Chapter 3: Trial Run

Challenge: for the livejournal 2019 August Fic-a-Day Challenge.

Timeline: Beginning of movie BtVS; post-series HP; shift timelines to match

Disclaimer: BtVS/AtS characters belong to Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy. HP characters belong to JK Rowling and company. I claim no rights to any copyrighted material. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.

Cemetery

While Merrick explained what he expected to happen at least once during the night, Hank and Joyce discussed the possible problems that could occur if someone from the Wizarding World caught them or Buffy hunting vampires.

"Do you think there are different types of vampires?" Hank asked of his wife since she was much better at research than him.

"Or the vampires act differently when they know they are in wizarding areas," she suggested. "Until we see one, we won't know for certain. The big question is werewolves…"

"You know, I never understood why vampires were almost revered, but werewolves were looked down on," Hank complained. He liked Remus Lupin and it bothered him that the afflicted man had such trouble in the magical community. He wasn't particularly close to any vampires, so he didn't have a personal stake in their treatment (no pun intended). It just felt weird that some 'mixed breeds' or afflictions were more acceptable than others.

"I think it's because when a werewolf is in wolf form, they resemble an animal more, both in appearance and attitude. Wizards and witches don't want to consider that they could be an animal one night a month. With vampires, it's just that they have a different diet, so it's like they're another culture…like the difference between French and British," Joyce hypothesized.

"And if there are muggle werewolves, they might be different from ours as well," he finished the thought. "Damn, I thought once we were done with Hogwarts, I'd be finished with studying stuff like this."

"You should never be done studying," his wife scolded. "That attitude is why you weren't in Ravenclaw."

"By that standard, Hermione should have been one, then," he retorted.

"Touché," she said. "There's always the exception to the rule. How do we want to do this outing?"

"Wrap her up in cotton, drag her someplace those Watchers can't find her?" Hank proposed hopefully. When she gave him the 'don't be stupid' look, he thought for a moment, then said, "Disillusion and sense-blocking spells on ourselves so we can be close buy without getting in the way?"

"Prepared to banish some sticks or conjure some, if necessary, as makeshift stakes," Joyce added. "Fire might be dangerous in close quarters."

"We could test a sunlight spell," he offered.

"And stunning spells," she added. "If we can slow them down, she'll be able to handle them afterwards."

"You aren't going to believe me when I say this, but I kind of wish Snape was around," Hank told her reluctantly.

She shook her head, "No, it makes perfect sense. Buffy's going to need potions if she's fighting monsters all night and has to be a normal student during the day." She paused for several seconds before admitting, "I petitioned the Ministry for the rights to his private notes. Since he died without any family, they were able to declare his line dead and I just had to outbid any other interested parties."

"What about Malfoy?"

"Disowned him after finding out his true allegiance," Joyce answered. "Quietly, so that he could still pretend he was an upstanding citizen," she added with a roll of her eyes.

"That just proves he was as stupid as his sidekicks," Hank said with a sneer. "Despite the fact he was a bastard to me, I will agree he was incredible at potions. Not fighting for his notes was incredibly short-sighted of Malfoy."

"I think that if Hermione had known she could get them, she would have bid on them herself."

"Well, I'm glad you have them," Hank announced. "Anything to help our little girl."

Joyce had to hold onto Hank's arm with a firm grip when the vampires dug themselves out of their graves and attacked their daughter. He amused himself by noting the Watcher's nervous behavior since he couldn't tell where they were. If he turned out to be a bastard, they could have some fun with him.

The earlier practice in the home RoR (Room of Requirements) was a big help for Buffy as she quickly dispatched both vampires.

"Good job, Buffy," Joyce praised her, then handed some wipes to clean off the dirt from her face and hands. Hank chimed in with his congratulations as well.

"How did you know to come to this part of the cemetery?" Buffy asked before her parents could.

Merrick was still glancing around, trying to get a glimpse of the interfering parents. "Their deaths were suspicious enough to dig into their records a little. What I read made me think they were prime candidates for turning."

"Cool. So how many more suspicious deaths do we need to check out?" she wondered aloud.

"A few," her new guide answered. "I'd also like to check out a couple night spots. Vampires take advantage of the more reckless of the patrons. While a young person thinks they are slipping away to…make out," he quickly corrected himself, "the vampires are getting an easy meal."

A/N: Couldn't really think of a better stopping point, so I thought I'd end it there. How long do you think it was between Merrick meeting Buffy and the final showdown with Lothos? Just trying to figure out how many more chapters until they get to Sunnydale.