Colliding Worlds Series

Disclaimer and Notes, along with Fic information can be found at the start of chapter 1

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Xander’s hand came up and rubbed the back of his neck once again. “Uh, hey.”

“Hello.”

The two stared at each other, not really knowing what to say.

“Since when was Harry a yank?” A voice hissed from behind Xander.

“Honestly Ronald, did you not hear a word Harry was saying on the train.” Xander glanced over his shoulder and noticed the red haired boy scowling and the bushy haired girl rolling her eyes.

“Uh,” Xander looked back to Harry, smiling apologetically.

“Sorry, it’s just… I’ve never had an uncle before… well, I have, but Uncle Vernon, he…” Harry trailed off, not entirely sure how to explain his Uncle Vernon.

“That’s cool,” Xander nodded, “I’ve never had a nephew before, so that makes us even.”

Harry gave Xander a small smile before turning to face Molly. “I saw Mr. Weasley just before we came through the barrier; he said he’ll meet us all at home.”

Molly nodded, “Very well.” She gave Ginny one last hug before setting her free, “Why don’t we continue this conversation back at home then?” She nodded at Sirius who gave Harry one last pat on the shoulder.

“Right, Fred, George, mind you don’t forget Pig,” he turned his head and watched as the twins passed Ron, Harry and Hermione their animal cages, eyeing the rest of the luggage. “Everyone wait here a moment, Fred, George, Remus… come with me.” They disappeared with the luggage trolleys around a corner, before returning. “Right then… Let’s go.” He motioned for everyone to follow him.

“Uh, Sirius?” Xander fell into step beside the older man. “What about the bags and…”

Sirius chuckled, “Remus has Hermione’s luggage – I don’t think she would trust anyone but him to handle her books, I have Harry’s and Fred and George have Ron and Ginny’s.” He patted his pocket. “Simple shrinking charm, that way we’re not lugging four trunks and all other sorts of rubbish back to the house.”

“My books are not rubbish thank you very much,” came a haughty voice from behind them. “They are a far sight better then those brooms the boys have.”

Sirius and Xander turned to look at Hermione. “Xander, Hermione, Hermione, Xander.” Xander gave the young girl a short nod. “Hermione’s the cleverest witch of her year.”

“Cool. Willow’s kinda like that; she got accepted to practically every college across the globe.” Xander felt his heart swell with pride for his friend. “She actually got accepted to Oxford, here in England. But, she wanted to stay in Sunnydale, help save the world.”

Sirius smiled, “You must miss her terribly.”

“I do, but, in a way… I’m glad I’m here. I want a chance to get to know what life could have been like if I hadn’t of ended up living in America, and you and Harry and everyone else.”

Tonks had fallen into step beside them, “Who’re we missing?” She asked nonchalantly.

“Xander’s friend Willow,” Sirius looked up ahead to where Remus and Isabella were talking quietly, “If she decides to come out here, I think she might give our Hermione a run for her money.”

“Oh, she’s the one you were talking about earlier, the witch.” She looked up at Xander, her bright blue eyes pinning him in place.

“That’s her; she’s been my best friend since we were five.”

“Oh.” Tonks’ gaze dropped to the ground and Sirius had to turn away to hide his smirk.
The rest of the walk back to Grimmauld Place was quiet, save for the murmurings about someone Ron and Harry kept referring to as Umbridge and scathing remarks about a ferret. Xander raised his eyebrows however when Hermione chastised them lightly over the ferret remarks before resuming her conversation with Ginny about someone called Snape. They reached Grimmauld Place without incident, and Xander breathed a soft sigh of relief, during their walk, more talk about someone’s ferret named Malfoy had sparked an argument between the girls and the boys, Harry had looked to Remus and Sirius for confirmation about something and the girls had turned to Tonks. All of which refused to stay out of the conversation.

“Right now, everyone remember to be quiet when we go inside,” Mrs Weasley looked pointedly at Tonks whose cheeks turned as pink as her hair now was.

Sirius stepped up and tapped on the door in a quick succession of raps with the tip of his wand, smiling as the door swung open to admit them. Xander watched as he stepped aside and allowed Molly, Isabella and the other girls in before following. As they all filed into the narrow hallway, Molly mutely pointed Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny up the stairs before turning and heading towards the kitchen. Xander had to bite the inside of his cheek as Ron pulled a face behind his mother’s back and held his hand out to George… or Fred… Xander couldn’t be quite sure which twin was which.

