A/N: Wow! When I wrote that last chapter I never imagined that I'd get such a wide range of responses. And some of you are right on the ball with some of your comments (and no I won't tell you which ones…you'll just have to wait and see). I don't know about ya'll but I'm loving making you wait on the answers…and now I just feel evil…but I can't help it. It's just so fun. However I can promise you that there'll be no lose ends when I'm finished. Everything will be answered. Enjoy.

A/N 2: I can't write a accent to save my life. What you see here is guesswork. Let me know what you think and please tell me how bad it is. If any of you have any idea of how to help me improve, I'm more than happy to hear it. And once again…sorry.

A/N 3: Thanks to all who reviewed: Vld (no promises, but I think Dawn will be making an appearance in the third story), Allen Pitt (once again I agree with almost everything you wrote…and you'll have to wait and see about the rest), Sukera, General Mac, WhiteWolf 3, Just Me (you gave me a great idea that I'm going to have to work in…go you), onlimain (sorry but you're going to have to wait a little longer), goddessa39 (hmm, your reviews always make me grin…I love your enthusiasm. It keeps me going), Tiffany (glad to be of service), Jay (thank you, but I'm not sure about the inclusion of the Scoobies…we'll just have to wait and see), thsutton (I'm glad you like it, and for the other…well you'll just have to wait and see), and gaul1.

A/N 4: And on a much more depressing side note, my Uncle is in the hospital and we don't know how much longer he has. That said, I don't know if I'm going to make next week's update, I'm going to have to play it by ear. Sorry for the inconvenience.

xoxox

England, November 2008.

It moved through the forest with ease, its' only focus on the hunt. From tree to tree it jumped, finally pausing to crouch on a concealed branch, high above the ground. Senses expanded, it was aware of everything for miles. It was aware of the animals that roamed the forest as well as the not so innocent creatures that prowled the woods. From the smallest of insects to the larger mammals, it was aware of all. It was about to leave its' perch and move to another section of the forest when something tickled the edges of its senses. It paused and took in the new threat before coming to a decision. It leapt down and flew in the direction of the noise, all attention on its' goal.

"You don't have a choice Hagrid. Yer a shame to your family and I come to take ya back."

"Yer not takin' me Kern!" A thud that sounded suspiciously like a fist connecting with flesh sounded and it slowed its' pace before cautiously entering the clearing.

There was an enormously large man standing over a slumped figure. "Did ya think mother wouldn't hear 'bout what yer doin' here and not have somthin' to say 'bout it?" The larger man glared at the prone figure on the ground before kicking the fallen man.

At the sound of cracking ribs it stepped forward and made itself known. The larger man swung around, fists raised, to face this new threat before stopping in shock, jaw hung open. It didn't register the expression on the man's face, only moved forward faster than the human eye could follow, not even faltering as it scooped up a rock and hurled it with deadly precision between the man's eyes. The large man dropped with a thud and remained there unmoving, the shocked expression still on his face.

A loud groan alerted it to the fact that the victim was still curled up on the forest floor, unaware of what had taken place around him.

Hagrid flinched when he felt the light tough on his arm. It was completely unexpected after the brutal beating he had taken from his brother. Some brother, he thought to himself. He slowly opened his eyes to take a look around and was surprised to see a young woman hovering over him. He gingerly uncurled from the ball he was in and tried unsuccessfully to get up, grunting in pain.

"What's a little thing like you doin' in the Forbidden Forest," he asked her as she pulled him to his feet. He was so distracted by the pain that he didn't notice how much of his weight she was holding.

"Lets wait to get you inside before we start with the inquisition," she said as he jerked around, growing angrier by the moment.

"Where'd the blimy bastard go? I'm gonna-" he stumbled and would have fallen if it hadn't been for her support.

"You're gonna calm down and tell me how to get to your place. Then you're gonna let yourself heal." She saw him still looking around for his former opponent and gave up, rolling her eyes, "The other guy's behind you."

They turned and his eyes widened as he took in the fallen giant who was sporting a rock sized lump between his eyes. He spent several long moments connecting things in his mind before looking down at the tiny blonde who was dwarfed by his arm. "Did y-"

"I really think we should get to your place soon. This is the Forbidden Forest you know. If we're attacked I don't think you're gonna be any help. So," she smiled up at him, "where to?"

He stared at her for another moment, slightly dazed, before pointing with his free hand. She nodded and began to move in that direction when he stopped her. He gave a fierce glare at the slumped form of his brother and kicked him as they turned to leave, "Bloody git."

They moved slowly through the forest, trying to keep as quiet as possible, which was made difficult by the constant groaning of Hagrid. A loud barking alerted her to the fact that they were approaching something, which was better than the forest that they had been trudging through. She sighed in relief when she saw the clearing. "This your place?" She nudged him and pointed in the direction of the odd looking cabin on the outskirts of the forest. He grunted in what she assumed was an affirmative and she continued waling.

She narrowly managed to avoid being bowled over by a large very slobbery dog that had enthusiastically jumped up to greet Hagrid when they opened the door, causing him to give a loud shout in pain.

"Don't be such a baby," she muttered when she lowered him to the oversized couch. She looked him over with a critical eye. "What hurts?"

"I'll be fine lass, just gimmie a cuppa tea," he said as he gingerly held his arm.

She rolled her eyes, "Ok, listen up. I know you Brits think that tea is like the ambrosia of the gods, but you're injured and you need help." She saw his eyes begin to close and poked him in his uninjured arm. "Hey! I was talkin' to you. Other than your arm, what's wrong?"

