Summary: After learning that Hermione Granger is their long-lost sister. Dawn and Buffy, after accepting Dumbledore's offer to help protect Dawn, head to Hogwarts.

Disclaimer: Disney owns Buffy and JK Rowling owns Harry Potter

Pairing: Buffy/Sirius, Dawn/Harry, Hermione/Ron

Author's Note: Originally this was a story I posted on here years ago that was eventually deleted by the admin. I have been working on it ever since (it even went through a name change (originally it was titled The Last Summers). It's past time I tried re-uploading it.

Chapter 1: Family

July 26, 2001 – Thursday

Summers Residence, Sunnydale, California

Dawn observed with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue as Hermione emerged from the fireplace. Their resemblance was uncanny, like looking in a mirror, with only one distinguishing feature: Hermione's hair was bushy and curly, while Dawn's flowed long and straight. Their shared smiles bridged the gap of unfamiliarity, forging an unspoken connection that seemed to transcend words.

Buffy, ever the gracious host, approached Hermione and extended a welcoming arm around her. Her face exuded friendliness as she introduced herself, and Dawn couldn't help but admire her sister's ability to make anyone feel at ease.

"Hi, Hermione, I'm Buffy," Buffy said, her voice radiating warmth as she offered Hermione a friendly embrace. She gestured towards Willow and Giles in turn, her voice polite and composed, "This is Willow Rosenberg, she's one of my best friends." Willow offered a friendly wave. "And this is Rupert Giles, who is both my mentor and who has been like a father to me." A warm smile crossed Giles' face at Hermione's words. "We just call him Giles."

Buffy then turned her attention to Dawn, "And this is..." but her introduction was interrupted when Hermione suddenly spoke up, as if she couldn't hold back any longer.

"Dawn," Hermione finished for Buffy, her voice carrying an undertone of recognition.

Dawn's frown deepened, her confusion growing. How could Hermione possibly know her name? Buffy had specifically mentioned that Hermione only knew about their mother's passing and hadn't mentioned Dawn at all. She couldn't help but voice her perplexity, turning to Buffy for an explanation.

"How did you know?" Dawn asked, her gaze shifting between Hermione and her sister. "I thought you said you hadn't gotten around to mentioning me."

Buffy's face mirrored Dawn's puzzlement as she tried to make sense of the situation. Her voice carried a hint of bewilderment as she responded, "I didn't. How did you know?"

Hermione sighed deeply, her expression filled with a mixture of emotions. She scanned the room, her eyes searching for a suitable place to sit down. With a sense of urgency, she murmured, "It's a long story." Her gaze settled on a nearby seating area. "Can we sit down so I can tell it?"

Buffy nodded in agreement, her expression a mix of anticipation and concern as they settled into their seats, Buffy, Willow and Dawn on the couch while Hermione and Giles sat opposite them. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for Hermione's revelation.

Hermione began to speak, her voice steady but filled with a sense of urgency, as she recounted the strange dream that had led her to this moment. Her words hung in the air, painting a vivid picture of a monk and a mysterious connection that had eluded her until now.

"Well, last night I had a very peculiar dream, through which I discovered that I was adopted," Hermione began. She glanced at Buffy and Dawn, gauging their reactions as she continued. "In my dream, I saw you, Buffy, talking to this monk."

Buffy nodded with understanding, her gaze shifting between Hermione and Dawn. She remembered the monk's cryptic words. "The monk kept talking about a sister whom I knew nothing about until Mom was in the hospital. When she thought she could die from the surgery, she confessed that she gave Hermione up for adoption."

Hermione pressed on, the gravity of her words sinking in. "He mentioned making the Key out of you and your sister, out of you and me," she continued, her eyes locked onto Buffy's. "In the dream, you talked about Dawn; you even said her name."

Buffy nodded at Giles, acknowledging his presence, as she listened to Hermione's recounting of the dream. Her mind raced as she processed the implications. "The monk said he was showing my sister what we were discussing," she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "He even mentioned Hermione's name. At that moment, I thought he was delusional." She turned back to Hermione, her eyes searching for confirmation. "So he did indeed show you everything he told me? Which includes what Dawn was?"

Hermione nodded solemnly after a long pause, her expression mirroring Buffy's seriousness. "The Key," she confirmed. "Yes. And that she was made from us, yes. Well, maybe more me than you since it's apparent she's my twin. And that you and I are meant to protect her."

Willow couldn't help but be curious, and she voiced her question with genuine interest. "No offense, but how can you protect her?" Her gaze swept over Hermione, trying to gauge her abilities.