“Why don’t you head on to the kitchen Xander, we’ll follow in a moment.” Sirius smiled and gave Xander a gentle shove towards the kitchen. Nodding his response, Xander moved silently, Tonks and Isabella following hot on his heels.

Remus waited until the women, Xander and the twins were well out of earshot before turning and smiling warily at Sirius, “You need to go upstairs and talk with your Godson and his friends. That punch was the least of his anger towards you, the frustration and distress is rolling off of him in waves. And he kept shooting daggers at your back on the walk home.”

Sirius nodded, “I know, in all honesty, I was fully expecting him to hex me seven ways from Sunday the moment he saw me.”

“He more then likely would have if it weren’t for the statute of underage wizardry.”

“Will you come up with me?” Sirius’ blue eyes held the look of a condemned man.

“Of course, one of us needs to be even tempered.” Remus flashed his dearest friend a small smile. “I love you Sirius, but if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I’ll kill you.”

Sirius smiled warmly before pulling the werewolf into a tight hug. “As I love you, now… Help me go explain to Harry how sorry I am.”

Remus tugged on a lock of dark hair, “Not just Harry, but Ginny, Hermione and Ron as well.”


With a quick nod, Sirius led the way upstairs and into the section of the house that had been cleaned and claimed by the… not children, he reminded himself, they were all far too old to be called that anymore, had seen and done far too much to be called children; even if the law saw differently… by their charges. As they came to the pair of doors, he raised his fist, “You may want to get the girls.”

Remus nodded and knocked on the door opposite the room Harry and Ron were occupying. “Hermione? Ginny?” He called softly, and Sirius noticed, not for the first time, just how tired his companion was. Twelve years away from Isabella and himself had not been kind to Remus, and as the door opened to reveal the two young women, he noticed just how much silver had thread it’s way through the normally golden brown hair of his friend.

“Harry, Ron, we’re coming in.” Sirius held open the door and allowed the other three in ahead of him.

“Here, Sirius, you reckon Harry’d be able to leave his stuff here while he goes back to the Dursley’s?” Ron asked, his head buried in his trunk, looking for something.

“Actually…” Sirius trailed off at the glare he received from Remus. “Uh, sure; why not, I don’t see any harm done.”

“See mate? Now all you’ll have to take to the Dursley’s is some clothes and you’re wand and Hedwig.” Ron grinned brightly as he pulled out a bag of chocolate frogs. “Harry?” He turned when he got no response, gulping at the look on Harry’s face.

“I thought you were dead… we *all* thought you were dead.” Harry’s voice held a quite fury, one that Remus and Sirius hadn’t heard since Lily Potter had rounded on them both for getting her husband pie-eyed the night Harry had been born.

“About that…” Sirius began, clasping his hands together behind his back.

“Dumbledore told me you were dead. Remus told me you were dead. Do you have any idea what I’ve gone through in the last thirty-two hours?”

“Harry, listen for a moment, let me explain…”

“NO! I had to listen while Dumbledore ‘explained’ to me that the closest thing I’ve got to a father died right in front of me and one of my best mates!”

“I messed up, Harry I’m -”

“You’re a bastard, you know that?” Harry’s green eyes flashed with anger.

“Harry!” Hermione and Ginny both cried out at the same time.

“No, Harry’s right.” Remus spoke softly. “What Sirius did was nigh on unforgivable. We all thought he was dead.”

Sirius shot Remus a look that clearly said he wasn’t helping matters. “Would you listen for five minutes? All of you?” Sirius’ blue eyes locked on Harry. “I needed to catch my breath Harry. I figured, if I ducked behind the veil long enough, someone would distract Bellatrix and I could see if you were alright. I didn’t know I was going to lose my grip and end up half way ‘round the bloody world.”

“Dumbledore said that when the veil was first created, they put all manner of things in there, just to see what would happen.”

“And they did, but what he didn’t tell you, was that the veil is a link between something called The Watcher’s Council and the active Vampire Slayer.”

Harry barely suppressed a snort of defiance. “Sure.”

“He’s telling the truth Harry.” Remus moved across the room to lay a warm hand on Harry’s shoulder.

“Do you have any idea how terrified I was when Snape got through on the floo to tell us that you’d disappeared?” Sirius leant against the door frame. “I tried calling you on the mirror, hoping the old git was just having us for a laugh, but you didn’t answer. The moment you didn’t respond to that, Remus, Tonks, Shacklebolt, Moody and myself all apparated to the ministry. Do you have any idea how terrified I was that we were too late?”