"He got a shot in me stomach an' head. An' I think I got two fingers broke."

She looked him over critically before pulling a small vile from her pock and uncorking it. "Drink this, it'll just take a sec to work."

He eyed the vial suspiciously, "Oh come on. If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already."

Hagrid found that he couldn't argue with her logic, although he doubted that a tiny thing like her could hurt anything, much less him. He quickly downed the contents of the vial hoping to rid himself of the awful taste as soon as possible, but he was surprised at the pleasant taste that the potion had. It tasted almost fruity.

Immediately he felt a different type of pain, a pain of healing. The bones of his fingers ground together as they straightened and fused. The pounding in his head ceased as if it had never been. His cracked ribs popped as they healed, and the pain in his kidneys was relieved. He looked at her in surprise. He had never had a potion that had worked so quickly.

"What are you?" he asked her as she casually plopped herself down in the large overstuffed chair that dwarfed her tiny frame and crossed her legs. Fang trotted over and began licking her hand that was hanging over the armrest. She gave no reaction to that other than to turn her hand over so he was licking her palm.

"Now what kinda question is that? I come in here and save your life and you automatically assume that there's something wrong with me. Man, feelin' the love in this room."

"Ugh, sorry 'bout that."

She smiled, "Not a problem, I tend to get that reaction a lot." She leaned forward in her chair, "You wanna tell me what that was all about?"

He fidgeted nervously, "Er, no?"

She gave him a grin, uncrossed her legs, and propped her feet up on the coffee table before her, "You know, it's not every day you see a guy get attacked by a giant. Makes a girl wonder what one would have to do to receive such treatment."

"Well, erm, miss, you see, it's like this. I…well, er…I-"

She waived a dainty looking hand at him to cut off his mutterings, "Here, let me save you the trouble of making up a not very believable lie and introduce myself." She put her legs down and reached out a hand across the table, "Buffy Summers, and you are?"

The half-giant seemed to shrink in his chair when he heard her mention his lying. It was comical to see the huge man almost cowering before the tiny woman with a sheepish look on his face at being caught in a lie, despite the fact that the lie had yet to cross his lips. He took her hand gently, not wanting to hurt her. "Name's Hagrid, pleasure to make yer acquaintance."

She smiled and leaned back in her chair again, "Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" she asked sweetly.

He slowly shook his head, slightly in awe at the girl in front of him.

"So," she started, "what did tall hairy and huge want with you other than making you his personal punch bag?"

"Erm…"

"Cuz, I'm thinkin' that it wasn't for tea and crackers."

"Erm…"

"And plus, if my brother came around talkin' about some kinda disgraceful thing I did, then proceeded to beat the shit outta me, I don't think I'd be too happy with him." She looked him over, "Of course, my brother isn't a giant."

Hagrid's eyes widened with every word she spoke. She knew he was part giant and she was sitting here with him calmly, not running for the hills. He was at a loss. The tiny blond in front of him was a mystery. "You know I'm a giant?" he questioned.

"Half-giant," she corrected, "you're nowhere near big enough be full giant."

He gave her a curious look, "And yer not afraid of me?"

She shrugged, "No, should I be?"

Now, it has never been said that he was the brightest half-giant out there, but he was able to put two and two together and be completely confused by the outcome. There was no doubt in his mind that she was the reason for Kern's sudden case of unconsciousness, and had his brain been working on a higher level than it had at the time, he would have called her on it. But she was so tiny and looked powerless. The idea that she could do any type of permanent damage to a creature like his half-brother was ludicrous, but there was no other explanation.

Then there was the fact that she was calmly sitting across him waiting on his answer, "Oh, um…no. I'm mostly 'armless."

A smile bloomed on her face, "That's good to know. So what bug crawled up your brother's butt that made him decide he was the boss of you?"

"Well, umm…you see, Buffy was it?" at her affirmative nod he continued, "I'm not exactly like most giants…per say."

"Really?" she asked interestedly as she leaned back in the comfortable chair, "How so?"

"I kinda been 'elpin out Professor Dumbledore 'round the school."

"Ah," she interrupted between his hesitant explanation, putting things together in her head, "and since most giants sided with Voldemort during the war, and Dumbledore was his greatest fear, I'm betting you weren't the most popular person in the family." She nodded her head, "Makes sense."

Hagrid was at a loss. Here was this beautiful young looking girl who nonchalantly brushed aside his past and origins as if it was nothing. Not only that, but she said his name without fear or hesitation. Of course that was when he realized that his mouth was hanging open in an incredibly doltish manner. He snapped his mouth closed with an audible snap and gave his guest sitting across from him a sheepish grin.

"How are you feeling?" she asked gently, "Did the potion work ok?"

He looked himself over and flexed his muscles, checking for any remaining injuries or pain, and grinned in delight. There was not a twinge to be found. "That's some potion ya got there. I think I'm ready for another go at that bastard. If ya pardon my language."

She snickered, "Not a problem, but if I were you, I'd just leave him there. Odds are pretty good that there's something else out there in the woods that won't be able to pass up that much fresh meat, which will inevitably lead to another struggle where injuries will be had and your brother probably will come out of it a little mangled, but alive. After all, not many things can kill a full grown giant."

Once again aware of his mouth hanging open like a fool, Hagrid could do nothing but stare. He collected himself enough to blurt out, "This is the most interestin' meetin' I 'ave ever been a part of."

He looked her over once again, "Would ya like some tea?"

Tbc…