Hermione's response was calm and confident as she reached into her bag and pulled out a wand, a sight that immediately captured everyone's attention in the room. "With magic. I am a witch," she revealed with a serene smile.

Buffy's curiosity was piqued, and she extended her hand to examine the wand. "Can I see that?" she inquired. After a brief inspection, she handed it back to Hermione and asked with genuine intrigue, "So you practice Wiccan magic then?"

"No, not exactly," Giles interjected, clearing his throat to offer his expertise. "She practices wand magic, which is blood magic if I'm not mistaken."

Hermione nodded in confirmation, appreciating Giles' accuracy. "You're absolutely correct," she acknowledged. "How do you know about wand magic?"

Giles replied matter-of-factly, "I'm a Watcher."

Hermione's brows furrowed with confusion as she admitted, "I'm sorry, but I don't know what that is."

Buffy offered a patient explanation, her voice calm and informative. "A Watcher is someone who trains and guides the Slayer."

Hermione's disbelief was palpable as she responded with a laugh. "The Slayer? That's a myth," she stated incredulously.

Giles, ever the voice of authority, confirmed the reality of Buffy's role, his tone unwavering. "I assure you that the Slayer is no myth. Buffy was called when she was 15."

Dawn interjected with a newfound curiosity, her thoughts racing. "I wonder if I'm made from you and Buffy, can I do your kind of magic?"

Hermione considered the question, her curiosity piqued. "I'm not sure," she admitted with a thoughtful shrug. "Let me call Professor Dumbledore and get him to come here so we can find out."

Giles couldn't hide his surprise as he asked, "You know Albus Dumbledore?"

Hermione nodded with a warm smile. "Yes, he's the headmaster at my school. I go to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Giles' expression softened as he revealed a personal connection to the renowned wizard. "I am familiar with the school. About 25 years ago, I had fallen into bad company, and he helped me find my way back onto the right path."

Dawn observed the exchange between Buffy and Willow, sensing an unspoken understanding between them about Giles' past. It was clear that his connection with Dumbledore held deeper significance.

Buffy, practical as ever, pointed Hermione in the direction of the phone. "The phone is in the kitchen."

Hermione, with a knowing smile, stood and walked over to the fireplace. She retrieved some Floo powder from her bag and threw it into the fireplace with a practiced motion. "Professor Dumbledore's office, Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry," she said confidently as she stuck her head into the now-green flames that had appeared.

Dawn gasped in surprise, her eyes widening as she watched Hermione's unconventional method of communication. "What is she doing?" she asked, bewildered by the magical display.

Giles, however, understood the situation and explained with a sense of nostalgia, "Albus and I have kept in touch over the years. And this is one of the forms of communication we used."

Buffy's curiosity led her to ask a question that delved into Giles' past. "You met him during the deal with Eyghon?" she inquired.

Giles simply nodded in confirmation, his gaze drifting back to the memories of his youth. "Yes. He took me to Hogwarts, where I was tutored privately over the summer. By the time I left, I was ready for my destiny. Then I returned to the Watcher's Academy and picked up my studies again."

Hermione withdrew her head from the fireplace, her gaze directed at everyone in the room. "Professor Dumbledore has agreed to come. He should be here…" She was interrupted as a green fire flared up within the fireplace, heralding Dumbledore's arrival. He stepped out gracefully, his presence commanding attention. "…momentarily."

Dumbledore's eyes swept across the room, his gaze landing on Giles, and he greeted the former Watcher warmly. "Hello, Rupert," he said, his voice carrying a sense of familiarity and respect.

Giles approached Dumbledore and shook his hand, a smile of genuine fondness gracing his features. "Hello, Albus," he replied, the years between their last meeting melting away. "It has been a while."

"Indeed," Dumbledore agreed with a nod. "Shall we all have a seat?" With a flick of his wand, a chair materialized in front of him where none had been before, and he took a seat. Hermione proceeded to fill him in on what had already been discussed, with Buffy taking up the story about Glory.

Dumbledore smiled warmly at Dawn, his eyes filled with a gentle understanding. "Ah, I thought there was something special about you, Dawn. Created from both a witch and the Slayer to contain the Key—a powerful being indeed."

Dawn couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and uncertainty in the presence of the wise wizard. "So I've been told," she murmured ruefully.

Buffy's eyes widened in astonishment as Dumbledore confirmed his knowledge of her being the Slayer. "You know I'm the Slayer?" she asked, her amazement evident in her voice.

