Author's Note: Boris Yeltsin – Thanks for the suggestion in your last review that Buffy talk to Ron. I have added in a scene of her doing just that in the Chapter 9.
Guest Reviewer: Rich – Yeah, I knew there were some stories with Buffy being the older sister. Though the ones I've seen were more original and did not delve into the actual plot of the HP series. That said Dawn being created by the monks to be Harry's twin is a new twist that I've not really seen before.
Dai5ycake – When I did Chapter 6, I didn't think of other avenues to make Dawn a Potter in name. I think at the time it was a holdover from the cancelled story, Harry Potter: The Dawn Chronicles, that some of this story was taken from. And in that story Buffy wasn't related to Harry except through Dawn's adoption (The Dursleys would have given Dawn up for adoption) by Joyce. On the adoption angle I'm not sure how that would work too tell the truth. I know in the real-world siblings can adopt a sibling; it's called kinship adoption. I would have to research into that to even see how to make that work.
Chapter 8: Goblet of Fire
Dear Buffy,
I received your letter today. Imagine my surprise when your owl dropped it in my lap. I was definitely surprised to say the least. Not because it was delivered by an owl. But because I hadn't received anything by owl post in years.
You see I once went to Hogwarts. I was pulled out by my father a year before I was set to graduate as he wanted me to attend the Watcher's Academy. This was a couple years before what happened with Eyghon and Ethan.
Anyways so far, we have been good here. Angel has been patrolling nightly in your absence. And I have been in contact with Council. I didn't tell them that you were at Hogwarts, but I explained you were out of town dealing with a demonic problem. I asked them if they could determine if Faith could be trusted and if she could to see about releasing her into my care. She was released yesterday. Apparently, she had been adamant about staying in prison, trying to earn her redemption. Angel will remain for the next month as I monitor her before letting her patrol solo. Then he will return to Los Angeles to take up his crusade there.
Willow, Xander, even Tara and Anya send you and Dawn their love. Anya is even jealous that you two are at Hogwarts. She explained that she had been a witch before becoming a vengeance demon. And if not for D'hoffryn she might have actually become a professor at Hogwarts after the founders finished building the school as Rowena Ravenclaw approached her personally to teach there.
According to your letter you're studying magic as well? I have to say I am happy that is the case. I always believed that the Watcher's Council's stance on strictly forbidding the Slayer from learning magic was stupid. I can see benefits to it.
I will let you go. Give my love to Dawn.
Love,
Rupert Giles
Buffy sat the letter down and smiled as she petted Joyce. "You go and rest. I won't send you out for a while, okay."
The owl hooted and moved over to its perch in the cage where it tucked its head under its wing and fell asleep.
October 30, 2001
It had been announced a couple days earlier that the two other schools that would be participating in the Triwizard Tournament were coming and the night before had finally arrived The Great Hall seemed somehow much more crowded than usual for the start of the evening feast, even though there were barely twenty additional students there; perhaps it was because their differently colored uniforms stood out so clearly against the black of the Hogwarts' robes.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and - most particularly - guests," said Dumbledore, beaming around at the foreign students. "I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable."
One of the Beauxbatons girls still clutching a muffler around her head gave what was unmistakably a derisive laugh.
"No one's making you stay!" Hermione whispered, bristling at her.
"The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast," said Dumbledore. "I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!"
The plates in front of them filled with food as usual. The house-elves in the kitchen seemed to have pulled out all the stops; there was a greater variety of dishes in front of them than Harry had ever seen, including several that were definitely foreign.
"What's that?" said Ron, pointing at a large dish of some sort of shellfish stew that stood beside a large steak-and-kidney pudding.
"Bouillabaisse," said Hermione.
"Bless you," said Ron.
"It's French," said Hermione, "I had it on holiday summer before last. It's very nice."
"I'll take your word for it," said Ron, helping himself to black pudding.
"Mom fixed it once. It's quite good. You should try it," Dawn said.
Buffy smiled at Dawn from her place between Harry and Dawn. She was the only professor to actually, and continuously, sit with the students. "So Harry you got yourself a girlfriend yet?"
Harry sputtered.
"Buffy!" Dawn said coming to Harry's defense. "Don't embarrass our brother, please?"
Buffy laughed and nodded, "Ok then I will embarrass you instead. Found any wizard boys you like yet?"
Harry laughed, "Can't my sisters get along?"
"We are," Dawn said. "It's called teasing, Harry. It's what you do with your siblings when you love them. Right, Buffy?"
"Right, Dawn," Buffy agreed.