Ron, Hermione and Ginny all had the good grace to look thoroughly ashamed of their actions, Harry, however didn’t even seem to register any sign of guilt or remorse; just stood there, arms folded across his chest, looking every bit his stubborn father.

“I thought you were being tortured, so sorry for caring.” Sirius had hated that voice even when Lily used it.

“It’s not that you cared Harry, it’s that you were bloody well being led into a trap! And if you’d have continued your Occlumency lessons with Snape, you’d have understood that! Instead, you let your emotions and his get in the way of things!” Sirius shook his head. “Granted, you lot gave a good fight, but Bellatrix got away and Voldemort was able to hurt you. Something we’ve been trying all year to keep from happening.”

“Sirius…”

“No Professor Lupin, Sirius is right.” Ginny Weasley looked at Harry; her face resembling her mother’s far too much. “My dad nearly died trying to save you from getting hurt by Voldemort this year Harry and you’ve had us all on tenterhooks, just waiting for something to happen. Hermione, Ron and I all told you to keep up your Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape and you lied to us, and well… We all could have been seriously hurt! You should be bloody well grateful that Sirius is still alive! I understand you’re angry because Dumbledore did tell you he was dead, but still, the veil was more then likely supposed to remain a secret, and instead, the whole lot of us just stumble on in there and make a right mess of things.” Her voice softened, “Be grateful he’s still alive Harry, Merlin knows I am. You need all the family you can get.”

Harry shot Ginny a murderous glare, “If it weren’t for me quitting those Occlumency lessons, your dad *would* be dead.”

Hermione gasped, Ron went deathly pale and Remus and Sirius froze in their tracks; the only sound, a loud crack, where Ginny slapped Harry across the face.

“How dare you…” She trailed off, two spots of red colouring her pale cheeks.

“Right, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Remus… Out,” Sirius moved from the door, “Go on, before anyone else says something they’re going to regret.”

Remus arched an eyebrow at Sirius, “I’d like to talk to my Godson alone for a moment. You lot go on downstairs and see if Molly can’t use your help with something.”

Nodding, Remus ushered the others out of the room and down to the kitchen, making sure to shut the door behind them.

Taking a deep breath, Sirius sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose; mentally cursing James and Lily for not being here to do this, doubling cursing Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew for being the cause of their not being here. “That was out of line Harry, and you know it.”

“Was it?” Harry spat out, “Because to me, being honest is never out of line.”

“It was and you ruddy well know it Harry James Potter!” Sirius’ voice rose in volume, “You had no right to say that to Ginny and Ron! They could have lost their father, and while I understand that you are angry with both Dumbledore and me, you have no right to take that anger out on your friends.”

“No! I don’t think you do understand Sirius, you’re the closest thing to family that I have and you just left!” Harry’s hands clenched by his side and he could feel the familiar sting in the corners of his eyes, threatening tears. “I thought you were dead! How could you even… You’re supposed to be there for me! And all I knew was that you weren’t coming back!” The first tear fell as he launched himself at Sirius, fists flying every which way. “I hated the idea of coming back here, thinking you were dead! I hated them! They all had families to come home to, I have the Dursley’s!”

Sirius did his best to stand firm as Harry landed several punches to his chest and stomach before he wrapped his arms around the boy, holding him tightly as he cried out his frustration. “Shh, it’s alright lad.” Sirius held his Godson tightly, patting him on the back. “I’m sorry Harry, I didn’t think I’d end up on another continent, I thought Remus or Albus would surely reach in and tell me to stop fart-arsing about.”

Harry hiccupped and tightened his grip on Sirius’ shirt. “I thought you were dead. Professor Dumbledore told me about the veil and those things they put in there more often then not, died.”

“I know, I know.” Sirius felt like a complete and utter prat. “But, if you had listened to me before going off the way you did, you’d have learned that the archway is the link between -”

“The Watcher’s Council and the Vampire Slayer, you’ve told me already.”

“You’d have also learnt that the Slayer is always stationed above the active Hellmouth.” Sirius led Harry over to the bed, sitting him down gently. “For years, the Vampire Slayer has been stationed on the active Hellmouth to keep things like vampires and demons far worse then even Dementors from taking over. But, apparently, this latest Slayer was… misplaced.” Sirius smiled as he relayed what he knew of the Slayer and of Buffy and Giles and Xander to Harry.

“So, you’re telling me that, not only do I have an uncle, but I’ve got a second cousin that I never knew about, and he’s Watcher to the Vampire Slayer… Buffy?” Harry quirked an eyebrow at Sirius who nodded, “Well, I guess stranger things have happened, like a best friend who’s pet rat wasn’t really a rat but the accomplice to the murderer of my parents.”