Dumbledore nodded, his expression serene. "I knew Rupert had gone back to the Watcher's Academy when he left at the end of the summer, and that he had gone on to become a Watcher. It made sense that Rupert would only be in California if he were assigned to the Slayer as her Watcher. And so, naturally, I knew you must be the Slayer." His perceptive gaze then shifted toward Dawn, acknowledging her presence. "I assume since Dawn here is created from the two of you, you are curious to know if she can do our kind of magic. Let's find out, shall we?"

With a practiced wave of his wand, Dumbledore initiated a magical test, and the room witnessed the appearance of twin lines connecting Dawn to both Buffy and Hermione, followed by the emergence of a third line linking Hermione and Buffy. Dumbledore's nod indicated the success of the test, and he continued his demonstration by waving his wand again, causing Dawn to radiate with a bright white light. "Yes, she can perform our kind of magic."

Hermione's curiosity got the best of her, and she couldn't help but ask Dumbledore about the initial wand movement. "What was that you did with the first wave of your wand?"

Dumbledore chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling with wisdom. "Think of it as a magical paternity test," he explained. "It seems like Dawn is not only made from both of you, but she is also, in essence, your child. I would expect that in the coming years, she will acquire Ms. Summers' Slayer abilities just as she did acquire your magical ability, Miss Granger."

Giles added his perspective to the revelation. "Interesting. We had suspected that Dawn could be more Buffy's daughter than her actual sister, but we never had a way of proving it."

Hermione couldn't help but seek clarification, her curiosity driving her question. "What was the reason for the third line between Buffy and myself?" she inquired.

Dumbledore responded with a gentle smile, addressing Hermione's unique status. "You, my dear Hermione, are a Potential."

Dawn noticed Giles furrowing his brows at Dumbledore's words, and she couldn't help but wonder what might be puzzling him about Potentials—young girls with the potential to become Slayers. Was there more to this revelation than met the eye?

But Dumbledore continued, shifting the focus to the pressing matter of Dawn's safety. "There is something else that must be discussed. What do we do to safeguard Dawn from this Glory? My recommendation is that, since Dawn is a witch, she should be taught accordingly," he suggested. "We can accomplish that at Hogwarts. I understand why Buffy must come along, not just as the Slayer protecting the Key but as a sister wanting to get to know her newly reunited younger sister. So, I offer you a teaching position at Hogwarts. I think you can share the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts for at least the coming term. And then we can decide on a more permanent position if you and Dawn stay after Glory is defeated."

Dawn observed Giles smiling in response to Dumbledore's proposal, and she made a mental note to ask him about his enthusiasm later. Her attention then turned to Buffy, who seemed deep in thought.

Buffy's concern was practical as she voiced her question. "Won't people find it peculiar having a teacher without a wand?"

Dumbledore shook his head in response to Buffy's concern about not having a wand. "No, because you will receive one, just as Dawn will. Magic is instinctive in a Slayer; they just don't receive training for it. The Watcher's Council strictly forbids it," he explained, his gaze then shifting to Giles. "Why is that, Rupert? It is something unknown to me."

Giles appeared conflicted as he replied, "I'm afraid I can't answer that, Albus." His voice held a tinge of regret. "Although my employment is more reluctant due to recent events, there are still some secrets I'm not permitted to talk about, not even to Buffy."

Buffy's eyes narrowed with curiosity as she probed Giles for answers. "You know something you haven't told me?" she asked, a hint of frustration in her voice.

Giles admitted reluctantly, "I do indeed, Buffy. Something marvelous for you, Dawn, and Hermione alike should the circumstances come to pass—and I wish I were able to tell you about it. Though if I did, I would be fired once more, and we will need the Council's resources if we intend to defeat Glory."

He then turned his attention to Dumbledore, addressing the issue of Buffy's independence from the Council. "Though I am employed by them now, Buffy no longer answers to the Council since her Cruciamentum right after her eighteenth birthday."

Buffy nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting her past experiences. "Yeah, they put me through that test when I turned eighteen," she remarked bitterly. "They stripped my powers away and got my mom and Dawn taken hostage by a mad vampire. If we didn't require their help for Glory, I would prefer to have nothing to do with them even now."

Dumbledore's proposal seemed like a sensible solution, and he reinforced his suggestion. "Just as I predicted," he said. "That's why I proposed that you learn how to use a wand. Now I suggest all three of you go straight to Hogwarts after your mother's funeral. Then we'll go to Diagon Alley so you can get your wands and whatever school supplies Hermione and Dawn need. After that, you could get tutoring sessions for the rest of the summer to bring you both up to where you need to be."

