Harry Potter and the Vampire Slayer

Chapter 2: Sorting it out

Author's note: thanks to my beta Cile for the great job she did!
Disclaimer: Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series are the property of Mutant Enemy Inc. in association with Kuzui Enterprises, Inc /Sandollar Television, Inc, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Inc, and/or their related entities or assignees. The author of this fic is not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies. The Harry Potter series is property of Joanne K. Rowling, the WB (film rights), Bloomsbury and their related entities or assignees.
This is a non-profit unofficial fanfic. No copyright infringement intended.


The castle of Hogwarts loomed above them when they descended from the carriage. "Isn't this awesome?" Willow said happily, glancing up at the sublime turrets, brightly lit against the night sky.
"It's alright," Spike replied while he was unloading their luggage.
Buffy pushed him aside. "Don't touch my things," she said sharply, "I can take those myself."
He shrugged; this was going to be a tough year.
When Buffy, Spike and Willow reached the stone steps leading up to the front doors, the figure of a witch in emerald green robes hurried to greet them. Her hair was black, pulled back into a bun, and she was wearing square glasses. She was followed by an ugly-looking uncanny fellow, who turned out to be Angus Filch, the Hogwarts caretaker. The witch gestured to him. "Could you please take our guests' luggage up to their rooms, Mr Filch?"
Filch grunted something unintelligible as he followed the instructions.
The witch smiled at Buffy. "You must be Professor Summers. I'm Professor McGonagall, Transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor house. Welcome to Hogwarts."
Buffy grinned. "Call me Buffy."
The witch and Buffy shook hands.
Willow beamed at McGonagall. "I've heard so much about you!"
"Professor Rosenberg, welcome," the older which greeted her.
Spike's eyes widened in disbelief as he set eyes on her. "Minerva, is that you?"
The witch looked at Spike with a surprised expression. "It's amazing, I know you don't age, but you haven't changed a bit since we last met."
Spike shook his head. "You'd be surprised."
"You look the same."
"So do you."
"Liar," Professor McGonagall snorted. Nevertheless she looked pleased.
Willow blinked. "You know each other?"
"We've met," Spike confirmed evasively. "How long has it been, twenty, twenty-five years?"
"More than forty," she corrected. "I've heard quite a lot of good about you since."
Spike gave her a winning smile. "I assure you, none if it is true."
She turned back to the two women. "I'm being impolite, sorry. Professor Dumbledore asked me to take you to his office immediately on arrival. If you will follow me, please."
While Willow was soon involved in a vivid conversation with McGonagall, Buffy lowered her voice to talk to Spike. "How do you know McGonagall?"
"Long story," Spike said diplomatically.
"Forty-something years ago, you were still very evil," Buffy pointed out. "So she was fighting you?"
Spike chuckled. "S'pose you could say that, yeah."
Buffy gave him a suspicious side glance.
He shrugged. "I'm a gentleman, I don't talk about these things."
Buffy blinked. "When exactly did you become a gentleman?"
Spike looked amused at her question.
"C'mon, you and McGonagall?!?"
"That was a long time ago. You know Dru's always been kinda restless. And Minnie was quite a beauty in her day."
Buffy arched an eyebrow. "Minnie."
Spike smirked. "Jealous?"
"Don't flatter yourself, I'm just curious. McGonagall is a white witch, so why did she put up with you if it wasn't about killing you? Let me guess. She was young and needed the money?"
His expression darkened. "I really shouldn't be talking about this to you. Wouldn't be fair to Minnie. We all have our dark sides. Magic is dangerous, it's tempting, and it's powerful. You've seen yourself what it can do to a good person. As I said, that was in another lifetime. End of story."
With uneasiness, Buffy thought of the time when she had gotten a taste of Willow's dark side. It felt wrong that she now knew something that personal about McGonagall. She watched the two witches talking and laughing together. They had more in common than they knew.
After a while, they found themselves in front of a a statue of a gargoyle on second floor.
Minerva McGonagall stepped forward. "Chocolate fudge cake," she announced loudly and clearly, and the hidden entrance swung open. They entered the spiral staircase, which was slowly moving upward.
Willow grinned. "A password! Now, that's very modern, I'd say!"
McGonagall smiled mysteriously. "I believe you will have a very interesting stay at Hogwarts."