Hagrid sidled into the Hall through a door behind the staff table twenty minutes after the start of the feast. He slid into his seat at the end and waved at Harry, Ron, and Hermione with a very heavily bandaged hand.
"Skrewts doing all right, Hagrid?" Harry called.
"Thrivin'," Hagrid called back happily.
"Yeah, I'll just bet they are," said Ron quietly. "Looks like they've finally found a food they like, doesn't it? Hagrid's fingers."
At that moment, a voice said, "Excuse me, are you wanting ze bouillabaisse?"
It was the girl from Beauxbatons who had laughed during Dumbledore's speech. She had finally removed her muffler. A long sheet of silvery-blonde hair fell almost to her waist. She had large, deep blue eyes, and very white, even teeth.
Ron went purple. He stared up at her, opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out except a faint gurgling noise.
"Yeah, have it," said Harry, pushing the dish toward the girl.
"You 'ave finished wiz it?"
"Yeah," Ron said breathlessly. "Yeah, it was excellent."
The girl picked up the dish and carried it carefully off to the Ravenclaw table. Ron was still goggling at the girl as though he had never seen one before. Harry started to laugh. The sound seemed to jog Ron back to his senses.
"She's a veela!" he said hoarsely.
"Of course, she isn't!" said Hermione tartly. "I don't see anyone else gaping at her like an idiot!"
But Hermione wasn't entirely right about that. As the girl crossed the Hall, many boys' heads turned, and some of them seemed to have become temporarily speechless, just like Ron.
"I'm telling you, that's not a normal girl!" said Ron, leaning sideways so he could keep a clear view of her. "They don't make them like that at Hogwarts!"
Buffy and Dawn laughed.
"They make them okay at Hogwarts," said Harry without thinking.
Dawn smiled, "Of course they do. Me, Hermione and Buffy can attest to that. Can't we?"
Hermione and Buffy nodded in agreement.
"When you've both put your eyes back in," said Hermione briskly, "you'll be able to see who's just arrived."
She was pointing up at the staff table. The two remaining empty seats had just been filled. Ludo Bagman was now sitting on Professor Karkaroff's other side, while Mr. Crouch, Percy's boss, was next to Madame Maxime.
"What are they doing here?" said Harry in surprise.
"They organized the Triwizard Tournament, didn't they?" said Hermione. "I suppose they wanted to be here to see it start."
When the second course arrived, they noticed a number of unfamiliar desserts too. Ron examined an odd sort of pale blancmange closely, and then moved it carefully a few inches to his right, so that it would be clearly visible from the Ravenclaw table. The girl who looked like a veela appeared to have eaten enough, however, and did not come over to get it.
Once the golden plates had been wiped clean, Dumbledore stood up again. "The moment has come," he said, smiling around at the sea of upturned faces. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket -"
"The what?" Harry muttered.
Ron shrugged.
"- just to clarify the procedure that we will be following this year. But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation" - there was a smattering of polite applause - "and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."
There was a much louder round of applause for Bagman than for Crouch, perhaps because of his fame as a Beater, or simply because he looked so much more likable. He acknowledged it with a jovial wave of his hand. Bartemius Crouch did not smile or wave when his name was announced. Remembering him in his neat suit at the Quidditch World Cup, Harry thought he looked strange in wizard's robes. His toothbrush mustache and severe parting looked very odd next to Dumbledore's long white hair and beard.
"Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament," Dumbledore continued, "and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel that will judge the champions' efforts. With Professor Potter, since she is a Slayer, being available for the security of the tournament. The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch."
Buffy blinked as Dawn and Harry looked at her, "I swear I knew nothing about this."
Dawn laughed, "Sure you didn't."
Buffy sighed, "Dawn Marie Su—" she caught herself before she finished saying Summers. It would raise questions why she was saying the Summers name after Dumbledore's story of Dawn being Harry's twin "—Potter, if I say I didn't, I didn't. Ok?"
Dawn blanched and nodded, "Sorry, Buffy."
Filch approached Dumbledore carrying a great wooden chest encrusted with jewels.
"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman," said Dumbledore as Filch placed the chest carefully on the table before him, "and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways... their magical prowess - their daring - their powers of deduction - and, of course, their ability to cope with danger."
At this last word, the Hall was filled with a silence so absolute that nobody seemed to be breathing. "As you know, three champions compete in the tournament," Dumbledore went on calmly, "one from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector: the Goblet of Fire."
Dumbledore now took out his wand and tapped three times upon the top of the casket. The lid creaked slowly open to reveal the Goblet of Fire.
"Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet," said Dumbledore. "Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete.