Sirius laughed, his arm tightening around Harry’s shoulders. “Very true,” he sighed and stood up, “Now, I believe you have apologies to make and an uncle to get acquainted with. Although, don’t tell Remus, but… leave off on the packing for a while, eh?” He beamed when Harry nodded. “Right then, down we go.”

“Sirius?” Harry stopped in the doorway, looking up at the man he’d come to love as much as he would his own father. “I’m glad you’re alive, but… don’t ever do anything like that ever again.”

“Marauder’s oath,” Sirius pressed his hand against his chest, “so long as you resume your lessons with Snape and promise not to go looking for trouble.”

Silently they made their way down to the kitchen so as not to awaken the sleeping Mrs. Black; Sirius couldn’t help but glare at the portrait’s covering as they went past, he wanted that thing gone, and more then he could possibly put into words. Along with Kreacher, the image of his mother was like a heavy black shroud that hung over the house. Silently, he wondered what it would take to keep get rid of the old hag and her lackey once and for all but to keep the rest of the house in tact. As they approached the kitchen, his sensitive ears picked up on the soft sniffles of one Ginevra Weasley and murmured musings of the rest of the Weasley clan, Remus, Hermione and Isabella. He stifled a bark of laughter as Isabella staunchly defended Harry’s behaviour, only to be shot down by Ginny.

“Of course it was rash!” Came the soft, yet defiant voice, “But Harry showed a real lack of responsibility in believing that stupid Vision. We all made some terrible judgment calls in the last couple of days, but to speak like that to Sirius when there was no need…” She trailed off and Sirius watched her from the doorway sneak a glance at her mother, “He’s more then likely had it from all sides already. You, Professor Lupin, Mum… he doesn’t need it from Harry and the rest of us.”

Hermione nodded, “And then to say what he said about… well…” She eyed Molly cautiously, “That went beyond crossing a line and we all know it.”

From the amused look Remus sent in his direction, Sirius knew that this conversation had been hurtling around the kitchen since he’d sent them out of the room. Clearing his throat, he nudged Harry, who had the grace to look utterly and completely ashamed at his outburst, forward.

“G-Ginny, I’m sorry. What I said… I didn’t… I never meant to… I love your mum and dad as if they were my own, you know that.”

Ginny turned, her green eyes flashing as she glared at Harry, “And you very well should be,” she folded her arms over her chest. “It’s one thing to be upset, and another entirely to be so… so… furious… over something so small.” She shot a glare over her shoulder at Isabella and Remus who both snorted, silencing them both with that single look that reminded them far, far too much of Molly. “Sirius is alive, be grateful! What Dumbledore said could have been true.”

Harry looked down at his feet, shuffling closer to Ginny. “I am sorry Ginny, truly.” He looked up at her then, his eyes flashing brightly as if seeing her… really seeing her, for the first time.

“Yes, well, perhaps now you’ll understand the importance of hard work and study.” Hermione spoke up from her place beside Tonks.

Xander watched the interaction between the small group of friends and fought to keep himself from smiling. They reminded him of Sunnydale, of the days before the library went ‘ka-boom’, of the time before Buffy ran away and he and Willow hurt Oz and Cordelia beyond the telling of it. Before Faith showed up and turned them all on their heads. Hermione was definitely the ‘Willow’ of their group.

Ginny smiled slightly, and rolled her eyes, “Hermione’s right, maybe now, after such a scare as this, you’ll think twice before getting us almost killed… and we’ll think twice about agreeing to go along with you.” She reached out and gave Harry the briefest of hugs, and Xander noted as they pulled apart, their faces were red with embarrassment and Ron and Hermione shared a look that clearly said ‘About bloody time.’

“Well, now that that’s all cleared up,” Molly came bustling over, stopping only slightly to fuss with her apron. “I’ll make us all a pot of tea and you can get to know Alexander a little better Harry.”

Harry nodded and sat in the chair between Sirius and Remus. “I’m… sorry… I mean, Hello.”

“Hey,” Xander nodded his head. “I guess this is the part where we explain to you what’s going on?” He quirked an eyebrow and reached for the bag of chocolate frogs.

“Ooh,” Hermione began, “Can we listen too or is this for Harry’s ears only?”

