Author's Note: I'm upping a second chapter since the last one was so short. Not that this one is much longer.

If you came here through the Just In link you might want to go back to chapter 11 since you likely have not read it.


Chapter 12: Summer

Willow and Dawn watched from across the common room of the ISC as Harry did his homework. They watched as Harry pushed his round glasses up the bridge of his nose, they had talked to him about possibly getting contacts. But Harry had yet to give them an answer.

Harry put his quill between his teeth and reached for his ink bottle and a roll of parchment. That was another thing they had discussed with him, using pen and paper when not at Hogwarts. He still continued to use the quill, ink and parchment though.

Willow and Dawn had wanted to teach Harry Wiccan magic over the summer. But there had been a problem. First off Harry could not perform magic outside of school till his seventeenth birthday. Secondly Wiccan magic was highly regulated. It seemed that the Ministry did not want wizard and witches learning there were other ways to do magic. Both Dawn and Willow had been reprimanded by the Ministry for the extra credit classes the year before by the Ministry.

The Ministry had actually wanted to snap Willow and Dawn's wands but realized that would be pointless since the two of them were capable Wiccan witches. Easily on the level of Dumbledore and Voldemort. It was better to have them on the side of the Ministry than to have them side with Voldemort.

The phone that had been setup for Harry's friends to call rang and Dawn reached over and picked it up. "International Slayer's Council, Dawn Rosenberg-Summers speaking."

"HELLO? HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? I—WANT—TO—TALK—TO—HARRY—POTTER!"

Ron was yelling so loudly that Dawn held the receiver a foot away from her ear.

"Ron," Dawn said, "you don't have to yell. I can hear you fine."

"Sorry," Ron said sheepishly. "Is Harry there?"

"Yeah, I'll get him," Dawn said as she held out the phone. "Harry, its Ron."

Harry smiled as he walked over to Dawn and took the phone from her. "Thanks, Aunt Dawn," he said as he put the phone to his ear. "Hi, Ron." He and Ron talked for a half an hour.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Harry walked into the common room two weeks later and stared at the cake that sat on the center table. He looked around at everyone; slayers, Xander, Giles, Buffy, Faith, Jessica, Joyce (held in Buffy's arms, Dawn and Faith. And he smiled at all of them who had become family to him over the course of the summer.

"Happy birthday, Harry," they all said.

Harry got as many presents as his cousin did. He was excited that they all wanted to celebrate his birthday.

The first gift was from the Weasley family. It included a newspaper clipping about Ron's father winning an award. With the clipping was a letter from Ron about the trip. Inside the wrapped package was a Pocket Sneakoscope with a letter from Ron telling all about it.

The second gift was from Hermione. She too had written a letter apologizing for not calling and explaining she was with her family in France. In the package was a broomstick servicing kit.

"Wow, Hermione!" Harry said.

The third gift was from Hagrid. Harry tore off the top layer of paper and glimpsed something green and leathery, but before he could unwrap it properly, the parcel gave a strange quiver, and whatever was inside it snapped loudly—as though it had jaws.

Harry froze. "Uh Aunt Dawn, Aunt Willow."

Dawn and Willow levitated the package and telekinetically removed the paper safely to reveal a book, emblazoned with the golden title The Monster Book of Monsters.

"It seems this book maybe enchanted," Willow said. "We'll store it someplace safe."

Harry nodded in agreement as Willow took the book out of the room to store it someplace safe.

Next came Dawn and Willow's gift, a book: History of Magic.

"This book details Wiccan magic history," Dawn said as Willow returned. "Which will differ of course from the History of Magic you study at Hogwarts."

"We know you would want to take it with you to Hogwarts, maybe even show it to Hermione," Willow said. "But I'd suggest leaving it in your room since we found out that the Ministry pretty much banned you from learning Wiccan magic. If Hermione and Ron don't go on vacation next year we'll invite them over and you can show them then."

Harry nodded. "Okay, Aunt Dawn … Aunt Willow."

Next came Buffy and Faith's gift. Another book: The Mythology and Methodology of the Vampire Slayer.

"That was one of the books I wanted to read when I was Dawn's age and re-examining my life as the Slayer," Buffy said.

"Thanks Aunt Buffy," Harry said. "Aunt Faith."

Xander's gift came next, a tool belt with tools. "No man should be without a tool belt. Before we started up the ISC I was a construction worker. I enjoyed working with my hands."

"And he was definitely good with his hands," Anya added.

Harry smiled. "Thanks Uncle Xander … Aunt Anya."

Last came Giles gift a collapsible sword.

"In case you ever have to go into that Forbidden Forrest you mentioned Harry, you have a weapon. I will train you how to use it properly till you return to Hogwarts. And then Dawn said she would help you get a handle of it afterwards," Giles said.

"Thanks Uncle Giles," Harry said.

Harry looked at each of the gifts before him and at the cake and he smiled. This was the best birthday he had ever had.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

The Summer passed with little excitement. Harry got the Daily Prophet delivered to him and one day he saw an article in the paper. "Aunt Dawn, Aunt Willow," he called.

Dawn and Willow came in and Harry showed them the article. They looked at the large photograph of a sunken-faced man with long, matted hair blinked slowly from the front page.

"He was on the news," Harry said.

"Likely warning non-magical folks to steer clear," Dawn said as she walked over to a phone and dialed. "Buffy. That guy we saw on the news who escaped prison. Seems he's a wizard. Let the Slayers know so they know not to tangle with him."

"Agreed," came Buffy's reply.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

A couple days before Dawn, Willow and Harry were due to get Harry's school supplies. A man entered the lobby of the ISC.

"Yes, can I help you?" Samantha, one of the Slayers who regularly manned the desk, said.

"I am here to see Dawn and Willow Rosenberg-Summers," the man said. "Tell them Minister Cornelius Fudge is here to see them."

Samantha nodded as she picked up the phone and dialed. "Dawn, there is a man by the name of Cornelius Fudge here to see you and Willow. He said he's a minister. Alright." She looked to Fudge. "Dawn will be right down."

A portal opened and Dawn stepped out of it. "What do you want?" she asked.

"To speak to you about Harry," Fudge said.

"About?" Dawn asked.

"Sirius Black," Fudge said.

Dawn frowned and motioned for Fudge to continue.

"I would prefer Harry not wander into Muggle London," Fudge said. "At least not unchaperoned. He is too keeping here and to Diagon Alley. And you're to have him back here before dark each night. Sure you'll understand."

"I'm sorry, I don't understand," Dawn said. "Myself and Willow are Harry's legal guardians now. We dictate what Harry can and cannot do, not the Ministry of Magic. The only reason we aren't teaching him Wiccan magic is because of your idiotic law."

"And you are lucky we chose not to have you sent to Azkaban," Fudge said.

"No that's not why were not in that prison. Were far too powerful, is why. You know you can't hold us," Dawn said. "Get out of my sight. The next time you make demands you will be turned into a toad."

Fudge turned and walked out fuming.