"To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation," said Dumbledore, "I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line. Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become a champion. Please be very sure therefore, that you are wholeheartedly prepared to play before you drop your name into the goblet. Now, I think it is time for bed. Good night to you all. Professor Potter if I may have a word with you for a moment."
Buffy nodded and followed Dumbledore, Crouch, Bagman, Karkaroff, and Maxime in to a side room.
Crouch frowned, "Dumbledore what is this about Ms. Potter being for the security of the tournament?"
"An added security precaution," Dumbledore explained. "Being a Slayer, she has the strength and speed to reach a student if they are possibly to be injured from any of the tasks. Does anyone have any objections to that?"
They all shook their heads. "I think it's a reasonable precaution to have the Slayer involved for the protection of the students." Ludo Bagman said.
October 31, 2001
Buffy returned to her office the next morning just after breakfast. She sat at her desk and waited. Between classes as well as before breakfast and after dinner was the only times, she actually saw most students.
A knock sounded on her door and it opened a moment later.
In entered a teenage boy of about seventeen. He had wavy brown hair and startling blue eyes that contrasted with his dark locks of hair. He gave Buffy a glowing smile as he sauntered in and sat down on the comfy, black couch near her desk. He leaned back on the couch slouching slightly, still wearing his charming smile.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Buffy asked a little confused by his entrance.
"Yes, you can," replied the boy, his voice deep and husky sounding. "I'm Kenneth Towler, seventh year, Gryffindor by the way."
"I'm Professor Potter if you already didn't know. What do you need that I can help you with?"
Kenneth gave her a charming smile, his blue boring into hers like she was a coveted prize. "I saw you watching me at dinner yesterday and I know you felt it."
Buffy's brow furrowed in confusion; this was her first time ever seeing this boy. "What are you talking about?"
"The spark that passed between the two of us was undeniable. I just wanted to let you know that I feel the same way. I graduate in the spring and I'll be legal to date you in public. For now, it will have to be kept secret, since teacher-student relationships are a no no around here."
Buffy mouth dropped open and her cheeks tinged red. She leaned forward in her seat, giving him a long gaze. "Are you high? What are you even talking about?"
Kenneth shook his head as if what she was saying was pure nonsense. "You have no idea what you're saying. You must be tired…"
"Get out," interrupted Buffy, her eyes turning cold and her voice hard. "You have approximately five seconds to leave my sight or I'll give you so much detention your Grandchildren will be attending Hogwarts and you'll still be serving it. Go!"
Kenneth took the hint and sprung from his seat as if struck by lightning. He ran from the room without so much as a passing glance back at her.
That evening, exactly twenty-four hours after Dumbledore's announcement everyone was back in the Great Hall anxiously waiting for the Champion selection.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked when Buffy sat between him and Dawn.
"Do you know a seventh-year student by the name of Kenneth?" Buffy asked.
"Not offhand, why?" Harry asked.
"He hit on me," Buffy said.
"He did what?" Dawn asked. "Seriously? I know the age gap wouldn't be that great. But why would he think you would be interested?"
"I have no idea," Buffy said as Dumbledore walked toward the Goblet of Fire. "Forget it, okay."
"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber" - he indicated the door behind the staff table - "where they will be receiving their first instructions."
Dumbledore took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting.…A few people kept checking their watches…
The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it - the whole room gasped.
Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white.
"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."
"No surprises there!" yelled Ron as a storm of applause and cheering swept the Hall.
Viktor Krum got up and left through the door at the back of the hall.
The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.
"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!"
"It's her, Ron!" Harry shouted as the girl who so resembled a veela got gracefully to her feet, shook back her sheet of silvery blonde hair, and swept up between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables and exited the hall.
And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.
"The Hogwarts champion," he called, "is Cedric Diggory!"
"No!" said Ron loudly, but nobody heard him except Harry; the uproar from the next table was too great.
"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily as at last the tumult died down. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real -"
But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him.
The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment.
Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out -
"Harry Potter."
Harry turned to Dawn and Buffy. "I didn't put my name in," Harry said blankly. "Buffy, Dawn, I swear I didn't."
Buffy and Dawn stared at Harry with worry while Ron, and Hermione stared blankly back.
At the top table, Professor Dumbledore had straightened up, nodding to Professor McGonagall.
"Harry Potter!" he called again. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"
"Go on," Buffy whispered, giving Harry a slight push.
Harry looked around and shook his head. He slowly stood up.
Dawn started to stand also before Buffy put her hand to Dawn's shoulder, "I will see what's going on, Dawn, stay here. I swear I am not going to let our brother participate." Dawn nodded. "Come on, Harry."
Harry followed Buffy from the room.
Once everyone was in the other room Buffy looked to Dumbledore, "I must object, Albus."