Together, they entered the headmaster's office. They found themselves in a large circular room. The portraits of all the past headmasters of Hogwarts winked at them from the walls and regarded the intruders curiously. Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, perched on a golden post, welcomed them with a particularly beautiful song. There were delicate silver instruments of unknown purpose on spindle-legged tables. The shelves were cramped with all kinds of items none of them could make sense of.
Two wizards stood in the office, turning as they noticed the newcomers, one of them tall, pale, with black and greasy hair as well as a grave expression, one tiny and with a friendly face.
Professor Albus Dumbledore's tall form rose from behind his claw-footed desk to greet the guests. He was wearing long night blue robes, which brought out his silver beard, hair and his lively eyes. "On behalf of staff and students, welcome to Hogwarts," he said warmly, "I'm Albus Dumbledore. These are Professors Snape and Flitwick."
Willow was the first to shake his hand. "Professor Dumbledore, this is such an honour!"
He nodded at her. "Willow Rosenberg. The honour is mine. I hope you will make yourself at home at Hogwarts." He then turned to greet Buffy and Spike. "Professor Summers. Professor Spike. I would like to thank you for answering my call for assistance."
"Don't mention it, mate," Spike said with a dismissive gesture.
Professor Dumbledore looked at Spike intently for a moment, fixing him with his calm blue eyes as if he was seeing right into his soul. "I can see why Professor McGonagall recommended you."
Buffy looked at the headmaster expectantly. "So, where's the vampire?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Ah, Miss Summers, always a slayer. Constant vigilance. My colleague Professor Moody would be proud of you. He used to be Defence teacher at Hogwarts. Which brings me to my request. Of course it is essential for you to blend in with the crowd at the school, otherwise it would be hard for you to watch over Harry Potter. Your identities must be kept secret under all circumstances. For this reason, you are going to be employed as regular teachers. I was thinking of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes. We haven't had a whole team of teachers for this subject before, I am sure the experiment will prove fruitful for all of us."
Spike looked at him in a shock. "We're supposed to be teaching together?"
"Precisely. In order to keep the number of people who know your true identities to a minimum, only Professors Snape, McGonagall and Flitwick know who you really are what you are here to do: keep Harry Potter alive and healthy until he graduates."
"Doesn't sound too difficult to me," Buffy said lightly.
Dumbledore shook his head slightly. "Lord Voldemort is not to be underestimated. But I do have full confidence in you."
From one of the portraits, there came a snort. "Dumbledore, do you really think those three can pass for wizards? They don't even look like wizards! Every first-year will see right through them!"
Dumbledore turned and nodded at the portrait. "Of course, I have taken precautions on this, Phineas." He addressed the guests again. "You must excuse Phineas Nigellus, he is a sceptic. Though he does have a point. Minerva, could you..."
McGonagall was by his side in an instant, dispatching black robes with matching hats to Buffy, Spike and Willow.
Spike eyed the robe suspiciously. "I'm supposed to wear that? I wouldn't be caught dead in it!"
"Come on, Spike, it's not that bad," Willow disagreed and tried the robe on.
Buffy admired her friend. The robes looked good on her. Reluctantly, Buffy tried on her robes. Spike could not help but notice how well the black went with her blond hair, tumbling down her back in long curls, just the way he liked it. The intense green colour of her eyes stunned him more than ever. No doubt, she was beautiful, and Spike was angry at himself for falling for her over and over again.
Dumbledore looked pleased. "That's much better. However, we're still going to need something else to make you look like fully fledged wizards."
Dubledore gestured to an elderly wizard in purple robes seated unseen in a corner, a wizard who had, so far, not said a word. "This is Mr Ollivander. He will help you find the right wand."
Buffy blinked. "A wand? I'm a vampire slayer, not a witch!"
Dumbledore smiled. "You may be a slayer, and our friend Spike here may be a vampire. However, there are powers in each one of you. You have some magic in you, too, Miss Summers. It just needs to be brought to light. Which is just what a wand will do for you.
Mr Ollivander nodded. "I can only offer you a range of different wands. The wand picks the wizard, as you may have heard. I have brought a collection of fine wands with me, I am certain we will find the right one for you."
Enthusiastically, Willow tried several wands of all different shades and sizes, until finally one of them began humming as soon as she touched it, and Willow felt the power emanating from it.