Xander smiled up at the way her eyes lit up at the prospect of something new. “I’ve got no problem with you listening in, I mean, well, Fred and George and N… Tonks… already know. So it only seems fair.” She was definitely the ‘Willow’ and if by the way Ron was shovelling chocolate frogs into his mouth was any indication; he was their ‘Xander’. Settling back in his chair, he relived the tale, with copious amounts of help from Sirius, Remus and Isabella, and comments intermittently thrown in by the twins.

When they’d finished regaling the small group with their story, Xander noticed that Harry looked only slightly put-out, Ron looked positively awed and Hermione looked positively mortified when Sirius threw in the fact that Xander had helped blow up his High School. Only those who’d been present to listen to the story twice before remained aloof and unaffected,
“And now,” Xander continued, “I get to experience some of the things I’ve missed out on during the last eight or nine years.”

“Do you have a wand?” Ginny asked; her eyes shining at the thought of adventure.

“Yep,” Xander pointed to the box he’d set on the sideboard earlier. “Got it earlier; eleven inches, oak with a phoenix feather core or something like that,” he got up and retrieved the parcel, lifting the lid on the box and holding it up.

“Have you ever done magic before?” Ginny asked, watching intently as he rolled the slim piece of oak between his fingers.

“A bit,” Xander shrugged, “There was that one time, last year when we were trying to help Willow restore Angel’s soul, but we were attacked at the last minute. I was more of an herbs and candle lighting guy. And then, a few months ago, Oz and I were trying to do some spell for Giles and Buffy and we got interrupted again.”

Finally, drawn back into the conversation; Ron looked up at Xander, “So, what exactly is a Slayer?”

Hermione huffed and crossed her arms, “Honestly Ron, if you ever bothered to pay attention in Professor Binns’ class, you’d already know the answer to that question.” She rolled her eyes, “The Vampire Slayer is the one girl in the entire world, born and bred to hunt and kill demons, to stop the spread of their evil. She alone will stand against the forces of the dark, when she dies another is called in her stead.” She levelled the red-haired boy with a stony glare that would have put Giles’ hairy eyeball to shame, Xander thought to himself. “If you weren’t fantasizing about fighting off hordes of demons, girls with super-hero powers and blowing up an entire school, you’d have figured that out by now.”

Xander bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling; the girl definitely had the Watcher-Speak down pat and would have done Giles proud had he been there.

Ron withered for a moment and then bristled, “I got that part Hermione. I just meant, what is she, Muggle or Witch?”

“She’s a Muggle,” Remus smiled softly at Xander’s look of gratitude, “When it was first established, the Watcher’s council… experimented with using Witches as the Slayer, but the promise of more power, magic ruined them.” He sighed, “In the end, they chose a Muggle girl, Sinyea if I’m correct, though do not quote me on that, I had enough trouble remembering my History of Magic notes for my O.W.Ls, and assigned her a Wizard to watch over her, train her, to be her guide.”

“Oh,” Ron nodded thoughtfully.

“Did you ever think about becoming a Watcher, Professor Lupin?” Hermione smiled, oblivious to the pain her question evoked.

“Remus, I’m afraid was far too busy taking care of the rest of us to think of things like that.” Isabella smiled politely.

“Um, I think it’s safe to say Quentin Travers would have found Remus unsuitable for that job.” Xander spoke up.

“Oh bloody hell,” Sirius grumbled, “Hermione use your head, you were the first student since James, Remus and myself attended Hogwarts to figure out what Professor Lupin was on their own, granted you’d had gentle prodding from Snape,” Xander heard the barely uttered ‘Greasy Git’ before Sirius continued, “In all that Xander’s just told you, you’ve learnt that a Slayer is bound by duty to slay dark creatures and demons such as Vampires and Werewolves.”

Hermione’s eyes widened, “Oh I’m sorry!” Her face flushed a deep shade of pink, “Professor I didn’t mean…”

“It’s alright Hermione, but yes, that’s exactly why I couldn’t join the Academy. No matter how much I wished I could.” Remus leant across the table and patted her hand in reassurance.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it though,” Xander supplied, “the Council are a bunch of idiots.” He looked up and shrugged, “About six months ago, maybe a little longer, they sacked Giles.”

With the exception of Sirius, the room issued forth one collective gasp and Xander was trying to answer everyone’s questions at once.

“Why?”

“What happened?”

“I thought I read something about that in the Prophet.”

“Why didn’t he come back to England?” The last one was Harry and Xander felt about six inches tall when he realized that would be the hardest one to answer.

“When Buffy turned eighteen, the Council forced Giles to put her through some kinda test.”

“The Cruicamentum,” Remus nodded sadly. “One of the most barbaric tests a Slayer; anyone really, can be put through.”