Crouch shook his head, "You are just for security, remember?"
Buffy moved in front of Crouch, "I am Harry's sister remember? I also happen to be his legal guardian, which means I have full parental rights."
Dumbledore put his hand to Buffy's shoulder, "We will get to the bottom of this, Buffy." He turned and faced Harry. "Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked calmly.
"No," said Harry.
"Did you ask Dawn to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" asked Dumbledore.
"No," Harry answered.
"An older student?"
"No," said Harry vehemently.
"Ah, but of course 'e is lying! She is likely putting his name in for him." cried Madame Maxime while pointing at Buffy.
"I didn't," Buffy said as Dumbledore looked toward her knowing he was about to ask.
"He could not have crossed the Age Line," said McGonagall sharply. "I am sure we are all agreed on that. And I believe Buffy. She just learned about Harry a few months ago, I don't see her willingly putting her brother at risk."
"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," said Madame Maxime, shrugging.
"It is possible, of course," said Dumbledore politely.
"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" said McGonagall angrily. "Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that Harry did not persuade an either an older student or either of his sisters to do it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!"
"Mr. Crouch…Mr. Bagman," said Karkaroff, his voice unctuous once more, "you are our - er - objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"
"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament." Crouch said.
Buffy sighed, "Look I'm afraid I can't allow Harry to participate."
Crouch shook his head, "I am sorry, Ms. Potter. While you may be his legal guardian. In this matter you don't have much say. It is a binding magical contract; he has to compete."
"And how are going to make him if I pull him and Dawn out of this school and head back home to Sunnydale?" Buffy asked.
"You can't, Buffy," Dumbledore said. "Sadly, Barty is correct. Binding magical contract. He has to compete."
"Is it possible for a substitution?" Buffy asked as they all looked at her. "I will do the tasks in Harry's place. I may be the guidance counselor at Hogwarts, but I am not a student here. I was offered to attend an American school. I could officially accept that invitation. Then officially there would be four schools."
"Barty?" Dumbledore said.
"Mr. Potter's name was the one to come out," Crouch said. "As much as I like the suggestion that Ms. Potter is recommending, I'm afraid we still have the problem of the binding magical contract."
"Barty knows the rule book back to front," said Bagman.
"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," said Karkaroff. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore."
"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," said Bagman. "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out - it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament -"
"- in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" exploded Karkaroff. "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"
"Empty threat, Karkaroff," growled a voice from near the door. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Crouch said. Convenient, eh?"
Moody had just entered the room. He limped toward the fire, and with every right step he took, there was a loud clunk.
"Convenient?" said Karkaroff. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody."
"Don't you?" said Moody quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out."
"I know it wasn't me," Buffy said. "And I know it wasn't Dawn. But I do know something is going on here we don't know about."
"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" said Madame Maxime.
"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," said Karkaroff, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards -"
"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Potter," growled Moody, "but…funny thing…I don't hear him saying a word…"
Buffy turned and looked at Moody, "Because he is letting me speak for him. Do I need to remind everyone one that I have parental rights? Anyways I know Harry trusts my judgment. If there was a way out of this, I am sure Harry would gladly take it."
Harry nodded, "Buffy is right. I didn't want to participate in this; I still don't if I had a choice."
"Why should 'e complain?" burst out Fleur Delacour, stamping her foot. "'E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money - zis is a chance many would die for!"
"The prize money means nothing to our family," Buffy said. "We have more money in our vaults today than we had yesterday. That's thanks to our grandfather."
"How this situation arose, we do not know," said Dumbledore, speaking to everyone gathered in the room. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do.…"
Buffy shook her head, "Albus a moment, please?"
Dumbledore nodded and moved aside with Buffy. "Yes, Buffy?"
"Is there no way to get Harry out of this?" Buffy asked.
"The only way I believe would have been your substitution but alas Barty is correct as Harry is under a binding magical contract. I am not sure even the substi…" Dumbledore said and then he smiled. "We may have a way. But it will be tricky. Come to my office later."
Buffy nodded.
"Well, shall we crack on, then?" Dumbledore said turning back to the assembled group, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"
Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie. "Yes," he said, "instructions. Yes…the first task…"
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Buffy arrived in Dumbledore's office an hour later alone. "Albus?" she said.
"If we do this, Buffy," he said. "you are going to need learn a powerful bit of magic. And learn it quickly. It's a glamour charm."
Author's Note: There are no glamour spells in Harry Potter. But there are several instances of such spells being used in both Buffy and Angel. Most notably the Season 7 episode, Killer in Me where Willow glamours into Warren.