"Ah, excellent choice," Mr Ollivander told her. "11 inches, essence of unicorn tail hair as its core element, and the hardwood, of course, from a willow tree. You are articulate, strong-willed and resourceful, emotional and enigmatic. The willow is a very feminine tree, a female symbol, linked to the moon, good for healing and love, and yet, like all lovers, melancholic. A wonderful choice indeed." He smiled at Buffy encouragingly. "How about you?"
Buffy hesitated for a moment, then she took a wand in her hand. It looked as if the wand had waited for her. It began to send sparks from its tip immediately.
"This is bad. Right?" she asked hesitantly. "I broke it, didn't I?"
"No, it's good, Buffy!" Willow informed her.
Buffy turned the wand in her hands. The heartwood was dark red, while the lumber wood was white.
"Birch wood, 10 ¾ inches, with a dragon heartstring as its core element," Mr Ollivander explained. "You have a strong spiritual force, you are determined and resilient. To the druids, the birch represented rebirth as it is the earliest of the forest trees after winter. Legend has it that the Great Thunderer Thor made the handle of his hammer out of birch tree. This is a wand for born leaders. But you may be a little reserved in showing love and affection."
Spike cleared his throat a little too loudly.
"Shut up," Buffy snapped.
"One to go," Mr Ollivander said cheerfully.
It took a long time for Spike to find a wand that suited him. He tried many more than both Buffy and Willow, yet not one of them seemed to be more than just a piece of wood in his hand. He was about to give up when he tried the last wand Mr Ollivander had brought with him. The wood was burning hot against his skin when he touched it, and as soon as he took it in his hand, the whole wand began to glow.
Dumbledore looked pleased. "Your wand has finally found you," he commented.
Mr Ollivander looked at the wand with surprise. "How extraordinary. The core element of this wand was made from phoenix talon. The bird that rises from its own ashes to new life," he told Spike, examining the wood carefully. "It was made from Hawthorn. It is a generally unlucky tree and its name, translated from the Irish, had the meaning 'damage, destruction'. This tree stands for purification, cleansing of the soul. You are confident, but easily bored, you crave stimulation and challenge. However, you must develop patience, or hasty action will sabotage your best efforts. Hawthorn people are creative, exuding natural charm." Buffy cast Ollivander a doubtful look, which he ignored diplomatically. He handed the wand back to Spike with a smile. "So, Hawthorn, 12 inches it is."
Now Buffy seemed to be shaken by a coughing fit which sounded strangely like, “More like nine!”
Spike cast her a dirty look, which Buffy answered with a glare.
Willow tried to sound cheerful. "So, shall we go?"
On her way out, Buffy asked the others to go to the Great Hall before her because she needed to use the bathroom. She soon found an empty ladies' room on the second floor.
Her hand had barely touched the handle when she heard strange moaning sounds from within.
"I wouldn't use that one if I were you," a male voice said behind her, "Myrtle won't be amused!"
Buffy turned around to see a lanky student, about eighteen years of age, considerably taller than herself, with tousled dark hair and round glasses. She blinked. "Myrtle?"
Harry Potter was taken aback by Buffy's appearance. She was petite with silky blond hair, hanging loose behind her like a stream, deep eyes, pouty lips. He had expected a shy first-year student, instead he was faced with a pretty young woman.
"Our... our ggghost," Harry stumbled inarticulately, staring at Buffy.
"Everything alright?" Buffy asked in a worried tone.
Think, Harry, say something, a voice in his head insisted, Ignore how beautiful she is! "Yeah, thanks," Harry replied, chiding himself for blushing like a first-year.
Buffy smiled. "I think I won't disturb your ghost, then. Do you happen to know where I can find another bathroom?"
"Two floors down," Harry said.
"Thank you. I'm new here, obviously." She smiled. "I'm Buffy Summers."
Harry's eyes widened. "You must be the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher!"
Buffy nodded. "Are you taking Defence classes?"
"Of course! I want to be an auror," Harry announced with a hint of pride.
Buffy smiled. "Not sure what that is, but sounds pretty ambitious to me. Then I guess I'll see you in class, ...?" She looked at him expectantly.
"Harry," Harry provided, "Harry Potter."
Buffy gave him a strange look. So this was the kid they were supposed to protect. The student who, at his young age, was threatened by a powerful dark wizard, who had apparently hired a bunch of vampires to kill him before he graduated. She felt sorry for him. He seemed quite nice.

