whiter than a cloud on a bright day. "I-I'm s-sorry, Professor Ma'am Sir. D-didn't know what came over m-me. This Peeves will be on better b-behavior if you d-don't d-do anything...unnatural to h-him," Peeves stuttered out with big eyes.
"Go, Peeves. And if I hear students saying that I am one, I'll know exactly who to exorcise," Buffy grinned when Peeves bolted out of the corridor and out of her way. That was way too fun.
The Slayer quickly found her room, and all sense of humor was lost. She saw the binder she borrowed from the Library with a note attached to it:
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'I hope you find what you're looking for.
Best of luck!'
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Buffy turned the note around, wondering who it came from. Shaking of the eerie feeling that someone knows what she was doing, Buffy tossed the small parchment to trash bin. She walked over to her desk and set down the package of 'healthy' chocolates and began writing a letter to Giles:
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Dear Giles-
Something came over Hogwarts today. They're called dementors and they were sent by the Ministry to look for Sirius Black. But they're more than just the average search squad. Giles, something came over me when they arrived. I felt all cold and stuff, like I will never feel warm again. Ugh, I don't know how to explain it but I saw myself with the Master and...digging myself out of the grave. It's like all my bad memories came back. But the bigger badder news is that I felt them from a hundred feet away while the other professors just saw them. And with school coming up and all…well, you get the picture.
Really need your help and probably Willow's as well. How's everything back in the front?
Buffy
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The Slayer signed the parchment before walking towards Gordo and asking him to deliver the mail. Buffy glared at the direction of the dementors, cursing their very beings. After she got tired of making up random insults, she changed back into her usual pajamas before falling to an uneasy sleep.
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A/N: There you have it guys. Like I've said in the previous chapter, I was thinking of turning this into a series, but I am not sure if I will. So thoughts about this are very much welcomed.
Oh and if you want to know why I made Sirius in his mid 30s- if you did the math while reading it- think it like this. Sirius was sent to Azkaban for twelve years, right? So, if Sirius is around 36 years old in this story, subtract 12 from that, and you'd get a 22 year old Sirius, which I guess is the same age Harry was just 1 year old. Any younger, and it'll throw the whole thing off. On that time, he was framed by Peter Pettigrew and was sent to Azkaban. If Sirius and James were the same age, James and Lily would've been married when they were around 20-21 years old which gives them enough time to conceive and raise Harry before Mr. Big and Bad comes in and kills them.
As for his birth date, this is another matter. Sirius was named after a constellation that only comes during the winter season—half of December through a part of March. I just picked out a random date and here is Sirius's birthday. And for the year. I know it might sound kind of old but again, hear me out.
This story is written on the year 2004. If we subtract 12 years from that, it would be 1992-Harry being 1 year old. Subtract another 5 years-the years Sirius spent after his graduation-and it becomes 1987. Subtract 7 years-years spent going to Hogwarts-and it would be the year 1980. Minus 11 more years-the years before going to Hogwarts-and Sirius would have been born in 1969. But then again, most of them are just my assumptions, so if anyone knows the right dates, tell me.
Other than welcoming you to the world of math...REVIEW!
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Special Thanks To:
Anne-Marie- yes, after I've finished the last chapter, I felt disappointed that it came out as a filler. I wanted it to be a 'bridge' into the other chapters and not 'just' a filler. But, seemingly as I was quite satisfied with how I created a bit more story to that scene in the book, I was willing to keep. This chapter will hopefully definitely make up for the last one, so reviews-again- are much MUCH welcome.
FallenStar2- I wanted the scene with Aunt Marge so horrific that even the readers can't help but feel repulsed to her actions. And it looks like I did it. You're the first to actually say something about the series...which made me sad. Thank YOU for saying something...but I'm still sad. Oh well.
sparky24- thanks for these corrections! I would never have seen them if it wasn't for you. Well, maybe I would, if I looked at it closer. I am hoping that this chapter met up in the grammar arena, so review if I did...or don't.
Spikeywolvie- um...the topic around relationships has been tiresome while writing this, so I'll just give you a flat out answer. The answer is that there WON'T be any shippers in THIS story. If I do decide to write the series thing I was planning, then there's a chance that I'll make one. However, I must remind you that I cannot be certain that it will be a Spuffy romance. Please don't abandon reading and reviewing this story just because of this. Thoughts from every one are very much welcomed.
sonofgloin- yes, I did kinda feel that the book or the movie didn't give much idea of Aunt Marge except that she was rude and fat...er, 'big boned'. So, I decided to. I mean, it gave Harry a deeper anger to his relatives and it built up his character a bit. LOL! Yes...it'll be nice to see the boy-who-lived live up to his name during Physical Defense...heheh. C'mon! Though Buffy (the actual show) never really gave a whole depth into how they trained the Slayers to fight-the fundamentals and weaponry- I can imagine that it is hard considering they were Slayers.
Send YOUR review!
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edited on 8-21-05