July 30, 1993
Buffy and Dawn sat in their shared bedroom at their father's house in Los Angeles. The custody agreement that Joyce and Hank had signed had said that Buffy and Dawn would get to spend a couple weeks during the summer with him. Of course, because Harry was Buffy's sister and Hank had wanted to get to know the boy, he had asked Joyce to let Harry visit as well.
It was late at night and they were trying to read a book under the sheet to muffle the light from Dawn's wand. "Lumos Maxima..." she said as the wand glowed for a minute before going dark. "Lumos Maxima..." Again, the wand glowed for only a moment.
Down the hall they could hear a toilet flush. They weren't sure if it was Harry or if it was Hank Summers, Dawn's biological father and Buffy's adopted father. They laid back in the bed just in case it was Hank and pretended to be asleep. Hank didn't have a problem with magic but he knew from talking to Joyce that his daughters and Harry were not allowed to do magic outside of Hogwarts, at least not till they turned eighteen. And so as to not have them get in trouble with the Magical Congress of the United States, the U.S. version of the English Ministry of Magic, he had made a ground rule that no magic would be used while they were visiting.
Hank Summers peered into the room he was sure for a moment he had seen light filtering under the door. But he didn't see any light in the room now. He closed the door and headed back to bed.
Dawn let out a sigh of relief as she and Buffy sat up, "I understand why Dad has the rule of no magic. He doesn't want us getting in trouble. But it's not like it's any different than using a flashlight."
"Maybe we should be using a flashlight," Buffy said. "Just so dad doesn't have to worry."
"Buffy, can we just talk for a moment?" Dawn asked.
"About?" Buffy wondered.
"What happened in the Chamber," Dawn said. "Willow and Ginny told me that you drowned and that Fawkes healed you not once but twice."
"You think it affected me don't you," Buffy said.
"Well you are after all only twelve going on thirteen years old," Dawn said. "What kid wouldn't have a problem with potentially dying. Especially when you know that as a Slayer it is a possibility."
"I know," Buffy said with a sigh. "And sadly, I've been thinking about that a lot the last couple weeks. When we get home, I am probably going to have to talk to Giles."
July 31, 1993
Buffy and Dawn went down to breakfast the next morning to find Harry and Hank already sitting around at the kitchen table. They could clearly hear that the television in the living room was on.
Buffy and Dawn sat down opposite Harry and Hank.
"Happy Birthday, Bells!" Harry said.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!" Buffy replied.
"Happy Birthday, Buffy! Harry!" Dawn and Hank added.
Buffy helped herself to a piece of toast just as she heard the reporter on the television, who was halfway through a report on an escaped convict:
"…The public is warned that Black is armed and extremely dangerous. A special hot line has been set up, and any sighting of Black should be reported immediately."
"Is that the guy from the Daily Prophet that escaped from Azkaban?" Buffy asked her brother who got a copy of the paper sent to him.
"Yeah," Harry said. "Which makes me wonder why he is making American news."
"From what Joyce has told me," Hank said. "When someone escapes from a wizarding prison all the magical governments coordinate as a just in case that person manages to flee the country."
Hank looked at the time and noticed it was almost time to pick his sister Marge up from the train station. "Buffy, Dawn, are you two sure you don't want to be with me when I pick up Aunt Marge?"
Buffy sighed. "I love Aunt Marge, dad. But after Celia, I just don't know if …"
"I understand, honey," Hank said as he remembered his niece. Celia had been Marge's daughter till she passed away in the hospital. He remembered it had been the first time Buffy had watched as someone she cared for die right in front of her. He smiled at his eldest daughter. "You two were inseparable. I miss her too."
"So, do I," Dawn said.
"Who's Celia?" Harry asked.
"I'll explain on the way to pick up Aunt Marge," Hank said.
When Hank and Harry returned with Marge, Buffy and Dawn noticed that Marge had a large bulldog with her.
"Hi, Aunt Marge," Dawn said as Hank quickly took Marge's suitcase upstairs to the guest room.
"Dawnie," Marge said as she hugged her niece. She turned and looked at Buffy. "Hello, Buffy."
"Hi, Aunt Marge," Buffy said.
"Can I get a hug?" Marge asked as Buffy walked over to her and hugged her. "You still miss her."
"Always," Buffy said.
"Is that why you didn't want to meet me at the train station?" Marge asked as Buffy guiltily nodded. She smiled. "It's alright, I understand. I've been the same for a long time, Buffy."
Buffy looked down to see Marge's dog, Ripper, snuffling about her ankle.
After dinner Buffy excused herself and started to clear the table as Hank brought out a bottle of wine. "Can I tempt you, Marge?" Hank asked.
"Just a small one," Marge said as Hank began to pour. "A bit more... a bit more... That'll do, Hank." She took a sip.