*

"Where have you been?" Hermione chided Harry impatiently when he appeared at the Gryffindor table in the richly decorated Great Hall.
Harry grinned. "Got detained. Upstairs."
Ron frowned at him. "You look very pleased for someone who just 'got detained'. Come on, Harry, what happened?"
Harry craned his neck to look at the staff table, but there was no sign of the pretty young woman. He only spotted the astronomy teacher Professor Sinistra, involved in conversation with grey-haired herbology teacher Professor Sprout, and near them the Care of Magical Creatures teacher. Over the table, the only ghost teacher, Professor Binns, hovered and floated in the air, looking bored. In fact, several teachers were missing. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and Flitwick were nowhere to be seen. Maybe Snape had been swallowed by the Giant Squid? The thought widened the grin on Harry's face.
"Harry," Hermione said, "Why are you late again?"
Harry lowered his voice. "I ran into the new Defence teacher!"
For no apparent reason, Hermione blushed slightly.
Ron shrugged. "So what?"
"Gorgeous, I'll never be able to concentrate in that class any more!" Harry said enthusiastically. "Blond hair, blue eyes, and a body to die for!"
Hermione eyed him critically. "Are you alright, Harry?"
Harry gave her a strange look. "Why?"
Hermione looked around her carefully before replying. "You really find the new teacher attractive?"
Harry did not understand her agitation. "Didn't you say so yourself on the train? I wasn't really paying close attention, but I think you mentioned the new teacher was hot."
"Well, yeah, I did," Hermione admitted, "But that's differrent!"
"Why?" Harry asked, sounding a little irritated, "Because you're a girl? And I'm not allowed to say it because I'm a boy?"
Hermione shrugged helplessly. "Sorry, Harry! Maybe I just had you figured wrong."
"Which part of hot didn't you understand?" Harry asked her. "And that soft voice, those curved lips...!"
Ron grinned. "Someone's got a crush!"
Hermione blushed furiously. "It's a TEACHER you're talking about!"
Harry blinked. "Now, yeah, but we're graduating in June, so..."
Hermione averted her eyes in shock. "Your hormones are cutting off the oxygen from your brain," she said stiffly.
Harry realized he must have said something wrong. "Listen, Hermione, you said yourself it was time I got over Cho and found someone new."
"Technically I did," Hermione admitted, "But I was thinking of a nice girl of about Ginny's age, not that teacher."
Harry nodded. not really understanding, but sensing Hermione somehow expected him to talk about his feelings. "I see your point. It's just that this is the first time in two years I've been able to look at someone without thinking of how bad I felt for what happened between me and Cho. I just hoped you'd be happy for me. You and Ron are my best friends. If one of us falls in love, it won’t do anything to change our friendship, right?"
To his surprise, Hermione hugged him tightly. "Of course not, Harry! I'm so sorry! And I am happy for you, whatever path you choose in life!"
Harry blinked. What was that about a path?
The other Gryffindors were casting them odd glances.
"I'm not prejudiced," Hermione added quickly, "This was just so sudden, Harry. I had no idea you were..." She broke off.
"I was what?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"GAY!" Hermione hissed.
"I'm not GAY!" Harry protested, a little too loudly.
Unfortunately, that was precisely the moment when Draco Malfoy was passing their table. He was all ears. With a snarling voice, he addressed Harry. "Potter, have I heard you correctly? You're a sissy? Not that I haven't always known!"
"There is nothing wrong with being gay," Hermione said defiantly, "And even if Harry was gay, it would not be any of your business, and you would never have a shot with him anyway!"
"Hermione," Harry tried to stop her desperately, "I'm not gay!"
"There's nothing to be ashamed of, Harry," Hermione replied fervently, "All of Gryffindor are standing right behind you!" As Draco's thin lips curled into an evil smirk, Hermione realized she had probably not picked the best phrasing.
Harry wanted to Disapparate and never come back.
This was when Dumbledore entered the Great Hall, followed by the missing teachers - among them, to Harry's dismay, Severus Snape - and three new faces. Harry's heart jolted when he saw Buffy.
However, Dumbledore did not sit down with them, but stepped forward.
"I know you are all eager to start the dinner. This is why my welcome speech usually takes place when everyone's finished," Dumbledore said. "However, this time I am going to need to say a few words before the Sorting."
There were agitated murmurs and speculations at the tables. This was very unusual. What was so important Dumbledore thought it could not wait until after dinner?
Dumbledore continued. "When a new wizard or witch arrives, he or she is immediately sorted into one of the four houses. The new school year at Hogwarts traditionally begins with this Sorting ceremony. Most of you have been Sorted, and most of you have witnessed the ceremony numerous times. This year, apart from the particularly large number of first-year students, brings three new teachers to our school as well."
Students everywhere craned their necks or even rose from their chairs to get a glimpse of the staff table.
"We are glad to welcome a team of renowned experts for the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes this year, who are prepared to share their knowledge with you.
As you know, we have a head teacher for each house, which is Professor McGonagall for Gryffindor, Professor Flitwick for Ravenclaw, Professor Sprout for Hufflepuff, and Professor Snape for Slytherin. As to make our new teachers feel themselves at home at Hogwarts, our head teachers have kindly agreed to resign their posts as Head of House to each one of them for this year. Since our new teachers all attended other schools, they still remain to be sorted, so we will start the Sorting with our guests. I know how unusual this is, but please give them a warm welcome."
McGonnagal brought a stool and bade Buffy sit on it. Then she revealed an old-looking wizard's hat.
To Buffy's surprise, the hat began moving, and... singing?