Xander nodded, “He gave her these shots and they kinda sapped her strength. Anyway, on her birthday, Travers and a couple of his men locked Buffy in a boarded up house with a deranged vampire, who’d broken out anyway and killed the two Watchers on duty, kidnapped her mom and expected her to pretty much die. Not that it would have mattered anyway. Faith was pretty much out and out evil by then, even if we didn’t know it. And a new Slayer would only have been called if Faith died.” He looked up at the faces around him and blushed, each one listening intently so as not to miss a single thing.

“Anyway, Buffy was scared that she was losing her powers and told Giles and one night while she was on patrol, she almost ended up on the wrong end of her stake and Giles told her the truth. In the end, Buffy survived and Quentin was both proud and put out, I’m not sure, and Giles was fired for not being impartial.” He shrugged, “I think Buffy said something about Quentin saying he loved her like a daughter and wasn’t fit to be her watcher.” He missed the sceptical looks shared between Remus and Isabella. “As for why he didn’t come home, I’m not really sure; you’ll have to ask him that. But I do know, the Council so far, hasn’t done anything about Faith, when they sent the new Watcher, Wesley to Sunnydale he was a complete and utter moron. He almost got all of us killed, and well, Faith’s now in a coma at Sunnydale General and he was fired too when Buffy quit.”

The group sat in silence for a while, mulling over all this new information. Hermione looked very distressed, Xander noted but set it aside as though she’d just been told something unsavoury. It wasn’t until Molly spoke up some minutes later, that everyone began to realise how time had gotten on.

“Hermione dear, what time did you tell your parents you’d be getting home?”

“Oh,” Hermione looked at her watch, “Oh! I almost forgot, they’re supposed to be coming to meet me at the Leaky Cauldron in half an hour.” She stood up and straightened her cardigan. “Sirius, is it alright if I leave my books and school robes here, as well as Crookshanks? I’ll be coming back in two weeks and it would save an awful lot of packing.”

“Of course,” Sirius smiled, “Remus and I will walk you to the Leaky Cauldron. Isabella?”

“I must be getting on, Uncle Albus wanted me to go and grab some books from the cottage; I’ll be back in a couple of days, perhaps even tomorrow if I find them all.” She stood up, “It was a pleasure to finally meet you Xander, to meet all of you.” She smiled at the faces peering at her around the table. “Molly, I’ll send word if I’m going to be delayed.”

“Very well dear; Ron, Ginny, you two,” she nodded to the twins, “go and grab your school things, we have to head back to the Burrow.”

“Right, well, we’ll be off too then.” Sirius stood up, grabbing Remus by the collar of his shirt. “C’mon Hermione, wouldn’t want your parents to worry.”

“It was lovely meeting you,” Hermione stood in front of Xander, “When I get back, maybe you could tell me more about your friend Willow, she seems rather interesting.” She smiled and held her hand out to Xander, shaking it before turning to give Ron, Harry and Ginny hugs. “You two behave yourselves. Merlin knows you don’t need to be in anymore trouble.”

“Have a safe journey dear,” Molly pulled the young witch into a tight hug before stepping back, “Tell your parents we’ll be sending Bill and Charlie along to collect you at the end of two weeks.”

“Yes Mrs. Weasley.” Hermione waved a final good bye before dashing as quietly as she could back upstairs to grab her backpack.
“We’ll see you when we get back Xander, won’t be too long. You too Harry,” Remus smiled, “We can take you to your Aunt and Uncle’s tomorrow.” Turning, he made his way to the front hall.

“Do it while we’re out,” Sirius hissed to Molly who nodded.

“I’ll stay and help,” Tonks smiled, waving at her cousin.

Isabella gave Molly a knowing wink before following the others out into the hall. A muttered conversation, a soft ‘crack’ and the shutting and warding of the front door floated in from the hallway and Molly Weasley gave a sigh of relief.

“Alright, you two,” she nodded pointed to Fred and George, “Go up to the library, Sirius has marked a book, get it and bring it back here. Ron, up in Buckbeak’s room there should be a red envelope in amongst Sirius’ old robes, find it and bring it down to me as quick as you can. Ginny, Tonks, in my room there is are two sets of robes, white ones, please go and bring them down here and do be careful.”

Xander watched in awe as they scattered to parts of the house as yet unknown to him; the twins had filled him in last night, explaining what Sirius and their mother had planned. Harry however, had ‘CONFUSION’ written across his face in big, bold letters.

“Uh, Mrs. Weasley…” he looked to the woman who had become a second mother to him in the absence of his own.