Dawn's gaze shifted between her sister and Giles, noticing the contemplation in Buffy's eyes as she considered the suggestion. The weight of the decision hung in the air, and Dawn awaited Buffy's response with bated breath.

Buffy turned to Giles, seeking his opinion. "What do you think, Giles?" she inquired, valuing his perspective.

Giles offered his support for the idea, his voice reflecting his belief in the plan. "I believe it's a great idea, Buffy—something I suggested when we found out what Dawn is, if you remember correctly," he reminded her.

With a sigh of acceptance, Buffy nodded, her decision made. She turned her attention toward Dumbledore and said, "Then I accept."

Dawn's smile was radiant as she embraced her sister, a sense of excitement and anticipation building within her.

Dumbledore took a small piece of rope from his pocket and performed a spell, activating it as a portkey. He handed it to Buffy, explaining its purpose. "This is a portkey, which is a form of magical transportation. It will take you to my office at Hogwarts. All you have to do is hold on to it. It will activate in 5 days' time. That way, you can set whatever affairs you need in order for the coming year. It will activate exactly at 10 in the morning. Since California is exactly 8 hours behind Hogwarts, you will arrive at 6 in the evening."

"Thank you, Professor," Buffy expressed her gratitude, her respect for the wise wizard evident in her tone.

Dumbledore corrected her gently. "Albus," he said with a warm smile.

Buffy nodded and addressed him by his first name. "Albus," she repeated. "We will see you in 5 days. Could you do us a favor and let Hermione's parents know what's going on?"

Dumbledore agreed readily. "I will." Giles stood up as well, and they shook hands. "It was a pleasure to see you again, Rupert," Dumbledore acknowledged.

"Likewise, Albus," Giles replied.

Dumbledore bid each of them farewell before vanishing with a loud CRACK!

Hermione's curiosity led her to inquire about the concept of a Potential, seeking to understand her own newfound status. "So what is a Potential?" she asked.

Giles explained the notion to her, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "You have the potential to become the next Slayer—should something happen to the current Slayer."

Dawn's question brought a new perspective to the conversation, and she wondered if her creation by the monks had inadvertently reactivated the Slayer lineage within Buffy. "Could it be possible that the monks, when they created me, reactivated the line in Buffy?" she asked, looking to Giles for insight. "It'd make sense they'd want me protected, right? So Hermione could be Buffy's replacement, right?"

Buffy nodded in agreement, finding the idea plausible. "That makes sense."

Giles, however, clarified the situation with a factual tone. "While what Dawn suggests sounds plausible, the fact is the Slayer legacy no longer remains with you, Buffy; it's been passed on to Faith," he stated, dismissing the notion. "Considering that you did die for a minute."

Hermione's surprise was evident as she directed her gaze toward Buffy. "Die?" she echoed, her voice filled with curiosity and concern, her mind racing to grasp the implications of this revelation.

Buffy's explanation of her near-death experience brought a solemn atmosphere to the room, and Hermione listened with a mix of concern and understanding. "I drowned, and I was practically dead for around a minute until Xander, a friend of ours, revived me using CPR," Buffy recounted, her eyes flickering with the memory of that harrowing moment. She then turned to Giles, her voice earnest. "I think Dawn is right, Giles. The Monks would want to ensure Dawn was protected, right, especially if something happened to me. It might also explain why the Council could never find Hermione when she was a child, since she hadn't become a Potential until this year."

Giles considered the possibility, his gaze moving between Buffy and Hermione. After a moment of reflection, he acknowledged, "As I said, it is plausible."

The practical matters at hand were not forgotten, and Giles turned to Buffy with an inquiry about her preparations. "So, Buffy, before you leave, what do you need to do?"

Buffy acknowledged the immediate responsibilities on her plate. "There is Mom's funeral," she murmured. "Afterward, I should probably install an alarm system here." She then directed Dawn to fetch Willow the spare key.

Dawn quickly retrieved the key and presented it to Willow, who was ready to assist. Buffy explained the purpose of the key and the forthcoming security system. "That's so you can check the house. I will give you the alarm code once the security system is installed, unless you want to stay here?"

Willow raised an eyebrow, considering the offer. "You don't mind if Tara stays with me?"

Buffy responded with warm acceptance. "Of course not! Pick any room you like for the both of you!"

Willow's smile radiated gratitude as she expressed her thanks. "Thanks, Buffy! We'll take your mom's room if that's okay?"

Buffy nodded with a reassuring smile. "Of course, Willow. That's more than okay. Make yourselves at home." She knew that her mother's unused room would provide comfort during Willow and Tara's stay.