Buffy let out a sigh. She really did love her aunt, but at the same time she wasn't sure she wanted to be around Marge either. With Marge there it just reminded her that her cousin sadly would never grow up.
Pop! The glass in Aunt Marge's hand exploded. Harry looked at Dawn as if to ask did you do that. Dawn shook her head.
"Oh, my goodness! Marge!" Hank said surprised the glass shattered in her grasp. He looked at Harry who shook his head. Harry motioned toward Buffy and Hank nodded in understanding. "Harry, Dawn, Buffy. Why don't you three go on up to bed it's getting late. After all you leave for home early tomorrow."
Harry and Dawn grabbed Buffy and led her upstairs. "Did you do that?" Dawn asked when they were safe in Harry's bedroom.
"I think so," Buffy said with a sigh. "I was remembering Celia. And we know that accidental magic can happen when emotions run high."
August 1, 1993
The next day just before dawn; Harry, Buffy and Dawn stood at an empty playground. They had to arrive early because the bus that was to take them back to England would be a dead giveaway if it were spotted in America. Suddenly they heard a car alarm shriek and they seemingly froze. Beside the bus it wouldn't be good to see three children standing before dawn at a playground. So, they listened to make sure that no one was out yet.
Buffy stiffened as her Slayer senses began going off. She turned and looked straight ahead at the shadows across the street. There in the dark she saw something big, darker than the shadows which concealed it. Something with wide, gleaming eyes.
"Call the bus," Buffy said as Harry and Dawn looked at her. "Do it, before something supernatural decides to have us for breakfast."
Harry pulled out his wand and it blazed and twin beams of blinding light speared the night for a split second.
Suddenly giant wheels bore down on them as they got clear – just as preposterously purple, triple decker bus screeched to a halt. Gold letters glimmer above the windscreen: The Knight Bus.
Just then doors hiss and snap back. Stan Shunpike steps out, he looks like he hasn't seen the sun in years. "Welcome to the Knight Bus. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I will be your conductor this evening. Well, come on. Let's not wait for the grass to grow."
Stan grabbed Harry, Buffy, and Dawn's suitcases. Buffy peered into the shadows across the street - now simply shadows - and climbed aboard.
Stan shuffled up next to them, "So what's your names?"
"I'm Dawn Potter and these are my siblings Harry and Buffy Potter," Dawn said. "Our mom Joyce Potter booked us a return ride back home."
"Ah yes, just up the road from Arthur Weasley's place," Stan said.
Several hours later the bus pulled up to Joyce's house. Joyce was waiting on the front porch for them as Harry, Buffy, and Dawn get off the bus.
"Thank you, Mr. Shunpike," Joyce said as Stan nodded and the bus drove off.
Joyce turned to face Buffy, "Isabella Lilyanne Potter, you could have been in serious trouble, you could have been expelled from Hogwarts. I got a letter from the Aurors in the U.S. about your magic use."
"It was an accident, mom," Buffy said. "I was thinking of Celia."
"I understand, Buffy," Joyce said as she pulled Buffy into an embrace. "Seeing Marge reminded you about Celia. And even now years later you haven't completely gotten over seeing Celia die. And as a result, the accidental magic slipped out. That is what I suspected, honey. And what I told the Aurors. They were understanding when I explained the situation."
August 2, 1993
The next day a knock came at the door. Joyce went to open it, "Minister, it is a privilege to see you here. Can I ask what the occasion for your call today?"
"I'm here to see you, Ms. Potter," Cornelius Fudge replied.
"About?" Joyce asked.
"Sirius Black," Fudge stated as Joyce sighed and nodded. "You are Harry and Isabella's guardian so I won't presume to dictate to you. But I just wanted to recommend they not go anywhere without you in attendance."
"Do you think he will seek them out?" Joyce asked.
"It is a possibility," Fudge stated. "After all they are responsible for, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's downfall. And he might go after them for in revenge for his master."
"I understand," Joyce said. "I was thinking about having their books and school supplies shipped here anyways."
"No need," Fudge said. "I took the liberty of having someone get them myself. They should be here later today." He turned toward her abruptly, "Have you told Harry and Isabella about Black?"
Joyce shook her head, "No, and I have no intention to… At least not, yet. They don't need to know that their godfather is the man that sold out Lily and James to You-Know-Who."
"Thank you."
"I'm not doing that for you," Joyce said. "I'm doing it for them. They don't need to know that. Especially Buffy."
"Why especially her?" Fudge asked.
"Because she's a Slayer," Joyce said as Fudge looked at her surprised. "I guess the Watcher's Council doesn't let the Ministry know when they have a Slayer in England?"
"No," Fudge said. "We've had a strained relationship for decades. And yes, you are correct in not telling Isabella. Being the Slayer, she might feel it's her responsibility to deal with Black."
"That said," Joyce said. "I likely will tell them someday. They do deserve to know. Just not when he's on the loose."
"Very well," Fudge said and he apparated away.