“It’s alright Harry dear; you just sit there and wait for the girls to come back.” She smiled quickly, opening cupboards and drawers.

“I was just going to ask what happened to Kreacher.” He looked to Xander who shrugged.

“Oh, he’s dead dear. Died yesterday afternoon when he failed to comply with Sirius’ orders. He left a frightful mess in the cupboard under the sink. Seems that, when a House elf doesn’t follow orders and fails to be punished, he just… implodes,” she smiled as Fred and George came back into the kitchen, waving the book about. “Good, good. Now I need you two boys to go and stand in front of Madam Black’s portrait. Ahh, very good girls,” Molly took one of the white robes from Ginny, “Harry, I need you to go upstairs and slip this on. Now’s not the time for questions dear, Remus will return shortly.”

“Mum, there were two envelopes, both of them red.” Ron stood in the door way, waving them in the air. “Also, I think someone’s going to have to go upstairs and spend some time with Buckbeak, bloody thing nearly took my head off.”

“Thank you Ron, and yes, he does seem a little restless. But unlike Sirius who has now been cleared of all charges, Buckbeak is still a fugitive.” She took the envelopes from him, opening the first one, and then discarding it. Looking up, she eyed the young wizard still standing in the kitchen. “Well? Go on Harry dear, go up and change into that.” She ushered him out of the kitchen. “Ginny, Ron, you go with him please and *don’t* argue, you’ll find out what’s going on soon enough.” The youngest Weasleys rolled their eyes but turned and followed Harry back up to his and Ron’s room.

“I’m going to need my wand for this aren’t I?” Xander asked, looking up from his place at the table.

“Yes dear, I’m afraid you are.”

“But… I don’t know how to use it.”

Molly laughed, “Not use a wand? Oh don’t be silly, this is one of the rudimentary skills of magic. Just a simple binding that will make this house yours instead of Sirius’. He had Arthur and Albus draw up these papers weeks ago, for Harry, just in case. And this morning we were able to change them.” She smiled and slid the paper in front of Xander, “All you need to do dear, is tap your wand at the places marked and say your full name and the house will belong to you.”

“But what about Sirius?”

“He’s happy to be rid of this place; also, we’re hoping that with the changing of the original deeds from the Black name to the Potter name, it’ll rid us of some of the more horrible enchantments inside.”

Xander shrugged, “Alright,” turning his wand over in his hand, he moved to tap his wand to the parchment in front of him. “Are you positive?” He looked up at Molly.
“Yes, yes. Sirius wouldn’t have taken Remus with him if he hadn’t been sure.”

Nodding, albeit hesitatingly, Xander tapped his wand to the parchment, “Alexander Phillip Potter,” he blinked rapidly as a flash of purple flooded the room and seemed to envelope the parchment in a violet haze. He watched with no small amount of surprise as the parchment rolled itself up and a blob of purple wax sealed it closed. On closer inspection, the blob contained the letter ‘P’ with a phoenix curling around it.

“Congratulations Alexander,” Molly beamed and held the scroll out to him. “You’re now the proud owner of 12 Grimmauld Place.” A loud crash followed by twin oomph’s floated down from the hallway. “Oh dear,” she cast a quick look up the hallway, “Now, go and slip into that robe and come back to the kitchen please Alexander. “Tonks, the enchantment we’re going to need should be marked in that book, please look it up and start getting things ready and for Merlin’s sake, be careful.” Turning on her heel, she joined the twins in the hallway, casting a silencing charm on the portrait of Madam Black before she could get over the astonishment of being taken down.

Xander walked past just in time to see Molly levitating the portrait into the front parlour and shutting the doors. Ducking upstairs and slipping into his room, he slid out of his jeans and t-shirt and into the white robe, making sure to kick off his shoes and socks. He’d spent enough time over the previous summer with Willow knowing that the less synthetic materials on a person, especially during major rituals, the better the outcome of the spell.

As he went back down stairs, his brow furrowed in confusion at the sight of the twins dancing and singing in front of the place where the portrait had once hung. Gone was the troll-leg umbrella stand, and in it’s place a stately looking silver vase. He shook his head at the twins, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth as he remembered Cordelia and Willow both performing in much the same way when they’d staked their first Vampire without help from either of the boys the summer of Buffy’s disappearance.

“Ahh, there you are dear,” Molly beamed at him, “Oh good, you’ve taken off your trainers. Now, this may hurt a moment, but I’m going to need to add a little of your blood to this, Harry, yours too.” She smiled over Xander’s shoulder as Harry, Ron and Ginny all stepped into the kitchen.