When our beloved school was young, and I was young as well,
There was a curious incident of which I am to tell.
Four wizard friends who founded here a school I'm sure you know,
Their magical abilities to tell, to teach and show.
Good Gryffindor, who taught the brave, and never feared a threat,
Fair Ravenclaw loved cleverness, for her the safest bet.
Sweet Hufflepuff, who just agreed to teach whoever came,
Whereas the doubtful Slytherin ambition sought, and fame.

Now when a time of darkness came and no fast help was near,
Old Hogwarts stood while others crawled and disregarded fear.
And so within its solid walls, a mighty lot was taught
To face the evil in the world and fight what must be fought.
And now, my friends, the time is near when evil strikes once more,
United stand against the foe, send discord from your door.
Don't ask those in whom you don't know, be wary of the night,
In daylight walk and love the sun, so you won't need to fight.

Yet fear not, children of the four, you are not on your own,
Three mighty guides will be with you and won't leave you alone.
A champion will show the way, she did so from the start,
The weight of all the world she bears, the price might be her heart.
Not long ago, a warrior rose like Phoenix from the dust,
Inspiring fear, and sometimes hate, but he's the one to trust.
The third one will be one of you, a daughter of the force,
In her united good and bad, and good shall win, of course.

So keep in mind and don't forget, as I shall end my song,
At every crossroads on your way to choose right over wrong.

The students exchanged puzzled glances. The Sorting Hat had been cryptic before, but this was a new record as far as weirdness went.
Dumbledore gently placed the hat on Buffy's head. "This is the Sorting Hat. It will have a look inside your mind. Are you ready?"
Buffy nodded.
Ron and Harry both kept their fingers crossed. Please, please, Gryffindor!
The hat did not require much time. "Ah, a brave soul! Gryffindor!"
"Professor McGonagall will resign her post to Buffy Summers. Miss Summers, you are in charge of Gryffindor house now. Congratulations."
Buffy nodded. There was a roar of triumph from the Gryffindor table.
Dumbledore continued with Willow.
Willow's knees were weak, but finally the Sorting Hat announced: "Ravenclaw!"
"A fitting choice, I think, Professor Rosenberg, to make you a Ravenclaw. The cleverest, aren't they?"
Willow blushed and nodded. The Ravenclaws greeted their new head teacher with a round of enthusiastic applause.
Spike looked at Dumbledore disbelievingly. "No, don't tell me I'm left with Hufflepuff!" he said in a low voice.
The Sorting hat squirmed on Spike's head and said: "Slytherin!" The Slytherin girls at the nearby table looked quite pleased, cheering and clapping their hands, but the boys looked gloomy for some reason, and Draco Malfoy in particular looked outright miserable. This was gonna be a tough year!

TBC...