“Just a moment Mrs. Weasley, but could you please explain to me what’s going on?” Harry folded his arms over his chest and eyed the older woman suspiciously.

Ron’s eyes however, widened, “Mum, you’re a bloody genius!” he strode across the kitchen and gave his mum a quick hug. “Harry, with Alex -”

“Xander,” Xander told him, his face screwing up at being called Alex.

“Sorry mate, with Xander here, you don’t have to return to the Dursley’s. Whatever protection you had there, you’ll have here. It wasn’t just your mum that died trying to save you, but your dad as well. Don’t you get it?” He continued when Harry remained perfectly blank, “You don’t have to go back to the Dursley’s. You can stay here with Sirius and Remus and Buckbeak and Xander!”

Harry’s eyes lit up with that and he looked at Molly, “Is he serious?”

“Yes dear, Sirius realized it last night when he got home, we spent a fair bit last night after Remus went upstairs discussing it, and this morning too while Remus was out meeting with Alastor.”

Harry stepped up to the bench, palm out. “Well then, let’s do this.”

Xander smiled, “Nothing like sharing blood to make a true family,” he quipped, holding his own hand out.

The two boys shared a smile as Molly pressed the point of a silver athame into the centre of their palms; Xander’s left to Harry’s right. She watched as the blood welled up and quickly moved Xander’s hand over the small cauldron, allowing only a few drops to fall into the already bubbling liquid before she switched his hand for Harry’s.

“Right,” she continued, “Alexander dear, you’ll need to grab your wand again and press your palm to Harry’s.” She kept her eyes trained on the cauldron as Ginny handed Xander his wand. “Now, tap the pot three times and say after me ’Cruor of meus parentela,’” she waited until Xander repeated her, smiling encouragingly, “habito intus eas moenia,” she gave Harry a quick smile as the smoke of the cauldron turned a faint blue, “securus de inimicus,” she grinned at Xander as he tried not to stumble over the words, “viscus of meus cruor.” A tiny snap and the smoke changed from faint blue to deep violet. “Alright Alexander, now, come with me please.” She floated the cauldron in front of her and moved to the front door. “Now, dip the sleeve of your robe into the cauldron and write Potter Templum - Penetro haud hostilis across the lintel.” She beamed as Xander did so. “We’re almost done dear, and then you can go and wash up for dinner.” She motioned for Harry to come forward. “The two of you need to clasp hands again, Alexander, you need to tap your wand on the lintel four times and then you both need to repeat what you said in the kitchen.”

“Cruor of meus parentela, habito intus eas moenia, securus de inimicus, viscus of meus cruor,” the door glowed purple for a moment before the words Xander had written on the lintel faded with the last of the violet light.

“Welcome home Harry!” Molly threw her arms around the younger boy in a hug before doing the same to Xander. “Welcome home both of you!” The twins, Tonks, Ron and Ginny let out a raucous cheer and began a weird kind of victory dance in the narrow corridor. “Well, go on you two, go shower and change and then come and see Tonks and myself to get your hands patched up.”

Xander and Harry dashed upstairs to the sound of Molly telling the others to behave; although they could both clearly tell her heart just wasn’t in it. Harry stopped in front of his and Ron’s bedroom door, reaching out and grabbing Xander’s arm. “I don’t have to call you Uncle Xander do I?” He asked, his green eyes sparkling in amusement.

“Nope,” Xander smirked, “I know it seems odd, we’ve only known each other a few hours, and I’m sure you’re still pissed off at Sirius for falling through that curtain-y thing. I’m glad he did though, I kinda like being part of a big family, even if it’s only just us.”

Harry nodded, “Perhaps later, after Remus has calmed down and stopped wanting to hex Sirius into oblivion, the four of us can sit down and talk and you can tell me more about how you grew up in America .”

“Yeah, I’d kinda like that too.” Xander smiled and stepped back, “Maybe you can even help me learn some of that wand-waving stuff. From what Fred and George have told me, you and Hermione are the people to go to about that.”

“It’s a deal.” Harry smiled, pushed his glasses up his nose and turned, entering his shared room to grab his clothes.

-------------

A/N: The translation for all that Latin is:
“Cruor of meus parentela, habito intus eas moenia, securus de inimicus, viscus of meus cruor,”

“Blood of my kin, dwell within these walls, safe from foe, flesh of my blood,”

‘Potter Templum - Penetro haud hostilis’

‘Potter Sanctuary – Enter no enemies’